The Journals of Parliaments, Journal 21
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 35 Reginae Eliz. Anno Domini 1592. which began there on Monday the 19th Day of February, and then and there continued until the Dissolution thereof on Tuesday the 10th Day of April Anno Domini 1593.
THERE is little extraordinary in this Journal of the Upper House, save only the return of divers unusual Proxies, and a Speech used by her Majesty her self at the conclusion of the Parliament, which also is supplied out of a certain Journal of the House of Commons, very claborately taken by an Anonymus. And Sir Christopher Haton the late Lord Chancellor being Vide Gulicl. Camd. Annal. Regin. Eliz. edit Lugd. Batavorum An. Dom. 1625. pag. 589.dead since the last Parliament (whose death was occasioned from the grief he conceived at some harsh Speeches of her Majesty used unto him touching divers great sums due unto her from him) Sir John Puckering her Highness Serjeant, (who had been twice before Speaker or Prolocutor of the House of Commons) succeeded him in the full power and priviledges of his place, though not in his title, he having only the Stile of Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England.
The Summons for this Parliament being Returnable, upon this Monday the 19th day of February, it held accordingly, the Queen coming privately by water, accompanied with Sir John Puckering Lord Keeper of the Great Seal, and many of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal. There being present this day these Peers and others ensuing.
Archiepiscopus Cantuarien.
Johannes Puckering Miles Dominus Custos magni Sigilli.
Dominus Burleigh Dominus Thesaurarius Angliae.
Marchio Wintoniae.
Comites.
Comes Oxon. Magnus Camerarius Angliae.
Comes Darby Magnus Seneschallus
Comes Northumbriae.
Comes Salopiae.
Comes Cantiae.
Comes Wigorn.
Comes Cumberland.
Comes Sussex.
Comes Huntingdon.
Comes Bathon.
Comes Pembroke.
Comes Hartford.
Comes Essex.
Comes Lincoln.
Vice-Comes Bindon.
Episcopi.
Episcopus London.
Episcopus Dunelmen.
Episcopus Assaphen.
Episcopus Cestren.
Episcopus Covent' & Lich.
Episcopus Lincoln.
Episcopus Petriburgen.
Episcopus Hertf.
Episcopus Cicestren.
Episcopus Bangor.
Episcopus Wigorn.
Episcopus Landaven.
Episcopus Salopiae.
Episcopus Bathon & Wellen.
Barones.
Dominus Howard mag. Maresc' & Adm. Angliae.
Dominus Hunsdon Camerarius Reginae.
Dominus Strange.
Dominus Morley.
Dominus Stafford.
Dominus Grey.
Dominus Scroope.
Dominus Montjoy.
Dominus Sandes.
Dominus Windsor.
Dominus Cromwell.
Dominus Wharton.
Dominus Rich.
Dominus Willoughby.
Dominus Sheffield.
Dominus North.
Dominus Shandois.
Dominus St. John.
Dominus Buckhurst.
Dominus De la Ware.
Dominus Crompton.
Dominus Norris.
And the Queen and the Lords Spiritual and Temporal having on their Parliamentary Robes, and having seated themselves in their several places, The Knights Citizens and Burgesses of the House of Commons had notice thereof and repaired to the Upper House: Where contrary to the Ancient use and Custome they found the door shut upon them; which happened by reason that divers of the House and others having gotten in privately before and filled up the place at the Bar or Rayl at the lower end of the said House, Sir John Puckering Lord Keeper of the Great Seal by Commandment from her Majesty had already made some enterance into his Speech before the said Knights Citizens and Burgesses had any Notice of it, who sate in their own House expecting to be called up to the said Upper House upon her Majesties coming. But the door at length being opened by her Majesties Commandment about two of the Clock in the Afternoon, as many as conveniently could were let in: Where the Lord Keepers Speech was directly in these words following, or not much differing from them.
He shewed in the first place (as matter of Preface and Ornament not much material) somewhat touching the Antiquity, Nature and use of Parliaments. Then he came to set forth as the principal matter (which her Majesty did desire to have made known and manifest to all her loving Subjects, the great Malice of the King of Spain which he had towards this Realm. And that he shewed by sundry instances as his last Invasion intended, his Forces then addressed out of the Low Countries for that purpose, to have been conducted by the Duke of Parma. And then he proceeded in the rest of his Oration verbatim, or much, to the intent and purpose sollowing.
The high and mighty Ships that then he prepared and sent for that purpose, because he found them not fit for our Seas and such a purpose, he is building of Ships of a less Bulk after another Fashion; some like French Ships, some like the Shipping of England; and many hath he gotten out of the Low Countries. He is now, for the better invading of England, planting him in Britanie, a Country of more facility to offend us than the Low Countries; there he hath fortified himself in the most strong Holds of that Country.
In Scotland he hath of late wrought most of the Nobility to conspire against their King, to give Landing to his Forces there, and to assist him in his Invasion thither. A greater part of the Nobility in Scotland be combined in this Conspiracy, and they have received great Sums of Money for their service therein. And to assure the King of Spain of their assistance, they have Signed and sent their promises sealed to the King.
This Conspiracy the King of Scots was hardly brought to believe, but that her Majesty advertised him thereof, having entertained Intelligence thereof as she hath of all things done, and intended in those parts. And that the King might better advise thereupon, her Majesty hath sent one of her Noblemen now into Scotland, and the King hath assured her Majesty with all his Ability and endeavour to prevent the Spaniard, whose purpose is on the North parts to assault us by Land, and on the South side to invade us by Sea, which is the most dangerous practice that could be devised against us. And now the rage of this Enemy being such, his Forces joyned with other Princes his Adherents, greater, the charge of her Majesty for defence of her Realm both with Forces by Sea and Armies by Land hath been such, as hath both spent the Contribution of her Subjects by Subsidies and what otherwise they have offered her, and also consumed her Treasure; yea caused her to sell part of her Highness's Crown. And it is not to be marvelled how all this is consumed but rather to be thought how her Majesty could be able to maintain and defend this her Realm against so many Realms conspired against us.
Wherefore we her Majesties Subjects must with all dutiful consideration think what is fit for us to do; and with all willingness yield part of our own, for the defence of others and assistance of her Majesty in such an insupportable Charge. Were the cause between Friend and Friend, how much would we do for the relief one of another? But the Cause is now between our Soveraign and our selves: seeing there is so much difference in the Parties, how much more forward ought we to be? The Aid that formerly hath been granted unto her Majesty in these like Cases, is with such slackness performed, as that the third of that which hath been granted cometh not to her Majesty. A great shew, a rich grant and a long summ seemeth to be made, but it is hard to be gotten, and the summ not great which is paid. Her Majesty thinketh this to be, for that the wealthier sort of men turn this charge upon the weaker, and upon those of worst ability, for that one dischargeth himself, and the other is not able to satisfie what he is charged withal.
These things would be reformed by such as are Commissioners in this present service.
Her Majesty further hath willed me to signify unto you, that the calling of this Parliament now is not for the making of any more new Laws and Statutes, for there are already a sufficient number both of Ecclesiastical and Temporal; and so many there be, that rather than to burthen the Subject with more to their grievance, it were fitting an Abridgment were made of those there are already.
Wherefore it is her Majesties Pleasure, that the time be not spent therein: But the principal Cause of this Parliament is, that her Majesty might consult with her Subjects for the better withstanding of those intended Invasions which are now greater than were ever heretofore heard of. And whereas heretofore it hath been used that many have delighted themselves in long Orations, full of verbosity and of vain ostentations, more than in speaking things of substance; The time that is precious would not be thus spent. The Sessions cannot be long, by reason the Spring time 'tis fit that Gentlemen should repair to their Countries, the Justices of Assize also to go their Circuits; So the good hours should not be lost in idle Speeches, but the little time we have should be bestowed wholly on such businesses as are needful to be considered of. And so willed them to Elect a Speaker.
As soon as the Lord Keepers Speech was ended, the Clerk of the Parliament read the names of the Receivors and Triors of Petitions in French according to the ancient use and form, which were as followeth, viz.
Receivors of Petitions for England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland, Sir John Popham Lord Chief Justice of the Kings-Bench, John Clynch one of the Justices of the Kings-Bench, Francis Gawdy another of the Justices of the said Bench, Doctor Awberry and Doctor Ford. They which will deliver Petitions are to deliver the same within six days next ensuing.
Receivors of Petitions for Gascoign and other parts beyond the Seas and the Isles, Sir Edmond Anderson Lord Chief Justice of the Common-Pleas, Sir William Perrian Lord Chief Baron, and Thomas Walmsley one of the Justices of the Common-Pleas, Doctor Cary and Doctor Stanhop. And they which will deliver Petitions, are to deliver the same within six days next ensuing.
Tryors of Petitions for England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Marquess of Winchester, the Earl of Darby Lord Steward of the Queens Houshold, the Earl of Sussex, the Earl of Pembroke, the Earl of Essex, the Bishop of London, the Bishop of Durham, the Lord Howard of Effingham Earl Marshal and Lord Admiral of England, the Lord Cobham, the Lord Grey of Wilton. All these or any four of them calling to them the Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England, and the Treasurer, and the Queens Serjeants when need shall require, shall hold their places in the Chamberlains Chamber.
Tryors of Petitions for Gascoign, and other parts beyond the Seas and the Isles, the Earl of Oxford Great Chamberlain of England, the Earl of Shrewsbury, the Earl of Huntington, the Bishop of Rochester, the Bishop of Lincoln, the Lord Hunsdon Lord Chamberlain to the Queen, the Lord Lumley and the Lord Buckhurst. These or any four of them calling unto them the Queens Serjeants when need shall require, shall hold their places in the Treasurers Chamber.
Nota, That all that which is set down touching the coming up of those of the House of Commons into the Higher House, and the Lord Keepers Speech, being before placed after the names of such Lords Spiritual and Temporal as were this day present, is not found in the Original Journal-Book of the Upper House, but is here inserted partly out of the Original Journal-Book of the House of Commons, and partly out of another very exact Journal of that House which was in my Custody, being very diligently observed and set down by some Anonymus, who was a Member of the said House during this Parliament. And, I have always thought it most fitting in all these several Journals, ever to refer the aforesaid Speeches, the Presentments of the Speakers, and such other Passages as are wholly handled and agitated in the Upper House, to be set down as largely as by any good Authority they may, in the Journal of the same, to which they do most truly and properly belong, and only for Orders sake to give a short touch or remembrance of them in the Journal of the House of Commons.
Finally at the Conclusion of this days business, the Continuance of the Parliament is Entred in the Original Journal-Book of the Upper House in manner and form following, viz.
Dominus Custos magni Sigilli ex Mandato Dominae Reginae continuavit praesens Parliamentum us que in diem Jovis prox' futurum.
On Thursday the 22th day of February, to which day the Parliament had been last continued, the Queens Majesty her self came about three of the Clock in the Afternoon, accompanied by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Sir John Puckering Knight Lord Keeper of the Great Seal, William Lord Burleigh Lord Treasurer of England, the Marquess of Winchester and divers others of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, being for the most part the very same that are by name set down to have been present on Monday foregoing, the first day of this Parliament.
The Queen and the Lords being thus set, the House of Commons had notice thereof, who immediately thereupon came up with Edward Cooke Esquire the Queens Sollicitor, into the Upper House, whom they had Chosen for their Speaker or Prolocutor. Which said Speaker being led up to the Bar at the nether end of the said House, between two of the most Eminent Personages of the House of Commons, who, as soon as silence was made, and the rest of the said House, as many as could conveniently get in, had placed themselves in the space below the said Bar, spake as followeth.
YOur Majesties most loving Subjects, the Knights Citizens and Burgesses of the House of Commons have nominated me, your Graces poor Servant and Subject, to be their Speaker. This their nomination hath hitherto proceeded, that they present me to speak before your Majesty; Yet this their nomination is only as yet a Nomination and no Election, until your Majesty giveth Allowance and Approbation. For as in the Heavens a Star is but opacum Corpus until it have received light from the Sun, so stand I Corpus opacum, a Mute Body, until your Highness bright shining Wisdom hath looked upon me and allowed me. How great a Charge this is, to be the Mouth of such a Body as your whole Commons represent, to utter what is spoken, Grandia Regni, My small Experience, being a poor Professor of the Law, can tell. But how unable I am to do this Office, my present Speech doth tell, that of a number in this House I am most unfit. For amongst them are many grave, many learned, many deep wise men, and those of ripe Judgments: But I am untimely Fruit, not yet ripe, but a Bud, scarcely blossomed: So as I fear me, your Majesty will say, Neglectâ frugi eliguntur folia: Amongst so many fair Fruit ye have plucked a shaking Leaf. If I may be so bold as to remember a Speech (which I cannot forget) used the last Parliament in your Majesties own Mouth, Many come hither ad consulendum qui nesciunt quid sit consulendum, a just reprehension to many as to my self also, an untimely Fruit, my years and judgment ill besitting the gravity of this place. But howsoever I know my self the meanest, and inferiour unto all that ever were before me in this place, yet in faithfulness of service and dutifulness of love, I think not my self inferiour to any that ever were before me. And amidst my many imperfections, yet this is my comfort, I never knew any in this place, but if your Majesty gave them favour; God who called them to the place, gave them also the blessing to discharge it.
The Lord Keeper having received Instructions from the Queen, Answered him.
Mr Sollicitor, Her Graces most Excellent Majesty hath willed me to signify unto you, that she hath ever well conceived of you since she first heard of you, which will appear, when her Highness Elected you from others to serve her self. But by this your modest, wise and well composed Speech, you give her Majesty further occasion to conceive of you, above that which ever she thought was in you; by endeavouring to deject and abase your self and your desert, you have discovered and made known your worthiness and sufficiency to discharge the place you are called to. And whereas you account your self Corpus opacum, her Majesty by the Influence of her Vertue and Wisdom doth enlighten you, and not only alloweth and approveth you, but much thanketh the Lower House, and commendeth their discretion in making so good a Choice, and Electing so fit a Man. Wherefore now Mr. Speaker proceed in your Office, and go forward to your Commendation as you have begun.
The Lord Keepers Speech being ended, the Speaker began a new Speech.
COnsidering the great and wonderful Blessings, besides the long Peace we have enjoyed under your Graces most Happy and Victorious Reign, and remembring with what Wisdom and Justice your Grace hath Reigned over us, we have Cause daily to praise God that ever you were given us; and the hazard that your Majesty hath adventured, and the Charge that you have born for us and our safety, ought to make us ready to lay down our selves and all our living at your Feet to do you service, &c.
After this he related the great Attempts of her Majesties Enemies against us, especially the Pope, and the King of Spain who adhered unto him. How wonderfully we were delivered in Eighty eight, and what a favour God therein manifested unto her Majesty.
His Speech after this tended wholly to shew out of the History of England, and the old State, how the Kings of England ever since Henry the Thirds time have maintained themselves to be Supreme Head over all Causes within their own Dominions. And then reciting the Laws that every one made in his time, for maintaining their own Supremacy, and excluding the Pope, he drew down this proof by a Statute of every King since Henry the Third to Edward the Sixth.
This ended, he came to speak of Laws, that were so great and so many already, that they were fit to be termed Elephantinae Leges. Therefore to make more Laws it might seem superfluous. And to him that might ask, Quid causa ut crescant tot magna volumina Legis? It may be Answered, In promptu causa est, crescit in orbe malum.
The malice of our Arch-Enemy the Devil, though it were always great, yet never greater than now; and that Dolus & Malum being crept in so far amongst men, it was requisite that sharp Ordinances should be provided to prevent them, and all care to be used for her Majesties Preservation.
Now am I to make unto your Majesty three Petitions in the name of the Commons; First, That liberty of Speech and freedom from Arrests, according to the Ancient Custom of Parliament, be granted to your Subjects; Secondly, That we may have access unto your Royal Person to present those things that shall be considered amongst us; Lastly, That your Majesty will give us your Royal Assent to the things that are agreed upon.
But this said last Petition seems to have been mistaken by that Anonymus, out of whom this said Speech is transcribed as aforesaid: for this Petition is proper and usual at the end of a Sessions upon a Prorogation, or of a Parliament upon a Dissolution, when the two Houses have passed divers Acts, which only want the Royal Assent to put life into them. And doubtless the third Petition which should have ensued here, was for freedom from Arrests for themselves and their necessary Attendants, which being wholly omitted, I have before caused to be inserted (though more briefly) in its proper place. And thus this mistake being cleared, the residue of the said Speakers Speech ensueth. And for my self I humbly beseech your Majesty, if any Speech shall fall from me, or behaviour found in me not decent and fit, that it may not be imputed blame upon the House, but laid upon me and pardoned in me.
To this Speech the Lord Keeper having received new Instructions from the Queen, made his Reply; in which he first commended the Speaker greatly for it; And then he added some Examples of History for the Kings Supremacy in Henr. 2. and Kings before the Conquest. As to the deliverance we received from our Enemies, and the Peace we enjoyed, the Queen would have the praise of all those attributed to God only.
And touching the Commendations given to her self, she said, Well might we have a wiser Prince, but never should they have one that more regarded them, and in Justice would carry an evener stroke without exception of persons, and such a Prince she wisht they might always have.
To your three demands the Queen Answereth: Liberty of Speech is granted you; but how far this is to be thought on, there be two things of most necessity, and those two do most harm, which are Wit and Speech: The one exercised in Invention, and the other in uttering things invented. Priviledge of Speech is granted, but you must know what priviledge you have, not to speak every one what he listeth, or what cometh in his brain to utter that; but your priviledge is I or No. Wherefore, Mr Speaker, her Majesties Pleasure is, that if you perceive any idle Heads which will not stick to hazard their own Estates, which will meddle with reforming the Church and transforming the Common-Wealth, and do exhibite any Bills to such purpose, that you receive them not, until they be viewed and considered by those, who it is fitter should consider of such things, and can better judge of them.
To the persons all priviledge is granted, with this Caveat, That under colour of this priviledge, no mans ill doings, or not performing of Duties, be covered and protected.
To the last, free access is granted to her Majesties Person, so that it be upon urgent and weighty Causes, and at times convenient, and when her Majesty may be at leisure from other important Causes of the Realm.
Nota, That these several interlocutory Speeches of the Speaker and the Lord Keeper, are not found in the Original Journal-Books of the Upper House, or the House of Commons, but are supplied out of a very Elaborate Journal of the Passages of the said Commons House, taken by some Anonymous Member thereof this Parliament, and are here inserted; as was also the Lord Keepers Speech upon the first day of the same, upon the reasons there alledged: which see at large set down upon Monday the 19th day of this instant February foregoing in fine diei.
Although the usual Custom in the Original Journal-Book of the Upper House is to place all Proxies upon what days soever returnable, before the beginning of the Journal it self; yet I have conceived it much more methodical to place all such returns in those days upon which they were delivered to the Clerk of the Parliament, and always upon that day on which the first Return was, to make some short observation of that, if it be unusual and extraordinary, and so to refer the view of the residue to their proper days. On this instant Thursday therefore being the 22th day of February, and the second day on which the Upper House sat, was returned only this one unusual Proxy.
22o Die Febr. introductae sunt Literae procuratoriae Johannis Episcopi Carliolen' in quibus Procuratores suos constituit Johannem Archi-episcopum Cantuarien. Johannem Episcopum London, & Matthaeum Episcopum Dunelmen'.
Nota, That this is one of those Proxies which I call unusual and extraordinary, in respect that this Bishop of Carlisle did make or constitute three several Proctors, whereas usually a Spiritual Lord nominateth but two conjunctim & divisim, and a Temporal Lord but one, and that also of their own Order: whence it is plain that these Proxies may not unfitly be stiled unusual, whereby the Spiritual Lords do appoint Temporal Lords for their Proctors, or but one Proctor a piece, or more than two, or when any Temporal Lord nominateth a Spiritual for his Proctor, or constituteth more Proctors than one. And therefore it is worth the observation, that at this very time, of nine Temporal Lords that sent their Proxies this Parliament by her Majesties Licence, but one of them nominated two Proctors. Which see upon Monday the first day of March ensuing, all the rest constituting but one. Yet the Proxies of the Spiritual Lords, being six in number, were all of them unusual and extraordinary; which I conceive is not easily to be patterned in any other Parliaments except the first, which was sent by Edmond Bishop of Norwich, in which he constituted only John Bishop of London and Richard Bishop of Peterburgh his Proctors, and returned on Monday the 19th day of this instant February foregoing, although it be there omitted as a thing usual and not worth the setting down at large. But the other four extraordinary Proxies sent by so many several Bishops see afterwards according to their several Returns upon Saturday the 24th day, and on Tuesday the 27th day of this instant February ensuing; as also on Wednesday the 7th day and on Wednesday the 28th day of March next following.
Where also it may be noted, that John Archbishop of Canterbury had this Parliament five Proxies, viz. From John Bishop of Carliste, John Archbishop of York, Thomas Bishop of Winchester, Matthew Bishop of Durham and Thomas Bishop of Chichester, all which being extraordinary are at large set down in this present Journal in those several days upon which they were returned; so that from this and many other Precedents of former and later Parliaments it is most plain that by the ancient Usages and Customs of the Upper House, any Lord Spiritual or Temporal being a Member thereof, is capable of as many single or Joint Proxies as shall be sent unto him.
Dominus Custos magni Sigilli ex mandato Dominae Reginae continuavit praesens Parliamentum usque in diem Sabbati prox' futur'.
On Saturday the 29th day of February the Bill for restraining and punishing Vagrant and seditious Persons, who under feigned pretences of Conscience and Religion, corrupt and seduce the Queens Subjects, was read primâ vice.
Eodem die retornatum est breve quo Richardus Wigorn' Episcopus praesenti Parliamento interesse summonebatur, & idem Episcopus ad suum praeheminentiae sedendi in Parliament' locum admissus est, salvo cuiquam jure suo.
This day also was one extraordinary or unusual Proxie returned from a Spiritual Lord, who constituted but one Proctor; whereas usually no such Lord constituteth fewer than two: which said Proxie is thus entred in the Original Journal-Book of this Parliament in the beginning thereof in manner and form following, viz.
24. Febr. Introductae sunt Literae procuratoriae Johannis Eboracensis Archi-episcopi, in quibus Procuratorem suum constituit Johannem Archi-episcopum Catuarien'.
On Monday the 26th day of February, retornatum est breve quo Edwardus Dominus Cromwell praesenti Parliamento summonebatur interesse, & idem Dominus ad suum praeheminentiae sedendi in Parliamento locum admissus est salvo jure alieno.
The Writ was returned whereby Gilbert Earl of Shrewsbury was summoned, &c.
The several Writs were also returned whereby George Bishop of Landaff, William Lord Crompton, and Edward Earl of Worcester were summoned.
It seemed by the Journal-Book, that nothing else was done, but the Parliament continued according to the usual form which is entred in the Original Journal-Book of the Upper House in these words following, viz.
Dominus Custos magni Sigilli continuavit praesens Parliamentum usque in diem Mercurii proximè futurum.
On Tuesday the 27th day of February, although the Upper House sat not, yet was there one unusual and extraordinary Proxie returned from a Spiritual Lord, who constituted but one Proctor; which said Proxie was privately delivered in unto the Clerk of the said House, and is entred by him in the Original Journal-Book of the same House in manner and form following, viz.
27. Februarii Introductae sunt Literae procuratoriae Thomae Wintonien' Episcopi, in quibus Procuratorem suum constituit Johannem Archi-episcopum Cantuarien'.
On Wednesday the 28th day of February (to which day the Parliament had been last continued) two several Writs were returned, whereby John Bishop of Bath and Wells, and Matthew Bishop of Durham were summoned to come to this present Parliament, who accordingly were admitted to their several places.
Two Bills also this Morning of no great moment had each of them one reading; of which the first was the Bill for the better Assurance and Confirmation of the Jointure of the Lady Margaret Countess of Cumberland, which was read prima vice.
On Thursday the first 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 the first being the Bill for the Assurance of certain Lands sold to Liste Cave and others, was read primâ vice.
On Saturday the third day of March, to which day the Parliament had been continued on Thursday foregoing, Four Bills of no great moment had each of them one reading; of which the first being against Counterfeiting of Councellors and principal Officers hands, was read primâ vice.
On Monday the 5th day of March, to which day the Parliament had been last continued on Saturday foregoing, Three Bills of no great moment had each of them one reading; of which the second being against Counterfeiting of Councellors and principal Officers hands, was read secundâ vice, & commissa ad ingrossand.
5 Martii introductae sunt literae procuratoriae Henrici Comitis Huntingdon, in quibus Procuratores suos constituit Gulielmum Dominum Burleigh The saurarium Angliae, & Robertum Comitem Essex. Vicecomitem Hereford' & Dominum Ferrers de Chartly: Quod nota.
On Tuesday the 6th day of March, the Bill for the Assurance of Land sold to Lisle Cave was read tertiâ vice.
On Wednesday the 7th day of March, to which day the Parliament had been last continued, Retornatum est breve quo Johannes Salisburien' Episcopus praesenti Parliamento interesse summonebatur, qui admissus est ad suum praeheminentiae sedendi in Parliamento locum, salvo jure alieno.
There was also brought up to the Lords from the House of Commons a Bill for the Naturalizing and making free of William Sidney Son of Sir Robert Sidney Knight, Governor of Flushing, and Dame Barbara his Wife, and of Peregrine Wingfield Son and Heir of Sir John Wingfield Knight, and Dame Susan Countess of Kent his Wife.
And this day also was one extraordinary or unusual Proxy returned from a spiritual Lord, who constituted but one Proctor, whereas usually no such Lord constituteth fewer than two; which said Proxy is thus Entred in the begining of the Original Journal-Book of this Parliament.
7 Martii introductae sunt literae procuratoriae Matthaei Dunelmensis Episcopi, in quibus Procuratorem suum constituit Johannem Cantuariensem Episcopum.
On Thursday the 8th day of March, to which day the Parliament had been last continued, three Bills of no great moment had each of them one reading; of which the first was the Bill for Explanation and Confirmation of the Queens Majesties Title to the Lands and Tenements, late Sir Francis Englefield's Knight, Attainted of High Treason. Not long after this Bill upon the second reading had been committed to ingrossing, according to a certainOrder formerly made by the Lords, Francis Englefield Esquire appeared before them with one of the Learned Councel, who were commanded to declare why an Act for Explanation and Confirmation of the Queens Majesties Title to the Lands and Tenements late Sir Francis Englefield's Knight, Attainted of High Treason, should not pass: And upon Allegations made by the said Learned Councel, the Lords Commanded that they should set them down in writing, and deliver them to the Attorney General; and that on Friday they should attend on the Judges and the Queens Learned Councel at Serjeants-Inn, and shew such Deeds of Conveyance as they made mention of before the Lords: That the said Lords upon Answer of the Judges and Learned Councel might proceed in the said Bill as it should seem best to their Lordships.
On Saturday the 10th day of March, to which day the Parliament had been last continued, the Bill for Naturalizing and making free of William Sidney the eldest Son of Sir Robert Sidney Kt, &c. being read primâ vice, the Lords gave in Commandment to Mr Attorney General to bring on Monday certain Depositions remaining in the Exchequer concerning the Cause of Sir Francis Englefield, after they had first heard the Opinion of the Judges, which was delivered to the Lord Chief Justice of England.
On Monday the 12th 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 the second being the Bill for restraining of Popish Recusants to some certain places of aboad was read tertia vice & conclusa.
On Tuesday the 13th day of March, Two Bills of no great moment had each of them one reading; of which the first being the Bill concerning the Lands of Henry Lord Abergavenny deceased, was read tertiâ vice & conclusa.
The Lords at the Bishop of Worcesters Motion condescended to a Contribution for relief of such poor Souldiers as went begging in the Streets of London, viz. That every Earl should give forty shillings, every Bishop thirty shillings, and every Baron twenty shillings. And appointed the said Bishop and Lord Norris Collectors thereof, and committed the bestowing thereof to the Earl of Essex and the Lord Willoughby of Eresby.
On Thursday the 15th day of March, to which day the Parliament had been last continued, Four Bills of no great moment had each of them one reading; of which the first being the Bill touching the Lord Harowden was read primâ vice.
On Friday the 16th day of March, Two Bills of no great moment, of which the first being against persons Outlawed and such as will not pay their Debts and Duties, was read tertia vice & conclusa.
And then the Lord Keeper continued the Parliament in the usual form to Monday following.
On Monday the 19th day of March, the Bill touching the Lord Harowden was read secunda vice & commissa ad ingrossandum.
On Tuesday the 20th day of March, the Bill touching Sir Francis Englefield's Lands had its third reading and was concluded.
Four Bills were also this Forenoon sent up to the Lords from the House of Commons; of which the second touching the sale of certain Mannors, Lands and Tenements from Valentine Knightley Esq &c. was read prima vice.
On Thursday the 22th day of March, Two Bills of no great moment had each of them one reading; of which the second concerning the Assurance of certain Lands and Tenements to Read Stafford Esquire and Mabell his Wife, and to the Heirs of the said Read was read secunda vice.
On Saturday the 24th day of March the Bill touching the Lord Harowden was upon the third reading concluded.
Four Bills were brought up to the Lords from the House of Commons; of which the second was concerning the lawful deprivation of Edmond Bonner late Bishop of London.
On Monday the 26th day of March, to which day the Parliament had been last continued, Three Bills of no great moment had each of them one reading; of which the first being the Bill for the grant of three entire Subsidies and fix Fifteenths and Tenths granted by the Temporalty was read primâ vice; which said Bill had already passed the House of Commons and had been sent up from them to the Lords on Saturday last.
This Morning also two Bills of no great moment were sent up to the Lords from the House of Commons; of which the second was the Bill concerning the restraining of Popish Recusants to certain places of aboad, &c.
On Tuesday the 27th day of March, Three Bills of no great moment had each of them one reading; of which the first being for the Assurance of certain Lands and Tenements to Read Stafford and Mabell his Wife was read tertia vice & expedit.
On Wednesday the 28th day of March, Three Bills of no great moment had each of them one reading; of which the second being for the grant of three entire Subsidies and Fifteenths, &c. was read secunda vice.
Five Bills also were sent up to the Lords from the House of Commons; of which the first was for restitution in blood of Sir Thomas Parrot Kt, and was read primâ vice.
This day finally was one unusual or extraordinary Proxy returned from one of the Bishops absent at this time from the Parliament (as divers other Peers) by the Licence of her Majesty; in which said Proxy he constituted but one Proctor, whereas the Ordinary Custom is for every Spiritual Lord to nominate two Proctors at the least, and every Temporal Lord but one. This Proxy is thus Entred in the beginning of the Original Journal-Book of the Upper House, viz.
28 Martii introductae sunt Literae Procuratoriae Thomae Cicestrensis Episcopi, in quibus Procuratorem suum constituit Johannem Cantuariensem Episcopum.
On Thursday the 29th day of March, Three Bills of no great moment had each of them one reading; of which the first being the Bill for restitution in blood of Sir Thomas Parrot Kt, was read secunda & tertia vice, & expedit.
On Friday the 30th day of March, Five Bills had each of them one reading; of which the first was the Bill for the grant of three entire Subsidies, &c. granted by the Temporalty; And the last was the Bill of Subsidy granted by the Clergy: Both which Bills at this time, upon their several third readings passed the House.
On Saturday the 31th day of March, Six Bills had each of them one reading; of which the last being the Bill prohibiting Strangers born to sell by way of retail Foreign Wares brought into this Realm, was read secunda & tertia vice, and rejected.
On Monday the second day of April, to which day the Parliament had been last continued, the Bill for Explanation of a Statute made in the thirty third year of Henry the Eighth, touching Grants made to his Majesty and Confirmation of Letters Patents, was read secunda vice.
Six Bills were brought up to the Lords from the House of Commons; of which the second was for bringing in of fresh Water into the Town of Stonehouse in the County of Devon.
On Tuesday the third day of April, Five Bills of no great moment had each of them one reading; of which the fourth being the Bill for the maintenance of the Navigation of England, was read secunda vice.
On Wednesday the 4th day of April, the Bill for Explanation of the Statute made in the thirty fourth year of Henry the Eighth, for confirmation of Letters Patents made by his Highness to others, was read primâ & secundâ vice.
On Thursday the 5th day of April, Three Bills of no great moment had each of them one reading; of which the second being the Bill for Confirmation of Letters Patents to the Mayors, Sheriffs, Citizens and Commonalty of the City of Lincoln was read tertiâ vice & conclusa.
This Morning also this Order following was agreed on amongst the Lords, viz.
WHereas the Lords of Parliament both Spiritual and Temporal assembled in the Parliament Chamber here at Westminster have with one uniform consent, both in their own names and the rest of the Lords now absent, Ordered, that there shall be a charitable relief and contribution made towards the Aid and help of a number of Souldiers that are seen in the time of this Parliament maimed and sore hurt in the Wars of France and Low Countries and on the Seas, for the service of the Queens Majesty and the Realm, and for that purpose have allowed that every Archbishop, Marquess, Earl and Viscount should pay toward their Contribution the sum of forty shilings, every Bishop thirty shillings, and every Baron twenty shillings; for Collection whereof there hath been appointed the Queens Majesties Almoner and the Bishop of Worcester to collect the sums of Bishops; and the Lord Norris to collect the sums payable by the Lords Temporal; which hath been diligently done and received by them from all the Lords Spiritual and Temporal that have been present, and that have attended to their great charge on the service of the Realm in this Parliament: And considering the number of the Souldiers to be relieved therewith, being very many, notwithstanding the Knights, Citizens and Burgesses of the House of Commons have yielded very good and large Contributions according to their Degrees; Yet for the better relief of the said maimed Souldiers, It is by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal that have given their Attendance here, and have charitably and honourably yielded to this Contribution, thought meet, and so it is Ordered and Decreed by them with common and free consent, that all the Lords of Parliament that have been altogether absent in this Sessions, and that shall not have Contributed to this charitable use of relief before the end of this Sessions, shall be required by Letters to be sent to them by the Lords that had their Procuration for their absence, or by Letters from the Lord Keeper of the Great Seal required and charged, to Cause payments to be made according to their Degrees and Vocations the double of the sums of money paid by the Lords that have been here present and continued their Attendance: That is to say, that every Earl that hath been absent, shall pay four pound, the Archbishop of York to pay as much. And every Bishop also absent to pay three pound, and every Baron forty shillings. And for such as have been here present and continued their Attendance at some times though very seldom, having been absent for the more part, it is thought meet, that every such Lord Spiritual and Temporal shall according to their Degrees pay a third part more than the Lords that have been constantly present. All which sums of money they shall cause to be delivered to the hands of the Lord Keeper of the Great Seal, to be afterwards by such Spiritual Lords of Parliament as are chosen for that purpose; distributed to the maimed Souldiers as shall be found to have most need thereof. The like whereof the Commons Assembled in this Parliament have Ordered. For all the Members of that House that are absent and have not paid, are to contribute in double manner. Which Order is thought very just, considering the Lords and others who have been absent and have been at no charge to come up and give their Attendance, may very reasonably and with a great saving to their Charges contribute to this Order. And if any Lord Spiritual or Temporal shall refuse or forbear thus to do, (which is hoped in Honour none will do) there shall be ordinary means used to levy the same.
On Friday the 6th day of April, to which day the Parliament had been last continued, four Bills of no great moment had each of them one reading; of which the second being the Bill for avoiding deceits used in sale of twice laid Cordage for the better preservation of the Navy of this Realm, was read tertia vice & conclusa.
Eight Bills were sent up to the Lords from the House of Commons; of which the last was the Bill to make void the Spiritual Livings of those that have forsaken the Realm and do cleave to the Pope and his Religion.
On Saturday the 7th day of April, Two Bills of no great moment had each of them one reading; of which the first being the Bill for rating of the Wages of Spinners and Weavers, and to reform the falsities of Regrators of Woollen Yarn, was read primâ vice.
On Monday the 9th day of April, to which day the Parliament had been last continued, three Bills were each of them read secundà & tertiâ vice, and so expedited; of which the second was the Bill for the bringing of fresh Water to the Town of Stonehouse in the County of Devon.
Eight Bills also this Morning were sent up to the Lords from the House of Commons; of which the first being the Bill for the Naturalizing of Justice Dormer and George Sheppy being born beyond the Seas, of English Parents, and to put them in the nature of meer English, was read primâ & secundâ vice.
But it doth not appear whether this Bill were committed or no, which did not only happen in this place by the negligence of Mr Anthony Mason at this time Clerk of the Upper House, but also through the whole Original Journal Book of the said House this Parliament; in all which although divers Bills are said to be read the second time, yet it is not at all expressed whether they were thereupon Ordered to be ingrossed, or further to be considered of by some select Committees of the House; one of which of necessity must be put in Execution upon the said second reading of a Bill, both in the Upper House and that of the House of Commons, unless the Bill have its third reading also at the same time and pass the House, or else be dasht upon the question, and so cast out of it.
This Morning finally, Whereas a Bill Intituled An Act touching Power and Liberty to repeal certain uses of a Deed Tripartite herein mentioned of and in certain Lands, Mannors and Tenements of Anthony Cooke of Romford in the County of Essex Esquire, hath been heretofore three times read and assented unto by the Lords, in the which Bill there is no Saving to the Queens Majesty or any other person or persons, of their lawful Estates or Titles; This day there was a Saving drawn for her Majesty and all others, which was offered to this House; and some question and ambiguity did grow, whether the Saving should be now added to the Bill. And in the end it was resolved, that the Saving should be added to the Bill; for that it is usual and requisite to have some Saving in every Bill, and for that there was nothing in the Saving contrary to any matter in the Bill, and that her Majesties Right and all other be saved thereby. Nevertheless upon weighty considerations the Lords have Ordered, that this shall not hereafter be drawn to make any Precedent.
On Tuesday the 10th day of April in the Morning were two Bills read, of which the second being the Bill for the Queens most gracious and general free Pardon, was read primâ vice, and so passed upon the question.
Nota, That the Bill or Act for the Queens general Pardon passeth each House upon the first reading; Whereas other Bills cannot be expedited without being read three times both by the Lords and the Commons.
The Queens Majesty came not till the Afternoon, and therefore in this place through the negligence of the Clerk, the continuing of the Parliament until some hour in the Afternoon is omitted, which should have been inserted in these words, viz.
Dominus Custos magni Sigilli continnavit praesens Parliamentum usque in horam, &c. à Meridie.
Between five and six of the Clock in the Afternoon this present Tuesday, being the tenth day of April, the Queens Majesty, accompanied with her Officers and daily Attendants, came to the Upper House, and as soon as her Majesty with the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and the rest that have place there, were set, the Knights, Citizens and Burgesses of the House of Commons having notice thereof came up with their Speaker, bringing with them the Bill of Subsidy. The said Speaker being placed at the Bar at the lower end of the Upper House, and as many of the House of Commons as could conveniently being let in, after Humble Reverence done to her Majesty spake as followeth:
THE High Court of Parliament, most High and Mighty Prince, is the greatest and most ancient Court within this your Realm. For before the Conquest in the High places of the West-Saxons, we read of a Parliament holden; and since the Conquest they have been holden by all your Noble Predecessors Kings of England.
In the time of the West-Saxons a Parliament was holden by the Noble King Ina, by these words: I Ina King of the West-Saxons have caused all my Fatherhood, Aldermen and wisest Commons, with the Godly men of my Kingdom to consult of weighty matters, &c. Which words do plainly shew all the parts of this High Court still observed to this day. For by King Ina is your Majesties most Royal Person represented. The Fatherhood in Ancient time were these which we call Bishops, and still we call them Reverend Fathers, an Ancient and chief part of our State.
By Aldermen were meant your Noblemen. For so honourable was the word Alderman in Ancient time, that the Nobility only were called Aldermen.
By Wisest Commons is meant and signified Knights and Burgesses, and so is your Majesties Writ de discretioribus & magis sufficientibus.
By Godliest men is meant your Convocation-House. It consisteth of such as are devoted to Religion. And as Godliest men do consult of weightest matters, so is your Highness Writ at this day pro quibusdam arduis & urgentibus negotiis nos, Statum & defensionem Regni nostri & Ecclesiae tangentibus.
Your Highness Wisdom and exceeding Judgment withal careful Providence needed not your Councils: But yet so urgent Causes there were of this Parliament, so important Considerations, as that we may say (for that we cannot judge) never Parliament was so needful as now, nor any so Honourable as this.
If I may be bold to say it, I must presume to say that which hath been often said, (but what is well said cannot be too often spoken) this sweet Council of ours I would compare to that sweet Commonwealth of the little Bees. Sic enim parvis componere magna solebam. The little Bees have but one Governour whom they all serve, he is their King, quia later a habet latiora; he is placed in the midst of their habitations ut in tutissima turri. They forrage abroad, sucking Honey from ever Flower to bring to their King. Ignavnm fuces pccus à praesepibus arcent, The drones they drive away out of their Hives, non habentes aculeos. And who so assails their King, in him immittunt aculeos, & tamen Rex ipse est sine Aculeo.
Your Majesty is that Princely Governour and Noble Queen, whom we all serve; being protected under the shadow of your Wings we live, and wish you may ever sit upon your Throne over us. And whosoever shall not say Amen, for them we pray ut convertantur ne percant, & ut consundantur ne noccant. Under your happy government we live upon Honey, we suck upon every sweet Flower: But where the Bee sucketh Honey, there also the Spider draweth Poyson. Some such venoms there be. But such Drones and Door Bees we will expel the Hive and serve your Majesty, and withstand any enemy that shall assault you. Our Lands, our Goods, our Lives are prostrate at your feet to be commanded. Yea and (thanked be God, and Honour be to your Majesty for it) such is the power and force of your Subjects, that of their own strength they are able to encounter your greatest enemies. And though we be such, yet have we a Prince that is sine Aculeo, so full of that Clemency is your Majesty. I fear I have been too long, and therefore to come now to your Laws.
The Laws we have conferred upon this Sessions of so Honourable a Parliament are of two natures; the one such as have life but are ready to die, except your Majesty breathe life into them again; the other are Laws that never had life, but being void of life do come to your Majesty to seek Life.
The first sort are those Laws that had continuances until this Parliament, and are now to receive new Life or are to die for ever. The other that I term capable of life are those which are newly made, but have no essence until your Majesty giveth them life.
Two Laws there are, but I must give the Honour where it is due; for they come from the Noble wise Lords of the Upper House; the most Honourable and beneficial Laws that could be desired: the one a confirmation of all Letters Patents from your Majesties most Noble Father of all Ecclesiastical Livings; which that King of most renowned memory your Father took from those Superstitious Monasteries and Priories, and translated them to the erecting and setting up of many Foundations of Cathedral Churches and Colledges, greatly furthering the maintenance of Learning and true Religion.
The other Law to suppress the obstinate Recusant and the dangerous Sectary, both very pernitious to your Government.
Lastly, Your loving and obedient Subjects the Commons of the Lower House humbly and with all dutiful thanks stand bound unto your gracious goodness for your general and large Pardon granted unto them, wherein many great offences are pardoned.
But it extendeth only to offences done before the Parliament.
I have many ways since the beginning of this Parliament by ignorance and insufficiency to perform that which I should have done, offended your Majesty, I most humbly crave to be partaker of your Majesties most gracious Pardon.
The Lord Keeper received Instructions from the Queen, and afterwards replied unto the Speaker.
The former part of this Speech was an Answer almost verbatim to the Speakers Oration, very excellently and exactly done: And those things which follow are to this or the like purpose, viz. That her Majesty did most graciously accept of these Services and Devotions of this Parliament, commending them that they had imployed the time so well and spent it in so necessary affairs, save only that in some things they had spent more time than needed. But she perceived that some men did it more for their satisfaction than the necessity of the thing deserved. She misliketh also that such irreverence was shewed towards Privy Councellors, who were not to be accounted as common Knights and Burgesses of the House, that are Councellors but during the Parliament; whereas the other are standing Councellors, and for their wisdom and great service are called to the Council of the State.
That the Queens Majesty had heard that some men in the Cause of great necessity and grant of Aid, had seemed to regard their Country, and made their necessity more than it was, forgetting the urgent necessity of the time and dangers that were now imminent.
That her Majesty would not have the people seared with a report of great dangers, but rather to be encouraged with boldness against the Enemies of the State. And that therefore she straitly charged and commanded that the Mustered Companies in every Shire should be supplied, if they were decayed: And that their Provisions of Armor and Munition should be better than heretofore it hath been used.
That for this offer of three Subsidies, her Majesty most graciously in all kindness thanketh her Subjects: But except it were freely and willingly given, she did not accept of it; for her Majesty never accepteth any thing that is not freely given.
That if the Coffers of her Majesties Treasures were not empty, or if the Revenues of the Crown and other Princely Ornaments could suffice to supply her wants and the Charges of the Realm, in the word of a Prince she doth pronounce it, she would not have charged her Subjects, nor have accepted of this they give her.
The Lord Keeper's Speech being ended, after some time of Intermission, the Queen being set in her Chair of State, used a Princely Speech unto the House; of which the greatest part was to the effect and purpose following, viz.
THis Kingdom hath had many Wise, Noble and Victorious Princes, I will not compare with any of them in Wisdom, Fortitude and other Vertues; but saving the Duty of a Child, that is not to compare with his Father, in Love, Care, Sincerity and Justice, I will compare with any Prince that ever you had, or shall have. It may be thought simplicity in me, that all this time of my Reign I have not sought to advance my Territories, and enlarge my Dominions; for opportunity hath served me to do it. I acknowledge that my Womanhood and weakness in that respect. But it hath not been the hardness to obtain, or doubt how to keep the things so obtained, that only hath withheld me from these attempts: My Mind was never to Invade my Neighbours, or to Usurp over any. I am contented to Reign over mine own, and to Rule as a Just Prince. Yet the King of Spain doth challenge me to be the Quarreller, and the Beginner of all these Wars. He doth me the greatest wrong that can be; for my Conscience doth not accuse my thoughts, wherein I have done him the least Injury; so that I am perswaded in my Conscience, if he knew what I know, he would be sorry himself for the wrong he hath done me. I fear not all his Threatnings, his great Preparations and mighty Forces do not stir me: For though he come against me with a greater Power than ever was his Invincible Navy, I doubt not but (God assisting me, upon whom I always trust) I shall be able to defeat him and overthrow him. For my Cause is Just. I heard say when he attempted his last Invasion, some upon the Sea-Coasts forsook their Towns and fled up higher into the Country, and left all naked and exposed to his Entrance: But I swear unto you, By God, if I knew those persons, or may know of any that shall do so hereafter, I will make them know and feel what it is to be so fearful in so urgent a Cause.
The Subsidy you give me I accept thankfully, if you give me your good will with it; but if the necessity of the time and your Preservations did not require it, I would refuse it. But let me tell you, the summ is not so much, but that it is needful for a Prince to have so much always lying in her Coffers for your defence in time of need, and not be driven to get it when she should use it.
You that are Lieutenants and Gentlemen of Command in your Countries, I require you to take care and special Order, that the people be well Armed and in readiness upon all occasions.
You that be Judges and Justices of Peace, I Command and straitly Charge you, that you see the Law to be duly executed, and that you make them living Laws when we have put life into them.
Thus with most gracious thanks to the House her Princely Speech ended.
Note, That the several Interlocutory Speeches of the Speaker and the Lord Keeper immediately foregoing, with the coming up of the said Speaker and the rest of the House of Commons into the Upper House, are not found in the Original Journal-Book of the same House, but are here inserted partly out of the Original Journal-Book of the House of Commons, and partly out of another very exact Journal of that House which was in my Custody, being very diligently observed and set down by some Anonymus, who was a Member of the said House during this Parliament, out of which the said Speeches were written almost verbatim. And I have always thought it most fitting in all those several Journals, ever to refer such like Speeches and other Passages as are wholly handled and agitated in the said Upper House, to be set down as largely as by any good Authority they may in the Journal of the same, to which they do most truly and properly belong, and only for order sake to give a short touch or remembrance of them in the Journal of the House of Commons.
After the before-recited Speeches were ended as aforesaid, then were the Titles of all the Acts read in their due order. Which manner of the Clerk of the Upper House his reading, and of her Majesties Answering to the said Acts, is not thus exactly set down in the Original Journal of this Parliament, but is supplied out of another of the Queens time, and doth alike serve in all places, because the same form is still continued.
And first the Bill of Subsidies, to which the Clerk of the Parliament standing up did read the Queens Answer in manner and form following, viz.
La Roigne remercie ses loyaulx subjectes, accepte leur benevolence, & ainsi le venlt.
The Clerk of the Parliament having read the Queens Acceptance; and thanks for the Subsidies given as aforesaid, did then upon reading of the Pardon pronounce in these French words following, the thanks of the Lords and Commons for the same.
Les Prelats, Seigneurs & Communes en ce present Parlament assembles, au nom de tous vostres autres subjects remercient tres humblement vostre Majeste & prient à dieu, que il vous done en sancte bonne vie & longue.
Nota, That here to the Bill of Subsidy, because it is the meer gift of the Subject, the Queens Consent is not required for the passing of it, but as it is joined with her thankful acceptance; nor to the Bill of Pardon, because it is originally her free gift, is other circumstance required than that the thankful acceptance thereof to the Lords and Commons be likewise expressed, it being but once read in either House before it come thus (at last) to be expedited. Now to all other Bills either private or publick the Queens express consent, though in differing words, is always requisite, as followeth, viz.
The publick Acts were read, to every one of which allowed by the Queen the Clerk of the Parliament read in French these words following, viz.
La Roigne le veult.
To every private Act that passeth, the said Clerk of the Parliament reads the Queens words in these French words following, viz.
Soit fait come il est desire.
These two last Answers to the publick and private Acts that past, are to be written by the Clerk of the Parliament at the end of every Act.
To such Acts as her Majesty doth forbear to allow, the Clerk of the Parliament reads in French these words following, viz.
La Roigne s'advisera.
After which ended, the Dissolution of the Parliament followed in these words, viz.
Dominus Custos magni Sigilli ex mandato Dominae Reginae tunc praesentis, dissolvit praesens Parliamentum.