The Popish Royal Favorite, Letter 5 – Letter 22
CHARLES REX.
VVHereas we have received very good testimony of the loyalty, duty, and affection of our trusty & wellbeloved Sir Iohn Wintour of Lydney in our County of Glo…cester Knight, and the Lady Mary his Wife, and because they may be subject to the penalty of the Lawes made against Recusancie; These are to signifie, that we are pleased to extend Our speciall grace towards them, and doe hereby command, that no Indictment, Presentment, Information, or Suit, either in Our name or in the name of any other, be hereafter commenced, prosecuted, or accepted against them, or either of them, by any of our Officers or Ministers whatsoever for matter of Recusancy, till we shall signifie our pleasure to the contrary. And if any such be already, or shall happen to be at any time hereafter, then our will and pleasure is, the same shall be forth with made void, or otherwise not preiudiciall to them, or either of them. Given under our Signet at our Court at Oatlands the seventh day of August in the thirteenth yeare of our Raigne.
To the most Reverend Father in God, our right trusty and right entirely el…ved Councellour, the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury; to the Treasurer, VnderUnder treasurer, and Barons of the Exchequer for the time being, to our Commissioners for Recusancy for the time being, and to all the Iudges of Assize, Iustices of peace, Maiors, Sheriffes, Bailiffes, Clerkes of Assize, Petty Constables, Headboroughs, Messengers, Pursivants and Informers, and to all other our Officers and Ministers as well Ecclesiasticall as Temporall, whom it doth or may concerne, and to every of them.
CHARLES REX.
VVHereas we are well satisfied of the loyalty, duty, and affection of our trusty and wellbeloved Sir Francis Mannecke, of Stocke in our County of Suffolke Baronet, and Dame Mary his Wife; and because they are or may be subject to the penalty of our lawes made against Recusancy by way of Indictment or otherwise. These are to signifie, that we are pleased to extend our speciall grace and fovour towards them, and doe therefore here by command that no Indictment, Presentment, Information, or Suite either in our name, or in the name of any other, be from henceforth framed preferred, commenced, prosecuted, or accepted against them or either of them, by any our Officers or Ministers whatsoever, Ecclesiasticall or Temporall, for or concerning Recusancy, till we shall signifie our pleasure to the contrary. And if any such be, or shall happen to be hereafter, then our pleasure is, that presently upon sight hereof, the same be cancelled and made voyd, or otherwise not preiudiciall to them or either of them, and these our Letters shall be to all our said Officers and Ministers whatsoever, sufficient warrant and discharge in this behalfe. Given under our Signet at our Palace of Westminster the one and twentieth day of April in the fourteenth yeare of our Raigne.
To all, &c.
CHARLES REX.
WHereas we are well satisfied of the loyalty, duty, affection, and good service of our trusty and welbeloved Thomas lennings of London, Merchant; and because he is or may be subiect to the Penalty of our Lawes made against Recusancy, by way of Indictment or otherwise, by reason of his Wives Recusancy, although he himself be every way conformable: These are to signifie, that we are pleased to extend our speciall grace towards him and her, and doe therefore hereby command that no Indictment, Presentment, Information, or Suit, either in our name, or in the name of any other, be from henceforth framed, preferred, prosecuted or accepted against them or either of them, by any of our Officers or Ministers whatsoever for or concerning her Recusancy, till we shall signifie our pleasure to the contrary. And if any such be, or shall happen to be hereafter, then our will and pleasure is, that forthwith upon sight hereof the same shall be cancelled and made voyd, or otherwise not preiudiciall to them or either of them, and this our letter shall be unto all and every our officers and Ministers, whom it doth or may concerne sufficient warrant and discharge in this behalf. Given under our Signet at our Palace of Westminster, the seven and twentieth day of March, in the fifteenth Yeare of our Reigne.
To the most reverend Father in God, our right trusty and right intirely beloved Councellour, the Lord Arch-bishop of Canterbury, Primate and Metrapolitane of all England, and to the Lord Arch-bishop of Canterbury for the time being, to the Tresurer and VnderUnder-treasurers, and Barons of our Exchequer for the time being, to our Commissioners for Recusants for the time being, to all and singular our Iudges… Iustices of Assize, and Goal-delivery, Iustices of Peace, Maiors, Sheriffs, Clerkes of Assize and peace, Baliffs, Constables, Messengers, Pursivants and Informers, and to all other our Officers and Ministers, as well Ecclesiasticall as Temporall now and for the time being, whom it doth or may concerne, and to every of them,
CHARLES REX.
WHereas Sir Chr…les Smith of VValton VVavers in the County of VVarwick Knight, is or may be subiect to the danger of our Lawes for his Recusancy by way of Indictment or otherwise; These are to signifie, that we are graciously pleased to extend our speciall grace and favour towards him, and doe hereby will and command that no Indictment, Presentment, Information, or Suit in our name, or in the name of any other, be henceforth preferred or accepted against him by reason of his said Recusancy, by any of our Officers or Subjects whomsoeever, and if any such shall happen to be, then our will and pleasure is, upon sight hereof, that the same shall be discharged and made voyd. Given under our Signet at our Court at Greenwich the nine and twentieth day of June, in the tenth yeare of our Reigne.
To all and singular our Iudges of Assize, Iustices of peace, Maiors, Sheriffs, Bailiffs, Clerkes of Assize and Peace, Constables, and to all other our Officers, and Ministers wh… it doth or may concerne, and to every of them.
CHARLES REX.
TRusty and well beloved, we greet you well, we have been often and earnestly moved by our deare Mother the Queene Mother of France, to extend our favour to Sir Henry Bedingfield Knight, his Wife and Family, who are Popish Recusants, and we are very willing that for her sake they should receive our favour, when they shall stand in need thereof for that cause; yet we must so performe it, that it may not be of*Wh… then … so ma… Letter this na… grante others … ill example to others, who are or shall be in the like kinde obnoxious to our Lawes for Recusancy, nor be scandalous to our Government, whereof we are and must be tender; therefore our will and command to you is, that you take knowledge of our pleasure herein, and take speciall care to preserve the said Sir Henry Bedingfield and his Wife from the danger of the lawes made against Popish Recusarits, that Sir Henry himself shall not be impeached any way for any of his Family for being Popish Recusants; for the doing whereof from time to time, by such wayes you shall thinke fittest, this shall be your warrant. Dated this twentieth of November 1634.
To our tructy and wellbeloved, Iohn Bankes Knight, Atturney Generall and his successors.
CHARLES REX.
WHereas we are well satisfied of the loyalty, duty, and affection of our trusty and wellbeloved Clement Paston of Thrope, in our County of Norfolke Esquire, and because he may be subject to the penalty of our Lawes made against Recusants by way of Indictment or otherwise; These are to signifie that we are graciously pleased to extend our speciall grace towards him, and doe hereby will and command that no Indictment, Presentment, Information or suit in our name, or in the name of any other, be from henceforth Commenced, prosecuted, or accepted against him by any of our Officers or Subjects whatsoever, for or concerning Recusancy, till we shall signifie our pleasure to the contrary; and if any such shall happen to be, then our will and pleasure is, that upon sight hereof the same shall be discharged and made voyd, or otherwise not preiudiciall to him. Given under our Signet at our Palace of Westminster, the foure and twentieth day of March, in the tenth yeare of our Raigne.
To all Iudges of Assize, Barons of Exchequer, Iustices of peace, Maiors, Sheriffes, Bayliffes, Constables, Headboroughs, Messengers, Pursivants, Informers; and to all other our Officers and Ministers whom it doth or may concerne, and to every of them.
CHARLES REX.
WHereas our wellbeloved Subject William Peters of Landford-rivers in the County of Essex, hath particular imployments in Our service, which he cannot so well discharge and execute if he be troubled for his Religion; these are therefore to signifie our gracious pleasure, that we are so well informed and satisfied of his loyalty towards us, that from henceforward he be not any wayes questioned for the same, unlesse our pleasure be especially delivered to the contrary. And this to be sufficient warrant to any whom that may concerne. Given under our Signet at our Court at Whitehall, the six and twentieth day of March in the fourteenth yeare of our Raigne.
To the Treasurer, VnderUnder-treasurer, Chancellours, Barons, and other the Officers of our Court of Exchequer for the time being. To all our Iudges of either Bench, Iudges of Assize, and Peace, Maiors, Sheriffes, Bailiffes, Clerkes of Assize and Peace, Constables, Headboroughs, and to all other our Officers and Ministers whom it may or doth concerne, and to every of them.
CHARLES REX.
WHereas the Lady Elizabeth Stoner of Blounts-court widdow, stands indicted for Recusancy in the County of Oxon, she being a weake and sickly woman, as we are informed. Our Royall pleasure is, that you henceforth forbeare to proceed, and suffer not any farther proceeding against her, nor upon her lands and goods, upon the said indictment to Conviction, or upon any other the foresaid Indictment in the the said County of Oxon or Wilts, untill you know our further pleasure to be signified by us expresly touching the same. And this shall be your warrant in that behalfe.
To all our Iudges of Assize and Iustices of peace for the County of Oxon and Wilts, To our Clerkes of Assize and peace for the said Counties, and to all other our Officers and Ministers else where, whom it doth or may concerne.
CHARLES REX.
WHereas we have received very good testimony of the loyalty, duty, and affection of Sir William Pearsall Knight. And because he may be subject to the penalty of the lawes made against recusants, by way of indictment or otherwise: These are to signifie that we are graciously pleased to extend our speciall grace towards him; And doe hereby will and command that no Indictments, Presentments, Informations, or suit in our Name, or in the name of any other, be henceforth commenced, prosecuted or accepted against him by any other officers or subjects whatsoever, for or concerning his recusancy, till we shall signifie our pleasure especially to the contrary. And if any such be already, or shall happen to be hereafter, then our will and pleasure is, that upon sight hereof the same shall be discharged and voyd, or otherwise not prejudiciall to him. Given under our Signet at our Court of Oatelands the five and twentieth day of November, in the tenth yeare of Our raigne.
To our Treasurer and Chancellour of the Exchequer for the time being, and to all and singular our Commissioners for Recusants; to all Iudges of Assize, Iustices of the peace, Maiors, Sheriffes, Bayliffs, Clerkes of the Assize and of the peace, Constables, M…ssengers, Pursivants, Informers; and to all other Officers and Ministers whom it doth or may concerne, and to every of them.
CHARLES REX.
WHeareas Iohn Carrill of Harting in the County of Sussex Esquier, sone and heire of Sir Iohn Carrill of Harting aforesaid Knight, is or may be subiect to the danger of our lawes for his recusancy, by way of indictment, information or otherwise: and whereas we understand that the said Iohn Carrill hath componnded with us for his whole Estate by the Commission of grace which we have been pleased to grant for that purpose and the like, and hath duly hitherto paid the rent reserved to us thereupon, his whole Estate having been granted and released by us to him under our great Scale of England. And whereas we are informed that the said Iohn Carrill Esquire hath no Lands at all to live upon but only some in the mannor of Warnham in the County of Sussex, which his Father allowed him for his maintenance, and which is part and parcell of the Lands aforesaid so compounded for with us by our Commissioners, and for which the Father hitherto hath duly paid the rent reserved. And whereas the said Iohn Carrill the Sonne h…mbly offers, that if God call his Father before him, he will pay us the same rent to which his father is subiect now for the same favours and immunities which the said father now enioyes, so as we are not to be damnified at all in our Revenue by this our act of grace to the Sonne. These are therefore to signifie, that we are graciously pleased to extend our speciall favour towards the said Iohn Carrill the Sonne, and doe hereby will and command that no indictment, presentment, Information, or any Suite of any kind, in our name, or in the name of any other, be henceforth preferred or accepted against him by reason of his said Recusancy by any of our Officers or subjects whatsoever. And if any shall happen to be commenced or brought, then our expresse will and pleasure is, that upon sight hereof the same shall be discharged and made voyd, and this ou… Warrant shall continue in force untill we shall signifie our pleasure to the contrary… Given under our Signet at our Court at Whitehall, the last day of February, in the twelfth yeare of Our Raigne.
To all and singular our Iudges of Assize, our Atturney Generall and Solliciter, Iustices of peace, Maiors, Sheriffs, Bayliffs, Clerkes of Assize and of the peace, Constables, and all other our Officers and Ministers whom it doth, or may concerne and to every of them.
CHRALES REX.
WHereas we have received a good Testimoney of the loyalty, duty, and good affection of our trusty and wellbeloved servant, Edward Cotton of Shelwood in the County of Surry Esquire and of Mary his wife; and because they may be subject to the penalties of the lawes made against Recusants, by way of Indictment, or otherwise: These are to signifie, that we are graciously pleased to extend our speciall grace towards them; and doe hereby will and command, that no Indictmen, Presentment, Information, or suit in our name, or in the name of any other, be henceforth commenced, prosecuted, or accepted against them, or either of them, by any of our Officers or servants whatsoever, for or concerning Recusancy, till we shall signifie our pleasure to the contrary. Or if any be, or shall happen to be, then our will and pleasure is, that upon sight here of the same shall be discharged and made voyd, or otherwise not prejudiciall to them, or either of them. Given under our signet, at our Palace of VVestminster, the fifteenth day of Iune, in the thirteenth yeare of our Raigne.
To the most reverend father in God the Lord archbishop of Canterbury; to our Lord-treasurer and Chancellor, and Barons of the exchequer for the time being; to all and singular our Commissioners for Recusants for the time being; to all our Iudges of assize, Iustices of peace, maiors, Sheriffs, Clerkes of Assize and peace, Bayliffes, Constables, Headboroughs, Messengers, Pursivants, and Informers, and to all other Officers and Ministers whatsoever, to whom it doth or may appertaine, and to every of them, as well Ecclesiasticall as Temporall.
CHARLES REX.
WHereas we have received very good testimony of the loyalty, duty, and affection of our right trusty and wellbeloved Thomas Lord Arundell of Wardor, and the Lady Anne his wife, and because they may be subiect to the penalty of our Lawes made against Recusants, by way of Indictment or otherwise: these are to signifie that we are graciously pleased to extend our speciall grace towards them, and doe hereby will and command, that no Indictment, presentment, information, or suite in our name or… in the name of any other, be henceforth commenced, prosecuted, or accepted against them or either of them, by any of our Officers or Subjects whatsoever, for, or concerning Recusancy, till we shall signifie our pleasure to the Contrary; And if any such be already, or shall happen to be hereafter, then Our will and pleasure is, that upon sight hereof the same shall be discharged and made void, or otherwise not prejudiciall to them, or either of them. Given under our signet at our palace at Westminster; the one and twentieth day of Iune, in the thirteenth Yeare of Our Raigne.
To our Lord Treasurer and Chancellour of our Exchequer for the time being: to all and singular our Commissioners for Recusants for the time being: to all our Iudges of Assize, Iustices of peace, Maiors, Sheriffs, Clerkes of Assize and Peace, Bailiffes, Constables, Headboroughs, Messengers, Pursivants, and Informers, and to all other our Officers and Ministers whatsoever, to whom it doth, or may appertaine, and to every of them.
CHARLES REX.
WHereas we are well satisfied of the loialty, duty and affection of our trusty and welbeloved William Therold of Arberfield in the County of Berks Esquire, and Francis his wife, and because they are or may be subject to the penalty of our Lawes for their Recusancy, by way of Indictment, or otherwise: These are therefore to signifie, that We are pleased to extend our speciall grace towards them; and doe hereby will and command, that no Indictment, Presentment Information, Citation or other Suit whatsoever in our name, or in the name of any other, be from henceforth framed, preferred, prosecuted, or accepted, against them, or either of them, by any our officers or subjects whatsoever, for or concerning their Recusancy, till we shall signifie our pleasure to the contrary. And if any such already be, or shall happen to be hereafter, then our will and pleasure is, that upon sight hereof the same shall be discharged and made voide, or otherwise not prejudiciall to them. Given under our Signe-Manuall this fourth day of September 1639.
To the most Reverend Father in God, our right trusty and right intirely beloved Councellour, William Lord Archbishop of Canterbury; Primate and Metropolitan of all England, and to the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, for the time being, the Treasurer and VnderUnder-treasurer, Chamberlains, and Barons of our Exchequer for the time being, to all and singular our Commissioners for Recusants, for the time being; to all our Iudges of Assize, Iustices of peace, Maiors, Sheriffs, Clerkes of Assize and peace, Bailiffs and to all other our Officers and Ministers Ecclesiasticall and temporall for the time being, and to all others whom it shall or may concerne.
The like letters of grace under the Kings owne signe manuall, I find granted to the Lady Elizateth Dormer, dated the 19 of June 1629 to Captaine Iohn Read, 13 of Iuly Anno 10 Car. to Anthony Metcalf Her Majestyes servant produced at the open Sessions of Goale-delivery made for Middlesex the 28 of March 15th Car. to Anne Lady Sands Dowager, Elisabeth Stukely her onelyonly daughter, and Elisabeth Hitchcock her servant, produced at the Sessions of Gaole delivery for the same County the 8 of Iuly Anno 15to Car. to Iohn Chamberlain of Lindhurst. Produced at the same place the 9 of May 14to Car. to Sir Henry Audley Knight, and Dame Anne his wife, dated 15 Ianuarii Anno 13 Car. to the Lady Katharine Windsor, wife of Thomas Lord VVindsor, dated 7 Febr. Anno 15 Car. all these Letters of Grace under the Kings signe-manuall, and privy Signet, for protection of these Arch-popish Recusants against all Lawes and prosecutions, are registred, and the true copies of them entered by the Recusants themselves or their agents in the Clerk of the Peace his bookes for London and Middlesex, or in the Crowne-Office, besides sundry others left with the Clerks of the Peace in other Counties of England.
What effects these Letters of Grace and protection produced in Courts of Iustice contrary to Law and to the Kings and Iustices own Oathes, will appeare by these few ensuing Orders, made at the open Sessions of Gaole delivery for the County of Middlesex.
UPon speciall directions given by his Majesty, and signified by a Letter from Master Secretary VVindebank to the Right Honourable Sir Thomas Richardson Knight Lord chief Justice of his Majesties Court of Kings Bench,17 April. 10 car. p. 157 Of the Sessions Book. bearing date the sixteenth day of April 1634 and shewed now to this Court. It is ordered by this Court' that the Recognisance taken in Court at the Sessions of Gaole-delivery holden for the County of Middlesex at Iustice Hall in the Oldbaily the fourth day of October last past, wherein Alexander Baker of the Parish of Saint Andrewes in Holborn in the County of Middlesex Gentleman, was bound to his Majesty with two sureties for his appearance at the Sessions of Goale delivery then next following, At which Sessions he made default, shall not be estreated but all further proceedings thereupon shall be forthwith stayed.
Per Cur.
UPon the reading of His Majesties Letters Parents under the Great Seale of England, Maii. 4. Car. p. 274.bearing date the third day of Ianuary, in the 3 yeare of his Maiesties reigne of England, &c. and inrolled in his Maiesties Court of Exchequer. It appeared unto this Court, that His Maiesty was graciously pleased to signifie His Royall pleasure that Iohn Chamberlain of Lindhurst in the County of Southampton Esq… should not at any time hereafter*Nota. during the terme of LX years be indicted of or for Recusancy, or for not repairing to Church, Chappell or usuall place of Common prayer, contrary to the Lawes and Statutes of this Kingdome in that behalf had and provided. And that if any indictment be, that then upon such indictment or indictments no processe or other proceedings by Proclamation or Proclamations, Utlary or Utlaries, or… otherwise, shall be had against the said Iohn Chamberlain, and thereupon it is ordered by this Court that His Maiesties royall pleasure, signified as aforesaid would be obeyed, and that all proceedings against the said Iohn Chamberlain should be stayed accordingly.
Per Cur.
WHereas this court hath this Sessions received command from his Majesty under his Signe Manuall,28 March. 15. Car. p. 304. on the behalf of Anthony Metcalfe servant to the Queenes Maiesty, for the staying of any indictment or any further proceeding upon any indictment against the said Anthony for matters of Recusancy. It is therfore by this Court ordered, that all proceedings in this Court against the said Anthony for the said cause, shall cease untill His Maiesties pleasure be signified to the contrary.
Per Cur.
ACcording to a letter under the hand of Master Secretary Windebank signifiing his Maiesties pleasure therein.29 Maii. 15 Car. p. 312. It is ordered by this Court, that the estreating of the Convictions upon the indictments of the recusancy against… these persons here undernamed, shall be stayed untill his Maiesties pleasure be further known to the Contrary.
Viz.
Sir Iohn Symonds Knight.
Elizabeth Good Widow.
William Cape, and
M•rs Forman Widow.
ACcording to his Maiesties pleasure and grace extended towards Anne Lady Sands Dowager, and Elizabeth Stukely her onelyonly daughter,8 Iunii. 15 Car. p. 316. and Elizabeth Hitchcock her servant, and signified to this Court under his Highnesse signe manuall; It is ordered and commanded by this Court, that no further processe or proceeding be made or had against them upon their indictments or Recusancy, untill his maiesties pleasure be signified to the contrary.
Per Cur.
WHereas the Kings Majesty under his Signe manuall, signified to this Court some three yeers since, that it was his Highnesse pleasure that no Indictment of Recusancy should be received against Sir Charles Smith of Wotton-mavers in the County of Warwicke, Knight; or if any such shall happen to be, that then it should be discharged and made void. And whereas at the last Sessions an Indictment of recusancy was preferred against the said Sir Charles, unknowne to this Court. It is now ordered by this Court, that no further proceedings shall be made against the saide Sir Charles upon the said indictment, but utterly to cease, untill his Maiesties pleasure be signified to the contrary.
Per Cur
At the Sessions of Goale-delivery for London, held 16 Ianu. 10 Car. Regis. William Stamford of Perry-barre in the County of Stafford Esquire, was indicted for recusancy, and after convicted 16 Feb. 10 Car. Regis, And afterwards at the Goale-delivery held 10 Apr. 11 Car. Regis, it was ordered. That according to his Maiesties expresse will and pleasure signified under his Privy Signet, dated 9 Ianuar 10 Car. Regis, to stay all proceedings, &c. That the conviction of the said William Stamford, should not be estreated at the Exchequer.
The like stay was made of all processe and proceedings in the Exchequer, Kings bench, and Sessions of peace in other Counties upon all the forementioned letters of Grace and Protection, and in sundry others of that nature; as the Order made in Court upon them attest beyond all Contradiction.