THE Connexion BEING CHOICE COLLECTIONS OF SOME PRINCIPAL MATTERS IN King JAMES his Reign Which may serve to supply the Vacancy betwixt Mr. Townsend's and Mr. Rushworth's Historical Collections LONDON Printed for W. Crook at the Green Dragon without Temple Bar 1681. AN ADVERTISEMENT OF THE Collector WHo ever you are or of what Quality you be that this Connexion comes to the â—ands of there is no need of an Auâ—hor's begging your Favour for without an Apology if the seriâ—us and deliberate Results of a Wise King by his Parliament and by his Privy Council with the Learnâ—d Discourses of some Great men in that time such as the Duke of Bucking ham Sir Francis Bacon c. without Reflections Annotations Observations c. will not please am sorry for it yet I will give thâ— reason of the Publication of this viz. There being an Historical Collection of the last Parliaments oâ— Qu. Elizabeth by Mr. Heywooâ— Townsend which Ends before thâ— beginning of King James his Reignâ— and Mr. John Rushworth beginâ— his Historical Collections so late iâ— the said King's Reign that therâ— is nigh twenty years space betwixâ— them of which time nothing of History is in Print in this Method And although Wilson and Saunderson have both wrote that Great King's Life yet neither of them have reported Matter of Fact in this manner You have these Collections as â—hey came to my hands from several â—areful Collectors of Choice Things And truly I was in hopes I should â—ave got more relating to that time â—ut I found these so difficult that I â—ave over the farther search and â—ielded to the desire of some that â—ad seen them to let them go as â—hey are THE CONTENTS AN. 1. Jac. Reg. A Proclamation bâ— King James to Repress all Pyrâ—cies and Depredations upon the Seâ— wherein Rules and Articles are set foâ— the prevention of Sea Rovers and Pyrates An. 2. Jac. A Proclamation of the Revocation of Mariners from Foreign Services and to prevent them turning oâ— Pyrates and to hinder Acts of Hostility to be committed on the Coasts of England An. 3. Jac. An Act of Parliament for the granting of three intire Subsidies and six Fifteenths and Tenths granted by the Temporality to his Majesty with the Reasons why granted shewing the great Advantage his Majesty hath been to the Kingdom â—ac The Declaration of the Opinions of the Non-conformists as it was delivered to King James in the third year of his Reign â—ac A Proclamation by King James with Rules to prevent Pyracies â— 7. Jac. A Proclamation of King James touching Fishing â— 8. Jac. The Case of Sir John Kenneâ—da and his Lady shewing the Contract â—in Marriage â—ac Vpon the Case of Sir John Kenâ—eda whether an English Jurisdiction may disannul a Marriage made in Scotland â—ac Certain Points of Law and Reaâ—on whereby it may plainly appear that â—he Question between the Lady Kenneda and Sir John concerning the Validity of their Marriage may and ought by ordinary course of Law be heard and determined before the Ecclesiastical Judges in England who have Jurisdictions in the Places where they do both dwell Whereupon the Civilians have grounded their Opinions given in this Case to that Effect 9 Jac. The Commission and Warrant foâ— the Condemnation and burning of Baâ—tholomew Legat who was burnt iâ— Smithfield in London for Hereticâ— Opinions 9 Jac. The Commission and the Warranâ— for the Condemnation and burning oâ— Edward Wightman of Lichfield witâ— an Account of his Heretical Opinions 14 Jac. An Order of the King 's Privâ— Council sent to the Peers of the Realm for the Tryal of the Earl and Countesâ— of Somerset for the poysoning of Siâ— Thomas Overbury 14. Jac. Sir Francis Bacon's Speech aâ— the Arraignment of the Earl of Somerset 14 Jac. King James his Pardon to Frances Countess of Somerset for poysoning Sir Thomas Overbury 19 Jac. An Order of the Privy Council 22 Jac. His Grace the Duke of Buckingham's Answer to the Scandals of the Marquess of Inoiosa the Spanish Ambassador wherein his Abusive Reflections are wip'd off CHOICE COLLECTIONS IN King JAMES His Reign Anno Dom. 1603. in An. Reg. Jac. 1. A Proclamation by King James to repress all Pyracies and Depredations upon the Sea wherein Rules and Articles are set for the prevention of Sea Rovers and Pyrates THE Kings Majesty being certainly informed through the manifold and daily complaints made to his Highness as well by his own Subjects as others of the continual Depredations and Pyracies committed on the Seas by certain lewd and ill disposed persons and finding that the ordinary proceeding held of late times for the suppressing of these enormities and offences have wrought less Reformation than was expected In his Princely care to preserve Justice as one of the main Pillars of his Estate and for the speedier suppression of all such Pyracies and depredacious Crimes most hateful to his mind and scandalous to his peaceable Government and for the better continuance of Amity with all other Princes and States hath with the advice of his Privy Council for the speedy prevention or severe punishment hereafter of such foul crimes and pyracies set down certain Articles hereunto annexed which his Highness commanded all his Officers whom it may concern of what degree soever to see duely executed wherein if any manner of person shall be found culpable or wilfully negligent contemptuous or disobedient his Majesty declareth hereby that punishment shall be inflicted upon him or them with such severity as the Example thereof shall terrifie all others from committing any so odious crimes or contemptuous Offences First That no Man of War be furnished or set out to Sea by any of his Majesties Subjects under pain of death and confiscation of Lands and Goods not only to the Captains and Mariners but also to the Owners and Victuallers if the Company of the said Ship shall commit any pyracy depredation or murther at the Sea upon any of his Majesties Friends Item That if any person whatsoever shall upon the Seas take any Ship that doth belong to any of his Majesties Friends and Allies or to any of their Subjects or shall take out of it by force any goods of what nature or quality so ever he or they so offending shall suffer death with Confiscation of Lands and Goods according to the Law in that Case provided Item That all Admiral Causes except the Causes now depending before the Commissioners for Causes of depradations shall be summarily heard by the Judge of the High Court of the Admiralty without admitting any unnecessary delay Item that no appeal from him be admitted to the Defendent or Defendents in causes of Depredation either against the offenders or their Accessaries before or after the offence committed or those in whose possession the Goods spoiled are found unless first by way of provision the sum adjudged be paid to the Plaintiff upon Sureties to repay it if the Sentence shall be reversed Item that no prohibition in such
Neither can the Justice of Scotland be thought to be Impeached thereby though upon sufficient proof made before the Judges here in England which was not made before the Judges in Scotland he giveth a Sentence which may seem repugnant to the Sentence given in Scotland Anno Dom. 1610. An. Jac. Reg. 8. Certain Points in Law and Reason whereby it may plainly appear that the Question between the Lady Kenneda and Sir John Kenneda concerning the validity of their Marriage may and ought by ordinary Court of Law be heard and determined before the Ecclesiastical Judges in England who have Jurisdiction in the places where they both dwell whereupon the Civilians have grounded their opinions given in this Case to that effect FIrst by Law and Reason there can fall out no Question or controversie between any Persons inhabiting in any Civil Common-wealth or State but the same must be decided by some Competent Judge or Judges who ought to have Authority to hear and determine the same or else there must needs ensue confusion and horror Secondly when any controversies happen between any Persons proceeding of any Contract whatsover and that require a Determination or ending by Judgment wheresoever the Contract was made Those Judges are by Law the Competent Judges to hear and determine that controversie who have Jurisdiction and Power in the place where both the parties or party defendent dwelleth to hear and determine Causes of that Nature Thirdly If there fall out any controversie between any two Persons the Defendent cannot be compelled to appear to answer the Plantiff but before the Judge of the place where the Defendent dwelleth and especially if the Plaintiff himself dwelleth under the same Jurisdiction Fourthly In all causes where there may ensue Peril of Soul and continuance of sin the Judge of the place ought of his Office to enquire thereof and redress the same though no man complain thereof Whereupon it followeth that the Ecclesiastical Judges here in England who have Authority to hear Causes of Matrimony are the competent udges and have poâ—er to hear and determine this matter of the lawfullness or unlawfullness of the Ladies Marriage and the rather for that the Ladies Marriage which is the Principal matter in Question was made and solemnized here in England If it be objected That because that Point whereupon the validity or invaliâ—ity of the Lady Kenneda's Marriage â—ependeth viz the Marriage between Sir â—ohn and Isabel Kenneda is already adâ—udged by a definitive Sentence long â—ince from which there hath been no Appeal or provocation and therefore it must barr the Lady We answer alâ—hough in causes of other Nature where no danger of sin might ensue though the sentence were against the Truth if a sentence be once lawfully given and not Appealed from in due time the matter cannot be called in question again Yet where a sentence is given to dissolve or annul a lawful Matrimony that sentence may at any time though never so long after be called in question and reversed whensoever it may be made to appear that the truth is contrary to that sentence and that may be done even by the party himself who obtained that sentence and therefore not only Sir John Kenneda but Isabel her self might have reversed that sentence proving the same was given by error Much less shall the Lady who was not Party to that suite be thereby debarred from proving the Nullity of her Marriage being a distinct cause from that And the reason of the difference between a sentence against a Matrimony and a sentence in another Cause is because in other causes where no fear is of sin or peril of soul to ensue the Parties may may by their agreement make what end of the business they list by Composition or other ways and therefore if they do not appeal from the sentence given against them they are thought by the consent to confirm the same but because a Marriage by Gods Law cannot be disolved by the agreement or consent of the Parties no sentence threin given against a Marriage contrary to the truth by error can by the Parties agreement be confirmed lest if it should be otherwise thereby they might by colour of the erroneous sentence marry other persons and live in Adultery Nay more if the Parties themselves thus erroneouâ—ly divorced contrary to the truth would hold themselves contented with the sentence If either of them marry any other person or they both live incontinently with other persons the Judge of that place where they inhabit may and ought of his own Office to inforce the Parties so by errour divorced to live together again as man and wife and seperate them from their second Spouses If it be objected that the sentence was given in another Country where the Judges of England have no jurisdiction and in an high Court from whence there lyeth no Appeal and that the Judges of England have no superiority to call their sentences in question and that herefore the Lady cannot call that divorce in question here We answer that the Principal cause in this case of the Ladies is not to reverse or call in question the sentence given in Scotland but the principal cause here is whether her Marriage made in England with Sir John be of validity or no for that as we say Sir John had another Wife living viz. Isabel Kenneda at the time of her Marriage without any mention to be made by the Lady of any sentence of divorce given in Scotland this Question of Divorce is brought in but incidently by Sir John in this Cause and also vainly and impertinently if it can be proved that the truth is contrary to that sentence For that sentence is in Law meerly void and cannot barr the Lady for the reasons before alledged and for that Ecclesia was decepta in giving of that sentence now when a sentence which is void in Law and especially against a Marriage is called in question but incidently before any Judge whatsoever though an inferior in a cause that doth principally belong to his jurisdiction That Judge may take knowledge of and incidently examine the validity of that sentence whether it were good or no by whom and wheresoever that sentence was given tho he were never so superior a Judge not to the end to reverse or expresly pronounce that sentence to be void or not void but as he findeth it by examination of the Cause to be good or void so to give sentence accordingly and determine the cause Principally depending before him without ever mentioning the erroneous sentence in his sentence Neither can the sentence given here for the Nullity of the Ladies Marriage upon other matter than was pleaded and proved before the Judges in Scotland although the same sentence had been principally called in question and directly pronounced to be void any wayes impeal the Justice of Scotland for sith Judges in all Courts and causes must Judge according to that which is alleadged and proved before them
what impeachment is it to the Justice of any Judge although his sentence be revoked and and a contrary sentence given by another Judge when the parties between whome the suite is either cannot or through negligence or collusion will not alleadge or make such proof before him the first Judge as they might but afterwards before the second Judge good and sufficient proof is made a matter which falleth out every day here in England in every Civil and Ecclesiastical Court upon Appeal made from one Court to another and the like falleth out in all other Countries and yet the former Judge whose sentence is reversed thinketh not himself any whit impeached of injustice thereby That the absurdities which would ensue may by example more plainly appear if the Law should not be as we say Put this Case a Widdower in the Confines of England towards Scotland marrieth a Wife in a Parish Church publickly in the presence of a hundred Witnesses and afterwards they live together by the space of a year and have a Child at the years end upon some discontentment they both being disirous to be ridd the one of the other the woman in England sueth her Husband to be divorced from him pretending that at such time as he married her he had another wife living and produceth witnesses which prove that he had married another wife before he married her and peradventure make some probable shew that that wife was living when he married his second wife who in truth was dead before as the man could have plainly proved by twenty witnesses if he had listed Notwithstanding the husband being willing to be ridd of his wife either would not plead that his former wife was dead or else would not make any proof thereof Whereupon the woman obtaineth sentence against the man whereby the Marriage between them two by this Collusion and errour is pronounced void from which sentence there was no Appeal or provocation Now within a Month after this Divorce this man goeth into the Confines of Scotland not Ten Miles from the place where he and his divorced wife formerly dwelt and there he marrieth another woman being ignorant of the former wife and Collusory Divorce and there Cohabiteth and dwelleth with her This woman shortly after understanding of the premises and that she could not be his lawful wife but lived in Adultery with him desireth before the Judge in Scotland under whose Jurisdiction they both dwell to be devorced from him and to be delivered from her Adulterous living with him and offereth to prove all the Premises most manifestly were it not now a most absurd and abominable thing that this woman should have no remedy any where but be inforced to live still in Adultery with this man because the sentence of divorce was given by a Judge in England pronouncing the marriage between the man and his second wife to be void whereas it can be most manifestly and apparently proved that the first wife was dead before his second Marriage and so the sentence was given against the apparent Truth And what impeachment of Justice can this be to the Judge in England before whom it was never proved that the mans first wife was dead to have his sentence reversed upon new proofs made before the Judge in Scotland Now between the Ladies Case and this Case there is no difference in truth of matter and point of Law only by reason of the multitude of the witnesses the nearness of the time and place when and where these things in this Case were done the truth whereof may more easily and readily be proved than in the Ladies Cause it can though with more difficulty the cases are all one If any man shall yet doubt whether this cause can be heard and determined by the Ecclesiastical Courts in England it is desired that Sir John's Councel considering the Marriage was made here in England and the Lady and Sir John do both dwell here and by Law Sir John is not compellable to appear in any other place than in England for this matter I would tell before what Judge this matter should be heard and determined for it is to be presumed that when two persons live in Adultery together and so in continual sin and the one of them seeketh redâ—ess and to be freed from that sinful and Adulterous Life no man will say that he or she shall be compelled to live notoriously in Adultery still and have no Judge at all to separate them and remedy this enormity If further doubts be made how where or in what manner proof shall be made in this Cause It is said that this Question doth not concern the Question what Court or or before what Judges the Cause shall be heard and determined But to this it is answered That the Proofs shall be made in such manner as they be ordinarily in all other Cases that is by the answers of the contrary part upon Oath by such witnesses as they can procure voluntarily to come before the Judges here from whence or out of what Country soever they can procure them If they will not come voluntarily then if they be within the Jurisdiction of the Judge and the Party producent think so good he shall have process to compel them to come before the Judge if they dwell so far off as that it will be too chargeable to bring thâ—m before the Judge then a Commission shall be granted to some Commnsioners to examine them near the places where they dwell and this if they dwell within the Judges Jurisdiction but if the witness dwell out of the Juâ—ges Jurisdiction in any other place Realm or Country then the Judge of the Cause may direct requisitory to the Judges of the places or Countries where the witness dwells to intreat them to examine the witness remaining there by their Authority and to send them depositions to the Judge of the Cause Also by the Records of other Courts or any other Instruments or Writings which may any way further the Cause these being the ordinary and usual courses used for makeing of Proof in every Cause every day and will not be denyed by any acquainted with the proceedings in any Ecclesiastical or Civil Courts Anno Dom. 1611. An. Reg. Jac. 9. The Commission and Warrant for the Condemnation and burning of Bartholomew Legatt who was burnt in Smith-feild in London 1611. for Heretical Opinions JAmes by the Grace of God King of England Scotland France and â—reland defender c. To our right Trusty and well beloved Councellor Thomas Lord Elsmere our Chancellor of England Greeting Where the Reverend Father in God John Bishop of London haveing judicially proceeded in a Cause of Heresy against Bartholomew Legatt of the City of London in the Diocess of the Bishop of London concerning divers wâ—cked Erours Heresies and Blasphemous Opinions holden affirmed and published by the said Bartholomew Legatt and châ—ifly in these thirteen Blasphemous Posâ—â—ons following viz. That the Creed called the
overt and apparent Acts that may discover and trace the Offenders but by Poyson the Cup it self of Princes will scarce serve in regard of many Poysons that neither discolour nor distate It comes upon a man when he is careless and without suspicion and every day a man is within the Gates of Death And the last is because it concerneth not only the destruction the Maliced men but of every Man quis modo tutus erit For many times the Poyson is prepared for one and is taken by another so that Men die other Men's Deaths Concidit infoelix alieno vulnere And it is as the Psalmist calleth it Sagitta nocte volans the Arrow that flieth by Night that hath no Aim nor Certainty And therefore if any man shall say to himself Here is great talk of Imposoynment but I am sure I am safe For I have no Enemies neither have I any thing another man should long for Why that is all one he may sit next him at the Table that is meant to be Impoysoned and pledge him of his Cup As we may see in the Example of 21 Hen. 8. That where the purpose was to Poyson one man there was Poyson put into Barm or Yeast and with that Barm Pottage or Grewel was made whereby Sixteen of the Bishop of Rochester's Servants were poysoned Nay it went into the Alms-basket likewise and the Poor at the Gate were poysoned and therefore with great Judgment did the Statute made that Year touching this Accident make Impoysonment High Treason because it tends to the Dissolving of Humane Society For whatsoever Offence doth so is in the Nature thereof High Treason Now For the Third Degree of this particular Offence which is that it is Committed upon the King's Prisoner who was out of his own Defence and meerly in the King's Proâ—ection and for whom the King and State were a kind of Respondent It is a thing that aggravates the Fault much For certainly My Lord of Somerset let me tell you this That Sir Thomas Overbury is the first Man that was Murdered in the Tower of London save the Murder of the two young Princes by the Appointment of Richard the Third Thus much of the Offence now to the Proofs For the matter of Proofs you may consider that Impoysonment of all Offences is most secret even so secret that if in all Cases of Impoysonment you should require Testimony you should as good proclaim Impunity Who could have impeached Liviâ— by Testimony for the poysoning of the Figgs upon the Tree which her Husband was wont to gather with his own Hands Who could have impeached Parasetis for the poysoning of the one side of the Knife she carried with her and keeping the other side clean so that her self did eat of the same Piece of Meat that they did whom she did impoyson These Cases are infinite and need not to be spoken of the Secrecy of Impoysonment but wise men must take upon them in these Secret Cases Solomon's Spirit that when there could be no Witnesses collected the Act by the Affection but yet we are not at our Cause for that which your Lordships are to try is not the Act of Impoysonment for that is done to your Hands All the World by Law is concluded to say that Overbury was poysoned by Weston but the question before you is of the Procurement only and as the Law termeth it as accessary before the Fact which abetting is no more but to do or use any Act or Means which may aid or conduce to the Impoysonment So that it is not the buying nor the making of the Poyson nor the preparing nor confecting nor commixing of it or the giving or sending or laying of the Poyson that did the only Acts that do amount unto the Abettment but if there be any other Act or Means done or used to give opportunity of Impoysonment or to facilitate the Execution of it or to stop or divert any Impediments that might hinder it and that it be with an intention to accomplish and atchieve the Impoysonment All these are Abettments and Accessaries before the Fact As for Example if there be a Conspiracy to murder a man as he journeyeth on the way by Invitation or by colour of some Business and another taketh upon him to dissuade some Friends of his Company that he is not strong enough to make his Defence and another hath a part to hold him in talk till the first Blow be given All these My Lords without Scruple are Accessaries to the Murder although none of them give the Blow nor assist to give the Blow My Lords He is not the Hunter alone that lets slip the Dog upon the Deer but he that lodgeth him and hunts him out or sets a Train or Trap for him that he cannot escape or the like but this My Lords little needeth in this Case For such a Chain of Acts of Impoysonment as this I think was never heard or seen And thus much of the Nature of the Proofs To descend to the Proofs themselves I shall keep this Course First I will make a Narration of the Fact it self Secondly I will break and distribute the Proofs as they concern the Prisoner and Thirdly According to the Distribution I will produce them and read them to use them so that there is nothing that I shall say but your Lordships shall have Three Thoughts or Cogitations to answer it First When I open it you may take your Aim Secondly When I distribute it you may prepare your Answers without Confusion and Lastly When I produce the Witnesses or the Examinations themselves you may again ruminate and read vise to make your Defence And this I do because your Memory and Understanding may not be oppressed or over-laden with length of Evidence or with Confusion of Order Nay more when your Lordships shall make your Answer in your time I will put you in mind where Cause shall be of your omission First Therefore Sir Thomas Overbury for a time was known to have great Interest and strait friendship with my Lord of Somerset both in his meaner Fortunes and after insomuch that he was a kind of Oracle of Direction unto him and if you will believe his own Vaunt being indeed of an Insolent and Thrasonical Disposition he took upon him that the Fortunes Reputation and Understanding of this Gentleman who is well known to have an able Teacher proceeded from his Company and Counsel and this Friendship rested not only in Conversation and Business at Court but likewise in Communication of Secrets of State For my Lord of Somerset exercising at that time by his Majesties special Favour and Trust the Office of Secretary did not forbear to acquaint Overbury with the King's Pacquets and Dispatches from all parts of Spain France and the Low Countries and this not by glimpses or now and then rounding in the Ear for a Favour but in a settled manner Pacquets were sent sometimes opened by my Lord sometimes unbroken
Advertisement the Lady received from time to time from the Lieutenant or Weston touching Overbury's State of Body and Health were ever sent nigh to the Court though it were in Progress and that from my Lady such a Thirst and Listening he had to hear that he was dispatched Lastly That there was a continual Negotiation to set Overbury's Head on Work that he should make some to clear the Honour of the Lady and that he should be a good Instrument towards her and her Friends all which was but Entertainment For your Lordships shall see divers of my Lord of Northampton's Letters whose Hand was deep in this Business written I must say in dark words and Clauses that there was one thing pretended and another thing intended that there was a real Charge and somewhat not real a main Drift and Dissimulatien Nay further there be some Passages which the Peers in their Wisdoms will discern to point directly at the Poysonment King James his Pardon to Frances Countess of Somerset for Poysoning of Sir Thomas Overbury James Rex THe King to whom c. Greeting Whereas the Fountains â—s well of Mercy as Justice are wont â—nd ought to flow from the King's Throne of which the former of Juâ—tice in the memorable Case of the Death and Murther of Sir Thomas Oâ—erbury in a constant and right Course â—ath flowed and is derived from us â—nd our Royal Court for the full Saâ—isfaction of our selves and Subjects And whereas divers and manifold Causes of our Clemency occur which â—ay move our Regal Mercy towards Fr. Carre late Countess of Somerset â—hiefly that Murther with so many â—nd such examples of Justice before this â—ime expiated especially two whereof the first respecteth her Father and Friends and Family and Noble Progeny the other hath respect to her self because she freely and willinglâ— confessed her Offence submitting anâ— prostrating her self at the Altar of ouâ— Mercy not only during the time â—â— her Imprisonment but also publicklâ— and in her Trial And forasmuch aâ— Lord Ellesmere our Chancellor â—â— England and being our High Steward of England in that behalf and aâ—â— her Peers by whose Judgment shâ— was Convict at the Humble Petitioâ— of the said Frances publickly made solemnly bound themselves by theiâ— promise to intercede for our Royaâ— Mercy towards her and first weighâ—ing with our selves the Nature of he Offence upon which she was Indicted Arraigned Convicted and Condemned viz. that the Process and Judgment were not as of a Principal but as of an Accessary before the Fact and that she seemed to have begun by the Procurement and wicked Instigation of certain base Persons Know ye that We moved with Pity oâ— our special Grace and of our certain Knowledge and our meer Motion Pardoned Remitted and Remised and by these Presents for us our Heirs and Successors do Pardon Remise and Release to the aforesaid Frances Carre late Countess of Somerset or by whatsoever other Name or Sir-name or Addition of Name or of her Sirname of Dignity Place or Places the same Frances may be known esteemed called or named or lately was known esteemed called or Named the Slaughter Killing Poysoning Bewitching Death Felony and Felonious Murthering of the aforesaid Sir Thomas Oâ—erbury or by whatsoever Name Sir-name or Addition of Name or Sir-name of Place or Places the said Sir Thomas Overbury may be known esteemed called or named or lately was known esteemed called or named by the said Frances by her self alone or with any other Person or Persons whatsoever howsoever in what manner soever whensoever or wheresoever done committed or perpetrated all and all manner of Conspiracies Felonies Abettments Procurements Incitations Partnerships Maintainances Helps Hirings Commands Councils Crimes Transgressions Wrongs Offences and Faults whatsoever the aforesaid Death Slaughter Killing Poysoning Bewitching Felony and Felonious Murthering of the aforesaid Sir Thomas Overbury in any wise touching or concerning and the Accessary of them as before the Fact as after the Fact and Flight and Flights made thereupon although the said Frances of the Premisses or any of the Premisses stand or not stand Indicted Impeached Appellat Vocat Rectat Maneat Convicted Condemned Attainted or Adjudged by the Judgment of her Peers before the aforesaid High Steward of England or otherwise howsoever or thence in time to come shall appear to be Indicted Impeached Appellari Rectari Vocari Waviari Convicted Condemned Attainted or Adjudged and all and singular Indictments Judgments Condemnations Executions Pains of Death Pains of Corporal Punishments and all other Pains and Penalties whatsoever of for or concerning the Death Slaughter Killing Poysoning Bewitching Felonies and Felonious Murthering of the aforesaid Sir Thomas Overbury in upon or against the same Frances had made returned or adjudged or which we against the same Frances may have in time to come Imprisonment at our Royal Pleasure or Restraint confining to a certain place only excepted Moreover we do pardon and by these presents for us our Heirs and Successors remit and remise to the aforesaid Frances all and every Outdowries which against the same Frances by reason or occasion of the Premisses or any of them have been proclaimed or hereafter shall be proclaimed and all and all manner of Suits Complaints Impeachments and Demands whatsoever which we against the same Frances for the Premisses or any of the Premisses have had have or in time to come shall have and the suit of our Peace which appertained to us against the same Frances or may appertain by reason of the Premisses or any of them and by these Presents we do give and grant our firm peace to the same Frances willing that the same Frances by the Justices Sheriffs Escheators Bayliffs or any other our Ministers by the occasions aforesaid or any of them be not molested troubled or in any manner vexed so as nevertheless she stand right in our Court if any towards her should speak concerning the Premisses or any of the Premisses although the said Frances do not find good and sufficient Security according to the Form of a certain Act of Parliament of the Sovereign Lord Edward the Third Late King of England our Progenitor held at Westminster in the Tenth Year of his Reign for her Good Behaviour from henceforth towards us our Heirs and Successors and all our People And farther for us our Heirs and Successors of our more ample special Grace and out of our certain Knowledge and our meer motion we will and grant by these presents that these our Letters Patent of Pardon and all and singular the things contained in the same â—hall stand and be good firm valid sufficient and effectual in the Law and from henceforth shal by no means beâ—ome void and that in time to come â—he said Frances by any means shall not be Indicted Arrested Accused â—exed or troubled of for or concernâ—ng the Death Murther Slaughter Poysoning Bewitching Felony or â—elonious Killing of the aforesaid Sir Thomas Overbury howsoever or by whatsoever means the said
they assail me in my Strength and shall find my Deeds as ready and confident Justifications as my Words But it is not my Faith or Aspiring they here would bring in doubt they have a further Strain For as before they made my Name a Fume to disquiet the Head now they make it a Poyson to carry Infection into the Body For What is the Parliament but the Body of the Kingdom And why do they stain it with the hateful Name of Puritan but to make it odious to the King Indeed such Names help the Jesuits in Disputes of Religion when they are driven from all real Defences and would they practice this deploâ—able Art in the Matters of State if they were not in his Case that called Christ Galilean when he was vanquished by his Power For who knoweth not the Upper House of Parliament consisteth of all the Preâ—ates and Peers and the Nether House of near 500 Knights and Burgesses Elected and sent out of all Parts of â—he Kingdom And are all these Puâ—itans Do my Plots receive better Enâ—ertainment amongst them than with â—he Council of State And doth this reâ—roachful Comparison honour or disâ—onour those Able and Wise Men who are here presented to be well â—ffected to their Cause but their end â—as no Man's Honour It was to break â—he Parliament by setting Faction aâ—ongst the Members of both Houâ—es as well as with the Head and their â—and is most evident in misrepresenting the Case For where they say that almost every one of the Council both liked and allowed of the Propositions of the Catholick King and found therein no Cause to dissolve the Treaty They conceal that the Proposition was then made for the Palatinate alone supposing the Treaty of the Marriage should proceed And in that Case it mighâ— seem reasonable to very Wise Menâ— that the other Treaty should not bâ— broken off But in Parliament where both Parties come in Question together not one of those Able and Wise Men for they were all Memberâ— of the one House or the other dissented from the Council of dissolving them both The Altars of Provocation may then be objected to Worshippers of Saints or to them that appeal to their Idol at Rome and noâ— to Us who acknowledge no Sovereign upon Earth but our King to whom both Council of State and Parliament yield Odedience in all things How then may it be said thaâ— the Parliament is now above the King Or how can they hope that such shameless and impious Suggestions can make a prudent and good King jealous and doubtful of a most obsequious and dutiful People Especially at this time when it may truly be said That the Spirit of Wisdom in the Heart of the King hath wrought the Spirit of Unity in the Hearts of his Subjects which made the Success more happy than former Parliaments have had And this indeed is the matter which the Devil and they storm at For who can doubt that they and their Faction cannot endure without much trouble of Mind as they confess to see the weightiest Affairs and of greatest Moment to be now referred to the Censure of the Parliament when their fair Promises and Pretences can no longer prevail Yet let them tell us what greater and more Honourable Senate they have seen in Spain or elsewhere Besides Do not the very Writs for the Summons of Parliament express That is for the great and weighty Affairs of the Kingdom And have not our greatest and wisest Kings heretofore referred Treaties of Leagues of Marriages of Peace and War and of Religion it self to the Consultations of their Parliaments Those then that take upon them to undervalue this High Court do but expose their own Judgments to Censure and Contempt not knowing that Parliaments as they are the Honour and Support so they are the Hand-maids and Creatures of our Kings inspired formed and governed by their Power And if Charles the Fifth oâ— France by his Parliament of Paris recovered a great part of that Kingdom from this Crown and if Succeeding Kings there by the Assistance of that Court redeemed the Church from the Tyranny of the Pope We have no cause to doubt that our King by the Faithful Advice Assistance and Service of his Parliament shall be able both to recover the Palatinate which they here make so difficult and to protect our Neighbours and Allies and either to settle such a Peace as we really desire or to execute such Vengeance as God's Justice and their Sins shall for their Ambition assuredly draw upon them But they proceed and tell the King that it is said I have propounded many things to the Parliament in his Name without his Advice or Consent nay contrary to his Will And is not this to abuse the Ears and patience of a Prince to tell him many things are said and yet neither specifie the Matters nor the Men Or is not this to dally with my Name by Hear-says when with a harsh and incoherent Transition they suddenly fall upon â—he Prince who is the next true Mark their Malice shooteth at And when Malice it self cannot but acknowledge his Ingenuity and great Gifts and that in all things he shewâ—th himself an obedient and good â—on yet these Attributes they will â—eeds qualifie with a Nevertheless which cannot charge me as with a â—ault that I am confident in his Favour Or that I therefore despise all men to which Vice of all other my Nature is least inclin'd but indeed taxeth the Prince at least with participation of my ill Intentions by suffering me to make those persons subject to my Will which are most conformable to His. Whom they mean I know not but pray God that those Men they thus recommend to his Highness's neareâ— Trust prove not more dangerous to his Person than I have hitherto been refractory to his Will But having shot this Bolt they come back again to me as to their Stalking-horse to chuse a new Mark. And first for a preparative to the Prince Attention they wish that my Action were directed to his Good Then tâ— give at least some Varnish to theiâ— Work they tell him that good me believe meaning such as believe theâ— with an implicite Faith that I whâ— have imbroiled the Match with Spain will not be less able to break any other his Highness should affect iâ— which Speech if a Man will dive tâ— the Bottom of their Malice he must descend into Hell But for the Match with Spain can any man believe that his Majesty sent his Son that he went in Person that he both trusted Spain so far and did that Kingdom so much Honour and yielded to such Conditions or that I underwent that Hazard and Charge and pressed their King importuned his Favorite and Council and subjected my self to so many Indignities or that so great a Fleet even into their own Ports with Minds to interrupt or embroil or not rather to remove all Impediments to â—asten the Marriage and to bring â—ome