A Brief Register Part 2, Part 2 · Section
Vsefull Observations in and from the precedent Section.
FRom these recited Writs, I conceive it to be most clearly and satisfactorily evidenced, 1. That there were no Knights, Citizens, or Burgesses elected and summoned by Writs to our Great Councils, and Parliaments before 49 H. 3. which I shall here further demonstrate by these punctual, irrefragable Testimonies, Presidents and Records under his Reign, till this very year, aMat. Paris p. 299. 300. Edit Tig. 1589.Anno 1221. (the 5 of Henry 3d.) Convenerunt Magnates Angliae ad Regem apud Westmonasterium, ut de negotiis regni tractarent: After which the King having suppressed the Welsh the same year, and built a strong Castle at Montgomery, disbanded his Army, Concedentibus Magnatibus de quolibet scuto duo marcas argenti bMat. Paris p. 305. Mat. Westm. p. 113.Anno 1223. (the 7th. of his Reign.) Rex Henricus in Octavis Epiphaniae apud Londonias veniens cum Baronibus ad Colloquium, requisitus est ab Archiepiscopo Cantuariensi & Magnatibus aliis, ut libertates, & liberas consuetudines, pro quibus guerra mota suit, contra patrom suum confirmaret cMat. Paris. 308.Anno 1224. (8 H. 3.) Per idem tempus convenerunt ad Colloquium in Octavis sanctae Trinitatis apud Nor…amptonam, Rex cum Archiepiscopis, Episcopis, Comitibus, Baronibus, & aliis multis, (Lords, Peers, and others of his Counsel) de regni negotiis tractaturi, voluit enim Rex uti Consilio Magnatum suorum de terris transmarinis, quas Rex Francorum paulatim occupaverat, dMat. Paris 311.Anno 1229. (9 H. 3.) the King demanding advice, and an ayd of the fifteenth part of his peoples Goods to recover his forrein Territories; Archiepiscopus & Concio tota (apud Westm.) Episcoporum, Comitum et Baronum, Abbatum & Priorum habita deliberatione, Regi dedere responsum, quod regiis petitioibus gratanter adquiescerent, si illis diu petitas libertates concedere voluisset. Whereupon he granted and confirmed the great Charter. eMat. Paris 312.The same year, Martio mense, convenerunt apud Westmonasterium ad Colloquium Rex Angliae cum Magnatibus suis, ubi Rex sententialiter jussit diffinire, quid de proditore suo Falcatio suit agendum. Proceres vero in hoc pariter consenserunt, eo quod patri suo multis fideliter servierat annis, ne de vita periclitaretur vel membris, sed ut Angliam aeternaliter abjuraret, omnes communiter addixerunt, which was accordingly executed forthwith. fMat. paris p. 316, 319. Mat. Westm. p. 118, 119.Anno 1226. (10 H. 3.) venit interea terminus Concilii ad festum sancti Hillarii apud Westm. praesixus, ubi Rex cum Clero & Magnatibus Regni comparere debuerat, ut Domini Papae mandatum audiret, &c. They meeting again the same year after Easter, Rex convocatis seorsum Praelatis, & quibusdam Magnatibus, hoc Archiepiscopo dedit responsum, &c. gMat. paris p. 3….Anno 1229. (13 H. 3.) fecit Rex conveni… apud Westm. Dominica qua contatur misericordia Domini, Archiepiscopos, Episcopos, Abbates, Priores, Templarios, Hospitilarios, Comites, Barones, Ecclesiarum rectores, et qui de eo tenebant in capite, (but no Knights of Counties, Citizens, and Burgesses we read of) ut audirent negotia memorata of Stephen …ho Popes Chaplain, and Nuncio, demanding an ayd against the Emperour from England.) Et de rerum exigentiis communiter tractarent ibidem. (h) Anno Mat. Paris, p. 354, 355, 357, Mat. Westm. p. 130.1231. (15 H. 3.) convenerunt ad Colloquium apud Westm. Rex cum Praelatis et aliis Magnatibus Regni, &c. The King this year intending to mary the King of Scots Daughter, indignantibus Comitibus et Baronibus suis unmersis, because Hubert who was chief Iustice had maried the eldest Daughter, he thereupon desisted from his purpose. iMat. Paris, p. 359, 364. Mat. Westm. p. 132Anno 1232. convenerunt Nonas Martii ad Colloquium apud Westm. ad vocationem Regis, Magnates Angliae tam Laici quam Praelati, &c. Comes Cestriae Ranulphus pro Magnatibus aliis loquens, &c. After which the same year, Convenerunt apud Lambiam ad Colloquium in exaltatione sanctae crucis coram Rege, Episcopi, & alii ecclesiarum Praelati, cum Proceribus Regni. Ubi concessa est Regi, &c. quadragesima pars rerum mobilium ab Episcopis, Abbatibus, Priorribus, Clericis & Laicis, ficut ea habuerunt in frugibus tunc congregatis in autumno, anno Regni ejusdem Regis 16. The Writ for collecting it (which is memorable) recites, kMat. Paris, p. 367.Sciatis quod Archiepiscopi, Episcopi, Abbates, Priores, & Clerici terras habentes qui ad Ecclesias suas non pertinent; Comites, Barons, Milltes, liberi homines et Villani de regno nostro concesserunt Nobis in auxilium 40. partem omnium mobilium suorum apparentium, &c. Yet w…e read of no Milites, liberi tenentes, or villani; but only Episcopi & Ecclefiarum Praelati; cum Procerbus regni, summoned to this Parliamentarie Convention; whose grant of this ayde, is said to be the grant of all the Clergie, Knights, Freemen, and Villains of the Realm too; yet we never read that Villains were Members of Parliament, or the Commons House in any age: lMat. Paris, p. 372, 373.Anno 1233. (17 H. 3.) Rex missis literis vocavit Omnes de regno Comites & Barones ad Colloquium, ut venirent apud Oxoniam ad festum Sancti Johannis. Sed ipsi noluerunt ad ejus mandatum venire, tum propter insidias alienigaenarum, tum propter indignationem, quam conceperant adversus Regem, qui extraneos ob eorundem Baronum vocavit contemptum, &c. After which the same year, Cum Comites ac Barones Angliae in magno militiae apparatu Londonias tenderent ad Colloquium, Calend. Augusti sibi praefixum, &c. Venerunt autem ad Colloquium praedictum Comes Cestriae, &c. cum aliis Comitibus et Baronibus multis; Sed nihil ibi actum fuit propter absent…am Comitis Marescalli, & Gilberti de Basset, et quorundam aliorum absentiam Magnatum. After which the same year, mMat. Paris, p. 375.Erat interea Rex apud Westm. ad Colloquium 7 Idus Octob. sicut Magnatibus promiserat,, ut per eorum Consilium emendaret ea, quae in regno erant corrigenda: the Bishops being there likewise present. nMat. Paris, p. 381, 382, 383, 390, 391.An. 12…4. (18 H. 3.) Rex Anglorum venit ad Colloquium apud Westm. in Purificatione beatae Mariae, &c. After that, Convenerunt ad Colloquium Dominica prima in passione Domini (5to idus Aprilis) apud Westm. Rex cum Comitibus & Baronibus, et Archiepiscopus cum suis Su… fraganeis, ut regno perturbato salubriter providerent: oMat. Paris, p. 405, 406, 407, 408.Anno 1236. (20 H. 3.) The Archbishop, cum Episcopis, Magnatibus, Nobilibus, & Praelatis, were present at Londan at the Kings marriage; which festivitie ended, Rex venit Mertoniam, utibi revocati Magnates, audito recenti Imperatoris mandato, unà cum Rege de regni negotiis contrectarent. Audiens autem Rex simul & Magnates ibi congregati, praehabita deliberationis responderunt, &c. Then reciting the Statutes there made. Item concessit Dominus Rex ex consensu Magnatum, quod de caetero non currant usurae contra minorem, p See pat. 20 H. 3. d. 13. Cl. 20 H. 3. m. 2 …racton f. 416, 417. Seldens Titles of Honor, p. 721, 722.&c. Cap. 9. Rogaverunt omnes Episcopi Magnates, ut consentirent, quod nati ante matrimonium essent legitimi, sicut illi qui nati sunt post matrimonium, quantum ad successionem haereditariam, quia Ecclesia tales habet pro legitimis, Et omnes Comites et Barones responderunt una voce (without any Knights, Citizens, Burgesses or Commons, that wee read of) Quod nolunt leges Angliae mutare, quae bucusque usitatae sunt et approbatae. And cap. 11. Quia Magnates petierunt, &c. mentions only the Nobles without any Commons. The qMat. Paris, p. 414, 416, 417.same year 4 kalend Maii, Congregati sunt Magnates Angliae Londini ad Colloquium, de negotiis regni tractaturi. After which, Congregati sunt apud Wintoniam Magnates Angliae praesente Rege, sexto Idus Junii; Ubi rex nitebatur, &c. Anno quoque eodem Rex suorum Consilio fretus Magnatum iter versus Eboracum maturavit, ut Consilio fultus Majorum regni, provideret qualiter discordia inter ipsum et Regem Scotiae Alexandrum, quae jam in odium excreverat, penitus sedaretur, &c. rMat Paris, p. 420, 421. Mat. Westm. p. 143. 144.Anno 1237. (21 H. 3.) Rex Henricus misit continuo per omnes fines Angliae scripta Regalia, praecipiens omnibus ad regnum Angliae spectantibus, videlicet, Archiepiscopis, Abbatibus, & Prioribus installatis, Comitibus & Baronibus (but to no Knights of Shires, Citizens or Burgesses, we read of) ut omnes sine omissione in Octavis Epiphaniae Londoniis convenirent, Regia negotia tractaturi totum regnum contingentia. Quod audientes Magnates, Regiis praeceptis continuo paruerunt. Venit igitur die Sancti Hilarii Londonias infinita Nobilium multitudo, scilicet Regni totalis universitas, &c There being no mention of any Commons, but only of the Nobles Magnatum & Baronum, in the debates and transactions of this Grand Council: After which the same year, Rex asseruit in Colloquio, ad quod etiam ex longinquo Nobiles convocaverat, cum juramento, &c. who granted him an ayd secundum provisionem Magnatum expendendum. sMat. Paris, p. 431.Eodem Anno scripsit Rex omnibus Magnatibus suis, ut coram eo et domino Legato in festo exaltationis Sanctae crucis Eboracum convenirent, de arduis negotiis regnum contingentibus tractaturi: where a peace and league was concluded between him and the King of Scots. tMat. Paris, p. 451, 452.Anno 1238. (22 H. 3.) Convenerunt Magnates die statuto Londini, super his diligenter tractaturi, &c. Ibi igitur post multas multorum deceptationes se subjecit Rex quorundam provisioni de gravioribus viris, jurans se eorum provisioni adquiesceret. Quod et factum est, et in scriptum redactum, & appensa sunt tam Legati, quam aliorum Magnatum sigilla, omnibus in communi manifestanda. uMat. Paris, p. 495.Anno 1239. (23 H. 3.) Comites, Barones, & alii Magnates Angliae, writ and sent a Letter to the Pope against his encroachments on their Advowsons, presented to him by Robert de Twinge, ex parte Magnatum Angliae, who returned an Answer to it beginning thus; Gregorius Episcopus, &c. dilectis filiis Nobilibus Viris R. Comiti Pictavtae & Cornubiae, & Baronibus Angliae: xMat. Paris, p. 505, 508.Anno 1240. (24 H. 3.) congregati sunt Londi…i Archiepiscopi & Episcopi, cum multis aliis Magnatibus, praesente etiam Legato, reponentes querimoniam coram Rege in Curia sua, super variis injuriis et oppressionibus, et quotidianis desolationibus illatis Ecclesiae, per iniquum Regis Confilium, contra suas Cartas, et juramenta temerè veniendo, &c. Ejusdem anni spatio convenerunt apud Radingum omnes Angliae Archiepiscopi, Episcopi, et majores Abbates, et quidam Magnates regni, Papalo mandatum à Domino Legato explicandū, audituri, &c. Comes vero Ricardus & alii Magnates Crucesignati ibidem existentes, &c. Anno 1242. (26 H. 3.) scripsit Rex Anglorum omnibus regni sui Magnatibus, Archiepiscopis, y Mat. Paris, p. 560, 561, 562, 563. Mat. Westm. p. 163.Episcopis, Abbatibus, Prioribus, Comitibus & Baronibus, (without mentioning any Knights, Citizens, Burgesses or Commons) districtè praecipiens, ut omnes Generaliter Londinum die Martis ante Purificationem beatae Virginis convenirent de arduis negotiis regni, dilationem non capientibus, cum summa deliberatione tractaturi. Imminente vero Purificatione beatae Mariae, totius Angliae Nobilitas tam Praelatorum, quam Comitum et Baronum, secundum Regium praeceptum, est Londini congregatum, &c. Responderunt Magnates, cum magna cordium amaritudine, &c. There being no mention of any Commons, Knights, Citizens, or Burgesses therein (though writ in the margin: Convocatur Generale Parliamentum Londini, &c.) Postea verò, ne oblivio tenorem responsionis Baronum deleret, in scriptum taliter sunt haec redacta. Cum Dominus Eboracensis Archiepiscopus, et omnes Episcopi Angliae, Abbates et Priores per se, vel per Procuratores suos, necnon et omnes Comiteg et ferè omnes Barones Angliae, ad mandatum Domini Regis convenissent apud Westm. &c. Anno Dom. 1242. regni Henrici 3. Regis 26. audituri Domini Regis voluntatem et negotium, pro quo ipsos mandaverat. Et idem Dominus Rex, &c. per eosdem solennes nuncios omnes Magnates de Regno suo rogasset de consilio ei dando et auxilio faciendo, &c. tandem dicti Episcopi, Abbates et Priores, Comites et Barones, magno inter eos tractatu praehabito, in primis Domino Regi per praedictos Magnates dederunt consilium, &c. Et cum dicti Magnates nuncii istud Domino Regi nunciassent responsum, redeuntes ad Barnagium, dixerunt, quod in parte sufficiens dederunt Domino Regi responsum. zMat. Paris, p. 619, 620, 621, 622, 623.Anno 1244. (28 H. 3.) convenerunt Regia submonitione convocati Londinum Magnates totius Regni, Archiepiscopi, Episcopi, Abbates, Priores, & Comites & Barones; (without Knights, Citizens, Burgesses or Commons) In quo Concilio petiit Rex ore proprio, in praesentia Magnatum, auxilium sibi fieri pecuniare, &c. Recedentesque Magnates de refectorio, convenerunt Archiepiscopi, & Episcopi, Abbates & Priores seorsim per se super hoc diligenter tractaruri. Tandem requisiti ex parte eorum Comites & Barones, si vellent suis Consiliis unanimiter consentire in responfione et provisione super hiis facienda? Qui responderunt, quod sine commnni universitate nihil facerent: Whereupon the Spiritual and Temporal Lords appointing a Committee, agreed in an Answer and Ordinance; there being no mention of any but of these Magnatum, Magnates, Magnatibus, et Praelatis, in all the passages of this Parliamentary Council, which are large and notable. a The same year, Convenientibus autem iterum Magnatibus Mat. Paris, p. 624.cum Praelatis generaliter Londini, a die purificationis beatae Mariae in tres Septimanas. Concilium super praedictis negotiis et tractatum habuerunt diligentem: where they granting the King an ayde to marrie his daughter of xx 8. upon every Knights fee, upon condition to ratifie the Great Charter; cum novisset Martinus Nuncius Domini Papae, quod Magnates Angliae Regiae contributioni generaliter consensissent, inhiabat avidius ad negotium suum ad quod missus fuerat consummandum, &c. After which the same year, bMat. Paris, p. 626, 627. Mat. Westm. p. 185, 186.Rex edicto publicè proposito, & summonitione generaliter facta, fecit notificare per totam Angliam, ut quilibet Baro tenens de Rege in capite, haberet prompta & parata Regali praecepto omnia servitia militaria, quae ei debentur, tam Episcopi et Abbates, quam Laici Barones: Congregata igitur universitate totius Angliae Nobilium apud Novum Castrum super fluvium Thynam, tractatum est diligenter, super tam arduo negotio (concerning the differences and an accord between Alexander King of Scots and King Henry) Concilio habito circa Assumptionem beatae Mariae diligentissimo: where peace was concluded between the Kings, and ratified by the Charter of the King of Scots, and the Seals of his Prelates, Earls and Barons. The same year cMat. Paris, p 631.in crastino Omnium Animarum convenientes Magnates Angliae, Rex cùm instantissimè, ne dic…m impudentissimè auxilium pecuniare ab eis iterum postularet, toties laesi et illusi contradixerunt ei unanimiter et uno ore in facie. dMat. Paris, p. 674, 677, 678, 679, 680. Mat. Westm. p. 205, 206, 207, &c.Anno 1246. (30 H. 3.) Rex missis, literis suis totius Regni Magnates convocavit, ut Londini die qua cantatur, Letare Hierusalem, de statu regni generaliter convenirent tractaturi. On which day, Edicto Regio convocata convenit ad Parliamentum generalissimum totius Regni Anglicani totalis Nobilitas Londini, videlicet Praelatorum, tam Abbatum & Priorum, quàm Episcoporum, Comitum quoque & Baronum (without any mention or intimation of Knights, Citixens. Burgesses, Commoners) ut de statu Regni jam vacillante, efficaciter, prout exigit urgens necessitas, consulerent. Convenientibus igitur ad Parliamentum memoratum totius Regni Magnatibus, in primis aggressus est, Dominus Rex ore proprio Episcopos per se, posteà verò Comites & Barones, deinde autem Abbates & Priores; videlicet, super his pro quibus miserat nuncios suos solennes ad Concilium-Lugdunense: Then shewing them the Oppressions and grievances of the Church and Realm of England by the Pope, drawn into Articles; which they all consented unto: the Bishops by themselves, the Abb…s by themselves, the Earls, Nobles, and Barons by themselves, in their own names, and in the name of all the Clergy and people of England, and the King by himself, writ several Letters to the Pope and Cardinals for their redress. The King in the mean time sending forth Prohibitions under his Seal to all the Bishops, eMat Paris, p. 686, 687. Mat. Westm p. 208, 209, 210.not to pay any tax or tallage to the Pope; Contra provisionem per Magnates nostros tam Praelatos quàm Comites & Barones factam in Concilio nostro Londinensi, &c. After which, die Translationis beati Thomae Martyris, habitum est Magnum Concilium inter Regem et regni Magnates apud Wintoniam; where receiving the Popes answer to their messengers sent to the Council of Lyons, touching their grievances, and his carriage towards them, Haec autem cum audisset Dominus Rex cum Magnatibus suis, commotus est vehementer et meritò, &c. Anno 1247. (31 H. 3.) fMat. Paris, p. 697, 698.urgente mandato Papali redivivo, de importabili contributione, &c. fecit Dominus Rex Magnates suos, necnon et Angliae Archidiaconos (but no Knights, Citizens or Burgesses) per scripta su… Regia Londinum convocari. Quo cum pervenissent die praefixo, Episcopi omnes sese gratis absentarunt, ne viderentur propriis factis eminus adversari. In crastino igitur purificationis beatae Mariae, dominus Rex cum suis Magnatibus tractatum habens diligentem, per plures consilium urgens dies protelavit. g Mat. Paris, p. 707.At last they sent Letters to the Pope in the name of all the Clergy and people of England for redress of their grievances. The same year, hMat. Paris, p, 712, 713.Dominus Rex comperiens regnum suum enormiter periclitari, jussit omnem totins Regni Nobilitatem convocari, ut de statu ipsius tàm mani…è periclitantis, Oxoniis &c. diligenter contrectarent. Praelatos áutem maxime ad hoc Parliamentum vocavit arctius. After which; Scripsit Rex omnibus regni sui Magnatibus ut in festo Sancti Edwardi, omnes ibidem convenirent: Die igitur praefixo convenientes Magnates apud We…m. there was a christal vessel of the blo…d of Christ presented & shewed to them sent from Hierusalem, which the King bestowed on St. Peters at Westminster. iMat. Paris, p. 518, 519.Anno 1248. (32 H. 3. in Octavis Purificationis edicto Regio convocata totius Regni Angli… Nobilitas, convenit Londini, ut de Regni negotiis nimis perturbati, & depauperati, & de temporibus nostris enormiter mutilati, diligenter & efficaciter simul, cum domino Rege contrectaret. Advenerunt igi…r, illuc, excepta Baronum, Militum Nobilium, nec non & Abbatum, Priorum, & Glericorum, multitudine copiosa, novem Episcopi, cum totidem Comitibus, (there named.) Et cum proposuisset Dominus Rex, (non enim propositum suum latuit Universitatem) pecuniare auxilium postulare, redargutus est graviter super hoc, &c. Quia quando in ultima tali exactione cui Nobiles Angliae vix consenserunt, confecit Cartam suam, quod amplius talem non faceret Magnatibus suis injuriam & gravamen, &c. kMat. Paris, p. 732.Anno 1249. (33 H. 3.) Dominus Rex ad jam solitas cavillationes Romanas recurrens, cum non posset omnes congregatos Regni Nobiles ad consensum flectere, singulos ad se vocans, vel unicuique scribens, affatus est eos impudenter supplicando, &c. The same year, ad clausum Paschae convenerunt Magnates Angliae, prout condictum fuerat cis Londini, ut quod Rex saepè promiserat, eisdem saltem tunc adimpleret: but by reason of Earl Richards voluntary absence nothing was effected. Et sic Magnates delusi ad m Mat. Paris, …. to 827.propria remearunt. lMat. Paris, p. 740.Anno 1252. (35 H. 3.) Convenerunt velut ex edicto regio convocati Londini totius Angliae Praelati serè universi & Magnates; of whom he desired a tenth of all Ecclesiastical livings granted unto him by the Pope; which all the Bishops joyntly and severally opposed: Soluto igitur cum Regis, Cleri, & Magnatum indignatione consilio. Afterwards, Convocatis denno, Dominus Rex Dptimatibus suis, qui suo impetui primo restiterunt, convenit eos de negotio Vasconiae, quid agendum? cui responderunt Magnates, &c. Solutum est igitur Concilium, Rege hinc inde tam contra Magnates, quam contra Praelatos, ira succensus vehementi. There being no mention nor intimation of any Knights, Citizens, Burgesses or Commons present in it. nMat. Paris, p. 838, 839.Anno 1253 (36 H. 3.) In quindena Paschae mense Aprili tota edicto Regio convocata Angliae Nobilitas convenit Londini, de arduis Regni negotiis simul cum Rege tractatura. Extiterunt igitur ibidem cum Comitibus & Baronibus, Archiepiscopus Cantuariensis, & Episcopi Angliae ferè omnes. Archiepiscopus verò Eboracensis, qui in quantum potest Regis concilia vitare consuevit, quia expertua ea frequenter esse vana, excusavit se, …erens se esse remotum & senem. Pro Cestrensi autem absente valetudo manifesta allegavit. In this Parliament th… Great Charter was confirmed, and a solemn excommunication denounced by all the Bishops against the Infringers thereof. oMat. Paris, p. 358, 359.Anno 1254. (38 H. 3.) Congregati iterum Angliae Magnates Londini. Quibus significavit Rex, quod pecunia indigebat, &c. Responderunt autem omnes & singuli, &c. Magnates edocti, Regis muscipulas praecaverunt. pMat. Paris, p. 876.Anno 1255. (39 H. 3.) In quindena Paschae, quae vulgali… Hokeday appellatur, convenerunt Londini omnes Nobiles Angliae viri Ecclefiastici, quam seculares, ita quòd nunquam tam populosa multitudo ibi anteà visa fuerat congregata. Libi Dominus Rex se multis debitis conquestus est fuisse implicatum, nec se posse sine Magnatum suorum efficaci juvamine liberari, &c. Inito igitur consilio, &c. quia illud nullo modo suisset tollerabile, inter eos concessum est, quòd multum sese gravarent pro magnae chartae sine omni cavillatione observatione ex tunc & deinceps, quam, &c. Quia nesciebant Praelati vel Magnates quo modo suum Prothea, scilicet Regem tenerent, &c. Nobiles pro imminenti exactione, in cordibus sauciabantur, &c. qMat. Paris, p. 884, 885.Anno 1255. (39 H. 3.) Ad festum sancti Edwardi, fuerunt apud Westmonasterium omnes ferè Angliae Magnates: inter quos prius Rex alloquebatur fratrem suum Comitem Cornubiae Richardum, petens ab eo instantissimè auxilium pecuniare, &c. Comes autem nec preces Regis, nec Papae voluit exaudire, & eo maximè, quod negotium eundi in Apuliam assumpsit sine consilio suo & assensu Baronagii sui, &c. Rex itaque, ad consuetas conversus cavillationes, ut Magnates flecteret ad cons…sum, per multos dies negotium Parliamenti distulit inchoati, ita ut usque in mensem fictis occasionibus negotium protelaret. Et tunc a… alium locum conciliaturos, evacuatis in Civitate London. crumenis, potius provocavit, quàm convocavit, &c. Et sic infecto negotio singuli provocati, ad propria remearunt, rMat. Paris, p. 878, 179.Anno 1257. (41 H. 3.) in media Quadragesima factum est magnum Parliamentum, &c. Adierant autem ad dictum Parliamentum, Comes Gloverniae Richardus, Dominus Johannes Mansel, novus in Regem electus Alemanniae Comes Ricardus, Universitati Angliae valedicturus. Extitit enim ibidem tota ferè Angliae Nobilitas. Sciendum quod in memorato Parliamento generalissimo, fuerunt sex Archiepiscopi, videlicet Cantuariensis, Eboracensis, Dublanensis, Messanensis, qui opimas à singulis Ecclesiia recepit procurationes. Et Tarentiuus Appulus, qui venerat ad infatuandum Regem super negotio Apuliae, the sixts he forgets to name: But he mentions no Knights, Citizens, Burgesses or Commons present in, or summoned to this most general Parliament. sMat. Paris, p. 933, to 939.Anno 1258. (42 H. 3.) Post die Martis, quae vulgaliter Hokedaio appellatur, factum est Parliamentum Londini. Rex namque multis & arduis negotiis sollicitabatur, &c. Exigit insuper pecuniam insinitam, &c. Doluit igitur Nobilitas Regni, se unius hominis, ita confundi supina simplicitate, &c. In crastino autem & diebus sequentibus, habuerunt diligentem Tractatum Rex & Magnates, quomodo conterrerent Wallensium tam intollerabilem cum irruptionibus suis crebris insolentiam. Submonetur igitur generaliter tota Angliae militia, ut omnes qui tenentur ad servitia militaria Dom…no Regi, sint prompti & parati sequi Regem profecturum in Walliam, cum equis & armis, die Lunae ante nativitatem B. Johannis Baptistae apud Cestriam, &c. Eodemque tempore cum instanter & constanter respondissent Magnates Regni communiter Regi, qui cum magna instantia in memorato Parliamento urgenter pecuniam insinitam sibi dari postulasset, pro negotio Apuliae expediendo, & aliis arduis promovendis, quod nullo modo potuerunt sine eorum irrestaurabili subversione toties inaniter substantiolas suas usque ad exinanitionem effundere, &c. Cum constanter & praecisè respondissent quasi uno ore Magnates Regni in Parliamento Regi, cum urgenter ab eis postulasset auxilium pecuniare, quòd nec voluerunt, nec potuerunt amplius sustinere tales extortiones. Rex iratus, ad alia se conuertit aslutiae argumenta, &c. Duravit adhuc praelibati Parliamenti altercatio inter Regem & Regni Magnates, usque diem Dominicam proximam post ascensionem, & multiplicabantur contra Regem variae diatim querimoniae, &c. Et quia nesciebant adhuc Magnates quomodo suum Prothea tenere voluissent, quia arduum fuerat negotium & difficile, dilatum est Parliamentum usque ad festum sancti Barnabae apud Oxoniam diligen ter celebrandum. Interim Optimates Angliae fibi praecaventes & providentes, consoederati sunt, &c. tMat. Paris, p. 940, 941. See Mat. Parisiensis Additamenta, p. 215. Henricus Dei gratia, &c. cum n…viter in Parliamento nostro. Oxoniae, communiter suit Ordinatum &c.Instante vero festo sancti Barnabae Apostoli, Magnates et Nobiles terrae ad Parliamentum quod Oxoniae tenendum suit, properabant, praeceperuntque omnibus, qui eisdem servitium militare debuerant, quatenus cum ipsis venirent parati, veluti ad corpora sua contra hostiles insoltus defensuri, &c. Parliamento autem incipiente, solidabatur Magnatum propositum & Confilium Immutabile, &c. In all the debates and transactions of this Parliament recited at large in our Historians, there is no mention of any Knights, Citizens, Burgesses, Commons, but only of Comites, Magnates, Barones, Nobiles, who acted and spake all, who are stiled Universitas Regni, and the Statutes and Ordinances they made at Oxford, Statuta Baronum; to which the Londiners and others assented: uMat. Paris, p. 943, 948. See 960, 961.Cirea festum sancti Leonardi tale iniit Consilium Universitas Baronagii quod tunc Londinierat. xMat. Paris, p. 951, 952, 953, 954.Anno 1259. (42 H. 3) Fuit Rex ad Natale domini Londini, ubi magna sollicitudine tractatum est inter Nobiles Regni, quomodo conservato suo salubri proposito, satisfacerent defiderio Regis Richardi de Alemannia, &c. Proposuerunt igitur Magnates accipere juramentum ab ipso Rege Aleman. antequam applicuisset, ne Regno Angliae quomodolibet noceret, vel provisionem communem impediret, Comes autem Legriae Simon, non sine multoram admiratione, in partibus adhuc transmarinis morabatur. Unde in magna parte suit Consilium Baronagii mutilatum, &c. In crastino autem intraverunt Magnates Angliae capitulum Cantuariense, where King Richard took a solemne Oath before them, which they prescribed and administred to him. In octavis purificationis, congregati sunt Nobiles Angliae Londini, prous inter se prius condixerant, &c. over against which is printed in the Margin, Parliamentum Londini habitum. After which the Historian informs us, William de Hortuna y Mat. Paris, p. 955. See Claus. 43 H. 3. m. 10. dorso & 14 Cedula.was sent into Scotland, Negotia enim ardua sed secreta Regi & Reginae, as Scotioe Magnatibus, sibi injuncta fuerunt, ex parte Regis & Reginae & Magnatium Angliae. Quicum illo… veniret, Regem Scotiae & Reginam, & Regni Magnates, ibi ad parliameutum in v…nit, prout desideravit, congregatos, &c. By which it is evident, That in this Age the King, Queen, and Nobles of England and Scotland, constituted and made up the Parliaments of both kingdoms, without any elected Knights of Shires, Citizens or Burgesses, introduced in succeeding times. The same year, zMat. Paris, p. 955, 957.circa Kalend. Apr. ex praecepto et consilio Domini Regis Angliae et totius Baronagii, arripuerunt iter transmarinum ad Parliamentum magnum Regis Francorum tenendum in Francia pro pluribus arduis negotiis Regna Franciae & Angliae, de resignatione Normanniae et literas credentiae, &c. Magnates vero Angliae statutis quae inceperant salubriter intendebant, ad malas consuetudines, injurias et corruptelas amodo delendas, omnino assidui et confederati, aMat. Paris, p. 967. Mat. Westm. p. 340.Anno 1265. (49 H. 3.) after the battel of Evesham, wherein the Barons were slaine and routed, on the Nativity of our Ladie, Septemb. 8. Rex potestati Regiae restitutus, de consilio filii victoris Wintoniam Parliamentum convocavit, ubi consilio inito, Civitatem Londinensem ob suam rebellionem privavit suis privilegiis & libertatibus antiquis, Capitaneos etiam factionis contra Regem, juxta voluntatem ejus plectendos jubet carceri mancipari: Rex et Regni Proceres writes Matthew Westminster) apud Winton: ordinarunt, quod ditiores civitatis Londinensis in carcerem truderentur, quod Cives antiquis libertatibus privarentur, et quod stipites et cathenae quibus Civitas fuerat roborata, de medio tollerentur, pro eo quod Simoni de Monteforti, Comiti Leicestriae in regis contemptum, et etiam damnum regni, fortiter adhaeserunt: quo totum factumest.
By all these Historical passages in Matthew Paris, Rishanger his Continuer, and Mat. Westminster, it is most apparent beyond contradiction, that as there were many writs of summons under K. Henry 3. to Parliamentarie Councils issued to the Spiritual and Temporal Lords before 49 H. 3. not extant in the Clause Rolls, or other Records: so there were no Knights of Shires, Citizens, Burgesses or Commons elected or summoned by writ or Charter to these Great Councils or Parliaments during all the reign of King Henry the …. until the Parliament held at London in Octabis Sancti Hillarii, the 49. year of his reign, when they were first elected, & summoned by writ, for ought appears by Historie or Record; there being none but the Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Priors, Earls, Nobles, Barons, Spiritual and Temporal Lords of the Realm, summoned to, consulting, acting, debating, ordering, enacting Lawes or Ordinances, or granting, refusing aydes, subsidies, or expostulating with the King or Pope in any of them; as all these transcribed passages evidence, with the Records of Claus. 18 H. 3. m. 10. Vic. Lincoln, Claus. 19 H. 3 m. 20. cited in my Epistle before the first part of this Brief Register, Kalendar and Survey; and those of 48 H. 3. here cited, p. 4. to 10. To which I shall superadde for further confirmation of this truth, Claus. 18 H. 3 m. 27. Rex Majori et Civibus suis Dublin, &c. where the King reciting the death of the Earl Marshal slain in Ireland; subjoyns: Nos vero ea occasione convocavimus Archiepiscopos, Episcopos, Comites, Barones, et omnes Magnates nostros Angliae, quod sint ad Nos apud London die Dominica prox. post instante… mediam Quadragesimam, ad tractandum Nobiscum ibidem super hiis & aliis Statum nostrum, & terrae nostrae Angliae & Hiberniae tangentibus; & Nos Domino concedente de Consilio praedictorum ibidem providebimus secundum quod Nobis, et indempnitati t…rrae nostrae Angliae & Hiberniae viderimus expedire. Quod verò ad diem illum actum fuerit et provisum, vobis sine mora & dispendio et significari curabim…. T. Rege apud b Fitz. Nat. Br. 32. c.Westm. 27 die Martii. Plac. 18 H. 3. rot. 15. dorso: Claus. 19 H. 3. dorso 1. & dorso 9. Fitzberbert Darrein presentment, 23. Provisum est coram Domino Rege, Archtepiscopis, Episcopis, Comitibus & Baronibus, & Consilio Domini Regis, quod nulla Assisa ultimae praesentationis de caetero capiatur de Ecclesiiis praebendatis, nec de Praebendis, &c. Pat. 20 H. 3. d. 13. 18. Rex Vic. Norff. & Suff. Scias, quod die Merc. in crastino Sancti Vinc. in Curia nostra coram Nobis et coram venerabili Patre E. Cantuar. Archiepiscopo, & Coepiscopis sul…, et coram majori parte Comitum et Baronum nostrorum Angliae, pro communi utilitate totius regni nostri provisum suit, tam à praedictis Archiepiscopis, Episcopis, Comitibus & Baronibus, quàm à Nobis con…ssum, quod de caetero, Omnes viduae, &c. r…citing the Statute of Merton made that year, according to the cCooks 2 Instit. p. 79.Printed Latin Prologue thereof: Claus. 37 H. 3. dorso 9. De Magna Carta tenenda ad in…antiam P…latorum & Magnatum regm nostri, &c. And Claus. 43 H. 3. dors. 9. where the Pope by his Letters earnestly pressing King Henry the 3d to restore his brother Adomar to his Bishoprick of Winchester, being enforced to relinquish it and England too by the Barons prosecution; the King in his Letter to the Pope there recorded, alleged, that though he was readie to gra…fie his Holiness in any thing he might; yet he could not consent to Adomars restitution. Adding, Your Nuntio who brought this Letter, Preces et praecepta vestra coram Nobis & Praelatis regni nostri, qui tunc Nobiscum aderant, ac alia Universitate Comitum, Baronum ac Procerume regni nostri, plenè et diligenter exposuit, et diebus pluribus nitebamur Nos, Consilium nostrum, et Universitatem praedictam; to give their assents for Adomars restitution. Tamen mandatis hujusmodi, quod non solum personam nostram, verum etiam Universitatem regni nostri contingit, non possumus absque gravi dispendio, et subversione jurium et consuetudinum Regni ejusdem, et contra juramentum proprium, adimplere. Et quanquam hoc facere vellemus, praedicta Universitas in hac parte, quae unius confilii et voluntatis existit, propter graves et notabiles excessus praedicto fratri nostro objectas id nullatenus sustineret, &c. Which passages, with others in this memorable Letter of the Kings, compared with that Letter sent about the same time by the Lords against Adomars restitution, to the Pope, ex parte Regni et totius Angliae Universitata, scriptum a Barnagio; mentioned by dHist. Angliae Edit. Londinl, 1640. p. 978.Matthew Paris, Anno 1258. and printed in his Additamenta, p. 215, 216, 217. beginning thus; Sanctissimo patri in Christo Alexandro, &c. Communitas Comitum, Procerum, Magnatum, aliorumque Regni Angli…, &c. re…iting, that the King by the Popes power and assistance could not without their counsel and assent, much lesse against their wills, effect what he desired; nor reform his Kingdom, but de Procerum & Magnatum suorum Consilio: Caeterum praefatus Dominus Rex attendens impossibile pondus negotii memorati et Statum Regni sui imbecillum, voluit et expressè concessit, ut de Procerum & Magnatum Consilio (sinè quibus Regnum suum gubernare non poterat, nec negotium prosequi memoratum) dicta reformatio promoveret: which Adomar, breaking his Oath, and receding from his promises, opposed, to the great disturbance, and almost total subversion of the whole Realm, &c. His unbrideled rapines, tyrannies and opp…ssions (which they there expres… at large) being such, and rendring him so odious, that Scituri pro certo, quod etiamsi Dominus Rex & Regni Majores, (assembled in a Parliamentary Councill) hoc vellent, Communitas tamen (out of Parliament) ipsius ingressum in Angliam jam nullatenus sustineret. Which Letter was subscribed and sealed by 6. Earls, and 4. Noblemen, vice totius Communitatis (Barnagit) in testimonium praedictorum: Being likewise compared with the Popes Answer thereunto; eAuctuarium Additamentorum: Edit. Londini 1640. p. 222.Literae Papales missae Communitati Angliae, Alexander Episcopu…, &c. Dilectis filiis, Nobilibus Uiris, Consiliariis charissimi in Christo filii nostri illustris Regis Angliae, ac caeteris Proceribus et Magnatibus Regni Angiiae, salutem, et Apostolicam benedictionem, &c. will infallibly evidence. First, that the King, Prelats, Earls, Spiritual, Temporal Barons, and Nobles of the Realm, were our only Parliament Members, without any Knights, Citizens or Burgesses annexed to, or pr…t with them, before 49 H. 3. 2ly. That they were then usually stiled the Communitas, or Universitas Regni, or Barnagii, Baronagii, or Communitas Comitum Procerum et Magnatum regni Anggliae; and only intended, denoted by these Titles and phrases, not the Knights, Citizens, Burgesses or Commons in Parl. as e Sir Rob Cotton, and others of Note, as well as some injudicious Antiquaries have mistaken: f Cottoni Posthuma, p. 347, 348. Mr. Hacwels Catalogue of speakers.which having gsee my Epistle to the Exact Abridgment of the Records of the Tower, & Plea for the Lords, p. 359, 360.elsewhere at large evinced beyond all contradiction, I shall not here further insist upon; but proceed to some other general Observations on the precedent Writs.
2ly. From the manifold Varieties and differences of these recited writs both of Election and Prorogation before and since the Statutes of Henry 4. 5, & 6. touching elections, the Readers may discern the Gross oversight and mistake of Sir Edward Cook in his 4. Institutes, p. 10. That these Writs of Summons and Election can receive no alteration but by Act of Parliament: Which having elsewhere touched, and at large refuted, Register Part 1. p. 395. 396, 397. I shall prosecute no further.
3ly. I shall observe from the precedent Writs, that no persons ought of right to be elected Knights of any County, nor Citizens, Burgesses, or Barons of any City, Borough or Port wherein they are elected, but such as are real, actual Members of the said respective Counties, Cities, Boroughs, Ports, residing, or inhabiting within them, as this Clause in all the recited Writs; De Comitatu tuo duos Milites, et de qualibet Civitate duos Milites, et de quolibet Burgo duos Burgenses, & de quolibet Portu duos Barones, &c. de discretioribus & ad laborandum potentioribus eligi &c. clearly import, and the Statutes of 7 H. 4. c. 15. 1 H. 5. c. 1. 10 H. 6. c. 2. 23 H. 6. c. 15. (being declaratory only in this point) most punctually enact in precise terms: And if any other persons who are no Inhabitants, or Residents within, or proper Members of such Counties, Cities, Boroughs, Ports be elected or returned, they may lawfully refuse to sit or serve, as the Writs and these Statutes clearly evidence, without the least contempt or penalty, the peoples election of such, contrary to the Writs and these Statutes, being void in Law, and unable to contradict. or reverse the Writ, Acts to the contrary if insisted on.
4ly. These usual claus…s in most, Writs de discretioribus, et ad laborandum potentioribus seclude and exempt all infants under age, Ideots, Lunaticks, insi…m, aged, sickly persons, unable to travell, sit, counsell, advise, and discharge their trusts, from being elected Knights, Citizens, Burgesses or Barons of Ports; and if any such be elected, returned by the oversight, imprudence, improvidence of the electors, they may and ought to be discharged by the King and Lords, an… others by new Writs issued, elected, returned in their places, who are able to advise, travel, and discharge their duties, as the writs and statutes enjoyn them; Impotency, sickness, and inability in Members elected, being as just a ground to discharge any Knight, Citizen, Burgess or Baron of the Ports from serving in Parliaments, as to discharge the Speaker of the Commons House, as is evident by the forecited Writs, presidents, and *Here, p. 54, 55, 59.returns of Sheriffs in 2…. E. 1. by the resolution of the Parliament it self in 38. H. 8. Brook… Parliament 7. against Sir Edward Cooks groundless fancie to the contrary, Institutes 4. p. 8. there being the self-same reason and Law too in both cases.
5. That the election of an… Sheriff of a Countie whiles he continues in his …, for a …night, Citizen, Burgesse, in his own or any other County, is void and illegal, being against the express provision of the Ordinance of Parliament, 46 E. 3. the very inhibition and words of the writs for election, hHere, p. 55, 63.some presidents before that Ordinance; and the * resolution of the Lords and Judges in Starchamber 5. Caroli, in the case of iMr. Rushworths Historical Collections, p. 694, 695, 696.Mr. Walter Long, elected and returned a Citizen for the City of Bath in Somersetshire, An. 3 Car. whiles he was Sheriff of the County of Wilts; who thereupon comming forth of the County against his Oath and trust, and sitting as a Member in the House during his Shrievaltie, was sentenced in the Starchamber to be committed Prisoner to the Tower during …is Majesties pleasure, to pay a Fine of 2000 marks to the King, and further to make …is humble submission and acknowledgement of …is Offence, both in the Court of Starchamber, and to his Majesty, before his enlargement …nce: Which was accordingly executed. Yet notwithstanding I sinde in the very Statute of 34 & 35 H. 8. ch. 24. for assurance of certain Lands to John Hind Serjeant at Law and his heirs, paying x l. yearly to the charges and wages of the Knights of the Parliament of Cambridgshire for the time being, for ever; that Edward North Knight, Sheriff of the said Shire, was one of the two Knights for the said Shire that very Parliament wherein this Act was passed, and he and Thomas Ruds…ne Esq his Companion, and their Successors Knights of the said County, incorporated and made one body politick; together with the Sheriff of the said County for the time being, by the name of Wardens of the Fees and Wages of the Knights of the Shire of Cambridge, chosen for the Parl. and to have perpetual succession, to implead, sue for and receive the said x l. annnual rent, and that he received his share therein, when both Sheriff and Knight of the Shire, to his own use, for his fees & wages that Parliament, til a new election of knights of that County for the Parl. next ensuing it. And *Instit. 4. p. 48.Sir Edward Cooke informs us, that at the Parliament holden 1 Car. Rs. the Sheriff for the County of Buckingham (being then himself) was chosen Knight for the County of Norfolk, and reterned into the Chancery, and …aving a Subpaena out of the Chancery served upon him at the sute of the Lady C. pendente Parliamento, upon motion, he had the privilege of Parl. allowed unto him by the judgement of the whole House of Com, mons: though I finde not that he then sate in the house during his Shrievalty.
6. That amongst the writs of Summons to Parliament in Cl. 23 E. 1. dors. 9. 25 E. 1. d, 6. 30 E. 1. d. 12, 35 E. 1 d, 13. 1 E. 2. d. 8. 11. 3 E. 2. d. 17. 11 E. 3. pars 1. d. 15. 32 E 3. dors. 14. There are no writs for electing Knights, Citizens, or Burgesses entred with the rest; most likely by the negligence of the Clerks, there being vacant space in some of them left for their entries: And the Original Writs themselves being all or most of them retorned into the Chancery, and there reserved in distinct Bundles by themselves with the Sherifs returns upon them (now for the most part lost, mislayed, perished or imbezelled) made them (perchance) more careless to enter them, than the Writs to the Spiritual and Temporal Lords, issued personally to themselves alone, and not returnable by them or the Sheriffs, as the writs for elections usually were; which Writs, (as the Statutes of 5 R. 2. ch. 4. & 23 H. 6. c. 15. inform us) Sometimes the Sheriffs have not returned, but the said Writs have embesyled; and moreover made no precepts to Mayors and Bailiffs for the election of Citizens and Bu…gesses to come to the Parliament, by colour of these words conteined in the said Writs, Quod in pleno Comimitatu tuo eligi facias pro Comitatu tuo, duos Milites, & pro qualibet Civitate in Com. tuo, duos Cives; & pro quolibet Burgo in Com. tuo, duos Burgenses; The reason why some of these writs are missing in some extant Bundles, and some Cities and Boroughs in those returned, now and then omitted in the Sheriffs returns, (indorsed on or annexed to them) as the subsequent Table will visibly demonstrate.
7ly. That before the Statutes of 7 H. 4. c. 15. 11 H. 4. c. 1. 1 H. 5. c. 1. 6 H. 6. c. 4. 8 H. 6. c. 7. 10 H. 6. c. 2. 23 H. 6. c. 15. 9 H. 8. c. 16. 27 H. 8. c. 26. 34 H. 8. c. 13. 35 H. 8. c. 11. the Kings of England had a very large and absolute power in limiting, prescribing in and by their Writs to Sheriffs, Mayors, Bay liffs and others, both the respective numbers, and likewise the qualifications of the Knights, Citizens, Burgesses and Barons of the Ports, elected and returned to serve in the several Parliaments and Great Councils summoned by them, sometimes commanding 4. most times only 2. Knights, sometimes but one Knight to be elected in each County, for the whole County; sometimes prescribing the self-same Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses that were elected, returned for the last precedent Parliament, to be returned and summoned to the Parliament next succeeding, if in life and able to travell; and to elect new only in the places of such of them who were dead, sickly, or infirm; Other times summoning only the moiety of them, to perfect what they all had agreed, and been mistaken in: And also ordering new elections in the places of those who would not, or could not attend, or who were unduly elected, or chosen for 2. Counties at once, (as in case of the Lord *Here p. 117, 118.Cameyes and Berners.) Sometimes prescribing 2. sometimes 4. Citizens to be elected for London; sometimes 4. other times 2. Barons for every of the Ports, and now and then but 2. Barons for them all: and sometimes 2. other times but one Citizen and Burgesse for each City and Borough: the number of which they increased or diminish'd, as they saw just cause, omitting now and then some Cities, Boroughs out of their writs of summons, formerly sending Citizens, and Burgesses to Parliaments and Great Councils, and creating by their Patents, Writs, or both, new Cities and Boroughs, with power to send Citizens and Burgesses to Parliaments and Great Councils, who never sent any before; and creating other Boroughs, Cities, Counties within themselves, and then issuing Writs to their Sheriffs, Mayors, and immediate Officers to make their elections and returns; which formerly were issued only to, and made by the Sheriffs of the Counties, wherein they were situated; as the precedent Writs and returns with the two next Sections will fully evidence: And that without the precedent Votes, or subsequent consents of the Commons House; who from 49 H. 3. till 23 E. 4. and many years after, were never the immediate, sole or proper Judges, Desciders either of the undue elections, returns, numbers, or qualifications, of their own Members or Speakers, but our Kings alone or their Counsil and House of Lords; as the premises irrefragably evidence, and the Presidents I have clted in my Plea for the Lords, p. 371. to 419. To which I shall refer the Reader.
8. I shall for a close of my Observations, give you this brief Catalogue of the several Cities and Boroughs in each County of England, which sent Citizens and Burgesses to Parliament, mentioned in the returns of the Bundles of Writs yet extant in the Tower of London, An. 26, 28 E. 1. & 42 E. 3. and in the Clause Rolls of 45 E. 3 m. 21. dors. omitting those in 2, 10, 11, 13, 16 R. 2. 1, 3, 8, 9 H. 5. 1, 2, 3, 6, 11, 13, 20 H. 6. 7 & 12 E 4. by w… you may clearly discern which are antient Cities, Boroughs, in the reigns of Ed. 1. & 3. which new, and when each of them began to send Citizens, Burgesses to our Parliaments; which God willing I shall further clear hereafter in a Distinct Section, of the Several forms and numbers of Writs for levying the expences of Knights, Citizens and Burgesses of Parliament; wherein I shall present you (if it be deemed worthy my pains, and beneficial to posterity) with an Exact Kalendar of the names of all the several Knights of Counties, Citizens of Cities, Burgesses of Boroughs, and Barons of the Ports, formerly elected and returned to our Parliaments, and receiving wages, extant in the Clause Rolls and returns of the Writs for their Elections, and Expences in the Tower, not hitherto undertaken or collected by any man to my knowledge. The first Figures signifie the years of each King mentioned in the Table.
Bedford Borough returned two Burgesses to Parliament Bedfordshire.Anno 26 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3.
Reding 2. Burgesses, 42, & 45 E. 3.Berkeshire.
Walingford 2. Burgesses, 42 E 3.
Amersham 2. Burgesses, 28 E. 1.Buckinghamshire.
Wendover 2. Burgesses, 28 E. 1.
Wycombe 2 Burgesses, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3.
Cambridge Borough, 2. Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 45 Cambridgshire.E. 3.
None in Ed. 1. or Ed. 3.Cheshire.
Bodmin Borough 2 Burgesses, 26 E. 1. 42, & 45 E. 3.Cornwall.
Dunbeued, alias Lanceston, 2 Burgesses, 26 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3.
Helston 2 Burgesses, 26 E. 1. 42 E & 45 E. 3.
Lyscard 2 Burgesses, 42 & 45 E. 3.
Lostwithiel 2 Burgesses, 42 & 45 E. 3.
Trurou 26 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3.
Carelisle City two Citizens, 42 & 45 E. 3.Cumberland.
Derby Borough 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 E. 3.
Exeter City 2 Citizens, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3.Derbyshire.
Ashperton Borough 2 Burgesses, 26 E. 1.Devonshire.
Bardnestaple 2 Burgesses 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3.
Chessing-colleton 2 Burgesses, 42 E. 3.
Dartmouth 42 & 45 E. 3.
Honeton 2 Burgesses, 28 E. 1.
Lydeford 2 Burgesses 28 E. 1.
O…mpton 2 Burgesses 28 E. 1.
Plimpton 2 Burgesses 26 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3.
Sutton 2 Burgesses 26 E. 1.
Thavestoke 2 Burgesses, 42 & 45 E. 3.
Totnes 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3.
Brideport 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3.
Dorcester 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3.Dorsetsh.
Lyme 2 Burgesses 45 E. 3.
Melcombe 2 Burgesses, 42 & 45 E. 3.
Poole 2 Burgesses, 42 E. 3,
Shaftesbury 2 Burgesses, 26 E. 1. 45 E. 3.
Warham 2 Burgesses, 42 & 45 E. 3.
Waymouth 2 Burgesses, 42 E. 3.
Colecester 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3.Essex.
Maldon 2 Burgesses, 42 & 45 E. 3.
Bristoll, 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3. After Gloucestershire.made a Countie of it self.
Gloucester 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3.
Hereford City 2 Citizens 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3.Hereford.
Bewley 2 Burgesses, 26 E. 1.
Leominster 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3.
We… 2. Burgesses 28 E. 1.
St. Allans Borough 2 Burgesses 28 E. 1.Hertford.
Hertford 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1.
Huntingdon Borough 2. Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 45 E. 3Huntingdon.
Canterbury City 2 Citizens, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 E. 3.
Rochester City 2 Citizens, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 E. 3.Kent.
Lancaster 2 Burgesses 26 E. 1.Lancaster
Preston in Alderness 2 Burgesses 26 E. 1.
Leicester Borough 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 42. & Leicestershire.45 E. 3.
Lincolne City 2 Citizens, 49 H. 3. 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & Lincolnshire.45 E. 3.
Grymesby 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3.
Stamford 2 Burgesses, 26 E. 1.
London 26 E. 1. 2 Citizens, 42 E. 3. (4. Citizens) 45 Middlesex.E. 3.
Northampton 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3.Northt.
Norwich City, 2 citizens, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. Norsolke.3.
Jernemuth 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3.
Lenne 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3.
Newcastle upon Tyne 2 Burgesses, 26 E. 1. 45 E. 3.Northum.
Nottingham Borough 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 E. 3.Nottingh.
Oxford Borough 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 44 & 45 E. 3.Oxfordsh.
Bruges (or Bridgenorth) Borough 2 Burgesses 28 E. Salop.1. 45 E. 3.
Salop 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 45 E. 3.
Bath City 2 Citizens, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. [whose Somerset.return is likewise extant in the bundles of 3, 10, 11, 13, 16 R. 2. 1, 7, 8, 9, H. 5. 1, 2, 3 H. 6. & 12 E. 4.
Bridgewater Borough 2 Burgesses, 26, 21 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3.
Iv…ster 2 Burgesses, 26 E. 1.
Milburne port 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1.
Taunton 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3.
VVells 2 Burgesses, 26 E. 1. 45 E. 3. [Cives.]
VVinchester City, 2 Citizens, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3.Southtsh.
Alesford 2 Burgesses, 28 E. 1.
Basingstoke 2 Burgesses, 28 E. 1.
Odeham 2 Burgesses, 28 E. 1.
Ouertone 2 Burgesses 28 E. 1.
Portesmouth 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 45 E. 3.
Southampton 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 45 E. 3.
D…nwich 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3.Suffolk.
Gyppeswich 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3.
Oreford 2 Burgesses, 26 E. 1.
Newcastle under Lyne 2 Burgesses, 45 E. 3.
Stafford 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3.Staffordsh.
Blechingleigh Borough 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3.Surry.
Gildeford 2 Burgesses 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3.
Ryegate 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3.
Southwerke 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 E 3.
Chichester City 2 Citizens, 26 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3.Sussex.
Arundel Borough 2 Burgesses, 42 & 45 E. 3.
Brembre 2 Burgesses, 42 E. 3.
East Greenstead 2 Burgesses, 42 & 45 E. 3.
Horsham 2 Burgesses, 42 & 45 E. 3.
Lewes 2 Burgesses, 26 E. 1. 42 & 45 E 3.
Midhurst 2 Burgesses, 45 E. 3.
Seaford 2 Burgesses, 26 E. 1. 45 E. 3.
Sh…rham 2 Burgesses, 26 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3.
Steining 2 Burgesses 26 E. 1. 42 E. 3.
Coventre City, 2 Citizens, 26, 28 E 1.
Warwick Borough 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 Warwick. shire.E. 3.
Apelby 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 42 E. 3.
New Sarum City 2 Citizens, 26, 28 E. 1.Westmerl.
Bedwine Borough 2 Burgesses, 42 E. 3.Wiltshire.
Calne 2 Burgesses 26, 28 E. 1.
Chipenham 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1.
Devises 2 Burgesses, 28 E. 1. 42 E. 3.
Dounton 2 Burgesies, 26, 28 E 1.
Ludgersale 2 Burgesses 28 E. 1.
Merleburge 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 E. 3.
Malme…bury 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3.
Old Sarum 2 Burgesses, 42 E. 3.
Wilton 2 Burgesses 28 E. 1. 42 E. 3.
Worcester City 2 Citizens, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3. Worcester.Wych 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1.
Yorke City 2 Citizens, 49 H. 3. 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 43 Yorkshire.E. 3.
Aluerton 2 Burgesses, 26 E. 1.
Beverlayco 2 Burgesses, 26 E. 1.
Kingston upon Hull 2 Burgesses 42 & 45. E. 3.
Maldon 2 Burgesses, 26 E. 1.
Pontefract 2 Burgesses, 26 E. 1.
Scardeburgh 2 Burgesses, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3.
I shall observe from these Writs, and the forementioned Retorns and Table, 1. That the Sheriff of a Here p. 41. 58, 59.Buckingbamshire in Anno 26 E. 1. retorns, Nulli sunt Cives nec Burgenses in Com. praedicto. nec Burgus, &c. yet in 28 E. 1. but two years after, the Sheriff thereof retorns 2. Burgesses a plece, (with 2. Manucaptors for eevery of them) for Amersham, Wycombe, Wendover, e'ected for a former Parliament that year: Therefore it is probable the King first created them Boroughs that very year: The like observation you may make upon the Boroughs of all other Counties where you meet with any Retorns in 26, 28 Edw. 1. 42 Edw. 3. or since, reciting, Nulla est Civitas vel Burgus; or Non est alia Civitas vel Burgus, or Non sunt alii Burgi, in Com. or Balliva mea, then those he then retorned as such: there you may certainly resolve, that every City or Borough omitted then out of those antient Retorns and since retorned for Cities or Boroughs in subsequent Retorns, were made Cities and Boroughs since that time; and where you find any City or Borough first mentioned in the Sheriffs Retorns yet extant, (which are but 22. Bundles in all before the end of Edward 4. his Reign,) or in the Writs in the Clause Rolls issued to them, De expensis Civium & Burgens… um venientibus ad Parliamentum, which are more by far than the Bundles, (as I shall hereafter God willing evidence in a peculiar Section,) you may probably, if not certainly, conclude, That it was first created a City, or Borough, and enabled to send Citizens or Burgesses to Parliament near that year, wherein you first find such mention of it in both or either of these Records, and not before, as the precedent and ensuing Table will more fully inform you. 2ly. You may clearly discern by this Table, and the subsequent Retorns of Writs, Anno 3, 11, 12, 13. 16 R. 2. 1, 3, 8, 9 H. 5. 1, 2, 3, 6, 11, 13, 20 H. 6. 7, & E, 12, 4. that some Cities and Boroughs, which send Citizens and Burgesses to Parliament were oft times omitted out of the Sheriffs Retorns in antient times, and yet imprinted into subsequent retorns interpolatis vicibns; Now whether this was done by special direction from the King or his Council, (on whose Arbitrary pleasure they depended (before they had *See Hobarts Reports, p. 14. 15.special Charters granted enabling them to send Citizens and Burgesses to all Parliaments, to be afterwards held by the King, his Heirs and Successors Kings of England) or by the carelessnesse of the Sheriffs in not issuing out Warrants to or not retorning them; which is most probable, as the Stat. of 5 R. 2. Parl. 2. c. 4. & 22 H. 6. c. 15 inform us, and therupon enacted, That if any Sheriff of the Realm be from thence forth negligent in making his Retorns of Writs of Parliament, or that he leave out of the said Retorns any Cities, or Boroughs which be bound, & of old times were wont to come to the Parliament, he shall be punished in manner as was accustomed to be done in the said case in the said time past. And that every Sheriff after delivering of the Writ for elections to him, shall without fraud make and deliver a sufficient Precept to the Maiors and Bayliffs of the Cities and Boroughs within his Countie for electing Citizens and Burgesses, under the penalties therein mentioned. Or whether they were thus omitted, through their own default in not demanding Warrants from the Sheriff…, or not electing and retorning Burgesses upon their Warrants issued, (to which many times the Sheriffs retorned nullum mihi dederunt responsum, &c.) I cannot certainly determine. 3ly. That some antient Boroughs once or twice retorned heretofore in former times (as Lydeford in Devonshire, and others) have afterwards been totally omitted and discontinned, either by the Kings mere pleasure, or upon their own Petitions to the King, they being either unable or unwilling to bear the expences of their Burgesses in coming to, continuing at, and returning from the Parliament, which were constantly levyed heretofore by writs de expensis Burgensium levandis, sued to them or the Sheriffs a…ter most Parliaments ended by many Burgesses of Boroughs as well as by Knights of Shires, and Citizens of Cities, as I shall, (if God say Amen) demonstrate at large in its due place, and shall hereno further insist upon. 4ly. That of late times some of these antient long-discontinued Boroughs have been revived, and new Writs or Warrants for electing Burgesses sent unto them, sometimes upon their own Petitions; now and then upon some Courtiers Petition to the King, in hopes by Letters from the Court and Feasting or Bribing the Burgesses, to be elected, and retorned Burgesses for the revived Boroughs; sometimes by motion or order of some Members of the Commons House who had a design to bring in some Burgesses, and made sure of the Burgesses Voyces before hand; the Burgesses being now very willing to have their Boroughs revived, because many times instead of giving wages to their Burgesses, for their service in Parliament as of old, they receive not only thanks, Feasts, but Rewards and Boons, if not underhand Bribes for their Voyces, from their elected Burgesses, who assure them before their choyce, they will neither expect nor exact any expences from them, which many of them scarce deserve, since they do neither them nor their Country any service at all in Parl. promoting only their own private interests or ends, or their friends.
Finally, though I shall readily subscribe to Mr. Littletons opinions, Section 194. That the antient Towns called Boroughs, be the most antient Towns that be within England, For the Towns that now be cCooks 1 Instit. f. 159.Cities or Counties, in old time were Boroughs, and called Boroughs; for of such old Towns called Boroughs come the Burgesses of the Parliament, to the Parliament, when the King hath summoned his Parliament, which I shall further clear in the next Sections; yet I can by no means assent to Mr. William Lambard of dHis Archaion or Commentary upon the High Courts of Justice, p. 257, 258, 259.Lincolns Inne his Judgement, (though a learned Antiquary) or some others inferences thence, who thus argues. Now as those written Authorities do undoubtedly confirm, Our assertion of this manner of Parliament, so is there also an unwritten Law or Prescription, that doth no less infallibly uphold the same; For it is well known that ln everie quarter of the Realm… a great many of Boroughs do send their Burgesses to the Parliament, which are neverthelesse so antient, and so long since decayed; and gone to nought, that it cannot be shewed, that they have been of any reputation, at any time since the Conquest, and much lesse, that they hauehave obtained the Privileges, by the Grant of any King succeeding the same, so that the interest which they have in Parliament groweth by an antient usage before the Conquest, whereof they cannot shew any begining. Which thing is also confirmed by contrarie usage in the self same thing. For it is likewise known, that they of antient Demesn do prescribe, in not sending to the Parliament; For which reason also, they are neither Contributors to the Wages of Knights there, neither are they bound to sundry Acts of Parliament, though the same be generally penned, and do make no exception of them. But there is no antient Demesn, saving that only which is described in the Book of Domesday, under the Title of Terra Regis, which of necessity must be such; as either was in the hands of the Conqueror himself, who made the Book, or of Edw. the Confessor that was before him. And so again, if they of Antient Demesne have ever since the Conquest, prescribed not to send Burgesses to Parliament, then no doubt there was a Parliament before the Conquest, to the vhich they of other places did send their Burgesses. To which I answer, that this Argument is fallacious, and no waies conclusive. For 1. these antient decayod Burroughs that now in many places send Burgesses to the Parliament, were in no such great reputation at all at or before the Conquest, as is ins…uated, for ought appears by the Book of Doomsday, or any other Record or Historie, but as mean and inconsiderable as now they are. 2ly. There is no Historie or Record, that any of these Boroughs, whether decayed, or not decayed, yea though much enlarged, enrichd since the Conquest, did ever send Burgesses to any one Parliament, either before or after the Conquest, till 49 H. 3. And I challenge all the Antiquaries in England to demonstrate the contrarie by History or Records. 3ly. It is irrefragable by the forementioned returns of Sheriffs, that all or most of those poor or decayed Boroughs in Cornwall, Devonshire, Wiltshire, Southampton, Sussex, and some other Counties, did in 26 E. 1. and some years after, send no Burgesses at all to our Parliament; as Camelford, Foway, Grantpount, St. Germins, St. Ives, St. Maries [or Maws] St. Michael, Portlow, Saltash, Trebonny, Tregony in Cornwall, Bearalston in Devon, Christchurch, Newport, Newtown, Stockbridge, Whitechurch, Yermouth in the Countie of Southampton, Midhurst and Horsham in Sussex, Crickland, Henden, Old Sarum, Heytesbury, Westbury, Wotton Basset in Wiltshire; with others in other Counties, as the precedent Table clearly demonstrates: all or most of them being enabled to send Burgesses to Parliament since the reign of Edw. the 1. and not before: much less by prescription before the Conquest, as M. Lambard and others conceit; and that percliance not by any special Charters of our Kings creating them Boroughs or Corporations, but by private directions of the King and Counsil to the Sheriffs of Counties wherein they were, to issue out Precepts to them to elect and retorn Burgesses, when they saw any just cause; not by antient usage or prescription before the Conquest, which none of these Boroughs ever yet pretended or insisted on, for ought I can find, upon my best inquiry after their Original. 3ly. The antientest writs for Knights wages extant, are those of 28 E. 1. Rot. Claus. dors. 3, & 12, & cl. 29 E. 1. dors. 17. 32 E. 1. dors. 3. and no Records, Histories or Lawbooks I have seen, derive their original higher than the Reign of King Edward the first. The first Statute concerning them is that of 12 R. 2. c. 12. (on which the writ in the Register is grounded) which enacts only, That the levying of the expences of Knights shall be, as hath been used before this time: the next Statute of 11 H. 4. c. 1. enacts, That Knights of Shires unduly retorned shall lose their wages of the Parliament of old time accustomed, (not at or before the Conquest accustomed.) The first printed case concerning them in our Lawbooks, is but in M. 12 H. 4. f. 3. a. Fitzh. Avowry 52. & Br. 42. and the first *An Exact Abridgement of the Records in the Tower, p. 86.Petitions in Parliament concerning them, are those of 28 & 51 E. 3. Yea no man can prove there were any Knights for Counties elected and sent to Parliaments by the Kings Writs before 49 H. 3. Therefore, the prescription to be discharged from contributing to their wages, cannot be extended higher than 49 H. 3. not to the Reign of the Conqueror, or before the Conquest, as Mr. Lambard would strain it. 4ly. The writ in the Register, part 1. f. 192. made after the Statute of 12 R. 2. c. 12. to exempt the Bishop of Londons Tenants at Fulham, from contributing to the expences of the Knights of Middlesex, recites only; Quod licet ipsi & eorum Antecessores, & Praedecessores, expensis Militum ad Parliamenta nostra, vel Progeuitorum nostrorum quondam Regum Angliae, pro Communitate Com. praedicti ante haec tempora venientium nullatenus solvere aut contribuere consueverunt. And one of the Writs in the Register, f. 261. b. Vic. Huntingdon, Quod Homines de antiquo Dominico non contribuant expensis Militum, begins thus. Cum secundum consuetudinem in Regno nostro Augliae hactenus obtentam & approbatam, homines & tenentes de antiquo Dominico Coronae Angliae, quieti sunt & esse debeant, a contributione expensarum Militum ad Parliamenta venientium: Both which import only, That neither they nor their Predecessors or Ancestors, since Knights were first sent to Parliaments in 49 H. 3. or afterwards, were accustomed to contribute towards their expences, but exempted from the same: Not that there were such Knights who had wages, and that they were exempted from it, before the Conquest: And that other form of the Writ in the Register, f. 261. a. touching Tenants of antient Demesn, Quod licet ipsi & eorum A…ecessores tenentes de eodem manerio, A TEMPORE QUO NON EXTAT MEMORIA, SEMPER HACTENUS QUIETI ESSE CONSUEVERUNT de expensis Militum ad Parliamenta nostra vel Progenitorum nostrorum Regum Angliae pro Communitate dicti Comitatus venientium, must have the self-same interpretation: or this at least which is equivalent to it. That time out of mind, before there were any Knights of Shires elected in the County, they were alwayes …ree from contributing to their Wages, and never used to pay any such Tax; (this presc…iption will extend to all times before 49 H. 3. and the Conquest it self:) And since 49 H. 3. and the elections of Knights of Shires, they and their Ancestors time out of mind, or, of old time (as the statutes of 5 Richard 2. cap. 4. 11 Henry 4. cap. 1. express it) have alwayes used to be quit from such expences of Knights, and never charged with them. There are many Prescriptions and Customs in use in King Edward the third his time, and since, which are said to be time out of mind, yet certainly they had their Original not before, but long since the Conquest, as you may read in Brook…, Fitzherbert, and other Law-Books, Title Custome and Prescription, and Cooks 1 Institutes, fol. 58. 113. That which hath been used, or prescribed in but for two or three Ages only, or out of the memory or mind of men then living, being *Hobards Reports, p. 117, 118, 198, 199.reputed a legal Custome or Prescription, 34 Henry 6. 36. Br. Prescription 6. Therefore this Prescription of Tenants in Antient Demesn, to be exempt from contributing to Knights wages, or not to send Burgesses to the Parliament, time out of mind, will no waies warrant Mr. Lambards conclusion thence. Ergo, No doubt there was a Parliament before the Conquest, to which they of other places used to send their Knights and Burgesses. I am certain that at this day Tenants in Antient Demesn, can plead, that both they and their Ancestors time out of mind of man, were never accustomed to pay Excise for any thing, for which Excise is now generally demanded; will it therefore follow; Ergo, all places else now subject to pay Excise, were lyable to pay it before the Conquest, when as it was first set on foot since 1642? If not, then Mr. Lambards Argument is as great an inconsequence as it, seeing Knights and Burgesses of Parliament began, not before the 49th. of Henry the third, as I have evidenced: and were never heard of (as he conceits) before the Conquest, which none of the Authorities cited by him do satisfactorily evidence, and all Histories, Records from the Conquest, till 49 Henry the 3d. most clearly refute. I should now proceed to the 5th. Section, Of Writs for electing Knights, Citizens and Burgesses, issued to the Earls, Dukes, Lieutenants, and Chancellors of the Dutchy of Lancaster, the Sheriffs of London, Bristol, York, New-castle upon Tine, Norwich, Lincoln, Kingston upon Hull, Southampton, Coventry, Canterbury, and other Towns made Counties within themselves, after their severance from the Shires in which they are situated: with some forms of their Retorns, and usefull Observations on them; but the present Exigence of our affairs, and strange Vote of a few Commoners, Jan. 5. 1659. creating themselves a Parliament without a King or House of Lords, and adjudging, declaring above two hundred Members to stand discharged from voting or sitting as Members of this Parliament, during this Parliament; And that Writs do issue to elect New Members in their Places, behind their backs (as being either afraid or ashamed to look them in the faces) without naming any one of them, and that before the least legal accusation, hearing, trial or conviction whatsoever, of any delinquency, except only their loyalty, sincerity, fidelity to their King, Country, the Rights and Privileges of Parliament, constant adhering to their original Trusts, Oaths, Protestation, Covenant, Vow, Votes, Ordinances, Declarations, Remonstrances, Principles of Piety, Honesty, Christianity, and abomination of all Treachery, Perjury, Jesuitical Practices, and destructive publick Innovations, contrary to the expresse Word of God, the Fundamental Laws, Statutes and Government of this Realm, and the tenor of the Writs and Indentures wherby they were made Members, which their secluders have violated, subverted in the highest degree, hath caused me to publish this Chapter by it self; wherin I have, as *Ardua Regni, Plea for the Lords p. 371, to 419. The …. part of this brief Register, p. 27, 28, 1…7, 219, to 222, 434, 435.elsewhere, made good to all the world, by Records, Presidents, Judgements in Parliament, law, reason, and divinity too, That the whole House of Commons, in its greatest fulnesse freedom and power, nover hed any lawfull right or Authority, upon full bearing, evidence, conviction, to expel any single Member of the House for breach of trust, or other misdemeanor whatsoever (no more than one Judge, Justice, Commissioner, Committee, or Grand Jury-man, to unjudge, uncommission, discharge or eject another, being all equals, equally intrusted by the people, and having no power of judicature over each other) without the Lords or Kings consent, in whom the sole Judicature in our Parliaments resides; much lesse then the Tenth part of the Commons House, (sitting under a visible force, and keeping four times their Number of Members out by armed guards, which nulls all they vote or do) to eject the Majority of the House, order New Elections of others in their places, and make them uncapable to be elected, by the meer Clublaw, of pellitur e medio sapientia, vi geritur res: which unparalell'd injustice neither these excluded Members, nor yet the Counties, Cities and Boroughs for whom they serve, nor the Freeborn English Nation, nor Army-Officers so lately disofficed, cashiered for ejecting the secluders, upon as good grounds, and by the same Law of the longest Sword they now make use of, *Exact Coll. p. 496, 498.will patiently endure to their own and the Nations infamy, the ruine of our Parliaments Constitution and Privileges, if connived at in these times of sad distraction.
I shall desire these forcible Secluders, and Voters of us out of the House, seriously to consider these Passages of aExact Coll. p. 650, 655, 657.A Declaration of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, to which many of them were parties, in answer to his Majesties Declaration 23. October 1642. If the t…uth was that the d…my (of the King) is raised, to force some particular Members of this Parliament, to be delivered up, yet upon this ground would it follow, that the same is levied against the Parliament: for we have often declared to his Majestie and the world, That we were alwaies ready to receive any evidence or accusation against any of them, and to judge and punish them, according to their demerits; yet hitherto no Evidence produced, no Accuser appearing, (the case of the now secluded, ejected, disabled Majority of the Members) And yet notwithstanding to raise an d…my to compell the Parliament to expose those Members to the fury of those wicked counsellors, that thirst after nothing more than the ruine of them and the Commonwealth; What can be more evident, then that the same is levied against the Parliament? for, did they prevail in this, then by the same reason might they demand (and these now sitting forcibly seclude and eject) twenty more, and consequently, never rest satisfied, until their malice and Tyranny did devour all those Members they found crosse and opposite to their lewd and wicked designs (as our secluders have done) and so by depriving the Parliament of their Members, destroy the whole Body. Thus seconded in *Exact Collection, p. 739.The Remonstrance of the Lords and commons assembled in Parliament, Nov. 2. 1642. in answer to his Majesties Declaration. This is the doctrine of that Declaration, 5. That his Majesty, or any other person, may upon suggestion and pretence of Treason, Felony, or the breach of the Peace, take the Members of Parliament out of either. House of Parliament, without giving satisfaction to the House whereof they are Members, of the grounds of such suggestion or accusation, and without and against their consent: so they may dismember a Parliament when they please, and make it what they will, when they will: (as our secluders have done, by voting and keeping out above 200. by meer force before Accusation or Heating) And in their *Exact Collection, p. 4, 6.Declaration of August 4. 1642. wherewith I shall conclude. If the King (by his Army) may force this Parliament (as our secluders have done) they may bid farewell to all Parliaments, for ever receiving good by them. And if Parliaments be lost, they (the people) are lost, their Laws are lost as well, …se late…y made, as in former times, all which will be cut in sunder with the same sword now drawn for the destruction of this Parliament; as they are now by the forcible seclusion of the Members by Order and Command of those now sitting.
ERRATA.
PAge 8. l. 7. r. Subortam, p. 22. l. 7. sustentari, l. 18. scire, p. 26. l. 7. Comitum, p. 26. l. 4. Et, de, p. 37. l. 6. posset, p. 50. l. 2. Hertford, r. Berks. p. 54. 28. extitit. p. 63 l. 31. r. … wit. p. 79. l. 18. their, r. this. p. 83. l. 3 partium. p. 94. l. 12. et, per p 95. l. 2. 21 r. 27 E. 3. p. 119. l. 28. unreasonable, r. unanswerable. l. 33. a new writ for. p. 120. l. 26 et, …. per. p. 121. l. 14. Avun…ulo. p, 122, l. 15. 16, r. 9 E 2. …. 13. 7 H. 4 p. 126. l. 11. 1, r. 7 H 4. p. 128. l. 126. brevi. p. 145. l. 26. Baronis. p. 171. l. 13, 14. imparred, r. i…serted.
FINIS.
THE MISCELLANEOUS WORKS OF WILLIAM PRYNNE, Esquire, UTTER-BARRESTER, of Lincolnes Inne.
VOL. XXIV.
PSALME 120. v. 5, 6.
My Soule hath long dwelt with them, that are enemies unto peace: I labour for peace; but when I speake unto them thereof, they make them ready to Battle.
London: Printed for the Author, and are to be sold by Edward Thomas, dwelling in Green Arbour.
End of the text · William Prynne, A Brief Register Part 2 (1660)