¶ truth's from Leicester and Nottingham August I. Anno Dom. 1642.  
I do hereby give you some short notion how things stand in these Northern parts. I met His Majesty at Nottingham this day seven night (where His Majesty was) to make Observation. The Major was expected to have been Committed, for refusing to go to York to His Majesty, being twice sent for, not publishing Proclamations sent to him and other things. The King accepted his Mace, and delivered it to him again, but gave him no hand to kiss. The Town presented the Prince with a Purse, and 50. pieces. From thence I went to Leicester with the Court on Friday, where the King was earnestly put upon it, to have by force of Blowing up, or Battering down the Magazine House recovered it: for which end 3. great Ordnance was brought to the town: but upon a Petition from the Grand Jury to the King, that the Powder, Match, and Bullets therein might be distributed to every Town in the Country; It was approved of by the King. He disclaiming to have interest in it, for it was the Countries, which I saw done accordingly; the Keepers of it being allowed to go free to their Houses, who was resolved to have lost their lives there, if they had not agreed upon these terms. I was in the Magazine every day, which was a place of that strength, that those 40. Men that were in it (all roundheads, as they call them) would have kept out 500  
On Friday night captain Bastwick, captain Ludlow, and a lieutenant, were brought in, being by force of 9 Cavaliers (whereof Sir Henry Hungate a Courtier, was chief) compelled thereunto without any Authority showed them, being all Armed with 2. or 3. Pistols a piece. Captain Bastwick only of them 3. having a little pistol. The next day it was expected an indictment would have been preferred against them all 3. for which I and another Friend that morning did consult with them about their answer thereto, which was a Protestation against the proceedings there, and an appeal to the Parliament, there to be tried: but I thought the Judge durst not try them at all, and so the conclusion is. The King hath taken them with him Prisoners to York; captain Bastwick is wondrous courageous, and so are the rest. I was daily with them. Captain Ludlow is (Son to a Knight in Parliament) a stout man with whom the King is much displeased.  
The Lord Ruthen and Sir Arthur Haslerigge (who are Knights of Leicestershire, and Deputy lieutenants, did train a good part of the Trained Bands, two days last week; and hearing the King was coming with a great Force to bring in Hastings to the assizes, the High sheriff that he had lately made, they departed towards London for avoiding bloodshedding, which would have followed (as was conceived) had they stayed; their train men being resolved to have stood to them, with the loss of their Lives. The King came in with about 200. Light Horse, which Guarded Him; and there came 5. or 600. other Horse, of all sorts, Gentlemen, Yeomen, and meaner sorted. The Gentry of the County are most of them for the King only, and were very active with Him. His majesty did on Tuesday morning last return from Leicester to Beverley, 5. miles from Hull, where he was yesterday to meet the Parliaments answer to His Propositions sent by the Lord of Holland, which if he did not like, it is thought he will presently set upon Hull, and so march to London, &c. Hull is very strong, and fears no opposition; yet the Cavaliers give out it will be fired in 4. days' space. I believe it not. The Bishop of York rides about with His Majesty. The Women of Leicester Petitioned the King against Hastings, the Copy whereof followeth:  

To the Kings most Excellent majesty.  
Humbly showeth,  
THat whereas your Petitioners, the Wives, and others of their Sex, Inhabitants within this town of Leicester, have of late been exposed to great fears by the turbulent carriages of Master Hastings (whom your Majesty hath lately made High sheriff) in assaulting our said town in the dead time of the night with troops of Horse and armed men, by reason of which sudden affrightments, many of the Wives then with child, (there and about us) have since miscarried, and others thereby so wonderfully amazed and dejected, that at this day they continue under great weakness, this we are able to make good.  
In consideration whereof, And that because the like, or greater causes of terror and perplexity may be again administered by the said Master Hastings or his agents (wherewith our weak Natures become too soon affected) we are all of us from hence emboldened to become humble suitors. That out of the depth of your Princely wisdom such course may be taken, as that we may be secured from these our after fears, that so the like aforesaid woeful effects may be prevented. And as we have, and ever shall express those dutiful and loyal affections which are requireable from our condition; so do we daily pray for the wisdom of God's holy Spirit to be poured upon your sacred Heart, whereby all your Actions may render us hope that we shall still enjoy our Husbands, Children, and Friends, in godliness and peace under your majesty's reign, which the Lord long continue.  
This Petition was presented to his Majesty the 24. of July at his being at Leicester, by many women of the best rank there.    

London, Printed in the year, 1642.