Thus ended the first siege of Lathom, after the place had been closely beset four months; during which time the garrison lost but six men,—­four in the service, and two by negligence and over-daring.

They were, in general, supplied with provisions, her ladyship seeing the men’s rations duly served.  Yet were they not seldom pushed to a sally for their dinner; their friends outside, by lights and other appointed signals, directing the foragers in their operations.

The enemy shot 107 cannon-balls, 32 stones, and but four grenadoes.  By their own confession near 100 barrels of gunpowder were spent, part of which was in supplies to the garrison, who often replenished their stock at the expense of the besiegers.  They lost about 500 men, besides wounded and prisoners, according to their own returns.

The next day Rigby, with about 3000 men, drew up at Eccleston Green, six miles only from Lathom, in great uncertainty which way to march, fearful of meeting with Prince Rupert.  In the end, imagining that his Highness would go through Blackburn or Lancaster to the relief of York, Rigby marched off in great haste to Bolton, then a garrison town, and well fortified.

The Prince, hearing of their escape, together with Lord Derby, immediately turned their forces in this direction, determined to carry the place by assault, and revenge the insults and barbarity her ladyship had endured.  This resolution was terribly accomplished.  Sixteen hundred of her besiegers lay dead on the place; and twenty-two colours, which three days before flourished proudly before the house, were presented to her from his Highness by Sir Richard Crane, as a memorial of her deliverance, and “a happy remembrance of God’s mercy and goodness to her and her family.”

FOOTNOTES: 

[43] The name assumed by a body of men who met, during the wars, in Manchester; and who in energy and power were second only to their London brethren.

[44] “Hist. of the House of Stanley,” p.90.

[45] One of these sons of violence, Bradshaw of Brazen-nose, took occasion, before his patrons at Wigan, to profane the 14th verse of the 15th chapter of Jeremiah, from thence proving that Lady Derby was the scarlet whore and the whore of Babylon whose walls he made as flat and thin as his own discourse.

[46] Plus animi est inferenti quam periculum propulsanti.—­Caes.  Com.

[47] Harleian MSS. 2043.

RAVEN CASTLE.

    “He bargained with two ruffians strong,
      Which were of furious mood,
    That they should take these children young,
      And slay them in a wood.

    “Away then went these pretty babes,
      Rejoycing at that tide,
    Rejoycing with a merry minde,
      They should on cock-horse ride.”

—­The Children in the Wood.