While Cromwell was still in Ireland, Prince Charles, who
had been living as an exile at the French court, came to Scotland. On his
promise to be a Presbyterian king the whole nation agreed to support him. Cromwell,
in two pitched battles, broke up the Scotch armies and compelled Prince Charles
to seek safety in flight. After thrilling adventures the prince managed to
reach his asylum in France. Cromwell treated the Scotch with leniency, but took
away their Parliament and united their country with England in a single state.
DISSOLUTION OF THE "RUMP PARLIAMENT," 1653 A.D.
Meanwhile, the "Rump Parliament" had become more
and more unpopular. The army, which had saved England from Stuart despotism,
did not relish the spectacle of a small group of men, many of them selfish and
corrupt, presuming to govern the country Cromwell found them "horridly
arbitrary" and at last resolved to have done with them. He entered the
House of Commons with a band of musketeers and ordered the members home.
"Come, come," he cried, "I will put an end to your prating. You
are no Parliament, I say you are no Parliament. I will put an end to your
sitting." Another Parliament, chosen by Cromwell and the army, proved
equally incapable. After a few months' rule it resigned its authority into the
hands of Cromwell.
