1647.] FALLEN GREATNESS. 



49 



husbandry and common administration of justice to the 

 people. In the beginning of the ParHament, he sei-ved as 

 a knight of the shire for Wiltshire, where he lived ; and 

 behaving himself with less violence in the House of Commons 

 than many of his own friends did, and having a great friendship 

 for the Earl of Strafford, he was, by his interposition, called 

 to the House of Peers ; where he carried himself very well in 

 all things relating to the crown ; and when the king went to 

 York, he left the ParHament, and followed his Majesty, and 

 remained firm to his fidelity." — Clarendon, Book vi., p. 392. 



Five years and three months elapsed ere the 

 fugitive sovereign again occupied this royal villa 

 venatica. On the 22 nd of December, 1646, the 

 House of Lords voted that he should be allowed 

 to reside at Newmarket ; * but the Commons refused 

 their consent; and ultimately both Houses fixed on 

 Holmby, in the vicinity of Northampton. During 

 his captivity at Holm.by, the king divided his time 

 between his studies and amusements. A considerable 

 part of the day he spent in his closet, the rest in 

 playing at bowls or riding in the neighbourhood. He 

 was strictly watched ; and, without an order from 

 the Parliament, no access could be obtained to the 

 royal presence. Thus the time passed till the 4th of 



* " The Vote concerning the King's Person was read ; and was in hcBC 

 verba; viz. ''Die, etc. That the King being now in England, it is Re- 

 solved, by the Lords and in Parhament assembled, That he may 

 come to Newmarket J there to remain, with such Attendants about him 

 as both Houses of Parhament shall appoint, with respect had to the 

 Safety and Preservation of his Person, in the Preservation and Defence 

 of the true Religion, and Liberties of the Kingdoms : And then the two 

 Kingdoms are mutually to confer and determine. What is necessary for 

 the common Peace ; reserving to each their Rights of Exercise of their 

 respective Interests, in providing for their respective Securities.'" — 

 "Journals of the House of Commons," vol. v., p. 25 (Deer. 22, 1646). 



VOL. n. E 



