Sums from the People, yet it was with ſo much diffi-
culty, that it did him little good. Beſides, he ſpent ſo much in fooliſh Wars and Expeditions, that he was al-
ways behind-hand; yet he often attempted to raiſe an Army.
Upon pretence of the Spaniſh and French War he raiſed many thouſand Men, who lived upon free Quarter, and robb'd and deſtroyed wherever they came. But being un-
ſucceſsful in his Wars abroad, and preſt by the Clamours of the People at home, he was forced to diſband them. In 1627 he ſent over 30000 l. to Holland to raiſe 3000 German Horſe, to force his arbitrary Taxes; but this matter taking Wind, and being examined by the Parlia-
ment, Orders were ſsent to countermand them. In the 15th Year of his Reign he gave a Commiſſion to Straf-
ford to raiſe 8000 Iriſh to be brought into England: but before they could get hither, the Scots were in Arms for the like Oppreſſions, and marched into Northumberland, which forcing him to call a Parliament, prevented that deſign, and ſo that Army was diſbanded. Soon after he raiſed an Army in England to oppoſe the Scots, and tam-
pered with them to march to London, and diſſolve the Parliament: But this Army being compoſed for the moſt part of the Militia, and the matter being communicated to the Houſe, who immediately fell on the Officers that were Members, Aſhburnham, Wilmot, Pollard, &c. the deſign came to nothing. After this there was a Pacifi-
cation between the King and the Scots; and in purſuance of it both Armies were diſbanded. Then he went to Scotland, and endeavoured to prevail with them to invade England; but that not doing, he ſent a Meſſage to the Parliament, deſiring their concurrence in the raiſing 3000 Iriſh to be lent to the King of Spain; to which the the Parliament refuſed to conſent, believing he would make another uſe of them. When he came back to London, he picked out 3 or 400 diſſolute Fellows out of Taverns, gaming and brothel Houſes, kept a Table for them; and with this goodly Guard all armed he entred the Houſe of Commons, ſat down in the Speaker's Chair, demanding the delivery of 5 Members:[1] But the Citizens coming down by Land and Water with Muſquets upon their Shoulders to defend the Parliament, he at-
- ↑ The men were John Pym, John Hampden, Denzil Holles, Arthur Haselrig, and William Strode. They had escaped prior to the King's arrival.
