And his Majesty now perceiving, that, notwithstanding that Proclamation, that rebellious City, by continuing their trade, as well at home, as also from foreign parts, do hereby drain their monies from all other parts of the kingdom, and traitorously dispose of the same to the maintenance of this unnatural War against their Sovereign and fellow-subjects; and that many of the Freemen and Citizens of that City, and some of the Aldermen and Trained-bands of the City, in their own persons, have lately gone from the said City to assail his Majesty, and to fight with him, and were in the late Battle near Newbury; and that many of the said City are involuntarily compelled to take up Arms, and to expose their lives to the slaughter, for the maintenance of the malice of a few; and the fuel for all this unnatural fire is taken from the City, who spare neither their own persons, estates or fortunes, nor the persons or estates of the inhabitants of the neighbouring counties, but either persuade or compel them to contribute to this horrid and barbarous war:
Now his Majesty, being moved with a just indignation against that City, and some few other Cities and Towns, who in like manner do obstinately stand out in rebellion, doth hereby prohibit all persons, and straitly charge and command them, upon the severest penalties and punishments, which by the law can be inflicted upon them as Traitors, aiders, and assisters unto traitors, that from and after the time of publishing this proclamation, they, or any of them, do not presume, without the King's special Warrant under his Sign Manual, either by land or water, to drive, carry, or convey any manner of victuals, alive or dead, or any sort of provision for man or horse, or any goods or merchandize of any kind whatsoever, directly or indirectly, or wilfully suffer the same to be carried or conveyed unto or from the City of London, or City of Westminster, or suburbs thereof; or to or from the Cities of Gloucester and Coventry; or to or from the Towns of Kingston upon Hull, Warwick, Northampton, Portsmouth, Southampton, Poole and Lyme-Regis, or any of them; or to or from any Cities or Towns within this Kingdom, being in rebellion against his Majesty; until they and every of them respectively shall return to their obedience; nor do presume to trade, or traffick, or buy or sell with the Citizens or Townsmen of or in the said Cities or Towns, or any of them, or any other Persons inhabiting or residing in any of the said Cities or Towns, until the said Cities and Towns respectively shall conform themselves to their loyalty and due obedience.
CROMWELL IN LONDON (1653).
Throughout the Civil War the influence of the citizens had been very great. They had contributed money and troops for use against the royal forces, and both sides frequently appealed to them for support; but the Corporation continued true to the Parliamentary interest until matters were complicated by the rise to power of the independent party and Cromwell. As soon as it became plain that the army was the supreme head of authority, the City was by no means enthusiastic in its favour; the citizens had not calculated on this result of the conflict, and Cromwell never had their confidence. They appeared to acquiesce in his government, but he never secured their hearty support. Several of the aldermen refused to proclaim a Commonwealth, and considerable difficulty was experienced by the Protector in enforcing his legislative measures in the City; nevertheless, the citizens never openly opposed him, and even received him with outward manifestations of honour.
Source.—Clarendon's History, xiv. 25.
Proclamation was made by a herald, in the Palace-yard at Westminster, That the late Parliament having dissolved themselves and resigned their whole power and authority, the government of the commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland, by a Lord Protector, and successive triennial Parliaments, was now established: and whereas Oliver Cromwell, captain general of all the forces of the commonwealth, is declared Lord Protector of the said nations, and had accepted thereof, publication was now made of the same; and all persons, of what quality and condition soever in any of the said three nations, were strictly charged and commanded to take notice thereof, and to conform and submit themselves to the government so established; and all sheriffs, mayors, &c. were required to publish this proclamation to the end that none might have cause to pretend ignorance therein. Which proclamation was at the same time published in Cheapside by the Lord Mayor of London, and with all possible expedition by the sheriffs and other officers throughout England, Scotland, and Ireland. And in few days after the city of London invited their new Protector to a very splendid entertainment at Grocers' Hall, the streets being railed, and the solemnity of his reception such as had been at any time performed to the King; and he, as like a King, graciously conferred the honour of knighthood upon the Lord Mayor at his departure.
LONDON AND THE RESTORATION (1660).
It is not difficult to believe that the City was glad to be freed from the unconstitutional and distasteful Protectorate, but the universal joy with which it accepted General Monk's application for assistance in restoring Charles II. was most remarkable, and the pomp and pageantry of the King's welcome to London, as detailed below, were clearly a sincere indication of the general feeling of relief and satisfaction. It was surely not surprising that Charles, on witnessing this outburst of loyalty, wondered where his enemies were concealed, and why he had delayed so long in repairing to his friends.
Sources.—(a) Clarendon's History, xvi. 240, 246;
(b) The Public Mercury, May, 1660.
(a) The city of London had too great a hand in driving the King from thence not to appear equally zealous for his return thither. And therefore they did at the same time send fourteen of their most substantial citizens to assure his Majesty of their fidelity and most cheerful submission, and that they placed all their felicity and hope of future prosperity in the assurance of his Majesty's grace and protection, for the meriting whereof their lives and fortunes should be always at his Majesty's disposal; and they presented to him from the city the sum of ten thousand pounds. The King told them he had always had a particular affection for the city of London, the place of his birth, and was very glad that they had now so good a part in his restoration, of which he was informed, and how much he was beholding to every one of them; for which he thanked them very graciously, and knighted them all; an honour no man in the city had received in near twenty years, and with which they were much delighted....