Hitherto those members had been of small account in the Parliament, and had generally, been considered as the retainers of powerful noblemen.

They now showed, for the first time, an independence, a resolution, and a spirit of combination which alarmed the court.

[141] The answer was so unpleasing to James that he did not suffer it to be printed in the Gazette.

Soon he learned that a law, such as he wished to see passed, would not even be brought in.

The Lords of Articles, whose business was to draw up the acts on which the Estates were afterwards to deliberate, were virtually nominated by himself.