Articles of agreement for the surrender of the garrison of Worcester
Articles of agreement for the surrender of the garrison of Worcester, concluded July 19th [1646], between Colonel Thomas Rainsborough, general in that behalf of Sir Thomas Fairfax, general of the forces raised by Parliament. and Colonel Henry Washington, governor of Worcester.
That the City of Worcester, with all forts, ordnance, arras, ammunition, stores and provisions of war thereunto belonging, shall be delivered up, without wilful spoil or embezzlement, unto His Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, or whom he shall appoint to receive the same, upon the 22nd July, at 10 a.m., in such manlier and with such exceptions as are contained in the ensuing articles.
That on the 23rd July the governor and all officers and soldiers of the garrison, with all other persons that will, shall march out of Worcester with their horses, arms, and baggage, that properly belong to them, to any place within one mile of Worcester, which the governor shall choose, where all their horses and arms, except such as are in t& ensuing articles, shall be delivered up to such as His Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax shall appoint. All the soldiers shall be disbanded, and all such, both officers and soldiers, and others as shall engage themselves by promise never to bear arms against the Parliament of England, nor to do anything wilfully to the prejudice of their affairs, shall have the benefit of these ensuing articles.
That all such as desire to go to their own houses or private friends shall have the general's passes and protection for their peaceable repair to and abode at the several places they shall so desire to go unto. The governor to pass with all horses, arms, and baggage properly belonging unto him. Each colonel to pass with three horses, each lieut.-colonel and sergeant-major with two horses, each captain, lieutenant, and comet with one horse, and every person not under the degree of an esquire with three horses, and all of them, with their arms and goods properly belonging to them, to be carried upon their horses, and all soldiers, with their swords and such baggage as properly belongs to them, which they carry about them.
That all persons who are to have the benefit of these articles shall, if they desire it, have passes to go beyond sea, provided they depart this kingdom within two months after the surrender of the town.
That the City of Worcester and all the inhabitants thereof shall be preserved from all plunder or violence of the soldiers.
That Sir William Russell, now resident within the City of Worcester, be exempted from any benefit of these articles.
That the garrisons of Worcester, Evesham, Strensham, Hartlebury and Madresfield be disgarrisoned, and the Bishop of Worcester, Sir William Russell, and Colonel Lygon be restored to their houses and estates.