abuses of the Bishops in every one of them He delivering the Bill made this his request That if the House thought good to receive it that then they might be Suitors unto her Majesty to have it allowed The Bill being delivered by Mr. Morris his hand unto Mr. Speaker Mr. Dalton of Lincolns-Inne stood up and spake with much earnestness against it saying IT is hard for me upon a sudden to answer a long premeditated Speech but as I am able I will say and shew what I think of the Bill exhibited It pretends great things in shew things tending to the hindrance of God's Service to the derogation of her Majesties Prerogative to the overthrowing of our Laws and violating of our Liberties things great in shew but no such things to be found in matter spoke against It is easie to make of a Mole-hill a Mountain in words so by a well compiled Speech to make a great and dangerous thing of nothing nay indeed a thing needless for that the State hitherto hath always stood upon this Government And so shewed how the Ecclesiastical Government was distinct from the Temporal The Reasons he gave were few or none onely his great mislike was that having received straight Commandment from her Majesty not to meddle with things concerning the Church and State of this Realm therefore in his opinion the Bill ought to be suppressed Mr. Speaker IN favour and in free love above my merits and deserts you have elected me to do all my best service and to be faithful to you This Bill delivered to me is long and containeth important matters of great weight and such matters as cannot be expressed in few words It hath many parts and if you put me presently to open it I cannot do it as I should for indeed it is a matter far above my ordinary practice and so I cannot so readily understand it and to deliver a thing before I conceive it I cannot Wherefore if it would please you to give me leave to consider of it I do profess I will be faithful and will keep it with all secrecy Hereupon it was put to the question Whether it should be committed to the Speaker onely or to the Privy Council and him But it was held to be against the Order of the House that a Bill should be committed before it was read Therefore upon a Motion made by Mr. Wroth it was agreed that Mr. Speaker should keep it This afternoon at two of the clock Mr. Speaker was sent for unto Court where the Queens Majesty her self gave him commandment what to deliver unto the House On Wednesday Feb. 28. after Prayers the Bill for Recusants was read This morning Mr. Morris was sent for to Court and from thence he was committed unto Sir John Fortesoue's keeping This Bill against Recusants was opened and read by Mr. Speaker who made fourteen divided parts of the same Mr. Speaker YEsterday a great Member of this House after a Speech used and his Reasons laid forth delivered two Bills unto me which Bills though not being read yet were diversly spoken of They being long and the matters grave and of great importance and the day being almost spent I desired further time to consider of the parts of the Bill I humbly thank this honourable House time was granted me freely it being almost twelve of the clock I have perused and read both of the Bills I have them about me and they have been continually with me ever since they were delivered to me never any man saw them nor ever any mans eye more than my own ever saw one word of them A little after I had perused the Bills I was sent for by a special Messenger from her Majesty Coming in her Royal presence I was commanded to deliver these words from her most excellent Majesty unto the body of the Realm for so she termed this House The matter I have to speak is great yea it is the greatest matter I ever had to deal in wherefore I pray God direct mentem linguam hanc I must be short for her Majesties words were not many and I may perhaps fail in the delivery of them for though my Auditors be great yet who is so impudent that the presence of such a Majesty would not appale him and it did greatly fear me when I did see none of these honourable persons in her presence who were present at the holding of the matter in this House yet so God in his providence had appointed it that even in this while came in some of the persons here present who if I fail in delivering what was given me in charge can report it unto you and I glad am that there are witnesses with me in this action what was my faithful service for the House I protest a greater comfort never befel me than that this my Integrity and faithful Promise to this House is not violated for her Majesty in her most gracious wisdom before my coming determined not to press me in this neither indeed did she require the Bill of me for this onely she required of me What were the things spoken of by the House which points I onely delivered as they that heard me can tell The Message delivered me from her Majesty The Speaker 〈…〉 Message to the Commons consisteth of three things First the end for which the Parliament was called Secondly the Speech which her Majesty used by my Lord Keeper Thirdly what her Pleasure and Commandment now is For the first it is in me and my power I speak now in her Majesties person to call Parliaments and it is in my power to end and determine the same it is in my power to assent or dissent to any thing done in Parliament The calling of this Parliament was onely that the Majesty of God might be more religiously served and those that neglect this service might be compelled by some sharper means to a more due obedience and more true service of God than there hath been hitherto used And further that the safety of her Majesties Person and of this Realm might be by all means provided for against our great Enemies the Pope and the King of Spain Her Majesties most excellent Pleasure being then delivered unto us by the Lord Keeper it was not meant we should meddle with matters of State or in Causes Ecclesiastical for so her Majesty termed them She wondered that any would be of so high commandment to attempt I use her own words a thing contrary to that which she had so expresly forbidden wherefore with this she was highly displeased And because the words then spoken by my Lord Keeper are not now perhaps well remembred or some be now here that were not there her Majesties present Charge and express Commandment is That no Bills touching matters of State or Reformation in Causes Ecclesiastical be exhibited And upon my Allegiance I am commanded if any such Bill be exhibited not to read it On Thursday March 1. after Prayers
by the Lord Keeper in the name and behalf of the House to such Knights and Burgesses as come from the Lower House the said Knights and Burgesses are to receive the same standing towards the lower end of the House and the Lord Keeper is to deliver the same with his head covered and all the Lords are to keep their places And thereupon the Lower House was satisfied and the same form was afterwards kept accordingly On Friday Jan. 20. The Answer in writing that came yesterday from the Lower House to the Objections taken by their Lordships to some points of the Bill intituled An Act for the increase of People for the service and defence of the Realm was by the Order of the House referred and delivered unto the Lords Committees formerly appointed upon that Bill who were required to consider thereof and make their Report of their Opinions concerning the same On Saturday Jan. 21. the Bill for reforming of sundry abuses committed by Souldiers and others in the War read secunda vice On Munday Jan. 23. a Bill for establishing a Joynture to Anne Lady Wentworth read prima vice On Tuesday Jan. 24. the Bill intituled An Act for the relieving of Clothiers concerning the weight of short broad and coloured Clothes to be made in the Counties of Suffolk and Essex returned to the House by the Earl of Shrewsbury first of the Committees who made report that upon hearing of both parties and upon due consideration of the reasons and allegations by them alleadged the Committees thought there could not be any further proceedings in the same whereupon a new Bill was presented bearing this Title viz. An Act touching the making of short broad course coloured Clothes in the Counties of Suffolk and Essex which was read prima vice Debated in the House whether Amendments upon a Bill being brought into the House by Committees may afterwards be contradicted or spoken against by any of the Committees A Doubt propouded and reâ—â—â—â—ed The doubt was left for the present unresolved but afterwards cleared and ruled Affirmatively On Wednesday Jan. 25. an Act that no person robbing of a House in the Day-time although no person be therein shall be admitted to have the benefit of his Clergie secunda vice lect An Act that Lessees may enjoy their Leases against all Patents their Heirs and Assignes notwithstanding any default of payment of their Rents during the time that the Reversion or Inheritance remained in the Crown secunda vice lect and referred to Committees viz. the Lord Arch-bishop of Canterbury Lord Treasurer Lord Marshal and others appointed to meet c. the Lord Chief-Justice the Lord Chief-Baron and Mr. Atturney-General to attend them Sir Moyle Finch to be heard by his Counsel learned openly in the House to morrow-morning concerning this Bill Notice given to the House by the Lord Treasurer that the Committees upon the Bill concerning Tellers Receivers c. had a meeting with a select number of the Lower House to confer upon the Objections and Answers touching that Bill yesterday in the Afternoon according to the order taken Jan. 23. But forasmuch as the said number of the Lower House at the meeting affirmed that they had no authority to undertake the debating of the said Objections and Answers otherwise than to speak as they should see cause as private men and desired that the Answers might be communicated to the Lower House in writing the Lords therefore sent down the said Answers to the Lower House by the hands of Mr. Atturney-General and Dr. Stanhop On Thursday Jan. 26. an Act for enabling Edmond Molineux to sell Lands for the payment of his Debts c. was returned to the House by the Lord Marshal second of the Committees And forasmuch as the same could not be determined by the said Committees by reason of some of the Kindred of the said Edmond Molineux who opposed themselves against the Bill a motion was therefore made that the Cause might be ended by some arbitrary course whereupon the Parties on both sides were called into the House and moved to that purpose unto which they assented and made choice of the Earl of Rutland the Bishop of London and the Lord Montjoy who were appointed to meet that afternoon c. An Act to reform Deceits and breaches of Trust touching Lands given to charitable uses returned to the House by the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury with some amendments and a Proviso thought meet to be added which were twice read and thereupon Commandment given that the said Amendments should be written in Paper and the Proviso ingrossed in Parchment ready for a third reading The Bill intituled An Act for the increase of People for the service and defence of the Realm returned to the House by the Earl of Shrewsbury first of the Committees And because it seemed to all the Committes appointed for this Bill together with the Judges that notwithstanding the Conference with several selected persons of the Lower House that this Bill could not proceed Order was given to the Judges but especially to the Lord Chief-Justice to draw a new Bill whereupon this new Bill following was brought into the House An Act against decaying of Towns and houses of Husbandry prima vice lect Excuse made by the Lord Admiral for the Earl of Hertford's absence for want of health The like by the Lord Chandois for the Lord de la Ware The Lord Marshal signified to the House that the Lord Mordant and the Lord Sheffield had leave of her Majesty for their absence On Friday Jan. 27. the Lord Treasurer took his place this day as Baron of Burleigh between the Lord Buckhurst and the Lord Compton The Lord Admiral his place as Earl of Nottingham between the Earl of Lincoln and the Lord Viscount Byndon The Lord Chamberlain his place as Baron of Hunsdon between the Lord Chandois and the Lord St. John of Bletsoe On Saturday Jan. 28. the Bill for the lawful making of Bays in the Counties of Essex and Suffolk was read tertia vice On Munday Jan. 30. an Act for Retailing-brokers and other Pawn-takers returned to the House by the Lord Arch-bishop of Canterbury first of the Committees and because there was found many defects therein so that they thought the same unfit to be proceeded in they therefore together with the said Bill presented a new Bill intituled as the former which was read prima vice On Tuesday Jan. 31. a Motion from the lower House by Sir John Forscue and others that some new time might be appointed for conference about the Act intituled An Act for reforming sundry abuses committed by Souidiers c. in regard they had appointed some other meeting this Afternoon for the preparing of a Bill of Accomptants in readiness to proceed their Lordships having considered of the Motion made answer by the Lord Keeper that they wished for some good consideration that the appointed time viz. this Afternoon might hold for this Conference supposing that if it please the
made amongst the Lords for the Poor and it was this day moved by the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury that the like Collection might be made at this time it was upon this Motion ordered by the House That there should now be such a Collection made and that the Lord Bishop of Chichester the Lord Bishop of Peterborough the Lord Zouche and the Lord Rich should be Collectors of the same after such Rates as have been usually given and bestowed by the Lords for the said charitable purpose as in former Parliaments and they to take order for the distribution of it On Thursday Decemb. 17. the Bill for the relief of the Poor was read secunda vice It was ordered That Edward Thomas of the Middle-Temple should be presently sent for and brought before the Lords in the House for that contrary to the Priviledge of the House he hath caused one Thomas Gerrard Gent. to be arrested And it was likewise ordered That such persons as made the Arrest or did assist in doing the same shall likewise be sent for by the Serjeant at Arms to answer their doings therein The Bill for the necessary relief of Souldiers and Mariners was read secunda vice Two Bills were brought up to the Lords from the House of Commons of which the first being the Bill for assurance of certain Mannors and Lands for part of a Joynture to Lucy Countess of Bedford was expedited Two other Bills had also each of them one reading of which the second being the Bill for reformation of deceits and frauds in certain Auditors and their Clerks in making deceitful and untrue Particulars was read tertia vice and sent to the House of Commons by Dr. Carewe and Dr. Hone. The Bill was brought back from the House of Commons entituled An An for confirmation of Grants made to the Queens Majesty and of Letters-Patents made by her Highness to others and expedited The Bill for confirmation of the Subsidy granted by the Clergy was returned from the House of Commons and was expedited The Bill concerning the Assize of Fewel was read tertia vice and expedited Dominus Custos Magni Sigilli continuavit praesens Parliament usque ad horam secundam post meridiem instantis diei About which hour the Lord Keeper and divers other Lords assembling five Bills had each of them one reading of which the second being the Bill for strengthening of the Grants made for the maintenance and government of the house of the Poor called St. Bartholomew's Hospital of the foundation of King Hen. 8. was read secunda vice The Bill for recovery of many hundred thousand acres of Marshes and other Grounds subject commonly to surrounding within the Isle of Ely and Counties of Cambridge Huntington c. was read tertia vice and expedited Upon the third reading of this Bill it was moved that certain Additions might be put in the title of the Bill and Amendments in some points in the body thereof and the Lord Chief Justice and Mr. Atturney-General were required to draw the same which was done presently by them and presented to the House Whereupon the said Additions and Amendments were thrice read and then sent to the House of Commons for their consideration of the same by Mr. Atturney and Dr. Hone who returned presently from the House of Commons with their allowance of the said Amendments and Addition in the title of the Counties of Sussex Essex Kent and the County Palatine of Durham Three other Bills had also each of them one reading of which the last being the Bill to make the Lands Tenements and Hereditaments of Edward Lucas Gent. deceased Executor of the last Will and Testament of John Flowerdew Esq deceased liable c. was read secunda vice Conference was desired by the House of Commons with some of their Lordships about the Bill sent to them this day concerning the reformation of deceits and frauds of certain Auditors c. The Conference was yielded unto and appointed to be presently at the outward chamber neer the Parliament-presence On Friday Decemb. 18. four Bills had each of them one reading of which the last being the Bill for her Majesties most gracious general and free Pardon was read prima vice and sent to the House of Commons by Mr. Atturney-General and Dr. Stanhopp Memorandum That whereas a Bill hath been presented to the High Court of Parliament by the Company of the Mystery or Trade of Painters making thereby complaint against the Company of Plaisterers for and concerning certain wrongs pretended to be done to the said Painters by the Company of Plaisterers in using some part of their Trade of Painting contrary to the right of their Charter as is pretended and humbly seeking by the said Bill reformation of the said wrong Order of the House about the dispute between Painters and Plaisterers And whereas the said Bill passed not the Upper House of Parliament for just and good reasons moving the Lords of the Higher House to the contrary yet nevertheless the said Lords of the said Upper House have thought it meet and convenient that some course may be taken for reformation of any such wrong as may be found truly complained of and fit to be remedied and for setting some good agreement and order for the said Painters and Plaisterers so as each sort of them might exercise their Trade conveniently without incroaching one upon the other It is therefore ordered by the said Court of the Upper House of Parliament That the said complaint and cause of the said Painters which proceeded not in Parliament shall be referred to the Lord Mayor of London and the Recorder of London to be heard and examined adjudged and ordered as in Justice and Equity shall be found meet And that at the time or times of hearing of the said Cause the Lord Chief Justice of England the Lord Chief Justice of the Common-Pleas Mr. Justice Gawdy and Mr. Baron Clarke and Mr. Atturney-General or any four three or two of them shall assist and give their help for the making and establishing of some good Order and Agreement between the said two Companies And that the said Parties Complainants and also the Company of Plaisterers shall observe and keep such Order as the said Mayor the Lord Chief Justice of England the Lord Chief Justice of the Common-Pleas Mr. Justice Gawdy Mr. Baron Clarke Mr. Atturney General and Mr. Recorder of London or any six five four or three of them whereof the Lord Mayor the Lord Chief Justice of England or Lord Chief Justice of the Common-Pleas shall be two shall be set down and prescribed Memorandum That whereas William Crayford of Mongham in the County of Kent Gent. was this day brought before the Lords in the Upper House of Parliament to answer an Information made against him That he had procured and suborned his Son William Crayford to lay sundry Executions and Outlawries on William Vaughan Gent. servant to the Earl of Shrewsbury contrary to the Priviledge of the
Historical Collections OR An exact Account of the PROCEEDINGS OF THE Four last Parliaments OF Q. ELIZABETH Of Famous Memory Wherein is contained The COMPLEAT JOURNALS Both of the Lords Commons Taken from the Original RECORDS of their Houses AS ALSO The more particular Behaviours of the Worthy Members during all the last notable Sessions comprehending the Motions Speeches and Arguments of the Renowned and Learned Secretary Cecill Sir Francis Bacon Sir Walter Rawleigh Sir Edw. Hobby and divers other eminent Gentlemen Together with The most considerable Passages of the History of those times Faithfully and Laboriously Collected By Heywood Townshend Esq a Member in those Parliaments The like never Extant before LONDON Printed for T. Basset W. Crooke and W. Cademan at the George in Fleetstreet at the Green Dragon without Temple-bar and at the Popes-head in the New Exchange 1680. THE PREFACE TO The Reader THE whole Reign of our Renowned Queen Elizabeth was such a Series of admirable Events such a Pattern of wise and honest Counsel and steady Conduct such an age of hellish Plots and secret Conspiracies by the Papists on the one hand and such prudent Circumspection Female Courage and Zeal and happy Deliverances on the other that no History can deserve to be more minutely described than the Affairs in her time And though many famous Pens have already travelled therein and given us a fair prospect of her actions the subtile Contrivances and open Force of her Enemies against her sacred Life Government and the true Protestant Religion and the many providences and more than humane success which blessed and crowned her days yet we never had so full an account of her last Parliaments as is comprehended in this Volume especially so curiously as the very last is collected by Mr. Townshend a worthy Member in that Session who hath so faithfully done it that it is thought very fit even after so long an Interval to appear in publick There have been many excellent persons of the greatest abilities and worth who though they had not the ambition to struggle to be chosen into the House and were well acquainted without-doors with all the most important passages within have yet often wished they might have had the liberty of sitting there but a few days onely to observe the behaviour methods and tempers of Men so assembled and be an eye-witness how things are managed and passed there Now in this Relation there is so particular and exquisite an Account that such may even satisfie their curiosity in those very Circumstances For this is not onely the Journal-Book of what is entered upon Record but in the last Session especially there are all the particular Speeches Motions Arguments nay and the very behaviour of every one in that grand Assembly and all so painted to the life that to a considering Reader it is almost the same thing as if he had been present with them all the while Here you will finde that the Grievances they laboured to have redressed were very considerable their Arguments rational and strong though finely adorned which will be easily believed when we know the famous Secretary Cecill Sir Francis Bacon Sir Walter Rawleigh and many other solid States-men were fellow-Members in this illustrious Assembly whose Speeches alone are as I should guess a sufficient Invitation to any one that has but heard of them in our English world to know how they behaved themselves in that House of Commons which that you may do I shall make no further Preamble but conduct you into the Work it self Farewel ADVERTISEMENT ☞ That long-expected Work of Dr. William Howell's now Chancellor of Lincoln entituled The General History of the World in two Volumes in Folio the first reprinted with very large Additions and the second never before printed being a most exact History is finished Printed for T. Basset W. Crooke and W. Cademan An exact and perfect Journal of the Passages in the Vpper House of Parliament 31 Eliz. holden at Westminster Anno xxxj o Reginae Eliz. Annoque Dom. 1588. which began there Feb. 4. and then and there continued until the Dissolution thereof which was on March 29. Anno Dom. 1589. THE Queens Majesty soon after that her wonderful and glorious Victory which God Almighty had given her Navie over that vainly-stiled Invincible Armado sent against her Realm of England by the King of Spain Queen summons a Parliament soon after the defeat of the Spanish Invincible Armado summon'd this her High Court of Parliament to begin on Tuesday the 12th day of November that present year 1588. and in the 30th year of her Reign that so by common Advice and Councel she might prepare and provide against the inbred malice of that Prince and Nation But other occasions of great importance requiring the deferring of the said Assembly her Majestie prorogued the same to a further day in manner and form following MEmorandum The Queen prorogues the Parliament from the 12th of Nov. to the 4th day of Feb. Whereas the Queens Majestie by her Writ summoned her Parliament to begin and be holden at Westminster this present Tuesday the 12th of November 1588. her Highness for certain great and weighty Causes and Considerations her Majestie specially moving by the advice of her Privie Council and of her Justices of both her Benches and other of her Council learned did prorogue and adjourn the said Parliament until the fourth day of February next by vertue of her Writ-Patent sealed with the Great Seal and bearing date the 15th day of October last past Whereupon at this said 12th day of November the Archbishop of Canterbury Sir Christopher Hatton Lord Chancellor William Lord Burghley Lord Treasurer The Earl of Huntingdon the Bishop of London and three other Barons repaired to the Parliament-chamber commonly called the Vpper House and there in the presence of the Knights Citizens and Burgesses summoned to the said Parliament declared That her Highness for divers good Causes and Considerations her specially moving by her Highness's said Writ had prorogued the said Parliament from the said first summoned day An. 1588. until the fourth day of February next Whereupon the Writ for the said Prorogation in the presence of all that Assembly was openly read by the Clerk of the Upper House in haec verba ELizabetha Dei gratia Angliae Franciae Hiberniae Regina Fidei Defensor c. Praedelectis Fidelibus nostris Prelatis Magnatibus Proceribus Regni nostri Angliae ac dilectis fidelibus nostris Militibus Civibus Burgensibus dicti Regni nostri ad praesens Parliamentum nostrum apud Civitatem nostram Westm duodecimo die Novembris prox futurum inchoandum tenendum convocatis electis vestrum cuilibet salutem Cum nos pro quibusdam arduis urgentibus negotiis nos statum desensionem dicti Regni nostri Angliae Ecclesia Anglicana concernentibus dict Parliamentum nostrum ad diem locum praedict teneri ordinavimus
ac vobis per seperalia Brevia nostra apud Civitat diem praedict interesse mandaverimus ad tractandum consentiendum concludendum super hiis in dicto Parliamento nostro tunc ibidem proponerentur tractarentur quibusdam tamen certis de causis considerationibus nos ad hoc specialiter moventibus dictum Parliamentum nostrum usque ad quartam diem Februarii prox futur duximus prorogandum Ita quod nec vos nec aliquis vestrum ad dictum duodecimum diem Novembris apud Civitatem praed comparere teneamini seu autemini volumus enim vos quemlibet vestrum nos penitus openerari Mandanies tenore presentium firmiter injungendo precipientes vobis cuilibet vestrum ac omnibus aliis quibus in hac parte intererit quod ad dictum quartam diem Februarii apud praedictum Civitate Westmonaster personaliter compereatis intersitis quilibet vestrum compereat intersit ad tractand faciend agend concludend super hiis quae in dicto Parliamento nostro de Communi consilio dicti Regni nostri favente Domino contingerint ordinari In cujus rei testimonium has literas nostras sieri fecimus Patentes Teste meipsam apud Westm quinto decimo die Octobris Anno Regni nostri tricesimo Per ipsam Reginam Ha. Gerrarde And according to this Prorogation the Parliament held on the fourth day of February following when the Queen's Majesty in her accustomed state and order came to the Upper House accompanied by Sir Christopher Hatton Knight then Lord Chancellor of England and divers of the Nobility of which the Journal-book maketh mention in manner and form following On Tuesday the fourth of February Feb. 4. The Q. comes to the House of Lords in the 31th year of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth to which day the Parliament had been last prorogued and accordingly now held the Queen's Majestie was personally present in Parliament but the Journal-book doth not mention the names of such Lords as were then present The Queen being set under her Cloath of Estate and the Lords placed in their several ranks and order and as many of the House of Commons as conveniently could being let in and standing before the Bar Sir Christopher Hatton Knight Lord Chancellor of England Heads of the L. Chancellor Hatton's Speech in a well-framed and discreet Speech did there declare unto them at large the Queens gracious disposition to Peace and her great wisdom in preserving the same and singular government of the Realm Next he shewed the great benefit which this Kingdom enjoyeth by her Government and remembred the great Conquest over the Spanish late wonderful Army or Fleet on the Seas viz. Anno Dom. 1588. He further declared how much the King of Spain remained bent against this Kingdom And lastly shewed that the cause of calling this Parliament to be that by the consent of the most grave and wise persons now called together out of all parts of the Realm preparation may as far forth as by councel of man is possible to be made and provided that Arms Souldiers and Moneys may be in readiness and an Armie prepared and furnished against all Events The Lord Chancellor's Speech being ended the Clerk of the Parliament read the Names of the Receivers and Triers of Petitions in French according to the usual form which were these Receivers of Petitions for England Ireland Wales and Scotland Sir Christopher Wray Chief Justice Committees or Receivers and Triers of Petitions Sir Gilbert Gerrard Kt. Master of the Rolls Sir Robert Shute one of the Justices of the Kings-bench Dr. Aubery and Dr. Ford. Receivers of Petitions for Gascoigne and other Countries beyond the Seas and the Isles Sir Edmond Anderson Chief Justice of the Common-Pleas Sir Roger Manwood Chief Baron Francis Windham one of the Justices of the Common-Pleas Dr. Clarke and Dr. Cary. Triers of Petitions for England Ireland Wales and Scotland The Archbishop of Canterbury the Earl of Darby the Earl of Worcester the Earl of Sussex the Bishop of London the Bishop of Winchester the Lord Howard of Effingham Lord Admiral the Lord Cobham and the Lord Gray of Wilton Triers of Petitions for Gascoigne and for other Countries on the other side the Seas and the Islands The Earl of Oxford great Chamberlain of England the Earl of Warwick the Earl of Pembrooke the Bishop of Salisbury the Bishop of Lincoln the Bishop of Rochester the Lord Hunsdon Lord Chamberlain to the Queen the Lord Lumley and Lord Buckhurst During this Parliament upon several days seven Temporal Lords sent their Proxies so did five Spiritual Lords Et norandum That all the said Spiritual Lords excepting one did every one constitute two several Proctors and the fifth being John Bishop of Carlisle whose Proxie was returned February the fifth made onely one viz. the Archbishop of Canterbury his Proctor It likewise seldom happeneth that any Bishop doth nominate fewer than three or two Proctors nor any Temporal Lord more than one Nota That the Lord Burleigh had this Parliament four Proxies sent unto him viz. one from the Lord Dacres one from the Earl of Warwick one from Viscount Mountacute and one from the Lord Lumley Ipsa Regina continuavit praesens Parliamentum usque in diem Jovis prox hora secunda post meridiem On Thursday February 6. to which day the Parliament had been last continued the Queens Majestie was personally present coming to the said Parliament in her accustomed state and order about three of the clock in the afternoon it being the time appointed for the House of Commons to present their Speaker who they had been authorized to chuse on Tuesday last when the Parliament first began And thereupon accordingly the Queen and Lords being set and the said Knights Citizens and Burgesses of the House of Commons being let into the Upper House two of the most eminent persons of the said House did lead up to the Bar of the Upper House George Snagg Serjeant at Law Geo. Snagg their Speaker presented to the Queen Excuses himself who was chosen the Speaker of the said House of Commons who being placed at the said Bar and silence being made did in a modest and discreet Speech disable himself by reason of his many imperfections and humbly desired her Majestie to discharge him of that great Place and to nominate some other more able and sufficient Member of the same House Whereupon the Lord Chancellor by commandment from the Queen The Queen approves of him did let him know That her Majestie did very well allow of his Choice and thereupon encouraged him willingly and cheerfully to undertake and execute that Charge and Place to which he had been by the free and unanimous consent of the House of Commons elected and chosen Upon which Speech of the Lord Chancellor's the said Speaker according to the usual course and form rendering all humble thankfulness to the Queens Majestie for her underserved
Proxies there was but that one set down in the Page before-going which made two Proctors all the rest naming three or but one all which see afterwards on the 22.24.27 days of February and on the 7. and 28. days of March Where also it may be noted That John Archbishop of Canterbury had this Parliament five Proxies Now follows next in order to be set down the continuing of this Parliament which in the original Journal-book it self followed immediately upon the names of the Lords foregoing being present this afternoon So that the substance of the Lord Keeper's Speech foregoing and this also that follows at the presentment of the Speaker was supplied by my self out of a very exact Journal which I had of the Passages of the Lower House this present Parliament conceiving those Speeches in all my Journals ought more fitly to be referred to the Passages of the Upper House than of the House of Commons Dominus Custos Magni Sigill ex mandato Dominae Reginae continuavit praesens Parliamentum usque in diem Jovis prox futur On Thursday Feb. 22. the Queens Majesty her self came about three of the clock in the afternoon accompanied with divers of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal there being present this day the Archbishop of Canterbury Sir John Puckering Kt. Lord Keeper of the Great Seal William Lord Burleigh Lord Treasurer of England the Marquiss of Winchester twelve Earls two Viscounts fifteen Bishops and twenty three Barons being for the most part the very same that are by name set down to have been present on Munday last The Queen and the Lords being thus sat the House of Commons having notice thereof Edw. Cooke the Queens Sollicitor chosen and presented immediately came up with Edward Coke Esq the Queens Sollicitor into the Upper House whom they had chosen for their Speaker who being led up to the Bar at the nether end of the said House between two of the most eminent Personages of the Lower House as soon as silence was made and the rest of the House of Commons had placed themselves below the Bar he spake as followeth The Speaker's Speech YOur Majesties most loving Subjects the Knights and Burgesses of the Lower House have nominated me your Graces poor Servant and Subject to be their Speaker This their Nomination hath hitherto proceeded that they present me to speak before your Majesty yet this their Nomination is onely a Nomination yet and no Election until your Majestie giveth allowance and approbation For as in the Heavens a Star is but opacum corpus until it hath received light from the Sun so stand I corpus opacum a mute body until your high bright shining wisdom hath looked upon me and allowed me How great a Charge this is The Speaker disables himself to be the Mouth of such a Body as your House of Commons represent to utter that is spoken Grandia Regni my small experience being a poor professor of the Law can tell but how unable I am to undergo this Office my present Speech doth tell that of a number of this House I am most unfit for amongst them are many grave many learned many deep wise men and those of ripe Judgments but I an untimely Fruit not ripe nay bud a but not scarce fully blossomed so as I fear your Majesty will say Neglecta fruge liguntur folia amongst so many fair fruits you have plucked a shaking leaf If I may be so bold to remember a Speech used the last Parliament in your Majesties own mouth Many come hither ad consulendum qui neseiunt quid sit consulendum a just reprehension to many as to my self also an untimely fruit my years and judgment ill befitting the gravity of this place But howsoever I know my self the meanest and inferiour unto all that ever were before me in this place yet in faithfulness of service and dutifulness of love I think not my self inferiour to any that ever were before me And amidst my many imperfections yet this is my comfort I never knew any in this place but if your Majesty gave him favour God who also called them to this place gave them also the blessing to discharge it The Lord Keeper having received Instructions from the Queen answered him Mr. Sollicitor HER Graces most Excellent Majesty hath willed me to signifie unto you that she hath ever well conceived of you since she first heard of you which will appear when her Highness selected you from others to serve her self but by this your modest wise and well-composed Speech you give her Majesty further occasion to conceive of you above that she ever thought was in you by endeavouring to deject and abase your self and your desert you have made known and discovered your worthiness and sufficiency to discharge the place you are called to And whereas you account your self corpus opacum her Majesty by the influence of her Vertue and Wisdom 〈◊〉 is commanded and aâ—â—â—â—â—ed by the Qs. order doth enlighten you and not onely alloweth and approveth you but much than keth the Lower House and commendeth their discretions in making such a Choise and electing so fit a man Wherefore Mr. Speaker proceed in your Office and go forward to your Commendation as you have begun The Lord Keepers Speech being ended the Speaker began a new Speech COnsidering the great and wonderful Blessings The second Speech of the Speaker besides the long Peaece we have enjoyed under your Graces most happy and victorious Reign and remembring withal the Wisdom and Justice your Grace hath reigned over us with we have cause to praise God that ever you were given us and the hazard that your Majesty hath adventured and the charge that you have born for us and our safety ought to make us ready to lay down our Lives and all our Living to do you service After this he related the great Attempts of her Majesties Enemies against us especially the Pope and the King of Spain adhering unto him how wonderfully were we delivered in 88 and what a favour therein God manifested unto her Majesty His Speech 〈…〉 after this tended wholly to shew out of the Histories of England and the old State how the Kings of England ever since Henry the third's time have maintained themselves to be Supream Head over all Causes in their own Dominions and recited the Laws that were made in his and other Kings times for maintaining their own Supremacy and excluding the Pope He drew down his Proofs by Statute in every Kings time since Hen. 3. 〈…〉 unto Edw. 6. This ended he came to speak of the Laws that were so great and so many already that they were fitly to be termed Elephaentinae Leges Wherefore to make more Laws it might seem superfluous Too great a multiplicity of our Laws and to him that might ask Quid Causa ut Crescunt tot magna volumina Legis it may be answered In promptu Causa est Crescit in orbe
the new On Tuesday Jan. 24. the Bill concerning Garret de Malmes and John Younger Merchant strangers had its first reading being a new Bill brought in by the Committees who had thought fit the old Bill should be rejected The new Bill also for the disposing of certain Lands of Mr. Tho. Knivett was read the first time after the old Bill had been rejected by the Committees thereof The Bill for confirmation of the Joynture of Mary Lady Verney was upon the second reading committed unto Mr. Philips Mr. Sands Mr. Snigg and others and the Bill with the Committees Names delivered to Mr. Snigg who were appointed to meet this afternoon in the Middle-Temple-hall On Wednesday Jan. 25. Mr. Snigg one of the Committees in the Bill for confirmation of the Joynture of Lady Mary Verney the Wife of Sir Edmond Verney shewed the meeting and travail of the Committees and some few Amendments in the said Bill and so delivered in the Bill Three Bills had each of them one reading of which the second being the Bill for avoiding of deceits in Measures and Weights was read prima vice The Committees in the Bill for the better measuring of seven miles from the Town of Great Yarmouth A Bill for the measuring 7 miles from Yarmouth are ordered to meet this afternoon in the Exchequer-chamber The Committees in a Bill for the reviving continuing and explanation of an Act for the necessary relief of Souldiers and Mariners are likewise to meet this afternoon in the Exchequer-chamber On Thursday Jan 26. two Bills had each of them one reading of which the second being the Bill concerning Garret de Malmes and John Younger Merchant strangers was read the second time and ordered upon the Question to be ingrossed Mr. Arnold one of the Committees in the Bill for the reviving continuing and explanation of an Act for the necessary relief of Mariners and Souldiers prayed a new day for the meeting of the said Committees whereupon Mr. Arnold Sir Henry Norris Sir Gilley Merricke Sir Oliver Lambert the Knights and Burgesses for London and twenty three others were nominated and appointed to meet this afternoon in the Middle-Temple-hall about it On Friday Jan. 27. the Bill that Plaintiffs shall pay the Defendants their Costs lying in Prison for want of Bail A Bill that the Plaintiff pay the Defendants cost lying in prison for want of Bail if the Action pass against the Plaintiff if the Action pass against the Plaintiff was read the second time and committed to Mr. Sands Mr. Boyes Mr. Snigg Mr. Crooke the Recorder of London and others who were appointed to meet this afternoon in the Temple-hall The Committees likewise in the Bill for execution of Judgment and the Committees in the Bill for avoiding deceits in Measures and Weights were likewise appointed to meet at the same time and place which was now upon the second reading committed to the former Committees in the Bill that the Plaintiffs shall pay the Defendants their Costs and Mr. Johnson was added unto them The Bill for punishment of Rogues Vagabonds c. was read prima vice On Saturday Jan. 28. the Bill for punishment of Rogues Vagabonds c. was read the second time and committed to some Members of this House to be considered of in the Committee-chamber of this House The Bill for confirmation of Lady Mary the wife of Sir Edmond Verney Kt. her Joynture was read the third time and passed upon the Question Goodale one of the adverse parties to the Bill concerning the Highway-lands of the Town of Alisbury being present in this House and praying some words to be inserted into the Bill which being upon due and deliberate consideration of this House admitted to be inserted accordingly and three times read the Bill was put to the Question and passed accordingly Sunday Jan. 29. On Munday Jan. 30. the Bill concerning Garret de Malmes and John Hunger Merchant strangers was read the third time There were seven Bills this morning sent up to the Lords from this House by Mr. Secretary and others of which the first was the Bill for punishment of Rogues c. the second for the lawful making of Bayes the third to reform deceits and breaches of Trust touching Lands given to charitable uses with order also to move their Lordships for Conference some time after this present day with their Lordships concerning the Bill lately passed with their Lordships and sent down by them unto this House entituled An Act to reform sundry abuses committed by Souldiers and others used in her Majesties service concerning the Wars On Tuesday Jan. 31. the Bill concerning the confirming of Statute-Merchants acknowledged in the Town of Newcastle upon Tyne prima vice lect The Amendments in the Bill for reviving continuing and explanation of an Act for the necessary relief of Mariners and Souldiers being twice read the Bill was ordered to be ingrossed The Amendments in the Bill for avoiding deceits in Measures and Weights were twice read and after sundry Speeches had pro contra the learned Counsel of the Clerk of the Market being upon a Motion of some of this House admitted to be heard at the bar and called for that purpose by the Serjeant of this House to come in the Serjeant shewed that the said Clerk of the Market was gone down into the Hall to fetch his Counsel in the mean time the House entering into another Cause the said Bill was thereupon committed to be put to the Question for ingrossing On Wednesday Feb. 1. Feb. 1. three Bills had each of them one reading of which the last being the Bill for reviving continuing and explanation of an Act for the necessary relief of Mariners and Souldiers was read the third time and passed upon the Question The Amendments in the Bill against the excess of Apparel Bill against excess in Apparel was read the second time and ordered upon the Question to be ingrossed The Bill for maintenance of Hospitality Bill for maintenance of Hospitality and for increase of all Victual and Flesh whereby the Poor shall be much relieved was read the second time and rejected upon the several Questions for committing and ingrossing On Friday Feb. 3. the Bill to restrain the lading of Corn in some Ports was upon the second reading committed unto Mr. Colebrand Mr. Hext Sir Thomas Munson Mr. Arnold the Burgesses of the Port-Towns and others who were appointed to meet this afternoon in the Middle-Temple-hall The Bill also for the restraint of carrying of Corn out of the Realm was read the second time and committed to the last former Committees and the same time and place was appointed for meeting of both Committees and both the Bills were delivered to Mr. Colebrand The Bill against excess in Apparel was read tertia vice and passed upon the Question On Saturday Feb. 4. Mr. John Sherley one of the Committees in the Bill for better execution of Judgments shewed the meeting and travail of the said
Gentleman Serjeant Heale the last Parliament in a Bill of this nature moved to have an Exception or Proviso for all Serjeants A Motion made in Mirth it would please you to admit of a Proviso for all Lawyers At which the House Laughed heartily it being done for Mirth And divers Motions of the like nature were made On Thursday Decemb. 17. Sir Edward Hobby shewed The Parliament was now in the Wane and Order had been taken Touching the Information delivered to this House in Mr. Bellgraves Case but nothing done therein And as it seemeth by not taking out of the Process a Prosecution of the Cause is intended against the said Mr. Bellgrave I think it therefore fit because the chief scope of the said Information seemeth to be Touching a Dishonor offered to this House that it would please you that it might be put to the Question Whether he hath Offended this House yea or no If he hath he desireth to be Censured by you If he hath not it will be a good Motive to the Honourable here present who are Judges of that Court for their Satisfaction in cleering the Gentleman of that Offence when it comes before them Mr. Speaker moved the House That because the Parliament was like to end on Saturday it would please them to send the Bill of Ordnance to the Lords And that they might be moved to retain all private Bills in their Hands until the Ten Pounds or Five Pounds was paid according to our former Order So the House cried Mr. Secretary Cecil who went and did accordingly And then they proceeded in the Motion concerning Mr. Bellgrave Mr. Comptroller said I know the Gentleman to be an honest Gentleman and a good Servant to his Prince and Country And for his Offence to this House I think it very fit to clear him And do wish it may be put to the Question If it please you he may be cleared I will be ready to vouch your Sentence for his Offence to this House when it comes there But if any other Matter appears upon opening the Cause with That we have not to do withal Mr. Secretary Cecil said Touching this great Offence in the Country I have heard it spoken of diversly but for my own part I am rather apt to move Consideration against him that drew the Bill one Mr. Diott and that he should be well Punished who being a Member of this House should seek to diminish the Prerogative of this High Court of Parliament by praying Aid of the Star-Chamber for an Offence done to Us this Court Sitting And I desire that two things may be Considered First That the Gentleman Mr. Diott make an Apology for his Action in drawing of the Information And Secondly That this Gentleman Mr. Bellgrave may be cleared here which will be a good inducement to the Lords not to censure him heavily there Mr. Ravenscrost said The Gentleman Mr. Diott is holden in the Reputation of an honest Man And we ought not to proceed against a Fellow-Member till he be called It is not Apparent unto Us that he made it the Information is under Mr. Attornies Hand and therefore ought to be intended his for now it is of Record under his Hand against which we can receive no Averment of Speech of others other than the Gentleman 's own words viva vocae And that I think he will not confess And so there was no more said of this Matter It was put to the Question Whether he should be cleared of the Offence to the House Yea or No And all cried I I I but only Young Mr. Francis Grantham who gave a great No At whom the House Laughed and he Blushed Sir Francis Hastings said Sir Fr. Hastings against Extravagant Speeches Mr. Speaker Because I see the House at so good Leasure I will be bold to remember some Matters passed this Parliament and deliver my Opinion with desire of Reformation I mean not to Tax any Man Divers Speeches have been used concerning Justices of the Peace so Slanderous and Defamatory with so unwonted Epethites with such Slanderous Definitions a Testimony of Levity for the one and scant sound Judgment for the other And therefore I do humbly pray the Honourable here present that those Justices which serves Religiously Dutifully and Carefully may be Countenanced The Church and Common-Wealth are two Twins which Laugh and Live together Long have we joyed in Her Majesty's Happy Government and long may we We have two strong Enemies Rome and Spain from thence all our Rebellions have Proceeded and by Treasons Hatched there the Sacred Life of our Sweet Soveraign hath been sought and indangered The boldness of the Jesuits and Seminaries The Insolence of the Jesuits is greatly increased and they be very diligent to pervert which their often and ordinary Published Pamphlets to every Mans view well Testifieth and Apparently sheweth the Perversness of their Spirits and Corruptness of their Hearts And the Multitude being Perverted What Danger this may breed to the State and our Sovereign Queen Judge you For my part I am and will be ready to lay my Life at Her Feet to do Her Service We had need to have special Care of them for themselves do brag they have Forty Thousand true Hearted Catholiques for so they call them in England besides their retinue poor Catholiques and Neuters and I know not what It is therefore fit we look to this dangerous Case and not to think our selves secure because we find no harm For it is a true Position That Security without Providence is most Dangerous I conclude only with this desire that those who have Supream Authority will look that those who have inferior Government may do faithfully And that we may be kept in Obedience Mr. Wingfeild spake to the same effect And because it had pleased the House that the Clerks Servant should serve this Parliament in his Masters steed Mr. Onslowe who was sick that the House would in regard of his faithful Service and diligent attendance give Twelve Pence a piece or what they should think good every man in his discretion That Motion was liked and agreed to be gathered the next morning In the Afternoon A Bill for the Changing of the Surnames of William Waller Esquire A Bill to Change the Name of Wallers to Dibdens and his two Daughters and the Names of them that should Marry them into the Name of Dibden was Read the second time Serjeant Yelverton and Doctor Hone brought a Bill from the Lords Intituled An Act for Reformation of Deceipts and Frauds of certain Auditers and their Clerks in making of divers particulars Serjeant Harris spake to the Bill of Waller Serj. Harris to the Bill of Waller In Law there is a Bastard a Mulier And a Bastard hath the Name of the Mother a Mulier of the Father If a man come into a Poulterers Shop to buy a Wood-Cock or Hen he buyes it by the name of a Cock And if it be