Plea for the Lords and House of Peers, Treatise · Supplement (2 of 3)

Plea for the Lords and House of Peers · Treatise · Supplement (2 of 3)

p. 43717 Item, Quod poſtquam in parliamento ſuo certa ſtatuta erant edita, quae ſemper ligarent donec authoritate alicujus alterius Parliamenti fuerint ſpecialiter revocata, Idem Rex cupiens tanta libertate gandere, quod nulla hujuſmodi ſtatuta ipſum adeo ligarent quin poſſet facere, & exequi ſecundum ſuae arbitrium voluntatis, prout non potuit, procuravit ſubtiliter talem petitionem in parliamento ſuo pro parte Communitatis regni ſui porrigi, & ſibi concedi in genere, quod poſſet eſſe adeo liber ſicut aliquis progenitorum ſuorum extitit ante eum, quarum petitionis & conceſſionis colore frequentius mandavit, & fecit idem Rex quamplura fieri contra ſtatutae hujuſmodi minime revocata; veniendo expreſſe & ſ…ienter contra juramentum ſuum in coronatione ſua praeſtitum ut praefertur, prout inferius declaratur.

18 Item, Licet ſtatutum fuit & ordinatum quod nullus Vicecomes officium ſuum occuparet continue ultra annum unum, ſed trienulum laberetur antequam p. 438ad officium illud admitteretur de novo; Idem Rex Richardus quando que pro ſuo commodo ſingulari, & quando que ad proſecutionem aliorum pro eorum commodo & utilitate, quoſdam Vicecomites ſtare▪ & remanere permiſit & fecit in eorum officiis continue aliquotiens per biennium, & aliquotiens per triennium, contra tenorem & effectum ſtatuti praedicti, perjurium incurrendo; & hoc eſt notorium, pub…cum, & …amoſum.

19 Item, Licet de ſtatuto, & conſuetudine regni ſui in convocatione cujuſlibet Parliamenti populus ſuus in ſingulis comitatibus regni debeat eſſe liber ad eligendum & deputandum milites pro hujuſmodi comitatibus ad intereſſendum Parliamento,Nota. & ad exponendum eorum gravamina, & ad proſequendum pro remediis ſuperinde prout eis videretur expedire; tamen praefatus Rex ut in Parliamentis ſuis liberius conſequi valeat ſuae temerariae voluntatis effectum, direxit mandata ſua frequentius Vicecomitibus ſuis, ut certas perſonas per ipſum Regem nominatas ut milites comitatuum venire faciant ad Parliamenta ſua, quos quidem milites eidem Regi faventes inducere poterat, prout frequentius fecit, quando que per minas varias, & terrores, & quando que per munera, ad conſentiendum illis quae regno fuerant praejudicialia & populo quamplurimum oneroſa; & ſpecialiter ad concedendum eidem Regni ſubſidium lanarum ad terminum vitae ſuae, & aliud ſubſidium ad certos annos, ſuum populum nimium opprimendo.

20 Item, Idem Rex ut liberius adimplere, & ſequi poſſet in ſingulis ſuae arbitrium voluntatis, illicite fecit, & mandavit, quod Vicecomites per totum regnum ſuum, ultra antiquum & ſolitum juramentum jurarent quod omnibus mandatis ſuis, ſub magno, & privato ſigillo ſuis, ac etiam literis ſub ſigneto ſuo quotieſcun que eis directae fuerint, obedirent, & in caſu quo iidem Vicecomites ſcire poterant aliquos de ballivis ſuis, cujuſcun que conditionis fuerint, aliquod malum p. 439dicere ſive loqui publice, vel o…dite, quod …edire poſſit in dedecus, aut ſcandalum perſonae re…iae… ipſus areſtarent vel areſtari facerent, & priſonae mancipari, in eadem ſalvo cuſtodiendos donec aliud à Rege habuerint in mandatis, prout reperiri poterit de record…. Quod quidem factum poſſet veriſimiliter tendere ad deſtructionem quorumcun que ligeutum dicti regni.

21 Item, Idem Rex nitens ſubpeditare populum ſuum, & bona ſua ſubtiliter ſibi adquirere ut divitiis ſuperfluis habundaret, induci fecit populum de xvij. comitatibus regni ad ſubmittendum ſe Regi tanquam proditores per literas ſub figillis eorum, cujus colore obticuit magnas ſummas pecuniarum ſibi concedi per clerum & populum comitatuum eorundem pro benevolentia Regis captanda. Et quamvis ad placendum populo idem Rex fecerat eis reſtitui literas illas obligatorias, tamen procuratores ipſius populi babentes plenatiam poteſtatem eis conceſſam ad obligandum ſe & haeredes ſuos dicto Regi, idem Rex fecit obligari ſibi ſub ſigillis eorum nomine ejuſdem populi; ſic que decepit populum ſuum, & bona eorum ſubtiliter extorquebat ab eis.

22 Item, Quamvis idem Rex in coronatione ſua juraverit de ſervando libertates eccleſiae, Anglioana conceſſas▪ tamen dictus Rex ratione viagii ſui in terram, Hiberniae faciendi quampluribus viris religioſis videlicet. Abbatibus & Prioribus regni ſui per literas ejus diſtrictè praecipiendo mandavit, ut eorum aliqui certos equos, & aliqui eorundem non ſolum equos, ſed etiam quadrigas ſive charectas, alioquin magnas pecuniarum ſummas eidem Regi pro dicto viagio ſuo tranſmitte…nt in eiſdem literis expreſſatas, per quem modum ſcribendi plures hujuſmodi Religioſos metu ductos artavit ad complendum voluntatem & praeceptum ipſius Regis, uni…e gravite… depauperati fuerant & oppreſſi in derogationem libertatis eccleſiaſticae manifeſtam, Cujus prae… dictus Rex Ricardiu perjuritu… incurrebat.

p. 44023. Item, In pluribus magnis …oncilius reg… quando Domini regni, Juſticiarii & alii one…ati fuerant ut fideliter conſulerent Regi in tangentibus ſtatum ſuum & regni ſui, iidem Domini Juſticiarii & alii frequentius in dando conſilium juxta diſcretionem ſuam fuerant per Regem ſubito & tam acriter increpati & reprobati, quod non eſſent auſi dicere pro ſtatu Regis & regni in conſiliis ſuis dandis veritatem.

24 Item, Theſaurum coronas Feliquias & alia …ocaliu videlicet bona regni, quae ab antiquo dimiſſa fuerant in archivis regni pro honore Regis & conſervatione regniſui in omnem eventum, praefatus Rex exiens regnum ſuum verſus Hiberniam, abſtulit & ſecum deferri fecit ſine conſenſu ſtatuum regni, unde regnum illud fuiſſet valde depauperatum niſi de recaptione bonorum hujuſmodi contra voluntatem dicti Regis Deus aliter providiſſet; & praeterea rotulus recordorum ſtatum & gubernationem regni ſui tangentium praedictus Rex deleri & abradi fecit in magnum praejudicium populi & exhaeredationem Coronae regni praedicti, & ut veriſimiliter creditur in favorem & ſuſtentationem ſui mali regiminis.

25 Item, Idem Rex conſuevit quaſi continue eſſe adeo variabilis, & diſſimilans in verbis, & in ſcripturis ſuis, & omnino contrarius ſibi ipſi & ſpecialiter in ſcribendo Papae & Regibus & aliis Dominis extra regnum, & infra ac etiam & aliis ſubditis ejus, quod quam nullus vivens habens notitiam ſuae conditionis hujuſmodi poterit aut velit de eo confidere, ymmo reputatui adeo infidelis & inconſtans, quod cedit ad ſcandalum non ſolum perſonae ſuae, ſet etiam torius regni, & potiſſime apud extraneos totius orbis inde no…tiam optinentes.

26 Item, Licet terrae & tenementa, bona & catalla cujuſcun que liberi hominis per leges regni ab omnibus retroactis temporibus uſitatas capi non debeant niſi fuerint forisfacta, nichilominus dictus Rex proponens & ſatagens leges hujuſmodi enervare, in praeſentia p. 441quamplurium Dominorum & aliorum de communitate regni frequenter dixit & affirmavit, quod vita cujuſcun que li… ſui as ipſius terrae, nenomenta bona & catalla ſunt …ua ad voluntatem ſuam abſ que aliqua foris actum. Quod eſt omnino contra leges & conſuetudines regni ſui ſupradicti.

27 Item, Quamvis ſtatutum fuerit & ordinatum, ac etiam hactenus confirmatum, quod nullus liber homo capiatur, &c. nec quod aliq… modo deſtruatur, nec quod Rex ſupereum ibit nec ſuper eum mitter, niſi per legale judicium parium ſuorum, vel per legem terrae, tamen de voluntate, mandato & ordinatione dicti Regis, quamplures ligeorum ſuorum malitioſe accuſati ſuper eo, quod debuiſſent aliquid dixiſſe publice vel occulte quod cedere poterit ad vituperium, ſcandalum ſeu dedecus perſonae dicti Regis, fuerant capti & impriſonati, & ducti coram Conſtabulario, & Mateſchallo Anglia in Curia militari, in qua Curia dicti ligei accuſati, ad aliud reſponſum admitti non poterant, niſi reſpondendo ſe in nullo fore culpabiles, & per eorum corpora, & non aliter, ſe juſtificarent, & defenderent, non obſtante quod accuſatores, & appellatores eorum eſſent juvenes, fortes & ſani, & illi accuſati ſenes & impotentes, mutulati vel infirmi; unde non ſolum deſtructio Dominorum & Magnatum regni, ſet etiam omnium & ſingularum perſonarum communitatis ejuſdem regni veriſimiliter ſequi poſſet. Cum igitur Rex praedictus hujuſmodi regni ſui ſtatuto voluntatie contravenerit, non eſt dubium quin proinde perjurium incurrebat.

28. Item, Q…amvis populus regni Angliae vigore ligeanciae ſuae ſatis pleno Regi ſuo teneatur, & aſtringatur …ſeque Rex populum ſuum ſi quovis modo deliquerit, per leges & conſuetudines regni ſui corrigere valeat & punire; ramen dictus Rex cupiens ſuppeditare, ac nimis opprimero popolum ſuum, ut liberius exequi, & ſequi valcret ſua …ptae & illicitae voluntatis arbitrium, per literas ſuas ad omnes Comitatus p. 443regni ſui directè indixit etiam & mandavit, ut ligei ſui quicun que tam Spirituales quam Temporales certa juramenta praeſtarent in genere quae eis fuerant nimium oneroſa, quaequa veriſimiliter cauſare poſſent deſtructionem finalem populi ſui, & quod ſub literis & ſigillis eorum juramenta hujuſmodi roborarent. Cui quidem mandato regio populus regni ſui paruit & obedivit, ne ipſius indignationem incurreret aut o…eniam, ac etiam metu mortis.

29 Item, Cum partes in foro eccleſiaſtico, in cauſis mere Eccleſiaſticis & Spiritualibus litigantes, prohibitiones regias ad impediendum proceſſum legitimum in eiſdem à Cancellario Angliae impetrare laboraſſent, & idem Cancellarius ex juſtitia ad hoc reſcribere recuſaſſet; idem tamen Rex per literas ſub ſigneto ſuo judicibus eccleſiaſticis hujuſmodi frequenter diſtricte prohibuit, ne in cauſis hujuſmodi procederent, libertates eccleſiaſticas in magna carta approbatas ad quas conſervandas juratus extiterat, nequiter infringendo, perjurium & ſententiam ex communicationis contra hujuſmodi violatores à ſanctis Patribus latam, dampnabiliter incurrendo.

30 Item, Dictus Rex Dominum Thomam de Arundell Archiepiſcopum Cantuarienſem, totius Angliae Primatem, patrem ſuum Spiritualem, in Parliamento ſuo viris armatis hoſtili more vallato tunc de callido Conſilio dicti Regis ſe abſentantem, abſ que cauſa rationabili, ſeu legitima quacun que ſeu alio juris proceſſo contra leges regni ſui per ipſum ut praefertur juratas, in exilium perpetuum adjudicavit.

31 Item, Per inſpectionem teſtamenti dicti Regis ſub magno & privato ſigillis ſuis & ſigneto ſignati, inter caetera continetur haec clauſula ſive articulus. ITEM volumus quod auri noſtri reſiduum, ſolutis tamen noſtrorum hoſpicii, camerae, & garderobae veris debitis, ad quae perſolvenda legamus viginti milia libratum, reſervatis, executoribus noſtris quinque vel ſex milibus marcarum, quas pro uberiori ſuſtentatione leproſorum ac capellanorum eoram eis celebraturorum per nos apud Weſtmonaſt. & Bermonde…eyd ordinatorum, volumus per dictos executores noſtros expendi, noſtro remaneat ſucceſſori, dum tamen omnia & ſingula ſtatuta, ordinationes, ſtabilimenta & judicia in Parliamento noſtro decimo ſeptimo die Menſis Septembr. anno Regni v…ceſimo primo apud Weſtmonaſt inchoato, & in eodem Parliamento ui que Salopiam continuato & ibidem tento, facta, lata & reddita, necnon omnia ordinationes & judicia ac ſtabilimenta decimo ſexto die Septembr. anno regni viceſimo ſecundo apud Coventriam poſtmodum apud Weſtmon; decimo octavo die Marcii anno praedicto, auctoritate ejuſdem Parliamenti facta, habita & reddita, ac etiam omnia alia ordinationes & judicia quae autoritate ejuſdem parliamenti in futurum contigerit fieri, approbet, ratificet, & confirmet, teneat, & teneri faciat, ac firmiter obſervet; alioquin ſi praedictus ſucceſſor noſter praemiſſa facere nolu…rit, vel recuſaverit, quod non credimus, volumus quod Thomas Dux Surriae, Edwardus Dux Daumarle, Johannes Dux Exomae & Willielmus Leſcrop Comes Wilteſhirae, ſolutis prius debitis noſtrorum hoſpitii, camerae, & garderobae, reſervatis quinque vel ſex milibus marcarum ut ſupra pro hujuſmodi itatutorum, ſtabilimentorum, ordinationum, & judiciorum ſuſtentatione, & defenſione, ſecundum eorum poſſe, etiam uſque ad mortem ſi oporteat, reſiduum habeant & teneant memoratum; ſuper quibus omnibus & ſingulis eorum conſcientiat prout ſu die judicii reſpondere voluerint oneramus. Per quem quidem articulum ſatis conſtare poterit evidenter, quod idem Rex illa ſtatuta, & ordinationes, qu… ſunt erronea, & iniqua, & omni juri & rationi repugriantia pertinaciter man…tenere, & defendere … tebatur, non tam in vita quam ſu morte, nec de animae ſuae periculo, nec de dicti regni ſui, ſeu ligeorum ſuorum ultima deſtructione e…rando.

32 Item, Anno undecimo dicti Regis Richardi, idem Rex in capella mane… ſui de Langley, in preſentia p. 444Ducum Lancaſtriae & Eborum, ac aliorum quamplurium Dominorum perſonaliter conſtitutus, cupiens, ut apparuit, ut ejus avunculus Dux Gloucestri… tunc ibidem praeſons de ipſius Regis beneplacito plene confideret ad venerabile corporis Dominici Sacramentum ibidem ſuper altare repoſitum ſua ſponte juravit, quod eidem Duci Glouceſtriae pro aliquibus factis ejus quae contra perſonam ipſius Regis dicebantur eſſe commiſſa nunquam extunc inferret dampnum aliquod vel gravamen, ſet omnem offenſam illius, ſi qua fuerat, hillariter, & ex integro ſibi remiſit. Poſtea tamen juramento hujuſmodi non obſtante, dictus Rex praefatum Ducem pro ſic praetenſis offenſis horribiliter & crudeliter murdrari fecit, reatum perjurii dampnabiliter incurrendo.

33 Item, Poſtquam unus de militibus Comitatuum dicti regni, vocem habens corum in Parliamento, dictum Dominum Thomam Archiepiſcopum Cantuarienſem ſuper certis defectibus contra regiam majeſtatem, ut minus veraciter aſſerebatur commiſſis, impetiit publice coram Rege & omnibus ſtatibus regni, Quamquam idem Archiepiſcopus ſtatim tunc ibidem optulit ſe paratum ad reſpondendum hujuſmodi ſibi impoſitis, & ad hoc petierit ſe admitti per Regem, ſatis plene confiſus, ut dixit, ſe poſſe ſuam in ea parte innocentiam declarare, idem tamen Rex machina…s viis & modis quibus poterat eundem Archiepiſcopum Cantuarienſem opprimere & in nichilum redigere ſtatum ejus, prout tandem rei exitus declaravit, benigne ac hillari vultu Archiepiſcopum alloquens in ſede ſua regali, conſuluit & attente rogavit eundem Archiepiſcopum, quod illa vice taceret tempus ad hoc magis aptum & congruum expectando: Quo die lapſo de die in diem bene per quinque dies & amplius Rex praefatus ipſum Archiepiſcopum fraudulenter & doloſe decepit, conſulens & ſuadeus quod non veniret ad Parliamentum, ſet apud hoſpitium ſuum intrepidus expectaret, quoniam, ut idem Rex fideliter ſibi promiſit, in p. 445ipſius Archiepiſcopi abſentia nullum ſibi dobelet inferri diſpendium vel gravamen: Ver…tamen dictus Rex in ſuo Parliamento praedicto ipſum Archiepiſcopum ut praefertur abſentem, ac ad reſponſum ſuum nullo modo vocatum, abſque quacunque cauſa rationabili adjudicavit in exilium, ad ipſius Regis beneplacitum duraturum, omnia bona ſua contra leges regni ac omnem juſticiam voluntarie confiſcando, cujus praetextu perjurium incurrebat. Volens praeterea dictus Rex ſuam in ea parte verſutiam palliare, per ipſius blanda colloquia cum dicto Archiepiſcopo frequentius habita, tantam ſibi illatam injuriam à ſe prorſus excutere nitebatur, & ad aliorum facta transferre; unde dictus Archiepiſcopus habens cum eodem Rege & cum Duce Norfolciae, & aliis Dominis & magnatibus dicti regni colloquium, dixit aliqualiter lamentando, quod ipſe non erat primus qui exilium pertulit, nec erit noviſſimus, quia purabat quod infra breve dictus Dux Norfolciae & alii Domini ipſum Archiepiſcopum fequerentur, & conſtanter aſſeruit dicto Regi quod omnium praemiſſorum aſperitas in caput ipſius Regis debeat finaliter retorqueri; Ad quod idem Rex vultu demiſſo acſi inde fuiſſet attonitus, incontinenti reſpondit, quod bene putabat illud accidere poſſe, quodque per ligeos ſuos à regnoſuo deberet expelli; Et ulterius dixit idem Rex, quod ſi illud forſan acciderit, vellet ad locum ubi idem Archiepiſcopus fuerit ſe conferre; Et ut dictus Archiepiſcopus huic aſſertioni fidem adhiberet in dubium, oſtendit idem Rex Archiepiſcopo memorato quoddam magnum auri monile juxta fimbrium tunicae dicti Regis ſubtus veſtem e… exteriorem miro modo firmatum, intimans eidem Archiepiſcopo pro conſtanti, quod cum illud monile ſibi pro interſigno tranſmitteret, non differret illu… venire ubi dictus Archiepiſcopus moraretur; Et ut idem Archiepiſcopus majorem haberet materiam confidendi in eo, miſit ipſe Rex praefato Archiepiſcopo, conſulens ſibi quod omnia jucalia ſua & alia ad Capellam ſuamſpectantia p. 446dicto Regi ſecrete tranſmitteret pro ſalva cuſtodia eorundem, ne colore dicti judicii ſuper ipſius exilio redditi quiſquam ad bona praedicta manus injurioſas apponeret; Quo ſub maxima confidentia facto, praefatus Rex bona hujuſmodi viſa per eum in quibuſdam coffris reponi fecit, & coſtras illas ferari, ac per unum de clericis ipſius Archiepiſcopi ſigillari. Retentiſque penes illum hujuſmodi coffris, claves earum per eundem clericum Archiepiſcopo memorato remiſit; Et poſtmodum coffras illas dicto Archiepiſcopo hoc penitus ignorante frangi mandavit, & debonis hujuſmodi mox diſpoſuit pro ſuae libito voluntatis. Promiſit etiam idem Rex fideliter dicto Archiepiſcopo, quod ſi pararet ſe ad portum de Hampton ut regnum exiret, ſaltem interceſſione Reginae protinus revocaret eundem, Et ſi contigerit ipſum Archiepiſcopum regnum exire, citra Paſcha proximo extunc ſequens ſine falſo rediret in Angliam, neque ſuum Archiepiſcopum amitteret ullo modo; & hoc fideliter promiſit jurando ſuper crucem dudum ſancti Thomae Martyris Cantuarienſis Archiepiſcopi per ipſum Regem corporaliter tactam. Quibus promiſſionibus non obſtantibus, idem Rex dictum Archiepiſcopum regnum exire coegit, & ſtatim ad ſedem Apoſtolicam pro ipſius tranſlatione tranſmiſit literas ſpeciales, ſicque & alias per fraudes & doloſitates dicti Regis erat idem Archiepiſcopus ut homo bonae fidei callide circumventus.

Et quoniam videbatur omnibus ſtatibus Regni ſuperinde ſingillatim ac eciam communiter interrogatis▪ quod illae cauſae criminum & defectuum erant ſatis ſufficientes & notoriae ad deponendum eundem Regem, attenta eciam ſua confeſſione ſuper ipſius inſufficientia & aliis in dicta renunciatione & ceſſione conrentis patenter emiſſa, omnes ſtatus praedicti unanimiter conſenſerunt, ut ex habundanti ad depoſitionem dicti Regis procederetur pro majori fecuritate & tranquillitate populi ac regni commodo faciendam▪ unde ſtatus & communitates praedicti certos Commiſſarios, videlicet p. 447Epiſcopum Aſſav, Abbatem Glaſ…onia… …omitem Glouceſtriae, Dominun… de Berkeley, Tho…am Erpyngham & Tho…am Grey Milite…, & Willielmum Thirnyng Juſticiarium, unanimiter & concorditer conſtituerunt & deputarunt publice tunc ibidem, ad le…endum ſententiam depoſitionis hujuſmodi, & ad deponendam eundem Richardum Regem ab omni dignitate, majeſtate & honore regiis, vice, nomine & auctoritate omnium ſtatuum praedictorum; prout in conſimilibus caſibus de antiqua conſuetudine dicti regni fuerat obſervatum. Et mox iidem Commiſſarii onus Commiſſionis hujuſmodi in ſe aſſumentes & ante dictam ſedem regalem pro tribunali ſedentes, praehabita ſuper hus deliberatione aliquali, hujuſmodi depoſitionis ſententiam in ſcriptis redactam vice nomine & auctoritate praedictis tulerunt, & per dictum Epiſcopum Aſſ…v…. Commiſſarium & Collegam ſuum eandem ſententiam de ipſorum Commiſſariorum voluntate & mandato legi & recitari fecerunt, in haec verba.

IN DEI NOMINE, Amen. Nos Johannes Epiſcopus Aſſivenſ. Johannes Abbas Glaſtoniae, Thomas Comes Glouceſtriae, Thomas Dominus de Berkely, Thomas de Erpyngham, & Thomas Gray milites, ut Willielmus Thyming Juſticiarius, per Pares & Proceres regni Angliae, Spirituales & Temporales, & ejuſdem regni Communitates, omnes ſtatus ejuſdem regni repraeſentantes, Commiſſuri… ad infraſcripta specialiter deputati, pro Tribuna… ſedentes, atte…tis perjuriis multiplicibus a… crudelitate aliiſ que quampluribus criminibus dicti Richardi circa regimen ſuum in regnis & dominio ſupradictis pro tempore ſui regimnas commiſſis & perpetra…is, ac coram dictis ſtatibus pa… & publice propoſitis, exhibitis & recitatis, quae ad… fuerunt & ſunt publica, notoria, manifeſta & famoſa quod nulla poterant aut poſſunt …ergiverſatione celari, Necnon confeſſione praedicto Richardi recognoſcen…i… & … ſcit…tia ſua judicanti… ſe fuiſſe & eſſe … & …inii p. 448praedictorum & pertinentium corundem, ac propter ſua domorita notoria non immerito deponendum per ipſum Richardum prius emiſſa, ac de voluntate & mandato ſuis coram dictis ſtatibus publicata, eiſ que notificatae & expoſita in vulgari; praehabita ſuper hiis & omnibus in ipſo negotio actitatis coram ſtatibus antidictis & …obis deliberatione diligenti, vice, nomine & auctoritate: …is in hac parte commiſſa, ipſum Richardum ex habundanti, & ad cautelam ad regimen & gubernationem dictorum regnorum & dominii jurium que & pertinentium eorundem fuiſſe & eſſe inutilem, inhabilem, inſufficientem penitus & indignum, ac propter praemiſſa & eorum pretextu ab omni dignitate & honore regiis, ſi quid dignitatis & honoris hujuſmodi in eo remanſerit, Nota.merito deponendum pronunciamus, decernimus & declaramus, & ipſum ſimili cautela deponimus per noſtram diffinitivam ſententiam in hiis ſcriptis. Omnibus & ſingulis Dominis Archiepiſcopis, Epiſcopis & Praelatis, Ducibus, Marchionibus, Comitibus, Baronibus, Militibus, Vaſſallis & Valvaſſoribus, ac cateris hominibus dictorum regnorum & dominii, ac aliorum locorum ad dicta regna & dominium ſpectantium ſubditis ac ligeis ſuis quibuſcunque inhibentes expreſſe, ne quiſquam ipſorum de caetero praefato Richardo, tanquam Regi vel Domino regnorum aut dominii praedictorum paret quomodelibet vel intendat.

Volentes autem praeterea dicti ſtatus ut nichil deſit quod valeat aut debeat circa praemiſſa requiri, ſuperinde ſingillatim interrogati, perſonas eaſdem prius per Commiſſarios nominatos conſtituerunt Procuratores ſuos conjunctim & diviſim ad reſignandum & reddendum dicto Regi Richardo homagium & fidelitatem prius ſibi facta, & ad praemiſſa omnia hujuſmodi depoſitionem & renunciationem tangentia, ſi oportuerit, intimanda.

ET CONFESTIM ut conſtabat ex praemiſſis & eorum occaſione regnum Angliae cum ſuis pertinentiis vacare, praefatus Henricus Dux Lancaſtria de loco ſuo ſurgens, & ſtans adeo erectus quod ſatis intueri p. 449poſſet à populo & muniens ſe humiliter ſigno crucis in fronte & in pectore ſuo, Chriſti nomine primitus invocato, dictum regnum Anglia ſic ut praemittitur vaca…s, una cum Corona ac omnibus membris & pertinentiis ſuis vindicavit in lingua materna, ſub hac forma verborum.

In the name of Fader, Sonne and holy Ghoſt; I Henry of Lancaſtre chalenge this Rewine of Ynglonde and the Croune, with all the membres and the appurtenances, als I that am deſcendit be ryght lyne of the blode comyng fro the gude Lorde King Henry therde, and thorghe that ryght that God of his grace hath ſent mee, with helpe of my kyn, and of my frendes to recover it; the whiche Rewme was in poynt to be ondone for defaut of governance, and undoyng of the gude Lawes.

Poſt quam quidem vindicationem & clameum, tam Domini Spiriuales quam Temporales, & omnes ſtatus ibidem praeſentes ſingillatim & communiter interrogari quid de illa vindicatione & clameo ſentiebant? iidem ſtatus cum toto populo abſque quacun que difficultate vel mora, ut Dux praefatus ſuper eos regnaret, unanimiter conſenſerunt. Et ſtatim ut idem Rex oſtendit ſtatibus regni ſignetum Ricardi Regis ſibi pro interſigno traditum ſuae voluntatis, ut praemittitur, expreſſivum, praefatus Archiepiſcopus dictum Henricum Regem per manum dextram apprehendens duxit eum ad ſedem regalem praedictam; Et poſtquam idem Rex coram dicta ſede genu flexus parumper oraſſet, idem Archiepiſcopus Cantuarienſis, aſſiſtente ſibi Archiepiſcopo E…orum praedicto, dictum Regem poſuit & ſedere fecit in ſede regali praedicta▪ populo prae nimio gaudio fortiter applaudente; Et mox dictus Archiepiſcopus Cantuarienſis, vix facto ſilentio propter gaudium omnium circumſtantium, collationem modicam fecit & protulit, in haec verba.

VIR DOMINABITUR POPULO, Reg. ix. c. Haec ſunt verba ſummi Regis loquentis ad Samuelem, & docentis eundem qu…lem deberet inſtituere p. 450ad gubernandum populum, quando potebat ſibi dari Regem populus ille, & non inepte de Domino noſtro Rege moderno dici poſſunt: quae verba ſi intime conſiderentur praebent nobis materiam magnae conſolationis. Non enim Deus nobis comminatur ſicut quondam per Yſai. comminabatur populo dicens, Yſai. 3. Dabo pueros Principes eorum, ſet ex ſua miſericordia, qui cum iraſcitur miſericordiae recordatur, viſitavit plebem ſuam, & non modo, ut prius fuerat in regno, pueri dominabuntur, ſet dicit dominus vobis, quod Vir dominabitur populo. Poterat enim de Rectoribus iſtius regni ſive eorum quolibet praeteritis in perſona parvuli non inconvenienter dici illud Apoſtoli, Cor. 13. Cum eſſem parvulus loquebar ut parvulus, ſapiebam ut parvulus, cogitabam ut parvulus: ecce, ter dicit Apoſtolus, loquebatur ut parvulus, ſapiebat, & cogitabat. Quantum ad loquelam, certum eſt quod parvulus inconſtans eſt in loquendo, faciliter vera loquitur, faciliter falſa, faciliter verbo promittit, ſet quod promittit cito obliviſcitur; haec enim ſunt inconvenientia & nimis moleſte regno, nec poſſibile eſt regnum feliciter ſtare ubi hae conditiones regnant; ſet ab iſtis defectibus liberatur regnum cum vir dominatur, ad virum nam que pertinet circa linguam ſervare cuſtodiam. Modo autem non puer dominatur ſet vir, do quo ſpero dici poteſt illud Eccl. ix. Beatus vir qui non eſt lapſus in lingua. Poſt inquit Apoſtolus, ſapiebam ut parvulus; parvulus enim non ſapit niſi placentia & adulatoria, arguentem ſecundum veritatem non diligit, ymmo odit ſupra modum. Quondam autem veritus fuerat ſubpeditata ut nullus auderet loqui; ſatis constat, & per hoc patet, quod ille qui regnabat ſapiebat ut parvulus, vir enim non ſapit talia, ſet ſapientiam, unde per Dei gratiam dici poterit de iſto viro quod ſcribitur Eccl. ix. Beatus vir qui in ſapientia morabitur; ſicut enim puer diligit vanitatem, ita vir ſapit veritatem & ſapientiam; veritas ergo intrabit, adulatio recedat, quae tot mala in regno noſtro fecerunt, quia vir dominabitur populo, qui veritatem ſapit, non qui vanitatem vel adulationem. Tertio dicitur, Cogitabam ut parvulus, parvulus enim p. 451ſolum ſtudet facere omnia voluntarie non ex ratione, cum igitur puer regnat voluntas ſola regnat, ratio e…ulat; ubi vero voluntas regnat & ratio receſſit▪ conſtantia fugata eſt, & ita imminet magnum periculum; ab iſto periculo liberati ſumus, quia vir dominabitur, ille ſcilicet qui dicit non ſicut parvulus ſet ſicut ratione perfectus, Non veni facere voluntatem meam, ſet ejus qui miſit me, ſcilicet Dei; & ideo de viro iſto non ſolum dicemus quod in ſapientia morabitur, ſet eciam ut vir & non ut puer in ſenſu cogitabit circumſpectionem Dei, id eſt circumquaque diligenter aſpicit ut Dei voluntas non ſua fiat, & ita loco pueri voluntarie laſcivientis, vir modo dominabitur in populo, & iſte vir eſt talis quod dicetur, Regnabit Rex & ſapiens erit, & faciet judicium & juſtitium interra.

Qua collatione completa, dictus Dominus Rex Henricus ad ponendum ſuorum ſubditorum animos in quiete, dixit publice tunc ibidem haec verba.

Sires, I thank God and yowe Spirituel and Temporel, and all the eſtates of the Lond, and do yowe to wyte, it es noght my will that no man thynk that be waye of conqueſt I wold diſherit any man of his heritage, Nota.franches or other ryghts that hym aght to have, to put him out of that that he has, and has had by the gude Lawes and Cuſtomes of the Rewme; Except thos perſon… that has been agan the gude purpoſe, and the common profit of the Rewme.

Et protinus hoc attento quod per prius vacante ſede regali per ceſſionem & depoſitionem praedictas ceſſavit omnis poteſtas quorumcun que Juſticiariorum, Vicecomitum, & aliorium Officiariorum ubi que per regnum, ne exhibitio juſtitiae in gravamen populi dilationis incommodo ſubjaceret, ſuos officiarios principales ac eciam Juſticiarios deputavit ibidem juramento conſueto Regi praeſtito per ſingulos eorundem. Et fuit ilico de dicti Regis mandato publice proclamatum ibidem, quod die Lunae proximo poſt feſtum ſancti Michaelis, Parliamentum ibidem teneri & celebrari deberet; quod que die Lunae proximo extunc ſequente, videlicet p. 452in feſto ſancti Edwardi, Coronatio dicti Regis fieret apud Weſtmonaſterium, & quod omnes illi qui vendicare voluerint aliquod ſervitium ſe in dicta Coronatione facturos, & eo praetextu aliquid ſibi deberi, venirent ad Albam aulam palacii coram Seneſcallo, Conſtabulario & Mareſcallo Angliae, die Sabbati proximo ante diem Parliamenti praedicti, quod in ea parte juſtum fuerit petituri, quibus plena juſtitia fierit in petitis. Quantum autem ad abbreviationem aſſignationis diei Parliamenti praedicti, fuerat pro parte dicti Regis proteſtatio talis facta, videlicet quod non erat intentionis ſuae ut ſtatibus regni ſui praejudicium afferatur exinde, nec quod hoc trahatur de caetero in exemplum, quinymmo quod abbreviatio illa fiebat tantummodo pro commodo & utilitate regni, & ſpecialiter ut quorumcunque ligeorum ſuorum parcatur laboribus & expenſis, quodque ſuper gravaminibus populi celere poſſit remedium adhiberi.

Quibus omnibus ſic peractis, Rex deſede ſua regali ſurgens, & populum vultu hillari & benigno reſpiciens, abinde populo congaudente receſſit, & in Alba aula praedicta convivium regni Proceribus ac generoſis illuc in multitudine maxima congregatis eodem die ſolempniſſime celebravit.

ET POSTMODUM die Mercurii proximo extunc ſequente dicti Procuratores ut praemittitur deputati, ad praeſentiam dicti Richardi nuper Regis infra dictam Turrim exiſtentis, prout eis injunctum fuerat, acceſſerunt, & praefatus Dominus Willielmus Thirnyng Juſticiarius, pro ſe & dictis ſociis & comprocuratoribus ſuis nomine omnium ſtatuum, & populi praedictorum admiſſionem dictae renunciationis ac modum, cauſam & formam ſententiae depoſitionis hujuſmodi eidem Ricardo notificavit, ac plenius declaravit; & ſtatim homagium & fidelitatem eidem Ricardo nuper Regi ut praemittitur facta, reſignavit & reddidit, ſub hiis verbis.

Les paroles qe William Thirnyng parla a monſire Richard p. 453nadgaires Roy d' Engleterre, a le Toure de Londres, en ſa Chambre, le Meſqerdy procheyn apres le feſt de Seint Michell larchaunchel, ſenſuent.

SIRE, It is wele knowe to yowe; that ther was a Parlement ſomond of all the States of the Reaume for to be at Weſtmynſtre, and to begynne on the Tueſday in the morne of the feſt of Seint Michell the Archaungell that was yeſterday; by cauſe of the whiche Sommons all the States of this lond were there gadyrd, the whiche States hole made thes ſame perſones that ben comen here to yowe now her Procuratours, and gafen hem full auctorite and power, and charged hem for to ſay the wordes that we ſall ſay to yowe in her name, and on thair behalve; that is to wytten, the Byſshop of Seint Aſſa for Erſbiſſhoppes and Biſſhoppes; the Abbot of Glaſtenbury for Abbots and Priours, and all other men of holy Chirche Seculers and Rewelers, the Erle of Glouceſtre for Dukes and Erles, the Lord of Berkeley for Barones and Barnerettes, Sir Thomas Irpyngham Chamberleyn for all the Bachilers and Commons of this Lond be ſouth, Sire Thomas Grey for all the Bachilers and Commons by north, and my Felawe Johan Markham and me for to come wyth hem for all thes States; and ſo Syre thes wordes and the doyng that we ſall ſay to yowe, is not only…h our wordes, bot the wordes and the doynges of all the States of this Lond, and our charge, and in her name. And he anſwered and ſaid, that he wyſt wel… that we wold noght ſay, but as we were charged. Sire, ye remembre yowe wele that on Moneday in the feſt of Seint Michell the Archaungell ryght here in this Chambre, and in what preſence ye renounſed and ceſſed of the ſtate of Kyng and of Lordeſſhip, and of all the Dignite and Wyrſ…hipp that longed thereto, and aſſoiled all your Leiges of her ligeance and obeiſance that longed to yowe uppe the fourme that is contened in the ſame Renunciation and Ceſſion, whiche ye redde your ſelf by your mouth, and affermed it by zour othe, and by your owne writing; upon whiche ye made and ordeyned your Procuratours, p. 454the Erſbyſſhopp of York, and the Biſſhopp of Hereford, for to notifie and declare in your name thes Renunciation and Ceſſion at Weſtmynſtre, to all the States, and all the people that was ther gadyrd, becauſe of the Sommons foreſayd; the whiche thus don yeſterday by thes Lordes your Procuratours, and wele herde and underſtonden, thes Renunciation and Ceſſion ware pleinelith and frelith accepted, and fullich agreed by all the States and people forſayd. And over this Sire, at the inſtance of all thes States and people, ther ware certein Articles of defauts in your governance redde there, and tho wele herd and pleſnelich underſtonden to all the States forſayd, hem thoght hem ſo trewe and ſo notorie, and knowen that by the cauſes, and as by mo other as thei ſayd, and havyng conſideration to your owne wordes in your own Renunciation and Ceſſion, that ye were not worthy, ne ſufficient, ne able for to govern for your owne demerites, as it is more pleinerlich contened therin, hem thoght that wos reaſonable and cauſe for to depoſe yowe and her Commiſſaries that thei made and ordeined, as it is of record ther declared and decreed, and adjudged yowe for to be depoſed and prive…, and in dede depoſed yowe, and pryved yowe of the aſtate of Kyng, and of the Lordſſhip contened in the Renunciation and Ceſſion forſayd, and of all the Dignite and Wyrſſhip, and of all the adminiſtration that longed thereto. And we Procuratours to all theſe States and people forſayd, os we be charged by hem, and by her auctorite giffen us, and in her name, yelde yowe uppe for all the States and people forſayd, Homage, Liege and Feaute, and all Ligeance, and all other Bondes, Charges and Services that longe therto; and that non of all tbes States and people fro this tyme forward, ne here yowe feyth, ne do yowe obeiſance …s to thar Kyng. And he anſwered and ſayd, that he looked not therafter: but he ſayde, that after all this he hoped that is Coſyn wolde bee good Lord to hym.

p. 455Joeſdy le …xiiij. De ſauſement garder Richard Nadgairs Rey.Doctober Lerecueſ que de Canterbire chargea deper le Roy touz les Seigneurs Eſpirituales & temporales & toutz antres y eſtantz ſur Leur Ligeance que ceo que lors ſerroit monſtres on parlez illoeqe ſerroit tenuv conſ…il & qil ne ſerroit aſcunement diſcoverez a nully vivant. Et pius apres demandez feuſt per le Count de Northumbr. pur la ſeurte du Roy & de touz Leſtatz du Roialme, Coment leure ſemble que ſerroit erdeignez de Richard nadgaires Roy pur Luy mettre & ſaufegard, Sauvant ſu vie, quele le Roy voet que luy ſoit ſauvez & touz maners? Surquoi reſponduz feuſt per toutz Les Signiars ſeveralment examines dont les nomes ſi enſuent que leur ſemble qil ſerroit mys en ſauſo & ſecregard & en tiel Lien on nul concours dos g…ntz yad & qil ſoit gardez perſeures & ſufficientz perſone, & que nul que eſte familier du dit nadgairs Roy ſoit aſcunement entour ſa perſone & que ceo ſoit fait en le pluis ſe…re manere que faire ſa purra.

Les nomes des Seigneurs demandez & aſſentez en La queſtion ſuiſditz cy enſuent Ceſtaſſavoir.

Lerceueſ que de Canterbrie.

Lerceueſ que Deuerwyck.

Leueſ que de Londres.

Leueſ que Dely.

Leueſ que de Nicholl.

Leueſ que de Norwich.

Leueſ que de Rouceſtre.

Leueſ que de Sar.

Leueſ que Dexceſtr.

Leueſ que de Ciceſtr.

Leueſ que de St. Aſaph.

Leueſ que de Ceſtr.

Leueſ que de St. Davids.

Leueſ que de Landafe.

Leueſ que de Dureſme.

Labbe de Weſtminſter.

Labbe de St. Albon.

Labbe de St. Auſtyn.

Labbe de Bury.

Labbe de St. Doverwycke.

Labbe de Gloceſtr.

Labbe de Battaill.

Le Prince.

Le Duc de Nerwyck.

Le Count Darundell.

Le Count de Warr.

Le Count de Staff.

Le Count de Northumbr.

Le Count de Suff.

Le Count de Wirceſtr.

Le Sgr. de Roos.

Le Sgr. de Grey de Ruthin.

Le Sgr. de Cherleton.

Le Sgr. de Bardolf.

Le Sgr. de Willughby.

Le Sgr. de Furnival.

Le Sgr. de Ferrers.

Le Sgr. de Beaumont.

p. 456Le Sgr. de Berkeley.

Le Sgr. de Fitz Wauters.

Le Sgr. de Manley.

Le Sgr. de Scales.

Le Sgr. de Morley.

Le Sgr. de Burnell.

Le Sgr. de Lovell.

Le Sgr. de Camoi.

Le Sgr. de Seymore.

Le Sgr. de Crombwell.

Le Sgr. de Cobham.

Monſr. Henr. Peircy.

Monſr. Richard Scroop.

Le Sgr. Fitz Hugh.

Le Sgr. de Bergeueny.

Le Sgr. de Lomley.

Le Baron de Greyſtocks.

Le Baron de Hilton.

Monſr. Thomas Erpingham Chambr.

Monſr. Mayhew Gowinay.

Mr. Hall in his Chronicle, fol. 10. and **Walſingham. Hiſt. Angl. Anno 1490. p. 404. Graftons Chronicle. p. 407, 408, 409. Holinſhed. p. 511. Sect. 4. p. 516. Speed. p. 764, 765. Godwins Catalogue of Biſhops, p. 541, 542.others relate, that in this Parliament, when it was demanded by the Kings friends, what ſhould be done with King Richard? Thomas Menkes Biſhop of Carlile, which was a man both well learned and well ſtomacked, roſe up and ſaid; My Lords, I require you take heed what anſwer you make to this queſtion. For think there is none of you worthy or meet to give judgement on ſo noble a Prince as King Richard is, whom we haven taken for our Sovereigne and Liege Lord by the ſpace of two and twenty years; and I aſſure you, there is not ſo ranck a traitour, nor ſo arrant a theef, nor ſo cruel a murderer, which is apprehended and deteined in priſon for his offence, but hee ſhall be brought before the Juſtice to hear his judgement; and yet you will proceed to the judgement of an annointed King, and hear neither his anſwer nor excuſe. And I ſay, that the Duke of Lancaſter, whom you call King, hath more offended, and more treſpaſſed to King Richard and this Realme, than the King hath either done to him, or to us. For it is manifeſtly known, that the Duke was baniſhed the Realme by King Richard and his council, and by the judgement of his own Father, for the ſpace of ten years, for what cauſe all you know, and yet without licenſe of King Richard hee is returned again into the Realme; yea and that is worſe, hath taken upon him the name, title, and preheminence of a King. And p. 457therefore I ſay and affirm, that you do apparently wrong, and manifeſt injury to proceed in any thing againſt King Richard, without calling him openly to his anſwer and defence. When the Biſhop had ended, he was incontinent by the Earl Marſhal attached and committed to ward in the Abbey of S. Albanes. And then it was concluded, that King Richard ſhould continue in a large priſon, and ſhould be plentifully ſerved of all things neceſſary both for viands & apparel.

From the proceedings againſt theſe 2. depoſed Kings, theſe 2. inferences have been made.

1. (g)(g)Cortoni Poſthuma, p. 350.That the Commons have a joynt intereſt with the Lords in the Judicature and Jugements in Parliament.

2. (h)(h)Regal Tyranny diſcovered, p. 58, 59, 60. John Melton Anſwer to Salmaſius, Mr. Bradſhaw & others.That the Proceedings againſt our late condemned beheaded King are juſtifiable, and warranted by them.

I anſwer, that nei…her of theſe 2. Conſequences are proved by them. For 1. The Commons themſelves in this Parliament of 1 H. 4. n. 79. immediately after King R…chards depoſition, confeſs, That the Judicature and Judgements of Parliament, belong only to the King and Lords, not to the Commons. 2ly, The Commons neither in nor out of Parliament, are, may or ought to be the Judges of the meaneſt Lord or Peer of the Realm, who are to be judged, tried by their Peers alone; as I have abundantly evidenced in the premiſes: Much leſs then can they be lawful Judges of their Soveraign Lord and King, who is a degree above all the Peers of higheſt dignity. In the **Mat. Paris, p. 295 296. Here. p. 256.Parliament, An, 1260. Prince Edward, as I have proved before, would be tried only by 2. Kings; becauſe all the reſt of the Earls and Barons were not his Peers, neither could they be his Judges: much leſs then can Peers or Commons be their Kings Judges & Peers to ondemn or try him. 3ly, Our Law-books reſolve, (i)(i)Bracton, lib. 1. c. 8. lib. 3, cap. 3. Fleta, lib. 1. cap. 5. 3 Edw. 3.19. Fitz. Corone 161. 21 Edw. 3.3. b. Dyer 297. Stamford, lib. 3. cap. 1. f. 153.That the King hath no Peers in his own Realm; and, Therefore he can neither be legally tried nor judged by the Peers themſelves, p. 458much leſs by the Commons in Parliament. 4ly, The (k)(k)Spelmanni Concilia, Tom. 1. p. 411Lawes of Hoel Dha King of Wales, about the year 940. Lex 20. reſolve, Rex non poterit ſecundum legem in lite stare coram Judice ſuo, agendo vel reſpondendo, per dignitatem naturalem; yea all the Lords and Commons of England in the Parliament of Lincoln, Anno 29. E. 1. in their forecited Letter to the Pope (p. 128.) reſolve, That the Kings of England, Ex praeeminentia ſtatus ſuae Regiae dignitatis, ex conſuetudine cunctis temporibus obſervata, neque reſponderunt, neque reſpondere debebant coram aliquo Iudice Eccleſiaſtico vel ſeculari ſup…r juribus ſuis in regno, &c. Much leſs then may or ought they to be put to anſwer criminally for their lives, or Crowns before any Eccleſiaſtical or Temporal Judge, Peers or Commons Houſe, or High Court of COMMONS. 5ly, The Statutes of 16 R. 2. c. 5. and of 25 H. 8. c. 19.21. thus declare, reſolve, and the Archbiſhop of Canterbury in the Parliament of 16 R. 2. n. 20. proteſted againſt the Popes pretended Supremacy, That the Crown of England hath been ſo free at all times, that it hath been in ſubjection to no Realm or Perſon; but immediatly ſubject to God▪ and to none other, in all things touching the Regality of the ſaid Crown. And the Statutes of 25 H. 8. c. 19, 21, 22. 26 H. 8 c. 1.3. 27 H. 8. c. 15. 28 H. 8. c. 7.10. 31 H. 8. c. 10.15. 32 H. 8. c. 22.24, 26. 33 H. 8. c. 29. 35 H. 8. c. 1.3.17, 19. 37 H. 8. c. 17. 1 E. 6. c. 2. 1 Eliz. c. 1. 8 Eliz. c. 1. 3 Jac. c. 3, 4. declare and enact, The King to be the only Supreme Head & Governor (upon Earth) both of the Church & Realm of Engl. both of which recognize no Super or under God, but only the King. To affirm then, that the Lords or Commons in Parliament may lawfully judge, depoſe the King and deprive him of his Crown, Regalities, Head, Life: is to contradict, repeal all theſe Statutes: ſince the inferior Members can no more legally judge the Supreme head of the body politick, than the head of the body natural; or the Courrs in Weſtminſter hall, or Hundred Courts, judge the High Court of Parliament, and condemn, repeal their Acts or Judgements. 6ly, Though Articles were p. 459drawn up againſt theſe two Kings pro forma, yet neither of them was ever required, or judicially ſummoned to make anſwer to them, or heard, or brought to trial before the Lords or Commons Barr, or any other Tribunal, or Court of Juſtice. Whence the Biſhop of**Here, p. 456. Carliſle proteſted againſt it, as moſt illegal, unjuſt and trayterous. Therefore neither the Lords nor Commons could be properly ſaid their Iudges in this caſe; and their Judgement without hearing or trial of them muſt needs be moſt erronious, as well as Mortimers and the Earl of Arundels **Here, p. 275. to 283.forecited. 7ly, The Lords and Commons reſignation of their Homage to theſe 2. Kings, when depoſed; ſhew, that even then they eſte…med them their Superiors & Lords: ††Glanvil, l. 9. c. 1. Lit. l. 2. c. 1. Cooks 1 Inſtit. f. 64, 65.Homage being the most honourable and humble ſervice that a franktenant may do to his Lord: the tenant being ungirt, his head uncovered, kneeling down on both his knees before his Lord ſitting covered and holding up his hands joyntly together between his Lords and the Kings hands, when he doth his homage; ſaying, I become your man from this day forward of limb and of earthly worſhip, and unto you ſhall be true and faithfull, and bear faith for the tenements I hold of you. And when done to any other Lord, it is with a Saving the faith I owe unto our Soveraign Lord the King, and his Heirs. 8ly, The Sentences of Depoſition againſt them, were given only by the Legiſlative power, not JUDICIAL, by way of Bill conſented unto in the Parliament houſe by the Lords and Commons, then ſent to theſe Kings to their priſons, and there read unto them by Committees and Proxies, repreſenting all the Eſtates in Parliament. Therefore the reading of them to theſe Kings in their priſons, was not properly a judgement, neither did it conſtitute them who read it to them their Judges, much leſs create the Commons Judges of theſe Kings. 9ly, All the Lords Spiritual Temporal, and Commons concurred joyntly in this Act of reſigning their Homage to theſe Kings, to whom they were all joyntly obliged, and in whom they had all a common intereſt: Et quod tangit omnes, ab omnibus debet approbari: Therefore it is no warrant for the proceedings againſt p. 460our late King, without the conſents, and againſt the Expreſs Votes of the whole Houſe of Lords, and of the Majority of the Commons houſe. 10ly, The Lords alone, without the Commons, gave Judgement for the cloſe and perpetual impriſonment of King Richard the 2. therefore they were his ſole and proper Judges by way of Sentence, his depoſition being by the Legiſlative, not Judicial power. 11ly, Theſe Kings (eſpecially the later of them) had no ſentence of depoſition, nor proceedings againſt them; til they had through fear or puſillanimity firſt reſigned their Crowns, and kingſhip, as unfit to reign or govern any longer; which was made the principal ground of their ſubſequent declaratory depoſitions, by the Lords and Commons, when they had reduced themſelves into the condition of ††Si Rex imperium abdicavit, aut manifeſtè habet pro derelicto, in eum poſt id tempus omnia licent quae in privatum. Hugo Grotius, de Jure Belli & Pacis, l. 1. c. 4. Sect. 9.private men, by their reſignations. Theſe preſidents therefore cannot juſtifie the late proceedings againſt an actual, lawful, hereditary King, by a ſmall party of the Commons houſe alone, without the Houſe of Peers, or the Majority of their fellow-Members, who never reſigned his Crown, nor unkinged himſelf, as unworthy to reign any longer. 12ly, King Edward the 2. after this his depoſition, was reputed a King de jure ſtill; and therefore ſtiled by the whole Parliament, all the Lords, and King Edward the 3d. himſelf, in 4 E. 3. n. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10. their ††See here, p. 276.King and Leige-Lord, and Mortimer, with his complices, were condemned and executed as TRAYTORS, for murdering him after his Depoſing: contrary to Sir Edward Cooks falſe Doctrine, 3 Inſtitutes, f. 7. And in the Parliament of 21 R. 2. n. 64, 65. the revocation of the Act for the 2. Spencers reſtitution in the Parl. of 1 E. 3. was repealed becauſe made at ſuch time by King Edward the 3. as Edw. 2. his Father BEING VERY KING was living and impriſoned: ſo that he could not reſiſt the ſame An expreſs reſolution by theſe two Parliaments, that his depoſition was both void in Law, and illegal. 13ly, Neither of theſe 2. Kings, though their articles were more heinous, and Government more unkingly, arbitrary than the late Kings, were condemned p. 461or adjudged to lo…e their heads or lives for their miſdemeanors, but meerly deprived of their royal Authority, with a promiſe to preſerve their lives, and treat them nobly, and that upon this account, that they were Kings, yea anointed Kings, when they tranſgreſſed, therefore exempted from all capital cenſures, penalties of Laws by any humane Tribunals: as David reſolves, Pſal. 51.4. Againſt thee, thee only have I ſinned; whence S. Chryſoſtom, S. Ambroſe, Arnobius, with others in their Expoſitions on that Pſalm, S. Hierom Epiſt. 22, & 47. Peter Martyr on the 2 Sam. 2.13. learned Grotius, and others conclude in theſe words:††De Jure Belli. l. 4. c. 1. Liberi ſunt Reges à vinculis delictorum▪ neque enim ad paenam ullis vocantur legibus, tuti Imperii poteſtate. Hence ††Epiſt. Dedicatoria, prefixed to his Chronicon.Otto Friſingenſis Epiſcopus, writes thus to the Emperor Fredericke; Praeterea cum nulla inveniatur perſona mundialis qui mundi legibus non ſubjaceat, ſubjaciendo coerceatur SOLI REGES, utpote conſtituti ſuper leges in reſpect of corporal penalties) DIVINO EXAMINI RESERVATI, ſeculi lègibus non cohibentur: unde eſt illud tam Regis quam Prophetae teſtimonium; Tibi ſoli peccavi. Theſe 2. preſidents therefore no wayes juſtifie the proceedings againſt the late beheaded King, as I before hand manifeſted in my Speech in Parliament, Decem. 4. and in my Memento in Jan. 1648. which gave (m)(m)See the 2. Part of the Hiſtory of Independency: where it is inſerted.ample ſatisfaction herein, not only to out 3. kingdoms at home, but to the learnedſt Proteſtant Divines & Churches abroad both in France, & Germany, as Samuel Bochartus (an eminent French Divine) in his Latine Epiſtle to Dr. Morley, printed Pariſiis 1650. atteſts Sect 3. De Jure & poteſtate Regum, p. 145. Where after a large and ſolid proof out of Scripture, Fathers, and other Authors of the unlawfullneſſe of our late Kings trial, judgement and Execution; and that the Presbyterian Engliſh Miniſters and Membees did then profeſſedly oppugn, and write againſt it; he thus proceeds. Ex hoc numero PRYNNIUS, vir multis nominibus inſignis, & Parlamenti Delegatorum unus, è carcere in quo cum pluribus aliis detenebatur, Libellum compoſuit Parliamento oblatum; in quo decem rationibus, iiſque validiſsimis, contendit eos rem p. 462illicitam attentare (in proceeding Criminally and Capitally againſt the King;) Then reciting the Heads of my reaſons againſt it, he concludes thus: Haec ille & multo plura, SCRIPTOR MIRE NERVOSUS, cujus verba ſunt ſtimuli et elavi in altum defixi: After which he there prooves by ſeveral inſtances, how much the Proteſtant Miniſters, Churches of France and Geneva, condemned theſe proceedings as repugnant to Scripture, and the Principles of the Proteſtant Religion: And Dr. Wolfgangus Mayerus (a famous Writer and Profeſſor of Divinity at Baſil in Germany) in his Epiſtle Dedicatory before his printed Latine Tranſlation of my Sword of Chriſtian Magistracy, ſupported. Baſil. 1649. Viro Nobiliſſimo ac conſul…iſſimo, omnium Doctrinarum, Virtutumque Ornamentis excultiſſimo, verae pietatis zelo flagrantiſſimo, Orthodoxae Religionis, libertatiſque Patriae defenſori Acerrimo GƲLIELMO PRYNNE. J. V. Doctori celeberrimo, Domino atque Amico ſuo plurimum honorando Authori, Interpres, S. P. D. hath publiſhed to my ſelf in particular, and the world in general, That the beheading of the K. as it was contrary to the Parls. primitive intention; ſo it was, cum magna gentis Anglicanae ignominia, qui jam diſcincti, laudatiſſimique corporis compage miſerrime rupta atque diſſipata, ferre coguntur, quod evitari amplius non poteſt. At ſane non exiguam laudem APUD OMNES REFORMAT AS ECCLESIAS conſecuti ſunt illi Angliae Paſtores, qui naevos, et Errores Regiae adminiſtrationis, quos magnos fuiſſe agnoverunt, precibus potius a Deo deprecandos, quam capitali poena vindicandos eſſe cenſuerunt, ſuaſque Eccleſias ab omnibus ſanguinariis conſiliis, magno zelo, animo plane intrepido, dehortati, omnemque criminis iſtius ſuſpicionem, ab ipſis hoc pacto, prudentiſſime amoliti ſunt. Sed hanc cauſam aliis diſceptandam relinquo: Which learned Salmaſius ſoon after profeſſedly undertook in the Netherlands; Vincentius, Heraldus and Bochartus, (3 moſt eminent Proteſtant Miniſters) in France, in printed Treatiſes publiſhed againſt p. 463the Kings Trial, &c. as repugnant to the Principles of the Chriſtian & Proteſtant Religion; Which another famous Frenchman in his French Tranſlation of 47 London Miniſters Petition againſt it, thus brands. ††Samuelis Bocharti Epiſtola, p. 155.Poſt Chriſtum crucifixum nullum atrocius crimen uſpiam eſſe admiſſum, & univerſam terram eo concuti, & bonos omnes ad luctum provocari, USQUE AD FINEM SECULI: Which Mr. Bradſhaw may do well to ruminate upon now in cold blood, and all others ingaged with him in this unparalled Judgment & execution; being no way warranted by the depoſitions of King Edward, or Richard the 2.

14ly. When the News of K. Richards depoſing was reported into France, King Charls and all his Court wondered,Halls Chron. fol. 15. deteſted and abhorred ſuch an injury to be done to an anointed King, to a crowned Prince, and the head of the Realm: But in eſpecial Waleram Earl of St. Paul, which had maried King Richards half Siſter, moved with high diſdain againſt King Henry, ceaſed not to ſtir and provoke the French King and his Counſel to make ſharp war in England, to revenge the injury and diſhonour committed and done to his Son-in-law King Richard, and he himſelf ſent Letters of defiance to England. Which thing was ſoon agreed to, and an Army royal appointed with all ſpeed, to invade England. But the French King ſo ſtomached this high diſpleaſure, and ſo inwardly conceived this unfortunate chance in his mind, that he fell into his old diſeaſe of the Frenſy, that he had need according to the old proverb, to ſail to the Iſle of Anticyra, to purge his melancholy humour; but by the means of his Phyſicians, he was ſomewhat relieved and brought to knowledge of himſelf. This Army was come down into Picardy, ready to be tranſported into England. But when it was certainly certified that King Richard was dead, and that their enterpriſe of his deliverance was fruſtrate and void, the Army ſcattered and departed aſunder.

But when the certainty of King Richards death was declared p. 464to the Aquitaynes and Gaſcons, the moſt part of the wiſeſt men of the Country fell into a bodily fear, and into a deadly dread; for ſome lamenting the inſtability of the Engliſh people, judged them to be ſpotted with perpetual infamy, and brought to diſhonour and loſs of their antient fame and glory, for committing ſo hainous a crime and deteſtable an offence againſt their King and Soveraign Lord. The memory whereof they thought would never be buried or extincted. Others feared the loſte of their goods and liberties; becauſe they imagined that by this civil diſſenſion and inteſtine diviſion, the Realm of England ſhould ſo be vexed and troubled, that their Country (if the Frenchmen ſhould invade it) ſhould be deſtitute and left void of all aid and ſuccour of the Engliſh Nation. But the Citizens of Burdeaux took this matter very ſore at ſtomach, becauſe King Richard was born and brought up in their City, lamenting and crying out, that ſince …he beginning of the world, there was never a more deteſtable or more villanous or hainous act committed: which being ſad with ſorrow, and inflamed with melancholy, ſaid that untrue, unnatural, and unmercifull people had betrayed and ſlain, contrary to all Law and Juſtice and honeſty, a good man, a juſt Prince, and lawfull Governour; beſeeching God devoutly on their knees, to be the revenger and puniſher of that deteſtable offence and notorious crime. 15ly. The proceedings againſt King Richard the 2. in the Parliament of 1 H. 4. were in the (n)(n)See an Exact Abridgment, p. 670.Parliament of 1 E. 4. n. 9, 10, 11, 12. condemned as illegal, the Tyrannous uſurpation of Henry the 4th. with his hainous murdering of King Richard the 2. at large ſet forth, his reign, declared by Act of Parliament to be an intruſion and meer uſurpation, for which he and the heirs of his body are utterly diſ inabled, as unworthy to enjoy any inheritance, eſtate, or profits within the Realm of England or Dominions of the ſame for ever; and that by this memorable Petition of the Commons, wherein the pedigree of King Edward the 4th. and his title to the Crown, are likewiſe fully ſet forth, a Record moſt worthy the p. 465publike view, being never yet printed to my knowledge.

Ex Rotulo Parliamenti tenti apud Weſtm. anno primo Edwardi Quarti, n. 8.Declaratio tituli Regii & reſtitutio ad eundem. Memorandum quod quaedam Petitio exhibita fuit praefato Domino Regi in praeſenti Parliamento per praefatos Communes ſub eo qui ſequitur tenore verborum. For as much as it is notary, openly, and evidently known, that the right noble, and worthy Prince Henry, King of England, the third, had iſſue Edward his furſt gotten Son, born at Weſtminſter in the 15 kalende of Juyll in the vigille of Seint Marce and Marcellian, the year of our Lord M.C.C.XLV. the which Edw. after the death of the ſaid King Henry his Fader, entituled and called King Edward the furſt, had iſſue his furſt gotten Son, entituled and called after the deceaſe of the ſame Edward the furſt his Fader King Edward the ſecond, which had iſſue the right noble and honourable Prince King Edward the third, true and undoubted King of Englond and of France, and Lord of Irelond; which Edward the third had iſſue Edward his furſt gotten Son Prince of Wales, William Hatfield ſecund gotten Son, Leonel third gotten Son Duke of Clarence, John of Gaunt fourth gotten ſon Duke of Lancaſter; Edmund Langley the fifth gotten ſon Duke of York, Thomas Wodeſtoks the ſixth gotten ſon Duke of Glouceſter, and William Wyndeſore the ſeventh gotten Son. And the ſaid Edward Prince of Wales, which died in the life of the ſaid King Edward the thurd his Fader, had iſſue Richard, which after the death of the ſame King Edward the third, as Couſin and heir to him, that is to ſay Son to the ſaid Edward Prince of Wales, Son unto the ſaid King Edward the third, ſucceeded him in royal eſtate and dignity, lawfully entituled and called King Richard the ſecund, and died without iſſue, William Hatfield the ſecund gotten Son of the ſaid King Edward the third died without iſſue, the ſaid Leonel Duke of Clarence the third gotten Son of the ſame King Edward had iſſue Phelip his only daughter and died, And the ſame Phelip wedded unto Edmund Mortimer Earl of Marche, had iſſue by the ſame p. 466Edmund, Roger Mortymer Earl of Marche her Son and heir, which Edmund and Phelip died, the ſame Roger Earl of March had iſſue Edmund Mortymer Earl of March, Roger Mortymer Anne and Alianore and died. And alſo the ſame Edmund and Roger ſons of the foreſaid Roger, and the ſaid Alianore died without Iſſue. And the ſame Anne wedded unto Richard Earl of Cambridge, the Son of the ſaid Edmund Langley, the fifth gotten ſon of the ſaid king Edward the third, as it is afore ſpecified, had iſſue that right noble and famous Prince of full worthy memory, Richard Plantagenet Duke of York: And the ſaid Richard Earl of Cambridge, and Anne his Wife died, And the ſame Rich. Du. of York had iſſue the right high and mighty Prince Edward, our Liege and Soveraign Lord, and died, to whom as Couſin and heir to the ſaid King Richard the Crown of the Realm of England, and the royal power, eſtate, dignity, preheminence and governance of the ſame Realm, and the Lordſhip of Ireland, lawfully and of right appertaineth, of the which Crown, Royal power, eſtate, dignity, preheminence, governance and Lordſhip the ſaid King Richard the ſecond was lawfully, rightfully and juſtly ſeiſed and poſſeſsed, and the ſame joyed in reſt and quiet without interruption or moleſtation, unto the time that Henry late Earl of Derby, ſon of the ſaid Iohn of Gaunt, the fourth gotten ſon of the ſaid King Edward the third, and younger Brother of the ſaid Leonel, temerouſly agenſt rightwiſnes and Iuſtice, by force and Arms agenſt his faith and liegeaunce rered werre at Flynte in Wales agenſt the ſaid King Richard, him took and enpriſoned in the Tower of London of grete violence. And the ſame King Richard ſo being in priſon, and living, uſurped and intruded upon the royal power, eſtate, dignity, preheminence, poſſeſſions and Lordſhips aforeſaid, taking upon him uſurpouſly the Crown and name of K. and L. of the ſame Realm and Lordſhip. And not therewith ſatisfied or content, but more grievous thing attempting,Nota. wickedly of unnatural, unmanly, and cruel tyranny, the ſame King Richard, King anointed, crowned and conſecrate, and his Liege and moſt high Lord in the Earth, p. 467agenſt Gods Law, Mans liegeance and Oth of fidelite, with uttermoſt punicion attormenting, murdred and deſtroyed, with most vile, hainous and lamentable death; whereof the heavy exclamation in the doom of every Chriſtian man ſoundeth into Gods hearing in Heaven, not forgotten in the Earth, ſpecially in this Realm of Englond, which therefore hath ſuffered the charge of intollerable perſecution, punicion and tribulation, whereof the like hath not been ſeen or heard in any other Chriſtian Realm by any memory or Record: Then being on Live, the ſaid Edmund Mortymer Earl of March, ſon and heir of the ſaid Roger, ſon and heir of the ſaid Philip, daughter and heir of the ſaid Leonel, the third Son of the ſaid King Edward the third; To the which Edmund after the deceaſe of the ſaid King Richard, the right and title of the ſame Crown and Lordſhip, then by law, cuſtom and conſcience deſcended and belonged, and of right belongeth at this time unto our ſaid Liege and Soveraign Lord, King Edward the fourth, as Couſin and heir to the ſaid King Richard, in manner and form aboveſaid. Our ſaid Soveraign and Liege Lord King Edward the fourth, according to his right and title of the ſaid Crown and Lordſhip, after the deceaſe of the ſaid right noble and famous Prince Richard Duke of York, his fader, in the name of Jeſu, n. 10·to his pleaſure and loving the fourth day of the Month of March laſt paſt, took upon him to uſe his right and title to the ſaid Realm of Englond and Lordſhip, and entred into the exerciſe of the royal eſtate, dignity, preheminence and power of the ſame Crown, and to the reign and governance of the ſaid Realm of Englond and Lordſhip; And the ſame fourth day of March amoved Henry, late called King Henry the ſixth, ſon to Henry, ſon to the ſaid Hen. late E. of Derby, ſon to the ſaid John of Gaunt from the occupation, uſurpation, intruſion, reign and governance of the ſame Realm of Englond and Lordſhip, to the univerſal comfort and conſolation of all his Subgetts and Liegemen, plentevouſly joyed to be amoeved and departed from the obeyſance and governance of the unrightwiſe uſurpour, ††Notain whoſe time, not plenty, Pees, Justice, good governance, pollicy, and p. 468vertuouſe converſatien, but unreſt, inwa…d warr and trouble, unright wiſeneſs, ſhedding and effuſion …f innocent bloud, abuſe of the Laws, partiality, riot, extortion, murder, rape and vitious living, Nota.have been the guiders and leaders of the noble Realm of Englond, in antient time among all Christian realms laudably reputed of great honour, worſhip, and nobly drad of all outward Lands, then being the lau…ier of honour, proweſs and worthineſs of all other Realms, in the time of the ſaid uſurpation fallen from that renown unto miſery, wretchedneſs, deſolation, ſhamefull and ſorrowfull decline. And to live under the obeyſance, governance and tuition of their true right wiſe and natural Leige and Soveraign Lord. The Commons being in this preſent Parliament, having ſufficient and evident knowledge of the ſaid unrightwiſe uſurpation and intruſion by the ſaid Henry late Earl of Derby, upon the ſaid Crown of Englond, knowing alſo certainly without doubt or ambiguity the right and title of our ſaid Soveraign Lord thereunto, ††Nota.true, and that by Gods Law, Mans Law, and the Law of Nature, he and none other is and ought to be their true right wiſe and natural Liege and Soveraign Lord. And that he was in right from the death of the ſaid Noble and famous Prince his Fader, very juſt King of the ſaid Realm of Englond. And the ſaid 4. day of March in lawfull poſſeſſion of the ſame Realm with the royal power, preheminence, eſtate and dignity belonging to the Crown thereof, and of the ſaid Lordſhip; take, accept and repute, and will for ever take, accept and repute the ſaid Edward the fourth their Soveraign and liege Lord, and him and his heirs to be Kings of Englond, and none other, according to his ſaid right and title. And beſeech the ſame their ſaid Liege and Soveraign Lord King Edward the fourth, that by the advice and aſſent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal being in this preſent Parlement, and by authority of the ſame, his right and title to the ſaid Crown afore ſpecified, be declared, taken, accepted and reputed true and rightwiſe, the ſame right and title to abide and remain of Record perpetually, by the ſaid advice, aſſent and authority. And that it be declared and judged by the ſaid advice, aſſent and authority, that the ſaid Henry p. 469late Earl of Derby, for the ſaid ††Nota.rearing of warr againſt the ſaid King Richard, then his Soveraign Lord, and the violent taking, impriſoning, unrightwiſe uſurpation, intruſion, and horrible cruel murder of him; agenſt his faith and ligeance, wickedly and unjuſtly offended and hurted the Royal Majeſty of his ſaid Soveraign Lord. And that the ſame Henry unrightwiſely, agenſt Law, conſcience, and cuſtom of the ſaid Realm of Englond, uſurped upon the ſaid Crown and Lordſhip. And that he, and alſo Henry late called King Henry the fifth, his ſon, and the ſaid Henry, late called King Henry the ſixth, the ſon of the ſaid Henry, late called King Henry the fifth, occupied the ſaid Realm of Englond, and Lordſhip of Irelond, and ††Nota.exerciſe the governance thereof by unrightwiſe intruſion and uſurpation, and in none other wiſe. And that the taking of poſſeſſion and entry into the exerciſe of the Royal Eſtate, dignity, reign and governance of the ſaid Realm of Englond, and Lordſhip of Irelond, of our ſaid Soveraign Liege Lord King Edward the fourth the ſaid fourth day of March, and the amotion of the ſaid Henry, late called King Henry the ſixth, from the exerciſe, occupation, uſurpation, intruſion, Nota.reign and governance of the ſame Realm and Lordſhip, done by our ſaid Soveraign and Liege Lord King Edward the fourth, the ſaid fourth day of March; was and is rightwiſe, lawfull, and according to the Laws and cuſtoms of the ſaid Realm, and ſo ought to be taken, holden, reputed and accepted. And over that, that our ſaid Soveraign and Liege Lord King Edward the fourth, the ſaid fourth day of March, was lawfully ſeiſed and poſſeſſed of the ſaid Crown of Englond in his ſaid right and title, and from thenceforth have to him and his heirs Kings of Englond, n. 11.all ſuch Manors, Caſtles, Lordſhips, honours, lands, tenements, rents, ſervices, fees, feefarms, rents, Knights fees, advowſons, gifts of Offices, to give at his pleaſure, fairs, markets, iſſues, fines, and amerciaments, liberties, franchiſes, prerogatives, eſcheats, cuſtoms, reverſions, remainders, and all other hereditaments, with her appurtenance, whatſoever they be, in Englond, Wales and Irelond, and in Caleys, and the Marches thereof, as the ſaid p. 470King Richard had in the feaſt of Sr. Matthew the Apoſtle the 23. year of his reign, in the right and title of the ſaid Crown of Englond, and Lordſhip of Irelond, and ſhould after his deceaſe have deſcended to the ſaid Edmund Mortimer Earl of March, ſon of the ſaid Roger Mortimer Earl of March, as to the next heir of bloud of the ſame King Richard after his death, if the ſaid uſurpation had not been committed; or after the deceaſe of the ſame Edmund, to his next heir of blood by the Law and cuſtom of the ſaid Realm of Englond the Manors, Caſtles, Honors, Lordſhips, lands, tenements, poſſeſſions, and hereditaments, with their appurtenances, which come to the hands of the ſaid King Richard by forfeiture, by force of an Act made in a Parlement holden at Weſtminster the 21. year of his reign except; the ſaid Commons beſeeching our ſaid Liege Lord to have and take all only the iſſues and revenues of all the ſaid Caſtles, Manors, Lordſhips, Honors, lands, tenements, rents, ſervices, and of other the premiſes aforeſaid, with their appurtenances, except afore except, from the ſaid fourth day of the ſaid monethmonth of March, and not afore. Saving to every of the liegemen and ſubjects of our ſaid Soveraign and liege Lord King Edward the fourth, ſuch lawfull title and right, as he, or any other to his uſe had in any of the premiſes the ſaid third day of March, other than he had either of the grant of the ſaid Henry late Earl of Derby, called King Henry the fourth, the ſaid Henry his ſon, or the ſaid Henry, late called King Henry the ſixth, or by authority of any pretenced Parlement holden in any of their dayes. And that it be ordained, declared and ſtabliſhed, by the aſſent, advice▪ and authority aforeſaid, That all Statutes, Acts and Ordinances heretofore made, in and for the hurt, destruction and avoyding of the ſaid right and title of the ſaid King Richard, or of his heirs, to ask claim, or have the Crown, Royal power, eſtate, dignity, preheminence, governance, exerciſe, poſſeſſions and Lordſhip aboveſaid ††Nota.be voyd, and be taken, holden, …nd reputed voyd, and for nought, adnulled, repealed, revoked, and of no force, value or effect. n. 12.And furthermore conſideration and reſpect had p. 471to the ††Nota.horrible, detestable, cruel and inhuman tyranny by the ſaid Henry late Earl of Derby, againſt his faith and ligeance done and committed to the ſaid King Richard, his rightwiſe true and natural Liege and Soveraign Lord, the unright wiſe and unlawfull uſurpation and intruſion of the ſame Henry upon the ſaid Crown of Englond and Lordſhip of Irelond, the great intollerable hurt, prejudice, and derogation that thereby followed to the ſaid Edmund Mortymer Earl of March, next heir of blood of the ſaid King Richard, time of his death, and to the heirs of the ſaid Edmund, and the great and exceſſive damage that by the ſaid uſurpations and the continuance thereof hath grown to the ſaid Realm of Englond, and to the politique and peaceable governance thereof, by inward wars moved and grounded by occaſion of the ſaid Ʋſurpation; It be therefore Ordeined, declared and ſtabliſhed by the advice, aſſent and authority aforeſaid, for the more stabliſhing of the aſſured and undoubted inward reſt and tranquility of the ſaid Realm of Englond; And for the avoyding of the ſaid uſurpation and intruſion very cauſe and ground of the tribulation, perſecution, and adverſity thereof, that the ſaid Henry late Earl of Derby, & the heirs of his body coming, ††Nota.be from henceforth unabled, and taken and holden from henceforth unable and unworthy, the premiſes conſidered, to have, joy, occupy, hold or inherit any eſtate, dignity, preheminence, enheritaments or poſſeſſions within the Realm of Englond, Wales or Irelond aforeſaid, or in Caleys or the Marches thereof. And ſith that the Crown, Royal eſtate, dignity and Lordſhip above rehearſed, of right appertained to the ſaid Noble Prince Richard Duke of York;n. 13. And that the ſaid Uſurper late called King Henry the ſixth, that underſtanding, to the intent that in his opinion he might the more ſurely ſtand and continue in his uſurpation and intruſion of and in the ſame Crown, Royal eſtate, dignities, and Lordſhip evermore, intended and laboured continually by ſubtile imaginations, frauds, deceipts and exorbitant means, to the extreme and final deſtruction of the ſame noble Prince Richard and his iſſue. And for the execution of this malicious and damnable p. 472purpoſe therein▪ in a pre…ence Parliament by him and his uſurped authority holden at Coventree the 38 year of his uſurped Reign, without cauſe lawfull or reaſonable, declared and judged the ſame noble Prince Richard, and the Noble Lords his Sons, that is to wit Edward then Earl of March, and now the King our Soveraign Lord aboveſaid, and Edmund Earl of Ruthland, to be his Rebels and Enemies, them, and all their iſſue diſ-inheriting of all name, state, title, and preheminence, tenements, poſſeſſions and enheritaments for evermore, cruelly, wickedly and unjuſtly, and agenſt all humanity, right and reaſon; whereby the ſaid noble Prince Richard and his ſons above named, were compelled by the dread of death to abſent them for a time out of this Realm of Englond, the natural land of their birth, unto their intollerable hurt, prejudice, heavineſſe and diſcomfort. And where after theſe the ſaid noble Prince Richard Duke of York uſing the benefice of the Law of Nature, and ſufficiently accompanied for his defence and recovery of his right to the ſaid Crown of the ſaid Realm came thereunto, not then having any Lord therein above him but God. And in the time of a Parliament holden by the ſaid Henry, late called King Henry the ſixth, the ſixth day of October, the 39 year of his ſaid uſurped reign, intended to uſe his right, and to enter into the exerciſe of the royal powers, dignitees, and Lordſhips aboveſaid, as it was lawfull, and according to Law, reaſon, and justice him ſo to doe; and thereupon ſhewed, opened, declared, and proved his right and title to the ſaid Crown, to fore the Lords Spiritual and temporal, and Commons being in the ſame Parlitment, by antient matters of ſufficient and notable Record, undefaiſible; whereunto it could not be anſwered or replyed by any matter that of right ought to have deferred him then from the poſſeſſion thereof; yet nevertheleſs for the tender zeal, love, and affection that the ſame Duke bare of Godly and bleſſed vertues, and natural diſpoſition to the reſtfull governance and pollicy of the ſame Realm, and the Common wele thereof, which he loved all his life, deſired and preferred afore all other things earthly, though, all the p. 473ſeid Lords ſpiritual and temporal, after long and mature deliberation by them had by good advice, upon the ſaid right and title, and the authorities and Records proving the ſame, the anſwers thereunto gives, and the repl…cations to the ſame made, knew the ſame right and title true, by them and the ſeid Commons ſo declared, accepted and admitted in the ſame Parliament. I… liked him, at the grete inſtance, deſire and requeſt of the ſeid Lords, ſolemnply, and many times unto him made, to aſſent and grant unto a convention, concord and agreement between the ſeid Henry, late called King Henry the ſixth on that op…party, and him on that other, upon the ſeid right and title by the ſame late called King, by the advice and aſſent of the ſeid Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, being in the ſeid Parliament auctorized, in the ſame, comprehending, among other, that the ſeid Ʋ ſurper, late called King Henry the ſixt, underſtanding certainly the ſeid title of the ſaid Richard Duke of York, juſt, lawfull, true and ſufficient, by the advis and aſſent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commyns in the ſeid Parliament aſſembled, and by authorite of the ſame, declared approved, ratified, confirmed and accepted the ſeid title, juſt, good, lawfull and true, and thereunto gave his aſſent and agrreement of his free will and liberty; And over that by the ſeid advis and auctorite, declared, affirmed, and reputed the ſeid Richard Duke of York very true and rightfull heir to the Crowns, Royal eſtate and dignite of the Realms of Englond & France, and Lordſhip of Irelond aforeſeid: And that according to the worſhip and reverence thereto belonging, he ſhould be taken, accepted and repu…ed in worſhip and reverence by all the Eſtates and perſons of the ſeid Realm of Englond. The ſeid Uſurper late called King Henry the ſixth, ſaving and reſerving to himſelf the ſeid Crowns, Realms, royal eſtate, dignite and preheminence of the ſame, and the ſeid Lordſhip of Ireland during his life natural. And further more by the ſame advice and authoti…e would, conſented and agreed, that after his deceaſe, or when it ſhould pleaſe him to lay from him the ſeid p. 474Crowns, eſtate, dignity, and Lordſhip, or thereof ce…ede, the ſeid Richard Duke of York and his heirs ſhould immediately ſucceed him in the ſeid Crowns, Royal Eſtate, dignity and Lordſhip, and them then have and enjoy, any Act of Parliament, Statute, Ordinance or any thing to the contrary made, or interruption, or diſcontinuance of poſſeſſion notwithſtanding: And if any perſon or perſons from thencefor…h imagined or compaced the death of the ſeid Richard Duke of York, it be deemed and judged high Treaſon, in manner and form as it is ſpecified in the ſeid Act; And that the ſeid Noble Prince Richard Duke of York, by way and conſideration of recompence for his abſtaining for a time of the exerciſe of the ſeid royal power of the benigne and noble diſpoſition that he bare to the ſaid Common wele, and to the reſt and tronquillity of the ſeid Realm, ſhould have Caſtles, Mannors, lands and tenements to the value of 10 Mil. Marc. whereof the Earldom and City of Cheſter was parcel, aſſigned to the ſaid Duke by ſpecial Act made in the ſeid Parliament, the which Earldom and City the ſeid Duke gave among other unto our ſeid Soveraign Lord then being Earl of March, as parcel of Manors, Lordſhips, lands and tenements of the yearly value of 3 Mil. Marc. which, by vertue of the ſeid convention and concord, and the Act thereof made, was given unto him for the ſuſtentation of his eſtate; abiding and perſevering like a true Chriſtian and honourable Prince, in full purpoſe to keep and obſerve the ſeid Convention and concord for his party, truſting verily that the ſeid Uſurper Henry, late called King Henry the ſixth, would have truly, faithfully, juſtly keped and obſerved for his party the ſame convention and concord inviolable, as by Law, reaſon, Princely honour and duty he was bounden to doe; and not have departed and varied from ſuch convention made of ſo high and ſo great authority as it was made, whereunto neither our ſeid Soveraign Lord, ne the ſeid noble Prince aſſented, but without prejudice of the ſeid right and ritle, as it is plainly ſpecified in the ſ…id Act made upon p. 475the ſeid convencion and Concord, and under proteſtation and condition, that the ſeid Uſurpour ſhuld kepe and perform without fraude or male ingyne, all things therein contained for his ſeid party, declared openly by their mouths in the preſens and heryng of the ſaid Lords in the ſeid Parliament, and therein enacted of Record, at the grete inſtaunce and prayer of the ſame Uſurpour, late called King Henry the ſixth; And at the ſolempne requeſt of all the ſeid Lords, for the tender and ſpecial zele, love, and affection that he bare to the reſt of the ſeid Realm, and to the Commyn wele and policy thereof, toke his viage of good, bleſſed and vertuous intent, and diſpoſition toward the North parties of the ſaid Realm, to repreſs and ſubdue certain riots, rebellions, inſurrections, and commotions there begun. And the premiſes notwithſtanding the ſeid Henry Uſurpour, late called King Henry the ſixth, continuing in his old rancour malice, uſing the fraud and malicious diſceit and diſſimulation agenſt trouth and conſcience that accord not with the honour of eny criſten Prince, to thentent that the ſaid Agrement, concord and Act ſhuld take no due effect: And into the fruſtacion of the ſame in the matiers and things above reherced; that is to ſay, that neither the ſeid Richard Duke ſhuld have ne enjoy the ſame Caſtells, Manoirs, lands and tenements, name, title, reverence and worſhip above reherced, neither he ne his ſons and heirs ſucceed in the ſeid Corones, Royal eſtate, dignity, lordſhip, after the tenure, fourm and effect of the ſaid agreement, concord and Act, with all ſubtil imaginacions and diſceitful ways and means to him poſſible intended, and covertely laboured, excited and procured the final deſtruction, murdre and death of the ſaid Richard Duke, and of his Sons, that is to ſey of our ſeid new Soveraign Lord King Edward the fourth, then Earl of March, and of the noble Lord Edmund Earl of Ruthlande: And for the execution of his dampnable and malicious purpoſe, by writing and other meſſages, moeved, excited and ſtirred thereunto the Dukes of Exceſter and Somerſet, and other Lords, being then in the North parties of this p. 476Realm; whereupon at Wakefeld in the Shire of York, the ſeid Duke of Somerſet falſely and traiterouſly the ſame Noble Prince, Duke of York, on Teiuſday the 30 day of Decemb. laſt paſſed, horribly, cruelly, traiterouſly murdered, And alſo the worthy and good Lords Edmund Earl of Ruthland, Brother of our ſeid Soveraign Lord, and Richard Earl of Salesbury. And not therwith content, of their inſatiable malice after that they were dede made them to beheaded with abhomynable cruelte and horrible deſpite, agenſt all humanite and nature of Nobles, And after that the ſame Henry Uſurpour gretely and wonderfuly joying the ſeid dolorous and piteous murder of the ſame noble Prince and worthy Lords, to the Realm, an heavy and a lamentable ſorrow, and loſt; forthwith, and oftentimes after openly declared to divers Lords of the ſame Realm, That he would not in any wiſe kepe the ſeid Convencioun and accord, ne the act thereof made: and to the infraccion and violatiation of the ſaid convention and concord, not only ſent Letters made under his prive Seal unto certain Knights and Squiers, commaunding and charging them by the ſame, to ſpoil and diſſeiſe our ſeid Soveraign Lord by the name of Earl of March, of his poſſeſſion of the ſeid Earldom and Citee of Cheſter, whereof he was lawfully poſſeſſed and ſeaſed by vertue and reaſon of the ſeid Convencion and Concord, but alſo of extreme violence, utter and final breche of his party of the ſeid convencions and concord, ſent out writs under his Seal to the Mayer, Aldermen, and Commonalte of the Citee of London, bering date the 22 day of Feverere laſt paſt, and other like Writs to divers Officers, Governours, and Miniſters of divers other Citees, and to many Shires and Burroughs of the ſeid Realm, to make fals, untrue and injuſt proclamations againſt our ſeid Soveraign and Liege Lord K. Ed. the 4th. by the name of Ed. late E. of March, to provoke and excite his destruction. And alſo by his Letters ſigned with his hand directed unto the ſeid Dukes of Exceſter and Somerſet, and other Lords refuſed and denied to keep and obſerve the ſeid accord, convention and agreement, and by the ſame writing p. 477falſifying his promiſe, departed from the ſame Convention and accord, afore either the ſame our Soveraign Lord, or the ſeid noble Prince his Fader any thing did, or attempted to the contrary of the ſame convention and concord for their partie. Be it declared and juged by the ſeid advis, aſſent and authorite, the premiſes conſidered,n. 14. that the ſeid Uſurper Henry, late called Henry the ſixth, agenſt good faith, troth, conſcience, and his honour, brake the ſeid Convention and concord, and departed therefrom of wilfull malice long afore the ſeid fourth day of March, as by the matters afore declared it appeareth ſufficiently: And that the breche thereof on his partie, diſcharged our ſeid Soveraign Lord of all things that ſhould or might charge him to the keeping thereof in any Article or point after the ſeid breche. And that he was then at his freedom and liberty to uſe his ſaid right and title of the ſeid Crownes, and to enter into the exerciſe thereof, and of the Royal power, dignite and preheminence longing thereunto, as he lawfully did in manere and fourm above ſpecified, the ſeid convention and concord, and the Acte thereupon made, or any thing therein conteined notwithſtanding. And over this it be declared and juged by the ſeid advis, aſſent and authorite, that the ſeid agreement, concord, and Act, in all things which been in any wiſe repugnant or contrary to the ſeid right, title, entree, ſtate, ſeaſen and poſſeſſion of our Soveraign Lord King Edward the fourth, in and to the Crown Royal, eſtate, dignite and Lordſhip above ſaid, be void and of no force ne effect. And that it be Ordeyned and ſtabliſhed by the ſeid aſſent, advis and authorite, that every perſon having any parcel of the ſeid Caſtles, Manors, Lands, Honours, tenements, rents, ſervices, poſſeſſions or hereditaments aboveſeid, the which were given in exchange, or in recompence of or for any other Manors, Caſtles, lands, tenements, rents, advowſons, fee-farms, reverſions, or any other poſſeſſions or enheritaments given to the ſeid Henry late Earl of Derby, to the ſeid Henry his ſon, late called King Henry the fifth, or to the ſeid Henry his ſon late called p. 478King Henry the ſixth, or to any other perſon or perſones to or for their or any of their uſe at their or any of their deſire, or to perform & execute their or any of their wille, mowe, entre; And that they and their heirs and ſucceſſors entre into the ſame Manors, Caſtles, Lands, tenements, rents, ſervices, poſſeſſions, advowſons or hereditaments ſo given, And them have, hold, keep, joy, occupy and inherit of like eſtate as the giver or givers thereof had them at the time of the gift thereof made, though it be ſo that in any of the Letters Patents or gifts made of any of the premiſes, no mention be made of any recompence or eſchange. Qua quidem petitione in Parliamento praedicto lecta, audita, & plenius intellecta, de aviſamento & aſſenſu Dominorum Spiritualium & Temporalium in eodem Parliam. existen. & ad requiſitionem Communitatis praedictae, respondebatur eidem, modo & forma hic Inferius annotatis.