Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1906 edition. Excerpt: ...oonvict, abandoned the impeachment and passed a Bill of Attainder. To this Bill the King assented and Strafford was executed. During the same year the constitution was in part remodelled: a Triennial Bill declaring that Parliament should meet every three years, even if the King did not summon it, was passed. Charles was obliged to assent to a Bill declaring that the existing Parliament should not be dissolved without its own consent; and Acts were passed abolishing the Courts of Star Chamber and High Commission, and declaring that ship money was illegal. Thus the Crown was stripped of its extraordinary powers, and henceforth it would be impossible for Charles legally to obtain money for carrying on the government without the goodwill of Parliament, or to punish offenders without the goodwill of juries. For a time the King bore with the altered circumstances, as the unanimity of Parliament on the political issue was complete; but when the Commons in November 1641 presented the Grand Remonstrance, a document recounting the unconstitutional acts of the King both in Church and State, differences on the religious question appeared between Puritan and Episcopalian. Charles sided with the Episcopalians. In January 1642 he struck at the predominance of Parliament and attempted to arrest the five leaders in full parliamentary session. The attempt failed, Charles left London, and the schism was complete. The Commons at once demanded control of the militia; and in the summer of the same year raised an army, and placed the Earl of Essex at its head. Meanwhile Falkland and Hyde, together with many peers and commoners, had seceded to the King. In August 1642, unfurling his banner at Nottingham, Ch arles prepared to take the field. (b) Scott and...
