That if he had the least Thoughts of disagreeing with the happiness of this Kingdom he would not advise with such Councellors as they were And so the upper Schools were assigned to the Lords and the Convocation House to the Commons In this Parliament besides the Prince D. of York L. Keeper Littleton Treasurer Cottington D. of Richmond and Marquess of Hartford there were 19 Earls and as many Lords and 117 Knights and Gentlemen and afterwards 5 Lords and 23 Gentlemen more came to them The first thing they fell upon was to consider of means for effecting a Peace to which end a Letter was written to the E. of Essex and subsigned by all their hands who returned no answer but sent it to the Parliament at Westminster Jan. 16. 1643. The Scots Army entred England by the way of Newcastle being 18000 Foot and 2000 Horse under Gen. Levens For assisting the Parliament in pursuance of the Solemn League and Covenant and declaring the Justness of their Cause which they profess to be Reformation of Religion Honour of the King and Peace of the Kingdoms and that the main end of their coming is to rescue the King from his pernicious Counsellors The Parliament caresse the Scots Army and impower them to assess for themselves the Twentieth part of all Malignants Estates as they called them in the North besides what other Counties were assessed for them But the E. of Newcastle is marching to give them rougher entertainment and the L. Fairfax sent his Son Sir Thomas against him Sir John Mâ—ldrum with 700 men besieged Newarks and is blockt up by Prince Rupert whereupon they parleyed and upon Articles were suffered to march away leaving their Match Bullet Powder Cannon and all other Fire-Arms behind them In the mean time Matters are preparing for Scotland by James Marquss of Montro's who had formerly sided with the Covenanters but now the King understanding he had really forsaken them gives him a Commission to be General Governor of Scotland and orders him Forces to go into the heart of that Kingdom for a diversion to the Scots In the year 1644. the Twentieth of his Majesties Reign Sir Will. Waller defeats the L. Hoptons Forces and takes Winchester and Oliver Cromwell was made Governor of Ely Beudly is surprized by Coll. Fox for the Parliament and the Garrisons of Selby and Heintough are taken by the L. Fairfax and his Son Prince Rupert raiseth the siege at Latham House The King at this time in the presence of the Peers at Oxford received the Sacrament at Christs Church at the hands of Bishop Vsher where he used these solemn Protestations My Lords I espy here many resolved Protestants who declare to the world the Resolution I do now make I have to the utmost of my power prepared my Soul to become a worthy Receiver and may I so receive comfort by the Blessed Sacrament as I do intend the establishment of the True Reformed Protestant Religion as it stood in its beauty in the happy days of Q. Elizabeth without any connivance at Popery I bless God that in the midst of these Publick Distractions I have still Liberty to communicate and may this Sacrament be my damnation if my heart do not joyn with my lips in this Protestation The Parliament at Westminster Voted it Treason for any Member or Member of either House to desert them and to go to the King and they never to be received again The King marcheth out of Oxford and iâ— followed by Essex and Waller he defeats Waller at Cropredy-Bridge and Essex is blockt up by the Kings Forces in Cornwall and July 4th the King sends several Letters to the Parliament about a Treaty of Peace Sept. 12. the Parliament at Oxford Assemble again but falling into Factions and Divisions the King in March following Dissolves them The Earl of Newcastle was besieged in York about two months to whose relief Prince Rupert advanceth Northward with a great Power of Horse and Foot upon whose approach to the City the Beseigers drew off and those within sally out upon their Rear the E. of Newcastle being thus relieved joyns with P. Rupert resolving to follow the Parliamentarians and give them battle which accordingly they did upon a Plain called Marston-Moor where about 9000 men were slain for the Royalists having near routed the Parliaments Army pursued the Chace so far that the Victory was snatcht out of their hands and the Parliament obtained an entire Victory after 3 hours Fight resolutely maintained on both sides After which York was delivered up to the Parliament and they soon became Masters of all the North and Levens the Scotch General takes Newcastle After this Battel which was the greatest both for the fierceness of it and for the number of Souldiers on both sides P. Rupert goes into Lancashire but the E. of Neweastle lately made Marquess with his two Sons and his brother Sir Charles Cavendish General King the Lord Falconbridge the Lord Widdrington the Earl of Cranworth the Bishop of London-derry Sir Edward Widdrington Coll. Carnaby Col. Basset Col. Mouson Sir William Vavasor Sir Francis Mackworth with about eighty other persons upon some discontent refused to engage any further in the Kings Cause and went over to Hamburgh New Levies are now made by the Parliament and 〈◊〉 Attempts were made by the Parliamentarians upon Dennington Castle but in vain The Queen goâ—ng from Oxford to Exeter was there delivered of a daughter June 16 1644. who was called Henrietta Maria and afterward went from thence to Pendenâ—is Castle in Cornwall where she embarqued for France and did not return again to England till His present Majesties Happy Restoration in 1660. Banbury Castle is relieved by Sir William Compton having been besieged about 11 weeks by the Parâ—iamens Forces Coll. Myn is defeated by Massy near Glocester and himself slain and about 170 Officers and Souldiers taken Prisoners Prince Rupert sending 500 Horse and Foot to fortifie Beachly in order to his going to Ashferry they are routed by Massey who soon after takes Monmouth Town Newberry seemed to be a Place destined for Martial exploits for October 27. another great Battel was fought there between the Kings party and the Parliaments under Essex Waller and Manchester wherein the Royalists were worsted and between 4 and 5000 men slain on both sides Novemb. 19. Monmouth is retaken by the Kings Forces December 23. Sir Alexander Carew was beheaded for endeavouring to deliver up the Island of Plymouth to the Kings Forces Two Principal Irish Rebels the L. Macguire and Mac-mahon had been sent from Ireland and imprisoned in the Tower from whence they made their escape but being retaken and Tryed were found guilty of High Treason and were both Drawn Hang'd and Quartered at Tyburn though Macguire pleaded his Priviledge to the Lords as a Peer of Ireland Archbishop Laud having been accused by thâ— Parliament in 1640. as the framer of the Canons 〈◊〉 Convocation and other Delinquencies and thâ— Scots joyning him and the
E. of Strafford in the Grand Accusation charging him for obtruding thâ— Common Prayer Book and Canons and Constitution Ecclesiastical upon their Nation and for advising thâ— King to dissolve the last Parliament and other suâ—â— matters upon which he was first committed to thâ— black Rod and 10 weeks after Voted Guilty of Higâ— Treason and sent to the Tower where he continueâ— 4 years his Charge was endeavouring the subversiâ—â— 1. Of the Lawes 2. Of Religion 3. Of the Priviledgâ— of Parliament And after many times attending on thâ— House Jan. 4. 1644. they passed their Ordinance oâ— Parliament That he should be drawn hang'd and quartered but upon his Petition They voted him to be beheaded which he suffered Jan. 10. after Jan. 30. a Treaty was begun at Vxbridge between the King and Parliament but took no effect Basing House was relieved by the Kings Forces against which Sir William Waller had lost above 1000 men About this time the E. of Essex was cashiered ouâ— of his Command and Sir Tho. Fairfax was Voted General of the Parliaments Forces Col. Rossiter waâ— defeated by Sir Marm. Langdale and the Kings party In April 1645. Collonel Massey defeated by Prince Rupert at Ledbury and Blechington House delivered to the Parliament In May Oxford was besieged the first time and Leicester taken by the King In June Leicester regained by the Parliament Carlisle after 41 weeks siege deliver'd by Sir T. Glenham to the Scots June 14. 1645. was fought that unfortunate Battell at Naseby which proved so fatal to the King and his Cause This fight was exceeding bloody both Armies being very couragious and numerous there not being above 500 odds On the Parliaments side â—ere slain and wounded above 1000 Officers and â—rivate Souldiers but much more was the loss on 〈◊〉 the Kings side there being taken 6 Collonels 8 â—ieutenant Collonels 18 Majors 70 Captains 8 Lieuâ—â—nants 200 Enfigns and other inferior Officers 4500 â—ommon Souldiers many Women 13 of the Kings â—oushold Servants 4 Footmen 12 pieces of Ordinance â—000 Arms 48 Barrels of Powder 200 Carriages all â—heir Bag and Baggage with store of rich Pillage â—000 Horse the Kings Standard and one of his â—oaches and his Cabinet of Letters and Papers which were afterwards published so that it proved a comâ—leat Victory to the Parliamentarians In July the Kings Forces were defeated at Langâ—ort about 200 slain and 1400 Prisoners Pomfret Castle Bridgwater Scarborough and Bath deliverâ—d to the Parliament In August Sherburn Castle taâ—en by the Parliament In Sept. Bristoll surrendred â—o them and the Kings Forces worsted at Routon Heath In October Basing-House taken by Cromwell â—nd L. Digby defeated in York-shire in Decemb. Laâ—â—am House delivered by the Kings Order and Hereâ—â—rd surpriz'd by the Parliament before which â—lace the Scots in August had lost about 1000 men â—n March L. Ashly defeated near Stow. In April 1646. Ruthen Castle Exeter St. Michaâ—ls Mount Dunster Castle and Woodstock yielded Corf Castle taken by Stratagem Sir Tho. Fairfax resolves â—o march to Oxford which put the King upon thoughts of providing for his own safety and therefore April â—3 he goes out of Oxford in Disguise with Mr. Hudâ—â—… a Minister and Mr. John Ashburnham whose Serâ—ant he personated and went to the Scots Army at Newark In May Oxford was besieged and Banbury â—nd Radnor surrendred to the Parliament In June Litchfield Worcester Wallingford Castle Borstall Oxford and Farringdon and yielded to the Parliament In July Gothridge and Pendennis the like and Conway taken by Storm In August Ragland surrendred by the Marquess of Worcester In September Scilly Island and Castle taken Denbigh Castle also yielded In Novemb Gen. Fairfax marched Triumphantly into London In February the Scotch Army having first sold the King for two hundred thousand Pound marched into Scotland and the King was sent Prisoner to Holmby by the Parliament The King being now in the power of his Enemies they remove him from place to place and at length into the Isle of Wight under the Guard of Coll. Hâ—â—mond and afterwards a Treaty of Peace was there begun wherein things were so managed that his Majesties Concessions were Voted satisfactory After which the Army and some part of the Parliament driving on an Interest contrary to Peace turned all such Members out of the House of Commons as they thought would not comply with their Designs and then conveyed the King to Windsor During which time there happened several Bickerings and Ingagements between the Royalists and the Parliamentarians the Royal Party being in all places defeated especially at Maidstone Pontefract Bow Stratford Kingston and Preston where the Scotch Army received a very great Overthrow losing abundance of men And lastly at Colchester where those two gallant Gentlemen Sir Ch. Lucas and Sir George Lisle were shot to death after quarter given contrary to the Law of Arms. After this the Officers of the Army and those Members then left in the House proceeded to that height as to presume to bring the King to Tryal which because it was an unparallel'd Action it may be necestary to give a more particular Account thereof The King goes from Oxford in disguise 1646 The Illegall Tryall of King Charles the 〈◊〉 The Martyrdom of King Charles 1648 Upon the fourth of January 1648. the House of Commons being turned into a Grand Committee passed these following Votes 1. That the People under God are the Original of all just Power 2. That the Commons of England Assembled in Parliament being chosen by and representing the People have the Supream Authority of the Nation 3. That whatsoever is Enacted and Declared for Law by the Commons of England Assembled in Parliament hath the force of a Law 4. That all the People of the Nation are included thereby although the consent and concurrence of the House of Peers be not had thereunto 5. That to raise Arms against the Peoples Representative or Parliament and to make War upon them is High Treason 6. That the King himself took Arms against the Parliament and upon that account is guilty of the Blood-shed throughout the Civil War and that he ought to explate the Crime with his own Blood After this they proceeded to make a pretended Act for the Tryal of the King which they â—ntituled An Act of the Commons of England Assemâ—led in Parliament for erecting of an High Court of â—ustice for the Trying and Judging of CHARLES STUART King of England which was in the â—orm following WHereas it is notorious That Charles Stuart the now King of England not content with those many incroachments which his Predecessors had made upon the People in their Rights and Freedoms hath had a wicked design totally to subvert the ancient and fundamental Laws and Liberty of the Nation And in their place to introduce an Arbitrary and Tyrannical Government with fire and sword levyed and maintained a cruel War in the Land against the Parliament and Kingdom Whereby the Countrey hath been miserably wasted
much the more acceptable especially since his Majesty required but the Sum which few men would deny a Friend and has a mind resolved to expose all his Earthly Fortune for Preservation of the General The Sum which His Majesty requires by these presents is which His Majesty promiseth in the Name of himself his Heirs and Successors to repay to them or their Assigns within Eighteen Months after the payment thereof to the Collector The Person whom his Majesty hath appointed is to whose hands his Majesty doth require them to send it within Twelve days after they have received this Privy Seal which together with the Collectors Acquittance shall be sufficient Warrant to the Officers of Receipt for their payment thereof at the time limited And the Collectors of the Loan were ordered to pay the Sums received into the Exchequer and to return the Names of such as went about to delay or excuse the Payment of the Sums required And now about the beginning of October the Fleet set to Sea the Lord Cecill second Son to the Earl of Exeter commanding the Land Forces and the Earl of Essex being Vice Admiral at Sea but they were surprized by so violent a Storm that the greatest part of the Navy which in all made up Fourscore Ships some being Dutch were dissipated and scattered for seven days together and an excellent Ship with an 170 Passengers in her were all cast away and lost the Design was to have furprized Cadiz in Spain to burn the Ships in the Harbour and to have taken the Spanish Plate Fleet which was daily expected from the Indies but by reason of the Plague amongst them and some other miscarriages of the Commanders the business was wholly disappointed and the Fleet returned home but four days before the Plate Fleet came Upon the Second of February was the Coronation at which the King did not pass through the City in State from the Tower as was usual but went by Water from Whitehall to Westminster for fear of the danger of a Concourse of People the Pestilence which raged the year before not being quite ceased The Bishop of Lincoln as Dean of Westminster should have performed the chief part of the Ceremony but being under displeasure Dr. Laud then Bishop of St. Davids supplied his place Divers considerable Forces had been raised both for Sea and Land for the better Discipline of whom 150 old Souldiers were sent for from the Netherlands by whose Industry they were brought into some good order against the meeting of the next Parliament which was summoned to sit Feb. 6. And being met accordingly the House of Commons chose Sir Henage Finch for their Speaker The first business they insisted upon was the rendring thanks to the King for his gracious Answer to their late Petition concerning Religion then they debated of the Publick Grievances viz. The miscarrying of the Fleet at Cadiz the evil Councellors about the King misimploying the Kings Revenue an Account of the Subsidies and three Fifteens granted in the 21 Year of King James And in the Committee of Grievances these four particulars were insisted on 1. The state of the King in the constant Revenue of the Crown and how much it had been diminished by Gifts of Lands Grants of Pensions Fruitless Embassies the Privy Purse and other ways 2. The Condition of the Subject in his Freedom about laying new impositions multiplying Monopolies Leuying of Customs without Act of Parliament and wasting the Treasure 3. The Cause of the Nations good success in former times whereby it was feared Victorious and Renowned abroad which they judged was occasioned by the Wisdom and Gravity of Counsel who ordered nothing but by publick Debate whereby there arose a readiness in the People to Assist their Soveraign in Purse and Person 4. The present Condition of the Kingdom wherein was represented the loss of its wonted Reputation through the ill success at Algier in the Palatinate in Count Manfields Expedition and at Cadiz and this was imputed to the want of such Counsels as were formerly used since for fear of not succeeding men were now afraid of venturing either there Persons or Purses There was likewise a Committe concerning Religion and the growth of Popery wherein Mr. Richard Montagues two Books before mentioned were again questioned and Articles drawn up against him charging him with several Passages for encouraging Popery and drawing his Majesties Subjects from the true Religion Established into Error and Superstition with other passages dishonourable to the late King and full of injurious and railing Language against other Persons as likewise that he endeavoured to raise Factions in the Kingdom by casting the scandalous Name of Puritan upon such of his Majesties Subjects as conformed themselves to the Doctrine of the Church of England upon which the House of Commons ordered that he should be brought to Exemplary Punishment and to have his Books burnt nor do we find that he ever made any Defence or Answer to those Articles that were brought against him It is affirmed that a while before the sitting of the Parliament Dr. Laud understanding from the D. of Buckingham that the King intended to leave Mr. Montague to a Tryal was heard to utter these words Iseem to see a Cloud arising and threatning the Church of England God in his Mercy dissipate it After this the Commons questioned several persons who were of the Council of War upon the Affairs of the Palatinate concerning the management of that business complaint was likewise made in the House of the Scotch and Irish Nobility for claiming precedency of the Peers of England of which redress was promised but a while after the Lord Martrevers Eldest Son and Heir to the Earl of Arundel Married the Daughter of the late Duke of Lenox contrary to the Kings Mind who intended her for the Lord Lorn Son and Heir of the Earl of Argile whereupon the Earl of Arundel was committed to the Tower which upon the Peers Petitioned to the King alledging That no Peer sitting in the Parliament is to be imprisoned without Order from the House of Lords unless for Felony Treason or denying to give security for the Peace Upon this there arose a Dispute which lasted for the space of two Months and then the Earl was set at Liberty In which time the House of Commons were very busie in searching the Signet Office for the Original of a Letter under the Signet written to the Mayor of York for reprieving divers Jesuites Priests and other Popish Recusants This was reported by Mr. Pim Chairman to the Committee for Religion but their proceedings therein were interrupted by a Meffage from the King sent by Sr. Richard Weston Chancellor of the Exchequer demanding a supply for the English and Irish Forces This was so highly resented that Mr. Clement Cook one of the Members openly Protested That it was better to die by a Forreign Enemy than to be destroyed at home And Dr. Turner another of the House seconded him with
and for the first offence in refusing to forfeit all their Goods for the second their Estates and for the third their Lives And besides this they presented them with the hopes of Liberty That the English Yoke should be stricken off That they should have a King of their own Nation and that then all the Goods and Estates of the English should be divided amongst them With these Motives of Spoil and Liberty which were strengthned by the former of Religion the Rebellion increased The Rebels in Ulster commanded by Sir Phelim O Neal assisted by his Brother the Brother of the Lord Mac Guire Philip O Reley and several others had possessed most of the strong places in that Province and many other which they could not take by force nor treachery were delivered to them by the English upon Articles which they afterwards like true or rather false Papists most perfidiously broke Butchering and Massacring the poor English without pity or compassion to Age or Sex though they still spared the Scotch Plantations in Ulster because of their Numbers and likewise for fear of the Scotch Army so easily to be transported to the North parts of Ireland But now their General Sir Phelim O Neal one of the Race of the late Bloody Earl of Tyrone a pretended Protestant till some time before having got together a vast number of the Natives fell upon them and destroyed their Houses and Goods and though they did not exercise that Cruelty on their Bodies yet they stript them and drove them Naked to the Scotish Shore from thence he marched into other parts and took Dundalk incamping at Arde near Tredagh The King finding his stay to be longer than he thought left the whole business of Ireland to the Parliament who declared a speedy and vigorous Assistance and Voted Fifty thousand Pound for a present Supply By which time the Lords of the Council of Ireland had Armed as many as were able and given Commissions for raising several Regiments of whom the Earl of Ormond was made Lieutenant General and a Regiment was sent from England under Sir Simon Harcourt about which time the King returned out of Scotland and was Entertained and Feasted at London and from thence Conducted to White-Hall after which the King Treated several Chief Citizens at Hampton Court where divers of the Aldermen had the honour of Knighthood December 2. The King Summons both Houses together and tells them That he had staid in Scotland longer than he expected yet not fruitlesly for he had given full satisfaction to that Nation but cannot chuse but take notice of and wonder at the unexpected Distractions he finds at home and then commends to them the State of Ireland next he publishes a Proclamation for Obedience to the Laws in force concerning Religion and the performance of Divine Service without Innovation or Abolishing of Rites and Ceremonies January 20 His Majesty makes another Speech to them and Conjures them by all that is dear to him or them to hasten the business of Ireland After which the Commons ordered a Select Committee to draw up a Petition and Remonstrance to the King the Petition was thus Most Gracious Soveraign your Majesties most humble and faithful Subjects the Commons in this present Parliament Assembled do with joy acknowledge the Favour of God in your safe return into England where the dangers and distempers of the State have caused them to desire your Presence and Authority to your Parliament for preventing of imminent Ruin and Destruction to your Kingdoms of England and Scotland fomented by a malignant party for alteration of Religion and Government the increase of Popery by the Practice of Jesuites and other Engineers and Factors of Rome corrupting the Bishops and Privy Council they being the cause of the late Scottish War and the Irish Rebellion Now for prevention they pray That your Majesty would concur with your Parliament to deprive the Bishops of their Votes To take away Oppression in Religion Church Government and Discipline To purge your Councils of such as are promoters of these Corruptions and not alienate any Escheated Lands in Ireland by reason of the Rebellion and these being granted we will make you happy This was followed by a large Remonstrance containing all the Miscarriages and Misfortunes which they termed Pressures since the beginning of his Majesties Reign As 1. The root and ground of these dangers 2. Their Maturity and Ripeness 3. The effectual means used for their Extirpation and the progress therein made 4. Thâ— Obstructions and Oppositions interrupting 5. Thâ— best means for removing these Obstacles and foâ— accomplishing the Parliaments good Intentions for restoring this Nation to its Ancient Renown The Actors and Promoters of these Evils werâ— described to be 1. The Jesuited Papists 2. Thâ— Bishops and corrupted Clergy 3. Interesteâ— Counsellors and Courtiers The root of the miâ—chief was the Malignant Party whose Practiceâ— were branched into four particulars 1. To foment differences and discontents between thâ— King and People about Prerogative and Priviledge for their own Advantages 2. To suppress thâ— purity and power of Religion 3. To Unite and Conjoyn Papists Arminians and Libertines and out of them all to compose a Body sufficient to carry on their Designs And 4. To disaffect the King to the Parliament by Slanders and by putting him upon other ways of Supply than by Parliament and that the Intentions of these Malignants were to subvert the Fundamental Laws and Principles of Government They then charge this Malignant Party more particularly as chiefly occasioning the Dissolution of three several Parliaments without Relief of Grievances The Imprisoning and Fining several of the Members raising great Sums of Money by Loan Privy Seals and Excise and blasting The Petition of Right The succesless Attempts upon France and Spain and Peace made with the Spaniard without consent of Parliament The loss of Rochel occasioned by lending part of our Fleet to the French King deserting the cause of the Palatinate charging the Kingdom with Billeting Souldiers and the Design of bringing in German Horse to inslave this Nation to Arbitrary Contributions Lastly they reflect upon Scandalous Declarations published against the Parliament upon Injustice Oppression Violence Illegal Inlargements of Forrests Coat and Conduct Money Corrupt Councils and Designs Projects Monopolies Illegal Proceedings in Courts of Judicature and Council Table charging the Bishops likewise with many Enormities particularly for contributing to raise an Army for constraining the Scots to conform to their Superstitious Ceremonies concluding with what they have done for the Reformation of these Abuses To their Petition the King returned this Answer That he knows not any Wicked or Malignant Persons whom he doth either countenance or imploy That he would concur with his People in a Parliamentary way against all Popish Designs but would not consent to deprive the Bishops of their Votes in Parliament That he judged the power of the Clergy sufficiently moderated by taking away the High Commission Court and
Committee of the Lords and Commons to reside there for the better securing the Garrison to them and gave the Governor power to raise the Trained Bands for his defence after which the King hearing that the Parliament had raised a Guard of themselves without his consent and reflecting upon the business of Hotham he summoned the Gentry of Yorkshire to a Meeting and acquainted them That his Magazine at Hull was going to be taken from him against his will the Militia against the Law and his consent put in execution and Sir John Hothams Treason countenanced so that he was resolved to have a Guard to secure his person in which he desired their assistance that he might be able to protect them the Laws and the true Protestant Religion from violation or injury The King had hereby indifferently strengthened himself and more had come in had not those Members of Parliament who came to the King at York prevailed with some of the Free-holders to protest against it And the Parliament declare That the Subjects unless bound to it by special Service could not be commanded to attend the King at his pleasure without transgressing against the Laws and Liberties of the Kingdom And that whosoever upon pretence of his Majesties Command shall take up Arms in a warlike manner shall be esteemed disturbers of the peace and to be proceeded against accordingly In the mean while Sir Thomas Gardiner who had been Recorder of London for six years being Impeached by the Parliament and in danger of hanging was glad to shift for himself and by flight escaped to the King at which time his Majesty endeavoured to have removed the Term from London to York but was much opposed therein by the Parliament who Voted it Illegal and forbid the L. Keeper to issue out Writs or Seal any Proclamation to that purpose The Parliament now proceed to put the people into a Military posture requiring all Persons in Authority to put the late Ordinance of the Militia in Execution which the King by his Proclamation forbids but for the Peoples satisfaction the Parliament publish'd a severe Declaration to the same Effect as their former Remonstrance only this was added That the King at his being in Scotland had countenanced the Irish in their Rebellious Designs and that his connivance was manifested by his tedious with-holding the Proclamation whereby they were declared Traytors till Jan. 2. being almost a Quarter of a Year after the breaking out of the Rebellion and then had appointed but forty Copies to be printed none of them to be published without his pleasure signified whereas his Proclamations against the Scots had been dispersed throughout all the Kingdom with publick Prayers and Execrations The King makes a speedy Answer hereunto not much differing from what he had said before yet tells them That as to the business of the Irish his Council in Ireland had desired them no sooner nor so many Copies by twenty as he had Signed and and sent them His Majesty had written a Letter to his Privy Council of Scotland to take away from them all suspicion of those Imputations so frequently laid to his Charge of being Popishly affected to be guilty of the bloodshed in Ireland and to bring in Forreign Forces Wherewith they seemed so satisfied that they returned a most respectful Answer and presently interposed their Mediation to heal the Breach before it grew wider humbly desiring the King to hearken to his Parliament as his greatest his best and most unparallel'd Council and discouraging him from any personal Journey into Ireland This Message was sent by the Earl of Lowden Chancellor of Scotland and after this the Scots Petition to the Kings Privy Council there Not to meddle with any verbal or real Engagement for the King against the Parliament Hereupon the English Parliament publish a Protestation wherein they vindicate their own proceedings and declare the great sense they had of the Affection of their Scotish Brethren manifested unto them in so many particulars and more especially the mentioned Petition The Earl of Bristol an Old Experienced Statesman prudently foresaw that such unhappy beginings must necessarily have a very bad Issue therefore earnestly endeavoured an Accommodation by stating the Case in the House of Lords representing the Offers of the King on the one side and the Professions of the Parliament on the other and likewise the dreadful Effects of a Civil War then likely to ensue by the Example of the woful Desolations in Germany and the expensive Troubles in Scotland and then proposes some methods for preventing these dangers as 1. That a select Committee of Parliament should truly state the matters in difference with the most probable ways of reconciling them 2. To consider particularly what may be expected either in point of supporting the King or releiving his People And lastly how the Conditions agreed upon may be secured And to shew the necessity of this course he discovers the deplorable State of Ireland the debts and necessities of the Crown the distractions which were likely to produce confusion of Religion most dangerous and destructive to a State besides the general Distraction of the Subjects who between Commands and Countermands knew not whom to obey This was admitted as good and solid Reason but Divine Justice would not so permit the Sins of the English Nation to go unpunished and the L. Bristols Speech though well received yet proved ineffectual In the mean time the Kings Guard increases at York which the House Voted a preparation for War against the Parliament a Breach of the Trust reposed in him by his People and that all such as serve him there are Traitors to the Laws of the Kingdom as the 11 Rich. 2. and the 1 Hen. 3. This was followed by another Declaration or Remonstrance of the misactions of the King and their own Priviledges which the King answers and they again reply to and May 28. the Parliament ordain That all Sheriffs Justices c. make stay of all Arms and Ammunition going to the King at York the King on the other side forbids all Persons belonging to the Trained Bands or Militia of the Kingdom to obey any Order or Ordinance of any of the Houses divers Members of both Houses withdrew themselves to the King as being unsatisfied with their proceedings whereupon the Parliament Ordered That all such as did not make their Personal Appearance by June 16 ensuing should be fined an 100 pounds toward the Irish Wars such only excepted as were imployed by the Parliament They likewise understood that the Queen had pawned the Crown Jewels in Holland for Money to be transported to the King which to prevent him of they order That whoever hath or shall pay lend send or bring any Money in Specie into this Kingdom for or upon those Jewels or accept of any Bill hereafter shall be an Enemy to the State June 2. The Parliament sent to the King Nineteen Proposition 1. That all the Kings Privy
Council great Officers and Ministers of State may be put out except such as the Parliament shall approve and that an Oath be tendered them 2. That all Affairs of State be managed by the Parliament except such matters as are transferr'd by them to the Privy Council and to be concluded by the major part of the Nobility under their hands the full number not to exceed twenty five nor to be under Fifteen If any place shall fall Void in the interval of Parliament then that the major part of the Council chuse one to be confirmed at the next Session of Parliament 3. That all great Officers of the Kingdom shall be chosen with Approbation of Parliament 4. That the Government and Education of the Kings Children be by appointment of Parliament 5. That their Marriages be treated and concluded by Parliament 6. That the Laws against Papists Priests and others be executed without Toleration or Dispensation except by Parliament 7. That no Popish Lord or Peer have Vote in Parliament and their Children be educated in the Protestant Faith 8. That Church Government be reformed as the Parliament shall advise 9. That the Militia be settled as the Parliament have ordered and that the King recall all his Declarations published against their Ordinances therein 10. That all Privy Councellors and Judges take an Oath for the maintenance of The Petition of Right and other Statutes which shall be made this Parliament 11. That all Officers placed by Parliament hold their places Quam diu bene segesserint as long as they shall act justly 12. That all Members of Parliament put out during this time be restored again 13. That the Justice of Parliament pass upon all Delinquents and that they appear or abide their censure 14. That the general Pardon pass with Exceptions as the Parliament shall advise 15. That all Forts and Castles of this Kingdom be disposed of by Parliament 16. That the King discharge all his Guards and Forces now in being and not raise any other but in case of actual Rebellion 17. That the King enter into strict Alliance with all Protestant Kingdoms and States for their Assistance to recover the Rights of his Sister and her Princely Issue to those Dignities and Dominions which belong to them 18. That the Lord Kimbolton and the Five Members be cleared by Act of Parliament 19. That no Peer hereafter to be made shall sit in Parliament without their consent These propositions were rejected by the King as inconsistent with his Regality so that now Men began to dispair of any good issue for both sides make preparations for War The King sending out his Commissions of Array and the Parliament published an Order June 10. for bringing in money or plate to maintain the Horse Horse-men and Arms for the publick peace and defence of the King and both Houses of Parliament and declared the Kings Commission to be against the Law Liberty and property of the Subject and the Actors therein to be disturbers of the peace and Betrayers of the Subjects Liberty At this time the Lord keeper Littleton having delivered the Great Seal to one Eliot whom the King sent for it durst not stay behind for fear of being questioned but went to the King to York as many of the Peers did likewise whom the King summoning together as also his Privy Council he declares and protests to them That he would not Usurp any Illegal Authority over them but is ready to maintain them against all others that would And that he would defend them from all Votes and Orders of Parliament together with the true Protestant Religion the lawful Liberty of the Subject and the just Priviledges of the Three Estates of Parliament nor will he Engage them in any War but what shall be for the necessary defence of his and their rights Whereupon they all ingaged to him their Duty and Allegiance in a most Solemn-Protestation After which the King sent Letters to Sir Rich. Gurney L. Mayor and the Aldermen and Sheriffs of London forbidding them upon peril of having their Charter questioned to levy Arms or raise Money upon pretence of a Guard to the Parliament or any other Account except only the relief of Ireland or the payment of the Scotch Subjects At this time the King publisheth a General Declaration wherein he descants upon all the Parliaments Declarations for the last 7 Months but especially the last professing that hence forward he expects they should break out into disloyal Actions declaims against their making the defence of the King to be the pretence for their raising Forces protests his own constant Resolution for the preserving of Peace Religion the Laws and Subjects Liberties and expects all his Subjects to assist him against the Traiterous Attempts of such Men as would destroy his Person Honour and Estate and bring on a Civil War engaging that whosoever shall bring to him Money Ammunition Horse or Arms shall receive Eight Pound per Cent. Consideration and have good Assurance of both Principal and Interest upon his Forrest Lands Parks and Houses After this the King by Proclamation forbids all Levies of Forces and all Contributions to such Levies without his express pleasure grounding it upon several Statutes as 7 Edw. 1. 2 Edw. 3. And then minds them of their Oath of Allegiance by which they were bound to be Faithful not to the King only as King but to his Person as King Charles contrary to the Parliaments distinction betwixt his Person and his Authority his Person at York and his Authority in Parliament and concludes with justifying his Commission of Array which were now Issued out in several Counties in England and Wales to this the Parliament reply and the King again to them which was followed by several Messages to and fro all which rather exasperated than allayed the difference and now began England to be divided as Italy once was into Guelphes and Gibbellines so they into Rovallists and Presbyterians or Cavaleers and Roundheads After this the King makes a Progress from York into the Counties of Nottingham and Lincoln and Summons the Gentlemen and Freeholders to Newark he Caresses them with the most obliging expressions imaginable And July 11 1642 His Majesty sends a Message to the Parliament to Certifie them of his Intentions to reduce Hull by force if not forthwith delivered to him which if they should do he would then admit of their future Addresses and return such Propositions as might best conduce to prevent the approaching War together with this Message he sent them likewise a Copy of the Proclamation which he had publish'd against Sir J. Hotham wherein he complains of the Affront done to his Person by Sir J. and of the Parl. justifying that Action by their Votes and Orders That Hotham having fortified the Town and drown'd the Countrey had also set out a Pinnace at Sea which had intercepted his Pacquet Boat with the Queens Letters and that the E. of Warwick contrary to the Kings Command
had taken upon him the Command of the Fleet for which Reasons the King was resolv'd to punish Hotham Indeed the E. of W. had been by the Parl. commended to the King as the fittest man for Admiral the E. of N. being then sick but he was rejected by the King who conferr'd that place upon Sir John Pennington Yet afterwards the Parl. conceiving it necessary to get the Fleet into their hands they found means notwithstanding the Oppositions of Sir J. Pennington and his Adherents to make the E. of W. Admiral after which a Ship laden with Arms and Ammunition from Holland for the King being ignorant of the matter fell in among the Fleet and was by the E. of W. sent to the Parliament The Parliament now thought fit to Arm and therefore resolve that an Army shall be raised for Defence as they term it of King and Parliament and the Earl of Essex to be Capt. General and the E. of Bedford to command the Horse the E. of Holland Sir John Holland and Sir Will. Stapleton were ordered to carry a Petition to the King then at Beverly the effect whereof was To pray him to disband all his Forces to recal his Commissions of Array dismiss his Guard and return to the Parliament All which the King refused The Parliament next consider of raising Money and so declare for Loan upon the Publick Faith to promote which the endeavours of the Ministers were very serviceable whereby in a short time a very considerable quantity of Money Plate and Ammunition were brought in The King was likewise furnished with Money from the Queen upon the pawned Jewels and some Contributions from divers Lords and Gentlemen and the University of Oxford The King goes from Beverly to Leicester and there Proclaims the Earl of Stamford Traitor for removing the County Magazine from the Town to his own House at Bradgate Aug. 1. the King comes back to Yorkshire and raises a Regiment under the E. of Cumberland which he called Prince Charles his Regiment The Parliament on the other side declare the Commissioners of Array to be Traitors and disturbers of the State and Peace of the Kingdom and Lievtenants of â—everal Counties were constituted by Parliament The King likewise deals with their Commanders as â—hey did with his and Proclaimed General Essex with all his Collonels and Officers who should not â—nstantly lay down their Arms to be Rebels and Traiâ—ors and the Marquess of Hartford and his Forces â—â—re ordered to march against him The King then â—ummons in the Countrey on the North side of Trent â—nd 20 miles Southward and publisheth his Grand Declaration concerning all transactions between himself and the Parliament August 22. 1642. The King comes to Nottingham â—nd there erects his Standard to which some numbers resorted but far short of what was expected And three days after the King sends a Message to the Parliament to propose a Treaty the Messengers were â—he Earls of Southampton and Dorset Sir John Culpeper Chancellor of the Exchequer and Sir William Vdall none of which were suffered to sit in the House to deliver their Errand therefore it was sent in by the Usher of the Black Rod to which the Parliament Answered That untill His Majesty shall recall his Proclamations and Declarations of Treason against the E. of Essex and them and their Adherents And unless the Kings Standard set up in pursuance thereof be taken down they cannot by the fundamental Priviledges of Parliament give his Majesty another answer The King replyes that he never intended to declare the Parliament Traitors or set up his Standard against them but if they resolve to Treat either Party shall revoke their Declarations against all Persons as Traitors and the same day to take down his Standard To this they answer That the Differences could noâ— any ways be concluded unless he would forsake hiâ— evil Councellors and return to his Parliament And accordingly Sept. 6. they Order and Declare thaâ— the Arms which they have or shall take up for thâ— Parliament Religion Laws and Liberties of the Kingdom shall not be laid down untill the King withdraw his Protection from such persons as are or shall be Voted Delinquents and shall leave them to Justice that so their Estates may discharge the Debts and Loan Moneys of the Common-wealth The War being now begun the new raised Souldiers committed many Outrages upon the Countrey People which both King and Parliament upon Complaint endeavoured to rectifie The King himself was now Generalissimo over his own his Captain General was first the Marquess of Hartford and afterward the E. of Lindsey and the E. of Essex for the Parliamentarians The Kings Forces received the first repulse at Hull by Sir John Hotham and Sir John Meldrum and the King takes up his Quarters at Shrewsbury Portsmouth was next surrendred to the Parliament and presently after Sir John Byron takes Worcester for the King In September the two Prince Palatines Rupert and Maurice arrived in England who were presently entertained and put into Command by the King who having now got together a potent Army he made a solemn Protestation to them of his candid Intentions and sincere meaning to defend the Protestant Religion the Laws and Liberties of the Subject and Priviledges of Parliament according to the former protestation at York Sept. 9. the Earl of Essex in great State attended on by the Parliament set forth out of London toward St. Albans and from thence to Northampton where all his Forces met amounting to near fourteen thousand men having with him the Parliaments Petition which he was to present to the King the effect of which was That his Loyall Subjects the Lords and Commons in Parliament cannot without tenderness of Compassion behold the pressing Calamities of England and Ireland by the Practices of a prevailing Party with his Majesty to alter true Religion and the Ancient Government of this Kingdom introducing Superstition into the Churches and Confusion in the State Exciting encouraging and fostering the Rebellion in Ireland and as there so here begin the like Massacres by drawing on a War against the Parliament leading his Person against them as if by Conquest to establish an unlimited Power over the People seeking to bring over the Rebels of Ireland to joyn with them And all these evil Councellors are Defended and protected against the Justice of the Parliament who have for their just Defence of Religion the Kings Crown and Dignity the Laws Liberties and Power of Parliaments taken up Arms and Authorized the E. of Essex to be their Captain General against these Rebels and Traytors And pray the King to withdraw his Person and leave them to be supprest by his Power and to return to his Parliament and that they will receive him with Honour and yeild him Obedience secure his Person and establish him and his People with all the Blessings of a Glorious and Happy Reign This Petition was never delivered though Essex sent twice to the King for
was not admitted in whereupon the King with his Guard of Pensioners were resolved to force their Entrance which the Commons having notice of they suddenly went all out of the House and this was the end of this Parliament After their Dissolution the King publisheth a Declaration of the Causes thereof and then question'd Eleven of the Refractory Members at the Council Table who were all committed to divers Prisons About the same time the Marquis of Huntley Sheriff of the greatest part of Scotland neglecting the Order of the Council for seizing some Priests and Jesuites who publickly said Mass and committed other Insolences at Aberdeen with several other Lords who joyned with him and refused to appear upon Summons and had likewise given notice to the Priests and Jesuites to escape were proclaimed Rebels and Traitors to the King and Kingdom upon which they fled into England The French King having had much loss by the War with England did now therefore propose and conclude a Peace with the King consisting of several Articles A Paper was about this time dispersed abroad containing some Projects how the King might Augment his Revenues without the help of Parliaments upon which the Earls of Bedford Somerset and Clare with others where committed upon Information that they had dispersed some Copies of them but Sir David Fowls soon cleared them who deposed upon Oath that it was contrived near Sixteen years before by Sir Robert-Dudley Son to the Earl of Leicester when he was in Italy The dissolving the last Parliament procured great Animosities in the People against the Prime Ministers of State which occasioned divers Invective Libels to be dispersed abroad whereof one against Bishop Laud was found in the Dean of St. Pauls Yard to this Effect Laud look to thy self be assured thy life is sought as thou art the Fountain of Wickedness repent of thy monstrous sin before thou be taken out of the World and assure thy self Neither God nor the World can endure such a vile Councellor or Whisperer Another very bitter Libel was scattered against the Lord Treasurer Weston On the other side some considering the unsuccesfulness of this and the two former Parliaments advised never for the future to call any more Parliaments and to that end the forementioned Book of Projects was published and addrest to the King proposing some methods to prevent the Impertinency of Parliaments as he called them for time to come by the Example of Lewes 11th of France who pretended that the Commons or Third Estate did incroach too much upon the Nobility and Clergy dissolved it and never after suffered the People freely to Elect their Representatives but nominated certain Eminent Persons himself instead thereof which is called L' Assembly des Notabiles or the Assembly of Chief or Principal Men and the Methods proposed to avoid Parliaments were 1. To have a Fortress in every considerable Town 2. To cause high-ways to be made through all such Towns 3. To make none of the Inhabitants Governors of those Fortresses 4. To let none pass through those Towns without a Ticket 5. To have the Names of all Lodgers taken by Innkeepers 6. To impose a general Oath upon the Subjects not to oppose any of these Contrivances And to increase the Kings Revenue the Advice was 1. To demand the Tenth part of every Mans Estate 2. To buy all Leases upon the Crown Lands 3. To take the benefit of Salt into his own hands 4. To demand a Rate for Sealing the Weights every year 5. To lay a Taxe upon Wools. 6. Upon every Lawyers Fee 7. Upon Inns and Victualling Houses for a Licence 8. Upon all Cattle Flesh and Horses sold in the Market 9. Upon all Lands Alienated 10. To set a Rate upon all Offices in his Majesties Grant 11. To Reduce his Majesties Houshold to board wages 12. To lay a Taxe upon White Meats on fasting days 13. To lay an Imposition upon the Papists Lands 14. To Advance some Hundreds of Persons to Honours 15. To prohibit excess in Apparel which would save the Gentry more Money then what they were Taxed would amount to The Insurection of the Apprentices at Lambeth The E of Strafford beheaded on Towerhill Cheapside Cross pulled down in 1643. Upon May 29. 1630 the Queen was delivered of a Son at St. James's who was Christened Charles and Preserved by Providence to Succeed his Father in these Three Kingdoms as his Rightful Inheritance after the Miseries of a long and tedious Exile from his Native Countrey unto which he was at length happily Restored with the general Consent and Acclamations of the whole Kingdom The King of France and the Prince Elector Yalatine represented by the Duke of Lenox and the Marquis Hamilton were his Godfathers and the Queen Mother of France represented by the Dutchess of Richmond his Godmother It was observed that at his Nativity a Star was seen at Noon-day which might portend some extraordinary Passages of this Princes Life About this time Dr. Leighton was sentenced in the Star Chamber to have his Body Whipt his Fore-head Stigmatized his Ears Cropt his Nose Slit for publishing a Book called Sions Plea wherein he exhorted the late Parliament to smite the Bishops under the Fifth Rib and called the Queen the Daughter of Heth a Canaanite and Idolatress which Sentence was accordingly inflicted on him In Ireland the Papists presumed on St. Stephens day to say Mass in Dublin while the Lords Chief Justices were at Church who having notice thereof ordered the Preists Crucifixes and Vestments to be seized and Eight Popish Aldermen were likewise Imprisoned for not Assisting the Mayor but some Papists making a Tumult rescued the Priests whom the Guards again forced to deliver back Upon Information of this Riot and Insolency Fifteen Houses were by special Order from the Council seized upon for his Majesties use and the Priests and Fryers so disturbed that two of them hanged themselves Neither did the Papists agree together for there were great Contests in England between the Jesuites and Secular Priests The Earl of Essex had many years before married the Lady Howard who complaining of his Insufficiency for Marriage Duties the Cause was brought to a Tryal and it being made appear by a Jury of Midwives and the Earls own Confession That he never could and believed he never should carnally know her Thereupon Sentence of Divorce between him and his Lady was pronounced by the Bishops However the Earl was resolved to try his Fortune once more and therefore upon his return out of the Low Countreys where he had been for some time a Souldier he now Married a Daughter of Sir William Paulet of Wiltshire but a while after she objecting the same cause of complaint desired likewise to be Divorced from him which the Earl easily cousented to and it was done accordingly In the year 1631 and the 7th of his Majesties Reign Mervin Lord Audly and Earl of Castlehaven was Tryed by his Peers upon the Petition of his own
acquainted them with a Declaration which he had procured of the King That he did discharge the Service Book Book of Canons and high Commission and likewise did annul and rescind all Acts for establishing them and did discharge the urging the Practice of the Five Articles of Perth and that all Persons whomsoever shall be liable to the Censure of Parliament General Assembly or any other Judicatories according to the Nature of the Offence That the Ancient Confelsion of Faith and Band annexed shall be subscribed and received as in K. James time That a General Assembly be holden at Glafcow Nov. 21. 1638 and a Parliament at Edenbourgh May 15. 1639 All former Offences to be pardoned and a General Fast appointed This Declaration being published the Marquess and Council subscribed the Covenanters Confession of Faith c. yet still some matter remained for a Protestation which was read by one Johnson wherein the People were exhorted to consider with whom they had to deal and exceptions were made against Bishops and their Voting in the Assembly After this they Elect Commissioners for the Assembly whom they moved to cite the Archbishops and Bishops to appear there as Guilty Persons which being refused they themselves present a Bill of Complaint against them to the Presbytery at Edenbourgh who accordingly warned them to appear at the next General Assembly At their Meeting the Bishops sent in a Protestation against their Assembly which the Covenanters would not vouchsafe to read but presumed to forbid Six Lords of the Privy Council to fit in their Assembly though nominated by the King His Majesty having notice of their proceedings as to the Bishops and other matters ordered their Assembly to be dissolved which was done accordingly Nov. 21. 1638 and the Covenanters immediately according to their usual method Issued out a Protestation against it and likewise declared 6 former Meetings which were opposite to their ways to be void and of none Effect and soon after they abolished Episcopacy and then prepared for a War as being sensible that the King would maintain the Rights of the Bishops and would likewise strictly call them to Account for their late Transactions About this time a Letter was sent by the Scots to the King of France to implore his Assistance Signed by several of the Nobility The King of England prepares an Army for Scotland with which in the year 1639 he marcheth in Person into the North but while he stayed at York some of the Scots Nobility tampered with the Eaglish telling them that the ruin of the Scots would enable the King to be more severe toward his English Subjects by which Intelligence and Correspondence it was evident that the English had no mind to Fight though their Army was much stronger than the Scots whereupon by the Mediation of some Persons a Treaty of Peace was begun and soon finished wherein it was agreed That His Majesty should publish a Declaration whereby all should be confirmed which his Commissioners had promised in his Name That a General Assembly and a Parliament be held at Edenbourgh in a short time And lastly That upon disbanding their Forces dissolving their Councils and restoring the King to his Forts and Castles c. the King was to recall his Fleet and Forces and make restitution of their Goods since the Breach The Kings Declaration was no sooner published but the Covenanters set forth another Protestation for adhereing to there Assembly at Glasco and their Covenant whereupon the King who intended to be present at their General Assembly not finding the Scots punctual in performing Articles and perceiving they would treat of some matters distasteful to him goes into England after which the Assembly sate at Edenbourgh and abolished Episcopacy the Liturgy High Commission and Book of Canons and then made several demands of the King of a various nature His Majesty understanding how things went and that the Scots levyed Taxes and prepared Arms he commanded by his Commissioner the Earl of Traquair that their Parliament should be Adjourned for some time but the Covenanters declared against this Command and sent a Remonstrance to the King and afterward Hamilton and Traquair likewise came to London where there were such proceedings as did the more exasperate the jarring parties against each other In this year 1639 a Spanish Fleet of near Seventy Sail and Twenty five thousand Men designed to be landed at Dunkirk for the relief of Flanders were set upon by the Dutch in the Downs and Eleven of them taken and sent into Holland three perished upon the Coast of France one near Dover and five were sunk in the Fight What the real intent of this Fleet was is yet uncertain for it seemed unlikely that Twenty five thousand Men should be sent only for a Recruit and the Admirals refusing to shew his Commission when required thereto by the King makes it seem yet mon suspicious The Scots Commissioners having delivered their Message return home to Edenbourgh Nov. 19. 1639. the same night that a great part of the Castle Walls fell down and the Anniversary of the King Birth day A while after the King sent the Lord Estrich and others to tepair the Walls who were resisted by the Covenanters as not judging the Lord Estrich to be a fit Governour for the Castle which Office was designed him by the King The King being hereat extreamly offended resolved since fair means would not prevail to force the Scots to reason and to that end considers how to make provisions for Men and Money and calling a secret Cabinet Council consisting only of Archbishop Laud the Earl of Strafford and Duke Hamilton who drove on his own particular interest it was concluded That for the Kings supply a Parliament must be called in England and another in Ireland but because the Debates of Parliament would take up some time it was resolved that the Lords should subscribe to lend the King money The Earl of Strafford subscribed Twenty thousand pound the Duke of Richmond as much but Hamilton pretended poverty preserving his money for other uses the rest of the Lords Judges Officers and other Dependants and many of the Gentry yea even several Popish Recusants contributed according to their ability The Scots on the other side fore-seeing the storm prepared for their own Defence making Treaties in Denmark Sweden Holland and Poland and the Jesuits who are never idle did likewise endeavour to foment the differences to which end Con the Popes Nuncio Sir Toby Matthews Read and Maxwell two Scots endeavoured to perswade the discontented People That the King designed to iuslave them to his will and pleasure Which practices of theirs were discovered by Andreas Habernsfield a Nobleman of Bohemia who declared That many of the Nobility of England and chief Favourites at Court were consenting to these Transactions and particularly the Earl and Countess of Arundel Secretary Windebank and Endymion Porter Con also performed the part of a Firebrand as all his Successors
the Popes Nuncio's that came after him did likewise and had formerly offered a Cardinals Cap to the Archbishop of Canterbury in the Popes Name In the year 1640 and the Sixteenth of the King a Parliament was called at Westminster April 13. in which the Earl of Strafford was highly honoured for his good service in Ireland in obtaining four Subsidies to maintain Ten thousand Foot and Fifteen hundred Horse And that England might follow this Example the King tells the Parliament that if they would supply him so as to suppress the Insolencies of the Scots he would acquit his claim to Shipmoney and giue satisfaction to their just Demands By which Proposals the Parliament were sensible of the Kings Necessities and therefore required satisfaction 1. For clearing the Property of the Subject 2. For establishing the True Religion 3. For Priviledges of Parliament But whilst they were debating whether the Grievances of the People or the Kings Supply should be first considered and Matters were in an hopeful posture Secretary Vane either accidentally or on purpose overthrew all at once by declaring that the King required Twelve Subsidies whereas he at that time only desired Six which so much inraged the House and made things so ill that by the Advice of the Junto the Parliament was dissolved having only sate Twenty two days however the Privy Councel likewise advised their Dissolving being assured the heats in the House of Commons were so great that they intended that very day to have voted against the War with Scotland whereby the King would have been in a worse condition than before their sitting About the same time a Convocation of Bishops sate with Commission to make such Canons as they judged for the peace of the Church and amongst other things they imposed an Oath called c. Et cetera as an Anticovenant against the Scots which because it occasioned much difference may not be unfitly inserted I A. B. Do swear that I do approve the Doctrine and Discipline or Government established in the Church of England as containing all things necessary to Salvation and that I will not endeavour by my self or any other directly or indirectly to bring in any Popish Doctrine contrary to that so established nor will I ever give my consent to alter the Government of this Church by Archbishops Deans and Arch Deacons c. Et cetera and so forth as it stands now established and as by right it ought to stand nor yet ever to subject it to the Usurpations and Superstitions of the See of Rome And all these things do I plainly and sincerely acknowledge and swear according to the plain and common sense or understanding of the same words without any Equivocation mental Evasion or secret Reservation whatsoever And this I do heartily willingly and truly upon the faith of a Christian So help me God in Jesus Christ This Oath was imposed upon all Ministers and gave great Offence This was the chief business of this Convocation which ended May 26 1640. Arch Bishop Laud by his earnest proceedings against Nonconformists and such as were called Puritans and by his strict enjoyning of Ceremonies especially reviving old Ceremonies which had not been lately observed procured much hatred to himself from the People particularly the Londiners who had a particular disgust against him for his severity upon Mr. Burton Pryn and Bastwick insomuch that upon May 9 1640 a Paper was fixed upon the Royal Exchange inciting the Apprentices to rise and sack his House at Lambeth the Monday after which they were the more inclined to do because it was reported that he was the chief instigator of the King to dissolve the last Parliament but the Arch Bishop had notice of their Design and provided accordingly however upon Monday at midnight about Five Hundred of them beset his House and endeovoured to enter but were repulsed and forced to depart having in some measure vented their Spleen in words and breaking his Glass-Windows The next day many of them were apprehended and imprisoned but three days after they were forcibly rescued from thence by their Companions who broke open the Prison doors for which one of the Ring-leaders was drawn hanged and quartered and his head and quarters set upon London-Bridge The King grew daily more offended against the Scots and calls a Select Juncto to consult about them where the Earl of Strafford delivered his mind in such Terms as were afterward made use of to his distruction War against them was resolved on and Money was to be procured one way or other the City of London was invited to lend but refused and pleaded poverty being distasted iâ— seems at some proceedings in the Star Chamber about their Plantation of London Derry in Ireland which was judged to be forfeited for some alledged misdemeanors and the Undertakers fined yet the Citizens were willing to offer a large Sum for the building a Magnificent Pallace for the King in St James's Park which took no effect The Gentry contributed indifferent freely so that with their Assistance the Royal Army was compleated the King himself being Generalissimo the Earl of Northumberland General and the Earl of Strafford Leiutenant General Northumberland falls sick and therefore the King takes the Command upon himself and sends away part of the Army Horse and Foot under the Lord Conway into the North. July 20th 1640. the Queen was delivered of a Son who was Châ—istened Henry afterward Created Duke of Glocester In the mean time the L. Conway had but ill Success for having drawn about 1200 Horse and 3000 Foot to secure the Passes upon the Riveâ— Tyne the Scotch Army under their General Lesly advanced thither better provided then before and August 27 Lesly desired leave of the L. Conway for his whole Army to pass to the King with their Petition which was denied whereupon about 300 Scotch Horse attempted to pass the River but were beaten back by the English Musquetiers who were placed under a Breast-work Lesly comes on with his Horse and charges Commissary General Wilmot who maintained the ground very stoutly till overborn with multitude and Canon they were put to a disorderly Retreat both Horse and Foot upon which the L. Conway hastes to the King with the unwelcome News Sir Jacob Astly Governor of Newcastle finding himself unable to deâ—end the place deserts it sinking the great Guns â—n the River whereby Newcastle and Durham came â—n a short time into the hands of the Scots And now Strafford comes up with whom the King retreats â—o York and stays there while Strafford who was â—ow sole Commander charges the whole miscarâ—iage upon Conway who as stoutly denies it The King had formerly declared the Scots to be Rebels and Traytors by Proclamation and commanded that publick Prayers should be put up against them in all Churches but at this time he is contented to treat with them and to that end he receives a Petition from them complaining of their Grievances To which he answers by
his Secretary of Scotland that he expects their particular demands which he receives in three days all tending to require a Parliament to be called in England without which there could be no satisfactory redress for them they had likewise before their March into England published a Declaration called The Intentions of the Army viz. Not to lay down Arms till the Reformed Religion were setled in both Nations upon sure grounds and the Causes and Abbettors of their present Troubles that is Arch-Bishop Laud and the Earl of Strafford were brought to publick Justice in Parliament At the same time Twelve English Peers that is the Earls of Bedford Hartford Essex Warwick Mulgrave Bristol Bullingbrook Say and Seal Mandevil Howard Brook and Paget drew up a Petition which they delivered to the King for the sitting of the Parliament After which divers others were presented to the same purpose from the City of London and several other parts of the Kingdom all centring in this that nothing could relieve the Pressures of the Kingdom but a Parliament To this the King condescends in part giving hope likewise of further satisfaction ere long and 〈◊〉 the present Summons the Lords to appear at Yorâ— Sep. 24. which they did and upon the first day oâ— their meeting it was agreed That a Parliameâ—â— should be called to meet November 3 following anâ— then for the relief of the North sorely suffering under Leslies Army the Bishoprick of Durham beinâ— then taxed 360 l. and Northumberland 300 l. a day it was resolved that a Treaty should be set on Fooâ— and that Sixteen English Lords should meet with as many Scots and York was proposed for the placâ— of Treaty which the Scotch Commissioners refused as not judging it safe by reason of the presence oâ— the Earl of Strafford who hath proclaimed them Traytors in Ireland and was now chief Commander of the Kings Army and a Capital Enemy to their Nation and against whom they had matter of high Complaint therefore it was concluded to be held at Rippon where among other things it was agreed that the Scotch Army should be maintained by the English till the Treaty was ended and peace secured that there should be a safe Convoy for all Letters between the Scots and the Parliament of England The first of these Articles seemed unreasonable and dishonourable to the English Nation and the Earl of Strafford was so offended thereat that he desired leave of the King to give them Battel and was willing as he writ to Arch-Bishop Laud to undertake upon the Peril of his Head with his Army of English Grashoppers to beat those Sons of Anak home again for so much Superlour were the Scots then accounted to the English as to matter of Souldiers but October 16. the English Commanders whether through Fear Favour or out of a Political Maxim not to fight against the Scots condescended to Articles of Agreement which were afterward signed by the King himself This Treaty of Rippon was but previous to another of higher Importance at London for a general concluding and making up all differences between the King and his Subjects of Scotland during which Treaty James Earl of Montross made several Applications to the King and by Letters offered his service to him testifying his disslike of the Scotâ—ish Proceedings but these his Letters were said to have been secretly taken out of the Kings Pockets and conveyed to the Covenanters by the means of Hamilton who understanding Montross his design used all means to render him odious to the People and so unserviceable to the King And now the time approached for the sitting of the Parliament who accordingly met November 3. 1640 which was looked upon by Arch-Bishop Laud as a fatal day for Summoning of Parliaments in reference to Church matters the Parliament in King Henry the Eighths time which pulled down Abbies and Monasteries being likewise Assembled upon November 3. Whereupon he advised the King for lucks sake to put off their meeting for 2 or 3 dayes but the King not minding any such Observations did not regard it To give some Account of the temper of those times it may not be amiss to repeat the words of a Person of Honour who was then a Member of the House of Commons and hath lately published some Passages concerning that Parliament Never Parliament saith he was assembled when the People were in an higher discontent then at this time such a general Diffidence there was as they thought themselves sure of nothing the increase of Ceremonies made them fear the approach of a Religion hateful to them the laâ—â— business of Ship-money together with some Impâ—sitions without the consent of Parliament causeâ— them to apprehend the loss of Property in the Estates and they had little hope of Redress 〈◊〉 Parliaments because his then Majesty had beeâ— so unhappy as to be put upon a sudden Dissolutioâ— of all Parliaments formerly by him called Theâ— wanted not Persons ill disposed and seditious 〈◊〉 trumpet these things in the ears of the generalty whereby they incensed them so far as thereâ—â— they found means to raise a Power against theâ—â— Soveraign Mr. William Lenthal was Chosen Speaker of thâ— House of Commons and the King in a Speech tâ—â—â— them that the Scottish Troubles were the Cause oâ— their present Meeting and therefore requires theâ— to consider of the most expedient means for caâ—â—ing them out and then promises that he will heaâ—tily and clearly concurr with them for the satisfying their just Grievances After which he gaâ—â— them an Account of his want of Money for thâ— Maintaining of his Army and how dishonourablâ— it would be to the English Nation if his Armâ— should be disbanded before the Scots were put ouâ— of the Kingdom and desired them to consider oâ— the Oppression of the Northern Countreys during thâ—… Treaty It was ill resented by many that the King should call the Scots Rebels whereupon he took occasion to tell them that he must needs call them Rebels as long as they have an Army which did invade England The Commons then Voted down all Monopolies and all such Members as had any benefit by them were expelled out of the House Complainâ— was made in the House of Lords against Sir William Beecher one of the Clerks of the Council for violating their Priviledges in searching the Earl of Warwicks and the Lord Brooks Studies Cabinets and Pockets upon the dissolving the last Parliament upon which he was committed Prisoner to the Fleet though he pleaded the Command of the Secretary of State for his so doing The Earl of Strafford is Impeached of High Treason by the Commons in the House of Lords whereupon he is sequestred from the House and likewise his Friend Sir George Ratcliff is sent for out of Ireland by a Serjeant at Arms In the mean time the Bishop of Lincoln who was Prisoner in the Tower is released and likewise Mr. Pryn and Mr. Burton who are brought in great Triumph to London and
taken in That an Act pass to Vindicate the L. Kimbolton and the 5 Members And an Alliance be entred into with our Protestant Neighbours for Recovery of the Palatinate That a General Pardon pass with exception to the E. of Newcastle L. Digby and some others That such Members of Parliament as have been displaced be restored to Offices and Places and satisfaction made them for their Losses On the other side the King Proposed That his own Revenue Magazines Towns Ships and Forts be restored That what hath been done contrary to Law and the King Rights may be renounced and recalled That all Illegal Power claimed or acted by any Orders of Parliament be disclaimed And as the King will readily consent to the Execution of all Laws made or to be made concerning Popery and Reformation so he desires a Bill for the preserving the Book of Common-Prayer against Sectaries And that all Persons excepted against in the Treaty may be Tryed per Pares by the Equals That there be a Cessation of Arms and a Free Trade This made way for a Treaty of Peace but little was done in it till March 4. 1642. when Sir Ben. Rudyard one of the Commons told the Parliament plainly That the War would ruine all whereupon they appointed Commissioners that is the E. of Northumberland Mr. Perpoints Sir William Ermine Sir John Holland and Mr. Whitlock who were to attend the King at Oxford Feb. 23. 1642. The Queen landed at Burlington Key with Officers Ammunition and Mony from Holland from whence the E. of Montross and the Lord Ogilby conveyed her to York where she was honourably received by the Earls of Cumberland and Newcastle and there she began to form her Army In the mean time Coll. Massey advances against Capt. Bridges who kept Sudly Castle in Glocestershire with 60 Souldiers and all other things sufficient for the L. Shandois on the Kings behalf Coll. Massy offers to storm the Castle but is repulsed yet next day he possessed the Garden under the Castle and firing some hay and straw made so great a smother in the House that taking the opportunity thereof he planted his great Guns so conveniently as forced the Besieged to surrender upon Quarter leaving their Arms and ingaging to pay 500 pounds in six days for the goods in the Castle or else to lose them Yet had the Parliament no great cause of boasting of this Victory For soon after P. Rupert with 4000 Horse and Foot making shew to regain it marches to Cirencester where the strength and great part of the Magazine of the County lay and Feb. 1. he masters the Gaurd and forces his Passage into the Town which in two hours he gained taking 1100 Prisoners and 2000 Arms And next day he summons Glocester which Coll. Massey was resolved to defend and to strengthen it deserts Sudly Castle and other our Garrisons The Earl of Worcester and his son the L. Herbert had now raised an Army of near 1500 Welchmen for the King with whom he marched to the Forrest of Dean and beat Coll. Bourroughs Regiment out of a small Town call'd Coford near Monmoth from thence they march to Hingham within 2 miles of Glocester and Coll. Bret demands the Town for the King but was answered with scorn for Massey with assistance from Capt. Fines at Bristol weakned them with continual Shirmishes till Sir William Waller having taking Malmsbury came to Glocester and joyned his Forces with the other so that this Welch Army spent near five weeks without doing any Memorable Action But now Coll. Massey draws out all his Horse with 500 Foot and some Ordnance and held them play the first day the next morning the great Guns give the Alarum and both Parties engage very fiercely and the Welch were like to have routed him and taken his Ordnance at which instant Sir William Waller comes in to Masseys assistance who taking courage thereby they run furiously upon the Welchmen and drive them back to Hingham house which they began presently to batter with their Cannon whereupon the Welch found a Parley and surrender the Place and themselves Prisoners but the Officers were to receive Quarter according to their Qualities and next day Waller and Massey led their booty in Triumph to Glocester The assistance of the Scots had been formerly desired by the Parliament which notwithstanding their late Protestations not to take Arms against their Prince they now hearken to and having compleated their Army March 13. 1641. they cross the River Tyne and march Southward to imploy the E. of Newcastle The Irish Rebels about this time notwithstanding the defeats they met with at Tredagh and Dundalk were much increased in number And the the Pope a more unhappy Fisher than his pretended Predecessor St. Peter who was for saving but he for destroying men sends two Letters to them one subscribed to Owen Oneal and the other to all Archbishops Bishops Nobles and People of the Kingdom of Ireland in both which he commends those who had already appeared in the Quarrel and exhorts others to engage in the same declaring his great Joy for their late Butcheries and Massacres upon the Protestants and bestowing upon them his Fatherly Benediction and Plenary Pardon and Absolution for whatever Villanies they had committed By the Popes thus publickly declaring himself for them the Rebels grew very powerful and many who were at first afraid of being concerned now openly appeared for them insomuch that all parts of Ireland were overwhelmed by them as with an Innundation This year was remarkable for the death of Cardinal Richlieu that great Firebrand and disturber of Europe but more pertcularly these three Kingdoms of whose distractions he was both a Principal causer and Fomenter He led the way to his Master Lewis 13. who deceased soon after in the midst of his Conquests in Catalonia leaving for his successer his eldest son Lewis 14. the present French King under the Government of the Queen Dowager and Cardinal Mazarine succeeded in Richlieus stead The year 1643. and the nineteenth of his Majesties Reign began with a Treaty of Peace which was formerly agreed on but proceeded slowly till it was again revived by Sir Ben. Rudyard The Commissioners on both parties now met at Oxford and began to Treat of the Kings Propositions concerning his Revenue Magazines Forts and Ships And the Parliaments Propositions concerning the disbanding of Armies which particulars taking up more time than the King expected his Majesty April 12. 1643. sends this Message to the Parliament That as soon as he was satisfied concerning his own Revenue Magazines Ships and Forces in which he desired nothing but his Just and Legal known Rights to be restored to him and to Persons Trusted by him And as soon as the Members of both Houses should be restored to the same capacity of sitting and Voting in Parliament as they had upon January 1. 1641. excluding such whose Votes had been taken away by Bill or by New Elections or New Writts
of England the liberty of exhibiting at any time hereafter any other Charge against the said Charles Stuart and also of replying to the Answers which the said Ch. Stuart shall make to the Premises or any of them or any other Charge that shall be so Exhibited doth for the said Treasons and Crimes on the behalf of the said people of England Impeach the said Charles Stuart as a Tyrant Traitor Murtherer and a publick and implacable Enemy to the Common-wealth of England And pray that the said CHARLES STVART King of England may be put to answer All and Every the Premises That such Proceedings Examinations Trials Sentence and Judgment may be thereupon had as shall be agreeable to Justice IT is observed that the time the Charge was reading the King sate down in his Chair looking sometimes on the Court sometimes up to the Galleries and having risen again and turned about to behold the Guards and Spectators sate down looking very sternly with a countenance not at all moved till these words viz. Charles Stuart to be a Tyrant and Traitor c. were read at which he laughed as he sate in the face of the Court. Charge being read the Lord President replyed President Sir you have now heard your Charge read containing such matters as appear in it you find That in the close of it it is prayed to the Court in the behalf of the Commons of England that you answer to your Charge The Court expects your Answer King I would know by what Power I am called hither I was not long ago in the Isle of Wight how I came there is a longer story than I think is fit at this time for me to speak of but there I entred into a Treaty with both Houses of Parliament with as much publick Faith as 't is possible to be had of any people in the world I treated there with a number of Honourable Lords and Gentlemen and treated honestly and uprightly I cannot say but they did very nobly with me we were upon a conclusion of the Treaty Now I would know by what Authority I mean lawful there are many unlawful Authorities in the world Thieves and Robbers by the high wayes but I would know by what Authority I was brought from thence and carried from place to place and I know not what and when I know by what lawful Authority I shall answer Remember I am your King and what sins you bring upon your heads and the Judgment of God upon this Land think well upon it I say think well upon it before you go further from one sinto a greater therefore let me know by what lawful Authority I am seated here and I shall not be unwilling to answer in the mean time I shall not betray my Trust I have a Trust committed to me by God by old and lawful Descent I will not betray it to answer to a new unlawful Authority therefore resolve me that and you shall hear more of me President If you had been pleased to have observed what was hinted to you by the Court at your first coming hither you would have known by what Authority which Authority requires you in the name of the people of England of which you are Elected King to answer them King No Sir I deny that President If you acknowledge not the Authority of the Court they must proceed King I do tell them so England was never an Elective Kingdom but an Hereditary Kingdom for neer these thousand years therefore let me know by what Authority I am called hither I do stand more for the Liberty of my people than any here that come to be my pretended Judges and therefore let me know by what lawful Authority I am seated here and I will answer it otherwise I will not answer it President Sir how really you have managed your Trust is known your way of answer is to interrogate the Court which beseems not you in this condition You have been told of it twice or thrice King Here is a Gentleman Lieut. Col. Cobbet ask him if he did not bring me from the Isle of Wight by force I do not come here as submitting to the Court I will stand as much for the Priviledge of the House of Commons rightly understood as any man here whatsoever I see no House of Lords here that may constitute a Parliament and the King too should have been Is this the bringing of the King to his Parliament Is this the bringing an end to the Treaty in the publick Faith of the world Let me see a legal Authority warranted by the Word of God the Scriptures or warranted by the Constitutions of the Kingdom and I will answer President Sir You have propounded a Question and have been answered seeing you will not answer the Court will consider how to proceed in the mean time those that brought you hither are to take charge of you back again The Court desires to know whether this be all the Answer you will give or no King Sir I desire that you would give me and all the world satisfaction in this let me tell you it is not a slight thing you are about I am sworn to keep the Peace by that duty I owe to God and my Country and I will do it to the last breath of my body and therefore you shall do well to satifie first God and then the Country by what Authority you do it if you do it by a usurped Authority that will not last long There is a God in Heaven that will call you and all that give you power to account Satisfie me in that and I will answer otherwise I betray my trust and the Liberties of the People and therefore think of that and then I shall be willing For I do avow that it is as great a sin to withstand lawful Authority as it is to submit to a Tyrannical or any other wayes unlawful Authority and therefore satisfie God and me and all the World in that and you shall receive my Answer I am not afraid of the Bill President The Court expects you should give them a final Answer their purpose is to adjourn till Monday next if you do not satisfie your self though we do tell you our Authority we are satisfied with our Authority and it is upon Gods Authority and the Kingdoms and that peace you speak of will be kept in the doing of Justice and that 's our present work King Let me tell you if you will shew me what lawful Authority you have I shall be satisfied But that you have hitherto said satisfies no reasonable man President That 's in your apprehension we think it reasonable that are your Judges King 'T is not my apprehension nor yours neither that ought to decide it President The Court hath heard you and you are to be disposed of as they have commanded Two things were remarkable in this dayes proceedings 1. It is observed That as the Charge was reading against the King the silver head
Representative of the Kingdom and when that I had almost made an end of the Treaty then I was hurried away and brought hither and therefore Here the President interrupted him and said Sir you must know the pleasure of the Court. King By your favour Sir President Nay Sir by your favour you may not be permitted to fall into these discourses you appear as a Delinquent you have not acknowledged the Authority of the Court the Court craves it not of you and once more they command you to give your positive Answer Clerk Do your Duty King Duty Sir The Clerk reads Charles Stuart King of England you are accused in the behalf of the Commons of England of divers high Crimes and Treasons which Charge hath been read unto you the Court now requires you to give your positive and final Answer by way of confession or denyal of the Charge King Sir I say again to you so that I might give satisfaction to the people of England of the clearness of my proceedings not by way of Answer not in this way but to satisfie them that I have done nothing against that Trust that hath been committed to me I would do it but to acknowledge a new Court against their Priviledges to alter the fundamental Laws of the Kingdom Sir you must excuse me President Sir this is the third time that you have publickly disowned the Court and put an affront upon it how far you have preserved the Priviledges of the people your Actions have spoke it but truly Sir mens intentions ought to be known by their Actions you have written your meaning in bloody Characters throughout the whole Kingdom but Sir you understand the pleasure of the Court Clerk Record the default and Gentlemen you that took charge of the Prisoner take him back again King I will onely say this one word to you If it were only my own particular I would not say any more nor interrupt you President Sir you have heard the pleasure of the Court and you are notwithstanding you will not understand it to find that you are before a Court of Justice Then the King went forth with his Guard and Proclamation was made That all persons who had then appeared and had further to do at the Court might depart into the Painted Chamber to which place the Court did forthwith adjourn and intended to meet in Westminster-Hall by Ten of the clock the next morning Cryer God bless the Kingdom of England His Majesty intended to have delivered in writing his Reasons against the Pretended Jurisdicton of the High Court of Justice upon Monday Jan. 22. but was not permitted Saturday the 27 of January 1648. O Yes made Silence commanded The Court called Serjeant Bradshaw Lord President in his Scarlet Robe suitable to the work of this day with sixtie eight other Members of the Court called As the King came into the Court in his usual posture with his Hat on a Cry made in the Hall by some of the Souldiers for Justice Justice and Execution King I shall desire a word to be heard a little and I hope I shall give no occasion of interruption President You may answer in your time hear the Court first King If it please you Sir I desire to be heard and I shall not give any occasion of interruption and it is only in a word a sudden judgment President You shall be heard in due time but You are to hear the Court first King Sir I desire it it will be in order to what I believe the Court will say and therefore Sir a hastie Judgment is not so soon recalled President Sir you shall be heard before the Judgment be given and in the mean time you may forbear King Well Sir shall I be heard before the judgment be given President Gentlemen it is well known to all or most of you here present That the Prisoner at the Bar hath been several times convented and brought before the Court to make answer to a Charge of Treason and other high Crimes exhibited against him in the Name of the People of England to which Charge being required to Answer Here an honourable Lady interrupted the Court saying Not half the People but she was soon silenced he hath been so far from obeying the Commands of the Court by submitting to their Justice as he began to take upon him to offer reasoning and debate unto the Authoritie of the Court and of the highest Court that constituted them to try and judge him but being over-ruled in that and required to make his Answer he was still pleased to continue contumacious and to refuse to submit or Answer Hereupon the Court that they may not be wanting to themselves to the trust reposed in them nor that any mans wilfulness prevent Justice they have thought fit to take the matter into their consideration They have considered of the Contumacy and of that confession which in Law doth arise upon that contumacy They have likewise considered of the notoriety of the Fact charged upon the Prisoner and upon the whole matter they are resolved and have agreed upon a Sentence to be now pronounced against this Prisoner but in respect he doth desire to be heard before the Sentence be read and pronounced the Court hath resolved that they will hear him yet Sir thus much I must tell you before-hand which you have been minded of at other Courts that if that you have to say be to offer any Debate concerning jurisdiction you are not to be heard in it you have offered it formerly and you have indeed struck at the root that is the power and Supreme Authority of the Commons of England which this Court will not admit a debate of and which indeed is an irrational thing in them to do being a Court that acts upon Authority denived from them that they should presume to judge upon their Superiority from whom there is no Appeal But Sir if you have any thing to say in defence of your self concerning the matters charged the Court hath given me command to let you know they will hear you King Since that I see that you will not hear any thing of debate concerning that which I confess I thought most material for the peace of the Kingdom and for the Liberty of the Subject I shall wave it I shall speak nothing to it but only I must tell you That this many a day all things have been taken away from me but that that I call more dear to me than my life which is My Conscience and my Honour and if I had respect to my life more than the Peace of the Kingdom the Liberty of the Subject certainly I should have made a particular defence for my self for by that at least-wise I might have delayed an ugly Sentence which I believe will pass upon me Therefore certainly Sir as a man that hath some understanding some knowledge of the world if that my true zeal to my Countrey had not overborn the care
that I have of my own preservation I should have gone another way to work than that I have done Now Sir I conceive that an hastie Sentence once past may be sooner repented than recalled And truly the self same desire that I have for the Peace of the Kingdome and the Liberty of the Subject more than my own particular does make me now at last desire That having something for to say that concerns both I desire before Sentence be given that I may be heard in the Painted Chamber before the Lords and Commons this delay cannot be prejudicial to you whatsoever I say if that I say no Reason those that hear me must be Judges I cannot be Judge of that that I have if it be Reason and really for the welfare of the Kingdom and the Liberty of the Subject I am sure on it very well it is worth the hearing Therefore I do conjure you as you love that you pretend I hope it is real the Liberty of the Subject the Peace of the Kingdom that you will grant Me the hearing before any Sentence be passed I only desire this that you will take this into your consideration it may be you have not heard of it before-hand if you will I 'le retire and you may think of it but if I cannot get this Liberty I do here protest that so fair shews of Liberty and Peace are pure shews and not otherwise then that you will not hear your KING President Sir You have now spoken King Yes Sir President And this that you have said is a further declining of the Jurisdiction of this Court which was the thing wherein you were limited before King Pray excuse me Sir for my interruption because you mistake me it is not a declining of it you do judge me before you hear me speak I say it will not I do not decline it though I cannot acknowledge the Jurisdiction of the Court yet Sir in this give Me leave to say I would do it though I did not acknowledge it in this I do protest it is not the declining of it since I say if that I do say any thing but that that is for the Peace of the Kingdom and the Liberties of the Subject then the shame is mine Now I desire that you will take this into your consideration if you will I 'le withdraw President Sir this is not altogether new that you have moved unto us not altogether new to us though the first time in person you have offered it to the Court Sir you say you do not Decline the Jurisdiction of the Court. King Not in this that I have said President I understand you well Sir but nevertheless that which you have offered seems to be contrary to that saying of yours for the Court are ready to give a Sentence it is not as you say That they will not hear your King for they have been ready to hear you they have patiently waited your pleasure for three Courts together to hear what you would say to the Peoples Charge against you to which you have not vouchsafed to give any answer at all Sir This tends to a further delay Truly Sir such delayes as these neither may the Kingdom nor Justice well bear You have had three several dayes to have offered in this kind what you would have pleased This Court is founded upon that Authority of the Commons of England in whom rests the Supreme Jurisdiction That which you now tender is to have another Jurisdiction and a co-ordinate Jurisdiction I know very well you express your self Sir That notwithstanding that you would offer to the Lords nnd Commons in the Painted Chamber yet nevertheless you would proceed on here I did hear you say so but Sir that you would offer there whatever it is must needs be in delay of the Justice here so as if this Court be resolved and prepared for the Sentence this that you offer they are not bound in justice to grant but Sir according to that you seem to desire and because you shall know the further pleasure of the Court upon that which you have moved the Court will withdraw for a time King Shall I withdraw President Sir you shall know the pleasure of Court presently the Court withdraws for half an hour into the Court of Wards Serjeant at Arms The Court gives command that the Prisoner be withdrawn and they give order for his return again The Court withdraws for half an hour and returns President Serjeant at Arms send for your prisoner Sir You were pleased to make a motion here to the Court to offer a desire of yours touching the propounding of somewhat to the Lords in the Painted Chamber for the Peace of the Kingdom Sir you did in effect receive an answer before the Court adjourned Truly Sir their withdrawing and adjournment was pro forma tantum for it did not seem to them that there was any difficulty in the thing they have considered of what you have moved and have considered of their own Authority which is founded as hath been often said upon the Supreme Authority of the Commons of England assembled in Parliament The Court acts accordingly to their Commission Sir the return I have to you from the Court is this That they have been too much delayed by you already and this that you now offer hath occasioned some little further delay and they are JUDGES appointed by the highest JUDGES and Judges are no more to delay than they are to deny justice they are good words in the old Charter of England Nulli negabimus nulli vendemus nulli deferemus Justitiam There must be no delay but the truth is Sir and so every man here observes it That you have much delayed them in your contempt and default for which they might have long since proceeded to judgment against you and notwithstanding what you have offered they are resolved to proceed to punishment and to Judgment and that is their unanimous resolution King Sir I know it is in vain for me to dispute I am no Sceptick for to deny the power that you have I know that you have power enough Sir I confess I think it would have been for the Kingdoms peace if you would have taken the pains for to have shown the lawfulness of your power for this delay that I have desired I confess it is a delay but it is a delay very important for the peace of the Kingdom for it is not my Person that I look on alone it is the Kingdoms welfare and the Kingdoms peace it is an old sentence That we should think on long before we have resolved of great matters suddenly Therefore Sir I do say again that I do put at your doors all the inconveniency of an hasty Sentence I confess I have been here now I think this week this day eight daies was the day I came here first but a little delay of a day or two further may give peace whereas an Hasty Judgment may bring
were permitted to come to him where passed this following Discourse as it was set down in writing by his Daughter the Lady Elizabeth which Lady Elizabeth some months after being confined to Carisbrough-Castle in the Isle of Wight died there with grief for the sufferings of her Dear Father His Children being come to meet him He first gave his Blessing to the Lady Elizabeth and bad her to remember to tell her Brother James whenever she should see him that it was his Fathers last desire that he should no more look upon Charles as his eldest Brother only but be obedient unto him as his Soveraign and that they should love one another and forgive their Fathers Enemies Then said the King to her Sweet-heart you 'l forget this No said she I shall never forget it whilest I live and pouring forth abundance of tears promised him to write down the particulars Then the King taking the Duke of Glocester upon his knee said Sweet-heart now they will cut off thy Fathers head upon which words the Child looking very stedfastly on him Mark child what I say They will cut off my head and perhaps make thee a King But mark what I say you must not be a King so long as your brothers Charles and James do live for they will cut off your Brothers heads when they can catch them and cut off thy head too at last and therefore I charge you do not be made a King by them At which the child sighing said I will be torn in pieces first which falling so unexpectedly from one so young it made the King rejoyce exceedingly Tuesday Jan. 30. The Fatal Day He was about Ten of the Clock brought from his Pallace at Saint James's to White-Hall marched on foot guarded with a Regiment of foot Souldiers through the Park with their Colours flying and Drums beating his private Guard of Partizans about him Dr. Juxon Bishop of London on one side and Collon Tomlinson on the other both bare-headed bidding them go faster saying That he now went before them to strive for an heavenly Crown with less solicitude than he had oftentimes bid his Souldiers to fight for an Earthly Diadem Being come to the end of the Park he ascends the Staris leading to the long Gallery in White-Hall and so into the Cabinet Chamber where he formerly used to Lodge there his Majesty with the Bishop of London continued for some time in Devotion and received the blessed Sacrament from the hand of the said Bishop at which time he read for the second Lesson the 27. Chapter of Saint Matthews Gospel which contained the History of the Death and Passion of our Blessed Saviour the Communion ended his Majesty thanked the Bishop for selecting so seasonable and comfortable a portion of Scripture The Bishop modestly replied No thanks were due to him for it was the Chapter appointed by the Rubrick of the Church for the second morning Lesson for that day being Jan. 30. Here the King continued at his Devotion refusing to dine onely about Twelve of the Clock he eat a bit of bread and drank a Glass of Claret from thence about one a Clock he was accompanied by Dr. Juxon and Coll. Thomlinson and other Officers formerly appointed to attend him and the private Guard of Partizans with Musketeers on each side through the Banquetting-house adjoyning to which the Scaffold was erected between White-hall Gate and the Gate leading into the Gallery from Saint James's The Scaffold was hung round with Black the Floor covered with black Bayes and the Ax and Block laid in the middle of the Scaffold There were divers Companies of Foot of Collonel Prides Regiment and several Troops of Horse placed on the one side of the Scaffold toward Kings-street and on the other side toward Charing-Cross and the multitudes of people that came to be Spectators very great The King being come upon the Scaffold it was expected he would say somewhat to the people the which he did But because we have no other Relation of what his Majesty then spake save what was taken in short hand on the Scaffold by three several Gentlemen who were very exquisite in that Art nor had his Majesty any Copy being surprized and hastened by those who attended him to the Scaffold save only a few heads in a little scrip of Paper which after his death the Souldiers took from the Bishop of London to whom he gave it Therefore the Reader must be content with this Copy which was by them upon joynt comparing of their Copies published some few words being altered to make the sence perfect The King being come upon the Scaffold and looking about him upon the people who were kept off by Troops of Horse so that they could not come near to hear him omitted what he had purposed to have spoken to them as 't is thought and turning himself to the Soldiers and Officers the Instruments of the Regicide spake to them to this effect The King being come upon the Scaffold look'd very carnestly upon the Block and asked Coll. Hacker if there were no higher and then spake thus directing his Speech chiefly to Coll. Thomlinson King I Shall be very little heard of any body here I shall therefore speak a word unto you here indeed I could hold my peace very well if I did not think that holding my peace would make some men think that I did submit to the Guilt as well as to the Punishment but I think it is my duty to God first and to my Country for to clear my self both as an honest Man a good King and a good Christian I shall begin first with my Innocency In troth I think it not very needful for me to insist long upon this for all the world knows that I never did begin a War with the two houses of Parliament and I call God to witness to whom I must shortly make an account That I never did intend for to encroach upon their Priviledges they began upon me it is the Militia they began upon they confest that the Militia was mine but they thought it fit for to have it from me and to be short if any body will look to the dates of Commissions of their Commissions and mine and likewise to the Declarations will see clearly that they began these unhappy troubles not I so that as to the guilt of these enormous Crimes that are laid against me I hope in God that God will clear me of I will not I am in charity God forbid that I should lay it upon the two Houses of Parliament there is no necessity of either I hope they are free of this guilt for I do believe that ill instruments between them and me has been the chief cause of all this bloodshed so that by way of speaking as I find my self clear of this I hope and pray God that they may too yet for all this God forbid that I should be so ill a Christian as not to say that Gods judgments