another it is to protect and govern his People so that they may if possible lead quiet and peaceable lives in all Godliness and Honesty under him Or more particular as is promised at the Coronation to preserve the Rights and Priviledges of the Church and Clergy the Royal Prerogatives belonging to the Crown the Laws and Customs of the Realm to do Justice shew Mercy and keep Peace and Vnity c. The King for the better performance of this great and weighty Office hath certain Jura Majestatis extraordinary Powers Preeminencies and Priviledges inherent in the Crown called antiently by Lawyers Sacra Sacrorum and Flowers of the Crown but commonly Royal Prerogatives whereof some the King holds by the Law of Nations others by Common Law excellent above all Laws in upholding a free Monarchy and exalting the Kings Prerogative and some by Statute Law The King only and the King alone by his Royal Prerogative hath Power without Act of Parliament to declare War make Peace send and receive Ambassadours make Leagues and Treaties with any Foreign States give Commissions for levying Men and Arms by Sea and Land or for pressing Men if need require dispose of all Magazines Ammunition Castles Fortresses Ports Havens Ships of War and Publick Moneys hath the sole Power to coyn Money appoint the Mettal Weight Purity and Value thereof and by his Proclamation make any Foreign Coyn to be lawful Money of England By his Royal Prerogative may of his meer Will and Pleasure Convoke Adjourn Prorogue Remove and Dissolve Parliaments may to any Bill passed by both Houses of Parliament refuse to give without rendring any reason his Royal Assent without which a Bill is as a Body without a Soul May at pleasure encrease the number of the Members of both Houses by creating more Barons and bestowing Priviledges upon any other Towns to send Burgesses to Parliament May call to Parliament by Writ whom he in his Princely Wisdome thinketh fit and may refuse to send his Writ to others that have sate in former Parliaments Hath alone the choice and nomination of all Commanders and other Officers at Land and Sea the choice and nomination of all Magistrates Counsellors and Officers of State of all Bishops and other High Dignities in the Church the bestowing of all â—onours both of higher and of â—â—wer Nobility of England â—he Power of determining Reâ—ards and Punishments By His Letters Patents may â—ect new Counties Bishopricks â—niversities Cities Burroughs â—â—lledges Hospitals Schools â—airs Markets Courts of Juâ—â—ice Forests Chases Free â—arrens c. The King by his Prerogative â—â—th power to enfranchise an â—lien and make him a Denison â—hereby he is enabled to purâ—â—ase Leases of Houses and â—ands and to bear some Offiâ—es Hath power to grant Letâ—rs of Mart or Reprisal The King by his Prerogaâ—ive hath had at all times the â—ight of Purveyance or Preemption of all sorts of Victuaâ— neer the Court and to talâ— Horses Carts Boats Ships for his Carriages at reasonabâ—â— rates also by Proclamation 〈◊〉 set reasonable rates and pricâ— upon Flesh Fish Fowl Oaâ— Hay c. which his Majesâ—â— now raigning was pleased to exchange and in liew thereof 〈◊〉 accept of some other recompence Debts due to the King are the first place to be satisfied 〈◊〉 case of Executorship and Admiâ—nistratorship and until thâ— Kings Debt be satisfied he maâ—â— Protect the Debtor from the arrest of other Creditors May distrain for the whoâ— rent upon one Tenant that holdâ—eth not the whole land maâ— require the Ancestors Debt 〈◊〉 â—he Heir though not especiâ—ly bound is not obliged to â—â—mand his rent as others are â—â—ay sue in what Court he â—â—ease and distrain where he 〈◊〉 No Proclamation can be â—ade but by the King No Protection for a Defenâ—ant to be kept off from a Suit â—t by him and that because 〈◊〉 is actually in his Service He only can give Patents in â—se of losses by Fire to reâ—ive the Charitable Benevolenâ—s of the People without â—hich no man may ask it pubâ—â—kly No Forest Chase or Park 〈◊〉 be made nor Castle to be â—uilt without the Kings Auâ—â—ority The sale of his Goods in a open Market will not take awaâ— his property therein His Servants in ordinary aâ— priviledged from serving in an Offices that require their attendance as Sheriff Constable Churchwarden c. All Receivers of Money for the King or Accomptaâ—â— to him for any of his Revenueâ— their Persons Lands Goods Heirs Executors Administrators are chargeable for thâ— same at all times for Nulluâ— tempus occurrit Regi His Debtor hath a kind 〈◊〉 Prerogative remedy by a Qâ—minus in the Exchequer against all other Debtors or any against whom they have anâ— Cause of Personal Action supposing that he is therebâ— â—isabled to pay the King and 〈◊〉 this Suit the Kings Debtor â—eing Plaintiff hath some Priâ—iledges above others In Doubtful Cases Semper â—â—aesumitur pro Rege No Statute restraineth the King except he be especially â—amed therein The quality of his Person alters the Descent of Gavelkind the Rules of Joynt Tenaney no Estopel can bind him nor Judgment final in a Writ of Right Judgments entred against the Kings Title are entred with a Salvo Jure Domini Regis that if at any time the Kings Council at Law can make out his Title better that Judgement shall not prejudice him which is not permitted to the Subject The King by his Prerogativâ— may demand reasonable Aid Money of his Subjects to Knighâ— his Eldest Son at the Age of 15 and to marry his Eldest Daughter at the Age of 〈◊〉 years which reasonable Aid is Twenty Shillings for every Knights Fee and as much for every Twenty Pound a year in Socage Moreover if the King be taken Prisoner Aid Money is to be paid by the Subjects to set him at liberty The King upon reasonable causes him thereunto moving may protect any man against Suits at Law c. In all Cases where the King is party his Officers with an arrest by force of a Process at Law may enter and if entrance be denied may break open the â—ouse of any man although â—ery mans House is said to be 〈◊〉 Castle and hath a priviâ—â—dge to protect him against all â—her Arrests A Benefice or Spiritual Liâ—ng is not full against the King 〈◊〉 Institution only without Inâ—â—ction although it be so against Subject None but the King can hold â—â—ea of false judgments in the â—ourt of his Tenants The King of England by his â—rerogative is Summus Regni â—ustos and hath the Custody â—f the Persons and Estates of â—uch as for want of understanding â—annot govern themselves 〈◊〉 or â—erve the King so the Persons â—nd Estates of Ideots and Luâ—aticks are in the Custody of â—he King that of Ideots to his own use and that of Luâ—naticks to the use of the nexâ— Heir So the Custody or Wardâ—â—ships of all such Infants whoâ— Ancestors held their Lands bâ— Tenure in Capite or Knight service were
be verified of Religion and Gods Service amongst us The time thereof may be Threescore years and ten if it continue till Fourscore it will be but small joy to those that shall then behold the Condition of the English Church and the best read Historian cannot produce one example of a happy State where the Clergy hath been exposed to the peoples Contempt which must needs happen where their Benefices their Maintenance is scandalous and their Persons despicable It is the last Trick saith St. Gregory that the Devil hath in this World when he cannot bring the Word and Sacraments in disgrace by Errours and Heresies he invented this Project to bring the Clergy into contempt and low esteem as it is now in England where they are accounted by many as the dross and refuse of the Nation Men think it a stain to their blood to place their Sons in that Function and Women ashamed to marry with any of them whereas antiently in England as among the Jews the Tribe of Levi was counted Noble above all other Tribes except that of the Royal Tribe of Judah the Function of the Clergy was of so high account and esteem that not only the best Gentry and Nobility but divers of the Sons and Brothers of divers of our English Kings since the Conquest and before disdained not to enter into Holy Orders and to be Clergy-men as at this day is practised in most other Monarchies of Christendome Ethelwolph Son and Successor to Egbert first sole King of England was in Holy Orders and Bishop of Winchester at his Fathers death Odo Bishop of Bayeux in Normandy was Brother to William the Conquerour Henry de Blois Brother to King Stephen was Bishop of Winchester Geofry Plantagenet Son to Henry 2 was Bishop of Lincoln Henry de Beaufort Brother to Henry the 4th was Bishop also of Winchester And of later Times that most prudent Henry 7 had designed his second Son to be a Clergyman to omit many others of Noble Blood Which Policy is still observed even amongst the few Families of the Romish Religion in England wherein are to be found at this day some Brothers or Sons of Dukes Marquisses Earls and Barons in Holy Orders and all the rest of the Stock of Baronets Knights or Gentry and for this cause find respect not only amongst those of their own Opinions but even of the more sober moderate and best civilized Protestants Whilst this Policy lasted in England the Clergy were judged the fittest Persons to execute most of the Chief Offices and Places of the Kingdom according to the Divine Policy amongst Gods peculiar People where the Priests and Levites were the Principal Officers and Judges in every Court to whom the People were to be obedient on pain of death and the Laity did with much reverence and respect submit to them And as then Os Sacerdotis Oraculum erat plebis according to that of Malachi 2. 7. So Os Episcopi Oraculum erat Regis Regni Rex amplectabatur universum Clerum lata fronte ex eo semper sibi eligebat primos a Consiliis primos ad officia Regni obeunda Primi igitur sedebant in omni Regni Comitiis Tribunalibus Episcopi in Regali quidem Palatio cum Regni Magnatibus in Comitatu una cum Comite in Turno cum Vicecomite in Hundredo cum Domino Hundredi sic ut in promovenda Justitia usquequaque gladius gladium adjuvaret nihil inconsulto Sacerdote vel Episcopo ageretur And because the Weal of the Kingdom and the Service of the King depended so much upon them and their presence for that end so oft required at London it was judged expedient that every Bishoprick should have a Palace or House belonging to it in or about London and it is known at this day where stood the Houses of every one except that of St. Asaph which also might probably have had one but more obscure than some other that Bishoprick having been as still very mean Great was the Authority of the Clergy in those dayes and their Memory should be precious in these dayes if we consider that they were the Authors of so great benefits and advantages to this Kingdom that there are few things of any importance for promoting of the welfare of this Church and State wherein the Bishops and Prelats under God have not been the Principal Instruments The Excellent Laws made by King Ina King Athelstan King Edmund and St. Edward from whom we have our Common Laws and our Priviledges mentioned in Magna Charta were all made by the perswasions and advice of Bishops and Archbishops named in our Histories The Union of the 2 Houses of York and Lancaster whereby a long and bloody War was ended was by the most wise Advice and Counsel of Bishop Morton then a Privy Councellour The Union of England and Scotland that inexpressible advantage to both Nations was brought to pass by the long fore-sight of Reverend Bishop Fox a Privy Councellour in advising Henry the 7th to match his Eldest Daughter to Scotland and his Younger to France Most of the Great Publick Works now remaining in England acknowledge their antient and present being either to the sole Cost and Charges or to the liberal Contributions or at least to the powerful Perswasions of Bishops as most of the best endowed Colledges in both our Vniversities very many Hospitals Churches Palaces Castles have been founded and built by Bishops even that famous chargeable and difficult Structure of London-Bridge stands obliged to the liberal Contributions of an Archbishop and it was a Bishop of London at whose earnest request William the Conquerour granted to the City of London so large Priviledges that in a grateful remembrance thereof the Lord Mayor and Aldermen to this day upon some solemn dayes of their resort to St. Pauls Church do go in Procession to the Grave Stone where that Bishop lies interred But above all The Converting England to the Christian Religion the Reforming that Religion when corrupted and since that the maintenance of the Doctrine thereof against all Romish Writers and of the Discipline thereof none of the least good Offices against all the Practices and Power of the Puritan and Presbyterian Factions and all those other Sectaries lineally descended from them all this and more is owing if not solely yet principally to Bishops and Prelats by the late want of whom to sit at the Stern how soon was this goodly Vessel split upon the Rocks of Anarchy and Confusion Even since the late Restauration of Bishops to set down the many considerable Publick Benefits flowing from them and other Dignified Clergy would tire the Reader What Sums of Money have been by them expended in repairing Cathedral Churches Episcopal Houses in founding and building Hospitals in Charity to poor Widdows of Clergymen utterly ruined by the late Rebels for redeeming of poor Christian Slaves at Algier what publick and private Sums for supplying the Kings Necessities at his
Willmot Earl of Rochester Henry Jermin Earl of St. Albans Edward Montague Earl of Sandwich James Butler Earl of Brecknock Edward Hyde Earl of Clarendon Arthur Capel Earl of Essex Thomas Brudnel Earl of Cardigan Anthony Annesly Earl of Anglesey John Greenvile Earl of Bath Charles Howard Earl of Carlile John Craven Earl of Craven Thomas Bruce Earl of Alisbury Richard Boyle Earl of Burlington Vicounts Leicester Devereux Vicount Hereford Francis Brown Vicount Montague James Fiennes Vicount Say and Seale Edward Conway Vicount Conway Baptist Noel Vicount Camden William Howard Vicount Stafford Thomas Bellasis Vicount Falconbridge John Mordant Vicount Mordant George Savil Vicount Halifax Barons John Nevil Lord Abergavenny James Touchet Lord Andley Charles West Lord de la Warre George Berkly Lord Berkly Thomas Parker Lord Morly and Monteagle Francis Lennard Lord Dacres Conyers Darcy Lord Darcy and Menil William Stourton Lord Stourton William Lord Sandys de la Vine Edward Vaux Lord Vaux Thomas Windsor Lord Windsor Thomas Wentworth Lord Wentworth Wingfield Cromwel Lord Cromwell George Evre Lord Evre Philip Wharton Lord Wharton Francis Willoughby Lord Willoughby of Parham William Paget Lord Paget Dudly North Lord North. William Bruges Lord Chandos William Petre Lord Petre. Dutton Gerard Lord Gerard. Charles Stanhop Lord Stanhop Henry Arundel Lord Arundel of Warder Christopher Rooper Lord Tenham Fulk Grevil Lord Brooke Edward Montague Lord Montague of Boughton Charles Lord Howard of Charlton William Grey Lord Grey of Wark John Robarts Lord Robarts John Lovelace Lord Lovelace John Pawlet Lord Pawlet William Mainard Lord Mainard Thomas Coventry Lord Coventry Edward Lord Howard of Escrick Warwick Mohun Lord Mohun William Butler Lord Butler Percy Herbert Lord Powis Edward Herbert Lord Herbert of Cherbury Francis Seymour Lord Seymour Francis Newport Lord Newport Thomas Leigh Lord Leigh of Stonelty Christopher Hatton Lord Hatton Henry Hastings L. Loughborough Richard Byron Lord Byron Richard Vaughan Lord Vaughan Charles Smith Lord Carington William Widrington Lord Widrington Humble Ward Lord Ward Thomas Lord Culpeper Isaack Astley Lord Astley Richard Boyle Lord Clifford John Lucas Lord Lucas John Bellasis Lord Bellasis Lewis Watson Lord Rockingham Charles Gerard Lord Gerard of Brandon Robert Sutton Lord Sutton of Lexinton Charles Kirkhoven Lord Wotton Marmaduke Langdale Lord Langdale William Crofts Lord Crofts John Berkley Lord Berkley Denzil Hollis Lord Hollis Frederick Cornwallis Lord Cornwallis George Booth Lord de la Mere. Horatio Townsend Lord Townsend Anthony Ashley Cooper Lord Ashley John Crew Lord Crew c. Henry Bennet Lord Arlington John Freschevile Lord Fresschevile Richard Arundel Lord Arundeâ— of Trerice Of Temporal Lords or Peer of England there are at presenâ— about 170 whereof there arâ— 10 Dukes 3 Marquisses 6â— Earls 8 Vicounts and 78 Barons whereas within 60 yearâ— last past there was not onâ— Duke but one Marquiss abouâ— 20 Earls 3 or 4 Vicounts anâ— 40 Lords The Laws and Customs of England alwayes willing that Decorum and Conveniency should be every where observed and considering the Charges and Expences appertaining to the several Degrees of Honour as they belong to Men of Principal Service to the King and Realm both in time of War and Peace expected that each of them should have a convenient Estate and Value of Lands of Inheritance for the support of their Honours and the Kings Service Therefore antiently when the intrinsique value of a Pound Sterling was worth 30 l. of our Money now every Knight was to have about 800 Acres reckoned at 20 l. yearly in Land that is about 600 l. of our Money at this day A Baron to have 13 Knights Fees and one third part which amounted to 400 l. which multiplied by 30 was as much as 8000 l. a year at this day An Earl 20 Knights Fees and a Duke 40. And in case of decay of Nobility or that they had so far wasted their Revenues that their Honours could not decently be maintained as the Roman Senators were in such case removed from the Senate so sometimes some English Barons have not been admitted to sit in the Higher House of Parliament though they kept the Name and Title of Dignity still For the better support oâ— these Degrees of Honour the King doth usually upon the Creation of a Duke Marquiss Earl or Vicount grant an Annuity or yearly Rent to them and their heirs which is so annext to the Dignity that by no Grant Assurance or any manner of Alienation can be given from the same but is still â—ncident to and a support of the same Creation contrary to that Principle in Law That every Land of Feesimple may be charged with a Rent in Fee-simple by one way or other To a Duke the King grants 40 l. heretofore a considerable Pension to a Marquiss 40 Marks to an Earl 20 l. and to a Vicount 20 Marks To Barons no such Pensions is ordinarily granted onely the late King creating Mountjoy Blount the late Earl of Newport Lord Mountjoy of Thurlston granted him a Fee of 20 Marks per annum to him and his heirs for ever As the King of England hath ever had the repute of the richest in Domaines of any King in Europe so the Nobility of England have been accounted the richest in Lands of any Neighbouring Nation some having above 20000 l. yearly others 15000 and so many of them above ten that if one with another they have 10000 l. yearly it will amount to in all amongst the 160 Lords Sixteen hundred thousand pounds a year about the ninth part of the yearly Revenue of all England which upon Computation is found to be about Fourteen Millions yearly The English Nobility for Valour Wisdome Integrity â—nd Honour hath in all former Ages been equal to any in Christendom Every Lords House was a kind of a well disciplined Court insomuch that the Gentry Males and Females were wont to be sent thither for vertuous breeding and returned excellently accomplisht At home their Table Attendance Officers Exercises Recreations Garb was an Honour to the Nation Abroad they were attended with as brave numerous and uniform Train of Servants and Followers as any â—uâ—ope not thinking it consistent with their Honours to be seen walk the Streets almost in Cuerpo with one Lackey or not that much less to be found drinking in a Tavern c. If the English Nobility by â— long continued Peace excessive Luxury in Diet want oâ— Action c. were before thâ— late Wars born more feeble in body than their Ancestors anâ— by too fine and too full Dieâ— afterwards were rendred weaker in mind and then during thâ— late troubles by much licentiousness and want of fit Education were so debauched thaâ— it was lately difficult to finâ— as some are bold to affirme the Courage Wisdom Integrity Honour Sobriety and Courtesie of the Antient Nobility yet is it not to be doubted but that under a Warlike Enterprising Prince all those Vertues of their Fore-Fathers may spring afresh especially if we consider the vicissitude
of all sublunary things and remember that there was once a time when the Juvenes Nobiles in Old English the Edel Knaben were so leud that those words came at length to signifie as now Idle Knaves Of the Commonalty or Third State of England THe Law of England contrary to the Laws and Customs of other Countries â—alleth none Noble under a Baron so that not only all Baronets all sorts of Knights all Esquires and Gentlemen but also all the Sons of the Nobility are by our Law reckoned amongst the Commons of England and therefore the eldest Son of a Duke though by the Courtesie of England stiled an Earl yet shall be arraigned by the Stile of Esquire only and may be tried by a Jury of Common Freeholders and in Parliament can sit only in the House of Commons if elected till called by the Kings Writ to the Lords House Yet doth it seem very absurd that all Noblemens Sons with all Knights Esquires and Gentlemen should be esteemed Plebeans but rather as in Rome they were in a middle Rank inter Senatores Plebem or else as â—n other Christian Kingdomes they should be considered as â—he Minor Nobilitas Regni so â—hat as Barons and all above may be stiled Nobiles Majores â—o from a Baron downward to â—he Yeoman all may be not â—â—fitly stiled Nobiles Minores The Lower Nobility then of England consists of Baroâ—ets Knights Esquires and Gentlemen The next Degree to Barons â—re Baronets which is the lowâ—st Degree of Honour that is â—ereditary An Honour first â—nstituted by King James Anno â—611 given by Patent to a Man and his Heirs Males of his Body lawfully begotten for â—hich each one is obliged to â—ay into the Exchequer so much money as will for 3 years at 8â— d. per diem pay 30 Foot Souldiers to serve in the Province oâ— Vlster in Ireland which summe amounts to 1095 l. which with Fees doth commonly arise to 1200 l. Baronets have precedencâ— before all Knights excepâ— Knights of the Garter and Knights Bannerets made under the Kings Banner or Standard displaied in an Army Royaâ— in open War and the Kinâ— personally present Baronets have the Priviledgi to bear in a Canton of theiâ— Coat of Arms or in a wholâ— Scutcheon the Arms of Vlster viz. In a Field Argent a Hanâ— Gules also in the Kings Armies to have place in the gros near the Kings Standard witâ— some other particulars for their Funerals The whole number of Baronets in England are not to exceed 200 at one and the same time after which number compleated as any for want of heirs come to be extinct the number shall not be made up by new Creations but be suffered to diminish as appears by their Patent No Honour is ever to be created between Baronets and Barons The first Baronet that was created was Sir Nicholas Bacon of Suffolk whose Successor is therefore stiled Primus Baronettorum Angliae This Word Knight is derived from the German Word Knecht signifying originally 〈◊〉 Lusty Servitor The Germans as the antient Romans gave their young men Togam Virilem by Publick Authority bestowed on their young men able to manage Arms a Shield and a Javelin as fit for Martial Service and to be a Member of the Common wealth accounted before but a part of a Family and such a young man publickly allowed they called Knecht whence we had our Institution of Knighthood The thing Knight is at this day signified in Latine French Spanish Italian and also in the High and Low Dutch Tongues by a Word that properly signifies a Horseman because they were wont to serve in War on Horsback and were sometimes in England called Radenyhts id est Riding Servitors yet our Common Law stiles them Milites because they commonly held Lands in Knights Service to serve the King in his Wars as Soldiers The Honour of Knighthood is commonly given for some personal desert and therefore dies with the person deserving and descends not to his Son In England there are several sorts of Knights whereof the chiefest are those of the Order of St. George commonly called Knights of the Garter This Order is esteemed the most Honourable and most Antient of any now in use in Christendom It began as appears in the Statutes of this Order in the 23th year of the Warlike and Puissant King Edward 3 who was Founder thereof and at first made choice of the most Illustrious Persons of Europe to be of that Royal Society no doubt upon a Martial and not upon any such Amorous Account as is intimated Page 96 of this Treatise which ridiculous Story to the dishonour of the Order was first fancied by Polydore Virgil and since upon his credit taken up by many late Authors It appears by Antient Writings that this Honourable Company is a Colledge or Corporation having a Great Seal belonging to it and consisting of a Soveraign Guardian which is alwayes the King of England and of 25 Companions called Knights of the Garter of 14 Secular Canons that are Priests of 13 Vicars who are also Priests of 26 poor Knights who have no other Maintenance but the allowance of this Colledge which is given them in respect of their Prayers to the Honour of God and of St. George who is the Patron of England and of this Order in particular and is none of those Fabulous St. Georges as some have vainly fancied but that famous Saint and Soldier of Christ St. George of Cappadocia a Saint so universally received in all Parts of Christendom so generally attested by the Ecclesiastical Writers of all Ages from the time of his Martyrdome till this day that no one Saint in all the Calendar except those attested by Scripture can be better evidenced There be also certain Officers belonging to this Order as the Prelate of the Garter which Office is settled on the Bishoprick of VVinchester A Chancellour of the Garter A Register who of later times hath been constantly the Dean of VVindsor though antiently it was otherwise The Principal King at Arms called Garter whose chief function is to manage and marshal their Solemnities at their Installations and Feasts Lastly The Usher of the Garter There are also certain Orders and Constitutions belonging to this Society touching the Solemnities in making these Knights their Duties after Creation and their high Priviledges too long for this place The Colledge is seated in the Castle of VVindsor with the Chappel of St. George there erected by King Edward 3. and the Chapter House The Order of the Garter is wont to be bestowed upon the most excellent and renowned Persons for Honour and Vertue and with it a Blew Garter deckt with Gold Pearl and Pretious Stones and a Buckle of Gold to be worn daily on the Left Leg also at High Feasts they are to wear a Surcoat a Mantle a Black Velvet Cap a Coller of Garters and other stately and magnificent Apparel They are not to be seen abroad without their
the Impositions were heaâ—ier for by reason of the great abundance of Flesh and Fish Corn Leather Wooll c. which the Soil of its own bounty with little labour doth produce The Yeomanry at their ease and almost forgetting labour grow rich and thereby so proud insolent and careless that they neither give that humble respect and awful reverence which in other Kingdomes is usually given to Nobility Gentry and Clergy nor are they so industrious or so skillful in Manufactures as some of our Neighbour Nations so that in England it is no Paradox to affirm that as too much indigency in the inferiour sort of people doth depress the spirits and dulâ— the minds of them so too plentiful and wanton a fortune causeth in them a lazyness and less industry that state commonly enjoying most peace and order and happiness where either the moderate barrenness of the Countrey or want of ground or multitude of Imposts as in Holland do necessitate the common people to be industrious in their Callings and so to mind their own as not to disturb the State and Church Affairs Moreover of the English especially it hath been observed that then it is happiest with them when they are somewhat pressed and in a complaining condition according to that old Riming Verse Anglica gens est optima flens pessima gaudens The English Nation anciently were and at this day are very apt to hearken to Prophesies and to create Prodigies and then interpret them according to their own extravagant conceits to invent and then maintain any the most prodigious Opinions and Tenents in Philosopy of Divinity some of the inferiour sort of late holding abominable opinions unworthy even of men and such as in no Age were ever broacht before The English National Vices were antiently Gluttony and the effects thereof Lasciviousness when they made four Meals in a day and most excessive Feasting with great plenty of French Wine when Women of professed Incontinency were permitted to proffer their Bodies to all Comers in certain places called Stews or Stoves or Bathing places because men were wont to bath themselves there as still in other Countries before they addrest themselves to venereous acts Moreover Pride in Apparel wherein they were anciently so extravagant and foolish that divers Statutes and Homilies have been made against that Excess and an English Man was wont to be pictured naked with a pair of Taylors Sheers in his hand and a piece of Cloth under his arme with Verses annext intimating that he knew not what fashion of Clothes to have Excess of drinking was anciently more rare in England as appears by an old Poet Ecce Britannorum mos est laudabilis iste Vt bibat arbitrio pocula quisque suo The Danes in the time of King Edgar first brought it in but it was afterward banisht â—ence so that we find no ancient Statute against it for though the Statutes heretofore â—â—ade against Excess in Apparel and Dyet are ancient yet those against Drunkenness are but of late date As the English returning from the Wars in the Holy Land brought home the foul disease of Leprosie now almost extinct here though not yet in our neighbouring Countries so in our Fathers dayes the English returning from the Service in the Netherlands brought with them the foul Vice of Drunkenness as besides other Testimonies the Term of Carous from Gar ausz All out learnt of the High-Dutch there in the same Service so Quaffe c. This Vice of late was more though at present too much insomuch that some persons and those of quality may not safety be visited in an Afternoon without running the hazard of Excessive drinking of Healths whereby in a short time twice as much liquor is consumed as by the Dutch who sip and prate and in some places it is esteemed a piece of wit to make a man drunk for which purpose some swilling insipid Trencher Buffoon is alwayes at hand However it may be truly affirmed that at present there is generally less Excess in Drinking especially about London since the use of Coffee less excess in Dyet but principally in Apparel than heretofore insomuch that the poor Tradesman is much pincht thereby for as it is expedient for the benefit of the whole Commonwealth that divers unnecessary and superfluous Commodities should be allowed as ' Tobacco Coffee Spices Sugars Raisins Silks c. so some less hurtful excesses as in Apparel Dyet Building Coaches Lackeys c. must either be connived at or much of all the money of the Nation must lie dead and unemploied as it now doth in the private sullen niggardly Non-Conformists hands and Tradesmen must either starve or be sustained by Almes The Sin of Buggery brought into England by the Lombards as appears not only by the word Bugeria but also by Rot. Parl. 50. Edw. 3. N. 58. is now rarely practised amongst English although sometimes discovered amongst Aliens in England and then punisht by Death without any remission Impoysonments so ordinary 〈◊〉 Italy is so abominable amongst English as 21 H. 8. 〈◊〉 was made High Treason â—hough since repealed after which the punishment for it was 〈◊〉 be put alive in a Caldron of Water and there boiled to â—eath Stabbing in England is much â—â—ore seldome than in Italy â—â—e English being easie to be reâ—onciled to pardon and remit â—ffences not apt to seek reâ—enge the true well-bred Enâ—lish have more of inclination 〈◊〉 goodness which the Greeks â—alled Philanthropia than other Nations the Nobility and well-â—red Gentry delighting to be â—racious and courteous to Strangers compassionate to the afflicted and grateful to Benefactors when their Purse or Estaâ— not diverted by other extravagant expences will give theâ— leave to remember them The English according to the Climat are of a middle tempâ—â— The Northern Saturnine aâ— the Southern Mercurial tempâ—â— meeting in their Constitution render them ingenious and active yet solid and perseveâ—ring which nourisht under sutable liberty inspires a courage generous and lasting Their Ingenuity will not allow them to be excellent 〈◊〉 the Cheat but subject in thaâ— point rather to take thaâ— give and supposing others 〈◊〉 open-hearted as themselves are many times in Trespass overmatcht by them whom they overmatch in Arms and â—â—ue Valour The English since the Reformation so much given to Literature that all sorts are generally the most knowing people 〈◊〉 the world They have been 〈◊〉 much addicted to writing and â—specially in their own language and with so much licence or connivence that according to the observation of a â—earned Man there have â—een since the Reformation more good and more bad Books printed and published in the English Tongue than in all the Vulgar Languages of Europe For solidity of matter for â—legancy of style in their Sermons Comedies Romances as also in their Books of Philosophy Physick History and all other solid Learning no Nation hath surpassed the English and few equalled them The English especially the Gentry are so
under him against the French King then leagued with the English Rebels against Spain where his Magnanimity and Dexterity in Martial Affairs though unsuccessful were very eminent In the year 1660 came over with the King into England and being Lord High Admiral in the year 1665 in the War against the Vnited States of the Netherlands commanded in person the whole Royal Navy on the Seas between England and Holland where with incomparable valour and extraordinary hazard of his own Royal Person after a most sharp dispute he obtained a Signal Victory over the whole Dutch Fleet commanded by Admiral Opdam who perisht with his own and many more Ships in that Fight He married Anne the eldest Daughter of Edward Earl of Clarendon late Lord High Chancellour of England by whom he hath had a numerous issue whereof are living first the Lady Mary born 30 April 1662 whose Godfather was Prince Rupert and Godmothers the Dutchesses of Buckingham and Ormond Secondly the Lady Anne born in Febr. 1664 whose Godfather was Gilbert Lord Archbishop of Canterbury her Godmothers were the young Lady Mary her Sister and the Dutchess of Monmouth She is lately for her health transported into France Thirdly 15 Sept. 1667 was born Edgar lately created Duke of Cambridge by Letters Patents under the Great Seal of England whose Godfathers were the Duke of Albemarle and the Marquiss of Worcester his Godmother the Countess of Suffolk The Titles of his Royal Highness are Duke of York and Albany Earl of Ulster Lord High Admiral of England Ireland and all Foreign Plantations Constable of Dover Castle Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports Governour of Portsmouth c. Of the Prince of Orenge NExt to the Duke of York and his Issue is William of Nassau Prince of Orenge only Issue of the lately deceased Princess Royal Mary eldest Daughter to King Charles the First and wedded 1641 to William of Nassau Commander in Chief of all the Forces of the States General both by Land and by Sea His Highness the present Prince was born 9 dayes after his Fathers death on the 14th Novemb. 1650 had for Godfathers the Lords States General of Holland and Zealand and the Cities of Delft Leyden and Amsterdam His Governess was the Lady Stanhop then wife to the Heer van Hemvliet At 8 years of age was sent to the University of Leyden His Revenue is about 60000 l. Sterling besides Military Advantages enjoyed by his Father and Ancestors which amounted yearly to about 30000 l. Sterling more He is a Prince in whom the high and princely qualities of his Ancestors already appear Of the Princess Henretta THe next Heir after the fore-named to the English Crown is the Princess Henretta only Sister living to the present King of England She was born the 16th of June 1644 at Exeter during the heat of the late Rebellion after the surrender of Exeter conveyed to Oxford and thence 1646 to London whence with her Governess the Lady Dalkieth she escaped into France was there educated as became her high Birth and Quality but being left wholly to the care and maintenance of the Queen her Mother at Paris embraced the Romish Religion At the age of 16 years came with the Queen Mother into England and 6 moneths after returning into France was married to the only Brother of the French King the Illustrious Prince Philip then Duke of Anjou till the death of his Uncle and now Duke of Orleans whose Revenue is 1100000 Livres Tournois besides his Appanage not yet setled Her Portion was 40000 l. Sterling her Joynture to be the same with the present Dutchess Dowager of Orleans This Princess hath issue one Daughter if she hath a Son the French King allows him 50000 Crowns yearly and the Appanage after the death of the present Duke reverts to the Crown Of the Prince Elector Palatine THere being left alive no more of the Off-spring of King Charles the First the next Heirs of the Crown of England are the Issue and Descendants of Elizabeth late Queen of Bohemia only Sister to the said King who was married to Frederick Prince Palatine of the Rhine afterwards stiled King of Bohemia whose eldest Son living is Charles Lodowick Prince Elector Palatine of the Rhine commonly called the Palsgrave from the High Dutch pfaltzgraff Palatii Comes was born the the 22th December 1617 at Heydelberg and afterwards in Holland at the Hague and at the University of Leyden was educated in a Princely manner At the age of 18 years came into England was created Knight of the Garter about two years after fought a Battel in Westphalia In the year 1637 passing incognito thorow France to take possession of Brisach upon the Rhine which the Duke Saxon Weymar intended to deliver up unto him together with the Command of his Army he was by that quick-sighted Cardinal Richlieu discovered at Moulins and thence sent back Prisoner to the Bois de Vincennes whence after 23 weeks imprisonment he was by the mediation of the King of England set at liberty In the year 1643 he came again into England and with the Kings secret consent because the King could not continue unto him the wonted Pension whilst the Rebels possest the greatest part of his Majesties Revenues made his Addresses to and abode with the disloyal part of the Lords and Commons at Westminster until the Murder of the said King and the Restauration of the Lower Palatinat according to the famous Treaty at Munster for which he was constrained to quit all his right to the Upper Palatinat and accept of an Eighth Electorship at a juncture of time when the King of England had he not been engaged at home by an impious Rebellion had been the most considerable of all other at that Treaty and this Prince his Nephew would have had the greatest advantages there In 1650 he espoused the Lady Charlotte Daughter to the Landgrave of Hessen by which Lady he hath one Son named Charles aged about 16 and one Daughter aged about 14. Of Prince Rupert NExt to the Issue of the Prince Elector Palatin is Prince Rupert born at Prague 27 Novemb. 1619 not long before that very unfortunate Battel there fought whereby not only all Bohemia was lost but the Palatin Family was for almost 30 years dispossest of all their Possessions in Germany At 13 years of age he marcht with the then Prince of Orenge to the Siege of Rhineberg afterwards in England was created Knight of the Garter At the age of 18 he commanded a Regiment of Horse in the German Wars and in a Battel being taken by the Imperialists under the Command of Count Hatzfield he continued a prisoner above three years In 1642 returning into England and made General of the Horse to the King fights and defeats Collonel Sands near Worcester routed the Rebels Horse at Edge-hill took Cirencester recovered Lichfield and Bristol raised the long Siege before Latham House fought the great Battel at Marston Moor was created Earl of Holderness and
Duke of Cumberland after the extinction of the Male Line of the Cliffords Finally the Kings forces at land being totally defeated he transported himself into France and was afterward made Admiral of such Ships of War as submitted to King Charles the Second to whom after divers disasters at Sea and wonderful preservations he returned to Paris 1652 where and in Germany sometimes at the Emperours Court and sometimes at Heydelberg he passed his time in Princely Studies and Exercises till the Restauration of his Majesty now raigning after which returning into England was made a Privy Counsellour in 1662 and in 1666 being joyned Admiral with the Duke of Albemarle first attackt the whole Dutch Fleet with his Squadron in such a bold resolute way that he put the Enemy soon to flight He enjoys a Pension from his Majesty of 4000 l. per Annum After Prince Rupert the next Heirs to the Crown of England are 3 French Ladies Daughters of Prince Edward lately deceased who was a younger Son of the Queen of Rehemia whose Widdow the Princess Dowager Mother to the said three Ladies is Sister to the late Queen of Poland Daughter and Coheir to the last Duke of Nevers in France amongst which three Daughters there is a Revenue of about 12000 l. Sterling a year After these is the Princess Elizabeth eldest Sister living to the Prince Elector Palatin born 26 Decemb. 1618. unmarried and living in Germany The next is another Sister called the Princess Louisa bred up at the Hague with the Queen her Mother in the Religion of the Church of England at length embracing the Romish Religion is now Lady Abbess of Maubisson at Ponthoise not far from Paris Last of all is the Princess Sophia youngest Daughter to the Queen of Bohemia born at the Hague 1630. and in 1659 wedded to John Duke of Lunenberg and Free Prince of Germany Heir to the Dutchy of Brunswick by whom she hath Sons and Daughters Of these three Princesses it is said that the first is the most learned the second the greatest Artist and the last one of the most accomplisht Ladies in Europe Of the Great Officers of the Crown NExt to the King and Princes of the Blood are reckoned the Great Officers of the Crown whereof there are Eight viz. the Lord High Chancellour the Lord High Treasurer the Lord Privy Seal the Lord High Admiral the Lord Great Chamberlain the Lord High Constable the Earl Marshal and the Lord High Steward for the time being First the Lord High Chancellour Summus Cancellarius so called because all Patents Commissions Warrants coming from the King and perused by him are signed if well or cancelled if amiss He is after the King and Princes of the Blood in Civil Affairs the highest Person in the Kingdom as the Archbishop of Canterbury is in Ecclesiastical Affairs His Office is to keep the Kings Great Seal to judge not according to the Common Law as other Civil Courts do but to moderate the rigour of the Law and to judge according to Equity Conscience or Reason His Oath is to do right to all manner of People poor and rich after the Laws and Customs of the Realm and truly counsel the King to keep secret the Kings Counsel nor suffer so far as he may that the Rights of the Crown be diminisht c. From the time of Henry 2. the Chancellours of England have been ordinarily made of Bishops or other Clergy-men learned in the Civil Laws till Henry 8. made Chancellour one Richard Rich a Common Lawyer from whom is descended the present Earl of Warwick and the Earl of Holland since which time there have been some Bishops but most Common Lawyers This High Office is in France durante vitâ but here is durante beneplacito Regis The Salary from the King is 848 l. per Annum and when the Star-Chamber was up 200 l. per Annum more for his Attendance there The Lord Chancellour or Lord Keeper who differ only in Name is created per traditionem magni Sigilli sibi per dominum Regem and by taking his Oath The Great Seal being lately taken from Edward Earl of Clarendon Lord Chancellour was by his Majesties great favour bestowed upon Sir Orlando Bridgeman with the Title of Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England The next Great Officer of the Crown is the Lord High Treasurer of England who receives this high Office by delivery of a White Staffe to him by the King and holds it durante beneplacito Regis Antiently he received this Dignity by the delivery of the Golden Keys of the Treasury His Oath is little different from that of the Lord Chancellour He is Praefectus Aerarii a Lord by his Office under whose Charge and Government is all the Kings Revenue kept in the Exchequer He hath also the check of all the Officers any way emploied in collecting Imposts Customs Tributes or other Revenues belonging to the Crown He hath the gift of all Customers Controllers and Searchers in all the Ports of England He hath the nomination of the Escheators in every County and in some Cases by Statute is to appoint a Measurer for the length and breadth of Clothes He with others joyned in Commission with him or without letteth Leases of all the Lands belonging to the Crown He giveth Warrants to certain Persons of Quality to have their Wine Custom free The Annual Salary of the Lord High Treasurer is in all 383 li. 7s 8d per Annum Since the decease of Thomas Wriothesly last Earl of South-hampton and last Lord High Treasurer of England this Office hath been executed by a Commission granted to five eminent Persons viz. the Duke of Albemarle Lord Ashley Sir Thomas Clifford Sir Will. Coventry and Sir John Duncomb The Third Great Officer of the Crown is the Lord Privy Seal who is a Lord by his Office under whose hands pass all Charters and Grants of the King and Pardons signed by the King before they come to the Great Seal of England also divers other matters of less Concernment as for payments of money c. which do not pass the Great Seal He is by his Place of the Kings Privy Council and Chief Judge of the Court of Requests when it shall be re-continued and besides his Oath of Privy Counsellour takes a particular Oath as Lord Privy Seal His Salary is His Place according to Statute is next to the Lord President of the Kings Council It is an Office of great Trust and Skill that he put not this Seal to any Grant without good Warrant under the Kings Privy Signet nor with Warrant if it be against Law or Custom until that the King be first acquainted This great Officer is mentioned in the Statutes of 2 Rich. 2. and then â—anked amongst the Chief Persons of the Realm And is at present enjoyed by John Lord Robarts Baron Robarts of Truro The Fourth Great Officer of the Crown is the Lord
Glemham consecrated Bishop of St. Asaph 1667. Dr. Price consecrated Bishop of Bangor 1667. Dr. Sparrow consecrated Bishop of Exeter 1667. Dr. Wilkins consecrated Bishop of Chester 1668. These are all Barons and Peers of the Realm these have place in the Upper House of Parliament and in the Upper House of Convocation and these are the Lords Spiritual next follow the Commons Spiritual consisting of Suffragan Bishops Deans Archdeacons Prebends Rectors and Vicars to whom also belong divers considerable Priviledges All Suffragan Bishops all Deans Archdeacons Prebendaries Rectors and Vicars have Priviledges some by themselves others by proxy or by representative to sit and vote in the Lower House of Convocation No Subsidies or other Taxe to the King may legally be laid upon them without their own consent first had in Convocation The Clergy as appears by the words of the Writ as also by Modus Tenendi Parliam and by 21 Rich. 2. cap. 12. hath per Procuratores Cleri Place and Suffrage in the Lower House of Parliament as was antiently practised in England and of later years in Ireland though now not used in either and as the Bishops still have and use in the Higher House of Parliament No Clergyman may be compelled to undergo any Personal Functions or Services of the Commonwealth or to serve in War If any man by reason of his Land be subject to be elected to any Temporal Office if he take Orders he is free and there is a Writ purposely to free him All Clergymen are free from the Kings Purveyors the Kings Carriages the Kings Posts c. for which they may demand a Protection from the King cum clausula nolumus If a Clergyman acknowledge a Statute his Body shall not be taken by vertue of any Process thereupon for the Writ runs Si Laicus sit c. Clergymen are not obliged to appear at Sherives Tourns or Views of Frank Pledge there to take their Oath of Allegeance the Antient Laws presuming that those whose principal care and Office should be to teach the People Loyalty and Allegeance to their King could not themselves want Loyalty By Magna Charta no Clergy-man is to be fined or amerced according to his spiritual means but according to his temporal estate and according to the Crime committed The Goods of Clergymen are discharged by the Common Law of England from Tolls and Customes si non exerceant Marchandizas de eisdem of Avirage Pontage Muriage Paviage for which they have the Kings Writ to discharge them The Glebe Lands and Spiritual Revenues of Clergymen being held in pura perpetua Eleemosyna i. e. in Frankalmoine are exempted from arraying and mustering of Men or Horses for the War as appears in a Statute still in force viz. 8 Hen. 4. Num. 12. in the unprinted Rolls of that Parliament The Clergy being by their Function prohibited to wear a Sword or any Armes their Coat alone being their defence cannot serve in Person in War They serve their Countrey otherwise and for that Service have alwayes been thought worthy of their Spiritual Profits and Revenues and of the Kings Protection The Clergy paying to the King the First years profits of all Spiritual Benefices called First Fruits and yearly the Tenth of all the said Benefices are with great reason thought fit to be exempted from all other Taxes though to give the Laity good example they often lay Subsidies or other Great Taxes upon themselves It was an Antient Maxime in England Nullus pro decimis debet onerari de aliqua reparatione Pontis seu aliquibus oneribus temporalibus These and other Immunities of the Clergy the Great Aquinas thought agreeable to Natural Equity or the Law of Nature thence it was that King Pharaoh 47 Gen. when all the Lands of his Subjects were mortgaged to him for Bread yet spared the Lands of the Priests So Ezra 7. 24. and so in our Antient Laws we find De Danigeldo libera quieta erat omnis Ecclesia in Anglia etiam omnis Terra quae in proprio Dominio Ecclesiae erat ubicunque jacebat nihil prorsus in tali redditione persolvens and the reason thereof is added Quia magis in Ecclesiae confidebant Orationibus quam in Armorum defensionibus Many more Priviledges Immunities Liberties and Franchises there are rightly belonging to the Clergy of England so many that to set down all saith Sir Edward Coke upon Magna Charta would take up a whole Book The Priviledges of the Clergy and Franchises of the Church were with the Lities of the People granted confirmed and sealed by the King in full Parliament Anno 1253. in such a solemn manner as no Story can parallel it The King stood up with his Hand upon his Breast all the Lords Spiritual and Temporal stood with burning Tapers in their hands the Archbishop pronounced as followeth By the Authority of God Omnipotent of the Son and of the Holy Ghost c. We excommunicate anathematize and sequester from Our Holy Mother the Church all those which henceforth knowingly and maliciously deprive and spoil Churches of their right and all those that shall by any art or wit rashly violate diminish or alter secretly or openly in Deed Word or Counsel those Ecclesiastical Liberties c. granted by Our Lord the King to the Archbishops Bishops Prelates c. For everlasting memory whereof We have hereunto put Our Seals After which all throwing down their Tapers extinguisht and smoaking they all said So let all that shall go against this Curse be extinct and stink in Hell Since which all Kings of England at their Coronations have by Solemn Oaths promised to preserve the same and they have been confiremed by above 30 Successive Parliaments commanded to be read once a year in Churches and if any Act should be made to the contrary it is to be held for null and void by the Statute of 42 Edw. 3. Antiently men were very tender and fearful to do any thing that might make them incur the said dreadful censure but of later times especially since our Reformation many men pretending to more Christianity and to more knowledge have made little conscience of infringing and violating any Rights Priviledges or Franchises of the Church or Churchmen whilst the Liberties of the People though very little violated have been exacted even to Sedition and Rebellion To the end that men of the best rank and abilities should in all times be encouraged to embrace the most painful and severe Profession of a Clergy-man and that the People â—hould the more willingly be â—uided and conducted by them Our most Christian Ancestors â—ccording to the Pattern of Gods antient People the Jews â—nd of all other Christian Commonwealths judged it expeâ—ient to allot large Revenues â—nd a most plentiful mainteâ—ance to the English Clergy â—aving observed with Solomon â—hat a Wiseman for his poverâ—y is too oft contemned and â—espised and that there is noâ—hing more contemptible and â—diculous than a poor Clergy-man The
and that by reason of their Honourable Order and Employment and also to all Bannerets made under the Kings Banner or Standard displayed in an Army Royal in open War and the King personally present Note also That if any of the Degrees of Nobility above-mentioned are descended of the Blood Royal they are to have place of all those of the same Degree with them Moreover Observe that all the Nobles of the same Degree take place according to the Seniority of their Creation There are certain Marks of State that belong to each Degree amongst the Nobility which they may practise or not practise at pleasure A Duke may have in all places out of the Kings presence a Cloth of Estate hanging down within half a yard of the ground so may his Dutchess and her Train born up by a Baron and no Earl to wash with a Duke without the Dukes pleasure A Marquiss may have a Cloth of Estate reaching within a yard of the ground and that in all places out of the presence of the King or a Duke and his Marchioness to have her Train born by a Knights Wife and no Vicount to wash with a Marquiss but at his pleasure An Earl also may have a Cloth of Estate without Pendants but only Fringe and a Countess may have her Train born by a Gentlewoman out of the presence of her Superiours and in their presence by a Gentleman A Vicount may have a Cover of Assay holden under his Cup while he drinks but no Assay taken as Dukes Marquisses and Earls may have And a Vicountess may have her Gown born up by a Woman out of the presence of her Superiours and in their presence by a Man A Baron may also have the Cover of his Cup holden underneath whilst he drinketh and a Baroness may have her Gown born up by a man in the presence of a Vicountess All Dukes eldest Sons be as Earls and the younger as Lords with the addition of their Christian Names as Lord Thomas Lord John c. A Dukes eldest Son of the Blood Royal shall take place of a Marquiss that is not and of an Earl that is of the Blood Royal. A Marquisses eldest Son is called Lord of a place and the younger Sons Lord Thomas Lord John c. A Marquisses eldest Son of the Blood Royal shall go before an Earl that is not and of a Vicount that is of the Blood Royal. An Earls eldest Son is called Lord of a place and all his Daughters Ladies but his younger Sons not Lords An Earls eldest Son of the Blood Royal takes place of a Vicount that is not and of a Lord that is of the Blood Royal. A Vicounts eldest Son is no Lord nor his Daughters Ladies and therefore the eldest Son and the eldest Daughter of the first Vicount of England is said to be the first Gentleman and Gentlewoman without Title in England A Vicounts eldest Son of the Blood Royal takes place of all Barons The Princes of the Blood the Great Officers of the Realm and the Bishops are to precede according to an Act of Parliament 31 H. 8. The Lord Chancellour Lord Treasurer Lord President of the Kings Council Lord Privy Seal These being Barons or above shall in Parliament sit above all Dukes except the Son Brother Grand-Child or Nephew of the King The Lord High Steward of England is not here named because it was intended that he should not continue beyond the occasion for which he should be made Next hath place the Lord Great Chamberlain of England then the Lord High Constable the Earl Marshal the Lord High Admiral Lord Steward of the Kings Houshold Lord Chamberlain of the Kings Houshold These shall sit after the Lord Privy Seal above all of their Degree only And if the Kings Principal Secretary be a Baron he takes place of all Barons that are not of the Offices before mentioned but if he be a Vicount or higher Degree he shall take place only according to his Degree Also if the Kings Secretary be a Bishop as antiently was usual he takes place next to the Bishop of Winchester of all other Bishops that have none of the Offices aforesaid All Dukes Marquisses Earls Vicounts and Barons not having any of the said Offices shall take place according to the antiently of their Creation All Dukes eldest Sons have the Title of Earls and the eldest Son of an Earl hath the Title of the Earls Barony and sometimes of the Vicountry according to the Patent A Catalogue of the Peers of England according to their Precedence Dukes of the Royal Blood JAMES Duke of York and Albany Earl of Ulster Lord High Admiral of England the Kings only Brother Rupert Duke of Cumberland and Earl of Holderness Edgar Duke of Cambridge The Lord Chancellour or Lord Keeper of the Great Seal the Lord Treasurer and the Lord Privy Seal take place before all Dukes not of the Blood Royal. Dukes Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolk William Seymour Duke of Somerset George Villars Duke of Buckingham Charles Stuart Duke of Richmond George Monk Duke of Albemarle James Scot Duke of Monmouth William Cavendish Duke of Newcastle Marquisses John Pawlet Marquiss of Winchester Edward Somerset Marquiss of Worcester Henry Pierrepont Marquiss of Dorchester Earls These three take place in respect of their Offices Bertue Earl of Lindsay Lord High Chamberlain of England James Butler Earl of Brecknock Lord Steward of the Kings Houshold Edward Montague Earl of Manchester Lord Chamberlain of the Kings Houshold Earls Awbrey de Vere Earl of Oxford Algernon Percy Earl of Northumberland Francis Talbot Earl of Shrewsbury Anthony Grey Earl of Kent Charles Stanley Earl of Derby John Mannours Earl of Rutland Theophilus Hastings Earl of Huntingdon William Russel Earl of Bedford Philip Herbert Earl of Pembroke Theophilus Clinton Earl of Lincoln Charles Howard Earl of Nottingham James Howard Earl of Suffolk Richard Sacvile Earl of Dorset William Cecil Earl of Salisbury John Cecil Earl of Exeter John Edgerton Earl of Bridgewater Robert Sydney Earl of Leicester James Compton Earl of Northampton Charles Rich Earl of Warwick William Cavendish Earl of Devonshire Basil Fielding Earl of Denbigh George Digby Earl of Bristol Lionel Cranfield Earl of Middlesex Henry Rich Earl of Holland John Hollis Earl of Clare Oliver St. John Earl of Bullingbroke Mildmay Fane Earl of Westmorland Montague Earl of Manchester Thomas Howard Earl of Berkshire Thomas Wentworth Earl of Cleveland Edward Sheffield Earl of Mulgrave Thomas Savage Earl Rivers Bertue Earl of Lindsay Nicolas Knowles Earl of Banbury Henry Cary Earl of Dover Henry Mordant Earl of Peterborough Henry Grey Earl of Stamford Henage Finch Earl of Winchelsey Charles Dormer Earl of Caernarvon Montjoy Blunt Earl of Newport Philip Stanhop Earl of Chesterfield John Tufton Earl of Thanet William Wentworth Earl of Strafford Robert Spenser Earl of Sunderland James Savil Earl of Sussex George Goring Earl of Norwich Nicholas Leak Earl of Scarsdale John