They would not surrender their charter. Then a writ of quo warranto was
issued; trial before the King's Bench followed; and judgment was rendered
against the Company in the spring term of 1624. Thus with clangor fell the
famous Virginia Company.

That was one year. The March of the next year James Stuart, King of
England, died. That young Henry who was Prince of Wales when the Susan
Constant, the Goodspeed, and the Discovery sailed past a cape and named it
for him Cape Henry, also had died. His younger brother Charles, for whom
was named that other and opposite cape, now ascended the throne as King
Charles the First of England.

In Virginia no more General Assemblies are held for four years. King
Charles embarks upon "personal rule." Sir Francis Wyatt, a good Governor,
is retained by commission and a Council is appointed by the King. No longer
are affairs to be conducted after a fashion "democratical and tumultuous."
Orders are transmitted from England; the Governor, assisted by the Council,
will take into cognizance purely local needs; and when he sees some

occasion he will issue a proclamation.

Wyatt, recalled finally to England; George Yeardley again, who died in a
year's time; Francis West, that brother of Lord De La Warr and an ancient
planter -- these in quick succession sit in the Governor's chair. Following
them John Pott, doctor of medicine, has his short term. Then the King sends
out Sir John Harvey, avaricious and arbitrary, "so haughty and furious to
the Council and the best gentlemen of the country," says Beverley, "that
his tyranny grew at last insupportable."

The Company previously, and now the King, had urged upon the Virginians a