UPon Friday last being the six and twentieth day of August , the House of Commons received a Letter from the Maior of Colchester directed to M. Iohn P●m Esquire , a member of the House of Commons , declaring the fidelity and good affection of the inhabitants of the said town of Colchester and other townes thereabouts in that good service they performed for the King and Parliament in taking away the great store of armes and ammunition that were found in the dwelling house of Sir Iohn Lucas neere Colchester , and how that a great many Muskets , Pistols , and Carbines were found ready charged ; all which was discovered by one Captain Lumley , who forthwith informed the towne thereof ; upon whose information the whole towne rose in a great uproare , and within a small time about two thousand people were gathered together , who forthwith beset the house of the said Sir Iohn Lucas , but were denied entrance for a time ; whereupon the people were so inraged , that they demanded entrance without delay : they that were within the house perceiving the multitude without to be too great for them to make opposition against , opened the gates , where after they had entred , they found twelve Horses fitted for warre , that should have gone to the King the next day , and two hundred men : Diverse of them being examined concerning the occasion of their being there , would confesse nothing , but said that they were sworne to secrefie : the people hearing this answer , were further inraged against Sir Iohn Lucas , insomuch that the Maior was inforced to carrie him home to his own house , to keep him from the violence of the people : Herewithall the people were no whit satisfied , but rather the more inraged ( resolving either to have him out , or els they threatned to pull downe ●h● Maiors house ) untill he had sent him to the common Goale . The people yet are in great feare and amazement , and continue together in great multitudes , and will not returne to their habitations untill they have further satisfaction concerning him . The Maior not knowing what course to take with the people , nor how to pacifie them , sent with all speed to know the pleasure of the Parliament concerning the same . After some debate of it in the House of Commons , they desired a Conference with the Lords , where the said Lerter was read , and thereupon the Lords and Commons ordered , that Sir Thomas Barrington , and M. Grimstone should goe with all speed downe to Colchester to appease the people , and to give them them thanks for their good affection , and forwardnesse to assist the Parliament , declaring to them , that the House took it as an acceptable service , desiring them to depart to their owne houses .

The King being discontented , left Coventry : His Maiesty having heard these Propositions of the Citizens of Coventry , was not pleased to accept of them , but very much displeased with lives before the Cavaliers should have entrance , so they would adventure their lives & fortunes in His Majesties service , if out of his Princely and gracious favour he would be pleased to take into consideration the wicked and tyrannicall acts and proceedings of the bloud-thirsty Cavaliers that were resident with his Maiesty , and to discharge them from having any place of power or authority about his sacred Person . way possible for them to escape , unlesse that they betimes allay the indignation of the Kings designes , which are hitherto so violent , that he intends to make their City the obiect of the thund●ing Canon , and that their houses shall be beaten downe about their eares for their opposing of his Maiesty , in refusing to give him admittance into their City . With these and such like comminations and threatnings the people are much disheartened and affrighted , and to increase their feares , together with the whole Kingdomes , the Kings Maiesty hath commanded all his subi●cts on the North side of Trent , and all places adioyning within twenty miles Southward thereof , on the obligation of their allegiance , to attend his Royall Person upon Munday being the two and twentieth day of this moneth of August . Now seeing the city would not give His Maiesty admittance , being highly displeased ; he g●ve command forthwith to plant Ordnance against the gates that were shut upon him ; which was done accordingly , and immediately began his battery against the gates of the City , and at last broke downe the gates , and laid them open , breaking down a great part of the wall also : the souldiers that were within the city seeing that , ●rayed heartily for the assistance of Almighty God , and to●k such courage on a sudden , that they d●red the Cavaliers to make their entrance being ready to give them a hot charge . The Caval●ers being somwhat fearfull , durst not enter nor make their approach further then their own Ordnance could guard them . There was slaine in this fight about three hundred of the Cavaliers , and not above fifty at the most of the souldiers that were within the City .

Both Houses of Parliament being made acquainted with this tidings , declared , That the strange carriage of his Maiesty to so loyall subiects ( that would have ioyfully entertained him ) ought to be an example to the whole Kingdome , to arm and prepare to defend their townes and Countreyes : and all the world may see , that that is now come to passe , which the Parliament long foresaw , and that his Maiesty seduced by wicked Counsell , would make war to destroy his Parliament : and that as soone as this power is obtained by the villanous Cavaliers , they will endeavour to shew the like cruelty to other Townes and Cities .