of the treaty. But when he proposed these reasons to
the council, he met with strong opposition from his enemies; who, seeing
him unable to support the war, were determined, for that very reason,
to oppose all proposals for a pacification. The factions ran high in
the court of England; and matters were drawing to an issue fatal to the
authority of the protector.

After Somerset obtained the patent investing him with regal authority,
he no longer paid any attention to the opinion of the other executors
and counsellors; and being elated with his high dignity, as well as with
his victory at Pinkey, he thought that every one ought, in every thing,
to yield to his sentiments. All those who were not entirely devoted to
him were sure to be neglected; whoever opposed his will received marks
of anger or contempt;[***] and while he showed a resolution to govern
every thing, his capacity appeared not in any respect proportioned to
his ambition. Warwick, more subtle and artful, covered more exorbitant
views under fairer appearances, and having associated himself with
Southampton, who had been readmitted into the council, he formed a
strong party who were determined to free themselves from the slavery
imposed on them by the protector.

* Burnet, vol. ii. p. 132, 175.

** Burnet, vol. ii. p. 133.

*** Strype, vol ii. p. 181.

The malecontent counsellors found the disposition of the nation
favorable to their designs. The nobility and gentry were in general
displeased with the preference which Somerset seemed to have given to
the people; and as they ascribed all the insults to which they had been
lately exposed to his procrastination, and to the countenance shown to
the multitude, they apprehended a renewal of the same disorders from his
present affectation of popularity. He had erected a court of requests
in his own house for the relief of the people,[*] and he interposed with
the judges in their behalf; a measure which might be deemed illegal, if
any exertion of prerogative at that time could with certainty deserve
that appellation. And this attempt, which was a stretch of power, seemed
the more impolitic, because it disgusted the nobles, the surest support
of monarchical authority.

* Strype, vol. ii. p. 183.

But though Somerset courted the people, the interest which he had formed
with them was in no degree answerable to his expectations. The Catholic
party who retained influence with the lower ranks, w