Sussex villagers refuse to pay Parliamentarian assessment

21 Apr 1643 (Fri) || Out of the County of Sussex it is informed, that at Pulborow, a Village in that shire, a Company of Malevolents were gathered together, who stood upon their guard, and refused to pay the weekly Assessments for the maintenance of the Parliaments Army, and they had elected one Master Bishop, brother unto Sir Edward Bishop to be their Captaine, and they much sleighted Collonell Stapelyes, and Collonell Morleyes Troopes of Horse, threatning, that if they durst come amongst them, they would send them packing without their horses and Armes, but when it came to the upshot, and that the horse appeared indeed before them, they were glad to submit, and disband themselves. || William Ingler – Certaine Informations (P)

Sussex inhabitants forced to contribute to Parliament

11 March 1642/3 (Sat) || Out of the County of Sussex they write, that the Inhabitants of Petworth and Pulborow, refused to contribute any moneyes for the defence of the King and Parliament, whereupon Colonell Morley with some Troopes of horse went thither to know the reasons of their refusall, whither being come, they stood upon their guard, and would not admit of his entrance, which notwithstanding their opposition he forced, with the losse of one of his men, and so he hath disarmed them, and brought them under contribution. || William Ingler – Certaine Informations (P)

List of Royalist prisoners from Chichester

29 Dec 1642¹ || Since the Parl. tooke Winchester, and neer 800. Cavaliers prisoners with their horses and arms: Sir Will. Waller who commanded another Brigad of the Parl. Forces, hath after 9. dayes and nights siege (lying in the fields all that time) taken in the City of Chichester, granting the Cavaliers therein, onely bare quarter for their lives … The names of the most principall Cavaliers there taken and brought up prisoners are as follows: Colonel Lindsey, Lieutenant Colonel [Edward] Porter*, Major Lindsey, Sergeant Major Dawson [Davison]*, Major Gourden, Major Lernon, Cap. Wolfe, Cap. Cooper, Cap. Ford, Cap. Oglanby, Cap. Ferboone, Cap. Morrison, Cap. Ennis, Cap. Saint Leger, Cap. Atkinson, Cap. Robinson, Cap. Wilford, Cap. Tynson, Cap. Charthurst, Cap. Mournerfield, Cap. Stevenson, Cap. Hooke, Cap. Mohun, 1. Lieutenant Shelly,² Lieu. [William] Bold*, Lieu. Flesher, Lieu. [Christopher] Bird*, Lieu. Woodcock, Lieu. Widdrington, Lieu. Seeton, Lieu. Pridgeon, Lieu. Wilson, Lieu. Edmunds, Lieu. Anfield, Lieu. Annas [John Amias]*, 2. Lieu. Shelley, 1. Ancient [Thomas] Shelley*, An. Cause, An. Finch, An. Cosse, An. Sibbald, An. Gurden [Gordon], An. Gurnet [William Garret]*, An. Adam, 2. An. Shelley, An. Gurnet.

The names of the Gentlemen likewise brought up prisoners. Master Lenker [Lewknor] recorder. Sir Will. Ford, Sir Will. Valentine, Master Collis, Minister. Walter Monke, Will. Mayo, Rich. Mayo, Joh. Windsor, Master Anderson.

Col. Sir Will, Waller, who commanded in chiefe the Brigad, hath (through Gods blessing) beene very fortunate in every thing hee takes in hand, as the getting in of Portsmouth after a long siege, the then faithlesse Governour Goring after desiring banishment, and promising never to serve against the Parl, yet is come over again and takes up Arms contrary to his faith, the like crime is Lenkner the Lawyer guilty of, the fomenter of the distractions in that County. It is not to be omitted how manfully Col: Sir William Waller tooke the Castle of Farnham by assault, wherein were 120. Cavaliers. || Richard Collings – The Kingdomes Weekly Intelligencer

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¹ Collings seems to have written up the report a few days later in early January, as he mentions the prisoners arriving in London on January 2.
² i.e. there were two Lieutenant Shelleys, and two Ancient (Ensign) Shelleys on the list; Collings (or whoever wrote up the list) numbered them to differentiate, although neglected to do so with the two Ancient Gurnets.

* Known officers of Colonel Henry Shelley’s regiment of foot. Major Dawson/Davison is named as “Dawson” in wartime POW lists, but “Davison” in 1663, when he claimed a bounty from Charles II as a former royalist officer. “Gourden” is listed as “Gordon” in another POW list.

The Royalists surrender Chichester

29 Dec 1642 || This day came Letters to the Parliament from Chichester, informing them, that Sir William Waller had entred the City, and had possessed himself of a Church, on which hee had placed his Ordnance; upon which the Cavaleers conceiving themselves to be in a hard condition, and repented that they accepted of  quarter when it was offered them, and doe now very earnestly desire quarter, that they may passe away with their Carriages and to leave the City, but that was denyed, and perceiving that there was no remedy, at last they rendered themselves prisoners, and yeelded up the Town, and the Earle of Tennet [Thanet] was taken prisoner, having there forty Horse, which he brought thither with him, and in all there was about fifteen hundred souldiers in the Town, the chief Officers are detained as Prisoners, but the common souldiers were discharged, their Armes being taken from them. In this City were about eight pieces of Ordnance, and good store of Ammunition, which is all taken by the Parliament Forces, and a brave Troope of reformadoes under the Command of the Earl of Crayford, was also taken, but the said E. him selfe was not found, it being conceived that he was not in the City. There was also taken about 400 Horse and Dragooners, And whereas the Papists and malignants of that County had brought the greatest part of their moneys Plate and other treasure into the said City for safety (they thought) or at least that it might not be imployed for the publick good and safety of the Kingdome, the same is also taken by Parliam. forces with about fifteen hundred pounds worth of Plate, which they had taken away from those that were well-affected to the Parliament, and carryed thither.

And it is reported for a Truth, that there was of Plate and Moneyes in the Towne about one hundred and fifty thousand pounds worth, which is hoped will bee imployed in a better way then they intended it, and instead of being used to maintain a Warre against the Parliament, be employed about setling the present Distractions, and setling of a safe and Honourable peace between the King and his good Subjects.

Sir William Foord the new Sheriffe,¹ Sir William Matley [Morley] one that hath turned from the Parliament,² Master Lukner [Lewknor], Doctor King³ and many other persons of Note were also taken.

And the Townsmen willingly profered the Parliaments Souldiers a Moneths pay to prevent them from plundering, which was accepted of.

The chief Commanders that were in this service, the greatest and most apparent Victory which hath hitherto beene obteyned since these warres beganne, was Sir William Waller, Collonell [Robert] Goodwyn, and Sir Arthur Haslerigge (as I take) who deserve much Honour for their valour and fidelity in this imployment. The full Relation of this businesse being as yet not certainly known, let this brief suffice for the present. || Samuel Pecke – A Perfect Diurnall of the Passages in Parliament

|| There came more letters to the Parliament from Chichester, more fully informing the proceedings there that Sir William Waller entred the North Gate, and placed his Ordnance on the Church, on Wednesday morning last as is before receited, the Cavaliers desired quarter that they might passe away with their luggage and leave the Towne, but that being denyed them, towards night on the Fast day they yealded the Towne and themselves prisoners upon quarter for their lives, there being above 1500. Souldiers in the Towne, the Earle of Tennent is also taken prisoner, with his 40. Horse and great stire of Treasure which he carried thither, the Earle of Crayford is not as yet found, but some thinke he was not at all in the Towne, but lyes under the Surgeons hands upon his former wounds at Edge hill, but his Troope of Reormadoes, the finest Troope the King had, being above a 100. are taken, and about 500. Horse and Dragooners, great store of Armes and other pillage, besides monies and plate to a great value; Sir William Ford the high Sheriffe is taken, Sir William Morley a Parliament man, with Lukner, Doctor King and divers other men of great worth, the full relation of the prize cannot as yet be knowne, but for certaine it is the greatest victory hath as yet beene obtained; The townes-men of Chichester offered the Parliament Souldiers a moneths pay to preserve their Towne from plundering, which was accepted of. || A Continuation of Certain Speciall and Remarkable Passages

|| Sir William Waller and the Parliaments Forces have at length taken Chichester in Sussex and yesterday in the afternoone they tooke full possession thereof upon these termes: That all the Cavaliers and Delinquents in it should undergoe the censure of the Parliament; that the City should pay for the charge of the Siege, and to allow our Souldiers a moneths pay; and in particular, they have taken there Dr. King the Bishop of that Sea, Foord the high Sheriffe, Lewkner the Recorder, Sir William Balandine [Bellenden], Sir William Morley, Judge Heaths sonne in law, Col. Linsey, [Edward] Porter, Wolfe, May, 4. prime Commanders, two of the Zouches, and two of Sir PoyningMoores Brothers, and the Earle of Crafords Troop, consisting of 60. or 60. Commanders all Scottish men, with all their brave Horse, above 400 Dragoneers, and 3 or 400. Foot: but the last night the Parliaments Commanders being at Supper, should have beene blowne up by 7. Barrels of Gunpowder, which was prevented, the Plot being happily discovered. || Stephen Bowtell – England’s Memorable Accidents

|| By Letters from Chichester, it is informed for a Truth, that after the parliaments forces had possessed themselves of the City, and set Courts of guard about it, notice was given that the malignants had plotted against them, and that seven Barrels of powder were laid in a house in the City, and a train of powder, that at blowing up thereof, by reason of the smoak and combustion, those that had rendred themselves prisoners might escape, which being discovered by one of their own Gunners, upon search it was found, and thereby the mischief prevented. || Samuel Pecke – A Perfect Diurnall of the Passages in Parliament

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¹An error: the sheriff was Sir Edward Ford.
² Morley was MP for Chichester; in November Parliament had disabled him from sitting in the House.
³ Henry King, Bishop of Chichester. His entry in the Dictionary of National Biography states that in fact he was not captured at Chichester, but fled the town.

Sir William Waller sieges Chichester

21 Dec 1642 || Sir William Waller with a thousand Horse, three hundred Dragoneers, and sixe Peeces of Ordnance, besiegeth now the City of Chichester, to whose assistance Colonel Morley is coming from Staining with more Horse and Foot. || Stephen Bowtell – England’s Memorable Accidents

The military situation in Sussex

8 Dec 1642 || Bellona begins now to act her part of Warre upon the Sussex Stage; there are very great preparations in Lewes to advance for and regaine the City of Chichester, surprized for the Cavalliers by a treacherous plot of the new Sheriffe,³ Papists and malignant faction of the three Westerne Rapes in that County:¹ they threatned presently upon their good successe to plunder the Towne of Lewes if they resisted the execution of their Commission of Array; but the trained bands getting in suddenly to relieve it, made them to desist; yet they came so neere as to get possession of Bramber-bridge (the onely passage betweene the Eastern and the Western Rapes) which they guarded for ten dayes, but now have deserted it, and cry Peccavi,² and have since wrot Letters to excuse the Passages and to desire an Accomodation, which came from the Earle of Tenet; but this was since they heard of Mr. Stapleyes and Mr. Morleys Commission granted for the raising of Forces to expell them. Sir Michael Levesey and Mr. Temple are come into Lewes with a brave Troop of 200. lusty men out of Kent, and Mr. Morley is arrived there with his Troopes of above 200. more, with brave Commanders from London, whereof some are Scottish men. Their neighbour Papists have been searched and all their idolatrous Reliques broken downe and brought in Triumph into that Towne; so that you might have beene sprinkled there with Holy-water for nothing: and this Weeke they were to march towards Chichester.

It is further informed out of that County that Mr. Stapeley is somewhat ill in body, and thereupon hath sent his Commission to Mr. Morley, and given up to him his Command, whereby the worke is much hindred, and things out of order; that the Sheriffe is much affraid and if matters were composed amongst them, he might soone [be] driven out, or taken; that Sir Michael Levesey and Mr. Morley are very couragious, and so are all their Souldiers, and that they would faine be doing, but cannot, because they want ample directions from the Parliament. || Samuel Pecke – A Perfect Diurnall of the Passages in Parliament

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¹ A rape was an administrative district: Sussex was formerly divided into six of these.
² Peccavi is Latin for “I have sinned”.
³ Sir Edward Ford

Sir William Waller takes Farnham Castle

2 Dec 1642 (Fri) || It was informed the Commons that Sir William Waller a member of their House with a small number of horse and Dragoones, hath taken Farnham Castle in Surrey from the Kings forces that kept the same; that they met with some opposition at the first, and lost three men, but although they had no peeces of Ordnance, they soone blew up the gates with powder, and forced into the Castle, and tooke about six-score prisoners, whereof divers were Commanders and Gentle-men of good quality, seven whereof were this day brought to the Parliament, viz. the high Sheriffe of Surrey, five chiefe Commanders, and one a Malignant person, who are all commited to prison. They also tooke in the said Castle, six hundred pound in money, and 3. hundred sheep, one hundred Oxen, and great store of other provision and powder and shot. || Samuel Pecke – A Perfect Diurnall of the Passages in Parliament

Sir William Waller and Colonell Urrey have gotten possession of the Castle at Farnham, and have therein taken many quarters of corne, much money and Plate, and 80. Cavaliers, whereof two are Denham the new High Sheriffe of Surrey, and Broadrecks the Brewer in Southwarke, and also one Keble a Priest, since which surprisall the aforesaid Commanders are gone to besiege the City of Chichester in Sussex. || Stephen Bowtell – England’s Memorable Accidents

Lewes prepares to fend off Royalist threat; 1000 Royalists in Chichester

26 Nov 1642 || The Inhabitants of Lewis in Sussex are endeavouring to defend their Town, many Volunteers are come to them, and more intend to aid them. The Trained bands also of that County purpose to assist them, if they had any aide from the Parliament, they were able to recover Chichester and drive the new Shiriffe out of the County, or else apprehend him. The country is willing to joyn with other auxiliary forces, but they want a head to lead them, wherefore they desire either Mr. [Anthony] Stapely¹ or Mr [Herbert] Morley² speedily to come to them: [Ambrose] Trayton that was Captain of that Town is so affrighted with  the Kings Proclamation, that he hath basely deserted them, though heretofore hee made great shewes to the contrary.³

Foord the new Sheriffe hath gotten a 1000 men into Chichester, and it is said that the King hath sent him a 100 Dragooners, the Earle of Tenet [Thanet] aideth the Sheriffe, and intendeth to goe to his house in Lewis with all the strength he can raise, the good Ministers are all fled out of the West part of that County, because they were most cruelly misused, they would have Pistolled a good Minister there, but the Pistoll would not fire, whereupon he leaping over a ditch escaped. If the City of Chichester were reduced, there would be no shelter in that County for the Malignants. || Stephen Bowtell – England’s Memorable Accidents

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¹ Stapley was a Parliamentarian colonel, and Chichester’s military governor.
² Morley was MP for Lewes.
³ On Nov 18 the Commons Journal notes that the house was “Resolved, upon the Question, That Captain Ambrose Trayton shall have Power to call in Two hundred Men, or more, if Occasion shall be, into the Town of Lewis, Volunteers or others; and to command the same, for the Defence of the said Town.” Presumably Trayton redeemed himself with the Parliament, however, as in September 1643 he was added to Sussex’s Committee of Sequestrations (which dealt with forfeited Royalist property).

Editor Blunden’s comment on county sheriffs

25 Nov 1642 || The new Sheriffes that the King hath nominated, are for the most part Commissioners of Array, Papists, or Delinquents, but are all of them persons of such temper, as will conforme themselves to the service they are designed for, though it be the destruction of the County for which they were chosen, witnesse Mr Fords carriage, the new high Sheriffe of the County of Sussex,¹ who hath possessed himselfe of the city of Chichester by force, whose Father is one of the Soape grand projectors,² and his land voted to make satisfaction to the Common wealth, and therefore his sonne was a fit person to be chosen to disturbe the proceedings of Parliament.

The King hath nominated another Sheriffe in Surrey sutable to the designes of the Cavaliers,³ who hath possessed himselfe of Farnham Castle, and hath raised Posse commitatus e.⁴to guard the Cavaliers, and enjoynes the County to being in money and plate, and there receives it; it is well knowne his Fortune often depended on Size Ace, and therefore the more fitter companion and instrument for the Cavaliers who are Souldiers of Fortune.⁵ In another County of the Kingdome like Sheriffes are chosen, men desperate that will (but that Counties beginne to be sensible of the barbarisme and inhumanitie of them, and consequently unwilling to obey) compell obedience to their illegall commands, who will at this day obey the great Seale when the King himselfe is a prisoner, and cannot come to his Parliament; the Lord Keeper of the great Seale,⁶ Sir and others his servants are subject to the will and command of the Cavaliers, what they like must passe and nothing else. || Humphrey Blunden – Speciall Passages and Certain Informations

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¹ Sir Edward Ford
² He had been granted a royal monopoly to make/distribute soap. Monopoly schemes raised money for the Crown, as it received a cut from the “projectors” or monopolists, but were highly unpopular as they led to higher prices, and froze out small manufacturers.
³ Sir John Denham
4 “Posse comitatus” was a legal device available to sheriffs which forced local citizens to assist the authorities, for example in suppressing a riot.
⁵ “Sice Ace” or “six aces”, is a dicing term. The vocabulary is Old French: dice sides were named ace, deuce, trey, cater, cinque, sice, and a particular throw could bring the player “six aces”. Hence Blunden’s reference to Royalist “soldiers of fortune”.
⁶ Sir Edward Littleton, who earlier in the year had – of his own free will, despite Blunden’s assertion – defied Parliament and sent the seal to the King at York.


King’s warrants to Sheriff of Sussex declared illegal

19 Nov 1642 – late || Information was given to the Commons that the Sheriffe of Sussex sent out warrants to the trayned Bands of that Countie to march out in their Armes to assist the King for the guard of his person, and that such of them as refused hee threatned to disarme having command from his Majestie to that purpose.

Whereupon it was resolved upon the question that the warrants were illegall and ought not to be obeyed, and that if any person shall go about to disarme any of the trained Bands or others without consent of Parliament that such persons may stand upon their guards to defend themselves and kill and slay all that come against them, and that any person may assist them. || Samuel Pecke – A Perfect Diurnall of the Passages in Parliament