d by a
female from Henry VII. During the reign of James, he had attempted,
without having obtained the consent of that monarch, to marry Arabella
Stuart, a lady nearly related to the crown; and, upon discovery of his
intentions, had been obliged for some time to fly the kingdom. Ever
after, he was looked on with an evil eye at court, from which in a great
measure he withdrew; and living in an independent manner, he addicted
himself entirely to literary occupations and amusements. In proportion
as the king declined in popularity, Hertford's character flourished with
the people; and when this parliament assembled, no nobleman possessed
more general favor and authority. By his sagacity he soon perceived that
the commons, not content with correcting the abuses of government,
were carried, by the natural current of power and popularity, into the
opposite extreme, and were committing violations, no less dangerous
than the former, upon the English constitution. Immediately he devoted
himself to the support of the king's falling authority, and was
prevailed with to be governor to the young prince and reside at court;
to which, in the eyes of all men, he gave by his presence a new lustre
and authority. So high was his character for mildness and humanity, that
he still preserved, by means of these popular virtues, the public
favor; and every one was sensible of the true motive of his change.
Notwithstanding his habits of ease and study, he now exerted himself
in raising an army for the king; and being named general of the western
counties, where his interest chiefly lay, he began to assemble forces
in Somersetshire. By the assistance of Lord Seymour, Lord Paulet, John
Digby, son of the earl of Bristol, Sir Francis Hawley, and others, he
had drawn together some appearance of an army; when the parliament,
apprehensive of the danger, sent the earl of Bedford with a considerable
force against him. On his approach Hertford was obliged to retire into
Sherborne Castle; and finding that place untenable, he himself passed
over into Wales, leaving Sir Ralph Hopton, Sir John Berkeley, Digby
and other officers, with their horse, consisting of about a hundred and
twenty, to march into Cornwall, in hopes of finding that county better
prepared for their reception.[*]

* Clarendon, vol. vi. p. 2, 3, etc.

All the dispersed bodies of the parliamentary army were now ordered to
march to Northampton; and the earl of Essex who had joined them,