The Works of Thomas Carlyle/Volume 6/Letter 9
Cromwell, we find, makes haste to deal with these ‘Camdeners.’ His next achievement is the raising of their Siege of Croyland (in the end of April, exact date not discoverable); concerning which there are large details in loudspoken Vicars:[1] How the reverend godly Mr. Ram and godly Sergeant Horne, both of Spalding, were ‘set upon the walls to be shot at,’ when the Spalding people rose to deliver Croyland; how ‘Colonel Sir Miles Hobart’ and other Colonels rose also to deliver it,—and at last how ‘the valiant active Colonel Cromwell’ rose, and did actually deliver it.[2]
Cromwell has been at Lynn, he has been at Nottingham, at Peterborough, where the Soldiers were not kind to the Cathedral and its Surplice-furniture:[3] he has been here and then swiftly there; encountering many things. For Lincolnshire is not easy to deliver; dangers, intricate difficulties abound in those quarters, and are increasing. Lincolnshire, infested with infalls of Camdeners, has its own Malignancies too;—and, much more, is sadly overrun with the Marquis of Newcastle’s Northern ‘Popish Army’ at present. An Army ‘full of Papists,’ as is currently reported; officered by renegade Scots, ‘Sir John Henderson,’ and the like unclean creatures. For the Marquis, in spite of the Fairfaxes, has overflowed Yorkshire; flowed across the Humber; has fortified himself in Newark-on-Trent, and is a sore affliction to the well-affected thereabouts. By the Queen’s interest he is now, from Earl, made Marquis, as we see. For indeed, what is worst of all, the Queen in late months has landed in these Northern parts, with Dutch ammunition purchased by English Crown Jewels; is stirring up all manner of ‘Northern Papists’ to double animation; tempting Hothams and other waverers to meditate treachery, for which they will pay dear. She is the centre of these new perils. She marches Southward, much agitating the skirts of the Eastern Association; joins the King ‘on Keinton field’ or Edgehill field, where he fought last Autumn.—She was impeached of treason by the Commons. She continued in England till the following summer;[4] then quitted it for long years.
Let the following Three Letters,—one of which is farther distinguished as the first of Cromwell’s ever published in the Newspapers,—testify what progress he is making in the difficult problem of delivering Lincolnshire in this posture of affairs.
There was in those weeks, as we learn from the old Newspapers, a combined plan, of which Cromwell was an element, for capturing Newark; there were several such; but this and all the rest proved abortive, one element or another of the combination always failing. That Cromwell was not the failing element we could already guess, and may now definitely read.
‘Lord Grey,’ be it remembered, is Lord Grey of Groby, once Military Chief of the Association,—though now I think employed mainly elsewhere, nearer home: a Leicestershire man; as are ‘Hastings’ and ‘Hartop’: well known all of them in the troubles of that County. Hastings, strong for the King, holds ‘Ashby-de-la-Zouch, which is his Father’s House, well fortified’;[5] and shows and has shown himself a pushing man. ‘His Excellency’ is my Lord General Essex. ‘Sir John Gell’ is Member and Commander for Derbyshire, has Derby Town for Garrison. The Derbyshire forces, the Nottinghamshire forces, the Association forces: if all the ‘forces’ could but be united! But they never rightly can.
“TO THE HONOURABLE THE COMMITTEE AT LINCOLN: THESE”
My Lords and Gentlemen,—I must needs be hardly thought on; because I am still the messenger of unhappy tidings and delays concerning you,—though I know my heart is to assist you with all expedition!
My Lord Grey hath now again failed me of the rendezvous at Stamford,—notwithstanding that both he and I received Letters from his Excellency, commanding us both to meet, and, together with Sir John Gell and the Nottingham forces, to join with you. My Lord Grey sent Sir Edward Hartop to me, To let me know he could not meet me at Stamford according to our agreement; fearing the exposing of Leicester to the Forces of Mr. Hastings and some other Troops drawing that way.
Believe it, it were better, in my poor opinion, Leicester were not, than that there should not be found an immediate taking o the field by our forces to accomplish the common ends. Wherein I shall deal as freely with him, when I meet him, as you can desire. I perceive Ashby-de-la-Zouch sticks much with him. I have offered him now another place of meeting;[6] to come to which I suppose he will not deny me; and that to be tomorrow. If you shall therefore think fit to send one over unto us to be with us at night,—you do not know how far we may prevail with him: To draw speedily to a head, with Sir John Gell and the other forces, where we may all meet at a general rendezvous, to the end you know of. And then you shall receive full satisfaction concerning my integrity;[7]—and if no man shall help you, yet will not I be wanting to do my duty, God assisting me.
If we could unite those forces “of theirs”; and with them speedily make Grantham the general rendezvous, both of yours and ours, I think it would do well. I shall bend my endeavours that way. Your concurrence by some able instrument to solicit this, might probably exceedingly hasten it; especially having so good a foundation to work upon as my Lord Generals commands. Our Norfolk forces, which will not prove so many as you may imagine by six or seven hundred men, will lie conveniently at Spalding; and, I am confident, be ready to meet at Grantham at the general rendezvous.
I have no more to trouble you; but begging of God to take away the impediments that hinder our conjunction, and to prosper our designs, take leave. Your faithful servant,Some rendezvous at Grantham does take place, some uniting of forces, more or fewer; and strenuous endeavour thereupon. As the next Letter will testify.
- ↑ ‘Thou that with ale, or viler liquors,
Didst inspire Withers, Prynne, and Vicars.’
Hudibras, canto i. 645. - ↑ Vicars, p. 322-5; Newspapers (25th April—2d May), in Cromwelliana, p. 4.
- ↑ Royalist Newspapers (in Cromwelliana, p. 4); Querela Cantab.; etc. etc.
- ↑ From February 1642-3 till July 1644 (Clarendon, iii 195; Rushworth, v. 684).
- ↑ Clarendon, ii. 202.
- ↑ Name, not so fit to be written for fear of accidents, is very much unknown now!
- ↑ Means ‘that the blame was not in me.’
- ↑ Tanner MSS. (Oxford), lxii. 94: the address lost, the date of place never given; the former clearly restorable from Commons Journals, ii. 75.