The Leaguer of Lathom ebook

Contents

BOOK I. THE SIEGE OF MANCHESTER

CHAPTER I. A Presage of Ill

CHAPTER II. Lord Strange

CHAPTER III. The Dying Earl

CHAPTER IV. Prince Rupert

CHAPTER V. Charles the First

CHAPTER VI. Colonel Rosworm

CHAPTER VII. Gertrude Rosworm

CHAPTER VIII. Alport Lodge

CHAPTER IX. A View of Old Manchester from the Tower of the Collegiate Church

CHAPTER X. Warden Heyrick and Mr. Bourne

CHAPTER XI. The Assault

CHAPTER XII. Captain Cranage

CHAPTER XIII. Rosworm proposes to burn Alport Lodge

CHAPTER XIV. The Nocturnal Thanksgiving

CHAPTER XV. The Sortie

CHAPTER XVI. The Burning of Alport Lodge

CHAPTER XVII. Whither Gertrude was taken

CHAPTER XVIII. The Earl of Derby has an Interview with Rosworm

CHAPTER XIX. How Rosworm got the Earl out of the Town

CHAPTER XX. How the Siege was Raised by Command of the King

BOOK II. CHARLOTTE DE LA TRÉMOILLE, COUNTESS OF DERBY

CHAPTER I. Lathom House

CHAPTER II. Queen Henrietta Maria

CHAPTER III. What the Queen beheld from the Eagle Tower

CHAPTER IV. How Gertrude Rosworm arrived at Lathom House

CHAPTER V. How Gertrude personated the Queen

BOOK III. THE STORMING OF LANCASTER

CHAPTER I. Hoghton Tower

CHAPTER II. The Spanish Man-of-War

CHAPTER III. Engracia

CHAPTER IV. How Don Fortunio and his Daughter were received by the Countess of Derby

CHAPTER V. Love and Jealousy

CHAPTER VI. How the Mayor of Lancaster was summoned by the Earl of Derby to surrender the Tower

CHAPTER VII. How Lancaster was taken by the Earl

CHAPTER VIII. How Preston surrendered to the Earl of Derby

CHAPTER IX. How Frank Standish brought news of the Surrender of Preston

CHAPTER X. How Hoghton Tower was blown up

CHAPTER XI. How Lord Goring brought a Despatch from the King to the Earl of Derby

BOOK IV. THE SURRENDER OF WARRINGTON

CHAPTER I. The Countess proposes to write to Prince Rupert

CHAPTER II. What passed between Standish and Gertrude

CHAPTER III. How Gertrude accompanied Standish

CHAPTER IV. How Gertrude found her Father at Wigan

CHAPTER V. How Gertrude warned the Earl that Warrington was in danger

CHAPTER VII. How Standish returned from his Mission

CHAPTER VIII. How the Earl took his Departure for the Isle of Man

BOOK V. THE BELEAGUERED MANSION

CHAPTER I. Of the Garrison at Lathom House

CHAPTER II. How Captain Markland brought a Letter from Sir Thomas FairfaX. to the Countess

CHAPTER III. How Captain Markland brought a second Letter from Sir Thomas Fairfax, and in what Manner the Countess replied to it

CHAPTER IV. How Sir Thomas FairfaX. came to Lathom House, and what passed between him and the Countess

CHAPTER V. How a Stand in the Park was destroyed by Rigby, and a Mill burnt

CHAPTER VI. What happened in the Ruins of Burscough Priory

CHAPTER VII. Of the Message brought by Colonel Morgan to the Countess

CHAPTER VIII. How the Intrenchments were made

CHAPTER IX. Of the Sortie made by Captains Chisenhale and Standish

CHAPTER X. Of the important Prisoner brought in by Standish

CHAPTER XI. How the Countess received a Visit from several Royalist Gentlemen

CHAPTER XII. How Rosworm was taken by Standish to the Guard-room in the Gate-house

CHAPTER XIII. In what Manner a Letter was sent to Colonel Rosworm

CHAPTER XIV. A Traitor punished

CHAPTER XV. How a Letter sent by the Earl of Derby to FairfaX. was brought by Captain Ashhurst to the Countess

CHAPTER XVI. How two Pieces of Ordnance were seized by Standish

CHAPTER XVII. Of the Preparations made for a Grand Sortie

CHAPTER XVIII. Of the Daring Deeds done by the Cavaliers in the Sortie; and how the New Fort was taken by Standish

CHAPTER XIX. How a Council of War was held by the Besiegers; and how a Day of Fasting and Prayer was appointed by Fairfax

CHAPTER XX. How a Cannon-shot fired by the Besiegers burst into the Countess’s Chamber

CHAPTER XXI. Of the Experiments made by the Besiegers with the Great Mortar

CHAPTER XXII. How a Summons was sent by Rigby to the Countess to yield up the Castle and sue for Mercy to the Parliament; and of the Answer she returned

CHAPTER XXIII. Showing how the Great Mortar was captured by Standish and Chisenhale

CHAPTER XXIV. How Colonel Holland promised to bring Reinforcements from Manchester

CHAPTER XXV. Of Asaph the Avenger, and the terrible Crime he committed

CHAPTER XXVI. Of Gertrude’s last Parting with Standish

CHAPTER XXVII. How the Soldiers of the Garrison looked their last on their Favourite

CHAPTER XXVIII. How a Letter was brought to the Countess from her Husband

CHAPTER XXIX. How Standish encountered Rosworm

CHAPTER XXX. How Standish found Engracia at Knowsley

CHAPTER XXXI. How the Jewels were sold to Simon Ophir, the Liverpool Jew

BOOK VI. PRINCE RUPERT

CHAPTER I. Of the Royalist Force under Prince Rupert

CHAPTER II. How Standish returned to Lathom House, but stayed to sup at Knowsley on the Way thither

CHAPTER III. How Stockport Bridge was defended by Colonels Duckenfield and Mainwaring, and how it was taken by Prince Rupert and the Earl of Derby

CHAPTER IV. Of the brief Visit paid by Prince Rupert to the Countess

BOOK VII. THE STORMING OF BOLTON

CHAPTER I. How Bolton was assaulted; and how the Attack was repulsed

CHAPTER II. How Stephen Marsh offered to take Two Hundred Musketeers into the Town

CHAPTER III. What passed between Colonel Rigby and Rosworm

CHAPTER IV. How Engracia and her Father escaped by the subterranean Passage

CHAPTER V. The Second Assault, and the Massacre

CHAPTER VI. How Standish met Rosworm for the last Time

CHAPTER VII. How the Colours taken at Bolton were presented to the Countess

CHAPTER VIII. Again on the Eagle Tower

CHAPTER IX. How Prince Rupert visited Lathom House

CHAPTER X. How a Banquet was given in the Great Hall, and a Bonfire lighted in the Court- yard

CHAPTER XI. Of the Marriage that took place in the Chapel

CHAPTER XII. The Siege of Liverpool

CHAPTER XIII. Death of Standish

BOOK VIII. SEVEN YEARS LATER

CHAPTER I. The Earl of Derby’s last journey

CHAPTER II. The Headsman

CHAPTER III. A Tumult

CHAPTER IV. The Block

CHAPTER V. Martyrdom

BOOK I. THE SIEGE OF MANCHESTER

CHAPTER I. A Presage of Ill

LATE one night, in the disastrous year 1642, soon after the commencement of the Civil War, as Lord Strange was alone in his closet at Knowsley Hall, reading a treatise by Cardan, blood fell suddenly upon the book. Being in a very melancholy frame of mind at the time, he was powerfully affected by the occurrence, and could not help regarding it as a presage of ill.

As soon as he had recovered his composure, he addressed a prayer to Heaven for the safety and welfare of the king, and his own preservation from sudden and violent death, and had not long risen from his knees, when a tap at the door was heard, and next moment, a grave-looking person-age, whose dress proclaimed him a divine, entered the closet.

This was Doctor Samuel Rutter, Archdeacon of Man, and Lord Strange’s domestic chaplain. He had been absent for some months, having duties to perform in the Isle of Man, and had only returned on that very evening. He had seen his noble patron on his arrival at Knowsley Hall, and thought him looking very unwell, but little passed between them at the time. After they had separated for the night, an unaccountable uneasiness came over him, and being unable to shake off the feeling, he repaired to his lordship’s study, being aware that he had not retired to rest, and was much relieved by finding him seated composedly in his chair.

“Now Heaven be praised that I find your lord-ship well!” exclaimed the archdeacon. “I have been much troubled concerning you, and could not seek my couch till I had satisfied my mind that you had not been seized by some sudden illness.”

Thanking him for his solicitude, Lord Strange said, “In truth, I have not been well, but am now somewhat better. Sit down, I pray you, my good friend. I shall be glad to have some converse with you.”

As Doctor Rutter placed his taper on the table, his eye fell upon the blood- stained book, and he uttered an exclamation of astonishment and horror.

“Has this just happened, my lord?” he asked.

“Scarce half an hour ago,” replied Lord Strange. “Shut the book, I pray you, and put it aside.”

Doctor Rutter obeyed, and remarked, as he sat down:

“This portent must not be disregarded, my lord. Be warned, I entreat you. Take no further part in the conflict between the king and the rebellious Parliament, but live in quiet and retirement till the struggle is over. I know my counsel will be unpalatable, but it is prompted by duty to your lord-ship. After the spectacle I have just beheld, I cannot hold my tongue. Be warned, I repeat. Advance not on this path of danger, or it may lead to your destruction. You may share the fate of Strafford.”

“It may be so,” replied Lord Strange; “but I shall go on. I would not desert the king at this juncture, even if I were certain that the direful consequences you predict would ensue.”

“I would your fidelity and devotion were better appreciated by his majesty, my lord. All the great efforts you have made for him appear to have been counteracted by his advisers, several of whom are evidently inimical to you.”

“You are right,” said Lord Strange. “They have persuaded the king that I am ambitious, and have pretensions to the crown like my uncle Ferdinando, and they say I shall desert him as my ancestor, Lord Stanley, deserted , Richard the Third at Bosworth Field, when he gave the crown to his son-in-law, the Earl of Richmond. His majesty, therefore, views my conduct with jealousy and suspicion. When I joined him at York, I met with a cold reception, but soon discovered why I was so treated, and strove to disabuse his mind of his unjust and unfounded suspicions. “Sire,’ I said, “if it were true that I am plotting against you, I should merit death. Let him who dares charge me with treason stand forth, and I will pick the calumny from his lips with the point of my sword.’ Lord Goring, Lord Digby, and Lord Jermyn were present at the time–but not one of them answered the challenge.”

“And what said the king?” asked Doctor Rutter.

“He prayed me to have patience; adding, “this is not a time, when the rebels are marching against me, to quarrel amongst ourselves.’”

“Methinks the rebels themselves must have seen their own advantage in the unworthy treatment thus shown you, my lord,” remarked Rutter, “and have sought to win you over.”

“You have guessed right,” said Lord Strange. “A despatch was shortly afterwards sent me by Colonel Holland, commander of the garrison in Manchester, stating that he was aware of the great indignity put upon me by the king’s evil counsellors, who were the enemies of the nation, and that if I would engage in the cause of the Parliament, I should have a command equal to my own greatness, or to that of any of my ancestors. My reply to the insolent proposition was prompt and decisive. I bade the messenger tell Colonel Holland, that when he heard I had turned traitor, I would listen to his offers. Till then, if I received such another despatch it would be at the peril of him who brought it.”

“The answer was worthy of you, my lord,” said the chaplain; “and well calculated to put to shame the king’s advisers. Surely, after this, his majesty could entertain no suspicion of you?”

“An idea once fixed upon the king’s mind is not easily removed. My motives have been misrepresented throughout. Thus, when I assembled upwards of sixty thousand efficient men on the moors near Bury, Ormskirk, and Preston, I was authoritatively forbidden to take the command of the force, and these potent auxiliaries were lost to the king, because they would serve no other leader but myself. Many of them went over to the rebels. Had this large force been retained, and augmented as it could have been, the king might have marched on in triumph to London, and have effectually crushed the rebellion.”

“"Tis lamentable,” remarked Doctor Rutter. “But his majesty’s eyes have been blinded.”

“Though deeply hurt by the treatment I have experienced,” pursued Lord Strange, “I did not desist from my efforts, but without delay raised three troops of horse, and three regiments of foot, which I armed and equipped, and prepared to join the king at Warrington, where it had been agreed that the royal standard should be reared. Once more the counsels of my enemies prevailed, and to the king’s disadvantage. Warrington, where I am omnipotent, as I need not tell you, was abandoned, and Nottingham chosen, where I have no influence whatever. At the same time, without any reason assigned for the step, I was deprived of the lieutenancy of Cheshire and North Wales, and Lord Rivers was joined in commission with me for Lancashire.”

“I marvel your lordship could forgive the affront. But I know your loyalty is unchangeable.”

“I shall not cease to serve the king faithfully, even though he should continue to requite me with ingratitude,” said Lord Strange; “nor shall I abate my zeal, even though his cause should become hopeless. I am now awaiting his majesty’s orders to attack Manchester. I could easily have taken the place two months ago, when I seized upon the magazine, and carried off the powder stored within it by Colonel Holland, but I had no orders at the time, and might have been blamed for precipitancy. Since then the town has been fortified by an engineer named Rosworm, and it can now stand a siege.”

“Your lordship surprises me,” observed Rutter. “Who is this Rosworm, of whom you speak? I have not heard of him.”

“A very skilful German engineer, who has had plenty of experience in his own country, where he served under Wallenstein,” replied Lord Strange. “He has been in Ireland, but on the outbreak of the rebellion of the Roman Catholics there, he came to England, and found his way to Manchester, where he has been engaged by Colonel Holland and the other rebel leaders to fortify the town. And he has done his work well. When I first heard of his arrival I sent messengers to offer him double pay if he would serve the king, but he refused to break his engagement with the rebels.”

“That speaks well for his honesty at all events,” remarked Doctor Rutter.

“Ay, he is a brave fellow, and very skilful, as I have just said,” rejoined Lord Strange. “The Manchester men are lucky in securing him. That he will make a good defence of the town I do not doubt, but I shall take it nevertheless. The difficulty will be to hold it when taken. Manchester is the most important Parliamentary stronghold in the North of England, and every effort will be made by the rebels to recover it. And now, since I have said so much, I will detain you for a few minutes longer while I explain why I have sent for you from the Isle of Man. I did not mean to enter upon the matter till to-morrow, but it seems to me that I had better mention it now while my mind is full of the subject.”

“I am prepared to listen to all you may tell me, my lord,” observed Doctor Rutter.

“In a word, then,” said Lord Strange, “since it is certain the Civil War has begun in Lancashire, and no one can tell how long it may last, or how it may terminate, it is my intention to garrison Lathom House, so that if driven to extremities, I can hold it for six months or longer against an enemy. The house is as strong as a castle, as you know–indeed, few castles in England are so strong-and from its position, size, fortifications, and broad deep moat, I am confident it will stand a lengthened siege, if provided with sufficient men, ammunition, and ordnance. I shall therefore place three hundred experienced musketeers within the hall, plant cannon of large size on the walls and towers, and provision it for six months. Should I be absent, as may chance, its custody will be committed to my noble and high-spirited wife, in whose veins flows the blood of the Nassaus, and whose courage well fits her for the charge.”

“That I will answer for, my lord,” said the archdeacon. “A braver-hearted lady than Charlotte de la Trémoille, Lady Strange, does not exist. I am impatient to learn whether your lordship requires me to take any part in the preparations for the defence of Lathom House.”

“Thus much, my good friend,” replied Lord Strange. “You will aid her ladyship with your councils, and act for her as may be needful and as she may require. On no man’s judgment can I place greater reliance than on yours, my good Rutter; and while you are at Lathom, I feel certain all my plans will be fully carried out. Of necessity, I shall be often absent, for I shall have much to do. Her ladyship, as you are aware, is now at Lathom, and will remain there altogether for the present. To-morrow you will join her, and I wish you fully to explain my designs. If I do not receive the order I have been expecting from his majesty to attack Manchester, it is my intention to go to Chester to see my father the Earl of Derby, who has been very unwell for the last week.”

“His lordship, I trust, is not dangerously ill?” observed Doctor Rutter.

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