Miscellanea Parliamentaria CONTAINING PRESIDENTS 1. Of Freedom from Arrests 2. Of Censures 1. Upon such as have wrote Books to the dishonour of the Lords or Commons or to alter the Constitution of the Government 2. Upon Members for Misdemeanours 3. Upon persons not Members for Contempts and Misdemeanours 4. For Misdemeanours in Elections Besides other Presidents and Orders of a various Nature both of the House of Lords and Commons With an APPENDIX Containing several Instances wherein the Kings of England have consulted and advised with their Parliaments 1. In Marriages 2. Peace and War 3. Leagues And other Weighty Affairs of the Kingdom By William Petyt of the Inner-Temple Esq London Printed by N. Thompson for T. Basset at the George and J. Wickins at the White Hart in Fleetstreet 1680. TO William Williams Esq SPEAKER OF THE HONOURABLE HOUSE OF Commons The AUTHOR Humbly Dedicates these his Miscellanea Parliamentaria THE CONTENTS FErrers Case Pag. 1. § 1. Some few Presidents against such as have Wrote Books to the Dishonour of the Lords and Commons and the Subversion of the Government Pa. 12. § 2. Some Presidents wherein the House of Commons have for Misdemeanours turned out and discharged their Members Pa. 90. § Some Presidents for punishing Persons that were no Members for Contempts and Misdemeanours Pa. 96. § 4. Some Presidents for punishing Misdemeanours in Elections Pa. 111. § Some Miscellaneous Presidents and Orders both of the House of Lords and Commons p. 137. An Appendix Or A Collection of some few Records and Presidents out of many other of the like Nature whereby it appears That the Kings of England were pleased to consult and advise with their Parliaments de arduis negotiis Regni of the weighty and difficult Affairs of the Kingdom p. 221 THE PREFACE I Have seen saith Stephen Gardiner who was Dr. of Laws Bishop of Winchester and after Lord Chancellour of England the Councel much astonished when the King would have done somewhat against an Act of Parliament It was made then a great matter The Lord Cromwel had once put in the Kings our late Sovereign Lords Head to take upon Him to have His Will and Pleasure regarded for a Law for that he said was to be a very King and thereupon I was call'd for at Hampton-Court and as the Lord Cromwel was very Stout come on my Lord of Winchester quoth he for that conceit he had whatsoever he talked with me he knew ever as much as I Greek or Latine and all Answer the King here quoth he but speak plainly and directly and shrink not man Is not that quoth he that pleaseth the King a Law Have ye not the Civil-Law therein quoth he Quod principi placuit and so forth quoth he I have somewhat forgotten it now I stood still and wondered in my Mind to what Conclusion this should tend The King saw me musing and with earnest gentleness said Answer him whether it be so or no I would not answer my Lord Cromwel but delivered my Speech to the King and told him I had read indeed of Kings that had their Will always received for a Law but I told him the Form of his Reign to make the Laws his Will was more sure and quiet and by this Form of Government ye be established quoth I and it is agreeable with the Nature of your People If ye begin a new manner of Policy how it will frame no man can tell and how this frameth ye can tell and would never advise your Grace to leave a certain for an uncertain The King turned his Back and left the matter after till the Lord Cromwel turn'd the Cat in the Pan afore Company when he was angry with me and charged me as though I had played his part This Tale is true and not without purpose to be remembred So far the Bishops Letter And from it and other passages in History I shall raise four Observations That it was a general Rule and Principle in most great Ministers of State or as the old Word was Minions to flatter and poison Princes minds with Absolute and Despotical Power not for the Honour or good of the Crown for that can never be but for their particular Advantages that Themselves might Reign and be Sovereigns over their Masters And indeed not only of our own Country but of others Historians are full of the sad and woful Effects thereof in most Ages which makes me frequently revolve the melancholly Contemplation of Cardan Inter fures scurras adulatores constitutus est princeps a furibus bona diripiuntur a scurris mores corrumpuntuh ut quisque melior est ex aula abigitur ab adulatoribus veritas summum inter mortales bonum ablegatur unde miseri principes propter has larvas in Cimmeriis ignorantiae tenebris perpetuo vivunt O miseram principum sortem qui nunquam norunt quali in statu res suae positae sint adeo vero aures principum emollitae sunt ut ad veritatis nomen tanquam ad Nili cataractas obsurdescant This pessima gens humani generis always abhorred a Parliament and the reason thereof is demonstrative because they well knew they should then be called to an impartial and strict account and be punished according to their demerit as de facto it appears in the Cases of the Lord Cromwel after Earl of Essex and the Protector the Duke of Somerset mentioned in the Bishop's Letter that they were questioned in Parliament although possibly the proceedings therein against them were managed with too much Violence and artifice by the malice and policy of their Enemies And no man in all points can justifie the acts of all Councels whether Ecclesiastical or Civil The first was attainted of High-Treason in the Parliament 32. H. 8. amongst other Crimes 1. For Vsurping upon the Kingly Estate Power Authority and Office 2. For having the Nobles of the Realm in great disdain derision and detestation 3. And further also being a person of poor and low degree as few were within the Realm pretended to have so great a stroke about the King that he lett it not to say publish and declare That he was sure of the King which was detestable and to be abhorred amongst all good Subjects in a Christian Realm that any Subject should enterprize to take upon him so to speak of his Sovereign Leige Lord and King The second was in the Parliament 3 and 4 E. 6. Fined and Ransomed amongst other Offences 1. For desiring the Rule Authority and Government of the King and Realm by himself only and getting the Protectorship 2. That by his own Authority he did stay and lett Justice and subverted the Laws as well by Letters Patents as by his other Commandments 3. He rebuked checked and taunted as well privately as openly divers of the Privy Counsel for shewing and declaring their advices and opinions against his purpose in weighty Affairs
our most Christian King in His blessed and famous Purposes and Proceedings to the establishing both of true Christian Religion in this His Church of England and Ireland and of a Christian Policy in the civil State of the same c. and after they granted the Subsidies It is far from my thoughts to delight in raking into the misfortunes of any much less of great men but in all Ages it hath been allowed to publish the Memoirs of ill men to the intent to deter Posterity from acting and committing such Crimes and Offences which we find were severely punished both by God and Men. And whoever will take the pains to run over the ancient Historians and Records of the Kingdom will find that the Troubles in Richard the 1st's time the Barons Wars the Confusions in E. 2 d's time the woful Distractions in the Reign of R. 2. and H. 6. had their source and rise from one grand Cause the extravigant and insufferable Dominion and Power of Minions or Favourites with their Partisans which K. James rightly calls Pests and Vipers of a Common-wealth who notwithstanding their spetious glosses and pretences of Loyalty to the Crown rather then suffer themselves to be questioned and punished by Law for their Arbitrary and Illegal Acts Resolved to run the hazard of and see the ruine and destruction both of Prince and People My Lord Bacon after he was Sentenced in Parliament meeting with Sir Lionel Cranfield after Earl of Middlesex whom King James had then newly made Lord Treasurer My Lord Bacon having first congratulated his advancement to so Eminent a Place of Honour and Trust told him between jest and earnest That he would recommend to his Lordship and in him to all other great Officers of the Crown one considerable Rule to be carefully observed which was to Remember A Parliament will come I do not believe that his Lordship had the Spirit of Divination But certain it is that two years after in the Parliament 21. and 22. of that King the Commons Impeached the Earl for what and what the Judgement was thereupon hear the Record Messuage sent to the Commons by Mr. Serjeant Crew and Mr. Attorney General viz. That the Lords are now ready to give Judgment against the Lord Treasurer if they with their Speaker will come and demand the same Answered They will attend presently The Lords being all in their Robes the Lord Treasurer was brought to the Bar by the Gentleman Usher and the Serjeant at Arms his Lordship made low obeysance and kneeled until the Lord Keeper willed him to stand up The Commons with their Speaker came and the Serjeant attendant on the Speaker presently put down his Mace The Speaker in their Name to this Effect viz. The Knights Citizens and Burgesses in this Parliament assembled heretofore transmitted unto Your Lordships several Offences against the Right Honourable Lionel Earl of Middlesex Lord High Treasurer of England for Bribery Extortion Oppressions and other grievous Misdemeanours committed by his Lordship And now the Commons by me their Speaker demand Judgment against him for the same The Lord Keeper Answered The High-Court of Parliament doth adjudge 1. That Lionel Earl of Middlesex now Lord Treasurer of England shall lose all his Offices which he holds in this Kingdom and shall be made for ever uncapable of any Office Place or Imployment in the State and Commonwealth 2. And that he shall be Imprisoned in the Tower of London during the Kings pleasure 3. And that he shall pay unto our Sovereign Lord the King the Fine of 50000 l. 4. And that he shall never sit in Parliament more 5. And that he shall never come within the Verge of the Court. Ordered That the Kings Councel draw a Bill and present the same to the House to make the Lands of the Earl of Middlesex liable unto his Debts unto the Fine to the King unto Accompts to the King hereafter and to Restitution to such whom he had wronged as shall be allowed of by the House So that the familiar saying of my Lord Coke is very remarkable That no Subject though never so Potent and Subtile ever confronted or justled with the Law of England but the same Law in the end infallibly broke his Neck THE CASE OF George Ferrers Esq IN the Lent Season whilst the Parliament yet continued one George Ferrers Gent. Servant to the King being elect a Burgess for the Town of Plimouth in the County of Devon in going to the Parliament-house was Arrested in London by a Process out of the Kings-Bench at the Suit of one White for the sum of two hundred Marks or thereabouts wherein he was late aforecondemned as a Surety for the Debt of one Welden of Salisbury which Arrest being signified by Sir Thomas Moyle Kt. then Speaker of the Parliament and to the Knights and Burgesses there order was taken that the Serjeant of the Parliament called S. J. should forthwith repair to the Compter in Breadstreet whither the said Ferrers was carried and there to demand delivery of the Prisoner The Serjeant as he had in charge went to the Compter and declared to the Clerks there what he had in commandment But they and other Officers of the City were so far from obeying the said Commandment as after many stout words they forcibly resisted the said Serjeant whereof ensued a Fray within the Compter-gates between the said Ferrers and the said Officers not without hurt of either part so that the Serjeant was driven to defend himself with his Mace of Armes and had the Crown thereof broken by bearing off a stroke and his Man strucken down During this Brawl the Sheriffs of London called Rowland Hill and H. Suckley came thither to whom the Serjeant complained of this injury and required of them the delivery of the said Burgess as afore but they bearing with their Officers made little account either of his Complaint or of his Message rejecting the same contemptuously with much proud language So as the Serjeant was forced to return without the Prisoner and finding the Speaker and all the Knights and Burgesses set in their places declared unto them the whole Cause as it fell out who took the same in so ill part that They all together of whom there was not a few as well of the Kings Privy-Councel as also of his Privy-Chamber would sit no longer without their Burgess but rose up wholly and repaired to the Vpper House where the whole case was declared by the mouth of the Speaker before Sir T. Audley Kt. then Lord Chancellor of England and all the Lords and Judges there assembled who judging the Contempt to be very great referred the punishment thereof to the Order of the Common House They returning to their places again upon new debate of the Case took order that their Serjeant should eftsoon repair to the Sheriffs of London and require delivery of the
the Polity and Laws in the time of those Emperors as also to make the Laws and Customs of Rome and Constantinople to be binding and obligatory to the Cities of London and York IV. In the same Parliament Mr. Hoskins a Member of the Commons produced several other Treatises containing as much as Dr. Cowell's Book all sold impune amongst the rest there was one Blackwood's Book which concluded That we are all Slaves by reason of the Conquest Upon these pernicious and false principles our more modern Authors have without controul published to the World these and many more dangerous positions against the very being and honour of Parliaments and destructive to the ancient fundamental Laws Priviledges and Customs of this Realm POSITIONS 1. That originally the Parliament consisted only of such as it pleased the King to call none having Right to come else 2. That all the Subject hath is the Kings and he may lawfully at his pleasure take it from us in regard he hath as much Right to all our Lands and Goods as to any Revenue of the Crown 3. That the Saxon Kings made Laws by the advice of the Bishops and Wise men which were no other then the Privy-Councel 4. That the Laws Ordinances Letters Patents Priviledges and Grants of Princes have no force but during their life if they be not ratified by the express consent or at least by the sufferance of the Prince following who had knowledge thereof What then becomes of the Peerage of England what of the Bishops Deans Prebends and other dignified Clergy what of the Charters of all Corporations what of hereditary Offices and what of Offices and Places for life and lastly what becomes of the Charters and Priviledges of the two most famous Vniversities of England Cambridge and Oxford 5. That Taxes and Subsidies were raised and paid without any gift of the Commons or of any Parliament in the Saxon times for instance Danegelt 6. For it was matter of Grace for the King to call the Commons to Parliament Yet afterwards the Commons were called and made a House by the Bishops in the times of the Barons War the better to curb them yet were they never called to consult but only to consent 7. Yet others deny that and affirm that the Commons had their first birth and beginning by Rebellion Anno 49 H. 3. and that too after the Battel of Lewes when the Barons had the King and Prince Edward in their power as prisoners and exercised Regal Authority in his Name He reigned 57. years 8. But this is not agreed by some for they say ab ingressu of William the First ad excessum H. 3. they cannot find one word of the Plebs or Commons being any part of Parliament hence another infers that the opinion is most like who think That the Commons giving their assent to making of Laws began about the time of E. 1. 9. The Legislative power is wholly in the King for the Statutes of most antiquity according to the phrase of penning may seem to be the meer will and pleasure of the King assisted with his Councel neither Lords nor Commons being named witness inter al. the Statute of Magna Charta 9 H. 3. c. 10. Nor did the Commons take into consideration matters of Religion which was only the place and function of the Lords Spiritual and Divines to determine and not at all appertaing to the Laity semper exclusis Dominis Temporalibus Communitate Regni 11. As for the Priviledges of the House of Commons pretended to there 's none to be found full and firm but only their being freed from Arrests and that hardly 12. They are not called to be any part of the Common Councel by the Writ of Summons 13. Nor to consult de arduis Regni negotiis of the difficult business of the Kingdom 14. For the Writ saith That the King would have conference and treat with the Great men and Peers but not a word of treaty and conference with the Commons 15. Their duty being only ad faciend consentiend to perform and consent to such things as should be Ordained by the Common Councel of the Kingdom 16. Nor is there so much mention in the Writ as a power in the Commons to dissent No more is there in the Lords Writ what then 17. Until H. 7's time the Commons were often petitioning but never petitioned to and then directed to the Right Worshipful Commons 18. That until the time of E. 6. who was an Infant for that I suppose was the pretended foundation of the notion it was punctually expressed in every Kings Laws that the Statutes were made by the King alone and then there began a dangerous alteration in the phrasing and wording of Acts of Parliament to the disadvantage of the Crown and invading the Prerogative 19. Lastly for it would be tedious to trouble the Reader with all their absurdities Chimaera's and false Inferences and Notions with which they have stuffed their Books and imbroiled the Kingdom by imposing upon the understanding of many of the Clergy and Gentry in the Nation They boldly assert that the Kings Prerogative is a preheminence in cases of necessity of which he is the proper and sole Judge above and before the Law of property and inheritance And so farewell all Parliaments and by consequence farewell all Laws It is God alone who subsists by himself the Right of Crowns and Kingdoms and all other things exist in mutual dependance and relation The Soveraignty Honours Lives Liberties and Estates of all are under the guard of the Law which when invaded by fraud or wit or destroyed by force a dismal confusion quickly veils the face of Heaven and brings with it horrid darkness misery and desolation Rapine plunder and cheating both private and publick will be allowed and protected continual Rebellions unjust Proscriptions villanous Accusations and Whippings illegal and lasting Imprisonments and Confiscations dismal Dungeons tormenting Racks and Questions Arbitrary and Martial Law Murthers inhumane Assassinations and base and servile Flatteries multiplied by Revenge Ambition and insatiable Avarice will become the Common Law of the Land All these and myriads more will be enacted for Law by force or fraud All which that wise King James well understood who saith That not only the Royal Prerogative but the Peoples security of Lands Livings and Priviledges were preserved and maintained by the ancient fundamental Laws Priviledges and Customs of this Realm and that by the abolishing or altering of them it was impossible but that present confusion will fall upon the whole state nnd frame of this Kingdom And his late Majesty of ever blessed memory was of the same mind and opinion when he said The Law is the Inheritance of every Subject and the only security he can have for his Life or Estate and the which being neglected or dis-esteemed under what specious shew soever a great measure of infelicity if not an irreparable confusion
in divers Places assembled and required to lend certain sums of Money unto your Majesty and many of them upon their refusal so to do have had an Oath administred unto them not warrantable by the Laws or Statutes of this Realm and have been constrained to become bound to make appearance and give attendance before your Privy Councel and in other Places and others of them have been therefore imprisoned confined and sundry other ways molested and disquieted and divers other Charges have been laid and levied upon your People in several Counties by Lord Lievtenants Deputy Lieutenants Commissioners for Musters Justices of Peace and others by Command or Direction from your Majesty or your Privy Councel against the Laws and free Customs of the Realm And where also by the Statute called the Great Charter of the Liberties of England it is declared and Enacted That no Freeman may be taken or imprisoned or be disseised of his Freehold or Liberties or his free Customs or be Outlawed or Exiled or in any manner destroyed but by the lawful Judgment of his Peers or by the Law of the Land And in the 28th year of the Reign of K. Edward the III. it was Declared and Enacted by Authority of Parliament That no man of what Estate or Condition that he be should be put out of his Land or Tenements nor taken nor imprisoned nor disinherited nor put to death without being brought to answer by due process of Law Nevertheless against the tenour of the said Statutes and other the good Laws and Statutes of your Realm to that end provided divers of your Subjects have of late been imprisoned without any cause shewed and when for their deliverance they were brought before your Justices by your Majesties Writs of Habeas Corpus there to undergo and receive as the Court shall order and their Keepers commanded to certifie the causes of their detainer no cause was certified but that they were detained by your Majesties special Command signified by the Lords of your Privy Councel and yet were returned back to several Prisons without being charged with any thing to which they might make answer according to the Law And whereas of late great company of Souldiers and Mariners have been dispersed into divers Counties of the Realm and the Inhabitants against their wills have been compelled to receive them into their Houses and there to suffer them to sojourn against the Laws and Customs of this Realm and to the great grievance and vexation of the People And whereas also by Authority of Parliament in the 25th year of the Reign of K. Edward the III. it is Declared and Enacted That no man should be forejudged of Life or Limb against the form of the great Charter and the Law of the Land and by the said great Charter and other the Laws and Statutes of this your Realm no man ought to be adjudged to death but by the Laws established in this your Realm either by the Customs of the same Realm or by Acts of Parliament And whereas no Offendor of what kind soever is exempted from the Proceedings to be used and Punishments to be inflicted by the Laws and Statutes of this your Realm nevertheless of late divers Commissions under your Majesties Great Seal have issued forth by which certain persons have been assigned and appointed Commissioners with Power and Authority to proceed within the Land according to the Justice of the Martial Law against such Souldiers and Mariners or other dissolute persons joyning with them as should commit any Murther Robbery Felony Mutiny or other Outrage or Misdemeanour whatsoever and by such summary Course and Order as is agreeable to Martial Law and as is used in Armies in time of War to proceed to the Tryal and Condemnation of such Offendors and them to cause to be executed and put to death according to the Law Martial By pretext whereof some of your Majesties Subjects have been by some of the said Commissioners put to death when and where if by the Laws and Statutes of the Land they had deserved death by the same Laws and Statutes also they might and by no other ought to have been judged and executed And also sundry grievous Offendors by colour thereof claiming an exemption have escaped the Punishments due to them by the Laws and Statutes of this your Realm by reason that divers of your Officers and Ministers of Justice have unjustly refused or forborn to proceed against such Offendors according to the same Laws and Statutes upon pretence that the said Offendors were punishable only by Martial Law and by Authority of such Commissions as aforesaid which Commissions and all other of like nature are wholly and directly contrary to the said Laws and Statutes of this your Realm They do therefore humbly pray your most Excellent Majesty that no man hereafter be compelled to make or yield any Gift Loan Benevolence Tax or such like Charge without common Consent by Act of Parliament and that none be called to make answer or take such Oath or to give attendance or be confined or otherwise molested or disquieted concerning the same or for refusal thereof and that no Freeman in any such manner as is before mentioned be Imprisoned or Detained And that your Majestie would be pleased to remove the said Souldiers and Mariners and that your People may not be so burthened in time to come And that the foresaid Commissions for proceeding by Martial Law may be revoaked and adnulled And that hereafter no Commissions of like nature may issue forth to any Person or Persons whatsoever to be executed as aforesaid least by colour of them any of your Majesties Subjects be destroyed or put to death contrary to the Laws and Franchises of this Land All which they most Humbly Pray of your most Excellent Majesty as their Rights and Liberties according to the Laws and Statutes of this Realm And that your Maiestie would also vouchsafe to declare that the awards doings and proceedings to the prejudice of your People in any of the premisses shall not be drawn hereafter into Consequence or Example and that your Majesty would be also graciously pleased for the further comfort and safety of your People to declare your Royal Will and Pleasure That in the things aforesaid all your Officers and Ministers shall serve you according to the Laws and Statutes of this Realm as they tender the Honour of your Majesty and the Prosperity of this Kingdom Which Petition being read the 2d of June 1628. the King's Answer was thus delivered unto it THe King willeth that Right be done according to the Laws and Customs of the Realm and that the Statutes be put in due execution that his Subjects may have no cause to complain of any wrong or oppressions contrary to their just Rights and Liberties to the preservation whereof he holds himself in Conscience as well obliged as of his Prerogative But
state nostre Seigneur le Roy ses heirs pur le state du Roialme du Peuple soient tretez accordez establez en Parlement par nostre dit Seigneur le Roy par l'assent des Prelatz Comtz Barons tout le Commune du Roialme auxi come ad estre accustumer ceo en arrear That those things which are for establishing the Estate of the King and his Heirs and for the Estate of the Realm and the People thereof shall be treated of accorded and established in Parliament by the King and by the assent of the Prelates Earls Barons and all the Commons of the Realm as it had been accustomed in times past Rastals Stat. Anno 38 E. 3. f. 124. the Statute of Provisors from Rome And to the intent that the said Ordinances and every of the same for the ease quietness and wealth of the Commons be the better sustained executed and kept and that all those which have offended or shall offend against these Ordinances by prosecutions accusations denunciations citations or other Process made or to be made out of the said Realm or within or otherwise against any manner of person of the said Realm be the more covenable and speedily brought in answer to receive right according to their desert The King the Prelates Dukes Earls Barons Nobles and other Commons Clerks and Lay-people be bound by this present Ordinance to aid comfort and to counsel the one and the other and as often as shall need and by all the best means that may be made of word and of deed to impeach such offenders and resist their deeds and enterprizes and without suffering them to inhabit abide or pass by the Seignories Possessions Lands Jurisdictions or Places and be bound to keep and defend the one and the other from all damage villainy and reproof as they should do their own persons and for their deed and business and by such manner and as far forth as such Prosecutions or Process were made or attempted against them in especial general or in common Rot Parl. 21 R. 2. n. 27. Pur le Pape s'accorderent touts les Prelats Seigneurs Communes en le Parlement That Pope Urban was true lawful Pope and that the Livings of all Cardinals Rebels to Holy Father and all others their coadjutors fautors and adherents and all other Enemies of the King and his Realm shall be seized into the hands of the King and the King to be answered of the profits thereof and whosoever shall procure or obtain any Provision or other Instrument from any other Pope then the said Urban shall be out of the Kings Protection Certaine Priests en Angleterre avoient offend en diverse points en temps R. 2. durant le division de la Papacy les fueront per Act del Parlement deprives de leur Benefices 21 H. 7. fo 34. Rot. Parl. 2 H. 5. par 2. num 10. An Act of Parliament made 2 H. 5. agrees and confirms that it was ever the liberty and freedom of the Commons of England that no Statute or Law could be made unless they gave thereto their assent and the Reason was convincing and certain which the King and his Councel the Archbishops Bishops Abbots Priors Earls and Barons in Parliament agreed to and never in the least questioned or doubted of that the Commons of the Land have ever been a Member of Parliament and were as well Assenters as Petitioners The Record is thus That so as it hath ever be their liberte and freedom that ther should no Statute ne Law be made of less then they yaffe thereto there assent considering that the Common of your Lond the which that is and ever hath be a Membre of your Parliament ben as well Assenters as Petitioners Rot. Parl. 3 H. 5. n. 11. Nostre Seigneur le Roy per avys assent des Seigneurs Communes Enact That during the Schism at Rome all Bishops and other persons of Holy Church shall be consecrated by the Metropolitan upon the Kings Writ without further excuse or delay Pultons Stat 24 H 8. c. 12. It was enacted by Authority of Parliament That all Archbishops and Bishops of this Realm or of any the Kings Dominions consecrated and at this present time taken and reputed for Archbishops and Bishops may by Authority of this present Parliament and not by vertue of any provision or other foreign Authority License Faculty or Dispensation keep enjoy and retain their Archbishopricks and Bishopricks in as large and ample manner as if they had been promoted elected confirmed and consecrated according to the due course of the Laws of this Realm and that every Archbishop and Bishop of this Realm and of other the King's Dominions may minister use and exercise all and every thing and things pertaining to the Office or Order of an Archbishop and Bishop with all tokens in Signs and Ceremonies thereunto lawfully belonging Rastals Stat 25 H. 8. c. 12. It is declared both by the Lords Commons That your Royal Majesty and your Lords Spiritual and Temporal and Commons representing the whole state of your Realm in this your most High Court of Parliament have full power and authority not only to dispence but also authorize some elect person or persons to dispence with those and all other Humane Laws of this your Realm and with every one of them as the quality of the persons and matter shall require and also the said Laws and every of them to abrogate adnul amplifie or diminish as shall be seen unto your Majesty and the Nobles and Commons of your Realm present in your Parliament meet and convenient for the wealth of your Realm as by divers good and wholesom Acts of Parliament made and established as well in your time as in the time of your most noble Progenitors it may plainly and evidently appear Pultons Stat. An. 2 3 E. 6. cap. 21. All Laws prohibiting Spiritual persons to marry who by Gods Law may marry shall be void Be it therefore enacted by our Soveraign Lord the King with the assent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and the Commons in this present Parliament assembled and by the Authority of the same that all and every Law and Laws positive Canons Constitutions and Ordinances heretofore made by Authority of Man only which do prohibit or forbid marriage to any Ecctesiastical or Spiritual person or persons of what estate condition or degree they be or by what name or names soever they be called which by Gods Law may lawfully marry in all and every Article Branch and Sentence concerning only the prohibition for the marriage of the persons aforesaid shall be utterly void and of none effect and that all manner of forfeitures pains and penalties crimes or actions which were in the said Laws contained and of the same did follow concerning the prohibition for the marriage of the persons aforesaid be clearly and utterly void frustrate and of none effect to all intents
said Burgess without any Writ or Warrant had for the same but only as afore Albeit the Lord Chancellor offered there to grant a Writ which they of the Common House refused being in a clear opinion that all Commandments and other Acts proceeding from the Nether House were to be done and executed by their Serjeant without Writ only by shew of his Mace which was his warrant But before the Serjeants return into London the Sheriffs having intelligence how heinously the matter was taken became somewhat more mild so as upon the said second demand they delivered the Prisoner without any denial But the Serjeant having then further in commandment from those of the Nether House charged the said Sheriffs to appear personally on the morrow by eight of the Clock before the Speaker in the Nether House and to bring thither the Clerks of the Compter and such other of their Officers as were parties to the said affray and in like manner to take into his custody the said White which wittingly procured the said Arrest in contempt of the Priviledge of the Parliament Which Commandment being done by the said Serjeant accordingly on the morrow the two Sheriffs with one of the Clerks of the Compter which was the chief occasion of the said affray together with the said White appeared in the Common House where the Speaker charging them with their Contempt and misdemeanour aforesaid they were compelled to make immediate Answer without being admitted to any Councel albeit Sir Ro. Cholmley then Recorder of London and other the Councel of the City there present offered to speak in the Cause which were all put to silence and none suffered to speak but the parties themselves Whereupon in conclusion the said Sheriffs and the same White were committed to the Tower of London and the said Clerk which was the occasion of the Fray to a place there called Little Ease and the Officer of London which did the Arrest called Tailor with four Officers to Newgate where they remained from the 28. until the 31. of March and then they were delivered not without humble suit made by the Mayor of London and other their Friends And forasmuch as the said Ferrers being in Execution upon a Condemnation of Debt and set at large by Priviledge of Parliament was not by Law to be brought again into Execution and so the party without remedy for his Debt as well against him as his principal debtor after long debate of the same by the space of nine or ten days together at last they resolved upon an Act of Parliament to be made and to revive the Execution of the said Debt against the said Welden which was principal debtor and to discharge the said Ferrers But before this came to pass the Common House was divided upon the Question but in the conclusion the Act passed for the said Ferrers who won by 14. Voices The King then being advertized of all this proceeding called immediately before him the Lord Chancellor of England and his Judges with the Speaker of the Parliament and other the gravest persons of the Nether House to whom he declared his opinion to this effect First commending their wisdom in maintaining the Priviledges of their House which he would not have to be infringed in any point alledged that he being Head of the Parliament and attending in his own person upon the Business thereof ought in reason to have Priviledge for Him and all his Servants attending there upon Him so that if the said Ferrers had been no Burgess but only his Servant that in respect thereof he was to have the Priviledge as well as any other For I understand quoth he that you not only for your own persons but also for your necessary Servants even to your Cooks and Horse-keepers enjoy the said Priviledge in as much as my Lord Chancellor here present hath informed us that he being Speaker of the Parliament the Cook of the Temple was Arrested in London and in Execution upon a Statute of the Staple And forasmuch as the said Cook during the Parliament served the Speaker in that Office he was taken out of Execution by the Priviledge of the Parliament And further we be informed by our Judges that we at no time stand so highly in our Estate Royal as in the time of Parliament wherein We as Head and You as Members are conjoyned and knittogether into one Body politick so as whatsoever offence or injury during that time is offered to the meanest Members of the House it is to be judged as done against Our Person and the whole Court of Parliament which Prerogative of the Court is so great as our learned Councel informeth us as all Acts and Processes coming out of any other Inferiour Courts must for the time cease and give place to the Highest And touching the party it was a great presumption in him knowing our Servant to be one of this House and being warned thereof before would nevertheless prosecute this matter out of time and therefore was well worthy to have lost his Debt which I would not wish and therefore do commend your Equity that having lost the same by Law have restored him to the same against him who was his Debtor and this may be a good example to others not to attempt any thing against the Priviledge of this Court but to take the time better Whereupon Sir Edward Mountague then Lord Ch. Justice very gravely declar'd his opinion confirming by divers reasons all the King had said which was assented unto by all the residue none speaking to the contrary The Act indeed passed not the Higher House for the Lords had not time to consider of it by reason of the Dissolution of the Parliament Because this Case hath been diversly reported as is commonly alledged as a President for the Priviledge of the Parliament I have endeavoured my self to learn the truth thereof and to set it forth with the whole circumstances at large according to their instructions who ought best both to know and remember it 4. Ed. VI. Eight years after the Case of Ferrers Withrington having made an Assault upon Brandling Burgess for Newcastle the Parl. being near an end the Com. sent Withring to the Councel Die Jov. 7. Apr. an praedict The Bill for Mr. Brandling's Complaint sent from the Lords of the Privy Councel again to be ordered by this House according to the Antient Custom of this House Whereupon the Bill was read in the presence of Henry Witherington who was sent to the Lords from this place who confest that he began the Fray upon Mr. Brandling whereupon the said Henry is committed to the Tower of London Some few Presidents against such as have wrote Books to the dishonour of the Lords and Commons and Subversion of the Government The Case of Arthur Hall Esq UPon sundry Motions made by divers of this House It was Order'd that Arthur
discharging of a Priest Newton killed one he compounded for 100 l. One Allenson a Batchellor of Divinity made one Hanton his Executor within 10 days he granted Sequestration of the Testator's Goods Dr. Cradock sent them that took away his Will opened his Desk and took 6 or 7 Bags and having threatned them the Doctor made 4 Sequestrators the Bishop saith he would seize the Goods of Gilbert Hanton to the use of the Bishop of Durham he came as Justice of Peace and committed Hanton to the Constable to be forth-coming the Doctor broke open another Desk and took 30 s. in money he made his Warrant and sent Hanton to the Gaol he laid a Fine upon him of 50 l. John Widowes came to Hanton and mediateth to the Doctor for his Son's Imprisonment he would give his Son 22 l. which he doth the Sessions indicted him by the Oath of D. Soame because they thought the Fine too unreasonable but the Doctor said that the Lord of Durham would be angry with him One Clement gave the Doctor 50 l. and a Mare to have an Administration granted As he was a Commissioner he took of one Conyers 20 l. of another 59 l. and of two others 10 l. a piece for Adultery of another 8 l. As a Justice of Peace for not sending one to the Gaol 100 l. For Recusancy of one Tempest for a Murther 100 l. For Adultery before the Party could free himself 20 l. Mr. Alford The Oath Ex Officio in this manner one having no Sermon went to another and he made him pay 23 s. for the Oath and for the same offence and he going to another Parish imprisoned him Sir Edward Cook No man speaks against the Jurisdiction but the corruption of Spiritual Courts Qui tollit abusum confirmat usum For the Oath Ex Officio there is an Act of Parliament that they may give it and Lay-men may give it in some cases not in all And herein the ancient Common Law agreeth with the Canon Law in the 32 vel 31 Ed. 3. there was a complaint against Fees 2 H. 4. there was a Law to reduce them to their ancient Fees for now they exceeded For Cardinal Wolsey of his devotion and charity took for probate of my Lord Compton's Will 100 marks hence came the Law of 21 H. 8. We have good Laws but they are like Swords shut up in their sheaths Sir Edward Bonstead he hath a Petition of the Ministers of Northamptonshire the people have been ready to rise against the abuses in the Ecclesiastical Courts Mr. Brook That the Convocation is not a part of the Higher House neither the Bishops any part of the Higher House but are there as they have Temporal Baronies Mr. P ym I would not have us send up to the Lords yet till we have examined them for their guiltiness must be stamped here before they go up to the Lords Mr. Noy 8 H. 6. the Clergy and Bishops are not to be arrested going to the Convocation-house we cannot judge them but complain of them Mr. Sherwin It is a complaint and we must examine him so that our complaint be certain and not without great deliberation handled that it may not be otherwise proved Sir Nathaniel Rich. That if the Lords will not punish those that we complain of we will enter into Judgment our selves which is our ancient course The House would not send for the accused Doctors because they were of the Convocation 1. To avoid offence to them of that Assembly 2. Because of the Stat. of 8 H. 6. which is thus Forasmuch as the Prelates and Clergy of the Realm of England called to the Convocation and their Servants and Familiars that come with them to such Convocation often times and commonly be arrested molested and inquieted our said Soveraign Lord the King willing graciously in this behalf to provide for the security and quietness of the said Prelates and Clergy at the supplication of the same Prelates and Clergy and of the assent of Great men and Commons aforesaid hath ordained and statuted that all the Clergy from henceforth to be called to the Convocation by the Kings Writ and their Servants and Familiars shall for ever hereafter fully use and enjoy such liberty or defence in coming tarrying and going as the Great men and Commonalty of the Realm of England called or to be called to the Kings Parliament do enjoy and were wont to enjoy or in time to come ought to enjoy VI. The Commons House of Parliament in Confirmation of a former Declaration therein made concerning the stay of all Suits Payments and other Proceedings grounded upon any Patent or Commission condemned in the said House as a general Grievance or Inconvenience to the Subject until further Order and Direction given therein hath this day again upon the Question Resolved it to be fit that none of the Patents Commissions or other things condemned in this House for general Grievances or Inconveniences to the Subject shall be put in execution until the next access to Parliament VII It is thought fit by the Commons House of Parliament that all Suits Payments and other Proceedings grounded upon any Patent or Commission condemned in the said House as a general Grievance or Inconvenience to the Subject should stay till further Order and Direction to be given therein VIII It is this day Ordered by the Commons House of Parliament that the Serjeant at Arms attending this House shall attach the Body of John Churchill one of the Deputy-Registers of the Chancery and him shall take into his custody and bring him to this House upon Monday morning next at 8 of the Clock and the said Serjeant is in the mean time to keep him so as none be suffered to speak with him but in the hearing of the Serjeant IX To the Honourable the Knights Citizens and Burgesses of the House of Commons in this present Parliament Assembled The humble Petition of the Mayor Bayliffs and Burgesses of the Town of Northampton THat whereas your Petitioners have been and still are every way conformable to the Kings Majesties Laws Ecclesiastical yet have they for these many years been subject to the great grievances of John Lamb Doctor of the Laws Chancellor to the Bishop of Peterborough who not only scandalizeth the Town in general as factious rebellious and refractory to his Majesties Laws but also countenanceth the lewdest fellows in the Town in their opposing of the Governours and Government and by himself and his Surrogates Registers Proctors and Apparitors and others whom he useth as Spies up and down the Town and Country citeth men and women to his Courts upon small or no just occasion but only to enrich himself and his Followers keeping two Courts every fortnight for the most part and carrying them away from the usual place where they were wont to be kept as being most convenient unto other small Towns far remote so that his Majesties
Say and his Son both here and at Banbury And it was then also Ordered by their Lordships that the Lord Keeper should move his Majesty for the House of Parliament to apprehend the said Reynde with a promise of reward unto him that that shall take him And it was then also Ordered that the Kings principal Secretary shall Write unto his Majesties Agent in the Low Countries that he signifie this censure of the Lords unto all the Colonels and Captains there and that his His Majesties pleasure is they give no entertainment to the said Reynde And the Court of Star-Chamber is to put this sentence in Execution against the said Reynde if he shall happen to be apprehended after this Session is ended and out of time of Parliament The Lord Say who withdrew himself when the Lords gave this Sentence gave their Lordships Humble thanks for the sense they had of his Honour and their Noble zeal they had in preserving of it Ordered the Court of Star-Chamber to put in Execution the Sentence against Reynde XV. Whereas George Gardiner did lately stand in the Pillory by the Censure of the House for counterfeiting of Protections and selling them it was now informed that he did not only in scorn thereof say that he would stand in all the Pillories in England for 2 s. per diem but also gave out threatning Speeches against the Lord Keeper wherefore he was this day brought to the Bar and the Speeches proved against him It was Ordered That he should stand in the Pillory here at Westminster with a Paper on his Head declaring his Offence for scandalizing the Justice of this House and unjustly slandering the Lord Keeper and to ride backward with the same Paper to the Cross in Cheapside and to stand in the Pillory there and to ride back to the Fleet in like manner And whereas George Buttrice and this George Gardiner Buttrice also having bought a counterfeit Protection have commenced Suits against one Henry Lane who first informed the Earl of Huntingdon thereof whose Protections were counterfeited and sold the said Suits not being for just Debt but for meer vexation as in the Petition of the said Henry Lane is contained It is Ordered the said Gardiner and Buttrice to stay all Suits against the said Lane for the Causes in the said Petition contained XVI Sir Walter Earl Reports from the Committee about the Deduty-Lieutenants Sir William Welby a Deputy Lieutenant for Lincolnshire is complained of that he sent a Warrant as a Deputy Lieutenant to commit two Persons to Gaol for refusing to pay certain Taxes for military Affairs Also one Mr. Norwood complains that it is the usual course of the said Sir William Welby to raise great sums in the Countrey in military Affairs but it is for the Charges of himself and others at Musters Also he having two Sons Captains in the Countrey he orders that every Souldier pay their Captain 6 d. a day every time they muster and though these Causes were complained of the last Parliament yet he doth not desist The Warrant was read For that I. S. refuseth to pay certain sums of Money for military Affairs These are by vertue of our Deputy Lieutenancy to require you to bring the Body of I. S. c. before me or some other Deputy Lieutenant I send you herewithal the Body of I. S. for that he denieth to pay military Charges and also denieth to enter Bond to appear at the next Assizes for his said refusal It was Ordered that he be sent for by the Serjeant and brought to the House Saturday the 10th of May Sir William Welby was called in to answer There was a Question whether he should come in a Delinquent and kneel or no and it was Ordered that he should not kneel only be asked by the Speaker about the Warrants exhibited touching the levying of Money for military Affairs He said he could not deny them but said he never imprisoned any but those two Palmer and Sparks and he said that upon the meeting of Musters he used to have his Charges born by the County and so it was ever used in that Countrey for 40 years and as for 6 d. a piece that is paid by every Souldier of the trained Bands unto the Captains of the Bands who are his Sons he said that it was ever used to be done but he never compelled any And as to the rate of 1 d. an Acre he said it was by vertue of an Order made at the Sessions in the Countrey and that he knew there was a Complaint of it the last Parliament After he went forth he was called in again and told that the House was not satisfied with his Answer and that it was the pleasure of the House that he should attend the Committee from day to day and this House also whensoever he should be required XVII A Complaint was made against the Mayor of Chichester by one Mr. Higgons who complained that a Lieutenant with four Souldiers came to his House and surprized him in his Study and he sent for the Mayor to see the Kings Peace kept and the Mayor contrary to his duty sent no aid and at a Sessions to enquire of a Ryot the Bench and the Hall was full of Captains and Souldiers so as he withdrew himself and they Indicted him for Assaulting a Souldier and it was found Cox also complained against the Mayor there who sent a Serjeant to them to demand Twenty Shillings by way of Loan which being refused six Souldiers were sent to his House so he was forced to lend the Money It was proved the Money was Paid and Enforced But it did not clearly appear that the Mayor enforced it but there were Presumptions the Captains and six Souldiers came from the Mayors House So there being no proof against the Mayor the Committee Ordered that the Mayor be dismissed till the Pleasure of the House be further known A Collection of some few Records and Presidents out of many others of the like nature Whereby it appears that the Kings of England were pleased to Consult and Advise with their Parliaments de Arduis negotiis Regni of the weighty and difficult business of the Kingdom 1. ANno 16. Johannis Before the granting and confirming of Magna Charta in his time the Prelates Earls Barons great Men and the Citizens and Burgesses were at a Parliament at London to give consilium auxilium Counsel and Aid for the Honour of the King being then personally in France in War with the French King their own and the safety of the whole Kingdom 2. Anno 29. H. 3. The King summoned a Parliament touching the Marriage of his Daughter where the Magnates Communitates Regni the great Men and Commons of the Realm spontanea mera voluntate granted a Subsidy to the King 3. Anno 32 H. 3. The great Men and Commons of their
free and meer Will gave a Subsidie in Parliament to Marry the Kings Eldest Sister to Frederick the Emperour 4. Anno 37. at a Parliament then held at London concerning the great Affairs of the Kingdom and Foreign parts Magna Charta was confirmed Rex Magnates Communitas populi being present and by their consent the Grand Excommunication against the Infringers of Magna Charta was denounced 5. Anno 42 H. 3. In the Parliament at Oxford several Ordinances were made for Redress of Grievances A la request de noz haus homes è prodes homes è de Commune de notre Reaume at the request of the high Men the good and honest Men and of the Commons of the Realm 6. Anno 48 H. 3. The Articles of Peace between the King Prince and Prelates Peers and all the Commons of England were generally and unanimously approved of at a Parliament at London De consensu voluntate praecepto Domini Regis necnon Praelatorum Baronum ac etiam Communitatis tunc ibidem praesentium By the unanimous consent will and command of the King of the Prelates Barons and also of the Commons being there present 7. 49 H. 3. The King complains that the Earl of Gloucester and others had circumvented Prince Edward Et ad partem suam proh dolor proditoriae attraxerunt proprii contemptu Sacramenti Against the form of the Kings and Princes Oath of the Prelates great Men Communitatis Regni unanimi assensu voluntate nuper London provis 8. Anno eodem The Knights Citizens and Burgesses were summoned to Parliament in the Utanes of St. Hillary nobiscum cum Praelatis Magnatibus nostris tractaturi Consilium suum impensuri To treat and give their Counsel with the K. Prelates and great Men touching the settling of the disturbed condition and state of the Kingdom 9. Anno 51. H. 3. The King per le Conseil lassentement le Rei de Alemaine de Countes de Barons del Comman de laterre By the counsel and assent of the King of Almain and of the Earls and Barons and of the Commons of the Land pardoned and released the Earl of Gloucester and all his Company c. 10. And the King in the same Parliament per le Conseil lassentement le Rei de Alemaine les Countes de Barons le Commons de laterre By the counsel and assent of the King of Almain and of the Earls Barons and the Commons of the Land pardoned and released the Londoners c. 11. Anno 54 H. 3. The King and Prince having undertaken the Crusado for the Holy-land Quia tamen Praelatis Magnatibus Communitati Regni non videtur expediens neque ratum that they should be both out of the Kingdom istis Temporibus It was agreed the Prince should go and a Subsidie was granted to the Prince by the Parliament 12. Anno 11 E. 1. Lewellin Prince of Wales being in Rebellion the King undertakes the War against him de Consilio Prelatorum procerum magnatum necnon totius Communitatis ejusdem Regni by the Counsel of the Prelates Peers great Men also of the whole Commons of the Kingdom 13. Anno 28. E. 1. The King in his Writ of Summons to Parliament directed to the Sheriff of Cumberland saith volentes cum Prelatis Commitibus Baronibus Magnatibus supradictis cum aliis de Communitate dicti Regni super hoc quibusdam aliis arduis negotiis nos statum Regni tangentibus habere colloquium tractatum c. 14. Anno 35. E. 1. At the great Parliament held at Carlisle the Record saith that Knights Citizens and Burgesses were summoned to the Parliament Ad tractand c. Super ordinatione Stabibilitate terrae Scotiae necnon aliis negotiis dictum Regem statum Regni sui spetialiter tangen being the same Words which were for the great Lords in their Summons 15. Anno 9 E. 2. At the Parliament at Lincoln the King in plein Parlement caused to be declared the causes of the Summons thereof Pro diversis arduis negotiis ipsum statum Regni and especially pro statu terrae suae Scotiae perimimicos suos pro parte occupata supplicans injungens Praelatis proceribus caeteris fidelibus subditis suis ibidem existentibus ut sibi in praemissis consulerint sibi facerent auxilium oportunium which they did An. 16 E. 2. A Marriage being propounded between Prince E. after E. 3. and the Daughter of Charles of Valois The King not when he was under the power and fear of the Barons but after he had vanquished them and had beheaded Thomas Earl of Lancaster his Unkle and was attended and guarded by his two great Minions the Spencers declares in his Letter to Charles thus Recorded De Matrimonio inter Edwardum primogenitum Regis filiam Caroli Comitis de Valois contrahendo AVdivimus super eisdem deliberationem hujusmodi cum aliquibus de nostro Consilio tractatum-Verum quia tam nobis quam illis visum est non esse expediens neque decens quod contractus hujusmodi absque Praelatori Magnatum Regni nostrim Consilio assensu in Parliamento requirend firmaretur vestrae sinceritati duximus intimand quod cito post festum Sancti Mich. prox ventur Parliamentum nostrum proponimus convocare tunc de Commum Consilio super dicto negotio ordinare curabimus quod vobis placitum nobisque Regno nostro utile fore videbimus decorum dat apud Thorp juxta Ebor. 6. die Junii And King Edward further writes to Charles King of France and Navar about that Marriage Set super eodem in prox Parliamento nostro quod statim post festum Sancti Mich. prox futuri tenere proponimus deliberationem tractatum pleniorem habere intendimus tunc inde taliter ordinare quod inde debebetis merito contentari Dat c. 16. Anno 13. E. 3. licet nuper de Consilio assensu Praelatorum procerum Communitatis Regni nostri nostrum assumentes passagium ultra mare c. 17. Anno 14 E. 3. It was proposed to the Grauntz autres des Communes in Parliament to treat and ordain touching the War then with France the keeping of the Peace of the Land and the marches of Scotland and of the Sea 18. Anno 17 E. 3. It was propounded in plein Parlement that the War was attempted and begun by the common consent des Prelatz Grantz Communes and that the King would not treat of Peace without their assent and thereupon it was commanded to the Prelates and Grantz to assemble themselves in the Chamber Blanch to treat conclude and assent amongst themselves whether the King should send Ambassies to Rome to shew and propose his Title to France before the
Pope and in the same manner it was charged the Knights of the Shire and the Commons to assemble in the Chamber depeint to treat conclude and assent amongst them upon the same business and to give their Answer lour assent en dit Parlement 20. In the Parliament 18. E. 3. The King by his Chancellor prayed and charged the Prelates Earls Barons and Commons that they would consider touching the Articles of Truce between the King and France and that they would mettre leid le Conseil give their Aid and Counsel for the Salvation of the Rights and Honour of the King de eux meismes and of themselves 21. Sir Bartholomew Burghurst the Kings Chamberlain declared in Parliament That there was a Treaty of Peace between the King and the French and good hope of a final Accord but the King would not conclude sanz assent des Grantz ses Communs Whereupon the Chamberlain required and demanded on the behalf of the King whether they would assenter accorder to the intended Peace To which the Commons d'unassent d'unaccord Answered that what Issue the King and Grantz should take in the said Treaty should be agreeable to them Upon which Answer the Chamberlain said to the Commons Then you will assent to the Treaty of Peace perpetual if it may be had to which the Commons Answered Entierment unement oil oil yes yes And thereupon it was commanded that Master Michel de Northburgh Gardeyne of the Privy-Seal and Sire John de Swinley Notair Papal should make an Instrument publick thereof 22. Anno 43 E. 3. The Chancellor in his Oration before the King Lords and Commons thus expresseth himself Sires the King in all his great business which concerned himself and his Kingdom de tout temps hath acted and done by the counsel and advice of his Grandz and Commons of his Realm which he hath found in all his Affairs Bons Loyalz good and faithful for which he thanketh them de grant euer volunte and that it was not unknown to them that the King had taken upon him the Claim and Right to the Realm of France per lavis conseil de ses Grantz Communes by the advice and counsel of his great Men and Commons 23. 7 R. 2. The King called a Parliament to consider of a Peace between him his Kingdom Lands Dominions and Subjects ex una parte magnificum principem Robert of Scotland and his Lands Dominions and Subjects of the other part mediante consilio assensu Praelatorum procerum magnatum Communitatis Regni Angliae by the counsel and assent of the Prelates Peers and great Men and Commons of the Kingdom of England I will pass over the rest of the several Authorities in this King's Reign and so of H. 4. except this one 24. In the Parliament 9. H. 4. in that great Record called Indompnitié des Seigneurs Commune◠the King by the advice and assent of the Lords willed granted and declared that in that and all future Parliaments it should be lawful for the Lords to debate and commune amongst themselves de Lestate du Roiaume la remedie a ce busoignable of the state of the Kingdom and the necessary Remedies and it should be lawful likewise for the Commons on their part to commune in the same manner 25. Anno 3 H. 5. The Chancellor at the Re-assembly of the Parliament declares the King being present the causes of their calling which was that Peace had been offered him by his adversary of France the which without the assent and good Counsel of the Estates of his Realm he would not conclude And that the King of the Romans desiring Peace and Vnity in the Church Vniversal and also between the Christian Realms was come over hither with Propositions which he had not yet declared to the King but in a short time would shew them Upon the which the King would take the Advice de son tressage Conseil of his most wise Counsel 26. Anno 4 H. 5. The League and Alliance between the King and Sigismund the Emperour and King of the Romans was ratified and confirmed upon due and solemn Treaty thereof by the common consent and assent of all the Archbishops Bishops Dukes Earls Barons toute autres Estates Espiritualz Temporalz and other Estates Spiritual and Temporal and also of the Commons of this Realm in the said Parliament assembled 27. Anno 9. H. 5. A Peace being concluded between Henry King of England and Charles the French King it was mutually agreed that the Articles thereof be ratified and confirmed per tres Status of both Kingdoms which being approved concluded accepted and allowed of by the three Estates in France videlicet Praelator cleri necnon Procerum Nobilium ac etiam civium Burgensium civitatuum villarum Communitatum dicti Regni The Articles was after mature deliberation confirmed per tres Status Regni Angliae vid per Praelatos clerum nobiles magnates necnon Communitates Regni ad Parliamentum apud West qui quantum ad eos singulos eum pertinet obsequituros impleturos promiserunt 28. Anno 9 H. 6. It was ordained by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and Commons That the Dukes of Bedford and Gloucester and my Lord Cardinal and others of the Kings Bloud and of his Counsel may treat of Peace with the Dauphin of France notwithstanding the Act formerly made to the contrary which was That the King of England H. 5. or the French King should not enter or make any Treaty of Peace or of Accord with Charles the Dauphin without the assent of the three Estates of both Realms 29 Anno 23. H. 6. Whereas by the Articles of Peace made between H. 5. and Charles the 6 th of France it was agreed there should be no Treaty or Accord made with the Dauphin of France without the assent of the three Estates of both Realms which Articles were afterwards Enacted and Authorized here by Parliament It was Enacted by the assent of the Lords and Commons that that Article should be void eryt cassed adnulled and of none Force and none to be impeacht for advising and acting in the said Peace 30. The Archbishop of Canterbury Chancellor of England declared the causes of the Summons of the Parliament the King present and amongst others that between the Ambassadors of King H. and the French King There was an appointment de personali conventione of a personal meeting between the two Kings in partibus transmarinis which if it should happen ut speratur to provide not only for the safe and secure preservation of the person of the King as well in his Conduct ad dict as partes transmarinas as in his being there but also for the safe and sure conservation of the Peace within the Kingdom and other his Dominions during his absence out of the Realm and
Majesties Command inrolled in the Courts of Chancery Kings-Bench Common-Pleas and Exchequer and likewise entered among the Remembrances of the Court of Star-Chamber And according to the said agréement of the said Justices and Barons Judgment was given by the Barons of the Exchequer That the said John Hampden should be charged with the said Sum so assessed on him And whereas some other Actions and Process depend and have depended in the said Court of Exchequer and in some other Courts against other persons for the like kind of Charge grounded upon the said Writs commonly called Ship-Writs All which Writs and Proceedings as aforesaid were utterly against the Law of the Land Be it therefore Declared and Enacted by the Kings most Excellent Majesty and the Lords and Commons in this present Parliament assembled and by the Authority of the same That the said Charge imposed upon the Subjects for the providing of Ships commonly called Ship-meony and the said extrajudicial Opinion of the said Justices and Barons and the said Writs and every of them and the said Agreement or Opinion of the greater part of the said Justices and Barons and the said Judgement given against the said John Hampden were and are contrary to and against the Laws and Statutes of this Realm the right of Propeety the Liberty of the Subjects former Resolutions in Parliamrnt and the Petition of Right made in the the third year of the Reign of His Majesty that now is And it is further Declared and Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That all and every the particulars prayed or desired in the said Petition of Right shall from henceforth be put in Execution accordingly and shall be firmly and strictly holden and observed as in the same Petition they are prayed and expressed And that all and every the Records and Remembrances of all and every the Judgments Inrollments Entry and Proceedings as aforesaid and and every the Proceedings whatsoever upon or by pretext or colour of any of the said Writs commonly called Ship-Writs and all and every the Dependents on any of them shall be deemed and adjudged to all Intents Constructions and Purposes to be utterly void and disanulled and that all and every the said Judgment Inrollments Entries Proceedings and Dependents of what kind soever shall be vacated and cancelled in such Manner and Form as Records use to be that are vacated FINIS By reason of the hast and throng of the Press the Reader is desired to correct those Errata in the Book pa. 85. ommons r. Commons pa 119 in Mar. for Witnesses r. Members pa. 137. for § 4 r. § 5 p. 185. in Mar. for Sir Cooke r. Sir Edward Cooke Errata in the Appendix pa. 3. l. 19. proditoriae r. proditorie n. 29. in Mar. H 5 r. H. 6. n. 35. the next p. l. 15. Archeipis r. Archiepo l. 19. Universitatis r. Vniversitas p. 29. l. 4. for sive r. sine l. 13. praedica vistis r. praedicavistis p. 30. l. 15. tacites r. tacite The Antient Right of the Commons of England Asserted or a Discourse proving by Records and the best Historians that the Commons of England were ever an Essential Part of Parliament By William Petyt of the Inner-Temple Esq JANI ANGLORUM Facies Nova Or several Monuments of Antiquity touching the Great Councils of the Kingdom and the Court of Kings immediate Tenants and Officers from the first of William the first to the forty ninth of Henry the Third Reviv'd and Clear'd Wherein The sense of the Common-Council of the Kingdom mentioned in King John's Charter and of the Laws Ecclesiastical or Civil concerning Clergy-men's Voting in Capital Cases is submitted to the Judgment of the Learned Apud Foxum vol. 2. col 3. 4 The Bishop of Winchester's Letter to the Duke of Somerset Protector to E. 6. Plutatchus lib. cum Principibus Philosophos debere disputare Qui semper corrumpunt principes Reges ac Tyrannos nempe Delatores Criminatores Adulatores ab omnibus exiguntur puniunturque ut qui non in unum Calicem lethale venenum mittant sed in fontem publicitus scatentem quo vident omnes uti Quemadmodum non uno supplicio dignus est qui fontem publicum unde bibant omnes veneno infecit ita nocentissimus est qui principis animum pravis infecerit opinionibus quae mox in tot hominum permiciem redundent Nam si capite plectitur qui principis monetam vitiarit quanto dignior est eo supplicio qui principis ingenium corruperit Osorius lib. 5. de Regis institutione Occurrit alia adulatorum turba prudentiae nomine commendata qui utse in gratiam Regum iusinuent illis persuadent eos esse supra leges post aliqua Nunquam in Regnis Civitatibus homines scelerati defuerunt nec hodie desunt qui principes erroribus turbulentis iuficiant quibus illi quidem annumerandi sunt qui cum se jure consultos existimari velint Regibus persuadent illos omnino solutos esse legibus Observ. 1. Cardan lib. de utilitate ex adversis capiend◠cap. de Principis Incommodis p. 288. Observ. 2. Rot. Parl. 32. H 8. Act 60. The Attainder of the L. Cromwel A dangerous Boast of any one Minister Actus Parl. An 3 and 4. E. 6. no. 31. An Act touching the Fine and Ransome of the Duke of Somerset A remarkable Instance how Dangerous it is for one single Minister to have a Monopoly of the King Observ. 3. Apud Foxum vol. 2 d. Stephen Gardiner Bishop of Winchester his Letter to the D. of Somerset Protector to E. 6. Coke 4. Inst so 89. Ld. Herbert Hist. of H. 8. fo Rast. Stat. 31. H. 8. cap. 8. Observ. 4. Rastal's 3 and 4. E. 6. cap 5 Coke 3. Inst. fo 12. Rastals Stat. 7. Ed. 6. cap. 12. Out of a Paper in the hands of my good Friend Mr. John Rawley a Worthy Citizen of London Nephew and Executor to Dr. Rawley first and last Chaplain to the L. Bacon My Lord Bacons Memento Ex Journali Domus Procerum Annis 21 and 22. Jacobi Regis 14 Maii 16 24 This Bill after pass'd unto a Law Cromptons Jurisdiction of Courts p. 7 8 9 10 11. 34 H. 8. An. Dom. 1542. Breach of Priviledge Ferrers arrested going to the Parl. house The Serjeant of the Parliament sent to the Compter for him And demands the Prisoner But the Officers deny him And assault the Serjeant Breaks the Crown of the Mace strikes down his Man Complains of it to the Sheriffs and demands the Prisoner Who contemptuously reject the same The Serjeant returns and acquaints the House Who highly resent it It was ordinary for either House upon emergent occasions to give an account to each other as in the time of R. 2. H. 6. H. 8. E. 6. Queen Mary the great Officers of State as the Chancellor Treasurer c. went down to the House of Commons to give them particular accounts The Ld. Chancellor in
Parliament offers the Commons a Writ to deliver their Burgess but they refuse it as being clear of opinion that all their Commandments Acts were to be done and executed by their Serjeant without Writ The Sheriffs ordered to appear and bring with them the Clerks of the Compter And accordingly they did Who are charged by the Speaker Being not admitted to any Councel The Sheriffs committed to the Tower The Clerk to Little Ease and the Serjeants to Newgate All at last delivered upon the humble suit of the Mayor and other their Friends The King takes notice of the proceedings The King in the presence of the Chancellor Judges with whom he had consulted before of this matter commends and approves the proccedings of the Commons Here the King from the mouth of the Lord Chancellor declares the ancient priviledg of the Commons even for their menial Servants and gives an instance in the Cook of the Temple The King Head and the Lords and Commons Members of the High Court of Parliament in which he stands highest in his Royal Estate The Court of Parliament Nota All Acts and Processes coming out of any inferiour Court must cease and give place to the Highest Sir Edward Mountague Chief Justice of England who we cannot believe to be misconusant of the ancient proceedings in Parliament and of the Priviledge of the House of Commons together with the rest of the Judges by Reasons which wanted not Authorities confirmed what the King had said Journal Dom. Com. 4. Ed. VI. Journ Dom. Com. 14 Eliz. 17 Maii Anno Dom. 1571. Misdemeanors of a Member of the House of Commons for sundry lewd speeches as well in the House as abroad Ordered that those who heard them to put them in writing and deliver them to the Speaker Mond 19 Febr Mr. Hall appears and is cleared Humbly confesseth his folly And is remitted by the House Journal Dom. Comm. Anno 18. Eliz. 16. Feb. A. D 1575. Breach of Priviledge Confederacy and Contempt Friday 18. Feb. Munday 27. Feb. Smalley to be brought to the House by the Mace and not by Writ Tuesday 28. Feb. Smalley brought to the Bar was presently delivered out of Execution Wednesday 7. March post Meridiem Mr. Hall Smalley's Master withdraws Smalley adjudged guilty of a Contempt against the House for fraudulently procuring himself to be arrested Kirtleton in confederacy with him Smalley to be committed to the Tower for his Misdemeanor and Contempt The like Judgment for Kirtleton Both to be brought into the House to receive their Judgements Mr. Hall's privity in the Matter to be referred to a further Debate Saturday 10 March The Speaker pronounced Judgement upon Smalley Saturd 4. Feb. An. 23. Eliz. Journ Dom. Com. Mr. Hall's Charge for writing a Book derogatory to the Authority Power and State of the Commons House of Parliament Mr. Hall ordered to be sent for by the Serjeant at Arms Two Knights Members of the House to assist the Serjeant A Commission to a Committee to send for the Printer and to examine the Matter To report to the House and to take order for Hall's Apprehension And if any Member should see him to stay him and bring him to the House Munday 6 Feb. Mr. Secretary Wilson reports the Examination of Hall's Case from the Committee Hall appears and was called to the Bar where he was charged by the Speaker with his Offence The Printer brought to the Bar. And Shirland who was examined And Wells who was also examined A Committee appointed to examine further the whole Matter M. Hall brought to the Bar again and committed to the Serjeant to attend the Committee Bynnyman Wells and Shirland ordered likewise to attend the Committee Dalton also ordered to attend Tuesd. 14 Feb. Another Report from the Committee against Hall of new Contempts and Crimes added to his former Mr. Hall chargeth the House with Injustice Nota. The Printer brought to the Bar again and re-examined Mr. Hall at the Bar and recharged by Mr. Speaker Submits refuseth to answer acknowledgeth his Error prays pardon and is sequestred Sundry motions for a proportionable punishment Resolved nemine contradicente Hall to be committed to Prison And that Prison to be the Tower There to remain for six months And from thence till he made a retractation of his Book To be fined to the Queen And that Fine to be 500 Marks To be severed and cut off from being a Member of the House And the Speaker to issue a Warrant for a new Writ His Book and slanderous Libel to be adjudged utterly false and erroneous And that to be publickly testified and affirmed by Order of the House Hall brought to the Bar to receive his Judgment which Mr. Speaker delivered accordingly The Proceedings against Hall drawn up read and agreed to by the House Rot. Pat. 48 H. 3. m. 6. dorso Forma pacis inter Regem Barones The Articles of Peace à Domino Rege Domino Edwardo Praelatis Proceribus omnibus Communitate tota regni Angliae communiter concorditer approbat were sealed by the Bishops of Lincoln and Ely Earl of Norf. Earl of Oxon. Humphrey Bohun William de Monte Canisio Major London in Parliamento London mense Junii Anno Dom. 1264. de consensu voluntate praecepto Domini Regis necnon Praelatorum Baronum ac etiam Communitatis tunc ibidem praesentium And not only so but that Record tells us Quod quaedam ordinatio facta in Parliamento London habito circa festum Nativitatis Sancti Johannis Baptistae prox ' praeteritum pro pace Regni conservanda Pultons Stat. 24 H. 8. c. 12. It is unanimously declared adjudged and confirmed That the King his noble Progenitors and the Nobility and Commons of the said Realm at divers and sundry Parliaments as well in the time of King E. 1. R. 2. H. 4. and other noble Kings of this Realm made sundry Ordinances Laws Statutes and Provisions for the entire and sure conservation of the Prerogative Liberties and Preheminences of the said Imperial Crown of this Realm and of the Jurisdiction Spiritual and Temporal of the same to keep it from the annoyance as well from the See of Rome as from the Authority of other Foreign Potentates attempting the diminution and violation thereof as often and from time to time as any such annoyance and attempt might be known or espied Ex vetusto MS. Staeturorum penes Johan ' Peachy de Interior ' Templo Armig. King Edw. 2. and the whole Parliament in the 15. year of his Reign when the Ordinances which had been made before that time by certain Prelates Earls and Barons by the consent of that King la Comunante de la terre were repealed because in many things they restrained the Power Royal too much yet in the Act of Repeal there is a salvo semper jure Regni sive Parliamenti for they unanimously agree and provide Mes les choses que sont establer pur le
constructions and purposes as well concerning marriage heretofore made by any of the Ecclesiastical or Spiritual persons aforesaid as also such which hereafter shall be duly and lawfully had celebrate and made betwixt the persons which by the Laws of God may lawfully marry Lastly Knighton one of our best and most exactest Historians tells posterity the ancient ends of calling Parliaments in the Speeches made by Tho. de Woodstock Duke of Gloucester the Kings Uncle and Tho. de Arundel Bishop of Ely to King Richard 2d at Eltham in the 12th year of his Reign in the name of the whole Parliament then sitting at Westminster wherein the said Delegates do put that King in mind Quod ex antiquo Statuto Consuetudine laudabili approbata c. saith the Historian That by ancient Statute and Custom laudable and approved which no man could deny the King may once in the year convene his Lords and Commons to his Court of Parliament as to the highest Court of the whole Realm In qua omnis equitas relucere deberet absque qualibet scrupulositate vel nota tanquam Sol in ascensu meridiei ubi pauperes divites pro refrigerio tranquilitatis pacis repulsione injuriarum refugium infallibile querere possent ac etiam Errata Regni reformare de statu gubernatione Regis Regni cum sapientiori Concilio tractare ut Inimici Regis Regni intrinseci hostes extrinseci destruantur repellantur qualiter quoque onera incumbentia Regi Regno levius ad Ediam Communitatis suportari poterunt In which Court say they all equity ought to shine forth without the least Cloud or shadow like the Sun in his Meridian glory where poor and rich refreshed with peace and ease of their oppressions may always find infallible and sure refuge and succour the grievances of the Kingdom redress'd and the state of the King and government of the Realm debated with wiser Counsels the Domestick and Foreign Enemies of the King and Kingdom destroyed and repelled and to consider how the charges and burthens of both may be sustained with more ease to the people Saturday the 18. of March A further Order against Mr. Hall Hall's Retractation to be referred to a certain Committee The Committee to Report Hall's Retractation at the next Session of Parliament Anno 27 Eliz. Jour Dom. Com. Saturday 12 December Contempt in a Member The Serjeant to give warning to Mr. Hall tu attend the House Monday the 21 November Anno 29 Eliz. An. Dom. 1586 Mr. Markham's Complaint against Mr. Hall That he being for ever disabled to be a Member of the House had notwithstanding brought his Writ against the Inhabitants of Grantham for his Wages Who pray the advice and order of the House Friday the 2d of December Referred to a Committee With directions if they think good to move the Lord Chancellor to stay the granting of further Process against the Burrough Tuesday the 21. of March The Ld. Chancellor at the request of the Committee stays further Process against Grantham Mr. Hall frankly remits his Wages to the Burrough of Grantham Ex Journ Dom. Com. Judgment The like President An. 3 Car. 1. Vid. Journ Dom. Com. Journ Dom. Proc. Com. The Bishop of Bristol's Case Ex Journ Dom. Proc. Com. 7 Jac. The Case of Dr. Cowell Men despise and reproach those things whereof they are ignorant It is a desperate and dangerous matter for Civilians and Canonists I speak what I know and not without just cause to write either of our Common Laws of England which they profess not or against them which they know not But their Pages are so full of palpable Errors and gross Mistakings as these new Authors are out of our Charity and their Books out of our Judgment cast away unanswered Coke lib. 10. Lectori Blackwood's Case Jour Dom. Com. Nota. E contra Vide the ancient Rights of the Commons of England asserted or a discourse proving by Records and the best Historians that the Commons of England were ever an essential part of Parliament The Power of Kings in particular of the Kings of England learnedly asserted by Sir Robert Filmer Kt. fol. 1. Printed An. Dom. 1680. King James's first Speech to his first Parliament in England Pulton's Stat. 1 Jac. cap. 2. fol. 1157. King Charles the I. Declaration to all his loving Subjects published with the Advice of his Privy Councel Exact Collections of Declarations pag. 28 29. Journ Dom. Com. Dr. Manwaring's Case Juratores praesentant quod Richardus Empson nuper de London miles nuper Consiliarius excellentissimi Principis Henrici nuper Regis Angl. 17. die Maii Anno Regni dicti nuper Regis 12. diversis vicibus antea postea apud London in Parochia sanctae Brigettae in Warda de Farrington extra Deum prae oculis non habens sed ut filius diabolicus subtiliter imaginans honorem dignitatem prosperitatem dicti nuper Regis ac prosperitatem Regni sui Angliae minime valere sed ut ipse magis singulares favores dicti nuper Regis adhiberet unde magnat fieri potuisset ac totum Regnum Angliae secundum ejus voluntatem gubernaret falso deceptivè proditoriè legem Angliae subvertens diversos ligeos ipsius nuper Regis ex sua falsa covina subtili ingenio contra communem legem Regni Angliae Anderson's 1. Rep. fol. 156. Vide Rushworth ' s Collections fo Judgment against the Doctor Journ Dom. Procerum The Doctor 's Submission Ex Agupeto Diacono Assentatores à Regibus tanquam pestis vitandi 12. nam non utilia consulunt sed quae placent 22. 31. sic Diogenes rogatus quaenam bellua perniciosissime morderet ex feris inquitobtrectator ex cicuribus vero adulator The Lords order the Bishop of London to suspend the Doctor Journ Dom. Proc. die Sabbathi 18 die April 16 Car. 1 21 April 1640. 27 April 1640 28 April 1640. Journ Dom. Com. 3 Car. 1. Dr. Mountague's Case * The Dr. Writ and Published several Tenents tending to Arminianism and Popery * Lord Brook friend to Sir Phillip Sidney in his Alaham. Had done a contempt to the Commons and distrubed the Nation 1 Car. Voted 2 Car. resolved by that Parliament that he had Sowen Sedition And endeavoured to reconcile us to Rome Articles against Mountague Campanella de Monar Hispan Jour Dom. Com. Anno. 27 Eliz. Dr. Parry's Case Journ Dom. Com. 18 Jac. Sir Giles Mompesson's Case Journ Dom. Proc. 18 Jac. The Lords Judgment againw him * Journ Dom. Com. 19 Jac. Sir John Bennet ' s Case Illos extollimus qui fraudibus ac dolis divites facti sunt eos patres legum Justitiae fontes sapientiaeque thesauros appellantes O inconcussa Dei justitia quamdiu haec pateris ab horum igitur scholis in quibus non sat scio an de veritatis inventione an potius de lucri spe major sit disceptatio prodeunt Judices
former Proceedings in this House against the said Mr. Hall as well in disabling him to be any more a Member of this House as also touching his said Imprisonment the Matter was referred to further Consideration after search of the Presidents and Entries of this House heretofore had and made in the course of the said Cause On Friday the 2d day of December upon a Motion this day renewed on the behalf of the Inhabitants of the Burrough of Grantham in the County of Lincoln touching a Writ brought against them by Arthur Hall Esq whereby he demandeth Wages of the said Inhabitants for his Service done for them in attendance at sundry Parliaments being elected and returned one of the Burgesses of the said Burrough in the same Parliaments For as much as it is alledged that the said Arthur Hall hath been heretofore disabled by this House to be at any time afterwards a Member of this House and also that in some Sessions of the same Parliaments he hath neither been free of the Corporation of the said Burrough and in some other also hath not given any attendance in Parliament at all It is Ordered that the Examination of the state of the Cause be committed to the Right Honourable Sir Walter Mildmay Kt. one of her Majesties most Honourable Privy Councel Chancellor of her Highness's Court of Exchequer Sir Ralph Sadler Kt. one other of her Majesties most Honourable Privy Councel and Chancellor of her Highness's Dutchy of Lancaster Thomas Crumwel Robert Markham and Robert Wroth Esquires to the end that after due Examination thereof by them had if it shall so seem good to them they do thereupon move the Lord Chancellor on the behalf of this House to stay the granting out of any Attachment or other Process against the said Inhabitants for the said Wages at the Suit of the said Arthur Hall and the said Committees also to signifie their Proceedings therein to this House at the next Sitting thereof accordingly An Order delivered by Mr. Crumwel Entred by the Consent of the House WHereas upon Complaint made to this House upon Munday the 21. day of November in the first Meeting of this present Parliament on the behalf of the Burrough of Grantham in the County of Lincoln against Arthur Hall Gent. That the said Arthur Hall had commenced Suit against them for Wages by him demanded of the said Burrough as one of the Burgesses of the Parliament in the Sessions of Parliament holden in the 13. 14. 18. and 23. years of the Reign of our Sovereign Lady the Queens Majecty wherein it was alledged that the said Burrough ought not to be charged as well in respect of the negligent attendance of the said Mr. Hall at the said Sessions of Parliament and some other Offences by him committed at some of the said Sessions as also in respect that he had made promise not to require any such Wages The Examination of the said Cause on the 2d day of December in the last Session of this Parliament by Order of this House was committed unto Sir Ralph Sadler Kt. Chancellor of the Dutchy Sir Walter Mildmay Kt. Chancellor of the Exchequer Thomas Crumwel Robert Markham and Robert Wroth Esqs. This day Report was made by the said Committees that not having time during the last Session of Parliament to examine the Circumstances of the Cause they had in the mean season by their Letters advertised my Lord Chancellor that the said Cause was committed unto them and humbly requested his Lordship to stay the issuing forth of any further Process against the said Burrough until this Session of Parliament or Meeting which accordingly his Lordship had very honourably performed and the said Committees did further declare that having during this Session of Parliament or Meeting sent for Mr. Hall declared unto him the effect of the Complaint against him they had desired him to remit the said Wages which he had demanded of the said Burrough whom they found very conformable to condescend to such their Request and that the said Mr. Hall then alledged and affirmed unto them that if the Citizens of the said Burrough would have made suit unto him he would upon such their own suit then remitted the same so was he very willing to do any thing which might be grateful to this House and did freely and frankly remit the same which being well liked of by this House it was by them this day Ordered that the same should be entred accordingly §. 1. Mr. Arthur Hall's Case stated I. ANno 23 Eliz. 1580. Mr. Arthur Hall Burgess for Grantham for writing a Book derogatory to the Authority Power and State of the Commons House of Parliament had Judgment nemine contradicente 1. To be imprisoned in the Tower for 6 months and from thence till he had made a Retractation of his Book 2. To be severed and cut off from being a Member of that or any future Parliament 3. A Fine of 500 Marks to the Queen 4. His Book and slanderous Libel adjudged utterly false and erroneous II. Anno 1 Jacobi 1603. The Bishop of Bristol publishing a Book tending to make division and strife wrong and dishonour both to the Lower House and the Lords themselves was complained of by the Commons to the Lords The Earl of Salisbury at a Conference between the two Houses rebuked the Bishop That any man should presume to see more than a Parliament could the Bishop made his Recantation 1. That he had erred 2. That he was sorry for it 3. If it were to do again he would not do it 4. But protested it was done of ignorance and not of malice III. Anno 7 Jacobi 1609. Dr. Cowell Professor of the Civil Law at Cambridge writ a Book called the Interpreter rashly dangerously and perniciously asserting certain Heads to the overthrow and destruction of Parliaments and the fundamental Laws and Government of the Kingdom He was complained of by the Commons to the Lords as equally wounded who resolved to censure his Errors and boldness but upon the interposition of the King who declared that the man had mistaken the Fundamental Points and Constitutions of Parliaments promised to condemn the Doctrines of the Book as absurd and him that maintained the Positions they proceeded no further His Principles with the evident Inferences from them were these 1. That the King was solutus à Legibus and not bound by his Coronation Oath 2. That it was not ex necessitate that the King should call a Parliament to make Laws but might do that by his absolute power for Voluntas Regis with him was Lex populi 3. That it was a favour to admit the consent of his Subjects in giving of Subsidies 4. The Doctor draws his Arguments from the Imperial Laws of the Roman Emperors an Argument which may be urged with as great reason and upon as good authority for the reduction of the state of the Clergy of England to