The Civil War--Flying Sheets of News--Disturbance at
Kingston-on-Thames--Plot against London--Riotous Proceedings at York,
and Conspiracy in Edinburgh--The House of Commons--The Royal Standard
raised at Nottingham--Battle of Edgehill--Prince Rupert--The Lord
Mayor of London--_Mercurius Civicus_--_The Scottish Dove_--_The Flying
Post_--_The Kingdomes Weekly Post_--Cruelties of the Cavaliers--The
'Levellers'--The King's Escape from Oxford--Funeral of the Earl of
Essex--The Great Seal Broken--Fairfax--Cromwell--Sea Fight in the
Channel--The Prince of Wales's Squadron--Mutiny at Norwich--Siege of
Colchester--Execution of Sir Charles Lucas--The King at Carisbrooke
Castle--Execution of the King--Confession of Richard Brandon.
The discontent which had been growing for so many years, and which had
been strengthened and inflamed by the acts of Charles I. and his
advisers in violating the principles of the Constitution, had now
arrived at the point of rebellion. At the commencement of the Civil War
the excitement was increased and sustained by the publication of flying
sheets of news. Although the practice of publishing regular periodical
papers had commenced, numerous fugitive tracts and pamphlets continued
to be printed relating to particular events. Some of these papers were
illustrated with woodcuts evidently executed on the spur of the moment,
while others appear to have been taken from other sources and adapted to
the occasion. An example of this latter kind occurs in a tract of 1642,
which strikingly illustrates the state of the times:--
'_A true Relation of the late Hurleyburly at Kingston upon Thames on
Wednesday the 12th of January caused by Collonell Lundsford and the rest
of his company, and the Towne fearing they would rise up in Rebellion,
one cam speedily to declare it at_ London, _upon which the Traine Band
were raised and caused to watch all night for the safety of the City._'
On the title-page is a woodcut of an officer and a soldier, which,
however, was evidently not executed for this special occasion, the
officer being in the costume of the preceding reign. A facsimile of it
is subjoined. The tract describes the commotion made in Kingston by the
appearance of Colonel Lundsford and three hundred troopers, who, 'about
the middle of the Towne, went in to drink, and continued there part of
that day, swaggering, and swearing blasphemous Oathes (which filled the
Towne with feares) and some amongst the rest, to frighten the Towne,
swore bitter Oathes that they should see bloody times ere long.'
[Illustration: HURLEYBURLEY AT KINGSTON-ON-THAMES, 1642.]
[Illustration: CAPTAIN VAUL, THAT CRUEL TYRANT, 1642.]
A tract of the same date refers to a reported conspiracy of the same
Colonel Lundsford:--'_A terrible plot against London and Westminster
discovered, showing how Colonell Lunsford the Papist, that should have
bin Lieutenant in the Tower, should in a Conspiracy among the Jesuits
and other Papists have blowne up the City of London, placing the pieces
of Ordinance against it. Also how the papists with their forces should
have risen against Westminster, and burnt downe the parliament house.
Likewise how by this Conspiracy the Arch-bishop of_ Canterbury _should
have been transported into France, and how Bishop Wren with many other
Bishops and popish Doctors should have bin conducted with him thither,
where Canterbury should have bin Sainted, and Wren made Cardinall. With
an exact Relation of the chiefe Cause of the Apprentices rising in Armes
to defend the City of London from their treachery, Describing most
succinctly the singular mercy of God towards us in defending this
Kingdome from the manifold Plots of the Papists and their Treacherous
Conspiracies._' On the last page is a woodcut of a Cavalier in a hat and
feathers, entitled 'Captaine Vaul that cruell Tyrant.' As there is no
mention of this person in the pamphlet it was perhaps a well-known
nickname of Colonel Lundsford. I annex a copy of this cut. The same cut
appears in a tract entitled '_Terrible Newes from York_,' detailing
certain riotous proceedings in that city, where it is given as 'Mr.
Holk, chief Agent in the uproar.' Its first appearance, however, is in
an account of a '_Bloody Conspiracy at Edinburgh_;' and, from its
frequent use, this rough woodcut must have been regarded as a good, bold
representation of a truculent soldier, suitable for the times.
While the King and the House of Commons were contending for the upper
hand there was published '_A Perfect Diurnall of the Passages in
Parliament_,' illustrated with a woodcut of the House of Commons, with
Mr. Speaker in the chair. This is used as a heading to several numbers
of the same _Diurnall_, and sundry varieties of it are printed as
headings to other reports of Parliament. This old woodcut has been often
copied, but my examples of illustrated journalism would not be complete
unless I introduced it here.
The printing-presses that are said to have been carried by both armies
during the Civil War must have been used solely for the printing of
Proclamations, General Orders, and suchlike documents. It seems to be an
ascertained fact that Cromwell's soldiers set up a printing-press in
Scotland, and printed a newspaper; but it is not so certain that the
armies of Charles I. and of the Parliament issued printed 'news' from
whatever town they chanced to occupy at the time. It does not follow
that because a tract is entitled _News from Hull_ it was actually
printed at that place. On the contrary, I have found nearly all the
tracts I have examined bear the imprints of London printers. _The News
from the North, The Last printed News from Chichester_, &c., were all
sent up to London, and there printed and published.
[Illustration: THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, 1642.]
In the words of Hume, 'The open signal of discord and civil war
throughout the kingdom' was made at Nottingham on August 22, 1642,
when the King erected his Royal standard and appealed to the loyalty of
his subjects to support his authority by arms. Historians differ as to
the precise day when this formal declaration of hostilities took place.
Clarendon and Hume both fix it on the _25th_ of August, while Rushworth
gives the _22nd_ as the date. The latter view is confirmed by a
contemporary pamphlet, which gives an account of the raising of the
Standard, and is illustrated with a woodcut representing the event. This
pamphlet was written in the interest of the Parliament and against the
King's party; but his Majesty is referred to in the most respectful
language, as is generally the case in the pamphlets of the time. At the
beginning of the struggle frequent hopes were expressed that the King
would consent to be guided by the Parliament, while his Cavalier
adherents were represented as his real enemies. The pamphlet referred to
has the following title:--
'_A true and exact Relation of the manner of his Majesties setting up of
His Standard at_ Nottingham _on Munday the 22 of August, 1642_.
'_First, the forme of the Standard, as it is here figured, and who were
present at the advancing of it._
'_Secondly, the danger of setting up of former standards, and the damage
which ensued thereon._
'_Thirdly, a relation of all the Standards that ever were set up by any
King._
'_Fourthly, the names of those knights who are appointed to be the
King's Standard-bearers, with the forces that are appointed to guard
it._
'_Fifthly, the manner of the Kings comming first to Coventry._
'_Sixthly, the Cavalieres resolution and dangerous threats which they
have uttered, if the King concludes a peace without them, or hearkens
unto his great Councill the Parliament; moreover how they have shared
and divided London amongst themselves already. London, printed for T.
Coles, 1642._'
[Illustration: RAISING THE ROYAL STANDARD AT NOTTINGHAM, 1642.]
The account of this interesting historical event is given in these
words: 'Munday being the 22 of August in the morning, his Majesty left
his forces before Coventry, and with some Lords and others in company
rode to Leicester, where he dined that day at the Abbey House, the
Countesse of Devonshire's house; however, so many printed intelligences
doe falsely, though with much confidence aver (much like their other
relations) that the king was with his Army in the field, at the time of
the battell between them and the Lord Brookes forces, which was not
untill the day following. Presently after dinner the King againe tooke
horse, and with his company rode to Nottingham, where was great
preparation for the setting up of the Standard that day as was formerly
appointed. Not long after the Kings coming to towne, the Standard was
taken out of the Castle, and carried into the field a little on the back
side of the Castle wall. The likenesse of the Standard it is much of the
fashion of the City Streamers used at the Lord Mayor's Show, having
about 20 supporters, and is to be carried after the same way; on the top
of it hangs a bloody flag, the Kings Armes quartered, with a hand
pointing to the Crowne which stands above with this Motto: _Give Caesar
his due_. The names of those Knights Baronets who were appointed to
beare the Standard, viz. The chiefe was Sir _Thomas Brookes_, Sir
_Arthur Hopton_, Sir _Francis Wortley_, and Sir _Robert Darlington_.
'Likewise there was three troop of Horse appointed to waite upon the
Standard, and to beare the same backwards and forwards with about sixe
hundred foot Souldiers. It was conducted to the field in great state,
his Majesty, the Prince, Prince _Robert_ (whom his Majesty hath lately
made a Knight of the Garter), going along with divers other Lords and
Gentlemen of his Majesties traine, beside great company of Horse and
Foot, in all to the number of about two thousand, who came more to see
the manner of the thing than any waie to offer assistance to his
Majesty, as did afterwards evidently appear, for that upon the taking
downe of the Standard, there were not above thirty of the trained bands
that offered to come in to his Majesty, which, because their numbers
were so inconsiderable his Majesty refused to accept of.
'So soon as the Standard was set up, and his Majesty and the other Lords
placed about it, a Herauld at Armes made ready to proclaim a
Proclamation declaring the Ground and Cause of his Majesties setting up
his Standard namely to suppress the pretended Rebellion of the Earle of
Essex in raysing forces against him, to which he required the aid and
assistance of all his loving subjects. But before the Trumpeters could
sound to make Proclamation his Majesty called to view the said
Proclamation; which being given him he privately read the same over to
himselfe, and seeming to dislike some passages therein called for Penne
and Inke, and with his owne hand crossed out and altered the same in
diverse places, (a thing well worthy the noting) and then gave it the
Herauld, who proclaymed the same to the people, though with some
difficulty after his Majesties corrections; after the reading whereof,
the whole multitude threw up their hats, with other suchlike
expressions, _God Save the King_. Not long after the reading of the said
Proclamation, it being towards night, the Standard was taken downe, and
again carried into the castle, with the like state as it was brought
into the field. And the next day it was again set up, and his Majesty
came along with it, and made proclamation as the day before, and the
like also was done on Wednesday, his Majesty being also present. But
since that it hath been set up with lesse ceremony, there being not a
hundred persons as are yet heard of that have offered themselves to his
Majesty since the first setting up of his Standard.
'Since which time his gracious Majesty hath pleased to send some
propositions to both Houses of Parliament; and hath employed the Earle
of Dorset, the Earle of Southampton, and Sir John Culpeper, and Sir
William Uvedall to deliver his Majesties minde to the honourable Houses
of Parliament for a fair Treaty and accommodation of Peace, and that all
differences and mistakes might be ended, and all hostile manner of warre
to cease in our Land and that it might be sent over to Ireland upon
which report the Cavaliers which are about the Country are very
desperate to heare that his Majesty will hearken to an accommodation of
peace, or to apply or comply with his Parliament; telling his Majesty
that it is dishonourable to stoop to his Subjects, and if his Majesty
doth, they will either hang themselves, or kill and murther themselves,
and doth vow private revenge to this Kingdome, if they do now misse of
their hopes and enterprises, for they say they are sure to overcome us
whom they called Roundheads, and call our Souldiers nothing else but a
company of Shrove-Tuesday boyes, and idle headed prentices, who run away
from their Masters under pretence of having this opportunity to get
liberty from their hard service and cruelty. It is truly reported that
the Cavaliers are all desperately bent against the City of London, and
the inhabitants; they have already within themselves shared and divided
it; some have allotted to themselves Gracious Street, others Lumbard
Street, then others have shared Cheapside, and Pauls Church-yard, others
do determine to seize upon the rich Aldermens houses and Persons, others
to whom they owe or are indebted to by bond, or bill, or book, doe
resolve when they come into the City to seize upon those persons first,
to whom they are indebted, and to cut their throats, and then to seize
upon Usurer or others, and to cut his throat for that money, so say
they, we shall be both at once out of debt and have money to boot; these
are the resolutions of the Cavaliers who doth but looke for such an
advantage, so full of cruelty and malice they are, which God in his
infinite and blessed mercy protect both our King and Kingdome from; and
that their own swords may returne into their own bosoms that wish and
long for such a day.'
Then follows a notification from both Houses of Parliament that none
shall proclaim the setting up of the King's Standard; and whoever shall
suffer loss or damage through the Cavaliers shall receive reparation.
According to Clarendon, the Royal Standard was set up under the most
ill-omened and depressing circumstances: 'There was not one regiment of
foot yet brought hither, so that the train-bands which the sheriff had
drawn together were all the strength the King had for his person and
the guard of the Standard. There appeared no conflux of men in obedience
to the proclamation; the arms and ammunition were not yet come from
York, and a general sadness covered the whole town. The Standard was
blown down the same night it had been set up, by a very strong and
unruly wind, and could not be fixed again in a day or two, till the
tempest was allayed. This was the melancholy state of the King's affairs
when the Standard was set up.'
[Illustration: PRINCE RUPERT, GENERAL OF THE KING'S HORSE, 1643.]
Soon after the King had unfurled his Standard at Nottingham the battle
of Edgehill was fought, and an illustrated tract relates how the
inhabitants of Kenton, a village near the battle-field, were disturbed
at night by strange noises and the appearance of apparitions after the
battle. The name of Prince Rupert begins to appear in the narratives of
events, and his portrait frequently occurs in the illustrated sheets of
this period. This dashing and impetuous Cavalier, whose rash courage
excited the admiration of the Royalists, was regarded by the Roundheads
as a cruel and bloodthirsty enemy, and he was often denounced by the
Puritan preachers. In 1643 there was a pamphlet published called '_The
Bloody Prince; or, a Declaration of the Most Cruell Practises of Prince
Rupert and the rest of the Cavaliers in fighting against God and the
true Ministers of his Church_.' Facing the title is a woodcut
representing Prince Rupert on his charger, with the towns of Birmingham
and Daventry in the background, both of which places were the scenes of
conflict during the war, the former having been taken, partially burnt,
and a heavy fine inflicted on the inhabitants by Prince Rupert.
The City of London having taken the side of the Parliament, was
naturally inclined to honour its chief magistrate when he was found to
be an active and energetic promoter of its views. Isaac Pennington was
Lord Mayor in 1643, and his portrait was published in a laudatory
pamphlet, entitled '_A True Declaration, and just Commendation of the
great and incomparable care of the Right Honourable Isaac Pennington_.'
His Lordship is styled the Atlas of the city, bearing the weight and
management of all civil affairs on his shoulders, and he is much
commended for his great care in superintending the building of the
fortifications round London under the direction of the Parliament. 'And
herein,' says the writer, 'your honour hath shewed yourselfe an
excellent Magistrate complying with the Parliament in all matters that
concerne the publicke administration of the Commonweale; so that you
have lookt upon the present state of this Citie and Religion with the
cleare eye of justice; you have heard of the great pressures which the
country hath endured by the cruelty of the Cavaliers; you have to the
discouragement of malignants on the shoulders of fortitude, bore and
suffered their false aspersions.... Your Honour hath in your present
Magistracie walked uprightly, having clean and pure hands; nay, strong
hands; for your Honour hath been the chiefest raiser and promoter of
the workes and fortifications round about the Citie of London: you saw
the times were dangerous, and that the King's Cavaliers gaped after
nothing more than to get London, and make it a prey to the supplying of
their necessities.' I have copied the portrait of the man who was thus
distinguished by his fellow-citizens, not merely as an example of
illustrated news, but as showing what a Lord Mayor of London looked like
in Charles I.'s time.
[Illustration: ISAAC PENNINGTON, LORD MAYOR OF LONDON, 1643.]
It was in the City of London, and during the second year of the Civil
War, that the first illustrated newspaper came into existence. _The
Weekly News_ had attempted on only one occasion to illustrate the news
of the day, but the _Mercurius Civicus_ frequently gave illustrations,
and it is therefore entitled to be ranked as the first illustrated
newspaper. It is true that most of the engravings it contains are
portraits, and sometimes the same woodcut is used to represent more than
one person. Besides portraits of the King and Queen, there are portraits
of the chief generals and commanders engaged in the war. There are
Prince Rupert, the Lord General, Sir Thomas Fairfax, the Marquis of
Huntley, Sir Edward Deering, General Lesley, Lord Inchiquin, Lord Digby,
Sir W. Waller, the Earl of Warwick, and others. '_The Mercurius Civicus,
London's Intelligencer, or Truth impartially related from thence to the
whole kingdom, to prevent misinformation, from Thursday July 13 to
Thursday July 20, 1643_,' is the full title of No. 8; and it is curious
to notice how nearly a portion of the title--_London's
Intelligencer_--corresponds to the _London News_. It was a peculiar
feature of the early newspapers that they were announced as being
published 'to prevent misinformation,' or for the 'correction of false
reports'--not so much for the diffusion of truth as for the correction
of falsehood.
[Illustration: CHARLES I. AND HIS QUEEN, FROM 'MERCURIUS CIVICUS,'
1643.]
On the front page of Number 8 of the _Mercurius Civicus_ are small
portraits of Charles I. and his Queen, engraved on wood. Over the
woodcut is a sort of table of contents, thus:--'The King and Queen
conjoyned, the Kentish news related, our Forces are united, A publique
Fast appointed.' On the preceding page is given a facsimile of the cut
of the King and Queen.
[Illustration: WEAPON CALLED A ROUNDHEAD, FROM 'MERCURIUS CIVICUS,'
1643.]
Similar portraits occur in other numbers, as well as several ornamental
letters; but there is in Number 11 a very interesting illustration of
the news of the hour. It is a woodcut of a weapon said to be intended
for use against the Roundheads, and the following account is given of
it:--'In the Danish Ship lately taken by the Earle of Warwicke, near
Newcastle, were found Armes compleat for 5000 foot and for 500 horse,
500 barrels of Gunpowder, Great store of Match and Lead, beside a
thousand of those weapons which the Papists call Round-heads, for that
with them they intended to bring the Round-heads into subjection. Many
such weapons were long since found in divers Papists' houses in
Lancashire; it is a weapon with an ovall or round top, stuck full of
iron spikes. The forme whereof for better satisfaction is here set
downe.' Then follows a representation of the weapon, of which a
facsimile is given on the opposite page. The same cut is reprinted in
other numbers.
[Illustration: PORTRAIT OF PRINCE RUPERT, FROM 'MERCURIUS CIVICUS,'
1644.]
In another number it is related that 'the Manchestrians have lately
taken from severall Papists in that County many desperate weapons which
they call Round-heads.' No. 22 has a portrait of a Cavalier in hat and
feather, intended probably for Prince Maurice, as there is in the body
of the number an allusion to a report of his death. In No. 42 there is a
portrait of Prince Rupert and the following summary on the
title-page:--'Prince Rupert's forces routed near Stratford-on-Avon.
Generall King's Army dispersed by the Scots. Himselfe wounded and fled
to Yorke. Banbury Castle besieged by Colonell Cromwell.' I give a copy
of Prince Rupert's portrait, which is made to do duty for the Marquis of
Newcastle in another number. This practice of making the same woodcut
pass for the portraits of different individuals savours somewhat of
impudence on the part of the editor, and shows a cool reliance on the
good nature or the obtuseness of his readers.
[Illustration: THE OXFORD JUNTA IN COUNCIL, FROM 'MERCURIUS CIVICUS,'
1644.]
In the number of the _Mercurius Civicus_ for April 11, 1644, there is a
curious woodcut representing the 'Oxford Junta in Council,' with the
following paragraph referring to it:--'The news from his Excellencies
generall Roundezvous at Ailsbury on Good-Fryday next, will no doubt
cause the Oxonian Papists to whip themselves before the time, and to
make the Oxford Junto to recall their late votes.' The lady and
gentleman in the balcony were probably intended for the King and Queen.
There is more variety in this number of _Mercurius Civicus_ than in any
I have seen. In the war news there is the taking of Waltam House, in
Hampshire; the taking of numerous men and horses at Christ-church, in
Dorsetshire; then comes a paragraph stating that 'On Munday last, April
8, there were ten men and two women executed at Tyburne for the severall
offences for which they were condemned the last weeke at the Sessions in
the Old Bayley.' Mention is made of a fight between the Scots Army and
the Marquis of Newcastle's forces near Hilton; the gathering of the
King's forces in the neighbourhood of Marlborough, and an announcement
that the Parliament intend to draw all their forces together, and, if
possible, by fighting a decisive action 'to put a speedy end to these
miserable distractions.' The trial of Archbishop Laud was at this time
going on, and reference is made to his appearance before the House of
Peers. Two Welshmen were taken into custody for talking in Welsh, while
they were crossing the river from Westminster to Southwark, about firing
the city in several places, they not knowing that the waterman
understood their language. It is stated that a solemn day of
thanksgiving had been observed in London for the victory obtained over
Sir Ralph Hopton's forces, and an ordinance was read in the churches
exhorting the citizens to contribute all their strength to bring the
contest to a final issue. There is also some account of recent fires in
the city, which are attributed to the treachery of Cavaliers and
Malignants. 'But,' says the writer, 'which way soever these sad
accidents are brought to passe, they may afford the whole City this
caution: that if the firing of some few houses be so dreadful and
fearfull, as I am sure this appeared to those that beheld them,
notwithstanding they had all means convenient to quench them, and the
multitude being industrious to set their hands to the worke: O how
terrible would it be to see your houses set on fire by the enemy, and
the cruell souldiers, instead of bringing buckets of water, should stand
with their drawne swords threatening the death of those that should
offer to quench the flame? Poore Ireland can give ample testimony of
this.' From Yorkshire there is news that Fairfax had taken Cawood
Castle; from Banbury that the Royalist garrison was withdrawn from that
place, and 'that the Carriers of Banbury and Southam were robbed the
last weeke neere Tossiter in Northamptonshire by divers of the Cavaliers
Forces.' In the number for April 25, 1644, there is a figure of the King
armed with a sword, and with this inscription:--'Fire and sword again
menaced by his Majesty.' During the first years of the Civil War the
newspapers contained many portraits of the King, some of which were
carefully engraved on copper.
It is noticeable that the _Mercurius Civicus_ and other papers
published during the Civil War were in the habit of including on their
title-pages a summary of the contents of the number. Sometimes it was
put in the form of rhyme, as--
'Tewkesbury is taken
Yorke walls are well shaken.'
[Illustration: HEADING TO THE 'SCOTTISH DOVE,' 1644.]
The _Scottish Dove_ frequently indulged in these rhyming summaries. On
the title-page of Number 39 for July 13, 1644, the following lines are
printed:--
'Rupert and Newcastle wholly Routed
Rupert and Newcastle's jarres undoubted;
Newcastle fled to Sea, Rupert to the King,
Give God the Glory heavenly praises sing.
A day of thankes the parliament hath set,
Lord Gray with some of Hasting's troops hath met.
From Oswestree Middleton the siege did raise
And Barnstaples defence, doth Essex praise;
The Queen Pendennis Castle liketh best.
The King uncertain where to take his rest.'
The _Scottish Dove_ was a small quarto numbered and paged consecutively
like the _Mercurius Civicus_. On the front page of every number was
printed a woodcut of a dove bearing an olive-branch in its mouth, and at
the side of the woodcut was usually printed the rhyming summary. I annex
a facsimile of this heading.
Many of the journals of this period showed their hankering after
illustrations by occasionally indulging in an initial letter, if they
could do nothing more. The animosities of party often caused them to
forget their original purpose of spreading true intelligence, and they
were quite as ready to apply the lash to each other as to chastise
public wrongdoers or 'correct false reports.' At this time first
appeared the familiar newspaper heading of the man on horseback blowing
a horn. It was on the front page of the _Flying Post_, the first number
of which was published on May 10, 1644. The full title was '_The Flying
Post, conveying Weekly Packets to all Forraigne Nations, of the
Proceedings of both Houses of Parliament and the Armies in Great
Brittain_,' and it was 'published for the cleere satisfaction of all
Forraigners and others who desire Certain, and Weekly Information.' The
introduction is as follows:--
'Gentlemen,--The too many errours committed of late time, by the
irregularitie of the Presse (which since by the wisdome of the
Parliament, is in a great measure suppressed), which did run Weekly in
severall channels to the greatest part of Europe in great dishonour to
our English Nation; Have enforced this my Flying Post never to make
stay, till it had intimated the same unto you, and fully vindicated this
my Native Kingdome, by publishing a certain Weekly Intelligence of all
Proceedings of our honourable Parliament and unhappy wars of this
Kingdome; wherein (though a well wisher to his Excellencie the Earle of
Essex, and the Proceedings of Parliament) I shall write with the
greatest indifference, truth, and modestie, as shall satisfie the
impartiallest that reades me; attributing to the Enemy no otherwise than
Truth will warrant it, be it to their honour or shame according to
their demerit. Therefore give me leave to beg your credence beyond Sea
and elsewhere, as you find me.'
The _Flying Post_ gives intelligence from York, then besieged by the
Scots; from Hull, Newark, and Mansfield; some notes of the proceedings
in Parliament, respecting which the journalist says cautiously:--'As for
our proceedings in Parliament, I shall be very cautious and tender in
divulging them.' It was 'Published according to order,' and printed at
London for Bernard Alsop, 1644.
[Illustration: HEADING TO THE 'KINGDOMES WEEKLY POST,' 1644.]
The _Klngdomes Weekly Post_ had the same heading, which is here copied.
In a tract entitled '_Strange true and lamentable news from Exeter and
other parts of the Western Countreys_' there is a woodcut of a woman on
her knees praying for mercy. The pamphlet relates the cruelties
inflicted by the Cavaliers on the inhabitants of Exeter, Bristol, and
other towns. Prince Maurice is charged with breaking the articles of
agreement made with the city of Exeter, and both he and Prince Rupert
are likened to 'Tigers or Savage Beares.' It is stated that in the city
of Exeter 'the rude Souldiers would not forbeare upon the least
discontent given to them to draw their Rapiers upon the Citizens, and
wound them, but especially when they are in their cups, they swagger,
roare, sweare, and domineere, plundering, pillaging, or doing any other
kind of wrong; to break shops and houses they count as nothing, taking
away Boots, Shoes, Stockings, Hats, or any other commodities they can
lay their hands on, and no Justice dares to resist them, and by this
means the City is in such a miserable condition that they are even
terrified to the death.' At Cirencester, having entered the town by
force, they slew all the men who opposed them, took the unresisting
inhabitants prisoners, and pillaged the town. At Bristol 'They went into
some Cellars, where was plenty of wine and beere, drank what their
gormandising guts would hold, and let the rest run about the house, with
many other antique tricks that they used, which I cannot omit to speak
of; moreover, they breake the Covenant which was made in every respect
the very first hour that they entered the city, and fell to plundering,
pillaging, robbing, stealing, cutting and slashing, as if they had never
been brought up to any other practice.'
[Illustration: STRANGE NEWS FROM EXETER, 1643.]
In an account of the defence of Plymouth against the Royalists there is
a very elaborate map showing the fortifications of the town, 'with the
workes and approaches of the enemy at the last siege.' The account of
the siege is very long, but the following passage may be quoted:--'One
remarkable passage of God's providence to us we must with all
thankfulnesse remember and acknowledge, that after the Towne had been a
long time strictly beseiged and no fresh victuall either flesh or fish
could be had, whereby the poore people were grievously punished, there
came in an infinite multitude of Pilchards into the Harbour, within the
Barbican, which the people took up with great ease in baskets, which did
not only refresh them for the present, but a great deal more were taken,
preserved, and salted; whereby the poore got much money; such a passage
hath not happened before.
'We cannot forget the humanity of the good women of Plymouth, and their
courage in bringing out strong waters, and all sorts of provisions in
the midst of all our skirmishes for refreshing of our souldiers, though
many shot through the cloathes.'
I have already made the remark that the military atrocities of recent
times were equalled, if not exceeded, during the Civil War in England
and Ireland. In a tract of 1644, containing various items of news, the
following woodcut is given as an illustration of recent events. The same
woodcut is found in another tract entitled '_Terrible and bloody Newes
from the disloyall Army in the North_:'--'The proceedings of the Scots
and Irish appears more visible and inhumane than formerly; their actions
are tyrannical, their ways most insufferable, and executeth nothing but
blood thirstinesse and cruelty tending only to utter ruin and
desolation; they have burned down divers stately buildings in these
parts, executed some of my Lord Wharton's tenants, and threatens others,
which causeth the Country to rise and joyn with Lieu. Gen. Cromwell,
insomuch that there will be a sudden engagement.'
The sect called the 'Levellers' is thus alluded to in the same
tract:--'Colonel Martin's approach with his Levellers in these parts
hath alarmed the Country and put themselves into a posture to receive
them, and for preservation of their ancient rights and liberties against
their new design of levelling, who by their strange, politick, and
subtill delusions have wrought into the hearts of divers people to
ingage with them, especially among those who are of a desperate fortune,
and mean condition, the basest and vilest of men resorting to them. They
rob and plunder exceedingly wheresoever they come, saying they will
levell all sorts of people, even from the highest to the lowest, and
that he that hath the most shall be equall with him that hath the
least.'
[Illustration: CRUELTIES OF THE CAVALIERS, 1644.]
In a pamphlet relating to the events of Charles I.'s reign there are
some of the etchings previously noticed, together with nine others
illustrating the history of the same period. They are:--1. The Court of
High Commission and Star Chamber. 2. The Execution on Tower Hill of Sir
Alexander Carew, Sir John Hotham, Captain Hotham, and the Archbishop of
Canterbury. 3. The King's Escape from Oxford. 4. The Execution of the
Duke of Hamilton, Earl of Cambridge, Earl of Holland, and Arthur Lord
Capel. 5. The Coronation of Charles II. in Scotland, 1650. 6. A Meeting
of Cavaliers. 7. A Seapiece illustrating Charles II.'s Escape from
England after the Battle of Worcester. 8. Reading the Act of General
Pardon and Oblivion, 1651. 9. The House of Commons in Session. The full
title of the pamphlet is as follows:--'_A Brief Review of the most
material Parliamentary Proceedings of this present Parliament, and their
Armies, in their civil and Martial Affairs, which Parliament began the
third of November, 1640, and the remarkable Transactions are continued
untill the Act of Oblivion February 24, 1652. Published as a Breviary,
leading all along successively, as they fell out in their several years.
So that if any man will be informed of any remarkable passage, he may
turne to the year and so see in some measure in what Moneth thereof it
was accomplished. And for information of such as are altogether ignorant
of the rise and progress of these times, which things are brought to
pass that former ages have not heard of and after ages will admire. A
work worthy to be kept in Record, and communicated to Posterity. London:
Printed for Tho. Jenner at the South Entrance of the Royal Exchange._'
From the above I have copied the etching of the escape of Charles I.
from Oxford.
[Illustration: ESCAPE OF CHARLES I. FROM OXFORD, 1646.]
It is stated by Hume that when the King escaped from Oxford he was
accompanied by two persons only--Dr. Hudson and Mr. Ashburnham--and that
he rode before a portmanteau and called himself Ashburnham's servant.
The engraving scarcely corresponds with this account; but the scene
represented is evidently outside the city of Oxford, and other persons
may then have joined the King's party.
The city of Oxford surrendered to the Parliament on June 24, 1646, the
King having signed a warrant for the surrender fourteen days previously.
This event is recorded in a pamphlet entitled '_Good Newes from Oxford
of the Treaty for the Surrender thereof, and how they are packing up to
march away on Thursday next, June 18, 1646_.' The 'march away,' however,
was not accomplished till the 24th. Amongst those who left the place
were Prince Rupert and Prince Maurice, and the King's second son, James,
the young Duke of York. The illustration to this pamphlet has no
relation to the event, and was used on other occasions.
The funeral of the Earl of Essex, the Parliamentary General, who died in
1646, was made the occasion of a great display of pomp and ceremonial
magnificence, which was duly chronicled and illustrated by the
journalists of the time. '_The true manner and forme of the proceeding
to the Funerall of Devereux, Earl of Essex_,' contains, besides a
copperplate portrait of the Earl, numerous woodcuts of banners, and the
funeral canopy. Several illustrated broadsides relating to this event
were also published. In looking over the old newspapers we are
frequently reminded of the truth of the saying that 'history repeats
itself.' The Duke of Wellington's funeral in 1852 was a repetition, on a
much more splendid scale, of the funeral of the Earl of Essex in 1646,
with such differences as arose from the taste and circumstances of the
time. Portraits of the Earl of Essex are of frequent occurrence in the
pamphlets of this period.
In the pamphlet containing the escape of the King from Oxford there is
an etching of the burning of the Book of Sports on the site of Cheapside
Cross, which is thus described:--'10 of May the Booke of Sportes upon
the Lords Day was burned by the Hangman in the place where the Crosse
stoode and at Exchange.' There is also in the same pamphlet a
representation of breaking the Great Seal:--'The Great Seale broken
before the Lords and Commons, on Tuesday, the 11 of August, 1646.' Some
authorities say the Great Seal was not broken till January, 1649, new
style.
[Illustration: THE GREAT SEAL BROKEN, 1646.]
Sir Thomas Fairfax succeeded the Earl of Essex as commander of the
Parliamentary army, and had Oliver Cromwell for his Lieutenant-General.
Though a Presbyterian, he suffered himself to become the tool of the
Independent party, and followed the councils of Cromwell until the Army
had become master both of the Parliament and of the kingdom. All that
related to a person of so much importance must have had uncommon
interest for the popular mind, and accordingly we find Sir Thomas
Fairfax and his military council form the subject of an engraving in a
pamphlet of 1647. It is entitled '_The manner of His Excellency Sir
Thomas Fairfax and the officers of his Army sitting in Council_.' In
this engraving it will be seen that Fairfax, though farthest removed
from the spectator, is made the largest figure in the picture,
apparently for the purpose of giving him proper importance. Note also
the huge pens, and the mysterious way in which the foreground figures
appear to grow _out_ of the benches instead of sitting _on_ them.
[Illustration: SIR THOMAS FAIRFAX AND HIS MILITARY COUNCIL, 1647.]
Though Cromwell was at this time the real director of the army, and ere
long became its acknowledged head, I have met with no representation of
him in the illustrated news of the period. The art of 'interviewing' had
not then been developed, and the 'Special Artist' did not exist. The
most enterprising correspondent would probably have hesitated to intrude
upon that stern and resolute leader of a revolutionary army, if he had
no better excuse than to describe how he looked and what he said. Fancy
the Special Artist of the _Mercurius Civicus_, for instance, sending in
his card to Oliver Cromwell with a polite request that the General would
give him five minutes of his valuable time for the purpose of making a
sketch for the next number of his journal! And fancy how the uncomely
countenance of the _ci-devant_ brewer would redden at the request, and
how, probably, the unlucky artist would be consigned to the custody of
the sentinel at the door!
There is not much said about naval matters in the newspaper chronicles
of the Civil War. The earliest account of a sea-fight that I have met
with occurs in a pamphlet published in 1647. It is illustrated with a
woodcut representing ships of war in action--which woodcut, by-the-by,
afterwards appears in other pamphlets. The narrative is in the form of a
letter, dated at sea, off Dover, May 4th, 1647; and, as the pamphlet is
dated May 10th, we have another example of the extreme eagerness of the
news-writers to supply the public with early intelligence. The
combatants were not at war, and the fight appears to have arisen out of
a mere question of naval etiquette. The following account is given of
the transaction:--
'A full Relation of a late Sea-Fight, betwixt the Parliament Ships and
the Queene of Sweathlands, upon the Coast of England, neere Portsmouth,
May 1.
'Sir,
'On the 2 of this instant moneth, being the Lords day, our Commander in
chiefe of the Sea Forces, received a packet from a small Frigat, that
came from the Rear-Admirall who had been in Fight the day before with
five of the Queen of Swethlands ships, which they conveyed, being all
laden with salt from Tubey in Portingale.
'The reason of the fight was, the Swedish ships wore flags, viz.,
Admirall, Vice-Admirall, and Rear-Admirall, which they refused to take
in, or to low their top-sales (although commanded by Cap. Owen, Capt. of
the Parliaments Reare-Admiral so to do) whereupon the said Capt. Owen
gave them a broadside, insomuch that divers shots past betweene them,
and great execution done upon the Switzers, scouring their upper decks
with small shot severall times. Captain Owen lost not above 8 men,
besides some few wounded, the fight continued sixe hours, til night
began to aproach, where the Swedish Fleet tooke their opportunity, and
got away. But so soon as Vice-Admirall Batten[1] heard of it, he set
saile with the St. Andrew, Garland, Convertine, and Mary-Rose, and stood
over for the coast of France in the night; and in the morning about 8 of
the clock, being the 3 of May near Bulloign, he came up with the Admiral
of the Swedes ship whose names was Martin Tysin, the ship was called the
Leopard and had 32 guns; the Vice-Admiral Daniel Johnson, a lusty stout
ship, called the Angel Raphael, and had 24 guns; the Rear-Admiral the
Neptune, Moris Cook Captain, with 18 guns; the other two ships of 22
guns apiece, one being called the Anne-Free, the other the Neptune.
'The Captaines of all these ships, hee commanded aboard, and asked them
what they had done with his Rear-Admiral; they at first denied that they
saw him, but he pressing it so hard upon them, at length confessed, that
they had been in fight with him, and that the reason was, because they
would not take in their flags, being so commanded by their Queen, and
had instructions to that purpose, which he caused them to send for, and
took copies of them, which appeared to be true in a high manner.
'And they further told our Commander Vice-Admiral Batten, that they
would rather die in honour, than to go home and be hanged, for
disobeying their commissions; a brave resolution, and I could wish it
were imprinted in the hearts of all our commanders; they further told
him, that if these flaggs were then abroad, they would die before they
made one shot at him, though he shot never so many at them, yet would
not take them in, and indeed were very respective to him. But they did
much blame the Rear-Admiral, for that all the shot he made was at their
Vice-Admiral and Rear-Admiral, and not at their Admiral, whom he ought
first to have commanded, the others being subordinate to his commands;
and although he was 4 or 5 hours by the Admirals side never shot gun at
him, but sent his Boat 3 times aboard. Our Vice-Admiral demanded of
them, where the Rear-Admiral left them, they told him off Beachey which
to him did seem strange, that he should begin a quarrell and not follow
them, till he came neer where the Vice-Admiral was, having sent a Frigot
to him, to give him intelligence, and might undoubtedly expect his
relief.
'All Munday was spent in taking of Examinations, and Copies of
Commissions; the Swedish Commanders being detained aboard by our
Vice-Admiral as prisoners, but used with great civilitie.
'At length a Councell of Warre was called by our Commander in chiefe
with his Captaines, the result whereof was, that the Swedes
Vice-Admiral, who had been the man which was most active was with his
ship to be carried into the Downes, till the pleasure of the Parliament
be further known which was done accordingly, and the next day we arrived
in the Downes, being the 4. instant; the rest of the Swedes in regard of
their shortness of Victuall, and having charge of the Convoy, were left
to their own dispose, and this was performed without shooting so much as
a Musket; but truly, if the Queene of Swethland leave not out that
peremptory command in her instructions, not to strike to any of our
Commanders, enjoyned to keep the Sovereignty of the Seas, and to expect
homage from all, even to sinking, or burning, this must in time breed
ill-bloud between the two Kingdomes, which might be wisht might be
prevented, by a letter from our Parliament to the Queen of Swethland.
Thus have I given you a perfect Relation of the whole proceedings.
Sir, I have not else at present, but to let you know, I am your most
humble servant and kinsman, 'R. B.
[Illustration: NAVAL BATTLE, 1647.]
'Dated at Sea off Dover the 4. of May 1647.'
Another piece of illustrated news bearing upon naval affairs is
entitled, '_News from the Royall Navie, Colchester, and Portsmouth,
declaring the proceedings and intentions of the Prince of Wales, &c._'
[Illustration: THE PRINCE OF WALES'S SQUADRON, 1648.]
'We have received intelligence from the _Brill_ in Holland, that his
Highness the Prince of Wales since his arrival there hath embarked
himself in a great Vessell for England, the Earl of Newcastle, the Lord
Gerhard, the Lord Culpepper, and divers others Lords and Gentlemen,
being now floating upon the Neptune Seas towards the North of England,
accompanying of his Royall person; we hear that they intend to land
about Berwick, or else on the South side of the Holy-Island, and to
march in the Van of the English Army. It is likewise said that divers
Scottish Lords hath been with his Highnesse, and have treated with his
Councell declaring the grounds and reasons of their engagement with
England, and their resolution to redeem their dread Sovereign from
imprisonment, to re-invest His Royall Person, and to make both him and
His Posterity happy, and so Peace and Unity may flourish throughout all
His Majesties Realms and Dominions. Severall urgent invitations were
also presented to his Highness for his speedy and personal appearance in
the North of England. The like to the Duke of York for his hastening
with the Royal Navie towards the Downs, which unexpectedly is now come
to pass; for we hear that the Prince with a great number of Royalists
are sayled from the Brill in Holland towards the North of England, and
that the Duke is come upon the Downs with a great and numerous Fleet,
consisting of about 10 of the Kings great ships, and 30 Flemings, but
they have not meddled on either side as yet; six of the Dukes ships, on
Saturday last strook sayle before the town and Castle of Deal, and by
their churlish tokens they sent us made it appear what they were, for
they shot very neer 100 great Pieces at us, which killed 8 or nine of
our men.'
This account is illustrated with the woodcut on the opposite page.
Some of the rough woodcuts to be found in many of the Civil War tracts
would be unworthy of notice, did they not show the constant efforts that
were made to illustrate the news of the hour. Such is the illustration
to a tract entitled, '_A true Relation of the late Great Mutiny which
was in the City of Norwich April 24, 1648_.' This gives an account of
the explosion of ninety-eight barrels of gunpowder, whereby 200
mutineers were slain, and the woodcut is intended to show the effects of
the explosion.
_Bloody Newes from the Scottish Army_ contains a woodcut representing
two men on horseback charging each other. The description gives an
account of the advance of the Scottish army on the English near Penrith,
intending to surprise the latter; 'but by the vigilance of our scouts
they were discovered.' After a 'furious conflict gallantly maintained on
both sides, we gained ground, and beat them out of the field. This
action happened upon Sunday morning last about 2 of the clock in the
morning.'
[Illustration: EXPLOSION AT NORWICH, 1648.]
During the last struggles between the Parliamentarians and the
Royalists, the latter, under Lord Goring, were driven into Colchester by
Fairfax, and there besieged for more than two months. There are several
pamphlets detailing incidents of this siege, one or two of which are
illustrated. One of them is in the form of a letter to the writer's
brother, and it has a quaint woodcut of 'Colchester Leaguer.'
Another tract, dated July 27, 1648, is entitled '_A great Fight at
Colchester upon Tuesday night last, being the 25 of this instant July,
and the advancing of General Lucas and his forces to the very Guards of
the Parliamenteers, with the particulars of the Fight, and the number
that were killed and taken prisoners on both sides, and the springing of
a Mine to blow up part of the Leaguer. Likewise a letter from Colchester
concerning the marching of an Army to London. And Message from Prince
Charles to Gen. Lucas. And a bloudy Fight at Deal Castle in Kent.
London. Printed for R. Woodus, and are to be sold at the Royall Exchange
in Cornhill, 1648._ The letter describing this fight contains so much
curious matter that it is worth transcribing entire:--
[Illustration: COLCHESTER LEAGUER, 1648.]
'Sir, we have received information from Yarmouth, Harwich, and other
places, that there is great fear of the Prince of Wales landing in those
parts with a very considerable Army, and that he is resolved to advance
towards Colchester, to raise the siege, and to let those Birds at
liberty, which he esteems to be the only instruments to advance his
Father's Cause. We hear that the L. Gerrard is designed Lieutenant
Generall of the new Eastern Army, and the Lord Culpepper Major Generall,
and that his Highnesse will repose no trust in either of the Princes
Rupert or Maurice, or any other Foreign Personage whatsoever. This
morning a Corporall of a troop of horse deserted the Colchestrian
service, and humbly submitted himself to the Lord Generall, who upon
examination touching their numbers and victualling said that the last
Muster Rolls made mention of above 6000 Horse and Foot, and for
victualling, they had plenty of Rye and bread-corn, but for flesh-meat
they had none at all left, being constrained to kill Horses to satisfie
their hungry appetites, which causeth many of the young Soldiers to
desert their hard commons.
'He further said, that at the last Muster upon Munday last the E. of
Norwich and Sir Charles Lucas rode to the head of each Regiment, and
read a paper to the Soldiery (which they said was a Message from the
Prince of Wales) intimating that his Highnesse were resolved immediately
to land his Forces about Yarmouth, and from thence to march downe to
Colchester to raise the siege, and set them at liberty, and that if they
could but hold out till Satterday, he doubted not of the day, and should
take it as an acceptable service from them.
'But I conceive the truth of this to be as palpable falsehood as the
late report of the Royalists in these parts, who would not stick to say,
_that Colchester was relieved by the ship called the Swallow, and that
they shot in above 500 Holland cheeses out of Mortar pieces &c._
'Some who are come out of the Town reports that the enemy within are
springing a Mine, and doth intend to blow up the Lord Lucas his house
(in our possession) which doth very much annoy them; their great
Ordnance plaid very hard this morning, and did some execution, ours
answered them again from the Great Mount, and plaid upon them for the
space of one hour.
'They are in very great streights for provision, and have eaten
horse-flesh these six or seven dayes, but as resolute as formerly.
'A party came out to cut Barley which was repulsed without losse, two
only wounded of the party; some horse grazing under the City walls were
snapt by some of Col. Whalleyes Forces, some shot, 38 taken, no way
serviceable at present, unlesse good keeping recover them.
'On Satterday last the Lord Generall gave Order that several Papers
should be shot into the town out of Arrows, offering the private
Souldiers quarter, and passes to go home, if they will deliver up
Goring, Capel, Lucas, Loughborough, Farre, &c.
[Illustration: GENERAL LUCAS AT THE SIEGE OF COLCHESTER, 1648.]
'This morning betwixt three and four of the clock, we received some
tokens from the besieged, a party of them sallied out, and advanced up a
narrow Lane neer to one of our Guards, thinking to surprise them
unawares; but an Eagle ey'd Centinel discovering them, presented her
bill, and fired; whereupon the rest of the Guardians received an allarm
and immediately man'd the Line, the Colchestrians advanced and charged
with great fury, this action was disputed by both parties with great
courage and resolution, the enemy fell on without mercy, and fought it
with much violence, but our Forces bodying, they retreat, our men
pursues with great execution, killed about 20. and took as many
prisoners, with the losse of 12. men; the like dispute hapned the last
night; we expect every hour when we shall have Orders to fall on, the
work will be difficult, and the storming dangerous, the town being
disadvantageous for such a Military action.
'_Colchester Leaguer July 26. at 8. in the morning._'
This tract is illustrated with a portrait of General Lucas on horseback,
which is copied on the previous page.
Colchester surrendered to the Parliament on Aug. 27, 1648, when Fairfax
determined to make an example of Sir Charles Lucas. This unexpected
severity was attributed to Ireton, who had been set by Cromwell to watch
Fairfax. There was a strong protest made against the intended execution,
but it nevertheless took place. Lucas was shot, together with Sir George
Lisle. The former suffered first, and he himself gave the order to the
soldiers to fire, with as much coolness as if he had been a mere
spectator. It is said that Lisle ran and kissed the dead body of his
friend, and then presented himself to a like fate. Thinking that the
firing party was too far off, he called to them to come nearer; one of
the soldiers replied, 'I'll warrant you, Sir, we'll hit you.' 'Friends,'
said the gallant Royalist, smiling, 'I have been nearer you when you
have missed me.'
Other tracts describe the proceedings of the Prince of Wales in his
attempts to retrieve his father's fortunes. One of them has a portrait
of the Prince, and contains a message sent by him to the Mayor of
Yarmouth concerning the landing of his forces there for the relief of
Colchester. Another is adorned with a very elaborate title-page, and
describes 'The Resolution of the Prince of Wales, concerning the landing
of his Army in the Isle of Loving-Land, within the County of Suffolk,
and his Propositions to all Englishmen concerning his Engagement for
King, City, and Kingdom, against the Army, and to fight for their
Liberties, Freedom, and Privileges. Likewise, the further proceedings of
the Royal Navie, under his Highness the D. of York, and the Declaration
of the Seamen in the Isle of Wight and Portsmouth, concerning the Kings
Majesty and the Fleet Royall, 1648.'
The contest between the Royalists and the Parliament was now drawing to
a close. The King was a prisoner in Carisbrooke Castle, and while he lay
there he continued to occupy the pens of the pamphleteers and
journalists. One writer addressed an exhortation to the nobility,
clergy, and civil magistrates, in favour of the imprisoned Monarch; and
he adorned his work with the above representation of the King in prison,
which afterwards appeared in other pamphlets.
[Illustration: CHARLES I. IN CARISBROOKE CASTLE, 1648.]
It is remarkable that such important events as the trial and execution
of Charles I. should not have tempted the newspapers of the day to
illustrate subjects of so much interest. It may have been that such a
terrible termination of the Civil War in some degree paralysed men's
energies, and drove all thoughts of trading on such an event from their
minds. I have met with two very rough woodcuts professing to represent
the execution. One is contained in the Confession of Richard Brandon,
the Hangman, and the other forms half of a woodcut frontispiece to a
broadside describing the execution of the Regicides, which I shall refer
to in its proper place. The Confession of Richard Brandon was published
in 1649, the same year in which the King was executed, and purports to
be a death-bed statement concerning that event. There were two Brandons,
Gregory and Richard, father and son. The former beheaded Lord Strafford,
and was believed by Charles II. to have been the executioner of his
father. According to Sir Nathaniel Wraxall, George Selwyn, 'that
insatiable amateur of executions,' told the story of King Charles's
execution from information which he professed to have obtained from the
Duchess of Portsmouth, who, he said, always asserted, on the authority
of Charles II., that the King, his father, was not beheaded by either
Colonel Joyce or Colonel Pride, as was then commonly believed, but that
the real name of the executioner was _Gregory_ Brandon; that this man
had worn a black crape stretched over his face, and had no sooner taken
off the King's head than he was put into a boat at Whitehall Stairs,
together with the block, the black cloth that covered it, the axe, and
every other article that had been stained with the Royal blood. Being
conveyed to the Tower, all the implements used in the decapitation had
been immediately reduced to ashes. A purse containing one hundred broad
pieces of gold was then delivered to Brandon, and he was dismissed. He
survived the transaction many years, but divulged it a short time before
he died. 'This account,' Wraxall adds, 'as coming from the Duchess of
Portsmouth, challenges great respect.'[2] Popular belief, however, at
the time pointed to Richard Brandon, son of the above-named Gregory
Brandon, whose confession, published immediately after his death, I here
quote:--
'The Confession of Richard Brandon the Hangman (upon his Death bed).
'The Confession of the Hangman concerning his beheading his late Majesty
the King of Great Brittaine (upon his Death bed) who was buried on
Thursday night last, in White Chappell Church-yard, with the manner
thereof.
'Upon Wednesday last (being the 20 of this instant June, 1649) Richard
Brandon, the late Executioner and Hangman, who beheaded his late
Majesty, King of Great Brittaine, departed this life. But during the
time of his sicknesse his conscience was much troubled, and exceedingly
perplexed in mind, yet little shew of repentance, for remission of his
sins, and by past transgressions, which had so much power and influence
upon him, that he seemed to live in them and they in him. And upon
Sunday last, a young man of his acquaintance going in to visit him, fell
into discourse, asked him how he did, and whether he was not troubled in
conscience, for cutting off of the King's head?
'He replied by reason that (upon the time of his tryal, and at the
denouncing of Sentence against him) he had taken a vow and protestation,
_wishing God to perish him body and soul, if ever he appeared on the
scaffold to do the act or lift up his hand against him_.
'Further acknowledging, _That he was no sooner entered upon the
scaffold, but immediately he fell a trembling, and hath ever since
continued in the like agony_.
'He likewise confessed that he had 30 pounds for his pains, all paid him
in half-crowns, within an hour after the blow was given, and that he had
an orange stuck full of cloves, and a handkircher out of the King's
pocket, so soon as he was carried off from the scaffold; for which
orange he was proffered 20 shillings by a gentleman in Whitehall, but
refused the same, and afterwards sold it for ten S. in Rosemary-lane.
'About 6 of the clock at night he returned home to his wife living in
Rosemary Lane, and gave her the money, saying, _That it was the deerest
money that ever he earned in his life, for it would cost him his life_.
Which prophetical words were soon made manifest; for it appeared that
ever since he hath been in a most sad condition, and upon the
Almightie's first scourging of him with the Rod of meeknesse, and the
friendly admonition of divers friends, for the calling of him to
repentance, yet he persisted on in his vicious Vices, and would not
hearken thereunto, but lay raging and swearing, and still pointing at
one thing or another, which he conceived to appear visible before him.
'About three dayes before he died he lay speechlesse, uttering many a
sigh and heavy groan and so in a most desperate manner departed from his
bed of sorrow. For the buriall whereof great store of wines were sent in
by the sheriff of the City of London, and a great multitude of people
stood wayting to see the Corps carried to the Church-yard, some crying
out _Hang him Rogue, bury him in the Dung-hill_; others pressing upon
him saying, _They would quarter him, for executing of the King_;
insomuch, that the Church Wardens and Masters of the Parish were fain to
come for the suppressing of them, and (with great difficulty) he was at
last carried to White-Chappell Church-yard, having (as it is said) a
bunch of Rosemary at each end of the coffin, on the top thereof, with a
Rope tyed crosse from one end to the other.
'And a merry conceited Cook, living at the sign of the Crown, having a
black Fan (worth the value of 30 shillings) took a resolution to rent
the same in pieces, and to every feather tied a piece of packthread dy'd
in black ink, and gave them to divers persons, who (in derision) for a
while, wore them in their hats.
'Thus have I given thee an exact account and perfect relation of the
life and death of Richard Brandon, to the end, that the World may be
convinced of those calumnious speeches and erroneous suggestions which
are dayly spit from the mouth of envy, against divers persons of great
worth and eminency, by casting an _odium_ upon them for the executing of
the King; it being now made manifest that the aforesaid Executioner was
the only man that gave the fatal blows, and his man that wayted upon
him was a Ragman, living in Rosemary Lane.'
Subjoined is a copy of the cut on the title-page of this tract.
[Illustration: EXECUTION OF CHARLES I., 1649.]
The death of Richard Brandon is entered in the register of St. Mary's,
Whitechapel, under date June 21, 1649. To the entry is appended a note,
evidently of about the same date, to the effect that 'this R. Brandon is
supposed to have cut off the head of Charles the First.' The 'calumnious
speeches and erroneous suggestions' had indicated several persons as
having struck the fatal blow on that dismal morning in January. Amongst
them, besides those already named, were 'Squire Dun,' William Walker,
Hugh Peters, Lord Stair, and William Hewlett. The last-named person was
actually tried for the crime at the Restoration. The evidence against
him went to show that 'his voice was heard upon the scaffold, and his
Breeches were seen under his Frock, that he confest he was to have L100
and preferment in Ireland to doe it; that being asked whether he cut off
the King's head or no, he said what he had done he would not be ashamed
of; and if it were to doe again he would doe it; more to the same
purpose was witnessed by several witnesses, and by one, who being sworn,
said that the Common-Hangman profest he did not doe it.' This sort of
evidence was not fit to hang a dog; and, though Hewlett was found guilty
and sentenced to death, the sentence was never carried into effect--a
proof that public opinion must have been too strong even for the
hardihood of those who had foredoomed Hewlett to the gallows. The
Government had evidently determined to fix the treason on this man with
the sanguinary idea that some person ought to be made to expiate the
deed, even though that person might be innocent. The prevalent belief,
however, was that it was the common executioner who had been employed;
and it is highly improbable that a mere amateur would have been
permitted to officiate on such an important occasion.
Although I have met with no native contemporary production representing
the execution, other than the rude woodcuts before mentioned, there is
in the British Museum a collection of broadsides relating to the period
of the Civil War, one of which has a large and well-executed copperplate
engraving representing the execution of Charles I. It was published at
Frankfort, and the descriptive text is in German. The view of Whitehall
is correctly given, and the engraving looks like a genuine
representation of the event.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] There is an Admiral Batten often mentioned by Pepys. If this is
the same man who was an active commander under the Parliament he must
have trimmed his sails well to hold a place in the Navy office under
Charles II.
[2] _Old and New London._ By Edward Walford.