and, as we must expect disasters in war, so we hope you will not be disheartened by them from pursuing our service as vigorously as if you had had better success. Upon the whole matter, our express will and pleasure is, that you use all possible diligence to conjoin unto you all the forces you can make in those parts, as well those of Somersetshire as Sir John Berkley's, and those which we have commanded to march up unto you from Sir Richard

much more spacious in rooms for receipt, in gardens and orchards, than the Tower of London. I was in it daily the space of twenty days, and saw it royally graced with the presence of a gracious king and queen, who were honourably attended by a gallant courtly train of lords and ladies, and gentles of the high Dutch and Bohemians, and where was free and bountiful entertainment to strangers in abundance. I must ever humbly and thankfully acknowledge the queen's majesty's goodness towards me, whose undeserved favours were helpful unto me both there and in my tedious journey homeward. Moreover, there I saw (and had in mine arms) the king and queen's youngest son, Prince Robert, who was born there on the 16th of December last. A goodly child as ever I saw of that age, whom, with the rest, I pray God to bless, to his glory and his parents' joy and comfort.

There, for a token, I did think it meet

To take the shoes from off this prince his feet:

I do not say I stole, but I did take,

And whilst I live I'll keep them for his sake-
Long may his grace live to be styled a man,
And then I'll steal his boots, too, if I can.
The shoes were upright shoes, and so was he
That wore them, from all harm upright and free;
He us'd them for their use, and not for pride,
He never wrong'd them, or e'er trode aside.
Lambskin they were, as white as innocence,
(True patterns for the footsteps of a prince)
And time will come (as I do hope in God)
He that in childhood with these shoes was shod,
Shall with his manly feet once trample down
All anti-Christian foes to his renown.

Grenville; and that you apply yourself wholly to the clearing of those parts of the rebels' forces under Vandrosse, whilst the distraction among the rebels in these may give you the leisure, before their pouring down more forces upon you, which are not likely to be suddenly so great but that, if you be once conjoined with Berkley and Grenville, you may be strong enough to encounter them. We have appointed Digby to acquaint you more at large with the reasons of his command.

Given March 3rd, 1644.

Charles I. to the Earl of Newcastle.1

Newcastle,

By your last despatch I perceive that the Scots are not the only, or (it may be said) the enemies you contest withall at this time; wherefore I must tell you in a word (for I have not time to make long discourses), you must as much contemn the impertinent or malicious. tongues and pens of those that are, or profess to be your friends, as well as you despise the sword of an equal enemy. The truth is, if either you, or my lord E—, then leave my service, I am sure (at least) all the north

1 MS. Harl., 6988, art. 104. A letter in the Bodleian Library, written about this period by the king to the same nobleman, commences as follows:-"My wife has written so fully to you, that I have little to add but to assure you that I am well satisfied with the relation of your proceedings, by which I judge the Scots rebels to be in much worse case than your army, so that I hope to have good news from you shortly. But such as they happen to be, I pray let us have them at least once a week (indeed twice would be better); and though there be none, it contents us to know that, being much unsatisfied if we be long unhearing."

(I speak not all I think) is lost. Remember all courage is not in fighting, constancy in a good cause being the chief, and the despising of slanderous tongues and pens being not the least ingredient. I'll say no more, but let nothing dishearten you from doing that which is most for your honour and good of (the thought of leaving your charge being against. book)

Your most assured real, constant friend,

Oxford, 5th April, 1644.

CHARLES R.

Charles I. to the Earl of Newcastle.1

Newcastle,

You need not doubt of the care I have of the north, and in particular of your assistance against the Scots' invasion, but you must consider that we, like you, cannot do always what we would; besides our task is not little that we struggle with, in which, if we fail, all you can do will be to little purpose; wherefore you may be assured of all assistance from hence that may be, without laying ourselves open to eminent danger, the particulars of which I refer you to my lord Digby, and

rest

Your most assured real, constant friend,
CHARLES R.

Oxford, 11th April, 1644.

1 MS. Harl., 6988, art. 106.

Nephew,

Charles 1. to Prince Rupert.1

Ticknell, 14th June, 1644.

First, I must congratulate with you for your good successes, assuring you that the things themselves are no more welcome to me than that you are the means. I know the importance of supplying you with powder, for which I have taken all possible ways, having sent both to Ireland and Bristol, as from Oxford this bearer is well satisfied that it is impossible to have at present: but if he tell you that I may spare them from hence, I leave you to judge, having but thirty-six left; but what I can get from Bristol (of which there is not much certainty, it being threatened to be besieged), you shall have.

But now I must give you the true state of my affairs, which, if their condition be such as enforces me to give you more peremptory commands than I would willingly do, you must not take it ill. If York be lost, I shall esteem my crown little less, unless supported by your sudden march to me, and a miraculous conquest in the south, before the effects of the northern power can be found here; but if York be relieved, and you beat the rebel armies of both kingdoms which are before it, then, but otherwise not, I may possibly make a shift (upon the defensive) to spin out time, until you come to assist me :

' MSS. in the Heralds' College. Rupert had met with signal success this spring in the northern counties. Marching from his quarters at Shrewsbury, he had compelled the parliamentary forces at Newark to capitulate, and had afterwards taken Stockport, Bolton, and Liverpool. This letter throws the responsibility of having hazarded the fatal battle of Marston Moor entirely on the advice of Charles himself.

wherefore I command and conjure you, by the duty and affection which I know you bear me, that (all new enterprises laid aside) you immediately march (according to your first intention) with all your force to the relief of York; but if that be either lost, or have freed themselves from the besiegers, or that for want of powder you cannot undertake that work, you immediately march with your whole strength to Worcester, to assist me and my army; without which, or your having relieved York by beating the Scots, all the successes you can afterwards have most infallibly will be useless to me. You may believe nothing but an extreme necessity could make me write thus to you; wherefore, in this case, I can noways doubt of your punctual compliance with

Your loving uncle and faithful friend,

CHARLES R.

I commanded this bearer to speak to you concerning Vavasor.

Charles I. to the Lords and Commons of Parliament assembled at Westminster.1

Evesham, 4th July. We being deeply sensible of the miseries and calamities of this our kingdom, and of the grievous sufferings of our poor subjects, do most earnestly desire that some expedient may be found out, which, by the blessing of God, may prevent the further effusion of blood, and restore the nation to peace, from the earnest and constant endeavouring of which, as no discouragement given us on the

1 Nalson's MS. Collections, British Museum.