Remonstrance,

Remonstrance, THE, a detailed statement of all the king's illegal and oppressive acts, and a vindication of the rights of parliament, laid before the House of Commons by Pym, and carried by 159 votes to 148, after a stormy debate lasting from noon till after midnight, November 22 and 23, 1641. On the question as to its being printed the debate began anew with such extraordinary exasperation that an actual conflict on the floor of the House was saved only by the calmness and tact of Hampden. On a division a majority of 23 left the publication free and restrained the printing only until further order. The adoption of the Remonstrance was felt on both sides to be a crisis in the struggle between Charles I. and the parliament. It kindled afresh the enthusiasm of the country, and hurried the king into more violent and fatal measures. 'The turning-point of freedom or despotism,' says Forster, 'for two more centuries in England was probably passed that night.'