y" for
cavalry had been established.(586) The news about Rupert urged the
citizens to a greater effort. On the 15th March an offer was made to the
Common Council to raise no less than ten volunteer regiments, three of
which were to consist of cavalry. The men were to receive no pay except
when engaged on active service, and only a small sum was asked for, in
order to provide colours, drums and other necessaries. The offer was
gladly accepted.(587)

(M261)

The last loan of L60,000 could scarcely have been subscribed before an
order came from the Commons for the city to make a further advance of
L40,000 for the support of the army.(588)

(M262)

The East India Company was at the same time called upon to lend its
ordnance and military store for the defence of the city. In case of
refusal both ordnance and provisions were to be seized, on the
understanding that the City would restore them in as good condition as it
received them or give satisfaction for them. Should any great emergency
arise the Commons would supply the company with what was necessary.(589)
The livery companies too were exhorted to lend their arms. These were to
be stored at Salters' Hall, in Bread Street.(590)

(M263)

A few days later the negotiations between parliament and the king for a
cessation of hostilities collapsed, and the parliamentary commissioners at
Oxford were ordered to return home (14 April).(591) Irritated at the
king's obstinacy, the Puritan party vented its spleen by ordering the
wholesale destruction of superstitious or idolatrous monuments in
Westminster Abbey and elsewhere. The City followed suit by asking
parliament to sanction the removal of Cheapside cross, "in regard of the
idolatrous and superstitious figures there about sett and fixed."(592) In
1581 these figures had given cause for offence and were secretly
removed,(593) but others had apparently been set up in their place. The
demolition of the cross, which took place on the 2nd May amid signs of
public rejoicing, was followed (10 May) by the public burning of the "Book
of Sports" by the hands of the common hangman in Cheapside.(594) Another
measure in the same direction was the placing of the appointment of
preachers in St. Paul's Churchyard in the hands of the mayor and aldermen,
a proposal which the mayor had formerly suggested to the House of
Commons.(595)

(M264)

Now that all hopes of a peaceful settlement had gone, Charles took
measures to gain over as man