HISTORY OF ENGLAND

54 CHARLES 11 AND CIZOMWELL IN SCOTLAND. XI..+A.D. 1651.autumn of 1650, but the schemes originated by him were nottherefore given up. In Utrecht first of all, and then at theHague, associations were formed of English Royalists, whichwere in continual communication with those of the same wayof thinking in England. We meet with similar associations inEngland, where the Royalists promised to take up arms assoon as Charles I1 appeared in the country even with onlytwo thousand men. This movement was to be supported bytwo regiments from Holland, which were to land on theKentish coast. Ireland too was drawn into the combination.The ever-restless Duke of Lorraine promised assistance there,and Limerick still held out. All flattered themselves that themere appearance of the King in person would be enough toset in motion for the royal cause the Catholics in Ireland,no less than the Presbyterians and Cavaliers in England.The question was seriously asked whether it were not mostexpedient for Charles I1 at once to carry out the plan whichhad mainly brought him to Scotland, and to attempt aninvasion of England with the forces which he had collected.This idea was strengthened by a second defeat which theScots sustained in an engagement with the Republican troopsin the county of Fife. Cromwell had occupied Perth. Theycould scarcely hope to conquer him where he was in apitched battle. How much better by a rapid march intoEngland at once to extricate themselves from this difficultposition, and to give an entirely different turn to the war.To the young King there was something extremely seductivein the plan of bravely trying his fortune on a large scale.There were many English Royalists in his camp. They allin a body urged the undertaking, and left the Scots freeto accompany the King or not as they liked. Among themajority Royalist sentiments prevailed. To those who wentit appeared that not much was lost in those who remainedbehind.On August 7 Charles 11, who had met with no oppositionon his march through the western counties, crossedthe English border at Carlisle with an army of about I 1,000men. A herald, an Englishman appointed for this purpose,proclaimed him King of England on English land and soil.XI. 3. CHARLES I1 AND CROMWELL IN SCOTLAND. 55A.D. 1651.And to many it seemed that this expedition affordedwell-grounded hopes. It had been necessary to suppressby force the movements of the Royalists and Presbyterians :it was reasonable to expect that on the King's return thesewould revive with double strength. A Howardof Escrick was the first who presented himself with a fewtrusted followers. But the greatest hopes were raised bythe news that one of the foremost English magnates, JamesStanley Earl of Derby, who held the Isle of Man, whichbelonged to him, with defiant independence, was preparingto support the expedition. Would not his example haveits influence on the districts in which his possessions lay.It was hoped that the nobility in Lancashire and Cheshire,and indeed throughout the North, would rise l. The King'sarrival, it was said, would produce a general desertion fromthe Parliament, just as the arrival of Gustavus Adolphus inGermany with a smaller force had once drawn men awayfrom the Emperor.There were others who took a less hopeful view of affairs.If indeed Scotland had been relinquished only because itcould no longer be held, was it not absurd still to grasp atthe highest prize of the war; yet while aiming at all itwas possible to Iose all. ' I do not know,' exclaimed one ofthe generals, 'which is the greater, our hope or our fear:our strongest argument is despair: we must try the fortuneof battle or die 2.'Charles I1 pressed on almost unopposed as far as Worcester,where a majority in town and council declared for him, andadmitted him. Many were anxious that, as his father hadoften done, he should direct his course to London, wherethe Presbyterian preachers entertained a iavourable dispositiontowards him. But that which previously could not becarried out, could not now be undertaken at all. Everywhereduring the civil war a complete military organi.sation had been established under the leadership of Parlia-Robert Lilburne mentions a wicked design, which was laid and hatchedthe whole north of England.' Cary ii. 342.Hamilton to Crofts, August 8. Caly ii. 305.