Ex Libris
C. K. OGDEN
THE LIBRARY
OF
THE UNIVERSITY
OF CALIFORNIA
LOS ANGELES
She Xonfcon Uibrarp
MEMOIRS OF
WILLIAM CAVENDISH
DUKE OF NEWCASTLE
AND MARGARET HIS WIFE
NEWCASTLE
THE LIFE OF
WILLIAM CAVENDISH
DUKE OF NEWCASTLE
TO WHICH IS ADDED THE TRUE RELATION OF MY
BIRTH BREEDING AND LIFE
By
MARGARET, DUCHESS OF NEWCASTLE
Edited by C. H. FIRTH, M.A
Regius Professor of Modern History in the University of Oxford
SECOND EDITION, REVISED, WITH ADDITIONAL NOTES
With Twelve Appendices and an Index
LONDON
GEORGE ROUTLEDGE & SONS LIMITED
NEW YORK : E. P. DUTTON & CO
College
Library
J>A
CONTENTS
PAGE
EDITOR'S PREFACE ... . . vii
TITLE .... .... xxxiii
DEDICATION . . ..... xxxiv
EPISTLE TO THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE . . xxxv
PREFACE ......... xxxix
EPISTLE TO THE DUCHESS OF NEWCASTLE . . xlvii
THE LIFE OF WILLIAM, DUKE OF NEWCASTLE
THE FIRST BOOK ... . . i
THE SECOND BOOK . . ... 43
THE THIRD BOOK . ..... ^3
THE FOURTH BOOK . ui
NOTES OF THE AUTHORESS . .... 142
Ax EPISTLE .... ... 151
BIRTH, BREEDING AND LIFE OF MAKGAHET, DUCHESS OF NEW-
CASTLE. ... ... 155
APPENDICES . . . 1 79
INDEX 120
EDITOR'S PREFACE
THE first edition of this Life of the Duke of Newcastle was pub-
lished in 1667. It is a thin folio of about 200 pages. This
was followed in 1668 by a Latin version, translated by Walter
Charlton, well known in his later days as President of the
College of Physicians. In 1675 was published the third edi-
tion, a quarto ; for the translation, like the original edition,
is in folio. In 1872 a careful reprint of the first edition, edited
by Mark Antony Lower, was included in Russell Smith's
' Library of Old Authors '. In the present edition, the spel-
ling has been modernized, and the punctuation occasionally
altered.
The three editions published during the lifetime of the sub-
ject testify to the popularity of the book at a time when the
events recorded in it were still fresh in the memories of those
who read it, and it still retains an enduring interest for later
generations. Somewhat contradictory have been the judg-
ments passed upon it. The volume of Letters and Poems in
Honour of the Incomparable Princess, Margaret, Duchess of
Newcastle, printed in 1676, preserves the opinions of the
learned persons and learned bodies to whom the Duchess sent
presentation copies. The response of the University of Cam-
bridge was worthy of the gift and the giver. ' Hereafter, if
generous and highborn men shall search our library for a
model of a most accomplished general, they shall find it
expressed to the life, not in Xenophon's Cyrus, but in the
Duchess of Newcastle's William ! ... In regard we could
not be admitted to the favour of kissing your hand, we cease
not to bestow ten thousand embraces upon even- page of that
book which hath so noble and immortal a subject as is his
grace the Duke of Newcastle.' Whilst the heads of the
University were expressing themselves with the mixture of
gallantry and respect which becomes learned bodies on such
occasions, Pcpys was confiding to paper his contempt for the
viii Editor's Preface
book and its writer: 'March 18, 1668 Thence home, and
there in favour to my eyes staid at home, reading the ridicu-
lous history of my Lord Newcastle, wrote by his wife ; which
shows her to be a mad, conceited, ridiculous woman, and he
an ass to suffer her to write what she writes to him and of
him. So to bed, my eyes being very bad.' Without stopping
to inquire how far the state of the worthy Secretary's eyes
influenced his critical faculties, it may be taken for granted
that his recollections of the authoress influenced his judgment
of her book. Describing her visit to the Royal Society on
May 30, 1667, he had come to the conclusion that ' her dress
was so antick and her deportment so ordinary ' that he did
not like her at all, and expressed his terror lest her conduct
should make the Royal Society ridiculous. Perhaps it was
these very eccentricities and extravagances which had so
shocked Pepys which recommended the Duchess to Charles
Lamb. Certainly his larger sympathy, and keener insight,
enabled him to perceive in the style and in the writer those
finer qualities which the more conventional judgment of
Pepys had refused to recognize. Lamb never mentions with-
out praise 'that princely woman, thrice noble Margaret of
Newcastle '. For a book such as the Life of the Duke of New-
castle, a book ' both good and rare ', he held no binding too
good. ' No casket is rich enough, no casing sufficiently durable
to honour and keep safe such a jewel.'
To decide between these conflicting sentences, and expound
the precise amount of truth contained in each, would be a
tedious and ungrateful task. This at least may be said, that
the ' generous and highborn men ' who follow the recommen-
dation of the Cambridge Senate and study this Life as a contri-
bution to military history will find little in it which they could
not learn more fully and accurately from the pages of Rush-
worth or Whitelock. An occasional incident or anecdote,
the name of a forgotten officer, or the locality of an obscure
skirmish, an account of the Duke's personal share in one or
two engagements, sum up the amount of its contributions to
tiie military history of the civil wars. The special interest of
the book lies rather in the picture of the exiled royalist, cheer-
fully sacrificing everything for the King's cause, struggling
with his debts, talking over his creditors, never losing confi-
dence in the ultimate triumph of the right, and on his return
Editor's Preface ix:
setting to work uncomplainingly to restore his ruined estate.
It lies rather in the portrait drawn of a great English nobleman
of the seventeenth century ; his manners and his habits, his
occupations and amusements, his maxims and his opinions,
his domestic policy and his alliances with neighbouring poten-
tates, all are recorded and set down with the loving fidelity
of a Boswell. For the account of her husband's exile and the
description of his daily life the Duchess depended on her own
observations and recollections. But for that part of the book
which treats of his warlike exploits she relied on the informa-
tion she received from his secretary, John Rolleston.
Rollcston had filled a position which must have enabled
him to know the truth on many doubtful points, and to explain,
had he thought fit, the causes which determined the strategy
of his General. It is therefore much to be regretted that so
meagre an account is given of many important incidents and
resolutions during the Yorkshire campaigns. For these
campaigns exercised a decisive influence on the course of the
Civil War in the eastern and midland counties, and had New-
castle been a more capable general, the northern army might
have forestalled the New-Model. The first and one of the
most important services of Newcastle was the occupation of
the town from which he took his title. The ports of the south
and east of England, from Bristol to the towns of the York-
shire coast, were all in the hands of the Parliament, and with-
out communication with the Continent the King could hardly
have conducted one campaign. The possession of Newcastle
enabled him to receive the arms and ammunition which he
urgently needed, and supplied, a landing-place for the old
soldiers who flocked from Holland and (icrmany to officer
his armies. In the next place, the great territorial influence
of Lord Newcastle enabled him to raise an army in the four
northern counties with unusual speed ; and. at a period when
2000 or 3000 men was a large army, to advance with double
that number into Yorkshire, and occupy York just when it
was on the point of falling into the hands of Lord Fairfax.
Considering the great superiority of his forces, Newcastle's
operations against Lord Fairfax, which commenced in Decem-
ber 1642, can hardly be considered very creditable to his
military talents. It required three separate attacks to expel
the Fairfaxes from the West Riding. The first commenced
x Editor's Preface
with the attack on Tadcastcr (December 7, i<x[-) : was
followed by the repulse of Sir William Savile from Bradford
(December 18, 1^)42) ; and was brought to an end by the
brilliant recapture of Leeds by Sir Thomas Fairfax (January
23, 1643). The second began in April with an unsuccessful
attack on Leeds, and was marked by the capture of Rotherham
(May 4) and Sheffield (May 9). Again Sir Thomas Fairfax,
by the surprise of Wakefield on May 21, 1643, forced the
royalists to retreat. The third and successful attack began
with the capture of Howley Hall and the battle of Adwalton
Moor (June 30). and ended with the capture of Bradford and
Leeds, and the flight of the Fairfaxes to Hull.
In the interval between the first and second of these attacks
occurred the controversy between Newcastle and Lord Fairfax,
recorded in the opposing proclamations printed by Rushworth.
Newcastle sent Fairfax a characteristic challenge to come
out and fight, to follow ' the exampcs of our heroic ancestors,
who used not to spend their time in scratching one another
out of holes, but in pitched fields determined their doubts.'
Lord Fairfax replied by a refusal ' to follow the rules of Amadis
dc Gaule, or the Knight of the Sun, which the language of the
declaration seems to affect in offering pitched battles ' : but
withal protested his willingness to offer battle wheresoever
he found an opportunity. With these taunts were combined
legal arguments on the rights of kings and subjects, discus-
sions on the lawfulness of employing Catholics and sectaries,
and accusations of plunder and indiscipline against each other's
armies.
The conquest of the West Riding left Hull the only impor-
tant place in Yorkshire in the hands of the Parliament. Charles
summoned Newcastle to move southwards, and ordered him
to march through the eastern association on London J . He
obeyed so far as to march into Lincolnshire, where he recap-
tured Gainsborough (July 30) and garrisoned Lincoln, but
at the end of August he returned into Yorkshire to besiege
Hull. The combined movement on London planned by the
King might have changed the fortune of the war, for at the
end of July the Parliament had no army capable of keeping
1 ' He had orders to march into the associated counties, when, upon the t.ikine of
liristul, his Majesty had a purpose to have marched towards London on the other side.'
Cl-ir-iid' n, Kfbfllmn, vh'i, 86. See also vii, 177. Other statements are quoted in
the not? Vj p. 2').
Editor's Preface xi
the field. Waller's forces had been reduced to a fc\v hundred
horse, Essex's troops were diminished by disease and deser-
tion, and disheartened by failure, and the army of the Eastern
association was still in the process of formation. Even if the
march on London had been unattempted, a vigorous inva-
sion of the Eastern association might have made a breach in
that stronghold of Puritanism, and would almost certainly
have prevented the relief of Gloucester. The reasons which
led Newcastle to disobey the King's order are differently
stated. Warwick asserts that his desire to retain his inde-
pendent command was the chief motive. To this was added
the opposition of the gentlemen of Yorkshire to the proposed
scheme, their objections to leaving their own county, and
their urgent appeals to Newcastle to capture Hull and put a
stop to Fairfax's inroads into Yorkshire. It was on this last
ground that Newcastle based his refusal, but there is little
doubt that it coincided with his own inclinations 1 . From
the time that Newcastle turned back into Yorkshire his good
fortune ended. One day (October i i. 164 ;) saw the defeat of
his field army at Winceby, and the rout of the besieging army
under the walls of Hull. November and December were spent
in recruiting his shattered forces, and in January 1644 he was
called northwards to oppose the entry of the Scots into Eng-
land. Slowly the Scots forced their way south, Newcastle
ever attempting to bring on a general action, and ever failing
through Lcsly's judicious choice of positions. Though he
was able by means of his great superiority in cavalry to cut
off their provisions, he could never absolutely reduce them to
extremity, and his best horse were ruined by the severity of
the season. At the same time, he had to contend against
the criticisms of his own party, and even thought of laying
down his commission to escape their complaints. ' I per-
ceive ', wrote the King to him. ' that the Scots are not the
only, or the least enemies you contest with at tins ime : where-
fore I must tell you in a word 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. it either you or my Lord
Ethyn leave my service. I am sure all the north is lost. Remem-
ber all courage is not in fighting, constancy in a good cause
xii Editor's Preface
being the chief, and the despising of slanderous tongues and
pens being not the least ingredient.' x This letter was written
on April 6, 1644, and on the iith of the same month New-
castle's lieutenant, Bcllasis, was defeated and taken prisoner,
and the Marquis himself forced to make a hurried retreat to
York, where the united armies of Fairfax, Lcsly, and Man-
chester closed in upon him, and made his surrender only a
question of time. Prince Rupert raised the siege ; but, not
content with that, and misunderstanding the King's orders,
pursued the retreating enemy, and, against the advice of the
Marquis, forced on the battle of Marston Moor. In that
battle the Marquis held no command, but fought as a private
gentleman at the head of a company of volunteers. The day
after, he, with his immediate friends, made his way to Scar-
borough and embarked for the Continent. If he had been
content to remain in England, and laboriously recommence
the task of raising armies for the King, he might have con-
siderably retarded the loss of the north. There were a hundred
examples of men, less eminent in position and command,
who struggled cheerfully, even though with little hope of
success, until all further resistance was impossible. But
Newcastle, loyal though he was, held no such troublesome
and exacting a view of his duty. His wife represents him as
leaving England because he saw there was nothing else to
be done, and was ' loath to have aspersions cast upon him '
for failing to do what was impossible. Another account
makes him reply to Rupert's persuasions to recruit his forces
for another eltort, by saying ' I will not endure the laughter
of the court.' Clarendon, whilst discussing the causes of
this retirement, seizes the opportunity to draw one of those
portraits which no biographer can leave unquoted :
All that can be said for the Marquis is. that he was utterly
tired with a condition and employment so contrary to his
humour, nature, and education, that he did not at all con-
sider the means or the way that would let him out of it. and
free him for ever from having more to do with it. And it was
a greater wonder, that he sustained the vexation and fatigue
of it so long, than that he broke from it with so little circum-
spection. He was a very fine gentleman, active and full of
courage, and most accomplished in those qualities of horsc-
' !!ii-, Ordinal Letters. I. iii. :,*.
Editor's Preface xii'i
manship, dancing, and icncing which accompany a good
breeding ; in which his delight was. Besides that, he was
amorous in poetry and music, to which he indulged the greatest
part of his time ; and nothing could have tempted him out
of those paths of pleasure, which he enjoyed in a full and
ample fortune, but honour and ambition to serve the King,
when he saw him in distress, and abandoned by most of those
who were in the highest degree obliged to him, and by him.
He loved monarchy, as it was the foundation and support
of his own greatness ; and the Church, as it was well consti-
tuted for the splendour and security of the Crown ; and
religion, as it cherished and maintained that order and obedi-
ence that was necessary to both ; without any other passion
for the particular opinions which were grown up in it, and
distinguished it into parties, than as he detested whatsoever
was like to disturb the public peace. . . . He liked the pomp
and absolute authority of a general well, and preserved the
dignity of it to the full ; and for the discharge of the outward
state and circumstances of it, in acts of courtesy, affability,
bounty, and generosity he abounded ; which in the infancy
of a war became him, and made him for some time very
acceptable to men of all conditions. But the substantial
part, and fatigue of a general, he did not in any degree under-
stand (being utterly unacquainted with war) nor could submit
to 1 ; but referred all matters of that nature to his lieutenant-
general. King ... In all actions of the field he was still
present, and never absent in any battle : in all which he gave
instances of an invincible courage and fearlessness in danger ;
in which the exposing of himself notoriously did sometimes
change the fortune of the day when his troops began to give
ground. Such articles of action were no sooner over, than
he retired to his delightful company, music, or his softer
pleasures, to all which he was so indulgent, and to his ease,
that he would not be interrupted upon what occasions soever :
insomuch as he sometimes denied admission to the chiefest
officers of the army, even to (ieneral King himself, for two
days together ; from whence many inconveniences fell out. . .
The strange manner of the Prince's coming, anil undclibcratcd
throwing himself, and all the King's hopes, into that sudden
and unnecessar engagement, b which all the force the
xiv Editor's Preface
Marquis had raised, and with so many difficulties preserved,
was in a moment cast away and destroyed, so transported him
with passion and despair, that he could not compose himself
to think of beginning the work again, and involving himself
in the same undelightful condition of life, from which he might
now be free. He hoped his past meritorious actions might
outweigh his present abandoning the thought of future action ;
and so without further consideration, as hath been said, he
transported himself out of the kingdom.' l
Very similar is the judgment passed on Newcastle by
another contemporary, Sir Philip Warwick. ' He was a
gentleman of grandeur, generosity, loyalty, and steady and
forward courage ; but his edge had too much of the razor in
it : for he had a tincture of a romantic spirit, and had the
misfortune to have somewhat of the poet in him : so as he
chose Sir William Davcnant, an eminent good poet, and loyal
gentleman, to be lieutenant-general of his ordnance. This
inclination of his own and such kind of witty society (to be
modest in the expression of it) diverted many counsels, and
lost many opportunities, which the nature of that affair this
great man had now entered into required.' '-
The very defects which, according to these two authorities,
prevented Newcastle from being a successful general, have
given him an additional claim to the remembrance of posterity.
His o\vn writings, and his patronage of other writers, combine
to secure him a niche in the literature of his age.
Newcastle's intimacy with Hobbes is attested by the stories
which the Duchess tells in order to illustrate her husband's
' natural understanding and observation ' (p. 106). Their
acquaintance began long before they were fellow-exiles, as
the letters from Hobbes to Newcastle, written between 1634
and 1637, sufficiently attest. These letters, now preserved
at Wclbeck, were published in 1893 in the Report of the His-
torical Manuscripts Commission on the Duke of Portland's
Papers (vol ii, pp. 124-30). The intimacy owed its origin
to Newcastle's interest in science and philosophy. Hobbes
communicated to Newcastle his observations and experi-
ments about light, motion, and other scientific question^
and his opinions about books. In one letter he mentions the
publication of Lord Herbert of Chcrburv's DC Vcntatc, 'a
2 Mfinoin, p. 135.
Editor's Preface xv
bookc concerning truth, which is a high point '. In a second,
he relates his unsuccessful attempts to obtain for Newcastle
a copy of Galileo's Dialogues : ' It is not possible to get it
for money. There were but few brought over at first, and
they that buy such bookes, are not such men as to part with
them againe. I heare say it is called in, in Italy, as a bookc
that will do more hurt to their religion than all the bookes
have done of Luther and Calvin, such opposition they thinke
is between their religion and naturall reason.' In a third
letter, after referring to Walter Warner, the mathematician
and philosopher, whom Newcastle also patronised, Hobbcs
sets forth his own aims and hopes. Warner, he says, cannot
fulfil Newcastle's expectations. ' For the soule I know he
has nothing to give your Lordship any satisfaction. I would
he could give good reasons lor the facultycs and passions of
the soule, such as may be expressed in playne English ; if he
can, he is the first that I ever heard ot could speake sense in
that subject. If he cannot, I hope to be the first.'
With the generosity which he habitually showed to wits
and men of learning Newcastle sent Hobbcs a present of money,
which Hobbcs received with dignity. The gift, he said, was
proportioned to Newcastle's goodness not to his service.
' If the world saw my little desert, so plainely as they sec your
great rewards, they might think me a mountebancke, and
that all I do or would do were in the hope of what I recoave.
I hope your Lordship does not thinke so, at least let me tell
your Lordship once for all, that though I honour you as my
Lord, yet my love to you is just of the same nature that it is
to Mr. Payne, bred out of private talke, without respect to
your purse.' Then, referring to his friend Payne, Hobbcs
laid down the principle that patrons who wished to encourage
the researches of learned men should reward the result rather
than contribute to the undertaking. ' I hope your Lordship
will not bestow much upon the hopes, but suffer the libcrall
sciences to be liberal!, and after some worthy effort your
Lordship then may be libcrall also.'
What attracted Hobbcs to Newcastle was Newcastle's
sympathy with his ideas ami his curiosity about questions
for which most noblemen of the time cared nothing. In one
of his letters he expresses to the Earl the hope that ' I may
have the happiness which your Lordship partly promises me.
xvi Editor's Preface
to conferrc meditations for a good time together, which will
be not only honor to me, but that happiness which I and all
that arc in love with knowledge, use to fancy to themselves
for the true happiness in this life.' Both men were ' in love
with knowledge ' but with the one it was the passion of a life-
time, with the other little more than a passing fancy.
In October 1636 Newcastle apparently invited Hobbes
to leave the household of the Earl of Devonshire, and establish
himself permanently at Welbeck. Reluctant though he was to
part with the Earl and Countess, Hobbes was very nearly
accepting the invitation. ' Though my Lady and my Lord
do both accept so wel of my service as I could almost engage
myself to serve them as a domestique all my life, yet the
extreame pleasure I take in study overcomes in me all other
appetites. I am not willing to leave my Lord, so as not to
do him any service that he thinkcs may not so well be done
by another ; but I must not deny myselfc the content to
study in the way I have begun, and that I cannot conceave I
shall do any where so well as at Wclbeckc. and therefore I
mean if your lordship forbid me not. to come thither as
soonc as I can. and stay as long as I can without inconvenience
to your Lordship.'
It is doubtful whether the long visit ever took place. One
year the plague prevented Hobbes from coming to Welbeck.
another year Newcastle's appointment as governor of Prince
Charles called him to London, and then came the Scottish
troubles and the Civil War. Doubtless the two met again in
London, but their next recorded meeting is that mentioned
by Waller when Gasscndi, Descartes, Hobbes and himself
dined at Newcastle's table at Paris about 1648.
Newcastle's chief interest however was not in philosophy
but in the drama. He was not only a dramatic author
himself, but the friend and protector of most of the dramatic
authors of his time. ' Since the time of Augustus ', says
Langbainc, ' no person better understood dramatic poetry,
nor more generously encouraged poets ; so that we may truly
call him our English Maecenas.' l Jonson dedicated to him
elegies on his riding and fencing, wrote the epitaphs of his
father, mother, and other members of his family, composed
an interlude for the christening of his son Charles, and the two
1 Dramatic roe!*, p. 3S<>.
Editor's Preface xvii
Masques entitled Love's Welcome at Welbcck, and Love's Welcome
at Bolsovcr, for his entertainments to the King and Queen.
Three of the poet's letters have been printed. In one lie
offers his patron ' the faith of a fast friend with the duties of
an humble servant, and the hearty prayers of a religious
bedesman '. In another, which probably accompanied Love's
Welcome at Welbeck, he thanks the Earl for ' a timely gratuity,
which fell like the dew of heaven on my necessities '. ' God
sends you ', he continues, ' these chargeable and magnificent
honours of making feasts, to mix with your charitable succours,
dropt upon me your servant ; who have nothing to claim of
merit but a cheerful undertaking whatsoever your lordship's
judgment thinks me able to perform.' 1
James Shirley also addressed a poem to Newcastle, and
dedicated to him in 1638 his play of The Traitor. When the
Civil War broke out, and Shirley was forced to leave London.
' he was invited ', says Wood, ' by his most noble patron,
William, Earl of Newcastle, to take his fortune with him in
the wars ; for that Count had engaged him so much by his
generous liberality towards him, that he thought he could not
do a worthier act than to serve him, and consequently his
Prince '. According to the same author, ' Shirley did much
assist the Duke in the composure of certain plays, which the
Duke afterwards published.' On which Dyce remarks :
' The style of his Grace's dramas would certainly have induced
me to suspect the truth of this statement, if I had not dis-
covered that a drinking song which is inserted in the Duke's
comedy called The Country Captain is printed amongst our
author's poems.' 2
Since Dyce published his edition of Shirley new evidence
has come to light. In 1883 Mr. A. II. Bullen published in
volume II of his ' Collection of Old English Plays ' an anony-
mous comedy called Captain Ihidcncit. ' Gerard Langbaine ',
he says in the introduction, ' tells us that Shirley left at his
death some plays in manuscript : I have little doubt, or
rather no doubt at all, that Captain Underwit is one of them.
In the notes I have pointed out several parallelisms to passages
1 Cunningham's Jonson, vol. iii, p. 459, Preface, pp. Ivii-lix, and 1'ndenvood's /i-
grams, 72 and 89. See also pp. 2, 4, 105, and 112 of those Memoirs.
2 Wood, Athrnte O.VOMICNSCS, ed. Hliss, iii, 7^7. I lyre's Shirlev. IVefare. p. xliii.
The song referred to is in act iv of The Country Caf<tiiin, .mil o'lnniriicrs (".urn- lit us
throw the dice.
xviii Editor's Preface
in Shirley's plays ; and occasionally we find actual repetitions
word for word. But apart from these strong proofs, it would
be plain from internal evidence that the present piece is a
domestic comedy of Shirley's, written in close imitation of
Ben Jonson. All the characters are old acquaintances.
Sir Richard Huntlove, who longs to be among his own tenants,
and cat his own beef in the country ; his lady who loves the
pleasures of the town, balls in the Strand, and masques ;
Device, the fantastic gallant, these are well known figures
in Shirley's plays. No other playwright of that day could
have given us such exquisite poetry as we find in Captain
Underwit. The briskness, too, and cleverness of the dialogue
closely recall Shirley ; but it must be owned that there arc
few plays of Shirley's written with such freedom, not to say
grossness.'
Now this anoymous play which Mr. Bullcn, on internal
evidence only, attributes to Shirley, is Newcastle's Country
Captain. There arc a few verbal differences between the
version printed in 1649 and that printed in 1883, but that is
all. Mr. Bullcn's remarks on the style are very just, and it
seems clear that much of the play was the work of Shirley.
Some of the verses interspersed are undoubtedly Newcastle's,
he wrote many passages, and doubtless conceived the plan of
the play, but to fit it for the stage he had to call in the aid of
an expert dramatist, and owed more to his assistant than he
owned. As we shall see two other dramatists subsequently
collaborated with him in a similar fashion.
Newcastle's relations with Davcnant have already been
mentioned. It is very likely that the poet owed his post in
Newcastle's army to the recommendation of the Queen rather
than to the merits of his verse l . It is somewhat remarkable
that Davenant makes no mention of the Duke in his poems,
and that, with the exception of a brief poem on the marriage
of one of the Duke's daughters, there is no trace of this connec-
tion in his works. Drydcn, who also shared the favours of
Newcastle, takes the opportunity, in his florid dedication of
The Mock Astrologer to the Duke, to refer to his kindnesses to
former poets. ' The manes of Jonson and Davcnant seem to
require from me, that those favours which you placed on them,
and which they wanted opportunity to own in public, yet
l Lfltfrs nf Ouefn Henri fit a Mar it, r I. Or-n, p. 134.
Editor's Preface xix
might not be lost to the knowledge of posterity, with a forget-
fulncss unbecoming of the Muses who arc the daughters of
memory. . . I am proud to be their remembrancer : for by
relating how gracious you have been to them, and arc to me,
I, in some measure, join my name to theirs ; and the con-
tinued descent of your favours to me is the best title which I
can plead for my succession.' Drydcn's enemy, Shadwell,
shared the Duke's bounty, and dedicated to him The Virtuoso
and The Libertine. Flccknoc, another of the victims of
Dryden's satire, rhymes assiduously in praise of the Duke
and Duchess '. But Drydcn's connection with Newcastle
was that of collaborateur as well as client. The Duke trans-
lated or adapted Moliere's L'Elourdi, which Dryden converted
into Sir Alartin Mar-all. It was performed under the name
of the Duke, and is entered on the books of the Stationers'
Company as his work 2 . Not till 1697 did it appear under
Dryden's name, but according to Pcpys the secret of its
authorship was well known at the time.
Newcastle's own plays arc four in number, vi/. The Country
Captain and The Variety, published in 1640, and The Humorous
Lovers and Triumphant Widoiv, published in 1677. Of the
first of these Pepys observes : ' so silly a play as in all my life
I never saw ' ; of the third, ' the most silly thing that ever
came upon a stage.' 3 Shadwell, however, who knew what
was likely to succeed as well as most men, thought sufficiently
well of The Triumphant Widow to insert a large part of it into
his Bury Fair. It is difficult to resist the conclusion that he
was the real author of this portion of the Triumphant U'idou;
and that he was only reclaiming his own property. But
whether original or not, the plays are certainly readable and
amusing. There is less to be said in favour of the Duke's
poems. They consist chiefly of songs in his own plays and
those of the Duchess, of adulatory verses prefixed to his wife's
publications, and some talcs in verse in her Nature's Pictures.
They are as far inferior to her poems as his plays are superior
to those of the Duchess.
Walpole, who never loses an opportunity of sneering at
l See U'alpole's Koyal uml \<>f>lf .-iuthorx, edited l>y P.uk. where -ivciinens of II,-, k-
noe's vfr-.cs arc given. Richard Hronie aNo prefixes to his play of 1'kt Cm-fnt (ianlfn
I 1 Ye,/,-,/, verses on the Duke's pl.iy entitled iht \\trifty.
- Scott's Dryjfn, vol. iii.
3 Sec the passages quoted from 1'epys on p. jo;, ("icneste. who desorilx-s the Puke's
plays (x. 73-75), sums up by saying that they ' ought not to have boon forgotten '.
xx Editor's Preface
Newcastle, says, referring to his plays and poems : 'lie would
soon have been forgotten in the walk of fame which he chose
for himself. Yet as an author he is familiar to those who
scarce know any other author from his book of horseman-
ship.' l Horsemanship was a study to which Newcastle had
devoted himself from his youth. His father, Sir Charles
Cavendish, ' kept him several masters in the art of horseman-
ship, and sent him to the Mews to Mons. Antoine, who was
then accounted the best master in that art.' As governor of
Prince Charles he also taught him to ride, and continually
celebrates the progress of his pupil (see the passages quoted
in the note to p. 121), to whom he afterwards dedicated his
Mcthode Nonvclle de Dresser Ics Chcvaux. The same pursuit
filled the enforced leisure of his exile, and relieved its tedium.
Early in 1648, towards the end of his stay in France, New-
castle contrived to obtain credit, and promptly bought a
couple of Barbary horses, ' resolving for his own recreation
and divcrtiscmcnt to exercise the art of manage '. After his
removal to Antwerp he increased his stable to eight horses,
' in which he took so much delight and pleasure that, though
he was then in distress for money, yet he would sooner have
tried all other ways than parted with any of them.' No
stranger of note thought of passing through Antwerp without
coming to see Newcastle's riding-house. ' It would fill a
volume ', he writes, ' to repeat all the commendations that
were given to horses and horsemanship, by several worthy
gentlemen of all nations, High and Low Dutch, Italians,
English, French, Spaniards, Polacks, and Swedes, in my own
private riding-house at Antwerp, which, though very large,
was often so full that my csquicr, Captain Mazin, had hardly
room to ride.' He relates in detail the compliments of some
of his more important visitors, tells us how he himself mounted
and performed before them, whilst Spaniards ' crossed them-
selves and cried Miraculo '. And that, ' though the French
think that all the horsemanship in the world is in France ',
one said : ' Par Dicu, Monsieur, il cst bien hardi qui monte
dcvant vous ', and another ' II n'y a plus seigneur commc vous
en Angletf-rre.' - The fruit of these experiences and studios
was published in 1658 at Antwerp under the title of La
1 Royal and \oble Authors, ill. 175.
2 I'rrf.io- to the AVre Methnd and Ktlraorjinary Invention, 1667. Some extracts
arc quoted in the notes to pp. Oo, hi.
Editor's Preface xxi
Mvthodc ci Invention Noiivcllc dc DYCSSCY Ics Clicvaiix. It is a
magnificent folio, with two title-pages and 42 fine plates. The
Marquis wrote in English, but had his work translated into
French for publication l .
A letter which is printed in the Appendix shows that it was
owing to the help of his two friends, Sir Hugh Cartwright and
Mr. Loving, that Newcastle was able to produce so sumptuous
an edition of his book. In the numerous diagrams which
adorn it, we sec the Duke and Captain Ma/in alternately
exhibiting the various figures of their art in the riding-house.
Other plates represent Newcastle himself performing ' capri-
olles ' and ' balottades ' before the windows of Welbeck, or
under the towers of Bolsover. The frontispiece pictures
him mounted and upon a pedestal, crowned by flying Cupids,
with verses beneath stating that if he were to mount ' un
diable tres robustc ' it would become immediately as docile
as one of his own trained steeds. One emblematic design
displays the author driving a chariot drawn by centaurs
through a circle of kneeling horses ; in another he is seen
flying on a winged horse betwixt heaven and earth, below arc
submissively adoring horses, whilst from above the gods look
down and admire. The verses attached to this last picture
are so much superior to most of those supplied by Mons. D. V.,
the poet employed by the Duke, that they deserve quotation :
II iiiontc avcc la main, Ics cpcrons ct g.iulc,
Le chcval dc 1'cgasc qtii voile, en capriole :
II niontc si haul qu'il louche do sa tetc Ics cicux,
Kt par scs mervcilles ravit en cxtases Ics Dicux.
I.cs chcvaux corruptibles qui la has sur tcrre sont,
En courbcttcs demi-airs, terrc a terrc vont,
Avcc liumilitc soumisskm ct basscssc,
L'adorcr coininc Dieu auU'iir de lour addrcssc.
When the Duke returned from exile he continued to occupy
himself with his favourite pursuit. ' In his old age ', writes
his wife, ' though he doth not ride himself, as he hath done,
yet he takes delight in seeing his horses of manage rid by his
escuyers, whom he instructs in that art for his own pleasure.'
In i(>(>,- he published a second book, under the following
t AocordinK In I.owndes (oil. Holm) the book w.1* published in 1657, anil the printed
title is sometimes altered by hand to 1058. Hut the copies 1 have myself seen are dated
1058. The Duke's first draft of the book is preserved at Welbeck. "
xxii Editor's Preface
title : A New Alclhod and Extraordinary Invention to Dress
Horses, and Work them, according to Nature ; as also to perfect
Nature by the subtlety of Art ; which ivas never found out but
by the thrice noble, high, and pitissant Prince, William Cavendish,
etc. In the preface the Duke explains the relation of the
later to the earlier work : ' I did (during my long exile) publish
in French a book of Horsemanship ; and having again, since
my return to my native country, had much leisure, in my
solitary country life, to recollect my thoughts, and try new
experiments about that art ; I now, for the more particular
satisfaction of my countrymen, print this second book in
English, which, being neither a translation of the first, nor
an absolutely necessary addition to it, may be of use by
itself without the other, as the other hath been hitherto,
and is still, without this ; but both together will questionless
do best.'
Another work of Newcastle's has come to light only lately.
The Duchess tells us that during the exile her husband sent
King Charles II ' a little book wherein he delivered his opinion
concerning the govcrment of his dominions, whensoever God
should be pleased to restore him to his throne ' (p. icx>). Two
manuscript copies of this book are in existence, one in Ihc
Bodleian Library, which is probably the copy presented to
the King, and the other in the possession of the Duke of
Portland. The second was printed by Mr. S. A. Strong in
3903, in his Catalogue of Letters and other historical Documents
preserved in the Library at Welbeck.
Newcastle's advice to the King in some respects resembles
that which he gave the prince (Appendix p. 183). In both he
insists on the maintenance of ceremony as a fence to monarchy,
and the importance of externals as a means of impressing the
mind of the people. But in the advice to the King Newcastle
sets forth all his views on the arts of government in detail,
and all his observations on the errors of policy committed
by the king's father and grandfather. He passes in review
the court, the country, the lawyers, the clergy, the city and
the parliament, defining what the king's attitude should be
to each class and profession in the nation. More than once
in his reflections on the past and his recommendations as to
the future Newcastle echoes the views of Hobbcs, and there
arc many passages which might be paralleled from Leviathan
Editor's Preface xxiii
or Behemoth. Like Hobbes Newcastle traces the Rebellion
to fanaticism. ' The Bible in English under every weaver's
and chambermaid's arm hath done us much hurt.' Hence-
forth religious zeal must be systematically repressed, preachers
controlled, and only permitted to deliver printed sermons
licensed by the bishops, teachers rigidly supervised, the
number of students in universities and schools limited, no
books of controversy save in Latin allowed, and the press put
under an effective censorship. Newcastle regarded the
Bishops as a sort of ecclesiastical policemen, intended to
maintain order in their dioceses, and to keep the king informed
about the movements of schismatics and papists. Episcopacy
was the only form of government compatible with monarchy,
which Popery and Presbytery alike tended to destroy. There-
fore the king must begin by re-establishing the Church of
England ' and thus shall your Majesty be not only an absolute
king, but pope within your dominions ', and his subjects
would have ' an easy and sweet government, in comparison
of the other two most tyrannical governments cither of Popery
or Presbytery '.
The most important thing however for the peace of both
Church and State was that the King should have complete
and sole control of the military forces of the realm. ' There
is nothing can so well settle the Church, and keep it in order,
as the power to be in your own hands, which is the drum and
the trumpet, for disputes will never have an end, and make
new and great disorders, but force quiets all things.' To begin
with therefore the London trained bands must be disarmed,
and two forts must be built on each side the Thames below
Greenwich to command the river and its trade, as the Spaniards
had done at Antwerp. There were to be good garrisons in the
port towns, a troop of horse kept on foot in every county,
and a militia commanded by trusty noblemen.
To provide money for the expenses of the army and navy
the King must encourage trade by every means in his jxiwcr.
' It is the merchant that brings honey to the hive. There-
fore keep up the merchant as high as possibly you can.' Let
there be no abuses in the farming of the customs, and no
monopolies, but lower the rate of interest, and establish an
excise. Above all the King must be economical ; there must
be no profuseness in unnecessary things such as jewels or
xxiv Editor's Preface
pictures, for extravagance would make him dependent upon
parliaments instead of their master. ' Riches, sir, in a king,
is more advantageous both at home and abroad than I can
express, therefore, Sir, put money in your purse and be rich.'
While however Newcastle thus warned Charles against
extravagance he at the same time sketched a programme of
' divertiscmcnts ' for the King throughout the year. In
winter there were to be masques, and plays and balls at White-
hall. There were to be tiltings too, on coronation day, and
riding ' horses of manege '. In the summer he was to make
stately progresses through the country. In spring and autumn
he was to recreate himself with hunting and hawking. New-
market would be excellent for this, ' which is the sweetest
place in the world and the best air, and no place like it for
hunting, hawking and coursing, and horse races.' The people
too were to have their amusements, and it was of great political
importance that these should be encouraged when the King
was restored. For ' the divertiscmcnts will amuse the people's
thoughts and keep them in harmless action, which will free
your majesty from faction and rebellion. Once more there
must be bear-baiting at Paris Garden for ' the meaner people '
and five or six playhouses for the pleasure of the better sort.
' Puppet plays there will be to please them besides, as also
dancers on the ropes, with jugglers and tumblers, besides
strange sights of beasts, birds, monsters, and many other
things with several sorts of music and dancing, and all the
old holidays with their mirth and rites set up again. Feasting
daily will be in merry England, for England is so plcntifull
of all provisions, that if we do not cat them they will eat us,
so we feast in our defence.' Still more enthusiastic is his
enumeration of ' the country recreation '. There will be
once more ' may games, morris dances, the Lords of the May
and the Lady of the May ; the fool and the hobbyhorse must
not be forgotten ; also the Whitsun Lord and Lady, threshing
of hens at Shrovetide ; carols and wassails at Christmas, with
goodly plum porridge and pics, which now arc forbidden as
profane, ungodly things ; wakes, fairs and markets (which
maintain commerce and trade) ; and after evening prayer
every Sunday and holiday, the country people with their
fresher lasses to trip on the town green about the may-pole
to the louder bagpipe and to be refreshed with their ale and
cakes.'
Editor's Preface xxv
So, forgetting statecraft for a moment, the mind of the
exile reverted to the England he had known before the civil
war began to the country of which we catch a glimpse in
Milton's L' Allegro and Ilerrick's Plespcridcs. The England
to which Newcastle came back in 1660 was a different and a
graver country, sobered by suffering as well as embittered
by strife. lie found his parks wasted, his woods cut down,
and his houses dismantled. lie had to set to work to restock
his farms, rebuild his houses, and repay his debts, and to do
all these with a diminished income. ' It may be concluded ',
says the Duchess, after computing his losses, ' that although
my Lord's estate was very great before the wars, yet now
it is shrunk into a very narrow compass, that it puts his pru-
dence and wisdom to the proof to serve his necessities." For
this reason, and also no doubt on account of his advanced age,
Newcastle after his return to England lived entirely in the
country. He made no attempt to press his advice upon his
royal pupil either in court or council. The Advice was his
political testament.
Though the Duke of Newcastle's contribution to literature
is by no means insignificant, his works arc far surpassed in
number by those of the Duchess. Poems and Plays, Letters,
Orations, and Stories, combined with a whole series of works
on Natural Philosophy, flowed from her facile pen. It was
during her exile, more especially during her visit to England
with Sir Charles Cavendish, that she published her earliest
works. The volume of Poems and Fancies was first printed
in 1653 ; a second edition followed in 1664, and a third in
1668 ; all three were published at London and in folio form.
This volume contains some of her best work : The Pastime
and Recreation of the Queen of the Fairies in Fairyland, and
The Dialogue betiveen J\tehmcholy and Mirth, both of which
will be found in the little volume of selections published by
Mr. Jenkins. Other poems arc scattered through the volume
entitled Nature's Pictures by Fancy's Pencil. The first edition
of the last-named book was published in 1656, and the second
in 1671. It contains the autobiography of the Duchess, and
several poems by the Duke, in addition to the talcs in verse
and prose which form the bulk of her volume. There should
be a front ispiece representing the Duchess seated with her
husband and his children telling them stories, but this is
d
xxvi Editor's Preface
generally missing. In one of the very numerous prefaces she
prides herself on the tendency of her fictions, and condemns
the romances of the day. ' As for those talcs I name Roman-
cicall, I would not have my readers think I writ them, cither
to please or to make foolish whining lovers, for it is a humour
of all humours I have an aversion to ; but my endeavour is to
express the sweetness of Virtue, and the Graces, and to dress
and adorn them in the best expressions I can. . . Neither
do I know the rule or method of Romancy writing ; for
I never read a Romancy Book throughout in all my life, I
mean such as I take to be Romances, wherein little is writ
which ought to be practised, but rather shunned as foolish
amorosities, and desperate follies, not noble love's discreet
virtues, and true valour. The most I ever read of Romances
was but part of three books, as the three parts of one, and the
half of the two others. And if I thought those tales I call my
Romancicall Tales, should or could neither benefit the life,
nor delight the mind of my readers, no more than those pieces
of Romances I read did me, I would never suffer them to be
printed. . . Likewise if I could think that any of my writings
should create amorous thoughts in idle brains, I would make
blots instead of letters ; but I hope this work of mine will
rather quench amorous passions than inflame them, and beget
chaste thoughts, nourish love of Virtue, kindle humane Pity,
warm Charity, increase Civility, strengthen fainting Patience,
encourage noble Industry, crown Merit, instruct Life, and
recreate Time.'
The book entitled The World's Olio is a collection of essays,
observations, and aphorisms, published in 1655, with a second
edition dated 1671 (London, folio). The CCXI Sociable Letters,
published in 1664 (London, folio), consist of descriptions
of imaginary scenes, persons, and conversations, with one or
two letters to real persons intermixed, and one or two on
critical subjects, such as the works of Shakespeare and Daven-
ant. A still more curious proof of the versatility of the
Duchess is the volume called Orations of Divers Sorts accommo-
dated to Divers Places (first edition 1662, London, folio ; second
1668, do. do.)- It contains orations for all times and places
for funerals, for weddings, for law courts and battlefields,
speeches seditious and loyal, some to stir up mutiny, some to
prevent civil war, some for and some against taxes, speeches
Editor's Preface xxvii
to the King in council and to the citi/.ens in market-place,
and dying speeches for all conditions, from kings to courtesans.
There is a collection of speeches for a convivial meeting of
country gentlemen in a market town, ending with ' a speech
of a quarter-drunk gentleman ' and ' a speech of a half-
drunken gentleman '. Another little collection, headed
Female Orations, reports the speeches delivered at a meeting
of women on the great question of combining together to
make themselves as ' free, happy, and famous as men ', and
concludes with an oration persuading them to remain as they
are and be content with their present position. It is hardly
necessary to say that the orations arc all singularly alike in
style and expression, for the Duchess, with a considerable
power of description, was entirely devoid of any dramatic
instinct. In all her plays there is hardly a single character
with any semblance of life ; her characters are mere abstrac-
tions, qualities, and humours, uttering the fantastic speeches
and quaint conceits which she loved to write 1 . The plots
arc original enough, but there is no skill in the construc-
tion to redeem the weakness of the character-drawing. All
that can be said for the dialogue is that it contains occasional
passages of poetic beauty, and some amusing descriptions, but
it is too strained and affected to be spoken on the stage.
Nevertheless the Duchess was an indefatigable playwright :
in 1662 she published a volume containing twenty-one plays
(Plays, London, 1662, folio) ; this was followed in 1668 by a
second containing five more (Plays Never before Printed,
London, 1668, folio). They were not particularly well re-
ceived by the world ; the Duchess complains that the critics
condemned in them the very things she had admitted in her
preface. ' My plays, they say, are not made up so exactly
as they should be, having no plots, designs, catastrophes,
and such like, I know not what, which I expressed in the
Kpistlcs prefixed before them ; acknowledging that I had
neither skill nor art to form them as they should be ' (Preface
to Orations). For this reason she boldly states, in the address
to the readers in her second volume : ' When I call this new
1 Some df the figures represent the authoress herself. ' In a scene in the second
part of Youth's Clorv ami Dfath's Hanquct, she apjx-.irs under the , har.u ter of l.adv
Sunsp.ireile, and gives what iu.iv be siipp<'M-d to In- a picture ol her own reception at
Court. As the Lady Contemplation in the play of that name, as the Lady Chastity
of the Matrimonial Trouhlt, and in a score of other characters, the Ouchess is recog-
ni/able.'- Dictionary of .\ationtil Uiography.
xxviii Editor's Preface
one " Plays " I do not believe to have given it a very proi>cr
title ; for it would be too great a fondness to my works to
think such plays as these suitable to ancient rules, in which
I pretend no skill ; or agreeable to the modern humour, to
which I dare acknowledge my aversion : but having pleased
my fancy in writing many dialogues upon several subjects,
and having afterwards ordered them into acts and scenes, I
will venture in spite of the critics to call them " Plays " ; and
if you like them so, well and good ; if not, there is no harm
done ' 1 .
But the philosophical, or rather scientific works of the
Duchess, were those of which she herself was most proud, and
those which were most famous in her time. The first of
these was the Philosophical Fancies (London, 1653), afterwards
developed into Philosophical Opinions (London, 1655), and
still further enlarged and amended in the second edition of
Philosophical Opinions in 1663. In some verses on this book,
quoted in the note to page 303, she terms it ' of all that I have
writ, my best beloved and greatest favourite'. Already,
in her Poems in 1653, and inTheWorld's Olio, published in 1655,
she had set forth some of her views on natural philosophy.
One of the dozen prefaces to her Poems is specially addressed
' to natural philosophers '. She pleads her complete ignorance
of the works of former writers on the subject, and the fact
that she understands no language but her own, and only
colloquial Knglish, as reasons for a kindly judgment of her
speculations. In the remarks attached to Philosophical
Opinions she prides herself that her views are all her own,
and all new. ' I desire all those that arc friends to my book
to believe that whatsoever is new is my own, which I hope
all is : for I never had any guide to direct me, nor intelligence
from any authors to advertise me, but writ according to my
own natural cogitations'. As might be expected from these
confessions, the ponderous tomes on science and philosophy
which the Duchess published arc entirely valueless. This
was not only due to the ignorance of the writings of others,
which the Duchess admits, but to the method which she
adopted in reasoning on physical science. One of her cor-
respondents, (ilanville, points this out to her. ' There arc
I 'Flu-re is a very fine portrait of the Duchess liy Diepcnlx-ck as frontispiece to the
Editor's Preface xxix
two sorts of reasoning ', he says ; ' those that the mind
advaneeth from its inbred store, such are all mctaphysictil
contemplations ; and those natural researches which arc
raised from experiment and the objects of sense. Now, what
I have said about these matters is to tie down the mind in
physical things to consider nature as it is, to lay a foundation
in sensible collections, and from thence to proceed to general
propositions and discourses. So that my aim is that we may
arise according to the order of nature, from the exercise of
our senses to that of our reason ; which indeed is most noble
and most perfect when it concludes aright, but not so when
it is mistaken ; and that it may so conclude and arrive to
that perfection it must begin in sense ; and the more ex-
periments our reasons have to work on, by so much they arc
the more likely to be certain in their conclusions, and conse-
quently more perfect in their actings '. Whilst the Royal
Society and all those to whom the progress of physical science
in England during the latter half of the seventeenth century
was due were eagerly pursuing the experimental method,
the Duchess continued to spin her ' metaphysical cogitations '
like a spider, as she says, from her own brain. 1
It is not surprising that her husband praised them, for he
held that nobody knew or could know the cause of anything,
all were but gucssers, and so his wife's opinions were as likely
to be correct as any one else's. But it is rather a shock to find
learned bodies and learned men lavishing unmeasured praise
upon them. Dr. Walter Charltou gravely writes to her,
bidding her not be discouraged, if her philosophy have not
the fate to be publicly read in all the Universities of Europe,
and discusses the question whether the jealousy of philosophical
teachers, the dislike of dogmatism which had recently sprang
up in England, or the influence of the opposing philosophy
of Aquinas, was the cause of this delay 2 . Some such reward
of her labours the Duchess seems to have expected, for she
1 In addition to these works the Duchess published the following :
(i.) Philosophical {.filers, or Moilest Reflections upon some Opinions in \,iiural Philo-
sophy maintained l>v several learned authors of the age. London, i(><>4, folio.
(2.) Observations upon Experimental Philosophy, to which is adJed the Description o/
a AYtc World. London, KIWI, folio; second edition, IWKS.
(.?.) (jrouikls of \aturiil Philosophy. London, K>oS, folio. This is a second edition,
much altered, of 1'hilosophicitl and 1'hysical Opinions.
- Letters and Poems in Honour of the incomparable Princess, Margaret, Duchess of
\e-.irastle, icrilten by sc-ceral persons of honour and learning, 1676, p. ui, and The
liafforj Halla.b, ii, >SS.j.
xxx Editor's Preface
liberally supplied the public libraries of Oxford and Cambridge,
and those of many of their Colleges, with copies of her works,
and dedicated her Philosophical Opinions to the Universities
of England, and her Grounds of Natural Philosophy to the
Universities of Europe.
Passing from the consideration of her works to the con-
sideration of the Duchess herself, the task of the critic is
more delicate and more difficult. She has been unduly praised
and unjustly depreciated. Clever people have sneered at
her as a pedant, and dull people still term her ' the mad
Duchess '. Her reputation has suffered something from the
pens of others, but more from her own. She wrote a number
of excellent things, but carefully buried them in a vast heap
of rubbish. No woman ever more frankly described herself
in her autobiography, or more carelessly displayed herself
in her writings. Even those who admire and love her most
must admit that some of her defects are too highly developed
for the character of a perfect heroine. Her love of singularity
amounted to a passion ; in her philosophy as in her clothes she
was determined above all things to be original. Her vanity
was enormous and insatiable. ' Vanity,' she says somewhere,
' is so natural to our sex that it were unnatural not to be so ' ;
but her vanity was something supcrfcminine.
Yet her weaknesses were very largely the results of the
circumstances in which she grew up, and the position in which
Fortune placed her. Her education was neglected, her youth
solitary and secluded. She associated only with the members
of her own family, and shunned the company of even near
connections. Her stay in the court of Henrietta Maria was
too brief to give her a taste for society, or to fit her for it.
After her marriage with the Marquis of Newcastle she continued
her secluded and contemplative way of living, immuring her-
self in a little world of speculations and fancies, out of sight
and out of sound of the real world outside. She had no
children, and the management of an exile's household afforded
her little occupation ; writing became to her a resource, a
pleasure, and a necessity. ' Be not too severe in your cen-
sures ', she says in one of the prefaces to her first book, ' for
first, I have no children to employ my care and attendance
on. Next, my lord's estate being taken away in those times
when I writ this book, I had nothing for huswifery or thrifty
Editor's Preface xxxi
industry to employ myself in, having no stock to work on.
Thirdly, you are desired to spare your severe censures, because
I had not so many years of experience when I wrote this book,
as could make me a garland to crown my head : only I had
so much time, as to gather a little posy to stick upon my
breast. Lastly, the time I have been writing them hath not
been very long, but since I came into England, being eight
years out and nine months in ; and of these nine months, only
some hours in the day, or rather in the night ; for my rest
being broken with discontented thoughts, because I was from
my Lord and husband, knowing him to be in great wants,
and myself in the same condition ; to divert them I strove
to turn the stream, and, shunning the muddy and foul ways
of vice, I went to the well of Helicon, and by the well's side
I did sit, and wrote this work.' And again : ' Since all times
must be spent cither ill, or well, or indifferently, I thought this
was the most harmless pastime : for sure this work is better
than to sit still, and censure my neighbours' actions, which
nothing concern me ; or to condemn their humours, because
they do not sympathise with mine ; or their lawful recreations,
because they are not agreeable to my delight ; or ridiculously
to laugh at my neighbour's clothes, if they are not of the mode,
colour, or cut, or the ribbons tied with a mode-knot ; or to
busy myself out of the sphere of our sex, in politics of state,
or to preach false doctrine in a tub ; or to entertain myself in
hearkening to vain flatteries, or to the incitements of evil
persuasions ; whereas all these follies, and many more, may
be cut off by such innocent work as this.'
Another motive urged the Duchess to write, and she owns
it with charming simplicity. ' I confess my ambition is rest-
less, and not ordinary, because it would have an extraordinary
fame : and since all heroic actions, public employments,
powerful governments, and eloquent pleadings, arc denied
our sex in this age, or at least would be condemned for want
of custom, is the cause I write so much ; for my ambition
being restless, though rather busy than industrious, yet it
hath made that little wit I have to run upon every subject I
can think of, or is fit for me to write on ' (Epistle to the
Reader, Nature's Pictures, 1656).
' It will satisfy me ', says she elsewhere, ' if my writing
please the readers, though not the learned ; for I had rather
xxxii Editor's Preface
be praised, in this, by the most, although not the best ; for
all I desire is fame, and fame is nothing but a great noise,
and noise lives most in a multitude'. By a curious reversal
of her wishes, exactly the contrary of what she hoped for has
happened. What fame she has is with the few, and not with
the many, with the best and not with the most. To some
she is still the ' incomparable Princess ', as contemporary
panegyrists termed her, and Lamb delighted to style her.
But to most she is and will be merely the fantastic figure
which flits for a moment across the pages of Pcpys.
The last work written by the Duchess was the Grounds of
Natural Philosophy, published in 1668. She died on Decem-
ber 15, 1673, leaving, it is said, three volumes of poems in
manuscript. She was buried in Westminster Abbey, on
January 7, 1674, near the chapel of St. Michael. Her husband
survived her three years, dying on December 25, 1676 l . On
their monument, erected by the Duke during his lifetime, is
the following inscription :
Here lyes the Loyall Duke of Newcastle, and his Dutches, his second
wife, by whom he had noe issue : Her name was Margarett Lucas, yongest
sister to the Lord Lucas of Colchester, a noble familie ; for all the Hrotliers
were Valiant, and all the Sisters virtuous. This Dutches was a wise, wittie,
and Learned Lady, which her many Bookes do well tcstific : she was a
most Virtuous and a Loveing and carefull wife, and was with her Lord
all the time of his banishment and miseries, and when he came homo,
never parted from him in his solitary retirements.
1 The date of the death of the Duchess is given by Anthony Wood in his account of
WaltiT Charltnn, who translated her life of the Duke into Latin (Athen.T Oxoniensos).
The date of the Duke's death, and the epitaph, are from Collins, who gives an engrav-
ing of the monument (Collins, Historical Collections, p. 44).
THE LIFE
OF THE
Thrice noble, high and puissant PRINCE
WILLIAM CAVENDISH
Duke, Marquis, and Earl of Newcastle ; Earl of Ogle ; Vis-
count Mansfield ; and Baron of Bolsovcr, of Ogle, Bothal
and Hcpple : Gentleman of His Majesty's Bed-chamber ;
one of His Majesty's most Honourable Privy Council ;
Knight of the most noble Order of the Garter ; His Majesty's
Lieutenant of the county and town of Nottingham ; and
Justice in Eyre Trent-North : who had the honour to be
Governor to our most glorious King and gracious Sovereign,
in his youth, when he was Prince of Wales ; and soon after
was made Captain-General of all the provinces beyond
the river of Trent, and other parts of the kingdom of
England, with power, by a special commission, to make
Knights.
Written bv the thrice noble, illustrious and excellent Princes*, Margaret,
Duchess of AYuTKs//,-. his Wife
L O X D O N,
Printed by A. Afu.vu'dl, in the Year if^T
XXXlll
TO HIS MOST SACRED MAJESTY
CHARLES THE SECOND,
By the Grace of God, of England, Scotland, France, and Ire-
land King, Defender of the Faith, &c.
MAY IT PLEASE YOUR MAJESTY, I have, in confidence of
your gracious acceptance, taken the boldness, or rather the
presumption, to dedicate to your Majesty this short history
(which is as full of truths, as words) of the actions and sufferings
of your most loyal subject, my lord and husband (by your
Majesty's late favour) Duke of Newcastle ; who when your
Majesty was Prince of Wales, was your most careful governor,
and honest servant. Give me therefore leave to relate here,
that I have heard him often say, he loves your royal person
so dearly, that he would most willingly, upon all occasions,
sacrifice his life and posterity for your Majesty : whom that
Heaven will ever bless, is the prayer of your most obedient,
loyal, humble subject and servant,
M AFC \RF.T NEWCASTLE.
X X X 1 V
TO HIS GRACE
THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE,
MY NOHLE LORD, It luitli always been my hearty prayer
to God, since I have been your wife, that first I might prove
an honest and good wife, whereof your Grace must be the only
judge : next, that God would be pleased to enable me to set
forth and declare to after ages, the truth of your loyal actions
and endeavours, for the service of your King and country ;
for the accomplishing of which design, I have followed the
best and truest observations of your secretary John Rollcs-
ton l , and your Lordship's own relations, and have accordingly
writ the history of your Lordship's life, which, although I
have endeavoured to render as perspicuous as ever I could,
yet one thing I find hath much darkened it ; which is, that
your Grace commanded me not to mention any thing or
passage to the prejudice or disgrace of any family or particu-
lar person (although they might be of great truth, and would
illustrate much the actions of your life) which I have dutifully
performed to satisfy your Lordship 2 , whose nature is so
generous, that you are as well pleased to obscure the faults
of your enemies, as you are to divulge the virtues of your
friends. And certainly, my Lord, you have had as many
enemies, and as many friends, as ever any one particular
person had ; and I pray God to forgive the one, and prosper
the other. Nor do I so much wonder at it, since I, a woman,
cannot be exempt from the malice and aspersions of spiteful
tongues, which they cast upon my poor writings, some deny-
ing me to be the true authoress of them ; for your Grace
remembers well, that those books I put out first to the judg-
ment of this censorious age, were accounted not to be written
by a woman, but that somebody else had writ and published
1 Rolleston died in 1681. His epitaph is printed in Bailey's Annals of Notts, ii, qS8.
2 This is probably the reason for the oMitcr.ition of so many proper names in the
first edition, which was done by hand alter the book had been printed.
XXXV
xxxvi To His Grace the
them in my name ; by which your Lordship was moved to
prefix an Epistle before one of them in my vindication, wherein
you assure the world upon your honour, that what was written
and printed in my name, was my own l ; and I have also
made known, that your Lordship was my only tutor, in
declaring to me what you had found and observed by your
own experience ; for I being young when your Lordship
married me, could not have much knowledge of the world :
but it pleased God to command His servant Nature to indue
me with a poetical and philosophical genius, even from my
birth ; for I did write some books in that kind, before I was
twelve years of age, which for want of good method and
order, I would never divulge. But though the world would
not believe that those conceptions and fancies which I writ
were my own, but transcended my capacity, yet they found
fault that they were defective for want of learning ; and on
the other side, they said I had plucked feathers out of the
universities ; which was a very preposterous judgment. Truly,
my Lord, I confess that for want of scholarship, I could not
express myself so well as otherwise I might have done, in
those philosophical writings I published first ; but after I
was returned with your Lordship into my native country,
and led a retired country life, I applied myself to the reading
of philosophical authors, of purpose to learn those names and
words of art that are used in schools ; which at first were so
hard to me, that I could not understand them, but was fain
to guess at the sense of them by the whole context, and so
write them down as I found them in those authors, at which
my readers did wonder and thought it impossible that a
woman could have so much learning and understanding in
terms of art, and scholastical expressions ; so that I and my
books arc like the old apologue, mentioned in /lisop, of a
father, and his son, who rid on an ass through a town when
his father went on foot, at which sight the people shouted and
cried shame, that a young boy should ride, and let his father,
an old man, go on foot : whereupon the old man got upon
the ass, and let his son go by. But when they came to the
next town, the people exclaimed against the father, that he,
1 An Kpistlc to justify the Lady Newcastle, nnd truth against falsehood, laying those
f.ilv and in.ilirious aspersions of her, that she was not author of her books,' prefixed,
to f'kUotofkicaJ and I'hywal (if'inifm, 1655.
Duke of Newcastle xxxvii
a lusty man, should ride, and have no more pity of his young
and tender child, but let him go on foot. Then both the
father and his son got upon the ass, and coming to the third
town, the people blamed them both for being so unconscion-
able as to overburden the poor ass with their heavy weight.
After this both father and son went on foot, and led the ass ;
and when they came to the fourth town, the people railed
as much at them as ever the former had done, and called
them both fools, for going on foot, when they had a beast
able to carry them. The old man, seeing he could not please
mankind in any manner, and having received so many blem-
ishes and aspersions, for the sake of his ass, was at last resolved
to drown him when he came to the next bridge. But I am
not so passionate to burn my writings for the various humours
of mankind, and for their finding fault, since there is nothing
in this world, be it the noblest and most commendable action
whatsoever, that shall escape blameless. As for my being the
true and only authoress of them, your Lordship knows best,
and my attending servants are witness that I have had none
but my own thoughts, fancies, and speculations to assist
me ; and as soon as I have set them down, I send them to
those that arc to transcribe them, and fit them for the press ;
whereof since there have been several, and amongst them
such as only could write a good hand, but neither understood
orthography, nor had any learning (I being then in banish-
ment with your Lordship, and not able to maintain learned
secretaries), which hath been a great disadvantage to my poor
works, and the cause that they have been printed so false and
so full of errors ; for besides that I want also the skill of
scholarship and true writing, I did many times not peruse
the copies that were transcribed, lest they should disturb
my following conceptions ; by which neglect, as I said, many
errors are slipt into my works, which yet I hope learned and
impartial readers will soon rectify, and look more upon the
sense than carp at words. I have been a student even from
my childhood ; and since I have been your Lordship's wife,
I have lived for the most part a strict and retired life, as is
best known to your Lordship, and therefore my ccnsurcrs
cannot know much of me, since they have little or no acquain-
tance with me. 'Tis true, I have been a traveller both before
and after I was married to your Lordship, and sometimes
xxxviii To His Grace the Duke of Newcastle
show myself at your Lordship's command in public places
or assemblies ; but yet I converse with few. Indeed, my
Lord, I matter not the censures of this age, but am rutlicr
proud of them ; for it shows that my actions arc more than
ordinary, and according to the old proverb, it is better to be
envied than pitied : for I know well, that it is merely out of
spite and malice, whereof this present age is so full, that none
can escape them, and they'll make no doubt to stain even
your Lordship's loyal, noble, and heroic actions, as well as
they do mine, though yours have been of war and fighting,
mine of contemplating and writing: yours were performed
publicly in the field, mine privately in my closet : yours had
many thousand eye-witnesses, mine none but my waiting-
maids. But the great God, that hath hitherto blessed both
your Grace and me, will, I question not, preserve both our
fames to after ages, for which we shall be bound most humbly
to acknowledge His great mercy ; and I myself, as long as I
live, be your Grace's honest wife, and humble servant,
M. NEWCASTLE.
THE PREFACE
WHEN I first intended to write this history, knowing myself
to be no scholar, and as ignorant of the rules of writing his-
tories, as I have in my other works acknowledged myself to
be of the names and terms of art ; I desired my Lord, that
he would be pleased to let me have some elegant and learned
historian to assist me ; which request his Grace would not
grant me ; saying, that having never had any assistance in
the writing of my former books, t should have no other in
the writing of his life, but the informations from himself, and
his secretary, of the chief transactions and fortunes occurring
in it, to the time he married me. I humbly answered, that
without a learned assistant, the history would be defective :
but he replied, that truth could not be defective. I said again,
that rhetoric did adorn truth : and he answered, that rhetoric
was fitter for falsehoods than truths. Thus I was forced by
his Grace's commands, to write this history in my own plain
style, without elegant flourishings, or exquisite method,
relying entirely upon truth, in the expressing whereof, I have
been very circumspect : as knowing well, that his Grace's
actions have so much gloiy of their own, that they need
borrow none from anybody's industr\-.
Many learned men, I know, have published rules and
directions concerning the method and style of histories, and
do with great noise, to little purpose, make loud exclamations
against those historians, that keeping close to the truth of
their narrations, cannot think it necessary to follow slavishly
such instructions ; and there is some men of good under-
standings, as I have heard, that applaud very much several
histories, merely for their elegant style, and well-observed
method ; setting a high value upon feigned orations, mystical
designs, and fancied policies, which are, at the best, but pleasant
romances. Others approve, in the relations of wars, and of
military actions, such tedious descriptions, that the reader,
tired with them, will imagine that there was more lime spent
xxxix
xl The Preface
in assaulting, defending, and taking of a fort, or a petty garri-
son, than Alexander did employ in conquering the greatest
part of the world : which proves, that such historians regard
more their own eloquence, wit, and industry, and the know-
ledge they believe to have of the actions of war, and of all
manner of governments, than of the truth of the history,
which is the main thing, and wherein consists the hardest task,
very few historians knowing the transactions they write of,
and much less the counsels and secret designs of many differ-
ent parties, which they confidently mention.
Although there be many sorts of histories, yet these three
are the chiefest : ( i ) a general history ; (2) a national history ;
(3) a particular history. Which three sorts may, not unfitly,
be compared to the three sorts of governments, democracy,
aristocracy, and monarchy. The first is the history of the
known parts and people of the world ; the second is the his-
tory of a particular nation, kingdom, or commonwealth.
The third is the history of the life and actions of some particu-
lar person. The first is profitable for travellers, navigators,
and merchants ; the second is pernicious, by reason it teaches
subtle policies, begets factions, not only between particular
families and persons, but also between whole nations, and
great princes, rubbing old sores, and renewing old quarrels,
that would otherwise have been forgotten. The last is the
most secure ; because it goes not out of its own circle, but
turns on its own axis, and for the most part keeps within the
circumference of truth. The first is mechanical, the second
political, and the third hcroical. The first should only be
written by travellers and navigators ; the second by states-
men ; the third by the prime actors, or the spectators of those
affairs and actions of which they write, as Ca?sar's Commen-
taries arc, which no pen but of such an author, who was also
actor in the particular occurrences, private intrigues, secret
counsels, close designs, and rare exploits of war he relates,
could ever have brought to so high perfection.
This history is of the third sort, as that is ; and being of
the life and actions of my noble lord and husband, who hath
informed me of all the particular passages I have recorded, I
cannot, though neither actor nor spectator, be thought ignor-
nnnt of the truth of what I write. Nor is it inconsistent
with my being a woman, to write of wars, that was neither
The Preface xli
between Mcdes and Persians, Greeks and Trojans, Christians
and Turks, but among my own countrymen, whose customs
and inclinations, and most of the persons that held any con-
siderable place in the armies, was well known to me ; and
besides all that (which is above all) my noble and loyal Lord
did act a chief part in that fatal tragedy, to have defended
(if human power could have done it) his most gracious sovereign
from the fury of his rebellious subjects.
This history being (as I have said) of a particular person,
his actions and fortunes, it cannot be expected that I should
here preach of the beginning of the world ; nor seem to express
understanding in the politics, by tedious moral discourses,
with long observations upon the several sorts of government
that have been in Greece and Rome, and upon others more
modern. I will neither endeavour to make show of eloquence,
making speeches that never were spoken, nor pretend to great
skill in war, by making mountains of molehills, and telling
romancical falsehoods for historical truths ; and much less
will I write to amuse my readers, in a mystical and allegorical
style, of the disloyal actions of the opposite part}', of the treach-
erous cowardice, envy, and malice of some persons, my Lord's
enemies, and of the ingratitude of some of his seeming friends ;
wherein I cannot better obey his Lordship's commands to
conceal those things, than in leaving them quite out, as I do,
with submission to his Lordship's desire, from whom I have
learned patience to overcome my passions, and discretion to
j'ield to his prudence.
Thus am I resolved to write, in a natural plain style, without
Latin sentences, moral instructions, politic designs, feigned
orations, or envious and malicious exclamations, this short
history of the loyal, heroic, and prudent actions of my noble
Lord, as also of his sufferings, losses, and ill-fortunes, which
in honour and conscience I could not suffer to be buried in
silence ; nor could I have undertaken so hard a task, had
not my love to his person, and to truth, been my cncourager
and supporter.
I might have made this book larger, in transcribing (as is
ordinary in histories) the several letters ', full of affection.
1 Sovon of these letters of the King's liavo Ixrti published l>v Sir Henry Kills, Original
Letters, scries I, vol. iii, pp. 201- -503. Those ol the (Juecn will N- found iti Mrv M. ]'.
C.reen's I. filers o/ (>ffti Hrnriftlti .\lnrin.
The Declarations referred to In-low are reprintid in Rushworth's Collection: 'A
xlii The Preface
and kind promises he received from his Gracious Sovereign,
Charles the First, and from his royal consort, in the time he
was in the actions of war, as also since the war, from his dear
sovereign and master, Charles the Second : but many of
the former letters having been lost, when all was lost, I thought
it best, seeing I had not them all, to print none. As for
orations, which is another way of swelling the bulk of histories,
it is certain, that my Lord made not many ; choosing rather
to fight than to talk ; and his Declarations having been printed
already, it had been superfluous to insert them in these nar-
rations.
Tins book would, however, have been a great volume, if
his Grace would have given me leave to publish his enemy's
actions. But being to write of his own only, I do it briefly
and truly ; and not as many have done, who have written of
the late Civil War, with but few sprinklings of truth, like as
heat-drops upon a dry barren ground : knowing no more of
the transactions of those times, than what they learned in
the gazettes, which, for the most part (out of policy to amuse
and deceive the people), contain nothing but falsehoods and
chimeras ; and were such parasites, that after the King's
party was overpowered, the government among the rebels
changing from one faction to another, they never missed to
exalt highly the merits of the chief commanders of the then
prevailing side, comparing some of them to Moses, and some
others to all the great and most famous heroes, both Greeks
and Romans l . Wherein, unawares, they exceedingly com-
mended my noble Lord ; for if those ringleaders of factions
were so great men as they arc reported to be, by those time-
servers, how much greater must his Lordship be, who beat
most of them, except the Earl of Essex, whose employment
was never in the northern parts, where all the rest of the
greatest strength of the Parliament was sent, to oppose my
Lord's forces, which was the greatest the King's party had
anywhere
Declaration made liy the Farl of Newcastle for his resolution of marching into York-
shire, as also a just vindication of himself from that unjust aspersion laid upon him for
entertaining vine I'opjsh recusants in his service.' Rushworth, III, i, 78-81. 'A
IVrl.iratirin of his Fxccllencv the Karl of Newcastle, in answer to the aspersions cast
upon him liy the I.ord Fairfax in his warrant liearing date February id.' Kushworlh
Ml, i. m
I Thii u evidently a hit at Thomas May's History of the A/rnj Parliament.
The Preface xliii
Good lortunc is such an idol of the world, and is so like the
golden calf worshipped by the Israelites, that those arch-rebels
never wanted astrologers to foretell them good success in all
their enterprises, nor poets to sing their praises, nor orators
for panegyrics ; nay, which is worse, nor historians neither,
to record their valour in fighting, and wisdom in governing.
But being, so much as I am, above base profit, or any prefer-
ment whatsoever, I cannot fear to be suspected of flattery,
in declaring to the world the merits, wealth, power, loyalty,
and fortunes of my noble Lord, who hath done great actions,
suffered great losses, endured a long banishment, for his
loyalty to his King and country ; and leads now, like another
Scipio, a quiet country life. If, notwithstanding all this,
any should say, that those who write histories of themselves,
and their own actions, or of their own party, or instruct and
inform those that write them, are partial to themselves ; I
answer, that it is very improbable worthy persons, who having
done great, noble, and heroic exploits, deserving to be recorded,
should be so vain as to write false histories ; but if they do,
it proves but their folly ; for truth can never be con-
cealed, and so it will be more for their disgrace than for their
honour and fame. I fear not any such blemishes in this
present history, for I am not conscious of any such crime as
partiality or falsehood, but write it whilst my noble Lord
is yet alive, and at such a time where truth may be declared,
and falsehood contradicted ; and I challenge any one (although
I be a woman) to contradict anything that I have set down,
or prove it to be otherwise than truth ; for be there never so
many contradictions, truth will conquer all at last.
Concerning my Lord's actions in war, which are compre-
hended in the first Book, the relation of them I have chiefly
from my Lord's secretary, Mr. Rolleston, a person that has
been an eye-witness thereof, and accompanied my Lord as
secretary in his army, and gave out all his commissions ;
his honesty and worth is unquestionable by all that know
him. And as for the second Book, which contains my Lord's
actions and sufferings, during the time of his exile, I have
set down so much as I could possibly call to mind, without
any particular expression of time, only from the time of his
banishment, or rather (what I can remember) from the time
of my marriage, till our return into England. To the end of
xliv The Preface
which I have joined a computation of my Lord's losses, which
he hath suffered by those unfortunate wars. In the third
Book I have set down some particular chapters concerning
the description of his person, his natural faculties, and per-
sonal virtues, etc. And in the last, some essays and discourses
of my Lord's, together with some notes and remarks of mine
own ; which I thought most convenient to place by them-
selves at the end of this work, rather than to intermingle
them with the body of the history.
It might be some prejudice to my Lord's glory, and the
credit of this history, not to take notice of a very considerable
thing I have heard, which is, that when his Lordship's army
had got so much strength and reputation, that the rebellious
Parliament finding themselves overpowered with it, rather
than to be utterly ruined (as was unavoidable), did call the
Scots to their assistance, with a promise to reward so great
a service with the four northern counties of Northumberland,
Cumberland, Westmoreland, and the bishopric of Durham,
which I have not mentioned in the book.
And it is most certain, that the Parliament's forces were
never powerful, nor their commanders or officers famous,
until such time as my Lord was overpowered ; neither could
loyalty have been overpowered by rebellion, had not treachery
had better fortune than prudence.
When I speak of my Lord's pedigree, where Thomas, Earl
of Arundel, grandfather to the now Duke of Norfolk, is men-
tioned, they have left out William, Viscount Stafford, one of
his sons, who did marry the heir of the last Baron Stafford,
descended from the Dukes of Buckingham ; which was set
down in my original manuscript.
Some of those omissions, and very probably others, arc
happened, partly for want of timely information, and chiefly
by the death of my secretary who did copy my writings for
the press, and died in London, attending that service, afore
the printing of the book was quite finished. And as I hope
of your favour to be excused for omitting those things in the
book ; so I expect of your justice to be approved in putting
them here, though somewhat unseasonably.
Before I end this Preface, I do beseech my readers not to
mistake me when I speak of my Lord's banishment, as if I
would conceal that he went voluntarilv out of his native
The Preface xlv
country ; for it is most true, that his Lordship prudently
perceiving all the King's party lost, not only in England,
but also in Scotland and Ireland ; and that it was impossible
to withstand the rebels, after the fatal overthrow of lu's army ;
his Lordship, in a poor and mean condition, quitted his own
country, and went beyond sea ; soon after which, the rebels
having got an absolute power, and granted a general pardon
to all those that would come in to them, upon composition,
at the rates they had set down, his Lordship, with but few
others, was exccptcd from it, both for life and estate, and did
remain thus banished till his Majesty's happy restoration.
I must also acknowledge, that I have committed great
errors in taking no notice of times as I should have done in
many places of this history : I mention in one place the Queen
Mother's being in France, when my Lord went thither, but do
not say in what year that was ; nor do I express when his
Majesty (our now gracious Sovereign) came in, and went out
again several times from that kingdom, which has happened
for want of memory, and I desire my readers to excuse me
for it
Nobody can certainly be more ready to find faults in this
work, than I am to confess them ; being very conscious
that I have, as I told my Lord I should, committed many
for want of learning, and chiefly of skill in writing histories.
But having, according to his Lordship's commands, written
his actions and fortunes truly and plainly, I have reason to
expect, that whatsoever else shall be found amiss, will be
favourably pardoned by the candid readers, to whom I wish
all manner of happiness.
AN EPISTLE TO HER GRACE
THE DUCHESS OF NEWCASTLE
MAY IT PLEASE YOUR GRACE, I have been taught, and
do believe, that obedience is better than sacrifice ; and kno\v,
that both are due from me to your Grace ; and since I have
been so long in obeying your commands, I shall not presume
to use any agrumcnts for my excuse, but rather choose ingen-
uously to confess my fault, and beg your Grace's pardon.
And because forgiveness is a glory to the suprcmcst powers,
I will hope that your Grace by that great example will make
it yours. And now I humbly take leave to represent to your
Grace, as faithfully and truly as my memory will serve me, all
my observations of the most memorable actions, and honour-
able deportments of his Grace, my most noble lord and master,
William, Duke of Newcastle, in the execution and perform-
ance of the trusts and high employments committed and com-
mended to his care and charge by three kings of England ; that
is to say, King James, King Charles the First, of ever blessed
memory ; and our gracious King, Charles the Second ; under
whom he hath had the happiness to live, and the honour to
serve them in several capacities. And because I humbly
conceive, that it is not within the intention of your Grace's
commands, that I should give you a particular relation of
his Grace's high birth, his noble and princely education and
breeding, both at home and abroad ; his natural faculties,
and personal virtues ; his justice, bounty, charity, friendship ;
his right approved courage, and true valour, not grounded
upon, or governed by passion, but reason ; his magnificent
manner of living and supporting his dignity, testified by his
great entertainments of their Majesties, and his private friends,
upon all fit occasions, beside his ordinary and constant house-
keeping and attendants, some for honour, and some for busi-
ness, wherein he exceeded most of his quality ; and that ho
was and is, an incomparable master to his servants, is sufti-
xlvii
xlviii An Epistle to the Duchess of Newcastle
cicntly testified by all or most of the chiefest of them, living
and dying in his Grace's service, which is an argument that
they thought themselves as happy therein, as the world could
make them ; nor of his well-chosen pleasures, which were
principally horses of all sorts, but more particularly horses
of manage ; l his study and art of the true use of the sword ;
his magnificent buildings. Those are his chiefest delights,
wherein his Grace spared for no cost nor charge, which are suffi-
ciently manifested to the world ; for other delights, as those
of running horses, hawking, hunting, etc., his Grace used
them merely for society's sake, and out of a generous and
obliging nature to please others, though his knowledge in
them excelled, as well as in the other. And yet, notwith-
standing these this large and vast expenses, before his Grace
was called to the court, he increased his revenue by way of
purchase to a great value ; and when he was called to the
court, he was then free from debts, and, as I have heard,
some thousands of pounds in his purse. These particulars.
and as many more of this kind as would swell a volume,
I could enumerate to your Grace ; but that they are so well
known to your Grace, it would be a presumption in me, rather
than a service, to give your Grace that trouble ; and therefore
I humbly forbear, and proceed, according to my intention, to
give your Grace a faithful account of your Grace's commands,
as becomes, may it please your Grace, your Grace's most
humble and most obedient servant,
JOHN ROLLHSTON.
l Horses trained in the riding-school. Manage is from the French manage, the train-
ing of .1 horse in .1 riding-school ; Italian tnantzKiare, to handle, train, from Latin manu*.
In Ifcmk II of these Memoirs the Duchess speaks of her husband Inlying horses ' to
rxrniw the art of manage, which he is a great lover and master of'. 'They vault
from hunters to the tn.in.igrd steed ', says Young, and Scott even speaks of a ' managed
hawk '. Orlando, when complaining f his brother's neglect, savs : ' His horses are
br.-d Ix-tti-r ; for, Ix-sides that they are fair with their feeding, they are taught their
manage, and to that end riders dearly hired.' As You Like It, I, i, tt-.V I.ady Mot-
-.pur also tells her husband th.it she has heard him in his sleep ' speak terms of manage
to thy iNMindiiig steed.' i Henry IV, II, iii, 52.
THE LIFE
OF
THE MOST ILLUSTRIOUS PRINCE,
WILLIAM, DUKE OF NEWCASTLE
THE FIRST BOOK
SINCE my chief intent in this present work is to describe the
life and actions of my noble Lord and husband, William, Duke
of Newcastle, I shall do it with as much brevity, perspicuity,
and truth, as is required of an impartial historian. The history
of his pedigree I shall refer to the Heralds, and partly give you
an account thereof at the latter end of this work ; only thus
much I shall now mention, as will be requisite for the better
understanding of the following discourse.
His grandfather by his father's side was Sir William Caven-
dish, Privy Counsellor and Treasurer of the Chamber to King
Henry the Eighth, Edward the Sixth, and Queen Mary. His
grandfather by his mother was Cuthbcrt, Lord Ogle, an
ancient Baron. His father, Sir Charles Cavendish, was the
youngest son to Sir William, and had no other children but
three sons, whereof my Lord was the second ; but his elder
brother dying in his infancy, left both his title and birthright
to my Lord, so that my Lord had then but one only brother
left, whose name was Charles after his father, whereas my
Lord had the name of his grandfather '.
These two brothers were partly bred with Gilbert, Earl of
Shrewsbury, their uncle-in-law. and their aunt Mary. Countess
i Sir William Cavendish dii-d in 1557. His widow, Elizabeth Hardwick, married
George Talbot, Karl of Shrewsbury, and thus began the connection between the Talbot
and Cavendish families, which was strengthened and completed by the marriage of
Mary Cavendish, youngest daughter of Sir William, to C.ill>ert Tallxit, the eldest son
of Karl George, whilst Henry Cavendish, eldest son of Sir William, married Grace Tallot,
youngest daughter of the same Karl. William Cavendish, the hero of this Memoir,
B
2 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
of Shrewsbury, Gilbert's wife, and sister to their father ; for
there interceded an entire and constant friendship between
the said Gilbert, Earl of Shrewsbury, and my Lord's father.
Sir Charles Cavendish, caused not only by the marriage of
my Lord's aunt, his father's sister, to the aforesaid Gilbert,
Earl of Shrewsbury, and by the marriage of George, Earl of
Shrewsbury, Gilbert's father with my Lord's grandmother,
by his father's side ; but Sir Charles Cavendish, my Lord's
father, and Gilbert, Earl of Shrewsbury, being brought up
and bred together in one family, and grown up as parts of one
body, after they came to be beyond children, and travelled
together into foreign countries, to observe the fashions, laws,
and customs of other nations, contracted such an entire
friendship which lasted to their death. Neither did they
outlive each other long, for my Lord's father, Sir Charles
Cavendish, lived but one 3'ear after Gilbert, Earl of Shrewsbury.
But both my Lord's parents, and his aunt and uncle-in-law,
showed always a great and fond love to my Lord, endeavouring,
when he was but a child, to please him with what he most
delighted in. When he was grown to the age of fifteen or
sixteen, he was made Knight of the Bath, an ancient and
honourable order, at the time when Henry, King James, of
blessed memory, his eldest son, was created Prince of Wales * :
and soon after he went to travel with Sir Henry Wotton 2 ,
who was sent as ambassador extraordinary to the then Duke
of Savoy ; which Duke made very much of my Lord, and
was horn in 1502. Oillwrt, Karl of Shrewsbury, died May 8, ifiifi, and Sir Charles Cavrn-
dish died April 4, 1617. Ben Jonson wrote the following epitaph upon him :
Charles Cavendish to hit I'oslfriiv.
Sons, seek me not amongst these polished stones,
These only hide part of my flesh and Nmes,
Which, did they ne'er so neat or proudly dwell.
Will all turn dust, and may not make me swell.
I ft such as justly have outlived all praise,
Trust in the tombs their careful friends dn r.iUe ;
I made rny life my monument and vours,
To which there's no material that endures.
N'or yet inscription like it. Write l>ut th.it,
And teach your nephews it to emulate :
It will tx- matter loud enough to tell
Not when I died, hut how I lived farewell.
Collins' Hutoncal Collection*, p. 2:, and Cunningham's Jonson, iii, 4<jQ.
t I'rincf. Henry was created lYincr of Wales, June 4, 1610. William Cavendish
was made Knieht of thr Math. June T Birch. J.ife of Henry 1'nnce n/ H 'ales, p. 192.
2 In I'nj. Sec NK hols, /Toyrrsn-s of A'in? James I, ii, 438.
The First Book 3
when he would be free in feasting, placed him next to himself.
Before my Lord did return with the ambassador into England,
the said Duke proffered my Lord, that if he would stay with
him, he would not only confer upon him the best titles of
honour he could, but also give him an honourable command
in war, although my Lord was but young, for the Duke had
then some designs of war. But the ambassador, who had
taken the care of my Lord, would not leave him behind with-
out his parents' consent.
At last, when my Lord took his leave of the Duke, the Duke
being a very generous person, presented him with a Spanish
horse, a saddle very richly embroidered, and with a rich jewel
of diamonds.
Some time after my Lord's return into England, (iilbcrt,
Earl of Shrewsbury, died, and left my Lord, though he was
then but young, and about twenty-two years of age, his
executor l ; a year after, his father, Sir Charles Cavendish,
died also. His mother, being then a widow, was desirous
that my Lord should marry : in obedience to whose commands,
he chose a wife both to his own good liking, and his mother's
approving ; who was daughter and heir to William Basset of
Blorc, Esq. ; a very honourable and ancient family in Stafford-
shire, by whom was added a great part to his estate, as here-
after shall be mentioned 2 . After my Lord was married, he
lived, for the most part, in the country, and pleased himself
and his neighbours with hospitality, and such delights as the
country afforded ; only now and then he would go up to
London for some short time to wait on the King.
About this time King James, of blessed memory, having a
purpose to confer some honour upon my Lord, made him
Viscount Mansfield, and Baron of Bolsovcr 3 ; and after the
decease of King James, King Charles the Eirst, of blessed
memory, constituted him Lord Warden of the Eorest of Sher-
wood and Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, and restored his
1 Tlio Karl of Shrewsbury di <l May 8,1616. His will is printed in Hunter's //i's/ory
ol Hullaiiishirf, oil. (l.itty |>. ic
-' The rents of the Duke of N
|x>r annum. See the account
widow of Henry Howard, thii
took place in IMS.
,-castle's Staffordshire estates amounted to (iw> 1
'( the Puke's e-t.ites Riven later. This ladv w.i
1 son of the Karl oi Suffolk. The marriage prol
. 4 d.
the
ihly
tine
iN-r
3, 1620. Collins, Histiirifal ('(>//<V/IOM.S- of tin- \, <'>!< I'amilics ol Cicrti./is'i, Hollts, etc.,
1'. i<).
his took place after the Kind's visit to \\V1Nvk in iMo. The patent ere
Sir William Cavendish Lord Ojjle ol Bothal and Viscount Mansfield is dated Nov
4 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
mother, Catharine, the second daughter of Cuthbert, Lord
Ogle, to her father's dignity, after the death of her only sister
Jane, Countess of Shrewsbury, publicly declaring, that it
was her right l ; which title, after the death of his mother,
descended also upon my Lord, and his heirs general, together
with a large inheritance of ^3000 a year, in Northumberland.
About the same time, after the decease of William, late
Earl of Devonshire, his noble cousin-german, my Lord was
by his said Majesty made Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire ;
which trust and honour, after he had enjoyed for several
years, and managed it, like as all other offices put to his trust,
with all possible care, faithfulness, and dexterity, during the
time of the said Earl's son, William, the now Earl of Devon-
shire, his minority, as soon as this same Earl was come to age,
and by law made capable of that trust, he willingly and freely
resigned it into his hands, he having hitherto kept it only for
him, that he and nobody else might succeed his father in that
dignity.
In these, and all other both public and private employments,
my Lord hath ever been careful to keep up the King's rights
to the uttermost of his power, to strengthen those mentioned
1 I-idy Jane Ogle died in I6JS- Her epitaph was written by Jon son, vide Jonson's
works, cd. Cunningham, p. 4(10. Lady Catharine was created Baroness Ogle, December
4, i6;8 (Collins, p. 24). She died about April 1629 (Kcfwrt on the I'urtland MSS. ii, uo)
Jonson's epitaph on this lady is as follows :
She was the light (without reflex
Upon herself) of all her sex,
The best of women ! Her whole life
Was the example of a wife,
Or of a parent, or a friend !
All circles had their spring and end
In her, and what could perfect be
And without angles, // was skt.
All that was solid in the name
Of virtue ; precious in the frame,
Or else magnetic in the force,
Or sweet, or various in the course ;
What was proportion, or could be
By warrant called just symmetry,
In number, measure, or degree
Of weight or fashion, // iras sHf.
Her soul possessed her flesh's state
In freehold, not as an inmate,
And when the flesh here shut up day,
I-'ame's heat upon the grave did stay,
And hourly brooding o'er the same,
Keeps warm the spice of her good name,
I'ntil the ashes turned I>c
Into a 1'hrrnix --Which j she.
Tim is followe 1 by two other pieces of verse on the same subject. Jonson, ed. Cunning-
li mi, MI, 4>f>.
The First Book 5
counties with ammunition, and to adminstcr justice to every
one ; for he refused no man's petition, but sent all that came
to him, cither for relief or justice, away from him fully
satisfied *.
Not long after his being made Lieutenant of Nottingham-
shire, there was found so great a defect of arms and ammuni-
tion in that county, that the Lords of the Council being adver-
tised thereof, as the manner then was, his Majesty commanded
a levy to be made upon the whole county for the supply thereof.
Whereupon the sum of ^500, or thereabout, was accordingly
levied for that purpose, and three persons of quality, then
Deputy Lieutenants, were desired by my Lord to receive the
money, and sec it disposed ; which being done accordingly,
and a certain account rendered to my Lord, he voluntarily
ordered the then Clerk of the Peace of that county, that the
same account should be recorded amongst the sessions rolls,
and be published in open sessions, to the end that the country
might take notice how their monies were disposed of ; for
which act of justice my Lord was highly commended.
Within some few years after, King Charles the First, of
blessed memory, his gracious Sovereign, in regard of his true
and faithful service to his King and country, was pleased to
honour him with the title of Earl of Newcastle, and Baron of
Bothal and Ileple 2 ; which title he graced so much by his
noble actions and deportments, that some seven years after,
which was in the year 1638, his Majesty called him up to
Court, and thought him the fittest person whom he might
intrust with the government of his son Charles, then Prince of
Wales, now our most gracious King, and made him withal a
a member of the Lords of his Majesty's most honourable
Privy Council ; which, as it was a great honour and trust,
so he spared no care and industry to discharge his duly accord-
ingly ; and to that end, left all the care of governing his own
family and estate, with all fidelity attending his master, not
without considerable charges, and vast expenses of his own 3 .
1 A letter from tlic )>uke (.is Viscount Mansfield) to StratTord is printed in the StrafToid
correspondence, vol. i, j>. 4 ?, r
2 ' On the 7th cl.iy of March ii
to the dignity of j?aron I'avei
Collins, Historical Collfctions,
Newcastle's letters to his
the third year of King Charles 1 lie \v.is further advanced
ilish of Bolsover and Karl of Ncwcastle-upon-Tync.'
2(>.
ifc show that he was seeking for this j>ost as early as
April 16 ',6, and had go<xl hopes of success. (I'vrtliinJ .W.S'S., ii, 1:7). The patent a|>-
l>ointing the liarl ot Newcas-tle governor of the IVincc is dattd June 4, lOjS, and has
6 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
In this present employment he continued for the space of
three years, during which time there happened an insurrection
and rebellion of his Majesty's discontented subjects in Scot-
land, which forced his Majesty to raise an army, to reduce
them to their obedience, and his treasury being at that time
exhausted he was necessitated to desire some supply and
assistance of the noblest and richest of his loyal subjects.
Amongst the rest, my Lord lent his Majesty 10,000 and
raised himself a volunteer troop of horse, which consisted of
\zo knights and gentlemen of quality 1 , who marched to
Berwick by his Majesty's command, where it pleased his
Majesty to set this mark of honour upon that troop, that it
should be independent, and not commanded by any general
officer, but only by his Majesty himself. 2 The reason thereof
was upon this following occasion.
His Majesty's whole body of horse, being commanded to
march into Scotland against the rebels, a place was appointed
for their rendezvous ; immediately upon their meeting, my
Lord sent a gentleman of quality of his troop 3 to his Majesty's
then General of the Horse, to know where his troop should
march ; who returned this answer, That it was to march next
after the troops of the General Officers of the Field. My Lord
conceiving that his troop ought to march in the van, and not
in the rear, sent the same messenger back again to the General,
to inform him, that he had the honour 1o march with the
Prince's colours, and therefore he thought it not fit to march
Iwen printed by Collins (Historical Collections, p. 27). Windebanke's letter offering
this post to the Marl, and the Karl's reply, are both contained in the Clarendon State
Tapers, and dated iQth and 2ist March 1638. For these see the Appendix. ' It is
certainly a mighty mark of his Majesty's estimation of yon ', writes Strafford, ' that
he intrusts you with the keeping of so precious a jewel '. The I,ord Deputy sends at
the same time a number of counsels for the Karl's guidance at court (Straftord J'apfrs,
it. 174). The advire given by the Karl to his pupil, originally printed by Sir Henry
Kllis, is also given in the Appendix. A letter in the Record Office, written by one Thomas
Wiseman on Newcastle's retirement from this post, states that the Karl ran himself
into debt to the amount of ^40,000 during his employment.
1 Mrs. Hutchinson's testimony to the Karl's great popularity is worth quoting: it
will be observed that her account of the volunteer troop differs slightlv from that given
bv the I>urhess ' ' Hie Karl of Newcastle ... a lord once so much beloved in his Coun-
trv, that when the first expedition was against the Scots, the gentlemen of the country
vt him forth two troops, one all of gentlemen, the other of their men, who waited on
him into the north at their own charges. He had, indeed, through his great estate,
his li!wr.il hospitality, and constant residence in his country, > endeared them to him,
th.it no man was a greater prince than he was in all that northern quarter ; till a foo'Mi
ambition of glorious slavery carried him to court, where he- ran himself much into debt,
t" purchase neglects of the King and Oueeri, and scorns of the proud courtiers.' .Memoirs,
vol. i, p.. ji,\.
2 On April i. \ff\i) Newcastle was commissioned as captain of the troop of horse called
l-rinrr Charles's troop. (Trrtland .V.S.v, ji, 133).
T Sir William Carnaby, Kt.
The First Book 7
under any of the Officers of the Field ; yet nevertheless the
General ordered that troop as he had formerly directed.
Whereupon, my Lord thinking it unfit at that time to dispute
the business, immediately commanded his Cornet l to take
off the Prince's colours from his staff, and so marched in the
place appointed, choosing rather to march without his colours
flying, than to lessen his master's dignity by the command of
any subject 2 .
Immediately after the return from that expedition to his
Majesty's leaguer, the General made a complaint thereof to
his Majesty ; who being truly informed of the business, com-
mended my Lord's discretion for it, and from that time
ordered that troop to be commanded by none but himself.
Thus they remained upon duty, without receiving any pay-
ment or allowance from his Majesty 3 , until his Majesty had
reduced his rebellious subjects, and then my Lord returned
with honour to his charge, viz. the government of the Prince.
At last when the whole army was disbanded, then, and not
before, my Lord thought it a fit time to exact an account
from the said General for the affront he passed upon him, and
sent him a challenge ; the place and hour being appointed by
both their consents, where and when to meet, my Lord ap-
peared there with his second 4 , but found not his opposite.
After some while his opposite's second came all alone, by
whom my Lord perceived that their design had been discov-
ered to the King by some of his opposite's friends, who pre-
sently caused them both to be confined until he had made
their peace r> .
My Lord having hitherto attended the Prince, his master,
with all faithfulness and duty befitting so great an employ-
ment, for the space of three years, in the beginning of that
l Mr. ('.ray, brother to the Lord Gray of the North.
- This incident took plan- on the inarch to Ounse, M.iv ;r. "'V) Accounts of the
dispute confirming that given bv the I>uche-x are printed in the K?f\>rt DM thf .U.VS". of
thf Dukf (i/ KnUiiiitl, i, 51*, 517. and in Warner's l-'f>i\tt>l,iry ('urittsitif*. i, .'oi.
l The words in italic have Ix-eti carefully obliterated with ink.
4 Kr.mcis Palmes.
This General of the Horse was the Karl of Holland, Clarendon's account of this
incident is very similar to that given in
the Puke himself. As soon as the an
' sent a challenge to the Karl of Holland, b
with those errands ; who took a proper
bility of suspicion. The Karl of Holl.u
in this occasion ho showed not that ala.
and so by the King's authority the matter was
i', -3-
he te\t, and was very probablv derived Ironi
tided, savs Clarendon. Newcastle
very punctual .indwell ac<]n.iinted
ntion it to him, without a possi-
susjx'i till to want courage, vet
t the delav exposed it to notice;
i posed.'- //ixVry i>/ tkf KftvHiori,
a gentlemai
.e.ison to n
I was u
8 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
rebellious and unhappy Parliament, which was the cause, of
all the ruins and misfortunes that afterwards befell this king-
dom, was privately advertised, that the Parliament's design
was to take the government of the Prince from him, which he,
apprehending as a disgrace to himself, wisely prevented, and
obtained the consent of his late Majesty, with his favour, to
deliver up the charge of being governor to the Prince, and
retire into the country 1 . Which he did in the beginning of
the year 1641, and settled himself, with his lady, children,
and family, to his great satisfaction, with an intent to have
continued there, and rested under his own vine, and managed
his own estate. But he had not enjoyed himself long, but an
express came to him from his Majesty, who was then unjustly
and unmannerly treated by the said Parliament, to repair
with all possible speed and privacy to Kingston-upon-Hull,
where the greatest part of his Majesty's ammunition and
arms then remained in that magazine, it being the most consi-
derable place for strength in the northern parts of the kingdom.
Immediately upon the receipt of these his Majesty's orders
and commands, my Lord prepared for their execution, and
about twelve of the clock at night, hastened from his own
house when his family were all at their rest, save two or three
servants which he appointed to attend him. The next day
It.ill.inl, ' tli.it, il there were <* ration, the army should remove their quarters into NottiiiR-
h.iinshire. win-re the I'rinrr and the Karl of Nrwrastle should im-et them with a thousand
h-.rse. .ind .ill the I remh that wrrc in London should IK- iniititc<l, and likewise nnt-t
The First Book 9
early in the morning he arrived at Hull, in the quality of a
private gentleman, which place was distant from his house
forty miles ; and none of his family that were at home knew
what was become of him, till he sent an express to his lady to
inform her where he was.
Thus being admitted into the town, he fell upon his intended
design, and brought it. to so hopeful an issue for his Majesty's
service, that lie wanted nothing but his Majesty's further
commission and pleasure to have secured both the town and
magazine for his Majesty's use : and to that end by a speedy
express l gave his Majesty, who was then at Windsor, an
account of all his transactions therein, together with his
opinion of them, hoping his Majesty would have been pleased
cither to come thither in person, which he might have done
with much security, or at least have sent him a commission
and orders how he should do his Majesty further service.
But instead thereof he received orders from his Majesty to
observe such directions as lie should receive from the Parlia-
ment, then sitting : whereupon he was summoned personally
to appear at the House of Lords, and a committee chosen to
examine the grounds and reasons of his undertaking that
design ; but my Lord showed them his commission, and that
it was done in obedience to his Majesty's commands, and so
was cleared of that action 2 .
1 Captain Mazine.
2 The warrant to Newcastle is dated Hampton Court, January it, 1642 (l.orjs'
Journals, iv, 5X5). Captain Legg was despatched to Hull to prepare the citizens to
receive Lord Newcastle as their governor. The Parliament obtained information of
the King's purpose, and sent off Captain Hotham with orders to his father. Sir John
Hotham, to secure Hull by means of the Yorkshire Trained Hands, and not to deliver
it up till he was ordered to do so by ' the King's authority, signified u:ito him by the
Lords and Commons now assembled in Parliament '. Newcastle was despatched bv
the King in person as soon as Captain Hotham's journev w.is known. The King's
object was not only to secure the munitions stored up at Hull, but to obtain possession
of a port where the Danish soldiers he was then purposing to hire might In- safelv landed,
(('.irdiner, History of /Mi.'.W/, vol. \, pp. i.SJ.is.).) A letter Irom Legg toSir K. Nicholas
states that Newcastle arrived at Hull on J.miiarv ij; Newcastle himself announced
his arrival to the King in a letter dated Janiiarv is, whi h is i:iven in the Appendix.
(Donit-stic Slate I'af>,-rs, Ch<irl<-s I, vol. ^S.S. Nos. 5^ and <>.- ) According t<> Rushworth
(III. i, Si>t), the Karl 'desired to pass unknown, railing luin--.lt Sir John Savage, and
at his tirst coming was brought In-fore the Mavor under tli.it name, till N-ing known
bv some bystanders he was toned to own lioth Ins name and his errand.' Hie Mavor
refused to admit either Hotham's or Newcastle's troops, ,md huinblv desired the King
and Parliament to join in appointing a garrison. ' A strong p.utv In-stirred themselves
for the Karl with great ex|x- ( tations of the Kind's rov.il favour to tin- town thcrebv '.
continues Kushworth, and lie might |x>Ssiblv have secured the town it the King's ill
success elsewhere had not obliged him to yield and recall Newcastle. On Janiiarv jo,
the House of Lords pissed a resolution ordering him to attend the House. He made
no haste to return upon the summons of the House, but s it t>> the King to know his
pleasure; who, not thinking matters yet ri|>e enough to make anv such declaralion.
appointed him to come away (Clarendon, AYM/ion, iv, 215). ' But the same day that
io The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
Not long after, my Lord obtained the freedom from his
Majesty to retire again to his country life, which he did with
much alacrity. He had not remained many months there,
but his Majesty was forced, by the fury of the said Parliament,
to repair in person to York, and to send the Queen beyond
the seas for her safety.
Xo sooner was his Majesty arrived at York but he sent his
commands to my Lord to come thither to him : which, accord-
ing to his wonted custom and loyalty, he readily obeyed, and
after a few days spent there in consultation, his Majesty was
pleased to command him to Newcastle-upon-Tyne, to take
upon him the government of that town, and the four counties
next adjoining 1 ; that is to say, Northumberland, Cumber-
land, Westmoreland, and the Bishopric of Durham. Which
my Lord did accordingly, although he wanted men, money,
and ammunition, for the performance of that design ; for
when he came thither he neither found any military provision
considerable for the undertaking that work, nor generally any
great encouragement from the people in those parts, more
than what his own interest created in them. Nevertheless,
he thought it his duty rather to ha/ard all, than to neglect
the commands of his Sovereign ; and resolved to show his
fidelity, by nobly setting all at stake, as he did, though he
well knew how to have secured himself, as too many others
did, either by neutrality or adhering to the rebellious party ;
but his honour and loyalty was too great to be stained with
such foul adhcrcnccs.
As soon as my Lord came to Newcastle, in the first place
he sent for all his tenants and friends in those parts, and pre-
sently raised a troop of horse consisting of uo, and a regiment
the F.arl departed, Mr. Hotham was freely received into tho town, with three companies
of Trained Hands, and thr keys of the |x>rts, and the maga/ine, were surrenderee! into
his hands' (Rushworth). This took place before the end of January. The Karl did
not appear in the MOMS.- of Lords till after the r/th February, and was finally. ,.n the
I4th February, after delivering up his commission, granted lease to go into the country
for his health's sake. (lj,rdS Journals, February M. I'MJ.) See also Sanlord. .MuJifi
and ///us/rii/iH.f <</ the <irtat KfhfUion, p. 474 ; and Huff, Dif I'ultlik Hurls Jcs l-'.r\tfn
in ilfn rrslfn H'ocken nach sfinfr I : luchl ron l.nJ<m, pp. "i IS.
t The King's commission t<> the Karl is dated June 20. 1642 (Collins, Historical ( '>!-
Ifclum^, p. 30). Brand, referring to Rymer's Futlera, torn. xx. p. <*\\, says June iej.
The earlier date is most probable, fur the Commons' Journals (June v>) mention the
Farl haying sent out his warrants from Newcastle into the county of Durham com-
manding 600 foot and loo horse of the trained band of Durham to come into Newcastle.
An attract of vmie letters from Newcastle, dated 22 and 2] June, is printed in the
tsirds' Journals, v, 170. Moreover, a news letter in the Record Office, dated June 17,
says that the Karl left York for Newcastle on the preceding Wednesday, i.e. June 15.
The First Book 11
of foot, and put them under command, and upon duty and
exercise in the town of Newcastle ; and with this small begin-
ning took the government of that place upon him ; where with
the assistance of the townsmen, particularly the Mayor l
(whom, by the power of his forces, he continued Mayor for the
year following, he being a person of much trust and fidelity,
as he approved himself), and the rest of his brethren, within
few days he fortified the town, and raised men daily, and put
a garrison of soldiers into Tynmouth Castle, standing upon
the river Tync, betwixt Newcastle and the sea, to secure that
port, and armed the soldiers as well as he could. And thus
he stood upon his guard, and continued them upon duty ;
playing his weak game with much prudence, and giving the
town and country very great satisfaction by his noble and
honourable deportment 2 .
In the meantime, there happened a great mutiny of the
train-band soldiers of the Bishopric at Durham, so that my
Lord was forced to remove thither in person, attended with
some forces to appease them ; where at his arrival (I mention
it by the way, and as a merry passage) a jovial fellow used
this expression, that he liked my Lord very well, but not his
company (meaning his soldiers).
After my Lord had reduced them to their obedience ;md
duty, he took great care of the Church government in the said
bishopric (as he did no less in all other places committed to
his care and protection, well knowing that schism and faction
in religion is the mother of all or most rebellions, wars, and
disturbances in a state or government) and constituted that
learned and eminent divine the then Dean of Peterborough,
now Lord Bishop of Durham 3 , to view all sermons that were
to be preached, and suffer nothing in them that in the least
reflected against his Majesty's person and government, but
to put forth and add whatsoever he thought convenient, and
punish those that should trespass against it. In which that
worthy person used so much care and industry, that never
l Sir John Marlay, Kt.
- Our information concerning tlir !".
tiling, however, may IK- gathered fn
attributed to Sir John Marlav, No. 20
the North from U>.|i to itijs inclusive
was concerned, and whieh relate to th
:1 Mr. (.'osjn : nnfortnnatelv there
of Cosin collected bv Mr. Ornsbv.
rl's conduct at Newcastle is very seantv. Some-
i a paper amongst tin- Clarendon State 1'apers.
I : ' An Account of the unlit. u v procoodinRS in
chietlv those in which the Marquis of Ncwcastlo
town of Newcastle.'
MS at this point a gap of five years in the letters
12 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
the Church could be more happily governed than it was at
that present.
Some short time after, my Lord received from her Majesty
the Queen ', out of Holland, a small supply of money, viz. a
little barrel of ducatoons, which amounted to about ^500
sterling ; which my Lord distributed amongst the officers of
his new-raised army, to encourage them the better in their
service ; as also some arms, the most part whereof were con-
signed to his late Majesty ; and those that were ordered to be
conveyed to his Majesty, were sent accordingly, conducted
by that only troop of horse, which my Lord had newly raised,
with orders to return again to him ; but it seems his Majesty
liked the troop so well, that he was pleased to command their
stay to recruit his own army.
About the same time the King of Denmark was likewise
pleased to send his Majesty a ship, which arrived at Newcastle,
laden with some ammunition, arms, regiment pieces, and
Danish clubs - ; which my Lord kept for the furnishing of
some forces which he intended to raise for his Majesty's service.
For he perceiving the flames increase more and more in both
the Houses of Parliament then sitting at Westminster, against
his Majesty's ]x?rson and government ; upon consultation
with his friends and allies, and the interest he had in those
northern parts, took a resolution to raise an army for his
Majesty's service, and by an express acquainted his Majesty
with his design ; who was so well pleased with it, that he sent
him commissions for that purpose, to constitute him General
1 The Queen's correspondence with Newcastle is contained in the Letters of Queen
/lenrtettii Maria, edited by Mrs. M. K. (Irecn. ' The Queen herself intended at first
to land at Newcastle and j'>jn the Karl. She writes to the King on November 20, i*>42 :
" As I was ready to si-t out, and had fixed the day, the wind changed, which has made
me change my resolution. I have received letters from the Karl ot Newcastle, by which
he Iwgs me not to runic yet. fur he is constrained to march into Yorkshire. Hotham
is playing the devil. S<> that 1 shall await the issue of his march, of which in a week
I ho|>e to hear tidings." ' Letters, p. 145. Brand states that on October 13 a small
vessel arrived at Newcastle with arms for a thousand men, and 10,000 in money. His-
tory n/ Xeuvaslle, i, 461.
2 Vicars mentions the rapture in August 1643 of a Danish ship bringing arms to the
King, including 1000 ' piked Hubs or Roundheads ' (doit's Ark, p. 22). One of the
chief reasons which induced the King to attempt the seizure of Hull, in January i'>42,
was its convenience lor landing Danish troops. The King was still seeking to obtain
troops and munitions from Denmark, vide Letters of ()ueen Henrietta Maria, pp. 14^,
153, and an intercepted letter fnuii the Hague, dated NovemlM-r 2ti, 1^41, addressed
to Se<retary Nicholas, and printed by order of the Parliament. ' J-rom Denmark are
lik'-wiv vnt .inns fur 10,000 foot, and i.soo horse, with a train of artillery and every-
thing proportionable, to the very drums and halberds. Two good men of war come
their (onvoy, and in them an ambassador to his Majesty, a person of great quality in
Denmark.' Kushworth, III, ii, >- t .
The First Book 13
of all the forces raised and to be raised in all the parts of the
kingdom, Trent-North, and moreover in the several counties
of Lincoln, Nottingham, Derby, Lancashire, Cheshire, Lei-
cester, Rutland, Cambridge, Huntingdon, Norfolk, Suffolk,
and Essex, and Commandcr-in-Chicf for the same ; as also
to empower and authorise him to confer the honour of knight-
hood upon such persons as he should conceive deserved it, and
to coin money and print whensoever he saw occasion for it.
Which as it was not only a great honour, but a great trust
and power ; so he used it with much discretion and wisdom,
only in such occurrences where he found it tending to the
advancement of his Majesty's service, and conferred the honour
of knighthood sparingly, and but on such persons whose
valiant and loyal actions did justly deserve it, so that he
knighted in all to the number of twelve l .
Within a short time, my Lord formed an army of 8000 foot,
horse and dragoons, and put them into a condition to march
in the beginning of November 1642. No sooner was this
effected, but the insurrection grew high in Yorkshire, insomuch,
that most of his Majesty's good subjects of that country, as
well the nobility as gentry, were forced, for the preservation
of their persons, to retire to the city of York, a walled town,
but of no great strength ; and hearing that my Lord had not
only kept those counties in the northern parts generally faithful
to his Majesty, but raised an army for his Majesty's interest,
and the protection of his good subjects ; thought it convenient
to employ and authorise some persons of quality to attend
upon my Lord, and treat with him on their behalf, that he
would be pleased to give them the assistance of his army,
which my Lord granted them upon such terms as did highly
advance his Majesty's service, which was my Lord's chief
and only aim -.
Thus my Lord being with his army invited into Yorkshire,
he prepared for it with all the speed that the nature of that
1 The Karl of Kssex in Queen Kliialx-th's reign also enjoyed, and, according to the
(Jneen, too freely exercised, this power of making knights. Amongst his knights were
Sir John Harington (A'i<c<r AntiijUir, ed. I'.irk, i, _iiS) and Sir Rolx-it (.arv (Lord Orrery's
prefaee to the .Memoirs of .Sir Kii'ifrl Cary, p. xxiv, ed. iSof, where many similar cases
are cited).
2 The letters relating to Newcastle's inarch into Yorkshire, and the terms finally
agreed upon, are printed in a pamphlet entitled, .-1 .Yii- />I>IWTV c/ HiMfn Sffrrls,
1645. The tirst letter is dated Septemlx-r 2(\ three davs Ix-tore the' treaty of neutrality
between the Yorkshire Cavaliers and Parliamentarians was signed at Kodwell. 1'ort
of the correspondence is printed in Appendix iv., and other letters are to be found in
the J'ortliiml .U.S.S., i, (>.
14 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
business could possibly permit ; and after he had fortified
the town of Newcastle, Tynmouth Castle, Hartlcpool (a haven
town), and some other necessary garrisons in those parts, and
manned, victualled, and ordered their constant supply, he
thought it fit in the first place, before he did march, to mani-
fest to the world, by a Declaration in print, the reasons and
grounds of his undertaking that design l ; which were in
general, for the preservation of his Majesty's person and
government, and the defence of the orthodox Church of
England ; where he also satisfied those that murmured for
my Lord's receiving into his army such as were of the Catholic
religion, and then he presently marched with his army into
Yorkshire to their assistance, and within the time agreed
upon, came to York, notwithstanding the enemy's forces gave
him all the interruption they possibly could, at several passes.
Whereof the chief was at Picrccbridge, at the entering into
Yorkshire, where i >fX) of the enemy's forces, commanded in
chief by Colonel Hotham, were ready to interrupt my Lord's
forces, sent thither to secure that pass, consisting of a regiment
of dragoons, commanded by Colonel Thomas Howard, and a
regiment of foot, commanded by Sir William Lambton, which
they performed with so much courage, that they routed the
enemy, and put them to flight, although the said Colonel
Howard in that charge lost his life by an unfortunate shot 2 .
The enemy thus missing of their design, fled until they met
with a conjunction of their whole forces at Tadcaster, some
eight miles distant from York, and my Lord went on without
any other considerable interruption. Being come to York,
he drew up his whole army before the time, both horse and
foot, where the Commander-in-Chicf, the then Earl of Cumber-
land, together with the gentry of the country, came to wait
on my Lord, and the then Governor of York, Sir Thomas
(ilenham, presented him with the keys of the city 3 .
1 ' A Declaration made hv the Earl o/ \eu-castle for his resolution of marching into
\nrkskire, as also a just rim/icn/i"n of himself from that unjust aspersion laid ufrm him
fur entertaining some I'ofnsh recusants in kit service.' - Riishworth, III, ii, 78-81.
The K.irl h.-icl l*-en not inprely permitted, but instructed by the King to employ Catho-
lics who offered their services. See the King's letter to Newcastle (Kllis, On final I filers,
wrii-s I, vol. iii, j 3<ii, quoted ;il>o in the Memoirs of Col. Hutfhin~son. vol. i, p. 215):
' Therefore, I <lo [ tit only permit, but command you to make use of all my IOVIIIK Mii>-
jf-rts' services, w thout examining their cr-nsciei.os (mere than their loyalty to me)
a* you shall find lost to rondure to the upholding of rny just regal power.'
J A brief arroi it of this action is contained in Kushworth, III, ii, 77. It is there
s.ii't to have take place on IV-remlier I, 1042.
T According to Drake's l-.hnracum, Newcastle arrived at York on November 30. It
cannot be dcuicd ', say* Clarendon, ' that the Earl of Newcastle, by his quick march
The First Book 1 5
Thus my Lord marched into the town with great joy, and
to the general satisfaction both of the nobility and gentry,
and most of the citizens ; and immediately without any delay,
in the later end of December 1642, fell upon consultations
how he might best proceed to serve his King and country ;
and particularly, how his army should be maintained and paid
(as he did also afterwards in every country wheresoever he
marched), well knowing, that no army can be governed with-
out being constantly and regularly supported by provision
and pay. Whereupon it was agreed, that the nobility and
gentry of the several counties, should select a certain number
of themselves to raise money by a regular tax, for the making
provisions for the support and maintenance of the army,
rather than to leave them to free-quarter, and to carve for
themselves ; and if any of the soldiers were exorbitant and
disorderly, and that it did appear so to those that were autho-
rized to examine their deportment, that presently order
should be given to repair those injuries out of the moneys
levied for the soldiery ; by which means the country was
preserved from many inconveniences, which otherwise would
doubtless have followed.
And though the seasons of the year might well have invited
my Lord to take up his winter quarters, it being about Christ-
mas ; yet after he had put a good garrison into the city of
York, and fortified it, upon intelligence that the enemy was
still at Tadcaster, and had fortified that place, he resolved to
march thither. The greatest part of the town stands on the
west side of a river not fordablc in any place near thereabout.
nor allowing any passage into the town from York, but over
a stone-bridge, which the eiKMny had made impassable In-
breaking clown part of the bridge and planting their ordnance
upon it, and by raising a very large and strong fort upon the
top of a hill, leading eastward from that bridge towards York,
upon design of commanding the bridge ami all other places
(it to draw up an army in, or t ) plant cannon against them '.
with his troops, ;is soon MS lie h.
depth of winter, redeemed or resci
upon it as their own, .nul h.ul it i
1 I.oril I'airfax mentions merely
in his Short MfHiiirinl. s.ivs : ' In
th.it we should dr.iw out to .in .id
1 re,
d tl
en
si
.int
ived his
ritv of ^>
itliin thei
bre.istw,
icil of wa
f-eous pie<
onunission to tie general, .ind in the
oik Irom the rel-l>. when they looked
r Kiasp.' KfMlii'n. vin, *..
rks for our musketeers '. Sir Thomas,
the town w.is judged untenable, and
of ground bv the town ; but, Ix-tore
some foot in a slight work alnive the 1
sing on us, forced us to draw back, to
ide to sot
Mint. mi th
ire our retreat ; but, the enemv pres-
at ground.' SAert ,\lrtnonaJ, Masercs'
Tracts, i, 417.
16 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
But notwithstanding all these discouragements, my Lord,
after he had refreshed his army at York, and recruited his
provisions, ordered a march before the said town in this
manner : that the greatest part of his horse and dragoons
should in the night march to a pass at Wcatherby, five miles
distant from Tadcastcr, towards north-west, from thence
under the command of his then Licutcnant-Gencral of the
army, to appear on the west side of Tadcastcr early the next
morning, by which time my Lord with the rest of his army
resolved to appear at the east side of the said town. Which
intention was well designed, but ill executed ; for though my
Lord with that part of the army which he commanded in
person, that is to say, his foot and cannon, attended by some
troops of horse, did march that night, and early in the morning
appeared before the town on the cast side thereof, and there
drew up his army, planted his cannon, and closely and orderly
besieged that side of the town, and from ten in the morning
till four o'clock in the afternoon, battered the enemy's forts
and works, as being in continual expectation of the appearance
of the troops on the other side, according to his order : yet
(whether it was out of neglect or treachery that my Lord's
orders were not obeyed) that day's work was rendered ineffec-
tual as to the whole design l .
However, the vigilancy of my Lord did put the enemy into
such a terror, that they forsook that fort, and secretly fled
away with all their train that very night to another stronghold
not far distant from Tadcastcr, called Cawood Castle, to which,
by reason of its low and boggy situation, and foul and narrow
lanes and passages, it was not possible for my Lord to pursue
them without too great an hazard to his army 2 . Whereas
* The battle took place on Tuesday, Dccemlx-r 6 at least F,ord Fairfax, in his letter
of DecemlxT 10, mentions the preceding Tuesday as the day of the battle. Vicars,
however (Jehm-ak Ji'fh, p. 2}o), fixes Wednesday, December 7, as the date. Hut Decem-
ber 7 was a Tuesday in 1642.
Hie I.ieiitenant-Cleneral of Newcastle's army was then the Karl of Newport. His
delay is thus explained by Drake (Kl>oracum, I'n) : ' Captain Hotham, at the Ix'ginning
of the fight, wrote a letter to the Karl of Newport signed " Will. Newcastle ", and sent
it bv a running fnotlmy to tell him that, though his commission was to come and a-sist
him, yet he might now spare his pains, and stay till he sent him order the'
Newport was deceived by this trick, delayed his march, and gave I,o
time to escape. Sir Henry Slingsbv, however, says that Newport's mar
troublesome, having with him two drakes, that it grew too late, and a co
d Fairfax
' was so
iter-order
arter.'--
(was) sent him on Clifford Moor to march back to \\Vtherby and there q
\frmrnn. p. M6.
^ l-.urfax thus explains his retreat : ' In this fight our men lx-haved themselves with
very gre.it revolution tar Ix-vond expectation, insomuch as I conceive we might have
maintained the pl.xe still, if we had been furnished with powder and shot, but having
The First Book 17
had the I.icutennnt-Gcneral performed his duty, in all pro-
bality the greatest part of the principal rebels in Yorkshire
would that day have been taken in their own trap, and their
further mischief prevented. My Lord, the next morning,
instead of storming the town (as he had intended), entered
without interruption, and there stayed some few days to
refresh his army, and order that part of the country.
In December 1642, my Lord thought it fit to march to
Pomfret 1 , and to quarter his army in that part of the country
which was betwixt Cawood and some garrisons of the enemy,
in the west part of Yorkshire, viz. Halifax, Bradford, Leeds,
Wakcficld, &c., where he remained some time to recruit and
enlarge his army, which was much lessened by erecting of
garrisons, and to keep those parts in order and obedience to
his Majesty 2 . And after lie had thus ordered his affairs, lie
was enabled to give protection to those parts of the country
that were most willing to embrace it, and quartered his army
for a time in such places which he had reduced. Tadcastcr,
which stood upon a pass, he made a garrison, or rather a strong
quarter, and put also a garrison into Pomfret Castle, not
above eight miles distant from Tadcastcr, which commanded
that town, and a great part of the country.
During the time that his army remained at Pomfret, my
Lord settled a garrison at Newark in Nottinghamshire, standing
upon the river Trent, a very considerable pass, which kept
the greatest part of Nottinghamshire, and part of Lincoln-
shire, in obedience''; and after that he returned, in the
beginning of January i(>.\2, back to York, with an intention
to supply himself with some ammunition, which he had
spent ill a manner all our whole store (if bullet, match, and |*nv<W, I advised with the
commanders, and by general consent I w.is thought lit to rise with our forces and nurch
to Cawood and Selby, to secure those places, and then- receive supplies of ammunition
and men ; which was accordingly done : and now I am at Selbv with part of the arinv,
and the rest with Captain Motham at Cawood.' Letter of Lord l-'airtax to the S|x-aker,
December 10, 1642, Rushworth, III, ii, <).:.
i Pontefract.
'- The Duchess does not mention an important episode in the Yorkshire civil war
which took place during this halt at I'omfret. Sir \\illiaia Savile was detached bv the
Karl of Newcastle to sulxlue the manufacturing towns of the We-t Riding. Leeds
and \Vaketield submitted without fighting, and Sir William attack.nl Hr.idtord on IV-
cember iS, 1642. The men of Halifax came to the aid of the men of Bradford, and
the royalists were beaten off with considerable loss. Sir Thomas Fairfax, with four
or five hundred men, made his way to Bradford a few davs later, and tixik command
of the local levies. With these forces he attacked Sir William Savile at Leeds on' January
2?, i<>43, and captured the town and about soo prisoners.
1 The garrisoning of Newark took place alxnit Christmas 1(14;. under Sir John Hen-
derson. Newcastle returned to York on January ;;, 1(14 ; M.ukh.un's l-\itrl.n, p. >!
D
1 8 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
ordered to be brought from Newcastle. A convoy of horse
that were employed to conduct it from thence, under the
command of the Lieutenant-General of the Army, the Lord
Kthyn, was by the enemy at a pass, called Yarum Bridge,
in Yorkshire, fiercely encountered ; in which encounter my
Lord's forces totally routed them, slew many, and took many
prisoners, and most of their horse colours, consisting of
seventeen cornets ; and so marched on to York with their
ammunition, without any other interruption l .
My Lord, after he had received this ammunition, put his
army into a condition to march, and having intelligence that
the Queen was at sea, with intention to land in some part of
the East Riding of Yorkshire, he directed his march, in Feb-
ruary 1642, into those parts, to be ready to attend her Majesty's
landing, who was then daily expected from Holland. Within
a short time, after it had pleased God to protect her Majesty
both from the fury of wind and waves, there being for
several days such a tempest at sea that her Majesty, with all
her attendance, was in danger to be cast away every minute,
as also from the fury of the rebels, which had the whole
naval power of the kingdom then in their hands, she arrived
safely at a small port in the Hast Riding of Yorkshire called
Burlington Key. Where her Majesty was no sooner landed,
but the enemy at sea made continual shot against her ships
in the port, which reached not only her Majesty's landing,
but even the house where she lay (though without the least
hurt to any), so that she herself, and her attendants, were
forced to leave the same, and to seek protection from a hill
near that place, under which they retired ; and all that while
it was observed that her Majesty showed as much courage
as ever any person could do : for her undaunted and generous
spirit was like her royal birth, deriving itself from that unpar-
alleled king, her father, whose heroic actions will be in perpetual
memory whilst the world hath a being -.
1 This fight .it Y.irmn Bridge took place on I-'ebniary i, 16.41. Lord Ethyn (or ICytliin)
is hotter known as General King. He h.id served in. my years in the Swedish army
in (iermanv and was created a peer of Scotland Man h 2*, I'm. A life of King is given
in vol. \\\i of the Dictionurv of Satinnal llnzriiphv (p. nsl.
J The 'J'leen landed at H irlington on February 22i\d. She gives the following account
of her adventure (l-ttttrt, p. iW>) : ' (iod, who took rare of me at sea, was pleased to
continue his protection bv land, for that night, four of the Parliament ships arrived
at Burlington without our knowledge, and in the morning (l-ebruary ^4), about four
o'clock, the alarm was given fiat we should send down to the harbour to secure our
ammunition boats, which had not yet been able to be unloaded ; but, about an hour
The First Book 19
My Lord, finding her Majesty in this condition, drew his
army near the place where she was, ready to attend and
protect her Majesty's person, who was pleased to take a view
of the army as it was drawn up in order ; and immediately
after, which was in March 1643, took her journey towards
York, whither the whole army conducted her Majesty, and
brought her safe into the city. About this time, her Majesty
having some present occasion for money, my Lord presented
her with ^3000 sterling, which she graciously accepted of,
and having spent some time there in consultation about the
present affairs, she was pleased to send some arms and ammu-
nition to the King, who was then in Oxford. To which end,
my Lord ordered a party, consisting of 1500, well commanded,
to conduct the same, with whom the Lord Percy, who then
hud waited upon her Majesty from the King, returned to
Oxford ; which party his Majesty was pleased to keep with
him for his own service 1 .
Not long after, my Lord, who always endeavoured to win
any place or persons by fair means, rather than by using of
force, reduced to his Majesty's obedience a strong fort and
castle upon the sea, and a very good haven, called Scarborough
Castle, persuading the governor thereof, who heretofore had
opposed his forces at Yarum Bridge, with such rational and
convincible arguments, that he willingly rendered himself,
and all the garrison, unto his Majesty's devotion. By which
prudent action my I .ord highly advanced his Majesty's interest ;
for by that means the enemy was much annoyed and prcju-
after, these four ships bewail to fire so briskly, that we were all obliged to rise in haste,
and leave the village to them : at least the women, for the soldiers remained very reso-
lutely to defend the ammunition. One of these ships had clone me the honour to flank
my house, whieh fronted the pier, and before I could get out of bed, the balls were whist -
lint; upon me iu such style that you may easily believe I loved not such music. Kvery-
body came to force me to go out, the balls beating so on all the houses, that, dressed
just as it happened, I went on foot to some distance from the village, to the shelter of
a ditch, like those at Newmarket ; but before we could reach it, the balls were singing
round us in tine style, and a sergeant was killed twenty paces from me. \Ve placed
ourselves then under this shelter, during two hours that they were f.ring upon vs, and
the balls passing always over our heads, and sometimes covering us with dust. At
last, the Admiral of Holland scut to tell them, that if they did not cease. l;e would tire
upon them as enemies. . . . On this they stopped, and the tide went down, so that
then' was not water enough for them to" stay where they were. ... 1 am told that
one of the captains of the Parliament ships had been beforehand to rcionnoitie where
my lodging was, and I assme you that it was well market!, for they always shot upon
it.' The O.uccn arrived at Voi'k, March ;th, KM-,- Kushworth.
1 This convoy left Newark under the conduct of Col. Hastings on May 8 (Dugdalc's
Diary), and arrived at Oxford on May 15. A note in .Vrri i/rius Aulii'iif. May is, 1643,
says: 'The conductors were Col. Hastings, the Lord of Hover, and Mr. 1'errv ; the'y
brought with them twciitv troops of horse and ;ooo foot, and about two and fifty cart
loads of arms and ammunition.'
2o The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
diced at sea, and a great part in the East Riding of Yorkshire
kept in due obedience. 1
After this, my Lord having received intelligence that the
enemy's General of the Horse 2 had designed to march with
a party from Cawood Castle, whither they were fled from
Tadcaster, as before is mentioned, to some garrisons which
they had in the west of Yorkshire, presently ordered a party
of horse, commanded by the General of the Horse, the Lord
George Goring, to attend the enemy in their march, who
overtook them on a moor, called Scacroft Moor, and fell upon
their rear, which caused the enemy to draw up their forces
into a body ; to whom they gave a total route (although
their number was much greater), and took about 800 prisoners,
and 10 or 12 colours of horse, besides many that were slain
in the charge ; which prisoners were brought to York, about
10 or 12 miles distant from that same place 3 .
Immediately after, in pursuit of that victory, my Lord
sent a considerable party into the west of Yorkshire, where
they met with about 2000 of the enemy's forces, taken out
of their several garrisons in those parts, to execute some
design upon a moor called Tankcrly Moor, and there fought
them, and routed them ; many were slain, and some taken
prisoners.
Not long after, the remainder of the army that were left
at York marched to Leeds 4 , in the west of Yorkshire, and
from thence to Wakefield, being both the enemies' quarters,
This governor was Sir Hugh Cholinlcy, who declared for the King on March 25.
Rushworth, III, ii, 264. See also Clarendon Rebellion, vi, 268.
2 Sir Thomas Fairfax.
3 The best account of the battle at Scacroft Moor is given in Sir Thomas Fairfax's
Short Memorial, Mascres' Tracts, vol. i, p. 421 ; Markham's Life of the (ireal Isrrd Fair-
ax < P- '>"> The battle took place on March 30, 1643 (see Mercuriut Aulicus, April 4).
* The Queen's Letters give an account of this second advance into the West Riding.
Newcastle's army iiumlieret], according to her, 7000 foot and 3500 horse. The Par-
liamentarians quitted I'ontefract at their approach, and retired to Leeds, where they
were l>e.sieged liy Newcastle. General King and the officers of experience were against
an assault, and thought an effectual siege impossible. Newcastle, after two or three,
davs' ineffectual cannonading, thought t>est to follow their advice and raise the siege.
This was done under colour of a cessation of arms for four days for the piirjxise of treat-
ing, and the army retired to Wakefield (see also Mrrfunus .-tultcus. April 2S|. Tin-re
Newcastle left them for a few days. ' I am still waiting the return of the Karl of New-
castle ' writes the Queen on April 2} ; 'he is gone to burv his wife, who has died, and
i* not vet returned. . . He is staving ', she adds, ' to treat with Hotham's son ; if he
succeeds, our affairs will go well' I Letters, p. I.S8). According to |>ngd.ile's />i<irv,
the Karl of Newcastle came privately to Welbeck on April 13. Four letters from young
Motharn to Newcastle, written between April 20 and May i, are printed by Sanfnrd
(S/u</i ami /liiutraliims of the Great Re>>elltnn, p. ssi). Twelve are printed in I'ortland
.V.SS".. vol. i. which give a full history of this intrigue (pp. 81, 8_s, 87, Ko, <y )t 105, io</,
699, 701, 702, 704, 707).
The First Book 21
to reduce and settle that part of the country. My Lord
having possessed himself of the town of VVakefield, it being
large and of great compass, and able to make a strong quarter,
ordered it accordingly ; and receiving intelligence that in
two market towns south-west from Wakefield, viz. Kother-
ham and Sheffield, the enemy was very busy to raise forces
against his Majesty, and had fortified them both about four
miles distant from each other, hoping thereby to give pro-
tection and encouragement to all those parts of the country
which were populous, rich, and rebellious, he thought it neces-
sary to use his best endeavours to blast those their wicked de-
signs in the bud ; and thereupon took a resolution, in April 1643,
to march with part of his army from Wakeiield into the
mentioned parts, attended with a convenient train of artillery
and ammunition, leaving the greatest part of it at Wakefield,
with the remainder of his army, under the care and conduct
of his General of the Horse, and Major General of the Army '.
which was so considerable, both in respect of their number
and provision, that they did, as they might well, conceive
themselves master of the field in those parts, and secure in
that (piarter, although in the end it proved not so, as shall
hereafter be declared, which must necessarily be imputed
to their invigilancy and carelessness.
My Lord first marched to Rotherham, and finding that the
enemy had placed a garrison of soldiers in that town, and
fortified it, he drew up his army in the morning against the
town, and summoned it ; but they refusing to yield, my
Lord fell to work with his cannon and musket, and within
a short time took it by storm, and entered the town that
very night : some enemies of note that were found therein
were taken prisoners ; and as for the common soldiers, which
were by the enemy forced from their allegiance, he showed
such clemency to them, that very many willingly took up
arms for his Majesty's service, and proved very faithful and
loyal subjects and good soldiers'-'.
1 ' The I.ordC.oriiiK .uul Sir I-'r.tiu is Mackworth. Knight '. The-,' ii.iiurswrtv printed
in a side note, ami carefully oblitei .ited bv h.nul betore pnbli. atiou.
- Lord l ; .iirt.ix, in Ins letter <! M.iv jnl to 1 enth.il, says: ' P<e tones in Rother-
h.nn lield <mt two d.ivs' sieije. .ind yielded up the town upon tre.ity : wherein it w.is
agreed, tint the town should not be plundered : .ind th.it .ill the gentlemen,
and soldiers (six only e\cepted th.it were especially named). leaving their
have free liberty to yo whither they pleased. Hut when the enemy enter
to their articles, they have not only plundered the town, but have also I
commanders and soldiers prisoners ; and do endeavour to constrain then
s, should
d. contrary
i.ule all the
to take up
22 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
After my Lord had stayed two or three dajs there, and
ordered those parts, he marched with his army to Sheffield,
another market town of large extent, in which there was an
ancient castle ; which when the enemy's forces that kept
the town came to hear of, being terrified with the fame of
my Lord's hitherto victorious army, they fled away from
thence into Derbyshire, and left both town and castle (with-
out any blow) to my Lord's mercy. And though the people
in the town were most of them rebclliously affected, yet my
Lord so prudently ordered the business, that within a short
time he reduced most of them to their allegiance by love,
and the rest by fear, and recruited his army daily ; he put a
garrison of soldiers into the castle, and fortified it in all respects,
and constituted a gentleman of quality l governor of both the
castle, town, and country ; and finding near that place some
iron works, he gave present order for the casting of iron cannon
for his garrisons, and for the making of other instruments
and engines of war ~.
Within a short time after, my Lord receiving intelligence that
the enemy in the garrisons near Wakcficld had united them-
selves, and being drawn into a body in the night time, and
surprised and entered the town of Wakcfield, and taken all,
or most of the officers and soldiers left there prisoners (amongst
whom was also the General of the Horse, the Lord Goring,
whom my Lord afterwards redeemed by exchange), and
possessed themselves of the whole magazine, which was a
very great loss and hindrance to my Lord's designs, it being
;irins on thrir party.' Ruslnvorth, III, ii, 268. This statement as to the breach of
tlir capitulation, is confirmed tiy the Rev. John Shaw, at that time tin- Vi< .ir ot Rother-
liaui. Sec the indication to his srrnion, entitled The Three Kinxthims Casf, ibjf'. Shaw
states that the town was taken on Thursday, May 4. Yorkshire Diaries, vol. i, pp.
>J f) , V*5 (Snrtees Society).
1 Sir \Villiarn Savile, knight and baronet.
- The commanders at Sheffield, says Lord Fairfax in the letter before quoted, hear-
ing of the loss of Rotherham, and seeing some of the enemy's forrcs advanced in \ie\v
ol the town, they all presently deserted the plarc, as not tenable with so fi-w against
so ' potent an army; and fled away with their nrins, some to Chesterfield and some
to Manchester'. The ICarl of Newcastle- nppointexi Sir William Savile governor of
Sheffield on May i, 1643. Hunter's llal'am\kire, ed. C.atty, p. iy.. See also \ trs
ami Oufri(\, Manh 24, 'i8RH. Mi-ntinus Aulicus for May'ej thus notes the c apt ire
of these two places: ' News that Rotherham and Sheffield, two towns of principal i .te
in the West Riding of Yorkshire, were vielded up to his Majesty: bv gelling wl h
his Majesty had obtained two convenient passes, the one bv Sheffield into IVrt.\sl re,
the other iiy Rotherham into those parts of Nottinghamshire which are m<>st helpful
unto (lell and his associates: and that besides the use his Majesty might have c,f the
Sheffield cutlers (for which that town is very famous) in the employment of his armoury ,
there were found 1400 arms in Rotherham fit for present use, together with (,5000
in ready money.'
The First Book 23
the moiety of his army, and most of his ammunition ', lie
fell upon new counsels, and resolved without any delay to
march from thence back towards York, which was in May
1643, where after he had rested some time, her Majesty being
resolved to take her journey towards the southern parts of
the kingdom, where the king was, designed first to go from
York to Pomfrct, whither my Lord ordered the whole march-
ing army to be in readiness to conduct her Majesty, which
they did, he himself attending her Majesty in person. And
after her Majesty had rested there some small time, she being
desirous to proceed in her intended journey, no less than a
formed army was able to secure her person : wherefore my
Lord was resolved out of his fidelity and duty to supply her
with an army of 7,000 horse and foot, beside a convenient
train of artillery, for her safer conduct, choosing rather to
leave himself in a weak condition (though lie was even then
very near the enemy's garrisons in that part of the country)
than suffer her Majesty's person to be exposed to danger.
Which army of /,o<x) men, when her Majesty was safely
arrived to the King, he was pleased to keep with him for his
own service '-.
After her Majesty's departure out of Yorkshire, my Lord
was forced to recruit again his army, and within a short
time, vi/. in June 1643, took a resolution to march into the
enemy's quarters, in the western parts ; in which march he
met with a strong stone house well fortified, called Howley
I louse, wlu-reiii was a garrison of soldiers, which my Lord
summoned ; but the governor disobeying the summons
he battered it with his cannon, and so took it by force. The
1 This victory took pi. lev on Suml.iv, May .'r, tfi|; --Rushworth, III, ii. :!>>, whore
the despatches of Lord Fairfax ami Sir Thomas arc Kivrn, and the Sh,l M,-in,it in
Maseres' I'ritcts, p. I-M. Sir Thomas savs 'This appeared the jjrraler mercy when
we saw our mistake ; lor we found 5000 men in the town and ex|>ected but halt the
number. \Ve brought away i.|oo prisoners, ,So ollicers, jS colours, and reat store of
ammunition.' His own force numbered only noo men, anil he concludes bv olcr\ini;
' This w.is more a miracle than a victory.'
'* The (Jtieen left York on J nne | (I >r. ike's l-'.hitratiim) : she arrived at Newark on June
iT> (Du^dale's />i<iry), and left that place on |nlv ,. reaching Oxford on July 14 (t''iJ.).
The yueen at first thought of brin^im: with her merelv her own two regiments of loot
and horse, consisting of about two thousand men (/r//<-rv, pp. iSo .|O. On the 141!!
of May, the (Jneen speaks of brinnim; jooo men ; tlie Kim; desired at least icxx> loot
and i.soo horse (l.,i/,-rs, pp. ;no ;). Most of these troops were armeil with the wea|x>ns
brought bv tlie Oueen, but raised bv tlie I'.ul ol Newcastie. 1 carrv with me ' writes
Henrietta to the Kini; from Newark, ' ;,ooo foot, thirtv companies ol horse and dra);iiis,
six pieces of cannon and two mortars.' l.ttUrs of (Jiiffn Hfnri,-!t,i .M,iri<i, r\\. (Irecn ,
p. c^j. The num'icr ^iven in tlie text is certainly exaggerated ; 4500 or 5000 men
probably represents the total strength of the Queen's anuy.
24 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
governor, having quarter given him contrary to my Lord's
orders, was brought before my Lord by a person of quality,
for which the officer that brought him received a check ; and
though he resolved then to kill him, yet my Lord would not
suffer him to do it, saying, it was inhuman to kill any man
in cold blood. 1 lercupon the governor kissed the key of the
house door, and presented it to my Lord ; to which, my Lord
returned this answer : ' I need it not ', said he, ' for I brought
a key along with me, which yet I was unwilling to use, until
you forced me to it.' 1
At this house my Lord remained five or six days, till he
had refreshed his soldiers ; and then a resolution was
taken to march against a garrison of the enemy's called
Bradford, a little but a strong town. In the way he met
with a strong interruption by the enemy drawing forth a
vast number of musketeers, which they had very privately
gotten out of Lancashire, the next adjoining county to those
parts of Yorkshire which had so easy an access to them at
Bradford, by reason the whole country was of their party,
that my Lord could not possibly have any constant intelli-
gence of their designs and motions. For in their army there
were near 5000 musketeers, and eighteen troops of horse,
drawn up in a place full of hedges, called Athcrton Moor,
near to their garrison at Bradford, ready to encounter my
Lord's forces, which then contained not above half so many
musketeers as the enemy had ; their chicfest strength con-
sisting in horse, and these made useless for a long time together
by the enemy's horse possessing all the plain ground upon that
field ; so that no place was left to draw up my Lord's horse,
but amongst old coal-pits. Neither could they charge the
enemy, by reason of a great ditch and high bank betwixt
l Howley House was garrisoned by the Parliamentarians on January if>, j(<^2 ; its
owner, I.ord Savile, had made a composit on with young Hotham in the preceding
O< tolxT, and also received a similar promts of protection from I.ord Fairfax, ami had
in consequence declined to receive a detac hi ent sent l>v Newcastle to occupy the house.
The suspicions raised l>v these transaction caused Newcastle to arrest S.nilc, and to
send to the King a lengthv information : gainst him. (/n/<-riittitin ayaimt Ihf I urj
I'isroun/ Savtlf, in /'a/vrs rflaiinf t the f)fl m/ufnfv f Lord Sai'ilf, ( amJfn .WiVc//iny ,
vol. vni). The King, however, decided that though Newcastle had verv good i ause
for suspicion, and was justified in what he did, yet Savile 's explanations were satis-
factory. Howlev House was al-out half way U-tween Wakefield and Leeds. The
capture mentioned atiove took place on June 22, l'>n- (Kushworth III. ii, 2?vK The
governor referred to was Sir John Savile of I upset, cousin of Lord Savile. 'Ihe House
was retaken l.v the Parliament fc.rc.-s m February 164) (Sfolliih l)wc, 2jrd February
to 1st March).
The First Book 25
my Lord's and the enemy's troops, but by two on a breast,
and that within musket shot ; the enemy being drawn up
in hedges, and continually playing upon them, which rendered
the service exceeding difficult and hazardous.
In the meanwhile the foot of both sides on the right and
left wings encountered each other, who fought from hedge
to hedge and for a long time together overpowered and got
ground of my Lord's foot, almost to the environing of his
cannon ; my Lord's horse (wherein consisted his greatest
strength) all this while being made, by reason of the ground,
incapable of charging. At last the pikes of my Lord's army
having had no employment all the day, were drawn against
the enemy's left wing, and particularly those of my Lord's
own regiment, which were all stout and valiant men, who
fell so furiously upon the enemy, that they forsook their
hedges, and fell to their heels. At which very instant my
Lord caused a shot or two to be made by his cannon against
the body of the enemy's horse, drawn up within cannon shot,
which took so good effect, that it disordered the enemy's
troops. Hereupon my Lord's horse got over the hedge, not
in a body (for that they could not), but dispcrsedly two on
a breast ; and as soon as some considerable number was
gotten over, and drawn up, they charged the enemy, and
routed them. So that in an instant there was a strange
change of fortune, and the field totally won by my Lord,
notwithstanding lie had quitted 7ixx> men, to conduct her
Majesty, besides a good train of artillery, which in such a
conjuncture would have weakened Caesar's army. In this
victory the enemy lost most of their foot, about 31x10 were
taken prisoners, and 700 horse and foot slain, and those that
escaped tied into their garrison at Bradford, amongst whom
was also their C.eneral of the Horse 1 .
After this my Lord caused his armv to be rallied, and
Sir Thomas Fairfax. The 1
June ioth. I ; .iirfax estimates t
accounts agree that the Kittle >
savs 1-airfax, were thinking of r
' Whilst thev were in this wave
to let him charge onee with a s
and, thev not being relieved bv < i
officers, chiefly Major-General' G
lost ground, which the enemv set
. tile of Atherton, or Adw.ilton Moor, took place on
number of the I'.u liammt.irv troops at -,ooo. All
^ in favour. iblv to the Parliament. ui.ins. The enemv,
eating, ami some h.ul a< tuallv marchetl on* the field,
g condition, one I'olonel Skirton desired his gnier.il
ul of pikes, with which he broke in upon or.r men :
r reserves (which wen- comm.indcd l>v some ill-affected.
Tord, who did not his part as he ought to dot. onr men
g, pursued this advantage l>v bringing on fresh troops :
ours being herewith discouraged began to fly. and were scxm routed.'- Skivt
Maseres' Tracts, i, .(.-d. A go<xi account of the battle in a letter from Thomas St.
dale to the Speaker, is printed in 1'ortliin.l .W>'S., i, 717.
E
26 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
marched in order that night before Bradford, with an inten-
tion to storm it the next morning ; but the enemy that were
in the town, it seems, were so discomfited, that the same night
they escaped all various ways, and amongst them the said
General of the Horse, whose Lady being behind a servant on
horseback, was taken by some of my Lord's soldiers, and
brought to his quarters, where she was treated and attended
with all civility and respect, and within a few days sent to
York in my Lord's own coach, and from thence very shortly
after to Kingston-upon-Hull, where she desired to be attended
by my Lord's coach and servants l .
Thus my Lord, after the enemy was gone, entered the town
and garrison of Bradford, by which victory the enemy was
so daunted, that they forsook the rest of their garrisons, that
is to say, Halifax, Leeds, and Wakefield, and dispersed them-
selves severally, the chief officers retiring to Hull, a strong gar-
rison of the enemy ; and though my Lord, knowing they would
make their escape thither, as having no other place of refuge to
resort to, sent a letter to York to the Governor of that city, to
stop them in their passage ; yet by neglect of the post, it com-
ing not timely enough to his hands, his design was frustrated.
The whole county of York, save only Hull, being now
cleared and settled by my Lord's care and conduct, he marched
to the city of York, and having a competent number of horse
well armed and commanded, he quartered them in the East
Riding, near Hull, there being no visible enemy then to
oppose them. In the meanwhile my Lord, receiving news
that the enemy had made an invasion into the next adjoining
county of Lincoln, where he had some forces, he presently
despatched his Lieutcnant-General of the Army 2 away with
some horse and dragoons, and soon after marched thither
himself with the body of the army, being earnestly desired
by his Majesty's party there. The forces which my Lord
had in the same countv, commanded bv the then Lieutenant -
1 Sir Thomas Fairfax had married, in lf>i/, Anno, daughter of Hor
of Tilburs-. ' My wife ', says Sir Thomas, ' r.m the same hazard with us
, Lord Vere
o urs-. y we , says r omas, r.m e same azar w
and with as little expression of fear ; not from any zeal or delight in
'
willing and patient suffering of this undesirable conditio
The First Book 27
General of the Horse, Mr. Charles Cavendish, second brother
to the now Earl of Devonshire, though they had timely notice,
and orders from my Lord to make their retreat to the Lieu-
tenant-General of the Army, and not to fight the enemy ;
yet the said Lieutenant-General of the Horse being transported
by his courage (he being a person of great valour and conduct)
and having charged the enemy, unfortunately lost the field,
and himself was slain in the charge, his horse lighting in a
bog 1 ; which news being brought to my Lord when he was
on his march, he made all the haste he could, and was no
sooner joined with his Lieutcnant-Gcncral, but fell upon the
enemy, and put them to flight.
The first garrison my Lord took in Lincolnshire was Gains-
borough, a town standing upon the river Trent, wherein
(not long before) had been a garrison of soldiers for his Majesty
under the command of the then Earl of Kingston, but sur-
prised, and the town taken by the enemy's forces, who having
an intention to convey the said Earl of Kingston from thence
to Hull, in a little pinnace met with some of my Lord's forces
by the way, commanded by the Lieutenant of the Army,
who being desirous to rescue the Earl of Kingston, and making
some shots with their regiment pieces, to stop the pinnace,
unfortunately slew him and one of his servants -.
1 The Queen, in her letter to the King from Newark on 27th June, writes that she
leaves behind her, for the protection of Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire, 2000 fix>t
and twenty companies of horse ; ' all this to be under Charles Cavendish, whom the
gentlemen of the county have desired me not to carry with me against his will, for
he desired extremely to go.' Cavendish, on the petition of the King's Commissioners
for those two counties, had been appointed Coininander-in-Chief of their forces, with
the rank of Colonel-General. On April II, he had defeated voting Hotham and the
Lincolnshire Parliamentarians at Ancaster, and on July 2, whilst convoying the Queen
to Oxford, took Hurton. Now, whilst attempting to prevent the raising of the siege
of (iainsl)orough, he was defeated bv Cromwell, and slain ou July iS, 11143. The cava-
liers were at one moment of the light nearly gaining the victory. The main l>ody of
the Parliamentarians charged and routed the main Iwxly of the Royalists. Charles
Cavendish, with their reserve, almost changed the fortune of the dav ; but Cromwell,
witli three troops he had kept in hand, retrieved the battle. ' Whilst the enemy was
following our living troops, I charged him on the rear with tnv three troops ; drove
him down the hill, brake him all to pieces : forced I jenteuant-Cirneral Cavendish into
a bog, who fought in this reserve : one officer cut him on the head, and as he lay, my
Captain-Lieutenant Herry thrust him into the short ribs, of which he died about two
hours after in Gainsborough. 1 Carlyle's Cromwell, Appendix s, and also Letter xii.
Mcrcurius Aulicus of August i contains the Royalist account of the battle. It is stated
there that Cavendish, ' being cut most dangerously on the head, was struck off his horse,
and so, unfortunately, shot witli a trace of bullets after he was on the ground.' Lloyd,
in his Memoirs of Kxcellent rersonages, says ' He died magnanimously, refusing quarter
and throwing the blood that ran from his wounds in their faces that shed it ' (p. (1/3).
- Gainsborough was taken by Lord Willoughby on the K>th of July. Kicraft's Ckaifi-
pious, p. 3S. Sec also The. Kingdom's Weekly Intelligence, l8-j.s July; Rushworth
III, ii, 278.'
' Lord Willoughby having sent away many of his carriages towards Lincoln, am.
28 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
My Lord drawing near the mentioned town of Gainsborough,
there appeared on the top of a hill, above the town, some of
the enemy's horse drawn up in a body ; whereupon he imme-
diately sent a party of his horse to view them ; who no sooner
came within their sight, but they retreated fairly so long as
they could well endure ; but the pursuit of my Lord's horse
caused them presently to break their ranks, and fall to their
heels, where most of them escaped, and fled to Lincoln, another
of their garrisons. Hereupon my Lord summoned the town
of Gainsborough ; but the Governor thereof refusing to yield,
caused my Lord to plant his cannon, and draw up his army
on the mentioned hill ; and having played some little while
upon the town, put the enemy into such a terror, that the
Governor sent out and offered the surrender of the town
upon fair terms, which my Lord thought fit rather to embrace
than take it by force ; and though, according to the article
of agreement made between them, both the enemy's arms
and the keys of the town should have been fairly delivered
to my Lord, yet it being not performed as it was expected,
the arms being in a confused manner thrown down, and the
gales set wide open, the prisoners that had been kept in the
town began first to plunder ; which my Lord's forces seeing,
did the same, although it was against my Lord's will and
orders '.
After my Lord had thus reduced the town, and put a good
garrison of soldiers into it, and better fortified it, he marched
put his prisoners aboard a pinnace which was sent from Hull, did intend to quit the
place, as not being able to defend it. lint before those intents were put in execution
he w.is surrounded by a part of the Karl of Newcastle's forces, who sat down before
Saturday night last, July 2<), the Commissioners for both ['arts did agree, in the next
morning early (that is to say, about two of the clx-k), that the town should be delivered,
by live of the clock that morning, to such as his Kxcellcncv the Karl of Newcastle should
appoint to receive it for his Majesty : the Lord \\illoughby and other officers of the
relx-ls to go away, with such arms as they brought into the town : no common soldier
t go forth with anv arms at all, nor with more baggage than he brought thither with
him ; neither the ofhcers nor soldiers to take with them any colours of horse or foot ;
no ordnance, nor anv kind of ammunition, to Ix- carried out of the town, or destroyed
in it, nor any part of the town or of the g-xxls thereof to l>e burnt or hurt. All prisoners
("longing to the army of the Karl of Newcastle, or which were there when the Lord
Willoughby first entered, to be left behind ; and finally, no townsman to go out of the
to-.vn under pretence of being soldiers.'
The First Book 29
before Lincoln ', and there he entered with his army without
great difficulty, and placed also a garrison in it, and raised
a considerable army, both horse, foot, and dragoons, for the
preservation of that county, and put them under commanders,
and constituted a person of honour - Commander-in-Chief
with intention to inarch towards the South, which, if it had
taken effect, would doubtless have made an end of that war 3 .
But he being daily importuned by the nobility and gentry of
Yorkshire, to return into that county, especially upon the
persuasions of the Commandcr-in-Chicf of the forces left
there, who acquainted my Lord that the enemy grew so
strong every day, being got together in Kingston-tipon-1 lull,
and annoying that country, that his forces were not able to
bear up against them ; alleging withal, that rny Lord would
1 Lord \Villoughby on surrendering Gainsborough marched to Lincoln. ' Hut see-
ing an impossibility that Cromwell should time enough recruit his beaten and distracted
forces, or that he could receive any seasonable supplies from London, on the first news
that the Karl of Newcastle was coming towards him, he forsook the place, and made,
what haste he could to Boston.' Mtrcurius Aulicus, August 10. \Villoughby writes
to Cromwell from Boston on August 5 : ' Since the business of Gainsborough, the hearts
of our men have been so dcuded that we have lost most of them by running away, so
that we were forced to leave Lincoln upon a sudden ; and if I had not done it, then I
should have been left alone in it.' Carlylc's Cromwell, i, p. 140.
Lincoln was recaptured by Manchester on October 20, 164.1, evacuated by the Par-
li.imentary forces in March 1644, after the relief of Newark by Prince Kui"ert, and sur-
rendered again to Manchester on May 6, 1644.
' The Lord \\iddrington.
:> The King repeatedly desired Newcastle to march southwards. The yueen writes
to Newcastle, on the i8th June, that the King ' had sent me a letter to command
yon absolutely to march to him, but I do not send it you, since I have taken a resolution
with you that you remain ' (Letters, p. 210.) ; and again, on August i ; she writes : ' He
had written me to send you word to go into Suffolk, Norfolk, or Huntingdonshire. 1
answered him that you were a better judge than he of that, and that I should not do
it. The truth is, that they envy your army ' (Letters, p. 2:*,). Sir Philip Warwick
was sent by the King to persuade Newcastle to march south, apparently about the
end of Julv. ' But 1 found him very averse to this, and perceived, that lie apprehended
nothing more, than to be joined to the King's Armv, or to serve under Prince Rupert ;
for he ill-signed himself to be the man that should turn the scale, and to be a self-sub-
sisting and distinct army, wherever he was. Yet he told me that when he could quit
Yorkshire, and leave it in a condition to defend itselt against the before-mentioned
enemies in it (which the Yorkshire men would not have Ix-cn unwilling to have ad\en-
tured.if he had left them in some measure their own forces, and marched with his own
more nottherlv atmv ; for they knew the Parliament would command Fairfax after
him), he would march through Lincolnshire, and recruit himself there, and so over the
Washes into Norfolk, and Suffolk, and the associated counties ; which had Ixt-n a noble
design.' This inarch into Lincolnshire was Newcastle's first step towards carrying
out this design. ' He took in (lainsborough and Lincoln ', savs Sir T. Fairfax, ' and
intended to take in Boston, which w.is the kev of the associated counties ; for his orders
(which I have seen) were to go into Kssex, and block up London on that side. Having
laid a great while still, and being now strong enough tor those forces which rem.iined
in the countrv, we scut out a good p.utv to make an attempt upon Stamford Bridge.
near York. But the cnemv upon the alarm lied thither, which put them also in such
a fear, that they sent earnestly to mv lord of Newcastle to desire him to return, or the
countrv would again be lost. I'pon this lie returned again into Yorkshire, and not
long after came to besiege Hull.' .s/ior/ Memorial, Maseres' I'rafis, i. 4.11. Mr. S. K.
Gardiner discusses the question of Newcastle's motives in a criticism of the earlier edition
of this book Ln^Uih Historical AVriYu 1 , 1887, p. 173.
30 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
be suspected to betray the trust reposed in him, if he came not
to succour ami assist them ; lie went back with his army
for the protection of that same country ; and when he arrived
there, which was in August 1643, he found the enemy of so
small consequence, that they did all fly before him. About
this time his .Majesty was pleased to honour my Lord, for his
true and faithful service, with the title of .Marquis of New-
castle l .
My Lord being returned into Yorkshire, forced the enemy
first from a town called Beverley 2 , wherein they had a garrison
of soldiers ; and from thence, upon the entreaty of the nobility
and gentry of Yorkshire (as before is mentioned), who prom-
ised him ten thousand men for that purpose, though they
came short of their performance, marched near the town of
Kingston-upon-Hull, and besieged that part of the garrison
that bordered on Yorkshire, for a certain time in which
time the enemy took the courage to sally out of the town wit ha
strong party of horse and foot very early in the morning,
with purpose to have forced the quarters of a regiment of
my Lord's horse that were quartered next the town ; but
by the vigilancy of their commander, Sir Marmaduke Lang-
dale, afterwards Lord Langdale, his forces being prepared
for the reception, they received such a welcome as cost many
of them their lives, most of their foot (but such as were slain)
being taken prisoners ; and those of their horse that escaped
got into their hold at Hull 3 .
The enemy, thus feeling that they could do my Lord's
army no further damage on that side of the river in York-
shire, endeavoured by all means (from Hull, and other con-
I The patent is dated 2-th October, 10 Charles I. It is quoted :it length l>y Collins
(Ilislonciit ColUctinns,?. IT,), and also by the Duchess in the third IxKikof these Mrmmrs.
* ' The town (Hull) iH-itig little, 1 was sent to Beverley with the horse and 600 foot '
s.ivs Sir T. Fairfax, who gives a detailed account of his retreat from Heverlev to Hull
C^kurt Memorial, Maseres' '1 rafts, i, 4^1). Newcastle occupied Heverlev on August
2*, (Dugdale's Diary). See also Mercunu* Hrifannieus 5-12 SeptemlxT.
3 The siege began on Scptcmlx-r 2, and ended on October n (Rushworth III, ii, 280).
Warwick says the policy of Ix'sicging Hull was attributed to General Kind's advice.
Warwifk was sent on a second mission to Newcastle during Septcinl>cr l'M.1. and found
him t>cfore Hull. ' I went down ', savs Sir I'hilip, ' to see his trendies and work*, and
found (the season having been very wet) his men standing ankle derp in dirt a great
distance from the town ; so as I conceived those without wen- likelier to rot than those
within to starve ; and by assault there was not the least probability to carry it. 1 pon
inv return to him, relating but faintly and modestly my thoughts (for he knew I had
not the least part of a soldier to warrant a discourse upon that subject) he mrrrilv put
it off, saviug " You often hear us called the I'opish Ariuv : but von see we trust not
in our g'xxl walks." 'Memoirs, p. 2'>s. An aount of the sally mentioned in the
text is given in Mercunus Auluu\ lor September 16, H>4V See also ' 'I he Sieges of
Hull during tht (jrcitt Civil ll'ar ', by ]'.. Lroxap (/.w^-i'iiA Uisturual A'nuu, July lyoj).
The First Book 31
federate places in tli^ eastern parts of the kingdom) to form
a considerable party to annoy and disturb the forces raised
by my Lord in Lincolnshire, and left there for the protection
of that county ; where the enemy being drawn together in
a body, fought my Lord's forces in his absence, and got the
honour of the day near Hornby Castle in that county l ;
which loss, caused partly by their own rashness, forced my
Lord to leave his design upon Hull, and to march back with
his army to York, which was in October 1643, where the
remained but a few days to refresh his army ; and receiving
intelligence that the enemy was got into Derbyshire, and
did grow numerous there, and busy in seducing the people,
that country being under my Lord's command, he resolved
to direct his March thither in the beginning of November
164 j, to suppress their further growth : and to that end
quartered his army at Chesterfield and in all the parts there-
about, for a certain time 2 .
Immediately after his departure from York to Pomfrct,
in his said march into Derbyshire, the city of York sent to
my Lord to inform him of their intention to choose another
Mayor for the year following, desiring his pleasure about it.
My Lord, who knew that the Mayor for the year before was
' The battle of Wincebv, or Horncastle, fought on October n (Rushworth 111. ii.
281 ; Vicar's God's Art;, pp. 4? N ; and i'airfa\ ('nrrfxfM>iiil,-iiff, Memorial* / Ihf I'nil
\Viir, i, p. <>>). \VhiMi the sieye of Hull commenced, the Karl of Manchester, with the
arinv of the K.istern Association, was occupied in the sie^e of I.vnn. Its surrender,
on September H>, enable,! him to despatch his horse under Cromwell into Lincolnshire,
to join Sir Thomas l-'airtax with the horse of the garrison of I lull, and Lord \\ illou^hbv
with the local levies of Lincolnshire. The union ol Kairfax and C'roniwcll took pl.it e
on September J'>. Manchester also sent s,oo men. under Sir John Meldrmn. into I lull,
which thev entered on October s; and he himself, with his toot, joined 1 airlax anil
Cromwell at Kirbv in Lincolnshire on ( >( tober 10. In the baltlr the Kov.ilists lost
rooo prisoners and 35 colours. ' We have in a manner totallv lost our toot and dragoons
that were then-, beim,' near Son horse, extieineh dissevered but no ereat number cut
oil' reports Sir William Widdm^ton to Newcastle. The , onseipn n. es <>| (he battle
were the evacuation of (i.iinsborou-h bv the Kovalists. the . aptnre ot linioln, and
the blockade of Newark. The Duchess omits t.. mention the si sxinl s.,||\ i,,.,,|,.
bv the yarns >n of Hull on Oct .ber i i, in whi.-h main ..t NYu, a-tle's i;,iiis were taken,
and some of his works destroyed (/', rtLin.l W> v i, i ;M. This del, -.u. not that at Wincebv
alone, obliged Newi .isfle to raise the siei?e ot Hull
'-' Mi-rcuriu* .-tulicim for Ja-i. r, KMI ' >ntains the foll.iwinu : 'The tirst dav of (his
year brought us in ijood news from the Lord Marquis of Ni'wc.istle, who. as we are advei-
tised latelv. put in execution the commission ot anav at I hest. Tin-Id in I >etb\ slijir ;
where he was met with the greatest coni onr-e ol people that hath b.t-n seen in those
parts these many vears. And (as it was tor certain .uheitised) his |-"\ t ellemv had
then gathered up above _> 500 stout IV-rbvslure \o|unteers. resolved to venturi' their
lives for their Kim; and countrv against this rebellion ; whereof Sir John ('..-II, bv his
meekness and hnm.mitv. hath made them verv sensible. And as a tuither testmionv
of the people's lovaltv, that noble knight. Sir Jo!in Harpur. had rec,-iv<xl verv fair con-
tributions of that county lor the maintenance ot those forces.' An account of the
proceedings of Newcastle's forces in Derbyshire is given in a contemporary pamphlet,
reprinted in Appendix vi.
32 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
a person of much loyalty and discretion, declared his mind
to them, that he thought it fit to continue him Mayor also
for the year following ; which it seems they did not like,
but resolved to choose one which they pleased, contrary to
my Lord's desire. My Lord perceiving their intentions, about
the time of the election, sent orders to the Governor of the city
of York to permit such forces to enter into the city as he should
send ; which being done accordingly, they upon the day of
the election repaired to the Town Hall, and with their arms
stayed there until they had continued the said Mayor accord-
ing to my Lord's desire.
During the time of my Lord's stay at Chesterfield in Derby-
shire, he ordered some part of his army to march before a
strong house and garrison of the enemy's, called Wingficld
Manor, which in a short time they took by storm '. And
when my Lord had raised in that county as many forces,
horse and foot, as were supposed to be sufficient to preserve
it from the fury of the enemy, he armed them, and consti-
tuted an honourable person 2 Commandcr-in-Chief of all the
forces of that county and of Leicestershire ; and so leaving
it in that condition, marched, in December 1643, from Chester-
field to Bolsover in the same county, and from thence to Wei-
beck in Nottinghamshire, to his own house and garrison,
in which parts he stayed some time, both to refresh his army
and to settle and reform some disorders he found there, leaving
no visible enemy behind him in Derbyshire, save only an
1 Certain Informations, f>-ii March ifm, gives the following account of the first
garrisoning of Wingtield at Chesterfield. It says 'They an- extremely pestered with
the Karl of Newcastle's forces that lie in Bolsover, who, 'in the Might, came out of that
town and took thirty horses from the adjacent people ; whereupon the inhabitants
of Chesterfield, to secure their town, have taken Wingfield Manor, and placed there
thirty soldiers t< guard it ; and they have also put forty musketeers into Chatsworth,
under the conn md of Lieutenant Hag-thaw, to defend it.' The capture mentioned
in the text is th s related in Mtrcurius Aulicus : Letters came from inv Lord Mar<|iiis
of Newcastle, a< -ertising as that yesterday was seven night, De<etnl>er 15, Sir Francis
Maikworth, wit live hundred horse and foot and some cannon, came before \Ving-
ti Id Manor, a I HIM- of the late Karl of Shrewsbury, strengthened with a strong cm-
battleil wall of f teen f.x>t high and ten foot thick.' The rein-Is refused to yield it np
ii|xm summons, whereupon Sir Francis played upon it with his cannon, but (through
the great strength of the wall) did not much harm to the house. At length, upon ex-
change of the Ixxly of a gentleman slain by the King's forces for one killed near the
walls who could not be brought off, some words passed, when Sir Francis told them,
that if yet they would surrender they might find favour, which offer was s<x>n embraced :
and after a short treaty they were allowed to inarch away, leaving all their arms behind
them, Ix-ing alxnit I'KJ, with g<xnl store of ammunition and nltovc three months' pro-
vision, all which was taken in the house, which through its strength and situation, stand-
ing in the middle way between Derby and Chesterfield, will IK- very advantageous to
hi* Majesty's affair,.' Dugd.ile dates the surrender December 18.
2 The Lord of Loughborough.
The First Book 33
inconsiderable parly in the town of Derby, which they had
fortified, not worth the labour to reduce it.
About this time the report came, that a great army out
of Scotland was upon their march towards the northern parts
of Kngland, to assist the enemy against his Majesty l , which
forced the nobility and gentry of Yorkshire to invite my Lord
back again into those parts, with promise to raise for his
service an army of 10,000 men. My Lord (not upon this
proffer, which had already heretofore deceived him, but out
of his loyalty and duty to preserve those parts which were
committed to his care and protection) returned in the middle of
January 1643. And when he came there, he found not one
man raised to assist him against so powerful an army, nor an
intention of raising any. Wherefore he was necessitated
to raise himself, out of the country, what forces he could get ;
and when he had settled the affairs in Yorkshire, as well as
time and his present condition would permit, and consti-
tuted an honourable person 2 Governor of York and Com-
mander-in-Chief of a very considerable party of horse and
foot for the defence of the county (for Sir Thomas Glemham
was then made Colonel-General, and marched into the field
with the army), he took his march to Newcastle in the begin-
ning of February 1^43, to give a stop to the Scots army :> .
Presently after his coming thither with some of his troops,
before his whole army was come up, he received intelligence
of the Scots army's near approach, whereupon he sent forth a
party of horse to view them, who found them very strong, to
the number of 22,000 horse and foot, well armed and com-
manded. They marched up towards the town with such con-
fidence, as if the gates had been opened for their reception ;
1 According to Warwick, the Marquis had some time before received notice from
the Marquis of Hamilton, that the Scots were at last going to inarch into Kngland, with
the recommendation to seize and garrison Carlisle and Berwick. He replied that this
would he against the treaty, and waited for instructions from Oxford. Whilst he w .tiled,
Berwick was occupied for the Parliament (Mttntrirs of Sir I'hilip Warwick, p. J<>7>-
This statement is confirmed l>y Unmet, Lifts of the Hamilton*, ed. iSsJ, p. 310. These
events apparently tcxik place in August and SeptemlxT im.
2 Colonel John Bcllasts (or Hellasyse), created Baron Belasyse of Worlaby Ijncs.
on 22. Jan. i(>.;'. There is a llriefe Relation of tht Life nn<i Memories of John Lord Hela-
syst, written by his secretary Joshua Moone, which is printed in the Refxvt on Ike .W.S.s".
o/ the Marquis o/ Ormonde at Kilkenny. It contains an account of his services as Governor
of York (vol. ii, pp. 383-4).
3 A full account of the progress of the Scotch army is Riven in Kushworth III, ii,
612 et seq. The Scots arrived before the town of Newcastle on February 3 ; the Mar-
quis entered the town the day before. A good account of all this righting round New-
castle is contained in lYofessor C. S. Terry ; Lift of Ale.iamltr Leslie, 181)0, pp. 185-
214.
F
34 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
ami the dencral of their army seemed to take no notice of my
Lord's being in it, for which afterwards he excused himself.
But as they drew near, they found not such entertainment
as they expected : for though they assaulted a work that was
not finished, yet they were beaten off with much loss.
The enemy being thus stopped before the town, thought fit
to quarter near it, in that part of the country ; and so soon as
my Lord's army was come up, he designed one night to have
fallen into their quarter ; but by reason of some neglect of his
orders in not giving timely notice to the party designed for it,
it took not an effect answerable to his expectation. In a word,
there were three designs taken against the enemy, whereof
if one had but hit, they would doubtless have been lost ; but
there was so much treachery, juggling, and falsehood in my
Lord's own army, that it was impossible for him to be success-
ful in his designs and undertakings. However, though it failed
in the enemy's foot-quarters, which lay nearest the town, yet
it took good effect in their horse-quarters, which were more
remote ; for my Lord's horse, commanded by a very gallant
and worthy gentleman l , falling upon them, gave them such
an alarm, that all they could do was to draw into the field,
where my Lord's forces charged them, and in a little time
routed them totally, and killed and took many prisoners,
to the 'number of i5oo 2 .
Upon this the enemy was forced to draw their whole army
together, and to quarter them a little more remote from the
town, and to seek out inaccessible places for their security, as
afterwards appeared more plainly ; for so soon as my Lord
had prepared his army for a march, he drew them forth against
the Scots, which he found quartered upon high hills close by
the river Tync, where they could not be encountered but upon
very disadvantageous terms ; besides, that day proved very
stormy and tempestuous, so that my Lord was necessitated
to withdraw his forces, and retire into his own quarters :1 .
1 The I...ni Lanitd.ile.
2 Tins skirmish t.-.k place on Moiul.iv, February s (Rushwortli III. ii. <<\ |) T>
of th<- Scots appears tn be exaggerated t>y the Ihichess. See also the Mt.-r
M.irquis and firner.il King, quoted in Appendix vii.
3 'Hie Scots marched from l>efore Newcastle on February 22. leaving a drl.n 1
to blockade the town ; thev passed the Tyne on February 2H, and entered Si ider-
land on March*4- See the letter of the Marquis in Appendix vii. I Miring the alter
part of the campaign the great aim of the Marquis was to cut off the supplies f tin-
Scots by means of his great superiority in cavalry. This lie partially eflri ted, ' s thai
sometimes their whole army had neither meat nor drink, and never had aliovc twenty-
Tlic First Book 35
The next day after, the Scots army, finding ill harbour in
those quarters, marched from hill to hill into another part
of the bishopric of Durham, near the sea coast, to a town called
Sundcrland ; and thereupon my Lord thought fit to march
to Durham to stop their further progress, where he had con-
trived the business so, that they were cither forced to fight
or starve within a little time. The first was offered to them
twice, that is to say, at Pensher hills one day, and at Bowden
hills another day, in the bishopric of Durham. But my Lord
found them at both times drawn up in such places, as he could
not possibly charge them 1 ; wherefore he retired again to
Durham, with an intention to straiten their quarters, and to
wait upon them, if ever they left their holds and inaccessible
places. In the meantime it happened that the Earl of Mon-
trosc came to the same place, and having some design for his
Majesty's service in Scotland, desired my Lord to give him
the assistance of some of his forces ; and although my Lord
stood then in present need of them, and could not conveniently
spare any, having so great an army to oppose, yet out of a
desire to advance his Majesty's service as much as lay in his
power, he was willing to part with 200 horse and dragoons
to the said earl -.
The Scots perceiving my Lord's vigilancy and care, con-
tented themselves with their own quarters, which could not
have served them long, but that a great misfortune befell my
Lord's forces in Yorkshire ; for the Governor whom he had
left behind with sufficient forces for the defence of that country,
although he had orders not to encounter the enemy, but to
keep himself in a defensive posture ; yet he being a man of
four hours' provision beforehand ' (Rushworth, p. 615.) Nevertheless, owing to the
severity of the season, Newcastle's army, and especially his cavalry, was greatly dimin-
ished in numbers and efficiency.
1 The Marquis offered battle on the 7th and 8th of March at Howden hills, near Sun-
ilerland, and again on the 23rd, 24th, and 2Sth of the same month at Hilton. An accom t
of the proceedings of these days from Mercurius Aulicus is given in the Appendix. Tl c
Marquis began his inarch bark to York on April ij.
2 Montrosc writes to Sir K. Spottisw<xxl from York on March 11, 1644 : 'At 01
arrival here, Ix-ing uncertain of all business, I direi ted Cornet I'orhrane to my I .or
Newcastle to learn the condition of alT.iiis. and inform him particularly of what
had to expert; which nece^sarilv occa-ioiu-d our stav here lor some davs. Mis retur
to us was, that for supplies he would dispense none for the present ; for monies he had
none, neither was he owing to the Lord Jermvn any ; for arms and ammunition 1
had not to the two parts of his own. but had been so long expecting them lx-vond se
as he was now out of hopes.' l-'inallv, Montrose followed Newcastle to Durham, and
obtained from him, according to Wishart, ' an hundred horse, and those \crv lean and
ill appointed, and two small brass field-pieces.' Napier's Mfmwijls >>/ Monirvsf, ii,
124.
36 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
great valour and courage, it transported him so much, that
he resolved to face the enemy, and offering to keep a town
that was not tenable 1 , was utterly routed, and himself taken
prisoner, although he fought most gallantly 2 .
So soon as my Lord received this sad intelligence, he upon
consultation, and upon very good grounds of reason, took a
resolution not to stay between the two armies of the enemy's,
viz. the Scots and the English, that had prevailed in York-
shire ; but immediately to march into Yorkshire with his
army, to preserve (if possible) the city of York out of the
enemy's hands : which retreat was ordered so well, and with
such excellent conduct, that though the army of the Scots
marched close upon their rear, and fought them every day
of their retreat, yet they gained several passes for their security
and entered safe and well into the city of York, in April 1643 3 .
My Lord being now at York, and finding three armies against
him, viz. the army of the Scots, the army of the English that
gave the defeat to the Governor of York, and an army that
was raised out of associate counties, and but little ammunition
and provision in the town, was forced to send his horse away
to quarter in several counties, viz. Derbyshire, Nottingham-
shire, Leicestershire, for their subsistence, under the conduct
of his Lieutcnant-dcneral of the Horse, my dear brother Sir
Charles Lucas, himself remaining at York, with his foot and
train for the defence of that city 4 .
1 Sclby in Yorkshire.
2 This defeat took place at Selby on April ir, 1644. Lord Fairfax's despatch is
given in Rushworth III, ii, f>iH. Sir Thomas gives an account of the battle in his Short
Memorial, Mast-res' Tracts, ii. Bellasis himself was taken prisoner with 1,600 men,
and his artillery and baggage.
3 Newcastle started on April 13, and arrived at York on April IQ. Next day Fair-
fax and l,oven joined at Tadcaster, and beleaguered the city, and on June 3 they were
joined by Manchester (Rushworth III, ii, 620). There is a good letter from Lord Fair-
fax to the committee of both kingdoms on these occurrences, printed from the Duke
of Mam -hosier's papers in Ihc l:\K.klh Report of tru Koyal Commission on Historical
Manuscripts, part ii, p. 60. See also Newcastle's letter of iKth April ; \Varburton 's
I'ntue Kupcrt, ii, 434. In the Report on the Kgltnton A/i'.S., p. 53, is a letter from a
Scotrh officer describing the pursuit.
Sir Charles Lucas had only recently received a command in Newcastle's armv.
He writes to Rupert from Doncaster on February 2, 1644, beginning ' Your Highness
having been pleased to dispense with my service to ! employed for a time in these
rarts, where I know not al first coming almost where I am ' etc. He continues : ' Here
live and move by the warmth of your liberal recommendations of me to my Lord
Marquis ol Newcastle ' ; ami ends by saving, that the Marquis has gone north, leaving
him IM-'UIK! with ;.ooo horse to protect the country, whilst Doncaster is l>eing forti-
tu-d (Warlmrton's I'rinte Rupert, vol. ii, p. 370). Luc.is joined Newcastle, with twelve
tr-iops of horse, near Sunderland, some time l>efore March '> (Rushworth III, ii, (us).
After parting from the Marquis, as described in the text, the Ixxly of horse. Lucas com-
manded passed under the command of Goring, and joined Rupert on his inarch to York.
The First Book 37
In the meantime, the enemy, having closely besieged the
city on all sides, came to the very gates thereof, and pulled out
the earth at one end, as those in the city put it in at the other
end ; they planted their great cannons against it, and threw
in granadocs at pleasure : but those in the city made several
sallies upon them with good success. At last, the General
of the Associate army of the enemy, having closely beleaguered
the north side of the town, sprung a mine under the wall of
the Manor Yard, and blew part of it up ; and having beaten
back the town forces (although they behaved themselves very
gallantly), entered the Manor House with a great number
of their men, which as soon as my Lord perceived, he went
away in all haste even to the amaxcmcnt of all that were by,
not knowing what he intended to do and drew So of his own
regiment of foot, called the White Coats, all stout and valiant
men, to that post, who fought the enemy with that courage,
that within a little time they killed and took 1,500 of them ;
and my Lord gave present order to make up the breach which
they had made in the wall *. Whereupon the enemy remained
without any other attempt in that kind, so long, till almost
all provision for the support of the soldiery in the city was
spent, which nevertheless was so well ordered by my Lord's
prudence, that no famine or great extremity of want ensued.
My Lord having held out in that manner above two months,
and withstood the strength of three armies ; and seeing that
his Licutenant-Gcncral of the Horse whom he had sent for
relief to his Majesty, could not so soon obtain it (although he
used his best endeavour), for to gain yet some little time, began
to treat with the enemy ; ordering in the meanwhile, and upon
the treaty, to double and treble his guards -. At last after
l The breach was made by the blowing up of St. Mary's Tower, whence the Manor
House was easily reached (Markh.im's l-'airftit, p. 14$). 'Hie assault was made pie-
inatnrelv, and in insufficient force, by deueral Crawford, who was eager to monopolise
the honour of the expected success. The Duchess greatly exaggerates the loss of the
besiegers, which Kushworth puts at a total of \oo (Rush worth IK, ii, ('?!> llailhe
blames ' the foolish rashness of Major Crawford, and his great vanitv to assault alone
the breach made by his mine, without the acquainting Lesley or Fairfax with it ' (/ fttfrs,
ii, K)s). Slingsbv, who was there, spraks only of 200 prisoners, and estimates the
strength of the storming party at soo (Mtnwirs, p. io>, oil. :).
- The Marquis made overtures for a tre.itv on June >S, and the negotiations were
carried on till the isth. The correspondence is printed in Kushworth 111, ii, (>- <>?!
Newcastle demanded that the garrison should be allowed to march out with arms, am-
munition, and hagyage, to join the King or I'lince Ku|M'it. These terms were of . ourse
refused by the besiegers, who sent counter-propositions, to which Newcastle replied:
' Mv I.OKI>S, I have |>eruscd the conditions and demands your Lordships sent ;
but when I considers! the many professions made to avoid the effusion of Christian
38 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
three months time from the beginning of the siege, his Majesty
was pleased to send an army, which, joining with my Lord's
horse that were sent to quarter in the aforesaid countries, came
to relieve the city under the conduct of the most gallant and
heroic Prince Rupert, his nephew ; upon whose approach near
York, the enemy drew from before the city into an entire body,
and marched away on the west side of the river Ouse, that runs
through the city, his Majesty's forces being then of the cast
side of that river l .
My Lord immediately sent some persons of quality to attend
his Highness, and to invite him into the city to consult with
him about that important affair, and to gain so much time
as to open a port to march forth with his cannon and foot
which were in the town, to join with his Highness' forces ;
and went himself the next day in person to wait on his High-
ness ; where, after some conferences, he declared his mind
to the Prince, desiring his Highness not to attempt anything
as yet upon the enemy ; for he had intelligence that there was
some discontent between them, and that they were resolved
to divide themselves, and so to raise the siege without fighting :
besides my Lord expected within two days Colonel Clcavering,
with above three thousand men out of the North, and two
thousand drawn out of several garrisons (who also came at the
same time, though it was then too late). But his Highness
answered my Lord, that he had a letter from his Majesty (then
at Oxford), with a positive and absolute command to fight
the enemy ; which in obedience, and according to his duty he
was bound to perform 2 . Whereupon my Lord replied, That
blood, I did admire to sec such propositions from your Lordships, conceiving this not
tin: way to it ; for I cannot suppose that your Lordships do imagine, that persons of
honour can possibly condescend to any of these propositions, and so remain, my Lords,
your Lordships' most humble servant,
' WILL NEWCASTLI .
' YORK, is/A June 1644.'
1 The' siege was raised on July i. The allied army were retreating towards T.ul-
caster on July 2, when Rupert's pursuit forced them to halt and give battle. A letter
from Newcastle to Kupertoii the raising of the siege is printed in the I'ythoutr l'af><rs,p. i<i.
Kupert and Newcastle did not meet till the morning of the fight. A detailed account
of the preliminaries of the battle is given in Sir Hugh Cliolmlev's Mf mortals touching
the battle of York, which is printed in The /-.Mg/iiA Ilisloriral AYrici.' lor April ihyo,
p. US.
'* Ihe King's letter is printed in the Nicholas correspondence at the end of Lvclvn's
l>iar\, iv, i s^, and in \Varburtou 's I'rincr Rupert and the ('m-alirrs, ii, 4 \7- The King's
words are : If York be lost I shall esteem my crown little less ; unless supported bv
your sudden inarch to me ; and a miraculous conquest in the south, bvforc the rflects
of their northern power can be found here. Hut if York be relieved, and you l>eat the
rebel's army of both kingdoms, which arc before it ; then (but otherwise not) I may
The First Book 39
he was ready and willing, for his part, to obey his Highness
in all things, no otherwise than if his Majesty was there in ]>er-
son himself ; and though several of my Lord's friends advised
him not to engage in battle, because the command (as they
said) was taken from him : yet my Lord answered them, that
happen what would, he would not shun to fight, for he had
no other ambition but to live and die a loyal subject to his
Majesty.
Then the Prince and my Lord conferred with several of their
officers, amongst whom there were several disputes concerning
the advantages which the enemy had of sun, wind, and ground.
The horse of his Majesty's forces was drawn up in both wings
upon that fatal moor called Hcssom Moor ; and my Lord asked
his Highness what service he would be pleased to command
him ; who returned this answer, that he would begin no action
upon the enemy till early in the morning ; desiring my Lord
to repose himself till then. Which my Lord did, and went to
rest in his own coach that was close by in the field, until the
time appointed 1 .
Not long had my Lord been there, but he heard a great
noise and thunder of shooting, which gave him notice of the
armies being engaged. Where upon he immediately put on
possibly make a shift (upon the defensive) to spin out time until you come to assist
me. Wherefore, I command and conjure you, bv 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. 13ut if that In- either
lost, or have freed themselves from the besiegers, or that for want of powder vim cannot
undertake that work, that you immediately march with your whole strength directly
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 must infallibly be use-
less unto me.' The letter is dated ' Ticknell, June 14, 1(144 '.
1 There is an interesting account of this discussion amongst the Clarendon State Vapfrs
(No. 1805), which Dr. Gardiner was kind enough to point out to me. It is a paper of
rough notes on the northern campaign, drawn up by Clarendon himself, and based,
no doubt, on the information of some of the persons concerned in it.
' The next morning the Marquis went out of the city to attend the Prince, and found
him upon his march and the eneiiiy^having placed themselves upon a hill ; and when
the Marquis overtook the Prince they both alighted, and after salutations went ag.iin
to horse, and the Prince said " My Lord, I hope we shall have a glorious day. So the
Karl asked whether he meant to put it to a day, and urged many reasons against it ;
the Prince replied " Nothing venture, nothing have " etc. Several persons had that
morning re|X>rted that the Prince had an absolute commission to command those parts,
and that the Marquis's power was at an end. When Major-General King came up
Prince Rupert showed the Marquis and the Karl a paper, which he said was the draught
of the battle as he meant to tight it, and asked them what they thought of it. King
answered " By (iod, sir, it is very fine in the paper, but there is no such thing in the
fields." The Prince replied " Not so " etc. The Marquis asked the lYince wh.it he
would do? His Highness answered "We will charge them to-morrow morning."
My Lord asked him, whether he were sure the enemy would not fall on them sooner ;
he answered No ; and the Marquis gi>es to his coach hard by, and calling for a pipe
of tobacco, before he could take it the enemy charged, and instantly all the lYince 's
horse were routed. Coring beat the other wing, etc/
40 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
his arms, and was no sooner got on horseback, but he beheld
a dismal sight of the horse of his Majesty's right wing, which
out of a panic fear had left the field, and run away with all the
speed they could ; and though my Lord made them stand once
yet they immediately betook themselves to their heels again,
and killed even those of their own party that endeavoured
to stop them. The left wing in the meantime, commanded
by those two valiant persons, the Lord Goring and Sir Charles
Lucas, having the better of the enemy's right wing, which they
beat back most valiantly three times, and made their general
retreat, insomuch that they sounded victory.
In this confusion my Lord (accompanied only with his
brother Sir Charles Cavendish, Major Scot, Captain Mazine 1 ,
and his page), hastening to see in what posture his own regi-
ment was, met with a troop of gentlemen volunteers, who
formerly had chosen him their captain, notwithstanding he was
general of an army ; to whom my Lord spake after this manner.
' Gentlemen ', said he, ' you have done me the honour to choose
me your captain, and now is the fittest time that I may do you
service ; wherefore if you will follow me, I shall lead you on the
best I can, and show you the way to your own honour.' They
being as glad of my Lord's proffer as my Lord was of their
readiness, went on with the greatest courage ; and passing
through two bodies of foot, engaged with each other not at
forty yards' distance, received not the least hurt, although
they fired quick upon each other ; but marched towards a
Scots regiment of foot, which they charged and routed ; in
which encounter my Lord himself killed three with his page's
half-leaden sword, for he had no other left him ; and though
all the gentlemen in particular offered him their swords, yet
my Lord refused to take a sword of any of them. At last, after
they had passed through this regiment of foot, a pikeman
made a stand to the whole troop ; and though my Lord
charged him twice or thrice, yet he could not enter 2 him ; but
the troop despatched him soon.
In all these encounters my Lord got not the least hurt,
though several were slain about him ; and his \Vhitc Coats
showed such an extraordinary valour and courage in that
action, that they were killed in rank and file. And here I can-
1 Captain Marine,' the old great horseman,' died in 1677. Senile rorrcs/wmfrnrr, p. fij.
2 lintcr. i.e. get within his guard.
The First Book 41
not but mention by the way, that it is remarkable, that in all
actions and undertakings where my Lord was in person him-
self, he was always victorious, and prospered in the execution
of his designs ; but whatsoever was lost or succeeded ill, hap-
pened in his absence, and was caused cither by the treachery
or negligence and carelessness of his officers.
My Lord being last in the field, and seeing that all was lost,
and that every one of his Majesty's party made their escapes
in the best manner they could ; lie being, moreover, inquired
after by several of his friends, who had all a great love and
respect for my Lord, especially by the then Earl of Crawford
(who loved my Lord so well that he gave 2os. to one that
assured him of his being alive and safe, telling him, that that
was all he had), went towards York late at night, accompanied
only with his brother and one or two of his servants ; and
coming near the town, met his Highness Prince Rupert, with
the Licutenant-Gcneral of the Army, the Lord Ethyn. His
Highness asked my Lord how the business went ? To whom
he answered, that all was lost and gone on their side 1 .
That night my Lord remained in York ; and having nothing
left in his power to do his Majesty any further service in that
kind ; for he had neither ammunition, nor money to raise more
forces, to keep cither York, or any other towns that were yet
in his Majesty's devotion, well knowing that those which
were left could not hold out long, and being also loath to have
aspersions cast upon him, that he did sell them to the enemy,
in case he could not keep them, he took a resolution, and that
justly and honourably, to forsake the kingdom ; and to that
end, went the next morning to the Prince, and acquainted him
with his design, desiring his Highness would be pleased to give
this true and just report of him to his Majesty, that he had
behaved himself like an honest man, a gentleman, and a loyal
subject. Which request the Prince having granted, my Lord
took his leave ; and being conducted by a troop of horse and
a troop of dragoons to Scarborough, went to sea. and took
1 Warburton quotes from Rupert's Diary the following Boles of this conversation :
S.ivs Cieneral King ' \\hat will you do ? ' Says the lYince ' I will rally my men.' Savs
[ Lord Newcastle will do ? ' (' Now what will you. Lord
(ieneral King ' Now you wh;
Newcastle, do ? ') Says I.o r
lost. The Prince would ha
' I will not endure the laugl
\Varlmrtou 's I'rince Rupert,
G
1 Newcastle ' 1 will go to Holland ', looking upon all as
e him endeavour to recruit his forces. ' No ', savs he,
er of the court ', and King said he would go with him.
42 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
shipping for Hamburgh ! the gentry of the country, who also
came to take -their leaves of my Lord, being much troubled
at his departure, and speaking very honourably of him, as
surely they had no reason to the contrary *.
' Clarendon severely blames both Rupert and Newcastle. ' This may be said of
it, that the like was never done or heard or read of before ; that two great generals,
whereof one had still a good army left, his horse, by their not having performed their
duty, remaining upon the matter entire, and much the greater part of his foot having
retired into the town, the great execution having fallen upon the northern foot ; and
the other having the absolute commission over the northern counties, and very many
considerable places in them still remaining under his obedience, should both agree in
nothing else but in leaving that good ally and the whole country as a prey to the enemy.
. . All that can be said for the Marquis is, that he was utterly tired with a condition
and employment so contrary to his humour, nature, and education ; that he did ot
at all consider the means or the way that would let him out of it, and free him for e er
from having more to do with it. . . The strange manner of the lYince's coming, a id
undeliberated throwing himself and all the King's hopes into that sudden and unnec -s-
sary engagement, by which all the force the Marquis had raised, and with so ma iv
difficulties preserved, was in a moment cast away and destroyed, so transported h m
with passion and despair that he could not compose himself to think of beginning the
work again, and involving himself in the same undelightful condition of life, from which
he might now be free.' Clarendon, Rehellion, viii, 76-87.
Sir Hugh Cholmley, in his Memorials touching the battle of York, says : ' General
King, considering the King's affairs absolutely destroyed by loss of this battle, per-
suaded the Marquis, against all the power of his other friends, to quit the kingdom.'
-A discussion of the different questions connected with the history of the battle, and
a' critical examination of the various contemporary accounts, are to be found in a paper
on Marston Moor in the Transactions of the Royal Historical Society for 1898 (New Series,
vol. xii).
THE SECOND BOOK
HAVING hitherto faithfully related the life of my noble Lord
and husband, and the chief actions which he performed during
the time of his being employed in his Majesty's service for the
good and interest of his King and country, until the time of
his going out of England, I shall now give you a just account
of all that passed during the time of his banishment till the
return into his native country.
My Lord being a wise man, and foreseeing well what the loss
of that fatal battle upon Hcssam Moor, near York, would pro-
duce, by which not only those of his Majesty's party in the
northern parts of the kingdom, but in all other parts of his
Majesty's dominions, both in England, Scotland, and Ire-
land, were lost and undone, and that there was no other
way but cither to quit the kingdom or submit to the enemy,
or die, he resolved upon the former, and preparing for his
journey, asked his steward how much money he had left ;
who answered that he had but go. My Lord, not being at all
startled at so small a sum, although his present design required
much more, was resolved to seek his fortune, even with that
little; and thereupon, having taken leave of his Highness
Prince Rupert and the rest that were present, went to Scar-
borough (as before is mentioned), where two ships were pre-
pared for Hamburgh to set sail within twenty-four hours,
in which he embarked with his company, and arrived in four
days' time to the said city, which was on the 8th of July 1044.
In one of these ships was my Lord, with his two sons, Charles
Viscount Mansfield and Lord Henry Cavendish now Earl of
Ogle ; as also Sir Charles Cavendish, my Lord's brother : the
then Lord Bishop of Londonderry, Dr. Hramhall : the Lord
Falconbridgc ; the Lord Widdrington : Sir William Carnaby,
who after died at Paris, and his brother Mr. Francis Carnaby,
who went presently in the same ship back again for England,
and soon after was slain by the enemy near Shei borne, in York-
44 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
shire ; besides many of my Lord's and their servants. In the
other ship was the Earl of Ethyn, Lieutenant General of my
Lord's Army, and the Lord Cornworth 1 . But before my Lord
landed at Hamburgh, his eldest son Charles, Lord Mansfield,
fell sick of the smallpox ; and not long after his younger son,
Henry, now Earl of Ogle, fell likewise dangerously ill of the
measles ; but it pleased God that they both happily recovered.
My Lord, finding his company and charge very great, al-
though he sent several of his servants back again into England,
and having no means left to maintain him, was forced to seek
for credit ; where at last he got so much as would in part
relieve his necessities ; and whereas heretofore he had been
contented, for want of a coach, to make use of a waggon, when
his occasions drew him abroad, he was now able (with the credit
he had got) to buy a coach and nine horses of an Holsatian
breed ; for which horses he paid 160, and was afterwards
offered for one of them an hundred pistoles at Paris, but he
refused the money, and presented seven of them to her Majesty
the Queen-Mother of England, and kept two for his own use.
After my Lord had stayed in Hamburgh from July 1644, till
February 1645 2 , he being resolved to go into France, went
by sea from Hamburgh to Amsterdam, and from thence to
Rotterdam, where he sent one of his servants with a compli-
ment and tender of his humble service to her Highness the
then Princess Royal, the Queen of Bohemia, the Princess
I At Sherlxirne, on October 15, 1645, Colonel Copley defeated Lord Digby and Sir
Mannaduke Langdale on their way from Newark to join Montrose in Scotland. Colonel
Sir 1-ramis Carnaby is in the list of slain given by Vicars (liuming Hush, 2<y}). Lord
Widdrington, before mentioned in this Memoir, p. 29, was slain in Lord Derby's defeat
at Holton in 1651. Clarendon speaks of him thus: 'The Lord \Viddrington was one
of the most gtxxlly persons of that age, being near the head higher than most tall men,
and a gentleman of the l>est and most ancient extraction of the county of Northumber-
land, and of a very fair fortune, and one of the four which the last king made choice
nf to ! alxmt the person of his son the prince, as gentleman of his privy-chamber, when
he first erected his family. . . As soon as the war broke out, he was of the lirst who
r.iiM-d both horse and foot at his own charge, and served eminently with them under
the Marquis of Newcastle, from whom he had a very particular and entire friendship,
.is he was very nearly allied to him ; and by his testimony that he had performed many
signal services, he was, about the middle of the war, made a peer of the realm. ' Rr-
lirlltnn xiii, OH. Clarendon concludes by saying ' He was a man of great courage and
choler '.
\jirA Cornworth, or rather Robert Dal/ell, second Karl of Carnwath, was the Scottish
peer who seized the King's bridle rein at Naseby, and prevented him heading a last
charge. Clarendon. Relirllivn, \\. 40.
'i While at H.iniburg Newcastle wrote to his old pupil Prince Charles, then nominally
commanding the royal army in the west of England, congratulating him on tx-ing made
a general. ' It is no small < omfort,' he said, ' to me and mine, that we have lived to sec
von a man : and could I see but peace in our Israel, truly then I care not hw soon
death closes my eyes '- I'ortlaml .U.S.S., ii, 134.
The Second Book 45
Dowager of Orange, and the Prince of Orange, which was
received with much kindness and civility.
From Rotterdam he directed his journey to Antwerp, and
from thence, with one coach, one chariot, and two waggons, he
went to Mechlin and Brussels, where he received a visit from
the Governor, the Marquis of Castle Kodrigo, the Duke of
Lorraine, and Count Piccolomini.
From thence he set forth for Valenciennes and Cambray,
where the Governor of the town used my Lord with great
respect and civility, and desired him to give the word that
night. Thence he went to Pcronnc, a frontier town in France
(where the Vicc-Govcrnor, in absence of the Governor of that
place, did likewise entertain my Lord with all respect, and
desired him to give the word that night), and so to Paris with-
out any further stay.
My Lord being arrived at Paris, which was in April 1645,
immediately went to tender his humble duty to her Majesty,
the Queen-Mother of Fngland, where it was my fortune to sec
him the first time, I being then one of the Maids of Honour
to her Majesty ; and after he had stayed there some time,
he was pleased to take some particular notice of me, and ex-
press more than an ordinary affection for me ; insomuch that
he resolved to choose me for his second wife 1 . For he, having
but two sons, purposed to marry me, a young woman that
might prove fruitful to him and increase his posterity by a
masculine offspring. Nay, he was so desirous of male issue
that I have heard him say he cared not (so God would be
pleased to give him many sons) although they came to be per-
sons of the meanest fortunes ; but God (it seems) had ordered
it otherwise, and frustrated his designs by making me barren,
which yet did never lessen his love and affection for me.
After my Lord was married, having no estate or means left
him to maintain himself and his family, he was necessitated to
seek for credit, and live upon the courtesy of those that were
pleased to trust him ; which, although they did for some
while, and showed themselves very civil to my Lord, yet they
grew weary at length, insomuch that his steward was forced
one time to tell him that he was not able to provide a dinner
1 Tlii-v wen 1 iturrii'il in Sir kifh.ml Urowiu-'s rli.ijvl .it T.uis (Kvvl vn's Di.trv, vol.
ii, p. .M;, t - 1. WliiMtli-y). Tin- in.irn.i-!- to-.k pl.uv .itxml Dov.vir.biT 1045 (/W.'/iiu./
46 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
for him, for his creditors were resolved to trust him no longer.
My Lord, being always a great master of his passions, was
at least showed himself not in any manner troubled at it,
but in a pleasant humour told me that I must of necessity pawn
my clothes to make so much money as would procure a dinner.
I answered that my clothes would be but of small value, and
therefore desired my waiting-maid 1 to pawn some small toys
which I had formerly given her, which she willingly did. The
same day, in the afternoon, my Lord spake himself to his
creditors, and both by his civil deportment and persuasive
arguments, obtained so much that they did not only trust him
for more necessaries, but lent him money besides to redeem
those toys that were pawned. Hereupon I sent my waiting-
maid into England to my brother, the Lord Lucas, for that
small portion which was left me, and my Lord also immediately
after despatched one of his servants 2 , who was then governor
to his sons, to some of his friends, to try what means he could
procure for his subsistence. But though he used all the
industry and endeavour he could, yet he effected but little, by
reason everybody was so afraid of the Parliament that they
durst not relieve him who was counted a traitor for his honest
and loyal service to his King and country.
Not long after, my Lord had proffers made him of some rich
matches in England for his two sons, whom, therefore, he sent
thither with one Mr. Loving, hoping by that means to provide
both for them and himself ; but they, being arrived there,
out of some reasons best known to them, declared their unwil-
lingness to marry as yet, continuing, nevertheless, in England
and living as well as they could :t .
Some two years after my Lord's marriage, when he had pre-
vailed so far with his creditors that they began to trust him
anew, the first thing he did was, that he removed out of those
lodgings in Paris where he had been necessitated to live hither-
to, to a house which he hired for himself and his family, and
furnished it as well as his new-gotten credit would permit ;
and withal, resolving for his own recreation and divcrtisemcnt,
in his banished condition, to exercise the art of manage, which
I Mrs. Chaplain, now Mr<. Top. 2 Mr. Benni-t.
3 Charles Viscount M.inslield m.irried the eldest daughter and li.-ir of Mr. Kiih.ird
Rogers; Henry, afterwards Karl of Ogle married a daughter of Mr. \\illi.ini 1'ierre-
pont, who is so frequently mentioned by Mrs. Ilutchinson. but sec Section if>, in Hook
111, of this Memoir, which treats of the Duke's pedigree.
The Second Book 47
he is a great lover and master of, bought a Barbary horse for
that purpose, which cost him 2<x> pistoles, and, soon after
another Barbary horse from the Lord Crofts for which he was
to pay him /ux) when he returned into England.
About this time there was a council called at St. Germain,
in which were present, besides my Lord, her Majesty the now
Ouccn-Mothcr of England ; his Highness the Prince, our now
gracious King ; his cousin Prince Rupert ; the Marquis of
Worcester ; the then Marquis, now Duke of Ormond ; the
Lord Jcrmyn, now Earl of St. Albans, and several others ;
where, after several debates concerning the then present con-
dition of his Majesty King Charles the First, my Lord delivered
his sentiment, that he could perceive no other probability
of procuring forces for his Majesty but an assistance of the
Scots. But her Majesty was pleased to answer my Lord that
he was too quick.
Not long after, when my Lord had begun to settle himself
in his mentioned new house, his gracious master the Prince
having taken a resolution to go into Holland upon some designs,
her Majesty the Queen-Mother desired my Lord to follow him,
promising to engage for his debts which hitherto he had con-
tracted at Paris, and commanding her Controller ! and Trea-
surer 2 to be bound for them in her behalf ; which they did,
although the creditors would not content themselves until
my Lord had joined his word to theirs. So great and generous
was the bounty and favour of her Majesty to my Lord ! con-
sidering she had already given him heretofore near upon 2(^00
sterling, even at the time when her Majesty stood most in need
of it.
My Lord, after his Highness the Prince was gone, being reach-
to execute her Majesty's commands in following him and pre-
paring for his journey, wanted the chief thing, which was
money ; and having much endeavoured for it, at last had
the good fortune to obtain upon credit three or four hundred
pounds sterling ; with which sum he set out of Paris in the
same equipage he entered, viz. one coach, which he had newly
caused to be made (wherein were the Lord YViddrington. my
Lord's brother, Sir Charles Cavendish, Mr. Loving, my waiting-
maid, and some others, whereof the two latter were then
returned out of England), one little chariot that would only
i Sir Hcury Wood. 'J Sir KiclidrJ roster.
48 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
hold my Lord and myself ; and three waggons, besides an indif-
ferent number of servants on horseback.
That day, when \ve left Paris, the creditors, coining to take
their farewell of my Lord, expressed so great a love and kind-
ness for him, accompanied with so many hearty prayers and
wishes, that he could not but prosper on his journey.
Being come into the King of Spain's dominions, my Lord
found a very noble reception. At Cambray the Governor was
so civil that my Lord coming to that place somewhat late, and
when it was dark, he commanded some lights and torches
to meet my Lord and conduct him to his lodgings. He offered
my Lord the keys of the city, and desired him to give the word
that night, and, moreover, invited him to an entertainment
which he had made for him of purpose ; but it being late, my
Lord (tired with his journey) excused himself as civilly as he
could ; the Governor notwithstanding being pleased to send
all manner of provisions to my Lord's lodgings, and charging
our landlord to take no pay for anything we had : which extra-
ordinary civilities showed that he was a right noble Spaniard.
The next morning early my Lord went on his journey, and
was very civilly used in every place of his Majesty of Spain's
dominions where he arrived. At last coming to Antwerp, he
took water to Rotterdam (which town he chose for his rcsiding-
place during the time of his stay in Holland), and sent thither
to a friend of his \ a gentleman of quality, to provide him some
lodgings ; which he did, and procured them at the house of one
Mrs. Beynham, widow to an English merchant who had always
been very loyal to his Majesty the King of England, and ser-
viceable to his Majesty's faithful subjects in whatsoever lay
in his power 2 .
My Lord, being come to Rotterdam, was informed that his
Highness the Prince (now our gracious King) was gone to sea.
Wherefore he resolved to follow him, and for that purpose
hired a boat, and victualled it ; but since nobody knew whither
his Highness was gone, and I being unwilling that my Lord
should venture upon so uncertain a voyage, and (as the proverb
is) seek a needle in a bottle of hay, he desisted from that design.
The Lord Widdrington, nevertheless, and Sir William Throck-
1 Sir William Throrkrnorton, Knight.
2 lYfibnlily the widow of Throphilus Baynh.im, concerning whom SOP the Journals
o/ the Hume of J^/riis, July 6, 1644.
The Second Book 49
morton, being resolved to find out the Prince, but having by a
storm been driven towards the coast of Scotland, and endan-
gered their lives, they returned without obtaining their aim l .
After some little time, my Lord having notice that the Prince
was arrived at the Hague, he went to wait on his Highness
(which he also did afterwards at several times, so long as his
Highness continued there), expecting some opportunity where
he might be able to show his readiness to serve his King and
country, as certainly there was no little hopes for it ; for, first
it was believed that the English fleet would come and render
itself into the obedience of the Prince ; next, it was reported
that the Duke of Hamilton was going out of Scotland with a
great army, into England, to the assistance of his Majesty,
and that his Majesty had then some party at Colchester.
But it pleased God that none of these proved effectual ; for the
fleet did not come in, the Duke of Hamilton's army was des-
troyed, and Colchester was taken by the enemy, where my dear
brother, Sir Charles Lucas, and his dear friend, Sir George Lisle,
were most inhumanly murdered and shot to death, they being
both valiant and heroic persons, good soldiers, and most loyal
subjects to his Majesty ; the one an excellent commander
of horse, the other of foot 2 .
My Lord having now lived in Rotterdam almost six months,
at a great charge, keeping an open and noble table for all
comers, and being pleased especially to entertain such as were
excellent soldiers and noted commanders of war, whose kind-
ness he took as a great obligation, still hoping that some
occasion would happen to invite those worthy persons into
50 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
England to serve his Majesty ; but seeing no probability of
cither returning into England or doing his Majesty any service
in that kind, he resolved to retire to some place where he
might live privately ; and having chosen the city of Antwerp
for that purpose, went to the Hague to take his leave of his
Highness the Prince, our now gracious Sovereign. My Lord
had then but a small stock of money left ; for though the then
Marquis of Hertford (after Duke of Somerset) and his cousin-
gcrman, once removed, the now Earl of Devonshire had lent
him ^2000 between them ; yet all that was spent, and above
1000 more, which my Lord borrowed during the time he lived
in Rotterdam, his expense being the more, by reason (as I
mentioned) he lived freely and nobly.
However my Lord, notwithstanding that little provision
of money he had, set forth from Rotterdam to Antwerp, where
for some time he lay in a public inn, until one of his friends
that had a great love and respect for my Lord, Mr. Endymion
Porter, who was Groom of the Bed-chamber to his Majesty
King Charles the First (a place not only honourable, but very
profitable) being not willing that a person of such quality as
my Lord should lie in a public-house, proffered him lodgings
at the house where he was, and would not let my Lord be at
quiet, until he had accepted of them 1 .
My Lord, after he had stayed some while there, endeavouring
to find out a house for himself which might fit him and his
small family (for at that time he had put off most of his train),
and also be for his own content, lighted on one that belonged
to the widow of a famous picture-drawer, Van Ruben, 2 which
he took.
About this time my Lord was much necessitated for money,
which forced him to try several ways for to obtain so much
as would relieve his present wants. At last Mr. Aylcsbury,
the only son to Sir Thomas Aylcsbury, Knight and Baronet,
and brother to the now Countess of Clarendon, a very worthy
gentleman 3 , and great friend to my Lord, having some moneys
that belonged to the now Duke of Buckingham, and seeing
1 S<v The Life ami I.rttrrs n/ Ktulvmion I'ortcr, l>v D-
2 This ' pi< ture-drawer ' w;is Kiilx-ns. Mr. Lower
niiiviiiii. which thr Dnko afterwards purchased for (\
1 William A vlrsl.ury. thr translator c.f Davila's lit
l>rn idis. died !'>,'>. llvcli- in. mud his sister IT.IIII
u/ \ali<mal llio^raf'hy, vol. ii.
rothe.i Towtisheiid, iSi,7, p. 25
.
nf Ihf Civil M'ars "/ I-'rantr,
SIT his life- in the Uicliotiary
The Second Book 51
my Lord in so great distress, did him the favour to lend him
/2(X) (which money my Lord since his return hath honestly
and justly repaid). This relief came so seasonably, that it
got my Lord credit in the city of Antwerp, whereas otherwise
he would have lost himself to his great disadvantage ; for my
Lord having hired the house afore-mentioned, and wanting
furniture for it, was credited by the citi/cns for as many
goods as he was pleased to have, as also for meat and drink,
and all kind of necessaries and provisions, which certainly
was a special blessing of God, he being not only a stranger in
that nation, but, to all appearance, a ruined man.
After my Lord had been in Antwerp some time, where he
lived as retiredly as it was possible for him to do, he gained
much love and respect of all that knew or had any business
with him. At the beginning of our coming thither, we found
but few English (except those that were merchants) but
afterwards their number increased much, especially of persons
of quality ; and whereas at first there were no more but four
coaches that went the Tour ', viz. the Governor's of the
Castle, my Lord's, and two more, they amounted to the
number of above a hundred, before we went from thence ;
for all those that had sufficient means, and could go to the
price, kept coaches, and went the Tour for their own pleasure.
And certainly I cannot in duty and conscience but give this
public testimony to that place. That whereas I have ob-
served, that most commonly such towns or cities where the
prince of that country does not reside himself, or where there
is no great resort of the chief nobility and gentry, arc but
little civilised ; certainly, the inhabitants of the said city of
Antwerp are the civilest and best-behaved people that ever
I saw. So that my Lord lived there with as much content
as a man of his condition could do, and his chief pastime
and divertiscment consisted in the manage of the two afore-
mentioned horses ; which he had not enjoyed long, but the
Barbary horse, for which he paid JIH> pistoles in Paris, died,
and soon alter the horse which he had from the Lord Crofts :
and though he wanted present means to repair these his
losses, yet he endeavoured and obtained so much credit at
' I'lu- Puclu'ss, in her l.i/f, explains tliis to signily ilri\in altMit tin- town ai.il thr
principal streets in a coach, ' which wr call here a Toiir, when- all tin- ihiel of the t wn
go to see and be seen, likewise all strangers, of what quality soever '.
52 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
last that he was able to buy two others, and by degrees so
many as amounted in all to the number of eight. In which
he took so much delight and pleasure, that though he was
then in distress for money, yet he would sooner have tried all
other ways, than parted with any of them ; for I have heard
him say, that good horses are so rare, as not to be valued for
money, and that he who would buy him out of his pleasure
(meaning his horses), must pay dear for it. For instance I
shall mention some passages which happened when my Lord
was in Antwerp.
First, a stranger coming thither, and seeing my Lord's horses,
had a great mind to buy one of them, which my Lord loved
above the rest, and called him his favourite, a fine Spanish
horse ; entreating my Lord's escuyer to acquaint him with
his desire, and ask the price of the said horse. My Lord,
when he heard of it, commanded his servant, that if the chap-
man returned, he should be brought before him ; which being
done accordingly, my Lord asked him, whether he was re-
solved to buy his Spanish horse ? Yes, answered he, my
Lord, and I'll give your Lordship a good price for him. I
make no doubt of it, replied my Lord, or else you shall not
have him : but you must know, said he, that the price of
that horse is 1000 to-day, to-morrow it will be 2000, next
day ^3000, and so forth. By which the chapman perceiving
that my Lord was unwilling to part with the said horse for
any money,* took his leave, and so went his ways.
The next was, that the Duke de Guise, who was also a
great lover of good horses, hearing much commendation of a
grey leaping horse, which my Lord then had, told the gentle-
man that praised and commended him, that if my Lord was
willing to sell the said horse, he would give 600 pistoles for
him. The gentleman knowing my Lord's humour, answered
again, that he was confident my Lord would never part with
him for any money, and to that purpose sent a letter to my
Lord from Paris ; but my Lord was so far from selling that
horse, that he was displeased to hear that any price should be
offered for him : so great a love hath my Lord for good horses !
And certainly I have observed, and do verily believe, that
some of them had also a particular love to my Lord ; for they
seemed to rejoice whensoever he came into the stables, by
their trampling action, and the noise they made ; nay, they
The Second Book 53
would go much better in the manage 1 when my Lord was by,
than when he was absent ; and when he rid them himself,
tfliey seemed to take much pleasure and pride in it. But of
all sorts of horses, my Lord loved Spanish horses and barbs
best ; saying, that Spanish horses were like princes, and barbs
like gentlemen, in their kind. And this was the chief recrea-
tion and pastime my Lord had in Antwerp.
I will now return to my former discourse, and the relation
of some important affevirs and actions which happened about
this time. His Majesty (our now gracious King, Charles the
Second) some time after he was gone out of Holland, and
returned into France, took his journey from thence to Breda
(if I remember well) to treat there with his subjects of Scotland,
who had then made some offers of agreement 2 . My Lord,
according to his duty, went thither to wait on his Majesty,
and was there in council with his Majesty, his Highness the
then Prince of Orange, his Majesty's brother-in-law, and
some other privy-counsellors ; in which, after several debates
concerning that important affair, his Highness the Prince of
Orange, and my Lord, agreed in one opinion, viz. that they
could perceive no other and better way at that present for
his Majesty, but to make an agreement with his subjects of
Scotland, upon any condition, and to go into Scotland in
person himself, that he might but be sure of an army, there
being no probability or appearance then of getting an army
anywhere else. Which counsel, cither out of the then alleged
1 Manage wa/k^, riding-school.
2 These negotiations t<x>k place at lireda, in the spring of 1650. Charles sailed (or
Scotland on June 2. In his letter from Jersey to the Kstates of Scotland Charles had
fixed March 15 for the opening of the negotiations (Carte, Original Letters, i, T>f>).
Nicholas writes to Ormonde on April 3, 1(150 : ' 'Hie King hath lately sworn of his Privy
Council here, the Dukes of Buckingham and Hamilton and the Marquis of Newcastle '
(P-376). According to Dovle's Official H irixKiiy, Newcastle entered the Council on April
(>, 1650. Hopton and Nicholas were excluded from the Council for opposing the con-
cessions made by the King to the Scots. Hyde, referring to this, writes to Nicholas :
' You have a very precious junto to determine concerning three kingdoms ; you will
find the Marquis of Newcastle a very lamentable man, and as lit to be a general as a
bishop, but I doubt though you choose officers you are not in the way of raising armies. '
Clarendon Sla/f rupfrs, iii, ;o.
Hyde was at Madrid during this treaty, but his letters show that he was thoroughly
opposed to the policy which dictated it. ' What secret spirit possesses the hearts of
all the King's party, that from all parts thev cry out "Agree with the Scots upon ativ
terms '. It were as possible for me to rebel as to govern myself bv those senseless
savings ; and yet people of all kinds sing that tune.' If any agreement was to lx> made
with the Scots, it ought to be straightforward and sincere. The Scots re.Hiiretl the
acceptance of the Covenant. Hopton and Nicholas urged the King to refuse ; others
urged that the King should take it and break it afterwards, which Clarendon char-
acterised as ' such folly and atheism that we should K- ashamed to avow it or think
it.' Cliirt'iuliHi S/<it<- /'ij/vrs, iii, is.
54 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
reasons, or some others best known to his Majesty, was em-
braced : his Majesty agreeing with the Scots so far (notwith-
standing they were so unreasonable in their treaty, that his
Majesty had hardly patience to hear them), that he resolved
to go into Scotland in person ; and though my Lord had an
earnest desire to wait on his Majesty thither, yet the Scots
would not suffer him to come, or be in any part of that kingdom.
Wherefore, out of his loyalty and duty, he gave his Majesty
the best advice he could, viz. that he conceived it most safe
for his Majesty to adhere to the Earl of Argyle's part}-, which
he supposed to be the strongest ; but especially, to reconcile
Hamilton's and Argylc's party, and compose the differences
between them ; for then his Majesty would be sure of two
parties, whereas otherwise he would leave an enemy behind
him, which might cause his overthrow, and endanger his
Majesty's person ; and if his Majesty could but get the power
into his own hands, he might do hereafter what he pleased.
His Majesty being arrived in Scotland, ordered his affairs
so wisely, that soon after he got an army to march with him
into England ; but whether they were all loyal, is not for me
to dispute. However, Argylc was discontented, as it appeared
by two complaining letters he sent to my Lord, which my
Lord gave his Majesty notice of l ; so that only the Duke of
Hamilton went with his Majesty, who fought and died like a
valiant man, and a loyal subject. In this fight between the
English and Scots, his Majesty expressed an extraordinary
courage ; and though his army was in a manner destroyed,
yet the glory of an heroic prince remained with our gracious
sovereign.
In the meantime, whilst his Majesty was yet in Scotland,
and before he marched with his army into England, it hap-
pened that the Elector of Brandenburg, and Duke of Ncuburg,
upon some differences, having raised forces against each
other, but afterwards concluded a peace between them, were
pleased to proffer those forces to my Lord for his Majesty's
use and service, which (as the Lord Chancellor, who was then
in France, sent word to my Lord) was the only foreign proffer
that had been made to his Majesty. My Lord immediately
I 1'iiiir li-ttfrs written to Nrwt.istlr in I)rr. if>so .in<l J.iti. 1651 l>y nnblrmrn thrn
with tho King in Scotland arc printed in l'i>rtland .1/.S6'. ii, 136-9. One is lrm Argylr,
but it docs not refer to the march into lingland.
The Second Book 55
gave liis .Majesty notice of it ; but whether it was for want of
convenient transportation, or money, or that the Scots did
not like the assistance, that proffer was not accepted l .
Concerning the affairs and intrigues that passed in Scotland
and England, during the time of his Majesty's stay there, I am
ignorant of them ; neither doth it belong to me now to write,
or give an account of anything else but what concerns the
history of my noble Lord and husband's life, and his own
actions ; who, so soon as he had intelligence that the Scottish
army, which went with his Majesty into England, was de-
feated and that nobody knew what was become of his Majesty,
fell into so violent a passion, that I verily believed it would
have endangered his life ; but when afterwards the happy
news came of his Majesty's safe arrival in France, never any
subject could rejoice more than my Lord did.
About this time it chanced, that my Lord's brother, Sir
Charles Cavendish, and myself, took a journey into England,
occasioned both by my Lord's extreme want and necessity,
and his brother's estate ; which having been under seques-
tration from the time (or soon after) he went out of England,
was then, in case he did not return and compound for it, to
be sold outright. Sir Charles was unwilling to receive his
estate upon such conditions, and would rather have lost it,
than compounded for it. But my Lord, considering it was
better to recover something, than lose all, entreated the Lord
Chancellor, who was then in Antwerp, to persuade his brother
ID a composition, which his Lordship did very effectually,
l Nicholas writes to Orinoml on Juno 20, if>5t, th.it ho hoars from the Hague ' thnt
tho Marquess of Hrandonbnrgh and his lady arrived thoro Friday last, and on Sunday
following ho and his lady (when tho IVinross Koval was at sermon) wont to soo tho young
Prince of Orange, and on Tuesday following intended to leave the Hague, without
making one visit to her Highness Royal. The Marquess resolves to make war against
the Duke of Neulwrg, who will be assisted by the King of Spain and the Duke of Lor-
raine, as the Marquess hopes to be by the Swede.' Carlo, Original l.etlfrs. li. jS.
On August 8, however, the Klector of Hrandenlmrgh wrote t> the Marquess of New-
c >stle that his t>eing obliged to take up arms against the Duke of Neubnrg hindered
his helping Charles at present, but that as Sixm as matters wore settled he would not
fail to lot his soldiers put themselves .it the service of the King. On September II
he wrote further congratulating him on the success of th- King of C,reat Hiitain. and
saving that as he hoped soon to have no farther need of his tnxips ho would willingly
outer into a treaty for their employment in the King's service. A letter from one of
the Klector 's Ministers stated that his sovereign would provide (>ooo infantry and 41x10
cavalry, adding that he had boon employed to proceed to Denmark to solicit ships, and
asking in wh.it Hritish harbour the troops were to land. The Marquess replied saving
that lie was alxv.it to send a messenger to make arrangements with the King of IVn-
mark. CalfiiJtir of thf Cl,trfn,lon Xtiilf /'ii/>crs, vol. li. pp. los-;. Hut tho battle of
Worcester put an end to all these h.ipos. Nevertheless the l-'le. tor of Hrandenburgh
c vitinuod to e\orcis<- his i;,xxl offices on N'li.ilf of Charles in the Diet o( tin- I'.mpire,
and in January iv( the King sent him the Order oi the Garter (p. 305).
56 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
and proved himself a noble and true friend in it '. We had
so small a provision of money when \vc set forth our journey
for England, that it was hardly able to carry us to London,
but were forced to stay at Southwark ; where Sir Charles sent
into London for one that had formerly been his steward, and
having declared to him his wants and necessities, desired him
to try his credit. He seemed ready to do his master what
service he could in that kind ; but pretending withal, that
his credit was but small, Sir Charles gave him his watch to
pawn, and with that money paid those small scores we had
made in our lodging there. From thence we went to some
other lodgings that were prepared for us in Covcnt Garden ;
and having rested ourselves some time, I desired my brother,
the Lord Lucas, to claim in my behalf some subsistence for
myself out of my Lord's estate (for it was declared by the
Parliament, that the lands of those that were banished, should
be sold to any that would buy them, only their wives and
children were allowed to put in their claims) : but he received
this answer, that I could not expect the least allowance, by
reason my Lord and husband had been the greatest traitor of
England (that is to say, the honestest man, because he had
been most against them) 2 .
Then Sir Charles entrusted some persons to compound for
his estate ; but it being a good while before they agreed in
their composition, and then before the rents could be received,
we having in the meantime nothing to live on, must of necessity
1 See Clarendon's letter to Nicholas, November i, if>s/. Newcastle had placed
most of his lands in the hands of trustees ; nevertheless the Commonwealth laid hands
on them. ' Where any clauses of revocation are ', writes Hyde, ' the Commonwealth
takes the advantage to do that which the persons dead in law might do ; and so they
disappoint all those engagements, as they have done or declare they will do in the case
of my Lord Newcastle, who l>efore these times conveyed his lands for the payment of
debts and raising vounger children's portions, with a power of revocation, which the
sovereign power will now execute, and so defraud the creditors and all other inten-
tions. In verv good earnest the whole business of proceeding with them is so intricate
and perplexed and ridiculous, that I do not intend to trouble myself at all about it ;
and I fear whosoever does, except he resolves to do that which he is to be damned for
doing, will get nothing by it ; and yet my Lady Marquis of Newcastle ventures thither
this wi-ek ; and no question it is wisely done, and with her Sir Charles Cavendish, as
well to urge some deeds of trust, which he hath long been in for his brother, as to en-
deavour to enjoy the benefit of a composition which was made long since for his own
estate.' ( larendon Slate I'afiers, iii, 34. The papers relating to the case of Sir Charles
Cavendish are to IH; found in the Calendar of the 1'roceedtnt^ of the Committee for (<mi-
fxiunJin:;, p. 20-1 1. Dring's ( atalngue, ed. 1711, p. 27. The arguments by which Clar-
endon converted Sir Charles Cavendish are given in his /.iff. Hook vi, 30-4.
2 Her petition is dated Dec. 10 ih.si. It was refused, as she savs in her life of her-
self (p. 1(17 />W), not localise of the reason given alxive, but liecause her marriage had
taken place since her husband's delinquency < alfndar / Ihf I'nitf filing "/ Ihf < m-
mi/tee ]ur ( omf>ountitn, p. 1733.
The Second Book 57
have been starved, had not Sir Charles got some credit of
several persons, and that not without great difficulty ; for
all those that had estates, were afraid to come near him, much
less to assist him, until he was sure of his own estate. So
much is misery and poverty shunned !
But though our condition was hard, yet my dear Lord and
husband, whom we left in Antwerp, was then in a far greater
distress than ourselves ; for at our departure he had nothing
but what his credit was able to procure him ; and having run
upon the score so long without paying any the least part
thereof, his creditors began to grow impatient, and resolved to
trust him no longer. Wherefore he sent me word, that if
his brother did not presently relieve him, he was forced to
starve. Which doleful news caused great sadness and melan-
choly in us both, and withal made his brother try his utmost
endeavour to procure what moneys he could for his subsistence,
who at last got ^200 sterling upon credit, which he immediately
made over to my Lord.
But in the meantime, before the said money could come to
his hands, my Lord had been forced to send for all his creditors,
and declare to them his great wants and necessities ; where
his speech was so effectual, and made such an impression in
them, that they had all a deep sense of my Lord's misfortunes :
and instead of urging the payment of his debts, promised him.
that he should not want anything in whatsoever they were
able to assist him ; which they also very nobly and civilly
performed, furnishing him with all manner of provisions and
necessaries for his further subsistence ; so that my Lord was
then in a much better condition amongst strangers, than we in
our native country.
At last when Sir Charles Cavendish had compounded for
his estate, and agreed to pay 45< for it, the Parliament
caused it again to be surveyed, and made him pay /5oo more,
which was more than many others had paid for much greater
estates ; so that Sir Charles, to pay this composition, and
discharge some debts, was necessitated to sell some land of his
at an undcr-rate. My Lord's two sons (who were also in
England at that time) were no less in want and necessity than
we, having nothing but bare credit to live on ; 1 and my Lord's
1 Tin- petitions of Charles Viscount M.uisticld .mil bis brother Henrv for leave to
Compound uix- given in the I'riXffJings <>/ tht ( 'ommtttte /or Owi/vioii/ing n-ilh /Wnt^wrn/s,
I
58 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
estate being then to be sold outright, Sir Charles, his brother,
endeavoured, if possible, to save the two chief houses, viz.
Wclbeck and Bolsover, being resolved rather to part with
some more of his land, which he had lately compounded for,
than to let them fall into the enemy's hands. But before
such time as he could compass the money, somebody had
bought Bolsover, with an intention to pull it down, and make
money of the materials ; of whom Sir Charles was forced to
buy it again at a far greater rate then he might have had it at
first, notwithstanding a great part of it was pulled down
already ; and though my Lord's eldest son Charles, Lord
Mansfield, had those mentioned houses some time in possession
after the death of his uncle, yet for want of means he was not
able to repair them.
I having now been in England a year and a half, some
intelligence which I received of my Lord's being not very
well, and the small hopes I had of getting some relief out of his
estate, put me upon design of returning to Antwerp to my
Lord, and Sir Charles, his brother, took the same resolution,
but was prevented by an ague that seized upon him. Not
long had I been with my Lord, but we received the sad news
of his brother's death, which was an extreme affliction both
to my Lord and myself, for they loved each other entirely. In
truth, he was a person of so great worth, such extraordinary
civility, so obliging a nature, so full of generosity, justice and
charity, besides all manner of learning, especially in the
mathematics, that not only his friends, but even his enemies,
did much lament his loss l .
p. 1700- Three letters from Newcastle to his son Charles al>oiit the means tn lw> adopted
to preserve the pictures and furniture at \Vell>ock and Bolsover arc to l>e funnel in I'urt-
land MSS., ii, 141.
1 The death of Sir Charles Cavendish took place on the 4th of February, 1654. Claren-
don announces it to Nicholas in a letter dated March fi. if>v (Clarendn Stalt I'afrrs.
iii, 223). In his Life (vi, 20) he draws the following portrait :
' The conversation the Chancellor took most delight in was that of Sir Charles Caven-
dish, brother to the Marquis, who was one of the most extraordinary perso is of that
age, in all the noble endowments of the mind. He had all the disadvantages i nagin.ible
in his person, which was not only of so small a sire that it drew the eves of nen upon
him, but with such deformity in his little person, and an aspect in his coi ntenancc,
that was apter to raise contempt than application ; but in this unhandsome >r homely
habitation, there was a mind and a soul l>xlged. that was verv lovelv and Ix-autiful ;
cultivated and polished by all the knowledge and wisdom that arts and sciences cnuld
supply it with. He was a great philosopher, in the extent of it, and an excellent mathe-
matician ; whose correspondence was very dear to (i.issendus and Descartes, the la*t
nf which dedicated some of his works to him. He had verv notable courage, and the
vigour of his mind so adorned his Ixxlv, that Ix-ing with his brother the Marquis in all
the war, he usually went out in all parties, and was present and charged the enemy
in all battles, with as keen a courage as could dwell in the heart of mail. But then
The Second Book 59
After my return out of England, to my Lord, the creditors
supposing I had brought great store of money along with me,
came all to my Lord to solicit the payment of their debts ; but
when my Lord had informed them of the truth of the business
and desired their patience somewhat longer, with assurance
that so soon as he received any money, he would honestly and
justly satisfy them, they were not only willing to forbear the
payment of those debts he had contracted hitherto, but to
credit him for the future, and supply him with such necessaries
as he should desire of them. And this was the only happiness
which my Lord had in his distressed condition, and the chief
blessing of the eternal and merciful God, in whose power arc
all things, who ruled the hearts and minds of men, and filled
them with charity and compassion. For certainly it was a
work of Divine Providence, that they showed so much love,
respect, and honour to my Lord, a stranger to their nation ;
and notwithstanding his ruined condition, and the small
appearance of recovering his own, credited him wheresoever
he lived, both in France, Holland, Brabant, and Germany ;
that although my Lord wiis banished his native country,
and dispossessed from his own estate, could nevertheless live
in so much splendour and grandeur as he did.
In this condition (and how little soever the appearance was)
my Lord was never without hopes of seeing yet (before his
death) a happy issue of all his misfortunes and sufferings,
especially of the restoration of his most gracious King and
master, to his throne and kingly rights, whereof he always had
assured hopes, well knowing, that it was impossible for the
kingdom to subsist long under so many changes of govern-
ment ; and whensoever I expressed how little faith I had in
it, he would gently reprove me, saying, I believed least, what I
desired most ; and could never be happy if I endeavoured to
exclude all hopes, and entertained nothing but doubts and
fears.
the gentleness of his disposition, the humility and meekness of his nature, and the viva-
city of his wit, was admirable. He was so' modest that he could hardly In- prevail.-*!
with to enlarge himselt on subjects he understood better than other men, except he were
pressed by his very familiar friends, as if he thought it presumption to know more than
handsomer men use to do. Alxne all, his virtue and piety was such that no tempta-
tion could work upon him to consent to an\ -thing that swerved in the least degree from
the precise rules of honour, or the most severe rules of conscience.'
Several letters from Sir Charles Cavendish to I'ell are printed in the second volume
of Robert Vaughan's I'rulcctoriite of Cromu-fll, others have been printed by Halliwell,
Letters on Scientific Subjects (1841).
60 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
'The city of Antwerp, in which we lived, being a place of
great resort for strangers and travellers, his Majesty (our now
gracious King, Charles the Second) passed through it, when
he went his journey towards Germany ; and after my Lord
had done his humble duty, and waited on his Majesty, he was
pleased to honour him with his presence at his house. The
same did almost all strangers that were persons of quality ;
if they made any stay in the town, they would come and visit
my Lord, and see the manage of his horses : and, amongst the
rest, the Duke of Oldenburg, and the Prince of East Fricsland,
did my Lord the honour, and presented him with horses of
their own breed.
One time it happened, that his Highness Dom John d'Aus-
tria (who was then governor of those provinces) came to
Antwerp, and stayed there some few days ; and then almost
all his court waited on my Lord, so that one day I reckoned
about seventeen coaches, in which were all persons of quality,
who came in the morning of purpose to see my Lord's manage.
My Lord receiving so great an honour thought it fit to show
his respect and civility to them, and to ride some of his horses
himself, which otherwise he never did but for his own exercise
and delight ] . Amongst the rest of those great and noble
persons, there were two of our nation, viz. the then Marquis,
now Duke of Ormond, and the Earl of Bristol ; but Dom John
was not there in person, excusing himself afterwards to my
Lord (when my Lord waited on him) that the multiplicity oi
his weighty affairs had hindered his coming thither, which my
Lord accounted as a very high honour and favour from so
great a Prince ; and conceiving it his duty to wait on his
Highness, but being unknown to him, the Earl of Bristol, who
1 In the introduction to the Duke's second book on horsemanship (A \eic Mcthxd
and l:\traonlinary Invetition to Dress Horses), the Duke Mis the following story : ' \Vhrn
1 had the honour to wait on Don John of Austria, at Antwerp, brought to hin
Iy>rd of Bristol, his Highness was pleased to use me extreme rivillv ; and to
then, and at several other times, for my book of horsemanship, In-fore it was
and to receive it with great satisfaction, when I presented his Highness with 01
he did not see my horses, which, in above twenty coaches, all the Spaniards of 1
went to my manage to see; with many noblemen of Flanders, as the Duke of AM..I,
and others, before whom I rid myself three horses, and my esquire, five. Being re-
turned to Don John, he asked them, whether my horses were as rare, as their reputation
was great ; to which they answered, that my horses were such that they wanted no-
thing of reasonable creatures but speakitig. And the Marquess of Seralvo, Master
of the Horse to his Highness, and (lovornor of the Castle of Antwerp, told his Highness,
that he had asked m-, wh.it horses I liked lx-st ? and that I h.nl .m*wered, there were
good and bad of all nations; but that the Harlis were the gentlemen of horse-kind,
and Spanish horses the princes. Which answer did infinitely please the Spaniards ;
and it is very true, that horses are so as 1 said.'
lx>th
rin ted ;
r. Hut
is court
The Second Book 6l
had acquaintance with him, did my Lord the favour, and upon
his request, presented him to his Highness ; which favour of
the said Karl my Lord highly resented *.
Dom John received my Lord with all kindness and respect ;
for although there were many great and noble persons that
waited on him in an out-room, yet so soon as his Highness
heard of my Lord's and the Karl of Bristol's being there, he
was plciiscd to admit them before all the rest. My Lord, after
he had passed his compliments, told his Highness, that he
found himself bound in all duty to make his humble acknow-
ledgments for the favour he received from his Catholic Majesty
for permitting and suffering him (a banished man) to live in
his dominions, and under the government of his Highness.
Whereupon Dom John asked my Lord whether he wanted
anything, and whether he lived peaceably without any moles-
tation or disturbance ? My Lord answered, that he lived as
much to his own content as a banished man could do ; and
received more respect and civility from that city than he
could have expected, for which he returned his most humble
thanks to his Catholic Majesty, and his Highness. After some
short discourse, my Lord took his leave of Dom John, several
of the Spaniards advising him to go into Spain, and assuring
him of his Catholic Majesty's kindness and favour ; but my
Lord being engaged in the city of Antwerp, and besides in
years, and wanting means for so long and chargeable a voyage,
was not able to embrace their motions. And surely he was
so well pleased with the great civilities he received from that
city, that then he was resolved to choose no other residing
place all the time of his banishment but that ; he being not
only credited there for all manner of provisions and necessaries
for his subsistence, but also free both from ordinary and
extraordinary taxes, and from paying excise, which was a
great favour and obligation to my Lord -.
After his Highness Dom John had left the government of
those provinces the Marquis of Caracena succeeded in his place,
who having a great desire to see my Lord ride in the manage,
1 Resented, felt.
2 This indulgence was granted to most of tli
to Taltxit : ' In consequence of being incogn
has lived in this country without being exen
impositions', an exemption enjoved bv Lot
while at Antwerp, and Lord llopton and mat
don Sttitc 2'aptrs, iii, 154.
exiles. On August 7, H>st>, Hvde wr
to, the King is the only gentleman
pt from paving excise and other sin
I Newcastle at Antwerp, Hvde hiti
y others at Hrujjes. (.'alfn.i.ir t>/ ('/.i
:
.
-
62 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
entreated a gentleman of the city, that was acquainted with
my Lord, to beg that favour of him. My Lord having not
been at that exercise six weeks, or two months, by reason of
some sickness that made him unfit for it, civilly begged his
excuse ; but he was so much importuned by the said gentleman
that at last he granted his request, and rid one or two horses
in presence of the said Marquis of Caraccna, and the then
Marquis, now Duke of Ormond, who often used to honour my
Lord with his company. The said Marquis of Caraccna seemed
to take much pleasure and satisfaction in it, and highly com-
plimented my Lord ; and certainly I have observed, that
noble and meritorious persons take great delight in honouring
each other l .
But not only strangers, but his Majesty himself (our now
gracious Sovereign) was pleased to see my Lord ride, and one
time did ride himself, he being an excellent master of that art,
and instructed by my Lord, who had the honour to set him first
on a horse of manage, when he was his governor ; where his
Majesty's capacity was such, that being but ten years of age,
he would ride leaping horses, and such as would overthrow
others, and manage them with the greatest skill and dexterity,
to the admiration of all that beheld him. ~
1 In the preface to the book before mentioned the Duke thus relates this incident :
' The Marquess of Caracena was so civilly earnest to see me ride, that he was pleased
to say, it would be a great satisfaction to him to see me on horseback, though the horse
should but walk. And seeing that no excuses would serve (though I did use many)
I was contented to satisfy his so obliging a curiosity ; and told him, I would obey his
commands, though I thought 1 should hardly be able to sit in the saddle. Two days
after he came to my manage, and I rid first a Spanish horse, called " Le Superbe," of
a light bay, a beautiful horse, and though hard to be rid, yet when he was hit right,
he was the readiest horse in the world. He went in corvets forward, backward, side-
ways, on both hands ; made the cross perfectly upon his voltoes ; and did change upon
his voltoes so just, without breaking time, that a musician could not keep time better ;
and went terra a terra perfectly. The second horse I rid, was another Spanish, called
I,c fienty ; and was rightly named so, for he was the finest-shaped horse that ever I
saw, and the neatest ; a brown bay with a white star in his forehead ; no horse ever
went terra a terra like him, so just, and so easy ; and for the piroyte in his length, so
just and so swift that the standers-by could hardly see the rider's face when he went
and truly when he had done, I was so cli//y, that I could hardly sit in the saddle. The
third and last horse I rid then was a Barb, that went a metz-ayre very high, Imth for-
ward and upon his voltoes, and terra a terra. And when I had done riding the Mar-
quess of Caraccna seemed to be very well satisfied ; and some Spaniards that were
with him, crossed themselves, and cried Miraculo ! '
For an explanation of the terms of horsemanship used I must refer readers to the
Duke's two lxx>ks on the subject.
- 'Hie Duke himself says, in the preface before quoted: 'Having had the honour,
when I was his governor, to be the first that s<-t him on horseback, and did instriirt him
in the art of horsemanship, it is a great satisfaction to me, to make mention here of the
joy I had ttvn, to see that his Majesty made mv horM-s go Itctter than any Italian
or French riders (who had often rid them) could do.' And again at p. 7 of the Dublin
edition of the same book : ' Our gracious and most excellent King is not only the hand-
Svmcst. and most comely horseman in the world, but as knowing and understanding
The Second Book 63
Nor was this the only honour my Lord received from his
Majesty but his Majesty and all the royal race, that is to say,
her Highness the then Princess-Royal, his Highness the Duke
of York, with his brother the Duke of Gloucester (except the
Princess Henrietta, now Duchess of Orleans), being met one
time in Antwerp, were pleased to honour my Lord with their
presence, and accept of a small entertainment at his house,
such as his present condition was able to afford them. 1 . And
some other time his Majesty passing through the city was
pleased to accept of a private dinner at my Lord's house ;
after which I receiving that gracious favour from his Majesty,
that he was pleased to see me, he did merrily, and in jest,
tell me that he perceived my Lord's credit could procure
better meat than his own. Again, some other time, upon a
merry challenge playing a game at butts with my Lord (when
my Lord had the better of him), What (said he) my Lord, have
you invited me to play the rook with me ? ~ although their
stakes were not at all considerable, but only for pastime.
These passages I mention only to declare my Lord's happi-
ness in his miseries, which he received by the honour and
kindness not only of foreign princes, but of his own master and
gracious sovereign. I will not speak now of the good esteem
and repute he had by his late Majesty King Charles the
First, and her Majesty the now Queen-mother, who always
held and found him a very loyal and faithful subject, although
fortune was pleased to oppose him in the height of his en-
deavours ; for his only and chief intention was to hinder his
in the art as any man ; and no man makes a horse go better than I havo soon some go
under his Majesty the first time that ever lie came upon their backs, which is the height
and quintessence of the art.'
l This entertainment is probably the one mentioned as taking place in February
1658. Sir Charles Cotterell writes to Nicholas: ' At the ball at Lord Newcastle's was
the Duchess of Lorraine and her son and daughter, with the King and his brothers and
sister, several French people, and some of the town. 'Hie King was brought in with
music, and all being placed, Major Mohun, the player, in a black satin robe and gar-
land of bavs, made a speech in verse of his lordship's own poetry, complimenting the
King in his highest hvperlxile. Then there was dancing for two hours, and then mv
Lady's Moor, dressed in feathers, came in and sang a song of the same author's, set
1 taught him bv Nich. I.anier. Then was the banquet brought in in eight urcat char-
each borne bv two gentlemen of the court, and others bringing wines, drinks, do.
they danced again two hours more, and Major Mohun ended all with another
veh, prophesying his Majesty's re-establishment.' CtilfnJtir i>/ St,ite /'d/'irs, 1(>V S,
:>(>,
'* Hook, a sharper. Cotton, describing an ordinarv at ninht, savs : ' This is the time
(when ravenous beasts natural! v seek their prev) wherein comes shoals of I luffs. Hectors,
Setters, (alls, 1'ads, Biters, Divers, Listers. Filers, lludgies, Droppers, (.'rossbitors. etc..
and these mav .ill pass under the general and common appellation of Koks.'- / A<-
Complete (t'limrs/rr.
64 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
Majesty's enemies from executing that cruel design which
they had upon their gracious and merciful King. In which
he tried his uttermost power, insomuch that I have heard him
say out of a passionate zeal and loyalty, that he would willingly
sacrifice himself and all his posterity, for the sake of his
Majesty and the royal race. Nor did he ever repine either at
his losses or sufferings, but rejoiced rather that he was able
to suffer for his King and country. His army was the only
army that was .able to uphold his Majesty's power ; which, so
long as it was victorious, it preserved both his Majesty's per-
son and crown. But so soon as it fell, that fell too ; and my
Lord was then in a manner forced to seek his own preservation
in foreign countries, where God was pleased to make strangers
his friends, who received and protected him when he was
banished his native country, and relieved him when his own
countrymen sought to starve him, by withholding from him
what was justly his own, only for his honesty and loyalty :
which relief he received more from the commons of those
parts where he lived, than from princes, he being unwilling
to trouble any foreign prince with his wants and miseries, well
knowing, that gifts of great princes came slowly, and not
without much difficulty ; neither loves he to petition any one
but his own Sovereign.
But though my Lord by the civility of strangers, and the
assistance of some few friends of his native country, lived in
an indifferent condition, yet (as it hath been declared hereto-
fore) he was put to great plunges and difficulties, insomuch
that his dear brother Sir Charles Cavendish would often say,
that though he could not truly complain of want, yet his meat
never did him good by reason my Lord, his brother, was
always so near wanting, that he was never sure after one meal
to have another : and though I was not afraid of starving
or begging, yet my chief fear was, that my Lord for his debts
would suffer imprisonment, where sadness of mind, and want
of exercise and air, would have wrought his destruction, which
yet by the mercy of God he happily avoided.
Some time before the restoration of his Majesty to his
royal throne, my Lord, partly with the remainder of his
brother's estate (which was but little, it being wasted by
selling of land for compounding with the Parliament, paying
of several debts, and buying out the two houses aforemcn-
The Second Book 65
tioncd, viz. Wclbcck and Bolsovor), and the credit which his
sons had got, which amounted in all to ^2400 a year, sprinkled
something amongst his creditors, and borrowed so much of
Mr. Top and Mr. Smith (though without assurance) that lie
could pay such score; as were most pressing, contracted from
the poorer sort of tradesmen, and send ready money to market,
to avoid cozenage (for small scores run up most unreasonably,
especially if no strict accounts be kept, and the rate be left
to the creditor's pleasure) by which means there was in a
short time so much saved, as it could not have been imagined.
About this time, a report came of a great number of sectaries,
and of several disturbances in Kngland, which heightened my
Lord's former hopes into a firm belief of a sudden change in
that kingdom, and a happy restoration of his Majesty, which
it also pleased God to send according to his expectation l ;
for his Majesty was invited by his subjects, who were not able
longer to endure those great confusions and encumbrances
they had sustained hitherto, to take possession of his hereditary
rights, and the power of all his dominions : and being then at
the Hague in Holland, to take shipping in those parts for
Kngland, my Lord went thither to wait on his Majesty, who
used my Lord very graciously; and his Highness the Duke
of York was pleased to offer him one of those ships that were
ordered to transport his Majesty ; for which he returned his
most humble thanks to his Highness, and begged leave of his
Highness that he might hire a vessel for himself and his com-
pany.
In the meantime, whilst my Lord was at the Hague, his
Majesty was pleased to tell him. that General Monk, now
Duke of Albemarle, had desired the place of being Master of
the Horse: to which my Lord answered, that that gallant
person was worthy of any favour that his Majesty could
confer upon him : and having taken his leave of his Majesty,
and liis Highness the Duke of York, went towards the ship
that was to transport him for Kngland (I might better call it
a boat, than a ship : for those that were intrusted by my
Lord to hire a ship for that purpose, had hired an old rotten
frigate that was lost the next voyage after; insomuch, that
when some of the company that hail promised to go over with
my Lord, saw it. they turned back, and would not endanger
1 See the Duke's letters to Nicholas in Appendix viii.
K
66 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
their lives in it, except the now Lord Widdrington, who was
resolved not to forsake my Lord).
My Lord (who was so transported with the joy of returning
into his native countr\ r , that he regarded not the vessel) having
set sail from Rotterdam, was so becalmed, that he was six
days and six nights upon the water, during which time he
pleased himself with mirth, and passed his time away as well
as he could ; provisions he wanted not, having them in great
store and plenty. At last, being come so far that he was able
to discern the smoke of London, which he had not seen in a
long time, he merrily was pleased to desire one that was near
him, to jog and awake him out of his dream, for surely, said
he, I have been sixteen years asleep, and am not thoroughly
awake yet. My Lord lay that night at Greenwich, where his
supper seemed more savoury to him, than any meat he had
hitherto tasted ; and the noise of some scraping fiddlers he
thought the plcasantcst harmony that ever he had heard.
In the meantime my Lord's son, Henry, Lord Mansfield,
now Earl of Ogle, was gone to Dover with intention to wait
on his Majesty, and receive my Lord his father, with all joy
and duty, thinking he had been with his Majesty ; but when he
missed of his design, he was very much troubled, and more,
when his Majesty was pleased to tell him that my Lord had
set to sea, before his Majesty himself was gone out of Holland,
fearing my Lord had met with some misfortune in his journey,
because he had not heard of his landing. Wherefore he
immediately parted from Dover, to seek my Lord, whom at
last he found at Greenwich. With what joy they embraced
and saluted each other, my pen is too weak to express.
But all this while, and after my Lord was gone from Antwerp,
I was left alone there with some of my servants ; for my
Lord being in Holland with his Majesty, declared in a letter
to me his intention of going for England, withal commanding
me to stay in that city, as a pawn for his debts, until he could
compass money to discharge them ; and to excuse him to the
magistrates of the said city for not taking his leave of them,
and paying his due thanks for their great civilities, which he
desired me to do in his behalf. And certainly my Lord's
affection to me was such, that it made him very industrious
in providing those means ; for it being uncertain what or
whether he should have anything of his estate, made it a
The Second Book 67
diflicult business for him to borrow money. At last he re-
ceived some of one Mr. Ash, now Sir Joseph Ash, a merchant
of Antwerp, which he returned to me ; but what with the
expense I had made in the meanwhile, and what was required
for my transporting into England, besides the debts formerly
contracted, the said money fell too short by ^400, and although
I could have upon my own word taken up much more, yet
I was unwilling to leave an engagement amongst strangers.
Wherefore I sent for one Mr. Shaw, now Sir John Shaw, a
near kinsman to the said Mr. Ash, entreating him to lend me
/4<K), which he did most readily, and so discharged my debts.
My departure being now divulged in Antwerp, the mag-
istrates of the city came to take their leaves of me, where I
desired one Mr. Duart ', a very worthy gentleman, and one
of the chief of the city, though he derives his race from the
Portuguese (to whom and his sisters, all very skilful in the
art of music, though for their own pastime and recreation, both
my Lord and myself were much bound for their great civilities)
to be my interpreter. They were pleased to express that they
were sorry for our departure out of their city, but withal
rejoiced at our happy returning into our native country, and
wished me soon and well to the place where I most desired
to be. Whereupon I having excused my Lord's hasty going
away without taking his leave of them, returned them mine
and my Lord's hearty thanks for their great civilities, declaring
how sorry I was that it lay not in my power to make an
acknowledgment answerable to them. But after their depar-
ture from me, they were pleased to send their undcr-officcrs
(as the custom there is) with a present of wine, which I re-
ceived with all respect and thankfulness.
I being thus prepared for my voyage, went with my ser-
vants to Flushing, and finding no English man-of-war there,
being loath to trust myself with a less vessel, was at last
informed that a Dutch man-of-war lay there ready to convoy
some merchants. I forthwith sent for the captain thereof,
whose name was Bankert, and asked him whether it was
possible to obtain the favour of having the use of his ship to
transport me into England ? To which he answered,
1 T.rttors rrii .mil ivvi in the Murhrss of NYwr.i>tli-'s S<vi.rV<- / rf.Yrs .in- .ulilre--.rU
to I'lc.mor.i IHi.ut.-, .mil in tin- / filer s ,IM,/ l\<fms in honour ../ ,'/ l>m>if>s. p. i.;i, i>
a letter from J. Ihurte in id'i, th.mkiii her lor soim- of her U*>k:>.
68 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
that he questioned not but I might ; for the mer-
chants which he was to convey, were not ready yet, desiring
me to send one of my servants to the State, to request that
favour of them ; with whom he would go himself, and assist
him the best he could ; which he also did. My suit being
granted, myself and my chief servants embarked in the said
ship ; the rest, together with the goods, being conveyed in
another good strong vessel, hired for that purpose.
After I was sufcly arrived at London, I found my Lord in
lodgings ; I cannot call them unhandsome ; but yet they
were not fit for a person of his rank and quality, nor of the
capacity to contain all his family. Neither did I find my
Lord's condition such as I expected : wherefore out of some
passion I desired him to leave the town, and retire into the
country ; but my Lord gently reproved me for my rashness
and impatience, and soon after removed into Dorset House ;
which, though it was better than the former, yet not alto-
gether to my satisfaction, we having but a part of the said
house in possession. By this removal I judged my Lord
would not hastily depart from London ; but not long after,
he was pleased to tell me, that he had despatched his business,
and was now resolved to remove into the country, having
already given order for waggons to transport our goods, which
was no unpleasant news to me, who had a great desire for a
country life '.
My Lord, before he began his journey, went to his gracious
Sovereign, and begged leave that he might retire into the
country, to reduce and settle, if possible, his confused, entan-
gled, and almost ruined estate. ' Sir ', said he to his Majesty,
' I am not ignorant, that many believe I am discontented ;
and 'tis probable they'll say. I retire through discontent :
but I take God to witness, that I am in no kind or ways dis-
pleased ; for I am so joyed at your Majesty's happy restora-
tion, that I cannot be sad or troubled for any concern to my
own particular ; but whatsoever your Majesty is pleased to
1 Ootnciit Kllis, Newcastle 's chaplain, thus >mriieiits ..n his retirement
n the pr
fatorv epistl
to a sermon preached on May 2*1, !'>'>i : ' With much pleas
lie I ha
hearkened to
you discoursing of that satisfaction yon reaped from that swi
et priva
and rctireme
t hi* Majesty is pleased to Kraut your I.ordship here in the coi
ntry. I
deed, the r
itest reward his Majestv can j>ossili|v recompense your seryi
es with
is thus to Ixrs
ow yourself upon yourself, and I know you think it Rreatcr ha
ppiness t
cnjovrny I.o
d Marquis of Newcastle at Welbcck. than all the offices and hon
nirs whic
your exemplary loyalty has tueri ted.' Kcnuct's i.cclciiaiJical and Civil Kfi;
'", 455-
The Second Book
6 9
command me, were it to sacrifice my life, I shall most obedi-
ently perform it ; for I have no other will, but your Majesty's
pleasure.'
Thus he kissed his Majesty's hand, and went the next day
into Nottinghamshire, to his manor-house called Welbeck ;
but when he came there, and began to examine his estate, and
how it had been ordered in the time of his banishment, he
knew not whether he had left anything of it for himself or
not, till by his prudence and wisdom he informed himself the
best he could, examining those that had most knowledge
therein. Some lands, he found, could be recovered no further
than for his life, and some not at all ; some had been in the
rebels' hands, which he could not recover, but by his Highness
the Duke of York's favour, to whom his Majesty had given
all the estates of those that were condemned and executed
for murdering his Royal Father of blessed memory, which by
the law were forfeited to his Majesty ; whereof his Highness
graciously restored my Lord so much of the land that formerly
had been his, as amounted to /73o a year 1 . And though my
Lord's children had their claims granted, and bought out the
life of my Lord, their father, which came near upon the third
part, yet my Lord received nothing for himself out of his
own estate, for the space of eighteen years, \\/.. during the
time from the first entering into war, which was June 11,
1642, till his return out of banishment, May 2S, i(>6o. For
though his son Henry, now Farl of Ogle, and his eldest daugh-
ter, the now Lady Chciny, did all what lay in their power to
relieve my Lord their father, and sent him some supplies of
moneys at several times when he was in banishment, yet that
was of their own, rather than out of my Lord's estate ; for
the Lady Cheiny sold some few jewels which my Lord, her
father, had left her, and some chamber-plate which she had
from her grandmother, and sent over the money to my Lord,
besides /i<x>o of her portion : and the now Karl of Ogle did
1 The Krant restoring these lands is amoiiKst tl
(No. J=,si). The KiiiK Krauts to Newcastle thr
wealth and Ixm^ht l>v regicides, vi/. Sibthorj
ICdward Uhallev ; cert.
Hacker ; and the ('.ran
by C.ilhert Millinjjtoii.
The l>nchess olllils ti
a private Act ' lor re-tor
Lands, and Tenements
of Mav i(>.(ii, or at anv
HID
- ol Kiibv Wo.Mlh.mse
he Ktatit is il.iteti Septo
mention that on S-pt.
^ to \\ih.mi, Marinns
n I upland, w hereof he
hue since '. This Act-
mortgaged by Newcastle himself.
>Tt<'ti MSS. in the Itiiti-h Mn-eiiin
manors sold under the I ommon-
in Nottinghamshire, purchased |.\-
in Cnrcolston. pun ha-ed l>v I oloncl
ml Anne-Icy Woodhonse, purtli.ix-d
IHT ;, i>>o.
\. U>>o. C li.irles II cave his assent to
Newe.istle, all hi- I lorn-nrs. Manor-.
is in |'sses-ion on the .-otti d.iv
wcver, wunld not touch lands sold
jo The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
at several times supply my Lord, his father, with such moneys
as he had partly obtained upon credit, and partly made by
his marriage.
After my Lord had begun to view those ruins that were
nearest, and tried the law to keep or recover what formerly
was his (which certainly showed no favour to him, besides
that the Act of Oblivion proved a great hindrance and obstruc-
tion to those his designs, as it did no less to all the royal
party), and had settled so much of his estate as possibly he
could, he cast up the sum of his debts, and set out several
parts of land for the payment of them, or of some of them
(for some of his lands could not be easily sold, being entailed)
and some he sold in Derbyshire to buy the Castle of Notting-
ham, which, although it is quite ruined and demolished, yet,
it being a seat which had pleased his father very much, he
would not leave it since it was offered to be sold l .
His two houses Wclbeck and Bolsovcr he found much out
of repair, and this later half pulled down ; ~ no furniture or
any necessary goods were left in them, but some few hangings
and pictures, which had been saved by the care and industry
of his eldest daughter the Lady Cheiny, and were bought
over again after the death of his eldest son Charles, Lord
Mansfield. For they being given to him, and he leaving some
debts to be paid after his death, my Lord sent to his other
son Henry, now Earl of Ogle, to endeavour for so much credit,
that the said hangings and pictures (which my Lord esteemed
very much, the pictures being drawn by Van Dyke) might
be saved 3 ; which he also did, and my Lord hath paid the
debt since his return.
Of eight parks, which my Lord had before the wars, there
was but one left that was not quite destroyed, viz. Welbcck
1 After the restoration, George Yilliers, second Duke of Buckingham, having claimed
the Castle of Nottingham in right of his mother, the sole daughter and heiress of Francis
Karl of Rutland, to whom it had i een granted by James I, sold it to the Duke of New-
castle in 1674. Hailey, Annals o/ Nottinghamshire, vol. ii, p. 971.
2 On June 23 the Council of State ordered Bolsover to !* made untenable. On July
2, 164'), the Council of State wrote to the Committee of Derbyshire : ' To avoid the
charge of a garrison in Uolsovrr Castle, and yet to prevent danger if it should !< surprised
and kept by an enemy, we refer it to your care to do it so as the house itself, as it re-
lates to private habitation, may be as little prejudiced as may be ; but let the out-
works abroad, and garden walls, with the turrets and walls of the frontier court that
are of strength be demolished, and all the doors of the house t>c taken away, and slight
ones set in their place ; as also the iron bars of the windows, and the materials of the
walls that are taken down be improved to the Ix-st, and the charge of demolishing de-
frayed out of the revenue thereof.' Calendar of Dotnrstic Sliilf l'af>frs, lf<4'>, p. 217.
3 A letter written by Newcastle to Van Dyke in February i'>37 shows that he was
on very friendly terms with the painter. I'nrtland A/.SS., ii, 131, 143.
The Second Book 71
Park, of about four miles' compass ; for my Lord's brother.
Sir Charles Cavendish, who bought out the life of my Lord in
that lordship, saved most part of it from being cut down ;
and in Blorc Park there were some few deer left. The rest
of the parks were totally defaced and destroyed, both wood,
pales, and deer : ; amongst which was also Clipston Park,
of seven miles' compass, wherein my Lord had taken much
delight formerly, it being rich of wood, and containing the
greatest and tallest timber-trees of all the woods he had ;
insomuch, that only the pale-row was valued at 2000. It
was watered by a pleasant river that runs through it, full of
fish and otters ; was well-stocked with deer, full of hares,
and had great store of partridges, poots 2 , pheasants, &c.,
besides all sorts of water-fowl ; so that this park afforded all
manner of sports, for hunting, hawking, coursing, fishing,
etc., for which my Lord esteemed it very much. And although
his patience and wisdom is such, that I never perceived him
sad or discontented for his own losses and misfortunes, yet
when he beheld the ruins of that park, I observed him troubled,
though he did little express it, only saying, he had been in
hopes it would not have been so much defaced as he found
it, there being not one timber-tree in it left for shelter. How-
ever, he patiently bore what could not be helped, and gave
present order for the cutting down of some wood that was left
him in a place near adjoining, to rcpalc it, and got from several
friends deer to stock it.
Thus, though his lawsuits and other unavoidable expenses
were very chargeable to him. yet he ordered his affairs so
prudently, that by degrees he stocked and manured those
lands he keeps for his own use, and in part repaired his manor-
houses, Welbeck 3 and Holsover, to which latter he made
some additional building : and though he has not vet built
i On tin- desti
p. 1^7. 'I'll' 1 vo
made Warden ii
the Committee t
inert 1 . 1 It- fells
is much t;o<xl sh
'! According t
.ction df these \v,xl- SIT t\\cl',ilfnJ t ir of />,>wi/iV St.itf l\if~frs for 1655,
lerers of ShiTwood 1 oicst complained to Lord Hare, who had tx^-n
Newcastle's place: ' The Ion-si is ruined, especially I'lipston Woods,
tants have rinht of estovers, bv Mr. (lark, on pretence of a erant from
>r S.ilc of Traitors' 1 -'slates. lie has Idled 1000 trees, ami d.ulv fells
i the li-.irt of the forest, where the deer have their greatest relief. There
p-tiniher in the forest.'
Mr. Lower's note on this passage in the edition of iS;-*, pool means
either blackcock or red grouse, probably the former. Pool or pout means a young
bird of any kind. llalliwell.
3 See the paper entitled A \otf . . . <i,'x>u/ m\ ISuilJinf lit HV/.VrJt, printed in Mr.
Strong's Catalogue oj l.dtfrs, fie., prtsfn-eJ in tht Library at \\~tlbcfk, p. 50.
72 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
the seat at Nottingham, yet he hath stocked and paled a little
park belonging to it l .
Nor is it possible for him to repair all the ruins of the estate
that is left him, in so short a time, they being so great, and
his losses so considerable, that I cannot without grief and
trouble remember them ; for before the wars my Lord had
as great an estate as any subject in the kingdom, descended
upon him most by women, viz. by his grandmother of his
father's side, his own mother, and his first wife.
What estate his grandfather left to his father Sir Charles
Cavendish, I know not ; nor can I exactly tell what he had
from his grandmother, but she was very rich ; for her third
husband, Sir William Saint Loo, gave her a good estate in the
west, which afterwards descended upon my Lord, my Lord's
mother being the younger daughter of the Lord Ogle, and sole
heir, after the death of her eldest sister Jane, Countess of
Shrewsbury, whom King Charles the First restored to her
father's dignity, viz. Baroness of Ogle. This title descended
upon my Lord and his heirs general, together with /j<xo a
year in Northumberland : and besides the estate left to my
Lord, she gave him 20,000 in money, and kept him and his
family at her own charge for several years.
My Lord's first wife, who was daughter and heir to William
Basset, of Blore, Esq. ; widow to Henry Howard, younger
son to Thomas, Earl of Suffolk, brought my Lord ^2400 a
year inheritance, between six and seven thousand pounds in
money, and a jointure for her life of /Soo a year. Besides,
my Lord increased his own estate, before the wars, to the
value of /ioo,ooo, and had increased it more, had not the
unhappy wars prevented him : for though he had some disad-
vantages in his estate, even before the wars, yet they are not
considerable to those he suffered afterwards for the service of
his King and country. For example, his father Sir Charles
Cavendish had lent his brother-in-law dilbcrt, Karl of Shrews-
bury. /i6.(KK), for which, although afterward before his death
he settled 2000 a year upon him, yet he having enjoyed the
' Not vet, i.e. in 1067. Bailey, in the passage previously quoted from his History
r>t \nttinghamshirt, is evidently wrong in saving th.it the castle was not acquired by
the Duke till :<>74. It was in that year that the Duke roriuuenred rebuilding, as stated
in the ' inscription on nn oblong square white marble tablet in the wall over the bark
door ' : ' This house was begun by William, Duke of Newcastle, in the year 1^174 (who
died in the year 1676), and according to his appointment bv his last will, and by the
model he left, was finished iti the year 1679.' Bailey, Annals of Nottinghamshire, p. 971.
The Second Book 73
said money for many years without paying any use for it,
it might have been improved to my Lord's better advantage,
had it been in his father's own hands, he being a person of
great prudence in managing his estate ; and though the said
Karl of Shrewsbury made my Lord his executor, yet my Lord
was so far from making any advantage by that trust, even in
what the law allowed him, that he lost /i7,rx>o by it ; and
afterwards delivered up his trust to William, Earl of Pem-
broke, and Thomas, Karl of Arundel, who both married two
daughters of the said Karl of Shrewsbury ; and since his
return into Kngland, upon the desire of Henry Howard, second
son to the late Karl of Arundel, and heir-apparent (by reason
of his eldest brother's distemper), he resigned his trust and
interest to him, which certainly is a very difficult business,
and yet questionable whether it may lawfully be done or not ?
But such was my Lord's love to the family of the Shrewsbury's,
that he would rather wrong himself than it.
To mention some lawful advantages which my Lord might
have made by the said trust, it may be noted in the first place,
that the Karl of Shrewsbury's estate was Irt in long leases,
which, by the law, fell to the executor. Next, that after some
debts and legacies were paid out of those lands, which were
set out for that purpose, they were settled so, that they fell
to my Lord. Thirdly, seven hundred pounds a year was left
as a gift to my Lord's brother, Sir Charles Cavendish, in case
the Countess of Kent, second daughter to the said Karl of
Shrewsbury, had no children. But my Lord never made any
advantage for himself, of all these ; neither was he inquisitive
whether the said Countess of Kent cut off the entail of that
land, although she never had a child ; for my Lord's nature
is so generous, that he hates to be mercenary, and never minds
his own profit or interest in any trust or employment, more
than the good and benefit of him that entrusts or employs
him.
But, as I said heretofore, these are but petty losses in com-
parison of those he sustained by the late Civil Wars, whereof
I shall parti}' give you an account '. I say partly : for though
1 Newcastle was too great a ' delinquent ' to N* allowed to romponnd, even if ho
had wished to do so. His whole estate was conns, ated and sold. The pnveedings
in the ease of persons having rlaiins on his estate ale given '" 'he Ciil,ii,l t it <>/ Ikf Cotn-
mittff for Compounding, which also contains a list of the purchasers of his lands, and
many other particulars about the disposal of his property (pp. 173.1-7).
L
74 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
it may be computed what the loss of the annual rents of his
lands amounts to, of which he never received the least worth
for himself and his own profit, during the time both of his
being employed in the service of war, and his sufferings in
banishment ; as also the loss of those lands that arc alienated
from him, both in present possession, and in reversion ; and
of his parks and woods that were cut down ; yet it is impossible
to render an exact account of his personal estate.
As for his rents during the time he acted in the wars ;
though he suffered others to gather theirs for their own use,
yet his own cither went for the use of the army, or fell into
the hands of the enemy, or were suppressed and withheld
from him by the cozenage of his tenants and officers, my Lord
being then not able to look after them himself.
About the time when his late Majesty undertook the expe-
dition into Scotland for the suppressing of some insurrection
that happened there ; my Lord, as afore is mentioned, amongst
the rest, lent his Majesty /io,ooo sterling ; but having newly
married a daughter to the then Lord Brackly, now Karl of
Bridgwater, whose portion was 12,000, the moiety whereof
was paid in gold on the day of her marriage, and the rest soon
after (although she was too young to be bedded) this, to-
gether with some other expenses, caused him to take up the
said 10,000 at interest, the use whereof he paid many years
after J .
Also, when, after his sixteen years' banishment, he returned
into Kngland, before he knew what estate was left him, and
was able to receive any rents of his own, he was necessitated
to take /SOGO upon use for the maintenance of himself and
his family ; whereof the now Karl of Devonshire, his cousin-
german, once removed, lent him /K>OO, for which and the
former /iooo mentioned heretofore, he never desired nor
received any use from my Lord, which I mention, to declare
the favour and bounty of that noble Lord.
But though it is impossible to render an exact account of
all the losses which my Lord has sustained by the said wars,
yet as far as they are accountable, I shall endeavour to repre-
sent them iu these following particulars :
In the first place, I shall give you a just particular of my
Lord's estate in lands, as it was before the wars, partly accord-
1 Use i.e. interest
The Second Book 75
ing to the value of his own surveyors, and partly according
to the rate it is let at this present.
Next, I shall accompt the woods cut down by the rebellious
party, in several places of my Lord's estate.
Thirdly, I shall compute the value of those lands which my
Lord hath lost, both in present possession, and in reversion ;
that is to say, those which he has lost altogether, both for
himself and his posterity ; and those he has recovered only
during the time of his life, and which his only son and heir,
the now Karl of Ogle, must lose after his father's decease.
Fourthly, I shall make mention, how much of land my Lord
hath been forced to sell for the payment of some of his debts,
contracted during the time of the late Civil Wars, and when
his estate was sequestered ; I say some, for there are a great
many to pay yet.
To which I shall, ft ft lily, add the composition of his brother's
estate ; and the loss of it for eight years.
A particular of my Lord's estate in plain rents, as it n'as partly
surveyed in the year 1641, and partly is let at this present '.
NoTllNCillAMSIIlKK / .V. (/.
Tin- Manor of \\Ylbrck . . . . (>oo O o
Tin- Manor of Norton, Carburton ami the
(Iratiges ...... 454 n> i
\Varsop . . . . . . 51 8
The Manor-house ol Sookliolin . . . ^< >.x IK 3
The Manor of I lipston and Kd\\ instoue . 5^4 <> S
1 >rayton . . . . . . . S i<> 6
I >nnhain . ...... o-> 17 8
Sutton . . . . . . . 185 o 5
The Manor of Kirhy, rtt. . . . 1075 7 .:
The Manor of Cot ham .... S.,.} iS S
The Manor of Sibthorpe .... 7114 I <>
Carcolston . . . . . . 450 3 o
I Ia\\ ksworth, rtr. ..... I ><> 4
Fki\vl>orougli . . . . . . 5 1 _ 1 1 S
Mearing and Holm Meadow . . . 471 ~ o
/ I t H I I ) O
1 When tin- places mentioned could I'C idcntilutl the iiicvlcin i-l'olliiii; <'( tin-it ti.iini >
h.is been adopted.
- Caindon, in his map of Lincolnshire, places Inpold-llielcS just ali'se bkeyiu^!-, .u:d
elsewhere explains ' ineales ' or ' meles ' to mean sand-hills.
The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
DERBYSHIRE l
L s. d.
The Barony of Bolsover and Woodthorp . 846 8 1 1
The Manor of Chesterfield .... 378 o o
The Manor of Barlow .... 796 17 6
Tissington . . . . . . 159 n o
Dronfield ...... 486 15 i ()
The Manor of Brampton . . . 142 4 8
Little Longston . . . . . 87 2 o
The Manor of Stoke . . . . 212 , o
Beard Hall, and Peak Forest . . . 131 8 o
The Manor of 'Grindlow . . . .156 8 o
The Manor of Hucklow .... \<>2 io 8
The Manor of Blackball . . . . 306 o 4
Buxton and Tideswell . . . . 153 j o
Mansfield Park ..... KXJ u o
Mapleton and Thorpe . . . . 207 5 o
The Manor of Win Hill .... 238 i.X o
The Manor of Litcluirch and Mackworth . 713 15 i
Church and Meynel Langly Manor . . 850 i o
STAFFORDSHIRE
The Manor of Blore with ( uulton . . s/3 1 3 4
The Manor of Grindon, Cauldon, with Water-
fall ....... 822 3 o
The Manor of Cheadle with Kingsley . 259 18 o
The Manor of Parlaston, etc. . . . (194 3 o
^349 '7 4
GLOUCESTERSHIRE
The Manor of Tormorton with Litleton. . ,{1193 16 o
The Manor of Acton Turvil . . . 388 3 2
1581 I 9 2
SOMERSETSHIRE
The Manor of Clicwstokc . . . /8i6 15 Ci
Kni^'hton Sutton ..... 3<x) 14 4
Strond and Kin^sliani (Keynshani !) Park . iSo 4 <>
1 Kirth II.ill, Tids Hall, and Windly Mill arc the names given by the DudicbS to three
of these manors.
The Second Book 77
YORKSHIRE
The Manors of Slingsby, Hoverngham (Hov-
ingluun) and I''riton, Nortliinges and
I'omfret ...... 1700 o o
No RT 1 1 1' M 1 1 K R L A N D
The Barony of Hotlial, ()j.;le and Hopple, etc. ,3000 u o
Total . /_'_', 393 10 i
That this particular of my Lord's estate \vas no less than
is mentioned, may partly appear by the rate, as it was sur-
veyed, and sold by the rebellious Parliament ; for they raised,
towards the later end of their power, which was in the year
165 2, out of my Lord's estate, the sum of 1 1 1,593, ios. i id.,
at live years' and a half purchase, which was at above the rate
of /i8,<xx> a year, besides woods ; and his brother Sir Charles
Cavendish's estate, which estate was ^2(xx> a year, which falls
not much short of the mentioned account ; and certainly
had they not sold such lands at easy rates, few would have
bought them, by reason the purchasers were uncertain how
long they should enjoy their purchase : besides, undcr-officcrs
do not usually refuse bribes ; and it is well known that the
surveyors did underrate estates according as they were fee'd
by the purchasers.
Again, many of the estates of banished persons were given
to soldiers for the payment of their arrears, who again sold
them to others which would buy them at easier rates, lint
chiefly, it appears by the rate as my Lord's estate is let at
present, there being several of the mentioned lands that are
let at a higher rate now than they were surveyed : nor arc
they all valued in the mentioned particular according to the
survey, but many of them which were not surveyed, are
accounted according to the rate they are let at this present.
The loss of my Lord's estate, in plain rents, as also upon
ordinary use, and use upon use, is as followeth ' :
The annual rent of my Lord's lands, vi/. /'jj.^o? ios. id..
being lost for the space of eighteen years, which was the time
of his acting in the wars, and of his banishment, without any
benefit to him, reckoned without any interest, amounts to
403,083. But being accounted with the ordinary use at six
1 ' Use ', interest ; ' use ui>on use ', compound interest.
78 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
in the hundred, and use upon use for the mentioned space of
eighteen years, it amounts to 733,579-
But some perhaps will say, that if my Lord had enjoyed
his estate, he would have spent it, at least so much as to main-
tain himself according to his degree and quality.
I answer, that it is very improbable my Lord should have
spent all his estate, if he had enjoyed it, he being a man of
great wisdom and prudence, knowing well how to spend, and
how to manage ; for though he lived nobly before the time of
the wars, yet not beyond the compass of his estate. Nay, so
far he would have been from spending his estate, that no
doubt but he would have increased it to a vast value, as he
did before the wars ; where, notwithstanding his hospitality
and noble housekeeping, his charges of building came to about
31,000; the portion of his second daughter, which was
12,000; the noble entertainments he gave King Charles the
First, one whereof came to almost i 5,000, another to above
,4000, and a third to 1700, as hereafter shall be mentioned ;
and his great expenses during the time of his being governor
to his Majesty that now is, he yet increased his estate to the
value of ^100,000, which is 5000 per annum, when it was by
so much less.
But if any one will reckon the charges of his housekeeping
during the time of his exile, and when he had not the enjoy-
ment of his estate, he may substract 1 the sum accounted for
the payment of his debts, contracted in the time of his banish-
ment, which went to the maintenance of himself and his
family ; or in lieu thereof, considering that I do not account
all my Lord's losses, but only those that arc certainly known,
he may compare it with the loss of his personal estate, whereof
I shall make some mention anon, and he'll find that I do not
heighten my Lord's losses, but rather diminish them. For
surely the losses of his personal estate, and those I account
not, will counterbalance the charges of his housekeeping, if
not exceed them.
Again, others will say, that there was much land sold in the
time of my Lord's banishment by his sons, and feoffees in trust.
I answer, first, that whatsoever was sold, was first bought
of the rebellious power : next, although they sold some lands,
yet my Lord knew nothing of it, neither did he receive a
1 Substract -subtract.
The Second Book 79
pennywort h for himself, neither of what they purchased, nor
sold, all the time of his banishment till his return *.
And thus much of the loss of my Lord's estate in rents.
Concerning the loss of his parks and woods, as much as is
generally known (for I do not reckon particular trees cut
down in several of his woods yet standing), 'tis as follows :
1. Clipston Park and woods, cut down to the value of
20,000.
2. Kirkby Woods, for which my Lord was formerly proffered
/i 0,000.
3. Woods cut down in Derbyshire, /8ooo.
4. Red Lodge Wood, Rome Wood, and others near Welbeck,
4000.
5. Woods cut down in Staffordshire, /icxxx
C>. Woods cut down in Yorkshire, /i<xx>.
7. Woods cut down in Northumberland, /I5<x>.
The total, /4<;,ocxx
The lands which my Lord hath lost in present possession
are ,/-'<>i 5 per annum, which at twenty years' purchase come
to ^40,300; and those which he hath lost in reversion are
/3-M4 per annum, which at sixteen years' purchase amount
to the value of 51,424.
The lands which my Lord since his return has sold for the
payment of some of his debts, occasioned by the wars (for I
do not reckon those he sold to buy others), come to the value
of "s;6,(x~x), to which out of his yearly revenue he has added
"m,< xx) more, which is in all /(><">. <XHI.
Lastly, the composition of his brother's estate was /5(*x>,
and the loss of it for eight years comes to / i6.(xx>.
All which, if summed up together, amounts to 041.30^ -.
These are the accountable losses, which my dear Lord and
husband lias suffered by the late Civil Wars, and his loyalty
to his King and country. Concerning the loss of his per-onal
l Si-.- tin- Puke's li-tt.-r to S.vtvt.\rv Nieliol.is on this subject, \vritt.-n iluriiiR liis exile.
in ApixMiilix viii.
J Tlii- amount of the losses incurred 1-v tin- Puke on N-li.ilf of the tov.il c.uise limit
a parallel onlv in tin- somewhat similar statement ilrawn up !>v tin- M.ir>)iiN of Wor-
cester, ami presented l>\ him to I'liailes II. His total 'spent, lent, etc., lor my King
and country, <jiS,ooo '. Warlmrton's I'riitt-f Kiipfrt, iii, 515.
8o The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
estate, since (as I often mentioned) it cannot be exactly
known ; I shall not endeavour to set down the particulars
thereof, only in general give you a note of what partly they
1. The pulling down of several of his dwelling or manor-
houses.
2. The disfurnishing of them, of which the furniture at
Bolsovcr and Welbcck was very noble and rich. Out of his
London house at Clcrkenwcll, there were taken, amongst
other goods, suits of linen, viz. table-cloths, sideboard-
cloths, napkins, &c., whereof one suit cost 160 ; they being
bought for an entertainment which my Lord made for their
Majesties, King Charles the First, and the Queen, at Bolsover
Castle; and of 150 suits of hangings of all sorts in all his
houses, there were not above ten or twelve saved.
Of silver plate, my Lord had so much as came to the value
of 3800, besides several curiosities of cabinets, cups, and
other things, which after my Lord was gone out of England,
were taken out of his manor-house, Welbeck, by a garrison
of the King's party that lay therein l . whereof he recovered
only /iioo, which money was sent him beyond the seas;
the rest was lost.
As for pewter, brass, bedding, linen, and other household
stuff, there was nothing else left but some few old feather-
beds, and those all spoiled, and fit for no use.
3. My Lord's stock of corn, cattle, &c., was very great
before the wars, by reason of the largeness and capacity of
those grounds, and the great number of granges he kept for
his own use ; as, for example, Barlow, Carcolston, Glcadthorp,
Welbcck, and several more, which were all well manured and
stocked. But all this stock was lost, besides his race of horses
1 \\Vllieck was raptured by the Farl of Manchester al>oiit August 2, if>44 (Rush-
worth, III, ii, 64 : Manchester's letter of August '', i" a volume published by the C'am-
den Society under the title Manchester's (>uiirn-l u-ith Crnmtrrll, p. i). An account of
some of the spoils found there is (
\\elt>ock was retaken by the Royal
gives the following account of its
miller the command of Sir Richar
tin' port storxl his horse in ambus!
their bridge for their scouts, our In
man, rid hard, and though they p
took it. "Hiev disputed every van
iven in Mrs. Ilutrhinson's Memoirs, vol. ii, |
sts on July lf>,lf>4^l.\lfrcuriuslifli;ifus). Svi
apture : ' \\'ell>e< k was surprised by Newark
1 Willis, alxiut three weeks since. In a w<xx
, and when the trevall was beat, and they let
rse. under the command of Major Jarnot, a 1-
lied ill" the bridge a foot high vet they got i
, and our men alighted and with their pistols
24-
nds
lorse
nc.ir
town
in-h-
and
aleil
and got in.'-- Syrnonds, p. 224. Major Jarnot, more properly (as in the /.i/c of Colonel
Hutchinson) Jarnmot, was a \Vnlloon. U'elbeck was finally disgarrisoned, by arrange-
ment between the two parties, in November 1645.
The Second Book 81
in his grounds, grange horses, hackney-horses, manage-horses,
coach-horses, and others he kept for his use.
To these losses I may well and justly join the charges which
my Lord hath been put to since his return into England, by
reason they were caused by the ruins of the said wars ; whereof
I reckon :
1. His law-suits, which have been very chargeable to him,
more than advantageous.
2. The stocking, manuring, paling, stubbing, 1 hedging,
etc., of his grounds and parks ; where it is to be noted, that
no advantage or benefit can be made of grounds, under the
space of three years, and of cattle not under five or six.
3. The repairing and furnishing of some of his dwelling-
houses.
.). The setting up a race or breed of horses, as he had before
the wars ; for which purpose lie hath bought the best mares
he could get for money.
In short, I can reckon ^12,000 laid out barely for the repair
of some ruins, which my Lord could not be without, there
being many of them to repair yet ; neither is this all that is
laid out, but much more which I cannot well remember ; nor
is there more but one grange stocked, amongst several that
were kept for furnishing his house with provisions. As for
other charges and losses, which my Lord hath sustained since
his return, I will not reckon them, because my design is only
to account such losses as were caused by the wars.
By which, as they have been mentioned, it may easily be
concluded, that although my Lord's estate was very great
before the wars, yet now it is shrunk into a very narrow com-
pass, that it puts his prudence and wisdom to the proof, to
make it serve his necessities, he having no other assistance
to bear him up ; and yet notwithstanding all this, lie hath
since his return paid both for himself and his son, all manner
of taxes, loans, levies, assessments, etc., equally with the rest
of his Majesty's subjects, according to that estate that is left
him, which he has been forced to take upon interest.
1 'Stub', to grub up stumps or nxits. H.illiwcll, Dictionary of Arth.iic an./ />i>-
rintiiil ll'or./s.
M
THE THIRD BOOK
THUS having given you a faithful account of all my Lord's
actions, both before, in, and after the Civil Wars, and of his
losses, I shall now conclude with some particular heads con-
cerning the description of his own person, his natural humour,
disposition, qualities, virtues ; his pedigree, habit, diet, exer-
cises, etc., together with some other remarks and particulars
which I thought requisite to be inserted, both to illustrate
the former books, and to render the history of his life more
perfect and complete.
i. Of his Fou'cr
After his Majesty King Charles the First had entrusted my
Lord with the power of raising forces for his Majesty's service,
he effected that which never any subject did, nor was (in all
probability) able to do ; for though many great and noble per-
sons did also raise forces for his Majesty, yet they were bri-
gades, rather than well-formed armies, in comparison to my
Lord's. The reason was, that my Lord, by his mother, the
daughter of Cuthbert. Lord Ogle, being allied to most of the
most ancient families in Northumberland, and other the
northern parts, could pretend a greater interest in them, than
a stranger ; for they, through a natural affection to my Lord
as their own kinsman, would sooner follow him, and under
his conduct sacrifice their lives for his Majesty's service, than
anybody else, well knowing, that by deserting my Lord, they
deserted themselves. And by this means my Lord raised
first a troop of horse, consisting of a hundred and twenty, and
a regiment of foot ; and then an army of eight thousand horse,
foot and dragoons, in those parts ; anil afterwards upon this
ground, at several times, and in several places, so many several
troops, regiments and armies, that in all. from the first to the
last, they amounted to above UXVHXI men. and those most
84 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
upon his own interest, and without any other considerable
help or assistance ; which was much for a particular subject,
and in such a conjuncture of time ; for since armies are soonest
raised by covetousness, fear, and faction ; that is to say,
upon a constant and settled pay, upon the ground of terror,
and upon the ground of rebellion ; but very seldom or never
upon uncertainty of pay ; and when it is as hazardous to be
of such a party, as to be in the heat of a battle ; also when
there is no other design but honest duty. It may easily be
conceived that my Lord could have no little love and affection
when he raised his army upon such grounds as could promise
them but little advantage at that time.
Amongst the rest of his army, my Lord had chosen for his
own regiment of foot, 3000 of such valiant, stout, and faithful
men (whereof many were bred in the moorish grounds of the
northern parts) that they were ready to die at my Lord's
feet, and never gave over, whensoever they were engaged in
action, until they had either conquered the enemy, or lost
their lives. They were called White-coats, for this following
reason : my Lord being resolved to give them new liveries,
and there being not red cloth enough to be had, took up so
much of white as would serve to clothe them, desiring withal,
their patience until he had got it dyed ; but they, impatient
of stay, requested my Lord, that he would be pleased to let
them have it un-dycd as it was, promising they themselves
would dye it in the enemy's "blood. Which request my Lord
granted them, and from that time they were called White-
coats.
To give you some instances of their valour and courage, I
must beg leave to repeat some passages mentioned in the first
book. The enemy having closely besieged the city of York,
and made a passage into the manor-yard, by springing a mine
under the wall thereof, was got into the manor-house with a
great number of their forces ; which my Lord perceiving, he
immediately went and drew eighty of the said White-coats
thither, who with the greatest courage went close up to the
enemy, and having charged them, fell pell-mell with the butt-
ends of their muskets upon them, and with the assistance of
the rest that renewed their courage by their example, killed
and took 1500, and by that means saved the town '.
1 Sec p. 40.
The Third Book 85
How valiantly they behaved themselves in the last fatal
battle upon Ilessom Moor near York, has been also declared
heretofore ; insomuch, that although most of the army were
fled, yet they would not stir, until by the enemy's power they
were overcome, and most of them slain in rank and file *.
Their love and affection to my Lord was such, that it lasted
even when he was deprived of all his power, and could do
them little good ; to which purpose I shall mention this
following passage :
My Lord being in Antwerp, received a visit from a gentleman,
who came out of England, and rendered my Lord thanks
for his safe escape at sea ; my Lord being in amaze, not know-
ing what the gentleman meant, he was pleased to acquaint
him, that in his coming over sea out of England, he was set
upon by pickaroons '-, who having examined him, and the
rest of his company, at last some asked him, whether he knew
the Marquess of Newcastle ? To whom he answered, that
he knew him very well, and was going over into the same city
where my Lord lived. Whereupon they did not only take
nothing from him, but used him with all civility, and desired
him to remember their humble duty to their Lord-General,
for they were some of his White-coats that had escaped death ;
and if my Lord had any service for them, they were ready to
assist him upon what designs soever, and to obey him in
whatsoever he should be pleased to command them.
This I mention for the eternal fame and memory of those
valiant and faithful men. But to return to the power my
Lord had in the late wars : as he was the head of his own army,
and had raised it most upon his own interest for the service
of his Majc-sty : so he was never ordered by his Majesty's
privy council (except that some forces of his were kept by
l ' A most memorable action happened on th
ment of foot belongim- to Newcastle, called the l.an
men l 01 HKJL IIUIUH^IIIK LU ;xi , IMK , i .111*11 uu I..IM i, IJV\\IUM: un\ wrir an ne>\ i HHIHTI
in white woollen cloth, two or three days belore he light. This sole reeiment. after
the day was lost, having not into a small parcel
t d.tv. 'Iliere was one entire regi-
t>s, because ttiev were all new clothed
ground ditched in, and not of easy
ere valour, tor one whole hour, kept
access of horse, would take no quarter ;
William Lilly, p. iVs, ed. .
- Rogues, from the Spanish ri<:aro.
86 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
his late Majesty (which he sent to him), together with some
arms*"and ammunition heretofore mentioned) until his High-
ness Prince Rupert came from his Majesty, to join with him
at the siege of York. He had, moreover, the power of coining,
printing, knighting, etc., which never any subject had before,
when his sovereign himself was in the kingdom ; as also the
command of so many counties, as is mentioned in the first
book, and the power of placing and displacing what governors
and commanders he pleased, and of constituting what garri-
sons he thought fit ; of the chief whereof I shall give you this
following list :
A Particular of the Principal Garrisons and ihc Governors of
them, constituted by my Lord *
IN NORTHUMBERLAND 2
Nc\vcastlo-upon-Tync ( Sir John Marlcy, Knight.
Tynmouth Castle and Shields, Sir Thomas Riddal, Knight.
IN THE BISHOPRIC OF DURHAM :1
Ilartlcpool, Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Lainhton.
Raby Castle, Sir William Savile, Knight anil Baronet.
IN YORKSHIRE 4
The city of York, Sir Thomas Glenham, Knight and Baronet ; and
afterwards, when he took the field, the Lord John Bellasis.
Pomfret Castle, Colonel Mynn, and after him Sir John Kedman.
Sheffield Castle, Major Beaumont.
1 I have endeavoured to give as far as possible the dates of the capture of these Karri-
sons, as they show the fate of the royalist cause in the North after Newcastle's dep.u ture.
- Newcastle-upon-Tvnc. The town captured by the Scots, October 20, 1044 ; the
Castle, October 27. Vicars' Hurtling Hush, pp. 46-61.
Tynmouth Castle, Octolx-r 27, 1644. liurnini: Hush, p. 63.
: > Ilartlcpool, July 24, 1644. Thurloe, State Papers, i, 41.
Kaby Castle. The date of its first capture I have not l>een able to find. White-
lock notes on July 7, 1645 : ' the King's forces from Holton surprised Kaby Castle,
belonging to Sir Henry Vane, but were again close blocked up by forces raised by Sii
George Vane ', and notes its surrender to the Parliament on July 28. U'hitclock, vol.
, PP- 4 r >5, 4 H 7, cd. iH.sj.
York. Articles signed July if>, 1644. Rushworth, III, ii, 640
I'omfret Castle, July 21, if>4V Hurttini; Hush, p. 202. See also the Surtees Society's
Volume of Miiceliania containing the history of the siege of I'ontefract.
Sheffield Castle, nth August 1644. Hunter's Hallamshirc, ed. Catty, p. 14;.
Wortley Hall. Possibly Walton Hall is meant, captured with Sir Francis \\ortley
in it on }rd June 1644. Kushworth, III, ii, 622.
Tickhill Castle, Jtilv 26, 1644. Vicars' (ind's Ark, p. 203.
Doncaster, fortified^ in January 1644. Kushworth, III, ii, 305. In The Kin^Jum's
The Third Book 87
Worlley Hall, Sir Francis Wortley.
Tickhill Castle, Major Mounteney.
Doncastcr, Sir Francis Fane, Knight of the Bath, afterwards
Governor of Lincoln.
Sandal Castle, Captain Honlvant.
Skipton Castle, Sir John Mallary, Baronet.
Bolton Castle, Mr. Scroope.
Ilcmslcy Castle, Sir Jordan Crosland.
Scarborough Castle, and town. Sir Hugh Cholmley.
Stamford Bridge, Colonel (lalhraith.
Halifax, Sir Francis Mackworth.
'I'adcastcr, Sir Gamaliel Dudley.
Fyrniouth, Major Kaughton.
IN CUMUKKI AND l
The city of Carlisle, Sir Philip Musgrave, Knight and Baronet.
Cockennoiith, Colonel Kirhy.
IN NOTTINT, H AMSIIIRR 2
Ncwark-upon-Trcnt, Sir John Henderson, Knight ; and afterwards
Sir Richard Byron. Knight, now Lord Byron.
Wyrton House, Colonel Rowland I lacker.
\Vell>eck, Colonel Van IVire; and after Colonel Beeton.
Shelford House, Colonel Philip Stanhop.
1\ LlNVOI.NSIIIRK - 1
'I'he city of Lincoln, first Sir Francis Fane, Knight of the Bath ;
secondly Sir Peregrine Bartn.
IIV.vWv /M/<-//i\vnriT for April i in, i( )( |, it is st.itril th.it the roy.ilists hail ab.uulonrd
Donrastrr.
S.md.il f.istl.-, 0,-tolx-r .', H.CJ.
Ski|it'iu Castli-, MrrrnilxT -M, U'lS. Hurnin^ Hush, v>7-
r.nllciii C.i-itli-, bi-:;iniiiiij; ol Nnvrintirr Hi|S. X'ir.ns' Huniinf Hush, p. ?iS.
llrliiisli-v C.isllr, Novi-inlicr -.-, ii.||. llu- Artiili-s .in- piiiiliil in Ihr l-',nt/.i\ Cur-
rfspontli-iii'i-, \"l. iii, p. i-'t.
Sc.irlmrciiiKli, (In- Imvii t.iki-ii l rtli I i-l'iu.ii v I*MS ; III.- <-.i-ll', Julv ._. HUS.
St.iiiit<>i-il liriili;! 1 . On tin- liisinrv nt thi^ ^.iriis.<n SIM- Sliiu-I'Vx M,-in,'irf, p. ,)(.
It VV.IS C.lptllli'd .lllc'llt till' S.IIIH 1 tillli' .!> 'r.lili'.l-ill 1 !'.
'r.ulc-.istiT, M.urh (, id.||. KiiT.ilt'-. <'/MIH/'I,III\.
1 '.ynniiiitli, - - |th M.iv iii.| |. t.ikfii liv Sir |nlui Mclilrniu. .Vt-rfurius Ci.-iVus, M.iy
21-jo. n>.(4- "' ''-"I ''-" ''l''""'<l I'.IW.M| l\istli- <>n M.iv i.).
l Carlisle, Julv io.|.s. \'ic-.us' Human; Hu\h, p. i.iri. \\liitolork notrs its surrpudt-r
uiulcr Julv .'.
- Nrw.irk. 1'lic .irtii Ifs for the surn-iiilcr of Now.irk .in- si>;ii(\l dlh M.iv, thr R.irri-
SOM in.irrliiMl out M.iv S, i(v|ii. Kiisliworth, I\'. i, .'>).
Wvrton. or \Vi\vrtoti. liolorc Novriiilicr o, n<^. Yio.irs 1 Hurninf Hush. p. ;i(<.
\\Vlbivk, Aumist .', K'lf. Kushwoitli, III, li, i>.||. .Mimtkfstfr's (Jujrrel u-tik (>>n>
t,v//, p. (..
Slicllorcl, Novi-inlx-r 5, id.|.s. Memoirs >>/ ( >/. Huickinson, vol. ii, pp. 8^, {;(>, t\i.
iS.S.s.
:i Lincoln t.ik.-n I>v M.iu.-lu-it.-r's loiv.-s aftor tin- luttlo of \Viiuvt>v, aKnit (Vtolxr
J4, K>4j. Vicars' GWs Ark, p. 51. Abandoned 111 M.udi 1644, alter IVince Rupert's
88 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
Gainsborough, Colonel St. George.
Bullingbrook Castle, Lieutenant-Colonel Chester.
Bdvoir Castle, Sir Gervas Lucas.
IN DERBYSHIRE 1
Bolsover Castle, Colonel Muschamp.
Wingfield Manor, Colonel Roger Molyneux.
Staveley House, the now Lord Fretchvile.
A List of the General Officers of the Army
1. The Lord-General, the now Duke of Newcastle, the noble sub-
ject of this book.
2. The Lieutenant-General of the Army ; first the Earl of New-
port, afterwards the Lord Eythin.
3. The General of the Ordnance, Charles, Viscount Mansfield.
4. The General of the Horse, Lord Goring.
5. The Colonel-General of the Army, Sir Thomas Glenham.
6. The Major-General of the Army, Sir Francis Mackworth.
7. The Lieutenant-General of the Horse, first Mr. Charles Cavendish,
after him Sir Charles Lucas.
8. Commissary-General of Horse, first Colonel Windham, after
him Sir William Throckmorton, and after him Mr. George
Porter.
9. Lieutenant-General of the Ordnance, Sir William Davenant.
10. Treasurer of the Army, Sir William Carnaby.
11. Advocate-General of the Army, Dr. Liddal.
12. Quartermaster-General of the Army, Mr. Ralph Krrinton.
13. Providore-Gcneral - of the Army, Mr. Gervas Nevil, and after
Mr. Smith.
14. Scout-Master-General of the Army, Mr. Hudson 3 .
15. Wagon-Master General-of the Army, Baptist Johnson.
relief of Newark ; reorcupied by the Cavaliers, arid taken again l>y Manchester, Ma\
6, 1^144. Kushworth, III, ii, 21. Ciainsborough was taken the same ()<t<>l>er 1(145.
,oned as captured in '1 ht Scottish lloir, ( )< 'tuber 2~ to
y ii, 1646. 1'eck's Desiderata Curiosa, p. 345.
, 1644.
1 w^.
, 1644. These three houses were all taken bv Major-
hmcnt of Manchester's army, after the battle of Marston
Hullingbrook Castle is me
November 3, 1643.
Belvoir, surrendered Janua
1 Bol&over Castle, August
Wingfield Manor, August I
Staveley House, August 2
General Crawford with a deta
Moor. Rushworth, III, ii, 644.
2 The precise duties of these officers can best be gathered from Markham's Five I)t-
caJfs of I- pistlrs of War. I'rovidore-General is what he calls Victual Master, I'rovant*
Master, or Purveyor.
3 Michael Hudson, D.D., of Queen's College, Oxford, the King's guide and companion
in his flight from Oxford. He was killed at the capture of \Voodcroft House in North-
amptonshire, June 6, 1648. See the numerous documents relating to him in 1'cck's
llrsidrraia Curiosa, pp. 347, 379 ; and also I'ortland MSS., i, 368-84.
The Third Book 89
William, Lord Widdrington, was President of the Council
of War, and Commandcr-in-Chicf of the three counties of Lin-
coln, Rutland, and Nottingham, and the forces there.
When my Lord marched with his army to Newcastle against
the Scots, then the Lord John Bcllasis was constituted Gover-
nor of York, and Commandcr-in-Chicf, or Licutenant-Gencral
of Yorkshire.
As for the rest of the officers and commanders of every
particular regiment and company, they being too numerous,
cannot well be remembered, and therefore I shall give you
no particular account of them.
2. Of his Misfortunes and Obstructions
Although Nature had favoured my Lord, and endued him
with the best qualities and perfections she could inspire into
his soul ; yet Fortune hath ever been such an inveterate
enemy to him, that she invented all the spite and malice against
him that lay in her power ; and notwithstanding his prudent
counsels and designs, cast such obstructions in his way, that
he seldom proved successful, but where he acted in person.
And since I am not ignorant that this unjust and partial age
is apt to suppress the worth of meritorious persons, and that
many will endeavour to obscure my Lord's noble actions and
fame, by casting unjust aspersions upon him, and laying
(either out of ignorance or malice) Fortune's envy to his charge.
I have purposed to represent these obstructions which conspired
to render his good intentions and endeavours ineffectual, and
at last did work his ruin and destruction, in these following
particulars.
1. At the time when the kingdom became so infatuated,
as to oppose and pull down their gracious King and Sovereign,
the treasury was exhausted, and no suflicient means to raise
and maintain armies to reduce his Majesty's rebellious sub-
jects ; so that my Lord had little to begin withal but what his
own estate would allow, and his interest procure him.
2. When his late Majesty, in the beginning of the unhappy
wars, sent my Lord to Hull, the strongest place in the kingdom,
where the magazine of arms and ammunition was kept, and
he by his prudence had gained it to his Majesty's service :
my Lord was left to the mercy of the Parliament, where he had
surely suffered for it (though he acted not without his Majesty's
N
90 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
commission), if some of the contrary party had not quitted
him, in hopes to gain him on their side.
3. After his Majesty had sent my Lord to Newcastle-upon-
Tyne, to take upon him the government of that place, and
he had raised there, of friends and tenants, a troop of horse
and regiment of foot, which he ordered to convey some arms
and ammunition to his Majesty, sent by the Queen out of
Holland ; his Majesty was pleased to keep the same convoy
with him to increase his own forces, which, although it was
but of a small number, yet at that present time it would have
been very serviceable to my Lord, he having then but begun
to raise forces,
4. When her Majesty, the now Queen Mother, after her
arrival out of Holland to York, had a purpose to convey some
arms to his Majesty, my Lord ordered a party of 1500 to con-
duct the same, which his Majesty was pleased to keep with him
for his own service.
5. After her Majesty had taken a resolution to go from York
to Oxford, where the King then was, my Lord for her safer
conduct quitted 7,000 men of his army, with a convenient
train of artillery, which likewise never returned to my Lord.
6. When the Earl of Montrose was going into Scotland, he
went to my Lord at Durham, and desired of him a supply
of some forces for his Majesty's service ; when my Lord gave
him 200 horse and dragoons, even at such a time when he stood
most in need of a supply himself, and thought every clay to
encounter the Scottish army '.
7. When my Lord out of the northern parts went into
Lincoln- and Derby- shires with his army, to order and reduce
them to their allegiance and duty to his Majesty, and from
thence resolved to march into the Associate Counties (where
in all probability he would have made an happy end of the war),
he was so importuned by those he left behind him, and par-
ticularly the Commandcr-in-Chicf, to return into Yorkshire
(alleging the enemy grew strong and would ruin them all
if he came not speedily to succour and assist them), that
in honour and duty he could do no otherwise but grant their
requests ; when as yet being returned into those parts, he
found them secure and safe enough from the enemy's attempts.
1 See p. 35.
* See p. 30. Slin^sby says Lord Newcastle marched in Lincolnshire, took Gains-
borough, ' and had done greater matters in that county had he not been too hastily
The Third Book 91
8. My Lord (as heretofore mentioned) had as great private
enemies about his Majesty, as he had public enemies in the
field, who used all the endeavour they could to pull him down.
9. There was such juggling, treachery, and falsehood in his
own army, and amongst some of his own officers, that it was
impossible for my Lord to be prosperous and successful in his
designs and undertakings.
10. My Lord's army being the chief and greatest army which
his Majesty had, and in which consisted his prime strength
and power, the Parliament resolved, at last, to join all their
forces with the army of the Scots (which when it came out
of Scotland, was above 2<>,<xx> men), to oppose, and if possible,
to ruin it ; well knowing, that if they did pull down my Lord,
they should be masters of all the three kingdoms ; so that
there were three armies against one. Hut although my Lord
suffered much by the negligence (and sometimes treachery)
of his officers, and was unfortunately called back into York-
shire, from his march he designed for the Associate Counties,
and was forced to part with a great number of his forces and
ammunition, as afore-mentioned ; yet he would hardly have
been overcome, and his army ruined by the enemy, had he but
had some timely supply and assistance at the siege of York,
or that his counsel had been taken in not fighting the enemy
then, or that the battle had been deferred some two or three
days longer, until those forces were arrived which he expected,
namely, 3,cxx> men out of Northumberland, and j,(xx> drawn
out of several garrisons. But the chief misfortune was that the
enemy fell upon the King's forces, before they were all put
into a battallia, and took them at their great disadvantage ;
which caused such a panic fear amongst them, that most
of the horse of the right wing of his Majesty's forces betook
themselves to their heels ; insomuch, that although the left
wing (commanded by the Lord doling and my brother Sir
Charles Luc. is) did their best endeavour, and beat back the
lied away 1'v tin' Kontloinon of York-hire, who N'^an again to fear inv I.oril Fair-
x's |>ower ; for after he was once uot to Hull, his -haltered tnps N-gaii to drop in
io after another. .ml wlut In- wanted in loot In 1 made tin- countrv supply him with
it of tin- Kast Kiilini;. II.- begins to enlarge- his quarters, ami ht-Kl Ueveilrv t'i, .nut
mbted not within .1 while to be able to vi-it his de.irlv N-l.mxl the West Hiding .icain.
lis 1 sav was tin- cans,- th.it moved the gentlemen to -end I his 1 \cc|lem v to de-ire
in to oiini- hack ; ami Ix-ing come gave their opinions that his onlv \\.iy woul.l N-
besiege him in Hull; ami ol that opinion was I ieuton.uit-lietiei.il King, anil that
t mi^ht be won if the gentlemen would undertake to raise an addition of force to those
nit of the country. Thev o about it and in several parts of the roimtrv sit in com-
nission, makes great levies if they could bo kept together.' Slmgsby, Memoir s, p. .jy.
92 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
enemy three limes, and my Lord's own regiment of foot
charged them so courageously, that they never broke, but
died most of them in their ranks and files ; yet the power of
the enemy being too strong, put them at last to a total rout
and confusion. Which unlucky disaster put an end to all
future hopes of his Majesty's party ; so that my Lord, seeing
lie had nothing left in his power to do his Majesty any further
service in that kind (for had he stayed, he would have been
forced to surrender all those towns and garrisons in those
parts, that were yet in his Majesty's devotion, as afterwards
it also happened), resolved to quit the kingdom, as formerly
is mentioned.
And these arc chiefly the obstructions to the good success
of my Lord's designs in the late Civil Wars ; which being
rightly considered, will save him blameless from what other-
wise would be laid to his charge. For, as according to the old
saying, ' 'Tis easy for men to swim when they are held up by
the chin ' : so, on the other side, it is very dangerous and
difficult for them to endeavour it, when they are pulled down
by the heels, and beaten upon their heads.
3. Of his Loyalty and Sufferings
I dare boldly and justly say, that there never was, nor is a
more loyal and faithful subject than my Lord, not to mention
the trust he discharged in all those employments, which cither
King James, or King Charles the First, or his now gracious
master King Charles the Second, were pleased to bestow upon
him, which he performed with such care and fidelity, that he
never disobeyed their commands in the least ; I will only
note
i. That he was the first that appeared in arms for his
Majesty, and engaged himself and all his friends he could for
his Majesty's service ; and though he had but two sons which
were young, and one only brother yet they all were with him
in the wars. His two sons had commands, but his brother,
though he had no command, by reason of the weakness of his
body, yet he was never from my Lord when he was in action,
even to the last ; for he was the last with my Lord in the field
in that fatal battle upon Hessom Moor, near York ; and though
my brother, Sir Charles Lucas, desired my Lord to send his
sons away, when the said battle was fought, yet he would not,
The Third Book 93
saying, his sons should show their loyalty and duty to his
Majesty, in venturing their lives, as well as himself.
2. My Lord was the chief and only person, that kept uj the
power of his late Majesty ; for when his army was lost, all the
King's party was ruined in all three of his Majesty's kingdoms ;
because in his army lay the chief strength of all the royal
forces ; it being the greatest and best formed army which his
Majesty had, and the only support both of his Majesty's person
and power, and of the hopes of all his loyal subjects in all his
dominions.
3. My Lord was sixteen years in banishment, and hath lost
and suffered most of any subject, that suffered either by war,
or other ways, except those that lost their lives, and even that
he valued not, but exposed it to so imminent dangers that
nothing but Heaven's decree had ordained to save it.
.(. He never minded his own interest more than his loyalty
and duty, and upon that account never desired nor received
anything from the Crown to enrich himself, but spent great
sums in his Majesty's service ; so that after his long banish-
ment and return into Kngland. I observed his ruined estate
was like an earthquake, and his debts like thunderbolts, by
which he was in danger of being utterly undone, had not
patience and prudence, together with Heaven's blessings, saved
him from that threatening ruin.
5. He never repined at his losses and sulk-rings, because he
lost and suffered for his King and country : nay, so far was
he from that, that I have heard him say, if the same wars
should happen again, and he was sure to lose both his life and
all he had left him, yet he would most willingly sacrifice it for
his Majesty's service.
(>. lie never connived or conspired with the enemy, neither
directly nor indirectly : for though some person of quality
being sent in the late wars to him into the north ', from his late
Majesty, who was then at Oxford, with some message, did
withal in private acquaint him. that some of the nobility th.it
were with tin- King, desin-d him to side with them against his
Majesty, alleging that if his Majesty should become an abso-
I Sir Philip \\.it\viik w.i> (wire emploxed on en. mils lioni Oxford to tin- northern
.inuv, .mil m.iv po-iMHv \>c tin- prison reletied to, Init thru- is no hint of .my sm h in-
trigue in his Memoir*, \\ilmot m.iv h.ue Nvn concerned in it, lor, .is Sir Philip re-
in. irks, ' he th.it marks Wilmot's whole progress through the war shall tind him much
affected, to be an arbiter of peace '.
94 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
lute conqueror, both himself and the rest of the nobility would
lose all their rights and privileges ; yet he was so far from
consenting to it, that he returned him this answer, namely,
that he entered into actions of war, for no other end, but for
the service of his king and master, and to keep up his Majesty's
rights and prerogatives, for which he was resolved to venture
both his life, posterity, and estate ; for certainly, said he, the
nobility cannot fall if the King be victorious, nor can they
keep up their dignities if the King be overcome.
This message was delivered by word of mouth, but none
of their names mentioned ; so that it is not certainly known
whether it was a real truth or not ; more probable it was, that
they intended to sound my Lord, or to make, if possible, more
division. For certainly not all that pretended to be for the
King, were his friends ; and I myself remember very well,
when I was with her Majesty, the now Ouccn Mother, in Ox-
ford (although I was too young to perceive their intrigues, yet
I was old enough to observe), that there were great factions
both amongst the courtiers and soldiers. But my Lord's
loyalty was such, that he kept always faithful and true to his
Majesty, and could by no means be brought to side with the
rebellious party, or to juggle and mind his own interest more
than his Majesty's service ; and this was the cause that he
had as great private enemies at court, as he' had public enemies
in the field, who sought as much his ruin and destruction
privately, and would cast aspersions upon his loyalty and duty,
as these did publicly oppose him.
In short, that it may appear the better what loyal and
faithful services my Lord has done both for his late Majesty
King Charles the First and his now gracious master King
Charles the Second, I have thought fit to subjoin both their
Majesty's commendations which they were pleased to give him,
when for his great and loyal services they conferred upon him
the titles and dignities of Marquess, and Duke of Newcastle 1 .
A Copy of the Preamble of my Lord's Patent for Marquess,
Englished
' RKX, KTC., SALUTEM. Whereas it appears to us, that
William, Farl of Newcastlc-upon-Tyne, besides his most cmi-
1 (iiven also by Collins, Historical ColUctwm, p. 31, and there dated Oxford, 27th
October 1643.
The Third Book 95
ncnt birth and splendid alliances, hath equalled all those titles
with which he is adorned by desert, and hath also won them
by virtue, industry, prudence, and a steadfast faith : whilst
with dangers and expenses gathering together soldiers, arms,
and all other warlike habiliments ; and applying them as well
in our .affairs, as most plentifully sending them to us (having
forethought of our dignity and security), he was ready with
us in all actions in Yorkshire, and governed the town of New-
castle and castle, in the mouth of Tyne, at the time of that
fatal revolt of the people who were got together ; and with a
band of his friends did opportunely seize that port, and settled
it a garrison ; bringing arms to us (then our only relief) :
in which service so strongly going on (which was of grand
moment to our affairs) we do gratefully remember him still
to have stood to : afterwards, having mustered together a
good army (ourself being gone elsewhere), the rebels now
enjoying almost all Yorkshire, and the chicfest fortress of all
the country now appearing to have scarce refuge or safety for
him against the swelling rebels (the whole country then desiring
and praying for his coming, that he might timely relieve them
in their desperate condition) : and leading his said army
in the midst of winter gave the rebels battle in his passage,
vanquished them, and put them to flight, and took from them
several garrisons and places of refuge, and restored health
to the subjects, and, by his many victories, peace and security
to the countries : witness those places, made noble by the death
and flight of the rebels : in Lincolnshire, Gainsborough and
Lincoln ; in Derbyshire, Chesterfield ; but in Yorkshire,
Peircebridge, Seacroft, Tankcrly, Tadcaster, Sheffield, Rother-
ham, Yarum, Ueverley. Cawood. Selby. Halifax, Leeds, and,
above all. Bradford : where, when the Yorkshire and Lanca-
shire rebels were united, and battle joined with them : when
our army, as well by the great numbers of the rebels, as much
more the badness of our ground, was so prest upon, that the
soldiers now seemed to think of (lying : he. their General, with
a full career, commanding two troops to follow him. broke into
the very rage of the battle, and with so much violence fell upon
the right wing of those rebels, that those who were but now
certain of victory, turned their backs, and fled from the con-
queror, who by his wisdom, virtue, and his own hand, brought
death and Hight to the rebels, victor)- and glory to himself,
96 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
plunder to the soldiery, and twenty-two great guns, and many
ensigns to us. Nor was there before this, wanting to so much
virtue, equal felicity, for our most beloved Consort, after
a dismal tempest coming from Holland, being drove ashore
at Burlington, and undergoing a more grievous danger, by the
excursions of the rebels, than the tossing and tumbling of the
sea ; he having heard of it, speedily goes to her with his army,
and dutifully rcceiveth her, in safety brings her, and with all
security conducts her to us at Oxford. Whereas therefore
the aforesaid Earl hath raised so many monuments of his
virtue and fidelity towards us, our Queen, children, and our
kingdom ; when also he doth at this time establish with
safety, and with his power defend, the northern parts of our
kingdom against the rebels ; when, lastly, nothing more con-
cerns mankind and princes, and nothing can be more just, than
that he may receive for his deeds a reward suitable to his name,
which requires that he who defends the Borders should be
created by us, Governor or Marquess of the Borderers. Know
therefore ', etc.
A Copy of the Preamble of my Lord's Patent for Duke, Englished l
' REX, ETC., SALUTEM. Whereas our most beloved and
faithful cousin and counsellor, William, Earl and Marquess
of Newcastlc-upon-Tyne, etc., worthy by his famous name,
blood, and office, of large honours, has been eminent in so
many, and so great services performed to us and our father
(of ever-blessed memory) that his merits are still producing
new effects, we have decreed likewise to add more honour
to his former. And though these his such eminent actions,
which lie hath faithfully and valiantly performed to us, our
father, and our kingdom, speak loud enough in themselves ;
yet since the valiant services of a good subject are always plea-
sant to remember, we have thought fit to have them in part
related for a good example and encouragement to virtue.
' The great proofs of his wisdom and piety arc sufficiently
known to us from our younger years, and we shall always
1 Collins' Historical Collections, p. 4}, dated iflth March 166'. Newcastle asked
for a dukedom. ' I have received yours by your sou ', replied Charles II, on June 7,
iW>4, ' and am resolved to grant your request. Send me therefore word what title
vou desire to have, or whether you will keep your old, and leave the rest to me.' - I'orl-
land MSS.. ii, 145.
The Third Book 97
retain a sense of those good principles he instilled into us ;
the care of our youth which he happily undertook for our
good, he as faithfully and well discharged. Our years growing
up amidst bad times, and the harsh necessities of war, a new
charge and care of loyalty, the kingdom and religion, called
him off to make use of his further diligence and valour. Re-
bellion spread abroad, he levied loyeil forces in great numbers,
opposed the enemy, won so many and so great victories in the
field, took in so many towns, castles, and garrisons, as well
in our northern parts, as elsewhere ; and behaved himself with so
great courage and valour in the defending also what he had
got, especially at the siege of York, which he maintained
against three potent armies, of Scots and English, closely
beleaguering, and with emulation assaulting it for three months
(till relief was brought), to the wonder and envy of the enemy ;
that, if loyal and human force could have prevailed, he had
soon restored fidelity, peace, and his KING to the nation,
which was then hurrying to ruin by an unhappy fate ; so that
rebellion getting the upper hand, and no place being left for
him to act further valiantly in, for his King and country, he
still retained the same loyalty and valour in suffering, being an
inseparable follower of our exile ; during which sad catas-
trophe, his whole estate was sequestered and sold from him,
and his person always one of the first of those few who were
exccpted, both for life and estate (which was offered to all
others). Besides, his virtues are accompanied with a noble
blood, being of a family by each stock equally adorned and
endowed with great honours and riches. For which reasons
we have resolved to grace the said Marquess with a new mark
of our favour, he being every way deserving of it, as one who
loved virtue equal to his noble birth, and possessed patri-
monies suitable to both, as long as loyalty had any place to
show itself in our realm : which possessions he so well em-
ployed, and at last for us and our father's service lost, till he
was with us restored. Know therefore ', etc.
4. Of his Prudence and Wisdom
My Lord's prudence and wisdom hath been sufficiently
apparent both in his public and private actions and employ-
ments ; for he hath such a natural inspection, and judicious
O
98 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
observation of things, that he sees beforehand what will
conic to pass, and orders his affairs accordingly. To which
purpose I cannot but mention, that Laud, the then Arch-
bishop of Canterbury (between whom and my Lord interceded
a great and entire friendship, which he confirmed by a legacy
of a diamond, to the value of ^200, left to my Lord when he
died, which was much for him to bequeath ; for though he was
a great statesman, and in favour with his late Majesty, yet he
was not covetous to hoard up wealth, but bestowed it rather
upon the public, repairing the Cathedral of St. Paul's in Lon-
don, which, had God granted him life, he would certainly
hare beautified, and rendered as famous and glorious as any
in Christendom) : this said Archbishop was pleased to tell
his late Majesty, that my Lord was one of the wisest and pru-
dentcst persons that ever he was acquainted with.
For further proof, I cannot pass by that my Lord told his
late Majesty, King Charles the First, and her Majesty the now
Queen Mother, some time before the wars, that he observed,
by the humours of the people, the approaching of a civil war,
and that his Majesty's person would be in danger of being
deposed, if timely care was not taken to prevent it.
Also when my Lord was at Antwerp, the Marquess of Mon-
trosc, before he went into Scotland, gave my Lord a visit, and
acquainted him with his intended journey, asking my Lord
whether he was not also going for England ? My Lord an-
swered, he was ready to do his Majesty what service he could,
and would shun no opportunity, where he perceived he could
effect something to his Majesty's advantage ; nay, said he, if
his Majesty should be pleased to command my single person
to go against the whole army of the enemy, although I was sure
to lose my life, yet out of a loyal duty to his Majesty, and
in obedience to his commands, I should never refuse it. But
to venture (said he) the life of my friends, and to betray them
in a desperate action, without any probability of doing the
least good to his Majesty, would be a very unjust and uncon-
scionable act ; for my friends might perhaps venture with me
upon an implicit faith, that I was so honest as not to engage
them without a firm and solid foundation ; but I wanting
that, as having no ships, arms, ammunition, provision, forts,
and places of rendezvous, and what is the chief thing, money ;
to what purpose would it be to draw them into so hazardous
The Third Book 99
an action, but to seek their ruin and destruction, without the
least benefit to his Majesty ? Then the Marquess of Montrose
asked my Lord's advice, and what he should do in such a
case ? My Lord answered, that he, knowing best his own
country, power, and strength, and what probability he had
of forces, and other necessaries for war, when he came into
Scotland, could give himself the best advice ; but withal told
him, that if he had no provision nor ammunition, arms and
places of rcndc/.vous for his men to meet and join, he would
likely be forced to hide his head, and suffer for his rash under-
taking : which unlucky fate did also accordingly befall that
worthy person.
These passages I mention to no other end, but to declare
my Lord's judgment and prudence in worldly affairs ; whereof
there arc so many, that if I should set them all down, it would
swell this history to a big volume. They may in some sort
be gathered from his actions mentioned heretofore, especially
the ordering of his affairs in the time of war, with such conduct,
prudence, and wisdom, that, notwithstanding at the beginning
of his undertaking that great trust and honourable employ-
ment which his late Majesty was pleased to confer upon him,
he saw so little appearance of performing his designs with good
success, his Majesty's revenues being then much weakened, and
the magazines and public purse in the enemy's power, besides
several other obstructions and hindrances ; yet as he under-
took it cheerfully, and out of pure loyalty and obedience to his
Majesty ; so he ordered it so wisely, that so long as he acted
by his own counsels and was personally present at the execution
of his designs, lie was always prosperous in his success. And
although he had so great an army, as afore-mentioned, \vt
by his wise and prudent conduct, there appeared no visible
sign of devastation in any ot the countries where he inarched ;
for first, he settled a constant rule for the regular levy of money
for the convenient maintenance of the soldiery. Next, he con-
stituted such officers of his army, that most of them were
known to be gentlemen of large and fair estates, which drew a
good part of their private revenues, to serve and supjxirt them
in their public employments ; wherein my Lord did lead them
the way by his own good example.
To which may be added his wisdom in ordering the govern-
ment of the Church, for the advancement of the orthodox
loo The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
religion, and suppression of factions ; as also in coining,
printing, knighting, and the like, which he used with great dis-
cretion and prudence, only for the interest of his Majesty,
and the benefit of the kingdom, as formerly has been men-
tioned.
The prudent manage of his private and domestic affairs
appears sufficiently, (i) In his marriage ; (2) in the ordering
and increasing his estate before the wars, which, notwithstand-
ing his noble housekeeping and hospitality, and his generous
bounty and charity, he increased to the value of /ioo,ooo ;
(3) in the ordering his affairs in the time of banishment, where,
although he received not the least of his own estate, during
all the time of his exile, until his return : yet maintained him-
self handsomely and nobly, according to his quality, as much
as his condition at that time would permit ; (4) in reducing
his torn and ruined estate after his return, which, beyond
all probability, himself hath settled and ordered so, that his
posterity will have reason gratefully to remember it.
In short, although my Lord naturally loves not business,
especially those of state (though he understands them as well
as anybody), yet what business or affairs he cannot avoid, none
will do them better than himself. His private affairs he orders
without any noise or trouble, not ovcr-hastily, but wisely.
Neither is he passionate in acting of business, but hears
patiently, and orders soberly, and pierces into the heart or
bottom of a business at the first encounter ; but before all
things, he considers well before he undertakes a business,
whether he be able to go through it or no, for he never ventures
upon either public or private business, beyond his strength.
And here I cannot forbear to mention, that my noble Lord,
when he was in banishment, presumed out of his duty and love
to his gracious master, our now sovereign King, Charles the
Second, to write and send him a little book, or rather a letter
wherein he delivered his opinion concerning the government
of his dominions, whensoever God should be pleased to restore
him to his throne, together with some other notes and observa-
tions of foreign states and kingdoms ; but it being a private
offer to his sacred Majesty, I dare not presume to publish it '.
1 Two copies of this little hook have survived. One is in the Bodleian Library amongst
the Clarendon MSS. It is drscrilicd in Mr. Madan's Summary ('atalKue of the Western
MSS., vol. iii, number 16,19.5. It is bound in white parchment, with fine gold tool-
The Third Book 101
5. Of his Blessings
Although my Lord hath been one of the most unfortunate
persons of his rank and quality, which this later age did pro-
duce ; yet Heaven hath been so propitious to him, that
it bestowed some blessings upon him even in the midst of his
misfortunes, and supported him against Fortune's malice,
which otherwise, as it seems, had designed his total ruin and
destruction. Of these blessings I may name in the first place.
1. The royal favours of his gracious sovereigns, and the
good esteem they had of his fidelity and loyalty ; which, as
it was the chief of his endeavours, so he esteemed it above all
the rest. To repeat them particularly would be too tedious,
and they are sufficiently apparent out of the precedent history ;
only this I may add, that King Charles the First, out of a
singular favour to my Lord, was pleased, upon his most humble
request, to create several noblemen ; the names of them, lest
I commit an offence, I shall not mention, by reason most men
usually pretend such claims upon the ground of their own
merit.
2. That God was pleased to bless him with wealth and
power, to enable him the better for the service of his King
and country.
3. That He made him happy in his marriage ; (for his first
wife was a very kind, loving, and virtuous lady) and blessed
him with dutiful and obedient children, free from vices, noble
and generous both in their natures and actions ; who did all
that lay in their power to support and relieve my Lord their
father in his banishment, as before is mentioned.
4. The kindness and civility which my Lord received from
strangers, and the inhabitants of those places, where he lived
during the time of his banishment ; for had it not been for
them, he would have perished in his extreme wants ; but it
pleased dod so to provide for him. that although he wanted
an estate, yet he wanted not credit : and although he was
banished and forsaken by his own friends and countrymen,
yet he was civilly received and relieved by strangers, until
(iod blessed him.
in:,", .uul Mm- silk strings. Another copv is in the |ss,-,..i,>n of the Puke of PortUm!-
The second of these two MSS. w.is print.il bv Mr. S. A. Strong, in LKM, in his (.'.tijl^uf
o/ l.ftlfrs aii.1 thfr kistorii.il D^umfnis (\ht'<it<d in tkf /.iV.irv .tf lV#><v*tpp. 54, Tj-
-J").
IO2 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
Lastly, with a happy return to his native country, his dear
children, and his own estate ; which, although he found much
ruined and broke, yet by his prudence and wisdom, hath or-
dered as well as he could ; and I hope, and pray God to add
this blessing to all the rest, that he may live long to increase
it for the benefit of his posterity.
6. Of his Honours and Dignities
The honours, titles, and dignities which were conferred upon
my Lord, by King James, King Charles the First, and King
Charles the Second, partly as an encouragement for future
service, and a reward for past, arc following :
1. He was made Knight of the Bath, when he was but
fifteen or sixteen years of age, at the creation of Henry, Prince
of Wales, King James's eldest son l .
2. King James created him Viscount Mansfield, and Baron
of Bolsover.
3. King Charles the First constituted him Lord Lieutenant
of Nottinghamshire, and
4. Lord Warden of the Forest of Sherwood ; as also,
5. Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire.
6. He chose him Governor to his son Charles, our now
gracious King ; and
7. Made him one of his honourable Privy Council.
8. He constituted him Governor of the town and county
of Newcastle, and General of all his Majesty's forces raised,
and to be raised, in the northern parts of England ; as also of
the several counties of Nottingham, Lincoln, Rutland, Derby,
Stafford, Leicester, Warwick, Northampton, Huntingdon,
Cambridge, Norfolk, Sussex, Essex, and Hertford, together
with all the appurtenances belonging to so great a power, as
is formerly declared.
9. He conferred upon him the honour and title of Earl of
Newcastle, and Baron of Bothal and Hcpple.
10. He created him Marquess of Newcastle.
11. His Majesty King Charles the Second was pleased, when
my Lord was in banishment, to make him Knight of the most
noble Order of the Garter 2 ; and
1 "l"hcse honours have already been mentioned in their proper placrs. Newcastle
was made one of the 1'rivy Council of Charles I, November 2y, 1639. Doyle, Official
Baronage.
2 He was appointed Knight of the Garter I2th January 1050, b.;t not solemnly in-
stalled in that dignity till April 15, 1661. Collins' Historical Collections, pp. 38-42.
The Third Book 103
12. After his return into England, Chief-Justice in Eyre
Trent-North '.
15. lie created him Duke of Newcastle and Earl of Ogle.
7. Of the Entertainments he made lor King Charles the I-'irst
Though my Lord hath always been free and noble in his
entertainments and fcastings, yet he was pleased to show his
great affection and duty to his gracious King, Charles the First,
and her Majesty the Ouccn in some particular entertainments
which he made of purpose for them before the late wars.
When his Majesty was going into Scotland to be crowned,
he took his way through Nottinghamshire ; and lying at Work-
sop Manor, hardly two miles distant from Wclbeck, where my
Lord then was, my Lord invited his Majesty thither to a dinner,
which he was graciously pleased to accept of 2 . This enter-
tainment cost my Lord between four and five thousand
pounds ; which his Majesty liked so well, that a year after his
return out of Scotland, he was pleased to send my Lord word,
that her Majesty the Queen was resolved to make a progress
into the northern parts, desiring him to prepare the like enter-
tainment for her, as he had formerly done for him. Which
my Lord did, and endeavoured for it with all possible care and
industry, sparing nothing that might add splendour to that
feast, which both their Majesties were pleased to honour with
their presence : Ben Jonson he employed in fitting such scenes
and speeches as he could best devise ; and sent for all the
gentry of the country to come and wait on their Majesties ;
and, in short, did all that ever he could imagine, to render
it great, and worthy of their royal acceptance.
Tliis entertainment he made at Bolsover Castle in Derby-
shire, some five miles distant from Welbeck, and resigned
Wei beck for their Majesties' lodging ; it cost him in all between
fourteen and fifteen thousand pounds.
1 July 10, ifidi. Povle, Official R,irona.;t.
- 1 larendoii thus describt
and court were received and
expense, in such a wonderfi
before been known in ICn^lai
noble person had not, withi
more stupendous entertainn
too much whet the appetite >
Jonson 's two Masques an
htimshirf, etc., and /.oiv's 11
the .)o//i ,)/ July 1054.
>s tl
ente
1 in.
d;
i a
ent
I ott
ent
so entertainments
tained bv the \ : ..\\\
iner, and in sucli :
nd would still be tl
ear or two afterw.
which (<",od be tl
rs to excess, no m.
tied ikf Kind's /-.'<
< -The King's tin*l
(RfMlwn, i, it'.?) : ' Roth Kins
f Newcastle, and at his own proper
excess of feasting, as had never
r Is, made the Kin^ and Ouit-n a
nketl), though possibly it mi^-lit
ever after iniitateil.'
frtiiinmtnt at ll'ci'i<vt in \tiilini;-
(Jussii's entcrtjtnmfnt ill Hoisoifr,
104 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
Besides these two, there was another small entertainment
which my Lord prepared for his late Majesty, in his own
park at \Velbeck, when his Majesty came down, with his two
nephews, the now Prince Elector Palatine, and his brother
Prince Rupert, into the Forest of Sherwood ; which cost him
fifteen hundred pounds.
And this I mention not out of a vain glory, but to declare
the great love and duty my Lord had for his gracious King
and Queen, and to correct the mistakes committed by some
historians, who, not being rightly informed of those entertain-
ments, make the world believe falsehood for truth. But, as I
said, they were made before the wars, when my Lord had the
possession of a great estate ; and wanted nothing to express
his love and duty to his sovereign in that manner ; whereas
now he should be much to seek to do the like, his estate being
so much ruined by the late Civil Wars, that neither himself
nor his posterity will be able so soon to recover it.
8. His Education
His education was according to his birth ; for as he was
born a gentleman, so he was bred like a gentleman l . To
school learning he never showed a great inclination ; for
though he was sent to the University, and was a student of
St. John's College in Cambridge, and had his tutors to instruct
him ; yet they could not persuade him to read or study much,
he taking more delight in sports, than in learning ; so that
1 In Nature's Pictures, by Fancy's Pencil the Duchess describes the education of her
clay (pp. 273, 333, ed. 1656). In the Tale of a Traveller she thus sketches a boy's bring-
ing up : ' His education, in the first place, was to learn the horn-book, from that liis
primer, and so the Bible*, by his mother's chambermaid or the like. But after he came
to ten years old or thereabouts, he was sent to a free sch<x>l, where the noise of each
scholar's reading aloud did drown the sense of what they read, burying the knowledge
and understanding in the confusion of many words, and several languages ; yet was
whipt for not learning by their tutors, for their ill teaching them, which broke and weak-
ened their memories with the over heavy burthens, striving to thrust in more learning
than could l>e digested or kpt in the brain. . . . After some time he was sent to the
1'niversity, there continuing from the years of fourteen to the years of eighteen; at
last considering with himself that he was buried to the world anil the delights therein,
conversing more with the dead than the living, in reading old authors, and that little
company he had, was only at prayers, and meat ; wherein the time of the one was taken
up in devotion, the other in eating, or rather fasting ; for their prayers were so long,
and their commons so short, that it seemed rather an humiliation and fasting, than an
eating and thanksgiving. But their conversation was a greater penance than their
spare diet ; for their disputations, which are fed by contradictions, did more wrack
the brain, than the other did gripe the belly, the one filling the head with vain opinions
and false imaginations, for want of the light of truth, as the other with wind and rude
humours, for want of a sufficient nourishment, \\herc upon these considerations lie
It-It the University."
The Third Book 105
his father being a wise man, and seeing that his son had a
good natural wit, and was of a very good disposition, suffered
him to follow his own genius ; whereas his other son Charles,
in whom he found a greater love and inclination to learning,
he encouraged as much that way as possibly he could.
One time it happened that a young gentleman, one of my
Lord's relations, had bought some land, at the same time
when my Lord had bought a singing-boy for ^50, a horse
for /5O, and a dog for 2 ; which humour his father Sir Charles
liked so well, that he was pleased to say, that if he should
find his son to be so covetous, that he would buy land before
he was twenty years of age, he would disinherit him. But
above all the rest, my Lord had a great inclination to the art
of horsemanship and weapons, in which later his father Sir
Charles, being a most ingenious and unparalleled master of
that age, was his only tutor ', and kept him also several
masters in the art of horsemanship, and sent him to the Mews
to Mons. Antoine, who was then accounted the best master
in that art 2 . But my Lord's delight in those heroic exercises
was such, that he soon became master thereof himself, which
increased much his father's hopes of his future perfections,
who being himself a person of a noble and heroic nature,
was extremely well pleased to observe his son take de-light
* Jonson, in his Undtncoods, has an epigram on the Duke's fencing (No. I. XXXIX) :
They talk of Fencing and the use of arms,
'Hit; art of urging and avoiding harms,
The noble science, and the mastering skill
Of making just approaches how to kill ;
To hit in angles, and to clash with time :
As all defence or offence were a chime !
I hate such measured give me mettled lire,
That trembles in the bla/e, but then mounts higher
A (inick and da/vling motion : when a pair
Of txxlirs nux't like rarefied air !
Their weapons darted with that (lame and f.'rre
As they outdid the lightning in the course ,
This were a spectacle, a sight to draw
Wonder to valour ! No. it is the law
Of daring not to do a wrong ; 'tis true
Valour to slight it, Iveing done to von.
To know the heads ol danger, whet.- 'tis lit
To tx-nd, to break, provoke, or suffer it ;
All this, mv Lord, is valour, this is voms,
And was your father's, all vour ancestors '
Who durst live great 'mongst all the coUls and heats
Of human life ; as all the frosts and sweats
Of fortune, when or death appeared, or Kind- ;
And valiant were, with or without their handv
2 St. Antoine was the riding master of 1'rince Henry. Pallon. 1. tit of Sir I J*atJ
Cfcil, i, .MO.
P
io6 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
in such arts and exercises as were proper and fit for a person
of quality.
9. His Natural Wit and Understanding
Although my Lord has not so much of scholarship and
learning as his brother Sir Charles Cavendish had, yet he
hath an excellent natural wit and judgment, and dives into
the bottom of everything ; as it is evidently apparent in the
foremcntioned art of horsemanship and weapons, which by
his own ingenuity he has reformed and brought to such per-
fection, as never any one has done heretofore. And though
he is no mathematician by art, yet he hath a very good mathe-
matical brain, to demonstrate truth by natural reason, and
is both a good natural and moral philosopher, not by reading
philosophical books, but by his own natural understand-
ing and observation, by which he hath found out many
truths.
To pass by several other instances, I'll but mention, that
when my Lord was at Paris, in his exile, it happened one
time, that he discoursing with some of his friend?, amongst
whom was also that learned philosopher Hobbes l , they began,
amongst the rest, to argue upon this subject, namely, Whether
it were possible to make man by art fly as birds do ; and
when some of the company had delivered their opinion, \\/..
That they thought it probable to be done by the help of arti-
ficial wings ; my Lord declared, that he deemed it altogether
impossible, and demonstrated it by this following reason.
Man's arms, said he, are not set on his shoulders in the same
manner as bird's wings are : for that part of the arm which
joins to the shoulder is in man placed inward, as towards
the breast, but in birds outward, as toward the back ; which
difference and contrary position or shape hinders that man
cannot have the same flying action with his arms, as birds
1 ' I have heard Mr. Edmund Waller say that \V. Lord Marquis of Newcastle was
a great patron to Dr. (lassendi, and M. Des Cartes, as well as to Mr. IIolilx-s, and that
h: hath dined with them all three at the Marquis's table, at I'aris.' Aubrey's Letters,
iii, <x)2. I have not succeeded in finding these arguments which the Duchess mentions
in the following pages, in the leviathan. Hobbes, however, acknowledges Newcastle's
patronage by several dedications to him, viz. the dedication of his Liberty and \tcessily
and that of his Elements of Ijiw. He also wrote for Newcastle's lx. v nelit a paper of ' Con-
siderations touching the Facility or Difficulty of the Motions of a Horse on straight
ines and circular,' which is printed in Mr. Strong's Catalogue of the Letters and oilier
Hiitorittil Documents exhibited in the Library at Welbeck, p. 237.
The Third Book 107
have with their wind's. Which argument Mr. Hobbes liked
so well, that he was pleased to make use of it in one of his
books called Leviathan, if I remember well.
Some other time they falling into a discourse concerning
witches, Mr. Hobbes said, that though he could not rationally
believe there were witches, yet he could not be fully satisfied
to believe there were none, by reason they would themselves
confess it, if strictly examined.
To which my Lord answered, that though for his part he
cared not whether there were witches or no : yet his opinion
was, that the confession of witches, and their suffering for it,
proceeded from an erroneous belief, vix. th.it they had made
a contract with the devil to serve him for such rewards as
were in his power to give them ; and that it w.is their religion
to worship and adore him ; in which religion they had such
a firm and constant belief, that if anything came to pass
according to their desire, they believed the devil had heard
their prayers, and granted their requests, for which they gave
him thanks ; but if things fell out contrary to their prayers
and desires, then they were troubled at it, fearing they had
offended him, or not served him as they ought, and asked
him forgiveness for their offences. Also (said my Lord)
they imagine that their dreams are real exterior actions ;
for example, if they dream they lly in the air, or out of the
chimney top, or that they are turned into several shapes,
they believe no otherwise, but that it is really so. And this
wicked opinion makes them industrious to perform such cere-
monies to the devil, that they adore and worship him as their
god, and choose to live and die for him.
Thus my Lord declared himself concerning witches, which
Mr. Hobbes was also pleased to insert in his fore-mentioned
book. But yet my Lord doth not count this opinion of his
so universal, as if there were none but imaginary witches ;
for he doth not speak but of such a sort of witches as make
it their religion to worship the devil in the manner aforesaid.
Nor doth he think it a crime to entertain what opinion seems
most probable to him, in things indifferent : for in such cases
men mav discourse and argue as they please, to exercise
their wit, and mav change and alter their opinions upon more
probable grounds and reasons ; whereas in fundamental
matters, both of Church and State, he is so strict in adherent
io8 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
to them, that he will never maintain or defend such opinions
which arc in the least prejudicial to cither l .
One proof more I'll add to confirm his natural understand-
ing and judgment, which was upon some discourse I held
with him one time, concerning that famous chemist Van
Hclmont, who in his writings is very invective against the
schoolmen, and, amongst the rest, accuses them for taking
the radical moisture for the fat of animal bodies. Where-
upon my Lord answered, that surely the schoolmen were
too wise to commit such an error ; for, said ho, the radical
moisture is not the fat or tallow of an animal, but an oily
and balsamous substance ; for the fat and tallow, as also the
watery parts, are cold ; whereas the oily and balsamous parts
have at all times a lively heat, which makes that those crea-
tures which have much of that oil or balsam arc long lived,
and appear young ; and not only animals, but also vegetables,
which have much of that oil of balsam, as ivy, bays, laurel,
holly, and the like, live long, and appear fresh and green,
not only in winter, but when they are old. Then I asked
my Lord's opinion concerning the radical heat : to which
he answered, that the radical heat lived in the radical mois-
ture ; and when the one decayed, the other decayed also ;
and then was produced cither an unnatural heat, which caused
an unnatural dryness, or an unnatural moisture, which caused
dropsies, and these, an unnatural coldness.
Lastly, his natural wit appears by his delight in poetry :
for I may justly call him the best lyric and dramatic poet
1 The Duke, like most of his contemporaries, made occasional scientific experiments
and held views of his own about natural science. In a preface written by him to the I'hilo-
iophical and I'hysical Opinions of his wife he says : ' Since it is now ,i la mode to write of
natural philosophy, and I know nobody knows what is the cause of anything, and since
they are all but guessers, not knowing, it gives every man room to think what he lists,
and so I mean to set up for myself, and play at this philosophical game as follows, without
patching or stealing from anybody.' He then proceeds to deliver his opinion concern-
ing the grounds of natural philosophy : ' Salt is the life that giveth motion to all things
in the world ', which he proves, amongst other reasons, by the following experiment :
' The sun, no doubt, is a great fire, and must have something to maintain it ; but t>efore
I deliver my opinion to you, I desire leave to make you a little relation, and it is this :
Dr. I'ayn, a divine, and my chaplain, who hath a very witty searching brain of his own,
being at my house at Bolsover, locked up with me in a chamtwr to make Lapis 1'runelhr,
which is saltpetre and brimstone inflamed, looking at it a while, I said, Mark it, Mr.
I'ayn, the fl.irne is pale, like the Sun, and hath a violent motion in it. like the Sun ; saith
he, It hath so, and the more to confirm you, says he, look what abundance of little suns,
round like a glolx-, apjie.ir to us everywhere, just the same motion as the Sun makes in
everv one's eves. So we con duded the Sun could IM- nothing else but a very solid Ixnly
of s.ilt and sulphur, inflamed by his own violent motions upon his own axis. . . .
' This ', he concludes, ' is mv opinion, which 1 think can as hardly be disproved as
proved; since any opinion may l>e right or wrong, for anything that anybody knows,
for certainly there is none can make a mathematical demonstration of natural philosophy '.
The Third Rook 109
of this age '. His Comedies do sufficiently show his threat
observation and judgment, for they arc composed of these
three ingredients, viz. wit, humour, and satire ; and his
chief design in them is to divulge and laugh at the follies of
mankind ; to persecute vice, and to encourage virtue. -
10. Of his Natural Humour and Disposition
My Lord may justly be compared to Titus the delici.i- of
mankind, by reason of his sweet, gentle, and obliging n.iturc ;
for though his wisdom and experience found it impossible
to please all men, because of their different humo'irs and
dispositions ; yet his nature is such, that he will be sorry
when lie sceth that men arc displeased with him out of their
own ill natures, without any cause ; for he loves .ill that are
his friends, and hates none that are his enemies 3 . He is a
1 The Duke's poems are represented by songs in his own plays and in those of tin-
Duchess, by dedicatory verses to her different lxks, and by several pie< > in her \atitrt'\
1'ifturcs (pp. 65, 7<), 94, <j;). A Ixwk containing songs and sketches of pl.ivs in the hand-
writing of the Duke is preserved at Welberk. (Strong, Catalasut of Ihf l.rtlfrt, (It.
cxhiliited in the Library at \\'cl>xck, p. 57). At the end of ner volume of Poem* the Dudi-
ess says :
A I'ix;t t am neither lx>rn nor bred,
But to a witty |*>et married.
Whose brain is fresh, and pleasant, as the Spring,
Where fancies grow, and where the Muses sing ;
There oft 1 lean my head, and listening hark.
"I" observe his words, and all his fancies m.irk ,
And from that garden flowers of fancies take.
Whereof a |x>sy up in verse I make :
Thus I that have no garden of my own
There gather flowers, that are newly blown.
- The Duke w.is the author of four Comedies : (i) Tht Country Cjftain, t;ni'<, i'>4'i,
said to have been acted with applause at Ulack Friars and printed at the Hague and
at London. On October 2(\ iddi, 1'epvs notes swing this play : ' the tir*t tune K hath
been acted t'lis twentv-tive years . . . but so sillv a play as in all mv life I never *aw.'
(2) I'hi' I'urif.'v, printed with Tht (\iunirv Citpltiin, ijino, I'M'), l.ondon and the
Hague. A droll called The l-'renck-Diintins Mtuttr, was made out of this play, and
is printed in I'ht \\'tts, or Sport uf>.>n Sport, u>7i.
(?) Tht H:tm>rou-i hr.'frs, acted at the Duke's Theatre. 4 t.\ 1*177. I'epvs, who
attributes it to the Duc.lii-ss, saw it on March 30, i'><>7, and calls it ' the most >illv thi:i|;
that ever came upon a stage.'
(4) I'Hc iriumf>h,int IJ'i./.w, or Ihf MtMtv of llum-ars, acted at the Duke's Hieatre.
4t >. I 177. Sh idw !! ine irp iratixl th greater part of ttiis plav iu ltur\ h'air.
The Duk- also wrote five scenes of Vkf l^i.l\- t'onifmpl.titon. a plav bv the Dn.-hesv
He als ) tr.mslated M>>liere's l.'Kl tiir.li, which Drvden omvertnl into Sir Martin
Mar- ill. Though printed in n>>S, tliis plav did not appear with lrvden\ lumr till
Hi )7, and was entered in the St.iti'int-rs' Register under the Duke's nanv IVpv- viw
it on August id, Ktd7, and calls it ' a plav made bv mv l.onl Duke of \r-,a*tle. but.
as everybodv savs, corrected bv Drvden. It is tin- m >^t entire piece .<( mirth, a onn-
plete farce from one end t" the other, th.it w.is ever writ. I never laughed *. m .ill mv
life, and at very good wit therein, not duling.'
' The Duke's generositv to his |i.>liti,.il ,>p|vMi.-nts was shown in ln> treatment of
those accused of sh.iring in the Voik-lnie plot of K.OI. Me tre.it.sl I ..|..ne| Hut, hm.
son ' verv honourablv ', and ' disniissitl him without a guard to tu^ own h.-ii^.-. onlv
engaging him to stav then- one week, till he gave account to the r.<uncil' Wc'i'<. n.
^.)<). Mr. John (.'romwcll. another sulfeier on the same .V,.ISI,.M, loutid a |s-ci!ul
protector in the Duke, who finally secured his release. Kenneth Kf;i<Jfr. p. S.i.
no The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
loyal subject, a kind husband, a loving father, a generous
master, and a constant friend.
His natural love to his parents has been so great, that I
have heard him say, he would most willingly, and without
the least repining, have begged for his daily relief, so God
would but have let his parents live.
He is true and just both in his words and actions, and has
no mean or petty designs, but they arc all just and honest.
He condemns not upon report, but upon proof ; nor judges
by words, but actions ; he forgets not past service, for present
advantage ; but gives a present reward to a present desert.
He hath a great power over his passions, and hath had the
greatest trials thereof ; for certainly he must of necessity
have a great share of patience, that can forgive so many false
treacherous, malicious, and ungrateful persons as he hath
done ; but he is so wise, that his passion never outruns his
patience, nor his extravagances his prudence ; and although
his private enemies have been numerous, yet I verily believe,
there is never a subject more generally beloved than he is.
He hates pride and loves humility ; is civil to strangers,
kind to his acquaintance, and respectful to all persons, accord-
ing to their quality ; he never regards place, except it be
for ceremony : to the meanest person he'll put off his hat,
and suffer everybody to speak to him.
He never refuses any petition, but accepts them ; and being
informed of the business, will give a just, and as much as lies
in him, a favourable answer to the petitioning party.
He easily pardons, and bountifully rewards; and always
praises particular men's virtues, but covers their faults with
silence.
He is full of charity and compassion to persons that arc in
misery, and full of clemency and mercy ; insomuch, that
when he was general of a great army, he would never sit in
council himself upon causes of life and death, but granted
pardon to many delinquents that were condemned by his
council of war ; so that some were forced to petition him not
to do it, by reason it was an ill precedent for others. To
which my Lord merrily answered, that if they did hang all,
they would leave him none to fight.
His courage he always showed in action, more than in
words, for he would fight, but not rant.
The Third Rook 1 1 1
He is not vain-glorious to heighten or brag of his heroic
actions ; witness that great victory upon Atherton Moor, after
which he would not suiler his trumpets to sound, but came
quietly and silently into the city of York ; for which he would
certainly have been blamed by those that make a great noise
upon small causes, and love to be applauded, though their
actions little deserve it.
His noble bounty and generosity is so manifest to all the
world, that I should light a candle to the sun, if I should
strive to illustrate it ; for he has no self-designs or self-interest,
but will rather wrong and injure himself than others. To
give you but one proof of this noble virtue, it is known, that
where he hath a legal right to felons' goods, as he hath in a
great part of his estate, yet he never took or exacted more
than some inconsiderable share for acknowledgement of his
right ; saying, that he was resolved never to grow rich by
other men's misfortunes.
In short, I know him not addicted to any manner of vice
except that he has been a great lover and admirer of the
female sex ; which, whether it be so -jreat a crime as to con-
demn him for it, I'll leave to the judgment of young gallants
and beautiful ladies.
it. Of his outward Stiapc and Behaviour
His shape is neat, and exactly proportioned: his stature
of a middle size, and his complexion sanguine.
His behaviour is such, that it might be a pattern for all
gentlemen ; for it is courtly, civil, easy and free, without
formality or constraint ; and yet hath something in it of
grandeur, that causes an awful respect towards him.
I j. Of ///s /)/.sv<wrsY
Ills discourse is as free and unconcerned as his behaviour,
pleasant, witty, and instructive: he is quick in rep.irtees
or sudden answers, and hates dubious disputes an 1 pre-
meditated speeches. 1 le loves also to intermini.'le his discourse
\\ith some short pleasant stories, and witty sayings, and always
names the author from whom he hath them : for he hates
to make another man's wit his own '.
1 Sli.ulwrll, in his ilrdir.ttion of 1 ht I I'rr/iiu- to Lord Ncwr.istlr, s.vs : ' Hv thr grr.^t
honour 1 had to l>o daily admitted unto your C"iratc' public .uid private ion\Trs.ati<xi
112 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
13. Of his Habit
lie accoutres his person according to the fashion, if it be
one that is not troublesome and uneasy for men of heroic
exercises and actions. He is neat and cleanly ; which makes
him to be somewhat long in dressing, though not so long as
many effeminate persons are. He shifts ordinarily once a
day, and every time when he uses exercise, or his temper is
more hot than ordinary.
14. Of his Diet
In his diet he is so sparing and temperate, that he never
eats nor drinks beyond his set proportion, so as to satisfy
only his natural appetite. He makes but one meal a day,
at which he drinks two good glasses of small-beer, one about
the beginning, the other at the end thereof, and a little glass
of sack in the middle of his dinner ; which glass of sack he
also uses in the morning for his breakfast, with a morsel ot
bread. His supper consists of an egg, and a draught of small-
beer. And by this temperance he finds himself very health-
ful, and may yet live many years, he being now of the age of
seventy-three, which I pray God from my soul to grant him.
15. His Recreation and Exercise
His prime pastime and recreation hath always been the
exercise of manage and weapons ; which heroic arts he used
to practise every day ; but I observing that when he had
overheated himself, he would be apt to take cold, prevailed
so far, that at last he left the frequent use of the manage,
using nevertheless still the exercise of weapons ; and though
ho doth not ride himself so frequently as lie hath done, yet he
takes delight in seeing his horses of manage rid by his cscuyers 1 ,
whom he instructs in that art for his own pleasure ' 2 . But
Imirable experience and judgment surmounting all the old, and that
t, and smartness of expression, exceeding all the young, I ever saw ;
arp and apt replies, but, which is much more difficult, by giving easy
sinus, the most admirable way of beginning one, and all this adapted
I observed that a
vigorousness of w
nnd not only in si
and unforced ore?
to men of all circ
' F.sriiyrr, gru
imstances and conditions.'
m ; icuyrr, Fr., the Knglish esquire.
Jonfon dedicates the following epigram to Newcastle (U ndemoods , Ixxii.) :
When first, my Lord, I saw you back your horse,
I'rovolic his mettle, and command his force
To all the uses of the field and race,
Methought I read the ancient art of Thrace,
And saw a Centaur past those tales of Greece,
So seemed your horse and you both of a piece !
The Third Book 113
in the art of weapons (in which he has a method beyond all
that ever were famous in it, found out by his own ingenuity and
practice) he never taught anybody but now the Duke of Buck-
ingham, whose guardian he hath been, and his own two sons.
The rest of his time he spends in music, poetry, architecture,
and the like.
1 6. Of his Pedigree
Having made promise in the beginning of the first Book
that I would join a more large description of the pedigree
of my noble Lord and husband to the end of the history of his
life, I shall now discharge myself ; and though I could derive
it from a longer time, and reckon up a great many of his ances-
tors, even from the time of William the Conqueror,* he being
descended from the most ancient family of the Gernouns,
as Camdcn relates in his Britannia, in the description of
Derbyshire 1 ; yet it being a work fitter for heralds, I shall
proceed no further than his grandfather, and show you only
those noble families which my Lord is allied to by his birth.
My Lord's grandfather, by his father (as is formerly mcn
tioncd), was Sir William Cavendish, Privy-Counsellor and
Treasurer of the Chamber to King Henry the Eighth, Edward
the Sixth, and Queen Mary ; who married two wives 2 . By
the first he had only two daughters ; but by the second,
El/abcth, who was my Lord's grandmother, ho had three
You showed like IVrsons upon 1'eg.isus,
Or what we hear 01
Of bold Sir lievis a
Nay, so your seat li
As I began to wish
And surely, had 1 1
Before, I think my
s iMMiities did endorse,
nyself a horse ;
it vour stable seen
vish absolved had been.
For never saw I yet the Muses dwell.
Nor any of their household, half so well.
So well ! as when I saw the (loir and room,
I looked for Hercules to be the groom :
And cried, Away with the Grsarian bread !
At these immortal mangers Virgil ;ed.
1 Camden's Britannia, p. 491, cd. 1605. See also Collins' I'firagf, od. nrydges, i
.VM-
- Sir William Cavendish married (i) Margaret, daughter of I'dmnnd Postook. of
Cheshire, who died in 1540 ; (z) Flizabcth, daughter of Thomas Parker, of roslini;-
ford, Suffolk ; (3) Kli/aboth llardwick, August :o, iv t ;. See Sir William Cavcmh-irs
biographical notes in Collins 1 //IA/I-M.-.I/ ('<>llffiit<ns. p. 10. 1 li.Mbeth Haidwi. k mar-
ried Robert Parley, of Parley in 1 Vrbvshire ; she was tlim lonrlci n, and her tiist Imsl .11 d
died in 1532. She herself died on the \_\t\\ of 1'Vbru.it v Kxi;, aNnit the age of eighty-
seven. Her will and epitaph are both printed by Collins.
114 The Life f William, Duke of Newcastle
sons and four daughters, wherof one daughter died young.
She was daughter to John Hardwick,of Hard wick, in the county
of Derby, Esq. ; and had four husbands : the first was Barlow,
Esq., who died before they were bedded together, they being
both very young ; the second was Sir William Cavendish, my
Lord's grandfather, who being somewhat in years, married her
chiefly for her beauty. She had so much power in his affection,
that she persuaded him to sell his estate which he had in the
southern parts of England (for he was very rich) and buy an
estate in the northern parts, viz. in Derbyshire, and there-
about, where her own friends and kindred lived, which he did ;
and having there settled himself, upon her further persuasion
built a manor-house in the same county, called Chatsworth,
which, as I have heard, cost first and last above /8o,ooo
sterling. But before this house was finished, he died, and
left six children, viz. three sons and three daughters, which
before they came to be marriageable, she married a third
husband, Sir William St. Loo, Captain of the Guard to Queen
Elizabeth, and Grand Butler of England l ; who dying without
issue, she married a fourth husband, George, Earl of Shrews-
bury, by whom she left no issue.
The children which she had by her second husband, Sir
William Cavendish, being grown marriageable ; the eldest
son, Henry, married Grace, the youngest daughter of his
father-in-law, the said George, Earl of Shrewsbury, which
he had by his former wife Gertrude, daughter of Thomas
Manners, Earl of Rutland, but died without issue.
The second son William, after Earl of Devonshire, had two
wives. The first was an heiress, by whom he had children,
but all died save one son, whose name was also William.
Earl of Devonshire. His second wife was widow to Sir Edward
Wortley, who had several children by her first husband, and
but one son by the said William Cavendish, after Earl of
Devonshire, who died young.
His son by his first wife (William, Earl of Devonshire)
married Christian, daughter of Edward, Lord Bruce, a Scots-
man, by whom he had two sons and one daughter. The
eldest son William, now Earl of Devonshire, married Elizabeth,
the second daughter of William, Earl of Salisbury, by whom
1 A lifo of Sir Willi.im St. I.oo, l.y Jovph Hunter, is printed in The Re/rosf>edivf Re-
view, ;nd series, vol. ii, p. 314
The Third Book 115
he has three children, viz. two sons and one daughter, whereof
the eldest son William is married to the second daughter of
James, now Duke of Orrnond '. The second son Charles
is yet a youth. The daughter Anne married the Lord Rich,
the only son and child to Charles now Earl of Warwick ; but
he died without issue.
The second son of William, Earl of Devonshire, and brother
to the now Earl of Devonshire, was unfortunately slain in
the late Civil Wars, as is before mentioned.
The daughter of the said William, Earl of Devonshire,
sister to the now Earl of Devonshire, married Robert, Lord
Rich, eldest son to Robert, Earl of Warwick, by whom
she had but one son, who married, but died without issue.
The third and youngest son of Sir William Cavendish,
Charles Cavendish (my Lord's father), had two wives. The
first was daughter and co-heir to Sir Thomas Kidson, who
died a year after her marriage without issue. The second
was the younger daughter of Cuthbert, Lord Ogle, and after
her elder and only sister Jane, wife to Edward, Earl of Shrews-
bury, who died without issue, became heir to her father's
estate and title ; by whom he had three sons, whereof the
eldest died in his infancy ; the second was William, my dear
Lord and husband ; the third Charles, who died a bachelor
about the age of sixty-three.
My Lord hath had two wives ; the first was Elizabeth,
daughter and heir to William Basset of Blore, in the county
of Stafford, Esq. : and widow to Henry Howard, younger
son to Thomas, Earl of Suffolk ; by whom he had ten
children, viz. six sons and four daughters ; whereof live, viz.
four sons and one daughter, died young ; the rest, viz. two
sons and three daughters, came to be married. 2
1 Henry Cavendish died October 17, K>i6 (Collins, p. I \). \\illt.nn Cavendish first
Karl of Devonshire, died on March 3, Kus ; he married (i) Anne, daughter of Henry
Kighley, of Kighley, Yorkshire; (j) Elizabeth, daughter of Kdw.ird lloughton of,
Cans ton, Warwickshire, and widow of Sir Richard (?) Wortley (Collins' J'ffrj^e, ed.
Urydges, i, .}.:;,) William Cavendish, second Karl, died on June 20, ib;S. I'oinlret'i
Life of Christum, Countess of Devonshire, which is largely quoted by Collins and Ken-
net, well deserves perusal. Some account of the circumstances of her marriage is given
in Lodge's niustniJioits of I-'.nglisk History, vol. iii, p. 2 \2. ' The wench is a prettv red-
headed wench, and her portion is "7,000 ' write the ICarl and Countess of Arnndcl to
the Karl of Shrewsbury.
William, third Karl of Devonshire, died in U>$4 ; his son of the same name, who mar-
ried the Duke of Ormond's daughter, was the first Duke of Devonshire. Collins, ed.
13rydges, vol. i.
2 The statement originally printed in the textVas ' live sons and five daughters, where-
of five, viz. three sons and two daughters, died young '. It was corrected by hand
before publication.
1 16 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
His older son Charles, Viscount of Mansfield, married the
eldest daughter and heir of Mr. Richard Rogers, by whom
he had but one daughter, who died soon after her birth ; and
he died also without any other issue. 1
His second son Henry, now Earl of Ogle, married Francis
the eldest daughter of Mr. William Picrrcpont, by whom
he hath had three sons and four daughters. Two sons were
born before their natural time ; the third, Henry, Lord Mans-
field, is alive ; the four daughters are, the Lady Elizabeth,
Lady Frances, Lady Margaret, and Lady Catherine. 2
My Lord's three daughters were thus married. The eldest,
Lady Jane, married Charles Chcincy, Esq., descended of a
very noble and ancient family ; by whom she hath one son
and two daughters. The second, Lady Elizabeth, married
John, now Earl of Bridgwater, then Lord Bracklcy, and
eldest son to John, then Earl of Bridgwater ; who died in
childbed, and left five sons and one daughter, whereof the
eldest son John, Lord Brackley, married the Lady Elizabeth,
only daughter and child to James, then Earl of Middlesex.
My Lord's third daughter, the Lady Frances, married Oliver,
Earl of Bullingbrook, and hath had no child yet. 3
After the death of my Lord's first wife, who died the ijth
of April in the year 1643,110 married me, Margaret, daughter
to Thomas Lucas of St. John's, near Colchester, in Essex,
Esq., but hath no issue by me.
And this is the posterity of the three sons of Sir William
Cavendish, my Lord's grandfather by his father's side. The
three daughters were disposed of as followcth :
t Charles, Viscount Mansfield, died in 1659. On June 15, 1659, Nicholas writes to
Newcastle condoling with him on his recent loss (Calendar of Domestic Stale 1'apers,
i<>yj, p. 374). His widow married Charles Stuart, Duke of Richmond. On the Rogers
family, see Clarendon, Rebellion, vii, 95, and Christie's Li/e of Shaftesbury, vol. i, Ap-
pendix, pp. xiii, xxi.
'* This Henry, Karl of Ogle, succeeded to the title of Duke of Newcastle on his father's
death in i'>7<, and died on July 26, 1691. The Secoiitl Report of the Royal Commission
on Historical MSS. gives abstracts of some of his letters now in the possession of Marl
Spencer (p. 17). Others are printed in vol. ii of the 1'ortland MSS. His son Henry,
L'>rd M.m>tirld, died in lOHo. The Duke by his will settled all his real estate on his
third daughter Margaret and her heirs, who married John Holies, Karl of Clare, created
Duke nl Newcastle in 1694. Collins' Historical Collections, pp. 47-179.
:i These ladies were left in Kngland when their fath
the battle of Marston Moor ; they were in Welbnk wl
Manchester. (Manchester's ljuarrel U'lth Cromwell, Can
and I-ady I-'r.mcrs wrote to Lord Kairfax on April 17 i
and protection (l-atrfat Correspondence, lii, 194). Tli
r retired to the Continent after
"ii it surrendered to the Kail, of
len Society, p. 6). Lady Jane
45, thanking him for his favour
re is in Davcnant's works (p.
short porm <>n the mariiage of Lady Jam-, l.ady l-.lizabeth's marriage, which
has Ixx-n Ix-forr referred to (p. 74), took place in l<>yj. Lord 13racklcy performed the
elder brother in Milton's Cvmui.
The Third Book 117
The eldest, Frances Cavendish, married Sir Henry Picrrc-
pont of Holm Pierrcpont, in the county of Nottingham, by
whom she had two sons, whereof the first died young ; the
second, Robert, after Earl of Kingston-upon-llull, married
Gertrude, the eldest daughter and co-heir to Henry Talbot,
fourth son to George, Earl of Shrewsbury, by whom he had
live sons and three daughters, whereof the eldest son, Henry,
now Marquess of Dorchester, hath had two wives ; the first
Cecilia, eldest daughter to the Lord Viscount Bayning, by
whom he had several children, of which there are living only
two daughters ; the eldest Anne, who married John Ross,
only son to John now Earl of Rutland ; the second, Grace,
who is unmarried. His second wife was Catherine, second
daughter to James, Earl of Derby, by whom he has no issue
living. 1
The second son of the Earl of Kingston, William, married
the sole daughter and heir of Sir Thomas Harries, by whom
he had issue five sons and five daughters, whereof two sons
and two daughters died unmarried. The other six are : 2
Robert, the eldest, who married Elizabeth, daughter and
co-heir to Sir John Evelyn, by whom he has three sons, and
one daughter. The second son George, and the third Gervase.
are yet unmarried.
The eldest daughter of William Pierrepont, Erances, is
married to my Lord's now only son and heir, Henry, Earl of
Ogle, as before is mentioned.
The second, Grace, is married to Gilbert, now Earl of Clare,
by whom he hath issue two sons and three daughters. 3
The third, Gertrude, is unmarried.
The third son of the Earl of Kingston, Francis Pierrepont,
1 Robert, Karl of Kingston, died on July 30, 1643, in the manner described on page
27 of this Life, Henry, .Marquis of Dorchester, is frequently mentioned in the Memoirs
o/ Mrs. Hutchinson, see vol. i, 104 ; vol. ii, n>8. Lady Roos was divorced by Act ot
Parliament in iO(>8 : Vide. Collins' ]'e--rage, ed. Brydges, i, 480, and Clarendon'* Lt/e :
C:>iiliiiuiilion, i')')-iooS.
- William ficrrepout, whose character is sketched in the Memoirs o/ Colonel Hui^Hin-
The three sons of Robert Herrepont, mentioned above, grandsons ot \\ilh.uu
I'iorrepont, became in succession ICarls ot Kingston, ai
Duke of that name and the father of Lady Mary \Vi
sun of 'A'illiam Pierrepont, became in 170? I.ord l"ier
i Ciilbert, third Earl of Clare, 1633-1681}. Mis son
ilm,'ht'-r of Henrv Cavendish, second Duke of Ne
d the third, Kvelyn, was the lirst
rtley Montague. ' Gcrvase, third
L-pont, but died without issue.
John Holies, married Margaret,
tie ; inherited the estates of his
t Newcastle. Grace, fourth and
father-in-law, and in itx)4 obtained the title ot Duke
youngest daughter of this Gilbert, Karl of Clare, was the mother of Henry IVlham the
statesman, and Thomas IVlham, heir of his uncle, John Holies, created Duke of New-
castle in 1715.
Il8 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
married Elizabeth the eldest daughter of Mr. Bray, by whom
he had issue one son and one daughter. 1 The son, Robert,
married Anne, the daughter of Henry Murray. The daughter,
Frances, married William Paget, eldest son to William, Lord
Pagct.
The fourth son of the Earl of Kingston, Gervase, is unmarried.
The fifth son, George Pierrepont, married the daughter
of Mr. Jonas, by whom he had two sons unmarried, Henry
and Samuel.
The three daughters of the said Earl of Kingston arc, Frances
the eldest who was married to Philip Rolleston ; the second,
Mary, died young ; the third, Elizabeth, is unmarried.
The second daughter of Sir William Cavendish, Elizabeth,
married the Earl of Lennox, uncle to King James ; by whom
she had only one daughter, the Lady Arabella, who against
King James' commands (she being, after him and his children,
the next heir to the Crown) married William, the second son
to the Earl of Hertford ; for which she was put into the
Tower, where not long after she died. 2
The youngest daughter, Mary Cavendish, married Gilbert
Talbot, second son to George, Earl of Shrewsbury ; who
after the decease of his father, and his elder brother Francis,
who died without issue, became Earl of Shrewsbury ; by
whom she had issue four sons and three daughters ; the
sons all died in their infancy, but the daughters were married 3 .
The eldest, Mary Talbot, married William Herbert, Earl
of Pembroke, by whom (some eighteen years after her marriage)
she had one son, who died young 4 .
The second daughter, Elizabeth, married Sir Henry Gray,
after Earl of Kent (the fourth Earl of England) by whom she
had no issue 6 .
1 For some account of I-'rancis Pierrepont sec the Memoirs of Colonel Hutchinson,
i, i'>4; ii, 177. His widow Alisaniou married Sir John Read in 1662, and was badly
tfMtod l>y him. Sec her petition in the Eighth Report o/ Ike Historical Manuscripts
Lummisifjn, p. 136.
3 Margaret, sister of Henry VIII, married Matthew, Earl of Lennox, and became
the mother of Henry Stuart, Lord, and Charles Stuart, Karl of Lennox. The latter
married Elizabeth Cavendish in 1574, against the commands of <Juecn Elizabeth. Ara-
bella Stuart, born in 1575, married William Seymour in 1610, unddiedin 1615. Cooper's
Life of /I rabtlla Stuart.
3 (iilbcrt, seventh Earl of Shrewsbury, died in 1616.
* This marriage took place in 1606. Clarendon in his character of the Earl (Rebel-
lion, i. 120) says ' He paid much too dear for his wife's fortune by taking her person
into the bargain '.
^5 The Earl of Kent died in 1639, the Countess on December 7, 1651. After the Earl's
drath, John Scldcn, according to Aubrey, married the Countess, but ' never owned the
The Third Book 119
The third and youngest daughter, Aletheia, married Thomas
Howard, Earl of Arundcl, the first earl, and Earl Marshal of
England ; by whom she left two sons, James, who died beyond
the seas without issue ; and Henry, who married Elizabeth,
daughter of Esme Stuart, Duke of Lennox ; by whom he had
issue several sons and one daughter ; whereof the eldest son
Thomas (since the restoration of King Charles the Second)
was restored to the dignity of his ancestors, viz. Duke of
Norfolk, next to the royal family, the first Duke of England l
And this is briefly the pedigree of my dear Lord and hus-
band, from his grandfather by his father's side. Concerning
his kindred and alliances by his mother, who was Katherinc
daughter to Cuthbcrt, Lord Ogle, they are so many, that it
is impossible for me to enumerate them all, my Lord being
by his mother related to the chief of the most ancient families
of Northumberland, and other the northern parts ; only this
I may mention, that my Lord is a peer of the realm, from the
first year of King Edward the Fourth his reign 2 .
marriage till after her death upon some law account '. Aubrey terms her an ' ingeniose
lady ', and there is in Mcrcurius I'olitlcus for May 10-17, '655, "> curious advertisement
to prove it: 'That excellent Cordial, called the Countess of Kent's powder, approved
by long experience of the nobility, gentry, and best physicians of this nation, in any
malign disease, Plague, Small 1'ox, Burning Fevers, Wind, Colic, Women in I-ilxnir,
Children newly born, etc. It is now made by one Mistress Williamson, living in W'.iite-
friars, near the late Countess's house, who was a servant to her, and for many years
compounded it by her Lady's direction. 'Hie whole stock of powder, and of tin- ingr -
clients left by the Countess, was, after her death, given to the said Mistress \Villiams< i
bv Mr. Selden, her Ladyship's executor. This notice is published because of the ma v
counterfeit powders uttered up and down by ajxithecaries and others, under the sal e
name, to the intent that it may be known where the right powder is to In- had.'
1 Thomas, Karl of Arnndel, was born in iy>2, and died in I<M'>. He rollertcil I e
Arnndel Marbles, and was commander of the King's armv in the campaign of K>v) ag.iii t
the Scots. His character is described by Clarendon (KfMHn,i. nS) and bv Sir I dw.i 1
Walker (Histnriful O>//,v/>M5, p. 20.)).' His son Henry married I'li/.iU-Ih Stu.irt i
ifun, became Karl of Arnndel on his father's death, and died in ici-,j. Thomas <;
restored to the title of Duke of Norfolk in ifx.j.
-' Some account of the Ogle family is given bv Collins in his Historical r,.//<v/i.>.i? r>t
the .Y.iVr I'amilifs <>/ Caiviklislt, Uollft, \\-rt, Hiirlfv, an.1 Otff.
THE FOURTH BOOK
CONTAINING SEVERAL ESSAYS AND DISCOURSES GATHERED
FROM THE MOUTH OF MY NOBLE LORD AND HUSBAND.
With some few notes of mine own.
I have heard my Lord say :
THAT those which command the wealth of a kingdom, com-
mand the hearts and hands of the people.
That he is a great monarch, who hath a sovereign command
over Church, laws, and arms ; and he a wise monarch, that
employs his subjects for their own profit (for their profit is
his), encourages tradesmen, and assists and defends merchants.
That it is a part of prudence in a commonwealth or kingdom
to encourage drainers ; for drowned lands arc only fit to
maintain and increase some wild ducks, whereas being drained,
they are able to afford nourishment and food to cattle, besides
the producing of several sorts of fruit and corn.
That, without a well-ordered force, a prince doth but
reign upon the courtesy of others.
That great princes should not suffer their chief cities to be
stronger than themselves.
121 R
122 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
VI
That great princes are half-armed, when their subjects are
unarmed, unless it be in time of foreign wars.
That the prince is richest, who is master of the purse ; and
he strongest that is master of the arms ; and he wisest that
can tell how to save the one, and use the other.
VIII
That great princes should be the only paymasters of their
soldiers, and pay them out of their own treasuries ; for all
men follow the purse ; and so they'll have both the civil and
martial power in their hands.
That great monarchs should rather study men, than books ;
for all affairs or business are amongst men.
That a prince should advance foreign trade or traffic to the
utmost of his power, because no state or kingdom can be rich
without it ; and where subjects are poor, the sovereign can
have but little.
XI
That trade and traffic brings honey to the hive ; that is to
say, riches to the commonwealth ; whereas other professions
are so far from that, that they rather rob the commonwealth,
instead of enriching it.
XII
That it is not so much unseasonable weather that makes
the country complain of scarcity, but want of commerce ;
for whensoever commodities arc cheap, it is a sign that com-
The Fourth Book : Kssays and Discourses 123
mercc is decayed ; because the cheapness of them shows a
scarcity of money. For example, put the case five men came
to market to buy a horse, and each of them had no more but
ten pounds, the seller can receive no more than what the
buyer has, but must content himself with those ten pounds,
if he be necessitated to sell his horse : but if each one of the
buyers had an hundred pounds to lay out for a horse, the
seller might receive as much. Thus commodities arc cheap
or dear, according to the plenty or scarcity of money ; and
though we had mines of gold and silver at home, and no traffic
into foreign parts, yet we should want necessaries from other
nations, which proves that no nation can live or subsist well,
without foreign trade and commerce ; for God and nature
have ordered it so, that no particular nation is provided with
all things.
XIII
That merchants by carrying out more commodities than
they bring in, that is to say, by selling more than they buy,
do enrich a state or kingdom with money, that hath none in
its own bowels ; but what kingdom or state soever hath mines
of gold and silver, there merchants buy more than they sell,
to furnish and accommodate it with necessary provisions.
XIV
That debasing, and setting a higher value upon money, is
but a present shift of poor and needy princes ; and doth more
hurt for the future, than good for the present.
That foreign commerce causes frequent voyages, and
frequent voyages make skilful and experienced seamen, and
skilful seamen are a brazen wall to an island.
XVI
That he is the powerfullest monarch that hath the l>est
shipping j and that a prince should hinder his neighbours as
much as he can, from being strong at sea.
124 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
XVII
That wise statesmen ought to understand the laws, customs,
and trade of the commonwealth, and have good intelligence
both of foreign transactions and designs, and of domestic
factions ; also they ought to have a treasury, and well-furnished
magazine.
XVIII
That it is a great matter in a state or kingdom, to take care
of the education of youth, to breed them so, that they may
know first how to obey, and then how to command and order
affairs wisely.
That it is great wisdom in a state, to breed and train up
good statesmen : as, first, to let them be some time at the
Universities : next, to put them to the Inns of Court, that they
may have some knowledge of the laws of the land ; then to
send them to travel with some ambassador, in the quality of
secretary ; and let t,hem be agents or residents in foreign
countries. Fourthly, to make them Clerks of the Signet, or
Council : and lastly, to make them Secretaries of State, or
give them some other employment in state affairs.
That there should be more praying, and less preaching ;
for much preaching breeds faction, but much praying causes
devotion J .
That young people should be frequently catechised, and that
wise men, rather than learned, should be chosen heads of
schools and colleges.
The Fourth Book : Fssays and Discourses 125
xxn
That the more divisions there are in Church and State,
the more trouble and confusion is apt to ensue ; wherefore
too many controversies and disputes in the one, and too many
law cases and pleadings in the other, ought to be avoided and
suppressed.
That disputes and factions amongst statesmen are fore-
runners of future disorders, if not total ruins.
XXIV
That all books of controversies should be writ in Latin,
that none but the learned may read them, and that there
should be no disputations but in schools, lest it breed factions
amongst the vulgar, for disputations and controversies are
a kind of civil war, maintained by the pen, and often draw
out the sword soon after. Also that all prayer-books should
be writ in the native language ; that excommunications should
not be too frequent for every little and petty trespass ; that
every clergyman should be kind and loving to his parishioners,
not proud and quarrelsome.
xxv
That ceremony is nothing in itself, and yet doth everything ;
for without ceremony there would be no distinction, neither in
Church nor State.
XXVI
That orders and professions ought not to entrench ii]H>n
each other, lest in time they make a confusion amongst them-
selves '.
XXVII
That in a well-ordered state or government, e.ire should be
1 Compare Clarendon's roui.uks tllook iv, sect. 38)011 theem-pM. lnii-nt> .-t the com-
mon l.iwvor-; on tin- Church.
126 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
taken lest any degree or profession whatsoever swell too big,
or grow too numerous, it being not only a hindrance to those
of the same profession, but a burden to the commonwealth,
which cannot be well if it exceeds in extremes.
XXVIII
That the taxes should not be above the riches of the common-
wealth, for that must upon necessity breed factions and civil
wars, by reason a general poverty united, is far more dangerous
than a private purse ; for though their wealth be small, yet
their unity and combination makes them strong, so that,
being armed with necessity, they become outrageous with
despair.
XXIX
That heavy taxes upon farms ruin the nobility and gentry ;
for if the tenant be poor, the landlord cannot be rich, he
having nothing but his rents to live on.
XXX
That it is not so much laws and religion, nor rhetoric, that
keeps a state or kingdom in order, but arms ; which if they
be not employed to an evil use, keep up the right and privileges
both of Crown, Church, and State.
XXXI
That no equivocation should be used either in Church or
Law ; for the one causes several opinions, to the disturbance
of men's consciences ; the other long and tedious suits, to the
disturbance of men's private affairs : and both do oftentimes
ruin and impoverish the state.
xxxn
That in cases of robberies and murders, it is better to be
severe than merciful ; for the hanging of a few will save the
lives and purses of many.
The Fourth Book : Essays and Discourses 127
XXXIII
That many laws do rather entrap than help the subject.
XXXIV
That no martial law should be executed, but in an army.
XXXV
That the sheriffs in this kingdom of England have been so
expensive in liveries and entertainments in the time of their
sheriffalty, as it hath ruined many families that had but
indifferent estates l .
xxxvi
That the cutting down of timber in the time of rebellion
has been an inestimable loss to this kingdom, by reason of
shipping ; for though timber might be had out of foreign
countries that would serve for the building of ships, yet there
is none of such a temper as our English oak ; it being not
only strong and large, but not apt to splint, which renders
the ships of other nations much inferior to ours : and that
therefore it would be very beneficial for the kingdom, to set
out some lands for the bearing of such oaks, by sowing of
acorns, and then transplanting them : which would be like a
storehouse for shipping, and bring an incomparable benefit to
the kingdom, since in shipping consists our greatest strength
they being the only walls that defend an island -.
1 In ifi.|7 Sir Anthony Ashley Cooper was Sheriff of Wiltshire. He says, in his />iVtry.
that, when the judges came to Salisbury during his term of office, ' I had sixty men in
livery and kept an ordinary for all gentlemen, four shillings, and two shillings for Hue
men. I paid for all.' Sir Hugh Cholmley also, in his Memoirs, states, that being Sheriff
of Yorkshire in 1625 eost Sir Richard Cholmley fiooo. Cromwell endeavoured to put
a stop to this expenditure. It was ordered by the Council of State on l-'ebniary i\,
1656, ' that, as for many years complaints have been made of the excessive charges
burdening the office of sheriff, through the example of some, which discourage those
employed, the Major-Generals appoint in their respective counties a troop of norsc to
attend the sheriff at the assizes, to wait on the judge, and perform the services that have
been required of the sheriff's men, and to demean themselves with all respect and dili-
gence. That no gratuity be given by any sheriff to the judge's clerks or officers, nor
any table or entertainment kept for them or for the justices of the peace at the assizes, at
the sheriff's charge.' Calendar of Domestic State /'aprrs, ibjj-6, p. i?s. Heath says that
it was pretended indeed that this substitution of troopers for men in livery was to lessen
the charge of the place, ' but in truth, the I'rotector, knowing he could not be served
faithfully by the gentry, would name such, no matter whom, as he roiikl confide in, and
the expense of retinue and treating the judges being taken off, a yeoman or tradesman
of the well-affected might serve the turn and make profit of his place, as in all other
offices of the Commonwealth.' Heath, Chronicle, p. 750, ed. 1663.
- ' This ', says Mr. Lower, ' is the first allusion I have met with to the " Wooden
Walls of Old England ".'
iz8 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
XXXVII
That the nobility and gentry in this kingdom have done
themselves a great injury, by giving away (out of a petty
pride) to the commonalty, the power of being juries and justices
of peace : for certainly they cannot but understand that that
must of necessity be an act of great consequence and power,
which concerns men's lives, lands, and estates.
XXXVIII
That it is no act of prudence to make poor and mean persons
governors or commanders, either by land or sea ; by reason
their poverty causes them to take bribes, and so betray their
trust : at best, they are apt to extort, which is a great grievance
to the people. Besides, it breeds envy in the nobility and
gentry, who by that means rise into factions, and cause dis-
turbances in a state or commonwealth ; wherefore the best
way is to choose rich and honourable persons (or, at least,
gentlemen) for such employments, who esteem fame and
honourable actions above their lives ; and if they want skill,
they must get such undcr-officers as have more than them-
selves, to instruct them.
XXXIX
That great princes should consider, before they make war
against foreign nations, whether they be able to maintain it :
for if they be not able, then it is better to submit to an hon-
ourable peace, than to make war to their great disadvantage :
but if they be able to maintain war, then they'll force (in
time) their enemies to submit and yield to what terms and
conditions they please.
XL
That, when a state or government is cnsnarled l and
troubled, it is more easy to raise the common people to a
factious mutiny, than to draw them to a loyal duty.
> I'.nsnarlc, i.e. ensnare or ratanglc ilalliwcll.
The Fourth Book: Fssays and Disco ur^ 129
That in a kingdom where subjects are apt to rebel, no offices
or commands should be sold ; for those that buy, will not
only use extortion, and practise unjust ways to make out
their purchase, but be ablest to rebel, by reason they arc-
more for private gain than the public good ; for it is probable
their principles are like their purchases.
But, that all magistrates, officers, commanders, heads and
rulers, in what profession soever, both in Church and State,
should be chosen according to their abilities, wisdom, courage,
piety, justice, honesty, and loyalty ; and then they'll mind
the public good more than their particular interest.
That those which have politic designs are for the most part
dishonest, by reason their designs tend more to interest than
justice.
That great princes should only have great, noble, and rich
persons to attend them, whose purses and jK>wer may always
be ready to assist them.
That a poor nobility is .apt to be factious ; and a numerous
nobility is a burden to a commonwealth '.
That in a monarchical government, to he for the king is to
be for the commonwealth; for when head and Ixuly are
divided, the life of happiness dies, and the soul of pe.ice is
departed.
XI. VI
That, as it is a great error in a state to have all affairs put
l Coiu|).uv Sir luhvanl Walker's ( >.'-vnvi/iY>* i/vri '*< Int0nrrnirnfrs /J-' *.i: < ti-
entlttl tlif /n;/iif>:t /'row/lows In I ilia <>/ Hvnnur, MI,C A'inc J.>mc~ .J<- .'.< /*< ( '^n
o/ l-'nglanJ (His'orifal />ic.>nrs<-s. p. ;-)il.
130 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
into gazettes (for it over-heats the people's brains, and makes
them neglect their private affairs, by over-busying themselves
with state business) ; so it is great wisdom for a Council of
State to have good intelligences (although they be bought
with great cost and charges) as well of domestic, as foreign
affairs and transactions, and to keep them in private for the
benefit of the commonwealth l .
XL VII
That there is no better policy for a prince to please his
people, than to have many holidays for their ease, and order
several sports and pastimes for their recreation, and to be
himself sometime spectator thereof ; by which means he'll not
only gain love and respect from the people, but busy their
minds in harmless actions, sweeten their natures, and hinder
them from factious signs '-.
XLVli
That it is more difficult and dangerous for a prince or com-
mander to raise an army in such a lime when the country is
embroiled in a civil war, than to lead out an army to fight a
battle ; for when an army is raised, he hath strength ; but in
raising it hath none.
1 Durnct praises Cromwell for his excellent intelligence. ' He laid it down for a
maxim to spare no cost or charge in order to procure intelligence. ... He li.-ul on all
occasions very good intelligence : he knew everything that passed in the King's little
court, and yet none of his spies were discovered but one only.'
2 The same idea inspired James I and his son when tltcv published in ifuS and 16-53
respectively their Declarations concerning Lawful Sf>orls to be nsed. The prohibition
of lawful sports, says the Declaration, ' barreth the common and meaner sort of people
from using such exercises, as may make their bodies more able for war when we or our
successor shall have occasion to vise them ; and in place thereof, sets up lilthy tipplings
and drunkenness, and breeds a number of idle and discontented speeches in their ale-
houses. 1 When the Long Parliament alwlishrd the observation of Christinas and other
holv-days, it was obliged to ordain days of recreation, ' that nil scholars, apprentices,
and other servants shall, with the leave and approbation of their masters respectively
first had and obtained, have such convenient relaxation and recreation from their con-
stant and ordinary Ial>urs on every second Tuesday in the month, throughout the vear,
as formerly they have used to have on such aforesaid festivals, commonly called Holy,
d.ivs. And that masters of nil scholars, apprentices, and servants shall grant unto
them respectively such time for their recreations on the aforesaid second Tuesdays in every
month, as they may conveniently span- from their extraordinary and necessary services
and occasions.' This ordinance was passed <>n June .\ i'>|7, and on the renewed peti-
tion of the apprentices, followed bv another on June jS, which made its observance
compulsory by ordaining that the windows of all shops and ware-houses should ! shut
from eight in the morning till eight in the' evening, and by adding the clause ' That no
master shall wilfully d'-tain or withhold his apprentice or other servant within doors ,
or from his recreation, in his usual duty or service, on the said day of recreation, unless
market-days, fair days, or other extraordinary occasion ; yet so as such master shall
allow unto such apprentice or other servant, one other day instead ', etc. Provisions
were also added against the abuse of such days by riots or other misc onduct.
The Fourth Book: Essays and Discourses 131
That good commanders, and experienced soldiers, are like
skilful fencers, who defend with prudence, and assault with
courage, and kill their enemies by art, not trusting their lives
to chance or fortune ; for as a little man with skill may easily
kill an ignorant giant, so a small army that hath experienced
commanders may easily overcome a great army that hath none.
That gallant men having no employment for heroic actions
become la/.y, as hating any other business ; whereas cowards
and base persons an; only active and stirring in times of
peace, working ill designs to breed factions, and cause distur-
bances in a commonwealth.
That there have been many questions and disputes con-
cerning the governments of princes ; as, whether they ought
to govern by love, or fear ? But the best way of government
is, and has always been, by just rewards and punishments ;
for that state- which cannot tell how and when to punish and
reward, does not know how to govern, by reason all the world
is governed that way.
That if the ancient Britons had had skill according to their
courage, they might have conquered all the world, as the
Romans did.
That it would be very benetiri.d for great princes to be
sometimes present in courts of judicature, to examine tin-
causes of their poor subjects, and lind out the extortions and
corruptions of magistrates and officers ; by which glorious
act they would gain much love and fame from the people.
132 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
LIV
That it would be very advantageous for subjects, and not
in the least prejudicial to the sovereign, to have a general
register in every county, for the entry of all manner of deeds,
and conveyance of land between party and party, and offices
of record ; for by this means, whosoever buys, would see
clearly what interest and title there is in any land he intends
to purchase, whereby he shall be assured that the sale made
to him is good and firm, and prevent many lawsuits touching
the title of his purchase '.
That there should be a limitation for lawsuits ; and that
the longest suits should not last above two terms, at length
not above a year ; which would certainly be a great benefit
to the subjects in general, though not to lawyers ; and though
some politicians object, that the more the people is busy
about their private affairs, the less time have they to make
disturbance in the public ; yet this is but a weak argument,
since lawsuits are as apt to breed factions, as anything else ;
for they bring people into poverty, that they know not how
to live, which must of necessity breed discontent, and put them
upon ill designs.
LVI
That power, for the most part, does more than wisdom ;
for fools, with power, seem wise ; whereas wise men, without
power, seem fools ; and this is the reason that the world takes
power for wisdom, and the want of power for foolishness.
LVII
That a valiant man will not refuse an honourable duel ;
nor a wise man fight upon a fool's quarrel.
1 This idea of the desirability of a public register for the transfer of land was very
frequently put forward in the seventeenth century. The Harleian Miscellany contains
Reasons anil I'niposals for a Registry of all Deeds or Encumbrances to be hail in every County,
etc., by Nicholas I'liilpot, 1671. 'Ilicre is also a tract in the same collection against
such registers by William I'ierrcpont. It is one of the proposals made in the pamphlet
entitled '1 he drantl Concern nf England Explained, 1673. Varranton brings forward
the same plan in England's Improvement >>v Sea and I.anit, if>77. Sir William Petty,
in his I'oldiciil Arithmetic, and Sir Robert Moray, also argued in favour of a system of
registers.
The Fourth Book : Kssays and Discourses 133
That men arc apt to find fault with each other's actions ;
believing they prove themselves wise in finding fault with
their neighbours.
I, IX
That a wise man will draw several occasions to the j>oint
of his design, as a burning glass doth the several beams of the
sun.
That although actions may be prudently designed, and
valiantly performed ; yet none can warrant the issue ; for
Fortune is more powerful than prudence, and had C';csar not
been fortunate, his valour and prudence would never have
gained him so much applause.
That ill fortune makes wise and honest men seem fools ami
knaves ; but good fortune makes fools and knaves seem wise
and honest men.
That ill fortune doth oftener succeed good, than good fortune
succeeds ill ; for those that have ill fortune do not so easily
recover it, as those that have good fortune arc apt to lose it.
That lie had observed, that seldom any jvrson did laugh,
but it was at the follies or misfortunes of other men ; by
which we may judge of their good natures.
1 have heard my Lord say, that when he was in banishment,
he had nothing left him but a clear conscience, bv which he
134 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
had and did still conquer all the armies of misfortunes that
ever seized upon him.
LXV
Also 1 have heard him say, that he was never beholding to
Lady Fortune; for he had suffered on both sides, although
he never was but on one side.
LXV I
I have heard him say, that his father one time, upon some
discourse of expenses, should tell him, it was but just that
every man should have his time.
1 have heard my Lord say, that bold soliciting and intruding
men shall gain more by their importunate petitions, than
modest honest men shall get by silence (as being loath to
offend or be too troublesome) both in the manner and matter
of their requests. The reason is, said he, that great princes
will rather grant sometimes an unreasonable suit, than be
tired with frequent petitions, and hindered from their ordinary
pleasures. And when I asked my Lord, whether the grants
of such importunate suits were fitly and properly placed ?
he answered, not so well as those that are placed upon due
consideration, and upon trial and proof.
LXVIII
I have heard my Lord say, that it is a great error and weak
policy in a state to advance their enemies, and endeavour to
make them friends, by bribing them with honours and offices,
saying ' they arc shrewd men, and may do the state much
hurt ' : and on the other side, to neglect their friends, and
those that have done them great service, saying ' they arc-
honest men, and mean the state no harm '. For this kind
of jx)licy comes from the heathen, who prayed to the devil,
and not to God, by reason they supposed God was good, and
would hurt no creature ; but the devil they flattered and
The Fourth Book : Essays and Discourses i ^5
worshipped out of fear, lest he should hurt them. But by
this foolish policy, said he, they most commonly increase their
enemies, and lose their friends. For, first, it teaches men to
observe, that the only way to preferment, is to be against the
state or government. Next, since all that are factious cannot
be rewarded or preferred (by reason a state hath more subjects,
than rewards or preferments) there must of necessity be numer-
ous enemies ; for when their hopes of reward fail them, they
grow more factious and inveterate than ever they were at
first. \Yhereforc the best policy in a state or government,
said my Lord, is to reward friends, and punish enemies, and
prefer the honest before the factious ; and then all will be
real friends, and proffer their honest service, either out of pure
love and loyalty, or in hopes of advancement, seeing there
is none but by serving the state.
I. MX
T have heard him say several times, that his love to his
gracious master King Charles the Second was above the love
lie bore to his wife, children, and all his posterity, nay, to his
own life- : and when, since his return into England, I answered
him that I observed his gracious master did not love him so
well as he loved him ; he replied, that lie cared not whether
his Majesty loved him again or not ; for he was resolved to
love him '.
T asking my Lord one lime, what kind of fate it was that
restored our gracious King, Charles the Second, to his throne,
he answered, it was a blessed kind of fate. T replied, that I
had observed a perfect contrariety between the fortunes of his
royal father, of blessed memory, and him. For as there was
a division amongst the generality of the people, in the reign
of King Charles the First, tending to his destruction ; so
there was a general combination and agreement between them
in Kin" Charles the Second his restoration : and as there
l.nv.iltv i-i -hi! tin- vmic.
\\hrtlx-r it win or !.>-, (lu- cum-,
Trm- .i-. tin- ili.il to tin- sun,
Although it be not shincU upon.
136 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
was a general malice amongst the people against the father
to depose him ; so there was a general love for the son to
enthrone him. My Lord answered, I had observed something,
but not all ; for, said he, there was a necessity for the people
to desire and restore King Charles the Second ; but there
was no necessity to murder King Charles the First. For the
kingdom being" through so many alterations and changes of
government, divided into several factions and parties, was at
last hurried into such a confusion, that it was impossible in
that manner to subsist, or hold out any longer. Which
confusion having opened the people's eyes, the generality
being tired with the evil effects and consequences of their
unsettled governments under unjust usurpers, and frightened
with the apprehension of future dangers, began to call to
mind the happy times, when in an uninterrupted peace they
enjoyed their own, under the happy reign of their lawful
sovereigns ; and hereupon with an unanimous consent recalled
and restored our now gracious King ; which, although it was
opposed by some factious parties, yet the generality of the
people outweighed the rest ; neither was the royal party
wanting in their endeavours.
LXXI
Asking my Lord one time, whether it was easy or difficult
to govern a state or kingdom ? he answered me, that most
states were governed by secret policy and so with difficulty ;
for those that govern, are (at least should be) wiser than the
state or commonwealth they govern. I replied, that in my
opinion, a state was easily governed, if their government was
like unto God's ; that is to say, if governors did reward and
punish according to the desert. My Lord answered, I said
well ; but he added, the follies of the people are many times
too hard for the prudence of the governor ; like as the sins
of men work more evil effects in them, than the grace of God
works good ; for if this were not, there would be more good
than bad, which, alas, experience proves otherwise.
LXXI I
Some gentlemen making a complaint to my Ix>rd, that
some lie employed in his Majesty's affairs were too hasty and
The Fourth Rook : Kssays and Discourses 137
over-busy, my Lord told them, that he would rather choose
such persons for his Majesty's service as were over-active,
than such that would be fuller of questions than actions.
The same he would do for his own particular affairs.
Some condemning my Lord for having Roman Catholics
and Scots in liis army ; he answen d them, that he did not
examine their opinions in religion, but looked more upon their
honesty and duty ; for certainly there were honest men and
loyal subjects amongst Roman Catholics, as well as Protestants;
and amongst Scots as well as Knglish. Nevertheless, my
Lord, as he was for the King, so he was also for the orthodox
Church of Kngland, as sufficiently appears by the care he took
in ordering the Church government, mentioned in the history.
To which purpose, when my Lord was walking one time with
some of his officers in the church at Durham, and wondered
at the greatness and strength of the pillars that supjx>rted
that structure, my brother, Sir Charles 1 .IK as, who was then
with him, told my Lord, that he must confess those pillars
were very great, and of a vast strength ; but. said he. your
Lordship is a far greater pillarof the Church than all these.
Which certainly was also a real truth, and would have more
evidently appeared, had Fortune favoured my Lord more
than she did.
My Lord being in banishment, 1 told him, that he was
happy in his misfort lines, for he was not subject to any state
or prince. To which lie jestinglv answered, that as he was
subject to no prince, so lie was a prime of no subjects.
In some discourse which 1 had \\itli mv lord concerning
princes and their subjects. 1 do land that I had observed
great princes were not like- the sun. which sends forth out of
itself rays of light, and beams of he.it. effects that did lx>th
glorify the sun, and nourish and comfort sublunary cnatuns ;
r
138 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
but their glory and splendour proceeded rather from the
ceremony which they received from their subjects. To which
my Lord answered, that subjects were so far from giving
splendour to their princes, that all the honours and titles, in
which consists the chief splendour of a subject, were principally
derived from them ; for, said he, were there no princes, there
would be none to confer honours and titles upon them.
LXXVI
My Lord entertaining one time some gentlemen with a
merry discourse, told them, that he would not keep them
company except they had done and suffered as much for their
King and country as he had. They answered, that they had
not a power answerable to my Lord's. My Lord replied, they
should do their endeavour according to their abilities. No,
said they, if we did, we should be like yourself, lose all, and
get but little for our pains.
LXXVI I
I being much grieved that my Lord, for his loyalty and
honest service, had so many enemies, used sometimes to
speak somewhat sharply of them ; but he gently reproving
me, said, I should do like experienced seamen, and as they
either turn their sails with the wind, or take them down, so
should I cither comply with time, or abate my passion.
LXXVI 1 1
A soldier's wife, whose husband had been slain in my Lord's
army, came one time to beg some relief of my Lord ; who told
her, that he was not able to relieve all that had been loyal to
Iiis Majesty ; for, said he, my losses are so many, that if I
should give away the remainder of my estate, my wife and
children would have nothing to live on. She answered, that
his Majesty's enemies were preferred to great honours, and
had much wealth. Then it is a sign (replied my Lord) that
your husband and I were honest men.
The Fourth Book : Essays and Discourses 139
I. XXIX
A friend of my Lord's complaining that he had done the
state much service, but received little reward for it : my
Lord answered him, that states did not usually reward pa.st
services : but if he could do some present service, he might
perhaps get something ; but, said he, those men are wisest
that will be paid beforehand.
I observing that in the late Civil Wars, many \\< re desirous
to be employed in state's affairs, and at the noise of war
endeavoured to be commanders, though but of small parties,
asked my Lord the reason thereof, and what advantage they
could make by their employments ? My Lord smilingly
answered, that for the generality, he knew not what they
could get, but danger, loss, and labour for their pains. Then
I asked him. whether generals of great armies were ever en-
riched by their heroic exploits, and great victories ' My
Lord answered, that ordinary commanders gained more,
and were better rewarded than great generals. To which
I added, that 1 had observed the same in histories, namely,
that men of great merit and power had not only no rewards,
but were either found fault withal, or laid aside- when they
had no more business or employment for them, and that 1
could not conceive any reason for it. but that states were
afraid of their power. My Lord answered, the reason was,
that it was far more easy to reward undcr-ollicers than gre.it
commanders.
My Lord having, since the return from his banishment, set
up a race of horses, instead of those he lost by the wars, uses
often to ride through his park to see his breed, t >ne time it
chanced when he went through it, that he espied some laUnir-
ing men sawing of woods that were blown down by the \\ind.
for some particular uses; at which my Lord, turning to his
attendants, said, that he had been at that \\ork a great pait
of his life. They not knowing what my Lord meant, but
thinking he jested ; 1 speak very seriously, added he. and not
140 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
in jest ; for you see that this tree which is blown down by the
wind, although it was sound and strong, yet it could not
withstand its force ; and now it is down, it must be cut in
pieces, and made serviceable for several uses ; whereof some
will serve for building, some for paling, some for firing, etc.
In the like manner, said he, have I been cut down by the Lady
Fortune : and being not able to resist so powerful a princess,
I have been forced to make the best use of my misfortunes,
as the chips of my estate.
LXXXII
My Lord discoursing one time with some of his friends, of
judging of other men's natures, dispositions, and actions ;
and some observing that men could not possibly know or
judge of them, the events of men's actions falling out often-
times contrary to their intentions ; so that where they hit
once, they failed twenty times in their judgments : my Lord
answered, that his judgment in that point seldom did miss,
although he thought it weaker than theirs. The reason is,
said he, because I judge most men to be like myself, that is
to say, fools ; when as you do judge them all according to
yourself, that is, wise men : and since there arc more fools
in the world than wise men, I may sooner guess right than
you : for though my judgment roves at random, yet it can
never miss of errors ; which yours will never do, except you
can dive into other men's follies by the length of your own
line, and sound their bottom by the weight of your own
plummet, for the depth of folly is beyond the line of wisdom.
Besides, said he, you believe that other men would do as
you would have them, or as you would do to them ; wherein
you arc mistaken, for most men do the contrary. In short,
folly is bottomless, and hath no end ; but wisdom hath bounds
to all her designs, otherwise she would never compass them :
My Lord discoursing some time with a learned doctor of
divinity concerning faith, said, that in his opinion, the wisest
way for a man was to have as little faith as he could for this
world, and as much as he could for the next world.
The Fourth Book : Essays and Discourses 141
LXXXIV
In some discourse with my Lord, I told him th.it I did
speak sharpest to those I loved best. To which he jestingly
answered, that if so, then lie would not have me love him best.
LXXXV
After my Lord's return from a long banishment, when he
had been in the country some time, and endeavoured to pick
up some gleanings of his ruined estate ; it chanced that 1 1 it-
widow of Charles, Lord Mansfield, my Lord's eldest son,
afterwards Duchess of Richmond, to whom the said Lord of
Mansfield had mack- a jointure of /\'<xx> a year, died not long
after her second marriage. I -'or whose death, though my
Lord was heartily sorry, and would willingly have lost the
said money, had it been able to save her lite ; yet discoursing
one time merrily with his friends, was pleased to say. th.it
though his earthly king and master seemed to have forgot
him, yet the King of Heaven had remembered him. for he had
LMvcn him /JCCKI a vcar.
SOME FEW NOTES OF THE AUTHORESS
IT was far more difficult in the late Civil Wars, for my Lord
to raise an army for his Majesty's service, than it was for the
Parliament to raise an army against his Majesty. Not only
because the Parliament were many, and my Lord but one
single person ; but by reason a kingly or monarchical govern-
ment was then generally disliked, and most part of the king-
dom proved rebellious, and assisted the Parliament either
with their purses or persons, or both ; when as the army which
my Lord raised for the defence and maintenance of the King,
and his rights, was raised most upon his own and his friends'
interest. For it is frequently seen and known, by woful
experience, that rebellious and factious parties do more sud-
denly and numerously flock together to act a mischievous
design, than loyal and honest men to assist or maintain a just
cause : and certainly 'tis much to be lamented, that evil men
should be more industrious and prosperous than good, and
that the wicked should have a more desperate courage, than
the virtuous an active valour.
I have observed, that many, by flattering poets, have been
compared to Qrsar, without desert ; but this I dare freely
and without flattery say of my Lord, that though he had not
Oesar's fortune, yet he wanted not Grsar's courage, nor his
prudence, nor his good nature, nor his wit. Nay, in some
particulars he did more than Ocsar ever did ; for though
C'a-sar had a great army, yet he was first set out by the state
or senators of Rome, who were masters almost of all the
world ; when as my Lord raised his army (as before is men-
tioned) most upon his own interest (lie having many friends
and kindred in the northern parts) at such a time when his
14.!
Notes of the Authoress 143
gracious King and sovereign was then not master of his own
kingdoms, he being overpowered by his rebellious subjects.
in
I have observed that my noble Lord has always had an
aversion to that kind of policy that now is commonly practised
in the world, which in plain terms is dissembling, flattery,
and cheating, under the cover of honesty, love, and kindness.
But I have heard him say that the best policy is to act justly,
honestly, and wisely, and to speak truly ; and that the old
proverb is true, ' To be wise is to be honest ' ; for, said he,
that man of what condition, quality, or profession soever,
that is once found out to deceive either in words or actions,
shall never be trusted again by wise and honest men. But,
said he, a wise man is not bound to take notice of all dissem-
blers and their cheating actions, if they do not concern him :
nay, even of those he would not always take notice, but
choose his time ; for the chief part of a wise man is to time
business well, and to do it without partiality and p;ussion.
But, said he, the folly of the world is so great that one honest
and wise man may be overpowered by many knaves and
fools ; and if so, then the only benefit of a wise man consists
in the satisfaction he finds by his honest and wise actions,
and that he has done what in conscience, honour, and duty,
he ought to do ; and all successors of such worthy j>ersons
ought to be more satisfied in the worth and merit of their
predecessors, than in their title and riches.
I have heard that some noble gentleman (who was servant
to his Highness, then Prince of Wales, our now gracious
sovereign, when my Lord was (iovernor) should relate, tli.it
whensoever my Lord by his prudent inspection and foresight
did foretell what would come to pass hereafter, it seemed so
improbable to him, that both himself and some others believed
my Lord spoke extravagantly: but some few years after,
his predictions proved true, anil the event did confirm what
his prudence had observed.
144 "^ 1C Life f William, Duke of Newcastle
I have heart! that in our late Civil Wars there were many
petty skirmishes and fortifications of weak and inconsiderable
houses, where some small parties would be shooting and
pottering ' at each other ; an action more proper for bandits
or thieves than stout and valiant soldiers ; for I have heard
my Lord say, that such small parties divide the body of an
army, and by that means weaken it : whereas the business
might be much easier decided in one or two battles, with
less ruin both to the country ant! army. For I have heard
my Lord say, that as it is dangerous to divide a limb from
the body, so it is also dangerous to divide armies or navies
in time of war ; and there arc often more men lost in such
petty skirmishes than in set battles, by reason those happen
almost every day, nay, every hour in several places.
Many in our late Civil Wars had more title than power
for though they were generals or chief commanders, yet
their forces were more like a brigade than a well-formed
army; and their actions were accordingly, not set battles,
but petty skirmishes between small parties ; for there were
no great battles fought, but by my Lord's army, his being
the greatest and best-formed army which his Majesty had.
VII
Although I have observed that it is a usual custom of the
world to glorify the present power and gootl fortune, and
vilify ill fortune and low conditions, yet I never heard that
my noble Lord was ever neglected by the generality, but was.
on the contrary, always esteemed and praised by all : for he
is truly an honest and honourable man, and one that may be
relied upon both for trust and truth.
VIII
I have observed that many instead of great actions make
only a great nois<-. and like shallow fords, or empty bladders,
' ' I'ottiTinc ' srcms to ! nsc<l .is .1 .vnonyin for shootine, as wr shonUl say ' jxittint,' ',
and not in the scnso of sauntering, or working im-lln ii-ntly.
Notes of the Authoress 1^5
sound most when there is least in them, which expresses .1
flattering partiality, rather than honesty and truth ; for truth
and honesty lie at the bottom, and have more action than show.
IX
I have observed, that good fortune adds fame to mean
actions, when as ill fortune darkens the splendour of the most
meritorious ; for mean persons, plied with good fortune, are
more famous than noble persons that are shadowed or dark-
ened with ill fortune ; so that Fortune, for the most part, is
Fame's champion.
I observe, that as it would be a grief to covetous and misera-
ble persons to be rewarded with honour rather than with
wealth, because they love wealth before honour and fame :
so, on the other side, noble, heroic, and meritorious persons
prefer honour and fame before wealth : well knowing, that
as infamy is the greatest punishment of umvorthiness. so
fame and honour is the best reward of worth and merit.
I observe 1 , that spleen and malice, especially in this age.
is grown to that height, that none will endure the praise of
anybody besides themselves ; nay. they'll rather praise the
wicked than the good ; the coward rather than the valiant :
the miserable than the generous ; the traitor than the loyal :
which makes wise men meddle as little with the atlairs of the
world as ever t hev can.
1 have observed, as well as former ages have done, that
meritorious persons, for their noble actions, most commonly
get envy and reproach, instead of praise and reward ; unless
their fortunes be above envy, as (\rsar's ami Alexander's
were. Hut had these two worthies been as unfortunate as they
were fortunate, they would have been as much vilified as
t hey are glorified.
U
146 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
I have observed, that it is more easy to talk than to act ;
to forget than to remember ; to punish than to reward ; and
more common to prefer flattery before truth, interest before
justice, and present service before past.
XIV
I have observed, that many old proverbs are very true, and
amongst the rest, this : ' It is better to be at the latter end
of a feast than at the beginning of a fray ' ; for most commonly,
those that arc in the beginning of a fray get but little of the
feast : and those that have undergone the greatest dangers
have least of the spoils.
I have observed, that favours of great princes make men
often thought meritorious ; whereas without them, they
would be esteemed but as ordinary persons.
XVI
I observe, that in other kingdoms or countries, to be the
chief governor of a province is not only a place of honour,
but much profit ; for they have a great revenue to them-
selves ; whereas in England, the lieutenancy of a county is
barely a title of honour, without profit ; except it be the
lieutenancy or government of the kingdom of Ireland : espe-
cially since the late Karl of Stralford enjoyed that dignity,
who settled that kingdom very wisely both for militia and
trade.
XVII
I have observed, that those that meddle least in wars,
whether civil or foreign, arc not only most safe and free from
danger, but most secure from losses ; and though heroic per-
sons esteem fame before life, vet manv there are, that think
Notes of the Authoress 147
the wisest way is to be a spectator, rather than an actor,
unless they be necessitated to it ; for it is better, say they,
to sit on the stool of quiet, than in the chair of troublesome
business.
NATURE'S PICTURES
FANCY'S IT: NCI I. TO TIIF LIFE
Written by the thrice noble, illustrious, and excellent Princess,
the Lady Marchioness of Newcastle
IN this volume there are several feigned stories of nutnr.il
descriptions, as comical, tragical, and tragi-coniical, poetical,
romancical, philosophical, and historical, both in prose and
verse, some all verse, some all prose, some mixt, partly
prose and partly verse. Also there are some morals, and
some dialogues ; but they are as the advantage loaves of
bread to baker's do/en; and a true story at the latter end,
wherein there is no feignings
1656
(The Life of the Duchess forms the lilevi-ulh and last Book.)
BOOK XI
A N K P I S T I. K
I IIAVK lieanl, that some should say my wit scorned as if it
would overpower my brain, especially when it works upon
philosophical opinions. I am obliged to them for judging
my wit stronger than my brain : but I should be sorry that
they should think my wit stronger than my reason : but I
must tell them that my brain is stronger than my wit, and
my reason as strong as the effeminate sex requires.
Again, I have heard some should say, that my writings are
none of my own, because when some have visited me, though
seldom I receive visits, they have not heard me speak of them,
or repeat some of the chapters or verses ; but I believe, if
they should desire the best orator to repeat his orations or
sermons that he hath spoke c.v IfDif-orc, he shall not do it
although but an hour's discourse : for I believe Tully, who
I have heard was an eloquent orator, yet could not repeat
them over to his auditory. The same is in writers : for I do
believe Homer, as great and excellent poet as it is said he
was, could not repeat his poems by heart, nor Virgil.
nor Ovid, or any other: nor Kuclid repeat his demon-
strations, numerations, and the like without book, nor Aris-
totle, \\ho, I have heard, was a gre.it philosopher, the explana-
tions of his opinions by heart; for I have heard that his
memory failed in the writing, for that he hath sometimes
contradicted himself: and mv Lord, who hath written hun-
dreds of verses, songs, and themes, could not repeat three by
heart ; and I have heard him say. that after he hath writ
them, he cloth so little remember any part in them, that when
they have been a short time by. and then read them over,
they are new to him. But he is not so forgetful of' other
things, for he hath an extraordinary memory for received
courtesies, or to do any timely good or service, not only to
151
152 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
friends, but to strangers. Also he hath an excellent memory
concerning the general actions of and in the world. Hut cer-
tainly they that remember their own wit least, have the most
of it ; for there is an old saying, and surely true, that the best
wits have the worst memory, I mean wit-memory ; for great
memories are standing ponds that are made with rain ; so
that memory is nothing but the showers of other men's wits ;
and those brains are muddy that have not running springs
of their own, that issue out still fresh and new. Indeed, it's
against nature for natural wits to remember ; for it is impossible
that the brain should retain and create : and we see in nature,
death makes way for life ; for if there were no death there
would be no new life or lives.
But say I were so witless I could repeat some of my works,
I do think it would seem self-conccitcdness to mention them ;
but since that report, I have spoken more of them than other-
wise I should have done, though truly I condemn myself :
for it is an indiscretion, although I was forced to that indiscre-
tion, and I repent it both for the disfiguring of my works, by
pulling out a piece here and a piece there, according as my
memory could catch hold ; also for troubling, or rather vexing
the hearers with such discourses as they delight not in.
Besides, it hath been a long and true observation, that
every one had rather speak than listen to what another says ;
insomuch as for the most part all mankind run from company
to company, not to learn, but to talk, and like bells their
tongues as the clappers keep a jangling noise all at once, with-
out method or distinction.
But I hope my indiscretion in speaking of my works to my
licarers is not beyond a pardon, for I have not spoke of them,
nor parts in them, much nor often, nor to many, but to some
particularly, as those I thought did understand poetry, or
natural philosophy, or moral philosophy, though I fear not
always according as their capacities lay. For I have observed,
some understand commonwealths, customs, laws, or the like :
others, the distinguishments of passions, and understand
nothing of law ; others, divinity, that understand nothing
of temporal government, and so the like of many several
studies ; and some may have a rational capacity to most
sciences, yet conceive nothing of natural philosophy, as of
the first matter, or innated matter, or motions, or figures, or
An Kpistle 1 5 3
forms, or infinites, or spirits, or essences, or the like : nay,
for the most part they conceive little further than an almanac
to know the time by, of which I am ignorant, for I understand
it not. And for poetry, most laugh at it as a ridicul >us thing,
especially grave statists, severe moralists, xealous p.-icsthood,
wrangling lawyers, covetous hoarders, or purloiners, or those
that have mechanic natures, and many more, which for tin-
most part account poetry a toy, and condemn it for a vanity,
an idle employment ; nor have they so much fancy of their
own, as to conceive the poetical fancies of others ; for if they
did, they must needs love poetry ; for poetry is so powerful,
and hath such an attractive beauty, that those that can but
view her perfectly, could not but be enamoured, her charms
do so force affection. But surely those that delight not in
poetry or music, have no divine souls nor harmonious thoughts,
lint by those weak observations I have made, I perceive that
as most men have particular understandings, capacities, or
ingenuities, and not a general ; so in their discourses some
can speak eloquently, and not learnedly ; others learnedly
and not eloquently ; some wittily, and neither learned nor
eloquent ; and some will speak neither learnedly, eloquently,
wittily, or rationally- Likewise, some can speak well, but
'tis but for a time, some a longer and some a shorter time,
like several sized candles, are longer or shorter ere they come
to a snuff ; where sometimes some objects or conceits, unex-
pected objections or questions, or the like, do prove as a small
coal got into the tallow of their wit. which makes it bleer '
out sooner than otherwise it would do. Also some will speak
wisely upon some subjects, and foolishly upon others.
Likewise some will speak well as it were by chance : others
in one discourse speak mixtly. now rational, then nonsensely.
at least weakly or obstructedly. Hut they are great masters
of speech that speak clearly, as I may say. untangled, which
can wind their words from oil their tongue without a snarl -
or knot, and can keep even sense, like an even thread, or can
work that thread of sense into a nourishing discourse : and
they have a quick wit that can play with, or on any subject,
which doubtless some can do of those things they never heard,
saw, or thought on, but just when they speak of it. And
1 Proli.iblv ' I.l.-.ir '. tn link.- .lini. u-ol it, th,- s,-n*r ot (., N-, ,m
- ll.illiwoll gives ' sn.irlc ', a MI.UV, .uul ' Mi.irtrl ', a haul Knut
154 T^c Life of William, Duke of Newcastle
some have great capacities, as may be perceived in their
discourse : but yet their speech is like those that are lame,
which limp and halt, although the ground whereon they go
is even, smooth, and firm. But some have such large capaci-
ties, elevated fancies, illuminated souls, and volubility of
speech, that they can conceive, create, enlighten, and deliver
with that abundance, curiosity, facility, and pleasure, as their
conversible company is a heaven, where all worldly delights
reside.
But to return to the ground of this Epistle. I desire all my
readers and acquaintance to believe, though my words run
stumbling out of my mouth, and my pen draws roughly on
my paper, yet my thoughts move regular in my brain ; for
the several tracks or paths that contemplation hath made on
my brain, which paths or tracks are the several ways my
thoughts move in, are much smoother than the tongue in my
mouth, from whence words flow, or the paper on which my
pen writes ; for I have not spoke so much as I have writ, nor
writ so much as I have thought. For I must tell my readers,
that nature, which is the best and curiousest worker, hath
paved my brain smoother than custom hath oiled my tongue,
or variety hath polished my senses, or art hath beaten the
paper whereon I write ; for my fancy is quicker that the pen
with which I write, insomuch as it is many times lost through
the slowness of my hand, and yet I write so fast, as I stay not
so long as to make perfect letters.
But if they will not believe my books arc my own, let them
search the author or authoress : but I am very confident that
they will do like Drake, who went so far about, until he came
to the place he first set out at. But for the sake of after
ages, which I hope will be more just to me than the present,
I will write the true relation of my birth, breeding, and to
this part of my life, not regarding carping tongues, or malicious
censurers, for I despise them.
M ARf.AR KT NEWCASTLE.
A TRUE RELATION
OF MY
BIRTH, BREEDING AND LIFE
BY MARGARET, DUCHESS OK NEWCASTLE
MY father was a gentleman, which title is grounded and given
by merit, not by princes ; and it is the act of time, not favour :
and though my father was not a peer of the realm, yet there
were few peers who had much greater estates, or lived more
noble therewith. Yet at that time great titles were to be
sold, and not at so high rates, but that his estate might have
easily purchased, and was pressed for to take ; but my father
did not esteem titles, unless they were gained by heroic actions,
and the kingdom being in a happy peace with all other nations,
and in itself being governed by a wise king, King James, there
was no employments for heroic spirits ; and towards the latter
end of Queen Elizabeth's reign, as soon as he came to man's
estate, he unfortunately killed one Mr. Brooks in a single duel.
For my father by the laws of honour could do no less than
call him to the field to question him for an injury he did him,
where thrir swords were to dispute, and one or both of their
lives to decide the argument, wherein my father had the
better ; and though my father by honour challenged him,
with valour fought him, and in justice killed him, yet he suff-
ered more than any person of quality usually doth in cases of
honour ; for though the laws be rigorous, yet the present
princes most commonly are gracious in those misfortunes,
especially to the injured : but my father found it not, for his
exile was from the time of his misfortunes to Queen Eli/.abcth's
death. For the Lord Cobham being then a great man with
Queen Elizabeth, and this gentleman, Mr Brooks, a kind of
a favourite, and as 1 take it brother to the then Lord Cobh.im,
L55
156 Life of the Duchess of Newcastle
which made Chieen Elizabeth so severe, not to pardon him 1 .
But King James of blessed memory graciously gave him his
pardon, and leave to return home to his native country,
wherein he lived happily, and died peaceably, leaving a wife
and eight children, three sons, and five daughters, I being the
youngest child he had, and an infant when he died.
As for my breeding, it was according to my birth, and the
nature of my sex ; for my birth was not lost in my breeding.
For as my sisters was or had been bred, so was I in plenty,
or rather with superfluity. Likewise we were bred virtuously,
modestly, civilly, honourably, and on honest principles. As
for plenty, we had not only for necessity, convenicncy, and
decency, but for delight and pleasure to a superfluity ; it
is true we did not riot, but we lived orderly ; for riot, even
in kings' courts and princes' palaces, brings ruin without con-
tent or pleasure, when order in less fortunes shall live more
plentifully and deliciously than princes that lives in a hurly-
burly, as I may term it, in which they are seldom well served.
For disorder obstructs ; besides, it doth disgust life, distract
the appetites, and yield no true relish to the senses ; for
pleasure, delight, peace, and felicity live in method and
temperance.
As for our garments, my mother did not only delight to see
us neat and cleanly, fine and gay, but rich and costly ; main-
taining us to the height of her estate, but not beyond it. For
we were so far from being in debt, before these wars, as we
were rather beforehand with the world ; buying all with
ready money, not on the score. For although after my
father's death the estate was divided between my mother
and her sons, paying such a sum of money for portions to her
daughters, cither at the day of their marriage, or when they
should come to age ; yet by reason she and her children agreed
with a mutual consent, all their affairs were managed so well,
as she lived not in a much lower condition than when my
father lived. Tis true, my mother might have increased her
daughters' portions by a thrifty sparing, yet she chose to
bestow it on our breeding, honest pleasures, and harmless
delights, out of an opinion, that if she bred us with needy
This was probably George Brooke, the brother of Lord Cobharn, esonited for his
re in the plot called ' "ITie Bye ', in 1603. I have not been able to find any mention
Life of the Duchess of Newcastle 157
necessity, it might chance to create in us sharking l qualities,
mean thoughts, and base actions, which she knew my father,
as well as herself, did abhor. Likewise we were bred tenderly,
for my mother naturally did strive, to please and delight her
children, not to cross or torment them, terrifying them with
threats, or lashing them with slavish whips ; but instead of
threats, reason was used to persuade us, and instead of lashes,
the deformities of vice was discovered, and the graces and
virtues were presented unto us. Also we were bred with
respectful attendance, every one being severally waited upon,
and all her servants in general used the same respect to her
children (even those that were very young) as they did to
herself ; for she suffered not her servants, cither to be rude
before us, or to domineer over us, which all vulgar servants
are apt, and ofttimes which some have leave to do. Likewise
she never suffered the vulgar serving-men to be in the nursery
among the nursemaids, lest their rude love-making might
do unseemly actions, or speak unhandsome words in the
presence of her children, knowing that youth is apt to take
infection by ill examples, having not the reason of distin-
guishing good from bad. Neither were we suffered to have
any familiarity with the vulgar servants, or conversation :
yet caused us to demean ourselves with an humble civility
towards them, as they with a dutiful respect to us. Not
because they were servants were we so reserved : for many
noble persons arc forced to serve through necessity ; but by
reason the vulgar sort of servants arc as ill-bred as meanly
born, giving children ill examples and worse counsel -'.
As for tutors, although we had for all sorts of virtues 3 . as
singing, dancing, playing on music, reading, writing, working,
and the like, yet we were not kept strictly thereto, they were
1 Shark, to swindle, to trick dishonestly, to sponge on a person.
- Tin' Duchess elsewhere descrilx's the evils of f.uniliarity with servants: 'Others
through carelessness make their children fall into the same errors, not instructing
them with noble and honourable principles, but suffering them to run about into
every dirty ollice, where the young master must learn to drink and pl.iv at card*
with the kitchen-lxiy, and learn to kiss his mother's dirtv
cream. The daughters are danced upon the knee of everv clow
and hear them talk scurrilous to their maids, which is their coi
and then dancing Sellinger's Round with them in Christmas time,
things, which makes them become like unto like ; and their paret
it because they are voung.' I'he H'orWs <>/io, p. 70.
3 Virtues, accomplishments. According to Mr. Jenkins, in his re
in The Cavalitr and lits l.aJy, in the copy of this l>ook in the 1
British Museum, the Duchess has with her own hand altered vi
Accordingly he reads, ' As for tutors, although we had all sorts of \
id for a mess of
i and serving-man,
'liment of wooing ;
id manv other such
s think no harm in
rint of this relation
ig's I-ibrary at the
tucs into virtuosos,
rtuosos '.
I 5 8
Life of the Duchess of Newcastle
rather for formality than benefit ; for my mother cared not
so much for our dancing and fiddling, singing and prating
of several languages, as that we should be bred virtuously,
modestly, civilly, honourably, and on honest principles.
As for my brothers, of which I had three, I know not how
they were bred. First, they were bred when I was not capable
to observe, or before I was born ; likewise the breeding of
men were after different manner of ways from those of women.
But this I know, that they loved virtue, endeavoured merit,
practised justice, and spoke truth ; they were constantly
loyal, and truly valiant. Two of my three brothers were
excellent soldiers, and martial disciplines, being practised
therein ; for though they might have lived upon their own
estates very honourably, yet they rather chose to serve in
the wars under the States of Holland, than to live idly at
home in peace : my brother, Sir Thomas Lucas 1 , there
having a troop of horse ; my brother (the youngest) Sir
Charles Lucas, serving therein. But he served the States
not long, for after he had been at the siege and taking of some
towns, lie returned home again ; and though he had the less
experience, yet he was like to have proved the better soldier,
if better could have been, for naturally he had a practical
genius to the warlike arts, or arts in war, as natural poets have
to poetry 2 . But his life was cut off before he could arrive
to the true perfection thereof ; yet he writ 3 A Treatise
' Knighted, April 14, 1628.
- Sir ( h.irlrs I.uras, according to Clarendon (AVM/j'od, xi, 108), was held as good a
Low Countries, and
at court, where great
s< !!. and in a day oi
lues and places, of a
proud nature, wluc h
I able than the siege,
Loinpany him in his
under of horse as the nation had. ' He had l>een bred in th
always amongst the horse, so that lie had little conversation in tl
civility was practised and Icarnid. He was very brave in his je
battle a ;:. ill. int man to look upon, and follow: 'but at all otlic
nature not to l livid with, of an ill understanding, of a rough am
made him during the time ot their being in Colchester moic int' I
or anv fortune that threatened them ; vet thev all desired tc
death.' See also the note on his life in the Appendix.
I The. Duchess wrote the following poem on her brothers death :
An Klfgy upon the Death of my Ilrothfr.
Dear Hrothcr,
Thy idea in my mind doth lie,
And is entomlx-d in my sad memory,
Where every day 1 to thy shrine do go,
And offer tears, which from my eyes do flow ;
My heart the tire, whose flames arc ever pure,
Shall on Love's altar last while life endure ;
My sorrow incense strews of sighs fetched deep,
My thoughts keep watc.li o'er thy sweet spirit's sleep.
Dear blessed soul, though thon art gone, yet lives
Thy fame on earth, and man thee praises give :
Hut all's tc-. small : for thy heroic mind
U ,i above all the praises of mankind.
7'cxims, p. 271, cd. 1064.
Life of the Duchess of Newcastle 159
of the Arts in Wur, but by reason it was in characters, and tho
key thereof lost, we cannot as yet understand anything
therein, at least not so as to divulge it. My other brother,
the Lord Lucas ', who was heir to my father's estate, and as
it were the father to take care of us all, is not less valiant than
they were, although his skill in the discipline of war was not
so much, being not bred therein. Vet he had more skill in
the use of the sword, and is more learned in other arts and
sciences than they were, lie being a great scholar, by reason
he is given much to studious contemplation 2 .
Their practice was, when they met together, to exercise
themselves with fencing, wrestling, shooting, and such like
exercises, for T observed they did seldom hawk or hunt, and
very seldom or never dance, or play on music, saying it was
too effeminate for masculine spirits. Neither had they skill,
or did use to play, for aught I could hear, at cards or dice, or
the like games, nor given to any vice, as I did know, unless to
love a mistress were a crime, not that I knew any they had,
but what report did say, and usually reports arc false, at least
exceed the truth.
As for the pastime of my sisters when they were in the
country, it was to read, work, walk, and discourse with each
other. For though two of my three brothers :i were married
1 Sir John I.uras was rre.ited Baron I. urns of Shentield l>v patent dated 31! M.iv ;o
Charles 1 (Collins, vii, ii|). Clarendon gives .HI aeeonnt i>| the manner in whirh he
bought his peerage. John Aslibiirnh.ini acted .is broker. Clarendon, I. iff iii, (.'. (.-,.
I.IK. is w.is lined about /;.,(><><> for his adherence to the Hint,'. CulftnLir of lh<- C,>inmiltff
jnr CiimfioundinK, p. i.| t'l-
2 John, l.onl l.mas, is included in W.ilpol.-'s Royal and .Y<>'>/<- Authors, his till.' ! inclu-
sion lieing a speech in the House of l.onU in K>7i agiinst the linnlens of taxation ami
the extravagance ,,t the ( '.overnmeiit. It was printed, and burnt I)V the hand- ..! the
hangman. 1 he speech is contained in >/<!/< I'mcts, vol. i, p. 4^1, anil is als.i repnn'ed
in I'.irk's edition of Wal|<ole, vol. iii, p. IM.
:> Sir Kgerton Itrvdges ives the following p.-<lii;ree : Sir 'nmm.is I u.-as of St |ohn's.
near I'oleliesti.r, married Marv, daughter ol Sir John 1 'erinor ol I ston-N'evton. in N..ith
li.imptonsliire, liy wh.>m lie had Thomas I.II.MS ol St. John's, ne ir I'ol.-he-ter. I -.).. who
1>V l-llizabetli.aaiighter and eo-heir ..I John l.ei-ht..n ",,| I ,.ndon, Cent., had thr.-e -ons
and live daughters, \i/. .
I Johu l.nrasol St. John's, near Col, -hester, afterwards lord I u. as. who m.iriiitl
Anne, daughter of Sii I hi istopher Neville. Kt., voun^ei Li,, th, -i o| the 1 .old AN-rcavennv
l>v whom he had John, his son and heir, l>oin aUnit n>_4.
J. Sir riioinas I. in-. is, a cap tain in London, who married a daughter of Sir John Hxron
Kt., l>y whom he had a son, Thomas.
\. Sir Charles I.iu as.
.(. Mary, wife of Sir Peter Killegrcw, Kt.
.S. Anne.
(.. i:ii/.il.eth, wife of William Walter, rs.j.
7. Catherine, wile of Sir 1 dmnnd I've of I ondon, Kt.
S. Margaret, afterwards Duchess ot N<-wc.i-.tle.*
Arms. Argent, a fess between six annulets. i;ules.
Harl. MSS., 1^41, t. v>.
160 Life of the Duchess of Newcastle
(my brother the Lord Lucas to a virtuous and beautiful lady,
daughter to Sir Christopher Nevil, son to the Lord Aber-
gavenny ; and my brother Sir Thomas Lucas to a virtuous
lady of an ancient family, one Sir John Byron's daughter),
likewise three of my four sisters (one married Sir Peter Kille-
grew, the other Sir William Walter, the third Sir Edmund
Pye 1 , the fourth as yet unmarried), yet most of them lived
with my mother, especially when she was at her country-
house, living most commonly at London half the year, which
is the metropolitan city of England. But when they were at
London, they were dispersed into several houses of their own,
yet for the most part they met every day, feasting each other
like Job's children. But this unnatural war came like a
whirlwind, which felled down their houses, where some in the
wars were crushed to death, as my youngest brother Sir
Charles Lucas, and my brother Sir Thomas Lucas. And
though my brother Sir Thomas Lucas died not immediately
of his wounds, yet a wound he received on his head in Ireland
shortened his life 2 .
But to rehearse their recreations. Their customs were in
winter time to go sometimes to plays, or to ride in their
coaches about the streets to see the concourse and recourse
of people : and in the spring time to visit the Spring (Jarden,
Hyde Park, and the like places 3 ; and sometimes they would
have music, and sup in barges upon the water. These harm-
less recreations they would pass their time away with : for
I observed they did seldom make visits, nor never went abroad
with strangers in their company, but only themselves in a
flock together, agreeing so well that there seemed but one
mind amongst them. And not only my own brothers and
sisters agreed so, but my brothers and sisters in law, and their
children, although but young, had the like agreeable nature-;
1 Of these three gentlemen. Sir \Villiam Walter of Sarsden, Oxfordshire, and Sir Fd-
niund I've of Lef khampstcad, Bucks, took up arms for the King. Walter was fined
1430, and I've 3065. Sir I'eter Killegrew supported the I'arlianicnt.- I'alfniiar /
tilt Procfttlings of the Committee for Compounding, pp. too<), 1441, 321)0.
2 Sir Thomas Lucas left the Dutrh service about 163**, and was given the command
of a troop of horse in Ireland by Straflord (Strafford Letters, ii, 2^4 262). Me fought
under the command of Onnond throughout the Irish rebellion, and diid about i(>4<> .
Carte, Life of OrmonJ, iii, 451, ed. 1851.
3 A description of Hyde I'ark a few years later is quoted on p. 302. The same author
thus describes Spring Garden : ' The manner is as the company returns (i.e. from llvde
I'ark), to alight at the Spring Garden, so called in order to the I'ark, as our Tlmilleries
is to the course : the inclosure not disagreeable for the solemncss of the grove, the warbling
o( the birds, and as it opens into the spacious walks at St. James's.' Kvelyn's Chiradrr
"I l-.
Life of the Duchess of Newcastle 161
and affectionablc dispositions. For to my best remembrance
I do not know that ever they did fall out, or had any angry
or unkind disputes. Likewise, I did observe that my sisters
were so far from mingling themselves with any other company,
that they had no familiar conversation or intimate acquain-
tance with the families to which each other were linked to by
marriage, the family of the one being as great strangers to
the rest of my brothers and sisters as the family of the other.
But sometime after this war began, I knew not how they
lived. For though most of them were in Oxford, wherein
the King was, yet after the Queen went from Oxford, and so
out of England, I was parted from them. For when the
Queen was in Oxford I had a great desire to be one of her
maids of honour, hearing the Queen had not the same number
she was used to have. Whereupon I wooed and won my
mother to let me go ; for my mother, being fond of all her
children, was desirous to please them, which made her consent
to my request. But my brothers and sisters seemed not very
well pleased, by reason I had never been from home, nor
seldom out of their sight ; for though they knew I would not
behave myself to their or my own dishonour, yet they thought
I might to my disadvantage, being inexperienced in the world.
Which indeed I did, for I was so bashful when I was out of
my mother's, brothers', and sisters' sight, whose presence used
to give me confidence thinking I could not do amiss whilst
any one of them were by, for I knew they would gently reform
me if I did ; besides, I was ambitious they should approve of
my actions and behaviour that when I was gone from them,
I was like one that had no foundation to stand, or guide to
direct me, which made me afraid, lest I should wander with
ignorance out of the ways of honour, so that I knew not how
to behave myself. Besides, I had heard that the world was
apt to lay aspersions even on the innocent, for which I durst
neither look up with my eyes, nor speak, nor be any way
sociable, insomuch as I was thought a natural fool. Indeed
I had not much wit, yet I was not an idiot, my wit was accord-
ing to my years ; and though I might have learnt more wit,
and advanced my understanding by living in a Court, yet
being dull, fearful, and bashful. I neither heeded what was
said or practised, but just what belonged to my loyal duty,
and my own honest reputation. And, indeed, I was so afraid
Y
162 Life of the Duchess of Newcastle
to dishonour my friends and family by my indiscreet actions,
that I rather chose to be accounted a fool than to be thought
rude or wanton. In truth, my bashf ulness and fears made
me repent my going from home to see the world abroad, and
much I did desire to return to my mother again, or to my
sister Pye, with whom I often lived when she was in London,
and loved with a supernatural affection. But my mother
advised me there to stay, although I put her to more charges
than if she had kept me at home, and the more, by reason she
and my brothers were sequestered from their estates, and
plundered of all their goods, yet she maintained me so, that I
was in a condition rather to lend than to borrow, which cour-
tiers usually are not, being always necessitated by reason of
great expenses Courts put them to. But my mother said it
would be a disgrace for me to return out of the Court so soon
after I was placed ; so I continued almost two years, until
such time as I was married from thence. For my Lord the
Marquis of Newcastle did approve of those bashful fears
which many condemned, and would choose such a wife as he
might bring to his own humours, and not such a one as was
wedded to self-conceit, or one that had been tempered to the
humours of another ; for which he wooed me for his wife :
and though I did dread marriage, and shunned men's company
as much as I could, yet I could not, nor had not the power to
refuse him, by reason my affections were fixed on him, and he
was the only person I ever was in love with. Neither was I
ashamed to own it, but gloried therein. For it was not amor-
ous love (I never was infected therewith, it is a disease, or a
passion, or both, I only know by relation, not by experience),
neither could title, wealth, power, or person entice me to love.
But my love was honest and honourable, being placed upon
merit, which affection joyed at the fame of his worth, pleased
with delight in his wit, proud of the respects he used to me,
and triumphing in the affections he professed for me, which
affections he hath confirmed to me by a deed of time, sealed
by constancy, and assigned by an unalterable decree of his
promise, which makes me happy in despite of Fortune's
frowns *. For though misfortunes may and do oft dissolve
base, wild, loose, and ungrounded affections, yet she hath no
The letters of MarR.irrt Lucas to t'ie Marquis of Newcastle before their marri.ige
arc calendared in the Report on Ike Duke of I'urtlatui's .U.S.S., ii, 134-7. They drsi-rve
printing in full.
Life of the Duchess of Newcastle 163
power of those that arc united either by merit, justice, grati-
tude, duty, fidelity, or the like. And though my Lord hath
lost his estate, and banished out of his country for his loyalty
to his King and country, yet neither despised poverty, nor
pinching necessity could make him break the bonds of friend-
ship, or weaken his loyal duty to his King or country.
Hut not only the family I am linked to is ruined, but the
family from which I sprung, by these unhappy wars. Which
ruin my mother lived to sec, and then died, having lived a
widow many years ; for she never forgot my father so as to
marry again. Indeed, he remained so lively in her memory,
and her grief was so lasting, as she never mentioned his name,
though she spoke often of him, but love and grief caused tears
to flow, and tender sighs to rise, mourning in sad complaints.
She made her house her cloister, inclosing herself, as it were,
therein, for she seldom went abroad, unless to church. Hut
these unhappy wars forced her out, by reason she and her
children were loyal to the King ; for which they plundered
her and my brothers of all their goods, plate, jewels, money,
corn, cattle, and the like, cut down their woods, pulled down
their houses, and sequestered them from their lands and livings ;
but in such misfortunes my mother was of an heroic spirit,
in suffering patiently where there is no remedy, or to be indust-
rious where she thought she could help. She was of a grave
behaviour, and had such a majestic grandeur, as it were con-
tinually hung about her, that it would strike a kind of an awe
to the beholders, and command respect from the rudest (I
mean the rudest of civilized people, I mean not such barbarous
people as plundered her, and used her cruelly, for they would
have pulled Clod out of heaven, had they had power, as they
did royalty out of his throne). 1 Also her beauty was beyond
1 An account of tin- plunder of the house of Sir John I.m.is .it t olchester is i\en
in .Msri'iirius Kuxticus, No. i : 'On August j^, 1(14^. Sir John I. in. is intended with some
horse .mil arms to begin his journey towards the north to wait ii[xm the King.' llils
was discovered to the leaders of the local parliamentarians bv .1 tie.u heti -u>
and the roads were beset, and a guard set on his house,
town was raised, the volunteers and train-band assembled,
broke into the house to seareli tor arms and the suppressed g
people lav h.inds on Sir John I.neas. his l.idv. and sister, and
swords, guns, and h.ilberts to the common gaol. 1 ast ol all It
with the like or greater insolenrv, who. N-ing l.iint and b
leave to rest hersell in a shop bv the wav ; vet this leave w.
the rest of that rude rabble threatened to pull down the h<
>ut ; being by this means foreed to depart from thence, a <
I .-(XX) people
rrist-n of cavaliers ' Ihr
1 v them, attended with
bting loith his mother.
tlil.-ss. h.udlv obtained
.10 sooner obtained, but
se. unless thev thrust her
ti \maii (whom the alarm
had summoned to this work) espies her, .uid pie-sun; with his hoise through the nowtl.
struck at her head with his sword so heartily, that if an halbert had not crossed the
start the
164
Life of the Duchess of Newcastle
the ruin of time, for she had a well-favoured loveliness in her
face, a pleasing sweetness in her countenance, and a wcll-
tcmpcrccl complexion, as neither too red nor too pale,
even to her dying hour, although in years. And by her dying,
one might think death was enamoured with her, for he em-
braced her in a sleep, and so gently, as if he were afraid to hurt
her. Also she was an affectionate mother, breeding her chil-
dren with a most industrious care, and tender love ; and
having eight children, three sons and five daughters, there
was not any one crooked, or any ways deformed, neither were
they dwarfish, or of a giant-like stature, but every ways pro-
portionable ; likewise well-featured, clear complexions, brown
hairs (but some lighter than others), sound teeth, sweet
breaths, plain speeches, tunable voices (I mean not so much
to sing as in speaking, as not stuttering, nor wharling l in the
throat, or speaking through the nose, or hoarsely, unless they
had a cold, or squcakingly, which impediments many have) :
neither were their voices of too low a strain, or too high,
but their notes and words were tunable and timely.
I hope this truth will not offend my readers, and lest they
should think I am a partial register, I dare not commend my
sisters, as to say they were handsome ; although many would
say they were very handsome. But this I dare say, their
beauty, if any they had, was not so lasting as my mother's,
blow, both her sorrows and her journey had there found an end.' After this the house
was thoroughly plundered, deeds and papers destroyed, garden defaced, deer killed,
and cattle driven away. This was largely caused by a rumour that 200 armed men
were discovered in a vault at Sir John Lucas's, had killed nine men already, and were
issuing forth to destroy the town. ' And to show that their rage will know no Ixmnds
and that nothing is so sacred and venerable which they dare not to violate, they break
into St. Giles's Church, open the vault where his (Sir John's) ancestors were buried, and
with pistols, swords, and halberts transfix the coffins of the dead.' Sir John was sent
a prisoner to London, committed to the Gatehouse, and after a short time released on
giving bail to appear on summons. His eight horses and his arms were employed lor
the service of the Parliament. Parliament also published two Declarations, the one a
general prohibition to soldiers and others to break into and search the houses of persons
suspected of disaffection and popery (August 27), the other entitled .1 Declaration ion-
cernim; /Ihuses lately done hy several /'crsons in the County of Kssei. -Husband's l:\nct
(oiled inn, pp. 590, 592, 605. In this latter Declaration it is stated that the people, on
the order of the parliamentary commissioners, withdrew themselves peaceably, ' and
as they were required, did make restitution of plate, money, and many other goods '.
However, the 1'arliameut's Commssioncrs did not come down till Thursday, and the
riot took place on Monday, and the worst feature of these outrages was the amount of
wanton destruction.
' Wharling I can find no other use of the word. Halliwell explains 'wharling '
to mean ' an inability in anyone to pronounce the letter K ' (Dictionary of Archaic and
J'rovtncial Words). Shakespeare uses a somewhat similar word in A'IMJ; Lear, IV, vi
182-4 :
" We ram' 1 crying hither ;
Thou knowesl, the first time that we smell the air,
We wawl and rrv."
Life of the Duchess of Newcastle 165
Time making suddcner ruin in their faces than in hers. Like-
wise my mother was a good mistress to her servants, taking
care of her servants in their sickness, not sparing any cost she
was able to bestow for their recovery : neither did she exact
more from them in their health than what they with ease or
rather like pastime could do. She would freely pardon a fault,
and forget an injury, yet sometimes she would be angry ; but
never with her children, the sight of them would pacify her ;
neither would she be angry with others but when she had cause,
as negligent or knavish servants, that would lavishly or un-
necessarily waste, or subtly and thievishly steal . And though
she would often complain that her family was too great for
her weak management, and often pressed my brother to take
it upon him, yet I observe she took a pleasure, and some little
pride, in the governing thereof. She was very skilful in leases,
and setting of lands, and court keeping, ordering of stewards,
and the like affairs 1 . Also I observed that my mother nor
brothers, before these wars, had never any lawsuits, but what
an attorney despatched in a term with small cost, but if they
had it was more than I knew of. But, as I said, my mother
lived to sec the ruin of her children, in which was her ruin, and
then died : my brother Sir Thomas Lucas soon after, my brother
Sir Charles Lucas after him, being shot to death for his loyal
service, for he was most constantly loyal and courageously
active, indeed he had a superfluity of courage 2 . My eldest
sister died some time before my mother, her death being, as 1
believe, hastened through grief of her only daughter, on which
she doted, being very pretty, sweet naturcd, and had an extra-
ordinary wit for her age. She dying of a consumption, my
sister, her mother, died some half a year after of the same
disease ; and though time is apt to waste remembrance as a
consumptive body, or to wear it out like a garment into rags,
or to moulder it into dust, yet I find the natural affections 1
have for my friends are beyond the length, strength, and power
of time : for I shall lament the loss so long as 1 live, also the
loss of my Lord's noble brother, which died not long after I
returned from Kngland, he being then sick of an ague, whoso
favours and my thankfulness ingratitude shall never disjoin.
i Tliis refers to the iii.in.tKcnient of manors and nunorial courts. Soo Ro^or North's
l.i/f of Lord Guilford, pp. -,4 (>, ed. iS.-o.
- 1'or contemporary accounts ol the execution of I.uc.is see >'ir ( A.i/.Vs I.U?M kit
Last Sf'ffch, printed for K. Sniitlnut.t. London, 1048, and C !<irkf J\i{rrs, n, ji.
1 66 Life of the Duchess of Newcastle
For I will build his monument of truth, though I cannot of
marble, and hang my tears and scutcheons on his tomb. He
was nobly generous, wisely valiant, naturally civil, honestly
kind, truly loving, virtuously temperate ; his promise was like
a fixed decree, his words were destiny, his life was holy, his
disposition mild, his behaviour courteous, his discourse pleas-
ing ; he had a ready wit and a spacious knowledge, a settled
judgment, a clear understanding, a rational insight ; he was
learned in all arts and sciences, but especially in the mathe-
matics, in which study he spent most part of his time ; and
though his tongue preached not moral philosophy, yet his
life taught it, indeed he was such a person, that he might have
been a pattern for all mankind to take. He loved my Lord his
brother with a doting affection, as my Lord did him, for whose
sake I suppose he was so nobly generous, carefully kind, and
respectful to me ; for I dare. not challenge his favours as to
myself, having not merits to deserve them. He was for a time
the preserver of my life, for after I was married some two or
three years, my Lord travelled out of France, from the city
of Paris, in which city he resided the time he was there, so went
into Holland, to a town called Rotterdam, in which place he
stayed some six months. From thence he returned to Brabant,
unto the city of Antwerp, which city we passed through when
we went into Holland, and in that city my Lord settled himself
and family, choosing it for the most pleasantcst and quietest
place to retire himself and ruined fortunes in. But after we
had remained some time therein, we grew extremely necessi-
tated, tradesmen being there not so rich as to trust my Lord
for so much, or so long, as those of France ; yet they were so
civil, kind, and charitable as to trust him for as much as they
were able. But at last necessity enforced me to return into
England to seek for relief. For I, hearing my Lord's estate,
amongst the rest of many more estates, was to be sold, and
that the wives of the owners should have no allowance there-
from, it gave me hopes I should receive a benefit thereby.
So, being accompanied with my Lord's only brother, Sir
Charles Cavendish (who was commanded to return, to live
therein, or to lose his estate, which estate he was forced to buy
with a great composition before he could enjoy any part there-
of), so over I went. But when I came there I found their hearts
as hard as my fortunes, and their natures as cruel as my
Life of the Duchess of Newcastle 167
miseries, for they sold all my Lord's estate, which was a very
great one, and gave me not any part thereof, or any allowance'
thereout, which few or no other was so hardly dealt withal.
Indeed, I did not stand as a beggar at the Parliament door, for
I never was at the Parliament House, nor stood J ever at the
door, as I do know, or can remember, I am sure, not as a
petitioner. Neither did I haunt the committees, for I never
was at any, as a petitioner, but one in my life, which was called
Goldsmiths' Hall, 1 but I received neither gold nor silver from
them, only an absolute refusal, I should have no share of my
Lord's estate. For my brother, the Lord Lucas, did claim
in my behalf such a part of my Lord's estate as wives had
allowed them, but they told him that by reason I was married
since my Lord was made a delinquent, I could have nothing,
nor should have anything, he being the greatest traitor to the
State, which was to be the most loyal subject to his King and
country. But I whispcringly spoke to my brother to conduct
me out of that ungcntlemanly place, so without speaking to
them one word good or bad, I returned to my lodgings, and
as that committee was the first, so was it the last, I ever was
at as a petitioner. "I'is true I went sometimes to Drury
House to inquire how the land was sold, but no other ways,
although some reported I was at the Parliament House, and
at this committee and at that committee, and what I should
say, and how I was answered. Hut the customs of Kngland
l The committee sitting at (ioklsmiths* II.ill was that (or compounding with delin-
quents. ' Its object was to receive from delinquents themselves, cither such against
whom no information had Ix-en made, or such as were already under sequestration :
(1) A confession of their delinquency.
(2) A pledge of adherence to the present ("overnment.
( 5) A full account on oath of their possessions, real and jvrsonal.
Whereupon a le^al rejxirt was made, and they were admitted to compound in projec-
tions, according to their uilt ; halt the estate was exacted Iroiu anv delinquent Meml
of Parliament; one-sixth from those who had taken part cither in the former
latter war ; two-sixths or one-third from those who had been active in l>th war-, c
Those who were in cities that surrendered on articles of war i oin|>uiidcd aiiorduiK t
the tenor of those articles ' (Mrs. < Ireene's Preface to the ( ,i/,W,ir ,./ DomfJif S/.i.V /',i/v/
I6.|i), p. ix.) A Calendar of the Proceedings of this Committee, tilling the volumes, w.
published in iSSi)-i)i. The solids of the Cavaliers are naturally full of .illusion- lo tl
committee :
1'nder the rose be it s|x>kcn, there's a tl.unned committee,
Sits in Hell (Coklsmiths' Hall) in the middle ol the ,ilv.
Only to sequester the |x>or Cavaliers,
The devil take their souls and the hangman their ears.
Another SOUR says in allusion to the oaths :
They force us to take
Three oaths, but we'll make
A third, that we ne'er meant to keep 'cm.
1 68 Life of the Duchess of Newcastle
being changed as well as the laws, where women become
pleaders, attornies, petitioners, and the like, running about
with their several causes, complaining of their several griev-
ances, exclaiming against their several enemies, bragging of
their several favours they receive from the powerful, thus
trafficking with idle words bring in false reports and vain dis-
course. For the truth is, our sex doth nothing but jostle for
the pre-eminence of words (I mean not for speaking well,
but speaking much) as they do for the pre-eminence of place,
words rushing against words, thwarting and crossing each
other, and pulling with reproaches, striving to throw each other
down with disgrace, thinking to advance themselves thereby.
But if our sex would but well consider, and rationally ponder,
they will perceive and find, that it is neither words nor place
that can advance them, but worth and merit. Nor can words
or place disgrace them, but inconstancy and boldness : for
an honest heart, a noble soul, a chaste life, and a true speaking
tongue, is the throne, sceptre, crown, and footstool that ad-
vances them to an honourable renown. I mean not noble,
virtuous, discreet, and worthy persons whom necessity did
enforce to submit, comply, and follow their own suits, but such
as had nothing to lose, but made it their trade to solicit. But
I despairing, being positively denied at Goldsmiths' Hall (be-
sides, I had a firm faith, or strong opinion, that the pains was
more than the gains), and being unpractised in public employ-
ments, unlearned in their uncouth ways, ignorant of the
humours and dispositions of those persons to whom I was to
address my suit, and not knowing where the power lay, and
being not a good flatterer, I did not trouble myself or petition
my enemies. Besides I am naturally bashful, not that I am
ashamed of my mind or body, my birth or breeding, my
actions or fortunes, for my bashfulncss is my nature, not for
any crime, and though I have strived and reasoned with my-
self, yet that which is inbred I find is difficult to root out. But
I do not find that my bashfulncss is concerned with the qualities
of the persons, but the number ; for were I to enter amongst
a company of Lazaruscs, I should be as much out of counten-
ance as if they were all Caesars or Alexanders, CIcopatras or
()uccn Didos. Neither do I find my bashfulness riseth so often
in blushes, as contracts my spirits to a chill paleness. But
the best of it is, most commonly it soon vanishcth away, and
Life of the Duchess of Newcastle 169
many limes before it can be perceived ; and the more foolish
or unworthy I conceive the company to be, the worse I am,
and the best remedy I ever found was, is to persuade myself
that all those persons I meet are wise and virtuous. The
reason I take to be is, that the wise and virtuous censure least,
excuse most, praise best, esteem rightly, judge justly, behave
themselves civilly, demean themselves respectfully, and
speak modestly when fools or unworthy persons are apt
to commit absurdities, as to be bold, rude, uncivil both in
words and actions, forgetting or not well understanding them-
selves or the company they arc with. And though I never
met such sorts of ill-bred creatures, yet naturally I have such
an aversion to such kind of people, as I am afraid to meet
them, as children arc afraid of spirits, or those that are afraid
to sec or meet devils ; which makes me think this natural
defect in me, if it be a defect, is rather a fear than a bashful-
ness, but whatsoever it is, I find it troublesome, for it hath
many times obstructed the passage of my speech, and per-
turbed my natural actions, forcing a constraincdncss or unusual
motions. However, since it is rather a fear of others than a
bashful distrust of myself, I despair of a perfect cure, unless
nature as well as human governments could be civili/cd and
brought into a methodical order, ruling the words and actions
with a supreme power of reason, and the authority of discre-
tion : but a rude nature is worse than a brute nature by so
much more as man is better than beast, but those that arc of
civil natures and gentle dispositions arc as much nearer to
celestial creatures, as those that are of rude or cruel arc to
devils. But in fine, after I had been in England a year and
a half ', in which time I gave some half a score visits, and went
with my Lord's brother to hear music in one Mr. I .awes his
house -. three or four times, as also some three or four times
i Supply, tn complete the sense, ' I resolved to return ', from p. 170.
'! This w.is Henry l..i\ves, tor his rKler I'rother William \v.is killed .it the Mi-fir of Chester
in Oi toiler 11145. He composed tin- music lor ' Comm, .mil .11 t.-d in it tin- p.utx ol HIM-
sis ami the Atteml.mt Spirit. Milton addressed to him on .,tli 1 cl>iu.ity 111411 the w. 11-
known sonnet :
To my 1-ritnJ, Mr, llfnr\ /.<iurs.
H.irry, whose tuneful and wcll-me.isured song
1'irst taught our Kni;lish music how to sp.ui
Words with just note and accent.
M.ISSOII, /i/i- <>/ Milton, in, 4'>|
Life of the Duchess of Newcastle
to Hyde Park with my sisters, to take the air J , else I never
stirred out of my lodgings, unless to sec my brothers and
sisters, nor seldom did I dress myself, as taking no delight
to adorn myself, since he I only desired to please was absent,
although report did dress me in a hundred several fashions.
'Tis true when I did dress myself I did endeavour to do it in
my best becoming, both in respect to myself and those I went
to visit, or chanced to meet. But after I had been in England
a year and a half, part of which time I writ a book of poems -,
and a little book called my Philosophical Fancies n , to which
I have writ a large addition, since I returned out of England,
besides this book and one other. As for my book entitled
The World's Olio, I writ most part of it before I went into
England, but being not of a merry, although not of a froward
or peevish disposition, became very melancholy, by reason I
was from my Lord, which made my mind so restless, as it did
break my sleep, and distemper my health, with which growing
impatient of a longer delay, I resolved to return, although
I was grieved to leave Sir Charles, my Lord's brother, he being
sick of an ague, of which sickness he died. For though his ague
' In Evelyn's Character of England, 1651, Hyde Park is thus descrilx-d :
' I did frequently in the spring accompany my Lord N. into a field near the town,
which they call Hyde Park ; the place not unpleasant, and which they use, as our Course ;
but with nothing that order, equipage, and splendour, l>eing such an assembly of wretched
jades and hackney-coaches, as next a regiment of car-men there is nothing approaches
the resemblance. This Park was (it seems) used by the late King and Nobility for the
freshness of the air, and the goodly prospect : but it is that which now (besides all other
excises) they pay for here in England, though it be free in all the world beside ; every
coach and horse which enters buying his mouthful, and permission of the publican who
has purchased it, for which the entrance is guarded with porters and long staves.'
2 The book called i'oems and Fancies was published in 1653, dedicated to Sir Charles
Cavendish, The World's Olio, in 1655.
3 I'Hilosopkical Fancies, published in i6<>3, was afterwards expanded into 1'hilosophi-
cal Opinions, which passed through two editions, 1655 and iM>3- In one of the Epistles
to the Reader in the edition of 1663, the Duchess writes: 'The ground of these my
philosophical and phvsiral opinions was printed in the year 1653, to which in the vear
i'>"iS I made an addition, but after I returned with mv noble Lord into England, I have
since recovered my former work, and finding it not so perfect, as I wish it had IM-CII. I
have employed part of mv idle time to make it more intelligible for mv readers."
At tin- end of the same txx>k she informs her readers, that it is her favourite work
(p. 417):
Of all mv works this work which I have writ,
Mv best beloved and greatest favourite,
I look upon it with a pleasing eye.
I pleasure take in its sweet company.
I entertain it with a grave respect,
And with my pen am ready to protect
The life and safety of it 'gainst all those
That will oppose it, or profess it foes :
Hut I am sure there's none condemn it can,
Unless some foolish and unlearned man,
'I li.it hath no understanding, judgment, wit,
I or to perceive the reason that's in it.
Life of the Duchess of Newcastle 171
was cured, his life \v;is decayed, lie being not of a strong con-
stitution could not, as it did prove, recover his health, for the
dregs of his ague did put out the lamp of his life. Yet Heaven
knows I did not think his life was so near to an end, for his
doctor had great hopes of his perfect recovery, and by reason
he was to go into the country for change of air, where I should
have been a trouble, rather than any way serviceable, besides
more charge the longer I stayed, for which I made the more
haste to return to my Lord, with whom I had rather be ;is a
poor beggar, than to be mistress of the world absented from
him, yet, Heaven hitherto hath kept us, and though Fortune
hath been cross, yet we do submit, and are both content with
what is, and cannot be mended, and are so prepared that the
worst of fortunes shall not afflict our minds, so as to make us
unhappy, howsoever it doth pinch our lives with poverty.
For, if tranquillity lives in an honest mind, the mind lives
in peace, although the body suffer. But patience hath armed
us, and misery hath tried us, and finds us fortune-proof. For
the truth is, my Lord is a person whose humour is neither
extravagantly merry nor unnecessarily sad, his mind is above
his fortune as his generosity is above his purse, his courage
above clanger, his justice above bribes, his friendship above
self-interest, his truth too firm for falsehood, his temperance
beyond temptation. His conversation is pleasing and affable,
his wit is quick, and his judgment is strong, distinguishing
clearly without clouds of mistakes, dissecting truth, so as it
justly admits not of disputes : his discourse is always new upon
the occasion, without troubling the hearers with old historical
relations, nor stuffed with useless sentences. His behaviour
is manly without formality, and free without constraint, and
his mind hath the same freedom. His nature is noble, and
his disposition sweet ; his loyalty is proved by his public service
for his King and country, by his often ha/arding of his life, by
the loss of his estate, and the banishment of his person, by his
necessitated condition, and his constant and patient suffering.
But, howsoever our fortunes are. we are both content, spend-
ing our time harmlessly, for my Lord pleaseth himself with the
management of some few horses, and exercises himself with
the use of the sword : which two arts he hath brought by his
studious thoughts, rational experience, and iiuluMi ions prai -
tice, to an absolute perfection. And though he hath taken
172 Life of the Duchess of Newcastle
as much pains in those arts, both by study and practice, as
chymists for the philosophcr's-stone, yet he hatli this advantage
of them, that he hath found the right and the truth thereof
and therein, which chymists never found in their art, and I
believe never will. Also here creates himself with his pen,
writing what his wit dictates to him, but I pass my time rather
with scribbling than writing, with words than wit. Not that
I speak much, because I am addicted to contemplation, unless
I am with my Lord, yet then I rather attentively listen to what
he says, than impertinently speak. Yet when I am writing
any sad feigned stories, or serious humours, or melancholy
passions, I am forced many times to express them with the
tongue before I can write them with the pen, by reason those
thoughts that are sad, serious, and melancholy are apt to con-
tract, and to draw too much back, which oppression doth as
it were overpower or smother the conception in the brain. But
when some of those thoughts are sent out in words, they give
the rest more liberty to place themselves in a more methodical
order, marching more regularly with my pen on the ground of
white paper ; but my letters seem rather as a ragged rout than
a well-armed body, for the brain being quicker in creating than
the hand in writing or the memory in retaining, many fancies
arc; lost, by reason they ofttimes outrun the pen, where I, to
keep speed in the race, write so fast as I stay not so long as to
write my letters plain, insomuch as some have taken my hand-
writing for some strange character, and being accustomed so
to do, I cannot now write very plain, when I strive to write
my best ; indeed, my ordinary handwriting is so bad as few
can read it, so as to write it fair for the press ; but however,
that little wit I have, it delights me to scribble it out, and dis-
perse it about. For I being addicted from my childhood to
contemplation rather than conversation, to solitariness rather
than society, to melancholy rather than mirth, to write
with the pen than to work with a needle, passing my
time with harmless fancies, their company being pleasing,
their conversation innocent (in which I take such pleasure
as I neglect my health, for it is as great a grief to leave
their society as a joy to be in their company), my only trouble
is, lest my brain should grow barren, or that the root of my
fancies should become insipid, withering into a dull stupidity
for want of maturing subjects to write on. For I being of a
Life of the Duchess of Newcastle 173
lazy nature, and not of an active disposition, as some are that
love to journey from town to town, from place to place, from
house to house, delighting in variety of company, making still
one where the greatest number is likewise in playing at cards,
or any other games, in which I neither have practised, nor have
I any skill therein : as for dancing, although it be a graceful
art, and becometh unmarried persons well, yet for those that
arc married, it is too light an action, disagreeing with the
gravity thereof and for revelling, I am of too dull a nature
to make one in a merry society as for feasting, it would
neither agree with my humour or constitution, for my diet
is for the most part sparing, as a little boiled chicken, or the
like, my drink most commonly water ; for though I have an
indifferent good appetite, yet I do often fast, out of an opinion
that 1 if I should cat much, and exercise little, which I do, only
walking a slow pace in my chamber, whilst my thoughts run
apace in my brain, so that the motions of my mind hinders
the active exercises of my body ; for should I dance or run,
or walk apace, I should dance my thoughts out of measure, run
my fancies out of breath, and tread out the feet of my numbers.
But because I would not bury myself quite from the sight of the
world, I go sometimes abroad, seldom to visit, but only in my
coach about the town, or about some of the streets, which we
call here a tour, where all the chief of the town go to sec and
to be seen, likewise all strangers of what quality soever, as all
great princes or queens that make any short stay. For this
town being a passage or thoroughfare to most parts, causeth
many times persons of great quality to be here, though not as
inhabitants, yet to lodge for some short time ; and all such,
as I said, take a delight, or at least go to see the customs
thereof, which most cities of note in Europe, for all I can hear,
hath such like recreations for the effeminate sex, although
for my part 1 had rather sit at home and write, or walk, us I
said, in my chamber and contemplate : but I hold necessary
sometimes to appear abroad, besides I do find, that several
objects do bring new materials for my thoughts and fancies to
build upon. Yet I must say this in the behalf of my thoughts,
that 1 never found them idle : for if the senses bring no work in.
they will work of themselves, like silk-worms tliat spins out
of their own bowels. Neither can 1 sav 1 think the time
1 Supply ' I should injure myself ', or sonic j'lir.iM.- to tli.it cilei l.
174 Life of the Duchess of Newcastle
tedious, when I am alone, so I be near my Lord, and know
he is well.
But now I have declared to my readers my birth, breeding,
and actions, to this part of my life (I mean the material parts,
for should I write every particular, as my childish sports and
the like, it would be ridiculous and tedious) ; but I have been
honourably born and nobly matched ; I have been bred to
elevated thoughts, not to a dejected spirit, my life hath been
ruled with honesty, attended by modesty, and directed by truth.
But since I have writ in general thus far of my life, I think it
fit I should speak something of my humour, particular practice
and disposition. As for my humour, I was from my childhood
given to contemplation, being more taken or delighted with
thoughts than in conversation with a society, insomuch as I
would walk two or three hours, and never rest, in a musing,
considering, contemplating manner, reasoning with myself
of everything my senses did present. But when I was in the
company of my natural friends, I was very attentive of what
they said or did ; but for strangers I regarded not much what
they said, but many times I did observe their actions, where-
upon my reason as judge, and my thoughts as accusers, or
excuscrs, or approvers and commenders, did plead, or appeal
to accuse, or complain thereto. Also I never took delight in
closets, or cabinets of toys, but in the variety of fine clothes,
and such toys as only were to adorn my person. Likewise I
had a natural stupidity towards the learning of any other
language than my native tongue, for I could sooner and with
more facility understand the sense, than remember the words,
and for want of such memory makes me so unlearned in foreign
languages as I am l . As for my practice, I was never very
active, by reason I was given so much to contemplation ;
besides my brothers and sisters were for the most part serious
and staid in their actions, not given to sport or play, nor dance
about, whose company I keeping, made me so too. But I
observed, that although their actions were staid, yet they would
be very merry amongst themselves, delighting in each other's
company : also they would in their discourse express the
l In tin- preface to her I'hilosophical Letters the Duchess says: ' Tlic authors
whose opinions 1 mention 1 have read, as I found them printed, in mv native
1. inyii.it;'', except I>es Cartes, who l'iiig in Latin, 1 had some few places translated to
me out of his works.' And again, in the same place : ' My error was I began to write
so early, that I had not lived so long as to be able to read many authors. 1
Life of the Duchess of Newcastle 175
general actions of the world, judging, condemning, approving,
commending, as they thought good, and with those that were
innocently harmless, they would make themselves merry there-
with. As for my study of books it was little, yet I chose
rather to read, than to employ my time in any other work,
or practice, and when I read what I understood not, I would
ask my brother, the Lord Lucas, he being learned, the sense
or meaning thereof. But my serious study could not be much,
by reason I took great delight in attiring, fine dressing, and
fashions especially such fashions as I did invent myself,
not taking that pleasure in such fashions as was invented
by others. Also I did dislike any should follow my fashions,
for I always took delight in a singularity, even in
accoutrements of habits l . But whatsoever I was addicted
to, cither in fashion of clothes, contemplation of thoughts,
actions of life, they were lawful, honest, honourable, and
modest, of which I can avouch to the world with a great
confidence, because it is a pure truth. As for my dis-
position, it is more inclining to be melancholy than merry,
but not crabbed or peevishly melancholy, but soft, melting,
solitary, and contemplating melancholy. And I am apt to
weep rather than laugh, not that I do often cither of them.
Also I am tender natured, for it troubles my conscience to kill
a fly, and the groans of a dying beast strike my soul. Also
where I place a particular affection, I love extraordinarily and
constantly, yet not fondly, but soberly and observingly, not
to hang about them as a trouble, but to wait upon them as a
l This is quite borne out by the retnurks of 1'opys and other contemporaries, and
by her portraits, l-'or instance, I'epys on April 11, H>(>7, speaks of her coming to conit,
' her footmen in velvet coats and herself in antique, dress. . . . There is as mm h ex-
pectation of her coming to court, so that people may see her, as if it were the Omvn o(
Sheba.' On April jd he notes : ' Met my I..ulv Newcastle going with her coa. lies and
footmen all in velvet ; herselt (whom I never saw In-fore), as I have heaul her often
describi-d, for all the town talk is nowadays ot her extravagances, with her velvet up.
her hair alxnit her e.irs, many black patches Ix-i ause of pimples about her month, naki d-
necked, without anything alxnit it, and a black just-au-corps. She seemed to me a
verv comely woman ; but I hope to see more of her on Mav-dav.' On Mav-dav, ac-
cordingly, I'epys went with Sir William 1'enn to the Park. ' 'Hut which we and almost
all went for, was to see my I.adv N'ewcastle ; which we could not, she bring followed
and crowded upon by coaches all the way she went, that noNxlv could come near her
only 1 could see she was in a large black coach, adorned in silver instead ot p'ld, and
so white curtains, and everything else black and white, her>clt in her cap.' Soc also
I'epys, May 8, K><>7, and Hallon ('orrfsponJfm'f. i, 47.
Kvelyn on April i.S, 1(1(17, ' went to make court to the Duke and Duchess of Newcastle
at their house in I'lerkenwell, being newlv come out of the mirth. 1'hev recrived me
with great kindness, and I was much pleased with the extraordinary fanciful habit, garb,
and discourse of the Duchess.' On April .17 he saw her again, and remarks that her dicss
was ' very singular '.
176 Life of the Duchess of Newcastle
servant ; but this affection will take no root, but where I
think or find merit, and have leave both from divine and moral
laws. Yet I find this passion so troublesome, as it is the only
torment of my life, for fear any evil misfortune or accident,
or sickness, or death, should come unto them, insomuch as I
am never freely at rest. Likewise I am grateful, for I never
received a courtesy but I am impatient and troubled until
I can return it. Also I am chaste, both by nature, and edu-
cation, insomuch as I do abhor an unchaste thought. Like-
wise, I am seldom angry, as my servants may witness for me,
for I rather choose to suffer some inconveniences than disturb
my thoughts, which makes me wink many times at their
faults ; but when I am angry, I am very angry, but yet it is
soon over, and I am easily pacified, if it be not such an injury
as may create a hate. Neither am I apt to be cxceptious or
jealous, but if I have the least symptom of this passion, I
declare it to those it concerns, for I never let it lie smothering
in my breast to breed a malignant disease in the mind, which
might break out into extravagant passions, or railing speeches,
or indiscreet actions ; but I examine moderately, reason
soberly, and plead gently in my own behalf, through a desire
to keep those affections I had, or at least thought to have.
And truly I am so vain, as to be so self-conceited, or so natur-
ally partial, to think my friends have as much reason to love
me as another, since none can love more sincerely than I, and
it were an injustice to prefer a fainter affection, or to esteem
the body more than the mind. Likewise I am neither spiteful,
envious, nor malicious. I repine not at the gifts that Nature
or Fortune bestows upon others, yet I am a great emulator ;
for, though I wish none worse than they arc, yet it is lawful
for me to wish myself the best, and to do my honest endeavour
thereunto. For I think it no crime to wish myself the exactcst
of Nature's works, my thread of life the longest, my chain of
destiny the strongest, my mind the pcaccablcst, my life the
plcasantest, my death the easiest, and the greatest saint in
heaven ; also to do my endeavour, so far as honour and
honesty doth allow of, to be the highest on Fortune's wheel
and to hold the wheel from turning, if I can. And if it be com-
mendable to wish another's good, it were a sin not to wish my
own ; for as envy is a vice, so emulation is a virtue, but emu-
lation is in the way to ambition, or indeed it is a noble ambition.
Life of the Duchess of Newcastle 177
But I fear my ambition inclines to vain-glory, for I am very
ambitious ; yet 'tis neither for beauty, wit, titles, wealth, or
power, but as they are steps to raise me to Fame's tower, which
is to live by remembrance in after-ages. Likewise I am that
the vulgar call proud, not out of self-conceit, or to slight or
condemn any, but scorning to do a base or mean act, and dis-
daining rude or unworthy persons ; insomuch, that if I should
find any that were rude, or too bold, I should be apt to be so
passionate, as to affront them, if I can, unless discretion should
get betwixt my passion and their boldness, which sometimes
perchance it might if discretion should crowd hard for place.
For though I am naturally bashful, yet in such a cause my
spirits would be all on fire. Otherwise I am so well bred, as
to be civil to all persons, of all degrees, or qualities. Likewise
I am so proud, or rather just to my Lord, as to abate nothing
of the quality of his wife, for if honour be the mark of merit,
and his master's royal favour, who will favour none but those
that have merit to deserve, it were a baseness for me to neglect
the ceremony thereof. Also in some cases I am naturally
a coward, and in other cases very valiant. As for example, if any
of my nearest friends were in danger I should never consider my
life in striving to help them, though I were sure to do them
no good, and would willingly, nay cheerfully, resign my life
for their sakes : likewise I should not spare my life, if honour
bids me die. But in a danger where my friends, or my honour
is not concerned, or engaged, but only my life to be unprofit-
ably lost, I am the veriest coward in nature, as upon the sea,
or any dangerous places, or of thieves, or fire, or the like.
Nay the shooting of a gun, although but a pot-gun ', will make
me start, and stop my hearing, much less have I courage to
discharge one ; or if a sword should be held against me, al-
though but in jest, I am afraid. Also as I am not covetous,
so I am not prodigal, but of the two I am inclining to be pro-
digal, yet I cannot say to a vain prodigality, because I imagine
it is to a profitable end ; for perceiving tiie world is given, or apt
to honour the outside more than the inside, worshipping show
more than substance ; and I am so vain (if it be a vanity) as to
endeavour tobc worshipped, rat her than not to be regarded. Vet
I shall never be so prodigal as to impoverish my friends, or go
beyond the limits or facility of our estate. And though I dcsiiv
I Top-gnu.
A A
178 Life of the Duchess of Newcastle
to appear to the best advantage, whilst I live in the view of the
public world, yet I could most willingly exclude myself, so as
never to see the face of any creature but my Lord as long as I
live, inclosing myself like an anchorite, wearing a frieze gown,
tied with a cord about my waist. But I hope my readers will
not think me vain for writing my life, since there have been
many that have done the like, as Caesar, Ovid, and many more,
both men and women, and I know no reason I may not do it
as well as they : but I verily believe some censuring readers
will scornfully say, why hath this Lady writ her own life ?
since none cares to know whose daughter she was or whose
wife she is, or how she was bred, or what fortunes she had,
or how she lived, or what humour or disposition she was of.
I answer that it is true, that 'tis to no purpose to the readers,
but it is to the authoress, because I write it for my own sake,
not theirs. Neither did I intend this piece for to delight, but
to divulge ; not to please the fancy, but to tell the truth, lest
after-ages should mistake, in not knowing I was daughter
to one Master Lucas of St. Johns, near Colchester, in Essex,
second wife to the Lord Marquis of Newcastle ; for my Lord
having had two wives, I might easily have been mistaken,
especially if I should die and my Lord marry again.
APPENDICES
I Correspondence of the Earl of Newcastle with Stratford iSi
II Newcastle as Governor of Prince Charles . .183
III Newcastle's Mission to Hull in January, 1^42 . . 1X7
IV A New Discovery of Hidden Secrets . . . iSS
V Miscellaneous Letters relating to the Civil War in York-
shire ........ 192
VI A True Relation of the Passages of the Army under the
Command of His Excellency the Marquess of New-
castle since his Coming into Derbyshire . . 195
VII The Campaign of the Marquis of Newcastle against the
Scots in February, Marcli and April, i<>44 . . iyS
VIII Eight Letters written by the Marquis of Newcastle
during his Exile. ...... -'04
IX To the two most Famous Universities in England . joy
X Sir Charles Lucas . . . . . Jto
XI Lord Newcastle's Account of the Battle of Atherton
Moor . . . . . . . J 1 1
XII The Duke of Newcastle's Rules for Horse Racing . JiS
APPENDICES
i
CORRESPONDENCE OF THE EARL OE NEWCASTLE
WITH STRAFFORD
A FEW letters between the Earl of Newcastle and Stralford have
been printed by Dr. Knowlcr in the Strafford Papers.
Those from Strafford to Newcastle are live in number :
July 19, 1634, vol. i, p. 274 ; April 9, 1635, vol. i, p. 410 ; June I,
1638, vol. ii, 210; December 10, 1638, vol. ii, 246; February 10,
163.^, vol. ii, 281.
Those from Newcastle to Strafford are only two ; the lirst written
under his earlier title of Mansfield.
The Lord Viscount Mansfield to Sir Thomas \Vcntworth, />//.
NOULK SIR, I think myself much bound to you for your favours t<> me
in my absence, and your kind letter with your good counsel, which I have
taken, and writ my mind at full to my Lord Duke, and, I protest to (iod,
no more sparing the old Cavalier or his nature than I would speak of him
to you, nor mincing my desires or my nature, which is not to do courtesies
for injuries. Mr. L'ndymion Porter, Mr. Richard Oliver, with Dr. More
arc my agents, and all with my own letters to my Lord Duke, but to let
things stand as they were, which I hope is so reasonable a suit, since I
am not repaired in the Kccpcrship, that I shall not be denied. When
that is done, I beseech you, sir, give this bearer Thomas Bamford leave
to wait of you, with one Robin Butler to advise but how to make a ground
to bring him into the Duchy, and have a suit of it, and then I make no
doubt but to have the better of him. There is no man gladder than
myself of your absolute liberty, and I hope now we shall not be long with-
out a Parliament, which God grant. And so I rest affectionately, your
most faithful kinsman and humble servant,
\V. M.\Nsm:it.
\ViiLBECK, Jan. a.j, 1627
The Earl of Newcastle to the Lord Deputy
Mv MOST HONorKKi) LoKi>, I heartily congratulate your Lordship's
safe arrival in Ireland, next I am to beg your pardon for not presenting
1 82 Appendix I
my service to you by letter all this while ; but in good faith, my Lord,
the reason was, I daily heard you were going. I give your Lordship
humble thanks for your noble and kind counsel ; the truth is, my Lord,
I have waited of the King the Scottish journey both diligently, and, as
Sir Robert Swift said of my Lord of Carlisle, it was of no small charge
unto me. I cannot find by the King but he seemed to be pleased with
me very well, and never used me better or more graciously ; the truth
is, I have hurt my estate much with the hopes of it, and I have been put
in hope long, and so long as I will labour no more in it, but let nature
work and expect the issue at Welbeck ; for I would be loth to be sick
in mind, body, and purse, and when it is too late to repent, and my reward
laughed at for my labour. It is better to give over in time with some
loss than lose all, and mend what is to come, seeing what is past is not in
my power to help. Besides, my Lord, if I obtained what I desire, it would
be a more painful life, and since I am so much plunged in debt, it would
help very well to undo me ; for I know not how to get, neither know I
any reason why the King should give me anything. Children come on
apace, my Lord, and with this weight of debt that lies upon me, I know
no diet better than a strict diet in the country, which, in time, may recover
me of the prodigal disease. By your favour, my Lord, I cannot say I
have recovered myself at Welbeck this summer, but run much more in
debt than ever I did, but I hope hereafter I may. The truth is, my Lord,
for my court business, your Lordship with your noble friends and mine
have spoken so often to the King, and myself refreshed his memory in
that particular, so that I mean not to move my friends any more to then:
so great trouble ; but whatsoever pleases his Majesty, be fully contented,
and look after some other little contentments within myself, which shall
well serve me during my life, and if the King command me, I am at all
times ready to serve him ; if no commands, pray for him heartily.
For, by my troth, my Lord, I know no man in the whole world more
bound unto his Majesty than myself. For that point to try your Lord-
ship's friends in my behalf, I humbly thank you for the motion, and I
desire your Lordship to follow it. For the King's particular liking of
my proper person, I think my Lord of Carlisle would do best, or what
doth your Lordship think to his Lady, for further I would not willingly
have it go ; but I assure your Lordship I am most confident of the King's
good opinion of me : and about my Lord Savile's business and mine, his
Majesty pleased me extremely, being never moved by me or any friend
in my behalf that I desired. My Lord Treasurer used me extreme well
and extraordinary kindly ; my Lord of Carlisle for your Lordship's sake,
but the greatest news is my Lord of Holland courted me extremely ;
and so to conclude with this business, I intend to be quiet, and not press
the King at all, but to leave his Majesty to his own time, and rest quietly
here in the country ; and this I assure your Lordship is my resolution
and my full intention, and except it be to the purpose, their greatest
friendship is to let me rest here. I humbly thank your Lordship for
your noble favours to my old servant ; for my groom, my Lord, I beseech
you keep him, and I am sorry your Lordship will use such ceremony with
me. For La Kochc, I always told your Lordship my opinion of him, and,
in good faith, he is no such horseman, neither for anything I ever saw,
but got a great reputation with doing little : I would your Lordship had
Newcastle as Governor of Prince Charles
taken Porter, but I know not how lie is disposed of. I assure your Lord-
ship that horse you pleased to accept, I thought him the fittest horse in
the world for that purpose, hut your I^ordship doth not write how you
approve of him. My Lord, in a word, I desire no man's favour and love
more than yours, or would he beholding to any man sooner ; for, I protest
to (iod I honour and love you heartily, and I vow without any end r
particular in the whole world : your Lordship's favours to me are merely
your own goodness, for I shall never be useful to voii in anv kind, which
makes my obligation such that I must ever be faithfully, Your Lordship's
most humble servant,
W. N'l WCASTI.E.
WKMH-TK, the 5// of August I(>H
II
NF.WCASTLF, AS GOVERNOR OF I'RIXCK CHARLES
Mr. Secretary \Vintlclxink to the Earl of Wett'castle
MY LORD, His Majesty having a purpose, according to the precedents
of former times, to settle the government both of the person and family
of the Prince in a way answerable to his state and years, and having
deliberately advised upon some person of honour and trust to be near
his Highness, and to be a chief director in so weighty a business, hath
been pleased, in his gracious opinion of your Lordship, to make choice
of you to be the only gentleman of his Hedchamber .it this time, and hath
commanded me to give you knowledge of this his princely resolution.
Ami withal his Majesty's pleasure is, that you prepare yourself t<> come
to the Court in diligence, and to attend his Majesty before the Sundav
fortnight after Master, which will be the eighth day of April. Ami lastlv
his Majesty hath expressly commanded me to let votir Lordship know,
that you have no particular obligation to anv whatsoever in this business,
but merely and entirely to the King's ami Oueen's Majesties al.ine ; wli.>
of their own mere and special grace and goodness have made this choice, .md
vouchsafed von this honour: the countenance and increase whereof,
and of much happiness with it, I wish to your Lordship, and so rest.
Your Lordship's humble and faithful servant,
FK.\X. \Vi\nrii.v\K.
At the Corur at \Vinrni.\i.i.,
it)th of March, id.?/
The Eurl o/ Newcastle to .}[(. .SY.-f.'/.iry U'inJ<-t>iink
N'oni.K SIR, I beseech you to present me in the mot humble manner
in the world to his sacred Majestv, and to let his Majestv know I shall as
cheerfully as diligently obey his Majesty's commands. Trulv. the infinite
favour, honour and trust his Majestv is pleased to heap on me m this
princely employment, is beyond anything I can express. It was hcvond
hope of the most partial thoughts I had about me : neither is there
184 Appendix II
anything in me left, but a thankful heart filled with diligence, and obedi-
ence to his sacred Majesty's will.
It is not the least favour of the King and Queen's Majesties to let me
know my obligation : and I pray, sir, humbly inform their Majesties it
is my greatest blessing that I owe myself to none but their sacred Majesties.
God ever preserve them and theirs, and make me worthy of their Majesties'
favours !
I have had but seldom the honour to receive letters from you ; but such
as these you cannot write often. But truly I am very proud I received
such happy news by your hand, which shall ever oblige me to be inviola-
bly, Sir, your most faithful and obliged servant,
W. NEWCASTLE.
WELBECK, the 2ist of March, 1637
(Clarendon State Papers, vol ii, p. 7)
With these letters should be read that of StrafTord to the Earl
of Newcastle, dated June i, 1638, in which he gives him advice
concerning the line of conduct to be followed in the Court (Straffonl
Letters, ii, 174).
The Earl of Newcastle's letter of instructions to Prince Charles for
his studies, conduct and behaviour
[From a copy preserved with the Royal Letters in the Harleian MS.,
6988, Art. C>2. Printed by Ellis, Original Letters, scr. i, vol. iii, p.
288.]
MAY IT PLEASE YOUR HIGHNESS, Since it pleased your most gracious
father, his sacred Majesty, to think me worthy to be your Governor, I
will justify his Majesty's choice ; for, what I may want in abilities I will
make up with fidelity and duty to his Majesty, in diligence and service to
you. Then for your education, sir, it is fit you should have some lan-
guages, though I confess I would rather have you study things than words,
matter than language ; for seldom a critic in many languages hath time
to study sense, for words ; and at best, he is. or can be, but a living dic-
tionary. Besides, I would not have you too studious, for too much con-
templation spoils action, and virtue consists in that. What you read. I
would have it history, and the best chosen histories, that so you might
compare the dead with the living ; for the same humours is now as was
then ; there is no alteration but in names, and though you meet not with
a C\"csar for Fmperor of the whole world, yet he may have the same passions
in him ; and you are not to compare fortunes so much as humours, wit,
and judgment ; and thus you shall see the excellency and errors both of
Kings and subjects ; and though you are young in years, yet living by
your wading in all those times, be older in wisdom and judgment than
Nature can afford any man to be without this help.
For the arts, I would have you know them so far as they are of use,
and especially those that arc most proper for war and use ; but whcnsr>ever
you arc too studious your contemplation will spoil your government, for
you cannot be a good contemplative man and a good commonwealth's
man ; therefore, take heed of too much book.
Newcastle as Governor of Prince Charles 185
Beware of too much devotion for a King, for one may be a good man,
but a bad King ; and how many will history represent to you that in seem-
ing to gain the kingdom of heaven have lost their own ; and the old saying
is, that short prayers pierce the heaven's gates ; but if you be not religious
(and not only seem so, but be so), God will not prosper you ; and if you
have no reverence to Him, why should your subjects have any to yon.
At the best, you are accounted, for your greatest honour. His servant.
His deputy, His anointed, and you owe as much reverence and duty to
Him as we owe to you ; and why, nay justly, may not He punish you fr
want of reverence and service to Him, if you fail in it, as well as you to
punish us : but this subject I leave to the right reverend Father in <.d.
Lord Bishop of Chichester, your worthy tutor : your tutor, sir, wherein
you "arc most happy, since he hath no pedantry in him ; his learning lie
makes right use of, neither to trouble himself with it or his friends ; re. ids
men as well as books ; and goes the next way to everything that he should,
and that is what he would, for his will is governed by that law : the purity
of his wit doth not spoil the serenity of his judgment ; travelled, which
you shall perceive by his wisdom and fashion more than by his relations ;
and in a word strives as much discreetly to hide the scholar in him, as
other men's follies to show it ; and is a right gentleman, such a one as
man should be.
But, sir, to full back again to your reverence at prayer?, so far as con-
cerns reason and your advantage is my duty to tell you : then I say. sir.
were there no heaven or hell, you shall see the disadvantage for your
government ; if you have no reverence at prayers, what will the people
have, think you "' They go according to the example of the Princes ; if
they have none, then they have no obedience to G"d ; there they will
easily have none to your Highness ; no obedience, no subjects : no sub-
jects then your power is off that side, and whether it be in one or more
then that's King, and thus they will turn tables with y\\. Of the other
side, if any be Bible mad, over much burned with fiery zeal, thev mav
think it a service to (lod to destroy you and say the Spirit moved them
and bring some example of a king with a hard name in the ( )|1 Testament.
Thus one way you may have a civil war, the other a private trea-., .n : and
he that cares not for his own life is master of another man's.
For books thus much more : the greate>t clerks are not the v\i><-st men ;
and the great troublers of the world, the greatest captains, were n.-t tin-
greatest scholars : neither have I known bookworms great statesmen ;
some have heretofore and some are now. but they study men tn.'ie nvv
than books, or else they would prove but sillv statesmen. For a mere
scholar, there is nothing so simple for this w. >rld. The reason is plain,
for divinity teaches what we should be. not what we are : so doth iii"tal
philosophy; and many philosophical worlds' and l't"]'ia's scholars have
made and fancied to themselves such worlds as never was. is. IT --hall In- :
and then 1 dare say if they govern themselves by those rules \\hat men
should be. or not what they are. thev will miss the cushion very much.
Hut. sir, von are in v our own disposition religions ami n.'t very apt !
your book, so yon need no great labour to persuade you !i"in the one. or
long discourses to dissuade Ironi the other.
The things that 1 have discoursed to yon mo>t is to be courteous and
civil to everybody ; set to, make difference of cabinges. 1 and, believe it.
1 So iii the MS. Kllis.
15 fi
1 86 Appendix II
the putting off of your hat, and making a log pleases more than reward or
preservation, so much doth it take all kind of people. Then to speak well
of everybody, and when you hear people speak ill of others reprehend them
and seem to dislike it so much, as do not look of them so favourably for a
few days after, and say something in favour of those that have been spoke
against ; for you may say something of everybody to the best ; the other
which is railing, scorn, and jeering, is fitter for porters, watermen, and
carmen, than for gentlemen ; how much more then for a Prince, whose
dislike is death, and kills any subject. Besides, you may be sure the
parties will hear of it, and though they dare do nothing because they want
power nor say nothing for fear of being troubled, yet believe it, sir, they
are traitors in their hearts to you, and of your own making, and so are all
their friends. Of the other side, to speak well of them will be told too,
and that wins them as much ; the other loses them ; and this way you
will get their hearts, and then you have all they have, and more you cannot
have. And how easy a way is this to have the people. To lose your
dignity and set by your state, I do not advise you to that, but the contrary :
for what preserves you Kings more than ceremony. The cloth of estates,
the distance people are with you, great officers, heralds, drums, trumpeters,
rich coaches, rich furniture for horses, guards, marshal's men making room,
disorders to be laboured by their staff of office, and cry ' now the King
comes ' ; I know these maskers l the people sufficiently ; aye, even the
wisest though he knew it and not accustomed to it, shall shake off his
wisdom and shake for fear of it, for this is the mist is cast before us, and
maskers the Commonwealth. Besides authority doth what it list, I mean
power that's the stronger, though sometimes it shifts sides, therefore the
King must know at what time to play the King, and when to qualify it,
but never put it off ; for in all triumphs whatsoever or public showing
yourself, you cannot put upon you too much king ; yet even there some-
times a hat or smile in the right place will advantage you, but at other
times you may do more, and civil speeches to people and short doth much
win of them : and certainly, sir, civility cannot unprince you, but much
advantage you. To women you cannot be too civil, especially to great
ones : what hurt were it to send them a dish from your table when they
dine with some of your great lords, and to drink their health ? Certainly,
sir, you cannot lose by courtesy. I mean not you should be so familiar
as to bring you to contempt, for I mean you should keep yourself up Prince
still, and in all your actions, but I would not have you so seared with
majesty as to think you are not of mankind, nor suffer others or yourself
to flatter you so much. The incommodities to life and the sustaining of
it, and the same things the meanest do, you must do the like or not live ;
these things when you are pleased to think of them will persuade you that
are of the lump of man, and mortal, and the more you repeat these thoughts
the better Prince you will be, both to serve dod and for distributive justice
to your people ; for being a Prince you ought rather to give Almighty dod
thanks for the advantage-ground you have of other people, than to be
proud. I mean not by repeating your mortality to have a death's head
set always before you, or to cry every morning that you arc mortal, for I
would not have you fall into a divine melancholy, to be an anchorite or a
capuchin, or with a philosophical discourse to be a Diogenes in your tub ;
i Here and four lines lower down I should suggest " masters ' instead of ' maskers.'
Newcastle's Mission to Hull in 1642 187
but to temper yourself so by this means, as to be a brave, noble, and just
King, and make your name immortal by your brave acts abroad and your
unspotted justice at home, qualified by your well temper and mercy.'
In the Patent creating Newcastle a Duke, quoted in the Life,
p. I So, King Charles II says : ' The great proofs of his wisdom and
piety are sufficiently known to us from our younger years, and we
shall always retain a sense of those good principles he instilled
into us.'
Ill
NEWCASTLE'S MISSION TO [[VIA. IN JANTAKY, Hqj
The following are the two letters mentioned in the note on p. 9 :
MAY IT IM.KASH voru MOST SACUKD MAJI STY, I am here at Hull accord-
ing to your Majesty's commands, but the town will not admit of me by no
means, so 1 am very flat anil out of countenance here, but will May until
I know your Majesty's further pleasure, which I hope I shall soon do.
God preserve your Majesty, Your Majesty's most faithful creature,
\\'. Nl.Wl AMLl;.
Ilri.t., the i^th of January ib.\z
Sir, My first address, in these parts, was to Sir Thomas Metham with
his Majesty's directions, but I found him altogether incapable of any power
to secure the Magazine or town of Hull, as being neither 1 >eputy-l.ieiitenant
or Colonel of the Trained-bands. When that hope was taken from me I
conceived the best means I had was to prevail with the burgesses of the
town, by themselves, to secure the place for his Majesty's service, and tliat
work is very well brought to pass, for last night here arrived an express
from Sir John llotham, with an order from the Parliament for him to be
Governor, and a power to draw in such forces .is he thought lit, likewise a
letter from him to the Magistrates for preparing lodging and billet for his
regiments : his admission was quite denied, and a letter to the Parliament
despatched with the hands of the chief burgesses to excuse themselves
from receiving any garrison, they of the town being able to secure tin- place
for his Majesty's service. This afternoon arrived here the Marl of New-
castle with his Majesty's commission for the Government, to which I shall
(for my own part) lie ever obedient, but I perceive not the townsmen be
willing to receive him unto their command, but hiM^t upon their o\\u
affections and readiness to serve his Majesty with all faithfulness. Now
the means of present strength from Sir Thomas Metham or any near hand,
being taken away, there is no me, in for us but to assure the people of this
town to his Majesty by holding off any other from the power of the place,
and if ever his Majesty appear in person all will be absolutely at his dis-
posing. When 1 received his Majesty's command, lie told me Ins direc-
tions should be derived by (me from) you, and therefore I humbly beseech
you to give him this account of me ; and I shall to my utmost power
1 88 Appendix III
labour nothing but his Majesty's service ; and shall ever be ready (as
obliged) to express myself, Your Honour's most humble and obedient
servant, WILL. LEGGE.
HULL, 141/1 Jan. 1642
(Endorsed as received on Jan. 18)
On January 21, 1642, Nicholas writes to Hoc that the Earl of
Newcastle is Governor of Kingston-upon-Hull, where the towns-
men have manifested great affections to the King, and excused
their not receiving Sir John Hotham, commanded to that charge
by the Parliament. S. P. Dom. vol. 488, No. 80. The following
arc the entries in the Journals of the House of Lords referred to in
the note on p. 18 :
The Earl was ordered, on January 20, to attend the House of
Lords at once. The Earl was absent at a call of the House on
February 9.
On February 14 it was moved ' That the Earl of Newcastle,
being sent for to come and give his attendance on this House,
hath daily attended this House, and now desires that he might
have leave to go into the country for his health sake.' Hereupon
the House ordered ' That the Earl of Newcastle shall deliver in his
commission, granted to him under the King's manual, by which
he was to have raised forces to go into the town of Hull, and to
be Governor ; and that his Lordship be ready to attend this House
when he shall have notice upon any occasion ' (L. /., February 14,
1642).
The commission was delivered by the Earl on the afternoon ot
the same day. It is given in full in the Journals (p. 585).
The Earl was then excused attendance, and granted leave to go
into the country.
IV
A NEW DISCOVERY OF HIDDEN SECRETS
In several letters, propositions, articles, and other writings concern-
ing the Earl of Newcastle, Captain John Hotham, and many
other malignant gentry of the northern counties. All lately
found in Pomfret Castle ; the original whereof remain now in
York, where they may be seen of any who desire it. With a
declaration of the committee of Yorkshire and some observa-
tions thereupon to undeceive their deluded and oppressed
countrymen.
LONDON, 1645
A New Discovery of Hidden Secrets 189
(Dated November 3d, by Thomason, E. 267 (2). British Museum
King's Pamphlets)
The Declaration is omitted.
It states that ' the letters are being examined by seme of the com-
mittee appointed for that purpose, and the originals remain in
safe hands to be seen by any man that shall desire it.'
MY LOKD, It is the desire uf us, and the most of the gentry of this
country to crave assistance from your Lordship in this time of Mr. 1 lot-
ham's infesting the country ; which favour we shall always acknowledge
from your Lordship, and we are the bolder in this business, because we
know it to be a great service to his Majesty, by the preservation of this
country, and will be much to your honour, to preserve in peace and safety,
my Lord, Your Lordship's most humble servants,
SAVILIC. WILLIAM SAVILK.
liiiNKV SLIM. SHY. JOHN KI.Y.
I-'KKDINAND LKK.II. FRANCIS NUVILK.
Jons GOOIJRICKI:. WILLIAM 1st, RAM.
(iKOKGic WENTWOKTII. Tno. (iowi K, Yi. Co.
PKTKR MII>L>LI:TON. JOHN KAMSDI:N.
JOHN MALLOKY. Tno. IN<;RAM.
RICHARD HTTTON. ROUKKT KOCKI.LLY.
YORK, September 26, 1642
XOHLI: (iKNTi.KMKN, I have received from vu a letter <>f invitation
by the hands of Sir Mar. Langdalc, and Mr. Aldburgh, and shall (for the
esteem and affection I bear in general to the country, being my native
country, and in particular to many ;>f you whom I have the honour t" be
known) be ready to contribute my best aid and assistance in that work.
since it is likely to conduce to his Majesty's service, and peace and <|nu t
of all his good subjects, and to Conclude this agreement, I have sent vmi
inclosed certain propositions which by way of articles should be drawn
and signed and sealed by you, and as many more as you shall engage in th.it
work, which I shall expect from yon before I march. And so presenting
my service to you all, I remain your most faithful servant,
W. N.
NLWCASTLK, Stfttcmher jo, u>.\2
To the Kight Honourable, and my noble friends the nobility .ind
gentry now assembled at York lor his Majesty's present ser-
vice. Propositions in answer to your letter of invitation :
First, that I have all your consents and promises that the army be paid
whilst they are in that county.
That an assessment be laid upon the cotmtiv to enable you lor that
undertaking, and that if money be not gotten in time, that 1 mav h.ue
free billet for the soldiers, for which billet vou are to engage \.'in>eli t >
the quarters, and that the ollicers be paid according to his M.ijoty'*
present establishment, out of that assessment.
190 Appendix IV
That there be some of the gentry of that county appointed as a com-
mittee, enabled by the rest of the gentry to agree and conclude of such
further propositions as may happen to be necessary_for this service, and
not here mentioned, and to march along with the army, whose counsel
and assistance from time to time I am resolved to use.
That I have assurance that all manner of provisions fit for an army be
prepared and brought to the army the first day it enters.
That since this army was levied a purpose to guard her Majesty's person,
that it shall not be held a breach of any engagement betwixt us if I retire
with such numbers as I shall think fit for that service.
VV. N.
MY LORD, We have received from your Lordship an answer to our
letter of invitation, noble as yourself, which we hope shall make you the
master of such a work of honour, as besides your great service it will be to
his Majesty, shall both enable yourself farther and oblige us. We have
signed and sent unto your Lordship, articles proportionable to your Lord-
ship's desire, as we conceive, besides a particular power to those gentlemen
now with you more fully to declare ourselves. My Lord, believe this, that
we suffer here no distresses, but for our loyalty to the King, and your Lord-
ship's favour to us will equally oblige both : therefore, good my Lord,
make all possible speed to march hither, or to send some force before, lest
a little delay make all our endeavours fruitless ; and in the general believe
there is nothing in the power of us, or of this country, which shall not
faithfully serve you ; and more you cannot expect from, my Lord, your
most faithful and humble servants,
H. CUMBERLAND. GEORGE WENTWORTII.
SAVILE. CO.NYEKS DAKCY.
THOMAS COWER, Vi. Co. ROBERT STRICKLAND.
WILLIAM SAVILE. WILLIAM WENTWORTII.
HENRY GRIFFITH. INGRAM HOPTON.
HENRY SLINGSBY. JOHN GOODRICKE.
EDWARD STANHOPE. WILLIAM WENTWORTII.
JOHN KEY. JOHN BATTY.
JOHN MALLORY-. RICHARD HUTTON.
I-'ERDINANDO LEIGH. FRANCES MONCKTON.
WILLIAM INGLEBY. ROBERT ROCKLEY.
JOHN RAMSDEN. W. THORNTON.
The answer of the nobility and gentry of Yorkshire assembled at
York for his Majesty's service, to the propositions sent unto
them by the Right Honourable the Earl of Newcastle.
1. That your Lordship shall have our consents and promises, the army
which your Lordship shall bring with you into this country for the defence
thereof shall be paid by this country.
2. There is an assessment of 8000 already laid upon this country,
which shall be levied as soon as by your Lordship's assistance we are ena-
bled to do it, and that till money be gotten in, your soldiers shall have free
billot, for which we will engage ourselves to the quarters ; and for the pay-
ment of your officers for the army it is referred to the committee for this
A New Discovery of Hidden Secret? 191
county who have instructions and power to treat and conclude with your
Lordship in that particular.
3. There shall be a committee of some of the gentry of tin- county
appointed and enabled by the rest to agree, ami conclude of such further
propositions as may happen to be necessary for this service, not here men-
tioned, and to inarch along with your Lordship's army, whose counsel and
assistance we desire your Lordship may use, the names of which committee
we send your Lordship herewithal, who are appointed to attend y<>u at
Newcastle, and to march along with your army when you enter into the
county.
4. That as soon as we have notice of your Lordship's march, we will use
all possible means to bring to your army all such provisions as this country
can afford.
5. We are tender of the safety of her Majesty's person, that we shall not
only consent to your Lordship's performance of that service but will also
contribute our utmost endeavours to assist your Lordship therein.
6. Lastly, we have appointed our committee to be, Sir Kdward Osborne.
Baronet, Sir Marmaduke Langdale, Knight, Francis Tindall and Richard
Aldburgh, Ksquires, and given them instructions and power to treat with
your Lordship, and to conclude in such particulars as may further conduce
to this service, or in these propositions admit a doubtful interpretation.
H. CUMIIKKI.AND.
(and the rest signing before with the addition
of Walter Hawkesworth).
Mv LORDS AND GKNTI.KMKN, I am to give you many thanks for your
favourable letter by Mr. Aldburgh, and the signing so far my desired arti-
cles, which had no other end than the better to enable me to serve you.
And I beseech you to give me leave as I intend faithfully to serve you. so
lo deal clearly and freely with you, which I hold a duty : the truth U. I
am very sorry you pleased to leave out the article for the officers' p.iv. or
coldly referred it to your committee, being the iirincip.il thing in all the
articles, for you know the soldier is encouraged with nothing but ni"iiev.
or hopes of it, and truly last night when I was going to bed, there came
colonels and lieutenant-colonels, and said they heard you had left it out,
and for their parts that they must think th.it if you wen' so cautions not
to grant it in paper before we came in, they doubted very much of it in
money when they were there, and that the workman was worthy of his
hire, and such like discontented words : so the truth is. rather than not
come cheerfully to serve you, I will not come at all. for I see beforehand
1 shall either disband with a mutiny, or fall of plundering without distinc-
tion, either of which would be destructive to me: and besides. I hold
myself free, since my articles are not signed, for I never understood any
of those articles to be referred to the committee, but Midi things as we
could not remember, and the present occasion ottered, t/oiild 1 pav them
or his Majesty, you should not have such had an article, but since that
cannot be, you will pardon me in telling you how I am capable to serve
you. and how not. and so I rest in a huge disposition t<> be re.illv votir ni'-t
faithful servant. W. N.
Ni WCASII i, <>(/!'/'<; ;,o, idij
192 Appendix V
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS RELATING TO THE CIVIL
WAR IN YORKSHIRE
THE first of these letters was captured when Guilford Slingsby, to
whom it was addressed, was defeated by Sir Hugh Chohnley at
Guisborough on January id, 1^43 (Rushworth, III, ii, 125). Slingsby
was severely wounded, and died a few days afterwards (Rush-
worth, Trial of the Earl of Straff ord, 773). The letter was sent up lo
Parliament, and is now amongst the papers of the House of
Lords, together with the instructions given to Slingsby which
accompany it.
Sir, I have received your letters this day, and return you thanks for
the very good service you have done, and should ho very glad to give you
all the assistance you desire, and more, to prosecute your present levies,
but I was informed that you had of your own levies 400 foot besides your
troop of horse. And as the case stands I cannot furnish you with any
more forces for the present. For these reasons, first, the forces of the
Bishoprick were levied upon condition to remain in the country for the
security thereof ; and besides, they are appointed to guard the ammuni-
tion through their country, and if need be further ; which I hope they will
obey, for I hear Colonel Huddleston nor Colonel Clavering can either
of them march for that convoy as was intended, and therefore I have
appointed Sir Robert Strickland and his forces to wait upon that service,
and I desire you will do so too, for I hear they have a design to surprise it
if they can, and it deserves our best cares to secure it. When that service
is done, I shall be ready to give you all the assistance I can. For the lady
you mention use your own discretion towards her, for I have not been ever
used to take ladies prisoners. For any goods or arms you shall take of
disaffected persons or in their possession, keep them to your own use, the
goods upon account for paying your soldiers (for we can get no money
here to supply you) and the arms for arming your men, and though they
be part of the Trained-band arms, yet being taken by you as a pri/e. they
shall be accounted so. For your fortifying those castles you mention,
I do not understand of what consequence it can be to you, except it be
some one for your retreat and place of residence whilst you are levying
your regiment. For the 500 arms you desire a warrant for, it will be very
inconvenient to serve it upon their way, and therefore for it you must have
a little patience. For the paying of your troop you propose one of three
ways, but to resolve of which of them is to no end unless there was money
to pay, but in that you shall have all the right that may best be, in time.
Till then, as I told you before, you may make use of such moneys and
goods you take of delinquents, or so much thereof as will serve you, for
I perceive you meet with good store. And thus much for answer to your
letters from, Your very affectionate friend, W. NKWCASTI.I'.
I'OMI-KKT, H//I Jan. 164.3.
(Papers of the House of Lords)
The Civil War in Yorkshire 193
Instructions takrn with Colincl Slin<fibv
The county (York) to bo universally disarmed of all private arms, both
of horse and foot, and those not borne in service to be brought into a
magaxine at York. The trained bands that rose with Hothain to be com-
polled to rise again, and serve in their persons, or every man to send an
able-bodied man to serve for him. Considering her Majesty intends to
commit her person into the protection of this county, a magazine is to be
made at York to enable an army to subsist there in case of extremity or
necessary retreat. All the gentry of Yorkshire to be unanimously moved
to resort thither with their families and movables, as the contrary faction
do daily to Hull, by which means the persons and estates of such as are
not well affected will be secured, as such as refuse or decline it shall dis-
cover themselves, and every man's fortune and family being there engaged
they will more actually move with a joint concurrence for the preservation
of the place, which must be the retreat for the safety of the Queen's person,
no other place being defensible and considerable to balance Hull. Those
that decline this proposition are to understand that they must at their
own peril undergo the plunder of the soldiers, if any fall out. The garrison
in York shall be daily employed in making regular works upon the avenue
and outworks, and encroachments upon the hills and other places com-
manding the town. \o markets or fairs to be held in any place in the
county except York. Some of the iron ordnance, sent over by the Queen
to be sent for at the charge of the county to place upon the avenues and
fortifications.
(From Report V of the ///.-/nn'rii/ .USX. l\>mmi**it>n, p. f>. For 'en-
croachments ' in I. .: i we should most likely substitute ' intrenchments ')
Siiiiiiii<>n< tii Hull
When tin- news of the arrest of Sir John Hotham reached the
Karl of Newcastle lie wrote from Howling Hall, near Hradford.
where- he was staying, alter the rapture of that town, the following
letter to the Mayor of Hull :
Sir,-- I hear there is some alteration in the government of the garrison
of Hull, and because I have some prisoners there which I inav have occasion
to treat for, I desire to know in what condition it now stands, and whether
1 am to treat with his Majesty's loyal and laithful subjects or such as are
in opposition to him, or neutrals, to that end that I mav accordingly applv
myself. So expecting your answer, 1 remain, your very affectionate friend
to serve >ou,
\V. Ni w> vsn K.
HOWIIM, II Ml, .(/// Jtllv I('('i
To inv very worthy friend, the Mayor
of the town ot Hull.
The Mayor answered :
Ru.iir HoNorKAiii.i-, It is true there is some alteration here of govcr-
194 Appendix V
nor, not government ; though the power of exchanging persons is not such
as we assume for the present, nor know we any neutral or opposite here
to his Majesty, all being, for aught we understand, as dutiful as ever, and
as constant, and resolute to keep what we have hitherto defended for King
and Parliament (God assisting), in confidence whereof we rest your Lord-
ship's humbly devoted servants.
KINGSTON -iTpON-Hui.i.,
the 5//i July 1643.
(Tanner HISS., Ixii, 144, 151)
There is in the same collection a commission to Colonel Thomas
Haggerston to be colonel of a regiment of =;oo harquebusiers,
April 14, 1643 (Ixii. 51) ; and a warrant to arrest certain delinquents
in Durham, dated 25th April 1643 O x i'. So),
A Declaration and Summons sent by the, Earl of Nezccaslle to the
town of Manchester to lay down their arms, etc.
I presume you are not ignorant of the success it hath pleased Almighty
God to give unto his Majesty's army under my command, and the great
desire I have to avoid the effusion of Christian blood, which moves me
before I proceed any further towards you, to make you an offer of his
Majesty's grace and mercy. If you will submit yourselves, lay down your
arms, so unjustly taken up in contempt of the laws of this kingdom, and
immediately return to your due allegiance, his Majesty is graciously
pleased to authorise me to receive you into his favour and protection,
which I am as willing to do as to enforce your obedience. If you will
refuse, I cannot but wonder, while you fight against the King and his
authority, you should so boldly offer to profess yourselves for King and
Parliament, and most ignominiously scandalise this army with the title
of Papists, when we venture our lives and fortunes for the true Protestant
religion established in this kingdom. He no longer deceived, for the blood
that shall be shed in this quarrel will assuredly fall on your own heads. I
have no other ends in this but to let you see your error, if you please ; for
my condition is such that I need not court you ; if not, let me receive your
answers by this messenger, and you may expert to find little favour (if
yon force my nature), but such as is due to high contcmiiers of his Majesty's
grace and favour now offered to you by \V. NKWCASTI.K.
HKAUFOKD, 5/A July 1^43
Appended to this letter is the answer of Manchester, dated Roch-
dale, ;th July 1643. It ends :
Sir, We are nothing dismayed at your force, but hope that God, who
hath been our Protector hitherto, will so direct our just army that we
shall be able to return the violence intended into their bosoms that shall
assay the prosecution of it, which shall be the endeavour of his Majesty's
most humble and obedient subjects.
"Passage of the Army" 195
la 'Certain Informations for Thursday, July 13' we arc told
that the Lancashire men ' have placed a garrison of 1200 men in
Rochdale, and 500 more upon Jilackstonc Edge, to guard the pas-
sage into their country out of Yorkshire, and that they have sent
away Colonel Goring and their other prisoners, but whither it was
not known, yet is supposed to be Liverpool, to be conveyed thence
by sea to London ; but it is now said they are brought to Notting-
ham.'
Letter to Lord Loft us, July 6, 1643
To Edward, Viscount Loftus of Kly, or the Commander-in-Chief
at Middleham Castle
You cannot be ignorant of the good success it hath pleased Almighty
God to give unto the army under my command. And that you may see
the desire I have to avoid the effusion of more blood before I proceed any
further, I have thought it my duty to God and the King to signify unto
you that if you shall upon sight hereof submit yourselves, lay down your
arms most unjustly taken up against your dread Sovereign, and immedi-
ately return to your due allegiance, his Majesty is graciously pleased to
authorise me to receive you into his mercy and favour, which I shall as
willingly do as to bring you to obedience by force if you shall refuse. And
I cannot but wonder, whilst you light against the King and his authority,
you should so boldly presume to profess yourself for the King and Parlia-
ment. Be no longer deceived, for that blood that shall be shed in this
quarrel will fall upon your own head. I have no other ends in this treaty
but to let you see your error, if you please ; if not, let me receive your
answer, and that without delay. And if you resolve to persist in your
obstinacy, then I do hereby advise you to remove out of the castle all
women and children, unto whom and all others well affected I do promise
safe and free passage without any interruption. And then you may expect
no other than what is due to so high a condemner of his Majesty's grace and
favour offered. Given under my hand the sixth day of July K>.|.?.
W. NKWCASTLE.
(\inlh AY/>or/ of flu- Historical .l/.S'S. Commission, Part II, p. 317. From
the Marquis of Droghecla's Papers.)
VI
A TRUE RELATION OF THE PASSAGES OF THE AKMY
UNDF.R THE COMMAND OF HIS EXCEI.I.FNCY THE
MAROl'KSS OF NEWCASTLE SINCE HIS COMING INTO
DERBYSHIRE
(Printed at York by Stephen lUdkley. K>43)
Sir Thomas Fairfax and his forces being at Chesterfield, a part of
our horse inarched near unto them and beat in their scouts, and a
196 Appendix VI
troop of their horse, and showed themselves upon a hill within the
view of the town a little before sunset, where they remained till it
grew dark ; then the soldiers set the whins and gorse on fire upon
that hill, which gave them such an alarm in the town, that Sir
Thomas Fairfax presently called to horse, and about twelve o'clock
in the night they quit both that town and a garrison they had in
Sir Henry Humlock's house, and in great disorder away they fled
to Nottingham without any stay, having lost many of their men,
most of which are now our prisoners. About Broxtowe their men
so straggled, that two parties met with one another in a lane, and
conceiving they had met a party of ours, gave lire upon one another,
and killed a lieutenant of their own. They passed to Nottingham
extremely tired and wearied, and there remained three or four
days ; from thence they went to Melton-Mowbray in Leicestershire,
and stayed but a while there, not liking to remain long in one place.
But we had no sooner possessed Chesterfield, before the rebels
possessed themselves of a strong house at Alfreton and the church
there, against which we sent two hundred musquetiers, who fell
upon the church and took it by assault (without any loss on our
part), anil about twenty men in it, together with their arms ;
whereupon the house and arms were surrendered with this con-
dition, that they might march away to their own houses, making
first protestation never again to bear arms against his Majesty.
About that time Colonel Dudley, Major-General of the Dragoons,
was sent with a commanding party of horse and foot, into the
Peak Country, where at the first, about Ashford, he encountered
with at least five hundred foot and three troops of horse, which he
charged home, and presently routed them ; some of them he killed,
and took about twenty prisoners, but being late and growing dark
the rest escaped, and in great disorder ran away to save them-
selves.
About the same time Commissary Windham going out with a
party of horse and dragoons into Craven, was there encountered
by some rebels, which he presently forced into a house (belonging
to Sir William Savile) called Aireton Hall, where though he had
some few men hurt, and himself shot through the shoulder (not
without good hopes of recovery), yet continuing their assault,
they took the house and sixty men in it (together with all their
arms), whom now they have prisoners at the Earl of Cumberland's
castle in Skipton.
Not long after this, about the twenty-seventh day of November,
the Governor of Newark having intelligence from Bclvoir that the
committee of Leicester was at Melton raising money, with a guard
of two or three troops of horse, and some dragoons (which town
is sixteen miles distant from Newark), he drew forth about four
"Passage of the Army' 197
troops of horse from thence, and having one from Belvoir to join
with them, they marched away all night, and coming to Melton
about break of day, they presently fell into the town, and without
the loss of one man they took the committee (one Haslerig, Stanley
and Hatcher), three troops of horse (every troop consisting of
seventy), two troops of dragoons, and one company of foot, with
all their commanders both horse and foot (except one Cornet),
which are now prisoners at Bclvoir Castle.
There comes news again from Colonel Dudley, who in the morning
about three of the clock on the seven and twentieth day of this
instant November marched out with all the horse and foot he had
(excepting four companies of foot and two troops of horse, which
he left to secure and attend the Commissioners of Array then sitting
at Bakewell), and went towards the enemy's quarters about Hart-
ington towards Staffordshire, with an intention to beat up those
quarters ; but not coming so soon as to perform that intention, the
rebels drew out ei body of two thousand horse and foot (such as
they were), and with a hideous noise, proclaimed the expectation
they had of a sudden victor}'. But it pleased God otherwise to
dispose of them ; for Colonel Dudley (leaving only a good reserve
of foot and one troop of horse) charged the rebels with all the rest
of his horse and foot in a full body at once, which was so home,
that with his horse he beat quite through their rear of foot into
the midst of their horse, and forced them to a disorderly retreat ;
and not willing to give them time to recollect, he pursued and slew
above one hundred of them upon the place, following the chase
into Staffordshire near live miles together (almost to I.cek), and
doing sharp execution all the way. Then he drew up his horse in
order, and made a stand, and sent back a messenger to know the
success of the foot, who had by that time routed all the rebels'
foot, only three hundred or thereabouts retreated into the church
which they had prepared with strong baragadoes, but before this
messenger came thither, the foot had forced one of the church
doors, and taken and slain every man of them. They took ten
officers, three colours of foot, and one of horse, and among others
the brother of Colonel Ashcnhurst.
About this time, upon the left hand, a body of three hundred
horse appeared from Derby to join with the rebels, but they found
that they came too late, and our horse, marching towards them,
they lied away into Staffordshire.
And Colonel Dudley having then secured the prisoners, and
given the soldiers tin- pillage of the field, marched again that night
to Bakewell to his quarters there. In this whole action he kno\\s
not any one man slain on our part, and but live hurt, whereof not
one officer but Lieutenant-Colonel 1'reston, and he not dangerously.
198 Appendix VII
Upon the ninc-and-twcntieth day of November, so soon as the
rebels who possessed Chatsworth House (the principal seat of the
Earl of Devonshire), then under the command of Captain Stafford,
heard of this news, though the place was very strong, and three
hundred well provided to defend it, yet not adventuring either an
assault or a summons, they quit their hold and are lied away.
VII
THE CAMPAIGN OF THE MARCjUIS OF NEWCASTLE
AGAINST THE SCOTS IN FEBRUARY, MARCH AND
APRIL 1644
The best account of this campaign is that given by Rushworth
III, ii, 612-16 ; it is a summary of the different news-letters pub-
lished at the time, and seems to be derived entirely from writers
favourable to the Parliamentary cause, and based mainly on letters
from the Scottisli camp. The object of this note is to collect some
materials for the history of the campaign from Royalist sources.
Some of the letters of the Marquis during the campaign are printed
in Warburton's I'riiifc h'npcrt. The long despatch which follows
is from a copy amongst the Conway papers, now in the Record-
office, and the extract from Mercuritis A ulictts represents another
dcspatcli which has now disappeared.
Newcastle writes to Prince Rupert from York on January 2<S,
1644, telling him that his marching army amounted to only 50(10
foot, and that his horse was not well armed, whilst the Scots num-
bered 14,000 and had advanced as far as Morpcth (Warburton, ii,
368). He concludes by regretting that he is to be left to fight the
Scots unaided. A day or two later he set out for Newcastle ; the
Scots appeared before that town and summoned it on February 3d,
and the same day the Marquis arrived within its walls. Of the
attack which followed, and the condition of their forces, Newcastle
and King sent the following account to Charles.
A true and perfect representation of the state of your Majesty's army
under our command and the condition we are in at this present
Your Majesty may be pleased to understand that the greatest part of this
winter was necessarily spent in suppressing the rebellion in Derbyshire,
which otherwise had grown to an irresistible head. And by the time we had
reduced that county, and put in it a defensible posture, the disorders in
Yorkshire, together with the rumour of the Scots' invasion, called us back
Campaign against the Scots, 1644 199
into Yorkshire very much wearied and toiled, both horse and foot, where
we had hopes to have refreshed and clothed our men, which were discour-
aged both for want of clothes and money. We remained there not above
a fortnight, but the Scots had invaded the kingdom witli a very great army,
although the season of the year and a great snow at the very instant did
persuade us that it was impossible for them to march. Yet not trusting
to that, my Lord-Lieutenant-General hasted away with all expedition with
such horse and foot as were quartered nearest to those parts, and, receiving
intelligence of the Scots continuing their march, he hasted to Newcastle
in his own person some days before his forces could possibly get thither ;
where truly he found the town in a very good posture, and that the mayor,
who had charge of it, had performed his part in your Majesty's service
very faithfully ; and all the aldermen and best of the town well disposed
for your service. And though our charge was very tedious, by reason
of floods occasioned by the sudden thaw of the snow, yet I came thither
the night before the Scots assaulted the town which was done with such
a fury as if the gates had been promised to be set open to them ; but they
found it otherwise ; for the truth is, the town soldiers gave them such an
entertainment (few of our forces being then come into the town, and those
extremely wearied in their march), as persuaded them to retire a mile
from the town, where they have remained ever since quartered in strong
bodies, and raising the whole country of Northumberland, which is totally
lost, all turned to them, so that they daily increase their army, and are
now striving to pass part of it over the river, so to environ us on every side,
and cut off all provision from us. But we have hitherto made good the
town and river, and shall do our best endeavour still to do so. Hut your
Majesty may be pleased to know that the enemy's army consists of at le.ist
fourteen thousand foot and two thousand horse, and daily increase their
numbers: and we cannot possibly draw into the field full five thousand
foot and about three thousand horse : and besides. Sir Thomas Fairfax's
success in Cheshire hath made him capable of drawing from Lancashire
a very great force into the West Riding of Yorkshire, which lie is ready to
do. My Lord Fairfax hath sent forth of Hull into the Kast Riding two
thousand foot and live hundred horse, all threatening to march towards
us, which will make them a great body. And by this your Majesty may
perceive where the seat of the war is likely to be.
The letter from which this is extracted is dated February i;
and signed by the two generals. They concluded by desiring tin-
King's express commands ' whether we shall still continue in .1
defensive posture, and expect some assistance as well of force, as
ammunition, from your Majestv, or whether upon this great in-
equality, \ve shall adventure to ha/anl the loss of the army, and so
of all the north, by giving them battle ' (XVarburton's /V/w.r Ruf- t -it,
ii, 481). This was followed by another letter of Newcastle's dated
February U>, pointing out the advances of Sir Thomas Fairfax and
his father in Yorkshire, and begging earnestly for aid. ' If your
Majesty beat the Scots, your game is absolutely won ; which can
be no other way but by sending more forces, especially foot, and
zoo Appendix VII
cither diverting Manchester, and those forces about Newark '
(Warburton, iii, 381). The letter of March 9 gives an account of
the progress of the campaign from February 19 to March 8, inclu-
ding the three days' manoeuvring and skirmishing near Sunderland
on the 6th, /th, and 8th of March. The skirmish near Corbridge
on February 19, is related at length in a letter from Edmund
Bowles to the younger Vane, which is printed in Terry's Life <>/
Alexander Leslie, p. 192. Newcastle's own account of these inci-
dents is headed ' A true relation of all the observable accidents and
passages that have happened in these parts since my last to your
Majesty and before the gi\\ of this month ; with the reason of
the impossibility of making good the river of Tyne against the
Scots ' :
SIR, Thomas Riddell sent about 50 musketeers from Tynmouth Castle
to destroy some corn in the enemy's quarters, from whence they were drawn
out as he was informed. But it seems his intelligence betrayed them to the
enemy, and about 45 of them were taken prisoners, who being carried to
Leslie he sent them to me as a token, and I returned him thanks for his
civility with this answer, that I hoped very shortly to repay that debt
with interest : which I did within a few days. The igth of February 1643
Sir Marmaduke Langdale fell upon their quarters at Corbridge in North-
umberland, but the enemy having timely notice of his coming were drawn
into the field. He thereupon sent some troops to second those that first
entered the towns, who charged the enemy, but the enemy with their
lancers forced them to retreat. He sent more, but the enemy charged
them gallantly, but durst not pursue them because of our reserve. At last
he rallied his forces and took about 200 foot with him and forced the
enemy to retreat. He routed them totally and followed the chase three
miles, killed above 2o< >, t<x >k above 1 50 prisoners, besides divers officers slain,
whereof one named Captain Haddon. The prisoners Major Agnew, major
to the Lord Kirkcudbright, dangerously hurt, Archibald Magee his Quarter-
master, 1 (addon's Cornet Carr, grandcHild to the Lord Roburgh. There
was 15 of their troops of horse, whereof Leslie's life-guard was one, and 3
troops of dragooners, and that Leslie's son was their general, who is shot
through the shoulder. There is 2 horse colours and a dragoon colour taken.
The same morning Colonel Dudley from his quarters about Prudhoo
marched over the river with some horse and dragoons and fell into a quarter
of the enemy's in Northumberland and slew and t<>k all that was in it,
which was 55 prisoners, and gave such an alarm to f<>ur of their quarters
th.it they quit the same with disorder and some loss; in which neither
had we suffered any loss at all had not Colonel Hrandling been taken
prisoner by the unfortunate fall of his horse ; and Colonel Dudley, per-
ceiving a greater force preparing to assault him, retreated, and in his
retreat took eight of the Scots prisoners, both horse and men, but they
took four of his dragoons, whose horse were so weak they could not pass
the river. First, after I had made true inquisition of the passes over the
river Tvne, I found that there was so many fordablo places betwixt New-
burn .in<l II ex ham, about twelve miles distant one from the other.that it was
Campaign against the Scots, 1644 201
impossible with my small number of foot to divide them so as to guard
and make good every (dace, but to hazard the loss of them at any one
place, and yet not do the work ; so I resolved of two evils to choose the
less, and left them to their own wills : so they passed the river, and after
some days' quartering upon the high moors which was beyond the river
Derwent, so that I could by no means march to them, for the situation of
these quarters gave them great advantage against our approaches, they
inarched thence, over the new bridge near Chester (le Street) to Sunderland,
which pass our horses in respect of the inclosures could not hinder them
nor charge them. Upon Wednesday the 6th of this instant March, at
one o'clock afternoon, our first troops passed Newbridge and within a
while after the enemy appeared with some horse ; when they advanced
towards us with more than they first discovered, after some bullets had been
exchanged and they appeared again with a greater body, we backed our
party with my Lord Henry's regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel Scrimsher
commanding them being part of Colonel Dudley's brigade, with which
he drew up after them with whom also we sent some musketeers ; which
caused the enemy that da} 1 to look upon us at a further distance, we judged
they were about 500 horse when they appeared most, yet they continued
most of that day in our sight, which satisfied us extremely in hopes the rest
were not far off, yet far from troubling us except it were sometimes to
make use of our perspectives.
The next morning, from the hill from whence the day before they viewed
us, we discovered them, from whence setting ourselves in order we marched
towards them, but they still upon our advance fell something obliquely
from us on our right hand, bending towards Sunderland, placing their
army upon a hill called , which was on the left hand of the town from
the sea, there ranked themselves for their best advantage to display their
own strength, and for their own security, upon which finding them thus
backward to join, which truly we little expected, Considering what great
brags they had made, we resolved to inarch towards the town, either to
possess ourselves of it or a piece of ground near unto it, which would have
hindered them from coming back again to the town without fighting with
us, upon which piece of ground they had left a good part of their horse
and a strong party of their musketeers ; which they perceiving made them to
drawdown again to the same place with all the haste they could make,
where again they possessed themselves before they could put over any
troops. The Convenient passage we could find to it being through some
fields of furze and whin bushes, where we were to make our way with
pioneers through three thick hedges with banks, twoof which they had lined
with musketeers, there also being a valley betwixt us and them, In-sides
they had possessed themselves of a house, wherein as we guess they had
put *oo musketeers and a drake, which Hankered those hedges which
were betwixt us, and from thence there ran a brook, with a great bank,
down to the river Wear : behind these places was this plain above-men-
tioned, where they stood in their best postures to receive us, having the
sea behind them and on the left hand the town, the hill anil inaccessible
places, by which we must have fetched so great a compass about, that
they would have been upon the same lull ai:ain to have received us that
wav. Hv tins time the evening caused us to withdraw towards the highet
ground, where being sainted with cold blasts and MI..W. our horses suffer-
D D
2O2 Appendix VII
ance with hunger, that we seemed so far to become friends as in providing
against those common enemies. The next morning both the armies drew
up again into batalia, when with the continual snow that fell all that day,
and by reason of the great fatigation of the horse it being the third day they
had received little or no sustenance, it was thought by the consent of all
the general officers not expedient that the army should suffer such extremity
or for that time seek any further occasion to engage an enemy whom we
found so hard to be provoked, who found from us I believe, contrary to
their expectations, so much forwardness as they might plainly perceive
we endeavoured what we could to fight with them, and were confident
enough of our own strength could we have come unto them upon any
indifferent terms of equality. And truly the forwardness of the soldiers
was such as we would have been contented to have given them some advan-
tages to boot rather than to have deferred it. But upon such disadvantages
we had no manner of reason, being the ground would not permit us to
draw up the fourth part of the army, by which we had been defeated of the
advantage we had over them with our horse, and besides we should have
been forced to have fought for that ground which afterwards we should
have stood upon. We being now resolved to march off, and they having
been so niggardly to afford us occasion to try what mettle each other w.is
made of, in some measure to satisfy the great forwardness we found in our
people, and also to give the enemy warning that they should not be too
bold upon our retreat. For these reasons we sent off 120 horses to enter-
tain them near their own leaguer, Sir Charles Lucas his major commanding
them, where meeting with 200 of the enemy's, the first that charged them
not passing 60 of this one regiment, notwithstanding the enemy w.is so
placed before a hedge, where they had some dragooners as it seems, they
were confident ours would not have come up unto them ; but when they
saw that their muskets could not prevent the courage of our men, they
turned their backs and leaped over their dragooners, affording our men
the execution of them to a great body of theirs, in which chase our men
killed some .jo of them, and had taken near loo men, but they advanced
so suddenly that we could bring off but 20 of them, of whom there were
three English one of them were handed (was hanged ?) immediately,
having formerly served in our army : their lancers did seem to follow eagerly
upon our men in their retreat in great numbers, but we had not passing six
men hurt, whereof one died, and not any of the rest miscarried or are
missing. In the meantime, we were drawing back our army, and the
enemy, when they saw the greatest of our number to be marching, made
a show as if they would have followed us : they therefore sent down about
<>oo horse and as many musketeers to try, as I suppose, our behaviniir
in our retreat, as also to requite us if they could, sending three bodies of
horse into the field next the moor, by the side of which we passed, but still
under the favour of their musketeers, which lined the hedges ; but we.
being content to play with them at their own name, whilst we amused
them by presenting some horse before them, our musketeers, which iu the
meantime stole down upon their flank towards their passage, gave them
such a peal, that it made the passage which they retired over seem I believe
a great deal straiter, and the time much longer than at their coming over.
after which they were a great deal l>etter satisfied with our retreat, and
this was all we could do with the enemv. I must confess we brought our
Campaign against the Scots, 1644 203
horse home very weary, which did us more harm than the enemy could have
done, until they be again refreshed, which we make no doubt will be in a
very short time. We could entreat the world to be content with further
expectation.
A summary of this letter is given in Mcrcitriiis .litlictis for March
14, 1644. Alter tin: events narrated in the letter, Newcastle re-
tired to Durham, and devoted himself to endeavouring to straiten
the quarters of the Scots and cut off their provisions, in which he
was very successful (Rushworth III, ii, 015). The Scots suc-
ceeded, however, in taking a fort at South Shields on March 20,
and in surprising on the same day a detachment of Newcastle's
horse at Chester le Street. On March 23 Newcastle marched from
Durham to Hilton near Sunderland, and unsuccessfully endeavoured
to bring on a general engagement. The skirmishes which took
place on March 24 and 25 are narrated from a despatch of New-
castle's in Mcrcnrius A ulicits for March 30.
' It being expressly certified from the noble Marquis of New-
castle that on Sunday last (March 24) he got the Scots out to West
Bedwick near Hilton Castle in the Bishopric of Durham, where
they sat fast upon Bedwick Hill : my Lord Marquis had often in-
vited them to light, with overtures of many advantageous oppor-
tunities, but could not possibly draw them out : on this hill four
regiments of his Kxcellency's foot fell to work with six regiments
of the rebels. The light began about three in the afternoon (March
J4) and continued from that time till night, and continued more
or less till next morning, the rebels all this while being upon their
own Micklc MidJing, and there they lay all night ; next morning
(being Monday) the Lord Marquis followed them till afternoon,
and then they vanished instantly into their trenches and retire-
ments in Sunderland. Then his Excellency (seeing no hope of
getting them out) drew off towards his quarters, and they being
sensible of so many provocations, came on his rear (which was 500
horse) with all the horse they had (for as yet they never looked the
Lord Marquis in the face), but the rear (with the loss of some thirty
men killed and taken) presently faced about, being seconded by
that valiant knight, Sir Charles Lucas, with his brigade of horse,
who fell on so gallantly that he forced all their horse (which is
about >,<H)o) to hasten up the hill to their cannon, all the way
doing sharp execution upon them so as their Lancers lay plentifully
upon the ground (many others being taken and brought away
prisoners) their cannon all that while playing upon the Lord M.ir-
quis his horse with so little success as is not easily imagined. In
both these lights (on Sunday and Monday) they that speak lea^t
reckon a lull i<>m> Scots killed and taken which cost the Lord
Marquis -'40 of his common soldiers, scarce an officer being cither
204 Appendix VIII
killed or taken, though many of their leaders arc certainly cut
off. Their foot ran twice, and would not stand longer than their
officers forced them on with the sword ; the Lord Marquis hath
taken many of their arms, especially of their Scottish pistols. Next
morning (Tuesday) his Excellency drew towards them again,
faced them a long while, but they had too much of the two days
before, and would by no means be entreated to show themselves.'
(Mcrcnrins Aitlicus, March 30, 1^44).
On the 25th of March, after this unsuccessful attempt to bring
on a battle, Newcastle wrote to congratulate Rupert on his success-
ful relief of Newark and to urge again his own need of assistance.
' I must assure your Highness', he says, 'that the Scots arc as
big again in foot as I am, and their horse, I doubt, much better
than ours are, so that if your Highness do not please to come
hither, and that very soon too, the great game of your uncle's will
be endangered, if not lost ' (Warburton, ii, 397 ; see also 399). In
his old quarters at Durham, Newcastle awaited the arrival of aid
and continued his former tactics. The Scots established their
headquarters at Kasington, midway between Hartlepool and Dur-
ham, where they continued till the 8th of April, and then marched
to (Juarendon Hill, within two miles of Durham. On the iitli of
April took place the defeat of Bellasis at Selby, and on the i^th
Newcastle commenced his retreat to York. His next letter is
dated from York, iSth April (Warburton, ii, 433) ; he says that
Fairfax and the Scots are too strong for him, and ' have put them-
selves in such a posture as will soon ruin us, unless there be some
speedy course taken to give us relief . I have not been able to find
any letter of Newcastle giving an account of the latter part of the
campaign, or the retreat to York.
VIII
EIGHT LETTERS WRITTEN BY THE MARQUIS OF
NEWCASTLE DURING HIS EXILE
Of the following letters, the first was intercepted and published
in a newspaper, and it is uncertain to whom it was written. The
other seven were all written to Secretary Nicholas.
MY I.OKII, Your Lordship's Letter by Crcswell is so nobly kind, friendly,
and so wise counsel, as it is too big for my I'm, Inkr, and I'apcr, milv it
hath made me all over thaiikfulncsse, and that is as nnirli as I ran cither
say or do. For my estate they are now selling of, it is against all the old
tencnts that I should !>e a Traytor and Kebcll, and all my estate confiscate,
and I to he hanged without merry, and none will lend me two shillings here,
but the me, and know not how to put bread into my mouth, as if 1 was
Letters during Newcastle's Exile 205
the arrantest knave and Rogue in the World, I vow to (Jod the ridiculous-
ncssc of it makes me laugh heartily, like the (icntleman tliat had his ship
taken from him by our wise, just, and grave privy Councillors. Againe
to passe the time away withall, my Lord Bishop of Derry, my Lady Oncale
and my selfe gravely sat in Conned, as wise and provident 1'arcnts to pro-
vide tin; best we Could for our children, agreed upon a Match between
my son Harry and her daughter, and gravely articled, bought eighteen
pennyworth of Kibond for the wooing, the old Lady a lean thicken in a
I'ipkin for the Dinner, with three preserved Cherries, and 5 drops of Syrup
by them for the- banquet. One wiser than the rest asked how it should be
performed, which our wisdomes never thought of before, so when my estate
was examined, besides the Parliaments selling of it, That my debts were
so great with what was intailed upon my Son Charles as I coukl estate
nothing. The old Lady was very angry at that, but I had more reason
than modesty, I examined her, having examined old Ladies in my time,
anil found she had as little. So the times have broke; that grave intention,
yet the joynture and portion being alike one might think it might go on.
And so Marry is a lusty Hatchelor begging homeward for Kngland, but the
young lady truly is very deserving and vertnoiis. [I am] one of the cast
I'rivy Councellors his Majesty left here behind : Lvery letter and b<>k
of News we gravely deliver our opinions thereof, but first wipe our mouths
formally with our handkerchers, spit with a grace, and hem aloud, and
then say little to the purpose : If our doubtful braines cannot resolve, then
\ve shake our lie. ids and shrugge our shoulders with prudence, saying time
will produce more, but the Scots He say no more. The sweet I Mike of Yorks
Court is no more then was in Noah's Ark, iS person with some beasts, anil
these iS persons are in is factions at least, to practice against yon come to
White-hall, Katclille like an Hermits stalfe, and Doctor Killegrew. Dr.
Statesman great projects that comes to nothing, nor can come to anything,
they have hurryed the sweet Duke up and d"wn, as I dare swear his Iligh-
nesse is we. try of them, but could not but laugh at Matchivell I )eveeke, that
gravely broke his braine with thinking that there was something in it, some
whatchecalle, which is his by-word. (iod blesse your (,r.ice, and tell me
when I shall waite of you at White-hall : my Lord I am entirely
Your Lordship's most faithful
obliged Servant
\\ . N" i:\vc AS n.K.
ANTWKKPK the 8 of Feb. i(>.y>
Pray burn this letter.
(Several rrncccdinm in r,irluiinciil, iS .js. Si'/ 1 /., 1051.)
Nom.i: SIK. I desire y>n will be pleased to put his Majextv in mind
that he will be graciously pleased to renew th>e ottices and place^ unto
me, that the King his father of ble>sed memory gave me. th.it other> may
not possess them, his Majesty not knowing ,<i a ; and those I ha\e had
and desire to have are the following :
i. Lord Lieutenant of the County of Nottingham.
j. Lord Lieutenant of the TonM ,.| Sherwood, ulnch that \\.-rthy per-
son the ! .11 1 ot Clare hath had trin the Parliament e\er since my
misfortune.
2o6 Appendix VIII
3. Then Gustos Rotulorum of the County of Nottingham.
4. And Gustos Rotulorum of the County of Northumberland.
Then if please God his Majesty come to his throne, which I make no
doubt of, certainly all my land that the rebels have possessed themselves
of I may lawfully take possession of without troubling his Majesty ; but
whereas my traitorous servant hath sold any land to any of those rebels,
that I may have my land again, since it was but in trust, which the law will
give me. Hut I speak of it only in this case, that any of the rebels that the
King might give to any courtier or others, if they have any of my land I
shall have great trouble with them, though justly they cannot possess it ;
and therefore I humbly desire his Majesty there may be an exception made
in my particular and in acquainting his Majesty with these particulars you
will oblige me very much, Your most faithful servant,
W. NEWCASTLE.
ANTWERP, the i^th of August 1654
To Sir Ed. NICHOLAS
(Domestic Stale Papers. Record Office. )
NOBI.I: SIR, I received yours of the 22<\, and give you many hearty
thanks for the favour, for I assure you there could nothing rejoice me more
in the whole world than the King and the Duke of York to be so kind, and
my daily prayers shall be that it may ever continue. NOW I will give
you my intelligence. I hear my friend and neighbour. Sir (iervase Clifton,
who at least is seventy years old, hath lately married, as I take it her
name is the Lady Alice Hastings, sister I believe to the Lord Loughlx trough,
with 4000 portion, Sir (iervase his second wife, so that off the next wife
he comes eight, and then I believe the mark will be out of his mouth. I
speak like an experienced horseman. This lady. I believe, is in years
for a maid, and a pretty tough hen for this Lent without eggs. I am so
tormented about my book of horsemanship as you cannot believe, with a
hundred several trades, I think, and the printing will cost above /Ji.V'o,
which 1 could never have done but for my good friends Sir 11. Cartwright
and Mr. Loving ; and I hope they shall lose nothing by it, and I am sure
they hope the like. I hope this next summer I may be so happy as to see
you, and believe me, I am affectionately our most faithful servant,
W. NEWCASTLE.
ANTWERP, the i^th of Feb. 1656
(Domestic State Papers. Record Office).
NOIII.E SIR, I received the favour of yours of the 22d, and you have
obliged me very much, not only by your own letter, but by sending that
of Sir Henry Hennet. I beseech you put his Majesty in mind of his gracious
promise to me, in giving Sir Henry Bennet thanks for his favours to me.
I hope by your news that the Swede will go down, We have it here very
confidently reported, that the peace between the two crowns is verv far
advanced (and truly I am not so wise as not to believe it, for all things con-
sidered, nii-thinks it is very probable), and then I hope the King r.iiniot f.nl
of their aid. There are many noblemen, or at least lords, that are romed
over to 1'aris it is true, but those lords that can take such sudden appre-
hensions of fears so far off, 1 doubt will hardly have the courage to help
Letters during Newcastle's Exile 207
our gracious Master to his throne woful people and the next generation
of lords they tell me are fools. It will he a brave 1'pper House! I'ray
present my humble servire to my Lord Chancellor. I have been indisposed
this week, but I thank (ind I am much better now. And in all conditions
I shall be entirely your most faithful servant,
\V. Ni W( ASH.!:.
ANTWKKP, 23^ Jan. 1651)
I write with so much freedom to you that I pray burn this.
(l^ciimi .U.S.S'. British Museum.)
Ncivcastlc to Hichohis
Nom,E SIR, I thank you for your last and your favour to me in present-
ing my humble thanks to the King. I thank (lod I am for the time v( ry
much mended ; for age, I am in less than a year of you, and hope we may
both live to see better times, for I will always hope the best. The Duke
of Gloucester went away this morning, arid the Marl of Norwich galloping
along with him, as also my Lord Berkeley ; the young lady, Mrs. Hyde,
her brother, and Doctor Morley went away this morning too. The noble
Lord of Ornumd and his company will be with you to-morrow. Tin-
Ear! of Norwich within a few days will be with yon too. I spoke with a
young gentleman, one Mr. Smith, newly coined (counide) out of England ;
he thinks that Cromwell and the Parliament will agree, but I think he knows
little. But I spoke with another, an elderly man and a stout, th.it served
in mv army, and he says they will fall to pieces, and that then- will be i;reat
factions and divisions in England. The merchants have it lien- that cer-
tainlv there will be no peace between the two crowns and that the treaty
is absolutely broke; others say that it is piecing again: they report con
fidently that some English ships have met with some Spanish ships and sunk
them, but I do not believe it. Now it yn can make anything out of all
this you do very well, for 1 protest 1 cannot. I'ray remember my service
to Lord Chancellor and thank him for his favours, and so I rest constantly
your most faithful servant,
\V. Ni- \\v.\sri.F.
AvnvitRT, tltt- 2(1 <>/ .-I /'// 1651)
(l-'.^crton MSS., 536, f. 3-56.)
NOIU.K Sin, I now have two petitions to you one to present tins
enclosed humblv to his Majesty, the next that you would favour me >o
much as to give me the mo->t timelv notice ol the assurance of the peace
between Spain and Erance. The reason is. the Burgomasters and < io\i r-
nors of this town desired me to Irt them know if I could the certainty .>t it.
1 told them that my Kind's principal secretary was mv very noble Inend.
and I would write unto him : thus, by your favour. 1 shall ingratiate mv<elt
very much to this town. Pardon me thus trespassing upon v,m and believe
me, 1 am very constantly your most faithful servant.
\V. NiwcvsriK.
A\rwi RI\ the iS/// ,i/ .I/';;/ n>v)
Mv service to mv Lord Chancellor.
(/-.'t;< ;/<>! ,1/SS. British Mu-euiu.)
zo8 Appendix VIII
Newcastle to Nicholas
Noni.E SIR, I received yours of the 3oth last, and give you many thanks
for the favour of your most excellent news. I am sure we cannot be worse
than we are, and I hope in God that this peace may prove considerable
for the advantage of our gracious King. But your son writ to Mr. Topp
that the Lower House was divided and that the two houses could not agree,
and that it was thought they would be dissolved this may be considerable
indeed. We have it here by some letters that the army stands upon terms
of their own, that is considerable and to the purpose if it be so ; but we
have so many lies here at Antwerp that we know not what to believe, for
this morning the Lord Wentworth and Sir Cecil Howard came to me and
told me that Major Wood told them that one of the Prince of Conde's
followers told him that Sir Robert Welsh his son, and three or four more
had a plot to kill my gracious Master, and they had no sooner said it but
I received your letter dated yesterday, so then they saw there was no such
thing : God ever preserve my gracious Master from all knaves, fools, and
bloody rascals. My service to your younger son, with many thanks for
his favours to me about Monsieur Juliane (?) ; though he hath not answered
it I do not care, so that now he knows my mind, which is sufficient. It
was about a truck for horses, and I would be loth to give a good horse for a
jade ; and though there is none that is a piece of a horseman amongst them,
riders or others, yet I assure you the greatest of them are horse coursers
beyond any in Smithfield, and so they arc in France, for it is two professions,
a good horseman and a horse courser. I pretend to the first, but know
nothing of the second, for I'll co/en nobody ; I only take care not to be
cozened, which they find I can do reasonable well at that. Believe me
it is not .in easy thing to have a good horse nor a rare man in any quality.
ANTWI RI>, May Day i<\V)
(/:.!yr/H MSS. British Museum.)
Newcastle to X
Noni.KSiR, I received yours of the mth, and give you many thanks
for your excellent good news. We have it here that the Parliament is dis-
solved by Cromwell, but he was forced to it by the army who told him if
he would not dissolve they would, and then they say they came to Crom-
well and took away all the dishes of meat he had but one. Cromwell went
presently to Hamilton Court, and letters from the Venetian ambassador say
that he believes by this time there is a guard set upon him. Heetwood
is made General of the Army, and Lambert Lieutenant-general, and this
is the redcoats which I always said would do what they list. Some talks the
Presbyterians begin to appear in divers parts of the kingdom, but I doubt
that yet. Great confusions and alterations is daily looked for, and I hope
in God it will produce excellent things for the King, for certainly Heetwood
and Lambert can never make their advantage and settlement so well as to
serve the King. My service to niv Lord Chancellor, and tell him th.it now
I hope to wait on him to Westminster to see him take possession of the
Chancery, and upon one of niv horses of manage, which will be the quietest,
safest, and surest lie or any man can have. You see how my hopes trans-
Two Most Famous Universities 209
ports me with the passion I have for my gracious Master, f'.od send us
a good meeting at Whitehall, and so I rest constantly your most faithful
servant
W. NEWCASTLE.
ANTWFRT I lie I.T//J May 1659
(F.gerton MSS. British Museum.)
IX
TO THE TWO MOST FAMOUS UNIVERSITIES OF ENGLAND
MOST FAMOUSLY LEARNED, I here present to you this philoso-
phical work, not that I can hope wise schoolmen and industrious,
laborious students should value it for any worth, but to receive
it without scorn, for the good encouragement of our sex, lest in
time we should grow irrational as idiots, by the dejectedness of
our spirits, through the careless neglects and despisements of the
masculine sex to the female, thinking it impossible we should have
either learning or understanding, wit or judgment, as if we had
not rational souls as well as men, and we out of a custom of dejected-
ness think so too, wluch makes us quit all industry towards profit-
able knowledge, being employed only in low and petty employ-
ments which take away not only our abilities towards arts, but
higher capacities in speculations, so as we are become like worms
that only live in the dull earth of ignorance, winding ourselves
sometimes out by the help of some refreshing rain of good education,
which seldom is given us, for we are kept like birds in cages, to hop
up and down in our houses, not suffered to lly abroad to see the
several changes of Fortune, and the various humours ordained and
created by nature, and wanting the experience of nature, we must
needs want the understanding and knowledge, and so consequently
prudence and invention of men. Tims by an opinion, which I
hope is but an erroneous one in men, we are shut out of all power
and authority, by reason we are never employed cither in civil or
martial affairs, our counsels are despised and laughed at, the best
of our actions are trodden down with scorn by the overweening
conceit men have of themselves, and through a despisement of us.
Hut T, considering with myself that if a right judgment and a
true understanding and a respectful civility live anywhere, it must
be in learned universities, where nature is best known, where truth
is oftcnest found, where civility is most practised, and if I find not
a resentment here, I am very confident I shall find it nowhere,
neither shall I think I deserve it, if you approve not of me ; but
if I deserve not praise, I am sure to receive so much courtship
from your sage society as to bury me in silence, that thus I may
E E
2io Appendix X
have a quiet grave, since not worthy a famous memory, for to lie
entombed under the dust of an university will be honour enough
for me, and more than if I were worshipped by the vulgar as a
deity. Wherefore, if your wisdoms cannot give me the bays, let
your charity strew me with cypress ; and who knows but, after
my honourable burial, I may have a glorious resurrection in follow-
ing ages, since time brings strange and unusual things to pass
I mean unusual to men, though not in nature. And I hope this
action of mine is not unnatural, though unusual for a woman to
present a book to the university, nor impudent, for it is honest,
although it seem vainglorious. But if it be, I am to be pardoned,
since there is little difference between man and beast, but what
ambition and glory makes.
(Dedication by the Duchess of Philosophical anil Physical Opinions,
1663.)
SIR CHARLES LUCAS
Sir Charles was the youngest son of Thomas Lucas, of St. John's,
Colchester. The Duchess gives an account of his youth in her
autobiography. He served, like most young soldiers of his time,
in the wars of the Low Countries. In the second Scotch war he
commanded a troop of horse (CaL ndar of Domestic State Papers,
1640-1, 318). He was knighted 27 July 1639. From the beginning
of the Civil War he served in the King's army. He was wounded
at the battle of Powick Bridge, September 22, 1642 (Warburton's
Prince Rupert, i, 409). He served under Prince Rupert also at
the capture of Cirencester, February 2<1, 1643, and a contemporary
account notices his mercy in taking prisoners (Bibliothcca Glouces-
trensis, 170). On July i, 1^43, with three troops of his own regi-
ment, he defeated Colonel Middle-ton with 4<x> horse and dragoons
at Padbury, taking 40 prisoners and killing above KM> of the enemy
(Mercnriitf Atilictis). In the autumn of the same year lie served
for some months in Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire, and com-
manded in an attack on Nottingham on January 16, 1644. The
committee, describing the attack in a letter to Gilbert Millington,
say that he ' reports himself (iener.il of this county and Lincoln-
shire ' (Memoirs of Colonel Ifulchinson. vol. i, pp. 298, 388). Imme-
diately after this Lucas was ordered into Yorkshire. A remonstrance
of the committee of Newark complains that the recent capture
of Gainsborough and the Isle of Axholm ' have moved his Excel-
lency the Lord Marquis of Newcastle to engarrison Doncaster now
in fortifying, and to command Sir Charles Lucas with his own regi-
Sir Charles Lucas 21 1
nient, and the Lincolnshire horse, in ;tll about 1400, to quarter
thereabouts for securing that fortification, which is like to be a
work of time, and so to procrastinate Sir Charles Lucas his coining
-into these parts (whom we hoped to have been sent by your Majesty
for our immediate assistance) to the apparent hazard of this garrison
and these two counties' (Rushworth, III, ii, 305). From Don-
caster, on February 2, 1644, Lucas wrote to Rupert a very interest-
ing letter, thanking him for his recommendation to Lord Newcastle
(Warburton, ii, 370). He joined Newcastle in the north some
time before March Cth, and distinguished himself in the skirmish
at Hilton on March 25th (Rushworth, III, ii, 615-6). \Vhcn the
Marquis was obliged to shut himself up in York, Lucas in command
of the horse was sent to quarter in Nottinghamshire and the Mid-
land counties, and to take part in any attempts at the relief of the
besieged. He accordingly joined Rupert in his march to York,
and was one of the commanders of the left wing of the Prince's
horse at Marston, in which defeat he was taken prisoner, although
his division successfully routed that of Sir Thomas Fairfax, which
was its immediate opponent. Rupert as soon as possible negotiated
the exchange of Sir Charles, which probably took place in the
winter of 1644-5 ( sec letter in Warburton's Prince liupcrl, iii, 3<S).
He was certainly released before March 1645, for in a letter of
March 5 Digby discusses the question of his appointment to the
government of Berkeley Castle (Warburton, iii, 60).
In July 1645 Lucas writes to Rupert from Berkeley complaining
of the inadequacy of the garrison, and the disaffection of his soldiers,
and of the people of the neighbouring country (///>/. .V.S.S". /\Y/>.
ix, pt. ii, p. 437). Berkeley Castle was stormed by Colonel Rains-
borough on September 25, 1645 (Sprigge, Amelia Rcdiviva, p. !.><>,
cd. 1X54). According to Sprigge it hail endured nine days' siege,
but the capture of the church and outworks, and the planting of
cannon thereupon, forced the Governor to sound a parley and
treat. ' The castle was surrendered upon tlie.se articles : the
soldiers to march out without arms ; the Governor. Sir Charles
Lucas, with three horses and arms and not above /;o in money ;
every field officer with two horses, and but /; in money ; foot
captains with swords but no horse ; the soldiers with not above
55. apiece." In the castle were taken provisions for six months.
Lucas had answered to the first summons ' that he would eat horse
flesh before he would yield, and man's flesh when that was done ',
and returned an equally peremptory answer to the second summons.
The garrison inarched out about 500 strong, but probably the dis-
affection before mentioned by Lucas still existed and contributed
to the surrender, and it is not likely that it had been increased in
numbers since he complained of its inadequacy to Rupert in July.
212 Appendix X
The table at the end of Sprigge's work seems to imply that forty
of the garrison were killed and ninety taken prisoners during the
siege. Before many weeks passed Lucas was again actively em-
ployed. In the diary of Richard Symonds for December 23, 1645,
it is stated ' Lord Astley came to Worcester, being General of these
four counties, Sir Charles Lucas with him, Lieutenant-general of
the horse.' His career came to an end three months later with
the defeat of Astley's army at Stow in the Wold in the following
March. The name of Lucas is not mentioned in the list of prisoners
given in many reports of the battle ; for instance, in the letter of
Colonel Morgan to the speaker. This is explained by a circumstance
mentioned by Vicars. ' Sir Charles Lucas, as was credibly re-
ported, was also taken in the tight, but immediately after rescued
by a party of lire-locks of the enemy, and on his rescue fled into
the wood hard by for hoped safety ; but after the light our forces
searching the wood for stragglers found there the said Sir Charles
Lucas ' (Burning Bush, 399). Thus Lucas became a prisoner, and
it is presumed that he obtained his liberty by engaging himself to
Fairfax not to serve again against the Parliament. The sole evi-
dence for this fact, probable enough in itself, is in the letters ex-
changed between Fairfax and Lucas on June 19, 1648. Soon after
the siege of Colchester began, Fairfax sent a letter to the besieged
' to acquaint them that Sir Charles Lucas had forfeited his parole,
his honour and faith, being his prisoner upon parole, and therefore
not capable of command or trust in martial affairs' (Rushwortli,
IV, ii, 1 160). To which Lucas replied : ' Sir, I wonder you should
question me of any such engagement, since I purchased my free-
dom and estate at a high rate by a great sum of money, which I
paid into Goldsmith's Hall, for which according to the ordinances
of the two Houses I was to enjoy my freedom and estate. When
I conceived myself in this condition, I sent a letter to your secretary,
desiring him to advertise your Lordship that I had punctually
performed my engagements as they stood in relation to your Lord-
ship. Upon which I had notice from him that you accepted of
my respects to you, which truly have never been wanting to your
person. But, my Lord, besides my inclinations and duty to the
service I am in at present, be pleased to examine whether the
law of nature hath not instigated me to take my sword again into
my hand, for when I was in peaceable manner in London, there
was a price set upon me by the committee of Derby House, upon
which I was constrained to retire myself into my own country, and
to my native town, for refuge ' (Fairfax Correspondence, iii, 57).
In this letter Lucas admits that such an engagement as the one
supposed to have been contracted after his capture at Stow had
actually existed. At the same time he puts forward two pleas :
Sir Charles Lucas 213
the first, that his engagement to Fairfax had been ended by his
payment of a composition for his estates ; the second, that the
action of the Parliament against him had justified him in taking
up arms in self-defence. With regard to the first it may fairly be-
held that the personal obligation to Fairfax had been superseded
and ended by the arrangement with the civil government ; from
being a prisoner Lucas had become a citizen, and substituted for
his former obligation to the commander-in-chief a new obligation
to the civil power. In the list of compounders Sir Charles Lucas,
knight, of Horsey, Kssex, appears as having paid in part a fine
fixed at /5"S, i<>\. J5ut the committee at (ioldsmith's Hall, to
which this composition was paid, exacted from delinquents an oath
not to assist the King against the Parliament, ' nor any forces
raised without the consent of the two Houses of Parliament in
this cause or war' (vide Husbands' Collection of Ordinances, fol.,
i<>4'>, pp. 036, and 739). We know from his own petition that
Lucas took this oath. The action of Sir Charles in taking up arms
again in 1648 was a distinct breach of this engagement (Calendar
of the Committee for Compounding with Delinquents, iii, 1821).
With reference to the second plea it may be stated that Lucas
more than any other man was responsible, if Matthew Carter is
to be trusted, for the refusal by the loyalists of Fssex of the in-
demnity offered them by Parliament if they laid down their arms.
(Passed in the House of Commons, June 5, 1648). Kushworth
gives the following news from Essex under June 7 : ' That the
Parliament's commissioners having published the indemnity at
J5ow to those that should lay down arms, Sir William Hicks and
divers others of the gentlemen submitted, and the Lord Goring re-
treated back from thence. But Sir Charles Lucas, that eminent
cavalier, is come into them, and keeps up the soldiers, making great
promises to them ; and by his insinuations hath prevailed with the
discontented party not to lay down arms." It must l>e admitted
that this circumstance, confirmed by the evidence of Kushworth
.UK I Carter, does not seem to bear out the statement of Sir Charles
Lucas that he took up arms in self-defence. At the same time he
expressly states that the committee of Derby House put a price
upon his head, and till the truth or falsehood of that statement is
ascertained a final judgment on this second plea is hardly possible.
For a detailed account of the siege the reader must be referred to
Mr. G. F. Townshend's Siege of Colcliexter. to Mr. Markham's Life
of Fairfax, and to the anonymous author of The History and Antiqui-
ties of Colchester Castle (Colchester, iStfj). Carter's True Relation
of the Honourable though Unfortunate lL.\f>edition of Kent, Essex and
Colchester, together with the contemporary diurnals and the ex-
tracts in Kushworth, supply a full account of the incidents of the
214 Appendix X
struggle. The pamphlet entitled Colchester's Tears charges Sir
Charles Lucas with cruelty to the inhabitants of the town during
the siege, but it deserves very little credit. However, Clarendon,
in the extract quoted on p. 158, accuses Lucas of considerable harsh-
ness. But Kushworth quotes a letter saying ' the Lords Goring
and Capel carry things very high and peremptorily, but Sir Charles
Lucas more moderate' (1181).
Colchester capitulated on August 27, 1648, and Lisle and Lucas
were shot on August 28 by sentence of a court-martial. By the
terms of the capitulation (quoted in the note to p. 49), the superior
officers had rendered themselves to mercy, so this execution was
not a breach of the terms of the capitulation. Fairfax gives two
reasons for the execution : the first, ' satisfaction of military justice ' ;
the second, ' avenge for the innocent blood they have caused to be
spilt, and the trouble, damage, and mischief they have brought
upon the town, this country, and the kingdom' (Kushworth, vol.
vii, p. i -'43). The first of these reasons evidently refers to the
breach of parole with which Fairfax charged Lucas. If the argu-
ment stated above holds good, this had been superseded by an
engagement to the Parliament, and it would have been justcr to
leave the punishment of the breach of that engagement to the Par-
liament. The second reason given for the sentence, the punishment
for raising a civil war (satisfaction of political justice, as it might
be termed), is obviously a subject which should have been reserved
for the judgment of a political authority like the Parliament rather
than decided by a General, or a council of war. Parliament might
have condemned Lucas, as it afterwards condemned Hamilton
and Capel, and the justice of the sentence could hardly have been
impeached, except by those who are prepared to hold that it is in no
case just to impose the penalty of death on the leaders of a civil
war. With reference to the personal share of Fairfax in this sentence,
it may be pointed out that Clarendon says that ' the manner of taking
the lives of these worthy men was generally imputed to Ireton, who
swayed the General, and was upon all occasions of an unmerciful
and bloody nature ' (Rebellion, xi, 109). In Mercurius 1'raginalictis
for October 3-10, 1648, the following statement is made : ' In
(that) unworthy act it's said his Excellency had no hand, but only
the council of war, by the special instigation of Ireton, Rains-
borough, and Whalley.' An account of the death of Lucas is
given in Mcrcuritis Prat^ninticiis for August 29 to September 5,
1648. It will be seen that the conclusion here adopted differs
from that arrived at in the note to p. 49, in granting that the com-
1 osition might be fairly considered to put an end to the engagement
of Sir Charles to Lord Fairfax.
A paper on The Case of Lucas and Lisle, by Mr. J. II. Round, is
The Battle of Atherton Moor 215
printed in vol. viii of The Transactions of the Royal Historical
Society, new series. It gives the arguments against Fairfax.
XI
LORD NEWCASTLE'S ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLE OF
ATHERTON MOOR
The original of the despatch in which Lord Newcastle announced
his victory lias not survived, but it appears to me to be contained
in the following pamphlet. The pamphlet does not bear on its
title the name of any place, but the device of an Oxford printer
shows it to have been printed at Oxford. No author's name is
attached to it, nor is there any signature ; but it is evidently an
olficial relation, anil the use of the first person (" I sent troops, etc.")
shows it to have been written by the royalist commander-iii-chief.
Its style also rather resembles that of Newcastle's despatch on his
campaign against the Scots, printed in Appendix vii. For these
reasons I insert it here, but as being doubtful, have given it the
list place in the Appendix.
An E.\ press Relation of the Passages and Proceedings of ///s .V<i/r</v's
Artnv, under the Command, of fiis J-'\eellente tlie ]\<nl of .Y< ,v-
castle, against the Rebels under the Command of tlic /..'</
l-'airfa.v and /iis Adhtri'iits
[Printed in the year 1643.]
' We marched from Pom fret towards Bradford, and in our wax-
thither we summoned Sir John Savile, commander of llouley, to
deliver ii|> thai house, and lay down his arms so unjustly taken up.
who returned an uncivil answer, and that he would keep it manure
our forces, whereupon we planted our cannon against tliat hou>e.
and environed it upon Wednesday the Jist of June in the alter
noon, and next morning look it by assault, and in it the said com-
mander -in-chief and all his otlieers and soldiers, about jj;. some
few whereof were slain, the rest taken prisoners; \\here. by the
unseasonableness of the weather, we \\ere enforced to remain till
Friday the ;<>th of June, from whence we marched early towards
Bradford, and when we had marched two miles or thereabouts \\ e
found a great body of men, a greater number of foot than we, and
almost all musketeers, and some twenty troops ot hor>e. and had
possessed a place called Adderton Moor, and taken the most ad-
vantageous places thereof, and lined several hedges with muskt-
216 Appendix XI
teers, and played so fiercely upon us, and that before the whole
body of our foot could be drawn up, and their horse likewise possess-
ing a plain field and a great ditcli betwixt us lined with muske-
teers, and keeping our horse in a ground full of pits, that for the
space of two hours or thereabouts, we were forced to give ground,
though very little ; but when our cannon was well placed, and
our foot once drawn up, within half-an-hour we put their foot on
the right wing of the battle to retire, and pursued them so hotly,
that they presently were put into a disorderly retreat ; whereupon
part of our horse fell upon that wing, and the cannon playing upon
the body of their horse killed many and routed them, together
with our horse charging at that time, so we pursued them, killing
and taking them to Bradford town end, which was more than two
miles, in which chase was slain (as is supposed) about 500 of the
enemies, and about 1400 taken prisoners, amongst which many
officers, together with three field pieces, and all their ammunition
there, which was not much. We had many soldiers hurt, two
colonels of horse slain, Heron and Howard, and some officers hurt,
as Colonel Throckmorton, Colonel Carnaby, and Captain Maison,
all recoverable, and not above twenty common soldiers slain.
' That night we came before Bradford, a strong town, and ill
approaching to it, yet we made our approaches that night. The
next day we had placed our cannon and made places of batteries
very near the town and church, where they had two drakes upon
the top of the steeple, and lined the steeple with woolpacks ; yet
our cannon dismounted their drakes upon the top of the steeple,
and battered the steeple so as none could stay on it, where they
had many musketeers, and so we got both the ends of the town
Ixjfore Sunday night ; and in the night-time Sir Thomas Fairfax,
governor of the town, his lady, Major Gilford, and Sir Henry Fowlis,
escaped out of the town, and upon a moor was forced to charge
with their party a party of our horse, where his lady and his cornet
were taken prisoners, but he and the other two being well horsed
escaped, though pursued very near Leeds, which was above five
miles ; and that morning our men entered the town, took pri-
soners :
1. Colonel Malliver (Mauleverer ?).
2. Sergeant-Major Willshire.
3. Captain Mudd.
4. Captain Rogers.
5. Captain Bland.
6. Captain O'Neal.
7. Captain White.
8. Captain Smith.
The Battle of Atherton Moor 217
9. Captain Dent.
ID. Captain Stanley,
i i. Captain Feurc.
i_'. Lieutenant I'opler.
13. Lieutenant Loveday.
14. Lieutenant Moore,
i 5. Lieutenant Sad.
Sergeant Floyd.
Sergeant Brabant.
William Lowden and Nathaniel Ciolfe, gunners,
with all or most of the common soldiers, which are in nutnlxT .;<>
or thereabouts, besides the enlarging of JIHI prisoners of ours then-,
and taking of arms which are yet uncertain in number.
' That very day, within three hours alter, came a captain of ours,
who among divers other prisoners at Leeds, finding that my Lord
Fairfax and his son were inclined to leave the town (as they did)
attended with three or four troops of horse, jix> dragooners, and
300 foot, broke out of prison, possessed themselves of the maga/ine,
took all the arms, which were 1500 at least, eight barrels of powder,
and 12 pieces of ordnance, with a very great proportion of match
and ball, and so kept the town till I sent forces into it, U-sides
the enlarging of 700 prisoners there. The Lord Fairfax and his
son inarched towards Selby, in which march his ;tx> foot run away
from him ; and his forces left, being discovered by our forces at
the garrison of Cawood were charged by them, and they tied into
the town of Selby. Our forces being too weak for them were
forced to retire; so my Lord, his sou Sir Thomas, Major (iittord.
Sir Henry Fowlis. and Sir Thomas Mauleverer. took a boat and
passed themselves therein ; and swimming their horses over the
river, and as their men were passing over some of them were drowned
with crowding the bo. its, and so they lied, we conceive, to Hull or
to Nottingham, but to which is not certain.
'The same day news was brought us Imm Halifax, that all the
forces were run from thence, and have taken with them all our
prisoners that remained there, and so we are possessed of that
town, as also of Denton I louse, my Lord Fairfax, his liou--e, wherein
there was a small garrison, two drakes, <> men and arms.'
F F
218 Appendix XIT
APPENDIX XII
THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE'S RULES FOR HORSE
RACING
' Being commanded by his Excellency the Lord Marquis of New-
castle to publish the following articles for his new Course, I am
first to inform you, that the work was begun so late, and is so great,
viz. : the ploughing of five miles in length, and a considerable
breadth, with the harrowing of it twice over, and sowing it with
hay seed to sord (?) it, that there will be no firm riding on it before
the last of July, when my Lord intends to give a cup of 5/. ( and
the same he will do on the last of August and September, then
ending the Course for this year. But the next year (if God grant
his Excellency life and health) he means to begin it on the last of
April, continuing it on the last of each moncth till the last of Sep-
tember inclusively, six months in all, giving each moncth a cup
of 5/.
' THE ARTICLES
' i. The horses arc all to meet at Sparton-hill-top between eleven
and twelve, where the riders are to be justly weighed, the weight
ten stone down weight, by the weights (as they call them) of ' Avcr-
du-poyse ' : the horses are to be bridled, sadled, and shod. After
the riders are justly weighed by such a gentleman as shall be domed
to be a just judge, not only of the riders weight, but also to judge
who comes first to the stoup ; another gentleman must be appointed
at the twelve-score-stoup, to judge what horse is rid out of distance,
which is a maine businesse, and a third must be desired to see them
start fair.
' 2. The horses must be led down from Sparton-hill to the start-
ing-place ; and there must be three heats, the first heat to Sparton-
liill, there to rub half an hour, and then the judge is to give them
warning to get up and start ; but if in that lialf-hour they relieve
their horses with anything but fair water, or if they ride out of
distance, or the riders want weight, they must lose the cup ; only
there is allowed two pound for wasting. The second heat is to
end where they begun last, and two gentlemen must be desired to
sec. not onely who comes first to the stoup, but at the twelve score-
stoup who rides out of distance, and who not : and 'twere well to
have a flag at the ending stoup of each heat to be lot down as soon
as the first horse is past the stoup, for the Judges easier discern
who rides within distance and who not : the riders must be weighed
every heat, the relief is to be onely water, the rub but half an hour,
and then the Judge is to bid them mount.
Newcastle's Rules for Horse Racing 219
' 3. There being three heats he that wins the most heats wins
the Cup, so he rides within distance, not otherwise, but that horse
which is foremost the last heat ; this will make them ride for it.
The stakes are ten shillings an horse, and to be put into the hands
of the Judges who are to deliver them to the second horse.
'4. He that wins the Cup saves his own stake, the second horse
shall have all the rest.
' 5. It is to be considered that if any rider whip another rider,
or his horse on the face, or pull back another's bridle, he shall lose
the cup.
1 6. No bystander must ride in with the horses, to face, stop, or
turn them over, or any way to hinder them, but must ride aloof
from them. If any such fault be committed, I must implore the
gentry to help me in the legal punishing of the offenders.
' His Kxcellency saith, that, seeing he makes his Course only
for the pleasure of the gentry, he hopes they will take in good
part, he having no other end in it, except his Lordship's own con-
tentment. But his Excellency adds that he never yet knew any
public thing that was not found fault with, and that everywhere
there be many teachers, for if people did not find fault with every-
thing, they would not be thought wise in anything : but his Lordship
is very confident lie shall find nothing of this humour amongst
those noble persons whom herein he desires to serve. And he
commands me to tell you, that though this be not the Law of the
Modes and Persians, yet he will alter nothing in it. Every man
may put in his horse, mare, or gelding at his pleasure, 'tis the
Liberty of the Subject, and so his that sets up the Course. When
any man doth the like, he may make the Law wh.it he pleases. In
the meantime his Lordship hopes this Course will please you all,
since he has no other end in it.
'His Excellency further commands me to let you know, th.it
his Course or heats continue no longer than his Lordship's good
liking.
' Thus have I obeyed his Excellency's commands,
' Jo. RoU-KSTON.'
jdMay, K>(>J. C.ivrn to me by 1 h n. II. dl. the University Printer.
A. \\oode.'
(Hod. Lib., Wood -v<>.\, 14^.)
INDEX
ACTON Ti'RviL, 76
.Tisop, xxxvi
Aireton Hall, 196
Aldburgh, Richard, 1X9, 191
Alfreton, 19')
Ancaster, 27
Annesley Woodhouse, 69
Antoinc, Mons., 105
Antwerp, city of, 45, 48, 50, 51,
(*), 01, 06, 2U5
Ash, Sir Joseph, 67
Ashenhurst, Col., 190
Ashford, 190
Association, the Eastern, viii,
^9
Astley, Lord, 2 i 2
Atherton Moor, 24, ill, 215,
216
Aylesbury, William, 50
B.\(;SIIAW, Lieut., 32
Hake-well, 197
Hallanl. Lieut. -Col., S
Hamford, Thomas, iSi
Hankaert, Ca|)tain, <<?
Barlaston, 70
Harley, or Harlow, Robert, 11.5
Barlow, 70, S<>
Hartu, Sir Peregrine, 87
Hasset, Elizabeth, first wife of
the Duke of Newcastle, 3,
20, 7.:, 115
Hasset, William, 3, 7.', 115
Hatty. John, 190
HaynitiK, Cecilia, 117
Hc-ard Hall, 76
Heaumont, Major, 86
Hedwick, 203
Bceton, Col., 87
Hellasis, John, 33, 35, 86, 89
Helvoir Castle, 88, u/>, 197
Hennet, Sir Henry, 206
Benoist, Mr., 40
Berkeley Castle, Jii
Berkeley, Lord, 2uj
Berry, James, 27
Berwick, 6, 33
Be verity, 30, 91
Beynham, Mrs., 48
Blackstone I'-dye, 195
IMackwall, 70
Bland, Ca])tain, J 16
Blore, 72, 76
IMount, Mountjoy, Karl of New-
port, 10, 17, 88
Bolsover Castle, 32, 58, 65, 70,
70, 80, 88, 103
Bolton, 87
Bonivant, Captain, 87
Boston, _'9
Bothal, 77
Bowden Hills, 35
Bralant, Sergeant, _ i 7
Bradford, 17, 24 _'>, MAJ. _MO
Bramhall, Bishop, 43
Bramj)ton, 70
Brandcnburgh, IClector of, 54.
Brandlini;, Col., JDO
Bray. Mr., i I 8
Breda, 53
Brooke, Lord Cobham, 155
Brooks, Mr., 155
Index
221
Browne, Sir Richard, 45
Broxtowe, !</>
Bruce, Lord, i 14
Brussels, 45
Bnllingbrook ('astir, XX
Bullingbrook, Karl of, 1 1<>
Burlington, iX
Burton, 2j
Butler, Jaiiu-s, Duke of Orniond,
47, o<>, 115, J<i7
Huxton, 7')
Byron, Sir Richard, X/
CAMMKAY, 4;, 4,S
Cambridge, \\viii, 104
Campbell, Karl of Ai-vle. ; 4
Caraceiia, Mari|iiis ol, (>i , <>j
Carburton, 75
Carcolston, 75, Xo
Carlisle, $$, Xj
Carnaby, Kram is, 4 }
Carnaby, Sir William, r>, 4 }, XX,
_ K>
Cart wri^ht, Sir I lu^h, -'< '<>
Castcl Rodri^o, Marquis of, 4^
('anldon, 7')
Canlton, 7')
Cavendish, Catherine, Baroness
( l^le, mother of the I >ul<e ol
Newcastle. 4, 7.', I i<>
Cavendish. Sir Charles, father
of the 1 Mike of Newcastle, I .
-'. ,. 7-'. H >5, 115
Cavendish. Sir Charles, brother
ol the I Mike ol Newcastle, I 1 ',
4.1. 47. 55 5X, 04 ; character ;
sS, 51). 7 i . 7.}, 77, (>-', 105. 115,
!<>''. 170, 171
Ca\'endish. Charles. Viscount
Manslield. eldest sun of the
iMike of \e\\castle. 4;. 40.
57. 70, XX. IK-. 141
Cavendish, Mr. Charles, j-, SS
Cavendish, KHzabeth, uS
Cavendish, Elizabeth, wife of
Sir William Cavendish. Sec
I lardwick, Kli/abeth.
Cav'elldish, I-'raiites, 117
Ca\'endish, Sir Henry, uncle of
the iMikc of Newcastle, I, I 15
Cavendish, Henry, Karl of OK'^'.
and second Duke of Newcastle,
U. (. '''. /". 7-'. 75. '<-'. ' "">
Cavendish, Margaret, Duchess
of Newcastle, her account of
her life, 15; i7X ; her birth,
i ;'> ; breeding, i 50 ; educa-
tion, I ^7 ; becomes a maid
ol honour, K>I ; residence at
the court at ( >\ford. 04. I'M ;
her marriage, 45, i K>, K>J ;
necessities duriiij,' her exile,
4<> ; visit to Ku^land to
obtain a m.iintenance Irom
her husband's estate, 55 ;X,
K>'> 1711 ; letters to Newcastle.
K-J ; m.innerof life at Antuerp,
171 1 74 ; her description ol
her own character. 174 I7X ;
lett as a pawn at Antwerp,
<>d ; return to Kn.ulaud at the
Kestoi'ation. 07 ; description
ol her appeal'. nice by I'epys.
175 ; her death and epitaph,
XXX
Her writings, x\m \\\
!'<>< in-, tin, I l-\in, h i. \\iii,
i 7< > ; quoted. \ \\ in. \\i\,
/'/j//i'.s. '/-/in.// ()pi>:i'<n-.. \\vi.
i 71 ' ; dedication of it to the
Universities of l'.ni;land,
\\viii, j>)
H' .<il,i's ( '/'.-. xxiv. 17 ;
((noted. I ;7
\\itiitt-'* I'titnti-s hv /".ii.vv'.v
/V>ici/, xxni ; quoted. \\ix.
222
Index
104 ; autobiography of the
Duchess, being Book XI.
of it, 149-178
Plays, xxv
Orations, xxiv
Philosophical Letters, xxvii ;
quoted, 174
Sociable Letters, xxiv, 67
Observations upon Experi-
mental Philosophy., xxvii
Grounds of Natural Philo-
sophy, xxvii
Her reasons for writing, xxix
Her manner of writing, 172 ;
accused of plagiarism and
imposture, xxxvi, 151;
difficulties with her secre-
taries, xxxvii
Cavendish, Mary, i, 118
Cavendish, Sir William, grand-
father of the Duke of New-
castle, i, 1 13, el seq
Cavendish, William, Earl of
Devonshire, 4, 50, 74 ; family
of, 114
Cavendish, William, Duke of
Newcastle, editions of his
Life by the Duchess, v ;
criticisms on it, vi ; his services
during the Civil War, vii-x ;
Clarendon's character of him
x-xii ; Warwick's character of
him, xiv ; his encouragement
of literature, xii-xvii ; his
own plays, xvii, 109 ; his
poems, xvii, xviii, 109 ; his
works on horsemanship, xviii-
xx, 206 ; date of his death,
xxx ; his epitaph on the
Duchess, xxx ; Epistle of
the Duchess to him, prefixed
to his Life, xxxv ; his orders
to the Duchess respecting her
Life of himself, xxxix ; letters
of Charles I and Charles II
to him, xli, xlii ; an incom-
parable master to his servants,
xlvii ; his good management
of his estate, xlviii ; his
descent, I, 113 ; made Knight
of the Bath, 2 ; his travels,
2 ; his first marriage, 3, 20 ;
made Viscount Mansfield, 3 ;
created Earl of Newcastle, 5 ;
appointed Governor to Prince
Charles, 5, 183 his advice
to the Prince, 184, 187 ;
service during the first Scotch
war, 6, 74 ; quarrel with
Lord Holland, 6 ; resigns his
post as Governor to the
Prince, 8 ; his share in the
Army plot, 8 ; his attempt
to obtain possession of Hull
for the King, 8,9, 187 made
governor of Newcastle and
the four Northern Counties,
10 ; made General of all the
King's forces north of the
Trent, 12 ; empowered to
make knights, 13 ; invited
into Yorkshire, 13 ; enters
Yorkshire, 14 ; his Declara-
tions, xli, 14 ; attacks Tad-
caster, 16; sends Sir William
Savile into the West Riding,
17 ; receives the Queen and
conducts her to York, 18, i<> ;
gains Scarborough, 19 ; second
attack on the West Riding,
20; takes Rotherham, 21 ;
takes Sheffield, 22 ; the Cjucen
sent to Oxford with a large
army, 23, 90 ; third attack
on the West Riding, 23 ;
Newcastle takes Howley Hall,
23, 24, 215 ; defeats the Fair-
faxes at Atherton, 25, 215,
216 ; invades Lincolnshire, 20 ;
takes Gainsborough, 28 ; takes
Index
223
Lincoln, 29 ; reasons why he
besieged Hull, 30, 91 ; siege
of Hull, 31 ; created Marquis
of Newcastle, 30, 94 ; inarch
into Derbyshire, 31, 195 198 ;
return to York, 33 ; cam-
paign against the Scots, 33-35,
198-204 ; besieged in York,
36-38 ; his share in the battle
of Marston Moor, 39 41 ;
leaves Kngland, 41-43 ; jour-
ney from Hamburgh to Paris,
44, 45 ; his second marriage,
45, i<>2 ; his necessities during
his exile, 46, 50, 56, 57, 59 ;
sends his sons to Kngland, 46 ;
advises conjunction with tin-
Scots, 47, 53 ; retires to
Antwerp, 50; advises the
King to go to Scotland, 53 ;
buys horses, 44, 47, 52, joX ;
sets up a riding-house, 51, <*>-
<>2 ; entertains the King and
royal family at Antwerp, 03 ;
his return from exile, 05 ;
retires to the country, OS ;
condition of his estates on his
return, (>o ; condition of his
houses, 70, So ; of his parks,
7, 7<) I value of the estates
inherited by him, 72. ~ 3 ; his
losses, 7 >-S i ; particulars of
the rents of his lands. 7; 77 ;
his expenses iu repairing his
est.ite, Si ; account of the
troops raised by him for the
King, S3 SCi ; list of the
garrisons constituted by him.
8(>- 88 ; ollicers appointed by
him, SS, So ; his misfortunes
ami obstructions, 89 ; supplies
sent to the King by him, i>o ;
of his loyalty ami sufferings,
0,2 ; his refusal to join cabals
amongst the Royalists, 94 ;
patents as Marquis and Duke
of Newcastle, 94-97 ; his
friendship with I.aud, 98 ;
his prudence and wisdom, 98 ;
his advice to Mont rose. 99 ;
his advice to King Charles II,
loo ; his blessings, 101 ;
honours conferred upon him.
102 ; his entertainments to
King Charles I, 103 ; his
education, 104 ; natural wit
and understanding, 106 ; his
views about witches, 107 ;
opinion concerning natural
philosophy, 108 ; as a jxx't,
108 ; his natural humour and
disposition, irx> ; his out-
ward shape and behaviour,
i i i ; his discourse, i 1 1 ; his
habit, 112; his diet, I u ;
his recreation ami exercise.
I I J ; his pedigree, 113; notes
of his conversation. i-M-147 ;
on the policy of princes,
121, 122 ; on commerce. 122.
123; on the education of
statesmen, 124 ; on the govern-
ment of the Church, 124 I2'> ;
on taxation, 12'>; on laws.
1 2' i, 127. 132; on sheritis.
1 27 ; on destruction of
timber during the rebellion.
1 27 ; on ap|M>intinent of
olticers. I2<>: on ncir--Mtv of
goxl intelligence. 13-'; on
holidays, 130; on a register
of deeds. 132 ; oil 1 oi lime,
i 33. I 34. KJ< i ; on the pivler-
nieiit of enemies. 134: his
loyaltv. 1 35. 138 ; on the
necessity of the Restoration,
136 ; on employment ol Cath-
olics, 137 ; on fools. 14." ; on
faith. 140; notes and observa-
tions on his lite, bv the
224
Index
Duchess, 142-147 ; his rules
for horse-racing, 218, 219
Letters of the Duke of
Newcastle to Sir Thomas
\Vent\vorth, iSi ; to the
same, when Lord Deputy
of Ireland, 181 ; to Secre-
tary Windebank, 183 ; to
Prince Charles, 184 ; to
the King, 187, 198, 200,
215 (?) ; to the gentlemen
of Yorkshire, 189, 191 ; to
Col. Guilford Slingsby, 192 ;
to the Mayor of Hull, 193 ;
to the town of Manchester,
194 ; to Lord Loftus, 195 ;
to Sir Edward Nicholas,
204-208
Cawood, 16, 17, 20, 87, 217
Chaplain, Mrs., 46
Charles I, King of England, 5,
6 ; makes peace between
Newcastle and Holland, 7 ;
sends Newcastle to Hull, 8 ;
orders Newcastle to march
south, 29 ; orders touching
relief of York, 38 ; New-
castle's loyalty to him, 03 ;
Newcastle's prophecy concern-
ing him, 98 ; entertained by
Newcastle, 103,104 ; his death,
I3<5
Charles II, King of England
Dedication of the Duke's
Life to him, xxxiii ; New-
castle appointed his gover-
nor, 5, 97, 183 ; Newcastle
succeeded by Hertford, 8 ; ex-
tract of letter from Newcastle
to, 44 ; advice of Newcastle
to him, 184 ; at St. Germain,
47 ; takes command of the
fleet, 48 ; at the Hague, 49 ;
treats with the Scots, 53 ;
goes to Scotland, 54 ; bravery
at the battle of Worcester,
54 ; an excellent rider, 62 ;
jests with Newcastle, 63 ;
his restoration, 05, 135 ;
honours conferred by him on
Newcastle, 96, 102, 103
Charlton, Walter, v, xxvii, xxx
Chatsworth, 32, 114, 198
Cheadle, 70
Cheiney, Charles, 116
Cheiney, Lady, 09, 7<>, 110
Chester, Lieut. -Col., 88
Chesterfield, 31. 32, 70, 105, IQ<">
Chewstoke, /'>
Chichester, the Bishop of, 185
Cholmley, Sir Hugh, 211, 38, 42,
87, 127, 192
Chudleigh, Captain. 8
Church Langley, /<">
Clarendon. Sec Hyde
Clavering, Col., 38, 192
Clerkenwell, house of Newcast le-
al, 80, 175
Clifford, Henry, Earl of Cumber-
land, 14, 191
Clifton, Sir Ciervase, 2< >o
Clipstone Park, 71, 75, 70
C.ockcrmouth, 87
Colchester, 49, 2 10 214
Commerce, observations of the
l>ukc of Newcastle on. 122
Controversies, opinion of the
I Mike respecting, i 2 5
Corbridge. 200
C.osin, I>r., 3
Cot ham, 75
Coven t Garden. Lady Newcastle
lodges there, 50
Crawford, Earl of, 4 I
Crawford, General, 37
C.rofts, Lord, 5 1
Cromwell, John, i<><>
Cromwell, Oliver, 27, 31
Index
225
Cromwell, Richard, 207, 208
Crosland, Sir Jordan, 87
DALZIEL, Lord Carnwath, 44
Danish clubs, 12
Darcy, Conyers, 190
Davcnant, Sir William, xii, xvi,
88
Denmark, King of, 12
Dent, Captain, 217
Denton House, 217
Derby, 32, 33
Derby House Committee, 213
Derbyshire, 4, 22, 31, 32, 36 ;
estates of Newcastle in, 76 ;
proceedings of Newcastle's
army in, 195
Devereux, Robert, Earl of Essex,
8
Digby, George, Earl of Bristol,
60
Doncaster, 87
Dorset House, 68
Dray ton, 75
Dronfield, 76
Drury House Committee, 167
Dryden, John, xvi, xvii
Duarte, Mr., 67
Dudley, Sir Gamaliel, 87, io/i,
197, 200
Dunham, 75
Durham, 10, n, 35, 90, 137
EDUCATION, views of the Duke
on, 124
Edwinstowe, 75
Egerton, John, Lord Brackley,
marries Elizabeth Cavendish,
74, 116
Elizabeth, Queen of England,
her severity towards duellists,
156
Elizabeth. Queen of Bohemia.
See Stuart, Elizabeth
Ellis, Clement, 68
Errington, Ralph, 88
Evelyn, Elizabeth, 117
Evelyn, John, remarks on the
Duchess of Newcastle, 175 ;
his description of Hyde Park,
170 ; of Spring Garden, 160
Evelyn, Sir John. 117
Eyrmouth, 87
FAIRFAX, Lady Anne, 26, 216
Fairfax, Ferdinando. Lord, vii,
viii, 15, 16, 21, 24. 36, 91,
199. 214, 217
Fairfax, Sir Thomas, viii, 15,
17, 20, 23, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31,
3^- '95. iA 212-215, 216,
217
Fane, Sir Francis, 87
Fermor, Sir John, 159
Fermor, Mary, 1 59
Feure, Captain, 217
Flawborough, 75
Flushing, 67
Flecknoe, xvii
Fleet wood. General Charles. 208
Floyd, Sergeant, 217
Foster, Sir Richard, 47
Fowlis, Sir Henry, 217
Fretchvile, Lord, 88
Friesland, East, Prince of, 60
Friton, 77
G.MNSBOROIV.H, 2J , jS, 29, 31,
88
Galbraith, Col. S;
Garrisons, list of those con-
stituted by Newcastle. ,sV>
Gazettes. 130
Gell, Sir John. 31
General officers iu the Army,
88
Gernouns, the family of. 113
GitTord. Major. ;>. .'17
Glead thorp. So
G G
226
Index
Glenham, Sir Thomas, 14, 33,
86, 88
Gloucester, Duke of, 63, 207
Gloucestershire, estates of New-
castle in, 76
Goffe, Nathaniel, 217
Goldsmiths Hall, Committee of,
167
Goodrick, Sir John, 189, 190
Goring, General George, after-
wards Lord Goring, 8, 20, 21,
22, 39, 40, 88, 91, 195
Goring, Lord, Earl of Norwich,
213
Gower, Sir Thomas, 189, 190
Graham, James, Earl of Mont-
rose, 35, 90, 98
Granges, the, 75
Gray, Mr., 7
Gray, Elizabeth, Countess of
Kent, 73, 118
Gray, Henry, Earl of Kent, 118
Griffith, Henry, 190
Grindlow, 76
Grindon, 76
Guisborough, 192
Guise, Duke of, 52
HACKER, FRANCIS, 69
Hacker, Rowland, 87
Haggerstone, Col. Thos., 194
Hague, the, 65
Halifax, 17, 26, 87, 217
Hamburgh, 44
Hamilton, Marquis of, 33, 40,
54
Hardwick, Elizabeth, i, 113
Hardwick, John. 1 14
Harpur, Sir John, 31
Harris, Sir Thomas, 117
Hartington 197
Hartlepool, 14, 86
Haselrig, Sir Arthur, 197
Hasting, Henry, Lord Lough-
borough, 19, 32, 206
Hatcher, 197
Hawkesworth, 75
Hawkesworth, Walter, 191
Hay, James, Earl of Carlisle iSj,
Hay, Lucy, Countess of Carlisle,
182
Helmsley Castle, 87
Henderson, Sir John, 17, 87
Henrietta Maria, Queen, 12, iS,
19, 23, 27, 29, 44, 45, 47, 161
Henrietta, Princess, 63
Herbert, William, Earl of Pem-
broke, 73, 118
Heron, Col., 216
Hertford, Earl of. See Sey-
mour
Plessom Moor. Sec Marston
Moor
Hill, Captain, 26
Hilton, 203
Historians, remarks of the
Duchess on, xxxix
Hobbes, Thomas, xii, xiii, xiv,
106, 107
Holidays, opinion of the Duke
of Newcastle, 130
Holland, Earl of. See Rich
Holies, Gilbert, Earl of Clare,
117
Holies, John, Duke of New-
castle, 1 17
Holm Meadow, 75
Hopton, Ingram, 190
Hopton, Lord, 53
I Fornby Castle, 31
Hotham, Sir John, o, 1X7, 103
Hotham, Captain, o, i<>. 14. i'-.
17, 20, 24. 27, i8S
Hovingham, 77
Howard, Col., 14, 216
Howard, Sir Cecil, 2f>8
Howard, James, 119
Howard, Henry, 1 19
Howard. Thomas, Earl of
Arundcl, xliv, 73, 1 19
Index
227
Howard, Thomas, Duke of Nor-
folk, no.
Howard, Thomas, Karl of
Suffolk, 72
Howard, William, Viscount Staf-
ford, xliv
Howlcy House, 23, 24
Hucklow, jfi
Hiiddlcston, Col., 192
Hudson, Michael, 8S
Hull, 8, 9, 26, 27, 29, 30, 31, 89,
91, 188, 193, 199, 217
Humlock, Sir Henry, 196
Hutchinson, Col., 109
Hutton, Richard, 189, 190
Hyde, Kdward, Karl of Claren-
d(ju, mentioned 50 ; quoted
by Newcastle, viii, ix, x, xi,
7, n, 14, 39, 42, 44, 49, 53,
56", 58, ft i, 103, 158, 214
INCJIIAM MKALICS, 75
Ingleby, William, 190
Ingram, Thomas, 189
Ingram, William, 189
JAMKS I., King of Kngland, 2,
3. ii
James II., Kins,' of Kngland (as
Duke of York), 03, (>;. (.9
Jammot, Major, So
Jennyn, Henry, Lord, 8, 47
John of Austria, 1 >on, (HI
Johnson, Baptist, 88
|onas, Mr., i 18
Jonson, Ben, xiv, xv, 2, 4, 103,
105
K.UHIHTON, Major, 87
Key, John, 180, 190
Keynsham, 70
Kidson, Sir Thomas, 115
Kighley, Anne, 1 1 5
Killigrew, Sir Peter, KH>
King, (iem-ral Jamex Lord
I'lythin. 18, 20, 20, 39, 41, 42,
44. . 9 1
Kin^sham Park. 7')
Kinj^sley, 76
Kirby, 75, 79
Kirby, Col., 87
Kirby Woodhouse, <)
LAMUKKT, General, 208
Kambton, Col. Henry, 8<>
Lancashire, 195
Lan^dale, Sir Marmaduke. >o,
34, 44, 189, 191, 20;
Lau^ley, ~(>
Laud, Archbishop, 98
Lawes, Henry, 109
Laws, opinion of the Duke
respecting. I2'>, 127
Lawsuits, opinion of the Duke
concerning, 132
Leeds, 17, 20, 26, 217
Leek, 197
Lcgg, William, 9 ; letter Irom
Hull, 187
Leicestershire, 13, 3'>, u/>
Leigh, Kenlinando, 189, i>/<)
Leighton, John, 1 5-;
Leighton, Klizabeth, i yi
Liddal. Dr., 88
Lincoln, city of, -'<). 87
Lincolnshire, estate of Newcastle
>n. 75
Lincolnshire. garri>on> con--ti
luted by Newcastle in. .\~
1 .isle, Sir Cleorge, 40. 2 14
l.itchurch, 70
I.itleton, 70
Liverpool. 105
Loftus. Viscount. 10;
I.ongstone. 7'>
Lorraine, Duke of. 4;
Loveday. Lieut.. 217
Loving. Mr.. 4'\ 47. 2<.x>
Lowden. William 217
228
Index
Lucas, family of, 155, 159, 163;
house near Colchester plun-
dered, 163
Lucas, Sir Charles, brother of
the Duchess of Newcastle,
sketch of his life, 210-215;
death, 49, 158, 165 ; epitaph
by the Duchess, 158; men-
tioned 36, 40, 49, 88, 91, 92,
137, 158, 202, 203
Lucas, Lady Elizabeth, mother
of the Duchess of Newcastle,
156, 157, 163-165
Lucas, Sir Gervas, 88
Lucas, John, Lord, brother of
the Duchess of Newcastle,
159, 160, 163, 167, 175
Lucas, Margaret. Sec Cavendish,
Margaret, Duchess of New-
castle
Lucas, Sir Thomas, eldest
brother of the Duchess of
Newcastle, 158, 159, 160, 165
Lucas, Sir Thomas, father of
the Duchess of Newcastle, 1 16,
155, 159, 210
MACKWORTH, 76
Mackworth, Sir Francis, 21, 32,
87, 88
Maison, Captain, 216
Mallever, Col., 216
Mallory, Sir John, 87, 189, 190
Manchester, town of, 194
Manchester, Earl of. See Mon-
tagu
Manners, Thomas, Earl of Rut-
land, 114
Mansfield Park, 76
Mansfield, Lord. Sec Cavendish,
Charles and Henry
Mappleton, 76
Marley, Sir John, 11, 86
Marston Moor, battle of, 39-41,
42. 85
Mauleverer, Sir Thomas, 217
Mazine, Captain, 9, 40
Mearing, 75
Mcldrum, Sir John, 31
Melton Mowbray, 196
Metham, Sir Thomas, 187
Meynell Langley, 76
Middleham Castle, 195
Middleton, Col., 210
Middleton, Peter, 189
Millington, Gilbert, 69
Mohun, Major, 63
Molyneux, Col. Roger, 88
Monckton, Francis, 190
Monk, General, 65
Montagu, Edward, Earl of Man-
chester, 31
Montrose, Marquis of. Sec
Graham, James
Moore, Lieut., 217
More, Dr., 181
Morley, Dr., 207
Mounteney, Major, 87
Mudd, Captain, 216
Murray, Anne, 1 18
Murray, Henry, 118
Muschamp, Col., 88
Musgrave, Sir Philip, 87
NEUBURG, Duke of, 54, 55
Nevil, Anne, 160
Nevil, Sir Christopher, 160
Nevil, Francis, 189
Nevil, Gervase, 88
Newark, 17, 23, 29, 31, 87, 196
Newcastle, town of, 9, 10, 11,
12, 14, 33, 86, 90, 95, 199
Newcastle, Duke and Duchess
of. See Cavendish
Newport, Lord. Sec Blount
Northinges, 77
Northumberland, estatesof New-
castle in, 72, 77
Norton. 75
Nottingham, 195, 196, 217
Index
229
Nottingham Castle, 70
Nottinghamshire-. 3, 5, 8, 13,
17, 22, 32, 102, 205 ; estates
of Newcastle in, 75 ; garrisons
constituted by Newcastle in,
OGLE, family of, 1 19
Ogle, Catherine, Baroness, 4, 72,
119
Ogle, Jane, Countess of Shrews-
bury, 4. Sec Talbot
Ogle, Cuthbert, Lord, i, 4, 119
Ogle, Sir William Cavendish,
created Lord Ogle, 3
Ogle, Karl of. Sec Cavendish,
1 lenry
Oldenburg, Duke of, 60
Oliver, Richard, 181
O'Neal, Captain, 216
Orange, Prince of, 45, 53, 55
Orange, Princess of, 45
Orleans, Duchess of, 63
Osborne, Sir Edward, 191
Oxford, convoys sent thither
by Lord Newcastle, 19, 23,
90 ; Queen goes thither, 23 ;
cabals there, 93, 94 ; court
at Oxford, ini ; Duchess of
Newcastle at Oxford, \(i\
P.UiET, WlI.I.IAM, I I<S
Palmes, Francis, 7
Payn, Mr., u>8
Peak Forest. 7<>
Peak, the, i9<>
Pensher I lills, 35
Pepys, Samuel, on the life of
the Duke, v. vi ; on the Duke's
plays, 109 ; on the Duchess,
175
Percy, Mr., 19
Peronne, 45
Piccolomlni. Count, 45
Piercebridgc, skirmish at, 14
Pierre[Kjnt, family of, 1 1<>, 117;
Anne, 117; Khzal>eth, 118;
Evelyn, 117; Frances, 116,
117, 118; Francis, 117, 118;
George, 117, 118; Gervase,
117, 1 1 8 ; Gertrude. 1 17 ;
Grace, 117; Henry, Marquis
of Dorchester, 1 17 ; Sir Henry.
117; Mary, 118; Kol>ert,
Earl of Kingston, 27, 1 17 ;
Robert, 118; William, 1 1'.,
ii7, 13-
Pomfret Castle, 17, 23, 77, 86.
1 8.X. 215
Popler, Lieut., 217
Porter, George, 88
Porter, Endymion, 50, 181
Preston, Col., 197
Pye. Sir Edmund, 159, iU)
Pye, Lady, 159, 162
RABY CASTLE. SO
Rainsborough, Col., 211, 214
Ramsden, John, 189, n^>
Redman, Sir John. 8f>
Regicides, the. estate* con-
liscated, (>y
Registration of land tran>fers
projxised by the Duke. 132
Rich, Henry. Earl of Holland,
7. ISJ
Rich, Rol>ert, Lord. 11;
Ridilal. Sir Thomas, S<>. jm)
Rochdale, 195
Rockley, Robert. 189. K^I
Rogers, Captain. 2H>
Rogers, Mr. Richard. IH>
Rolleston, John, \ p ii. xlm. \lvii.
xlviii
Rotherham, 21, 22
Rotterdam. 44, 48. 40
Rowleston, Philip. nS
RuU. v ns, >o
230
Index
Rupert, Prince, 38, 39, 41, 42,
210
SAD, Lieut., 217
Sandal Castle, 87
Savage, Sir John, 9
Savile, Sir John, 23, 24, 215
Savile, Lord, 24, i<S2, 189, 190
Savile, Sir William, 17, 22, 8T>,
189, 190
Savoy, Duke of, 2
Scarborough, 19, 41, 43, 87
Scot, Major, 40
Scots, the, rebellion of, <> ;
invasion of England by, xliv,
33 ; attack on Newcastle,
33 ; offered battle, 35, besiege
York, 37 ; campaign of the
Marquis against them, 33-38,
198-204
Scrimsher, Col., 201
Scroope, Mr., 87
Seacroft Moor, battle of, 20
Selby, 17, 36, 217
Selden, John, 1 19
Seralvo, Marquis of, 60
Seymour, William, Marquis of
Hertford and Duke of Somer-
set, 8, 50, 118
Shadwell, xvii, ux>, ill
Shaw, John, 22
Shaw, Sir John, 67
Sheffield, 21. 22, 86
Shelford, 87
Sheriffs, expenses of, 127
Sherwood Forest, 3, 71, 1(^4, 205
Shirley, James, xvi, xvii
Sibthorp, 69, 75
Skipton, 87
Skirton, Col., 25
Slingsby, Sir Henry, i'>, 91,
189, 190
Slingsby, Guilford, 192
Smith, Captain, 216
Smith, Mr., 88. 207
Somersetshire, estates of New-
castle in, 76
Sookholm, 75
South Shields, 203
Spring Garden, 160
Stafford, Captain, 198
Staffordshire, estates of New-
castle in, 76
Stamford Bridge, 29, 87
Stanhope, Edward, 190
Stanhope, Philip, 87
Stanley, Mr., 197
Stanley, Captain, 217
Staveley House, 88
St. George, Col., 88
St. John, Oliver, Earl of Bulling-
brook, 1 1 6
St. Loo, Sir William, 72, 114
Stoke, 76
Strickland, Robert, 190, 192
Stroud, 76
Stuart, Arabella, 118; Charles,
Earl of Lennox, 118; Eliza-
beth, Queen of Bohemia, 44 ;
Elizabeth, 118; Esme, Duke
of Lennox, 119; Henry.
Duke of Gloucester, 03, 207 ;
1 lenrietta, Duchess of Orleans,
63
Suckling, Sir John, 8
Sunderland, 35, 2<x>, 201, 203
TAUCASTKK, 14, 15, 10, 17, 20,
&. 7
Talbot. Aletheia, 1 1<; ; Edward,
Earl of Shrewsbury, i i ; ;
Elizabeth, 118 ; George, Earl
of Shrewsbury, 114; Gilbert,
Karl of Shrewsbury, i, 2, 3,
118; Grace, i, 114; Mary,
i, 118
Tankerly, 20
Thornton, W., 190
;, 76
Index
231
Throckmorton, Sir William, 4H,
88, 216
Tickhill Castle, 87
Tide-swell, 76
Tindall, Francis, 191
Tissington, 76
To|>, Mr., 65, 208
Top, Mrs., 46
Tormorton, 76
Tyno, the, 34, 2<x>
Tynmonth Castle, n, 14, 2<x>
UNIVERSITIES, the, xxvii,
xxviii, 104 ; dedication to,
209
VAN DYCK, 70
Vane, Sir George, 86
Vane, Sir Henry, 86
Van Helmont, 108
Van Peire, Col., 87
Villiers, George, Duke of Buck-
ingham, 70, i IT,
WAKKI-IKLO, 17, 20, 21, 22, 26
Waller, Kdmund, 106
Walter, Sir William. 160
Walton Hall, 86
Warsop, 75
Warwick, Sir Philip, \ii, 30,
33. 93
Waterfall, 76
Welbeck, 32, 58, 05, <.<>. 70, 7;,
7<), So, 87, in}, 182
Wellingore. 7;
Welsh, Sir Kohert, 208
Wentworth, George, i8<). 100
Wentworth, Thomas, Karl ot
Stra fiord. 5. (>, 18 t-tS ?
Wentworth. William. Lord, loo.
2i >8
Wetherby. K>
Whalley, lulward, 09, 214
White Captain, 210
Whitecoats, 37, 40, 84
Widdrington, William, Lord,
2<;, 31, 43, 44, 47, 48, ',*,, 8;,
Willis, Sir Richard, 8
Willou^hhy, Lord, 27, 2<>, 31
Willshire, Sergeant-Major, 2i'>
Wincehy, battle of, 31
Windebank, Sir l-'ranris, (>,
I.l
Windham, Col.. 88
Wingfield Manor, ^2, .88
Win Hill, 76
Wiverton House, 87
Wood, Sir Henry, 47
Wood, Major, 208
Wood ho use, 69
Woods cut down during the
rebellion, 7<), 127
Wood thorp, 76
Worcester, battle of, 5;
Worksop, 103
Wortley, Sir Francis, 87
Wort ley Hall, 87
Wot ton, Sir Henry, 2
Wyrton. 87
VARUM BRIDC.I-:, 18, 10
York, city of. King Charles at
York, 10 ; Karl of Newcastle
enters it. 15, 17; Queen's
arrival there, i<) ; Newcastle
appoints a Mavor. 31. 32 ;
siege of. 37 ; assault. 37 ;
siege raised. 38 ; surrender.
80 ; to be fortified. !> ;
Yorkshire gentlemen send an
invitation to Newo.i-.tle. T S ''>;
cleared of the rebrK .'" :
summons NewMstle to re--i--t
theSrot-^. 33 ; estates ot New-
castle in, 77 : garri>(<ns con-
stituted bv Newcastle in. 8'-
87
2 3 2
Index
INDEX OF OBSOLETE WORDS
AND PHRASES
Advantage, 149
Amorous, 162
Rlccr, to, 153
Butts, game of, 63
Chapman, 52
Course, to, 208
Danish club, 12
Effeminate, 151
Ensnarle, 128
Enter, to, 40
Escuyer, 112
Fatigation, 202
Granadoes, 37
Grange, 80
Hurly-burly, 156
Invigilancy, 21
Manage, xlviii, 4^, 51, 53, 60
Meales, 75
Pale, to, 72
Pell-mell, 84
Pickaroon, 85
Picture-drawer. 50
Plunges, 64
Poot, 71
Pot-gun, 177
Potter, to, 144
Romancical, xli
Scholastical, xxxvi
Score, 56, 65
Setting lands, 165
Sharking, 157
Snarl, 153
Stub, to, 81
Substract, to, 78
Tour, 51, 173
Toy, 46
Unconscionable, 98
Use. 77
Use upon use, 77
Virtue, 158
Wharling, 164
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