"Some waved their hats over their heads, and others took their swords in their scabbards out of their belts, and held them by the pummels in their hands, setting the lower part on the ground." Actual violence was only prevented "by the sagacity and great calmness of Mr.Hampden, by a short speech." Charles promised an answer to the deputation of members who waited upon him with the Grand Remonstrance, and early in the new year came the reply.

The King simply demanded the surrender of five members--Pym, Hampden, Holles, Strode, and Hazlerig--and their impeachment on the charge of high treason.
All constitutional law was set aside by a charge which proceeded personally from the King, which deprived the accused of their legal right to a trial by their peers, and summoned them before a tribunal which had no pretence to a justification over them.

On the refusal of the Commons to surrender their members, Charles came in person to Westminster with 300 cavaliers to demand their arrest.

But the five members, warned of the King's venture, were well out of the way, and rested safely within the City of London--for the citizens were strongly for the Parliament.

"It was believed that if the King had found them there (in the House of Commons), and called in his guards to have seized them, the members of the House would have endeavoured the defence of them, which might have proved a very unhappy and sad business." As it was, Charles could only retire "in a more discontented and angry passion than he came in." The step was utterly ill-advised.