When James did finally summon a Parliament (1621), it met in a stern
mood. The House of Commons impeached Lord Bacon (S393) for having
taken bribes in lawsuits tried before him as judge. The House of
Lords convicted him. He confessed the crime, but pleaded extenuating
circumstances, adding, "I beseech your lordships to be merciful unto a
broken reed"; but Bacon had been in every respect a servile tool of
James, and no mercy was granted. Parliament imposed a fine of 40,000
pounds, with imprisonment. Had the sentence been fully executed, it
would have caused his utter ruin. The King, however, interposed, and
his favorite escaped with a few days' confinement in the Tower.