14 Jan 1642/3 (Sat) || From Lincolneshire they write that about 120. of the Earle of New-Castles men, got into Lincolnshire, and have plundred Stockwith, and taken their Boats laden with Malt from them. || Humphrey Blunden – Speciall Passages (P)
As also that Grantham, a Town of Lincoln-shire, and chiefe Passe for those that travail towards the North, was taken for the King, and a considerable force of men put into it; that Newarcke upon Trent was manned and fortified for the Kings service. And that although the Rebels had taken Nottingham, which they now were fortifying, and had put victuals into the Castle: yet there was hope that by the forces of the Earle of New castle, which were neere at hand, and the diligence of Colonel Hastings who had an eye upon the place, it might be easily reduced, or made unservisable to the Enemy. || John Berkenhead/Peter Heylyn – Mercurius Aulicus (R)
From Nottinghamshire it is informed that … one day there was some of Newarke Cavaliers in Grantham, but upon the approach of Capt. John Wray with some horse, they forsooke the Towne, and some of the Parliaments forces are now in it. || Richard Collings – The Kingdomes Weekly Intelligencer (P)
Colonell Ballard this weeke was made Major Generall for Lincolneshire, and dispatch downe with fifteene Troopes of horse, to whom my Lord Gray [of Groby] may possibly joyne, who is gone towards Leicester-shire, these with the Lincolneshire-men may (at least) fright the Lord of Newcastles great power, when the Lord Fairefax on the one side, and they on the other, shall be ready to encounter him, and its possible to keep provisions and supplyes from comming to Oxford. Here you may take notice of my Lord Generals care to hinder the conjunction of those powers, and the comming of supplyes. || Humphrey Blunden – Speciall Passages (P)
By Letters from Oxford it is writ, that about 500 Horse and Dragoones are gone into Leicestershire, and Nottinghamshire, to assist the Forces at Newarke, against Lincolne or rather to assist the Commissioners of Array in Rutlandshire under the command of Sir Guy ___ and so to annoy Lincolneshire, on that side of the Countrey. || Richard Collings – The Kingdomes Weekly Intelligencer (P)
His Excellency the Lord Generall, hath sent Colonell Ballard with considerable Forces to Newarke upon Trent, and hath made him Serjeant Major Generall of all the forces by him to be raised, in Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire; with which all conjoyned, hee is to take that Towne and drive all the Malignants from thence, which have seized upon it since the Earle of Newcastle sent for his forces that were quartered there and this place hee is to defend and secure, and to stop the Earle of Newcastles passage into the Southern parts, which having effected, he is to advance into Yorkshire to aid the Lord Fairefax, and Captaine Hotham, against the Popish Army that molests that County.
For the better security of the County of Lincolne, being now so neere unto danger in regard of the Earle of Newcastles vicinity in Yorkeshire, with his Popish and Malignant Army: the Lords and Commons by speciall Order have associated all the Corporate Townes in the said County with the Citie of Lincolne, and given them full power mutually to aid, succour and assist one another, in the mutuall preseveravation and defence of themselves, from all Rapines, plunderings and spoylings of any Papists, and ill afected persons aswell under the Command of the said Earle of Newcastle, as any other of his or their Adherents. And they have given power to the Lord Willoughby of Parham, Lord Lieutenant of that County, &c. to raise forces both of Horse and Foot, and with them to fight against all such Enemies, and to kill and slay them and to performe all things else needfull for the preservation of the safety and peace of the said County, &c. || Stephen Bowtell – England’s Memorable Accidents (P)
Reporting the English Civil War 