In this interim the valiant Earl of Cleveland, (who being above 60. years of age, had marched 21. days together upon a trotting horse) had also made his escape from Worcester, when all the fighting work was over, and was got to Woodcot in Shropshire, whither he was pursued, and taken at one Miss Broughtons house.
The Scotch cavalry (having no place to retreat unto neerer then Scotland,) were soon after totally dispersed, and most of them taken by the rebels and country people in Cheshire, Lancashire, and parts adjacent.
Thus was this royal army totally subdued, thus dispersed; and if in this so important affair any of the Scottish commanders were treacherous at Worcester, (as some suspected) they have a great account to make for the many years miseries that ensued thereby to both nations, under the tyrannical government of Cromwell.
But to return to the duty of my attendance on his Sacred Majesty in Spring Coppice; by that time Richard Penderel had conveyed him into the obscurest part of it, it was about sun-rising on Thursday morning, and the heavens wept bitterly at these calamities; insomuch as the thickest tree in the wood was not able to keep his Majesty dry, nor was there any thing for him to sit on; Wherefore Richard went to Francis Yates house, (a trusty neighbour, who married his wifes sister,) where he borrowed a blanket, which he folded and laid on the ground for his Majesty to sit on.
At the same time Richard spoke to the goodwife Yates, to provide some victuals, and bring it into the wood at a place he appointed her, she presently made ready a mess of milk and some butter and eggs, and brought them to his Majesty in the wood; who being a little surpriz'd to see the woman (no good concealer of a secret,) said cheerfully to her; Good woman, can you be faithfull to a distressed cavalier? She answered, Yes, sir, I will dye rather than discover you; with which answer his Majesty was well satisfied.
The Lord Wilmot in the interim took John Penderel for his guide, but knew not determinately whither to goe, purposing at first to have march'd Northwards, but as they passed by Brewood forge, the forgemen made after them, till being told by one Richard Dutton, that it was Col. Crompton whom they pursued, the Vulcans happily, upon that mistake, quitted the chase.
Soon after they narrowly escaped a party of rebels as they passed by Coven-brook; so that seeing danger on every side, and John meeting with William Walker (a trusty neighbour,) committed my Lord to his care and council, who for present conveyed them into a dry marl-pit (where they staid awhile,) and afterward to one Mr. Huntbaches house at Brinsford, and put their horses into John Evans barn, whilst John Penderel goes to Wolverhampton to see what convenience he could find for my Lords coming thither, but met with none, the town being full of souldiers.
Yet John leaves no means unessayed, hastens to Northcot, (an adjacent village) and there, whilst he was talking with Goodwife Underhill (a neighbour,) in the instant Mr. John Huddleston (a sojourner at Mr. Thomas Whitgreaves of Moseley, and of Johns acquaintance) was accidently passing by, to whom John (well assured of his integrity,) presently addresses himself and his business, relates to him the sad news of the defeat of his Majesties army at Worcester, and discovers in what straits and confusion he had left his Majesty and his followers at Whiteladies, and in particular that he had brought thence a person of quality, (for John then knew not who my Lord was) to Huntbaches house, who, without present relief, would be in great danger of being taken.
Mr. Huddleston goes home forthwith, takes John with him and acquaints Mr. Whitgreave with the businesse, who freely resolved to venture all, rather than such a person should miscarry.
Hereupon Mr. Whitgreave repaires to Huntbaches house, speaks with my Lord, and gives direction how he should be privately convey'd into his house at Mosely about ten of the clock at night; and, though it so fell out that the directions were not punctually observ'd, yet my Lord and his man were at last brought into the house, where Mr. Whitgreave, (after some refreshment given them) conveys them into a secret place, which my Lord admiring for its excellent contrivance, and solicitous for his Majesties safety, said, I would give a world my friend (meaning the king) were here; and then deposited in Mr. Whitgreaves custody a little bag of jewels, which my Lord received again at his departure.