about seven in the
evening
We killed them near 300 men , as I have said , and lost about sixty of our troopers . All this time , while the king was harassing and weakening the best army he ever saw together during the whole war , the Parliament generals , or rather preachers , were recruiting theirs ; for the preachers were better than drummers to raise volunteers , zealously exhorting the London dames to part with their husbands , and the city to send some of their trained bands to join the army for the relief of Gloucester ; and now they began to advance towards us . The king hearing of the advance of Essex 's army , who by this time was come to Aylesbury , had summoned what forces he had within call , to join him ; and accordingly he received 3000 foot from Somersetshire ; and having battered the town for thirty-six hours , and made a fair breach , resolves upon an assault , if possible , to carry the town before the enemy came up . The assault was begun about seven in the evening , and the men boldly mounted the breach ; but after a very obstinate and bloody dispute , were beaten out again by the besieged with great loss . Being thus often repulsed , and the Earl of Essex 's army approaching , the king calls a council of war , and proposed to fight Essex 's army . The officers of the horse were for fighting ; and without doubt we were superior to him both in number and goodness of our horse , but the foot were not in an equal condition ; and the colonels of foot representing to the king the weakness of their regiments , and how their men had been balked and disheartened at this cursed siege , the graver counsel prevailed , and it was resolved to raise the siege , and retreat towards Bristol , till the army was recruited . Pursuant to this resolution , the 5th of September , the king , having before sent away his heavy cannon and baggage , raised the siege , and marched to Berkeley Castle .