Edward Earl of CLARENDON, Sord High CHANCELLOR of Engla and Chancellor of the University of Oxford An Dni.1667 THE HISTORY OF THE REBELLION and CIVIL WARS IN ENGLAND, Begun in the Year 1641. With the precedent Paffages, and Actions, that contri- EDWARD Earl of CLARENDON, Late Lord High Chancellor of England, Privy Counsellor in κλῆμα ἐς ἀεί. Thucyd. Ne quid Falfi dicere audeat, ne quid Veri non audea Printed at the THEATER, An. Dom. MDCCVII. TO THE QUEEN. MADAM, T O Your Majesty is most humbly Dedicated this Second Part of the Hiftory of the Rebellion and Civil Wars,written by Edward Earl of Clarendon. For to whom fo naturally can the works of this Author, treating of the times of Tour Royal Grandfather, be addrefs'd, as to Your Self; now wearing, with Luftre and Glory, that Crown, which, in those unhappy days, was treated with fo much contempt and barbarity, and laid low even to the Duft? This Second Part comes with the greater confidence into Tour prefence, by the advantage of the favourable reception, the Firft hath met with in the World; fince it is not to be doubted, but the fame truth, fairness, and impartiality, that will be found throughout the whole thread of the Hiftory, will meet with the fame Candour from all equal Judges. Vol. II. Part I. A 2 'Tis 'Tis true, fome few Perfons, whofe Ancestors are here found not to have had that part during their lives which would have been more agreeable to the wishes of their Surviving pofterity, have been offended at fome particulars, mention'd in this Hiftory, concerning fo near Relations, and would have them pafs for mistaken Informations. But it is to be hoped, that fuch a concern of Kindred for their Families, though not blameable in them, will rather appear partial on Their fide; fince it cannot be doubted, but this Author must have had his materials from undeniable, and unexceptionable hands, and could have no temptation to infert any thing but the truth in a work of this nature, which was defign'd to remain to Pofterity, as a faithful record of Things and Perfons in thofe times, and of his own unquestionable fincerity in the reprefentation of them. In this affurance it is humbly hoped, it will not be unprofitable to Your Majesty to be here inform'd of the fatal and undeferv'd misfortunes of one of Your Ancestors, with the particular and fad occafions of them; the better to direct Your Royal Perfon through the continual uncertainties of the Greatness of this World. And as Your Majesty cannot have a better Guide, throughout the whole Courfe of Your Reign, for the good Adminiftration of Your Government, than Hiftory in general, so there cannot be a more useful one to Your Majesty than this of Tour own Kingdoms; and it is prefum'd, without lying under the Imputation of misleading Your Majefty, it may be afferted that no Author could have been better instructed, and have known more of the Times and Matters of which he writes, than this who is here prefented to You.. Your Majesty may depend upon his Relations to be true in Fact; and You will find his Obfervations just; his Reflections made with judgement and weight; and bis Advices given upon wife and honeft Principles; not capable of being now interpreted as fubfervient to any Ambition or Interest of his own; and having now outliv'd the Prejudices and Partialities of the Times in which they were Written. And your Majesty thus Elevated, as by God's bleffing You are, from whom a great many |