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Page 7
* * * * *
TRIAL OF CHARLES I.
On the morning of Jan. 20th, 1648, towards noon, the High Court, having
first held its secret sitting in the Painted Chamber, prepared to enter
upon the final details of its mission. Prayers were scarcely over,
before it was announced that the king, borne in a close sedan between
two rows of soldiers, was on the point of making his appearance.
Cromwell ran to the windows, and as suddenly hastened back, pale yet
highly excited--"He is here, he is here, sirs; the hour for this grand
affair draws nigh. Decide promptly, I beseech you, what you intend to
reply; for he will instantly inquire in whose name and by what authority
you presume to try him." No one making any reply, Henry Martin at length
observed--"In the name of the Commons assembled in Parliament, and of
all the good people of England." To this no objection was made. The
court proceeded in solemn procession towards Westminster Hall, the
President Bradshaw at its head; before him were borne the mace and
sword; and sixteen officers armed with partisans, preceded the court.
The President took his place in an arm-chair adorned with crimson
velvet; at his feet sat the clerk, near a table covered with a rich
Turkey carpet, and upon which were placed the mace and sword. On the
right and left appeared the members of the court upon seats of scarlet
cloth; while at the two ends of the hall stood the guards, all armed, a
little in advance of the tribunal. The court being installed, all the
doors were thrown open; the crowd rushed into the hall. Silence being
restored, the act of the Commons appointing the court was read, the
names were called over, and sixty-nine members were found to be present.
"Sergeant," said Bradshaw, "let the prisoner be brought forward!"
The king appeared under guard of Colonel Hacker and thirty-two officers.
An arm-chair, adorned with crimson velvet, was in readiness for him at
the bar. He came forward; fixed a long and severe look upon the court,
and seated himself without taking off his hat. Suddenly he rose, looked
round at the guard upon the left, and at the spectators upon the right
of the hall; again fixed his eyes upon his judges, and then sat down,
amidst the general silence of the court.
Bradshaw rose instantly:--"Charles Stuart, King of England, the English
Commons assembled in Parliament, deeply penetrated with a sense of the
evils that have fallen upon this nation, and of which you are considered
the chief author, are resolved to inquire into this sanguinary crime.
With this view they have instituted this High Court of Justice, before
which you are summoned this day. You will now hear the charges to be
preferred against you."
The Attorney General Coke now rose. "Silence!" exclaimed the king, at
the same time touching him on the shoulder with his cane. Coke,
surprised and irritated, turned round; the handle of the king's cane
fell off, and for a few moments he appeared deeply affected. None of his
attendants were at hand to take it up; he stooped and picked it up
himself, and then resumed his seat. Coke proceeded to read the act
imputing to the king all the evils arising first out of his tyranny,
subsequently from the war; and requiring that he should be bound to
reply to the charges, and that judgment should be pronounced against him
as a tyrant, a traitor, and a murderer.
During this time, the king continued seated, directing his eyes towards
his judges, or towards the spectators, without betraying any emotion.
Once he rose; turned his back upon the court to see what was passing
behind him, and again sat down with an expression at once of
inquisitiveness and indifference in his manner. Upon hearing the words:
"Charles Stuart, a tyrant, traitor, and murderer," he laughed, though he
still remained silent.
The act being read, "Sir," said Bradshaw, "you have now heard the act of
accusation against you: the court expects you to reply."
_The King_. "First, I wish to know by what authority I am summoned
here. A short time since, I was in the Isle of Wight engaged in
negociations with both houses of parliament, under guarantee of the
public faith. We were upon the point of concluding a treaty. I would be
informed by what authority--I say legitimate authority--for of
illegitimate authorities there are, I know, many, like that of robbers
on the highway;--I would be informed, I repeat, by what authority I have
been dragged from place to place, I know not with what views. When I am
made acquainted with this legitimate authority, I will reply."
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