the King hath never done by his People, and now he must suffer: what is a Crowne if the head that wears it is dishonoured?

My deare Husband well in Body, but ill at ease in Mind.

Poore Mr. Pym is deceased after a life of Toyle and Suffering.

1643-4.

nesse.

THE Season of Christmasse hath pass'd gloomily. At a time when Families are divided by Civill Differences and January 1, many gathered round a darkened and desolate Monday. Hearth, there is not much disposition to MirthfulThe newe Yeare hath arisen upon a distressed Land: the Dayes and the Weekes thereof are yet in the Hand of the Almightie: and who shall live or who shall die we know not. Apart from the publick Distractions and Unhappinesse, precious Blessings and abundant Mercies fill our House with rejoicing and thanksgiving: not onely Life but Limbs spared to him who had to go forth into Battle and danger, and Nurserie prospering. Methought as yesterday I sate by a bright Fire-side, my three little Daughters playing round mee, and the deare Father, though absent, in health and present safetie, few were so blest, suddenly their play ceased, and Di and Fanny were no where to be seene, Bess on my Knee: when hidden in the deep Bay Window, they sung to my eare very sweetly the Carols they had learned from the Neighbours Children: they staid up to Supper, and kept up a fine Prattle.

Walked downe to Wing fields: the poore Mother is in a pitiable state, her Son's lingering Death has worne her January 27, away, and she doth long to lay her head beside him Saturday. in the Grave. Strove to comfort her, but beleeve she took more in seeing mee share her Sorrow than Went on to see the Soldier who had his arme broken, beside other injuries; he was greatly better,

in any Words I could say.

and able to walke a little he sate cleaning his Carbine and Sword, and the Teares ran downe his Wife's pale Cheeke as he talked of againe joining the Army, so soone as he could beare the Fatigue: poore Creatures. The King hath summoned a Parliament at Oxford: it is reported many have left the one sitting at Westminster.

The King has beene forced to leave Oxford, and is gone to Worcester. The Earle of Manchester and his May 31, General Cromwell are in the North. This Oliver Friday. Cromwell riseth more and more into note.

As we sate downe to dine to-day some Horsemen were seene to approach, and Sir Harry Vane came into the Hall: he was on his way to Fairlawn: and in much kindnesse rode so farre out of his way to bring mee good Tidings of him nearest to my Heart, and of the growing Successe of the People's Friends: He is hurrying on to rejoyne the Army at Yorke, where are the Earle, General Fairfax, and Colonel Cromwell; a large body of Scotch Troopes under their old Commander Leslie have joined them. So soone as he was gone, retired to my Closet disturbed in Minde and Conscience: in Conscience, that I had beene ledde away by Sir Harry's vehement and powerful Minde to catch something of the same Spirit whilst listening to particulars of this terrible Warfare, wherein seemeth to mee now a want of womanly Tendernesse and Pity, and sorely distracted is my poore Minde by conflicting feelings of Wife and Mother: our Duties separate us in these fearefull Times: hitherto I have remained calmly at my post, but how can I longer abide so farre from one exposed to suffering and Death, who is dearer than my owne Life: yet have I beene supported through times of like Anxiety in a good degree of Quietnesse and Patience: let mee pray for renewed Strength and Faith.

June 18, Tuesday.

The Queene hath given birth to a Daughter at Exeter, on the 16th.

The Chaplaine returned Thankes at morning Prayers for the Victory gained by our Army: he hath received July 6, Intelligence, it seemeth, by a sure hand, that a great Saturday. Battle hath beene fought at a place called Marston Moor, a few miles from Yorke.

Some further Particulars have reached us: Prince Rupert has beene wholly defeated, a vaste number of PriJuly 11, soners taken, as also Armes of divers sorts, PouderThursday. barrels, the Colours and Standards, and more than 20 Pieces of Ordnance. The losse on our part small alas, alas, all are Englishmen, and Children of one common Father. Sir Thomas Fairfax his Men have received great Hurt, and himselfe well nigh lost his Life: his Brother Charles hath since dyed of his Wounds and lies buried there.

I have no Letter, but a Message by word of mouth, that sets my Heart at rest: Thanks be unto God.

The Earle of Newcastle hath left the Kindome, and so it is reported hath Sir Marmaduke Langdale and others. Our Army has taken possession of Yorke.

It hath beene very cold of late; sharp Frost in the Nights, the Oak Leaves wither and fade and come flutter ing downe with every little Blast: and the Swallows are gone away, after collecting in Flocks on the Roofe of the House, during the past Weeke.

Oct. 22, Tuesday.

Nov. 18,
Monday.

The Archbishop of Canterbury hath againe beene brought before the barre of the House.

Great Feare and Amazement in the Countrey round at the sight of three Sunnes in the firmament, and a Rainebow with the Bend towards the Earth: and this

Nov. 19,

Tuesday. happening on the King's Birth-day many did thinke it portended Evill to him, and it was remembered that a remarkable Starre was seene to shine at nooneday, the Day whereon the Prince of Wales was borne: some wept and trembled, and divers both men and women did kneele downe in the roads and fields. That which did most affect my Minde was beholding the Bow, that had beene set in the Clowde as a Token of the everlasting Covenant, now appearing as it were overthrown. I had withdrawne to my Closet, when Alice did send to speake with mee in the Still-room: She had beene out to looke at the wondrous Sight, and was greatly perturbed: I did remaine with her till she was somewhat comforted.

Letter from London: Mr. Cromwell hath made a strong Speech in the House, and a Mr. Zouch Tate hath moved the bringing in of an Ordinance to exclude all Members of Parliament, whether of the House of Lords or Commons, from Command and Offices in the Army; he was seconded by Sir Harry Vane, and the Motion carried. A Petition from the Citizens of London hath beene presented, thanking the House for their Care over the Commonwealth. Opposition by Whitelock and others, who spoke against the Motion as a perilous and uncalled. for novelty.

The Bill which they call the Self-denying Ordinance has past: In my Ignorance I know not what is like to be the Effect of this new Act: they say the Removal of Essex is chiefly aimed at.