The Meeting

 
 
 

Vocabulary

 

timely land (2) His/Her Majesty
lord (2) deep (2) fall/fell/fallen
barely reluctant speak/spoke/spoken
leader party (2) see/saw/seen
assume house (3) lead/led/lead
go back issue (3) bring about
loyalty gracious institution
seat (2) allegiance sovereign (2)
beseech sentiment settlement (2)
govern persuade representation
will (3) right (5) parliament
reform divide (3) constitution
pursue place (2) bring/brought/brought
reduce mockery might as well
base (2) examine figurehead
drollery swear (2) amount to (2)
foolish heart (3) hold/held/held (3)
serve relinquish dear/dearer/dearest (2)
manner slaughter manipulate
notion based on move forward (2)
defense guidance enlightened
prefer grievance anxious (2)
realm possibility extraordinary
rebel ordinary lay down (2)
majesty invade tell/told/told
sword raise (2) bury our differences
beg alarm (2) puppet (2)
bury (2) urgency believe (2)
clergy persecute disappoint
oddly proposal take up arms
arms chord (2) declare war
declare matter (2) expediency
duty draw up domestic (3)
remind manners impertinent
lawful desecrate address (2)
just (2) crush (2) draw/drew/drawn (2)
in short proposal gentleman
defend share (3) strength (2)

 
 
 
 
 

Video

 

 
 
 
 

Transcript

 

Lord Chancellor: “Gentleman, His Majesty.”
Charles I, King of England: “Please, be seated.”

Charles I, King of England: “Your coming is nothing but timely: my lord Strafford’s head has but barely fallen. Now gentleman, it is for you to speak.”

Sir Edward Hyde, Parliamentarian: “Your Majesty, you see here the leaders of all parties of the House. And though we may be divided on many issues, we are of one chord, and that we place above all else, our allegiance and loyalty to our most gracious sovereign.

For which reason, we are deeply anxious for a settlement of the differences between us.”

King Charles I: “I share your sentiment, Sir Edward.
 

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John Pym, Member of Parliament: “The issue be this My Lord, Parliament is persuaded that without the right to govern this nation, without the the will of the people, and with God’s guidance — we be not a parliament at all.

And that unless some constitutional reformation be brought about, we would as well go back to our homes and our farms, instead of dealing with this mockery of a government one more day.”

King Charles I: “In short Mr. Pim, you’re asking me to relinquish my sovereign power over parliament.”

John Pim, Parliamentarian: “It has amounted to that, Your Majesty.”

King Charles I: “I do swear that I hold England and its laws dearer to my heart than any here.

Now gentlemen, if you would reduce me to a figurehead — a puppet king — manipulated by Parliament, how then would I serve my country? What manner of king would I be?”
 

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Oliver Cromwell, Parliamentarian: “I am persuaded, Your Majesty, England must move forward to a more enlightened form of government, based on a true representation of a free people . . . such an institution is known as . . . democracy, sir.”
Charles I, King of England: “Democracy, Mr . . .”
Oliver Cromwell, Parliamentarian: “Cromwell, sir.”
Charles I, King of England: “Democracy, Mr Cromwell, was a Greek drollery, based on the foolish notion that there are extraordinary possibilities in very ordinary people.”
Oliver Cromwell, Member of Parliament: “It is the ordinary people, My Lord, who most readily lay down their lives in defense of your realm. It is simply that being “ordinary”, they would prefer to be asked — and NOT told.
 

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King Charles I: “You know as I do that even as we sit here, the Scots rebels are invading this land, and not an English sword is raised against them.

I beg you therefore, let us bury our differences in defense of our Church and Kingdom.”

Oliver Cromwell, Parliamentarian: “The Scots invade our land, and all is urgency and alarm. In the past twelve months, our Irish colonists have been slaughtered, our churches desecrated, our clergy persecuted . . .

The Crown has been oddly reluctant to defend our Church and our Kingdom over there, sir.

By my god, I would assume take up arms against Rome than against the Scots.”

King Charles I: “Would you have me declare war on the entire Catholic world, Mr. Cromwell?”
Oliver Cromwell, Member of Parliament: “It is your duty to defend our Church, sir.”
King Charles I: “We are speaking now of a matter of international policy.”
Oliver Cromwell, Member of Parliament: “Is your Majesty sure, it is not a matter of domestic expediency?”
Thomas Fairfax, MP: “I will remind you, sir, you are addressing your King.
King Charles I: “Mr. Cromwell, you are impertinent.”
Oliver Cromwell, Member of Parliament: “Such issues are beyond good manners, sir. Catholicism is more than a religion: it is a political power. Therefore I am led to believe, there will be no peace in Ireland until the Catholic Church is crushed.
 

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Sir Edward Hyde: “Your Majesty.”
King Charles I: “These gentlemen are from the Parliament.”

John Pym, Parliamentarian: “Your Majesty, Parliament has drawn up this document in which is set out our main grievances. It is our belief that the demands made here are only those that are just and lawful, and in the best interest of both Crown and Kingdom.”
King Charles I: “I shall examine these proposals carefully, Mr. Pym.
John Pym, Parliamentarian: “Gentlemen.”
 

.     .     .     .     .     .     .     .


 

Queen Henrietta Maria: “It is not too late, My Lord. You have the power still— and with God’s help, the strength to use that power.

My dearest Charles, I married you as a king and as a man. I beseech you, do not disappoint me in either way.”
 
 

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Questions

Serf. In the video, parliamentarians meet King Charles I in his throne room. King Charles sat on his throne and wore a gold crown. True or false?

Peasant, Peon. Do all the Members of Parliament belong to the same party? Do they have the exact same beliefs, ideals, values, and agendas?

Foot Soldier, Archer, Pikeman. What do all the MPs (claim to) have in common? Is it unconditional and unwavering? Did the King argue with Sir Edward Hyde?

Tradesman, Journeyman (Baker, Tailor, Carpenter). John Pym believes that the King has (absolute) authority in England. Is this right or wrong? Does he believe that the monarchy should have absolute authority in England? Did he threaten to overthrow King Charles?

Jester, Minstrel, Troubadour, Musician. Did the King agree with John Pym that he should accede power to Parliament?

Artisan, Craftsman. King Charles greatly admires Solon, Cleisthenes, Pericles. Is this correct or incorrect? What was Oliver Cromwell’s reaction to the King?

Clergy, Priest, Monk. Did the King continue to debate and argue with Cromwell about democracy?

Merchant, Trader. Cromwell called King Charles a tyrant, despot, autocrat. Do you agree? “Is your Majesty sure, it is not a matter of domestic expediency?” What did Cromwell mean by this?

Yeoman. Did the situation in the British Isles and Europe revolve entirely around politics?
 
 
 
Vassal. King Charles was only influenced by his advisors and Parliament. What do you think?

Knight, Squire. Are you familiar with the English Civil War, Oliver Cromwell, King Charles I, the Parliamentarians, Round Heads, Cavaliers?

What do you think about the English Civil War?

Gentry. Has the form of your countries government changed over history?

Nobility (Lord, Earl, Duke). What are some political “issues” in your nation and the world??

Archbishop, Bishop, Cardinal. Would you like to see any reforms of changes?

Monarchy, Royalty. What might happen in the future?
 
 
 
 
 
 

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