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“The Fittest Subject for A King's Quarrel”: An Essay on the Militia Controversy 1641-1642*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 January 2014

Extract

The struggle between King and Parliament in 1641-42 for command of the militia was to King Charles I “the Fittest Subject for a King's Quarrel.” As the King himself and a group of pamphleteers, preachers and members of Parliament realized, the controversy was not just a contest for control of military power. The fundamental issue was a change in England's government, a shift in sovereignty from King or King-in-Parliament to Parliament alone. As Charles explained, “Kingly Power is but a shadow” without command of the militia. His contemporaries, representing various political allegiances, also testified to the significance of the contest over the militia. They described it as the “avowed foundation” of the Civil War, “the greatest concernment” ever faced by the House of Commons, and the “great quarrel” between the King and his critics. To some men it was this dispute over military authority and the implications for government which were inherent in it, rather than disagreements about religion, taxes or foreign policy, that made civil war unavoidable.

Concern about military authority first erupted in the fall of 1641 in response to a series of events – rumors of plots involving the King, the presence in London of disbanded soldiers who had returned from the war with Scotland, the “Incident” in Scotland, and above all the rebellion in Ireland which required the levying of an army to subdue those rebels.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © North American Conference of British Studies 1971

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Footnotes

*

The author wishes to thank the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at George Washington University for its support, and also Mrs. Letitia Yeandle at the Folger Shakespeare Library for her help in deciphering the microfilm of Simonds D'Ewes Journal after January 10, 1642.

References

1. The King's Cabinet opened: Or certain Pacquets of secret Letters and Papers. Written with the King's own Hands,” (London, 1645)Google Scholar in Harleian Miscellany (London, 1746), VII, 525Google Scholar. The King's papers were seized at The Battle of Naseby and compiled by Henry Parker. See D.N.B.

2. Ibid.

3. The contemporary comment, in sequence, is from: Hyde, Edward, Earl of Clarendon, The History of the Rebellion and Civil War in England, ed. Macray, W. D. (Oxford, 1888), I, 570Google Scholar. Rushworth, John, Historical Collections (London, 1721), IV, 525Google Scholar. Rutt, John T., ed., Diary of Thomas Burton, Esq. Member in the Parliaments of Oliver and Richard Cromwell from 1656 to 1659 (London, 1828), III, 145Google Scholar. The speaker was Edmund Ludlow (1617?-1692).

4. Parliament's declarations are described as “ambiguous, obscure, and at times a little stupid” by Hexter, Jack, The Reign of King Pym (Cambridge, Mass., 1961), p. 175Google Scholar.

5. Allen, J. W., English Political Thought: 1603-1644 (New York, 1938), p. 424Google Scholar. Studies mentioned in footnote 8 deal with Parker's thought and the royalist response, not the coincidence of his views and those in the pamphlet literature of 1642-43.

6. Whitelocke, Bulstrode, Memorials of the English Affairs from the Beginning of the Reign of Charles the First to the Happy Restoration of King Charles the Second (Oxford, 1853), I, 177Google Scholar.

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8. The bibliography is lengthy. The most important studies are Jordan, W. K., Men of Substance (Chicago, 1942)Google Scholar and Judson, Margaret A., “Henry Parker and the Theory of Parliamentary Sovereignty,” Essays in History and Political Theory (Cambridge, Mass., 1936), pp. 138167Google Scholar.

9. Coates, Willson H., The Journal of Sir Simonds D'Etves From the First Recess of the hong Parliament to the Withdrawal of King Charles from London (New Haven, 1942), p. xxvGoogle Scholar confirms the general accuracy of Gardiner's narrative.

10. At least 23 tracts were written to support Parliament; at least 20 for the King. The royalist response will not be thoroughly discussed in this essay.

11. The terms “trained bands” and “militia” will be used interchangeably in this essay as they were in 1642.

12. Unless otherwise noted all biographical information is from the D.N.B. A study of Arthur Haselrig (M.P. for Leicestershire d. 1661) would be worth doing.

13. A Parliamentary Ordinance was a declaration passed by both Houses and issued without the assent of the King. Such a device had been used since August 20, 1641 by the Long Parliament. Sir Simonds D'Ewes had looked into the precedents and had quite erroneously assured the House of an ordinance's great and ancient authority. D'Ewes later ruefully remarked that he was no stranger to the meaning of an ordinance. There is no evidence that a Parliamentary ordinance was ever issued during the Middle Ages without royal authority. See Gardiner, S. R., History of England 1603-1642 (London, 1884), X, 4Google Scholar, and BM, D'Ewes Journal, Harleian MSS, 163, f. 475. (The folio numbers to the Harleian MSS follow those used in the index to that manuscript).

14. Gardiner, , History of England 1603-1642, X, 186Google Scholar, notes that the bill has not been preserved and it is necessary to deduce its contents from the debate. Wormald, , Clarendon, pp. 103107Google Scholar discusses Edward Hyde's reaction to Charles's move and the underlying intentions of the King.

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16. The Venetian ambassador perceived this point. See his dispatch quoted in Gardiner, , History of England 1603-1642, X, 88Google Scholar, n. 1.

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19. Ibid., II, 257.

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23. Commons Journals, II, 290Google Scholar. Cf. Coates, , D'Ewes Journal, p. 17Google Scholar.

24. Commons Journals, II, 289Google Scholar.

25. Coates, , D'Ewes Journal, p. 11Google Scholar, n. 9; p. 10.

26. Ibid., p. 18, n. 26.

27. Ibid., p. 37.

28. Ibid., p. xxvi, n. 25.

29. Ibid., p. 70 and see p. 72. Also Commons Journals, II, 303Google Scholar. The offending captains were ordered to appear.

30. Coates, , D'Ewes Journal, pp. 9798Google Scholar.

31. Commons Journals, II, 306Google Scholar.

32. Ibid.

33. Coates, , D'Ewes Journal, p. 145Google Scholar. Commons Journals, II, 316Google Scholar.

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35. Coates, , D'Ewes Journal, p. 202Google Scholar.

36. Ibid.

37. Ibid.; also Commons Journals, II, 325Google Scholar. Journal of the House of Lords, IV, 453Google Scholar.

38. Coates, , D'Ewes Journal, p. 208Google Scholar, n. 10.

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41. Commons Journals, II, 328Google Scholar. Coates, , D'Ewes Journal, p. 217Google Scholar.

42. Commons Journals, II, 330Google Scholar.

43. Lords Journals, IV, 462Google Scholar.

44. Gardiner, , History of England 1603-1642, X, 95Google Scholar. The clause was copied from a law of Edward III. For years the King's authority over the local, county militia had been restricted in this way.

45. Ibid., X, 155; cf. pp. 99, 103.

46. Coates, , D'Ewes Journal, p. 244Google Scholar. Clarendon, , History of the Rebellion, I, 446–47Google Scholar recalls that the Solicitor-General, Oliver St. John, introduced the bill.

47. Clarendon, , History of the Rebellion, I, 365Google Scholar.

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51. Ibid., p. 244.

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53. Coates, , D'Ewes Journal, p. 247Google Scholar.

54. Either John or William Mallory, M.P. for Ripon. He was knighted on 23 December 1641 probably because of this speech. See Coates, , D'Ewes Journal, p. 247Google Scholar.

55. Sir Thomas Coke, younger son of Sir John Coke and M.P. for Leicester borough. This episode is reported by D'Ewes with evident amusement. See Coates, , D'Ewes Journal, p. 248Google Scholar.

56. Clarendon, , History of the Rebellion, I, 444Google Scholar.

57. Commons Journals, II, 334Google Scholar. Coates, , D'Ewes Journal, p. 248Google Scholar.

58. Clarendon, , History of the Rebellion, I, 447Google Scholar.

59. Commons Journals, II, 351Google Scholar. Coates, , D'Ewes Journal, p. 327Google Scholar. Gardiner, , History of England 1603-1642, X, 103Google Scholar.

60. Coates, , D'Ewes Journal, pp. 263–64Google Scholar.

61. Ibid., p. 263. See also pp. 265-66. Cf. Commons Journals, II, 338Google Scholar; Lords Journals, IV, 469Google Scholar.

62. He was discharged on 21 December. Coates, , D'Ewes Journal, pp. 268–69, 275–76Google Scholar. Commons Journals, II, 351Google Scholar.

63. Gardiner, , History of England 1603-1642, X, 110Google Scholar. Coates, , D'Ewes Journal, p. 346Google Scholar. Commons Journals, II, 356Google Scholar.

64. The lords took exception to the King's reference to a bill being discussed in Parliament. For comment see Wedgwood, , The King's War, pp. 4748Google Scholar.

65. Coates, , D'Ewes Journal, pp. 356, 358, 364Google Scholar. Commons Journals, II, 359, 364Google Scholar; Lords Journals, IV, 496Google Scholar.

66. Coates, , D'Ewes Journal, p. 369Google Scholar. Cf. p. 368, n. 17.

67. Gardiner, , History of England 1603-1642, X, 123Google Scholar.

68. Commons Journals, II, 366Google Scholar.

69. Coates, , D'Ewes Journal, p. 372Google Scholar.

70. Ibid., p. 374.

71. Ibid., p. 375, and n. 7.

72. Commons Journals, II, 366Google Scholar. Coates, , D'Ewes Journal, p. 376Google Scholar.

73. Probably Haselrig and Strode were included among the five men Charles designed to arrest because of their connection with the Militia Bill.

74. Clarendon, , History of the Rebellion, I, 522Google Scholar. See Gardiner, , History of England 1603-1642, X, 155–56Google Scholar.

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76. Commons Journals, II, 371, 372, 383, 393–95Google Scholar. Pym was thanked on 25 January for managing so well a conference with Lords, which included the militia question.

77. Manning, Brian, “The Outbreak of the English Civil War,” The English Civil War and After 1642-1658, ed. Parry, R. H. (Berkeley, 1970), pp. 813Google Scholar argues the significance of the petitions.

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87. Ibid., pp. 224, 225, 272, 282, 287, 291, 292, 294.

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104. Rushworth, , Historical Collections, IV, 525–26Google Scholar.

105. BM, D'Ewes Journal, Harleian MSS, 163, f. 475 verso.

106. Ibid., 163, f. 475, f. 475 verso.

107. Ibid., 163, f. 416 verso, f. 417 verso.

108. Clarendon, , History of the Rebellion, II, 69Google Scholar.

109. Ibid., II, 64.

110. Commons Journals, II, 496Google Scholar; Lords Journals, IV, 666Google Scholar; Whitelocke, , Memorials, I, 170–75Google Scholar. Schofield, Bertram (ed.), The Knyvett Letters, 1620-1644 (London, 1949), pp. 102–103, 105Google Scholar. Folger Library, Sir Giles Mompesson to Edward Hyde, April, 1642, Folger Library MSS, x.c. 23.

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116. Ibid., I, 165.

117. Ibid., I, 165, 171, 175-76. Littleton was known as a “profound lawyer,” “well-versed in the records.” He told Hyde he voted for the Militia Ordinance to disarm the Commons. Littleton joined the King in May.

118. Parker, Henry, Observations upon some of his Majestie's late Answers and Expresses (London, 1642)Google Scholar, which followed an earlier version with slightly different title dated May 21, 1642, was printed on July 2, 1642. There was a second edition in 1642.

119. For titles of Parker's tracts and the chronological sequence of replies and rejoinders, see Haller, William (ed.), Tracts on Liberty in the Puritan Revolution, 1638-1647 (New York, 1934), I, 24, 26, 27Google Scholar and notes 14, 16. Also Jordan, , Men of Substance, 142–43Google Scholar, n. 4.

120. Henry Hammond, A Vindication of Christ's reprehending Saint Peter, from the Exceptions of Master Marshall, (n.p., n.d.). Printed with Hammond, Henry, Of Resisting the Lawful Magistrate (Oxford, 1944), p. 84Google Scholar; Weinstein, M. F., “‘Jerusalem Embattled:’ Theories of Executive Power in the Early Puritan Revolution” (Ph.D. thesis, University of Maryland, 1965)Google Scholar provides a recent discussion of Marshall's thought.

121. Ferne, Henry, The Resolving of Conscience, Upon this Question … Subjects may take Arms and resist? (Cambridge, 1642)Google Scholar. The tract was reprinted at London in 1642, with a second edition printed at Oxford in 1643. The article in the D.N.B. asserts that this tract was the first pamphlet openly on the King's side.

122. Spelman, John, A View of a Printed Book Intituled, Observations upon His Majesties late answers and expresses (London, after September 9, 1642)Google Scholar.

123. Digges, Dudley, An Answer to a Printed Book, Intituled, Observations Upon Some of His Majesties Late Answers and Expresses (Oxford, 1642)Google Scholar.

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137. Anon., A Discourse Upon The Question In debate between the King and Parliament (London, September, 1642), p. 5Google Scholar.

138. Ibid., p. 9.

139. Ibid., p. 5.

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141. Bland, Peter, Resolved upon the question … wherein is likewise proved, that … the settling of the Militia as 'tis done by the Parliament … is according to … Law (London, 1642), p. 12Google Scholar.

142. Ibid.

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144. Ibid., pp. 1, 5.

145. Ibid., pp. 10, 29, 30.

146. Anon., Touching the Fundamental Lawes, p. 10Google Scholar.

147. Bland, , A Royal Position, p. 7Google Scholar. Anon., Militia Old and New, One Thousand Six Hundred and Forty Two. Read All or None; and Then Censure (London, August 18, 1642)Google Scholar; Anon., The Case of the Commission of Array Stated, p. 5Google Scholar.

148. Anon., The Vindication of the Parliament and their Proceedings, in Harleian Miscellany, VIII, 63Google Scholar.

149. March, , An Argument Or Debate In Law, p. 7Google Scholar.

150. Ibid., p. 43.

151. Anon., The Vindication of the Parliament and their Proceedings, in Harleian Miscellany, VIII, 63Google Scholar.

152. Anon., Touching the Fundamentall Lawes, p. 10Google Scholar; See too Anon., A Discourse Upon The Question, p. 15Google Scholar.

153. Anon., Touching the Fundamentall Lawes, p. 11Google Scholar. cf. Parker, , Observations, p. 35Google Scholar.

154. Anon., Touching the Fundamentall Lawes, p. 11Google Scholar.

155. Ibid.

156. For example, Anon., A Declaration of the great affaires (London, 1642), pp. 5, 6Google Scholar, and Anon., The Vindication of the Parliament and their Proceedings, in Harleian Miscellany, VIII, 48Google Scholar: “The Equity of the Law, and not the Letter of the Law, is the true Law.”

157. Bland, , Resolved upon the question, pp. 14, 15Google Scholar and To The Reader.

158. Goodwin, John, Anti-Cavalierisme, or, truth pleading as well the necessity, as the lawfulness of this present war (London, 1642), p. 13Google Scholar.

159. Marshall, Stephen, A Plea for Defensive Arms … And … the lawfulnesse of Parliaments taking up defensive arms is … asserted (London, 1642), pp. 25, 24Google Scholar.

160. Anon., A Discourse Upon The Questions, p. 15Google Scholar.

161. Ibid., p. 9.

162. Anon., Touching the Fundamentall Lawes, p. 11Google Scholar.

163. Marshall, Stephen, A Plea for Defensive Arms, p. 24Google Scholar.

164. March, , An Argument Or Debate In Law, pp. 16Google Scholar, 14. Also Anon., The Vindication of the Parliament and their Proceedings, in Harleian Miscellany, VIII, 50Google Scholar.

165. Anon., Truth and Peace Honestly Pleaded (n.p., November 1642)Google Scholar, mentioned in Allen, , English Political Thought 1603-1644, p. 441Google Scholar.

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168. March, , An Argument Or Debate In Law, p. 16Google Scholar.

169. Clarendon, , History of the Rebellion, I, 592–93Google Scholar.

170. Prynne, , Vox Populi, p. 5Google Scholar.

171. March, , An Argument Or Debate In Law, p. 27Google Scholar.

172. Ibid., p. 28.

173. For example, Anon., Certain Materiall Considerations (London, 1642), p. 11Google Scholar.

174. Anon., Touching the Fundamentall Lawes, pp. 1112Google Scholar. Cf. Bland, Peter, Resolved upon the Question, p. 13Google Scholar; March, , An Argument or Debate In Law, p. 26Google Scholar.

175. Anon., Touching the Fundamentall Lawes, p. 12Google Scholar.

176. Anon., A Discourse upon the Question, p. 4Google Scholar.

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182. March, , An Argument Or Debate In Law, p. 17Google Scholar.

183. Anon., A Discourse Upon The Questions, p. 15Google Scholar.

184. Anon., The Observator Defended In a Modest Reply (London, 1642), p. 3Google Scholar.

185. Marshall, , A Plea for Defensive Arms, p. 26Google Scholar.

186. Anon., Touching the Fundamentall Lawes, p. 11Google Scholar. Cf. Anon., Vindication of the Parliament, and their Proceedings, in Harleian Miscellany, VIII, 50Google Scholar.

187. Prynne, William, A Vindication of Psalms 105.15 … Proving … that it is more unlawfull for Kings to plunder and make War upon their Subjects … than for Subjects to Take up Armes against Kings (London, 1642)Google Scholar.

188. Hammond, , A Vindication of Christ's reprehending Saint Peter, p. 72Google Scholar.

189. Anon., Vindication of the Parliament and their Proceedings, in Harleian Miscellany, VIII, 59Google Scholar; also 49.

190. Ibid.

191. Ferne, , The Resolving of Conscience, pp. 30, 45, 46Google Scholar was especially emphatic. Also, Spelman, , A View of a Printed Book, pp. 20, 41Google Scholar.

192. See Weston, Corinne, “Beginnings of the Classical Theory of the English Constitution,” Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society, C (1956), 133144Google Scholar, and her book, English Constitutional Theory and the House of Lords, 1556-1832 (London, 1965), especially pp. 2343Google Scholar.

193. Burney, Richard, An answer; or, Necessary animadversions, upon some late impostumate observations invective against His Sacred Majesty (London, 1642), pp. 1415Google Scholar.

194. Thomson, , Constitutional History of England, IV, 153–54Google Scholar. The most recent study of the Restoration Militia is Western, J. R., The English Militia in the 18th Century: the Story of a political issue, 1660-1802 (London, 1965)Google Scholar. It is worth noting that William Pierrepont (1607?-1678) who chaired the Committee of the Militia in the spring of 1642 (Commons Journals, II, 427Google Scholar) opposed the Militia Bills at the Restoration.