Chapter III: End of the Reign of Charles I

Differences between the Presbyterians and Independents--The King
at Holmby--Attempt to Disband the Army--Consequent Petitions
to Parliament--The Adjutators--Meeting at Newmarket--Seizure
of the King--Advance of the Army on London--Stubbornness
of the Presbyterians--The Army Marches through London--Its
Proposals to Charles--Their Rejection--The King throws away
his best Chances--The Levellers--Cromwell's Efforts on
behalf of Charles--Renewed Intrigues of Charles--Flight to
Carisbrooke--Attempts to Rescue the King--Charles Treats with the
Scots--Consequent Reaction in his Favour--Battle of Preston and
Suppression of the Insurrection--Cromwell at Edinburgh--The Prince
of Wales in Command of the Fleet--Negotiations at Newport--Growing
Impatience of the Army--Petitions for the King's Trial--Charles's
Blindness and Duplicity--He is Removed to Hurst Castle--Pride's
Purge--Supremacy of the Independents--The Whiggamores--Hugh Peters'
Sermon in St. Margaret's, Westminster--Ordinance for the King's
Trial--Trial and Execution of Charles I. 59