Page:Public School History of England and Canada (1892).djvu/110

 CHAPTER XVII.

THE COMMONWEALTH.

1. England becomes a Republic.—England was now without a king, and, as the House of Lords was soon after abolished, the only authority left to govern was a part of the Long Parliament, composed of not more then eighty men. This “Rump Parliament,” as it was coarsely called, promptly undertook the task of ruling, and elected a council of State of forty members, to manage the affairs of the nation. England was declared a “Commonwealth,” and Parliament set to work to meet the dangers that threatened the young Republic. At foreign courts the execution of Charles was looked upon as a terrible crime. None of the European nations would recognize the “Commonwealth” and its council of State, for they thought Charles Stuart, Charles I’s eldest son, was the rightful ruler of England. There was also much discontent at home, for many, now that the king was dead, began to look upon im as a martyr. ‘This feeling was increased by the publication of a book, the “Royal Image,” which professed to be an account by the king himself of his sayings and doings while a prisoner. It painted Charles in very flattering colours, and made him appear little less than a saint. The book was a forgery by a Presbyterian clergyman, Dr. Gauden; nevertheless it had a large sale, and made many regret that the king had been treated so harshly. In Ireland, too, there was danger to the Commonwealth. There the Duke of Ormond had united all classes of the population in favor of Charles II., who was invited to go to Ireland and become king. Prince Rupert was in the channel preying on English commerce with a number of ships which had taken refuge in Dutch harbours. Scotland was growing daily more discontented and was beginning to look for the restoration of Charles II. All the Scotch waited for was Charles’ assent to the Covenant, after which they “were ready to make him their king, and to aid him in recovering the English throne.

2. Cromwell in Ireland.—The most pressing danger was in Ireland, and to that unhappy land an English army was sent in 1649, with Cromwell as leader, Time was precious, and much