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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 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 leaders of inciting 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

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. 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

STRAFFORD ARRESTED

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Mr

presently sent up to impeach him of high treason before the House of Peers in the name of all the Commons of England the Lords would be obliged in justice to commit him into safe custody, and so sequester him from resorting to the council or having access to his majesty." To those who doubted whether the particulars alleged would amount to high treason, it was answered that the House of Commons were not judges, but only accusers, and that the Lords were the proper judges, whether such enormous crimes in one person did not amount to the highest offence the law took notice of. So it was voted that they should forthwith send up to the Lords, and accuse the Earl of Strafford of high treason. Pym was chosen to be the spokesman; the doors then were opened, and most of the members accompanied their leader to the Upper House, which had been kept sitting by some peers who knew what was arranged. Most likely some one had warned the earl, resting himself from the fatigues of his journey, that a blow had been struck, for about three o'clock in the afternoon he drove to the House. He calls rudely at the door. The black rod opens, when his lordship, with a proud, gloomy countenance, makes towards his place at the board head.' Many voices called on him to withdraw. He was made to retire to an antechamber. After a while he was summoned to appear before the Lords, and at the bar stood John Pym with three hundred of the Commons at his back. Strafford is commanded to kneel, and

1 Principal Baillie, who was a spectator of this scene, gives a graphic account of Strafford's Trial, Letters, vol. i., p. 217, letter 19 et seq., which furnishes details not preserved in Rushworth's folio of the trial.