Bourne Archive:
FNQ: Civil War
http://boar.org.uk/ariwxo3FNQ758.htm
Latest edit 9 Aug 2009.
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.]