DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.61904#0210
i98
CARISBROOKE CASTLE.
“ He not being fure of a fhip, if the refolution were fixed for
embarking, which was never manifeft—the making choice of
the Ifle of Wight, and of Hammond to be trufted, fince
nothing fell out which was not reafonably to be forefeen and
expeded—and the bringing him to Tichfield, without the
permiflion of the king, if not diredly contrary to it—feemed to
be all fo far from a rational defign and conduct, that moft men
did believe that there was treafon in the contrivance,” etc.
Now, the whole ftory is very fimple and clear in the narra-
tives of thefe gentlemen ; and, with the exception of letting
Hammond know that Charles was near, and allowing him to
go with them to him, which was very foolifh, is far from any
blame on their part. The fact was, as ftated, that Charles was
afraid of his perfon being feized by the adjutators, and there-
fore determined to get away. But, as he was in treaty with
the Scots, he diftincftly declared that he would not leave
England altogether. Under thefe circumftances, Afhburnham,
who was greatly trufted by Charles, and adted as his treafurer,
recommended that he fhould feek concealment at the houfe of
Sir John Oglander, in the Ifle of Wight. He might then
learn how Colonel Hammond, the governor, was affedted
towards him, who had lately profefled himfelf extremely well
affedted, and, in the meantime, he would be out of the way of
the adjutators. The king freely accepted this fcheme : and
at nine o’clock on the evening of the 10th of November, he
being fuppofed to be gone to bed, flipped out; and Legg,
Afhburnham, and Berkeley, received him at a poftern-door in
the garden at Hampton Court, where they all mounted and
rode away. They went firft to Oatlands through the foreft,
got loft in the dark, came to Sutton, where a fervant was
waiting for them, and, finding a Parliamentary committee
fitting in the houfe, did not go in to breakfaft, but rode on
towards Southampton. On the way Charles faid he would
CARISBROOKE CASTLE.
“ He not being fure of a fhip, if the refolution were fixed for
embarking, which was never manifeft—the making choice of
the Ifle of Wight, and of Hammond to be trufted, fince
nothing fell out which was not reafonably to be forefeen and
expeded—and the bringing him to Tichfield, without the
permiflion of the king, if not diredly contrary to it—feemed to
be all fo far from a rational defign and conduct, that moft men
did believe that there was treafon in the contrivance,” etc.
Now, the whole ftory is very fimple and clear in the narra-
tives of thefe gentlemen ; and, with the exception of letting
Hammond know that Charles was near, and allowing him to
go with them to him, which was very foolifh, is far from any
blame on their part. The fact was, as ftated, that Charles was
afraid of his perfon being feized by the adjutators, and there-
fore determined to get away. But, as he was in treaty with
the Scots, he diftincftly declared that he would not leave
England altogether. Under thefe circumftances, Afhburnham,
who was greatly trufted by Charles, and adted as his treafurer,
recommended that he fhould feek concealment at the houfe of
Sir John Oglander, in the Ifle of Wight. He might then
learn how Colonel Hammond, the governor, was affedted
towards him, who had lately profefled himfelf extremely well
affedted, and, in the meantime, he would be out of the way of
the adjutators. The king freely accepted this fcheme : and
at nine o’clock on the evening of the 10th of November, he
being fuppofed to be gone to bed, flipped out; and Legg,
Afhburnham, and Berkeley, received him at a poftern-door in
the garden at Hampton Court, where they all mounted and
rode away. They went firft to Oatlands through the foreft,
got loft in the dark, came to Sutton, where a fervant was
waiting for them, and, finding a Parliamentary committee
fitting in the houfe, did not go in to breakfaft, but rode on
towards Southampton. On the way Charles faid he would