[Footnote 1:  This is the most consistent account of the battle, which I can form out of the numerous narratives in Clarendon, May, Ludlow, Heath, &c.  Lord Wharton, to silence the alarm in London, on his arrival from the army, assured the two houses that the loss did not exceed three hundred men.—­Journ. v. 423.  The prince of Wales, about twelve years old, who was on horseback in a field under the care of Sir John Hinton, had a narrow escape, “One of the troopers observing you,” says Hinton, “came in fall career towards your highness.  I received his charge, and, having spent a pistol or two on each other, I dismounted him in the closing, but being armed cap-a-pie I could do no execution on him with my sword:  at which instant one Mr. Matthews, a gentleman pensioner, rides in, and with a pole-axe decides the business.”—­Ms. in my possession.]

[Sidenote a:  A.D. 1642.  Oct. 27.]

reorganize his army after the late battle.  The two houses, though they assumed the laurels of victory, felt alarm at the proximity of the royalists, and at occasional visits from parties of cavalry.  They ordered Essex to come to their protection; they[a] wrote for assistance from Scotland; they formed a new army under the earl of Warwick; they voted an address to the king; they even submitted to his refusal of receiving as one of their deputies Sir John Evelyn, whom he had previously pronounced a traitor.[1] In the meanwhile the royal army, leaving Oxford, loitered-for what reason is unknown-in the vicinity of Reading, and permitted Essex to march without molestation by the more eastern road to the capital.  Kingston, Acton, and Windsor were already garrisoned[b] for the parliament; and the only open passage to London lay through the town of Brentford.  Charles had reached Colnbrook in this direction, when he was[c] met by the commissioners, who prevailed on him to suspend his march.  The conference lasted two days; on the second of which Essex threw a brigade,[d] consisting of three of his best regiments, into that town.  Charles felt indignant at this proceeding.  It was in his opinion a breach of faith; and two days[e] later, after an obstinate resistance on the part of the enemy, he gained possession of Brentford, having driven part of the garrison into the river, and taken fifteen pieces of cannon and five hundred men.  The latter he ordered to be discharged, leaving it to their option either to enter among his followers or to

[Footnote 1:  Journals, 431-466.  On Nov. 7 the house voted the king’s refusal to receive Evelyn a refusal to treat; but on the 9th ingeniously evaded the difficulty, by leaving it to the discretion of Evelyn, whether he would act or not.  Of course he declined.—­Ibid. 437, 439.]

[Sidenote a:  A.D. 1642.  Nov. 2.] [Sidenote b:  A.D. 1642.  Nov. 7.] [Sidenote c:  A.D. 1642.  Nov. 10.] [Sidenote d:  A.D. 1642.  Nov. 11.] [Sidenote e:  A.D. 1642.  Nov. 13.]

promise on oath never more to bear arms against him.[1]