Sir Herbert Price’s Regiment of Foot

Royalist regiment of foot raised in Wales and serving briefly as part of the Oxford Army then in Wales and the Marches

• October: Siege of Banbury
• November: Standoff at Turnham Green

• February: Storm of Coleford?
• March: Battle of Highnam?
• April: Besieged at Hereford (det?)

• Garrison of Brecon
• June: Storm of Cardigan?
• November: Storm of Cardigan??

• Garrison of Brecon
• November: Besieged in Brecon

Slaughter was the first Sargeant Major at surrender of Hereford 1643. Howel Gwinne is mentioned as Lt Col. disbanding the company of about 140 to 150 men on 15th April 1643, 3 miles from Hereford. Their Arms were left behind and loaded onto carts by Lord Herbert and taken into Hereford. Lord Herbert left Hereford 22nd April 1643 before Sir William Waller besieged the Town. A Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Price is listed among the prisoners in E.100.12 .

Howell Gwynne was later described as a Colonel at Tenby when it was lost to the Parliamentarians under Laugharne and Swanley.

In November 1642 received match, powder and musket shot, showing their musketeers used matchlocks.

Clothed by Capt Saunders of Brecon in 1645/6, who is said to have clothed 2000 men of Charles Gerard's forces.

Herbert Price

(From original research by BCW wiki contributor 1642)

• Colonel Herbert Price

• Lieutenant Colonel Howell Gwinne (at Hereford surrender 1643)

• Sargeant Major Turberville Morgan
• Sargeant Major Richard Price
• Sargeant Major Slaughter (at Hereford surrender 1643)

• Captain Edward Davis
• Captain William Herbert
• Captain Peter Powell
• Captain James Price
• Captain William Saunders
• Captain Thomas Vaughan
• Captain Daniel Winter

• Lieutenant Thomas Barrer
• Lieutenant John Edwards
• Lieutenant William Meredith
• Lieutenant Thomas Perry, Lt to Capt Saunders
• Lieutenant Thomas Powell
• Lieutenant Walter Powell
• Lieutenant William Prees
• Lieutenant John Roberts

• Ensign Mathew Arobrey (an apothecary) Ens to Capt Saunders
• Ensign Howell John
• Ensign David William

• Quartermaster Thomas Springett

From original research by Victor Judge aka BCW user 1642

(1) SP19.126.91

Articles exhibited against William Herbert of the Towne of Brecon

1. That the said William Herbert was Captain by Commission under the late Kings hand upon one hundred Burgesses of the Towne of Brecon.

2. That in execution of the said commission hee listed one hundred townsmen under his command did muster traine and array them.

3. That he voluntarily subscribed to advance armes and contribution for the service within the said Towne.

4. That for his knowne affection and integritie to the Kinges party, he was made Treasurer of all the Contribution money raised in the sayd County for advance of the late Kinges party.

5. That the said William Herbert did voluntarily goe out of the said garrison of Brecon with other of the townsmen to oppose the Parliament under the command of Sir William Waller to the Towne of Abergavenny, being 12 miles distant from Brecon with his horse and armes.

Witnesses Edw. Rumsey Esq, Rog. Thomas gent, Thomas Wms gent, Thomas Williams of Bueleth gent, Charles Roberts gent, Roger Thos. of Merthyer gent, Samuel Pritchard Gent, Henry Powell, John Gunter.

(2) SP.19.126.99

A charge of delinquency against William Saunders by Col. Richard Lilburne

1. That the said William Saunders had a Commission from Oxford from the late King to be Captain in the Town of Brecon being then a garrison for the said late King.

2. That by vertue of that commission he raised and listed one hundred compleate footmen and marched severall times to exercise his men in the fields and read his said commission in open field.

3. That the said William Saunders was excepted for his notorious delinquency out of the Act of Parliament of the General composition of South Wales, held forth to the lesser sort of delinquents which act beareth date 23 of February 1648.

4. That the said William Saunders voluntarily contributed horse and ammunition and other necessarys for the service of the late King and particularly gave as much cloth as cloathed 2000 foot souldiers then under the command of General Gerard and one Collonell Price in actuall armes against Parliament.

John Lilburne in the behalfe of his brother Coll. Robert Lilburne 14. May 1651.

SP19.126.100

A charge of Delinquency exhibited against William Saunders of the Towne of Brecon.

That in the yeares 1644, 1645 + 1646 when Colonel Herbert Price was Collonel under the late Kinge and Commander in chiefe of the Towne and County of Brecon for the said Kinge, the said William Saunders was Captayne and did command a Company of one hundred foote for the service of the said Kinge in the then garrison of Brecon & did exercise his men and keep guards, scouts and centries & forced the Townsmen that were listed under his command to pay moneys by way of distresse for not watchinge and attendinge their duties under him accorfinge to ye commands and direccions by him given them, and the said Capt. Saunders did leade & conduct his said men out of the said Towne for the service of the said Kinge against the Parliament & their forces, and did voluntarily contribute the vallue of 300li in cloth for clotheinge the foot Regiment of the said Colonell Price for the service of the said Kinge against the Parliament and did otherwise voluntarily ayd and assist the late Kinge and his forces against the Parliament and their forces with moneys horses armes ammunition and intelligence to ye advantage of the enemies strength & power & the weakeninge of the Parliaments interest in all South Wales, the said Towne and County beinge a very considerable part thereof for which the said William Saunders Capitall Delinquency and high actinges against the Parliament hee is exempted by name from pardon amongst other Grand and Capitall Delinquents in South Wales in the Act of the 23th February 1648 as by the same may appeare.

Forasmuch as the said William Saunders by favour of the former Committee & Commissioners hath hitherto escaped unpunished & unsequestred for his said Delinquency summons is prayed against him and liberty to examine witnesses to prove this charge.

(4) SP19.126.102

Thomas Perry of the towne of Brecknock in the County of Brecknock mercer sworne & examined on the states behalfe, deposeth and saith that the said William Saunders was a reputed Capten of foote, and that the said William Saunders exercised his men, but whether he had a Commission from the late Kinge or any other Officer then in armes under the said Kinge soe to doe, he cannot sett downe. And further saith that the said Saunders at the tyme that there was a pretended garrison in the said towne of Brecknock in the said late Kinges raigne, did use to sett some of his said souldiers to watch at the gates of the said towne and alsoe at the then gaurde.

Mathew Thomas of the towne and County of Brecknock gent sworne & examined upon the states behalfe against William Saunders of the abovesaid Towne and certifieth the present person excepted, saith & deposeth that the said William Saunders was reputed Capten of foote of the number of fiftie or sixtie souldiers and that Thomas Perry the said deponent was his Lieftenant at the time that there was here a Garrison kept in the said Towne of Brecknock in the late Kinges raigne for the Kinge, but whether he the said Mr Saunders had a Commission soe to doe from the said Kinge or any other his the said Kinges Officers then in armes he cannot sett downe & this deponents reason is because hee never sawe any Commission that the said William Saunders did then as Capten excercise his men at the Colledge Greene neere Brecknock, and that the said Mr Saunders did use then to sett his said men or souldiers to watch at the Gates of the said towne, and to keepe gaurds there.

Richard Jones of the towne and County of Brecknock weaver sworne and examined on the states behalfe against the said William Saunders deposeth and saith that the said Mr Saunders was Capten of foote in the tyme of the late Kinges raigne for the said Kinge, and that the said Thomas Perry was his then Leftenante, and that the said Capten did then exercise his said men at the Colledge Greene neare Brecknock aforesaid, and that this deponent was then one of his souldiers, and that the said Capten Saunders did use to sett his said souldiers to keepe watches at the gates of the said towne. as alsoe to keepe Mayne gards in the said towne, and saith further that the said Capten Saunders did then clothe Colonell Herbert Price of Brecknock his souldiers and that he is as yet unpaid of the said Colonell Price (for clothinge of his foote regiment) of three hundred poundes and upwards as he alledgeth, and that he the said Capten Saunders did then use to distraine upon his then souldiers for not watchinge accordinge to their turnes and caused them to paye six apeece for any defalt in that parte.

(6) SP19.126.103

Mathew Arobrey (Aubrey ?) of the Towne and County of Brecon Apothecary sworne and examined on the states behalf against the said William Saunders deposeth and saith that the said Saunders was in the tyme of the late Kinges raigne Capten of Foote within the said towne and did then use to sett the watches at the gatts of the said towne as alsoe Mayne Gards there, and that the former deponent Thomas Perry was his then Lieftenente, and that the said Capten Saunders drew his men to a place called called Peny Lan, where they were exercised by his comand and saith further that by his furtherance his Corporalls did destrayne upon any of his souldiers that did make defaulte, and did not keepe theyre due course of watch prest by the gatts and mayne garde foresaid, who kept the distresses till they were paidd of some peece of money for divers defaults and saith alsoe that he this deponent was the said Capten Saunders ensigne bearer.

(3) SP19.126.93

Articles exhibited against Daniel Winter of the Towne of Brecon gent

1. That the said Daniel Winter was by a Commission from the late Kinge Captaine of one hundred Townsmen of ye Garrison of Brecon and in execution of his said place did muster arme and array one hundred townsmen as aforesaid.

2. That he voluntarily subscribed to advance both armes and ammunition for the service within the said Garrison.

3. That the said Daniel Winter did voluntarily goe out of the said Garrison of Brecon with other of the Townsmen to oppose the Parliament party under the command of Sir William Waller to the Towne of Abergavenny being 12 miles distant from the said Garrison of Brecon with his horse and armes.

(5) WO55.423.14/15 1. November 1642 Received out of his Majesties magazine for the use of Coll. Prices Regiment

• Powder 50lb
• match 50lb
• Muskett shott 50lb

Thomas Springett Quartermaster

(7) Sir Richard Caves Defence of surrender of Hereford published in Collections Towards the History and Antiquities of the County of Herefordshire by Duncomb Actually Lt Col. to Lord Herberts Foot.

B.1143 At Brecknock ‘Col. Harbert, Price with one Jeffereys his Nephew, and Stedman and most of the Gentry of that County were in armes for the King’.

Add.Mss from the original My Ref Jess21st 014

6th July 1643

A Gratulatory ltr to ye inhabitants of ye County of Radnor

His Majesty understanding yt there was £300 of contribucion money raised by ye in habitants of ye said County for his Majesties present use,sent a ltr to ye Sheriff,ye Commissary of Array and ye rest of ye Gentrie to pay in this money unto Colonell Harbert Price,in ye interim ye Gentrie being desirous to supplie with as much speed as they could his Majestie occasions did bring upp ye monies unto his Majestie and paid two hundred and three score pounds unto Mr Ash by his Majesties appointment,and the other forth unto ye said Colonell Price.

J R Phillips Three Letters from Mr. John Vaughan, of Trawscoed, relating to affairs in Pembrokeshire, Cardiganshire, and Carmarthenshire. A. “Trawscoed,” 12th March, 1644. Snt,

The news is very sad, and of as much consequence to the King's affairs as any accident that hath happened almost since these troubles began. The shipping upon Wednesday, in the evening, appeared before Tenby, and summoned them to yield the town; which, they refusing, they continued before it until Thursday morning, and then began to storm it violently from sea with their ordnance. The same morning their land forces likewise set down before the town, and played it hotly with their cannon, continuing for the most part day and night, until Saturday, about 5 of the clock, at which time their shot forced the very gate, and no where else as I learn, and gained the town, plundering to the utmost, but gave quarter for life. There were taken prisoners of them that commanded Colonel David Gwynne, Commissary Gwyune, Captains George Lewis and Butler, the now Sheriff of Pembrokeshire. No relief came for want of horse, and the truth is that all the mis-chances happened for want of a moving reserve of strength to relieve the garrisons that should happen to be distressed, whereof there was none; the ammunition, as is reported, was very scarce in the town. It was absolutely the strongest hold in South Wales, and of greatest consequence to the King. Had it been provided for with knowing care, it was scarcely forceable; and to regain it will require a mighty strength and knowing soldiers, whereof there was little afore in my poor judgment. It sweeps with it these countries …… and powerful all the arms of Carmarthenshire, few excepted, and a few in the hands of the trained men here besides those sent into the country by Mr. Bushell, which are all fixed now, were lost. The people Bushell, working the Cardiganshire lead mines, would naturally take an interest in these parts. are disheartened by the greatness of the loss, that it will require no less a name than the Prince to new spirit them, being yet for the most part (I am confident) loyal. But additional success which threatens the vulgar with present danger for the most part governs the actions of the common sort. They would hear of no treaty at all from the Earl. What further resources they have I know not ; but am certain that the greatness of events raises men into attempts they durst not have thought of before. We are all ruined by this mischance without a timely rescue. There is universal complaint against the conduct of things here, and certainly not without cause. A seasonable and resolved cross-ing of their current would bring them to other and more temperate considerations, which cannot be done by the soldiery of these parts only. Some ammunition that came from Bristol and ventured to relieve the town, was chased by a frigate of Swanley's and hardly escaped, putting into a creek at Llanelly, and is safe. Which is upon the matter all with these counties, the arms and stores of both being used in these late unfortunate actions. What is intended must be with great secrecy and speed ; and the action is of much more difficulty than it was before. Had Tenby been saved the country had been easily commanded with horse ; but now they have all the holds, Pembroke, Tenby, and Haverford, and by this time, I believe, Carew Castle, which was garrisoned, as I hear, but with fifty men. They are numerous in ordnance of what nature they please. By the shipping all their successes were performed, by marines, who being promised the plunder, ad-ventured boldly upon attempts near the water. That country is wholly theirs, and the other two unfurnished with arms or ammunition, nor have the people will (because they want hopes) to do anything under that military conduct which brought them to these extremities. It were well if his Highness intends to redeem this mischief, that he had more particulars and sincere advertisement on every point. Yours, &c., Jo. VAUGHAN. To my worthy friend, Morgan Herbert, Esq.

(Prince Rupert is the saviour here alluded to)

The news I have since I saw you out of Pembrokeshire is, that they intend, with some speed, to advance into Carmarthen or Cardiganshire, thereby to interest themselves, as well as they may, in the country, before any of the King's forces prevent them ; nor is that consideration without probability of advantage to them. Those countries, as now they stand, being, in the general, like to yield themselves to the first danger, or to fall in with the first protection, being very impotent for resistance in themselves. If you shall think it fit to advance, as you intended, either to Cardigan or Carmarthen, or into their country, acquaint me with full direc-tions, as you will have me serve you in. Little will be effected in general here until by some appearance of strength men be more emboldened to declare themselves. You may, as I am informed, if you decline Carmarthen, march from Llanymdovery, a private way, to a place called Llanybyther, where, partly in Cardiganshire and partly in Carmarthenshire, the river dividing only, you may have tolerable quarter for a night at the houses of Jenkin Lloyd, the widow Powell, and others near together, besides the village ; and thence to Cardigan. I expect your resolution and direction with all speed by the bearer, being most entirely, Your affectionate friend and servant, Jo. VAUGHAN. Trawscoed, in Cardiganshire, April 10th, “Wednesday. For my worthy and honoured friend Colonel Herbert Price, at Brecon, and in his absence for Serjeant-Major Morgan.

I received your letter this Thursday morning by the break of day, but had yesternight dispatched one to you which you will timely receive this day. I was doubtful of your being at home, and therefore wrote not so fully. My intelligence is here that in Pembrokeshire they were much moved by the answer (Evidently Major Turberville Morgan, the Deputy-Governor of Brecknock). returned them from this county to their letter, inasmuch that it being proposed among them that they should summon us once more ; it was answered by Laugharne he would not, but with his sword in his hand. This day they have convened all the country to a muster at Colby Moor, about 13 miles from Carmarthen, whence it is imagined they will march for this or Carmarthenshire, that country within itself appears in good number as the manner is ; but the body of the country absolutely refuses any attempt abroad with them, as I am informed, so as their action must depend upon their strength, not being, as I hear, but between three or four hundred foot, and about seven score horse. Here will no great good be done until some force appears. I prepare what may be, having these some days fixed the trained band of this quarter, who are alto-gether undisciplined in the nature of a garrison, where they are diligently exercised, and will become of use signifying nothing before. I collect what volunteers I can to arm with the arms in my power as dragoons, and what horse can be prepared ; but these will come in presently upon your appearance and summons. Direct your letter to the Sheriff, that you require by the direction of the Prince the appearance of all horse and other strength of this county at the place and time you shall think fit, and I doubt not we shall be entire. I think it requisite you should hasten your march with what speed you can, and send to Major Butler that his horse remove not but with yours, that your attempt may be the entirer. It will not be amiss that you send the letter I propose you should send to the Sheriff to me, with notice of the meeting you determine to have with us, that it may be certain and prepared with some industry. I am glad Sir Hugh Owen is for conditions. He may prove of great use, but I am truly sorry that articles of such nature as your letter intimates are preferred against the Earl of Carbery, for upon my soul he was free from the least falsehood, whatever else was amiss. The command is now, I hope, happily disposed of into his Highness Prince Rupert's hands. For my much honoured friend, COLONEL HERBERT PRICE.

These letters formed part of the collection made by Bennett, Secretary to Prince Rupert. They became afterwards the property of Mr. Bentley, the publisher, and the whole collection was sold in 1852. These are from the Arch. Camb., vol. iv., N.S , p. 66.