three ministers, very godly and religious men."[3] This success cooled the King's desire for agreement with the Parliament, which had just sent Commissioners to Oxford to treat. "The welcome news of your Highness taking of Cirencester by assault, with admirable dexterity and courage, came this morning very seasonably and opportunely, as His Majesty was ready to give an answer to the Parliamentary Committee, and will, I believe, work better effects with them and with those that sent them than the gracious reception they had here from His Majesty,"[4] wrote the Secretary Nicholas to the Prince. After reconnoitring Warwick and Gloucester, Rupert returned to Oxford, where he composed the elaborate defence of his conduct already quoted, entitled "Prince Rupert, his Declaration." By February 22nd he had resumed his wanderings. Only a study of his journal can give any idea of his restless activity, and therefore a few entries from March 1643, are here quoted. March 4. Satterday, to Cirencester. " 5. To Malmesbury in Wiltshire. " 6. Mundaye, to Chipping Sodburye in Glostershire. " 7. Tuesday night, on Durdan Down by Bristol. {103} March 8. Wednesday morning, advancing towards Bristol, we heard how Mr. Bourcher and Mr. Yeoman's plot was discovered, and we instantly faced about to Chipping Sodbury. " 9. Thursday, to Malmesbury. " 10. Friday, home to Oxford. " 18. Satterday, to Abingdon. " 19. Sunday, to Tetsworth. " 20. Monday, to Denton in Buckinghamshire. " 21. Tuesday, the little Skirmish before Aylesbury. That night to Oxford.[5] The entry of March 8th alludes to a Royalist plot by which it had been intended to surrender Bristol to Rupert. But the plot was betrayed, and the two merchants who had been the prime movers of it were executed. Meanwhile the King's party was prospering in the North. Some time previously the Queen had despatched Goring to the aid of the Earl of Newcastle in Yorkshire; and in March she landed there herself, bringing supplies and reinforcements. In Lancashire and Cheshire Lord Derby was struggling valiantly, but he felt himself out-numbered, and earnestly implored Rupert to come to his assistance. The Countess of Derby, Charlotte de La Tremouille, who had been brought up at the Hague in intimate relations with the Palatines, added her entreaties to those of her husband: "Je ne sais ce que je dis, mais ayez pitie de mon mari, mes enfans, et moi."[6] Moved by this urgent appeal, Rupert resolved to go northward, and Digby volunteered to accompany him.