第16章
Theywerefilledwithwildfancies.Sometimes,theythoughttheyheardagreatbelltolling,deepdownintheearthundertheParliamentHouse;sometimes,theythoughttheyheardlowvoicesmutteringabouttheGunpowderPlot;onceinthemorning,theyreallydidhearagreatrumblingnoiseovertheirheads,astheydugandsweatedintheirmine.Everymanstoppedandlookedaghastathisneighbour,wonderingwhathadhappened,whenthatboldprowler,Fawkes,whohadbeenouttolook,cameinandtoldthemthatitwasonlyadealerincoalswhohadoccupiedacellarundertheParliamentHouse,removinghisstockintradetosomeotherplace.Uponthis,theconspirators,whowithalltheirdigginganddigginghadnotyetdugthroughthetremendouslythickwall,changedtheirplan;hiredthatcellar,whichwasdirectlyundertheHouseofLords;putsix-and-thirtybarrelsofgunpowderinit,andcoveredthemoverwithfagotsandcoals.ThentheyalldispersedagaintillSeptember,whenthefollowingnewconspiratorswereadmitted;SIREDWARDBAYNHAM,ofGloucestershire;SIREVERARD
DIGBY,ofRutlandshire;AMBROSEROOKWOOD,ofSuffolk;FRANCIS
TRESHAM,ofNorthamptonshire.Mostofthesewererich,andweretoassisttheplot,somewithmoneyandsomewithhorsesonwhichtheconspiratorsweretoridethroughthecountryandrousetheCatholicsaftertheParliamentshouldbeblownintoair.
ParliamentbeingagainproroguedfromthethirdofOctobertothefifthofNovember,andtheconspiratorsbeinguneasylesttheirdesignshouldhavebeenfoundout,ThomasWintersaidhewouldgoupintotheHouseofLordsonthedayoftheprorogation,andseehowmatterslooked.Nothingcouldbebetter.TheunconsciousCommissionerswerewalkingaboutandtalkingtooneanother,justoverthesix-and-thirtybarrelsofgunpowder.Hecamebackandtoldtherestso,andtheywentonwiththeirpreparations.Theyhiredaship,andkeptitreadyintheThames,inwhichFawkeswastosailforFlandersafterfiringwithaslowmatchthetrainthatwastoexplodethepowder.AnumberofCatholicgentlemennotinthesecret,wereinvited,onpretenceofahuntingparty,tomeetSirEverardDigbyatDunchurchonthefatalday,thattheymightbereadytoacttogether.Andnowallwasready.
But,now,thegreatwickednessanddangerwhichhadbeenallalongatthebottomofthiswickedplot,begantoshowitself.AsthefifthofNovemberdrewnear,mostoftheconspirators,rememberingthattheyhadfriendsandrelationswhowouldbeintheHouseofLordsthatday,feltsomenaturalrelenting,andawishtowarnthemtokeepaway.TheywerenotmuchcomfortedbyCatesby"sdeclaringthatinsuchacausehewouldblowuphisownson.LORD
MOUNTEAGLE,Tresham"sbrother-in-law,wascertaintobeinthehouse;andwhenTreshamfoundthathecouldnotprevailupontheresttodeviseanymeansofsparingtheirfriends,hewroteamysteriouslettertothislordandleftitathislodginginthedusk,urginghimtokeepawayfromtheopeningofParliament,"sinceGodandmanhadconcurredtopunishthewickednessofthetimes."Itcontainedthewords"thattheParliamentshouldreceiveaterribleblow,andyetshouldnotseewhohurtthem."Anditadded,"thedangerispast,assoonasyouhaveburnttheletter."
TheministersandcourtiersmadeoutthathisSowship,byadirectmiraclefromHeaven,foundoutwhatthislettermeant.Thetruthis,thattheywerenotlong(asfewmenwouldbe)infindingoutforthemselves;anditwasdecidedtolettheconspiratorsalone,untiltheverydaybeforetheopeningofParliament.Thattheconspiratorshadtheirfears,iscertain;for,Treshamhimselfsaidbeforethemall,thattheywereeveryonedeadmen;and,althoughevenhedidnottakeflight,thereisreasontosupposethathehadwarnedotherpersonsbesidesLordMounteagle.However,theywereallfirm;andFawkes,whowasamanofiron,wentdowneverydayandnighttokeepwatchinthecellarasusual.Hewasthereabouttwointheafternoonofthefourth,whentheLordChamberlainandLordMounteaglethrewopenthedoorandlookedin."Whoareyou,friend?"saidthey."Why,"saidFawkes,"IamMr.Percy"sservant,andamlookingafterhisstoreoffuelhere.""Yourmasterhaslaidinaprettygoodstore,"theyreturned,andshutthedoor,andwentaway.Fawkes,uponthis,postedofftotheotherconspiratorstotellthemallwasquiet,andwentbackandshuthimselfupinthedark,blackcellaragain,whereheheardthebellgotwelveo"clockandusherinthefifthofNovember.Abouttwohoursafterwards,heslowlyopenedthedoor,andcameouttolookabouthim,inhisoldprowlingway.Hewasinstantlyseizedandbound,byapartyofsoldiersunderSIRTHOMASKNEVETT.Hehadawatchuponhim,sometouchwood,sometinder,someslowmatches;andtherewasadarklanternwithacandleinit,lighted,behindthedoor.
Hehadhisbootsandspurson-toridetotheship,Isuppose-
anditwaswellforthesoldiersthattheytookhimsosuddenly.
Iftheyhadlefthimbutamoment"stimetolightamatch,hecertainlywouldhavetosseditinamongthepowder,andblownuphimselfandthem.
TheytookhimtotheKing"sbed-chamberfirstofall,andtheretheKing(causinghimtobeheldverytight,andkeepingagoodwayoff),askedhimhowhecouldhavethehearttointendtodestroysomanyinnocentpeople?"Because,"saidGuyFawkes,"desperatediseasesneeddesperateremedies."ToalittleScotchfavourite,withafacelikeaterrier,whoaskedhim(withnoparticularwisdom)whyhehadcollectedsomuchgunpowder,hereplied,becausehehadmeanttoblowScotchmenbacktoScotland,anditwouldtakeadealofpowdertodothat.NextdayhewascarriedtotheTower,butwouldmakenoconfession.Evenafterbeinghorriblytortured,heconfessednothingthattheGovernmentdidnotalreadyknow;
thoughhemusthavebeeninafearfulstate-ashissignature,stillpreserved,incontrastwithhisnaturalhand-writingbeforehewasputuponthedreadfulrack,mostfrightfullyshows.Bates,averydifferentman,soonsaidtheJesuitshadhadtodowiththeplot,andprobably,underthetorture,wouldasreadilyhavesaidanything.Tresham,takenandputintheTowertoo,madeconfessionsandunmadethem,anddiedofanillnessthatwasheavyuponhim.Rookwood,whohadstationedrelaysofhisownhorsesallthewaytoDunchurch,didnotmounttoescapeuntilthemiddleoftheday,whenthenewsoftheplotwasalloverLondon.Ontheroad,hecameupwiththetwoWrights,Catesby,andPercy;andtheyallgallopedtogetherintoNorthamptonshire.ThencetoDunchurch,wheretheyfoundtheproposedpartyassembled.Finding,however,thattherehadbeenaplot,andthatithadbeendiscovered,thepartydisappearedinthecourseofthenight,andleftthemalonewithSirEverardDigby.Awaytheyallrodeagain,throughWarwickshireandWorcestershire,toahousecalledHolbeach,onthebordersofStaffordshire.TheytriedtoraisetheCatholicsontheirway,butwereindignantlydrivenoffbythem.AllthistimetheywerehotlypursuedbythesheriffofWorcester,andafastincreasingconcourseofriders.Atlast,resolvingtodefendthemselvesatHolbeach,theyshutthemselvesupinthehouse,andputsomewetpowderbeforethefiretodry.Butitblewup,andCatesbywassingedandblackened,andalmostkilled,andsomeoftheothersweresadlyhurt.Still,knowingthattheymustdie,theyresolvedtodiethere,andwithonlytheirswordsintheirhandsappearedatthewindowstobeshotatbythesheriffandhisassistants.CatesbysaidtoThomasWinter,afterThomashadbeenhitintherightarmwhichdroppedpowerlessbyhisside,"Standbyme,Tom,andwewilldietogether!"-whichtheydid,beingshotthroughthebodybytwobulletsfromonegun.JohnWright,andChristopherWright,andPercy,werealsoshot.RookwoodandDigbyweretaken:theformerwithabrokenarmandawoundinhisbodytoo.
ItwasthefifteenthofJanuary,beforethetrialofGuyFawkes,andsuchoftheotherconspiratorsaswereleftalive,cameon.
Theywereallfoundguilty,allhanged,drawn,andquartered:
some,inSt.Paul"sChurchyard,onthetopofLudgate-hill;some,beforetheParliamentHouse.AJesuitpriest,namedHENRYGARNET,towhomthedreadfuldesignwassaidtohavebeencommunicated,wastakenandtried;andtwoofhisservants,aswellasapoorpriestwhowastakenwithhim,weretorturedwithoutmercy.Hehimselfwasnottortured,butwassurroundedintheTowerbytamperersandtraitors,andsowasmadeunfairlytoconvicthimselfoutofhisownmouth.Hesaid,uponhistrial,thathehaddoneallhecouldtopreventthedeed,andthathecouldnotmakepublicwhathadbeentoldhiminconfession-thoughIamafraidheknewoftheplotinotherways.Hewasfoundguiltyandexecuted,afteramanfuldefence,andtheCatholicChurchmadeasaintofhim;somerichandpowerfulpersons,whohadhadnothingtodowiththeproject,werefinedandimprisonedforitbytheStarChamber;theCatholics,ingeneral,whohadrecoiledwithhorrorfromtheideaoftheinfernalcontrivance,wereunjustlyputundermoreseverelawsthanbefore;andthiswastheendoftheGunpowderPlot.
SECONDPART
HisSowshipwouldprettywillingly,Ithink,haveblowntheHouseofCommonsintotheairhimself;for,hisdreadandjealousyofitknewnoboundsallthroughhisreign.Whenhewashardpressedformoneyhewasobligedtoorderittomeet,ashecouldgetnomoneywithoutit;andwhenitaskedhimfirsttoabolishsomeofthemonopoliesinnecessariesoflifewhichwereagreatgrievancetothepeople,andtoredressotherpublicwrongs,heflewintoarageandgotridofitagain.AtonetimehewantedittoconsenttotheUnionofEnglandwithScotland,andquarrelledaboutthat.AtanothertimeitwantedhimtoputdownamostinfamousChurchabuse,calledtheHighCommissionCourt,andhequarrelledwithitaboutthat.Atanothertimeitentreatedhimnottobequitesofondofhisarchbishopsandbishopswhomadespeechesinhispraisetooawfultoberelated,buttohavesomelittleconsiderationforthepoorPuritanclergywhowerepersecutedforpreachingintheirownway,andnotaccordingtothearchbishopsandbishops;andtheyquarrelledaboutthat.Inshort,whatwithhatingtheHouseofCommons,andpretendingnottohateit;andwhatwithnowsendingsomeofitsmemberswhoopposedhim,toNewgateortotheTower,andnowtellingtherestthattheymustnotpresumetomakespeechesaboutthepublicaffairswhichcouldnotpossiblyconcernthem;andwhatwithcajoling,andbullying,andfighting,andbeingfrightened;theHouseofCommonswastheplagueofhisSowship"sexistence.Itwasprettyfirm,however,inmaintainingitsrights,andinsistingthattheParliamentshouldmakethelaws,andnottheKingbyhisownsingleproclamations(whichhetriedhardtodo);
andhisSowshipwassooftendistressedformoney,inconsequence,thathesoldeverysortoftitleandpublicofficeasiftheyweremerchandise,andeveninventedanewdignitycalledaBaronetcy,whichanybodycouldbuyforathousandpounds.
ThesedisputeswithhisParliaments,andhishunting,andhisdrinking,andhislyinginbed-forhewasagreatsluggard-
occupiedhisSowshipprettywell.Therestofhistimehechieflypassedinhuggingandslobberinghisfavourites.ThefirstofthesewasSIRPHILIPHERBERT,whohadnoknowledgewhatever,exceptofdogs,andhorses,andhunting,butwhomhesoonmadeEARLOF
MONTGOMERY.Thenext,andamuchmorefamousone,wasROBERTCARR,orKER(foritisnotcertainwhichwashisrightname),whocamefromtheBordercountry,andwhomhesoonmadeVISCOUNTROCHESTER,andafterwards,EARLOFSOMERSET.ThewayinwhichhisSowshipdotedonthishandsomeyoungman,isevenmoreodioustothinkof,thanthewayinwhichthereallygreatmenofEnglandcondescendedtobowdownbeforehim.Thefavourite"sgreatfriendwasacertainSIRTHOMASOVERBURY,whowrotehislove-lettersforhim,andassistedhiminthedutiesofhismanyhighplaces,whichhisownignorancepreventedhimfromdischarging.ButthissameSirThomashavingjustmanhoodenoughtodissuadethefavouritefromawickedmarriagewiththebeautifulCountessofEssex,whowastogetadivorcefromherhusbandforthepurpose,thesaidCountess,inherrage,gotSirThomasputintotheTower,andtherepoisonedhim.
ThenthefavouriteandthisbadwomanwerepubliclymarriedbytheKing"spetbishop,withasmuchto-doandrejoicing,asifhehadbeenthebestman,andshethebestwoman,uponthefaceoftheearth.
But,afteralongersunshinethanmighthavebeenexpected-ofsevenyearsorso,thatistosay-anotherhandsomeyoungmanstartedupandeclipsedtheEARLOFSOMERSET.ThiswasGEORGE
VILLIERS,theyoungestsonofaLeicestershiregentleman:whocametoCourtwithalltheParisfashionsonhim,andcoulddanceaswellasthebestmountebankthateverwasseen.HesoondancedhimselfintothegoodgracesofhisSowship,anddancedtheotherfavouriteoutoffavour.Then,itwasallatoncediscoveredthattheEarlandCountessofSomersethadnotdeservedallthosegreatpromotionsandmightyrejoicings,andtheywereseparatelytriedforthemurderofSirThomasOverbury,andforothercrimes.But,theKingwassoafraidofhislatefavourite"spubliclytellingsomedisgracefulthingsheknewofhim-whichhedarklythreatenedtodo-thathewasevenexaminedwithtwomenstanding,oneoneithersideofhim,eachwithacloakinhishand,readytothrowitoverhisheadandstophismouthifheshouldbreakoutwithwhathehaditinhispowertotell.So,averylameaffairwaspurposelymadeofthetrial,andhispunishmentwasanallowanceoffourthousandpoundsayearinretirement,whiletheCountesswaspardoned,andallowedtopassintoretirementtoo.Theyhatedoneanotherbythistime,andlivedtorevileandtormenteachothersomeyears.
Whiletheseeventswereinprogress,andwhilehisSowshipwasmakingsuchanexhibitionofhimself,fromdaytodayandfromyeartoyear,asisnotoftenseeninanysty,threeremarkabledeathstookplaceinEngland.ThefirstwasthatoftheMinister,RobertCecil,EarlofSalisbury,whowaspastsixty,andhadneverbeenstrong,beingdeformedfromhisbirth.Hesaidatlastthathehadnowishtolive;andnoMinisterneedhavehad,withhisexperienceofthemeannessandwickednessofthosedisgracefultimes.ThesecondwasthatoftheLadyArabellaStuart,whoalarmedhisSowshipmightily,byprivatelymarryingWILLIAMSEYMOUR,sonofLORDBEAUCHAMP,whowasadescendantofKingHenrytheSeventh,andwho,hisSowshipthought,mightconsequentlyincreaseandstrengthenanyclaimshemightonedaysetuptothethrone.Shewasseparatedfromherhusband(whowasputintheTower)andthrustintoaboattobeconfinedatDurham.Sheescapedinaman"sdresstogetawayinaFrenchshipfromGravesendtoFrance,butunhappilymissedherhusband,whohadescapedtoo,andwassoontaken.ShewentravingmadinthemiserableTower,anddiedthereafterfouryears.Thelast,andthemostimportantofthesethreedeaths,wasthatofPrinceHenry,theheirtothethrone,inthenineteenthyearofhisage.Hewasapromisingyoungprince,andgreatlyliked;aquiet,well-conductedyouth,ofwhomtwoverygoodthingsareknown:first,thathisfatherwasjealousofhim;
secondly,thathewasthefriendofSirWalterRaleigh,languishingthroughallthoseyearsintheTower,andoftensaidthatnomanbuthisfatherwouldkeepsuchabirdinsuchacage.OntheoccasionofthepreparationsforthemarriageofhissisterthePrincessElizabethwithaforeignprince(andanunhappymarriageitturnedout),hecamefromRichmond,wherehehadbeenveryill,togreethisnewbrother-in-law,atthepalaceatWhitehall.Thereheplayedagreatgameattennis,inhisshirt,thoughitwasverycoldweather,andwasseizedwithanalarmingillness,anddiedwithinafortnightofaputridfever.ForthisyoungprinceSirWalterRaleighwrote,inhisprisonintheTower,thebeginningofaHistoryoftheWorld:awonderfulinstancehowlittlehisSowshipcoulddotoconfineagreatman"smind,howeverlonghemightimprisonhisbody.
AndthismentionofSirWalterRaleigh,whohadmanyfaults,butwhonevershowedsomanymeritsasintroubleandadversity,maybringmeatoncetotheendofhissadstory.AfteranimprisonmentintheToweroftwelvelongyears,heproposedtoresumethoseoldseavoyagesofhis,andtogotoSouthAmericainsearchofgold.HisSowship,dividedbetweenhiswishtobeongoodtermswiththeSpaniardsthroughwhoseterritorySirWaltermustpass(hehadlonghadanideaofmarryingPrinceHenrytoaSpanishPrincess),andhisavariciouseagernesstogetholdofthegold,didnotknowwhattodo.But,intheend,hesetSirWalterfree,takingsecuritiesforhisreturn;andSirWalterfittedoutanexpeditionathisowncoastand,onthetwenty-eighthofMarch,onethousandsixhundredandseventeen,sailedawayincommandofoneofitsships,whichheominouslycalledtheDestiny.Theexpeditionfailed;thecommonmen,notfindingthegoldtheyhadexpected,mutinied;aquarrelbrokeoutbetweenSirWalterandtheSpaniards,whohatedhimforoldsuccessesofhisagainstthem;andhetookandburntalittletowncalledSAINTTHOMAS.ForthishewasdenouncedtohisSowshipbytheSpanishAmbassadorasapirate;
andreturningalmostbroken-hearted,withhishopesandfortunesshattered,hiscompanyoffriendsdispersed,andhisbraveson(whohadbeenoneofthem)killed,hewastaken-throughthetreacheryofSIRLEWISSTUKELY,hisnearrelation,ascoundrelandaVice-
Admiral-andwasonceagainimmuredinhisprison-homeofsomanyyears.
HisSowshipbeingmightilydisappointedinnotgettinganygold,SirWalterRaleighwastriedasunfairly,andwithasmanyliesandevasionsasthejudgesandlawofficersandeveryotherauthorityinChurchandStatehabituallypractisedundersuchaKing.Afteragreatdealofprevaricationonallpartsbuthisown,itwasdeclaredthathemustdieunderhisformersentence,nowfifteenyearsold.So,onthetwenty-eighthofOctober,onethousandsixhundredandeighteen,hewasshutupintheGateHouseatWestminstertopasshislatenightonearth,andtherehetookleaveofhisgoodandfaithfulladywhowasworthytohavelivedinbetterdays.Ateighto"clocknextmorning,afteracheerfulbreakfast,andapipe,andacupofgoodwine,hewastakentoOldPalaceYardinWestminster,wherethescaffoldwassetup,andwheresomanypeopleofhighdegreewereassembledtoseehimdie,thatitwasamatterofsomedifficultytogethimthroughthecrowd.Hebehavedmostnobly,butifanythinglayheavyonhismind,itwasthatEarlofEssex,whoseheadhehadseenrolloff;
andhesolemnlysaidthathehadhadnohandinbringinghimtotheblock,andthathehadshedtearsforhimwhenhedied.Asthemorningwasverycold,theSheriffsaid,wouldhecomedowntoafireforalittlespace,andwarmhimself?ButSirWalterthankedhim,andsaidno,hewouldratheritweredoneatonce,forhewasilloffeverandague,andinanotherquarterofanhourhisshakingfitwouldcomeuponhimifhewerestillalive,andhisenemiesmightthensupposethathetrembledforfear.Withthat,hekneeledandmadeaverybeautifulandChristianprayer.Beforehelaidhisheadupontheblockhefelttheedgeoftheaxe,andsaid,withasmileuponhisface,thatitwasasharpmedicine,butwouldcuretheworstdisease.Whenhewasbentdownreadyfordeath,hesaidtotheexecutioner,findingthathehesitated,"Whatdostthoufear?Strike,man!"So,theaxecamedownandstruckhisheadoff,inthesixty-sixthyearofhisage.
Thenewfavouritegotonfast.Hewasmadeaviscount,hewasmadeDukeofBuckingham,hewasmadeamarquis,hewasmadeMasteroftheHorse,hewasmadeLordHighAdmiral-andtheChiefCommanderofthegallantEnglishforcesthathaddispersedtheSpanishArmada,wasdisplacedtomakeroomforhim.Hehadthewholekingdomathisdisposal,andhismothersoldalltheprofitsandhonoursoftheState,asifshehadkeptashop.Heblazedalloverwithdiamondsandotherpreciousstones,fromhishatbandandhisearringstohisshoes.Yethewasanignorantpresumptuous,swaggeringcompoundofknaveandfool,withnothingbuthisbeautyandhisdancingtorecommendhim.ThisisthegentlemanwhocalledhimselfhisMajesty"sdogandslave,andcalledhisMajestyYourSowship.HisSowshipcalledhimSTEENIE;itissupposed,becausethatwasanicknameforStephen,andbecauseSt.Stephenwasgenerallyrepresentedinpicturesasahandsomesaint.
HisSowshipwasdrivensometimestohiswits"-endbyhistrimmingbetweenthegeneraldislikeoftheCatholicreligionathome,andhisdesiretowheedleandflatteritabroad,ashisonlymeansofgettingarichprincessforhisson"swife:apartofwhosefortunehemightcramintohisgreasypockets.PrinceCharles-orashisSowshipcalledhim,BabyCharles-beingnowPRINCEOF
WALES,theoldprojectofamarriagewiththeSpanishKing"sdaughterhadbeenrevivedforhim;andasshecouldnotmarryaProtestantwithoutleavefromthePope,hisSowshiphimselfsecretlyandmeanlywrotetohisInfallibility,askingforit.ThenegotiationforthisSpanishmarriagetakesupalargerspaceingreatbooks,thanyoucanimagine,buttheupshotofitallis,thatwhenithadbeenheldoffbytheSpanishCourtforalongtime,BabyCharlesandSteeniesetoffindisguiseasMr.ThomasSmithandMr.JohnSmith,toseetheSpanishPrincess;thatBabyCharlespretendedtobedesperatelyinlovewithher,andjumpedoffwallstolookather,andmadeaconsiderablefoolofhimselfinagoodmanyways;thatshewascalledPrincessofWalesandthatthewholeSpanishCourtbelievedBabyCharlestobeallbutdyingforhersake,asheexpresslytoldthemhewas;thatBabyCharlesandSteeniecamebacktoEngland,andwerereceivedwithasmuchraptureasiftheyhadbeenablessingtoit;thatBabyCharleshadactuallyfalleninlovewithHENRIETTAMARIA,theFrenchKing"ssister,whomhehadseeninParis;thathethoughtitawonderfullyfineandprincelythingtohavedeceivedtheSpaniards,allthrough;andthatheopenlysaid,withachuckle,assoonashewassafeandsoundathomeagain,thattheSpaniardsweregreatfoolstohavebelievedhim.
Likemostdishonestmen,thePrinceandthefavouritecomplainedthatthepeoplewhomtheyhaddeludedweredishonest.TheymadesuchmisrepresentationsofthetreacheryoftheSpaniardsinthisbusinessoftheSpanishmatch,thattheEnglishnationbecameeagerforawarwiththem.AlthoughthegravestSpaniardslaughedattheideaofhisSowshipinawarlikeattitude,theParliamentgrantedmoneyforthebeginningofhostilities,andthetreatieswithSpainwerepubliclydeclaredtobeatanend.TheSpanishambassadorinLondon-probablywiththehelpofthefallenfavourite,theEarlofSomerset-beingunabletoobtainspeechwithhisSowship,slippedapaperintohishand,declaringthathewasaprisonerinhisownhouse,andwasentirelygovernedbyBuckinghamandhiscreatures.ThefirsteffectofthisletterwasthathisSowshipbegantocryandwhine,andtookBabyCharlesawayfromSteenie,andwentdowntoWindsor,gabblingallsortsofnonsense.TheendofitwasthathisSowshiphuggedhisdogandslave,andsaidhewasquitesatisfied.
HehadgiventhePrinceandthefavouritealmostunlimitedpowertosettleanythingwiththePopeastotheSpanishmarriage;andhenow,withaviewtotheFrenchone,signedatreatythatallRomanCatholicsinEnglandshouldexercisetheirreligionfreely,andshouldneverberequiredtotakeanyoathcontrarythereto.Inreturnforthis,andforotherconcessionsmuchlesstobedefended,HenriettaMariawastobecomethePrince"swife,andwastobringhimafortuneofeighthundredthousandcrowns.
HisSowship"seyesweregettingredwitheagerlylookingforthemoney,whentheendofagluttonouslifecameuponhim;and,afterafortnight"sillness,onSundaythetwenty-seventhofMarch,onethousandsixhundredandtwenty-five,hedied.Hehadreignedtwenty-twoyears,andwasfifty-nineyearsold.IknowofnothingmoreabominableinhistorythantheadulationthatwaslavishedonthisKing,andtheviceandcorruptionthatsuchabarefacedhabitoflyingproducedinhiscourt.Itismuchtobedoubtedwhetheronemanofhonour,andnotutterlyself-disgraced,kepthisplacenearJamestheFirst.LordBacon,thatableandwisephilosopher,astheFirstJudgeintheKingdominthisreign,becameapublicspectacleofdishonestyandcorruption;andinhisbaseflatteryofhisSowship,andinhiscrawlingservilitytohisdogandslave,disgracedhimselfevenmore.But,acreaturelikehisSowshipsetuponathroneislikethePlague,andeverybodyreceivesinfectionfromhim.
CHAPTERXXXIII-ENGLANDUNDERCHARLESTHEFIRST
BABYCHARLESbecameKINGCHARLESTHEFIRST,inthetwenty-fifthyearofhisage.Unlikehisfather,hewasusuallyamiableinhisprivatecharacter,andgraveanddignifiedinhisbearing;but,likehisfather,hehadmonstrouslyexaggeratednotionsoftherightsofaking,andwasevasive,andnottobetrusted.Ifhiswordcouldhavebeenreliedupon,hishistorymighthavehadadifferentend.
Hisfirstcarewastosendoverthatinsolentupstart,Buckingham,tobringHenriettaMariafromParistobehisQueen;uponwhichoccasionBuckingham-withhisusualaudacity-madelovetotheyoungQueenofAustria,andwasveryindignantindeedwithCARDINAL
RICHELIEU,theFrenchMinister,forthwartinghisintentions.TheEnglishpeoplewereverywelldisposedtoliketheirnewQueen,andtoreceiveherwithgreatfavourwhenshecameamongthemasastranger.But,sheheldtheProtestantreligioningreatdislike,andbroughtoveracrowdofunpleasantpriests,whomadeherdosomeveryridiculousthings,andforcedthemselvesuponthepublicnoticeinmanydisagreeableways.Hence,thepeoplesooncametodislikeher,andshesooncametodislikethem;andshedidsomuchallthroughthisreigninsettingtheKing(whowasdotinglyfondofher)againsthissubjects,thatitwouldhavebeenbetterforhimifshehadneverbeenborn.
Now,youaretounderstandthatKingCharlestheFirst-ofhisowndeterminationtobeahighandmightyKingnottobecalledtoaccountbyanybody,andurgedonbyhisQueenbesides-
deliberatelysethimselftoputhisParliamentdownandtoputhimselfup.Youarealsotounderstand,thateveninpursuitofthiswrongidea(enoughinitselftohaveruinedanyking)henevertookastraightcourse,butalwaystookacrookedone.
HewasbentuponwarwithSpain,thoughneithertheHouseofCommonsnorthepeoplewerequiteclearastothejusticeofthatwar,nowthattheybegantothinkalittlemoreaboutthestoryoftheSpanishmatch.ButtheKingrushedintoithotly,raisedmoneybyillegalmeanstomeetitsexpenses,andencounteredamiserablefailureatCadiz,intheveryfirstyearofhisreign.AnexpeditiontoCadizhadbeenmadeinthehopeofplunder,butasitwasnotsuccessful,itwasnecessarytogetagrantofmoneyfromtheParliament;andwhentheymet,innoverycomplyinghumour,the,Kingtoldthem,"tomakehastetolethimhaveit,oritwouldbetheworseforthemselves."Notputinamorecomplyinghumourbythis,theyimpeachedtheKing"sfavourite,theDukeofBuckingham,asthecause(whichheundoubtedlywas)ofmanygreatpublicgrievancesandwrongs.TheKing,tosavehim,dissolvedtheParliamentwithoutgettingthemoneyhewanted;andwhentheLordsimploredhimtoconsiderandgrantalittledelay,hereplied,"No,notoneminute."Hethenbegantoraisemoneyforhimselfbythefollowingmeansamongothers.
HeleviedcertaindutiescalledtonnageandpoundagewhichhadnotbeengrantedbytheParliament,andcouldlawfullybeleviedbynootherpower;hecalledupontheseaporttownstofurnish,andtopayallthecostforthreemonthsof,afleetofarmedships;andherequiredthepeopletouniteinlendinghimlargesumsofmoney,therepaymentofwhichwasverydoubtful.Ifthepoorpeoplerefused,theywerepressedassoldiersorsailors;ifthegentryrefused,theyweresenttoprison.Fivegentlemen,namedSIR
THOMASDARNEL,JOHNCORBET,WALTEREARL,JOHNHEVENINGHAM,andEVERARDHAMPDEN,forrefusingweretakenupbyawarrantoftheKing"sprivycouncil,andweresenttoprisonwithoutanycausebuttheKing"spleasurebeingstatedfortheirimprisonment.Thenthequestioncametobesolemnlytried,whetherthiswasnotaviolationofMagnaCharta,andanencroachmentbytheKingonthehighestrightsoftheEnglishpeople.HislawyerscontendedNo,becausetoencroachupontherightsoftheEnglishpeoplewouldbetodowrong,andtheKingcoulddonowrong.Theaccommodatingjudgesdecidedinfavourofthiswickednonsense;andherewasafataldivisionbetweentheKingandthepeople.
Forallthis,itbecamenecessarytocallanotherParliament.Thepeople,sensibleofthedangerinwhichtheirlibertieswere,choseforitthosewhowerebestknownfortheirdeterminedoppositiontotheKing;butstilltheKing,quiteblindedbyhisdeterminationtocarryeverythingbeforehim,addressedthemwhentheymet,inacontemptuousmanner,andjusttoldtheminsomanywordsthathehadonlycalledthemtogetherbecausehewantedmoney.TheParliament,strongenoughandresoluteenoughtoknowthattheywouldlowerhistone,caredlittleforwhathesaid,andlaidbeforehimoneofthegreatdocumentsofhistory,whichiscalledthePETITIONOFRIGHT,requiringthatthefreemenofEnglandshouldnolongerbecalledupontolendtheKingmoney,andshouldnolongerbepressedorimprisonedforrefusingtodoso;further,thatthefreemenofEnglandshouldnolongerbeseizedbytheKing"sspecialmandateorwarrant,itbeingcontrarytotheirrightsandlibertiesandthelawsoftheircountry.AtfirsttheKingreturnedananswertothispetition,inwhichhetriedtoshirkitaltogether;but,theHouseofCommonsthenshowingtheirdeterminationtogoonwiththeimpeachmentofBuckingham,theKinginalarmreturnedananswer,givinghisconsenttoallthatwasrequiredofhim.Henotonlyafterwardsdepartedfromhiswordandhonouronthesepoints,overandoveragain,but,atthisverytime,hedidthemeananddissemblingactofpublishinghisfirstanswerandnothissecond-merelythatthepeoplemightsupposethattheParliamenthadnotgotthebetterofhim.
ThatpestilentBuckingham,togratifyhisownwoundedvanity,hadbythistimeinvolvedthecountryinwarwithFrance,aswellaswithSpain.Forsuchmiserablecausesandsuchmiserablecreaturesarewarssometimesmade!Buthewasdestinedtodolittlemoremischiefinthisworld.Onemorning,ashewasgoingoutofhishousetohiscarriage,heturnedtospeaktoacertainColonelFRYERwhowaswithhim;andhewasviolentlystabbedwithaknife,whichthemurdererleftstickinginhisheart.Thishappenedinhishall.Hehadhadangrywordsup-stairs,justbefore,withsomeFrenchgentlemen,whowereimmediatelysuspectedbyhisservants,andhadacloseescapefrombeingsetuponandkilled.Inthemidstofthenoise,therealmurderer,whohadgonetothekitchenandmighteasilyhavegotaway,drewhisswordandcriedout,"Iamtheman!"HisnamewasJOHNFELTON,aProtestantandaretiredofficerinthearmy.Hesaidhehadhadnopersonalill-willtotheDuke,buthadkilledhimasacursetothecountry.Hehadaimedhisblowwell,forBuckinghamhadonlyhadtimetocryout,"Villain!"andthenhedrewouttheknife,fellagainstatable,anddied.
ThecouncilmadeamightybusinessofexaminingJohnFeltonaboutthismurder,thoughitwasaplaincaseenough,onewouldthink.
Hehadcomeseventymilestodoit,hetoldthem,andhediditforthereasonhehaddeclared;iftheyputhimupontherack,asthatnobleMARQUISOFDORSETwhomhesawbeforehim,hadthegoodnesstothreaten,hegavethatmarquiswarning,thathewouldaccuseHIMashisaccomplice!TheKingwasunpleasantlyanxioustohavehimracked,nevertheless;butasthejudgesnowfoundoutthattorturewascontrarytothelawofEngland-itisapitytheydidnotmakethediscoveryalittlesooner-JohnFeltonwassimplyexecutedforthemurderhehaddone.Amurderitundoubtedlywas,andnotintheleasttobedefended:thoughhehadfreedEnglandfromoneofthemostprofligate,contemptible,andbasecourtfavouritestowhomithaseveryielded.
Averydifferentmannowarose.ThiswasSIRTHOMASWENTWORTH,aYorkshiregentleman,whohadsatinParliamentforalongtime,andwhohadfavouredarbitraryandhaughtyprinciples,butwhohadgoneovertothepeople"ssideonreceivingoffencefromBuckingham.
TheKing,muchwantingsuchaman-for,besidesbeingnaturallyfavourabletotheKing"scause,hehadgreatabilities-madehimfirstaBaron,andthenaViscount,andgavehimhighemployment,andwonhimmostcompletely.
AParliament,however,wasstillinexistence,andwasNOTtobewon.OnthetwentiethofJanuary,onethousandsixhundredandtwenty-nine,SIRJOHNELIOT,agreatmanwhohadbeenactiveinthePetitionofRight,broughtforwardotherstrongresolutionsagainsttheKing"schiefinstruments,andcalledupontheSpeakertoputthemtothevote.TothistheSpeakeranswered,"hewascommandedotherwisebytheKing,"andgotuptoleavethechair-which,accordingtotherulesoftheHouseofCommonswouldhaveobligedittoadjournwithoutdoinganythingmore-whentwomembers,namedMr.HOLLISandMr.VALENTINE,heldhimdown.Asceneofgreatconfusionaroseamongthemembers;andwhilemanyswordsweredrawnandflashingabout,theKing,whowaskeptinformedofallthatwasgoingon,toldthecaptainofhisguardtogodowntotheHouseandforcethedoors.Theresolutionswerebythattime,however,voted,andtheHouseadjourned.SirJohnEliotandthosetwomemberswhohadheldtheSpeakerdown,werequicklysummonedbeforethecouncil.AstheyclaimedittobetheirprivilegenottoansweroutofParliamentforanythingtheyhadsaidinit,theywerecommittedtotheTower.TheKingthenwentdownanddissolvedtheParliament,inaspeechwhereinhemadementionofthesegentlemenas"Vipers"-whichdidnotdohimmuchgoodthateverI
haveheardof.
Astheyrefusedtogaintheirlibertybysayingtheyweresorryforwhattheyhaddone,theKing,alwaysremarkablyunforgiving,neveroverlookedtheiroffence.WhentheydemandedtobebroughtupbeforethecourtofKing"sBench,heevenresortedtothemeannessofhavingthemmovedaboutfromprisontoprison,sothatthewritsissuedforthatpurposeshouldnotlegallyfindthem.Atlasttheycamebeforethecourtandweresentencedtoheavyfines,andtobeimprisonedduringtheKing"spleasure.WhenSirJohnEliot"shealthhadquitegivenway,andhesolongedforchangeofairandsceneastopetitionforhisrelease,theKingsentbacktheanswer(worthyofhisSowshiphimself)thatthepetitionwasnothumbleenough.Whenhesentanotherpetitionbyhisyoungson,inwhichhepatheticallyofferedtogobacktoprisonwhenhishealthwasrestored,ifhemightbereleasedforitsrecovery,theKingstilldisregardedit.WhenhediedintheTower,andhischildrenpetitionedtobeallowedtotakehisbodydowntoCornwall,theretolayitamongtheashesofhisforefathers,theKingreturnedforanswer,"LetSirJohnEliot"sbodybeburiedinthechurchofthatparishwherehedied."AllthiswaslikeaverylittleKingindeed,Ithink.
Andnow,fortwelvelongyears,steadilypursuinghisdesignofsettinghimselfupandputtingthepeopledown,theKingcallednoParliament;butruledwithoutone.Iftwelvethousandvolumeswerewritteninhispraise(asagoodmanyhavebeen)itwouldstillremainafact,impossibletobedenied,thatfortwelveyearsKingCharlestheFirstreignedinEnglandunlawfullyanddespotically,seizeduponhissubjects"goodsandmoneyathispleasure,andpunishedaccordingtohisunbridledwillallwhoventuredtoopposehim.ItisafashionwithsomepeopletothinkthatthisKing"scareerwascutshort;butImustsaymyselfthatIthinkheranaprettylongone.
WILLIAMLAUD,ArchbishopofCanterbury,wastheKing"sright-handmaninthereligiouspartoftheputtingdownofthepeople"sliberties.Laud,whowasasincereman,oflargelearningbutsmallsense-forthetwothingssometimesgotogetherinverydifferentquantities-thoughaProtestant,heldopinionssonearthoseoftheCatholics,thatthePopewantedtomakeaCardinalofhim,ifhewouldhaveacceptedthatfavour.Helookeduponvows,robes,lightedcandles,images,andsoforth,asamazinglyimportantinreligiousceremonies;andhebroughtinanimmensityofbowingandcandle-snuffing.Healsoregardedarchbishopsandbishopsasasortofmiraculouspersons,andwasinveterateinthelastdegreeagainstanywhothoughtotherwise.Accordingly,heofferedupthankstoHeaven,andwasinastateofmuchpiouspleasure,whenaScotchclergyman,namedLEIGHTON,waspilloried,whipped,brandedinthecheek,andhadoneofhisearscutoffandoneofhisnostrilsslit,forcallingbishopstrumperyandtheinventionsofmen.HeoriginatedonaSundaymorningtheprosecutionofWILLIAMPRYNNE,abarristerwhowasofsimilaropinions,andwhowasfinedathousandpounds;whowaspilloried;
whohadhisearscutoffontwooccasions-oneearatatime-andwhowasimprisonedforlife.HehighlyapprovedofthepunishmentofDOCTORBASTWICK,aphysician;whowasalsofinedathousandpounds;andwhoafterwardshadHISearscutoff,andwasimprisonedforlife.Theseweregentlemethodsofpersuasion,somewilltellyou:Ithink,theywererathercalculatedtobealarmingtothepeople.
Inthemoneypartoftheputtingdownofthepeople"sliberties,theKingwasequallygentle,assomewilltellyou:asIthink,equallyalarming.Heleviedthosedutiesoftonnageandpoundage,andincreasedthemashethoughtfit.Hegrantedmonopoliestocompaniesofmerchantsontheirpayinghimforthem,notwithstandingthegreatcomplaintsthathad,foryearsandyears,beenmadeonthesubjectofmonopolies.HefinedthepeoplefordisobeyingproclamationsissuedbyhisSowshipindirectviolationoflaw.HerevivedthedetestedForestlaws,andtookprivatepropertytohimselfashisforestright.Aboveall,hedeterminedtohavewhatwascalledShipMoney;thatistosay,moneyforthesupportofthefleet-notonlyfromtheseaports,butfromallthecountiesofEngland:havingfoundoutthat,insomeancienttimeorother,allthecountiespaidit.Thegrievanceofthisshipmoneybeingsomewhattoostrong,JOHNCHAMBERS,acitizenofLondon,refusedtopayhispartofit.ForthistheLordMayororderedJohnChamberstoprison,andforthatJohnChambersbroughtasuitagainsttheLordMayor.LORDSAY,also,behavedlikearealnobleman,anddeclaredhewouldnotpay.But,thesturdiestandbestopponentoftheshipmoneywasJOHNHAMPDEN,agentlemanofBuckinghamshire,whohadsatamongthe"vipers"intheHouseofCommonswhentherewassuchathing,andwhohadbeenthebosomfriendofSirJohnEliot.ThiscasewastriedbeforethetwelvejudgesintheCourtofExchequer,andagaintheKing"slawyerssaiditwasimpossiblethatshipmoneycouldbewrong,becausetheKingcoulddonowrong,howeverhardhetried-andhereallydidtryveryhardduringthesetwelveyears.Sevenofthejudgessaidthatwasquitetrue,andMr.Hampdenwasboundtopay:fiveofthejudgessaidthatwasquitefalse,andMr.Hampdenwasnotboundtopay.So,theKingtriumphed(ashethought),bymakingHampdenthemostpopularmaninEngland;wheremattersweregettingtothatheightnow,thatmanyhonestEnglishmencouldnotenduretheircountry,andsailedawayacrosstheseastofoundacolonyinMassachusettsBayinAmerica.ItissaidthatHampdenhimselfandhisrelationOLIVERCROMWELLweregoingwithacompanyofsuchvoyagers,andwereactuallyonboardship,whentheywerestoppedbyaproclamation,prohibitingseacaptainstocarryoutsuchpassengerswithouttheroyallicense.ButO!itwouldhavebeenwellfortheKingifhehadletthemgo!ThiswasthestateofEngland.IfLaudhadbeenamadmanjustbrokeloose,hecouldnothavedonemoremischiefthanhedidinScotland.Inhisendeavours(inwhichhewassecondedbytheKing,theninpersoninthatpartofhisdominions)toforcehisownideasofbishops,andhisownreligiousformsandceremoniesupontheScotch,herousedthatnationtoaperfectfrenzy.Theyformedasolemnleague,whichtheycalledTheCovenant,forthepreservationoftheirownreligiousforms;theyroseinarmsthroughoutthewholecountry;
theysummonedalltheirmentoprayersandsermonstwiceadaybybeatofdrum;theysangpsalms,inwhichtheycomparedtheirenemiestoalltheevilspiritsthateverwereheardof;andtheysolemnlyvowedtosmitethemwiththesword.AtfirsttheKingtriedforce,thentreaty,thenaScottishParliamentwhichdidnotansweratall.ThenhetriedtheEARLOFSTRAFFORD,formerlySirThomasWentworth;who,asLORDWENTWORTH,hadbeengoverningIreland.He,too,hadcarrieditwithaveryhighhandthere,thoughtothebenefitandprosperityofthatcountry.
StraffordandLaudwereforconqueringtheScottishpeoplebyforceofarms.Otherlordswhoweretakenintocouncil,recommendedthataParliamentshouldatlastbecalled;towhichtheKingunwillinglyconsented.So,onthethirteenthofApril,onethousandsixhundredandforty,thatthenstrangesight,aParliament,wasseenatWestminster.ItiscalledtheShortParliament,foritlastedaverylittlewhile.Whilethememberswerealllookingatoneanother,doubtfulwhowoulddaretospeak,MR.PYMaroseandsetforthallthattheKinghaddoneunlawfullyduringthepasttwelveyears,andwhatwasthepositiontowhichEnglandwasreduced.Thisgreatexampleset,othermemberstookcourageandspokethetruthfreely,thoughwithgreatpatienceandmoderation.TheKing,alittlefrightened,senttosaythatiftheywouldgranthimacertainsumoncertainterms,nomoreshipmoneyshouldberaised.Theydebatedthematterfortwodays;andthen,astheywouldnotgivehimallheaskedwithoutpromiseorinquiry,hedissolvedthem.
ButtheyknewverywellthathemusthaveaParliamentnow;andhebegantomakethatdiscoverytoo,thoughratherlateintheday.
Wherefore,onthetwenty-fourthofSeptember,beingthenatYorkwithanarmycollectedagainsttheScottishpeople,buthisownmensullenanddiscontentedliketherestofthenation,theKingtoldthegreatcounciloftheLords,whomhehadcalledtomeethimthere,thathewouldsummonanotherParliamenttoassembleonthethirdofNovember.ThesoldiersoftheCovenanthadnowforcedtheirwayintoEnglandandhadtakenpossessionofthenortherncounties,wherethecoalsaregot.Asitwouldneverdotobewithoutcoals,andastheKing"stroopscouldmakenoheadagainsttheCovenanterssofullofgloomyzeal,atrucewasmade,andatreatywithScotlandwastakenintoconsideration.MeanwhilethenortherncountiespaidtheCovenanterstoleavethecoalsalone,andkeepquiet.
WehavenowdisposedoftheShortParliament.WehavenexttoseewhatmemorablethingsweredonebytheLongone.
SECONDPART
THELongParliamentassembledonthethirdofNovember,onethousandsixhundredandforty-one.ThatdayweektheEarlofStraffordarrivedfromYork,verysensiblethatthespiritedanddeterminedmenwhoformedthatParliamentwerenofriendstowardshim,whohadnotonlydesertedthecauseofthepeople,butwhohadonalloccasionsopposedhimselftotheirliberties.TheKingtoldhim,forhiscomfort,thattheParliament"shouldnothurtonehairofhishead."But,ontheverynextdayMr.Pym,intheHouseofCommons,andwithgreatsolemnity,impeachedtheEarlofStraffordasatraitor.Hewasimmediatelytakenintocustodyandfellfromhisproudheight.
Itwasthetwenty-secondofMarchbeforehewasbroughttotrialinWestminsterHall;where,althoughhewasveryillandsufferedgreatpain,hedefendedhimselfwithsuchabilityandmajesty,thatitwasdoubtfulwhetherhewouldnotgetthebestofit.Butonthethirteenthdayofthetrial,PymproducedintheHouseofCommonsacopyofsomenotesofacouncil,foundbyyoungSIRHARRY
VANEinaredvelvetcabinetbelongingtohisfather(SecretaryVane,whosatatthecouncil-tablewiththeEarl),inwhichStraffordhaddistinctlytoldtheKingthathewasfreefromallrulesandobligationsofgovernment,andmightdowithhispeoplewhateverheliked;andinwhichhehadadded-"YouhaveanarmyinIrelandthatyoumayemploytoreducethiskingdomtoobedience."
Itwasnotclearwhetherbythewords"thiskingdom,"hehadreallymeantEnglandorScotland;buttheParliamentcontendedthathemeantEngland,andthiswastreason.AtthesamesittingoftheHouseofCommonsitwasresolvedtobringinabillofattainderdeclaringthetreasontohavebeencommitted:inpreferencetoproceedingwiththetrialbyimpeachment,whichwouldhaverequiredthetreasontobeproved.
So,abillwasbroughtinatonce,wascarriedthroughtheHouseofCommonsbyalargemajority,andwassentuptotheHouseofLords.
WhileitwasstilluncertainwhethertheHouseofLordswouldpassitandtheKingconsenttoit,PymdisclosedtotheHouseofCommonsthattheKingandQueenhadbothbeenplottingwiththeofficersofthearmytobringupthesoldiersandcontroltheParliament,andalsotointroducetwohundredsoldiersintotheTowerofLondontoeffecttheEarl"sescape.TheplottingwiththearmywasrevealedbyoneGEORGEGORING,thesonofalordofthatname:abadfellowwhowasoneoftheoriginalplotters,andturnedtraitor.TheKinghadactuallygivenhiswarrantfortheadmissionofthetwohundredmenintotheTower,andtheywouldhavegotintoo,butfortherefusalofthegovernor-asturdyScotchmanofthenameofBALFOUR-toadmitthem.Thesemattersbeingmadepublic,greatnumbersofpeoplebegantoriotoutsidetheHousesofParliament,andtocryoutfortheexecutionoftheEarlofStrafford,asoneoftheKing"schiefinstrumentsagainstthem.ThebillpassedtheHouseofLordswhilethepeoplewereinthisstateofagitation,andwaslaidbeforetheKingforhisassent,togetherwithanotherbilldeclaringthattheParliamentthenassembledshouldnotbedissolvedoradjournedwithouttheirownconsent.TheKing-notunwillingtosaveafaithfulservant,thoughhehadnogreatattachmentforhim-wasinsomedoubtwhattodo;buthegavehisconsenttobothbills,althoughheinhisheartbelievedthatthebillagainsttheEarlofStraffordwasunlawfulandunjust.TheEarlhadwrittentohim,tellinghimthathewaswillingtodieforhissake.Buthehadnotexpectedthathisroyalmasterwouldtakehimathiswordquitesoreadily;for,whenheheardhisdoom,helaidhishanduponhisheart,andsaid,"PutnotyourtrustinPrinces!"
TheKing,whonevercouldbestraightforwardandplain,throughonesingledayorthroughonesinglesheetofpaper,wrotealettertotheLords,andsentitbytheyoungPrinceofWales,entreatingthemtoprevailwiththeCommonsthat"thatunfortunatemanshouldfulfilthenaturalcourseofhislifeinacloseimprisonment."Inapostscripttotheverysameletter,headded,"Ifhemustdie,itwerecharitytoreprievehimtillSaturday."Iftherehadbeenanydoubtofhisfate,thisweaknessandmeannesswouldhavesettledit.Theverynextday,whichwasthetwelfthofMay,hewasbroughtouttobebeheadedonTowerHill.
ArchbishopLaud,whohadbeensofondofhavingpeople"searscroppedoffandtheirnosesslit,wasnowconfinedintheTowertoo;andwhentheEarlwentbyhiswindowtohisdeath,hewasthere,athisrequest,togivehimhisblessing.TheyhadbeengreatfriendsintheKing"scause,andtheEarlhadwrittentohiminthedaysoftheirpowerthathethoughtitwouldbeanadmirablethingtohaveMr.Hampdenpubliclywhippedforrefusingtopaytheshipmoney.However,thosehighandmightydoingswereovernow,andtheEarlwenthiswaytodeathwithdignityandheroism.ThegovernorwishedhimtogetintoacoachattheTowergate,forfearthepeopleshouldtearhimtopieces;buthesaiditwasallonetohimwhetherhediedbytheaxeorbythepeople"shands.So,hewalked,withafirmtreadandastatelylook,andsometimespulledoffhishattothemashepassedalong.Theywereprofoundlyquiet.Hemadeaspeechonthescaffoldfromsomenoteshehadprepared(thepaperwasfoundlyingthereafterhisheadwasstruckoff),andoneblowoftheaxekilledhim,intheforty-ninthyearofhisage.
Thisboldanddaringact,theParliamentaccompaniedbyotherfamousmeasures,alloriginating(aseventhisdid)intheKing"shavingsogrosslyandsolongabusedhispower.ThenameofDELINQUENTSwasappliedtoallsheriffsandotherofficerswhohadbeenconcernedinraisingtheshipmoney,oranyothermoney,fromthepeople,inanunlawfulmanner;theHampdenjudgmentwasreversed;thejudgeswhohaddecidedagainstHampdenwerecalledupontogivelargesecuritiesthattheywouldtakesuchconsequencesasParliamentmightimposeuponthem;andonewasarrestedashesatinHighCourt,andcarriedofftoprison.Laudwasimpeached;theunfortunatevictimswhoseearshadbeencroppedandwhosenoseshadbeenslit,werebroughtoutofprisonintriumph;andabillwaspasseddeclaringthataParliamentshouldbecalledeverythirdyear,andthatiftheKingandtheKing"sofficersdidnotcallit,thepeopleshouldassembleofthemselvesandsummonit,asoftheirownrightandpower.Greatilluminationsandrejoicingstookplaceoverallthesethings,andthecountrywaswildlyexcited.ThattheParliamenttookadvantageofthisexcitementandstirredthemupbyeverymeans,thereisnodoubt;butyouarealwaystorememberthosetwelvelongyears,duringwhichtheKinghadtriedsohardwhetherhereallycoulddoanywrongornot.
AllthistimetherewasagreatreligiousoutcryagainsttherightoftheBishopstositinParliament;towhichtheScottishpeopleparticularlyobjected.TheEnglishweredividedonthissubject,and,partlyonthisaccountandpartlybecausetheyhadhadfoolishexpectationsthattheParliamentwouldbeabletotakeoffnearlyallthetaxes,numbersofthemsometimeswaveredandinclinedtowardstheKing.
Ibelievemyself,thatif,atthisoralmostanyotherperiodofhislife,theKingcouldhavebeentrustedbyanymannotoutofhissenses,hemighthavesavedhimselfandkepthisthrone.But,ontheEnglisharmybeingdisbanded,heplottedwiththeofficersagain,ashehaddonebefore,andestablishedthefactbeyondalldoubtbyputtinghissignatureofapprovaltoapetitionagainsttheParliamentaryleaders,whichwasdrawnupbycertainofficers.
WhentheScottisharmywasdisbanded,hewenttoEdinburghinfourdays-whichwasgoingveryfastatthattime-toplotagain,andsodarklytoo,thatitisdifficulttodecidewhathiswholeobjectwas.SomesupposethathewantedtogainovertheScottishParliament,ashedidinfactgainover,bypresentsandfavours,manyScottishlordsandmenofpower.SomethinkthathewenttogetproofsagainsttheParliamentaryleadersinEnglandoftheirhavingtreasonablyinvitedtheScottishpeopletocomeandhelpthem.WithwhateverobjecthewenttoScotland,hedidlittlegoodbygoing.AttheinstigationoftheEARLOFMONTROSE,adesperatemanwhowastheninprisonforplotting,hetriedtokidnapthreeScottishlordswhoescaped.AcommitteeoftheParliamentathome,whohadfollowedtowatchhim,writinganaccountofthisINCIDENT,asitwascalled,totheParliament,theParliamentmadeafreshstiraboutit;were,orfeignedtobe,muchalarmedforthemselves;
andwrotetotheEARLOFESSEX,thecommander-in-chief,foraguardtoprotectthem.
ItisnotabsolutelyprovedthattheKingplottedinIrelandbesides,butitisveryprobablethathedid,andthattheQueendid,andthathehadsomewildhopeofgainingtheIrishpeopleovertohissidebyfavouringariseamongthem.Whetherorno,theydidriseinamostbrutalandsavagerebellion;inwhich,encouragedbytheirpriests,theycommittedsuchatrocitiesuponnumbersoftheEnglish,ofbothsexesandofallages,asnobodycouldbelieve,butfortheirbeingrelatedonoathbyeye-
witnesses.WhetheronehundredthousandortwohundredthousandProtestantsweremurderedinthisoutbreak,isuncertain;but,thatitwasasruthlessandbarbarousanoutbreakaseverwasknownamonganysavagepeople,iscertain.
TheKingcamehomefromScotland,determinedtomakeagreatstruggleforhislostpower.Hebelievedthat,throughhispresentsandfavours,Scotlandwouldtakenopartagainsthim;andtheLordMayorofLondonreceivedhimwithsuchamagnificentdinnerthathethoughthemusthavebecomepopularagaininEngland.ItwouldtakeagoodmanyLordMayors,however,tomakeapeople,andtheKingsoonfoundhimselfmistaken.
Notsosoon,though,butthattherewasagreatoppositionintheParliamenttoacelebratedpaperputforthbyPymandHampdenandtherest,called"THEREMONSTRANCE,"whichsetforthalltheillegalactsthattheKinghadeverdone,butpolitelylaidtheblameofthemonhisbadadvisers.Evenwhenitwaspassedandpresentedtohim,theKingstillthoughthimselfstrongenoughtodischargeBalfourfromhiscommandintheTower,andtoputinhisplaceamanofbadcharacter;towhomtheCommonsinstantlyobjected,andwhomhewasobligedtoabandon.Atthistime,theoldoutcryabouttheBishopsbecamelouderthanever,andtheoldArchbishopofYorkwassonearbeingmurderedashewentdowntotheHouseofLords-beinglaidholdofbythemobandviolentlyknockedabout,inreturnforveryfoolishlyscoldingashrillboywhowasyelpingout"NoBishops!"-thathesentforalltheBishopswhowereintown,andproposedtothemtosignadeclarationthat,astheycouldnolongerwithoutdangertotheirlivesattendtheirdutyinParliament,theyprotestedagainstthelawfulnessofeverythingdoneintheirabsence.ThistheyaskedtheKingtosendtotheHouseofLords,whichhedid.ThentheHouseofCommonsimpeachedthewholepartyofBishopsandsentthemofftotheTower:
Takingnowarningfromthis;butencouragedbytherebeingamoderatepartyintheParliamentwhoobjectedtothesestrongmeasures,theKing,onthethirdofJanuary,onethousandsixhundredandforty-two,tooktherasheststepthateverwastakenbymortalman.
Ofhisownaccordandwithoutadvice,hesenttheAttorney-GeneraltotheHouseofLords,toaccuseoftreasoncertainmembersofParliamentwhoaspopularleaderswerethemostobnoxioustohim;
LORDKIMBOLTON,SIRARTHURHASELRIG,DENZILHOLLIS,JOHNPYM(theyusedtocallhimKingPym,hepossessedsuchpowerandlookedsobig),JOHNHAMPDEN,andWILLIAMSTRODE.Thehousesofthosemembershecausedtobeentered,andtheirpaperstobesealedup.
Atthesametime,hesentamessengertotheHouseofCommonsdemandingtohavethefivegentlemenwhoweremembersofthatHouseimmediatelyproduced.TothistheHouserepliedthattheyshouldappearassoonastherewasanylegalchargeagainstthem,andimmediatelyadjourned.
Nextday,theHouseofCommonssendintotheCitytolettheLordMayorknowthattheirprivilegesareinvadedbytheKing,andthatthereisnosafetyforanybodyoranything.Then,whenthefivemembersaregoneoutoftheway,downcomestheKinghimself,withallhisguardandfromtwotothreehundredgentlemenandsoldiers,ofwhomthegreaterpartwerearmed.Theseheleavesinthehall;
andthen,withhisnephewathisside,goesintotheHouse,takesoffhishat,andwalksuptotheSpeaker"schair.TheSpeakerleavesit,theKingstandsinfrontofit,looksabouthimsteadilyforalittlewhile,andsayshehascomeforthosefivemembers.
Noonespeaks,andthenhecallsJohnPymbyname.Noonespeaks,andthenhecallsDenzilHollisbyname.Noonespeaks,andthenheaskstheSpeakeroftheHousewherethosefivemembersare?TheSpeaker,answeringonhisknee,noblyrepliesthatheistheservantofthatHouse,andthathehasneithereyestosee,nortonguetospeak,anythingbutwhattheHousecommandshim.Uponthis,theKing,beatenfromthattimeevermore,repliesthathewillseekthemhimself,fortheyhavecommittedtreason;andgoesout,withhishatinhishand,amidsomeaudiblemurmursfromthemembers.
Nowordscandescribethehurrythataroseoutofdoorswhenallthiswasknown.ThefivemembershadgoneforsafetytoahouseinColeman-street,intheCity,wheretheywereguardedallnight;andindeedthewholecitywatchedinarmslikeanarmy.Atteno"clockinthemorning,theKing,alreadyfrightenedatwhathehaddone,cametotheGuildhall,withonlyhalfadozenlords,andmadeaspeechtothepeople,hopingtheywouldnotshelterthosewhomheaccusedoftreason.Nextday,heissuedaproclamationfortheapprehensionofthefivemembers;buttheParliamentmindeditsolittlethattheymadegreatarrangementsforhavingthembroughtdowntoWestminsteringreatstate,fivedaysafterwards.TheKingwassoalarmednowathisownimprudence,ifnotforhisownsafety,thathelefthispalaceatWhitehall,andwentawaywithhisQueenandchildrentoHamptonCourt.
ItwastheeleventhofMay,whenthefivememberswerecarriedinstateandtriumphtoWestminster.Theyweretakenbywater.Therivercouldnotbeseenfortheboatsonit;andthefivememberswerehemmedinbybargesfullofmenandgreatguns,readytoprotectthem,atanycost.AlongtheStrandalargebodyofthetrain-bandsofLondon,undertheircommander,SKIPPON,marchedtobereadytoassistthelittlefleet.Beyondthem,cameacrowdwhochokedthestreets,roaringincessantlyabouttheBishopsandthePapists,andcryingoutcontemptuouslyastheypassedWhitehall,"WhathasbecomeoftheKing?"WiththisgreatnoiseoutsidetheHouseofCommons,andwithgreatsilencewithin,Mr.PymroseandinformedtheHouseofthegreatkindnesswithwhichtheyhadbeenreceivedintheCity.Uponthat,theHousecalledthesheriffsinandthankedthem,andrequestedthetrain-bands,undertheircommanderSkippon,toguardtheHouseofCommonseveryday.Then,camefourthousandmenonhorsebackoutofBuckinghamshire,offeringtheirservicesasaguardtoo,andbearingapetitiontotheKing,complainingoftheinjurythathadbeendonetoMr.
Hampden,whowastheircountymanandmuchbelovedandhonoured.
WhentheKingsetoffforHamptonCourt,thegentlemenandsoldierswhohadbeenwithhimfollowedhimoutoftownasfarasKingston-
upon-Thames;nextday,LordDigbycametothemfromtheKingatHamptonCourt,inhiscoachandsix,toinformthemthattheKingacceptedtheirprotection.This,theParliamentsaid,wasmakingwaragainstthekingdom,andLordDigbyfledabroad.TheParliamentthenimmediatelyappliedthemselvestogettingholdofthemilitarypowerofthecountry,wellknowingthattheKingwasalreadytryinghardtouseitagainstthem,andthathehadsecretlysenttheEarlofNewcastletoHull,tosecureavaluablemagazineofarmsandgunpowderthatwasthere.Inthosetimes,everycountyhaditsownmagazinesofarmsandpowder,foritsowntrain-bandsormilitia;so,theParliamentbroughtinabillclaimingtheright(whichuptothistimehadbelongedtotheKing)
ofappointingtheLordLieutenantsofcounties,whocommandedthesetrain-bands;also,ofhavingalltheforts,castles,andgarrisonsinthekingdom,putintothehandsofsuchgovernorsasthey,theParliament,couldconfidein.ItalsopassedalawdeprivingtheBishopsoftheirvotes.TheKinggavehisassenttothatbill,butwouldnotabandontherightofappointingtheLordLieutenants,thoughhesaidhewaswillingtoappointsuchasmightbesuggestedtohimbytheParliament.WhentheEarlofPembrokeaskedhimwhetherhewouldnotgivewayonthatquestionforatime,hesaid,"ByGod!notforonehour!"anduponthisheandtheParliamentwenttowar.
HisyoungdaughterwasbetrothedtothePrinceofOrange.Onpretenceoftakinghertothecountryofherfuturehusband,theQueenwasalreadygotsafelyawaytoHolland,theretopawntheCrownjewelsformoneytoraiseanarmyontheKing"sside.TheLordAdmiralbeingsick,theHouseofCommonsnownamedtheEarlofWarwicktoholdhisplaceforayear.TheKingnamedanothergentleman;theHouseofCommonstookitsownway,andtheEarlofWarwickbecameLordAdmiralwithouttheKing"sconsent.TheParliamentsentordersdowntoHulltohavethatmagazineremovedtoLondon;theKingwentdowntoHulltotakeithimself.Thecitizenswouldnotadmithimintothetown,andthegovernorwouldnotadmithimintothecastle.TheParliamentresolvedthatwhateverthetwoHousespassed,andtheKingwouldnotconsentto,shouldbecalledanORDINANCE,andshouldbeasmuchalawasifhedidconsenttoit.TheKingprotestedagainstthis,andgavenoticethattheseordinanceswerenottobeobeyed.TheKing,attendedbythemajorityoftheHouseofPeers,andbymanymembersoftheHouseofCommons,establishedhimselfatYork.TheChancellorwenttohimwiththeGreatSeal,andtheParliamentmadeanewGreatSeal.TheQueensentoverashipfullofarmsandammunition,andtheKingissuedletterstoborrowmoneyathighinterest.TheParliamentraisedtwentyregimentsoffootandseventy-fivetroopsofhorse;andthepeoplewillinglyaidedthemwiththeirmoney,plate,jewellery,andtrinkets-themarriedwomenevenwiththeirwedding-rings.EverymemberofParliamentwhocouldraiseatrooporaregimentinhisownpartofthecountry,dresseditaccordingtohistasteandinhisowncolours,andcommandedit.Foremostamongthemall,OLIVERCROMWELLraisedatroopofhorse-thoroughlyinearnestandthoroughlywellarmed-whowere,perhaps,thebestsoldiersthateverwereseen.