A History of the British Empire, from the accession of Charles I. to the Restoration, with an introduction tracing the progress of society, and of the constitution from the feudal times to the opening of the History, and including a particular examination of Mr. Hume's statements relative to the...

Front matter

THE BRITISH EMPIRE. VOL. I. LONDON FEINTED BT SPOTTISWOODE AND CO. NEW-STBEET BQlTABE A CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORY OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE FROM THE ACCESSION OF CHARLES I. TO THE RESTORATION: WITH AN INTRODUCTION, TRACING THE PROGRESS OF SOCIETY AND OF THE CONSTITUTION FROM THE FEUDAL TIMES TO THE OPENING OF THE HISTORY, AND INCLUDING A PARTICULAR EXAMINATION OF MR. HUME'S STATEMENTS RELATIVE TO THE CHARACTER OF THE ENGLISH GOVERNMENT. BY GEORGE BRODIE, ESQ. rBOTOmOGBAPEKR-nOYAL 01 SCOTLAND. NEW EDITION. IN THREE VOLUMES. VOL. I. LONDON : LONGMANS, GREEN, AND CO. 1806.

Preface

TO THE NEW EDITION. It is now many years since I published my History of the British Empire, and often since then have I been urged to produce a new edition ; but other avocations so occupied me that I was obliged to delay it for a season, though I never renounced the idea. During that time — induced by the remarks of some whose sentiments on various subjects differed from my own — I have subjected my work to the most searching scrutiny, and carefully reperused my authorities. I have endeavoured as far as possible to correct my errors, making alterations and additions wherever by so doing I considered I could throw more light on any subject. What is the value of History but to present truth ? Dr. Robertson the great Historian used to say, that he con sidered himself on oath in every statement he made ; this was a just view, and such as no one who undertakes history should lose sight of.

This work was formerly entitled ' A History of the British Empire ; ' but in the present edition I have adopted a title which explains more definitely the scope of my book. London : October 20, 1805.

PREFACE.

To THE FIRST EDITION. From the celebrity of Mr. Hume's Work, it may be thought to have been equally presumptuous and hopeless to enter the field which he is supposed to have so fully preoccupied. The portion of British History, however, embraced by the following volumes is so important — the picture there presented so different from the one draAvn by that elegant writer, that, if it shall be found to be sufficiently supported by authority, I flatter myself that I shall be absolved from the charge of either presumption or rashness. For the task of an historian, Mr. Hume was in many respects most eminently qualified ; but, having embarked in his undertaking with a predisposition unfavourable to a calm inquiry after truth, and being impatient of that un wearied research which, never satisfied Avhile any source of information remains unexplored, or probability not duly weighed, with unremitting industry sifts and collates authorities, he allowed his narrative to be directed by his predilections, and overlooked the materials from which it ought to have been constructed. Many documents of essential consequence have, since his time, enriched the

PREFACE.

. public stock; but it may appear, from the following pages, that he either did not avail himself or make the proper use of those open to his inspection. From the short period, indeed, devoted by him to that portion of British History, I conceive it to have been morally im possible for him to have become master of the necessary materials. The Work which I now submit to the public has occupied my leisure hours for many years ; and though, to my regret, I perceive that in some respects, particularly in certain expressions Avhich had escaped me, it might still be improved, I trust that it will be found deficient neither in research nor accuracy. Not contented with merely glancing through or dipping into the numerous publications referred to, I have, by a collation of the various parts, endeavoured to ascertain the truth.

The manuscripts relative to my subject — whether in the Advocates' Library at Edinburgh, the British Museum, the Archbishop of Canterbury's Library at Lambeth, (and here I must acknowledge my obligations to Mr. Todd for his kind attention,) or the Bodleian Library — I have carefully examined. From a manuscript copy of Baillie's Letters shown to me by my valuable friend, Dr. M'Crie, I have, to illustrate my text, extracted some passages which the Editors have omitted to publish. As it is impossible to understand events without a thorough knowledge of all the circumstances out of Avhich they emerged, and as Mr. Hume's view of the govern ment, and of public opinion — on which is founded his defence of the unfortunate Charles I. and his minister Strafford— appears to me altogether erroneous, I have devoted a whole volume to introduction. From the

PREFACE.

. IX variety and importance of the matter whiclf^it contains, I believe that, as it was not the least difficult part of my undertaking, that volume will be regarded as not the least valuable. On religion — a subject on Avhich the celebrated historian alluded to seems to me no less unhappy than in his ideas of the government — I have been particularly copious. Endeavouring to keep steadily in vieAv the principles of toleration, I have yet made it my study to present such a faithful picture of the sentiments of the times as may enable the reader to form a just estimate of transactions which flowed from a more contracted policy. In recording civil events, it has ever been my object to abstain from all unnecessary indulgence in abstract specu lations, and to appreciate men and things, in relation to the state of the government, of society, and of public opinion, as the only standard by Avhich they ought to be tried. CONTENTS OF THE FIRST VOLUME.

Introduction

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Chapter I

A TII^TORY OF THE ENGLISH CONSTITUTION, AND PROGRESS OF SOCTETY IX ENGLAND, FROM THE FEUDAL TIMES TILL THE CLOSE OF THE REIGN OF ELIZABETH PAGE 1

Chapter II. Containing

A PARTICULAR ACCOUNT OF THE VARIOUS INSTITUTIONS AND USAGES UNDER THE TUDORS AND THEIR PREDECESSORS, WHICH EITHER WERE PREJUDICIAL TO FREEDOM, OR ARE SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN SO ; TOGETHER WITH AN EXAMINATION OF MB. HUME'S STATEMENTS IN HIS THIRD APPENDIX, UPON WHICH HE CONCLUDES THAT THE ENGLISH GOVERNMENT UNDER ELIZABETH ' BORE SOME RESEMBLANCE TO THAT OF TURKEY ' 115

Chapter VI. From The Accession Of Charles

I. TILL THE DISSOLUTION OF HIS FIRST PARLIAMENT. CONTAINING A RAPID SKETCH OF SOME LEADING TRANSACTIONS AT THE CLOSE OF THE PRECEDING REIGN — AS THE BOHEMIAN WAR, WITH THE RUIN OF THE ELECTOR PALATINE AND HIS FAMILY THE PROJECTED SPANISH MATCH, AND RUPTURE OF THE TREATIES, ETC, WITH THE CHARACTER OF BUCKINGHAM — DEATH OP JAMES, AND ACCESSION OF CHARLES — RELIGION — MARRIAGE WITH HENRIETTA OF FRANCE THE PROCEEDINGS OF HIS FIRST PARLIAMENT — THE ADJOURNMENT LOAN OF SHIPS TO FRANCE TO BE USED AGAINST THE PROTESTANTS OF ROCHELLE — REASSEMBLING OF PARLIAMENT, WITH THE RUPTURE AND DISSOLU TION 333 "

Chapter VII. From The Dissolution Of The First Parliament Of Charles

I. TO THE CALLING OF THE THIRD : CONTAINING AN ACCOUNT OF THE EXPEDITION AGAINST SPAIN — THE SECOND PARLIAMENT THE MISUNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE KING AND QUEEN ; AND THE FRENCH WAR — WITH THE UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT UPON THE ISLE OF RHE .... 396

Chapter VIII. From The Assembling Of The Third Parliament To Its

DISS0L1 INCLUDING THE VARIOUS TRANSACTIONS OP THAT PARLIAMENT, AS THE PETITION OF RIGHTS, ETC. — THE ASSASSINATION OF BUCKLNGBLAM BY FELTON DURING THE PROROGATION, ETC; THE FATE OF ROCHELLE; THE RE-MEETING OF PARLIAMENT, AND DISSOLUTION, WITH THE IMPRISONMENT OF MEMBERS OF THE LOWER HOUSE, AND THE DEATH OF STR JOHN ELLIOT IN PRISON 455 NOTES CHAP. I. CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORY OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE.

INTRODUCTION.

.