The Works of William Harrison Ainsworth

by William Harrison Ainsworth

  While Captain Shuttleworth passed through the gateway to deliver the summons to the commanders of the garrison and the mayor, Standish remained outside, near the drawbridge, and employed the interval in surveying the magnificent prospect spread out before him. His eye was still wandering over the estuary of the Lune, Morecambe Bay, and the fine Westmoreland hills, when Captain Shuttleworth came forth, and giving him a letter, said:

  “This is the answer to Lord Derby’s summons. I will tell you its purport. The mayor and burgesses affirm that the castle never was at their command, and having been taken and fortified by the Parliament, the Parliament now holds the town in control. Thus much on their part. But even if the town were independent of the castle, they, the mayor and burgesses, would never consent to a surrender.”

  “They understand the consequences of a refusal, I presume?” observed Standish, sternly. “They must expect the full punishment of war.”

  “They will adhere to the Parliament, and resist to the uttermost,” replied Shuttleworth.

  Standish said no more.

  Accompanied by his conductor to the end of the avenue leading to the town, he took a courteous leave of him, and rode back to Lord Derby.

  On perusing the answer brought him the earl was highly incensed, and exclaiming that the rebels and traitors would bitterly rue their decision, gave immediate orders for the assault.

  CHAPTER VII

  How Lancaster was taken by the Earl

  IN a very short space of time, the whole Royalist force, divided into four squadrons — each numbering four hundred men — was moving towards the town, but in different directions, as the attack was intended to be made at various points.

  Besides these, there were the billmen and club-men, who were likewise divided into four companies, each having a mounted leader.

  The squadron commanded by Lord Molineux started first, having a wide circuit to make, and kept as much as possible under the cover of the hedges, but it was descried from the castle, and formed a mark for the guns, which now began to play upon the besiegers.

  Moving off with his men towards the river, Sir John Girlington attacked the town on the north. An intermediate point was chosen by Sir Thomas Tyldesley, while Lord Derby marched along the high road on the south side of the town. Not only was he exposed to the fire of the castle guns, but his advance was disputed by Captain Shuttleworth and a large body of cavalry.

  Seeing that a charge was about to be made, the earl halted, and firmly received the furious onset.

  He then attacked the rebels in his turn, and drove them back into the town, killing a great number, and pursuing them so quickly that they could not make another stand.

  In vain Captain Shuttleworth endeavoured to rally his men. They would not stop till they reached the castle, and being hotly pursued by Standish and a party of horsemen better mounted than the rest, Shuttleworth was cut down before he could cross the drawbridge.

  This daring act had well-nigh cost Standish his life. A shower of bullets flew around him, and it seemed miraculous that he was not hit.

  However, he managed to rejoin Lord Derby safe and sound, and found him engaged in setting fire to several houses in the main thoroughfare, in order to clear them of the marksmen, who did great mischief.

  Meanwhile, the rattle of musketry was heard in other quarters, commingled with the roar of the castle guns. But the latter did more harm to friends than foes, and many buildings were crushed by the ponderous shot.

  Strange to say both Captain Verderol and Lieutenant Puntales, who were with Lord Derby, were killed by the discharge of a cannon taken from their own ship. Their death infuriated the crew to such a degree, that they butchered many unresisting townspeople, and vowed vengeance upon Major Sparrow.

  They kept their oath in this manner. Three of them, armed with muskets they had picked up, contrived to reach the bank of the moat unobserved, and perceiving Major Sparrow on the walls, whom they recognised from having seen him when he plundered the ship, they took deliberate aim, and shot him.

  By this time, the town was completely invested by the Royalists, who gained an entrance at every point they attacked, and driving their opponents before them made their way to the market-place, where they formed a junction.

  In accomplishing this object they sustained comparatively little loss, but the destruction they caused was terrible. The Parliamentary troops who opposed them were forced to retreat, while the townspeople, many of whom were favourably disposed towards the besiegers, were ruthlessly slaughtered, since no quarter was given. Buildings were set on fire in every direction, and two whole streets were burnt down, but not before the houses had been pillaged by the billmen and clubmen, who claimed the right to plunder.

  For more than three hours the Royalists were scattered in various parts of the town, and as they could not be restrained by their leaders, the havoc was frightful.

  Such were the horrors of Civil War, like excesses being committed by both sides.

  During all this time, the guns of the castle continued firing, but as we have already explained they did infinitely more damage to the townspeople than to the enemy.

  At length the strife ceased, at least in the central part of the town. Quarter, hitherto refused, was now given in every instance, to those who submitted. Houses were still burning in various parts, and pillage was still going on, but the firing from the castle had ceased. Indeed, there was good reason for the cessation, for the supply of powder was well-nigh exhausted. This circumstance would have rendered Colonel Holcroft seriously uneasy, if he had not felt sure of aid from Preston.

  No intelligence had been received from Sir John Seaton, but it could not be doubted that when that brave commander heard of Lord Derby’s attack upon Lancaster, he would hasten to the assistance of the town and garrison.

  Lord Derby was quite aware of the difficulties in which the garrison was placed. He knew they not only wanted powder and match, but provisions, since several hundreds of the townspeople had taken refuge in the castle, and must be fed. He also knew that the well would soon be drained, and the want of water and food must compel a speedy surrender.

  He therefore determined to press the siege with the utmost vigour, and was detailing his plans at a council of war held in the town-hall, when a sudden change was caused by important intelligence brought him by his scouts from Preston.

  That very night it appeared Sir John Seaton was about to march from Preston with fifteen hundred musketeers and some troops of horse to the relief of Lancaster.

  Lord Molineux, Sir Thomas Tyldesley, and the other commanders and captains who assisted at the council, looked aghast, but Lord Derby seemed quite undismayed.

  “Since Sir John Seaton is coming to Lancaster, we must go to Preston,” he said; “but by a different route. Doubtless, he will march through Garstang. Our route must, therefore, be by Cockerham, Kirkland, and Catterall. We will set forth at dusk with our whole force.”

  “It will be dark in an hour, my lord,” said Sir Thomas Tyldesley. “The men are scattered about the town, and cannot be got together in that time.”

  “They must,” said the earl. “Preston must be attacked to-night, and before dawn it will be in our hands.”

  “A bold stroke, and I doubt not it will prove successful,” observed Lord Molineux.

  “Deprived of all its strength, the town can offer no resistance, and must surrender,” said Sir John Girlington.

  “Ay, the Royalists will not be afraid to declare themselves,” said Lord Molineux.

  “They will welcome us as deliverers,” said Sir Gilbert Hoghton. “Sir John Seaton could not have served us better than by this movement.”

  “‘Twill be a good exchange,” said Lord Derby. “Preston is of more importance to the king than Lancaster; and having recovered it, we will summon Blackburn.”

  “Nothing would please me better than to punish that insolent town,” said Sir Gilbert Hoghton.

  “Ere many days you shall have the satisfaction yo
u desire, Sir Gilbert,” rejoined the earl. “But, first, we must secure Preston. Let the men be got together forthwith. But mark! no trumpets must be sounded; or our purpose will be suspected, and information sent to the enemy.”

  “Tidings of Seaton’s design cannot yet have reached the garrison,” remarked Lord Molineux.

  “I will not answer for it,” replied Lord Derby. “But if Colonel Holcroft finds we have quitted the town, he will infallibly pursue us, and endeavour to impede our march.”

  “We ought not then to set out till it is quite dark,” observed Sir John Girlington.

  “We must quit the town by different outlets,” said the earl; “and our rendezvous must be Ashton, on the left bank of the Lune. Now to collect the men.”

  CHAPTER VIII

  How Preston surrendered to the Earl of Derby

  BY dint of great exertion on the part of the commanders and officers, the men belonging to each corps were got together at the appointed time, and marched secretly out of the town, as Lord Derby had directed.

  The chief difficulty was with the billmen and clubmen, who were very reluctant to abandon their spoil, but being told that they would certainly be cut to pieces if found there by Sir John Seaton, they contented themselves with what they could carry off.

  Lord Derby was the first to arrive at the place of rendezvous, but the others were not long behind.

  It was now dark, but from this point the town presented a terrible spectacle. Many houses were still burning in various quarters, and a lurid light was thrown on the walls and keep of the castle.

  Dreadful as was the scene, it produced little effect upon the beholders, most of whom rejoiced to think that Sir John Seaton would find the town untenable on his arrival.

  As soon as the force was complete, the order to march was given.

  Lord Derby commanded the advanced guard, and Sir Thomas Tyldesley brought up the rear. The road to Cockerham was taken, and as they were now close to the bay, and the tide out, the broad sands could be distinguished through the gloom.

  Nothing occurred till they reached Cockerham Moss, and as they skirted it, the sound of horse was heard behind, and they knew they were pursued.

  On this alarm, Sir Thomas Tyldesley halted, and immediately wheeling round, awaited the horsemen, whom he did not doubt came from the castle.

  Lord Derby’s departure had not been accomplished with so much secrecy as to escape the notice of the garrison, and Colonel Holland finding that the whole of the Royalists had evacuated the town, and probably set out for Preston, started in pursuit with a large party of horse, determined to harass them.

  Easily ascertaining the route they had taken, he hovered for some time in their rear, and then made a sudden dash forward, but Sir Thomas Tyldesley being prepared, drove him back with the loss of several men, and the colonel did not hazard another attack.

  Thenceforward, the march of the Royalists continued without interruption.

  From Nateby, Frank Standish, ever ready for a daring exploit, rode across the country with a couple of well-mounted troopers and brought word back that Sir John Seaton with his whole force had halted at Garstang.

  It had been Lord Derby’s intention, as we have shown, to surprise Preston that night, but as he proceeded, he learned from his scouts that the Royalists had begun to display a bold front against the few Parliamentarians in the town, so that he should be able to take possession of it almost without a blow. He therefore postponed the attack till the morrow, and halted for the night at Fulwood Moor, on the north of the town.

  The inhabitants, however, soon learnt that he was in the neighbourhood with a large force, and the tidings being quickly spread about — notwithstanding the lateness of the hour — caused the greatest delight to the Royalists, and corresponding dismay among the rebels.

  It chanced that there were several Roundheads from Blackburn and Bolton lodging at the inns that night, who sought to decamp, but were unable to do so, since the ostlers, who sympathised with the Royalists, locked the doors of the stables, and took away the keys, to prevent the intending fugitives from getting out their horses.

  Next morning, at an early hour, Lord Derby marched up to the Friar’s Gate. The avenue was strongly guarded, but not a single shot was fired, and as the earl drew near with his whole force, the rebels fled.

  The bars were then broken down, and the gate burst open by the clubmen, whereupon several troops of horse dashed in, and galloping right and left, posted themselves at Church Gate and Fisher Gate to prevent flight, while another party scoured the Ribble Bridge and the adjacent ferry.

  Meanwhile, the earl had entered the town with his commanders, and after ordering several arrests to be made, and a great number of houses to be taken possession of, but not plundered, he proceeded along Friar’s-street at the head of a regiment of horse.

  Crowds of loyal folk came forth to greet him — hailing him as their deliverer. All the Parliamentarians seemed to have disappeared. Scarves and kerchiefs were waved from the windows, hats flung in the air, and enthusiastic shouts were everywhere heard of “God bless the king and the Earl of Derby!”

  Thus triumphantly did the earl ride to the market-place, where a large concourse was assembled.

  Before alighting at the town-hall, he called to Standish who was close behind him, and said:

  “Take half a dozen men with you, and make all haste you can to Lathom. Tell the countess I have recovered Preston for the king, without a shot fired or a life lost. The news will gladden her.”

  Standish instantly set forth on the joyful errand. He was the first to quit the town, and cross the Ribble, since gate and bridge had been guarded by the Royalists. As he looked back from the riverside, he saw the royal standard floating above the church tower.

  Lord Derby’s orders were strictly carried out. Anxious to avoid a repetition of the terrible scenes that had occurred at Lancaster, he would not allow any slaughter.

  Several hundred prisoners were made, and being deprived of their arms, were shut up in the church or in the gaol.

  Finding it impossible to check the clubmen, Lord Derby allowed them to plunder a certain number of houses and shops, and then dismissed them.

  Heavy fines were imposed on several of the wealthier rebels, and were ordered to be paid at the town-hall on the following day, and the amount was then distributed among the soldiers.

  When Preston was stormed by Sir John Seaton, Adam Morte, the loyal mayor, was slain while fighting valiantly against the besiegers.

  His grave was in the churchyard, and all the prisoners taken to the church were compelled by Sir Thomas Tyldesley to walk past it bareheaded.

  Not deeming this indignity enough, the guard would willingly have forced them to kneel down at the grave, while some of the townspeople, who revered the memory of the heroic mayor, went still further, and would have shot a score of rebels on the spot.

  “In losing Adam Morte, we lost the best and bravest man in Preston,” remarked a bystander. “He was a staunch Cavalier, and detested a Roundhead as much as he loved the king. He vowed he would never surrender Preston with life, and if the besiegers entered, it should be over his dead body. The first three Parliamentarians who mounted the walls fell by his hand. He could have escaped with his men, but he would not fly. He fought obstinately to the last — wounding a rebel with every blow. Mad with rage against him, they thrust him through with their pikes, and flung his bleeding body from the walls. And here the brave man lies. Shall we not bedew his grave with their blood?”

  Had the guard received a look from Sir Thomas Tyldesley they would have complied, but he sternly shook his head.

  “Adam Morte fell in fair fight,” remarked one of the prisoners — a dark- looking Puritan.

  “Thou art one of those who helped to slay him, Phineas Clay,” cried the first speaker.

  “I deny it not,” rejoined Clay. “I glory in the deed. I did good service in removing so bitter a malignant.”

  As the words were uttered,
a bullet was lodged in the Puritan’s brain, and he fell upon Adam Morte’s grave.

  No one knew by whom the shot had been fired. Nor did Sir Thomas Tyldesley care to inquire.

  Lord Derby and Lord Molineux took up their quarters in the town-hall. Sir Gilbert Hoghton owned a large mansion in the town, which had been occupied by Sir John Seaton, while he was in command of Preston.

  Of course, Sir Gilbert took immediate possession of his own house, and Sir Thomas Tyldesley and Sir John Girlington were lodged with him. There was no difficulty in providing the soldiers with quarters.

  Plenty of ammunition was found in the magazine, and on the walls, which had recently been strengthened by Seaton, were a few small pieces of ordnance. This was highly satisfactory to Lord Derby, since it was quite possible he might soon be besieged in his turn.

  CHAPTER IX

  How Frank Standish brought news of the Surrender of Preston

  ABOUT noon on the same day on which Lord Derby regained Preston, the countess ascended the Eagle Tower at Lathom House, in company with her daughters, Gertrude Rosworm, and Doctor Rutter. She conversed with none of them, and her countenance wore a thoughtful, almost sad expression.

  Early that morning a messenger had brought word that Lancaster had fallen; adding that half the town was burnt and many of the inhabitants slain.

  The latter part of the intelligence distressed her exceedingly, and she could not shake off the painful impression.

  “Your ladyship looks pensive,” observed Doctor Rutter.

  “I am thinking of Lancaster,” she replied. “Much mischief must necessarily be done when a town is stormed, and if the soldiers only suffered I should not much heed, but I cannot help grieving for the inhabitants who have been forced by the garrison to resist. I am sure my lord would willingly have spared them, had it been possible.”

  “Rebellion must be punished with severity, madam, or it can never be effectually crushed,” replied the chaplain; “and though no doubt many innocent persons perished with the guilty in this terrible siege, the earl could not distinguish between them. The blame must rest with those evil-minded persons who compelled their fellow-townsmen to defy the king’s authority. ’Tis to be hoped that the fate of Lancaster will prove a warning.”