This Day in History: 1649-03-07

A document dated 7th March 1649 by Major General Lambert was fastened to a stone and thrown over Pontefract Castle’s walls. Lambert was seeking the surrender of the castle under terms he considered reasonable and honourable. It stated: ‘ Gentlemen, Yo’r owne condicon is best knowne vnto you within. I conceive you cannot be ignorant how improbable it is you should have releife from without, which beinge seriously considered you cannot but as reasonable men judge how preiuditiall yf not destruction vnto yo’selves the wilfull and obstinate keepings of this Castle against all visible authority in the kingdome will be to the great oppression of the Country the dayly losse of Christian blood which doubtless will cry loud for Justice….upon surrender of the Castle, (some few p’sons not above sixe excepted) who have beene faithless to their former trust or guilty of other notorious and bloody crymes) I thought fit to vse those meanes to lett you know my intentions, and once more to make you an offer of faire termes which yf they shalbe by you neglected or refused you may both before god & man appears to be guiltye of yo’r owne destruction…’ Terms included: freedom to march away with their goods and possessions; not be pillaged or plundered; and ‘…That all others who shall oppose deliu’y therof shal be deliu’ed to mercy, and satisfye for all the blood which hath beene vnnecessarily spilt…’