as is by them in other countries expected. It would not only prove a cooling card to many, whose zeal otherwise would transport them to supply me gallantly in order to his Majesty's service, but also perhaps render me incapable thereof; for which reason of great importance, I should humbly beseech that the cessation should be continued until about the middle of June next; yet so as that the condition of having the residue of the ten thousand men by the first of May next may be enforced by your Excellency, against which time, though I return not myself, yet shipping shall be provided, and that service no way neglected. But with this motion of mine I have not acquainted the Commissioners that are gone to Dublin, nor the Supreme Council, lest in some I might have raised a spirit I could not lay down: who might have taken a rise at this my inclination for the furtherance of his Majesty's service, to countenance their backwardness in preparing the supplies, or in their unwillingness to submit to a perfect peace; than which nothing is more heartily desired or aimed at by me, to the end that, under your Excellency's most judicious and wise conduct, all things may unanimously proceed to the furtherance of the King my master's service, and the happiness and contentment of this kingdom. And to receive your Excellency's commands hereupon I have sent Sir Vivien Molineux, who goes with me into France. And give me leave to tell you that the continuance of the cessation upon the terms. above mentioned (without which I cannot resolve to go myself into France), will be likewise advantageous to your Excellency and this kingdom; since during it, the Nuncio (whose mission is only to the Confederate Catholics) will plentifully contribute here to the maintenance of the war against the common enemy. And your Excellency, giving me a power to engage your word with mine, I will promise you at my return, to "Your Excellency's, &c. &c. "Kilkenny, 11th of March, 1645-6." Ormond wrote from Dublin Castle, 4th March, 1645, naming "the sad certainty of the loss of Chester,"—the men, long expected, he hopes will arrive "seasonably for some other service;" and says, "there are many reasons against the prolonging of the cessation till the midst of June," but especially "the inevitable ruin that must in the meantime come upon all his Majesty's true servants," promising in his next to send the "authority to engage me for such money as you shall be able, upon so small an assurance as mine, to get." On the 29th of September, 1645-6, the Earl addressed a letter of explanations to the Lord Lieutenant. "For to endear myself to some, the better to do his Majesty service, it is true I did declare a promise from the King of the assent that after your Excellency's time he would make me Lord Lieutenant. But it is no meaning of mine but to keep your Excellency in during your life, and not really to pretend unto it, or anything in discrimination of your Excellency's honour or profit; or derogating from the true amity and real service which I have professed, and will ever make good towards your Excellency. And my intention was ever to acquaint your honour herewith, and I once intended to do it before my going to Kilkenny, but never to conceal it totally from you, though for some reasons it being hitherto omitted, I think it not necessary for the present but as an obligation upon me thereunto. And in witness of my true intent and meaning, I leave this sealed in your Excellency's hands this 29th of September, 1645, at Dublin. "GLAMORGAN." The Earl being thus bound to continue his residence in Ireland, notwithstanding the unpromising aspect of affairs, we shall proceed, in order of date, to consider the position of his father, at Raglan Castle. CHAPTER IX. RAGLAN CASTLE: ITS DEFENCE AND SURRENDER. DEATH OF HENRY, MARQUIS OF WORCESTER. FROM the close of 1645 to the middle of 1646 the military operations within and surrounding the strong fortress of Raglan were conducted with untiring energy. Parties from the castle were continually annoying the enemy, while they on their part pushing their works with vigour at several points caused many disasters, keeping the favourably situated garrison in a state of constant agitation and watchfulness; finding their course of operations gradually limited to acting entirely on the defensive, not being in sufficient force to disperse the stronger besieging army, against whom it is next to a miracle how they maintained their position so long, Raglan Castle having held out longer than any other. The Marquis of Worcester, the last lord of Raglan Castle, usually occupied, as is supposed, a handsomely carved oak wainscotted parlour or sitting room in the ground floor of the south side of the castle, nearly the whole side of which was a large, handsome window looking over the moat towards the tall, massive tower or citadel. Over that chamber was his dining room, and from his table the various dishes would be conveyed to the grand banqueting hall, the most complete and spacious apartment within the present ruin. The great state in which the noble Marquis was accustomed to live may be gathered from the following authentic account of the order of his household :-* At 11 o'clock the Castle gates were shut and the tables laid-two in the Dining Room, three in the Hall, * From MSS. Badminton. one in Mrs. Watson's apartment where the Chaplains eat (Sir Toby Mathews being the first), in the Housekeeper's room for the Ladies' women. The Earl came into the Dining Room attended by his gentlemen. As soon as he was seated Sir Ralph Blackstone, Steward of the House retired, the Comptroller, Mr. Holland, attended with his staff, the Sewer, Mr. Blackburn, the Daily Waiters, Mr. Clough, Mr. Selby and Mr. Scudamore, with many gentlemen's sons, from £2. to £700. a year, bred in the castle. My Lady's Gentleman Usher, Mr. Harcourt. My Lord's Gentlemen of the Chamber, Mr. Morgan and Mr. Fox. At the first table sat the noble family and such of the nobility as came there. At the second table in the dining room sat Knights and honourable gentlemen attended by footmen. Sir Ralph Blackstone, Steward. The Comptroller. The Secretary. The Master of the Horse, Mr. Delaware. The Master of the Fish ponds, Mr. Andrews. My Lord Herbert's preceptor, Mr. Adams, with such gentlemen as came there under the degree of a knight, attended by footmen and plentifully served with wine. At the second table in the Hall, served from my Lord's table and with other hot meat-The Sewer, with the gentlemen waiters and pages, to the number of twentyfour or more. At the third table in the Hall-The Clerk of the Kitchen, with the Yeomen Officers of the House, two Grooms of the Chamber, &c. Chief Auditor, Mr. Smith. Clerk of the Accounts, George Wharton. |