Before his Majesty was come to Barbon's bridge, about half a mile out of Worcester, he made several stands, faced about and desired the Duke of Buckingham, Lord Wilmet, and other of his commanders, that they might rally and try the fortune of war once more. But at the bridge a serious consultation was held, and then perceiving many of the troopers to throw off their arms and shift for themselves, they were all of opinion, the day was irrecoverably lost, and that their only remaining work was to save his Majesty from those ravenous wolves and regicides; Whereupon his Majesty, by advise of his council resolv'd to march for Scotland.
Immediately after this result, the Duke ask'd the Lord Talbot, if he could direct the way Northwards, his Lordship answer'd, that he had one Walker in his troop (former Scoutmaster to Col. Sands) that knew the way well; who was accordingly call'd to be the guide, and perform'd that duty for some miles; but being come to Kinver heath, not far from Kidderminster, and day-light being gone, Walker was at a puzzle in the way.
Here his Majesty made a stand, and consulted with the Duke, Earl of Derby, Lord Wilmot, &c. whether he might march at least to take some hours rest; The Earl of Derby told his Majesty, that in his flight from Wiggan to Worcester, he had met with a perfect honest man, and a great convenience of concealment at Boscobel house (before mentioned,) but withall acquainted the king, it was a recusants house. And it was suggested, that those people (being accustomed to persecution and searches) were most like to have the readiest means and safest contrivances to preserve him; His Majesty therefore resolv'd to goe thither.
The Lord Talbot being made acquainted with his Majesties resolution, and finding Walker dubious of the way, called for Mr. Charles Giffard, (a faithful subject, and of the noble family of Chillington) to conduct his Majesty towards Boscobel, which office Mr. Giffard willingly undertook, having one Yates a servant with him, very expert in the wayes of that countrey; and being come neer Sturbridge, it was under consideration whether his Majesty should march through that town or no, and resolved in the affirmative, and that all about his person should speak French, to prevent any discovery of his Majesties presence.
Mean time Lesley, with the Scottish horse, had, in the close of the evening, taken the more direct way Northward by Newport, his Majesty being left only attended by the Duke of Buckingham, Earl of Derby, Earl of Lauderdail, Lord Talbot, Lord Wilmot, Colonel Thomas Blague, Colonel Edward Roscarrock, Mr. Marmaduke Darcy, Mr. Richard Lane, Mr. William Armorer, (since Knighted) Mr. Hugh May, Mr. Charles Giffard, Mr. Peter Street, and some others, in all about sixty horse.
At a house about a mile beyond Sturbridge, his Majesty drank and eat a crust of bread, the house affording no better provision; and as his Majesty rode on, he discoursed with Col. Roscarrock touching Boscobel-house, and the security which the Earl of Darby and he found at that place.
Upon further consideration by his Majesty and council, and to the end the company might not know whither his Majesty directly intended, Mr. Giffard was required to conduct his Majesty to some house neere Boscobel, the better to blind the design of going thither: Mr. Giffard proposed Whiteladies (another seat of the Giffards) lying about half a mile beyond Boscobel, and 26. miles from Worcester, and still retains its ancient name of Whiteladies, from its having formerly been a monastery of Cistertian nuns, whose habit was of that colour.
His Majesty and his retinue (being safely conducted to Whiteladies by Mr. Giffard) alighted, now, as they hop'd out of danger of any present surprise by pursuit; George Pendrel (who was a servant in the house) opened the Dores, and after his Majesty and the Lords were entered the house, his Majesties horse was brought into the hall, and by this time it was about break of day on Thursday morning: Here every one was in a sad consult how to escape the fury of bloud-thirsty enemies, but the greatest solicitude was to save the king, who was both hungry and tired with this long and hasty march.
Col. Roscarrock presently caused Barthol. Martin (a boy in the house) to be sent to Boscobel for William Penderel, and Mr. Charles Giffard sent also for Richard Penderel, who lived near hand at Hobbal Grange, they both came forthwith to Whiteladies, and were brought into the parlour to the Earl of Derby, who immediately took them into the inner parlour, where the king was, and told William Penderel in particular, This is the king (pointing at his Majesty), thou must have a care of him, and preserve him as thou didst me; to which commands William yielded ready obedience, and Mr. Giffard did also much conjure Richard to have an especial care of his charge.
Whilst William and Richard were thus sent for, his Majesty had been advised to rub his hands on the back of the chimney, and with them his face, in order to a disguise, and some person had cut off his locks of hair: His Majesty, having put off his blue ribband, buff-coat, and other princely ornaments, put on a noggen course shirt of Edward Martins, who lived in the house, and Richard Penderels green suit, and leather doublet, but had not time to be so exactly disguised as he was afterwards; for both William and Richard Penderel did advertise the company to make haste away, in regard there was a troop of rebels commanded by Colonel Ashenhurst, quartered at Cotsal, but three miles distant; some of which troop came to the house within half an hour after the company were gone.