But the English had no long joy of their success.

They were too weak to make any effectual resistance, and they had no hope of any aid from England.

Their leaders authorized the burgesses to demand of the king a safe-conduct in order to treat.

The conditions offered by Charles were agreeable to the burgesses, but not to the English; and when the archbishop read them out in the hall of the mansion-house, Somerset and Talbot witnessed an outburst of joy which revealed to them all their peril.

Fagots and benches at once began to rain down from the windows; the English shut themselves up precipitately in the castle, in the gate-towers, and in the great tower of the bridge; and the burgesses armed themselves and took possession during the night of the streets and the walls.