Читать книгу Cherry & Violet: A Tale of the Great Plague онлайн

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Soon there was open War between King and Parliament, which went on increasing till the whole Country was filled with Bloodshed and Confusion, and only ended in a total Change of Government. We were now in a State of Fortification; for the Lords and Commons had directed that the whole City should be put in a State of Defence, and that the Lord Mayor and Citizens should trench, stop, and fortify all Highways leading thereunto. Wherefore, all Entrances into London except five, were stoned and bricked up altogether; and those five were made as strong as could be, with Breast-works and Turn-pikes, Musket-proof. And all Sheds and Out-buildings outside London Wall, that were near enough to be advantageous to an Enemy, were taken down; and this gave a great deal of Work to do that behoved to be done quickly; wherefore even Women and Children helped the Men in carrying Earth, Stones, &c., for, by this Time, there was in the City a pretty general Disaffection towards the King; and those that wished him well and could not get to him, found it best to hold their Peace.