Sunday 8 Jan 1642/3 || By Letters brought from London of the third of January, the newes of Sir Ralph Hoptons successe at Topsham, wherewith wee ended the last weekes discourse was fully ratified: in which ’twas signified with all, how contrary to the truth thereof, it was reported in the City of London, That young Captaine Chudleigh¹ marching out of Exeter with 100. horse, and 200. Dragoneers had fallen upon Sir Ralphs forces at Topsham, killed a great many of his men, and beat the rest out of that Quarter; which was so credibly reported that it was Ordered by the House of Commons, that thankes should be given to Chudleigh for it: And the same day there was no small rejoycing for a great victory which the Parliament forces had obtained against the Earle of Derby in Lancashire, in which were taken 160. prisoners, as it was reported. But this upon examination was found to have but little more truth in it, then Sir Ralph Hoptons being beat from Topsham; or Sir John Byrons being driven out of Burford by the forces of Cyrencester, which was reported also with no lesse confidence then the other two. || John Berkenhead/Peter Heylyn – Mercurius Aulicus (R)
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¹ James Chudleigh, son of Sir George, Exeter’s military governor.
Reporting the English Civil War 