The country was now divided into two great parties. Those who remained faithful to the King were called Cavaliers, and those who sided with the Parliament were styled Roundheads.

Many dreadful battles were fought, and the King's troops being completely defeated at Edgehill, Marston Moor, and Naseby, the King was induced to surrender himself into the hands of the Scottish army. But his confidence was misplaced, for they basely agreed to deliver him up for a sum of money to the English soldiers.

Charles was first taken to Holmby Castle in Northamptonshire, and afterwards to Hampton Court. Having tried to escape to the Continent, he was confined for a whole year in Carisbrooke Castle, Isle of Wight.

A great part of the army went further in their views than the Puritans; these called

themselves Independents; Cromwell was their leader. Cromwell and his soldiers expelled from Parliament those members who would not submit to him and his party, and induced the remaining members, commonly called "The Rump," to appoint judges to try the King.

Charles was brought to London, and, on the 27th of January, 1649, he was sentenced to be beheaded in three days, that is to say, on the 30th. Charles passed these three days in solemn preparation for his departure. On the last day of his life, at ten o'clock of the morning, he was conducted to the scaffold in front of the Palace at Whitehall. One of the soldiers, as he passed, prayed "God bless" him. After offering up a prayer for the welfare of his country and for his enemies, Charles knelt down, laid his head upon the block, and a man in a mask cut it off at one stroke.

THE COMMONWEALTH.

1649-1660.

AFTER the very sad death of King Charles, that part of the Parliament which was left proceeded to settle the affairs of the kingdom. They made many great changes. They would not allow any one to call Charles, Prince of Wales, King of England; they put an end to the House of Lords, and the bishops were obliged either to hide themselves or to leave the country.

The people generally were very angry on account of the death of the King, and the changes which the Parliament had made. The Roman Catholics in Ireland, under the Marquis of Ormond, took up arms against the Parliament; but Cromwell having been appointed Lieutenant of Ireland, went there, and after many cruel battles, made all

the Irish submit to him. When he returned to England, he left there a brave man named Ireton to prevent any further rebellion.

The Scots, though they had acted so basely in selling the late King to his enemies, had not desired his death. They, therefore, invited his son, the Prince of Wales, to come and reign over them. When he arrived at Edinburgh, he soon got tired of the life he was compelled to lead there. He was treated more like a prisoner than a king; and they obliged him to listen to long sermons about his father's misconduct.

Cromwell, having entered Scotland, defeated General Leslie at Dunbar. Charles, at the head of the remains of the army, marched into England as far as Worcester, where, having been joined by some of the Cavaliers, he was proclaimed King. Cromwell, following closely after him, fought a