Plea for the Lords and House of Peers, Treatise · Supplement (1 of 3)

Plea for the Lords and House of Peers · Treatise · Supplement (1 of 3)

p. 401A Supplement to the Premiſes.

THe Principal ſcope of the Precedent Plea for the Lords and Houſe of Peers, being only to juſtifie and ratifie their ancient juſt Right to ſit and vote in all Engliſh Parliaments, and Great Councils or State and their Judicial Authority in them, without the Commons, eſpecially in Criminal Cauſes, then only controverted, contradicted by Lilbourne, Overton, & their Diſciples; I reputed it both uſeful, and neceſſary to ſuperadde thereto ſome memorable Preſidents in former ages (which no Vulgar writers of our Engliſh Parliaments have remembred) of the Kings and Lords Proceedings, Judicature in Parliament in Civil and Eccleſiaſtical Cauſes▪ of publick and private concernment, as no way heterogeneal, but homogeneal to my Theam, to make this Plea more compleat, and communicate ſome more knowledge of Parliamentary Affairs and Proceedings, both to the Ignorant and Learned in this declining age wherein learning and learned men of publick ſpirits in all Profeſſions, are ſo much decayed, and little Viſible Probability left of any ſpeedy reparations of this ineſtimable loſſe, for want of publick encouragement; I ſhall proceed herein, only in a Chronological Method, as I have done for the moſt part in the premiſes, beginning with the ancienteſt preſident I meet with of this kind, and ſo deſcending to ſucceeding ages.

About the year of Chriſt, 536 Our (a)(a)Galfridus Monumetenſis, Hiſt. Regum. Brit. l. 10. c. 1. to 14. Mat. Weſtm. Flores Hiſt. An. 539. Speeds, Hiſt. p. 272.famous Brittiſh victorious King Arthur, by his Letters and Meſſengers ſummoned all the Kings, Prelates, Dukes and Nobles ſubject to him, to meet at the City of Caerleon on the feaſt of Pentecoſt ▪ then to be new crowned, and ſettle the peace and affairs of his Realmes; whereupon there aſſembled at that time and place thirteen Kings, three Archbiſhops, and many Princes, Dukes, Conſuls, Earls and LORDS (whoſe names are regiſtred in Geoffry Monmouth) p. 402whiles they were thus convened, there arrived twelve men, with letters from Lucius Tiberius, procurator of the Roman Republick, demanding in high language, The Tribute of Brittain, which the Senate command King Arthur to pay, with the arrears injuriouſly detained, becauſe Julius Caeſar had reſerved it (upon his conqueſt of Brittain, and hee with other Romane Emperours had long received it: ſummoning him likewiſe to appear at Rome in Auguſt the year following, to ſatisfie the Senate for the injuries done them, and ſubmit to the ſentence their Juſtice ſhould pronounce; or elſe denouncing war againſt him. This Letter being publickly read before all the Kings, Princes, Dukes and Nobles preſent; the King conſulted with them, craving their unanimous adviſe and ſenſe concerning this buſineſs; affirming, That this Tribute was exacted, ex irrationabili cauſa) againſt all reaſon; for he demanded it to be payd as due, becauſe it was paid to Julius Caeſar, and his ſucceſſors, who invited by the deviſions of the old Brittains arrived with an Army in Brittain, and By force and violence ſubjected the Country to their power, ſhaken with domeſtick commotions. Now becauſe they obtained it in this manner, vectigal ex eo injuſte receperunt; therefore they unjuſtly received tribute out of it. Nihil enim quod vi & violentia acquiritur, juſte ab …llo poſſidetur, qui violentiam intulit: irrationabilem ergo cauſam prae…endit qua nos jure ſibi tribitarios arbitratur. For nothing which is acquired by force and violence, is juſtly poſſeſſed by any man who hath offered the violence. Therefore hee pretends An irrationable cauſe whereby hee reputes us to be Tributaries to him, &c. The whole Council upon debate fully aſſented to this opinion, and promiſed the King their aſsiſtance againſt the Romans in this cauſe. Whereup…n King Arthur returned this anſwer, That he would by no m…ans render them tribute, neither would he ſubmit himſelf to their judgement concerning it, nor repare to Rome, &c. An expreſſe reſolution. That Conqueſt by warr, force, and violence, is no good, p. 403juſt, nor lawful, but an unlawful and unjuſt Title to any Tributes or Poſſeſſions, which theſe who now pretend they are Conquerors, and us a meer conquered Nation, and therefore they may impoſe what Taxes, Exciſes Tributes, Laws, Executions they pleaſe upon us (when as they were only rayſed, waged commiſſioned, to defend, preſerve our Laws, Liberties, King, Parliament, and Kingdomes, not to conquer or enſlave them) may do well to conſider.

In the year of our Lord, 799. (b)(b)Evidentiae Eccleſ. Can…. Col. 2212.King Kenulfus, upon the petition and complaint of Athelardus Arch-Biſhop of Canterbury, conſentientibus, EPISCOPIS ET PRINCIPIBUS MEIS, aſſembled in a Parliamentary Council, reſtored four parcels of Lands to Chriſt-Church in Canterbury, which King Offa heretofore had taken from this Church, and conferred on his Officers.

(c)(c)Evidenti… Eccleſ. Cant. Col· 2212, 2213. Spelmanni Concil. p 3…, 319.Kenulfus King of Mercia, calling a Provincial Council held at Cloveſhe, Anno Dom. 800. wherein all the Biſhops, Dukes, Abbots, and Nobles of every order were aſſembled, complaint was made therein, that after the death of Arch-Biſhop Cuthhert, Verheb and Osbert, led by a malignant ſpirit, ſtole away the evidences and writings of the Monaſtery of Cotham, and all the Lands thereunto belonging, given by King Athelbald to our Saviours Church in Canterbury, and brought them to Kenulfus King of the Weſt-Saxons, who thereupon converted the ſaid Monaſtery and Lands to his own uſe. After which …regwin and Jambert Arch-Biſhops of Canterbury, complained of this injurie done to the Church in ſundry Councils, both to King Kenulfus, and Offa King of Mercia, who took from Kenulfus the Monaſtery of Cotham, with many other Lands, and Towns, and ſubjected them to the Realme of Mercia. At laſt Kenulfus induced by late repentance, reſtored the evidences and writings of the ſaid Monaſtery, together with a great ſumme of mony to the ſaid Church, to prevent the danger of an excommunication, but King Offa, as hee received the p. 404ſaid Monaſtery without writings, ſo hee retained them during his life, and left them to deſcend to his heirs without any evidence after his death; whereupon Athelardus the Arch-Biſhop, and other wiſe men of Chriſt-Church, brought theſe Evidences and Writing touching Gotham into this Council of Cloveſho; where when they had been publickly read; OMNIUM VOCE DECRETUM EST, that it was juſt the Metropoliticall Church ſhould bee reſtored to the ſaid Monaſtery, of which ſhee had been unjuſtly ſpoiled for ſo long a time. Athelardus receiving alſo in this Council the dignities and poſſeſſions which King Offa had taken from Jamber…; annuente ipſo Rege, as (d)(d)Act… Pontif. Cant. Col. 1642.Gervaſius records.

In (e)(e)Mat. Weſtminſter Anno …97. Wil. Malmeſburi de Geſtis Pontif. l. 1. c. 4. Spelmanni. Concil. p. 320 to 326. Antiqu. Eccleſ. Brit. p. 27. to 30.a Council held at Cloveſho, Anno 813. Upon complaint of the Arch-Biſhop of Canterbury, the Arch-Biſhoprick of Litchfield was diſſolved, and the Biſhopricks annexed to it by King Offa taken from the See of Canterbury, reſtored and reunited thereunto, by the conſent of King Kenulfus, his Biſhops, Dukes, and Nobles, (who writ a Letter to Pope Leo for that purpoſe) unanimo conſilio totius ſanctae Synodi. And in this Council alſo, other lands were reſtored to the Biſhop of Worceſter, and other controverſies between Biſhops concerning their Lands and Limits decided.

(f)(f)Evidentiae Eccleſ. Chriſti Cantuar. Col. 1213, 2214. Spelmanni Conc. p. 332, 333, 334.In another Council at Cloveſho, Anno 821. Wherein King Kenulfus, Wulfred, Arch-Biſhop of Canterbury, with the reſt of the Biſhops, Abbots, LORDS, and GREAT MEN, as well Eccleſiaſtical as ſecular were preſent; inquiry was made, whether any were unjuſtly ſpoiled and deprived of their rights? Whereupon it was ſhewed, that Arch-Biſhop Wulfred was unjuſtly deprived of his juſt Lordſhip and Juriſdiction near ſix years ſpace, and forced under pain of confiſcation of his goods and baniſhment, to convey three hundred Hydes of Land to him, upon condition that he ſhould bee reſtored to his full Archiepiſcopal authority; which condition was not performed. After the Kings death, p. 405Abbeſſe Kenedrytha, his daughter and heir, was ſummoned to this Council, where the Arch-Biſhop complained of the injuries done to himſelf, and Chriſt-Church in Canterbury by her Father, requiring reparations for them from the Abbeſſe, if it were juſt. Whereupon ALL THE COUNCIL held it juſt, and DECREED BY AN UNANIMOUS DECREE, that all the Lands and things taken away from the Arch-Biſhop by her Father, ſhould bee reſtored, together with the profits thereof loſt for ſo long a ſpace, as alſo all the Books and Writings, by the Abbeſſe being heir to the King, which was accordingly performed by her.

(g)(g)Ingulphi Hiſtoria p. 858, 859, to 863. Spelman. Concil. p. 344, &c.King Bertulfus, Anno 850. Holding a Great Council, with the Prelates and Nobles of the whole Realme of Mercia, upon the complaint of Siward, and the Monks of Croyland, of certain injuries maliciouſly done unto them by their adverſaries, in violating the Bounds and Priviledges of their Sanctuary, to the great prejudice of their Abby: Thereupon the King, Prelates and Nobles in this Council for redreſs of this injury, preſcribed a Perambulation of their Bounds to be made by the Sheriffe of the County, and to certifie the ſame unto them when made; which was accordingly made, certified to, and confirmed by THE KING, PRELATES and NOBLES in the Council, held by them at Kingsbury, in the year, 851. (as you may read at large in Ingulphus) upon the petition of Abbot Siward.

After the death of (h)(h)Ingulphi Hiſt. p. 889. Malmesb. de Geſtis regum l. 2. c. 4.9. Mat. Weſtm. Wigornienſis Hunrondin, Houeden, Fox. Acts & Monuments, Vol. 1. p. 203, 204, 205. The third part of my ſeaſonable and legal Vindication, p. 131, to 138.King Edgar, Anno 975. there being a great difference between the Nobles of the Realme about electing a new King; ſome of them ſiding with Ethelred, others with Edward, his two Sons, all the Biſhops, Abbots, and NOBLES aſſembled in a great Parliamentary Council to debate and determine their rights and titles to the Crown. Wherein they elected and crowned Edward the elder Brother King. In this Council, and two or three more ſucceeding it at Wincheſter and Calne; the married Prieſts complained TO p. 406THE LORDS, that they were unjuſtly expelled out of their Churches by the Monks, and their prevailing party during King Edgars Reign, to their diſhonour, and the great injury of the Nation, deſiring that the Monks might bee ejected, and they reſtored to their Churches they anciently injoyed: about which there were great conteſts and diſputes in ſundry Councils, the King and LORDS inclining to reſtore them, againſt Arch-Biſhop Dunſtans, and other Monkiſh Prelates wills.

About the year 982. There was a (i)(i)Seldens Titles of Honour, part. 2. c. 5. p. 693.Witenagem…t, or Parliamentary Council held at London, to which the DUKES, PRINCES and NOBLES reſorting from all parts; Adelwold Biſhop of Wincheſter complained, that one Leofſi, who had purchaſed Lands of him in the Iſle of Ely, not only refuſed to pay for them, but alſo diſſeiſed him of three other Mannors. The cauſe being opened and pleaded by the Biſhop, and the Lawyers flocking thither from all parts: They ALL ADJUDGED, that the Lands and Mannors ſhould bee reſtored to the Biſhop, together with all his dammages, and that Leofſi for this his rapine ſhould alſo pay a fine and ranſome to the King.

(k)(k)Co…roni Peſthuma. p. 346.Queen Edgen in a civil cauſe and ſuit in the County Court between her and Goda, appealed from that Court to King Ethelred, and a Parliamentary Council at London, Congregatis Principibus & ſapientibus Angliae. In the time of St. Edward, a ſuit between the Biſhops of Wincheſter and Durham, coram Principibus et Epiſcopis Regni in praeſentia Regis, ventilata & finita eſt. In the tenth year of King William the Conquerour, Epiſcopi, Comites et Barones Regni regia poteſtate ediverſis Provincis ad univerſalem Synodum pro cauſis audiendis et tractandis convocati ſunt, (l)(l)Florentius Wigornienſis, p. 3…2. Houeden, p 433. Mat. Weſt.as the Leger Book of Weſtminſter records. Hence I ſuppoſe it was, that what we now call a Parliament, was ſometimes ſtiled by our ancient Hiſtorians in former ages MAGNUM PLACITUM becauſe of the great Pleas and ſuits therein decided, and judged BY THE KING and LORDS.

p. 407(m)(m)Florentius Wigornienſis, Anno 1070. p. 434, 435, 436, 437. Radulfus de Diceto. Abbrevi. Chron. col. 482, 483. Sim. Du…elmenſis, de geſtis Reg. Ang. col. 202, 203. Mat. Paris Anno 1078. p. 80 Gudwin in the life of Ulſtan.King William the firſt, Anno 1071. held a great Council of his PRELATES and NOBLES at Wincheſter. In hoc Concili… dum caeteri trepidi, ut pote Regis aegn…ſcentes animum, ne ſuis honoribus privarentur venerandus Vir Wulſtanus, Wigornienſis Epiſcopus, quamplures poſſeſſiones ſui Epiſcopatus ab Aldredo Archiepiſcopo du… à Wigornienſi Eccleſia ad Eboracenſem tranſferretur ſua potentia retentas qui eo tunc defuncto in Regiam poteſtatem devenerant, conſtanter proclamabat, JUSTITIAMQUE INDE FIERI, tam AB IPSIS QUI CONCILIO PRAEERANT, quam a Rege FLAGITABAT. At quia Eboracenſis Eccleſia non habens Paſtorem qui pro ea loqueretur, muta erat, JUDICATUM EST, ut ipſa querela ſic remaneret quouſque Archiepiſcopo ibi conſtituto qui Eccleſiam defenderet) dum eſſet qui ejus querelae reſponderet, & objectes & reſponſis poſſet ebiden…us et Iuſtius Iudicium fieri, ſicque tunc a querela ad tempus remanſit. But Thomas being ſoon after conſecrated Arch-Biſhop of York, thereupon reverendi Wulſtani Wigornienſis Epiſcopi mota eſt iterum querela, Archiepiſcopo jam conſecrato Thoma, qui pro Eboracenſi loqueretur Eccleſia; & in Concilio in loco qui vocatur Pedreda, celebrato coram Rege ac Doroberniae A…chiepiſcopo Lanfranco, & Epiſcopis, Abbatibus, Comitibus & Primatibus totius Regni, Dei gratia adminieulante Termina…um. Cunctis ſiquidem machinationibus, non veritate ſtipatis, qu…bus Thomas, ejuſ que fautores Wigornienſem Eccleſiam deprimere, & Eboracenſi Eccleſiae ſubj…cere aniliamque facere modis omnibus ſatagebant, juſto Dei judicio in ſcriptis evidentiſſim is detritis & penitus annihillatis, non ſolum vir Dei Wulſtanus proclamatas & expetitas poſſeſſiones accepit, ſed & ſuam Eccleſiam (Deo clamante & Rege concedente) ea libertate liberam ſuſcepit qua primi fundatores ejus, ſanctus Rex Ethelredus, Offa, &c. ipſam liberaverunt. By which Hiſtory it is apparent, that the King and Lords in that age had the ſole judicature in civil cauſes in the Parliaments then held, and decided civil Titles and controverſies p. 408therein between Biſhops and ſpiritual, as well as temporal perſons.

In the year-Book of 21 Ed. 3. fol. 60. There is a recital, that upon the complaint of the Abbot of St. Edmonds de Bery againſt the Biſhop of Norwich for infringing the liberties of the Abby, in the Reign of William the Conquerour, in a Parliament held under him; (moſt likely in this Council of Pedreda) it was ordained per le R…y, et per Larchebeſque de Canterbury, et per touts les Auters Ebeſques de la terre, Countes et Barons (without mentioning any Commons) that at what time ſoever hereafter the Biſhop or any of his ſucceſſors ſhould go againſt the points of the foundation or exemption of the ſaid Abby, that he who ſhould bee Biſhop for the time, ſhould pay to the King or his heirs thirty talents of gold. The Biſhop of Norwich in 21. E. 3. contrary to the Kings prohibition, not to enter the franchiſes, nor intrench upon the Priviledges of the ſaid Abby againſt this ancient ordinance, viſited in the foreſaid Abby, and ſummoned them to ſhew the Charters of their foundation, wrongfully, and in deſpite of our Lord the King. Whereupon the King ſued forth a writ of contempt againſt the Biſhop; to which the Biſhop appearing by his Attorney, pleaded not guilty; whereupon hee was found guilty by inqueſt: upon which it was awarded, that his temporalties ſhould bee ſeiſed into the hands of the King, by force whereof his temporalties were ſeiſed, and a Scire facias iſſued againſt the Biſhop to appear before the Chancellour, to ſhew cauſe why hee ſhould not likewiſe pay the thirty talents to the King▪ according to this ordinance. To which the Biſhop pleaded, that the Biſhop at the time of this ordinance made, might charge himſelf with theſe Talents, but not his ſucceſſours in perpetuity, neither doth it appear that the Biſhop himſelf was preſent in Parliament, when this Ordinance was made, and the other Biſhops had no power to charge him or his ſucceſſours without his p. 449conſent. But becauſe it was done by ordinance made in Parliament, and there of record, it was adjudged it ſhould binde him and his ſucceſſours, and that hee ſhould pay the thirty talents of gold to the King, and that the King himſelf ſhall ſet the price of them, bee it more or leſs.

(n)(n)Eadme…us Hiſt. Nou. l. 1. p. 9. Seldens Titles of Honour, p. 702. Antiquitates Eccleſiae, Brit. p. 97. Wil. Malmesbury de Geſtis Pont. Angl. l. 1. p. 214.Odo Biſhop of Bayon, Earl of Kent, brother to William the Conqueror, by his great power and favour about the year 1071. Non modo terras, ſed & libertates Eccleſiae Cantuarienſis, nullo ei reſiſtente multipliciter invaſerat, oppreſſerat, tenebat, before Lanfranc his inveſtiture in this See. Lanfranc being made Arch-Biſhop, and informed of this rapine, complained thereof to the King; whereupon King William, Anno 1074. Praecepit Rex, quatenus adunatis PRIMORIBUS, & probis viris, non ſolum de comitatu Cantiae, ſed & de aliis Comitatibus Angliae, querelae Lanfranci in medium ducerentur, examinarentur, determinarentur. Dispoſito ita que apud Pinnedene Principum Conbentu Galfridus Epiſcopus Conſtantienſis, (Vir ea tempeſtate praedives in Anglia) Vice Regis Lanfranco juſtitiam de ſuis querelis ſtrenuiſſimè facere juſſus, fecit: Lanfrancus enim valida ratione ſubnixus Ex Communi omnium Aſtipulatione et Iudicio, ibi cuncta recuperavit, quae oſtenſa ſunt antiquitus ad jura Eccleſiae Chriſti Cantuarienſis pertinuiſſe, tam in terris, quam in diverſis conſuetudinibus; he there recovering no leſs than five and twenty Mannors, beſides ſmaller Farmes and parcels of Lands which Odo and others had ſeiſed upon in ſeveral Counties, and reſtoring them to the Church, in this Aſſembly. (o)(o)Actus Pontif. Cantuar. Col. 1655.Gervaſius Dorobernienſis, writes thus of it. In Congregatione illa Famoſa Nobilium Angliae & Seniorum quae ex praecepto Regis facta eſt apud Pinendene, dirationavit Lanfrancus & recuperavit terras ablatas, libertates & conſuetudines revocavit; Et ſicut Rex tenet liberè conſuetudines ſibi debitas in terris ſuis, ita Archiepiſcopus & Eccleſia Cantuarienſis in omnibus locis tenent homines, ſuas conſuetudines, terras, jura, & libertates, ſecundum cartas Regum. The whole Plea p. 450and Proceedings in this Parliamentary Aſſembly at Pinendene are recorded in the Leiger-Book of the Church of Rocheſter, and publiſhed by Mr. Selden, ad Eadmerum & Notae & Spicilegium, p. 197, 198, 199. It continued three whole daies: The Names of the Biſhops, Nobles, and BARONS preſent at it, are there recorded; and it concludes thus; Hujus placiti multis teſtibus multiſque rationibus determinatum finem poſt quam Rex audivit; landavit, laudans, cum conſenſu omnium Principum ſuorum confirmabit, & ut deinceps incorruptus perſeveraret, firmiter praecepit; ſo that the King and Nobles were the Judges in this great Plea and controverſie, and both adjudged and perpetually ratified what was therein adjudged to the Church of Canterbury, both in Lands, Cuſtomes, Liberties.

(p)(p)Hiſt. Noverimus, l. 1. p 9, 10.Eadmerus writes, that at another time, Odo by the Kings permiſſion, placitum inſtituit contra ſaepefatam Eccleſiam, & tutorem ejus patrem Lanfrancum, & illuc omnes quos peritiores legum, & uſuum Anglici regni gnarus adduxit; Cum igitur ad ventilationem cauſarum ventum eſſet, omnes qui tuendis Eccleſiae cauſis qua que convenerant in primo congreſſu ita convicti ſunt, ut in quo eas tuerentur ſimul amitterent: Lanfranc being then abſent, and not uſing to bee preſent at ſuch Pleas, niſi neceſſitas ſumma urgeret, being at his ſtudy, and informed of this evil ſucceſſe, was nothing dejected at it, ſed dicta adverſariorum non rectè proceſsiſſe aſſeruit, & ideo cuncta in chraſtinum induciari praecepit. Placitum mane ipſemet hilaris intrat, ſuas itaque cauſas quodam exordio quaſi à rebus quae tractatae fuerant vel tractandae penitus alieno▪ cunctis ſtupentibus orſus, ita proceſsit, ut quae ſuper eum pridie dicta fuerunt ſic devinceret & inania eſſe monſtraret, ut donec Vitae preſenti ſuperfuit, nullus exurgeret qui inde contra eum os aperiret,

In the year (q)(q)Wil. Malmesburienſis de Geſtis Pontif. l. 1. in La franco Antiqu. Eccl. Brit. p. 9…, 95.1072. There falling out a difference at Rome between the two Arch-Biſhops, Lanfranc of Canterbury, and Thomas of York, about the ſubjection which Lanfranc demanded of this Thomas and his p. 541Church of York to the See of Canterbury, and Pope Alexander the xj. quia conſuetudinibus, & privilegiis ac privatis Epiſcopatus inſtitutis certius, quam jure ſcripto definiri poſſe videbatur; decretum eſt à Papa, ut a Rege et Regni Proceribus Dijudicaretur. Whereupon the King, Biſhops, Abbots and Nobles aſſembling together in Windſor Caſtle, determined this controverſy between them, againſt the Arch-Biſhop of York, and made a final DECREE therein, at the Feaſt of Pentecoſt, ratified with the ſubſcriptions of the King, Queen, both the Arch-Biſhops, all the Biſhops, and ſundry Abbots; recorded at large in William of Malmesbury; & Antiquitates Eccleſiae Brittannicae, where they who pleaſe may peruſe it.

This (r)(r)Eadmerus Hiſt. Nov. l. 3. p. 117. Sim Dunelm. de Geſt. Reg. Angl. Col. 237.controverſy about Primacy, ſubjection and canonical obedience, being afterwards renewed, and eagerly proſecuted between Anſelme, Arch-Biſhop of Canterbury, and Thurſtan of York, was again diſcuſſed and determined in a Parliamentary Council at Salisbury by King Henry the firſt, the Biſhops, Abbots and Nobles of the whole Realme. As I have formely evidenced, p. 165, 166, 167. (ſ)(ſ)Eadmerus Hiſt. Nov. l. 4. p. 91, 92.After this there ariſing the like difference and conteſt between Arch-Biſhop Anſelme and Gerard of York about his oath of ſubjection and obedience to the Arch-Biſhop and Church of Canterbury, Anno 1107. it was again reſolved in another Parliamentary Aſſembly held that year by King Henry the firſt, the Biſhops, Abbots, Great men and Nobles of the Realme, as you read before, p. 173. Anno 1109. there ſprung up another …ot conteſt between Arch-Biſhop Anſelme, and Thomas Elect of York, about the oath of ſubjection and canonical obedience which was again debated: and (t)(t)Eadmerus l. 4. p. 101, 102, 103.after Anſelmes death again debated and finally ſetled in another Parliamentary Council, by the King, Biſhops, Nobles and Barons of the Realme, of which at large before, p. 174, 175, 176, 177. The (u)(u)Eadmerus l. 6. p. 136.ſame Debate coming again between Ralph, Arch-Biſhop of Canterbury p. 452and Thurſtan of York, after his returne from Exile Anno 1121. was again concluded, omnium Concilio Epiſcoporum, Principum & Procerum Regni, p. 180.

After many years inteſtine bloody wars between the perjured Uſurper King Stephen, Mawde, and Duke Henry her Son, for the Crown of England, (x)(x)Mat. Paris Hiſt. Angl. p. 82. Gul. Neubrigenſis, l. 1. c. 30. Houeden. Annal. part. 1. p. 490. Mat. Weſtm. p. 42. Chron. Gervaſis, Col. 1373, 1374. Sim Dunelmenſis, Hiſt. Col. 282. Chron. Iohannis Bromton, Col. 1238, 1039. See Polychronicon, Fabian, Caxton Holinſhed, Grafton, Speed. Baker in the life of King Stephen.Anno 1153. apud Walingford in conventu Epiſcoporum et aliorum Regni Optimatum, there was a final accord made between Stephen and Henry, touching the inheritance and deſcent of the Crown, that Stephen ſhould adopt and conſtitute Henry for his ſon, heir, and ſucceſſor to the Crown of England immediately after his death, which Stephen ſhould enjoy during his life, yet ſo, as that Henry ſhould bee chief Juſtice and Ruler of the Kingdome under him. This accord made between them by the Prelates, Earles, and Barons of the Realme, was ratified by King Stephens Charter, and ſubſcribed by all the Biſhops, Earles and Barons in their Parliamentary Council at Walingford.

(y)(y)Roger de Houeden Annal. pars poſterior p. 546, 547.The difference and ſuit between King Henry the 2d. and Roderic King of Conact in Ireland, touching his Kingſhip, Royalties, Dominions, Services, Homage, Loyalty, and Tribute to King Henry, were heard, decided and a final agreement made between them in a great Parliamentary COUNCIL held at Windeſhores, Anno 1175. wherein King Henry the 2d. and his Son, with the Arch-biſhops, Biſhops, Earles and Barons of England (without any Commons) were preſent, who made and ſubſcribed this agreement, recorded at large in Houeden where you may peruſe it.

(z)(z)Houeden Annal. part. poſter. p. …60King Henry the 2d. Anno 1177. Celebrato generali CONCILIO apud Northampton after the feaſt of St. Hilary (by the advice of his Nobles) reſtored to Robert Earl of Leiceſter, all his Lands on this ſide and beyond the Sea, as hee had them fifteen daies before the Warre, except the Caſtles of Mounſorel and Paſci. Hee likewiſe therein reſtored to Hugh Earle of Cheſter all the lands which hee had fifteen daies before the p. 453warre, and gave to William de Abbine Son of William Earle of Arundel in the County of Southſex. And in the ſame Council Deane Guido reſigned into the hand of Richard Arch-Biſhop of Canterbury, the deanery of Walteham, and all his right which hee had in the Church of Walteham, quietum clamavit ſimpliciter & abſolute; ſimiliter fecerunt canonici ſeculares de Walteham, de praebendis ſuis, reſignantes eas in manis Archiepiſcopi, ſed Dominus Rex dedit eis inde plenariam recompenſationem, ad Domini Cantuarienſis Archiepiſcopi aeſtimationem. Deinde Dominus Rex authoritate Papae Domini, instituit in eadem Eccleſia de Walteham, canonicos regulares de diverſis domibus Angliae ſumptos, & conſtituit Walterum de Garent, canonicum ſumptum de Eccleſia de Oſencie, Abbatem primum ſuper congregationem illam, & magnis redditibus, & domibus pulcherrimis dotavit illos. And then hee expelled the Nunnes out of the Monaſtery of Ambresbury, for their incontinency, and diſtributed them into other Nunneries, there to bee kept more ſtrictly under reſtraint, and gave the Abby of Ambresbury to the Abbeſſe and houſe of Frum Everoit, to hold it for ever.

**Roger de Houeden Annal. pars p…ſt…r. p. 522, to 566. Mat. Paris. p. 12…. Mr. Seldens Titles of Honour, p. 706.Sanctius King of Navar, and Alfonſo King of Caſtile, in the year 1177. ſubmitted the differences between them concerning certain Lands, Territories, Towns and Caſtles, to the determination of King Henry the 2d. who thereupon ſummoned a Parliamentary Council of his Biſhops, Earles, Nobles and Barons, to hear and decide it by their advice: Wherein the caſe being propounded, debated and opened before them by the Ambaſſadours and Advocates of both Kings; appeared to be this. That King Sanctius during the minority of King Alphonſus, an Orphant, his Nephew, Pupil, and innocent from any crime, unjuſtly and forcedly took from him without any demand, hearing or Title, divers Territories, Towns and Lands there ſpecified, which his Anceſtors had enjoyed, and of right deſcended to him, which hee forcibly detained; p. 454Whereof hee demanded reſtitution and dammages. On the other ſide, Sanctius complained, that Alphonſus the Emperour, Father of this Alphonſus, had by force of armes, unjuſtly diſpoſſeſſed his Grandfather of the Kingdome of Navarre, after whoſe death Garſias his Nephew, and next heir by the help of his friends and ſubjects recovered the greateſt part thereof from the Emperour, but not all. Who dying, leaving his Son Alphonſo an infant, with whom Sanctius made a league for ten years; Alphonſo during the League took by force of armes, divers Caſtles, Towns and Lands from Sanctius, being his inheritance; who thereupon demanded reſtitution both of the Caſtles, Towns, Lands, and Territories taken from his Grandfather by Alphonſus his Father, and from himſelf by Alphonſus, together with the maine profit of the latter, quia ſine ordine judiciario ejectus eſt; King Henry having fully heard their caſes; by the Advice and Aſſent of his Biſhops, Earles and Barons, adjudged, that both theſe Kings ſhould make mutual reſtitution, of what had been forcibly taken from either party, together with the mean profits and dammages for part of them, by an award and judgement under his Great Seal, ſubſcribed by all his Biſhops, Earles and Barons, which recites: ſuper quaerelis vero praetaxatis de caſtellis & terris, cum omnibus terris & pertinentis ſuis hinc inde violenter et injuſte ablatis; cum nichil contra Violentiam utrinque objectam à parte alterutra alteri reſponderetur, nec quicquam quo minus reſtitutiones quas petebant faciendas eſſent, alligaretur Plenariam utrinque parti ſupradictorum quae in jure petita erant fieri reſtitutionem adjudicabimus. A clear Parliamentary reſolution and judgement in point, That Territories, Lands, Towns, Caſtles injuriouſly taken by one King from another by force of armes and warre, without juſt Title to them, ought in Law and Juſtice to bee reſtored to the right heirs and owners of them, and that Conqueſt, and the longeſt Sword, are no good Titles in Law or conſcience p. 455againſt the right heir or inheriter ; which I deſire thoſe Sword-men and Lawyers, who now pretend us a conquered Nation, determine Conquest, or the longeſt Sword, a juſt Title to the Crowns, Lands, Revenues, Offices, Inheritances, Houſes, Eſtates of other men now ſadly to conſider, together with the ſacred Texts, Hab. 7. Micha 2.1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Job 20.10, 18, 19, 20. Obad. 10. to 17. Ezek. ch. 19. & 35. Iſa. 33.1. 1 King. 21.1. to 25. Matth. 21.33, to 41. Luk. 20.14, to 17. ch. 19.8. Judg. 17.2, 3, 4. Exod. 22.1, to 16. Levit. 6.4, 5. ch. 24.17, to 22. ch. 25.27, 28. Judg. 11.12, 13. 1 Sam. 12.3, 4. 2 Sam. 9.7. ch. 12.5, 6. ch. 19.9, to 43. 1 Sam. 7.13, 14. 2 King. 14.22. Ezra 1.7, 8, 9, 10, 11. ch. 6.5. which warrant the judgement and reſtitution they then awarded, together with this memorable Act of reſumption of the Crown, Lands, Rents and Revenewes alienated and given away by King Stephen to many Lords and Soldiers, to maintain his uſurped Title, to be juſt.

(a)(a)Chronicon Johannis Bromton, Col. 1046. Gul. Neubrigenſis, Hiſt. Angl. l. 2. c. 2. See D…niel and Holinſhed.King Henry the 2d. Anno 1155. Praecepit eacum omni integritate infra tempus certum a quibuſcunque dete…toribus reſignari, & in jus ſtatumque priſtinum revocari. Quidam vero indies car…as quas a Rege Stephano, vel extorſerant, vel obſequiis emerant, qu…bus tuti forent, protulerunt; pleading them in barre againſt the Kings reſumption. Qu…bus fuit a Rege reſponſum (and let thoſe who have purchaſed or gotten any of the Crown Lands, Rents, Revenewes, by gift, or otherwiſe, now remember it) Quod car…ae Inbaſoris praejudicium legitimo Principi minime facere deberent. Primo ergo indignati, deinde territi & conſternati, aegre quidem, ſed integre Uſurpata, vel diu tanquam ſolido …ure detenta, omnia reſignarunt; their Charters being all adjudged voyd eiſdemque inſtrumentis minime tuti eſſe potuerunt, as Nubrigenſis and Brompton inform us.

The great and long ſuit between William de Stutevill and William de Moubray, which had continued many years in the Kings Courts▪ concerning the Barony of p. 456Moubray, was ended in a Parliamentary Council, by a final award there made between them; that William de Stutevil ſhould releaſe all his right and claim to the Barrony to William de Moubray, hee giving him nine Knights fees, and twelve pounds Annual Rent for this releaſe, cum que ſuper hoc diu certatum eſſet, tandem (Anno 1200. the 2d. of King Johns Reign) concilio Regni et voluntate Regis, pax & finalis concordia facta eſt inter praedictos; (b)(b)Annalium pars poſterior p. 803 Seldens Titles of Honour, p. 707.as Roger de Houeden relates, who records the agreement at large.

King (c)(c)Mat. Paris. p. 417, 433.Henry the 3d. Anno 1236. in a Parliamentary Council held at York, Conſilio ſultus Magnatum Regni, ended the controverſie between himſelf and Alexander King of Scots, touching the Lands King John had granted him by his Charter in Northumberland, ratified by the ſubſcriptions and aſſents of his Nobles, Earles, and Barons, Anno 1237. Rex ſcripſit omnibus Magnatibus ſuis, to appear before him and the Popes Legat at York de arduis negociis regnum contingentibus tractaturis, where the difference between King Henry the 3d. and the King of Scots, (ſummoned to be preſent at this Parliament) touching his Lands in England, were finally determined, and a firme peace made between them; the King of Scots being to receive three hundred pound lands a year in England, ſine caſtri conſtructione, homagiumque Regi Angliae faceret, & faedus inter eos amicitiae ſanciretur, & hoc ſe fideliter facturum Regi Angliae, & conſervaturum juraret. After this (d)(d)Mat. Paris. p. 666.667.Anno 1244. King Henry ſummoning all the Biſhops, Abbots, and lay Barons to preſent all their military Services to him, marched with a great army to New-Caſtle againſt the Scots, who had fortified two Caſtles, harboured rebels againſt the King, and made a peace with France againſt their former Covenant and League: VVhere to avoid the effuſion of Christian blood, which will cry to God for vengeance, congregata Vniverſitate Angliae Nobilium apud memoratum caſtrum, tractatum eſt diligenter ſuper tam arduo negotio, Concilio p. 417habito, circa Aſſumptionem beatae Maria, dligentiſſim…, Wherein the NOBLES made an agreement between the Kings of England and Scotland, Alexander King of Scots by his ſpecial Charter (recorded in Matthew Paris) promiſing and ſwearing for him and his Heirs, to King Henry, and his Heirs, quod in perpetuum bonam fidem eis ſervabimus pariter & amorem, &c. Moſt of the Prelates, Earles and Barons of Scotland, ſealing the charter with their Seals, and ſwearing to obſerve it inviolably, as well as their King.

In the Parliaments of 18, 20, 21, 31, & 33. Ed. 1. There were many Pleas and Actions for Lands, Rents, and civil things as well as criminal, held before the King in Parliament, and adjudged, reſolved in theſe Parliaments by aſſent of the King, and advice of the Lords, the Kings Judges and Council learned in the Laws; there being a large Parchment Volume of them in the Tower of London, where all may peruſe them, ſome of them being alſo entred on the dorſe of the Clauſe Rolls of theſe years. Paſche 21. E. 1. Banco. Regis, Northumberland, Rot. 34. John le Machon a Merchant, lent a great ſumme of mony to Alexander King of Scots, who dying, his Son and Succeſſour refuſed upon petition to pay it: Whereupon hee appealed to the King of England for right, propter ſuum ſupremum Dominium Scotiae: Thereupon the Sheriffs of Northumberland by the Kings command, accompanied with four men of that County, went into Scotland to the Scots King, and there perſonally ſummoned him, to appear in England before the King of England, to anſwerr this Debt: After which all parties making default at the day, the Merchant was amerced. The King of Scots afterward appeared before the King, but at the firſt time refuſed to anſwer; at laſt hee deſired reſpite to bee given him that he might adviſe about it with his Council of Scotland, promiſing to appear at the next Parliament, and then to give his anſwer. And in Placit. coram Rege, Trin. 21. E. 1. Scotia, there is an Appeal to the p. 418King of England between ſubjects of Scotland in a civil cauſe, tanquam ſuperiori regni Scotiae Domino. And Clauſo 29. E. 1. dorſo 10. there is a letter of all the Nobles in Parliament to the Pope, de Jure Regis in regne Scotia forecited, p. 127, 128. and Clauſ. 10. E. 3. dorſo. 9. The King of Scots is ſtiled, Vaſſallus Domini Regis Anglia.

It appears by Clauſ. 5. E. 2. M. 30. that in a Parliament held at Stanford. 3. E. 2. a buſineſs touching Merchandize, and a Robbery on the Sea was heard and decided before the King and Lords in Parliament, between the Earle of Holland (who ſent over a Proctor about it) and others. Clauſ. 8. E. 2. m. 15. The Petition of David Earle of Aſcelos in Scotland; by the Kings command, was read in full Parliament before the Prelates, Earles and Barones, that hee might be reſtored to his inheritance in Scotland, to which it was anſwered by all their Aſſents, that his inheritance was forfeited by his Anceſtors, for offences by them committed, &c. but yet the King would give him ſome other Lands for it. In Clauſ. 12. E. 2. it appears, that the Popes Legate came into the Parliament, and petitioned the King and Lords for a Legacy given by the Biſhop of Durham, Patriark of Jeruſalem, lately dead: for which the King by aſſent of the Lords, gave him remedy by a Writ out of the Chancery. Clauſ. 14. E. 2. m. 12. in the Schedula; there is a Judgement in Parliament by King Lords and Council touching the Abby of Abingdon, and a compoſition formerly made between the Abbot, Prior and monks thereof, reverſed, nulled, becauſe inconvenient, Clauſ. 14. E. 2. m. 17. dorſo, there is a caſe concerning a repriſal brought by appeal out of the Chancery into the Parliament before the King, Lords and Council, and there heard and decided. And Clauſ. 15. E. 2. there are many caſes and Writs touching Repriſes.

In the Parliament of 1. E. 3. there were many Judgements given in ſundry civil caſes upon petitions; To the King and his Council, by the King Lords and Council, p. 419extant in the bundle of Petitions, and Clauſ. Rolls of that year, and thoſe things that were proper for the Courts of Law and Chancery were referred to them to be there ended, Clauſ. 1. E. 3. m. 1. Upon the petition of Alice Gill, and Robert Carder to the King, Council, and Parliament, that they buying Corne in Abevil in France to tranſport to London, it was arreſted by the Baily of St. Valeric to the value of one hundred pounds at the ſuit of Will de Countepy of Crotye in Picardy, and delivered to him againſt their wills, becauſe the Ship of the ſaid Will; was taken upon the Sea by the men of Bayon, which ſhip the petitioners finding in the port of London had arreſted by writ out of the Chancery directed to the Sheriffes of London, until the ſaid hundred pounds was paid them by the Merchant; the King and Council ordered (upon their petition) that the ſhip might not be diſcharged till the 100 l. was ſatisfied; & that a Writ ſhould be directed out of the Chancery to the Sheriffes of London, to do Juſtice upon the contents in the Petition according to the Law of Merchants. The like caſe of Repriſe upon the Petition of Hugh Samſon, is in 1. E. 3. rot. 5. In Clauſ. 1. E. 3. part 1. m. 10. There is a Judgement given by the Lords and Council for the Biſhop of Durham, touching the Liberties and Royalties of his Biſhoprick againſt the Kings revocation; where in ſundry Petitions and anſwers in former Parliament under King Edward the 2d. are rehearſed, wherein hee could have no right. Mem. 12. there is a Judgement given by the Lords and Council in Parliament for the Biſhop of York, his priſage and preemption of wines next after the King in the Port of Hull, and in Clauſ. 1. E. 3. P…. 2. m. 11. Clauſ. 4. E. 3. m. 9. remembred in the year Book of 6. E. 3. f. 50. So Clauſ. 2. E. 3. m. 20. in Schedula, there is Placitum in Parliamento, before the King and his Council of the Dean and Chapter of Litchfield, touching their Title to Camock, Clauſ. 14. E. 3. part 1. m. 41. Upon the Petition of the Biſhop of Carliſle, it was reſolved by the Lords and Council in that, p. 420and ſundry other Parliaments in the Reign of this King and his Father, non eſſe …uri conſonum, that Churches and other things ſpiritual annexed to Archbiſhopricks and Biſhopricks, ſhould belong to the King and Gardians of the temporalties, but to the Gardians of the ſpiritualties, and ſo ordered accordingly; yea ſo was it reſolved upon the Petition of the Biſhop of Wincheſter to the King and his Council in the Parliament of Clauſ. 1. E. 3. rot. 9. dorſo Where coram Rege et Magno Concilio conceſſum eſt et concordatum, quod cuſtod…s temporalium Epiſcopatus, non ſe intromittant amplius temporibus vacationum hujuſmodi fructibus Eccleſiarum, de Eſtanmer, & Hamoldan, annexed to the Biſhoprick of Wincheſter.

(f)(f)An exact Abridgement. p. 30.In the Parliament of 14. E. 3. Sir Geoffry Stantens caſe, upon his Petition to the King and Lords in Parliament, the Juſtices of the Common Pleas came with the record of his caſe, which had long depended before them in the Court of Common Pleas, which being read and debated in the preſence of all the LORDS, Juſtices and others of the Kings Council (their aſſiſtants in this caſe of Law) they reſolved, that the Sonne being a ſtranger might aver, that his Father who levyed the fine, had nothing in the Lands; and that the Wife in this caſe could not vouch her Husband. And thereupon a Writ under the great Seal was ſent to the Judges by the Lords order, to give judgement accordingly. Clauſ. 35. E. 3. m. 40. A villain commits fellony, and is attainted after that the Lord had ſeiſed his goods, whereupon his goods were prized and ſeiſed on for the King, notwithſtanding the Lords ſeiſure; upon a Petition in Parliament, It was reſolved by the Lords and Council, that it was juſt the goods ſhould be reſtored to the Lord, if they were not ſeiſed fraudulently to prevent the Kings ſeiſure of them. And a Writ of Reſtitution was thereupon awarded, per ipſum Regem et per Petitionem in Parliamento.

(h)(h)An exact Abridgement. p. 123, 136, 137. to 213. to Walſingham. Hiſt. Angl. p. 332.In the 6. year of King Richard the 2d. it was agreed between the Duke of Lancaſter, and the Scots in p. 421the Marches, that for the benefit of both parties▪ ut …de cater… ipſi nee Anglici vexaren…ur per tot labores & expenſas, ſed ſingulis annis certi utriuſque gentis deſtinarentur ad Parliamentum Regni utriuſque, qui et injurias acceptas proferrent in medium, & emendas acciparent ſecundum quantitatem damu…rum per Judicium Dominorum, (here the Lords both in the Parliament of England and Scotland are made ſole Judges of injuries and dammages done by Scots or Engliſh upon one another in the Marches:) Quia vero Scoti ad Parliamentum Londoniis (Anno 1383.) ſuperſederunt venire juxta conductum, & inſuper damna interim plura Borealibus praeſumpſerunt inferre, &c. decretum eſt per Parliamentum; ut frangenti fidem, fides frangatur eidem. Et conceſſae ſunt Borealibus commiſſiones congregandi virtutem exercitus, & Scotis reſiſtendi, & damna pro damnis inferendi, quoties contingeret Scotos irrumpere, vel hoſtili m…re partes illas intrare ▪

In the (i)(i)An exact Abridgement. p. 417.Parliament of 4. H. 4. n. 9. Upon the complaint of Sir Thomas Pomeroy and his Lady againſt Sir Philip Courtney and others forcible entry into ſeveral Lands and Mannors in the Country of Devon. The King and Lords adjudged, that the ſaid Sir Thomas ſhould enter into the ſaid Mannors and Lands, if his entry were lawful, or bring his Aſſize, without all delayes, at his election.

In (k)(k)An exact Abridgement. p. 430▪the Parliament of 5. H. 4. n. 41, 42, 43, 44. in a caſe concerning Mannors, and certain Lands in the County of Cornwal, between the Prince, and John Cornwal, and the Counteſſe of Huntington his wife, the King and Lords gave Iudgement, that the Prince ſhould …e reſtored to the ſaid Mannors and Lands being parcels of the Dutchey of Cornwal, and that the Prince after ſeiſin had, ſhould regrant them unto them, which was done accordingly in Parliament. (l)(l)An exact Abridgemen…, p. 440.In 6 H. 4▪ n. 28. Upon the Petition of the Prior of Coventry, the King granteth by Aſſent of the Biſhops and Lords, that no man do break the head of their Conduit, nor caſt any p. 422filth into their water called Sherbou…n, on pain of ten pound, and treble dammages to the Prior.

In (m)(m)An exact Abridgement. p. 560.the Parliament of 9. H. 5. n. 12. Upon long debates of the Lords and Iuſtices, it was reſolved by them, that the Abbot of Ramſy ſhould have no prohibition againſt Walter Cook, parſon of Somerſham, who ſued for Tithes of a Meadow called Crowland Mead, in the hands of the Abbots Tenants.

In the (n)(n)An exact Abridgement. p. 577, 578.great caſe of Precedency, between the Earl Marſhall, and Earle of Warwick, in the Parliament of 3. H. 6. n. 10, 11. &c. The Lords being to bee Iudges of the ſame, ſuſpended both of them from ſitting in the houſe, till their caſe was fully heard; and they all (voluntarily) ſwore on the Goſpel, that they would uprightly judge the caſe, leaving all affection.

In the (o)(o)An exact Abridgement, p. 610.Parliament of 11. H. 6. n. 32, 33, 34, 35. Upon a Petition, the King and Lords in Parliament, adjudged, the Dignity, Seigniory, Earledome of Arundel, and the Caſtle and Lands thereunto belonging to John Earle of Arundel, who proved his Title thereto by a deed of Entayle, againſt the Title of John Duke of Norfolck, who layed claim thereunto. And in the Parliament of 39 H. 6. n. 10. to 33. (p)(p)An exact Abridgement. p. 665, 666, 667The claime of the Duke of York, and his Title to the Crown of England, againſt the Title of King Henry the 6th. was exhibited to the Lords in full Parliament; the Lords upon conſultation willed it to be read amongſt them, but not to bee anſwered without the King. The Lords upon long conſultation declared this Title to the King, who willed them to call his Juſtices, Sergeants and Attorney to anſwer the ſame. Who being called accordingly, utterly refuſed to anſwer the ſame: Order thereupon was taken, That every Lord might therein freely utter his conceit without any impeachment to him. In the end there were five objections made againſt the Dukes Title, who put in an anſwer to every of them; which done, the Lords upon debate, made this order and agreement between the King and Duke. That the King ſhould injoy p. 423the Crown of England during his life; and the Duke and his heirs to ſucceed after him. That the Duke and his two ſons ſhould bee ſworne, by no means to ſhorten the dayes, or impaire the preheminence of the King during his life; That the ſaid Duke from thenceforth ſhall be reputed and ſtiled to bee, the very Heir apparent to the Crown, and ſhall injoy the ſame after the death or reſignation of the ſaid King. That the ſaid Duke ſhall have hereditaments allotted to him and his ſons of the annual value of ten thouſand marks. That the compaſſing of the death of the ſaid Duke ſhall bee Treaſon. That all the Biſhops and Lords in full Parliament ſhall ſwear to the Duke, and to his heirs in forme aforeſaid. That the ſaid Duke and his two ſons ſhall ſwear to defend the Lords for this agreement. The King by Aſſent of the Lords (without the Commons)) agreeth to all the Ordinances and accords aforeſaid; and by the Aſſent of the Lords, utterly repealeth the ſtatute of intayle of the Crown made in 1. H. 4. ſo alwaies as hereafter there be no better Title proved, for the defeating of their Title and this agreement by the King. After all which the ſaid Duke, and the two Earles his ſonnes came into the Parliament Chamber before the King and LORDS, and ſware to performe the award aforeſaid, with proteſtation, if the King for his part duly obſerved the ſame, the which the King promiſed to do. All which was inrolled in the Parliament Rolls. Lo here the Lords alone without the Commons, judge and make an award between King Henry the 6th. and the Duke of York, in the higheſt point of right and title that could come in queſtion before them; even the right and title to the Crown of England, then controverted and decided, the King and Duke, both ſubmitting and aſſenting to their award, and promiſing, ſwearing mutually to perform it; which award when made▪ was confirmed by an Act paſſed that Parliament, to which the Commons aſſented, as they did to other Acts and Bills.

And here I cannot but take ſpecial notice of Gods p. 424admirable Providence and retaliating Juſtice, in the tranſlation of the Crown of England from one head, family of the royal blood, to another, by blood, force, war, treaſon, and countenance of the Authority of the temporal and ſpiritual LORDS and COMMONS in Parliament, in the two moſt ſignal preſidents of King Edward, and King Richard the 2d. which (a)(a)Cottoni Poſthuma. p. 350.ſome inſiſt on, to prove the Commons Copartnerſhip with the Lords in the power of Judicature in our Parliaments, the Hiſtories of whoſe Reſignations of their Regal Authority and ſubſequent depoſitions by Parliament, I ſhall truly relate.

(b)(b)Walſingham. Hiſt. Angl. p. 104, to 119. Fabian, Holinſhed. Grafton, Speed. Baker in Ed. 2.Anno 1326. the 19. of Ed. 2d. Queen Iſabel returning with her Son Prince Edward, and ſome armed forces from beyond the Seas into England, moſt of the Earles and Barons (out of hatred to the Spencers and King… repaired to them, and made up a very great army: The King thereupon proclaimed, that every man ſhould reſiſt, oppoſe, kill them (except the Queen, Prince and Earle of Kent, which they ſhould take priſoners if they could) and neither hold any correſpondency with them, nor adminiſter victuals, nor any other aſſiſtance to them, under pain of forfeiting their bodies & eſtates. But they prevailing, and the King being deſerted by moſt, hee fled into Wales for ſhelter: Whereupon Proclamation was made in the Queens army every day, that the King ſhould return and receive his Kingdome again, if hee would conforme himſelf to his Leiges. Quo non comparente Magnaſ…es Regni, Here…ordiae Concilium inje…unt, in quo filius Regis Edwardus, factus eſt Cuſ…os Angliae communi Decreto: cui cuncti tanquam Regni cuſtodi fidelitatem fecerunt per fidei ſacramentum. Deinde Epiſcopum Norwicenſem fecerunt Cancellarium, Epiſcopum vero Wintonienſem regni Theſaururium ſtatuerunt. Soon after the King himſelf, with moſt of his evil Counſellors were taken priſoners, being betrayed by the Welch in whom they moſt confided. Hagh Spencer, Simon Reding, Baldoik, and others of the Kings party being executed at Hereford, Anno 1327. the King came to London about the feaſt of Epiphany, where they were received with great joy and preſents. Then they held a Parliament wherein they all agreed, the King was unworthy of the Crown, and fit to be depoſed, for which end there were certain Articles drawn up againſt him; which Adam de Orleton Biſhop of Wincheſter thus relates, in his Apology (i) Ea autem quae de Conſilio et aſſenſu omnium Praelatorum, Comitum et Baronum, et totius Communitatis dicti Regni concordata & ordinata fuerunt contra dictum regem ad amotionem ſuam a regimine regni, contenta ſunt in inſtrumentis publicis Reverendo patre domino J. Dei gratia nunc Cantuarienſi electo, tunc Wintonienſi Epiſcopo et Angliae Theſaurario, c…nceptis et dictatis, & manu magistri Willielmi de Mees Clerici ſui Secretarii & publici Notari conſcriptis et in publ…cam formam redactis. Quam quidem concordiam ad mei excuſationem duxi praeſent bus inferendam, quae talis eſt.

Accorde est, qe ſire Edward fiz aiſne du roy, ait le government del Roialme, et ſoit rois Coronne par les Cauſes qe ſenſiwent:

1. Primerment, Pur ceo qe la perſone ly Roy neſt pas ſuffiſaunt de governer. Car en touz ſon temps ad il eſte mene et governe par autres qe ly ount mavoiſement conſaillez, a deſhoneur de ly, et deſtruction de ſ…int Egliſe, et de tout ſon people, ſaunz ceo qe il le vouſiſt veer ou conuſtre le quel il ſuſt bon ou mavoys, ou remedie mettre, ou faire le vouſist quant il fuiſt r…quis par les graunts et ſages de ſ…n Roialme, ou ſuffrir qe amende fuiſt faite.

2. Item Par tout ſon temp, … ſe voloit doner a bon conſail no le croire, ne a bon governeme…t de ſon Roialm, meys ſe ad done toux jours as ouraignes et occupationes nient covenables, entre leſſaunt leſploit des boſoignes de ſon Roialme,

Item, Par defaute de bon governement ad il perdu le▪ Roialme Deſcoce et autres terres et ſeignuries en Gaſcoygne & Hytland, les quex ſon pere li leſſa en pees & amiſte ly Roy de Fraunce, et detz moults des autres graunts.

4. Item, Par ſa fierte & qualte & par mavoys conſail ad il deſtruit ſeint Egliſe, & les perſones de ſeint Egliſe tenuz en priſoun les uns, Et les alires en deſtreſce, et auxint …luſours graunts et nobles de la terre mys a hountoſe m…nt, enpriſ…nez, exul…tz & diſheritez.

5. Item, La ou il eſt tenuz par ſon ſerement a faire droit a toux, il ne bad pas volu faire, pur ſon propre prof…it et convetiſe de ly & de ces mavois con…ſaili es …e ount eſte pre… de ly, Ne ad garde les autres pointz del ſerement qil fist a ſon corounement, ſi com i… feuſt tenuz.

6. Item, Il deguerpiſt ſon Royalme, et fiſt taunt come en ly fust qe ſon Roialme & ſon po…ple fuſt perduz, & qe pys eſt, pur la crualte de ly & defaute de ſa perſonne il eſt trove incorrigible ſauntz esperaunce de amendement: les quex choſes fount ſi notoires qil ne poount eſtre deſdi…z ▪

The form and inſtrument of his depoſition is thus recorded by (d)(d)Polychron, l. 7. c. 43Ranulp▪ Ciſtrenſis, and (e)(e)De Event. Angl. l. 3. c. 15. col. 2549, 2550.Henry de Knyghton: Alſo that year in the Octaves of Twelfth day was made a Parliament at London: There BY ORDINANCE with a ſolemn meſſage is ſent to the King that was in priſon, 3 Biſhops, 3 Earls, 3 Barons, 2 Abbots, 2 Juſtices, for to reſign to the King that was then in warde, the homage that was make to him ſome time, for they would no longer have him for their Lord; One of them Sir William Truſſel Knight,**Walſingham H…ſt. Angl. p. 328. to 402. Hall, Fabian, Holinſhed, Grafton, Stow, Speed, Baker, Truſſel, Henry de Knyghton, and others. and PKOCURATOR OF ALL THE PARLIAMENT, ſpake to the king in the name of all the other, and ſaid: I William Truſſel in the name of all men of the lond of Englond, and of all the Parleament Procurator, I reſign to thee Edward the homage that was made to thee ſometime. And from this time forthward now following I defie thee, and pryve thee of all ryal power, and I ſhall never be tendant to thee as for King after this time. Alſo this was openly cryed at London. The true form of his deprivation is thus recorded in the Chronicle of Leyceſter, and tranſcribed out of it by Henry de Kryghton in French: Jeo William Truſſel Procurator dez Prelatez, Conrez, et Barons, et altrez Gentz en ma procuracye nomes, Eyantal ceo ployne & ſuffyſant poure, e… Homages, et Fealtez au vous Edward Roy Dengleterre come al Roy avant ces …enres de par lez ditz perſones en ma procuracye nomes renk et rebaylle ſus a vous Ed. et deliver et face qui…ez lez perſones avant ditz, en la me…l…our manere que ley et cuſtome donnent, E face proteſtacion en nom de eaux; qils ne voillent deformes eſtre en voſtre ſ…al…e, ne en voſtre lyance, ne cleyment de vous come …e Roy …iens teni…. Encz vous teignent de …horſe priveye perſone ſans nule manere de …eale dignite. Cum haec Rex audiſſet, multum de fuis malefactis doluit, rugitus et lamenta emittens, eo quod per falſos et proditioſos conſiliarios ſic omni ſuo tempore ductus fuerat.

(f)(f)Hiſt. Angl. p. 107.Thomas of Walſingham thus relates the proceeding. Convenit etiam illuc tota regni Nobilitas citata per prius ad Parliamentum tenendum ibidem traſtino dicti …eſti, ubi cuncti centuerunt regem indignum diademate, et propte… plures articulos deponendum, er Edwardum filium ejus primogenitum in regem unanimiter eligendum. Quod etiam conſequenter factum fuit, et electio in aul… magna Weſtmonaſterii publice divulgare, per quendam ex Magnatibus ſapientem. Cui electioni conſenſit populus univerſus. Archiepiſcopus vero Cantuari…e praeſenti conſenſit electioni, ut omnes Praelati: & Archiepiſcopus quidem aſſumpto themate, vox populi, vox Dei; ſermonem feci populo, exhortans omnes ut apud regem regum intercederent pro electo. Facto ſermone diſceſſum eſ… ▪ Ut autem notuit Reginae filli…ni electio, et viri dejectio, plena dolore (ut foris apparuit) ſere mente alienata fuit. Edwardus quoque filius ſuus mate… no do…ori compaſſus, juravit, quod invito patre nunquem ſuſciperet coronam regni. Idcirco communi decreto, ex parte totius regni tres Epiſcopi duo Comite… et duo Abbates, et de quolibet Comitatu regnitre milites, ac etiam de Londoniis et aliis civitatibus et magnis villis, ut praecipue de portubus, de qualibet certus raimerus perſo…arum miſſi ſunt ad regem apud Kenelworth, qui nuncia…ent electionem filii ſui, et requirerent diligenter, quod renunciaret dignitati regiae et coronae, et permitteret eundem filium ſuum regnare pro eo; alioquin ipſi reddirent ſibi homagia, et procederent in praetact…s. Rex autem ut haec audivit, …um ſtetu et ej…latu reſpondit; quod multum doluit de eo, quod ſic demeruit erga populum ſ…i regni; et ab omnibus qui aderant veniam precabatur. Sed ex quo aliter el…e non potuit, gratias egit quod filium ſuum primogenitum elegiſſent. Nuncii vero ad Parliamentum Londonias rede untes cum regis reſpon…o et inſigniis, plebem laetam fecerunt, mox tota regni Communitas Edwardum juvenem quatuordecim annos habentem, in regem promptiſſime admiſſerunt, et viceſſimum diem Ianuarii, diem primum regni ſui eſſe decreverunt, et in omnibus comitatibus pacem ejus proclamari fecerunt ſub hac forma.

Edwardus Dei gratia Rex Angliae; dominus Hiberniae, dux Aquitaniae, vicecomiti de N. ſalutem. Quia Dominus Edwardus nupet Rex Angliae, pater noſter, de communi conſilio et aſſenſu Praelatorum, et Comitum, et Baronum, et aliorum Magnatum nec non Communitatum totius regni praedicti, ſpontanea voluntate ſe amovit a regimine dicti regni, volens et concedens, quod nos tanquam ipſius primogenitus, et haeres ipſius, regni gubernation…m et regimen aſſumamus. Nosque ipſius patris noſtri beneplacito in hac parte de Conſilio et aviſiamento Praelatorum, Comitum et Baronum praedictorum annuens, gubernacula ſuſcepimus dicti regni, et fidelitates, et homagia ipſorum Praelat. et Magnat▪ recepimus ut eſt moris. De ſderantes igitur pacem noſtram pro quiete et tranquillitate populi noſtri inviolabiliter obſervari, tibi praecipimus, quod ſtatim vifis praeſentibus, per totam Ballivam tuam pacem noſtram facias publice proclamari, univerſis et ſingulis ex parte noſtra inhibendo, ſub poena et periculo exhaeredationis et amiſſionis vitae et membrorum, ne quis dictam pacem noſtram inf…ingere ſeu violare praeſumat, ſed quilibet actiones & quaerelas abſque quacunque proſequatur, ſecundum leges et conſdetudines regni noſtri. Nos enim parati ſumus, er ſemper erimus omnibus er ſingulis conquerentibus tam divitibus quam pauperibus in curiis noſtris plenam juſtitiam exhibere. Teſte meipſo, &c. Calendas Febr. die dominica in vigilia purificationis.

The Proceedings and Articles againſt Rich. 2. and the manner of his Reſignation, Depoſition being ſomewhat miſtaken, and not ſo fully related in our vulgar H…ſtorians, I ſhall preſent you with the true Narration thereof out of the Parliament Roll it ſelf where it is thus at large recorded.

p. 425Rotulus Parliamenti Summoniti & tenti apud Weſtmonasterium in feſto Sanctae Fidis Virginis, anno regni Regis Henrici quarti poſt Conqueſtum primo, Membr. 20.

Les Record & proces del renunciation du Roy Richard le Second apres le conqueſt & del acceptation de meſme la renunciationi, enſemblement ove la depoſition de meſme le Roy Richard enſuent …y apres.

MEmorand. Quod die Lunae in feſto ſancti Michaelis Archangeli Anno Regni Regis Ricardi ſecundi 23, Domini Spirituales & Temporales, & aliae perſonae notabiles: videlicet, Dominus Richardus le Scrop, Archiepiſcopus Eboracenſis, Io. Epiſcopus Hereford, Hen. Comes Northumbr. & Radulfus Comes Weſtmorelandiae, Dominus Hugo le Burnel, Tho. Dominus de Berkley, Prior Cantuar. & Abbas Weſtmonaſterii, Williel: Thyrninge Miles, & Johan. Markham Juſticiarii, Tho. Stow, & Johan. Burbache, Legum Doctores, Thom. de Erpingham, & Tho. Gray Milites, Will. de Feryby, & Dionyſius L…pham, Notarii publici: de quorundam Dominorum Spiritualium, & Temporalium, ac Juſtitiariorum & aliorum tam in Jure Civili & Canonico, quam in regni legibus peritorum, apud Weſtmonaſt. in loco conſueto Concilii congregatorum aſſenſu & aviſamento ad actum ſubſcriptum primitus deputati, ad praeſentiam dicti Regis Ricardi infra turrim London. exiſtentis circiter nonam pulſationem horologii acceſſerunt, & recitato coram eodem Rege per praedictum Comitem Northumbr. vice omnium praedictorum, ſibi ut premittitur adjunctorum, qualiter idem rex alias apud Coneway in Northwallia, in ſua libertate exiſtens promiſit Domino Thomae Archiepiſcopo Cantuarienſi & dicto Comiti Northumbr. ſe velle cedere, & renuntiare Coronae Angliae & Franciae, & ſuae regiae Majeſtati ex cauſis per ipſum Regem ibidem de p. 426ſua inhabilitate, & inſufficientia confeſſatis, & hoc meliori modo, & forma quibus facere poterit, prou… peritorum conſilium melius duxerit ordinandum. Idem rex coram dictis Dominis & aliis ſuperius nominatis, ad hoc benigne reſpondens dixit, ſe velle cum effectu perficere quod prius in ea parte promiſit. Deſideravit tamen habere colloquium cum Henrico Duce Lancaſtriae, & praefato Archiepiſcopo Cantuarienſi conſanguineis ſuis, antequam promiſſum ſuum hujuſmodi adimpleret. Petivit tamen copiam ceſſionis per ipſum faciendae ſibi tradi, ut ſuper illa poſſit interim deliberare; qua quidem copia ſibi tradita, dicti Domini, & alii ad ſua hoſpitia receſſerunt. Poſtea eadem die poſt prandium, dicto rege plurimum affectante praedicti Ducis Lancaſtriae adventum, & illum diutius praeſtolante, tandem idem Dux de Lancastria, Domini & perſonae ſuperius nominati, ac etiam dictus Archiepiſcopus Cantuarienſis venerunt ad praeſentiam dicti Regis in turri praedicta, Dominis de Roos, de Wiloghby, & de Abergeny, & pluribus aliis runc ibidem praeſentibus. Et poſtquam idem Rex cum dictis Duce Lancaſtriae & Archiepiſcopo colloquium habebat, ad partem vultu hilari hinc inde inter eos exhibito, prout circumſtantibus videbatur, tandem dictus Rex accerſitis ad eum omnibus ibidem praeſentibus, dixit publice coram illis, quod paratus erat ad renuntiationem faciendam, & ad renuntiandum & cedendum ſecundum promiſſionem per cum ut praemittitur factum; Sie que incontinenti, licet potuiſſet ut ſibi dicebatur ab aliis ceſſionem & renuntiationem in quadam ſchedula pargameni redactam per aliquem deputatum organum vocis ſuae feciſſe, pro labore tam prolixo lecturae vitando, Idem tamen Rex gratanter, ut apparuit, ac hilari vultu ſchedulam illam manu ſua tenens, dixit, ſemetipſum velle legere, & diſtincte prelegit eandem. Necnon abſolvit ligeos ſuos, renuntiavit, & ceſſit, & juravit, & alia dixit, & protulit in legendo & le ſubſcripſit m…nu ſua propria, prout plenius continetur in dicta ſchedula, cujus tenor talis eſt.

p. 427IN NOMINE DEI, Amen. Ego Rich. Dei gratia Rex Angliae & Franciae, & Dominus Hiberniae, omnium dictorum Regnorum, & Domini…rum Archiepiſcopos, Epiſcopos, & alios quoſcun que Eccleſiarum Secularium, vel Regularium Praelatos cujuſcun que dignitatis, gradus, ſtatus, ſeu conditionis exiſtant; Duces, Marchiones, Comites, Barones, Vaſallos, & Valvaſſor…s, & Ligeos homines meos quoſcunq eccleſiaſticos, vel ſeculares quocun que nomine cenſeantur, à juramento fidelitatis & homagii, & aliis quibuſcun que michi factis, omni que vinculo ligeantiae, & Regaliae, ac Dominii quibus obligati mihi fuerint, vel ſint, vel alias quomodolibet adſtricti, abſolvo; Et eos, & haeredes ipſorum, & ſucceſſores in perpetuum, ab iiſdem obligationibus, & juramentis, & aliis quibuſcun que libero, relaxo, & quieto, & liberos, ſolutos & quietos ac immunes, quantum ad perſonam meam attinet, dimitto, ad effectum omnem juris qui ex praemiſſis ſequi poterit, ſeu aliquo praemiſſorum, omni que Regia dignitati, ac majeſtati, & Coronae, neonon Domini…, & poteſtati dictorum Regnorum, & Dominii: aliiſ que Dominiis & poſſeſſionibus meis, ſeu mihi quomodolibet pertinentibus, ſeu competentibus quibuſcun que , quocun que nomine cenſeantur infra Regna, & Dominia praedicta, vel alibi ubilibet conſtitutis, Omni que juri, & colori juris, ac titulo, poſſeſſioni ac dominio quae unquam habui, habeo, ſeu quoviſmodo habere potero, in iiſdem, ſeu eorum aliquo, vel ad ea cum ſu…s juribus & pertinentiis univerſis, ſeu dependentibus qualitercun que ab eiſdem, vel eorum aliquo, Necnon regimini, & gubernationi dictorum Regnorum & Dominiorum hujuſmodi, & eorum adminiſtrationi, omnibuſ que & omnimodis mero & mixto imperio, ac juriſdictioni in iiſdem regnis, & Dominiis mihi competentibus, vel competituris, nomini que , honori, ac Regaliae, & Celeitudini Regiis, purè, sponte, ſimpliciter, & abſolute, melioribus modo, via, & forma quibus poterit in his ſcriptis renuntio, & ea in totum reſigno, acre, & verbo demitto, & iiſdem cedo, & ab iiſdem recedo in perpetuum. Salvis ſucceſſoribus meis regibus Angliae in Regnis, & Dominiis, & …aeteris omnibus praemiſſis in perpet…um, juribus p. 428in iiſdem, ſeu eorum aliquo competentibus, vel competituris quibuſcun que . Me que ad regimen, & gubernationem dictorum Regnorum, ac Dominiorum cum ſuis p…rtinentiis univerſis fateor, recognoſco, reputo, & veraciter, ex certa ſcientia judico fuiſſe, & eſſe inſufficientem penitus, & inutilem, ac propter mea demerita notoria non immerito deponendum. Et juro ad haec ſancta Dei evangelia, per me corporaliter tacta, quod nunquam praemiſſis reſignationi, renuntiationi dimiſsioni, & ceſsioni contraveniam, ſeu ea quomodolibet impugnabo facto, vel verbo, per me, vel per alium, vel per alios, ſeu contraveniri, vel impugnari permittam quantum in me eſt publicè vel occultè; ſed eaſdem renuntiationem, reſignationem, dimiſsionem, & ceſsionem in perpetuum ratas & gratas habebo, & firmiter tenebo, & obſervabo in toto, & omni ſui parte, ſicut Deus me adjuvet, & haec ſancta Dei Evangelia.

Ego Richardus Rex antedictus propria mea manu hic me ſubſcribo.

Et ſtatim idem Rex renuntiationi, & ceſſioni praedictis, verbo tenus adjunxit; quod ſi eſſet in poteſtate ſua, dictus Dux Lancaſtriae ſuccederet ſibi in Regno; ſed quia hoc in poteſtate ſua non dependebat ut dixit, dictos Eboracenſem Archiepiſcopum, & Epiſcopum Herefordenſem, quos protunc conſtituit ſuos procuratores ad declarandum, & intimandum ceſſionem, & renuntiationem hujuſmodi omnibus ſtatibus dicti regni, rogavit ut intentionem, & voluntatem ſuam in …a parte populo nuntiarent, & in ſignum ſuae voluntatis, & intentionis hujuſmodi, annulum auri de ſigneto ſuo, patenter de digito ſuo tunc ibidem extraxit, & digito dicti Ducis Lancaſtriae appoſuit, Deſiderans hoc ipſum ut aſſeruit, omnibus regni ſtatibus innoteſci. Quo facto, valefacientes hinc inde omnes turrim praedictam exieruntad ſua hoſpicia reverſuri.

In craſtino autem, videlicet in die Martis in feſto Sancti Hieronymi in magna aula apud Weſt monaſterium in loco ad Parliamentum tenendum honorifice praeparato, p. 429dictis Archiepiſcopo Cantuarienſi & Eboracenſi, ac Duce Lancaſtriae, aliiſ que Ducibus, ac Dominis tam Spiritualibus quam Temporalibus quorum nomina deſcribuntur inferius, populo que dicti regni tunc ibidem propter factum Parliamenti in magna multitudine congregato praeſentibus; ac praefato Duce Lancaſtriae locum ſtatui ſuo debitum, & ſolitum occupante, ac ſede regali cum pannis auri ſolempniter praeparata, tunc vacua abſ que preſidente quocunque, ſupradictis Archiepiſcopus Eboracenſis ſuo & dicti Herefordenſis Epiſcopi nomine juxta dicti Regis injunctum ceſſionem & renuntiationem per ipſum ſic fuiſſe ut praemittitur factam, etiam cum ſubſcriptione regiae manus, & traditione ſigneti ſui publice declaravit, eandem que ceſſionem, & renuntiationem per alium, primo in Latinis verbis, poſtea in Anglicis legi fecit ibidem; & ſtatim, ut fuerat interrogatum a ſtatibus & populo ibidem praeſentibus, primo videlicet ab Archiepiſcopo Cantuarienſi praedicto, cui ratione dignitatis & praerogativae eccleſiae ſuae Cantuariae Metropoliticae, in hac parte competit primam vocem habere inter caeteros Praelatos & Proceres regni, ſi pro eorum intereſſe, & utilitate regni vellent renunciationem, & ceſſionem hujuſmodi admittere: ſtatuſ que iidem, & populos reputantes ex cauſis per ipſum Regem in ſua renunciatione, & ceſſione praedictis ſignificatis, hoc fore multum expediens, renuntiationem, & ceſſionem hujuſmodi ſinguli ſingillatim, & in communi cum populo unanimiter▪ & concorditer admiſerunt. Poſt quam quidem admiſſionem fuerat publice ibidem tunc expoſitum, quod ultra ceſſionem & renunciationem hujuſmodi ut praefertur admiſſam, valde forer expediens, ac utile regno praedicto, pro omni ſcrupulo, & ſiniſtra ſuſpicione tollendis, quod plurima crimina, & defectus per dictum regem circa malum regimen regni ſui frequentius perpetrata, per modum articulorum in ſcriptis redacta, propter quae ut idem aſſeruit, in ceſſione facta per eum, eſſet ipſe merito deponendus, p. 430publice legerentur, quod que eſſent populo declarata. Sic que maxima pars articulorum illorum erat publice perfecta tunc ibidem; quorum omnium articulorum tenor talis eſt.

Sequitur forma juramenti ſoliti & conſueti praeſtari per Reges Angliae in eorum Coronatione, quod Archiepiſcopus Cantuarienſis ab eiſdem regibus exigere & recipere conſuevit, prout in libris pontificalium Archiepiſcoporum & Epiſcoporum plenius continetur.

Quod quidem juramentum Ricardus Rex Angliae poſt Conqueſtum ſecundus in Coronatione ſua praeſtitit, & ab Archiepiſcopo Cantuarienſi erat receptum; & illud idem juramentum dictus Rex poſtmodum iteravit, prout in rotulis Cancellariae plenius reperiri poterit de recordo.

Servabis eccleſiae Dei, & populo pacem ex integro & concordiam in Deo ſecundum vires tuas. Reſpondebit, Servabo. Facies fieri in omnibus judiciis tuis aequam & rectam juſticiam & diſcretionem in miſericordia & veritate ſecundum vires tuas. Reſpondebit, Faciam. Concedis juſtas leges & conſuetudines eſſe tenendas, & promittis per te eſſe protegendas, & ad honorem dei corroborandas quas vulgus elegerit, ſecundum vires tuas. Reſpondebit, Concedo & promitto.

Adjiciantur que praedictis interrogationibus quae juſta fuerint; Praenunciatiſ que omnibus confirmet Rex, ſe omnia ſervaturum Sacramento ſuper altare praeſtito coram cunctis.

Inprimis, Objicitur Regi Richardo quod propter malum regimen ſuum, videlicet bona & poſſeſſiones ad Coronam ſuam ſpectantia, etiam perſonis indignis donando, & indiſcrete diſſipando, & ob hoc collectas, & alia onera gravia & importabilia populo ſine cauſa imponendo, necnon alia mala innumerabilia perpetrando, alias de aſſenſu, & mandato ſuis per totum Parliamentum ad gubernationem regni certi Praelati, & alii Domini temporales erant electi, & aſſignati, qui totis viribus ſuis circa juſtam gubernationem regni p. 431propriis ſumptibus ſuis fideliter laborarent; tamen Rex facto per eum Conventiculo cum ſuis complicibus, dictos Dominos tam Spirituales quam Temporales circa Regni utilitatem occupatos de alta proditione impetere proponebat, ac Juſtitiarios Regni ad ſuum nefandum propoſitum corroborandum metu mortis, & cruciatus corporis violenter attraxit, dictos Dominos deſtruere ſatagendo.

2 Item, Idem Rex nuper apud Salopiam coram ſe, ac aliis ſibi faventibus venire fecit quamplures, & majorem partem Juſtitiariorum cameraliter, & eos per minas▪ & terrores varios, ac etiam metus qui poſſunt cadere in conſtantes, induxit, fecit, & compulit ſigillatim, ad reſpondendum certis quaeſtionibus pro parte ipſius Regis factis ibidem tangentibus leges regni ſui, praeter, & contra voluntatem eorum, & aliter quam reſpondiſſent, ſi fuiſſent in libertate ſua, & non coacti▪ Quarum Reſponſionum colore idem Rex propoſuit proceſſiſſe poſtmodum ad deſtructionem Thoma Ducis Glouceſtria, & Comitum Arundel, & Warwick ac aliorum Dominorum, contra quorum facta & geſta praedictus Rex erat quamplurimum indignatus, maxime quia deſiderabant eundem Regem eſſe ſub bono regimine. Sed divino nutu obſtante, reſiſtentia & potentia dictorum Dominorum Rex propoſitum ſuum hujuſmodi perducere non potuit ad affectum.

3 Item, Cum Domini Temporales ejus malitiae ac doloſitati ſeipſos defendendo reſtitiſsent, dictus Rex diem Parliamenti ſui pro juſtitia eis, & aliis Regni-colis in hac parte miniſtranda praefixiſſer, dicti que Domini Temporales in ſuis domibus ſub ſpe & fiducia Parliamenti praedicti quiete, ac pacifice reſediſſent: Rex clanculo Ducem Hiberniae cum ſuis litteris, & vexillo ad partes Ceſtriae deſtinavit, ibi que nonnullas gentes ad arma commovit, & contra dictos Dominos, & magnates Regni, & Reipublicae ſervitores inſurgere fecit, vexillum eius contra pacem per cum juratam publice p. 432erigendo; unde homicidia, captivitates, diſſentiones, & alia mala infinita in totum regnum ſecuta fuerunt quare perjuriam incurrebat.

4 Item, Licet dictus Rex omnem offenſam dictis Duci Glouceſtriae, & Comitibus Arundel, & Warwick, & omnibus aliis ſibi in hujuſmodi factis aſſiſtentibus, & aliis in pleno Parliamento de aſſenſu ejuſdem perdonaſſet paciſ que & amores ſigna per plures annos ei… dem Duci, & Comitibus, & aliis vultum hilarem & benignum exhibuiſſet; Idem tamen Rex ſemper & continue fel in corde gerens, tandem opportunitate captata dictum Ducem Glouceſtriae ipſius Regis avunculum, necnon bonae memoriae Edwardi nuper Regis Anglia filium, & Coneſtabularium Angliae dicto Domino Regi cum pro ceſſione ſolempni humiliter occurrentem, dictoſ que Comites Arundell & Warwick capi, & areſtari fecit, & ipſum Ducem extra regnum Angliae uſ que ad Villam Caleſiae duci fecit, & ibidem incarcerari, & ſub cuſtodia Comitis Nottingham unius ipſum Ducem appellantium detineri, & ſine reſponſione & proceſſu quocun que legitimo occulte ſuffocari, ſtrangulari,, & murdrari inhumaniter, & crudeliter fecit, Comitem que Arundel, tam carram de dicta perdonatione generali, quam cartam perdonationis poſtea ſibi conceſſam allegantem, & juſtitiam ſibi fieri petentem, in Parliamento ſuo, viris armatis, & ſagittariis innumeris vallato, per impreſſionem populi per eum ad hoc collecti dampnabiliter decapitari fecit; Comitem que Warwick, & Dominum de Cobham perpecuis carceribus mancipavit, eorum terras, & tehementa, tam in feodo ſimplici quam in feodo talliato de ſe & haeredibus ſuis contra juſtitiam & leges regni ſui & juramentum ſuum expreſſum nequiter confiſcando, & eorum appellantibus concedendo.

5 Item, Tempore quo idem Rex, in Parliamento ſuo fecit adjudicari Ducem Glouceſtriae, & Comites Arundell, & Warwick, ut liberius poſſit exercere crudelitatem in eoſdem, & voluntatem fuam injurioſam in p. 433aliis adimpler…, ſibi attraxit multitudinem magi…am malefactorum de Comitatu Ceſtriae, quorum quidam cum Rege tranſeuntes per regnum, tam infra hoſ pitium Regis, quam extra ligeos regni crudeliter occiderunt, & quoſdam verberaverun… vulneraverunt, & depraederunt bona populi, & pro ſuis victualibus ſolvere recuſarunt, & uxores, & alias mulieres rapuerunt, & violaverunt, & licet ſuper eorum hujuſmodi exceſſibus graves querimoniae deferebantur ad audientiam dicti Domini Regis, idem tamen Rex ſuper hiis juſtitiam, ſeu remedium facere non curavit, ſed favebat iiſdem gentibus in maleficiis eorundem, confidens in eis, & eorum praefidio contra quoſcun que alios regni ſui, propter quod fideles regni ſui magnam commotionis & indignationis materiam habuerunt.

6 Item, Licet dictus Rex per brevia ſua proclamari fecerit per totum regnum ſuum, quod Avunculum ſuum Ducem Glouceſtriae, & Comites Arundell & Warwick capi fecerit, & arreſtari, non pro aliquibus congregationibus, & equitationibus per eos infra regnum. Anglia factis, ſed pro quampluribus extortionibus oppreſſionibus & aliis contra Regaliam ſuam, & Regiam Majeſtatem poſtmodum factis & perpetraris per cos, quod que non erat intentionis ipſius regis quod aliquis de familia praedictorum Ducis Glouceſtriae, ad Comitum Arundell, & Warwick ſeu eorum qui in comitiva ſeu tempore congregationis, & equitationis praedictarum fuit, ea occaſione moleſtetur aliqualiter, ſeu gravetur: Idem tamen Rex tandem in Parliamento ſuo dictos Dominos non pro extortionibus, oppreſſionibus aut aliis praedictis impetiit, ſed pro congregationibus & equitationibus ſupradiotis eos adjudioavit ad mortem, & quamplures de familia eorudem Dominorum, & aliorum qui in comitiva ſua tempore congregationis, & equitationis fuerunt, metu mortis compulit fines & redemptiones facere, ut pote traditores, vel proditores, ad gravem deſtructionem quamplurium hominum de populo ſuo. Sic que dictos Dominos & eorum familiares p. 434hujuſmodi & populum regni ſui callide, fraudulenter & malitioſe decepit.

7 Item, Poſtquam quamplures de perſonis illis facientibus fines & redemptiones hujuſmodi impetraverunt à Rege literas ſ…s patentes pardonationis plenariae in praemiſſis, nullum commodum ex hujuſmodi literis perdonationis poterant reportare, donec novos fines, & Redemptiones pro eorum vita conſervanda feciſlent, unde fuerant quamplurimum depa…perati; pro quo nomini, & ſtatui Regis fuerat plurimum derogatum.

8 Item, In Parliamento ultimo tento apud Salopiam idem Rex proponens opprimere populum ſuum procuravit ſubtiliter▪ & fecit concedi quod poteſtas Parliamenti de conſenſu omnium Statuum Regni ſui remaneret apud quaſdam perſonas, ad terminandum diſſoluto Parliamento certas petitiones in eodem Parliamento porrectas, protunc minimè expeditas; Cujus conceſſionis colore perſonae ſic deputatae proceſſerunt ad alia generaliter Parliamentum illud tangentia, & hoc de voluntate Regis, in derogationem Status Parliamenti, & in magnum incommodum totius regni, & pernitioſum exemplum. Et ut ſuper factis eorum hujuſmodi aliqualem colorem & authoritatem viderentur habere, Rex fecit Rotulos Parliamenti, pro voto ſuo mutari & deleri, contra effectum conceſſionis praedictae.

9 Item, Non obſtante quod dictus Rex in Coronatione ſua juraverit, quod fieri faceret in omnibus judiciis ſuis aequam & rectam juſtitiam & diſcretionem in miſcricordia & veritate ſecundum vires ſuas: dictus tamen Rex abſ que omni miſericordia rigor…ſe inter caetera ſtatuit, & ordinavit ſub gravibus poenis, quod pro Henrico Duce Lancaſtriae relegato, pro aliqua gratia ſibi facienda nulius rogaret, aut intercederet apud eundem Regem; In quo facto idem Rex contra charitatis vinculum operabatur, juramentum praedictum temere violando.

p. 43510 Item, Quamvis Corona …egni Angliae at jura ejuſdem Coronae, ipſum que regnum …int ab omni tempore re…acto adeo libera, ut dominus ſummus Ponti…ex, nec aliquis alius extra regnum ſe intromittere debeat de iiſdem: tamen praefatus Rex ad reborationem ſtatutorum ſuorum erreneorum ſupplicavit Domino Papae, quod ſtatuta in ultimo Parliamento ſuo ordinata confirmaret, ſuper quo Dominus Rex literas Apoſtolicas impetravit, in quibus graves cenſurae proferuntur contra quoſcun que qui dictis ſtatutis in aliquo contravenire p…aeſumpſerint. Quae omnia contra Coronam, & dignitatem regiam, ac contra ſtatuta, & libertates dicti regni tendere dinoſcuntur.

11 Item, Licet Dominus Henricus nunc Dux Lancastriae billam ſuam, ſtatum & honorem Regis concernentem ad ipſius Regis mandatum contra Ducem Nor fulci… propoſuit, & eandem fuiſſet debite proſecutus, adeo quod juxta Regis ordinationem ſe ad duellum in omnibus paratum exhibuiſſet, prae…atuſ que Rex ipſum nunc Ducem Lancaſtriae, debitum ſuum in hac parte honorifice quantum in ipſo fuerat impleviſſe pronuntiaſſet, & declaraſſet per decretum, & hoc coram toto populo ad duellum hujuſmodi congregato fuiſſet publice proclamatum▪ Idem tamen Rex praedictum nunc Ducem Lancaſtriae, ſine quacun que cauſa legitima ad decennium exlegari fecit & mandavit, contra omnem juſtitiam, & leges, & conſuetudines regni ſui ac jura militaria in …ac parte, perjurium dampna…ilitet incurrendo.

12 Item, Poſtquam dictus Rex gratioſe conceſſit per literas ſuas patentes Domino Henrico nunc Duci Lancaſtria, quod in ipſius abſentia dum fuerat exlegatus generales atturnati ſui poſſent proſequi pro liberatione ſibi facienda de quibuſcun que haereditatibus, ſive ſucceſſionibus ipſum extunc contingentibus, & quod homagium ſuum reſpectuari deberet pro quodam fine rationabili faciendo, literas illas patentes injurioſe revocavit, contra leges terrae perjurium incurrendo.

p. 43613 Item, Non obſtante quod ſtatuum erat, quod ſingulis annis Officiarii Regis cum Juſtitiariis, & aliis de Conſilio Regis Vicecomites per omnes comitatus regni eligant, & nominarent Domino Regi ſecundum quod eorum diſcretioni, & conſcientiae pro bono, & utilitate regni videbitur expedire: Idem Rex non nominatos aut electos hujuſmodi, ſed alios pro ſuo libitu voluntatis, quando que ſuos familiares, quando que tales quos ſcivit nolle reſiſtere voluntati ſuae in Vicecomites fieri mandavit pro ſuo & aliorum commodo ſingulari, ad magnum gravaraen populi ſui, & contra leges regni ſui, perjurium notorie incurrendo.

14 Item, Tempore illo quo Rex praedictus petivit, & habuit à quampluribus Dominis & aliis de regno plures pecuniarum ſummas ex cauſa mutui, certo termino ſolvendas, Non obſtante quod idem Rex per ſingulas literas ſuas patentes promiſit bona fide ſingulis perſonis à quibus mutuo recepit pecunias illas, quod eis limitato termino praedicto reſolveret hujuſmodi pecunias mutuatas; promiſſionem ſuam hujuſmodi non adimplevit, nec de pecuniis illis eſt hactenus ſatisfactum, unde creditores hujuſmodi valde gravantur, & non tam illi, quamplures alii de regno regem reputant infidelem.

15 Item, Ubi Rex Angliae de proventibus regni ſui, & patrimonio ad Coronam ſuam ſpectante poſſit honeſte vivere abſ que oppreſsione populi ſui, dummodo regnum non eſſet guerrarum diſpendio oneratum. Idem Rex quaſi toto tempore ſuo durantibus treugis inter Regnum Angliae, & adverſarios ejus, non ſolum magnam immo maximam partem dicti patrimonir ſui donavit etiam perſonis indignis, verum etiam propterea tot onera conceſsionis ſubditis impoſuit quaſi annis ſingulis in Regno ſuo, quod valde & mimium exceſſive populum ſuum oppreſsit, in depauperationem regni ſui, ea bona ſic levata, non ad commodum & uti itatem regni Angliae convertendo, ſed ad nominis ſui oſtentationem, & pompam, & vanam gloriam prodige p. 437diſſipando, & pro victualibus hoſpitu ſui, & aliis emprionibus ſuis maximae ſummae pecuniarum in regno ſuo debentur, licet divitiis & theſauris pluſquam aliquis progenitorum ſuorum de quo recolitur abundavit.

16 Item, Idem Rex …olens juſtas leges & conſuetudi…es regni ſui ſervate, ſeu protegere, ſed ſecundum ſuae arbitrium voluntatis facere quicquid deſideriis ejus occurreret, quando que & frequentius quandó ſibi expoſitae & declaratae fuerant leges regni ſui per Juſtitiarios, & alios de Concilio ſuo, & ſecundum leges illas petentibus juſtitiam exhiberet, dixit expreſſe vultu auſtero, & protervo, quod leges ſuae erant in ore ſuo, & aliquotiens in pectore ſuo, & quod ipſe ſolus poſſit mutare, & condere leges regni ſui; & opinione illa ſeductus quampluribus de ligeis ſuis juſtitiam fieri non permiſit, ſed per minas & terrores quamplures à proſecutione communis juſtitiae ceſſare coegit.