Sir Arthur Aston, the governor, being wounded, Colonel Fielding succeeded to the command.

In a little time, the town was found to be no longer in a condition of defence; and though the king approached with an intention of obliging Essex to raise the siege, the disposition of the parliamentary army was so strong as rendered the design impracticable.

Fielding, therefore, was contented to yield the town, on condition that he should bring off all the garrison with the honors of war, and deliver up deserters.

This last article was thought so ignominious and so prejudicial to the king's interests, that the governor was tried by a council of war, and condemned to lose his life for consenting to it.

His sentence was afterwards remitted by the king.[**] * See note L, at the end of the volume.
** Rush.