=Source.=--_State Papers: Domestic_, 1641-1643. P. 398.
_Nehemiah Wharton to George Willingham, Oct. 7, 1642._
This day a company of knights, gentlemen, and yeomen of the county
of Hereford came to his Excellency [Essex], petitioners for strength
to be sent speedily to Hereford; and forthwith we were commanded to
draw out fifteen men out of every company in our regiments, in all
about 900, with three troops of horse and nine pieces of ordnance,
with which we marched, a forlorn hope, towards Hereford.... After
we had marched 10 miles, we came to Bromyard, the weather wet and
the way very foul. Here we got a little refreshment, and from hence
marched 10 miles further to Hereford. But [it was] very late before
we got thither; and by reason of the rain and snow, and extremity
of cold, one of our soldiers died by the way; and it is wonderful
we did not all perish, for the cowardly Cavaliers were within a few
miles of us. In this poor condition coming to Hereford, the gates
were shut against us, and for two hours we stood in dirt and water up
to the mid-leg, for the city were all Malignants, save three which
were Roundheads, and the Marquis of Hereford had sent them word the
day before that they should in no wise let us in, or if they did, we
would plunder their houses, murder their children, burn their bibles
and utterly ruinate all, and promised he would relieve them himself
with all speed, for which cause the citizens were resolved to oppose
us unto the death, and having in the City three pieces of ordnance,
charged them with stones, nails, etc., and placed them against us,
and we against them, resolving either to enter the city, or die
before it. But the Roundheads in the City, one of them an alderman
surnamed Lane, persuaded the silly Mayor, for so he is indeed, that
his Excellency and all his forces were at hand, whereupon he opened
unto us, and we entered the city at Byster's gate, but found the
doors shut, many of the people with their children fled, and had
enough to do to get a little quarter. But the poor Mayor, seeing he
was so handsomely cozened, was not a little angry, for Hereford with
all his forces, which fled from Sherborne, promised to visit them
the day following. This night though wet and weary we were fain to
guard the city.... Saturday our squadron watched at St. Owen's gate,
which day I took an opportunity to view the city, which is well
situate, and seated upon the river Wye, environed with a strong wall
better than any I have seen before, with five gates and a strong
stone bridge of six arches, surpassing Worcester. In this city is
the stateliest marketplace in the Kingdom, built with columns after
the manner of the Exchange: the Minster every way exceeding that at
Worcester; but the city in circuit not so large. The inhabitants are
totally ignorant in the ways of God and much addicted to drunkenness
and other vices, but principally to swearing, so that the children
that have scarce learned to speak do universally swear stoutly. Many
here speak Welsh. This day, our companies exercising in the fields
at Worcester, one of the Lord General's soldiers shot at random, and
with a brace of bullets shot one of his fellow-soldiers through the
head, who immediately died. Sabbath day about the time of morning
prayer, we went to the Minster, where the pipes played and the
puppets sang so sweetly that some of our soldiers could not forbear
dancing in the holy choir, whereat the Baalists were sore displeased.
The anthem ended, they fell to prayer, and prayed devoutly for
the King, the Bishops, etc.; and one of our soldiers with a loud
voice said, "What, never a bit for the Parliament?" which offended
them much more. Not satisfied with this human service, we went to
divine, and passing by found shops open and men at work, to whom we
gave some plain dehortations, and went to hear Mr. Sedgwick [the
Army Chaplain], who gave us two famous sermons, which much affected
the poor inhabitants, who wondering said they never heard the like
before. And I believe them. The Lord move your hearts to commiserate
their distresses and to send them some faithful and painful
ministers; for the revenue of the college will maintain many of them.
This even the Earl of Stamford, who is made governor of Hereford,
entered the city with a regiment of foot and some troops of horse,
and took up the Bishop's palace for his quarter and is resolved there
to abide: whereupon on Monday morning we marched towards Worcester,
and at the end of 10 miles came to Bromyard, where we quartered all
night. This day his Excellency proclaimed that all soldiers that
would set to digging should have twelve pence the day, and enter into
pay presently. Tuesday we marched to Worcester, and were received
with much joy, for the design was so desperate that our judicious
friends never looked to see us again....