Finally, all the king's council advised him to give up the pretended contest, and to settle the difficulty by a compromise. Accordingly, in June, negotiations were commenced, and before the end of the month articles were signed. The king probably made the best terms he could, but it was universally considered that the Scots gained the victory. The king disbanded his army, and returned to London. The Scotch leaders went back to Edinburgh. Soon after this the Parliament and the General Assembly of the Church convened, and these bodies took the whole management of the realm into their own hands. They sent commissioners to London to see and confer with the king, and these commissioners seemed almost to assume the character of embassadors from a foreign state. These negotiations, and the course which affairs were taking in Scotland, soon led to new difficulties. The king found that he was losing his kingdom of Scotland altogether. It seemed, however, as if there was nothing that he could do to regain it. His reserved funds were gone, and his credit was exhausted. There was no resource left but to call a Parliament and ask for supplies. He might have known, however, that this would be useless, for there was so strong a fellow-feeling with the Scotch in their alleged grievances among the people of England, that he could not reasonably expect any response from the latter, in whatever way he might appeal to them.
The Earl of Strafford.--His early life.--Strafford's course in Parliament.--His opposition to the king.--The leaders removed.--The opposition still continues.--Wentworth imprisoned.--His return to Parliament.--Wentworth is courted.--He goes over to the king.--The king appoints Wentworth to office.--Wentworth is appointed President of the North.--Wentworth appointed to the government of Ireland.--Wentworth's arbitrary government.--He is made an earl.--Difficulties.--Laud's administration of his office.--Defense of Episcopacy.--Progress of non-conformity.--A Parliament called.--Strafford appointed commander-in-chief.--Meeting of Parliament.--The king's speech.--Address of the lord keeper.--Grievances.--Messages.--Parliament dissolved.--The Scots cross the borders and invade England.--March of the Scots.--The king goes to York.--Defeat of the English.--Perplexities and dangers.--The king calls a council of peers.--Message from the Scots.--The king compromises with the Scots.--Opposition of Strafford.--Strafford desires to return to Ireland.--The king's promised protection.