A.D. 1645.

3

Pickering; Okey seized upon Bath, and a line of posts was settled from the Parrett to the English channel. Fairfax and Cromwell then set about the reduction of Bristol, the only important place, with the exception of Oxford, east of Devon that remained in the king's hands. Prince Rupert held it for the king, Sir Bernard de Gomme, an artillery officer of great skill, adopted the old lines of defence, which he greatly strengthened; it was he who threw out the double ditch and rampart, with a covert way between the Water fort and Brandon hill fort. In the former of these there were now seven guns and six on Brandon hill. The old Windmill fort was greatly enlarged and surrounded with high walls, it was a pentagon, mounting twenty-two guns, and was known as the Great, or Royal, fort; the redoubt behind the Montague tavern was converted into a fort (Colston's fort), having seven guns; Prior's hill fort, on Nine Tree hill, the key of the position, commanding as it did the castle and city from a very superior elevation, had thirteen guns allotted to it, the walls had been carried up to a great height, a ladder of thirty rounds scarcely reaching to the top, it had two tiers of loopholes (Cromwell, however, only mentions "four guns on the top," the other number we take from the king's letter to Edward Turner [given in Vol. I., 312-4], possibly the others were in casemates, and the lieutenant-general only mentions those en barbette). Stokes Croft gate was protected by Prior's hill fort, and Lawford's gate, a double work with seven guns, that faced the open ground leading up to Kingswood. Along this portion of the line there were twenty-two guns, in sconces, half-moons, and at the gate. These formed the defences of the outer line, which mounted a total of seventy-seven guns. The ancient walls and castle remained as of yore, excepting that they had been repaired and strengthened. Here were mounted on the south side, at Tower Harratz and Temple, fourteen guns; at Redcliff and its sconces, fifteen; at the Castle and Newgate, sixteen; at the Frome gate, one; and at the Pithay, one, making for the inner line of defence forty-seven guns. But Cromwell states that the mounted cannon captured numbered one hundred and forty; the balance of sixteen was probably distributed between the gates of Back street, Marsh street, the towers along the Quay and a battery on the Marsh, which had been thrown up to command the river.

Rupert, who had arrived in Bristol in July, 1645, had a garrison of 2,500 effective soldiers, besides 1,000 horse and 1,500 auxiliaries. Amongst his officers were Lords Lumley and Hawley, General Tilyard, Sir Walter Vavasour, Sir Richard Crane, Colonel John Russell, Sir Bernard Ashley, Sir Matthew Appleyard, and Colonels Fox, Murray, Osborne and Slingsby. Rupert declared

that he could hold it for four months against any force, and he threatened to hang anyone who even talked of surrender. The cattle from the surrounding country had been swept into the Marsh, large supplies of grain were collected, much beer was brewed and stored up, and 2,000 measures of corn were brought from Wales for the poor amongst the citizens, whose total number was computed to be about 12,500 persons.

As the Constitutionalists advanced Rupert burnt part of Clifton and Bedminster, intending also to burn the adjacent villages; but Colonel Welden, with his horse, dashed on to Pyle hill, and Ireton stabled his horse in Bedminster old churchyard, whilst a flying column saved Hanham, Keynsham, Brislington and Stapleton from the flames. Fairfax reconnoitred the city on August 21st, and slept that night at Hanham; the two next days were spent in posting the troops around the devoted city. Welden raised a battery on the hill above Totterdown, and seized the fort at Portishead. His brigade of four regiments covered the Somersetshire loop from river to river. They were posted in alignment forming a segment of a circle, as follows:Herbert's regiment, leaning on the Avon, on the site of the Great Western Railway sheds; Fortescue's, next to him; then Ingoldsby's, whose left reached to Bedminster Causeway; Welden's bent round to Wapping, and completed the enclosure [Bathurst basin and the New Cut were not then excavated]. Behind these, in support on Pyle hill, above the three lamps, were Sheffield's horse; next to him, Pye's; whilst Cromwell's own regiment, commanded by Huntington, rested their left on the Malago stream.

On the opposite side of the Avon Montague's brigade swept round in another aligned segment from that river to the Frome. It consisted of Montague's regiment, along the site of Queen Anne road to Cheese lane; Pickering's, along Whipping Cat hill, rather to the east, in what is now Newtown; Waller barred the roads to Kingswood and Easton; and General Fairfax's own regiment filled the void of market gardens between the Stapleton road and the Frome, by Eugene street. Behind the openings between these regiments, in support, were Graves' and Desborough's horse. North of the Frome Rainsborough's brigade bent round from that river to the valley known as Woolcot park. The major-general's regiment lay in Earl's mead; Birch's, next to him, extended up to Ashley road; behind these lay Whalley's horse, at the foot of Ashley hill; Hammond's regiment stretched from St. Barnabas church to Cheltenham road, having in support, on the site of the Montpelier Railway, Colonel Rich's horse, commanded by young Bethel. Rainsborough's men, tried and trusty veterans, crossed

Arley hill at the foot of Cotham brow to nearly the bottom of Lovers' walk. Pride's regiment (in Woolcot park) was divided; one-half threatened Colston's, the other the Royal fort. Okey's dragoons, in two regiments, formed the concluding segment, and covered the ground from the Victoria rooms to Clifton wood, facing Brandon hill, and threatening Washington's breach and Limekiln lane. Ireton's horse were on Redland green; Fleetwood's lay a sturdy barrier across the Whiteladies' road, just above Clifton down railway station; and Butler's watched Gallow's Acre lane and the Hotwell road. The sites quoted were, of course, not then built upon, but consisted of open fields and gardens. Fairfax had removed to Stoke house, near Stapleton; but, like a thorough soldier, he soon shifted his quarters to a mean farmhouse [two rooms of it are still standing] on the hill above Montpelier. He saw that if Prior's hill fort was once taken, the surrender of the city was secured. In a field at the back of the house may still be seen the remains of the small lunette from which he battered the fort. The city was thus invested on every side, and the intention was evident from the disposition of the forces, viz., to reduce it by blockade. Not a pailful of milk or a basket of eggs could pass into the city, so thoroughly was it environed. There was a large number of the townsfolk favourable to the Commonwealth, but these were overawed by the garrison; and to add to the terrors of the siege, the fatal plague was raging with virulence within the walls.

Cromwell, whose headquarters had been at first at Wickham bridge, Stapleton, had removed to Ashley barn, and the late H. J. Harford, stated once that his father, who bought the Wickham bridge property in 1805, had a place in the upper chambers pointed out to him that was boarded up. He had it opened, and found it to be a closet formed by a closed-up gable window. In it were a helmet and two halberts; one halbert was covered with crimson velvet, but the wood was so rotten that it fell to pieces, the place being very damp; the other was the old brown bill of the period.

34. On Saturday, August the 23rd, the guns of the Royal and Prior's hill forts played all day [they killed, however, only one man n], to cover a sally by the cavaliers, who, issuing from the latter fort, dashed fiercely down

1 Was the immortal Milton present at the siege of Bristol? When Seyer was writing his History there was a farmhouse at the bottom of the field, but to the north of Fairfax's headquarters, near the little stream that ran from Horfield, in the attic of which was descried some very beautiful Italian verses, written with

pencil on the wall. Copies were taken by Seyer and other gentle men, and the general impression was that they had been written by that great poet the friend of Deodati, whose muse revelled as perfectly in the Italian language as she did in the English tongue.

on Rainsborough's men at the bottom of Cotham brow. Steadily confronted by their resolute old opponents of Marston Moor and Naseby, they were beaten back, and left their gallant leader under a heap of slain. Thus perished Sir Richard Crane, a gallant knight from Norfolk, a fine cavalry man, who had commanded the king's horse at Marston Moor. On Sunday, the 24th, encouraged, perhaps, by the hymns that rose from the valley, another attempt was made. A large force of horse and foot from the postern of Prior's hill charged at a hand gallop down the hill; but Rainsborough's men sang praises with their swords girded, and every man was ready on the instant to fall into line. The cavaliers who had hoped to surprise them were driven back in disorder, losing their major and many men. On Monday the general, by warrant of the sheriff, raised the posse comitatus to aid in surrounding the city. To these Fairfax gave two guns, and they appear to have been stationed on the left of the Ironsides on the little hill opposite to the jail, from which by their shouts and numbers they alarmed the city. Failing in the above-named attempts, Rupert directed one to be made in the opposite direction, and on Tuesday, the 26th, at four o'clock in the morning, in a pelting storm of rain, a sally was made from Temple gate on Welden's brigade, in which the Cavaliers were again repulsed; they captured, however, an outpost of ten men through the carelessness of the officer in charge. Sir Bernard Ashley was here mortally wounded close to the works of the besiegers. The ten men with a trumpeter were sent out on the 28th as an exchange for the dying knight. North and south being barred, the besieged next tried, on the 27th and 29th, to cut their way through on the east, issuing from Lawford's gate, but Montague was too good a soldier to be caught napping. There was hope, however, in the untried west-the king was moving towards Oxford, and Goring had advanced to Chard-so in the grey dawn of the misty morning of September 1st, 1,000 Royalist horse, led by Sir Horatio Carey, and 600 foot soldiers tried to force a passage from the Royal fort, and by way of Washington's breach. Here there was hard but very brief fighting, and again the Cavaliers retreated to the shelter of their lines, carrying with them, however, a notable prisoner, Colonel Okey, who in the dense fog had ridden into their ranks by mistake.

The fleet of the Parliament was in Kingroad, and on the above day Admiral Moulton landed, and offered the services of his blue jackets, sharp active fellows, itching for a fight on shore. Another council of war was held by the besiegers, at which the cautious plans hitherto held were reversed on good and sufficient grounds. The

A.D. 1645.

city was known to be well found in arms, ammunition and provisions; the well affected of the inhabitants to the Parliament were powerless to make a diversion in favour of the besiegers; the weather was most unseasonable; incessant rains and mists had saturated the ground; the men had but little shelter and no comfort in their sodden tents; the repeated sallies kept them ever on the alert; and the plague, although it had mercifully been kept from them hitherto, might unexpectedly decimate their force any day. A regular siege would be both long and tedious, the threatened advance of the king and of Goring

and conquered at Naseby, in little over two months, to dawdle over this matter. So it was determined unanimously to carry Bristol by storm. To a red-tape martinet this must seem a strange decision; as far as we can gather the besiegers had but few guns besides the four pieces of artillery in the little lunette on Montpelier, and the two guns which the countryfolk served as before mentioned. It was rather a conflict of men versus stone walls, bibles and swords against lofty forts studded with cannon and bristling with palisades. "Truly all this is the work of God. He must be a very Atheist who doth not acknowledge it," said the prime mover, when success had crowned such apparently insufficient means. Without breaching the walls, the brigades from their several stations, as before described, were, like the Israelites around Jericho, to march straight on before them, and carry them by faith and their strong hands. Welden's brigade, with three forlorn hopes of 200 men each and twenty ladders, were to storm the walls between Tower Harratz and Redcliff in three different places, and each man was to carry a faggot with which to fill up the ditch which here was the back Avon.

5

The orders were as follow:-Two men to each ladder, who were to have 5s. each; two sergeants, to order each ladder, at 20s. a man; the sergeants who commanded the men bearing the faggots to have the same amount; twelve men, with firepikes and muskets, to follow each ladder. Each body of 200 men to have a captain and lieutenant, and a field officer in command; the lieutenant to lead the van with five files, the captain to second him with seven files; twenty pioneers to march in the rear, to level the lines and make way for the horse; gentlemen of the ordinance, gunners, and

matrosses to be ready to seize the guns, and

if possible turn and serve them against their former masters; and two regiments and a half to be held in readiness to storm in after the foot if a way be made. Montague's men were to carry Lawford's gate and the line between the Avon and Frome, whilst for Rainsborough's men was reserved the post of honour, the capture of Prior's hill fort. The positions of the other brigades we have noted, and the sailors as a naval brigade

Temple Gate-North View.

were de

tailed in

boats with

two hun

dred of

Pride's

men to

attack the

water fort

at the foot of Brandon hill.

One regiment of

horse and one of foot

was ordered to

be continually in motion in the fields before the Royal fort, to keep it busy. The regiment of dragoons, with two regiments of horse, were to attempt the line and works by Clifton and Washington's breach. [This spot it will be remembered is opposite the Blind Asylum, it was carried by assault during the siege of 1643]. In addition to the extra pay before-named all of the men had 68. each paid them by the Parliamentary Commission. During these proceedings bad news came from the north. A letter, therefore, was sent to General Leven, sympathising with the Scotch, who had been terribly beaten by Montrose; it was written in a council of war, and

:

Το

"For his Highness Prince Rupert.-Sir, -For the service of the Parliament I have brought their army before the city of Bristol, and do summon you in their names to surrender it, with all the forts belonging to the same, into my hands for their use. Having used this plain language, as the business requires, I wish it may be as effectual unto you as it is satisfactory to myself that I do a little expostulate with you about the surrender of the same, which I confess is a way not common, and which I should not have used but in respect to such a person and to such a place. I take into consideration your royal birth and relation to the crown of England, your honour, courage, the virtues of your person and the strength of that place which you may think yourself bound and able to maintain. Sir, the crown of England is, and will be, where it ought to be; we fight to maintain it there. But the king, misled by evil counsellors, or through a seduced heart, hath left his Parliament [al' and his people] under God, the best assurance of his crown and family: the maintaining of this schism is the ground of this unhappy war on your part; and what sad effects it hath produced in the three kingdoms is visible to all men. maintain the rights of the crown and kingdom jointly, a principal part whereof is that the king, in supreme acts concerning the whole state, is not to be advized by men of whom the law takes no notice, but by his Parliament, the great council of the kingdom, in whom (as much as man is capable of) he hears all his people as it were at once advising him, and in which multitude of counsellors lies his safety and his people's interest; and to set him right in this hath been the constant aud faithful endeavour of the Parliament, and to bring these wicked instruments to justice that have misled him is a principal ground of our fighting. Sir, if God makes this clear to you, as he hath to us, I doubt not but he will give you a heart to deliver this place, notwithstanding all the other considerations of honour, courage, fidelity, &c., because of their consistency and use in the present business depends upon the right or wrongfulness of this that hath been said. And if upon such conviction you shall surrender it, and save the loss of blood, or hazard of spoiling such a city, it would be an occasion glorious in itself and joyful to us for restoring of you to the endeared affection of the Parliament and people of England, the truest friend to your family it hath in the world. But if this be hid from your eyes, and through your own wilfulness this so great, so famous and ancient a city, and so full of people, be by your putting us to force the same exposed to ruin and the extremities of war (which we yet shall in that case as much as possible endeavour to prevent), then I appeal to the righteous God to be judge between you and 1 Seyer, II., 438.

whether the burning of its towns, ruining its cities and destroying its people be a good requital from a person of your family, which hath had the prayers, tears, purses and blood of its Parliament and people. And (if you look on either as now divided) hath ever had that same party both in Parliaments and amongst the people, most zealous for their assistance and restitution, which you now oppose and seek to destroy, and whose constant grief hath been, their desire to serve your family have been ever hindred or made fruitless by that same party about his majesty, whose counsel you act and whose interest you pursue in this unnatural war. I expect your speedy answer to this summons, with the return of the bearer this evening, and remain your highness humble servant,

"September 4th, 1645."1

"THOMAS FAIRFAX.

To rightly understand the allusions in this letter, we would remind our readers that two of Fairfax's uncles died fighting for the Queen of Hearts, Prince Rupert's mother, the daughter of James I. and sister of Charles I. When her selfish father and her brother neglected her, and with her the cause of Protestantism upon the Continent, the people of England cried, "Shame!” and a number of gentlemen volunteers left England to help her, amongst whom were the two brothers Fairfax, who fell at Frankenthall. This is what Fairfax meant, and doubtless it had some effect in bringing about an earlier surrender.

"This day about 2,000 well-affected countrymen, who with many more upon treaty with the lieutenantgeneral at the beginning of the siege had engaged their assistance to make good the same, marched with some thirty-six colours in the face of Bristol, had quarters assigned them and kept guards. Two pieces of ordnance also were sent unto them for their encouragement, it not a little grieving the enemy within to see the forwardness of the country to come to our assistance, for which reason [and to lay an effectual caution against their revolt] it was held fit to make use of those forces from the country rather than for any considerable service could be expected from them. The trumpeter that went in with the summons was detained all night, during which space no sally was made by the enemy, nor no alarm given by us. Only the seamen and their boats coming up the river to St. Vincent's rock was all the motion this day produced. Neither upon Friday, September 5th, was there any sallying out, but all was quiet on both sides; and the trumpeter returned from Prince Rupert with an answer to the general's summons, in these words:

"Sir, I received yours by your trumpeter. I desire to know whether you will give me leave to send a messenger to the king to know his pleasure in it. I rest, your servant,

"September 5th, 1645.

1 Seyer, II., 439-40.

"RUPERT.

A.D. 1645.

"Saturday, September 6th, a trumpeter was sent in with a reply to Prince Rupert's answer, in these words:"Sir,-Your overture of sending to the king to know his pleasure I cannot give way to, because of delay. I confess your answer doth intimate your intention not to surrender without his majesties consent; yet because it is but implicite I send again to know a more positive answer from yourself, which I desire may be such as may render me capable of approving myself your highness humble servant, "THO. FAIRFAX.

"September 6th, 1645.

"This day came twelve colours more of the wellaffected countrymen, as an addition to the former forces.

"September 6th, seven in the morning, the trumpeter went in and was detained all that day and night. Everything was prepared for a storm, the general was in the field to that end, the soldiers had their faggots on their backs and leaped for joy they might go on; yet about ten at night for several reasons it was held fit to give orders to put off the business till Monday morning, two of the o'clock, and only to alarm the enemy for that time, as we did often, to amuse them and keep them waking.

"Lord's day, September 7th, in the forenoon the trumpet returned with these propositions from Prince Rupert :

"Sir,-Whereas I received your letter for the delivery of the city, forts and castle of Bristol, and being willing to join with you for the sparing of blood and the preserving of his majesties subjects, I have upon those grounds, and none other, sent you these following propositions:

“1st. That myself, all noblemen, commanders, and soldiers of horse and foot, that have served either his majesty or Parliament in England or elsewhere, as likewise all persons whatsoever, men or women, now resident in this city of Bristol, castle and forts thereof, shall have free liberty to march away out of the said city, castle and forts, with their arms, flying colours, drums beating, trumpets sounding, pistols cocked, swords drawn, matches lighted at both ends, bullets in their mouths, and as much powder and match as they can carry about them, with all their bag and baggage, horses, arms, and other furniture, ten pieces of canon, fifty barrels of powder, match and bullet proportionable.

"2. That neither mine own person, nor the person of any nobleman, commander, officer, gentleman or soldier, or any other of mine or their retinues, be searched, molested, or troubled upon what pretence soever, but left to their liberties, to depart or stay, as it shall be most convenient for them.

"3. That none of your army whatsoever shall entice or persuade any officer or soldier of mine from their regiments or colours with any promise of preferment or reward.

"4. That all such officers and soldiers that are hurt and sick, and cannot now march out of this city, castle and fort, shall have liberty to stay in till they be recovered, and then have safe conducts to go wheresoever they please, either to any of his majesties armies or garrisons, or their own houses, where they may live quiet, and that in the interim those being sick and hurt may be protected by you and have civil usage.

"5. All prisoners taken on both sides since the beginning of this siege be forthwith set at liberty.

"6. That myself and all those above mentioned may not be

7

required to march further in a day than what conveniently we may, and that a day or two of rest be allowed upon our march, if we shall find it requisite; and that we be accommodated with free quarter during our march and a sufficient convoy to any of the king's armies or garrisons which I shall name, to secure us in our march from all injury and incivility that shall any ways be offered And likewise that there be one hundred and fifty carriage horses and forty wains, with sufficient teams provided for carriages of all sorts.

unto us.

"7. That no person here in these articles mentioned shall be in their march, rendezvous or quarters, searched or plundered, upon any pretence whatsoever; and that two officers be appointed by you, the one for accommodation of free quarters for officers, soldiers and others, and the other for providing of horses and carriages for our baggage and train.

"8. All noblemen, gentlemen, clergymen, citizens, resiants, or any other person within this city, suburbs and liberties thereof, shall at any time when they please have free liberty to remove themselves, their goods and families, and to dispose of them at their pleasures, according to the known and enacted laws of the land, either to live at their own houses or elsewhere, and to enjoy their houses, lands, goods and estates without any molestation, and to have protection for that purpose; and this article to extend to all those whose estates are sequestered or not sequestered, and that they may rest quiet at their abodes and travel freely and safely upon their occasions. And for their better removal they may have letters of safe conduct, with horses and carriages at reasonable rates, upon demand.

"9. That all persons above mentioned may have free liberty to pass to any parts beyond the seas any time within three months, as their occasions shall require.

"10. That the lines, forts, castle, and other fortifications about or in the city of Bristol, be forthwith slighted, and the city stated in the same condition it was before the beginning of this unnatural war, and that hereafter the Parliament during this war place no garrison in it.

"11. That no churches be defaced; that the several members of the foundation of this cathedral shall quietly enjoy their houses and revenues belonging to their places, and that the ministers of this city may likewise enjoy their benefices without any trouble.

"12. That no oaths be imposed upon any person now in this city, suburbs and liberties, other than such as are required by the ancient and enacted laws of the land.

13. That the major, sheriffs, aldermen and citizens within this corporation of the city of Bristol shall be free in their persons and estates, and enjoy all their privileges, liberties and immunities in as full and ample manner as formerly at any time they did before the beginning of this war, and that they shall have freedom of trade both by land and sea, paying such duties and customs as formerly they have done to his majesty ; and that no mulct or fine be imposed upon any person mentioned in this article upon any pretence whatsoever, or questioned for any act or thing done, or committed before the day of our marching forth. That no free quarters shall be put upon them without their own consents.

'14. That all other persons whose dwellings are in this city, and now absent, may have the full benefit of these articles as if they were present.

"15. That all noblemen, gentlemen and others that have goods in this city, and are now present or absent, may have liberty at any time within three months to dispose of their goods as they please.

"16. That there be no plundering or taking away of any man's person, or any part of his estate, under what pretence soever; and that justice, according to the known laws of the land, be administered to all persons within this city by the civil magistrates.