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Subject Area: Political Theory
Subject Area: History
Topic: The English Revolution

APPENDIX D: The Case of Sir Arthur Hesilrige - Sir William Clarke, The Clarke Papers. Selections from the Papers of William Clarke, vol. 4 [1901]

Edition used:

The Clarke Papers. Selections from the Papers of William Clarke, Secretary to the Council of the Army, 1647-1649, and to General Monck and the Commanders of the Army in Scotland, 1651-1660, ed. C.H. Firth (London: Longmans, Green, and Co., 1901). 4 vols.

Part of: The Clarke Papers. Selections from the Papers of William Clarke, 4 vols.

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APPENDIX D

The Case of Sir Arthur Hesilrige

[The following letter from Monck to the Speaker of the House of Commons supplements the two letters printed on pp. 260, 268, and explains how it was that Hesilrige succeeded in saving his life and estates when so many of his political friends were less fortunate. The original of this letter is in the possession of R. Bankes, Esq., of Kingston Lacy, Dorset. It is briefly calendared in the eighth report of the Historical MSS. Commission (pt. i., p. 212). The letter was copied some years ago by Mr. S. R. Gardiner, and is now printed from his copy.]

The Duke of Albemarle to Sir Edward Turner

Most honored Sr,

After I had admitted the secluded members of the longe Parliament to sitt wth the others, in order to the callinge of the last Parliament, I found my selfe involved in many and great difficultyes, because they that satt before them had modelled the Army in England to their owne principles of a Commonwealthe’s Governmt. And although I had devided the quarters of the troopes into very distinct stations, yet their correspondence was such that I was very much distracted in my endeavours for the peace and settlement of the nation, and putt to severall and distraict postures in the managinge of them. I was forced to youse the force of power to some, and freindshipp and faire promises of security to others, till att last I had reduced matters to such a consistancy that all were removed from commaund and trust in armes that would not ingage to acquiesce in whatsoever the then succeedinge Parliament should act. Att this conjuncture of tyme noe man was soe capable to obstruct my designes as Sr Arthur Hesilrige, whoe had in his immediate commaund the government of Berwicke, Carlisle, Newcastle, and Tynmouth, wth a regiment of foote and one of the best regiments of horse in the Army, and had an influence upon all the rest of the regiments in England, hee haveinge had the cheife hand in modellinge the regiments before my comeinge into England. Hee was very jealous of the intended revolucion of governmt to his Maties advantage, and came to me to discover his apprehensions, urginge that hee perceived all tended to the restitucion of the Kinge, and that there would thereby ensue a ruine to his person, family, and fortune; to wch I tould him that if hee would engage to me to goe home to his owne house and lyve quietly there, I would undertake to secure his life and estate; whereupon hee did soe engage; and shortly after, upon Collonel Lambert’s defeccion, when there was soe great a disposicion to mutiny in the army, and his conjunction wth him might have hazarded the hope of all, hee declyned all manner of action, and adheared to his engagement made to mee, and upon my letter to him freely delivered up his garrisons to my Lord of Carlisle and his regiment of horse to my Lord Faulconbridge. I confesse the commaund I had that tyme of the army and strength of the kingdome was but a possessory and noe legall power, and what I did must bee submitted to his Maties gracious clemency and favour to me. My unwillingnesse to hazard his Maties restitution by engaginge in blood induced me to venter further in my use of itt then perhaps some may thinke well of. But I knew in matters of soe great importance second councell would bee too late, and therefore I chose to leave as little as I could to the uncertainty of event. Att the request of Sr Arthur Hesilrige’s friends I am desired to give you the diversion of this narrative, wch I thinke not meet to send to you in your publique capacity to bee communicated to the House, but as a private person, that from hence you may bee informed of what passed betwixt my selfe and that unfortunate man, which I leave to you to make use of as you in yor judgmt shall thinke fitt, and am

Your most affectionate friend and servant,

Albemarle.

Cockpitt, 4o Julii,
16