n the following year the demand was extended to the inland
counties, and Hampden refused point blank to pay--though the amount was
only a matter of 20s.--falling back, in justification of his refusal, on
the Petition of Right--acknowledged by Charles in 1628--which declared that
taxes were not to be levied without the consent of Parliament. The case was
decided in 1636, and five of the twelve judges held that Hampden's
objection was valid. The arguments in favour of non-payment were circulated
far and wide, so that, in spite of the adverse verdict, "the judgment
proved of more advantage and credit to the gentleman condemned than to the
King's service."[52]

The personal rule of Charles and his Ministers, Laud and Strafford, came to
an end in the autumn of 1640, when there was no choice left to the King but
to summon Parliament, if money was to be obtained. Earlier in the year the
"Short Parliament" had met, only to be dissolved by the folly of the King
after a sitting of three weeks, because of its unwillingness to vote
supplies without the redress of grievances.

The disasters of the King's campaign against the Scots, an empty treasury,
and a mutinous army, compelled the calling of Parliament. But the temper of
the men who came to the House of Commons in November was vastly different
from the temper of the "Short Parliament."[53] For this was the famous
"Long Parliament" that assembled in the dark autumn days of 1640, and it
was to sit for thirteen years; to see the impeachment and execution of Laud
and Strafford, the trial and execution of the King, the abolition of
monarchy and the House of Lords, the establishment of the Commonwealth; and
was itself to pass away finally only before Cromwell's military
dictatorship.

Hampden was the great figure at the beginning of this Parliament. "The eyes
of all men were fixed upon him, as their _patriae pater_, and the pilot that
must steer the vessel through the tempests and rocks which threatened it. I
am persuaded (wrote Clarendon) his power and interest at that time were
greater to do good or hurt than any man's in the kingdom, or than any man
of his rank hath had at any time; for his reputation of honesty was
universal, and his affections seemed so publicly guided, that no corrupt or
private ends could bias them."

Politically, neither Hampden nor Pym was Republican. Both believed in
government by King, Lords, and Commons; but both were determined that the
King's Minister