At this point, August 1642, closes what we may consider as the first period of Rupert's life. Probably these early years were his best and happiest. Marked though they were by poverty and misfortune, they were yet full of {58} interests and adventure, unmarred by the struggles, jealousies, disappointments, and family dissensions which were to come. Rupert had no lack of friends; he had won the hearts of his very enemies. Not the least among a brilliant group of brothers and sisters, he was happy in their companionship and sympathy, the bond of which was so soon to be severed; happy also in the kindness and affection of the Prince of Orange and of the King and Queen of England. He had shown himself gifted with rare abilities, capable of valiant action, and of loyal and patient endurance;--a generous, high-souled boy, fired by chivalric fancies, free from all self-seeking, earnest, faithful, strong-willed, but also, alas, opinionated, and impatient of contradiction. [1] Collins Sidney Papers, Vol. II. pp. 584-5, 28 Jan. 1639. [2] Com. State Papers. Chas. I. Vol. 539. Eliz. to Roe, Jan. 7/17, 1640. [3] Bromley Letters, p. 122. [4] Ibid. p. 124. [5] Dom. State Papers. Maurice to Charles I, Oct. 30, 1640. Chas. I. Vol. 470. fol. 21. [6] Dom. State Papers, Chas. I. Vol. 477. Feb. 22, 1641. [7] Ibid. Chas. I. Vol. 539. Jan. 7-17, 1641. [8] Ibid. Chas. I. 484. f. 51. Oct. 10, 1641. [9] Fairfax Correspondence. Ed. Johnson. 1848. Vol. I. p. 322. [10] Benett MSS. Warburton. I. pp. 102, 458. [11] Dom. State Papers. Chas. I. Vol. 483. fol. 39. [12] Dom. State Papers. Sept. 19-29. 1641. Chas. I. 484. f. 36. [13] Ibid. Oct. 1641. Chas. I. 484 f. 61. [14] Lansdowne MSS. 817. British Museum. [15] Warburton. I. p. 459. [16] Dom. S. Papers. Boswell to Roe. 23 Dec. 1641. Chas. I. 486. f. 53. [17] Dom. State Papers. Chas. I. 486. f. 51. Elizabeth to Roe, 23 Dec. 1641. [18] Forster's Statesmen, Vol. VI. p. 74. 10 March, 1642. {59} CHAPTER V ARRIVAL IN ENGLAND. POSITION IN THE ARMY. CAUSES OF FAILURE During his last brief visit to England Rupert had promised to serve his uncle whensoever he should have need of him; and in August 1642, he received, through Queen Henrietta, his Commission, as General of the Horse. Immediately upon this he set out to join the King in England. He embarked in the "Lyon," the ship which had brought the Queen to Holland; but, after the Prince had come on board, the Commander, who was of Puritan sympathies, received a warning against bringing him over. Captain Fox's anxiety to get rid of his passenger was favoured by the weather. A storm blew them back to the Texel, and there Fox persuaded the Prince to go ashore, promising to meet him at Goree so soon as the wind should serve. Rupert thereupon returned to the Hague, and Fox, after quietly setting the Prince's people and luggage on shore, sailed away, and was no more seen in Holland.