sidering his father's merits), his own hopefulness, besides the great power that family has in the west. Yet I have refused the admitting of him, till I shall hear from thee. Wherefore, I desire thee, first to chide my son for engaging himself without one of our consents; then not to refuse thy own consent; and lastly, to believe that directly or indirectly I never knew of this, while yesterday at the delivery of my son's letter.

So farewell, sweet heart, and God send me good news from thee.

Dear heart,

Charles I. to his Queen.1

9th June, 1645.

Oxford being free, I hope this will come sooner to thee than otherwise I could have expected, which makes me believe that my good news will not be very stale, which in short is this: since the taking of Leicester, my marching down hither to relieve Oxford made the rebels raise their siege before I could come near them, having had their quarters once or twice beaten up by that garrison, and lost four hundred men at an assault before Bostoll House. At first I thought they would have fought with me, being marched as far as Brackley, but are since gone aside to Brick Hill, so as I believe they are weaker than they are thought to be, whether by their distractions, which are certainly very great, (Fairfax and Brown having been at cudgels, and

1 The King's Cabinet Opened, 1645.

his men and Cromwell's likewise at blows together, where a captain was slain,) or wasting their men, I will not say.

1

Besides, Goring hath given a great defeat to the western rebels, but I do not yet know the particulars. Wherefore I may, without being too much sanguine, affirm that, since this rebellion, my affairs were never in so fair and hopeful a way, though, among ourselves, we want not our follies, but such as I am confident shall do no harm, nor much trouble me. Yet I must tell thee that it is thy letter by Fitzwilliams, assuring me of thy perfect recovery, with thy wonted kindness, which maketh me capable of taking contentment in these good successes. For, as divers men propose several recompenses to themselves for their pains and hazard in this rebellion, so thy company is the only reward I expect and wish for.

Charles I. to the Earl of Glamorgan. 2

Glamorgan,

Hereford, 23rd June, 1645.

I am glad to hear that you are gone to Ireland; and assure you that as myself is noways disheartened by our late misfortune, so neither this country,

1 Goring was shortly afterwards defeated by Fairfax at Lamport. The army he commanded was then the principal hope of the royalists.

2 MS. Harl. 6988, art. 112. Herbert, Earl of Glamorgan, had lately reached Ireland, having undertaken the delicate task of organizing the Roman Catholic army in the royal cause, and granting them concessions to their religion, without compromising the character of Charles. His instructions were strictly private; they were not brought before the council, although it is believed that Glamorgan admitted Ormond into his confidence.

for I could not have expected more from them than they have now freely undertaken, though I had come hither absolute victorious, which makes me hope well of the neighbouring shires, so that (by the grace of God) I hope shortly to recover my late loss with advantage, if such succours come to me from that kingdom which I have reason to expect: but the circumstances of time is that of the greatest consequence, being that which is now chiefliest and earnestliest recommended to you by

Your most assured real constant friend,

Nephew,

Charles I. to Prince Rupert.1

CHARLES R.

Cardiff, 31st July, 1645.

This is occasioned by a letter of yours, that the duke of Richmond showed me yesternight. And, first, I assure you that I have been, and so will be, very careful to advertise you of my resolutions, how soon they were taken; and, if I enjoined you silence to that which was no secret, it was not my fault; for I thought it one, and I am sure it ought to have been so. Now, as for your opinion of my business, and your counsel thereupon, if I had any other quarrel but the defence of my religion, crown, and friends, you had full reason for your advice; for I confess that, speaking either as a mere soldier or statesman, I must say that there is no probability but of my ruin; yet, as a Christian,

1 MS. Harl. 4231. Charles was at this time buoyed up with the firm impression that Montrose would achieve wonders for him in Scotland, and he also confidently expected a large supply of men from Ireland.

I must tell you that God will not suffer rebels and traitors to prosper, or this cause to be overthrown. And whatsoever personal punishments it shall please them to inflict upon me must not make me repine, much less give over this quarrel; and there is as little question that a composition with them at this time is nothing else but a submission, which, by the grace of God, I am resolved against, whatever it cost me; for I know my obligation to be, both in conscience and honour, neither to abandon God's cause, injure my successors, or forsake my friends. Indeed, I cannot flatter myself with expectation of good success, more than this, to end my days with honour and a good conscience, which obliges me so to continue my endeavours, as not despairing but that God may yet, in my time, avenge His own cause, though I must avow to all my friends that he who will stay with me at this time must expect and resolve to die for a good cause; or (what is worse) to live as miserable in maintaining it as the violent rage of insulting rebels can make him.

Having thus truly, and I believe impartially, stated my case unto you, and plainly told you my positive resolutions, which, by the grace of God, I will not alter, they being neither lightly nor suddenly grounded, I earnestly desire you no ways to hanker after treaties, assuring you, as low as I am, I will go no less than was last offered in my name at Uxbridge, confessing that it were as great a miracle that they should agree to so much reason, as that I should be, within a month, in the same condition I was in immediately before the

battle of Naseby. Therefore, for God's sake, let us not flatter ourselves with those conceits; and believe me, the very imagination that you are desirous of a treaty, (for that at this time, and a submission is all one) will but lose me so much the sooner.

Wherefore, as you love me, whatsoever you have already done, apply your discourses hereafter according to my resolutions and judgment; as for the first, I assure you they shall not cheat me, but it is possible they may cozen themselves; for, be assured what I have refused to the English I will not grant to the Irish rebels, never trusting to that kind of people (of what nation soever) more than I see by their actions; and I am now sending such a despatch to Ormond as I am sure will please you and all honest men, a copy whereof by the first opportunity you shall have. Lastly, be confident that I would not have put you nor myself to the trouble of this long letter, had I not a great estimation of you, and full confidence in your friendship to CHARLES REX

Charles I. to the Marquis of Ormond.1

Ormond,

I find by yours to Dighby that you are somewhat cautious not to conclude the peace, without at least the concurrence of the council there, which, if you could procure, I confess it would be so much the better. And therefore I have sent herewithal another

VOL. II.

1 Harleian MSS. 4231, p. 11.