104 WELSH- POOL TO OSWESTRY. 



with the lofs of only one or two men, a breach in 

 the wall was eilected, by which they entered the 

 town. The inhabitants, in confternation, fled for 

 Ihelter to the caftle ; but an attack was immediately 

 commenced on it by cannon. A daring youth, of 

 the name of Cranage, was perfuaded by fome of the 

 parliament's officers to faften a petard * to the caftle 

 gate. Being well animated with fack, he under- 

 took the defj:)erate enterprize. With the engine 

 hidden, he crept unperceived from one houfe to 

 another, till he got to that next the caflle, whence 

 he fprang to the gate ; he fixed his engine, fet fire 

 t':i it, and efcapid unhurt. This, by the force of its 

 explofion, burft open tlie caflle gate, and the place 

 was immediately taken. The deputy governor, four 

 captains, and about three hundred foldiers, were 

 made prifoners. From hence the parliament's fol- 

 diers haffened into Lancafliire to other fervice there. 

 Previoufly to the attack, the governor pulled 

 down the tower and part of the body of the church, 

 which flood without the walls, lefl the enemy fhould 

 ule them to the annoyance of the garrilbn f. 



* A petard is an engine made of copper and biafs, fomev^hat. 

 in the fhape of a nigh crowned hat, about ten inches higli, feven In 

 diameter at the top, and ten at the bottom- Its ufe was to 

 break down gates, barricades, drawbridges, &c. which were 

 intended to be iurpri?ed. Afier being loaded with gunpowderj 

 it was faflcr.cd to the place to be forced, and then lighted by a 

 jnatcli, which burnt fufficienrly lo'ig, before the explollpn, to 

 allow the foldier" to cfcapc. 



-J- V^'liireloek, 92. 



About 



