ither soldiers nor sailors
should be quartered in private houses.[3] (3) That no one should be
imprisoned or punished contrary to law. Charles was forced by his
need of money to assent to this Petition, which thus became a most
important part of the English constitution. But the King did not keep
his word. When Parliament next met (1629), it refused to grant money
unless Charles would renew his pledge not to violate the law. The
King made some concessions, but finally resolved to adjourn
Parliament. Several members of the Commons held the Speaker in the
chair by force,--thus preventing the adjournment of the House,--until
resolutions offered by Sir John Eliot were passed (S434). These
resolutions were aimed directly at the King. They declared: (1) that
he is a traitor who attempts any change in the established religion of
the kingdom;[4] (2) who levies any tax not voted by Parliament; (3) or
who voluntarily pays such a tax. Parliament then adjourned.

[2] Petition of Right: see S432, and Constitutional Documents, p.xxx.
[3] The King was also deprived of the power to press citizens into the
army and navy.
[4] The Puritans had come to believe that the King wished to restore
the Catholic religion as the Established Church of England, but in
this idea they were mistaken.

18. "Thorough"; Ship Money; the "Short Parliament."

The King swore that "the vipers" who opposed him should have their
reward. Eliot was thrown into prison and kept there till he died.
Charles made up his mind that, with the help of Archbishop Laud in
Church matters, and of Lord Strafford in affairs of state, he would
rule without Parliaments. Strafford urged the King to adopt the
policy of "Thorough"[1] (S435); in other words, to follow the bent of
his own will without consulting the will of the nation. This, of
course, practically meant the overthrow of parliamentary and
constitutional government. Charles heartily approved of this plan for
setting up what he called a "beneficent despotism" based on "Divine
Right."

[1] "Thorough": Strafford wrote to Laud, "You may govern as you
please....I am confident that the King is able to carry any just and
honorable action thorough [i.e. through or against] all imaginable
opposition." Both Strafford and Laud used the word "thorough," in this
sense to designate their tyrannical policy.

The King now resorted to various unconstitutional means to obtain
supplies. The last device he hit upon was th