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wounded, friend or foe. [208] The latter seemed so far to be the master that he kept possession of the field, [209] while Essex continued his retreat and attained his object in bringing back his shattered army to London. The whole of this expedition was on all Sept. 25. hands allowed to be highly creditable to his military talents; and when every circumstance was taken into the account, his admirers were divided in their astonishment respecting it.

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"As to the relief," says May, [210] "it was a question which was "the most wonderful, that he undertook it, or that he did it." He was caressed and complimented by the parliament upon his arrival; and was the next day visited at Essex house by the speaker and the whole house of commons, who declared to him, "that they came to congratulate his "notable success, and to render the thanks of the kingdom to him, for "his incomparable conduct and courage; and that they had "caused their acknowledgement to be entered in their journal book, as a monument and record of his virtue and their gratitude." A day or two after solemn thanks were rendered to those members of both houses, who had command in the army; and some extraordinary signification of respect derived to the superior officers, throughout the army. [211] With regard to Massey, every tongue and pen of his party was exercised in his praise, and his defence of Gloucester elicited the approbation of his enemies. Clarendon admits that he left nothing unperformed that became a vigilant commander. The official letter of thanks transmitted to him by parliament has probably perished; the noble historian styles it "a gaudy letter of kindness and value;" but that which was sent to the mayor and townsmen is preserved in the records of the city, and since the period of these transactions has never met the public eye. Far from being "gaudy," it is distinguished by that tone of reserved approbation which the commons thought fit, it seems, to employ on such occasions, a style of commendation in which the condescension of authority represses vanity by a distant and qualified measure of praise.

"Sir,

"The house of commons having received advice from the governor

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"of Gloucester, that by the goodness of God the siege is raysed from "before the cittie, and considering the constant resolution of yourself " and the rest of your fellow citizens and souldiers in the defence and "keeping thereof for the king and parliament. They have given me in "charge to represent unto you their thankes with the acknowledgment of 'your great care and fidelity therein, ffor which not onely they, "but the whole kingdome alsoe will have cause to say, that in this "action you have done much towards the peace and safety thereof. "And for your better encouragement that you may persist and goe "on in keepinge and defendinge that place, they would have you know, "that as they have not failed (through God's blessinge) to send you "tymely relief at this time, so they shall not be wantinge in the future "to provide such supplyes and provisions for the towne and garrisone "as may be most conducinge to the safetie and preservation of it amidst "those dangers and enemies wherewith you stand now environed. "And as occasion shall serve they will be allwaies ready to promote "the good of that cittie which hath soe well deserved of the whole "kingdome.

"Your assured lovinge friend,

"20 September, 1643.

"WM. LENTHALL, Speaker.

"ffor Dennis Wise, esq. Maior of Gloucester." [212]

The fifth of September was kept in Gloucester for many years with every outward demonstration of joy. It was called Gloucester holiday. Each citizen put on his best apparel; the civil and military authorities attended at the cathedral; the bells ran g; the corporation feasted; and neighbours saluted and reminded each other of the great things that had been done for them that day. On the south gate when it was rebuilt, having fallen down from injury during the siege, was placed in large characters this commemorative inscription: round the arch on the outer side, a CITY ASSAULTED BY MAN BUT SAVED BY GOD; on the side next the city, EVER REMEMBER THE FIFTH OF SEPTEMBER, 1643. GIVE GOD THE GLORY. [213] These festivities and this record disappeared at the restoration.

HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION.

PART II.

THOUGH the siege was raised from before Gloucester, the difficulties of 1643. that city and garrison were not at an end. The military, who, while the September. excitement of immediate danger was upon them, had sustained privations and hazarded their lives with cheerful unanimity, began to feel that they had for some time continued to act without their pay. Their arrears amounted already to eight thousand pounds; [214] and after so signal a proof of courage and devotion to their employers they considered that these claims ought in justice to be discharged.

This was the first difficulty with which the governor had to contend : another anxiety was equally urgent: it was obvious that those whom he had so lately foiled would be preparing to renew hostilities upon the earliest opportunity of directing a force against him. He would be naturally solicitous to maintain the reputation he had acquired; and to that end it was expedient that he should be furnished with means of satisfying the reasonable requirements of those under his command, and of putting himself in a posture to act with effect against any future attempt of his enemies. He had neither money nor men to meet the demands that would be made upon him ; and the earl of Essex, who was fully convinced of the nature of his situation, had in these respects been unable to relieve him.

Accordingly, on September the sixteenth, Massey addressed a letter to the commons, which was carried up by a deputation from the garrison, consisting of Serjeant Major Ferrer, Captains White and Pury the younger. On the nineteenth they presented it with certain propositions in writing, from the governor and council of war, for the subsistence

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and maintenance of the city; and Ferrer addressing the house, requested to have four hundred of the earl of Stamford's men that came out of Exeter, and that they might have liberty to beat up drums "for volunteers to make that four hundred a thousand." They were then ordered to withdraw. The interest of Gloucester was strong in that assembly. Their recorder was the speaker; their representative [215] was one of the most useful members: their connexion with the city of London, and still more, their recent services, and the importance of their continued exertions entitled them to be heard. A committee was appointed to consider of the propositions. The request of Ferrer was granted, and money voted for carrying it into effect: thanks were returned to Pury the elder, and through him to the mayor and corporation; and the officers, being again called in, received an acknowledgment for themselves and the rest of their comrades for their great service to the commonwealth. The first labours of the committee were directed to the confiscation of the effects of Sir Richard Ducie, a prisoner in Gloucester, for the use of the garrison; and to the same purpose was appropriated the composition for the property of Sir Edward Hales, and of his grandchild involved with his estate; a sum of six thousand pounds. [216]

Shortly after the battle of Newbury, Sir William Vavasour, commissioned as commander in chief of the counties of Hereford and Gloucester, was sent to Hereford to recruit for the King, and to act against Gloucester; but several weeks elapsed before he appeared in the neighbourhood of the city. [17] The narrative of Corbet is circumstantial as to the remainder of military operations during Massey's government; we shall therefore, as in the former part, abstain from too close an interference with it; collecting such notices as may establish the dates of principal occurrences, and introducing particulars which he has omitted to record.

The committee appointed by the house of commons were busily employed in arranging the necessary supplies; and on October the Oct. 16. sixteenth, they presented a set of resolutions which were carried by

general assent: they shew the appointments of the foot and horse, and are thus reported.

"1. That one hundred barrels of powder, with match proportionably, "be sent from hence to Gloucester with the forces raised for that gar"rison.

"2. That six hundred musquets, swords, belts, and bandaleers, with "sweds feathers, be also provided with the said forces to the said gar"rison.

"3. That one hundred case of pistols, and one hundred carbines be "also sent out of the magazine here to the said city of Gloucester.

"4. That waggons be provided for the carriages, and to obtain a "warrant from his excellency.

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5. That a commission of martial law be desired for the governor of "Gloucester, to be directed to field officers, and to such other gentle"men as shall be appointed by this house by way of recommendation "from his excellency." [218]

But the entries upon the journals of the house of commons are no proof that every thing thus voted was as punctually carried into effect. Besides, here is no mention made of the money, without which other preparations would be to little purpose. Massey had asked for ten thousand pounds; and the delay to which he was forced to submit had driven him upon the expedient of taxing the country, so far as his authority would extend. Perplexed by the difficulty of collecting this impost, by the complaints of those upon whom it was levied, the discontent of his own men, and the expected approach of hostilities, he had an arduous office to discharge. Committees set on foot in the city for the purpose of assisting him, involved him in altercations; [219] and in an early stage of the business he appears to have sought a removal to another command. Such a wish had been encouraged by the grateful expressions of the parliament; but they found that he could not be spared from his present appointment, and they quickly checked his hopes. For, whereas they had recommended his advancement to the earl of Essex, in whom was vested the power of granting commissions, [220] they now sent Sir Nevile Poole to that general, desiring him

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