Dear Paige,

Thank you for the letter, which discovered me with Col Hampden’s regt near Southam, west of Northampton. I will make all haste to leave but due to several commitments can’t until tomorrow; expect me in London on the 24th or 25th. In the meantime, please render following (account of engagement near here) into story for Anglia Rediviva; four to five paragraphs. You can call it I think “Supper Spoiled” or something like that.

— Arriving on afternoon of Aug 20, finds the gates shut against him, the city council having elected to obey the declarations of Parliament;

— Several with Charles rode near the walls of Coventry, to harangue the defenders with “traitor,” “roundhead dogs” and the like; imprecations answered with a cannonade, which killed two or three horses and injured one of King’s men (could not obtain name; said to be a “gentleman of note”);

— King compelled by this indignity to return Stonely, and is now en route Nottingham; his rear guarded by Earl of Northampton, with appx 800 horse, half as much foot;

— On Aug 21, regiments of Col Hampden, Lord Brooke (the Purplecoats), Lord Saye (the Blueoats); and six field guns muster here (Southam) against Northampton;

— On morning Aug 22, Northampton’s force discovered in field. On fire to be at them, and with great shouts and flinging of hats in the air, Parliament’s regiments advance, led by Col Hampden;

— A few shots exchanged; Northampton’s foot retreats; horse gallops away, to Nottingham, one assumes. It is raining and miserable here today so I can’t but speculate the raising of the King’s standard will be an uncomfortable affair.

If Mr Halpenny should ask where I am, there’s no reason to not tell him the complete truth.

Sydney Holyfen, Southam, with Col Hampden’s regt of Greencoats.

To Nathaniel Paige, Apprentice, Halpenny & Holyfen, London