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HistEng5_201-250.indd 17 6/1/11 8:16 AM LII Peace with France - Peace with Spain - State of the CO'Urt and ministry Character of the queen - Strafford Laud - Innovations in the churchIrregular levies of money - Severities in the star-chamber and high commission - Ship money Trial of Hambden ~~~ T HERE NOW OPENS to us a new scene. Charles, naturally disgusted with parliaments, who, he found, were determined to 1629. proceed against him with unmitigated rigour, both in invading his prerogative, and refusing him all supply, resolved not to call any more, till he should see greater indications of a compliant disposition in the nation. Having lost his great favourite, Buckingham, he became his own minister; and never afterwards reposed in any one such unlimited confidence. As he chiefly follows his own genius and disposition, his measures are henceforth less rash and hasty; though the general tenor of his administration still wants somewhat of being entirely legal, and perhaps more of being entirely prudent. We shall endeavour to exhibit a just idea of the events which followed for some years; so far as they regard foreign affairs, the state of the court, and the government of the nation. The incidents 2 17 HistEng5_201-250.indd 18 6/1/11 8:16 AM Peace with France and Spain. 14th April. I6JO. 5th Nov. 218 HISTORY OF ENGLAND are neither numerous nor illustrious; but the knowledge of them is necessary for understanding the subsequent transactions, which are so memorable. Charles, destitute of all supply, was necessarily reduced to embrace a measure, which ought to have been the result of reason and sound policy: He made peace with the two crowns, against which he had hitherto waged a war, entered into without necessity, and conducted without glory. Notwithstanding the distracted and helpless condition of England, no attempt was made either by France or Spain, to invade their enemy; nor did they entertain any farther project, than to defend themselves against the feeble and ill-concerted expeditions of that kingdom. Pleased that the jealousies and quarrels between king and parliament had disarmed so formidable a power, they carefully avoided any enterprize, which might rouze either the terror or anger of the English, and dispose them to domestic union and submission. The endeavours to regain the good-will of the nation were carried so far by the king of Spain, that he generously released and sent home all the English prisoners taken in the expedition against Cadiz. The example was imitated by France, after the retreat of the English from the isle of Rhe. When princes were in such dispositions, and had so few pretensions on each other, it could not be difficult to conclude a peace. The treaty was first signed with France.b The situation of the king's affairs did not entitle him to demand any conditions for the Hugonots, and they were abandoned to the will of their sovereign . Peace was afterwards concluded with Spain; where no conditions were made in favour of the Palatine, except that Spain promised in general to use their good offices for his restoration.' The influence of these two wars on domestic affairs, and on the dispositions of king and people, was of the utmost consequence: But no alteration was made by them on the foreign interests of the kingdom. Nothing more happy can be imagined than the situation, in which England then stood with regard to foreign affairs. Europe was divided between the rival families of Bourbon and Austria, whose opposite interests, and still more their mutual jealousies, secured the tranquillity of this island. Their forces were so nearly b Rushworth, vol. ii. p. 23, 24. ' Idem ibid. p. 75ยท Whitlocke, p. 14. [3.15.174.76] Project MUSE (2024-04-26 11:03 GMT) HistEng5_201-250.indd 19 6/1/11 8:16 AM 219 CHAPTER LII counterpoised, that no apprehensions were entertained of any event, which could suddenly disturb the balance of power between them. The Spanish monarch, deemed the most powerful, lay at greatest distance: and the English, by that means, possessed the advantage of being engaged by political motives into a more intimate union and confederacy with the neighbouring potentate. The dispersed situation of the Spanish dominions rendered the naval power of England formidable to them, and kept that empire in continual dependence. France, more vigorous and more compact , was every day rising in policy and discipline; and reached at last an equality of power with the house of Austria...

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