held it necessary to give you this advertisement, as well to satisfy you and all our council and loyal subjects with you (to whom we will that you communicate these our letters). Yet failing in our earnest and sincere endeavours by treaty to put an end to the miseries of these kingdoms, we esteemed ourself obliged to leave no probable expedient unattempted to preserve our crown and friends from the usurpation and tyranny of those whose actions declare so manifestly their designs to overthrow those laws and happy established government of this kingdom. And now we have made known to you our resolution, we recommend to your especial care the disposing and managing of our affairs on that side, as that you shall conceive most for our honour and service, being confident that the course we have taken (though with some hazard of our person) will have a good influence on that our kingdom, and defer (if not altogether prevent) the rebels transporting of forces from them into that kingdom. And we desire you to satisfy all our well-affected subjects on that side of our princely care of them, whereof they shall receive the effect as soon as God shall enable us. We desire you to use some means to let us and our council at Oxford hear frequently from you, and of your actions and condition there. And so God prosper your loyal endeavours.

Dear heart,

Charles I. to the Queen.1

Since mine of the 13th to thee, not having heard anything from Montreuil, I find myself like to be drawn

1 Earl of Clarendon's State Papers. Bodley MSS. The Prince of Wales, when the affairs of Charles became almost irretrievable, was

into very great straits; and being absolutely resolved, God willing, never to fall into the rebels' hands as long as I can by any industry or danger prevent it, I have also resolved to expose myself to all the difficulties and hazards that can occur to my deliverance; and, not to flatter myself in this purpose, whether I be obliged to go to the Scotch, or what other course soever I shall be forced to take they will be great enough to invite me to think of those things which will be of essential necessity, in case I do not save myself. One which, though not only necessary in that case, is the having my son with me in France. I do therefore charge thee, as soon as thou shalt receive this, if then he shall not be with thee, (which I would not willingly doubt) that thou send mine and thine own positive commands to him to come unto thee. And this I write to thee now without any scruple; for that in every event that my present purpose can possibly produce, this counsel is not to be disputed. For, whether I save myself, or be taken prisoner, my son can be no where so well, for all the reasons I have to look upon consideration of thee, myself, and him, as that he should be now with thee in France. Therefore, again I recommend to thee that, if he be not with thee, thou send immediately for him; assuring thee, that most certainly, if God let me live, I will either privately or by force attempt very suddenly to get from hence. I have not now time to tell thee the rest of the particulars I have in my thoughts, in case I hear from Montreuil that things are

in

withdrawn to Scilly, and afterwards to Jersey. He did not join his mother till the month of September.

prepared for my reception in the Scotch, or that I be forced to take any other course; but shall send thee an express to inform thee at large. So I conjure thee to pray for him who is entirely thine,

Oxford, Tuesday, April 15th, 1646.

CHARLES R.

I do again recommend to thee the hastening of the ambassador I proposed in my last of the 13th. His being at London is like my son's being with thee, fit in all events of my affairs.

Charles I. to the Marquis of Montrose.1

Montrose,

Having upon the engagement of the French king and Queen Regent made an agreement to join with my Scots' subjects now before Newark; and being resolved upon the first opportunity to put myself into that army, they being reciprocally engaged (by the intervention of Monsieur Montreuil, the said king's resident now in the said army) to join with me and my forces, and to assist me in the procuring, a happy peace, I have thought it necessary to acquaint you herewith, (being here so close begirt, as without much hazard and difficulty I cannot suddenly break from hence to come to them) desiring you, if you shall find by the said de Montreuil that my Scots' army have really declared for me, and that you

1 Clarendon MSS. in Bodleian Library. The failure of the proposed arrangements with the Scots is too well known as a matter of history to require recital. The two bodies of commissioners appointed to treat on the subject met at Royston on the day this letter was written.

be satisfied by him that there is by them an annestia of all that hath been done by you, and those who have adhered unto me, but very hearty, sincere, friendly, and honourable resolutions in them for whatsoever concerns your person and party; that then you take them by the hand, and use all possible diligence to unite your forces with theirs for the advancement of my service, as if I was there in person; and I doubt not but you, being joined, will be able to relieve me here, in case I shall not find any possible means to come to you, which shall be endeavoured with all earnestness by

Since my last, I had neither sufficient time nor matter to write to you; but now I have enough of either, yet I shall, to ease both our pains, contract my thoughts merely to what is (for the present) necessary for you at Oxford. For directions then, know that you are not to

1 He thus writes to Montreuil before he had received the intelligence of the result of the conference at Royston - I have thus long attended with impatience to hear from you, which I wholly impute to the difficulty of passage, or some unexpected impediment which you have found in the Scots' army. However, I cannot but let you know that I remain in the same resolution you left me withal, and am still ready at an hour's warning to undertake the journey, desiring nothing more at this time than to be personally in the Scots' army."

2 Evelyn Correspondence. It appears from an endorsement that this letter was read to all the nobility and gentry then at Oxford.

VOL. II.

T

expect relief, so that I give you leave to treat for good conditions. Let those of Exeter be your example; the additions must be the taking care particularly of the University, and to try if you can get the duke of York to be sent hither to me, as also all my servants, who will be willing to come, (of which number I am sure you are one), but fear you will not get leave, and those goods which I have there.

These directions I would have you keep very secret, that you may make better conditions; for the number and choice I leave to the Lord's discretions, the governor being one; but you must give out that relief will come. Jack Ashburnham is this day gone for France.

I have no more to say; so I rest

Your most assured friend,

CHARLES R.

Charles I. to his son the Prince.1

to

Charles,

Newcastle, 2nd June, 1646.

This is rather to tell you where I am, and that I am well, than to direct you anything, having written fully your mother what I would have you do, whom I command you to obey in everything, (except in religion, concerning which I am confident she will not trouble you) and see that you go no whither without her or my particular directions. Let me hear often from me. So, God bless you. Your loving father,

CHARLES R.

If Jack Ashburnham come where you are, command

1 MS. Addit., 11252, f. 1.