After the Court had been sitting about ten minutes, the prisoner arrived in the charge of Colonel Tomlinson and a company of gentlemen with partisans.
As he entered some of the soldiers cried out, "Execution! Execution! Justice against the traitor at the Bar!"
The Serjeant-at-Arms met the King and conducted him to the Bar, where a crimson velvet chair was placed for him.
Charles looked sternly at the Court, up at the galleries and the multitude gathered in the body of the Hall; then he seated himself, without moving his hat.
He was dressed more richly than Lord Digby remembered him to have been for some time; his suit was black velvet and pale blue silk, with Flemish lace and silver knots; he carried a long cane in his hand and a pair of doeskin gloves. He was scarcely seated before he rose up again and moved about and looked down at the spectators with a smile of unutterable haughtiness. Lord Digby was near enough to remark that he looked in good health, vigorous, and composed.
Suddenly he glanced up at the Lord President, and though he must have remarked the scarlet robe, he did not change colour.
"I shall desire a word—to be heard a little," he said, "and hope I shall give no occasion of interruption."
"You may answer in your time," replied Bradshaw coldly. "Hear the Court first."
"If it please you, sir, I desire to be heard," said the King. "And I shall not give any occasion of interruption—and it is only in a word—a sudden judgment——"
"Sir," interrupted the Lord President, "you shall be heard in due time, but you are to hear the Court first——"