1634. First writ for the levy of Ship-money (20th to land, and by other vexatious exactions. Taxes were laid on various articles Oct.). by means of monopolies, while any opposition to these measures was punished by the Star Chamber with fine or imprisonment. 1637. Prynne is punished by the Star Chamber. Judgment against Hampden for refusing payment of Ship-money. Introduction of the Liturgy into Scotland. Gustavus Adolphus, victorious over the Imperialists at Lützen, falls on the field of battle (1632). Christina succeeds to the crown of Sweden at the age of 6 years. Oxenstiern is regent during her minority (1632). The Archduke Ferdinand defeats the But the tax, the imposition of which led to the most important results, was that of Ship-money. This tax had been originally levied upon sea-port towns for the maintenance of the navy. It was now extended by Charles to inland districts; and, as it was raised without the consent of parliament, it was obnoxious to the nation. After three years (1637) its legality was disputed by Swedes at Nordlingen (1634). 1638. The National Covenant for resistance to majority of the judges decided in favour of the crown, yet the judgment was John Hampden, a gentleman of Buckinghamshire, and others; and, though a Episcopacy is signed in Scotland. attended with important consequences. The attention of the nation was roused 1639. The Scots rise in arms under the Earl of to the arbitrary measures of the Court, and the popular agitation was kept alive. Leven. Pacification of Berwick (17th June). 1640. The Fourth Parliament is assembled (13th April), and is dissolved in three weeks (5th May). The Scots enter England and occupy Newcastle (28th Aug.) Assembly of a Council of Peers at York (24th Sept.) Treaty of Ripon (26th Oct.). To these causes of discontent were added others arising from questions of religion. The attempt of Archbishop Laud to revive the claims of authority, and to restore a more splendid ritual, as well as his Arminian doctrines, were distasteful to a nation among whom the principles of Puritanism were gaining ground. The chief instrument by which the views of the primate were carried out was the obnoxious Court of High Commission. Severe sentences were, in several instances, passed by this tribunal. While these events were passing in England, Charles adopted the unhappy The king assembles the Fifth, called "the Long Berwick. A petition from the Scottish lords led, however, to a negociation, 1641. The act for Triennial Parliaments is passed. Strafford is impeached, attainted by Act of Parliament, and executed (12th May). Wallenstein is assassinated (1634). Louis XIII. of France joins the league of the Protestant princes against the Empire (1635). Guadaloupe and Martinique are occupied by the French (1635). The Imperialists are defeated by the Swedish General Banner at Wittstock (1636). The Imperialists are defeated at Rheinfeld by Bernhard (1638). Victories of Van Tromp over the Spaniards (1639). Aggressions of France in Italy. Capture of Turin (1640). Portugal becomes independent of Spain under John IV., the first sovereign of the House of Braganza (1640). Death of Richelieu, who is succeeded as Regent of France during the minority of Louis XIV. (1643). and, their demands being conceded, a pacification was effected, and both armies were disbanded. Differences, however, soon arose as to the construction of the articles lately agreed upon between Charles and the Scots; and the renewal of war was seen to be inevitable. At this juncture, Charles summoned his Fourth Parliament (April, 1640), which, like its predecessors, was hastily dissolved. Hostilities were resumed the following August. The king with the forces at The Courts of High Commission and of the Star his command advanced to York, where a Council of Peers was ordered to assemble. (1643). Chamber are abolished. Insurrection in Ireland (23rd Sept.). 1642. The king in person attempts to arrest Lord Kimbolton and five members of the Commons, who are accused of High Treason (4th Jan.). The Commons order Sir J. Hotham to secure Hull. The king sets up his standard at Nottingham (22nd Aug.) Outbreak of Civil War. Indecisive Battle of Edge Hill (23rd Oct.). Charles establishes his winter quarters at Oxford, and the Earl of Essex his at Windsor. 1643. The Royalists, defeated by Sir W. Waller near Gloucester (23rd March), are victorious at Bramham Moor (29th March). Meanwhile the Scots had crossed the borders, and defeated a detachment of the Compelled by the necessities of this war, Charles summoned his Fifth Parlia- the judgment against Hampden, compelled the judges to make compensation Turenne and the Duke D'Enghien (afterwards the great Condé) are victorious over the Austrians and Spaniards at Rocroi The Imperialists are defeated by Turenne and the Duke D'Enghien at Nordlingen (1645). Revolution in China by the Tartars (1646). Peace between the United Provinces and Spain (1647). Frederick Henry is succeeded in Holland as Stadtholder by his son William II. (1647). The use of the pendulum in clocks is introduced by Huygens (1647). The party of the Fronde is organized in France in opposition to Mazarin and the Queen Mother. Popular commotions occur in Paris. “Day of the Barricades" (26th August, 1648). The Thirty Years' War is terminated by the peace of Westphalia, or Münster, by which religious liberty is secured to the Protestants. The greater part of the Palatinate is restored by Austria to the son of Frederick V. The independence of the United Provinces is recognised by Spain. PRINCIPAL EVENTS (continued). OBSERVATIONS (continued). The events which happened in IRELAND at this time added to the power of parliament. The success of the Scots in preserving their national religion encouraged the Irish to make a similar attempt. The system of confiscation The Royalists are victorious at Stratton, in Corn- pursued in former reigns had been continued by Strafford. Every legal pretext wall (16th May). was employed to dispossess the native Irish, and, on the plea that the land primarily belonged to the king, an inquisition into the titles of the occupants The Scotch League and Covenant is adopted by was carried on, and if they were found wanting the lands were forfeited. The parliament (15th June). Irish, while owning allegiance to the king, took to arms: the English and Scotch settlements in Ulster were attacked, and many excesses were committed. At this crisis Charles confided to parliament the charge of conducting the Irish war, thus supplying them with weapons destined to be employed against himself. They proceeded to pass a Remonstrance against his previous government, and to impeach the bishops who had protested against the proceedings of the Lords in their absence. At length the fatal step was taken by Charles of attempting to seize in person five of the members of the Commons on a charge of treason (4th Jan., 1642). Though he afterwards offered to make every satisfaction for this breach of the privilege of parliament, the irritation of the popular party was by this act carried to its height. Skirmish at Chalgrove, near Oxford, in which Hampden falls (18th June). Defeat of Lord Fairfax on Atherton Moor (29th June), and of Sir William Waller at Lansdown, near Bath (5th July), and at Roundway Down, near Devizes (13th July). Oliver Cromwell and Sir T. Fairfax are victorious at Horncastle. The first Battle of Newbury (20th Sept.). 1644. Nantwich is taken by Sir T. Fairfax (25th Jan.). The Scottish army enters England (19th Jan.) The Royalists are repulsed at Cheriton Down, near Winchester (29th March). After obtaining possession of the Tower, Hull, and Portsmouth, the Commons demanded the control of the militia. The king refused, and CIVIL WAR followed. Charles left for the north, where he found the gates of Hull closed against him by Sir J. Hotham. The Royal Standard was unfurled at Nottingham (22nd August). The issue of the battle of Edge Hill (1642) was doubtful. During the winter of 1643 Charles established his head quarters at Oxford, and Essex fixed those of the Parliamentary army at Windsor. The civil war was protracted by sieges and skirmishes till the First Battle of Newbury, in which no decisive Success of the Royalists at Cropredy-bridge (29th June) followed by the capitulation of the Parlia-advantage was gained on either side. mentary army under Essex. Battle of Marston Moor (3rd July). Surrender of Taunton (20th July) and Bridge- The most distinguished among the Royalist Generals were Prince Rupert (son of the Electress Palatine, sister of the king), the Marquises of Newcastle, Worcester, and Hertford, and Lords Falkland and Goring. The Parliamentary forces were led by the Earls of Manchester, Essex, Holland and Bedford, Lord Brooke, Sir W. Waller, Lord Fairfax, and his son Sir T. Fairfax; but the reputation of these early leaders was destined to be eclipsed by that of a more successful general. In 1628 we first meet in the debates of the Commons with the name of OLIVER CROMWELL. He was returned for Cambridge in the Long Parliament. The Self-denying Ordinance is proposed by Crom-Edge Hill, but his military skill first appeared conspicuously at Marston Moor, 1645. Execution of Archbishop Laud (10th Jan.). Introduction of the new Directory, and suppression of Episcopacy. Negociations at Uxbridge (30th Jan.) broken off (24th Feb.). where the Royalist forces were routed. The Second Battle of Newbury ended army. Negociations for peace, known as the treaty of Uxbridge, were carried on, but they were rendered fruitless by the opposition of the Puritans; and, though PRINCIPAL EVENTS (continued). OBSERVATIONS (continued). Surrender of Bristol to Fairfax and Cromwell (11th Sept.). The Civil War. BATTLES AND SIEGES. (Battles gained by Royalists are marked R.; by Parliament, P.; Indecisive, Ind.) 1642. Ind. EDGE HILL R. Bradock Down. 1643. The hostility already seen to exist between the Presbyterians and the Independents was at this time still further heightened. The army, among whom the views of the Independents prevailed, proceeded to impeach twelve of the The Duke of Montrose is defeated at Philiphaugh leading Presbyterian members, and forcibly removed the person of the king from. Caversham Bridge the custody of the Parliamentary Commissioners to their own head quarters. by the Covenanters (13th Sept.). Proposals for a settlement of the kingdom were about this time submitted to The king retires to Oxford (5th Nov.) Charles by the officers. They were rejected by him, as were four bills sent to 1646. He surrenders to the Scots at Newark him by the Parliament after his escape to the Isie of Wight, upon which a vote was passe by the Commons constituting it treason to hold further communication with the king. (5th May). 1647. He is delivered up to the Parliamentary Commissioners (30th Jan.), and is conducted to Holmby House (16th Feb.). He is taken by the army to their head quarters at Newmarket (4th June). Escape of the king to the Isle of Wight (3rd Nov.). Proposals for the settlement of the kingdom are made by the parliament to the king (4th Dec.). 1648. The Scots take up arms for the king, and are defeated at Preston (17th Aug.). Surrender of Colchester (28th Aug.). P. Reading taken. R. Chalgrove Field R. Roundway Down P. Gainsborough. The efforts of the Scots about this time in behalf of the royal cause proved P. Gloucester, siege raised The imprisonment of the king continued during the year 1648. By the an absolute control over the Parliament. Colonel Pride was sent to seize and Whatever had hitherto been the motives by which Cromwell had been actuated, The Presbyterian members of the House are excluded by Colonel Pride (6th Dec.). Charles is removed to Windsor. Resolution to proceed against the king (28th Dec.). 1649. Charles is brought before the High Court of Justice, whose jurisdiction he denies (20th Jan.), and by which he is condemned (27th Jan.). The Archbishop Abbott, who died in 1633, was succeeded as Primate by William Laud. After the death of the latter prelate, the see of Canterbury remained vacant for sixteen years. During this period the Presbyterian form of worship was established by Parliament, and the Prayer Book was superseded by a Directory. In effecting these changes, Parliament was aided by an assembly of Divines convened at Westminster (June, 1643), which consisted of 121 Ministers, 10 Peers, and 24 Commoners. Ind. NEWBURY, 1ST BATTLE. 20th Sept. P. Nantwich. R. Selby 1644. P. Cropredy Bridge P. NEWBURY, 2ND BATTLE. R. Alford P. Langport P. Bridgewater taken R. Kilsyth (Scotland) 1648. 17th Aug. 28th Aug. P. Bristol taken (II.). JAMES (II.). Henry, Duke of Gloucester, died A.D. 1660. Mary, married William of Orange, father Elizabeth, died A.D. 1649. Anne Henrietta, married the Duke of Orleans. Execution of the king at Whitehall (30th Jan.). P. Wigan Charles II. is proclaimed in Scotland (5th Feb.). Cromwell, appointed Lord Deputy of Ireland, takes Drogheda (11th Sept.), and Wexford (11th Oct.), and reduces the royalists. 1650. Charles accedes to the terms of the Covenanters, and arrives in Scotland (23rd June). Cromwell enters Scotland, and defeats the Scots at Dunbar (3rd Sept.) 1651. Charles enters England with a Scottish army (6th Aug.), is defeated by Cromwell at cester (3rd Sept.), and escapes into France. The Navigation Act is passed. Observations. PARLIAMENTARY GOVERNMENT, A.D. 1649-1653. THE first acts of the Commons, after the execution of the king, were the abolition of the office of royalty and of the House of Lords, the sale of the church and crown lands, and the punishment of some of the more distinguished royalists. The Duke of Hamilton and Lords Holland and Capel were condemned, and suffered death. A Council of State was appointed, of which Bradshaw was the President, and Milton the Foreign Secretary. had proclaimed Charles II., on condition of his signing the National Covenant. The Scots had taken no part in the trial of the late king, and, on his death, The Marquis of Montrose, who attempted to establish the authority of the king, independent of the restrictions imposed upon it by the Covenanters, was defeated by them and executed (A.D. 1650). as Such is the influence of established authority, that, for four years, the remnant of the Long Parliament, allowed to remain by the army, and known "the Rump," carried on the government. It furnished Cromwell with resources to subdue the royalists in Ireland, where, by a campaign marked by great vigour, he reduced the country to subjection; to enter Scotland at the Wor-head of 16,000 men, where he defeated the Scots, who had espoused the cause of Charles after his acceptance of the Covenant; and in the following year to gain a signal victory over the royal army at Worcester. Charles fled in disguise, and after forty-five days succeeded in escaping to France. Successful on all sides, the Parliament, jealous of the growing power of the But the measure was frustrated by army, now proposed its reduction. Cromwell, who, surrounding the House with a body of soldiers, dismissed it in 1652. War is proclaimed against Holland. 1653. Naval victories over the Dutch, by Blake, off Portland (18th, 19th, 20th Feb.), and by Monk off the North Foreland (June 2nd). a violent manner. A new assembly, elected under his influence, and called, from the name of one of its rembers, the "Barebones Parliament," was not Cromwell summons the "Barebones Parlia- sufficiently subservient to his views. Its resignation of power was procured by a manoeuvre, when the Council of Officers invested Cromwell with the (July 4th). supreme authority, by an ordinance called The Instrument. By this ordinance it was provided that the government should reside in a single person, the ment " Defeat of the Dutch off the Texel (July 29th). The Barebones Parliament resign their authority to a Council of Officers, by whom "The Instrument' is prepared which appoints Cromwell Lord Protector (12th Dec.). Oliver Cromwell is proclaimed Lord Protector (16th Dec.). 1654. Peace is concluded with Holland (5th April). The Protector summons his first Parliament (4th Sept.) which refuses to make the office of Protector hereditary (13th Oct.), and is dissolved at the end of five months (31st Jan.). Captain-General, Oliver Cromwell, under the title of the Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland; that a Parliament should be summoned every three years; that the Protector and his Council should make laws during the intervals of Parliament, and that he should have power to proclaim war and peace. THE PROTECTORATE, A.D. 1653-1659. For four years and eight months, Oliver Cromwell held the office of Protector. The administration of Cromwell was vigorous. He upheld the reputation of England abroad-the liberties of the Protestants of Savoy were secured by An insurrection of the Scots was repressed by General Monk; and, in a series him-commerce flourished-the army and navy were raised to great efficiency. of brilliant engagements with the Dutch and Spaniards, the honour of the British flag was upheld by Monk and Blake. In the contest with Spain, the rich island of Jamaica was obtained, which has remained ever since a possession of England. The Fronde. re-organised by the Great Condé, is temporally joined by Turenne (1650). Settlement effected by the British in North Carolina (1650). The Cape of Good Hope is occupied by the Dutch (1650). Louis XIV. is declared of age (1651). Conde joins the Spaniards and is victorious at the Faubourg St. Antoine (1652). End of the civil war of the Fronde (1653). The Jansenists are condemned by a Papal Bull (1653). Act to exclude William of Orange from the Stadholdership in Holland. John de Witt, the Grand Pensionary, presides over the administration of affairs (1654). Brazil is recovered by the Portuguese from the Dutch (1654). Christina resigns the crown of Sweden to her consin Charles (X) Gustavus, the Connt Palatine of the House of Deux Ponts (1654), and embraces the Catholic religion (1655). Commencement of war between Louis XIV, and the House of Austria, which lasts thirteen years with Austria, and twentyfive with Spain (1655). Charles X. of Sweden enters on hos Prussia (1657). tilities with Poland (1655), Denmark and The Portuguese possessions in Ceylon and Malabar are taken by the Dutch (1656). John Casimir, King of Poland, recognizes the independence of Prussia, of which 1656. Alliance with France against Spain. The Protector summons his second Parliament (Sept. 17th), into which those only who produce a warrant of the Council are admitted. The government of Cromwell, however, was a despotism, entirely dependent upon the army for its support. Arbitrary imprisonment was practised, the disaffected were frequently sold as slaves, the press was subjected to a licence. Vane, Bradshaw, and other republicans, who opposed the power of the Protector, were committed to prison, and England was divided into twelve districts, over each of which a Major-General was placed with arbitrary authority. Cromwell called four Parliaments, and summarily dismissed them. Although his Pro-authority was confirmed and extended by the enactment of the "Humble Petition and Advice (1657), which offered to him the royal dignity, the fears of the republican army forced him to refuse the title of King. The hostile attitude of the Commons towards the body nominated by Cromwell as a House of Lords, to which only eight Peers of royal elevation were summoned, led to the dissolution of his last Parliament. 1657. A plot for the assassination of Cromwell. The Commons enlarge the powers of the tector by the "Humble Petition and Advice." A new House of Lords is summoned. 1658. The two Houses assemble (20th Jan.), and, in consequence of disputes as to the powers of the second House, Parliament is dissolved (4th Feb.). The partition of Flanders between England and France is projected. The Spaniards are defeated by the combined English and French armies, at the battle of the Dunes (4th June). Dunkirk is given up by France to the English. Richard Cromwell is proclaimed Protector. 1659. He summons a Parliament, which, by a remonstrance of the army, he is obliged to dissolve, and abdicates his office (25th May). The remains of the Long Parliament, or "the Rump," are recalled, but are dispersed by Lambert and other officers, who elect a Committee of Safety (13th Oct.). 1660. General Monk enters London, and restores the surviving members of the Long Parliament excluded in 1653, who commit Lambert to the Tower, and issue writs for a new election (16th March). A new or Convention Parliament meets (25th April), and passes a resolution in favour of the restoration of royalty. The royalists and the discontented republicans, known as "Levellers," at the head of whom were Sexby and Wildman, joined in conspiracies against the person or authority of the Protector. Special Courts of Justice were erected for their trial, by which Gerard and Vowel, in 1654, and Slingsby and Howitt in 1658, were brought to the scaffold. The latter days of Cromwell were rendered unhappy by the dread of assassination, and by domestic losses. In his sixtieth year he was seized with an attack of ague, and died at Whitehall, on the 3rd September, the anniversary of the victories of Dunbar and Worcester. On the death of Cromwell, his son Richard was proclaimed Protector. A Parliament was now summoned, but, on the remonstrance of a party of the officers, headed by Lambert and Fleetwood, known, from their meeting at the residence of the latter, as the Wallingford House Cabal, Richard was forced to dissolve it, and soon afterwards he resigned his office. His brother Henry, Viceroy of Ireland, followed his example, and the family of the Cromwells, which, by the genius of one man, had been raised to the highest power in the state, returned into obscurity. PERIOD OF ANARCHY, 1659-1660. ON the resignation of Richard Cromwell, the army agreed to reinstate the Long Parliament, on the ground that it could not have been dissolved but by its own consent. Disagreement, however, soon arose, and it was again dispersed by the bayonet. The officers, headed by Lambert, then invested a body called the Committee of Safety with the supreme authority. although he had served under Cromwell, belonged to a royalist family, determined to oppose the schemes of Lambert. He advanced to London, and re-admitted to the House of Commons the Presbyterian members, who for twelve years had been excluded from their seats. The Commons appointed themselves. When the new assembly met, it was found to contain a large Monk general of the forces, issued writs for new elections, and then dissolved proportion of members favourable to the royal cause; and Monk, who had hitherto acted with impenetrable reserve, now entered into a correspondence with Charles. Letters from the prince were, shortly afterwards, laid before the two Houses. A declaration made by him at Breda, promising amnesty and toleration, was favourably received; and commissioners were sent to invite him to assume the government. Meanwhile, Monk, who at this time commanded in Scotland, and who, |