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第7节

royalty restored-第7节

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e enemy had opened an artillery fire on Fort Royal; which guarded the city on the south…east side。  He therefore galloped back in hot haste to headquarters; and reconnoitred the advanced posts eastward of the city; in full front of the enemy's fire。  Meanwhile Montgomery; having exhausted his ammunition; was obliged to retreat in disorder from Powick Bridge; followed by the Cromwellians。  The king now courageously resolved to attack the enemy's camp at Perry Wood; which lay south…east of Worcester。  Accordingly he marched out with the flower of his Highland infantry and the English cavaliers; led by the Dukes of Hamilton and Buckingham。 Cromwell; seeing this; hastened to intercept the king's march; whereon a fierce battle was bravely fought on either side。 Nothing could be more valiant than the conduct of the young king; who showed himself wholly regardless of his life in the fierce struggle for his rights。  Twice was his horse shot under him; but increasing danger seemed but to animate him to greater daring。 So bravely did his army fight likewise; that the Republicans at first gave way before them。  For upwards of four hours the engagement raged with great fierceness。  Cromwell subsequently declared it  was 〃as stiff a contest as he had ever seen;〃 and his experience was great。  Success seemed now to crown the Royalists; anon to favour the Roundheads。  The great crisis of the day at length arrived:  the Cromwellians began to waver and give way just as the Royalist cavalry had expended their ammunition; the king had still three thousand Scotch cavalry in the rear under the command of Leslie; who had not yet been called into action。  He therefore ordered them to advance; but; to his horror; not one of these men; who had looked on as passive spectators; made a movement。  In this hour; when victory or defeat hung upon a thread the Scots ignominiously failed their king。  Charles instantly saw he was undone。  The English cavalry continued to fight bravely; in their desperation using the butt ends of their muskets; but they were gradually compelled to give way before the enemy; who; seeing their condition; had renewed the attack。  The Royalists therefore fell back into the city。 When the king re…entered Worcester he saw before him a scene of the most disastrous confusion。  Royalists and Republicans encountered and fought each other in every thoroughfare; the air was filled with the report of muskets; the imprecations of soldiers; the groans of wounded men; and the shrieks of women。 The streets ran red with blood。  At such a sight his heart sank within him; but; manning himself for fresh efforts; he called his troops together and sought to incite them with courage to make a final charge。  〃I would rather;〃 he cried out; 〃you would shoot me than keep me alive to see the sad consequences of this fatal day。〃  Those who heard him were disheartened:  it was too late to retrieve their heavy losses:  most of them refused to heed him; many sought safety in flight。  Then the young king's friends; gathering round; besought him to make good his escape; and accordingly; with a sad heart; he rode out of St。 Martin's Gate humbled and defeated。  In order to cover his retreat from the enemy now advancing; my Lord Cleveland; Sir James Hamilton; Colonel Careless; and some other worthy gentlemen defended Sudbury Gate; towards which the main body of the Republicans approached。  They held this position a sufficient time to gain the end for which it was undertaken。  But at length the Republicans; forcing open the gate; marched upon the fort; defended by fifteen hundred soldiers under Colonel Drummond。 This loyal man refusing to surrender; the fort was speedily stormed; and he and those of his men who survived the attack were mercilessly put to the sword。

Dr。 George Bate gives a quaint and striking picture of what followed。  〃Deplorable and sad was the countenance of the town after that;〃 writes he; 〃the victorious soldiers on the one hand killing; breaking into houses; plundering; sacking; roaring; and threatening; on the other hand; the subdued flying; turning their backs to be cut and slashed; and with outstretched hands begging quarter; some; in vain resisting; sold their lives as dear as they could; whilst the citizens to no purpose prayed; lamented; and bewailed。  All the streets are strewed with dead and mangled bodies。  Here were to be seen some that begged relief; and then again others weltering in their own gore; who desired that at once an end might be put to their lives and miseries。  The dead bodies lay unburied for the space of three days or more; which was a loathsome spectacle that increased the horror of the action。〃

Concerning his subsequent dangers and narrow escapes; the king; in his days of peace and prosperity; was wont to discourse at length; for they had left impressions on his mind which lasted through life。  Edward Hyde; Lord Clarendon; his Lord High Chancellor; Dr。 George Bate; his learned physician; and Samuel Pepys; Esquire; sometime Surveyor…General to the Victualling Office; have preserved the records of that time of peril; as told by his majesty。  True; their various stories differ in minor details; but they agree in principal facts。  The king had not ridden many miles from Worcester when he found himself surrounded by about four thousand of his army; including the Scots under the command of Leslie。  Though they would not fight for him; they were ready enough to fly with him。  At first he thought of betaking himself to Scotland; but having had sad proof of the untrustworthy character of those with whom he travelled; he feared they would further betray him if pursued by the enemy。  He therefore resolved to reach London before the news of his defeat arrived thither; and make his escape from thence; but this scheme presented many difficulties。  Amongst the persons of quality who accompanied him were my Lord Duke of Buckingham; the Earls of Derby and Lauderdale; and the Lords Wilmot and Talbot。  During their journey it fell from my Lord Derby's lips; that when he had been defeated at Wigan; one Pendrell; an honest labourer and a Papist; had sheltered him in Boscobel House; not far distant from where they then rode。  Hearing this; the king resolved to trust this same faithful fellow; and for the present seek such refuge as Pendrell could afford。  It was not easy; however; for his majesty to escape the Scots; but when night came; he and his gentlemen slipped away from the high road; which the others continued to pursue; and made for Boscobel Wood; led by Charles Giffard; a loyal gentleman and true。  The house they sought was situated between Tong Castle and Brewood; in a woody place most fitting for retreat; it was; moreover; six and twenty miles from Worcester; and stood in Shropshire; on the borders of Staffordshire。

In order to gain this haven of rest; it was necessary for them to pass through Stourbridge; where a troop of the Republican army lay quartered。  Midnight had fallen ere they reached the town; which was now wrapt in darkness; and was; moreover; perfectly still。  The king and his friends; dismounting; led their horses through the echoing streets as softly as possible; being filled the while with dire apprehensions。  Safely leaving it; they rode into the wood until they came to the old convent of Whiteladies; once the home of Cistercian nuns; who had long since been driven from their peaceful retreat。  The house was now the habitation of the Giffard family; with whom George Pendrell lived as servant。 On being aroused; he came forth with a lantern; and admitted them; when Charles Giffard made known to him in whose presence he stood; and acquainted him with their situation。  Thereupon the honest fellow promised to serve the king faithfully; and sent immediately for his brothers four:  William; who took charge of Boscobel House; not far removed; Humphrey; who was miller at Whiteladies; Richard; who lived at Hobbal Grange; and John; who was a woodman; and dwelt hard by。  When they had all arrived; Lord Derby showed them the king's majesty; and besought them for God's sake; for their loyalty's sake; and as they valued all that was high and sacred; to keep him safe; and forthwith seek some place of decent shelter where he might securely lurk。  This they readily swore to compass; though they risked their lives in the attempt。

It being considered that greater safety lay in the king being unattended; his loyal friends departed from him with many prayers and hopes for a joyful reunion:  all of them save my Lords Wilmot and Buckingham set out to join Leslie's company; that they might proceed together towards Scotland; but they had not marched six miles in company with the Scots when these three thousand men and more were overtaken and were routed by a single troop of the enemy's horse; and my Lord Derby; being taken; was condemned and executed。  Lords Wilmot and Buckingham set out for London; to which place it was agreed the king should follow them。

When his majesty's friends had departed; the Pendrells undertook to disguise him; towards which end one of them cut the long locks reaching his shoulders; another rubbed his hands and face with dust; and a third brought him a suit of clothes。  〃The habit of the king;〃 says Pepys; 〃

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