32 
and gave fire upon them, and with opprobrious speeches 
reviled them, calling them Cursed doggs, devilish Cavaliers, 
Popish Traytors, and this was done not by a few of them 
but by almost all of them with great shouts and clamours. 
This could not but incense the souldiers, and the Prince to 
make his passage into the Towne was forced to give order 
for firing a house or two; but they retiring and flying, upon 
his entrance into the Towne he immediately gave order for 
quenching of the Fire, which was done accordingly, and no 
more hurt was done on Munday. But yesterday his 
Highnesse being to march from thence, and fearing what 
those great Provocations might worke with the souldiers, he 
gave express Command that no souldier should attempt to 
fire the Towne. And after his departure thence some 
souldiers (as yet unknown) having fired the Towne in 
diverse places, he immediately sent to the inhabitants of the 
Town to let them know it was not done by his command, 
and therefore wished them to quench it, but the wind being 
high and the fire encreased, it could not be so soon 
extinguished as was to be desired. 
“‘ One thing more [ heard of at this taking of Burming- 
ham, which made some impression with me which was the 
death of a minister killed presently after the entry of the 
souldiers into the Towne. But it is alleadged that he told 
the soldier who killed him, that the King was a pergured 
and Papisticall King, and that he had rather dye than live 
under such a King and that he did and would fight 
against him. , , 
** Walshall, Apr. 5. 1643. 4 
Hutton, the well-known historian of Birmingham, tells 
us that the Parliament Forces had formed their Camp in 
that well chosen angle which divides the Stratford and 
