The Englishmen assembled at Salisbury were divided into two parties.

One party consisted of Whigs who had always regarded the doctrines of passive obedience and of indefeasible hereditary right as slavish superstitions.

Many of them had passed years in exile.

All had been long shut out from participation to the favours of the crown.

They now exulted in the near prospect of greatness and of vengeance.