This decisive advantage disconcerted all the plans of the mutineers.  Some partial risings in the

[Footnote 1:  Walker, ii. 168.  Whitelock, 401.]

[Footnote 2:  King’s Pamphlets, No. 421, xxii.; 422, i.  Whitelock, 402.]

[Sidenote a:  A.D. 1649.  May 14.]

counties of Hants, Devon, and Somerset were quickly suppressed; and Thompson, who had escaped[a] from Banbury and retired to Wellingborough, being deserted by his followers, refused quarter, and fell[b] fighting singly against a host of enemies.[1] To express the national gratitude for this signal deliverance, a day of thanksgiving was appointed; the parliament, the council of State, and the council of the army assembled[c] at Christ-church; and, after the religious service of the day, consisting of two long sermons and appropriate prayers, proceeded to Grocer’s Hall, where they dined by invitation from the city.  The speaker Lenthall, the organ of the supreme authority, like former kings, received the sword of state from the mayor, and delivered it to him again.  At table, he was seated at the head, supported on his right hand by the lord general, and on the left by Bradshaw, the president of the council; thus exhibiting to the guests the representatives of the three bodies by which the nation was actually governed.  At the conclusion of the dinner, the lord mayor presented one thousand pounds in gold to Fairfax in a basin and ewer of the same metal, and five hundred pounds, with a complete service of plate, to Cromwell.[2]

The suppression of the mutiny afforded leisure to the council to direct its attention to the proceedings in Scotland and Ireland.  In the first of these kingdoms, after the departure of Cromwell, the supreme authority had been exercised by Argyle and his party, who were supported, and at the same time controlled, by the paramount influence of the kirk.  The forfeiture

[Footnote 1:  Whitelock, 403.]

[Footnote 2:  Leicester’s Journal, 74.  Whitelock (406) places the guests in a different order.]

[Sidenote a:  A.D. 1649.  May 20.] [Sidenote b:  A.D. 1649.  May 31.] [Sidenote c:  A.D. 1649.  June 7.]

and excommunication of the “Engagers” left to their opponents the undisputed superiority in the parliament and all the great offices of the state.  From the part which Argyle had formerly taken in the surrender of the king, his recent connection with Cromwell, and his hostility to the engagement, it was generally believed that he had acted in concert with the English Independents.  But he was wary, and subtle, and flexible.  At the approach of danger he could dissemble; and, whenever it suited his views, could change his measures without changing his object.  At the beginning of January the fate with which Charles was menaced revived the languid affection of the Scots.  A cry of indignation burst from every part of the country:  he was their native king—­would they suffer him to be