The King, some weeks earlier, had been unable to assent to a violent attempt to rescue the man who had most strongly maintained the privilege of his crown: he would henceforth do nothing outside the law. When the forms of the parliamentary state brought about the condemnation to death of this champion of his prerogative, he had not the strength to set his word against it. In order not immediately to endanger his crown, himself, and his family, he signed the bill which the two Houses presented to him. FOOTNOTES: [249] Montereuil, March 14, says of Richelieu’s answer: ‘Le comte d’Hollande les à trouvés conforme aux désirs de tous ceux, qui sont bien intentionnés--et qui souhaitent de conserver l’union des deux couronnes.’ [250] Aerssen, 5/15 May. ‘Le déssein semble aller sur la tour.’ 7/17 May. ‘Le parlement est persuadé, qu’il a en dessein de les faire tous tuer avec tous les habitans de cette ville, qui n’estoient maiqués du caractère du Lieutenant.’ Arch. de la Maison d’Orange-Nassau ii. iii. 459. [251] Montereuil asserts that the Queen’s departure was prevented by his representations to her clerical attendants. Cf. the letter of Montereuil of May 13/23, printed in Mazure’s Hist. de la Revolution iii. 424. [252] To assume the continuance of this present parliament from adjourning, proroguing, or dissolving, without the consent of both houses. [253] Giustiniano, 3 Maggio. ‘Risoluti mostrandosi i sudditi, di non contribuire prima che ottenghino questa soddisfattione (che con la vita questo ministro paghi li falli).’ [254] Montereuil, 13/23 May. ‘Ce qui ne contenta parfois 4 ou 5 m. h. qui estoient venus avec armes la plus grande partie.’ [255] Hacket’s Life of Williams ii. 161. ‘Since competent judges in law had awarded that they found guilt of treason in the Earl, that he (the King) may suffer this judgment to stand, though in his private mind he was not satisfied that the Lord Strafford was criminous.’ [256] Giustiniano. ‘Gli parlamentarii espedirono lettere in paese con ordine da per tutto di celeremente qui incaminare gente ad oggetto di unirle a queste di Londra e d’intraprendere ogni piu temerario tentativo.’ [257] Letter of Johnston, in Napier, Montrose i. 353. ‘If it sticks at the King’s refusal, they are to make a declaration of all to the commons of England.’ [258] Hume, Hist. of England, vol. vi. note aa, p. 580. CHAPTER VI. CONCESSIONS AND NEW DEMANDS. King Charles thought that he should be able to direct the government in spite of the preponderance of parliamentary power. At the same time with the attainder of Strafford he signed the bill which made the dissolution of Parliament dependent on its own consent. He expected that this would be given when the pressing questions were settled. His own conviction seems to have been that hitherto he had grasped at too much, and he induced himself to make other great concessions.