The Journals of Parliaments, Journal 5 · Letter – Part

The Journals of Parliaments · Journal 5 · Letter – Part

p. 102ELizabeth, by the Grace of God, Queen of England, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c. To our Trusty and well Beloved, Sir Robert Catlin Knight, Chief Justice of the Pleas to be holden before us, Greeting.

Where our right trusty and well-beloved Councellor, Sir Nicholas Bacon Knight, Lord Keeper of our Great Seal of England, is at this present sore visited with sickness, that he is not able to travel to the Upper House of this our present Parliament, holden at Westminster, nor there to supply the room and place in the said Upper House amongst the Lords Spiritual and Temporal there Assembled, as to the Office of the Lord Chancellor, or Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England, hath been accustomed, We, minding the same place and room to be supplied in all things, as appertaineth, have named and appointed you, from day to day, and time to time hereafter, during our pleasure, to use and occupy the place and room of the said Lord Keeper, in our said Upper House of Parliament, amongst the said Lords Spiritual and Temporal there Assembled; and there to do and execute in all things from day to day, and time to time, as the said Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England, should and might do, if he were there present, using and supplying the same place. Wherefore we will and Command you the said Sir Robert Catlin, to attend unto and about the Executing of the premisses with effect. And these our Letters Patents shall be your sufficient Warrant, and discharge for the same, in every behalf. In Witness whereof we have caused these our Letters to be made Patents.

Witness our Self at Westminster the 25^th day of October, in the Eighth Year of Our Reign. Martin.

The Bill to repeal a branch of a Statute made in the 23^th Year of Henry 8. touching prices of Barrels and Kilderkins, was read tertiâ vice, and by common consent of all the Lords concluded.

Dominus Capitalis Justiciarius continuavit praesens Parliamentum usque in diem Sabbati proximum.

On Saturday the 26^th day of October, the Bill declaring the manner of making and Consecrating of the Archbishops and Bishops of this Realm, to be good, lawful and perfect, was read primâ vice.

Memorandum, The Lords after deliberate Consultation and advice taken, how to proceed in the great matters of Succession and Marriage, before moved by the House of Commons, did this present day send Serjeant Carus, and M^r Attorney down unto them, to signifie that they would a chosen number should be sent up unto them, for their knowledge to be had of the same. Vide concerning this business on Wednesday the 30^th day of October, now next ensuing; as also on Tuesday the 5^th day of November following.

Dominus Capitalis Justiciarius continuavit praesens Parliamentum us que in diem Lunae prox.

October the 27^th Sunday.

On Monday the 28. day of October, Sir Robert Catlyn Knight, Lord Chief Justice of the Kings Bench (supplying the place of the Lord Keeper, at this time sick of the Gout, as is before-mentioned) with divers other Lords Spiritual and Temporal, met in the Upper House; but nothing appeareth to have been done in the Original Journal of the same House, only the continuance of the Parliament unto Wednesday next following.

On Wednesday the 30. day of October, Two Bills of no great moment, had each of them one reading; of which the second being the Bill declaring the manner of making and Consecrating of Archbishops and Bishops of this Realm to be good, lawful, and perfect, was read secundâ vice.

The Lords whose names are here next after written, were appointed to have Conference with a setled number of the House of Commons, touching Petition to be made to the Queens Highness, as well for the Succession, as for her Marriage, viz.

The Archbishop of York.

The Lord Treasurer.

The Duke of Norfolk.

The Marquess of Northampton.

The Earl of Northumberland.

The Earl of Westmorland.

The Earl of Shrewsbury.

The Earl of Worcester.

The Earl of Sussex.

The Earl of Huntingdon.

The Earl of Warwick.

The Earl of Bedford.

The Earl of Pembroke.

The Earl of Leicester.

Viscount Mountague.

Viscount Bindon.

The Bishop of London.

The Bishop of Durham.

p. 103The Bishop of Winchester.

The Bishop of Worcester.

The Bishop of Lincoln.

The Bishop of Rochester.

The Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield.

The Lord Admiral.

The Lord Chamberlain.

The Lord Morley.

The Lord Cobham.

The Lord Grey.

The Lord Wentworth.

The Lord Windsor.

The Lord Rich.

The Lord Sheffeild.

The Lord Paget.

The Lord North.

The Lord Haistings of Loughborough.

The Lord Hunsdon.

It should seem that the Lords had intended at first to have appointed but thirty of themselves, to have joined with the House of Commons, about the foresaid Treaty or Conference, to be had between them, touching the said great matters of Succession and Marriage, however it fell out afterwards, as appeareth by the names above set down, that they appointed more: for it appeareth plainly by the Original Journal-Book of the House of Commons, (although there be no mention at all of it in that of the Upper House) that the Lords did this day send down word unto the House of Commons, by M^r Serjeant Carus, and M^r Attorney, that they had Chosen thirty of themselves, to consult and confer with a Select Committee of the said House, touching the foresaid great business: touching which see more on Tuesday the 5^th day of November following.

Dominus Capitalis Justiciarius continuavit praesens Parliamentum us que in diem Jovis prox.

On Thursday the 31^th day of October, the Bill for declaring the manner of making and Consecrating of the Archbishops and Bishops of this Realm, to be good, lawful and perfect, Commissa est to the Chief Justice of the Common-Pleas, Justice Southcote and Attorney General.

The Bill for annexing of Hexamshire to the County of Northumberland, was read secundâ vice.

The House of Commons appointed Sir Edward Rogers Knight, Comptroller of her Highness Houshold, Sir Francis Knolles her Majesties Vice-Chamberlian, Sir William Cecill, her Highness Chief Secretary, Sir Ambrose Cave Knight, Chancellor of her Dutchy of Lancaster, Sir William Peeter, Sir Ralph Sadler, Sir Walter Mildmay Knights, all of her Highness Privy-Council, and divers other Members of the House of Commons, to have Conference with the Lords aforenamed (whose names see on yesterday foregoing) touching those two great matters of the Succession and Marriage, to be dealt in by Petition to her Majesty. As see more at large upon to Morrow ensuing in the Afternoon.

Dominus Capitalis Justiciarius continuavit praesens Parliamentum us que in diem Martis 5 die Novembris prox.

On Tuesday the 5^th day of November, the Bill for the annexing of Hexamshire unto the County of Northumberland, and the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of the same unto the See of the Bishoprick of Durham, was read tertiâ vice, & communi omnium Procerum assensu conclusa.

The Nobles under-named were appointed to wait on the Queens Highness this Afternoon, with thirty of the House of Commons, by her Highness special Commandment.

The Archbishop of York.

The Lord Treasurer.

The Duke of Norsolk.

The Marquess of Northampton.

The Earl of Northumberland.

The Earl of Westmerland.

The Earl of Shrewsbury.

The Earl of Worcester.

The Earl of Huntingdon.

The Earl of Sussex.

The Earl of Warwick.

The Earl of Bedford.

The Earl of Pembroke.

The Earl of Leicester.

Viscount Mountague.

Viscount Bindon.

The Bishop of London.

The Bishop of Duresm.

The Lord Clinton Lord Admiral.

The Lord Howard of Effingham, Lord Chamberlain.

The Lord Morley.

The Lord Lumley.

The Lord Rich.

The Lord Sheffeild.

The Lord Paget.

The Lord North.

The Lord Haistings of Loughborough, and

The Lord Hunsdon.

Dominus Capitalis Justiciarius continuavit praesens Parliament. us que in diem Crastinum hora consueta.

But there is no mention at all in the Original Journal-Book of the Upper House, to what end or purpose the Lords above-mentioned, with those thirty Members of the House of Commons, repaired to her Majesty; which doubtless fell out by the great negligence (in a matter of so great weight) of Francis Spilman Esq, Clerk of the Upper House, and therefore I have thought fitting and necessary to supply it at large, partly out of the Original Journal-Book of the House of Commons, and partly out of other several Manuscript Memorials, I had by me; all which in their proper place I have particularly vouched. It is therefore in the first place to be noted, as fit matter of preparation to that which follows, that these two great matters touching her Majesties p. 104Marriage, and the Declaration of a certain Successor, were agitated in the House of Commons in the first Session of this present Parliament, in An. 5 Regin. Eliz. and thereupon the greatest part of the said House, with Thomas Williams their Speaker, did prefer a Petition to her Majesty, upon Thursday the 28^th day of January, in the said fifth Year of her Majesties Reign, by her Allowance; in which having humbly supplicated her Majesty to Marry, or in default of Issue of her own Body, to declare a certain Successor, they received a gracious Answer. But now the same Parliament reassembling again to this second Session thereof in the eighth year of the Reign of the Queen, and finding nothing to have been acted by her Majesty in either kind; but that she remained still a Virgin, without all likelyhood of Marriage, and that the Succession of the Crown depended upon great uncertainties; some holding the Queen of Scots to have best Right, others the Countess of Lenox, being the Daughter of Margaret of England, by Archibald Douglass Earl of Anguisse, her Second Husband; and others also argued very strongly for Catherine Countess of Hartford, being the Daughter and Coheir of Henry Grey Marquess Dorset, and Frances his Wife, the Eldest Daughter and Coheir of Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolk, by Mary the French Queen, being the youngest Daughter of Henry the Seventh; and especially seeing that the Queen of Scots, having Married the Lord Darley, (whom she had Created Duke of Albany, and had by him Issue a Son born before the beginning of this Session of Parliament, who afterwards was Monarch of Great Britain) and duly considering also, that the Scottish Queen had, during the Life of the French King her Husband, by his means pretended a right to the Kingdom of England, before the Queen her self, in respect of the Popes Authority; and that some also did not stick to set a broach the Title of the Lady Elianor, being the younger Sister and Coheir with the Countess of Hartford, Married to the Earl of Cumberland: therefore I say all these said premisses being duly weighed by both the said Houses of Parliament, it made them to be more earnest in Petitioning her Majesty at this time, to the same effect; although it seemeth that the Petition delivered at this time, was chiefly preferred in the name of the Lords of the Upper House, as that other Petition had formerly been preferred in the Name of the Commons, in the first Session of this Parliament, in An. 5 Regin. Eliz. whence it hath come to pass, that neither of these Petitions being set down in the Original Journal-Book of the Upper House of Commons, in either of these two Sessions of Parliament, the times of their delivery have been exceedingly confounded together, in all such several Copies as I have perused of them; in which, as also in Sir Robert Cotton's first Volume of the Journals of Parliament of the Queens time (which are very imperfect and fragmentary) they are erroneously Entred to have been both delivered in An. 1563. in which Year, as also in part of the Year 1562. the Session in An. 5 Regin. Eliz. was continued.

Post Meridiem.

The Archbishop of York, the Lord Treasurer, and the other Lords, whose names are mentioned in the former part of this day, with Sir Edward Rogers Knight, Comptroller of her Highness Houshold, and Sir William Cecill Knight, her Majesties Principal Secretary, and divers other Members of the House of Commons, repaired to her Majesty this Afternoon, being at her Palace of Whitehall, to receive Answer from her Highness, touching those two great businesses of her Marriage, and the Declaration of her Successor, as appeareth plainly by the Original Journal-Book of the House of Commons, fol. 266. a. where the report of her Majesties Answer is set down, which she gave this Afternoon; although there be no mention at all thereof in the Original Journal-Book of the Upper House. And that this was the cause and ground of their attending upon her Majesty at this time, appeareth also plainly by a certain Manuscript Memorial, or Diary, kept and set down by Sir William Cecill, her Highness Principal Secretary (and afterwards Lord Treasurer of England) of the passages of the greatest part of her Majesties Reign: in which the words are as followeth.

Nov. 5. The Queen had before her thirty Lords and thirty of the Commons of the Parliament, to receive her Answer concerning the Petition for the Succession, and for Marriage.

But whether the Lords preferred their said Petition this Afternoon, or whether they had supplicated her Majesty any time before, doth not any where certainly appear; neither can I possibly gather further than by conjecture: and so it is most probable, that though her Majesty had notice before, what their Petition was, yet it was not preferred till this Afternoon. For but on Saturday Morning foregoing, which was the second day of this instant November, it is plain, that the Committees of the House of Commons (as appeareth by the Original Journal-Book of the same House, on Thursday the 31^th day of October, fol. 264. b. on which day the said meeting of the Committees was appointed) did then meet to consider and agree upon such reasons, as they should shew to the Committees of the Lords; whereby they might induce her Majesty, both to encline to Marriage, and to declare a Successor.

And however Sir Nicholas Bacon Knight, Lord Keeper of the Great Seal, be not nominated in either of the Original Journal-Books of the Upper House, and House of Commons, to have been present with the before-mentioned Lords and others; yet it is plain, that if the said Petition was preferred this Afternoon, or whensoever else, it was delivered from his mouth; as may be p. 105gathered from the very Petition it self ensuing; and is so also expresly set down by M^r Camden in Annal Regin. Eliz. edit. Lugdun. Batav. A. D. 1625. pag. 99. and though he had abstained a while about this time from the Upper House, by reason of his infirmity of the Gout, yet he was now in the way of amendment and recovery, repairing again to the said House on Saturday the 9. day of this instant November ensuing; and therefore might very well meet the before-mentioned Lords, and other the selected Members of the House of Commons, at the Court this Afternoon.

So then, it being most probable that the Lords did both prefer their Petition this Afternoon to her Majesty, touching those two great matters of the Marriage and Succession, and also received her Majesties Answer; Therefore the said Petition doth here first ensue, which the Lord Keeper pronounced in these or the like words following.

MOST humbly beseecheth your Excellent Majesty, your Faithful Loving and Obedient Subjects, all your Lords both Spiritual and Temporal Assembled in Parliament in your Upper House, to be so much their good Lady and Soveraign, as according to your accustomed benignity, to grant a Gracious and Favourable Hearing to their Petitions and Suits, which with all Humbleness and Obedience, they are come hither to present to your Majesty, by my Mouth, in matters very nearly and dearly touching your most Royal Person, the Imperial Crown of this your Realm, and Universal Weal of the same; which Suits, for that they tend to the surety and preservation of these three things, your Person, Crown and Realm, the Dearest Jewel that my Lords have in the Earth; therefore they think themselves for divers respects greatly bound to make these Petitions; as first by their Duty to God, then by their Allegiance to your Highness, and lastly, by the Faith they ought to bear to their natural Country.

And like as, most Gracious Soveraign, by these Bonds they should have been bound to make the like Petition upon like occasion to any Prince, that it should have pleased God to have appointed to Reign over them; so they think themselves doubly bound to make the same to your Majesty, considering that besides the Bond before-mentioned, they stand also bound so to do, by the great and manifold benefits they have and do receive daily at your Highness hands; which, shortly to speak, be as great as the Fruits of Peace, common quiet and Justice can give; and this with great care and charge to your Self. And thus, my Lords diversly bound, as your Majesty hath heard, are now to open to your Highness their humble Petitions and Suits, consisting in two points chiefly; which not sundrily, or the one without the other, but both jointly they desire your Highness to assent to; The Former is, that it would please your Majesty to dispose your self to Marry, where it shall please you, with whom it shall please you, and as soon as it shall please you. The second, that some such limitation might be made, how the Imperial Crown of this Realm should remain, if God call your Highness without Heirs of your Body (which our Lord defend) so as these Lords and Nobles, and other your Subjects then living might sufficiently understand, to whom they should owe their Allegiance and Duty due to be done by Subjects, and that they might by your Majesties Licence, and with your Favour treat and confer together this Parliament time, for the well-doing of this. The former of these two, which is your Marriage, they do in their hearts most earnestly wish, and pray, as a thing that must needs breed and bring great and singular comfort to your Self, and unspeakable joy and gladness to all true English Hearts. But the second carrieth with it such necessity, that without it they cannot see how the safety of your Royal Person, the preservation of your Imperial Crown and Realm, shall be, or can be sufficiently and certainly provided for.

Most Gracious and Soveraign Lady, The Lamentable and pitiful Estate and Condition, wherein all your Nobles and Councellors of late were, when it pleas'd God to lay his heavy hand upon you, and the amazedness that most men of understanding were by the Fruit of that Sickness brought into, is one cause of this their Petition; The second the aptness and opportunity of the time, by reason of this Parliament, whereby both such advice, consideration and consent, as is requisite in so great and weighty a cause, may be better heard and used, than at any other time, when no Parliament is. The third, for that the assenting and performing of these Petitions, cannot as they think but breed great terror to our Enemies, and therefore must of necessity bring great surety to your Person, and especially by addition of such Laws, as may be joined with this limitation for the certain and sure observing of it, and preserving of your Majesty against all practices and chances. The fourth Cause, for that the like (as it is supposed) hath been done by divers of your Noble Progenitors, both of old time and of late days; and also by other Princes your Neighbours of the greatest Estate in Europe, and for that Experience hath taught, that good hath come of it. The fifth, for that it appeareth by Histories, how that in times past, persons Inheritable to Crowns being Votaries and Religious, to avoid such dangers as might have hapned for want of Succession to Kingdoms, have left their Vows and Monasteries, and taken themselves to Marriage, as Constantia a Nun, Heir to the Kingdom of Sicily, Married after fifty Years of Age, to Henry the Sixth Emperour of that name, and had Issue Frederick the Second. And likewise Peter of Aragon, being a Monk, Married, the better to establish and pacify that Kingdom. Again, Antonius Pius is as much commended, for that not two days before p. 106his Death, he said to his Council, Laeto animo morior, quoniam filium vobis relinquo. Pyrrhus is of all Godly men detested, for saying he would leave his Realm to him that had the sharpest Sword. What but want of a Successor known, made an end of so great an Empire as Alexander the Great did leave at his Death? The sixth cause is, for that my Lords do judge the performing of this will breed such an universal gladness in the Hearts of all your true and loving Subjects, that likely and probably you shall find them in all Commandments ready and glad to adventure their Goods, Lands and Lives in your Service, according to their bounden Duties, which of necessity must breed great surety also to your Majesty.

The seventh cause, because the not doing of this (if God should call your Highness without Heir of your Body (which God grant never be seen, if it be his Will) and yet your Majesty right well knoweth, that Princes and their Offspring, be they never so great, never so strong, never so like to live, be yet Mortal, and subject every day, yea every hour to Gods Call) my Lords think, this happening, and no limitation made, cannot, by their Judgments, but be the occasion of every evident and great danger and peril to all Estates and sorts of men of this Realm, by the Factions, Seditions and Intestine War, that will grow through want of understanding to whom they should yield Allegiance and Duty; whereby much innocent blood is like to be shed, and many of those to lose their Lives, that now would gladly bestow them for your sake, in your Majesties Service. The eighth, for that the not performing of this, the other happening, doth leave the Realm without Government, which is the greatest danger than can happen to any Kingdom. For every Prince is anima Legis, and so reputed in Law; and therefore upon the Death of Princes the Law dyeth; all the Offices of Justice, whereby the Laws are to be Executed, do cease; all Writs and Commandments to call parties to the Execution of Justice, do hang in suspence; all Commissions for the Peace and for the punishment of Offendors do determine, and lose their force; whereby it followeth consequently, that Strength and Will must Rule, and neither Law nor Reason, during such a Vacation and inter-Reign; wherein such an incertainty ofSuccession is like to last so long, as it is to be feared (if Gods mercy be not the greater) that thereby we may become a prey to Strangers (which our Lord defend) or at least lose the great honour and estimation that long time hath pertained to us.

And like as, most Gracious Soveraign, my Lords have been moved for the Worldly respect aforesaid, to make these their humble Petitions to your Majesty, so by the Examples, Counsels, yea and Commandments, that they have heard out of the sacred Scriptures, and for Conscience sake they feel themselves constrained, and enforced to do the like. God, your Highness knoweth, by the course of the Scriptures hath declared Succession and having of Children to be one of the principal Benedictions in this Life; and on the contrary he hath pronounced contrary wise; and therefore Abraham pray'd to God for Issue, fearing that Eliazar his Steward should have been his Heir; and had promise that Kings should proceed of his Body. Hannah the Mother of Samuel, pray'd to God with tears for Issue. And Elizabeth (whose name your Majesty beareth) Mother to John the Baptist, was joyful when God had blessed her with Fruit, accounting her self thereby to be delivered from reproach.

And as this is a blessing in private Houses, so is it much more in Kingdoms, as it plainly appeareth by the two Kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Unto the Kingdom of Judah, containing but two Tribes or thereabouts, God gave Lineal Succession by Descent of Kings; and therefore it continued a long time. The Kingdom of Israel, containing ten Tribes or thereabouts, often destitute of lawful Heirs, the one half of the people following the one, and the other half following the other, by Wars and Seditions being weakned, came soon to ruine, as plainly appeareth by the third and fourth Book of Kings.

And again in the time of the Judges, because there was no ordinary Succession, the people were often-times overcome, and carried into Captivity. Besides, it is plain by the Scriptures, that Godly Governors and Princes (as Fathers of their Countries) have always been careful to avoid the great evil that might ensue, through want of limitation of Succession, therefore Moses did enjoin Joshua to be his Successor, and David his Son Solomon, whereby a Sedition was appeased, begotten by Adonijah; of this there be many Examples.

Further, seeing it may be easily gathered by Experience of all Ages past, that Civil Wars, effusion of Christian Blood, and consequently ruines of Kingdoms, do follow, where Realms be left without a certainty ofSuccession; and your Majesty is also informed of the same, and sued unto for redress; if therefore now no sufficient remedy should be by your Highness provided, that then it should be a dangerous burthen before God to your Majesty, and you were to yield a strict account to God for the same; considering you are placed, as the Prophet Ezechiel saith, in Altissimo speculo of this Common-Wealth, and see the Sword coming, and provide no remedy for the defence of it. Lastly, The Spirit of God pronounceth by the Mouth of S^t Paul to Timothy, that whosoever maketh no due Provision for his Family, is in very great danger to Godward; and also by the Mouth of S^t John, that whosoever seeth but one Brother in necessity, and doth shut up the Bowels of Pity and Compassion from him, hath not the Love of God remaining in him; whereby it is plain and manifest, how fearful a thing it were, if this whole Realm containing so many Families, were not in a perillous Case upon their Suit provided p. 107for; or if the Bowels of Mercy should be shut up from so many thousands, which every way were like to fall into most extream miseries, if God should call your Highness without certainty of Succession; which we pray to God may never happen.

Most Excellent Princess, the places of Scriptures containing the said threatnings be set forth with more sharp words, than be here expressed. Thus, most Gracious Soveraign, your Lords and Nobles, both Spiritual and Temporal, have as briefly as they can first shewed to your Majesty, how diversly they take themselves bound, to make these their humble Petitions unto you: And then, what their Petitions be; And after that, what reasons for Worldly respects, and what by the Scriptures and for Conscience sake, have moved them thus to do; which here upon their Knees, according to their bounden Duty, they most humbly and earnestly pray your Majesty to have consideration of in time; and to give them such favourable and comfortable Answer to the same, that some good effect and conclusion may grow before the end of the Session of this Parliament, the uttermost day of their greatest hope, whereby this Common-Wealth, which your Highness found to be lateritia as Augustus did his, and by your great Providence is now come to be marmorea, shall not for want of performing this, if God shall call your Highness without Heir of your Body, be in more dangerous Estate and Condition, than ever it was that any man can remember. True it is, that this Suit is made by my Lords, not without great hope of good success, by reason of the Experience that they have had of your bountiful goodness shewed to them, and the rest of your loving Subjects divers and sundry ways since the beginning of your Reign; which they pray to God long to continue, to his Honor, with all Felicity.

The Petition of the Lords being thus set down, of which it cannot be absolutely and undoubtedly determined, whether it were preferred this day or no; Now in the next place must follow her Majesties Answer, which was without all doubt given this Afternoon to the before-mentioned Lords, and those other thirty Members of the House of Commons; yet there is no mention at all thereof, either in the Original Journal-Book of the Upper House, or in that before-cited Memorial or Diary of the greatest part of the passages of her Majesties Reign, collected and set down by Sir William Cecill, at this time her Majesties Principal Secretary: and therefore the greatest light of it being gathered out of the Original Journal-Book of the House of Commons, containing the agitations of this Session of Parliament, de An. 8 Regin. Eliz. fol. 266. A. (where on the Forenoon of the next day ensuing this Afternoon being Wednesday, and the 6^th day of this instant November, report thereof was made to the said House, by Sir Edward Rogers Knight, Comptroller of her Majesties Houshold, and Sir William Cecill, her Highness Principal Secretary above-mentioned) it doth plainly appear, that touching her Marriage, her Majesty gave them some hope of it; but excused her self, in not declaring a Successor, in respect of the great danger thereof; and therefore comparing this with that which M^r Camden hath set down, touching this Answer, in Annal. Regin. Eliz. edit. Lugdun. Batav. A. D. 1625. pag. 101, & 102. it may very well be gathered, and it is most likely, that that Answer of her Majesty, of which I had a Copy by me, being erroniously placed, as that also of Sir Robert Cottons is in the first Volume of his Parliamentary Journals (being very imperfect and fragmentary) amidst the passages of the Parliament of the fifth year of her Majesties Reign, that that Copy I say contains the Answer, which her Majesty gave at this time, to the before-mentioned Lords, and others, being as followeth; save only, that through often transcribing, without comparing, it should seem it is somewhat defective.

SInce there can be no duer Debt than a Princes word, to keep that unspotted, for my part, as one that would be loth that the self same thing that keepeth Merchants Credit from craze, should be the cause that a Prince's Speech should merit blame, and so their honor quail; Therefore I will an Answer give, and this it is: The two Petitions that you presented me (which must doubtless relate to the two several parts of one and the same Petition, viz. the Marriage and the Succession, and might not improperly be so called, though couched in one Body, and as the words also following do in manner explain it) expressed many words, which contained in sum these two things, as of your cares the greatest; My Marriage, and my Succession. Of which two I think the last best to be touched, and of the other a silent thought may serve. For I thought it had been so desired, as none other Tree's blossom should have been minded, or ever any hope of any Fruit had been denied you. And yet by the way, if any here doubt that I am by Vow or determination bent never to trade in that kind of Life, put out that kind of Heresy; for your belief is there in a wry. For though I can think it best for a private Woman, yet I do strive with my self to think it not meet for a Prince; and if I can bend my liking to your need, I will not resist such a mind.

But to the last, think not that you had needed this desire, if I had seen a time so fit, and it so ripe to be denounced. The greatness of the cause therefore, and need of your returns, doth make me say that which I think the wise may easily guess, that as a short time for so long continuance ought not to pass by roat, as many tell their Tales, even so, as cause by Conference with the Learned shall show me matter worth the utterance for your behoof, so shall I more gladly persue your good after my dayes, than with all my Prayers whilst I live be means to linger my living thread. And thus much more than I thought will I add, for your Comfort, I have good p. 108Record in this place, that other means than you mention, have been thought of, perchance for your good as much as for my surety no less; which if presently and conveniently could have been Executed, it had not been now deferred or over-slipped. But I hope I shall die in quiet with Nunc dimittis; which cannot be, without I see some glimpse of your following surety after my graved bones.

Nota, That neither the foregoing Petition, nor this latter Answer of her Majesty, are found in the Original Journal-Book of the Upper-House; but now the residue of the passages of the said Journal do for the most part follow out of the same.

On Wednesday the 6^th day of November, the Bill for declaring of the manner of making and Consecrating of the Archbishops and Bishops of this Realm, to be good, lawful and perfect, was read tertiâ vice, quae cum quadam provisione annex. in loco alterius provisionis adempt. absciss. & disannex. communi Procerum assensu conclusa est, dissentientibus Comite Northumberland, Comite Westmoreland, Comite Worcester, & Comite Sussex, Vice-Comite Mountague, Domino Morley, Domino Dudley, Domino Dacre, Domino Mounteagle, Domino Cromwell, & Domino Mordant, & postea, cum Billâ for the annexing of Hexhamshire unto the County of Northumberland, and the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of the same, unto the See or Bishoprick of Duresm, deliberata fuit Magistro Vaugham & Doctori Yale, in Domum Communem deferend.

Dominus Capitalis Justiciarius continuavit praesens Parliamentum us que in diem Jovis prox.

On Thursday the 7^th day of November, Three Bills of no great moment, had each of them one reading; of which the first being the Bill for Confirmation of Leases to be made by Morris Ridney and Joan his Wife, was read primâ vice.

Dominus Capitalis Justiciarius continuavit praesens Parliamentum us que in diem Sabbathi prox. ix. Novembris.

On Saturday the 9^th day of November, the Bill for the graving of Alneagers Seals, to be within the Tower of London, was read secundâ vice, & commissa est Domino Marchioni Winton, Thesaurar. Angliae, & Domino Capitali Baroni, ad supervidend. considerand. & amendand.

Nota, That here the Lord Chief Baron, being but an Assistant of the Upper House, and no Member thereof, is made a joint-Committee with the Lord Marquess of Winchester, of which see more on Thursday the third day of October fore-going.

The Bill also to restrain the Carriage of Woolls of the growth of Pembroke, Carmarthen and Cardiganshires, out of the Counties where they grew, was read secundâ vice, & commissa ad ingrossand. And the Bill lastly for the repealing of a branch of a Statute made An. 32 H. 8. for the Stature of Horses was read secundâ vice & commissa Episcopo Elien. Domino Clinton, Admiral. Domino Willoughby, DominoSheffeild, Domino North, Domino S^t John de Bletsoe, & Servienti Carus.

Nota, That a Serjeant being but an Attendant upon the Upper House, and no Member thereof, is made a joint-Committee with the Lords. Vide touching this matter, on Thursday the 3^d day of October foregoing.

Then the Clerk read openly the Commission following.

ELizabeth, by the Grace of God, Queen of England, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c. To our Trusty and well Beloved Councellor, Sir Nicholas Bacon K^t, Lord Keeper of our Great Seal of England, and to our Right Trusty and right well Beloved, Sir Robert Catlin Knight, Chief Justice of the Pleas before us to be holden, Greeting. Whereas We, upon consideration that you the said Lord Keeper of our Great Seal, were lately sore visited with Sickness, that you were not able to travel to the Upper House of this our present Parliament, holden at Westminster, nor there to supply the room and place in the said Upper House, amongst the Lord, Spiritual and Temporal there Assembled, as to your Office appertaineth; did therefore by our Letters Patents of Commission, bearing date the 25^th day of October, in this present eighth Year of our Reign, nominate, appoint and authorize you the said Sir Robert Catlin, from day to day, and time to time, from thenceforth, during our pleasure, to use and occupy the place and room of the said Lord Keeper, in our said Upper House of Parliament, amongst the said Lords Spiritual and Temporal there Assembled; and there to do and execute in all things from day to day, and time to time, as the said Lord Keeper of our Great Seal should, or might do, if he were there present, using and supplying the same place; as in our said Letters Patents it doth and may at large appear. And forasmuch as we understand, that you the said Lord Keeper of our Great Seal, are at this present in such state of health, as ye are well able to travel to the said Upper House of our Parliament, and there to supply the said room and place your self, as heretofore ye have done, We do therefore by these presents fully and absolutely determine our pleasure, touching any further Execution by you the said Sir Robert Catlin, of the said Commission before-mentioned; And therefore we do signifie to you the said Sir Robert Catlin, that our pleasure is, that ye do from the date of these presents, surcease from the Execution of the said Commission, and every part thereof. And we do also by these presents Command and authorize you, the said Lord Keeper of our Great Seal, from henceforth, and from time to time hereafter to resort to your accustomed room and place, in our said Higher House of Parliament, and there to do and Execute from time to time, all things that appertaineth to your office there to do, in such manner and form, as though no such Commission had been directed and made, any clause, Sentence or matter in our said Letters Patents of commission, or any other thing to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding, and these presents shall be your Warrant and discharge for the same. In Witness whereof we have caused these our Letters to be made Patents. Witness p. 109our Self at Westminster the 8^th day of November, in the Eighth Year of Our Reign.

There are no other passages of this day set down in the Original Journal-Book of the Upper House, after the publick reading of the foregoing Commission, by which the Lord Keeper was resetled in his former place in the said House, saving the Entrance of the Continuation of the Parliament in manner and form following, viz.

Dominus Custos magni Sigilli continuavit praesens Parliamentum us que diem Lunae prox. xi. die Novembris.

November the 10^th Sunday.

On Monday the 11^th day of November, Three Bills of no great moment, had each of them one reading; of which the first being the Bill to restrain the Carriage of the Woolls of the growth of Pembroke, Carmarthen and Cardigan-shires, out of the Counties where they grow, was read tertiâ vice, & communi omnium Procerum assensu conclusa.

Nota, That the daily continuance of the Parliament entred in these words, Dominus Custos magni Sigilli continuavit praesens Parliamentum, &c. being now hereafter performed in the residue of this Journal according to the ordinary use by the Lord Keeper only, is for the most part omitted.

On Tuesday the 12^th day of November, the Bill for the Lady Cobham's Jointure, was read secundâ vice.

On Wednesday the 13^th day of November, the Bill for the Lady Cobham's Jointure, was read tertiâ vice, quae communi omnium Procerum consensu conclusa est, & postea cum Billà to restrain the Carriage of Woolls of the growth of Pembroke, &c. was delivered to Serjeant Carus and Doctor Huick, to be carried to the House of Commons.

Three Bills were brought up to the Lords from the House of Commons, of which the last being the Bill for Confirmation of Letters Patents made for the Hospital of S^t Bartholomew in Gloucester, was read primâ vice.

On Thursday the 14^th day of November, Three Bills of no great moment, had each of them one reading; of which the first being the Bill for the avoiding of penal Laws, was read primâ vice.

On Saturday the 16^th day of November, to which day the Parliament had been last continued on Thursday foregoing, Four Bills of no great moment, had each of them one reading; of which the third being the Bill for the better Execution of penal Laws, was read secundâ vice, and committed unto the Bishop of Worcester, Viscount Mountague, the Bishop of London, the Bishop of Winchester, the Lord Willoughby, the Lord Loughborough, the Lord Hunsdon; and to the Lord Chief Baron, Justice Welch, and the Attorney General.

Two Bills lastly, were brought up to the Lords from the House of Commons; of which the second being the Bill that in divers Counties there shall be but one Sheriss in one County, was read primâ vice.

On Monday the 18^th day of November, to which day the Parliament had been last continued on Saturday foregoing, the Bill to avoid excess in Apparel, was read primâ vice.

On Tuesday the 19^th day of November, Three Bills of no great moment, had each of them one reading; of which the first being the Bill to avoid excess in Apparel, was read secundà vice, and committed unto the Marquess of Northampton, the Earl of Sussex, the Earl of Huntington, the Earl of Leicester, Viscount Mountague, the Bishop of London, the Bishop of Winton, the Bishop of Hereford, the Bishop of Worcester, the Bishop of Lincoln, the Lord Lumley, the Lord Sheffeild, the Lord Pagett, the Lord Hunsdon, Justice Welch and Justice Southcot.

And the third being the Bill to enable the Town of Woollmarsh in the County of Surrey, to use Cloth-making, was read tertiâ vice, & communi omnium Procerum assensu conclusa.

On Wednesday the 20^th day of November, Three Bills of no great moment, had each of them one reading; of which the last being the Bill for the avoiding of worngful vexation upon the Writ of Latitat, was read secundâ vice, & commissa ad ingrossand.

Dominus Custos magni Sigilli continuavit praesens Parliamentum us que in diem Jovis prox. horâ nonâ. At which time the Lords Spiritual and Temporal did meet and nothing done, but the Parliament continued by the Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England, until Saturday the 23^th day of November.

On Saturday the 23^th day of November, Three Bills had each of them one reading; of which the second being the Bill for confirmation of Letters Patents made for the Hospital of S^t Bartholomew in Gloucester, was read tertiâ vice, and by common consent of the Lords concluded.

The Bill also for avoiding of worngful vexation upon the Writ of Latitat, was read tertiâ vice, which by common consent of the Lords was concluded, and by Serjeant Carus and R. R. sent down to the House of Commons.

On Monday the 25^th day of November, to which day the Parliament had been last continued on Saturday foregoing, three Bills had each of them one reading; of which the second being the Bill for the more expedition of the Administration of Justice in the Counties Palatine of Lancaster and Durham, communi omnium Procerum assensu conclusa est.

On Tuesday the 26^th day of November, the Bill for the Assurance of a Jointure to the Lady Mary, Wife to Edward Lord Stafford, was read tertiâ vice, & communi omnium Procerum consensa conclusa.

The said Bill for the Lady Staffords Jointure, and the Bill for the more speedy expedition of p. 110the Administration of Justice in the Counties Palatine of Lancaster and Durham, were delivered to Serjeant Carus, and M^r Vaughan, in Domum Communem deferend.

On Wednesday the 27^th day of November, and likewise on Thursday the 28^th day of the same Month, the Lords did meet and nothing done, save only the continuance of the Parliament by the Lord Keeper in Ordinary Form, unto Monday the second day of December following.

On Monday the 2^d day of December, Two Bills had each of them one reading; of which the second being the Bill for the erection of a Free School at Denbigh in Wales, was read primâ vice.

Six Bills were sent up to the Lords from the House of Commons; of which the first being the Bill for the repeal of a Statute, made Anno 7 Edw. 6. for the prices of Wines sold by retail, was read primâ vice; And the third being the Bill declaring the manner of making and Consecrating of the Archbishops and Bishops of this Realm, to be good, lawful and perfect, returned cum provisione annex. was read primâ, secundâ & tertiâ vice, & communi assensu conclusa.

On Tuesday the 3^d day of December, Three Bills had each of them their second reading; of which the two last were, one for avoiding tedious Suits in civil and marine Causes, and another to alter the nature of Gavelkind in the Lands of Thomas Brown Esq.

On Wednesday the 4^th day of December, Two Bills of no great moment, had each of them one reading; of which the second being the Bill for Confirmation of certain priviledges granted by the Queens Majesty, for converting of Copper into Latten, and for the viewing and searching all other kinds of Metals and Treasures, was read primâ vice.

The Bill that in divers Counties there shall be but one Sheriff of one County, was committed to the Earl of Huntington, Viscount Mountague, the Bishop of Hereford, the Lord Mountjoy, the Lord Darcie, the Lord Willoughby, the Lord North, Justice Brown, and the Attorney General.

On Thursday the 5^th day of December, Two Bills had each of them one reading; of which the second being the Bill for Confirmation of certain Priviledges granted by the Queens Majesty for the converting of Copper into Latten, and for the mining and searching of all kind of Treasures and Metals, was read secundâ vice, & commissa.

The Bill also for the repeal of the Statute made Anno 7 Edw. 6. for the prices of Wines sold by retail, was read tertiâ vice, & communi omnium Dominorum Spiritualium & majore parte Dominorum Tempor. consensu quassata est.

Four Bills were brought up to the Lords from the House of Commons, of which the two last were, one for the Town-Clark of York, and another touching the Patents made for making of Allom and Copperas, within the Realms or Dominions of the Queens Majesty.

On Friday the 6^th day of December, Three Bills had each of them one reading; of which the second being the Bill touching Letters Patents made for the making of Allom and Copperas, within the Realms or Dominions of the Queens Majesty, was read primâ vice.

On Saturday the 7^th day of December, Six Bills had each of them one reading; of which the fourth being the Bill to alter the nature of Gavelkind in the Lands of Thomas Brown Esq, was read tertiâ vice, & communi omnium Procerum consensu conclusa, dissentiente Vicecomite Mountague.

The Bill also for Execution of penal Laws, was read secundâ vice, & communi omnium Procerum assensu conclusa est, cum quadam Schedulâ annex. & deliberat. Servienti Carus, & Attornato General., in Domum Communem deferend.

On Monday the 9^th of December, Three Bills had each of them one reading; of which the first being for repeal of the Act made Anno 22 Hen. 8. for the Stature of Horses, was read tertiâ vice & communi Procerum assensu conclusa.

On Tuesday the 10^th day of December, Six Bills had each of them one reading; of which the third being the Bill for the Bowyers of Westm., &c. And the fourth for the confirmation of Letters Patents made for the making of Allom and Copperas, were each of them read tertiâ vice, & communi omnium Procerum consensu conclusae.

After the reading of the three first Bills this day, three Bills were sent to the House of Commons, by Serjeant Carus, and the Attorney General; viz. the first for the Stature of Horses; The second for the Bowyers of Westm., And the third for Allom and Copperas.

Dominus Custos magni Sigilli continuavit praesens Parliamentum us que in diem Mercurii, viz. undecim. Decembr.

On which eleventh day of December the Lords met, but nothing done, but the Parliament continued in usual Form by the Lord Keeper, until Thursday the next day following.

On Thursday the 12^th day of December, Two Bills had each of them one reading; of which the second being the Bill for the Office of Town-Clark of the City of York, was read tertiâ vice, & communi omnium Procerum assensu conclusa, quae deliberat. fuit Servienti Carus & Generali Attornato, in Domum Communem deferend. pro certis causis emendand., and to them was delivered the Bill of Subsidy.

Four Bills had each of them one reading; of which the second being the Bill for Confirmation of the late new Erected Deaneries and Prebends, was read secundâ vice, and committed to the Archbishop of York, the Earl of Huntington, Viscount Mountague, the Bishop of Durham, the Bishop of Chester, the Bishop of Lincoln, the Bishop of Bath, the Lord Paget, the Lord Hastings of Loughborough, the Lord S^t John of p. 111Bletsoe, Justice Welch, Serjeant Carus, D^r Huick, and D^r Yale.

Four Bills were sent up to the Lords from the House of Commons, and delivered after the reading of the Bill last before-mentioned; of which the two last were, one touching Foreign Wares and Apparel, sold by Merchants in gross, which had its first reading; And another to explain a branch of a Statute made Anno 27 Henr. 8. touching Colledges and Free-Chappels.

On Friday the 13^th day of December, a Proviso added to the Bill that in divers Counties there shall be but one Sheriff in one County, was read primâ vice & commissa ad ingrossand.

The Proviso added to the Bill for the Assurance of the Jointure of the Lady Mary, Wife to Edward Lord Stafford, was read secundâ vice.

Three Bills had each of them one reading; of which the last being the Bill touching Explanation of a branch of a Statute made 37 Henr. 8. concerning Colledges and Free-Chappels, was read primâ vice.

On Saturday the 14. day of December, Five Bills had each of them one reading; of which the second being the Bill for the punishment of Riots and Routs, and unlawful Assemblies, was read secundâ vice, & commissa Archiepiscopo Ebor., Duci Norfolciae, Comiti Salop, Comiti Huntington, Comiti Leicester, Vice-Comiti Mountague, Episcopis London, Dunelmen. & Winton, & Domino Morley, Domino Cobham, Domino Paget, Domino North, Domino Hunsdon, & duobus Capital. Justiciar. & Attornato General., ad considerand. & emendand.

After the reading of the first Bill, two Bills were brought from the House of Commons, of which the second being the Bill for Uniformity in Doctrine, was read primâ vice.

On Monday the 16. day of December, to which day the Parliament had been last continued on Saturday foregoing, Four Bills had each of them one reading; of which the first being the Bill, that in divers Counties there shall be but one Sheriff, cum quadam Provisione conclusa est; And with the Bill for Alneagers Seals, and the Bill for Tryals in Merionethshire, was sent by Serjeant Carus, and M^r Attorney General, to the House of Commons.

On Tuesday the 17. day of December, Three Bills had each of them one reading, of which the first being the Bill for the repairing the Piere of Hartland in Devon. was read secundâ vice, but no mention is made either of the committing of it to be ingrossed, or referring of it to Committees. Vide de istâ materiâ in die sequente.

After the reading of which said Bill, Four other Bills were brought up to the Lords from the House of Commons, of which the two last were, one touching Goal-Delivery in the twelve Shires in Wales, &c. And another for the Grant of Fifteenths and Tenths, and of one Subsidy by the Temporalty.

Dominus Custos magni Sigilli continuavit praesens Parliamentum us que ad hor'am secundam ejusdem diei in Pomeridiano.

About which hour the Lord Keeper, and divers other Lords, both Spiritual and Temporal, met, and the Bill of the Grant of one Fifteenth or Tenth, and one Subsidy of the Temporalty, was read primâ vice; Although there is no entrance at all made (in the Original Journal-Book of the Upper House, through the great negligence of Francis Spilman, at this time Clerk of the same) of the names of any of those Lords that were present this Afternoon.

On Wednesday the 18^th day of December, Three Bills had each of them one reading; of which the first being the Bill for the Grant of one Fifteenth or Tenth, and of one Subsidy by the Temporalty, was read secundâ vice.

Nota, That there is no mention made in the Original Journal-Book of the Upper House, of the referring of this Bill upon the second reading to Committees, or of ordering it to be ingrossed; of which there was a like President on the day foregoing. And thus also in the Parliament in Anno 39 Reginae Elizabethae, upon Saturday the 28^th day of January, the Bill for Confirmation of Statutes Merchants, acknowledged in the Town-Corporate of New-Castle upon Tine, was neither committed nor Ordered to be ingrossed upon the second reading; To which purpose finally there were many Presidents in the Parliament following, in An. 45 Regin. Eliz. viz. on Wednesday the 2^d, on Friday the 4^th day, on Monday the 7. day, and on Wednesday the 9. day of December. Vide Febr. 13. in An. 1 Eliz.

Dominus Custos magni Sigilli continuavit praesens Parliamentum us que ad. horam primam ejusdem diei in Pomeridiano.

About which hour, the Lord Keeper, and divers other Lords, both Spiritual and Temporal, met, and their names are accordingly marked in the Original Journal-Book of the Upper House, the manner of which is thus; viz. The Clerk, or some by his appointment, having written the names of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, in such Form as they are set down upon Friday the 15. day of January, in the first Session of this Parliament, in Anno 5 Regin. Eliz. (Quod vide) he signeth the name of every Lord that is present, with these Letters Pr. (on the dexter Margent of the said name) and if the House sit again in the Afternoon, and any of the same Lords be present, then also before those names that had been marked in the first part of the day, are the same Letters added again to the first mark; and then the signing and marking is thus, Pr. Pr. in the Margent aforesaid, which sheweth he was present twice the said day; Vide plus concerning this matter upon Tuesday the 21. day of March, in the first Parliament of her Majesties Reign, holden in Anno 1 Eliz.

The Lords Spiritual and Temporal being met in the Afternoon, as aforesaid, Two Bills had each of them one reading; of which the first p. 112was the Bill for the Grant of one Fifteenth, one Tenth, and of one Subsidy by the Temporalty; quae communi omnium Procerum assensu conclus. And the second being the Bill for the Alneagers Fees in Lancaster, and for length, breadth and weight of Cottons, Frizes and Rugs, was read secundâ vice.

Seven Bills were brought up to the Lords from the House of Commons, of which the two first were, that two several Sheriffs may be in the Counties of Buckingham and Bedford, and for uttering of Caps, and true making of Hats and Caps.

On Thursday the 19. day of December, Six Bills had each of them one reading, of which the third being the Bill for reformation of excess of Apparel, was read tertiâ vice & conclusa, & missa ad Domum Communem, per Servientem Carus, & Attornatum General.

The Parliament was continued by the Lord Keeper in accustomed Form, unto one of the Clock in the Afternoon, about which time he and divers other Lords, both Spiritual and Temporal, meeting, Three Bills had each of them several readings, of which the first being the Bill for the keeping the Records within the twelve Shires of Wales, and divers other Ordinances, was read primâ vice. And the third for the paving of Kentish-street, had its second and third reading; and was thereupon concluded.

On Friday the 20. day of December, Five Bills had each of them several readings, of which the second being the Bill for the Assurance of a Jointure for the Lady Anne, Countess of Warwick, was read primâ, secundâ & tertiâ vice, & conclus. & missa in Domum Communem per Servientem Carus, & Attornat. General.; And the last touching Goal-Deliveries in the twelve Shires of Wales, and for measures to be there, was read tertiâ vice & conclusa.

Before the reading of the fifth Bill beforementioned, Two Bills were brought up to the Lords from the House of Commons; of which the first touching Cloth-Workers, and Cloths ready wrought, to be Shipped over the Sea, was primâ vice lecta, & iterum aliis Billis mediantibus sive lect. in intermedio, iterum secunda vice lect.

The Bill that two several Sheriffs may be in Bedford and Buckingham, was read secundâ vice, & quatuor aliis Billis mediantibus sive lect. in intermedio, iterum tertiâ vice lect. & conclus.

Three Bills also had each of them one reading, of which the third being the Bill for the Incorporation of Merchant-Adventurers, for discovery of new Trades, was read tertiâ vice; And thereupon concluded.

The Bill for Keeping of Records in the twelve Shires of Wales, and divers other Ordinances there, was read secundâ vice, & commissa Episcopis Herefordens., Meneven. Cicestren., & Asaphen.

This Afternoon finally before the reading of the last Bill, for keeping Records in Wales, &c. A Bill was brought from the House of Commons, for Tonnage of Wares brought from beyond the Seas, which was primâ vice lect., as soon as it came; and now read secundâ vice, & commissa Domino Norfolciae, Comitibus Sussex & Leicester, Vice-Comiti Mountague, Domino Clinton, Domino Camerario & Domino Cobham.

On Saturday the 21. day of December, Nine Bills were brought up to the Lords from the House of Commons; of which the two first were, one for the Bowyers of Westminster return'd expedit. And another for Assurance of the Lady Warwick's Jointure.

Four Bills also had each of them one reading; of which the first being the Bill for uttering of Caps and Hats, and for the true making of Caps and Hats, was read tertiâ vice & expedit.

The Bill concerning Tonnage of Wares brought from beyond the Seas; And the Bill for Confirmation of Letters Patents, were each of them read secundâ vice.

The Bill lastly touching Cloth-Workers, and Cloths ready wrought to be Shipped over the Seas, was read tertiâ vice, & communi omnium Procerum assensu conclusa.

In the Original Journal-Book of the Upper House is no entrance or mention made of the continuance of the Parliament. But it appeareth, that the House did sit in the Afternoon, for without entrance of the presence of any Lord in particular, it appeareth, that in the Afternoon two Bills were read; viz.

The Bill for the Almeshouse at Plymouth, And the Bill for the Provision of Grain, were each of them read primâ vice.

On Monday the 23^th day of December, the Bill for the Confirmation of Fines and Recoveries, notwithstanding the default of the Original Writs, was read primâ vice, cum additione & provisione annex. & cum quâdam reformatione eidem annex.

Two Bills were brought up to the Lords from the House of Commons, of which one being the Bill for Sea-Marks, and Mariners; And another against carrying over the Sea, Rams, Lambs, or Sheep, being alive, were read each of them primâ vice.

The Bill lastly concerning Tonnage of Wares brought from beyond the Seas, was read tertiâ vice, & communi omnium Procerum assensu conclusa.

Dominus Custos magni Sigilli continuavit praesens Parliamentum us que ad horam secundam in Pomeridiano.

About which hour the Lord Keeper, and divers other Lords, both Spiritual and Temporal, meeting, the Bill concerning Sea-Marks, and Mariners; And the Bill against the carrying over the Sea, Rams, Lambs, or Sheep alive, were each of them read secundâ & tertiâ vice, and thereupon concluded.

Two Bills also were sent from the Lords to the House of Commons; of which the first was the Bill of her Majesties Free and General Pardon.

p. 113The Bill for making of Salt within her Majesties Dominions; and the Bill for keeping a Market in the Mannor of Battell in Sussex upon Thursday, were each of them read primâ & secundâ vice.

Two Bills lastly had each of them their first reading; of which the second was the Bill for the Inning of Plumstead-Marsh.

On Tuesday the 24^th day of December, the Bill touching the transporting of Tann'd Leather made of Sheep-Skins, and the Bill for Inning of Plumstead-Marsh, being surrounded, were each of them read secundâ & tertiâ vice, and thereupon concluded.

Three Bills also had each of them one reading, of which the first being the Bill for keeping the Market in the Mannor of Battell in Sussex upon Thursday, was read tertiâ vice, & conclusa.

The Bill finally for continuance of certain Statutes, was read primâ, secundâ & tertiâ vice. Quod nota, that it had three readings together.

Dominus Custos magni Sigilli continuavit praesens Parliamentum us que ad diem Lunae tricesimum diem Decembris.

On Monday the 30^th day of December, the Lord Keeper and divers other Lords, both Spiritual and Temporal, met, but nothing was done, save only the continuance of the Parliament by the Lord Keeper unto Thursday the 2^d day of January following; upon which day in the Afternoon the Parliament was Dissolved.

On Thursday the 2^d day of January, the Lord Keeper and divers other Lords, both Spiritual and Temporal, were present (although through the negligence of Francis Spilman Esq, at this time Clerk of the Upper House, it doth not certainly appear who they were in the Original Journal-Book of the same House) but no Bill (as it seemeth) was read, or any thing else done; but only the Parliament continued by the Lord Keeper, which is there Entred in manner and form following, viz.

Dominus Custos magni Sigilli continuavit praesens Parliamentum us que ad horam primam in Pomeridiano.

Nota, That it appears in the Original Journal-Book of the House of Commons, that after the Parliament had been continued, as aforesaid, Doctor Huick was sent down to the said House, from the Lord Keeper, to give them notice thereof.

Nota also, That in the Original Journal-Book of the Upper House, there is no mention made of any thing that was done, or of any Speech used, nor touching the Dissolution of this present Session of Parliament, but only that her Majesty was there present, with divers Lords both Spiritual and Temporal; and therefore I have supplyed the whole Proceedings of this Afternoon at large, out of a very Copious and Elaborate Anonymous Memorial thereof, I had by me; which also I have in some places supplyed out of the Original Journal-Book of the House of Commons, although it be so little and short, as it may rather be called matter of Confirmation than Enlargement; in which also it shall lastly suffice to touch briefly, that I have always observed, contrary to the ordinary course, to insert all such Speeches and other passages (as largely as by any good Authority I might) into the Journal of the Upper House, in which House they were agitated and uttered, and to the Journal of which House they do most properly belong, and do only for Order sake add some short expressions thereof in the Journals of the House of Commons. The said Passages of this Afternoon do now next ensue out of the above-mentioned Manuscript Memorial.

The Queens Majesty between two or three of the Clock in the Afternoon (of this present Thursday being the second day of January, in the ninth year of her Reign) came by Water from Whitehall, and Landed on the backside of the Parliament-Chamber. And so the Earl of Westmorland bearing the Sword afore her, the Lady Strange the Train, with the Lords in their daily Apparel, and Heralds attending on her, she proceeded up into the Privy-Chamber, to prepare her self in her Parliament-Robes, during which time the Lords and Justices put on their Parliament-Robes, and took their places.

And upon the upper Woollsack sate the Lord Keeper, till the Queen came, and then went to his place, at the Rail on the right hand of the Cloth of State.

On the Woollsack on the Northside, sate Sir Robert Catlin, and Sir James Dyer, the two Chief Justices, and Richard Read under, and M^r Gerrard the Queens Attorney.

On the Sack on the Southside, sate Sir William Cordall Master of the Rolls, Justice Brown, Justice Welsh, and Serjeant Carus.

On the Westside sate Vaughan and Talc, Masters of the Chancery, M^r Spilman Clerk of the Parliament, M^r Powle Deputy and Joint-Patentec with M^r Martin, Clerk of the Crown; afore which Sack stood a little Table.

Then the Queens Majesty being Apparelled in her Parliament-Robes, with a Caul on her Head, came forth, and proceeded up and took her Seat; the Marquess of Northampton carrying the Cap of Maintenance, and stood on her right hand, and the Earl of Westmorland the Sword at her left hand, with the Heralds and Serjeants at Arms before her; the Queens Mantle born up on either side from her Arms, by the Earl of Leicester, and the Lord of Hunsdon, who always stood still by her for the assisting thereof, when she stood up; her Train born by the Lady Strange, assisted by the Lord Chamberlain, and Vice-Chamberlain. At the left hand of the Queen, and Southside, kneeled the Ladies; and behind the Queen, at the Rail, stood the Lord Keeper on the right hand, the Lord Treasurer on the left hand, with divers young Lords, and Peers Eldest Sons.

Then all being placed, M^r Onslow the Speaker p. 114was brought in, between Sir Francis Knolles Vice-Chamberlain, and Sir Ambrose Cave Chancellor of the Dutchy; and after Reverence done, proceeded down to the Wall, and from thence came up to the Rail, in the way making three Reverences; and standing there, made other three like Reverences, and then began his Oration, as followeth.

MOST Excellent and Vertuous Princess, &c. Where I have been Elected by the Knights, Citizens and Burgesses of this your nether House to be their Mouth, or Speaker, and thereunto appointed and allowed by your Majesty, to supply the same room, to the bewraying of my wants, specially, that thereby I shall be forced utterly to discover the barrenness of my learning before this Noble Assembly, which not a little grieveth me, and would gladly be excused, considering the true saying, How there is no difference between a wise Man and a Fool, if they may keep silence; which I require. But again, considering your Majesties Clemency, taking in good part the good will of the party, for want of ability, which putteth me in remembrance, and good hope perswading me, that you will not take your said Clemency from me, contrary to your Nature.

Again, when I consider my Office, as Speaker, it is no great matter, being but a Mouth, to utter things appointed me to speak unto you, and not otherwise; which consisteth only in Speaking, and not in any other Knowledge; whereby I gather how it is necessary, I speak simply, and plainly, according to the truth and trust reposed in me. And thus, considering whose Mouth I am, which chose me to speak for them, being the Knights, Citizens and Burgesses, who were not also by the Commons chosen for their Eloquence, but for their Wisdom and discretion, by this means being fit men to whom the Commons have committed the care and charge of themselves, Wives and Children, Lands and Goods, and so in their behalf to foresee, and take order for all things necessary. Thus they being Chosen by the plain Commons, it is necessary they Elect a plain Speaker, fit for the plain matter, and therefore well provided at first to have such a one as should use plain words, and not either so fine that they cannot be understood, or else so Eloquent, that now and then they miss the Cushion.

But now upon occasion of beholding your Grace and this Noble Assembly, I consider the manifold and great benefits, which God suddenly hath sent unto this Country; for although God hath granted the benefit of Creation and Conservation, with many other Commodities, to other Nations of the World, yet this our Native Country he hath blessed, not only with the like, but also with much more fruitfulness than any other; of which great and inestimable benefit of Gods preferment, which appeareth better by the want that others have of the same, I am occasioned now to speak, the rather to move and stir up our hearts, to give most hearty thanks to God for the same.

Now to speak of Government by Succession, Election, Religion, or Policy; First, if the Body should want a Head, it were a great Monster; so it is likewise, if it have many Heads, as if upon every several Member were a Head. And to speak of one Head; although in the Body be divers Members, which be made of Flesh, Bones, Sinews and Joints, yet the one Head thereof governeth wisely the same; which if it should want, we should be worse than wild Beasts, without a Shepherd, and so worthily be called a Monstrous Beast.

Again, If the Body should be Governed by many Heads, then the same would soon come to destruction, by reason of the Controversy amongst them, who would never agree, but be destroyed without any Foreign Invasion; therefore God seeth it is needful, that the people have a King, and therefore a King is granted them; and so therefore the best Government is to be ruled by one King, and not many, who may maintain and cherish the good and Godly, and punish the Ungodly and Offenders.

As for Government by Election, in that is great variance, partiality, strifes and part-takings. As for Examples, amongst the rest take out one, which is called the most Holy, as that of the Pope; and weigh how holily and quietly it is done, called indeed holy and quiet, but utterly unholy and unquiet, with great part-takings and strifes.

Now touching Religion. To see the Divine Providence of God, how that many Nations be Governed by one Prince, which were impossible, but that God Ordereth it so, by whom the Order of Regiment is appointed, and that in his Scriptures; wherefore the Subjects ought to obey the same, yea although they were evil, and much more those that be good. So God hath here appointed us, not a Heathen, or unbelieving Prince, as he might, but a Faithful, and one of his own Children, to govern us his Children: in which Government the Prince serveth God two ways; as a Man, and as a King. In that he is a Man, he ought to live and serve God, as one of his good Creatures; And in that he is a King, and so Gods special Creature, he ought to make Laws whereby God may be truly worshipped, and that his Subjects might do no injury one to another, and specially to make quietness amongst the Ministers of the Church; to extinguish and put away all hurtful and unprofitable Ceremonies in any Case contrary to Gods word; in which point we have in your Majesties behalf great thanks to give unto God, in setting forth unto us the Liberty of Gods word, whereof before we were bereaved, and that you have reformed the State of the corrupt Church, now drawing Souls out of dangerous errors, which afore by that Corruption they were led and brought unto.

p. 115And concerning Policy, God hath Committed to your Highness two Swords; the one of which may be called the Sword of War, to punish outward Enemies withal, and the other the Sword of Justice, to Correct offending Subjects: in which point of Policy your Majesty is not behind your Progenitors; for although at your Entrance you found this Realm in War, and ungarnished with Munition, and that with such store as never was before; yet you have dislodged our antient Enemies which were planted and placed even upon the Walls of this Realm. And concerning Policy in Laws, as Bones, Sinews and Joints be the force of a Natural Body, so are good Laws the strength of a Common-Wealth: And your Laws be consisting of two points, the Common Laws, and the Statutes.

And for the Common Law, it is so grounded on Gods Laws and Natures, that three several Nations governing here have all allowed the same; which is not inferior, but rather superior, and more indifferent than any other Law. For by our Common Law, although there be for the Prince provided many Princely Prerogatives and Royalties; yet it is not such, as the Prince can take money, or other things, or do as he will at his own pleasure without order: but quietly to suffer his Subjects to enjoy their own, without wrongful oppression, wherein other Princes by their Liberty do take as pleaseth them.

Aristotle saith, That the Life of the Prince is the Maintenance of the Laws, and that it is better to be governed by a good Prince, than by good Laws; and so your Majesty, as a good Prince, is not given to Tyranny, contrary to your Laws; but have and do pardon divers of your Subjects offending against the Laws. As now for Example, of your special Grace you have granted a general Pardon, either without our seeking, or looking for; whereby it is the better welcom. Again your Majesty hath not attempted to make Laws contrary to Order, but orderly have called this Parliament, who perceived certain wants, and thereunto have put their helping hand, and for help of evil manners, good Laws are brought forth; of the which we beseech your Excellent Majesty, so many as you shall allow, to inspire with the breath of your Majesties Power; whereby they may be quickned, which now want Life, and so be made Laws.

Furthermore concerning Payments to be made to the Prince, it is as to deliver the same to Gods Ministers, who are appointed always for our defence; wherefore your humble Subjects do offer a Subsidy, to be put into your Majesties Treasure; which although it be but as a Mite, or a Farthing, yet is the good will of them to be reputed as the poor Widows was in the Gospel; wherein I must not omit to do that which never Speaker did before; viz. to desire your Majesty not to regard this simple offer of ours, but therein to accept our good will, wherein your Highness hath prevented me in taking in the best part our good will; and required us to retain in our hands part of our gift, and accounting it to be in our Purses as in your own; and so is our Duty, besides the Policy thereof, it being for our own Defence: and also honesty, for that we have received many benefits by your Majesty; for he that doth a good turn, deserveth the praise, and not he which afterwards goeth about to reward, or doth reward the same. Also giving most hearty thanks to God, for that your Highness hath signified your pleasure of your inclination to Marriage; which afore you were not given unto, which is done for our safeguard; that when God shall call you, you shall leave of your own Body to succeed you, which was the greatest promise that God made to David, and the greatest request that Abraham desired of God, when God promised him exceeding great reward: Who said, Lord, what wilt thou give me, when I go Childless, and he that is the Steward of mine House, is mine Heir? Therefore God grant us, that, as your Majesty hath defended the Faith of Abraham, you may have the like desire of Issue with you. And for that purpose, that you would shortly imbrace the holy State of Matrimony, to have one, when and with whom God shall appoint, and best like your Majesty; and so the Issue of your own Body, by your Example, Rule over our Posterity; and that we may obtain this, let us give our most humble thanks to God for his manifold benefits bestowed upon us, and pray for the Reign of your Majesties Issue, after your long desired Government; and so ended and did his Obeysance.

Then the Lord Keeper (after the Queen had called him, and told him her mind) Answered to M^r Speaker, and said.

M^r Speaker, The Queen hath heard and understood your Wise and Eloquent Oration, whereby principally I gather four things; First, Disabling your self. Secondly, Concerning Governance. The third, touching the Subsidy. And lastly, In giving thanks; which also was intermingled very wisely in all parts of your Oration.

And for the first, In disabling your self, you have therein contrarily bewrayed your own ableness.

For the second, Concerning Governance, as well by Succession as Election, of Religion and Policy, in which Discourse you have dealt well, I therefore leave it, and mean to speak only a few words, as to your last word Policy.

Politick Orders be Rules of all good Acts, and touching those that you have made to the over-throwing of good Laws, they deserve reproof as well as the others deserve praise; in which like case you err, in bringing her Majesties Prerogative in Question, and for that thing, wherein she meant not to hurt any of your Liberties. And again, the grant of her Letters Patents in Question is not a little marvail, for that p. 116therein you find fault; which is now no new devised thing, but such as afore this time hath been used and put in practice, howbeit her Majesties nature is mild and full of Clemency; so that she is loth herein to be austere; and therefore, though at this time she suffer you all to depart quietly unto your Countries for your Amendment, yet as it is needful, so she hopeth that the Offenders will hereafter use themselves well.

Again, touching the good Laws, which you have taken great pains in making; if they be not Executed, they be not only as Rods without Hands to execute them, or as Torches without Light, but also breed great contempt: therefore look well to the Execution; for if it be not done, the fault is in some of us, which she putteth orderly in trust to see it done.

For the third point, concerning the presentment of the Subsidy, her Majesty biddeth me say, that when the Lords Spiritual and Temporal granted it unto her, so she trusteth you will be as careful in gathering of it; which I, and others be witness, how very unwilling and loth she was to take, but to avoid further inconvenience.

And lastly, Concerning knowledge of benefits, and giving of thanks, which you have well declared be many, yet one in comparison above all, yea a fruit above all other, and whereby you may enjoy all the other, which is her Marriage; whereof she hath put you in good hope.

Further, I have to put you in remembrance of three things; the first is, that where now you acknowledge benefits, and as you have cause to give thanks, so secondly, that you be not unmindful hereafter to do the like; And thirdly, that in all your doings hereafter, you show your selves, that all these benefits be had in remembrance, and not forgotten; for that it should be a thing against reason in humane Creatures; specially therefore now it behoveth you all, as you have acknowledged benefits, and for them given thanks in the first point, so that you see the other two observed. And then her Majesty will not fail likewise thankfully to accept the same; and so ended.

Thus far out of the before-mentioned Memorial, touching the Passages and Speeches of this present Afternoon. Now solloweth the manner of her Majesties giving her Royal Assent to such Acts as passed, out of one of the Original Journal-Books of the Upper House, durante Regno Regin. Eliz. viz. in an. 30. although it be not so expresly set down in that of this present Session of Parliament.

Then were the Titles of all the Acts read in their due Order, and the Bill of Subsidy; to which the Clerk of the Parliament standing up did read the Queens Answer in manner and form following.

La Roigne remercie ses loyaulx subjects, accepte leur henevolence, & auxi le veult.

The Clerk of the Parliament, having read the Queens acceptance and thanks for the Subsidy given, as aforesaid, did then upon the 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 Parliament assembles, au nom de touts vous autres subjects, remercient tres-humblement vostre Majesty, & prient à Dieu, que il vous done en santè bonne vie & longue.

Nota, That here to the Subsidy Bill, 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 any other circumstance required, than that the thankful acceptance thereof by 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 different words, is always requisite, as followeth, viz.

The Bills of Subsidy and Pardon being passed in manner and form as aforesaid, then were the publick Acts read; to every one of which allowed by the Queén, the Clerk of the Parliament read in French these words following, viz.

La Roigne le veult.

To every private Act that passed, the said Clerk of the Parliament read the Queens Answer in these French words following, viz.

Soit fait come il est desire.

These two last Answers to the publick and private Acts that pass, 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 these French words following; viz.

La Roigne s' advisera.

THen the Queen standing up, said (after she had given her Royal Assent unto nineteen publick Acts, and thirteen private) My Lords, and others the Commons of this Assembly, although the Lord Keeper hath, according to Order, very well Answered in my Name, yet as a Periphrasis I have a few words further, to speak unto you: Notwithstanding I have not been used, nor love to do it, in such open Assemblies; yet now (not to the end to amend his talk) but remembring, that commonly Princes own words be better printed in the hearers memory, than those spoken by her Command, I mean to say thus much unto you. I have in this Assembly found so much dissimulation, where I always professed plainness, that I marvail thereat, yea two Faces under one Hood, and the Body rotten, being covered with two Vizors, Succession and Liberty, which they determined must be either presently granted, denied or deferred. In granting whereof, they had their desires, and denying or deferring thereof (those things being so plaudable, as p. 117indeed to all men they are) they thought to work me that mischief, which never Foreign Enemy could bring to pass, which is the hatred of my Commons. But alas they began to pierce the Vessel before the Wine was fined, and began a thing not foreseeing the end, how by this means I have seen my wellwillers from mine Enemies, and can, as me seemeth, very well divide the House into four.

First the Broachers and workers thereof, who are in the greatest fault. Secondly, The Speakers, who by Eloquent Tales perswaded others, are in the next degree. Thirdly, The agreers, who being so light of Credit, that the Eloquence of the Tales so overcame them, that they gave more Credit thereunto, than unto their own Wits. And lastly, those that sate still Mute, and medled not therewith, but rather wondred disallowing the matter; who in my Opinion, are most to be Excused.

But do you think, that either I am unmindful of your Surety by Succession, wherein is all my Care, considering I know my self to be mortal? No, I warrant you: Or that I went about to break your Liberberties? No, it was never in my meaning, but to stay you before you sell into the Ditch. For all things have their time. And although perhaps you may have after me one better Learned, or Wiser; yet I assure you, none more careful over you: And therefore henceforth, whether I live to see the like Assembly or no, or whoever it be, yet beware however you prove your Princes Patience, as you have now done mine. And now to conclude, all this nonwithstanding (not meaning to make a Lent of Christmas) the most part of you may assure your selves, that you depart in your Princes Grace.

Then she spake openly to the Lord Keeper, saying, My Lord, You will do as I bad. Who then said aloud, The Queens Majesty hath agreed to Dissolve this Parliament. Therefore every man may take his ease, and depart at his pleasure. And the Queen rose, and went and shifted her, and took her Barge, and returned to the Court, being past six of the Clock; and then after her rising, she made Anthony Browne, one of the Justices of the Common-Pleas, a Knight.

That the advice and consent of the Common-Council, or Parliament, was often required for the Marrying of the Kings of England.

1. WIlliam Duke of Normandy sending Ambassadors to King Harold, to deliver up the Crown of England to him, and to Marry the Dukes Daughter; Herald returned him this Answer. aaEadmerus Histor. Normannorum lib. 1. fol. 5. l. 44.Si de filia sua, quam debui in uxorem ut asserit ducere, agit, super Regnum Angliae mulierem extraneam inconsultis Principibus (words of a large extension used in those times by Historians) me nec debere nec sine grandi injuria posse adducere noverit. Malmesbury bbMalmesbury (obiit mortem an. poll natum Sirvatorem sesum MCxlii^o. 7 Regis Stephani, Balaeus Script. Britanniae fol. 186.) l. 3. p. 56. l. 24. in vita Willielmi.that antient and famous Historian, recites it thus. Quae dixi de puellae nuptiis referens de Regno addebat praesumptuosum fuisse quod abs que Generali Senatus & Populi Conventu & Edicto alienam illi haereditatem juraverit.

2. William the Son of H. I. being dead, ccEadmerus lih. 6. p. 135. l. 21.Rex legalis Conjugii nexu olim solutus, ne quid ulterius inhonestum committeret, Consilio Radulphi Cantuar. Pontificis & Principum Regni, quos omnes in Epiphania Domini sub uno Londoniae congregavit, decrevit sibi in uxorem Atheleidem filiam Godfredi Ducis Lotharingiae.

3. King John being Divorced, the new Queen was Crowned, ddRut. Cart. 5 Johannis m. 5. n. 33.de communi assensu & concordi voluntate Archiepiscoporum, Episcoporum, Comitum, Baronum, Cleri & Populi totius Regni.

4. H. 3. declares eeRut. Claus. 19 H. 3. Pars 2. m. 5. dorso. Vide Stat. de an. Bissextili 21 H. 3. Rex per Consilium fidelium subditorum, and vet resolved to be a Parliament, Coke lib. 8. Case del Prince, fol. 20.Ad omnem notitiam volumus pervenire, quod de assensu Magnatum & fidelium nostrorum (words comprehensive of a Parliament, precedent and future Authorities in the like Case considered) acceptabimus ducere in uxorem legitimam Alianoram filiam nobilis viri P. Comitis Provinciae, &c. he having had once a purpose to Marry the King of Scots younger Sister. Proposuit Rex (sayes the ffA Mat. Weslm. An. 1231. 15 H. 3. p. 290. l. 13.Historian) ducere in uxorem Regis Scotiae Sororem, indignantibus Comitibus & ggA Barones suni majores & minores. Barones pro libere tenentibus in genere, hoc est tam in Soccagio quam per Servitium militare, Spelm. Gloss. Diatriba de Baronibus, fol. 64, 67.Baronibus suis universis; non enim ut dixerunt decebat quod Rex duceret filiam natu minorem cum Hubertus Justiciarius (meaning Hubert de Burgo) natu majorem haberet sibi matrimonio copulatam.

5. Edward the Second, hhRot. Claus. 1 E. 2. m. 19. dorso.pro solempnitate sponsalium & Coronationis, Consulted with his Parliament in his first Year.

6. And An. 5 E. 3. the Chancellor declaring the reasons of the Assembly of the Parliament, amongst others tells them, that it was to iiRot. Pars. 5 E. 3. n. 3.consult and resolve, whether the King should proceed with France for recovery of his Seignories, en voie de amiable trete per aliance de mariage, ou de guerre.

7. In the 23^d Year of H. 6. that great Favourite, William de la Pole, Marquess of Suffolk, then Chancellor, by the Kings Command informs the Parliament, kkRot. Pars. 23 H. 6. n. 19.that the Marriage with Margaret the Sicilian Kings Daughter, was Contracted p. 118for inducing the Peace made with France; against which the Lords, as being made without their advice, made Protestation, and caused it to be entred upon the Parliament Roll; but it appears the Commons agreed to it, by the Petition which they put up to the King, whereby they recommended by the Chancellors Interest, his Services and Actions, praying his Grace to accept him to his gracious favour and good acceptance, and that he was a great instrument of the intended Peace and Marriage, which the Commons well liked of, though the Lords did not.

8. The Lords Spiritual, Temporal and Commons, tell the King, llRot. Parl. 1 R. 3. Cotton's Records, fol. 711.that they had considered, how that the pretended Marriage between E. 4. and Elizabetl. Gray, was made of great presumption without the knowledge and assent of the Lords of this Land.

9. And in the Parliament 1 H. 7. the Commons by Thomas Lovell their Speaker, did mmRot. Parl. 1 H. 7. n. 18.Petition the King to Marry Elizabeth, Edward the Fourths Daughter, which he at their request (back'd by the Lords) agreed to do: the Memorial of which is thus recorded in the Parliament Roll.

Memorand. quod decimo die Decembris Anno praesenti Communes Regni Angliae in pleno Parliamento coram Domino Rege comparentes, per Thomam Lovell Prolocutorem suum Regiae Celsitudini bumillime supplicabant eandem Celsitudinem assectuose requirentes, co considerato quod authoritate Parliamenti stabilitum est & inactitatum quod baereditates Regnorum Angliae & Franciae cum praeeminentia & potestate Regali sint, restent, remaneant & permaneant in persona ejusdem Domini Regis & haeredum de corpore suo legitimè exeuntium, eadem Regalis sublimitas vellet sibi il lam praeclaram Dominam Elizabetham Regis Edwardi Quarti siliam in Uxorem & Conthoralem assumere, unde per Dei gratiam sobolium propagatio de stirpe Regum à multis speratarum in totius Regni consolationem consequeretur. Quare Domini Spirituales & Temporales in eodem Parliamento existentes à sedibus suis surgentes & ante Regem in Regali solio residentem stantes capitibus suis inclinatis eandem requestam fecerunt voce divisa: quibus idem Rex respondebat ore preprio, se juxta eorum desideria & requestas procedere fuisse contentum.

10. Anno Domini 1530. Anno 21 H. 8. the Parliament sent a Declaration or Letter to the Pope, touching the Marriage and Divorce of that King from Queen Katherine, telling him, that nnDominus Herbert de Cherbury, in vita H. 8. fol. 303, 305, 306, 307.Causa Regiae Majestatis nostra cujus que propria est à Capite in membra derivata, dolor ad omnes at que injuria ex aequo pertinet, and that if his Holiness did not give his consent, nostri nobis curam esse relictam & aliunde nobis remedia conquiramus, that is, in plain English, if the Pope would not do it, they would, which indeed afterwards they did.

To which Pope Clement the Seventh sent an Answer directed thus, Venerabilibus fratribus Archiepiscopis & Episcopis ac dilectis filiis Abbatibus Nobilibus que viris Ducibus, Marchionibus, Comitibus, Baronibus, Militibus, ac Doctoribus Parliamenti Regni Angliae.

11. The Marriage of King Philip and Queen Mary, it is true, was treated on before, yet nothing could absolutely be concluded till the whole Treaty and Articles of Marriage were solemnly and solidly debated in Parliament, ooParl. sicundum 1 Mariae, Rast. Stat. p. 1085. c. 2. Rast. Stat. part 2. de An. 28 Eliz. fol. 121. c. 18.which being agreed to, they confirm and establish them by a Law.

12. We your Majesties most humble Subjects, cannot forbear, but with all humbleness most thankfully to set before the same, our most lowly thanks for three special matters proceeding from your Majesty to our benefit, joy and comfort in this present Assembly.

First, For the more Princely consideration had of us in the forbearing at this time some portion of that, which according to the greatness and necessity of your Affairs, we of Duty meant and intended to have yielded unto your Majesty.

Secondly, For the most comfortable assurance and promise by your Majesty made and declared unto us, that for our Weal and Surety, your Majesty would Marry as soon as God should give you opportunity to accomplish the same, whereof we have received infinite comfort, and shall pray to Almighty God to further and prosper all your Majesties Actions tending thereunto, that we your most natural Subjects may speedily see some noble Issue of your Body, to continue perpetually by Descent the Succession of this Imperial Crown.

Thirdly, For the great hope and comfort we have conceived by the means of your Majesties most Honourable Speech, uttered and declared unto us, of your most Gracious and Princely Disposition and determination, when time thereunto shall serve conveniently, with the Surety of your Majesties Person, and the Weal and Tranquillity of your Realm, to have due regard to the further establishing of the Succession of your Imperial Crown.

ppRot. Claus. 23 E. 1. m. 3. dorso.Quod omnes tangit, ab omnibus approbetur.