The Works of William Harrison Ainsworth

by William Harrison Ainsworth

  “He does not resemble the young men of Manchester, father,” replied Gertrude.

  At this rejoinder the governor laughed heartily.

  “Did he not give thee his name?”

  “No, father,” she replied. “He said he was merely a messenger.”

  “Bid him be seated. I will speak with him anon,” rejoined Rosworm.

  “He will not be displeased to wait if you will bear him company, fair damsel,” laughed the governor, as Gertrude went forth.

  Decidedly, the messenger was a very handsome young man, and could not be a Roundhead, since his long brown locks fell upon his shoulders; nor was it easy to determine his rank from his plain riding-dress, but it must be owned that he had the air of a Cavalier.

  “Pray be seated, sir,” said Gertrude. “My father will see you presently. The governor of the town is with him.”

  “I can wait his leisure,” replied the messenger.

  And he then made a few remarks calculated to engage her in conversation; his manner being so respectful that she could not fail to be pleased with him.

  “You are from Germany, I conclude — nay, I am certain,” he said. “How do you like this town after the fine old cities of your own country?”

  “Not much,” she replied. “And I should be glad to go back to Nuremberg, where I was born, but I must remain here with my father.”

  “Then you will not care if the town is besieged?” remarked the young man.

  “No, I am a soldier’s daughter, and accustomed to fighting. I have been taught to fire a musket, and can hit the target as well as most marksmen. Besides, I am not altogether unskilled in the use of the sword.”

  “Being thus accomplished, ’tis a pity you cannot serve the king,” observed the messenger.

  “My father has entered into an engagement with the Parliament,” she replied.

  “But your own sympathies are with the Royalists?” he cried quickly. “I am sure of it.”

  “It is not prudent, or proper, to make such observations in this house,” she remarked with some significance.

  “I will trust you,” he said. “Nay, more, I think you will aid me. Listen, I pray you,” he said, altering his tone. “I am sent to purchase your father’s services at any price for the king. You will understand that I have full authority to make this offer when I tell you that I am one of Lord Derby’s officers — Frank Standish.”

  “I counsel you not to make the offer to my father,” said Gertrude. “He will regard it as an affront. His own feelings are in favour of the king, but he will never desert the Parliament.”

  “Cannot you induce him to do so, fair damsel?” besought Standish.

  “I shall not make the attempt,” she replied. “Take my advice and leave the town as quickly as you can. Colonel Holland, the governor, is with my father, and should he discover who you are, he will infallibly cause your arrest. Ah! here they come! You are too late.”

  This exclamation was uttered as the door of the inner room opened, and Rosworm came forth with the governor.

  “Is this the young man who desires to speak with me?” demanded Rosworm.

  “It is, father,” replied Gertrude, with some hesitation.

  “Do you know who he is?” remarked Colonel Holland.

  Rosworm shook his head.

  “Then I will tell you,” replied the governor. “It is one of the Earl of Derby’s officers — Captain Standish. You cannot hold any communication with him.”

  “Certainly not,” replied Rosworm. “You have come here on a bootless errand, sir,” he added to Standish. “I can receive no message from the Earl of Derby.”

  “Then I need trouble you no further,” replied the other, preparing to depart.

  “Stay!” exclaimed Colonel Holland. “Have you a safe-conduct?”

  “I have, sir,” replied Standish, producing a paper.

  “Let me look at it,” said the governor.

  The young man handed it to him.

  After glancing at the passport, Colonel Holland returned it, and said in a stern tone:

  “You are free to depart. But quit the town at once, or you will be treated as a spy.”

  “When I next appear, it will be to summon you in the king’s name to surrender,” said Standish.

  And with a haughty bow to the governor he quitted the house.

  “I think I ought to have ordered his arrest,” observed Colonel Holland.

  “You did better to let him go,” rejoined Rosworm. “He will tell Lord Derby that we are prepared. Besides, he had a safe-conduct.”

  “True,” said the governor.

  Gertrude made no remark, but she was evidently well pleased that the young man had got off.

  Meanwhile, Frank Standish pursued his way along a narrow street that skirted the churchyard, and led him to the top of Smithy Bank, whence he could distinguish the bridge across the Irwell, and noticed that it was strongly defended by posts and chains. He also remarked that a guard was stationed at the upper end of the bridge.

  He did not stop to make any further observations; perceiving that his movements were watched, and that he was an object of suspicion to several of the townspeople whom he encountered.

  As he proceeded towards Deansgate, he caught sight of the mud-walls with which Colonel Rosworm had surrounded the town. The ramparts were about ten or twelve feet high, and proportionately thick, and no doubt would completely shelter the musketeers stationed behind them.

  At the bottom of Market-street Lane, there was an outlet to Acres Fields, and this was protected by posts and chains. In Deansgate a barricade was erected. Externally, the fortifications ran round this part of the town.

  Frank Standish having already exhibited his safe-conduct from Sir Edward Mosley to the guard stationed at the barricade, was permitted to quit the town without any hindrance.

  CHAPTER VIII

  Alport Lodge

  ON this side of Manchester, at the period in question, and at no great distance from the town, stood Alport Lodge, a mansion belonging to Sir Edward Mosley. Situated in the midst of a large park that extended nearly to Castlefield, and ran down to the left bank of the Irwell, the house was almost concealed by trees.

  As Sir Edward Mosley was a staunch Royalist, the proximity of his mansion to the town was by no means agreeable to the Roundheads, who often threatened to despoil the park, and knock the house about his ears; but no attempt had been made to execute their threats, probably because Sir Edward kept a considerable number of armed retainers, and would undoubtedly have made a vigorous resistance.

  The park gates were within a few hundred yards of the town, and were always kept shut and guarded. Frank Standish, however, passed through them, and proceeded to the lodge.

  Nothing indicated that the house was occupied by a troop of horse belonging to Sir Thomas Tyldesley, who had arrived there late on the previous night, and had taken up their quarters so quickly, that their presence was not suspected by the neighbouring Parliamentarians.

  Every precaution was taken to prevent discovery. No troopers were seen in Alport park, and when Frank Standish visited the town, as just described, he was wholly unattended.

  On reaching the mansion, Standish found Sir Edward Mosley and Sir Thomas Tyldesley in the entrance hall, and at once informed them that his errand had proved unsuccessful.

  “Nothing is to be done with Rosworm,” he said. “He is incorruptible. I could not even obtain a word with him in private; but I had some converse with his daughter, and she quite satisfied me that her father will not listen to any proposition. Rosworm would have preferred the king to the Parliament in the first instance, but since he has engaged with the latter, he will remain firm.”

  “I am sorry for it,” said Sir Thomas Tyldesley. “He would have been of infinite use to us. But how looks the town? I suppose he has thoroughly fortified it?”

  “So far as I could discern, I think he has put it into a good state of defence,” replied Standish. “But I did not see any of
the militia, and there were few armed men in the market-place and streets.”

  “All the entrances are guarded, are they not?” remarked Sir Edward Mosley. “The garrison cannot have relaxed in vigilance?”

  “The watch did not seem to me very strictly kept,” replied Standish. “But it is clear the governor has received no intelligence of Lord Derby’s approach.”

  “His lordship would not leave Warrington with his company of horse and foot till this morning,” said Sir Thomas Tyldesley; “but the march of nigh three thousand men cannot be kept concealed. The news of their advance will reach Manchester before night.”

  “It will then be too late to make any further preparations for defence, or obtain assistance from the rebels in the neighbourhood,” observed Standish.

  “I fear not,” said Sir Edward Mosley. “From all I have heard, a very considerable force can be quickly collected. Many of the neighbouring gentlemen, well affected to the Parliament, have promised aid, and are holding themselves in readiness for a summons — General Peter Egerton of Shaw, Colonel Duckenfield, Captain John Arderne of Harden, Captain Edward Butterworth of Belfield, Captain John Booth of Dunham, Captain Robert Hyde, Captain Robert Bradshaw, and several others.”

  “A goodly list, in sooth,” said Sir Thomas Tyldesley. “Most of them are old friends of my own. ’Tis sad to think that gentlemen of good family should turn rebels and traitors. Heaven grant that Lord Derby may arrive here before they can bring succour to the town!”

  Here their discourse was interrupted by the arrival of a messenger from Lord Derby, who had reached Ashton-upon-Mersey, where he was detained at the ford in consequence of an accident to one of the carriages of his artillery.

  The messenger brought word that his lordship had left Warrington at an early hour that morning, with the whole of his force — namely, two thousand foot and six hundred horse, of whom two hundred were dragoons. He had with him ten large pieces of ordnance.

  The force had marched in two bodies, the larger division, commanded by the Earl of Derby, who had with him Sir Gilbert Hoghton, Sir Alexander Radcliffe, Sir Gilbert Gerard, Mr. Charles Townley, Captain Windebank, Mr. Farrington of Worden, Mr. Tarbock of Tarbock, and several others, marched along the left bank of the Mersey to Ashton, where they were detained as already mentioned.

  The other and lesser division, commanded by Sir John Girlington, high sheriff of Lancashire, who was accompanied by Lord Molineux, Mr. Byrom of Byrom, and other gentlemen of note, meant to take its way through Wolston and Rixton, between Chat Moss and the right bank of the Irwell, through Barton and Eccles, to Salford. The arrival of Lord Molineux with his division, added the messenger, might soon be looked for.

  Scarcely had the message been delivered, when it was made evident that information of the approach of the Royalists had reached the town — the bells from the church-tower and other buildings being rung loudly and continuously to summon aid.

  Anxious to see what was doing, Sir Thomas Tyldesley ordered out a party of horse, and accompanied by Sir Robert Mosley and Captain Standish, both of whom had mounted their steeds, rode towards the town to reconnoitre.

  They did not approach within musket-shot — their object not being to commence the attack. But when they descried any men on horseback sallying forth from the various outlets, they pursued them and drove them back.

  Meanwhile, the bells continued their clamour, and ere long numbers of countrymen armed with bills, pikes, clubs, and other weapons, appeared; and began to flock towards the town.

  Some of these could have been intercepted, but as they were speedily followed by parties of well-armed horsemen, it was deemed expedient not to molest them.

  After some time spent in these observations, Sir Thomas Tyldesley retired with his party. They did not, however, return to Alport Lodge, but proceeded in the direction of Stretford, with the intention of riding on to the ford over the Mersey at Ashton.

  They had not got beyond Old Trafford, when they perceived a company of horsemen, and at once comprehending that the troop belonged to Lord Derby, hastened forward to meet them.

  As they expected, this was the advanced guard of the earl’s division, and was commanded by Sir Gilbert Hoghton, from whom they learnt that the whole force, together with the artillery, had safely crossed the ford. In another minute, the main body came in sight, headed by the Earl of Derby, Sir Alexander Radcliffe, and others, and a meeting took place between them and their friends.

  Save for the accident to the gun-carriage, nothing untoward had happened during Lord Derby’s march from Warrington, and all his men, both horse and foot, were in good order.

  It now became necessary to find quarters for them for the night; but this was easily managed, since there was no lack of barns and farm-houses near Hulme and Chorlton.

  A strong guard, that remained under arms all night, was placed opposite Deansgate, and another strong guard stationed at the upper end of Market-street Lane.

  As a matter of course, quarters were provided for the Earl of Derby and some of the Royalist gentlemen with him, while others were lodged at Hulme Hall and Rusholme Place.

  Wishing to confer with Lord Molineux and Sir John Girlington, Lord Derby had no sooner given all needful orders, than he set out for Salford, taking with him Captain Standish and half a dozen dragoons.

  To reach Salford it was needful to cross the river Irwell by the ferry, situated about a quarter of a mile below Castle Field, and to this point the earl rode with his attendants, and quickly gained the opposite bank, for the ferry-boat had been previously secured, and was waiting for him.

  Night had now come on, but Lord Derby was well acquainted with the road, and the lights glimmering in Salford served to guide him.

  Salford was full of soldiers, every house being occupied, and a good deal of drinking and merry-making going on.

  Totally different from Manchester, from which town it was only separated by the river, Salford remained faithful to the king. Lord Molineux and Sir John Girlington had been warmly welcomed by the inhabitants, who heartily wished them success. The two leaders had taken up their quarters in a large house situated in the street leading to the bridge, and there Lord Derby found them.

  The march from Warrington had been accomplished without difficulty, and without the loss of a single man. Already, Lord Molineux had posted three companies of musketeers in sheltered spots, and had raised a battery with three pieces of cannon near the foot of the bridge. Unluckily, the bridge was barricaded by Rosworm and strongly fortified. Moreover, the banks on the Manchester side of the Irwell were steep and rocky, and considerably higher than those on the Salford side, while the walls of the churchyard on the left, at which a party of musketeers were stationed, completely commanded the bridge and its approaches, as well as the opposite houses.

  In this advantageous position a small piece of artillery had been planted by the skilful German engineer.

  Through the gloom could be dimly distinguished the noble Collegiate Church. On the summit of the lofty square tower that faced the river, a dozen musketeers were now stationed, while, if necessary, a beacon could be instantly lighted.

  On the left of the churchyard, a dark mass of buildings indicated the position of the college, while, on the right of the bridge, the precipitous banks were covered with ancient habitations.

  Such was the sombre picture presented to the Earl of Derby as he stood with Lord Molineux and Sir John Girlington at the lower end of the old bridge.

  He was still gazing at it, when a shot, fired from the walls of the churchyard, struck a building near them. The earl did not change his position, nor would he allow the shot to be returned.

  After such an inspection as could be made under the circumstances, Lord Derby left Salford and proceeded with Sir Alexander Radcliffe to Ordsall Hall, where he remained for a short time discussing his plans for the morrow.

  He then re-crossed the river by the ferry, and returned to Alport Lodge.

  CHAPTER IX

&nbs
p; A View of Old Manchester from the Tower of the Collegiate Church

  Great anxiety prevailed among the townspeople of Manchester, when they awoke next morning, and found themselves invested by the forces of the Earl of Derby.

  Except on the north-west, the approaches to the town were cut off by the besiegers. A battery had been reared by the earl, on which five large pieces of ordnance were mounted, destined to rake the centre of Deansgate; another small piece of artillery, called a drake, was likewise placed opposite the mount in Acres Field.

  Throughout the whole of the night Rosworm had been on the watch, and had frequently made the round of the fortifications to see that the sentinels were at their posts. Just as it began to get light, he ascended to the summit of the church-tower, whence he could survey the whole scene, and note the exact position of the besiegers.

  Placed in an elevated position in the very centre of the town, which it completely overlooked, as well as the adjacent country for miles round, the noble old church, now raised into a cathedral, could not fail to play an important part in the defence against the threatened attack of the Royalists.

  The ancient fabric, as we have intimated, was surrounded by a large churchyard, extending on one side to the very edge of the precipitous banks of the Irwell, from which it was defended by a low stone wall, that offered a most advantageous position for the musketeers, and combined with the lofty church- tower rising behind it to render an attack upon the bridge exceedingly perilous. Indeed, no part of the town was so strong as that adjacent to the church. Protected by high precipitous banks, by walls which could be turned into fortifications, and by buildings that could be occupied by musketeers, it really presented a very formidable aspect.

  At the back of the church, and running along Hunt’s Bank, which likewise faced the Irwell, were the high stone walls bounding a large court-yard belonging to the college. Beyond was the college itself, a large stone structure reared on the banks of the river Irk, near its confluence with the Irwell.