1647.]

END OF THE FIRST CIVIL WAR.

65

hurt done by the Cavaliers (during their garrison) by way of embezzling and cutting off chains of books, than there was since. He was a lover of learning, and had he not taken this special care, that noble library had been utterly destroyed, for there were ignorant senators enough who would have been contented to have had it so. This I do assure you from an ocular witness." All the royalist garrisons had yielded before the end of 1646. Great changes had taken place since Charles fought his first battle of Edgehill. Essex, who there brought his undisciplined troops into conflict with the Cavaliers, died on the 16th of September. Other men and other influences were now to be paramount.

Medal struck in honour of the Earl of Essex. Engraved from the Parliamentary series
executed by Simon.

The King at Holmby House-Army Independents-Cromwell-The Army proposed to be dis. banded-Petitions from Officers-Adjutators-The King removed from Holmby by Cornet Joyce-Commissioners at Triploe Heath-The Army advances towards London-The King's treatment in the Army-Proposals of the Independents to the King-The King rejects the Proposals-Tumults in London-The Army advances-The Speakers and Members go to the Army-London submits-The King at Hampton Court-CromwellThe intercepted Letter of the King-Charles makes his escape from Hampton Court.

HOLMBY HOUSE (or Holdenby), a mansion within six miles of Northampton, built by sir Christopher Hatton, no longer exists. We cannot judge of its capacity for the accommodation of a fallen king; but we have ample evidence that it was considered as a palace rather than a prison. There is an order of "the Committee of the Revenue" for fitting Holdenby House with hangings, beddings, and other wardrobe stuff and necessaries; and, with the Puritan contempt of the externals of religious worship, for melting the altar plate at Whitehall for the use of the king's table in his new abode. Seventy-six officers of the household and domestic servants are to be chosen by the earl of Northumberland, with Yeomen of the Guard. The king's diet was to be supplied at the cost of 301. a day; and the estimate for the