CHARLES I.

201

a fourth part: The court of high commissionwas determined to be a grievance: Martial lawabolished : The jurisdiction of the council annihi-lated : Proclamations and acts of state declared ofno authority: Every order or institution , whichdepended on monarchy, was invaded ; and theprince was despoiled of all his prerogative, with-out the least pretext of any violence or illegalityin his administration.

The standing army of Ireland was usuallyabout 3000 men; but in order to assist the kingin suppressing the Scottish covenanters, Straffordhad raised 8000 more , and had incorporatedwith them a thousand men , drawn from the oldarmy; a necessary expedient for bestowing orderand discipline on the new levied soldiers. Theprivate men in this army were all catholics; butthe officers, both commission and non-com mission,were protestants, and could.entirely be dependedon by Charles. The English commons entertain-ed the greatest apprehensions on account of thisarmy; and never ceased soliciting the king, tillbe agreed to break it: Nor would they con-sent to any proposal for augmenting the stand-ing army to 5000 men ; a number which theking deemed necessary for retaining Ireland inobedience.

Charles * thinking it dangerous, that 8000men accustomed to idleness, and trained to theuse of arms, should be dispersed among a nationso turbulent and unsettled , agreed with theSpanish ambassador to have them transported into

HAP

LV.

1641 .