FIVE MEMBERS, THE. After the presenta tion of the Grand Remonstrance (q.v.), Charles 1. resolved to take vengeance on the leaders of the Parliamentary opposition. The bold cour-e subsequently taken by them, notably the im peachment of the bishops and the supposed inten tion to impeach the Queen, fixed him in this un lucky resolve. Un January 3, 1642, he sent his Attorney•General, Sir Edward Herbert, be fore the Lords to in:pew-II Lord KimboIton, and five members of the Commons—Hampden, l'vni, Bolles, Strode, and Sir Arthur Haselrig. This proeedurc was unprecedented. The Lords ap pointed a committee to inquire whether it was according to law, and the COMIIIMIS appealed to the city of London to have the trained bands in readiness. The sergeant-at-arms failed to secure the arrest of the accused members, and the inn patient King himself undertook to take them by force. On January 4th, Charles, urged on by his Queen, appeared with au armed retinue in the Douse of Commons, and desired the Speaker to point out the culprits; but the impeached mem bers had taken refuge in the city, whither they were soon followed by other mentls•rs, who sat as a eouunittee in the Guildhall. For the articles of
impeachment presented to the Lords, consult: Gardiner, Constitutional Documents (2d ed., Ox ford, 1899) ; and for discussion, id., History of England (New York, 1893-95), and Forster, Ar rest of the Five Members (London, 1860). • FIVE-MILE ACT. An act passed by the Eng lish Parliament in 1665. It forbade noncon formist ministers who refused to take the non resistance oath to come within five miles of any corporation where they had preached since the Aet of Oblivion (unless they were traveling), under a penalty of £40. The act was not repealed till 1689.