officers of the army, most of them of mean birth, were members,
together with some of the lower house, and some citizens of London. The
twelve judges were at first appointed in the number: but as they had
affirmed, that it was contrary to all the ideas of English law to try
the king for treason, by whose authority all accusations for treason
must necessarily be conducted, their names, as well as those of some
peers, were afterwards struck out. Bradshaw, a lawyer, was chosen
president. Coke was appointed solicitor for the people of England.
Dorislaus, Steele, and Arke, were named assistants. The court sat in
Westminster Hall.

It is remarkable, that in calling over the court, when the crier
pronounced the name of Fairfax, which had been inserted in the number, a
voice came from one of the spectators, and cried, "He has more wit than
to be here." When the charge was read against the king, "In the name of
the people of England," the same voice exclaimed, "Not a tenth part of
them." Axtel, the officer who guarded the court, giving orders to fire
into the box whence these insolent speeches came, it was discovered that
Lady Fairfax was there, and that it was she who had had the courage to
utter them. She was a person of noble extraction, daughter of Horace
Lord Vere of Tilbury; but being seduced by the violence of the times,
she had long seconded her husband's zeal against the royal cause,
and was now, as well as he, struck with abhorrence at the fatal and
unexpected consequence of all his boasted victories.

The pomp, the dignity, the ceremony of this transaction corresponded to
the greatest conception that is suggested in the annals of human kind;
the delegates of a great people sitting in judgment upon their supreme
magistrate, and trying him for his misgovernment and breach of trust.
The solicitor, in the name of the commons, represented, that Charles
Stuart, being admitted king of England, and intrusted with a limited
power, yet nevertheless, from a wicked design to erect an unlimited
and tyrannical government, had traitorously and maliciously levied war
against the present parliament, and the people, whom they represented,
and was therefore impeached as a tyrant, traitor, murderer, and a public
and implacable enemy to the commonwealth. After the charge was finished,
the president directed his discourse to the king, and told him that the
court expected his answer.

The king, though long detained a prisoner, and now pr