Tenderly embracing her, he bade adieu to Doctor Rutter, and went forth into the court-yard, where, as already stated, the two regiments were drawn up.
As soon as he had mounted, trumpets were blown, the gates were thrown wide open, and the earl rode forth at the head of his company.
Passing through a wood on the south of the mansion, and riding as rapidly as was consistent with safety across a wide bleak moor to Rainsford, the earl proceeded through Windle and Haydock to Newton, where he halted for a short time, and ascertained that, as yet, Colonel Assheton had made no movement from Wigan.
There was a small Royalist force at Newton, and having given some directions to its leaders, the earl rode on with his company to Warrington, now not more than five miles distant.
Vl
How Warrington was assaulted by Colonel Assheton and Colonel Holland
Strongly fortified by mud walls with gates, posts and heavy chains, and numerous outworks in advance, possessing, moreover, a strong garrison, the ancient town of Warrington seemed well able to resist any attack made upon it.
The river Mersey, which flowed past the town, was crossed by a strong stone bridge, built by the first Earl of Derby, upwards of a century and a half previously.
With its walls and battlements, a watch-tower in the centre, and an engine to prevent any passage over it, this ancient bridge constituted a powerful defence.
On the summit of the church-tower were placed two small pieces of ordnance, while the church itself was converted into a storehouse for ammunition and powder.
From its well-planned defences, its position on the Mersey, its bridge, and its strong garrison, Warrington was deemed impregnable. The governor, Colonel Edward Norris, who acted for Lord Derby, was an officer of great bravery and unquestionable loyalty, and there were others almost equally distinguished in the garrison.
The Earl of Derby’s first business on his arrival was to have an interview with the governor, and having explained the position of affairs, he threw himself on a couch, and sought some repose of which he stood greatly in need.
When he awoke, he learnt from the scouts that the enemy was advancing with the evident intention of investing the town, and attacking it on two sides — the force on the west being led by Colonel Assheton, that on the east by Colonel Holland, with whom was Colonel Rosworm.
On receiving this intelligence, the earl immediately sallied forth at the head of a large troop of horse, and attacked Colonel Assheton near Sankey Bridge, driving him back as far as Burton Wood; and he might have routed the whole force, had not Colonel Holland sent a detachment to Assheton’s aid, and Lord Derby was thereupon compelled to return to the town, or his retreat would have been cut off.
Not long afterwards the assault was commenced by Colonel Holland, assisted as we have said by Rosworm, and notwithstanding the vigorous defence made by Colonel Norris, part of the mud walls were taken, and it seemed certain that the enemy would succeed in penetrating into the town.
Upon this, the Earl of Derby, who was riding about on his charger, declared that rather than the enemy should capture the town, he would burn it to the ground.
When Colonel Holland and Rosworm heard of this threat, they laughed at it, and redoubled their efforts to advance. But they were stopped by loud explosions, which proved that several houses had been blown up, and flames were soon afterwards perceived bursting forth in different quarters.
The earl had executed his threat.
All the habitations nearest them were on fire, and the conflagration, aided by combustibles, was rapidly extending along the main street.
Struck with consternation at this spectacle, the assailants paused in their efforts, and considered what should be done.
It was impossible now to advance without exposing themselves to the greatest risk — indeed, to almost certain destruction. Besides, as the town would inevitably be burnt down, little would be left them but the mud walls.
From information which they obtained, they learnt that Lord Derby and Colonel Norris, with a large body of men, had retired to the church, where they were secure from the fire, as well as from attack.
Under these circumstances the assailants judged it their wisest course to retire for the night to Sankey, and wait to see what the morrow would bring forth.
It was a night of terror and surprise. More than half the town was on fire, but no efforts were made by the inhabitants to extinguish the flames. Most of them had crossed the bridge, and found shelter at Groppenhall, Thelwall, and other villages.
But the besiegers were not allowed to rest at Sankey. At midnight the sentinels were shot, and the Parliamentarians, who had fancied themselves in security, were suddenly roused to arms.
The foe was upon them. A fierce fight ensued that lasted more than two hours, and ended in a complete rout of the Parliamentarians, part of whom returned to Wigan, and the rest to Manchester.
Warrington was thus delivered from the rebels, and though the town suffered as much as it would have done had it been ravaged by the enemy — perhaps more — not a murmur was heard from the loyal inhabitants. Every assistance in his power was rendered them by the earl, and in the course of a few days many partly consumed dwellings were again rendered habitable.
As some fears were entertained that another attack on the place would be made by Colonel Assheton from Wigan, Lord Derby remained to protect it.
CHAPTER VII
How Standish returned from his Mission
IT had now become quite evident to the earl that unless he received prompt and efficient assistance from the king, it would be impossible to continue the struggle. He looked anxiously for Standish’s return, but nearly a week elapsed and no tidings were heard of him.
One evening the earl had mounted the watch-tower on the bridge, and was gazing at the river flowing through the narrow arches, when his attention was aroused by the sound of horses’ feet, and he saw a Cavalier advancing rapidly along the Chester road, followed by some half-dozen attendants.
Could it be Standish? He watched the newcomer anxiously, and felt convinced he was right in the supposition. Quitting the watch-tower, he hastened towards the gate by which the new-comers would have to enter the town, but long before he reached it, Standish had obtained admittance.
On descrying the earl, the young man flung himself from his steed, and giving the bridle to one of his followers, hurried forward. Lord Derby instantly perceived from his looks that he brought bad news, and inquired:
“Have you seen Prince Rupert?”
“I have, my lord,” replied Standish; “and I bring a letter from his highness to my noble lady the countess.”
“Is it favourable?” cried the earl. “Will the prince come to us? — will he bring, or send assistance?”
“He cannot, my lord,” replied Standish. “The king will not allow him. I represented your lordship’s position exactly to his highness, and he sees your peril; but he cannot help you.”
“Then all is lost!” cried the earl, in a voice of anguish. “All the sacrifices I have made are useless. You see that this town has been burnt. It was destroyed to save it from the rebels; but it will now fall into their hands.”
“I trust not, my lord,” said Standish. “I have a message for you from the prince.”
“What says he?” cried the earl.
“He counsels your lordship to retire to the Isle of Man, and remain there till better days arrive.”
“He is right,” said the earl. “I shall find a safe refuge there. Come with me to Colonel Norris.”
Proceeding to a large house near the bridge, they found the governor of the town.
“Captain Standish has just returned from Oxford, and brings me bad news,” said the earl. “There is no hope of assistance.”
“Then it will be useless to hold out,” observed the governor.
“Quite useless,” rejoined the earl. “Hoist the white flag, and make the best terms you can with the enemy. My own intention is to retire to the Isl
e of Man, and there abide my time. To-night I shall go to Lathom, and bid farewell to the countess.”
“Will you not take her ladyship with you to Castle Rushen?” asked Colonel Norris.
“She would refuse to accompany me,” replied the earl. “But I have no fear for her safety. She has a strong castle, and a strong garrison, and can defend herself. Ride on to Lathom, Frank,” he added to Standish, “and deliver Prince Rupert’s letter to the countess. Tell her that Warrington must be surrendered. Acquaint her with my resolve, and say I will be with her before midnight to bid her farewell.”
“I will, my lord,” replied Standish.
As the earl evidently wished to confer with the governor, Standish left them together.
The young man remained for an hour at Warrington to rest his horses and men, and then, after receiving the earl’s final commands, set out for Lathom, where he arrived in safety, and delivered the missive to the countess, informing her at the same time that Warrington was about to be surrendered by the governor.
Whatever the countess felt on perusing Prince Rupert’s letter, and however distressed she might be by the tidings brought her, and her lord’s determination to return to the Isle of Man, she said nothing at the time, but withdrew to her own chamber.
When she had quite regained her composure, she sent for Doctor Rutter, and passed some time in consultation with him.
After this, attended by the chaplain and Standish, she inspected the garrison, examined the stores, and made it understood by all the officers that they must prepare for a siege. They all displayed the utmost zeal.
CHAPTER VIII
How the Earl took his Departure for the Isle of Man
MIDNIGHT came, but the earl had not arrived, and the countess began to feel some little uneasiness, and this greatly increased when another hour had passed by.
Suddenly, Standish entered to announce that her lord had arrived, and the next moment the earl made his appearance, and clasped her to his breast.
“I have come to bid you adieu!” he said, regarding her tenderly. “Do you approve of my resolution?”
“Entirely,” she replied, firmly. “Since assistance has been refused you by the king, you have no alternative. Doctor Rutter, with whom I have conferred, is of the same opinion.”
“Since Warrington has fallen, it is useless to continue the struggle at this moment,” said the chaplain. “Therefore you will be best away.”
“But am I justified in leaving you here?” said the earl to the countess.
“My lord,” she replied firmly, “unless you command me to accompany you I will not stir. Let me remain here. I will keep this castle for you against all the combined forces of your enemies. But perhaps they may not attack me.”
“Expect no consideration from them,” he rejoined, bitterly. “But I will not thwart you. I commit this castle to your charge.”
“And I will keep it for you, my lord,” replied the courageous lady, in a tone that electrified her hearers. “I will never yield it, but with life. You may rely on me.”
“I know it,” he replied, with admiration. “You will remain with her ladyship, Rutter?”
“To the last,” he replied. “I consider it my duty to stay with her, since she may need counsel and consolation. But there is not a single person in the garrison who will quit her ladyship.”
“I think not,” said the countess proudly.
“How say you, Frank?” remarked the earl to Standish. “Will you remain here, or accompany me to the Isle of Man?”
“Since your lordship allows me the choice, I will stay here,” replied Standish.
“I felt sure you would so decide,” said the earl. “You shall attend me to Whitehaven, where I shall embark, and then return. Go and prepare, I shall not tarry long here.”
On this, Standish quitted the room, and Doctor Rutter was about to follow, but the earl stopped him.
“Do not go, Rutter,” he remarked. “I have nothing to say in private to her ladyship.”
“Will you not see your children ere you depart, my lord?” said the countess. “They have not retired to rest, and will be sadly grieved indeed if they do not embrace you.”
“Nay, then, bring them to me at once,” he cried.
Summoned by Rutter, the three noble damsels rushed into the room, and were tenderly embraced by their father, who blessed them as he strained them to his breast.
“You will soon come back to us, dear father, will you not?” they cried in concert.
“I hope so,” he rejoined. “If not you must come to me. I am going to Castle Rushen.”
“We would rather remain at Lathom,” they exclaimed.
“Ay, it is best you should stay with your mother,” he rejoined. “And now adieu, my darlings. If I remain here a moment longer I shall never be able to tear myself away.”
Again embracing them all — again clasping the countess to his breast, he hastily quitted the room.
In the court-yard he found the escort he had brought with him consisting of a dozen well-armed and well mounted troopers — not more. All the officers of the garrison were assembled.
“Farewell, gentlemen,” he cried, as he sprang into the saddle. “I commit the countess and my children to your care.”
“We will guard them with our lives,” they rejoined with one voice.
Attended by Standish, and followed by the troopers, the earl then rode through the gateway.
His heart was very sorrowful, and he said to himself:
“Shall I ever return here? Shall I ever behold these dear ones again?”
BOOK V. — THE BELEAGUERED MANSION
CHAPTER I
Of the Garrison at Lathom House
NEARLY two months had elapsed since the Earl of Derby’s departure to the Isle of Man, where he had been occupied in repressing a threatened insurrection and re-establishing his authority, and though Warrington had surrendered, and almost every castle, or fortified mansion in the county was now in the hands of the Parliamentary leaders, no attack had as yet been made on Lathom House.
Its real strength not being known, it was thought the castle could be easily taken at any time. Though the countess had not been disturbed, she was virtually a prisoner in her own house, and never stirred forth without a guard. She made no display whatever, but was always secretly increasing the strength of the garrison. In fact, the castle, which was a small town in itself, was in a perfect state of defence, and quite capable of standing a lengthened siege.
Immediately after the surrender of Warrington, a summons was sent by Colonel Holland, the Governor of Manchester, to the countess, requiring her to acknowledge the Parliament, or deliver up her mansion, but to this demand she returned a haughty and peremptory refusal.
“Take back this message to the Governor of Manchester,” she said. “I will do nothing derogatory to my husband’s honour. I will neither acknowledge the Parliament — nor give up my house. But I promise to attack no one — and only to defend myself. All I desire is to remain here peaceably, and I trust I shall not be disturbed.”
This response seemed reasonable to Colonel Holland, and for a time she continued unmolested.
Not desiring to give the enemy a pretext for assailing her, the countess carefully restrained her garrison from giving them any provocation, and forbade them to plunder any houses belonging to Parliamentarians, or commit any outrage whatever. They might defend themselves, but must not make reprisals.
By this judicious conduct she remained free from attack, and was enabled to strengthen herself, and add to her stores.
At this time the number of the garrison was fully three hundred men, many of whom were expert marksmen, several having been the earl’s keepers and fowlers. The majority were armed with muskets, but some carried long fowling-pieces and screwed guns.
Sixteen of the best marksmen kept watch on every alternate night, while an equal number of musketeers occupied the towers during the day, in addition to the engineers who had charge of the
cannon.
Besides Standish, there were five officers, whom we have already particularised, but it may be proper to call over the roll again.
All were men of good family: Henry Ogle of Prescot — Edward Chisenhale of Chisenhale, near Chorley — William Farmer, a Scottish gentleman who had served in the Low Countries — Edward Rawsthorne of New Hall — Molineux Radcliffe, a relative of the Radcliffes of Ordsall — and John Foxe of Rhodes.
There were likewise six lieutenants — namely, Bretergh, Penketh, Walthew, Worrall, Kay, and Halsall.
Chief in command was William Farrington of Worden, appointed major of the garrison by the countess. He had suffered much for his attachment to Lord Derby and loyalty to the king. He had been a colonel of militia, and a commissioner of array, but his goods were seized and his property sequestered by the Parliament. Major Farrington was a man of excellent judgment, and the countess had entire reliance upon him, and consulted him on all occasions.
Lady Derby had now three chaplains in the house. Archdeacon Rutter, with whom the reader is already acquainted, Doctor Brideoake, and the Reverend John Lake. Service was always performed twice a day in the chapel, and on special occasions more frequently. Within the stronghold the greatest order and discipline prevailed. Not one person had been punished for disobedience or neglect of duty.
Already, we have endeavoured to familiarise the reader with the appearance of this proud embattled mansion, with its wide courts, its circuit of walls, its great gate-towers, its broad moat, strengthened by stout palisades on either bank, and, above all, its lofty central tower. But we must again refer to the picture, in order to notice a marked change that had taken place in its appearance.
Though more strongly garrisoned than formerly, Lathom looked less menacing. In each tower on the walls were six pieces of ordnance. But neither engineers nor musketeers were visible. They were there, but did not show themselves. Only on the gate-towers could the guard be distinguished. No banner floated as of yore from the summit of the Eagle Tower, and the sentinels seemed to have been removed.
The Works of William Harrison Ainsworth Page 770
