Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- BOOK VI GOVERNMENT IN ENGLAND WITHOUT THE PARLIAMENT. TROUBLES IN SCOTLAND
- BOOK VII CONNEXION BETWEEN THE TROUBLES IN SCOTLAND AND THOSE IN ENGLAND AND ELSEWHERE
- BOOK VIII THE LONG PARLIAMENT AND THE KING, DOWN TO THE OUTBREAK OF THE CIVIL WAR
- INTRODUCTION
- CHAP. I Summoning of the Parliament
- CHAP. II The first sittings of the Long Parliament
- CHAP. III Progress of aggressive tendencies in the Lower House
- CHAP. IV Attempt at a Reaction
- CHAP. V Parliamentary and popular agitation. Execution of Strafford
- CHAP. VI Concessions and new demands
- CHAP. VII Charles I in Scotland
- CHAP. VIII Days of the Grand Remonstrance
- CHAP. IX Formation of a new Ministry. Tumultuous agitation in the Capital
- CHAP. X Breach between the King and the Parliament
- BOOK IX THE ENGLISH CIVIL WAR, 1642—1646
- BOOK X INDEPENDENTS AND PRESBYTERIANS. FATE OF THE KING
CHAP. II - The first sittings of the Long Parliament
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 07 June 2011
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- BOOK VI GOVERNMENT IN ENGLAND WITHOUT THE PARLIAMENT. TROUBLES IN SCOTLAND
- BOOK VII CONNEXION BETWEEN THE TROUBLES IN SCOTLAND AND THOSE IN ENGLAND AND ELSEWHERE
- BOOK VIII THE LONG PARLIAMENT AND THE KING, DOWN TO THE OUTBREAK OF THE CIVIL WAR
- INTRODUCTION
- CHAP. I Summoning of the Parliament
- CHAP. II The first sittings of the Long Parliament
- CHAP. III Progress of aggressive tendencies in the Lower House
- CHAP. IV Attempt at a Reaction
- CHAP. V Parliamentary and popular agitation. Execution of Strafford
- CHAP. VI Concessions and new demands
- CHAP. VII Charles I in Scotland
- CHAP. VIII Days of the Grand Remonstrance
- CHAP. IX Formation of a new Ministry. Tumultuous agitation in the Capital
- CHAP. X Breach between the King and the Parliament
- BOOK IX THE ENGLISH CIVIL WAR, 1642—1646
- BOOK X INDEPENDENTS AND PRESBYTERIANS. FATE OF THE KING
Summary
On the morning of November 3, 1640, the Lord Steward appeared in the vestibule of St. Stephen's chapel, which since the Reformation had served as the place of meeting for the Lower House. The clerk of the crown called over the names of the members, who took the oaths of allegiance and supremacy at the hands of the Lord Steward or his deputies appointed for the purpose. An hour after midday the King, who had come in a barge from Whitehall, landed close to Westminster bridge. After hearing a sermon in the Abbey, he opened Parliament with a speech in the House of Lords, which the Commons attended. When the latter had returned to their own house, and taken their seats, the Treasurer of the King's household nominated as Speaker a young barrister, named William Lenthall. He was accepted with general acclamation, and then conducted by the Treasurer and one of the secretaries to his chair, a few feet in front of the chapel window, opposite the places of the members, which rose in two ranks one behind the other. The government had at an earlier period thought of designating as Speaker one of their own supporters, but in spite of all their efforts had failed to secure his election. It may be assumed that the hearty reception accorded to the new Speaker did not so much apply to him, since he was as yet little known, as express a sense of the advantage gained through the rejection of the other.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- A History of EnglandPrincipally in the Seventeenth Century, pp. 225 - 239Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2010