Provinces of Munster and Connaght as also to the Sheriffs of five Counties of the Pale to consult the best way and means of their own preservation That day the Lord Viscount Gormanstoun the Lord Viscount Netterville the Lord Viscount Fitz-Williams and the Lord of Lowth and since the Earls of Kildare and Fingal and the Lords of Dunsany and Slane all Noblemen of the English Pale came unto us declaring That they then and not before heard of the matter and professed all Loyalty to His Majesty and Concurrence with the State but said they wanted Arms whereof they desired to be supplied by us which we told them we would willingly do as relying much on their faithfulness to the Crown but we were not yet certain whether or no we had enough to Arm our strengths for the guarding of our City and Castle yet we supplied such of them as lay in most danger with a small proportion of Arms and Ammunition for their Houses lest they should conceive we apprehended any Jealousie of them and we commanded them to be very diligent in sending out Watches and making all the Discoveries they could and thereof to advertise us which they readily promised to do And if it fall out that the Irish generally rise which we have cause to suspect then we must of necessity put Arms into the hands of the English Pale in present and others as fast as we can to fight for the defence of the State and themselves Your Lordship now sees the Condition wherein we stand and how necessary it is first That we enjoy your Presence speedily for the better guiding of these and other Publick Affairs of the King and Kingdom And secondly That the Parliament of England be moved immediately to advance to us a good Sum of Mony which being now speedily sent hither may prevent the expence of very much Treasure and Blood in a long continued War And if your Lordship shall happen to stay on that side any long time we must then desire your Lordship to appoint a Lieutenant General to discharge the great and weighty burthen of commanding the Forces here Amidst these confusions and disorders fallen upon us we bethought us of the Parliament which was formerly Adjourned to November next and the Term now also at hand which will draw such a concourse of People hither and give opportunity under that pretence of Assembling and taking new Councils seeing the former seems to be in some part disappointed and of contriving further danger to this State and People We therefore found it of unavoidable necessity to Prorogue the Parliament to the 24th day of February next and therefore we did by Proclamation Prorogue it accordingly and do direct the Term to be Adjourned to the first of Hillary Term excepting only the Court of Exchequer for the hastening in the King's Money We desire that upon this occasion your Lordship will be pleased to view our Letters concerning the Plantation of Connaght dated the 24th of April last directed to Mr. Secretary Vane in that part thereof which concerns the County of Monoghan where now these fires do first break out In the last place we must make known to your Lordship That the Army we have consisting but of 2000 Foot and 1000 Horse are so dispersed in Garrisons in several Parts of the four Provinces for the security of those Parts as continually they have been since they were reduced as if they be all sent for to be drawn together not only the Places where they are to be drawn from and for whose safety they lye there must be by their absence distressed but also the Companies themselves coming in so small numbers may be in danger to be cut off in their march nor indeed have we any mony to pay the Soldiers to enable them to march And so we take leave and remain From His Majesties Castle of Dublin 25 Oct. 1641. Your Lordships to be Commanded William Parsons John Borlase Robert Boulton Canc. J. Dillon Anth. Midensis Jo. Raphoe Thomas Rotherham Fra. Willougbly Jo. Ware Ro. Digby Adam Loftus Jo. Temple Gerrard Lowther George Wentworth Ro. Meredith Postscript The said Owen Connelly who revealed this Conspiracy is worthy of great Consideration to Recompence that Faith and Loyalty which he hath so extremely to his own danger expressed in this business whereby under God there is yet hope left us of Deliverance of this State and Kingdom from the wicked purposes of those Conspirators And therefore we beseech your Lordship that it be taken into Consideration there so as he may have a mark of His Majesties most Royal Bounty which may largely extend to him and his Posterity we being not now able here to do it for him William Parsons As we were making up these our Letters the Sheriff of the County of Monoghan and Dr. Teale having fled came unto us and informed us of much more Spoil committed by the Rebels in the Counties of Monoghan and Cavan and that the Sheriff of the County of Cavan joyns with the Rebels being a Papist and Prime Manof the Irish William Parsons Robert Digby John Dillon Adam Loftus Then Sir William Cole's Letter which had given some Light to the Conspiracy was read as followeth Right Honorable UPon Friday last Two of the Natives of this County Sir William Cole's Letter to the Lord Justices of Ireland just before the discovery of the Rebellion Men of good Credit came to my House and informed me that Hugh Boy Mr. Tirlagh Mr. Henry O Neal a Captain which came from Flanders about May last hath since that time had the chiefest part of his Residence in Tyrone at or near Sir Phelem Roe O Neal 's House to which Place it hath been observed there hath been more then an Ordinary or former Vsual resort of People so frequent that it hath bred some Suspition of Evil Intendments in the Minds of sundry Men of honest Inclinations and these Gentlemen my Authors do say that they do hold no good Opinion of it rather construing an evil Intention to be the Cause thereof For my own part I cannot tell what to make or think of it The Lord Maguire in all that time as they inform me also hath been noted to have very many private Journeys to Dublin to the Pale into Tyrone to Sir Phelim O Neals and many other Places this Year which likewise gives diverse of the Country Cause to doubt that something is in Agitation tending to no good Ends. Vpon Saturday last one of the same Gentlemen came again to me and told me that as he was going Home the Day before he sent his Footman a nearer Way then the Horse Way who met with one of the Lord Inskillins Footmen and demanded of him from whence he came Who made Answer That he came from Home that Morning and the other replying said You have made good hast to be here so soon to which he answered That his Lord came Home late last Night and writ Letters all
hearty and kind Affections to my People in general and to this City in particular as can be desired by loving Subjects The first I shall express by governing you all according to the Laws of this Kingdom and in maintaining and protecting the true Protestant Religion according as it hath been Established in my two famous Predecessors times Queen Elizabeth and My Father * * Too Prophetically spoken and this I will do if need be to the hazzard of My life and all that is dear unto Me. As for the City in Particular I shall study by all means their prosperity And I assure you I will singly grant those few reasonable demands you have now made unto me in the Name of the City and likewise I shall study to re-establish that flourishing Trade which now is in some disorder amongst you which I doubt not to effect with the good assistance of the Parliament One thing I have thought of as a particular Affection to you which is to give back unto you freely that part of London-Derry which heretofore was Evicted from you This I confess as that Kingdom is now is no great Gift but I hope first to recover it and then to give it to you whole and intirely And for the Legal part of this I command you Mr. Recorder to wait upon me to see it punctually performed I will end as I began to desire you Mr. Recorder to give all the City thanks in better Expressions than I can make Though I must tell you it will be far short of that real contentment I find in my heart for this real and seasonable Demonstration of their Affections to me Sir Richard Gurney the L. Mayor and the Recorder Knighted His Majesty having ended this gracious Speech was pleased to confer the honour of Knighthood upon the Lord Mayor and Mr. Recorder with the City Sword and both their Majesties gave them as also the Aldermen City Council and Officers the honour of kissing their Royal hands This Ceremony being over His Majesty and the Prince alighted out of the Coach and took their Horses the Queen Duke of York Princess Mary Prince Elector and the Dutchess of Richmond still remaining in their Coaches In the mean time by the care and pains of the two Captains of the Companies and of the three Marshals that were appointed for this days Service the 500 Horse-men of the Liveries and their Attendants were brought in Order and the Command being given faced about in order to the conducting of their Majesties into London which brave appearance gave great satisfaction to His Majesty and the rest of that Illustrious Company The whole Cavalcade was Marshalled in this Order The City Marshall The Sheriffs Trumpeters The Sheriffs Men. Messengers of the Chamber Citizens in their Velvet Coats and Chains The City Councel and Officers The Aldermen The Princes Trumpeters The King's Trumpeters Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber Knight Marshal Pursivants at Arms. The Lord Chief Justice of the Common-Pleas being a Knight of the Privy Council Barons Lord Goring Lord Coventry Lord Fielding Lord Digby Lord Moubray Viscount Conway Heralds Earls Earl Rivers Earl of Bath Earl of Cumberland Earl of Essex L. Chamberlain of the King's House Duke of Richmond Clarencieux and Norroy Lord Keeper Lord Privy Seal Sergeants at Arms among whom one for the City Quirries and Foot-men The Prince's Highness Quirries and Foot-men Garter The Lord Mayor carrying the Cities Sword by His Majesties special appointment as a grace and favour at this time A Gentleman-Usher daily waiting Lord Great Chamberlain Marquess of Hertford bearing the Sword of State Earl Marshal The King's Majesty The Queens Majesty in her Coach richly Embroydered and with her the Duke of York the Princess Mary and the Prince Elector Marquess Hamilton Master of the Horse leading the Horse of State The Earl of Salisbury Captain of the Pensioners The Gentlemen Pensioners with their Pollaxes all mounted with Pistols at their Saddles The Earl of Holland Lord General beyond Trent and after him Viscount Grandison with many other principal Commanders in the late Northern Expedition After them divers Ladies and other Persons of Great Quality The Yeomen of the Guard In this Order they marched towards London and entred the City at Moor-gate where their Majesties were welcomed with a noise of Trumpets appointed to attend there to that purpose from which place to Bishops-gate and so through Corn-hill to St. Laurence Lane's End in Cheap-side the Companies in their Liveries stood on the left hand as their Majesties passed by the Rails of the Standings being covered with Blew Cloth and the Standings themselves being richly adorned with Banners Ensigns and Pendants of the Arms of each Company respectively Nine Companies of the Twelve standing in the Morning the Lord Mayor's Company beginning against St. Laurence Lane's End and the other Eight in their Order towards Bishops-gate the rest of the way to Moorgate being supplied by some of the inferiour Companies the outsides of the Houses all the Way their Majesties passed being adorned with rich Tapestries On the North side of the Street four Foot distant from the Houses were Rails placed to regulate and keep the People in good Order from Bishops-gate to Corn-hill and so to Temple-Bar at the beginning of which Rails viz. at Bishopsgate by the direction of the 2 Captains and 3 Marshals the first Horse-men of the Liveries began to make a Stand the first Rank of them placing themselves single faced to the Liveries that were in the Standings and the rest passing along placed themselves in the same Order The Trumpets and Pendants of each Company standing in the Front and then the Companies themselves the youngest being next to the Pendant and so upwards by Seniority to the Master of the Company who took his place last Then began the Pendant and Youngest of the next Company to make their Stand and so in Order till they came to St. Laurence Lane's End there being five Foot distance from one Horse to another in which space stood each Horse-man's Foot-man with a Truncheon in his hand so making a Guard for their Majesties and the rest of the Train to pass through And it fell out that most of the Companies of Horse were placed right against their own Companies in the Standings The People that were Spectators in the Streets were bestowed part behind the Horse and part behind the Liveries and by this good Order their Majesties and the whole Train passed quietly and without the least interruption Their Majesties coming along Corn-hill seven Trumpets that were in the Clock-house of the Royal Exchange gave their second welcom into the City and as they passed along the Conduit in Corn-hill and the great Conduit in Cheapside ran with Claret Wine to express the Liberality of the City for that Joyful Day And all the Way as their Majesties passed along the Streets resounded again with the Loud and Joyful Acclamations of the People crying God bless and long
Rectory of which he had been possessed as Tenant to the Crown 35 Years that taking out Writs to arrest Gwyn the Earl bad him recal them or he would clap him in the Castle and that he would not have his Orders disputed by Law nor Lawyers that he desired Gwyn being Poor he might give security which the Earl said was just and that it should be so entred in his Order but that Sir Paul Davis told him that my Lord Strafford found fault with it and struck it out with his own hand that making a Lease to an Incumbent contrary to an Act of State that no Lease should be longer then the Incumbent's Life and being prosecuted for it the Earl told him an Act of State should be as binding as an Act of Parliament John Waldron deposed the same in the Case of a Lease between the Merchants of Galloway and some others John Waldron John Kay Lord Killmallock Sir Pierce Crosby John Kay deposed the same the Lord Killmallock deposed the same and that Sir George Radcliff my Lord Strafford's Eccho an occasion of throwing out a Bill making its Felony to have Powder without licence said the same Sir Pierce Crosby deposed the same To this the Earl answered The Earl's Defence That the Council Board of Ireland was a Court of Record that it was so in favour of the English Protestants and Clergy This he proved by the Lord Dillon in the Lord Chichester's and Lord Grandison's time Lord Dillon that the Acts of State were by the Judges reputed as Laws of the Land for the present and proceeded by Arrest Imprisonment and Fines upon contempt Sir Adam Loftus which Sir Adam Loftus confirmed Then the Order which my Lord of Cork mentioned was read attested and acknowledged to be Sir Paul Davis his hand where it appeared the Clause my Lord Cork said was struck out was standing still only my Lord Cork was limited to prosecute within a Year So what was objected about Gwyn he said he was unknown to him but produced a Certificate from the University of Dublin That he was a Master of Arts of 12 or 14 Years standing adding That my Lord of Cork must be an Excellent Schollar under whom his Groom had so much profited For the Words spoken to the Earl of Cork though he had so quick a memory as to swear them roundly as laid in the charge to a syllable yet they carry their own Contradiction the Order produced referring him to the Law at the highest if the words were spoken they are but indiscreet and it was severe to be punished for being no wiser than God Almighty had made him that my Lord is but a single Witness and he is not prosecuted according to 1 E. 6. cap. 12. That the other Witnesses are Extrajudicial proving words spoken in other places and times then he is charged withal and yet that the words may bear a fair interpretation for that the King being the Law-giver which he hoped none would deny without the Crime of Treason the King's sentence is a Law in matters not determined by Act of Parliament that Prerogative is a part of the Fundamental Law as well as the Property of the Subject That he had alwayes wished for an harmony between them and that they might keep in their wonted Channel if either of them rise above their due heights nothing could be expected but subversion of the Common-wealth either by Tyranny or Rebellion That prerogative was like the First liberty of the subject like the 2d Table either both or neither can be preserved That Prerogative as long as it goes not against the Law of the Land is the Law of the Land and binding being made to prevent a temporary mischief before an Act of Parliament can give Remedy He excepted against the Lord Killmallock 's swearing Sir George Ratcliff to be his Eccho it being impossible to swear his thoughts Against Mr. Hoy and Sir Pierce Crosby as persons concerned against him in point of Interest and to Mr. Waldron 's That the circumstance qualifies the Words it being according to a Statute directing that Leases should not be made without reserving the Moiety of the yearly value After which the Manager replyed That this Article proved the Earl of Strafford's intention to subvert the Government that whereas he saies they are not prosecuted in time the Effects continue to this day and they prosecute him Flagrante Crimine that threatning the Earl of Cork was Arbitrary Government that he hath made it a habit to speake such words as appears by the several times that he himself had confessed the words that when things are rejected in Parliament they are not to be supplied by an Act of State Then they desired to Examin another witness Roger Lotts Witness which the Earl excepting against as not regular the Lords adjourned to their House to consider of it and returning he was admitted and deposed concerning the Bill for Powder without Licence to Felony the Earl told them He would make it an Act of State and that should be as Good To which the Earl replied It was done by Command and for reasons of State not fit to be made publick to keep Powder out of unsafe hands but did not conduce to his acquittal or Condemnation Upon Saturday March 27. Saturday March 27. The 6th day Artic. 5. they proceeded to the Sentencing the Lord Mountnorris at a Council of War thereby Exercising a Tyrannical Power over a Peer of the Realm of Ireland c. First the Sentence was read reciting the King's Letter which commanded a Council of War to sit upon the Lord Mountnorris being a Captain for inciting Revenge against the Lord Deputy-General of his Majesties Army The Lord Mountnorris deposed That he was called to a Council of War Lord Mountnorris Witness charged to have spoken words to this purpose That being told a Kinsman of his had hurt the Lord-Deputies Foot having the Gout he should say Perhaps it was done in Revenge of that publick affront that my Lord Deputy did me formerly but I have a Brother that would not have taken such a Revenge that he was required instantly to confess or deny the Charge that he desired time to answer but was denied as also to produce witnesses to disprove the Lord Moor and Sir Robert Loftus who upon Oath had affirmed it that thereupon in half an Hour Sentence was Pronounced against him by Sir Charles Coot Provost Marshal That the Lord-Deputy in scorn told him That he might proceed to Execution but he would Supplicate his Majestie for his Life and rather lose his Hand then he should lose his Head that he was committed to Prison December the 12th and bailed out the 18th the Physitians making Oath he was in danger of his life the High oppression and Injustice having thrown him into a desperate sickness committed again Apr. the 11th let out May the 2d by reason of Sickness recommitted the 30th of January following
the Gentlemen of my Lord's Chamber came to the Hall and gave Information to the Lords upon Oath that the Earl was the last night taken with a Violent Fit of the Stone and that it was impossible for him to make his appearance being indeed not able to stir out of his Bed The Commons seemed much dissatisfied at this disappointment and Mr. Glyn said That it appeared rather an Effect of Wilfulness than Weakness for otherwise he might have sent a Dr. of Physick to testifie the truth of the matter But the Lord Steward made answer That possibly a Dr. could not be procured so early in the morning nor was it possible for any Physitian to give a certain Judgment concerning a man's disability by the Stone because their is no outward symptom that appears Mr. Glyn then moved That if he did not appear on Saturday morning he should lose the Priviledg of speaking any thing further in his own Defence afterwards and that they might be permitted to proceed The Lord Steward replyed That the Lords had appointed Four of their Number to go to the Tower and learn the true Cause of the Earl's stay and that if by any means he were able he should be obliged to appear this day if not Humanity and Common Equity would excuse him The Commons were it seems very uneasy at this delay for reforting to their House after Noon a Conference was resolved upon with the Lords the Heads of which were That Mr. Pym should represent to their Lordships the pretiousness of time considering the great necessities of the Kingdom how much time hath already been spent in this Tryal and if more should how prejudicial it might prove to the Kingdom and therefore to desire that to morrow may be a peremptory Day for the Earl to be heard if he will come otherwise that the Committee may proceed to the Replication on the whole matter and the Earl to be absolutely concluded for saying any more to the matter of Fact To this the Lords answered by Message by Baron Henden and Mr. Heath That they have Considered of the Message and Resolved That if the Earl of Strafford come to morrow morning he may proceed according to the Former Order if he comes not that then the Commons may proceed to Summ up the Evidence as to matter of Fact and the Earl of Strafford to be concluded as to matter of Fact Some Lords went by Order to the Tower who at their return certified That they found two Physitians with him of whom they inquired whether the state of his health would without danger of his Life permit him to appear the next day at the Hall who informed them That he had been very ill but yet they judged he might appear In the Afternoon a Rumor was spread abroad the Town that he was Dead at which some who were Strangers to his Merit and Innocence seemed Exceedingly to rejoyce so strangely doth the Fickle Genius of the Populace seem to delight it self with the Calamities and Misfortunes even of the greatest Personages and whilst weak understandings and strong Prejudices filled them with Fears Jealousies and apprehensions of Dangers from the Life of this Noble Innocent they seemed so desirous of his Death as by their wishes to anticipate his Fate Upon Saturday he appeared at the Bar Saturday April 10. expecting when he should be commanded to summ up his Defence in order to the Commons Replication when Mr. Glyn begun to offer some new proof concerning the 23 d. Article but this the Earl opposed alledging the Process was already closed and that by the Order of the Lord's who had given him notice that he was now to answer and make his last Defence as to the Charge in matter of Fact or otherwise to be concluded Mr. Glyn replied That the Process was not closed so long as the evidence was not summed up and that it did not become a Prisoner at the Bar to prescribe a method to the proceedings of the Commons of England To this the Earl answered That he thought it stood him in hand as nearly to defend his life as it did any persons to pursue it Yet he was willing they should bring in new Proofs provided that he were allowed the Liberty to make replies and make use of some new Witnesses in some Articles that concerned his Justification The Lord Newark upon this contest moved that the Lords might Adjourn to their own House to take these things into Consideration which they did accordingly and the matter being strongly Debated The Judges Opinion the Judges Opinions were consulted in it and upon consultation gave this Resolution That according to the Course and Practice of Common Justice before them in their several Courts upon Tryals by Jury so long as the Prisoner is at the Bar and the Jury not sent away either side way give their Evidence and Examine Witnesses to discover Truth After near two hours stay the Lord 's returned and the Lord Steward commanded the Order which they had agreed upon to be read which was to this effect That it was granted to the Committee for the Commons to bring in new Proof concerning the 23 d Article so they conceived in Justice they could not deny the Lord Strafford liberty to make his reply and examin Witnesses and that if they were ready he should produce them And that if they went to no other Articles neither should his Lordship but if they did that then he might have the same freedom according to Common Justice to offer what he had further to any other Articles The Committee construed the Order in favour of themselves and declined all the other Articles except the 23 d concluding that the Earl was restrained by it from all Articles but that On the other side he said That he conceived the Order was for him and that since they had pick't out their Article it was against Common Equity to tye up his hands and not admit of a Common Rule for them both They replyed That when that Article was prosecuted they had reserved their further Witness till another time He answered That he had done the same upon every Article the time for procuring his Witnesses from Ireland being so short To which they returned That the House had refused his Reservation He answered Nor had they passed any Order for theirs Upon this new Contest the Lords adjourned again to their own House and after two Hours hot Debate between themselves they returned and the Order was read to this Effect 1. That either both of them should wave the new proofs and go immediately to what follows in the Process or Secondly if they declined that the Lord 's conceived themselves common Judges to both and so would not deny the Lord of Strafford the liberty of pitching upon what Articles he pleased as they had done or Thirdly That both of them should name their Witnesses instantly at the Bar. At this the Commons shewed great dissatisfaction yet they
desired the Earl to name his Witnesses if he would receive any benefit of the Order He answered That he would nominate after them in regard they were first in the Order They replyed That he knew their Article they did not know his He said he would bring proofs about the 2.5.13 and 15. Articles and desired that they would proceed to the Nomination But they told him They could not submit to the Order without the advice of the whole House Then suddenly a mighty Noise followed of the whole House of Commons calling out Withdraw Withdraw which they did with those Eminent Symptoms of displeasure and in that Tumultuary Confusion that it produced fear and wonders in the Spectators for both the Houses broke up without so much as adjourning the Court or appointing the next time of Meeting nothing but anger and resentment seemed to sit upon mens faces and a certain dismal Expectation of the Effects of a distempered State The Violent men of the House of Commons who Prosecuted the Earl began now to apprehend they might meet with a Dissapointment in their Expectations and that the Earl did not stand so Criminal in the apprehensions of the greatest part of the Lords as they had endeavoured to render him but that some Beams of Innocence began to shine from him even under the black Clouds which they had raised against his Reputation and judging after all this Noise of High Treason which they had raised and which filled the most obscure Corners of the Nation was become the great expectation of the World that if he should come to be cleared by the suffrage of his Peers not only his Glory and Reputation would appear more bright by so black a foil but their Reputation and Interest must for ever set and sink in the Opinion of the vulgar who are apt to Measure Actions by their success and Consequently that this would give such a blow to their yet Infant Designs as must render them abortive in their very Embrio therefore no sooner were they retired in the forementioned disorder and heat but they fell upon a new Method to effect the Ruin of this Great Man That which they pretended was designed to be offered as further proof of the 23 d Article and wherein they thought the Lords had not done them Justice was a certain Paper which Sir Henry Vane Jun. pretended to have found in his Father's Cabinet being a Note or short Memoires of what passed at a Junto of the private Committee for the Scotch affairs charging the Earl of Strafford Lord Arch-bishop of Canterbury and Lord Cottington with an intention then mentioned of bringing in the Irish Army and full of pernicious counsell to the King and slanderous words against the Commons in the last Parliament This pretious Relique Sir Henry discovered to Mr. Pym whereupon a Bill of Attainder which Mr. Pym had ready for the Purpose was immediately voted to be read and so eager were they upon the Chace that contrary to Parliamentary Custom and Reason which in things of moment ought to govern by that standing Rule Deliberandum est diu quod statuendum est semel it received a second reading Sunday now proved no day of rest the concerned were busie to spread terrors and affrightments in the minds of the People all the discourse was of the Breach like to ensue between the Two Houses and licentious Tongues were not sparing to declare That since the House of Commons had voted the Bill of Attainder they would also declare all his adherents Traitors Many big words were spoken and it was reported that some of the Nobility should say That it was unnatural to have the Head governed by the Members that they hated Rebellion no less than Treason hat the same blood which Ennobled their Ancestors run also in their Veins and they would never permit themselves to be suppressed by a popular Faction And certainly many of the Lords began to see through the Disguise and that they could not Condemn the Earl of Strafford in the Legal way of Procedure upon Constructive or as it was then called accumulative Treason but they must let loose such a furious Lion as would devour them and their Posterity and this was the fear of the Earl's Enemies for had it come to a Period upon the Trial it was the General belief he would upon the Honour of the Peerage have been found Not Guilty However it happened the Difference was at last composed at a Conference the Lord Steward acquainting them That their Lordships are resolved the Commons may proceed as formerly was intended before the offer of further Evidence to be propounded the Earl of Strafford to recollect his Evidence first and that being done the Members of the House of Commons to state their Evidence and this to be done to morrow morning whereof they will give the Earl of Strafford Notice Accordingly upon Tuesday April 13. Tuesday April 13. the Lord Strafford being brought to the Hall and standing at the Bar The Lord High Steward informed him That the Lords do Expect his Lordship should summ up the Evidence as the Gentlemen of the House of Commons should do theirs for the close of the proofs of the matter of Fact desiring him to do it with all the brevity and clearness he could The Earl humbly moved clearly to understand what was expected from him and whether new matter might be alledged on either side The Lord Steward replying That if there be any new matter God forbid but they might alledg it The Earl answered That he was in all things ready to manifest his Obedience to their Lordships and will offer no new matter unless it arise from the other side And then he proceeded to summ up his Evidence as followeth May it please your Lordships IT falls to my turn The Earl of Strafford's Summary of the Evidence by your Lordships leave and favour to presume to put you in mind and to represent to you the Proofs as they have been offered which I shall do to the best of my Memory with a great deal of Clearness I shall desire to represent them neither better nor worse then they are in themselves and I wish the like Rule may be observed on the other side For in the proceeding of this Cause I heard them alleadge that as they conceived divers Articles were fully proved Whence I conceive there was nothing fully Proved My Lords my Memory is weak my Health hath been impaired and I have not had such quiet thoughts as I desired to have had in a business of so great and weighty importance to me And therefore I shall most humbly beseech your Lordships that by your Wisdom your Justice and Goodness I may be so much bound to you as to have my Infirmities supplyed by your better Abilities better Judgments and better Memories My Lords The Charge I am to Answer is a Charge of High-Treason and that which makes it the most grievous of all it is an
but I confess this unfortunate thing forth of the way towards that blessed agreement which God I trust shall ever establish between You and Your Subjects Sir My Consent shall more acquit you herein to God than all the World can do besides To a willing man there is no injury done and as by Gods Grace I forgive all the World with a calmness and meekness of infinite contentment to my dislodging Soul So Sir to you I can give the life of this world with all the chearfulness imaginable in the just acknowledgment of your exceeding favours and only beg that in Your Goodness You would vouchsafe to cast Your Gracious regard upon my poor Son and his Three Sisters less or more and no otherwise than as their in present unfortunate Father may hereafter appear more or less guilty of this death God long preserve Your Majesty Tower May 4. 1641. Your Majesties most Faithful And Humble Subject And Servant STRAFFORD And for suppressing the Tumults the Commons Ordered Dr. Burgess to read the Protestation to the People and to tell them The Parliament desired them to return home which he did and thereupon they departed by which it is Evident who raised influenced and Governed the Tumults Upon Wednesday May the 5th Wednesday May 5. there happened a strange hubbub in the City which was now wholy set upon Tumults and Disorders which was upon this ridiculous occasion Sir Walter Erle was making a Report of a Design to blow up the House of Commons whereupon Mr. Middleton and Mr. Moyle two corpulent men and some others standing up to hear the Report a board in the Gallery broke and gave such a Crack that some apprehended the House was blown up indeed and Sir John Wray crying out He smelt Gun-Powder they hurried out of the House and frighted the People in the Lobby who ran into the Hall crying out The Parliament House was falling and the Members slain and the People running in confusion through the Hall Sir Robert Mansel drew his Sword and bid them stand for shame he saw no Enemy to hurt the Parliament and that there was no danger but some of the Zealots by water gave the alarm so that the Drums beat and a Regiment of Train Bands marched as far as Covent-Garden and the Rabble of Volunteers down to the House to save the Parliament which ridiculous Accident though at present it occasioned no other effect but laughter yet did strangely embolden the Factious who now plainly discovered the Influence they had over the Multitude and that they were perfectly at their Devotion Things being in this Distraction and few of the Lords daring to appear at the House Judges Opinion about the Earl of Strafford yet the Bill went on but slowly but in conclusion the Judges to give the better Countenance to the Matter being demanded their opinion and the Lord Chief Justice of the King's-Bench delivering it as their Unanimous Opinion That upon all that which their Lordships have Voted to be proved the Earl of Strafford doth deserve to undergo the pains and forfeitures of High-Treason and the Bill for perpetuating the Parliament which was brought up from the Commons the day before being quickly dispatched read and passed the next being Saturday May the 8th Saturday May 8. The Bill of Attainder was also passed the House of Lords but yet not without Opposition for all the Lords except 45 being absent of those is was carried but by 7 Votes 19 giving their Not-content to 26 that gave their content to the passing of this Fatal Bill The great Difficulty after all was to be yet overcome in procuring the Royal assent and for this purpose both the Houses attended his Majesty in the Banquetting-House to move him to it to which they received Answer That upon Monday they should know His Majesties Resolution All Sunday the King struggled with himself what to do in this Affair and certainly never was any Poor Prince so harrased between the Importunities of pretended necessity of State and the doubts of his own Conscience which told him the Earl was Innocent of what he was to die for the Lord-Chamberlain told him he acted like David and cited 2 Chron. 19. from Vers the 5 to 8. and that should he deny this it would be construed that he loved his Enemies and hated his Friends and that if he did not speak comfortably to the People they would desert him which would be worse then all the Evils that had befallen him in his life The King sent for the Judges and the Bishops to assist him the Bishops referred him to the Judges yet told him That in his Conscience he found not the Earl guilty in matter of Fact he ought not to pass the Bill but for matter of Law what was Treason they referred him to the Judges who according to their Oath ought to carry themselves indifferently between him and his Subjects only Doctor Juxon resolutely told him that if he were not satisfied in his Conscience he ought not to do it whatsoever happened the King complained of the Judges that they had not satisfied him nor indeed durst they give their Opinions freely for the satisfaction of his Conscience their own Consciences being over-awed and terrified their very Courage and Reason having deserted them in this Common Extremity and by their dubious answers abusing him as he said not easing him of his Scruples The general advice was to submit to the present necessity but how dearly both the King and they paid for making Religion truckle to reason of State hear him speak himself in his own Book concerning the Death of this Great Man I Looked upon my Lord of Strafford as a Gentleman 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 upon the Earl of Straffords Death whose great abilities might make a Prince rather afraid than ashamed to imploy him in the greatest affairs of State For those were prone to create in him great confidence of undertakings and this was like enough to betray him to great Errors and many Enemies whereof he could not but contract good store while moving in so high a Sphear and with so vigorous a Luster he must needs as the Sun raise many envious exhalations which condensed by a Popular odium were capable to cast a cloud upon the brightest merit and integrity Though I cannot in my Judgment approve all he did driven it may be by the necessities of times and the temper of that people more than led by his own disposition to any height and rigor of Actions yet I could never be convinced of any such criminousness in him as willingly to expose his life to the stroke of Justice and Malice of his enemies I never met with a more unhappy conjuncture of affairs than in the business of that unfortunate Earl when between my own unsatisfiedness in Conscience and a necessity as some told me of satisfying the importunities of some people I was perswaded by those that I think wished me well to chuse
hand and therefore in his own words take the following account of that Affair WHen the King had Dissolved the Parliament in April An account of Sir Henry Vanes Notes so fatal to the Earl of Strafford 1640. He committed the management of his greatest concernments to certain Lords of his Council who were called the Juncto At this Table Sir Henry Vane as Secretary of State was present and had taken some rude and imperfect Notes of such Speeches as those Lords had severally delivered to the King by way of Debate whether he Transcribed those Notes is uncertain yet his great care in keeping them makes it more then probable he designed to have something in readiness if an occasion should be offered that might turn to the Earl of Strafford's prejudice against whom he had a private hatred the Earl having obtained from the King the Title of Raby for his Barony which was the hereditary possession of Sir Henry Vane though by Gift from the King But this Grudge lay concealed lest the intended Revenge against the Earl should not take Effect in the proper season for if Sir Henry Vane's Malice had been professed the Earl of Strafford's Power would easily have disordered and disappointed all his opposite Attempts These Notes were therefore laid up in his Cabinet till he found the differences betwixt the King and his Subjects of Scotland to be in a fair way of composure and then he thought it the fittest time to discover those private Councils and engage the Lords and Commons when ever they met in Parliament to an irreconcilable hatred against him But his fears were great in owning himself as an Informer or Accuser lest he should lose the Place and Favour which he held in Court and be looked upon by the King as a Perjur'd Councellor a false and unworthy Servant Yet he thought it might prove unsafe and unsuccessful to imploy a Stranger in a business of so great Concernment to him he therefore resolves to improve his Malice and Subtilty by one whom nature had made his living Copy and he takes such a Course as might cast the blemish upon his Son yet gain the means of that Revenge which he designed He was then in a Treaty of Marriage for his Son with the Daughter of Sir Christopher Wray and being called upon to produce the chief Writings of his Estate he being then at his Country House in Kent gave his Son the Keys of his Cabinet at Whitehall and directed him to such a Drawer were he should find those Writings which were desired but no sooner had his Son opened the Cabinet and the Drawer according to his Fathers directions but he found a Paper with this Indorsment Notes taken at the Juncto This Paper either from his own Curiosity or his Fathers Direction he opens and reads and having a particular Acquaintance with Mr. Pym he repairs to him with great Expressions of a troubled Mind not knowing what way to steer himself betwixt the Discharge of his Duty to the Common-wealth and his faithfulness to his Father Mr. Pym endeavoured to answer his Scruples and having perused the Paper he found many Expressions of dangerous consequence he therefore took a Copy of those Notes for his own use but when the Parliament met he resolved to make use of them for the Service of the Publique and assured Mr. Vane that all tender care should be had of his Reputation and of his Fathers security and that his name should not be made use of as the Author of this Information unless it should appear to him to be of absolute necessity to avow the Discovery of it For these reasons the close Committee was desired preparatory Examinations were contrived that the truth of these Counsels and Advices delivered to the King by the Earl of Strafford might have been gained from the Confession of those Lords which were present at the Debates Upon this desire of the House of Commons the Lords declared that no Examination ought to be taken before the particular Charge against the Earl of Strafford were given in and that they understood the desire of the House of Commons in no other sence and therefore they Ordered That for that time and in that case all the Peers should be Examined upon Oath as Witnesses and that the Assistants should likewise be Examined upon Oath if it were required and that they would endeavour with their best care to have the business kept secret and that such of the House of Commons as should be made choice of might be present at the taking such Preparatory Examinations as should be desired by them for perfecting of the Charge against the Earl of Strafford Sir Henry Vane's Papers the 5th of May 1640. L. L. Ireland Sir Henry Vane's Notes taken at the Juncto No danger in undertaking the War whether the Scots are to be reduced or not To reduce them by force as the State of this Kingdom stands If his Majesty had not declared himself so soon he would have declared himself for no War with Scotland They would have given him plentifully The City to be called immediately and quickned to lend One Hundred Thousand Pounds The Shipping Money to be put vigorously upon Collection those two ways will furnish his Majesty plentifully to go on with Arms and War against Scotland The manner of the War Stopping of the Trade of Scotland no prejudice to the Trade free with England for Cattel A Defensive War totally against it Offensive War into the Kingdom His Opinion few Months will make an end of the War do you invade them L. Arch. Lord Archbishop If no more Money then proposed how then to make an Offensive War a dissiculty Whether to do nothing and let them alone or to go on with a vigorous War L. L. Ireland Go vigorously on or let them alone no Defensive War loss of Honour or Reputation the quiet of England will hold out long you will languish as between Saul and David Go on with an Offensive War as you first designed loosed and absolved from all Rules of Government Being reduced to extreme necessity every thing is to be done as power will admit and that you are to do They refused you are acquitted toward God and Man You have an Army in Ireland you may imploy here to reduce this Kingdom Confident as any thing under Heaven Scotland will not hold out Five Months one Summer well imployed will do it venture all I had I would carry it or lose it Whether a Defensive War as impossible as an Offensive War or whether to let them alone L. Arch. Tryed all ways and refused all ways By the law of God you should have subsistence and ought to have and lawful to take it L. Cott. Lord. Cott. Leagues abroad they make and will and therefore the defence of this Kingdom The Lower House are weary both of King and Church month May 1641. It always hath been just to raise Moneys by this unavoidable
Governour under Sir Thomas Jermyn of the Isle of Jersey having given an Account of the state of the Isle was Ordered to repair to his Charge there and if Mr. Percy Mr. Jermyn c. were there to apprehend them and cause them to be safely conducted to the House of Lords A Conference was this day appointed to be had with the Lords Fri day May 7. Heads of a Conference about the present dangers of Portsmouth and the French to acquaint them that divers persons who were suspected to have a hand in the Conspiracy and that in order to the discovery of it should have been Examined were gone that new Informations were brought to the Commons of several French Forces lay in Piccardy to be Transported into England probably into Portsmouth and to desire their Lordships to joyn with this House for the Discovery of these Practices and that some Forces may be drawn out of Wiltshire and Barkshire for securing of Portsmouth Sir Walter Erle was also ordered to go down into Dorsetshire to take care of the preservation and safety of that County Sir Hugh Cholmley to go to the Lords to desire them to move his Majesty that the Earl of Essex in this time of danger may be made Lord Lieutenant of Yorkshire A Proclamation was drawn to bring in Mr. Percy c. WHereas Henry Percy Esq Henry Jermyn Esq Proclamation to bring in Mr. Percy Sir John Suckling Knight William Davenant and Captain Billingsly being by order of the Lords in Parliament to be Examined concerning designs of great danger to the State and mischievous ways to prevent the happy Success and Conclusion of this Parliament have so absented and withdrawn themselves as they cannot be Examined His Majesty by the advice of the said Lords in Parliament doth strictly charge the said Henry Percy Esq Henry Jermyn Esq Sir John Suckling William Davenant and Captain Billingsly to appear before the said Parliament at Westminster within Ten days after the Date hereof upon pain to undergo such forfeitures and punishments as the said Lords shall order and inflict upon them The Earl of Bristol Reported to the Lords House Earl of Bristols Report about disbanding the Irish Army May 7. That his Majesty had taken a resolution for the disbanding of the new Irish Army to that purpose an estimate hath been given in to the King of the Charges that 10000 l. will now do it Whereupon there is order taken for the speedy Raising and Returning of Moneys to that intent And Sir Adam Loftus Vice-Treasurer of Ireland hath engaged himself to repay in September next those Monies shall be disbursed by the Earl of Cork and others in the interim for that purpose That likewise there is care taken how to dispose and imploy the said Soldiers that they may not be troublesome to that Country to that purpose there are Eight Colonels and Captains Nominated who will take off these Men and Transport them to Forreign Parts which his Majesty will give way unto if it be to a Prince that he is in Amity with provided that these Commanders do give the King and Parliament an Account both of their Persons and their Imployers before they have the Command of the Soldiers Mr. White Chair-man of the Committee for Scandalous Ministers Saturday May 8. Reports the matter of Complaint exhibited against Edward Finch Vicar of Christ-Church London Upon which these Votes passed Resolved c. Votes about Mr. Finch Vicar of Christ-Church London That the said Edward Finch is guilty of practising Innovations in the Church Non-Residency foul Extortion neglect of the Duty of his Function and prophaning the Sacrament a Man of prophane Life scandalous in his Doctrine and Conversation and a hinderer of preaching Resolved c. That the said Edward Finch is a man unfit to hold any Benefice or Promotion in the Church Mr. White is Ordered to transmit this Case to the Lords that the Parish may be eased of him Thus early did they begin to strike at Root and Branch of Episcopacy for all those who were obedient to their Governours in the Church or thought God Almighty ought to have bodily Worship and Adoration in those places where he has put his Name and made them Houses of Prayer all those who thought kneeling at the Receiving the Holy Sacrament necessary or any other decent Postures Gestures or Vestments that might outwardly signifie inward Veneration and Homage Lawful and Expedient were upon the slightest Accusations voted Guilty of Innovation Prophaneness and unworthy of any Promotion in the Church And as Mr. Symmons Vindicat of King Charles p. 73. Symmons in his Vindication of King Charles who was an Eye-witness of this terrible Persecution informs us All Accusations against any though the best Ministers by the most malicious and lewdest persons were invited by Ordinance incouraged and admitted of without any proof at all And it can be no wonder that the Orthodox Clergy suffered so deeply both in their Reputation and Estates when not only their Accusers which mostly were the several Sectaries in their Parishes or such others as went about to defraud them of their just Dues were their most inveterate Enemies but their Judges too were frequently both Parties in promoting and managing those Accusations and by their open favouring their Accusers shewed the partiality of Enemies The Faction saw the absolute necessity of getting the power of the Sword into their hands both to justifie what they had already done and to support them in what they intended by their pretended Reformation which was totally to abolish Episcopacy in the Church and to clip the Wings of Prerogative if not wholly to take away the Government of Monarchy it self Now to the accomplishment of this design upon the Militia Navy Forts Magazines and Strength of the Nation all Arts imaginable were used to gain the People the great pretences were Liberty Property and Religion for as Mr. Hambden one of the principal Grandees of the Faction told a private friend without that they could not draw the People to assist them The great Rubb in their way to the gaining of the People they knew would be the Loyal and Orthodox Bishops and Clergy these therefore were to be removed that so Creatures of their own might be introduced into Corporations and especially into the City of London who might from the Pulpit preach the Oracles of Sedition and Rebellion delude the People animate and incourage them to assist the Parliament in this Glorious Reformation by putting the power of the Sword into their hands That they might effect this they did not only obtrude Lecturers by order of the House upon most Churches of Note in London and elsewhere but by their means and the restless malice of the Sectaries were perpetually Petitioning and Articling against the Episcopal Clergy And to encourage this Trade of Parson-hunting as the factious Sectaries called it and which did extreamly tie them to the Parliament a pretended Order of the
the Report The Limitations were That all those who had suffered damage by the Customers either in Goods or otherwise might notwithstanding this Composition take their remedy at Law for Reparation And that the petty Customers should also come in upon Composition and then have the benefit of the Act of Oblivion An Order was also sent to the Master and Wardens of the Company of Vintners to command that notice be given to the whole Company that the Patent of Abel and Kilvert being Voted Illegal they should sell their Wines as formerly viz. French Wines at Six-pence per Quart and Spanish Wines at Twelve-pence the Quart This day a Commission was presented to the House of Lords Several private Bills passed by Commission directed to the Lord Privy Seal Lord Great Chamberlain and to Earl Marshal or any two of them to give the Royal Assent to three private Bills viz. One Entituled An Act to enable the Marquess of Winton to grant Estates for three Lives or 21 years c. of Lands in the County of Southampton c. reserving the old Rents Another Entituled An Act for Naturalization of Dorothy Spencer Daughter of Henry Lord Spencer Baron of Wormleighton And the third Entituled An Act for the enabling a Sale and Leasing of Lands for payment of the Debts of Thomas late Earl of Winchelsea The Lords Commissioners in their Robes sitting upon a Form set across the House between the State and the Keeper's Woolsack the House of Commons being sent for came with their Speaker then the Clerk of the Parliament presented upon his knee the Commission unto the Lords Commissioners and the Lord Privy Seal after he had acquainted the Peers and the House of Commons with his Majesties pleasure herein he delivered the Commission to the Clerk of the Parliament who carried it to his Table and read it which being done the Clerk of the Crown read the Titles of each Bill severally after which the Clerk of the Parliament pronounced the Royal Assent severally and then the Commons returned to their own House The Commons being returned Mr. Taylor a Barrister Thursday May 27. Mr. Taylor Burgess for Windsor expelled the House and Burgess for the Burrough of Old Windsor was expelled the House and Voted uncapable of ever being a Member of Parliament to be committed Prisoner to the Tower during the pleasure of the House to be carried down to Windsor there to make publick Recantation of what he had spoken and from thence to be returned back to the House of Commons to receive further Sentence And it was Ordered That a Writ should be presently issued out for a new Election in his Room The words for which he was Expelled and thus severely treated were attested by John Hall Mayor of Windsor Mr. Broughton and Mr. Waller That Mr. Taylor should in discourse about the death of the Earl of Strafford say That the House of Commons had not his Vote to the Bill of Attainder against Thomas Earl of Strafford for that to do it before the Lords had finished the Trial upon the Articles of Impeachment Exhibited by the Commons against him was to commit murther with the Sword of Justice An Act for the utter abolishing and taking away of Arch-Bishops Bill for Root and Branch read twice Bishops their Chancellours and Commissaries Deans Deans and Chapters Arch-Deacons Prebendaries Chanters and Canons and other Under-Officers out of the Church of England was read the first time and upon the debate of the House for a second reading the House was divided Yeas 139 Noes 108 so the Bill was read the second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House A Bill was also read the first time for granting to his Majesty the Duty of Tonnage and Poundage Bill for Tonnage Poundage read twice Holmer the Printer bailed and a second time in the Afternoon This day Holmer the Printer who was committed to the Gate-house for printing an Elegy upon the Earl of Strafford which then were called scandalous Verses was admitted to Bail An Estimate of the Debt of the Kingdom was this day brought into the House by the state of which Account it appeared Friday May 28. The state of the publick Debts Bill for raising mony and disbanding the Armies read a second time Bills against H. Commission Court and Pluralities engrossed Saturday May 29. That there was a Debt of seven hundred seventy three thousand nine hundred pounds due to the two Armies the City and several private persons who had lent mony upon Parliamentary Credit which brought on the Consideration of the Bill for Raising Mony and Disbanding the Armies which was read a second time Mr. Rigby Reports the Bills for taking away the High Commission Court and against Pluralities with the Amendments which were both Ordered to be engrossed Little of moment passed this day in the Commons House most of it being spent in debates about Raising Mony to defray the great Debt into which the Kingdom was plunged by the coming in of the Scottish Army to be assistant in the Glorious Reformation of Religion and Establishment of the Subjects Liberty for which guilded Words the Nation was to part with their real Treasure And it was but an untoward Omen how expensive these great Patriots were like to prove for the future who began so early to shew the People that little less than a Million of Mony must be laid down as the Earnest for this imaginary purchase It was this day Ordered Several Lords examined about the Conspiracy of the Army That the Earls of Newcastle and Carnarvan and the Lord Bishop of Chichester shall be attended with this Order and that their Lordships be desired to repair unto the Lords Committees appointed by this House to take the Examinations concerning certain late practises concerning the Army in the North at Two of the Clock this Afternoon at the Lord Keeper's Lodgings near the Parliament House to be examined by them A Case having been depending between Thomas Nash Nash and Kynnaston's Case determined in a Writ of Error and Charles Kynnaston about Errors in a Writ of Error and Council having been fully heard at the Bar of the Lords House on both sides their Lordships Voted the said Errors alledged by the Plaintiff Nash to be frivolous and thereupon awarded the following Order upon it In Suprema Curia Domini Regis Parliament ' Inter Thomam Nash Quer ' Carolum Kynnaston Defendentem in placito transgr ' ejectionis Firmae Super quo visis premissis per Cur ' Parliament ' Domini Regis nunc hic diligent ' Examinat ' plenius intellectis tum Record ' Process ' predict ac Judic ' predict ' super eisdem Reddit ' quam predict ' Causa pro Errore prodict ' predict ' Thom ' in Forma predict ' assignat ' allegat ' videtur predicta suprema Curia Parliament ' hic quoad Record predict in nullo vitiosum aut defectivum
who invaded England faithful and Loyal Subjects in all Churches and Chappels upon the Thanksgiving Day between the Kingdoms of England and Scotland it was desired by the Commissioners of Scotland that the Loyalty and Faithfulness of his Majesties Subjects might be made known at the time of the Publick Thanksgiving in all Places and particularly in all Parish Churches of his Majesties Dominions which Request was graciously condescended unto by his Majesty and confirmed by the aforesaid Act. It is now Ordered and Commanded by both Houses of Parliament that the same be effectually done in all Parish Churches throughout this Kingdom upon Tuesday the 7th day of September next coming at the time of Publick Thanksgiving by the several and respective Ministers of each Parish Church or by their Curates who are hereby required to read this present Order in the Church Thus did they resolve not only to conquer but to triumph and this was also to be a little kind of Shibboleth for the Clergy for who ever did either speak any thing against the Scots or declined this Declaration of their Loyalty and Fidelity to the King which it was very difficult for Men of sense to believe and therefore more hard for Men of Conscience to declare were certain to be esteemed Malignants and upon the least Complaint were sure to be sent for in the Custody as Delinquents It was also Ordered That Mr. Marshal and Dr. Marshal and Burgess to preach before the Commons upon the Thanksgiving Day A Petition of some Merchants to seize some Parts of America Burgess be desired to Preach before the House of Commons upon the Thanks-Giving Day at St. Margarets Church in Westminster A Petition was presented to the House by several Merchants about the Town consisting principally of three Heads 1 That there might be a certain number of Ships well appointed and stored with Ammunition and Provision for such a Service to be sent to America and some Part to Affrica whereby we might possess our Selves with the Riches of those Countries 2 That the Spanish Party is now grown weak which may induce us with greater alacrity to attempt it 3 That we may thereby become possessed of the Command of both the North and South Seas which will both increase Commerce Shipping Sea-Men and Trade at Home and render us Formidable and Powerful Abroad The Lord Keeper signified to the House that he had received a Letter from the King at Edenburgh by Mr. Anthony Nichols who was the Express sent from both Houses to His Majesty in Scotland The Letter was read in haec verba RIght Trusty and well Beloved We greet you well Whereas We have understood by the Petition of both Houses of Our Parliament in England The King's Letter to the L. Keeper about the Commission to the Committees of both Houses which Anthony Nichols Esquire hath been imployed to Vs from them that they are resolved to send down certain of their Members for to see the Ratification of the Treaty of Pacification by the Parliament here and to that end have desired a Commission under Our Great Seal We do not hold necessary to sign any such Commission but are hereby graciously pleased to give leave to the said Members to come and attend Vs here in Scotland to see the Ratification of the said Treaty and what else belongs thereunto and this We require you to signifie unto both Houses from Vs Given under Our Signet at Our Court of Edenburgh and the 25th Day of August in the 17 Year of Our Reign Such was the Ungovernable Insolence of the Rabble of those who called themselves the Well-Affected Party by their having been indulged because not severely Punished in the Case of the Earl of Strafford that upon every Occasion like a Fire ill quenched they broke out into Disorder and Outrages which was the Occasion of this following Order of the Lords UPon Information this Day to this House An Order of the Lords about the Tumults concerning the French Ambassador Aug. 30. 1641. that the French Ambassador and his Servants hath been lately Assaulted in his own House by a Company of Rude and Insolent People unto the great Dishonor of Our Nation and to his Lordships insufferable Wrong Injury and Dishonor whereof this House is very sensible and do intend that all possible Diligence be used for the finding out of the Malefactors for the Punishment of them to the Example and Terror of others that none may presume hereafter to commit the like Outrages to any Ambassadors of whom this House will always take regard It is therefore thought fit and Ordered by this House That Mr. Hooker Mr. Long Mr. Whittacre and Mr. Shepheard his Majesties Justices of the Peace or any two or more of them shall speedily take this Business into their Examination and by all Dilligence that may be used find out the said Malefactors and to Imprison them until they find out Sureties for their good Behavior and to appear in this House on Monday the 6th of September 1641. to undergo such Punishment as their Lordships shall think fit to inflict upon them for their said Offences and Misdemeanors so committed as aforesaid And that the said Justices of the Peace having throughly examined the Business shall make Certificate unto this House on the said sixth day of September next of all the whole Matter and how they find it that thereby their Lordships may proceed therein according to that which shall be Just And lastly That the aforesaid Justices shall give Order That there shall be Watch set according to Law for the better securing the Safety of the Ambassador and his House and for preventing Disorderly and Tumultuous Assemblies Ordered That the Lord Great Chamberlain Lord Chamberlain Earl Warwick Lord Kymbolton do acquaint the French Ambassador from this House that their Lordships have taken this Business into Consideration The House of Commons also took the Case of Sir John Corbet into debate whe for saying at a Quarter Sessions in the County of Salop That the Muster Masters Wages throughout England were illegal and against the Petition of Right c. had been Imprisoned and Fined by the High Commission Court and it was Ordered That the late Lord Keeper Coventry the Archbishop of Canterbury and others who were the Occasions of it shall make him Reparations for his Sufferings and Damages and a Conference was desired with the Lords upon it where the Managers of the Commons delivered to their Lordships a Transmission of an Impeachment concerning the Cause of Sir John Corbet a Member of the House of Commons against the Earl of Bridgwater the Lord Privy Seal the Archbishop of Canterbury the Lord Cottington the Lord Newburgh and the two Secretaries of State in which the House of Commons desire that the several Persons whom it concerns may be called to answer and that their Lordships would proceed therein according to Justice and that Sir John Corbet may have Reparation for his Imprisonment
Reasons hereafter as they shall think fit The Lords Adjourned their House into a Committee during pleasure to Debate these Matters the Proposition concerning securing Recusants was deferred till the Commons brought up a List of the Particular Names of the Recusants they desired should be Secured When the other Proposition about the Isle of Wight came under Consideration the Earl of Portland affirmed That his Father lived and died a Protestant as he can make it appear by credible Witnesses that were with him when he died if his Wife be one it was against his Will and for himself his Lordship protested That his Father bred him a Protestant and he would ever live and die one Which giving good satisfaction to the House it was Ordered to be put in Writing and delivered at a Conference to the House of Commons Mr. William Crofts was Sworn and Ordered to be Examined before the Deputed Lords The Earl of Holland Reported Message from the Venetian Ambassador That the Venetian Ambassador had been with him and desired That the ill Expressions in his Paper may be Excused for he professes he meant nothing in derogation of any Member of this House but spoke it as what Reputation other States had of such an Action and that he further signified That he hath written a fair Letter to the State of Venice concerning the opening of his Letters which he hopes will satisfie them This day Wall upon his Petition was Released from the Fleet Wall released where he had been committed for neglecting to deliver the Order of the House to search for Priests and Jesuits but with this condition not to be admitted any more to the Service of the House Inquiry after the transporting of Horses It was Ordered in the Commons House That the Knights and Burgesses of the County of Kent and the Barons of the Cinque-Ports do forthwith send to the Officers that do register the Horses that are Transported beyond the Seas and to send up a List of the Number of them that have been Transported within these 12 Months and by what Warrant and by whom such Warrants were obtained Though Disloyalty to the King and Disobedience to the Church which rarely are seen asunder began now to be much in Fashion and Esteem and to depress the Prerogative and oppress the Church were accounted Great Recommendations for men to set up for Patriots of the Country and Reformers of Religion yet wanted there not some Brave Spirits who to their Eternal Reputation darest even in the face of the Breach indeavour to stop the Deluge of Schism and the Inundations of Errors which they apparently saw must overwhelm the Church upon throwing down the Banks of Episcopal Order and Government How Unwelcom these bold Truths were to the Faction appears by an Order of the House of Commons of this Day made purposely to discountenance Petitions of this Nature for maintaining the Church Government as by Law it was Established and to deterr others from attempting to give them any Interruption in their pretended Reformation Order to discourage Petitioners for Episcopacy Ordered That it be referred to the Committee for the Ministers Remonstrance to consider what indiscreet and irregular Wayes and Means have been Vsed to procure Hands to Petitions presented or to be presented for or against Episcopacy This latter clause or against was only for colour to make the other pass more fairly for it is Evident that they themselves were the Great Promoters of Petitions not only against that but for whatever they had a design to obtain as will hereafter upon occasion appear But upon this Occasion I cannot but present the Reader with a Petition which I find in a Collection of Petitions of the like Nature Printed by His Majesties particular Order which though it came from one of the smallest Counties of England yet had not the least Learning or Reason And if it received neither Countenance nor Answer it is not much to be wondred at being indeed Unanswerable The Petition was as follows To the High and Honorable Court of Parliament The Humble Petition of the Knights Esquires Gentlemen and Householders in the County of Rutland in behalf of our Selves and our Families And of the Parsons Vicars and Curates for the Clergy in behalf of themselves and their Families THat whereas there have been diverse Petitions exhibited to this Honorable Court The Rutland-Shire Petition for Episcopacy Nov. 18. 1641. by Persons disaffected to the present Government for the utter Extirpation of the Apostolical Government of the Church by Bishops they by Sedulity and Zeal supplying the want of fair Pretences for the Abolition of that which we hope no just Reason can Condemn And on the other side many Pious Persons true Sons of the Church of England have represented their just Desires of the continuance of it upon great and weighty Causes both in Divinity and true Policy We also lest We might seem unconcerned and for fear lest our Silence should be exacted as a Crime at our Hands if We be deficient to what We are persuaded is the Cause of God In pursuance of their pious Intendments and in allowance of their Reasons do also press to your great Tribunal to beg of you to do that which is the Honor of Kings to be Nutricii of the Church and her most Ancient and Successive Government We therefore humbly beg of you to leave us in that state the Apostles left the Church in That the Three Ages of Martyrs were governed by That the 13 Ages since them have always gloried in by their Succession of Bishops from the Apostles proving themselves members of the Catholique and Apostolick Church That our Laws have Established so many Kings and Parliaments have protected into which we were baptized as certainly Apostolical as the Observation of the Lords Day as the distinction of Books Apocryphal from Canonical as that such Books were written by such Evangelists and Apostles as the Consecration of the Eucharist by Presbyters as any thing which you will do by upholding the Government of the Church by Bishops which we again and again beg of you to do having Pity on our Consciences and not forcing us to seek Communion as yet we know not where So shall we be bound to pray with a Multiplyed Devotion for the increase of Publique and Personal Blessings to your Honorable Assembly to your Noble Persons We also do with all humility beg leave to represent these our Considerations subjoyned which we hope you will favourably Expound to be a well-meant Zeal and at least a Conscience of Duty and Charity to those our Fathers from whom we have received and daily hope to receive many issues of Spiritual Benedictions 1. We Consider That Christ either left his Church without a lasting Government or else Bishops and Presbyters under them are that Government the former we fear to say lest we might seem to accuse the Wisdom of the Father of Improvidence in the not providing
removed and that Sir John Conyers may be recommended to his Majesty for that Place But before the House of Lords would give any Resolution herein it was Ordered That the Common-Council of the City of London the Merchants that have Estates in Bullion the Minters and all others concerned shall be inquired of whether there be a stay of the Mint or any forbearance of bringing in of Bullion into the Tower of London and if there be whether it proceeds in respect of Sir John Byron 's being Lieutenant of the Tower and hereof speedy Certificate to be made to the Lords in Parliament A Message was then brought from the House of Commons by Denzil Hollis Esquire 1. He brought up the Bill for the Relief of his Majesties distressed Subjects of Ireland 2. To desire the Lords to join with them in an Ordinance to secure 50000 l. borrowed of the Merchant Adventurers for the Affairs of Ireland 3. To move the King to concur with both Houses in the Order made giving Power to Sir John Hotham for securing the Town of Hull and the Magazine there for his Majesties Service To which the Answer was That their Lordships will take the particulars into Consideration this Afternoon The Ordinance for securing the said Merchant Adventurers was read in these words THe Lords and Commons in this present Parliament Assembled Ordinance of the Lords and Commons for securing the Merchant Adventurers 50000 l. having a due Regard to the good Affections of the Governors Assistants and Fellowship of Merchant Adventurers of England expressed in the present advancing and lending of 30000 l. of Lawful Money and forwardness to advance and lend the foresaid Sum of 20000 l. more of like Money if their Affairs will admit the same for the security of this Common-wealth in the supply of the present Affairs in Ireland which the said Lords and Commons do take in very good part and being resolved to make a full and just satisfaction for the same do hereby declare that the said Sum of 30000 l. and such Sum and Sums as they shall further advance and lend as aforesaid shall be fully satisfied and paid unto the said Company of Merchant Adventurers into the hands of their Treasurer for the time being with Interest after the Rate of 8 l. per cent for a Year out of such Moneys as shall be next raised by Authority of Parliament To which Ordinance the Lords agreed Then the Lord Keeper informed the House The Act for the Captives at Argiers and for pressing Marriners passed by Commission That the Commission was come signed by his Majesty for giving the Royal Assent to two Bills one for pressing of Marriners the other against Pyrates Then the Lord Keeper the Lord Great Chamberlain and the Earl of Cumberland three of the Commissioners being sate upon a Form for a-cross the House between the Chair of State and the Lord Keeper's Wool-sack the Gentleman-Usher of the Black-Rod was commanded to go for the House of Commons who being come with their Speaker the Lord Keeper acquainted the Lords and Commons That his Majesty having such occasions as he could not come to this House to give his Royal Assent to the Two Bills in Person hath given a Commission under the Great Seal of England the Contents whereof was read openly which being done the Clerk of the Crown was commanded to read the Titles of the Bills severally in haec verba viz. An Act for the freeing of the Captives of Argier and to prevent the taking of others An Act for pressing of Marriners and Soldiers for the present Guarding of the Seas and the defence of his Majesties Dominions Which being done the Clerk of the Parliament pronounced the Royal Assent to them particularly and severally in these Words Le Roy le Veult And then the Commons returned to their House After this the Lord Keeper Reported the Conference yesterday to this Effect The L. Keeper's Report of the Conference concerning Bagshaw's Information That the House of Commons received Information concerning divers Forces of Horses and Armed Men in a Warlike manner which have been seen at Kingston and afterwards at Windsor and now gone towards Farnham and that Yesterday about 100 Men were met going from London towards Windsor Armed with Pistols and Waggons were going towards Windsor laden with Ammunition The House of Commons say this causeth much wonder at this time all at Peace and a Parliament sitting that such Forces should be Levied therefore they desire that it may be declared by both Houses That whosoever shall raise Forces at this time without Consent in Parliament may be esteemed Enemies and Disturbers of the Peace of the Kingdom and that both Houses will take care to suppress them and likewise the House of Commons desire That a Message be sent to the King to this purpose and to acquaint his Majesty that both Houses of Parliament will be very careful of the Publick Peace and that they hold it against the Law any Forces should be so levied And further the House of Commons acquaints their Lordships That the Lord Digby hath been with the Soldiers at Kingston and given them thanks in the King's Name and told them That his Majesty came out of London to keep them from being trampled in the dirt therefore they desire that the Lord Digby may be summoned to attend this House forthwith Hereupon it was Ordered Order to Summon the Lord Digby to attend the House of Lords That the Lord George Digby shall be Summoned forthwith to attend this House as a Peer of this Realm and hereof he is not to fail Directed to the Gentleman-Usher attending the House of Peers It will be worth the Readers while to cast his Eye a little back upon the Information of Bagshaw of Windsor upon which Foundation all this Conference was built and as there is little doubt but Bagshaw saw double so the Commons looked through their usual Multiplying Glass and saw his single Waggon of Ammunition turned into Waggons and those few Soldiers which he only by Report heard to be at Windsor were Multiplied into an Army But they had a Design now behind the Curtain of seizing the Militia into their Hands either with or against the King's Consent to which this noise of raising Forces by the Lord Digby was to contribute by heightning and swelling the Peoples Fears and Jealousies throughout the Nation in order to smooth their Way to this great Design upon which these Criminals of the Faction built their own Security though they pretended the Safety of the Nation But that I may give all the light I can possibly into this Affair which filled the City and Nation with Terror and Amazement I will present the Reader with the Lord Digby's Apology which besides the clear account it gives of this Kingston Army will also let in some light into other dark and obscure passages both before and after this time and will set the Arts and Intrigues of the
May it please your Lordships WE have received your Letters of the third of this Instant The Answer of the Lords of the Pale to the Lords Justices Dec. 7. 1641. intimating that you had present occasions to confer with us concerning the present State of the Kingdom and the safety thereof in these times of danger and requiring us to be with you there on the eighth day of this Instant we give your Lordships to understand that we have heretofore presented our selves before your Lordships and freely offered our advice and furtherance towards the particulars aforesaid which was by you neglected which gave us cause to conceive that our Loyalty was suspected by you We give your Lordships further to understand that we have received certain Advertisement that Sir Charles Coot Knight at the Council Board hath uttered some Speeches tending to a purpose and resolution to Execute upon those of our Religion a general Massacre by which we are all deterred to wait on your Lordships not having any security for our safety from these threatned Evils or the safety of our Lives but do rather think it fit to stand upon our best guard until we hear from your Lordships how we shall be secured from these Perils Nevertheless we all protest that we are and will continue both Faithful Advisers and resolute furtherers of his Majesties service concerning the present State of the Kingdom and the safety thereof to our best Abilities and so with the said tender of our humble service we remain Your Lordships humble Servants Fingale Slaine Netterville Lowth Gormanston Dunsany Oliver Trimbleston Decemb. 7. Received 11. 1641. To the Right Honourable our very good Lords the Lords Justices and Council of Ireland For much about this time the Lords of the Pale had entered into a Combination with the Vlster Rebels as appears by the Deposition of Edward Dowdall Esq a Gentleman of the Pale who was present at the whole Management of this Affair and deeply concerned in all their Councels and Actions who Deposed before Sir Rob. Meredith Chancellour of the Exchequer as followeth HE Deposeth The Deposition of Mr. Dowdall concerning the Treaty between the Lords and Gentlemen of the Pale and the Ulster Rebels That some four or five days after the defeat of the English Souldiers at the Bridge of Gellianstown there Issued a Warrant from the Lord of Gormanston to the Sheriff of the County for a general Meeting of all the County of Dulick But the Place of Meeting was afterwards changed to the Hill of Crofty where all the Lords and Gentry of the Country met viz. The Earl of Fingale the Lord Viscount Gormanston the Lord of Slaine the Lord of Lowth the Lord of Dunsany the Lord of Trimblestone the Lord Nettervile And of the Gentry Sir Patrick Barnwall Sir Christopher Bellow Patrick Barnwall of Kilbrew Nicholas Darcy of Plattin James Bath of Acharn Garret Ailmer the Lawyer Cusake of Gormanston William Mallone of Lesmullin Sedgrave of Kileglan Linch of the Knos Lynam of Adamstown Laurence Doudal of Athlumney Nicholas Doudal of Brownstown this Examinates Brother and him this Examinate with a Multitude of others to the number of 1000. Persons at the least whose names he this Examinate cannot for the present call to mind And after about two or three hours spent upon the said Hill of Crofty by the Lords and Gentry aforesaid There came towards them Collonel Mahowne Philip O Rely Hugh Boy Rely Roger Moore Hugh Birne and Captain Fox attended on with a Guard of Musqueteers And this Examinate saith That as soon as the Parties drew near unto the said Hill the Lords and Gentry of the Pale rode towards them and the Lord of Gormanstone being one of the first spake unto them and demanded of them Why and for what reason they came Armed into the Pale Vnto which Roger Moore made present Answer That the Ground of their coming thither and taking up Arms was for the Freedom and Liberty of their Consciences the maintenance of his Majesties Prerogative in which they understood he was Abridged and the making the Subjects in this Kingdom as free as those in England were Whereupon the said Lord of Gormonston desired to understand from them truly and faithfully whether those were not pretences and not the true ground indeed of their so doing and likewise whether they had not some other private ends of their own which being by all denyed upon profession of their sincerity his Lordship the Lord Gormanston then told them Seeing these be your true ends we will likewise joyn with you therein unto which course all agreed And thereupon it was publickly and generally declared that whosoever should deny to joyn with them or refuse to assist them therein they would account him as an Enemy and to the utmost of their Power labour his Destruction And this Examinate saith That after the agreement so made as aforesaid There issued another Warrant to the Sheriff of the County of Meath to Summon all the Lords and Gentry of the County of Meath to be at the Hill of Taragh about a week after and accordingly there met at the same place the Earl of Fingale the Lord of Gormanston and the rest of the Lords and Gentlemen aforenamed together with Sir Thomas Nugent and Nicholas Plunket the Lawyer Birford the Lawyer and a multitude of others and the work of that day was first to make Answer to a Summons made by the State for the calling of the Lords unto Dublin which Answer was brought ready drawn by the Lord of Gormanston and presented by his Lordship and being perused by the said Council at Law was Signed by the Lords The Board having Information that Luke Netterville Esquire George Blackney of Richenhore Esquire George King of Clantarf and others were Assembled at Swoords they sent to charge them upon their Allegiance forthwith to depart and not to unite any more in such a manner as by the following Order from the Board appears By the Lords Justices and Council William Parsons John Borlase WHereas we have received Information An Order of the Lords Justices and Council to dissolve an unlawful Assembly at Swoords Dec. 9. 1641. that Luke Nettervile Esq George Blackney of Rickenhore Esq and George King of Clantarfe Gentleman and other Gentlemen of the County of Dublin with great numbers of Men are Assembled together in a Body at Swoords and thereabouts within six Miles of this City for what intent we know not but apparently to the Terror of his Majesties good Subjects and though considering the unseasonableness of this time chosen for such an act without our privity whatsoever their pretence is a construction might be made thereof to their disadvantage yet we being willing to make an Indulgent Interpretation of their Actions in regard of the good opinion we have of the Loyalty of those Gentlemen who it seems are principals amongst them in that Assembly and conceiving there may be some mistaking in that enterprise we have
Moneys by reason of these Troublesome Times but on the receipt of your Secretaries Letter to the Commissary we shall receive the Over-plus of the Monies which was appointed for the Horse which is 240 l. which will help us a little but if there is not some Monies now on the Way for us I doubt the Soldiers will disband suddenly I shall beseech your Lordship to put the Irish Committee in mind of their promise for Coats and Caps Shoes and Stockins for the Soldiers it is very needful and will be very advantagious for the Service if the Soldiers have them and by promise from us are expected by the Soldiers The Officers that are wanting at this present of your Lordships Regiment besides those that are wanting with their Companies is Capt. Snelling Lieutenant Palmer Captain Bois 's Lieutenant and Ensign Smith Captain Turvil 's Ensign I understand by my Lord Lisle that one Mr. Morrison is to be your Lordships Ensign who came this day to Chester I shall desire with your Lordships next Commands I may understand what quantity of Ammunition we shall carry from hence with us into Ireland or if we should be stayed here by contrary Wind what Ammunition you will be pleased to allow us weekly for Exercising desiring your Lordships pardon for being so tedious I humbly take my leave Your Lordships most humble Servant to be Commanded George Monck Chester 21 Jan. To his Excellency the Earl of Leicester L. Lieutenant of Ireland these present at Leicester-House in St. Martin's-Fields In this distressed Estate stood the Affairs of these miserable Kingdoms Scotland recovered from those Rebellious Commotions raised by the Presbyterian Faction by Remedies that proved more Fatal to the King then the Disease Ireland all in a Flame and England by the prevalency of the same Faction which had raised the disturbances in Scotland ready to follow their Example and to pursue their Model of Reformation by the same wicked Courses of Religious Dis-obedience and Rebellion in which Condition I must at present leave them till such time as it shall please God to give me ability and opportunity I may after some little necessary Refreshment pursue this Laborious work in perfecting the Remainder of these Historical Collections FINIS A TABLE Of the principal Matters in this Second Volume A. ANswer of the King to the Commons request about his Servants 231. Concerning the Irish Acts 421. About disbanding the Horse 429. To the reasons for staying his Journey to Scotland 434. To the Speech of the Recorder of London 676. To the Petition of both Houses about Guards for the Parliament 685 833. To the Petition of the Aldermen c. at Hampton Court 712. To the Petition accompanying the Remonstrance 744. To the Petition about Breach of Priviledge 762. To the Petition concerning the Kensington business 796. To the Message of the House of Commons for a Guard 803. To the Petition from Buckinghamshire 841. To the Petition of the Lord Mayor c. 842. To the Message concerning the three Bills 848. To the Commons demand of stores 860 To the Message concerning the Bill for Adjournment 877. Alderman Abel a Patentee a Bill Ordered against him 256. Bailed 475. Accompt of the Armies 292 410. Act of State about the Oath in Ireland 79. Act of Parliament for reversing the Attainder of the Earl of Strafford 23. Act of Scotch Parliament part of one making it Treason to Levy Forces without the Kings consent 682. Act of Common-Council of London against Tumults 803. See Bill Adjournment Bill past by both Houses that it be in the power of the Houses respectively 834. The Kings Answer to it 877. Earl of St. Albans his Letter from Ireland concerning Affairs there 686. Aldermen Sheriffs c. of London attend the King at Hampton Court 711. Many of them Knighted 712. America Petition of some Merchants that parts of it be seiz'd 467. Mr. Anderton a Member of the House of Commons receives a Letter about a Plot 836. Anslow a Witness against the Earl of Strafford 60. Answer of the Earl of Strafford to the Articles of Impeachment 20 to 27. To Pym 's Speech against the Preamble of his Answer 39. Of the House of Commons to the Lords Reasons for the Bishops Voting in Parliament 260. Of the Judges to certain Queries about Matters in Parliament 374. Of the Scotch Commissioners to the two Propositions 406. Their Answer about disbanding the Army 412. Of the English Commissioners to the Propositions of the Scots Commissioners 423. Of the Scots Commissioners to the reasons for staying the Kings Journey 435. Of the House of Lords to the Propositions of the Scots Commissioners about difficulty of Marching their Army home 538. Of the House of Lords to a Petition of the Lord Mayor concerning the Londoners denying subjection to the Common Council 460. Of the House of Lords to the House of Commons Propositions concerning Ireland 525. Of the Judges in Ireland to Queries of the Parliament there 575. Of the City of London to the Parliaments desire of lending Money 598 644. Of the Queen concerning Father Philips 605. Of the House of Commons to the House of Lords two Propositions about the Scotch relief of Ireland 771. Of the several Impeached Bishops 797. Of the Lords of the Pale to the Lords Justices 906. Of the same to the Vindication of the severity of Sir Charles Coot 917. Apology of the Lord Digby 863. Apprentices of London their Petition concerning Church Government c. 775. An account of a Tumult of them 805. Nicholas Ardagh a Witness against the Earl of Strafford 70. Argiers a Vote about the Captives there 254. Act for them past 861. Argument of Mr. Lane in behalf of the Earl of Strafford 153. Of Recorder Gardner for the same 156. Of Mr. St. John for the Bill of Attainder 162. Arch-Bishop of Armagh his Testimony in the Case of the Earl of Strafford 83 See Usher Arms search'd for at Lambeth 236. Supplied to the Lords of the English Pâ—â—â— 632. Sent from the Tower for Ireland 710. search for Arms at Mr. Ropers at Eltham 847. At Sir James Hamilton 's Lodgings ibid. At Sir James Hanham 's in Somersetshire 848. At the Lady Rivers and at Oxon 859. Army pretended to be in danger of being seduced 231. Several Lords Examined about it 258. An Account of it 272. Army in Ireland a Report for disbanding it 233. The State of it in the Earl of Strafford 's time 537. State of the same when the Rebellion first broke out 627. Articles of Impeachment against the Earl of Strafford 8. Of further Impeachment against the same 11. Against the Judges 324. Against Sir Robert Berkley 337. Against Lord Chief Baron Davenport 347. Against Baron Trevor 352. Against Baron Weston 356. Against Justice Crawley 362. Against Lord Chief Justice Bramstone 363. Against the Bishop of Ely 398. Against the Lord Chancellor of Ireland c. 570. Against Lord Kimbolton and the five Members 811. Arundel Debate about the
meant 447. Information against the Bishop of Bath and Wells 413. of Arms in the Marquess of Winchester 's House 453. of two Irish men from Chester 604. of Collonel Hunks against two Irish men for Listing Soldiers 612. of dangers in Lancashire 650. of a Ship of Frenchmen in Milford-Haven 710. of a Barrel of Gunpowder sent into the Country for a Barrel of Soap 719. that Members of Parliament were the occasion of the Tumults 790. against the Lord Digby and Collonel Lunsford 845. against Serjeant Dendy 888. of O. Cromwell against a Gentleman of Huntingdonshire ibid. of one Wishert that Cardinal Richelieu fomented the Irish Rebellion 897. frivolous Informations a Committee for them 855. Sir Thomas and Sir William Ingram Witnesses in the Case of the Earl of Strafford 83 94. Instructions for the Commissioners for Scotland 451 455. to the Commissioners for disarming Popish Recusants 473. additional Instructions for the Commissioners in Scotland 494 616. debated by the House of Lords 623. Instructions for the Commssioners to treat with the Scotch Commissioners about assisting Ireland 720. approved by the King 723. Interrogatories for further Examination of O Connelly 596. Inigo Jones a Declaration of the House of Commons against him 728. Ordered by the House of Lords to answer 729. his Answer 771. Irish Affairs a grand Committee about them 5. Irish Remonstrance 36 555 561. the condition of the Irish Army in the Earl of Strafford 's time 537. the sad State of affairs there at the time of the Rebellion 627. Irish Nobility and Gentery some kind to the English 634 635. Irish Rebellion the News of it communicated to the House of Commons by the Lords of the Council 513. a Letter about it from the Council in Ireland to the Lord Lieutenant General 514. Proclamation of the Lords Justices to stop it 522. Report of a Conference of both Houses about it 524. an account of some occasions of it 526. c. Words of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 upon it 540. Relation of it by the Lord Macguire 543. the Rebels their Remonstrance 555. a Manuscript of the Earl of Clarendon 's concerning it 590. Votes and Orders of Parliament relating to it 600 601 603 651 642. Judges their Opinion upon an Exception of the Earl of Strafford 101. upon the Bill of Attainder 192. Articles against them 324. not to Travel on the Lords day 325. their resolution to certain Quaeries about matters in Parliament 374. a Conference about their Impeachment 420. their Opinion concerning a Custos Regni 430. their Report of the Statutes in Force against Riots c. 709. Judges in Ireland their Answer to Quaeries of the Parliament there 575. Dr. Juxon disswades the Kings passing the Bill against the Earl of Strafford 192. K. JOhn Kay a Witness against the Earl of Strafford 58. Lord Keeper craves some time to retire 712. his Letters see Letters Robert Kennyday a Witness against the Earl of Strafford 55. 70. Dr. Ker Dean of Ardagh his Deposition concerning the Calumny thrown upon the King of giving Commission to the Irish Rebels 528. Lord Kilmallock a Witness against the Earl of Strafford 56 57. Kilvert a Patentee 256. Bail'd 475. Lord Kimbolton Impeach'd of High Treason 811. his Speech thereupon 815. moves to be Tryed 835. a Message from the King concerning him and the five Members 848. The King present incognito at the Tryal of the Earl of Strafford 29. his Speech to both Houses concerning the Earl of Strafford 186. his Message to the House of Commons about the Tumults disregarded 189. in great doubt about passing the Bill against the Earl of Strafford 192. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thereupon 193. he passes it by Commission 195. his Letter to the House of Lords concerning the Earl of Strafford 197. his Answer to the Parliament concerning his Servants 231. passes three Bills 243. his Speech in answer to the Speaker about the Bill for Tonnage and Poundage 308. his Speech at Passing the Bills against Star-Chamber and High-Commission 327. his Manifesto about the Palatinate 383. his answer to the Proposition about Evil Councellors 387. assents to the five Propositions 404. takes leave of his Parliament 438. sets forward for Scotland 439. arrives there 453. his Speech to the Parliament there ibid. his Letter denying to Sign a Commission to the Parliaments Commissioners 468. his reasons for so doing 469. his Letter to the Lord Keeper 497. clear'd of Phanatick Calumnies concerning the Irish Rebellion 528 638. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thereupon 540. acquaints the Parliament with it 600. his diligence to suppress the Irish Rebellion attested by the Parliaments Commissioners 612. returns from Scotland 675. his Reception in London 675. c. his Speech in answer to the Recorder 676. his Letter shewing his firmness to the Established Religion 683. his Speech to both Houses after his return from Scotland 708. after what manner he receives the Remonstrance of the House of Commons 709. promises to keep his Christmas at White-Hall 712. approves the Instructions of the Commissioners to Treat with the Scotch Commissioners about assistance for Ireland 723. his Speech to both Houses concerning Ireland 738. his answer to the Petition accompanying the Remonstrance 745. his Declaration in answer to the Remonstrance 746. his answer to the Petition about Breach of Priviledge 762. to the Message of the House of Commons about a Guard 803. demands the five Members by a Serjeant at Arms 814. comes in Person to the House of Commons for them 820. his Speech then there ibid. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 upon that matter 821. a lewd Pamphlet upon the same 830. Sir Robert King a Witness in the Case of the Earl of Strafford 83. Knighthood a Bill to prevent Vexatious Suits about it 309. past the House of Lords 424. Kynaston 's Case 258. L. LAmbeth House Searched for Arms 236. Mr. Lane appointed Council for the Earl of Strafford 10. his Argument in his behalf 153. appointed for Judge Berkley 499. for the twelve Impeach'd Bishops 812. Arch-Bishop Laud takes his leave of the Earl of Strafford 198. a Committee to expedite the Charge against him 265. Lay-Preachers complain'd of 265. reprehended 270. Lecturers the Tools of the Factions 234. an Order for them 477. Captain Legg sent for as a Delinquent 726. Bail'd 775. 780. design'd for Hull by the King stopt by the House of Commons 856. Earl of Leicester Lord Lieutenant of Ireland enabled by Ordinance of Parliament to Raise Men 606. scruples it without the Kings Command 615. 652. Order concerning him 543. 754. Sir Thomas Leighton a Witness against the Earl of Strafford 54. Dr. Leighton a Turbulent Preacher Enlarged 309. Lenthal Speaker of the House of Commons his Letter to Sir Edward Nicholas to get quit of the Chair 713 another 714. See Speaker General Leshly made Earl of Leven 683. Letters of the King to the Earl of Strafford commanding a Proclamation to prohibit the Irish going beyond Seas 75. to the same about the Oath 80. to
the House of Lords concerning the Earl of Strafford 197. to the Lord Keeper denying to pass a Commission for the Parliaments Commissioners 468. to the Lord Keeper 497. to Mr. Nicholas Shewing his resolution to maintain the Establish'd Religion 683. to both Houses about the Prince 889. Letters by Order of either House of Parliament to Sir Jacob Ashley 228. to the Army 235. to the Lord General 441. 445. 453. to the same concerning Hull 448. to the Sheriffs about Pooll-Money 458. to the Lord Generall about Disbanding 461. to the Lords Justices of Ireland in behalf of Sir George Radcliff 464. to the Commissioners in Scotland 494. to the Lords Justices of Ireland 602. Letters of the Lords Justices of Ireland to the Lord Lieutenant General concerning the Irish Rebellion 514. to the Earl of Ormond to persecute the Rebels 538. to the Lord Keeper and Lord Lieutenant of the great Danger there 624. to the Nobility and Gentry informing the Discovery of the Plot 628. to the Earl of Ormond concerning the same 629. to the Lord Keeper and Lord Lieutenant concerning the condition of the Place 661. to the Parliament about the Dunkirkers 784. to the Privy Council 889. to the House of Commons 892 893. to the Lord Lieutenant 900 901 902 911. to the Speaker of the House of Commons 903. to the Lords of the Pale 906. Letter of the Earl of Strafford to the King desiring him to pass the Bill against himself 190. from Newcastle read in the House of Lords 337. of Mr. Percy to the Earl of Northumberland 286. of Father Philips to Mr. Mountague in France 315. of the Queen of Bohemia of thanks to the Parliament 411. of the Speaker of the House of Lords of Ireland to the House of Lords of England gives offence 417. of the Earl of Holland about Disbanding 457. of the Lord General to the Parliament 469. of the Lord Howard about a Conspiracy in Scotland 488. of Sir William Cole to the Lords Justices just before the Discovery of the Rebellion 519. of the Earl of Strafford concerning the State of the Army in Ireland 537. of Sir Henry Vane to the Lords Justices of Ireland 565. of the Lord Howard to the Lord Keeper 603. 612. those from France and Antwerp stopt 615. of the Earl of St. Albans about Affairs in Ireland 686. of Sir J. Temple concerning the same 7â—1 Letters of a Plot against the House of Commons 836. a conjecture at the Writer 837. Letters to one Mr. Crofts ordered to be opened 847. of Sir Phelim O Neal to Sir William Hamilton 895. of one Roche intercepted 896. of the Inhabitants of Longford to the Lord Dillon 898. of Collonel Monk to the Lord Lieâ—tenant of Ireland 919. Letters from Foraign Parts ordered to be opened 247. 307 523. Licence for Raising men for the Dutch Service 723 724. Lie given to a Peer is a Breach of Priviledge 380. Lilburn Votes in his Favour 211. Bishop of Lincoln gives Offence to the House of Commons 477. List of the Prime Papists desired by the House of Commons to be secured 662. debated by the House of Lords 667. of the principal Irish Rebels 888. Robert and Thomas Little Witnesses for the Earl of Strafford 54. 70. Locumtenens see Custos Regni Sir Adam Loftus a Witness in the Earl of Strafford 's Case 58 61 78. Bishop of London a Witness in the Case of the Earl of Strafford 82. released of Tenths upon the Poll-Bill 780. Londoners Petition against the Earl of Strafford 160. mov'd to lend Money 236. 407. 411. 595. 597. their Controversie with the Lord Mayor about the Election of a Sheriff 318 319. 407. 409. referred 413. 445. determin'd pro hac vice 456. are Mutinous 459. Petition for a Fast 463. and against Bishops Votes c. 733. and for displacing Collonel Lunsford Lieutenant of the Tower 773. Londonderry in Ireland Votes about it 461. Justice Long sent to the Tower for placing a Guard about the Parliament House without their knowledge 732. released 772. William Long a Witness against the Earl of Strafford 54. Longford the Inhabitants there their Letter to the Lord Dillon 898. Lords-day Idoliz'd by the House of Commons 325. 436. 777. Lords House Interpreters of Acts of Parliament in Parliament time 625. Lords sent for by the King not permitted to go by the House of Lords 836. Lorky a Witness against the Earl of Strafford 74. Roger Lott a Witness against the Earl of Strafford 59. Sir Gerard Lowther Articles against him 570. Sir Thomas Lucas a Witness in the Case of the Earl of Strafford 86. M. LOrd Macguire 's Relation of the Irish Rebellion 543. Mac-Mahon his Examination and Confession about the Irish Rebellion 521. Managers of the Cause against the Earl of Strafford 29. deny reasonable time for answer 40. 54. 81. 100. Earl of Manchester 's Manuscript Memoires cited 206 209 272. 427 689. Manifesto of the King about the Palatinate 383. Sir Philip Manwaring a Witness for the Earl of Strafford 78 81. Marches of Wales a Bill about them 394. Mariners a Bill for raising them 236 237. 243. Marshal Ordered to Preach before the House of Commons on the Thanksgiving-day 467. and on the Fast-day for Ireland 756. receives the thanks of the House and a Piece of Plate of 20 l. 775. Maynard appointed a Manager of Evidence against the Earl of Strafford 29. his Speech against the Earl of Strafford upon the first Article 48. one of the Commission to expedite the Charge against the Arch Bishop of Canterbury 265. Lord Mayor of London quells a Tumult about the Spanish Ambassadors House 187. his with the Aldermens c. Petition to the King about his going to the House of Commons 841. Maxwel a Witness against the Earl of Strafford 78. his rudeness why not taken notice of by the House of Commons 195. searches for Priests 651. Bishop of Meath an Account of him 535. Memoirs of the Earl of Manchester cited 206 209 272 427. 689. Memorial of the Venetian Ambassador about breaking open his Pacquet 640. Memorials from the Scotch Commissioners 440. Mr. Audly Mervin 's Speech at exhibiting Articles against Sir Richard Bolton 566. Message of the King to the House of Commons concerning the Tumults disregarded 189. to the House of Lords concerning the same 210. to the House of Commons concerning the Lord Cottington 236. to the House of Lords concerning Disbanding the Army 314 318. to the House of Commons about the Queen Mother 329. to the same concerning the Officers of Star-Chamber 368. and about a Priest of the Venetian Ambassador 394. to the House of Lords concerning Commissions 410. to the same about Soldiers for the Spanish Ambassador 457. to the same concerning Guards 684. to both Houses about the Scots Commissioners and some Priests interceded for by the French Ambassador 719 731. to the House of Lords concerning Voluntiers for Ireland 787 789. to the Lord Major c. of London to suppress Tumults 804. to the House of
Lords concerning Kymbolton and the five Members 848. to both Houses concerning Breach of Priviledge 858. Message of the Queen to the House of Commons about her Journey 405. Message of either House to the King upon occasion of his Letter about the Earl of Strafford 197. to desire him to stop some Allowances 368. of the House of Commons to the House of Lords about a Conspiracy to seduce the Army 231. about restraining Ecclesiastical persons from medling in secular affairs 242. about paying the brotherly assistance to the Scots 315. about the Charge and Trial of the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury 318. to the Lord Keeper that the Judges travel not on the Lords day 325. about three Bills 331. concerning Disbanding the Army 424. about making the Earl of Pembroke Lord Steward and the Earl of Salisbury Lord Treasurer 437. about the Impeach'd Bishops 439. desiring that a convenient number of Lords stay in Town 445. concerning the desperate condition of the Kingdom 447. Message from the House of Lords to the House of Commons by one person only gives offence 474. Message of the House of Commons to the Queen about the Prince 597. to the House of Lords about Philips the Priest ibid. to Forraign Ambassadors not to harbour English Priests 652. to the House of Lords to press expedition for Ireland 750 761 768 769. concerning a Declaration to suppress Tumults and a Guard 789. concerning the Lord Digby 791. to revive the Bill against Bishops Votes 800. that the Kings Queens and Princes Servants take the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy 814. to the Gentlemen of the Inns of Court and to the Common-Council of London 817. about the Kings coming to the House 822. their Message about the Tower rejected 835. concerning the Prince and Marquess of Hertford 657. concerning the adjournment to Grocers Hall c. 879 880. Message from the Scots Commissioners about the Kings Journey into Scotland 318. of the Venetian Ambassador to the House of Lords 655. Michaelmas Term abbreviated 238 243. Militia enquired into by order of the House of Commons 230. Mines Royal Order about them 446. Scandalous Ministers a Committee about them 233. Factious Ministers their Petition to the House of Commons 764. Money borrow'd of the Londoners by the House of Commons 236. desired to be continued 255. more to be borrowed 407 411 595 597 644. an Ordinance for securing Money lent by the City 621 687. Money to be conveyed to the Army an Order for its safety 415. Colonel Monk his Letter to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland 919. Earl of Monmouth 's Speech concerning fears c. 849. Sir James Montgomery a Witness against the Earl of Strafford 64 77. Lord Morley Ordered to be Tryed by his Peers for Murther 307. Earl of Morton a Witness in the Case of the Earl of Strafford 82. Lord Mountnorris a Witness against the Earl of Strafford 36 39 59 63. Lord and Lady Muskerry Irish Papists kind to the English 635. N. NAmes of the persons who made the several motions towards the Declaration of the State of the Kingdom 615. of the chief Irish Rebels 632. Narrative of a Plot by Beal a Taylor 647. James Nash a Witness against the Earl of Strafford 874. Nash and Kynaston 's Case 258. Navy the State of it 460. Debated 757. Order of the House of Commons about it 787. Sir Paul Neal a Witness for the Earl of Strafford 95. Lord Nettervile 's Son ordered 〈◊〉 be brought before the House of Lord â—77 Lord Newark his Speech about the â—â—â—rage of Bishops 251. concerning their medling in secular Affairs 252. Lord Newburgh a Witness in the Case of the Earl of Strafford 83. New castle an Order to the Major to take care of it 753. Earl of Newport made Constable of the Tower 230. enabled as Master of the Ordnance to deliver Arms c. for Ireland 606 desired by the House of Commons to reside in the Tower 780. inform'd against for a design to seize the Queen c. 781. discharged of his Constableship of the Tower 785. Petition of both Houses about him 786. Non-Residence a Bill against it 293. Earl of Northumberland a Witness in the Case of the Earl of Strafford 82 86. O. OAth of Allegiance and Supremacy by Order of the House of Commons to be tendred to Irish Recusants and others in the Inns of Court 613. and to the Kings Queens and Princes Servants 814. the Oath for Ireland an Act of State and Petition about it 79. Oath of Secrecy administred to persons concerned in preparing for the Tryal of the Earl of Strafford 11. Officers of the Army Petition for Pay 660 757. Ordered a Moiety 772. those in Ireland commanded to their Charges 594. and in the examination of the Army Conspiracy 232. O Neal a Serjeant Major sent for 286. Committed 490. Ordered to be examined 492 625 714. Voted to be impeach'd of High Treason 754. committed to the Gate-house 757. Sir Phelim O Neal his Execution 529. his Letter to Sir William Hamilton 895. Opinion of the Judges upon an exception of the Earl of Strafford 101. upon the Bill of Attainder 192. in the Case of Ship-money 338. in answer to some Quaeries concerning matters in Parliament 374. concerning a Custos Regni 430. Opinion of the House of Lords about a Commission for Commissioners to attend the King in Scotland 448. 451. Opinion of a City Divine about Episcopacy presented to the House of Commons 302. Orders of both Houses relating to the Trial of the Earl of Strafford 28. for the payment of the Poll-Money to expedite disbanding 458. for declaring the Scotch Rebels to be loyal Subjects 467. for securing the Money borrowed of the City 687. for a Guard upon the Tower 844. Orders of the House of Lords concerning new Proofs against the Earl of Strafford 102. to stop the Ports 232. to pillory two Persons for a contempt 238. about Tumults 246 388 468 476 603 692 856 484 495 691 718. about Ship-Money in the Sheriffs hands 264. against formal Speeches 265. about Writs of Error 272. for Provision for Sisters by a Brother 367. for relief of Wife and Children against a Husband refusing to cohabit 381. concerning a Vicarage between Sir Peter Osborn and Thomas Joice 382. concerning the Arch-Bishops Poll-Money 387. for securing Money carried to the Army 415. for the Lady Wotton 420. 457. for exemplifying the Acts for Pacification and Brotherly Assistance 439. for examining Witnesses about Incendiaries 444. for referring the Election of Sheriffs of London 445. 456. about Mines Royal 446. concerning the impeached Bishops 449 484 495 691 718. search under the Parliament House 450. to quicken the disbanding 457. concerning a Guard about the Parliament House 487. concerning the relief of Ireland 601 603 626. to expel Romish Recusants out of Inns of Court 613. for bringing Ammunition from Hull 643. about the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland ibid. for apprehending Priests and Jesuites 647 648. for putting the Laws in execution against Romish Recusants 653.
Power enough to have done it And whether ever such were spoken the suffering them to appear in print and to be dispersed throughout the Nation was of as ill Influence to the Publique as if they had been real and yet I am not without good Authority that divers of those Speeches were the true Children of those Parents at whose Doors they were laid several of them being entred in Reports of Conferences upon the Lords Journal But still I must do right where I am satisfied that it was an Artifice of the Faction to delude the People by such Speeches Printed under the passable Authority of Considerable Names and if either Sir John Holland or any other Person can by fair Authority convince me that they were in this Nature imposed upon I shall not decline doing him or them the Justice I ought to do of an Impartial Collector who has no manner of Animosity against Persons but the Actions of the late times and thinks himself under an indispensible Duty to his Prince Country and Conscience to the utmost of his Power to detect and expose the Artifices and Methods which occasioned those dreadful and detestable Revolutions and the intire Subversion of the whole Frame of the Government both Civil and Ecclesiastical among which these Printed Speeches whether spoken or not had not the least share in deluding and animating the People to the following Rebellion An Instance of the wicked Licentiousness of those Times in slurring of Speeches sometimes upon worthy Gentlemen as I have from good Authority may be seen by the Speech fathered upon Sir Edward Hales a Gentleman whose known Loyalty made him a very great Sufferer in the times when the Tyranny and Arbitrary Government of the Faction of the Two Houses of Parliament bore all the sway which was thus One Talboy a busie prating News-monger being desirous to Exchange a Speech he had pick't up for another which he wanted he went to a Scrivener at Temple-Bar who then Traded in such things who refusing a Speech without a Name to make it Currant Coin Talboy stamp'd on it that of Sir Edward Hales and for a while it passed as his but notice being taken of it Sir Edward Hales consulted his Friends Members of the then House of Commons to advise what was fit for him to do towards vindicating his Honor from the Scandal which Talboy had put upon him but Sir Norton Knatchbull who is yet alive to attest this and the rest of his Friends were of Opinion that considering the despicable Credit of the Fellow and the improbability of the Aspersion so inconsistent with the known Integrity and Loyalty of Sir Edward Hales it was more advisable to take no notice of the Imposture then to make the Speech more publick by the punishment of the Impostor by which means Talboy escaped the lash and the Speech got under that Name into the Press and out of that into the World There are some other Marginal Notes in the first Volume concerning the Members of the Convocation which by misinformation are mistakes but they are only such as can do no hurt being only the attributing some honours to some Names which they never enjoyed But I am of the opinion that St. Augustine never writ any thing that more became him then his Retractions and I hope the Ingenuous Readers will from my willingness to acknowledge the smallest mistakes do me the honour to believe that I do above all things study sincerity and that I will not in any thing to the best of my understanding impose Falshood for Truth upon the World or be guilty of misleading Posterity into Errors whilst I pretend to gratifie them with the most authentick and undisguised account of the Publick Transactions of those Things and Times with which I entertain them I have but one word more to add I am sensible that I have already fallen under the displeasure of some Persons who having been Eminent Actors in the late Times against the King and the Government and are yet Survivers and living Monuments of their own Guilt and the unexampled Clemency of their most Gracious Sovereign are extremely uneasie at the account that is here given of those Times For my particular I must disavow my having any Personal Animosity but truely those who find themselves offended by any matters in these Collections which are unjustifiable or disreputable to the Authors and Actors of them if they be such as have sincerely Repented of those past Errors and Actions will be so far from being displeased to see them Exposed and Condemned that they will be ready to do it themselves thereby to make some compensation for the former Ills they have been accessary to and if they have not yet by a thorough Penitence Attoned Heaven and procured an Act of Oblivion there as well as the Clemency of his Majesty has given them one here it is high time for them to go about it and it is a piece of Charity to put them in mind of it as this History does for which I should rather expect their thanks than their anger and displeasure and I am sure if they consult their future Interest and the little time they can hope to have still left for the performance of so great a Work there can be no Service so advantageous in Reason how unwelcom soever it may be to Passion and Prejudice as that of a faithful Monitor who gives them warning to escape the greatest of all Miseries and Dangers AN Impartial Collection OF ALL THE MEMORABLE EVENTS FROM The Scotch Rebellion to the KING'S Murther Volume II. The History of the Earl of STRAFFORD year 1641 ALTHOUGH many Ages and Histories afford us great Variety of Examples to convince us of the instability of Humane Affairs and that no persons have a more dangerous Station than such Great Ministers of State and Royal Favourites as are mounted to the Lofty Pinnacles of Honour Yet I think our Country has not produced any Instance of the Treachery of Fortune so signally remarkable as this of the Noble Earl of Strafford a Person in whose Character Every thing conspired that could make a Subject Great And certainly had he lived in any other Age than that wherein the Turbulent Whirlwind of Rebellion and Disloyalty threw down all before it his Great Wisdom Learning Courage and Loyalty would have rendred him one of the greatest Lives that ever adorned the English Chronicles as well as one of the Wisest Statesmen and Ablest Ministers that ever supported the British Throne and how great an Interest he had in that Weighty Employment both the Envy of his and the Enemies of the Royal Seat and the Miserable Fall of that Illustrious Empire of which he was so main a Pillar will abundantly manifest and indeed they who will pull down the Throne of Solomon alwayes first endeavour to remove and destroy the Lions that support it This Great and Illustrious-Man was descended of an Honourable and Ancient Family born to an
then a Peer of the said Realm to Imprison him unless he would surcease his suit and said That he would have neither Law nor Lawyers dispute or question any of his orders And the 20. day of March in the said 11. year the said Earl of Strafford speaking of an order of the said Councel Table of that Realm in the time of King James which concerned a Lease which the said Earl of Cork claimed in certain Rectories or Tithes which the said Earl of Cork alledged to be of no force said That he would make the said Earl and all Ireland know so long as he had the Government there any Act of State there made or to be made should be as binding to the Subjects of that Kingdome as an Act of Parliament And did question the said Earl of Corke in the Castle Chamber upon pretence of the breach of the said order of Councel Table and did sundry other times and upon sundry other occasions by his words and speeches arrogate to himself a power above the fundamental Laws and Established Government of that Kingdom and scorned the said Laws and established Government 5 That according to such his Declarations and Speeches the said Earl of Strafford did use and exercise a power above and against and to the Subversion of the said fundamental Laws and established Government of the said Realm of Ireland extending such his power to the Goods Free-holds Inheritances Liberties and Lives of his Majesties Subjects in the said Realm viz. The said Earl of Strafford the twtefth day of December Anno Domini 1635. in the time of full peace did in the said Realm of Ireland give and procure to be given against the Lord Mount Norris then and yet a Peer of Ireland and then Vice-Treasurer and receiver general of the Realm of Ireland and one of the principal Secretaries of State and Keeper of the Privy Signet of the said Kingdom a Sentence of death by a Councel of War called together by the said Earl of Strafford without any Warrant or Authority of Law or offence deserving any such punishment And he the said Earl did also at Dublin within the said Realm of Ireland in the Month of March in the fourteenth year of his Majesties Reign without any legal or due proceedings or Tryal give or cause to be given a Sentence of death against one other of his Majesties Subjects whose name is yet unknown and caused him to be put to death in execution of the said Sentence 6 That the said Earl of Strafford without any legal proceedings and upon a paper Petition of Richard Rolstone did cause the said Lord Mount-Norris to be disseized and put out of possession of his free-hold and inheritance of his Mannor and Tymore in the Countrey of Armagh in the Kingdom of Ireland the said Lord Mount-Norris having been two years before in quiet possession thereof 7. That the said Earl of Strafford in the Term of holy Trinity in the thirteenth year of his now Majesties Reign did cause a case commonly called the case of Tenures upon defective Titles to be made and drawn up without any Jury or Trial or other legal process and without the consent of parties and did then procure the Judges of the said Realm of Ireland to deliver their opinions and resolutions to that case and by colour of such opinion did without any legal proceeding cause Thomas Lord Dillon a Peer of the said Realm of Ireland to be put out of possession of divers Lands and Tenements being his Free-hold in the Countrey of Mago and Rosecomen in the said Kingdome and divers other of his Majesties Subjects to be also put out of Possession and Disseised of their Freehold by colour of the same resolution without legal proceedings whereby many hundreds of his Majesties Subjects were undone and their Families utterly ruinated 8. That the said Earl of Strafford upon a Petition of Sir John Gifford Knight the first day of February in the said Thirteenth Year of his Majesties Reign without any legal Process made a Decree or Order against Adam Viscount Loftus of Ely a Peer of the said Realm of Ireland and Lord Chancellor of Ireland and did cause the said Viscount to be Imprisoned and kept close Prisoner on pretence of Disobedience to the said Decree or Order And the said Earl without any Authority and contrary to his Commission required and commanded the said Lord Viscount to yield unto him the Great Seal of the Realm of Ireland which was then in his custody by his Majesties Command and Imprisoned the said Chancellour for not obeying such his Command And without any Legal Proceedings did in the same Thirteenth Year Imprison George Earl of Kildare a Peer of Ireland against Law thereby to enforce him to submit his Title to the Mannor and Lordship of Castle Leigh in the Queens County being of great yearly value to the said Earl of Strafford's Will and Pleasure and kept him a year prisoner for the said cause two moneths whereof he kept him close Prisoner and refused to enlarge him notwithstanding his Majesties Letters for his enlargement to the said Earl of Strafford directed And upon a Petition exhibited in October 1635. by Thomas Hibbots against Dame Mary Hibbots Widow to him the said Earl of Strafford the said Earl of Strafford recommended the said Petition to the Councel Table of Ireland where the most part of the Councel gave their Vote and Opinion for the said Lady but the said Earl finding fault herewith caused an Order to be entred against the said Lady and threatned her that if she refused to submit thereunto he would Imprison her and Fine her five hundred pounds that if she continued obstinate he would continue her Imprisonment and double her Fine every Moneth by means whereof she was enforced to relinquish her Estate in the Lands questioned in the said Petition which shortly was conveyed to Sir Robert Meredith to the use of the said Earl of Strafford And the said Earl in like manner did Imprison divers others of his Majesties Subjects upon pretence of Disobedience to his Orders and Decrees and other illegal Commands by him made for pretended Debts Titles of Lands and other Causes in an Arbitrary and Extrajudicial course upon Paper Petitions to him preferred and no other cause legally depending 9. That the said Earl of Strafford the Sixteenth day of February in the Twelfth Year of his now Majesties Reign assuming to himself a power above and against Law took upon him by a general Warrant under his hand to give power to the Lord Bishop of Down and Connor his Chancellor or Chancellors to their several Officers thereto to be appointed to attach and arrest the Bodies of all such of the meaner and poorer sort who after Citation should either refuse to appear before them or appearing should omit or deny to perform or undergoe all lawful Decrees Sentences and orders issued imposed or given out against them and them to commit and keep in the next
Goal until they should either perform such sentences or put in sufficient Bail to shew some reason before the Councel Table of such their contempt and neglect and the said Earl the day and year last mentioned signed and issued a Warrant to that effect and made the like Warrant to send to all other Bishops and their Chancellors in the said Realm of Ireland to the same effect 10 That the said Earl of Strafford being Lord Lieutenant or Deputy of Ireland procured the Customes of the Merchandize exported out and imported into that Realm to be farmed to his own use And in the Ninth Year of his now Majesties Reign he having then interest in the said Customes to advance his own gain and lucre did cause and procure the native Commodities of Ireland to be rated in the Book of Rates for the Customes according to which the Customes were usually gathered at far greater values and prices than in truth they were worth that is to say every Hide at twenty Shillings which in truth was worth but five Shillings every stone of Wool at thirteen shillings four-pence though the same ordinarily were worth but five Shillings at the utmost but nine Shillings by which means the Custome which before was but a twentieth part of the true value of the Commodity was inhansed sometimes to a fifth part and sometimes to a fourth and sometimes to a third part of the true value to the great oppression of the Subjects and decay of Merchandize 11 That the said Earl in the Ninth Year of his now Majesties reign did by his own will and pleasure and for his own lucre restrain the exportation of the Commodities of that Kingdome without his Licence as namely Pipe-staves and other Commodities and then raised great Sums of Money for licensing of exportation of those Commodities and dispensation of the said restraints imposed on them by which means the Pipe-staves were raised from four pound ten shillings or five pound per thousand to ten pound and sometimes eleven pound per thousand and other Commodities were inhanced in the like proportion and by the same means by him the said Earl 12 That the said Earl being Lord Deputy of Ireland on the ninth day of January in the Thirteenth Year of his Majesties Reign did then under colour to Regulate the Importation of Tobacco into the said Realm of Ireland issue a Proclamation in his Majesties Name prohibiting the importation of Tobacco without licence of him and the Councel there from and after the first day of May Anno Dom. 1638. after which restraint the said Earl notwithstanding the said restraint caused divers great quantities of Tobacco to be imported to his own use and fraughted divers Ships with Tobacco which he imported to his own use and that if any Ship brought Tobacco into any Port there the said Earl and his Agents used to buy the same to his own use at their own price And if that the owners refused to let him have the same at under values then they were not permitted to vent the same by which undue means the Earl having gotten the whole Trade of Tobacco into his own hands he sold it at great and excessive prizes such as he list to impose for his own profit And the more to assure the said Monopoly of Tobacco he the said Earl on the three and twentieth day of February in the Thirteenth Year aforesaid did issue another Proclamation commanding that none should put to Sale any Tobacco by whole sale from and after the last day of May then next following but what should be made up into Rolls and the same Sealed with two Seals by himself appointed one at each end of the Roll. And such as was not Sealed to be seised appointing six pence the pound for a reward to such persons as should seize the same and the persons in whose custody the unsealed Tobacco should be found to be committed to Goal which last Proclamation was covered by a pretence for the restraining of the Sale of unwholesome Tobacco but it was truely to advance the said Monopoly Which Proclamation the said Earl did rigorously put in execution by seizing the Goods Fining Imprisoning Whipping and putting the offenders against the same Proclamation on the Pillory as namely Barnaby Hubbard Edward Covena John Tumen and divers others and made the Officers of State and Justices of Peace and other Officers to serve him in compassing and executing these unjust and undue courses by which Cruelties and unjust Monopolies the said Earl raised 100000 li. per annum gain to himself And yet the said Earl though he inhanced the Customes where it concerned the Merchants in general yet drew down the impost formerly taken on Tobacco from six pence the pound to three pence the pound it being for his own profit so to do And the said Earl by the same and other rigorous and undue means raised several other Monopolies and unlawful exactions for his own gain viz. on Starch Iron-pots Glasses Tobacco-pipes and several other Commodities 13 That Flax being one of the principal and native Commodities of that Kingdome of Ireland the said Earl having gotten great quantities thereof into his hands and growing on his own Lands did issue out several Proclamations viz. one dated the one and twentieth day of May in the Eleventh of his Majesties Reign and the other dated the one and thirtieth day of January in the same year thereby prescribing and injoyning the working of Flax into Yearn and Thread and the ordering of the same in such ways wherein the Natives of that Kingdom were unpractised and unskilful which Proclamations so issued were by his Commands and Warrants to his Majesties Justices of Peace and other officers and by other rigorous means put in execution and the Flax wrought or ordered in other manner than as the said Proclamation prescribed was seized and imployed to the use of him and his agents and thereby the said Earl endeavoured to gain and did gain in effect the sole Sale of that Native Commodity 14 That the said Earl of Strafford by Proclamation dated the Sixteenth of October in the Fourteenth Year of his Majesties Raign did impose upon the Owners Masters Pursers and Boats-swains of every Ship a new and unlawful Oath viz. that they two or more of them immediately after the arrival of any Ship within any Port or Creek in the said Kingdom of Ireland should give in a true in-voice of the outward balke of Wares and Merchandises and number of Goods and the qualities and condition of the said Goods as far as to them should be known the names of the several Merchants Proprietors of the said Goods and the places from whence they were fraughted and whither they were bound to discharge which Proclamation was accordingly put in execution and sundry persons enforced to take the said unlawful Oath 15 That the said Earl of Strafford Trayterously and wickedly devised and contrived by force of Armes in a warlike manner to subdue
Linnen rather than of Woollen-Cloth which might prejudice that Trade here he bought Flax-seed in the Low-Countries and sold it at the same Rate to such as desired it they making their Cloaths not above a Foot broad and winding 8 or 10 threads from several bottoms together the contrary was twined their Flax formerly not above a Foot became a yard in length and that soil is fit to bear it and the People love such easie Works He hath set up many Looms made much Cloth and sold it to the loss of some Thousands of pounds but when the State saw the Natives would not change their old Courses for new and better the Proclamation was declined What he did was for the Publick Good and had nothing from them that was not fully paid for To the Fourteenth he saith He refers to the Oath and Proclamation which was set forth by the said Earl and Council of State there at the instance of the Farmers of the Customs towards the defrauding of the King's Duties being in France whereof His Majesty had five eight parts He never heard any Complain of the Oath or of any that refused to take it and conceived it to be lawful divers of the Council approving it being Learned Judges of the Law to whose judgment for the legality he submitted as well in that as to other matters of like nature To the Fifteenth He denieth what is in the Article Objected but saith That about the Year 1626. certain Agents authorized in Ireland were sent into England and offered and agreed to pay to His Majesty 120000 l. in Six Years towards the maintenance of his Army and a like payment of 20000 l. per annum was after agreed and continued for Three Years longer the Assessments were made and it was shortly after by them and the Lord Faulkland then Deputy agreed in Ireland that the Money should not be charged upon Record but levied by Captains by Paper-Assignments upon Warrants from the Lord Deputy and this course was held four Years in the Lord Faulkland's time and the four years wherein the Lord Loftus and the Earl of Cork were Lords Justices there and it held for the remaining year only after the Earl of Strafford came thither but the Earl of Cork having spared those Towns for the benefit of himself and Tenants during the time of his being Justice The Earl of Strafford reduced the Assessments to what it was made by the Lord Faulkland and gave way that Sir William St. Lieger Lord President of Munster to take the same Arrerages in satisfaction of a Debt due unto him by His Majesty and he is confident no force was used in levying the same It hath been usual to lay Souldiers to levy that Contribution to send Souldiers to apprehend Contemners of Orders made at Council-Board and the like and when Out-Laws and Rebels have been in the Woods no Souldiers have in his time been laid but by the Advice of the Council there Touching the Castle-Chamber it 's a parcel of the Territory of Ideough whereto the King was Intituled by Inquisition and the Possession established in a Legal way when the said Earl was in England and no Souldiers were sent but only 12 at the intreaty of Mr. Wanesford for security of his Houses and Plantations against Rebels that then were out and burned and spoiled Houses thereabouts and neither Richard Butler's or any other Family were thence expelled by the said Earl from their Estates To the Sixteenth he saith There was such a Proposition which was just to prevent clamorous Complaints here which there might be redressed but conceives that by the Laws there and the Articles known since by the name of the Articles of Grace made about Fourteen Years since none ought to depart that Kingdom without Licence Thereupon the Advice of the State the Proclamations were set forth but not with such intent as in the Article He denied Licence only to Three the Earl of Cork the Lord Mount-Norris and Sir Frederick Hamilton To the two former in regard of Criminal Suits then against them in the Castle-Chamber To the other by special Command from His Majesty but so soon as Sir Frederick said he would Complain of the Earl he made Suit to His Majesty That Sir Frederick might come over which was granted He conceives such restraint to be necessary and if that it be not continued it will prove of Evil Consequence to that Kingdom Parry was questioned at the Council-Board for Misdemeanors and to avoid Sentence secretly went out of the Kingdom and at his return for that and other Offences was Fined and Imprisoned to the Sentence thereof he refers and knows of no other that were Imprisoned as by the Article is Charged To the Seventeenth he saith It 's like he might say for the better encouragement of the Officers and Souldiers of the Old Irish Army in discharge of their several Duties that His Majesty was so well satisfied in the way and pains they took in using and practizing of their Arms that in that Point he would set them as a Pattern to be imitated and conceives it would not be ill if they were so they being in the Opinion of those that have seen them Exercise very Able and Expert Souldiers he spake not other words or to other purpose To the Eighteenth he saith When the Earl of Cork was one of the Lords Justices he seized some Houses in Dublin pretending they belonged to Jesuits and Fryers without Legal Proceedings which upon Suits prosecuted at Council-Board were according to Justice restored to the Owners but how since imployed the Earl of Strafford knoweth not but endeavoured the utmost he could to maintain that Seizure Touching the 8000 men he saith They were raised according to the King's Warrant and that the said Earl left the Care thereof to the Earl of Ormond and others and what number are Protestants what Papists he knoweth not but believeth such a Body cannot be there raised without many Papists the greatest number of the Captains and Officers are Protestants chosen by the said Earl The 1000 man were drawn out of the Old to make Officers for the New Army and believeth the 1000 put to the Old Army are Protestants in regard by his express Order no Papist is to be admitted there a Common Soldier He never preferred any Captain Lieutenant or Ensign to be of that Army that was a Papist and conceives they are duly paid and believes those newly raised exercise the Religion no otherwise than was practised before the Earl's coming thither He was a Commissioner to Compound with the Recusants for their Forfeitures and endeavoured to be informed of the utmost value of their Estates in four years he brought that Revenue from 2300 l. to be between 11 and 12000 l. per annum more than ever was raised formerly in so short a time by which faithful dealings for His Majesty he procured the hard Opinion of the Recusants throughout the Kingdom that out of those
the Kingdom depends on this Fail not in the speedy execution thereof as you will answer to the contrary on peril of your life Dated the last of August 1640. Mr. Glyn then said The 28 Article being still behind they are not yet resolved whether to proceed or not but they desire another day to be heard having something more to say And then the Court was adjourned and the next day appointed at 8 of the Clock Thus far in the Trial of this Noble Lord I have followed the traces of the Journals the Printed Trial by Mr. Rushworth and a Manuscript which I have by me which was found in the Chamber of a Worthy Gentleman a Fellow of Queens College in Cambridge being in the times of the Persecution hid there for upon taking up the boards to new lay the floor of the Room the Work-men found it the Author who ever he was saith he was an Eye and Ear-Witness to the whole Transaction and averrs his account in the Matters of Fact to be just and Faithfull And therefore Mr. Rushworth having not done intire right to the Memory of that Great Man wholly omitting the further proceedings till the summing up the Evidence by my Lord and the Replies upon it together with many Remarkable Circumstances conducing to the better understanding of the Management of that affair I thought my self obliged out of the Justice that is due to truth to supply those Omissions from the Relation of the said Manuscript and the concurrent Testimonies of the Journals and other Papers written and printed at that time upon this Occasion Upon Thursday the Committee of Managers having declared Thursday April 8. that for some private Reasons they would wave the Debate of the 28th Article Sir Walter Earle offered some observations upon the 22d Article and desired to be heard by their Lordships conceiving they would do much to strengthen the Evidence whereby they had endeavoured to prove that the Earl of Strafford had real designs of Landing the Irish Army in England in Order to prove what was charged upon him to the subduing of this Kingdom Though as my Author sayes had Sir Walter consulted his own Reputation which by so weak a Charge suffered more then the Earl's against whom it was intended he might with more advantage both to himself and the cause he managed have better spared his endeavours His Reasons were these First that it appears by the Earl's Commission and Instructions that he had power to Land his Army either in Wales or in any part of England or Scotland according to his Discretion and from thence he inferred that this Clause was wholly superfluous unless there had been some such Purpose or Design intended Secondly That two dayes before the Date of the said Commission Letters were dispatched to the Earl's of Bridgwater and Pembroke from Sir Francis Windebank Secretary of State to assist my Lord of Worcester in Levying Forces for the King's Service and these might well be supposed to have been intended to joyn with the Irish Army upon their Landing Thirdly That my Lord Ranulagh at the raising of the Irish Army had expressed some fears of such a design and Intention for the imploying of that Army Fourthly That the Town of Ayre in Scotland where the Lord Strafford pretended to Land the Irish Forces was fortified with Bullwarks a Garrison and a Block-House which would prohibit his landing there and that the Barr or entrance into the Haven was very dangerous and shallow That the Earl of Argyle 's bounds were a great way distant and divided from thence by the Sea The only proof of this was the reading of the Commission granted to the Earl of Strafford To this the Earl replied That his Commission was the same verbatim The Earl's Defence with my Lord of Northumberland 's for England that it was drawn up by the Council-Board here and sent over to him so that it could be no worse design in him then in the Earl of Northumberland Lord General of the English Army nor any larger Power given him by it then to my Lord General That as to the Letters to the Earl's of Pembroke and Bridgwater this was the first time that he ever heard of such Letters nor did they concern him more then any other Member of the House and for my Lord Ranulagh he was not bound to purge him of all his fears that he had his own fears too which God forbid should be evidence of Treason against any person whatsoever That it seemed the Gentleman had better information from the Kingdom of Scotland than himself yet he would be confident to say there was never such a thing as a Block-House nor then any Garrison at Aire but to remove all Scruples for indeed the Road or Landing place is not there safe he declared that it was his Intention to have Landed some Miles above Aire and to have made himself Master of the Town and then to have made it a Magazine and for the Earl of Argyle 's Bounds he hoped the Gentlemen knew that they were not to come on foot out of Ireland but had Ships to waft and transport themselves and that one of the Earl of Argyle 's prime Houses at Rosneth was within some few Miles of the same Frith The Lord Digby seeing Sir Walter Earle on ground did handsomly bring him off and told the Lords That all their proofs for that Article were not yet ready and that this was only a Superfaetation of the Charge and that in such a matter of Treason they must sometimes content themselves to make use of dark Probabilities Mr. Glyn then moved That the Earl might resume his Defences and summ up the Charge that so the Process might be closed as to matter of Fact To which the Earl replyed That in his Circumstances all slackness was speed enough that the matter touched him narrowly in no less then his Life and Estate and which he valued much above them his Honour and Posterity and he confessed he had no desire to ride Post in an Affair of that Nature and Consequence to him and that he did verily believe that the Gentlemen at the Bar if they were in his Case would think all the time they could obtain little enough except their greater Abilities and abler Judgments could sooner dispatch the matter then he found himself able to do and therefore he humbly applyed himself to their Lordships that the Remainder of that day might be granted him to recover his wasted strength and recollect his Thoughts and Spirits and that to morrow he would make his last Reply for himself This was opposed by the Committee as very prejudicial Expensive of time and that it was only to spin out unnecessary Delayes but after above an Hours debate the Lords thought it convenient to grant his Lordship that Liberty and it was Ordered he should appear the next Day Upon Friday morning about 8 of the Clock the Lieutenant of the Tower Friday April 9. and
I shall first give you an Accompt of the words wherewithal I am Charged forth of Ireland and the first words are in the Third Article where I am Charged to have said That Ireland is a Conquered Nation and that the King may do with them as he pleaseth And to the City of Dublin That their Charters are nothing worth and bind the King no farther than he pleaseth These are the words Charged My Lords methinks it is very strange under favour that this can be made an Inducement to prove this Charge because I said That Ireland is a Conquer'd Nation therefore I endeavour to subvert the Fundamental Laws when I speak the Truth for certainly it is very true it was so My Lords under favour I remember very well there was as much said here at this Bar since we began and yet I dare well Swear and acquit him that spake it from intending to Subvert the Laws For my Lords you were told and told truly That Ireland was a Conquered Nation and that it was Subordinate to England and God forbid that it should be otherwise and that they have received Laws from the Conqueror My Lords the words testified by my Lord Gormonstone and Kilmalock to be spoken are not the words wherewith I am charged and so under favour I conceive cannot be brought to my prejudice as to this Tryal and they are words that are denied by me For my words concerning their Charters your Lordships remember very well I doubt not wherefore I said they were void For their misuse of them and that I told them so not with the intent to overthrow their Patents or Charters but to make them more conformable to those things that the State thought fit for encrease of Religion and Trade and encouraging and bringing English into that Town And that it was meant so and no otherwise Whatsoever was said it appears by this their Charters were never touched nor infringed nor medled withal by me during the time I was in that Kingdom so that words so spoken and to such a purpose that they should go to prove such a Conclusion I conceive there is great difference betwixt those Premises and that Conclusion The next Charge for words in Ireland is in the Fourth Article where I am Charged to have said That I would neither have Law nor Lawyers Dispute or Question my Orders and that I would make the Earl of Cork and all Ireland know That as long as I had the Government there any Act of State should be as binding to the Subjects of that Kingdom as an Act of Parliament My Lords I humbly beseech your Lordships to give me leave to say for my self that these words of the Charge are only sworn by my Lord of Corke and no man else and his Lordship appeared a little mistaken the other day in one point on the Reading of an Order of the Council-Board for so it appears as I conceive so that for one single Witness and he the Party Aggrieved by these words to be the Man that must convince me I conceive your Lordships will not think that to stand with the ordinary Rules of Proceeding For the rest to say Acts of State in Ireland should be binding so long as they are not contrary to Law I confess I then conceived it had been no Offence for I thought them to be as binding being not contrary to Law but the Elder we grow the wiser we may grow If God give us the Grace and Attentions and so I trust I shall by these Gentlemen that have taught me to forbear those kind of Speeches hereafter My Lords These are all the Words charged against me for Ireland saving only some things that I shall come to anon that is Charged upon me in one of the latter Articles concerning Scotland I say my Lords these are all the Words that have slipped from me in Seven years time having been well watched and observed as your Lordships may perswade your selves I have been But in seven years time I say these are all the words brought to my Charge and in truth I conceive a wiser Man then my self might be forgiven for one Error or slip of his Tongue of that Nature in a years time seeing it is no greater measure God be praised than these are My Lords these being the words that passed from me in Ireland there are other words that are charged upon me to have been spoken in England but if your Lordships will give me leave though perhaps in no very good method I shall not fail to touch first or last the words in every Article The next Article then that I am charged withal for words is the second Article and these are the words that I should say concerning the Finger and the Loins My Lords I may alledge much new matter but I will observe your Lordships Order punctually by the Grace of God for what I may say in that case if it might be admitted I keep it to my self but the truth is they that do prove the words to be thus That I would make the little finger of the Law heavier then the King's Loins they do not tell you the occasion of the Speech or what went before or what after for my Lords if they had told the occasion which methinks they should as well have remembred as the words it would plainly and clearly have appeared to your Lordships that Sir William Pennyman's Testimony was most true for the occasion was such that to have said those words had been to have spoken against that to which I intended the discourse but speaking them as I said it makes very strong for that purpose to which I directed them which was to appease the Countrey and quiet the Discontents for having been double charged with the Knight-money and therefore it was not proper by threatning them further to have provoked them My Lords you have Sir William Pennyman's Testimony that it was so and my profession who under favour will not speak an untruth to save my life I protest before God that I say I verily believe or else I will never speak it indeed and there it is they have proved it to have been said one way we another way we give the occasion of our Speech and disavow theirs and so we must leave it and howsoever these words so spoken can never be drawn as I humbly conceive as Premises to prove their Conclusions that therefore I am guilty of High Treason they have made me guilty of a foolish word and that I confess and if they please I will confess it all the day long for I have been foolish all the days of my life and I hope hereafter I shall look unto my ways that I offend not with my Tongue for if I cannot rule it abroad I will rule it within doors else I will never stirr abroad but bound it so to my own business and affairs that I trust I shall give no offence The next Article that chargeth me with words
power The Earl of Strafford had the first rise of his Greatness from this and in his Apology and Defence as your Lordships have heard this hath had a main part The Royal Power and Majesty of Kings is most Glorious in the Prosperity and happiness of the People the perfection of all things consists in the end for which they were ordained God only in his own end all other things have a further end beyond themselves in attaining whereof their own happiness consists if the means and the end be set in opposition to one another it must needs cause an impotency and defect of both The Eighth Consideration is the vanity and absurdity of those excuses and justifications which he made for himself whereof divers particulars have been mentioned in the course of this Defence 1. That he is a Counsellor and might not be questioned for any thing which he advised according to his Conscience The ground is true there is a liberty belongs to Counsellors and nothing corrupts Counsels more than Fear He that will have the priviledg of a Counsellor must keep within the just bounds of a Counsellor those matters are the proper Subjects of Counsel which in their times and occasions may be good or beneficial to the King or Common-wealth But such Treasons as these the subversion of the Laws violation of Liberties they can never be good or justifiable by any circumstance or occasion and therefore his being a Counsellor makes his fault much more hainous as being committed against a greater Trust and in a way of much mischief and danger lest His Majesties Conscience and Judgment upon which the whole course and frame of His Government do much depend should be poysoned and infected with such wicked Principles and Designs and this he hath endeavoured to do which by all Laws and in all Times hath in this Kingdom been reckoned a crime of an high Nature 2. He labours to interest your Lordships in his Cause by alleadging it may be dangerous to your selves and your posterity who by your Birth are fittest to be near His Majesty in places of Trust and Authority if you should be subject to be questioned for matters delivered in Council To this was answered That it was hoped their Lordships would rather labour to secure themselves and their posterity in the exercise of their Virtues than of their Vices that so they might together with their own Honor and Greatness preserve the Honor and Greatness both of the King and Kingdom 3. Another excuse was this That whatsoever he hath spoken was out of good intention Sometimes good and evil truth and falshood lye so near together that they are hardly to be distinguished Matters hurtful and dangerous may be accompanied with such circumstances as may make it appear useful and convenient and in all such cases good intention will justifie evil Counsel But where the matters propounded are evil in their own nature such as the matters are wherewith the Earl of Strafford is charged to break a publique Faith to subvert Laws and Government they can never be justified by any intentions how good soever they be pretended 4. He alleadgeth it was a time of great necessity and danger when such Counsels were necessary for preservation of the State Necessity hath been spoken of before as it relates to the Cause now it is considered as it relates to the Person if there were any necessity it was of his own making he by his evil Counsel had brought the King into a necessity and by no rules of Justice can be allowed to gain this advantage by his own fault as to make that a ground of his justification which is a great part of his offence 5. He hath often insinuated this That it was for His Majesties service in maintainance of that Soveraign Power with which he is intrusted by God for the good of his People The Answer is this No doubt but that Soveraign Power wherewith his Majesty is intrusted for the publique good hath many glorious effects the better to enable him thereunto But without doubt this is none of them That by his own Will he may lay any Tax or imposition upon His people without their consent in Parliament This hath now been five times adjudged by both Houses in the case of the Loans in condemning Commissions of Excise in the resolution upon the saving offered to be saved to the Petition of Right in the sentence against Manwaring and now Lutell in condemning the Shipmoney And if the Soveraign Power of the King can produce no such effect as this the Allegation of it is an aggravation and no diminution of his offence because thereby he doth labour to interest the King against the just grievance and complaint of the People 6. This Counsel was propounded with diverse Limitations and Provisions for securing and repairing the Liberty of the People This implies a contradiction to maintain an Arbitrary and Absolute Power and yet to restrain it with Limitations and Provisions for even those limitations and provisions will be subject to the same absolute power and to be dispensed in such manner and at such time as it self shall determine let the Grievances and Oppressions be never so heavy the Subject is left without all remedy but at His Majesties own pleasure 7. He alleadgeth They were but Words and no effect followed this needs no Answer but that the Miserable Distempers into which he hath brought all the three Kingdoms will be Evidence sufficient that his Wicked Counsels have had such Mischievous Effects within these two or three last years that many years peace will hardly repair those losses and other great Mischiefs which the Common-Wealth hath sustained 8. These Excuses have been collected out of the several Parts of his defence perchance some others are omitted which I doubt not have been Answered by some of my Collegues and are of no Importance either to perplex or to hinder your Lordships Judgment touching the hainousness of this Crime The 9th consideration is this That if this be Treason in the Nature of it it doth exceed all other Treasons in this That in the Design and Endeavour of the Author it was to be a constant and permanent Treason other Treasons are Transient as being confined within those particular Actions and Proportions wherein they did consist and those being past the Treason ceaseth The Powder Treason was full of horror and malignity yet it is past many years since The Murder of that Magnanimous and Glorious King Henry the Fourth of France was a great and horrid Treason and so were those manifold Attempts against Queen Elizabeth of blessed Memory but they are long since past the Detestation of them only remains in Histories and in the minds of men and will ever remain But this Treason if it had taken effect was to be a standing perpetual Treason which would have been in continual Act not determined within one time or Age but transmitted to Posterity even from one generation to
of the same Quiver For Mr. Pym as a Prologue to those Designs acquainted the House That there were Informations of Desperate Designs at home and abroad to bring up the Army against the Parliament to surprize the Tower that the Earl of Strafford might Escape that Portsmouth was to be betrayed the French were drawing down their Army in all hast to the Sea side And to the same Effect was the Petition of the Rabble States men which follows THat whereas your Petitioners did yesterday Petition for the Redress of many Grievances Petition of the Rabble and for the Execution of Justice upon the Earl of Strafford and other Incendiaries and to be secured from some dangerous Plots and Designs on Foot to which your Lordships have this day given Answer that you have the same under Consideration for which your Petitioners do render humble thanks but forasmuch as your Petitioners understand that the Tower of London is presently to receive a Garrison of men not of the Hamblets as usually they were wont to do but consisting of other Persons under the command of a Captain a great Confident of the Earl of Strafford which doth encrease their fears of the suddain Destruction of King and Kingdom wherein your Lordships and Posterity are deeply interested and this is done to make way for the Escape of the Earl of Strafford the Grand Incendiary They therefore pray that instant Course may be taken for the discovery thereof and that speedy Execution of Justice be done upon the Earl of Strafford Hereupon the Lords sent six Peers to the Tower who Examining the Lieutenant he informed them he had a Command from the King to receive a hundred men under Captain Billingsley into the Tower thereby throwing an Odious Reflexion upon the King as if he were of confederacy for the Earl his Escape which his Majesty understanding did himself the Justice to let the Lords know by a Message That upon a Complaint of Sir William Balfour the Lieutenant of the Tower of the great Resort of People thither he Ordered the said Captain and his Company to guard the Munition there but if that occasion Jealousies his Majesty is willing to receive their Lordships advice And for the other fine story of the Earl's Escape is was discovered by the miracle of three good Wives of Wappings peeping in at the Key-hole out of Curiosity to see the Earl and they heard him discourse with his Secretary Mr. Slingsby about his Escape but Mr. Slingsby upon Examination absolutely denyed it as did also the Master of the Ship which was said to be laid for him only Balfour being Examined confessed the Earl had moved some such thing and offered him the King's Warrant for his Indemnity but whoever considers that he was a Scot a Confident of the Party and that all things were managed by Scottish Counsels Measures and Examples of Tumults and withal how unjustly he had traduced the King just before in the matter of Captain Billingsley will not at all admire he should make a little bold with his Conscience to keep his place to oblige his Friends and Countenance a Report which was so advantageous to the Designs that were then caarying on by Tumults and all the Artifices imaginable But that which puts it out of all doubt is the Letter which this noble Lord writ that very day to the King to pass the Bill of Attainder against him a Generosity as it was very uncommon so very inconsistent with the design of this pretended Escape which seemed rather Levelled at his Majesties Reputation among the People then to have any reality in it The Letter was this May it please Your Sacred Majesty IT hath been my greatest grief in all these Troubles The Earl of Strafford's Letter to the King May 4. to be taken as a person which should endeavour to represent and set things amiss between Your Majesty and Your People and to give Counsels tending to the disquiet of the Three Kingdoms Most true it is that this mine own private Condition considered it had been a great madness since through Your Gracious Favour I was so provided as not to expect in any kind to mend my fortune or please my mind more than by resting where Your bounteous Hands had placed me Nay it is most mightily mistaken for unto your Majesty it is well known my poor and humble Advices concluded still in this That Your Majesty and Your People could never be happy till there were a right understanding betwixt You and them and that no other means were left to effect and settle this happiness but by the Counsel and Assent of Your Parliament or to prevent the growing Evils of this State but by intirely putting Your Self in this last resort upon the Loyalty and good Affections of Your English Subjects Yet such is my misfortune that this Truth findeth little credit yea the contrary seemeth generally to be believed and my self reputed as one who endeavoured to make a separation between You and Your People under a heavier censure than this I am perswaded no Gentleman can suffer Now I understand the minds of Men are more and more incensed against me notwithstanding Your Majesty hath declared That in Your Princely opinion I am not Guilty of Treason and that You are not satisfied in Your Conscience to pass the Bill This bringeth me in a very great streight there is before me the ruine of my Children and Family hitherto untouch'd in all the Branches of it with any foul crime Here are before me the many ills which may befal Your Sacred Person and the whole Kingdom should Your Self and Parliament part less satisfied one with the other than is necessary for the preservation both of King and People Here are before me the things most valued most feared by mortal men Life or Death To say Sir that there hath not been a strife in me were to make me less man than God knoweth my Infirmities make me and to call a destruction upon my self and young Children where the intentions of my heart at least have been innocent of this great offence may be believed will find no easy consent from Flesh and Blood But with much sadness I am come to a Resolution of that which I take to be best becoming me and to look upon it as that which is most principal in it self which doubtless is the prosperity of Your Sacred Person and the Common wealth things infinitely before any private mans interest And therefore in few words as I put my self wholly upon the Honor and justice of my Peers so clearly as to wish Your Majesty might please to have spared that Declaration of Yours on Saturday last and intirely to have left me to their Lordships So now to set Your Majesties Conscience at liberty I do most humbly beseech Your Majesty for prevention of evils which may happen by Your refusal to pass this Bill and by this means to remove praised be God I cannot say this accursed
rather what was safe than what seemed just preferring the outward peace of my Kingdoms with men before that inward exactness of Conscience before God And indeed I am so far from excusing or denying that complyance on my part for plenary consent it was not to his destruction whom in my judgment I thought not by any clear Law guilty of death that I never did bear any touch of Conscience with greater regret which as a sign of my repentance I have often with sorrow confessed both to God and Men as an Act of so sinful frailty that it discovered more a fear of man than of God whose Name and Place on Earth no man is worthy to bear who will avoid inconveniencies of State by Acts of so high injustice as no publick convenience can expiate or compensate I see it a bad exchange to wound a mans own Conscience thereby to salve State sores to calm the storms of popular discontents by stirring up a Tempest in a mans own bosom Nor hath Gods Justice failed in the event and sad consequences to shew the World the fallacy of that Maxim Better one man perish though unjustly than the people be displeased or destroyed For in all likelihood I could never have suffered with my people greater calamities yet with greater comfort had I vindicated Strafford's innocency at least by denying to Sign that destructive Bill according to that Justice which my Conscience suggested to me then I have done since I gratified some mens unthankful importunities with so cruel a favour and I have observed that those who counsell'd me to Sign that Bill have been so far from receiving the rewards of such ingratiatings with the People that no men have been harassed and crushed more than they he only hath been least vexed by them who counselled me not to consent against the Vote of my own Conscience I hope God hath forgiven me and them the sinful rashness of that business To which being in my Soul so fully Conscious those Judgments God hath pleased to send upon me are so much the more welcome as a means I hope which his mercy hath sanctified so to me as to make me repent of that unjust Act for so it was to me and for the future to teach me that the best rule of policy is to prefer the doing of Justice before all enjoyments and the peace of my Conscience before the preservation of my Kingdoms Nor hath any thing more fortified my resolutions against all those violent importunities which since have sought to gain a like consent from me to Acts wherein my Conscience is unsatisfied than the sharp touches I have had for what passed me in my Lord of Straffords business Not that I resolved to have employed him in my affairs against the advice of my Parliament but I would not have had any hand in his death of whose guiltiness I was better assured than any man living could be Nor were the crimes objected against him so clear as after a long and fair hearing to give convincing satisfaction to the major part of both Houses especially that of the Lords of whom scarce a third part were present when the Bill passed that House And for the House of Commons many Gentlemen disposed enough to diminish my Lord of Strafford 's Greatness and Power yet unsatisfied of his Guilt in Law durst not condemn him to dye who for their integrity in their Votes were by posting their Names exposed to the popular Calumny Hatred and Fury which grew then so exorbitant in their clamors for Justice That is to have both my self and the Two Houses Vote and do as they would have us that many 't is thought were rather terrified to concur with the condemning party than satisfied that of right they ought so to do And that after Act vacating the Authority of the precedent for future imitation sufficiently tells the world that some remorse touched even his most implacable Enemies as knowing he had very hard measure and such as they would be very loath should be repeated to themselves This tenderness and regret I find in my Soul for having had any hand and that very unwillingly God knows in the shedding one mans Blood unjustly though under the colour of the Formalities of Justice and pretences of avoiding publick Mischiefs which may I hope be some Evidence before God and Man to all Posterity that I am far from bearing justly the vast load and guilt of all that blood which hath been shed in this unhappy War which some men will needs charge upon me to ease their own Souls who am and ever shall be more afraid to take away any mans life unjustly than to lose my own Nor was this all for besides what he said at his own Death he acquainted Doctor Shelden afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury with his Resolution if ever he was in a Condition to perform his Vows of which this was one To do publick Pennance for the injustice he had suffered to be done to the Earl of Strafford as may be large be seen in his Life written by Dr. Perinchief fol. 119. Nothing was sounded in the Kings Ears but Fears Terrors and Threatnings of Worse and Worse Tumults and Rebellions from every quarter of the City and every corner of the Kingdom and indeed the King who had seen the effects of them both in Scotland and England could not but have very terrible apprehensions of them At last having wrastled him breathless he was vanquished by Importunity and necessity and yielded to the Passing of these two Fatal Bills by Commission the one for the Earl's and the other as it proved in the Event for his own Execution Upon Monday May the 10th Monday May 10. Bill of Attainder passed by Commission Mr. Maxwell Gentleman-Usher to the Lords came to acquaint the Commons with the good news that His Majesties Assent to the two Bills was to be given by Commission and that their Lordships did expect Mr. Speaker and the House of Commons to come up It seems the Gentleman was something transported as sure all the world was out of their wits for he came without the Black Rod and entred without being called in at which there was Exceptions taken but the News he brought was so agreeable that the transport of it did him the favour to take off the Resentments of the House who at another time would not have pocketted up such an affront with silence The Commission was granted under the Great-Seal of England directed unto the Lord Privy-Seal Lord Great Chamberlain Lord Steward The manner of passing Bills by Commission or any two of them for passing the Royal Assent to two Bills the one intituled An Act of Attainder of Thomas Earl of Strafford of High-Treason the other An Act to prevent the Inconveniencies which may happen by the untimely Adjourning Proroguing or Dissolving of this present Parliament The Lords being all in their Robes and the Commissioners sate upon a Form standing across the House
between the Chair of State and the Lord Keeper's Woolsack and the House of Commons with their Speaker being come up the Clerk of the Parliament delivered the Commission whereunto the Bills were annexed upon his knee Then the Lord Privy-Seal declared to both Houses that his Majesty had an intent to have come himself this Day to have given his Royal Assent to these two Bills but some important Occasions had prevented him and so his Majesty had granted a Commission for giving the Royal Assent which was delivered to the Clerk of the Parliament who carried it to his Table and read it this being done the Clerk of the Crown read the Titles of the Bills and the Clerk of the Parliament pronounced the Royal Assent to them both severally The Bill of Attainder was as follows WHereas the Knights Citizens The Bill of Attainder against the Earl of Strafford passed May the 10th and Burgesses of the House of Commons in this present Parliament assembled have in the name of themselves and of all the Commons of England impeached Thomas Earl of Strafford of High-Treason for endeavouring to subvert the ancient and Fundamental Laws and Government of his Majesties Realms of England and Ireland and to introduce an Arbitrary and Tyrannical Government against Law in the said Kingdoms and for exercising a Tyrannous and exorbitant power over and against the Laws of the said Kingdoms over the Liberties Estates and Lives of his Majesties Subjects and likewise for having by his own Authority commanded the laying and asseising of Soldiers upon his Majesties Subjects in Ireland against their consents to compel them to obey his unlawful Commands and Orders made upon Paper-Petitions in causes between Party and Party which accordingly was executed upon divers of his Majesties Subjects in a Warlike manner within the said Realm of Ireland and in so doing did levy War against the Kings Majesty and his liege people in that Kingdom And also for that he upon the unhappy Dissolution of the last Parliament did slander the House of Commons to his Majesty and did counsel and advise his Majesty that he was loose and absolved from the rules of Government and that he had an Army in Ireland by which he might reduce this Kingdom for which he deserves to undergo the pains and forfeitures of High-Treason And the said Earl hath been also an incendiary of the Wars between the two Kingdoms of England and Scotland all which offences have been sufficiently proved against the said Earl upon his impeachment Be it therefore enacted by the Kings most excellent Majesty and by the Lords and Commons in this present Parliament assembled and by authority of the same That the said Earl of Strafford for the haynous crimes and offences aforesaid stand and be adjudged and attainted of High-Treason and shall suffer such pain of Death and incur the forfeitures of his Goods and Chattels Lands Tenements and Hereditaments of any estate of Free-hold or Inheritance in the said Kingdoms of England and Ireland which the said Earl or any other to his use or in trust for him have or had the day of the first sitting of this present Parliament or at any time since Provided that no Judge or Judges Justice or Justices whatsoever shall adjudge or interpret any Act or thing to be Treason nor in any other manner than he or they should or ought to have done before the making of this Act and as if this Act had never been had or made Saving alwayes unto all and singular persons and bodies politick and corporal their Heirs and Successors others than the said Earl and his Heirs and such as claim by from or under him all such right title and interest of in and to all and singular such of the said Lands Tenements and Hereditaments as he they or any of them had before the first day of this present Parliament any thing herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding Provided that the passing of this present Act and his Majesties Assent thereunto shall not be any determination of this present Sessions of Parliament but that this present Sessions of Parliament and all Bills and matter whatsoever depending in Parliament and not fully enacted or determined And all Statutes and Acts of Parliament which have their continuance until the end of this present Session of Parliament shall remain continue and be in full force as if this Act had not been The Earl understanding that the Bill was passed did humbly Petition the House as follows SEeing it is the good Will and Pleasure of God The Earl of Strafford's Petition to the House of Peers that your Petitioner is now shortly to pay that Duty which we all owe to our frail Nature he shall in all Christian Patience and Charity conform and submit himself to your Justice in a comfortable assurance of the great hope laid up for us in the Mercy and Merits of our Saviour blessed for ever only he humbly craves to return your Lordships most humble thanks for your Noble Compassion towards those innocent Children whom now with his last blessing he must commit to the protection of Almighty God beseeching your Lordships to finish his Pious intention towards them and desiring that the Reward thereof may be fulfilled in you by him that is able to give above all that we are able ask or think wherein I trust the Honourable House of Commons will afford their Christian Assistance And so beseeching your Lordships charitably to forgive all his Omissions and infirmities he doth very heartily and truely recommend your Lordships to the Mercies of our Heavenly Father and that for his goodness he may perfect you in every good work Amen The next day being Tuesday May 11. Tuesday May 11. the King sent this Passionate Letter to the Lords in behalf of the Earl My Lords I Did yesterday satisfie the Justice of the Kingdom The Kings Letter to the Lords concerning the E. of Strafford by passing the Bill of Attainder against the Earl of Strafford but Mercy being as inherent and inseperable to a King as Justice I desire at this time in some measure to shew that likewise by suffering that unfortunate Man to fulfil the Natural Course of his Life in a Close Imprisonment Yet so if ever he make the least offer to escape or offer directly or indirectly to meddle in any sort of publick business especially with me either by Message or Letter it shall cost him his Life without further Process This if it may be done without the Discontentment of my People will be an unspeakable contentment to me to which end as in the first place I by this Letter do earnestly desire your Approbation and to endear it more have chosen him to carry it that of all your House is most dear to me So I desire that by a Conference you will endeavour to give the House of Commons Contentment assuring you that the Exercise of Mercy is no more pleasing to me than to see
himself unready he said I thank God I am no more afraid of Death nor daunted with any discouragements arising from any fears but do as chearfully put off my Doublet at this time as ever I did when I went to Bed Then he put off his Doublet and wound up his Hair with his Hands and put on a white Cap. Then he called Where is the man that should do this last Office meaning the Executioner call him to me When he came and ask'd him forgiveness he told him he forgave him and all the World Then kneeling down by the Block he went to Prayer again himself the Bishop of Armagh kneeling on the one side and the Minister on the other to the which Minister after Prayer he turned himself and spoke some few words softly having his Hands lifted up the Minister closed his Hands with his then bowing himself to the Earth to lay down his Head on the Block he told the Executioner That he would first lay down his Head to try the fitness of the Block and take it up again before he laid it down for good and all and so he did and before he laid it down again he told the Executioner That he would give him warning when to strike by stretching forth his Hands and then laid down his Neck on the Block stretching out his Hands the Executioner struck off his Head at one blow then took the Head up in his Hand and shewed it to all the People and said God Save the King A Copy of the Paper containing the Heads of the Lord Strafford's last Speech written by his own Hand as it was left upon the Scaffold 1. I Come to pay the last Debt we owe to Sin 2. Rise to Righteousness 3. Dye willingly 4. Forgive all 5. Submit to what is Voted Justice but my intentions Innocent from Subverting c. 6. Wishing nothing more than great Prosperity to King and People 7. Acquit the King constrained 8. Beseech to Repent 9. Strange way to write the beginning of Reformation and Settlement of a Kingdom in Blood on themselves 10. Beseech that Demand may rest there 11. Call not Blood on themselves 12. Dye in the Faith of the Church 13. Pray for it and desire their Prayers with me His Body was afterwards Embalmed and Carried down into Yorkshire to be buried among his Ancestors Thus fell the Wonder of that Age and of all succeeding of whom I think a Greater Character cannot be given than those in short of the Archbishop of Canterbury who knew him best and the Primate of Ireland who saw him Dye The Archbishop discoursing with Dr. Whimberley concerning that Passage at their parting said That perhaps it was a softness unbecoming him but he hoped by Gods Assistance and his own Innocence that when he should come to his own Execution which he Expected the World should perceive that he had been more sensible of the Earl of Strafford's Loss than of his own and with good reason he said for that Gentleman was more Serviceable to the Church not to mention the State then either himself or all the Church-men of England had been And the Lord Primate of Ireland giving an account to the King of the manner of his Death told him That he had seen many Die but never saw so White a Soul return to its Maker At which Expression that Good and Compassionate Prince was so tenderly touched that turning himself aside he could not forbear paying the sad Tribute of some Tears to the Innocent Manes of the Illustrious Sufferer He left these Three Instructions to his Son in Writing First That he should continue still to be brought up under these Governors to whose Charge he had committed him as being the best he could chuse of all those within his Knowledg and that he should not change them unless they were weary of him that he should rather want himself than they should want any thing they could desire Secondly If his Prince should call him to Publique Service that he should carefully undertake it to testifie his Obedience and withal to be Faithful and Sincere to his Master though he should come to the same End that himself did Thirdly That he foresaw that Ruin was like to come upon the Revenues of the Church and that perhaps they might be shared among the Nobility and Gentry but charged him never to meddle with any of it for the Curse of God would follow all them that meddle with such a thing that tends to the destruction of the most Apostolical Church upon Earth Thus lay his Innocence asleep with his injured Ashes till together with Monarchy and Episcopacy it received a Resurrection at the Happy Restauration of his Most Serene Majestie King Charles the Second when by publique Act of Parliament publique Justice was done to his Memory and the Injustice of his Sufferings The Act was as follows WHereas Thomas late Earl of Strafford The Act for Reversing the Attainder of Thomas Earl of Strafford was impeached of High-Treason upon pretence of endeavouring to subvert the Fundamental Laws and called to a publick and solemn Arraignment and Tryal before the Peers in Parliament where he made a particular Defence to every Article objected against him insomuch that the turbulent party then seéing no hopes to effect their unjust Designs by any ordinary way and method of Proceedings did at last resolve to attempt the Destruction and Attainder of the said Earl by an Act of Parliament to be therefore purposely made to condemn him upon accumulative Treason none of the pretended crimes being Treason apart and so could not be in the whole if they had been proved as they were not and also adjudged him guilty of Constructive â—reason that is of Levying War against the King though it was only the Order of the Council-Board in Ireland to be executed by a Sergeant at Arms and three or four Soldiers which was the conuant practise of the Deputies there for a long time To the which end they having first presented a Bill for this intent to the House of Commons and finding there more opposition than they expected they caused a multitude of tumultuous persons to come down to Westminster armed with Swords and Staves and to fill both the Palace-yards and all the approaches to both Houses of Parliament with Fury and Clamor and to require Justice speedy Justice against the Earl of Strafford and having by those and other undue practises obtained that Bill to pass the House of Commons they caused the Names of those resolute Gentlemen who in a Caâ—e of innocent Blood had freely discharged their Consciences being Fifty nine to be posted up in several places about the Cities of London and Westminster and shied them Straffordians and Enemies to their Countrey hoping thereby to deliver them up to the fury of the People whom they had endeavoured to incense against them and then procured the said Bill to be sent up to the House of Peers where it having some
and Deputy-Lieutenants how affected to the Religion and to present their Names to the House and that where there is want that Arms and Ammunition may be supplyed By this Means they got a true account of all those who were their Friends and who their Enemies who were therefore to be displaced as disaffected to Religion and Popishly inclined as all those who were for Episcopacy were vogued to be and besides hereby they gave a General Alarm and Amazement to the Whole Nation to believe that those Fears and Jealousies with which they bewitched the People into Rebellion were grounded upon the foundations of Truth and real Danger which was the Occasion of this Inquiry into the state of the Militia Upon this a Message was sent to the Lords to acquaint them with a dangerous Conspiracy to seduce the Army against the Parliament and to increase the Fears and Jealousies among the People Message to the Lords about the Conspiracy to seduce the Army an Order was sent from the Commons to the Lord Mayor of London to take care of the City Guards The Message to the Lords was in haec verba Mr. Hollis who carried up the Message read it in these words Message about the Conspiracy of the Army That the House of Commons hath received such Information as doth give them just cause to suspect that there have been and still are secret practices to discontent the Army with the proceedings of Parliament and to ingage them in some Design of dangerous Consequence to the State and by some other mischievous ways to prevent the happy success and conclusion of this Parliament And because the timely discovery and prevention of these dangerous Plots doth so nearly concern the safety both of * Yet afterwards they did all that was possible to persuade the People that the King was in this Conspiracy King and Kingdom they desire your Lordships would be pleased to appoint a select Commitee to take the Examinations upon Oath of such persons and Interrogatories as shall be presented unto them by the Directions of the House of Commons and in the presence of such Members of that House as shall be thereunto appointed with Injunction of such Secrecy as a business of this nature doth require They have Ordered That such Members of their House as shall be thought fit shall upon notice be ready to be Examined and they desire your Lordships would be pleased to order the like for the Members and Assistants of your own House And further it is desired That your Lordships will forthwith send to his Majesty to beseech him in the Name of the Parliament upon this great and weighty occasion that no Servants of his Majesties of the Queen or Prince may depart the Kingdom or otherwise absent himself without leave from his Majesty with the humble advice of the Parliament until these Examinations be perfected Whereupon it was Ordered That this House will joyn with the House of Commons in all that they desire and these Lords following were Deputed to take the Examinations Earl of Bath Earl of Essex Earl of Warwick Earl of March Viscount Say and Seal Lord Wharton Lord Paget and Mr. Serjeant Glanvile and Mr. Attorney General to write and set down the Examinations There being never a Bishop in the Committee A Salvo for the Bishops a Memorandum was entered in the Journals MEmorandum Whereas none of the Lords the Bishops are joyned with the aforesaid deputed Lords it was declared by the House that it should be no prejudice to the Lords the Bishops This being done the Lord Great Chamberlain the Lord Steward the Lord Chamberlain the Earl of Dorset and the Earl of Newcastle were appointed to wait on his Majesty with the aforesaid request of the Parliament to which they brought this Answer THat his Majesty hath willingly granted it The Kings Answer concerning his Servants and gave a present Command to the Lord Chamberlain the Earl of Newcastle and the Earl of Dorset to give notice hereof to all under their Charge that none do depart the Kingdom without the King's License but to be forth-coming upon demand which accordingly they have already done After which the Oath of Secrecy was given to Serjeant Glanvile and Mr. Attorney in these words YOV shall Swear The Oath of Secrecy given by the Lords to Serjeant Glanvile and Mr. Attorney assistant to the Committee of Lords to Examine the Conspiracy The Persons accused That in your writing and setting down of the Examination of the Witnesses to be produced before the Lords deputed to take Examinations upon Interrogatories to be produced by the House of Commons concerning the English Army in the North and in all things concerning the same You shall well truly and faithfully behave your selves and not discover the same before the end of this Parliament or Publication granted or leave of this House first obtained The Persons Accused of this Design of seducing the Army against the Parliament were Sir John Suckling Mr. Henry Percy Brother to the Earl of Northumberland Mr. Henry Jermyn Colonel Goring Mr. William Davenant Captain Palmer Captain Billingsley and Sir Edward Wardourn and Warrants were issued out against them to bring them under the Examination of the House of Commons This day there passed little of Moment Thursday May 6. the Commons being taken up with Reading several Bills one for the security of the True Religion the Safety and Honour of his Majesties Person the just Rights of the Subject and the better discovering and punishment of Popish Recusants as also another Bill for Subsidies With which guilded baits they not only Angled for Popular Favour but also endeavoured to hide their Antimonarchical Designs against his Majesty by these specious pretences of endeavouring to study his Safety and Honour The House was this day informed That the Persons against whom the Warrants were Issued upon the Accusation of their endeavouring to seduce the Army were not to be found whereupon at a Conference it was desired that all the Ports might be stopped upon which the Lords made this Order Ordered The Order of the Lords for stopping the Ports That all the Ports of England shall be forthwith stopped until the pleasure of this House be further known and none to depart the Kingdom except Sir Thomas Roe and such as he will be answerable for who is to give in their names to this House And in particular stay is to be made of Henry Percy Esq Henry Jermyn Esq Sir John Suckling Knight William Davenant and Captain Billingsly that they depart not out of this Kingdom but are to be apprehended and safely conducted with all speed unto this House Directed To the Right Honourable Algernon Earl of Northumberland L. High Admiral of England To James Earl of March Lord Warden of the Cinque-Ports To Jerom Earl of Portland Captain and Governour of the Isle of Wight To George Goring Esq Governour of Portsmouth After which Sir Philip Carteret Lieutenant
all times not only having made the large Prerogatives and Liberties the very same as I may say with the Possession of their Dominions and amongst the most remarkable and equally necessary that Privilege by which we may receive Letters and send from each Prince or any Person whatsoever without Interruption which is the most principal Office of an Ambassador Which Practice Most Noble Lords is not the Laws of our Nation alone but Vniversal and hath been maintained inviolate by the Kings and the Publick of all Christian Governments no less than amongst the most Barbarous I nevertheless cannot say but I have injoyed in this great Court that just Respect until the last Letters were opened which came from France to me Directed which although they were restored by my Lord Fielding and Sir Henry Vane who upon their Honor assured me that it was a pure Error and not willingly committed which though I do believe yet I could not perswade my self that the Government of England so Noble and Generous should have so inferior a Mind as to open the Letters of an Ambassador and by this means to Violate the Laws and to give an ill Example to the World of so little Respect towards the Ministers of the most Serene Republick of Venice which for so many Ages hath given a Sincere Testimony of Affection and Esteem to this Crown But now fresh Experience to my great Affliction hath given Testimony of the contrary being yesterday all the Letters were opened coming from Venice Antwerp and other Countries and the very Letters writ unto me from the most Serene Republick and the Regal Seal being broken and the Commission sent from my Lords being published and many of my own Letters being taken the Consequences of which cannot be approved of by any I have judged it convenient to give Notice unto your Excellencies by which according to the greatness of your Wisdoms you may take it into Consideration and take such Resolutions therein as you shall judge necessary for maintaining the Honor of this Nation and the Publick Faith under the Protection of which Ambassadors live so that it may be known to all Princes that in England they do not introduce New Laws but that they will maintain the constant Profession of rendring the ancient Respects which are due to the most Serene Republick of Venice Whereupon the House thought it fit and agreed That Satisfaction for this shall be given to the State of Venice and to the Ambassador for the present and the House appointed the E. of Bristol E. of Holland Viscount Say and Seal L. Digby and the L. Newnham to draw up presently what was fit to be given by Way of Answer to the Venetian Ambassador Their Lordships presented a Draught to the House which was read in these Words viz. That four Members of the House of Peers The Answer of the House of Lords to the Venetian Ambassadors Memorial be forthwith sent to the Ambassador's to disavow the Action and to endeavor to give him all the Satisfaction possible by declaring how sensible they are of it as tending to the Breach of Publick Faith and the Law of Nations and to shew further how desirous they are to continue the ancient Correspondency betwixt the King and that State and that the House of Peers are resolved to be humble Suitors to his Majesty to hasten the departure of his Ambassador to make known to that State the same Sense with such other Expressions as may best declare the tender Respect they have to the Honor of that State and the Noble Vsage their Ministers may expect and shall find in their Residence here from the King and Parliament And the Lord Privy Seal L. G. Chamberlain L. M. of Hertford and the L. Newnham were appointed to deliver this Answer to the Venetian Ambassador After this the 13 Bishops which stand Impeached in this House from the House of Commons for Crimes in making the late Canons and Constitutions and granting a Benevolence unto the King being by Order of the House to put in their Answers to the said Impeachment were required by the Speaker in the Name of this House to put in their Answers Their Impeachment brought up from the House of Commons was read and then the Council Assigned the Bishops were called in The Bishops put in their Answer by Plea and Demurrer and demanded to give in the Answers of the Bishops they Answered they had delivered in the said Answer to the Lords the Bishops The Bishop of Winton hereupon delivered his Answer with the rest of the Impeached Bishops in Writing subscribed with all their Hands excepting the Lord Bishop of Glocester who delivered in his by himself by Word of Mouth and pleaded not Guilty Modo Formâ as is charged in the Impeachment Then the Answer of the Bishops was read which consisted of a Plea and Demurrer The Council being commanded to withdraw the House took it into Consideration and resolved to communicate it to the House of Commons which was done accordingly the Message being sent by Serjeant Whitfield and Serjeant Glanvile The House of Commons fell upon the Debate of the Irish Affairs and came thereupon to these Votes Resolved upon the Question That this House holds it fit That forthwith so many Officers be sent over into the North Parts of Ireland as shall be sufficient to Command 2000 Men. Resolved c. That so many Officers shall be sent into the Province of Munster in Ireland as shall Command a Thousand Foot and a Troop of Horse Resolved c. That it be propounded to the Lords That Order be taken for the securing the several Forts of Ireland viz. of Cork Waterford Limrick Kingsale Youghall Galloway and Baltimore The House was then Resolved into a Grand Committee of the whole House to consider of some Course for providing Present Money for the Service of Ireland and Mr. Hyde reported the Debate Whereupon it was Resolved upon the Question That 200000 l. shall be raised for the Suppressing of the Rebels in Ireland 200000 l. Voted to suppress the Rebels in Ireland for Security of this Kingdom and for payment of Debts Then Mr. Pym Reported from the Committee for Irish Affairs 1. That he was Commanded to present a State of the Army what charge it will be to the Common-Wealth to maintain such Men as will be necessary for the Defence of Ireland Those Gentlemen that are appointed as a Council of War to prepare things for this House have proportioned the Charge in a middle way between 1618 and 1639. That the Pay of a Regiment of 1000 Men The Charge of a Regiment of Horse and Foot with the Field Officers together with the Officers amounts unto 19201 l. per Annum for one Regiment of 600 Horse 37310 l. per Ann. For the general Officers of the Field 19541 l. 8 s. 2 d. per Annum Resolved c. That this House shall insist upon their former Vote of accepting at
out of the Kingdom some into New England and other parts of America others into Holland where they have transported their Manufactures of Cloth which is not only a loss by diminishing the present stock of the Kingdom but a great mischief by impairing and endangering the loss of that peculiar Trade of Cloathing which hath beâ—n a plentiful Fountain of Wealth and Honour to this Nation Those were fittest for Ecclesiastical preferment and soonest obtained it who were most officious in promoting superstition most virulent in railing against Godliness and Honesty The most Publick and Solemn Sermons before his Majesty were either to advance Prerogative above Law and decry the Property of the Subject or full of such kind of Invectives whereby they might make those odious who sought to maintain the Religion Laws and Liberties of the Kingdom and such Men were sure to be weeded out of the Commission of the Peace and out of all other Imployments of Power in the Government of the Country Many noble Personages were Counsellors in Name but the Power and Authority remained in a few of such as were most addicted to this Party whose Resolutions and Determinations were brought to the Table for Countenance and Execution and not for Debate and Deliberation and no Man could offer to oppose them without Disgrace and Hazard to himself Nay all those that did not wholly Concur and Actively Contribute to the furtherance of their Designs though otherwise Persons of never so great Honor and Abilities were so far from being Imployed in any Place of Trust and Power that they were Neglected Discountenanced and upon all Occasions Injured and Oppressed This Faction was grown to that Hight and Intireness of Power that now they began to think of Finishing their Work which confisted of these three Parts 1. The Government must be set free from all restraint of Laws concerning our Persons and States 2. There must be a Conjunction betwixt Papists and Protestants in Doctrine Discipline and Ceremonies only it must not yet be called Popery 3. The Puritans under which Name they include all those that desire to preserve the Laws and Liberties of the Kingdom and to maintain Religion in the Power of it must be either rooted out of the Kingdom with force or driven out with fear For the effecting of this it was thought necessary to reduce Scotland to such Popish Superstitions and Innovations as might make them apt to joyn with England in that great Change which was intended Whereupon new Canons and a new Liturgy were prest upon them and when they refused to admit of them an Army was raised to force them to it towards which the Clergy and the Papists were very forward in their Contribution The Scots likewise raised an Army for their Defence And when both Armies were come together and ready for a bloody Encounter His Majesties own gracious Disposition and the Councel of the English Nobility and dutiful Submission of the Scots did so far prevail against the Evil Counsel of others that a Pacification was made and His Majesty returned with Peace and much Honor to London The unexpected reconciliation was most acceptable to all the Kingdom except to the Malignant Party whereof the Archbishop and the Earl of Strafford being Heads they and their Faction begun to inveigh against the Peace and to aggravate the Proceeding of the States which so incensed his Majesty that he forthwith prepared again for War And such was their Confidence that having corrupted and distempered the whole Frame and Government of the Kingdom they did now hope to corrupt that which was the only Means to restore all to a right frame and temper again to which end they perswaded His Majesty to call a Parliament not to seek Counsel and Advice of them but to draw Countenance and Supply from them and engage the whole Kingdom in their Quarrel and in the mean time continued all their unjust Levies of Money resolving either to make the Parliament pliant to their Will and to establish Mischief by a Law or else to break it and with more Color to go on by Violence to take what they could not obtain by Consent The Ground alledged for the Justification of this War was this That the undutiful Demand of the Parliament of Scotland was a sufficient Reason for His Majesty to take Arms against them without hearing the Reason of those Demands And thereupon a new Army was prepared against them their Ships were seized in all Ports both of England and Ireland and at Sea their Petitions rejected their Commissioners refused Audience This whole Kingdom most miserably distempered with Levies of Men and Money and Imprisonments of those who denied to submit to those Levies The Earl of Strafford past into Ireland caused the Parliament there to declare against the Scots to give four Subsidies towards that War and to ingage themselves their Lives and Fortunes for the Prosecution of it and gave Directions for an Army of eight thousand Foot and one thousand Horse to be levied there which were for the most part Papists The Parliament met upon the thirteenth of April one Thousand six Hundred and Forty The Earl of Strafford and Archbishop of Canterbury with their Party so prevailed with His Majesty that the House of Commons was prest to yield to a Supply for maintenance of the War with Scotland before they had provided any Relief for the great and pressing Grievances of the People which being against the Fundamental Privilege and Proceeding of Parliament was yet in humble Respect to his Majesty so far admitted as that they agreed to take the Matter of Supply into Consideration and two several Days it was debated Twelve Subsidies were demanded for the release of Ship-Money alone A third Day was appointed for Conclusion when the Heads of that Party begun to fear the People might close with the King in satisfying his desire of Money But that withal they were like to blast their malicious Designs against Scotland finding them very much indisposed to give any Countenance to that War Thereupon they wickedly advised the King to break off the Parliament and to return to the Ways of Confusion in which their own evil Intentions were most like to prosper and succeed After the Parliament ended the Fifth of May one thousand six hundred and forty this Party grew so bold as to counsel the King to Supply Himself out of His Subjects States by his own Power at his own Will without their consent The very next day some Members of both Houses had their Studies and Cabinets yea their Pockets searched Another of them not long after was committed close Prisoner for not delivering some Petitions which he received by Authority of that House and if harsher Courses were intended as was reported it is very probable that the sickness of the Earl of Strafford and the Tumultuous rising in Southwark and about Lambeth were the Causes that such violent Intentions were not brought to Execution A false and scandalous
Published in all Market Towns in the Kingdom A Message was then brought up from the Commons Messa geconcerning the Prince and the Marquiss of Hertford by Sir Gilbert Gerrard to desire their Lordships To joyn with the House of Commons to injoyn the Marquiss of Hertford appointed by his Majesty to be Governor to the Prince as he will answer the Breach of that Trust that doth so immediately concern the present and future Peace and Safety of the three Kingdoms forthwith to repair to the Prince and according to the Duty of his Place to take care of him and to give his Personal Attendance on his Highness and to be very watchful to prevent that he be not carried out of the Kingdom And the House of Commons do further declare and desires the Lords will do the like That whatsoever Person shall be advising or assistant to the conveying of the Prince out of the Kingdom or attend his Highness in his Journey shall be declared and reputed a Publick Enemy to the Protestant Religion and the Peace and Safety of the three Kingdoms And that the Lords be likewise moved to joyn with the House of Commons in an humble Desire to his Majesty That he will not for any Cause whatsoever permit the Prince to be carried out of the Kingdom without the humble Advice and Consent of Parliament Thereupon It was Ordered That this House agrees with the House of Commons in all the aforesaid Particulars and will joyn with them in the whole as is desired And this Vote was drawn into an Order and the Marquiss of Hertford ordered to acquaint the King with it The Lord Marquiss of Hertford being in the House gave their Lordships this Account That when the King went to Hampton-Court he demanded the Prince of him and took him away with him in his Coach in the Afternoon and his Majesty commanded his Lordship to stay here his Lordship therefore desired this House would require no more of him then he is able to perform and as far as in him lay he would obey their Lordships Command to attend the Prince and if there be cause of Fear as the Parliament Apprehends he will give Advice thereof to the Parliament Then the Earl of Bath Reported Dutch Ambassador desired to order the States Ships to stay Ships at Dunkirk going for Ireland That he had been with the States Ambassador to desire him That he would give present Order to the States Ships that lie before Dunkirk and other Ports of Flanders for the staying of all Ships as are laden with Arms Ammunition or Provisions and bound for the Relief and Assistance of the Rebels of Ireland The Ambassador saith he had alrerdy received Intimation from the Committee of the House of Commons to this purpose and accordingly hath sent Order to their General Van Trompe but he desires he may have the desires of the Parliament in Writing that upon all Occasions he may know the better what to do therein A Message was brought up from the House of Commons to desire that their Lordships would proceed upon the Bill depending before them for taking away the Votes of the Bishops out of their House and dis-inabling all persons in Holy Orders for Exercising any Temporal Jurisdiction or Authority To which the answer was returned That the House will proceed therein with Convenient Expedition Declaration for putting the Kingdom into a posture of Defence rejected by the Lords After this the Declaration brought up Yesterday from the House of Commons concerning the putting of the Kingdom into a Posture of Defence was taken into Consideration and the House was adjourned into a Committee during Pleasure to debate the Preamble of it and after much Debate the House was resumed and the Question was put Whether that the Narrative in this Declaration shall be referred to a Committee to be so penned as that it may appear to be the Narrative onely of the House of Commons and thereupon to be so published But it was Resolved by the Major part Negatively Whereupon their Lordships resolved to have a Conference to morrow with the House of Commons to hear the Reasons that induced them to make this Narrative in this Declaration Then the Lord Keeper signified to the House That he had now received a Letter from the King with a Message which his Majesty hath commanded him to deliver presently to both Houses of Parliament The King's Letter was then read in these Words My Lord Keeper The King's Letter to the L. Keeper with a Message to both Houses Jan. 14. 1641. THis is to Command you to deliver that which is contained within this inclosed Paper as a Message from Me to both Houses and that instantly without delay And so I rest Windsor Jan. 14. 1641. Your Assured Friend Charles R. The Message was as followeth HIs Majesty being no less tender of the Privileges of Parliament and thinking himself no less concerned that they be not broken and that they be asserted and vindicated whensoever they are so then the Parliament it self hath thought fit to add to his last Message this Profession That in all his Proceedings against the Lord Kymbolton Mr. Hollis Sir Arthur Haslerigg Mr. Pym Mr. Hampden and Mr. Strode he had never the least Intention of Violating the least Privilege of Parliament and in case any doubt of Privileges remain will be willing to clear that and assert those by any reasonable Way that His Parliament shall advise him to Vpon Confidence of which He no way doubts His Parliament will forthwith lay by all Jealousies and apply themselves to the Publick and Pressing Affairs and especially to those of Ireland wherein the Good of this Kingdom and the true Religion which shall ever be his Majesties first Care are so highly and so nearly concerned And his Majesty assures himself that his Care of their Privileges will increase their tenderness of his lawful Prerogative which are so necessary to the mutual Defence of each other and both which will be the Foundation of a perpetual perfect Intelligence between his Majesty and Parliament and of the Happyness and Prosperity of His People Hereupon he sent Justice Foster and Justice Mallet to desire a Conference with them concerning this Message from the King Thus did this Admirable Prince by continual and repeated endeavors seek to bring the differences between him and the Parliament to a happy composure but without any Effect for the Heads of the Faction whom he had accused and many others who were of the Confederacy were too well acquainted with their own Guilt to trust to a Fair and Legal Trial and could not think themselves in any condition of Security so long as the King was undevested of his Royal Authority and in a capacity by being possessed of the Sword of Power to turn the Sword of Law and Justice against such high Criminals as had been the contrivers and fomenters of all the Troubles and Disorders in the two Kingdoms In the
for setting aside private Business 686. concerning Books seized by High Commission 690. that Philips be released 691. in Smith and Busby 's Case 716. for reviving the Committee for Scandalous Pamphlets 723. and for License to raise Men for the Dutch ibid. Orders of the House of Commons that no Members visit the Earl of Strafford 8. to inquire into the Militia c. 230. in behalf of Pryn 251. about disbanding the Armies 286 454. 456. concerning the Northern Counties 314. about Members of Committees 319. for afternoon Sermons in all Parochial Churches 383. for absent Members 433. that Mr. Marshal and Dr. Burgess Preach the Thanksgiving Sermon before them 467. about a full House 476. for Match and Bullet for the Parliaments Guard 496. for laying by private business 510. for opening the Irish Letters 523. concerning relief for Ireland and Irish Affairs 601 603 613 622 626 824. concerning the Guard for the Parliament 623. concerning the Second Plot in the Army 653. to discourage Petitioners for Episcopacy 655. for clearing the Kings Honour from the scandal of the Irish Rebels 689. for a Search about a Barrel of Gun-Powder 719. for Printing the Remonstrance 437. for care of Berwick Hull and Newcastle 753. concerning the Navy 787. for a double Watch 794. for a Guard under Major Skippon 833. for Sir John Hotham to keek Hull ibid. for Guards and necessary defence 878. Orders of the Lords Justices of Ireland against the Rebels 908 910. Orders for preventing the spreading of the Plague 478. Ordinance of both Houses for Commissioners to go for Scotland 455. for a Thanksgiving for the Pacification 463. for disarming Recusants 470. against Transporting Soldiers into the Service of Forraign Princes 481. for empow'ring the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland to raise Men 606. for enabling the Master of the Ordnance to deliver Ammunition ibid. authorizing the Lord High Admiral to provide Shipping 607. for securing money borrow'd of the City of London 621. to prohibit the Irish going out of England without Licence 621. upon Beal 's Plot 646. to raise the Trained Bands 653. Earl of Ormond speeds to Dublin with his Troop at Summons of the Lords Justices 629. is made Lieutenant General of the Army in Ireland 904. dislodges the Rebels at Finglass 618. Earl of Orrery 's Answer to P. W. quoted 526. Sir Edward Osborn a Witness for the Earl of Strafford 95. his Warrant for levying Money 98. Overtures for a Treaty with the Irish Rebels 917. Oxford Vniversity their Petition to the Parliament in behalf of Episcopacy 305. Oxfordshire Petition against it 409. P. PAcification between the English and Scots 430 438. Palatinate a debate upon it 328 368. Vote about it 373. the King 's Manifesto upon it 383. A. Palmer a Witness against the Earl of Strafford 90. Captain Palmer accused for a Conspiracy to seduce the Army 232. Jeffery Palmer a manager of Evidence against the Earl of Strafford 29. Sir William Parkhurst a Witness against the Earl of Strafford 91. William Parkins his Speech about Bishop Wren 330. Parliament meets at Westminster 5. perpetuated by an Act 195. their first Ordinance 455. agree to a Recess 464. Order a Guard for themselves 487 Parliament in Ireland their Quaeries to the Judges there 572. their Protestation and Declaration against the Rebellion 898. Parliament in Scotland their resolutions concerning the Irish Rebellion 603. Transactions between them and the English Commissioners 608. Henry Parry a Witness against the Earl of Strafford 74. the Sentence past on him by the Irish Council 76. Sir William Parsons made one of the Lords Justices of Ireland 564. Sir William Pennyman a Witness for the Earl of Strafford 55 86 95. his Warrant to his Serjeant Major to raise Money 93. Alderman Penington informs against the Minister of Grace-Church 773. Mr. Henry Percy accused for a Conspiracy to seduce the Army 232. a Proclamation to stop him 233. Conference about him 245. his Letter to the Earl of Northumberland about it 286. Voted Chargeable with High Treason 443. Expell'd the House of Commons 725. Voted to be impeach'd of High Treason 754. Petition and Act of State about the Oath in Ireland 79. Petition of the Yorkshire Gentry 92. of the Londoners against the Earl of Strafford 160. of the like Rabble against the same 189. of the Earl of Strafford to the House of Lords in behalf of his Children 196. of the Vniversity of Cambridge 239. and of the Vniversity of Oxford for Episcopacy 305. from several Ministers of Wales against Episcopacy 317. of the Ministers and People of Oxfordshire and Berks against the same 409. of both Houses concerning Commissioners for Scotland 451. of Sir George Radcliff 464. of some Merchants for seizing parts of America 467. of the Sectaries against Dr. Heywood Mr. Booth Dr. Fuller and Mr. Hutton 492. of Judge Berkley 498. of the Parliament to the King in Scotland 644. of Rutland for Episcopacy 656. of Officers for pay 660. of the House of Commons to accompany the Remonstrance 692. of Huntingtonshire for Episcopacy 720. of Somersetshire for the same 726. of the factious Londoners against Bishops Votes c. 733. incouraged by the House of Commons 733 735. of the Parliament concerning breach of Privilege by the King's Speech 751. of Hertfordshire 753. of Cheshire for the Establish'd Religion 758 759. of the remonstrating Ministers to the House of Commons 764. of the Irish Lords and Gentlemen 769. of the London Prentices about Church-Government c. 775. of several Merchants concerning Ireland 776. of both Houses about the Kensington Business 786 of the Bishops with their Protestation 794. of the men of Bucks against Malignants c. 834 839. of the trained Bands of Westminster about dangers 839. of the Men of Bucks to the King concerning Hampden 840. of the Lord Mayor c. about the King 's going to the House of Commons 841. of several Merchants and others against Sir John Byron 881. of the Bishops either to be tried or bailed 883. Petition and Advice of the Scots Commissioners to the King 876. Petitioners for Episcopacy discouraged 655. Sir John Pettus Knighted 680. Father Philips the Queens Confessor 310. appears 315. sent to the Tower 594. a Message about him from the House of Commons to the House of Lords 597. an Information against him 599. the Queens Letter concerning him 605. petitions to be released 661. order of the House of Lords about him 691. and of the House of Commons about his Trunk 69â— â—bailed 711. Bishop Pierce see Bishop of Bath Lord Pierepoint ordered to the Black Rod for Words 740. petitions to the House of Lords and is released 742. Sir William Pierepoint his Speech at the Impeachment of Sir Robert Berkeley 332. William Pierson a Witness against the Earl of Strafford 94. Place for Trial of the Earl of Strafford agreed by both Houses 28. Plague in London 463. Orders to prevent its spreading 478. Plate a Motion that it be brought in and coin'd 259. Plymouth Bill past 410.
time rested under great deliberation at last in a time when a great part of the Peers were absent by reason of the tumults and many of those who were present protested against it the said Bill passed the House of Peers and at length His Majesty the late King CHARLES the I. of Glorious Memory granted a Commission for giving His Royal Assent thereunto which nevertheless was done by His said Majesty with exceeding great sorrow then and ever remembred by him with unexpressible grief of Heart and out of His Majesties great Piety he did publickly express it when His own Sacred Life was taken away by the most detestable Traytors that ever were For all which Causes be it Declared and Enacted by the Kings most Excellent Majesty by and with the Advice and Consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and Commons in this present Parliament Assembled That the Act Entituled An Act for the Attainder of Thomas Earl of Strafford of High-Treason and all and every Clause and Article and thing therein contained being obtained as aforesaid is now hereby Repealed Revoked and Reversed And to the end that Right be done to the Memory of the deceased Earl of Strafford aforesaid Be it further Enacted That all Records and Proceedings of Parliament relating to the said Attainder be wholly Cancell'd and taken off the File or otherwise Defaced and Obliterated to the intent the same may not be visible in after-ages or brought into example to the prejudice of any person whatsoever Provided That this Act shall not extend to the future questioning of any person or persons however concerned in this business or who had any hand in the Tumults or disorderly procuring the Act aforesaid Any thing herein contained to the contrary thereof notwithstanding May his and all the Innocent Blood that was shed after it for ever sleep and not like the Souls under the Altar call out Quousque Domine crying for Vengeance upon this Nation The Poets of the Age were not wanting to Embalm the Memory of so great a Mecaenas with Elegies and Epitaphs though such was the little Envy of his Enemies that they did not only suppress but punish the Printers and Publishers of them one Holmer being clapt up in the Gate-House by a Vote of the Commons for Printing Scandalous Verses upon the Earl of Strafford Among the rest Cleveland then great in Reputation bestowed these 2 Epitaphs upon this Noble Earl Epitaph upon the Earl of Strafford HEre lies Wise and Valiant Dust Huddled up 'twixt fit and just Strafford who was hurried hence 'Twixt Treason and Convenience He spent his time here in a Mist A Papist yet a Calvinist His Princes nearest Joy and Grief He had yet wanted all Relief The Prop and Ruin of the State The Peoples violent Love and Hate One in extremes lov'd and abhorr'd Riddles lye here And in a word Here lies Blood and let it lye Speechless still and never cry Epitaphium Thomae Comitis Straffordii c. EXurge Cinis tuumque solus qui potis es scribe Epitaphium Nequit Wentworthi non esse facundus vel Cinis Effare marmor quem cepisti comprehendere Macte exprimere Candidius meretur Vrna quam quod rubris Notatum est literis Eloquium Atlas Regiminis Monarchici hic jacet lassus Secunda Orbis Britannici Intelligentia Rex Politiae Prorex Hiberniae Straffordii Virtutum Comes Mens Jovis Mercurii ingenium lingua Apollinis Cui Anglia Hiberniam debuit seipsam Hibernia Sydus Aquilonicum quo sub rubicunda vespera occidente Nox simul dies visa est dextroque oculo flevit laevoque laetata est Anglia Theatrum Honoris itemque scena calamitosa Virtutis Actoribus morbo morte invidia Quae ternis animosa Regnis non vicit tamen Sed oppressit Sic inclinavit Heros non minus caput Belluae vel sic multorum Capitum Merces furoris Scotici praeter pecunias Erubuit ut tetegit securis Similem quippe nunquam degustavit vanguinem Monstrum narro fuit tam infensus legibus Vt prius legem quam nata foret violavit Hunc tamen non sustulit lex Verùm necessitas non habens legem Abi Viator Caetera memorabunt posteri Which for their sakes who understand not the Language I have thus Translated into English though not without loss to many of those Beauties and Graces which are so peculiar to the Latin as not to be expressed in our Language An Epitaph upon Thomas Earl of Strafford c. Rise Noble Dust Thou only canst unto thy self be just Write thine own Epitaph speak thy wonted sence Great Wentworth's Ashes can't want Eloquence Although his Innocence deserves an Elegy Whiter then Redstreak Marble can supply Yet weeping Marble tell Who does beneath thee dwell The Atlas of Monarchique State lies here The second Mover of Great Britains Sphere The King of Politiques Irelands Deputy And in a word Of Strafford and of Virtue the Illustrious Lord Does underneath this Marble breathless lye The mighty Jove did his great mind bestow and nimble Mercury his Wit Apollo on his Tongue did sit Ireland her self Englandto him did Irelandowe Bright Northern Star When in a Bloody Cloud he set Night and Day together met England did seem of her right Eye bereft To weep and laugh untowardly with what was left The Scene of Honour and the fatal Stage Of Virtuous and Distressed Innocence The Actors Envy and Three Kingdoms rage against them what Defence Opprest but yet not overcome he stood Vnconquered still and met the Rolling Flood Thus the Illustrious Hero bow'd For such he was at least He bow'd his Noble Head unto the Beast Of many Heads the Croud Into the Bargain thrown Of ready Money then paid down To Scottish Traytors to Invade the Crown The blushing Ax amazed stood It nere before had drunk such Blood A wonderous thing I tell Illustrious Strafford fell Obnoxious to the Law strange Crime Before the Law was made to punish him How Strafford dy'd then would you know Lawless Necessity gave the Fatal blow Pass on O Traveller wee 'd best Here leave him and Posterity to weep the Rest It will possibly be some satisfaction to the Curiosity of the Reader to see those Papers of Sir Henry Vane's which seem to have been of such considerable import as to have cast the Beam in the Fate of this great Person and indeed I had done it in its proper place had those Papers then come to my hands but however better late then not at all and if they contribute to the satisfaction of the Inquisitive they are to ow the Obligation as upon all occasions I shall do to the kindness of the Right Honourable Sir Francis North Late Lord Chief Justice of the Common-Pleas and now Lord-Keeper of the Great Seal of England who was pleased to furnish me with a Transcript of some Memoirs of the late Earl of Manchester's the Originals being written with the said Earls own