Insomeoftheirproceedings,thisfamousParliamentpassedtheboundsofpreviouslawandcustom,yieldedtoandfavouredriotousassemblagesofthepeople,andactedtyrannicallyinimprisoningsomewhodifferedfromthepopularleaders.Butagain,youarealwaystorememberthatthetwelveyearsduringwhichtheKinghadhadhisownwilfulway,hadgonebefore;andthatnothingcouldmakethetimeswhattheymight,could,would,orshouldhavebeen,ifthosetwelveyearshadneverrolledaway.
THIRDPART
ISHALLnottrytorelatetheparticularsofthegreatcivilwarbetweenKingCharlestheFirstandtheLongParliament,whichlastednearlyfouryears,andafullaccountofwhichwouldfillmanylargebooks.ItwasasadthingthatEnglishmenshouldoncemorebefightingagainstEnglishmenonEnglishground;but,itissomeconsolationtoknowthatonbothsidestherewasgreathumanity,forbearance,andhonour.ThesoldiersoftheParliamentwerefarmoreremarkableforthesegoodqualitiesthanthesoldiersoftheKing(manyofwhomfoughtformerepaywithoutmuchcaringforthecause);butthoseofthenobilityandgentrywhowereontheKing\'ssideweresobrave,andsofaithfultohim,thattheirconductcannotbutcommandourhighestadmiration.AmongthemweregreatnumbersofCatholics,whotooktheroyalsidebecausetheQueenwassostronglyoftheirpersuasion.
TheKingmighthavedistinguishedsomeofthesegallantspirits,ifhehadbeenasgenerousaspirithimself,bygivingthemthecommandofhisarmy.Insteadofthat,however,truetohisoldhighnotionsofroyalty,heentrustedittohistwonephews,PRINCE
RUPERTandPRINCEMAURICE,whowereofroyalbloodandcameoverfromabroadtohelphim.Itmighthavebeenbetterforhimiftheyhadstayedaway;sincePrinceRupertwasanimpetuous,hot-headedfellow,whoseonlyideawastodashintobattleatalltimesandseasons,andlayabouthim.
Thegeneral-in-chiefoftheParliamentaryarmywastheEarlofEssex,agentlemanofhonourandanexcellentsoldier.Alittlewhilebeforethewarbrokeout,therehadbeensomeriotingatWestminsterbetweencertainofficiouslawstudentsandnoisysoldiers,andtheshopkeepersandtheirapprentices,andthegeneralpeopleinthestreets.AtthattimetheKing\'sfriendscalledthecrowd,Roundheads,becausetheapprenticesworeshorthair;thecrowd,inreturn,calledtheiropponentsCavaliers,meaningthattheywereablusteringset,whopretendedtobeverymilitary.Thesetwowordsnowbegantobeusedtodistinguishthetwosidesinthecivilwar.TheRoyalistsalsocalledtheParliamentarymenRebelsandRogues,whiletheParliamentarymencalledTHEMMalignants,andspokeofthemselvesastheGodly,theHonest,andsoforth.
ThewarbrokeoutatPortsmouth,wherethatdoubletraitorGoringhadagaingoneovertotheKingandwasbesiegedbytheParliamentarytroops.Uponthis,theKingproclaimedtheEarlofEssexandtheofficersservingunderhim,traitors,andcalleduponhisloyalsubjectstomeethiminarmsatNottinghamonthetwenty-
fifthofAugust.Buthisloyalsubjectscameabouthiminscantynumbers,anditwasawindy,gloomyday,andtheRoyalStandardgotblowndown,andthewholeaffairwasverymelancholy.Thechiefengagementsafterthis,tookplaceinthevaleoftheRedHorsenearBanbury,atBrentford,atDevizes,atChalgraveField(whereMr.Hampdenwassosorelywoundedwhilefightingattheheadofhismen,thathediedwithinaweek),atNewbury(inwhichbattleLORD
FALKLAND,oneofthebestnoblemenontheKing\'sside,waskilled),atLeicester,atNaseby,atWinchester,atMarstonMoornearYork,atNewcastle,andinmanyotherpartsofEnglandandScotland.
Thesebattleswereattendedwithvarioussuccesses.Atonetime,theKingwasvictorious;atanothertime,theParliament.ButalmostallthegreatandbusytownswereagainsttheKing;andwhenitwasconsiderednecessarytofortifyLondon,allranksofpeople,fromlabouringmenandwomen,uptolordsandladies,workedhardtogetherwithheartinessandgoodwill.ThemostdistinguishedleadersontheParliamentarysidewereHAMPDEN,SIRTHOMASFAIRFAX,and,aboveall,OLIVERCROMWELL,andhisson-in-lawIRETON.
Duringthewholeofthiswar,thepeople,towhomitwasveryexpensiveandirksome,andtowhomitwasmadethemoredistressingbyalmosteveryfamilybeingdivided-someofitsmembersattachingthemselvestoonesideandsometotheother-wereoverandoveragainmostanxiousforpeace.Soweresomeofthebestmenineachcause.Accordingly,treatiesofpeacewerediscussedbetweencommissionersfromtheParliamentandtheKing;atYork,atOxford(wheretheKingheldalittleParliamentofhisown),andatUxbridge.Buttheycametonothing.Inallthesenegotiations,andinallhisdifficulties,theKingshowedhimselfathisbest.
Hewascourageous,cool,self-possessed,andclever;but,theoldtaintofhischaracterwasalwaysinhim,andhewasneverforonesinglemomenttobetrusted.LordClarendon,thehistorian,oneofhishighestadmirers,supposesthathehadunhappilypromisedtheQueennevertomakepeacewithoutherconsent,andthatthismustoftenbetakenashisexcuse.Heneverkepthiswordfromnighttomorning.Hesignedacessationofhostilitieswiththeblood-
stainedIrishrebelsforasumofmoney,andinvitedtheIrishregimentsover,tohelphimagainsttheParliament.InthebattleofNaseby,hiscabinetwasseizedandwasfoundtocontainacorrespondencewiththeQueen,inwhichheexpresslytoldherthathehaddeceivedtheParliament-amongrelParliament,hecalleditnow,asanimprovementonhisoldtermofvipers-inpretendingtorecogniseitandtotreatwithit;andfromwhichitfurtherappearedthathehadlongbeeninsecrettreatywiththeDukeofLorraineforaforeignarmyoftenthousandmen.Disappointedinthis,hesentamostdevotedfriendofhis,theEARLOFGLAMORGAN,toIreland,toconcludeasecrettreatywiththeCatholicpowers,tosendhimanIrisharmyoftenthousandmen;inreturnforwhichhewastobestowgreatfavoursontheCatholicreligion.And,whenthistreatywasdiscoveredinthecarriageofafightingIrishArchbishopwhowaskilledinoneofthemanyskirmishesofthosedays,hebaselydeniedanddesertedhisattachedfriend,theEarl,onhisbeingchargedwithhightreason;and-evenworsethanthis-hadleftblanksinthesecretinstructionshegavehimwithhisownkinglyhand,expresslythathemightthussavehimself.
Atlast,onthetwenty-seventhdayofApril,onethousandsixhundredandforty-six,theKingfoundhimselfinthecityofOxford,sosurroundedbytheParliamentaryarmywhowereclosinginuponhimonallsidesthathefeltthatifhewouldescapehemustdelaynolonger.So,thatnight,havingalteredthecutofhishairandbeard,hewasdressedupasaservantandputuponahorsewithacloakstrappedbehindhim,androdeoutofthetownbehindoneofhisownfaithfulfollowers,withaclergymanofthatcountrywhoknewtheroadwell,foraguide.HerodetowardsLondonasfarasHarrow,andthenalteredhisplansandresolved,itwouldseem,togototheScottishcamp.TheScottishmenhadbeeninvitedovertohelptheParliamentaryarmy,andhadalargeforcetheninEngland.TheKingwassodesperatelyintriguingineverythinghedid,thatitisdoubtfulwhatheexactlymeantbythisstep.Hetookit,anyhow,anddeliveredhimselfuptotheEARLOFLEVEN,theScottishgeneral-in-chief,whotreatedhimasanhonourableprisoner.NegotiationsbetweentheParliamentontheonehandandtheScottishauthoritiesontheother,astowhatshouldbedonewithhim,lasteduntilthefollowingFebruary.Then,whentheKinghadrefusedtotheParliamenttheconcessionofthatoldmilitiapointfortwentyyears,andhadrefusedtoScotlandtherecognitionofitsSolemnLeagueandCovenant,Scotlandgotahandsomesumforitsarmyanditshelp,andtheKingintothebargain.Hewastaken,bycertainParliamentarycommissionersappointedtoreceivehim,tooneofhisownhouses,calledHolmbyHouse,nearAlthorpe,inNorthamptonshire.
WhiletheCivilWarwasstillinprogress,JohnPymdied,andwasburiedwithgreathonourinWestminsterAbbey-notwithgreaterhonourthanhedeserved,forthelibertiesofEnglishmenoweamightydebttoPymandHampden.ThewarwasbutnewlyoverwhentheEarlofEssexdied,ofanillnessbroughtonbyhishavingoverheatedhimselfinastaghuntinWindsorForest.He,too,wasburiedinWestminsterAbbey,withgreatstate.IwishitwerenotnecessarytoaddthatArchbishopLauddieduponthescaffoldwhenthewarwasnotyetdone.Histriallastedinallnearlyayear,and,itbeingdoubtfuleventhenwhetherthechargesbroughtagainsthimamountedtotreason,theodiousoldcontrivanceoftheworstkingswasresortedto,andabillofattainderwasbroughtinagainsthim.Hewasaviolentlyprejudicedandmischievousperson;
hadhadstrongear-croppingandnose-splittingpropensities,asyouknow;andhaddoneaworldofharm.Buthediedpeaceably,andlikeabraveoldman.
FOURTHPART
WHENtheParliamenthadgottheKingintotheirhands,theybecameveryanxioustogetridoftheirarmy,inwhichOliverCromwellhadbeguntoacquiregreatpower;notonlybecauseofhiscourageandhighabilities,butbecauseheprofessedtobeverysincereintheScottishsortofPuritanreligionthatwasthenexceedinglypopularamongthesoldiers.TheywereasmuchopposedtotheBishopsastothePopehimself;andtheveryprivates,drummers,andtrumpeters,hadsuchaninconvenienthabitofstartingupandpreachinglong-
windeddiscourses,thatIwouldnothavebelongedtothatarmyonanyaccount.
So,theParliament,beingfarfromsurebutthatthearmymightbegintopreachandfightagainstthemnowithadnothingelsetodo,proposedtodisbandthegreaterpartofit,tosendanotherparttoserveinIrelandagainsttherebels,andtokeeponlyasmallforceinEngland.But,thearmywouldnotconsenttobebrokenup,exceptuponitsownconditions;and,whentheParliamentshowedanintentionofcompellingit,itactedforitselfinanunexpectedmanner.Acertaincornet,ofthenameofJOICE,arrivedatHolmbyHouseonenight,attendedbyfourhundredhorsemen,wentintotheKing\'sroomwithhishatinonehandandapistolintheother,andtoldtheKingthathehadcometotakehimaway.TheKingwaswillingenoughtogo,andonlystipulatedthatheshouldbepubliclyrequiredtodosonextmorning.Nextmorning,accordingly,heappearedonthetopofthestepsofthehouse,andaskedCometJoicebeforehismenandtheguardsettherebytheParliament,whatauthorityhehadfortakinghimaway?TothisCornetJoicereplied,\'Theauthorityofthearmy.\'\'Haveyouawrittencommission?\'saidtheKing.Joice,pointingtohisfourhundredmenonhorseback,replied,\'Thatismycommission.\'
\'Well,\'saidtheKing,smiling,asifhewerepleased,\'Ineverbeforereadsuchacommission;butitiswritteninfairandlegiblecharacters.ThisisacompanyofashandsomepropergentlemenasIhaveseenalongwhile.\'Hewasaskedwherehewouldliketolive,andhesaidatNewmarket.So,toNewmarketheandCornetJoiceandthefourhundredhorsemenrode;theKingremarking,inthesamesmilingway,thathecouldrideasfarataspellasCornetJoice,oranymanthere.
TheKingquitebelieved,Ithink,thatthearmywerehisfriends.
HesaidasmuchtoFairfaxwhenthatgeneral,OliverCromwell,andIreton,wenttopersuadehimtoreturntothecustodyoftheParliament.Hepreferredtoremainashewas,andresolvedtoremainashewas.AndwhenthearmymovednearerandnearerLondontofrightentheParliamentintoyieldingtotheirdemands,theytooktheKingwiththem.ItwasadeplorablethingthatEnglandshouldbeatthemercyofagreatbodyofsoldierswitharmsintheirhands;buttheKingcertainlyfavouredthematthisimportanttimeofhislife,ascomparedwiththemorelawfulpowerthattriedtocontrolhim.Itmustbeadded,however,thattheytreatedhim,asyet,morerespectfullyandkindlythantheParliamenthaddone.
Theyallowedhimtobeattendedbyhisownservants,tobesplendidlyentertainedatvarioushouses,andtoseehischildren-
atCaveshamHouse,nearReading-fortwodays.Whereas,theParliamenthadbeenratherhardwithhim,andhadonlyallowedhimtorideoutandplayatbowls.
ItismuchtobebelievedthatiftheKingcouldhavebeentrusted,evenatthistime,hemighthavebeensaved.EvenOliverCromwellexpresslysaidthathedidbelievethatnomancouldenjoyhispossessionsinpeace,unlesstheKinghadhisrights.HewasnotunfriendlytowardstheKing;hehadbeenpresentwhenhereceivedhischildren,andhadbeenmuchaffectedbythepitiablenatureofthescene;hesawtheKingoften;hefrequentlywalkedandtalkedwithhiminthelonggalleriesandpleasantgardensofthePalaceatHamptonCourt,whitherhewasnowremoved;andinallthisriskedsomethingofhisinfluencewiththearmy.But,theKingwasinsecrethopesofhelpfromtheScottishpeople;andthemomenthewasencouragedtojointhemhebegantobecooltohisnewfriends,thearmy,andtotelltheofficersthattheycouldnotpossiblydowithouthim.Attheverytime,too,whenhewaspromisingtomakeCromwellandIretonnoblemen,iftheywouldhelphimuptohisoldheight,hewaswritingtotheQueenthathemeanttohangthem.
Theybothafterwardsdeclaredthattheyhadbeenprivatelyinformedthatsuchaletterwouldbefound,onacertainevening,sewedupinasaddlewhichwouldbetakentotheBlueBoarinHolborntobesenttoDover;andthattheywentthere,disguisedascommonsoldiers,andsatdrinkingintheinn-yarduntilamancamewiththesaddle,whichtheyrippedupwiththeirknives,andthereinfoundtheletter.Iseelittlereasontodoubtthestory.ItiscertainthatOliverCromwelltoldoneoftheKing\'smostfaithfulfollowersthattheKingcouldnotbetrusted,andthathewouldnotbeanswerableifanythingamissweretohappentohim.Still,evenafterthat,hekeptapromisehehadmadetotheKing,bylettinghimknowthattherewasaplotwithacertainportionofthearmytoseizehim.Ibelievethat,infact,hesincerelywantedtheKingtoescapeabroad,andsotobegotridofwithoutmoretroubleordanger.ThatOliverhimselfhadworkenoughwiththearmyisprettyplain;forsomeofthetroopsweresomutinousagainsthim,andagainstthosewhoactedwithhimatthistime,thathefounditnecessarytohaveonemanshotattheheadofhisregimenttooverawetherest.
TheKing,whenhereceivedOliver\'swarning,madehisescapefromHamptonCourt;aftersomeindecisionanduncertainty,hewenttoCarisbrookeCastleintheIsleofWight.Atfirst,hewasprettyfreethere;but,eventhere,hecarriedonapretendedtreatywiththeParliament,whilehewasreallytreatingwithcommissionersfromScotlandtosendanarmyintoEnglandtotakehispart.WhenhebrokeoffthistreatywiththeParliament(havingsettledwithScotland)andwastreatedasaprisoner,histreatmentwasnotchangedtoosoon,forhehadplottedtoescapethatverynighttoashipsentbytheQueen,whichwaslyingofftheisland.
HewasdoomedtobedisappointedinhishopesfromScotland.TheagreementhehadmadewiththeScottishCommissionerswasnotfavourableenoughtothereligionofthatcountrytopleasetheScottishclergy;andtheypreachedagainstit.Theconsequencewas,thatthearmyraisedinScotlandandsentover,wastoosmalltodomuch;andthat,althoughitwashelpedbyarisingoftheRoyalistsinEnglandandbygoodsoldiersfromIreland,itcouldmakenoheadagainsttheParliamentaryarmyundersuchmenasCromwellandFairfax.TheKing\'seldestson,thePrinceofWales,cameoverfromHollandwithnineteenships(apartoftheEnglishfleethavinggoneovertohim)tohelphisfather;butnothingcameofhisvoyage,andhewasfaintoreturn.ThemostremarkableeventofthissecondcivilwarwasthecruelexecutionbytheParliamentaryGeneral,ofSIRCHARLESLUCASandSIRGEORGELISLE,twograndRoyalistgenerals,whohadbravelydefendedColchesterundereverydisadvantageoffamineanddistressfornearlythreemonths.WhenSirCharlesLucaswasshot,SirGeorgeLislekissedhisbody,andsaidtothesoldierswhoweretoshoothim,\'Comenearer,andmakesureofme.\'\'Iwarrantyou,SirGeorge,\'saidoneofthesoldiers,\'weshallhityou.\'\'AY?\'hereturnedwithasmile,\'butIhavebeennearertoyou,myfriends,manyatime,andyouhavemissedme.\'
TheParliament,afterbeingfearfullybulliedbythearmy-whodemandedtohavesevenmemberswhomtheydislikedgivenuptothem-hadvotedthattheywouldhavenothingmoretodowiththeKing.
Ontheconclusion,however,ofthissecondcivilwar(whichdidnotlastmorethansixmonths),theyappointedcommissionerstotreatwithhim.TheKing,thensofarreleasedagainastobeallowedtoliveinaprivatehouseatNewportintheIsleofWight,managedhisownpartofthenegotiationwithasensethatwasadmiredbyallwhosawhim,andgaveup,intheend,allthatwasaskedofhim-evenyielding(whichhehadsteadilyrefused,sofar)tothetemporaryabolitionofthebishops,andthetransferoftheirchurchlandtotheCrown.Still,withhisoldfatalviceuponhim,whenhisbestfriendsjoinedthecommissionersinbeseechinghimtoyieldallthosepointsastheonlymeansofsavinghimselffromthearmy,hewasplottingtoescapefromtheisland;hewasholdingcorrespondencewithhisfriendsandtheCatholicsinIreland,thoughdeclaringthathewasnot;andhewaswriting,withhisownhand,thatinwhatheyieldedhemeantnothingbuttogettimetoescape.
Matterswereatthispasswhenthearmy,resolvedtodefytheParliament,marcheduptoLondon.TheParliament,notafraidofthemnow,andboldlyledbyHollis,votedthattheKing\'sconcessionsweresufficientgroundforsettlingthepeaceofthekingdom.Uponthat,COLONELRICHandCOLONELPRIDEwentdowntotheHouseofCommonswitharegimentofhorsesoldiersandaregimentoffoot;andColonelPride,standinginthelobbywithalistofthememberswhowereobnoxioustothearmyinhishand,hadthempointedouttohimastheycamethrough,andtookthemallintocustody.Thisproceedingwasafterwardscalledbythepeople,forajoke,PRIDE\'SPURGE.CromwellwasintheNorth,attheheadofhismen,atthetime,butwhenhecamehome,approvedofwhathadbeendone.
Whatwithimprisoningsomemembersandcausingotherstostayaway,thearmyhadnowreducedtheHouseofCommonstosomefiftyorso.
Thesesoonvotedthatitwastreasoninakingtomakewaragainsthisparliamentandhispeople,andsentanordinanceuptotheHouseofLordsfortheKing\'sbeingtriedasatraitor.TheHouseofLords,thensixteeninnumber,toamanrejectedit.Thereupon,theCommonsmadeanordinanceoftheirown,thattheywerethesupremegovernmentofthecountry,andwouldbringtheKingtotrial.
TheKinghadbeentakenforsecuritytoaplacecalledHurstCastle:alonelyhouseonarockinthesea,connectedwiththecoastofHampshirebyaroughroadtwomileslongatlowwater.
Thence,hewasorderedtoberemovedtoWindsor;thence,afterbeingbutrudelyusedthere,andhavingnonebutsoldierstowaituponhimattable,hewasbroughtuptoSt.James\'sPalaceinLondon,andtoldthathistrialwasappointedfornextday.
OnSaturday,thetwentiethofJanuary,onethousandsixhundredandforty-nine,thismemorabletrialbegan.TheHouseofCommonshadsettledthatonehundredandthirty-fivepersonsshouldformtheCourt,andtheseweretakenfromtheHouseitself,fromamongtheofficersofthearmy,andfromamongthelawyersandcitizens.
JOHNBRADSHAW,serjeant-at-law,wasappointedpresident.TheplacewasWestminsterHall.Attheupperend,inaredvelvetchair,satthepresident,withhishat(linedwithplatesofironforhisprotection)onhishead.TherestoftheCourtsatonsidebenches,alsowearingtheirhats.TheKing\'sseatwascoveredwithvelvet,likethatofthepresident,andwasoppositetoit.HewasbroughtfromSt.James\'stoWhitehall,andfromWhitehallhecamebywatertohistrial.
Whenhecamein,helookedroundverysteadilyontheCourt,andonthegreatnumberofspectators,andthensatdown:presentlyhegotupandlookedroundagain.Ontheindictment\'againstCharlesStuart,forhightreason,\'beingread,hesmiledseveraltimes,andhedeniedtheauthorityoftheCourt,sayingthattherecouldbenoparliamentwithoutaHouseofLords,andthathesawnoHouseofLordsthere.Also,thattheKingoughttobethere,andthathesawnoKingintheKing\'srightplace.Bradshawreplied,thattheCourtwassatisfiedwithitsauthority,andthatitsauthoritywasGod\'sauthorityandthekingdom\'s.HethenadjournedtheCourttothefollowingMonday.Onthatday,thetrialwasresumed,andwentonalltheweek.WhentheSaturdaycame,astheKingpassedforwardtohisplaceintheHall,somesoldiersandotherscriedfor\'justice!\'andexecutiononhim.Thatday,too,Bradshaw,likeanangrySultan,worearedrobe,insteadoftheblackrobehehadwornbefore.TheKingwassentencedtodeaththatday.Ashewentout,onesolitarysoldiersaid,\'Godblessyou,Sir!\'Forthis,hisofficerstruckhim.TheKingsaidhethoughtthepunishmentexceededtheoffence.Thesilverheadofhiswalking-stickhadfallenoffwhileheleaneduponit,atonetimeofthetrial.Theaccidentseemedtodisturbhim,asifhethoughtitominousofthefallingofhisownhead;andheadmittedasmuch,nowitwasallover.
BeingtakenbacktoWhitehall,hesenttotheHouseofCommons,sayingthatasthetimeofhisexecutionmightbenigh,hewishedhemightbeallowedtoseehisdarlingchildren.Itwasgranted.
OntheMondayhewastakenbacktoSt.James\'s;andhistwochildrentheninEngland,thePRINCESSELIZABETHthirteenyearsold,andtheDUKEOFGLOUCESTERnineyearsold,werebroughttotakeleaveofhim,fromSionHouse,nearBrentford.Itwasasadandtouchingscene,whenhekissedandfondledthosepoorchildren,andmadealittlepresentoftwodiamondsealstothePrincess,andgavethemtendermessagestotheirmother(wholittledeservedthem,forshehadaloverofherownwhomshemarriedsoonafterwards),andtoldthemthathedied\'forthelawsandlibertiesoftheland.\'IamboundtosaythatIdon\'tthinkhedid,butI
daresayhebelievedso.
TherewereambassadorsfromHollandthatday,tointercedefortheunhappyKing,whomyouandIbothwishtheParliamenthadspared;
buttheygotnoanswer.TheScottishCommissionersintercededtoo;
sodidthePrinceofWales,byaletterinwhichheofferedasthenextheirtothethrone,toacceptanyconditionsfromtheParliament;sodidtheQueen,byletterlikewise.
Notwithstandingall,thewarrantfortheexecutionwasthisdaysigned.ThereisastorythatasOliverCromwellwenttothetablewiththepeninhishandtoputhissignaturetoit,hedrewhispenacrossthefaceofoneofthecommissioners,whowasstandingnear,andmarkeditwithink.Thatcommissionerhadnotsignedhisownnameyet,andthestoryaddsthatwhenhecametodoithemarkedCromwell\'sfacewithinkinthesameway.
TheKingsleptwell,untroubledbytheknowledgethatitwashislastnightonearth,androseonthethirtiethofJanuary,twohoursbeforeday,anddressedhimselfcarefully.Heputontwoshirtslestheshouldtremblewiththecold,andhadhishairverycarefullycombed.Thewarranthadbeendirectedtothreeofficersofthearmy,COLONELHACKER,COLONELHUNKS,andCOLONELPHAYER.Atteno\'clock,thefirstofthesecametothedoorandsaiditwastimetogotoWhitehall.TheKing,whohadalwaysbeenaquickwalker,walkedathisusualspeedthroughthePark,andcalledouttotheguard,withhisaccustomedvoiceofcommand,\'Marchonapace!\'WhenhecametoWhitehall,hewastakentohisownbedroom,whereabreakfastwassetforth.AshehadtakentheSacrament,hewouldeatnothingmore;but,ataboutthetimewhenthechurchbellsstrucktwelveatnoon(forhehadtowait,throughthescaffoldnotbeingready),hetooktheadviceofthegoodBISHOPJUXONwhowaswithhim,andatealittlebreadanddrankaglassofclaret.Soonafterhehadtakenthisrefreshment,ColonelHackercametothechamberwiththewarrantinhishand,andcalledforCharlesStuart.
Andthen,throughthelonggalleryofWhitehallPalace,whichhehadoftenseenlightandgayandmerryandcrowded,inverydifferenttimes,thefallenKingpassedalong,untilhecametothecentrewindowoftheBanquetingHouse,throughwhichheemergeduponthescaffold,whichwashungwithblack.Helookedatthetwoexecutioners,whoweredressedinblackandmasked;helookedatthetroopsofsoldiersonhorsebackandonfoot,andalllookedupathiminsilence;helookedatthevastarrayofspectators,fillinguptheviewbeyond,andturningalltheirfacesuponhim;
helookedathisoldPalaceofSt.James\'s;andhelookedattheblock.Heseemedalittletroubledtofindthatitwassolow,andasked,\'iftherewerenoplacehigher?\'Then,tothoseuponthescaffold,hesaid,\'thatitwastheParliamentwhohadbegunthewar,andnothe;buthehopedtheymightbeguiltlesstoo,asillinstrumentshadgonebetweenthem.Inonerespect,\'hesaid,\'hesufferedjustly;andthatwasbecausehehadpermittedanunjustsentencetobeexecutedonanother.\'InthishereferredtotheEarlofStrafford.
Hewasnotatallafraidtodie;buthewasanxioustodieeasily.
Whensomeonetouchedtheaxewhilehewasspeaking,hebrokeoffandcalledout,\'Takeheedoftheaxe!takeheedoftheaxe!\'HealsosaidtoColonelHacker,\'Takecarethattheydonotputmetopain.\'Hetoldtheexecutioner,\'Ishallsaybutveryshortprayers,andthenthrustoutmyhands\'-asthesigntostrike.
Heputhishairup,underawhitesatincapwhichthebishophadcarried,andsaid,\'IhaveagoodcauseandagraciousGodonmyside.\'Thebishoptoldhimthathehadbutonestagemoretotravelinthiswearyworld,andthat,thoughitwasaturbulentandtroublesomestage,itwasashortone,andwouldcarryhimagreatway-allthewayfromearthtoHeaven.TheKing\'slastword,ashegavehiscloakandtheGeorge-thedecorationfromhisbreast-
tothebishop,was,\'Remember!\'Hethenkneeleddown,laidhisheadontheblock,spreadouthishands,andwasinstantlykilled.
Oneuniversalgroanbrokefromthecrowd;andthesoldiers,whohadsatontheirhorsesandstoodintheirranksimmovableasstatues,wereofasuddenallinmotion,clearingthestreets.
Thus,intheforty-ninthyearofhisage,fallingatthesametimeofhiscareerasStraffordhadfalleninhis,perishedCharlestheFirst.Withallmysorrowforhim,Icannotagreewithhimthathedied\'themartyrofthepeople;\'forthepeoplehadbeenmartyrstohim,andtohisideasofaKing\'srights,longbefore.Indeed,I
amafraidthathewasbutabadjudgeofmartyrs;forhehadcalledthatinfamousDukeofBuckingham\'theMartyrofhisSovereign.\'
CHAPTERXXXIV-ENGLANDUNDEROLIVERCROMWELL
BEFOREsunsetonthememorabledayonwhichKingCharlestheFirstwasexecuted,theHouseofCommonspassedanactdeclaringittreasoninanyonetoproclaimthePrinceofWales-oranybodyelse-KingofEngland.Soonafterwards,itdeclaredthattheHouseofLordswasuselessanddangerous,andoughttobeabolished;anddirectedthatthelateKing\'sstatueshouldbetakendownfromtheRoyalExchangeintheCityandotherpublicplaces.
HavinglaidholdofsomefamousRoyalistswhohadescapedfromprison,andhavingbeheadedtheDUKEOFHAMILTON,LORDHOLLAND,andLORDCAPEL,inPalaceYard(allofwhomdiedverycourageously),theythenappointedaCouncilofStatetogovernthecountry.Itconsistedofforty-onemembers,ofwhomfivewerepeers.Bradshawwasmadepresident.TheHouseofCommonsalsore-admittedmemberswhohadopposedtheKing\'sdeath,andmadeupitsnumberstoaboutahundredandfifty.
But,itstillhadanarmyofmorethanfortythousandmentodealwith,andaveryhardtaskitwastomanagethem.BeforetheKing\'sexecution,thearmyhadappointedsomeofitsofficerstoremonstratebetweenthemandtheParliament;andnowthecommonsoldiersbegantotakethatofficeuponthemselves.TheregimentsunderordersforIrelandmutinied;onetroopofhorseinthecityofLondonseizedtheirownflag,andrefusedtoobeyorders.Forthis,theringleaderwasshot:whichdidnotmendthematter,for,bothhiscomradesandthepeoplemadeapublicfuneralforhim,andaccompaniedthebodytothegravewithsoundoftrumpetsandwithagloomyprocessionofpersonscarryingbundlesofrosemarysteepedinblood.Oliverwastheonlymantodealwithsuchdifficultiesasthese,andhesooncutthemshortbyburstingatmidnightintothetownofBurford,nearSalisbury,wherethemutineersweresheltered,takingfourhundredofthemprisoners,andshootinganumberofthembysentenceofcourt-martial.Thesoldierssoonfound,asallmendid,thatOliverwasnotamantobetrifledwith.Andtherewasanendofthemutiny.
TheScottishParliamentdidnotknowOliveryet;so,onhearingoftheKing\'sexecution,itproclaimedthePrinceofWalesKingCharlestheSecond,onconditionofhisrespectingtheSolemnLeagueandCovenant.Charleswasabroadatthattime,andsowasMontrose,fromwhosehelphehadhopesenoughtokeephimholdingonandoffwithcommissionersfromScotland,justashisfathermighthavedone.Thesehopesweresoonatanend;for,Montrose,havingraisedafewhundredexilesinGermany,andlandedwiththeminScotland,foundthatthepeoplethere,insteadofjoininghim,desertedthecountryathisapproach.HewassoontakenprisonerandcarriedtoEdinburgh.Therehewasreceivedwitheverypossibleinsult,andcarriedtoprisoninacart,hisofficersgoingtwoandtwobeforehim.HewassentencedbytheParliamenttobehangedonagallowsthirtyfeethigh,tohavehisheadsetonaspikeinEdinburgh,andhislimbsdistributedinotherplaces,accordingtotheoldbarbarousmanner.HesaidhehadalwaysactedundertheRoyalorders,andonlywishedhehadlimbsenoughtobedistributedthroughChristendom,thatitmightbethemorewidelyknownhowloyalhehadbeen.Hewenttothescaffoldinabrightandbrilliantdress,andmadeaboldendatthirty-eightyearsofage.ThebreathwasscarcelyoutofhisbodywhenCharlesabandonedhismemory,anddeniedthathehadevergivenhimorderstoriseinhisbehalf.OthefamilyfailingwasstronginthatCharlesthen!
OliverhadbeenappointedbytheParliamenttocommandthearmyinIreland,wherehetookaterriblevengeanceforthesanguinaryrebellion,andmadetremendoushavoc,particularlyinthesiegeofDrogheda,wherenoquarterwasgiven,andwherehefoundatleastathousandoftheinhabitantsshutuptogetherinthegreatchurch:
everyoneofwhomwaskilledbyhissoldiers,usuallyknownasOLIVER\'SIRONSIDES.Therewerenumbersoffriarsandpriestsamongthem,andOlivergrufflywrotehomeinhisdespatchthatthesewere\'knockedonthehead\'liketherest.
But,CharleshavinggotovertoScotlandwherethemenoftheSolemnLeagueandCovenantledhimaprodigiouslydulllifeandmadehimverywearywithlongsermonsandgrimSundays,theParliamentcalledtheredoubtableOliverhometoknocktheScottishmenontheheadforsettingupthatPrince.Oliverlefthisson-
in-law,Ireton,asgeneralinIrelandinhisstead(hediedthereafterwards),andheimitatedtheexampleofhisfather-in-lawwithsuchgoodwillthathebroughtthecountrytosubjection,andlaiditatthefeetoftheParliament.Intheend,theypassedanactforthesettlementofIreland,generallypardoningallthecommonpeople,butexemptingfromthisgracesuchofthewealthiersortashadbeenconcernedintherebellion,orinanykillingofProtestants,orwhorefusedtolaydowntheirarms.GreatnumbersofIrishweregotoutofthecountrytoserveunderCatholicpowersabroad,andaquantityoflandwasdeclaredtohavebeenforfeitedbypastoffences,andwasgiventopeoplewhohadlentmoneytotheParliamentearlyinthewar.Theseweresweepingmeasures;but,ifOliverCromwellhadhadhisownwayfully,andhadstayedinIreland,hewouldhavedonemoreyet.
However,asIhavesaid,theParliamentwantedOliverforScotland;
so,homeOlivercame,andwasmadeCommanderofalltheForcesoftheCommonwealthofEngland,andinthreedaysawayhewentwithsixteenthousandsoldierstofighttheScottishmen.Now,theScottishmen,beingthen-asyouwillgenerallyfindthemnow-
mightycautious,reflectedthatthetroopstheyhadwerenotusedtowarliketheIronsides,andwouldbebeateninanopenfight.
Thereforetheysaid,\'IfwelivequietinourtrenchesinEdinburghhere,andifallthefarmerscomeintothetownanddesertthecountry,theIronsideswillbedrivenoutbyironhungerandbeforcedtogoaway.\'Thiswas,nodoubt,thewisestplan;butastheScottishclergyWOULDinterferewithwhattheyknewnothingabout,andwouldperpetuallypreachlongsermonsexhortingthesoldierstocomeoutandfight,thesoldiersgotitintheirheadsthattheyabsolutelymustcomeoutandfight.Accordingly,inanevilhourforthemselves,theycameoutoftheirsafeposition.
Oliverfellupontheminstantly,andkilledthreethousand,andtooktenthousandprisoners.
TogratifytheScottishParliament,andpreservetheirfavour,Charleshadsignedadeclarationtheylaidbeforehim,reproachingthememoryofhisfatherandmother,andrepresentinghimselfasamostreligiousPrince,towhomtheSolemnLeagueandCovenantwasasdearaslife.Hemeantnosortoftruthinthis,andsoonafterwardsgallopedawayonhorsebacktojoinsometiresomeHighlandfriends,whowerealwaysflourishingdirksandbroadswords.Hewasovertakenandinducedtoreturn;butthisattempt,whichwascalled\'TheStart,\'didhimjustsomuchservice,thattheydidnotpreachquitesuchlongsermonsathimafterwardsastheyhaddonebefore.
OnthefirstofJanuary,onethousandsixhundredandfifty-one,theScottishpeoplecrownedhimatScone.Heimmediatelytookthechiefcommandofanarmyoftwentythousandmen,andmarchedtoStirling.Hishopeswereheightened,Idaresay,bytheredoubtableOliverbeingillofanague;butOliverscrambledoutofbedinnotime,andwenttoworkwithsuchenergythathegotbehindtheRoyalistarmyandcutitofffromallcommunicationwithScotland.Therewasnothingforitthen,buttogoontoEngland;
soitwentonasfarasWorcester,wherethemayorandsomeofthegentryproclaimedKingCharlestheSecondstraightway.Hisproclamation,however,wasoflittleusetohim,forveryfewRoyalistsappeared;and,ontheverysameday,twopeoplewerepubliclybeheadedonTowerHillforespousinghiscause.UpcameOlivertoWorcestertoo,atdoublequickspeed,andheandhisIronsidessolaidabouttheminthegreatbattlewhichwasfoughtthere,thattheycompletelybeattheScottishmen,anddestroyedtheRoyalistarmy;thoughtheScottishmenfoughtsogallantlythatittookfivehourstodo.
TheescapeofCharlesafterthisbattleofWorcesterdidhimgoodservicelongafterwards,foritinducedmanyofthegenerousEnglishpeopletotakearomanticinterestinhim,andtothinkmuchbetterofhimthanheeverdeserved.Hefledinthenight,withnotmorethansixtyfollowers,tothehouseofaCatholicladyinStaffordshire.There,forhisgreatersafety,thewholesixtylefthim.Hecroppedhishair,stainedhisfaceandhandsbrownasiftheyweresunburnt,putontheclothesofalabouringcountryman,andwentoutinthemorningwithhisaxeinhishand,accompaniedbyfourwood-cutterswhowerebrothers,andanothermanwhowastheirbrother-in-law.Thesegoodfellowsmadeabedforhimunderatree,astheweatherwasverybad;andthewifeofoneofthembroughthimfoodtoeat;andtheoldmotherofthefourbrotherscameandfelldownonherkneesbeforehiminthewood,andthankedGodthathersonswereengagedinsavinghislife.Atnight,hecameoutoftheforestandwentontoanotherhousewhichwasneartheriverSevern,withtheintentionofpassingintoWales;buttheplaceswarmedwithsoldiers,andthebridgeswereguarded,andalltheboatsweremadefast.So,afterlyinginahayloftcoveredoverwithhay,forsometime,hecameoutofhisplace,attendedbyCOLONELCARELESS,aCatholicgentlemanwhohadmethimthere,andwithwhomhelayhid,allnextday,upintheshadybranchesofafineoldoak.ItwasluckyfortheKingthatitwasSeptember-time,andthattheleaveshadnotbeguntofall,sinceheandtheColonel,perchedupinthistree,couldcatchglimpsesofthesoldiersridingaboutbelow,andcouldhearthecrashinthewoodastheywentaboutbeatingtheboughs.
Afterthis,hewalkedandwalkeduntilhisfeetwereallblistered;
and,havingbeenconcealedallonedayinahousewhichwassearchedbythetrooperswhilehewasthere,wentwithLORDWILMOT,anotherofhisgoodfriends,toaplacecalledBentley,whereoneMISSLANE,aProtestantlady,hadobtainedapasstobeallowedtoridethroughtheguardstoseearelationofhersnearBristol.
Disguisedasaservant,herodeinthesaddlebeforethisyoungladytothehouseofSIRJOHNWINTER,whileLordWilmotrodethereboldly,likeaplaincountrygentleman,withdogsathisheels.IthappenedthatSirJohnWinter\'sbutlerhadbeenservantinRichmondPalace,andknewCharlesthemomentheseteyesuponhim;but,thebutlerwasfaithfulandkeptthesecret.Asnoshipcouldbefoundtocarryhimabroad,itwasplannedthatheshouldgo-stilltravellingwithMissLaneasherservant-toanotherhouse,atTrentnearSherborneinDorsetshire;andthenMissLaneandhercousin,MR.LASCELLES,whohadgoneonhorsebackbesideheralltheway,wenthome.IhopeMissLanewasgoingtomarrythatcousin,forIamsureshemusthavebeenabrave,kindgirl.IfIhadbeenthatcousin,IshouldcertainlyhavelovedMissLane.
WhenCharles,lonelyforthelossofMissLane,wassafeatTrent,ashipwashiredatLyme,themasterofwhichengagedtotaketwogentlementoFrance.Intheeveningofthesameday,theKing-
nowridingasservantbeforeanotheryounglady-setoffforapublic-houseataplacecalledCharmouth,wherethecaptainofthevesselwastotakehimonboard.But,thecaptain\'swife,beingafraidofherhusbandgettingintotrouble,lockedhimupandwouldnotlethimsail.ThentheywentawaytoBridport;and,comingtotheinnthere,foundthestable-yardfullofsoldierswhowereonthelook-outforCharles,andwhotalkedabouthimwhiletheydrank.Hehadsuchpresenceofmind,thatheledthehorsesofhispartythroughtheyardasanyotherservantmighthavedone,andsaid,\'Comeoutoftheway,yousoldiers;letushaveroomtopasshere!\'Ashewentalong,hemetahalf-tipsyostler,whorubbedhiseyesandsaidtohim,\'Why,IwasformerlyservanttoMr.
PotteratExeter,andsurelyIhavesometimesseenyouthere,youngman?\'Hecertainlyhad,forCharleshadlodgedthere.Hisreadyanswerwas,\'Ah,Ididlivewithhimonce;butIhavenotimetotalknow.We\'llhaveapotofbeertogetherwhenIcomeback.\'
FromthisdangerousplacehereturnedtoTrent,andlaythereconcealedseveraldays.ThenheescapedtoHeale,nearSalisbury;
where,inthehouseofawidowlady,hewashiddenfivedays,untilthemasterofacollierlyingoffShorehaminSussex,undertooktoconveya\'gentleman\'toFrance.OnthenightofthefifteenthofOctober,accompaniedbytwocolonelsandamerchant,theKingrodetoBrighton,thenalittlefishingvillage,togivethecaptainoftheshipasupperbeforegoingonboard;but,somanypeopleknewhim,thatthiscaptainknewhimtoo,andnotonlyhe,butthelandlordandlandladyalso.Beforehewentaway,thelandlordcamebehindhischair,kissedhishand,andsaidhehopedtolivetobealordandtoseehiswifealady;atwhichCharleslaughed.Theyhadhadagoodsupperbythistime,andplentyofsmokinganddrinking,atwhichtheKingwasafirst-ratehand;so,thecaptainassuredhimthathewouldstandbyhim,andhedid.ItwasagreedthatthecaptainshouldpretendtosailtoDeal,andthatCharlesshouldaddressthesailorsandsayhewasagentlemanindebtwhowasrunningawayfromhiscreditors,andthathehopedtheywouldjoinhiminpersuadingthecaptaintoputhimashoreinFrance.AstheKingactedhispartverywellindeed,andgavethesailorstwentyshillingstodrink,theybeggedthecaptaintodowhatsuchaworthygentlemanasked.Hepretendedtoyieldtotheirentreaties,andtheKinggotsafetoNormandy.
Irelandbeingnowsubdued,andScotlandkeptquietbyplentyoffortsandsoldiersputtherebyOliver,theParliamentwouldhavegoneonquietlyenough,asfarasfightingwithanyforeignenemywent,butforgettingintotroublewiththeDutch,whointhespringoftheyearonethousandsixhundredandfifty-onesentafleetintotheDownsundertheirADMIRALVANTROMP,tocallupontheboldEnglishADMIRALBLAKE(whowastherewithhalfasmanyshipsastheDutch)tostrikehisflag.Blakefiredaragingbroadsideinstead,andbeatoffVanTromp;who,intheautumn,camebackagainwithseventyships,andchallengedtheboldBlake-whostillwasonlyhalfasstrong-tofighthim.Blakefoughthimallday;but,findingthattheDutchweretoomanyforhim,gotquietlyoffatnight.WhatdoesVanTrompuponthis,butgoescruisingandboastingabouttheChannel,betweentheNorthForelandandtheIsleofWight,withagreatDutchbroomtiedtohismasthead,asasignthathecouldandwouldsweeptheEnglishofthesea!Withinthreemonths,Blakeloweredhistonethough,andhisbroomtoo;for,heandtwootherboldcommanders,DEANandMONK,foughthimthreewholedays,tooktwenty-threeofhisships,shiveredhisbroomtopieces,andsettledhisbusiness.
Thingswerenosoonerquietagain,thanthearmybegantocomplaintotheParliamentthattheywerenotgoverningthenationproperly,andtohintthattheythoughttheycoulddoitbetterthemselves.
Oliver,whohadnowmadeuphismindtobetheheadofthestate,ornothingatall,supportedtheminthis,andcalledameetingofofficersandhisownParliamentaryfriends,athislodgingsinWhitehall,toconsiderthebestwayofgettingridoftheParliament.IthadnowlastedjustasmanyyearsastheKing\'sunbridledpowerhadlasted,beforeitcameintoexistence.Theendofthedeliberationwas,thatOliverwentdowntotheHouseinhisusualplainblackdress,withhisusualgreyworstedstockings,butwithanunusualpartyofsoldiersbehindhim.Theselastheleftinthelobby,andthenwentinandsatdown.Presentlyhegotup,madetheParliamentaspeech,toldthemthattheLordhaddonewiththem,stampedhisfootandsaid,\'YouarenoParliament.Bringthemin!Bringthemin!\'Atthissignalthedoorflewopen,andthesoldiersappeared.\'Thisisnothonest,\'saidSirHarryVane,oneofthemembers.\'SirHarryVane!\'criedCromwell;\'O,SirHarryVane!TheLorddelivermefromSirHarryVane!\'Thenhepointedoutmembersonebyone,andsaidthismanwasadrunkard,andthatmanadissipatedfellow,andthatmanaliar,andsoon.
ThenhecausedtheSpeakertobewalkedoutofhischair,toldtheguardtocleartheHouse,calledthemaceuponthetable-whichisasignthattheHouseissitting-\'afool\'sbauble,\'andsaid,\'here,carryitaway!\'Beingobeyedinalltheseorders,hequietlylockedthedoor,putthekeyinhispocket,walkedbacktoWhitehallagain,andtoldhisfriends,whowerestillassembledthere,whathehaddone.
TheyformedanewCouncilofStateafterthisextraordinaryproceeding,andgotanewParliamenttogetherintheirownway:
whichOliverhimselfopenedinasortofsermon,andwhichhesaidwasthebeginningofaperfectheavenuponearth.InthisParliamenttheresatawell-knownleather-seller,whohadtakenthesingularnameofPraiseGodBarebones,andfromwhomitwascalled,forajoke,Barebones\'sParliament,thoughitsgeneralnamewastheLittleParliament.AsitsoonappearedthatitwasnotgoingtoputOliverinthefirstplace,itturnedouttobenotatalllikethebeginningofheavenuponearth,andOliversaiditreallywasnottobebornewith.SoheclearedoffthatParliamentinmuchthesamewayashehaddisposedoftheother;andthenthecouncilofofficersdecidedthathemustbemadethesupremeauthorityofthekingdom,underthetitleoftheLordProtectoroftheCommonwealth.
So,onthesixteenthofDecember,onethousandsixhundredandfifty-three,agreatprocessionwasformedatOliver\'sdoor,andhecameoutinablackvelvetsuitandabigpairofboots,andgotintohiscoachandwentdowntoWestminster,attendedbythejudges,andthelordmayor,andthealdermen,andalltheothergreatandwonderfulpersonagesofthecountry.There,intheCourtofChancery,hepubliclyacceptedtheofficeofLordProtector.
Thenhewassworn,andtheCityswordwashandedtohim,andthesealwashandedtohim,andalltheotherthingswerehandedtohimwhichareusuallyhandedtoKingsandQueensonstateoccasions.
WhenOliverhadhandedthemallback,hewasquitemadeandcompletelyfinishedoffasLordProtector;andseveraloftheIronsidespreachedaboutitatgreatlength,alltheevening.
SECONDPART
OLIVERCROMWELL-whomthepeoplelongcalledOLDNOLL-inacceptingtheofficeofProtector,hadboundhimselfbyacertainpaperwhichwashandedtohim,called\'theInstrument,\'tosummonaParliament,consistingofbetweenfourandfivehundredmembers,intheelectionofwhichneithertheRoyalistsnortheCatholicsweretohaveanyshare.HehadalsopledgedhimselfthatthisParliamentshouldnotbedissolvedwithoutitsownconsentuntilithadsatfivemonths.
WhenthisParliamentmet,Olivermadeaspeechtothemofthreehourslong,verywiselyadvisingthemwhattodoforthecreditandhappinessofthecountry.Tokeepdownthemoreviolentmembers,herequiredthemtosignarecognitionofwhattheywereforbiddenby\'theInstrument\'todo;whichwas,chiefly,totakethepowerfromonesinglepersonattheheadofthestateortocommandthearmy.Thenhedismissedthemtogotowork.Withhisusualvigourandresolutionhewenttoworkhimselfwithsomefranticpreachers-whowereratheroverdoingtheirsermonsincallinghimavillainandatyrant-byshuttinguptheirchapels,andsendingafewofthemofftoprison.
Therewasnotatthattime,inEnglandoranywhereelse,amansoabletogovernthecountryasOliverCromwell.Althoughheruledwithastronghand,andleviedaveryheavytaxontheRoyalists(butnotuntiltheyhadplottedagainsthislife),heruledwisely,andasthetimesrequired.HecausedEnglandtobesorespectedabroad,thatIwishsomelordsandgentlemenwhohavegoverneditunderkingsandqueensinlaterdayswouldhavetakenaleafoutofOliverCromwell\'sbook.HesentboldAdmiralBlaketotheMediterraneanSea,tomaketheDukeofTuscanypaysixtythousandpoundsforinjurieshehaddonetoBritishsubjects,andspoliationhehadcommittedonEnglishmerchants.HefurtherdespatchedhimandhisfleettoAlgiers,Tunis,andTripoli,tohaveeveryEnglishshipandeveryEnglishmandelivereduptohimthathadbeentakenbypiratesinthoseparts.Allthiswasgloriouslydone;anditbegantobethoroughlywellknown,allovertheworld,thatEnglandwasgovernedbyamaninearnest,whowouldnotallowtheEnglishnametobeinsultedorslightedanywhere.
Thesewerenotallhisforeigntriumphs.HesentafleettoseaagainsttheDutch;andthetwopowers,eachwithonehundredshipsuponitsside,metintheEnglishChannelofftheNorthForeland,wherethefightlastedalldaylong.Deanwaskilledinthisfight;butMonk,whocommandedinthesameshipwithhim,threwhiscloakoverhisbody,thatthesailorsmightnotknowofhisdeath,andbedisheartened.Norwerethey.TheEnglishbroadsidessoexceedinglyastonishedtheDutchthattheysheeredoffatlast,thoughtheredoubtableVanTrompfireduponthemwithhisowngunsfordesertingtheirflag.Soonafterwards,thetwofleetsengagedagain,offthecoastofHolland.There,thevaliantVanTrompwasshotthroughtheheart,andtheDutchgavein,andpeacewasmade.
Furtherthanthis,OliverresolvednottobearthedomineeringandbigotedconductofSpain,whichcountrynotonlyclaimedarighttoallthegoldandsilverthatcouldbefoundinSouthAmerica,andtreatedtheshipsofallothercountrieswhovisitedthoseregions,aspirates,butputEnglishsubjectsintothehorribleSpanishprisonsoftheInquisition.So,OlivertoldtheSpanishambassadorthatEnglishshipsmustbefreetogowherevertheywould,andthatEnglishmerchantsmustnotbethrownintothosesamedungeons,no,notforthepleasureofallthepriestsinSpain.Tothis,theSpanishambassadorrepliedthatthegoldandsilvercountry,andtheHolyInquisition,werehisKing\'stwoeyes,neitherofwhichhecouldsubmittohaveputout.Verywell,saidOliver,thenhewasafraidhe(Oliver)mustdamagethosetwoeyesdirectly.
So,anotherfleetwasdespatchedundertwocommanders,PENNandVENABLES,forHispaniola;where,however,theSpaniardsgotthebetterofthefight.Consequently,thefleetcamehomeagain,aftertakingJamaicaontheway.Oliver,indignantwiththetwocommanderswhohadnotdonewhatboldAdmiralBlakewouldhavedone,clappedthembothintoprison,declaredwaragainstSpain,andmadeatreatywithFrance,invirtueofwhichitwastosheltertheKingandhisbrothertheDukeofYorknolonger.Then,hesentafleetabroadunderboldAdmiralBlake,whichbroughttheKingofPortugaltohissenses-justtokeepitshandin-andthenengagedaSpanishfleet,sunkfourgreatships,andtooktwomore,ladenwithsilvertothevalueoftwomillionsofpounds:whichdazzlingprizewasbroughtfromPortsmouthtoLondoninwaggons,withthepopulaceofallthetownsandvillagesthroughwhichthewaggonspassed,shoutingwithalltheirmight.Afterthisvictory,boldAdmiralBlakesailedawaytotheportofSantaCruztocutofftheSpanishtreasure-shipscomingfromMexico.There,hefoundthem,teninnumber,withsevenotherstotakecareofthem,andabigcastle,andsevenbatteries,allroaringandblazingawayathimwithgreatguns.Blakecarednomoreforgreatgunsthanforpop-guns-nomorefortheirhotironballsthanforsnow-balls.
Hedashedintotheharbour,capturedandburnteveryoneoftheships,andcamesailingoutagaintriumphantly,withthevictoriousEnglishflagflyingathismasthead.Thiswasthelasttriumphofthisgreatcommander,whohadsailedandfoughtuntilhewasquitewornout.Hedied,ashissuccessfulshipwascomingintoPlymouthHarbouramidstthejoyfulacclamationsofthepeople,andwasburiedinstateinWestminsterAbbey.Nottoliethere,long.
Overandaboveallthis,OliverfoundthattheVAUDOIS,orProtestantpeopleofthevalleysofLucerne,wereinsolentlytreatedbytheCatholicpowers,andwereevenputtodeathfortheirreligion,inanaudaciousandbloodymanner.Instantly,heinformedthosepowersthatthiswasathingwhichProtestantEnglandwouldnotallow;andhespeedilycarriedhispoint,throughthemightofhisgreatname,andestablishedtheirrighttoworshipGodinpeaceaftertheirownharmlessmanner.
Lastly,hisEnglisharmywonsuchadmirationinfightingwiththeFrenchagainsttheSpaniards,that,aftertheyhadassaultedthetownofDunkirktogether,theFrenchKinginpersongaveituptotheEnglish,thatitmightbeatokentothemoftheirmightandvalour.
TherewereplotsenoughagainstOliveramongthefranticreligionists(whocalledthemselvesFifthMonarchyMen),andamongthedisappointedRepublicans.Hehadadifficultgametoplay,fortheRoyalistswerealwaysreadytosidewitheitherpartyagainsthim.The\'Kingoverthewater,\'too,asCharleswascalled,hadnoscruplesaboutplottingwithanyoneagainsthislife;althoughthereisreasontosupposethathewouldwillinglyhavemarriedoneofhisdaughters,ifOliverwouldhavehadsuchason-in-law.
TherewasacertainCOLONELSAXBYofthearmy,onceagreatsupporterofOliver\'sbutnowturnedagainsthim,whowasagrievoustroubletohimthroughallthispartofhiscareer;andwhocameandwentbetweenthediscontentedinEnglandandSpain,andCharleswhoputhimselfinalliancewithSpainonbeingthrownoffbyFrance.Thismandiedinprisonatlast;butnotuntiltherehadbeenveryseriousplotsbetweentheRoyalistsandRepublicans,andanactualrisingoftheminEngland,whentheyburstintothecityofSalisbury,onaSundaynight,seizedthejudgeswhoweregoingtoholdtheassizestherenextday,andwouldhavehangedthembutforthemercifulobjectionsofthemoretemperateoftheirnumber.Oliverwassovigorousandshrewdthathesoonputthisrevoltdown,ashedidmostotherconspiracies;
anditwaswellforoneofitschiefmanagers-thatsameLordWilmotwhohadassistedinCharles\'sflight,andwasnowEARLOF
ROCHESTER-thathemadehisescape.Oliverseemedtohaveeyesandearseverywhere,andsecuredsuchsourcesofinformationashisenemieslittledreamedof.Therewasachosenbodyofsixpersons,calledtheSealedKnot,whowereintheclosestandmostsecretconfidenceofCharles.Oneoftheforemostoftheseverymen,aSIRRICHARDWILLIS,reportedtoOlivereverythingthatpassedamongthem,andhadtwohundredayearforit.
MILESSYNDARCOMB,alsooftheoldarmy,wasanotherconspiratoragainsttheProtector.HeandamannamedCECIL,bribedoneofhisLifeGuardstoletthemhavegoodnoticewhenhewasgoingout-
intendingtoshoothimfromawindow.But,owingeithertohiscautionorhisgoodfortune,theycouldnevergetanaimathim.
Disappointedinthisdesign,theygotintothechapelinWhitehall,withabasketfulofcombustibles,whichweretoexplodebymeansofaslowmatchinsixhours;then,inthenoiseandconfusionofthefire,theyhopedtokillOliver.But,theLifeGuardsmanhimselfdisclosedthisplot;andtheywereseized,andMilesdied(orkilledhimselfinprison)alittlewhilebeforehewasorderedforexecution.AfewsuchplottersOlivercausedtobebeheaded,afewmoretobehanged,andmanymore,includingthosewhoroseinarmsagainsthim,tobesentasslavestotheWestIndies.Ifhewererigid,hewasimpartialtoo,inassertingthelawsofEngland.
WhenaPortuguesenobleman,thebrotherofthePortugueseambassador,killedaLondoncitizeninmistakeforanothermanwithwhomhehadhadaquarrel,OlivercausedhimtobetriedbeforeajuryofEnglishmenandforeigners,andhadhimexecutedinspiteoftheentreatiesofalltheambassadorsinLondon.
OneofOliver\'sownfriends,theDUKEOFOLDENBURGH,insendinghimapresentofsixfinecoach-horses,wasveryneardoingmoretopleasetheRoyaliststhanalltheplottersputtogether.Oneday,Oliverwentwithhiscoach,drawnbythesesixhorses,intoHydePark,todinewithhissecretaryandsomeofhisothergentlemenunderthetreesthere.Afterdinner,beingmerry,hetookitintohisheadtoputhisfriendsinsideandtodrivethemhome:apostillionridingoneoftheforemosthorses,asthecustomwas.
OnaccountofOliver\'sbeingtoofreewiththewhip,thesixfinehorseswentoffatagallop,thepostilliongotthrown,andOliverfelluponthecoach-poleandnarrowlyescapedbeingshotbyhisownpistol,whichgotentangledwithhisclothesintheharness,andwentoff.Hewasdraggedsomedistancebythefoot,untilhisfootcameoutoftheshoe,andthenhecamesafelytothegroundunderthebroadbodyofthecoach,andwasverylittletheworse.Thegentlemeninsidewereonlybruised,andthediscontentedpeopleofallpartiesweremuchdisappointed.
TherestofthehistoryoftheProtectorateofOliverCromwellisahistoryofhisParliaments.Hisfirstonenotpleasinghimatall,hewaiteduntilthefivemonthswereout,andthendissolvedit.
Thenextwasbettersuitedtohisviews;andfromthathedesiredtoget-ifhecouldwithsafetytohimself-thetitleofKing.
