Manuscripts of the Duke of Portland at Welbeck - Historical Manuscripts
Commission 29th Report Volume III
Pg 100-101
The Earl of Pembroke, Lord Saye and Sele, B Fielding, John Pym and
Anthony Nicolls, the Committee of Public Safety to the Committees of the
Deputy Lieutenants of Hertfordshire
1642, Nov 15 - Upon Thursday the Lords and Commons sent the Earl of
Northumberland, the Lord Pembroke, the Lord Wenman, Mr Pierpoint and Sir
John Ipsley with an humble petition to his majesty that for avoiding any further
effusion of blood, hee would be pleased to reside in some place where the
committee of both Houses might attend him with some proposicions of peace.
To which they receyved his Majesty’s answer upon Friday, of both which we
doe hereby send you copies. Notwithstanding all which, our endeavours for,
and hopes of, peace were forthwith dashed. For whiles wee were preparing
of to close the wounds of the Kingdome, his Majesty’s army did, about one the
clock in the afternoone, with greate violence assault the town of Branford
where two small regiments consisting of one thousand men or thereabouts,
with some horse, were in quartered, who made very good resistance for three
or four houres and spent all their powder, were like to have byn cut in pieces if
that collonell Hamden with his regiment had not come to releeve them, who
carried himself with so much resolution and judgement that by his assistance
with the losse of about fifty men and in Mr Hamden’s not above one man
slayne. The Lord General inquartred that night at Hammersmith and the next
morning came into the field, being accompanied with the Earl of
Northumberland and Holland, who though they had noe command in the
army, went out gallantly arrayed and accompanied, to have a part in the honor
and hazard of the day. The Lord General’s army stood in batalia in Turnham
Greene, the other army of the cavaliers and malignants in a close between
them and Branford without giving them any charge, though to amuse our men
they made many offers as if they would have charged. But about fower of the
clock, our men began to charge them with some ordnance, but they closlie
withdrew themselves and march away leaving the feild and the towne to our
army. It being now growne dark, it was not thought good to follow them, soe
they march in a great confusion without opposition to Kingston where most of
the horse was quartered, and in some adjacent villages. Whiles they
remained at Branford they robbed and pillaged all the towne. From Kinston
they marched yesterday in the afternoone, as wee are informed, but whether
into Kent or Portchmouth wee have yet no perfect intelligence. This under the
shadoe of peace wee are assayed with the furye of war and instead of
preventing the effusion of bloud which wee sought, much bloud of the armye
was spilte and wealthe of the cittye were in verye greate danger to have been
surprised. The Londoners exprest verye much bountye, courage and
confidence in sendinge out Captain Skippon with two regiments of their
trained bandes besides three regiments raised in the Cittye and divers troops
of horse, and by carefull supplies of ammunition and all other necessaries,
espetiallye of victuall, which was a greate incouragement and refreshing to
our soldiers. Of all theise accidents we have thought good to give you notice
that you may take of your counties and keepe yourselves in a posture to
defende your owne homes and assist your neighbours. And youe maye be
sure the Lord Generall will not be longe behynde the malignant army to
protect you from them, who everywhere carrye themselves as common
enemies and are to be opposed and suppressed without which we have little
hope his Majesty will accept any peace.