His words had weight with the Virginians.
Yet long and seriously they debated. Some would have held out,
but others saw only misery and destruction in such a course. So at
length they surrendered to the might of Cromwell.
The conditions were not severe. They had to submit, and take the
oath of allegiance to the British Parliament. Those who refused
were given a year's time in which to leave the colony. And as for
their love of the King? Why, they might pray for him, and drink
his health in private, and no man would hinder them. Only in public
such things would not be tolerated.
In bitterness of heart the Cavalier Governor gave up his post, sold
his house in Jamestown, and went away to live in his great country
house at Green Spring. Here amid his apple-trees and orchards he
lived in a sort of rural state, riding forth in his great coach,
and welcoming with open arms the Cavaliers who came to him for aid
and comfort in those evil times.
These Cavaliers were men and women of good family. They came from
the great houses of England, and in their new homes they continued to
lead much the same life as they had done at home. So in Virginia.
there grew up a Cavalier society, a society of men and women
accustomed to command, accustomed to be waited upon; who drove
about in gilded coaches, and dressed in silks and velvets.
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