Five Members

The Five Members were: Charles' attempt to coerce parliament by force failed, turned many against him, and was one of the events leading directly to the outbreak of civil war later in 1642.

The king believed that Puritans, encouraged by five vociferous Members of the House of Commons – John Pym, John Hampden, Denzil Holles, Arthur Haselrig and William Strode, together with the peer Edward Montagu, Viscount Mandeville (the future Earl of Manchester) – had encouraged the Scots to invade England in the recent Bishops' Wars, and that they were intent on turning the people against him.

[1] When rumours reached the court that they were also planning to impeach the queen, Henrietta Maria of France, for alleged involvement in Catholic plots, Charles made accusations of treason against them in the House of Lords.

[4] To ensure there would be no armed resistance, he first sent a message to the Lord Mayor of London forbidding him from sending men to protect parliament.

[7] At about three o'clock, they received word via the French Ambassador that Charles was on his way, and they left the House and took a waiting barge to the City of London.

[9] Roxburghe, one of Charles' retainers, propped the doors open so that the members in the chamber could see the troops making play with their pistols.

[3] The next day the Five Members came out of their hiding place in the City, and travelled by barge back to parliament accompanied by a regatta of decorated craft, and cheering citizens.

[7] On 17 January, the House of Commons issued a lengthy public declaration denouncing Charles' intrusion as "a high breach of the rights and privileges of parliament, and inconsistent with the liberties and freedoms thereof."

It declared the king's order to the City to seize the Five Members to have no basis in law, and announced that any person doing so would be guilty of breach of privilege of parliament and deemed a public enemy of the Commonwealth.

[16] Charles' 1642 incursion into the Commons chamber is now commemorated annually at the State Opening of Parliament, an event which formally marks the beginning of each parliamentary session.

At Black Rod's approach, the doors to the chamber are slammed in the messenger's face, symbolising the rights and independence of the Commons.