Boscobel

This night the good wife (whom his Majesty was pleased to call My Dame Joan4) provided some chickens for his Majesties supper, (a dainty he had not lately been acquainted with,) and a little pallet was put into the secret place for his Majesty to rest in; some of the brothers being continually upon duty, watching the avenues of the house and the road way, to prevent the danger of a surprize.

After supper Col. Carlis ask'd his Majesty what meat he would please to have provided for the morrow, being Sunday, his Majesty desired some mutton, if it might be had; But it was thought dangerous for William to goe to any market to buy it, since his neighbors all knew he did not use to buy such for his own dyet, and so it might beget a suspition of his having strangers at his house; But the Col. found another expedient to satisfy his Majesties desires; Early on Sunday morning he repairs to Mr. William Stauntons sheep cote, who rented some of Boscobel grounds, here he chose one of the best sheep, sticks him with his dagger, then sends Wil. for the mutton, who brings him home on his back.

On Sunday morning (Sept. the seventh) his Majesty got up early (his dormitory being none of the best, nor his bed the easiest,) and near the secret place where he lay, had the convenience of a gallery to walk in, where he was observ'd to spend some time in his devotions, and where he had the advantage of a window, which surveid the road from Tong to Brewood; Soon after his Majesty coming down into the parlor his nose fell a bleeding, which put his poor faithful servants into a great fright, but his Majesty was pleased soon to remove it, by telling them, It often did so.

As soon as the mutton was cold, William cut it up and brought a leg of it into the parlor, his Majesty cal'd for a knife and a trencher, and cut some of it into collops and prick'd them with the knif's point, then cal'd for a frying pan and butter, and fry'd the collops himself, of which he ate heartily, Col. Carlis the while being but under cook, (and that honor enough too,) made the fire and turn'd the collops in the pan.

When the Colonel afterwards attended his Majesty in France, his Majesty calling to remembrance this passage, among others, was pleased merrily to propose it, as a problematical question, whether himself or the Col. were the master-cook at Boscobel; and the supremacy was of right adjudg'd to his Majesty.

All this while the other brothers of the Penderels were in their several stations, either scouting abroad to learn intelligence, or upon some other service; but it so pleas'd God, that though the soldiers had some intelligence that his Majesty had been at Whiteladies, and none that he was gone thence, yet this house (which prov'd a happy sanctuary for his Majesty in this sad exigent,) had not at all been searched during his Majesties aboad there, though that had several times, this perhaps the rather escaping, because the neighbors could truly inform none but poor servants to be here.

His Majesty, finding himself now in a hopefull security, spent some part of this Lords-day in a pretty arbor in Boscobel garden, which grew upon a mount, and wherein there was a stone table and seats about it. In this place he pass'd away some time in reading, and commended the place for its retiredness.

His Majesty, understanding by John Penderel, that the Lord Wilmot was at Mr. Whitgreaves, (for John knew not of his remove to Bentley,) was desirous to let my Lord know where he was, and in what security.

To this end John Penderel was sent on Sunday morning to Mosely; But John, finding my Lord remov'd thence, was much troubled, and then acquainted Mr. Whitgreave and Mr. Huddleston, that his Majesty was return'd to Boscobel, and the disaccommodation he had there; whereupon they both resolve to goe with John to Bentley, where having gain'd him an access to my Lord, his Lordship design'd to attend the King that night at Mosely, and desired Mr. Whitgreave to meet his Lordship at a place appointed about 12 of the clock, And Mr. Huddleston to nominate a place where he would attend his Majesty about one of the clock, the same night.

Upon this intelligence my Lord made stay of Mrs. Jane Lanes journey to Bristoll, till his Majesties pleasure were known.

John return'd to Boscobel in the afternoon with intimation of this design'd meeting with my Lord at Mosely that night, and the place which was appointed by Mr. Huddleston, where his Majesty should be expected. But his Majesty, having not recovered his late foot-journey to Madely, was not able without a horse, to perform this to Mosely, which was about five miles distant from Boscobel, and near the mid from thence to Bentley.

It was therefore concluded that his Majesty should ride upon Humphry Penderels mill-horse (for Humphry was the miller of Whiteladies mill). The horse was taken up from grass, and accoutr'd not with rich trappings or furniture, befitting so great a king, but with a pittiful old saddle and a worse bridle.

When his Majesty was ready to take horse, Col. Carlis humbly took leave of him, being so well known in the country, that his attendance upon his Majesty would in all probability have prov'd rather a disservice than otherwise, however his hearty praiers were not wanting for his Majesties preservation.

Thus then his Majesty was mounted, and thus he rode towards Mosely, attended by all the honest brothers, William, John, Richard, Humphry, and George Penderel, and Francis Yates, each of these took a bill or pike staff on his back, and some of them had pistols in their pockets, two march'd before, one on each side his Majesties horse, and two came behind a loof off; their design being this, that in case they should have been question'd or encountr'd but by five or six troopers or such like smal party, they would have shew'd their valor in defending, as well as they had done their fidelity in otherwise serving his Majesty: And though it was near midnight, yet they conducted his Majesty through by-ways, for better security.

After some experience had of the horse, his Majesty complain'd, It was the heaviest dull jade he ever rode on, to which (Humphry the owner of him) answer'd (beyond the usual notion of a miller,) My Leige! Can you blame the horse to goe heavily, when he has the weight of three kingdoms on his back?

When his Majesty came to Penford Mill, within two miles of Mr. Whitgreaves house, his guides desired him to alight and goe on foot the rest of the way, for more security, the foot way being the more privat and the nearer, and at last they arriv'd at the place appointed by Mr. Huddleston, (which was a little grove of trees in a close of Mr. Whitgreaves cal'd the Pit-leasow,) in order to his Majesties being privatly convey'd into Mr. Whitgreaves house; William, Humphry, and George, returned with the horse, the other three attended his Majesty to the house; but his Majesty, being gon a little way, had forgot (it seems) to bid farewel to William and the rest, who were going back, so he cal'd to them and said, My troubles make me forget myself, I thank you all, and gave them his hand to kiss.

The Lord Wilmot, in pursuance of his own appointment; came to the meeting place at his hour, where Mr. Whitgreave receiv'd him and conveyd him to his old chamber, but hearing nothing of the King at his prefixed time, gave occasion to suspect some misfortune might have befaln him, though the night was very dark and rainy, which might possibly be the occasion of so long stay; Mr. Whitgreave therefore leaves my Lord in his chamber, and goes to Pit-leasow, where Mr. Huddleston attended his Majesties coming, and about two hours after the time appointed his Majesty came, whom Mr. Whitgreave and Mr. Huddleston, convey'd, with much satisfaction into the house to my Lord, who expected him with great solicitude, and presently kneel'd down and embraced his Majesties knees, who kiss'd my Lord on the cheek, and ask'd him earnestly, what is become of Buckingham, Cleveland, and others? To which my Lord could give little satisfaction, but hop'd they were safe.

My Lord (addressing himself to Mr. Whitgreave and Mr. Huddleston,) said, though I have conceal'd my friends name all this while, now I must tell you, this is my master, your master, and the master of us all; not knowing that they understood it was the King; Whereupon his Majesty was pleased to give his hand to Mr. Whitgreave and Mr. Huddleston to kiss, and told them he had receiv'd such an account from my Lord Wilmot of their fidelity, that he should never forget it; and presently ask'd Mr. Whitgreave, where is your secret place? which being shew'd his Majesty, he was pleas'd therewith, and returning into my Lords chamber, sate down on the bed-side, where his nose fell a bleeding; and then puld out of his pocket a handkercher, suitable to the rest of his apparel, both course and dirty.

His Majesties attire, as was before observ'd in part, was then a leather-doublet, a pair of green breeches, and a jump-coat (as the country calls it) of the same green, a pair of his own stockens with the tops cut off, because embroider'd, and a pair of stirrop stockens, which were lent him at Madely, a pair of old shoos, cut and slash'd to give ease to his feet, an old grey, greasy hat without a lyning, a noggen shirt, of the coursest linnen, his face and hands made of a reechy complexion, by the help of the walnut tree leaves.

Mr. Huddleston observing the coursness of his Majesties shirt to disease him much and hinder his rest, ask'd my Lord, if the King would be pleased to change his shirt, which his Majesty condescended unto, and presently put off his course shirt and put on a flexen one of Mr. Huddleston's who pul'd off his Majesties shoos and stockens, and put him on fresh stockens, and dry'd his feet, where he found some body had innocently but indiscreetly put white paper, which, with going on foot from the place where his Majesty alighted to the house, was roll'd between his stockens and his skin, and serv'd to encrease rather than asswage the soarness of his feet.

Mr. Whitgreave had by this time brought up some biscuit and a bottle of sack, his Majesty ate of the one, and drank a good glass of the other; and, being thus refresh'd, was pleas'd to say cheerfully, I am now ready for another march; and if it shall please God once more to place me in the head of but eight or ten thousand good men, of one mind, and resolv'd to fight, I shall not doubt to drive these rogues out of my kingdoms.

It was now break of the day on Munday morning the eighth of September, and his Majesty was desirous to take some rest: In order whereto a palet was carried into one of the secret places, where his Majesty lay down, but rested not so well as his host desired, for the place was close and inconvenient, and they durst not adventure to put him into any bed in an open chamber.

After some rest taken in the hole, his Majesty got up, and was pleased to take notice of, and salute Mr. Whitgreaves mother, and (having his place of retreat still ready) sate between whiles in a closet over the porch, where he might see those that pass'd the road by the house.

Before the Lord Wilmot betook himself to his dormitory, he conferr'd with Mr. Whitgreave, and advised, that himself or Mr. Huddleston would be alwayes vigilant about the house, and give notice if any souldiers came, and (sayes this noble Lord) If it should so fall out that the rebels have intelligence of your harbouring any of the Kings party, and should therefore put you to any torture for confession, be sure you discover me first, which may happily in such case satisfie them, and preserve the King. This was the expression and care of a loyal subject, worthy eternal memory.

On Munday his Majesty and my Lord resolv'd to dispatch John Penderel to Col. Lane at Bentley, with direction for the Colonel to send my Lords horses for him that night about midnight, and to expect him at the usual place: My Lord accordingly goes to Bentley again that night, to make way for his Majesties reception there, in order to a resolution taken up by his Majesty to go Westward, under the protection of Mrs. Jane Lanes pass; it being most probable, that the rebels wholly pursu'd his Majesty Northwards, and would not at all suspect him gone into the West.

This Munday afternoon Mr. Whitgreave had notice that some souldiers were in the neighbourhood intending to apprehend him, upon information that he had been at Worcester fight: The King was then laid down upon Mr. Huddlestons bed, but Mr. Whitgreave presently secures his Royal Guest in the secret place, and my Lord also, leaves open all the chamber dores, and goes boldly down to the souldiers, assuring them (as his neighbours also testified) that he had not been from home in a fortnight then last past; with which asseveration the souldiers were satisfied, and came not up stairs at all.

In this interval the rebels had taken a Cornet in Cheshire, who came in his Majesties troop to Whiteladies, and, either by menaces or some other way, had extorted this confession from him concerning the King, (whom these bloud-hounds sought with all possible diligence) that he came in company with his Majesty to Whiteladies, where the rebels conceived he might still be; whereupon they posted thither without ever drawing bit, almost kill'd their horses, and brought the faint-hearted prisoner with them.

Being come to Whiteladies on Tuesday, they call for Mr. George Giffard, who lived in an apartment of the house, present a pistol to his breast, and bad him confesse where the King was, or he should presently dye; Mr. Giffard was too loyal, and too much a gentleman to be frighted into any infidelity, resolutely denies the knowing any more, but that divers cavaliers came thither on Wednesday night, ate up their provision and departed, and that he was as ignorant who they were as whence they came, or whither they went, and beg'd, if he must dye, that they would first give him leave to say a few prayers: One of these villains answered, If you can tell us no news of the King, you shall say no prayers: But his discreet answer did somewhat asswage the fury of their leader, yet they searched every corner of the house, broak down much of the wainscoat, and at last beat their intelligencer severely for making them lose their labours.

During this Tuesday, in my Lord Wilmots absence, his Majesty was for the most part attended by Mr. Huddleston, Mr. Whitgreave being much abroad in the neighbourhood, and Mrs. Whitgreave below stairs, both inquisitive after news, and the motions of the soldiery, in order to the preservation of their Royal Guest; the old gentlewoman was this day told by a countrey man, who came to her house, that he heard the King, upon his retreat, had beaten his enemies at Warrington bridge, and that there were three Kings come in to his assistance; which story she related to his Majesty for divertisement, who smiling, answered, Surely they are the three Kings of Colein come down from heaven, for I can imagine none else.

His Majesty out of the closet window, espy'd two souldiers, who pass'd by the gate in the road, and told Mr. Huddleston, he knew one of them to be a Highlander and of his own regiment; who little thought his King and Colonel was so near.

And his Majesty for entertainment of the time was pleas'd to discourse with Mr. Huddleston the particulers of the battle of Worcester (the same in substance with what is before related.) And by some words which his Majesty let fall, it might easily be collected that his councils had been too often sooner discovered to the rebels, than executed by his loyal subjects.

Mr. Huddleston had under his charge young Sir John Preston, Mr. Thomas Palyn and Mr. Francis Reynolds, and on this Tuesday in the morning (the better to conceal his Majesties being in the house, and excuse his own more than usual long stay above stairs) pretended himself to be indisposed and afraid of the souldiers, and therefore set his schollers at several garret windows, that survey'd the roades, to watch and give notice when they saw any troopers coming; This service the youths perform'd very diligently all day, and at night, when they were at supper, Sir John cal'd upon his companions, and said (more truly than he imagin'd,) Come lads, let us eat lustily, for we have been upon the life-guard to day.

On Tuesday night between twelve and one of the clock, the Lord Wilmot sent Col. Lane to attend his Majesty to Bentley, Mr. Whitgreave meets the Colonel at the place appointed, and brings him to the corner of his orchard, where the Colonel thought fit to stay, whilst Mr. Whitgreave goes in and acquaints the king that he was come: Whereupon his Majesty presently took his leave of Mris. Whitgreave, saluted her and gave her many thanks for his entertainment, but was pleas'd to be more particular with Mr. Whitgreave and Mr. Huddleston, not onely by giving them thanks, but by telling them, he was very sensible of the dangers they might incur by entertaining him, if it should chance to be discover'd; Therefore his Majesty advis'd them to be very careful of themselves, and gave them direction to repair to a merchant in London, who should have order to furnish them with moneys and means of conveiance beyond sea, if they thought fit. However his Majesty concluded, that if it should please God ever to restore him to the government of his dominions, he should not be unmindful of their civilities and fidelity to him. Thus grateful was this excellent King, for even that which was every good subjects duty, and thus sollicitous (in the midst of his own dangers), for their security.

After his Majesty had vouchsaf'd these gracious expressions to Mr. Whitgreave and Mr. Huddleston, they told his Majesty all the service they could now do him, was to pray heartily to Almighty God for his safety and preservation, and then kneeling down, his Majesty gave them his hand to kiss, and so went down stairs with them into the orchard, where Mr. Whitgreave both humbly and faithfully deliver'd his great Charge into Col. Lanes hands, telling the Colonel who the person was he there presented to him.

The night was both dark and cold, and his Majesties clothing thin, therefore Mr. Huddleston humbly offer'd his Majesty a cloak, which he was pleased to accept and wore to Bentley, from whence Mr. Huddleston afterward received it.

As soon as Mr. Whitgreave and Mr. Huddleston heard his Majesty was not onely got safe to Bentley, but march'd securely from thence, they began to reflect upon his advice, and, lest any discovery should be made of what had been acted at Mosely, they both absented themselves from home; The one went to London, the other to a friends house in Warwickshire, where they liv'd privately till such time as they heard his Majesty was safely arriv'd in France, and that no part of the aforesaid transactions at Mosely had been discover'd to the rebels, and then return'd home.

This Mr. Whitgreave is descended of the ancient family of the Whitgreaves of Burton in the county of Stafford, and was first a Cornet, afterwards Lieutenant to Capt. Tho. Giffard, in the first war for his late Majesty.

Mr. John Huddleston is a younger brother of the renowned family of the house of Hutton-John in the county of Cumberland, and was a gentleman voluntier in his late Majesties service, first under Sir John Preston the elder, till Sir John was render'd unserviceable by the desperate wounds he received, and after under Colonel Ralph Pudsey at Newark.

His Majesty being safely convey'd to Bentley by Col. Lane, staid there but a short time, took the opportunity of Mris. Janes pass, and rode before her to Bristow, the Lord Wilmot attending, for the most part at a distance. In all which journey Mris. Lane perform'd the part of a most faithful and prudent servant to his Majesty, shewing her observance, when any opportunity would allow it, and at other times acting her part in the disguise with much discretion.

But his Majesties particular Gifts to Bristow and to the houses of several loyal subjects, both in Somersetshire, Wiltshire, Hampshire, and so to Brighempston in Sussex, where he, about the end of October 1651. took shipping, and landed securely at Deip in France, and the several accidents, hardships and encounters, in all that journey, can be exactly related by none but his Majesty himself; now since the much lamented death of that faithful subject and excellent souldier the Lord Wilmot, who was created Earl of Rochester, as a part of that recompence his Majesty thought due to so great a fidelity.

The very next day after his Majesty was gone from Boscobel, being Monday the 8. of September, two parties of rebels came thither, the one being part of the county troop, who search'd the house with some civility; The other, Capt. Broadwayes men, these search'd severely, eat up their little store of provision, plunder'd the house of what was portable, and one of them presented a pistol to William Penderel, and much frighted my Dame Joan; yet both parties return'd, as empty as they came, of that intelligence they so greedily sought after.

This danger being over, honest William began to think of making satisfaction for the fat mutton, and accordingly tender'd Mr. Staunton its worth in money; but Staunton, understanding the sheep was kil'd for the relief of some honest cavaliers, who had been shelter'd at Boscobel, refus'd to take the money, but wish'd, much good it might doe them.

These Penderels were of honest parentage, but mean degree, six brothers born at Hobbal Grange in the parish of Tong, and county of Salop, William, John, Richard, Humphry, Thomas, and George; John, Thomas and George were soldiers in the first war for his late Majesty, Thomas was slain at Stow fight, William, as you have heard, was a servant at Boscobel, Humphry a miller, and Richard rented a part of Hobbal Grange.

His Majesty had not been long gone from Boscobel, but Col. Carlis sent William Penderel to Mr. Humphry Ironmonger, his old friend, at Wolverhampton, who not only procured him a pass from some of the rebel commanders in a disguised name to goe to London, but furnish'd him with money for his journey, by means whereof he got safe thither, and from thence into Holland, where he brought the first happy news of his Majesties safety to his royal sister, the Princess of Orange.

This Col. William Carlis was born at Bromhall in Staffordshire, within two miles of Boscobel, of good parentage, is a person of approved valor, and was engag'd all along in the first war for his late Majesty of happy memory; and since his death has been no less active for his Majesty that now is; for which and his particular service and fidelity before mentioned, his Majesty has been pleased by letters patents under the great seal of England to give him, by the name of William Carlos (which in Spanish signifies Charls) this very honorable coat of armes, in perpetuam rei memoriam, as 'tis expressed in the letters patents.

The Oake is now properly call'd The Royal Oake of Boscobel, nor will it lose that name whilst it continues a tree: And since his Majesties happy restauration, that these mysteries have been revealed, hundreds of people for many miles round, have flock'd to see the famous Boscobel, which (as you have heard) had once the honour to be the palace of his sacred Majesty, but chiefly to behold the royal oake, which has been depriv'd of all its young boughs by the visitors of it, who keep them in memory of his Majesties happy preservation.

This Boscobel-house has yet been a third time fortunate; for after Sir George Booths forces were routed in Cheshire, in August 1659. the Lord Bruerton, who was engaged with him, took sanctuary there for some time, and was preserved.

When his Majesty was thus happily convey'd away by Col. Lane and his sister, the rebels had an intimation that some of the brothers were instrumental in his Majesties preservation; so that besides the temptations Humphry overcame at Shefnal, William Penderel was twice questioned at Shrewsbury on the same account by Capt. Fox and one LLuellin a sequestrator, and Richard was much threatned by a peevish neighbour at Whiteladies; but neither threats nor temptations were able to batter the fort of their loyalties.