I wish this action may bigest thankfullness and huislity in all that aur coneraned in itt, ther that ventens his life for the libertye of hy cuntie, I wish Her Lust God for the librulyo of his confeirna, and you fou the libentyo Her fights fou, fu Wus Hee ursts

whor is

Juno. 14. 1,645.

"Haurubnowe.

youn

moss

hmmable sennant

Facsimile of a portion of the letter written by Cromwell to the Speaker of the House of Commons announcing the victory of Naseby. (Engraved from the original in the Harleian MSS., British Museum.) See note 7, p. 48.

similar to the Ironsides of Cromwell. The officers, chosen with the utmost care, were selected from every station in life; many of them were gentlemen of rank and property, but farmers, shoemakers, and tailors were equally eligible. The one essential was that they should be men of tried ability, of resolute purpose, and of decided religious convictions.

It was soon discovered that the services of Cromwell with the remodelled army were indispensable; and, on the petition of Fairfax and his officers, he was appointed lieutenant-general and commander of the horse.

The Battle of Naseby.-With such an army, the success of the Roundheads was swift and decisive. Charles, who was marching northwards to join Montrose, was encountered by the New-Model army on the high moors of Naseby' on the borders of Northampton

shire.

6

As usual, the impetuous onset of Rupert carried all before it, but he persevered in his pursuit further than was prudent. Cromwell, with his Ironsides, charging down hill, routed the wing opposed to them; and then, wheeling round, dashed into the flank of the king's infantry, which broke and fled before Prince Rupert could come to the rescue.

When at last the horse of Rupert returned exulting but exhausted, they were totally unprepared to meet the attack of Cromwell, and at the first charge "broke all asunder." The ruin of the royal cause was accomplished almost at a blow. The baggage and artillery of the Royalists, along with the carriage and private papers of Charles, were left behind. Five thousand prisoners were taken, and the fugitives never again formed a combined force,

8

The King in the hands of the Scots.--Charles, after wandering for ten months from stronghold to stronghold, decided at last to give himself up to the Scots encamped at Newark, in the hope that he would be able to come to terms with them. At first, there was some probability that his attempt to win them over would be successful; but, ultimately, they agreed to deliver him to a committee of the Houses on payment of £400,000 for their expenses in the war.

With

Meantime, the surrender of Bristol' gave the death-blow to the royal cause in the south-west of England. the capture of Harlech Castle,20 the last stronghold of the king in Wales fell into the hands of the Parliament; and the overwhelming defeat of Montrose at Philiphaugh, near Selkirk, utterly extinguished the transient gleam of hope kindled in Scotland by the victory of Kilsyth.

1. By this Covenant they bound themselves to
fight for the defence of their king, their
liberty, their religion, and of one another.
2. Marston Moor, 5 miles west of York.
3. Disaster, means that which is under an Evil
Star-the word points back to the old be-
lief in astrology.

4. Those of Waller and Essex, which had sur-
rounded Charles at Oxford, and might have
compelled him to surrender but that their
mutual jealousy caused them to separate;
and thus Charles was able to defeat them
in succession-Waller at Cropredy Bridge
in Oxfordshire, and Essex at Lostwithiel
in Cornwall.

5. Newbury, see note 9, page 43.

6. During the year 1644-5 the Scotch Royalists under Montrose gained several important victories, and made themselves masters of nearly the whole of Scotland. See also page 69.

7. Naseby, a few miles west of Northampton. 10. Harlech Castle, in Merionethshire. There

The latter part of Cromwell's letter to the

Speaker of the House of Commons (of which

is a famous Welsh air called the "March of the Men of Harlech."

THE KING A CAPTIVE.

MILTON.

HE King in the hands of the Parliament.—For four months, the unfortunate king was a prisoner in the hands of the Parliament.1 The greater part of that time was spent at Holdenby or Holmby House in Northamptonshire. There, the spring and early summer of 1647 passed quietly and peacefully. Charles enjoyed the simple country life with

its soothing sights and sounds and its gentle sports. It must have been a pleasant change after these years of toil and combat.

Still, he was prevented from enjoying free intercourse with his friends, and somewhat interfered with in the exercise of his religion. Charles, as you know, was an Episcopalian, while the majority of the Commons were Presbyterians; they had taken an oath to uphold the Solemn League and Covenant, had forbidden the use of the liturgy throughout England, and were most highhanded in their determination to abolish Episcopacy.

The intolerance of the Presbyterians was opposed by the other great section of the Puritans. These Independents, as they were called, were in the minority in Parliament, but formed the bulk of the army. The cause for which they had fought was not that of the supremacy of the Parliament, but above all things that of toleration and liberty of conscience.