But the Scots were also

coerce the Covenanters. in arms under General Leslie, and advancing to the border to offer battle. The King knew that the hearts of the English people were not with him in this contest. The Puritans sympathised with the principles of the Presbyterians, and the patriot party generally saw in the quarrel with Scotland a chance of putting an end to the Government at home. Charles, therefore, instead of fighting, proposed to leave the dispute to be settled by a General Assembly and Scotch Parliament, and so it was agreed to disband both armies. These assemblies not only confirmed all that had been done, but also proceeded to limit the royal power. The King, however, though willing to yield in religious matters, was determined to maintain his prerogative, as he had done in England. He sought aid from Strafford in Ireland, and summoned an English Parliament to grant money for equipping an army. In the spring of 1640, Parliament met after an interval of eleven years. The House of Commons complained of their grievances instead of voting supplies, and was consequently dissolved after a session of only three weeks. On this account it has been called the Short Parliament.

By this time Strafford had arrived from Ireland with some aid granted by the Parliament of that country. He added vigour to the King's counsels, advised war, and advanced in command of the royal army to the north. The Scots were already

in arms, and knowing that the leaders of the English Commons were in sympathy with them, entered England, and, after routing a body of royal horse at the passage of the river Tyne, took possession of Newcastle. Charles, in his despair, summoned a council of the English peers to meet at York, but these would do nothing by themselves to relieve the King from his difficulties. As the Scots threatened an advance upon York, it was decided to summon another English Parliament to meet at Westminster. The Treaty of Ripon was signed by the contending parties, by which it was agreed that the points in dispute should be settled by the Parliaments of the two countries, and that in the mean time the expenses of the Scottish army should be borne by England. In the November of the year 1640, the English Parliament, memorable in our history as the "Long Parliament," on account of its nineteen years' duration, assembled at Westminster. All the living patriot leaders who had distinguished themselves in the previous Parliaments were returned to this assembly. Encouraged by the presence of the Scottish army in the north of England, and knowing that the King was utterly powerless to maintain his dignity and authority without the help of the English people, they resolved to seize the opportunity of putting an end to his despotic government. How they did this must be told in the next Lesson,

The Reformation in Scotland had ended in the establishment of Presbyterianism. James I. restored bishops to the Scotch Church, but their power was very limited. Charles I. endeavoured to impose upon the Scots a Prayer Book drawn up by Laud. The attempt excited a rebellion. The Scots abolished Episcopacy and entered into a solemn covenant to defend their national religion with their lives. The Puritans in England so sympathised with the Scots, that King Charles could not trust an English army to coerce his northern subjects. In this dilemma he summoned the "Short Parliament." Strafford came to his help from Ireland, but the royal forces could not hinder the Scots from seizing Newcastle. Then it was resolved, in the Treaty of Ripon, to leave the settlement of the quarrel with the Parliaments of each country. The "Long Parliament" accordingly assembled, and overthrew the King's despotic government.

LESSON VII.

THE LONG PARLIAMENT.

In

THIS memorable Parliament assembled at Westminster, November, 1640, resolutely determined to overthrow the tyranny of the Government. stead of voting supplies for the purpose of driving the Scottish army out of England, it proceeded at once to consider the grievances of the nation, and devise remedies for their removal. One of its earliest acts was to bring to trial the Earl of

This

Strafford for his share in the Government. nobleman was accused of high treason before the House of Lords, and was forthwith ordered to be committed to the Tower. The ground for accusing him of high treason was that he had given the King bad advice, and led him into actions which threatened to destroy the liberties of the country. A similar charge was brought against Archbishop Laud and other royal councillors. The Archbishop was also sent to the Tower, but the others sought safety in flight. A great blow was thus struck at the King by depriving him of his trusty advisers.

Four months passed away before the leaders of the Commons were ready to proceed with Strafford's impeachment. In the meanwhile, however, they had not been idle in passing measures for the removal of their grievances. Prynne and his fellow-victims of the tyranny of the Courts of Star Chamber and High Commission were released from prison, and conducted to London in triumph as martyrs of liberty. Ship-money was declared to be illegal; the judgment in Hampden's case was set aside, and the judges were threatened with punishment for their unjust decision. Moreover,

the question of taxation on the royal authority alone was clearly settled by the enactment of a statute declaring "the ancient rights of the subjects of this kingdom that no subsidy, custom, import, or any charge whatever, ought or may be laid or imposed upon any merchandise exported or im