WEYMOUTH AND THE GREAT CIVIL WAE. 209 



the following day (17th June), and proclamation was made 

 that, upon pain of death, everyone should bring in all arms 

 and ammunition to the Court of Guard and Town Hall before 

 sunset. Essex followed Balfour to Weymouth and remained 

 there some days. Having possessed himself of the town, 

 he rode to Sandsfoot Castle, which, being summoned, sur- 

 rendered after three hours' parley. The Earl of Warwick, 

 the Parliamentary Lord High Admiral, had been engaged in 

 relieving Lyme, and now appeared in Weymouth Roads with 

 a fleet of nine ships to assist the operations of Essex in Mel- 

 combe. At this juncture Ashburnham retired with the 

 remainder of his forces to Portland Castle, still held by the 

 Royalists. Once more, then, the Parliament flag was floating 

 over the forts of the two towns, and, without any fighting, a 

 rich prize fell to the Parliament, including, it is said, 60 ships 

 in the Harbour. Ashburnham's conduct in retiring from 

 Weymouth on the mere approach of Essex's army was the 

 subject of an enquiry by the King and Council, by whom he 

 had the good fortune to be absolved from the charge of 

 cowardice or neglect. 



The memorable siege of Lyme Regis by the Royalists 

 having been raised at about the same date as the surrender 

 of Weymouth, Prince Maurice retired from Lyme to Exeter, 

 and the surrendered Royalist garrison of Weymouth received 

 orders to join him there. Favourable terms were granted 

 them, as mentioned above, and the officers were allowed 

 to march on horse-back, retaining their swords and pistols, 

 the common soldiers to carry staves only. 



Colonel William Sydenham was now re-appointed Governor 

 of Weymouth for the Parliament, and the fortifications of 

 the towns were vigorously proceeded with. 



CHARLES I. AT MAIDEN NEWTON. 



In September and October of this year, the King was 

 making a progress with his army from Chard through Dorset, 



