Campaign against the Scots, 1644 199 



into Yorkshire very much wearied and toiled, both horse and foot, where 

 we had hopes to have refreshed and clothed our men, which were discour- 

 aged both for want of clothes and money. We remained there not above 

 a fortnight, but the Scots had invaded the kingdom with a very great army, 

 although the season of the year and a great snow at the very instant did 

 persuade us that it was impossible for them to march. Yet not trusting 

 to that, my Lord-Lieutenant-General hasted away with all expedition with 

 such horse and foot as were quartered nearest to those parts, and, receiving 

 intelligence of the Scots continuing their march, he hasted to Newcastle 

 in his own person some days before his forces could possibly get thither ; 

 where truly he found the town in a very good posture, and that the mayor, 

 who had charge of it, had performed his part in your Majesty's service 

 very faithfully ; and all the aldermen and best of the town well disposed 

 for your service. And though our charge was very tedious, by reason 

 of floods occasioned by the sudden thaw of the snow, yet I came thither 

 the night before the Scots assaulted the town which was done with such 

 a fury as if the gates had been promised to be set open to them ; but they 

 found it otherwise ; for the truth is, the town soldiers gave them such an 

 entertainment (few of our forces being then come into the town, and those 

 extremely wearied in their march), as persuaded them to retire a mile 

 from the town, where they have remained ever since quartered in strong 

 bodies, and raising the whole country of Northumberland, which is totally 

 lost, all turned to them, so that they daily increase their army, and are 

 now striving to pass part of it over the river, so to environ us on every side, 

 and cut off all provision from us. But we have hitherto made good the 

 town and river, and shall do our best endeavour still to do so. But your 

 Majesty may be pleased to know that the enemy's army consists of at least 

 fourteen thousand foot and two thousand horse, and daily increase their 

 numbers : and we cannot possibly draw into the field full five thousand 

 foot and about three thousand horse : and besides, Sir Thomas Fairfax's 

 success in Cheshire hath made him capable of drawing from Lancashire 

 a very great force into the West Riding of Yorkshire, which he is ready to 

 do. My Lord Fairfax hath sent forth of Hull into the East Riding two 

 thousand foot and five hundred horse, all threatening to march towards 

 us, which will make them a great body. And by this your Majesty may 

 perceive where the seat of the war is likely to be. 



The letter from which this is extracted is dated February 13 

 and signed by the two generals. They concluded by desiring the 

 King's express commands ' whether we shall still continue in a 

 defensive posture, and expect some assistance as well of force, as 

 ammunition, from your Majesty, or whether upon this great in- 

 equality, we shall adventure to hazard the loss of the army, and so 

 of all the north, by giving them battle ' (War burton's Prince Rupert, 

 ii, 481). This was followed by another letter of Newcastle's dated 

 February 16, pointing out the advances of Sir Thomas Fairfax and 

 his father in Yorkshire, and begging earnestly for aid. ' If your 

 Majesty beat the Scots, your game is absolutely won ; which can 

 be no other way but by sending more forces, especially foot, and 



