[Sidenote a:  A.D. 1648.  July 5.]

horse, in warlike array from his house in the city, and having fixed his quarters in the vicinity of Kingston, sent messages to the parliament and the common council, calling on them to join with him in putting an end to the calamities of the nation.  On the second day,[a] through the negligence, it was said, of Dalbier, his military confidant, he was surprised, and after a short conflict, fled with a few attendants to St. Neots; there a second action followed,[b] and the earl surrendered at discretion to his pursuers.  His misfortune excited little interest; but every heart felt compassion for two young noblemen whom he had persuaded to engage in this rash enterprise, the duke of Buckingham and his brother the Lord Francis Villiers.  The latter was slain at Kingston; the former, after many hair-breadth escapes, found an asylum on the continent.[1]

The discomfiture of the Scottish army was followed by the surrender of Colchester.  While there was an object to fight for, Goring and his companions had cheerfully submitted to every privation; now that not a hope remained, they offered to capitulate, and received for answer that quarter would be granted to the privates, but that the officers had been declared traitors by the parliament, and must surrender at discretion.  These terms were accepted;[c] the council deliberated on the fate of the captives; Goring, Capel, and Hastings, brother to the earl of Huntingdon, were reserved for the judgment of the parliament; but two, Sir George Lisle and Sir Charles Lucas, because they were not men of family, but soldiers of fortune,[2] were

[Footnote 1:  Clarendon, iii. 121, 176.  Whitelock, 317, 318, 320.  Lords’ Journals, 367.  Commons, July 7, 12.  Leicester’s Journal, 35.]

[Footnote 2:  This is the reason assigned by Fairfax himself.  Memoirs, 50.]

[Sidenote a:  A.D. 1648.  July 7.] [Sidenote b:  A.D. 1648.  July 10.] [Sidenote c:  A.D. 1648.  August 29.]

selected for immediate execution.  Both had been distinguished by their bravery, and were reckoned among the first commanders in the royal service.  Lucas, tearing open his doublet, exclaimed, “Fire, rebels!” and instantly fell.  Lisle ran to him, kissed his dead body, and turning to the soldiers, desired them to advance nearer.  One replied, “Fear not, sir, we shall hit you.”  “My friends,” he answered, “I have been nearer when you have missed me.”  The blood of these brave men impressed a deep stain on the character of Fairfax, nor was it wiped away by the efforts of his friends, who attributed their death to the revengeful counsels of Ireton.[1]