255 This summer there was another kind of progresse made in the warre then had bene before, and the new parliament armie prosecuting it so much in earnest, that they made a shew to block up the king in his maine garrison at Oxford, he breakes out, and ioyning with Prince Rupert's horse, came, after several! attempts otherwhere, to Leicester, which he tooke by storme. The losse of this towne was a greate afiiction and terror to all the neighbouring garrisons and countries, whereupon Fairfax closely attended the king's motions, came within a few dayes mld fought with the king, and overcame him in that memorable battle at Naseby, whei·e his coach and cabinett of letters were taken; which letters being carried to London were printed, and manifested his falsehood, when, contrary to his professions, he had endeavour'd to bring in Danes and Lorrainers, and Irish rebells, to subdue the good people here, and given hirnselfe up to be govern'd by the queene in all affaires both of state and · religion.' After this fight l'airfax tooke againe the towne of Leicester, and went . into the west, reliev'd Taunton, tooke Bristoll, and many other garrisons. West Chester alsoe and other places were taken that way. Meanwhile the king, having coasted about the countries, came at last to Newark, and there his commanders falling out among themselves, he changed the governor, and putt the lord Bellasis into the place, and went himselfe to Oxford, where he was at last block'd up. "\¥hen Sr. Thomas Fairfax was made chiefe general!, Poyntz was made ·maior-generall of the northerne counties, and a committee of I, The public is in possession of these, they having been printed by the parliament, which some have thought a hardship, but surely without reason. It is useless here to discuss the question as to what help it was allowable for the king to call in, but it is out of all ques tion that the discovery of that bitterness with which he was inclined to pursue the quarrel, and the fraudulency with which he had managed treaties, and shewed that he meant to ·do others, cut up by the roots both compassion and confidence .
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