Talk:A Letter written from Walshall by a worthy Gentleman to his Friend in Oxford, concerning Burmingham
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A letter written from Walsall, by a worthy gentleman to his friend at Oxford, concerning the taking of Birmingham, April 5, 1648
- Warburton,, Eliot (1849). Memoirs of Prince Rupert, and the cavaliers : Including their private correspondence, now first published from the original MSS 2. pp. 154–155.
—No. 101 Kings Coll. p. 22 printed at Walsall.
Upon a narrow enquiry of the causes of burning the town (Birmingham), I found that the inhabitants were they who first stirred up those of Coventry to resit the King' and that they sent three hundred men to defend it against the King's forces, and fifteen thousand swords for the Earl of Essex's forces, whilst they not only refused to supply the King with swords for his money, but imprisoned divers whom they suspected of purchasing them for him. Afterwards, when his Majesty marched that way with his army, he gave express orders that they should not be plundered, and because some few disobeyed, there was exemplary justice done by his hanging of two officers. Yet the King's army was no sooner gone, than they staid the carriages which did not move the same day, amongst which was the royal plate, and divers goods of great value, which they carried to Warwick castle. They have since continued on all occasions violently to oppose the King, and when his Highness Prince Rupert's forces, on Thursday last, drew near, they prepared themselves with all their strength to resist them; set up their colours, sallied out of their works, and gave fire upon them, whilst with great shouts and clamour they reviled them with opprobrious speeches, calling then "cursed dogs," "devilish Cavalier," "Papist traitors;" this could not but incense the soldiers. The Prince, to make his passage into the town, was forced to cause a house or two to be fired; but they retiring, he immediately gave orders for the quenching of the fire. And yesterday, his Royal Highness being to march, fearing the exasperation of his men, gave express orders that none should attempt to fire the town; and after his departure hearing that some soldiers (as yet unknown) had fired it in divers places, he sent immediately to let the inhabitants know that it was not done by his command, and he desired it might be quenched; but the wind being high, the fire increased, and could not be so soon extinguished as was to be desired. One thing more made some impression with me, which was, the death of a minister, killed presently after the entry of the soldiers into the town: it is alleged he told him who did it; 'that the King was a perjured and papistical King; and that he had rather die than live under him; and that he did and would fight againg the King!'
Some very obscene papers were found in his pockets