The Pictorial Press Part 6

[Ill.u.s.tration: PULLING DOWN CHEAPSIDE CROSS, 1643.]

In 1641 an order of Parliament directed the removal of idolatrous pictures from churches and the demolition of crosses in the streets. It must have been on the pa.s.sing of this order that '_The Doleful lamentation of Cheapside Cross_,' with a woodcut of the Cross, was published, 1641. Also, '_A Dialogue between the Crosse in Cheap and Charing Crosse_,' 1641, which has also a woodcut representing the two crosses, while a Brownist and an Anabaptist converse about their demolition. It was not, however, till 1643 that Charing Cross and Cheapside Cross were demolished. '_The Downfall of Dagon, or the taking down of Cheapside Crosse this second of May, 1643_,' is a mock lamentation for the destruction of the Cross on account of its being a symbol of idolatry. The Cross itself is made to describe its history and to lament its errors. Divers reasons are given for its demolition, and the tract concludes in these words: 'And so this Tuesday it is a taking down with a great deal of judgement and discretion, and foure Companies of the Traine Bands of the City to guard and defend those that are about the worke, and to keep others from domineering, and so I leave it to be made levell with the ground this second day of May 1643.' The tract is ill.u.s.trated with a woodcut representing the demolition of the Cross; and, as the day of publication is the day after the event, the persons concerned in its production must have been unusually prompt and energetic. The destruction of Cheapside and Charing Crosses is also recorded, under the date of 1643, in '_A Sight of the Transactions of these latter yeares Emblemized with Ingraven Plates, which men may read without Spectacles_.' This pamphlet contains a reprint of the etched plates previously mentioned, together with six others, one of which represents the pulling down of Cheapside Cross, and a summary of the transactions of the reign of Charles I., in which occurs the following pa.s.sage:--'Cheapside Crosse, Charing Crosse, and all other crosses, in and about London utterly demolished and pulled down, and that abominable and blasphemous book of tolerating sports and pastimes on the Lord's daies, voted to be burnt, and shortly after accordingly burnt, together with many crucifixes and popish trinckets and trumperies in the very same place where Cheapside Crosse stood.' I have copied the plate representing the demolition of Cheapside Cross.

The affairs of Turkey would seem to have had an interest for the English public in the seventeenth century, if we may judge from a pamphlet printed in 1642, with the following lengthy t.i.tle:--'_Strange and Miraculous Newes from Turkie, sent to our English Amba.s.sadour resident at Constantinople, of a woman which was seen in the Firmament with a Book in her hand at_ Medina Talnabi, _where Mahomet's Tomb is_. _Also several visions of armed men appearing in the Ayre for one and twenty dayes together. With a prophetical interpretation made by a Mahomedan Priest, who lost his life in the maintenance thereof. London, printed for Hugh Perry neere Ivy Bridge in the Strand June 13, 1642._' There is a woodcut of the apparition, and a lengthy description, pa.s.sages from which I have extracted:--

'There came newes to Constantinople of a strange Apparition or Vision, which was seene at _Medina Talnabi_ in Arabia, whereat Mahomet their great Prophet was buried. To visit whose Tombe the Turkes used to goe in Pilgrimage, but they must first goe to _Mecha_, which is some few dayes journey off, and there they take a ticket from the Grand Seigniors Beglerbeg, else they are not allowed to go to Medina.

'This Vision continued three weeks together, which terrified the whole country, for that no man could discover the truth thereof.

[Ill.u.s.tration: STRANGE VISION IN THE AIR, 1642.]

'About the 20 of _September_ there fell so great a Tempest and so fearful a Thunder about midnight, as the Heavens were darkened, and those that were awake were almost distracted, but the Vapours being disperst, and the Element cleere, the people might read in Arabian characters these words in the Firmament, _O Why will you believe in Lies_. Betweene two and three in the morning there was seen a woman in white compa.s.sed about with the Sun, having a cheerfull countenance, holding in her hand a Booke, coming from the Northeast, opposite against her were Armies of _Turkes_, _Persians_, _Arabians_, and other Mahometans, ranged in order of Battaile, and ready to charge her, but she kept her standing, and onely opened the Booke, at the sight whereof the Armies fled, and presently all the lamps about Mahomet's Tombe went out, for as soon as ever the Vision vanished (which was commonly an hour before sunne rising) a murmuring Wind was heard, whereunto they imputed the extinguishing of the lamps. The antient pilgrims of Mahomet's Race, who after they have visited this place, never use to cut their haire, were much amazed, for that they could not conceive the meaning of this vision, only one of the _Dervices_, which is a strict religious order among the _Turkes_ like unto the Cappuchins amongst the Papists, and live in contemplation, stepped up very boldly and made a speech unto the Company which incensed them much against him, so as the poore Priest for his plain dealing lost his life, as you shall hereafter heare.'

Then follows the speech of the Dervish to the Turks, who became so incensed that they put him to death, 'the poore man crying to the last gaspe, O thou woman with the Booke save me, and so he died. At which time there was a feareful tempest.'

It seems to have been a favourite method amongst the Puritan pamphleteers of inducing belief in a particular creed or doctrine by setting forth the awful consequences arising from adherence to an opposite faith. Thus, in 1645, in the parish of Kirkham, a Popish gentlewoman was said to have become the mother of a child without a head, because she wished she might bear a child without a head rather than her offspring should become a Roundhead. Again, it was related that in Scotland a woman wished she might become the mother of a monster rather than her child should receive the rites of the Church of England.

Accordingly, the child was born with two heads, long donkey-like ears, &c. In all these cases the pamphlets recording these extraordinary occurrences are ill.u.s.trated. The apparitions of deceased persons were also used as a means of enforcing certain views. For example, in 1642, the ghosts of King James, the Marquis of Hamilton, George Eglisham, and the Duke of Buckingham, were made to hold a conversation, wherein Buckingham was charged with having caused the deaths of the others by poison. Buckingham confesses his guilt and promises to weep repentant tears. This pamphlet is also ill.u.s.trated. The sermons of the Roundhead preachers were sometimes parodied, as in the case of a humorous pamphlet ent.i.tled, '_A Seasonable Lecture, or a most learned Oration; disburthened from Henry Walker, a most judicious quondam ironmonger, &c._' There is a woodcut to this pamphlet representing a person holding forth from a tub to several others who are listening to him. In '_A Gla.s.se for the Times, 1648_,' there is a woodcut representing the 'Orthodox true Minister' preaching in a church, while the 'Seducer, or False Prophet,' is holding forth to people in the open air; and the reader is instructed as to the difference between true ministers and false teachers.

Amongst the numerous executions that took place about the beginning of the Civil War, some of the sufferers belonged to the Roman Catholic Religion, and went to the gallows for conscience sake. In 1643 a certain Father Bell, a Romish priest, was hanged; and a few days after the execution a pamphlet was published, ent.i.tled '_The Confession, Obstinacy, and Ignorance of Father Bell, a Romish Priest, wherein is declared the manner of his Tryall, Condemnation, and Execution on Munday December 11, 1643_.' There is a woodcut of the execution of Father Bell, and an account of his behaviour on the occasion, his speech at the gallows, and his disputatious conversation with the Sheriff.

Though many persons were put to death for witchcraft during the Long Parliament, I have met with no ill.u.s.trated record of any such event.

Matthew Hopkins was 'witch-finder general' at this time, and he had a flourishing trade. He had a regular system for finding out witches; but it appears that it must have been called in question, for the objections to his system and his answers thereto were delivered to the Judges of a.s.size for the County of Norfolk in 1647. A pamphlet of that date contains a full account of Hopkins's rules for finding witches, and it is ill.u.s.trated with a woodcut representing the interior of a house, with the witch-finder, two witches seated, and surrounded by their imps in the shapes of animals.

_The Welsh Post_ of 1643 is a curious ill.u.s.trated pamphlet which relates the news of the Civil War in language such as was supposed to be used by a Welshman speaking English. It begins thus:--'Whereas there hath beene many Tiurnals and Pa.s.sages, the truth whereof hath beene much suspected, so tat her doth not be certaine to heare the true report of her pretherns proceeding; her hath terefore chosen to herselfe a fery true Printer (tat do scorne to print lie) to print a weekly Tiurnall for her dear Countryman of Whales to understand te fery truth marke you me tat now, for ferily her will not lye truly, but tell her te pare naked truth.' The news from Oxford is that 'te kings forces are fery weake there, and that the Countrey are fery glad of it, because of teir intolerable trouble and charge.' There is also news from Northamptonshire, Cheshire, Gloucester, Plymouth, Yorkshire, &c, all related in the same language.

[Ill.u.s.tration: HOPKINS, THE WITCHFINDER, 1647.]

_The Welsh Plunderer_ is another pamphlet, with a woodcut of a Cavalier, which is probably intended for Prince Rupert. It contains a rambling protestation from 'Shinkin' of his loyalty, and states what he will do in case Prince Rupert should visit Wales.

William Lilly, the Astrologer, found a rich field for the exercise of his gifts during the progress of the Civil War. He was employed by both Royalists and Roundheads; and it is said he was even consulted by the King about signing the propositions of the Parliament. His advice was also sought respecting the King's projected escape from Carisbrook Castle. He kept his name before the public by publishing various almanacs and tracts, in one of which, _The Starry Messenger_, 1645, he gives an account of a strange apparition of three suns seen in London on the King's birthday. This is preceded by a long list of similar appearances, from the time of Christ to his own time, and the remarkable events which followed. In high-flown language, mixed with the jargon of astrology he vaguely hints at great events impending:--'I am clearly of opinion, These Sights, as well as many others, were caused by those tutelary Angels, who, by G.o.ds permission, and under him, have the Government of the English Commonwealth. They are sensible of those many impending Miseries now too plentifully amongst us. Their conference with man now, as in the days of old, very few attain unto, it being a blessing sought after by many, attained unto by few: And yet there are some of opinion there lives in the world some, and of those some, a small Party in England, that know more than they utter, and either by Vision, or verball Colloquie, have the knowledge of future events, yea, even from the blessed Angels:'--which is as much as to say, I, William Lilly, am one of the favoured few! Come to me and I will teach you wisdom--I will unfold to you the mysterious future! The tract is ill.u.s.trated with a woodcut; and a later tract published by Lilly contains an engraving of the three suns, together with a further exposition of his views on the subject:--'G.o.d many waves in these last times (though not by prophecy) yet discovers and signifies his intentions unto us, and especially in and at those times when his heavy judgments are imminent upon us; witnesse the many and frequent Appearances of severall Prodigies seen in this Kingdom of England within these four or five years, the like whereof for number are not recorded in any, either ancient or modern History, so that I might weary the reader, should I but mention the severall Letters which from sundry parts of this Kingdom have come to my hands, some mentioning strange sights in the ayre; others men fighting therein; others Guns shooting; others relating of three moons; others the apparition of two suns; some sending me letters, and including therein some part of that Corn which was rained down from heaven, &c. I forbear all further discourse hereof, a.s.suring the kingdom, these Prodigies are the Premonitions, and a.s.sumed infallible Messengers of G.o.ds wrath against the whole Kingdom, for our wicked transgressions, &c. G.o.d give us peace and grace to repent.'

[Ill.u.s.tration: THREE SUNS SEEN IN LONDON ON THE KING'S BIRTHDAY, 1648.]

CHAPTER IV.

The Civil War--Flying Sheets of News--Disturbance at Kingston-on-Thames--Plot against London--Riotous Proceedings at York, and Conspiracy in Edinburgh--The House of Commons--The Royal Standard raised at Nottingham--Battle of Edgehill--Prince Rupert--The Lord Mayor of London--_Mercurius Civicus_--_The Scottish Dove_--_The Flying Post_--_The Kingdomes Weekly Post_--Cruelties of the Cavaliers--The 'Levellers'--The King's Escape from Oxford--Funeral of the Earl of Ess.e.x--The Great Seal Broken--Fairfax--Cromwell--Sea Fight in the Channel--The Prince of Wales's Squadron--Mutiny at Norwich--Siege of Colchester--Execution of Sir Charles Lucas--The King at Carisbrooke Castle--Execution of the King--Confession of Richard Brandon.

The discontent which had been growing for so many years, and which had been strengthened and inflamed by the acts of Charles I. and his advisers in violating the principles of the Const.i.tution, had now arrived at the point of rebellion. At the commencement of the Civil War the excitement was increased and sustained by the publication of flying sheets of news. Although the practice of publishing regular periodical papers had commenced, numerous fugitive tracts and pamphlets continued to be printed relating to particular events. Some of these papers were ill.u.s.trated with woodcuts evidently executed on the spur of the moment, while others appear to have been taken from other sources and adapted to the occasion. An example of this latter kind occurs in a tract of 1642, which strikingly ill.u.s.trates the state of the times:--

'_A true Relation of the late Hurleyburly at Kingston upon Thames on Wednesday the 12th of January caused by Collonell Lundsford and the rest of his company, and the Towne fearing they would rise up in Rebellion, one cam speedily to declare it at_ London, _upon which the Traine Band were raised and caused to watch all night for the safety of the City._'

On the t.i.tle-page is a woodcut of an officer and a soldier, which, however, was evidently not executed for this special occasion, the officer being in the costume of the preceding reign. A facsimile of it is subjoined. The tract describes the commotion made in Kingston by the appearance of Colonel Lundsford and three hundred troopers, who, 'about the middle of the Towne, went in to drink, and continued there part of that day, swaggering, and swearing blasphemous Oathes (which filled the Towne with feares) and some amongst the rest, to frighten the Towne, swore bitter Oathes that they should see b.l.o.o.d.y times ere long.'

[Ill.u.s.tration: HURLEYBURLEY AT KINGSTON-ON-THAMES, 1642.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: CAPTAIN VAUL, THAT CRUEL TYRANT, 1642.]

A tract of the same date refers to a reported conspiracy of the same Colonel Lundsford:--'_A terrible plot against London and Westminster discovered, showing how Colonell Lunsford the Papist, that should have bin Lieutenant in the Tower, should in a Conspiracy among the Jesuits and other Papists have blowne up the City of London, placing the pieces of Ordinance against it. Also how the papists with their forces should have risen against Westminster, and burnt downe the parliament house.

Likewise how by this Conspiracy the Arch-bishop of_ Canterbury _should have been transported into France, and how Bishop Wren with many other Bishops and popish Doctors should have bin conducted with him thither, where Canterbury should have bin Sainted, and Wren made Cardinall. With an exact Relation of the chiefe Cause of the Apprentices rising in Armes to defend the City of London from their treachery, Describing most succinctly the singular mercy of G.o.d towards us in defending this Kingdome from the manifold Plots of the Papists and their Treacherous Conspiracies._' On the last page is a woodcut of a Cavalier in a hat and feathers, ent.i.tled 'Captaine Vaul that cruell Tyrant.' As there is no mention of this person in the pamphlet it was perhaps a well-known nickname of Colonel Lundsford. I annex a copy of this cut. The same cut appears in a tract ent.i.tled '_Terrible Newes from York_,' detailing certain riotous proceedings in that city, where it is given as 'Mr.

Holk, chief Agent in the uproar.' Its first appearance, however, is in an account of a '_b.l.o.o.d.y Conspiracy at Edinburgh_;' and, from its frequent use, this rough woodcut must have been regarded as a good, bold representation of a truculent soldier, suitable for the times.

While the King and the House of Commons were contending for the upper hand there was published '_A Perfect Diurnall of the Pa.s.sages in Parliament_,' ill.u.s.trated with a woodcut of the House of Commons, with Mr. Speaker in the chair. This is used as a heading to several numbers of the same _Diurnall_, and sundry varieties of it are printed as headings to other reports of Parliament. This old woodcut has been often copied, but my examples of ill.u.s.trated journalism would not be complete unless I introduced it here.

The printing-presses that are said to have been carried by both armies during the Civil War must have been used solely for the printing of Proclamations, General Orders, and suchlike doc.u.ments. It seems to be an ascertained fact that Cromwell's soldiers set up a printing-press in Scotland, and printed a newspaper; but it is not so certain that the armies of Charles I. and of the Parliament issued printed 'news' from whatever town they chanced to occupy at the time. It does not follow that because a tract is ent.i.tled _News from Hull_ it was actually printed at that place. On the contrary, I have found nearly all the tracts I have examined bear the imprints of London printers. _The News from the North, The Last printed News from Chichester_, &c., were all sent up to London, and there printed and published.

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, 1642.]

In the words of Hume, 'The open signal of discord and civil war throughout the kingdom' was made at Nottingham on August 22, 1642, when the King erected his Royal standard and appealed to the loyalty of his subjects to support his authority by arms. Historians differ as to the precise day when this formal declaration of hostilities took place.

Clarendon and Hume both fix it on the _25th_ of August, while Rushworth gives the _22nd_ as the date. The latter view is confirmed by a contemporary pamphlet, which gives an account of the raising of the Standard, and is ill.u.s.trated with a woodcut representing the event. This pamphlet was written in the interest of the Parliament and against the King's party; but his Majesty is referred to in the most respectful language, as is generally the case in the pamphlets of the time. At the beginning of the struggle frequent hopes were expressed that the King would consent to be guided by the Parliament, while his Cavalier adherents were represented as his real enemies. The pamphlet referred to has the following t.i.tle:--

'_A true and exact Relation of the manner of his Majesties setting up of His Standard at_ Nottingham _on Munday the 22 of August, 1642_.

'_First, the forme of the Standard, as it is here figured, and who were present at the advancing of it._

'_Secondly, the danger of setting up of former standards, and the damage which ensued thereon._

'_Thirdly, a relation of all the Standards that ever were set up by any King._

'_Fourthly, the names of those knights who are appointed to be the King's Standard-bearers, with the forces that are appointed to guard it._

'_Fifthly, the manner of the Kings comming first to Coventry._

'_Sixthly, the Cavalieres resolution and dangerous threats which they have uttered, if the King concludes a peace without them, or hearkens unto his great Councill the Parliament; moreover how they have shared and divided London amongst themselves already. London, printed for T.

Coles, 1642._'

[Ill.u.s.tration: RAISING THE ROYAL STANDARD AT NOTTINGHAM, 1642.]

The account of this interesting historical event is given in these words: 'Munday being the 22 of August in the morning, his Majesty left his forces before Coventry, and with some Lords and others in company rode to Leicester, where he dined that day at the Abbey House, the Countesse of Devonshire's house; however, so many printed intelligences doe falsely, though with much confidence aver (much like their other relations) that the king was with his Army in the field, at the time of the battell between them and the Lord Brookes forces, which was not untill the day following. Presently after dinner the King againe tooke horse, and with his company rode to Nottingham, where was great preparation for the setting up of the Standard that day as was formerly appointed. Not long after the Kings coming to towne, the Standard was taken out of the Castle, and carried into the field a little on the back side of the Castle wall. The likenesse of the Standard it is much of the fashion of the City Streamers used at the Lord Mayor's Show, having about 20 supporters, and is to be carried after the same way; on the top of it hangs a b.l.o.o.d.y flag, the Kings Armes quartered, with a hand pointing to the Crowne which stands above with this Motto: _Give Caesar his due_. The names of those Knights Baronets who were appointed to beare the Standard, viz. The chiefe was Sir _Thomas Brookes_, Sir _Arthur Hopton_, Sir _Francis Wortley_, and Sir _Robert Darlington_.

'Likewise there was three troop of Horse appointed to waite upon the Standard, and to beare the same backwards and forwards with about sixe hundred foot Souldiers. It was conducted to the field in great state, his Majesty, the Prince, Prince _Robert_ (whom his Majesty hath lately made a Knight of the Garter), going along with divers other Lords and Gentlemen of his Majesties traine, beside great company of Horse and Foot, in all to the number of about two thousand, who came more to see the manner of the thing than any waie to offer a.s.sistance to his Majesty, as did afterwards evidently appear, for that upon the taking downe of the Standard, there were not above thirty of the trained bands that offered to come in to his Majesty, which, because their numbers were so inconsiderable his Majesty refused to accept of.

'So soon as the Standard was set up, and his Majesty and the other Lords placed about it, a Herauld at Armes made ready to proclaim a Proclamation declaring the Ground and Cause of his Majesties setting up his Standard namely to suppress the pretended Rebellion of the Earle of Ess.e.x in raysing forces against him, to which he required the aid and a.s.sistance of all his loving subjects. But before the Trumpeters could sound to make Proclamation his Majesty called to view the said Proclamation; which being given him he privately read the same over to himselfe, and seeming to dislike some pa.s.sages therein called for Penne and Inke, and with his owne hand crossed out and altered the same in diverse places, (a thing well worthy the noting) and then gave it the Herauld, who proclaymed the same to the people, though with some difficulty after his Majesties corrections; after the reading whereof, the whole mult.i.tude threw up their hats, with other suchlike expressions, _G.o.d Save the King_. Not long after the reading of the said Proclamation, it being towards night, the Standard was taken downe, and again carried into the castle, with the like state as it was brought into the field. And the next day it was again set up, and his Majesty came along with it, and made proclamation as the day before, and the like also was done on Wednesday, his Majesty being also present. But since that it hath been set up with lesse ceremony, there being not a hundred persons as are yet heard of that have offered themselves to his Majesty since the first setting up of his Standard.

'Since which time his gracious Majesty hath pleased to send some propositions to both Houses of Parliament; and hath employed the Earle of Dorset, the Earle of Southampton, and Sir John Culpeper, and Sir William Uvedall to deliver his Majesties minde to the honourable Houses of Parliament for a fair Treaty and accommodation of Peace, and that all differences and mistakes might be ended, and all hostile manner of warre to cease in our Land and that it might be sent over to Ireland upon which report the Cavaliers which are about the Country are very desperate to heare that his Majesty will hearken to an accommodation of peace, or to apply or comply with his Parliament; telling his Majesty that it is dishonourable to stoop to his Subjects, and if his Majesty doth, they will either hang themselves, or kill and murther themselves, and doth vow private revenge to this Kingdome, if they do now misse of their hopes and enterprises, for they say they are sure to overcome us whom they called Roundheads, and call our Souldiers nothing else but a company of Shrove-Tuesday boyes, and idle headed prentices, who run away from their Masters under pretence of having this opportunity to get liberty from their hard service and cruelty. It is truly reported that the Cavaliers are all desperately bent against the City of London, and the inhabitants; they have already within themselves shared and divided it; some have allotted to themselves Gracious Street, others Lumbard Street, then others have shared Cheapside, and Pauls Church-yard, others do determine to seize upon the rich Aldermens houses and Persons, others to whom they owe or are indebted to by bond, or bill, or book, doe resolve when they come into the City to seize upon those persons first, to whom they are indebted, and to cut their throats, and then to seize upon Usurer or others, and to cut his throat for that money, so say they, we shall be both at once out of debt and have money to boot; these are the resolutions of the Cavaliers who doth but looke for such an advantage, so full of cruelty and malice they are, which G.o.d in his infinite and blessed mercy protect both our King and Kingdome from; and that their own swords may returne into their own bosoms that wish and long for such a day.'

Then follows a notification from both Houses of Parliament that none shall proclaim the setting up of the King's Standard; and whoever shall suffer loss or damage through the Cavaliers shall receive reparation.

According to Clarendon, the Royal Standard was set up under the most ill-omened and depressing circ.u.mstances: 'There was not one regiment of foot yet brought hither, so that the train-bands which the sheriff had drawn together were all the strength the King had for his person and the guard of the Standard. There appeared no conflux of men in obedience to the proclamation; the arms and ammunition were not yet come from York, and a general sadness covered the whole town. The Standard was blown down the same night it had been set up, by a very strong and unruly wind, and could not be fixed again in a day or two, till the tempest was allayed. This was the melancholy state of the King's affairs when the Standard was set up.'

[Ill.u.s.tration: PRINCE RUPERT, GENERAL OF THE KING'S HORSE, 1643.]

Soon after the King had unfurled his Standard at Nottingham the battle of Edgehill was fought, and an ill.u.s.trated tract relates how the inhabitants of Kenton, a village near the battle-field, were disturbed at night by strange noises and the appearance of apparitions after the battle. The name of Prince Rupert begins to appear in the narratives of events, and his portrait frequently occurs in the ill.u.s.trated sheets of this period. This dashing and impetuous Cavalier, whose rash courage excited the admiration of the Royalists, was regarded by the Roundheads as a cruel and bloodthirsty enemy, and he was often denounced by the Puritan preachers. In 1643 there was a pamphlet published called '_The b.l.o.o.d.y Prince; or, a Declaration of the Most Cruell Practises of Prince Rupert and the rest of the Cavaliers in fighting against G.o.d and the true Ministers of his Church_.' Facing the t.i.tle is a woodcut representing Prince Rupert on his charger, with the towns of Birmingham and Daventry in the background, both of which places were the scenes of conflict during the war, the former having been taken, partially burnt, and a heavy fine inflicted on the inhabitants by Prince Rupert.

The City of London having taken the side of the Parliament, was naturally inclined to honour its chief magistrate when he was found to be an active and energetic promoter of its views. Isaac Pennington was Lord Mayor in 1643, and his portrait was published in a laudatory pamphlet, ent.i.tled '_A True Declaration, and just Commendation of the great and incomparable care of the Right Honourable Isaac Pennington_.'

His Lordship is styled the Atlas of the city, bearing the weight and management of all civil affairs on his shoulders, and he is much commended for his great care in superintending the building of the fortifications round London under the direction of the Parliament. 'And herein,' says the writer, 'your honour hath shewed yourselfe an excellent Magistrate complying with the Parliament in all matters that concerne the publicke administration of the Commonweale; so that you have lookt upon the present state of this Citie and Religion with the cleare eye of justice; you have heard of the great pressures which the country hath endured by the cruelty of the Cavaliers; you have to the discouragement of malignants on the shoulders of fort.i.tude, bore and suffered their false aspersions.... Your Honour hath in your present Magistracie walked uprightly, having clean and pure hands; nay, strong hands; for your Honour hath been the chiefest raiser and promoter of the workes and fortifications round about the Citie of London: you saw the times were dangerous, and that the King's Cavaliers gaped after nothing more than to get London, and make it a prey to the supplying of their necessities.' I have copied the portrait of the man who was thus distinguished by his fellow-citizens, not merely as an example of ill.u.s.trated news, but as showing what a Lord Mayor of London looked like in Charles I.'s time.