56 The Duchess of Newcastle 



which they had made in the wall; whereupon the 

 enemy remained without any other attempt in that 

 kind, so long, till almost all provision for the support 

 of the soldiery in the city was spent, which neverthe- 

 less was so well ordered by My Lord's prudence, that 

 no famine or great extremity of want ensued. 



My Lord having held out in that manner above two 

 months, and withstood the strength of three armies; 

 and seeing that his Lieutenant-General of the Horse 

 whom he had sent for relief to His Majesty, could not 

 so soon obtain it (although he used his best endeavour) 

 for to gain yet some little time, began to treat with 

 the enemy; ordering in the mean while, and upon 

 the treaty, to double and treble his guards. At last 

 after three months time from the beginning of the 

 siege. His Majesty was pleased to send an army, 

 which joining with My Lord's horse that were sent 

 to quarter in the aforesaid countreys, came to relieve 

 the city under the conduct of the most gallant and 

 heroick Prince Rupert, his nephew; upon whose 

 approach near York, the enemy drew from before 

 the city, into an entire body, and marched away on 

 the west-side of the River Owse, that runs through the 

 city, His Majesties forces being then of the east-side 

 of that river. 



My Lord immediately sent some persons of quality 

 to attend His Highness, and to invite him into the 

 city to consult with him about that important affair, 

 and to gain so much time as to open a port to march 

 forth with his cannon and foot which were in the town, 

 to join with His Highness's forces; and went himself 

 the next day in person to wait on His Highness; 

 where after some conferences, he declared his mind 

 to the Prince, desiring His Highness not to attempt 

 any thing as yet upon the enemy ; for he had intelli- 



