Introduction
For eleven years, King Charles I did not consult his Parliament at all, turning a deaf ear to their ever louder complaints about the country’s finances and about religious and civil liberties. In 1640 he relented, acceding to most of their demands; then on January 4th, 1642, Charles burst into the Commons to arrest in person five MPs on a charge of treason. It was to prove the opening shot of the Civil War.
TO colour his proceedings with a form of law, he sent Sir Edward Herbert,* his Attorny General, and a member of the House of Commons, to accuse of high treason, in the name of his Majesty, Mr William Stroud, Mr John Pym, Mr John Hampden, Sir Arthur Haslerig, and Mr Denzil Hollis, members of that House;* and the Lord Kimbolton of the House of Lords.
Upon this the House made answer to the Attorny General, that they were the proper judges of their own members: that upon his producing the articles that he had to accuse their members with, and the consideration of them, if they found cause, they would leave them to be proceeded against according to law; but commanded him at his peril not to proceed any farther against them, or any other member, without their consent.
The King, finding his instruments thus discouraged, and being resolved to remove all obstructions in his way, went in person to the House of Commons, attended not only with his ordinary guard of pensioners, but also with those desperadoes that for some time he had entertained at Whitehall, to the number of three or four hundred, armed with partizans,* sword and pistol.
* Sir Edward Herbert (?1591-1658). His Parliamentary career began in April 1640, and he had been re-elected MP for Old Sarum (near modern-day Salisbury) in November 1640.
* The five members, in alphabetical order and with the spelling preferred today, were: John Hampden (?1594-1643); Arthur Haselrig (1601-1661); Denzil Holles (1599-1680); John Pym (1584-1643); William Strode (1598-1645). Edward Montagu (1602-1671) was at the time styled Lord Kimbolton, but the following November (the arrest took place in January) he succeeded to his father’s title and became 2nd Earl of Manchester. He was a senior commander of Parliamentary forces in the Civil War, and indeed for a time Oliver Cromwell’s superior officer.
* A weapon with long shaft and broad blade typically resembling a fleur-de-lys. See a picture at Wikimedia Commons.
Précis
On January 4th, 1642, King Charles I barged into the House of Commons in the company of some three hundred armed guards, hoping to arrest five MPs on a charge of treason. The Commons had been informed of the warrants, but had insisted on considering the charges themselves before deciding whether or not to comply. (55 / 60 words)
On January 4th, 1642, King Charles I barged into the House of Commons in the company of some three hundred armed guards, hoping to arrest five MPs on a charge of treason. The Commons had been informed of the warrants, but had insisted on considering the charges themselves before deciding whether or not to comply.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 60 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 50 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: about, although, besides, if, must, ought, until, who.
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