BoAr:FNQ:CivilWar
http://boar.org.uk/ariwxo3FNQ758.htm
Latest edit 2 Sep
2007.
Interactive
version ©2006 R.J.PENHEY
The Bourne Archive
FNQ
Fenland Notes and Queries. Edited by Rev. W.D. Sweeting, Rector of Maxey.
Part 40. January 1899.
This quarterly periodical took the form of a forum in
which people sent in questions about the history, ecology and so on of the
Seventeenth
Century Civil War
758 – The Parliamentary Chronicle, – From a rare
book entitled “Jehovah-Jireh. God on
the Mount. Or, Englands Parliamentarie-Chronicle,” I send some extracts
relating to the Fenland district. The author is John Vicars, an enthusiastic
supporter of the parliament party. The period covered by the chronicle is from
1641 to October 1643.
M.M.D.
Cambridge Countie also petitioning the Parliament for furnishment of Armes for the
defence of their County against the Malignant Commissioners
of Array, the Parliament ordered, that not onely they, but all other
Counties over the whole Kingdome should be assisted with such moneyes as had
formerly been collected for Horse, Armes, and Ammunition in the last Northern
expedition, and had not been disposed of for the defence of those severall
Counties, where the money had been so collected. (P. 98.)
Lincolnshire made
known their readinesse, alacrity and cheerfullnesse to yield obedience in
speedie puting the Ordinance for the Militia
in execution; the Lord
Willoughby of Parrham also further intimating the resolution of that County
to defend his
Majesties person, and to preserve the priviledges of Parliament, and to
oppose all such as endevoured to separate his Majesty from his great Counsell
of Parliament. (Ib.)
[ibidem (in the same place, which is
page 98)]
The next extract
is a good specimen of the courteous and temperate character of the author’s
language.
It pleased the Lord most graciously to give us
divers sweet and most memorable returns of our Prayers, as first, that on that
very Thursday, [1 Sep, 1642]
[M.M.D.’s insertion]. The Earl of Carliel
[probably James
Hay, 2nd Earl of Carlisle of the Second Creation] and one Master
Russell, two great Malignants against
the Cause of God, and his Church, who intended to have put the Commission of Array in execution at Cambridg, were both of
them there apprehended without any blood shed & brought up to London to the Parl. Also the very same
day in the afternoon, (for, the other two came to London in the forenoon) a brave and courageous Troop of London Dragooners brought to the Parl.
that most mischievous Viper of our Church and State too, Mathew Wren
Bp. of Elie, as also Dr. Martine, Dr. Beal, and Dr. Stern,
three very pestilent and bad Birds, of the same Viperous blood, with other
Prisoners, brought up to the Parliament, who are all now, lockt up in Cages,
most fit for such ravenous Vultures, and unclean Birds of prey; with whom also,
those valiant Troopers brought a great Trunke full of marvellous rich Silver
and guilt Plate and money, as some reported on credible information, to the
value of at least 1000.l. some said
1500.l. together with a great piece
of Ordnance and other Ammunition, all this found in the said Wrens house, which was all carried, that
very same day, to the Guild-Hall in London. (P. 149.)
Much about which time [March, 1643] [M.M.D.’s
insertion], upon a hot and true report and intelligence, that the Lord Capell, a great Malignant, with some
troops of Horse, intended to shape his course, and to March to Cambridge, with a purpose to have taken
it for the use of his Majesty; but noble and active Colonell Cromwell, having happily prevented
him, with the associated Counties about Cambridge,
especially Essex, sending in most
speedily very numerous auxiliarie forces, to oppose the utmost power of the
Lord Capell, his wise lordship
providently diverted his purpose, and
come not thither, fearing (very justly) too hot entertainment. For, there was,
indeed, assembled thither in a very short space, neer about thirty thousand
able armed fighting men. But all being well and safe for the present, they were
(with very hearty thanks for their faithfull forwardnesse) dismissed and sent
home again, save only one thousand to strengthen the Town. But, ere they
departed, a list was given in of at least 23000, who at three dayes warning would be ready to march thither again on any
just occasion thereunto. Thus we see how our God infuses and inflames zeal into
the hearts of his people, to shew themselves ready and cheerful to come forth
to help the Lord against the mighty Nimrods and hunting Furies of our times. O who,
then, can distrust such a God, such a Cause?
(P. 273.)
[There are chronologies of events nationally
and nearer
Lincolnshire, which might be useful in providing a context for the above
events.]