WINTHORPE VILLAGE, Letter from the Earl of Rutland; with an Account of the Manner of the Army being drawn up before Newark. 6th March 1646.
"My Lords,
"Yesterday the whole Army on this Side Trent drew to their Quarters; the furthest Foot Quarters about a Mile from Newark from Trent, at Farnton; so to Houghton and Balderton, and to Trent at Winthorpe, besides the Horse Guards. The Enemy, about Three Hundred Horse and Foot, faced us; but advanced not from under Favour of their Ordnance. The Scotts Army drew up on the North Side Trent. The Soldiers are full of Courage, and very few sick. God willing, I shall omit no Time; and hope to give your Lordships a good Account of that Place. But the Public Service and your Trust reposed necessitates me to beseech your Lordships, that the Eastern Association and York may with all Speed send Money to pay their Forces.
"Your Lordships
"Most humble Servant,
Lyncolne, 3 Martii, 1645.
Letter HILL 39/3 14 March 1646
Contents: Earl of Rutland and Edward Lord Montagu to the Speaker of the House of Peers; from Lincoln.
"The affaires before Newarke (through Gods blessing) goe on well. Colonell Ledgerds Regiment is come from Yorke to us. The officers and souldiers are all as one man to performe the service they are appointed; full of courage and healthfull. Halfe the lyne wee hope wilbe finished on Wednesdaie next, and the other wth all possible speed. One of the bridges over Trent against Winthorpe was readie three daies since. The Trent there divides: the other bridge wilbe finished in a day or two. Wee have brought a pinnace musket-proofe within half a mile of Newarke wherein are twoe Gunns, and wch will hould 40 Musketeers. The whole Cannon from Yorke is come to Winthorpe. One strong fort is made to secure the bridge, Another is prepareing neerer the enemies great Sconce. The whole Culverings and Morter peeces are come to Balderton and Farnton....Wee hope in god to loose noe time, nor omitt any opportunity in reduceing Newarke, and to give your Lordshipps a good and speedie accompt thereof.
Post script: The Earle of Dumfermlyn's Regiment of foote is come to Lt. Generall Leslie".
Signatures: Rutland, Edw Mountagu
H.M.C. 10th Report
Letter from the Committee before Newark, concerning the Siege of that Place. 18th March 1646.
"My Lords,
"The Affairs before Newarke (through God's Blessing) go on well. Colonel Ledgerd's Regiment is come from Yorke to us. The Officers and Soldiers are all as One Man to perform the Service they are appointed, full of Courage, and healthful. Half the Line we hope will be finished on Wednesday next, and the other with all possible Speed. One of the Bridges over Trent against Winthorpe was ready Three Days since. The Trent there divides; the other Bridge will be finished in a Day or Two. We have brought a Pinnace, Musket-proof, within Half a Mile of Newarke, wherein are Two Guns, and which will hold Forty Musketeers. The whole Cannon from Yorke is come to Winthorpe. One strong Fort is made to secure the Bridge, another is preparing nearer the Enemy's great Sconce. The whole Culverins and Mortar-pieces are come to Balderton and Farnton. The great Mortar-piece is to be run on Wednesday at Nottingham. We hope in God to lose no Time, nor omit any Opportunity, in reducing Newarke, and to give your Lordships a good and speedy Account thereof.
"Your Lordships
"Humble Servants,
"Rutland.
Note.
No corrections have been made to the spelling of these letters.
The letter refers to the Civil War of Newark 1646.
The bridges were made using canoes tied together with decking. The Parliamentarians deliberately burned both Muskham & Kelham bridges so that they could not easily be attacked.
The cannon referred could have been the one situated in the area of the churchyard, as we know there was one there.
Pat Finn. July 2010.