Letter, beseeching him that there might be a way of composure.’[1]
On Friday morning was ‘a meeting at the Earl of Holland’s House in Kensington’ (the Holland House that yet stands), and prostrate submission by the Civic Authorities and Parliamentary Remainders; after which the Army marched ‘three deep by Hyde Park’ into the heart of the City, ‘with boughs of laurel in their hats’;—and it was all ended. Fair treatment for all the Honest Party: and the Spiritualism of England shall not be forced to grow in the Presbyterian fashion, however it may grow. Here is another entry from somnolent Bulstrode. The Army soon changes its headquarters to Putney;[2] one of its outer posts is Hampton Court, where his Majesty, obstinate still, but somewhat despondent now of getting the two Parties to extirpate one another, is lodged.
Saturday ‘September 18th. After a Sermon in Putney Church, the General, many great Officers, Field-Officers, inferior Officers and Adjutators, met in the Church; debated the Proposals of the Army’ towards a Settlement of this bleeding Nation; ‘altered some things in them;—and were very full of the Sermon, which had been preached by Mr. Peters.’[3]
These Fourteen Letters, touching slightly on public affairs, with one or two glimpses into private, must carry us, without commentary, in a very dim way, across to the next stage in Oliver’s History and England’s: the Flight of the King from Hampton Court and the Army, soon followed by the actual breaking-out of the Second Civil War.
