Vpon Thursday last Prince Robert marched towards Worcester with his Army, being in number 500. Horse and not any Foot, and at his comming thither Mr. Fines stood in opposition against him, where Prince Robert caused his men to discharge so fast, insomuch that there began a great skirmish betweene them, holding for the space of two houres: Prince Robert with his Forces began to retreat, and at that time the Prince lost 12. men, and Master Fines 5. men. The said Prince Robert is making of spoile, to the great hurt of the said City, and planting of Ordnance, and he hath already spoiled and burnt some houses. This Newes was sent to the Honorable House of Commons upon the Saturday last, which signified that the Kings Majesty was in person at Worcester, and that the Earle of Essex is marching thither with 22000. men. Sent in a letter from the Honorable Mr. Fines.
The Kings Majesty hauing often times
declared his Royall intention and Resolution towards this Citty of London,
hath occationed a great jelousie in the hearts of divers and allthoughe
he hath often times dclared that tumults were punished and suppreessed
he would take his jorney towards this Citty and althoughe some peaple weake
of opinion that his Majesty any intention to take his jorney towards this
Citty yet by thes perticulars following, it will most evidently and plainely
appeare that his Majestyes Royall heart hath allwayes beene conioyning
to this Citty and it doth most in anisently testify that his Majesty hath
ever and doeth still owe and beare more afection and loue to his sujects
in this City then he did to any other City in this Kingdom although his
Royall and sacred Majesty hath beene misled and insenseb against his loueing
subjects that are resident in this Honourable City of London by
that party which seekes dayly to bring the inhabitants here into vtter
ruin and destruction for as it is the Chiefest and Metropolitan City of
the Kingdome, so they seeke labour dayly to bring it to the least and meanest
estat of any City in this Iland or vnder the heavens, and to discover and
bring to light some more of their mischeeuos and devillish intentions which
I beleue it is not vnknowne unto divers that do understand proceedings
of the cavaleers, and other of the maliguant party of this Kingdome their
greatest malice and envy that is so drownded in their hearts that it is
almost an impossible thing to have us removed, God puts his helping hand
thereto, because the Foundation of Reformation is now beginning to take
place in this Metropolitane City, and our Honourable Assembly of the Worthies
of Israel doth now labour and endeavour to bring the same to perfection,
God of his great mercy sent his helping hand thereto: But because I will
now proceed to the Resolution and intention of his Sacred Majesty
the King of Great Britain, concerning his Honorable and renowned
City of London, (viz) His Majesty, as hath been often said,
hath had a longing desire to come neere to the City of London, and
useth the meanes, as it doth accordingly appeare, for upon the 16. day
of this month there was a great disturbance amongst the Cavaleers did Darby,
by reason that His Majesty went from thence privately to Nottingham,
they supposing he had took his journey towards London, and indeed
it is thought that although His Person be amongst them yet his heart is
better affected towards us, for did not the Cavaleers pursue and follow
Him so close at his removall from one place to another, it is thought that
he would soone be here, but such as the jealousie of these Malignant persons,
that they will not suffer His Person to be out of their sight not a minute
in a manner, but presently post after him to any place or he goeth; and
although His Sacred Majestie have often declared to the Cavaleers, that
he will venture his life in their defense, yet they are very jealous of
his words, and a daily feare, that hee will come to composition with His
Parliament, by reason that he doth shew some countenance to the Parliaments
Petitions, and were not for them, doubtlesse but we should have him here
very suddenly. The honorable Earl of Essex hath declared his Resolution
to his Majesty, that he is resolved to put nothing and act, but what should
tend on his Majesties honour safely and securty, and a good both of Church
and Religion, and that to the utmost of His power He will have a wathfull
eye, that no outrages and abuses bee committed by any of his Souldiers,
and that is comming now with his Forces is not against his Majesty but
against the Malignant partie, the wicked incendiaries of this Kingdome
that are now about His Royall person, whose mindes doth daily thirst after
the bloud of our English and Scots Protestants, this is the Noble Resolution
of his Excellence the Earl of Essex.