October 19, 1642
October 19, 1642
The story as it unfolds:

DITHERING CHARLES SMILES AS COMMANDERS DEBATE DUTCH VS SWEDE; SHEEP, BLANKETS, RAIN AND BOY; THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE ARMIES GRADUALLY NARROWS.

From the section: Letters

Mr Holyfen,

Attached please find a brief Elaboration on the divisions within the King’s army over the matter of command. This aside, those following him, which yesterday rallied at Meriden Heath. His Forces now have the appearance of an actual Army: recruitment to his Standard has been Steady, helped not merely by the aid of the Kingdom’s Papists (money and tenants) but concern over the recent actions of Parliament, to wit, that any who refuse the Forced Loans will be declared Delinquent, disarmed, and property seized.

The King today makes for Kenilworth; Rupert, for Berkswell. I have heard two Items that may be of great Significance (but may be but the idle chatter of bored, wet, weary, hungry men): first, that some Irishman, now with Essex, plans to shift his Allegience to the King at the moment battle is joined; second, that battle may be some time in coming (if at all): Essex having made another Petition to the King, to discuss terms of Peace before the armies come to blows clash.

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Jealousy and division lurks beneath the happy unity displayed by King Charles and his senior officers on Meriden Heath in Warwickshire yesterday at a review of the troops they will lead to battle against Parliament.

The Scots-born Charles – whose legendary public coldness rests on his firm belief that displays of mirth or wrath are beneath his dignity as Christ’s representative on earth – smiled on at least three occasions as his nine thousand or foot, commanded by Sir Jacob Astley, and some three thousand horse and seven hundred dragoons, led by his nephew Prince Rupert of the Rhine, marched past a hurriedly-erected reviewing stand on the only day of the last fifteen the Sun has roused itself to chase rain and cloud from the damp and muddy fields of the South Midlands.

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