nother terrible story, started on the excellent authority of Lord
Shaftesbury's cook, added a new terror. This stated the Duke of York
had placed himself at the head of the French troops, with intention
of landing in England, murdering the king and forcing papacy on his
subjects. The scare was sufficiently effectual to cause Parliament to
petition his majesty that he might revoke all licenses recently granted
catholic householders to reside in the capital; and order the execution
of all priests who administered sacraments or celebrated mass within the
kingdom. Soon after this address, Lord Russell was sent by the Commons
to the Peers, requesting their concurrence in the statement that "the
Duke of York's being a papist, the hope of his coming to the crown had
given the greatest countenance and encouragement to the conspiracies and
designs of the papists." And now, in May, 1679, the condition of popular
feeling promising well for its success, the Bill of Exclusion was
introduced, ordaining that "James, Duke of York should be incapable of
inheriting the crowns of England and Ireland; that on the demise of his
majesty without heirs of his body, his dominions should devolve, as if
the Duke of York were also dead, on that person next in succession who
had always professed the protestant religion established by law." This
passed the House of Commons by a majority of seventy-nine votes.

Alarmed by this bill, Charles resolved to show signs of resentment, and
at the same time check the increasing power of the Commons, by a sudden
and decisive movement. Therefore, without previously hinting at his
intentions, he prorogued parliament before the bill was sent to
the House of Lords. This was a keen surprise to all, and a bitter
disappointment to Shaftesbury, who vowed those who advised the king to
this measure should answer for it with their heads. Owing to various
delays, the Bill of Exclusion was not brought before the Peers until
eighteen months later. Its introduction was followed by a debate lasting
six hours, in which Shaftesbury distinguished himself by his force and
bitterness. At nine o'clock at night the House divided, when the measure
was rejected by a majority of thirty-three votes, amongst which were
those of the fourteen bishops present.

Mortified by this unexpected decision, the violent passions of the
defeated party hurried them on to seek the blood of those peers lodged
in the Tower. Of the five, William Howard, V