Great offence was given to the Commons by the action of the king in appointing new bishops to certain vacant sees at the very time when they were debating an act for taking away bishops’ votes.  And here I cannot but with grief and wonder remember the virulence and animosity expressed on all occasions from many of good knowledge in the excellent and wise profession of the common law, towards the church and churchmen.  All opportunities were taken uncharitably to improve mistakes into crimes.

Unfortunately the king sent to the House of Lords a remonstrance from the bishops against their constrained absence from the legislature.  This led to violent scenes in the House of Commons, which might have been beneficial to him, had he not been misadvised by Lord Digby.  At this time many of his own Council were adverse to him.  Injudiciously, the king caused Lord Kimbolton and five members of the Commons to be accused of high treason, advised thereto by Lord Digby.  The king’s attorney, Herbert, delivered to Parliament a paper, whereby, besides Lord Kimbolton, Denzil Hollis, Sir Arthur Haslerig, Mr. Pym, Mr. Hampden, and Mr. Strode, stood accused of conspiring against the king and Parliament.

The sergeant at arms demanded the persons of the accused members to be delivered to him in his majesty’s name, but the Commons refused to comply, sending a message to the king that the members should be forthcoming as soon as a legal charge should be preferred against them.  The next day the king, attended by his own guard and a few gentlemen, went into the House to the great amazement of all; and the Speaker leaving the chair, the king went into it.  Asking the Speaker whether the accused members were in the House, and he making no answer, the king said he perceived that the birds had flown, but expected that they should be sent to him as soon as they returned; and assured them in the word of a king that no force was intended, but that he would proceed against them in a fair and legal way; and so he returned to Whitehall.

The next day the king went to the City, where the accused had taken refuge.  He dined with the sheriffs, but many of the rude people during his passage through the City flocked together, pressed very near his coach, and cried out, “Privilege of Parliament; privilege of Parliament; to your tents, O Israel!” The king returned to Whitehall and next day published a proclamation for the apprehension of the members, forbidding any person to harbour them.

Both Houses of Parliament speedily manifested sympathy with the accused persons, and a committee of citizens was formed in the City for their defence.  The proceedings of the king and his advisers were declared to be a high breach of the privileges of Parliament.  Such was the temper of the populace that the king thought it convenient to remove from London and went with the queen and royal children to Hampton Court.  The next day the members were brought in triumph to Parliament by the trained bands of London.  The sheriffs were called into the House of Commons and thanked for their extraordinary care and love shown to the Parliament.