e enemy had opened an artillery fire on Fort Royal； which guarded the city on the south…east side。 He therefore galloped back in hot haste to headquarters； and reconnoitred the advanced posts eastward of the city； in full front of the enemy's fire。 Meanwhile Montgomery； having exhausted his ammunition； was obliged to retreat in disorder from Powick Bridge； followed by the Cromwellians。 The king now courageously resolved to attack the enemy's camp at Perry Wood； which lay south…east of Worcester。 Accordingly he marched out with the flower of his Highland infantry and the English cavaliers； led by the Dukes of Hamilton and Buckingham。 Cromwell； seeing this； hastened to intercept the king's march； whereon a fierce battle was bravely fought on either side。 Nothing could be more valiant than the conduct of the young king； who showed himself wholly regardless of his life in the fierce struggle for his rights。 Twice was his horse shot under him； but increasing danger seemed but to animate him to greater daring。 So bravely did his army fight likewise； that the Republicans at first gave way before them。 For upwards of four hours the engagement raged with great fierceness。 Cromwell subsequently declared it was 〃as stiff a contest as he had ever seen；〃 and his experience was great。 Success seemed now to crown the Royalists； anon to favour the Roundheads。 The great crisis of the day at length arrived： the Cromwellians began to waver and give way just as the Royalist cavalry had expended their ammunition； the king had still three thousand Scotch cavalry in the rear under the command of Leslie； who had not yet been called into action。 He therefore ordered them to advance； but； to his horror； not one of these men； who had looked on as passive spectators； made a movement。 In this hour； when victory or defeat hung upon a thread the Scots ignominiously failed their king。 Charles instantly saw he was undone。 The English cavalry continued to fight bravely； in their desperation using the butt ends of their muskets； but they were gradually compelled to give way before the enemy； who； seeing their condition； had renewed the attack。 The Royalists therefore fell back into the city。 When the king re…entered Worcester he saw before him a scene of the most disastrous confusion。 Royalists and Republicans encountered and fought each other in every thoroughfare； the air was filled with the report of muskets； the imprecations of soldiers； the groans of wounded men； and the shrieks of women。 The streets ran red with blood。 At such a sight his heart sank within him； but； manning himself for fresh efforts； he called his troops together and sought to incite them with courage to make a final charge。 〃I would rather；〃 he cried out； 〃you would shoot me than keep me alive to see the sad consequences of this fatal day。〃 Those who heard him were disheartened： it was too late to retrieve their heavy losses： most of them refused to heed him； many sought safety in flight。 Then the young king's friends； gathering round； besought him to make good his escape； and accordingly； with a sad heart； he rode out of St。 Martin's Gate humbled and defeated。 In order to cover his retreat from the enemy now advancing； my Lord Cleveland； Sir James Hamilton； Colonel Careless； and some other worthy gentlemen defended Sudbury Gate； towards which the main body of the Republicans approached。 They held this position a sufficient time to gain the end for which it was undertaken。 But at length the Republicans； forcing open the gate； marched upon the fort； defended by fifteen hundred soldiers under Colonel Drummond。 This loyal man refusing to surrender； the fort was speedily stormed； and he and those of his men who survived the attack were mercilessly put to the sword。
Dr。 George Bate gives a quaint and striking picture of what followed。 〃Deplorable and sad was the countenance of the town after that；〃 writes he； 〃the victorious soldiers on the one hand killing； breaking into houses； plundering； sacking； roaring； and threatening； on the other hand； the subdued flying； turning their backs to be cut and slashed； and with outstretched hands begging quarter； some； in vain resisting； sold their lives as dear as they could； whilst the citizens to no purpose prayed； lamented； and bewailed。 All the streets are strewed with dead and mangled bodies。 Here were to be seen some that begged relief； and then again others weltering in their own gore； who desired that at once an end might be put to their lives and miseries。 The dead bodies lay unburied for the space of three days or more； which was a loathsome spectacle that increased the horror of the action。〃
Concerning his subsequent dangers and narrow escapes； the king； in his days of peace and prosperity； was wont to discourse at length； for they had left impressions on his mind which lasted through life。 Edward Hyde； Lord Clarendon； his Lord High Chancellor； Dr。 George Bate； his learned physician； and Samuel Pepys； Esquire； sometime Surveyor…General to the Victualling Office； have preserved the records of that time of peril； as told by his majesty。 True； their various stories differ in minor details； but they agree in principal facts。 The king had not ridden many miles from Worcester when he found himself surrounded by about four thousand of his army； including the Scots under the command of Leslie。 Though they would not fight for him； they were ready enough to fly with him。 At first he thought of betaking himself to Scotland； but having had sad proof of the untrustworthy character of those with whom he travelled； he feared they would further betray him if pursued by the enemy。 He therefore resolved to reach London before the news of his defeat arrived thither； and make his escape from thence； but this scheme presented many difficulties。 Amongst the persons of quality who accompanied him were my Lord Duke of Buckingham； the Earls of Derby and Lauderdale； and the Lords Wilmot and Talbot。 During their journey it fell from my Lord Derby's lips； that when he had been defeated at Wigan； one Pendrell； an honest labourer and a Papist； had sheltered him in Boscobel House； not far distant from where they then rode。 Hearing this； the king resolved to trust this same faithful fellow； and for the present seek such refuge as Pendrell could afford。 It was not easy； however； for his majesty to escape the Scots； but when night came； he and his gentlemen slipped away from the high road； which the others continued to pursue； and made for Boscobel Wood； led by Charles Giffard； a loyal gentleman and true。 The house they sought was situated between Tong Castle and Brewood； in a woody place most fitting for retreat； it was； moreover； six and twenty miles from Worcester； and stood in Shropshire； on the borders of Staffordshire。
In order to gain this haven of rest； it was necessary for them to pass through Stourbridge； where a troop of the Republican army lay quartered。 Midnight had fallen ere they reached the town； which was now wrapt in darkness； and was； moreover； perfectly still。 The king and his friends； dismounting； led their horses through the echoing streets as softly as possible； being filled the while with dire apprehensions。 Safely leaving it； they rode into the wood until they came to the old convent of Whiteladies； once the home of Cistercian nuns； who had long since been driven from their peaceful retreat。 The house was now the habitation of the Giffard family； with whom George Pendrell lived as servant。 On being aroused； he came forth with a lantern； and admitted them； when Charles Giffard made known to him in whose presence he stood； and acquainted him with their situation。 Thereupon the honest fellow promised to serve the king faithfully； and sent immediately for his brothers four： William； who took charge of Boscobel House； not far removed； Humphrey； who was miller at Whiteladies； Richard； who lived at Hobbal Grange； and John； who was a woodman； and dwelt hard by。 When they had all arrived； Lord Derby showed them the king's majesty； and besought them for God's sake； for their loyalty's sake； and as they valued all that was high and sacred； to keep him safe； and forthwith seek some place of decent shelter where he might securely lurk。 This they readily swore to compass； though they risked their lives in the attempt。
It being considered that greater safety lay in the king being unattended； his loyal friends departed from him with many prayers and hopes for a joyful reunion： all of them save my Lords Wilmot and Buckingham set out to join Leslie's company； that they might proceed together towards Scotland； but they had not marched six miles in company with the Scots when these three thousand men and more were overtaken and were routed by a single troop of the enemy's horse； and my Lord Derby； being taken； was condemned and executed。 Lords Wilmot and Buckingham set out for London； to which place it was agreed the king should follow them。
When his majesty's friends had departed； the Pendrells undertook to disguise him； towards which end one of them cut the long locks reaching his shoulders； another rubbed his hands and face with dust； and a third brought him a suit of clothes。 〃The habit of the king；〃 says Pepys； 〃