Parliament permits use of lethal force against Kent rebels

22 Jul 1643 (Sat) || The House by letters from Kent, having futher notice, that the insurrection there is no whit appeased, notwithstanding the Declaration sent by Sir Henry Vane, and that they refuse to lay down their Armes, to the great terrour of the Countrey, who besides the forces sent downe with Collonell Browne, have raised the Militia of the Country to suppresse them, but want an absolute Commission to fight with them as Enemies, which power also Colonell Browne upon his first sending forth was restrayned of, but now the House upon serious consideration of the businesse, and the great perrill that may befall, not onely that County, but the whole Kingdom through that insurrecton, if not the sooner supprest.

They have now given full power to Colonell Browne and the other forces, to use all wayes and meanes to disperse  the said tumult, and in case of opposition to fight with, kill, and slay them, as Enemies to the state, and disturbers of the peace of the Kingdome.

And at a conference of both Houses this afternoone, there was an Ordinance passed to be immediately sent into Kent for the suppressing of the insorection there, to the effect aforesaid. || A Perfect Diurnall Of Some Passages In Parliament (P)

More from Kent: the rioters’ demands, Parliament’s response

20 Jul 1643 (Thu) || The Intelligence from Kent was, that the Kentish Malignants did still continue in their hostile and Rebellious posture (as you heard before) and (as some informed) there were neer 6000. of them were gathered together at Seveoke, Alford, and other places, those at Alford being about 2000. have planted 2. Peeces of Ordnance upon Alford-bridge, and the rest have some other Iron-peeces which gives us the more occasion to beleeve that this fine designe also was long since contrived at Oxford, which doth the more palpably appear by their peremptorie and triviall demands… || The Speciall Passages Continued (P)

The Insurrection of the Kentish Malignants was more fully represented to the House this day upon the returne of Sir Henry Vane, that came from thence yesterday, whereby it appeared that their number is increased to about 2000. but very few of them Armed, and though some report with much confidence that they have got divers of the Ordnance (and I have seene it since in print) tis a great mistake, for they have onely one old Iron Peece which for want of better carriage they draw upon a sledge. Tis true, they are growne to that insolency they begin to expostulate the business upon high termes with the Parliament demanding that they may have the Common Prayer Booke continued amongst them without any alteration. Secondly, that they the late Covenant may not bee prest upon such of them as are unwilling to take it, though they can make no just exception against it, or any clawse thereof, but in generall termes as they have learnt from their Malignant preachers, that it is against their late Protestation and Oath of Allegiance. Thirdly, they complaine that their Taxes of the twentieth part and weekely assessments are impartially rated upon them by their Assessors, and would have others of their owne choosing put in their places, that so the Assessors and they being all of one mind, the well affected (as hitherto for the most part it hath beene) may undergoe the whole charge of the worke, & they pay nothing or what they list: These are the chiefe causes as they pretend of their rising, which how poore a thing it is in them upon these grounds to bring the whole County into so great a distraction by exposing themselves & the whole County to ruin in a civil broyle, without ever making these or any other of their grievances first knowne to the Parliament, who would have doubtlesse omitted no meanes to give them redresse; and to preserve the peace of that late flourishing County who, Maugre the plots of all the Kingdomes Enemies when most of the other Counties in the Kingdome were in broyles and under a bloody persecution, they have injoyed the freedome and liberties of a happie peace.

The Houses this day upon serious consideration of Kents distraction, drew up a Declaration that the disturbers of the peace there, who in a tumultuous manner against all Lawes, had made an insurrection to the great terror of the whole County and Kingdome: if they should presently downe their Armes, restore those Armes they had taken from others, and returne in peace to their owne dwellings, they should be received into the mercy and protection of Parliament, and the Parliament would most willingly redresse all their just grievances, when they should bee in a peaceable way made knowne unto them, but if they refused this the Parliaments clemency, and persisted in their Rebellious courses, they should be proceeded against as disturbers of the peace of the County. And thereupon besides this Declaration which was sent unto them by Sir Henry Vane by Order of Parliament, Colonel Browne with two Regements of Foot, a Regement of Dragoneeres and some other Troopes went from London towards Sevenock on Fryday morning, and is to receive direction from Sir Henry Vane, that if they doe not lay downe their Armes upon the tender of the Paliaments Declaration, to proceede against them with all Rigour. || Samuel Pecke – A Perfect Diurnall (P)

Insurrection in Kent

19 Jul 1643 (Wed) || The malignant inhabitants of the County of Kent lately assembled together in an hostile manner, to the disquiet and disturbance of that County, and places adjacent, expecting it seems, to have had a party of the Kings Army to have countenanced them in this seditious action, for that the Duke of Lennox had lately (as is reported) a Commission given him under the great Seal at Oxford, whereby he was made Generall of all Forces raised in the County of Kent, Surrey and Sussex, and power given him to kill and slay all that should oppose him: But he, nor any other appearing from thence for that purpose, upon Colonell Harvies going down to them om Tuesday last, with 8 Troops of Horse, they are dispersed, some of them, but are since much increased. || The Speciall Passages Continued (P)

Letters this day from Kent, gives us intelligence of a late insurrection amongst the Malignants about Sevenoke, occasioned cheifely through the factious preaching of some of their corrupt Clergy-men against the Covenant, and that being anymated by some cheife Agents at Oxford, who have plotted a long time to bring that County into disturbance, and sent Proclamations amongst them, Proclayming the Parliament and all that adhere to them, or take the Covenant to be Traytors, they are gathered to a head of 7. or 800. but have few armes amongst them, onely what  they take from others, going from place to place, in a tumultuous manner, and disarming such as are wel-affected.

Whereupon the Parliament, upon the first notice of this businesse dispatched Sir Henry Vane Senior to Kent to make a full discovery how matters were, and to endeavour the appeasement of the people if it might be, or else to enforme the Parliament of the true grounds of their rising, and what their demands were, and Colonell Harvey also with some Troopes of Horse, and two Drakes was sent away speedily to Farnham Castle in Surrey, to releive the Garrison there, upon notice that the like designe was also against that County and Sussex, to raise a disturbance and to seize upon the Castle at Farneham, but that Castle being secured, Colonell Harvey is also to go into Kent to quiet the Malignants there, who doubtlesse upon his first appearance, if not before; will disperse and lay downe their armes, and submit themselves to the Parliament.

Also from Feversham in Kent, the Commons received a Petition, signifying that the Malignants of that Towne had got one of the Kings Proclamations, Proclayming the Parliament Traytors, and all that adhere to them, &c. And on Sunday last set the same upon one of the Church Doores; and placed a guard upon it, that none should pull it downe, which businesse had most likely occasioned the like distraction, and Tumult, as was at Sevenoke, had not the better party exercised the more patience, and by great providence kept all in quiet. But the Commons have ordered that cheife authors of the disturbance there, shall be sent up for to the Parliament to answere the same. || Samuel Pecke – A Perfect Diurnall (P)

Royalist plan to turn enemy mariners fails

27 May 1643 (Sat) || Some Marriners lately come out of the Downes,¹ Informe, that on Sunday last, divers letters from Oxford were secretly sent to some of the great Officers of the Ships there, now under the command of the Parliaments Lo. Admirall, the Noble Earle of Warwicke, with Proclamations in them, which Letters commanded them to declare themselves for the King, to desert the said Lo: Admirall, and to proclaime him a Traitor, which Letters and Proclamations, all the Officers brought immediately to the Earle of Warwicke, and thereby disappointed the designes and hopes of those that sent them, whence it is evident, that Oxford, which was wont to be the fountaine of learning to the whole Kingdome, is now become the Spring of Treachery for the ruine and destruction of this whole State. || William Ingler – Certaine Informations (P)

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¹ The area of sea off the Kent coast customarily used by English fleets as a staging area prior to moving up the Thames, or leaving for foreign destinations.

Royalist supply ships captured

26 Nov 1642 (Sat) || Certainly it was affirmed, that some ships laden with ammunition were taken in the narrow seas, and are at Margate to come up the River. || John Johnson – The English Intelligencer

|| There was a ship belonging to Newcastle going with provision to the Queene, which was staid at Graves-End, and 100. quarters of Wheate that was in her, the Parliament hath Ordered the Wheate to be forthwith sent to the Province of Munster in Ireland, for reliefe of the Protestants there, and the waxe Candles that were for her Majesties use, to be burnt in saying of Masse at Newcastle, the Parliament hath Ordered to be burnt in the Parliament House: It is hoped to give light this Winter time, to passe a Law that no Masse shall be said or heard by any whom soever in this Kingdome heareafter; and the Beere and Wine that were therein to be redelivered to the owners thereof, the Parliament holding it unfit to send reliefe to her that sends over Armes and Ammunition to ruine them. || Humphrey Blunden – Speciall Passages and Certain Informations

King’s forces leave Oatlands

19 Nov 1642 (Sat) || The Cavaliers seeing no hope of their designe to receive countenance in Kent, nor any party about London to appeare for them, but on the contrary, hearing that even the Malignants themselves, in and about London, did abhor their crooked, and barbarous courses, and stand upon their guard against them, they were then likewise enforced to leave Oatlands, or to bee there starved, for all the Countrey fled, and would bring them in no manner of provision, a penny loafe being at three pence price with them, whereby they were constrained to send out parties of Horse by hundreds, and two hundreds at a time to fetch in a trusse of Straw, or a two penny loafe, and their foote Souldiers ran away by 20. and 40. at a time, saying, they were promised to be at the pillaging of London, which failing, they would not stay to be starved: The Cavaliers stayed with their Army at Oatlands three dayes, not knowing which way to goe to gaine a friend, one while bending their course to Gilford, as if they intended for Sussex, another while to Farnham, as if they meant to goe to Southampton, and part of their Army to Bagshot, Egham, &c. as if they meant to march to Redding and Oxford: All this while the Earle of Essex lay still, till he could discover what way they resolved to take, whether on this side Thames, or on the other side, because he resolved to follow them with the whole body of his Army, which was not fit to have done after such a wilde-Goose-chase as they have marched, or perhaps would have done, (if then followed) they being on the one side of the Thames, and the Earle on the other. || Humphrey Blunden – Speciall Passages and Certain Informations

Completion of temporary bridge confirmed

17 Nov 1642 (Thu) || [Yesterday] it was reported of a truth that the Earl of Essex L. Generall of the Army, hath caused a bridg to be made with flat bottom boates over the River of Thames at Full-ham about 4 miles from London for the passing over his souldiers to prevent the Cavalliers marching from Kingston into Kent, and to prevent their doing of further mischief in Surrey, they having already plundered many little Towns neer Kingston. || Humphrey Blunden – Speciall Passages and Certain Informations

Further details of Brentford skirmish

16 Nov 1642 || The Cavaliers speedily retreated from Brainford, to Hampton Court, and Kingston, where they stayed two dayes, and having intelligence that the Bridge over Thames neere Fulham was finished, and the Earle of Essex ready to march; they left Kingston (almost as miserable a Towne as Brainford) and marched with their Artillery to Oatlands, but they sent out some of their Horse to quarter at Rigate, and parts thereabouts towards Kent, shaping their course for that county, but such was the vigilancy of the Yeoman of Kent, or rather fidelity to themselves and the Kingdome, that they rise up in Armes, seeking to the Parliament and City of London to assist them in opposing the Cavaliers, for that they had seduced his Majesty to violate his faith with God above, (whom he had called to witnesse) and his Parliament here on earth, in breaking the Treaty of Accommodation, and in causing the effusion of so much blood at Brainford, by his Souldiers falling on Colonell Hollis his Regiment in their quarters, and marching 8. miles to take the advantage: But this alone startled not the Kentish men, for they had true information (the example of Brainford is sufficient) that they plunder all manner of persons, friends aswell as others, and that in Brainford they had taken from divers of the inhabitants their goods, from some to the value of 400. pounds, some 300. pounds, some more, some lesse, and from the poorer sort, all that they ever had, leaving them not a bed to lie on, nor apparrell, but what they had on their backs, not a paire of sheetes, nor a piece of bread, and what beere they drunke not, they spilt it in the Cellars, divers families of repute, with their Wives and Children, were reduced to such extreame poverty thereby, that they have begged ever since: And taking divers of the Townsmen (who never opposed them) after they had plundered them, putting them in Irons, and tying others with Ropes, and so led them away like dogs to Oatlands; This cruelty likewise did move the Kentish men (of whom the Parliament had a jealousie) to expresse their resolution to adhere to the Parliament to oppose the Cavaliers, being sensible that the common Souldiers command the Officers, the Officers the Commanders in chiefe, and the Commanders in chiefe command the King, and the King can command nothing but what the Souldiers please, such is the miserable condition he is brought unto, and in him the whole Kingdome; For certainly if the King could have hindered that cruell, barbarous, and unheard of carriage of his Souldiers at Brainford; Duty, Christianity, and common Charity obligeth a Subject to believe the King would not have permitted them to have done it, if it had layen in his power to have hindered it. ¹|| Humphrey Blunden – Speciall Passages and Certain Informations

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¹ Blunden was a pioneer of typical ECW newsbook style: rather than blandly or strictly objectively reporting the news, as was the style of early corantos, he drops into editorial mode, offering his own view on the situation. The editor of Mercurius Civicus later took this style to extremes, not only offering his own (often highly agitated) opinion but even making suggestions to the authorities regarding particular social or military issues he thought they ought to tackle.

Kent prepares to repel Royalists

16 Nov 1642 (Weds) || Information was given that his Majesty was gone from Kingston to Okelands [Oatlands], and that it was conceived that hee intended to march with his array into Kent, hoping to get some of the Forts there; unto which place it is reported for a truth her Majesty is designed to land in at her comming out of Holland, but the County of Kent, not only out of their good affection to the Cause, but hearing of the outrages & villanies which are daily committed by the Cavalliers in every place where they come, are providing Forces to stop them from comming thither, for the Cavaliers have rendred themselves so odious by the plundering and pillaging accompanied with many acts of barbarous cruelty, that the whole Kingdome do now see what this businesse is like to come to, if they be not suddainly cut off, and therefore it behoves them to joyn together to send in Forces against them from all parts, least according to the proverbiall phrase, they should save a penny and loose a pound, but suffering them to enter into their own houses, and be their own carvers. || A Continuation of Certain Speciall and Remarkable Passages