infantry, which had been stationed behind the hedge. Lambert, without waiting for any additional troops, now attacked the enemy with great impetuosity, and the fire of the infantry from the hedge, so galled Langdale's horse, that they were driven back. At this critical moment the garrison sallied forth, and coming upon the rear of Lambert's infantry, turned the fortune of the day. The chief contest was near this hedge. The same ground was lost and regained four or five times; but Langdale's horse rëturning to the charge and some of the parliamentary troops cowardly flying without making the least resistance, Lambert was under the necessity of sounding a retreat.

The forces of the parliament fled without order towards Ferrybridge: and more perished in the pursuit than in the action. The enemy hung on their rear till they reached the bridge, where they were for some time protected by a cannon which had been placed there. It was loaded with grape shot, and being discharged killed four men belonging to the garrison. The troops on the bridge were instantly attacked, and driven from it, with the loss of their field piece. The flying parties of the army were pursued between Sherburn and Tadcaster.

In the action Lambert himself was wounded, and many of his officers slain, among whom were Col, Armin, Col. Thornton, and Col. Malary. In the Chequer field, where the battle commenced, and in the pursuit to Ferrybridge, he lost about one hundred and sixty men. In the contest at Ferrybridge, and in the pursuit to Sherburn, it is supposed about

one hundred and forty more were killed. Near seven hundred were taken were taken prisoners, among whom were fifty-seven officers. Twenty-two

stand of colours belonging to the infantry, which were all they had, were taken; and twenty standards of horse, one iron piece of ordnance and twenty carriages; thirty-four double barrels of powder and a proportionate quantity of match and bullet, together with two thousand stand. of arms, fell into the hands of the victors,

Sir Marmaduke Langdale returned to the castle, between ten and eleven o'clock the same night, having quartered his troops in the towns and surrounding villages. A body of cavalry were stationed at Featherstone, and another at Houghton. These were commanded by Langdale Sunderland, Esq. of Ackton, who had raised a regiment of cavalry for the king, and supported them at his own expence. He was connected with the family of Sir Marmaduke Langdale by marriage, and accompanied that general in most of his enterprizes.

Lord Fairfax, on the news of Langdale's ap proach, had ordered the Yorkshire forces to march with all speed to Pontefract. He had himself departed to bring them up; and on his way was apprized of the defeat of his own troops

* Langdale Sunderland having purchased Ackton, removed there from High Sunderland, near Halifax, the ancient seat of his family. He spent fifteen hundred pounds per annum in. the royal cause, and suffered considerably in the time of Oliver; but like many others, after the restoration, was neglected and forgotten. He lies interred in Featherstone church. His grandson Peter sold the Featherstone and Ackton estates to Edinund Winn, Esq. from whom it has descended to Sir Edmund Mark Winn, Bart. the present possessor.

before the castle. In the same night a part of the Yorkshire infantry had pushed forward as far as Glass-Houghton, and falling unexpectedly on the body of Langdale's horse, quartered there, routed them, and took one hundred horses, and made several men prisoners*. The Lord Fairfax, with the cavalry, hastened to their assistance, but the fight was over before his arrival.

The rallied forces of the parliament now joined his lordship, and in a few days he was at the head of a formidable army.

Sir Marmaduke Langdale, having relieved the castle, after refreshing his men with a few days rest, retreated to Doncaster, and from thence to Newark. In this march he had nine passes to dispute; and had twelve skirmishes with the enemy, in which he vanquished nine thousand men.

Thus ended the first siege of Pontefract castle, during which the garrison had given the strongest proofs of their fortitude, prudence and courage. The besiegers had lost in killed more than five hundred men, and near one thousand prisoners; while the besieged had not lost in all more than one hundred. They were not however suffered to exult long in their victory, for on Langdale's departure, the troops of the parliament again collected, and the garrison had to sustain a second siege, which at length ended in an honourable surrender.

* WHITLOCK, p. 136.

SECTION XIII.

Events during the second Siege.

THE garrison availed themselves of the opportunity they now enjoyed of providing as ample a supply as possible for future contingencies. They made several excursions, and levied heavy contributions on the surrounding country. They seized the cattle, and laid in a stock of provisions. Necessity, they considered, destroyed the claims of private right; and whatever they could seize, they deemed it proper to take for their own use. The inhabitants of the town and the surrounding country, were alternately exposed to the exactions of the royalists and parliamentarians; and were equally insecure which ever party prevailed.

On the 11th of March, Capt. Laborne and another taking a ride from the castle, towards Wentbridge, and meeting with Mr. Ellis, of Brampton, a great sequestrator *, and a quarter

* Sequestrators were persons appointed to examine into the conduct and morals of the clergy; and such as were "scandalous in their lives, and ill-affected to the parliament," they had the power to present to a committee of the house, which committee in consequence ejected them from their livings, and appointed others to officiate. The royalists detested the sequestrators.

Mr. Ellis was a highly respectable character, and from a just concern for the interest of his country, and of the Protestant religion, embraced the cause of the parliament. His son, or grandson, Geo. Ellis, left a good farm at Brampton to build

master, took them both and brought them prisoners to the castle. They afterwards made excursions to Turnbridge beyond Ackworth, a small station belonging to the enemy, which they attacked, and took Lieut. Col. Lee, Lieut. Col. Ledger, and three horses.

On the 15th, a party went out towards Doncaster, and meeting with Col. Brandling's regi ment, they routed it and took one major, one ' lieutenant, and about one hundred horse. Another party, on the same night, paid a second visit to Turnbridge, and plundered the enemy's storehouse of whatever it contained.

The reappearance of the troops of the parlia ment soon checked the garrison, and put an end to their excursions. On the 21st, a considerable body took possession of the upper town. Capt. Redman was killed near the Brigg, and three others belonging the garrison taken prisoners. The enemy were not sufficiently strong to surround the castle, and the garrison continued still in possession of the lower part of the town, from whence they could be always supplied with wood and provisions.

The besiegers, fully convinced that the castle was impregnable, and that the courage and loy alty of its defenders could not be subdued, unless by famine, began to intrench themselves, and to form a regular blockade. They took possession of the New-Hall, Monkhill, and Baghill, where they cut trenches and erected strong works. The besieged endeavoured to prevent the construction of these works; and by daily

and endow a charity school there, for the instruction of the children of the poor of Brampton and West Melton.