HOW CHARLES MADE HIS TRIUMPHAL ENTRY INTO WORCESTER; AND HOW HE WAS
PROCLAIMED BY THE MAYOR AND SHERIFF OF THAT LOYAL CITY.
Meanwhile, an almost indescribable scene of bustle and confusion was
taking place within the city.
The pealing of bells, which, as we know, commenced at the earliest hour
of morning, continued almost without intermission. Great fires were
lighted on the Castle Hill, in the cathedral close, on the quays, and
at Pitchcroft, at which huge joints of meat were roasted--barons of
beef, entire muttons, barbecued hogs. All loyal citizens were enjoined
by the mayor to provide the best food they could, and in the greatest
quantity, for the king's army. It would be a lasting disgrace to them,
it was said, if any of their brave deliverers should be stinted.
While part of each household was busily dressing food, the others were
engaged in decorating the habitations. The balconies were hung with
tapestry, gaily-coloured cloths and carpets, and the crosses were
adorned with flowers. The royal standard floated over the Sidbury-gate,
as well as on the summit of Fort Royal, and flags were flying from all
the steeples.
Such extraordinary zeal and activity were displayed, that, long before
the appointed hour, all the preparations were completed, and the good
folks began to be impatient for the coming of their sovereign.
The entire host was now gathered on the hill-side, and presented a
magnificent spectacle, as viewed from the city walls, which were
densely thronged. The Sidbury-gate was thrown wide open, a guard of
halberdiers being drawn up on either side of the entrance; while the
mayor, the sheriff, and the aldermen, in their full robes of office,
were stationed beneath the archway.
At length the sound of martial music was heard, and a squadron of
glittering cuirassiers was seen riding down the hill. Then came
Charles, attended by his staff, and followed by Colonel Pitscottie's
regiment of Highlanders. The strange, picturesque garb, and unusual
weapons of these stalwart mountaineers--their claymores, dirks, and
targets--filled the beholders with amazement. Nor were the citizens
less astonished by the shrill, warlike notes of the bagpipes, which
they heard for the first time.
As soon as it was perceived that the king had set out, a loud
discharge of cannon took place from the walls; and this, if possible,
heightened the general excitement. Regiment after regiment--cavalry
and infantry--were now moving down the hill--colours flying, bands
playing--the accoutrements of the cavalry flashing in the sunbeams like
so many mirrors.
The splendour of the king's staff produced an immense effect--some
of the nobles being singularly fine-looking men. Indeed, the Duke
of Buckingham, who rode at the head of the brilliant cortége
with the Duke of Hamilton, was accounted the handsomest and most
accomplished Cavalier of his time. Lord Wilmot was also a noble-looking
personage--tall and well-proportioned. Foremost among the military
leaders rode General David Lesley, who commanded one division of
the Scottish army. Thin and stern-looking, he had a thoughtful cast
of countenance. With him was Major-General Montgomery, who had
strongly-marked features and a keen eye, and looked like a thorough
soldier. Then came Lieutenant-General Thomas Dalyell, who had served
with distinction under Charles I., and in whom the young king placed
much confidence. With Dalyell was Vandrose, a Dutch general. Generals
Middleton and Massey brought up the list.
Despite the rich apparel of the nobles and the splendid accoutrements
of the general officers, none of them pleased the beholders so
much--especially the female portion of them--as Colonel Pitscottie,
who, as he rode at the head of his Highlanders, looked the beau ideal
of a Scottish chieftain. He was strongly built, with a red beard, and
light blue eyes of extraordinary power. Pitscottie was as brave as
a lion, and as true as his own sword. Such were the distinguished
persons on whom the spectators gazed from the city walls.
The whole space between the Sidbury-gate and the ancient Commandery was
thronged, but a space was kept clear for the king, and for the passage
of the troops, by halberdiers placed at frequent intervals.
Here Charles was detained for a few minutes by the enthusiastic
demonstrations of the crowd, who would scarcely allow him to proceed.
They shouted, stretched out their arms towards him, and hailed him as
their rightful sovereign and their deliverer. He could not fail to be
touched by such manifestations of loyalty. Though the sun was pouring
down his fiercest radiance upon his jet-black locks, he remained
uncovered all the time, and bowed around repeatedly with the grace
peculiar to him.
As soon as he was able to move forward, the mayor, with the sheriff
and aldermen, advanced from the gateway to meet him, and, bowing
reverentially, bade him welcome to the city.
"The city of Worcester has ever been faithful to you, sire," said the
mayor, "though constrained to yield to superior force. We now joyfully
open our gates to you and your victorious army, and pray you to enter
the city."
"I thank you heartily for your welcome, Mr. Mayor and gentlemen,"
replied Charles. "I never doubted your loyalty and devotion. The king,
my father, always spoke of Worcester as his 'Faithful City.' I shall
never speak of it otherwise. Again I thank you for the reception you
accord me. It is precisely what I expected from you."
Loud acclamations followed these gracious words, which were delivered
with admirable effect by the young monarch.
With the utmost despatch, the mayor and the civic authorities then
mounted their steeds, which were in readiness for them, and preceded
the king as he entered the city, the mayor carrying the sword of state
before his majesty.
Trumpets were blown, drums beaten, and the bells, which had been silent
during the ceremonial at the gate, began to peal joyfully again as
the royal cortége moved up Sidbury-street, and shaped its course to
the High-street, which it speedily reached. This long and handsome
street, which runs through the centre of the city from the cathedral
to the Foregate, is now totally changed in appearance, though it
occupies pretty nearly the same ground as heretofore. The ancient
street, however, being incomparably more picturesque and striking than
the modern thoroughfare, its demolition cannot but be regretted. The
houses, as already mentioned, were built of oak, painted black and
white, in the charming fashion of the period, though not according
to any uniform design, so as to avoid a monotonous effect. In many
instances they were richly ornamented with curious and elaborate
carvings. One peculiarity belonging to them, and constituting a great
charm, was the possession of open balconies; and these were now, for
the most part, filled with well-dressed dames and damsels, some of
whom boasted considerable personal attractions. Worcester, it is well
known, has been at all times famous for pretty women. The rails of the
balconies were hung with tapestry, carpets, and rich stuffs, and these
decorations gave the street a very lively appearance. The concourse on
the footways contented themselves with cheering the king as he passed
along, and did not attempt to press upon him, while the damsels waved
their kerchiefs from above. Had Charles been the handsomest young
prince in Christendom (which he certainly was not), he could not have
captivated more hearts than he did as he rode along the High-street,
and gazed at the well-filled balconies on the right and left. Each
fair nymph on whom his eye rested for a moment fancied herself the
special object of his admiration, while many a one--perhaps with some
reason--believed she had been distinguished by a bow from his majesty.
In this manner Charles rode on--receiving fresh homage from all classes
of his subjects as he proceeded--till he came to the Guildhall,
where the civic authorities had already halted, and where he himself
alighted, in order to sign certain warrants. Like almost all the other
edifices in the street, the Guildhall has been rebuilt, and though we
have every respect for the modern fabric, we should have been better
pleased if the ancient structure, with its recollections of the past,
had been preserved. Allowing the mayor and his fellows to conduct his
majesty into the great hall, we shall leave them there, having more to
interest us outside.
Troops were now pouring into the city, and were marching in different
directions; some regiments being taken by their officers to the Castle
Hill, others to the cathedral close, and others to the quays--at all
of which places good eatables and drinkables, and in the greatest
abundance, were provided for them. On that day, in all parts of the
city, thousands of hungry soldiers were feasted--every house being open
to them. And to the credit of the Scots it must be stated, that they in
no wise abused the hospitality shown them.
While his majesty was signing the warrants in the Guildhall, a halt
took place in the High-street, and when thus seen from above, the
various regiments of horse and foot, with their flags and banners; now
forming an almost solid mass, presented a splendid spectacle. A good
deal of animated conversation between the officers and the damsels
in the balconies took place during this interval, and some amusing
incidents occurred, one of which must be related.
Among the spectators collected nearly opposite the Guildhall were
an elderly dame and an exceedingly pretty damsel--the old woman's
grand-daughter, as it turned out. They evidently belonged to the
middle classes. With them was a sallow, ill-favoured personage, whose
closely-cropped black hair, steeple-crowned hat, plain Geneva band,
and black cloak, proclaimed him a Puritan. It was certain that he was
passionately enamoured of the damsel, whom he addressed by the name
of Mary, for he watched her every look with jealous eyes; but it was
by no means equally certain that she returned his passion. Rather the
contrary, we should say.
Urso Gives, for so was pretty Mary's suitor named, was more than double
her age, and far from well-favoured, but he was tolerably rich, and
this was enough for Dame Rushout, Mary's grandmother.
Urso Gives was a tailor, and had prospered in his business. For a
knight of the thimble, he was not devoid of mettle, and somewhat
quarrelsome and vindictive. He was decidedly a Republican, and in
religion an Independent. As may be imagined, this was a bitter day for
him, and he would not have come forth upon it had it not been to watch
over pretty Mary Rushout, who was determined to see the young king. So
he was compelled to place Mary and her grand-dame in a good position
opposite the Guildhall, and there they had an excellent view of the
young monarch, and saw him dismount.
Mary Rushout was enchanted. Never had she beheld any one so graceful,
so majestic as the king. How royally he bestrode his steed! How
beauteous were his long black locks!--Urso must let his own hair grow
long. And then how his majesty's diamonds sparkled! She could not help
calling out "Long live the king!" Charles noticed her, and told her,
with a smile, "She was the prettiest girl he had seen that day, and
deserved a better lover." Was not this enough to turn her head? Was it
not enough to madden the irritable and jealous Urso? The by-standers,
who were staunch Royalists, laughed at him, and this exasperated Urso
beyond all endurance. He broke out against the king, called him the
chief of the malignants, and the favourer of heresy and profaneness,
and would have gone on in the same strain if he had not been soundly
buffeted on all sides.
Mary Rushout and her grand-dame screamed, and their cries attracted the
attention of an aide-de-camp, who was waiting his majesty's return. It
was Major Careless. Seeing a pretty girl in distress he pushed forward
his steed, and quickly extricated her and the old dame, while Urso took
advantage of his interference to escape.
A Cavalier so gallant as Careless we may be sure did not retire after
such an introduction, and he found Mary Rushout very willing to flirt
with him. He soon learned all about her and about Urso Gives, and that
they both dwelt in the Trinity, and continued chatting with her till
Charles came forth from the Guildhall.
The royal cortége was once more put in motion, and proceeded to the
large open place near the Foregate, in the midst of which stood the
antique sculptured cross previously mentioned. The place was now filled
with people, but the assemblage was no farther disturbed than was
necessary to allow the troops to form a square round it.
The mayor and the sheriff having made their way to the cross, trumpets
were sounded, and, amid the silence that ensued, the mayor, in a
sonorous voice, proclaimed Charles King of England, Scotland, France,
and Ireland. Tremendous acclamations followed, and guns were fired from
the top of the Foregate.
Even then the assemblage did not move, nor did the troops quit their
position.
Trumpets being again sounded, a Manifesto was published in the king's
name, declaring a general pardon to all the inhabitants of the city
as should henceforward conform to his authority; and also announcing
that warrants had just received the royal sign-manual in the Guildhall,
whereby his majesty summoned, upon their allegiance, all the nobility,
gentry, and others, of what degree and condition soever, of the county
of Worcester, from sixteen to sixty, to appear in their persons, and
with any horses, arms, and ammunition they had or could procure, at
Pitchcroft, near the city, on Tuesday next, being the 26th of August,
1651, "where," pursued the king, "ourself will be present to dispose
of such of them as we shall think fit for our service in the war, in
defence of this City and County, and to add to our marching army."
On the king's return to the city, the mayor ceremoniously conducted him
to his private residence, where a grand collation had been prepared, of
which his majesty and his suite partook.
[Illustration: [++] WORCESTER.]