On the morning of the 20th September, the King amassed his forces for the first time and, as a prelude to the famous proclamation, ‘military orders for discipline and good government of his army’ were read to the troops who, by that point, probably numbered about 4000 men. Charles’ declaration to his supporters was certainly a powerful address, later described by the Earl of Clarendon, in his book History of Rebellion, as ‘not fit to be forgotten’. After reminding the troops of their duty to follow his instructions for good conduct, the King made a promise to live and die with his followers, before issuing a resolution that, he declared, would make his men believe they could not fight ‘in a better quarrel’. At the centre of the King’s proclamation was a pledge to defend the Protestant religion established in the Church of England, maintain the ‘just privileges and freedom of Parliament’ and to govern by the ‘known laws of the land’ consented to him by that Parliament. It seems the grave nature of the situation was not lost on the Monarch either, when he declared that he would not expect ‘aid or relief from any man’ should he fail ‘in these particulars’.