The English regiments in Ireland had been recalled; but had been defeated near Nantwich by Sir Thomas Fairfax.

Negotiation after negotiation between the king and the Parliament had failed, and the king had issued writs for a Parliament to assemble at Oxford.

This met on the 22d of January, and forty-three peers and a hundred and eighteen commoners had taken their place beside many absent with the army.

Of the peers a large majority were with the Royalist Parliament at Oxford while at Westminster a majority of the members sent up by the towns assembled.

The Royalist Parliament was sitting at Oxford when Harry arrived; but their proceedings had not upon the whole been satisfactory to the king.