decernentur Volentes hoc idem de Judeabus ejusdem regni generaliter firmiter observari Vobis mandamus quod tam in Ciâ—itate noâ—tra London quam in aliis Civitatibus Burgis villis alibi infra Regnum praedictum ubi Judaei converâ—antur publice proclamari faciatis sub gravi forisfactura nostra Ut omnes singulae Judeae ejusdem Tabulas hujusmodi publice deferant in forma quae provisa eâ—t de Judeis praedictis Facias insuper inhiberi publice proclamari per totum regnum praedictum Ne aliquis Judaeus quascunque carnes quoquo modo presumat vendere Christianis Nec Christianum secum in hospitio â—uo seu alibi in servicio suo audeat decaetero reâ—inere Teste Rege apud Westm 1 die Decembris In the 11 year of King Edward the 1 Upon complaint of the Jews clipping and falsifying his coyn and other Merchants trading with them therein the King issued forth this following Commission to inquire thereof the hanging and punishing of so many of them but three or four years before for the like offences not reclaiming the Survivers of them from this their usual Jewish practise Rex dilecto fideli suo Hamoni Hauteyn et aliis salutem Qâ—ia ex relatu fide dignorum nostrorum intelleximus quod quidam Judaei nostri mercantur cum quibusdam Mercatoribus extraneis aliis in Platis de Retonsura Monetae nostrae fundatis etiam falsis platis de Stagno exterius deargentatis Vobis mandamus quod diligenter super hoc faciatis inquisitionem quotiescunque videritis expedire Et si vobis constare poterit ita esse tunc Mercatores illos alios quoscunque hujusmodi platas mercantes vel a Judaeis nostris emendas petentes arrestari salvo custodiri faciatis donec super hoc alâ—ud duxererimus ordinandum Et Judaeos illos a quibus â—ujusmodi platas petierint emendas dummodo hujusmodi venditioni seu emptioni non fuerint consentientes per talem munucaptionem qualem videritis optimam ponatis in cujus c. Teste Rege apud â—othele 6 die Febr. In the 12 year of King Edward the 1. I find these 4. several Writs and Records concerning the Jews in one Schedule The first prohibiting them to live or reside in any City Burrough or Town where they had no common Chest and commanding their Jusâ—ices to remove them thence The second commanding the Collector of the condemned Jews goods and estates and his Clerks to give an Account thereof and of the summe they amounted unto The 3d commanding the Sheriffs in all Counties where they resided with two discreet and â—egal Knights of the County to seal up and secure all there Chests and Charters in them till farther order The 4th commanding the Justices assigned for the Custody of the Jews to certifie the Treasurer and Barons of the Exchequer the state of all the Jews Debts and to distinguish which were clear debts and which not that so they might be there recovered for the Kings use I shall recite them in order as they are recorded the Writs bearing date the 11th year before Edwardus Dei Gratia Rex Angliae Dominus Hiberniae Dux Aquitaniae Justiciariis suis ad custoâ—iam Judaeorum assignatis salutem Quia secundum consuâ—tudinem Judaisminostri Iudaei nostri in aliis Civitatibus Burgis aut Villis habitare aut morari non debent quam in illis quibus Archa Chirographar Iudaeorum existat et diversi Iudaei diversas villas in Regno nostro sunt ingressi eas inhabitant in quibus hujusmodi Archa non existat per quod eosdem Iudaeos ab hujusmodi villis volumus amoveri Vobis mandamus firmiter injungentes quod universâ—s singulos Iudaeos in Civitatibus Burgis et Villis in quibus dicta Archa non existit habitantes seu morantes absque dâ—mno eis de corporibus seu de rebus suis faciendo sine dilatione faciaâ—is amoveri ab eisdem Ita quod ipsi Judaei ab eisdem villis modis omnibus amoveantur ante quindenam Pasche prox futuram Non permittentes ipsos in huâ—usmodi villis habitare decetero vel morari Et ita vos habeatis in hoc mandato nostro exequendo quod non oporteat Nos vobis iterata mandata nostra diâ—igere ex hac causa T. Rege aâ—ud Newark 28 die Jan. Anno Regni nostri 11. Edwardus Dei gratia Rex Angliae c. Dilecto et fideâ—i suo Waltero de Warham nuper receptori bonorum catallorum quorundam Judaeorum dampnatorum salutâ—m Quia quibusdam de causis super summa exituum bonorum et catallorum praedict volumus certiorari Vobis mandam is quod die Pasche proximo futuro in quinque Septimanas sâ—tis coram Thesaur Baronibus nostris de Scaccario una cum clericis et rotulis vestris de bonis et catallis illis ut iidem Clerici compotum reddant tunc ibidem de exitibus praedictis et ulterius faciant ea quae compotum et negoâ—ium illud conâ—ingunt T. R. ut supra Eodem modo mandatum est Ioh. Beks Ade Kirketon and 7. others more there named Rex Vio Midd. salutem Praecipimus tibi quod assumptis tecum duobus de discretionibus et legalioribus Militibus eâ—usdem Comitatus in propria scil persona tua accedas ad universas singulas Archas Cyrograf Judaeorum in Balliva tua existentes et eas sigillis eorundem Militum et sigillo tuo 〈◊〉 igâ—ari facias Ita quod Archae illio sic consignatae cum Rotulis in locis quibus nunc existunt sub tua costodia remaneâ—ant donec aliud inde praeceperimus et hoc nullo modo omittas T. ut supra Eodem modo mandatur Vic. Linc. Cant. Hunt Kanc. Warw. Leicest Norff. Suff. Wigorn Northampt. Surrey Suffex Colcest Oxon Berks Hereford Essex Hertford Glocest Darby Bedeford Notingh Devon Cornub. Wilts Suthampt. Exon Devises Ebor. Rex Justiciariis suis ad Custodiam Judaeorum assignaâ—as salutem Quia volumus quod Thesaur Barones nostri de Scaccario super omnibus debitis quae nobis deâ—entur ad Scaccarium Judaismi nostri ex quacunque â—â—â—sa per vos ad plenum certificentur Vobis mandamus quo dâ—d certum diem quem praedict Thesaur Barones vobis scire facient coram ipsis in Scaccario praedicto cum â—otulis vestris veniatis ad certificandum ipsis super debitis praedictis quae videlicet sunt clara et quae non clara ut ex tunc debita illa levantur secundum consuetudinem Scaccarii praedicti et hoc nullatenus omittatis T. ut supra Moreover In the Patent Rolls of this 12 year the King granted this ensuing Commission to enquire of all the concealed goods and chattels of those formerly condemned and of their clipping falsifying counterfeiting money and trading with others in such deceitful coyn Rex dilectis fidelibus suis Solomoni
care and cost as the richest Pearls Treasures and Jewels of the Nation To which I answerâ— 1. That all our wisest Kings Parliaments Ancestors Statesmen in former ages had ever a special care to record all businesses of publike or private ocncernment and to preserve our ancient Records as the choicest Treasures appointing special Treasuâ—ies places to preserve them in and Custodes Râ—tulorum Treasurers Chamberlains Registers Clerks to keep them safe from injury corrupting and embeâ—â—lâ—ing and enacting many Statutes for this purpose wiâ—neâ—â—e not only the Chests Cyrographers Officers and oâ—hers forementioned for keeping the Records and Charteâ—s of the Jews and their Rolls but also 13 E. 1. c. 25.30 1 E. 3. c. 4. 5 E. 3. c. 12. 9 E. 3. c. 5. 6 R 2. c. 4. 13 H. 4. c. 7. 2 H. 5. c. 8. 4 H. 6. c. 3. 8 H. 6. c. 12.15 10 H. 6. c. 4. 18 H. 6. c. 1.9 27 H. 8. c. 16. 32 H. 8. c. 28. 34 H. 8. c. 22.28 37 H. 8. c. 1. 2 E. 6. c. 10.3 4 E. 6. c. 1.1 2 Phil. Mar. c. 2. 23 Eliz. c. 3. 27 Eliz. c. 9. 31 Eliz. c. 3. 1 Jac. c. 6. with other Acts And must they now after all these Statutes be all maâ—e a burnt-offring unto Vulcan upon the crack-brain'd Motion of an Ignatian Incendiary 2. The Statute of 8 H. 6. c. 12. still in force Oâ—daiâ—s That if any Record or parcel of the same writ retoriâ— paâ—el proces or warrant of Attorney in the Kiâ—gs Couâ—ts of Chancery Eschequer the one Bench or other or in his Treasury be willingly stolen taken away withdrawn or avoided by any Clerk or other Person by cause whereof any judgement be reveâ—sed 〈…〉 â—alâ—r taker away wiâ—hdrâ—â—◠〈◊〉 and avoider their Procurers Counsellors and Abettors being thereof inaâ—â—ted and by process theâ—eupon 〈◊〉 thereof duly convict by their own confession or by enquest to be taken by legal men whereof the one half shall be of the men of some Court of the same Courts and the other halâ— of â—â—her shall be judged for Felons and shall incurre the pain of Felons And that the Iudgâ—s of the saiâ—â—ourâ—â—â— of the one Bench and of the other have power to hear and detâ—rmine such defaults before them and thereoâ— to mâ—ke due puniâ—hment as is aforesaid And now Hugh Peters if I may be thy Counselâ—or in sober sadnesse look to thy neck which as thou hast oft indangered forfeited by thy late Fire-works to blow up Kings Kingdoms Parliaments Lords our old fundamental Lawes Liberties Government as Straffords Canterburies late Impeachments Sentences with Mr. St. Iohns and others Arguments at their Attaâ—ndâ—rs will resolve thee and thy open treasonable advising abetting the seising imprisoning of my self and above 40 more Members of Parliament in Hell on the bare boards Decemb. 6. 1648. whose names thou didst then list with an iron Sword under thy arme instead of the Sword of the Spirit So this thy Iesuitical Project to burn all our old Records whereby all former Judgement Titles Fines Recoveries c. will be nulled reversed which thou publickly abettest counsellest thy Magistrate to effect in Print proclaimes thee by thine own Confession without other evidence a Notorious Felon within this Act in the highest degree The burning avoiding of all our Records in general being a more transcendent Felony yea Treason to the whole Kingdom Nation than the embezelling only of one or two private Records or Writs relating but to one private person And if ever thou be brought to a legal Trial for it before such a Iury and such Iudges as this Act prescribes thou art sure to undergoe a Halter-Martyrdome at Tyburne which all will cry up according to thy Pamphlets Title for A good work of a good Magistrate and a short cut to great quiet for thy devoting all our old Records to a fiery Martyrdom in Smithfield which I trust they shall never undergo And that upon these enâ—uing weighty Considerations First theâ—e old Records which he would have burnt contain in them all the antient Rights Titles Evidences Charters Agreements Leagues Compacts of the Kings Kingdom Nation and people of England to all their pristine and present Dominions Jurisdictions Prerogatives Preheminences Priviledges Hereditaments and enjoyments both at home and abroad by Land and by Sea as they are a Kingdom Nation Republike body Politick in general and that both in relation to themselves and their own intrinsecal affairs at home as they have been owned reputed negotiated treated with upon special occasions as a Kingdom Nation Republike by any forraign Kings Princes Kingdoms States whose ancient undoubted Rights Titles to all or any of our Dominions Territories Jurisdictions Royalties cannot otherwise be legally câ—eared judicially evidenced upon any emergenr occasion or controversie between our Kingdom Nation and other Forraign States and Realms or between our selves at home but by our old Records the only publike evidences of the whole Kingdom and English Nation as necessary to defend maintain justifie their common publick Rights Dominions Possessions Jurisdictions Claims priviledges upon all occasions as any private Noble or Gentlemans ancient Charters Records Writings are to defend manifest his right and Title to his private Inheritance and Injoyments witnesse the famous Letter of the King Parliament and Nobles of England written and sent to the Pope Anno 1302. to clear the subordination of Scotland to the Crown of England and the Homage of the Kings of Scotland made for their kingdom to the Kings of England as their superiour Lords from time to time manifested by the ancient Histories and Records of England beyond all contradiction Mr. Selden his Mare Clausum proving the Dominion and Jurisdiction of the Kings of England oâ—er the Narrow Seas by Records and Sir Robert Cottons Posthuma Therefore it must necessarily be as bad and mad a worke for a bad and mad Magistrate to burn all the publick Evidences and Records of the whole Kingdom and Naâ—ion upon the frantick motion of a Bedlam in this particular as for a Great landed Nobleman to burre all the old Charters Evidences of his Lands and Honors or for a rich Usurer to burn all his Bonds and Morgages which all wise men will repute an act of Frenzy and Hugh Peters too in his right senses 2. They contein in them all the great publike Charters Contracts Agreements Leagues formerly granted or made by the Kings of England to or with the Prelates Earles Barons Freemen Commons of England Ireland Scotland Wales Gernsey Iersy Man and all other Isles and Dominions belonging to the Crown of England in general all Charters Patents Grants Contracts Writs Releases Gifts Pardons Offices Honors Liberties Franchises Customs Priviledges Faires Markets Inheritances Rents Revenues Licences compositions formerly granted by our Kings to the respective Counties Cities Towns Burroughs Villages Hundreds Arch-bishops Bishops Deans Chapters Prebends Abbies Priories Nunneriâ—s Colledges Hospitals Free-schools Universities great Officers Chancellors Generals Admirals Marshals
held in Lent the young men and Souldiers who had taken upon them the sign of the Crosse and were then ready to go to Ierusalem with the King assembling together there out of divers counties disdaining that the Jews being the enemies of the crosse of Christ possessed such great store of goods and wealth when as they had not sufficient to defray the necessary expences of so great a journey and imagining that they should do God good service if they assaulted these his enemies boldly rushed upon them no man opposing himself against so great attempts whereupon divers of the Jews were slain and the rest being received into the castle hardly escaped with their lives their goods being all plundered and the plunderers departing freely away with their booty none of them being so much as questioned or punished by the Kings discipline The citizens of Lincoln hearing what was done to the Jews of Stanford taking occasion and being animated by the examples of others were willing to do something against them and being assembled together against the Jews inhabiting together with them became inraged against them But these Jews being made more wary by the slaughters and damages of others some few of them suffering harm and damages the rest fled timely with their monies into the Royal Fort and there secured themselves In all other places wheresoever the Jews were found they were pillaged and slain by the hands of the Pilgrims who hastning through England towards Ierusalem decreed to rise up first against the Jews before they invaded the Saracens Hereupon all the Jews who were found in their own houses at Norwich were slain on the 8 of February some few of them only escaping to the Castle At the same time the Nobles and Gentry of Yorkeshire nothing fearing the Kings Proclamation the wicked Jews having by Usury reduced them to extreme poverty joyning with them some holy foldiers brake up the Houses of the chief Jews equal to the Kings Palace slew their families spoild their Goods burnt their houses in the night then retired themselves to their homes in the dark After which the promiscuous multitude making an assault upon the Jews slew them without distinction of sex or age except some few who would give up their names to Christ in baptism to save their lives On the 18 day of April being Palm-Sunday the rest of the Jews in the City of Yorke being 500 men and women besides their children fearing the violence of the Christians shut up themselves within the castle of Yorke by the will and consent of the Guardian thereof and of the Sheriff who being thus received into the castle for their defence by the Guardian and Sheriff would not afterwards deliver it up unto them again Whereupon the Sheriff and keeper of the castle being much offended with them assembled the souldiers of the county and men of the city that they might free the castle from those Jews exhorting them to do their utmost endeavors to effect it who when they had assaulted the castle day and night the Jews offered a great summ of money to save their lives but all in vain the people being so incensed against them that they would not accept it whereupon a certain Iew skillfull in their Law stood up and said Men of Israel hearken to my counsel It is better for us to die for our Law then to fall into the hands of the enemies of our Law and our very Law commands the same thing Upon which all the Jews as well women as men consented to his counsel and every Father of a family going with a sharp razor first of all cut the throats of his own wife and children and then of his family casting the dead corps of those whom they had thus sacrificed to Devils over the castle walls upon the Christian people After which burning their rich cloathes and casting their golden Vessels and Jewels into Privies that the Christians might not be inriched by them these murderers shutting up themselves and the rest they had killed in the Kings house set it on fire and so burnt both themselves and it After which the Citizens of Yorke and the souldiers of the county burning all the Jews houses together spoiled their goods seized their possessions to themselves and burn'd all the charters of their debts The King being informed hereof and much incensed both for the contempt of his Royal proclamation and Authority and dammage to his Exchequer to which all the Goods and Debts of the Iews being Usurers belonged commanded his Chancellor to inflict due punishment upon the authors of this Sedition Whereupon after Easter the Bishop of Ely the Kings Chancellor gathering a great Army together came to Yorke to apprehend those as malefactors who had destroyed the Jews of the city And understanding that this was done by the command of the Sheriff and Governour of the castle he put them both from their Offices and took sureties from the Citizens of the City for to keep the Peace of the King and kingdom and to stand to the Law in the Kings court concerning the death of the Jews and commanded the Souldiers of the County who were at the destruction of the Jews to be apprehended but the chief of them flying into Scotland escaped not one of them all being put to death for this great Massacre and Riot Henry de Knyghton De Eventibus Angliae l. 2. c. 13. gives this censure of these slaughters popular tumults against the Jews The Zeal of the Christians conspired against the Jews in England but in truth not sincerely that is for the cause of faith but either out of emulation and envy because of their felicity or out of gaping after their goods The Justice truly of God not at all approving such things but decently ordering them that by this means he might punish the insolency of a perfidious Nation He likewise addes that one Iohn a most bold Christian flying from Stanford with many spoyls of the Jews to Northampton was there secretly slain by his Host to get his money and thrown without the city in the night the murderer flying thereupon After which through the dreams of old women and fallacious signs the simple people attributing to him the merits of a martyr honoured his Sepulchre with solemn vigils and gifts This was derided by wise men yet it was acceptable to the Clerks there living by reason of the gains Which the Bishop hearing of presently unsaincted him and prophaned the Monuments of this false martyr continued by the study of simple and covetous persons I wish no such plunderers as this might be saincted and adored in our age as too many of them are even before their deaths who will be un-saincted after them as well as this bold plunderer of the Jews Mr. Fox in his Acts and Monuments Vol. 1. p. 305. relating the story of the massacres of the Jews this year out of the Chronicle of Westminster saith That there were no less than
which being discovered many of them were burnt to death for it the rest grievously punished Anno 1252. they massacred and crucified a Christian Child at Wissinburgh At Prague in Bohemia the Jews on Good-Friday in the year 1283. shutting their gates crucified a Christian man having first of all done unto him in contempt what ever they had learned was done to Christ by their Ancestors which when the people had discovered running to their arms they raged cruelly against and slew many of these impious Murtherers The Jews Anno 1286. stole away cruelly tormented pricked with ponyards drew the blood and impiously crucified a Christian Child called Wernerus not far from the Rhene in Germany barbarously murthering him after sundry torments Anno 1287. they tormented and crucified another Christian Child at Bern called Rodolphus for which they were massacred and cruelly handled by the furious vulgar The Jews at Trent on Good-Friday in the year 1475. tortured whipped pierced and crucified to death a Christian child about 13 years old called Simeon in contempt of Christs passion and Christians kneeding their Paschal unleavened bread with his blood which History is as large related by the Marginal Historians for which many of them were tortured burnt slain put to death and others banished the City yet 6 years after An. 1480. they again perpetrated the like wickedness in crucifying and torturing a child at a Town called Motta near Friuli for which 3 of them were carried prisoners to Venice and there tortured and burnt to ashes And to instance in no more particulars Vincentius Beluacensis Speculum Hist. l. 29. c. 25. Gaguinus l. 6. de Francis Centur. Magd. 12 and 13 c. 14. Antonini Chron. p. 2 3. f 17. sect 8. Mat. Par. Mr. Fox and others record That the Jews in Paris elsewhere did every year steal some Christian child or other brought up in the Kings Court and carrying him to a secret house or vault did on Good-Friday or Easter-day in contempt and derision of Christ and Christian Religion crucify him on a Crosse as Christ was crucified and that they had been frequently apprehended persevering in this wickednesse for which upon Detection they were usually murthered stoned burned destroyed hanged by the furious multitudes violence or executed imprisoned banished by Christian Kings and Magistrates yet such was their malice to Christ that they would still persevere therein and act it over again upon every opportunity Which being so fully justified by these many particular presidents proofs authorities in several ages places sufficiently refutes Menasseh Ben Israel his bare-denial and poor shifts to evade it as false and scandalous How can or dare we then receive into our Christian Island such barbarous bloody obstinate murderers and inveterate incorrigible malicious enemies to and deriders despisers of our blessed Saviours death and passion formerly cast out by our Ancestors amongst other things for their bloody impieties and unchristian blasphemies of this nature unlesse we first renounce both our Christianity and Humanity at once and become as bad as the very worst of Jews 7. The Jews ever since their dispersions in all ages places to their power have been more bitter enemies to the Christians than the worst of Pagans bending all their studies forces wits endeavours to hinder oppugne blaspheme extirpate the Christian Religion and all professors of it out of the world stirred up many bloody persecutions against them upon all advantages confederating both with Julian the Apostate the Pagan Persians the Tartars Sarazens Turks to murder and delete them having a great hand in raising the 4th persecution and murdering stoning to death burning destroying even those of their own Nation yea poysoning their own Wives Children for imbracing Christianity Moreover they have raised up many seditions rebellions against Christian Princes poysoned destroyed some of them and their Nobles yea raised occasioned many great popular Tumults Commotions Seditions against them in all ages places as well as formerly here in England As you may read at large in Socrates Scholasticus Eccl. Hist l. 7. c. 13. Zonaras Tom. 3. Paulus Diaconus l. 16 17 18. Nicephorus Eccles Hist. l. 14. c. 14. l. 17. c. 6. Ambrose Epist l. 5. Epist 29. Jerom. in cap. 4. ad Galatas in Abdiam Sozomen Hist l. 1. c. 8. Mat. Paris Historia Angl. p. 564. Aventinus Annal. Boyorum l. 5. and 7. Abbas Uspergensis Paraleip p. 346. Cent. Magd. 4. c. 14 15. and c. 3. â—ol 85 86. Cent. 4 5 6 7 8 9 11 12 13. c. 3.14.15 Mr. Fox Acts and Monuments vol. 1. p. 56. Munsteri Cosmogr l. 3. c. 71. p. 482. l. 2. c. 71. p. 310. l. 3. c. 55. p. 583.707 with sundry others Upon this ground certain Christians on the contrary out of an over-furious zeal haâ—e endeavoured to extirpate them all from under Heaven unlesse they would turn Christians Anno. 1101. Emicho a German Earl and the Inhabitants near the Rhine pillaged plundered banished slew and destroyed all the Jews in those parts wâ—o refused to turn Christians slaying no lesse than twelve thousand of them many of the Jews killing each other with their own hands to avoid their fury but the rest receiving baptisme and turning Christians only to save their lives relapsed to their Judaisme again when the storm was over In the year 1146. one Rudolphus a Monk out of a misguided bloody zeal stirred up many thousands of people in France and Germany near the Rhine to take up the Crosse for the holy wars exhorting them in his preaching that they should in the first place kill and destroy all the Jews remaining every where in the Cities and Towns as being the greatest enemies of Christ The seeds of which doctrine took such deep root in many Cities of France and Germany that in a tumultuous sedition and uproar they slew most of the Jews in those parts but such who fled into fenced Cities and Castles under the protection of the Emperor Fred. the 1 which bloody doctrine and proceeding was reprehended by St. Bernards Letters to these people informing them That the Jews for their excessive wickednesses were not to be slaughtered but dispersed In the year of Christ 1298. one Rindflaisch an Husbandman in Germany openly preached to the people That he was sent from heaven and specially chosen by God to root out the Jews in all places And proclaimed who ever will have the Christian Commonwealth to be safe let him follow me Whereupon the people flocking to him in great multitudes and chusing him for their Captain sought out the Jews in Wirtzburge Nurinburgh Rotenburgh Bambergh Oâ—enberge and all other Towns and Villages in Franconia and Bavaria and slew many of them the greatest part of them in these places both men and women obstinately setting their own houses on fire and burning both themâ—elves wives children with their houses housholdstuâ—f and goods together that they might not fall into the Christians hands
habeat ibi nomina illorum sex Iudaeorum et hoc breve T. Rege apud Clarendon 26 die Marcii Anno 16 H. 3. I find this Grant of a Jews house by the King Rex concessit Richo de Sancto Johanne Capell domum illam cum pertinentiis in vico de Pater noster Church London quae fuit Riciâ—le Ailer et modo est in manu Jacobi Iudaei London et Floriae uxoris ejus habendum de dom Rege sibi et haeredibus suis vel cuicunque ea dare vendere vel aliter assignare voluerit Et mandatum est Justic ad custod Iudaeorum assignatis quod eidem Rico de domo praedicto cum pertinentiis plenam seisinam habere faciant sicut praedict est Teste Rege apud Westmonast xviii die Iulii Pro quibusdam Iudaeis to pay their fines and debts by certain portions at some terms In the 17 year of H. 3. the King imposed a Tax upon the Jews of 10000 marks which they being unable to pay presently had certain dayes assigned to pay it in by several sums mentioned in this record some special Jews excepted Rex concessit Judaeis Angliae exceptis Isaac de Norwic et Ursell et fratris sui haeredibus Ham. de Hereford quod de 10 mille marcis quas Regi debent de ultimo Tallagio solvant ad Scacc. Regis ad festum Sancti Michaelis An 17. 500 l. et ad Pasche prox sequent 500 l. si bene respondeant Regi de dictis mille libris ad praedict terminos et de aliis arreragiis quae Regi debent tunc solvant similiter de eisdem 10000 marcis anno proximo sequent 1000 l. ad eosdem terminos scil ad festum Sancti Michaelis Ann. 18. 500 l. et ad Pasch prox sequen 500 l. et postea per annum 2000 marc ad eosdem terminos donec dictae 10000 marc sic Regi plene solvantur Concessit etiam Rex eisdem Judaeis praeter dictis Isaac et fratribus ejus quod interim quieti sint de Tallagio scil quousque dictae 10000 marc persolutae fuerint sicut praedict est Ita tamen quod illi Judaei qui manuceperunt pro omnibus Iudaeis Angliae Tallagium 8000 marc Regi plene respondeant de arreragiis ejusdem Tallagii quilibet Judaeus respondeat pro se de arreragiis Tallagii 6000 marc quia tunc Talliati fuerunt per capita de aliis debitis et finibus quae Regi debent non obstante hoc fine interim Regi respondeant In cujus c. T. Pet. Winton Episc apud Westm. 2 die Martii Per eundem Justic It is evident by this record That there were 3 several Taxes lately imposed one by the Pol on every particular Jew who was obliged to pay his proportion the other of 8000 marks imposed on all the Jews generally throughout England which some of them were engaged to see paid to the King the other of 10000 marks to be paid at certain dayes by parcels as aforesaid The Arrears of all which besides other Debts and Fines to the King lay charged all on them at once In the pleas of the 18 year of King Henry the 3. I find many things touching the Jews and their affairs As namely that memorable Plea concerning the Iews circumcising a child at Norwich in the Placita 18 H. 3. rot 21. kept in the Treasury of the Exchequer which because I have printed at large in the 2 Edition of my former Short Demurrer c. p. 19 20 21. and for that it is briefly touched in Mr. Samuel Purchas his Pilgrimage Edit 3. lib. 2. c. 10. sect 7. with this observation on it out of Celsus l. 7. c. 25. That by Chirurgery the skin of a circumcised child may be dâ—awn forth again to an uncircumcision I shall here pretermit to avoid repetition and prolixity The Jews were such unwelcom Guests to all Towns and places in England where they resided that King Henry granted this as a special Priviledg by his Charter to the Town of New-castle and their heirs that no Iew from thenceforth should remain or reside in their Town during the reign of him and his heirs as is evident by this record in the Tower Rex Vicecomiti Northumberland salutem Sciatis quod concessimus Carta nostra confirmavimus probis hominibus nostris de Villa Novi Castri super Tynam haeredibus eorum Quod habeant hanc Libertatem quod nullus Iudaeus de caetero Tempore nostro vel haeredum nostrorum maneat vel residentiam aliquam faciat in eadem Villa â—â—cut plenius continecur in Carta regis quam eis modo fieri fecimus mandatum est eidem Vicecomiti quod dictam cartam in pleno comitatu suo legi et clamaoi faciat et Praedictam Libertatem eis habere permittat sicut praedictum est Teste Rege apud Kenit Quarto die Iulii per Godfrid de Crancumb If then it were a great Priviledge Liberty Benefit happiness to the Town of New-castle and their heirs to be thus perpetually exempted from the residence and cohabitation of any Jews amongst them under this King his heirs and Successors certainly by the self-same reason it must be so likewise to all other Cities Towns and the whole realm of England and a great violation of their Liberties and impeachment of their prosperity now again to introduce these blasphemous old banished Jews amongst the English against their wills and consents In the Plea-rolls of Anno 18 H. 3. There are many things concerning the Jws affaires sundry complaints and Inquisiâ—ions concerning the oppressions and exactions of Peter de Rivallis Stephen de Segrave and Robert de Passelew Justices of the Iews for their Bribes received from the Iews against whom Simon Cirographarius Iudaeorum petit Literas And in rot 17. 20 dorso Peter de Rivallis being then under a cloud amongst other things proffered to surrender up to the King totam Forestarium Angliae et Iudaismum which the King had granted him In the 19 H. 3. the King sent this writ to prohibite all Jews hereafter to be obedient to Robert de Passelew as their Iustice being discharged of his office for his bribes and misdemeanors Mandatum est Constabulario Turr London quod scire faciat Iudeis London et aliis Iudeis qui apud London venient quod de caetero in nullo sint intendentes vel respondentes Roberto Passelewe de hiis quae ad custodiam Iudaeorum pertinent donec Dominus Rex aliud inde praeceperit T. R. apud Gloc. 30 die Maii. This year also the Jews accused and imprisoned at Norwich for circumcising a child at Norwich the year before were commannded to be removed thence to the Tower of London as this record assures us Mandatum est Vic. Norf. quod Iudaeos de Norwic. captos et detentos in prisona Regis pro transgressione quam fecerunt de quodam parvo Christiano
King Henry the 3 his long and tedious reign relating to the Jews and their affairs pretermitting some few only of lesse moment and private concerment in some of the Fine Clause and Patent Rolls where those who are not fully satisfied with these already recited may glean them at their leasures I now proceed to the Records in the reigne of King Edward the first omitting all passages of the Jewes in the Fine Rolls of his reign as of lesse moment seeing the Patent and Clause Rolls afford us much plenty and variety of matter concerning our English Jews affairs their final banishment out of England and sale of their houses eascheated by their exile which Records were never yet published to the world in print and are unknown to most men King Henry the 3 deceasing and his Son Edward the 1 succeeding him Anno 1272. thereupon he constituted Hamon Hattayn and Robert de Ludham Justices for the custody of his Jews commanding the Treasurer and the Barons of the Exchequer to deliver to them the keys of the Jews Chests together with the Rolls Writs and other things belonging to the Jews as they had formerly done to other Justices by this Writ Quia Rex constituit Hamonem Haittayn et Robernum de Ludham Justiciarios suos ad custodiam Judaeorum suorum Mandatum est Thesaurario et Baronibus de Scaccario quod eisdem Hamoni Roberto claves Archarum Judaismi una cum Rotulis Brevibus et omnibus aliis Judaismum illud contingentibus liberent prout aliis Justiciariis ibidem prius consuevit Dat. per manum W. de Merton Cancellar apud Westm 27 die Ianuarii These new Justices were constituted not above 5 weeks after Kings Henries death and they were as all their Predecessors in that Office first instituted by King Rich. the 1 Anno 1194. Iusticiarii sui ad custodiam Iudaeorum suorum to shew that the Jews were nothing else but the Kings own VVards and Villaines and under his custody and protection only as such to tax and plunder them at his pleasure as his Father and Grandfather had done before him It appears by the Liberate of 1 E. 1. m. 1. 2. that the King allowed 20 marks a year to these Justices of the Jews for their Salary And the custody of the Rolls and writs of the Jews were committed this year to William Middleton as is evident by this Record Cum Rex commiserit Willielm de Middleton Rotulos brevia Iudaismi sui quae sunt in custodia Thesauri Baronum Scaccarii custodiend quamdiu Domino Regi placuerit Mandatum est eisdem Thesaurario et Baronibus quod eidem Will. Rotulos Brevia liberent sicut praedictum est The same year this King in the beginning of his reign caused his peace and protection to be publikely proclaimed as well to all the Jews as others within England and other his Dominions as this record recites for the Jews in Bâ—uges in Flanders Rex Vicecomiti Mall salutem Cum nuper pacem nostram per totum Regnum nostrum publicè proclamaâ—i fecimus â—et eam omnibus et singulis de regno nostro tam Iudaeis quam Christianis observari praecepimus praecipimus quod Iudaei nostri de Bruges in Balliva tua manuteneas defendas ita quod eis pax nostra prout ejus per totum regnum nostrum proclamari fecimus inviolabiliter observetur Et non exigas vel exigi permittas ab eisdem redemptiones vei alias extorsiones ad opus nostrum vel alicujus alterias nisi quatenus ad debita nostra seu Domini Henrici Regis patris nostri seu Tallagia aut alia ad quae de jure tenentur ab eis levanda de nostro aut ejusdem Domini Henr. patris nostri mandato Warrantum habueris Datum c. apud Westm 15 die Iunii Yet notwithstanding this protection and peace granted them by the King the very same year the King grants out this Writ to search all their Chests to enroll and certifie him of all their debts and estates that he might tax them all proportionably at his pleasure as he did soon after Rex dilecto fideli suo Thomae de Espernon salutem Quia de debitis in Archa Cirogtafforum Winton Oxon. Maâ—leberg Wilton contentis volumus certiorari vobis mandamus quod ad certum diem quem ad hoc provideritis ad Archas praedictas accedatis easdem per visum Cirograf Archarum praedictarum tam Christianorum quam Judaeorum aperiatis et omnia debita in eisdem contenta diligenter scrutari et inrotulari faciatis Mandamus enim Cirograffariis nostris Archarum praedictar quod ad certum diem quem eis scire faciatis ad hoc faciendum vobis assistant et intendant In cujus c. Dat. c. apud Westm 20 die Feb. Conamiâ—es Liteâ—ae diriguntur Hamoni Hatayn de debitis in Archa Cirograf Northampt. Nottingh Ebor. Lincol. Stâ—inf conrents Item Consimiles Literae diriguntur Ade de Winton de debitis in Arca Cirograf Judaeorum Bristoll Oxon Gloucest Wigorn. Hereford et Warw. contentis Item consimiles Literae diriguntur Roberto de Ludham super hujusmodi debitis contentis in Archis Cirograff Judaeorum Bedef Cantebr Colecester et Sudbury In all which Cities and Towns the Jews then inhabited and had common chests wherein their Debts and Morgages were reserved Also according to the former Custome of the Jews in England not to remove into any town where they did not anciently inhabit he sent this Writ to the Barons and Bailiffs of Winchelse to remove some Jews thence who had taken up their habitation there without his special license Rex Baronibus Ballivis suis de Winchelse salutem Quia secundum consuetudinem Iudaeismi nostri Angliae in aliis Civitatibus Burgis aut Villis habitare vel morari non debent quam in illis in quibus antiquitus habitare consueverunt morari quidam Iudaei ut intelleximus villam nostram de Winchelse sunt ingressi eam inhabitent in quam nullus Iudaeus aliquibus retroactis temporibus habitare consuevit vel morari Vobis mandamus quod si verum est tunc Iudaeos ab eadem villa absque damno de corporibus seu rebus suis eis faciend sine damno faciatis amoveri Dat. apud Westm 18 die Iunii This King that he might not seem altogether unjust granted forth a Writ to the Sheriff of Oxford in behalf of one Lumbard a Jew of Oxford taken and imprisoned for a fine of fifty marks imposed on one Lumbard a Jew of Bristol for a Trespasse against the Kings Exchange ordering him to be bailed and the mistake examined Rex Vicecom Oxon. salutem Ostensum est nobis ex parte Lumbardi de Krikelad Judaei nostri Oxoniae quod quum quidam Lumbardus Judaeus Bristol amerciatus esset coram Justiciariis Domini Henr. Regis patris nostri ad custodiam Judaeorum
ab eisdem Archis extral endas in quadam alia cista per se ad alias Cartas nomine Christianorum bellicatas nondum quietatas in alia cista per se ad alias Cartas in quibus debita clara consistunt in tertia cista per se reponendas Ita quod cistae illae sigillis vestris sigillentur et salvo custodiantur donec aliud inde praeciperimus Et ideo vobis mandamus quod praedista faciatis in forma praedicta In cujus c. T. R. apud Odiham 6 die Augusti Rex dilectis sibi in Christo Abbati de Colcest et Walt. de Essex salutem Sciatis quod assign vos ad Archas Cirograf Judaismi nostri Coâ—cest et Suthbiry aperiend et ad scrutand examinand Cartas ad omnia debita in Archis illis inventa et ad omnia illa irrotulanda et ad plenum scrutinium inde faciend et ad omnia ea nobis apâ—rte et distincte sub sigillis vestris referenda Et ideo vobis mandamus quâ—d ad certos dies quos ad hoc provideritis Arch. praedict as aperiatis et Cartas et omnia debita in eis inventa diligenter scrutemini et facto scrutinio illo diligenter illa irrotuletis et Archis illis sic secure reclusis eas sigillis vestris sigilletis Ita quod non aperiantur donec aliud inde duxerimus Ordinandum Proviso insuper quod nullas Cartas extra easdem Archas existentes ponatis in easdem â—â—c aliquas infra easdem Archas existentes ab eisdem extrahatis vel aliquo modo extrahi permittatis Et si quas Cartas in manibus Cirografforum nostrorum inveneritis extra Archas illas eas per se irroâ—ulari et in securo loco reponi faciatis In cujus rei c. T. Rege apud Turr. Lond. 27 die Novembr Eodem modo assignatur Rogerus de Northwode una cum aliquo asio fideli Regis quem sibi associaverit ad aperiendas Archas Cirograf Judaismi Regis Cantuar. Eodem modo assign Robertus de Ludham et Willus Gerebert ad aperiendas Archas Cirograf Judaismi Regis VVinton Oxon. et de Devisis Eodem modo assign Nicholaus de Stapleton et Abbas sanctae Mariae Eborum ad aperiend Archas Cirograf Judaismi Regis de Ebor. Eodem modo assign Prior Sanctae Katerinae extra Lincoln et Robertus de Blund ad aperiendas Archas Cirograf Judaismi Regis Lincoln Stainford Eodem modo assign Abbas Sancti Augustini Bristol et Bartholm le Ieovene Constabularius Castri de Bristol ad aperiend Archas Cirograf Judaismi Bristol Eodem modo assignatur Bartholomeus de Suthleye una cum aliquo alio fideli ad aperiend Arch. Cirograf Judaismi Wigorn. In cujus c. Teste ut supra Rex dilecto sibi in Christo Priori Norwici et dilecto Clerico suo VVillielm de Middleton salutem Sciatis quod assignavimus vos ad aperiend Archam Cirograf Judaismi nostri Norwici et ad scrutand et examinand Cartas et omnia debita in illa Archa inventa et omnia debita illa irrotulanda et ad â—lenum scruâ—inium inde faciend et ad omnia ea nobis diâ—â—incte et aperte sub sigillis vestris referenda Et ideo vobis mandamus quod ad certum diem quem ad hoc provideatis Archam illam aperiatis er Cartas omnia debita in eadem inventa diligenter scutemini et facto scrutinio illo praemina omnia irrotuletis et Archa illa secure reclusa eam sigillis vestris sigilletis Ita quod non aperiatur donâ—c aâ—iud inde duxerimus Ordinandum Proviso quod nullas Cartas extra eandem Archam existentes ponatis in eandem nec aliquas ibidem inventas ab eadem extranatis vel aliquo modo extrahi permittatis Et si quas Cartas in manibus Cirograf nostrorum extra Archam illam inveneritis eas per se irrotulari et in securo loâ—o reponi faciatis In cujus c. apud Turr. London 24 die Novembris Eodem modo assignatur Walt. de Helynn una cum aliquo alio fideli Regis quem sibi assignaverit ad aperiendas Archas Cirograf Judaismi Regis Hereford et Gloucester Eodem modo assignatur Iohannis Wigorn. et Roger de Evesham ad aperiend Arch. Cirograf Judaismi Regis Exon. et ad scrutand ut supra Eodem modo assignatur Hugo de Stapleford una cum aliquo alio fideli Regis quem sibi associau ad aperiendas Archas Cirograf Judaismi Regis Huntindon Bedford Northampt. Oxon. Eodem modo assignatur Prior de London et Willielmus de Stirkeslegh ad aperiend Archas Cirograf Judaismi Regis Lincoln et Stainford In cujus c. Teste ut supra I have rehearsed all these Patents and Commissions at large because they vary some thing from each other in form prescribe general and universal searches of the Jews common Chests and Writings and manifest how and where they were dispersed into most of the chief Cities and Towns of England and where they had Chests more exactly then most other Records This year there falling out some difference between the Jews and the Sheriff of Oxford who had the Custody and Regulation of the Oxford Jews thereupon at the Jews procurement there issued forth this Patent to the Mayor and Bayliffs of Oxford to keep the peace between the Sheriff and them and to have the Protection and Government of them till the next Parliament Rex Majori ad Ballivis suis Oxon. salutem Cum ad occasionem turbationis inter Vici nostrum Oxon. Judaeos nostros ejusdem Villae jam exortae sicut dicitur tollendam et ad pacem in Judaismo nostro ibidem quietius conservandam assignavimus vos ad Custod Judaeorum nostrorum eâ—usdem villae usque ad Parliament nostrum post instans fest Sancti Michaelis Vobis mandamus quod sicut de vestra diligentia et fidelitate specialiter confidimus custodiae illi diligenter intendatis Ita quod Pax nostra in Iudaismo praedicto et in aliis quae statum ipsorum Judaeorum in eisdem partibus tangunt vestro mediante juvamime et Consilo bene et inviolabiter conservetur Mandavimus enim Vicecomiti nostro praedicto quod ad informâ—â—â—â—nem status ipsorum Iudaeorum non praesumat aliquid attemptare nec de eisdem in aliquo interim se intromittat In cujus c. Teste Rege apud Windsore 31 die Julii King Edward the 1. in the 5 year of his reign appointed Commissioners to impose a Tax upon all the Commonalty of the Jews throughout England whose names and authority are thus expressed in a Commission granted to them for this end Rex dilectis et fidelibus suis Ioh. de Cobham et Phil. de Wileby et Wil. de Middl. salutem Sciatis quod dedimus vobis potestatem obligandi universos et singulos Judaeos regni nostri secunâ—um quod vos vel duo
Justices Nobles Gentlemen Citizens Merchants Societies Fraternities most private persons both in England Ireland Wales Scotland all the British Isles and other Territories anciently belonging to England All whose particular patents grants evidences though under seaâ— if alleged to be false forged sophiâ—â—ticated must be tryed only by their exemplifications or inrollments on record They likewise comprise all the Judgements Fines Common Recoveries Verdicts Trials Suits Statute Merchants and Staple Recogniâ—anâ—â—s Inrolments yea in any of the private Conveyances Contracts between our Kings and private subjects and one subject another What a universal confusion subversion then disinherison destruction of all Rights Titles Interests Inheritances Priviledges the burning of all our old Records would immediatly bring upon all and every County City Corporation Nobleman Gentleman Inheritor Freeholder of the Realm of England and all the subordinate Dominions thereto annexed let this Short Cutter himself and all Wise men determine who hold or claim any thing by matter of Record their best and surest evidence 3ly All the good old Laws Statutes for the Government Peace safety defence and wellfare of the Nation are originally conteined in our Records by which they must be tryed examined Yea all the perambulations and deafforestations of our forrests All the Limits Bounds Extents Contents Jurisdictions Customs Priviledges Tenures Rents Services of all Counties Cities Burroughs Ports Honors Mannors Parishes Courts of Justice Offices Officers Civil Military Ecclesiastical Marine all the Pedegrees Discents Successions by which all Heirs Successors hold or claim their inheritances are for the most part defined ascertained evidenced proved in and by our Records alone wherein they are enrolled And if they should all be burnt together what a taxies confusions contentions oppressions suits quarrels frauds Disinherisons would thereupon immediatly ensue all wisemen may prognosticke The mighty Nymrods and Grandees of the times wil then soon question al mens Titles devour their lesse potent neighbours estates inheritances adjoyning near to theirs all potent Landlords will exact what services rents customs heriots releifes they please from their poor tenants all superiour inferiour Courts Officers Corporations claim exercise what extravagant Jurisdictions powers they think meet and all legal means of defending mens rights liberties inheritances against malitious potent vexations Adversaries will be utterly abolished by Salt Peters new Firework to burn all our old Records to ashes 4ly Whereas this Ignoramus in ouâ— Records the most whereof he never yet saw and cannot so much as read produceth this only reason for their burning that they are the monuments of Tyranny I would demand of rhis bold blind Bayard who judgeth of coulors he never yet saw how he can make good this notorious untruth The greatest part of our Records are the two great Charters of the Liberties of England and the Forrest or sundry subsequent confirmations of them in several Parliaments the good old Laws Statutes Ordinances made by our wisest Kings Nobles Commons upon long advise and serious debates in our English Parliaments for the Government Peace defence wellfare of the people The proceedings debates Judgements Resolutions of our sagest Parliaments Judges Courts of Justice in all matters cases publike private civil or criminal formerly debated or resolved in them Old Charters Commissions Patents Writs Concords Fines Recoveries Statutes Judgements Extents Indictments Offices Grants of Liberties Lands Franchises Fairs Offices Pardons to particular persons corporations all matters advancing the defence of the Realm by Land and Sea in times of danger war according to the ancient Laws and Customes of the Realm Negotiations Truces Leagues with Embassies Letters to from forain States All particulars concerning Merchants Merchandise Trade Coyn Buâ—lion Measures weights wools Staples Ships and the like Now how all or any of these can be stiled Monuments of Tyranny let this Lindsy-Wolsy great Clerk demonstrate at his best leasure Besides I here averr ex certa scientia against this Imposture That most of our old Records especially in the Tower are so far from being monuments of Tyranny that on the contrary they are the chiefest badges the clearest evidendences of those good old English Liberties which our noble Ancestors claimed purchased and transmitted to us as our richest Birthrights yea the principal Bulworks Fences against all sorts of Tyrannical usurpations encroachments on the Peoples Liberties Rights Properties in any kind whatsoever To put this out of Controversie I shall appeal only to the many excellent old Reeords produced most insisted on by the Commons and others in the several Parliaments of 7 8 21 Jacobi and 3 4 17. Caroli against all Impositions Tunnage Poundage Customs Excises Loans Taxes demanded imposed and exacted from the Subject without common consent and Act of Parliament against imprisoning Subjects by King or Council Table without any legal cause expressed in the warrants and not bailing them in such cases against Shipmoney Court and Conduct money the Bishops late Canons and Oath Commissions for executing martial Law in times of Peace impressing and billiting Souldiers the Commissions of Array with other late Grievances Monopolies and the arbitrary proceedings of Strafford Canterbury the old Council Table Star-chamber and High-commission printed in sundry Treatises in Sir Edw. Cooks 2 4 Institut Sir Robert Cottons Posthuma and in my Legal Historical Vindication and collection of the good old fundamental Liberties c. of England to which I shall refer the Reader and Hugh Peters who if he had St. Augustines ingenuity hath as much cause and more than he to write a book of Retractations especially of this his rash sentence passed against our old Records devoting them to the fire which his and others New-Medles better deserve than they Now that I may the better excite encourage all generous English Spirits especially Lawyers Statesmen Historians Heralds and Divines who have opportunity not only to the diligent preservation but inspection study perusal of our ancient over much neglected sleighted Records so rashly devoted to the fire by Peters I shall in brief acquaint each of them what hidden Treasures and rare precious pearls are locked up in these old Parchment cabinets 1. All grounded Students and Professors of the Law upon diligent search may find in our old Records the several Writs of Summons for our Archbishops Bishops Abbots Priors Dukes Earls Viscounts Barons Citizens Burgesses Merchants and all other Members to our ancient English Parliaments Great Councils of State Synods Convocations with the several prorogations adjournments dissolutions of them for Knights and others wages The Speeches Proceedings Petitions Debates Consultations Orders Ordinances Statutes Judgements Pleas Demands Grants or Refusals of Aides Subsidies with all transactions resolves concerning peace War Government Trade Merchandise Bullion Coyn Weights Measure purviances Customes Tunnage poundage Imposts Fishing Shipping defence of King or Kingdom by Land or Sea Liberties priviledges properties regulation of abuses supplies of defects of Law Justice and all other matters formerly discussed in our English parliaments Which
if faithfully transcribed and methodically digested into a Parliamentary Chronicle would for rare usefull matter Excellency certainty far exceed all Histories Statute-Books Law-Books Chronicles ever yet compiled rectifie many grosse mistakes in most of them and make more able knowing Lawyers Judges parlamentmen Statesmen than former ages have produced Besides the old Records in the respective Treasuries of the Tower Courts at Westminster and the Rolls faithfully relate at large the Institutions Jurisdictions procedings Judgements Writs Formalities Debates commissions Law-cases Judges Officers names customes Fees of all the great courts of Law Justice Equity civil Ecclesiastical Military Marine Justices Itinerant Justices of the Forrest Justices of Assize Oyer and Determiner of most other inferiour Courts and Commissioners boâ—h in England Wales Ireland Scotland Gascoyne Normandy Poyters the Isles of Man Gernsy Iersy Alderny Serk Silly and other Isles the Stanneries in Cornwall and in most Corporations Counties Hundreds Honors Mannors in them Record all sorts of commissions charters Writs Warrants Instruments relating to Law Iustice Trade peace Waâ— The Courts Jurisdictions priviledges Mannors Lands Fees Rents exemptions Liberties Royalties Tenures Services customs Offices Successions pedigrees of the Kings Princes Queens Archbishops Bishops Deans Chapters cities corporations Fraternities Guiâ—ds Nobility Gentry Freâ—holders of England Ireland Wales Scotland and all Dominion Isles annexed to them with sundry other particulars necessary for an accomplished Lawyer out of which industrious Lawyers if countenanced by authority and encouraged by a a publike Salary might collect such a rare new Body and Systeme of the Laws customs courts and ancient legal proceedings in all the courts of Justice throughout our Dominions as would as far excell all other Abridgements collections Reports Institutes Registers Law-Books hitherto published for use excellency as the richest Diamond exceeds the basest pibble and bring more honour benefit to the English Nation than all the Shepheards Calenders and New-corps or Models of our old English Laws attempted by Hugh Peters Sword-men and â—ome bold illiterate Ignoramusses of the Law who neuer yet perused any of our old Records nor read over half our English Law-books and yet will be reformers or deformers rather of what they neâ—er exactly knew nor understood In brief the exact knowledge of our Records wiâ—â— furnish industrious Lawyers with such rare usefull materials of all sorts for the publike service of their Natiâ—e country upon all emergent occasions the benefit information of their clyents the honour of their profession and their own reputation advancement profit as will enable them to outshine all others of their robe unversed in the Records as far as the Sun and Moon outshine the lesser stars which lose all their borrowed splendor when â—hey once apâ—ear in place Witnesse Mr. Noy Mr. Seldon Mr. Littleton and some other Lawyers of late times whose real and Sir Edward Cooke whose borrowed superficial insight in Records advanced not only their Names Fames Arguments Books but practise and imployments likewise whiles they practisâ—d above all others of their Profession and hath immortalized their memories to posterity A sufficient Argument to engage all generous Students and Practisers of the Law to spend some years or long Vacations at least in the Study of our almost forgotten Records which though it may hinder their present gains and practise for a time will abundantly increase them afterwards the longest Studies in this kind like Merchants longest voyages being recompenced with the richest returns 2. All persons of quality desirous thoroughly to enable themselves to serve their Soveraign or Country in any publick great State-Offices Imployments at home or in foreigne parts may out of our Records furnish themselves with all former publike Negotiations Embassies Treaties Truces Leagues Contracts Agreements Transactions Letters Missives Commissions Instructions Claims Controversies Debates between the Kings Parliaments Nobles Clergy Merchants Kingdom People of England Ireland Scotland Wales and Dominions thereunto annexed or any of them and any other forraigne Kings Kingdoms Princes States Cities Embassadors Agents Legates Merchants relating to Peace Warre Amity Trade Marriages Alliances Government mutual aid Jurisdictions Soveraigntie Regulation of Injuries Abuses Depredations c. and likewise between themselves All Passages Writs Commissions Debates resolves relating to the Parliaments Judicatories Laws Justice Trade Merchandise Manâ—factures Navy Shipping Ports defence Militia by Land or Sea Coins Weights Measures of England Ireland and other our Dominions formerly specified with all other particulars fit for an accomplished Statesman no where extant but in our Record wherein they are faithfully registred for the information and benefit of posterity 3. All Heroick English Spirits desiring exact knowledg in the History and Chronology of England may find in our old Records all the choicest materials relating there unâ—o faithfully recorded with all the particular dates circumstances of time and place All Grounds Occasions Commissions Summons of Arrayes Armies Navies Fleets Ships Fortifications of Townes Castles Conâ—ultations Articles Instructions transactions relating to our Civil Foraign wars by Land or Sea with the Names of the Generals Officers Marshals Admirals and persons of greatest eminency in them All Truces Leagues Embassies Contracts Agreements Letters passages of State Parliamentary affairs Coronations Charters Patents of our Kings and what ever may compleat adorn our English History exactly registred which if faithfully transcribed and digested into order would make a farre more usefull compleat excellent English History and Chronicle then any yet published or compiled And if all the Charters Patents Commissions Records Writs Mandates priviledges Leâ—ters granted sent written by our Kings Parliaments Counsel and Officers of State relating to England Wales Ireland Scotland Jersey Gernsey Man and our other Isles and Dominions and to the particular Counties Hundreds Cities Corporations Ports Officers Bishopricks Monasteries Colleges Hospitals Free Schooles Parishes Churches Noblemen Gentlemen and particular Mannors places in them were judiciously collected digested after the moddel of Mr. Cambdens Britannia I dare affirm they would as far excel it in use and benefit as it transcends all former publications of our British world and Monarchy 4. Such Gentlemen as are addicted to Heraldry may find a Rich Magazine of all choice materials belonging to the Office and Study of an English Herald relating either to the Regal Noble Gentile families Great Officers Pedegrees Marriages Successions Coats Titles of Honor Chivalry c. of England Scotland Ireland Wales and other parts of our English Dominions The Coronations and Solemnities of our Kings the creations of our Nobles Knights Officers of all sorts with their Formalities Robes c. Most of our English Heraulds having been either Keepers of our Records or Clerks under them out of which they extracted most of their knowledge 5. All Divines studious of eminency in the Church History of England may read in our Records many excellent Letters Embassies passages Debates between our English Kings Parliaments Prelates Clergy Councils Synods and the Popes Cardinals Legates Court of Rome and forraign Councils