The History of the Rebellion by Earl of Clarendon Edward Hyde ; Seaward Paul; Seaward Paul

Author:Earl of Clarendon, Edward Hyde,; Seaward, Paul; Seaward, Paul
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: OUP Oxford
Published: 2002-01-07T16:00:00+00:00

11. The Failure of Peace and the End of the War: Uxbridge and Naseby

The revival of an attempt to secure a negotiated peace at the end of 1644 was largely the effect of the entry of the Scots into the war. Parliament’s propositions for peace, delivered to the King on 24 November 1644, were heavily influenced by the Scots, particularly in demanding a Presbyterian settlement of the Church. The negotiations began at the end of January at Uxbridge, mid-way between the King at Oxford and Parliament in London. Many, though, were confident that they would fail, given the King’s adamant refusal to contemplate the removal of episcopacy from the Church of England. Both sides seem to have used the negotiations for propaganda advantage, and perhaps to secure defections from the other camp. Hyde was heavily involved in the treaty.

ABOUT the end of January, or the beginning of February, the commissioners on both sides met at Uxbridge;* which being within the enemy’s quarters, the King’s commissioners were to have such accommodations as the other thought fit to leave to them; who had been very civil in the distribution, and left one entire side of the town to the King’s commissioners, one house only excepted, which was given to the lord of Pembroke; so that they had no cause to complain of their accommodation, which was as good as the town would yield, and as good as the others had. There was a fair house at the end of the town which was provided for the treaty, where was a fair room in the middle of the house, which was handsomely dressed up for the commissioners to sit in; a large square table being placed in the middle, with handsome seats for the commissioners to sit, one side being sufficient for those of either party, and a rail for others who should be thought necessary to be present, which went round. And there were many other rooms on either side of this great room, for the commissioners on either side to retire to, when they thought fit to consult together, and to return again to the public debate; and there being good stairs at either end of the house, they never went through each other’s quarters, nor met but in the great room.

As soon as the King’s commissioners came to the town, all those of the Parliament came to visit and to welcome them, and within an hour those of the King returned their visits with ordinary civilities; each professing great desire and hope that the treaty would produce a good peace. The visits were all together, and in one room, the Scots being in the same room with the English; either party eating always together, there being two great inns which served very well to that purpose, and the duke of Richmond, being Steward of his majesty’s house, kept his table there for all the commissioners. Nor was there any restraint from giving and receiving visits apart, as their acquaintance and

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