Serjeant
at Arms, with his mace, receives and conducts him strait to the
bar, having a crimson-velvet chair set before him. After a stern
looking upon the Court, and the people in the galleries on each
side of him, he places himself, not at all moving his hat, or
otherwise shewing the least respect to the court; but presently
rises up again, and turns about, looking downwards upon the
guards placed on the left side, and on the multitude of
spectators on the right side of the said great Hall. After
silence made among the people, the Act of Parliament for the
trying of Charles Stuart, king of England, was read over by the
Clerk of the Court, who sat on one side of a table covered with
a rich Turkey-carpet, and placed at the feet of the said Lord
President; upon which table was also laid the sword and mace.

After reading the said Act, the several names of the
Commissioners were called over, every one who was present, being
eighty, as aforesaid, rising up, and answering to his call.

Having again placed himself in his Chair, with his face towards
the Court, silence being again ordered, the Lord President stood
up, and said,

LORD PRESIDENT--Charles Stuart, king of England, the Commons of
England assembled in Parliament being deeply sensible of the
calamities that have been brought upon this nation, which is
fixed upon you as the principal author of it, have resolved to
make inquisition for blood; and according to that debt and duty
they owe to justice, to God, the kingdom, and themselves, and
according to the fundamental power that rests in themselves,
they have resolved to bring you to Trial and Judgment; and for
that purpose have constituted this High Court of Justice, before
which they are brought.

This said, Mr. Cook,[21] Solicitor for the Commonwealth standing
within a bar on the right hand of the Prisoner, offered to
speak; but the king having a staff in his hand, held it up, and
laid it on the said Mr. Cook's shoulder two or three times,
bidding him hold. Nevertheless, the Lord President ordering him
to go on, he said,

MR. COOK--My lord, I am commanded to charge Charles Stuart King
of England, in the name of the Commons of England, with Treason
and High Misdemeanors; I desire the said Charge may be read.

The said Charge being delivered to the Clerk of