Dei Nomine Amen Cum de Jure consuetudine regni Angl. ad Archiep. Canterbur qui pro tempore fuerit nec non caeteros suos suffragandes Confratres Coeptis Abbates Priores aliosque Prelatos quoscunque per Baroniam de domino Rege tenentes pertinet in Parlimentum Regis quibuscunque ut pares regni praedicti personaliter interesse ibidemque de regni negotiis aliis ibi tractare consuetis cum caeteris dicti regni paribus aliis consulere ordinare statuere definire ac caetera facere quae Parliamenti Tempore ibid. incendet faciend in quibus omnibus singulis nos Willielmus Cant. Archiepiscopus totius Angl. Primas Angl. Sedis Legatus pro nobis nostrisque Suffraganeis Coep confratribus nec non Abbatibus Prioribus Prelatis omnibus supradictis potestat eorum quilibet potestatur qui per se vel procuratorem si fuerit modo presens publicè expresse quod intendimus intendi volumus ac vult eorum quilibet in hoc presenti Parliamento aliis ut pares regni praedicti more solito interesse considerare tractare ordinare statuere definire ac caetera exercere cum caeteris jus interessendi habentibus eisdem statu ordine Juris eorum cuilibet in omnibus semper salvum verum quia in praesenti Parliamento agitur de nonnullis materiis in quibus non licet nobis alicui eorum juxta sacrorum Canonum instituta quomodo libet personaliter interesse eo propter pro nobis eorum quolibet protestamus eorum quilibet hic presens etiam protestatur quod non intendimus nec volumus sicuti de Jure non possumus nec debemus intendi nec vult aliquis eorundem in praesenti Parliamento dum de hujusmodi materiis agitur vel agetur quomodo libet interesse sed nos eorum quemlibet in ea parte penitus absentare in re paritatis nostrae cujuslibet eorum interessend in dicto Parliamento quoad omnia singula ibidem exercenda juris eorum quilibet Statu ordine in omnibus semper salvo Ad hoc insuper protestamur eorum quilibet protestatur quod propter hujusmodi absentiam non intendimus nec volumus nec eorum aliquis intendit nec vult quod habet processus habend in praesenti Parliamento super materiis antedictis In quibus nec possumus nec debemus permittitur interesse quantum ad nos quemlâ—bet eorum attinet futuris temporibus quomodo libet impugnentur infirmentur seu etiam revocentur Which Protestation read in full Parliament by the commandement of the King and Assent of the Lords Temporall and Commons In like manner make Protestation the Bishop of Duresme and Carlisle mutatis mutandis This was upon the occâ—sion of the appeale of Treason in the same Parliament commenced by Thomas Duke of Glâ—ucester and others against Alexander Arch-Bishop of Yorke Robert de Vere Duke of Ireland and others But although they thus absented themselves they made no proxy at this time to assent in their room as afterwards they agreed to do in cases of Iudgement of death But the first use of such proxies is in the 21 oâ—Rich the 2. neither at all are such proxies or assent of the Bishops For under H. 5. the Earle of Salisbury by Petition in the nature of a Writ of Error shewed that the Attaiâ—der of John the late Earle father to the Pâ—titioner in the second of H. the 4 might now be reversed and amongst the errors assigned one was that he had been adjudged sans assent in Parliament but it was in Parliament now adjudged that it was no error The Arch-bishops of Cant. and Yorke for themselvs their Clergy make Protestation not to consent to any Statute made in this Parliament Quatenus ea in restrictione potestatis Apostolicae aut in eversione Ecclesiae dignitatis tendere dignoscuntur which at their request was inrolled in Parliament yet an Act passed at that Time and is publique against the Popes giving of Benefices by way of provision in England In the beginning of Queene Elizabeths raigne when divers Acts passed touching matters of the Church as Service and Sacraments and Church-possessions c. the Bils passed Dissentientibus All the Bishops as it is especially entered in the Iournals with particular enumeration of all their names Whereunto may be added that assertion of the Iudges in that deliberation had under Henry the eight touching the power Royall in the Church as the words were reported That our Lord the King may well enough hold the Parliament by himselfe and all his temporall Lords without the spirituall Lords c CHAP. VI Their appointing Judges out of themselves for examination of Judgements and delayes of other Courts THis is given them by a Statute of Edward the third in these words Likewise for that many mischiefes are come c. That divers places as well in the Chancery as the Kings Bench Common pleas the Exchequer the Iustices assigned and other Iustices to heare and determine the Iudgements wherein have been delayes sometimes by difficulty somtimes by divers opinions of the Iudges and sometimes by other occasions it is assented established and agreed that of the Commons before said in every Parliament there be one Prelate two Earles and two Barons that shall have Commission and power of the King Which priviledge is now taken away from the Prelacy by Act of Parliament Anno 17. Car. to heare by Petition to them delivered the plaints of all those which complaine of such delayes or grievances done to them and that they have power to cause to come before them at Westminster or in any other places where the parliament shall be holden and the Courts of records and processes of such Iudgements as are delayed and shall cause to come before them the same Iustices who shall be there present to heare the cause and their reason also heard by good advice of them the Chancellor three Iustices of one Bench and of the other and others of the Kings Councell And in the same Parliament accordingly the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury the Earles of Arundell and Huntington and the Lord Woake and the Lord Basset were assigned to the same purpose and although the Iustices Chancellor Treasurer Privy Seale and others had before taken Oath c. Yet it was ordained that those of the Baronage assigned shall give them a new Oath and increase and diminish the Ministers of Iustice as they shall see Cause CHAP. VII Their Tenants of ancient tenancies being discharged of paying the charges of Knights of the shire THe Commons exhibite a Petition that whereas the Tennants of the Lords that did hold by Barony and summons to the Parliament might not be discharged of paying towards the expences of Knights c.
full Parliament to the said Iohn that he the said Geffery was at that time in the said Town and Company with the said Iohn and that the Town and Castle of Ardee were not at any time delivered by his assent but that he was ready to stay come upon the safe guard thereof and this the said Geffery affirmed And moreover it was demanded of the said Iohn if hee had any other thing to say and hee answered no whereupon the Constable was charged with the safe keeping of the said Iohn and William untill the morning of the next day and then to bring them againe safely before the said Lords in the said Parliameâ—t at the place and day afoâ—esaid At which day that is to say the eight and twentieth day of November in the yeare aforesaid wâ—re the said Iohn and William brought againe in full Parliament and there it was shewed severally by the sâ—id Steward at the same day by Commandement of the Lords aforesaid how upon the Answers which the said Iohn and William have given in the said Parliament as before mentioned to the Lords of the said Parliament viz. the King of Castile and of Leon and the Duke of Lancaster Edmond Earle of March Richard Earle of Arundell Thomas Earle of Warwick Hugh Earle of Stafford William Earle of Suffolke William Earle of Salislbury Henry Earle of Northumberland Iohn Lord Nevill Roger Lord Clifford and many other Lords Barons and Baronets being assembled in the said Parliament to advise at the time when the said Answers were given in Parliament the Friday Even at the howeâ— of three a clock of the matters touching the answers aforesaid and viewing and examining diligently the said Answers and other Articles concerning that businesse And upon good and mature deliberation and Information given of the most valiant and discreet Knights and òthers being in the said Parliament it was said in manner as followeth to the said William by the Steward reciting the things aforesaid touching the said William It seemed to the Lords aforesaid that you William without â—uresse or default of victualls have wickedly delivered and surrendered to the Enemies of our Lord the King for your owne lucre contrary to all plea of right or reason and against your liegeance and undertaking according to an Information in such case which meâ—tioneth whereas the late Baron of Graystock who was a Lord and one of the Peeres of the Realme had taken upon him safely to keepe to the aforesaid King the Towne of Barwick presently after the said King prepared himselfe to travell to the Kingdome of Francè the said Baron without the Kings Commandement left the said Towne of Barwick and a valiant Esquire Robert Ogle as Lievtenant of the said Baron who safely should keepe the said Town of Barwicke to the King And the said Baron went aâ— a horseman to the parts of France to the said King and there stayed in his company surmizing that an assault of warre was made at the said Towne of Barwick by the Scots And the said Robert as Lievtenant of the said Baron defended forcibly there and at last by their assaults the said Towne was taken and the sâ—id Robert and two of the sonnes of the said Robert were slaine he being in the company of the King in the parts of France And it was said that it was adjudged by the advise of the said King in the parts of France the said Dukes Nobles and Earles tâ—gâ—ther with Henry Duke of Lancaster the Earles of Northumberland and Stafford and Sir VValter Maney that the sâ—id Towne was lost in default of the said Baron And for that cause hee had Iudgement of life and member and that he ought to forfeit all that hee had and Iudgement was rendered in these words by the commandement of the King which things also considered for that you William have surrendered the Castle of Barwick to the Enemies of our Lord the King aforesaid without duresse or default of victuall against your alleageance and undertaking aforesaid the Lords aforenamed sitting in full Parliament adjudge you to death and that you be drawne and hanged but for that that our Lord the King is not yet informed of the manner of this Iudgement the execution thereof shall be put in writing untill the King bee informed wherefore it is commanded to the said Constable safely to keepe the said William untill he hath other commandement from our Lord the King And as touching the said Iohn Lord of Gomeniz touching the Answers aforesaid It was shewed there by the said Steward how the said Lords were assembled and advised of the said Answers as before said Moreover it was shewed how that at the time that Sir Ralph Ferrars Knight had the keeping of the Towne and Castle of Ardee the said Towne was not so strong by the one halfe as it was at the time when the said Iohn surrendered the same and the said Ralph did put himselfe in perill for the safeguard thereof and forthwith the said Ralph did hold and forcibly defend the same against a very great and forcible assault and other evidences concerning the said Iohn in this behalfe were delivered as followeth to the said John being in Parliament by the said Steward reciting all the matters aforesaid touching the forementioned Iudgement of the said Baron and the cause thereof in manner as before it seemeth to the Lords before named sitting in full Parliament considering your answers in this behalfe and your examinations and Informations therein that lately amongst the number of Gentlemen by whom you have strongly undertaken safely to keepe the said Towne and Castle with twentiâ— men of Armes and twenty Archers you were sent to the said Towne and Castle of Ardee in the Afforcement thereof according to your requâ—st thereof made to certain Lords being sent in message to Callis under our late King Edward and at such time also as you were advised by the King of Castile that if you could not welâ— keepe it you ought in no sort to take upon you to keepe the same and there were that would have undertaken the safe keeping thereof to the said King Edward and his heires and you have undertaken safely to guard the same with no surrender to any but in manner as aforesaid and now have you Iohn without duresse or default of victualls or of Artillery or of other things necessary for the defence of the said Townes and Castles of Ardee without Commandement of our Lord the King wickedly delivered and surrendered it to the Enemies of our Lord the King by your owne default against all plea of right or reason and against your undertaking aforesaid The Lords aforesaid in full Parliament adjudge you to death and for that you were a Gentlemen Banneret and have served the late King Edward in his warres and have not proved a leige man to our Lord the King you shall be beheaded without having other iustice And for that also our Lord the King is not yet
Knight and Nicholas Carrein Keeper of the privie Seale of the said King and others that did then belong to the said King and afterwards from him to the time supposed that she committed forfeiture and that they can discover the truth And thereupon day is given unto the said Alice untill Wednesday next by the Prâ—lates and Lords of the Parliament and it was ordained and assented that those Articles shall be tried by witnesses and by enquest of those that were of the houshold of the late King Edward whereby the truth may better be knowne and thereupon were certaine persons examined before the Earle of March the Earle of Arundell the Duke of Lancaster the Earle of Cambridge and the Earle of Warwick that is to say first Master Roger Beauchampe late Chamberlaine of the said King Edward sworne upon the holy Evangelists and diligently examined touching the Countermand of Master Nicholas Dagworth and upon the other Article concerning the said Kings pardon and favour to Richard Lions saith upon his Oath that in presence of the Ladie Alice Pierce a Bill was delivered to him which Bill he tooke and after hee had understood that the same contained the calling back of Master Nicholas Dagworth from Ireland for that he was an enâ—my to Master William Winsor to that which the Bill supposed he answered that hee durst not preferr it to the King for that the Counsell had ordained the contrary and the said Alice requested him and said that he might safely deliver it to the King and presently the King demanded of what matter they discoursed and the said Master Roger answered of a Bill that doth containe such businesse forthwith when the King had understood the Bill hee answered that the Petition was reasonable and when Master Roger replyed the Councell had ordained to the contrary the King answered that he himselfe was agreeing and that yet it seemed the Bill was reasonable and commanded him that the said Master Nicholas be caused â—o be called back which was likewise done but what day or moneth it was he remembreth not and as to the matter of Richard Lions the said Mr. Roger saith that he was Chamberlaine but an houre and so knoweth nothing more then he hath said Item Master Lanc. diligently examined before the Committees saith that he came one day to Havering and found the Ladie Alice Pierce there and forthwith Master Roger Beauchampe shewed him Billa and after the King understood the matter hee said thus that it seemed not reason that one enâ—mie should bee judge of another and the said Duke answered that hee was come betweene them but it was so that the said Maâ—ter Nicholas was sent for the profit of the Land and of all the Realme and therefore it was ordained before the King that the said Master Nicholas and Master William doe come before the Councell and if the said Master William could prove any cause for the Enmity betweene them that then the said Master Nicholas shall not goe if he well can prove such enmity otherwise the Ordinance of the Councell made in that behalf shall stand in force to which thing the King did well assent for that time but forthwith the King was assailed in his chamber by the said Ladie Alice and there came in the said Duke and prayed the King that he would not suffer in any sort that the said Mr. Nicholas bee called back who answered that it should bee no otherwise then it was afore ordained before the King and when hee came in that behalfe to crave a testimoniall favour hee could not obtaine it and the next morning when the said Duke did his obeysance to the King in his bed The King himselfe commanded upon his blessing that he suffer not in any manner that the said Master Nicholas goe into Ireland The Ordinance thereof made the day before to the contrary notwithstanding and likewise the said Master Nicholas was countermanded and as to the Article of Richard Lions hee saith in his conscience that the said Alice was principall promotrix of the said businesse but he was not present when it was done Item Master Philip de Bath sworne and diligently examined saith as to the Article of Master Nicholas Dagworth that he heard not the said Dame Alice speak to the King of the same matter but hee heard in the Kings house the said Ladie Alice make a great murmur and say that it was no reason nor Law that the said Master Nicholas who was an enemie to the aforesaid Master William should goe into Ireland to enquire and doe Iustice against him and more hee knowâ—s not how to say in this matter But as to the Article of the said Richard hee saith that he was one day at Sheene when the said Richard was brought before the King and that he was called into the Kings chamber to heare those things that were to be done and when he understood a little of the matter he would not stay in the chamber and further he saith that there were then in the Kings Chamber the said Lady Alice Nicholas Currein Master Allen Buxall Walter Walsham and many others saith that she was in the Court and that the said Lady Alice was an aider and friend in the businesse Item Nicholas Currein sworn as aforesaid and diligently examined saith that he was commanded by the King to come to Sheer there he found Rich Lions which Richard and Nicholas were commanded to come before the King to his bed and there they fouâ—d the Lady Alice Pierce sitting at the side of the bed and there it was shewen that the King would pardon the said 300. l. to which he was yet bound to the King as of the arrerages of his accompt in the Exchequer and also the King would give to the said Richard 1000. markes of his Treasure and further would make full restitution of the Tenements which had bin given to his sons of Cambridge and Woodstock as before said And thereupon the King commanded the said Nicholas to say from him his pleasure to his said sâ—nnes but he saith that hee remembreth not iâ— that matter were showne at that time before tâ—e King by relation of any other person or by the Bill of the said Richard there read or otherwise by the said Richard himselfe the said Nicholas remembers himselfe very well that he requested to come before the King who caused to come from behind â—hâ— curtaines Master Allen Buxall and others Knights and Bishops which then were there to testifie that which the King had said to the said Nicholas in the said commandements and so it was done and all the commandements of the King were râ—hearsed in presence of all those men And as to the matter of Master Nicholas Dagworth he saith that he knowes nothing but that Master Roger Beauchampe sent him to countermand the said Master Nicholas Item Master Allen Buxall sworne in like manner and diligently examined saith that one day at Sheen after the last Parliament
Law and reason And further the said Iohn saith that hee being a Fishmonger hath preferred at the same Paâ—liament his Bill for that a Clerk and familiar of the Chancellor whose name was Iohn Otler undertooke that the said Fishmonger should the better have good helpe in his case of the said Chancellor before whom his busines depended who was to do Iustice to high and low which Clerk demanded copies of his Bills and demeaned the whole businesse that he delivered to him which when hee had viewed and understood he promised that for 40. pounds to the use of his said Lord and 4. pounds to his own proper use hee should have his busines welâ— graciously dispatched by his Lord without difficuâ—â—y upon this promise the said Iohn CaveÌ„dish was well agreed granted to pay him the said 44. l. in maÌ„ner as he should demand the same but for that he said he had not the sum ready in his hand to pay he obliged himself voluntarily to make payment well lawfully at a certain day â—o it was done and afterwards the said Fishmonger delivered to the Clerk certain quantity of Herring Sturgeon and other fish to the value of 9. or 10. marks to the use and behoofe of the said Chancellor in part of payment of the 40. l. aforesaid and 3. ells of Scarlet which cost him 32. s. he delivered to the said Clerke in part of payment of the said 40. l. which he promised And further the said Cavendish saith that although he had don so much and promised to give more to one person and another alwayes yet he found not long friendshiâ— aid fâ—vour nor succour in effect in the person of the said Chancellor in the said suit for all his cost and also he saith that a good part of all sorts came with him to the house of the said Chancellor to discourse of his matter where hee found there his Adversaries before him where hee encountred them in presence of the said Chancellor but if the said Chancellor be to bee punished for committing of this Affaire or no he knoweth not God knowes but he saith that true it is that at a certain day past the said Chancellor caused him to bee payed for his Fishes and that hee cancelled the Obligation and that the same was cancelled in bounty and conscience or otherwise to shunne a slaunder and reproach in the case hee knowes not now to say but saith for certaine that for the three Elles of Scarlet hee was not yet payed and thereupon the said Chancellor first of all before the LORDS and COMMONS answereth and saith That in this affaire and of all this matter hee is innocent in every degree And first of all as to that that is surmised of him by the Accusation hee now saith that the said Fishmonger had not beene delayed nor is yet delayed by the said Chancellor and that right and Iustice is done to him in the said Suit and that the Accusation containes no Truth and the said Chancâ—llor voucheth to witnesse all the Iudges and Serjeants of the Realme who were present in the Chancery many times when the said matter was pleaded betweene the parties which suit is pleaded to issue whereof part lieth in Iudgement and part remaineth untried so that nothing now remaineth to doe but to render Iudgement there of what remaineth in Iudgement and Traverses thereof have beene put in for difficulty and for other cause and that it is not Truth of the said Chancellor that the Fishmonger hath now said that hee could not have Iustice and that hee is unjustly delayed And as to the remnant of the Accusation now made the said Chancellor sweareth by the SACRAMENT of IESVS CHRIST that hee is utterly innocent and more thereof did never come into his Cognizance but in manner as hee hath said which is thus and saith that of late hee had speech with the Officers of his house to know the Estate thereof and for ordinary payment of those to whom for the dispences of his said House hee was a debtor and there first of all and before his Officers hee demanded how such a quantity of Herring and Sturgeon was brought into his said house and not by way of bargained-for provision and in what manner the same was spent in his house whereat he marvelled because he knew not the said Fishmonger and there withall he reckoned with his said Officers how such an obligation was also made by the said Fishmonger who had a generall suit depending before him and as soone as the heads of this matter was understood by him hee was much grieved and in passion did curse and sweare to his said Officers that hee would not eat nor drinke within his said house untill the said Fishmonger was payed for that which he had sent into his house aforesaid and the Obligation was utterly cancelled and defaced and thereupon presently was the said Fishmonger at his commandement caused to come in presence of the said Chancellor in the Chappell within his house where hee stayed for the present time when he was in London in the same Chappell where our Lord Iesus Christs Sacrament was continually he swore by the same Sacrament in presence of his said Clerk of the said Fishmonger that he was never bouÌ„d to do that which his said Clerk had undertaken that he touched nothing of the said Commodities before reckoned nor had knowledge thereof in private or in publick but by relation of those other Officers in manner aforesaid and that hee was never a partner to the said Covenant made thereof in any manner nor caused the said Clerk to take the same Obligation but caused the said Fishmonger to bee payed for his Fish aforesaid And the said Chancellor swore by the Sacrament of Jesus Christ that his excuse now given in contained full truth and that hee is ready to prove in whatsoever manner it pleaseth our Lord the King and his Noble Lords of the Realme there present to ordaine and the said Chancellor prayeth to the Lords aforesaid that they have due consideration to the Estate that hee beareth within the Realme by his Office of Chancellor that it may so please them to ordayne him due remedie and Iustice of the said Fishmonger concerning the defame and grievous slander which hee had brought upon his person in Parliament which is the most high Court of the Realme and could not accuse the said Chancellor of any thing in his complaint but onely the Clerk of the said Lord And for that the said Fishmonger disclaimeth in part his said Accusation and so denieth by his owne mouth that hee had not any bargaine with the person of the said Chancellor but with his said Clerk And also for that as well the said Clerk as the said Fishmonger thereupon examined acknowledged that the aforesaid Obligation was made to the said Clerk onely and in his name without naming the Person of the said Chancellor in any part and that the same
make a patent against reason or law That such patent shal be repealed and such Iudgement reversed Without inflicting other punishment upon such Officer oâ— Iudge And the Commons replying to the Answer of the said Earle concerning the first Article did shew to the Lords the copy of his Oath made when he was created Chancellor in manner as followeth YOu shall sweare that well and loyally you will serve our Lord the King and his people in the Office of Chancellor and shall do right to all sorts poore and rich according to the Laws and Usages of the Realm and lawfully shall Counsell the King and his Counsell shall keep And you shall not be privy nor suffer any dammage nor disherison to the K. nor that the rights of the Crown be taken away if you can any way hinder it and if you cannot hinder it you shall make the same cleerly and expresly known to the K. Together with your loyall Advice and Counsell and you shall cause and purchase the profit of the King by all that lieth in you to do reasonably so helpe you God and his holy Gospell ANd praying that the same might be read well understood and the circumstances of the said Answer considered viz. That he had not denied that he received of the Kings gift after that he was made Earle being in the Office of the said Chancellor divers Lands and Tenements which are certaiâ— and sure of the value of 400 marks a yeare which he hath had upon the Custom of Kingston upon Hull which are casuall may deceive the King to his dammage in that behalfe And how he said that he had received part of the â—â—id Lands and Tenements so taken â—n â—xchange before he was Chaâ—cellor The Commons say that he was then of the privy Councell and afterwards sworne in the creation of the Office of Chancellor by the aforesaid Oath and he in that Office agreeing to the exchanges takes and receives the remnant of the said Lands and Tenements in full performance of the exchanges as by his Answer in Parliament aforesaid ANd in Answer to the second Article the Commons replying say That insomuch as he acknowledgeth in his proper protestations That he represented the Estate of the King while he was Officer and so extends his power upon all others wherfore although default was in others he cannot therefore be excused and especially of that which the King had commanded him to speake in Parliament as he had said he was the more bound to put the said matter in execution and to confesse what he denied not the dammages are no lesse than they have surmised They pray the Iudgement of Parliament ANd as to the Answer of the fourth Article the Commons replying say That it shall be found of record in the Exchequer the aforesaid Tydman to be debtor to the King in great summs as they suppose and for that cause the said rent appertaines to the King notwithstandiâ—g he had otherwise forfeited and so the King was deceived and they pray that the records may be examined And further say That one Neele Hackney was killed by his wife and his servant and the said Tydman for which felony the said woman and servant were arraigned found guilty and suffered the Iudgement and execution of the Sentence of the Law and the said Tydman as followeth ANd to the Answer of the fift Article the Commons prayed again proposing the example of one William Thorpe late Chief Iustice of the Kings Bench surmising that he tooke 20 l. of one party who had an Office in plea before him and for that he sold the Law for which cause he was judged to death forfeiture of his Lands and Chattels and say insomuch as the said Earle was so Chancellor and tooke 100 l. c. of the said provision there commanded to be delivered out of the Kings hands of his profits which hee ought to have done according to the command of the K. freely without taking any thing it seemeth to them that hee hath sold the Lawe and prayen Iudgement ANd to the Answer of the sixt Article the Commons replying said That it appertained to him as wise as he is to be well advised and counselled that he assent not nor do such a thing which may tend to the disherison of the King and oppression of his people as he would avoyd the Indurance of the Iudgement of Parliament ANd thereupon the said Earle replying to the Replication of the Commons touching his oath said That to take the words of the said oath without other speciall Intendment no Chancellor heraftet will inseale any thing of the Kings grant to any persons of Lands and Tenements or other Goods without offence of his Oath But the said Earle saith That it is not comprised in the said Oath nor forbidden him to take to himselfe of the Kings gift nor to any other person And for that the Kings gifts to other persons in the said voyage nor of divers other things before be not impeached not holden against the Oath of the Chancellor it seemeth to him that no more he ought to be impeached for the gifts given to his personall estate seeing that in the said Oath it is not forbidden nor restrained to him more than to others more especially for that the said Estate and the Gifts given are confirmed by Parliament and further saith that he accepted of his Oath of Chancellor according to his conscience and power and for the causes before expressed he saith as he shall answer before God that he thinks nothing done in the matters aforesaid against his Oath or understanding of his conscience but that the Chancellour may inseale the Kings guifts to the Loâ—ds for to maintaine their Estate or for other reasonable cause by the Kings warrant and that hee hath done nothing against his Oath c. And saith that that which is comprised in the Oath that hee suffer no dammage not disherison of the King c. That is to bee understood of that which is intended of matters wherof the King hath not cognisance and that appeareth by the clause comprised in the Oath that hee shall make known to the King cleerely and expressâ—ly And after that the King is informed in such manner the Chancellor may doe the Kings Commandement without offence of his Oath and sâ—ith that concerning his Estate and what the King gave him it was expressely done by the Commandement knowledge and will of the King and so not against his Oath and that it may not bee intended that hee should bee impeached concerning this matter ITem as to that that the Commons say that the said Earle hath deceived the King because he hath taken of the King the manner of Faxfleet in value 50. pounds which Mannoâ— was worth 200. l. per annum c. The said Earle answereth that Master William Morris hath reported to him that hee hath taken of the King the two parts of the said Mannor with the rent
expeditionem negotiorum Parliamenti praedicti cum omni diligentia procedâ—rent Iudgements upon Writs of error in PARLIAMENT IF erroneous Iudgements bee given in the Kings Bench or in the Exchequer Chamber upon the Statute of 27. Eliz. cap. 18. the party may have his Writ of â—râ—oâ— retureable in Parliament but not upon judgement given in the Common Pleas untill the same bee â—everâ—ed or affirmed in the Kings Bench as it was answered in Parliament under â—dward the third in the case of the Bishop of Norwich Vpon the Writ of Erâ—or the Lord chiefe Iustice of the Kings Bench is to bring in the Record and a â—raâ—script of it into the Parliament and theâ—e leaveth the Transcript â—ut carâ—â—eâ—h the Record bâ—ck and thereâ—pâ—n the Erâ—ouâ—s beiâ—g assigned or as some Examples are befoâ—e the Assignamus of the Errors order is to bee given that a Scire facias be awarded against the Defendant upon whose appeaâ—anc examination of the Errors by the Lords the Iudgement is either affirmed or reversed AFter the Record thus brought in Clericus Parlïamenti habet inde Custoaiam per duos tantum non per Communitatem assignabitur Senescallus qui cum Dominis spiritualibus ac temporalibus per conâ—ilium Justiciariorum procedat ad errâ—rem corrigendum In which words it is observed that the Lords have power to make a Delegation of their Iurisdiction to a person chosen out of themselves as a Steward to judge for them as also they did in their proceedings against Gomemz and Weston under Richard the second when they apâ—ointed the Lord Scroope for Steward of the Parliament to arraigâ—e the Offenders but this rests at their pleasâ—re whether they will judge themselves together or so appoint a Steward MEmorandum quod Christopherus Wray miles capital Iusticiarius de Banco Regis seâ—u adduxiâ— in â—ar in camera parl inter duos bre de errore billa de regina indors ac rotulat In quibus continebantur placita processus in quibus supponâ—batureâ—ror ib. reliquit transcript totius recordi ciâ— Cler. Parl. super hoc venit Richardus Herbert Ioh. Awbrâ—y Willielmus filiam â—imon Browâ—e in propriis personis suis in Parliamento statim dixerunt quod in recordo processu praedict. in redditione Iudicâ—i praedict. manifestè est erratum in hoc quoâ— postquam Iudicium praedict. in loquela praedict versus praefat. Thom. Gomiel redit fuit antequam praedict. Iohannes Hunt prosecutus fuit impetravit praedict. primum breve descire facias versus praefat. Thom. Ric. Herbert caeteros praedicto manucaptores praedict. Thom. Gomiel nullum breve de capias ad satisfaciendum pro debito damnis praedict. per praefat. Iohannem Hunt in Parliamento praedict. prosequendo Et reternat fuit versus praefat. Thom Gomiel ubi per consuetudinem Curiae dictae Dominae Reginae coram ipsa Regina à tempore contrarii memoria hominum non existit in eadem usitat approbat brev. de Cap. ad satisfaciendum versus eundem Thom. Gomiel pro debito damnis praedict. Parl. praedict. prosequi retornari debet antequam aliquid brev. de sci fac versus manucaptores prâ—dâ—ct in loquela illa impetrâ—nt seu prosequi debe et licet consueâ—udo forum captionum râ—cognitionum in curia praedict. usi fuerunt in forma praedict. viz. si contigerit eundem Thomam Gomiel in Parliamento praedict. convinci tunc iisdem manucaptores concesserunt quilibet eorum per se concessit tam praedict debitum quam omnia damna castag c. praefat. Ioh. Hunt in ea parte adjudicentur de Terris catallis eorum cuislibet fieri ad opus praedict. Iohannis Hunt levari si contigerit praedict. Thom. Gomiel debitum damnae illa praefat. Iohannis Hunt minime solvere aut se prisonae Marescall Dominae Reginae coram ipsa Regina ea occasione non reddere c. Et petiere iidem Rich. Herbert alii praedict. quod Iudicium praedict. processus super bre de scire fac prosecut in curia Dominae Reginae coram ipsa Regina revocetur adnulletur peniâ—us pro nullo habeatur Et super hoc Domini per consensum Iustitiariorum post longam maturam deliberationem cum consensu adjudicaverunt quod judicium praedict. processus super bre de scire fac prosecut in Curia dict. domin Reginae coram ipsa Domina Regina revocetur adnulletur penitus pro nullo habeatur CHAP. V. Bills passed and Judgements given without assent of the Lords Spirituall VNder Edward the third a Petition of the Commons was thus ITem wee are not willing to suffer that payment be made to Cardinalls for their juornying into France for to treat out of the Realme of England THe answer is as to the dispences of Cardinalls it seemeth â—o all the Baronage and other sages of the Kings Councell that the Commons demanded reason and for that they are agreed that it shall be so The like is there in the two Petitions of the Commons against the Clergy carrying money to Rome and Cardinall having benifices here divers Ordinances against the Church of Rome are agreed by the K. the Lay Peers Commons but all the Prelates made Protestation of not assenting or doing what may be or turne in prejudice of their Estate or Dignity The power and direction for Iustices of the peace is ordained at the complaint of the Commons by the King by the assent of the Lords Temporall And so also divers times without mention of the Lords Spirituall who indeed under Edward the 3 protested that they had not to do with matters of keeping the peace THe Commons exhibite a Petition against Procurations from Rome benefices obtained by Letters thence c. It is ordained established by the K. by the advise and assâ—nt of the Lords Temporall that no Benefice is to be had here but by guilt from the Kings Subjects c. and if that any do contrary to this Act he should incurre the danger of a praemunire given by the Statute of 27 E. 3. A Petition in these words Item that the Appeales persâ—ites accusations Iudgements had and rendered c. should be good notwithstanding the Lords Spirituall and the procuratoâ—s of the Lords Spirituall absenteâ— themselvs out of Parliament in time of the said Iudgements rendered for salvation of their eâ—tate As it is contained in a Protestation by which the Lorâ—s Spirituall and Procurators were in this present Parliament c. The King granteth it And the Protestation of the Clergy is entered as followeth For as much as certaine matters were moved in this present Parliament touching openly the crime of the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and the other Prelates of his Province who made Protestation in the forme and words which followes IN
the Bishop was arraigned and upon question how hee would bee tried dicebat quòd ille est membrum Dom. Papae quòd ipse ab ordinario suo viz. venerabili patre Domino Simono Archiepiscopo Canterburi Angliâ— primat respondere non potest Et super hoc idem Archiepiscopus prasens hic in Curia petit quòd dictus Episcopus Eliensis de feloniis prâ—dict sibi impositis hic coram laico Iudice non cogatur respondere ut sciatur inde rei veritas per inquisitionem patriae c. praecept est vicecomiti Huntingdon quòd venire faciat coram Dom rege in Octab sancti Mich. c. ubicunque c. 24 de Iust. de Somersham idem dies datus est Episc c. Ad quem diem coram Domino rege venit praedict. Episc in propria persona similitèr Iurat veniunt qui electâ— tricati jurati onerati si idem Episc de assensu prâ—dictorum Rand. Walter de recept. eorundem sit culpabilis nec non dicunt super sacramentum suum quod idem Episc est in nullo culpabilis sed dicunt quod idem Episc. post feloniam receptavit ipâ—os apud Somersham sciens ipsos feloniam fecisse Ideo inquiratur de bonis catallis Terris tenementis c. Et super hoc praedictus Archiepisc presens in curia petit ipsum tanquam membrum Ecclesiae sibi liberari ei liberatur oustodiend prout decet and Writs were sent out to the Sherifes of all Shires where hee had goods or Lands to certifie them for the Kings benefit and in this Record it is observable that the Iurors were tried which proves that the Bishop had his challenges to them at his tryall About the beginning of Henry the fourth Thomas Merke Bishop of Carlisle was indited of Treason before Thomas Earle of Warwick and other Iustices of Oyer and Terminer in Middlesex the Bishop standing before committed to the Tower for the same offence Et hoc Justiciar praedict. recognit mandatum est constabulario Turris praedict. vel ejus locum tenenti quod corpus ejusdem Episcop habeant vel alter eorum habeat coram praefatis Iusticiariis apud Turrim praedictam die Mercurii ex tunc proximo sequente ad respondendum Domino Regi de proditionibus c. And the precept est vicecomiti London quod tunc venire faciat coram praefat. Iusticiar apud Turrim praedict. tam Aldermannos cives quam alios probos homines de vicineto Warder praedict. 1. Baynards Castle Dougate qui praefat. Episc. nulla affinitate attingunt ad faciendam tunc ibidem deliberationem de dicto Episcopo prout moris est secundum legem Regni Angliae ad quem diem locum the Bishop is brought before them and a Writ comes from the King to the said Iustices reciting that licet in statuto apud Westminsterium nuper edito inter caetera continetur quòd nullus Archiepiscopus nec Episcopus coram Iusticiar nostris occasione alicujus criminis impetatur absque speciali praecepto nostro quousque aliud remedium inde foret ordinatum de advisamente tamen consilii nostri vobis mandamus quòd si aliqui Archiepiscopi vel Episcop coram vobis impetiti vel judicati existunt tunc ad deliberationem ipsorum procedatis prout de Jure secundum legem Regni nostri Angliae fore videritis faciendum statuto praedicto non obstante I este me ipso apud Westminsterium 28. die Januar. Anno Regni nostri primo THis Writ being read in the Court the Bishop was demanded how he would be â—ried Hee first stands upon the priviledge of the Church to whom the Iustices reply that the offence was so high that hee must answer them with protestation of saving the Liberties of the Church hee pleads not guilty Et inde de bono malo ponit se super patriam inde fiat inde Iurat hoc instante die c. The Iury findes him guilty but the Iustices being not advised of their Iudgement returne him to prison the Record was afterward removed in the Kings Bench and the Bishop renders himselfe to the prison of the Marshallsea and then being asked if hee had any thing to shew why Iudgement should not bee given on him hee pleades his pardon and it is allowed him To these presidents a Learned Iudge in Queene Maries Time saith divers were agreeable Among which are specially to bee accounted those of the Bishop of Rochester in the time of Henry the eight and of Cramner Arch-Bishop of Canterbury under Queene Mary both tryed by common Iuries neither is there any example extant from the first memory of a legall tryall of Bishops which is under Edward the second that testifieth any Tryall by Peeres belonging to a Bishop and accordingly hitherto it was taken cleerely by that learned Iudge of Queene Marie's time that no ancient Statute speaking of tryall by Peeres hath beene put in ure to extend to a Bishop or Abbot although they enjoy the name of Lords of the Parliament for they have as the words are this name of Bishop or Abbot ratione Officii being not chosen in Parliament in respect of their Nobility but in respect of their possessions the ancient Baronies annexed to their Dignities according to which there are divers Presidents whereof one was in the time of H. the 8. where also it is as judiciously modestly affirmed by a most learned man of this Kingdom that the spirituall Lords enjoy all legall priviledges as the temporall Barons do saving only this tryall by Peeres That which may be here objected out of the Statute of the grand Charter wherin every man ought to be tried by his Peeres id est Juditium Parium suorum or out of the Statute of 25. E. 3. by which all treasons are to bee tried by men of the same condition of which the offender is may easily be answered for both these anceint Statutes are now to be interpreted as it is clerely taken in continuall practise and in the books according to the known use of the legall proceedings and not by literall interpretation of the words as it is plainly seene in both of them For all Gentlemen Esquires Knights Batchellors and Bannerets and at this day Bannerets are accounted Peeres not only amongst themselves but also to all other men of the lowest condition which yet cannot be out of the force of the word only the like appeareth in that non amercientur Comites vel Barones nisi per pares suos And it is shewed in the title of Amerciaments wherein that which the Statute referres to Peeres is done so by Iudges And this of Bishops referreth to those Statutes is only to be adjudged according to use and practise which is the best interpreter of the Statutes and not by the meere Interpretation of the word Peeres And it is most likely that