Differences between the Presbyterians and Independents--The King at Holmby--Attempt to Disband the Army--Consequent Petitions to Parliament--The Adjutators--Meeting at Newmarket--Seizure of the King--Advance of the Army on London--Stubbornness of the Presbyterians--The Army Marches through London--Its Proposals to Charles--Their Rejection--The King throws away his best Chances--The Levellers--Cromwell's Efforts on behalf of Charles--Renewed Intrigues of Charles--Flight to Carisbrooke--Attempts to Rescue the King--Charles Treats with the Scots--Consequent Reaction in his Favour--Battle of Preston and Suppression of the Insurrection--Cromwell at Edinburgh--The Prince of Wales in Command of the Fleet--Negotiations at Newport--Growing Impatience of the Army--Petitions for the King's Trial--Charles's Blindness and Duplicity--He is Removed to Hurst Castle--Pride's Purge--Supremacy of the Independents--The Whiggamores--Hugh Peters' Sermon in St. Margaret's, Westminster--Ordinance for the King's Trial--Trial and Execution of Charles I. 59 CHAPTER IV. THE COMMONWEALTH. Proclamation of the Prince of Wales Forbidden--Decline of the Peerage--_Ultimus Regum_--Establishment of a Republican Government--Abolition of the House of Lords and the Monarchy--Council of State--The Oath Difficulty--The Engagement--Religious Toleration--Trials of Royalists--Discontent among the People--The Levellers--Activity of John Lilburne--Quelling the Mutiny in Whalley's Regiment--Lockyer's Funeral--Arrest of Lilburne--Spread of the Disaffection to other Regiments--Suppression of the Insurrection--Cromwell appointed Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland--Royalist Movement in Scotland--Charles's Son proclaimed King--The Scottish Deputation at the Hague--Charles's Court--Assassination of Dr. Dorislaus--Affairs in Ireland--Cromwell's Campaign--Defeat and Death of Montrose--Cromwell in Scotland--Battle of Dunbar--Movements of Charles--His March into England--Battle of Worcester--Charles Escapes to France--Vigorous Government--Foreign Difficulties--Navigation Act--War with Holland--Contest between Parliament and the Army--Expulsion of the Rump--The Little Parliament--Cromwell made Protector 90 CHAPTER V. THE COMMONWEALTH (_concluded_).