PREFACE. THE VOLUMES which I have chiefly consulted during the preparation of this little work have been Warburton's " Memoirs of Prince Rupert,” Clarendon's "History of the Rebellion," Miss Strickland's "Lives of the Queens of England," and some few others of less note. In a work of such slight pretensions I have not thought it necessary to append authorities for each fact recorded, and trust that a general reference to the above-mentioned names may be considered sufficient. M. C. B. DUBLIN, 1868. 26 X3 53 RUPERT OF THE RHINE. CHAPTER I. FICKLE FORTUNE. USUALLY in the pages of English History, the name of Prince Rupert receives only a passing mention. We read that he was the nephew of the unhappy King Charles I., and gave him good help in many of his battles against his Parliament, but further than this the information accorded about him seldom extends. Yet "Rupert of the Rhine" deserves to have his name and character better known, by all loyal subjects of our Sovereign and all true members of the Church. Some persons in his own time, who were enemies to the Prince, tried to make out that he was nothing better than a fierce cruel tyrant, and called him, in mockery, Prince Robber instead of Prince Rupert. Unfortunately, many people of the present day have adopted this opinion, without taking much pains to ascertain the truth of it, and will hardly consent to believe anything creditable of this good prince, who served his King so faithfully. |