Taking advantage of Cromwell's march northwards, after a victory obtained over the Scotch, July 20th, Charles proposed to the generals to invade England, in which country he hoped to be joined by many Royalists whom he believed would declare themselves, as soon as they perceived him at the head of an army. The Scotch accordingly made a rapid march, and arrived in the neighbourhood of Warrington, August 6th.

The king's arrival had, however, been so sudden and unexpected that the English Royalists were quite unprepared to meet him; and many of those who joined him as soon as possible, were prevented from uniting their forces with his, because they had not signed the Covenant. From these causes Charles found, on arriving at Worcester, that his army had diminished instead of increased. Cromwell, on the other hand, directly he discovered the king's intention, sent word to his friends in England that he would follow as soon as possible. The Commonwealth immediately raised the militia of the counties, and enabled their general to attack Charles's force of twelve thousand men with an army of thirty thousand.1

On the anniversary of the battle of Dunbar

1 Whitelocke; Clarendon; Leicester's Journal; Lingard; Ludlow ; Parliamentary History.

(September 3rd), Cromwell attacked Worcester on all sides. Only from Middleton and Hamilton did he meet with any resistance. These charged the enemy so vigorously that they beat them back; but they were soon overpowered. Many men were killed; Middleton and Massy wounded and taken prisoners, Hamilton's leg broken with a shot,1 and the remainder forced to retire and shift for themselves. The king then was compelled to fly, and, after many wellknown hairbreadth escapes, succeeded in getting over to France.

As soon as Middleton had sufficiently recovered from his wounds to be in a condition to be moved, he was sent to the Tower, where General Massy and many distinguished Scotchmen were likewise detained. prisoners. As Cromwell and the other members of Parliament had formerly held Middleton in higher esteem than any other of his countrymen, they were now as inveterate against him; and determined, if possible, to free themselves from any further apprehension and fear of him, by trying him for his life. For his and Massy's blood Cromwell is said, indeed, to have "thirsted."

Middleton having formerly served under them, afforded, they believed, a sufficient pretext for proceeding against him as though he had revolted from

1 He died soon afterwards.

them, notwithstanding they themselves had compelled him to leave by insisting on remodelling the army. For the purpose of trying him, Massy, and other troublesome persons, they at this time erected a new high court.

The Presbyterians, however, now interfered in favour of these luckless persons, whose fate was already decided upon. As the time approached when they were sure that Middleton was to be tried, "that is," says Clarendon, "to be executed," they gave him reliable information, through some secret member or members of their party. He lost no time in taking leave of his companions in the Tower, and making his escape. Having friends in London, he concealed himself amongst them for a fortnight or three weeks, until the diligence of the first inquiry and examination was over; after which he was transported safely to France, and waited upon Charles II., March 23rd, 1652.

Massy escaped a few days after Middleton, to the "grief and vexation of the very soul of Cromwell." 1

1 Clarendon's History of the Rebellion; Whitelocke.

CHAPTER III.

The Royalists in Scotland entreat the king to send Middleton with a force to their aid in the Highlands—Middleton endeavours to raise troops in Holland, and has good hopes of succeeding, should the proposed peace with England come to nothing-Peace is, however, proclaimed, and he raises but a small force-Lands in Scotland— Quarrels amongst the Royalists-Goes over a second time to Holland-Has some small successes-General Monk sets out for Scotland, and Middleton's troops grow discontented-Sore pressed by Monk-Attacked unexpectedly at Loughghary, and his army routed-Has some hopes of recommencing the campaign afresh, but is obliged to relinquish them and return to France—His letter from Dantzic-The king confers on him the title of earl, which, with the title of Lord of Clermont and of Fettercairn, are confirmed to him after the Restoration by letters patent-Copy of the patent, with translation.

THE exiled royal family passed most of their time in Paris, subsisting on a moderate pension assigned to Queen Henrietta, as the daughter of Henry IV. of France, and on some assistance afforded by friends in England. As the pension was often in arrears, they were frequently in great straits; but Charles, notwithstanding, retained about him the officers of his household, and kept up some appearance of a court.1

1 Clarendon; Thurloe.

Middleton's wife and family probably soon joined him in France, as his son is said to have been bred up in the Court of Charles II.1

"A little Scottish vicar," one Mr. Knox, who was known to the king, accompanied Middleton to Paris. He brought with him letters of credit to his Majesty, some propositions from his friends in Scotland, and despatches from the lords in the Tower. The severe proceedings of General Monk,2 who had been commissioned by Cromwell to subdue Scotland, had, he said, struck terror into the very heart of the nation. Many complaints were also made of the Marquis of Argyle, who persecuted the king's friends with the utmost malice.

The most considerable Royalists, who had retired into the Highlands, sent assurances by him to his Majesty, "that they would never swerve from their duty, and that they would be able during the winter to infest the enemy by incursions into their quarters; and that, if Middleton might be sent to them with some supply of arms, they would have an army ready against the spring strong enough to meet with Monk."

The lords in the Tower, who did not know of

A contemporary of the second Earl of Middleton.

2 George Monk, afterwards Duke of Albemarle, born 1608, died 1670.