Part 4
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.
[Sidenote: Dan. 11. 9.]
After the _King had entred into the Kingdom, and returned to his own land_, the 5. brothers attended him at _White-hall_, on Wednesday the 13. of June 1660. when his Majesty was pleased to own their faithful service, and graciously dismiss'd them with a princely reward.
And soon after Mr. Huddleston and Mr. Whitgreave made their humble addresses to his Majesty, from whom they likewise receiv'd a gracious acknowledgment of their service and fidelity to him at Mosely; and this in so high a degree of gratitude, and with such a condescending frame of spirit, not at all puff'd up with prosperity, as cannot be parallel'd in the best of Kings.
Here let us all with glad and thankful hearts humbly contemplate the admirable Providence of Almighty God, who contriv'd such wonderful wayes, and made use of such mean instruments for preservation of so great a person: Let us delight to reflect minutely on every particular, and especially on such as most approach to miracle; let us sum up the number of those, who were privy to this first part of his Majesties disguise and concealment; _Mr. Giffard_, the five _Penderels_, their mother and three of their wives, Col. _Carlis_, _Francis Yates_ and his wife, some of the inhabitants of _Whiteladies_, _Mr. Woolf_, his wife, daughter and maid, _Mr. Whitgreave_ and his mother, _Mr. Huddleston_, _Col. Lane_ and his sister; and then consider whether it were not indeed a _miracle_, that so many men, and (which is far more) so many women should faithfully conceal so important and unusual a secret; and this notwithstanding the temptations and promises of reward on the one hand, the danger and menaces of punishment on the other.
To which I shall adde but this one circumstance, that it was concealed by persons, for the most part, of that religion, which has long suffer'd under an imputation (laid on them by some mistaken zelots) of disloyalty to their soveraign.
[Sidenote: Dan. 3. 10.]
And now, on my bended knees, let me joyfully congratulate his restored Majesty, and humbly offer him this short and hearty wish, O KING, LIVE FOR EVER. And not content with my own inconsiderable prayers, with all my soul I beg the universal assistance of others, earnestly inviting all the nation, even all the three nations, to sing
_Te Deum Laudamus_.
2 SAM. xix. 14.
_And he bow'd the hearts of all the people, as the heart of one man; So that they sent this word unto the King_, Return thou and all thy servants.
_FINIS._
_Thomas & Hunsley, Printers, Doncaster._