to behave themselves in that Port Gravity and Authority as if they were so in the Kings House that so hereafter they may know the better to behave themselves in case they should be promoted to that Honour for these Gentlemen are usually of such quality as come not hither with intent to profess the Law but to learn so much Law as may be necessary to preserve their Estates and to make themselves accomplisht in other qualities necessary for Gentlemen At such time they have here divers divertisements as Feasting every day singing dancing Musick which last is allowed there to all Comers and is so excessive that what the Dicers allow out of each winning to the Butlers box usually amounts to above 50 l. a day and night wherewith and a small contribution from each Student are the great charges of the whole Christmas defrayed Sometimes when their publick Treasury is great they create a Prince among themselves with such Title as they please to give him and he hath all his Officers and a Court sutable to a great Prince and many of the prime Nobility and great Officers of State are feasted and entertained by him with Enterludes c. From All Saints day to Candlemas each House usually hath Revels on Holy-dayes that is Musick and Dancing and for this is chosen some young Student to be Master of the Revels Note that the manner of their Parlament is briefly thus Every Quarter commonly the Benchers cause one of the standing Officers of the House to summon a Parlament which is onely an Assembly and Conference of Benchers and Utter-Baristers which are called the Sage Company and meet in a place called the Parlament Chamber and there Treat of such matters as shall seem expedient for the good ordering of the House and the Reformation of such things as they shall judge meet to be Reformed Here are the Readers for Lent and Summer vacation elected also the Treasurer is here chosen and the Auditors appointed to take the Accounts of the old Treasurer c. Here offences committed by any of the Society are punished c. These Innes of Court are most wisely situated by our Ancestors between the Kings Courts of Judicature and the most opulent City of London In the Four Innes of Court are reckoned about 800 Students Lastly there are two more Colledges called Sergeants Inne where the Common-Law Student when he is arrived to the highest degree hath his Lodging and Dyet These are called Servientes ad Legem Sergeants at Law and are as Doctors in the Civil Law only these have heretofore been reputed more Noble and Honourable Doctoris enim appellatio est Magisterii Servientis vero Ministerii and therefore Doctors of Law are allowed to sit within the Bar in Chairs and covered whilst Sergeants stand without the Bar bareheaded only with Coiffs or Caps on To arrive to this high Degree take this brief account The young Student in the Common Law being born of a Gentile Stock and bred two or three years in the University and there chiefly versed in Logick and Rhetorick both expedient for a Lawyer and gotten some insight into the Civil Law and some skill in the French Tongue as well as Latin he is admitted to be one of the Four Innes of Court where he is first called a Moot man and after about Seven years study is chosen an Utter Barister and having then spent Twelve years more and performed the Exercises before mentioned he is chosen a Bencher and some time after a Reader during the Reading which heretofore was Three weeks and Three days the Reader keeps a constant and sumptuous Feasting inviting the chief Nobles Judges Bishops great Officers of the Kingdom and sometimes the King himself as that most accomplished Lawyer the present Atturney General did that it costs them sometimes 800 or 1000 l. Afterward he wears a long Robe different from other Baristers and is then in a capacity to be made a Sergeant at Law when His Majesty shall please to call him which is in this manner When the number of Sergeants is small the Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas by the advice and consent of the other Judges make choice of Six or Eight more or less of the most Grave and Learned of the Innes of Court and presents their Names to the Lord Chancellor or Lord Keeper who sends by the Kings Writ to each of them to appear on such a day before the King to receive the State and Degree of Sergeant at Law at the appointed time they being habited in Robes of two colours viz. Brown and Blew come accompanyed with the Students of the Innes of Court and attended by a train of Servants and Retainers in certain peculiar cloth Liveries to Westminster-Hall there in publick take a solemn Oath and are clothed with certain Robes and Coyfs without which they may no more be seen in publick after this they feast the great persons of the Nation in a very magnificent and Princely manner give Gold Rings to the Princes of the Blood Archbishops Chancellor and Treasurer to the value of Forty shillings each Ring to Earles Bishops Rings of Twenty shillings to other great Officers to Barons great Prelates c. Rings of less value Out of these are chosen all the Judges of the Kings Bench and Common Pleas wherefore all those Judges do alwayes wear the white Linnen Coyfe which is the Principal Badge of a Sergeant and which he had ever the Priviledge to wear at all times even in the Kings presence and whilst he spake to the King though antiently it was not permitted to any Subject to be so much as capped in the Presence of the King of England as at present it is not allowed in the presence of the Pope or of the Emperour When any of the aforementioned Judges are wanting the King by advice of His Council makes choice of one of these Sergeants at Law to supply his place and constitutes him by Letters Patents Sealed by the Chancellor who sitting in the middle of the rest of the Judges in open Court by a set Speech declares to the Sergeant that upon this occasion is brought in the Kings pleasure and to the people the Kings goodness in providing the Bench with such able honest men as that Justice may be done expeditely and impartially to all His Subjects and then causes the said Letters Patents to be read and being departed the Chief Justice places the said Sergeant on the Bench junior of all the rest and having taken his Oath well and truly to serve the King and His people in the Office of Justice to take no reward to do equal and speedy Justice to all c. he sits himself to the Execution of his Charge The Sergeant being thus advanced to be a Judge hath thereby great Honour and a very considerable Salary besides certain perquisits for each one hath at least One thousand pound a year from the King and now in some things his former habit
of Venice and as it doth the Senators of Rome at this day c. The time of sitting in Parliament is on any day in the morning or afore dinner onely it hath antienly been observed not to assemble upon some high Festival days but upon ordinary Sundays oft-times as days accounted by all Christians less solemn then divers other Festivals which are celebrated but once a year When the day prefixt by the King in his Writs of Summons is come the King usually cometh in person with his Crown on his Head and clothed with his Royal Robes declares the cause of the Summons in a short Harangue leaving the rest to the Lord Keeper who then stands behind His Majesty the Commons in the mean time standing bare at the Barr of the Lords House are afterwards in the Kings name commanded to choose them a Speaker which without the Kings Command they may not do whereupon they returning to their own House make choice of one of their own Members whom afterwards upon another day they present to the King and being approved of by His Majesty sitting in his Chair and all His Lords both Spiritual and Temporal in their Robes of Scarlet he makes a modest refusal which not allowed he petitioneth His Majesty that the Commons may have during their sitting First a free Access to his Majesty Secondly Freedom of Speech within their own House Thirdly Freedom from Arrests Before any affair be medled with all the Members of the House of Commons take the Oath of Allegiance and Supremacy in the presence of an Officer appointed by the King By that old Manuscript called Modus tenendi Parliamentum it doth appear that the House of Commons did antiently as the House of Lords at this day consist of Clergy-men as well as Lay-men there sate the Procuratores Cleri two for each Diocess representing all the Clergy-Commons of the Diocess as the Knights of the Shire doth all the Lay-Commons of the Shire for it was then judged expedient that every Freeman of England as well Clergy as Laity should in passing of all Laws touching propiety whereunto they were to be subject give their consent personally or immediately by themselves or else by some that by their Election should mediately undertake for them and the words of the Writ for summoning the Procuratores Cleri as aforesaid seem to warrant the same at this day The Power and Priviledges of both Houses of Parliament are divers and distinct one from an other The Lords House hath a power not onely in making and repealing Laws but also in tractando consilium impendendo as the words of the Writ are also in judging of Controversies judging in the arraignment of any Peer of the Realm putting men to their Oaths especially in matters of importance as the Corruption of Judges and Magistrates in Errours Illegal proceedings in other Courts in Appeals from Decrees in Chancery c. The Lords that in their Religion conform not to the Church of England may yet sit and have Suffrage in the Lords House All the Lords Spiritual and Temporal have this Priviledge That if by reason of Sickness or other business they cannot appear they may make Proxies to vote in their stead after Licence obtained by a Letter under the Kings Signet to be excused for their absence so that in every Parliament every person in England either by himself Proxy or Representative is said to be there and to have his Suffrage for making or repealing any Law The Commons have also a power in making and repealing Laws they also have their Negative Voyce for Levying of any money upon the Subject the Bill is to begin in the Commons House because from them doth arise the greater part of Moneys The Commons have the Priviledge to supplicate and propose Laws to impeach publick Delinquents even the highest Lords of the Kingdom both Spiritual and Temporal The House of Commons is the Grand Inquest of the Realm summoned from all parts to present publick grievances and Delinquents to the King and Lords to be redressed and punished by them and to this purpose the Lords sit in their Robes on the Bench covered as Judges do in other Judicatories they swear and examine Witnesses and at length pass sentence whilst the Members of the Commons House stand bare at the Bar of the Lords House produce Witnesses mannage evidence c. Note that although every Member of the Commons House is chosen to serve for one particular County City or Burrough yet he serves for the whole Kingdom and his voyce equal to any other his power absolute to consent or dissent without ever acquainting those that sent him or demanding their assent as the States General of the United Neatherlands are obliged to do in many Cases Yet are they to make that their special care to promote the Good of that County City or Borough for which they serve Although the Lords of Parliament are to bear their own charges because they represent there only themselves yet all the Commons both Lay and Clergy that is the Procuratores Cleri are to have rationabiles Expensas as the words of the Writ are that is such allowance as the King considering the Prices of all things shall judge meet to impose upon the people to pay In the 17 Edward 2. it was 10 groats for Knights and 5 groats for Burgesses but not long after it was 4 s. a day for dubbed Knights and 2 s. for all others which in those days as appears by the prices of all things was a considerable sum above 20 times more than it is now for not onely their expences were considered though that was great by reason of the sutable attendance that then every Parliament man had but also their pains their loss of time and necessary neglect of their own private affairs for the service of their Country and when the Countries Cities and Burroughs paid so dear for their expences they were wont to take care to choose such men as were best able and most diligent in the speedy dispatch of affaires by which means with some other more business in those times was dispatched in Parliament in a week then is now perhaps in ten so that the Protections for Parliament men and their Servant from Arrests were not then grievous when scarce any Parliament or Session lasted so long as one whole Term. In the Raign of Edward 3. the Parliaments sometimes sate but eight days and sometimes less as may be seen in the Records of the Tower and yet transacted several and weighty affairs of the Nation many things being prepared before hand as some think by the King and his privy Council as they are at present in Sweden and that commonly they then debated onely upon such things as the King did propose which is now done by the Convocation of the Clergy of England The afore-mentioned expences being duly paid did cause all the petty decayed Burroughs of England to become humble Suitors to the King
Commons is a little above 500 persons whereof commonly near 200 are absent upon business or sickness c. Note that the Barons of the Cinque Ports are at this day onely as other Burgesses in Parliament but are still called Barons after the antient manner because heretofore they got great renown by their exploits at Sea in defending the Kingdom in memory whereof they have yet the Priviledge to send Burgesses to bear the Cloth of State over the Kings Head on the day of his Coronation and to dine that day in the Kings Presence A List of all the Knights Citizens Burgesses and Barons of the Cinque Ports that at present serve in the Parliament of England Bedford SIR Humphry Winch Bar. Sir John Nappier Bar. Town of Bedford Pawlet St. John Esq Sir William Beecher Kt. Berks. Richard Nevil Esq Sir Richard Powle Kt of the Bath Burough of New Windsor Sir Richard Braham Kt. Sir Thomas Higgons Kt. Borough of Reading Sir Thomas Doleman Kt. Richard Aldworth Esq Burough of Wallingford Sir John Benet Knight of the Bath Robert Packer Esq Borough of Abingdon Sir George Stonehouse Bar. Bucks Sir William Bowyer Kt. and Bar. Sir William Terringham Kt. of the Bath Town of Bucks Sir Richard Temple Bar. Sir William Smith Bar. Borough of Chipping Wiccomb Sir Edmond Pye Kt. and Bar. Sir John Burlace Bar. Borough of Aylesbury Sir Richard Ingoldsby Knight of the Bath Sir Thomas Lee Bar. Borough of Agmondesham Sir Will. Drake Kt. Sir Thomas Proby Bar. Borough of Wendever Richard Hampden Esq Robert Crooke Esq Borough of great Marlowe Peregrine Hobby Esq Charles Cheyney Esq Cambridge Sir Thomas Chicheley Kt. Sir Thomas Wendy Knight of the Bath Vniversity of Cambridge Thomas Crouch Master of Arts Sir Charles Wheeler Bar. Town of Cambridge William Lord Allington Roger Pepis Esq Chester Sir Foulke Lucy Knight Thomas Cholmly Esq City of Chester Sir Thomas Smith Bar. John Radcliff Esq Cornwall Sir Jonath Trelawny Kt. Sir John Corryton Bar. Borough of Dunhivid alias Launceston Sir Richard Edgecombe Knight of the Bath Sir Charles Harbord Knight His Majesties Surveyor General Borough of Leskeard John Harris Esq Barnard Greenvile Esq Borough of Lestwithiel Charles Smith Esq Silas Titus Esq Borough of Truroe John Arundel Esq Edward Boscawen Borough of Bodmin Sir John Carew Bar. Hender Roberts Esq Borough of Helston Sir William Godolphin Bar. Sidney Godolphin Esq Borough of Saltashe Francis Buller Junior Esq John Buller Esq Borough of Camelford Thomas Coventry Esq Sir Will. Godolphin Kt. Borough of Port-Pigham alias Westlow Sir Henry Vernon Bar. John Trelawny Esq Borough of Grampound Charles Trevanion Esq John Tanner Esq Borough of Estlow Henry Seymour Esq Sir Robort Atkins Kt. of the Bath Borough of Penryn William Pendarvis Esq John Birch Esq Borough of Tregony Hugh Boscawen Esq Thomas Herle Esq Borough of Bossiny Robert Roberts Esq Richard Rous Esq Borough of St. Ives James Praed Esq Edward Nosworthy Esq Borough of Fowey Jonathan Rashley Esq John Rashly Gent. Borough of St. Germains John Elliot Esq Edward Elliot Esquire Borough of St. Michael Matthew Wren Esq Francis Ld Hawley Borough of Newport John Speccot Esq Nicolas Morice Borough of St. Mawes Arthur Spry Esq Sir Joseph Tredinham Borough of Kellington Sir Cyril Wych Kt. Sam. Roll Esq Cumberland Sir George Fletcher Bar. Sir John Lowther Bar. City of Carlile Sir Philip Howard Kt. Christopher Musgrave Esq Borough of Cockermouth Sir Wilfrid Lawson Kt. John Clark Esq Derby William Lord Cavendish Sacheveril Esq Town of Derby John Dalton Esq Anchetel Grey Esq Devon Sir John Roll Knight of the Bath Sir Copplestone Bamfield Kt. City of Exeter Sir James Smith Kt. Robert Walker Esq Borough of Totnes Sir Edward Seymour Bar. Sir Thomas Clifford Kt. Borough of Plymouth Sir William Morice Kt. Sir Gilbert Talbot Kt. Town and Borough of Okehampton Sir Edward Wise Knight of the Bath John Harris Esq Borough of Barnstable Sir John Norcot Bar. Nicholas Dennis Esq Borough of Plympton Sir William Stroude Kt. Sir Nicholas Slanning Kt. and Bar. Borough of Honiton Sir Courtney Poole Bar. Peter Prideaux Esq Borough of Tavistok George Howard Esq William Russel Esq Borough of Ashburton Sir Geo. Sonds Kt. of the Bath John Fowel Esq Borough of Clifton Dartmouth Hardnes William Harbord Esq William Gould Esq Borough of Beeralston Sir John Maynard Kt. the Kings Sergeant at Law Joseph Maynard Esq Borough of Tiverton Thomas Carew Esq Henry Ford Esq Dorset Giles Strangeways Esq Sir John Strode Kt. Town of Poole Sir John Moreton Bar. Thomas Trenchard Esq Borough of Dorchester James Gould Esq John Churchill Esq Borough of Kings Lime Sir John Shaw Kt. and Bar. Henry Henly Esq Borough of Weymouth Sir John Covenrry Kt. of the Bath Sir Winston Churchill Kt. Borough of Kings-mellcombe Bullen Reymes Esq Anthony Ashley Esq Borough of Bridport Humphrey Bishop Esq John Strangewaise Esq Bor. of Shaston alias Shastbury Henry Whittacre Esq John Bennet Esq Borough of Wareham George Pit Esq Robert Culleford Esq Borough of Corfe Castle Sir Ralf Banks Kt. John Tregonwell Esq Essex Banestre Maynard Esq Sir John Bramstone Knight of the Bâ—rbâ— Borough of Colchester Sir Harbottle Grimstone Baronet Master of the Rolls Sir John Shaw Kt. Borough of Malden Sir John Tirril Kt. Sir Richard wiseman Kt. Borough of Harwich Thomas King Esq Sir Capel Luckin Gloucester John Grubham How Esq Sir Bainham Throgmorton Kt. City of Gloucester Sir Edward Massy Kt. Evan Seyes Serjeant at Law Borough of Cirencester Henry Fowle Esq John George Esq Borough of Tewksbury Sir Henry Capel Kt. of the Bath Richard Dowdswel Esq Hereford John Kerle Bar. Thomas Price Esq City of Hereford Roger Vaughan Esq Herbert Westphaling Esq Borough of Leompster Reynald Graham Esq Humphrey Cornwall esq Borough of Weobly John Barnaby Esq Sir Thomas Tompkins Kt Hertford Sir Richard Franklyn Knight and Baronet Will. Hale Esq Borough of St. Albans Sam. Grimston Esq Thomas Arris Doctor of Physick Borough of Hertford Sir Edward Turner Knight Speaker Thomas Lord Fanshaw Knight of the Bath Huntingdon Robert Vicount Mandeville Henry Williams Esq Borough of Huntingdon Sir John Cotton Bar. Lyonel Walden Esquire Kent Sir Thomas Peyton Bar. Sir John Tufton Kt. and Bar. City of Canterbury Thomas Hardâ—es Serj. at Law Sir Edward Masters Kt. City of Rochester Sir Francis Clerk Kt. Richard Heâ—d Esquire Borough of Maidstone Thomâ—s Heâ—lâ—ckenden Esquire Sir Robert Barneham Bar. Borough of Queenborough James Herbert Esquire Sir Edward Hales Bar. Lancaster Sir Roger Bradshaw Kt. Thomas Preston Esquire Borough of Lancaster Richard Kirkby Esquire Richard Harrison Esquire Borough or Town of Preston in Amounderness Edward Rigby Esquire John Otway Esquire Borough of Newton Richard Lord Gorges Richard Leigh Esq Borough of Wigon Charles Eâ—rl of Ancram Sir Jeofry â—hâ—kerley Kt. Borough of Clitheroe Sir John Heath Attorney of the Dutchy Ambrose Pudrey Esq Borough of Liverpoole Sir William Bucknell Kt. Sir Gilbert Ireland Kt. Leicester John Lord Roos George Faunt Esq Town of Leicester
England in some difficult cases were not wont to give Judgment until they had first consulted the King or his Privy Council Moreover the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament have oft-times transmitted matters of high moment to the King and his Privy Council as by long experience and wisdom better able to judge of and by secrecy and expedition better able to transact some State Affairs then all the Lords and Commons together At present the King and his Privy Council take Cognisance of few matters that may well be determined by the known Laws and ordinary Courts of Justice but onely as aforesaid consult for the Publick Good Honour Defence Safety and Benefit of the Realm not medling with matters that concern Freeholds but matters of Appeal and sudden Emergencies The Lords of the Privy Council are as it were a part of the King incorporate with him and his Cares bearing upon their Shoulders that great weight that otherwise would lye wholly upon His Majesty wherefore of such high value and esteem they have always been that if a man did but strike in the House of a Privy Counsellor or elsewhere in his presence he was grievously Fined for the same and to conspire the death of any of them was made Felony in any of the Kings servants within the Check Roll and to kill one of them was High Treason A Privy Councellor though but a Gentleman shall have precedence of all Knights Baronets and younger Sons of all Barons and Viscounts The Substance of their Oath is That they shall according to their power and discretion Truly Justly and Evenly Counsel and Advise the King in all matters to be Treated in His Majesties Council that they shall keep secret the Kings Counsel c. By Force of this Oath and the Custom of the Kingdom of England a Privy Counsellor is made without any Patent or Grant and to continue onely during the Life of the King that makes him nor so long unless the King pleaseth Heretofore there hath been usually a Lord President of the Kings Privy Council a Dignity of so high Repute that by a Statute of Henry the Eight he is to take place in publick next to the Lord High Treasurer of England His Office was to speak first to business to report to His Majesty the Passages and State of businesses transacted at Council Table The last Lord President was the Earl of Manchester Father of the present Lord Chamberlaine To his Privy Councellors the King of England may declare or conceal from them whatsoever he alone judgeth fit and expedient qua in re saith the Excellent Sir Tho. Smith absolutissimum est hoc Regnum Angliae prae Venetorum Ducatu aut Lacedaemoniorum Principatu The King with the advice of his Privy Council doth publish Proclamations binding to the Subject provided that they are not contrary to Statute or Common Law In cases where the publick peace honour or profit of the Kingdom may be endangered for want of speedy redress there the King with his Privy Council usually make use of an absolute power if need be The Members of this most Honorable Council are such as his own free Will and meer Motion shall please to choose and are commonly men of the highest rank eminent for Estates Wisdom Courage Integrity c. And because there are few cases of moment so temporal but that they may some way relate to spiritual affairs therefore according to the general Rules of Policy and Government which God himself ordained amongst his chosen people the Jews the Privy Council as well as the great Council of Parliament is composed of Spiritual as well as Temporal persons some of the principal Bishops of England have in all times been chosen by His Majesty to be of his Privy Council The Lords of His Majesties Privy Council are at present these that follow His Royal Highness the Duke of York His Highness Prince Rupert Gilbert Lord-Archbishop of Canterbury Sir Orlando Bridgman Knight and Baronet Lord Keeper of the Great Seal John Lord Roberts Lord Privy Seal George Duke of Buckingham Mr. of the Horse to His Majesty James Duke of Monmouth James Duke of Ormond Lord Great Steward of His Majesties Houshold Henry Marquis of Dorchester Henry Earl of Ogle Thomas Earl of Ossory Robert Earl of Lindsey Lord Great Chamberlain of England Edward Earl of Manchester Lord Chamberlain of His Majesties Houshold· Awbrey Earl of Oxford John Earl of Bridgwater Robert Earl of Leceister Henry Earl of S. Albans Edward Earl of Sandwich Arthur Earl of Anglesey John Earl of Bath Groom of the Stole to His Majesty Charles Earl of Carlisle William Earl of Craven John Earl of Rothes His Majesties Commissioner in Scotland John Earl of Lotherdale Secretary of State in Scotland John Earl of Tweedale John Earl of Middleton Richard Earl of Carbury Lord President of Wales Roger Earl of Orrery Humphrey Lord Bishop of London Henry Lord Arlington one of His Majesties Principal Secretaries of State Francis Lord Newport Comptroler of His Majesties Houshold John Lord Berkley Lieutenant of Ireland Densel Lord Holles Anthony Lord Ashley Chancellor of the Exchequer Sir Thomas Clifford Knight Treasurer of His Majesties Houshold Sir George Carteret Knight Vice-Chamberlain to His Majesty Sir John Trevor Knight one of His Majesties Principal Secretaries of State Sir Thomas Ingram Knight Chancellor of the Dutchy Sir William Morice Knight Sir John Duncom Knight Sir Thomas Chicheley Knight Master of the Ordnance These are all to wait on his Majesty and at Council Board sit in their Order bare-headed when His Majesty presides At all Debates the lowest delivers his opinion first that so he may be the more free and the King last of all declares his Judgment and thereby determines the mater in Debate The Time and Place of holding this Council is wholly at the Kings pleasure but it is most commonly held in the morning on Wednesday and Friday out of Parliament time and Term time and in the Afternoon in time of Parliament and Term. A Council is seldom or never held without the Presence of one of the Secretaries of State of whose Office and Dignity much more considerable in England than in other Nations take here this brief Account The Kings of England had antiently but one Secretary of State until about the end of Henry the Eight his Reign it was thought fit that weighty and important Office should be discharged by two Persons both of equal authority and both stiled Principal Secretaries of State In those days and some while after they sate not at Council Board but having prepared their business in a Room adjoyning to the Council-Chamber they came in and stood on either hand of the King and nothing was debated at the Table until the Secretaries had gone through with their Proposals But Queen Elizabeth seldom coming to Council that Method was altered and the two Secretaries took their places as Privy Counsellors which Dignity they have retained and enjoyed ever since and a
Council is seldom or never held without the presence of one of them at the least Their employment being of extraordinary trust and multiplicity renders them most considerable both in the eyes of the King upon whom they attend every day as occasion requires and of the Subjects also whose requests and desires are for the most part lodged in their hands to be presented to the King and always to make dispatches thereupon according to His Majesties Answers and Directions As for Forraign Affairs the Secretaries divide all the Kingdoms and Nations which have intercourse of business with the King of England into two grand Provinces whereof each Secretary taketh one to himself receiving all Letters and Addresses from and making all dispatches to the several Princes and States comprehended within his own Province But in all matters of home concern whether they relate to the Publick or to particular persons both the Secretaries do equally and indistinctly receive and dispatch whatsoever is brought to them be it for the Church the Militia or private Grants Pardons Dispensations c. They have this special Honour that if either of them be a Baron he taketh place and hath the precedence of all other persons of the same degree though otherwise by their Creation some of them might have right to precede him and a Knight in like manner if he hath no other qualification They have their several Lodgings appointed them in all the Kings Houses as well for their own Accommodation as for their Office and those that attend upon it They have also a very liberal Diet at the Kings charge or Board-wages in lieu of it To shew how considerable their place is their setled allowance from the King in Salary and Pension is little less than Two thousand pounds Sterling per annum to each of them The Secretaries and Clerks whom they imploy under them are wholly at their own choice and have no dependance upon any other power or person besides themselves They have the Custody of that Seal of the King which is properly called the Signet the use and application whereof gives denomination to an Office constantly attending the Court called the Signet Office wherein there are four Clerks who wait alternately by Months and prepare such things as are to pass the Signet in order to the Privy Seal or Great Seal The present Secretaries of State are Henry Lord Arlington whom for his eminent Services at home and abroad both in War and Peace His Majesty was pleased to advance into the place of Sir Edward Nicholas And Sir John Trevor who for his great abilities and succesful Negotiations had that Trust and Honour conferred upon him when Sir William Morice late Secretary of State was by His Majesties gracious consent permitted to retire from business Waiting on the Privy Council there are Four Clarks in Ordinary who waite by Months each one he that comes in is always a week before and a week after his Month to assist there Their Office is to read what is brought before the Council and draw up all such Orders as the King and Lords shall direct and cause them to be Registred They are these that follow Sir Richard Brown Sir Edward Walker Sir John Nicolas Sir Robert Southwel Salaries to each 250. l. besides Fees for Orders and Letters c. Beside the forenamed Officers there is a Keeper of the Records John Woolly Esq no Fee Two Keepers of the Council Chamber Fee to each 45 l. Thirty Messengers whereof Ten at a time by turns waite every Moneth Fee to each 45 l. These upon Occasion are sent by Warrant of the Lords of the Privy Council to fetch any Person under the Degree of a Baron and to keep him Prisoner in his House till farther order Attending on the Secretaries are the Clerks of the Signet or Little Seal which is always in the Custody of the Secretaries for sealing the Kings Private Letters and for all such Grants as pass His Majesties hands by Bill assigned Of these Clerks there are four Sir John Nicholas Knight of the Bath Sir Philip Warwick Knight Trumbal Esquire and Sidney Bear Esquire These have no Fee from the King but onely Dyet which at Pension is 200 l. yearly Their Office is in Whitehall they waite by Month each of them three Months in a year One of them alwayes attends the Court wheresoever it removes and by Warrant from the King or Secretaries of State or Lords of the Council prepare such Bills or Letters for the King to sign as not being matters of Law are by any Warrants directed to them to prepare In their Office all Grants either prepared by the Kings learned Council in the Law or by themselves for the Kings hand when signed are returned and there transcribed again and that transcription is carried to one of the Principal Secretaries of State and Sealed and then it is called a Signet which is directed to the Lord Privy Seal and is his Warrant for issuing out a Privy Seal upon it which is prepared by the Clerks of that Seal is sufficient for the payment of any Moneys out of the Exchequer and for several other uses but when the nature of the Grant requires the passing the Great Seal then the Privy Seal is an Authority to the Lord Keeper to pass the Great Seal as the Signet was to the Lord Privy Seal to affix that Seal to the Grant but in all three Offices viz. Signet Privy-Seal and Great-Seal the Grant is transcribed So all which passes from the King hath these several ways of being considered before perfected There are also four Clarks of the Privy Seal viz. the Lord Sandwich whose Interest for his life is in one Mr Watkins Mr Baron Master Bickerstaff and Mr. More of their Office is to be seen in Stat. 27. of Henry 8. worthy to be noted To this Office in time when the Court of Request is in being belongs the Sealing of all Commissions and other process out of that Court. Moreover depending on the Secretaries of State is an antient Office called the Paper-Office the Keeper whereof hath in his Charge all the publick Papers Writings Matters of State and Counsel all Letters Intelligences Negotiations of the Kings publick Ministers abroad and generally all the Papers and dispatches that pass through the Offices of the two Secretaries of State which are from time to time transmitted into this Office and here remain disposed by way of a Library within His Majesties Palace of Whitehall This considerable Officer hath a Fee of 160 l. per annum payable out of the Exchequer and is at present that very worthy person Joseph Williamson Doctor of Laws After the Kings most Honorable Privy Council that Primum mobile or rather that Resort or Spring may be considered the Great wheeles first moved by that Spring which are the Convocation for the Ecclesiastical Government and the Parliament for the Civil But for the better understanding of the Ecclesiastical Government it will be
Delinquent is to stand in the Church Porch upon some Sunday bare head and feet in a white Sheet and a white Rod in his Hand there bewailing himself and beging every one that passes by to pray for him then to enter the Church falling down and kissing the ground then in the middle of the Church placed in a higher place in the sight of all the People and over against the Minister who declares the foulness of his crime odious to God and scandalous to the Congregation that God can no way be satisfied but by applying Christs sufferings nor the Congregation but by an humble acknowledging of his sin and testifying his sincere repentance and sorrow not in words only but with tears and promising there in the sight of God and his Holy Angels that by Gods assistance and by Prayer Meditation and daily works of Piety he will endeavor hereafter more carefully to watch against the temptations of the world the allurements of the flesh and the snares of the Devil which being done and the Priest in Christs name pronouncing the remission of sins the penitent humbly beseeches the Congregation to pardon him that great scandal against them and receive him into their holy Communion and to account him again a Member of their Church and in testimony hereof out of their Christian Charity to vouchsafe to say with him aloud the Lords Prayer And this way of the Church of England appears by divers Writers to be the antient way used by the Primitive Churches Note that it is ordained by the Canons of the Church of England that in case the crime be not notorious and publick the forenamed penance may at the parties request be commuted into a pecuniary Mulct for the poor of the Parish or some Pious uses provided that for the Reformation of the Delinquent that way appear to be the more probable way for some men will be thereby reclaimed who by publication of their offence would become more impudent and hardned when they perceive their reputation to be lost There remains one more punishment or Ecclesiastical censure which toucheth the body and that is denyal of Christian burial which is inflicted not in poenam mortuorum but in terrorem viventium who naturally desire that after their death their bodies may be decently interred And Christian burial is wont to be denyed by the Church of England to persons dying excommunicate to perjured persons to such as are hanged for Felony or that wilfully kill themselves and to Apostates Hereticks and Extortioners To these forenamed Censures and Punishments both Laity and Clergy are subject but besides these there are punishments whereunto the Clergy only are lyable as first Suspensio ab Officio when a Minister for a time is declared unfit to execute the Office of a Minister Then Suspensio a Beneficio when a Minister for a time is deprived of the profits of his Benefice and these two Censures are wont to be for smaller crimes Thirdly Deprivatio a Beneficio when for a greater crime a Minister is wholly and for ever deprived of his Living And fourthly Deprivatio ab Officio when a Minister is wholly and for ever deprived of his Orders and this is called Depositio or Degradatio and is commonly for some heynous crime meriting death and is performed by the Bishop in a solemn manner pulling off from the Criminal his Vestments and other Ensignes of his Order and this in the presence of the Civil Magistrate to whom he is then delivered to be punished as a Lay man for the like offence And herein Bishops are to take special care to behave themselves 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not as lording over Gods Heritage not as absolute Masters over Servants to gain by their punishments but as Fathers over Children for their amendment and as being Ministers in Spiritual affairs to use their power for the good of Christians and to conduct that power by moderation Of the Parliament of England and therein of the Person summoning the manner of the summons the persons summoned their priviledges the place and manner of Sitting the passing of Bills in either House the passing of Acts of Parliament of Adjourning Proroguing and Dissolving of Parliaments A Brief Account of the Ecclesiastical Government having been given next follows the Civil Government towards which the first great wheel that moves is the Parliament of England Before the Conquest the Great Council of the King consisting only of the Great men of the Kingdom was called Magnatum Conventus or else Praelatorum Procerumque Concilium and by the Saxons in their own Tongue Micel Gemot the Great Assembly after the Conquest it was called by the French word Parlementum from Parler to talk together still consisting only of the Great men of the Nation until the Reign of H. 3. The Commons also were called to sit in Parliament for the first Writs sent forth to summon them bears date 49. H. 3. about 400 years agoe None but the King hath authority to summon a Parliament In the Kings absence out of the Realm the Custos Regni in the Kings name doth summon a Parliament and during the Kings minority within the Realm the Protector Regni doth the same No Parliament can begin without the Kings Presence either in Person or by Representation by Commissioners When the King of England is with his Parliament in time of peace he is then said to be in the height of his Royal Dignity as well as when he is at the head of his Army in time of War There is then scarce any thing that the King cannot do his power cannot be confined for Causes or Persons within any bounds He can with the concurrence of his Lords and Commons legitimate one that is born illegitimate bastardize one that is born legitimate that is to say one begotten in Adultery the Husband being then within the four Seas He can make an Infant of full age make an Alien or Forreigner an Englishman can attaint a man of Treason when he is dead when he is no more a man c. A Parliament is summoned in manner following About 40 days before the Parliament doth assemble the King issues out his Writ cum Advisamento Concilii sui and the Warrant is per ipsum Regem Concilium The Kings Writ which is a short Letter or Epistle is directed and sent to every particular person of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal commanding the Lords Spiritual in Fide Dilectione and the Lords Temporal per Fidem Allegiantiam to appear at a certain time and place to Treat and give their Advice in some certain important affairs concerning the Church and State c. Other Writs are sent to the High Sheriff of each County to summon the people to elect two Knights for each County two Citizens for each City and one or two Burgesses for each Burrough according to Statute Charter or Customs In these Elections antiently all the people had their Votes and most Votes carried it
hand is an Officer who ingrosseth Fines acknowledged c. He holdeth his Place also by Patent and is at present Mr. Sparks in trust for Sir William Drake who doth execute it by a Deputy Mr. Wayt. All these Officers aforementioned sit in the Court covered with black round knit Caps according to the mode immediately before the invention of Hats which was since the beginning of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth Moreover they are all sworn and have their Offices for life as a Freehold There are in this Court 3 Officers unsworn and hold their Places durante bene placito One Clerk of the Treasury Mr. George Ingram who hath the charge of keeping the Records of this Court and makes out all Records of Nisi Prius and divers other things This Office is in the Gift of the Lord Chief Justice 2. Clerk of the Inrolements of Fines and Recoveries who is by Statute under the three puisne Judges of this Court and removeable at their pleasure Note that the Inrolement of Fines and Recoveries or any part thereof by Stat 23 Eliz. cap. 3. is of as good force and validity in Law to all intents and purposes for so much of any of them so inrolled as the same being extant and remaining were or ought by Law to be The general neglect whereof in this Kingdom hath occasioned many Law Suits and hath proved in process of time exceeding dangerous to many mens Estates 3. The Clerk of the Outlawries Mr. Annuel who makes out the Writs of Capias Utlagatum after the Outlawry in the name of the Kings Atturney whose Deputy he is pro tempore There are five Clerks more 1. Clerk of the Kings Silver Henry Nurse Esquire unto whom every Fine or Final Agreement in sale of Lands is brought after it hath been with the Custos Brevium and to whom Money is paid for the Kings use 2. Clerk of the Warrants Mr· Thomas Brown executed by a Deputy Mr. James Mayo who entreth all Warrants of Atturney for Plaintiff and Defendant 3. Clerk of the Juries Mr. John Green who makes out the Writs called Habeas Corpora and Distringas for appearance of the Jury either in this Court or at the Assises in the Country 4. Clerk of the Essoins or Excuses for lawful cause of absence Mr. Townley 5. Clerk of the Super sedeas Mr. Abbot which is held by Patent but before King James time made by the Exchequer In this Court are also Filazers for the several Counties of England so called from the French Fil a Thred because they file their Writs These make out all Process upon Original Writs and do many other things too long to be here set down of these there are 14. viz. Fabian Philips Esquire who hath London Middlesex Huntington and Cambridge Shires The rest of the Counties are divided amongst these that follow Sir Roger Hill Henry Dutton Spicer Grey Fr. Hill Robert Child Charles Clare Sir Thomas Stringer Thomas Child Bennet Mark Hildesley Herbert Matthews and Hughes who is Protonatory Filazer and Exigenter of Monmouth by Patent the rest in the Gift of the Lord Chief Justice and hold for life There are also four Exigenters whose Office it is to make all Exigents and Proclamations in all Actions where process of Outlawry doth lye This Writ is called an Exigent because it exacteth the Party that is requireth his appearance to answer the Law and lies against a Transgressor of the Law that cannot be found nor any of his Goods within the County so that after summons by the Sheriff at five several County Courts if he appear not he is outlawed The four Exigenters at present are William Petty John Dawling Charles Clare and Silvester Petty all in the Gift of the Lord Chief Justice and are for life There are also belonging to this Court four Cryers and a Porter Of the Court called the Exchequer THe next Court for Execution of Laws is that called the Exchequer so called as some think from a Chequer-wrought Carpet covering the great Table in that Court as the Court of Green Cloth in the Kings house is so called from the Green Carpet or else from the French word Eschequier a Chess board because the Accomptants in that Office were wont to use such Boards in their Calculation Here are tryed all causes which belong to the Kings Treasury or Revenue as touching Accounts Disbursements Customs and all Fines imposed upon any man In this Court may sit the Lord Treasurer the Chancellor of the Exchequer the Lord Chief Baron and four other Learned Judges called Barons of the Exchequer and one other Cursitor Baron but the two first seldom sit and the five last Seldom fail The first of these five is the Principal Judge of this Court and answers the Bar or the Baristers who direct their Speech to him takes Recognizances for the Kings Debts c. It is an Office of High Honour and Profit he is styled Lord Chief Baron is Created by Letters Patents to hold this Dignity Quam dieu bene se gesserit wherein he hath a more fixed estate then the Chief Justices of either Bench for the Law intends this an Estate for Life in the absence of the Lord Chief Baron the other three Barons supply his place according to their Seniority but the fifth is said to be a Cursitor of the Court and administers the Oaths to the Sheriffs Under-Sheriffs Baylifs Searchers Surveyors c. of the Custom-house In the Exchequer are held two Courts one of Law another of Equity All Judicial Proceedings according to Law are coram Baronibus but the Court of Equity held in the Exchequer Chamber is coram Thesaurario Cancellario Baronibus This Court had its beginning primo Ph. Mar. The Authority of this Court is of original jurisdiction without any Commission Note also that all the other forementioned Courts were not Instituted by any Statute or written Law but have their Original from the antient Custom of the Kingdom For a long time after the Conquest there sat in the Exchequer both Spiritual and Temporal Barons of the Realm and in later times there sate in their places others that were not Peers of the Realm yet stiled Barons quia ibi sedere solebant Barones All the Twelve Judges belonging to these High Tribunals sit in Robes and Square Caps like those Doctors of Divinity because as some say they were antiently most commonly Clergy-men and Doctors Bishops or Prelates A List of the several Officers belonging to His Majesties Court of Exchequer In the Vpper Exchequer THe Kings Remembrancer Thomas Lord Vicount Fanshaw in whose Office are 8 sworn Clerks whereof John Payn and Thomas Hall Esquires at present are the two Secondaries the rest are Ansel Beaumont Hugh Frankland Butler Buggin George Wats Nicholas Sanders c. In this Office pass all the Accounts concerning the Kings Revenue for Customs Excise Hearth-money Subsidies and all Ayds granted to the King in Parliament and all other Accounts of what nature soever
Sheriff of each County hath a double function first Ministerial to execute all Processes and Precepts of the Courts of Law and to make returns of the same Secondly Judicial whereby he hath authority to hold two several Courts of distinct nature the one called the Sheriffs Turn which he holdeth in several places of the County enquiring of all Criminal Offences against the Common-Law not prohibited by any Statute The other called the County Court wherein he hears and determines civil Causes of the County under 40 s. which antiently was a considerable summe so that by the great fall of the moneys now the Sheriffs authority in that part is much diminished He is said to be the life of Justice of the Law and of the County for no suit begins and no process is served but by him then no Execution of the Law but by him lastly he is the chief Conservator of the Peace in the whole County Every County being subdivided into Hundreds so called at first either for containing an hundred houses or 100 men bound to find Armes or Wapentakes so called from touching a weapon when they swore Allegiance as the manner at this day is in Sweden at their solemn weddings for the chief witnesses to lay all their hands upon a Lance or Pike every such Wapentake oâ— Hundred hath commonly a Bayliff a very antient Officer but now of small Authority also Officers called High Constables first ordained by the Statute of Winchester 13 Edw. 1. for conservation of Peace and view of Armour they disperse Warrants and Orders of the Justices of Peace to each Pety Constable There are also in every County two Officers called Coroners whose Office is to enquire by a Jury of Neighbours how and by whom any person came by a violent death and to enter the same upon Record which is matter Criminal and a plea of the Crown and thence they are called Crowners or Coroners These are chosen by the Free holders of the County by vertue of a Writ out of the Chancery They were antiently men of estates Birth and Honour and therefore in the Reign of Edward III. a Merchant being chosen a Coroner was removed quia communis Mercator fuit whereas he ought to have been a Gentleman which have no Trades man is reckoned to be by our Laws Every County also hath an Officer called Clerk of the Mercat whose Office is to keep a Standard of all Weights and Measures exactly according with the Kings Standard kept in the Exchequer and to see that none others be used in the same County to Seal all Weights and Measures made exactly by the Standard in his custody and to burn such as are otherwise He hath a Court and may keep and hold Plea therein Of the Civil Government of Cities EVery City of England by their Charters or Priviledges granted by several Kings is a little Common-wealth apart governed not as the Cities of France by a Nobleman or Gentleman placed there by the King but wholly by themselves they choose amongst themselves their own Governor in Cities a Mayor is chosen commonly out of 12 Aldermen In some other Coâ—porations a Bailiff is chosen out of a certain number of Burgesses They are not taxed but by their own Officers of their own Corporation every trade having some of their own alwayes of the Council to see that nothing be enacted contrary to their profit Every City by Charter from the King hath haute moyenne basse Justice a jurisdiction amongst themselves to judge in all matters criminal and civil onely with this restraint that all civil causes may be removed from their Courts to the Higher Courts at Westminster The Mayor of the City is the Kings Lieftenant and with the Aldermâ—n and Common Council as it were King Lords and Commons in Parliament can make Laws called By-Laws for the Government of the City He is for his time which is but for one year as it were a Judge to determine matters and to mitigate the Rigour of the Law The next in Government of Cities are two principal Officers called though improperly the Sheriffs who are Judges in civil causes within this City and to see all execution done whether penal or capital and should rather be called Stat-reeves or Port-reeves i. e. Urbis vel Portus Praefecti In Cities the people are generally made more industrious by Manufactures and less idleness suffered then in other places so that in some Cities children of six or seven years old are made to gain their own expences In the City of Norwich it hath of late yeares been computed and found that yearly children from 6 to 10 years of age have gained 12 thousand pounds more then what they spend and that chiefly by knitting fine Jersey Stockings The Government of Burroughs and other Towns corporate is much after the same manner In some there is a Mayor in others one or two Bailiffs who have equal power with a Mayor and Sheriffs and during their Offices they are Justices of the Peace within their Liberties and have there the same power that other Justices of the Peace have in the County For the better Government of Villages the Lord of the place hath ordinarily power to hold a Court-Baron so called because antiently such Lords were called Barons as they are still in many parts of France or else Court Baron i. e. Court of Freeholders as the Barons of Germany are called Frey herren so the Barons of the Cinque Ports in England are but the Freeholders of the Cinque Ports And this Court may be held every 3 weeks Also for the Government of Villages there is a Pety Constable chosen every year by every one that is Lord of the place this Officer is to keep the Peace in case of quarrels to search any house for Robbers Murdrers or others that have any way broken the peace to raise the Hue and Cry after Robbers fled away to seize upon them and keep them in the Stocks or other Prison till they can bring them before some Justice of Peace to whom the Constables are subservient upon all occasiions either to bring crrminals before them or to carry them by their command to the common Prison Every little Village almost hath an Epitome of Monarchical Government of Civil and Ecclesiastical policy within it self which if duly maintained would render the whole Kingdome happy First for the civil Government there is the Lord of the Soyl who from the Crown immediately or mediately holds Dominium soli and is said to have in him the Royalty as if he were a little King and hath a kind of Jurisdiction over the Inhabitants of the Village hath his Court-Leetâ— or Court-Baron to which they owe suit and service and where may be tryed smaller matters happening within the Mannour Escheats upon Felonies or other accidents Custody of Infants and Lunaticks power of passing Estates and admitting of Tenants Reliefs Hariots Hunting Hawking Fishing c. under the Lord is the Constable or
Headborough to keep the Peace to secure offenders to bring them before the Justice c. Then for the Ecclesiastical Government of Villages there is as before hath been mentioned the Parson or Vicar who hath Curam Animarum the Care of Souls as the Lord of the Mannor hath in some measure Curam Corporum for which he hath the Tythes Glebe and Church Offrings hath under him the Church-wardens and Sides-men to take care of the Church and Church Assemblies the Overseers of the Poor to take care of the Poor Sick Aged Orphans and other Objects of Charity and Lastly the Clark to wait on him at Divine Service Thus admirable and excellent is the Constitution of the present English Government above and beyond any other Government in Christendom O Fortunatos nimium bona si sua norint Angligenas If English men did know their Bliss Too great would be their Happiness Of the Military Government of England IT was a smart Motto that the Great Henry the IV. of France Grandfather to our Gracious King now raigning caused to be engraven on his Great Guns Ratio Ultima Regum Intimating thereby that when Subjects refuse to submit to the Laws of the Land or Neighbours to the Law of Nations then Kings have recourse to Force and Armes to bring them to Reason So long as Subjects are prone to Sedition and Neighbour-Princes and States to Ambition there will be a necessity of a Military Power in every State both by Land and likewise by Sea where the Country is any where bordering on the Sea Of the Military power of England both by Land and Sea the King of England hath the sole supreme Power Government Command and disposition And neither one nor both Houses of Parliament have any right to levey any Forces or make any War Offensive or Defensive as they have at large declared in Parliament Anno 14 Car 2. By Land the next under the King was the late Duke of Albemarle who by His Majesties Commission dated 4 th of April 1660. at Breda was made Generalissimo of all His Majesties Forces in all His Three Kingdoms Horse and Foot Land Souldiers in pay as well within Garrison as without Since the Death of the aforementioned Duke the Horse and Foot which are in constant Pay are thus ordered there are four excellent Regiments of Foot The first is called the Kings Regiment consisting of 24 Companies and near 1700 men commanded by Coll. John Russel whose Lieftenant Coll. is Edw. Grey brother to the Lord Grey and whose Major is William Rolleston The next is the Duke of Yorks Regiment 720 men commanded by Sir Charles Littelton whos 's Lieft. Coll. is Sir John Griffith and his Major Nath. Dorrel Of the third Regiment 600 men Sir Walter Vane is Coll. Thomas Howard of Suffolk Lieft. Coll. and Sir Thomas Ogle Major Of the fourth Regiment 960 men the Coll. is the Earl of Craven his Lieft. Col. is Sir James Smith his Major John Millar There is also a Gallant Regiment of Horse consisting of 8 Troops about 500 Horse besides Officers commanded by the Earl of Oxford and his Major is Francis Windham His Majesty hath besides 3 compleat Troops for his Life Guards whereof one is called the Kings Troop consisting of 200 Horse and commanded by the Duke of Monmouth Another the Queens Troop 150 Horse and commanded by Sir Philip Howard and the third the Duke of Yorks Troop 150 Horse and commanded by the Marquis of Blanquefort whereof see more in the first Part of the Present State of England The pay of a Colonel of Foot is 20 s. per diem and of a Colonel of Horse 12 s. per diem the other Officers have proportionable pay Each Foot Souldier in London hath 10 d. a day and each Horseman 2 s. 6 d. a day Onely those of the Life Guard have each 4 s. a day The rest of His Majesties Forces that are in constant pay are disposed of into several Garrisons a List whereof follows Alphabetically with the names of their several Governors Barwick Lord Widdrington Carlile Sir Philip Musgrave Chepstow Captain Roger Vaughan Chester Sir Jeofry Shackerly Dover Capt. Strode Deale Capt Titus Guernsey Lord Hatton Gravesend Sir Francis Leak Harwich Sir Charles Littleton Hull John Lord Bellassis Jersey Sir Thomas Morgan Languard Fort Major Dorrell St. Maws Sir Viel Vivian Pendenis Richard Lord Arundel Plimouth Earl of Bath Portsmouth D. of York Sir Philip Honywood Lieutenant Governor Scarborough Sir Tho. Slingsby Scylly Isle Sir Will. Godolphin Shereness Sir Bourcher Wray Tinmouth Col. Edward Villars Tower Sir John Robinson Vpner Castle Windsor Castle Prince Rupert Isle of Wight Sir Robert Holmes York the Lord Freschevile In some of these Garrisons His Majesty is at the charge of above 500 men constantly each Garrison Souldier hath 8 pence a day Of all the land Forces in pay the Commissaries Gen. of Musters are Henry Howard of Suffolk and Sir Cecil Howard The Pay-master of all the Forces is Sir Stephen Fox The Judge Advocate Dr. Sam. Barrow For regulating and ordering His Majesties Land Forces that are in constant pay there are no Orders yet setled by Act of Parliament as there are for his Sea Forces but may be in a short time Besides the afore-mentioned Forces there is the standing Militia by Land of all England setled in the King to be governed ordered and enlarged from time to time as his Majesty shall see occasion For the management of these standing Land Forces the King himself makes choice of divers of the principal Peers of his Kingdome and by Commission creates them Lord Lieutenants of the several Counties of England with power to arm array and form into Companies Troops and Regiments to conduct upon occasion of Rebellion or Invasions and employ the men so armed within the Counties and Places for which the said Lords are commissioned or into any other County as the King shall give order To give Commissions to Colonels or other Commissioned Officers to present to the King the names of the Deputy-Lieutenants who have in the absence of the Lord Lieutenant the same power and these are to be of the prime Gentry of the County to charge any person in the County with Horse Horsemen and Arms or Foot Souldiers and Arms within the said County proportionable to their estates with limitation that no person be charged with a Horse unless he hath 500 l. yearly Revenue or 6000 l. in personal Estate No person to be charged with a Foot Souldier unless he hath 50 l. yearly Revenue or 600 l. personal Estate Those that have meaner Estates are to joyn two or three together to find a Horse and Horseman or a Foot Souldier The forementioned Horse and Foot are to muster once or twice a year and each Horseman during the time of the Muster to be allowed him for whom he serves 2 s. a day and each Foot Souldier 12 d. a day For furnishing Ammunition and other Necessaries the Lord Lieutenant
or Deputy Lieutenants may levy every year one fourth part if they judge it expedient of each mans proportion in the Tax of 70000 l. a moneth upon the whole Kingdom And in the case of marching against an enemy they have power to cause every man so charged to allow each Souldier one months pay which the King is after to repay before they may be charged with another moneths pay These Forces are alwayes in readiness with all things necessary at the beat of a Drum or sound of Trumpet to appear muster and be compleat with men horse and armes and are at certain times trained and disciplined that they become able skilful and useful Souldiers These are to be commanded only within the Kingdom for the security of the King and Kingdom Subservient in the standing Militia to the Lord Lieutenant and Deputy Lieutenant are the Justices of Peace of every County who upon all occasions according to the orders of their Superiors are to send their Warrants to the High Constable of the Hundred or Petty Constable of the Parish c. These are commonly called the Train-bands of every County whereof the number is so great that in only five of the bigger Counties of England there are to be found well provided forty thousand able lusty men ready to assist the King upon all occasions so that in all times of peace the King hath six or sevenscore thousand men enrolled and wholly and solely at his disposing for the defence of his Kingdom of England For the better securing of the Kingdom from foreign Invasion besides the Ships of war whereof more anon there are upon certain eminent places over al parts of England mediterrane as well as maritime high Poles erected whereon are fastned pitch Barrels to be fired by night and a smoke made by day and thereby to give notice in few hours to the whole Kingdom of the approaching Invasion whereupon the Inhabitants in arms make haste to the sea-coasts These are called Becons from the Saxon Beacen or Beacnian to shew by a sign In all times of danger some are set to watch at every Becon Antiently there were many Castles in all parts of England but inland Castles generally have either been demolisht in latter times or wittingly suffered to decay that to Rebels they might be no shelter to Invaders no stay nor to the Invaded any refuge in flight and consequently that there may not be any lingring war again in England which is the greatest misery and calamity that can ever happen to a Nation In 1588. upon expectation of the Spanish Armado stiled invincible there went forth from the Queen Commissions to muster in all parts of England all men that were of perfect sense and limb from the age of 16. to 60 except Noblemen Clergy-men University Students Lawyers Officers and such as had any publick charges leaving only in every Parish so many Husbandmen as were sufficient to till the ground In all those Musters there were then numbred three millions but of those fit for war about six hundred thousand In another Muster of Queen Elizabeth there were found in all England fit for war of common Souldiers about four hundred thousand and of those armed and trained one hundred eighty five thousand besides Horse near forty thousand and that the Nobility and Gentry were then able to bring into the field of their Servants and Followers twenty thousand men Horse and Foot choice men and excellent horses and in all fit for war and ready upon all occasions six hundred forty two thousand leaving sufficient to till the ground and to furnish Trades besides Nobility Gentry c. Of the present Maritime Power belonging to the Crown of England THe Kingdom of England being a Peninsula almost surrounded with the sea there will alwayes be a necessity of maritime forces And as next Neighbours grow potent at sea the King of England will be necessitated to augment his maritime forces proportionably how great soever the charge thereof may be or else to quit his antient right to the Soverainty of the narrow seas and to suffer his Merchants to be abused and their traffique every where interrupted It is true that in the 24. of Eliz. upon a general view and muster there were found but 13 Ships of war and 135 Ships of considerable burden belonging to all the Subjects of England and in the year 1600 her Majesty had but 36 Ships of war and 13 or 14 Pinaces the biggest Ship was then of One thousand Tun carried Three hundred and forty Mariners One hundred and thirty Soldiers and but Thirty piece of Ordnance The lesser Ships of War were of One hundred Tun Forty or fifty Mariners Seven or eight Soldiers and Eight Guns The Pinnaces of Thirty Tun Eighteen or twenty Mariners and Two or four Guns so small was the Royal Fleet in those days when our next Neighbor Nations were weak and always engaged with Civil and Foreign Wars but now that their strength at Sea is of late so prodigiously increased it will be most expedient for this Kingdom to be always well provided And God be thanked we have a King that understands better and takes more delight in Maritime Affairs and Ships of War then any of His Royal Ancestors or any Soveraign Prince now living in the World and who hath made it His cheif business that way to fortifie this Kingdom The Forces of Potentates at Sea Sont des Marques de Grandeur d'Estat saith a French Author Whosoever commands the Sea commands the Trade of the World He that commands the trade commands the Wealth of the World and consequently the World it self Again As he that is Master of the Field is said to be Master of every Town when it shall please him so he that is Master of the Sea may in some sort be said to be Master of every Countrey at least of such as are bordering on the Sea for he is at liberty to begin or end a War where and upon what terms he pleaseth and to extend his Conquests even to the Antipodes To the Crown of England belongs the Dominion of all the Narrow Seas round about the whole Island of Great Britain by Ancient Right whereof it hath had possession in all times First the Aborigenes or Ancient Britains were possest thereof as Mr. Selden makes appear and in their Right the Romans held it then the Saxons having gotten possession of England kept that Dominion their King Edgar amongst His Royal Titles calling Himself Soveraign of the Narrow Seas Afterward the Normans possessing England claimed and quietly possest the same Dominion in testimony whereof the Swedes Danes Hans-Towns Hollanders Zealanders c. were wont to ask leave to pass the British Seas and to take Licenses to fish therein And to this day do strike Sail to all the Ships of War belonging to the King of England as oft as they pass by any one of them thereby to express that they acknowledge the Soveraignty of the British
Seas to belong to the King of England according to an Ordinance made at Hastings in Sussex by John King of England about Four hundred and fifty years ago To maintain this Right and Title to protect Trade to subdue Pirates to defend this Kingdom against hostile Invasions and to reduce foreign Potentates to Reason the Kings of England have had especially of later times a considerable number of Ships of War for Strength for Beauty and Sailing if not for number surpassing all those of our Neighbor Nations For Strength by reason of the most excellent English Timber they are like so many floating Castles and Barbicans For Beauty so proportionably and spaciously built and so curiously and richly adorned that they are as so many Royal Palaces Amongst other Ships at Sea they are as so many Lions amongst other silly Beasts or as Eagles amongst other Birds Histories mention a great Fleet of Julius Caesar a Fleet of the forementioned King Edgar consisting of Three thousand six hundred Sail a Fleet of Lewis Son to Philip King of France of Six hundred Sail that arrived at Sandwich to assist the English Barons against King John but those doubtless were but as so many Cottages to Castles in respect of the present Ships of War Henry the Eighth in the Fifth year of His Reign built a Ship then accounted the greatest that ever had been seen in England and named it Henry Grace de Dieu or the Great Henry it was of One thousand Tun. In the Eighth year of King James was built by the Londoners a Ship of Twelve hundred Tun and called The Trades Increase which being lost in the East Indies King James caused another to be built of Fourteen hundred Tun which being given to Prince Henry was by Him named the Prince King Charles the Martyr perceiving the great encrease of Shipping in our Neighbor Nations and that the Soveraignty of these Seas was like to be disputed amongst other great Ships of War built one greater then any Ship of War either in England or in any Countrey of Europe and named it The Royal Soveraign which for a little diversion shall here be more particularly described The Royal Soveraign being a Ship of the First Rate or Rank built in the Year One thousand six hundred thirty and seven is in length by the Keel One hundred twenty seven Foot in bredth by the Beam Forty seven Foot in depth Forty nine Foot her draught of Water Twenty one Foot Of burden in all Two thousand seventy and two Tuns and One thousand five hundred fifty and four Tuns besides Guns Tackle c. This mighty Moving-Castle hath Six Anchors whereof the biggest weighs 6000 l. and the least 4300 l. It hath Fourteen Cables whereof the greatest is Twenty one Inches in compass and weighs 9000 l. Her least Cable being eight Inches in compass weighing near 1300 l. To the Royal Soveraign belong Eighteen Masts and Yards whereof the greatest called The Main Mast is One hundred and thirteen Foot long and Thirty eight Inches Diameter Her Main Yard One hundred and five Foot long and Twenty three Inches Diameter and her Main Top Fifteen Foot Diameter She hath Ten several sorts of Sails of several names as every Ship of every one of the Six Rates hath whereof her greatest Sail called Her Main Course together with her Bonnet contains One thousand six hundred and forty Yards of Canvas Ipswich double and the least Sail called The Fore-top-gallant-sail contains One hundred and thirty yards of Canvas The charge of one compleat Sute of Sails for the Soveraign is 404 l. Sterling Money The weight of the Sea store in point of Ground Tackle and other Cordage is Sixty Tuns Eight hundred and odd pounds She carries a long Boat of Fifty Foot a Pinnace of Thirty six Foot and a Skiff of Twenty seven Foot long The weight of her Rigging is Three and thirty Tun. She hath Three Tire of Guns all of Brass whereof there are Forty four in her upper Tire Thirty four in her second Tire and Twenty two in her lower Tire in all One hundred Guns She carries in all of Officers Soldiers and Mariners Seven hundred Men. Finally Her whole Charges for Wages Victuals Ammunition wear and tear for every Moneth at Sea costs the King 3500 l. Sterling as hath been computed by a very skilful person The charges of Building a Ship of the First Rate together with Guns Tackle and Rigging besides Victualing doth ordinarily amount to about 62432 l. Those of Lower Rates proportionally The King hath now Six Ships of the First Rate whereof Five are longer by the Keel then the forementioned Royal Soveraign and all of the same force except two which yet may carry each one One hundred and ten Guns Of Ships of War great and small the King had before the last War with the United Netherlands above One hundred and sixty Sail whereof a true List followeth A List in Alphabetical Order of all the Ships Frigats and Vessels of his Majestie 's Royal Navy together with the Rates Tuns Men and Guns usually accounted First Rate Ships Tuns Men Guns Charles 1229 550 80 Prince 1205 600 84 Soveraign 1554 700 100 Second Rate    St Andrew 775 300 56 St. George 775 300 56 Henry 1047 380 64 James 792 350 60 London 1050 500 64 Royal James 1100 500 70 Rainbow 782 320 56 Swiftsure 740 340 60 Triumph 779 350 64 Catherine   76 Victory 690 320 56 Unicorn 786 320 56 Vantguard 706 3â—0 56 Royal Oak   76 St. Michael    Third Rate    Anne 742 240 54 Dreadnought 738 240 52 Dunkirk 635 230 48 Edgar    Essex 633 230 48 Fairfax 755 240 52 Henrietta 781 250 50 Glocester 755 240 52 Lyon 550 210 48 Mary 727 260 56 Monk  260 50 Montague 769 260 52 Plâ—mouth 771 250 50 Revenge 741 240 52 Resolution 765 250 52 York 739 240 52 Rupert    Fourth Rate Ships Tuns Men Guns Antelope 550 160 40 Assistance 513 160 40 Advice 516 160 40 Adventure 505 140 24 Amity 354 120 30 Assurance 341 135 32 Bristol 534 180 44 Bear 430 130 36 Breda 515 160 40 Crown 536 160 40 Centurion 531 170 40 Convertine 500 170 40 Constant Warwick 315 135 32 Charity 400 140 38 Diamond 547 160 40 Dover 511 160 40 Dragon 414 150 38 Elizabeth 477 150 38 Elias 400 130 36 Expedition 323 120 30 Foresight 513 160 40 Guinea â—75 120 30 Happy Return 607 180 44 Hampshire 481 150 38 Jersey 560 160 40 Indian 500 180 40 Kent 600 170 40 Leopard 666 180 44 Matthias 400 160 44 Mary Rose 566 160 40 Marmaduke 400 130 32 Newcastle 633 180 44 Nonsuch 389 140 34 Portland 607 170 40 Princess 600 150 36 Portsmouth 433 150 38 Phenix 414 150 38 President 462 150 38 Providence 323 120 30 Reserve 512 160 40 Ruby 550 160 40 Swallow 543 170 40 Saphire 442 150 38 Tyger
conjectured by the charges of building and rigging of Ships and of one Months expences at Sea afore specified so that the English Subject need no longer wonder how their late large Contributions and Aides have been spent but rather how the Kingdomes necessary Expences should be discharged with so little Of the City of LONDON LONDON being the Epitome of England the Seat of the British Empire the Chamber of the King and the chiefest Emporium or Town of Trade in the World it will not be impertinent to give some account thereof To describe particularly all things in this City worthy to be known would take up a whole Volumn therefore according to the intended brevity of this Treatise here shall be inserted onely 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Magnalia Londini such things as strangers and foreigners commonly count remarkable Take then a summary account of the Name Antiquity Situation Magnitude Streets Houses Number of Inhabitants Parish-Churches Cathedral Royal Exchange River Conduits Aqueducts Trade Government Publick Halls of Companies of the Tower Bridge Custom-House Publick Offices Colledges Schooles Hospitals Work-houses c. Name LONDON so called as some conjecture from Llongdin the British word signifying in the Saxon Tongue Shipton or Town of ships was built as some write 1108 years before the Birth of our Saviour that is 2778 years agoe Antiquity in the time of Samuel the Prophet and about 356 years before the building of Rome Situation In the most excellent situation of London the profound wisdom of our Ancestors is very conspicuous and admirable It is seated in a pleasant ever green valley upon a gentle rising Bank in an excellent Aire in a wholesome soyl mixt with gravel and sand upon the famous Navigable River Thames at a place where it is cast into a Crescent that so each part of the City might enjoy the benefit of the River and yet not be far distant one from the other about 60 miles from the Sea not so near that it might be in danger of Surprisal by the Fleets of Forreign Enemies or be annoyed by the boysterous Winds and unwholesome Vapours of the Sea yet not so far but that by the help of the Tide every twelve hours all the Commodities that the Sea or World can afford may by ships of great burden be brought into her very bosome nor yet so far but that it may injoy the milder warmer Vapours of the Eastern Southern and Western Seas yet so far up in the Country as it might also easily partake even of all the Country commodities in an excellent air upon the North side of the River for the Villages seated on the South-side are noted to be unhealthy in regard of the Vapours drawn upon them by the Sun burroughed by gentle hills from the North and South Winds it lies in 51 Degree 34 Minutes Latitude The High-ways leading from all parts to this Noble City are large straight smooth and fair no Mountains nor Rocks no Marshes nor Lakes to hinder Carriages and Passengers so that as Corn may easily be brought and Cattel commodiously driven unto it by Land so those heavy though necessary Commodâ—ties Hay and Fuel are more cheaply conveyed by water in a word all the blessings of Land and Sea near about and by the benefit of shipping all the blessings of the Terrestrial Globe may be said to be here injoyed above any City of the world Magnitude The City of LONDON with its Suburbs and places adjacent is of a vast extention From Lime House measured to the end of Tothill or Tuttle street from East to West is above 7500 Geometrical paces that is above 7 English Miles and a half and from the farther end of Blackmanstreet in Southwark to the end of St. Leonard Shoreditch is 2500 paces or two Miles and a half Streets In this great City the streets lanes and allyes as they are called are in number above 500 and yet some of them above half a measured mile in length Dwelling houses before the late dreadful Fire were computed onely within the Walls above fifteen thousand and that was accounted but a fifth part of the whole City as may be judged by the weekly Bills of Mortality Houses The Buildings especially of late years are generally very fair and stately but within the City the spacious Houses of Noble men rich Merchants the Halls of Companies the fair Taverns are hidden to strangers by reason that they are generally built backward that so the whole room towards the street might be reserved for Tradesmen shops If they had been all built toward the street as in other Countries no Forreign City would even in this particular much surpass London Yet if a Stranger shall view Lincolns-Inne fields Southampton Buildings Covent Garden St. James Fields Hatton-Garden Cheapside Lumbard street Canon street Fleet street c. He must confess that for fair Piazza's or open Places for stately uniform buildings for spatious streight streets there is scarce the parallel in Europe Number of Inhabitants That the Reader may the better guess at the number of Inhabitants or humane Souls within this great City he must know that in one year there were computed to be eaten in London when it was less by one fourth part 67500 Beefs ten times as many Sheep besides abundance of Calves Lambs Swine all sorts of Poultry Fowl Fish Roots Milk c. Also that communibus annis to supply London with Newcastle Coal there is brought into the River of Thames two hundred and seventy thousand Chaldron and every Chaldron is 36 Bushels Again the number of Inhabitants may be guessed at by the Burials and Births in London which in ordinary years when there is no Pestilence amount of late to Twenty thousand in a year three times more then in Amsterdam and but one 20th part less then in Paris as may be seen by the Bills of these three Cities As also by the quantity of Beer drank in London in a year which to all Forreigners will be incredible for in the year 1667 according to exact computation there was brewed within that year in London four hundred fifty two thousand five hundred sixty three Barrels of strong Beer sold at 12 s. 6 d. the Barrel and five hundred and eighty thousand four hundred twenty one Barrels of Ale sold at 16 s. the Barrel and four hundred eighty nine thousand seven hundred ninety seven Barrels of Table Beer or small Beer sold at 6 s 6 d. the Barrel The Beer strong and small is 36 Gallons to the Barrel and the Ale 32 Gallons to the Barrel and now since the Pestilence and the Fire that this City is again fully peopled there is much more Liquor brewed It is true that some heâ—eof is transported beyond the Sea but that is scarce considerable Besides all this Beer and Ale there is consumed in London a vast quantity of French and Spanish wines much Rhenish-wine Sider Coffee Chocolatte Brandy and other Drinks The Excise
only of Beer and Ale for the City of London though it be a very moderate Imposition is farmed or rented of the King at above one hundred and twenty thousand pounds a year and about one fourth part of all that Excise throughout England Churches Parish Churches besides Chappels there were in all 130. that is double the Number of Churches parochial to be found in any City of Christendom the Mother Church whereof is dedicated to the memory of Saint Paul the only Cathedral of that Name in Europe and founded by Sebert a Saxon King about the year 610. in a place where had stood a Temple dedicated to Diana and afterward enlarged by Erkenwald the 4 th Saxon Bishop thereof and that old Fabrick being almost destroyed by Fire Mauritius another Bishop of London in One thousand eighty three began and finished a great part of the present magnificent Pile in the space of 20 years but the Quire and Tower were not finished till 1221 and then it was dedicated in a most solemn manner as was the Temple of Solomon the King the Bishops and a vast number from all Parts of the Nation assisting thereat It is seated on the highest part of all the City and was more conspicuous perhaps then any Cathedral Church in the World it was a structure for length height and antiquity surpassing all other Churches the length thereof was 690 Foot therein excelling by 20 foot St. Peters in Rome which for beauty proportion and divers other things excels all other Temples it was in height 102 foot and in breadth 130. The Church was built as other Cathedrals in a perfect Cross and in the midst of the Cross upon mighty high Arches was a Tower of Stone 260 foot high and on that a spire of Timber covered with Lead in height 260 foot more in all from the ground 520 foot above which was a â—ole of Copper Gilt of 9 foot in compass whereon stood the Cross 15 foot and a half high and almost 6 foot a cross made of oak covered with Lead and another cover of Copper over the Lead above all stood the Eagle or Cock of Copper Gilt four foot long and the breadth over the Wings 3 foot and a half In the year 1561. a part of this magnificent Pile was much wasted and the rest endangered by a fire begun in that stately Timber Spire by the negligence of a Plummer who left his Pan of Fire there whilest he went to Dinner as he confest of later years on his Death Bed But by the great Bounty and Piety of Queen Elizabeth of the Citizens of London and of all the Clergy of the Province of Canterbury it was again repaired in the space of Five years After which the Stone work decaying apace by reason of the corroding quality of the abundance of Sea-coal smoak the Learned and Pious Doctor Laud coming to be Bishop of London and after of Canterbury was so zealous and vigorous for upholding this most Ancient Church and Stately Monument of England and glory of the City of London that by the Kings favor and liberal contribution of Godly People maugre all opposition of the Puritans the work was so eagerly pursued that before the year 1640. the whole Body was finished with Portland Stone excellent against all smoak and weather and the Tower scaffolded up to the top with a purpose to take it all down and to rebuild it more fair and of a greater height with a stately Pinnacle at each corner because the Arches were not thought strong enough to support another Steeple and to place in that Tower the biggest and most tunable Bells in the World For performance whereof and for adorning the Church there was in the Chamber of London above One hundred and seventy thousand pounds all taken out soon after and employed in an Unnatural War by a stiff necked People against the best of Kings in which one single act a great part of the Citizens of London and of the Long Parliament became deeply guilty of a horrid Rebellion and detestable Sacriledge After the Murder or rather Martyrdom of the forementioned Archbishop the Skaffolds were taken away and sold with some of the Lead which covered this famous Structure and this House of God made a Stable for Horses by the Disloyal Army and almost all suffered to decay till the Restauration of the King who having a pious intent to set upon the repair thereof again it was all ruined by the late dreadful Conflagration in 1666. Which yet hath not so discouraged our gracious King and the rest of our Church Governors but that in a short time they intend to begin again the repair of the Mother Church of the Mother City of this Kingdom to the glory of God and high honor of this City and Nation for the speedy promoting whereof both King and Parliament City and Countrey Clergy and Laity high and low seem to stand engaged to lend their aid and assistance Of the forementioned Fire that was able to destroy such a vast solid Structure as the Cathedral of S. Paul a brief account may here be acceptable especially to Foreigners who have had imperfect relations thereof THe City of LONDON within the Walls was seated upon near Four hundred and sixty Acres of Ground whereon was built about Fifteen thousand Houses besides Churches Chappels Halls Colledges Schools and other Publick Buildings whereof about Four parts of five were utterly devoured in the late dismal Conflagration and about One part of five of the whole City and Suburbs counting therein Westminster and Southwark There were then destroyed Eighty seven Parochial Churches Six Consecrated Chappels all the Principal Publick Edifices as the forenamed Cathedral of S. Paul the great Guild-Hall wherein are held Nine several Courts belonging to the City the Royal Exchange the Custome-House most Halls of Companies c. whereof the whole damage is almost incredible In that one commodity of Books onely wherewith London abounded was lost as Judicious Stationers have computed One hundred and fifty thousand pounds for the loss fell most upon that and Three or four other cumbersome commodities not easie on a sudden to be removed viz. Wines Tobacco Sugars and Plumbs wherewith this City was furnished beyond any City in the World Yet in this vast Incendy not above Six or eight persons were burnt Of this dreadful Fire there were many concurrent occasions First The Drunkenness or Supine negligence of the Baker in whose House it began or of his Men. Next The dead time of the night wherein it began viz. between One and two of the Clock after Midnight when some were wearied with working others filled with drink all in a dead sleep Thirdly The dead time of the week being Saturday night when Traders were retired to their Countrey Houses and none but Children or Young Servants left behind Fourthly The dead time of all the year being then the long Vacation on the Second of September when Tradesmen were generally abroad
that ground being but a Lease the present Fellows of this Colledge have purchased with their own Moneys a fair piece of Ground in Warwick-lane whereon they are now raising a sutable Edifice Of this Colledge there is a President Four Censors and Eight Elects who are all Principal Members of the Society and out of whom one is every year chosen to preside The Four Censors of the Colledge have by their Charter authority to survey correct and govern all Physitians or others that shall practise in London or within seven miles of the same to fine amerce and imprison any of them as they shall see cause Here followeth a List of all the Principal Physitians who now practise in London Socii Colleg. Med. Lond. SIr George Ent President Dr. Hamey Dr. Glisson Dr. Salmon Dr. Stane Censor Sir Alexander Frasier Dr. Micklethwait Dr. Paget Dr. Timothy Clark Dr. Goddard Censor Dr. King Dr. Cox Dr. Stanley Dr. Whistler Sir Charles Scarborough Dr. Wharton Dr. Merret Censor Dr. Samuel Collins Dr. Rugeley Sir William Petty Dr. Terne Sir John Babor Sir Edward Greaves Dr. Croyden Censor Dr. Bevoir Dr. Wolfe Dr. Luellen Sir John Finch Dr. Banes Dr. Walter Dr. Burwell Dr. Rogers Dr. Mills Dr. Lang. Dr. Betts Dr. Twisden Dr. Waldron Dr. Barwick Dr. Dacres Dr. Samuel Collins Dr. Collier Dr. James Clark Dr. Jasper Needham Dr. Henry Clark Dr. Carr. Dr. Packer Candidati Dr. Stracey Dr. Yerbury Dr. Allen. Dr. Hodges Dr. Millington Dr. Parker Dr. Jo. Smith Dr. Lawson Dr. Coysh Dr. Bruce Dr. Brooks Dr. Howarth Dr. George Smith Sir Thomas Bathurst Dr. Francklin Dr. Atfield Dr. Downes Dr. Trevor Dr. Croone Dr. Browne Dr. Burwell Dr. Short Dr. Marshall Socii Honorarii Dr. Frear Dr. Parker Dr. Gourdon Dr. Denton Sir John Colladon Dr. Meara Dr. Lampriere Dr. Bowle Dr. Bacon Sir Richard Napier Sir John Hinton Dr. Colestone Dr. Charleton Dr. Dawtrey Dr. Deodait Dr. Fogarsius Dr. Hames Dr. Jo. Skinner Dr. Timme Dr. Warner Dr. Harris Dr. Argall Dr. Arris Dr. Langham Dr. Meverell Dr. Stanley Sir Theodore de Veaux Dr. Witherley Dr. Titchborne Dr. Woodcock Dr. King Dr. Tayler Dr. Bright Dr. Moore Dr. Cursellis Dr. Walgrave Dr. Ball. Dr. Duke Dr. Harrison Dr. Man Dr. Barebone Dr. Napier Dr. Gelsthorpe Dr. Griffith Dr. Walter Needham Dr. Moesler Dr. Carter Dr. Trapham Dr. Henry Glisson Dr. Charleton Dr. John Clark Dr. Cavendish Dr. Dennis Gourden Dr. Bridgood Dr. Yardley Dr. Browne Dr. Paman Dr. Fisher Dr. Grinder Dr. Lawrence Dr Willis Dr. Dickenson Dr. Fielding Dr. Medford Dr. Grey Dr. Sagittary Dr. White Dr. Waterhouse Permissi Dr. Wedderburn Dr. Trist. Dr. Lenthall Dr. Barrough Dr. Broome Dr. Welman Dr. Vermuden Dr. Sydenham Antiently the usual Fee of a Doctor was 20 s. and of one that had not taken that degree 10 s. at present there is no certain rule But some that are eminent have received in Fees yearly 2 or 3000 l. and purchase great Estates which in other Countreys is very rare Besides the worthy persons mentioned in the List above there are divers Physitians that have good practice in London although they never had any Licence which is connived at by the Colledge and so is the too much practise of Empericks Mountebanks Pretended Chymists Apothecaries Surgeons Wise-women c. In which piece of folly the English surpass all the Nations of Christendom And yet by the Law of England if one who is no Physitian or Surgeon or not expresly allowed to practise shall take upon him a Cure and his Patient die under his hands this is Felony in the person presuming so to do Of the Colledge of Heralds NOt far from the Colledge of Doctors Commons stood the Colledge of Heralds that is of such as are to be Messengers of War and Peace that are skilful in Descents Pedigrees and Coats or Armories an Ancient House built by Thomas Stanley Earl of Derby who married the Mother of King Henry the Seventh and bestowed by Queen Mary on the Kings Heralds and Pursuivants at Arms for ever to the end that they and their Successors might dwell together if they so pleased and assemble confer and agree for the good Government of their Faculty and that their Records might there safely be preserved c. They were made a Colledge or Corporation by Charter of King Richard the Third and by him had several Priviledges granted unto them as to be free from Subsidies Tolls and all troublesome Offices of the Kingdom Afterwards another Charter of Priviledges was granted unto this Society by King Edward the Sixth in the third year of His Reign Of this Collegiate Society are first three stiled Reges Armorum Anglorum Kings at Arms six called Heralds and four Pursuivants at Arms. Amongst the Kings at Arms the first and principal is called Garter instituted by King Henry the Fifth whose office is to attend the Knights of the Garter at their Solemnities and to Marshal the Solemnities at the Funerals of all the higher Nobility of England to advertise those that are chosen of their new Election to call on them to be installed at Windsor to cause their Arms to be hung up upon their Seats there to carry the Garter to Kings and Princes beyond the Seas for which purpose he was wont to be joyned in Commission with some Principal Peer of the Realm c. The next is Clarencieux so called from the Duke of Clarence to whom he first belonged for Lionel Third Son to Edward the Third marrying the daughter and heir of the Earl of Ulster in Ireland had with her the Honor of Clare in the County of Twomond whereupon he was afterwards created Duke of Clarence or the Territory about Clare which Dukedom escheating to King Edward the Fourth by the death of His Brother George Duke of Clarence He made this Herald who properly belonged to that Duke a King at Arms and named him Clarentieux in French and Clarentius in Latin His Office is to marshal and dispose the Funerals of all the lower Nobility as Baronets Knights Esquires and Gentlemen on the South-side of Trent and therefore sometimes called Surroy or Southroy The third King at Arms is Norroy or Northroy whose Office is to do the like on all the North-side of Trent The two last are called Provincial Heralds England being by them divided into two Provinces These by Charter have power to visit Noblemens Families to set down their Pedigrees to distinguish their Arms to appoint Men their Arms or Ensigns and with Garter to direct the Heralds The Six Heralds anciently belonging properly to Dukes have been sometimes named Dukes at Arms and are thus called and ranked First Windsor secondly Richmond thirdly Chester fourthly Somerset fifthly York sixthly Lancaster Whose Office was anciently to attend Dukes in Marshal Executions Now they are to wait at Court attend Publick Solemnities Proclaim War and Peace c. thence perhaps named Heralds from two German words Here and Healt that is the Armies Champion to denounce War or offer Peace
as the Feciales of the Romans did and from hence probably Seven Danish Kings and some Kings of Norway and of Sweden and some of England before the Conquest have had the name of Harold which is all one saith Verstegan with Herald These have no certain Province under them but by turns wait upon the Kings at Arms and have part of their Fees Of these Heralds in England there were anciently many and so likewise of Pursuivants whereof at present there are but four thus named Rouge Cross Rouge Dragon Portcullice and Blewmantle from such Badges heretofore worn by them as it is thought The service of these and of the Heralds and of the whole Colledge is used in marshalling and ordering Coronations Marriages Christnings Funerals Interviews Feasts of Kings and Princes Cavalcades Shews Justs Tournaments Combats before the Constable and Marshal c. Also they take care of the Coats of Arms of the Genealogies of the Nobility and Gentry briefly whatsoever concerns Honor is their care and study they are Tanquam Sacrorum Custodes Templi Honoris Aeditui All these receive Annual Stipends out of the Kings Exchequer They are all to be Gentlemen at the least and the Six Heralds are expresly made Esquires by the King when they are created Heralds Anciently the Kings at Arms were Created and solemnly Crowned by the Kings of England themselves and the Heralds and Pursuivants had their Creations from the Kings hand but of later times the Earl Marshal hath had a special Commission for every particular Creation and to do all that before was done by the King For the Creating and Crowning of Garter King at Arms there are first to be provided a Sword and a Book whereon to take a Solemn Oath then a Gilt Crown a Coller of S's a Bowl of Wine which Bowl is the Fee of the new created King also a Coat of Arms of Velvet richly embroidered His Creation is on this manner first he kneels down before the Earl Marshal and laying his hand on the Book and Sword another King at Armes reads the Oath which being taken and the Book and Sword kissed next are read the Letters Patents of his Office during which the Earl Marshal powres the Wine on his head and gives him the Name of Garter then puts on him the Coat of Armes and Collar of S's and the Crown on his head The Oath is to obey first the Supream head of the most noble Order of the Garter and then the Noble Knights of that Order in such things as belong to his Office to inquire diligently of all the Noble and notable Acts of every Knight of this Order and thereof to certify the Register of that Order that he may record the same and to give notice to the King and the Knights of the Order of the death of any of that Society to have an exact knowledge of all the Nobility to instruct Heralds and Pursuivants in doubts concerning the Office of Arms to eschew and avoid all persons of ill reputation to be more ready to excuse then to blame any noble person unless called by Authority to witness against them c. This Officer hath a double Salary double to the two other Kings and hath moreover Fees at the Instalments yearly wages given by the Knights of the Garter hath the uppermost Garment at their Installments c. The two Provincial Kings at Armes Clarentius and Norroy are created by Letters Patents a Book a Sword c. as Garter and with almost the same Ceremonies A Herald at Armes is also created with the like Ceremony onely his Coat of Armes must be Sattin embroidered and enricht with gold and must be brought in with two Heralds as the Kings at Arms are by two Kings at Armes They take a solemn Oath to be true to the King to be serviceable to Gentlemen to keep secrets of Knights Esquires Ladies and Gentlewomen to assist distressed Gentlemen and Gentlewomen Widows and Virgins to avoid Taverns Dicing and Whore-houses c. Pursuivants at Armes are created also by Letters Patents a Book a Bowl of Wine and a Coat of Arms of Damask and to be brought in as the Heralds before the Earl Marshal or his Deputy and to swear in solemn manner to be true to the King to be serviceable to all Christians to be secret and sober to be more ready to commend then to blame to be humble lowly c. This Office since the late dreadful fire is held in the Queens Court at Westminster where are some always waiting to satisfy comers touching Descents Pedigrees Coates of Armes c. as was formerly done at the forementioned house up in London which is now begun to be rebuilt by the Members of the Colledge and it is hoped may in a short time by the bountiful Contributions of all men that have any sence of Honour remaining be compleated to the glory of this City and Kingdom All of this Colledge being the Kings sworn servants the Reader may find a List of their Names in the First Part about the Kings Court. Within the Walls of London also is seated a Colledge built by the forementioned worthy person Sir Thomas Gresham and indowed in manner following After he had built the Royal Exchange he gave the Revenue thereof the one Moity to the Mayor and Commonalty of London and their Successors and the other moity to the Company of Mercers in trust that the Mayor and Aldermen should find in all time to come four able persons to read within this Colledge Divinity Geometry Astronomy and Musick and to allow to each of them besides their fair lodging 50 l. a year And that the Company of Mercers should find Three more able men to read Civil Law Physick and Rhetorick and to allow to each one of them besides fair Lodgings 50 l. a year And that these several Lecturers should read in Term time every day in the week except Sundayes aforenoon in Latin and afternoon the same in English The Musick Lecture to be read onely in English There is also within London another called Sion Colledge founded by Thomas White Doctor in Divinity for the use of the Clergy of London and of the Liberties thereof and a part thereof to be for 20 poor people to perform all which he gave 3000 l. and for the maintenance of those poor he setled 120 l a year for ever and 40 l. a year for a Sermon in Latin at the beginning of every quarter and a plentiful Dinner for all the Clergy that shall then meet there In this Colledge is a fair spacious Library built by John Sympson Rector of Saint Olaves Hart street and one of the said Doctor Whites Executors and by the bounty of divers Benefactors this Library hath been well furnished with Books chiefly such as are useful for Divines This Colledge felt the rage of the late Fire but is almost repaired again A little without the Walls stands another Colledge or Collegiate House called antiently the Chartreuse
among the learned is very considerable saith of one Colledge of Oxford in his time what might be said of some others there and in Cambridge Non credo in orbe terrarum extra Angliam simile esse addam aut fuisse Magnae illic opes vectigalia c. Verbo vis dicam Unum Oxoniense Collegium rem inquisivi superat vel decem nostra The whole number of Students in Oxford that partake of the Revenues of the Colledges are about One thousand and of other Students about twice as many There were anciently in this University before the founding of Colledges Two hundred Hospitia Studiosorum Inns Hostels or Halls and as Armachanus Writes there were Thirty thousand Students and Twenty miles round Oxford were by the Kings of England set apart for Provision in Victuals for this City The Discipline of these Colledges and Halls is far more exact and excellent then in any Foreign University First All that intend to take any Degree are to take their Dyet and Lodging and have a Tutor constantly in some Colledge or Hall then they are to perform all Exercises to be subject to all Statutes and to the Head of the House Next they are to be subject to the cheif Magistrate of the University to perform Publick Exercise and to be subject to the Publick Statutes thereof They are to suffer themselves to be shut up by night in their several Houses They are never to be seen abroad out of their Chambers much less out of their Colledges without their Caps and Gowns an excellent order no where observed in Foreign Parts but in Spain Their Gowns are all to be black onely the Sons of the higher Nobility are herein indulged and all Doctors are honored with Purple or rather Scarlet Robes which anciently were allowed onely to Emperors or Kings but now in England besides the King all Peers in Parliament all Doctors in the Universities all Majors and Governors of Cities and all the Principal Judges are at certain times cloathed in Scarlet The Degrees taken in the University are onely two viz. Of Bachelar and Master for so they are anciently called as well in Divinity Law and Physick as in the Arts. At present the Degrees in those Three Professions are called Bachelars and Doctors onely in the Arts Bachelar and Master Yet is it not to be supposed That because in Musick one of the Liberal Arts he that takes the second Degree is usually now stiled a Doctor therefore to be preferred before a Master of Arts who is Doctor of all the Liberal Arts yet Men otherwise Learned have sometimes committed such Errors by their Ignorance in words and names Every year at the Act or time of compleating the Degree of Master both in the Three Professions and Arts which is always the Monday after the Sixth of July there are unless some extraordinary occasion hinders great Solemnities not onely for Publick Exercises but Feastings Comedies and a mighty concourse of Strangers from all parts to their Friends and Relations then compleating their Degrees whereby and by the set Fees it usually costs a Doctor of Divinity Law or Physick about One hundred pounds sterling and a Master of Arts 20 or 30 l. sterling In these Three Professions and in the Arts there proceed Masters or Doctors yearly about One hundred and fifty and every Lent about Two hundred Bachelars of Arts. The time required by Statute for studying in the University before the taking of the forementioned Degrees because it is much longer then what is required in any Foreign University shall here be set down more particularly To take the Degree of Bachelar in Arts is required four years and three years more for to be Master of Arts. To take the Degree of Doctor of Divinity the Student must necessarily first have taken the Degree of Master of Arts and then after seven years more he is capable of being Bachelar in Divinity and then four years more is requisite before the Degree of Doctor can be had To take the Degree of Doctor of Laws the more ordinary way is in three years after Master of Arts one may be capable of the Degree of Bachelar and in four years more of Doctor of Laws the like for Doctor in Physick The Exercises required for taking these Degrees are many and difficult enough yet not such but that may be performed in less time by any Men of good abilities But it was the Wisdom of our Ancestors so to order that before those degrees were conferred upon any and they allowed to practice they might first gain Judgment and Discretion which comes with Time and Years and perhaps that those of slower parts might by Time and Industry make themselves capable of that Honor as well as those of quicker abilities To speak now particularly of the Publick Schools in Oxford of the large Salary to each Publick Professor of the most famous Bodlean Library that for number of choice Books curious Manuscripts diversity of Languages liberty of Studying facility of finding of any Book equals if not surpasses the famous Vatican To speak of the curious Architecture and vast charges of the New Theater fabricked by the most ingenious Dr. Christopher Wren at the sole cost and charges of the most Reverend Father in God Gilbert the present Archbishop of Canterbury for the use of Scholastick Exercises and of that most excellent Printing Press there To speak of the beautiful solid Stone Buildings Chappels Halls Libraries large Revenues admirable Discipline of several Colledges To describe the most delightful Publick Physick Garden abounding with variety of choice Plants and surrounded with stately Stone Walls at the sole expences of the Right Honorable Henry Earl of Danby would require another Volume What hath been said of Oxford the like may be said of Her Sister Cambridge which for Antiquity Beautiful Colledges large Revenues good Discipline number of Students plenty of Diet and of all other things necessary for advancement of Learning if in complaisance she will at any time give place to Oxford yet at the same time will challenge precedence before any other University of the Christian World These are the two glorious Fountains of Learning to the fame whereof Foreigners come on Pilgrimage to offer up Honor and Admiration and yet even these had lately been like to be dried up by the over-heated Zeal of some ignorant Fanaticks These are the cheifest Store-houses of Lettered Men which sends forth yearly a great number of Divines Civilians Physitians c. to serve all parts of this Kingdom To supply these great Store-houses there are in several parts of England Grammar Schools whereof the principal are Pauls Westminster Winchester Eaton Merchant-Taylers the Charter-house all richly endowed to maintain Masters Ushers and a certain number of Scholars so that a childe once admitted into these Schools if he become capable may at length be preferred to be Scholar or Fellow in some Colledge of one of these Universities and will want little or no assistance