Earlier in the year the "Short Parliament" had met, only to be dissolved by the folly of the King after a sitting of three weeks, because of its unwillingness to vote supplies without the redress of grievances.
The disasters of the King's campaign against the Scots, an empty treasury, and a mutinous army, compelled the calling of Parliament.

But the temper of the men who came to the House of Commons in November was vastly different from the temper of the "Short Parliament."[53] For this was the famous "Long Parliament" that assembled in the dark autumn days of 1640, and it was to sit for thirteen years; to see the impeachment and execution of Laud and Strafford, the trial and execution of the King, the abolition of monarchy and the House of Lords, the establishment of the Commonwealth; and was itself to pass away finally only before Cromwell's military dictatorship.
Hampden was the great figure at the beginning of this Parliament.

"The eyes of all men were fixed upon him, as their _patriae pater_, and the pilot that must steer the vessel through the tempests and rocks which threatened it.

I am persuaded (wrote Clarendon) his power and interest at that time were greater to do good or hurt than any man's in the kingdom, or than any man of his rank hath had at any time; for his reputation of honesty was universal, and his affections seemed so publicly guided, that no corrupt or private ends could bias them." Politically, neither Hampden nor Pym was Republican.

Both believed in government by King, Lords, and Commons; but both were determined that the King's Ministers should be answerable to Parliament for the policy of the Crown, and that the Commons, who found the money for government, should have a definite say in the spending of that money.