But my heart being full of affection for thee, admiration of thee, and impatient passion of gratitude to thee, I could not but say something, leaving the rest to be read by thee out of thine own noble heart.

The intercepting of mine to thee of the 23rd February has bred great discourse in several persons and of several kinds ; as my saying I was persecuted for places is applied to all and only those that I name there to be suitors, whereas the truth is, I meant thereby the importunity of others whom at that time I had not time to name, as well as some there mentioned; for I confess 174 and 133 are not guilty of that fault. Some find fault as too much kindness to thee; thou mayest easily vote from what constellation that comes, but I assure such, that I want expression, not will, to do it ten times more to thee on all occasions. Others press me as being brought upon the stage; but I answer that, having professed to have thy advice, it were a wrong to thee to do anything before I had it. As for our treaty, leaving the particulars to this enclosed, I am confident thou wilt be content with it, as concerning my part in it; for all the soldiers are well pleased with what I have done, but expect no cessation of arms; for the Lower House will have none without a disbanding, and I will not disband till all be agreed. Lastly, for our military affairs, I thank God that here and in the west they prosper well; as for the north, I refer thee to 226 140 for information. So, daily expecting and praying for good news from thee, &c.

1 Vow, or swear. (Lat.)

Charles I. to Richard Browne. 1

Trusty and well-beloved, we greet you well. We believe that before this letter the capucins of Somerset House, or some from them, will be arrived at Paris, and have represented there how disgracefully they were lately entreated at London. We are exceedingly displeased that so high an affront hath been put upon the treaty between us and the French king our brother, and upon our own authority; but forasmuch as this barbarous act is the child of that monstrous rebellion which goes big with confusion and destruction to our person and posterity as well as to our laws and rights, we will be clear of any imputation thereof, disavowing the same, the authors, actors, and abettors thereof, as we do disavow and detest all their treacherous machinations against us and the peace of our kingdom, leaving them obnoxious to the just indignation and revenge which God shall inflict upon them in his due time; and to this effect we will and command you in our name to make your address to our said dear brother the French king for his satisfaction and the discharge of our conscience and affection to him in this regard. And so we bid you farewell.

Given at our court at Oxford, the 5th day of April, in the nineteenth year of our reign. 2

I D'Ewes's MS. papers, British Museum.

2 This evidently refers to the complaints, so long existing, against the queen's ecclesiastical establishment. So powerful was the popular feeling against popery, that the king was forced to proceed much further than his own intentions would have led him; for he not only offered, in a mes

Charles I. to Prince Maurice.1

Nephew Maurice,

Though Mars be now most in vogue, yet Hymen may be sometimes remembered. The matter is this. Your mother and I have been somewhat engaged concerning a marriage between your brother Rupert and Mademoiselle de Rohan, and now her friends press your brother to a positive answer, which I find him resolved to give negatively; therefore, I have thought fit to know if you will not by your engagement take your brother handsomely off. I have not time to argue the matter; but, to show my judgment, I assure you that if my son James were of a fit age, I would want of my will but he should have her; and, indeed, the total rejecting of this alliance may do us some prejudice, whether ye look to these or German affairs, the performance of which is not expected until the times shall be reasonably settled, though I desire you to give me an answer as soon as you can (having now occasion to send to France), because delays are sometimes as ill taken as denials. So, hoping and praying God for good news from you, I rest

Your loving uncle and faithful friend,

Oxford, 4th July, 1643.

For my nephew, Prince Maurice.

CHARLES R.

sage to the parliament, to require by proclamation that all statutes concerning popish recusants should be put in execution, but that the seven popish priests should be banished, and all Romish priests to depart the kingdom in twenty days.

1 MS. Harl. 6988, art. 88. The marriage here proposed did not take place.

Our will and command is, that you forthwith send into the towns and villages adjacent, and bring thence all the sick and hurt soldiers of the earl of Essex's army; and though they be rebels, and deserve the punishment of traitors, yet out of our tender compassion upon them as being our subjects, our will and pleasure is, that ye carefully provide for their recovery, as well as for those of our own army, and then to send them to Oxford. 21st September, 1643.

To the mayor of Newbery.

Dear heart,

Charles I. to the Queen. 2

Oxford, Thursday, 14th January, 1644.

Since my last by Choquen, I have had no means of writing, and as little new matter. That which is new is the progress of the treaty, of which these enclosed papers will give thee a full account. But if thou have them sooner from London than me, thou hast no reason to wonder, considering the length and uncertainty of the way I am forced to send by, in respect of the other. For the business itself, I believe thou wilt approve of my choice of treaters; and for my propositions, they differ

1 Sanderson, p. 648. This letter was written soon after the battle of Newbury, which took place between Essex and the royal forces, with doubtful success on either side. It is a pleasing example of the king's generosity towards his enemies.

2 The King's Cabinet Opened, 1645. Charles summoned a parliament at Oxford on January 22nd.

nothing in substance, very little in words, from those which were last. Wherefore I need to say nothing of them; and for my instructions, they are not yet made; but by the next I hope to send them.

1

Now, upon the whole matter I desire thee to show the queen and ministers there the improbability that this present treaty should produce a peace, considering the great difference, if not contrariety, of grounds that are betwixt the rebels' propositions and mine; and, that I cannot alter mine, nor will they ever theirs, until they be out of hope to prevail by force; which a little assistance by thy means will soon make them do. For I am confident, if ever I could put them to a defensive (which a reasonable sum of money would do) they would be easily brought to reason. Concerning our interfering here at Oxford, I desire thee to suspend thy judgment; for I believe few but partial relations will come to thee, until I shall send some whom I may trust by word of mouth, it being too much trouble to us both to set them down in paper.

Charles I. to General Goring.2

Right trusty and well-beloved, we greet you well.— We have seen the account which you have given our nephew Rupert of the unfortunate loss of Weymouth;

1 The Queen Regent of France.

2 MS. Sloane 1519, art. 25.

The following very curious notice of Prince Rupert seems to have escaped the notice of our historians. Taylor, the water-poet, travelled to Bohemia, and in his description of Prague, he says,-"The castle where the king and queen do keep their court is magnificent and sumptuous in building, strongly situated and fortified by nature and art, being founded on a high hill, so that at pleasure it keeps the town in command, and it is