1643.] OF THE MARQUIS OF WORCESTER. 63 



Monmouth, on the 1st of April, 1643. Sir William 

 Waller having accepted the invitation of a number of 

 resident gentlemen, when he came near the town of 

 Monmouth, where Lord Herbert had begun to place a 

 garrison, his presence occasioned the precipitate flight 

 of his Lordship s troops. But Waller, although so far 

 victorious, failed in obtaining needful supplies, owing to 

 the devotion of the stream of the people, most of whom 

 were the Marquis s tenantry. 



Lord Herbert afterwards united with Sir John 

 Winter, the reputed plague of the Forest of Dean, 

 who had strongly fortified and defended his own 

 residence ; he was, too, considered a most active enemy, 

 as well as a chief agent of the popish faction. His 

 Lordship s horse so materially assisted Sir John s opera 

 tions as to compel the rebels to quit the forest, having 

 made a passage over the Severn, at Newnham. 



Soon after this affair, rumours were current that 

 forces were expected from Oxford for Paineswick and 

 Stroud, while the Irish it was believed were to lie on 

 one side of Berkeley, Lord Herbert and Sir John 

 Winter holding the Forest. The same chronicler 

 assures us that the taking of Monmouth gave a fearful 

 alarm to the whole country, the Marquis of Worcester 

 calling in Prince Rupert s horse to their assistance. 

 The result of these preparations was that Sir William 

 Blaxton, with his brigade of horse, joined the country 

 train-bands, with the forces from Raglan and Chep- 

 stow, making together about 500 horse and 1200 foot. 

 They fell upon the enemy s horse quarters, where were 

 lodged two troops and ten musketeers; while 150 

 musketeers speedily came from Monmouth to their 

 assistance. With these and further supplies of foot 

 the Monmouth party routed the cavaliers, of whom 

 many were slain and threescore taken prisoners. 



