Fighting the Scottish Covenanters
Sir Edmund Verney to his son, Ralph

York, 1 April 1639

Since Prince Henry's death I never knew so much grief as to part from you; and truly, because I saw you equally afflicted with it, my sorrow was the greater. But, Raph, we cannot live always together. It cannot be long ere by course of nature we must be severed, and if that time be prevented by accident, yet we must resolve to bear it with that patience and courage as becomes men and Christians; and so the great God of heaven send us well to meet again, either in this world or in the next....

29 April 1639

Our army is but weak; our purse is weaker; and if we fight with these forces & early in the year we shall have our throats cut; and to delay fighting long we can not for want of money to keep our Army together. I dare say there was never so raw, so unskilful and so unwilling an Army brought to fight...truly here are many brave Gentlemen that for point of honour must run such a hazard. For my own part I have lived till pain and trouble has made me weary to do so; and the worst that can come shall not be unwelcome to me; but it is a pity to see what men are like to be slaughtered here.

Last night there came certain news that Aberdeen is delivered up too, without so much as a bloody nose; so that to me it seems apparent that they have only pretended to make a party for the King there to cozen him of arms, munition, and money, to weaken us and strengthen themselves; for they were 6000 men well armed, in a reasonable defensive town, well victualled, and yet never struck one blow for it. So now all Scotland is gone. I would it were under the sea, for it will ask a great time, and cost much blood, to reduce them again.

I am infinitely afraid of the gout, for I feel cruel twinges, but I hope to starve it away, for God willing, I will drink but once a day. I pray put your mother in mind to send me those papers of powder I gave her to keep for me, for they are excellent to prevent the gout. As I came hither I was in so much hope of a peace that I bought a fine hunting nag by the way. I would I had my money in my purse again, for I fear I shall not hunt in haste again.

I have not yet seen my armour, for it is at Newcastle, but I believe there is never a long gauntlet sent with it. It will kill a man to serve in a whole cuirass. I am resolved to use nothing but back, breast, and gauntlet. If I had a pot for the head that were pistol proof, it may be I would use it, if it were light; but my whole helmet will be of no use to me at all. I pray go or send about this the next day after you receive this letter. Say nothing to your mother, it may give her causeless fears.

4 June 1639

...When my pot is done let it be quilted and lined, and sent to me, for here is no hope at all of peace, and we are like to have the worst of the war which makes the Scots insufferably proud and insolent, insomuch that every Englishman's heart is ready to break with rage against them here.

J. Bruce, ed. Verney Papers. (1853), II:210.