Commons took into Consideration the sad Condition of the Kingdom in reference to its Grievances by the Burthen of the War in case the Treaty for a Peace, which was then propounded (and of the successless issue of which we have before in the former Volume given an Account) should not take effect, nor the War be effectually prosecuted. After a long Debate of this matter, the House Voted themselves into a Grand Committee, where there was a general silence for a good space of time, many looking one upon another, to see who would break the Ice, and speak first in so tender and sharp a Point: Amongst whom Oliver Cromwell stood up, and spake shortly to this effect. “THAT it was now time to speak, or for ever to hold the tongue: The important occasion being no less than to save a Nation out of a Bleeding, nay, almost dying condition, which the long continuance of the War had already brought it into; so that without a more speedy vigorous and effectual prosecution of the War, casting off all lingering proceedings like Soldiers of Fortune beyond Sea, to spin out a War, we shall make the Kingdom weary of us, and hate the Name of a Parliament. For what do the Enemy say? Nay, what do many say that were Friends at the beginning of the Parliament? even this, That the Members of both Houses have got great Places and Commands, and the Sword into their hands, and what by Interest in Parliament, and what by power in the Army, will perpetually continue themselves in Grandeur, and not permit the War speedily to end, lest their own power should determine with it. This I speak here to our own Faces, is but what others do utter abroad behind our Backs. I am far from reflecting on any, I know the worth of those Commanders, Members of both Houses who are yet in power; but if I may speak my Conscience without reflection upon any, I do conceive if the Army be not put into another Method, and the War more vigorously prosecuted, the People can bear the War vance their The desire of and of those who held Cromwell, with him, was not to ad own interests, or to strike down this or that man, but to to a satisfactory conclusion. no longer, and will enforce you to a dishonourable Peace. But this I would recommend to your Prudence not to insist upon any Complaint or over-sight of any Commander in bring the war Chief upon any occasion whatsoever; for as I must acknowledge my self Guilty of Over-sights, so I know they can rarely be avoided in Military Affairs; therefore waving a strict inquiry into the Causes of these things, let us apply our selves to the Remedy which is most necessary: And I hope, we have such true English Hearts, and zealous Affections towards the General Weal of our Mother-Country, as no Members of either House will scruple to deny themselves and their own private Interests for the publick Good, nor account it to be a dishonour done to them whatever the Parliament shall resolve upon in this weighty matter.” Another spoke to this purpose. "Whatever is the matter (which I list not so much to inquire after) two Summers are past over, and we are not saved: Our Victories (the price of Blood invaluable) so gallantly gotten, and (which is more pity) so Graciously bestowed, seem to have been put into a Bag with holes; what we won one time, we lost another: The Treasure is Exhausted, The Country's Wasted: A Summer's Victory has proved but a Winter's Story; the Game however shut up with Autumn, was to be new play'd again the next Spring; as if the Blood that has been shed were only to manure the Field of War for a more plentiful Crop of Contention. Mens hearts have failed them with the Observation of these things; The Cause whereof the Parliament has been tender of Ravelling into. But Men cannot be hindred from venting their Opinions privately, and their Fears, which are various, and no less variously express'd; concerning which I determine nothing, but this I would say, 'tis apparent that the Forces being under several great Commanders, want of good Correspondency amongst the Chieftains, has oftentimes hindred the Publick Service." this resolution would be But the first that moved expresly to have all Members of The effect of Parliament Excluded from Commands and Offices was Mr. Zouch Tate; wherein he was seconded by Sir Henry Vane Jun. and others. The Debate lasted long, but in conclusion the Grand Committee came to this Resolution, "That 66 to exclude well as Man Cromwell as chester and Essex from But Crom well desired no Member of either House of Parliament shall during commands. "the War Enjoy or Execute any Office or Command Mili"tary or Civil, and that an Ordinance be brought in to to secure the "that purpose. success of his cause even at the John Rushworth, Historical Collections (London, 1701), VI, 1-5. cost of his 81. Naseby (1645) The This was the day of the famous Battel at Naseby. King had drawn off from Borough-hill to Harborough, purposing to march to Pomfret, and thinking if he were followed, he should fight with more advantage Northward. Fairfax sent out Ireton with a flying party of Horse, who fell upon a party of the King's Rere quartered in Naseby Town, took many prisoners, some of the Prince's Lifeguard, and Langdale's Brigade. own position. On December 10 the Self-denying Ordinance passed the Commons, but it was thrown out Finally, on a second was passed. This marked the triumph of the Independents. WHITELOCK (16051675), member of the This gave such an alarm to the whole Army, that the By BULKing at Midnight leaves his own quarters, and for security STRODE hastens to Harborough, where the Van of his Army was quartered, raiseth P. Rupert, and calls a Council of War. There it was resolved (and chiefly by P. Rupert's eagerness, old Commanders being much against it) to give Battel: and because Fairfax had been so forward, they would no longer stay for him, but seek him out. Fairfax was come from Gilborough to Gilling, and from thence to Naseby, where both Armies drawn up in Battalia, faced each other. The King commanded the main Body of his Army, Prince Long Parlia- No. 80. Fairfax was in-chief of the New Model. Under the Rupert and Prince Maurice the Right Wing, Sir Marma- Of the Parliaments Army Fairfax and Skippon commanded Self-denying the Main Body, Cromwel the Right Wing, with whom was Cromwell re- Rosseter, and they both came in but a little before the signed his Ordinance place as lieutenant general, but in response to a general demand he was rein stated by the Commons on the 10th of June, four days before the battle of Naseby. Fight: Ireton commanded the Left Wing, the Reserves were brought up by Rainsborough, Hammond and Pride. P. Rupert began and charged the Parliaments Left Wing with great resolution; Ireton made gallant resistance, but at last was forced to give ground, he himself being run through the Thigh with a Pike, and into the Face with a Halbert, and his Horse shot under him, and himself taken Prisoner. Prince Rupert follows the chase almost to Naseby Town, and in his return, summoned the Train, who made no other answer but by their Fire-locks, he also visited the Carriages where was good plunder, but his long stay so far from the Main Body was no small prejudice to the King's Army. In the mean time Cromwel charged furiously on the King's Left Wing, and got the better, forcing them from the Body, and prosecuting the advantage, quite broke them, and their Reserve. During which, the Main Bodies had charged one another with incredible fierceness, often retreating and rallying, falling in together with the Butends of their Muskets, and coming to hand blows with their Swords. Langdale's men having been in some discontent before, did not in this Fight behave themselves as they used to doe in others, as their own party gave it out of them; yet they did their parts, and the rest of the King's Army both Horse and Foot performed their duties with great courage and resolution, both Commanders and Souldiers. Some of the Parliament horse having lingred awhile about pillage, and being in some disadvantage, Skippon perceiving it, brought up his foot seasonably to their assistance, and in this charge (as himself related it to me) was shot in the side. Cromwel coming in with his victorious Right Wing, they all charged together upon the King, who unable to endure any longer, got out of the Field towards Leicester. P. Rupert, who now too late returned from his improvident eager pursuit, seeing the day lost, accompanied them in their flight, leaving a compleat Victory to the Parliamentarians, who had the chase of them for 14 Miles, within two Miles of Leicester; and the King finding the pursuit so hot, left that Town, and hasts to Litchfield. This Battel was wone and lost as that of Marston Moor, but proved more destructive to the King and his party; and it was exceeding bloody, both Armies being very courageous and numerous, and not 500 odds on either side. It was fought in a large fallow Field, on the North-west side of Naseby, about a Mile broad, which space of ground was wholly taken up. On the Parliaments side were wounded and slain above 1000 Officers and private Souldiers. M. G. Skippon (an old experienced Souldier) was ordered to draw up the form of the Battel, he fought stoutly that day, and although he was sorely wounded in the beginning of the Fight, and the General desired him to go off the Field, he answered, he Fairfax. would not stir so long as a man would stand, and accordingly staid till the Battel was ended. Ireton was dangerously hurt, and taken Prisoner for a while, after he had done his part, but, in the confusion of the Fight got loose again, and saw the Victory atchieved by his party. The General had his Helmet beat off, and riding in the field bare headed up and down from one part of his Army |