Plea for the Lords and House of Peers, Treatise · Section 1 · Floating text

Plea for the Lords and House of Peers · Treatise · Section 1 · Floating text

p. 24The humble Remonſtrance and Petition of the Peers,

MAy it pleaſe your Majeſtie, we the Peers of this Realm, now aſſembled in Parliament, finding the Earl of Arundel abſent from his place amongſt us, his preſence was therefore called for: But thereupon a meſſage was delivered us from your Majeſtie, by the Lord Keeper, That the Earl of Arundel was reſtrained for a miſdemeanor which was perſonal to your Majeſty, and lay in the proper knowledge of your Majeſty, and had no relation to matter of Parliament. This Meſſage occaſioned us to inquire into the Acts of our Anceſtors, and what in like caſes they had done, that ſo we might not erre in a dutifull reſpect to your Majesty, and yet preſerve our right and privileges of Parliament. And after diligent ſearch made, both of all Stories, Statutes, and Records that might inform us in this caſe, we find i… to be an undoubted Right, and conſtant Privilege of Parliament; That no Lord of Parliament, ſitting in Parliament, or within the uſual time of Privilege of Parliament, is to be impriſoned or reſtrained (without ſentence or order of the Houſe) unleſſe it be …or Treaſon or Felony, or for refuſing to give ſurety for the Peace: And to ſatisfie our ſelves the better, we have heard all that could be aleged by your Majeſties learned Counſel at Law, that might any way infringe or weaken this claim of the Peers; and to all that can be ſhewed or alleged ſo full ſatisfaction hath been given, as that all the Peers in Parliament, upon the queſtion made of this Privilege, have una voce conſented, that this is the undoubted right of the Peers, and hath been inviolably enjoyed by them.

Wherefore we your Majeſties loyal Subjects, and p. 25humble Servants, the whole body of the Peers in Parliament aſſembled, moſt humbly beſeech your Majeſty, that the Earl of Arundel, a Member of this Body, may preſently be admitted, by your gracious favour, to come ſit and ſerve your Majeſty and the Commonwealth in the great affairs of this Parliament, And we ſhall pray, &c.

Upon which Remonſtrance and Petition, the King refuſing to inlarge him, thereupon the Lords to maintain their Privilege, adjourned themſelves on the 25 and 26 of May, without doing any thing; and upon the Kings refuſal to releaſe him, they adjourned from May 26, till June 2. refuſing to ſit, and ſo the Parliament diſſolved in diſcontent: his impriſonment in this caſe being a breach of privilege, contrary to Magna Charta. In this very Parliament the Lord Digby Earl of Bristol being omitted out of the ſummons ▪ of Parliament, upon complaint to the Lords Houſe was by order admitted to ſet therein, as his Birthright, from which he might not be debarred for want of Summons, which ought to have been ſent unto him, ex debito Iuſtitiae, as Sir Edward Cook in his 4 Inſtitutes, p. 1. The Act for ttriennial Parliaments, and King John great Charter reſolve. And not long after the beginning of this Parliament, upon the Kings accuſation and impeachment of the Lord Kimbolton and the five Members of the Commons Houſe,**An Exact Collection, part. 1. p. 36. to 56. both Houſes adjourned, and ſate not as Houſes, till they had received ſatisfaction and reſtitution of thoſe Members, as the Journals of both Houſes manifeſt, it being an high breach of their Privileges, contrary to the Great Charter. If then the Kings bare not ſummoning of ſome Pears to Parliament, who ought to ſit there by their right of Perage; or impeaching, or impriſoning any Peer unjuſtly, to diſable them to ſit perſonally in Parl. be a breach of Privilege of the fundamental Laws of the Realm, and Magna Charta it ſelf, (confirmed in above 40 ſucceſſive Parliaments) p. 26then the Lords right to ſit, vote, and judge in Parliament is as firm and indiſputable as Magna Charta can make it, and conſented to, confirmed by all the Commons, people, and Parliaments of England, that ever conſented to Magna Charta, though they be not eligible, every Parliament by the Freeholders, people, as Knights and Burgeſſes ought to be: and to deny this birthright and privilege of theits, is to deny Magna Charta it ſelf, and this preſent Parliaments Declarations, proceedings in the caſe of the Lord Kimbolton, a Member of the Houſe of Peers.

5.Fifthly, The Treatiſe (intituled **See Cook 4 Inſtit. p. 12. for the Antiquity & for the Authority of this treatiſe, which in truth is meerly ſpurious. See Seldens titles of Honour, p. 613.738. to 743.The manner of holding Parliaments in England in Edward the Confeſſors time (befose the Conqueſt) rehearſed (afterwards) before William the Conquerour, by the diſcreet men of the Kingdom, and by himſelf approved and uſed in his time, and in the times of his ſucceſſors Kings of England; (if the Title be true, and the Treatiſe ſo antient as Sir Edward Cook, & others now take it to be) When as its mention of the (1)(1)An. 1132.Biſhop of Carliſles uſual place in Parliaments; (which Biſhoprick was not founded till the year of our Lord 1132. or 1134. as (2)(2)An. 1134. p. 400.Matthew Paris, Matthew Weſtminſter, Roger Hoveden, (3)(3)His Catalogue of Biſhops of Carliſle.Godwin and others atteſt in the later end of Henry the firſt his reign:) Its men…ion of the Mayors of London & other Cities, and writs uſually directed to them to elect two Citizens to ſerve in Parliament; whereas London it ſelf had (4)(4)Graftons & Stows Catalogues of the Maiors of London.no Mayor before the year 1208. (being the 9. year of King John) nor other Cities Mayors til divers years after; nor can any Writs for electing Knights of Shires, Citizens or Burgeſſes to ſerve in Parliament, which it oft times writes of, be produced before 49 H. 3. nor any Writs to levy their expences or wages for their Service in Parliaments, which it recites, be produced before the reign of King Edward the 1. Nor was the name of Parliament, which it mentions and writes of, ſo much as uſed by any Author before the later end of King Henry the 3. his reign, after whoſe reign this Modus was certainly compiled, towards the end of K. Richard the 2. or after, as other paſſages in it evidence beyond p. 27all contradiction) This magnified Treatiſe, be it genuine or ſpurious, determines thus of the Kings and Lords rights to be perſonally preſent in all Parliaments. The King is bound by all means poſſible to be preſent at the Parliament, unleſs he be detained or let there from by bodily ſickneſs; and then he may keep his Chamber, yet ſo that he lye not without the Manour or Town where the Parliament is held: and then he ought to ſend for twelve perſons, of the greateſt and beſt of them that are ſummoned to the Parliament; that is, two Biſhops, two EARLS, two BARONS, two Knights of the Shire, two Burgeſſes, and two Citizens to look upon his perſon to teſtifie and witneſs his eſtate; and in their preſence he ought to make a Commiſſion and give Authority to the Archbiſhop of the Place, the Steward of England, and Chief Juſtice, that they joyntly and ſeverally ſhould begin the Parliament, and continue the ſame in his name, expreſs mention being made in that Commiſſion of the cauſe of his abſence thence; which ought to ſuffice and admoniſh the OTHER NOBLES, and chief men in the Parliament, together with the evident teſtimonie of the twelve Peers, &c. The reaſon is, Becauſe there was wont to be a cry or murmur in the Parliament for the Kings abſence, becauſe his abſence is hurtfull and dangerous to the whole Commonalty of the Parliament and Kingdom. Neither indeed ought or may he be abſent, but only in the caſe aforeſaid. After which it follows, The Archbiſhops, Biſhops, and other chief of the Clergy ought to be ſummoned to come to the Parliament; and alſo EVERY EARL and BARON, and their PEERS OUGHT TO BE SUMMONED and COME TO THE PARLIAMENT, &c. Touching the beginning of the Parliament, The Lord the King, ſhall ſit in the midſt of the great bench, and is bound to be preſent in the firſt and laſt day of Parliament. And the Chancellort, Treaſurer, and Barons of the Exchequer, and Juſtices were wont to record the defaults made in Parliament according to the p. 28order following. In the third day of the Parliament, the Barons of the Cinqueports ſhall be called, and afterwards the BARONS of England; after them the EARLS, Whereupon if the Barons of the Cinqueports be not come, the Baronie from whence they are ſhall be amerced at an hundred marks; and an Earl at one hundred pounds: After the ſame manner it muſt be done to thoſe who are Peers to Earls and Barons. After which it relates the manner of placing the Earls, Baron; and Peers in Parliament; Then adds, The Parliament may be held, and OUGHT every day to begin at one of the clock in the afternoon: at which time the King is to be preſent at the Parliament, and all the Péers of the Kingdome. None of all the Peers of the Parliament may or ought to depart alone from the Parliament, unleſs he have obtained (and that in full Parliament) leave from the King and all his Péers ſo to doe; and that withall there be a remembrance kept in the Parliament roll of ſuch Leave and Libertie granted. And if any of the Peers during the term of the Parliament ſhall be ſick or weak, ſo as he is not able to come to the Parliament, then he ought three dayes together ſend ſuch as may excuſe him to the Parliament, or elſe two Peers muſt go and view him▪ and if they find him ſick, then he may make a Proxie. Of the Parliament, the King is the Head, the beginning and ending. So this Treatiſe. The Statute of 5 R. 2. Parl. 2. ch. 4. enacts by Command of the King, and Aſſent of the Prelates, Lords and Eommons in Parliament; That all and ſingular perſons and Commonalties, which from henceforth ſhall have the Summons of the Parliament, ſhall come from henceforth to the Parliament in the manner, as they be bound to doe, and hath been accuſtomed within the Realm of England of old time. And every perſon of the ſaid Realm which from henceforth ſhall have the ſaid Summons (be he Archbiſhop, Biſhop, Abbot, Prior, Duke, Lord, Baron, Baronet, Knight of the Shire, Citizen of City, Burgeſs of Burgh, or other ſingular perſon or Commonalty) do abſent himſelf, or come not at the ſaid Summons, (except he may reaſonably or honeſtly p. 29excuſe himſelf to our Soveraign Lord the King) he ſhall be amerced and otherwayes puniſhed according as of old time hath béen uſed to be done, within the ſaid Realm in the ſaid caſe. Which relates unto and agrees expreſly with that forecited out of Modus tenendi Parliamentum, (which took it out of this Act.) If then all the Lords, Peers in Parliament are bound to attend in Parliament, being oft times there all called for by name, and ought not to depart from it without the Kings and Houſes leave, under pain of Amercement and other puniſhment as this Statute reſolves, and 3 Ed. 3.19. Fitzh. Coron. 161. Stamford, l. 3. c. 1. f. 153. Cook 4 Inſtit. p. 15, 16, 17.43. 28 E. 3. Nu. 1, 2. 5 R. 2. n. 2. 8 H. 4. n. 55. and 31 H. 6. n. 45. (Where fines were impoſed on abſent Lords) moſt fully mamanifeſt; then queſtionleſs they ought of right to ſit in Parliament, elſe it were the height of Injuſtice thus to fine them. In the tenth year of King **Graftons chroh. p. 348.350.R. 2. this King abſented himſelf from his Parliament then ſitting at Westminſter, reſiding at Eltham about forty daies, and refuſing to come to the Parliament, and yet demanding from them four Fifteens for maintenance of his Estate and outward Warres: Whereupon the whole body of the Parliament made this anſwer; That unleſs the King were preſent they would make therein no allowance. Soon after they ſent the Duke of Gloceſter and Biſhop of Ely, Commiſſioners to the King to Eltham, who declared to him among other things in the Lords and Commons behalf; how that by **That in the Modus Tenendi Parl. touching the Kings abſence from the Parliament, was grounded on this paſſage; therefore writ after.an old Ordinance they have an Act, if the King abſent himſelf 40 dayes not being ſick, but of his own mind, (not heeding the charge of his people, nor their great pains) and will not reſort to the Parliament, they may then lawfully return to their Houſes. And now ſir (ſaid they) you have been abſent a longer time, and yet refuſe to come amongst us, which is greatly to our diſcontent. To which the King anſwered; Well, we do conſider, that our own people and Commons go about to riſe againſt us, wherefore we think we can do no better, than to ask aid of our Coſen the French King, and rather to ſubmit us to him, than unto our own ſubjects. The Lords anſwered, Sir, that Counſell is not beſt, but a way rather p. 30to bring you into danger, &c. By whoſe good perſwaſions the King was appeaſed, and promiſed to come to the Parliament, and condiſcend to their Petitions: and according to his appointment he came, and ſo the Parliament proceeded, which elſe had diſſolved by the Lords departure thence in diſcontent, a…d the Kings wilfull abſence.

Ranulf de Glanvil the firſt writer of our Common Laws, in his Prologue to his book De legibus & conſuetuainibus Regni Angliae, (uſed in the reign of King H. the 2. under whom he flouriſhed, and his Predeceſſors) writes thus of the Parliamentary Councils in that age, and their Members power to enact Laws. Leges Anglicanas, licet non ſcriptas leges appellari non videtur abſurdum, cum hoc ipſum Lex ſit, quod Principi placet, et legis habet vigorem: eas ſcilicet quas ſuper dubiis in Conſilio deſiniendis, Procerum quidem Concilio et principis accidente authoritate conſtat eſſe promulgatas. And lib. 13. cap. 32. f. 110. Cum quis itaque infra aſsiſam Dom. Reg. id eſt, infra tempus, A Dom. Rege de conſilio Procerum, adhoc conſtitutum, quod quandoque majus quando que minus cenſetur. So as the Parliaments under this King and his Anceſtors, conſiſted only of the King and Nobles, who then made and enacted Laws by the Kings royal aſſent, without any Knights, Citizens, or Burgeſſes elected by the people, of which I find no mention in the Parliamentary Councils under this King,(b)(b)Mat. Paris p. 96, 67. Mat. Weſtm. an. 1164 Hoved. annal. pars poſter. p. 499. Chron. Gervaſii col. 1385, 1386. Antiq. Eccleſ. Brit. p. 122. Radulf. de Dicero Imagines, Hiſt. col. 536. Fabian, Holinſhed, Grafton, Speed, Daniel. who as ſome erroniouſly aſſert, firſt ſummoned Knights, Citizens and Burgeſſes to our Parliaments. In the Parliamentary Councel at Clarindon, under King H. the 2. An. 1164. Jo. de Oxonia, by the Kings command (there preſent) ſate Preſident, Preſentibus etiam Archiep…ſcopis, Epiſcopis, Abbatibus, Prioribus, Comitibus, Baronibus, et Proceribus regni, wherein they made a Recognition of the cuſtoms and liberties of his Grandfather King Henry the 1. and other his Anceſtors, which ought to be obſerved by all perſons within the Realm, by reaſon of the diſcords often happening between the Clergy and temporal Juſtices, and great men of the Realm. Theſe they reduced to 16 Articles, very much ecclipſing the Popes and Biſhops eccleſiaſtical p. 31Jurisdiction. This (c)(c)Chronica Gervaſii, col. 1433.Recognition the Archbiſhops, B…ſhops, Abbots, Priors, Clergy, cum Comitibus Proceribus et Baronibus cunctis una voce, firmly promiſed in the word of truth, bona fide, to obſerve and keep to the King and his heirs for ever, without male engin. The 11 of theſe Articles runs thus. Archiepiſcopi et Epiſcopi ſicut caeteri Barones debent intereſſe Iudiciis Curiae (to wit of Parliament) cum Baronibus, quouſque perveniatur in judicio ad d…minutionē membrorum, vel ad mortem. Which proves the judicial power of Parliaments to be then only in the Lords and Barons. In the year 1170. (the 16 of Henry ….) on the Feaſt of St. Bernard, Rex magnum celebravit Concilium Londoniis cum Principibus et Magnatibus curiae ſuae, de coronatione Henrici filii ſui: So (d)(d)Annal. pars poſterior, p. 518.Hoveden, Anno 1172. Rex Angliae Henricus convocatis regui Primoribus apud Northamptoniam renove…unt Aſſiſ…m Clarindoniae, eamque praecepit obſervari. (e)(e)Roger de Hoveden Annal. pars poſt. p. 544.In the year 1175. King Henry the ſecond and his ſon held a great Council at York, where the agreement between him and the King of Scots (there preſent, with moſt of his Biſhops, Abbots and Nobles) was read and confirmed before the King and his Son, the Arehbiſhop of York, the Biſhop of Durham, & Comitibus & Baronibus Angliae. The (f)(f)Hoveden p. 546. Antiq. Eccleſias Brit. p. 94, 95.ſ…me year Rex magnum congregavit coneſlium …pud Windeſhores in octavis Sancti Michaelis praeſentibus & Rege filio Richardo Cant. Archiepiſcopo & Epiſcopis Angliae, & Laurent…o Dubli…enſi Archiepiſcopo. Praeſentibus e…i…m Comitibus et Baronibus Angliae, In which ſome controverſies in Ireland were ce…cided.

In the year (g)(g)Hoveden Annal. pars poſt. p. 548.1176. King Henry coming to No…ingham on the feaſt of Sr. Pauls converſion, ibi celebravit Magnum Concilium de ſtatute regni ſui, et coram rege filio ſu…. Archiepiſcopis, Epiſcopis, Comitibus et Baronibus Regn… ſui, Communi omnium Concilio diviſit regnum ſuum in ſex partes, per quarum ſingu…a… tres▪ Juſticiarios itinerantes conſtituit; whoſe names, Commiſſions, and Articles are there at large recorded. And the ſame year this King held p. 32another (h)(h)Hoveden P. 551.Great Council at London, in which the King Conſilio univerſorum Epiſcoporum, Comitum et Baronum Regni conceſſit Regi Siciliae filiam ſuam. (i)(i)Hoveden annal. pars poſter. p. 561. to 566. Mat. Paris, p. 127.In the year 1177. King Henry the 2. ſummoned a Great Counc…l to determin the great Controverſy between Sanctius King of Navarr, and Alphonſus King of Caſtile; whoſe Advocates propounding and debating their caſes in the preſence of the King and of his Biſhops, Earls and Barons; the King habito cum Epiſcopis, Comitibus et Baronibus noſtris cum deiiberatione conſilio, drew up by their advice an award between them under his great Seal, recorded at large in Hoveden, who writes Comites et Barones Regalis Curiae Angliae adjudicaverunt plenariam, utrique parti ſupradictae, quae in jure petita fuer…nt, fieri reſtitutionem. The like they did in the [k][k]Hoveden p. 560.Council of Northampton in other caſes held the ſame year. Anno 1188. King Henry the 2. on the 3d of February held a Parliamentary Council at [l][l]Chronica Gervaſii, col. 1522. Hoveden, p. 642.Gaintington, about 8 or 10. miles from Northampton, where convenerunt unà cum Rege PRAESULES ET PRINCIPES REGNI, de defenſione ſacroſanctae terrae Jeroſolymae tractaturi, where after long debate they made 8. Statutes concerning that voyage. The very ſame year the Kings of England and France on the 10. of February came to a conference about their Voyage to Jeruſalem; cum Archiepiſcopis, Comitibus et Baronibus Regnorum ſuorum, as they had formerly done in the ſame manner and place, An. 1173. and as they did afterwards An. 1189. Cum Archiepiſcopis, Epiſcopis et Baronibus ſuis. [m][m]Hoveden p. 641.556.653.So as during King Henry the ſeconds whole reign, we read of no Knights, Citizens and Burgeſſes electcted by the people preſent in our Parliamentary Councils, but only the King, Prelates, Earls, Barons and Nobles alwaies mentioned by name, and Judges in them. Only I find this one expreſſion in [n][n]Annal. p. 643.Hoveden, An. 1188. Rex statim (apud Gaintington) congregavit Magnum Concilium Epiſcoporum, Abbatum, Comitum et Baronum, et aliorum multorum tam Clericorum quam Laicorum, (but that theſe were Knights, Citizens and Burgeſſes elected p. 33by the people, and not perſons particularly ſummoned and nominated by the King himſelf to be Aſſeſſors & Collectors of the Tenths, there to receive their inſtructions for it, which is moſt probable, cannot be thence inferred) ubi in publica audientia recitari fecit omnia ſupradicta capitula quae conſtituerat de Cruce capienda: et tunc Dominus Rex miſit ſervientes ſuos, Clericos & Laicos, per ſingulos Comitatus Angliae ad Decim as colligendas (moſt likely the aliorum muliorum tam Clericorum quam Laicorum, preſent at this great Council) ſecundum praedictam Ordinationem in terris ſuis tranſmarinis conſtitutam, to wit, at Cenomanum, ubi conſilio ſuorum, (to wit, of the Archbiſhops, Biſhops, Earls and Barons there with him) ordinavit, quod unuſquiſque decimam redditorum et mobilium ſuorum in eleemo ſinam dabit ad ſubventionem terrae Jeroſolymitanae hoc anno (exceptis armis & equis, & vestibus militum, &c.) Sed de ſingulis urbibus totius Angliae, fecit elegi omnes ditiores, videlicet, de Londonio 200, & de Eboraco 100, & de aliis Urbibus ſecundum quantitatem & numerum eorum: & fecit omnes ſibi praeſentari diebus & locis ſtatutis, de quibus caepit Decimam mobilium ſuorum ſecundum aeſtimationem virorum fidelium, qui noverant redditus et mobilia eorum: Si quos autem inveniſſet rebelles, ſtatim fecit eos in carcerari et in vinculis teneri, donec ultimum quadrantem perſolverent: ſimiliter fecit de Judaeis terrae ſuae, unde inaeſtimabilem ſibi acquiſivit pecuniam.

Andrew Horn in his **Ch. 1. Sect. 2. p. 8, 9.Mirrour of Juſtices, in the reign of King Edward the firſt, writes, That our Saxon Kings divided the Realm of England, after it was turned into an heritage, into 38 Counties; over which they ſet ſo many Counts or Earls: and although the King ought to have no Peers in his land, yet for that if the King ſhould do wrong to, or offend any of his people, neither he nor any of his Commiſſaries ought to be both Judge and Party, it behoveth of Right, that the King ſhould have COMPANIONS, for to hear and determine IN PARLIAMENTS, all Writs and Plaints of the Wrongs of the King, of the Queen, and of their Children, and of p. 34thoſe eſpecially, who otherwiſe could not have common right concerning their wrongs. Theſe Companions are now called Counts, after the Latine word Comites. **Ch. 3. Sect. 3.For the good Eſtate of the Realm King Alfred aſſembled the COUNTS or Earls, and ordained by a Perpetual Law, that twice a year or oftner, they ſhould aſſemble at London in Parliament, to conſult of the Government of the people of God, &c. By which Eſtate or Parliament many Laws and Ordinances were made; which be there recites. Bracton l. 1. c. 8. l. 2. c. 16. l. 3. c. 9. in Henry the 3d. his reign, and Fleta, l. 2. c. 2. p. 66. write thus in Edw. the firſt his reign in the ſame words. Habet enim Rex cu…iā ſuam in concilio ſuo in Parliamentis ſuis, PRAESENTIBUS Praelatis, **But no Commons, of which he ſpeaks not a word; they having then no being or place in them▪COMITIBUS, BARONIBUS, PROCERIBUS, & aliis viris peritis: ubi terminatae ſunt dubitationes judiciorum, & novis injuriis emerſis, nova conſtituuntur remedia. And l. 17. c. 17. he writes thus, Rex in populo regendo ſuperiores habet, Videlicet, Legem per quam eſt Rex; & Curiam ſuam, (to wit, of Parliament) videlicet, COMITES & BARONES. Comites enim à Comitia dicuntur, qui cum viderint Regem ſine froeno, Froenum ſibi apponere TENENTƲR ne clament ſubditi: Domine Jeſu Chriſte in Chamo & froeno maxillas eorum conſtringe. Sir Tho. Smith in his Commonwealth of England, l. 2. c. 1. John Vowel, and Ralph Holinſhed, vol. 1. c. 6. p. 173. Mr. Cambden in his Britannia, p. 177. John Minſhaw in his Dictionary, Cowel in his Interpreter Title Parliament; Powel in his Attorneys Accademy, and **M. St. Johns Argument at Law at Straffords attainder. Daltons Office of Sheriffs.others, unanimouſly conclude. That the Parliament conſiſteth of the KING, the LORDS SPiRITUAL and TEMPORAL, and the Commons; which STATES repreſent the body of all England; which make but one Aſſembly or Court, called the Parliament, and is of all other the Higheſt and greateſt Authority, and hath the moſt high and abſolute power of the Realm: And that no Parliament is or can be holden without the King and Lords. Mr. Crompton in his Juriſdiction of Courts, affirms, particularly of the High Court of Parliament f. 1. &c. This Court is the higheſt Court of England, in p. 35which the King himſelf ſits in perſon, and comes there at the beginning and end of the Parliament▪ and at any other time when he pleaſeth, ordering the Parliament. To this Court come all the Lords of Parliament, as well Spiritual as temporal, and are ſeverally ſummoned by the Kings writ at a certain day and place aſſigned; The Chancellor of England and other great Officers or Judges are there likewiſe preſent; together with the Knights, Citizens and Burgeſſes; who all ought to be perſonally preſent, or elſe to be amerced, and otherwiſe puniſhed, if they come not being ſummoned, unles good cauſe be ſhewed, or in caſe they depart without the Houſes or Kings ſpecial licenſe, after their appearance before the Seſſions ended: And he reſolves, That the King, Lords and Commons, doe all joyntly make up the Parliament; and that no Law nor Act of Parliament can be made to bind the ſubject, without all their concurrent aſſents.

Sir Edward Cook not only in his Epiſtle before his ninth Report and Inſtitutes on Littleton, p. 109, 110. But likewiſe in his 4. Inſtitutes, (publiſhed by Order of the Commons themſelves this preſent Parliament, c. 1. p. 1, 2. &c.) writes thus of the high and Honourable Court of Parliament. This Court conſiſteth OF THE KINGS MAJESTIE, ſitting there, as in his royal politick capacity; and of the three Eſtates of the Realm, viz. Of the Lords Spiritual, Archbiſhops and Biſhops, being in number 24. who ſit there in reſpect of their Counties or Baronies, parcel of their Biſhopricks, which they hold alſo in their politick capacity; and every one of theſe when the Parliament is to be holden, ought ex debito Juſtitiae, to have a writ of ſummons. The LORDS TEMPORAL, Dukes, Marqueſſes, Earls, Viſcounts and Barons, who ſit there by reaſon of their dignities which they hold by deſcent or creation: And likewiſe EVERY ONE OF THESE being of full age, OUGHT TO HAVE a writ of ſummons **Therefore their excluſion thence, is Ex Abyſſo Nequiti…, from the abyſs of Injuſtice and Iniquity.EX DEBITO JUSTITIAE. The third Eſtate are the Commons of the Realm, whereof there be p. 36Knights of Shires or Counties, Citizens of Cities, and Burgeſſes of Boroughs. All which are reſpectively elected by the Shires or Counties, Cities and Boroughs by force of the Kings writ, ex debito Juſtitiae; and none of them ought to be omitted: and theſe repreſent all the Commons of the whole Realm, and truſted for them, and are in number at this time 403. He adds, And it is obſerved, that when there is beſt appearance, there is the beſt ſucceſſe in Parliament. At the Parliament holden in the 7. year of H. 5. holden before the Duke of Bedford Guardian of England, of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal there appeared but 30. in all: at which Parliament there was but one Act of Parliament paſſed, and that of no great weight. In An. 50 E. 3. all the Lords appeared in perſon, and not one by Proxy: at which Parliament, as appeareth by the Parliament Roll, ſo many excellent things were ſped and done, that it was called Bonum Parliamentum. And the King and theſe three eſtates are the great Corporation or body of the kingdom and doe ſit in two Houſes; and of this Court of Parliament, the King is Caput, Principium, & Finis. The Parl. cannot begin but by the Royal preſence of the King either in perſon or repreſentation, by a Gardian of England or Commiſſioners, both of them appointed under the great Seal of England, &c. And 42 E. 3. Rot. Parl. num. 7. It is declared by the Lords and Commons in full Parliament, upon demand made of them, on the behalf of the King; That they **Nota.could not aſſent to any thing in Parliament, that tended to the diſinheriſon of the King and his Crown whereunto they were ſworn. And p. 35. he hath this ſpecial obſervation; That it is obſerved by antient Parliament men out of Records, that Parliaments have not ſucceeded well in five caſes. Firſt, when the King hath been in difference with his Lords & with his Commons. Secondly, When any of the great Lords were at variance between themſelves. Thirdly, When there was no good correſpondence between the Lords and Commons. Fourthly, When there was no unity between p. 37the Commons themſelves (in all which our preſent Parliament is now moſt unhappy; and ſo like to miſcarry and ſucceed very ill) Fifthly, When there was no preparation for the Parliament before it began: every of which he manifeſts by particular inſtances.

From all theſe and ſundry (z)(z)Judge Huttons Argume… of Mr. Hampdens caſe. p. 32, 33. Daltons office of Sherifs. Mr. St. Johns Argument at Law at Straffords Attainder, publiſhed by the Commons ſpecial Order, in which he at large aſſerts The Kings and Lords undoubted right to ſit and judge in Parliament, and that it is high Treaſon to exclude them by force of Arms.other Authorities, it is moſt evident and tranſparent; That both the King himſelf and Lords, ought of right, duty to be perſonally preſent in Parl. and ever have been ſo, as well as the Commons, and neither of them to be excluded, ſince they all make up but one Parliament, that no Lords, Commons ought to depart from it without ſpecial leave, under pain of amercement, and other penalties, That no binding Law can be paſſed without their joynt conſents. And that the Commons alone are no more a Parliament of themſelves without the King and Lords, than the Common Councel of London are an intire City or Corporation without the L. Mayor, and Aldermen, or the Covent without the Abbot, the Chapter without the Dean, or the legs or belly a perfect man without the head, neck, and heart.

Sixthly,**33 H. 6.17. Brooke Parliament 4 Cromptons Juriſdiction of Courts. f. 8. Mr. Hackwel of the manner of paſſing Blls in Parliament. The antient and conſtant form of endorſing Bills in Parliament, began in the Commons houſe, in all Parliaments ſince the Houſe of Commons, unanſwerably demonſtrates the Commons of Englands acknowledgement of the Lords right, to ſit, vote▪ aſſent, or diſ-aſſent to Bills in Parliament, viz. Soit Bayle a Seigneurs: let it be delivered, or ſent up to the Lords. Yea, the Commons conſtant ſending up of their own Members, with Meſſages to the Lords; their receiving Meſſages from them, and entertaining frequent conferences with them in matters wherein their opinions differ; in which conferences the Lords uſually adhere to their diſſents, unleſſe the Commons give them ſatisfaction and convince them, and the Lords oft times convince the Commons, ſo far as to conſent p. 38to their alterations of Bills, Ordinances, Votes, and to lay them quite aſide, is an unqueſtionable argument of their Right to ſit and vote in Parliament; and of their Negative voice too: All which would prove but a meer abſurdity, ſuperfluity, if the Commons in all ages, and now too, were not convinced, that the Lords had as good right to ſit and vote in Parliament, and a Negative diſſenting voice, as well as they; never once queſtioned nor doubted till within this year or two, by ſome ſeditious diſciples of Lilburns and Overtons tutoring, who endeavoured to evade their juſtice on them.

Seventhly, This juſt right of the Lords is expreſly and notably confirmed by all the Commons of England, in the Parliament of 31 H. 8. c. 10. concerning the placing and ſitting of the Lords and great Officers of State in the Parliament Houſe, made by the Commons conſent: it being in vain to make ſuch a Law (continuing ſtill till this very day both in force and uſe) if they had no lawfull right to ſit and vote in Parliament, becauſe they are not elective, as Knights and Burgeſſes are. And likewiſe by the Statute of 39 H. 6. c. 1. made at the Commons own Petition, to repeal the Parliament held at Coventry the year before; and all procedings of it, by practice of ſome ſeditious perſons; of purpoſe to deſtroy ſome of the great Nobles, faithfull and lawfull Lords and Eſtates, meerly out of malice, and greedy and unſatiable covetouſneſs to poſſeſſe themſelves of their Lands, poſſeſſions, offices and goods; whereby many great injuries, Enormities and Inconveniences, well nigh to the ruine, decay, and univerſal ſubverſion of the kingdom enſued. The very deſign of our Lilburniſts, Sectaries, and Levellers now, out of particular malice and covetouſneſs, to ſhare the Lords and all rich Commoners lands and eſtates between them, being poor indigent covetous people for the moſt part, ſcarce forty of them worth one groat, at leaſt before theſe times and wars.

8ly. This apparent Right of theirs, is undeniably ratified, acknowledged by the very words of the Kings writs in all ages, by which the Lords themſelves are ſummoned to p. 39the Parliament, running in this form.

**Clauſe 49 H. 3. m. 10. dorſ. in ſchedul…, Cromptons jurisdiction of Courts, f. 1.Carolus, &c. Chariſſimo conſaguineo ſuo Edwardo Com. Oxon. ſalutem: Quia de adviſamento & conſenſu conſilii noſtri pro quibuſdam arduis et urgentibus negotiis, Nos, ſtatum et defenſionem Regni noſtri Angliae, & Eccleſiae Angli canae concernentibus, quoddam Parliamentum noſtrum apud Civitatem noſtram. Weſtmonaſterium, 12 die Novemb. prox. futuro tenere ordinavimus, et ibidem vobiſcum, cum Praelatis, Magnatibus et Proceribus dicti regni nostri colloquium havere, ettractare; Vobis ſub fide & ligeantiis quibus nobis teneamur firmiter injungendo, Mandamus, quod conſideratis dictorum negotiorum arduitate, & periculis minentibus, ceſſante excuſatione quacunque, dictis die et loco perſonaliter inter ſitis Nobiſcum, ac cum Praelatis, Magnatibus, Proceribus praedictis, ſuper dictis negotiis tractaturus, veſtrumque conſilium impenſurus, ſicut Nos et honorem noſtrum, ac ſalvationem et defenſionem Regni et Eccleſiae praedictorum, expeditionem que dictorum negotiorum diligitis, nullatenus omittatis, Teſte, &c.

Which writs firmly require and command their perſonal preſence, counſel and adviſe in all Parliaments, without any excuſe, and that by the faith and allegiance which they owe to the King, and as they doe tender the King and his honour, the ſalvation and defence of the Realm and Church of England, and the diſpatch of the arduous and urgent buſineſſes which concern them. Which is likewiſe ſeconded, expreſſed in the very words of all the writs for election of Knights and Burgeſſes, the form and ſubſtance whereof are antient, and can recive no alteration nor addition but by Act of Parliament, as (b)(b)Inſtit. 4. p. 10. This is their only end, and truſt, & none other, as the Writ and its retorn atteſt; not to impriſon, deſtroy the King, Realm, Church, and Parliament of England it ſelf, and thoſe very Cities, Burroughs which elected them, under pretext of a new Government, and more equal repreſentative, the very Jeſuits plot, and Levellers deſign.Sir Edward Cook reſolves. By this Writ, the Prelates, Great men, Nobles of the Realm are ſummoned to the Parliament, there to treat and confer with the King, of the arduous and urgent p. 40affairs and defence of the King, Realm, and Church of England, as the firſt Clauſe of the writ, **Clauſe 4 E. 3. m. 41.32.27.19 dorſ. 5. E. 3. part 1. m. 25.7. 6 E. 3. Dorſ. clauſ. part 2. m. 36.4. Cromptons Iuriſdiction of Courts. f. 1.Carolus, &c. quia, &c. pro quibuſdam arduis et urgentibus negotiis; Nos Statum & defenſionem Regni noſtri Angliae, & Eccleſiae Anglicanae concernent: quoddam Parliamentum nostrum &c. teneri ordinavimus; & ibidem cum Praelatis▪ Magnatibus & Proceribus dicti Regni noſtri colloquium & haberet tractare, Tibi praecipimus, And the Commons are ſummoned, to perform and conſent to thoſe things which ſhall there happen to be ordained by this Common Council of the Kindom, &c. And if they are thus ſummoned, not to treat amongſt themſelves as an independent, intire Parliament; but to confirm and conſent to what the King, Prelates, Great men, and Peers (the ††See the Freeholders grand Inqueſt, and my Hiſtorical Collection, where this is largely proved.Common Council of the Realm) ſhall ordain about ſuch affairs; as they muſt of neceſſity admit the King, Lords and Peers to be altogether as eſſential (yea more principal eminent) Members of Parliament, though not elective as the Knights and Burgeſſes, who are but ſummoned to conſent to and perform what ſhall happen there by their common adviſe to be ordained; or at leaſt to conſult and adviſe with them, as their inferiours, not to over-rule them, as their ſuperiours, and the only Supream power, authority in the Kingdom. So if they will totally exclude either King or Lords from the Parliament (who are diſtinct, principal and eſſential Members of it as well as the Commons, and have always been ſo reputed until now) the Commons may ſit alone as Cyphers, but not as a Parliament or Council, to vote, impoſe, or act any thing that is binding to the people; ſince regularly they neither are, nor ever yet were in any age no more a Parliament in any caſe without the King and Lords, then the King and Lords alone are now a Parliament (though antiently they were ſo of themſelves) without the Commons, or the trunk of a man, a perfect man without head or ſhoulders. If **Dyer. 61, 62. Cook 5. Report. f. 90, 91, 94.120, 121.1: Rep. f. 111.173. 19 H. 8, 9. Br. executors 3.15.11.7.12.3. be joyntly impowred or commiſſioned to do any act by Commiſſion, p. 41Deed, or Warrant, any one or two of them can doe nothing without the third. If many be in Commiſſion of the Peace, Sewers, or the like & three of the Quorum joyntly, to act therein joyntly, if any one of the three be abſent or dead, all the reſt can doe nothing, becauſe their authority is joynt, not ſingle. In Parliament it ſelf, if either houſe appoint a Committee of 3, 5, or 7. to examine, act, or execute any thing: if but one of this number be abſent, or put out, the reſt can doe nothing that is legal or valid, even by courſe of Parliament; neither can either Houſe ſit and vote as a Houſe, unleſſe there be ſo many Members preſent, as by the Law and cuſtom of Parliament will make up an Houſe, as every mans experience can inform him. If theſe Levellers then will abſolutely cut off or exclude the King or Lords from the Parliament, they abſolutely null and diſſolve it: and the Act for **See my legal Vindication againſt illegal Taxes, p. 3.4.44. to 51. And this Lilburn himſelf expreſly aſſerts in part in his Letter or Epiſtle to the Speaker Mr. Lenthal. June 8. 1658. p. 34.39. to 59.continuing this Parliament cannot make nor continue the Commons alone together as a Parliament, no more than the Lords or King alone without the Commons; the King or either houſe alone being no Parliament, but both conjoyned and enlivened with the Kings perſonal or repreſentative preſence. The cutting off the head alone or of the head and ſhoulders, altogether deſtroys and kills the body Politick and Parliament, as well as the body natural. If the King dies, or reſigns his Crown, or be depoſed, the Parliament thereby is actually diſſolved, as it was reſolved in the Parl. of 1 H. 4. n, 1, 2, 3. 1 H. 5. n. 26. 4 E. 4.44. and Cooks 4 Institutes, p. 46. The laſt Parliament of 21 Jac. diſſolved by his death, So if the Lords or Commons diſſolve and leave their Houſe, without any adjournment, or if the King by his Writ diſmiſſe, or diſſolve either of the Houſes, the Parliament is thereby diſſolved, as the forecited Preſidents, and the latter clauſe of the writ for the election of Knights and Burgeſſes manifeſts. And a new kind of Parliament conſiſting only of Commoners, when the old one (only within the Act for continuing this Parliament made up both of King, Lords, and Commons) is diſſolved; neither will nor can be ſupported p. 42or warranted by the Letter or intention of this Law, or any other Law, cuſtom, or right whatſoever.

Ninthly, All the Petitions of the Commons in all antient & modern Parliaments to the King, & Peers, for their redreſſe of grievances, recorded in our antient Parliamentary Rolls. The uſual Prologue to moſt of our antient printed Statutes, in the Statutes at large, & in Poulton, The King at the request of the Commons & of, or by the aſſent of the Prelates, Dukes, Earls, Barons, and other great men there aſſembled, hath ordained theſe things (or Acts) underwritten: all Acts of Parliament now extant, uſually running in this form; **Cook 4. Inſtit. c. 1,The King with the aſſent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament hath ordained; And be it enacted by the Kings moct excellent Majeſty, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in this preſent Parliament aſſembled. The famous Petition of Right, 3 Car. ſo much inſiſted on, beginning thus. Humbly ſhew unto our Soveraign Lord the King, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons in Parliament aſſembled, thus anſwered by the King; Let right be done as is deſired. The Act for continuing this Parliament, made by the King and Lords, as well as by the Commons, (who never intended to exclude themſelves out of this Parliament by that Act, or that it ſhould continue if either of them were quite diſmembred from it) with all Acts and Ordinances ſince. Yea the very Proteſtation, and Solemn League and Covenant, taken by the Commons, Lords and preſcribed by them to all others throughout the three kingdoms, which couple the Lords and Commons always together (neither of them alone being able to make any binding Act nor Ordinance to the Subjects, **See my Irenarch. redivivus.unleſſe they both concurr, and have the Kings royal aſſent thereto no more than one Member alone of the Houſe can make a Houſe) and ranck the Lords always before the Commons, and the King before them both; ſo firmly hold forth, establiſh the Lords and Kings undoubted Rights to ſit and Vote in Parliament, and decry this new invented Monopoly of a ſole Parliament of Commons, without King or Lords, and that abſolute Sovereign Power theſe p. 43Lilburniſts, new Lights have ſpied out and ſet up for them in Utopia; that impudency it ſelf would bluſh to vent ſuch mad, abſurd, irrational Frenzies and Paradoxes as theſe crack brain'd perſons dare to publiſh; and they may with as much truth and reaſon argue, that one man is three; that the Leggs and trunk of a man are a perfect man, without head, neck, arms, and ſhoulders; or that the Leggs, Ribs, Bowels of the Body are and ought to be placed above the head, neck, ſhoulders; as that the Houſe of Commons are or ought to be an entire Parliament; the ſole Legiſlative Power, the only Supreme Authority, paramount both King and Lords; who muſt not now have ſo much as a Negative voice, to deny or contradict any of the Commons Votes, or Ordinances, though never ſo raſh, unjuſt, diſhonourable, prejudicial or dangerous to the whole Kingdom; as theſe new Dogmatiſts affirm.

Tenthly, The Commons themſelves in their joynt Declaration and Reſolution with the Lords, this Parliament, concerning his Majeſties late Proclamation, 9 August 1642. **Exact Collection, p. 508.printed by their special order declare and ſtile his Houſe of Péers to be, the Hereditary Counſellors of the Kingdom. The like they declare in their **Exact Collection, p. 846.Declaration of 16 January 1642. Mr. John Pym in his Speech at Guildhall in London, 14 January 1642. (made and printed by the Commons ſpecial order) aſſerted; That the Lords have an Hereditary intereſt in making Laws in this Kingdom. **Exact Collection, p. 13, 19, 528.The Commons Houſe in their Remonſtrance of the State of the Kingdom, 15 December 1641. affirm, That the Peers are the Kings Great Council: That the King ſummoned the Great Council of Péers to meet at York the 24. of September, and there declared a Parliament to begin the 3. of November following. In which Parliament when the Lords and Commons met; they add▪ But what can we the Commons doe without the conjunction of the Houſe of Lords? and what conjunction can we expect there, when the Biſhops and Recuſant Lords are ſo numerous and prev…lent? thereby confeſſing that without the Lords concurrence (who are the Great Council of the Realm) the Commons p. 44can do nothing at all in Parliament: ſince all Laws, Ordinances, Taxes, Votes that are valid and binding to the people, must paſs Both Houſes, and have the Lords as well as Commons aſſent; as they reſolve in ſundry **Exact Collection, p. 213.276, 277.268, 269.278, 279, 280.250.360.364, 365.377.455.461.494.498.526, 528.531, 533, 544.502.546, 547.548, 550, 551.557.560, 561, 562.578.321, 322, 323. A Collection of Ordinances, p. 110, 111.205, 227.879.printed Rem…nſtrances, & Declarations, mentioning Both Houſes of Parliament, …nd their concurrence to all things therein concluded; and the King likewiſe in his. The Lords and Commons in their Declaration of the 5th of August 1645. to the High and Mighty States General of the United Provinces; printed in A Collection of Ordinances of Parliament, p. 699, 700. complain thus to them of this miſinformation of their Ambaſſadors, June 20. 1645. The Lower Houſe hath cauſed the Chamber where they ſit in, to be hanged with Tapiſtry, which was heretofore never ſo. It is ſaid it is done, that the Lords changing their Chamber, ſhall come and ſit in the Houſe of Commons, and ſo to be both together reduced into one body, and the better agree by number of Votes: When heretofore the Parliament was full, then the Lords Chamber did conſiſt of about 126. or more Votes, and the Lower Houſe of above 500 Votes; and they have alwayes been in ſeveral Houſes, and the one could not conclude anything for a Reſolution of the King, unleſs the other Houſe did alſo conſent; but now the King is abſent, and the Vpper Houſe ſhould now be melted into the Lower; and in the Common Aſſembly of about 26 Lords which are now here, and ſome 200 Commoners, ſo the moſt Votes ſhould rule and Ordain all matters: Thus much we are told, and that it tends to ſhun many disputes, and hindrances which happen in their reſolution every day. The Lords remain conſtant to maintain their Rights, and ſay: this is to take away all their Right and prerogative, taking away their Houſe; and ſo to bring all the power under the Commons. …o which Miſinformation the Commons, (and Lords too) returned this Anſwer to the States. My Lords, the Commons are charged with endeavour of altering the fundamentals of Parliament, by taking away the Houſe of Péers, and melting it into the Houſe of Commons, when as there was never any debate in the Houſe of Commons concerning a…y ſuch matter, nor was the ſame ever intended or p. 45deſired by the ſaid Houſe. **A Collection of Ordinances, p. 877, 878.After this the whole Houſe of Commons in their Declaration of the 17 Aprilis 1646. of their true Intentions concerning the antient and fundamental Government of the Kingdom; thus poſitively declared to all the world; That our true and real Intentions are, and our endeavours ſhall be, to maintain the antient and fundamental Government of the Kingdom By King, Lords and Commons: that we have only deſired, that with the conſent of the King, ſuch powers may be ſetled in the two Houſes, without which we can have no aſſurance but that the like or greater miſchiefs, which God hath hitherto delivered us from, may break out again, and engage us in a ſecond and more deſtructive warr. Seeing then the very Commons Houſe themſelves in theſe and ſundry other printed Declarations have ſo fully, ſo frequently declared, reſolved the Lords antient undoubted Hereditarie right and intereſt to ſit, vote and aſſent unto all Laws, Ordinances, Proceedings in Parliament, as the Great Council, and Counſellors of the kingdom, and acknowledged this their Privilege and the Houſe of Peers to be a part of the fundamental Conſtitution and Government of this kingdom, which they are reſolved to maintain, and not to alter: and that they never intended nor deſired, much leſs endevoured the altering the fundamentals of Government by taking away the Houſe of Lords; How any Commoners, Levellers or others can now dare to queſtion, deny or oppugn this their hereditary fundamental right of Peerage, or attempt the actual aboliſhing of the Houſe of Peers, without the higheſt Impudency, Treachery, Abſurdity, and incurring the Crime of a New Gun-powder Treaſon, to blow up the Houſe of Lords afreſh, which the old Jeſuitical Popiſh Gun-powder Traytors only attempted, but could not accompliſh, tranſcends my underſtanding to comprehend.

11ly, The General Council of the Officers of the Army in their Declaration made at Windſore; about January 1647. preſented to the Lords Houſe by Sir Hardreſs Waller; aſſerted, The hereditary Legal Right of the Lords and their p. 46Houſe in Parliament, and the Armies fixed reſolution to uphold and maintain them and their Privileges with their ſwords. And if John Lilburns printed Letter to the Speaker, July 8 1648. p. 26, 27. may be credited, Lieutenant General Cromwell himſelf, proteſted to him and others at the Lord Whartons houſe, and that upon his conſcience in the ſight of God, Nota.That the Lords had as true a Right to their Legiſlative and Iuriſdictive power over the Commons, as he had to the coat on his back, and that he and the Army would ſupport the ſame. How dare then any Levellers or Officers in the Army or elſewhere to queſtion or attempt to aboliſh this their undoubted right to ſit, vote▪ and exerciſe a legiſlative and Juridical Juriſdiction in Parliament, and that over Commons themſelves in caſes which concern their Peerage, and in caſes not triable properly elſwhere but only in Parliament?

12. Twelfthly, Theſe very Sectaries and Levellers themſelves have acknowledged, aſſerted this Right & Power of the Lords all along this Parliament till of late, as appears by their ſeveral Petitions and Complains to them upon ſundry occaſions heretofore; by their reſorting to them for Juſtice againſt Strafford, Canterbury, and others; Yea (c)(c)See Innocency and truth juſtified, p. 74, 75. Mr. Edwards Gangraena, part 3. p. 156.157. where his words & contradictions in this kind are recited at large.Jo. Lilburn himſelf, till his late quarrel with them, not only acknowledged their very power of Judicature, but highly applauded their Juſtice, in his own cauſe; Petitioning and ſuing to them not onelyonly for reverſal of the ſentence against him in Starchamber, but likewiſe for damages and reparations againſt his Proſecutors, pleading his cauſe by his Counſel before them, as his proper Judges; who thereupon by judgement of the Houſe, vacated the Decree against him, as illegal; voted him Damages, and paſſed him an Ordinance for the recovery and levying thereof; all which he himſelf hath publiſhed in ſundry of his printed Pamphlets, wherein he acknowledgeth and extolleth their Justice. Take but one paſſage for all in his Innocency and Truth justified, p. 74, 75. If I be tranſmitted up to the Lords, I confidently believe I ſhall get forward, out of the former experiences of their Justice there, & I will inſtance two particulars. Firſt, when I was a Priſoner in the p. 47Fleet, and ſecondly, May the fourth, one thouſand ſix hundred forty one. The King accuſed me of High Treaſon, and before the Lords Bar was I brought for my life; where, although one Littleton, ſervant to the Prince, ſwore point blank againſt me, **He did not then demur to their juriſdiction.yet had I free liberty to ſpeak for my ſelf in the open Houſe; And upon my deſire, that Maſter Andrews alſo might declare upon his Oath what he knew about my buſineſs, it was done; And his Oath being abſolutely contradictory to Maſter Littletons, I was both freed from Littletons malice, and the Kings accuſation, at the Bar of the whole Houſe: And for my part **Nota.I am reſolved to ſpeak well of thoſe that have done me juſtice, and not to doubt they will deny it me, till ſuch time as by experience I find they doe it. And at that time he was ſo much for the Lo…ds, that he writes moſt diſgracefully, derogatorily of the Commons Houſe, (and other his Confederates by his example) tells them of their want of power, injuſtice, and illegal proceedings (d)(d)His Letter to a friend: Innocency and truth juſtified. H…s Letters to the General. Hen. Martin and L. G. Cromwel Englands Birthright. See Mr. Edw. Gangraena, part 3. p. 146. to 228.quarrels only with them, and their Committees, for their delays and injuſtice towards him: telling them to their faces in many of his former, and late printed **The ſame he aſſerts in his Letter to the Speaker, June 8. 1648. And that the Commons then ſitting, without the King and Lords were no Parliament at all, and could make no Acts, &c. See there p. 26. to 59. where he largely proves it.Libels: That they have no power at all to commit or examin him, or any other Commons of England without the Lords: nor yet to give or take an Oath: That they are but a peece, and loweſt part of the Parliament, not a Parliament alone; That they can make no binding Votes, Ordinances or Laws, nor commit nor command any Commoner, without the Lords, and in one or two Pamphlets more he endeavours to prove them to be now no lawfull houſe of Commons, at all; nor would he ever acknowledge them to be ſo; and that he would make no more conſcience of cutting theirs and the Lords throats (the Tyrants and Oppreſſors at Weſtminſter) than of killing ſo many Weaſels and Polcats; with many other like ſcurrilous and mutinous expreſſions. His own printed Papers, Petitions, Actions therefore are an unanſwerable confutation of his malicious cōtradictions of their Authority p. 48and judicature ſince, for their exemplary juſtice on him: And he muſt either now re-acknowlege th…ir right of ſitting, voting, judging in Parliament to be lawfull, or elſe renounce his own former Petitions and addreſſes to them for juſtice; retract all his former printed Papers, aſſerting their judicature, and extolling their juſtice; yea diſclaim their judgement for vacating his own ſentence, in the Starchamber, their awarding him damages, and paſſing an Order to recover them, as meerly null and void, being made before no lawfull nor competent Judges, as now he writes, ſince not elected by the Peoples Vote. Let thoſe his followers, who admire him for his Law, obſerve theſe his palpable, invincible contradictions, and be aſhamed and afraid to follow ſuch an ignorant erronious guide, who writes only out of malice, faction, not of judgement, as his contradictions evidence.

13ly. The Acts for preventing the inconveniencies happening by the long intermiſſion of Parliaments. And to prevent the inconveniences which may happen by the untimely adjourning, proroging, or diſſolving the Parliament (made this Parliament, and aſſented to by the King at the Commons importunity) confirm the Lords intereſt, right, to ſit and Vote in Parliament beyond all diſpute, and give them now power to ſummon a Parliament themſelves in ſome caſes, in default of the King, his Chancellor and Officers.

14ly. The antient form ſtill continued till this day, of diſmiſſing and diſſolving Parliament, the King licenſeth THE LORDS and COMMONS TO DEPART HOME, and TAKE THEIR EASE. 37 E. 3. n. 34. 38 E. 3. n. 18. 40 E. 3. n. 16. 43 E. 3. n. 34. 45 E. 3. n. 8.13. 47 E. 3. n. 7. (and all Parliaments ſince) proves their right of ſitting in, and attending the ſervice of the Parliament in perſon (without ſpecial licenſe of the King, diſpencing with their abſence) during its continuance, in deſpite of all ignorant cavils to the contrary, The Kings licenſe of them to depart being void and nugatory, if not bound by Law to attend the Parliament in perſon, as well as the Commons.

p. 4915ly. Finally, this hereditary right of the Engliſh Barons, Lords, is demonſtrated, reſolved in this very clauſe of their Patents of creation; when firſt created Earls or Barons, inſerted into all Patents ſince, 20 H. 2. and implyed by our Laws, though not preciſely mentioned in all the antient Patents of creation before. **Seldens Titles of Honour, part. 2. ch. 5. p. 663, 665.747, 748, 171, 763, 751, 757.Volentes & per praeſentes concedentes pro nobis, haeredibus, & ſucceſſoribus noſtris, quod praefotus A. Comes (vel Baro, &c.) S. & haeredes ſui maſculi, ut Comites, vel Barones, de S. in omnibus teneantur, tractentur, & reputentur, et eorum quilibet habeat, teneat, et poſsideat ſedem et locum in Parlamentis noſtris, haeredum et ſucceſsorum noſtrorum in…ra regnum noſtrum Angliae, inter alios Comites (vel Barones) ut Comes, vel Baro. Than which nothing than be more poſitive and direct in point.

I ſhall cloſe up all the premiſes with two memorable Clauſes in two writs of Summons to Parliament, evidencing not only the undoubted right, but abſolute neceſſity of the Lords perſonal fitting, voting, and adviſing in our Parliaments.

In the Parliament held at York, in the 6 year of King Edward the third, the Archbiſhop of Canterbury, with ſome other Biſhops and Nobles being abſent, thereupon the Prelates, Nobles, Knights and Burgeſſes there preſent refuſed to act any thing, and reſolved they could conclude nothing by reaſon of their abſence: whereupon they prayed the King to adjourn the Parliament, and by a new Writ to ſummon the Archbiſhop, and all other Biſhops and Lords then abſent perſonally to appear at York on the day whereto the Parliament was adjourned, under a penalty, as is evident by theſe Clauſes in the Writs of Summons then iſſued. **Rot. Clauſ. 6 E. 3. in 4 Dorſ.Rex é venerabili in Chriſto Patri eadem gratia Archiepiſcopo Cantuar. &c. Verum quia dictis negotiis in eodem Parliamento praepoſitis, quae ſalvationem jurium Coronae noſtrae, & regni noſtri intimè contingunt, Et nobis incidunt multum cordi, per Praelatos, Proceres, & Milites Comitatuum tunc ibidem praeſentes deliberato conſilio reſponſum exiſtit, quod in tam arduis negotiis ſine veſtri, p. 50ac aliorum Prelat. ac Magnat. et Procerum prodictorum abſentium praeſentia, conſilium et aſſenſum praebere non poſſunt, nec debent: Ita quod nobis cum inſta… a ſuppli… … Pa…liam. illud uſque ad diem Mercur…i… octav…s Sancti Hilari, prox. i…de futur. continuari ſeu pro…ogari & inte…im vos e… caeteros Prelatos, et Proceres tunc abſentes convocari faceremus. Ac nos, quanquam hu…uſmodi …i…tio no…s d…m…ſ… e… periculoſa plurimum vide…tur, eorum Petitioni in hac parte annuentes, &c. Parliamentum praedictum uſque ad octav. praedictas duximus continuandum ſeu prorogandum. Ac Praelatis, Magnatibus, Militibus, Civibus, & Burgenſibus inj…nximus, quod tunc ibid. interſint, quacunque excuſatione ceſſante, ac omnibus aliis praetermiſsis. Ne igitur contingat (quod abſit) dicta negotia ad noſtri & regni noſtri damnum, & dedecus per veſtri ſeu aliorum ABSENTIAM, ulterius prorogari, vobis in fide & dilectione quibus nobis tenemini, et ſub periculo quod incumbit diſtricte iniungendo mandamus, quod omni excuſatione ceſſanie ſitis perſonaliter apud Ebor. in dictis Octab. nobiſcum, & cum caeteris Praelatis & Magnatibus dicti regni nostri ſuper dictis negotiis tractaturus, et veſtrum conſilium imp…nſurus. Scientes, quod ſi per VESTRAM ABSENTIAM CONTIGERIT dicta negotia (quid abſit) ulterius retardari, diſſimulare non poterimus, quin AD VOS EXINDE, SICUT CONVENIT GRAVITER CAPIAMUS, Teſte Rege apud Ebor. 11 Die Decembris. Eodem modo mandatum eſt 17 aliis Epiſcopis, 13 Abbatibus, & 40 Magnatibus, & aliis. And in another writ of Summons the ſame year to the ſame Archbiſhop of Canterbury, there is this Clauſe inſerted againſt making any Proxie. **Clauſ. An. 6 E. 3. part 2. m. 36. dorſ.Scientes pro certò, quod niſi evidens et manifeſta neceſſitas id expoſcat non intendimus Procuratores ſeu Excuſatores pro vobis admittere ea vice, propter arduitatem negotiorum praedictorum. Which Clauſe amongſt other reaſons was then inſerted, becauſe the Clergy in a Parliament held at Eltham ſome two years before, refuſed to grant this King an aid for the defence of Ireland; by reaſon of the Archbiſhops abſence from it, adjourning their anſwer to this aid, till they all and the p. 51Archb…ſhop aſſ…mbled together in a future Convocation, to be ſummoned by the Kings writ, **Mat. Paris, p. 359.625.626.as the Clauſ. Rol. An. 4 E. 3. m. 3. dorſo record…. Thus the Biſhops and Clergy refuſed to grant an aid to King Henry the 3. Anno 1232. and likewiſe another aid to the Pope, Anno 1244. becauſe many of the Biſhops and Abbots who were ſummoned to the Parl. then held, were not preſent. Adding; Tangunt iſta Archiepiſcopos necnon univerſos Angliae Praelatos; cum ergo Archiepiſcopi, Epiſcopi, & alii Eccleſiarum Praelati ſint Abſentes, Nota.in eorum praejuditiis reſpondere nec poſſumus nec debemus. Ouia …id …cere praeſume…emus in prejuditium omnium Abſentium fieret Praelatorum. All excellen… Preſidents both for the Lords and Commons in all ſucceeding ages, not to vote or act any thing, or grant any aids, or Subſidies upon any occaſion, menace, or intreaty; whiles their Members who ought to be perſonally preſent are abſent, much more when forcibly ſecured, or ſecluded by internal confederacy, or external armed violence, or the whole Houſe of Peers ſequeſtred or ſuppreſ…ed by factious, ſeditious, Levellers, who now deſign their total and final extirpation out of their future **See their Agreement of the people.New-modelled Parliaments.

Having thus impregnably evinced the Lords undoubted right to ſit and vote in Parliament, though they be not elective by the peoples voices, as Knights and Burgeſſes are; I ſhall next diſcover unto our illiterate Ignoramuſſes, who oppoſe their right, the juſtice, good grounds and reaſons of our Anceſtors, why they inſtituted the Lords to ſit and vote in Parliament by right of their very Nobility and Peerage, which will abundantly ſatisfie rational men, and much confirm their right.

Firſt, the Nobles and Great Officers in all Kingdoms, and in our Kingdom too, in reſpect of their education, birth, experience, imployments in military & State-affairs, have always been generally reputed the wiſeſt, moſt experienced Common wealths men, beſt able to adviſe, Counſel the King and kingdom in all matters of Government, Peace, or War; as our Hiſtorians, Antiquaries, Pol…tians, p. 52Records, acknowledge and atteſt; whence they were antiently ſtiled (c)(c)Mr. Seldens Titles of honour, part. 2. ch. 5. Sir Edward Cooks Epiſtle to the 9 Report, and 1 Inſtit. p. 110. 4 Inſtit. p. 2. Cambdens B…it. p. 177. Spelmanni Concil. Tom. 1. My Truth triumphing over Falſhood. p. 56 to 70. Stat. de 4 E. 1. e. 2. Lambards Archaion.Aeldermen, Wiſemen; Magnates, Optimates, Sapientes, Sapientiſſimi et Clariſſimi viri: Conſpicui, Clari que Viri, Primates, Nobiles, &c. in our Hiſtorians and Records: our Parliaments in that reſpect being frequently ſtiled in antient times, Concilium SAPIENTUM: upon which Grounds our Kings, Lords, and **1 E. 3. n. 36.55, 56. 45 E. 3. n. 15, 16. 50 E. 3. n. 10. to 14. 1 R. 2. n. 18. to 27.47.50, 51, 112 113. 17 R. 2. c. 1, 2. 13 R. 2. n. 6, 7. 17 R 2. n. 17, 18. 8 H. 4. n. 31. to 92. 11 H. 4. n. 24.28, 39, 44. 13 H. 4. n. 11.Commons too, (when ever they recommended Councellors of State to the King in Parliament, made choice of Lords, and other Peers for for their Privy Councellors, as moſt wiſe, able, diſcreet.) Therefore it was thought fit, juſt and equal, the King ſhould ever ſummon them to the Parliament by his Writ, without any election of the people, for their own inherent wiſdom, excellency, valour, learning, worth; the Original cauſe of advancing, enobling them at firſt, as is expreſſed in their Patents: and evident by theſe Scripture Texts. Eſth, 1.13, 14. Iſay 19.11, 12, 13. Jer. 5.5. c. 10.7. c. 51.57. Dan. 2.48. c. 6.1, 2, 3. Gen. 41.39.40. Pſal. 105.21, 22. compared together. This ground of calling the Nobles to the Parliament, is intimated in the very words of the ſummons, Et ibidem VOBISCUM Colloquium habere & tractare de arduis & urgentibus Regni & Eccleſiae Anglicanae negotiis, VESTRUMQUE CONSILIUM IMPENSURI, &c. Et hoc nullatenus omittatis: which clauſe (recited in the Commons writs of election likewiſe) implies them to be men of moſt wiſdom and experience, able to counſel and adviſe the King in all hit weighty, arduous affairs both of the Kingdom and Church: whence by Hereditary antient right they are, THE KINGS GREAT COUNCEL, and ſo acknowledged by the Commons themſelves this laſt Parliament. I could give many inſtances wherein the Commons in Parliament have extraordinarily applauded the Lords and Peers for their great wiſdom,(f)(f)See the Soveraign power of Parliaments, part 1.2. and ſpecially deſired their p. 53**25 E. 3. rot. Ordinat. n. 1, 2, 28. E. 3. n. 1. 50. E. 3. n. 151, 163.167.110. R. n. 68. Exact Collection, p. 13.19.wholſom Counſel, as perſons of greater wiſdom and experience than themſelves: but for brevity ſake I ſhall cite only theſe enſuing Records. In the Parliament of 21 Edw: 3. rot. Parl. n. 4, 5. Wil. de Thorp in the preſence of the King, Prelates, Earls, Barons, and Commons declared, that the Parliament was called for two cauſes: ††See the Abridgement of the Records of the Tower, p. 51.88.The firſt concerning the wars which the King had undertaken by the conſent of the Lords and Commons againſt his Enemies of France. The ſecond, how the Peace of England may be kept. Whereupon the King would the Commons ſhould conſult together, and that within four days they ſhould give anſwer to the King and his Counſel what they think therein. On the fourth day the Commons declare, That they are not able to counſel any thing touching the point of War; wherefore they deſire in that behalf to be excuſed: And that the King will thereof adviſe with his Nobles and Council, and what ſhall be ſo amongſt them determined, they the Commons will thereto aſſent, confirm, and eſtabliſh By which it is evident the Commons then reputed the Nobles more wiſe and able to adviſe the King in matters of war than themſelves, who confeſſed their inability therein, and therefore ſubmitted to aſſent to whatever the Nobles and Councel ſhould therein adviſe Him. 28 Edw. 3. n. 55, 58. The Commons ſubmit the whole buſineſſe of the Treaty of peace with France, to the order of the King and of his Nobles. And 36 Edw. 3. n. 6. The LORDS only adviſe the king touching Truce or War with Scotland. In the firſt Parliament of 15 Edw. 3. n. 11. the Commons having delivered in divers Articles concerning the redreſs of grievances and publike affairs to the King, prayed, that unto the Wedneſday enſuing their Articles may be committed to the Biſhops, Barons, & other wiſe men there named, by them to be amended; which the king grauted: whereas the Lords exhibited their Articles apart to the king, and the Biſhops their Articles apart in this Parliament, and proteſted, that they ought not to anſwer but in open Parliament by and with their Peers, without joyning with the Commons, num. 6, 7, 18, &c, 26, 27, 35, 37. which courſe they held in moſt following p. 54Parliaments. In the Parliaments of 47 E. 3. numero 15. 50 E. 3. n. 8. 51 E. 3. n. 18. 1 R. 2. n. 14. 2 R. 2. n. 23. 5 R. 2. n. 14. 6 R. 2. n. 14. Parl. 2. n. 8. 7 R. 2. n. 9.19. 4 H. 4. n. 10.11. **See the Abridgment of the Records in the Tower, p. 10.79.116.120.145.155.175.196.282.287, 288.299.303.353.361.The Commons Petition the King for certain Lords to be ſent to them as a Commi…tee, to aſſiſt and adviſe them in the matters propounded to them by the King and his Chancellor, wherein their adviſe was required: as being more able to adviſe and counſel them than any of their own Members. In the Parliament of 6 R. 2. Par. 2. n. 7. The Commons being demanded their advice touching the war with Flanders, and the Kings going thither in perſon with an Army; anſwered: That this conſultation did properly belong to the King and Lords, yet it being their pleaſures to charge the Commons to deliver their conceits therein, they thereupon did it with this Proteſtation, that what they ſpake was not by way of COUNSEL, but to ſhew their advice. Whereto was anſwered for the King; That there was but l…ttle difference between Counſel and Advice. In the Parliament of 7 R. 2. n. 16, 17. The Commons being charged to deliver their Opinions touching Peace with France. For anſwer to Peace, ſaid; That it beſeemed them not to intermeddle with their Counſel therein: And therefore referred the whole order thereof to the King and his Counſel of Lords. Whereupon the Commons being urged to declare, whether they deſired Peace or Warr? for one they must chuſe: Anſwered: an honourable Peace for the King: but for that in the Articles were conteined many terms of the Civil Law, which they underſtood not; and for that they underſtood the Articles were; The King ſhould hold Guienne of the French by Homage and Service, they knew not what to ſay; only they hope, that the King meant not to hold Calice, and other Countries gotten by the ſword, of the French. In the Parliament of 17 R. 2. n. 17. The Commons being demanded their opinions concerning Peace with France, declared by their Speaker, That the ſame paſſed their capacity; and therefore they referred themſelves to the King, Lords & Council, And the rather, for that the Lords and Council affirmed, that thoſe wo…ds (Homage, Soveraignty, and Reſort) conteined p. 55in the Indenture of Peace, ſhould be mod…rated, &c. In the P…rliament of 20 R. 2. n. 9. The Commons excuſe themſelves touching the Embaſſadors and Embaſſie ſent to France for peace, referring the ſame to the Kings own pleaſare and the Lords.

I ſhall conclude with one Preſident more, moſt ſuitable to the preſent deplorable condition of our State, and worthy imitation.

In the Parliament of 5 Hen. 4. Rot. Parl. num. 9, 10. The Commons having preſented to the King in Parliament divers grievances, in the ill-managing of his Revenues, the decay of his Caſtles, Houſes and Parks; the great povertie and preſſures of his Subjects, and danger of the Enemies: thereupon they moſt intirely and cordially prayed the King, to conſider the eminent perils of all parts of the Realm by reaſon of the Enemies and Rebels, of which they had news from day to day; and that as the caſe then ſtood, if ſuch miſchiefs were not ſpeedily and graciouſly remedied and reformed in this Parliament, it might fall out upon ſodain arrival of Enemies, or by ſome other means, this Parliament muſt of neceſſity be departed from by all and diſſolved, ſo as the Lords and Commons ſhould never re-aſſemble again to redreſs the ſaid Miſchiefs, and others, which God defend. And therefore that it would pleaſe the King, conſidering the high Wiſdoms and Diſcretions of the Lords, and that they had knowledge of many Perils and Matters which could not be ſo clearly known to the King, that he would now in this preſent Parliament charge all his Lords Spiritual and Temporal, upon the faith they principally owe to God, and the faith, Homage and Allegiance which they owe to our Lord the King himſelf, for the aid and ſalvation of themſelves, and of all the Realm, that the ſaid Lords would counſel and ſhew him their advice and wholeſom counſel in this behalf ſeverally and intirely without diſſimulation, or adulation, having regard to the great miſchiefs and neceſſity aforeſaid. And thereupon our Lord the King moſt graciouſly, with p. 56his own mouth in full Parliament, charged and commanded as well the Lords, as the ſaid Commons, that they ſhould doe their diligence, and ſhew unto him their good and wholeſom Counſels in this behalf, for the aid of him and all his Realm. And after the ſaid Commons in the ſame Parliament, made requeſt to the ſaid Lordt, that ſeeing the King had given them ſuch a charge and command, and that in ſo high a manner of Record, that they would do their diligence, well and loyally to purſue the ſame without any courteſie made between them in any manner, as they would anſwer before the moſt High, and before our Lord the King, and to all the realm in time to come; and that the Commons themſelves thereupon would do the like on their party. Which if both Lords and Commons would now cordially and ſincerely promiſe and engage to do, without ſelf-ends or in…eſts, we might ſee our Church and Kingdom ſpeedily ſetled in a peaceable and happy condition. In brief, the Lords alone in the very Writs for chuſing Knights and Burgeſſes, are ſtiled, **See the Freeholders Grand Inqueſt.The Common Council of the Kingdom, and the Knights, Citizens and Burgeſſes are called; to effect and aſſent to that which they and the King, by their common advice, ſhall Ordain, and 5 Rich. 2. Parl. 2. n. 3. 6 R. 2. n. 8, 9, 11, 26. and Parl. 2 R. 2. n. 7.9. they are called THE GREAT COUNCIL OF LORDS, by reaſon of their extraordinary wiſdom and abilities. And ſo are they expreſly ſtiled by the whole Houſe of Commons themſelves in their firſt printed Remonſtrance of the State of the Kingdom, 15 Decemb. 1641. Exact Collection, p. 13. Therefore moſt fit to ſit, counſel, adviſe vo…e, and judge in Parliament.

Secondly, The Lords and great Officers of the Realm, as ſuch; were ever reputed perſons of greateſt Valour, Courage. Power, (in regard of their great intereſts, Eſtates, worth many whole Boroughs, of which divers of them are ſole Lords, their allies, and retainers) and ſo beſt able to withſtand, redreſs all publike grievances, exactions, encroachments of the King, his Officers, and others upon p. 57their own and the peoples Liberties, Laws, Great Charters, in defence whereof they have in antient times been alwaies moſt ready, active to ſpend not only their eſtates, but bloud and lives too, wherewith they have redeemed, preſerved thoſe Laws, Liberties, Great Charters concerning their Freedoms, we now enjoy and contend for. And in this regard our Anceſtors in point of wiſdom, policy, reaſon right, thought meet, that ex congruo et condigno, et ††Sir Edw… Cooks 4 Inſtit. p. 1.debito Juſtitiae, they ſhould alwayes be ſummoned to, and bear chief ſway in our Parliaments, in reſpect of their Peerage, Power, Nobility only, without the peoples election. This reaſon of their ſitting in Parliament, we find expreſly recorded in Bracton, l. 2. c. 16. fol. 34. and in Fleta, l. 1. c. 17. The King (ſay they) hath a Superiour, namely, God; alſo the Law, b… which he is made a King; likewiſe his Court, to wit, THE EARLS & BARONS, becauſe they are called Counts, as being the KINGS FELLOWS, and he who hath a Fellow, hath A MASTER. And therefore if the King ſhall be without a bridle, that is, without a Law; debent ei fr…num imponere, THEY OUGHT TO IMPOSE A BRIDLE ON HIM, &c. which the Commons being perſons of leſs power and intereſt were unable to do. Andrew Horn in his Mirrour of Juſtice, ch. 1. §. 2.3. renders the like reaſon. In all the conteſts in Parliaments, and Wars between K. John, H…n. 3. Edw. 2. & Rich. 2. concerning Magna Charta, the Charter of the Foreſt, the Liberties, Properties of the Subjects, and oppoſition of unjuſt Taxes, Ayds, Exactions, the Lords and Barons were the Ring-leaders, the chief Oppoſers of theſe Kings Uſurpations, Exactions, and Encroachments on the Great Charters, Laws, Rights, Liberties of the people, as all our (g)(g)See Mat. Paris, Mat. Weſtminſter, Walſingham, Huntingdon, Holinſhed, Polychronicon, Caxton, Grimſton, Stow, Speed, Truſſel, Baker, Martin, Daniel, How, and the Soveraign Power of Parliaments and Kingdoms, part. 1, 2, & 3.10 R. 2. c. 1, 2. 11 R. 2. c. 1. to 7. 21 … 13. 1 H. 4. c. 2. for proof hereof.Hiſtories and Records relate; whence they ſtile the Wars in their times, THE BARONS WARS: and p. 58before this, the Nobles were the principal Actors in reſiſting the Tyranny of K. Sigebert, and K. Bernard, and dethroning them for their miſdemeanours, as is clear by Mat. Weſtminster in his Flores Hiſtoriarum, An. 756. & 758. To give ſome pregnant Inſtances of this kind not vulgarly known or taken notice of, to clear this truth beyond contradiction. Upon the death of William Rufus, **Mat. Paris. Hiſtoriar Angl. Tigur. 1588. p. 52, 53, 54.An. 1100. Magnates, the Nobles of England not knowing what was become of Robert Duke of Normandy, who had been 5. years abſent in the holy Warrs; thereupon Henry his Brother, Congregato Londoniis Clero Angliae, & populo univerſo, (to wit, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal expreſſed by theſe terms, not the inferiour Clergy, Knights, Citizens, Burgeſſes and Commons of the Realm, **Mr. Tate, Mr. Ager, & others.as ſome Antiquaries and others miſtake, who derive their ſitting in Parliaments from the beginning of this Kings reign) promiſit emendationem legum quibus oppreſſa fuerat Anglia tempore Patris ſui & Fratris nuper defuncti: ut animos omnium in ſui promotionem accenderet et amorem, et illum in Regem ſuſciperent et patronum. Ad haec CLERO reſpondente et MAGNATIBUS CUNCTIS (the Clerus & populus there ſummoned) quod ſi animo volente ipſis vellet concedere, et Charta ſua communire illas Libertates et Conſuetudines antiquas quae floruerunt in Regno tempore Regis Edwardi, in ipſum conſentirent, et in Regem unanimiter conſecrarent. Henrico autem libenter annuente, et ſe id facturum cum juramento affirmante, conſecratus eſt in Regem favente Clero et populo, cui continuo à Mauritio Londonenſi Epiſcopo, et à Thoma Eboracenſi Archiepiſcopo corona capi…i imponitur. Cum fuerat diademate inſignitus, has Libertates ſubſcriptas in regno, ad exaltationem ſanctae Eccleſiae et pacem populi, tenendas conceſſit. His Charter is recorded at large in **Hiſtoria. Angl. p. 53.Matthew Paris, ††Chronicon col. 1201, 1202. See Holinſhed, and Speed.Bromton, and others. It begins thus, Henricus Dei Gra…ia, Rex Angliae, &c. Sciatis, me Dei miſericordia▪ & Communi Conſilio Baronum Regni Angliae Regem eſſe coronatum (which p. 59proves that the Clerus Angliae & Populus forementioned, were only the Spiritual and Temporal Barons, not ordinary Clergy and Commons, as contradiſtinguiſhed from them) et quia regnum oppreſſum erat injuſtis exactionibus, Ego reſpectu Dei et amore quam erga vos omnes habeo, ſanctam Dei Eccleſiam liberam facio, &c. et omnes malas conſuetudines quibus Regnum Angliae injuſte opprimebatur, inde aufero: quis malas conſuetudines in parte hic pono. Si quis Baronum meorum, Comitum, &c. **or Legem.Lagam Regis Edwardi vobis reddo cum illis emendationibus quibus Pater meus eam emendavit Conſilio Baronum ſuorum. This Charter was ſubſcribed by all the Biſhops, Earls, Nobles and Barons of England; Et factae ſunt tot Chartae quot ſunt Comitatus in Anglia, et Rege jubente poſitae in Abbatiis ſingulorum Comitatuum ad monimentum. So Matthew Paris relates. **De Geſtis Regum, l. 5. p. 156.William of Malmsbury records: In regem electus eſt, aliquantis tamen ante controverſiis INTER PROCERES agitatis, atque ſopitis. Which done, aliquarum moderationem legum revocavit in ſolidum, & Sacramento ſuo et OMNIUM PROCERUM, ne luderentur, corroboravit. **De Geſtis Regum Angliae, col. 225, 226.Simeon Dunelmenſis records, that Conſecrationis ſuae die Sanctam Dei Eccleſiam liberam fecit, ac omnes malas conſuetudines, et injuſtas exactiones quibus regnum Angliae opprimebatur, abſtulit, Legem Regis Edwardi omnibus in commune reddidit, &c. MAJORES NATU ANGLIAE, & MAGNATES TERRAE CONGREGAVIT LONDONIAE. The **Col. 997.Chronicle of Bromton, records the ſame in the ſelf-ſame words: and ſo doth Henry Knyghton de Eventibus Angliae, l. 2. c. 8, 9. Polychron. l. 7. c. 12. Roger de Hoveden, Annal. pars 1. p. 468. and that the Lords procured this Charter.

King **Richardus Prior Haguſtaldenſis de Geſtis Regis Stephani, col. 314, 315. Mat. Paris, p. 71. Roger de Hoveden. Annal. pars prior. p. 482. Hen. Huntindon, Hiſt. l. 8. p. 386, 387. Fabian, Holinſhed, Speed, Grafton, Anno 1136. Polychronicon, l. 7. c. 18. Hen. de Knyghton, de Eventibus Angliae, l. 2. c. 9, 10.Stephen being elected and crowned King à PRIMORIBUS REGNI; againſt his own and their former p. 60Oaths, Omnes tam Praeſules, quam Comites et Barones, qui filiae Regis et ſuis haeredibus juraverant Fidelitatem, conſenſum Stephano praebentes: In purſuance of his Coronation Oath Anno 1136. EPISCOPOS & PROCERES REGNI SUI regali Edicto in unum convenire praecepit, cum quibus GENERALE CONCILIUM CELEBRAVIT Oxoniis. Wherein he confirmed all their Laws and Liberties by a ſpecial Charter: in which there are theſe Clauſes among others. Sanctam Eccleſiam liberam eſſe concedo, et debitam reverentiam illi conſervo. Omnes exactiones et injuſtitias et meſchemingas, ſive per Vicecomites, ſive per alios quoſlibet male inductas, funditus extirpo. Bonas leges et antiquas et juſtas conſuetudines in hundris & placitis, et aliis cauſis obſervabo, et obſervari praecipio et conſtituo. This Charter was ſubſcribed by all the Biſhops, Earls and Barons, who procured it, in this Common Council at Oxford. Which they promiſed inviolably to obſerve, & generaliter ſe ſervaturum juravit: ſed nihil horum quae Deo promiſerat obſervavit, writes Matthew Paris: Henry Huntindon, Holinſhed, and others obſerve, that the Archbiſhops, Biſhops and Nobles, who contrary to their Oaths of Allegiance to Henry the 1. Mawde, and their heirs, elected Stephen King, for this their deteſtable perjury, ſoon after came to exemplary ends: eſpecially Roger the great Biſhop of Salisbury, qui ſecundum illud Sacramentum praefatum fecerat, et omnibus aliis praedicaverat; unde juſto Deo judicio postea ab eodem (Stephano) quem creavit in Regem, captus et excruciatus, miſerandum ſortitus eſt exterminium, et omnes Magni qui Stephano juramentum fecerunt MISERƲM SORTITI SUNT FINEM.

In the **Mat. Weſt. Mat. Paris, Hiſt Angl. p. 232. to 282: Daniel, p. 140. to 144. Speed, p. 558. to 567. Holinſhed, Grafton, Fabian, and others.16. and 17. years of K. John, An. Dom. 1214, 1215. The Prelats, Earls, Nobles, and Barons, being aſſembled together in a great Parliamentary Council held at Pauls & after at St. Edmunds, there was produced and read before them a Charter of King Henry the 1. which the Barons received from Stephen Archbiſhop of Canterbury; which Charter conteined certain Laws and Liberties of King Edward, p. 61granted to the holy Church and the great men of the Realm, with ſome other Liberties which the ſaid King had added thereunto of his own grant. Which being read, thereupon the BARONS ALL ſwore in the Archbiſhops preſenc, that if need were, they would spend their blood in its defence. And afterwards at St. Edmonds Bury, the BARONS ſwore upon the High Altar, That if King John refuſed to confirm and reſtore to them thoſe Liberties and Rights of the kingdom; they would make War upon Him, and withdraw themſelves from his allegiance, till he had ratified them all by his Charter under his Great Seal. Which they accordingly performed. The King promiſing to confirm their Liberties and the Charter of King Henry the 1. which the Barons publikely read in 3. of their Great Parliamentary Councils) and yet de…aying the ſame; thereupon all the Nobles and Barons aſſembled together at Stamford, with their horſes, friends and followers, amounting to many thouſands, reſolving to force the King to grant and ratify the ſame. Whereupon the King ſent the Archbiſhop of Canterbury, William Marſhal Earl of Pembroke, and other prudent men to the Earls and Barons, to demand of them, Quae eſſent Leges & Libertates quas quaer…bant? Who thereupon produced a ſchedule of them to the Meſſengers, quae ex parte maxima Leges antiquas & regni conſuetudines continebat▪ Capitula earum partim in Charta Regis Henrici 1. ſuperius ſcripta ſunt; partimque ex Legibus Regis Edwardi antiquis excerpt…. The Barons affirming, quod niſi Rex illas in continenti concederet, et Sigilli munimine confirmaret, ipſi per captionem Castrorum ſuorum, terrarum & poſſeſſionum IPSUM REGEM COMPELLERENT, donec ſuper praemiſſis ſatisfaceret competenter. The Archbiſhop returning to the King, and repeating the Articles and Liberties they demanded to him by heart; when he underſtood their contents, with great indignation and ſcorn anſwered: Et quare cum iſtis iniquis exactionibus BARONES non poſtulant regnum? Vana ſunt, iniquit, et ſuperſtitioſa quae petunt, nec aliquo rationis titulo fulciuntur. Affirmavit tandem cum iuramento fu…ibundus, quod nunquam tales illis concederet Libertates, p. 62unde ipſe efficeretur ſervus. When the Archbiſhop and William Marſhal the Earl, could by no means induce the King to conſent thereto, they returned by his command to the Barons, relating all that the King had ſaid to them in order. Whereupon tota Angliae Nobilitas in unum collecta, all the Nobles of England collected together into one body, conſtituted Robert Fitzwalter General of their Militia, calling him, MARESCALLƲ MEXERCITƲS DEI ET ECCLESIAE SANCTAE; and flying to their arms, beſieged ſeveral of the Kings Caſtles. Who thereupon ſeeing himſelf generally deſerted almoſt by all men, and fearing the Barons would take his Caſtles without any reſiſtance; though he bare an inexorable hatred againſt the Barons in his heart: yet thinking to be revenged of them ſingly afterwards, when he could not do any thing againſt them all being united, he ſent Meſſengers to aſſure them; quod pro bono pacis, & ad exaltationem Regni ſui et honor…m Gratanter concederet Leges et Libertates quas petebant; deſiring them to appoint a fitting time and place for them to meet and conferr together, and perform what they deſired. Whereupon the King & all the Nobles and Barons meeting together at a Conference in Running Mead, he after many debates granted them the Laws and Liberties they deſired, confirming them by his Charters under his Great Seal: the Tenor whereof is at large recorded in Matthew Paris, and in the Red Book of the Exchequer; being almoſt the ſame in Terms, with Magna Charta, and Charta Foreſtae, afterwards granted & confirmed in 9 H. 3. printed in all our Statute Books, and ſo needleſs to tranſcribe. Theſe Charters being ſealed and confirmed by the King, he at the Barons requeſt, ſent Letters Patents through all the coasts of England, firmly commanding all the Sheriffs of the whole Realm, that they ſhould cauſe all men of what condition ſoever within their Bayliwicks, to ſwear, that they would obſerve the foreſaid Laws and Liberties, and that to the best of their power they would conſtrain the King himſelf, by the ſeiſing of his Caſtles, to perform all the things aforeſaid, as they were conteined in his Charter. In mean p. 63time the King ſent Letters to Pope Innocent, to vouchſafe to confirm the Liberties and Charters he had granted, with his Bull. After which for their more inviolable obſervation, it was concluded and enacted; That there ſhould be 25 BARONS choſen by the LORDS (not Commons) who ſhould, to their utmoſt power, cauſe the Great Charter confirmed by K. John, to be duly obſerved; That if either the King, or His Juſticier ſhould tranſgreſs the ſame, or offend in any one Article, 4 of the ſaid Barons ſhould immediately repair to Him, and require redreſs of the ſame without delay; which if not done within forty days after, that then the ſaid 4 BARONS and the reſt ſhould diſtrain and ſeize upon the Kings Caſtles, Lands and Goods, till amends was made according to their arbitration.

Rot. Patent, Anno 17. Johannis Regis, in the Tower, m. 21, 22. n. 23. Dorſo. Writs were ſent to all the Sherifs & Counties of England, to ſwear all the people to thoſe 25 Barons, to aid and aſſiſt them in the premiſes, under pain of ſeizing their lands into the Kings hands, and confiſcation of all their goods to him, if they refuſed to take the Oath within 15 dayes. And the City and Tower of London were put into the Barons hands, till the King had performed his agreement with them: Such confidence and power was then repoſed in the BARONS alone.

In the Patent Roll of 16 Johannis Regis, pars 1. dorſ. 3· I find this memorable Grant to the Barons. well explaining the Statute of Magna Charta, c. 29, Sciatis quod conceſſimus BARONIBUS qui contra nos ſunt, quod eos nec homines ſuos capiemus, nec diſſaiſeamus, nec ſuper eos per vim, vel per arma ibimus, niſi per legem Regni noſtri, vel judicio Parium ſuorum in curia noſtra. A very excellent Privilege, Law, Liberty, purchaſed by the Barons induſtry, inſerted into K. Johns Great Charter,**Mat. Paris, p. 247, 248. liber Rep. in Scac. f. 234▪ 235▪ ſoon after publiſhed, ratifying it in theſe terms. Comites & Barones non amercientur niſi per Pares ſuos, & non niſi ſecundum modum delicti. Nullus liber homo capiatur vel impriſonetur, vel diſſaiſietur de aliquo libero tenemento ſuo, vel libertatibus, vel liberis conſuetudinibus p. 64ſuis, aut utlegetur aut exulet, aut aliquo alio modo deſtituatur, nec ſuper eum ibimus, nec eum in carcere mittemus, niſi per legale judicium Parium ſuorum, vel per legem terrae, Nulli vendemus, nulli negabimus, aut differemus Rectum vel Juſtitiam.

The Barons having by their valour, magnanimity, induſtry, procured theſe Great Charters of their liberties; and of the Forest, were as carefull, vigilant to preſerve them, to puniſh the Violations of them, and to get them reconfirmed, repromulged, when violated by our Kings, which I ſhall manifeſt by ſome Records & Hiſtories, not commonly known, or taken notice of.

Rot. Pat. 17 Johannis, pars 1. m. 19, 21, 22, 23, 24. Dorſo, and Chart. 17. Joh. Dorſ. 27. There are ſundry Patents, Commiſſions, Writs, for ſending the Great Charter, and Charter of the Foreſt into every County, for enquiring of all evil cuſtoms contrary to them, that they might be aboliſhed, & all violations of them, that they might be redreſſed; all by the Barons procurement, and by agreement betwen the King and Barons, whoſe names are there inſerted.

Pat. 1 Hen. 3. m. 13. & 15 The Great Charter, by advice of the Earls and Great men, is ſent by King Henry the third into Ireland, the exemplification whereof was ſealed with the Po…es Legates Seal, as well as the Kings: and precepts are the…e ſent to Sherifs, to read it openly; it being thus ſtiled in theſe Records. Libertates (& Charta libertatum) Regni noſtri Angliae, a patre noſtro & a nobis conceſſae. ſo Clauſ. 12 H. …3. pars 1. m. 17. There is another precept for publiſhing and obſerving the Great Charter in Ireland.

Rot. Clauſ. 2 H. 3. m. 6. & 11. Dorſo. The Great Charter, by ſpecial writs, is commanded to be duly kept, read, and obſerved in moſt Counties, and ſent down into Yorkſhire for that end, by the Barons advice and procurement.

Pat. An. 3. H. 3. pars 2. m. 3. There is mention of Charta noſtra de Libertatibus Foreſtae conceſſis probis noſtris hominibus de Anglia. By the Barons means, and order for its obſervation.

p. 65Anno Dom. 1223. The 7th. of Henry the 3 his reign,**Mat. Paris, p. 305. Mat. Weſtm. An. 1223. p. 113. See Daniel, Holinſhed, Speed, Grafton. This King in the Octaves of Epiphany, apud Loudonias veniens cum Baronibus ad colloquium, requiſitus eſt ab Archiepiſcopo Cantuarienſi, & Magnatibus aliis, ut libertares, & liberas conſuetudines pro quibus guerra mota fuit contra patrem ſuum, confirmaret. Et ſicut Archiepiſcopus oſtendit evidenter, idem Rex diffugere non potuit, quin hoc faceret, cum in receſſu Ludovici ab Anglia juraverat, & tota Nobilitas Angliae cum illo, quod libertates praeſcriptas omnes obſervarent, & ab omnibus traderent obſervandas. Quod audiens Gulielmus de Briwere, qui unus erat ex Conſiliariis Regis, pro Rege reſpondens, dixit: Libertates, quas petitis, quia violenter extortae fuerunt, non debent de jure obſervari. Quod verbum Archiepiſcopus moleſte ferens, increpavit eum, dicens▪ Gulielme, ſi Regem in veritate deligeres, pacem regni non impedires. Videns autem Rex Archiepiſcopum in ira commotum, dixit, Omnes libertates illas juravimus, & omnes aſtricti ſumus, ut quod juravimus obſervemus. Et Rex protinus habito ſuper hoc conſilio, miſit literas ſuas ad ſingulos Vicecomites Regni, ut per milites duodecim, vel legales homines, uniuſcujuſcunque Comitatus, per ſacramentum facerent inquiri, quae fuerunt libertates in Anglia, tempore Regis Henrici avi ſui, & facta inquiſitione, Londonias mitterent ad Regem in quindecim diebus poſt Paſcham. Theſe Writs and Letters of the King are recorded in the Tower▪ Rot. Clauſ, 7. Hen. 3. part 2. m. 20. dorſo. Commanding the liberties found and retorned, to be proclaimed and obſerved: But it ſeems by Dorſ. 14. there was a countermand, neither to proclaim nor obſerve them: Whereupon ††Mat. Paris, p. 305, 306. Mat. Weſt. p. 114.the King ſoon after ſending the Archbiſhop with three other Biſhops into France to King Lewis, to render Normandy, with other lands, unto King Henry, according to his Oath made to him in his receſs from England, with the conſent of all the Barons: King Lewis thereunto replied, that King Henry had firſt broken his Oath to him in this particular amongſt others, De Libertatibus p. 66autem regni Angliae, de quibus guerra mota fuerat, quae in receſſu ſuo conceſſae erant, & AB OMNIBUS JURATAE, ita actum eſt, quod non ſolum illae leges peſſimae ad ſtatum priſtinum ſunt reductae, fed & illis nequiores per totam Angliam ſunt generaliter conſtitutae: nec etiam Eccleſiae ſanctae Libertates, quas in Coronatione ſua inviolabiliter ſe juravit conſervaturum conſervat. Unde qui prius pactum violavit, primus & injurioſus exiſtit, non ego. Quod audiens Archiepiſcopus, & Epiſcopi qui cum eo erant, cum aliud reſponſum habere nequiverant, confuſi ad propria ſunt reverſi, Regi Angliae quae audierant referentes.

††Mat. Paris, p. 308. Mat. Weſt. p. 117.In the 8 year of King Henry rhe 3. the King by reaſon of the inſurrection of the Earl of Chester, and others, and the French Kings taking of Rochel from him, Convenerunt ad Colloquium apud Northamptonam Rex cum Archiepiſcopis, Epiſcopis, Comitibus, Baronibus, & aliis multis de regni negotiis tractaturi, &c. Wherein, Regi pro maximis laboribus ſuis & expenſis, tam à Praelatis quam a Laicis, conceſſum eſt Carucagium per totam Angliam de qualiter caruca duo ſolidi argenti. Whereupon the King by the Barons and Nobles conſent and advice; as appears by Rot. Pat. 8. H. 3. pars 3. Dorſ. 14, 15. Sent Writs to ſundry Sherifs, and to the Biſhop of Durham and his Chancellor, to proclaim and obſerve the Great Charter of Liberties, and the Charter of the Foreſt.

**Mat. Paris p. 311. Mat. Weſt. p. 118.In the 9 year of King Henry the 3. the King holding a Parliamentary Council at Weſtminſter, demanded advice, and alſo a fiftenth part of all the moveables of the Clergy and Laity through England, for the recovery of the antient dignity, rights and poſſeſſions of the Crown, then loſt, and ſeiſed on by the French King. Whereupon, Archiepiſcopus, & Concio tota Epiſcoporum, Comitum & Baronum, Abbatum & Priorum, habita deliberatione, Regi dedere reſponſum: quod Regis petitionibus gratanter acquiſcerent, ſi illis diu petitas libertates concedere voluiſſet. Annuit itaque Rex cupiditate p. 67ductus, quod petebant Magnates, Cartiſque protinus conſcriptis, & Regis ſigillo munitis ad ſingulos Angliae Comitatus Cartae ſingulae dirig…ntur, & ad Provincias illas quae in Foreſtis ſunt conſtitutae, duae cartae ſunt directae, una ſcilicet de libertatibus communibus, & alter de libertatibus Foreſtae, &c. Et ſic ſoluto Concilio delatae ſunt cartae ſingulae ad ſingulos Comitatus, ubi ex Regis mandato, literatorio interpoſito juramênto, ab omnibus obſervari jubentur: Ricardo fratre Domini Regis milite libertates generales, tam Foreſtarum, quam aliarum libertatum, pro quibus tantum cum Rege Joh. decertatum fuit, licet nil ſtabile vel ſolidum, vel pollicitae redderetur vel obſervaretur (as now in this age) SUNT DECEPTORIAE ACCLAMATAE. Theſe Charters are printed in all our Statute-Books, varying from thoſe …f King John in ſome particulars.

Rot. Clauſe, An. 18 H. 3. m. 10. The King in a Writ to the Sherif of Lincoln recites, that his Bailifs knew not how to levy their Hundred Courts in his County, poſtquam conceſſimus omnibus Regni noſtri libertates contentas in Cartis noſtris, quas inde fecimus, dum fuimus infra aetatem. Nos eandem cartam nuper legi fecimus in praeſentia Domini Cantuarienſis, & Majoris, & ſanioris partis OMNIUM EPISCOPORUM, COMITUM ET BARONUM TOTIUS REGNI NOSTRI. To the end that they might expound and reſolve the 35 Chapter thereof, how the County Courts and Sherifs Turns ſhould be kept, which is fully explained and reſolved in this Record by their advice.

Rot. Clauſ. 20. H. 3. m. 11.15, 16. There are ſundry Writs for reading and obſerving the great Charter in Weſtmerland, and other Counties, upon the Barons mo…ions, who were carefull of its inviolable obſervation.

In the year 1231.**Mat. Paris p. 354, 355. on the 7 of Feb. Convenerunt ad Colloquium apud Weſtmonaſterium Rex cum PRAELATIS ET ALIIS MAGNATIBUS REGNI; ubi exegit Rex Scutagium de quolibet Scuto tres Marcas, ab omnibus qui Baronias tenebant, tam Laicis quam p. 68Praelatis. Cui Ricardus Cantuarienſis, & quidam Epiſcopi cum eo audacter reſiſtentes, dixerunt; quod non tenentur viri eccleſiaſtici judicio ſubjici Laicorum, cum abſque illis conceſtum fuit ſcutagium in partibus tranſmarinis. Tandem vero poſt multas tunc inde deſceptiones negotium quantum ad Praelatos reclamantes pertinebat, ad 15 dies poſt Paſcha dilationem accepit. Anno 1232. **Mat. Paris, p. 359. Mat. Weſtm. p. 133.Convenerunt Nonas Martii ad Colloquium apud Weſtmonaſterium, ad vocationem Regis MAGNATES ANGLIAE, tam Laici quam Praelati: quibus Rex propoſuit, quod magnis eſſet debitis implicatus, cauſa bellicae expeditionis, quam nuper egerat in partibus tranſmarinis, unde NECESSITATE COMPULSUS, ab omnibus generaliter auxilium poſtulavit. Quo audito, Comes Ceſtriae Ranulphus, pro Magnatibus Regni loquens, reſpondit: Quod Comites, Barones, … Milites, qui de eo tenebant in capite, cum ipſo erant ibi cotporaliter praeſentes, & pecuniam ſuam ita inaniter effuderunt, quod inde omnes pauperes receſſerunt: unde Regi DE JURE AUXILIUM NON DEBEBANT. Et ſic petita licentia, Laici omnes receſſerunt. Praelati vero Regi reſpondentes dixerunt, quod Epiſcopi multi & Abbates qui vocati erant non fuerunt praeſentes, & ſic petierunt inducias, quouſque AD DIEM CERTUM POSSENT OMNES PARITER CONVENIRE. Praefixa eſt itaque dies, a quindecim diebus poſt Paſcha, ut omnibus congregatis tunc fieret quod eſſet de jure faciendum. Both Lords and Prelates denying the Aid demanded againſt right, or to doe ought when their Houſe was not full, and many Prelates and Members abſent.

**Mat. Paris, p. 420, 421.430. Mat. Weſtm. p. 143, 144.Anno 1237. the 21 of Henry the 3. the King immediately after the Feaſt of the Nativity, Miſit per omnes fines Angliae ſcripta Regalia, praecipiens omnibus ad Regnum Angliae ſpectantibus, viz. Archiepiſcopis, Eſpiſcopis, Abbatibus et Prioribus inſtallatis, Comitibus & Baronibus, (without any Knights, Citizens or Burgeſſes, not here mentioned) ut OMNES ſine omiſſione in octavis Epiphaniae p. 69Londoniis convenirent, Regia negotia tractaturi totum Regnum contingentia. Quod audientes Magnates, regiis praeceptis continuò paruerunt, credentes ſe vel Imperialia vel alia ardua negotia proviſuros. Venit igitur die Sancti Hillarii Londonias INFINITA NOBILIUM MULTITUDO, ſcilicet, Regni totalis Univerſitas. When they were all aſſembled and ſate in the Kings palace at Weſtminſter, William Kaele, in the Kings name and behalf, demanded an ayde of money of them to ſupply his wants, to be put into the hands of ſuch Treaſurers as they ſhould appoint, to be diſburſed only upon the neceſſary affairs of the Realm: which Speech they hearing, expecting no ſuch thing, were much offended, and murmuring at it, Indignantes responderunt, (and have wee not much more cauſe to doe and ſay ſo now?) ſe undique & ſaepe, nunc viceſima, nunc triceſima, nunc quinquageſima gravari promittendo et perſolvendo: Aſſerentes, indignum nimis fore & injurioſum, permittere Regem &c. ut à naturalibus hominibus ſuis, quaſi à ſervis ultimae conditionis, in detrimentum eorum, et alienorum juvamen, tantam pecuniam, tot toties, extorqueret argumentis. Quod ſaepius gravati, videbant alienigenos ſuis bonis ſaginati statumque regni prae paupertate vacillare, et multiplex periculum imminere. Comes vero Cornubiae Richardus, frater Regis, primus movit quaeſtionum adverſus Regem, increpans eum acritor ſuper tanta Regni per eum nata deſolatione: Et quod de die in diem adiuventis novis cauſis cavillatoriis, Nobiles ac naturales Barones ſuos, ſuis bonis spoliavit et quaecunque poterit obradere, inconſultè hoſtibus Regni diſtribuit, ipſi Regi & regno inſidiantibus. Quod ipſe infinitos proventus et innumerabilem pecuniam in ſuo tempore colligerat, nec erat in Anglia Archiepiſcopatus vel Epiſcopatus praeter Eboracenſem, Bathonienſem et Wintonienſem, qui non vacaverit ſuo tempore. Similiter intulit de Abbatibus et Comitatibus et Baroniis Cuſtodiis & aliis eſca…tis: nec tamen theſaurus regius, qui deberet eſſe Regni robur et confidentia ſenſerat incrementum. Quod cum Rex audiſſet, cupiens murmur hoc ſedare generale, pollicebatur ſub jurejurando, ſe nunquam amplius Nobiles regni injurando laceſſere, vel moleſtare, dummodo ſibi ad praeſens p. 70triceſima pars mobilium Angliae benignè conceſſa, ſolveretur, &c. Rex vero ſuorum cupiens Baronum ſibi gratiam conciliare, ſe ex tunc et deinceps, quicquid factum fuerat antea, dedit ſe conſiliis fidelium ac naturalium hominum ſuorum. Praeterea, de hoc quod dicebatur, quod conabatur ea quae conceſſerat et Chartis confirmaverat, per autenticum ſummi Pontificis infirmare: dicebat Rex, hoc falſum eſſe, Et ſi tale quod forte fuerat ſuggeſtum, in irritum affirmavit, ſeque talia penitus revocare. Praeterea, ſereno vultu, & ſpontanea promiſit voluntate, libertates Magnae Chartae ſuis fidelibus Regni ſui ex tunc inviolabiliter obſervare. Et quia videbatur non penitus immunis à ſententia quam tulerat Arehiepiſcopus Stephanus, cum omnibus Epiſcopis Angliae in omnes violatores praedictae CHARTAE, quàm malo conſilio fretus, in parte laeſerat; fecit in publico innovare ſententiam praetaxatam, in omnes ejuſdem Chartae contradictores: Sic, ut ſi ille, per aliquem conceptum rancorem fortè eam non obſervaret, in latam ſententiam gravius recidivaret. Unde factum est, ut omnium corda haec audientium ſibi mirabiliter in verbo illo conciliavit. Whereupon, poſt multas deſceptationes, quia ſe Rex humilians promiſit indubitanter, ſe eorum ex tunc et deinceps ſtandum conſiliis, they granted him a 30th part of their movables upon certain limitations and conditions, to be put into ſuch perſons hands, and disburſed only as they there preſcribed; which yet were not obſerved.

**Mat: Paris, p. 505.506. Mat. Weſtm. An. 1240.In the 24. year of Henry the 3d. in the Octaves of Epiphany, the Archbiſhops and Biſhops, cum multis aliis Magnatibus, aſſembled at London, the Popes Legat being alſo preſent, reponentes querimoniam coram Rege & Curia ſua, ſuper variis injuriis et oppreſſionibus, et quotidianis deſolationibus illaris Eccleſiae per iniquum Regis conſilium, contra ſuas Chartas & Iuramenta temere veniendo, &c. Super quibus injuriis illatis, et diatim multiplicatis, omnes ſe aſſerunt vehementer admirari, cum ipſe Rex toties juraverit, ſe jura eccleſiaſtica illibata conſervare, ipſomet audiente & candelam tenente, quod omnes Epiſcopi in violatores libertatum Eccleſiaſticorum, ſimul ſententiam fulminabant; in cujus ſententiae p. 71conſummatione, Rex, ut alii, ſuam candelam extinxit inclinando. Et erant contra Regem in querimoniis Epiſcoporum capitula circiter 30. Et eatenus proceſſum eſt, quod lata ſit iterum ſententia terribiliter nimis in omnes Regis conſiliarios, qui ejus animum ad praedicta enormia conabantur inclinare.

**Mat. Paris, p. 561, 562, 563. Matth. Weſtm. p. 165.Anno 1242. the 26 of King Henry the 3d. Totius Angliae Nobilitas tam Praelatorum quam Comitum & Baronum ſecundum Regium praeceptum, eſt Londini congregatum: Et quia audiverant▪ quod Rex eos tam inſtanter convocaverat, et toties eo modo cavillatorie fatigavera…, conjurando, et ſub poena anathematis firmiter inter ſe ſtatuerunt, ne aliquis in concilio extorſioni pecuniari Regi faciendae aliquo modo conſentiret, &c. Igitur regi cordis ſui propoſitum irrevocabile in propatulo exponenti de tranſitu ſuo, et vocatione Comitis de Marchia, et argumentoſe auxilium pecuniare poſtulanti; reſponderunt MAGNATES cum magna cordis amaritudine; quod talia conceperat inconſultus, et talia effrons impudenter poſtularat, exagitans et depauperans fideles ſuos tam frequenter, trahens exactiones in conſequentiam quaſi a ſervis ultimae conditionis, et tantam pecuniam tories extorſit inutiliter diſpergendam. Contradixerunt igitur Regi in faciem, nolentes amplius ſic pecunia ſua fruſtratorie ſpoliari, Rex igitur, Romanorum uſus verſutis fallaciis, juſſit ut in craſtino expectarent, voluntatem ſuam ſuper hoc et aliis audituri. Et in craſtino, vocavit in ſecretam cameram ſuam ſingulatim, nunc hunc, nunc illum, more Sacerdotis poenitentes vocantis ad conſeſſionem. Et ſic, quos non potuit univerſos, ſingulos ſingulatim enervatos ſuis ſermocinationibus conabatur aſtutius enervare: petenſ que ab eis auxilium pecuniare, ait: Ecce, quid conceſſit ille Abbas mihi in ſubſidium: ecce quid alius, & protendens rotulum, in quo ſcriptum monſtravit, quid ille vel Abbas vel Prior, tantum vel tantum promiſit ſe daturum: cum tamen nullus eorum aſſenſum praebuiſſet, vel ad notitiam cordis, deveniſſet: Talibus igitur falſis exemplaribus, & p. 72verborum retiaculis, quamplurimos Rex cautius intricavit. Multi tamen ſteterunt, nullo modo volentes recedere a communi reſponſione prout conjuraverant. Quibus Rex in ira reſpondet, Erone perjurus? Juravi Sacramento intranſgreſſibili, quod transfretans jura mea in brachio extento a Rege Francorum repoſcam, quod ſine copioſo theſauro, qui a veſtra liberalitate procedere habet, nequaquam valeo. Nec tamen his vel aliis verbis potuit aliquos muſcipelare, quamvis, ut praedictum eſt, ſeorſtm quemlibet per ſe conveniendum vocavit.

Iterum, autem vocavit aliquot ſimul ſibi familiariores, & affatus eos, ait: Quid pernicioſum exemplum aliis praebetis? Vos qui Comites et Barones et ſtrenui Milites eſtis, non deberetis, et ſi alii timeant, ſcilicet Praelati eccleſiae, trepidare, Avidiores caeteris eſſe deberetis Jura Regni repoſcere, et contra injuriantes Martia certamina potenter experiri. Noſtram partem ſolidare et conſolari tenetur jus noſtrum quod habemus, Magnatum vocatio cum certa promiſſione, exemplum de Wallia, quod ſolet praeterita futuris proſpere continuare, ubi nuper foeliciter triumphavimus. Et qua fronte poteritis me Dominum veſtrum, ad tam arduum negotium Reipublicae procinctum, relinquere pauperem & deſolatum, cum tenear promiſſa de tranſitu meo adimplere, jurejurando ſtrictius obligatus? Et cum ad notitiam Univerſitatis perveniret, reſponderunt: Supra id quod dici poteſt admiramur, in qua abyſſum ſubmerſae ſunt innumerabiles pecuniae, quas a diverſis Magnatum cuſtodiis, variis eſcaetis, crebris extorſionibus, tam ab Eccleſiiis paſtore viduatis, quam Nobilium terris, praeconſis donativis, ſtuporem in cordibus audientium generantibus, Domine Rex emunxiſti, quae nunquam regno vel modicum contulerunt incrementum. Praeterea, nuper Legatos quoſdam, vel Legatorum fungentes officiis, in hoc Regnum advocaſti, qui quaſi racemos poſt vindemiantea ſibi reliquias reſiduae pecuniae colligerunt. Caeterum, nimis admirantur MAGNATES ANGLIAE UNIVERSI, quod ſine eorum conſilio & aſſenſu eam p. 73arduum tam periculoſum negotium es aggreſſus, fidem adhibens fidem carentibus. Spretoque naturalium tuorum favore, exponis te tam ancipitis fortunae caſibus. Treugarum foedus, inter Regem Francorum & tu in anima tua captarum et juratarum, indiſſolubiliter et inviolabiliter uſque ad terminum obſervandarum, quem ex parte tua praefixerant praeclari viri Comes Richardus frater tuus, & Comes R. Bigod, inhoneſte & impudenter, non ſine periculo animae tuae, & famae laeſione diſrumpis. Adhibuiſtis praeſentiam tui corporis notabilibus ipſis Magnatibus ultra Marinis, contra dominum ſuum, Regem videlicet Francorum, calcaneum levantibus eo ipſo nulla fides eſt adhibenda, u…pote de multiplici proditione notabilibus. His Rex auditis, in iram excanduit vehementem, jurans cum Sanctorum arteſtatione, quod nullo revocaretur terrore, nullis verborum ambagibus circumventus, ab incoepto propoſito retardaretur, quin in octavis Paſchae naves aſcendens, fortunam belli in partibus tranſmarinis contra Francos imperterritus experiretur. Et ſic ſolutum eſt concilium, utrobi que repoſita, vel occulta mentis indignatione.

Poſtea vero, ne oblivio tenorem reſponſionis Baronum deleret, in ſcriptum taliter haec redacta. Cum dominus Eboracenſis Archiepiſcopus, et omnes Epiſcopi Angliae, Abbates & Priores per ſe, vel per Procuratores ſuos, necnon & OMNES COMITES, & fere OMNES BARONES ANGLIAE, ad mandatum domini Regis conveniſſent apud Weſtmonaſterium die Martis proxima ante Purificationem beatae Mariae, Anno Dom. 1242. Regni Henrici 3. Regis 26. audituri Domini Regis voluntatem et negocium, pro quo ipſos mandaverat. Et idem Dominus, Rex tranſmittens ad eoſdem dictum dominum Eboracenſem, et nobilem virum dominum Comitem Richarduum, et dominum W. de Eboraco, Praepoſitum de Beverlaco, ſuper voluntate Domini regis in negociis ſuis, ſcilicet eiſdem expoſitis per eoſdem ſolennes nuncios; omnes Magnates de regno ſuo rogaſſet de conſilio ei dando, et auxilio faciendo, ad haereditatem ſuam & p. 74jura ſua perquirenda, in partibus tranſmirinis, quae ſpectabant ad Regnum ſuum Angliae: tandem, dicti Epiſcopi, Abbates & Priores, Comites & Barones, magno inter eos tractatu praehabito, inprimis Domino Regi per praedictos Magnates dederunt conſilium, videlicet. Quod Dominus ipſe Rex expectaret finem Treugarum inter eum et Regem Franciae initarum. Et ſi forte idem Rex Franciae contra formam earundem treugarum aliquas feciſſet interpriſas, tunc dictus Rex Angliae mitteret ad eum ſolennes nuncios, ad rogandum, monendum et inducendum ipſum Regem Franciae, ut treugas initas teneret, et interpriſas emendaret, ſi quae per ipſum, vel per ſuos factae eſſent. Quod ſi Rex Franciae, facere contradiceret, libenter ad hoc conſilium apponerent, pro poſſe ſuo de auxiliis ei dando. Omnes ita unanimiter reſponderunt. Similiter, poſtquam fuerat Dominus eorum, multo…ies ad inſtantiam ſuam ei auxilium dederunt, Videlicet, tertiam decimam mobilium ſuorum, et poſtea quintam decimam, et ſextam decimam, et quadrageſimam, Carucagium, Hydagium et plura Scutagia, et poſtea unum magnum Scutagium ad ſororem ſuam Imperatricem maritandam. Poſtea vero nondum quatuor annis elapſis, petit ab eis iterum auxilium, et tandem cum magna precum inſtantia obtinuit triceſſimam, quam ei conceſſerunt, tali ſcilicet conditione, quodilla exactio, vel aliae precedentes, amplius non traherentur in conſequentiam. Et inde fecit eis Chartam ſuam. Et praeterea conceſſi… eis tun▪ Quod omnes Libertates contentae in Magna Charta, ex tunc in antea plenius tenerentur per totum regnum ſuum & inde fecit eis quandam parvam Chartam ſuam, quam adhunc habent, in qua eaedem continentur. Praeterea Dominus Rex conceſſit eis de voluntate ſua, et de conſilio torius Barnagii ſui, quod tota p…cunia ex dicta triceſima proveniens, ſalva deponeretur in Caſtris Domini Regis ſub Cuſtodia quatuor Magnatum Angliae, ſcilicet Comitis Warranniae ▪ et aliorum, per quorum viſum et conſilium pecunia illa expenderetur ad dicti Regis & Regni utilitatem, cum neceſſe p. 75eſſet. Et quia Barnagium neſcit, nec aud… it quod de dicta pecunia per viſum vel conſilium alicujus quatuor Magnatum praedictorum aliquid expendatur, credunt firmiter, & bene intelligunt, quod Dominus Rex adhuc totam habet illam pecuniam integram, de qua nunc poteſt magnum habere auxilium. Praeteria bene ſciunt, quod poſt tempus illud tot habuit eſcaetas, ſcilicet Archiepiſcopatum Cantuarienſem, & plures Epiſcopatus Angliae ditiores, & terras Comitum & Baronum, & militium de eo tenentium defunctorum, quod ſolummodo de illis eſcaetis debet ipſe habere grandem pecuniae ſummam, ſi bene cuſtodiatur. Praeterea a tempore dictae triceſſimae datae non ceſſaverant Juſtitiarii itinerantes, itinerare per omnes partes Angliae, tam de placitis foreſtae, quam de omnibus aliis placitis, ita quod omnes Comitatus Angliae, & omnia Hundreda, Civitates & Burgi, & fere omnes villae graviter amerciantur. Unde ſolummodo de illo itinere, habet Dominus Rex, vel habere debuit, maximam ſummam pecuniae, ſi perſolvatur, & bene colligatur. Unde bene dicunt, quod per illa amerciamenta, & per alia auxilia prius data, omnes de Regno ita gravan…ur & depauperantur, quod parum aut nihil habent in bonis, (and may not we now more truly ſay ſo, after ſo many years unceſſant importable Taxes, Excizes, Impoſitions, Contributions, Exactions of all kinds, without any interruption, in far greater proportions than theſe amount to, and all ſequeſtrations, ſales of Delinquents, and others eſtates, not known in that age) Et quia Dominus Rex, nunquam poſt triceſſimam datam (nor our preſent Rulers after all their Proteſtations, Declarations, Remonſtrances, Votes, Leagues and Covenants to preſerve our Laws, Liberties, Properties, Great Charters, and the Petition of Right, and all our contributions, Exciſes, Loans or publike faith, &c.) Cartam ſuam de libertatibus tenuit, imo plus ſolito poſtea gravavit (as now) & per aliam Cartam eis concer…am, quod Exactiones hujuſmodi non traherentur in conſequentiam; reſponderunt eidem Domino Regi p. 76praeciſe. Quod nullum ad praeſens ei facerent auxilium. A fit anſwer for all our Nobles and Commons in this age, "after ſo many years Taxes, Impoſts, Exciſes, far heavier than any complained of in that age. Veruntamen quia Dominus eorum eſt, ſic ſe gerere poterit erga eos uſque ad finem dictarum treugarum, quod tunc bonum apponent conſilium pro poſſe ſuo. Et cum dicti Magnates Nuncii, ipſo Domino Regi nunciaſſent Reſponſum, redeuntes ad Barnagium, dixerunt, quod in parte ſufficiens Domino Regi dederunt reſponſum.

I have tranſcribed theſe memorable paſſages of this Parliament out of Matthew Paris thus largely in his own words, for ſundry reaſons pertinent to my Theam.

1. To prove, that the Archbiſhops, Biſhops, Abbots, Peers, Earls, Barons Lords, were the only Members of this, all the former, and moſt other ſucceeding Parliaments in Henry the 3 his reign, this Hiſtorian, (who is moſt exact) making mention of them only, both in the ſummons to their debates in Parliament, and this their Remonſtrance in Parliament, even in this caſe of ayds demanded, and not of any Knights, Citizens, or Burgeſſes elected by the people, of which there is not one ſyllable.

2. To manifeſt, that the Earls, Lords, and Barons of the Realm, have moſt unanimouſly, reſolutely, magnanimouſly oppoſed our Kings in Parliaments in their unjuſt deſigns, and in Ayds, Taxes demanded, and earneſtly begged, importuned from them without any effect, reſiſting our Kings therin to their faces, and withſtanding all their wiles, pollicies, King-crafts, and private ſollicitations perſwaſions to enervate their reſolutions, and lay unneceſſary burthens on the people, which ſome other ſubſequent Preſidents will further ratifie.

3. That they were the Granters of all publike Ayds to the King, which they granted very rarely, and that upon extraordinary preſſing occaſions, eſpecially in caſe of forrain wars, though to recover the antient Rights and p. 77Dominions of the Crown, and that in very ſmall moderate proportions, with ſpecial proviſoes, how they ſhould be imployed, and that they ſhould not be hereafter drawn into conſequence, which other Preſidents will further evidence.

4. That they were very vigilant, active, zealous in complaning againſt, examining all violations of the Great Charters of their liberties by the King and his Officers: and reconfirming them by new promulgations, Oaths proclamations, excommunications, refuſing to grant any Ayds till this were effectually done, or promiſed by our Kings: which the ſubſequent examples will further clear.

5. That no wars ought to be made nor truces violated but by their Council and advice: and that they deemed Truces ſworn even to forain Enemies moſt ſacred, indiſſoluble, inviolable, and the violation of them moſt diſhoneſt, impudent, perilous to ſouls, and hurtfull to the reputation even of Kings themſelves: much more then muſt Oaths, Leagues, and ſolemn ſworn Covenants of Subjects to their natural Kings, and Kings to their Subjects be inviolable, indiſſoluble, and the violation of them moſt diſhoneſt, ſhamefull, perfidious, perillous, hurtful to mens Souls and reputations; and that no faith or truſt is to be given to perfidious Traitors, Nobles, againſt their natural King.

Anno Dom. 1238. King Henry being wholly counſelled by Foreiners, marying the Nobles of the Realm to them, neglecting his natural ſubjects, & miſgoverning the Realm; thereupon Earl Richard his Brother, and the reſt of the Nobles publikely reprehended and oppoſed him. Which Mat. Paris thus relates.

Comes Richardus cum hoc audiſſet matrimonium clandeſtinum, eo ſcilicet neſciente, Mat. Paris, p. 451.vel aſſenſu Magnatum terrae non interveniente, firmatum fuiſſe, nimia ira ſuccenſus meritò, praeſertim cum Rex ſaepius perjuraſſet, ſi ſe nil arduum facturum, niſi de conſilio naturalium hominum ſuorum, & praecipueipſius. Inſurgens igitur Regem aggreditur verbis commonitoriis, et comminatoriis, gravem movens adverſus Regem p. 78quaeſtionem et calumniam, eo quod utens conſiliis alienigenarum quos amovere penitus perjuraverat, etiam ardua negotiae regni perperam tractaverat, et Simonem de Monte forti, et I. Comitem Lincolnienſem aliis a latere ſuo amotis, non tantum audierat, ſed contra nobilium conniventiam matrimonia ſubdola procuraverant. Simon, ut praedictum eſt, illicite inter eum et Comitiſſam Pembreciae ſororem ſuam, et Johannes Comes Lincolnienſis inter filium Comitis Boloniae, ſcilicet Richardum de Clare, et filiam ejuſdem Comttis I. Rege ſubducto procuraverant. Inſurgenti autem illi Comiti Richardo, adduntur Comes Gilbertus Mareſcallus, et omnes Comites et Barones Angliae, cum civibus et populo generaliter. Et sperabatur certiſſime tunc quod ipſe Comes Richardus eſſet et liberaturus terram, tam à Romanorum quam aliorum alienigenarum miſera qua premebatur, ſervitute, et omnes a puero uſque ad hominem ſenem crebras in ipſum benedictiones congeſſerunt, nec adheſit aliquis Regi, niſi ſolus Comes Canciae H. de quo non timebatur, quod ideo quid ſiniſtri poſſit evenire, tum quia ſe juraverat nunquam arma gestaturum, tum propter diſcretionem ſuam, multis experimentis examinatam. Quod comperiens Rex animo et vultu nimis conſternatus, Nobilium terrae ſingulos per nuncios ſuos interogavit diligenter, ſciſcitando, ſi in hunc vel illum in hac jam exorta tempestate poſſit de adjutorio confidere? Cui reſponderunt univerſi, praecipue Cives Londinenſes, aſſerendo univerſaliter quod honore ſuo, et commodo Regni procuratum eſt circumſpecte, quod incipiebatur ab ipſo Comite R. licet ipſe Rex ſalubri conſilio ejus non acquieſceret, unde incoepta nullo modo impedirent. Haec comperiens Legatus, ſummam adhibuit, imminere videns pericula diligentiam, ut Regem ſuis naturalibus hominibus reconciliaret, ſecreto admonens Comitem R. & replicans, quod ipſe qui capitaneus hujus impetus factus est. Deinceps ab incoepto deſiſteret, promittens regem ei ampliores poſſeſſiones collaturam, et Dominum Papam collatas confirmaturum; addens quod ſi omnes terrae in regem inſurgerent, ipſe, qui frater ejus cum eo contra omnes ſtare haberet indefeſſus. Ad quod reſpondit Comes R. Domine Legatae, de terris laicorum et earum confirmationibus nil ad vos derebus autem Eccleſiaſticis p. 79curam geratis. Nec miremini, ſi ſtatus Regni moveat me, cum ſim haeres ſolus apparens. Rex enim cum fere omnium Epiſcopatuum terrae, et multarum eſcaetarum cuſtodias habuit, nullum tamen theſaurus ejus ſentit ad Regni tuitiones incrementum, cum tamen undique variis vallemur i…imicis. Praeterea admirantur nonnulli, quod Rex qui maxime auxilio et diſcretione indiget, diſcretorum veſtigia non ſectatur. Non Imperatoris, cui ſororem nostram, cum magna pecunia dedimus, ſperantes id nobis profuturum, qui ſola ſua conjuge retenta, duces illius nobis remiſit, nulli corum terras vel theſaurum conferens, cum tamen abundaret locuples & opulentus. De Rege autem Francorum ſimile poteſt exemplum recitari, cui ſoror Reginae nostrae matrimonio primogenita copulatur. Rex autem noſter Angliae e converſo omnes uxoris ſuae affines, et conſanguineos, terris, poſſeſſionibus et theſauris ſaginavit, et ſic ſe maritavit, ut ne theſauro plus ditaretur, imo potius pr…aretur, ne militari auxilio, ſi opus emerge et, roboraretur. Praeterea, redditus et beneficia Eccleſiaſtica, a piis prdeceſſoribus noſtris noſtris collata, precipue quae contulerunt anteceſſores noſtri viris religioſis; permittit, quaſi ſpolia di…ipi, et alienigenis, cum abundet ipſa terra viris idoneis diſtribui, et fit Anglia quaſi Vinia ſine maceria, quam vindemiant omnes qui praetergrediuntur viam.

Cum autem audiſſet Legatus hos ſermones, Regem adiit, una cum Epiſcopo Wintonienſi P. monens et muniens, ut ſe ex tunc voluntati ſuorum, juſte in eum inſurgentium ſubderet, et obtemperaret, nunc minis, nunc monitis, nunc precibus eundem reformantes. Rex videns impetus ſuos favoribus caruiſſe, et omnes fatri ſuo Comiti R. in…linantes, quaeſivit quae potuit diverticula, inducias deliberandi poſtulando, ut competentius responderet. Indueiae igitur ad inſtantiam petentium conceſſae ſunt Regi, licet cum difficultate, uſque in craſtinum Dominicae primae quadrageſſimae.

Convenerunt igitur Magnates die ſtatuto Londini, ſuper his diligenter tractaturi. Et venerunt multi aequis et armis communiti, ut ſi Rex circumventus per levitatem recalcitraret ad praemiſſa complenda cogeretur. Ibi igitur poſt multas multorum deceptationes, ſe ſubjecit Rex quorundam proviſioni p. 80de gravioribus viris, jurans ſe eorum proviſionis adquieſcere. Quod et factum eſt, et in ſcripta redactum, et appenſa ſunt tam Legati quam aliorum Magnatum Sigilla, omnibus in communi manifeſtanda.

So in the Parliament held by King Henry, Anno 1242, and 1248. The Archbiſhops, Biſhops, Priors, Earls, Barons and Gentlemen aſſembled to it, in like manner boldly and joyntly reprehended the King for favouring Aliens, waſting his money upon them, following their advice, and oppreſſing, neglecting, impoveriſhing, exhauſting, his Natural Subjects, as you may read at large in Mat. Paris, p. 560, 561, 562, 719. overlarge to tranſcribe.**Mat. Paris p. 567, The ſame year the king raſhly commanded that Wil. de Ros, (who deſerted him in his wars in France, out of meer want of monies, offering to pawn his lands to the King, if he would ſupply his neceſſities, which he refuſed to doe) de terris fuis licet ſine judicio parium ſuorum diſſeiſeretur. Quod videbatur cunctis INJUSTUM ET TYRANNUM. Whereupon he was ſharply reprehended by his Brother Earl Richard; who with other Nobles left him in diſcontent upon this occaſion, and returned into England.

**Mat… Paris, p. 619, 620, 621, 624.King Henry the 3. Anno 1244. the 28 year of his reign, ſummoned a Parliament of the Nobles at London, thus recorded by Matthew Paris. Convenerunt Regia ſubmonitione convocati Londinum MAGNATES TOTIUS REGNI, Archiepiſcopi, Epiſcopi, Abbates, Priores, Comites & Barones: in quo Concilio petiit Rex ore proprio, in praeſentia Magnatum in refectorio Weſtmonaſterienſi auxilium ſibi fieri pecuniare, ſub ſilentio praeteriens propoſitum ſuum de Rege Scotiae potentur impugnando. In propatulo tamen manifeſtans, quod anno tranſacto transfretaverat in Gaſconiam de conſilio eorum, ut dicebat, ubi tenebatur aeris alieni non modica quantitate, nec potuit niſi efficaciſſimè ſibi ab illis generaliter ſubveniretur, liberari. Cui fuit reſponſum, quod ſuper hoc tractarent Recedenteſque Magnates de refectorio, …onvenerunt Archiepiſcopi & Epiſcopi, Abbate, & Priores ſeorſum per ſe, ſuper hoc diligenter tractaturi. Tandem requiſiti p. 81fuerunt ex parte eorum Comites & Barones, ſi velient ſuis conſiliis unanimiter conſentire in reſponſione & proviſione ſuper his facienda. Qui reſponderunt, quod ſine communi univerſitate nihil facerent. Tunc de communi aſſenſu electi fuerunt ex parte Cleri, electus Cantuarienſis, Wintonienſis, Lincolnienſis, & Wigornienſis Epiſcopi, ex parte Laicorum, Richardus Comes, frater Domini Regis Comes Bigod, Comes Legriae Simon de Montefor…i, & Comes Mareſchallus W. ex partibus Baronum, Richardus de Muntſichet, & Johannes de Bailliol, & de ſancto Edmundo, et de Rameſia Abbates, ut quod isti duodecim providerent in commune recitaretur, nec aliqua forma Domino Regi oſtendaretur auctoritate duodecim, niſi omnium communis aſſenſus interveneret, Et quia Charta libertatum, quas Dominus Rex olim conceſſerat, & pro cujus conſervatione Archiepiſcopus Cantuarienſis Edmundus juraverat, fide juſſerat & certiſſime pro Rege promiſerat, nondum extitit obſervata, & auxilia quae toties conceſſa fuerunt Domino Regi ad nullum profectum Regis vel regni devenerant. Et per defectum Cancellarii Brevia contra juſtitiam pluries fuerunt conceſſa, petitum fuit, & ſecundum quod eligerent, Juſticiarius & Cancellarius fierent, per quod ſtatum Regni ſolidaretur, ut ſolebat. Et ne per compulſionem Concilii aliquod novum statuere videretur, noluit (Rex) petitioni Magnatum conſentire; ſed promiſit, ſe …mendaturum quae ex eorum parte audierat, unde datus fuit terminus eis uſque in tres ſeptimanas Purificationis beatae Virginis, ut ibidem iterum tunc eonvenireot. Quod ſi mera voluntate Rex interim tales Conſiliarios eligeret, & taliter jura regni tractaret, quod Magnates contenti eſſent ad terminum illum ſuper auxilio faciendo, reſponſuri providerent, ita tamen quod ſi aliqua pecunia eidem concederetur, per dictos duodecim expenderetur ad commodum Regni. Et cum per plures dies protraheret eos Dominus Rex, volens eos quaſi tedio affectos flectere ad conſenſum, ut ſine termini prorogatione ad auxilium contribuendum conſentirent, multipliciter convenit eos nec circumvenit, quia Magnates hoc prudenter perpendentes IMMOBILITER IN PROPOSITO PERSTITERUNT. Tunc Dominus Rex demum ſperans ſal…m p. 82Clerum ad deſiderium ſuum inclinare, convocatis Praelatis, porrexit illis Papales apices in publico, (recorded at large by Matthew Paris) commanding and perſwading the Prelates, Abbots and Clergy to ſupply the Kings neceſſities, and grant him an aid, with particular Letters to all the Prelates from the Pope to the like effect. The Prelates notwithſtanding all the Kings private ſollicitations and policies, refuſed to return any anſwer to the Popes Letters, till the time of the Lords reaſſembling or to do any thing but by Common Counſel and conſent of the whole Parliament, from which they would not be divided, as you may there read at large. The Nobles and Great men meeting again at the time prefixed agree on theſe enſuing Proviſoes, after long debate, which they tendred to the King for his aſſent, denying to grant him any aid of mony, unleſs he conſented to them.

De libertatibus alia vice emptis, conceſſis, & per chartam Domini Regis confirmatis, quod de caetero obſerventur. Ad cujus rei majorem ſecuritatem, fiat nova charta quae ſuper haec ſpecialem faciet mentionem. Et ab omnibus Praelatis ſolenniter excommunicentur, qui ſcienter & prudenter libertates a Domino Rege conceſſas, vel impugnare vel impedire, quo minus obſerventur, praeſumpſerint, & reformetur ſtatus eorum, qui poſt ultimam conceſsionem in libertatibus ſuis laeſionem incurrerunt. Et quia propter virtutem ſacramenti praeſtiti, nec non propter timorem ſententiae latae a ſancto viro Edmundo, quod ea vice promiſſum fuerat, hactenus non exſtitit obſervatum, ne hujuſmodi periculum de caetero eveniat, & ſic fiant noviſſima pejora prioribus de communi aſſenſu quatuor eligantur Potentes et Nobiles de Diſcretioribus totius regni, qui ſint de Concilio Domini Regis, et jurati, quod negotia Domini Regis et Regni fidelitur tractabunt, et ſine acceptione perſonarum, omnibus Juſtitiam exhibebunt. Hi ſequentur Dominum Regem, & ſi non omnes, ſemper duo eorum ad minus praeſentes ſint, ut audiant querimonias ſingulorum, ut patientibus injuriam celeriter poſſint ſubvenire. Per viſum & teſtimonium eorum tractetur Theſaurus Domini Regis, & pecunia ab Univerſis specialiter conceſſa, et ad commodum Regis p. 83et Regni expendatur, ſecundum quod melius et utilius viderint expedire, Et erunt Libertatum Conſervatores. Et ſicut de omnium aſſenſu eliguntur; ſic etiam ſine communi aſſenſu non poterit aliquis eorum amoveri, aut ſuo officio privari. Ʋno etiam ſublato è medi…, de aſſenſu et electione trium, loco illius alius ſubſtituatur infra duos menſes. Nec ſine ipſis, ſed cum neceſſe fuerit, et ad eorum inſtantiam, iterum conveniant Univerſi. Brevia contra Regem & conſuceudinem Regni impetrata, penitus revocentur et aboleantur. Memorandum quoque de ſententia ferenda in contradictores. Item, de obligatione Sacramenti in invicem. Item, de Itinere Juſticiariorum, Juſtitiarius & Cancellarius ab omnibus elegantur. Et quia frequenter debent eſſe cum Domino rege, poterint eſſe de numero conſervatorum. Et ſi aliqua interveniente occaſione Dominus Rex abſtulerit ſigillum ſuum à Cancellario, quicquid fuerit interim ſigillatum, irritum habeatur et inane. Deinde Cancellario fiat restitutio. Nullus ſubſtituatur Cancellarius, vel Juſtitiarius, niſi ſolummodo per ſolennem et univerſalem omnem Convocationem, et liberum aſſenſum. Duo Juſticiarii eligantur in Banco. Duo itidem Barones in Scaccario conſtituantur. Unus quoque ad minus Justiciarius Judaeorum deputatur. Hac vice autem per communem univerſalem liberamque omnium electionem fiant et constituantur omnes Officiarii praedicti: ut quemadmodum omnium negotia ſunt tractaturi, ſic etiam in eorum electione concurrat aſſenſus ſingulorum. Et poſtmodum cum neceſſe fuerit alius loco alicujus ipſorum praedictorum ſubſtitui aut ſubrogari, per proviſionem et auctoritatem quatuor illorum Conſiliatorum praedictorum fiat illa ſubſtitutio vel ſubrogatio. Hactenus ſuspecti, aut minus neceſſarii à latere Domini Regis amoveantur. Et dum hujuſmodi negotia utilia nimis Reipublicae in spacio trium hebdomadarum diligenter pertractaſſent Magnates, hoſtis humani generis, pacis perturbator, et Schiſmatum ſuſcitator Diabolus, haec omnia per Papalem avaritiam impedivit, &c. Poſtea renovata fuit petitio Domini Regis, ſuper auxilio pecuniari ſibi faciendo. Circa quod de die in diem convenit eos Dominus Rex, tum in propria perſona, tum per internuncios ſolennes; per quos promiſit, ſe Libertates quas juraverat in Coronatione ſua, ſuper quibus CHARTAM p. 84confecerat integerrime ſervaturum. Ad quorum etiam tuitionem, rogavit ut ſinguli Epiſcopi in Diocaeſibus ſuis ſententiam fer…ent in ipſum, et omnes qui contra memoratas Libertates venirent in aliquo articulo. Tandem unanimiter, cum nullo modo ad alium formam poſſent flecti, conceſſerunt Domino Regi ad maritandam filiam ſuam primogenitam, de omnibus qui tenent de Domino Rege in capite, de ſingulis ſcutis viginti ſolidos ſolvendos, ſcilicet, medietatem ad Paſcha, et aliam ad feſtum S. Michaelis.

Et cum relatum eſſet Domino Regi, ut ad memoriam haec quam praeterita reduceret, recordatum est ei, quod ſimilia à ſuis fidelibus, quos fovere debuit, non depauperare truculenter et ſine ſolutione promiſſorum, eiſdem extorſerat. Poſt captionem Bedefordiae ſtatim conceſſum eſt Carucagium, de tota Anglia, ſcilicet, de qualibet caruca duo ſolidi Anno ſequenti, Quintadecima omnium mobilium. Iterum, iturus in Britanniam cepit non modicam pecuniam à Praelatis etiam & viris Religioſis, Burgenſibus & Judaeis. Poſt reditum ſuum de Britannia, cepit Scutagium, ſcilicet de Scuto tres marcas. Item poſtea conceſſa fuit Quadrageſima pars omnium mobilium. Item postea Trigeſima pars omnium mobilium. Item quando maritavit ſororem ſuam Iſabellam domino Imperatori Frederico, cepit dominus Rex ad maritagium ſuum Carucagium, videlicet, de qualibet Caruca duas marcas. In nativitate autem filii ſui, in magnum dedecus ſui, multa munera quae ad magnam ſummam pecuniae aſcenderunt, violenter & impudenter extorſit. Item iturus in Gaſconiam, cepit à Praelatis, viris Religioſis, Burgenſibus & Judaeis, et à quibuſcunque potuit aliquid abradere, pecuniam multam, imo penè infinitam. Rediens autem à Gaſconia inglorius & ſeductus, juſſit ut Magnates et Praelati ipſi occur…erente etiam uſ que ad mare; qui ibidem illum diu expectantes fruſtra, tandem ipſum in muneribus multis et impreciabilibus exceperunt. Similiter et cives Londinenſes & alii. Et qui munera nobilia compertus eſt non contuliſſe, aliquo argumento redargutus, damnificabatur. Qualiter autem pro hac praeſenti contributione et omnibus aliis promiſſa et pacta adimplebat Rex, noverit ille qui nihil ignorat. Thus bold, reſolute, plain dealing were the p. 85Earls and Barons with the King in this Parliament; all whoſe Ayds and Exactions here enumerated in 28. years ſpace, are not comparable to one years Exciſes, Impoſts, Contributions, under the pretended new Conſervators, Protectors of our Liberties, and deliverers of us from our former Petty Taxes of Shipmony and Knighthood, ſcarce amounting to one Moneths contribution.

**Mat. Paris, p. 631.The ſame year (1244.) in Craſtino Omnium animarum, convenientes Magnates Angliae, Rex cum instantiſſimè ne dicam impudentiſſimè, auxilium pecuniare ab eis, iterum poſtularet, toties laſi et illuſi, CONTRADIXERUNT EI UNANIMITER ET UNO ORE IN FACIE. Proponebat enim Dominus Rex contra Wallenſes exercitum ducere repreſuros, &c.

††Mat. Paris, p. 718, 719. Mat. Weſt. Anno 1248. p. 227.233.In the 32. year of his reign; In octaxis Purificationis, edicto Regio convocata totius Angliae Nobilitas convenit Londoniis, ut de Regni negociis nimis perturbati, et depauperati, et temporibus noſtris enormiter mutilati, diligenter et efficaciter cum Domino Rege contrectaret, &c. Et cum propoſuiſſet Dominus Rex, pecuniare auxilium poſtulare, redargutus eſt graviter ſuper hoc, quod non erubeſcebat tunc tale juvamen & auxilium exigere: praeſertim quia quando in ultima tali exactione, cui Nobiles Angliae vix conſenſerunt, confecit Chartam ſuam, quod amplius talem non faceret Magnatibus ſuis injuriam et gravamen. Repraehenſus eſt etiam graviſſime, ſuper indiſcreta alienigenarum vocatione, &c. And for all orher his miſdemeanours there ſpecified at large. Haec cum audiſſet Dominus Rex, confuſus in ſemetipſo erubuit, ſciens haec omnia eſſe veriſſima. Promiſit ergo veriſſime ac certiſſime ſe haec omnia gratanter emendaturum, ſperans per talem humilitatem, licet fictam, omnium corda poſtulationi ſuae promptius incurvare. Cui inito conſilio crebrius in talibus promiſſis univerſitas irretita, reſpondit: Hoc videbitur, et infra breve tempus apparebit manifeſte: Expectabimus patienter, et prout ſe gerit Dominus Rex, et ſe habebit verſus nos, et nos ei in omnibus obtemperabimus, Dilata p. 86igitur ſunt omnia et in reſpectu poſita, uſ que ad quindenam Sancti Johannis Baptiſtae. Sed Dominus Rex interim vel ſuo Spiritu, vel aulicorum ſuorum, qui nollent ſuam enervari poteſtatem, induratus, & contra ſuos homines magis exaſpetatus, minimum emendationis in praedictis exceſſibus, fidelibus ſuis, ſecundum quod promiſi…, curavit impendere. Whereupon they would grant him no aid at all. When he could not move the Nobles all aſſembled together; ††Mat. Paris p. 732. Mat. Weſtm. p. 233, 234.the next year he ſent begging Letters to every one of the Nobles apart for ayd, nor as a duty, but meer gratuity to carry on his wars againſt the King of France, ſed nihil ex inde à circumspectis niſi deriſum et ſibilum ſuſcitavit.

**Mat. Paris p. 821, to 828. Mat. Weſtm. p. 252.King Henry, Anno 1252. the 35. year of his reign, aſſembled all the Prelates to London, and demanded of them a Tenth for 8. years granted him by the Pope; which they refuſed to grant, taxing him for oppreſſing his Realm and rhe Church with various and innumerable exactions, and depriving them of their antient and accuſtomed Liberties and their money againſt his Oath, and primitive Proteſtation: The Lords and Prelates, after ſundry publike and privat Diſcourſes and devices then uſed to draw them to a Contribution (recorded at large in Mat. Paris) chiding and telling him to his face; aſſerentes ipſum natum tantum ad pecuniam emungendam. Soluto igitur cum Regis, Cleri et Magnatum indignatione Concilio, Rex iram et odium praecordiale theſaurizavit, credens haec omnia ſibi facta et dicta in ſpiritu maligno et exoſo, malignandi materiam parturire. About the ſame time, Iſabella Counteſs of Arundell, coming to the King about a Wardſhip, and he denying to doe her juſtice therein, though a woman, gave him this manly and bold anſwer. Domine Rex▪ quare avertis faciem tuam à Juſtitia? Jam in curia tua quod juſtum eſt, nequit impetrari. Medius inter Dominum & nos conſtitueris, ſed nec teipſum nec nos ſane regis, nec eccleſiam veritus es multipliciter perturbare, quod non tantum in praeſentiarum ſed multoties eſt aperta. Nobiles inſuper Regni variis modis p. 87vexare non formidas vel erubeſcis Quod cum audiſſet Rex corrugans nares, et ſubſannans, voce dixit eleva…a: Quid eſt hoc, O Domina Comitiſſa? confecerunt ne Magnates Angliae chartam, et pepigerunt tecum, ut fieres eorum quia eloquens es, advocata et prolocutrix? Ad quod Comitiſſa licet juvencula, non tamen juveniliter reſpondit. Nequaquam mihi, Domine, Regni tui Primates chartam confecerunt, ſed tu CHARTAM quam confecit pater tuus, et tu eam conceſſiſti, & juraſti obſervare fideliter et irrefragabiliter, et multoties ut eam obſervares à fidelibus tuis pecuniam de libertatibus obſervandis eorum extorſiſti, ſed tu ſemper eis impudens tranſgreſſor extitiſti. Unde fidei laeſor enormis & Sacramenti tranſgreſſor manifeſtus eſſe comprobaris. **May we not make the ſelf-ſame demand and appeal now?Ubi Libertates Angliae toties in ſcripta redactae, toties conceſſae, totieſque redemptae? Ego igitur licet mulier, omneſque indigenae et naturales ac fideles tui appellamus contra te, ante tribunal tremendi judicis. Et erunt nobis teſtes coelum & terra, quoniam inique nimis nos tractas inſontes, et nos Deus ultionum Dominus ulciſcatur. Ad haec Rex ſiluit confuſus, quia dictante propria conſcientia cognovit, quoniam à tramite veritatis non exorbitavit Comitiſſa; et ait: Nonne poſtulas gratiam, eo quod mihi cognata ſis? at illa: Ex quo mihi quod jus expoſtulat denegaſti, quomodo ſpem concipiam, ut mihi gratiam facias poſtulanti? ſed et contra illos ante faciem Chriſti appello, qui te faſcinantes et infatuentes, conſiliarii tui ſunt, et te a via veritatis avertunt, ſuis tantummodo commodis inhiantes. His autem auditis Rex ſiluit, ſatis civiliter redargutus; Comitiſſa autem nec licentiata, nec licentiam poſtulata, magnis laboribus et ſumptibus inaniter factis, ad propria remeavit.

Anno 1253. the 37 of Henry the 3d.**Mat. Paris, p. 838, 839. Mat. Weſtm. p. 254. In quindena Paſchae menſe Aprilis tota edicto Regio convocata Angliae Nobilitas convenit Londini, de arduis Regni negotiis ſimul cum Rege tractaturi. Exti…erunt igitur ibidem cum Comitibus & Baronibus quamplurimis, Archiepiſcopus p. 88Cantuarienſis, & Epiſcopi Angliae fere omnes, &c. Et cum de magna Regis indigentia, qui poſtulavit ſibi peregrinaturo infinitam exhiberi pecuniam, diu. et inaniter tractaſſent, et hinc inde nuncios utrobique conſenſus haberetur, contigit ut ex parte Epiſcoporum & omnium Praelatorum, deſtinarentur Archiepiſcopus Cant: et Carliolenſis, et Sarisburienſis Epiſcopi et electus Wintonienſis, ad perſuadendum et inducendum Regem, ut permitteret, prout ſaepius ſolenniter jurando promiſit, ſanctam Eccleſiam ſuis gaudere libertatibus, maxime de electionibus, in quibus praecipue eccleſiaſtica conſtat libertas. Nullibi enim cum in Eccleſiis Cathedralibus vel Conventualibus poteſt aliquis promoveri niſi per Regem intruſus, &c. Quod ſi hunc et alios mores, SECUNDUM MAGNAE CHARTAE DE LIBERTATIBUS CONFECTAE TENOREM, emendaret, ipſi uſque ad gravamen magnum petitionibus ſuis inclinarent. Quibus Rex: Verum eſt, et inde doleo, & poenitet me graviter hoc ſeciſſe. Inſtanter igitur procurandum, ut et talia peracta corrigantur; et amplius ſimilia non perpetrentur. Et vos in hoc mihi ſitis coadjutores, ne ſic promoticum ſubditis condemnentur, &c. Tandem protracto tempore diuturno et multis revolutis diſceptationibus, poſt quindecim et amplius dierum continuationem, in hoc reſidit omnium unanimus conſenſus; ut voluntas Regis peregrinaturi et ideo pia, non penitus ſuo deſiderio fraudaretur, nec Eccleſiae vel Regni ſtatus enorme pateretur dettimentum. Conceſſa eſt igitur Regi decima pars proventuum ab Eccleſia recipiendo, cum iter Hieroſolymitanum per viſum Magnatum arriperet, in viaticum diſtribuenda, per triennium, in ſuccurſum Terrae ſanctae contra Dei inimicos, & a militibus ſcutagium, illo anno, ſcilicet ad ſcutum tres Marcae; et Rex bona fide, & ſine aliqua cavillatione, **Walſingham Ypodig. Neuſtr. p. 61.promiſit ſe CHARTAM MAGNAM ET OMNES EJUS ARTICULOS FIDELITER OBSERVARE: Quam tamen a multis retroactis annis, Pater ejus Rex Johannes TENERE JURAVIT, p. 89& limiliter qui prae…ens eſt in ſuſceptione Coronae, et poſtea multoties, unde infinitam emunxit pecuniam. Tertio igitur die Mali, in majori aula Regia Westm. ſub praeſentia & aſſenſu Domini Henrici Dei gratia Regis Angliae illuſtris, & Dominorum R…. Comitis Cornubiae fratris ſui, & Ri. Comitis Norfollkiae & Suffollkiae Mareſchalli Angliae, H. Comitis Her…fordiae, & Comitis Oxoniae, I. Comiris Warwiciae, & aliorum Optimatum Regni Angliae; Nos B. divina miſericordia Cant. Archiepiſcopus, totius Angliae primas, F. Londinenſis, H. Elienſis, R. Lincolnienſis, W. Wigo… nienſis, W. Norwicenſis, P. Haerefordienſis, W. Sarisberienſis, W. Dunelmenſis, R. Exonienſis, S. Carleolenſis, W. Bathonienſis, L. Roffenſis, T. Menevenſis Epiſcopi, Pontificalibus indutis, candelis accenſis, in tranſgreſſores libertarum, & Eccleſiaſticorum, & libertatum conſuetudinem Regni Angliae, & praecipue earum quae continentur IN CHARTA LIBERTATUM REGNI ANGLIAE, ET CHARTA DE FORESTA, excommunicationis ſententiam ſolenniter tulimus ſub hac forma. Auctoritate Dei Omnipotentis, & Filii, & Spiritus Sancti, & Glorioſae Dei Genetricis, ſemperque Virginis Mariae, & beatorum Apoſtolorum Petri & Pauli, omniumque Apoſtolorum, & beati Thomae Archiepiſcopi & Martyris, omniumque Martyrum, beati Edwardi Regis Angl…ae, omniumque Confeſſorum atque Virginum, omniumque Sanctorum Dei, excommunicamus, anathematizamus, & a limine ſanctae matris Eccleſiae ſequeſtramus, omnes illos qui amodo ſ…ien…er, & malitioſe Eccleſias privaverint vel ſpoliaverint ſuo jure. Item omnes illos qui Eccleſiaſticas libertates, vel antiquas Regni conſuetudines probatas, & praecipue libertates, & liberas conſuetudines QUAE IN CHARTA COMMUNIUM LIBERTATUM ANGLIAE, ET DE FORESTA CONTINENTUR, Conceſſis a Domino Rege Angliae Archiepiſcopis, Epiſcopis, & caeteris Angliae Praelatis, Comitibus, Baronibus, Militibus, & libere tenentibus, qualicunque p. 90arte vel ingenio temere violaverint, diminuerint, ſeu immutaverint clam vel palam facto, verbo, vel conſilio contra illas, vel earum aliquam, in quocunque articulo temere veniendo. Item in illos qui contra illas, vel earum aliquam Statuta aliqua ediderint, vel edita ſervaverint, conſuetudines introduxerint, vel ſervaverint introductas, Scriptores Statutorum, necnon conſiliarios & executores, & qui ſecundum ea praeſumpſerint judicare. Qui omnes & ſinguli ſuperius memorati, hanc ſententiam incurſuros ſe noverint ipſo facto, qui ſcienter aliquid commiſerint de praedictis: qui vero ignoranter niſi commoniti infra quindenam a tempore commonitionis ſe correxerint, & arbitrio Ordinariorum plenius fatisfecerirt de commiſſis, ex tunc ſint hac ſententia involuti, Eadem etiam ſententia innodamus omnes illos, qui pacem Regis & Regni praeſumpſerint perturbare. In cujus memoriam ſempiternam, Nos ſigilla noſtra praeſentibus duximus apponenda. (How many in this age are involved in this communication and execration, for the wilfull violation of this great Charter of our Liberties, and making Ordinances, Declarations, Remonſtrances, Votes, Committees, and extrajudicial judicatories, and giving Judgements and Sententes againſt it, almoſt in every Article, is worthy conſideration.) When this excommunication was thus pronounced. Prolataque fuit in medium CHARTA patris ſui Johannis, in qua iterum conceſſit idem mera voluntate, & recitari fecit libertates ſupradictas, Dum autem Rex memoratam ſententiam audiſſet, tenuit manum ſuum ad pectus ſuum ſereno vultu, voluntario et alacri. Et cum in fine projeciſſent candelas extinctas, et fumigantes, diceretur a ſingulis, ſic extinguantur, & foeteant hujus ſententiae incurſores in inferno, & campanae pulſarent: dixit ipſe Rex, ſic me Deus adjuvet, haec omnia obſervabo fideliter, ſicut ſum homo, ſicut ſum Chriſtianus, ſicut ſum miles, & ſicut ſum Rex coronatus et inunctus. Et ſciendum quod in principio ſententiae ferendae, cum traderentu… p. 91omnibus Candelae accenſae, tradita fuit Regi una, & cum accepiſſet eam, noluit eam tenere, ſed tradidit cuidam Praelatorum, dicens: Non decet me candelam talem tenere, non enim ſum ſacerdos: Cor autem majus perhibet teſtimonium. Et extunc tenuit Manum expanſam ad pectus, donec totam ſententiam finiretur. Epiſcopus autem Lincolnienſis Robertus praeconizans in corde ſuo, & timens ne Rex a pactis reſiliret, fecit illico, cum redieret in Epiſcopatum ſuum excommunicari ſolenniter, in qualibet Eccleſia Parochiali per Diocoeſim ſuam, quae prae numeroſitate ſua vix poſſunt aeſtimari, & praecipue Sacerdotes omnes ſupra dictarum Chartarum infractores, quae ſententia potuit aures audientium tinnire, et corda non mediocriter formidare. In purſuance of this Excommunication, the King iſſued out Writs and Proclamations to all Counties, that all ſhould be excommnicated, qui veniant contra CHARTAS de libertatibus, &c. reciting this excommunication, and other Writs and Proclamations, iſſued DE MAGNA CHARTA TENENDA AD INSTANTIAM PRAELATORUM ET MAGNATUM REGNI NOSTRI, ††Mat. Paris, p. 839.ſalvis Nobis et haeredibus noſtris juribus et Dignitatibus Coronae noſtrae, &c. recorded in Clauſ. 37. H. 3. m, 9. & 13 Dorſo, & Pat. 37. H. 3. m. 13. (But O the Atheiſtical Hipocriſie, perfidiouſneſſe▪ and falſeneſſe of mens hearts and proteſtations) Soluto autem ſic Concilio, Rex confeſtim peſſimo uſus confilio, omnia praedicta cogitabat infirmare, (as ſome have done, and yet doe) Dictum namque eſt illi quod non foret Rex, vel ſaltem Dominus in Anglia, ſi ſupradictas tenerentur, et expertus eſt Rex Johannis pater ejus, qui mori praeelegit quam ſic peſſundari calcibus ſubditorum, &c.

Anno 1254. the 38 of King Henry the 3.**Mat. Paris, p. 858, 859. Mat. Weſtm. p. 261. Congregati ſunt iterum Regni Magnates Londini: Quibus ſignificavit Rex, quod pecunia indigebat, & viribus amplioribus ad repellendam violentiam magni hoſtis ſupervenientis: Quod mandatum fuit fignatum Regio ſigillo. p. 92Reſponderunt au…em omnes & ſinguli: Quod jam per tres ſeptimanas Londini inaniter expectantes adventum Comitis Richardi, & aliquorum Magnatum moram protrahentium, & toties Regiis exactionibus vexebantur, quod vix poterant reſpirare. Non tamen venire omitterent ad ſuccurſum Domini ſui Regis corporaliter, ſi de hoſtili adventu Regis Hiſpaniae hoc comminantis plenius certi…icarentur: mirabanturque, ut dicebant, quod idem Rex Caſtillae nunquam tempore quo Comes Legreceſtriae Simon Gaſconiae praefuit, et reb…lles multos edomuit, Gaſconiam vendicavit: Hoc igitur argumento, et multis aliis, ſed et per Comitem S. qui tunc de partibus rediit tranſmarinis, qui veritatem ſuper hoc nunciavit, Magnates edocti, Regis muſcipulas praecaverunt, qui ex bonis Angliae p…riclitantes alienigenas ſaginavit. Et ſic cum ſumma indignatione triſtes admod…m Proceres receſſerunt. Yet, to pleaſe the Nobles, I find in **Fitzh. Nat. Brevium, f. 75. a.Clauſ. 38. H. 8. m. 8 a Writ, ne quidem amercientur CONTRA TENOREM MAGNAE CHARTAE de libertatibus Angliae, ſed ſecundum modum delicti.

**Mat. Paris, p. 876. Mat. Weſt. p. 271.Anno 1255. the 39 of Henry the 3. In quindena Paſchae convenerunt Londini OMNES NOBILES ANGLIAE, tam viri Eccleſiaſtici, quam ſeculares, ita quod nunquam tam populoſa multitudo ibi antea viſa fuerat congregata. Ubi Dominus Rex ſe multis debitis conquestus eſt fuiſſe implicatum, nec ſe poſſe ſine MAGNATUM SUORUM efficaci juvamine liberari, unde instanter & urgenter valde postulavit auxilium ſibi fieri pecuniare. Scilicet ut de Baroniis quas prius in auxilio decimae ſibi conceſſae, plenam reciperet portionem, ut ad plenitudinem gratiaram perſolvendarum teneretur. Quod eſſet manifeſtum Regni exterminium. Regnum enim omne pecunia deſtitutum, volentibus illud occupari, quaſi ulero foret expoſitum et oblatum. Inito igitur conſilio, quia illud nullo modo fuiſſet tollerabile, inter eos conceſſum eſt, QUOD MULTUM SESE GRAVARENT PRO MAGNAE CHARTAE SINE OMNI CAVILLATIONE OBSERVATIONE EX TƲNC ET DEINCEPS, quam p. 93toties tenere promiſit, juravit, & ſub ſumma diſtr…ctione ſe in anima obligavi. Exigebat inſuper, ut de communi conſilio regni nostri ſibi ſuſtitiarium, Cancellarium, & Theſaurarium eligerent, ſicut ab antiquo conſuetum et juſtum. Qui etiam non amoverentur, niſi clareſcentibus culpis, et de communi Regni convocati conſilio et deliberatione. Tot enim erant in Anglia Reguli, ut viderentur in Anglia antiqua tempora renovari. Erat videre dolorem in populo, quia neſciebant Praelati vel Magnates quo modo ſuum Prothea, ſcilicet Regem tenerent, etiamſi omnia haec concederent, quia in omnibus metas tranſgreditur veritatis, et ubi nulla veritas, nulla praevalet certitudo fixa ſtabiliri. D…ctumque eſt illis a ſecretiſſimis Regiis cubiculariis, quod nullo modo illa quae deſiderabant, ſcilicet de Juſticiario, Cancellario, vel Theſaurario concederet. Praelati inſuper pro dècima, quam conditionaliter promiſerant, abſolute et ſerviliter ancillante Eccleſia jam ſolvere eam cogebantur, doloribus cruentabantur. Nobiles pro imminenti exactione, in oneribus ſauciabantur. Tandem in hoc convenerunt communiter, ut Regi renunciaretur, ex parte univerſitatis, quod negotium dilationem caperet, uſque ad feſtum Sancti Michaelis, ut et ipſi interim fidelitatem ejus, & benignitatem experirentur, ſi forte ſic ſe verſus eos et eorum patientiam fidelitatem ejus et benignitatem experirentur, ſi forte ſic ſe verſus eos et eorum patientiam IN CHARTAE OBSERVATIONE TOTIES PROMISSAE, TOTIES REDEMPTAE, corda eorum ad ipſa converteret, et merito reclinaret. Quod cum Rex dicitur non acceptaſſe, ſed tacendo non conceſſiſſe, Et cum ſumma deſolatione et deſperatione, poſt multas inutiles▪ et diuturnas deceptationes, ſic ſoluto conſilio, Nobiles Angliae facti jam ignobiles, ad propria remearunt.

Not long after the King to ingratiate himſelf with the people, commanded the Great Charter to be obſerved. **Mat. Paris, p. 878. Mat. Paris, p. 171. Walſingham Ypodig. p. 61Acclamatum est in Comitatibus, et annunciatum eſt in Synodis in Eccleſiis, et ubicunque locorum homines convenerant, ut Magna Charta inviolabiliter teneretur, quam Rex Johannes conceſſit, et isto Rex praeſens multo ies conceſſit, et lata eſt ſententia ſolenniter in omnes ejuſdem viol…tores, p. 94quam tamen Rex minime adhuc obſervans, bona Eccleſiae Eboracenſis inhumane deſtruxit. **Mat. Weſtm. p. 272.Dicebatque creb…ò: Quare non obſervant Epiſcopi & Magnates Regni erga ſubjectos ſuos Chartam illam, pro qua tan…um clamitant, et objurgant (a good interrogation to our late and preſent ſwaying Grandees) Cui rationabiliter reſponſum eſt, Dominus Rex, decet vos primitus ſecundum jusjurandum tuum inchoare, et alii proſecto ſequerentur, ſecundum illud Poeticum, Mobile verſatur ſemper cum Principe vulgus.

**Mat. Paris, p. 884, 885.Anno vero ſub eodem ad feſtum Sancti Edwardi, fuerunt apud Weſtmonasterium OMNES fere ANGLIAE MAGNATES; inter quas Rex prius alloquebatur fratrem ſuum Comitem Cornubiae Richardum, petens ab eo inſtantiſſime auxilium pecuniare. Cui Comiti Dominus Papa ſimiliter literas deprecatorias direxerat, ſupplicans in quadraginta millibus, ſalvo fratri ſuo, mutuo ſubveniret, ut quaſi dans ea eidem, pium daret aliis exemplum ſubveniendi, Comes autem nec preces Regis, nec Papae voluit exaudire, et eo maxime, quod negotium eundi in Apuliam aſſumpſit ſine conſilio ſuo, et aſſenſu Baronagii ſui, ſibilis tranſalpinenſium faſcinatus. Ab aliis autem interpellatum fuit de ſubventione facienda; et reſponſum fuit, quod omnes tunc temporis non fuerunt JUXTA TENOREM MAGNAE CHARTAE SUAE, vocati;Nota. er ideo ſine paribus ſuis tunc abſentibus nullum voluerunt tunc reſponſum dare, vel auxilium concedere, vel praeſtare. Rex itaque ad conſuetas converſus cavillationes, ut Magnates flecteret ad conſenſum, per multos dies negotium Parliamenti diſtulit inchoati, ita uſque in menſem fictis occaſionibus negotium protelaret. Et tunc ad alium locum conciliaturos, evacuatis in civitate Londonenſi crumenis, potius provocavit quam convocavit. Comes vero Richardus, vir cautus et circumſpectus, Epiſcopum Herefordenſem, & Robertum Walerannum ſocium ſuum, acriter et merito redarguit, eo quod tam enormiter in regni ſubverſionem Regem infatuarent. p. 95Et ſic infecto negotio ſinguli provocati ad propria remearunt.

In the 40 year of King Henry the 3. (1256.) the great Charter, to ſatisfie the Prelates and Nobles, was again confirmed by the King, and a ſolemn Excommunication denounced againſt the infringers therof. **Mat. Paris, p. 891, 892, 895. Mat. Weſtm. p. 275.Proviſum eſt ſalubriter, UT MAGNAE CHARTAE REGIS JOHANNIS quas ſponte promiſit BARONAGIO ANGLIAE, et iſte Rex praeſens iterum, & nunc iterum de novo in magna aula Weſtmonaſterienſi, SPONTE ET LIBERALITER CONCESSIT, SUB PAENA HORRIBILIS ANATHEMATIS, CONSERVENTUR, et propter Regis tyrannidem, quam non deſinit exercere in Eccleſiis vacantibus, quam memoratus Rex Johannes conceſſit Regno, conſpectibus Papae praeſentaretur: there recited at large and ratified by the Pope; Yet notwithſtanding the Prelates, animated by the Barons refuſed to contribute any aid to the King out of their Baronies, notwithſtanding Ruſtan, the Popes Legat endeavoured to induce and force them to do it, both by wiles and menaces.

**Mat. Paris, p. 935, 938. Mat. Weſtm. 277.Anno 1258. the 42. of Henry the 3d. his reign; he ſummoning a Parliament, and demanding a pecuniary ayd of the Nobles, cùm constanter et preciſe respondiſſent UNO ORE MAGNATES REGNI IN PARLIAMENTO REGI, cum urgenter auxilium ab eis poſtulaſſet pecuniare, QUOD NEC VOLUERUNT, NEC POTUERUNT, (Marke it) AMPLIUS SUSTINERE TALES EXTORSIONES. Rex iratus, ad alia ſe convertit aſtutiae argumenta, ut ab Eccleſia pecuniam abraderet infinitam: there recorded at large. Duravit adhuc praelibati Parliamenti altercatio, inter Regem & regni Magnates, uſque diem Dominicam proximam poſt Aſcentionem, & multiplicabantur contra Regem variae diatim querimoniae, eo quod promiſſa ſua non obſervabat, contemnens claves Eccleſiae, ET CHARTAE SUAE MAGNAE TOTIES REDEMPTAE TENOREM. Fratres quo que ſuos uterinos intollerabiliter contra jus regni et legem, ut naturales terrae erexit, nec ſinebat aliquod br…ve exire de Cancellaria contra eos p. 96&c. REDARGU…US EST INSUPER REX, quod omnes alienos promovet et locupletat, et ſuos in ſubverſionem totius Regni, despicet et depraedatur. Et ipſe tam egenus eſt cum alii abundent, quod theſauri expers jura Regni nequit revocare; imo nec Wallenſium, quae ſunt hominum quiſquiliae, injurias propulſare; et ut brevibus concludatur; Exceſſus Regis tractatus exigit speciales. Rex autem ad ſe reverſus, cum veritatem redargutionis intellexiſſet, licet ſero, humiliavit ſe, aſſerens iniquo conſilio ſaepius ſuiſſe faſcinatum; promiſitque ſub magni juramenti obteſtatione ſuper altare et feretrum S. Edwardi, quod priſtinos errores planè et plenè corrigens, ſuis naturalibus benigne obſecundaret. Sed crebras tranſgreſſiones praecedentes ſe penitus incredibilem reddiderunt; & quia neſciebant adhuc Magnates quomodo ſuum Prothea, tenere voluiſſent, quia arduum erat nego…ium et difficile, dilatum eſt Parliamentum uſ que ad festum Sancti Barnabae apud Oxoniam diligenter celebrandum. Interim Optimates Angliae, utpote Gloverniae, Legreceſtriae et Herefordiae comites, Comes Mareſcallus, et alii praeclari viri, ſibi praecaventes & providentes, confaederati ſunt, quia pedicas et laqueos alienorum vehementer formidabant, et Regis retiacula ſuspecta nimis habuerant, veniebant cum equitibus et armatis, et comitatu copioſo communit….

**Mat. Paris, p. 940, 941.Parlamento autem (Oxoniae) incipiente ſolidabatur Magnatum et conſilium immutabile, exigendo conſtantiſſime, UT DOMINUS REX CHARTAM LIBERTATUM ANGLIAE, quam Johannis R…x pater ſuus Anglis confecit, & confectam conceſſit, quamque idem Johannes renere juravit, FIRMITER TENE AT ET CONSERVET; quamque idem Rex Henricus multoties conceſſerat, et tenere juraverat, ejuſ que infractores ab omnibus Angliae Epiſcopis, in praeſentia ſua et totius Baronagii, horribiliter …ecit excommunicare, & ipſe unus fuerat excommunicantium. Exigebant inſuper ſibi fieri Juſticiarium, qui juſtitiam faceret injuriam patientibus, aequanimiter divitibus et pauperibus, Quaedam etiam alia Regnum contingentia petebant, ad communem Regis & regni utilitatem, pacem ſimul & honeſtatem. p. 97Quorum conſiliis et proviſionibus neceſſarii…, Dominum Regem frequenter et conſtantiſſime conſulendo rogitabant obtemperare; jurantes fide mediante, et mutuo dextras exhibentes,Nota. quod non omitterent propoſitum perſequi, pro pecuniae vel terrarum amiſſione, vel etiam pro vita et morte ſua et ſuorum. Quod Rex recognoſcens; graviter juravit conſiliis eorum obſecundare, et Edwardus filius ejus eodem eſt juramento aſtrictus. After which they expelled and chaſed away all the Aliens about the King. "Et ita terminatur Parliamentum apud "Oxoniam, fine terminato et certo non oppoſito. Hereupon there iſſued out ſundry Writs and Commiſſions for reformation of abuſes and puniſhing offences againſt the Great Charter, recorded in Rot. Clauſ. 42 H. 3. m. 1. 3.6. and that PER CONSILIƲM MAGNATUM, as thoſe Records atteſt.

Rot. Pat. An. 43 H. 3. m. 10. n. 41. & n. 15. there is a large Letters Patents of the King recorded in French, declaring the good Government that ſhould be for the future; the due obſervation of Magna Charta; the Kings faithful promiſe inviolably to keep the ſame according to his Oath and promiſes; and that every man injured might freely ſue and complain againſt or arreſt the King, or any other. And Rot. Pat. An. 44 H. 3, m. 4. Schedula; & m. 5.9. There are Writs and Letters of the King to the Sherifs of every County, to the ſame or like effect. All by the advice or procurement of the Nobles.

**Riſhanger, Continuatio Mat. Paris, p. 960, 961.Anno 1263. the 47. of King Henryes reign, the King and Nobles, to procure peace and reconciliation between them, ſubmitted themſelves to the arbitrement of Lewes King of France, touching the Proviſions made at Oxford, about which they had great conteſts and differences: who ſolemnly pronounced Sentence for the King againſt the Barons of England; Statu…is Oxoniae, Proviſionibus, Ordinationibus et obligationibus penitus annullatis, Hoc excepto quod Antiquae Chartae Regis Iohannis Angliae, univerſitati conceſſae, per illam Sententiam in nullo intendebat penitus derogare. Quae quidem exceptio p. 98Comitem Leiceſtriae, et caeteris qui habeant ſenſus exercitatos, compulit in propoſito tenere firmiter Statuta Oxoniae quae fundata fuerant ſuper illam Chartam. Where upon they taking up arms, waſting and pillaging the Kings Manors, Lands and adherents, the King in the 48. year of his reign, mediantibus viris honoratis paci Baronum acquievit ad tempus; ut Proviſiones Oxoniae inviolabiliter obſervarentur, which Proviſions the King confirmed by his Patents, recorded at large in the Tower, Rot. Pat. An. 47 H. 3, pars 1. m. 7. n. 25. and pars 2. nu. 2. Rot. Pat. 48 H. 3. pars 2. m. 3.

Rot. Pat. 46 H. 3. m. 18. Pat. 49 H. 3. m. 10.15, 18. Clauſ. 49 H. 3. m. 4.5. & Clauſ. 50 H. 3. m. 1. dorſo. There are ſeveral Patents, Commiſſions, Proclamations procured by the Lords from the King, for the reading, proclaming, and inviolable keeping of the Great Charter and Franchiſes of the Realm, and reformation of Grievances contrary thereunto, overtedious to tranſcribe: and the Agreements between rhe King and Barons touching the ſame.

**Tho. Walſingham, Hiſt. Angliae, p. 35, 37, 38. Ypodigmae Neuſtriae, p. 84.85, 86.King Edward the 1. in the 25. year of his reign, by his own regal Authority, without grant in Parliament, raiſed the Cuſtom of Woolls to 40 s. upon every ſack, which he levied, whereas before they payed onelyonly half a mark a ſack: And likewiſe ſummoned ſome Nobles, and all thoſe who held of him by Knights ſervice, with all others who had lands to the value of 20 l. or upwards a year, to be ready with rheir horſes and arms at London on the feaſt of S Peters ad Vincula, & to paſs over with him into Flanders, to ſerve there in the Wars at the Kings wages. Hereupon the Earles Marſhal and of Hereford, with other Nobles, refuſed to goe in…o Flanders; and drew up this Notable Petition, or rather Remonſtrance to the King, againſt this unjuſt Impoſition, forein ſervice, and other Grievances againſt the Great Charter and their Liberties, which they ſent to Winchelſey by Meſſengers, ex parte Comitum ſui regni, as Walſingham relates.

Haec ſunt nocumenta quae Archiepiſcopi, Epiſcopi, Abbates et Priores, Comites et Barones, et tota terrae p. 99Communitas monſtrant Domino noſtro Regi, et humiliter rogant eum, ut ad honorem ſuum, et ſalvationem populi ſui, velit corrigere et emendare. In primis, videtur toti Communitati terrae, quod Praemonitio facta eis per Breve Domini noſtri Regis, non erat ſatis ſufficiens, quia non exprimebatur certus locus, quo debebant ire, quia ſecundum locum oportebat facere providentiam, et pecuniam habere. Et ſive deberent ſervitium facere ſive non, quia dictum eſt communiter, quod Dominus noſter vult transfretare in Flandriam, videtur toti Communitati quod ibi non debent aliquod ſervitium facere, quia nec ipſi, nec praedeceſſores ſui ſeu progenitores unquam fecerunt ſervitium in terra illa Et quamvis ita eſſet quod deberent ibi ſervitium facere, ut alibi, tamen non habent facultatem faciendi, quia nimis afflicti ſunt per diverſa Tallagia, Auxilia, Priſas, videlicet, de frumentis, avenis, braſeo, lanis, coriis, bobus, vaccis, carnibus ſalſis, ſine ſolutione alicujus denarii, de quibus ſe debuerant ſuſtentaſſe. Propter hoc, dicunt, quod non poſſunt auxilium facere propter paupertatem in quae ſunt propter Tallagia et Priſas antedictas, quia vix habent unde ſe ſuſtentarent, & multi ſunt qui nullum ſuſtentationem habent, nec terras ſuas colere poſſunt. Propter haec tota terrae Communitas ſentiunt ſe valde gravatam, quia non tranctantur ſecundum Leges et conſuetudines terrae, ſecundum quas tractari Anteceſſores ſui ſolebant habere, ſed voluntarie excluduntur. Sentiunt etiam ſe multi gravati ſuper hoc, quod ſolebant tractari, ſecundum Articulos contentos in Magna Charta, cujus articuli omnes ſunt omiſſi, in majus damnum populo univerſo. Propter hoc rogant Dominum noſtrum Regem, quod velit iſta corrigere ad honorem ſuum, & populi ſui ſalvationem: Propter hoc Communitas terrae ſenſit ſe nimis gravatam de aſſiſa Foreſtae, quae non eſt cuſtodita ſicut conſuevit, nec Charta Foreſtae obſervatur, ſed fiunt attachiamenta pro libitu extra aſſiſam, aliter quam fieri conſuevit: Paeterea, tota Communitas ſentit ſe gravatam de Vectigali lanarum, quod nimis eſt p. 100oneroſum, videlicet, de quolibet Sacco quadraginta ſolidos, et de lana fracta, de quolibet ſacco ſeptem marcas, lana enim Angliae aſcendit fere ad valorem medietatis totius terrae, et vectigal quod inde ſolvitur, aſcendit ad quintam partem valoris totius terrae. Quia vero communitas optat honorem et ſalutem Domino noſtro Regi, ſicut tenetur velle, non videtur eis, quod ſit ad bonum Regis quod tranſeat in Flandriam, niſi plus eſſet aſſecuratus de Flanderenſibus pro ſe & pro gente ſua, et ſimul cum hoc, propter terram Scotiae, quae rebellare incepit ipſo exiſtente in terra, et aeſtimant quanto pejus facerent cum certificati fuerint, quod Rex Mare tranſierit. Nec ſolum pro terra Scotiae, ſed etiam pro terris aliis quae non ſunt adhuc modo debito ſtabilitatae.

The King having received thoſe Petitions, anſwered, that he could not as yet anſwer them without his Counſel, part of them being in Flanders, and the reſt left at London: And he intreated the ſaid Earls by the Meſſengers who brought the Petitions, that if they would not paſſe over with him, yet at leaſt that they would not hurt his Realm during his abſence, for he hoped by Gods aſſiſtance to return again, and ſettle his Kingdom in order. The King paſſing into Flanders, the ſaid Earls, Batons in perſon inhibited the Treaſurer and Barons of the Exchequer, that they ſhould not levy the 8th. penny of the people, being granted to the K. at St. Edmunds, **Dicentes a Conſcientia ſua non emanaſſe ſine quorum aſſenſu, Tallagium non debet exigi vel imponi, Mat. Weſtm. An. 1297. p. 410.without their conſent and induced the City of Lond. to ſtand with them, for the recovery of their liberties. Whereupon Prince Edwards counſel perſwaded him to ſend for the Earls of Hereford, and Marſhal, and by any means poſſible to allure them to peace, who repairing to him upon ſummons, were willing to conſent to the Articles and form of peace enſuing, but to no other. Primo, Quod Dominus Rex Chartam magnam cum eaeteris articulis addictis, et Chartam de Foreſta annuat et confirmet: et Quod nullum auxilium vel vexationem exigat a Clero vel Populo abſque conſilio et aſſenſu: et quod omnem offenſam Comitibus et eorum confaederatis dimittat. Articuli p. 101adiecti ad magnam Chartam ſunt iſti. Nullum Tallagium vel auxilium per nos vel haeredes noſtros, de caetero in regno noſtro imponatur ſeu levetur ſine voluntate et aſſenſu communi Archiepiſcoporum, Epiſcoporum, Abbatum et aliorum Praelatorum, Comitum, Baronum, Militum, Burgenſium, et aliorum liberorum hominum. Nullus miniſter noſter, vel haeredum noſtrorum in toto regno nostro cap…at blada, lanas, Coria, aut aliqua aliae bona cujuſcunque, ſine voluntate et aſſenſu cujus fuerunt. Nihil capiatur de caetero nomine vectigalis de Saccolanae. Volumus etiam et concedimus pro nobis et haered bus noſtris, quod omnes Clerici et Laici de Regno noſtro habeant omnes Leges, Libertates, et omnes conſuetudines, ita libere et integre, ſicut aliquo tempore conſueverunt melius pleniuſque habere. Et ſi contra illas vel quemcunque Articulum in praeſanti Charta contentum ſtatuta fuerint aedita per nos vel Anteceſſores noſtros, vel conſuetudines introductae: Volumus et concedimus, quod hujuſmodi Statuta vacua ſint, et nullum in perpetuum. Remiſſimus etiam Humfredo dae Boun Comiti Herefordiae & Eſſexiae, Constabulario Angliae, Rogero Bigot Comiti Norfolciae, Mareſchallo Angliae, Et aliis Comitibus, Baronibus, Militibus, Armigeris, Johanni de Ferrariis, ac omnibus aliis de eorum ſocietate confaederatione et concordia exiſtertibus, nec non omnibus vigenti libratas terrae tenentibus in regno nostro, ſive de nobis ſiv… de alio quocunque in capite, qui ad transfretandum nobiſcum in Flandriam certo die notato vocati fuerunt, et non venerunt, rancorem noſtram & malam voluntatem quam ex cauſis praedictis erga eos habuimus, et tranſgreſſiones ſi quas nobis vel fecerunt, uſque ad praeſentis Chart… confectionem. Et in majorem ſecuritatem hujus rei, volumus et concedimus pro nobis et haeredibus noſtris, quod omnes Archiepiſcopi, et Epiſcopi Angliae in perpetuum in ſuis Cathedralibus Eccleſiis habita praeſenti Charta relicta excommunicent publice, et in ſingulis Parochialibus Eccleſiis ſuarum D…oceſium excommunicari faciant, ſeu excommunicatos denunciare bis in anno, omnes qui contra tenorem praeſentis Chartae vim et effectum in quocunque articulo ſcienter fecerunt, aut fieri procuraverunt p. 102quoviſmodo. Miſſis igitur in Flandriam nunciis ad ipſum Regem, confirmationem omnium iſtorum ſub ſigillo ſuo (tanquam ab eo qui … …tus erat, cedendum malitiae temporis cenſuit) obtinuerunt. Pro eonfirmatione et harum rerum omnium dedit populus Anglicanus Regi denarium nonum bonorum ſuorum, Clerus vero Cantuarienſis Decimum, et Clerus Eboracenſis Quintum, qui propiordamno fuit. So Walſingham truly relates the Hiſtory of this tranſaction.

Theſe Statutes thus obtained by the Earls and Barons from the King, are printed in our Statutes at large, with the excommunication of the Prelates then denounced againſt the infringers of them, in Rastals Abridgement of Statutes, & Sir Edward Cooks 2 Inſtitut. p. 527. to 537. being thus intituled: Confirmationes Chartarum de Libertatibus Angliae et Forestae, et Statutum de Tallagio non concedondo. made both in the 25 year of Edward 1. not in the 34, as our Statute books, and Sir Edward Cook miſdate the latter of rhem. The differences between the King, theſe Earls and Nobles touching theſe liberties, with his confirmation of them, and the aid granted him for the ſame, are likewiſe recorded in the Patent Roll of 25 Ed. 2. par. 2. m. 6, 7, 9. And Clauſ. 25 E. 1. m. 2.5.14.18.76 dorſ. there are ſundry Writs and Proclamations ſent to all the Sherifs for the keeping of Magna Charta in all its articies, and to the Biſhops to excommunicate the Infringers of them, agreeing with Walſinghams relation.

**Walſingham Hiſt. Angl. p. 42.44. Cook 2. Iuſtir. p. 537. Ypodigmae Neuſtriae. p. 87. Mat. Weſt. An. 1299. p. 415, 416.Anno 1299. the 26 of King Edward the firſt, the king holding a Parliament at York, the foreſaid Earls, becauſe the Confirmation of the Charters forementioned was made in a forein land, requeſted that for their greater ſecurity, they might be again confirmed by the King in England, which the Biſhop of Durham and three Earls engaged he ſhould doe, upon his return out of Scotland with victory. Whereupon this King the next year (being the 27 of his reign) holding a Par…iament at London: Ubi rogatus a Comitibus ſaepe dictis, ut Chartarum confirmationem renovaret, ſecundum quod in Scotia promiſerat, poſt aliquas dilationes instantiae eorum acquievit, hac additione, Salvo jure p. 103Coronae noſtrae infine adjecta. Quam cum audiſſent Comites, cum diſplicentia ad propria receſſerunt, ſed revocatis ipſis ad quindenam Paſchae ad votum eorum abſolute omnia ſunt Conceſſa. And thereupon the Statutes intituled Articuli ſuper Chartas. (28 E. 1. in our printed Statutes, and Cooks 2 Inſtitutes, whereas it ſhould rather be 27.) were then made and publiſhed by theſe Earls and Nobles procurement; and Writs ſent to all the Sherifs De quibuſdam Articulis in MAGNA CHARTA contentis, & Chartae de Foresta Henrici Patris nostrae obſervandis. Rot. Clauſ. 27. E. 1 m. 17. And Pat. 28 E. 1. m. 14. Commiſſions are ſent into all Counties, de Artic. in mag. Chart. content. & Stat. Regis apud Winton edita obſervandis, and that whoſoever did not obſerve every Article, ſhould be puniſhed per impriſonamentum, redemptionem, vel amerciamentum, ſecundum quod tranſgreſſio exigeret, there being no certain way of puniſhment before ordained. And Clauſ. 28 E. m. 7, 8. There are Writs ſent to every Sherif, to read & proclaim magna Charta in his County 4 times every year, & to proclaim Articulos ſuper Chartas à Rege populo conceſſos.

But the Execution of the Articles of the Foreſt being deferred, notwithſtanding theſe Proclamations, thereupon **Walſingham Hiſt. Angl. p. 48. Ypodigmae Neuſtriae, p. 88.King Edward held a Parliament at Stanford the 29 year of his reign; ad quod convenerunt Comites et Barones cum eqnis et armis, eo prout dicebatur propoſito, ut executionem Chartae de Foresta, hactenus dilatam extorquerent ad plenum: Rex autem eorum instamiam & importunitatem attendens, eorum voluntati in omnibus condeſcendit. To omit all other Preſidens, theſe forecited abundantly evidence the gallantry, ſtoutneſs, heroical courage, care, vigilancy, of the Lords in all our Parliamentary Councils, to maintain and defend the fundamental Liberties, Properties, Great Charters of the Realm, and to perpetuate them to poſterity, without the leaſt violation: to vindicate, re-eſtabliſh them when infringed, and to withſtand, oppoſe all unjuſt aids, taxes, ſubſidies, when either demanded, levied, exacted by our Kings, though in caſes of pretented or real neceſſity to ſupply their wants, maintain p. 104their wars, and protect the Realm from forein enemies. I ſhall only produce three of four Hiſtorical Preſidents more, demonſtrating what great Curbs, Remoraes, Obſtacles, ſome particular potent Noblemen of great eſtates, alliance, publike ſpirits have been to the exorbitant arbitrary wills, power, proceedings of our Kings, who moſt endeavoured openly to ſubvert, or cunningly to undermine our publike Laws and Liberties.

(i)(i)Hiſt. Angl. p. 233.Mat. Paris, ſpeaking of the death of Geoffry Fitz-Peeter, one of the greateſt Peers of that age, writes thus of him, This year (Anno 1218.) Geoffry Fitz-Peeter Chief Juſtice of all England, a man of great power and authority, TO THE GREATEST DETRIMENT OF THE KINGDOM, ended his dayes the 2. day of Octob. ERAT autem FIRMISSIMA REGNI COLUMNA, for he was the moſt firm pillar of the Kingdom, as being a Nobleman, expert in the Laws, furniſhed with treaſures, rents, and all ſort of goods, and confederated to all the great men of England by blood or friendſhip: whence the King without love did fear him above all men, for he governed the reigns of the Kingdom. Whereupon after his death, England was become like a ſhip in a storm without an helm. The beginning of which tempeſt was the death of Hubert Archbiſhop of Canterbury, a magnificent and faithfull man, neither could England breath again after the death of theſe two. When K. John heard of Fitz-Peeters death, turning to thoſe who ſate about him, He ſaid; By Gods feet, now am I firſt King and Lord of England. He had therefore from thenceforth more free power to break his Oaths and Covenants which he had made with the ſaid Geoffry for the peoples Liberty and Kingdoms peace. Such Pillars and Staies are great and ſtout Peers to a Kingdom, and Curbs to tyrannical Kings; which cauſed **Ma…. Weſt. Flores Hiſt. An. 445. p. 151.Vortigern the Britiſh King… who uſurped the Crown with the treacherous murder of his Soveraign; Nobiles deprimere, et moribus et ſanguine ignobiles extollere, quod maximè regiae honeſtati contrarium eſt, to ſecure his throne thereby againſt their predominant power; as other Uſurpers and Tyrants ſince have done: Therfore of meer Right they ought to have a place p. 105and voice in Parliaments, for the very Kingdoms ſafety and welfare, without the peoples election.

William Duke of Normandy having ſlain the Uſurper King Harold, with many thouſands of Engliſhmen in the field, routed his whole Army, and cauſed the City of London and moſt parts of England to ſubject themſelves unto him as their Soveraign, out of baſe fear; thereupon **Chronicon Willielmi Thorn. col. 1786. Antiqu. Eccleſ. Brit. p. 89, 90. Cambdens Britannia, p. 325. Godwins Catalogue of Biſhops, p. 28. Speeds Hiſtory, p. 437, 438. Sir John Heywood in Will. 1. Lambard his Perambulation of KentStigand Archbiſhop of Canterbury, and Egleſine Abbot of St. Auguſtine, chief Peers of the Realm, and Lords and Governors of Kent, to preſerve themſelves, their Country, Laws and Liberties from vaſſalage to the Norman yoke, aſſembling all the Commons of Kent to Canterbury; informed them: That they were born freemen, that the name of bondage was never heard amongſt them: that nothing but ſervitude attended them, if they unworthily ſubmitted to the inſolency of the invading Enemy, as others had done. And thereupon exhorted them, manfully to fight for the Laws and Liberties of their County, chuſing rather to end an unhappy life, by fighting valiantly for them in the field, than to undergoe an unaccustomed yoke of bonduge, or to be reduced from their known Liberties to an unknown and unſure ſlavery. After which the Archbiſhop and Abbot, chuſing rather to dye in battel, than to behold the miſery and ſlavery of their Native Country, became the Captains of the Kentiſh Army which they raiſed; and by a Stratagem invironing Duke William and his whole Army at Swanſcomb; they procured this Grant and Conceſſion from him, That all the people of Kent ſhould for ever enjoy their antient Liberties without diminution, and uſe the Laws and antient Cuſtoms of their Country: they being reſolved (as Stigand told the Duke) rather to part with their lives than them; Liberty being the proper badge of Kentiſhmen. After which Duke William marching to London to be Crowned King, **Gul. Nub…igenſis, Rerum Angl. l. 1. c. 1. Chronicon Johannis Bromton, col. 982. Antiqu. Eccleſ. Brit. p. 89.Cumque …eracta victoria Tyranni nomen exhorreſcens, et legitimi Principis perſonam induere Geſtiens, à Stigando tunc temporis Can…uarienſi Epiſcopo conſecrari depoſceret; Ille (out of an heroick gallant Engliſh Chriſtian ſpirit) Viro, ut ai…b…t, Cruento et alien… juris Invaſori, manus imponere nullatenus p. 106adquievit. Whereupon he was crowned by Aldred Archbiſhop of York: **Mat. Paris, Mat. Weſtm. Wigornienſis, Huntindon, Hoveden, Chronicon Willielmi Thorn, col. 1787. Hen. de Knyghton de Eventibus Angliae, l. 2. c. 8. Antiq. Eccleſiae Brit. & Godwin in Stigands life.King William for this his ſtoutneſs and oppoſition in defence of his Countries Laws and Liberties, under a pretence of honor, firſt carried him with him into Normandy, as a Priſoner at large: afterwards upon feigned pretences, cauſed him to be deprived of his Archbiſhoprick, and then ſhut him up Priſoner in the Caſtle of Wincheſter, where he ſoon after died of grief or famine, having ſcarce enough allowed him to keep ſoul and life together: Such a curb and terror was he to him, whiles he lived in place and power, that he could not carry on his deſigns againſt the Engliſh, to captivate, or enſlave them, till he was removed out of the way of this Conqueror; who came to the Crown by the effuſion of ſo much Chriſtian bloud, that **Rerum Angliae, Hiſt. l. 1. c. 1. p. 4.Gulielmus Neubrigenſis gives this cenſure of it; (and let all other invaders of the Crown by bloud obſerve it;) Sane quod idem Chriſtianos innoxios hoſtiliter Chriſtianus impetiit, et tanto ſibi ſanguine Chriſtianum Regnum paravit, quantae apud homines gloriae, tantae etiam apud Deum noxae fuit. Whence Stigand refuſed to crown him. Simon Mon…e…ort Earl of Leicester, the greateſt Pillar, and General of the Barons, in the wars againſt King Henry the 3d, for the preſervation, corroboration of Magna Charta, the Liberties and Properties of the People, was ſo terrible to this extravagant, oppreſſive King, frequently violating both his Great Charters, Laws, Oaths, **Mat. Paris, p. 944.That being perſwaded to enter into his houſe, in a tempeſt of thunder and lightning, which he very much feared; the Earl courteouſly meeting him and ſaying: Why do you fear? tht tempeſt is now paſt: the King thereunto replyed, not jeſtingly, but ſeriouſly with a ſtern countenance, I fear thundring and lightning above meaſure, but by the head of God, I tremble more at thee, than at all the thundring and lightning in the world. Being afterwards ſlain in the Battel of Euſham in defence of his Countries Liberties. (k)(k)In his Continuation of Mat. Paris, p. 968. & Daniel, p. 178.Riſhanger gives this Encomium of him, Thus this magnificent Earl Simon ended his dayes, who not only beſtowed his eſtate but his perſon and life alſo, for relief of oppreſſions of the poor, for the aſſerting of Juſtice p. 107and the Rights of the Realm. A ſufficient Ground for ſuch Nobles and their Poſterity to ſit and Vote as Peers in Parliament without the peoples election.

In the 3, 4, 14, & 15 of K. Edw. 2. his reign, Tho. Earl of Lancaſter, and other potent wealthy Barons, were the chief Sticklers againſt Gaverſton and the Spencers, who ſeduced the King, oppreſſed the people: and were the principal Pillars of our Laws & Liberties, as our (l)(l)Walſingkam, Holinſh. Daniel, Speed Stow, Grafton Fabian, Baker. in Ed. 2.Hiſtorians relate at large, procuring thoſe ill Counſellors to be baniſhed, and removed from the King even by force of Arms. In 10 11, & 22. of King Rich. 2. the Duke of Glouceſter, the Earl of Arundel, and other potent Lords were the principal oppoſers of the Kings ill Counſellors, Tyranny, the chief protectors of the Laws and peoples Liberties, to the loſs of ſome of their lives, heads, eſtates, as our Statutes, the Rolls of Parliament in thoſe years, and (n)(n)Walſingham, Truſsle, Fabian, Holinſhed, Grafton, Speed, Stow. in R 2.Hiſtorians witneſs: whence Walſingham writing of the Duke of Gloceſter's death, murthered by the Kings command at Calice who was the principal Anti-royaliſt and head of all the Barons, uſeth this expreſſion, Thus died this beſt of men, the Son (and Uncle) of a King, in quo poſita fuere ſpes & ſolatium TOTIƲS REGNI COMMUNITATIS, in whom the hope and ſolace of the Commonalty of the whole kingdom were placed: who reſented his death ſo highly, that in the Parl. of 1 H. 4. Hall, who had a hand in his murder, was condemned and executed for a Traytor, his Head, Quarters hung up in ſeveral places, and K. Richard among other Articles depoſed, for cauſing him to be murthered.

Since then our Peers and Nobles, as the premiſed Examples abundantly evidence, have been alwaies perſons of greateſt valour, power, eſtate, intereſt, moſt able, forwards to oppoſe the Tyranny, Exactions of our Kings, and to preſerve the Great Charters of our Liberties, firſt gained, ſince preſerved and tranſmitted to us by their valour, bloud, counſel, cate, with our other Laws, which they have upon all occaſions manfully defended, with the hazard, loſs of their lives, Liberties, Eſtates, and upon this ground were thought meet by the wiſdom of our Anceſtors p. 108to merit and enjoy this privilege of ſitting, voting, judging in Parliament, by vertue of their Peerage, and Baronies: And ſince we muſt all acknowledge, that the Lords (aſſembled in a Great Council by the King at York, as the Commons themſelves acknowledge and remonſtrate, Exact. Collection, p. 13.) were the chief inſtruments of calling this preſent Parliament, and were therefore in the Act for Triennial Parliaments, principally intruſted to ſummon and hold all future Parliaments in the Kings, Lord Chancellors, or Lord Keepers defaults: Being alſo very active in ſuppreſſing the Star-chamber, High Commiſſion, Councel-Table, Prelats, and other grievances, and thoſe who fitſt appeared in the Wars againſt the King and his party, in defence of our Laws, Liberties, Religion, Parliaments Privileges, to the great encouragement of others, (witneſſe the deceaſed Lord General Eſſex, Brooke, Bedford, Stamford, Willougbie, Lincoln, Denbigh, Mancheſter, Roberts, and others) it would be the extremity of folly, ingratitude and injuſtice to deny our Peers this hereditary Right, Privilege, Honour now, w^ch they & their Anceſtors purchaſed at ſo dear a rate; and a means to diſ-ingage them for ever ſiding hereafter with and ſetting them againſt the Commons, and Republike, for ſuch an high diſhonour and affront as this will prove.

3ly. Our Lords and Nobles have been the ſtouteſt Champions to defend the Rights, Privileges, Liberties of the Crown, Realm and Church of England, the Great Charters, Liberties, Laws, Franchiſes, Properties of the Clergy, people therein, againſt the Popes and Prelates Antichriſtian invaſions and enchroachments on them; for proof whereof I ſhall preſent you with theſe few pertinent preſidents, inſtead of many others, recorded in our Annals. **Chronica Joh. Brompt. col. 999. Sir John Davis his Iriſh Reports. f. 90. Uſſerius de Statu. & ſucceſſione Eccleſiae, p. 127. Cooks 2 Inſtitut. p. 97.Pope Paſchal the 2. and his Confederate Anſelm Archbiſhop of Canterbury, endeavouring by a Papal Decree, to deprive the King of the inveſtiture of Biſhopricks, by a Ring and Staff, which his Anceſtors enjoyed, The King thereupon writ, and ſent him a Letter by two of his Biſhops, Anno Dom. 1103. wherein he concludes p. 109thus. Beneficium quod ab Anteceſſoribus meis beatus Petrus habuit, vobis mitto, eoſque honores & eam obedientiam quam tempore Patris mei anteceſſores veſtri in Regno Angliae habuerunt, tempore meo ut habeatis volo; eo videlicet tenore, ut dignitates, uſus et conſuetudines quas Pater meus tempore anteceſſorum veſtrorum in regno Angliae habuit, Ego tempore veſtro, in eodem regno meo integre obtineam, Notumque habeat Sanctitas veſtra, quod me vivente, Deo auxiliante dignitates, et uſus Regni Angliae non minuentur. Et ſi ego, quod abſit, in tanta me dejectione ponerem, OPTIMATES MEI, imo TOTIUS ANGLIAE POPULUS ID NULLO MODO PATERETUR. Habita igitur kariſſime Pater utiliore deliberatione, ita ſe erga nos moderetur benignitas veſtra, ne, quod invitus faciam, a veſtra me cogatis recedere obedientia. To pretermit the Statutes of Clarindon. Anno 1164. made and ſworn to be obſerved by the Prelates, Abbots, Earls, Barons and Nobles, very derogatory to the Popes and Prelates uſurpations, in maintenance of the Kings Prerogative, and peoples liberties, recorded in Mat. Paris, p. 96, 97. & Chronica Gervaſii, col. 1386.

In the year 1185.††Mat. Paris, Hiſt. Angl. p. 137. Gervaſii Chron. col. 1474. Radulphus de Diceto Imagines Hiſtor. col. 626. Heraclius Patriarch of Jeruſalem comming into England with the Keys of the Tower of David, and of Chriſts Sepulcher, and the Banner of the holy Croſs, preſented them to King Henry at Reading, whom they had elected King thereof, with an earneſt Letter from Pope Lucius to accept thereof, that ſo he in his abſence might the more ſecurely invade the rights of his Crown and Kingdom. Hereupon the King Convocatis apud Londoniam totius Angliae Primatibus, as Gervaſius Dorobernenſis, or Convocato C…ero Regni ac populo (to wit rhe Prelates and Nobles, not ordinary Clergy and Commons, uſually expreſſed by this phraſe) as Mat. Paris relates it; Convenerunt Londoniis apud Fontem Clericorum, decima Kalendas Aprilis Rex, cum univerſa Nobilitate Regni, which expounds Clerus Regni et Populus. Whence Radulphus de Diceto thus relates it. Ad vocationem p. 110Regis Cantuarienſis electus, et Cantuarienſis Eccleſiae Suffraganei, Dunelmenſis Epiſc. Abbat. Conventualium locorum Praelati, Comites et Barones convenerunt apud fontem Clericorum 15 Kal. Apritis. Rex itaque Patriarcha, Magistro ſanctae domus hoſpitalis Jeroſolomi audientibus omnes ſuos fideles qui convenerant adjurationibus, multis obſtrinxit, quatenus proponerent in medio, quod ſuper his ſaluti animae ſuae viderint expedire. Ad hoc enim cor ſuum inclinatum dicebat, ut quod acciperet ex eorum conſilio modis omnibus obſervaret. Tunc Concilio univerſo ſuper praemiſſis colloquenti, datum est igitur ſub deliberatione, quod eſſet conſultius, vel quod Rex in propria ſua perſona Jeroſolomitanis ſuccurreret, vel Anglorum regno, cujus gubernationem in facie Matris Eccleſiae dudum ſuſciperat, adhuc praeeſſe nulla ratione deſiſteret. Ad illa ſiquidem tria quae Rex quilibet conſecrandus promitiit aliqui revocabant. Promittit namque ſe praecepturum & opem pro viribus impenſurum, ut Eccleſia Dei populuſque Chriſtianus veram pacem in omni tempore ſervet. Promittit etiam, quod rapacitates, et omnes iniquitates omnibus gradibus interdicet. Promittit adhuc, quod in omnibus judiciis aequitatem & miſericordiam praecipiet. Satius ergo viſum eſt ƲNIVERSIS, & animae Regis multò ſalubrius, quod regnum ſuum debita cum moderatione gubernet, et a barbarorum irruptionibus, & a gentibus externis tu…atur, quam ſaluti Orientalium in propria ſua perſona. De filiis Regis quidem, quorum petiis aliquem Patriarcha, ſi Rex tamen recuſaret, quicquid ſtatuere cum eſſent abſentes, incongruum videbatur. Whereupon Heraclius returned, the Pope and he by this advice of the Nobles being both deprived of their hopes: **Mat. Weſtm. An. 1185. p. 58.Rex inito conſilio, reſponderat, quod oblatum ſibi Regnum Hieroſolomitanum accipere et adire, et Regnum Anglorum deſerere, & hostibus vicinis exponere, non fuit ut credidit Deo acceptum, cum ſit Deo tam gratum, tam devotum hoc, ut illud.

**Mat. Paris, p. 254▪ to 276.King Iohn in the 17 year of his reign having confirmed the Great Charter of the liberties of England, and of the Foreſt, by his Seal, Oath, and the Popes own Bull, after his ſurrender of his Crown and kingdom ro the Pope, regranted to him under an annual tribute, Pope Innocent p. 111by his Bull in a General Council held at Rome, repealed theſe Charters of the King, as compelled to grant them by force and fear againſt his will; commanding the King, under pain of a curſe and excommunication, not to obſerve, & the Barons not to exact or demand the ſaid Charters, or any obligations or cautions whatſoever, for or concerning them, which he utterly cancelled and made void, ut nullo unquam tempore aliquam habeant firmitatem: Writing alſo exhortatory & minatory Letters to the Barons, not to claim the ſaid Charters or Liberties, (obtained by force and fear and therefore not only vile and diſhonest, but unlawfull and unjust under pain of his diſpleaſure and Sentence: But what was the iſſue, **Pag. 258.Matthew Paris thus records. Cumque tandem Rege Anglorum procurante, Magnates Angliae has Literas tam commoni…oria… quam comminatorias accepiſſent, Noluerunt deſiſtere ab inceptis, ed adhuc inſurgentes, Regem acriter infe…tabant, dicendo de Papa illud propheticum. Vae qui juſtificatis impium, &c.

The Pope being informed, that the Barons perſiſted in the proſecution of their Liberties and Wars againſt the King; excommunicated them & al their adherents in general, for contemning and diſreſpecting his ſaid Papal Decree, Letters, authority; and ſuſpended the Archbiſhop of Canterbury for ſiding with them. But they contemning this his Sentence, and perſevering in their deſigns, and wars, he thereupon excommunicated all the Barons by name, and likewiſe interdicted them and their adherents; which being publiſhed in moſt places in the Country, and thereby coming to the Londoners and Barons knowledge, they exceedingly ſlighted his excommunications, & revi…ed, contemned the Popes authority in the higheſt degree, (as **Pag. 267, 268.Matthew Paris (though a Monk) thus relates) Excommunicationis et interdicti ſententias civitas Londinenſis, per contumaciam multiplicem adeo contemnendo despexit, quod nec eas Barones obſervare, nec Praelati publicare DECREVERUNT. Dicebant enim generaliter, omnes literas falſa ſuggeſtione fuiſſe impetratas, & ideo nullius eſſe momenti, & hoc maxime, quod non pertinet ad Papam ordinatio rerum p. 112Laicorum, cum Petro Apoſtolo, & ejus ſucceſſorihus non niſi eccleſiaſticarum diſpoſitio rerum à Domino ſic collatae poteſtas. Ut quid ad nos extendit Romanorum …nſatiata cupiditas? Quid Epiſcopis Apoſtolicis et militiae noſtrae? Ecce Succeſſores Conſtantini, & … Pe…ri: … imitantur Petrum in meritis vel operibus, nec aſsimulandi ſunt in Poteſtate; Proh pudor, marcidi ribala…, qui de armis vel libertate minime norunt, jam toti mundo propter excommunicationes ſuas volunt dominari, ignobiles uſurarii et Simoniales. O quantum diſſimiles Petro, qui ſibi Pe…ri uſurpant partes? Sic igitur blaſphemantes & recalcitrantes, ponentes os in coelum, ad interdicti ſive Excommunicationis ſententiam, nullum penitus habentes reſpectum, per totam civitatem celebrarunt divina ſigna, pulſantes & vocibus altiſonis modulantes. Hereupon the Pope reviving his Excommunication againſt them, the Barons ſtill ſlighted it as before depoſing King John from the Crown, and electing Lewes of France for their King, and thus revi…ing the Pope for ſiding with King John. **Mat. Paris, p. 268.Et quid de te Papa? qui pater ſanctitatis, speculum pietatis, tutor juſtitiae, & cuſtos veritatis toti mundo deberes lucere in exemplum, tali conſentis, talem laudas & tueris? Sed hac cauſa, exhaustorem pecuniae Anglicanae, & exactatorem Nobilitatis Britannicae tibi inclinantem defendis, ut in barathrum Romanae avaritiae omnia demergantur: ſed haec cauſa et excuſatio, eſt ante Deum, culpa et accuſatio. Et ſic Barones lachrymantes & lamentantes, Regem & Papam maledixerunt.

**Mat. Paris, p. 349, 350.Anno 1229. the 23. of King Henry the 3. Fecit convenire apud Weſt monaſterium Dominica, qua cantatur, Miſericordia Domini, Archiepiſcopos, Epiſcopos, Abbates, Priores, Templarios, Hospitilarios, Comites, Barones, Eccleſiarum Rectores, & qui de ſe tenibant in capite (but no elected Knights, Citizens or Burgeſſes that we read of) ad locum praefixum et diem; that they might hear the buſineſſes Stephen the Popes Chaplain and Legat had to propound unto them from the Pope, & de rerum exigentiis communiter tractarent ibidem: Omnibus igitur congregatis, tam Laicis quam Clericis, & eorum ſubjectis, Magister Stephanus coram p. 113omnibus recitavit Literas Domini Papae; in quibus exigebat Decimas omnium rerum mobilium de tota Anglia, Hibernia, et Wallia, ab univerſis Laicis & Clericis, ad guerram ſuam ſuſtinendam, quae contra Romanum Imperatorem ſuſceperat Fredericum, ipſe ſolus, pro Univerſali Eccleſia &c. The Legat herupon preſſing them earneſtly to grant this ſtrange Tenth to the Pope, the King, from whom all the reſt expected to have protection and defence againſt it, becoming formerly bound by his Proctors to pay this Tenth, ſeemed to give conſent thereto by his ſilence. Comites vero et Barones ac Laici omnes, Nota.plane decimas ſe daturos contradixerunt, nolentes Baronias ſuas vel Laicas Poſſeſsiones Romanae Eccleſiae obligare. Epiſcopi quoque & Abbates, Priores et alii Eccleſiarum praelati, poſt trium vel quatuor dierum deliberation…m, et murmurationem non modicam, tandem conſenſerunt, metuentes excommunicationis ſententiam vel interdicti ſibi inferri, ſi mandatis Apoſtolicis obviarent. The Earls, Barons, and Laity ſcaping ſcot-free from this Papal Exaction by their ſtrenuous oppoſition, when as the King and Clergy baſely and unworthily ſubmitted to it out of fear, to their intollerable oppreſſion.

An. 1239. The Pope uſurping by his Proviſions upon the Barons and Patrons Rights and Advowſons in England: Thereupon the Earls, Barons, and other Great men of England, dolentes ſe privari ſua Libertate, & per cupiditatem Romanae Eccleſiae jure conferendi eccleſias enormiter privari, et alienigenas praecepto Papali illis ditari, quorum perſonas et conditiones penitus ignorabant; ſent this notable Letter to the Pope concerning it, by Sir Robert Tuinge, Knight.

Mat. Paris, p. 495, 496.Excellentiſſimo Patri & Domino G. Dei gratia ſummo Pontifici, devoti ſui de Ceſtriae, & de Winceſtriae, &c. ſalutem, reverentiam promptam, & paratam, ſi placet, devotionem. Mergente jam navicula noſtrae libertatis, primogenitorum noſtrorum ſanguine ſubacta, prorumpentibus in nos plus ſolito perturbantium procellis, dormientem Dominum in navicula Petri cogimur excitare, p. 114acclamantes jugiter & una voce: Domine ſalva nos, perimus. Ut cum judicium et juſtitia ſint correctio ſedis ejus, unicuique noſtrum jus ſuum tribuat, & conſervet illaeſum▪ Ne ſi ſecus fiere…, corruente charitate, devotioneque deſeta, provocarentur filii contra patris viſcera, & mut…ae dilectionis affectus, ſubintroducta injuria, penitus evaneſceret. Cum igitur, ſanctiſſime pater, a prima Chriſtianitatis fundatione in Anglia; tali fuerint hactenus progenitores noſtri gaviſi libertate, quod dedecentibus eccleſiarum rectoribus, eccleſiarum patroni perſonas idoneas eligentes ad eaſdem Dioceſanis praeſenta verunt, ab eiſdem eccleſiarum regimini praeficiendas: verum veſtris temporibus, de conniventia veſtra vel voluntate neſcimus, talis contra nos invaluit adverſitas, quod dedecentibus eccleſiarum rectoribus, quidam executores veſtri, ad hoc dati, eccleſias de patronatu noſtro paſſim conferunt, in noſtrae praejudicium libertatis, & in eminens periculum juris patronalis, licet ſuper hoc pridem cautione literarum Apoſtolicarum nobis proſpexeritis, continentium, quod decedentibus eccleſiarum perſonis Italicis vel Romanis, auctoritate proviſionis veſtrae in Eccleſiis promotis, licite poſſemus perſonas idoneas praeſentare: cujus oppoſitum videmus quotidie demandari, de quo plurimum miramur, cum non debeat ab uno & eodem fonte aqua dulcis & amara defluere. Sane licet haec contra nos ſit communis peſtis introducta, pro qua contentiones, emulationes, irae, rixae, necnon & caedes hominum poterunt fortaſſis exoriri, unius tamen comparium noſtrorum afflictionem exempli gratia producere decrevimus in medium, ut quod contra eum & juris ſui patronalis periculum hactenus eſt improvide procuratum, auctoritate veſtra, ſi placet, revocetur in irritum. Cum igitur Robertus de Tuinge patronus eccleſiae de Luthun, decedente N. Italico, ejuſdem eccleſiae rectore, perſonam idoneam praeſentaſſet ad eandem, obſtante mandato veſtro, diſtulit ipſum admittere dominus Eboracenſis, licet contra perſonam praeſentatam nihil inveniret quod obſiſteret, ſed ſolam p. 115inhibitionem veſtram praetenderet. Verum, cum in incendio vicinae domus, noſtrarum immineat periculum, vobis tanquam patri ſupplicamus, quatenus tam praedictum Robertum, quam nos omnes & ſingulos praedicta libertate praeſentandi Clericos noſtros ad eccleſias noſtras vacantes libere uti permittatis: injungentes praedicto Archiepiſcopo, quod I. Clericum ad praedictam eccleſiam ab eodem praeſentatum, pro quo etiam preces effundimus devotas: praeſertim cum ſit negotiis Regis & regno noſtro neceſſarius, niſi aliquod canonicum obſtiterit, non obſtante priori mandato veſtro, admittat. Ut ex hoc nos ad propenſiorem & famulatum eccleſiae provocetis. Ne cum ſit jus advocationis praedictorum feudorum, pro quibus Domino noſtro militamus, cogamur illius invocare ſubſidium, qui jura & libertates laicorum protegere …enetur & confovere. Valete.

††Mat. Paris p. 505.Anno 1140. In octavis vero Epiphaniae, congregati ſunt Londini Archiepiſcopi et Epiſcopi, cum multis aliis Magnatibus, praeſente etiam Legato, reponentes querimoniam coram Rege in curia ſua, ſuper variis injuriis & oppreſſionibus & quotidianis deſolationibus illatis eccleſiae, per iniquum Regis conſilium, contra ſuas chartas, & juramenta temere veniendo: nec patitur ſuis paſtoribus viduatas eccleſias, reſpirare, ſed ut ab eiſdem eccleſiaſtica bona variis argumentis extorqueat, annis plurimis eas in manu ſua detinet, nec patitur electiones canonicas celebrari. Super quibus injuriis illatis, & diatim multiplicatis, omnes ſe aſſerunt vehem…nt…r admirari, cum ipſe Rex toties juraverit, ſe jura eccleſiaſtica illibata conſervare, ipſomet audiente, & candelam tenente, quod omnes Epiſcopi, in violatores libertatum eccleſiaſticarum, ſimul ſententiam fulminabant: in cujus ſententiae conſummatione, Rex, ut alii, candelam extinxit inclinand…. Et erant contra Regem in querimonium Epiſcoporum capitula circiter 30. Et eotenus proceſſum eſt, quod lata ſit iterum ſententia terribiliter nimis in omnes Regis conſilia…ios, qui ejus animum ad praedicta enormia conabantur inclinare.

p. 116In the ††Par. 20 H. 3. …or. 13. Clauſ. 20 H. 3. m. 2.Parliamentary Council held at Merton An. 1229. Anno, 20 H. 3. cap. 9. All the Biſhops (to ſet up the Popes and their own Canons above the Common Law of England) earneſtly intreated the Lords, that they would conſent, that thoſe who were born before matrimony might be legitimare, as well as thoſe born after mariage, as to hereditary ſucceſſion, becauſe the Church held ſuch for legitimate: et omnes Comites et Barones una voce reſponderunt, nolumus leges Angliae mutare, quae hucuſque uſitatae ſunt & approbatae. Upon which ††2 Inſt. p. 79.Sir. Edw Cook obſerves; That the Nobility of England, have ever had the Laws sf England in great estimation and reverence, as their beſt birthright.

**Mat. Paris, p. 623, 624, 625. Mat. Weſtm. p. 177.Anno 1244. the 28 of Henry the third, Pope Innocent ſent one Martin his Legate into England, with letters, demanding a large contribution from the Prelates, Abbats and Clergy, to be ſpeedily collected as he ſhould direct; which coming to the knowledge of all the Lords, and Great men, omnes ad Praelatos acceſſerunt, ut uno per omnia conſilio uterentur, quia hoc negotium generalem ſtatum Regni contingebat. Whereupon all the Prelates by the Lords advice and encouragement denied to grant the Pope any aid at all, & ſic ſoluto Concilio receſſerunt.

**Mat. Weſtm. An. 1244. p. 180, 181.Moreover this ſame year, Romana Eccleſia rubore depoſito, tempore novi Papae Innocentii 4. non ceſſabat proviſiones cotidianas, redditus impudenter extorquere a via anteceſſorum ſuorum non exorbitando, imo manum ſuper omnes aggravando. Exiit, igitur murmur licet ſero, in cordibus Anglorum diu conceptum et retentum, in manifeſtam querimoniam, et quaſi parturientes loqui, non poterant amplius ſe continere. Patientia enim eorum deſidioſa erat, & humilitas infructuoſa eſt, imo potius & damnoſa, et ipſa abutebatur, Romana protervitas inſatiabilis. Et in unum convenientes totius Regni Nobiles, Regem efficaciſſime ſuper hoc con…en…rum▪ aſſerentes ſe malle mori quam amplius tales enormitates tollerare: Non enim eorum, neque anteceſſorum ſuorum intentio fuit, quando p. 117contulerint bona viris religioſis, et aliis locis, pia conſideratione conſtructis, ut ipſa ad a…bitrium Papae viris Italicis ignotis, et eis quos noverant Simoniis & uſuris pollutos, & viciis multimodis, quibus non eſt cura praedicatio vel hoſpitalitas Chriſti fidelibus impendenda, contribuerent. Rex igitur non mediocriter ad iram provocatus, ſciens ac ſentiens talibus queremoniis ineſ…e veritatem, ſcripſit Domino Papae verbis humilibus & efficaciſſimis, ut talia ſtuderet paterna ſolicitudine corrigere.

**Mat. Paris, p. 638, 639. Mat. Weſtm. An. 1245.The next year, Anno 1245. This Martin violently ſeiſing on the lands and profits of divers Churches and religious perſons, "prorerva & injurioſa authoritate, wherein the King protected him againſt all men, whereby the condition of the Realm became moſt miſerable: thereupon urgente igitur neceſſitate totius Regni Angliae maxime, praeceptum eſt ab ipſo tempore EX PARTE ALIQUORUM MAGNATUM, pro multiformi, et inceſſabile oppreſſionne, et depraedatione Regni dolentium et miſerantium, & diligenter die & nocte cuſtoditis omnibus partibus Angliae, PAPALES LITERAE quae quotidie ad emungendam pecuniam portabantur caperentur. Wherupon the Governour of Dover took one of the Popes Poſts laden with ſuch Bulls and Letters to exact monies by divers means, as he arrived at Dover, and took away all his Bulls and Letters, as he was commanded by the Lords, impriſoning the Poſt in Dover Caſtle: whom the King upon Martins complaint releaſed, cauſing the Letters and Bulls to be reſtored to him "in perniciem Regni, et Honoris ſui. Hereupon the Barons and Lords aſſembled at Laiton and Dunſtable at Torneyes, and from thence ſent one Fulco to Martin, reſiding in the New Temple at London, commanding him preſently to depart the Realm, or elſe he and all his ſhould be hewn in pieces within 3 days: who thereupon repairing to the King for protection, and demanding whether this were done by his direction? The King anſwered, no, Sed BARONES MEI vix ſe continent, quin conſurgant in me, p. 118eo quod tuas in Regno meo & eorundem quae …us & modum excedunt depredationes & injurias hactenus tolleravi: Quorum etiam furorem vix compeſcui, quin et in te i…ruentes te membratim non dilacerarent. Upon which Martin demanding that the Marſhal might convoy him ſafe to the Seaſide, …ed with great haſt and fear out of England. After which the king coming to himſelf, and diſcerning his Error, by the advice of all the Nobility of the Realm, there was an elegant Epiſtle written, wherein the over-execrable exactions of the Pope, and the manifold exactions of his Legates, and of certain men exerciſing an unheard of power, were contained: wherwith 6 Noble and diſcreet men elected by the Parliament and univerſality, were ſent to the Council of Lyons, gravem ſuper his SUPER EXACTIONE TRIBUTI, IN QUOD NUNQUAM CONSENSIT REGNI UNIVERSITAS, coram Concilio querimoniam repoſituri, et talium releuamen onerum importabilium Regno Angliae miſerecorditer impendi rogaturi. The Proxi…s of the Parliament, and univerſality of England arriving at the Council of Lyons, by **Mat. Paris p. 646, 647, 648. Mat. Weſt. An. 1245.William de Poweric, their Proctor, propounded their grievances, complaining, That in time of War a Tribute was injuriouſly extorted by the Court of Rome, Quod nunquam Patres Nobilium Regni, vel ipſi conſenſerunt, nec conſentiunt, neque in futurum conſentient, unae ſibi petunt exhiberi juſtit am cum remedio. Ad quod Papa (there preſent) nec oculos elevans, nec vocem, verbum non respondit. ††Ypodigmae Neuſtriae, p. 60.Thomas of Walſingham adds, That the Meſſengers ſent to the Council by the king de Conſilio Praelatorum, Comitum, Baronum, were purpoſely ſent ut conceſſioni Regis Johannis de cenſu annuo pro Anglia & Hibernia contradicerent, eo quod de Regni aſſenſu non proceſſerat, **Mat. Weſtm. p. 191.Sed et per Archiepiſcopum C…ntuarienſem fuerat reclamatum vice totius Regni. Sed Papa hoc indigere moroſa deliberatione reſpondens: negotium poſuit in ſuſpenſo. This deteſtable Charter of King John being burnt amongſt his writings in this Council, as was reported, in the Popes own Chamber there caſually ſet on fire.

After w^ch Poweric delivered to the Council the foreſaid p. 119to the Pope, concerning the manifold extortions, innovations, oppreſſions of the Church of Rome exerciſed in England, there recorded at large, and worthy peruſal: The cloſe of which Epiſtle of all the Barons, is this. That although the King being a Catholike Prince, &c. would continue in the obedience of the See and Church of Rome, and ſeek the increaſe of her honour and profit, jure tamen Regio, dignitateque Regia plenius conſervatis. Nos tamen qui in negotiis ſuis por…amus pondus dierum et aeſtum et quibus una cum ipſo Domino Rege, intendere conſervationi Regni diligenter incumbi, dictas oppreſſiones, Deo et hominibus deteſtabiles, & gravamina nobis in oleribili…, non poſſumus aequanimiter tolerare, nec per Dei gratiam amplius tolerabimus: Placeat igitur Paternitati veſtrae hanc …upo…icationem noſtram taliter exaudire, quod a Magnatibus et univerſitate Regni Angliae, tanquam a filiis in Chriſto chatiſſimis, ſpecia…es gratias debeatis merito reportare. The Pope refuſing to give any anſwer or redreſs thereunto, at laſt through their importunity, be granted divers privileges to the Churches, Prelates, and Nation of England, ten…ing towards a reformation of their grievances; but yet contrary thereunto, increaſed their grievances inſtead of redreſſing them; whereupon **Mat. Paris, p. 674, 675, 677, 678, 679, 680. Mat. Weſtm. An. 1246. p. 206, 207. &c.Anno Dom. 1246. the 30 of Henry the 3. by the Nobles ſollicitation, Medio quadrageſſimae edicto Regio convocato convenit ad Parliamentum generaliſsimum totius Regni Anglicani totalis Nobilitas Londini, videlicet, Praelatorum, tam Abbatuum et Priorum, quam Epiſcoporum, Comitum quoque & Baronum, (without any Knights, Citizens, or Burgeſſes choſen by the people to repreſent them in it) ut de ſtatu Regni jam vaci lantis, efficaciter, prout exigit urgens neceſſitas contractarent. Angebat enim eos gravamen intollerale, a Curla Romana inceſſanter illatum, quod non poterant ſine Nota deſidiae, et imminen…e ruina tolerare, quod Papa promiſſionis ſuae tranſgreſſor, gravius quam ante eorum querimoniam, manum diatim exaſperans, aggravabat, p. 120et hoc quaſi per contemptum, &c. Theſe Grievances they drew up into 7. Articles, which were read in and approved by the Parliament, this being the tenor of them.

Gravatur regnum Angliae, ex eo quod Dominus Papa, non eſt contentus ſubſidio illo quod vocatur Denarius beati Petri, ſed à toto Clero Angliae, gravem extorquet contributionem, & adhuc multa graviora nititur extorquere; & hoc facit ſine domini Regis aſſenſu, vel conſenſu, contra antiquas Conſuetudines, Libertates, et regni jura, et contra appellationem et contradictionem Procuratorum Regis & Regni in generali Concilio factam.

Item, gravatur Eccleſia et Regnum, eo quod Patroni eccle…iarum ad eas cum vacaverint, clericos idoneos praeſentare non …oſſunt, prout Dominus Papa eis per literas ſuas conceſſit, ſed …onferuntur Eccleſiae Romanis, qui penitus idioma regni ignorant, in periculum animarum, et extra Regnum pecuniam aſportant, illud ultra modum depauperando.

Item, gravatur in Proviſionibus à Domino Papa factis, in penſionibus exigendis, contra literarum ſuarum tenorem, in quibus continetur, quod ex omnibus retentionibus factis in Anglia, non intendebat conferre, niſi 12 beneficia poſt praedictarum literarum confectionem; ſed credimus multa plura Beneficia ab eodem postea eſſe collata, et proviſiones factas.

Item, gravatur quod Italicus Italico ſuccedit, et quod Anglici extra Regnum in cauſis auctoritate Apostolica trahuntur, contra Regni conſuetudines, contra jura ſcripta, eo quod inter inimicos convenire non debent, & contra Indulgentias à praedeceſſoribus domini Papae, Regi & regno Angliae conceſſas.

Item, gravatur ex multiplici adventu illius infamis nuncii, NON OBSTANTE, per quem Juramenti religio, conſuetudines antiquae; Scripturarum vigor, conceſſionum auctoritas, ſtatuta, jura et privilegia debilitantur et evaneſcuut: quod infiniti de regno Angliae oppreſſi ſunt graviter & afflicti, nec ſe Dominus Papa verſus Regnum Angliae in plenitudine ſuae potestatis revocanda, curialiter ita vel moderate gerit, prout Procuratoribus Regni ore tenus dederat in promiſſis.

p. 121Item, gravatur in tallagiis generalibus, collectis et aſſiſis ſine Regis aſſenſu et voluntate factis, contra appellationem et contradictionem Procuratorum Regis & Univerſitatis Angliae.

Item gravatur, eo quod in beneficiis Italicorum, nec jura, nec pauperum ſuſtentatio, nec hospitalitas, nec divini verbi praedicatio, nec eccleſiarum utilis ornatus, nec animarum cura, nec in eccleſiis divina ſunt obſequia, prout decet et moris eſt patriae, ſed in aedificiis ſuis parietes cum tectis corruunt, et penitus lacerantur.

Upon the reading of theſe Articles, all and every one agreed to ſend both **Mat. Weſtm▪ p. 207,ſolemn Letters and Meſſengers to the Pope, and humbly to intreat him to remove theſe intollerable Grievances and yoaks of bondage; all the Abbots and Priors by themſelves, the Biſhops by themſelves, the King by himſelf, and all the Earls and Barons by themſelves, in their own names, and of the whole Clergy and people of England, writing ſeveral Letters to the Pope for this end, …ecorded in Matthew Paris; that of the Lords being very memorable, I ſhall here inſert.

**Mat. Paris, p. 679.Sanctiſſimo Patri, &c. Devoti filii, Comes Cornubiae R. S. de Monte Forti Comes Legreceſtriae, H. de Boun Comes Herefordiae & Eſſexiae, R. de Bigod Comes Norfolciae, R. Comes Gloverniae & Herefordiae, R. Comes Wintoniae. W. Comes Albemarliae, Comes Oxonienſis & alii totius Angliae Barones, Proceres et Magnates ac Nobiles; portuum maris habitatores, necnon et Clerus et Populus univerſus, ſalutem, & debitam tanto Pontifici in omnibus reverentiam. Sic mater eccleſia tenetur filios ſuos confovere, ipſos ſub alas ſuas congregando, ut filii ſui non degenerent in obſequio matris ſuae, ſed pro matre, ſi neceſſe fuerit, manum ſuam mittant ad fortia, & arma et ſcutum aſſumentes pro defenſione ſua cuilibet diſcrimini ſe opponat, de cujus uberibus lac ſugunt conſolationis, et ad ipſius dependent ubera pietatis. Mater enim filiorum uteri ſui debet reminiſci, ne ſi ſecus fiat, lactis pabulum ſubtrahendo videatur p. 122novercari. Pater etiam à filiis ſuam ſubtrahens pietatem, non Pater, ſed vitricus merito debet appellari, cum filios naturales ſpurios deputat aut privignos. Idcirco Pater reverende, currus Iſrael et auriga ejus, ad aſylum veſtrae pietatis recurrimus confidenter, clamantes poſt vos. Implorantes etiam humi…iter et devote, quatenus ob ſpem retributionis divinae, voces clamantium poſt vos dignemini miſericorditer exaudire, & gravaminibus, injuriis et oppreſſionibus regno Angliae, & domino noſtro Regi multipliciter impoſitis ac illatis, velitis ſalubre remedium adhibere. Alioquin neceſſe eſt ut veniant ſcandala, clamore populi tam Dominum Regem, quam nos intollerabiliter impellente. Quoniam niſi de gravaminibus domino Regi & regno illatis, Rex & regnum citius liberentur, Oportebit nos ponere murum pro domo Domini et Libertate regni. Quod quidem ob Apoſtolicae ſedis reverentiam hucuſque facere diſtulimus, nec ultra reditum nunciorum noſtrorum, qui propter hoc ad redem Apoſtolicam mittentur, Diſsimulare pocerimus, quia regni Angliae tam Clero quam Populo, qui talia nullatenus ſuſtinebunt, pro viribus noſtris ſubveniamus. Et niſi citius praedicta per vos corrigantur, pro certo teneat Sanctitas veſtra, quod non immerito teneri poteſt, quod tam Eccleſiae Romanae, quam Domino regi tale periculum immanebit, quod eidem remedium, quod abſit, de facile non poterit adhiberi.

The King in the mean time, by the Lords advice, ſent this Prohibition to the Clergy, not to pay any Tax or Tallage to the Pope; **Mat. Weſtm. An. 1146. p. 208.H. Dei gratia &c. Venerabili in Chriſto tali Epiſcopo ſalutem. Licet aliâs vobis ſcripſerimus, ſemel ſecundo, & tertio, tam per literas noſtras clauſas, quam patentes, ne ad opus domini Papae vel alterius tallagium aliquod vel auxilium exigeritis à viris Religioſis, clericis vel laicis, cum nullum hujuſmodi tallagium vel auxilium exigi poſſit vel conſueverit ſine magno praejudicio Regiae dignitatis, quod nullo modo poterimus aut volumus ſuſtinere: Vos tamen mandatum nostrorum in hac parte co…emnentes, contra proviſionem per p. 123Magnates noſtros, tam Praelatos quam Comites et Barones factam in Concilio noſtro Londonienſi: & conceſſam exactionem faciatis memoratam, ſuper quo miramur plurimum & movemur, praeſertim cum facto vestro proprio non erubeſcitis contraire, cum vos & alii Praelati in praedicto Concilio communiter conceſſeritis, quod nihil de exactione hujuſmodi faceretis, donec nuncii noſtri & veſtri, necnon & aliorum Magnatum nostrorum & totius univerſitatis regni noſtri à curia Romana redirent, qui pro liberatione oppreſſionum ad curiam illam, ſicut noſtis, fuerant specialiter destinati. Vobis igitur mandatis inculcatis mandamus injungentes, firmius & districtius inhibentes, ne ad exactionem praedicti tallagii vel auxilii faciendam aliquatenus procedatis, ſicut gaudere deſideratis Baronia vestra & poſſeſſionibus veſtris, quas in regno noſtro tenetis. Et ſi quid inde cepiſtis, extra regnum nostrum asportari nullatenus permittatis, ſed illud ſalvo cuſtodiri faciatis uſque ad reditum nunciorum praedictorum, indubitanter ſcituri, quod ſi ſecus egeritis, nos ad poſſeſsiones veſtras manum gravaminis, ultra quam credere velitis, extendemus. Hanc autem inhibitionem vobis in jungimus faciendam Archidiaconis & officialibus veſtris, quam quidem pro libertate cleri & populi facimus, novit Deus, &c.

The **Mat. Paris, p. 687.Meſſengers ſent with theſe Letters to the Court of Rome returning thence, thereupon the ſame year, Die tranſlationis beati Thomae Martyris habitum eſt MAGNUM CONCILIUM inter Regem et REGNI MAGNATES apud Wintoniam: Wherein, Nuncii memorati, verba Papalia, qui nihil mitigationis, imo potius exaſperationis tenorem continebant nunciantes, & affirmantes, quod nec in geſtu vel verbis Papalibus aliquid humilitatis vel moderationis ſuper oppreſſionibus quibus tam Regnum quam Eccleſia Anglicana gravabatur et conqueſta eſt, poterant reperire. Dixerat enim Papa, illis aliquod optabile reſponſum expectantibus; Rex Anglorum qui jam recalcitrat et Frederizar, ſuum habet conſilium, ego vero meum habeo, quod et ſequar. Et ex tunc vix aliquis Anglicus in Curia negotium aliquod poterat expedire, imo velut ſciſmatici repellabantur omnes, p. 124probris laceſſiti. Haec autem cum audiſſet Dominus Rex cum Magnatibus ſuis, commotus eſt vehementer & merito, praecepitque voce praeconia in omnibus Comitatibus, per omnes villas et terras, et congregationes publice acclatuari, Ne quis per regnum Papali contributioni conſentiret, vel aliquid pecuniae in auxilium ejus tranſmitteret. Quod factum eſt. Illud autem cum audi…et Papa, in vehementem iram excanduit, & iterato aſperius Praelatis ſcripſit Anglicanis, ut ſub poena excommunicationis & ſuſpenſionis, infra feſtum Aſſumptionis, nuncio ſuo apud novum Templum Londini commoranti, de praedicto auxilio ſatisfacerent. Et cum conſtanter pararetur, dominus Rex ſtare pro regni et Eccleſiae liberatione (comminationibus Comitis Richardi fratris ſui, et quorundam Epiſcoporum, quorum principalis erat Wigornienſis, cui a Domino Papa conceſſa fuit poteſtas terram etiam, ut perhibebatur, interdicendi,) fractus ſuccubuit et perterritus. Unde totus conatus tam Magnatum quam Epiſcoporum, et ſpes de regni et eccleſiae Anglicanae liberatione miſerabiliter, & non ſine multorum cordium cruento dolore, emarcuit adnihilatus, et impune hiatibus Romanae a varitiae de memorata contributione eſt ſatisfactum.

**Mat. Paris, p. 694.The Pope hereupon taking more boldneſs than before to trample the Engliſh Prelates & Clergy under his feet, & fleece them; imperioſe & ſolito imperiofius Praelatis Angliae demandavit, ut in Anglia omnes beneficiati, in ſuis beneficiis reſidentiam facientes, tertiam partem bonorum ſuorum Domino Papae conferrent, non facientes reſidentiam, dimidiam, multis adjectis duriſſimis conditionibus praedictum mandatum reſtringentibus, per illum verbum, et adjectionem deteſtabilem, NON OBSTANTE, quae omnem extinguit juſtitiam praehabitam. The Biſhops aſſembling in convocation to exact it, the King thereupon (by his Nobles advice and inſtigation) ſent Sir John de Lexeton a Knight, and Lawrence St. Marin his Clark to them, ſtrictly commanding them in the kings behalf, not to conſent by any means to this p. 125contribution demanded by the Pope, to the deſolation of the Engliſh kingdom. The next year 1247.**Mat. Paris, p. 697, 698, 706, 707. Mat. Weſtm. p. 220, 221, 223. Vrgente Papali mandato redivivo de importabili contributione Papali praetacta, ad quam Epiſcopi in generali Concilio Clerum infeliciter obligarent, fecit Dominus Rex MAGNATES SUOS, nec non et Angliae Archidiaconos per ſcripta ſua Regia Londini convocari. Quo cum perveniſſent die ptaefixo, Epiſcopi omnes ſeſe gratis abſentarunt, ne viderentur propriis factis eminus adverſari. Sciebant enim corda omnium uſque ad animae amaritudinem ſauciri. Convenerunt tunc ibidem Archidiaconi Angliae, nec non, et totius regni Cleri pars non minima CUM IPSIS MAGNATIBUS, conquerentes communiter ſuper intolerabilibus & frequentibus exactionibus Domini Papae, pro quibus & Dominus Rex non mediocriter compatiendo triſtabatur. Res enim publica periclatabatur, et commune negotium regni totius agebatur, & imminebat tam populi quam cleri inanis deſolatio et cunctis temporibus inaudita. After long conſultation, the King and Nobles by common adviſe reſolved, to ſend a remonſtrance of all their grievances, together with Letters, in the name of the whole Parliament and kingdom, to the Pope and his Cardinals, ſpeedily to redreſs them; which Letters they ſealed with the Common Seal of the City of London, & thereby obtained ſome ſhew of redreſs, of their grievances, which the Nobles further proſecuted and complained of in another Parliament the ſelfſame year.

**Mat. Weſtm. p. 222.Dominus Rex comperiens regnum ſuum enormiter undique "periclitari (by the Popes, exactions, taxes, oppoſitions) "juſſit OMNEM TOTIUS REGNI NOBILITATEM CONVOCARI, ut de statu ipſius tam manifeſte periclitantis Oxoniae contrectarent. Praelatos autem ad hoc Parliamentum vocavit anxius, quia videbat eos tam frequenter per Papul…s extortiones depauperari, quod frequentia conſuetudinem, & regni ruinam manifeste minabatur. Sperabatur igitur communiter aliquod ſalubre Eccleſiae, et univerſitati ibi ſtatuendum, quod tamen omnes fefellit, through the Prelates p. 126and Clergies cowardiſe, and the kings overmuch compliance with the Pope, the Nobles only continuing conſtant in their oppoſitions againſt theſe papal exactions and enormities, being more zealous for the Churches Clergies & Prelates liberties, againſt the Popes intolerable exactions, oppreſſions, incroachments, than they themſelves, and the only perſons who manfully and conſtantly maintained them, when the King, Prelates and Clergy through fear, cowardiſe and treachery betrayed and deſerted them.

**Mat. Weſtm. p. 326.Anno 1264. Pope Urban being much incenſed againſt the BARONS ſpoiling the goods of Eccleſiaſtical perſons, who were Aliens advanced by his proviſions, ſaid, That he deſired to live no longer but till he had ſubdued the Engliſh; whereupon he ſent a Legate towards England, a great Perſon, to wit Sabin a Biſhop Cardinal, to interdict the Land and excommunicate THE BARONS the oppugners of his Proviſions. But when he would have entred England, he found he could not ſafely do it, by reaſon of the Barons reſiſtance; Whereupon citing ſome Biſhops of the Realm firſt to Ambayonne, and afterwards to Bononia, Sententiam excommunicationis et interdictionis ſuper Civitatem Londoniae et 5. Portus, necnon & quaſdam perſonas illuſtres ET NOBILES REGNI fulminatum, commiſit exequendam. At illi Sententiam illam contra juſtitiam illatam attendentes, appellarunt ad Papam, ad meliora tempora, vel ad generale Concilium, necnon et ſupremū judicē, certis de cauſis et rationibus commendabilibus: Quae poſtea appellatio, in Anglia congregato apud Radingum Concilio recitata eſt, et ab Epiſcopis et Clero approbata et executa. Interdictum autem, licet inviti ſuſcipientes a Legato praedicti Epiſcopi ſecum detulerunt. Sed cum applicuiſſent Doveriae, ſcrutinio ex more in portu facto, int… …eptum eſt a Civibus, et in minutias dilaneatum jactatur in mare. So little did they then regard, and ſo much deteſt and ſcorn the Popes unjuſt Interdict in ſo juſt a cauſe.

An. 2 E. 1. Rot. Fin. m. 9. in Sched. Cook 4 Inſt. p. 13. Pope p. 127Gregory by his Letters demanding the rent of 1000. marks by the year of K. Ed. the 1. reſerved for England, upon his regranting the Realm to King John, the king writ thus to him: Se ſine PRAELATIS ET PROCERIBUS REGNI NON POSSE RESPONDERE, & quod jurejurando in coronatione ſua fuit aſtrictus, QƲOD JURA REGNI SUI SERVARET ILLIBATA, nec aliquid quod Diadema tangit Regni ejuſdem, abſque ipſorum requiſitus conſilio facere. And the Parliament being ended, he could doe nothing without them: who afterwards gallantly oppoſed his uſurpations, as will appear by this following preſident

**Walſingham Hiſt. Angl. p. 48. to 56. Ypodig. Neuſtriae, p. 88. to 95. Mat. Weſtm. p. 435, 436.King Edward the 1. in the 29. year of his reign, being ſummoned by the Pope, by himſelf or his Proctors to declare his right to the Realm of Scotland in his Court at Rome, where he ſhould receive juſtice concerning it. The King thereupon called a Parliament to conſult about it: where he refuſed to return any anſwer by himſelf, but committed it to the Earls and other Lords of the Land to return the Pope an anſwer thereunto. Who making a large and learned Hiſtorical Remonſtrance of the ſubjection of Scotland and her Kings to the Kings of England, and of their Homage done to them in all ages as their Soveraign Lords, ſent it to the Pope, with this notable Letter ſigned (as Mat. Westminster and **2 Inſtitutes, p. 98.Sir Edward Cook inform us) with no leſs than 100 Seals of Arms of Earls and Barons, in the name of the whole Parliament and Kingdom.

Sancta Romana Eccleſia, per cujus miniſterium fides Catholica in ſuis artibus; cum ea ut firmiter credimus et teneamus maturitate procedit, quod nulli praejudicare, ſed ſingulorum jura conſervari velit illaeſa. Sane convocato nuper per Sereniſſimum Dominum noſtrum ▪ Edwardum, Dei gratia regem Angliae illuſtrem, Parliamento apud Lincolniam generali, idem Dominus noſter quaſdam literas Apoſtolicas, quas ſuper certis negotiis conditionem et ſtatum Regni ex veſtra parte receperat in medio exhiberi, ac ſerioſe nobis fecit exponi. Quibus auditis & diligenter intellectis, ita ſenſibus admiranda quam hactenus inaudita in eis audivimus contineri. Scimus p. 128enim Pater ſanctiſsime, et notorium in partibus noſtris, ac nonnullis aliis non ignotum, quod à prima inſtitutione Regni Angliae, Reges ejuſdem regni, tam temporibus Britonum, quam Anglorum, ſuperius & directum Dominium regni Scotiae habuerunt in poſſeſsione, vel capitanei ſuperioritatis et recti Dominii ipſius Scotiae ſucceſſivis temporibus habuerunt, nec ullis temporibus ipſum regnum in temporalibus pertinuit, vel pertinet quoviſmodo ad Eccleſiam ſupradictam. Quinimo idem Regnum Scotiae dicti Regni noſtri Regibus Angliae atque ſibi faeodale extitit ab ant…quo. Nec etiam Reges Scotorum & Regnum, aliis quam Regibus Angliae ſubfuerunt, vel ſubjici conſueverunt, neque Reges Angliae ſuper juribus ſuis in regno praedicto, aut aliis ſuis temporalibus, coram aliquo judice eccleſiastico vel ſaeculari, ex Praeeminentia status ſuae Regiae dignitatis et conſuetudinis cunctis temporibus irrefragabiliter obſervatae responderunt, aut reſpondere debebant. Ʋnde habito tractatu et deliberatione diligenti ſuper contentis in Literis veſtris memoratis, communis, concors, & unanimus omnium noſtrum et ſingulorum conſenſus fuit, et erit inconcuſſe Deo propitio in futurum, Nota.quod praefatus Dominus noſter Rex ſuper juribus Regni Scotiae, aut aliis ſuis temporalibus nullatenus respondeat judicialiter coram Vobis, nec judicium ſubeat quoquo modo, aut jura ſua praedicta in dubium quaeſtionis deducat, nec ad praeſentiam veſtram Procuratores aut nuncios ad hoc mittat: praecipue cum praemiſſa cederent manifeſte in exhaeredationem juris coronae Regni Angliae, et Regiae dignitatis, ac ſubverſionem Status ejuſdem Regni notoriam, necnon ad praejudicium Libertatis, Conſuetudinum et Legum paternarum, ad quarum obfervationem et defenſionem debito praeſtiti juramenti aſtringimux, et quae manutenebimus toto poſſe, totisque viribus cum Dei auxilio defendemus. Nec enim permittimus, nec aliqualiter permittemus, ſicut non poſſumus, praemiſſa tam inſolita, tam indebita, praejudicialia, & alias inaudita praelibatum dominum regem, etiam ſi vellet, facere, ſeu modo quolibet attemptare. Quapropter ſanctitati vestrae humiliter ſupplicamus, quatenus eundem noſtrum dominum Regem, qui inter alios Principes orbis terrae Catholicum ſe exhibet, p. 129et Romanae Eccleſiae devotum jura ſua, Libertates et Conſuetudines et leges praedictas abique diminutione et inquietudine pacifics pof…idere, as illibata perſiſtere benignius permittatis. A moſt noble, heroical, loyal, magnanimous Reſolution of all the Engliſh Peers to their King and Country, even againſt the Popes incroachments on them, though then their Ghoſtly Father.

Anno 1307. King Edward the 1.**Mat. Weſtm. p. 463, 464. held a Parliament ar Carliſle, in quae per Majores regni graves depoſita ſunt querimoniae de oppreſsionibus Eccleſiarum et Monaſteriorum multiplicibus extortionibus pecuniarum, per Clericum Domini Papae, Magiſtrum Gulihelmum de Teſta noviter in regnum inductis; praeceptumque est eidem clerico DE ASSENSU COMITUM & BARONUM, ne de caetero talia exequatur; Ordinatum etiam erat quod pro remedio ſuper hiis obtinendo, ad dominum Papam aſſignati mitterentur Nuncii.

I ſhall cloſe up this point with one memorable example more, **Tho. Walſingham, Hiſt. Angl. p. 76.Anno 1312. there being a great difference between King Edward the 2. and his Nobles, about his recalling Peter Gaverston after a double exile by ſentence of the Lords in parliament, who took up arms to expell him by force, and deſired the King to confirm and execute certain Ordinances they had made, elſe they would by ſtrong hand compell him thereunto: hereupon the Popes two Legates then in England, came with the reſt of the Prelats of England and Earl of Gloceſter to St. Albans, to mediate a Peace between the King and Lords: from whence they ſent their Clerks to Warhamſtede, where the Barons then lay with their Army; cum Literis ſummi Pontificis eis pro pace roganda directis. Magnates audientes extraneos eis Literas apportate, ipſos quidem pacifice receperunt▪ ſed literas recipere noluerunt, dicentes ſe non eſſe literatos, ſed armis & militia exercitatos, et ideo videre literas non curarunt. Tunc qui miſſi fuerant requiſierunt, ſi placeret eis habere colloquium cum Dominis ſuis, Domini Papae nunciis, qui pro pace reformanda perſonaliter accedere cupiebant. Ad haec PROCERES responderunt, Se in regno multos habere probos & literatos Epiſcopos, quorum conſiliis uti volebant, et non ex…rancorum, p. 130quibus non eſſet cognita cauſa commotionis ſuae; praeciſeque dixerunt, ſe nullo modo permiſſuros ut aliquis alienigena vel forenſis intromitteret de factis ſuis, aut quibuſcunque negotiis eos tangentibus infra Regnum. So much did the Lords then ſlight the Popes Letters and Legates. Nuncii Domini Papae tali modo perterriti in craſtino ſummo manè iter verſus Londonias maturarunt, qui apud Sanctum Albanum loci commoditate illecti, moram traxiſſe per Menſem vel amplius cogitaverant. And ſo intermedled no more therein.

**Walſingham Hiſt. Angl. p. 74, 75, &c.The ſame year, Henry de Lacy Earl of Lincoln, lying upon his death-bed, uſed this Speech to Thomas Earl of Lancaster his Son-in-law, heir to 5. Earldoms. Quomodo Deus eum prae cunctis in regno ditaverit, honoraverit, & gloriae fecerat abundare. Quapropter, ait, et Deum diligere te, et honorare prae caeteris obligaris. Cernis Sanctam Eccleſiam Anglicanam honorabilem quondam et liberam, per Romanorum Oppreſsiones, & Regum hujus regni injuſtas Exactiones (proh dolor) ancillatam. Vides & plebem regni Tributis & Tallagiis apporiatam, & de conditione Libertatis in ſervitutem actam (a true character of our times, after all our wars for Liberty and Property.) Cernis regni Nobilitatem (quandoque toti Chriſtianitati venerabilem) jam ab alienigenis in terra propria vilipenſam. Adjuro te igitur per nomen Christi ut virum induas, exurgas, et eriges te ad honorem Dei & Eccleſiae, et patriae liberationem: adhibeaſque tibi virum ſtrenuum, nobilem & prudentem Guidonem Warwicenſem Comitem, cum neceſſe fuerit de regni tractare negotiis, qui & conſilio praeeminet et maturitate pollet. Non verearis inſurgentes adverſantes tibi dimicaturo pro veritate. Si his meis monitis acquieveris, in aeternum honorem & gloriam conſequeris. Whereupon this Earl, pro relevanda ſanctae matris Eccleſiae oppreſsione et recuperanda regni debita libertate, confederated with divers other Earls and Nobles, who electing him for their General, regni Nobilium communi decreti ſententia. Then they ſent Meſſengers to the K. to baniſh Peter G…verſton; which he refuſing to doe, they purſued him with their arms, cut off his head, ſlighted the Popes p. 131Letters and Nuncios; regulated his Extortions, and enforced the King to confirm the Ordinances they made for the redreſs of all grievances both in Church and State; with the Great Charter, Laws and Liberties of the Church and people, in whoſe defence and quarrel this Earl afterwards loſt his life.

To theſe I could annex many other ſuch like Letters, reſolutions, oppoſitions of our Earls, Lords, Barons in Parliament, againſt the Popes Uſurpations, Encroachments, upon the Crowns, Royalties of our Kings, and Liberties,**See an Exact Abridgement of the Records in the Tower, p. 64, 65.120, 121, 122. Laws, Cuſtoms of our Kingdom, as 21 E. 3. rot. Parl. n. 63.40 E. 3. rot. Parl. n. 8. Cooks 4 Inſtitutes, p. 13, 14.50 E. 3. rot. Parl. n. 85. to 108. 27 E. 3. c. 1. 38 E. 3. c. 4. & 16 R. 2. c. 5. wherein every one of the Lords temporal in Parliament anſwered and averred by himſelf ſeverally and joyntly with the reſt, That neither King John nor any other could put himſelf or his Realm or people into ſubjection or Tribute unto the Pope, without their common aſſents: That the ſubmiſsion he made to the Pope, was without their aſſents, and against his Oath at his Coronation: That if the Pope by proceſs or otherwiſe would attempt to enforce the King or his Subjects to render him the Services and annual Tribute for England and Ireland, granted him by King John, they would reſiſt and oppoſe him with all their power: And moreover, That they will ſtand with the Kings Crown and Royalty in all caſes of the Popes uſurpations clearly in derogation of the Kings Crown, & in all other caſes which ſhall be attempted againſt the ſaid Crown and Royalty in all points, with all their power; whoſe Gallantry, loyalty, ſtoutneſs, have been the chief means under God, to enfranchiſe our Kings, kingdoms, Church, from the manifold Antichriſtian Tyrannies, Uſurpations, Oppreſſions, Taxes, Vaſſallages, Slavery of domineering Popes in all ages, as the premiſes with other inſtances ſufficiently evidence. And upon this ground it was (by reaſon of the Popes inceſſant Uſurpations in former times upon the Royalties, Rights, Liberties both of the Crown, Realm and Church of England) that the Nobles in our Parliaments were in the very Writs of Summons ever called p. 132thereunto, to conſult and treat with the King, Prelats, Lords and Great men of the Realm, of certain weighty and arduous affairs concerning the State and Defence of the Realm, ET ECCLESIAE ANGLICANAE, and the Church of England; the Defence of the Church as well as Realm againſt the Popes incroachments, being one chief buſineſs of our Lords and Greatmen in our Parliaments; which now it ſeems is no part of our New-modelled Parliaments, as ſome ſtile them; there beieg neither DEI GRATIA, nor Statum & defenſionem ECCLESIAE ANGLICANAE to be found in any of their New Writs that I have ſeen; which had been an impious inſufferable omiſſion in all former ages: This Clauſe engaging our Peers ſo ſtoutly to reſiſt the Pope as the premiſes demonſtrate: which good ſervice of theirs hoth in common Juſtice, reaſon, equity; merited a Place and Vote for them and their Poſterities in all our Engliſh Parliaments, without any popular election.

Before I proceed to the next reaſon of our Lords ſitting in Parliament, I ſhall earneſtly importune, yea adjure all the antient Earls, Barons, Nobles and Great men of our Realm; with all who have lately been, or pretend to be any Knights, Citizens, Burgeſſes of real or pretended Parliaments, our late and preſent ſwaying Grandees; and all Lawyers, Gentlemen, Freemen of our Engliſh Nation, ſeriouſly to review, and cordially to ponder all the forecited memorable preſidents of their Noble Gallant publike ſpirited Anceſtors, here recited and bundled up together for their information, reformation, and undelayed imitation in this and the precedent reaſon, both in procuring, regaining, reeſtabliſhing the Great Charters of our fundamental Liberties, Rights, Properties, Freedom, with ſolemn New publications, Excommunications, Execrations, Oaths, Confederacies, Penalties, Laws, Edicts, for their own and their Poſterities benefit; In denying, oppoſing, reſiſting all unreaſonable or illegal Aids, Subſidies, Tenths demanded, intreated of, or exacted from them by our Kings upon real or pretended Neceſſities, Wants, Wars, or defence by Sea and Land; their bold, frequent, unanimous, p. 133magnanimous reprehenſions of our Kings and their evil Counſellors to their faces, for their Exorbitances, Miſgovernment, Exactions, Oppreſſions, Violations of their Great Charter, Laws, Liberties, Privileges, Oaths, Promiſes, and unneceſſary Warrs, or Expences without their publike Counſel or advice: in their reſolute inflexible unanimous reſolutions, oppoſitions both in and out of Parliaments, againſt all illegal Papal Encroachments, Uſurpations, Exactions on the Rights, Privileges of the Crown, Kingdom, Church, Parliament, Clergy, People, upon every freſh occaſion; and in their vigilant, indefatigable zeal, earneſt care, diligence, with the hazard of their Limbs, Lives, Liberties, Eſtates, and effuſion of their bloud for the publike Liberty, Freedom, Eaſe, weal, good Government of the Nation, according to thoſe wholſom Charters, Laws and Ordinances, which they procured for that end, with much induſtry, ſtrife and oppoſition in many ſucceſſive Parliaments. And then let them all with confuſion of face, conſternation of ſpirit and grief of heart ſeriouſly conſider how ſtupendiouſly, monſtrouſly and incredibly they have all for near ten years laſt paſt, moſt deſperately apoſtatized, degenerated both from the Heroick, Noble, Gallant, Memorable Preſidents, Practices, Courage, Zeal of theſe their Renowned Anceſtors in every of theſe particulars, and from their own Praiſeworthy Actions, Remonſtrances, Councils, Parliamentary and Military proceedings of like Nature under our two laſt Kings, out of unworthy, un-Engliſh, unchriſtian Cowardize, Fear, Self-love, Sluggiſhneſs, Sottiſhneſs, Supineneſs, after all their late ſolemn publike Proteſtations, Remonſtrances, Declarations, Vows, Oaths, Leagues, Covenants, near ten years bloudy inteſtine Wars, the overprodigal expence of many Millions of Treaſure, and whole Oceans of precious Chriſtian, Proteſtant Engliſh bloud, for the real, or at leaſt pretended Defence alone, and maintaining, ſecuting thoſe antient undoubted Fundamental Great Charters, Laws, Liberties, Properties, Privileges and Rights of Parliament, & exempting us from all future arbitrary, p. 134tyrannical, illegal Exactions, Taxes, Exciſes, Impoſts, Impriſonments, reſtraints, exiles, and executions; which they have now all moſt ignobly ſubmitted to without the leaſt manly publike or private Oppoſition, contradiction, or care, activity to break off thoſe iron yoaks of bondage, and intollerable, perpetual burdens; which ſome Impudent Intruders, and new Aegyptian Taxmaſters have moſt illegally impoſed on them, as if they were all reſolved to renounce all their former Great Charters, Laws, Liberties, Privileges, and Rights of Engliſh Nobles, Parliamentmen, Freemen, and to becom the baſeſt bondſlaves under heaven. So that if theſe our Nobles Anceſtors ſhould now riſe from the dead, they might juſtly ſtand amazed at this their ignoble, ſlaviſh cowardize, and univerſal degeneracy, yea diſclaim them as ſpurious, and none of their heroick Engliſh progeny, and they all may juſtly demand this Queſtion from themſelves: Whether they be the genuine offspring of theſe their Noble Ancestors, or natural Freeborn Engliſh Peers or Freemen, and not rather the degenerate off-ſpring of Ruſſian Vaſſals or Turkiſh Gallyſlaves, who never knew what Engliſh Freedom was? as if now born only to the greateſt ſervitude and Bondage that ever mortals voluntarily ſubmitted unto, through puſillanimous fear or baſeneſs: For alas, where is the Nobleman, Knight, Citizen, Burgeſs, Lawyer, Gentleman or Engliſh Freemen to be found, who now dares manfully to claim, plead, avow, defend, or contend for the undoubted rights and privileges of his own **Which ſome have diſclaimed by unPeering themſelves.Peerage, or our Parliaments, the famous Grand Charters of his own and the Nations Liberty and Freedom, either in or out of Parliament, after ſo many old, late military and Parliamentary Conteſts, Acts, Oathes, Excommunications, Remonſtrances, Declarations, Proteſtations, Vows, Leagues, Covenants for their inviolable maintenance and defence in every Article, eſpecially thoſe which concern Peerage, Liberty, Property, Freehold, Life, the Members, privileges of our Parliaments? and that not only againſt their Soveraign and Superiors, with whom they formerly conteſted; but even againſt thoſe p. 135late or preſent domineering Army-Officers, and Ʋpſtaris, who but a few years ſince were not only their fellow Subjects, but their Inferiors in all reſpects, yea their Mercinary Servants, Hirelings, and Mechanicks of the loweſt rank? or againſt the meaneſt Publicans, Officers or Exciſemen, Governors of our new-moulded Common-wealth, who have trampled our Great Charters, Laws, Liberties, properties and Parliaments themſelves under feet, and not only ſcorn, deride, but diſguſt the very Name and Mention of **Stiled Magna Farta, by ſome Grandees.Magna Charta, as offenſive to their lawleſs tyranny, and repute the urging of it to controll their arbitrary proceedings, encroachments, Taxes, Exciſes, little leſs than a capital offence. For proof whereof, I ſhall inſtance in One particulat. In Auguſt 1650. during my cloſe Impriſonment in Dunſter Caſtle, by Mr. Bradſhaw and his Whitehall Aſſociates lawleſs warrant, there came an Order from them, and the Committee of the Militia of Somerſetſhire, with near 200 pioneers of the County, to ſlight and demoliſh that Castle to the Ground, without giving Mr. George Luttrel, then owner thereof, the leaſt notice. Who thereupon was adviſed by his Councel, to ſend a Petition to Whitehall to ſtay the execution. The Petition then drawn by his Council being long and imperrinent, I did at his Wives requeſt, draw up another ſhort one for him to this effect. That Dunſter Caſtle, was the antient inheritance and chief Seat of his Anceſtors and himſelf, of which many Manors were held by Knight Service and Caſtle-Gard; That his Father fortified and held it for the Parliament at his own charge; for which he was kept and died a Priſoner under the King: That his Ʋncle (who was ſlain near the Caſtle) and himſelf, were both Colonels for the Parliament, ſerving them gratis without any pay, for which the Kings party had ſequeſtred his eſtate, felled his woods, ſeiſed his rents to the value of ten thouſand pounds at leaſt; that the Castle was regained from the Kings party principally by his means, being his only Manſion houſe: which if now ſuddenly pulled down, he and his family muſt lye in the Streets, and he ſustain at leaſt thirty thouſand pounds new damage by it, inſtead of a recompence p. 136for his former loſſes and publike unmercenary ſervices, which would expoſe both himſelf and thē to the obloquy of their malignant Enemies. He thereupon humbly prayed, that according to Magna Charta, he might not be diſinherited or diſſeiſed of this his Freehold, without any hearing or Legal trial, by this their Order, but that they would ſuspend or revoke it. This petition being ſent to London was delivered to a Great Lawyer, (one of Mr. Bradſhaws Aſſociats, and a then ſitting Member) to preſent; who commanded the very name and mention of Magna Charta only to be ſtruck out, and the reſt of the petition to be new written, becauſe the very name of it would give offence or diſtaſte to the COƲNCEL at Whitehall, as he affirmed. Which I then found true by experience, my inſiſting on it in my **See my New Diſcovery of Free-State Tyranny.Letters to them to demand my Liberty, being ſo offenſive, that they would neither anſwer, nor read my Letters but with indignation. How others in late and preſent power have vilified and contemned the Great Charter, the petition of Righr, and all other Laws in confirmation of it, by diſſolving the Houſe of Peers, making and unmaking new forms of Parliaments at their pleaſures, condemning, beheading Peers and others in new miſnamed High Courts of Juſtice, without trials by their Peers, impriſoning, cloſe impriſoning, confining, baniſhing, ſequeſtring, diſinheriting, diſofficing Nobles, Parliament-men, and all ſorts of Freemen at their pleaſures, without any lawful cauſe, hearing or legal trial; by breaking up and ranſacking their houſes by armed Soldiers day and night, ſeiſing their horſes, arms, Letters, papers, denying to grant them when impriſoned Habeas Corporaes, or to return them when granted, or bayl them when returned; by impoſing intollerable, unceſſant Taxes, Exciſes, Impoſts, payments, penalties, ſequeſtrations, forfeitures, Treaſons, exiles, reſtraints, Engagements, Diſabilities on the people; by **See the Whitehall Ordinance for Exciſe, March 17. 1653. & others ſince.commanding all Courts of Juſtice in their new Commonwealth, and all Judges and Juſtices of the ſame, Sherifs, Committee-men, Attornies, Sollicitors, and all other perſons, without any Oppoſition or diſpute whatſoever, to conform themſelves to their p. 137most tyrannical Ordinances touching Taxes, Impoſts, Exciſes, (though ſo much **My firſt part of a Legal Vindication, &c. of the Fundamental Laws of England, p. 67. to 72. My Proteſtation againſt Exciſe.decried condemned by two Parliaments and themſelves) authorizing their Exciſemen and Agents to levy their illegal new kind of Impoſitions by ex officio Oaths, Diſtreſſes, Fines, Forfeitures, ſequeſtrations, ſeiſures both of their real and perſonal Eſtates, breaking up of their houſes, (which muſt ſtand open to their ſearches day and night, without oppoſition) by impriſonment of their perſons, by indemnifying all Officers who ſhall thus illegally abuſe them, giving them good coſts and damages if ſued, ſtaying all their actions at Law for their juſt relief, and impriſoning all ſuch Lawyers as grand delinquents, who ſhall dare to move for their Liberties, or plead their cauſes, (which not one dares doe ſince Mr. Conyes late caſe.) And how our New-modelled Parliaments (as ſome ſtile them) inſtead of complaining againſt and regulating theſe tyrannical oppreſſions, Exorbitances, Taxes, Ordinances, Exciſes, and reprehending the Authors of them to their faces, have countenanced them by their ſtupid ſilence, confirmed them by new Edicts, yea made it their principal buſineſs to burthen our 3. whole Nations with perpetual, endleſs, illegal New Taxes, Exciſes, Impoſts, Cuſtoms, Payments unheard of by our anceſtors in any former ages (amounting to more thouſands, millions in one year, than King Henry the 3. whom the Barons ſo much oppoſed and complained againſt for Exactions, levied upon his Subjects by way of Tax or Ayds, in all his 51 years reign:) yea to null the Great Charter it ſelf, with all our fundamental Laws, Liberties, and the Privileges, Eſſence of Parliaments themſelves, by ſecluding, diſabling what members they pleaſe from ſitting, by depriving the people of their Votes, freedom in electing Members, both in antient Boroughs and Counties; by ſubjecting them to new impriſonments, forfeiteres of Eſtate, life, and trials by Marſhal Law in ſundry particulars, againſt this Charter, inſtead of eaſing them of their long-continued, illegal Taxes, Exciſes, Impoſts, Impriſonments, Confinements, &c. confirming their former Liberties, Franchiſes, Properties, Parliamentary privileges, puniſhing p. 138the manifold high violations of them, with thoſe ill Councellers, Projectors, who were the chief contrivers of theſe intollerable grievances, and reſuming the antitient diſſipated Lands, Revenues of the Crown, which ſhould defray al publik, ordinary expences: yea, how inſtrumental ſome of them have been to promote the deſperate **See my ſpeech in Parliament, and Epiſtle to my Legal Vindication, &c.deſigns, Practiſes, Conſpiracies of the Pope and Jeſuits themſelves (now ſwarming amongſt us, under ſundry diſguiſes) to ruine both our Kings, Parliaments, Church and State, is ſo experimentally viſible, and well known to them all, that I hope the conſideration thereof, compared with the forecited Preſidents of our noble Anceſtors and Parliamen…s, will ſtrike ſuch a confuſion of face, ſuch a compunction of heart into them for this their degeneracy, Apoſtacy, and breach of publike truſt, that they will now at laſt, to regain their own loſt reputations, publikely renounce and abhor their former Exorbitances, and ſtudy to equalize & out act thoſe their heroick predeceſors, by regaining re-eſtabliſhing our loſt Great Charters, Laws, Properties, Liberties, Parliaments, privileges, Peerage, and make us once more a free, & thereby a happy and united Kingdom, Church, Nation, that ſo they may be deemed worthy to ſit, vote in our future Parliaments.

It is ††Mat. Weſtm. p. 409. Walſingham, Ypodigmae Neuſtriae, p. 83, 84.ſtoried of our renowned, victorious, warlike King Edward the 1. that in a Parliament held at Weſtminſter in July 1297. he aſcended upon a wooden ſcaffold before the great hall there, with his Son Prince Edward, the Archbiſhop of Canterbury, and Earl of Warwick, and there before all the people ſtanding by; erumpentibus lach ymis veniam de commiſſis humiliter postulavit; dicens, ſe minus bene & tranquilliter quam Regem deceret ipſos rexiſſe, portiunculas facultatum ſuarum, quas ſibi dederaut, ſeu quas miniſtri ejus ipſo inſcio extorſerant, ideo acceptaſſe, ut in …ur…oſos hoſtium conatus, ſitientium ſanguinem Anglicanum, ſumpta Rei publicae particula maſſa quietius poſſidendo, potentius expugnaret. Et addens, ecce expoſiturus meipſum diſcrimini propter vos, peto ſi rediero, ſuſcipiatis me velut in preſentia habetis, & ABLATA OMNIA REDDAM p. 139VOBIS, &c. If our late or preſent all-ſwaying Governors, Officers, Swordmen, will now make but the ſelf ſame ingenuous acknowledgement as he, before all the people, that they have not governed them ſo well and peaceably as they ſhould have done, and became them to do; that they and their Officers have much oppreſſed, extorted from them, not ſmall but great ſums of Money, by undue and exorbitant means againſt their wills, though with a publike intention, to conquer thoſe Enemies more effectually who thirſted after Engliſh blood, for whoſe ſafety they are ſtill ready to adventure their lives: That they have ſought their own wealth, advantage, honour, preferment, more than the publike or peoples welfare; & thereupon ſhall with weeping eyes humbly beg pardon of the whole Nation, and thoſe particular perſons they have any ways ruined or oppreſſed, and promiſe them full reparation of their injuries, and what ever they have unjuſtly taken from them, as this noble King Edw. did, and confirm and enlarge all their Great Charters, Laws, Liberties, as fully as freely as he then did, upon his Nobles importunity, they may then expect that reciprocal Love and dutifull reſpect to them, as the Archbiſhop with the people then promiſed to King Edward and his Son, with ſtretched out hands, and be deemed worthy to ſit and vote in Parliament, notwithſtanding their former miſcarriages exorbitant arbitrary Ordinances and Proviſions, of which if they repent not, I fear in concluſion what **Anno 1265. p. 339.Matthew Weſtminſter records of the Barons proviſions at Oxon. Lewes and London, will be recorded of them, to Poſterity; Haec de proviſionibus imo DE PRODITIONIBUS Oxon, Lewenſ. & Londini, dicta ſufficiant, & quae variis aequitatis, & juſtitiae fictionibus dealbatae, intus autem plenae Verſutiae Proviſores ſuos peſsime prodiderunt, which ſome of our late ſwaying republican Legiſlators have already found true by ſad experience.4

Fourthly, our (o)(o)See Mr. Seldens Titles of Honour, Part. 2. chap. 5. and Coke 4 Inſtit. p. 1.Nobles are perſons of greater Eſtates, Families, Fortunes than others, contribute moſt to all publike Taxes, charges, and have more to keep and loſe than other ordinary Commoners; and therefore in reſpect p. 140of themſelves, their families, kinred, tenants, reretainers, allies, have greater intereſt in the Commonwealth and State affairs than they: We ſee by Common experience in all kingdoms, Nations, and our own Realm, that mens great eſtates innoble, and inable them to bear publike Titles, Places of Honour, Dignity, Truſt, Power, as to be Lords, Knights, Eſq. Privy Counſellors, Juſtices, Sherifs, Mayors, Aldermen, and the like, which perſons of mean fortunes, unable to ſupport theſe Dignities, Offices, places of truſt and expence likewiſe, are uncapable or unable to bear or manage: Wherefore our Anceſtors thought it meet, juſt, equal that they ſhould have this privilege among others above ordinary Commoners, to be preſent in all our Parliaments by Patent and Tenure only, and that of right ex debito juſtitiae; not by election, as Knights, Citizens, and Burgeſſes are, being perſons of meaner, eſtate, quality; and preſent in Parliament only, in the right of others who elect them, not in their own rights, as the Lords are: whoſe eſtates antiently were, and ſtill are far more worth, yea their publike payment greater, than many whole Burroughs put together; and their families, retainers, followers, far more in number. And ſo their engagements to maintain the Laws, Liberties, properties of the Subject, farr greater than inferiour mens. Upon which ground all Barons and Peers of the Realm, in caſes of debt and **11 H. 4.13. Cook 6 Report, f. 52, 53.executions are free from arreſts of their bodres, becauſe by reaſon of their eſtates, and Dignities the Law intends, they have lands and aſſets to ſatisfie all their debts.

Fifthly, It is one principal property of Members of Parliament to be (p)(p)Coke 4 Inſt. p. 3.constant, ſtout, inflexible, and not to be bowed or turned from the right, the publike good, or liberties, by fear, favour, promiſes, rewards. Now Peers of noble birth; education, and more generous heroick ſpirits than the vulgar ſort of men, are not ſo apt to be over-awed with regal threats, terrified with menaces, tempted with honours, preferments, wealth, (which they already injoy in a higher proportion than others) nor ſeduced with rewards p. 141and privat ends from the common good and intereſt (wherein their honour, wealth, ſafety are imbarqued;) as ordinary Commoners, and men of **As both Houſes reſolve in their Declaration of Auguſt, 1642. Exact. Collection, p. 492.meaner rank and fortunes are, which experience of former ages, and this preſent manifeſts. Therefore it was thought juſt and reaſonable by our Anceſtors, that the Nobles in this regard ſhould ſit in all our Parliaments in their **Modus tenendi Parliament. Vowel, Coxe 4. Inſt. c. 1.own rights, without the peoples election▪ and to leave the people to elect ſuch other perſons to repreſent, aſſent and vote for them in Parliament, in whom they moſt confided.

Sixthly, our Peers in Parliament **12 R. 2. c. 12.23 H. 6. c. 12.23 H. 6 c. 11.9 H. 6. c. 16.31 H. 8. c. 11.50 E. 3. m. 209. 1 R. 2. n. 137.(though they there ſerve for the good of the whole Kingdom, which hath always trusted to them, in matters of Counſel, Judicature, and making Laws) yet they repreſent no perſons but themſelves only, or their families, Tenants, Friends, and Allies which depend upon them, and bear their own expences; which are ſo great and chargeable, that the ††Mr. Seldens Titles of Honour part. 2. ch. 5. p. 732. to 736.Abbot of St. James without Northampton, in the Parliament of 12 E. 2. and the Abbot of Leiceſter in the the 26 of E. 3. being ſummoned to Parliament, petitioned and procured themſelves and their ſucceſſors to be exemped from any future ſummons to, and attendance in the Lords Houſe, as Barons of the Realm, both becauſe they held no lands of the King by Barony, but only in frank almoign, and their Predeceſſors had not formerly or uſually been ſummoned to Parliaments, ſed vicibus interpolatis only; And likewiſe, becauſe it would tend to the great grievance and loſs of them and their houſes, and much impoveriſh them, by reaſon of the great expence it would bring upon them: One Peer, and his retinue expending more every Parliament than the wages of 40 or 50 Knights and Burgeſſes amount to. Wherefore there is no ſhadow of reaſon why the people ſhould elect them, ſince they doe not repreſent them, nor pay them wages, as they doe to their Knights, Citizens, Burgeſſes, who ſerve for, and repreſent them. Wherefore their Levelling Oppugners may as well argue, That our Nobles ought to be elected by the people to their Honors, Lands, Eſtates which deſcend unto them from their Anceſtors, not from p. 142the common people, as that they ought to ſir in Parliament by the peoples election; only to repreſent themſelves in their own right, not the people. And that the Knights of the Shire ought to be elected to their dignity of Knighthood (which the King only confers on them) or to their Lands and Freeholds, which they enjoy in their own right, becauſe they are elected by the Free-holders to ſit in Parliament in their right who elected them, nor their own alone, which Barons doe not.

7ly. On theſe grounds the ſuppreſſing, debaſing, captivity or ſlaughter of the Princes, Lords, and Nobles of a kingdom or Nation, is by God himſelf defined to be, an immediate forerunner, concomitant, cauſe of the Kingdoms, Nations ruine, and ſlavery, and a matter of great lamentation. Ezech. 19.1.14. c. 17.12. Lam. 1.6. c. 2.2. c. 5.12. Prov. 19.10. c. 30.21.22. Eccl. 10.5, 7. Iſay. 3.4. &c. c. 34.11, 12, 13. c. 40.23. c. 43.28. Jer. 4.9. c. 27.20. c. 29. c. 25.18, 19. c. 50.35.41, 51, 55. c. 52.16. Hoſ. 7.16. Amos 2.15. c. 2.2, 3. 2 Kings 24.14. Mich. 3.7. 2 Chron. 24.23. Jer. 24.8, 9. And the continuing of Kings, Princes and Nobles, in honour and power in any kingdom and nation, are reputed and reſolved by God to be the greateſt honour, happineſs, defence, ſafety and preſervation of that kingdom and people. Jer. 17.24, 25. c. 22.4 Eccleſ. 10.17. Jer. 30.21. Pſal. 68.27, 28. Prov▪ 8.15, 16. Iſay 32.1. 1. Chron. 23.2. &c. c. 28.1. &c. c. 29.24, 25. Gen. 17.6.16. c. 35.11. 2 Sam. 11, 12. 1 Chron. 14.2. c. 28.4, 5. &c. 2 Chron. 2.11. c. 9.8. 1 Kings 11.32, 36. 2 Chron. 21.6, 7. 2 King. 8.18, 19. 1 Kings 15, 45. 2 Chron. 23.3.11.20, 21. c. 9.26.27. Numb. 24.7. Ezech. 37, 22, 29. Mich. 2.13. c. 4.8. Therfore they cannot be rejected ſuppreſſed by us now, without apparent danger, ruine and deſolation to our kingdom, whatever frantick Levellers and others fancy to the contrary, who would be more than Kings and Lords themſelves over the Nation, could they once ſuppreſs both King and Lords, as they deſign and endeavour.

p. 143By all which premiſes it is moſt apparent, That our Lords and Barons ſitting, voting in Parliament, (who if you take them poll by poll, have in all ages been more able Parliament-men, States-men in all reſpects, than the Commons, though choſen by the people, who alwayes make not choice of the beſt and wiſeſt men, as experience manifeſts) is not only juſt, lawfull in reſpect of Right and Title, but originally inſtituted upon ſuch grounds of Reaſon, Juſtice, Equity, Policy, as no rational underſtanding man can diſlike or contradict, but muſt ſubſcribe to, as neceſſary and convenient; and ſo ſtill to be continued, ſupported in this their Right and Honour, to ††Exact collection, p. 320, 321, 322.moderate the Exceſſes, Encroachments both of King and Commons one upon the other, and keep both of them within their juſt and antient bounds, for the kingdoms peace and ſafety. The rather, for that the very Act made this Parliament for the preventing of inconveniences happening through the long intermiſſion of Parliaments, not only enacts, and requires, ALL the Lords and Barons of this Realm, to meet and ſit in every Parliament, under a penalty; but likewiſe preſcribes an Oath to the Lord Keeper and Commiſsioners of the Great Seal under ſevere penalties to ſend forth Writs of Summons to Parl. TO THEM ALL, and in their default, enables and enjoyns the Peers of the Realm, or any twelve or more of them, to iſſue forth Writs of Summons to Parliament under the Great Seal of England, for the electing of Knights, Citizens and Burgeſſes: which Act will be meerly void and nugatory, if their Votes and Right to ſit in Parliament be denyed, or the Houſe of Peers reduced to the Houſe of Commons, which this very Statute doth diſtinguiſh.

Now whereas our whimſical Lilburniſts and Levellers object;Object. that the Lords have no right to ſit or vote in our Parliaments, becauſe they are not elected as Knights and Burgeſſes by the people, under which Notion alone, when thus elected, they will admit them a place and vote in the Commons houſe, but not otherwiſe. I muſt inform theſe Ignoramuſſes, that by the Laws, Statutes of our Realm,Anſwer. and the cuſtom, reſolution of our Parliaments, the Earls, p. 144Lords and Barons of the Realm, are altogether uncapable of being elected Knights or Burgeſſes to ſerve in Parliament, and their elections as ſuch; meerly void and null in Law to all intents. This is moſt apparent, 1. By the very words of the writs of Summons to the Lords: whereby they are ſummoned **Cook 4 Inſtit. p. 16. Seldens Titles of Honour, p. 736, 737, 715, 716.747.721.722, 724, 725.Nobiſcum & cum caeteris Praelatis, Magnatibus et Proceribus dicti Regni noſtri, colloquium habere & tractare &c. vestrumque conſilium impenſuri, &c. not to treat, conferr, and conſult with the Knights, Citizens and Burgeſſes. 2. By the expreſs words of the Writs for the electing of Knights, Citizens and Burgeſſes, which have the ſame clauſe; and then enjoyn the Sherifs to cauſe to be elected and returned, duos Milites, magis ido…eos & diſcretos Comitatus praedicti, & de qualibet Civitate duos Cives, & de quolibet Burgo duos Burgenſes de diſcretioribus & magis ſufficientibus, &c. ad faciendum et conſentiendum hiis, quae tunc, &c. Which diſables them to elect any Lords or Barons; being no ſuch Knights, Citizens or Burgeſſes as the writ enjoyns them to elect and return. 3. By all the Statutes for electing Knights, Citizens and Burgeſſes recorded in Rastall, Tit. Parliament; the Lords being not within their words or intention. 4. By the Great Charter of King John, and expreſs Statutes of 5 R. 2. Stat. 2. c. 4.31 H. 8. c. 10. & Rot. Par. n. 10. which diſable them to ſit amongſt the Commons, but only in the Lords houſe among their Peers. 5. By the very words of the Patents of their Creation, which authorize and preſcribe all Dukes, Earls, Viconts, Barons in direct terms, **Seldens Titles of Honour part 2. c. 5. p. 663, 665.747, 748, 751, 757, 563.Quod in omnibus tenerentur, tractentur et reputentur ut Duces, Comites, Barones, & quod haeredes ſui maſculi et eorum quilibet, habeat, teneat, & poſſideat ſedem, locum et vocem in Parliamentis, publilicis Comitiis et Conſiliis noſtris, Haeredum et Succeſſorum noſtrorum infra Regnum noſtrum Angliae, inter alios Duces, Comites et Barones (not amongſt the Knights, Citizens and Burgeſſes,) ut Duces, Comites et Barones Parliamentorum, Publicorum Comitiorum et Conſiliorum; not as Knights, Citizens or Burgeſſes. 6. By Sir Edward Cooks 4 Inſtitutes, p. 46, 47. and Mr. p. 139Seldens Titles of Honour, p. 736, 737. who reſolve, That a Baron or Lord of Parliament, is not eligible to be a Knight, Citizen or Burgeſs of the Houſe of Commons, as was reſolved in the caſe of Thomas Camoyes, who was not only a Baronet, but alſo a Baron and Lord of Parliament. The Lord Camoyes being elected by the Freeholders of the County of Surrey for one of the Knights of the Shire to ſerve in Parliament for them, Anno 7 R. 2. thereupon the King by advice of Council, declared his election to be null and void in Law, and commanded a new election of ſome other fit perſon to be made in his place, by this memorable Writ, extant on record.

††Clauſ. 7 R. 2. mem. 32. dorſo. Seldens Titles of Honor, p. 737. Cook 4 Inſtit. p. 47.Rex Vicecomiti Surriae ſalutem. Quia ut accepimus tu Thomam Camoyes Chivaler, qui Baronettus eſt, ſicut quamplures anteceſſorum ſuorum extiterunt, ad eſſendum unum Militum venientium ad proximum Parliamentum noſtrum pro Communitate Comitatus praedicti, de aſſenſu ejuſdem Comitatus eligiſti. Nos advertentes quod hujuſmodi Baronetti ante haec tempora in Milites Comitatus ratione alicujus Parliamenti elegi minime conſueverunt, ipſum de officio Militis, ad dictum Parliamentum pro communitate Comitatus praedicti venturi, exonerari volumus. Et ideo tibi praecipimus, quod quendam a…ium Miſi em idoneum et diſcretum, gladio cinctum, in loco ipſius Thomae elegi, et eum ad diem et locum Parliamenti praedicti venire facias, cum plena et ſufficienti poteſtate ad conſentiendum hiis quae in Parliamento praedicto, ſicut juxta renorem prioris Brevis noſtri, tibi pro electione hujuſmodi militum directi, et nomen ejus Nobis Sciri facias. Teſte Rege apud Weſtmonaſterium octavo die Octobris.

7ly, Both Houſes of Parliament in their **Exact Collection, p. 723, 724.Remonſtrance, of Nov. 2. 1642. declare and publiſh in print to all the World, This to be ſo clear and fundamental a privilege of Parliament, That no Member of either Houſe of Parliament is to be taken away or detained from the ſervice of the Houſe whereof he is a Member, until ſuch time as that Houſe hath ſatisfaction concerning the cauſe, and p. 146the cauſe be heard in Parliament firſt, and diſmiſſed from it, That the whole freedom of Parlament dependeth upon it, For who ſeeth not that by this means under falſe pretences of crimes and accuſations, ſuch or ſo many Members of both or either Houſes of Parliament may be taken out of it at any time by any perſons to ſerve a turn, and to make a MAJOR PART of whom they will at pleaſure. So as the freedom of Parliament dependeth in a great part on this privilege : yea without it, the whole Body of the Parliament will be deſtroyed by depriving it of its Members by degrees, ſome at one time, and others at another time, as both Houſes further remonſtrate in their **Exact Collection, p. 654.655.Declaration of October 23. 1642. Which, as it infallibly demonſtrates, that the Lords Houſe or Members cannot be taken away, or taken from them againſt their wils, without the deſtruction, ſubverſion of the whole Parliament, of which they are chief Members, the Judicial power of Parliaments reſiding principally in that Houſe, if not wholly. So it likewiſe clearly reſolves, that no Peer or Member of the Lords Houſe can be elected a Member of the Commons houſe: For if the election of the Freeholders, Citizens or Burgeſſes of any County, City or Borough of a Duke, Earl, Lord or Baron of the Realm to be a Knight, Citizen, or Burgeſs in Parliament ſhould be valid in Law, to make them legal, actual Members of the Commons houſe, it would then lie in their powers to un-Peer, un-Lord and degrade any Nobleman, yea all the Earls, Peers, Lords, Barons of the Realm and their Poſterity at their pleaſures, to reduce them and the whole Houſe of Peers into the Commons inferiour houſe, and ſo quite diſſolve the Lords Houſe, in high affront, diſhonor of the Lords and their Houſe, and of the Kings Soveraign royal Authority, the fountain of all Honor: and that without any legal trial, or Judgment by their Peers, or juſt cauſe of degradation on their parts, againſt the expreſs words and meaning of Magna Charta, c. 29. And if any Lords upon ſuch Elections ſhould ſo far degenerate, debaſe or degrade themſelves, as to accept thereof, and ignobly ſit and vote as Members p. 147of the Commons Houſe; both they and their poſteritie… for ſuch an ignoble act meritoriouſly deſerved, to be for ever degraded from their Nobility, and ſecluded from all future ſitting in the Lords Houſe as Peers, becoming thereby the very ſhame, ſcorn, ſcandal of Nobility, fit only to be ranked with the baſeſt Peaſants, to whom theſe Levellers would now equallize them. Yea, it would be now no leſs than wilfull perjury in any Freeholders, Citizens, Burgeſſes to elect them Knights or Burgeſſes, and in themſelves to accept of ſuch Elections when choſen; and in the whole Houſe of Peers and Commons too, once to permit, allow, approve or connive at ſuch elections; after their late Proteſtation, Vow, and Solemn League and Covenant, to maintain to their power, the Rights, Privileges of Parliament, and both Houſes of Parliament; whereof this is an unqueſtionable Right and Privilege; That no Member of the Lords Houſe ſhould be elected a Knight, Citizen, Burgeſs, or brought down from thence to ſit only as a Commoner, in the Commons Houſe, ſo long as he continues a Peer or Member of the Lords Houſe; (a diſtinct Houſe from, and ſuperior to the Commons Houſe in all ages, as its Title of the ††Stat. of Ma…lbridge, 52 H. 2. Prologue. 33 H. 8. c. 1.Lower Houſe, and their ſtanding alwayes bare before the Lords, with other evidences demonſtrate) nor any Knight, Citizen or Burgeſs, a true real Member of the Houſe of Peers, **Cokes 4. Inſtitutes, p. 45.unleſs a Peer by birth or creation; thoſe who are called to it only by general or ſpecial Writs, not being formerly for life or inheritance Peers, Nobles, or holding by Barony of the King, being only **Cokes 4 Inſtit. p. 4, 5.44, 45.Aſſiſtants to the Lords, as the Judges and others uſually are not Members having votes.

It is the opinion of **Fol. 9. b. 16. b.Sir Edward Cook in his Inſtitutes on Littleton, That if the King call any Layman to the Ʋpper houſe of Parliament generally by his Writ (which he there recites) that this alone doth create him a Baron and Lord of Parliament in fee ſimple, without the word heirs, and ennoble both himſelf and his heirs after him, ſo as to make them hereditary Barons. And this is the received opinion of moſt Grandees of the Law, relying only upon his bare Ipſe p. 138dixit, though ſometimes miſtaken in his Judgement, and frequently in his Records and Preſidents whereon hee grounds his Opinion; although he cites no preſident nor record at all to make good his Aſſertion in this caſe. But under the favour of this Great Oracle of Law, I conceive this Opinion of his to be no Law at all, but a meer miſtake, for theſe enſuing reaſons.

1. Becauſe there is not one word or ſyllable in this general Writ of Summons, that gives him either the Name, Title, Honor or Dignity of a Lord or Baron of the Realm: Therefore it cannot in Law or reaſon create him ſuch a one. If he were a Knight, an Eſquire, a Maſter, or Gentleman, or Judge, when the Writ was directed to him, it gives him only that Title, and ſummons him only by it: without ſtiling him a Lord, Baron, Earl, Viſcount or Peer of the Realm at all: Therefore it cannot ennoble nor create him one; much leſs ennoble his poſterity and give him an hereditary Barony without the word heirs, ſince the Writ is only perſonal, directed to himſelf alone.

2. Becauſe the Kings end and intention in ſummoning him to Parliament by this Writ is not to ennoble and create him a Lord, Peer, or Baron, much leſs to ennoble his Poſterity after him, but only to conſult and treat with him, and the Prelates, Lords, and Nobles of the Realm, concerning the affairs there propounded: As this clauſe of the Writ demonſtrates (which only muſt ennoble him and his heirs, if any) to come to the Parliament at ſuch a day and place, that ſo the King may VOBISCUM with him (not his heirs) & cum Praelatis, Magnatibus, & Proceribus dicti regni noſtri colloqu…um habere & tractatum: Which word, VOBISCƲM, being diſtinguiſhed from cum Praelatis, Magnatibus & Proceribus Regni, can not poſſibly create him, a Lord or Baron, no more than a Prelate of the Realm; the rather becauſe the word Baro, is not in the Writ. Neither can the following clauſe create him one; Viz. dictis die & loco perſonaliter interſitis Nobiſcum, & cum Praelatis, Magnatibus & Baronibus ſupradictis, ſuper dictis Negotiis tractaturis, veſtrumque Conſilium p. 143impenſuris: becauſe it neither gives him the name nor ſtile of a Lord or Nobleman, much leſs of a Baron, no more than of a Prelate: and ſummons him, not to be a Lord, Earl, Prelate or Baron of the Realm, but to be perſonally preſent with them (which he may be, though a private perſon, and no Lord) and to treat and give his advice with them concerning the buſineſſes there propounded, the only end for which he is ſummoned; not to be their fellow Peer, Lord or Baron. So that it is againſt all ſence and reaſon to aver, that ſuch a general Writ as this can create himſelf, much leſs his Poſterity Lords or Barons of the Realm in perpetuity. It is a rule in Law and oft reſolved, **Plowden, f. 333, 334, 501 Dyer 348. a. 21 E. 4.46, 48.57.43. Aff. 15. Coke 1 Report. f. 48.52.3 Rep. f. 73, 74. 8 Rep. f. 55.167. Aſhes Table, Grant le Roy 46.That the Kings grant ſhall not inure to two intents, nor paſs or give two things at once, especially when one of them only is expreſſed, the other not: Therefore this writ of the King ſhall not-doe it, to create the party ſummoned a Baron meerly by implication, which is not expreſſed: and to ſummon him to conferr, treat and give his advice in Parliament, which is the only thing intended and clearly expreſſed.

3ly, The Writ ſummons him only to that particular Parliament then to be held at one certain day and place; not to any other, much leſs to all future Parliaments to be held: Therefore it cannot create him and his heirs hereditary Barons and Members of the Lords Houſe, no more than the Writ for electing Knights, Citizens and Burgeſſes for that particular Parliament, makes them and their poſterity, Knights, Citizens and Burgeſſes of Parliament for perpetuity: It being both contrary to the words and intention of the Writ, to make him, much leſs his heirs, Members of all ſucceeding Parliaments, to which they muſt ſtill be ſummoned by New Writs.

4ly. No Lord or Baron is or can be legally created, but of ſome particular place, Town, City, or the like, whereof he is ſtiled Earl, Lord, or Baron: But the general writ of ſummons gives him no ſuch particular ſtile or title of dignity; confined to ſuch a certain place. Therefore it cannot create him either a Lord or Baron, or p. 150if it doth it muſt be ſine titulo, which were abſurd.

5ly. No Duke, Earl, when created Viſcount, Lord, or Baron, is or can be created a Peer of the Realm by the Kings Letters Patents for life, in tayl, or ſee ſimple, without expreſſe words in the Patent creating him ſuch a one for life, or him, and the heirs males of his body, or his heirs in general, Dukes, Marqueſſes, Viſcounts, Earls, Lords or Barons of ſuch a particular place; as all their Patents (whereof you have ſundry Preſidents in Mr. Seldens Titles of honour, lib. 2. ch. 5. throughout) and our books of Heraldry plentifully manifeſt; And in all late Patents of creation ſince 20 H. 8. of any Dukes, Marqueſſes, Earls, Viſcounts, or Barons, there is a ſpecial clauſe inſerted, enabling them and their heirs males, and every of them, to have hold and poſſeſs a ſeat and place in the Parliam. of us, our heirs and Succeſſors, within the Realm of England, among other Dukes, Marqueſſes, Earls, Viſcounts, Lords and Barons of the Realm, as a Duke, Marqueſſe, Earl, Viſcount, Lord, or Baron, as **Titles of Honour, lib. 2. p. 663, 665, 747, 748, 751, 757, 763.Mr. Selden and their Patents inform us, and I have formerly touched p. 49. If then the king by his Letters Patents cannot create men Nobles and Peers of Parliament for life, in tail, or ſee ſimple, without theſe ſpecial and particular clauſes; then by the ſelf ſame reaſon he cannot create them ſuch by his writ, unleſſe it hath ſuch ſpecial words and clauſes in it, and not by the general writ of ſummons forementioned, wherein there is not one clauſe or ſyllable tending to ſuch a particular, perſonal, or hereditary creation. The rather becauſe **1 Inſt. f. 16.8.Sir Edward Cook himſelf confeſſeth, that the Creation by Letters Patents is the ſurer, though by writ be the antienter way; for he and his posterity may ſufficiently be created and made Noble by Letters Patents, though he to whom they were firſt made never ſate in Parliament. Whereas this writ hath no operation or effect to enoble him or his poſterity, unleſs and until he actually ſit in Parliament; for if he die before he ſit, or ſit not at all, neither he nor his iſſue are Noble.

This diſtinction and conceſſion of his contradicts his p. 151former opinion, That the Writ it ſelf doth not ennoble the perſon and his heirs; for if it did, then he and they ſhould be ennobled by it, though he died before he …a…e in Parliament, becauſe they are thus ennobled by Letters Patents which create them Nobles or Peers, and make them actually ſuch, though they never ſit in Parliament.

7ly. Sir Edward Cook in his 4 Inſtitutes, p. 44, 45. thus reſolves. If the King by his Writ calleth any Knight or Eſquire to be a Lord of the Parliament, he cannot refuſe to ſerve the King there in communi illo confilio, for the good of his Country. But if the King had called an Abbot, Peer, or other regular Prelate by Writ to the Parliament to the Common Council of the Realm, if he held not of the King per Baroniam, he might refuſe to ſit in Parliament, becauſe quoad ſecularia, he was mortuus in lege, and therefore not capable to have a voice or place in Parliament unleſs he did hold per Baroniam, and were to that Common Council called by Writ, which made him capable. And though ſuch a Prelate regular had been often called by Writ, and had de facto, had place and voice in Parliament; yet if in rei veritate he hold not per Baroniam, HE OUGHT TO BE DISCHARGED OF THAT SERVICE, AND TO SIT NO MORE. ††Ro. Pa…. 26. E. 3. part. 1. m. 21. See Rot. Clauſ. in dorſ. 11. E. 3. part 2. m. 11. Religious qui teignunt per Barony ſont tenus de Venier au Parliament Vid. ibid. 13 E. 3. part 2. m. 8. & 1.For that the Abby of Leiceſter was founded by Robert Fitz Robert Earl of Leiceſter (albeit the Patronage came to the Crown by the forfeiture of Simon de Mountford Earl of Leiceſter) yet being of a Subjects foundation, it could not be holden per Baroniam, therefore the Abbot had no capacity to be called to the Parliament, and thereupon the King did grant, Quod idem Abbas & ſucceſſores ſui de veniendo ad Parliamentum, & Concilia noſtra, vel haeredum noſtrorum quie…i ſint, & exonerati in perpetuum. But all theſe Caſes aboveſaid, and others that might be remembred touching this point, as little Rivers do flow from the fountain of Modus tenendi Parliamentum, where it is ſaid, Ad Parliamentum ſummoneri & venire debent ratione tenurae ſuae omnes & ſinguli Archiepiſcopi, Epiſcopi, Abbates,**Modus tenendi Parl. c. 2. & Barones, Priores & alii Majores Cleri, qui tenent PER COMITATUM p. 142VEL BARONIAM, ratione hujuſmodi tenurae, & nulli minores niſi eorum praeſentia neceſſaria & utilis reputetur. To which purpoſe he likewiſe cites the Act of Parliament of 10 H. 2. called the Aſſize of Clarindon, and the Great Charter of King John in the 17 year of his reign here forecited, p. 21, 30, 31. For Modus tenendi Parliamentum (here ſo much magnified) I have already p. 20 ſufficiently diſcovered it to be a late forgery, and impoſture out of the very Treatiſe it ſelf, by undeniable proofs, which I wonder Sir Ed. Cook, Mr. Agar, and other pretended judicious Antiquaries obſerved nor, being ſo obvious; yet though it be an impoſture and erronious in other things, I ſhall grant it true in this particular here cited. As to the point in controverſie; had Sir Ed. Cook here thus diſtinguiſhed in the caſe of Laymen, Knights, Eſquires, as he doth in caſe of Abbots, Priors, and Religious perſons, that if the King had by his Writ called any Laymen, Knight ot Eſquire to the Lords Houſe of Parliament by his general Writ, who held of him in fee or fee tayl, per Baroniam, and was a Baron by tenure, that this had enobled him and his poſterity as Barons, & he could not refuſe to ſerve the King as a Baron in this Common Councel for the good of his Country; his opinion might have paſſed for good Law: For ſuch who had lands in fee, or fee tayl of the King by an intire Barony, being Barons and Peers of the Realm by their very tenures, ought of right, by the expreſs words of the Statute of Clarindon, the Great Charter of King John, and by the Common Law and Cuſtom of the Realm, to be ſummoned as Barons by the Kings ſpecial writs directed to them, to all Parliaments and great Councils of the Realm, by vertue of their Tenures, as well as Biſhops, Abbots, Peers, and other regular Prelates who held by Barony; yet the writ in this caſe doth not make them and their heirs Barons by writ, nor give them a right to ſit and vote in Parliament; but only declare them and their heirs to be Barons, and to ſit there as Barons by their Tenure, not by vertue of the Writ it ſelf. But if the King by this general Writ p. 153ſummon any Layman, Knight or Eſquire to the Lords Houſe, who holds not by Barony, this doth no more make him a Lord or Baron in perpetuity to him and his heirs, nor no more oblige him or his heirs to ſit there than Abbots, but that they may refuſe to ſerve in Parliam▪ if he were no Peer before, being not obliged by any Law to ſit and ſerve therein as a Baron or Member of the Houſe of Peers, by the Writ alone, which doth not bind an Abbot, Prior, or regular Prelate, or ennoble him and his Succeſſors to be Peers and Barons of the Realm, though they hold only by Frankalmoign, not by Barony: the Tenure By Barony being that alone which obligeth both of them to ſit and ſerve in Parliament, unleſſe they be created Dukes, Earls, Viſcounts, Lords, Peers, or Barons by Patent, or elſe by a ſpecial Wrir, wherein the eſtate and dignity of a Baron is both created and limited, as in the **Dorſ. Clauſ. 27 H. 8. m. 24. Seldens Titles of Honour, p. 541.Writ that created Sir Henry de Bromflet Baron of Veſcey, in the 27 year of King Henry the 6 where after the Nullatenus omittati…, this Cl…ſe is inſerted, Volumus enim vos & haeredes veſtros ma…culos de corpore vestro legitime exeuntes BARONES DE UESCY EXISTERE, Teſte, &c. If a Layman who holds not by Barony be created a Duke, Earl, Baron, or other Peer of the Realm for life, in tayl, or in fee by Letters Patents, or an Abbot or Prior who holds not by Barony, and his Succeſſors be created Lords of Parliament, by a ſpecial Patent of the King, as (p)(p)Pat. 5. H. 8. part 2. m. 12 Seldens Title of Honour, p. 750, 751. Sir Edward Cook 4 Inſt. p. 45.Richard Banham Abbot of Tavestoke, and his Succeſſors were b… King Hen. the 8. to whom the King gran… ed by special words, Ut eorum quilibet qui pro tempore fuerit Abb…s, ſit & erit unus de Spiritual…bus & religioſis DOMINIS PARLIAMENTI NOSTRI haeredum & ſucceſſorum noſtrorum, gaudendo honore… Privilegio, & libertaribus ejuſdem: This obligeth them to appear and ſerve in Parliament upon every Writ of Summons, and they their heirs males and Succeſſors cannot refuſe to ſerve, or voluntarily abſent themſelves without cauſe or licenſe, under pain of being fined, and otherwiſe puniſhed for their contempt, becauſe bound therto by their voluntary acceptance p. 154of ſuch a ſpecial Patent and dignity. But if they be ſummoned only by a general Writ, againſt their wills being no Lords of Parl. by ſpecial Patent or Writ before, this doth neither make the one nor other Barons, nor enn… ble their heirs males, or ſucceſſors, nor oblige them to ſerne, nor ſubject them to any fine for contempt; for then the King by his Writ might ſummon all the Knights, Eſquires, Gentlemen, and any other Commoner, Freeman, Lawyer, Clergy man of the Realm to the Lords Houſe, as a Member at his pleaſure, and fine them for a contempt in not appearing, and thereby increaſe that Houſe in infinitum, and make it a mungril Houſe of all ſorts of degrees and profeſſions of men, inſtead of a… Houſe of Lords, to its utter ſubverſion, againſt the fundamental conſtitution and privilege of that Houſe; Therefore ſuch Writs of ſummons muſt be void and null in Law, as well as the Patent to Abbot Banham (as **See Cooks 4 Inſt. p. 45. Abbot Banhams caſe.Sir Ed. Cook aſſerts it) for that he was neither Baro, nor held per Baroniam: Now whereas he aſſerts, That Knights and Eſquires, who hold not by Barony, cannot refuſe when ſummoned by Writ to ſerve the King in Parliament; but yet Abbots and other regular Prelates that hold not by Barony may, becauſe they are dead in Law, as to ſecular affairs, and therefore not capable to have voice in Parliament, unleſs they hold by Barony, and were called by Writ. This reaſon of the difference is moſt abſurd and unreaſonable. For 1. They are both Subjects to the king alike, and ſo both equally obliged to ſerve and counſel him in Parliament. 2ly. If their tenures by Barony could make them capable to have place and voice in Parliament, though dead in Law, quoad ſecularia, then much more the kings and the kingdoms need of their preſence, counſel and advice in Parliament, touching the weighty affairs concerning himſelf, and the defence and preſervation of the Realm and Church of England, when ſpecially ſummoned by his writ to Parliament, 3ly. Though they were dead in ſome ſence only, in reſpect of their natural capacities to the world; yet in their politick capacities they p. 155were not ſo, but ſecular, ſtill to ſue, purchaſe, adviſe, &c. as well as Laymen, in the right of their Houſes. 4ly. Parliaments being always ſummoned as well to adviſe of Eccleſiaſtical things, touching the Church, as of temporal things concerning the Realm of England; their being dead to the world, quoad ſecularia, could no more enable them to refuſe to ſerve in Parliament, then Laymen, quoad Eccleſiaſtica negotia therein treated of, which concerned the Church and Laymen (according to the doctrine in Popiſh times) might as well refuſe to ſerve in Parliament, when ſummoned, becauſe they were no Eccleſiaſtical or religious perſons, who were properly to conſult of the affairs of the Church of England; as religious perſons be exempted from, and refuſe to ſerve therein, becauſe dead to the world, quoad ſecularia negotia, concerning the King and Realm of England there debated and conſulted of. 4ly. The true and only ground then why ſuch Abbots, Priors, and all other Clergy men, who held not by Barony might refuſe to ſerve in the Lords Houſe of Parliament, when ſummoned by Writ, was this, that they held not of the King by Barony; and upon this ground alone, the Abbot of St. James without Northampton ſummoned to Parliament by Writ, Anno 12 Ed. 2. upon his Proctors appearance and Petitions for him in Parliament (recorded at large by **Titles of Honour, 730, 731, 732, 733.Mr. Selden, out of the Legerbook of the Abby worthy peruſal, being moſt full in point was diſcharged from his attendance, & his name ſtruck out of the Roll and Regiſter of the Chancery by the Chancellor and his Council, as not one of the liſt of thoſe who ought to be ſummoned, for this very reaſon, becauſe NON TE NET PER BARONIAM, nec de Rege in capite, ſed tantum in puram & perpetuam Eleemoſynam & nec ipſe Abbas, nec Predeceſſores ſui, unquam in Cancellaria irrotulari fuerunt (except only in 49 H. 3. m. 10. Schedula, voluntarie) nec ad Parliamentum citati hucuſque. **Pat. 26 E. 3. part 2. m. 22. Seldens Titles of Honour, p. 734, 735.ƲNDE PETIT (& habuit) remedium. And upon the ſelf ſame reaſon the Abbot of Leiceſter and his ſucceſſors were by ſpecial Patent in 26 E. 3. de veniendo ad Parliam. & Conſilia noſtra, p. 156et haered…m noſtrorum de caetero quieti ſint et exempti in perpetuum, (hough this Abbots predeceſſors had formerly been ſummoned to and ſate in Parliaments interpolatis vicibus, but no… continuè; becauſe idem Abbas aliquas terras ſente…ementa de Nobis per Baroniam, ſeis a…o modo non tenet per quod ad Parliamenta ſeu Conſilia noſtra venire teneatur. The King reciting this as the only ground of his exemption; and thereupon Nolentes Abbat…m indebite ſic vexari; granted him and his ſucceſſors this Patent of Exemption; upon which his name was cancelled in the ††Selden, ib. p. 727.Clauſe Roll of 25 E. 3. part 1. m. 5. dorſo; and this written in the margin againſt it. Abbas Leiceſtriae cancellatur, quia habet cartam Regis quod non compellatur venire ad Parliamentum. And that of Dorſ. Clauſ. 11 E. 3. par. 2. m. 11. & 13 E. 3. par. 2. m. 28. & 1. cited by **Titles of Honour, p. 727.Mr. Selden & Sir Edw. Coke in his Margin; mentioned in a Bill in Parliament; Que toutes les religioſes que teignont per Barony ſayent tenus de venier au Parlament; is alſo direct i… point; That thoſe who hold not by Barony, are not bound to ſerve in Parl. be they Religious perſons, or Lay perſons, who are not Peers or Lords of Parliament, upon general writs of ſummons; ſuch Summons of them being AN UNDUE VEXATION OF THEM, as King Edward ſtiles it in his Patent, (unleſs they voluntarily appear upon ſuch a Summons, as this Patent informs us thoſe who were ſummoned in 49 H. 3. all did.) This reaſon therefore exempting all Abbots, Peers, and religious perſons from ſervice and attendance in the Lords Houſe in Parliaments, though ſummoned thereto by writ, muſt neceſſarily exempt all Knights and Laymen from it, there being the ſelf ſame ground, juſtice, equity for it in both, yea the ſelfſame unjuſtice, vexation, miſchief to both; and by conſequence the ſelfſame Law. And if this be Law, as theſe Preſidents, Judgements, Records expreſly reſolve it to be beyond contradiction; Then it inevitably follows, that the General writ of Summons to Parliament alone, doth neither create the perſons ſummoned to it, nor their heirs or ſucceſſors Barons, Lords or Peers of the Realm, unleſs p. 157they hold by Barony, no although they ſit once or twice in Parliaments by vertue of them, or interpolatis vicibus but not continue as the Abbots of Leiceſter did, for then they could not allege or plead their not holding Lands of the King in Barony, or any other tenure binding them to ſit and ſerve in Parliament, in barr of the Writs of Summons directed to them, becauſe thoſe writs themſelves did ennoble and make them, their poſterity & ſucceſſors Peers of Parliament, though they held no Lands by Barony. 8ly, it is undeniable by ſundry preſidents, that the Kings general writs of Summons create none Lords or Peers of Parliament for life or Inheritance, if they hold not by Barony; which I ſhall evidence by theſe preſidents in point, **Clauſ. 49 H. 3. m. 10 dorſ. in Schedula. Seldens Titles of Honour, p. 723, 724.To the Parliament of 49 H. 3. there were no leſs than 64 Abbots, 36 Priors, the Maſter of the Temple, and 5. Deans of Cathedral Churches, namely of York, Exeter, Salisbury, Lincoln, Bath and Wells, ſummoned by general writs, as the Biſhops, Earls, Barons, and other Nobles were; yet this did not make themſelves nor their Succeſſors Barons or Peers of Parliament; for neither of theſe Deans nor their ſucceſſors were ever afterwards ſummoned to Parliament, as they would and muſt have been, had this writ made them or their ſucceſſors Barons and Lords: nor any of the Abbots or Priors, but ſuch only who held by Barony, who were conſtantly ſummoned, but thoſe who then held not by Barony, or Militare ſervitium, if caſually ſummoned to one Parliament, were yet upon their complaints thereof, omitted and diſcharged in the next, as the Writs of Summons themſelves atteſt, and (1)(1)Titles of Honour, p. 720. to 736.Mr. Selden manifeſts out of them. Therefore the Writs did neither create them Barons for life, much leſs their ſucceſſors after them; for then they ſhould ſtill have of right been ſummoned to ſucceeding Parliaments, and ought not to have been diſcharged. In the 18 of Ed. 2. (2)(2)Clauſ. 18 E. 2. m. 5. Seldens Titles of Honor, p. 721.726.A Writ of Summons was ſent by the King, Magiſtro Gilberto de Middleton Archidiacono Northampton, Officiali Curiae Cantuarienſis; & Magistro Roberto de Sancto Albano, Decano de Arcubus London. But no writ p. 158was ever directed to them afterwards, but in this one Parliament only; therefore it made them not Lords and Barons for life, inheritance or ſucceſſion. The like is evident by the forecited preſidents of the Abbots of St. James & Leiceſter and other Priors. So the Gardians of the Spiritualties of Biſhops during the vacancy, and their Vicars Generals during their abſence beyond the Seas, have been frequently ſummoned to Parliaments by writs: But being ſummoned only as ſubſtitutes, or in the right of the Biſhops or Biſhopricks, it made them no Barons or Peers, neither were they ever eſteemed ſuch heretofore, or at this day, as (3)(3)Titles of Honour, p. 720.Mr. Selden informs us. And as it was thus amongſt Abbots, Priors, Deans, and other Clergymen, that theſe writs made them not Barons for life, nor yet in ſucceſſion: ſo by the ſelfſame Law and Reaſon they made no Laicks who held not by Barony ſuch for life or inheritance. Whence we find many ſuch in the ſummons to Parliament of King Henry 3. Ed. 1, 2, 3. R. 2. H. 4, 5, 6. who were ſummoned once, twice or thrice, but never afterwards, nor any of their name or poſterity; of which no other ſolid reaſon can be given, but that theſe general writs of ſummons made them neither Barons for life nor inheritance, no more than they did Abbots, Priors or Clergymen. For example (4)(4)See an Exact Abridgment of the Records in the Tower, and my firſt Table thereunto.I find Edmond Barſtaff, Robert de Crendon, H. Huſe, Ader de Estlye, Serton de Hanſladorn, and ſundry others ſummoned by Writ to Parliament in 33 E. 1. Peter Corbet, Andrew de Hamloe, Henry Tregor Maurice de Buen, Roger Banuent, and ſome others in 13 E. 2. Simon Ward, Henry Dandle, William Blunt, in 4 E. 3. Roger de Claudes, Ralph de Bevil, William de Kineſton **And John de Leyburn, …m. 14.17. & 18. E. 3.in 14 E. 3. Ralph Bulmer, Thomas Bugworth, in 22 E. 3. William de Ridehal in 27 E. 3. Robert de Colvil, John de Kirton, John de Wodhurſt, John Northwood, John de Strivelin, in the Parliament ſummons of 37. and one of them again of 38 E. 3. Henry Quarts, in 6 H. 4. Henry Cuart, in 7 H. 4. William Cheyney Chief Juſtice in 4. & 6 H. 6. But neither of their perſons nor any of their poſterity, were ever after p. 159ſummoned that I find to any other Parliaments, as no doubt they would have been, had thoſe their writs of ſummons made them Lords and Barons. In the Clauſe Roll of 5 E. 3. m. 12. dorſo, the King ſent writs into Ireland to William de Burgh Earl of Ulster, James de Bot…ler Earl of Ormond, William de Bremigham Knight, and Walter de Burgh, ſtrictly enjoyning them with all ſpeed to come over into England, Nobiſcum tractaturi, veſtrumque Conſilium impenſuri, concerning his intended Voyage in perſon into Ireland, and ſetting the peace and affairs therof: and I read in the **Chron. Joh. Bromton, col. 1108. Mat. Paris, p. 431, 826. Hen. de Knyghton de Eventibus Angl. l. 3. c. 2. Walſingham Hiſt. Angl. p. 17, 18, 19. to 23.25.32, 33.42.49. to 56.reign of King Henry 3. Edward the 1. 3. and other of our Kings, that the King of Scots and his Nobles were oft ſummoned by Writs to our Engliſh Parliaments concerning the affairs of Scotland: yet theſe writs made none of them Peers and Barons of our Engliſh Parliaments. From all which I may ſafely conclude, Sir Edward Cooks and others Opinions to be no Law, but a clear miſtake; that a general writ of Summons doth, or can create any who hold not by Barony, Peers or Barons for life, much leſs in fee or fee-tayl. Therefore ſuch may be afterwards elected Knights or Burgeſſes of Parliament, and be Members of the Commons houſe, and refuſe to ſit or ſerve in the Lords houſe upon ſummons without contempt or fine: but no Baron or Peer of the Realm may be thus choſen, or neglect his ſervice in the Lords houſe.

Finally, Mr. Cambden in his Britannia, p. 120, 122. & Apologia, p 11. and Mr. J. Selden in his Titles of Honour, part 2. chap. 5. Sect. 31. p. 708. to 718. aſſert, That as ſome Spiritual Barons, who were conceived to be Barons by writ as well as by tenure, though ſometimes ſummoned to Parliament by writ, were wholly omitted at length, as not having of right Voice and Place with the reſt, becauſe they held not by Barony; So ſundry of the Leſſer Barons and Tenants in Capite holding only of the King as Vavaſors by Knights ſervice, and not by an intire Barony, were likewiſe excluded the Parliament. and not ſummoned thereunto by King John, Henry the 3. & Edw. the 1. p. 160being not great and honourary Barons, nor having eſtates ſufficient to ſupport that dignity; and that (as Mr. Selden conceites by ſome Law made not long before the Great Charter of King Iohn, procured by MAJORES BARONES; who foreſeeing that their power and dignity might ſuffer much diminution, if the new tenants in chief, or Patentees of Eſcheated Baronies, and the rest that were decayed ſhould have equality with them, and be indifferently Barons of the Kingdom every way as they were, procured a Law in ſome of the Parliaments that preceded the Great Charter of King John, by which themſelves only ſhould hereafter be properly ſtiled (& ſummoned as BARONS, and the reſt only Tenants in chief, or Knights, which Titles ſhold be given them, as diſtinct names from Barons: which could not but much leſen the dignity and honor of the reſt. And if ſo, then queſtionleſs ſuch who hold not by an intire Barony, and are not Majores Barones by Patent or Inheritance now, cannot be created ſuch by a meer general writ of ſummons; neither can the King by his general writ create or make them ſuch againſt this antient Law and uſage ever ſince. And the Earls, Lords and Great honorary Barons, who excluded all ſuch from ſitting in Parliament with them as Barons and their Peers then, may much more exclude and refuſe to admit ſuch into their houſe, or to ſit with them if ſummoned now; becauſe their dignity, honor, power, would ſuffer much diminution thereby; and the King might by writ at any time call ſo many to their Houſe, as might overtop, over…ote, and alter their very Conſtitution as an Houſe of Peers.

I ſhall cloſe up this point of the Lords ſole right to ſit in Parliament with one or two memorable preſidents.

In the 7. year of King Edward 2. as **Ypodigmae Neuſtriae, p. 101.Walſingham ſtories, in quindena Paſchae per Regis brevia citatae ſunt generaliter omnes Parliamentales perſonae pro Parliamento teuendo Londoniis: Sed multis Proceribus praetendentes impedimenti cauſas nihil h…c vice factum ſu…t : So **Walſingham Hiſt. Angl. p. 86.Anno 1316. King Edward in the 9th year of his reign, p. 161celebravit Concilium apud Clarindon, ſed Magnates noluerunt intereſſe. Whereupon nothing was there effected. The Lords preſence being held then ſo neceſſary, that by reaſon of the abſence of divers of them upon ſome real or pretended impediments, though all legally ſummoned by the Kings writs, nothing was done or concluded by thoſe who met, who held themſelves no compleat or legal Parliament without them. Whereas in the Parliament of 5 E. 2. ſome of the Judges and Aſſiſtants departing from the Lords, and divers Knights, Citizens and Burgeſſes from the Commons houſe, without licenſe, yet the Lords continuing all together, and making Ordinances for regulating the Kings houſe, and Revenues, the Parliament ſtill continued, and theſe (1)(1)Clauſ. 5 E. 2. m. 27. dorſo.special writs were ſent to recall the Judges and Lords Aſſiſtants▪ quod redeant exinde, et ſine licentia noſtra ſpeciali durante Parliamento praedicto non recedatis: Et hoc ſicut indignationem noſtram vitare volueritis, nullo modo omittaris. Teſte Rege apud Haddely, 12 Septemb. PER CONSILIUM. And this general writ was ſent to the Sheriff of Yorkeſhire, and all other Sheriffs of England to ſummon all the Knights, Citizens and Burgeſſes in their ſeveral Counties, to return thither; or elſe to elect other fit perſons in their places. (2)(2)Clauſ. 5. E. 2. m. 26. dorſo.Praecipimus tibi firmiter injungentes, quod illos Milites, Cives & Burgenſes de Balliva tua quos nuper ad praeſens Parliamentum noſtrum apud London inchoatum, de mandato noſtro venire feciſti, et qui ab eodem Parliamento certis de cauſis receſſerunt, quod redeant exinde, &c. vel alios ad hoc idoneos loco ipſorum SI AD HOC VACARE NON POSSUNT, uſque ad Westmonasterium ad dictum Parliamentum quod ibidem duximus continuandum, &c. proxime futur: ad ultimum, cum ſufficienti poteſtate Comitatus tui & Civitatum & Burgorum praedictororum ad conſentiendum hiis quae tunc ibidem contigerint ordinari, &c. Teſte Rege apud London xi. p. 162die Octobris. This Parliament being thus continued, Clauſ. 5 E. 2. m. 25. Special licenſe was granted to ſome LORDS to goe home, who made Proxies to other Lords to ſupply their places, by theſe words, Deputamus in loco nostro in Parliamento: and this in the Writ of Prorogation.

This, I hope, will ſuffice to convince all Levellers and Gainſayers, of the LORDS undoubted antient Hereditary juſt Right and Title, to ſit, vote in all ENGLISH PARLIAMENTS, though not elected by the people.