The opening of I. THE GREAT REBELLION
Condition of Ireland--Roger Moore's Pilgrimage--Negotiations of the Anglo-Irish with Charles--Hugh M'Mahon betrays the Plot--Rising of the Native Irish--Massacre of Protestants--Measures taken by the English Parliament--Return of Charles to London--The Grand Remonstrance--The King's Answer--His Lieutenant of the Tower--Riots in London--Blunder of the Bishops--Attempted Arrest of the Five Members--Charles leaves London--The Queen goes to Holland--Charles at York--His Repulse from Hull--Preparations for War--The Royal Standard Raised--Prince Rupert's Headstrong Folly--Battle of Edge Hill--Charles marches on London--He returns to Oxford--Cromwell in the East--The Queen in Yorkshire--Death of Hampden--Parliamentary Disasters--Battle of Newbury--Death of Lord Falkland--Negotiations with the Scots and Irish--Death of Pym--Royal Parliament at Oxford--Battle of Marston Moor--Disastrous Failure of Essex in Cornwall--Second Battle of Newbury--The Self-denying Ordinance--The New-modelled Army.
The causes which drove the Irish to rebellion were for the most part of long standing. Their religion had been ruthlessly persecuted; their property had been confiscated by whole provinces at a time; their ancient chiefs had been driven from their lands, and many of them exterminated.