The Arrest of the Five Members

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.

Charles looked about the chamber but could not see the accused — thanks to a tip-off, they were safely hidden in the City. He asked the Speaker to reveal their whereabouts, but was rebuffed. Charles applauded his loyalty, but warned that he would nonetheless discover where the five members were hiding, and swept out of the House.

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