In reality, Cromwell had no intention of reversing his policy of universal conciliation; but he wanted to teach the lesson that Royalist insurrections and conspiracies would fall heavily on the Royalists themselves, and he wanted particularly, at that moment, to make the Royalists pay the expenses of the police kept up on their account.

Under cover of the consternation caused by the numerous arrests, he introduced, in fact, a _Decimation_ upon the Royalists, i.e.an income tax of ten per cent, upon all Royalists possessing estates in land of L100 a year and upwards or personal property worth L1500.

It was to be the main business of the Major-Generals to assess this tax within their bounds, and to collect it strictly and swiftly.

It is astonishing with what ease they succeeded.

It seems to have been even a relief to the Royalists to know definitely what their principles were to cost them, and to have arrest or the dread of it commuted into a fixed money payment.