Boscobel

Lieu. Col. Alex. Newton.

Capt. James Stepford.

Capt. Samuel Smith.

Capt. John Downes.

Capt. Vincent Corbet.

Capt. John Delves.

Capt. John Griffith.

Capt. Tho. Portington.

Capt. Edward Alc.o.c.k.

Capt. Ralph Pownall.

Capt. Richard Grantham.

Capt. Edward Stelfax.

This was the authority, and some of these the persons that condemned this n.o.ble Earl to death, notwithstanding his just plea, _That he had quarter given him by one Captain Edge, who took him prisoner_. But this could not obtain justice, nor any intercession, mercy; so that on the 15. of October, he was executed at Boulton in Lancashire, in a most barbarous and inhumane manner.

The Earl of Lauderdail with divers others were carryed prisoners to Windsor castle, where they continued many years.

Whilst the rebels were plundring these n.o.ble persons, the Duke, with the Lord Levistan, Col. Blague, Mr. Marmaduke Darcy, and Mr. Hugh May, forsook the road, and betook themselves to a by-way and got into _Chessardine woods_, not far from Newport, where they receiv"d some refreshment at a little obscure house, and afterwards met with two honest laborers in an adjoining wood, to whom they communicated the exigent and distresse which the fortune of war had reduc"d them to, and finding them like to prove faithful, the duke thought fit to imitate his royal master, quitted his horse, delivered his _George_ (which was given him by the Queen of England) to _Mr. May_ (who preserved it through all difficulties, and after restor"d it to his Grace in Holland) and chang"d habit with one of the workmen; and in this disguise was convey"d by one _Nich. Mathews_ a carpenter, to the house of _Mr. Hawley_ an hearty cavalier at _Bilstrop_ in Nottinghamshire, from thence to the _Lady Villiers_ house at Brooksby in Leicestershire, and, after many hardships and encounters, his Grace got secure to London, and from thence to his Majesty in _France_.

At the same time the Lord Leviston, Col. Blague, Mr. Darcy, and Mr.

May, all quitted their horses, severally shifted for themselves, and most of them, through various dangers and sufferings, contriv"d their escapes; In particular Mr. May lay 21. days in a hay-mow belonging to one _Bold_ an honest husbandman, who liv"d neer Chessardine; Bold having all that time rebel-souldiers quartered in his house, yet faild not to give a constant relief to his more welcom guest, and when the coast was clear of souldiers, Mr. May came to London on foot in a disguise.

The Lord Talbot, (seeing no hope of rallying,) hasted towards his fathers house at Longford neer Newport, where being arriv"d, he convey"d his horse into a neighbours barn, but was immediately pursued by the rebels, who found the horse saddled, and by that concluded my Lord to be not far off, so that they search"d Langford house narrowly, and some of them continued in it four or five dayes; during all which time my Lord was in a close place in one of the outhouses, almost stifl"d for want of air, and had infallibly perish"d for want of food, had he not been once relieved in the dead of night, and with much difficulty by a servant; yet his Lordship thought it a great providence, even by these hardships, to escape the fury of such enemies, who sought the destruction of the n.o.bility, as well as of their king.

In this interim the valiant Earl of Cleveland, (who being above 60.

years of age, had marched 21. days together upon a trotting horse) had also made his escape from Worcester, when all the fighting work was over, and was got to _Woodcot_ in Shropshire, whither he was pursued, and taken at one Miss Broughtons house.

The Scotch cavalry (having no place to retreat unto neerer then Scotland,) were soon after totally dispersed, and most of them taken by the rebels and country people in Cheshire, Lancashire, and parts adjacent.

Thus was this royal army totally subdued, thus dispersed; and if in this so important affair any of the Scottish commanders were treacherous at Worcester, (as some suspected) they have a great account to make for the many years miseries that ensued thereby to both nations, under the tyrannical government of Cromwell.

But to return to the duty of my attendance on his Sacred Majesty in Spring Coppice; by that time Richard Penderel had conveyed him into the obscurest part of it, it was about sun-rising on Thursday morning, and the heavens wept bitterly at these calamities; insomuch as the thickest tree in the wood was not able to keep his Majesty dry, nor was there any thing for him to sit on; Wherefore Richard went to _Francis Yates_ house, (a trusty neighbour, who married his wifes sister,) where he borrowed a blanket, which he folded and laid on the ground for his Majesty to sit on.

At the same time Richard spoke to the goodwife Yates, to provide some victuals, and bring it into the wood at a place he appointed her, she presently made ready a mess of milk and some b.u.t.ter and eggs, and brought them to his Majesty in the wood; who being a little surpriz"d to see the woman (no good concealer of a secret,) said cheerfully to her; _Good woman, can you be faithfull to a distressed cavalier?_ She answered, _Yes, sir, I will dye rather than discover you_; with which answer his Majesty was well satisfied.

The Lord Wilmot in the interim took John Penderel for his guide, but knew not determinately whither to goe, purposing at first to have march"d Northwards, but as they pa.s.sed by Brewood forge, the forgemen made after them, till being told by one Richard Dutton, that it was Col. Crompton whom they pursued, the _Vulcans_ happily, upon that mistake, quitted the chase.

Soon after they narrowly escaped a party of rebels as they pa.s.sed by _Coven-brook;_ so that seeing danger on every side, and John meeting with William Walker (a trusty neighbour,) committed my Lord to his care and council, who for present conveyed them into a dry marl-pit (where they staid awhile,) and afterward to one _Mr. Huntbaches_ house at Brinsford, and put their horses into John Evans barn, whilst John Penderel goes to Wolverhampton to see what convenience he could find for my Lords coming thither, but met with none, the town being full of souldiers.

Yet John leaves no means unessayed, hastens to Northcot, (an adjacent village) and there, whilst he was talking with _Goodwife Underhill_ (a neighbour,) in the instant _Mr. John Huddleston_ (a sojourner at _Mr.

Thomas Whitgreaves_ of _Moseley_, and of Johns acquaintance) was accidently pa.s.sing by, to whom John (well a.s.sured of his integrity,) presently addresses himself and his business, relates to him the sad news of the defeat of his Majesties army at Worcester, and discovers in what straits and confusion he had left his Majesty and his followers at Whiteladies, and in particular that he had brought thence a person of quality, (for John then knew not who my Lord was) to Huntbaches house, who, without present relief, would be in great danger of being taken.

Mr. Huddleston goes home forthwith, takes John with him and acquaints Mr. Whitgreave with the businesse, who freely resolved to venture all, rather than such a person should miscarry.

Hereupon Mr. Whitgreave repaires to Huntbaches house, speaks with my Lord, and gives direction how he should be privately convey"d into his house at Mosely about ten of the clock at night; and, though it so fell out that the directions were not punctually observ"d, yet my Lord and his man were at last brought into the house, where Mr. Whitgreave, (after some refreshment given them) conveys them into a secret place, which my Lord admiring for its excellent contrivance, and solicitous for his Majesties safety, said, _I would give a world my friend_ (meaning the king) _were here_; and then deposited in Mr. Whitgreaves custody a little bag of jewels, which my Lord received again at his departure.

As soon as it was day Mr. Whitgreave sent William Walker with my Lords horses to his neighbour Col. John Lane of Bentley near Walsal, South-East from Mosely about four miles, (whom Mr. Whitgreave knew to be a right honest gentleman, and ready to contribute any a.s.sistance to so charitable a work) and wished Walker to acquaint the Colonel, that they were the horses of some eminent person about the king, whom he could better secure than his horses: The Col. willingly receives the horses, and sends word to Mr. Whitgreave to meet him that night in a close not far from Mosely, in order to the tender of farther service to the owner of the horses, whose name neither the Colonel nor Mr.

Whitgreave then knew.

On Thursday night, when it grew dark, his Majesty resolv"d to go from those parts into _Wales_, and to take Richard Penderel with him for his guide; but, before they began their journey, his Majesty went into Richards house at Hobbal Grange, where the old goodwife Penderel had not onely the honour to see his Majesty, but to see him attended by her son Richard: Here his Majesty had time and means better to complete his disguise; his name was agreed to be _Wil. Jones_, and his arms a wood bill: In this posture about nine a clock at night (after some refreshment taken in the house) his Majesty, with his trusty servant Richard, began their journey on foot, resolving to go that night to _Madeley_ in Shropshire, about five miles from _Whiteladies_, and within a mile of the river Severn, over which their way lay for Wales; in this village lived one Mr. Woolf, an honest gentleman of Richards acquaintance.

His Majesty had not been long gon, but the Lord Wilmot sent John Penderel from Mr. Whitegreaves to Whiteladies, to know in what security the king was, John returned and acquainted my Lord that his Majesty was marched from thence; Hereupon my Lord began to consider which way himself should remove with safety.

Col. Lane, having secured my Lords horses, and being come to Mosely according to appointment on Friday night, was brought up to my Lord by Mr. Whitgreave, and (after mutual salutation) acquainted him, that his sister Mrs. Jane Lane had by accident procured a pa.s.s from some commander of the rebels, for her self and a man to goe to Bristol to see her sister, then near her time of lying in; and freely offer"d, if his Lordship thought fit, he might make use of it, which my Lord seem"d inclinable to accept; and on Sat.u.r.day night was conducted by Col. Lanes man (himself not being well) to the Col. house at Bentley, his Lordship then and not before discovering his name to Mr. Whitgreave, and giving him many thanks for so great a kindnesse in so imminent a danger.

Before his Majesty came to Madely, he met with an il-favoured encounter at _Evelin Mill_ being about 2. miles from thence; The miller (it seems) was an honest man, but his Majesty and Richard knew it not, and had then in his house some considerable persons of his Majesties army, who took shelter there in their flight from Worcester, and had not been long in the mill, so that the miller was upon his watch, and Richard, unhappily permitting a gate to clap, through which they pa.s.sed, gave occasion to the miller to come out of the mill and boldly ask _who is there_? Richard, thinking the miller had pursued them, quitted the usuall way in some haste, and led his Majesty over a little brook, which they were forced to wade through, and which contributed much towards the surbating and galling his Majesties feet. Here his Majesty (as he afterwards pleasantly observed) was in some danger of losing his guide, but that the rustling of Richards calves-skin breeches was the best direction his Majesty had to follow him in that dark night.

His Majesty arrived at Madely about midnight, Richard goes to Mr.

Woolfs house, where they were all in bed, knocks them up and acquaints Mr. Woolfs daughter, (who came to the dore) that the king was there, who presently received him into the house, where his Majesty refreshed himself for some time; but, understanding that the rebels kept several guards upon _Seavern_, and it being fear"d that some of their party (of which many frequently pa.s.sed through the town,) might quarter at the house (as had often hapned,) it was apprehended unsafe for his Majesty to lodge in the house (which afforded no secret place for concealment,) but rather to retire into a barn near adjoining, as less liable to the danger of a surprise, whither his Majesty went accordingly, and continued there all the day following, his servant Richard attending him.

During his Majesties stay in the barn, Mr. Woolf had often conference with him about his intended journey, and in order thereto took care by a trusty servant (sent abroad for that purpose,) to inform himself more particularly of those guards upon Seavern, and had certain word brought him, that not only the bridges were secured, but all the pa.s.sage-boats seized on; insomuch as he conceived it very hazardous for his Majesty to prosecute his design for Wales, but rather to go to Boscobel-house, being the most retired place for concealment in all the country, and to stay there till an opportunity of a further safe conveyance could be found out; which advice his Majesty inclined to approve: And thereupon resolv"d for Boscobel the night following; in the mean time his hands not appearing sufficiently discoloured, suitable to his other disguise, Mrs. Woolf provided walnut-tree leaves, as the readiest expedient for that purpose.

The day being over, his Majesty adventured to come again into the house, where having for some time refreshed himself, and being furnished with conveniences for his journey, (which was conceived to be safer on foot than by horse) he with his faithful guide Richard about eleven of the clock at night, set forth towards Boscobel.

About three of the clock on Sat.u.r.day morning, being come near the house, Richard left his Majesty in the wood, whilst he went in to see if no souldiers were there or other danger; where he found _Col.

William Carlis_, (who had seen, not the last man born, but the last man kild, at Worcester, and) who, having with much difficulty, made his escape from thence; was got into his own neighbor-hood, and, for some time concealing himself in Boscobel wood, was come that morning to the house to get some relief of William Penderel, his old acquaintance.

Richard having acquainted the Col. that the king was in the wood, the Col. with William and Richard goe presently thither to give their attendance, where they found his Majesty sitting on the root of a tree, who was glad to see the Col. and came with them into the house, and did there eat bread and cheese heartily, and (as an extraordinary) William Penderels wife made his Majesty a posset, of thin milk and small beer, and got ready some warm water to wash his feet, not onely extreme dirty, but much galled with travail.

The Col. pull"d off his Majesties shoos, which were full of gravel, and stockens which were very wet, and there being no other shoos in the house that would fit his Majesty, the good wife put some hot embers in those to dry them, whilst his Majesties feet were washing and his stockens shifted.

Being thus a little refreshed, the Col. perswaded his Majesty to go back into the wood (supposing it safer then the house,) where the Colonel made choice of a thick leafed oak, into which William and Richard help"d both the King and the Col. and brought them such provision as they could get, with a cushion for his Majesty to sit on; In this oak they continued most part of that day, and the Col. humbly desired his Majesty (who had taken little or no rest the two preceding nights,) to seat himself as easily as he could in the tree, and rest his head on the Colonels lap, who was watchfull that his Majesty might not fall; and in this posture his Majesty slumber"d away some part of the day, and bore all these hardships and afflictions with incomparable patience.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Boscobel House and surrounding area.]

In the evening they returned to the house, where William Penderel acquainted his Majesty with the secret place, wherein the Earl of Derby had been secured, which his Majesty liked so well, that he resolved, whilst he staid there to trust onely to that, and go no more into the royal oake, as from hence it must be cal"d, where he could not so much as sit at ease.

His Majesty now, esteeming himself in some better security, permitted William Penderel to shave him, and cut the hair of his head, as short at top as the scissars would do it, but leaving some about the ears, according to the country mode; Col. Carlis attending, told his Majesty, _Will was but a mean barber_; To which his Majesty answered, _He had never been shav"d by any barber before_: The King bade William burn the hair which he cut off, but Will, was only disobedient in that, for he kept a good part of it, wherewith he has since pleasur"d some persons of honor, and is kept as a civil relique.

_Humphry Penderel_ was this Sat.u.r.day design"d to goe to _Shefnal_, to pay some taxes to one _Captain Broadway_; At whose house he met with a Colonel of the rebels, who was newly come from Worcester in pursuit of the King, and who being inform"d the King had been at Whiteladies, and that Humphry was a near neighbor to the place, examin"d him strictly, and laid before him as well the penalty for concealing the King, which was death without mercy; as the reward for discovering him, which should be one thousand pounds certain pay, but neither fear of punishment, nor hope of reward, was able to tempt Humphry into any disloyalty; He pleaded ignorance and was dismiss"d; and on Sat.u.r.day night related to his Majesty and the loial Colonel at Boscobel, what had pa.s.s"d betwixt him and the rebel Colonel at Shefnal.

This night the good wife (whom his Majesty was pleased to call _My Dame Joan_[4]) provided some chickens for his Majesties supper, (a dainty he had not lately been acquainted with,) and a little pallet was put into the secret place for his Majesty to rest in; some of the brothers being continually upon duty, watching the avenues of the house and the road way, to prevent the danger of a surprize.

[4] D. Parkes, in the Gentleman"s Magazine for 1792, p. 893, says there is the following epitaph at White Ladies.

"Here lieth the Bodie of a friende the King did call Dame Joane--but now she is deceast & gone. Interred anno Do.

1669."

After supper Col. Carlis ask"d his Majesty what meat he would please to have provided for the morrow, being Sunday, his Majesty desired some mutton, if it might be had; But it was thought dangerous for William to goe to any market to buy it, since his neighbors all knew he did not use to buy such for his own dyet, and so it might beget a suspition of his having strangers at his house; But the Col. found another expedient to satisfy his Majesties desires; Early on Sunday morning he repairs to Mr. William Stauntons sheep cote, who rented some of Boscobel grounds, here he chose one of the best sheep, sticks him with his dagger, then sends Wil. for the mutton, who brings him home on his back.

On Sunday morning (Sept. the seventh) his Majesty got up early (his dormitory being none of the best, nor his bed the easiest,) and near the secret place where he lay, had the convenience of a gallery to walk in, where he was observ"d to spend some time in his devotions, and where he had the advantage of a window, which surveid the road from Tong to Brewood; Soon after his Majesty coming down into the parlor his nose fell a bleeding, which put his poor faithful servants into a great fright, but his Majesty was pleased soon to remove it, by telling them, It often did so.

As soon as the mutton was cold, William cut it up and brought a leg of it into the parlor, his Majesty cal"d for a knife and a trencher, and cut some of it into collops and p.r.i.c.k"d them with the knif"s point, then cal"d for a frying pan and b.u.t.ter, and fry"d the collops himself, of which he ate heartily, Col. Carlis the while being but under cook, (and that honor enough too,) made the fire and turn"d the collops in the pan.

When the Colonel afterwards attended his Majesty in _France_, his Majesty calling to remembrance this pa.s.sage, among others, was pleased merrily to propose it, as a problematical question, whether himself or the Col. were the master-cook at Boscobel; and the supremacy was of right adjudg"d to his Majesty.

All this while the other brothers of the Penderels were in their several stations, either scouting abroad to learn intelligence, or upon some other service; but it so pleas"d G.o.d, that though the soldiers had some intelligence that his Majesty had been at Whiteladies, and none that he was gone thence, yet this house (which prov"d a happy sanctuary for his Majesty in this sad exigent,) had not at all been searched during his Majesties aboad there, though that had several times, this perhaps the rather escaping, because the neighbors could truly inform none but poor servants to be here.

His Majesty, finding himself now in a hopefull security, spent some part of this Lords-day in a pretty arbor in Boscobel garden, which grew upon a mount, and wherein there was a stone table and seats about it.

In this place he pa.s.s"d away some time in reading, and commended the place for its retiredness.