ds for their brotherly assistance?
While, the house of peers are scarcely able to maintain their
independency, or to reject the bills sent them by the commons, will they
ever be permitted by the populace, supposing them inclined, to pass a
sentence which must totally subdue the lower house, and put an end to
their ambitious undertakings? These five members, at least Pym, Hambden
and Hollis, are the very heads of the popular party; and if these be
taken off, what fate must be expected by their followers, who are, many
of them, accomplices in the same treason? The punishment of leaders is
ever the last triumph over a broken and routed party; but surely was
never before attempted, in opposition to a faction, during the full tide
of its power and success.

But men had not leisure to wonder at the indiscretion of this measure:
their astonishment was excited by new attempts, still more precipitate
and imprudent. A serjeant at arms, in the king's name, demanded of the
house the five members: and was sent back without any positive answer.
Messengers were employed to search for them, and arrest them. Their
trunks, chambers, and studies were sealed and locked. The house voted
all these acts of violence to be breaches of privilege, and commanded
every one to defend the liberty of the members.[*] The king, irritated
by all this opposition, resolved next day to come in person to the
house, with an intention to demand, perhaps seize in their presence, the
persons whom he had accused.

This resolution was discovered to the countess of Carlisle, sister to
Northumberland, a lady of spirit, wit, and intrigue.[**] She privately
sent intelligence to the five members; and they had time to withdraw,
a moment before the king entered. He was accompanied by his ordinary
retinue, to the number of above two hundred, armed as usual, some with
halberts, some with walking swords. The king left them at the door, and
he himself advanced alone through the hall, while all the members rose
to receive him.

* Whitlocke, p. 50 Rush. vol. v. p. 474, 475.

** Whitlocke, p. 51. Warwick, p. 204.

The speaker withdrew from his chair, and the king took possession of it.
The speech which he made was as follows: "Gentlemen, I am sorry for this
occasion of coming to you. Yesterday I sent a serjeant at arms to
demand some who, by my order, were accused of high treason. Instead of
obedience, I received a message. I must here declare to you, that
thoug