Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 8.djvu/478

 376 THE LINES FORMED ROUND OXFORD All this Strength being apprehended and considered by Sir Thomas Fairfax, he concluded that this was no place to be taken at a running pull, but hkely rather to prove a business of time, hazard, and industr3^ Whereupon, at a council of war at Headington, it was resolved to fix their quarters. Their first to be upon Heachngton Hill, where was ordered to be made a very strong and great work, or intrenchment of capacity to receive and lodge 3000 men ; also that a bridge should be laid over the River Cherwell, close by Marston ; that another quarter should be estabhshed between Cherwell and Isis, that is, on the north side of the city, wherein it was intended that most of the foot should be lodged, that being all the ground they had to make an approach near the walls. These matters beng resolved, were quickl}^ despatched, even to admiration, and a line also began to be drawn from the great fort at Headington Hill straight to St. Bartholomew's common road, and from thence to Campus-pits, or thereabouts, all within cannon-shot : which being done, and the four quarters settled, and the small garrisons about Oxford blocked up, viz.. Boar- stall House, Wallingford Castle, Farringdon, and Radcote, Sir Thomas Fairfax sent a summons to Sir Thomas Glenham, Governor of Oxford, requiring the surrender of that garrison. In reply, Sir Thomas Glenham asked for safe conduct for two officers, who met Fairfax, and requested to be allowed to go to the king, saying, that on liis signification of his pleasure they would return a positive answer to the general imme- diately. Fairfax .strove to dissuade them, saying that they might not get such good terms at a later period ; but as the Princes, Rupert and JMaurice, besides the Duke of York, were there, they delayed an answer till they could hear from the king. " Whereupon," as Wood sa^^'s, " that what time would be lost in that way might be saved in the other, aU things went on for the siege, the dispatch of the prince was hastened, and order was given for drawing up the batteries." May 12th. Prince Rupert, and with him about 100 horse, went forth on the north side of Oxford towards Colonel Thomas Rainsborough's soldiers, to take the air only, as it was then said, being without boots. Towards them a party of the enemy marched up, and gave fire. In which skirmish, Prince Rupert had a shot in the right shoulder, but it pierced