In August, 1645, the King came with his army from Shipston-on-Stour to
Worcester, where they rested several days, the guards lying at Claines.
The Worcester Corporation accounts of this period contain numerous
items of expense incurred by "the Scots' king," as his Majesty was then
somewhat contemptuously termed; and the chamberlains also "pray to be
allowed for butter potts and napkins, bottles, &c., sent to the Denary
(his Majesty's quarters) and there lost."
Charles again passed through Bewdley, where a skirmish took place with
his pursuers, and sixty Royalists were taken prisoners. It is said
that he slept for two nights at the Angel Inn, in that town, and that
the inhabitants granted the sum of half-a-crown for his entertainment,
but there is probably some mistake either in the amount or in the
alleged object to which it was applied. Tickenhill Palace was so much
damaged during these wars that it was taken down soon afterwards. From
Bewdley the King went to Bromyard, and at length the hunted monarch
found shelter in the princely halls of Ragland with the Marquis of
Worcester. It is recorded that in November of this year divers persons
of Worcestershire, under Mr. Dingley--he was an officer who had served
in the Low Countries--declared for the Parliament and complained of the
"insolence and injuries" of the garrison of Worcester. Probably the
clubmen now gave in their adhesion to the only party which was able to
protect them, and against which resistance would have been unavailing,
for the fortunes of King Charles were rapidly sinking to the lowest
ebb. In proof of these "insolences and injuries" a copy of a warrant
from Col. Bard (probably Baird), the governor, to the constables who
were accustomed to collect the contributions, was laid before the
Parliament. It was drawn after the most approved Rupert style:--
"Know that unless you bring into me (at a day and house in
Worcester) the monthly contribution for six months, you are to
expect an unsanctified troop of horse among you, from whom, if
you hide yourselves, they shall fire your houses without mercy,
hang up your bodies wherever they find them, and scare your
ghosts, &c."
This probably led to the organisation of the Worcestershire Committee
of defence and safety, of which mention first occurs immediately after
the declaration of Mr. Dingley and others and the representation made
by them to the Parliament. Early in December, 1645, Prince Rupert
and Prince Maurice set out from Worcester with 160 horse in the
direction of Oxford. They were obstructed on their march by a party
of the "clubmen" under Sir Edward Dingley, the then head of this old
Worcestershire family. But these raw levies were no match for the
trained cavaliers and their ardent leaders. The Princes and their troop
cut their way through Dingley's yeomen, killing and wounding several of
them, and so got safely to Oxford.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account