to the king and confusion to his foes; they derided the least sign of puritanism, and the poor Roundheads had a hard time of it with these swashbucklers, who were not above acknowledging beauty, even in the wife, sister, niece, or daughter of Obadiah, and of expressing admiration in language very far removed from the staid phrases of the conventicle. The king's horse forming their opinion of the Puritans from the fanatical and the timid, imagining that the country louts would offer them no resistance, took it for granted that the Commons would be easily disposed of. Rupert the Robber was about to make short work of it, and carry majesty back to Whitehall in triumph.

While Rupert was thus engaged the king was positively assuring the people that in himself they were to recognise the defender of liberty, the dispenser of justice, and the champion of popular rights. Money was difficult to obtain, but a good deal of plate was sent in by noblemen attached to the royal cause, and this was melted down, and a new but rude coinage minted by the king's command. We furnish some specimens of this rude coinage.

As the royal army increased in strength and numbers, it was closely watched by the Parliamentary forces under the Earl of Essex, and on the 23rd of October, 1642, the King and the Commons fought their first pitched battle at

EDGE HILL.

It was Sunday morning, and the Royal army was posted on the height of Edge Hill. Below, in the broad valley of the Red Horse were the Parliamentary forces, having the disadvantage of charging up hill in the face of a deadly fire. King Charles, clad in a suit of armour, was with his troops, endeavouring to sustain their courage, by a great show of cheerfulness. Lindsay was there, an old and experienced officer, warmly attached to the royal cause, but impatient at the liberty allowed to the youthful Rupert, whose insolence and rapacity had induced many to leave the king's service. Rupert commanded the right wing of the horse, Lord Wilmot held command of the left, and there was a reserve force commanded by Lord Digby and Sir John Byron.

The Parliamentary forces were inferior in point of numbers to those of the king; but the artillery was in much better condition, and the cavalry well mounted.

Several hours elapsed without any attack being made on either side. At two o'clock a cannon was fired, but it seems to be uncertain on which side. It was followed by a roar of artillery from the Parliamentarians, and a rapid descent of the hill by the Royalists. A dashing charge was made by the Parliamentary cavalry on the king's centre, but the pikes of the infantry offered an irresistible barrier, and drove them back in confusion. Rupert, in the mean time, charged the left wing of the Parliamentarians, broke it, and pursued the fugitives into the village of Keinton, where his men occupied themselves in the congenial work of plunder. Rupert being off the field at a time when his services were most in request, the royal cause suffered, as it always suffered from his impetuosity. Essex and Lindsay, each marching at the head of his body of infantry, came into action. These two brave men had often fought together side by side; now they stood opposed, and each fought well. The cavaliers had expected to see the Roundheads retreat before them. Lindsay expected no such sight; he knew his old friend Essex too well to suppose he would lead mere tapsters and town 'prentices to the attack. The battle became close-raged with terrible fury: the left wing of the king's army fell back behind a body of pikemen, but the Parliamentarians broke through the

ranks and seized a battery of cannon. While this was going on in one part of the field, the Royalists were displaying extraordinary bravery in another. They were charged in front and flank, overpowered by numbers and broken, just as Rupert, flushed with supposed triumph, rode back

from Keinton too late to be of further service. Sir Edward Varney, the king's standard bearer, had been slain, and the standard taken.* Night put an end to the battle, both parties claiming the victory. The Parlia

*This standard being entrusted by Essex to Chambers, his secretary, was, either by treachery, or mistake, given up to a Captain Smith, one of the king's officers, who for the service was made a baronet on the field.