按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
les on the top of Westminster Hall by the common hangman。 Bradshaw placed in the middle （over that part where the monstrous high court of justice sat）； Cromwell and his son…in…law Ireton on either side of Bradshaw。〃
Before this ghastly execution took place； Parliament had brought to justice such offenders against the late king's government and life as were in its power。 According to the declaration made by the king at Breda； a full and general pardon was extended to all rebellious subjects； excepting such persons as should be hereafter excepted by Parliament。 By reason of this clause； some who had been most violent in their persecution of royalty were committed to the Tower before the arrival of his majesty； others fled from the country； but had； on another proclamation summoning them to surrender themselves； returned in hope of obtaining pardon。 Thirty in all were tried at the Old Bailey before the Commissioners of Oyer and Terminer and a special jury of knights and gentlemen of quality in the county of Middlesex。 Twenty…nine of these were condemned to death。 The king was singularly free from desires of revenge； but many of his council were strangers to clemency； and； under the guise of loyalty to the crown； sought satisfaction for private wrongs by urging severest measures。 The monarch； however； shrank from staining the commencement of his reign with bloodshed and advocated mercy。 In a speech delivered to the House of Lords he insisted that； as a point of honour； he was bound to make good the assurances given in his proclamation of Breda； 〃which if I had not made；〃 he continued； 〃I am persuaded that neither I nor you had now been here。 I pray； therefore； let us not deceive those who brought or permitted us to come together； and I earnestly desire you to depart from all particular animosities and revenge or memory of past provocations。〃 Accordingly； but ten of those on whom sentence of death had been passed were executed； the remainder being committed to the Tower。 That they were not also hung was； according to the mild and merciful Dr。 Reeves； Dean of Westminster； 〃a main cause of God's punishing the land〃 in the future time。 For those destined to suffer； a gibbet was erected at Charing Cross； that the traitors might in their last moments see the spot where the late king had been executed。 Having been half hung； they were taken down； when their heads were severed from their trunks and set up on poles at the south…east end of Westminster Hall； whilst their bodies were quartered and exposed upon the city gates。
Burnet tells us that 〃the regicides being odious beyond all expression； the trials and executions of the first who suffered were run to by crowds； and all the people seemed pleased with the sight；〃 yet by degrees these cruel and ghastly spectacles became distasteful and disgusting。 〃I saw not their executions；〃 says Evelyn； speaking of four of the traitors who had suffered death on the 17th of October； 〃but met their quarters mangled and cutt and reeking as they were brought from the gallows in baskets on the hurdle。 Oh the miraculous providence of God！〃
Seven months later； the people were diverted by the more cheerful pageant of the king's coronation； which was conducted with great magnificence。 〃Two days；〃 as Heath narrates； 〃were allotted to the consummation of this great and most celebrated action； the wonder； admiration and delight of all persons； both foreign and domestick。〃 Early on the morning of the 22nd of May； the day being Monday； the king left Whitehall； by water； for the Tower； in order that he might； according to ancient custom； proceed through the city to Westminster Abbey。 It was noticed that it had previously rained for a month together； but on this and the next day 〃it pleased God that not one drop fell on the king's triumph。〃 At ten o'clock the roaring of cannon announced the procession had left the Tower on its way to Whitehall； where his majesty was to rest the night。 The splendour of the pageant was such as had never before been witnessed。 The procession was headed by the king's council at law； the masters of chancery and judges； who were followed by the lords according to their rank； so numerous in all； that those who rode first reached Fleet Street； whilst the king was yet in the Tower。
No expense was spared by those who formed part of that wonderful cavalcade； towards rendering their appearance magnificent。 Heath tells us it was incredible to think 〃what costly cloathes were worn that day。 The cloaks could hardly be seen what silk or satin they were made of； for the gold and silver laces and embroidery that was laid upon them； the like also was seen on their foot…cloathes。 Besides the inestimable value and treasures of diamonds； pearls； and other jewels worn upon their backs and in their hats； not to mention the sumptuous and rich liveries of their pages and footmen； some suits of liveries amounting to fifteen hundred pounds。〃 Nor had the city hesitated in lavishing vast sums towards decorating the streets through which the king was to pass。 Four triumphal arches were erected； that were left standing for a year in memory of this joyful day。 These were 〃composed〃 by John Ogilby； Esquire； and were respectively erected in Leadenhall Street； the Exchange on Cornhill； Wood Street； and Fleet Street。
The thoroughfares were newly gravelled； railed all the way on both sides； and lined with the city companies and trained bands。 The 〃relation of his majesty's entertainment passing through the City of London；〃 as narrated by John Ogilby； and by the papers of the day； is extremely quaint and interesting； but too long for detailed description。 During the monarch's progress through 〃Crouched Friers；〃 he was diverted with music discoursed by a band of eight waits； placed upon a stage。 At Aldgate； and at several other stages of his journey； he was received in like manner。 Arriving at the great arch in Leadenhall Street； his ears were greeted by sounds of trumpets and drums playing marches； when they had finishes； a short scene was enacted on a balcony of the arch； by figures representing Monarchy； Rebellion； and Loyalty。 Then the great procession wended its way to the East India House； situate in the same street； when the East India Company took occasion to express their dutiful affections； in a manner 〃wholly designed by person of quality。〃 As the king advanced； a youth in an Indian habit； attended by two blackamoors； knelt down before his majesty's horse； and delivered himself of some execrable verse； which he had no sooner ended than another youth in an Indian vest； mounted on a camel； was led forwards and delivered some lines praying his majesty's subjects might never see the sun set on his crown or dignity。 The camel； it my be noticed； bore panniers filled with pearls； spices； and silks； destined to be scattered among the spectators。 At Cornhill was a conduit； surmounted by eight wenches representing nymphsa sight which must have rejoiced the king's heart； and on the tower of this same fountain sounded 〃a noise of seven trumpets。〃 Another fountain flowed with wine and water； and on his way the king heard several speeches delivered by various symbolic figures。