ADVERTISEMENT TO THE READER. M R. DE RAPIN THOYRAS'S Method in Writing the Hiftory of King Charles the Firft, obliging him to infert at length, abundance of Declarations, Treaties, Letters, Speeches, and other Original Papers, with the Substance of many more, this and the two foregoing Volumes may very justly be faid to be lefs a Tranflation than the French it felf. And here it may be obferved, that when a Foreigner, who is equal to the Work, undertakes to write in his own Tongue the Hiftory of any Nation, though he bids fair to do it with greater Impartiality than a Native, and though a 2 Though his History may be the best digefted of any extant, as is certainly the Cafe of Rapin's, yet it is hardly poffible for the Author to avoid being guilty of numberless little Miftakes and Blunders. For this Reason, it must not be thought ftrange, that in many Places of this Reign the Tranflation differs from the French, particularly where the Subftance of Original Papers is given; but however great Care has been taken on fuch Occafions, faithfully to infert the very Words of Rushworth, or of whatever Author is quoted. By which means Multitudes of Errours are corrected, and many Notes to that Purpose avoided. THE FH THE HISTORY of ENGLAND. BOOK XXI. Containing the Third and Laft Part of the Reign of CHARLES I. T 1. 1642. HE King had imagined that the CHARLES found himself very much out in his at Not- three Hundred Foot, and fome Trained-Bands drawn together by the Sheriff of the County. His Cavalry confifted only of eight Hundred Horfe, and his Artillery was not yet come from York, from whence itwas difficult to bring it, many Things being wanting to prepare and form it for marching, and befides there were not Foot enough levied to guard it. Ne Sir John Digby. VOL. XII. A vertheless, 1642. vertheless, as he had given out Abundance of Commiffions, and ordered his Forces to repair to Nottingham, he expected them in that Town, though not without Danger, the Parliament having at Coventry a Body of five Thoufand Foot, and fifteen Hundred Horfe. Thus the King was in a very fad State before the War was well begun. He had appointed Robert Bertu Earl of Lindsey for General; but he had yet no Army. The Princes Rupert and Maurice his Nephews, Brothers of the Elector Palatine, being come to offer him their Service in the Beginning of September, he made the first General of his Horfe, which were quartered at Leicester, whither the Prince went and took upon him the Command. He is in ger. The King it is certain was in extreme Danger at great Dan- Nottingham. That Town was not in Condition to hold out long, and the King having hardly any Forces, if the Parliament's Troops, who were within Twenty Miles of the Place, had marched directly to him, he must have been forced to retire with Difhonour to York, unless he would have run the Hazard of being made Prifoner. All thofe about him faw the Danger, it being fo evident; but it was no eafy Matter to avoid it, without quitting Nottingham, His Coun- which could not but be very prejudicial to him. For cil advise this Reafon it was moved in the Council to fend a him to proMeffage to both Houfes, with fome Overture to incline them to a Treaty. The Intent of this Propofition was Doubtlefs to give the King to understand that his Affairs were in fuch a Situation, that nothing but a Peace could free him from the Perplexity and Danger he was expofed to. But the Mover of this Advice could hardly think that a bare Offer of Peace was able to effect it, after what had paffed before the Rupture. It is therefore very likely, his Defign was that, in propofing a Peace, fomething more fhould be tendered than what had been offered before. The King eafily perceived what was hinted, pose a Peace. The King refuses. Clar. II. P. 7. and |