The first petition of Captain Francis Bowles, Jacob Astley’s Regiment, May 1660
To his Highness the Duke of Yorke
The humble petition of Francis Bowles
Sheweth
your highnes petitioner, in the begininge of the late Warrs in England, and as in dutie bound did ingage in his late Ma[jes]t[y]s seruice. and at the Batle of Egehill was shott with a Cannon Bullit beinge a Captaine under S[i]r Iacob Ashlie. and there left and stript with the dead, the next day on the veiw of the Corpes, life beinge found in him, your highnes Petic[i]oner was carried to Oxford, His {Majesty} of neuer dijnge memory comanded more the Ordinary care to be {ta}ken of him. whose comand made him afterward capable to serue in the feild, at Bristow, at Nasbie, at the Vale of Eusham was taken prisoner, his other arme broake and carried to Warricke Castle. there continued duringe the time of the Warr.
Your Highnes peticoner
hauinge noe freinds at Court, to make Knowne his suffrings prsents himselfe. as an Obiet of pittie to your Highnes and to seacond his petition. deliured to his Ma[jes]tie at the Hague. now in the hands of Secretary Nicolas. To bee M[aste]r of his Ma[jes]t[y’]s Tents. beinge now Void:: your peticoners father and Grandfather beinge Officers in the same aboue 100 years:: and as in dutie bound his aged father and himselfe, shall as euer pray for your Highnes.