The Journals of Parliaments, Journal 19
THE JOURNAL OF THE House of LORDS.
An Exact and perfect Journal of the Passages of the House of Lords, in the Parliament holden at Westminster, Anno 31 Reginae Eliz. Anno Domini 1588. which began there (after one Prorogation of the same) on Tuesday the 4th Day of February, and then and there continued until the Dissolution thereof on Saturday the 29th Day of March, Anno Domini 1589.
THE Queens Majesty, soon after that her wonderful and glorious Victory which God Almighty had given her Navy over that vainly stiled Invincible Armado sent against her Realm of England by the Spanish King, summoned this her High Court of Parliament to begin on Tuesday the 12th day of November that present year 1588. and the 30th year of her Reign, that so by common Advice and Counsel she might prepare and provide against the inbred malice of that Prince and Nation, Sir Christopher Hatton Knight her Majesties late Vice-Chamberlain, being made Lord Chancellor in the room and stead of Sir Thomas Bromley Knight, who having been sick a great part of the last Parliament dyed in April Guliel. Cambden, in Annal. Regin. Eliz. edit. Lugdun. Batav. Anno Dem. 1625. p. 511 & 512.following Anno 29 Regin. Eliz. Anno Domini 1587. But other occasions of some importance requiring the deferring of the said Assembly, her Majesty Prorogued the same in manner and form following.
Memorandum, That whereas the Queens Majesty by her Writ summoned her Parliament to begin and to be holden at Westminster this present Tuesday being the 12th day of November, her Highness for certain great and weighty Causes and Considerations her Majesty specially moving, by the advice of her Privy Council and of her Justices of both her Benches and other of her Council learned, did Prorogue and adjourn the said Parliament until the 4th day of February next, by virtue of her Writ Patent sealed with the Great Seal, and bearing date the 15th day of October last past. Whereupon at this said 12th day of November the Archbishop of Canterbury, Sir Christopher Hatton Lord Chancellor, William Lord Burleigh Lord Treasurer, the Earl of Huntingdon, the Bishop of London and three other Barons repaired to the Parliament-Chamber commonly called the Upper House, and there in the presence of the Knights, Citizens and Burgesses summoned to the said Parliament declared, That her Highness for divers good causes and considerations her specially moving, by her Highnesses said Writ had Prorogued the said Parliament from this said first summoned day until the 4th day of February next. Whereupon the Writ for the said Prorogation in the presence of all that Assembly was openly read by the Clerk of the Upper House in haec verba.
ELizabetha Dei gratiâ Angliae, Franciae & Hiberniae Regina, fidei Defensor, &c. Praedilectis & fidelibus nostris Praelatis, Magnatibus & Proceribus Regni nostri Angliae, ac dilectis & fidelibus nostris Militibus, Civibus & Burgensibus dicti Regni nostri ad praesens Parliamentum nostrum apud Civitatem nostram Westmonasterii 12 die Novembris proximè futuro inchoand' & tenend' convocatis & electis, & vestrum cuilibet Salutem. Cùm nos pro quibusdam ardnis & urgentibus negotiis, nos, statum & defensionem dicti Regni nostri Angliae & Ecclesiae Anglicanae concernentibus dictum Parliamentum nostrum ad diem & locum praedictos teneri ordinaverimus, ac vobis per separalia Brevia nostra apud Civitatem & diem praedictum interesse mandaverimus ad tractand. consentiend. & concludend' super hiis quae in dicto Parliamento nostro tunc & ibidem proponerentur & tractarentur; Quibusdam tamen certis de causis & considerationibus nos ad hoc specialiter moventibus dictum Parliamentum nostrum ns que ad & in quartum diem Februarii prox' futurum duximus Prorogand. Ita quod nec vos nec aliquis vestruin ad dictum duodecimum diem Novembris apud Civitatem praedictam comparere teneamini seu arctemini, volumus enim vos & quemlibet vestrum erga nos penitus exonerari. Mandantes & tenore praesentium firmiter injungendo praecipientes vobis & cuilibet vestrum & omnibus aliis quibus in hac parte intererit, quòd ad dictum quartum diem Februarii apud praedictam Civitatem Westmonasterii personaliter compareatis & intersitis, & quilibet vestrum compareat & intersit ad tractand faciend. agend. & concludend. super hiis quae in dicto Parliamento nostro de communi Concilio dicti regni nostri favente Domino contigerint, ordinari. In cujus rei testimonium has Literas nostras fieri fecimus Patentes. Teste meipsa apud Westmonasterium 15. die Octobris Anno Regni nostri 30.
Per ipsam Reginam Ha. Gerrard.
On Tuesday the 4th day of February in the 31. year of her Majesties Reign, to which day the Parliament had been last Prorogued upon Tuesday the 12th day of November foregoing, and accordingly now held, The Queens Majesty was personally present, accompanied by the Lord Chancellor and divers of the Lords both Spiritual and Temporal; but the Original Journal-Book of the Upper House doth not at all mention the presence of any Lords, which happened through the great negligence of Mr Anthony Mason at this time Clerk thereof, yet it may be collected February 8.
The Queen being set under her Cloth of State, and the Lords placed in their Parliamentary Robes according to their several ranks and orders, the Knights, Citizens, Barons and Burgesses of the House of Commons had notice thereof, and thereupon repaired to the said Upper House, and as many of them as conveniently could being let in, stood before the Rail or Bar at the nether end thereof. Then Sir Christoper Hatton Knight Lord Chancellor of England, in a Speech which he used, did at large declare the Queens gracious disposition to peace, and her great wisdom in preserving the same and singular government of the Realm. Next he shewed the great benefit which this Kingdom enjoyed by her government, and remembred her great Conquest over the Spanish late wonderful Army or Fleet on the Seas, videlicet in Anno 30 Reign. Eliz. Anno Domini 1588. He further declared how much the King of Spain remained bent against this Kingdom. And lastly, shewed the Cause of calling this Parliament to be, that by the consent of the most grave and wise Persons now called together out of all parts of the Realm, preparation may as far forth by the Counsel of man as is possible, be made and provided, that Arms, Souldiers and Money may be in readiness; and an Army prepared and furnished against all Events.
The Lord Chancellors Speech being ended, the Clerk of the Parliament read the names of the Receivors and Triors of Petitions in French, according to the usual form, which were these.
Receivors of Petitions for England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland, Sir Christopher Wray Chief Justice, Sir Gilbert Gerrard Knight Master of the Rolls, Sir Robert Shute one of the Justices of Kings Bench, Dr Aubrey and Dr Ford.
Receivors of Petitions for Gascoigne and other Countries beyond the Seas and the Isles, Sir Edmond Anderson Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, Sir Roger Manwood Chief Baron, Francis Windham one of the Justices of the Common Pleas, Dr Clerk and Dr Cary.
Tryors of Petitions for England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland, The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Earl of Darby, the Earl of Worcester, the Earl of Sussex, the Bishop of London, the Bishop of Winchester, the Lord Howard of Effingham Lord Admiral, Lord Cobham, the Lord Grey of Wilton.
Tryors of Petitions for Gascoigne and for other Countries beyond the Seas and the Islands.
The Earl of Oxford great Chamberlain of England, the Earl of Warwick, the Earl of Pembrook, the Bishop of Salisbury, the Bishop of Lincoln, the Bishop of Rochester, the Lord Hunsdon Lord Chamberlain to the Queen, the Lord Lumley and the Lord Buckhurst.
As soon as the Clerk of the Parliament had read these names, and had likewise ended other things of course belonging unto them, viz. That the first Tryors of England, &c. or any four of them, calling unto them the Lord Chancellor and the Lord Treasurer and also the Queens Serjeants, should at their leisure meet together in the Chamberlains Chamber, and that the last Tryors of Gascoigne, &c. or any four of them, calling unto them the Queens Serjeants, the Queens Attorney and Sollicitor, should hold their place when their leisure did serve them to meet in the Treasurers Chamber. Then the Queen continued the Parliament unto a day to come, which is entred in the Original Journal-Book of the Upper House in manner and form following; viz. Ipsa Regina continuavit praesens Parliamentum us que in diem Jovis prox' hora secunda post Meridiem.
On Wednesday the 5th day of this instant February, although the Upper House sate not, yet was one extraordinary Proxy returned or brought in unto the Clerk of the said House, as there had formerly been another of a like nature returned on Monday the third day of the said Month foregoing, which because it was returned before the Parliament it self began, and is entred together with that before mentioned in the beginning of the Original Journal-Book of the said House, it shall not be much amiss to set them down both together in this place, in such manner and form as they are entred in the said Journal-Book, viz.
Vacat. 3. die Februarii introductae sunt Literae procuratoriae Willielmi Assaphen' Episcopi, in quibus Procuratores suos constituit Johannem Archiepiscopum Cantuar' & Johannem Episcopum Roffen, & Hugonem Episcopum Bangoren'.
Nota, That though the word vacat be here placed in the Original Journal-Book of the Upper House in the Margent of this Proxy in such manner and sort as this is transcribed; yet there doth not appear any reason thereof: for as it may be collected by the presence of the Lords set down on Saturday the 8th day of this instant February following, neither the said Bishop of St Asaph was present himself after the said Proxy sent, nor all nor any of his Proctors absent, nor himself dead, which are only causes of a Vacat.
5to Die Februarii introductae sunt Literae procuratoriae Johannis Carliolen' Episcopi; in quibus Procuratorem suum constitiuit Johannem Archiepiscopum Cantuarien'.
Nota, That these Two Proxies are therefore called unusual and extraordinary, because these two Bishops did constitute (the first of them) three Proctors, and the last of them but one; whereas for the most part the Spiritual Lords do nominate two, and the Temporal Lords but one; which may be collected in part out of the very Returns of this Parliament: for of five Spiritual Lords that sent their Proxies, three constituted two Proctors a piece, and of seven Temporal Lords not any nominated more than one.
It is also worth the observation, that the Lord Burleigh the Lord Treasurer had this Parliament four several Proxies sent unto him (entred in the Original Journal-Book of the Upper House in such order as they be here set down) viz. from the Lord Dacres, the Earl of Warwick, Viscount Mountacute and the Lord Lumley.
On Thursday the 6th day of February, to which day the Parliament had been last continued, the Queens Majesty was personally present, coming unto the said Parliament in her accustomed State and Order about three of the Clock in the Afternoon, it being the time appointed for the House of Commons to present their Speaker or Prolocutor, whom they had been authorized to chuse on the last Tuesday when the Parliament first began. And thereupon accordingly the Queen and Lords being set, and the said Knights, Citizens and Burgesles of the House of Commons let into the Upper House, two of the most eminent Personages of the said House did lead up to the Bar of the Upper House George Snagg Serjeant at Law who was chosen the Speaker or Prolocutor of the said House of Commons, who being placed at the said Bar, and silence being made, did in a modest and discreet Speech disable himself by reason of his many imperfections, and humbly desired her Majesty to discharge him of that great place, and to nominate some other more able and sufficient Member of the said House. Whereupon the Lord Chancellor by commandment from the Queen did let him know, that her Majesty did very well allow of his choice, and thereupon encouraged him willingly and chearfully to undertake and execute that charge and place to which he had been by the free and unanimous consent of the House of Commons elected and chosen. Upon which Speech of the Lord Chancellor the said Speaker according to the usual course and form rendring all humble thankfulness to the Queens Majesty for her undeserved goodness towards him in conceiving him able and worthy for the execution of a place of that great charge and trust, and promising his care and readiness with all diligence to undergo the same, he did offer up unto her said Majesty divers petitions in the name and on the behalf of the said House of Commons; first, That during the continuance of this Session, themselves and their necessary attendants and servants might be freed from all suits and arrests; secondly, That they might have free access unto her Majesty upon all urgent and important occasions; and thirdly, That they might have free liberty of speech in the said House to debate and dispute of such matters and things as shall be there purposed: And lastly, He petitioned her Majesty in his own behalf, that if any thing should be mistaken or unwillingly omitted by himself, that she would be graciously pleased to pass by and pardon the same. To which speech the Lord Chancellor by commandment from the Queen shortly replied, That her Majesty was graciously pleased to grant all his said Petitions, and that he the said Speaker and the House of Commons should use and enjoy all such liberties and priviledges as others before them had been accustomed to use and enjoy in the times of her Majesties most noble Progenitors, and withal admonishing them not to extend the said priviledges to any unreverent and misbecoming speech, or unnecessary accesses to her Majesty.
Nota, That the presence of the Lords is here omitted, as it was before upon the first day of this Parliament through the Clerk of the Upper House his great negligence; where also the foresaid Presentment of the Speaker is but shortly set down.
Then followed the continuance of the Parliament, which is thus entred in the Original Journal-Book of the Upper House, viz. the Lord Chancellor by the Queens Commandment continuavit praesens Parliamentum us que in diem Sabbathi prox' hora octava.
On Saturday the 8th day of February, to which day the Parliament had been last continued, were present these Lords Spiritual and Temporal following, viz.
Archiepiscopus Cantuarien'.
Episcopus London'.
Episcopus Winton'.
Episcopus Sarum.
Episcopus Roffen'.
Episcopus Cestren'.
Episcopus Coven'. & Litchf.
Episcopus Gloucestren'.
Episcopus Lincoln'.
Episcopus Petriburgen'.
Episcopus Hereford.
Episcopus Cicestren'.
Episcopus Bangor.
Nota, That though the Bishops names are sometimes placed after the Earls and Viscounts, as they are commonly in all places where they are made Committees; yet in all the Journals of the Upper House where the presence of the Lords is marked, they are always thus placed on the dexter side, in respect chiefly of the Archbishop of Canterburies place, which is before all others next the Prince.
Christopherus Hatton Miles Cancellarius Angliae.
Dominus Burleigh Dominus Thesaurarius Angliae.
Marchio Winton'.
Comes Darbiae Magnus Seneschallus.
Comes Kantii.
Comes Sussex.
Comes Huntingdon.
Comes Bathon.
Comes Pembroke.
Comes Hartford.
Barones.
Dominus Howard Admirallus Angliae.
Dominus Hunsdun Camerarius.
Dominus Audeley.
Dominus Strange.
Dominus Cobham.
Dominus Stafford.
Dominus Gray de Wilton.
Dominus Darcie.
Dominus Sands.
Dominus Windsor.
Dominus Cromwell.
Dominus Wharton.
Dominus Rich.
Dominus Willoughbie.
Dominus North.
Dominus St John.
Dominus Buckhurst.
Dominus Norris.
Nota, That these names of such Lords as were present, are supplied here out of the Original Journal Book of the Upper House on the third day of the Parliament, because it is the first on which their presence is noted, it having been omitted in the two foregoing days by the great negligence of Mr. Anthony Mason at this time Clerk of the said House.
Two Bills of no great moment had each of them their first reading; of which the last was the Bill for the maintenance of Husbandry and for increase of Tillage.
Dominus Cancellarius continuavit praesens Parliamentum us que in diem Lunae prox' hora nona.
On Monday the 10th day of February, to which day the Parliament had been last continued, were four Bills read; whereof the last being a Bill concerning Captains and Souldiers was read secunda vice & commissa Domino Thesaurario, Marchioni Winton', the Earl of Oxford, the Earl of Shrewsbury, Lord Steward, the Earl of Kent, the Earl of Cumberland, the Earl of Sussex, the Earl of Essex, the Bishop of Winchester, the Bishop of Coven' and Litchf. the Bishop of the Lord Admiral, the Lord Chamberlain, the Lord Audley, the Lord Strange, the Lord Cobham, the Lord Grey, the Lord Wentworth, the Lord Cromwell, the Lord North, the Lord Buckhurst and the Lord Norris, Serjeant Puckering and Mr. Attorney.
Nota, That here were Attendants of the Upper House and no Members of it, are made joint Committees with the Lords, which is very usually done in the Parliaments foregoing in the Reign of this Queen; where also the Judges being but meer Assistants of the said House are often nominated Committees also: Whereas in the two last Parliaments of her Majesties Reign, viz. in Anno 39 & Anno 43. and in these latter times of King James and our present Soveraign his Son, these are seldom or never nominated as Committees, but only as Assistants to the Committees to give their advice if they shall be required, and not otherwise. And though the Clerk of the Parliament might at some time mistake and err in setting down such for Committees as were only Commanded to be Attendant upon or Assistant unto the said Committees; yet that he should so often mistake in so many Parliaments, and the rather because such Committees are frequently named divers times in sundry of the several Sessions, it is most unlikely and improbable.
On Friday the 14th day of February the Bill for the more speedy payment of Fines and Tenths was read prima vice.
Memorand. The Lords Committees brought in the Bill concerning Captains and Souldiers with Amendments; and by reason of divers defects in the same Bill, they had framed a new Bill, which new Bill by the consent of all the Lords was received and read prima vice.
Two Bills had each of them one reading; of which the first being a Bill touching Constats of Original Conveyances made to the Queens Majesty was read secunda vice; And the second being a Bill to save discontinuance of Writs of Error upon Errors in the Court of Exchequer, was read secunda vice & commisia Archiepiscopo Cantuar' & Ebor', Domino Senesechallo, three Earls, three Bishops, six Barons, Magistro Rotulorum, Servienti Shuttleworth, Magistro Attornato & Sollicitatori.
Dominus Cobham & Dominus Stafford robis Parliamentariis induti introduxerunt Dominum Talbot, eúm que ad locum suum perduxerunt praeeunte Gartiro principali Reg. Armorum, qui etiam tunica armorum indutus erat.
On Saturday the 15th day of February, to which day the Parliament had been last continued, three Bills were read; whereof two of them, the first being a Bill for maintenance of Houses of Husbandry and Tillage, and the second being a Bill for Horse-stealing and House-burning were read secunda vice & tunc commissae Domino Thesaurario, 4 Comitibus, 2 Episcopis, 8 Baronibus, Justiciar' Gawdie, Servienti Puckering, & Sollicitatori Reginae.
On Monday the 17th day of February, to which day the Parliament had been last continued four Bills were read; of which the first being a Bill for reformation in excess of Apparel was read secunda vice & commissa Domino Thesaurario, 3 Comitibus, 2 Episcopis, 6 Baronibus, Servienti Shuttleworth, & Sollicitatori Reginae. Quod nota.
On Tuesday the 18th day of February, to which day the Parliament had been last continued, were four Bills read; whereof the first being a Bill providing remedy against discontinuance in Writs of Error in the Exchequer and Kings Bench, was read tertia vice & conclusa, and sent to the House of Commons by Serjeant Shuttleworth and Dr. Aubery with three other Bills.
On Thursday the 20th day of February, to which day the Parliament had been last continued, were four Bills read; of which the first being a Bill for having Horse-Armour and Weapons was read prima vice.
On Saturday the 22th day of February, to which day the Parliament had been last continued, were three Bills read; of which the last being a Bill concerning Captains and Souldiers was read tertia vice & conclusa, and together with the two Bills aforesaid sent to the House of Commons by Serjeant Puckering and Doctor Ford.
Three Bills were also sent from the House of Commons, viz. a Bill concerning Informers; and two others of no great moment.
On Monday the 24th day of February, to which day the Parliament had been last continued, were four Bills read; whereof one of them being a Bill for Writs upon Proclamation upon Exigents to be Currant within the County Palatine of Durham, was read secunda vice & commissa Justiciario Gawdie. Quod nota.
On Tuesday the 25th day of February, to which day the Parliament had been last continued, were two Bills read; whereof the first being a Bill concerning Informers was read prima & secunda vice & conclusa, and so expedited.
And the second being a Bill for the abridgment of Proclamations upon Fines to be levied at the Common Law was read secunda vice, wherein the Lords finding some imperfections sent down Serjeant Shuttleworth and Dr Clark to the lower House, to pray a Conference with some of that House; which being yielded, the Lords Ordered for Committees. the Lord Treasurer, the Lord Steward, the Bishop of Winton, the Lord Cobham, the Lord Buckhurst, and the Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas to attend the Lords.
Nota, That here one of the Judges is particularly nominated to attend upon the Lords Committees, which may further prove, that in all those former places where the Judges or the Queens Learned Council are named as Committees, it is no Error nor mistake of the Clerk. So that hence the difference may very well be gathered to be this, That where a Committee of the Lords was formerly used to be selected out to meet with another Committee of the House of Commons, here neither the Judges being but Assistants, nor the Queens Learned Council being but Attendants of and upon that House, were ever nominated or appointed as Joint Committees with the Lords, because the very Members of either House only are then admitted to partake of such matters of weight and secrecy as they do there commonly confer upon: But when the Lords do amongst themselves appoint a Committee to consider only of some ordinary Bill that is to pass their House, and especially if the Bill do concern matter of Law, here it antiently hath been used, and may still without any prejudice to the honour of that House be continued, that the Kings Learned Council but especially the Judges may be nominated as Committees alone or as Joint Committees with the Lords; for in regard that nothing can be absolutely concluded at a Committee, all matters shall still depend upon the resolution of the House, and so no inconvenience shall ensue thereupon.
After the Committees of both Houses had met, the Lords Committees proceeded to the Amendment of the Bill, and afterwards this present day the Bill and Amendments received their second reading and passed the House, and was sent down to the House of Commons to be amended by them, by Dr Carew and Mr Sollicitor.
It appeareth by the Journal-Book, that the House of Commons having yielded to a Conference, did presently chuse Committees, and sent them up to the Upper House.
Two other Bills had each of them one reading in the House, and one Bill was sent up to the Lords from the House of Commons, all being of no great moment.
On Thursday the 27th day of February, to which day the Parliament had been last continued, two Bills of no great moment had each of them one reading; of which the first being a Bill for reformation of excess in Apparel was read secunda vice & commissa uni Comiti & 4 Baronibus.
On Saturday the first day of March, to which day the Parliament had been last continued on Thursday foregoing, two Bills of no great moment had each of them one reading; of which the first being a Bill for Writs upon Proclamations and Exigents to be currant within the County Palatine of Durham, was read tertia vice & conclusa.
This Forenoon also the Lords Committees returned the Bill for the having of Horses, Armour and Weapons, signifying that they could get no meeting but of so small a number as their Lordships would not deal in; so that the whole House presently proceeded to the Question whether it should be ingrossed or no; upon which question asked the Lords with one consent agreed that it should be ingrossed.
On Monday the 3d day of March, to which day the Parliament had been last continued, two Bills of no great moment had each of them one reading; of which one of them was concerning the Sale of Thomas Hanfords Lands towards the payment of his Debts, and another had been this Morning sent up to the Lords from the House of Commons.
These Bills being sent up to the Lords by Sir Francis Knowles Knight Treasurer of her Majestics Houshold, and other Members of the House of Commons, they had also Order to desire of their Lordships in the name of the said House, that Mr. Sollicitor being returned a Member thereof might be suffered to come thither and give his attendance in the same. To which desire of theirs their Lordships a little after sent down word by Mr. Serjeant Puckering and Mr. Attorney General to the said House, that the said Mr. Sollicitor was called by her Majesties Writ to serve in the Upper House long before he was chosen a Member of the said House of Commons, and therefore thought it very fitting he should still continue his attendance in the said Upper House.
Nota, That there is no mention made in the Original Journal-Book of the Upper House of this Question touching the Attendance of the Queens Sollicitor, but it was supplied out of the Original Journal-Book of the House of Commons, fol. 242. a.
On Tuesday the 4th day of March, Two Bills of no great moment had each of them one reading; whereof the latter being a Bill for the sale of Thomas Hanfords Lands, &c. was read secunda vice. Whereupon the Lords Ordered, that as well the said Thomas Hanford, as those that followed the Bill, should be warned to be before them with their learned Councel at the next sitting of the Court, which shall be on Thursday next at nine of the Clock.
Two Bills also of no great moment were this Forenoon sent up to the Lords from the House of Commons; of which the first was the Bill for the better recovery of such costs and damages as shall be adjudged to any person against common Informers.
On Thursday the 6th day of March, to which day the Parliament had been last continued on Tuesday foregoing, the amendments of the Bill for the maintenance of Husbandry and Tillage were read prima & secunda vice & commissae ad ingrossand.
One Bill concerning the preservation of Orford-Haven was brought up to the Lords from the House of Commons.
Three Bills also of no great moment had each of them one reading; of which the first being a Bill to avoid abuses in chusing of Fellows and Scholars was read prima vice.
On Saturday the 8th day of March, to which day the Parliament had been last continued on Thursday foregoing, Three Bills of no great moment had each of them one reading; of which the first being a Bill for the maintenance of Husbandry and Tillage was read tertia vice & conclusa.
Mr Serjeant Shuttleworth and Mr Doctor Awbery were sent down from their Lordships to the House of Commons with two Bills; of which the first was the Bill for maintenance of Houses of Husbandry and Tillage, and the second for reformation of excess in Apparel: both which said Bills had been passed by their Lordships this Morning upon the third reading.
Nota, That the sending down of these two Bills is wholly omitted in the Original Journal-Book of the Upper House through the great negligence of the Clerk of the said House, and is therefore supplied out of the Original Journal-Book of the House of Commons, fol. 245. b.
On Monday the 10th day of March, to which day the Parliament had been last continued on Saturday foregoing, four Bills of no great moment had each of them one reading; of which the last being a Bill for an assurance to be made of the Jointure of Anne Wife of Henry Nevill Esquire, was read secunda & tertia vice & communi omnium Procerum assensu conclusa.
Memorandum. That before the third reading and passing of the Bill for the Jointure of the Wife of Henry Nevill, by which all former Conveyances made by the said Henry Nevill of the Mannors of Waighfield and Wadhurst, &c. in the County of Sussex were made frustrate and void: The Lords Ordered that the said former Conveyances should by the Parties to the same be brought into this House and delivered to the Clerk of the Parliament sealed up, to the end that if it shall please her Majesty to give her Royal Assent, That then the said Indentures and Conveyances should be forthwith cancelled; but if it shall not please her Majesty to give her Royal Assent, Then the said Indenture and Conveyances should be safely re-delivered to the said parties unseen of any, and uncancelled. And to this all the parties agreed, as well before the Lords the Committees, as before the whole House.
Memorandum, That according to the said Order the Deeds mentioned were cancelled the 12th day of May Anno Regni Eliz. 31.
The Bill against Pluralities and Non-residence was this day brought up to their Lordships from the House of Commons.
Nota, That the bringing up of this Bill to their Lordships being omitted in the Original Journal-Book of the Upper House, is supplied out of that of the House of Commons, fol. 246. a.
On Tuesday the 11th day of March, The Bill against erecting and maintaining of Cottages was read tertiâ vice.
Two Bills also of rio great moment were brought up to the Lords from the House of Commons; of which the first was a Bill of four Fifteens and Tenths, and two entire Subsidies granted by the Temporalty.
The Bill for the assurance to be made of the Jointure of Ann the wife of Henry Nevill Esq (which had been sent up to their Lordships from the House of Commons, with another Bill against Informers on Tuesday the 4th day of this instant March foregoing) was this day sent down again to the said House with some amendments by Doctor Aubery and Doctor Cary.
Nota, That the sending down of this Bill from their Lordships to the House of Commons is by the negligence of Mr Anthony Mason, at this time Clerk of the Upper House, wholly omitted in the Original Journal-Book of the said House and is therefore supplied here (as elsewhere also) out of that of the House of Commons.
On Thursday the 13th day of March, to which day the Parliament had been last continued on Tuesday foregoing, the amendments of the Bill for having Horses, Armour and Weapons, was read prima & secunda vice, & commissa ad ingrossand.
The Amendments also and a new Proviso annexed unto the Bill against Informers was read secunda & tertia vice & communi omnium Procerum assensu conclusae; and one other Bill of no great moment had its first reading.
The Bill for the better recovery of Costs and Damages against Informers (which had been sent up to their Lordships on Tuesday the 4th day of this instant March foregoing) was sent down again this day to the said House by Mr Doctor Ford and Mr Doctor Cary.
Nota, That the sending down of this Bill from the Lords to the House of Commons is wholly omitted in the Original Journal-Book of the Upper House, and is therefore supplied out of that of the House of Commons.
On Friday the 14th day of March, The Bill of Subsidy was once read, and the Provision of the Bill for Orford-Haven was read and concluded; and sent to the House of Commons by Serjeant Shuttleworth and Mr Powle.
On Saturday the 15th day of March, Six Bills of no great moment had each of them one reading; of which one being a Bill for the confirmation of the Subsidies of the Clergy, was read prima & secunda vice, & commissa ad ingrossand. And another being a Bill against erecting and maintaining of Cottages was read tertia vice & conclusa, and sent to the House of Commons by Doctor Clark.
On Monday the 17th day of March, to which day the Parliament had been last continued on Saturday foregoing, four Bills of no great moment had each of them one reading; of which the first being the Bill of the Subsidy was read tertia vice & communi omnium Procerum assensu conclusa.
There were also sent up to the Lords from the House of Commons this Forenoon six Bills of no great moment; of which the first was the Bill for reviving and enlarging of a Statute made in the 23d year of her Majesties Raign for repairing of Dover Haven, and the second was the Bill for the preservation of the Haven of Orford in the County of Suffolk.
On Tuesday the 18th day of March, Seven Bills of no great moment had each of them one reading; of which the first being the Bill against the abuses in election of Scholars and Presentation of Benefices was read tertia vice & conclusa; And the scond being a Bill, that the Children of Aliens shall pay Strangers Customs was read tertia vice and concluded, and was sent down to the House of Commons with the former Bill by Doctor Clark and Doctor Cary.
There were also this morning brought up to the Lords from the House of Commons four Bills of no great moment; of which the first was a Bill for the better execution of the Statute made in the 8th year of her Majesties Reign touching Cloth workers and Cloths to be shipped over the Seas, and the second touching Outlawries.
The Two other Bills touching forcible Entries, and touching pleading at large in an Ejectione firmae, which were sent up at this time with the two former, are omitted in the Original Journal-Book of the Upper House and are therefore supplied out of that of the House of Commons.
On Wednesday the 19. day of March. Three Bills of no great moment had each of them one reading; of which the first being the Bill for avoiding of certain Conveyances and other Estates supposed to be procured by Thomas Drewry of the lands of Thomas Hasilrigge with the Amendments was read secunda & tertia vice & conclusa.
On Thursday the 20th day of March, Two Bills of no great moment had each of them one reading; of which the first being a Bill concerning Pleadings in Actions of Trespass for Trespasses under the value of forty shillings was read tertia vice & conclusae.
An Act providing remedy against Discontinuances in Writs of Error in the Exchequer and Kings Bench was brought from the House of Commons.
On Friday the 21th day of March, Four Bills of no great moment had each of them one reading; of which the first being the Bill concerning the Hospital of Lamborne was read tertia vice & conclusa, and sent to the House of Commons by Serjeant Puckering.
There were also sent up to the Lords from the House of Commons this Forenoon three Bills of no great moment; of which the first was a Bill for Writs upon Proclamations and Exigents to be currant within the County Palatine of Durham.
On Saturday the 22th day of March four Bills of no great moment were brought up to the Lords from the House of Commons, of which the first was a Bill for avoiding of certain Conveyances, &c. procured by Thomas Drewry of the Lands and Leases of Thomas Hasilrigg, and the second was the Bill for the better recovery of such costs and damages as shall be adjudged to any person against common Informers.
The Lords having this Forenoon given three readings to the Amendments of the Bill for the better assurance of Lands and Tenements to the maintenance of the free Grammer School of Tunbridge in the County of Kent, did send the same Bill with those new Amendments to be passed also in the House of Commons by Doctor Carew and Mr Powle; the Bill it self having before passed that House, and had been sent up from them to the Lords on Monday the 17th day of this instant March foregoing.
On Monday the 14th day of March, to which day the Parliament had been last continued on Saturday foregoing, the Amendments of the Bill against abuses in Election of Scholars, &c. were read and concluded.
Three Bills of no great moment had each of them one reading; of which the last being a Bill for the repeal of certain Statutes was read secunda vice.
Five Bills were also brought up to the Lords from the House of Commons; of which the first was an Act against the erecting and maintaining of Cottages, sent up with the Amendments from the House of Commons; which said Amendments were thrice read, & communi omnium Procerum assensu conclusae.
Memorand. quod Christopherus Wray Miles Capitalis Justic. de Banco Regis secum adduxit in Parliamento in Camera Parliamenti intra Dominos breve de errore & billam de Regina indorsat. ac Rotul. in quibus continebantur placit. & process. in quibus supponebatur error, & ibidem reliquit transcriptum totius recordi cum Clerico Parliamenti simul cum praedicto breve de errore in Parliamento.
On Tuesday the 25th day of March, Three Bills of no great moment were brought up to the Lords from the House of Commons; of which the first was an Act for confirmation of the Subsidy of the Clergy.
Four Bills also of no great moment had each of them one reading; of which the first being a Bill for the continuance of divers Statutes was read secunda vice.
No mention is made in the Journal-Book of the continuance or Adjournment of the Parliament, which seemeth to have been omitted by the Clerks negligence.
On Wednesday the 26th day of March, Three Bills were read; of which the first being a Bill to avoid secret Outlawries of her Majesties Subjects was read tertia vice, and sent to the House of Commons by Dr Carew. One Bill also of no great moment was sent up to the Lords from the House of Commons.
On Thursday the 27th day of March, divers of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal met, but nothing was done, saving the continuance of the Parliament unto the day next following.
On Friday the 28th day of March, Three Bills were sent up to the Lords from the House of Commons; of which the first was a Bill for Explanation or Declaration of the Statute of the eighth year of H. 6. concerning forcible Entries, the Inditements thereupon found expedite.
A Bill for the Naturalizing of Joice the Daughter of Ralph Esking Gentleman, and Wife of Richard Lambert Merchant, born beyond the Seas, was read secunda & tertia vice, and expedited.
Dominus Cancellarius continuavit praesens Parliamentum us que in Crastinum dimid. horae ante septimam.
On Saturday the 29th day of March, to which day the Parliament had been last continued, one Bill for continuance of divers Statutes was read tertia vice, and sent to the House of Commons by Dr Stanhope and Mr Powle.
Mr Doctor Carew (in some other places also written Carie) and Mr Doctor Stanhop do bring from the Lords two Acts, viz. the Act of the Queens most gracious, general and free Pardon, and also the Act of the two Subsidies and four Fifteenths granted by the Temporalty, which they carried down to the House of Commons, from whence the Bill of Pardon having there passed, it was a little after sent back again unto their Lordships by Mr Fortescue and others.
Nota, That the sending of these two Bills is omitted in the Original Journal-Book of the Upper House, and is therefore supplied out of that of the House of Commons.
The presence of such Lords as attended her Majesty, who was her self this day at the Dissolving of the Parliament in Person, is not much differing from that set down on Saturday the 8th of February foregoing, only the two Earls of Northumberland and Essex then absent attended this day, as also the Lord Strange, the Lord Morley, the Lord Talbot, the Lord Wentworth, and the Lord de la Ware were at this time also present, though not then. Whereas the Lords Audeley and Cromwell then present were now absent; and for the Spiritual Lords it appeareth not at all who were present.
These being thus set, and the House of Commons, with Serjeant Snagg their Speaker, being let into the Upper House, the said Speaker according to the usual form presenting her Majesty with the Bill of two Subsidies and four Fifteenths granted by the Temporalty, desired her Highness graciously to accept thereof as the free testimony of the faithful and loyal respects of their Subjects, and withal desiring her Majesty to give her gracious consent to such Acts as had been prepared and expedited by the two Houses.
After the passing of which Bills the Dissolution of the Parliament is Entred in the Original Journal-Book of the Upper House in manner and form following, viz.
Dominus Cancellarius ex mandato Dominae Reginae tunc praesentis dissolvit praesens Parliamentum.
It should seem that her Majesty gave her Royal Assent, and that this Parliament was Dissolved this present Saturday the 29th day of March in the Forenoon, contrary to the usual course in such cases accustomed; for it appeareth in all other Journals for the most part to have been deferred till the Afternoon; and that this present Parliament was so Dissolved as aforesaid, it appeareth plainly by the last continuance of it on Friday immediately foregoing to this day in the Forenoon half an hour before seven of the Clock, to which early and unusual time of the day I suppose it was continued, because all things might be better expedited against her Majesties coming.