Charles, indignant at this outrage, dissolved the body, and appealed to
the country for a loan. The same reply came from every quarter. "We
will gladly lend the money, but it must be done through Parliament."
The King was thoroughly aroused. If the loan will not be voluntary, it
must be forced. A tax was levied, fines and penalties for its
resistance meted out by subservient judges.

[Sidenote: John Hampden, Petition of Right.]

John Hampden was one of the earliest victims. His means were ample, the
sum was small, but his manhood was great. "Not one farthing, if it me
cost my life," was his reply as he sat in the prison at Gate House.

The supply did not meet the King's demand. Overwhelmed with debt and
shame and rage, he was obliged again to resort to the hated means.
Parliament was summoned. The Commons, with memory of recent outrages in
their hearts, were more determined than before. The members drew up a
"_Petition of Right_," which was simply a reaffirmation of the
inviolability of the rights of person, of property and of speech--a
sort of second "Magna Charta."

They resolutely and calmly faced their King, the "Petition" in one
hand, the granted subsidies in the other. For a while he defied them;
but the judges were whispering in his ear that the "Petition" would not
be binding upon him, and Buckingham was urging him to yield. Perhaps it
was Charles Stuart the gentleman who hesitated to receive money in
return for solemn promises which he did not intend to keep! But Charles
the King signed the paper, which seven judges out of twelve, in the
highest court of the realm, were going to pronounce invalid because the