Warwick Castle, a third night – the road to London open, the King (it’s understood) a day’s march from Oxford. Essex counting men: fewer than hoped for; it would seem more than a few, sadly enough, having concluded from the Battle they made a terrible Mistake, and thus took the Reasoned decision to Discharge themselves from the Service. The London regiments hold firm, so too (most of) Col Hampden’s and it must be said the troop of Capt Cromwell, which shadowed the King’s army as it left Banbury and gave chase to Rupert after his horse attacked our baggage-train.

In London, wild rumour and delusion, thanks to my Competiton the Mercury, the Post, and the Times. Particulars, and copies of their Delusional scribblings from Hewitt. Thus, the Times: All is Lost, the King’s Army so Terrible it Cannot be Encountered without the Bloodiest defeat. The Post: Essex Slain, his Dying words, “Each should Shift for himself, Resistance is to No purpose. The Mercury: Lamentable defeat Demonstates Peace is the Only Hope. Lord Wharton and Mr Strowde sent to London to give a True and Proper relation, that will (I pray) Assist in setting matters Aright (so too a new Edition of Anglia Rediviva when I obtain Monies for the Printer). Hewitt says, however, that London itself is Uncowed, despite the best Efforts of the Newsbooks; its Spirit is rising with the Danger. Men are flocking in from the Countryside, Chains are being stretched across the Roads, and women and Children assist with the Digging of Earthworks.

Hewitt also reported Rumors that a Peace-Party is Coalescing in Parliament, led by Northumberland and Holland in Lords, and in Commons, Edmund Waller. This Party is supported by the Merchant-Adventurers (of course) and some of the greater Landowners; who while correctly deploring the interruption of Commerce, and plunderings, are willing to surrender Liberties for its Resumption.

Discussed these things and more with Col Hampden. He listened, and said, Yes, but we are still planning to Negotiate with the Scots, for support against the King. Col Hampden, as dearly as I love him, listens too Much, I think; and is less Forward than he could be, given his stature in England, in making Arguments for our Cause. But this may reflect, I think, my own Impatience, and Haste; I must strive more to place my hope in Providence, that the Liberties and Religion of England will be Preserved, and not Surrendered or Betrayed.

I have not seen Edmund; I have not Sought him out, nor have I attempted to Avoid him. Capt Cromwell’s troop is quartered near Charlecote. I saw Capt Cromwell again, the afternoon of the day after the battle. He was very Pleasant, and asked after my Affairs in London, and complimented me on Anglia Rediviva, and praised the Enterprise of Firth.

It is most Peculiar. As a Child he was my favorite Uncle: he gave me the dear Kittens, and helped me Bury them after that brute of a Father murdered them in his Drunken state. But as time Advanced and I grew, I saw Less of him; and he seemed to grow strange, even Eccentric and bordering on Unhinged, that is, that odd Affair with the Town of Huntingdon, when he was forced to Apologize for some Rough words, occasioned by some perceived Slight when the Charter was changed; the Decline in his Fortunes, when he sold the House to Mother, and moved to St Ives and Farmed, much as a Freeholder; his odd Sicknesses (he wore as I recall a Red scarf, claiming it Protected his throat from Cold), those Dreams he had of the Town Cross, & c. His Proximity, to be honest (and I say this to my Shame, speaking as I am of a once-beloved Uncle) caused me some Embarassment. Then that odd Business where he tried to have his Wife’s Uncle declared Insane. It came to nothing, as I recall, and the Uncle did leave Capt Cromwell the tithe-farms in Ely. Still it was Strange. He has had some small Role in the business of Col Hampden and Mr Pym in Parliament but could not be considered a Leader, either in Public or in Committee. Even so, Col Hampden thinks most Highly of him. Sydney, he said to me, now that we are at Blows with the King, that Eccentric may become the Greatest man in England. I believe Col Hampden, as is his Wont, is being more Polite than Necessary.

Later – Mother told me, I think, than when James I visited her Grandfather at Hitchingbroke, Charles came and Cromwell wrestled him and bloodied his nose? They were five at the time; and on an earlier visit James’ pet Monkey stole Oliver, a baby, from a Crib and carried him to the top of a Tree? This may make an amusing Story for Anglia Rediviva, if I can Confirm they are Correct.