de vivre morir ovesqe lui encountre touts Gentz ceo par le Tresor qe il purchace de jour en jour enseignurant surlestate le Roy de la Corone en destruction du Roi du Peuple especialment enloignant le cuer le Seignour de ces liges Gentz en despisant lours Counseils nient soeffrant bons Ministers faire ley de Terre en ostant les bons Ministers mettant ceux de sa Covine ausi biens Aliens come autres qi a sa volunt a son commandment offendent droit et ley de Terre en parnant Terres Tenements et Baillies du Roi a lui et a ses Heires Et ad fait qe le Roi ad done Terres Tenements de sa Corone as divers Gentz a grand damage et decrese de l Estate le Roi et de sa Corone Et ceo ausi bien puis l ordeinement qe le Roi granta as Ordeinours de faire au profit de li et de son People come devant encountre l ordeinement des Ordeinours Et maintient Robbeours Homicides et les fait avoir le chartre le Roi de Peez en donant hardement a mesfeseurs de pis faire et menant le Roi en Terre de Guerre sauz commun assent de son Barnage en peril de son Corps et en destruction du Roialme Et en fesant sealer blanches Chartres desoutz le Grand Seal le Roi en deceit et desheritance du Roy et de sa Corone et encontre son Homage et felonesement fauxment et treterousment ad fait les choses susdites a grand dishonour et damage du Roi et desheritison de la Corone et a destruction du People in moults maners Et ovesqe ceo nous eantz regard a lez faits le tresnable Roi Pere le Roi qore est par qi Agard lavant dit Pieres forsjura le Roialme d Engleterre et voleit qe nostre Seignour le Roi son Fitz forjurast a touz jours la Campaigne de lui et qi puis par comun assent de tout le Roialme et du Roi et de lui mesmes les Prelatz Counts et Barouns autrefoitz estoit agardez de meisme le Roialme voider et voida et qe son retorner nestoit unqes par comun assent mes solement par assent des ascuns persons qi souz Condition si bien se portast apres son retourner a ce se assentirent Et ore certainement est troves son mal port pur qeuâ—port et pur Les grandes mauvaisetees Susdites et pur plusors autres qe purront aveiner a nostre Seignour le Roi et a son People et pur bon accord nurrer entre le Roi et ses Gentz et moltes maniers de discordes et perils eschuire Nous ordeinous par vertue de la Commission nostre Seignour le Roi a nous grantee qe Pieres de Gaveston come apiert Enemy le Roy et de son People soit de tout exiles auxi bien hors de Roialme d Engleterre d Escoce d Irland et de Galles come de â—oâ—e la Seignourie nostre Seignour le Roy auxi bien dela la mere come de cea a touz jourz sans james returner et qil voide le Roailme d Engleterre et totes les Terres susdites et tout outriment la Seignourie nostre Seignour le Roi entre ci et la Fest de toutz Seintz prochein avenir Et luy donons Port a Dover en la forme susdite et nuelle parte aillours a passer et a voider Et si le dit Pieres demoerge en le Roialme d Engleterre ou uuelle parte aillours en la Seignourie nostre Seignour le Roi outre la dit jour qe done luy est de voider et de passer come est susdite Adunqe soit fait de luy come del Enemy du Roi et du Roialme et de son People Et qe touz ceux qi desormes voant encontre cest ordeinement en droit du dit Exile ove le peine qe sensuit soit fait de eux solone ceo qe y appent si de ceo soint atteintz Pieres Gaveston at first was a Man only in the King's Pleasures but as weak Princes often remove Men from their Pleasures into their Business so Gaveston became presently a Minister of State For the Records show that he was Guardian and Lieutenant of the Kingdom in the King's Absence with very immoderate Powers and afterwards he was constituted * Pat. 1. Ed. 2. m. 3. Lieutenant of Ireland but the extravagant Honours and Favours conferr'd upon him and the Lands he got from the King drew as all our Historians witness the Indignation of the Parliament upon him †Walsing p. 99. Tho. Walsingham says that the Barons Librato utrobique Periculo inveniunt quod vivente Petro esse non poterit Pax in Regno nec Rex abundare Thesauro And so they never rested till he was banish'd the Kingdom * 5 Edw. 2. Rot. Parl. Nu. 22. In the same Parliament Henry de Beaumont was likewise accus'd for that to the damage and dishonour of the King he had receiv'd the Kingdom of Man which the Lords whom the King had consented should be of his standing Council thought fit should remain to the Crown And for that he had procur'd from the King to himself other Rents Lands Franchises and Offices And for that he had procur'd for others the Grants of Lands Rents Tenements Franchises and Offices And for that he had given evil Council to the King contrary to his Oath For all which the Judgment upon him was That he should be outed the King's Council for ever and not come near the King's Person unless he were summon'd to Parliament or call'd upon to attend the King in his Wars Or unless it were by common Assent of Archbishops Bishops Earls and Barons in full Parliament and that all his other Lands should be seiz'd into the King's Hands until the King should be satisfy'd the full value of what he had receiv'd from those Lands so granted to him by the King It seems likewise that in this Reign the Ladies were Begging and Intreaguing at Court For the Lady Vescey was * Rot. ibid. Nu. 23. accus'd for having prevail'd upon the King to give Sir Henry Beaumont her Brother and to others Lands Franchises and Offices to the Damage and Dishonour of the King for which she was order'd to repair to her own House without ever returning to Court to make stay there 'T is true as we have noted before the King got this whole Act repeal'd at the Parliament held at York 15 Edw. 2. but it was just after he had made a War upon his People and put to Death the * Tho. Walsing p. 116. Earl of Lancaster of the Blood Royal and Eleven or Twelve of the other Peers of
out of several Mannors Insomuch that * Fol. 523 Ordericus Vitalis says William the Ist had coming in L 1061-10-1 â— per diem of Sterling Money which the Value of Money in those Days consider'd was a prodigious Income †Jervais of Tilbury says indeed That at * Jerv Tilb. Dial. de Scacc. that time all the King's Tenants paid their Rents in Kind But this will appear manifestly otherwise to any one that looks into Dooms-Day-Book And tho' Ordericus may have given us an Account somewhat too large yet considering the Number and Value of his Mannors and the Number of Knights Fees which were Sixty thousand out of which Escuage might be Levy'd in times of Action he had without doubt a very great Revenue either for Peace or War * Cotton Post pa. 179. Sir Robert Cotton says The Article of Terra Regis in Dooms-Day-Book consisted in such Lands as K. William found Edward the Confessor had been in Possession of and that to Alienate this Revenue from the Crown was held Impious by our Fore-Fathers Most certainly in this Universal Survey there was inserted whatever the Kings had claim'd to the time of Edward But there was good Reason to think that he added to the Terra Regis such Lands as he pretended were Forfeited by those who had ingag'd in the Battel of Hastings and the Estates of the Barons and other great Men who afterwards from time to time Revolted from him Part of which Lands he annexed to the Crown distributing the rest with a reservation of certain Quit-Rents among his Norman Followers By this Accompt it appears That this Founder of our present Government left to succeeding Kings a fair Inheritance sufficient to maintain their Estate and Dignity at Home and capable to Defend the Realm against Invasions from Abroad But this Model of a Politick Constitution easie both to King and People was somewhat shaken even by his next Successor William Rufus who not only wasted the vast Treasure left by his Father but also run into such Profuseness as forc'd him to Harrass the whole Kingdom He alienated the Crown-Lands And * Dan. p. 44. Daniel says He was compell'd to resume his own Grants William of Malmsbury speaking of this Prince says * Will. Malms p. 122. Plures Patrimonia sua effudere inconsulte largiendo Quid vero est stultius quam quod libenter facias curare ne diutius facere possis It aque quidem cum non habent quod dent ad Rapinas convertuntur majusque odium assequntur ab iis quibus auferunt quam beneficium ab iis quibus contulerunt Henry the Ist who succeeded had all the Qualifications belonging to a Wise and Provident Ruler He brought to Punishment Ranulphus Bishop of Durham who had been the chief Adviser of all the Irregularities Profusions and Exactions of the last Reign * Ord. Vit. Fol. 822. He likewise took into his own Possession all his Father's Lands and Lordships in Normandy which his Brother had squander'd away and by the Judgment of Wise Men made those Gifts void which imprudently had been bestow'd upon undeserving Persons After the Death of Henry Stephen the Third Son of the Earl of Blois by Adela the Fourth Daughter of William the I was Elected King He found in his Uncle's Treasury 100000 l. besides Plate and Jewels of an immense Value Having no good Title to the Crown he was forc'd to purchase the good Will of the Principal Men by Gifts * Will. Malms Hist Nov. pa. 180. Multi siquidem quos vel Nobilitas generis vel magnitudo animi vel potius viridioris aetatis audacia ad illicita praecipitabat a Rege hi Praedia hi Castella postremo quaecunque semel collibuisset petere non verebantur And with these Grants he bought the dissembled Affection of his Courtiers * ibid. Malmsbury calls it †Simulatam ad tempus Pacem for all this Liberality could not make the Nobles faithful to him his whole Reign having been nothing but a Scene of Treachery and Bloodshed At last he was forc'd to come to Terms of Agreement with his Kinsman Henry Fitz-Empress of which one Article was That he should resume those Grants * M. Par. p. 86. Regalia passim a Proceribâ—s usurpata Rex in sua Recipiet And persuant to this Agreement did Henry the II. act when he came to the Crown which is to be the more admir'd in him because he was a Stranger born Son of the Earl of Anjou and succeeding by Maud his Mothers Title and because the Crown Revenue was got into powerful hands able to give him strong Opposition but nothing could stand before his Courage and Perseverance He resumed the Lands which King Stephen had given among his Followers William Earl of Albemarl pretended to oppose him in Northumberland but he brought him to restore what belong'd to the Crown as he did likewise Hugh Mortimer * Chronicon Johannis Brompton Col. 1046. Considerans autem Rex quod Regni redditus Dominica per Molliciem regis Stephani ad Dominos multos jam devenissent praecepit ea cum omni integritate infra tempus certum a quibuscunque detentoribus resignari in jus statumque revocari He also took upon him to banish Foreigners particularly the Flemings who had nested here in hopes of Booty under a loose Reign †Rex tenuit * Gerva Chron. Col. 1377. Curiam suam apud Beremundesiam uhi cum Principibus suis de statu Regni pace reformanda tractans proposuit animo alienigenas gentes de Regno propellere Matthew Paris speaking of this Prince says * M. Par. p. 92. Qui continuo in Regem promotus caepit in jus proprium revocare Vrbes Castella Villas quae ad Coronam spectabant Alienigenas maxime Flandrenses de Regno expellendo quosdam Pseudocomites quibus Rex Stephanus pene omnia ad Fiscum pertinentia minus caute contulerat deponendo So that we have here the Instance of a Warlike King for such a one Henry was greater in Revenue and Extent of Foreign Dominion than any of his Predecessors who thought it no Derogation to his Honour to look into these Matters And this provident Care of his had such an Effect that his Son and Successor Richard the I. at his coming to the Crown found in the Treasury above L. 900,000 besides Plate and Jewels * M. Par. 152. Inventa sunt plura quam nongenta Millia librarum in auro argento praeter Vtensilia Jocalia lapides pretiosos But this and much more was presently consum'd in the mad Humor which at that time had seized all the Princes of Europe of making War for the Holy Land To furnish himself for this Expedition Richard sold several Parcels of the Crown Revenue †Hoved. p. 658. Hoveden says Rex exposuit venditioni omnia quae babuit scil Castella Villas Praedia But the Lands thus granted away
de lour partie disoient outre mesme les Communes a nostre dit Seignour le Roy qe cestes matiers ensi faits accomplez en cest Parlement il lour troveroit foialx naturelx liges devers luy de parfaire son plaisir voloir a lour poiar par le aide de Dieux 'T is probable this seasonable Care of the House of Commons rescued for that time the Lands belonging to Windsor Castle for from that time these Lands continu'd in the Demeans of the Crown till very lately And some Years after Viz. Anno 31. Hen. VIII there pass'd an Act of Parliament expresly to Annex several Mannors by name to the Castle and Honour of Windsor not to be alienated from it so carefull were our Ancestors that this Noble and antientt Seat of our Kings should have some Revenue to keep the House and Parks in good repair In the same Year of Hen. IV. the Commons rehearsing how King Edward III. in the Parliament Holden in the 11th of his Reign Created his Eldest Son Duke of Cornwal and the same Dukedom annex'd to the Crown with divers Hereditaments by his Letters Patents by Authority of the same never to be Dismembred or Sold away They therefore Pray the King to resume and seize and so to unite again to the said Dutchy such Lands as were Sold away by Prince Edward King Richard or by the King himself * Rot. Par. 5 Hen. IV. N â— 22. versus Finem Non obstants Encorporation oâ— Union de qel Duchee per une haute Aâ—thorite ensi perfaite puis encea est dâ—membrez siâ—bien per diverses Alienatâ—ons faitz per le avant dit Edw. nadgaires Prince come per le darreine Roy Richard qe fuist per vous Qe pleise a vous de vostre haute discretion ove le Avis de tous Seignours eâ—prituelx temporelx en cest presenâ— Parlement Assemblez considerantz lâ— Union dudit Duchee en la manere avantdite fait de requiler tout ceo â—â—dedit Duchee est demembrez per Aâ—thorite de Parlement de reseiser rejoindre a dit Duchee come il fust a devanâ— non obstant ascune Alienation Qele Petition lue entendue fuisâ— respondus en les parolles quensuent Resp Accordez est per le Roy les Seignours en Parlement qe le dit Mounseignour le Prince per lavys de son Counâ—eil eit briefs de Scir fac Ou autre recoverer le mieltz qil avoir purra par les Estatutes leys du Roialme solonc ceo qe le cas requiert c. Wherein shall be allow'd no Protection or Praying in Aid of the King unless it be for Sir John Cornwale and Eliz. his Wife late Wife of John Holland Earl of Huntington and for such Persons to whom the King is bound by Warrantie Sinon en cas qe le Roy soit expressement tenuza la Grantie c. Rot. Par. 6 Hen. IV. N â— 14. Anno 6. Hen. IV. The Commons Pray That the King would resume the Crown-Lands Pleise a tres Excellent tres redoute Seignour Nostre Seignour le Roy pur profit du Roy encresce de sa Corone supportation des pauvres Communes de vostre Royalme Dengleterre granter les Petitions qensuent Pur ceo qe la Corone del Roialme Dengleterre est grantement emblemissez anientissez per grandez outrageouses dons faits as diverses Persones si bien esprituelx comme temporelx des Terres Tenements Fee Fermes Franchises Libertees autre Possessions dycelles Soit ordeigne en cest present Parlement pur profit du Roy du Roialme supportation des Communes qe tous Chateaux Manoirs Seignouries Terres Tenements Fees Advoesons Fee Fermes Annuitees Franchises Libertees Custumes queux fuerent membre parcelle Dancienne Inheritance de la dite Corone le an du Regne le Roy Edward Aiel nostre Seignour le Roy qorest quarantisme puis en cea soint ils donez a terme de vie ou a terme de ans en Fee simple ou en Fee taile ou sur Condition ou as Seignours Esprituelx a eux a lour Successours forsprises Gardes Marriages Eschetes horspris ceo qest assigne a Reigne en Dower soint entierement resumes repris seises es maines notre Seignour le Roy rejointz al Corone avant dite a y celle perpetuelment demeurer sans ent per aucune voie ou ymagination estre severez dicelle en temps avenir forsqe ceux qont tieux dons ou Grants qe furent parcelle del dite Corone le dit an quarantisme ou depuis per Chartre especiale faite par Authority de Parlement Et qe nulles Persones du Roialme de qel estat ou Condition qils soient ne eient tenient ne enjoient parcelle del Corone avant dite de ancienne enheritance dicelle alienez grantez ou donez puis le dit an quarantisme sans Authoritee de Parlement sur peine de incurrer la Forfeiture dicelles Terres Tenements ensy parcelle del dit Corone Emprisonement per trois ans Et qe nul Officier de nostre Seignour le Roy face ne mette en execution aucune tiele donne ou Grant en Temps avenir sur peine de perdre son Office de forfaire qanqe il purra forfaire envers notre Seignour le Roy le Emprisonement de trois Ans Et qe toutes Maneres de Persones ou Officers Ministres du Roys qeux ont auscun don ou Grant des ascuns tieux Chastelx Seignouries Manoires Terres Tenements Fees Advoesons Fee Fermes Annuites Franchises Libertees Custumes suisditz qeux issint sont parcelle dancienne Inheritance de la dite Corone apres ceo qe les Paiements Affaires pur le Houstiel du Roy ses Chambres Garderobes soient pleinement paiez ou assignes la Reigne paiez de sa Dower duement endowez soient recompensez a la volontee du Roy de la surplusage residue des Ferms annuitez suisditz Purveux toutezfoitz qe toutes les Seignours esprituelx temporelx qi ont aucunes Libertees Franchises de don nostre Seignour le Roy qorest oâ— de ses Progenitours puis le dit an qarantisme paient Fee Ferm a la verray value pour ycelles ou ent rendent due accompte al Oeps notre Seignour le Roy chescun an a son Eschequer aussi tous les Citees Burghs deins le Royalme Dengleterre qont Franchises Libertees du Grant nostre Seignour le Roy ou de ses Progenitours Roys Dengleterre confirmez per nostre Seignour le Roy qorest pur Fee fermes annuellement a paie a nostre Seignour le Roy ou qont fait fyn pur y ceux Franchises avoir a nostre Seignour le Roy qorest ou a ses Progenitours ne soint oustez ne disheritez de lour Franchises
England And what succeeded to this unfortunate Prince upon such an extraordinary Act of Violence is but too manifest The Ministers and Promoters of all the Irregularities committed by that King were the two Spencers Earls of Winchester and Glocester who were put to death in a tumultuous manner * Col. 2547. Knyghton indeed says the Earl of Glocester was arraign'd before Sir William Trussel Justiciarie Dominus Hugo Spencer ductus coram domino Willielmo Trussell Justiciario areniatus est coram eo ad Barrum One of the principal Heads of the Accusation against Hugh Spencer was for that he had advised the King to give and grant unto the false Traitor the Earl of Winchester Andrew Harkely and to himself Lands appertaining to the Crown in disherison thereof * Kâ—yghâ—on Col. 2548. Hugh apres celle maveiste vous Consellastes nostre Seignour le Roy en desheritaunce de sa Coronne a doner vostre Piere que fuist faux Traytour le Conte de Wyncestre Andrewe de Harkely Traytour notorye attaynte le Conte de Cardoyle Et a vous Hugh la Terre de Cantermaure altres Terres que furont proprement Appurtenancez a la Coronne For which and for other Crimes he was condemned and Executed Among the Articles exhibited in Parliament Anno 4. Edw. 3. against Roger Mortimer Earl of March two of 'em are for procuring to himself Grants of the Crown-Revenue That he caused the King to make him Earl of March and to give Him and his Heirs many Lands in Disherison of the Crown And that the said Roger caused the King to give to Him and his Children and Confederates Castles Towns Mannors and Franchises in England Ireland and Wales in decrease of the Revenues of the Crown Judicium Rogeri de Mortimer * Rot. Parl. 4 Edw. 3. Et a mesme le Parlement per son dit Royal Poer a luy accroche fist tante qe nostre Seignour le Roy luy fist Conte de la Marchie luy dona plusours Terres a luy a ses Heirs en desheritance nostre dit Seignour le Roy de sa Corone Item le dit Roger per son Royal Poer a luy accroche fist le Roy doner a luy a ses Enfantz a ses Alliez Chastelx Villes Manoirs Franchises en Engleterre Irland Gales en decrese de sa Corone Rot. ibid For this and for other Crimes of which some were judg'd to amount to Treason he was condemned to be hang'd at Tyburn and the Sheriffs of London were order'd to attend the Execution In the 10th of Richard II. Michael de la Pool Earl of Suffolk was Impeach'd in Parliament upon several Articles the Principal of which was For that being Lord Chancellor and sworn to promote the King's Profit he had purchas'd of the King Lands Tenements and Rents of a great Value against his Oath and such Grants being more than he deserv'd considering the great Poverty of the King and Kingdom To which he answer'd that he had no Lands of the King but since his being created Earl and that by way of Exchange To which the Commons reply'd by showing the Oath he took when he was made Lord Chancellor the Effect whereof was for doing Justice observing the Laws Councelling the King and not to suffer any Damage or Disherison of the Crown and that by all means he should promote the King's Profit And hereupon because he confess'd the Gift of the Lands to him whilst he was Chancellor and that during the same time the Exchange was made of good Lands for a Casual Custom at the Port of Hull they inferr'd that the same was not for the King's Profit according to the Tenor of the Chancellor's Oath And therefore they pray Judgment The Judgment against the said Earl was That for Breach of his Oath all the said Mannors and Hereditaments which he had of the King's Gift should be seiz'd into the King's Hands together with all the mean Profits saving to the Earl his 20 l. per Annum Creation-Mony in the County of Suffolk But take the Words of the Record as far forth as they relate to the present Matter Rot. Parl. 10 Ri. 2. P. 1. Num. 1. Premierement qe le dit Conte estant Chanceller jure de faire le Profit du Roy purchassa de nostre Seignour le Roy Terres Tenements et Rents a grand value come piert per Recordes Rolles de la Chancellerie encontre son serment La ou il n'avoit tant desservi considerez la grante necessite du Roy et du Royalme et outre ce a cause qe le dit Conte fust Chanceller au temps du dit Purchasse faite les dites Terres et Tenements furent extendus a meindre value qils ne veillent per an per grant some en deceite du Roy. Rot. ibid. Nu. 6. Qand al premier Article de son Empechement cest assavoir depuis qil estoit Chanceller qil deust purchasser certeins Terres du Roy c. Le dit Conte respond qe depuis qil fust Chanceller il ne purchassa unqes nulles Terres ne Tenements du Roy ne le Roy luy donna ne al nully des soins nulles Terres ne Tenements tant qe aux temps qe le Roy fist prendre l'estat du Conte mes per voie de verrai Exchange Cest assavoir qe come le dit Conte avoit CCCC Marcs annuelx sur la Custume de Kyngston sur Hull per descente de Heritage pur qeux il pleust au Roy d assigner au dit Conte Terres et Tenements a la value et assignee et ordonna partie devant qil fust Chanceller et partie depuis et ce au profit du Roy si bien annuellement come par Cause de une Some de mille Marcs paiees ou Roy per le dit Conte pour celle cause c. Then he proceeds to give several Particulars of the Agreement and to set forth his Merits and that the King made him take the Honour of Earl upon him without his seeking and how he was persuaded to be Chancellor But it seems the Parliament did not take his Answer to be sufficient for the Commons reply'd in the Words following Rot. ibid. Num. 8. Et les Communes replians al responce du dit Conte del premier Article Monstrent as Seignours la Copie de son serment fait qant il fust Creez Chanceller en maniere quensuit Vous Jurrez qe bien et Loyallement servirez a nostre Seignour le Roy et a son People en l office de Chanceller et droit feres as toutes Gens pouvres et riches seloncles lois et usages du Royalme et loyalement conseillerez le Roy et son Conseil sellerez et qe vous ne saverez ne sufferez le damage ne desberitison le Roy ne qe les droitures de la Corone soient destruits per nulle
Consiliarius concessit in fata Parisiis merito perfidum evomens Spiritum in terra peregrina Simon de Beurle whom the Commons had Impeach'd that Parliament was beheaded at Tower-hill His being Knight of the Garter exempted him from a more ignominious Sentence that was pronounc'd against him This Man 's sudden Rise from 20 Marcs to 3000 Marcs per Annum drew the Hatred of the People upon him * Knyghton Col. 2727. Dominus de Burlee qui de Patrimonio haereditario expendre non valuit ultra XX Marcas sed in paucis annis in obsequio praedicti Regis crevit ad ultra valorem trium mille Marcarum annui proventus Some perhaps will object That in the 21 Rich. 2. most of what had been Rot. Parl. 21 Ri. 2. Num. 47 48. done 10 and 11 of the same Reign was repeal'd 'T is true the Fact is so For Richard after he had treacherously got into his Hands the Duke of Glocester his Uncle and after he had imprison'd the Earls of Arundel and Warwick the only three Lords in whom the People placed any Confidence the Nation was quite disperited insomuch that the King was able to pack a Parliament which yet could not be brought to do his Business 'till it was adjourn'd from Westminster to Shrewsbury There he did what he would by the Help of Sir John Bushie then Speaker of the House of Commons Sir William Bagot and Sir John Green of whom Sir * Life of Hen. 4. P. 84. John Hayward says These were then in all the Credits and Authority with the King and his chiefest School-masters both of Cruelty and Deceit They were proud arrogant and ambitious and upon confidence of the King's Favour profess'd Enemies to Men of ancient Nobility to the end that being lately start up they might become more famous by maintaining Contention with great Persons And first by their importunate Travail all the Charters of Pardon granted by the King were in this Parliament annulled and revoked These Pardons were revoked while the Parliament sate at Westminster where Thomas Arundel Archbishop of Canterbury was banish'd and his Temporalities seiz'd All the other irregular Matters were transacted at Shrewsbury But what was the End of all this Violence and breaking in upon the Rights of Parliament 'T is seen in the Story the People thereupon grew so discontented that Henry Duke of Lancaster was encouraged to come and invade the Kingdom with some few Friends and of Soldiers only fifteen Launces in his Company who was chearfully embrac'd by the whole Nation One of the first Things done in the Reign of Henry the 4th was to Repeal all that had pass'd at the Parliament held at Shrewsbury and to affirm all that was done 11 Rich. 2. * Rot. Parl. 1 Hen. 4. Num. 66 67. Qel Parlement feust tenuz pur Grand honur et Comune Profit de tout le Royalme And here 't is to be noted That in the First Article against King Richard II. when he abdicated the Throne 't was objected to him That he did wastfully spend the Treasure of the Realm and had given the Possessions of the Crown to Men unworthy by reason whereof new Charges were laid on the Necks of the poor Commonalty But take the whole Article * Rot. ibid. Num. 18. Imprimis abjicitur Regi Richardo quod propter malum regimen suum videlicet bona et Possessiones ad Coronam suam spectantia etiam personis indignis donando et alias indiscrete dissipando et ob hoc collectas et alia Onera gravia et importabilia Populo sine causa imponendo nec non alia mala iunumer abilia perpetrando alias de assensâ—â— et mandato suis per totuâ— Parliamentum ad gubernationem Regni certi Praelati et alii Domini temporales erant electi et assignati qui totis viribus suis circa justam Gubernationem regni propriis sumptibus suis fideliter laborarent tamen Rex facto per eum Conventiculo cum suis complicibas dictos dominos tam Spirituales quam Temporales circa Regni utilitatem occupatos de alta Proditione impetere proponebat Justiciarios Regni ad suum nefandum propositum roborandum metu mortis et cruciatus Corporis violenter attraxit dictosdominos destruere satagendo The Fate of Michael de la Pool could not work upon his Grandson William de la Pool so as to make him a better Man towards the Public For we find this William Duke of Suffolk treading in his Grandfather's Steps and so acting in his Ministry as to provoke an Accusation from the House of Commons The Grants out of the Crown Revenue which he had procur'd for himself and those of his Alliance and Party occasion'd so much popular Anger that in the 28 Year of Henry VI. he drew upon himself an Impeachment the first part of which contains Matter of High Treason in the second part he is accus'd of divers great Offences Misprisions untrue Labours and false Deceits but we shall only take notice of those Articles which relate to our present Subject Rot. Parl. 28 Hen. 6. Num. 28. To the Kyng our Soverayne Lord sheweth and with dolorous Lamentations Compleyneth youre true feithfull Subgettes and Comons beyng in this youre present Parlement by youre Commaundement Roial That William de la Pole Duke of Suffolk hath doone and caused to be doone ayents youre Regalie Honour Estate and Prosperite of youre moost noble Persone and the We le of youre true Subgettes of youre Reames of Englond and Fraunce youre Duchies Guyen and Normandy and other Places under your Obeisance divers grete Offences Misprisions untrue Labours and fals Deceytes in Manner and Fourme ensueying Num. 29. First The seid Duke the 16th Yere of youre Reigne then beyng next and Pryvyest of youre Counseil and Steward of your Household then and many Yeres seth for covetise of grete lucre of good singulerly to hymself sturred and moeved youre Highnesse the seid 16th Yere Ye thenne beyng in Prosperite and havyng grete Possessions to yeve and graunte moche partie of youre seid Possessions to divers Persones in your seid Reame of Englond by the which ye be gretely empoverished the Expences of youre honourable Household and the Wages and Fees of youre menyal Servants not payed youre Warderobe the Reparations of youre Castells and Manners and youre other ordinary Charges were not had satisfyed nor doo and so by his subtill Counseil importune and unprofitable Labour to youre moost High and Royal Estate the Revenues of the Demesnes and Possessions of youre Corone youre Duchie Lancastre and other youre Enheritaunces have bee so amennsed and amentysed that youre Commons of this youre Reame have bee soo ymportably charged that it is nygh to their fynal Distruction Num. 30. Item The seid Duke havying alwey inordinate Covetise hath by sotill means and sinistre Suggestions for his especyal availle caused you to graunt many Priviledges Fraunchises c. Num. 31. Item The seid
for ever It pass'd in the Negative by 39 Voices Resolved That a Committee be appointed to consider of the Articles against the Earl of Arlington and to report what Matter is therein contained and can be prov'd that is fit for an Impeachment Committed to Mr. Crouch c. Memorandum The Committee never made their Report for the 24th of March the Parliament was Prorogued to the 10th of November 1674 and so the Matter fell Journal of the House of Commons Lunae 26 die Apr. 1675. A Charge or Impeachment against Thomas Earl of Danby Lord High-Treasurer of England containing several Offences Crimes and Misdemeanors of a very high Nature being presented and opened to the House and afterwards brought in and delivered at the Clerk's Table and read Art 6. That the said Earl hath procured great Gifts and Grants from the Crown whilst under great Debts by Warrants counter-signed by himself The 2d Article of the Impeachment being read and the Matter thereof debated Resolved That before the House do proceed farther in the Debate of this Article they will hear the Witnesses The Witnesses were heard then the House Adjourn'd Lunae 3 die Maii 1675. The House then proceeded in the farther Consideration of the Articles against the Lord-Treasurer And 3d. 4th 5th 6th and 7th Articles being read and the Question being severally put Whether any fit Matter doth appear in the Examination of those Articles to impeach the Lord-Treasurer It pass'd in the Negative Journal of the House of Commons Sabbati 21 die Decemb. 1678. Articles of Impeachment of High Treason and other High Crimes Misdemeanors and Offences against Thomas Earl of Danby Lord High-Treasurer of England were delivered from the Committee Art 5. That he hath wasted the King's Treasure by issuing out of His Majesty's Exchequer and several Branches of his Revenue divers great Summs of Money for unnecessary Pensions and secret Services to the Value of 231602 l. within Two Years And thus he hath wholly diverted out of the known Method and Government of the Exchequer one whole Branch of His Majesty's Revenue to private Uses without any Account to be made thereof in the Exchequer contrary to the express Act of Parliament which granted the same And he hath removed two of His Majesty's Commissioners of that part of the Revenue for refusing to consent to such his unwarrantable Actings and to advance Money upon that part of the Revenue for private Uses Art 6. That he hath by indirect Means procur'd from His Majesty for himself divers Considerable Gifts and Grants of Inheritance of the Ancient Revenue of the Crown even contrary to Acts of Parliament Ordered That the Articlee of Impeachment against the Lord High-Treesurer be Engrossed and that Sir Henry Capel do carry them up to the Lords on Monday Morning next We have cited these two presidents relating to the Earl of Danby to shew when the old Whigs were in the supermest Perfection of their Virtue and Publick Zeal That they then thought it a High Crime and Misdemeanor For a Minister to Picture to himself Giants out of the King's Revenue By the Authorities and Presidents we have quoted it appears manifestly that our Ancestors have from the first Institution of this Government very highly resented such Proceedings But here it may be asked how a Statesman is to behave himself when the Prince is inclin'd to Liberality and overborn with Importunities to give away what should subsist Him and the State To which we answer That the Lord Chancellor's Oath plainly directs the Minister in his Duty Ye shall neither know nor suffer the King 's Hurt nor his Disheriting nor that the Rights of the Crown be distressed by any Means as far forth as ye may let it And if ye may not let it ye shall make Knowledge thereof clearly and expresly to the King with your True Advice and Council By which Words without doubt the Law must mean and the Chancellor's Oath is part of our Law and Constitution That this high Officer is to oppose with all his Power and Intrest what he sees tending to the King and Kingdom 's Prejudice and if he finds a great Number of Grants passing the Law intends by binding him with such an Oath That he should from time to time represent to the King his Debts the Taxes and Necessities of the Nation But suppose that notwithstanding this Representation the Prince will have the Grant to proceed how is the Minister to act in such a Case Without doubt he is then to consider this Maxim of our Law That the King can do no hurt and that the Minister only is accountable for any Male-Administration He is to contemplate what high Officers in the State have been impeached upon the like Account and without all Controversie he is rather to leave the Court and quit his Employment than to do a thing which cannot be justified by the Laws and Constitution of this Kingdom * Daniel P. 134. Simon Normannus Keeper of the Great Seal under Henry III. and Jeffery his Brother both Knights-Templars and Men in great Powrr suffer'd themselves to be turn'd out of their Employment rather than to pass a Grant from the King of Four Pence upon every Sack of Wool to Thomas Earl of Flanders the King's Uncle P. 519. †Matthew Parris speaking of these two Brothers being put from Court says Seminarium Causa praecipua fuit hujus Irae Regiae quod idem Simon noluit consignare quoddam detestabile Scriptum contra Coronam Domini Regis confectum Cujus Tenor talis fuit ut Comes Flandriae Thomas perciperet de quolibet sacco Lanae delatae ab Anglia per partes suas Telonium Scilicet de quolibet sacco quatuor denariorum Nec Galfridus Templarius huic enormi facto consensit licet Rex ad hoc avide nimis anhelaverit 'T is true Men are very unwilling to quit Great Employments attended with much Wealth and High Honours and the common Excuse of such as comply more than they ought is That others will be readily found to do the same thing So that they shall prejudice themselves without any Advantage to the Publick Nay they often pretend to remain at Court only to prevent greater and farther Mischiefs Suppose then this to be Case and that the Tide runs so strongly one way that no single Minister in his Station is able to stem it and that the Prince will divest himself of his Revenues notwithstanding he is otherwise advis'd what does the Constitution of this Kingdom require from a Lord Chancellor a Lord Treasurer Lord Privy-Seal and the Secretary of State when such Measures are taken What Proofs will clear them before the whole World that they are no ways consenting to such Proceedings and that things are carried by an irresistible Strength against that Council they would be thought to give Without doubt they stand justified before a Parliament and in the Opinions of the People if they give manifest Evidence that their
Alienations of the Crown-Revenue And a Resumption made The Records for this 117 Great Profusion and Misgovernment in the Reign of King Richard the Second The Rapine of the Ministers of those Times occasioned Acts of Resumption several Records produc'd to this Purpose from 119 to 127 In the Reign of Henry the Fourth the Commons pray that a Resumption may be made The Record 127 In the Fifth of this Reign the Commons pray that the King will take Care for the Repair of his Castles in particular Windsor Castle and of the Maintenance of his Parks And complain that the Lands assign'd for the Repair of Windsor Castle are granted away praying they may be resumed The King's Answer The Record for this 128 Lands and Mannors annexed to Windsor Castle 31 Henry 8th 131 The same Year of Henry 4th the Commons pray that Lands alienated from the Duchy of Cornwall may be resum'd The King's Answer The Record 132 In the 6th Year of the same Reign the Commons again pray for a Resumption The King's Answer The Record 133 What â—ort of a Resumption was then made and the Reasons for it The Record 140 In the Seventh and Eighth of this Reign the Commons pray that the Lands to be conquer'd in Wales may not be granted away the first Quarter of a Year The Record 143 In the same Year the Commons pray that certain Foreigners by Name may be banished which is granted and the King orders an Accompt to be deliver'd in Chancery of what Grants they had obtain'd The Record 144 In the 11th of this Reign the Commons pray that no Alienation of the Crown-Revenue may be made to which the King assents The Record 145 What sort of Resumption was made in the Reign of Henry the Fifth The Record 148 A Resumption made 28 Hen. 6. The Record 149 to 158 The Exceptions or Savings inserted by the King in this Resumption 159 to 178 Another Resumption the 29th of this Reign 181 Another Resumption the 33th of the same Reign 193 A Resumption the 1st of Edward 4th The Record 208 Another Resumption 3d and 4th of the same Reign 210 In the 7th Edward 4th The King invites his People from the Throne to make an Act of Resumption 214 A Resumption 7th Edward the 4th The Record 216 The King by the Mouth of the Chancellor thanks the House of Commons for this Resumption 221 222 In the 13th of the same Reign there pass'd another Act of Resumption 222 The Method which was taken in this Reign to pay the King's Debts See the Record 225 In the 1st of Henry 7th there was one General Act and afterwards other particular Acts of Resumption 232 What Sort of Resumption was made Ann. 6. Hen. 8 238 The Author has himself examin'd at the Tower the French Records cited in this Book 243 All the Resumptions recapitulated 244 245 Several Observations upon these Acts of Resumption 245 to 248 The Effects these Acts of Resumptions produced 249 In what Posture the Crown-Revenue stood 28 29 Hen. 6. ibid. How it stood in the Reign of Hen. 7. what Taxes he had and what an immense Sum he left behind him 249 250 The Acts of Resumption principally put the Crown-Revenue into the State Hen. 7. left it at his Death 250 The State of the Revenue Anno 12. Eliz. 252 The Reason why no Resumption could be proper during her Time ibid. Resumptions talk'd on in the Reign of King James the First ibid. What Steps were made towards a Resumption in the Beginning of King Charles the Second's Reign 253 254 State of the Revenue at King Charles's Restauration 255 Sir John Fortescue's Opinion concerning Resumptions out of a Manuscript in the Bodleian Library 257 to 262 When the Debtors or Accomptants to the King have been unreasonably discharg'd Privy-Seals have been revoked The Record 263 SECT IV. That several Ministers of State have been Impeach'd in Parliament for presuming to procure to themselves Grants of the Crown-Revenue WHat sort of Power our King 's anciently had to alienate the Crown-Revenue 274 The Opinion of some Authors upon this Subject 275 Observations upon the Scaccarium and Hanneperium ibid In Alienations the King trusted as Head of the Common-wealth 278 The Danger if Alienations might not be inquir'd into 279 'T is manifest the Legislature has a Power to inquire into Grants ibid. Resumptions an extraordinary Exercise of the Legislative Authority 280 What Provision the Wisdom of the Law has made that there may not be occasion for 'em ibid. If this does not do by calling corrupt Ministers to an Accompt 281 The Care Hen. 4. took in the Revenue and the good Laws thereunto relating ibid. The Effect it had 283 The Care our Ancestors had long before taken in this Matter 284 1st By regulating the Expences of the King's Court ibid. 2dly By desiring the King to employ wise and able Men 285 3dly By procuring the Banishment of Strangers who were become a Burthen upon the Court ibid. 4thly By appointing Commissioners to inspect the publick Accompts The Record 287 5thly By enquiring into the Management of particular Branches 290 The Provisions which our Constitution has establish'd that the King may not be deceiv'd 291 The Progress Grants ought to make 292 First in the Treasury The Treasurer of the Exchequer or Lord-Treasurer's Duty and Oath ibid. From thence the Grant goes to the Attorney-General His Duty 204 From thence to the Secretary of State His Duty 295 From the Signet it should go to the Lord Privy-Seal His Duty and Oath 296 From the Privy-Seal it goes to the Lord Chancellor His Duty and Oath 297 All this inforced by a positive Law 27 Hen. 8. 298 The Force of the Laws enervated by Clauses of Ex certa Scientia Graetia Speciali Mero Motu and by Clauses of Non Obstante 301 Matthew Paris his Opinion of these Clauses of Non Obstante 302 Of the Destinction the Lawyers make between Directive and Coercive 305 When Ministers have broke through the Laws in this Matter of Grants our Ancestors have proceeded by Impeachments 307 Ranulphus Bishop of Durham accus'd for Male-Administration His Character 308 Pieres Gaverton impeach'd for procuring Grants The Record 309 Henry de Beaumont accus'd expell'd the Council and banish'd by Parliament from the King's Presence upon the same Accompt 313 The Lady Vescie accus'd and banish'd the Court in the same Manner and upon the same Accompt 314 Procuring Grants one of the principal Heads of Accusation against Hugh Spencer Earl of Glocester 315 In the 4 Edw. 3. Articles were exhibited in Parliament against Roger Mortimer Earl of March for having procured to himself Grants of the Crown-Revenue The Record 316 In the 10 Rich. 2. Michael de la Pool was impeach'd for that being Chancellor and sworn to the Kiug's Profit he had procured to himself Grants of the Crown-Revenue The Judgment against him The Records 317 to 323 In the 11 Rich. 2. the said Michael de la Pool was
and Roial Court of Parlement and by Aucthorite of the same Resp The Kyng by the Advyse and assent of the Lords Spirituelx and Temporelx in this present Parlement assembled and by the Aucthoritie of the same agreeth to this Petition and Resumption and the same accepteth and establisheth Alweys forseyn that all exceptions moderations forprises and provisions by hym graunted ordeined and admitted and putte in Wryting in this same Parlement upon the premisses be and stand good and availlable in Lawe after the Fourme and effecte of the contynue of the same exceptions Moderations and Provisions And that all Lettres Patentes of the Kyng made to oney Persone or Persones named in oney of the same Exceptions moderations forprises and provisions be good and effectuel after the Fourme and continue of the same Lettres Patentes by whatsomever name oney such persone or persones be named in oney such Lettres Patentes the said Act and Petition of Resumption or oney thing conteined therein notwithstanding Provided alway that it extend not to oney Possessions or other thyng made or graunted by the Kyng to oney persone or persones in Caleis or in the Marches thereof or in the Lond of Irlond These that followen been the Exceptions Moderations forprises and provisions by the Kyng graunted ordeined and admitted and in this same Parlement upon the Premisses put in wryting First Saving for Merton-College 2 For Leon Lord Wells inasmuch as he had a Pension justly due to him 3 For the Dower of the Dutchess of Warr. 4 For Lands exchang'd with John Fray 5 For the College of Leicester 6 For the Expences granted by Patent to Richard Duke of York in the Lieutenancy of Ireland 7 For Restitutions of Temporalities c. to Arch-Bishops Bishops c. 8 For the Priory of Henton 9 For John Stourton Treasurer of the Houshold for 5000 l. to be expended in his Office 10 For the Prior of St John's for 15 s. per Annum 11 For the Friars of Kings Melcombe upon a valuable Consideration 12 For Lands taken in Farm of the King and improv'd 13 For Jervais le Unlre's Pension of 24 l. per Annum as the King's French Secretary 14 For Lands given to the Abbot and Church of Westminster out of which they were to distribute Alms. 15 For the Duke of Somerset's Lands bought of the King for valuable Considerations by Henry Cardinal and sold by the Cardinal to the Duke 16 For the Chief Justice 17 For Oriel-College 18 For All-Souls College 19 For the Abbot and Covent of Selby their Release of Dismes 20 For Thomas Derling Serjeant of Arms his Cloathing and accustom'd Wages 21 For John Waterford the same 22 For John Bury's Pension of 12 p. per diem c. 23 For the Priory of Brydlyngton Endow'd by the King in especial Devotion 24 For a small parcel of Land given to the Charter House of Sheen Founded by the King his Father 25 For Lands only restor'd to the College of Knollesmes-House in Pontfract 26 For John Earl of Shrewsbury as to 100 l. Annual Pension for Life and Lands in Waterford till then yeilding nothing being in the Hands of Rebels the said Earl having had no other Recompence for his long Services 27 For the Lord Scales Pension of 100 l. per Annum for his long Services in France and Duchie of Normandy 28 For William Stone 's Pension of 26 l. 13 s. 4. granted him last Parliament at the Request of both Houses for great Services as well to the King as to his Father 29 For Richard Welsden's Pension of 10 l. 6 s. per Annum for Life out of the Fee-farm Rent of New-biggyng which Fee-farm had been usually distributed among the King's Servants from King Edward III's time 30 For the City of Canterbury's Charter in relation to their Officers only 31 For Charters of Denization 32 For Sir John Astley's Pension of 100 Marks for Life 33 For Houses granted to the Dean and Church of St. Steven Westminster 34 For Will. Rouse one of the Clerks of the Crown as to his Patent for his Office and as to 20 l. per Annum out of the Hamper for Execution of his said Office 35 For the Collegiate Church of Leicester as to their Ton of Wine 36 For Will. Crawen and others their Patent who were erected into a Fraternity 37 For the Heirs of the Lord Bardolph on accompt of Lands restor'd to them by good advice 38 For the Vicounts Beamont and Bougchier both as to the Patents for their Honours and Creation-Money 39 For the Dean and Chapter of Lichfield concerning their Patent for certain Liberties and Priveleges 40 The same for the Town of Estratford 41 The same for the City of York 42 For the Abbot of Byland about a small Fee-farm Rent 43 For John Vicount Beamount Ralph Lord Cromwel and others in relation to Lands granted to them the Value not express'd in the Proviso 44 The same for John Fanceby value not express'd 45 The same for John Hampton but 40 l. per Annum resum'd from him 46 For Ralph Bapthorp Esquire of the Body for Lands given or sold to him 47 The same for John Norreis only there is resum'd from him 50 Marks per Annum Pension and 6 l. 13 s. out of Merston Messey 48 For Phil. Wentworth Esquire of the Body 49 The same for Thomas Danyel but the Manuor of Gedyngton of 26 l. 6 s. Yearly Value is resum'd from him 50 The same for Will. Tresham only 20 per Anuum is resum'd from him 51 The same for Thomas Myner and others the King 's menial Servants only 20 out of 40 l. per Annum is resum'd from Jenk yne Stanley 52 For the Earl of Arundel for Lands granted to him the value not express'd 53 The same for Richard Earl of Warwick 54 For Richard Earl of Salisbury but a Fee-farm taken from him of 24 l. per Ann. and some certain Privileges very extraordinary are taken from him and others in Richmondshire reserv'd to him 55 A Saving for the Lord Dudley as to some Patentes but other things are resum'd 56 For certain Privâ—leges granted to Sir John Boteller 57 For Sir Thomas Haryngton on accompt of Lands granted to him for good Services specified in the Provisoe 58 For Sir Richard Wyddewil Lord Rivers and others on accompt of Lands granted or confirm'd to them 59 For Sir John Talbot and others on accompt of 20 l. per Annum Pension to be paid to them or the survivor of them 60 For the Lord Clifford for Lands granted to him 61 The sâ—me for Henry Everingham so as his Grant exceed not the value of 12 Marks per Annum 62 For Rich. Hakedy the King's Apothecary as to 40 Marks Yearly granted for his Life 63 For Robert Fenys and Thomas Bermingham for Grants made to them but form Robert there is resum'd 20 l. Feefarm Rent 64 For Rob. Manfeld and his Son for Lands Granted or Confirm'd 65 The same for Will. Say and Thomas Shargyl the Kings
Servants 66 The same for Gilbert Par but 9 l. per Annum Feefarm Rent resum'd 67 The same to John Trevilian as to some small Grants express'd 68 The same for Henry Langton the King's Servant 69 The same for John Say as to a Grant for his and his Wifes lives but L. 9-2-6 Fee-farm Rent resum'd 70 The same for John Blackney the King's Servant 71 The same to Rob. Fowles Hyrst the King's Servant so as it exceed not 10 Marks per Ann. 72 The same as to a Grant for life of 20 l. per. Ann. 73 The same for John Down the King's Servant as to two small Grants 74 The same to Griffith ap Nicholas as to a Grant of 15 l. per Ann. 75 The same for Henry Manners one of the King's Servants 76 The same for John Chyval and others the King's Servants but three Pipes of Wine and 10 l. per Annum Feefarm Rent are here resum'd 77 The same for Will. Elton and others the King's Servants as to some Leases or Confirmations 78 The same for John Sutton Kings Servant 79 the same for Robert Wyllyn King's Servant 80 The same for John Woodhouse King's Servant 81 The same for Henry Rosyngton and others the King's Servants 82 The same for John Slyfirst and several others the King's Servants as to their Salaries which were reduc'd to 10 l. per Annum 83 The same to Thomas Carr the King's Servant 84 The same to Andrew Lowe King's Servant 85 The same for Thomas Schapp King's Servant as to 6 d. per diem Sallary 86 The same for William Langton and others of the King's Mynstrel as to their Salaries of 6 l. 13 s. 4 d. per Annum 87 The same for Will. Clarence King's Servant 88 The same for Bryan Wager King's Servant 89 The same for Sir Richard Roos and others but in this Proviso several Resumptions are made 90 The same for Thomas Mongomery Esquire so as what he enjoys of the King's Gift exceed not 23 l. per Annum 91 The same for Thomas Calbras King's Servant as to his Salary of 12 p. per diem 92 The same for James Hornby and Tho. Osborn Kings Servants as to their Offices Wages and Cloathing 93 The same as to Tho. Bradfeld but here 8 Marks per Ann. Fee Farm Rent is resumed 94 The same for Rowland Lenthal as to Lands bought of or exchanged with the Crown 95 The same for Rich. Wednyng as to the Reversion of an Office 96 The same for Christop Whittacre as to an Office and Sallarie of 4 Pence per diem 97 The same for William John as to a Grant made upon a Surrender 98 The same to John Brely as to his Office 99 The same for Thomas Lord Egremont as to 45 l. per ann to him and his Heires for Sustentation of the Honor. 100 The same for Wotkyn Bedell King's Servant as to a Feefarm Rent out of Mills in Herefordshire 101 The same for Sr. Rich. Molyneux and his Son as to their Offices and Sallaries and as to some Leases they had from the Crown 102 A Saving to the Town of Kingston upon Hull as to some Franchises granted to them 103 For Ralph Leigh and others King's Servants so as the Grant made to them all exceed not 20 l. per ann 104 For Sr. John Langton and his Son as to some Leases 105 A Saving to the Prior and Convent of York as to some Pardons and Releases made to them 106 A Saving for Sr. Edmond Hungerford 107 Another Saving for Sr. Edmond Hungerford and Phil. Courtney as to some Mannors they held by Lease and for which they paid Rent 108 For John Hunt and others Clerks of the Chappel as to some Grants so as no Grant made to any of them exceed 20 Marks per ann 109 For John Watts and others King's Servants as to some small Pensions for Life 110 A Saving to John Merston and others the Kings Servants but with Exceptions 111 For John Wesenham King's Servant 112 A Saving to John Holt for some Lands as it seems rather restor'd than granted 113 For Thomas Frank. 114 For John Arnold and others as to some Tenements they held in Trust for Religious Uses 115 For John Rypon King's Servant 116 For John Browne and Thomas Catesby as to some Eschetes and Grants of small value which is expressed in the Proviso 117 A Saving for John Baker and Rich. Wardale King's Servants 118 A Saving to the Lord Hungerford for the Mannor of Hungerford out of which there was a reserv'd Rent and in the same Proviso there is a Saving for Sr. Rich. Hungerford Ld. Molins as to a small Grant 119 A Saving to the Earl of Northumberland 120 A Saving to Tho. Kent as to 100 Marks per ann in Consideration that the said Kent had been at great Expences in repairing the Port of Southampton and that by this Resumption he was to loose several Grants express'd in the Proviso 121 A Saving for John Green Esq who had certain Priviledges and Free Chace granted him by Letters Patents in his own Woods 122 For the Monks of Sempyngham as to a Pardon or Release of Disms 123 For Will. Bulkley King's Servant as to his Salary of 12 Pence per diem who had no other reward for his long Services 124 A Saving for John Kingly and Rob. Whitgrene as to some small Grants 125 For William Boerly 126 For Jenkin Stanley and his Son as to some Grants and for the Vitlership of a Castle 127 A Saving for the Lord Vessey 128 For John Welbeck Kings Servant as to his Salary of 12 Pence per diem 129 A Saving to the Towne of Notyngham for certain Franchises provided they increase their present Feefarm Rent 13 s. 4 d. above what they already paid 130 For John Turges the Queens Harper as to 10 Mark per ann for Life which he was to have after the death of another 131 For Will. Beaufitz but here is a Resumption of 15 l. per ann Feefarm Rent 132 For John Peycock as to 6 Pence per diem 133 A Saving for Sr. Tho. Fulthorp Justice of the Common Bench value not express'd 134 For Gilbert Haltoft Secondary Baron of the Exchequer as to 20 Mark per ann for his Life 135 For the Lord Chief Baron as to 40 l. per ann Robe Vesture and Furrure 136 For John Fowardly as to 20 l. per ann for life and John Poutrel as to 20 Mark per ann for life 137 For John Sleg and his Wife as to 4 l. 6 s. per ann for life 138 For John Prude Kings Glazier as to 12 Pence per diem for life 139 A Saving for Colchester and Ipswich as to Franchises and Liberties 140 For the Town of Rye as to a Grant made to them 141 For the Town of Shrewsbury as to Franchises and Liberties 142 For the Town of Bridgenorth the same 143 A Saving to John late Duke of Somerset as to a Feefarm Rent of 15 l. per ann 144 For Nich. Semtlo as to
eny of theym or eny parcell of theym be from the seid Fest void and of noo force nor effecte And that this Act extende not to eny Honours Castells Lordshipps Manours Londes Tenementes Rentes Services Possessions or Enheritaments which came to the Hands or Possession of our seid Soveraine Lord Kyng Edward the 4 th or apperteyned or belonged to hym or that he shuld have had the seid 4th day of Marche or eny tyme after by the forfeiture of eny Persone in the Parlement hold at Weâ—â—minster the 4th day of November the seid first Yere attainted or by force of an Act of Forfeiture therin made other than by the Forfeiture of Margarete late called Queen of Englond And also that this Act extend not to any Graunte or Grauntes afore this tyme made to eny Lord not attainted of eny Annuite for the Sustentation of his Name and Estate nor to noon Office or Offices which were Office or Offices the seid 4th day of Marche or afore and needeth actuel Exercise graunted the seid 4th day of Marche or after to eny Persone or Persones for terme of his Lyfe or they re Lyfes with Fees Wages and Profites to the same Office or Offices afore the seid 4th day of Marche due and accustumed And also that all Yefts made by the Kyng the seid 4th day of Marche or eny tyme after under eny of his Seales to eny Persone or Persones of eny Office wheruppon noo charge hangeth nor nedeth to be of actuel Exercise or Occupation be from the seid Fest voide and of noo force nor effecte Also that all Grauntes made by the Kyng the seid 4th day of Marche or eny tyme after to eny Persone or Persones of eny Office or Offices with Fees and Wages then not due and accustumed nor apperteynyng to the same Office or Offices the seid 4th day of Marche be from the seid Fest as to the seid Fees and Wages not due and accustomed void and of noo force and effecte This Acte to be had and take with such Exceptions and Provisions as shall please the Kyng to make Then follow Three Savings made by the House of Commons 1 st For Sums issued to the Payment of the King 's own Debts 2. For Corporations Cities and Boroughs c. as to any Gift Grant Demise Lease Release Jurisdiction Authority Confirmation Ratification Licence Pardon c. granted by the Kings Henry the 4 th 5 th and 6 th 3. For Grants or Licenses given by the said Kings to any Person to found or make Fraternities Gyldes Hospitals c. or to purchase Lands for those Uses Then follow a prodigious Number 〈◊〉 Savings and Exceptions and so many as indeed seem intirely to defeat thâ— Design and Intention of the Act which in the 7th of the same Reign produc'd another Resumption This Heroick Prince who himselâ— had fought so many Battles and whâ— by his Courage from a private Person got to be King of England invites hiâ— People from the Throne to resume whaâ— had been plunder'd from the Crown iâ— the Words following 7 Edw. 4. Rot. Parl. N. 7. John Say and ye Sirs comyn to this my Court of Parlement for the Comon of this my Lond The Cause why Y have called and summoned this my present Parlement is Y purpose to to lyve upon my nowne and not to charge my Subgetts but in grete and urgent Causes concerning more tho we le of theymself and also the defence of theym and of this my Reame rather then my nowne pleaser as heretofore by Comons of this Lond hath been doon and born unto my Progenitours in tyme of nede wherein Y trust that ye Sirs and all the Comons of this my Lond wol be as tender and kind unto me in such Cases as heretofore eney Comons have been to eney of my seid Progenitours And for the good Wills kindnesse and true herts that ye have born continued and showed unto me at all tymes heretofore Y thank ye as hertily as Y can as so Y trust ye wol contenue in tyme comyng for the which by the Grace of God Y shall be to you as good and gracious Kyng and reigne as reight wisely upon you as ever did eney of my Progenitours upon Comons of this my Reame in days paste and shall also in tyme of nede aply my Person for the We le and defence of you and of this Reame not sparyng my Body nor Lyfe for eny jeopardie that mought happen to the same Ibid. N. 8. Memorandum Quod quedam Cedula formam cujusdem Actus Resumptionis in sâ— continentis exhibita fuit in presenti Parliâ—mento in haec Verba For divers Causes and Considerations concerning the Honour State and Prosperite of the Kyng and also of the Commonwele defence surete and welfare of this Reame and his Subgettes of the same it is ordeyned enacted and established by thadvyse and Assent of the Lords Spirituells and Temporells and Comons in this present Parlement assembled and by Auctorite of the same That the Kyng from the Fest of Ester last past have take seize hold and joy all Honours Castells Lordshipps Townes Towneshipps Manors Londes Tenementes Wastes Forestes Chaces Rentes Annuities Fermes Fee-fermes Reversions Services Issues Profites Commoditees which he was seised and possessed of the 4th day of Marche the first Yere of his Reigne or eny tyme after by resone of the Coroune of Englond the Duchie of Cornwaille Principalite of Wales and Erldom of Chestre or eny of theym in Englond Irlond Wales and Marches thereof or that apperteyned or belonged to hym the same fowerth day or eny tyme sin as paroell of his Duchie of Lancastre or by the forfaiture of Henry the Sixt late in dede and not in Right Kyng of Englond or eny Person atteynted sin the seid 4th day of Marche by auctorite of eny Parlement holden sin the seid 4th day or otherwyse attaynted by the course of the Comon Lawe of this Lond and passed from the Kyng under eny of his Seales to eny Persone or Persones in Fee-simple or Fee-taille terme of Lyfe or terme of Yeres and that the Kyng fro the seid Fest of Ester have hold and joye every of the Premisses in lyke estate as he had theym the seid fowrthe day of Marche or eny tyme after Also that all Yeftes Grauntes Ratifications Releses Leses Demyses and Confirmations made by the Kyng the seyd 4th day of Marche or eny tyme sin to eny Persone or Persones of eny of the Premisses in Fee-simple or Fee-taille terme of Lyfe or terme of Yeres under eny of his Seales be from the seid Fest of Ester void and of noo force nor effecte And furthermore it is ordeyned by the seid Advyse Assent and Auctorite That the Kyng from the seid Fest of Ester have take seise hold and joy all Honours Castells Lordshipps Townes Towneshipps Manours Londes Tenâ—mentes Rentes Services Possessions Enheritaments Issues profites and Comoditees which the full noble and famous Prynce Richard veray true and
the said Bill and such of them as are either general or particular are much of the like Nature with the Savings in other Acts. Resp As touching this Bill of Resumption the King's Highness hath well conceived and understood the same hath therefore by thadvise and assent of the Lords Spirituels and Temporels and Commons in this present Parliament and by thauctoritie of the same it accepted and agreed So alway that such Provisions and Exceptions as by his Highness be and shall be made and agreed and during the Time of this present Parliament put in Writing to or upon the Premisses be good and effectual The said Bill or Act or any other the Premisses notwithstanding For the Equitie and rightwise Reward that the King entendeth to doe to every of his Subgietts for his Merits which shall be to the Pleasure of God and Honour of his Highness and the Weale of all his Lond and People Then follow many particular Exceptions more in Number than in any other of the Acts but under this frugal King we may suppose they are not such as would make the Act ineffectual Besides in this Reign there pass'd several particular Acts of Resumption for which we shall refer the Reader to the Records Rot. Parl. 3 Hen. 7. N. 35. Anno 33. Hen. 7. An Act of Resumption of the Offices or Places of Receivers Auditors Customers Collectors of Customs Subsidies Comptrollers Searchers Surveyors and Places of other Officers Accomptants to the King Rot. Parl. 11 Hen. 7. N. 2. Anno 11. Hen. 7. An Act of Resumption of divers Castles Mannors Lands and Tenements which were formerly given by K. Edward the Third and K. Richard the Second to Edmond de Langley Duke of York Rot. ibid. N. 4. In the same Year an Act for making void all Grants made of the Mannor of Woodstock Ibid. N. 6. In the same Year an Act for making void divers Leases and Offices within the Principality of Wales Dutchy of Cornwall and Earldom of Chester Anno 6. Hen. 8. There pass'd another Act of Resumption which related only to resuming needless Offices and Pensions Rot. Parl. 6 Hen. 8. N. 8. Prayen and in most humble wise beseeshing Your Heyghness Your humble Subjects the Commons in this present Parlement by your high Commandement assembled That where the most Christen Princes King Henry the Sixth King Edward the Fourth and the most famous and renowned Prince of most worthy Memorie King Henry the Seventh your Fader whom God pardon and other your noble Progenitours have kept as honourable Astates as well in their own Persons as in their Housholds and other their Charges as well in defence of this Your Realm as in defence of the Towns of Caleys Guisnes Hammes Berwick and the Marches of the same and other Charges of this Your Realm of the onely Revenues thereof as hath any King or Christen Prince in any oder Christen Region not onely to the great Honour of the same but also to the great ease rest and quietness of the People of the same which caused all other Lands and Realms to have this your Realm in great Renowne Drede and Fear and your said Progenitours to be dradde of all outward Nations And so it is most drade Sovereign Lord that the Revenues of your Lands and other Things late being in your Hands and Possessions be so great mynyshed by reason of the Many fold Yifts Graunts and Releases passed from your Highness since the begynyng of of your most noble Reigne hitherto that the residue therof now remaining in your Hands and Possession in no wyse suffiseth nor can suffise to bear and susteyn your great Charges dayly increasen as well by reason of your Wars now being in hand against your antient Enemies the Scots as of your great Charges in keeping and defence of your City of Tournay late by youre Grace victoriously Conquered and which of very necessity must be maintained and born as accordeth to your Princely Astate and Honour of your Highuesse and suerte of your humble Subjects and of youre Realme In Consideration whereof yt may please your Highness by thadvise of the Lords Spiritual and Temporall in this present Parliament assembled and by Aucthority of the same for the conservation and maintaining of youre most Royal Astate and oder Charges above rehearsed to the Pleasure of God and for youre own Honour and Suerte and also for the universal Wead Ease Rest and Suerte of this youre Realme and Land and for the mynyshyng and lessening of the Charges and Burden of youre said poor Commons and Subjects of the same which your Grace oweth to preferr and specially regarde before the Favour of any particular Persons or earthly Things to take seise resume and have into your Hands from the Feast of Easter next coming all and singular those and such Annuitees Graunted to any Persone or Persones by your Highness by your Letters Patents not for exerciseing of any Office which be not ne at any time of the said Letters Patents made were Rent-Service or Rent-Charge of any Estate of Enheritaunce in your Highnesse and that all the sayd Letters Patents of all the same Annuitees and every of them from the sayd Feast of Ester onely touching the said Graunt of the same Annuitees be utterly void and of no effecte And also that all Letters Patents Grants and Bills signed by your Highnesse made to any Persone or Persones of any Office or Offices or Rowme to be had after the Deth of any Patenteth the same Patentee being yet alive and in Possession by Vertue of his Patent or of the next Avoydance of any Avowsons of Churches Benefices Chauntreys Hospitals Prebends or of any Spiritual Benefices not executed be from henceforth utterly void and of none effecte Then follow some other Regulations relating to Offices Places and Pensions After which there is a Saving for the Peers as to their Creation-Money And then for George Earl of Shrewsbury of and for the Stewardship of Tutbury Parcel of the Dutchy of Lancaster c. sign'd with the King 's own Hand Then follow Savings for several great Officers and for the Queen And then comes a Provision for Offices in the King's Lands Castles and Mannors c. then follow some particular Savings and those not many Resp Le Roy le Veult So that this Prince as Arbitrary as he was gave way to this Resumption made in Parliament The Writer of these Papers tho' it has prov'd a Matter of great Labour has thought it best to set down the very Words of all these Acts of Resumption omitting the Savings which in each Bill are very numerous but to give the Reader Light into the Nature of these Exceptions he did extract all the Savings that were brought into the first compleat Act that pass'd upon this Subject which was 28 Hen. 6. And by those the Reader may judge of the Rest for they which follow'd were much of the like Nature 'T is true his Work will thereby
seem tedious but curious Persons may perhaps receive Satisfaction to see the Sence of their Fore-fathers upon this Point And we take it that the Wisdom and Gravity with which these Acts are penn'd and the Exactness and Care which the House of Commons from time to time show'd in this whole Transaction will prove no unpleasant peice of History He has done impartially and taken notice of what may make against as well as for his present Argument that the Reader may have the whole before him And in this Transcript he has follow'd the best Copies of Records he could procure such as have been sign'd and examin'd at the Tower in which he believes there is no material Error and that they are according to the Original Records except in Orthography or spelling Words wherein all Transcribers of Records mistake and differ with one another But as to the French Records both in this and the following Section the Author has examin'd them all at the Tower by the Rolls As to what was done upon Resumptions before the Reign of Edward the Second he has therein follow'd the best Ancient Writers of our English History whose Authority may be rely'd upon because most of such as he has cited wrote of Things done near or in their own Times But for their Ease who do not care to read much and to help the Memory of others he will recapitulate in a few Words the several Resumptions afterwards he will make some few Observations upon the Whole and examine what Effect these Acts of Resumption produc'd as to enlarging the Crown-Revenue and then conclude this long Section 1 st A Resumption was made by William Rufus 2 dly A Resumption by Henry the First 3 dly A Resumption agreed to by King Stephen 4 thly A Resumption actually made by Henry the Second 5 thly A Resumption by Richard the First 6 thly A Resumption by Edward the Second 7 thly Resumptions made by Richard the Second 8 thly Resumptions made by Henry the Fourth particularly of the Lands belonging to Windsor-Castle 9 thly Three Resumptions made in the Reign of Henry the Sixth 10 thly Four Resumptions made in the Reign of Edward the Fourth 11 thly One general Act and other particular Acts of Resumption in the Reign of Henry the Seventh 12 thly An Act of Resumption of â—ivers Offices Annuities and other Things in the Reign of Henry the Eighth Upon the whole Matter these Observations may be made 1 st From the forecited Records it appears that the People of England have in no Age thought it reasonable that the Crown-Revenue should be alienated 2 dly That not only under the Reigns of weak and unfortunate Princes but when there has been upon the Throne martial and active Kings this Nation has all along insisted upon Resumptions 3 dly It appears from the said Records that very few of the said Resumptions did look farther backward than the Reign of the present Prince 4 thly That the People have been most provoked when the Crown-Lands have been given away to Foreigners 5 thly That the House of Commons in their Bills of Resumption made very few Savings as to the Interests of Private Men. 6 thly That it appears from the said Records that very small Things were look'd into and that in the Three Râ—sumptions made by Henry the Sixth it does not appear there were Savings for any large Grant 7 thly That in some of their Bills the House of Commons insisted upon Penalties to be inflicted upon such as should procure Grants of the Crown-Revenue 8 thly That by the Profusion of some Princes the Crown-Revenue was reduc'd from Fifty Six Thousand Nine Hundred Sixty Six Pounds to Five Thousand Pounds per Annum 9 thly That Edward the Fourth invited his Parliament in his Speech from the Throne Anno 7. to make an Act of Resumption 10 thly That in the many Acts made to this Purpose every following Act was penn'd with stricter Clauses and to reach more than the former did 11 thly That the Act made the 28 H. 6. provides that the Lands so resumed should be for the Expences of the King's Houshold 12 thly That some of these Resumptions as that of 3 and 4 of Edw. 4. extended not only to the Crown-Revenue but also to what was the King's own Patrimonially namely to his Dutchy of York and Earldom of March. And that Anno 7 all was resumed which belong'd to Richard Duke of York the King's Father the 30 th of December Anno 39. Hen. 6. The â—ame 13 Edw. 4. 13 thly That in these Acts of Resumption the Sallaries and Wages are taken away of all superfluous Offices which requir'd no Attendance and Execution and which were newly erected 14 thly That some of these Acts establish that the Lands so resumed should continue in the Crown 15 thly That it will appear to any who will look into the volumenous Savings and Exceptions which were brought in by the King to the said Acts that many of the Grants in those Ages made for Lands or Pensions were only for Term of Life or Term of Years and to return to the Crown 16 thly That in many of the Savings as to the Interest of private Men where there is something left there is something resumed 17 thly That most of these Acts not only resume the Crown-Lands but revoke all unnecessary Pensions 18 thly That the 33 Henry 6. resumes the Land pass'd away from the Crown even by Authority of Parliament 19 thly That in all these Acts except 28 Henry 6. the Lands in Ireland are comprehended 20 thly As every subsequent Act was more strictly penn'd than that which went before so the Exceptions and Savings brought in by Edward the Fourth Henry the Sixth were at last few and frugal became every Time more moderate than the other so that in the End both Prince and Parliament agreed that a Resumption was necessary and would be greatly beneficial to the Kingdom But now as to the Effects which these Acts of Resumption produc'd it appears manifestly that they were put in Execution and that the Savings and Exceptions were not such as to defeat the Designs of the Parliament which some People pretend to suggest and 't is likewise evident that the Crown-Revenue was thereby very much increased For the Records plainly show that the whole Income of the Crowne Annis 28 and 29. Hen. 6. was reduc'd to Five Thousand Pounds per Annum Edward the Fourth who succeeded was an expensive Prince Richard the Third his Brother a frugal Man indeed but his Reign was too short to make any great Improvements in his Revenue and yet we find Henry the Seventh his Successor Master of more ready Money than ever any King of England was either before or since his Time This Prince had not many Aids from his People * Answer to the Reasons for Foreign Wars â— 51 Sir Robert Cotton enumerates them But one Aid upon Land viz. Anno 19. Out of their Goods and Lands
a Tenth out of their Goods only thrice a Tenth Five Fifteens besides a Tenth and Fifteenth which amounted to 120000 l. Three Subsides of which the last came to but 36000 l. One Benevolence And of the Clergy twice the Tenth and 25000 l. by way of Subsidy and yet Cotton says for which he cites a good * Lib. Acquit in t Regem Dudley R. C. Authority That he left behind him in Bullion Four Millions and a Half besides his Plate and rich Attire of House My Lord †Life of Hen. 7. p. 230. Bacon indeed brings the Sum lower and says it was near Eighteen Hundred Thousand Pounds Sterling But to reckon according to either of these Authors the Sum was prodigious for those Times 'T is true he had very extraordinary Ways of scraping up Money such as Sale of Offices Redemption of Penalties dispensing with the Laws and the like but all these together produc'd only * Answer to the Reasons c. p. 52. 120000 l. per Annum Besides Empson and Dudley the Two Ministers of his Extortions did not commit their Rapines till towards the latter End of his Reign From whence we may reasonably conclude that the Principal Foundation of all this Wealth join'd with his own Parsimony must have been the Crown-Revenue and that the former Acts of Resumption with that which was made in his own Reign which no doubt this frugal Prince took Care to see put in Execution had reduced it to it 's former State and Condition For had no more been left than 5000 l. per Annum there would have been no matter for his Oeconomy to work upon so that we may very well infer that the fore-mentioned Resumptions had reliev'd the King's Affairs and brought the Crown-Revenue once more into a flourishing Condition But Henry the Eighth not only spent the immense Sum left him by his Father but likewise a great Part of that Revenue which came to the Crown by seizing the Abby-Lands which amounted to * Hist of the Reform Part 2. p. 268. 131607 l. 6 s. 4 d. per Ann. However he who considers the History of those Times and how much this Prince made himself the Arbiter of Europe will find his Money was not so unprofitably spent as is vulgarly imagin'd Besides †Ibid. p. 269. great Sums were laid out on building and fortifying many Ports in the Channel and other Parts of England which were rais'd by the Sale of Abby-Lands But notwithstanding the expensive Temper of this Prince he left his Successors very sufficient and substantial Landlords in England For we found in Sir Robert Cotton's Library in a * Cleopatra F. 6. Fol. 51. Book part of which is of that learned Antiquary's own Hand writing and to which King James the First has set his Name James R. which Book contains very many curious Things That the Revenue of the 12th of Elizabeth besides the Wards and Dutchy of Laâ—câ—ster amounted to 188197 l. 4 s. per Annum The Writer of these Papers does not remember to have met with any Thing relating to Resumptions in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth but the Reason why nothing of that Nature should be done in her Time is very obvious her Father had alienated from the Crown a great Part of the Abby-Lands or exchang'd 'em for other Lands as a Multitude of Acts pass'd to that Purpose in his Reign Witness And it was a strong Security to the Protestant Religion and Interest that those Estates should remain in the Hands and Possessions of private Persons A Resumption was thought on in the Reign of King James the First of which the forementioned Tracts of Sir Robert Cotton are a sufficient Evidence Besides in the †Annals of King Jam. p. 10. Annals of those Times 't is said to have been debated in Council But in the Reign of King Charles the Second a Resumption was again agitated for we find in the Journals of the House of Commons Martis 22 Die Maii 1660. A Bill for making void of Grants made since May 1642 of Titles of Honor Mannors Lands Tenements and Hereditaments pass'd under several great Seals by the late King Charles or the King's Majesty that now is or any other great Seal was this Day read the second Time and upon the Question committed c. And as a Mark that these Alienations of the Crown-Revenue were always distasteful to the People of England and to show that the House of Commons desir'd that a new Prince should betimes know the Nation 's Sence in this Matter we shall produce the following Resolves of that Parliament which restor'd King Charles Martis 4 Die Sept. 1660. Resolv'd That this House doth agree with the Committee That a Bill be brought in for Settling the Lands of the Crown so as that no Grant of the Inheritance shall be good in Law nor any Lease for more than Three Lives or One and Thirty Years where a Third Part of the true yearly Value is reserv'd for a Rent as it shall appear upon a Return of a Survey which that Act is to take Order for to be speedily had and taken and that Mr. Sollicitor General and Mr. Serjeant Glyn do prepare and bring in a Bill accordingly Resolv'd That this House doth agree with the Committee That the King's Majesty be humbly desir'd from this House to forbear to make any Leases of the Lands or other Grants of the Revenue of the Crown till the said last mention'd Act be pass'd And the Reason why these good Resolutions took no Effect is not at all difficult to discover 'T is to be fear'd that too many we mean without Doors in those corrupt Times not only were concern'd in the Grant already made but likewise did design as it prov'd afterwards to get for themselves what remain'd of the King's Lands And now for a full Answer to those who pretend Resumptions had never any Effect we shall produce a State of the Crown-Revenue as it lay before the House of Commons the same Year Martis die 4. Sept. 1660. ' Sir Heneage Finch reports from the Committee That according to the best Information the Committee could receive and by Estimate the Revenue amountted to 819398 l. per Annum viz.  l. By Customs 400000. By Composition for the Court of Wards 100000. The Revenue of Farms and Rents 263598. The Office of Postage 21500. The Proceed of Dean Forest 4000. The Imposition on the Sea-Coal exported 8000. Wine-Licenâ—e and other Additions 22300. Total 819398. From which Accompt it appears that notwithstanding the Profusion of Henry the Eighth and the irregular Bounty of K. James the 1st to his Scots the Land-Revenue of the Crown which Anno 28. Hen. 6. when the Parliament made the first formal and regular Resumption was reduc'd to 5000 l. per Annum came afterwards with the Forest of Dean to amount to 267598 l. per Annum Our Princes have seldom been known to purchase Lands The Abby-Lands could not make this
great Increase besides 't is notorious K. Henry the Eighth either sold or gave away a great Part of the Church-Lands From all which it must follow by undeniable Consequence that the fore-mention'd Acts of Resumption did restore the Crown-Revenue consisting in Rents and Farms to the State and Condition wherein it was in the beginning of King Charles the Second's Reign And Lastly For their Satisfaction who pretend Resumptions are against the Fundamentals of our English Law we shall produce the Opinion of a Venerable and Learned Lawyer in this Point 't is taken out of a Book written by Sir John Fortescue Chief Justice of the Common-Pleas in the Reign of Henry the Sixth The Manuscript is in the Bodleian Library at Oxford 't is intituled Sir John Fortescue's Treatise De Dominio Regali and De Dominio Regali Politico But let the Author himself speak with his Old English Heart as well as in his Old English Words CHAP. XI Hereafter ys schewyd what of the Kyng's Lyvelood geven away may best be takyn ageyne Bib. Bodl. Digh. 145 The Kyng our Souveraign Lord had by times sethen he Reyned upon us Lyvelood in Lordshipps Londs Tenements and Rents nere hand to the Value of the 5th Part of his Realme above the Possessions of the Chirche by whiche Lyvelood if it had abydyn still in his Hands he had been more mighty of good Revenues than any of the sayd Two Kyngs sc the Kyng of France or the Sowdan of Babylon or any Kyng that now reyneth upon Cristen Men. But this was not possible to have done for to sum parte thereof the Heyres of them that sum time owyd it be restored sum by reason of Taylys sum by reason of other Tytles which the Kyng hath considered and thought them good and reasonable And sum of the same Lyvelood hys good Grace hath gyven to such as hath servyd him so notably that as their Renown will be eternal so it befetteth the Kyngs Magnificence to make their Rewards everlasting in their Heyres to his Honour and their perpetual Memory And also the Kyng hath gyven parte of Lyvelood to his most honourable Brethren which not onley have servid hym in the manner aforesaid but byn also so nygh in Blode to his Highnesse that it befet not his Magnificence to have done otherwise Neverthelesse some Men have done hym Service for which it is reasonable that his Grace had rewardyd them and for lack of Money the Kyng than rewarded them with Lond And to sum Men he hath done yn likewise above their Demerits thorow Importunite of their Sewtes And yt is supposyd that to some of them is gyven a C l. worth Lond yerely that would have hould him content with CC l. in Money if they might have had it in hande wherefore yt is thought yf such Giftes and namely those which have byn made inconsyderately or above the Merits of then that have them ware reformyd and they rewardyd with Money or Offices or somewhat Lyvelood for terme of Life which after their Deths wold then return to the Crown the Kyng schuld have such Lyvelood as we now seke for sufficient for the Maintenance of his Estate And yf yt would not then be so grete I hold yt for undoubtyd that the People of this Lond wol be wyllyng to graunte hym a Snbsidye upon such Commodities of his Realm as be before specifyd as schal accomplish that which schal lack him of such Lyvelood So that his Highnesse wol wel establish the same Lyvelood then remaynyng to abide perpetually to his Crown without translatyng therof to any other Use For when that schal happyn hereafter to be given hytte schal nede that his Commons be chargyd with a newe Subsidye and be alwaye kepte in Povertie Hereafter ys schewyd why yt needeth that there be a Resumption We found by grete Causys yt was nedefull that all such Gyftes as have ben made of the Kynges Lyvelood inconsyderately as not deservyd or above the Merites of them that hath getyn them were reformyd so that they which have done Service be not over rewardyd which thyng as me thynketh may not perfitly be done without a general Resumption made by Act of Parlement And that ther be gevyn the Kynge by the Auctorite of the same Parlement a grete Subsidye with which his Highness with the Advice of his Counceil may reward those that have deservyd rewards and ought not therefore to have parte of his Revenues by which his Estate must nedes be mainteyned or ought not to have so much of the Revenues as they have now or not so grete Estate in the same Consyderyng that all such geving away of the Kynges Lyvelood is harmfull to all his Leige Men which schal therbye as is before schewyd be artyd to a new Charge for the Sustentation of his Estate But yet or any such Resumption be made yt schal be good that an honorable and notable Counceil be establyshyd by the advyse of which all new Gyftes and Rewards may be moderyd and made as yf no such Gyftes or Rewards had ben made before this time Provyded alway that no Man be harmyd by reason of such Resumption in the Arrearages oâ— such Lyvelood as he schal then have which schold ron after the Resumption and before the sayd new Gyftes and Rewards And when such a Counceil is fully create and establyshyd hyt schal be good that all Supplications which schal be made to the Kynge for any Gyfte or Reward be sent to the same Counceil and ther debatyd and delibered First whither the Suppliant have deservyd such Reward as he askyth and yf he have deservyd yt yet yt nedeth that yt be delibered whether the Kynge may gyve such Rewards as he asketh of his Revenues savyng to hymself sufficient for the Sustenaunce of his Estate or else such gevyng war no Vertue but rather a Spice of Prodigality and as for so much it war delapidation of his Crown Wherfor no private Person wol by reason of liberalite or of reward so abate his own Lyvelood as he may not kepe such Estate as he did before And truly it war better that a private Person lackyd his Reward which he hath wel deservyd than that by his Reward the good Publicke and also the Lond were hurt Wherfor to eschewe these two Harmes hyt may than be advysyd by the Counceil how such a person may be rewardyd with Office Money Marriage Fraunchise Privilege or such other thyng of which the Crown hath grete Rychesse and veryly if thys Order be kepte the Kynge schal not be be grevyd by importunyte of Sewters nor they schal by importunyte or brocage optain any unreasonable desires O what myghty quiet schal growe to the Kynge by this Order and in what rest schal al hys People lyve havyng no Colour of grutchyng with such as schal be about hys Person As they were wont to have for the gyvyng away of his Londs and for miscounceiling hym in many other Causis nor of
and seid they were too horrible to speke more of theym and seid openly to the Kyng and all the Lordes that all the Articles comprehended in the seid Bille touchyng the Kyngs high Persone and thastate of his Royalme he trusteth to God he hath answered hem sufficiently for he hath denyed the Dayes the Yeres the Places and the Commumications hadd which were never thought nor wrought seying utterly they benâ—fals and untrue and in manner impossible for he seid soo grete thyngs coud not be done nor brought aboute by hymself alone onlesse that other Persones had doon her partie and be privy therto as well as he and he toke his Soule to perpetuel Damnation yf ever he knew more of thoo Maters than the Childe in the Moders Wombe And soo he not departyng from his seid Answers and Declaration submytted hym hooly to the Kynges Rule and Governance to doo with hym as hym list wheruppon the seid Chaunceller by the Kynges Commaundement seid unto hym ageyne in this Fourme Sire y conceyve you that ye not departyng from youre Answers and Declarations in the Matters aforeseyd not puttyng you uppon youre Parage submitte you hooly to the Kynges Rule and Governaunce Wherfore the Kynge commandeth me to sey you that as touchyng the grete and horrible thynges in the seid first Bille comprised the Kyng holdeth you nether declared nor charged And as touchyng the second Bille putte ayenst you touchyng Misprysions which be not Crymynal the Kynge by force of youre Submission by his owne Advyse and not reporting hym to thadvyse of his Lordes nor by wey of Judgment for he is not in place of Judgment putteth you to his Rule and Governaunce That is to say that ye before the first day of May next comyng shall absent your self out of his Reame of Englond And also from the seid first Day of May unto the end of five Yeres next following and fully complete ye shall absteyne to abyde in the Reame of Fraunce or in eny other Lordshippes or Places beyng under his Obeysaunce whersoever they be And that ye shull not shewe nor wayte nor no Man for you as far forth as ye may lette it no malice evil will harme ne hurte to eny Persone of what degree he be of or to eny of the Commons of this Parlement in noe manner of wyse for eny thing doon to you in this seid Parlement or elles where And forthwith the Viscount Beamount on the behalf of the seid Lordes both Spirituels and Temporelx and by their Advyse Assent and Desire recited seid and declared to the Kyngs Highnesse that this that was so decreed and doon by his Excellence concernyng the persone of the seid Duke proceded not by they re Advyse and Counseil but was doon by the Kyngs own demeanaunce and rule wherfore they besought the Kynge that this their seiyng myght be enacted in the Parlement Rolle for theyr more declaration hereafter with this Protestation that it should not be nor tourn in prejudice nor derogation of theym theyr Heyres ne of theyr Successors in tyme comyng but they may have and enjoy they re Lybertee and Freedome in case of theyr Parage hereafter as freely and as largely as ever they or eny of they re Auncesters or Pedecessours had and enjoyed before this tyme. Thus William de la Pool Duke of Suffolk the Kings Favourite and the Queens Minion was impeach'd by the Commons and banish'd by the Regal Authority Graft Chron. p. 609. Grafton speaking of him says He was notorious for enrychyng Hymself with the Kynges Goods and Lands gathering together and making a Monopoly of Offices Fees Wards and Ferms by reason whereof the Kynges Estate was greatly mynished and decayed and he and his Kin highly exalted and enriched Ibid. p. 610. Besides the same Author says He had dipp'd his hands in Blood having been a chief Instrument in contriving the Murther of Humphry Duke of Gloster But Sanguinary Men seldom escape unpunish'd for this Duke of Suffolk had his own Head struck off upon the side of a Cock-boat by a Servant belonging to the Duke of Exeter Cot. Post p. 280. In his Speech to the House of Commons Sir Robert Cotton cites an Old Author who gives an admirable Description of those times He says I will tell you what I found since this Assembly at Oxford written by a Reverend Man twice Vice Chancellor of this Place his Name was Gascoin a Man that saw the Tragedy of De la Pool He tells you that the Revenues of the Crown were so rent away by ill Council that the King was enforced to live deTallagiis Populi That the King was grown in debt quinque centena millia librarum That his great Favourite in treating of a foreign Marriage had lost his Master a foreign Duchy That to work his Ends he had caus'd the King to adjourn his Parliament In villis remotis partibus Regni where few People propter defectum hospitii victualium could attend and by shifting that Assembly from place to place to inforce I will use the Authors Words illos paucos qui remanebant de Communitate Regni concedere Regi quamvis pessima When the Parliament endeavour'd by an Act of Resumption the just and frequent way to repair the languishing State of the Crown for all from Hen. 3. but one till the 6 of Hen. 8. have used it this great Man told the King it was Ad dedecus Regis and forced him from it To which the Commons answer'd although Vexati laboribus Expensis quod nunquam concederent Taxam Regi until by Authority of Parliament Resumeret actualiter omnia pertinentia Coronae Angliae And that it was Magis ad dedecus Regis to leave so many poor men in intolerable want to whom the King stood then indebted Yet could not all good Council work until by Parliament that bad Great Man was banish'd which was no sooner done but an Act of Resumption followed the Inrollment of the Act of his Exilement Sir Robert Cotton that learned Antiqary is so intirely in the Right in this Assertion that whoever looks over the Records will find that there is not so much as a line interposed between the Proceedings against the Duke of Suffolk and the Act of Resumption so quickly they followed one another Which ought to be a perpetual Notice and Lesson to Posterity that when the People of England desire an Act of Resumption the Work must begin with Impeaching Corrupt Ministers We have hitherto produc'd Impeachments of elder Times which perhaps the Persons concern'd in point of Interest will call old musty Records We shall therefore now proceed to show some Presidents of a later date As our Ancestors held it a Crime for Men to procure to themselves Offices above their Capacity and Gifts and Grants from the Crown beyond their Deserts so in this latter Age the House of Commons have thought the like Proceedings not for the King's Honour and dangerous to the Publick 2
the Navy with those Sums which ought to have to come to their hands and to be accompted for to his Majesty and such a Confusion and Mixture hath been made between the Kings Estates and the Dukes as cannot be cleared by the legal Entries and Records which ought to be truly and faithfully made and kept both for the safety of his Majesty's Treasure and for the indempnity of his Officers and Subjects whom it doth concern And also in the Sixteenth Year of the said King and in the Twentieth Year of the said King he did procure to himself several Releases from the said King of divers great Summs of â—â—ney of the said King by him privately received and which he procur'd that he might detain the same for the support of his Places Honours and Dignities And these things and divers others of the like kind as appeareth in the Schedule annexed hath he done to the exceeding diminution of the Revenue of the Crown and in deceit both of our Soveraign Lord the King that now is and of the late King James of famous Memory and to the detriment of the whole Kingdom The Duke escaped this Storm by the sudden Dissolution which was chiefly to save him however in the next Parliament 4 Car. 1. he was again attacked as freshly as before which again he had Interest enough to get dissolv'd but had he liv'd to see another he must undoubtedly have sunk under the just Anger of the House of Commons For the People of England have never patiently born to see immoderate Wealth Power and Honours with variety of Great Offices conferr'd upon any single Person Hardly any Favourite had Nobler Qualities than this great Man He was Beautiful in his Person Magnificent in his Nature and not without either Heart or Understanding Many People had tasted of his Private Liberalities He would hunt out for Persons of Merit and bring 'em from their most secret Retirements into Business He was rough only to his Enemies but most earnest and ready to oblige his Friends He would often get for others what he might conveniently have kept for himself He governed not only his Domestick Affairs but his Transactions in the State by the Advice of a select number of Friends all able Men but not engaged in Publick Matters whom he retain'd in his Service by Pensions out of his own Purse And yet thus qualify'd as he was it was not thought reasonable in Parliament that so high Honours so much Wealth and Power and such a multiplicity of Employments should be conferr'd upon so young a Man If such a one could not stand before the People much less will they in any future Reign bear to see Men with the like Wealth pour'd upon 'em and in the like Station of Power and Favour who have none of his Qualifications who are contemptible in their Figures who make no Expence but what tends to their private Luxury of whose Bounty no one ever tasted who bar the Court Gates to any Merit who never did any kind Office who make a sale of all Employments who creep to their Enemies and slight their Friends who never did good but for themselves or to here and there an humble Flatterer and who never in their Transactions for the State govern themselves by the Advice of grave Friends but act all things upon their own giddy Heads ever drown'd in Wine or heated by Debauches Journal of the House of Commons But to return to our present Matter Martis die 24 Nov. 1640. There were Reported eight Articles in maintenance of the Commons Accusation against the Earl of Strafford which were agreed upon the day following and of which the III d Article is That the better to inrich and enable himself to go through with his Traiterous Designs he hath detained a great Part of his Majesty's Revenue without giving Legal Account and hath taken great Summs out of the Exchequer converting them to his own use when his Majesty wanted Money for his own Urgent Occasions and his Army had been a long time unpaid In the Heads of the Accusation against the Earl of Clarendon reported by Sir Thomas Littleâ—on Wednesday 6 Nov. 1667. one of the Articles was Journal of the House of Commons Art 8. That he hath-in a short time gained to himself a greater Estate than can be imagined to be gained lawfully in so short a time and contrary to his Oath hath procured several Grants under the Great Seal from His Majejesty to himself and Relations of several of His Majesty's Lands Hereditaments and Leases to the Disprofit of his Majesty We all know the Impeachment against that Noble Earl was rather a Court-Design than carried on by good Patriots The Zeal he had shown for the Laws of his Country had stirr'd him up some Enemies And because he would not make a Difference between the King and Duke of York he chose to retire which Retirement was follow'd by an Act to banish him But had he he staid and stood his Trial no doubt he had justified himself in this and in the other Articles For upon Enquiry the Writer of these Papers is inform'd that he had not procured any Grant of the Crown Demeasnes And as to Clarendon Park now in the Family and which was Crown-Land that he bought it at the full Value of the Old Duke of Albemarl who had begg'd it of the King But if he had received any Gift of Forefeited Estates or in Money his long services and sufferings and his having been a Companion in his Master's Exile might very well deserve any such sort of Bounty Journal of the House of Commons Jovis 15 die Jan. 1673. Articles of Treasonable and other Crimes of high Misdemeanor against the Earl of Arlington Principal Secretary of State being open'd were presented to the House and read The Articles containing matter of Treason were seven It was further open'd That the said Earl had been guilty of many undue practices to promote his own Greatness and had embezzel'd and wasted the Treasure of his Nation Art 1. By procuring vast and Exorbitant Grants for himself both in England and Ireland breaking into the Settlement of that Kingdom and dispossessing several English Adventurers and Soldiers of their Properties and Freeholds in which they were duly and legally stated without any Colour of Reason or suggestion of Right Art 2. By charging excessive and almost incredible Sums for false and deceitful Intelligence Art 3. By procuring His Majesties Hand for the giving away between his first Entrance into his Office the Value of Three Millions of Sterling Money at the least the several Grants whereof are extent countersigned by him and by him only Martis 20 die Jan. 1673. The House resumed the adjourn'd Debate concerning the Lord Arlington The Question being put That an Address be presented to His Majesty to remove the Earl of Arlington from all his Employments that are held during His Majesty's Pleasure and from His Majesty's Presence and Council
per se non adquesierit sed civium suorum sanguine laboribus periculis non alienum videtur regulam juris Civilis sequi ut quod communibus multorum laboribus quaesitum est non nisi communi eorum Consilio consensu alienari possit The Romans were so strict in this Point that to intercept any Spoils gotten in War was accounted robbing the Publick Modestinus the Lawyer says Is qui Praedam ab Hostibus surripuit Peculatus Lex penult digest ad leg Jul. Peculat tenetur Gellius takes notice that Cato in an Oration he spoke concerning Spoils complain'd in vehement Words Gellius Lib. 11. Cap. 13. That poor Thieves were manacled in Fetters but that the Publick Robbers shin'd in Gold and rich Attire Fures Privatorum Furtorum in nervo atque compedibus aetatem agunt Fures Publici in Auro atque Purpura Indeed if a Prince makes the War at his own single Charge Lib. 1. Cap. 3. Num. 11. as Grotius observes in another Place Fieri potuit ut Rex ex sua privata substantia Exercitum aluerit In such a Case he alone will have a Right to the Conquer'd Country And this is so true that if William the Norman had been able by his own Strength and at his particular Expences to have made the Conquest of England according to the Law of Nations he must have had this Kingdom in Patrimonio with as absolute Dominion in it as the Eastern Princes can pretend to But the Case being quite otherwise and he not able to bear the whole Charge he took to his assistance several Barons of his own Dukedom and some great Men of other Countries who were joined with him in the Adventure to whom as the Recompence of their Service he first promis'd and afterwards made sundry Concessions and granted many Priviledges But still with all this assistance he could not quite subdue the Natives with whom he was compell'd to make Compacts from which Concessions and Compacts it comes that we continue still to be a free People notwithstanding this pretended Conquest In the same manner if Henry the 2d had Conquer'd Ireland with only the Revenues of the Crown without any Aids from his People that Kingdom had been his own Plenâ— Jure as the Civilians call it and he might have disposed of it at his own Will and Pleasure For as Aristotle says Lex est veluti pactum quoddam commune quo Bello capta capientium â—iunt Nor is it a thing at all strange for a Prince to hold different Kingdoms by different Titles and to Govern 'em by different Methods in one he may be absolute according to the Antient Constitution of the Country in another his Power may be circumscribed and limited by Law One Kingdom he may hold by Election and another by the Right of Succession He may have a Kingdom of his own Acquisition which shall be as it were his * De Jure inter Gentes P. 1. Sect. 3. R. Z. own private Patrimony A Principibus aliquando Regna vel Territoria pleno Jure habentur ita Strabo tradit Cytheram Insulam Toenaro objacentem fuisse Euriclis Lacedaemoniorum Principis privato ipsius Jure And the same Right would Henry the 2d have had in Ireland if he had made the Acquisition by his own Sword and Bow and by Troops paid out of his own Purse but because the Kingdom was conquer'd at the general Expence of England the Commonwealth here has always took it self to have an Interest to bind that Kingdom by Laws to inquire into the Administration of it as Parliaments have several times done and to extend the Acts of Resumption as well to Ireland as to England constantly believing that Island to have been an Acquisition to the Crown not of any King 's own Making but purchas'd with the Labour and Blood and at the common Expence of this Nation which in several Expeditions and Wars to quiet 52 Rebellions has expended five times more Treasure than the Fee Simple of all Ireland is worth The Writer of these Papers is not at all afraid or asham'd to offer at Accompts tho' a certain Person did please to say but without any Proof then or afterwards that in one Computation we were mistaken twenty Millions An Account of the Expences for the Reduction of Ireland  ll s. d. ISsu'd from the Exchequer and wholly apply'd to the Irish Service to Jan. 25. 1694 5. 3,388,672 5 3¼ Arrears due to the Irish Army to March 31 1692 about 190,000 00 0 To the Irish Transports about 350,000 00 0 For the Service of the Ordinance on Account of the Train that attended the Irish Army computed at about 80,000 ll per Ann. for two Years and a half 200,000 00 0 Carry over 4,128,672 05 3  ll s. d. Brought over 4,128,672 05 3 Besides which there was received by us of the Irish Revenue 177,020 15 5 By Poundage and Days Pay and Profits by Guinea's about 70,000 00 0 By Quarters in Ireland about 140,000 00 0 So that the Reduction of the Irish stood both Nations in about 4,515,693 00 8¾ The Peoples Right to the Forfeited Estates in Ireland to dispose of 'em in Parliament either for the Service of the current Year instead of a Land-Tax or to make 'em a Fond towards paying off the Deficiencies is grounded upon this Sum of Four Millions which has been levyed in England and expended upon that War Where the Honour of the Prince and the Honour or Interest of the Nation are concern'd against a Foreign Enemy most certainly we are to give necessary Aids and Subsidies without prospect of reaping any other Fruit from our Expences than Fame and Safety but when England has to do with its own Subjects and that they can be brought to pay part of the Reckoning it would be very hard if all this should be intercepted from the Publick and that we should waste our Blood and Treasure only to enrich a few private Persons From the time of Henry the 2d Ireland has almost constantly been made to contribute something towards its Conquest or Reduction In the very beginning Vide Dr. Hâ—mmer Fol. 136. viz. Anno 1170 part of its Lands were given to the Adventurers Robert Fitz Stephen and Maurice Fitz Gerald David Barry Hervy de Monte Marisco William Nott Maurice de Prendregast Meyler Richard Strongbowe Earl of Chepstow and others And Anno 1172. another Adventure was set a-foot and a new Partition of Lands was made and King Hen. 2d stands himself in the Front of the Adventurers with Hugo de Lacy William Fitz Adelm Humphrey de Bohun Sylvester Giraldus Cambrensis who was Tutor to the young King Vide Rogerus Hovidon John and others In the distribution of these Lands the Service of so many Knights was reserv'd to the King in the Grant of each Estate Hugo de Lacy Lord Lieutenant sold several Estates there which Sales Philip of Worcester his Successor revoked Nec