Parliament troops take Stafford in a night assault

18 May 1643 (Thu) || But this good newes [regarding Royalist successes at Grantham] was waited on by an unfortunate accident, which befell his Majestie in the losse of Stafford: whereof it was advertised this day, that some of the Rebels dwelling in the More-lands had fallen upon it in the night, and making their way over the River, where the Town was lesse defensible, and not well guarded, made themselves masters of it without any resistance: the Garrison there being about 200 in all, were as supine and negligent as they have been in many other places, to the great disservice of his Majestie, and the losse of their own lives, or libertie at the least. || John Berkenhead/Peter Heylyn – Mercurius Aulicus (R)

The particulars of the late taking of the Towne of Stafford are thus; Mr. Stepkin, and Mr. Chadwicke, two resolute lovers of their Countrey; being much perplexed that the Towne of Stafford was kept by such wicked people as daily annoyed and infested that County, got some of the Morelanders about Leyke and Stone, to side with them, and sent to Sir William Brereton in Cheshire to aide them, who sent his owne Troope of Cuirasiers to them, with which assistance they tooke the Towne by Scalado, with the losse of very few men on both sides, some Sentinels onely excepted, for the Cavaliers in the Towne seeing themselves too desperately and sodainly surprised, had not the power to make any  opposition. They tooke prisoners there to the number of 300, besides horses and armes, amongst which 42 were men of note and quality, the chiefe whereof were, John Damford, of 500li. per annum, Ralph Smead [Sneyd],¹ of 1000li. per annum, Thomas Leigh, of 7000li. per annum, Richard Bowyer, of 1000li. per annum, George Digby, of 800li.² per annum, John Skrymson, of 800li. per annum, and Samson Comberford, of 500li. per annum, all the rest were Gentlemen, Captaines and Officers. And since, the aforesaid two valiant Gentlemen, the report is, have also surprised the most Malevolent Towne of Wulverhampton in the same County, where they have taken some prisoners, Armes and Ammunition, and more wealth, as it is said then they found in Stafford; after these exploits, if they could but reduce the Close at Liechfield, that whole County would then speedily be brought to the devotion and obedience to the King and Parliament. || William Ingler – Certaine Informations (P)

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¹ Sneyd was MP for Stafford; he had been disabled from sitting in Parliament in 1642.
² Presumably not George Digby, son of the Earl of Bristol, a noted Royalist; firstly because had he been captured, it is difficult to imagine Parliament ever releasing him (and he was active throughout the war); and secondly because the London newsbooks would have crowed about it for weeks.

Army movements in Staffordshire

1 May 1643 (Mon) || From Derby they write, that Colonell Ridgley was so affrighted with the bare Report, of Prince Ruperts advancing to Uttoxate [Uttoxeter] in Staffordshire, after he had gotten the Close at Lichfield, that he presently left the Town of Uttoxate, and went with his forces to Leyke [Leek] in the North part of Staffordshire to secure himself, whereas it would have been better and safer for him, to have retired to Burton upon Trent, where he might have joyned himselfe with Sir John Gell and his Army.

After whose departure, the Towne of Uttoxate, through the Treachery of some of their owne Townsmen, Compounded with Captaine Bagot¹ for a summe of money, to be exempted from Plundring and Saccage, yet they conditioned to deliver up their Armes to the Cavaliers, having compleate armes for at least an hundred and fiftie men, and they were also to receive 300. of the Cavaliers men and horse, to be billetted in their Towne.

And they further write from thence, that Master Henry Hastings, hath lately taken 60 Horses with their Packs from severall Carriers, that travelled in those parts neere Tamworth and Ashby de la zouch, which hath made the people thereabouts dignifie him with the title of Rob-Carrier. He is daily expected at Derby, where they prepare to give him whole Vollies both of great and small shot for his welcome, but his courage will not yet suffer him to accept of such rude entertainment. He hath had great forces about Tamworth, which are since marched to Oxford, being sent thither by the King, where a thick cloud and inpetuous storme is drawing together, but where it will light, God only knoweth, howsoever, Derby provideth for it, for they daily fetch in Rents from the Malevolents in that County, and the Countrey people come in to their aide with their Armes; but because they have no present neede and use of them, they have desired them to retire to their homes, and to returne to them againe, when upon any pressing emegents they shall require their loving and brotherly assistance.  || William Ingler – Certaine Informations (P)

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¹ Richard Bagot, the new Royalist governor of Lichfield

Parliamentarians attempt to recover Lichfield

28 Apr 1643 (Fri) || Out of Warwickshire it is certified, that the Lord Grey of Groby, sonne to the Earle of Stamford, Sir John Gell of Derby, and the Valiant souldiers that so bravely defended the Close at Liechfield, against Prince Rupert and his Army, together with the help of the Coventry men, have againe besieged the Close at Liechfield, thereby taking the fittest opportunity to recover it again before it be thoroughly manned, victualled, and provided with Ammunition by the enemy, for Prince Rupert left but a few men in it, whom he could spare but a small quantity of Gunpowder, because he had spent the greatest part of his store upon battering and blowing up of the walls thereof. And for this day or two it hath been reported, that it is regained by the aforesaid assailants, which if it be true, will free the Counties of Stafford, Warwicke, Derby, Leicester, and the adjacent parts from the annoyance of those that nestled in it. || William Ingler – Certaine Informations (P)

Prince Rupert takes Cathedral Close at Lichfield

22 Apr 1643 (Sat) || This day came newes by an Expresse, that Prince Rupert had take the Close at Lichfield: the particulars these: On Thursday last he sprung his mine, and made a reasonable breach, and therewith all have order, that whilst some of his souldiers did assault the Breach, others should at the same time, in another place, attempt the scaling of the walls: but the Scalado failing, and the service at the Breach being very hot, his Highnesse also having beene much pressed by severall letters to returne with speed unto the Court, he was content to give the defendants such conditions, as had not otherwise been granted; viz., that Lieutenant Collonell Russell who commanded in chiefe within the close, on the surrendrie of the same by ten of the Clocke the morrow after April 21. should depart thence with 80 horse, with men upon them, and armes belonging to the horsemen, as also with 80 muskets, and Colours flying, all other persons being permitted to goe where they pleased; that for their safe conveyance thence, the Prince should give them a free passe, and furnish them with eleven Carts to carry away such goods as did belong to any of the Officers and souldiers, with themselves to the City of Coventry, and that all Prisoners taken on each side within the County of Stafford, since the Lord Brooke came into the Countrie, should be immediately released. According unto which agreement the Close was yeilded up on Friday, April 21. together with the Ordinance and Ammunition, all sorts of Armes except the horsemens Armes and muskets before mentioned, and all such treasure which had beene formerly conveyed in thither, and did not properly and of right belong to the Souldiers there: all which was to be left by the said Agreement to the disposing of the Victor. || John Berkenhead/Peter Heylyn – Mercurius Aulicus (R)

Prince Rupert makes another attempt on Lichfield

18 Apr 1643 (Tue) || From Coventry in Warwickshire they write, that Prince Rupert, notwithstanding his first repulse and losse at the Close at Lichfield, returned thither againe, and assaulted it more fiercely than he had done at the first, and that he caused a mine to be made under some part of the wall thereof, intending to blow up the wall with gunpowder, to make his entrance the more easie, but the mine tooke no effect, because the springs of water that rise there presently choaked it, then he proceeded to batter the wall with his Canon, and made a slight breach into it, into which breach he endeavoured to thrust a cart, which was filled with aboundance of combustible matter, by the smoake and flame whereof, he would have stifled and smothered the defendants, but the cart being placed upon the ground where under his mine was, with the weight thereof it break the earth, and is sunk into the mine, wherby it became uselesse for his attempt and purpose; and that the defendants in the Close are much spent and distressed with continuall labours and watching to resist his purposes, but for their speedy reliefe, the Inhabitants of Coventry, Derby, Leicester, and Northampton, are raising of souldiers to make an Army to succour them, and to drive him from thence.  || William Ingler – Certaine Informations (P)

Prince Rupert repulsed at Lichfield

15 Apr 1643 (Sat) || Out of Staffordshire they write, that after Prince Rupert had miserably pillaged and burnt the town of Bromingham he marched with his forces towards the City of Lichfield; the Inhabitants whereof went out to give him a welcome thither, in the meane time, a 100. of the garrison souldiers that lie in the Close, issued out of the Towne, and tooke all the food and victuall they could finde there, and carried it into the Close, and shut themselves fast in, by which meanes they are now stored with victuall, that they are able to sustaine a sixe moneth siege at the least, and are manned with 300 stout Musketiers. Prince Rupert comming into the City, would needs trie his fortune against the Close, and assaulted it, but the defendants with their great and small shot gave him such a rude welcome, that he was faine to quit his enterprise and fall off, with the losse of above an 100. of his souldiers, and finding any attempt upon them to bee in vaine, he left that place and marched to Burton upon Trent, where the Townes men having well fortified, secured and strengthning themselves, there hee received another blow, whereupon, as the current report is, he being disanimated, diverted his course from such difficult enterprises, and is againe retreated towards Oxenford. || William Ingler – Certaine Informations (P)

Rupert & Lord Capel reportedly pressing men into service for the King

13 Apr 1643 (Thu) || Out of Shropshire they write, that the Lord Capell is raising of any Army of Horse and foote in that County for the King, and that he presseth and forceth men to serve him, because few or none there offer themselves as Volunteers for his service. And in Staffordshire, Prince Rupert gathereth up all sortes of men, by menace and threates of plundering their goods and seizing upon their estates, if they will not come to him to serve the King, and these are the men that are provided to receive the first shock, and to blunt the weapons of the Parliaments forces, or rather Turke like, to drive them upon the mouth of the Cannon, to keepe themselves shot free. || William Ingler – Certaine Informations (P)

 

Walsall sends forces to assist Prince Rupert

6 Apr 1643 (Thu) || It was signified also by Letters out of Staffordshire, dated April 5, that the burning of Burmingham by the Souldiers, though contrary to the Prince’s pleasure, as before is said, had strooke such a terrour into the Country, that Wallsall (a Towne as factious and seditious as the other was) had sent in to the Prince betwixt 3 or 400 proper fellowes with Bils and Clubs, to serve him in these warres against the Rebels; most of them swearing that they will not leave the Kings service; that the Rebels in those parts are brought very low, there being but 100 men in all at Lichfield, besides the 50 horse which escaped from Burmingham: that the Prince intended to be this very night, being the next after the date of the said Letters, at the Towne of Stafford, from whence he might take the better prospect of the parts adjoyning, and have an eye to all advantages which were offered to him. It was signified in the same Letters also, that the Earle of Northampton and Colonell Hastings were sate downe with all their Forces before Leicester, which they intended to besiege. || John Berkenhead/Peter Heylyn – Mercurius Aulicus (R)

Battle at Hopton Heath, Staffordshire

Sunday 19 Mar 1642/3 || Newes came of a great battell fought, neere the towne of Stafford, betwixt His Majesties Forces under the conduct of the Earle of Northampton and Colonell Hastings on the one side, and the Rebels of those parts conducted by Sir John Gell, and Sir Willim Brereton on the other,¹ The summe of the report is, that the Commanders of the Kings Forces, being at Lichfield, where they besieged those who had tooke the Close, received intelligence that Gell and Brereton with a body of 3000 men were comming to the reliefe of the besieged, that upon this intelligence they drew out 800 Horse and 300 dragoons (leaving the residue of their Army to make good the seige) and came upon them unexpected: that the Rebels horse not able to endure the charge, having held out about a quarter of an houre, were put to flight, and the Foote left unto themselves, who seeing themselves deserted, forsooke the feild, leaving the victory entire to the Kings Forces: that there were killed about an hundred, and as many taken, the rest being scattered and dispersed into severall corners; and that besides the Ammunition and the baggage all which came unto the hands of the Victor, they had taken also eight piece of Ordinance, whereof foure were drakes, the other being of a greater size; but for the other seven great peeces, (for they brought 15 into the feild,) they had not yet found what became of them, though they were very well assured that the Rebels did not carry them along with them. And it is said that Gell was also killed, or deadly wounded and not like to live; A very great and signall victory, but full dearely bought. For though His Majesty lost but 20 men or thereabouts, he had it at no lesse a price, then the Earle of Northamptons life: who charging in the head of his Troope was ingaged so farre in the heat of the battell, that his horse being shot and falling under him, he was unfortunately slaine, before his friends and followers could come in to helpe him.² So that we may affirme of that noble Lord, that though he lost his life, yet he wonne the day; that victory was so constant a Retainer to him, as to attend him to his grave; and that he died a Martyr and a Conqueror both, and vanquished those by whom he suffered.  || John Berkenhead/Peter Heylyn – Mercurius Aulicus (R)

By two severall Letters out of Staffordshire, the one from Sir William Brereton to his Lady here, the other from Serjeant Major Lee, to his wife here at Criplegate; It is informed that Sir John Gell with his Army of about 1500. Horse and Foote, marched from Liechfield, towards a Stafford Towne, and met with the Earle of Northampton and his forces, consisting of about 1200. Horse, upon Sunday last, at a place called Cranock green, where the two Armies encountred one another, but the Earle being stronger in Horse, forced Sir John Gels Horse to retreate and disorder, and tooke some of them, with a Case of Drakes; but Sir John foote being no way discouraged therewith, stood to it valiantly, and repulsed the Earles Horse, slew the said Earle, and also killed about 150. of his souldiers, with the losse only of eleven of their own men, and by the comming in of Sir William Breerton, obtained the Victory, and drove their Enemies out of the field, and amongst the rest, Mr. Henry Hastings was rescued, though taken, but so sore wounded, that he could not sit upon his Horse. After the Battle the Earles men sent for his body, but they were answered, that upon delivery of their Case of Drakes, and forty Dragooneers which were taken, it should be yeelded up to them: but whether they have since taken Stafford Towne, is not yet related. || William Ingler – Certaine Informations (P)

There hath been a more certain information given of the Battell neer Stafford, then was certified the last day, which is to this effect. That Sir John Gel advancing towards that town with his Forces from Lichfield, the Earle of Northampton with his Forces fell upon their Arreare, within foure Myles of Stafford, and after some combate betwixt the Parliaments Forces and them, there was about a thousand more of the Kings Forces came in to their assistance, which caused a very hot Skirmish, for some time, after which Sir William Brewerton came in, with 1500. Horse, by which meanes the Kings Forces were put to the worst, the Earl of Northampton slain, and one of his Sonnes wounded and taken prisoner, with many others, of good quality, after which they were forced to retreat into the towne of Stafford for safety, but it is further informed that before the comming of the Cheshire Forces, the Kings Forces tooke foure Drakes, and about forty prisoners from the Parliaments Forces, and it is said Mr. Hastings is mortally wounded, and that the Cavaliers have desired the Earl of Northamptons body to bury it, but answer was returned that if they would restore the 4. Drakes and the 40. prisoners they have taken, they should have him. || Samuel Pecke – A Perfect Diurnall (P)

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¹ The battle was at Hopton Heath.
² Gell was not, in fact, killed; Northampton was.

Lichfield Cathedral defenders surrender to Parliament

9 March 1642/3 (Thu) || This day the Newes came, that the Cavaliers in the Close at Lychfeld, had craved Quarter, and yeilded themselves to Sir John Gell on Monday last, and that the Earle of Chesterfield who was taken there, hath offered 90000.li for his Ransome, that he may be set at Liberty and that the Parliaments forces have gotten all the wealth which was brought in hither, by the Papists and Malignants in that County. || William Ingler – Certaine Informations (P)