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Leaguer before York, 6 July 1644, a letter from [John Lindsay], earl of Lindsay to the committee of estates at Edinburgh
For the right honourable the committee of estates of Scotland at Edinburgh,†
Right honourable,
Since our last to your lords the condition of our affairs here are not a little changed, for, on Monday last, upon notice of Prince Rupert's march from Knaresburgh towards us, we resolved and accordingly drew out the armies to have met him; and for that end did march the same night to Long Marston Moor, about four miles on the west side of York. But, he having notice thereof, did pass with his army at Borrowbridge, and so put the River Ouse between him and us; whereby we were disabled to oppose his passage into York, the bridge we built on the west side of the town being so weak that we dare not adventure to transport our armies upon it. This made us resolve the next morning to march to Todcaster for the stopping of his passage southward, and the armies being so far on their way as the van was within a mile of it, notice was sent to us by our horsemen who were upon our rear that the prince's army, horse and foot, were advanced the length of Long Marston Moor and was ready to fall upon them; whereupon we recalled the whole armies and drew them up on a corn hill upon the south-west side of the moor in the best way we could, so far as the straitness of that field and other disadvantages of the place could permit. Before both armies were in readiness it was near 7 o'clock at night, about which time both armies advanced each toward other, whereupon followed a very hot encounter for the space of two hours, whereof, by the great blessing and good providence of God, the issue was the total routing of the enemy's army, and their loss of all their ordinance to the number of 20, ammunition, baggage and 100 colours and 10,000 arms. There were killed upon the place about 3,000 of them and above 1,500 prisoners, whereof many chief officers, among whom there are above 100 officers: in which number is Sir Charles Lucas, lieutenant general to [William Cavendish], marquis of Newcastle's horse, [...] Porter, general major, and General Major Tillier, with various other colonels, lieutenant colonels and majors. The prince, in great distraction, with a few horse and almost no foot, marched the next morning from York northward. Our loss, God be praised, is not very great, being only one lieutenant colonel, some few captains and about 200 or 300 common soldiers. We have now lain down again in our old leaguer before York, which we are confident within a few days by God's help to gain, and have sent a great part of our cavalry after Prince Rupert. The glory of all this belongs to God alone, and the benefit thereof we hope shall abound to both kingdoms; for which cause we have appointed this next Sabbath for a day of solemn thanksgiving throughout these armies, and we hope your lords will appoint a day for the same to be kept throughout the kingdom and notice sent to us thereof, that we altogether may join in it. We are informed that the general of artillery's train in Ireland has received no part of that money sent there, whereof we are surprised; and therefore we desire they may have proportional pay since they have done service as the rest. We hear likewise that some of that victual which was ordained to be sent here for our army is disposed upon for the use of [James Livingstone], earl of Callander's army, and therefore we desire that as much may be sent here in place thereof and timeous provision made of as much more as possibly can be had, seeing we have received none from there since our outcoming more than was provided before. We rest.
Your lords' assured friends and servants, Lindsay, in presence of the lords, from the leaguer before York, 6 July 1644
We hope your lords will not forget the great pains and travails of this bearer, so often running up and down in the public affairs.
12 July 1644
Produced by [John Campbell, earl of Loudoun], lord chancellor, and read in audience of the whole parliament.†