Note 23 — Thomas, third Lord Fairfax.
Reading edition
Saturday night, the 20th of May [1643]. The Lord General [i.e. Ferdinando, Lord Fairfax] gave Order for a party of 1,000 Foot, 3 Companies of Dragooners, and 8 Troops of Horse, to march from the garrisons of Leeds, Bradford, Halifax, and Howley. Sir Thomas Fairfax commanded in chief. The Foot were commanded by Serjeant Major General Gifford and Sir William Fairfax. The Horse were divided into two bodies: 4 Troops commanded by Sir Thomas Fairfax, and the other 4 Troops by Sir Henry Foulis.
Howley was the rendezvous, where they all met on Saturday [20th May] last, about twelve a clock at night.
About two, next morning, they marched away: and coming to Stanley, where 2 of the Enemy's Troops lay, with some Dragooners; that Quarter was beaten up, and about one and twenty prisoners taken.
About four a clock in the morning [of 21st May 1643], we came before Wakefield. Where, after some of their Horse were beaten into the town, the Foot, with unspeakable courage, beat the enemies from the hedges, which they had lined with Muskeeters, into the town; and assaulted it in two places, Wrengate and Norgate: and, after an hour and a half's fight, we recovered [captured] one of their Pieces [of Ordnance] and turned it upon them; and entered the town, at both places, at one and the same time.
When the Barricadoes were opened, Sir Thomas Fairfax, with the Horse, fell into the town; and cleared the street: where Colonel Goring was taken by Lieutenant Alured, brother to Captain Alured, a Member of the House [of Commons].
Yet in the Market Place, there stood 3 Troops of Horse; and Colonel Lampton's Regiment: to whom Major General Gifford sent a Trumpet[er], with offer of Quarter, if they would lay down their arms.
They answered, They scorned the motion.
Then he fired a Piece of their own Ordnance upon them: and the Horse fell in upon them, [and] beat them out of [the] town. We took 39 Officers, 27 Colours of Foot, 3 Coronets of Horse, and about 1,500 common soldiers.
The Enemy had in the town 3,000 Foot and 7 Troops of Horse: besides Colonel Lampton's Regiment; which came into the town, after we had entered the town.
The Enemy left behind them 4 Pieces of Ordnance, with Amunition; which we brought away.
Thomas Fairfax. John Gifford. John Holman. Titus Leighton. Henry Foulis. William Fairfax. Robert Foulis. Francis Talbot.
A Miraculous Victory...at Wakefield. Printed 27th May 1643. British Museum Press Mark, E. 104. (13).