Letters by vvhich it is certified, that Sir Samuell Lvke tooke at JSLJP fiftie horse, and fiftie pound in money, twentie seaven prisoners : Sir ---Fortescue being one, three were taken prisoners at New-Castle underline by Collonell Ridglet : fourteen taken prisoners by Collonell Mitton, in pursuing the enemy, with Trallop and others, being of the number of foureteene officers, and others taken prisoners, neere Greeneland-House; And how Nontwich and Weme, are quit of the enemie and a partie sent from the Earle of Denbigh to bring them provision : 80 prisoners taken by Major Sanders of Derby : as also how foure officers held the inn-keepers daughter of the Swan at Litchfield while Major Conavgh an Irish rebell ravisht her : and how a cavalier priest preaching, that those English and Irish that are slaine in arms against the Parliament, are marters and their soules shall by saved, was strooke dumb in his pulpit at Bvrton.

LETTERS By which it is certified that Sir SAMUELL LUKE tooke at Islip 50. Horse , and 50. pound in mony , twentie seaven Prisoners Si● — Fortescue being one . Worthy Freind ,

MY love to you and prayers for you , Dated a● Stafford , May 24. 1644. as subsequent , these to make good my promise & your expectation , concerning the affaires in these parts , in my letter not many dayes since , I informed you in what a figure P. Ruperts Army was quartered neere Wem , and Nantwich , and how many reported to be , also how the Marques of Newcastles horse quartered at Burton , and at or about Vlster , and Newcastle underline , and were reported to be with Hasting , horse , and Sir Charles Lewcas , & Witherintons , and Major Generall Porters , to be three thousand Horse , and six Companies of Dragoones , these are marched neare us , and we with parties as neere their quarters , for five of Colonell Ridglies men , fi●ed on their Sentinells at Newcastle-underline , and they that charged about tenne of theirs at the Townes end , our men brought three Prisoners into us . All our horse and foote drew out by my Lord Denbighs order to make a body , out of which 200. were chosen , with which Colonell Mitton , and Captaine Keme were to have beaten up the Enemies quarters , but they hearing of our approach , quit their quarters , and so we only sent a small party after them , we gained that day foureteene of them , one Master Trallop & his man , were in the number of them , he confesseth himselfe a Yorkshire Gentlman , but no Officer only a Volunteere , he in my hearing , told my Lord that both Armies were to joyn about Wily Bridge , & so to march either to Lancashire where they expect a party to releive Latham House , or else towards the Peake , to Chesterfeild , and so to Yorke they expect the Malignants of Westmorland , and Scotland to joyne , they say be that time they come to Yorke to be 15000. but truly I hope the Lord will scatter them , divers have come voluntarily into us lately , and of some quality , especially such as were in Ireland , who assured us it went against the light of their conscience to march and Command those Irish Rebells , against whom they formerly fought , my Lord hath made one of them a Serjeant Major , Captaine Pinkny who brought 100. men to us , from Prince Rupert , he is avery gallant Souldier and an honest man , and doth us good service .

Hee informeth that he had Intelligence , that Major Generall Tilliar , is discontented at the Irish also , to see how they ruine this our Nation , his native Country , I hope God will in time humble them all for this unnaturall horrid Warre .

SIR ;

POore Wem is now quit of those cruell bloud thirstie borderers , and so is Nontwich ; My Lord of Denbigh hath appointed three Troopes , to relieve them , & to get them in some provisions , which the enemy hath left little of in these parts .

SIR ,

AMongst other newes give mee leave to relate to you , an example of Divine Iustice , of an accident which hapned upon Burton upon Trent on Sunday , May 19th . last past , 1644.

The Relation . Burton upon Trent .

ONe Faulkland , a Cavalier Priest preaching in his place , on the Lords Day , May 19. 1644. at Burton upon Trent , amongst many other invectives against us , uttered these words . I engage my soule for yours , that dye in this cause , and for your King , bee the English , or Irish , that they dye Martyrs , and shall undoubtedly bee saved . With some other more full expressions , upon which , at that time hee was stroke dumb , and was taken downe , many of Newcastles Army was their at Church , hee made such signes for pen Inke and paper , but could write nothing leageble , and as yet continueth so .

This was related for a truth by a Colonell Chadwicke , a very honest Gentleman , and others , very honest men , to my Lord of Denbigh as he was at dinner at Stafford , on Thursday the 23. of May 1644 :

Captaine Keme hath redeemed his Trumpeter , and Corporall , and one Trooper ( which hee had lost on May day ) from Litchfield by Exchange , who bring newes to Captaine Keme of a cruell-Rape committed in Litchfield , in this manner .

There were the last weeke , foure Officers , who held the womans daughter of the Swanne in Litchfield , Litchfield . whilst one Maior Gonaugh , Maior to Collonell Gueath ravished her : The Townesfolke petitioned the Governour Baggot about it .

And to avoyd their Clamour , they are sent ( as the Souldiers tell the Towne ) to Oxford , to bee tryed at a Councell of Warre , but it is thought it is only to put them out of the way , for they too much countenance such odious sins .

The truth of this is declared by 3 of Captaine Kemes Officers who were then prisoners in Litchfield , Namely A Trumpeter A Corporall , and one of his , Troopers .

Wee here this morning that Major Sanders , belonging to Sir Iohn Gell hath snapt eightie of the enemies , and taken Commissary Hassett , this is all for the present of what I can write .

SIR ;

Stafford . MY Lord of Denbigh hath diligently looked after Prince Ruperts motion , and as quickly given my Lord of Manchester notice of it , and now our drumes are beating , & Trumpets sounding for us to cleere this County , and to that end shall this night ( I hope ) set downe before a den of Dragonicke Cavaliers , the place is called Rushworth Hall , a Garison of theirs , which wee hope will not long hold us worke .

I hope you will here my Lord will lose no time to settle , and recover his associations , would Lancashire had joyned with us ; which my Lord did importune them to , as well as Cheshire ; and the Morelanders .

We were resolved to follow P. Pupert in the Reare , but by letters received from Lancashire , we are informed they would spare none to come to joyne with us .

The enemy plunders extreamly as they march , wee have gathered up many of their loyterers , and flyers out , and take them by parties , wee keepe our march close .

In great haste I rest , for I am hasting to Horse , our foote being on their march , I hope you will here of our actions ere long if God please to blesse us , God preserve us all :

Stafford MAY 24. 1644.

SIr Samuell Luke fell upon the Enemies quarters at Islip ISLIP . neare Oxford , and by him Sir Fortescue was taken Prisoner , twentie six Prisoners more , some Officers , 50. horse , and 50. pound in mony .

Some of the Enemies issued forth of Greenland House , and the Middlesex Scouts light upon a party of them at Hambleton , Hambleton . where were taken Prisoners :

A List of the Prisoners that were taken . Ensigne William Browne . Ens William Dethicke . Ens. Thomas Franklin . Iohn Lax Clarke . Serjeants , Thomas Parker . Serj . Thomas Mares . Serj . Oliver Morton . Iohn Yong Corporall . Iohn Prile . Tru●trom Smith . Edward Heues . Iohn King . William Ienkins . Nathaniell Clarke .

and two more of the Enemies slaine .

Dated at my Lord Generalls quarters May . 26. 1644. FJNJS .