northern counties.

of the people. While the English soldiers were unwilling to serve, the Scots were eager, enthusiastic, and well led. They crossed the border. A small engagement at a ford sufficed to make the king's troops fall back. The Scottish army occupied the Strafford weakened by illness, his overbearing temper goaded to fury by fits of gout, found all his hopes frustrated, all his predictions belied. But his advocacy of violent measures recommended him to the king. Northumberland falling ill, Strafford was given the command of the army, although he never had any practice in war. Petitions came from the city of London and other places asking the king to treat with the Scots. Lord Wharton and Lord Howard of Escrick, who undertook to deliver some of them, were brought before a council of war. Strafford pressed that these two noblemen should be shot before the whole army. Hamilton asked Strafford if he were sure of the army. He seemed surprised at the question; but it soon appeared likely that a general mutiny I would have followed if such an execution had been attempted.1

The Scots sent commissioners to treat with the king at Ripon. They would not withdraw their army till a full peace was arranged. In the meantime they were invited to London, where they found many friends. They stipulated that their troops should be paid by the king, who had no money to pay the army which he had himself raised. The friends of liberty everywhere lifted their heads, and soon saw how strong they were. The courtiers

1 Burnet's History of his own Time, London, 1818, vol. i., p. 27.

THE LONG PARLIAMENT

137

and the tools of oppression trembled at the word of a parliament. But the king saw no other way out of his position: he felt constrained to yield for a time in the hope that a returning tide might again float his stranded vessel.

On November 3, the Long Parliament first met. It was composed of men whose courage and ability had been dearly proved in the hard struggle against the king and his faction, and whose resentment had been inflamed by the arbitrary punishments many of them had suffered, as well as by the outraged rights of the nation whom they represented. Though elected under the stimulus of popular indignation, none of them were returned with the object of overthrowing the monarchy, and few of them at that time were republicans. The younger Vane, still treasurer of the navy, was returned as member for Kingston-on-Hull; his father for Wilton. His father-in-law, Sir Christopher Wray, was member for Great Grimsby. In opening parliament the king sought to arouse the national pride against the Scots whom he termed rebels; but the parliament had other aims in view, and regarded the Scots as useful allies. Committees were at once appointed to inquire into grievances, and petitions and complaints came pouring in from all parts. The petitions of Leighton, Prynne, Bastwick, and Burton, narrating the cruelties which they suffered, drew tears from those who listened. The House ordered their release. The Lord-keeper Finch and Windebank, deeply implicated in acts of tyranny, fled beyond seas. A list was made out of the agents of the crown who had been concerned in carrying out the measures condemned. These delin

quents knew that, at any time, they might be called before the House to answer for what they had done. The bishops called in their pursuivants and informers, and the Non-conformist preachers boldly resumed their ministrations.

CHAPTER IX

Pym impeaches Strafford. His Trial. Evidence of the Vanes against him. His Defence and Condemnation. Abandoned by Charles I. His Execution.

WHILE still in the north, Strafford had represented to his master that his presence at the coming parliament would only excite anger and hatred. The king replied that he had need of his counsels, and that parliament would not touch one hair of his head. On November 6 Pym rose and and moved that a committee of the whole house be appointed to inquire into the great oppressions complained of by the king's subjects in Ireland. The earl's friends now earnestly advised him either to remain with the army in the north, or to retire to his government in Ireland, even to go abroad till the approaching storm should spend itself; but confident in the protection of his master, Strafford set out for London prepared to accuse some of the parliamentary the Scots to invade England. on November 10 utterly illness and the fatigue of his enemies were alert, ready to strike the first blow. On the morning of the 11th Pym began the debate

leaders of inciting He reached London exhausted with his hurried journey. His

on the grievances of the kingdom, calamities following in the reign of a pious and virtuous king who loved his people, and was a great lover of justice. We must inquire, went on the adroit orator, who had been able to abuse and pervert his majesty's excellent judgment, to abuse his name, and wickedly apply his authority to countenance and support his own corrupt designs. In this there was one more signal than the rest, being a man of great parts and contrivance and of great industry to bring what he designed to pass; a man who, in the memory of many present, had sat in that House an earnest vindicator of the laws, and a most zealous champion for the liberties of the people; but that it was long since he turned apostate, and was become the greatest enemy to the liberties of his country, and the greatest promoter of tyranny that any age had produced. produced. Pym was followed by Sir John Clotworthy, a gentleman of Ireland, and others who gave instances of Strafford's arbitrary actions both in Ireland and the north. Not a single voice was raised in his favour. The parliament ordered the doors to be locked. It was determined that a committee of seven should be appointed to prepare articles of impeachment against the earl, which were soon got ready. Lord Falkland desired the House to digest many of the particulars which had been mentioned, before they sent up to the Lords to accuse him, to which Pym frankly replied: "Such a delay might put it out of their power with the king and court: Strafford would undoubtedly procure that the parliament should be dissolved rather than undergo the justice of it, or he would take some other desperate course to preserve himself, whereas, if they