Part 21 (1/2)

[51] Evelyn's Diary, ed. 1852. IV. 165-166.

[52] Walker, p. 148.

[53] Pamphlet. Merc. Brit. Warburton, III. 206, _note_.

[54] Pepys Diary, 4 Feb. 1665.

[55] State Papers. Gerard to Skipworth, Nov. 2, 1645.

[56] Dom. State Papers. Anon. to Legge, Nov. 3, 1645.

[57] Warburton, III. p. 211. Legge to Rupert, Nov. 21, 1645.

[58] Ibid. p. 212. Legge to Rupert, Nov. 25, 1645.

[59] Pythouse Papers, p. 27.

[60] Warburton, III. 213. Dorset to Rupert, Dec. 25, 1645.

[61] Ibid., p. 222. Rupert to King. No date.

[62] Warburton, III. p. 195-196.

[63] Ibid. p. 196.

[64] Warburton, III. p. 197.

[65] Clarendon's Life, ed. 1827, vol. III. p. 235.

[66] Cary's Memorials of Civil War, ed. 1842, vol. I. pp. 114-115.

[67] Warburton, III. pp. 234-235, _note_. Cary, I. 121-122.

[68] Prince Rupert's Journal. Clar. State Papers.

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CHAPTER XI

THE ELECTOR'S ALLIANCE WITH THE PARLIAMENT. EDWARD'S MARRIAGE.

a.s.sa.s.sINATION OF D'EPINAY BY PHILIP

Before their departure from England, Rupert and Maurice had received a visit from their brother, the Elector. The Thirty Years' War was drawing to a close, and the Peace of Munster which was to restore Charles Louis to the Palatinate, was already under consideration. But the Elector could not make terms with the Emperor without the consent of his brothers, and therefore June 30th, 1646, he wrote to the Parliament:

”Having received information from Munster and Osnaburgh, that in whatsoever shall be agreed at the general treaty concerning my interests, the consent of all my brothers will be required, I am desirous to confer with my brothers Rupert and Maurice, afore their departure out of this kingdom, about this, and other domestic affairs which do concern us. Whereby I do not at all intend to r.e.t.a.r.d my said brothers' journey; but shall endeavour to efface any such impressions as the enemies of these kingdoms, and of our family beyond seas, (making use of their present distresses,) may fix upon them, to their own and our family prejudice.”[1] The desired interview was permitted by the Parliament, and on July 1st the Elector met his brothers at Guildford. What reception he had we do not know, but it cannot, in the nature of things, have been very cordial.

With all their faults, which were many, Rupert and Maurice were incapable of the meanness to which Charles {206} Louis had descended, and for which he did not conceal the mercenary motive. During the King's prosperity he had lived much in England; and from the King he had received nothing but kindness and affection, though the Queen apparently gave him cause of complaint. In 1642 he had accompanied the King to York, but, finding war inevitable, he had quitted the Court at a moment's notice, and returned to Holland, just when Rupert and Maurice were hastening to their uncle's a.s.sistance. The Parliament ”expressed a good sense” of this desertion, pretending to believe that Charles Louis had discovered secret designs of the King to which he could not reconcile his conscience.[2] And for some time the Elector watched events from a distance, taking care to detach himself from all connection with his brothers by declarations, and messages to the Parliament.

By 1644, it appeared to him that the Parliament was likely to have the better in arms, as it certainly had in money, and in the August of that year he suddenly arrived in London. In a very long, and very pious doc.u.ment he stated his reasons for his conduct. The Puritans, as ”the children of truth and innocency who are not changed with the smiles or frowns of this inconstant world,” were, he declared, his ”best friends, and, under G.o.d, greatest confidants,” and he wound up with a direct attack on Rupert. ”Neither can His Highness forbear, with unspeakable grief, to observe that the public actions of some of the nearest of his blood have been such as have admitted too much cause of sorrow and jealousy, even from such persons, upon whose affections, in respect of their love and zeal to the reformed religion, His Highness doth set the greatest price. But, as His Highness is not able to regulate what is out of his power, so is he confident that the justice of the Parliament, and of all honest men, will not impute {207} to him such actions as are his afflictions, and not his faults.”[3]