ABSTRACT
The “purged” or “Rump” Parliament had meanwhile adopted drastic measures to end the dispute with Charles I. During the month of January Lilburne had once more been in the North, in order to attend to his private affairs. He was thoroughly disillusioned and wanted to renounce public life altogether. The Presbyterians and the partisans of the Cavaliers in the Established Church, who by impressive pamphlets on the Martyrdom of Charles I, and a forged Diary of his, had turned many worthy citizens against the “bloodthirsty tigers of the commonwealth”, were again raising their heads. On the night of April 25th a large number of dragoons of Colonel Whalley’s regiment appeared in front of the “Bull”, Bishopsgate, London, where the colour-sergeant was billeted, and compelled him to give the standard up to them. Lilburne and Overton, who in the Tower heard of all that happened in London, were unwilling to let this affair pass by in silence.
