On seeing Colonel Holland, Rosworm, and the warden, Captain Cranage marched up to them, attended by the Anabaptist minister, and was very well received.
As a morning service was about to take place in the church, the warden invited them to attend it, and no objection being made by the Anabaptist minister, the whole party repaired to the sacred fabric followed by the town guard.
Already, as it turned out, a great number of persons were assembled in the church, and to this large congregation Warden Heyrick addressed a fiery discourse.
Rosworm, whose duties called him to the bridge, did not attend the service, but when he had satisfied himself that all his men were at their posts, and that no immediate danger of attack was to be apprehended, he returned.
By this time, the service was over, and Captain Cranage and his men had marched on to the Cross, where they waited for orders. Thither Rosworm followed with the governor and Colonel Egerton, and they had scarcely reached the market-place, when they learnt that a messenger had been sent by the Earl of Derby, but was detained by Captain Bradshaw till Colonel Holland’s pleasure was known.
Thereupon the governor mounted his horse, and rode to the barricade at Deansgate, where he found the messenger, who proved to be Captain Standish.
Courteously saluting him, Colonel Holland bade him deliver his message, and he would answer it at once.
“I am sent by the Earl of Derby,” replied Standish, “to demand an immediate entrance to the town in order that he may take possession of it, and all the stores within it, in the king’s name. What answer shall I deliver to his lordship?”
“Say to the Earl of Derby,” replied the other, “that I, Colonel Richard Holland, Governor of Manchester, hold the town for the Parliament, and peremptorily refuse his lordship entrance—neither will I deliver it up to him on his insolent demand.”
“Is this answer final?” said Standish, “or has your excellency any further terms to propose? If so, I am willing to submit them to the Earl of Derby, who, I may state, is very desirous to prevent effusion of blood. If the town is quietly surrendered, his lordship will treat the inhabitants kindly, but in the event of an obstinate and useless resistance, fearful destruction will ensue.”
“I laugh at these idle threats,” rejoined the governor, contemptuously. “When Lord Derby learns that we are fully prepared to withstand an attack, and are certain to receive large reinforcements, he may deem it prudent to withdraw from before the town.”
“Think it not,” said Standish. “One more question, and I have done. Does your excellency require any delay?”
“None,” replied the governor, in a tone calculated to put an end to the interview.
Standish was then conducted to the barriers at the end of Deansgate by Captain Bradshaw; and passing out with the trooper who had attended him, rode back to Alport Lodge, where he found the Earl of Derby with Sir Alexander Radcliffe and Sir Thomas Tyldesley.
“The governor refuses to surrender the town, my lord, and does not require any time for negotiation,” he cried, as he sprang from the saddle, and advanced to the earl.
“Tis as I expected,” said Lord Derby. “But my conscience is now easy. Let the trumpets at once sound to the assault.”
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XI
The Assault
IN obedience to the earl’s commands, the trumpets were then blown, and the battery facing Deans-gate immediately opened fire.
The cannonade was continued for some time; but no material damage was done, nor were the defenders driven from their position.
An attempt was next made by Sir Thomas Tyldesley with a party of horse to force the barricade, but it proved unsuccessful. Captain Bradshaw reserved his fire till the assailants were within a short distance of the barrier. He then poured a sharp volley upon them, by which several men were wounded and unhorsed, and the rest turned back.
Another attack was made by Sir Gilbert Hoghton against the barrier at the end of Market-street Lane, and was successfully resisted by Captain Radcliffe. Several fruitless attempts were likewise made to scale the ramparts, but in every instance the assailants were repulsed.