The parliamentary leaders had entered into communication with the
Scots and so laid themselves open to a charge of treason. It was
rumored, too, that they were about to take a still bolder step and
impeach the Queen for having conspired with the Catholics and the
Irish to destroy the liberties of the country. No one knew better
than Charles how strong a case could be made out against his frivolous
and unprincipled consort.
Driven to extremities, Charles determined to seize the five members,
John Pym, John Hampden (SS432, 436), and three others, who headed the
opposition.[3] The King commanded the House of Commons to give them up
for trial. The request was not complied with and the Queen urged
Charles to take them by force, saying, "Go along, you coward, and pull
those rascals out by the ears!" Thus taunted, the King went on the
next day to the House of Parliament with a company of soldiers to
seize the members. They had been forewarned, and had left the House,
taking refuse in the "city," which showed itself then, as always, on
the side of liberty (S34, note 1). Leaving his soldiers at the door,
the King entered the House of Commons. Seeing that the five members
were absent, the King turned to the Speaker and asked where they
were. The Speaker, kneeling before the King, answered, "May it please
your Majesty, I have neither eyes to see nor tongue to speak in this
place but as this House is pleased to direct me." Vexed that he could
learn nothing further, Charles left the hall amid ominous cries of
"Privilege! privilege!"[1]
[3] The full list was Hampden, Pym, Hollis, Haselrig, and Strode, to
which a sixth, Mandeville, was added later. Copley's fine painting of
the "Attempted Arrest" is in the Boston Public Library.[1] Privilege:
the privilege of Parliament to debate all questions exempt from royal
interference.