apeece Nomina Burg de Appleby 2. with two manucaptors The return is torn and unlegible together with the most of the writ The Writs to the Sheriffs of 4 Counties mentioned in the Clause Rolls and their returns are missing in this Bundle and there is no mention at all in the roll of any Writs then issued to the Sheriffs of Cornwall or London nor any such writs to them in the Bundle whatever was the reason of this omission I have for brevity recited only the names of the Knights for these Counties omitting the names of the Citizens Burgesses and Manucaptors for the most part which those who please may peruse in the returns In this Parliament of 28 E. 1. the Great Charter of the liberties of England and the Forest were specially confirmed and not only several writs issued to Sheriffs through all Counties of England for their reading publishing and due observation recorded in the Cl. Roll of 28 E. 1. d. 7 8. but likewise certain Knights or other Freeholders were publikely elected by the Sheriff Coroners and Commonalty of every County throughout England for the punishing of all Trespasses and Offences committed against the same by special Patents issued to them by the King and his Counsil whom they were personally to attend concerning the same as is apparent by these two memorable writs not hither to taken notice of by any to my knowledge and not improper for this Section being grounded on the printed Statute of 28 E. 1. ch 1. Rex Vic. Lincoln et Coronatoribus et Communitati ejusdem Com. salutem Quia propter communem utilitatem Praelatorum Procerum et Magnatum ac populi regni nostri concessimus pro Nobis et haeredibus nostris quod Magna Charta de Libertatibus Angliae et Carta de Foresta in singulis suis Articulis de caetero teneantur et firmiter observentur Vobis mandamus quod tres Milites vel alios tres de probioribus legalioribus et discretioribus liberis hominibus Com. praedicti de assensu ejusdem Com sine dilatione eligi et cos usque Ebor venire faciatis Ita quod sint ibidem in Crastino Ascensionis Domini coram Nobis vel Consilio nostro ad faciend et exequend ea quae tunc eis ibidem injungetur ex parte nostra pro observatione Cartarum predictarum et habeatis ibi nomina praedictorum Militum vel liberor hominum et hoc breve Teste Rege apud Westm. 26. die Martii Consimiles literae diriguntur singulis Vic. Coronatoribus et Communitatibus singulorum Comitat. per Angliam Claus. 28 E. 1. d. 7. Rex Vic. Nortbt salutem Quia Philippus de Geyton unus illorum de Balliva tua quos nuper de speciali praecepto nostro de tuo et Coronatorum ac Communitatis Comitatus praedicti communi assensu eligi et usque Eborum in Crastino Ascenfionis Domini venire fecisti ad facienda et exequenda ea quae eis ibidem injungerentur ex parte nostra pro obserbatione magnae Cartae de Libertatibus Angliae et Cartae similiter de Foresta electus est in Com. Warr. per Nos una cum quibusdam aliis fidelibus nostris de eodem Com. assignatus ad Transgressiones quas contra tenores praedictarum Cartarum ibidem fieri contingat audiend et terminand per quod ad praemissa facienda in Com. tuo prout erat electus nequit intendere quoquo modo Tibi praecipimus quod loco ipfius Philippi de assensu Coronatorum et Communitatis Comitatus tui praedicti eligi facias unum alium de probioribus legalioribus et discretioribus ejusdem Comitatus qui ad hoc in eodem Com. tuo una cum ipsis ad hoc ibidem electis et coram nobis juratis intendat juxta formam potestatis ipsis electis et sibi per Nos tradendae Et cum eum fic eligi feceris Nobis de ipsius nomine constare facias sine mora ut tunc dictis electis et sibi literas nostras Patentes de potestate sua in hac parte fieri faciamus Teste Rege apud Sanctum Edmundum 10 die Ju. In and from the former Writs and their various returns there are sundry things very observable which I shall note before I pass to the next ensuing 1. The occasion of these Writs and last Parliament wit the examination confirmation and establishment of the New Perambulation of the Forests then made and returned to the King by the Commissioners specially appointed thereunto for the Common profit of the people of the Realm upon the Lords and Commons earnest requests in former Parliaments as you may read at large in Thomas Walsingham Hist. Angliae p. 35. 37 38 42 44 48. Ypodigm Neustriae p. 84 85 86 87 88. Mat. Westm. Ann. 1297 1299. My Plea for the Lords p. 98. to 104. Claus. 28 E. 1. d. 13. and Claus. 9 E. 2. d. 6. Schedula 2. The excellent principle of right and justice comprised in them That Perambulations of Forests though made and returned by speciall Commissioners appointed by the King and Parliament ought not to be ratified as binding till the reasons exceptions and complaints of all persons concerned therein were publikely heard and descided before the Lords in Parliament and they publikely summoned by Proclamations in each County to propound their exceptions and reasons against them if they had any Which rule ought to be still observed in all other like publike cases both in and out of Parliaments 3. The special command and limitation of the King in and by these writs commanding all Sheriffes throughout England to summon to this New Parliament at Lincolne no new elected Knights Citizens or Burgesses except only in the places of such who were dead sick or unable to com to it but only those Knights Citizens and Burgesses who were elected and sent to the last Parliament before it by the Kings precept Which was accordingly executed as appears by the Sheriffs returns 4. A Resolution and Declaration of the King himself by special writs out of Parliament without the petition vote or privity of the Commons themselves That if any Knights of Shires Citizens or Burgesses elected and returned to Parliament be sick or unable to serve and discharge their duties the King himself may by general or special writs command other fitting persons to be elected and sent to Parliament in their places as well as when they are actually dead which was accordingly practised this year as the Sheriffs returns attest And since that resolved and practised in the Parliament Anno 38 H. 8. Brooke Parliament 7. and Cromptons Jurisdiction of Courts f. 16. against the erronious opinion of Sir Edward Cooke to the contrary 4 Instit p. 8. And one Knight is discharged because made a Sheriff and another chosen in his place 5. That all Knights Citizens and Burgesses elected and sent to Parliaments ought to have full and sufficient power
THE SECOND PART OF A BRIEF REGISTER AND SURVEY Of the several Kinds and Forms of Parliamentary VVrits COMPRISING The several Varieties and Forms of Writs for electing Knights Citizens and Burgesses for Parliaments and Great Councils issued to Sheriffs of Counties only with the antientest Returns of these Writs by Sheriffs yet extant on Record from 49 H. 3. til 22 E. 4. amongst the Records in the Tower intermixed with other rare Writs pertinent to this subject and some Writs of Prorogation and Re-sommons with special usefull Annotations and Observations on them after most of these Writs recitals for the Readers information Wherein the Original of the Commons House and elections of Knights Citizens Burgesses and Barons of Ports to sit in Parliament is infallibly evidenced to be no antienter than 40 H. 3. the Presidents and Objections to the contrarie answered The Original of antient Boroughs and how many they were under King Edward the 1. 2 3. discovered The power of the Kings of England in creating new Boroughs by Charters or Writs augmenting diminishing the number of Knights Burgesses Members of the Commons House and altering the Forms of Writs of Summons without a Parliament The inability of the Commons House to eject or censure any one of their Members much less the major part as now without the King or House of Lords concurrence and Judicature and the inconsistency of force and armed Gards with Parliaments freedom are fully evidenced Some grosse mistakes touching Parliament Writs and Members refuted with many other Rarities concerning Parliaments By William Prynne Esquire a Bencher of Lincolns-Inne Jer. 6 16. Thus saith the Lord stand ye in the waies and see and ask for the old paths where is the good way and walk therein and ye shall find rest for your Sou's but they said We will not walk therein LONDON Printed by T. Childe and L. Parry and are to be sold by Edward Thomas at the Adam and Eve in Little Britain 1660. To the Reader Courteous Reader LEt it seem neither strange nor injurious nor unreasonable or unseasonable to thee that I now publisâ—… only one single Section and Fragment of the severaâ—… Forms of Writs for electing Members of the Commons House in Parliament without the remaining Sections I at first intended to accompany it to make it compleat when as a very small Fragment of the old Commons House not the full Tenth part of it after theiâ—… own double forcible dissipation by the Army haâ—… by their own special command forcibly excluded all tâ—… old secluded Members being above 200. by armâ—… Gards not only out of the House but Lobby too Dâ—…cemb 27. and voted them quite out of the House tâ—… 5th of January 1659. without the least accusation 〈◊〉 hearing behind their backs though ready to justifâ—… themselves face to face against all Objections contrary 〈◊〉 all Laws of God Nations and the Land whiâ—… judge and disfranchise no man how criminal or vâ—… soever before he be heard have his Accusers faâ—… to face and have license to answer for himself coâ—…cerning the crimes laid against him It seemiâ—… unreasonable even in the judgments of mere Paganâ—… to imprison or condemn any person and not withâ—… to signifie the crimes laid against him The only groâ—… of this their Unparliamentary bruitish Vote withâ—… any crime cause or particular Members names exprâ—…sed in it is our voting the Kings Concessions upâ—… the Propositions to be a Ground for the House proceed upon for the settlement of the peace of tâ—… Kingdom according to our Trusts Judgements Câ—… sciences after 3. daies and one nights debate without 〈◊〉 viding the House when there were above 300. Members present for which Vote alone Decemb. 5. as it now appears they then gave secret Orders to the Army Osficers to secure 45. and seclude above 200. more Members Dec. 6 7. 1648. and since that to re-sâ—…clude them May 7 9. and Decemb. 27 1659. placing trâ—…ble Gards at the door January 5. when they passed their vote to discharge disable them from sitting to keep them out if they then attempted to enter Had this bin only a sin of Ignorance or private Injury we should with patience and Christian charity have pretermitted and remitted it with our Saviors prayer Father forgive them for they know not what they do but being a wilsull malicious unatural crime against not only their Fellow-Members contrary to all rules of Iustice Nature and the Gospel it self resolving That there should be no Schism in the Body of the House or Parliament no more than in the natural Body but that the Members should have the same care one of another and whether one Member suffer all the Members suffer with it but also the highest injury and affront to all those Counties Cities and Boroughs they represent and a new kind of Gupowder-Treason to blow up all English Parliaments foundations Rights Privileges Members and the fundamental Government Laws and Liberties of the people in succeeding generations if connived at not fâ—…lly viâ—…dicated being 6. several times or more impenitently perpetrated by them the last after their own late double dissipations by divine retaliation which they so highly resented as Treasonable and Flagition in Cromwell and Lambert seconded with an old and new Engagement and Oath of Abjuration which some of them have already taken intend to obtrude upon the Consciences of our 3. Nations to send them down quick into Hell if taken or ruine them in their Liberties Properties if denied I cannot but look upon it as a kind of sin against the Holy Ghost which I fear some of these desperadoes have wellnigh arived unto which shall never be forgiven to men neither in this world nor in that which is to come The rather because they arrogate to themselves the Name Power and Judicature of THE PARLIAMENT no lesse than 5. times in this short Nonsence Vote when as they are not the Tithe of a Commons House and no Parliament at all without the King and House of Lords have not the least legal Jurisdiction to seclude or vote out any one Member without the Kings or Lords concurence whom they have engaged against abjured secluded against the very Act by which they pretend to sit who were a Parliament alwaies without a Comons house til 49H 3. without whom they can now Enact Vote Order nothing that is valid or Obligatory to the secluded Members or people as this and the former part of my Register and Plea for the Lords will inform those Ignoramusses in Parliamentary proceedings who think they may act enact and vote what they please against all rules of Justice the Laws of God and the Land and our whole Nation the reason and end of its present publication If they or any others shall receive any New-light from these new unknow Antiquities to reduce the over-swelling House of Commons within its antient bounds of loyalty and sobriety for the peace and
settlement of our 3. Kingdoms reduced to the brink of utter ruine by their dangerous 〈◊〉 Innovations and Usurpations over their fellow-Members â—…cers and Kings and restore our Parliaments to their antient Constitution Rights Privileges without any injurious Incroachments upon the Peoples Liberties or one House upon the other I shall 〈◊〉 God for it and by his assistance proceed to publish the remaining Sections for the benifit of Posterity In the mean time I hope this Fragment will demerit thy thanks too and thy servent Prayers for thy friend The unfeined unmercinary Servant of his Native Country in his generation William Prynn Lincolns-Inne Jan. 7. 1659. THE SECOND PART OF A Brief Register Kalendar and Survey of the several Kindes Forms of PARLIAMENTARY WRITS HAving already presented the world with the First Part of my Brief Register Kalendar and Survey of the several kinds forms of Parliamentary Writs in 3. distinct Sections with Special General Choise useful Annotations on and Observations from them relating principally to the Members and Assistants of the LORDS HOUSE I shall now proceed in this Second Part by Gods assistance to communicate to this present age and Posteritie in several Sections the manifold varieties forms of Writs issued to Sheriffs of Shires and particular Corporations made Counties within themselves Wardens of the Cinqueports Mayors of Towns Burroughs and Officers of the Ports for electing Knights Citizens Burgesses Barons of the Ports and other Members to serve in our Great Councils Parliaments or attend upon or appear before them as Assistants or otherwise upon Extraordinarie Occasions with the different Forms of Writs for Proroguing Adjourning Superseding Parliaments or Councils after the first Writs of Summons issued to Spiritual and Temporal Lords of all ranks the Kings Counsil Sheriffs and other Officers with extraordinarie Writs directed to the King Nobles Officers and others of Scotland and to some Lords Officers and others in Ireland as likewise to Merchants Masters Owners of Ships and other private persons to appear at or before the Parliament or Kings Counsil in England upon urgent occasions relating to the respective Lands affairs defences of Scotland or Ireland or to the Guarding of the Seas Merchandize trade and the like with sundrie kinds of Writs issued to the Arch-bishops Bishops Convocations Clergy of England besides other rare Writs relating to our Parliamentarie affairs and proceedings not hitherto published or insisted on by any Writers of our Parliaments though most worthie the knowledg of all Noble-men States-men Parliament-men Lawyers Gentlemen of qualitie Antiquaries Historians hitherto for the most part totally unacquainted with them or the majoritie of them almost quite buried in the grave of oblivion many of our Records being now overspread with dust cobwebs and eaten up with rust cankers moths worms in their over-much neglected Cells for want of industrie care in those who should preserve and reduce them into better order for the publike benefit of the present and succeeding ages A Work fit to be speedily executed promoted and no longer deferred by those whom it most concerns and by persons in highest Authoritie as worthy their superintendent eye and countenance being the richest Treasures of the whole English Nation SECTION IV. Of the several varieties forms of Writs for electing Knights Citizens and Burgesses for Parliaments and great Councils issued to the Sheriffs of Counties intermixed with some of their ancientest Retorns by Sheriffs and some writs of Prorogation and Resummons with special usefull Annotations on and Observations from them after most of these VVrits recitals VVHen and in what Kings Reign Writs for electing Knights Citizens and Burgesses to serve in our great Councils Parliaments were first issued and they upon the peoples free choice admitted into them as Members is a great yet undecided Countroversie amongst Antiquaries and Writers of our English Parliaments Some conceit that there were Knights Citizens Burgesses and Commons in the Reigns of our Saxon Kings before the Conquest summoned as Members to their grand Councils and included together with the Nobles under the name of Sapientes and the like for proof whereof they much insist upon the pretended ancient Treatise stiled Modus tenendi Parliamentum which in truth is but a late absurd Imposture though cried up by Sir Edw. Cook who over doted on it for a most ancient Record beyond all exceptions relying upon it as an undoubted Oracle Others refer their original to the Parliamentarie Council held at Salisbury in the sixteenth year of King Henry the 1. to which opinion Polydor Virgil Holingshed Speed in their Histories Anno 1216. Justice Dodderidg Mr. Cambden Mr. Agar and Joseph Holland in their Treatises of the c Antiquity of the Parliaments of England Sir Walter Raleigh and others incline as most probable Which I have at large refuted in My Plea for the Lords p. 165. to 183. by unanswerable evidences Sir Rob Cotton and Mr. Selden two of our learnedest most judicious Antiquaries do rather incline that the writs for electing Knights Citizens and Burgesses began but about the later end of King Henry the 3. and that the first Writ of this kinde now extant is that in Cl. 49 H. 3. before which time I conceive it can hardly be made good by Historie or Records that anie Knights Citizens Burgesses or Commons elected by the people or others were called to our Great Councils or Parliaments as Members of them That which induceth me to adhere to this opinion are not onely the Histories and Records I have elswhere cited during the reigns of King Henry the 1. King Stephen Henry the 2. Richard 1. King Iohn and Henry the 3. of all the Parliamentarie Councils held under them before this year which make no mention of anie such Knights Citizens Burgesses or Commons summoned to or present in them as Members but only of the Archbishops Bishops Abbots Priors Earls Nobles and Great men of the Realm but these memorable Writs entred in the Clause Roll of 48 H. 3. which assure us that there was a Parliamentarie Council summoned held this year by the King his Prelates Lords Nobles Barons and a Tenth granted him by the Prelates Lords ordained how to be levied expended for the common benefit of the Realm Church of England by their unanimous Counsil and advice without the least mention at all of anie Knights Citizens Burgesses or Commons called to or acting in it in anie kinde Claus. 48 H. 3. m. 5. dorso Rex Johanni de Balliolo salutem Cum jam sedata turbatione nuper habita in Regno nostro Pax inter Nos et Barones nostros divina cooperante gratia ordinata sit ac firmata Et quaedam ardua negocia Nos et Regnum nostrum tangentia Vobiscum communicanda habeamus quae sine praesentia vestra aliorum Fidelium nostrorum nequeunt expediri Vobis de Consilio Baronum nostrorum mandamus in fide et homagio quibus Nobis tenemini
noster terreri seu dicta negotia nostra retardari valeant quovis modo Teste Rege apud Eborum 5 die Marcii Eodem modo mandatum est singulis Vic. per Angliam From which Writ I shall observe 1. That the Writs of Summons to Parliaments may be altered and enlarged with necessary Prologues and clauses according to the times and emergent occasions by the King and his Counsel without consent or Act of Parliament 2ly That the absence of some Prelates Lords and Great men from the Parliament is a just cause to adjourn or dissolve it 3ly That no weighty affairs ought to be concluded but in a full Parliament when all the Lords and Members are present and not in an empty House when any considerable number of Lords and other Members are absent or secluded 4ly That no Lords nor other persons whatsoever though summoned as Members ought to come to Parliaments with a tumultuous multitude of people followers and armed men it being inconsistent with the freedom and privileges of Parliaments a grand disturbance to their proceedings touching the weighty affairs of the King and Kingdom therein propounded and a great terror and oppression to the people in those places where the Parliaments are held Much less then ought Petitioners or those who are no Members to draw up whole Troops Regiments of armed Souldiers to terrifie force seclude secure dissolve the very Lords Members Houses and Parliaments themselves 5ly That the King and his Counsil alone may by publick Writs and Proclamations lawfully prohibit the resort of any persons of what condition soever to Parliaments with any tumultuous multitude or armed men under the pain of forseiting all they have and that by the antient Common-law of England as well as by the Statute of 7 E. 1. Rastal Armer 1. it being a chief branch of the Kings antient royal Prerogative and Office as the Act declares 6ly That they may insert this Prohibition and Proclamation into the very Writs of Summons themselves when there is just occasion as there was never so much cause as now to do it after so many unparallel'd eumults and violences offered to Members and raised against Parliaments themselves by tumultuous wultitudes of rude people and whole Troops Regiments Armies of Sword-men raised for their defence to the total if not final subversion of the antient Rights Liberties and constitution of our English Parliaments In the Parliaments of 5 E. 2. some Noblemen and Earls by reason of dissentions between them and other fears and jealousies intended to resort to those Parliaments with a great number of armed men of their friends and retainers which the King being informed of thereupon issued these memorable writs unto them expressing the manifold mischiefs and inconveniences thence ensuing and prohibiting them to come to these Parliaments with any arms horses of warr or multitudes of people or to disturb the peace affright the people of the Realm or hinder the publike affairs of Parliament in any kinde under pain of forfeiting all their lands tenements and whatever else they might forfeit to him worthy the consideration and imitation of present and future ages upon the like occasions Clause 5 E. 2. dors 31. Rex dilecto et fideli sno Nicho de Segrave falutem Datum est nobis intelligi quod vos occasione quarundam dissensionum inter vos et dilectum fidelem nostrum Willielmum Mareschal nuper subortarum ad arma vos paratis amicos confederatos vesttos se parare similiter procuratis quodque ad Parliamentum nostrum quod apud London die Dominica proxima post festum Sti. Laurentii proximo futur fecimus summoneri accedere intenditis cum multitudine armatorum unde in immensum non immerito commovemur Et quia accessus bujusmodi si fieret in nostri contemptum et expeditionis negotiorum nostrorum impedimentum ac terrorem populi regni nostri et lesionem pacis nostrae cederet manifestè Uobis mandamus in fide et bomagio quibus Nobis tenemini sub forisfactura terrarum ac tenementorum ac omnium aliorum quae Nobis forisfacere poteritis districtè inhibentes ne ad dictum Parliamentum cum armis seu alio modo quam tempore clarae memoriae Domini E. quondam Regis Angl. patris nostri consuevit accedere aut aliqua alia per quae expeditio negotiorum nostrorum in dicto Parliamento retardari aut pax nostra turbari seu populus dicti regni nostri quovis modo terreri valeat facere praesumatis Consimilia mandata et Inhibitionem fecimus praefato Willielmo super negotio antedicto Teste Rege apud Berwic super Twed. 20 die Julii Eodem modo mandatum est praefato Willielmo de Mareschal T. ut supra Cl. 5 E. 2. dors 22. Rex dilecto et fideli suo Gilberto de Clare Comiti Glouc. Hereford salutem Intelleximus quod ad praesens Parliamentum nostrum apud Westm. continuatum estis cum equis et armis more non debito venientes unde admiramur non immerito et turbamur praesertim cum per hujusmodi accessum vestrum ibidem expeditio negotiorum Nos et statum regni nostri tangentium in dicto Parliamento nostro tractandorum impediri et populus partirum illarum ac alibl in regno nostro terreri posset non modicum et pax nostra turbari Vobis igitur mandamus in fide et homagio quibus Nobis tenemini firmiter injungedtes quod ad dictum Parliamentum nostrum ad tractandum Nobiscum et cum Praelatis ac Magnatibus de regno nostro super dictis negotiis veniatis prout tempore clarae memoriae Domini E. quondam Regis Angl. patris nostri fieri consuevit equis pro armis vobiscum ibidem nullatenus adducentes nec aliquid aliud attemptantes per quod pax nostra turbari aut populus noster terreri valeat quovis modo T. apud Westm. 28 die Novemb Per ipsum Regem Eodem modo mandatum subscriptis viz. Thomae Comiti Lancastr Humfr. de Bohun Comiti Heref. Essex Adamaro de Ualenc Com Pembroke Guidoni de Bello-Campo Com Warr. Edmundo Com. Arundell It seems notwithstanding those Writs there were some forces raised by these Earls and Nobles principally against Peter Gaveston which produced these ill effects 1. It terrified most of the Knights Citizens and Burgesses and caused them to depart home and desert the Parliament so as the King was enforced to issue out new Writs to resummon them and to command the Sheriff to elect others in their places in case they would not or could not come as is evident by the Writs in dorse 26 of Cl. 5. E. 2. forecited p. 73. 2ly It frighted away most of the Kings Justices and Counsil from the Parliament so that he was constrained to resummon and command them not to depart from the Parliament during its continuance without his special license as appears by this ensuing memorable Writ Cl. 5 E. 2.
Ballivis Stafford Majori Ballivis Warwick Majori Ballivis Leicestr The things most observable from these writs are these 1. That in the margin of the Roll these writs are stied Summonitio Consilii that the word Parliamentum is not mentioned in them but Colloqu Tractatum and in the Prologue to the printed Statute of the Staple 27 E. 3. it is styled Dur great Counsel at Wettminster 2ly That both the Arch-bishops all the Bishops Abbots Priors Earls Temporal Lords and Kings Counsel usually summoned to former Parliaments were summoned to this Great Council and 2 Citizens and Burgesses out of every City and chief but not petty Borough by special Writs issued to their Maiors and Bayliffs only not to the Sheriffs of Counties as usually and yet but one Knight out of every County and one Baron out of every of the Cinqueports was summoned thereunto which is thus expressed in the very printed Prologue to the Statute of the Staple made therein Anno 27 E. 3. 1353. Whereas good deliberation had with the Prelates Dukes Earls Barons and Great men of the Counties that is to say of every County one Knight for all the County and of the Commons of Cities and Boroughs of our Realm of England summoned to our Great Counsel c. 3ly That the principal cause of summoning this Great Counsel was the setling of the Staple for England Wales and Ireland and making Laws and Ordinances for the same by the Counsel and common assent of the said Prelates Dukes Earls and Barons Knights and Commons as the Prologue to the Statute of the Staple made therein and the Statute it self resolves us which principally concerned Cities and Boroughs 4ly That the Knights Citizens Burgesses and Barons to be elected and sent thereto were limited to be De discretioribus magis expertis Militibus c. and to have plenam sufficientem potestatem ad tractand consulend consentiend c. as in the precedent writs 5ly That the number of the Cities and Boroughs to which special writs issued were 37. besides London and the Cinque-ports entred promiscuously without any alphabetical or other order as the Clerks pleased but none out of Cornwall or small Boroughs 6ly That in 28 E. 3. a Parliament was summoned for confirmation of the Ordinances and Statutes for establishing the Staple made in this Great Councel wherein they were confirmed with certain Declarations and Additions to be firmly kept and holden for a Statute to endure for ever as the printed Act of 28 E. 3. c. 13. the Parliament and Statute rolls inform us Therefore no binding Acts till then The next Writs for electing Knights Citizens and Burgesses are in Claus. 28 E. 3. dors 26. the writs to the Sheriffs are duos Milites duos Cives duos Burgens de discretioribus provect ad laborand potentioribus qui non sunt placitatores quaerelarum manutentores aut ex hujusmodi questu viventes sed homines valentes bonae fidei ac publicum commodum diligentes eligi c. as in claus 24 E. 3. pars 2 dors 3. forecited and those in claus 29 E. 3. dors 8. are both the same with these in all clauses except in their dates and the dayes places of the Pailiament though the writs of Prorogation Dors. 7. vary from them having duos Milites gladiis cinctos c de discretioribus probioribus Militibus c. ad laborand potentioribus only in them Clause 31 E. 3. dors 21. The writs to the Sheriffs are only Duos Milites duos Cives duos Burgenses de discretioribus probioribus Militibus Civibus Burgensibus ad laborand potentioribus with a seu propter improvidam electionem c. in the Ita quod c. which clause is in the writ to the Warden of the Cinque-ports entred after those to Sheriffs But the writs to the Sheriffs dors 2. of this Roll run thus Rex Vic. Kanc. c. Tibi praecipimus firmiter injungentes quod de Com. tuo duos Milites gladiis cinctos de qualibet Civitate com illius duos Cives de quolibet Burgo duos Burgenses de discretioribus probioribus Militibus Civibus Burgensibus com comitatuum Burgorum eorundem et de elegantioribus personis eligi c. Ita quod c. seu propter improvidam electionem Militum Civium aut Burgensium praedictorum dicta negotia nostra infecta nō remaneant c. Et habeas ibi nomina praedictorum Militum Civium Burgensium hoc breve Et scire facias eisdem quod propter arduitatem negotiorum praedictorum celeriorem expeditionem eorundem volumus primo die Parliamenti personaliter interesse per quod nolumus nec intervimus aliquem ad dictum Parliamentum summonitum quin eodem primo die personaliter intersint habere ullo modo excusatum seu excusationem inde admittere aliqualem Teste ut supra Consimilia brevia diriguntur fingulis Vicecomitibus per Angliam nec non Henrico Duo ci Lancastr vel ejus locum tenenti sub eadem data In these writs I observe 1. A new qualification De elegantioribus personis in no writs else before or after 2ly An unusual clause in the close of them strictly requiring every person summoned to this Parliament to be personally present at it on the very first day thereof without any excuse An infallible Argument and clear evidence that all Members of Parliament duly elected or summoned ought personally to appear therein at the very first day and none of them to be suspended secluded ejected by their Fellow-Members or others 3ly That no excuses ought to be admitted for the non-attendance of Persons duly summoned to Parliaments 4ly That the King alone is and ought to be the principal Judge of Members excuses for absenting from Parliament the only Person who can and ought to dispence with their non-attendance since the Parliament is his Parliament Court Council summoned only by his Writs and Precepts for his and the publick businesses not the Lords or Commons who cannot dispence with absent Members without or against his consent In Claus. 34 E. 3. dors 4. there is this new addition in the Writs to Sheriffs Rex Vic. Kanc. c. Quod de Com. tuo duos Milites c. de discretioribus probioribus Militibus Civibus Burgensibus c. Ita quod iidem Milites in pleno Comitatu tuo eligentur plenam sufficientem potestatem pro se c. Ita quod c. seu propter improvidam electionem Militum c. with a Scire facias eisdem quod propter arduitatem negotiorum praedictorum celeriorem expeditionem eorundem c. as in the last preceding Writs but in the writs in this Roll Dorse 35. to another Parliament this year these new clauses are left out In the Clause roll anno 36 E. 3. d. 16. there is this observable variation in the writs to
Sheriffs Rex Vic. Kanc. c. Quia super quibusdam arduis c. Parliamentum nostr apud Westm. c. tenere ordinavimus cum Praelatis Magnatibus Proceribus dicti Regni Colloquium habcre Tractatum Tibi praecipimus c. Quod de Com. praedicto duos Milites c. de discretioribus Melioribus et Ualidioribus Militibus Civibus Burgensibus eligi eos ad dictum diem locum venire facias Ita quod iidem Milites pro se communitate Com. praedicti dictique Cives Burgenses pro se c. plenam sufficientem potestatem ab ipsiis communitatibus habeant ad consentiend hiis quae per Nos ac dictos Praelatos Magnates et Proceres ordinari contigerit favente Domino Et hoc sicut te indempnem servare voluer is nullatenus omittas habeas ibi nomina Militum c. The writ to the Warden of the Cinqueports runs likewise in this form de quolibet Portu portuum praedictorum duos Barones de melioribus validioribus discretioribus Baronibus without any other variation from the usual form The self same clauses are in both these writs in Claus. 37 E. 3. dors 22. claus 38 E. 3. dors 3. claus 39 E. 3. d. 2. claus 42 E. 3. dors 22. claus 43 E. 3. dors 24. all in the self-same form and words From these writs it is observable 1. That the best ablest and discreetest Knights Citizens Barons ought to be elected and summoned to Parliaments and that the King may command require such to be chosen by his writs without any prejudice to or intrenchment upon the peoples libertie and freedome in elections who are obliged in prudence reason duty conscience only to elect such persons 2ly That all Knights Citizens Burgesses Barons of Ports ought to have full and sufficient authority from the Commonalties who elect them both for themselves and them to consent to those things which the King Lords and Nobles shall ordain in Parliament concerning the great and weighty affairs of the Realm 3ly That the power of decreeing and ordaining things in Parliament whether publick or private resided principally if not soly in the King and Lords and of assenting to them in the knights Citizens Burgesses and Barons of the Cinque ports in their own and the Commons behalf 4ly That Sherifs may be justly punished and censured by the King for neglects or miscarriages in elections of Knights Citizens and Burgesses The Writs for elections issued to Sheriffs in Claus. 37 E. 3. d. 22. cl 38 E. 3. d. 3. cl 39 E. 3. d. 2. cl 42 E. 3. d. 22. cl 43 E. 3. d. 24. run all in the ordinary form Quod de Com. praedicto duos Milites c. de melioribus valentioribus or validioribus or valentioribus discretioribus Militibus Civibus Burgensibus Com. Civitatum Burgorum praedictorum eligi c. facias The original Writs for elections An. 42 E. 3. are yet extant in a loose unfiled bundle with their several returns indorsed on or annexed to them where the Knights Citizens and Burgesses elected and returned are in the returns said to be de melioribus valentioribus et discretioribus Militibus Civibus et Burgensibus of the respective Counties Cities Boroughs for which they are returned and to have plenam et sufficientem potestatem pro se et communitate dicti Com. Civitatis or Burgi respectively ad consentiendum hiis quae in instanti Parliamento contigerit ordinari I shall here present you with this brief abstract of the Writs and the several returns then made Bundle 42 E. 3. Rex c. Duos Milites c. de melioribus valentioribus Discretioribus Militibus Civibus Burgensibus Com. Civitatum et Burgorum praedictorum eligi c. Teste meipso apud Westm. 24 die Febr. Anno Regni nostri 42. Nomina Militum de Com. Westmerl Henr de Croweld senior Iohes de Preston Nomina Burgensium de Appelby c. Sir Thomas de Strickland Vic. Ego Walterus Haywode Vic. vobis fic respondeo prout patet inferius et in Cedula huic consut Pro Burgensibus Burgorum de la Vize Marleberghe Malmesbury ego dictus Vic. vobis significo quod mandavi Willo Baggeswych Ballivo libertatis Phe. Reginae Angliae cui executio hujus brevis pro dictis Burgensibus venire fac pertinet faciend qui quidem Ballivus michi nullum inde dedit responsum Et pro Burgensibus Burgi de Bedewpride ego dictus Vic. vobis significo quod mandavi Jobi Hommede Ballivo Libertatis Radi Cornitis Stafford de Hundredo suo de Kynnwardeston cui executio hujus brevis pertinet faciend pro dictis Burgensibus venire fac c. Qui quidem ballivus michi nullum inde dedit responsum Two Knights for the County two Citizens for New Sarum two Burgesses for old Sarum two Burgesses for Wilton are returned by the Sheriff with two manucaptors names for each of them Two Knights with two manucaptors Nullae sunt Civitates infra ballivam meam Nomina Burgorum Dounhenedburgh 2. Liskyedburgh 2. Lostwythiel Burgh 2. Trurou Burgh 2. Hellestonburgh 2. Bodmynburgh 2 Burgesses with two manucaptors apeece Berks two Knights Redyng Walyngford two Burgesses for each with two manucaptors for every of them Two Knights Wycombe 2. Burgesses with two manucaptors returned for every of them Two Knights Colecestre two Maldon two Burgesses all having two manucaptors but the last Burgess for Maldon who hath none Nomina Militum Com Gloucestr elect Iohes Tracy Iohes Poyns qui manucapti sunt per two only Nomina Burgorum Villae Glouc. 2. pro Villa Bristol 2. having but two manucaptors for both Knights two Citizens two for Cant. two for Rochester with two manucaptors apeece No Burgesses Knights two Burgesses two for Leicestr two manucaptors returned for each Non sunt plures Civitates vel Burgi infra Com praedict Knights two Burgesses two for Derbe with two manucaptors for each Knights two with two manucaptors apeece Non sunt in eadem Balliva aliqua Civitas nec Burgus Knights two only returned with two manucaptors no Burgesses for Hertford or St Albans Knights two Burgesses two for Notyngham with two manucaptors for each Knights two Burgesses 2. for Warwycke with two manucaptors for every of them Non sunt plures Civitates nec Burgi infra Com. praedict Vic. Surry et Sussex There was then but one Sheriff for both these Counties who had two writs filed and returned together for both Counties in one Cedula Knights two for Surrey Burgesses for Guldeford 2. Ryegate 2. Sutbwerke 2. Bleccbynglegh 2. with two manucaptors for every of them Sussex two Knights Cives Cicestriae two Burgenses Arundel 2. Horsham 2. Estgrenstede 2. Lewes 2. Shorbam 2. Stenyng and Brembre 2. with two manucaptors apeece Knights 2. Cives 2. for Hereford Burgenses Leominstre
2. with two manucaptors for each Knights two Cives Exon. two Burgenses Dertemuth 2. Tottes 2. Plympton 2. Tavystoke 2. Chesing Collyton 2. Barnstable 2. Knights two Burgesses two for Oxon vvith two manucaptors for each Knights two Burgesses two for Bedford with two manucaptors Somerset and Dorset had but one Sheriff for both Counties yet two Writs which are filed and returned in one Cedule Somerset Knights two Burgenses Villae de Brigge-water 2. de Taunton 2. two manucaptors for each Dorset Knights 2. Burgenses Brideport 2. Dorchestre 2. Waymouth 2. Melcomb 2. Warham 2. Villae de la Poule 2. with two manucaptors for each Knights two Cives Lincoln two Burgenses Grymesby 2. with tvvo manucaptors apeece Norfolk and Suffolk had tvvo Writs but one Sheriff vvho returned them both together Norff Knights 2. Cives Norw 2. Burgesses 2. Len episcopi with two manucaptors magnae Jernemuth 2. Suff. Knights two Burgenses villae Gippewic 2. Donewich nullum dedit responsum Two Knights and two Burgesses for Northampton without any manucaptors returned for either Two Knights Cives Wygorn with two manucaptors for each Non sunt in Balliva mea alii Civitates vel Burgi Milites two Cives two Karliol without any manucaptors Non sunt plures Civitates nec aliqui Burgi in Balliva 〈◊〉 Knights two Cives two for Wynton Burgenses Portesmouth two Four Citizens returned without any manucaptors Two Knights with two manucaptors Cives two Ebor. Burgenses Scardeburg 2. Kingestone 2. with two manucaptors for each Two Knights with two manucaptors and two Burgesses for Stafford All the rest of the writs during the reign of King Edward the 3d. but those of 42. are lost mislay'd or through carelesness lye as many other Records still do in a confused heap in the white Tower quite neglected over-spread with cobwebs dust mothes and cankers being never yet reduced into order through the sloathfulnesse or negligence of those who should preserve and digest them into a usefull regulation for the publique benefit of the present and future Ages The writs for elections to the Sheriffs in claus 44 E. 3. dorso 12. are thus altered in form from the last writs in some particulars of note Rex Vic. Kanc. salutem Quia super quibusdam arduis urgentibus negotiis Nos statum defensionem Regni nostri Angliae ac jura Coronae nostrae concernentibus Parliamentum nostrum apud Westm. die Lunae in prima Septimana Quadragesimae viz. in festo sancti Mathiae Apostoli tenere ordinavimus cum Praelatis Magnatibus Proceribus dicti Regni Colloquium habere Tractatum Tibi praecipimus firmiter injungentes quod de Com. praedicto duos Milites gladiis cinctos et in armis et actibus armorum magis probatos et circumspectos et discretos de qualibet Civitate ejusdem com duos Cives de quolibet Burg. duos Burgenses de melioribus validioribus discretioribus Militibus Civibus Burgensibus Comitat. Civitatum Burgorum proedictorum eligi eos usque Wesim. die Sabbati in festo sancti Petri ad Cathedra prox futur venire facias ibidem et tunc durante Parliamento praedicto continue moraturos Ita quod iidem Milites pro se communitate Com. praedicti dictique Cives Burgenses pro se et communitate Civitatum Burgorum praedictorum plenam sufficientem potestatem ab ipsis Comimunitat habeant ad consulend et consentiend hiis quae per Nos et dictos Praelatos Magnates et Proceres fieri et ordinari contigerit favente Domino super negotiis antedictis Et hoc â—…cut teipsum indempnem servari volueris nullatenus omittas Et habeas ibi nomina Militum Civium Burgensium hoc breve Teste Rege apud Westminster octo die Januarii Consimilia brevia diriguntur fingulis Vicec per Angliam From whence it is observable 1. That in times of war and danger when Parliaments are summoned for the necessary defence of the Realm and Rights of the Crown Knights who are most approved skilfull circumspect and discreet in matters of Arms and war and the best ablest and wisest men may be prescribed by the Kings writs to be elected in such general terms as these and are fittest to be chosen by the Commonalty in all Counties 2ly That Knights Citizens and Burgesses when elected and summoned to Parliaments ought not only to be admitted freely into but to continue constantly in them without suspention ejectioÌ„ by their fellow Members or others not to depart from them 3ly That none can licenso or dispence with their departures from Parliament but the King or at least with his privity or consent 4ly That Knights Citizens Burgesses are to consult and advise well together of all publick businesses propounded to them or ordained by the King and Lords before they assent unto them 5. That they ought to have full and sufficient power from the Commonalty as well to consult of as consent to them There are no writs of Summons to a new Parliament extant in the Rolls of 45 E. 3. but this memorable Summons only of half the Knights Citizens and Burgesses elected and retorned the last Parliament before pertinent to my Theam and very observable which I shall here transcribe at large for its rarity out of claus 45 E. 3 m. 21 dors Rex Vic. Kanc. salutem Cum Comites Barones Magnates Communitas Regni nostri Angliae in ultimo Parliamento nostro apud Westm. tento in auxilium expensarum quas tam pro salvatione defensione Regni nostri Angliae Navigii ejusdem Regni quam pro expeditione guerrae nostrae Franciae noâ—… facere oportebit concesserint nobis quoddam subsidium viginti duorum solidorum trium denariorum levand percipiend de qualibet Parochia dicti Regni Ita quod quaelibet Parochia majoris valoris auxilians sit contributoria alteri Parochiae minoris valoris juxta ratum ea intensione quod dictum subsidium ad summam quinquaginta millium librarum se attingeret Et quia habita super levatione subsidii praedicti per Nos Consilium nostrum deliberatione diligenti videtur eidem Consilio quod dicti viginti et duo solidi tres denarii de qualibet parochia dicti Regni sic levandi ad dictam summam quinquaginta millium librarum per multum non attingunt sic verisimiliter formidatur quod nobis de dicta summa quinquaginta millium librarum ad terminos statutos juxta intentionem concessionis praedictae responderi non potest Nos volentes plenius informari super declaratione intentionis concessionis subsidii praedicti qualiter levatio ejusdem celerius fieri possit considerantes quod onerosum esset omnes Magnates Milites Cives Burgenses qui ad dictum Parliamentum nostrum de mandato nostro
themselves are bound in Justice and prudence to reverse and revoke all such unusual illegal clauses and restraints inserted into writs for Elections which are inconsistent with the just rights and freedom of the people in their elections according to the Statutes of 3 E. 1. c. 5. 9 E. 4. c. 14. 7 H. c. 15. and this memorable President of King Riâ—…bard the 2d and that before any publick report thereof in Parliament or examination by the Commons 3ly That no Peer or Baron of the Realm may or ought to be elected a Knight of the Shire or Burgess of Parliament That the King himself may by his Writ null and declare their Elections void and command a new Election to be made before the Parliament assembles without the Commons precedent or concurrent Votes 4. That if the same person be elected Knight of the shire in two several Counties the King by his Writ may null and discharge the second election before the Parliament meets and order the election of a New Knight for the County wherein he was last elected he being uncapable to serve in both without the Commons order or privity 5ly That the Commons House or Committees in this Age were not the ludges Desciders of the lawfulness of Knights and Burgesses elections as now they make themselves but the King himself or the King and Lords House or his Counsel in Parliament without the Commons as I have elsewhere proved at large by sundry Presidents Besides the writs for elections under King Richard the 2d entred in the Clause Rolls there are five several Bundles of writs anno 3 10 11 13 16 R. 2. issued to Sheriffs for electing Knights Citizens Burgesses for the respective Parliaments held in those years having the Retorns of the Sheriffs with all the names of the knights Citizens Burgesses then elected indorsed on them or in Cedules annexed to them most of them having two Manucaptors apiece for their appearance at the day and place of the Parliament and some few of them no Manucaptors at all the forms of the Retorns agreeing for the most part with those of 26 28 E. 1. 42 E. 3. forecited upon which confideration I shall wholy pretermit them to avoid prolixity and nauseousness The original writs of Elections and their Retorns under K. Henry 4. are either mislayed or totally lost embeseled perished through negligence or casualty so as I can give you no particular account of them but only of their transcripts entred in the Clause-Rolls The first of them are enrolled in Claus. 1 H. 4. m. 37. dors claus 2 H. 4. pars 2. dors 8. cl 3 H. 4. dors 2. 17. cl 5 H. 4. pars 1. dors 28. pars 2. dors 11. agreeing all in words substance form with the usual VVrits forecited under Richard the second without any variation except in their Prologues and dates being the same with those to the Prelates Section 1. But in Cl. 5 H. 4. part 2. m. 4. dors there was an unusual new Clause inserted into the VVrits then issued prohibiting all Apprentices or any other man of Law to be elected as well as Sheriffs these Writs else agreeing in all things with the ordinary form Rex Vic. c. Jalutem c. Nolumus autem quod tu sive aliquis alius Vicecomes Regni nostri nec Apprenticius aut aliquis alius homo ad legem aliqualiter sit electus Teste Rege apud Lichefeld quinio die Augusti Thomas of Walsingham a credible Historian then living took special Notice of this extraordinary VVrit recording in his History of England direxit ergo Rex brevia Vicecomitibus ne quosquam pro Comitatibus eligerent quovismedo Milites qui in Iure regni docti fuissent vel Apprenticii sed tales omnino mitterentur ad boc negotium quos constat ignorare cujusque Iuris methodum quod et factum est But what prejudice to the Republike and people this produced by imposing new insupportable Taxes upon them he informs us in his Ypodigma Nestr p. 164. Grave Sir Edward Cook the most confident common Mistaker Mis-reporter of Records that I have hitherto read peremptorily affirms That the Historian VValsingham was herein mistaken and that there was no such Clause in the Writs then issued A clear evidence he never perused this Clause Roll or VVrit with his own eyes or most else be cites as I have done more than once for my own and others satisfaction transcribing this passage out of it with my own hand which I have also met with in sundry other transcripts as well as in the Roll it self where all may peruse it when they please And if this be not sufficient evidence our learned Antiquary Sir Henry Spelman a person of far greater judgement and learning in Antiquities than Sir Edw Cook hath assured us thereof in his Glossarium p. 44. Prohibet Rex Henrious 4 legum Apprenticios ad Parliamentaria Comitia Coventriae habita sexto die Octob. anno Regni sui sexto in Comitatibus eligendos ut non solum meminêre Annales nostri sed ipsum etiam breve Parliamentarium unicuique Vicecomitum directum datumque vigessimo quinto die Aug. anno ejusdem 5. uti patet ibidem in pede viz. Nolumus autem quod tu seu aliquis alius Vic. Regni nostri praedicti aut Apprenticius sive aliquis alius homo ad legem aliqualiter sit electus c. Hinc Parliamentum illud Laicorum dicitur indoctorunr quo jugulum Ecclesiae atrocius petebatur And Sir Edward Cook himself at unawares confesseth as much some few pages after 4 Instit. p. 48. as I have evidenced in my Plea for the Lords p. 379 380 381. and Preface to the Exact Abridgement of the Records in the Tower I find in truth that there were no less than three several writs of Summons and Elections to three distinct Parliaments in this one year of 5 H. 4. The first dated apud Leichfeld 5 die Augusti for a Parliament to be held at Coventree octavo die Octobr. entred Claus. pars 2 H. 4 dors 4. whereinto this clause was inserted omitted in most Collections of Parliamentary writs of Summons The second entred in Claus. 5 H. 4. pars 2. dors 11. Teste Johanne Duce Bedford Custode Angliae apud Westm. 5 die Octobris The third entred Clause 5 H. 4. pars 1. dors 28. for a Parliament apud Coventre tertio die Decembris Teste Rege apud VVestm 20 die Octobris in which two latter writs there is no such Clause inserted but only in the first which perchance was the ground of Sir Edward Cooks confident mistake who only saw a transcript of the latter not of the first Writs This Clause was warranted by and grounded on the forecited Ordinance of 46 E. 3. as Sir Edward Cook aâ—…tests and I subscribe to but that this was an Ordinance â—…ly of the Lords or that Ordinances differed from Acts of Parliament in those times
in this that one had the threefold concurrent assent of the King Lords and Commons the other not c. as he there affirms I utterly deny and have elsewhere at large resuted by unanswerable evidences and above an hundred Acts of Parliament which make them both one and the same they having both this threefold concurrent assent to make them Acts or Ordinances without which they are neither and himself confesseth it in his 2. Institutes p. 101. 645 646. elsewhere The reason for secluding practising Lawyers from being elected whiles they actually continued to plead and prosecute Suites in the Kings Courts for others are expressed in the Ordinance now fit to be revived that so the Lawyers elected may totally attend the publick businesses of the Kingdom and Parliament in the House and not neglect them which if they do faithfully and conscienciously execute with publick spirits there are no Members whatsoever more usefull necessary beneficial to the publick than they both forthe penning of good laws debating all businesses of law examining all complaints'and grievances whence none but Lawyers for the most part in antient or late times have been chosen Speakers of the Commons House few else but they imployed as Chair-men in most Committees After this upon the making of the Statutes of 7 H. 4. c. 15. 11 H. 4. c. 1. upon the Commons petition as appears by 1 H. 4. rot parl num 83. 139. 11 H. 4. n. 54. for regulating former abuses in the elections of Knights of Shires to serve in Parliaments the antâ—…ent form for the VVrits for electing Knights was somewhat altered and enlarged as is evident by the next ensuing VVrits of Clause 8 H. 4. dors 2. cl 11 H. 4. dors 32. cl 12 H. 4. dors 2. cl 14 H. 4. dors 22. cl 1 H. 5. dors 9. 37. agreeing all in one form and differing only in the prologues dates and places of the Parliaments I shall therefore present you only with a Transcript of the last of them Rex Vic. Kanc. salutem Quia de avisamento Consilii nostri c. as in the former VVrits Tibi praecipimus sirmiter injungentes Quod facta proclamatione in proximo Comitatu tuo post receptionem hujus brevis tenendo de die loco Parliamenti praedictis duos Milites gladiis cinctos magis idoneos discretos de Com. praedict c. libere et indifferenter per illos qui proclamationi hujusmodi interfuerint juxta formam Statuti inde editi et provist eligi nomina eorum Militum Civinm Burgensium sic â—…eligendorum in quibusdam Indenturis inter te illos qui hujusmodi electioni interfuerint inde constituend licet hujusmodi eligendi praesentes vel absentes fuerint inseri eosque ad dictos diem locum venire facias Ita quod c. as in former writs Nolumus autem quod tu vel seu aliquis alius Vicecomes Regni nostri praedicti aiiqualiter sit electus Et electionem tuam in pleno Comitatu tuo distinctè apertè factam sub sigillo tuo sigillis eorum qui electioni illi interfuerint Nobis in Cancellaria nostra ad dictos diem locum certifices indilatè Remittend Nobis aliam partem Indenturarum praedictarum praesentibus consutam una cum hoc breve Teste Rege apud Westm. 22 die Maii. The like writs then issued to all other Sheriffs of Counties and this form with little or no variation continued from 1 H. 4. to all Sheriffs of particular Cities and Boroughs made Counties within themselves as Lincoln York Bristol Coventre Norwich Notyngham Newcastle upon Tyne Kingstone upon Hull and Southampton mutatis mutandis till the Statute of 8 H. 6. c. 7. concerning Elections was made as the Clause Rolls assure us where the writs of Summons are recorded only the writs to the Sheriffs of London were to elect Quaâ—…uor Cives de discretioribus magis sufficienâ—…ibus the writs to the Sheriffs of other Cities that were Counties to elect Duos Cives and to those Boroughs which were Counties to choose Duos Burgenses The bundle of those original writs which issued in 1 H. 5 is yet extant together with the several retorns and Indentures of the Sheriffs and names of the Knights Citizens and Burgesses then elected and retorned the major number of them having Manucaptors retorned for their appearance at the day and place of the Parliament which others of them have not The Statutes of 7 H. 4. c. 15. 11 H. 4. c. 1. enacting all Sheriffs to make their Retorns of the Knights elected by Indentures between the Sheriffs and Electors under their respective Seals never in use before thereupon the forms of their Retorns were accordingly altered and made by Indentures wherein the names of the Knights elected and of their Electors were retorned some inserting more some fewer names of the Electors with general clauses for the rest on the dorse of many of which Indentures the names of the Knights Manucaptors and sometimes of the Citizens and Burgesses and their Manucaptors are entred and others of them on the dorses only of the Writs These Indentures are somewhat various and different in their forms and words but for the most part they accord in substance All those from 7 H 4. to the end of his Reign being not extant but lost or mislayd I shall present you with some few of the first of them yet extant in 1 H. 5. upon the retorn of the last forecited writ that year Executio istius brevis patet in quadam Cedula in quadam Indentura huic brevi consuta Haec Indentura facta apud Lostwythiel 24 die Aprilis Anno Regni Regis Henrici quinti post conquestum Angliae primo in pleno Com. ibidem tent inter Johannem Arundel Vic. Com. praedicti Johan Whalesbrew Willum Grynevile and 32. more there named plures alios de dicto Com. ibidem tunc praesentes secundum Proclamationem dicti Dom. Regis de Militibus pro Parliamento in dicto brevi specificato eligendis factam Qui tunc ibidem unanimi assensu et consensu eligerunt Johan Wibbury Johan Trelonny Milites qui habent plenam sufficieutem potestatem pro se communitate Com. praedicti ad faciend con sentiend prout breve praedictum in se exegit requirit In cujus rei testimonium huic parti Indenturae huic breve consut proedictus Johannes Whalesbrew caeteri omnes praenominati sigilla sua apposuerunt Et alteri parti Indentur praedictarum Vic. sigillum suum apposuit Dat. die loco anno supradictis Nomina Militum electorum pro Parliamento in brevi huic Cedulae consut Those named in the Indenture having each two Manucaptors Nulla est Civitas in Com. praedicto Nomina Burgensium pro Parliamento in Com. praedicto Dounhevedburgh 2. Bodmyn Burgh 2. Helston Burg. 2. Lostwithiel Burg. 2. Truru Burg.
respective retorns by Indenture in the Bundles of writs and retorns of Anno 3 8 9 H. 5. et Anno 1 2 3 6 H. 6. are the same with those of 1 H. 5. last cited and all the transcripts of writs for elections recorded in Cl. 2 H. 5. dors 16. cl 3 H. 5. dors 15. cl 4 H. 5. dors 18. cl 5 H. 5. dors 11. cl 7. H. 5. d. 9. cl 8 H. 5. d. 2. cl 9 H. 5. d. 13. cl 1 H. 6. d. 22. cl 2. H. 6. d. 18. cl 3. H. 6. d. 9. cl 4. H. 6. d. 15. cl 5 H. 6. d. 4. cl 7. H. 6. d. 2. agree in substance and form with the last recited writs of 1 H. 5. Therefore I shall not repeat any of them but refer you to their perusal in these Rolls Yet after the Statute of 8 H. 6. c. 7. touching elections of Knights made upon the Commons Petition to the King and Lords entred in the Parliament Roll of 8 H 6. num 57. the form of the Writs for â—…lections was somewhat altered and enlarged yet without any ses form or alteration prescribed by that Parliament or Statute as is evideut by the Clause rolls of 9 H. 6. dors 28. 10 H. 6. dors 16. 11 H. 6. d. 10. 12 H. 6. d. 2. 13 H. 6. d. 18. 18 H. 6. d. 33. 20 H. 6. d. 27. et 23 H. 6. d. 21. and the bundles and retorns of the writs an 11 13 20 H. 6. which all accord in this ensuing form of 23 H. 6. which I shall only here insert Rex Vic. Kanc. salutem Quia pro quibusdam c. Teste ut supra usque ibi Et tunc sic cum Praelatis Magnatibus et Proceribus dicti Regni nostri ColloquiuÌ„ habere volumus et Tractatum Ac in stat nostro in Parl. apud West so the writ in 9 H. 6. but those in 10 H. 6. and after apud Westm. An. regni nostri 8. tento edito inter caetera provisum et ordinatum existit Quod Milites Com. infra Regnum nostrum Angl. eligend ad veniond in parl ex tunc tenend eligantur in quolibet Com. per homines in eodem Com. commorantes et residentes quorum quilibet habeat liberum tenement ad valorem quadraginta solidorum peran ad minus ultra reprisas et quod illi qui eligendi fuerint sint similiter in eisdem Com. commorantes et residentes quodque illi qui habuerint majorem numerum ipsor qui quadraginta solidos per an ac ultra expendere possunt ut praedict est per Vicecom cujuslibet Com. per Indenturas inter ipsos Vicecom et praefatos electores inde conficiend sigiliatas Milites pro Parl. returnentur Et quod quilibet Vic. Angliae habeat potestatem autoritate Parliamenti praedicti examinandi super sacra dei Evangelia quemlibet hujusmodi electorem quantum per annum expendere possit Et si aliquis Vic. Milites de veniendo ad Parliamentum in contrarium ordinationis praedictae retornaverit habeant Justic. ad Assisas in Sessionibus suis assisarum potestatem autoritate supradicta de et super hoc Inquisitionem capiendi per quam si id coram eisdem Justiciariis comperi Vicecomes inde debite convinci contigerit tunc idem Vic. paenaÌ„ cent librarum Nobis solvend incurrat et imprisonetur per unum annum absque traditione in ballium aut manucaptione Et quod milites pro Parliamento nostro in contrarium ordinatione praedicta retornati vadia sua perdent prout in statuto praedicto plenius continetur Tibi praecipimus firmiter injungentes quod facta proclamatione in prox Com. tuo post receptionem hujus breviâ—… tenend de die et loco praedictis duos milites gladiis cinctos magis idoneos et discretos Com. praedicti et de qualibet Civitate Com. illius duos Cives et de quolibet Burgo duos Burgenses de discretioribus et magis sufficientibus libere et indifferenter per illos qui proclamationi interfuerint juxta formam statuti praedicti ac cujusdam alterius statuti inde dudum editi et provisi eligi et nomina eorundem militum Civium et Burgensium sic eligend in quibusdam Indenturis inter te et illos qui hujusmodi electioni intersuerint inde conficiend sive hujusmodi eligendi praesentes fuerint vel absentes inseri eosque ad dictos diem et locum venire sac Ita quod iidem milites plenam et sufficient potestatem pro se et commun Com. illius ac dicti Cives et Burgenses pro se et communitatibus Civitatum et Burgorum praedictorum divisim ab ipsis habeant ad faciend et consentiend hiis quae tune ibidem de communi Consilio dicti regni nostri savente domino contigerit ordinari super negotiis antedictis Ita quod pro defectu potestatis hujusmodi seu propter improvidam electionem Militum Civium aut Burgensium praedictorum dicta negotia infecta non remaneant quovis modo Nolumus autem quod tu aut aliquis alius Vicecomes dicti Regni nostri aliqualiter sit electns Et electionem tuam in pleno Com. tuo factam distinctè et apertè sub sigillis tui et sigillis eorum qui electioni illi interfuerint Nobis in Cancellariam nostram ad dictos diem et locum certifices indilatè remittens nobis alteram partem Indenturarum praedictarum praesentibus consutam una cum hoc breve Teste Rege apud Westm. 12 die Januar. Consimilia brevia diriguntur singulis Vic. Angâ—… sub eadem data Rex Vic. London salutem Quia c. ut supra Consimilia brevia diriguntur Vic. subscriptis mutatis mutandis sub eadem data viz. Vicecomitibus Civitatis Eborum pro 2. Civibus eligend Vic. villae Novi Castri super Tynam pro 2. Burgensibus eligend Vic. villae de Kâ—…ngstone super Hull pro 2. Burgensibus eligend Vic. Civitatis Norwici pro 2. Civibus eligend Vic. Civitatis Linc. pro 2. Civibus eligend By this writ of 26 H. 6. agreeing with former writs here transcribed at large you may observe that it differs onely from the last recited in the rehearsal of the Statute of 8 H. 6. and from the precedent writs by the recital of the Statute of 7 H. 4. That since these Acts the qualification of the persons is that the Knights and persons elected be only gladiis cinctos magis idoneos discretos similiter in eisdem Com. commorantes residentes c. That all Elections must be made liberè indifferenter c. as these Writs and Acts prescribe prohibiting no Officers or professions of men whether Lawyers or others to be elected but only Sheriffs in the Nolumus autem c. In the Parliament of 23 H. 6. c. 15. there was upon the Commons petition another new Statute made concerning elections of Knights whereupon in the next writs of Summons Clause
praedicti I. B. I. D. alii qui procl praedictae in pleno comitat praedict interfuerunt secundum formam statutorum in brevi praedicto specificatorum secundum exigen brovis illius eligerunt W. F. V. S. milites gladiis cinctos pro comitatu praedicto ad essendum ad Parliamentum in eodem brevi specific qui plenam sufficientem potestatem pro se et communitate comitatus praedicti habeant ad faciendum consentiendum prout breve illud in se exigit requirit In cujus rei testimonium partes praedictae his Indenturis sigilla sua alternatim apposuerunt Datum tali die annâ—… Plo. 120. G. A. armig vic Autiel Indenture serra fait inter vicount et Burgesses de D. sur election de lour Burgesses c Mutatis mutandis I have here given you the exactest fullest clearest Account of all the several forms and varieties of writs for electing Knights of Counties Citizens and Burgesses for our Parliaments and Great Councils and of their retorns extant in our Records ever yet presented to the World hitherto unacquainted with most of them of which our greatest Antiquaries have been in some measure ignorant I shall now close up this Section with 2. mâ—…morable rare Records in the Parliaments of 18 38 H. 6. touching the elections of Knights not impertinent to my purpose and worthy publication The first of them I find thus recorded Rot. Parl. An. 18 H. 6. m. 13. n. 18. Memorandum quod pro eo quod 16 die Novembris anno praesenti lecto coram Rege Dominis spiritualibus Temporalibus in Parliamento praedicto tunc existentibus per illos plenius intellecto retorno ejusdem Brevis ipsius Domini Regis Gilberto Hore nuper Vic. Cantebr pro electione duorum Militum inter alia qui ad Parliamentum praedictum pro Com. praedicto venire debuissent juxta formam in eodem Breve specificatam faciend directi satis evidenter constabat tunc ibidem quibusdam certis de causis in eodem returno specificatis nullos Milites ad veniend ad Parliamentum praedictum pro eodem Comitatu pretextu brevis praedicti â—…ctos aliqualiter extitisse Per ipsum Dominum Regem De avisamento et assensu eorundem Dominorum spiritualium et temporalium consideratum â—…t ordinatum fuit tunc ibidem quod per quoddam aliud breve ipsius domini Regis de data dicti prioris Brevis Vic. Com. praedicti detur specialiter in mandatis Quod ipse facta Proclamatione in prox Comitatu suo infra dictum Com. Cantebr post receptionem brevis illius tenend de die loco tentionis Parliamenti praedicti electionem duorum Militum gladiis cinctorum ac omnia alia in eodem continenda juxta formam ejusdem Brevis faciat exequatur Et quod idem Vicecomes antequam ad hujusmodi electionem procedat publicè in eodem Com. proclamari inhiberi faciat ne aliqua persona tunc ibidene armata seu modo guerrino arraiata ad electionem illam accedat nec quicquam quod in perturbatienem pacis ipsius Domini Regis seu electionis illius cedere valeaâ—… ibidem vel alibi faciat vel attemptet nec quod aliqua persona se de electione illa intromittat nec vocem suam in electione illa tantummodo excepta persona quae vocem in hujusmodi electione infra Com. praedictum facienda juxta formam statuti in eoslem brevi specificati habere debeat dare praesumat quovis modo sub periculo incumbenti ac sub paena imprisonamenti corporis sui ad voluntatem ipsius Domini Regis Et idem Vicec personas quae praemissa seu aliquod praemissorum in aliquo contemnere praesumpserint prisonae ipsius Domini Regis mancipet committat in eadem salvo secure custodiend quosque idem Dominus Rexpro earum deliberatione aliter duxerit demandand From which memorable writ I shall observe 1. That the Sheriff of a County after his Writ for electing Knights of the Shire received and proclaimed may justly refuse to proceed to thâ—… election in case any Souldiers or others armed with weapons and arrayed in warlike manner resort unto it to interrupt or disturb the Election And that this being retorned is a good excuse for the Sheriffs not electing the Knights 2ly That the King and Lords in that Age were sole Iudges of the Retorns of Sheriffs upon Writs for Elections of the legality of them and the elections made upon them as I have elsewhere largely evidenced by records not the Commons House 3ly That they alone not the Commons gave order for new writs for electing Knights and Burgesses when or where there was cause and directions how to make them as in this case and others 4ly That the Sheriff was here specially directed to make publick Proclam before the writ for election of knights for the shire was read to prohibit any person whatsoever to resort to the Election armed or arrayed in warlike manner or to do any thing in disturbance of the Kings peace or of the election and that no person should interpose meddle with or give his voyce in the election in any kind but such who had a lawfull right to do it according to the form of the Statute 5ly That if any person resorted to it armed or did any thing that might either disturb the Kings peace or election or intermeddle therein or gave his voyce who had no voyce by Law that the Sheriff should forthwith imprison him for his offence in the Kings prison till the King himself give order for his release Which I conceive all Sheriffs may still do in like Cases by vertue of the Statute of 3 Edw. 1. c. 5. concerning the freedoms of elections which enacts and commands upon great forfeiture that no great man nor other by force of arms or menacing shall disturb any to make free election And if none may disturb the freedom of Elections by armed force much less may they interrupt the Members from sitting in the House or disturb them in the freedom of their debates when elected assembled in Parliament under greater penalties and forfeitures The second is thus enrolled Rot. Parl. An 38 H. 6. n. 11. To the King our Soveraign Lord Meekly beseeching your true Liegemen Sheriffs of the Shires of this your noble Realm that were of the years past passed Where it pleased your Highness to command divers of your said Beseechers by your honourable Letters of privy Seal to proceed to election of their several shires of Knights of shires for this your present Parliament for the good hasty speed thereof Please it your noble Grace to ordain and to grant by assent of your Lords Spiritual and Temporal and by the Commons assembled in this present Parliament by authority of the same That all elections of Knights of your seid Shires in such wise chosen and by your said Beseechers retorned be as good and effectual as
sequentibus habuerunt diligentem Tractatum Rex Magnates quomodo conterrerent Wallensium tam intollerabilem cum irruptionibus suis crebris insolentiam Submonetur igitur generaliter tota Angliae militia ut omnes qui tenentur ad servitia militaria Domâ—…no Regi sint prompti parati sequi Regem profecturum in Walliam cum equis armis die Lunae ante nativitatem B. Johannis Baptistae apud Cestriam c. Eodemque tempore cum instanter constanter respondissent Magnates Regni communiter Regi qui cum magna instantia in memorato Parliamento urgenter pecuniam insinitam sibi dari postulasset pro negotio Apuliae expediendo aliis arduis promovendis quod nullo modo potuerunt sine eorum irrestaurabili subversione toties inaniter substantiolas suas usque ad exinanitionem effundere c. Cum constanter praecisè respondissent quasi uno ore Magnates Regni in Parliamento Regi cum urgenter ab eis postulasset auxilium pecuniare quòd nec voluerunt nec potuerunt amplius sustinere tales extortiones Rex iratus ad alia se conuertit aslutiae argumenta c. Duravit adhuc praelibati Parliamenti altercatio inter Regem Regni Magnates usque diem Dominicam proximam post ascensionem multiplicabantur contra Regem variae diatim querimoniae c. Et quia nesciebant adhuc Magnates quomodo suum Prothea tenere voluissent quia arduum fuerat negotium difficile dilatum est Parliamentum usque ad festum sancti Barnabae apud Oxoniam diligen ter celebrandum Interim Optimates Angliae fibi praecaventes providentes consoederati sunt c. Instante vero festo sancti Barnabae Apostoli Magnates et Nobiles terrae ad Parliamentum quod Oxoniae tenendum suit properabant praeceperuntque omnibus qui eisdem servitium militare debuerant quatenus cum ipsis venirent parati veluti ad corpora sua contra hostiles insoltus defensuri c. Parliamento autem incipiente solidabatur Magnatum propositum Confilium Immutabile c. In all the debates and transactions of this Parliament recited at large in our Historians there is no mention of any Knights Citizens Burgesses Commons but only of Comites Magnates Barones Nobiles who acted and spake all who are stiled Universitas Regni and the Statutes and Ordinances they made at Oxford Statuta Baronum to which the Londiners and others assented Cirea festum sancti Leonardi tale iniit Consilium Universitas Baronagii quod tunc Londinierat Anno 1259. 42 H. 3 Fuit Rex ad Natale domini Londini ubi magna sollicitudine tractatum est inter Nobiles Regni quomodo conservato suo salubri proposito satisfacerent defiderio Regis Richardi de Alemannia c. Proposuerunt igitur Magnates accipere juramentum ab ipso Rege Aleman antequam applicuisset ne Regno Angliae quomodolibet noceret vel provisionem communem impediret Comes autem Legriae Simon non sine multoram admiratione in partibus adhuc transmarinis morabatur Unde in magna parte suit Consilium Baronagii mutilatum c. In crastino autem intraverunt Magnates Angliae capitulum Cantuariense where King Richard took a solemne Oath before them which they prescribed and administred to him In octavis purificationis congregati sunt Nobiles Angliae Londini prous inter se prius condixerant c. over against which is printed in the Margin Parliamentum Londini habitum After which the Historian informs us William de Hortuna was sent into Scotland Negotia enim ardua sed secreta Regi Reginae as Scotioe Magnatibus sibi injuncta fuerunt ex parte Regis Reginae Magnatium Angliae Quicum illoâ—… veniret Regem Scotiae Reginam Regni Magnates ibi ad parliameutum in vâ—…nit prout desideravit congregatos c. By which it is evident That in this Age the King Queen and Nobles of England and Scotland constituted and made up the Parliaments of both kingdoms without any elected Knights of Shires Citizens or Burgesses introduced in succeeding times The same year circa Kalend. Apr. ex praecepto et consilio Domini Regis Angliae et totius Baronagii arripuerunt iter transmarinum ad Parliamentum magnum Regis Francorum tenendum in Francia pro pluribus arduis negotiis Regna Franciae Angliae de resignatione Normanniae et literas credentiae c. Magnates vero Angliae statutis quae inceperant salubriter intendebant ad malas consuetudines injurias et corruptelas amodo delendas omnino assidui et confederati Anno 1265. 49 H. 3. after the battel of Evesham wherein the Barons were slaine and routed on the Nativity of our Ladie Septemb. 8. Rex potestati Regiae restitutus de consilio filii victoris Wintoniam Parliamentum convocavit ubi consilio inito Civitatem Londinensem ob suam rebellionem privavit suis privilegiis libertatibus antiquis Capitaneos etiam factionis contra Regem juxta voluntatem ejus plectendos jubet carceri mancipari Rex et Regni Proceres writes Matthew Westminster apud Winton ordinarunt quod ditiores civitatis Londinensis in carcerem truderentur quod Cives antiquis libertatibus privarentur et quod stipites et cathenae quibus Civitas fuerat roborata de medio tollerentur pro eo quod Simoni de Monteforti Comiti Leicestriae in regis contemptum et etiam damnum regni fortiter adhaeserunt quo totum factumest By all these Historical passages in Matthew Paris Rishanger his Continuer and Mat. Westminster it is most apparent beyond contradiction that as there were many writs of summons under K. Henry 3. to Parliamentarie Councils issued to the Spiritual and Temporal Lords before 49 H. 3. not extant in the Clause Rolls or other Records so there were no Knights of Shires Citizens Burgesses or Commons elected or summoned by writ or Charter to these Great Councils or Parliaments during all the reign of King Henry the 〈◊〉 until the Parliament held at London in Octabis Sancti Hillarii the 49. year of his reign when they were first elected summoned by writ for ought appears by Historie or Record there being none but the Archbishops Bishops Abbots Priors Earls Nobles Barons Spiritual and Temporal Lords of the Realm summoned to consulting acting debating ordering enacting Lawes or Ordinances or granting refusing aydes subsidies or expostulating with the King or Pope in any of them as all these transcribed passages evidence with the Records of Claus. 18 H. 3. m. 10. Vic. Lincoln Claus. 19 H. 3 m. 20. cited in my Epistle before the first part of this Brief Register Kalendar and Survey and those of 48 H. 3. here cited p. 4. to 10. To which I shall superadde for further confirmation of this truth Claus. 18 H. 3 m. 27. Rex Majori et Civibus suis Dublin c. where the King reciting the death of the Earl Marshal slain in
as Mr. Lambard would strain it 4ly The writ in the Register part 1. f. 192. made after the Statute of 12 R. 2. c. 12. to exempt the Bishop of Londons Tenants at Fulham from contributing to the expences of the Knights of Middlesex recites only Quod licet ipsi eorum Antecessores Praedecessores expensis Militum ad Parliamenta nostra vel Progeuitorum nostrorum quondam Regum Angliae pro Communitate Com. praedicti ante haec tempora venientium nullatenus solvere aut contribuere consueverunt And one of the Writs in the Register f. 261. b. Vic. Huntingdon Quod Homines de antiquo Dominico non contribuant expensis Militum begins thus Cum secundum consuetudinem in Regno nostro Augliae hactenus obtentam approbatam homines tenentes de antiquo Dominico Coronae Angliae quieti sunt esse debeant a contributione expensarum Militum ad Parliamenta venientium Both which import only That neither they nor their Predecessors or Ancestors since Knights were first sent to Parliaments in 49 H. 3. or afterwards were accustomed to contribute towards their expences but exempted from the same Not that there were such Knights who had wages and that they were exempted from it before the Conquest And that other form of the Writ in the Register f. 261. a. touching Tenants of antient Demesn Quod licet ipsi eorum Aâ—…ecessores tenentes de eodem manerio A TEMPORE QUO NON EXTAT MEMORIA SEMPER HACTENUS QUIETI ESSE CONSUEVERUNT de expensis Militum ad Parliamenta nostra vel Progenitorum nostrorum Regum Angliae pro Communitate dicti Comitatus venientium must have the self-same interpretation or this at least which is equivalent to it That time out of mind before there were any Knights of Shires elected in the County they were alwayes â—…ree from contributing to their Wages and never used to pay any such Tax this prescâ—…iption will extend to all times before 49 H. 3. and the Conquest it self And since 49 H. 3. and the elections of Knights of Shires they and their Ancestors time out of mind or of old time as the statutes of 5 Richard 2. cap. 4. 11 Henry 4. cap. 1. express it have alwayes used to be quit from such expences of Knights and never charged with them There are many Prescriptions and Customs in use in King Edward the third his time and since which are said to be time out of mind yet certainly they had their Original not before but long since the Conquest as you may read in Brookâ—… Fitzherbert and other Law-Books Title Custome and Prescription and Cooks 1 Institutes fol. 58. 113. That which hath been used or prescribed in but for two or three Ages only or out of the memory or mind of men then living being reputed a legal Custome or Prescription 34 Henry 6. 36. Br. Prescription 6. Therefore this Prescription of Tenants in Antient Demesn to be exempt from contributing to Knights wages or not to send Burgesses to the Parliament time out of mind will no waies warrant Mr. Lambards conclusion thence Ergo No doubt there was a Parliament before the Conquest to which they of other places used to send their Knights and Burgesses I am certain that at this day Tenants in Antient Demesn can plead that both they and their Ancestors time out of mind of man were never accustomed to pay Excise for any thing for which Excise is now generally demanded will it therefore follow Ergo all places else now subject to pay Excise were lyable to pay it before the Conquest when as it was first set on foot since 1642 If not then Mr. Lambards Argument is as great an inconsequence as it seeing Knights and Burgesses of Parliament began not before the 49th of Henry the third as I have evidenced and were never heard of as he conceits before the Conquest which none of the Authorities cited by him do satisfactorily evidence and all Histories Records from the Conquest till 49 Henry the 3d. most clearly refute I should now proceed to the 5th Section Of Writs for electing Knights Citizens and Burgesses issued to the Earls Dukes Lieutenants and Chancellors of the Dutchy of Lancaster the Sheriffs of London Bristol York New-castle upon Tine Norwich Lincoln Kingston upon Hull Southampton Coventry Canterbury and other Towns made Counties within themselves after their severance from the Shires in which they are situated with some forms of their Retorns and usefull Observations on them but the present Exigence of our affairs and strange Vote of a few Commoners Jan. 5. 1659. creating themselves a Parliament without a King or House of Lords and adjudging declaring above two hundred Members to stand discharged from voting or sitting as Members of this Parliament during this Parliament And that Writs do issue to elect New Members in their Places behind their backs as being either afraid or ashamed to look them in the faces without naming any one of them and that before the least legal accusation hearing trial or conviction whatsoever of any delinquency except only their loyalty sincerity fidelity to their King Country the Rights and Privileges of Parliament constant adhering to their original Trusts Oaths Protestation Covenant Vow Votes Ordinances Declarations Remonstrances Principles of Piety Honesty Christianity and abomination of all Treachery Perjury Jesuitical Practices and destructive publick Innovations contrary to the expresse Word of God the Fundamental Laws Statutes and Government of this Realm and the tenor of the Writs and Indentures wherby they were made Members which their secluders have violated subverted in the highest degree hath caused me to publish this Chapter by it self wherin I have as elsewhere made good to all the world by Records Presidents Judgements in Parliament law reason and divinity too That the whole House of Commons in its greatest fulnesse freedom and power nover hed any lawfull right or Authority upon full bearing evidence conviction to expel any single Member of the House for breach of trust or other misdemeanor whatsoever no more than one Judge Justice Commissioner Committee or Grand Jury-man to unjudge uncommission discharge or eject another being all equals equally intrusted by the people and having no power of judicature over each other without the Lords or Kings consent in whom the sole Judicature in our Parliaments resides much lesse then the Tenth part of the Commons House sitting under a visible force and keeping four times their Number of Members out by armed guards which nulls all they vote or do to eject the Majority of the House order New Elections of others in their places and make them uncapable to be elected by the meer Club-law of pellitur e medio sapientia vi geritur res which unparalell'd injustice neither these excluded Members nor yet the Counties Cities and Boroughs for whom they serve nor the Freeborn English Nation nor Army-Officers so lately disofficed cashiered for ejecting the secluders upon as good grounds and by
the same Law of the longest Sword they now make use of will patiently endure to their own and the Nations infamy the ruine of our Parliaments Constitution and Privileges if connived at in these times of sad distraction I shall desire these forcible Secluders and Voters of us out of the House seriously to consider these Passages of A Declaration of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament to which many of them were parties in answer to his Majesties Declaration 23. October 1642. If the tâ—…uth was that the dâ—…my of the King is raised to force some particular Members of this Parliament to be delivered up yet upon this ground would it follow that the same is levied against the Parliament for we have often declared to his Majestie and the world That we were alwaies ready to receive any evidence or accusation against any of them and to judge and punish them according to their demerits yet hitherto no Evidence produced no Accuser appearing the case of the now secluded ejected disabled Majority of the Members And yet notwithstanding to raise an dâ—…my to compell the Parliament to expose those Members to the fury of those wicked counsellors that thirst after nothing more than the ruine of them and the Commonwealth What can be more evident then that the same is levied against the Parliament for did they prevail in this then by the same reason might they demand and these now sitting forcibly seclude and eject twenty more and consequently never rest satisfied until their malice and Tyranny did devour all those Members they found crosse and opposite to their lewd and wicked designs as our secluders have done and so by depriving the Parliament of their Members destroy the whole Body Thus seconded in The Remonstrance of the Lords and commons assembled in Parliament Nov. 2. 1642. in answer to his Majesties Declaration This is the doctrine of that Declaration 5. That his Majesty or any other person may upon suggestion and pretence of Treason Felony or the breach of the Peace take the Members of Parliament out of either House of Parliament without giving satisfaction to the House whereof they are Members of the grounds of such suggestion or accusation and without and against their consent so they may dismember a Parliament when they please and make it what they will when they will as our secluders have done by voting and keeping out above 200. by meer force before Accusation or Heating And in their Declaration of August 4. 1642. wherewith I shall conclude If the King by his Army may force this Parliament as our secluders have done they may bid farewell to all Parliaments for ever receiving good by them And if Parliaments be lost they the people are lost their Laws are lost as well â—…se lateâ—…y made as in former times all which will be cut in sunder with the same sword now drawn for the destruction of this Parliament as they are now by the forcible seclusion of the Members by Order and Command of those now sitting ERRATA PAge 8. l. 7. r. Subortam p. 22. l. 7. sustentari l. 18. scire p. 26. l. 7. Comitum p. 26. l. 4. Et de p. 37. l. 6. posset p. 50. l. 2. Hertford r. Berks. p. 54. 28. extitit p. 63 l. 31. r. 〈◊〉 wit p. 79. l. 18. their r. this p. 83. l. 3 partium p. 94. l. 12. et per p 95. l. 2. 21 r. 27 E. 3. p. 119. l. 28. unreasonable r. unanswerable l. 33. a new writ for p. 120. l. 26 et 〈◊〉 per. p. 121. l. 14. Avunâ—…ulo p 122 l. 15. 16 r. 9 E 2. 〈◊〉 13. 7 H. 4 p. 126. l. 11. 1 r. 7 H 4. p. 128. l. 126. brevi p. 145. l. 26. Baronis p. 171. l. 13 14. imparred r. iâ—…serted FINIS THE MISCELLANEOUS WORKS OF WILLIAM PRYNNE Esquire UTTER-BARRESTER of Lincolnes Inne VOL. XXIV PSALME 120. v. 5 6. My Soule hath long dwelt with them that are enemies unto peace I labour for peace but when I speake unto them thereof they make them ready to Battle London Printed for the Author and are to be sold by Edward Thomas dwelling in Green Arbour a Deuâ—…r 17. 2 to 14. John 7. 51. Acts 23. 30 35. c. 24. 8 c. c. 25. 16 17 18. Magna Charta c. 35. b Acts 25. 27. c See the Epistle to my Speech Dec. 4. 1648. c Luke 23 24. d 1 Cor. 12 25 26. d Mat. râ—… 31 32. a Mr. William Lambard his Archaion p. 242. to 273. Mr. Nathaniel Bacon b 4 Inst. p. 12. 349. 1 Instit. p. 110. 2 Inst. p. 7 8. c Page 18 19 20 40 85 87. d The Prerogative of the Parliament of England p. 2 3. e The Freeholders Grand Inquest p. 12 13. f Posthuma p. 346 347 348. g Titles of Honor p. 712. 713 717. h Plea for the Lords p. 30 to 35. 57 to 128 203 to 262. The Supplement to it p. 401. to 417. And Epistle before the 1. Part of The Register c. * See Mat. Paris p. 961. and the Catalogue of Barons in the London Edition of him 1640. after the Table Cl. 48 H. 3. d. 3. * Claus. 48 H. 3. d. 2. Objection Answ. * The one 3. Aprilis the other 4. Iunii 1 Septemb. following after the Wars ended and Army dissolved which preceeded this Parliament * Pat. 6. Johan Regis m 2. dorso * Convictus Feodi a Archaion p. 261 262 263 b See here p. 2 3. c Hist. Angl. p. 201. d Flores Hist. pars 2. Ann. 1204. p. 80. Seldens Titles of Honor ' p. 707. * 7 E. 1. Stat. of Mortmain See part 1. p. 383. e Mat. Paris 247. f Mat. Paris Hist. Angliae p. 200 201 202. * See here p. 4 5. * See Mr. Seldens Titles of Honor p. 710. My Plea for the Lords p. 374. h Hist. Angliae p. 224 229 230 231 c. * See here p. p. 4 5. Part 1. p. 156. to 180. i See Malmsbury de Gestis Regum l. 2. c. 13. Hoveden Wigorniensis Bromton Anno 1051. My Plea for the Lords p. 308 * See here p. 5. Aluredi Regis Lex 41 42. Chron. Johan Bromton col 825. Forma directa Magnatibus Vicom Angliae * injungetis k See Mat. Paris Mat. West Walsingham Polychronicon Polydor Virgil Fabian Grafton Holinshed Speed and Daniel Ann. 1261. 45 H. 3. l Claus. 45 H. 3. m. 5. dorso * Part. 1. p. 5. m See my Plea for the Lords p. 379. m Mat. Westm. Anno 1265. p. 340. My Plea for the Lords p. 258 259. Cl. 22 E. 1. m. 6. dorso De Militibus eligendis mittendis ad Consilium Pro Rege de aliis Militibus cum Prioribus intendendis ut supra De veniendo pro confirmatione Magnae Cartae * See Part 1. p. 9. * See 25 E. 1 c. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7. * Walsingham Hist. Angl. p. 35. to 42. *
consilio Magnatum Nobiscum existentium provisum est quod Baroniae terrae tenementa eorum qui de Nobis tenent in capite qui Nobis serviciuÌ„ suum Nobis debitum juxta mandatum nostrum facere noluerunt capiantur in manum nostram donec tam de dicto servicio quam de hujusmodi Transgressione nobis satisfecerint Vobis mandamus sirmiter injungentes quod Baronias Ven. Patris S Winton Episcopi Abbatis de Abindon qui servicium suum Nobis debitum ad mandatum nostrum facere noluerunt capias in manum nostram catalla sua cum bonis catallis in ipsis inventis sine distractione seu dilapidatione aliqua inde facienda salvo custodiri facias Ita quod de bonis catallis ipsis vel â—…e precio eorundem de exitibus Baroniarum praedictarum Nobis sufficienter respondeas donec aliud inde praeceperimus T. Rege apud Oxon. 3 die Aprilis Eodem modo mandatum est Ade de Grennuill Vic. Norht quod capiat in manum Rs. Baronias Episcopi Elien Abbatis de Ramisey Eodem modo mand est Vic. Notingh Derb. quod capiat in manum Rs. Baronias Archepiscop Ebor. Episcopi Linc. Which Writs were accordingly executed by some of these Sheriffs even beyond the Kings instructions as is evident by this Writ to the Sheriff of Yorkshire upon the Archbishop of Yorks complaint Cl. 48. H. 3. m. 6. dorso Rex Roberto de Nevil Vic. Ebor. salutem Cum Baronias quorundum Praelatorum regni nostri nuper ceperimus in manum nostram eo quod servicia sua nobis debita nobis minimè fecerunt ad mandatum nostrum ac vobis mandaverimus quod Baroniam Ven. Patris G. Ebor. Archiepiscopi caperetis in manum nostram pro eo quod servicium suum Nobis tempore competenti non exhibuit quod eam salvo absque destructione aliqua bonorum ejusdem Baroniae custodiri faceretis vos ut accepimus bonorum illorum dissipationem non modicam fieri permittitis ad gravissimum dampnum Archiepiscopi sic praedicti super quo nec immerito movemur Verum quia demandam nostram servicii dicti Archiepiscopi jam in suspenso posuimus ad tempus vobis mandamus quatenus Baroniam suam cum omnibus inde perceptis à tempore captionis ejusdem in manum nostram sine dilatione restituatis eidem Quià etiam datum est Nobis intelligi quod Milites servientes Archiepiscopi praedicti versus Nos nuper venientes cum equis armativis ad faciend Nobis servicium praedictum per viam arestavistis quosdam ex eis adhuc in carcere detenetis à quibusdam eorum graves redemptiones cepistis quod grave gerimus indignemus Vobis firmiter injungimus quatinus dictos incarceratos sine mora deliberetis tam eis quam aliis à quibus redemptiones cepistis omnia per vos aut vestros sibi ablata plenarie restitui faciatis Ne super hoc oporteat Nos gravius sollicitari propter quod ad vos graviter capere debeamus T. Rege apud Sutton 26 die Maii. I answer 1. That these were Writs of Summons not to a Parliament but Camp cum equis armis c. as the Writs recite 2. That the Counsil mentioned in it was onely Military not Parliamentary as the aid and assistance with Horses Arms and military services coupled with it resolve and the recital in the Writs ac etiam propter guerram in eodem regno jam subortam c. 3. It is most apparent by the ensuing Clause Propter quod de Baronum consilio Magnatum Nobiscum existentium provisum est c. that the Baronies of these Bishops and others who refused to do their services should be seised into the Kings hands That the Barons and great men onely who were then present with the King at Oxford did counsel and advise him as Members of his Military and Parliamentary Council notthe Knights and others of inferiour condition holding of him by Knight service who then assisted him onely with their Horses Arms and military services 4. These Knights and others then summoned to Oxford were no Knights Citizens or Burgesses elected by the People and Kings Writs to serve in any Parliament then held at Oxford but onely such who held Lands of the King by Knight service which they were then summoned actually to perform as his Tenants for his defence in the Wars against foreign and domestick Enemies as the Writs resolve 5. The Writs of Summons to the Parliamentary Council held this year mentioned in the forecited Writs were different in form date time place from the objected Writs and in the manner of appearing The one summoning them to appear at Oxford cum equis armis c. the other to appear at London sine armis consilium vestrum impensuri c. Therefore there being no mention of any Knights and others of inferiour condition summoned together with the Barons and Nobles to appear at London in the Parliamentary Council there held as there is in the other Writs of Summons to the Kings Camp and Armie It is a most clear convincing argument that in 48 H. 3. there were no Knights Citizens or Burgesses summoned to the Parliament but onely the Spiritual and Temporal Lords and Barons Now because I meet with some other memorable Writs which may seem in some mens judgment to prove that there were Knights Citizens Burgesses and Commons summoned to Parliaments or Councils before 49 H. 3. I shall present you with them in order with my Answers to and Observations on them The first and ancientest of them is this notable Writ of Proclamation much insisted on and imperfectly cited by Mr. William Lambard an eminent Antiquarie of Lincolns Inne in his Archaion p. 261 262 263. which I have faithfully transcribed out of the Patent Roll it self Pat. 6 Johan Rs. m. 2. dorso as a raritie not formerly printed Rex c. Vic. Roteland c. Scias quod provisum est Communi assensu Archiepiscoporum Episcoporum Comitum Baronum omnium fidelium nostrorum Angliae quod novem Milites per totam Angliam invenient decimum Militem benè paratum equis armis ad defensionem Regni nostri quod illi novem Milites inveniant decimo Militi qualibet die ij Sol ad liberationem suam Et ideo tibi praecipimus quod sicut teipsum omnia tua diligis provideas quod decem Milites de Balliva tua sint apud London à die Pasche in tres septimanas bene parati equis armis cum liberationibus suis sicut praedictum est parati ire in servicium nostrum quo praeceperimus existere in servicio nostro ad defensionem Regni nostri quantum opus suerit Provisum est etiam quod si Alienigenae in terram nostram venerint omnes unanimiter eis occurrant cum fortia armis
sine aliqua occasione dilatione audit is rumoribus de eorum adventu Et si quis Miles vel serviens vel alius terram tenens conventus suerit qui se inde retraxerit dummodo tanta non fuerit gravatus infirmitate quod illuc venire non possit Ipse haeredes sui imperpetuum exheredantur dabuntur feodum suum remanebit Domino fundi ad faciend inde voluntatem suam ita quod exhaeredatus vel haeredes sui nunquam inde aliquam habeant recuperationem Si quis vero Milites servientes vel alii qui terram non habent inventi fuerint qui se similiter retraxerint ipsi haeredes sui Serbi fient imperpetuum reddendo singulis annis iiij d. de capitibus suis nec pro paupertate omittant ad praedictum negotium venire cum illud audierint quare ex quo ad exercitum venerint providebitur unde sufficienter in servicio nostro poterant sustentare Si vero Vic. vel Ball. vel Praepositus illos quise retraxerint Nobis per breve vel per scriptum vel viva voce non ostenderint dict Vic. vel Ballivus vel Praepositus remanebit in misericordia nostra de vita membris Et ideo tibi praecipimus quod sub sestinatione Proclamari facias in foris per totam Ballivam tuam in Mercatis Nundinis alibi ita te de negotio illo faciendo intromittas quod ad te pro defectu tui capere non debeamus Et tu ipse sis apud London ad praefatum terminum vel aliquem discretum ex parte tua mittas facias tunc Nobis sciret nomina decimorum Militum Et habeas ibi hoc Breve Teste meipso apud Wint. 3 die Aprilis Sed Nota Vic. Eborum Northumberland Cumberland Westmerland scribitur in eadem forma hoc adjecto Quod Rob. fil Rog. Const. Cestr. retineat de Militibus praedictis quos judicat expedire necessario ad defenfionem partium suarum Haee Brevia liberata sunt subscriptis Eborum per Ric. Anglicum Clericum Rob. fil Rog. Northumbr Westmerl Cumberl Bucks Bedf. per Spaine Norf. Suff. Essex Herif. Cantebr Hunt Oxon. Berks. Northt Glouc. Rad. de Chumbras Honor. de Glouc. Worcester Hereford Leic. Warwic Salop. Staff Lancastr Wiltes per Laurentium Somerset Dorset Devon Cornub. Sutht Linc. per Rog Bastard hominē Senescalli Roteland Not Derb. Kent per Thom fil Nigell Clericum Willielmi de Wroth. Surr. Midds Sussex From the Prologue of this Proclamation Provisum est communi assensu Archiepiscoporum Episcoporum Comitum Baronum et omnium fidelium nostrorum Angliae Mr. Lambard inferrs that the Commonaltie of the Realm both at this time and long before were summoned to our Great Councils and Parliaments and present in assenting to whatever was ordained in them as well as the Spiritual and Temporal Lords this being in truth the probablest evidence and Authority he produceth to prove this assertion But under his correction I aver First neither this rectal nor any other testimonie alleged by him doth clearly evidence that these omnes fideles nostri Angliae were Knights Citizens Burgesses or Commons of the Realm chosen by the people by virtue of the Kings writs and sent by them to Parliaments and Great Councils in that or former ages as Knights Citizens and Burgesses have been of later times no Histories nor Records making express mention of any such Writs or Elections of such Knights Citizens Burgesses of Parliament before 49 H. 3. 2ly The Writ of Summons extant in the Clause Roll of 6. Johan Regis dors 3. this very year to the Parliamentary Council at London wherein this provision for defence of the kingdom against forein Enemies was made as I conjecture makes mention only of Magnatum terrae nostrae Quos ad diem illum et locum fecimus convocari not of any Commons Knights of Shires Citizens or Burgesses summoned to it 3ly Matthew Paris and Mat. Westminster who inform us of another Parliamentary Council held under King John at Oxford this very year express it thus Deinde in crastino Circumcisionis convenerunt ad Colloquium the word Parliamentum not being then in use apud Oxon. Rex et Magnates Angliae ubi concessa sunt Regi auxilia militaria de quolibet Scuto duae marcae et dimidia Nec etiam Episcopi et Abbates sive Ecclesiae personae sine promissione recesserunt without mentioning any Knights Citizens Commons or Burgesses present at this Council or parties to this grant Wherefore if the Ordinance mentioned in this Writ was made at Oxford these Omnium fidelium nostrorum Angliae as I conceiue cannot properly be meant of them but of the Abbots Priors Kings Counsil or those Omnes alios qui de Capite tenent de Nobis who were not Majores Barones Regni mentioned in the Great Charter of King John some few years after in this memorable Clause which best explains this in the Proclamation Ad habendum Commune Consiltum Regni de auxiliis assidendis submoneri faciemus Archiepiscopos Episcopos Abbates Comites Majores Barones sigillatim per literas nostras Et praeterea faoiemus in Generali per Vicecomites Ballivos nostros omnes alios qui de Capite tenent de Nobis ad certum diem scilicet ad terminū Quadraginta dierum ad minimum et ad certum locum in omnibus literis summonitionis illius Causam submonitionis illius exponemus which was accordingly expressed in the writ of Summons 6 Johannis and in all writs of like nature since this Great Charter extant in our Records 4ly The very contents of the Provision mentioned in this Proclamation Quod novem Milites to wit those who held Lands by a Knights fee and Knight-service per totam Angliam invenient decimum Militem bene paratum equis et armis c. compared with Clause 19 H. 3. m. 1 3 6 8. Prove these lesser Barons and Tenants of the King to be the persons intended in this Clause not any elected Knights Citizens and Burgesses who were either summoned in general to this Council and consented to this provision therein when passed or else assented thereto after the Lords and Great men had passed and communicated it to them in the Countrie 5ly Though this Provision and Proclamation doe not clearly prove the Summons of any elected Knights Citizens and Burgesses to this Parliamentary Council yet they are a clear euidence That Ordinances for raising Men Forces Taxes and Impositions for the ne◅ie defence of the King and Realm against forein Enemies with forfeitures of Lands other severe penalties for defaults therein cannot nor may not be made nor imposed on the Freeholders or Subjects of England by the King or his Counsil but onely by the common consent grant and provision of the Spiritual and Temporal Lords Great men and
nisi ab inceptis celerius desisterit omnes qui versus quempiam ante relaxationem interdicti hostiliter arma gesserunt praeter ipsum solum anathematis vinculo innodaret Sicque ab inceptis Regem revocans Archiepiscopus non prius abe recessit donec Diem conipetentem ad Curiam Regis veniendi et ibidem Iuri parendi Baronibus impetrasset The 8. of September following the Archbishop Bishops Abbots Priors and Barons of the Realm assembling together at Pauls the Archbishop calling some of the Barons to him apart from the rest secretly acquainted them with the Kings forecited Oath taken at his absolution and produced before them the Charter of Liberties granted by King Henry the first by which they might if they would reduce their long lost Liberties to their pristine estate At which the Barons greatly rejoycing juraverunt omnes in praesentia Archiepiscopi quod viso tempore congruo pro hiis libertatibus si necesse fuerit decertabunt usque ad mortem Archiepiscopus autem promisit eis fidelissimum auxilium suum pro posse suo Et sic confoederatione facta inter eos Colloquium solutum est The King hereupon as I conjecture issued out the precedent writ the 3. of November following whereon it bears date to all the Sheriffs of England consisting of 3. distinct parts sutable to that time and occasion The first is to new summon Omnes Milites all who held of him by Knight-service with those Souldiers not knights or knights of Shires in their respective Bailiwicks they had formerly summoned by some such writ as this to repair to Oxford to come to the Kings person ad Nos without naming any certain place 15 daies after All Souls day cum armis with their arms the usual form and clause in precedent and subsequent writs of Summons of an Army and forces to aid the King not to a Parliament or Great Council of State and that to defend and assist him against the precedent confederacy of the Archbishop Bishops Abbots Priors and Barons then newly entred into at London against whom he had raised a great Army by like Writs but a few Monethâ—… before to reduce these Rebels to obedience which Armie the Archbishop caused him to dissolve as Matthew Paris relates The 2. Clause is Corpora vero Baronum singulariter sine armis to summon and bring to the King the Bodies of the Barons in their respective Counties apart one from another without arms as in the said writ not two or more of them together with their arms and armed attendants to prevent all dangers tumults insurrections and intended rebellions if they should come armed to his Court being now thus summoned to appear before him not to treat and advise with him and the rest of the Prelates Earls and Nobles of any urgent affairs concerning the King or Realm of which there is no mention at all in this writ in relation to the Barons as there is in all Writs of Summons to Parliaments or Great Councils issued to them extant in our Records But rather according to the Archbishops engagement to the King at Nottingham a little before this writ to submit themselves to the Iustice of his Court and a legal trial concerning the crimes he should there object against them upon their appearance on the day prefixed in the writ the same I conceive the King and Archbishop had formerly agreed upon at Notingham And that this was the reason why they were to appear without armour is evident by the like Summons hertofore to Earl Godwin and his Sons to appear in the Kings Court to answer the Kings charge against them attended only with 〈◊〉 men without any force or arms by the subsequent Statutes of 7 E. 1. Rastal Armour 1 2 E. 3. c 3. expresly resolving that in all Assemblies which should be made within the Realm of England for ever every man should come without all force and armour well and peaceably And that no man Great or Small of whatsoever condition he be except the Kings Servants in his presence and his Ministers and their Assistants in executing his precepts or their Office or upon a cry made for arms to keep the peace in such places where such acts happen should be so hardy to come before the King or his Iustices or other his Ministers doing their office with force and arms nor bring no force in â—…ffray of Peace Which was but the antient Common and Statute Law of England The 3. Clause of the Writ which only hath some resemblance of a writ of Summons is to summon not two but quatuor Discretos Milites de Comitatu tuo being more than we read summoned in succeeding Rolls out of every County as Knights of Shires to our Parliament and those not to come to any Parliament or Great Council at any certain place of which there is no mention at all in this Writ but ad Nos to the King himself at the time there specified and that only Ad loquendum Nobiscum de negotiis regni nostri not ad tractandum Nobiscum et cum Praelatis Proceribus or Magnatibus or aliis or caeteris fidelibus regni nostri de arduis et urgentissimis negotiis Nos et statum Regni nostri contingentibus or ad faciendum et consentiendum hiis quae tunc ibidem de Communi Consilio regni nostri Deo propitio contigerit ordinari the usual Clauses in all Writs of Summons of Barons or Knights of Counties to Parliaments and Great Parliamentary Councils Therefore certainly this Writ was no Summons of Knights of Shires to a Parliament or Great Council the rather because there is no clause in it for electing these 4. knights nor yet of any Citizens or Burgesses as is usual in the Writs for electing Knights of Counties and because no Writs of Summons ever prescribed the Summons of Barous and Knights together like this Upon all which considerations I conceive this ad loquendum Nobiscum de negotiis regni nostri for which these 4. Knights were summoned was the very same or the like business for which Matthew Paris relates the King some few Moneths before sent Letters to the Sherifs of every County throughout England to cause Quatuor legales homines the same with those this Writ stiles Quatuor Discretos Milites out of every of their Counties to come to St. Albanes the 8. of August following to inquire of and inform the King what dammages and losses any of the Bishops had sustained by the King and his Officers during the Interdict and their banishments and what was due to every one of them that so he might satisfie them according to his premised Oath as Chart. 16 Iohann Regis m. 9. n. 67. the next year after this compared with Pat. 15 Iohan. Regis nu 3. De Interdicto relaxando c. clearly intimate if not resolve This I am fully perswaded was the true scope nature and intention of this Writ which hath
puzled so many and none else have hitherto fully or truly explained which I humbly submit to the Readers consideration The 3. Writ I have found in our Records touching the election of any Knights of Counties to a Parliamentary Council before 49 H. 3. is this of Claus. 38 H. 3. m. 7. 12. dorso not mentioned in any Treatises of our Parliaments or Collection of Parliamentary Writs of Summons I have seen transcribed with my own hand out of the Roll it self as worthy observation Rex Vic. Bed et Berks salutem Cum Comites Barones caeteri Magnates Regni nostri Nobis firmiter promiserunt quod erunt London à die Pasche prox futur in tres Septimanas cum equis et armis parati et benè muniti ad tendendum sine ulla dilatione versus Portesmouth ad transfretand ad Nos in Vasconiam contra Regem Castell qui terram nostram Vasconiae in manuforti in aestate prox futura hostiliter est ingressurus Et tibi mandavimus quod omnes illâ—…s de Balliva tua qui tenent 20 librat terrae de Nobis in Capite vel de aliis qui sunt infra aetatem et in custodia nostra ad idem distringas Tibi districtè praecipimus quod praeter omnes praedictos venire faciatis coram Consilio nostro apud Westmon in Quindena Paschae prox futur Ouatuor Legales et Discretos Milites de Comitatibus praedictis quos iidem Comitatus ad hoc eligerint vice omnium et singulorum eorundem videlicet Duos de uno Comitatu et duos de alio ad providendum una cum Militibus aliorum Comitatuum quos ad eundem diem vocari fecimus quale Auxilium Nobis in tanta necessitate impendere voluerint Et tu ipse Militibus et aliis de Comitatu praedicto necessitatem nostram et tam urgens negotium nostrum diligenter exponas et ad competens auxilium Nobis ad praesens impendend efficaciter inducas Ita quod praefati Ouatuor Milites praefato Consilio nostro ad praedictum terminum Pasche respondere possint super praedicto auxilio pro singulis Com praedictorum Firmiter etiam tibi praecipimus quod omnia debita quae Nobis aretro sunt in Balliva tua et solvi debuerint ad Scaccarium nostrum ante Pasch. jam instans vel solvi debent ad Scace ejusdem Pasche habeas ad idem Scac. in quindena praedict Pasche Scientes quod nisi praedicta debita tunc ibidem babueris non solum corpus tuum arrestari faciemus set debita illa de terris et tenementis tuis levari faciemus ad dampnum tuum non modicum Teste A. Regina et C. Com. Cornub apud Windesore xi die Febr. Consimilia Brevia diriguntur omnibus Vicecomitibus Angliae These Writs though at first view they look like Writs for electing Knights of Shires to a Parliamentary Council yet in truth they are no such Writs but onely command the Sheriffs to cause two Knights to be elected in every County by the Counties themselves in their steads to appear before the Kings Counsel not Parl. at Westminster on Quindena Pasche following to inform the Counsel what voluntary ayde each particular County would grant the King in his great necessity towards the Defence of Gascoigne against the intended invasion of the King of Castell Which Neceâ—…ity and Business the Sheriffs themselves were commanded diligently to declare to the elected Knights and others of the County and effectually to induce them to grant the King a present competent ayde So as the Knights of each County might answer upon their appearance before the Kings Counsil at the day prefixed what they would doe concerning this ayde thus required of them This appears 1. By that very Clause of these Writs which is most pertinent which requires not the Sheriffs to elect two Knights to come to any Great Council or Parliament there to advise and consult together touching the granting of a Subsidie or ayde to the King but only 2ly By the very Prologue of the Writ which recites That the Earls Barons and the rest of the Great men of the Realm had firmly promised the King to be at London 3. weeks after Easter with their horses and arms not to hold a Parliament or Great Council but to march from thence to Portsmouth without any delay and to cross the Seas to the King in Gascoigne to ayd him against the King of Castell and that he should distrain all who held 20 l. lands a year of the King in Capite or of any of his Wards within their respective Counties to accompany the Lords and Great men in this Expedition And thereupon it requires a voluntarie ayde of the rest of the Freeholders and Inhabitants in each County towards this expedition in manner aforsaid for which end they were to elect 2 knights in each County to appear before the Kings Privy Counsil not the Earls Barons and other Great men of the Realm 15 dayes after Easter a week before the Nobles and Great men appointed to meet 3ly By the whole frame of the Writ differing much from the Writs of Summons here ensuing and commanding the Sherifs to levy and pay in all the Kings debts under strictest penalties into his Exchequer by a certain day which no other Writ of Summons to Parliament doth 4ly By comparing it with a like Writ to both the Archbishops and all Bishops of Engl. forecited Part 1. p. 4 5. to summon all their Chapters Archdeacons Clergy and other Religious persons before them in their respective Diocesses and to excite them to a free and liberal contribution of an ayde to the King upon the same necessity and occasion whereof they were to certifie the Kings Counsil by certain discreet men â—…hosen by them at the same time as the Knights of Counties were both which Writs are entred together in the same membrana differ but two dayes in their date and fully explain each other 5ly By parallelling it with this writ in Claus. 19 H. 3. m. 8. dorso Rex Vic. Sussex salutem Scias quod Archiepiscopi Episcopi Abbates Priores Comites Barones omnes alii de Regno nostro Angliae qui de Nobis tenent in Capite spontanea voluntate sua et sine consuetudine Concesserunt Nobis efficax Auxilium ad magna negotia nostra expedienda unde provisum est De Constlio illorum quod habeant de singulis feodis Militum Ward quae de Nobis tenent in Capite duas Marcas ad praedictum Auxilium Nobis faciendum et unde providerint reddere Nobis unam medietatem ante festum Sancti Michaelis Anno regni nostri 19. aliam medietatem ad Pasch. Anno regni nostri 20. Ideo tibi praecipimus quod ad mandatum Venerabilis Patris R. Cicestr Episcopi Cancellarii nostri sine dilatione distringas omnes Milites et liberè tenentes qui de eo tenent per Servicium
Militare in Balliva tua ad reddendum ei de singulis feodis Wardis duas Marcas ad praedictum Auxilium Nobis per manum suam reddendum in terminis praedictis Sic scribitur pro aliis Episcopis Abbatibus Prioribus et Magnatibus to the number of 23. And dors 6. of the former Roll there is the like Writ for other Temporal Barons By which it is apparent that in this Kings reign as well as in succeeding ages all Publike Aydes granted in Parliamentarie Councils were granted by the common consent of the Archbishops Bishops Abbots Priors Earls Barons and others who held of the King in Capite by Act of Parliament according to the forecited Clause of the Great Charter of King John and the subsequent Statutes of 25 E. 1. c. 5 6. De Tallagio non concedendo 14 E. 3. c. 21. Stat. 2. c. 1. the Petition of Right 3 Caroli and other Acts Therefore this Ayde which these Knights were chosen and summoned to grant for their respective Counties without the Archbishops Bishops Abbots Priors Earls Barons and Great men of the Realm or without any Citizens or Burgesses summoned together with them was doubtless no Parliamentary Ayde but a voluntarie free Contribution of their own without common consent in Parliament and so this Writ no Writ of Summons or election to a Parliament though not impertinent to my Theam and worthy observation The 4th sort of Writs I have found in my search which have any Analogie to a Summons of Knights to a Parliamentary Council is this memorable Writ of Claus. 45 H. 3 â—…m 6. dorso not taken notice of by others Rex Vic. Norff. Suff. salutem Cum ex parte Episcopi Wigorn Comitem Leic. et Glouo ac quorundam aliorum Procerum Regni nostri vocati sunt tres Milites de singulis Comitatibus nostris quod sint coram ipsis ad Sanctum Albanum in instanti festo Sancti Matthaei Apostoll secum Tractaturi super communibus Negotiis Regni Nostri Et Nos praedicti Proceres nostri in eundem diem apud Windesore convenimus ad Tractandum de Pace inter Nos et ipsos Tibi praecipimus quod illis Militlbus de Balliva tua qui vocati sunt coram ets ad diem praedictum firmiter injungentes ex parte nostra ut omni occasione postposita ad Nos die praedicto veniant apud Windesore et eis etiam districte inhibeas ne dicto die alibi quam ad Nos accedant sed eos modis omnibus venire fac coram Nobis ad diem praedict Nobiscum super praemissis Colloquium habituros ut ipsi per effectum operis videant et intelligant quod nihil attemptare proponimus nisi quod honori atque utilitati Regni nostri tendere noverimus querere T. Rege apud Windesor xi die Septemb. Eodem modo mandatum est singulis Vicomitibus citra Trentam Our Historians relate that a little before this writ there fell out a Great Difference between King Henry and his Barons concerning the Provisions made at Oxford and his Oath for their Observation from which he held himself absolved because it was compulsory The King and his partie objected against the Barons who pretended the profit of the Realm that they sought only their own bonor and gain contrary to their pretences and decrees They on the other side spread abroad rumors among the people that the King intended to introduce forein forces and impose Taxes at his pleasure c. to the subversion of the State of the Realm and oppression of the people Which the King by his Proclamations protested against as false and scandalous to undeceive his seduced Subjects whose affections and assistance the Barons by these false suggestions endeavoured to alienate from him as Claus. 45 H. 3. pars 1. d. 15. and Claus. 48 H 3. d. 9. Pat. 48 H. 3. d. 20. record Whiles the King and Barons thus banded against each other it appears by this Writ the Barons summoned 3. Knights out of every Connty to come before them at St. Albans on St. Matthews day to treat with them concerning the common affairs of the Realm But whether these 3. Knights were elected by the Inhabitants of each County or such only as the Barons themselves nominated which is most probable appears not certainly by the Writ of which our Histories make no mention The King being informed hereof to prevent this intended Assembly at St. Albans by his writs commands these Lords and Barons to repair to him at Windsore the self-sameday on which they appointed these Knights to meet them to treat of a Peace between him and them and by this Writ commanded this and all other Sheriffs on this side Trent to whom like writs were sent to summon those very Knights the Barons had called to St. Albans to appear before him the same day at Windesore strictly prohibiting them to appear that day at any other place than before himself and to cause them by all possible means then to come before him to conferr with him about the premises to wit the peace and reconciliation between him and the Barons that so thèy might by the effect of that Treaty both see and understand that he purposed to attempt or seek nothing but what he knew was for the honor and profit of his Realnt So as these Writs in reality were no proper legal Summons of any Knights of Shires to a Parliament or Great Council but rather an inhibition to divert them from confederating and meeting with the Barons by summoning them all at the same time to appear before the King at Windsore to be witnesses of his fair proceedings and publike intentions in the Treatie of Peace then intended between him and his Barons And that which further clears it is somwhat a like Writ in the same Roll to the Barons and Bailiffs of Sandwich about 3. weeks after the precedent Writ which for its raritie I shall here insert Rex Baronibus et Ballivis suis de Sandwic salutem Cum Vos et Progenitores vestri Nobis et Progenitoribus nostris et Coronae nostrae semper extitistis prompti et fideles jam per quosdam Nobis adversarios protenus sicut audivimus quod hac die quindena post festum S. Michaelis sub specie reformandae pacis inter Vos et Barones nostros de Wincheles apud Bradhull convenire debeatis ubi in dampnum nostrum colligationes requirere et eos quos poterint à nostra fidelitate avertere proponunt Vobis mandamus sub debito fidelitatis et dilectionis quibus Nobis tenemini specialiter injungentes ne ibi aliquo modo accedatis aut animos vestros eorum suggestionibus aliquo modo inclinetis et super contentionibus inter vos et dictos Barones nostros de Wincheles subortis in pace vos habeatis usque ad festum Nativitatis Domini ut tunc ad vos Custodem Portuum nostrorum aut
aliquem alium fidelem et discretum mittamus ad pacem illam prout melius et commodius fieri poterit inter vos et ipsos reformandaÌ„ Nos enim praedictis Baronibus nostris de Wincheles hoc ipsum injunximus per literas nostras Et quia intelleximus quod quidam extranei contra Nos ingressi sunt regnum nostrum quorum quidam inter Sandwic Dover quidam autem inter Heth Fullesham et quidam apud Shorham nuper applicuerunt et insuper quidam in partibus Flandriae se parant ad ingrediendum modo consimili regnum nostrum omnimodam diligentiam quam poteritis inhibeatis ad custodiend et prohibend ne aliqui extranei regnum praedictuÌ„ modo praedicto ingrediantur prout etiam alias dedimus vobis in mandatis Attendetis enim et fidelitatem et devotionem quam semper erga Nos habuistis et quas pro custodia Maris quae vobis et caeteris Portubus nostris specialiter incumbit et honores et libertates prae aliis et Regno nostro adepti estis quas speciali praerogativa semper intendimus et volumus conservare Tâ—…ste Rege apud Sanctum Paulum London 3. die Octobris Eodem modo mandatum est Baronibus et Ballivo de Wincbeles The very first Record I have yet found wherein there is express mention made of any Writs to Sherifs or others to send any Knights Citizens Burgesses and Barons of the Ports to Parliament is Cl. 49 H. 3. d. 11. Cedula where after the forecited Writs to the Bishops of Durham Norwich and the Eodem modo mandatum est to the Bishops Abbots Priors Deans Earls Lords and Barons there follows this entry in the Record Item mandatum est singulis Vicecom per Angl. quod venire faciant Duos Milites de legalioribus probioribus et discretioribus Militibus singulorum Comitatuum ad Regem London in Octab. praedict in forma praedicta Item in forma praedicta scribitur Civibus Eborum Civibus Lincoln et caeteris Burgis Angl quod mittant in forma praedicta Duos de discretioribus legalioribus et probioribus tam Cibibus quam Burgenlibus suis. Item in forma praedicta mandatum est Baronibus probis hominibus Quinque Portuum prout continetur in Brevi inrotulato inferius It seems by this Writ that the Writs then issued to these Knights Citizens and Burgesses were the same in form and substance with those to the Spiritual and Temporal Lords with little or no variation But not one of them is particularly registred except the Writ to the Cinqueports varying in some clauses from the Writs to the Lords That I shall principally observe from this Entry is First that there were only two Knights Citizens Burgesses Barons of Ports and no more to be sent out of every County City Borough and Port. 2ly That these were to be duly qualified as these Writs prescribed to wit two of the more or most legal honest and discreet Knights Citizens Burgesses Barons in every County City Burrough and Cinque-Port 3ly That it appears not by this Entry whether the Counties themselves or the Sheriffs alone were to elect and make choice of these Knights 4ly That the Writs for electing Citizens and Burgesses were directed immediately to the Citizens and Burgesses themselves not to the Sheriffs of the Counties wherein they were situated nor to their Mayors Sheriffs or chief Officers as in succeeding ages 5ly That no Writ issued to the Citizens of London their Liberties being then seiseà by the King many of them imprisoned and their estates confiscated for siding with the Barons against the King and that York and Lincoln are the only Cities mentioned particularly in the Roll. It is evident by these Clauses in the Prologues to the printed Statutes of Marleborough Anno 52 H. 3. The more discreet men of the Realm being called together as well of the Higher as of the Lower Estate c. of Westm. 1. Anno 3 E. 1. These be the Acts of King Edward c. made at Westminster at his first Parliament general after his Coronation by his Counsil and by the Assent of Archbishops Bishops Abbots Priors Earls Barons and all the Commonaltie of the Realm being thither summoned c. That Writs of Summons issued to all these respectively in these two Parliaments and others succeding them but yet I find no Writs of summons or elections to â—…hese Parliaments now extant in the Clause or other Rolls of these years to the Temporal Lords or Sheriffs the Writs being then kept in Bundles by themselves especially those to Sheriffs and not entred in the Clause Rolls and those Bundles quite lost through negligence or casualtie The very first Writs of Summons of Knights Citizens and Burgesses issued to Sheriffs that I have met with in our Records entred at large in the Rolls are these of Claus. An. 22 E. 1. m. 6. dorso Which are very rare and memorable extant in no Collections of these Writs by others that I have seen Rex Vic. Northumbr salutem Quia cum Comitibus Baronibus et caeteris Magnatibus de regno nostro super quibusdam negotiis arduis Nos et idem regnum nostrum contingentibus in crastino Sancti Martini prox futuro apud Westm. Colloquium habere volumus et Tractatum Tibi praecipimus quod eligi facias duos Milites de discretioribus et ad laborandum potentioribus de Com. praedicto et eos ad Nos usque Westm. venire facias Ita quod sint ibi in crastino praedicto cum plena potestate pro se et tota Communitate Com. praedicti ad consulend et consentiend pro se et Communitate illa biis quae Comites Barones Proceres praedicti concorditer ordinaverint in praemissis Et ita quod pro defectu potestatis hujusmodi idem negotium infectum non remaneat Et habeas ibi hoc breve Teste Rege apud Westm 8 die Octob. Consimiles Literae diriguntur singulis Vicecomitibus Angliae T. ut supta After which followes this second Writ entred immediately after it in the same dorse Rex Vic. Northumbr salutem Cum nuper tibi praeceperimus quod duos Milites de discretioribus ad laborandum potentioribus ejusdem Comitatus de consensu ejusdem eligi et eos ad Nos usque Westm. in crastino Sancti Martini prox futuro cum plena potestate pro se tota Communitate ejusdem Com. venire faceres ad consulend et consentiend pro tota Communitate illa hiis qui Comites Barones et Proceres de Regno nostro in dicto crastino ordinaverint Tibi praecipimus firmiter injungentes quod praeter duos illos Milites eligi facias alios duos Milites legales et ad laborandum potentes et eos una cum dictis duobus Militibus usque Westm. venire facias Ita quod in dicto crastino sint ibidem ad audiendum et
dated 9 die Septembris and the list of the names of the Spiritual and Temporal Lords Rex Vic. Ebor. salutem Quia in relevationem omnium incolarum et populi Regni nostri pro Octava omnium honorum singulorum ligeorum per totum idem Regnum pro urgentissima nunc dicti Regni contra Gallicos necessitate levanda concessimus pro Nobis et Haeredibus nostris confirmare et firmiter teneri facere Magnam Cartam de Libertatibus Angliae et Cartam de Libertatibus Forestae concedere omnibus singulis ejusdem Regni literas nostras Patentes quod dictae Octavae levatio non cedat eisdem in praejudicium servitutem et exhaeredationem usum vel consue tudinem in futurum Tibi praecipimus firmiter injungentes quod sine dilatione aliqua duos de probioribus et legalioribus Militibus Com. tui Eligi et eos plenam potestatem pro ipsis tota Communitate dicti Com. habentes ad Edwardum filium nostrum carissimum tenentem in Anglia locum nostrum venire facias Ita quod sint London ad eundem filium nostrum modis omnibus in Octabis Sancti Michaelis proximo futuri ad ultimum Cartas super Confirmatione nostra Cartarum praedictarum et literas nostras super dicta concessione pro ipsa Communitate in forma praedicta recepturi facturi ulterius quod per dictum filium nostrum ibidem fuerit ordinatum Et boc nullo modo omittas Et habeas ibi boc Breve T. Edwardo filio nostro apud Sanctum Paulum London 10. die Septembr Consimiles Literae diriguntur singulis Vicecom per Angliam From these new extraordinary Writs I shall observe 1. That extraordinary publike necessities against forein enemies require extraordinary Aydes from the people 2ly That when ever such extraordinary excessive ayds were granted by Parliament it was with this special caution that the King by his Patents as well as the Parliament should declare that it should not afterward be drawn into Custom nor turn to the prejudice thraldom or dishinherison of the people in succeeding times 3ly That those extraordinary Aydes were recompenced with extraordinary Grants and new Confirmations of the Great Charters of the Liberties of Engl. and of the Forest which the Lords and Commons then much pressed and insisted on for the King and his heires which were new confirmed by special Letters Patents which the knights elected for every County were to be impowred by the Commonaltie of each County to receive and to deliver to them and to do what else the Prince by advice of the Nobles should ordain in this Parliament 4. That the chief occasion of this Writ and Parliament was this the Earls of Hereford and Marshall who were very powerfull and popular inhibited the Barons of the Eschequer after the Kings passage into Flanders to levy the 8. part of their goods granted to him at St. Edmunds without their consents and induced the City of London to joyn with them not to pay the same unless these Great Charters and their other Liberties were first confirmed which the Prince and his Counsil promised to doe as you may read at large in Thomas de Walsingham Hist. Angl. p. 35. to 42. and Ypodigma Neustriae p. 84 85 86. c. Mat. Westminster Anno 1297. p. 409 410. Henry de Knyghton de Eventibus Angliae l. 3. c. 11. Holinshed Grafton with other our vulgar Historians and My Plea for the Lords p. 98. to 104. The Prince by advice of the Counsil after the summons of this Parliament to prevent all Commotions by these Earls and their Confederates issued special Writs not only to all Great Cities and Corporations of England prohibiting Ne Congregationes Conventicula fiant to disturb the publike peace and to all Captains and Governors of Castles in respect of the present dangers safely to guard their Castles so as non Nobis vel dicto Consilio non passet aliquod periculum imminere as the Writs at large inform us but likewise sent special Writs to some Earls and Lords formerly summoned to the Parliament at London and to some others whom they most confided in to repair to the Prince and his Counsil with their horses and arms as is evident by these memorable Writs intermixed with the Writs of Summons to this Parliament Claus. 25 E. 1. m. 5. dorso Rex dilecto et fideli nostro Ricardo fil Alani Comiti Arundell salutem Quia nuper ante passagium nostrum ad partes transmarinas injunximus Edwardo filio nostro tenenti in Anglia locum nostrum quaedam Negotia Nos regnum nostrum specialiter contingentibus super quibus ipsum Vobiscum habere volumus Colloquium Tractatum Vobis mandamus in fide et dilectione quibus Nobis tenemini firmiter injungentes quantum sitis cum equis et armis ad dictum filium nostrum die Dominica proxima ante instans festum Sti. Michaelis ubicunque tunc fuerit in Anglia ad veniendum ibidem cum dicto Filio nostro et ejus Consilio super dictis negotiis locuturi tractaturi ac facturi quod tunc Uobis per ipsum Consilium suum injungetur ex parte nostra Et hoc sicut Nos bonorem nostrum commodum regni nostri diligitis nullatenus omittatis T. Edwardo filio Regis apud Sanctum Paulum London 9 die Septembris Consim literae diriguntur subscriptis Roberto de Dacre and 48 more The like Writs issued Fulconi fil Warini to be cum equis armis ad dictum filium nostrum London in Octab. Sancti Michaelis prox futur Ibidem cum dicto filio nostro et ejus Consilio super dictis negotiis locuturi et tractaturi c. Tâ—…ut supra Consimiles literae diriguntur to 28. others Et Memor quod omnes isti rogati fuerunt quod venirent apud Roffs praeter Phum Muhaunks Nichum Bramcher Simonem Roges de Fydoks Petrum Mellore Phum de Wylyver quorum brevia fuerunt restituta Rex dilecto et fideli suo Johanni Gifford salutem Licet nuper vobis mandaverimus quod propter quaedam ardua Negotia Nos et regnum nostrum tangentia ad Parliamentum quod erit London in proximo crastino Sancti Michaelis ad Edwardum filium nostrum tenentem in Anglia locum nostrum modis omnibus veniretis Vobis tamen ob aliquas certas causas firmiter injungendo mandamus quod interim taliter ordinetis quod equi vestri et arma sint ad Vos London in Octabis dicti festi Sancti Michaelis ad ultimum Et hoc sicut Nos et commodum regni diligitis nullatenus omittatis T. Edwardo filio nostro apud Sanctum Paulum 16. die Septembris Consimiles Literae dirigunlur subscriptis viz. Edmundo Com. Cornub. Roberto de Tateshall Fulconi fil Warini So as it appears by these Writs that there was first a Summons to London to the Parliament and after
hujus brevis prout continetur in praedicta Cedula which follows in this form Nomina Militum Com. Somerset et eorum manucaptores Robertus de Brent Miles Johannes de Wyk Miles To whose names he returns severally manucaptus est per two there named Nomina Civium Civitatis Bathon eorum manucaptores Henricus Baton Thomas le Mesteer who have 2. manucaptors ' apeece Nomina Burgensium ejusdem Com. de Burgo Taunton 2. with two manucaptors for each De Burgo de Brigges Walteri 2. with two manucaptors De Burgo de Welles 2. with two manucaptors De Burgo de Ivelcester 2. with two manncaptors De Burgo de Milleburne-port 2. with two manucaptors apeece The Writt to the Sheriff of Hertford and the return thereof is wanting in this Bundle and I have here for brevitie left out the names of most Citizens and Burgesses returned with their manucaptors names It is observable from these Writs issued to the Sheriffs 1 That there is no mention at all of the Bishops Abbots or Clergie summoned to this Convention at Yorke touching any Conference or Treaty there to be held with them but only cum Comitibus Baronibus Proceribus regni nostri who were only summoned thither as this writ imports the Clergy being then in a Praemunire and under the Kings displeasure as I conceive 2. That the Earls Barons and Nobles of the Realm were the only persons summoned Nobiscum locuturi super praedictis negotiis tractaturi And the Knights Citizens and Burgesses elected required and impowred only ad faciend quod tunc de communi Consilio ordinabitur in praemissis which full and sufficient power they were every of them to receive for themselves and the whole Commonalties who elected them from the said respective Commonalties by vertue of the Kings writ 3ly That the want of such a full and sufficient power might hinder and disappoint the execution of such businesses as were there appointed and ordained by common consent of the King and Lords 4ly That the word Parliamentum is not used in any of these writs 5ly That there is no Writ in this Bundle to the Constable of Dover and Warden of the Cinque-ports for electing any Barons for those Ports nor any returns made of them 6ly That the City of London had then a particular Writ directed to the Sheriffs thereof for the election only of two Citizens and no more I shall observe also from the Sheriffs returns of these writs 1. That the Knights in every shire were elected in the full County by and for the whole County from whom they received full and sufficient power ad faciend quod tunc ordinabitur secundum tenorem hujus brevis and that the Citizens and Burgesses were then elected and impowred by the respective Commonalties of the Cities and Burroughs for whom they served 2. That all the Sheriffs did then exact and receive from every Knight Citizen Burgesse thus elected and returned special manucaptors for his appearing at the day and place appointed by the writ whose names they returned some of them requiring they putting in 6. others 4. most of them two manucaptors apeece of good qualitie for their appearing though the writs particularly enjoyned them not to take any manucaptors ' from them And that by vertue only of this geueral clause in the writs Et eos ad nos ad praedictos diem et locum venire facias it being the usual legal way to cause them to repair to the King and Parliament at the day usual place prefixed in other writs which practice afterwards continued there being manucaptors returnd sound by most Knights Citizens Burgesses that I hav seen after the reign of King Edw. the 1. 2. till 12 E. 4. though many had none in later times 3. That of all the Knights Citizens and Burgesses elected and returned this year one or two of them only refused to finde manucaptors to wit John de Umfravill chosen one of the Knights for Devon which the Sheriff specially returns And Sir William Rous one of the knights for Bedfordshire as it seems whom the Sheriff thereupon distrained per octo boves et quatuor afros veniend coram vobis ad diem in brevi 4ly That the Sheriffs returns are various and different in their forms some more general brief some more full and punctual according to the contents of the writ some with Cedules annexed others on the dorse of the writs yet all accepted as sufficient and legal 5ly That some Counties in after times at this day have many more Boroughs sending 2. Burgesses apeece to Parliaments than they had in 26 E. 1. by new Charters fince purchased as appears by comparing these returns with those of later and present times 6ly That such Cities and Boroughs who had returns of writs made their own returns of their Citizens and Burgesses elected with their manucaptors to the Sheriffs and that such of them who made no elections nor returns upon the writs were returned as defalters by the Sheriffs 7ly That Bristoll was within the County of Gloueester and its Burgesses and manucaptors returned amongst others of that County till afterwards made a County within it self 8ly That Bath in 26 E. 1. was a City and elected two Citizens with manucaptors and Wells then only a Borough electing and returning two Burgesses 9ly That some of the Knights returned have the word Dominus prefixed before not following after their names which shews they were only titular not real Lords perchance the sons of Lords which are so stiled As none of the writs to the Sheriffs are entred in the Clause Roll of 26 E. 1. so I finde no other writ of Summons to the Spiritual or Temporal Lords registred therein but only this to the Archbishop of York which I omitted in the first Section and shall here insert Claus. 26 E. l. d. 12. Rex Ven. in Christo Patri W. eadem gratia Archiep. Ebor. salutem Quia super quibusdam arduis negotiis Nos et statum Regni nostri tangentibus Vobiscum habere volumus Colloquium et Tractatum Vobis mandamus in fide et dilectione quibus Nobis tenemini firmiter injungentes quod ad Nos usque Westm. personaliter accedatis Ita quod omnibus modis sitis ibidem die Dominica in Ramis Palmarum prox futur ad ultimum super dictis negotiis locuturi et etiam tractaturi Et hoc nullo modo omittatis Teste Rege apud Sandwycum 15 die Martii Consimiles literae diriguntur subscriptis viz. Sc. London Episcopo Magistro Roberto de Radeswell Archidiac Cestr. and 20 others of the Kings Counsil without any other Spiritual or Temporal Lords In 27 E. 1. I finde a writ issued to the Archbishop of Canterbury with a De Parliamento tenendo in the margin of the Roll though the writ and Postscript declare it to be but a private Counsil which I have already presented you with Part 1. p. 10 11. there
and commission for themselves and the several Comminalties of the Counties Cities Boroughs for which they serve to hear do and consent to such things as shall happen to be ordained by common advice and counsel in those Parliaments which ought to be comprised in the returns of their elections 6. That all old and new Knights Citizens and Burgesses elected for this Parliament were enforced to put in Manucaptors to appear at the day prefixed who are expressed in all the Sheriffs returns 7. That these old Knights Citizens and Burgesses summoned to this new Parliament are by a special Clause in the writ of Summons it self ordered to receive their reasonable expences in coming to abiding at and returning from the Parliament from the Commonalties of the Counties Cities and Burroughs for which they served for which they usually had special writs only at the conclusions of Parliaments there being no such clause in any writ of Summons I have seen but thiâ—… alone That no Sheriffs in their returns make any mention what they had done touching the levying of their wages but the Sheriff of Glâ—…cester only Of which more in its proper place 8. That the Sheriffs of those Counties wherein there were Forests had one Clause in their writs to make publike proclamation in their Counties that all such who had lands or tenements within the bounds of any Forest should appear before the King in Parliament to shâ—…w their reasons and exceptions against the perambulation if they had any which was accordingly executed by such Sheriffs which Clause was totally omitted out of the Writs to those Sheriffs within whose Counties there were no Forests 9. That there is no mention of any writs of Summons in this Roll issued to the Warden of the Cinque-ports to summon and elect any Barons of those Ports to come to this nor to the two precedent Parliaments 10. That though there is special mention made in the writs to the Clergie of the Kings Counsil and other Assistants summoned to this Parliament at Lincoln of a Conference and Treaty to be had in this Parliament at Lincoln concerning the right and dominion of the King and his Ancestors Kings of England to and over the Realm of Scotland yet there is no recital of it in these writs to the Sheriffs nor in those to the Spiritual and Temporal Lords There were two special writs more issued to the two Justices of the Forests beyond and on this side Trent to summon all the Foresters under them to this Parliament Of which in its proper Section in due time I find no more Bundles of Writs for elections issued to Sheriffes now extant in the Tower during the reign of Edward the 1. only the transcripts of some of them are in the Clause Rolls ensuing The next writ of this nature is that of Clause 30 E. 1. dorse 9. Rex Vic. Ebor. salutem Quia super diversis arduis negotiis Nos et Statum Regni nostri ac pro commodo securitate ejusdem Regni Parliamentum in prox festo Sancti Michis London duximus statuend Tibi praecipimus firmiter injungentes quod de Com. praedicto duos Milites et de qualibet Civitate duos Cives et de quolibet Burgo duos Burgenses de discretioribus ipsius Comitatus sine dilationeeligi et ad Nos venire faciatis ad diem et lâ—…cum praedictos Ita quod dicti Milites pro Communitate Com. praedicti c. tunc ibidem habeant sufficientem potestatem ad faciend quod tunc de Communi consilio ordinabitur in praemissis Et habeas ibi nomina Militum Civium Burgensium et hoc breve Teste Rege apud Westm. 20 die Julii 28 die August Consimiles Literae diriguntur singulis Vicâ—…omit per Angliam Et ubi est unus Vic. duorum Com. dicitur sic quod de utroque Com. praedictorum duos Milites c. ut supra It is observable First That this Parliament was called as well for the benefit and security of the people of the Realm as for the weighty affairs of the King and kingdom 2ly That de discretioribus is the only qualification required in the Knights Citizens and Burgesses to be elected 3ly That they were to have sufficient power for the Commonalty of the Counties Cities and Burroughs for which they were chosen only ad faciend quod tunc de Communi Consilio ordinabitur in praemissis 4ly That some were Sheriffs of two Counties at once usual in former times and that they had only one writ issued to them to elect two Knights c. in each County c. which they severally returned Claus. 30 E. 1. dors 7. There are other writs issued Uic Ebor. singulis Vicecom per Aâ—…gliam T. Rege apud Lewes 13. die Septembr agreeing in form with the precedent The next is entred Claus. 32 E. 1. dors 2. Rex Vic. Ebor. c. Quia pro quibusdam c. usque tractatum Tibi praecipimus c. quod de Com. praedict duos Milites de c. de discretioribus ad laborand potentioribus sine dilatione eligi c. Ita quod dicti Milites plenam sufficientem potestatem pro se et Communitate Com. praedicti c. divisim ab ipsis tunc ibidem habeant ad faciend quod tunc de Communi Consilio ordinabitur in praemissis Ita quod pro defectu hujusmâ—…di potestatis negotia praedicta non remaneant infacta Et habeas c. Teste ut supra Consimiles literae diriguntur singulis Uic per Angliam Claus. 33 E. 1. dors 10. 20. There are no writs to Sheriffs entred with the rest to the Spiritual and Temporal Lords either of Summons or Prorogation but a space left for their entry with other Writs then omitted Cl. 34 E. 1. d. 2. There is a writ at large entred Vicecom Ebor. agreeing in form with the last recited with like writs singulis Vicecom per Angliam but in Cl. 35 E. 1. d. 13. there are no writs to the Sheriffs entred nor yet to the Spiritual but only to the Temporal Lords Claus. 1 E. 2. dors 19. Claus. 2. E. 2. dors 11. there are writs entred at large Vic. Ebor. and Claus. 4 E. 2. dors 2. Vic. Kanc. with Consimiles literae singulis Vic. per Angliam after every of them agreeing all in form with the precedent writs and their dates recitals are the same with those to the Spiritual Lords forecited Part 1. Sect. 1 2. In the Parliament of 2 E. 2. at Westminster the King requesting an Ayde from the Commons then elected by his writs they granted him the 25 part of their goods upon this Condition that he would answer and redress their grievances which they then presented and reduced to 11. Articles and prayed the King in a modest manner to redress if he pleased who thereupon promised them relief therein and accordingly gave answers to them in his next Parliament at Stanford thus recorded in Claus. 3
le delivrent et au damage le Roi et de son poeple dont le poeple prie remedie Le Roi voet qe lordenaunce qe sa faite de cieux Prises en temps le Roy son pere soit tenue et gardeé la quelle est contenue es Roulles de la Chauncellarie Le Oytisme qe per la ou il y ad suite faite selonc forme de ley en les Banks nostre Seygneur le Roi souent per Protections et per Breffs dessouz la targe sont leur dreitures delaez a grant damage du poeple Le Roi voet qe Protections oue les Clauses daquitance de pledz ne soient grantez desoremes a nulles gentz forsqe a ceux qi vent hors du Roialme en le servise le Roi pur grosses busoignes du Roialme E le Roi ad charge le Chanceller qi ne les face en autre manere Et quant es Breffs de la targe la Roi voet qe lordenaunce soit garde qe en fust faite en temps le Roi son pere la quelle est en Chancellarie Le Novism qe par la ou larons sont enditez de larciniez râ—…beries homicides et autres felonies faites trop logierement purchaunt la chartre le Roi de sa pees per quoi ceux qi les ont enditez ne osent demorer en lour pais pur doute de ceux larons plusurs se retreent de enditementz faire per cele encheson dont le poeple prie remedie Le Roi voet que desoremes ne soit grante pardoun de felonie forsqe en cas ou aunciennement soleit estre grantez cest asaver si borne tue autre per mesaventure ou soi defendant ou en deuerie ce soit troue per record de Justices Le disme qe per la ou les communs pledz du Banks le Roi de Contez douient estre pledez en certein leiu la veignant les Ministres le Roi de ses Chasteaux et treent en cieu maner les pledz devant les portes des Chasteaux contra la forme de la ley et de ce prie remedie Le Roi voet qe les Constables des Chasteaux ne destreignent gentz apleder devant eux nul play de foreign Conte ne deinz Counte autrement qe aunciennement soleit estre fait Le Viceisme qe par la ou diverses gentz du Roialme tenent lour tenements en chefs du Roi et uncore tenuz eux et lour auncestres du temps dont memoire nest veignent les Escheters le Roi et seisant lour terres et les oustout per enquestes quil fait de lour office sanz appeller en la Court le Roi dont le poeple se sente molt greve Le Roi voet qe gentz et lour auncestres on t tenuz du temps dont il nyad memoire si come la petition suppose e les Eschetors ne se mellent pur encheson del premier entre Et ordenez est et commander per nostre Seignr le Roi qe a ceux qe se voudront pleinder a Chauncellier qe nul bom soit venus encontre aucun des ditz pointz le Chancellier par brofs du grant seal en face cel remedie come il verra qe face afere pur reson Et le Roi ad aussint charge le dit Chanceller et ses Ministres qe chescun endroit bien garde les pointz avantditz He who shall seriously peruse these premised Grievances of the Commons which were all they complained of in the Parliaments of 2 3 Edw. 2. under the misgovernment of Peter de Gaveston Earl of Cornwall and other the Kings ill Counsellors who misled him and were banished and removed from him by Judgement of Parliament will finde them not the thousandth part so many for number nor so grievous oppressive destructive to the persons lives liberties properties estates purses of the people by millions of degrees as those the people and whole Nation have lately groaned under for many years and suffered from their very real or nominal Parliaments themselves their Comittees the grand Pretended Gardians Assertors Protectors of their Laws Liberties and Enfranchisers of them from Regal Tyranny and Bondage into a misnamed Free-State and Government or rather Aegyptian or Turkish vassallage Which I desire all conscientious publike-spirited Englishman now cordially to contemplate If the Commons in Parliament were so zealous to get these few petit Grievances redressed then bought out with a grant only of the 25 part of their goods and thereupon thus redressed for the future How zealous industrious should they be now to reform all those innumerable transcendent grievances and pressures under which we have so long languished and have paid so many millions of Treasure yea spent whole Oceans of English bloud to remove and yet are not eased nor released from them nor in probability like to be being the least of their care who should redress petition protest against them Let this president spurr and excite them to their duties herein being one of the first Petitions of publike grievances exhibited by the Commons alone without the Lords to the King that I have met with in our records upon which account I thought not impertinent to insert it here at large having transcribed it with mine own hands out of the Clause Roll it self The next Writ I shall present you with at large being very remarkable is thus recorded in Claus. 5 E. 2. m. 26. dorso Rex Vic. Ebor. salutem Praecipimus tibi firmiter injungentes quod illos Milites Cives Burgenses de Balliva tua quos nuper ad praesens Parliamentum nostrum apud London incboatum demandato nostro venire fecisti qui ab eodem Parliamento certis de causts recesserunt bel alios ad hoc idoneos loco eorum si ad hoc bacare non possint usque Westm. ad idem Parliamentum quod ibidâ—…m duximus continuandum venire facias Ita quod sint ibidem in crastino Sancti Martini prox futur ad ultimum cum sufficienti potestate Comitatus tui Civitatum et Burgorum praedictorum ad consentiendum c. Teste Rege apud London xi die Octobris By this writ it is apparent 1. That there were Knights Citizens and Burgesses elected and sent to this Parliament at London by the Kings writ though not entred in the Roll of Summons Claus. 5 E 2. d. 3. 17. 25. 2ly That they departed from the Parliament for certain reasons not expressed it seems without the Kings License 3ly That thereupon the King by this writ commands the Sheriff to resummon them to come to the Parliament again which was adjourned to a certain day most likely by reason of their departure from it or else to elect and send other fit persons in their places if they could or would not attend sufficiently impowred from the Counties Cities and Boroughs for
which they served And that without the vote order ejection or privity of the Commons in Parliament who had then no power to remove eject imprison suspend their own Members or issue writs for new elections as of late they do Claus. 6 E. 2. d. 31. I meet with this writ of Prorogation but not with the Original writ of Summons issued to the Sheriff Rex Vic. Ebor. salutem Licet nuper Parliamentum nostrum apud Lincoln ut supra Archiepiscopo usque ordinavimus Tibi praecipimus quod de Com. tuo duos Milites de qualibet Civitate duos Cives de quolibet Burgo duos Burgenses de discretioribus ad laborand potentioribus eligi eos ad Nos ad dictos diem et locum venire faceres Ita quod Milites plenam et sufficientem potestatem pro se Communitate Com praedicti et dicti Cives et Burgenses pro se et Communitate Civium et Burgorum praedictorum divisim ab ipsis haberent tunc ibidem ad faciend quod de Communi Consilio nostro ordinari contigerit in praemissis Ita quod pro defectu hujusmodi potestatis negotia praedicta infacta non remaneant Quia tamen versus partes London c. usque tractabuntur Et ideo tibi praecipimus firmiter injungentes quod Milites Cives Burgenses praedictos sine dilatione eligi eos ad Nos usque Westm. ad dictam diem Dominicam post dictum festum Assumptionis venire facias in forma praedicta Et babeas ibi nomina dictorum Militum Civium Burgensium hoc breve Teste ut supra Eodem modo mandatum est singulls Vic. per Angliam Also in Claus. 6. E. 2. m. 27. dorso I finde this special Memorial entred Memorandum quod die Lunae prox ante festum decollationis Sancti Johannis Baptistae Anno Regis Edwardi fil Regis Edwardi sexto Dom. Rex apud Westm. praecepit quod Milites Cives Burgenses qui ad Parliamentum Regis ibidem summonitum converant pro Communitatibus Civibus et Burgis Angliae ad propria remearent Ita quod reverterent ibidem in Crastino Sancti Michaelis prox futur sub paena quae decet T. Rege apud Westm. 28 die Augusti A clear evidence that the Knights Citizens and Burgesses then summoned and sent to the Parliament could neither prorogue nor adjourn themselves nor depart thence without the Kings special license which was entred on record and were liable to a fitting penalty if they returned not upon the day of prorogation prefixed by the King I shall only observe by the way that whereas the King in his answer to the second Article of the Commons Petition in the Parliament of 3 E. 2. suspended the Petit Customs upon Wines Cloth and other Merchandize that the very next year he issued out writs to the Collectors of the Customs and Officers in England and to the Chief Justice Treasurer and Barons of the Exchequer in Ireland De nova Custuma colligenda to collect these new Customs again not withstanding this his Ordinance in the Parliament at Stamford because there was nulla utilitas regno by the ceasing and abating thereof as appears by the writs of 2. 6. Augusti rot Finium An. 4 E. 2. But in Claus. 5 E. 2. m. 23. there came this Countermand by Order from the Prelates Earls and Barons of the Realm appointed by Commission to reform the abuses of the Kings Houshold and Realm against the collecting of them and any other new customs and Maltots Rex Collectoribus novae Custumae lanarum coriorum pellium lanatorum et aliarum rerum venalium in portu London salutem Cum Praelati Comites Barones dicti regni nostri quibus nuper per literas nostras Patentes commissimus potestatem ordinandi de statu Hospitii nostri et Regni praedicti inter caeteras Ordinationes quas super praemissis fecerant et quas acceptavimus et per totum regnum fecimus publicari ordinaverint Quod omnimodo Custumae Maletot levatae post Coronationem Domini E. quondam Regis Angliae patris nostri integrè amoveantur et penitus extinguantur Salvis Custumis lanarum coriorum pellium lanatorum ult vid. de quolibet Sacco lanae dimid marc de 300. pellibus lanat dimid marc de lasto Coriorum unam marcam Vobis mandamus quod de nova Custuma praedicta in Portu praedicto percipiend supersedeatis omnino T. R. apud London 9. Octobr. Per ipsum Regem totum Consilium The like writs then issued to most Port Towns in England If we could see the like president now against all new excessive Imposts and Excises issued to all Collectors and other Officers after so many years continuance of them to the ruine of trade and impoverishing of the Nation only to enslave them to a New Military tyrannical usurping power and keep on their iron yoaks upon their over-galled necks it vvould be a most joyfull spectacle to their eyes and blessed tydings to their ears vvhich they have long in vain expected from late publike Conventions which instead of easing do still renew and continue these heavy yokes and burdens upon them though a thousand times more grievous than those then complained against and redressed In Claus. 5 E. 2. m. 31. 22. I finde a Writ issued by the King Willo de Marescall Mich de Segrave prohibiting that they come not armed to the Parliament seu alio modo quam tempore clarae memoriae E. quondam Regis Angl. Patris nostri fieri consuevit there being a quarrel between them and Dorse 30. 27. 25. 8. m. 30. there are sundry other particulars concerning passages and proceedings in that Parliament worthy perusal though not proper for this Section And so in Cl. 7 E. 2. m. 2. 8. 25. Cl. 8 E. 2. dors 7 8. Claus. 9 E. 2. dors 27. 26. 20. 17. 6. Cl. 7 E. 2. m. 7. dorso the Writ of election entred at large is thus directed to the Sheriff of Hertf. and Essex Rex Vic. Hertf. Essex salutem Cum diversa ardua negotia as in the Writ to the Archbishop Tibi praecipimus firmiter injungentes quod de utroque Com. Comitatuum praedictorum duos Milites et de qualibet Civitate duos Cives de quolibet Burgo duos Burgenses de discretioribus et ad laborandum potentioribus eligi et eos ad Nos ad dictos diem et locum venire facias Ita quod Milites plenam sufficientem potestatem pro se Communitate Com. praedictorum et dicti Cives Burgenses pro se Communitate Civitatum Burgornm praedictorum divisim ab ipsis babeant and faciend consentiend biis quae tunc de Communi Consilto favente Domino ordinari contigerit Ita quod c. Consimiles literae diriguntur singulis Uicecom per Angliam The like writs issued to the
d. 27. Rex dilecto et fideli suo Roberto de Retford salutem Nuper vobis ex parte nostra suit injunctum quod una cum caeteris de Consilio nostro in praesenti Parliamento nostro London ad tractandum ibidem super diversis negotiis Nos et Statum regni nostri tangentibus moram continuam faceretis quousque aliud inde praecipissemus Vosque mandatum nostrum in hac parte minus justè ponderantes à dicto Parliamento caeteris de Consilio nostro ibidem circa dicta negotia nostra tractantibus ad alias partes vos elongastiâ—… unde admiramur non modicum et merito conturbamur Vobis igitur mandamus in fide qua Nobis tenemini sirmiter injungentes quod statim visis praesentibus omnibus aliis praetermissis ad dictam Civitatem cum omni festinatione accedatis ibidem cum caeteris de Consilio nostro super dictis negotiis tractaturi vestrumque Consilium impensuri et exinde sine licentia nostra speciali durante Parliamento praedicto nullaten us recedatis Et hoc ficut indignationem nostram vitare volueritis nullo modo omittatis T. Rege apud Haddelye 12 die Septembr Per Consilium Eodem modo mandatum est subscriptis viz Willo de Ormesby Rico de Bereford Henrico de Staunton Johi de Mitford Henrico le Scrop Henrico de Guldeford Willo de Colneye Willo de Goldington Johi de Insula Johi de Doncastr Johi Lovell de Snotescumbe Rico de Rodeneye Johi Cheynel Willo de Bourne Johi de Batesford Rogâ—…ro de Scotre 3ly It necessitated the King to adjourn the Parliament till a further time and much hindred the publike affaires of the King and kingdom which should have been dispatched therein as is evident by the writ of Prorogation Cl. 5 E. 2. dorso 17. And what sadder effects such armed tumults and Souldiers have of late years produced not only to the disturbance of the publike peace and affairs of the Realm and Parliament but to the very ruin of the King Parliament kingdom Lawes Liberties themselves we have seen by sad experience Therfore we should use all good and effectual means for the future prevention of such tumults armed powers and mischiefs when and where any Parliaments are convened The next Writs are in Claus. 4 E. 3. dors 19. Vic. Northumbr recited at large with Cons. literae singulis Vicec per Angl running all in the ordinary form having the same recitals and dates with those to the Prelates forecited Section 1. But in Dors. 13. of this year I find this memorable Writ of Proclamation issued to all Sheriffs cf Countles after the Writs of Elections sent unto them to direct them and the people what persons they should then elect for their Knights and inviting all that were grieved by the Kings Officers to complain against them in Parliament to the King himself or such as he should appoint who should give them full and speedy relief There being the like Writs formerly issued to them by King Edward the first Claus. 17 E. 1. dors 2. Quod Vit. singuli venire fac illos qui de Ministr Rs. conqueri voluerint quod veniant apud Westm. coram certis Justiciariis assignandis to exemine and redress all offences misdemeanours and oppressions dum Rex erat extra Regnum Le Roy a Viscount de Lancastr falutz Pur ce que nous avomous entendues que diverses oppressions et duretes ount este faits sur plusours gentz de nostre Roilme per acunes q'uont estre nos Ministers en diverses Offices et auxint per acunes gentz de nostre Rollme auxibien Nouz consealers come autres tant come nous besoigne per reason de la tendernes de nostre age ount este meney per acunes gentz a damage et dishonor de nouz la quelle chose nous ne voloms desore soeffrer et nos avoms mult grant desire que tiels choses fuissent mâ—…s en estat due et les tortes et misprisions redresses Vous mandoms et chargeâ—…nt en la foi que vous nous devoz que hastiment sanz delay faitz crier per mi vostre bailive auxibien deinz Franchise come dehors que toutz ceux que se vodroint pleindre des oppressions duretes ou autres grievance a eux faitz countre droiture et les loyes et les usages de nostre Roilme veigne it a Westm. a cest nostre prochein Parlement et monstrent illeoqes lour plaints a nous ou a ceux que nous ferront a ce deput et nous lour feroms fair covenable et hastiâ—… remede dont ils se devient aggreer per reason Et pour ce que avant ces heures ascunes des Chivalers qe sont venus as Parlements pour les communautes des countees ount estre gentz de coveigne et maintieners des fauses querels et nount mi seoffree que les bones gentz poient monstrer les grievances du comune poeple ne les choses que deuseant avoir este redresses en Parlement a granâ—… damage de nous et de nostre poeple vos mandoms et chargeoms qe vous faces eslier per come assent de vestre Counteâ—… deux des plus leaux et plus suffisouns Chivalers et Sergeantz de mesme le Countee que soient mi suspiciouns de male coveigne ne communes meinteirâ—…ours des parties d'estrez a nostre Parlement selonc le forme de nostre mandement que vous en aves Et ceo ne lessez si come vous voilliez eschuer nostre grief indignation Don a Woodstock le triers jour de November per ipsum Regem Eodem modo mandatum est singulis Vic. per Angl. A fit Writ to be now revived The next writs are those in Claus 5 E. 3. dors 7. Rex Vic. Eborum salutem Cum pro magnis arduis negotiis Nos statum aâ—… regimen Regni nostri specialiter contingentibus de consilio Praelatorum Magnatum Nobis assistentium ordinavimus Parliamentum nostrum apud Westm. in crastino sancti Michaelis prox futur tenere cum Praelatis Magnatibus Proceribus dicti Regni habere Colloquium Tractatum Tibi prâ—…cipimus firmitâ—…r injungentes quod de dicto Com. duos Milites de qualibet Civitate Com. illius duos Cives de quolibet Burgo duos Burgenses de discretioribus ad laborandum potentioribus eligi eos ad dictos diem locum venire facias Ita quod dicti Milites plenam sufficientem poâ—…estatem pro se pro communitate Com. praedicti dicti Cives Burgenses pro se communitate Civitatum Burgorum divisim ab ipsis habeant ad faciend consentiend biis quae tunc de communi Consilio favente Domino ordinari contigerit super negotiis antedictis Ita quod pro defectu potestatis hujusmodi dicta negotia infecta non remaneant quovis modo Et habeat ibi nomina
praedictorum Militum Civium Burgensium hoc breve Teste ut supra Eodem modo praeceptum est singulis Vic. per Angliam The like in all respects except in the recitals being alwayes the same with those to the Spiritual and Temporal Lords relating in special or general the causes of summoning each Parliament and in the times and places of the Parliament and dates of the Writs issued to the Sheriffs and are entred in the same order as those preceding in Cl. 5 E. 3. d. 25. Claus. 6 E. 3. d. 9. 19. 36. Claus. 7 E. 3. part 1. d. 3. Claus. 8 E. 3. dors 18. Claus. 9 E. 3. d. 2. 18. Claus. 10 E. 3. d. 1. 5. Cl. 11 E. 3. pars 2. d. 11. 40. Cl. 12 E. 3. pars 2. d. 32. Cl. 13 E. 3. pars 2. d. 28. where you may peruse them But in Cl. 10 E. 3. dors 1. there is this Writ of Prorogation and Resummons entred Rex Vic. Ebor. salutem Cum nuper Parliamentum nostrum quod apud Ebor. in diem lunae in festo sancti Hillarii prox futur tenere ordinavimus usque ad Octabas Purificationis beatae Mariae Virginis prox futur prorogavimus apud eundem locum tunc tenend Et tibi preceperimus quod de Com tuo Milites duos c. venire faceres ad faciend et consentiend biis quae tunc de communi Consilio ordinari contigerit super quibusdam Negotiis Nos et Statum Regni nostri tangentibus Ac propter diversa nova Nobis et dicto regno nostro permolesta quae in partibus transmarinis jam noviter emerserunt c. as in the Writ to the Archbishop idem Parliamentum usque diem Lunae prox post festum Sancti Matthaei Apostoli prox futur apud Westm. tunc tenend duximus prorogand Tibi praecipimus quod praemuniâ—…i fac Milites Cives Burgenses praedictos quod ad Octabas praedictas ad dictum locum Ebor. ex causa Parliamenti non veniant ista vice Praecipimus insuper tibi firmiter injungentes quod eosdem Milites Gives et Burgenses sic electos vel alios eligend si electi non fucrunt in forma praedicta eligi et eos ad dictum locum Westm. ad praedictum diem Lunae venire facias Ita quod Milites plenam et sufficientem potestatem pro se Communitate Com. praedicti habeant c. ut supra usque hoc breve Teste ut supra Eodem modo mandatum est singulis Vic. per Angl. In Claus. 13 E. 3. pars 2. dors 1. the form of the Writ for elections to the Sheriffs is thus notably varied Rex Vic. Eborum salutem Cum quaedam ardua urgentia negotia Nos et honorem nostrum Statumque Regni nostri contingentia in Parliamento nostro apud Westm in Quindena sancti Michaelis prox praeterito summonito Praelatis Proceribus ct Communitati dicti regni ibidem existentibus exposita extitissent super quibus eadem Communitas tempus ad deliberand petiit supplicans quoddam aliud Parliamentum statim infra breve ut tunc deliberatione hujusmodi valeret expofitis maturius responderi per quod de avisamento Praelatorum et Procerum praedictorum necnon ad dictae Communitatis hujusmodi supplicationem ordinavimus quod super hiis et aliis urgentissimis negotiis tam Nos et expeditionem guerrae nostrae ac jura nostra et Coronae nostrae in partibus transmarinis quam defensionem dicti regni ceterarumque terrarum nostrarum contingentibus Parliamentum nostrum apud Westm. in Octabis Sancti Hillarii prox futur teneatur Nos advertentes quod negotia nostra in Parliamento nostro hactenus agitata saepius impedita fuerunt et etiam retardata Ita quod electiones de Militibus Civibus et Burgensibus pro Communiâ—…tibus Com Civitatum et Burgorum ad Parliamenta illa venientibus minus factae provide exiterunt Tibi praecipimus districtius injungentes quod de dicto Comitatu tuo duos Milites gladiis cinctos et de qualibet Civitate Com. illius Duos Cives et de quolibet Burgo Duos Burgenses de discrâ—…tioribus et probioribus Militibus Cidibus et Burgensibus Com. Civitatum et Burgorum et eosdâ—…m ad laborand potentioribus eligi et eos ad dictos diem et locum venire facias Ita quod iidem Milites plenam et sufficientem potestatem pro se et Communitate Com. praedicti dicti Cives ac Burgenses pro se et Communitatibus Civitatum et Burgorum divisim ab ipsis habeant ad faciend et consentiend hiis quae tunc de Communi Consilio nostro favente Domino ordinari contigerit super negotiis antedictis Ita quod pro defectu potestatis hujusmodi seu Propter improvidam electionem Militum Civium aut Burgensium praedictorum quam tibi si aliter quam praedictum est facta fuerit imputabimus dicta negotia infecta non remaneant quovis modo habeas ibi nomina praedictorum Militum Civium et Burgensium et hoc breve Teste ut supra Per ipsum Regem et dictum Custodem Consilium Eodem modo mandatum est singulis Vicecomitibus per Angliam From wheuce it is observable 1. That the Commons in Parliament ought not rashly to determine or give answer to any business of great moment propounded to them without due time and consideration and that they may justly desire convenient time to deliberate upon it till another Parliament shall be summoned for that purpose as they did here which the King upon their Petition and the advice of the Prelates and Great men assented to by his Cussos Regni 2. That the indiscreet and Improvident Elections of unfitting undiscreet dishonest insufficient Knights Citizens and Burgesses is a frequent occasion of hindering and retarding the great and weighty affairâ—… of the King and kingdom in Parliament and cause of their miscarriage without good effect 3. That the blame of such improvident elections is much to be imputed to the Sheriffs as well as Electors 4. That the Clause of gladiis cinctos was first added to duos Milites by this writ not being in any former writs that so none but actual Knights by Order as well as tenure might be elected and returned 5. That the word Probioribus is superadded to Discretioribus et ad laborandum Potentiaribus Militibus Civibus et Burgensibus c. extant in none of the precedent Writs since 49 H. 3. and Legalioribus omitted 6. That there was no Alteration at all now made in the Writs to the Warden of the Cinque-ports continuing as before but only in those to Sheriffs for electing Knights Citizens and Burgesses The next succeeding writ in Claus. 14 E. 3. pars 1. dors 33. runs in the usual form yet with duos Milites gladiis cinctos c. de discretioribus et probioribus Militibus Civibus et Burgensibus Com. Civitatum et Burgorum eorundem
particulars 1. Particular writs to all Sheriffs and the Warden of the Cinqueports after the Parliament ended and dissolved to summon to UUinchester only half the Knights Citizens Burgesses and Barons of the Cinque-ports formerly summoned to the Parliament at London to appear before the King and his Counsel with their particular names in the writs and a special clause to summon their companions in case any of them since dyed and that to avoid the great expence and trouble of summoning all the rest 2ly The reasons why they are thus summoned not to make Laws nor grant new subsidies nor alter any thing formerly agreed upon and passed by common consent in Parliament for that had been very illegal dangerous unparliamentary but only to inform the King and his Counsel how a subsidy of fifty thousand pounds granted to the K. by that Parliament in an intire sum and then to be raysed by a proportionale rate layd by them upon every parish throughout the Realm might be speedily and fully raised according to their intentions by this way of levy when as the King and his Counsel upon consideration found that the intire sum could not be raysed in this way according to their intentions but would fall far short of their computation there being not so many Parishes in England as they conceived 3ly That the Commons and whole Parliament may sometimes mistake and erre in their computations and proceedings 4ly That no Subsidies or Aydes can be granted or levyed for the necessary defence of the Realm by Sea or land nor the way and manner of raysing them altered but in and by common consent in a full Parliamenâ—… 5ly That in doubtfull grants of Subsidies and Acts of this nature mentioned in this Writ the best and speedyest way to resolve the doubts and know the true intention of them is to confer with those Members who first granted and passed them 6ly We have here the particular names of all the antient Cities and Boroughs in each County and of the Cinque-ports which in that Age sent Citizens Burgesses and Barons to the Parliament being one of the fullest Records for this purpose I have seen and more exact than any Rolls or Writs for levying their expences 7ly Here are the names of half the Knights Citizens Burgesses and Barons of the Ports summoned to this Parliament who had writs for their expences granted them in repairing to VVinchester by vertue of thiâ—… Writ as Dorse 22. of this Roll imports of which more in its proper place 8ly The Sheriffs are required to enquire and certifie the number of all the Parish Churches Chappels Prebends in their respective Counties The writs to Sheriffs in Claus. 46 E. 3. dorse 11. are only in the usual form Quod de Com. tuo duos Milites de discretioribus probioribus Militibus Civibus Burgensibus c. ad laborand potentioribus eligi c. ad faciend consentiend hiis quae tunc de communi Consilio Regni nostri ordinari contigerit c. Ita quod c. seu propter improvidam electionem Militum c. as in former writs In this Parliament upon complaint made of Sheriffs and other unfitting persons elected Knights of Shires this insuing Ordinance was made to rectifie these abuses to disable the election of such for the future Rot. parl an 46 E. 3. n. 13. Auxi un Ordenance fait en mesme la Parlement fuit luez en manere come ensuet Pur ceo que Gentz de Ley que pursuont diverses busoignes en les Courts le Roy pur singuleres persones oue queux ils sont procurent font mettre pleuseurs Petitions en Parlementz en nom des comunes que riens lour touche mes solement les singulers persones ou queuz ils sont de moiez Auxi Viscontz que sont Comunes Ministres au people et dovient demurrer sur lour Office pur droit faire a checune sont nomez et ont devant ces heures retornez en Parlementz Chivalers des Countees per mesmes les Viscontz Est accorde assenta en cest Parlement que desormes Nul home de ley pursuont busoigues en la Courte le Roy ne Uiscount pur le temps que il est Uiscount soient retournem ne acceptem Chibalers des Countees ne que ces qui sont Gentm de ley Uiscountz ore retournez au Parlement eient gagem Num. 14. Mes voyet lo Roy que Chivalers Sersaunts des meulz Valeurs du paiis soiz retornez desore Chivalers en Parlementz quils sount estuz en plein Counte By vertue of this Ordinance all Sheriffs of Counties have alwaies by special clauses inserted into writs of Elections ever since been disabled to be chosen Knights of the Shire or Burgesses and sometimes Apprentices and men of Law whiles they pleaded and practised for the reasons expressed in this Ordinance The very next writs of Summons to Parliament claus 47 E. 3. m. 13. dors were thus altered some new clauses put into them in pursuance of this Ordinance Rex Vic. Kanc. salutem Quia de avisamento Confilii nostri c. Tibi praecipimus firmiter injungentes quod de Com. tuo duos milites gladiis cinctos seu Armigeros de dicto Com digniores et probiores et in actibus armorum magis expertos et discreâ—… et non alterins conditionis de qualibet Civitate Com. illius duos Cives de quolibet Burgo duos Burgenses qui in navigio et exercitio mercandisarum notitiam habeant meliorem eligi et eos ad dictos diem locum venire facias Ita quod iidem Milites plenam sufficientem potestatem pro se c. as in ordinary Writs ab ipfis habeant ad faciend consentiend eis quae tunc de communi Confilio Regni nostri favente Domino contingant ordinari super negotiis antedictis Ita quod pro defectu hujusmodi potestatis seu propter improvidam electionem Militum Civium aut Burgensium praedictorum dicta negotia nostra infecta non remaneant quovis modo Nolumus autem quod tu seu aliquis alius Uicecomes regni praedicti aut aliquis alterius conditionis quam superius specificatur aliqualiter sit electus Et habeas ibi nomina praedictorum Militum Civium Burgensium et hoc breve Teste ut supra Consimilia brevia diriguntur singulis Vicecomitibus per Angliam In the writ to the Warden of the Cinqueports this new clause of qualification is inserted Et de quolibet Portu Portuum praedictorum duos Barones de melioribus in navigio et exercitio mercandizarum discretioribus eligi without any other alteration It is observable that these Writs issuing in times of war both by Land and Sea with France as is evident by Rot. parl 47 E. 3. num 2 3 4. thereupon these new qualifications of Knights Citizens Burgesses and Barons of the Cinqueports were inserted into these
writs that the first shall be Knights by order or at least Armigeros digniores probiores in actibus armorum magis expertos discretos The later of them such qui in navigio exercitio mercandizarum notitiam habent meliorem which were fitting qualifications considering the times wherein they were inserted into these Writs 2ly That there were express prohibitory clauses in these writs to inhibite the elections of any persons not thus qualified non alterius conditionis relating to the Knights and Esquires and last clause in the Writ Nolumus tamen quid tu c. aut aliquis alterius conditionis quam superius specificatur aliqualiter sit electus which was grounded on the Ordinance of Parliament in 46 E. 3. and manifests the antient power and Prerogatiue of our Kings to prescribe to their Subjects what kind of fit persons they ought to elect and to prohibite the choyce of any others not so qualified when they are proner to make undue elections of mean indiscreet unable and unfitting Knights Citizens Burgesses Barons to the prejudice of the publick 5ly That though our Kings cannot prescribe to their subjects what particular persons they shall elect being inconsistent with the freeness of elections the Stat. of 3 E. 1. c. 5. an apparent incroachment on their liberty and a ready means to pack Parliaments at their pleasure to effect their own private end oppres enslave their subjects yet their prescribing of just and fitting qualifications in the general in all persons to be elected and inhibiting the choyce of any not so qualified is no incroachment upon their libertyes and freedom in elections as this Writ and others and the forecited Ordinance doth evidence The next Writs to Sheriffs for electing Knights Citizens and Burgesses are those in Clause 47 E. 3. dors 13. cl 49 E. 3. d. 4 6. cl 50 E. 3. p. 1. d. 6. running all in this form Rex Vic. Kanc. c. Quod de comitatu tuo duos Milites gladiis cinctos magis idoneos et discretos de qualibet Civitate Com. illius duos Cives de quolibet Burgo duos Burgenses de discretioribus magis sufficientibus eligi c. with this prohibition in the close of all these Writs Nolumus autem quod tu vel aliquis alius Vicecomes Regni noctri praedicti aut aliquis altertus Conditionis quam superius specificatur aliqualiter sit electus Et babeas ibi nomina praedictorum Militum Civium Burgensium hoc breve The writs to Sheriffs for the election of Knights Citizens and Burgesses in cl 1 R. 2 d. 37. cl 2 R. 2. d. 13. 29. cl 3 R. 2. d. 27 32. cl 4 R. 2. d. 32. cl 5 R. 2. d. 12. 40. cl 6 R 2. p. 1. d. 4 17 37. cl 7 R. 2. d. 10 37. cl 8 R. 2. d. 35. cl 9 R. 2. d. 45. cl 10 R. 2. d. 42. cl 11 R. 2. d. 13. 24. have all the same prohibitory clause nolumus autem c. as the last writs in King Edward the third his Reign But in the writ of claus 12 R. 2. d. 42. these words aut alterius conditionis quam superius specificatur are omitted out of the Nolumus autem In all the Writs of Claus. 13 R. 2. pars 1. d. 6. they are again inserted But in the writs of Cl. 14 R. 2. d. 42. cl 15 R. 2. d. 37. cl 16 R. 2. d. 32. cl 17 R. 2 d. 30. cl 18 R. 2. d. 23. cl 20 R. 2. p. 1. d. 15. cl 21 R. 2. p. 1. d. 27. cl 23 R. 2. d 3. and in all Writs under H. 4 5 6. E. 4. they are also totally omitted and Nolumus autem quod tu aut aliquis alius Vicecomes Regni praedicti aliqualiter sit electus only reteined In all these Writs under Richard the 2d there is this clause added not extant in those of Edward the 3d. Tibi praecipimus firmiter injungentes quod in pleno Comitatu tuo de communt assensu ejusdem duos Milites gladiis cinctos magis idoneos discretos c. eligi c. facias which clause most clearly evidenceth that all Knights ought to be elected in a full County-Court by the common assent of the County not to be nominated elected by the King or any others without or against the Counties consent approbation There are 5 bundles of Writs in Ann. 3 10 11 13 16 Rich. 2d yet extant for elections of Knights Citizens and Burgesses issued to Sheriffs and others with their retotns indorsed on or annexed to them which I shall pretermit There are only two extraordinary unusual Writs concerning the election of Knights during the Reign of King Richard the 2d worthy special observation which I shall present you with at large The first of them thus recorded in Claus. 7 R. 2. m. 32. De Militibus venientibus ad Parliamentum loco aliorum eligendis Rex Vic. Surry salatem Quia ut accepimus tu Thomam Camoys Chivaler qui Baronettus est sicut quamplures antecessorum suorum extiterunt ad essendum unum Militum venientiam ad proximum Parliamentum nostrum pro Comunitate Comitatus praedicti de assensu ejusdem Comitatus eligisti Nos advententes quod hujusd Baronetti ante haec tempora Milit. Comit. ratione alicujus Parl. eligi minime consuev ipsum de officio Militis ad dictum Parliamentum pro comunitate Comitatus praedicti venturi exonerari volumus Et ideo tibi praecipimus quod quendam alium Militem idoneum et discretum gladio cinctum in loco ipsius Thomae eligi eum ad diem locum Parliamenti praedicti venire facias Cum plena sufficienti potestate ad consentiend hiis quae in Parliamento praedicto fient juxta tenorem prioris brevis nostri tibi pro electione hujusmodi Militum directi nomen ejus Nobis scire facias Teste Rege apud Westm. octavo die Octobris Consimile Breve dirigitur Vic. Surry pro Iacobo Berners qui est de retinentia Regis familiaris unus Militum Kantiae T. R. apud Westm. 18 die Oct. It is evident by the Rolls and Summons cited in the precedent Table of the Temporal Lords and Barons that Ralph Camoys was sumoned to Parliament amongst the other Lords and Barons in 49 H. 3. and another of that name to sundry Parliaments under Ed. 2 3. and Iohn de Camoyes after them That this Thomas Camoyes mentioned in the Writ was descended from them and then a Peer and Baron of the Realm though styled a Baronet in the Writ which in that age signified a Baron of Parliament as the hujusmodi Baronetti in the Writ and Mr. Selden evidence being summoned by Writ with the rest of the Barons to this very Parliament of 7 R. 2. and sundry others afterwards during his Reign and the Reigns of Henry the fourth and fifth from whence I shall observe
1. That no Peers or Barons of the Realm may can or ought to be elected retorned Kights of Shires Citizens or Burgesses of Parliament and their elections voyd if made being uncapable to sit or vote in the Commons House as Members therof as I have largely proved in My plea for the Lords and house of Peers p. 143 to 148. to which I shall refer the Readers for fuller resolution 2ly That if any election be once made upon the the Kings first Writ though void or illegal in it self yet the Sheriff and County cannot proceed to a new election without a new Writ from the King authorising them 3ly That if a meer void election of a Peer or other person uncapable be made by the Country and Sheriff the King may thereupon by such a new writ as this declare it null yea discharge the peâ—…son elected from his undue election and command a new election to be made by such a Writ as this before the Parliament meet as well as alter it as he did here this Parliament for which the Lord Camoyes was elected one of the Knights of the Countie for Surry being summoned to begin on the 25 of October as the Writ it self and Parliament roll assure us and the writ for his discharge and a new election of another fit person and Knight in his stead bearing date the 8th of October being 15 daies before the Parliament was to meet 4ly That the King in this Age not the Commons House was the sole proper Judge of void double elections who had no Jurisdiction or authoritie to hear or determine anie complaints concerning Elections much lesse to suspend seclude or reject anie of their Fellow-Members a late dangerous usurpation either by Custom of Parliament the Writs of election or any other Law Statute authoritie but only the King or Lords as I have largelie proved in my Plea for the Lords by unreasonable Presidentsâ—… reasons Statutes p. 371. to 420. to which I shall refer the Reader 5ly That when the self-same person is elected a kinght for two Counties at once the king by his Writ may discharge him of one of them and issue a new election in his room as in the case of Iames Berners elected both for Surry and Kent The next Writ is this of Clause 11 R. 2. m. 24. dorso Rex Vic. Kanc. salutem Quia de avisamento Consilii nostri pro quibusdam arduis urgentibus negogotiis Nos statum defensionem Regni nostri Angliae seu Ecclesiae Anglicanae contingentibus quoddam Parliamentum nostrum apud Westm. in Craftino Purificationis beatae Mariae prox futur teneri ordinavimus ibidem vobiscum et cum Praelatis Magnatibus Proceribus Regni nostri Angliae Colloquium habere Tractatum Tibi praecipimus firmiter injungentes quod de Comitatu tuo duos Milites gladiis cinctos magis idoneos discretos Com. praedicti in debatis modernis magis indifferentes de qualibet Civitate ejusdem Com. duos Cives de quolibet Burgo duos Burgenses de discretioribus magis sufficientibus eligi eos ad dictos diem locum venire facias c. Teste Rege apud Windsore decimo septimo die Decembr Consimilia Brevia diriguntur singulis Vic. per Angliam The King before any elections made being informed that this new inserted clause in debatis modernis magis indifferentes relating only to knights of Shires not Citizens and Burgesses was contrary to the forms of Elections antiently used and against the liberty of the Lords and Commons of the Realm till that time used did thereupon supersede and revoke these writs as to this unusual clause alone by this memorable Writ entred in the next Membrana viz. Cl. 11 R. 2. m. 23. dorso Rex Vic. Kant salutem licet nuper breve nostrum inter caetera tibi praecipimus firmiter injungentes quod de Comitatu tuo duos Milites gladiis cinctos magis idoneus discretos Com. praedicti in debatis modernis magis indifferentes eligi eos ad Parliamentum nostrum quod apud Westm. in crastino Purificationis beatae Mariae prox futur tenere ordinavimus ad eosdem diem locum venire faceres Nos tamen attendentes dictam clausulam in debatis modernis magis indifferentes contra formam electionis antiquitus usitatae et contra libertatem Dominorum et Communitatis regni nostri Angliae hactenus obtentam existere volentesque proinde praedictos Milites libere eligi modo et forma prout antiquitus fieri consuebit Tibi praecipimus firmiter injungentes quod de Com. tuo duos Milites gladiis cinctos magis idoneos discretos Com. praedicti prout hactenus fieri consuebit eligi eos ad praedictos diem locum venire facias dicta clausula non obstante caeteraque omnia singula in dicto brevi nostro contenta fac et exequaris juxta tenorem ejusdem dictam clausulam penitus omittens Et habeas ibi hoc breve aliud breve Teste Rege apud Westmonast primo die Jan. Per ipsum Regem Consilium Consimilia brevia diriguntur singulis Vicecomitibus per Angliam carissimo Anvunculo Regis Johanni Regi Castellae Legionis Duci Lancastr vel ejus Cancellario in eodem Ducatu sub eadem data From these two memorable Writs compared with some of the limitations in the precedent Writs it is evident 1. That although the King may by his Writs advise and command the Sheriffs and people by general clauses to elect two of the best wisest discreetest fittest elegantest ablest Knights Citizens Burgesses in each County City Borough and most able to take pains and likewise probibite them to elect maintainers of Quarrels and false sutes persons of ill fame living by maintenance and dishonest gain Sheriffs of Counties practising Lawyers Barons of the Realm and other unfitting persons for such a publick Service Yet he ought not to insert any new qualifications or restraints into his Writs contrary to the amient usual form liberty and freedom of the peoples Elections which may tend to the packing of any Parliament to promote any particular factions parties or designs to the publick prejudice or deprive the people of their antient legal freedom in their Elections especially in times of general discord discontents jealousies or open sad debates between the King and his Subjects as these new clauses in debatis modernis magis indifferentes c. and other late Army qualifications restraints of more dangerous consequence do in the late Instrument of Government and Petition and advice prescribed by the New-Modellers of Parliaments and our Republicans since to advance their own particular designs admit seclude what Members they please though best affected to the publick welfare ease peace fafety settlement of our distracted Nations and most desired confided in by the people who elected them by their unanimous Votes 2ly That our Kings
anno 25 H. 6. m. 24. dorso it was inserted into the writs agreeing verbatim with the last forecited writ except only in this Statutes recital thus inserted Rex Vic. Kanc. salutem Quia c. ut supra in the last recited to plenius continetur and then Ac insuper in statuto nostro apud West ultimo tento edito inter caetera ordinatum existat Quod Milites Com. pro Parliamento ex tunc eligend Milites notabiles de eisdem Com. pro quibus sic eligentur seu saltem notabiles Armigeri hominesve generosi de natu eorundem Com. Ouâ—… habiles sunt Milites fieri et nullus homo de gradu valettae et gradu inferiori de essendo Milites hujusmodi existant prout in eodem statuto plenius continetur Tibi praecipimus firmiter injungentes c. verbatim as in the last recited writ T. Rege apud Westm. 14 die Dec. Per â—…m Regem Consil suum to the end Consimilia Brevia follow to the Sheriffs of Counties Cities and Boroughs as in it This Statute and writ puts a greater restriction in relation to the Knights of Counties qualities abilities sufficiences than any before to prevent the elections of persons of mean quality and estates which the vulgar rabble of people in those leveling times were overmuch enclined unto which form continued in all succeeding Parliaments under Henry the sixth and Edward the fourth with little or no variation as the Clause rolls evidence wherein they are recorded viz. 27 H. 6. d. 24. 28 H. 6. d. 26. 29 H. 6. d. 41. 31 H. 6. d. 36. 33 H 6. d. 36. 38 H. 6. d. 30. 49 H. 6. d. 6. 1 Ed. 4. d. 35. 2 E. 4. d. 3. 6 E. 4. d. 1. 12 E. 4. d. 21. 22 23 E. 4 d. 10. There are only two bundles of Writs for elections and their returns under King Edward the fourth remaining in the Tower of London anno 7 12 E. 4. agreeing in form and substance with the last recited writs and their retorns and Indentures with those forementioned in 1 H 5. which those who please may peruse at leasure being over-tedious and superfluous to transcribe at large The ordinary forms of the Writs Retorns and Indentures of this kind used after those in the Tower ending with King Edward the fourth and continued till the last Parliament of King Charles are these which I shall present you with out of Mr. Crompton his Jurisdictions of Courts f. 1 2. Elizabetha Regina c. Vic. N. c. salut quia de avisamento assensu Consilii nostri pro quibusdam arduis urgentibus negotiis Nos statum defensionem regni nostri Angliae Ecclesiae Anglicanae concernent quoddam Parlialiamentum nostrum ad Civitatem nostram West duodecimo die Novembris prox futur teneri ordinavimus ibid. cum Praelatis Magnatibus Procer dicti regni nostri Colloquium habere tract Tibi praecipimus firmiter injungentes quod facta proclamac in prox comitat tuo post receptionem hujus brevis nostri tenend die loco praedict duos Milites gladiis cinctos magis idoneos discretos comit praedicti de qualib Civitate com illius duos Cives de quolibet Burgo duos Burgenses de discretioribus magis sufficientibus libere indifferenter per illos qui proclam hujusmodi interfuerint juxta forma statutorum inde edit provis eligi nomina eorundum milit Civium Burgens sic electorum in quibusdam indentur inter te et illos qui hujusmodi electioni interfuerint inde conficiend sive hujusmodi electi praesentes fuerint vel absentes inseri cosque ad dict diem locum venire fac Ita quod iidem milites plenam sufficientem potestatem pro se communitate comit praedicti ac dicti Cives Burgenses pro se communitat civitatum burgorum praedictorum divisim ab ipsis habeant ad faciendum consentiendum hiis quae tunc ibid. de communi consilio dicti regni nostri favente deo contigerint ordinari super negotiis ante-dictis Ita quod pro defectu potestatis hujusmodi seu propter improvidam electionem militum civium burgensium praedictorum dicta negotia infecta non remaneant quovismodo Nolumus autem quod tu nec aliquis alius vic dicti reg nostri aliqualiter sit electus Et electionem illam in pleno comitatu factam distincte aperte sub sigillo tuo sigillis eorum qui electioni illi interfuerint Nobis in cancellar nostram ad dict diem locum certifices indilatè remittens nobis alteram partem Indenturarum praedictarum presaentibus consut una cum hoc breve Teste me ipsa apud Westmonasterium decimo octavo die Saptembris anno Regni nostri xxx H. A. Gerrard Retorn de vicount sur cest brief VIrtute istius brevis eligi feci duos milit gladiis cinctos magis idoneos discretos de comitat meo viz. W. F. V. S qui plenam sufficientem potestatem pro se communitate comitat praedicti habeant ad faciendum consentiendum iis quae ad diem locum infra contentos de communi consilio regni Angliae ordinari contigerint praedicti W. F. V. S. manucapti sunt per I. P. V. B. I. D. R. N. ad essendum ad Parliamentum Dominae Reginae apud Westmonast ad diem infra contentum ad faciendum quod hoc breve in se exigit requirit li. Int. f. 595. Feci etiam praeceptum virtute hujus brevis I. B. A. S. Ballivis libertatis villae de G. in comitat meo quod de eodem Burgo eligi facerent duos Burgenses de discretioribus magis sufficientibus quod sint ad Parliamentum dictae dominae Reginae ad diem locum infra content ad faciendum consentiendum â—…t praedictum est qui quidem Ballivi sic mibi respondent quod eligi fecerunt de praedicto Burgo de G. duos Buâ—…g discretos magis sufficientes ad essend ad Parliamentum praedictum viz. R. P. G. I. ad faciendum consentiendum ut supradictum est Virtute etiam istius brevis ad proximum comiâ—…at meum post receptionem ejusdem tentum apud V. tali die anno in pleno comitatuillo proclamari feci omnia in isto brevi contenta secundam formam effectum hujus brevis prout hoc breve in se exigit requirit Residuum vero executionis istius brevis patet in quibusdam Indent huic brevi consut Li. Intr. 595. HAEC Indentura facta tali die anno inter G. A. armig vic Comitatus N. ex una parte I. B. I. D. c. ex altera parte testatur quod secundum formam brevis huic Indent consut fact proclam in pleno comitatu meo tento apud G. tali die anno
any election of Knights by any of your seid Shires made or done by vertue of your seid Writ or Writs to every of your seid Beseechers direct And that your seid Beseechers and their Under-Sheriffs and Clarks and every of them be quite and discharged against your Liege-people of the penalties and forfeitures that they or eny of them be fellyn or may be chargeable by force of a Statute made the 23 year of your noble Reign as for occupying or exercising their seid Office longer than a year for every maner elections of Knights as well by force of your Writs as by force of your letters of Privy-seal as otherwise and for retorns of the same and for all maner retorns of Citizens and Burgesses in their several Shires for this present Parliament by every of them retorned before the last day of this present Parliament Provided alway that by this Act they nor none of them be excused or discharged of eny other offence or thing done by them in eny of their seyd Offices Alway forseyn that no man be amerced for eny suyt begon by him against eny of your seyd Beseechers to recover the seyd penalties for eny occupation of the seyd Office for the premises Le Roy le voet The occasion of this Petition and Act then passed is thus expressed in the printed Statute of 39 H. 6. c. 1. That divers Knights of Counties Citizens and Burgesses were named retorned accepted in this Parliament of 38 H. 6. some of them without any due or free election others without any election at all against the course of the Kings Laws and the liberties of the Commons of this Realm by vertue of the Kings Letters of Privyâ—…eal without any free election and that by the means labours of divers seditious and evil-disposed Persons only to destroy certain of the great faithfull Lords and Nobles and other faithfull Liege-people of the Realm out of hatred malice greedy unsatiable covetousness to gain their Lands Inheritances Offices and Estates For which undue elections the Sheriffs being purposely kept longer in their Offices than they otherwise should have been and fearing to be exemplarily punished by Actions upon the Statute brought against them thereupon they petitioned the King and procured this Act of Parl. for them and their Under-sheriffs present and future indemnities for these illegal Elections and retorns of persons unduly elected or nominated by the King alone without any election by the people for which misdemeanor of theirs this whole Parliament and all Acts made therein were repealed and made void the very next year and Parliament following 39 H. 6. c. 1. from whence I shall observe 1. That no Sheriffs or Officers can be secured in dempnified against undue elections and retorns of Knights Citizens and Burgesses nominated to them by the King or any others but only by Act of Parliament 2. That such undue elections retorns as these are usually made by the procurement and labour of seditious and evil-disposed persons out of malice hatred or insatiable covetousness and for pernitious ends and designs 3ly That Parliaments unduly elected and packed by policy or power prove alwaies abortive and are repealed as void and pernitious in conclusion of which we have seen pregnant instances in this and other late Parliaments worthy our saddest considerations Vsefull Observations in and from the precedent Section FRom these recited Writs I conceive it to be most clearly and satisfactorily evidenced 1. That there were no Knights Citizens or Burgesses elected and summoned by Writs to our Great Councils and Parliaments before 49 H. 3. which I shall here further demonstrate by these punctual irrefragable Testimonies Presidents and Records under his Reign till this very year Anno 1221. the 5 of Henry 3d. Convenerunt Magnates Angliae ad Regem apud Westmonasterium ut de negotiis regni tractarent After which the King having suppressed the Welsh the same year and built a strong Castle at Montgomery disbanded his Army Concedentibus Magnatibus de quolibet scuto duo marcas argenti Anno 1223. the 7th of his Reign Rex Henricus in Octavis Epiphaniae apud Londonias veniens cum Baronibus ad Colloquium requisitus est ab Archiepiscopo Cantuariensi Magnatibus aliis ut libertates liberas consuetudines pro quibus guerra mota suit contra patrom suum confirmaret Anno 1224. 8 H. 3. Per idem tempus convenerunt ad Colloquium in Octavis sanctae Trinitatis apud Norâ—…amptonam Rex cum Archiepiscopis Episcopis Comitibus Baronibus aliis multis Lords Peers and others of his Counsel de regni negotiis tractaturi voluit enim Rex uti Consilio Magnatum suorum de terris transmarinis quas Rex Francorum paulatim occupaverat Anno 1229. 9 H. 3. the King demanding advice and an ayd of the fifteenth part of his peoples Goods to recover his forrein Territories Archiepiscopus Concio tota apud Westm. Episcoporum Comitum et Baronum Abbatum Priorum habita deliberatione Regi dedere responsum quod regiis petitioibus gratanter adquiescerent si illis diu petitas libertates concedere voluisset Whereupon he granted and confirmed the great Charter The same year Martio mense convenerunt apud Westmonasterium ad Colloquium Rex Angliae cum Magnatibus suis ubi Rex sententialiter jussit diffinire quid de proditore suo Falcatio suit agendum Proceres vero in hoc pariter consenserunt eo quod patri suo multis fideliter servierat annis ne de vita periclitaretur vel membris sed ut Angliam aeternaliter abjuraret omnes communiter addixerunt which was accordingly executed forthwith Anno 1226. 10 H. 3. venit interea terminus Concilii ad festum sancti Hillarii apud Westm. praesixus ubi Rex cum Clero Magnatibus Regni comparere debuerat ut Domini Papae mandatum audiret c. They meeting again the same year after Easter Rex convocatis seorsum Praelatis quibusdam Magnatibus hoc Archiepiscopo dedit responsum c. Anno 1229. 13 H. 3. fecit Rex conveniâ—… apud Westm. Dominica qua contatur misericordia Domini Archiepiscopos Episcopos Abbates Priores Templarios Hospitilarios Comites Barones Ecclesiarum rectores et qui de eo tenebant in capite but no Knights of Counties Citizens and Burgesses we read of ut audirent negotia memorata of Stephenâ—…ho â—…ho Popes Chaplain and Nuncio demanding an ayd against the Emperour from England Et de rerum exigentiis communiter tractarent ibidem h Anno 1231. 15 H. 3. convenerunt ad Colloquium apud Westm. Rex cum Praelatis et aliis Magnatibus Regni c. The King this year intending to mary the King of Scots Daughter indignantibus Comitibus et Baronibus suis unmersis because Hubert who was chief Iustice had maried the eldest Daughter he thereupon desisted from his purpose Anno 1232. convenerunt
Ireland subjoyns Nos vero ea occasione convocavimus Archiepiscopos Episcopos Comites Barones et omnes Magnates nostros Angliae quod sint ad Nos apud London die Dominica prox post instanteâ—… mediam Quadragesimam ad tractandum Nobiscum ibidem super hiis aliis Statum nostrum terrae nostrae Angliae Hiberniae tangentibus Nos Domino concedente de Consilio praedictorum ibidem providebimus secundum quod Nobis et indempnitati tâ—…rrae nostrae Angliae Hiberniae viderimus expedire Quod verò ad diem illum actum fuerit et provisum vobis sine mora dispendio et significari curabimâ—… T. Rege apud Westm. 27 die Martii Plac. 18 H. 3. rot 15. dorso Claus. 19 H. 3. dorso 1. dorso 9. Fitzberbert Darrein presentment 23. Provisum est coram Domino Rege Archtepiscopis Episcopis Comitibus Baronibus Consilio Domini Regis quod nulla Assisa ultimae praesentationis de caetero capiatur de Ecclesiiis praebendatis nec de Praebendis c. Pat. 20 H. 3. d. 13. 18. Rex Vic. Norff. Suff. Scias quod die Merc. in crastino Sancti Vinc. in Curia nostra coram Nobis et coram venerabili Patre E. Cantuar. Archiepiscopo Coepiscopis sulâ—… et coram majori parte Comitum et Baronum nostrorum Angliae pro communi utilitate totius regni nostri provisum suit tam à praedictis Archiepiscopis Episcopis Comitibus Baronibus quà m à Nobis conâ—…ssum quod de caetero Omnes viduae c. râ—…citing the Statute of Merton made that year according to the Printed Latin Prologue thereof Claus. 37 H. 3. dorso 9. De Magna Carta tenenda ad inâ—…antiam Pâ—…latorum Magnatum regm nostri c. And Claus. 43 H. 3. dors 9. where the Pope by his Letters earnestly pressing King Henry the 3d to restore his brother Adomar to his Bishoprick of Winchester being enforced to relinquish it and England too by the Barons prosecution the King in his Letter to the Pope there recorded alleged that though he was readie to graâ—…fie his Holiness in any thing he might yet he could not consent to Adomars restitution Adding Your Nuntio who brought this Letter Preces et praecepta vestra coram Nobis Praelatis regni nostri qui tunc Nobiscum aderant ac alia Universitate Comitum Baronum ac Procerume regni nostri plenè et diligenter exposuit et diebus pluribus nitebamur Nos Consilium nostrum et Universitatem praedictam to give their assents for Adomars restitution Tamen mandatis hujusmodi quod non solum personam nostram verum etiam Universitatem regni nostri contingit non possumus absque gravi dispendio et subversione jurium et consuetudinum Regni ejusdem et contra juramentum proprium adimplere Et quanquam hoc facere vellemus praedicta Universitas in hac parte quae unius confilii et voluntatis existit propter graves et notabiles excessus praedicto fratri nostro objectas id nullatenus sustineret c. Which passages with others in this memorable Letter of the Kings compared with that Letter sent about the same time by the Lords against Adomars restitution to the Pope ex parte Regni et totius Angliae Universitata scriptum a Barnagio mentioned by Matthew Paris Anno 1258. and printed in his Additamenta p. 215 216 217. beginning thus Sanctissimo patri in Christo Alexandro c. Communitas Comitum Procerum Magnatum aliorumque Regni Angliâ—… c. reâ—…iting that the King by the Popes power and assistance could not without their counsel and assent much lesse against their wills effect what he desired nor reform his Kingdom but de Procerum Magnatum suorum Consilio Caeterum praefatus Dominus Rex attendens impossibile pondus negotii memorati et Statum Regni sui imbecillum voluit et expressè concessit ut de Procerum Magnatum Consilio sinè quibus Regnum suum gubernare non poterat nec negotium prosequi memoratum dicta reformatio promoveret which Adomar breaking his Oath and receding from his promises opposed to the great disturbance and almost total subversion of the whole Realm c. His unbrideled rapines tyrannies and oppâ—…ssions which they there expresâ—… at large being such and rendring him so odious that Scituri pro certo quod etiamsi Dominus Rex Regni Majores assembled in a Parliamentary Councill hoc vellent Communitas tamen out of Parliament ipsius ingressum in Angliam jam nullatenus sustineret Which Letter was subscribed and sealed by 6. Earls and 4. Noblemen vice totius Communitatis Barnagit in testimonium praedictorum Being likewise compared with the Popes Answer thereunto Literae Papales missae Communitati Angliae Alexander Episcopuâ—… c. Dilectis filiis Nobilibus Uiris Consiliariis charissimi in Christo filii nostri illustris Regis Angliae ac caeteris Proceribus et Magnatibus Regni Angiiae salutem et Apostolicam benedictionem c. will infallibly evidence First that the King Prelats Earls Spiritual Temporal Barons and Nobles of the Realm were our only Parliament Members without any Knights Citizens or Burgesses annexed to or prâ—…t with them before 49 H. 3. 2ly That they were then usually stiled the Communitas or Universitas Regni or Barnagii Baronagii or Communitas Comitum Procerum et Magnatum regni Anggliae and only intended denoted by these Titles and phrases not the Knights Citizens Burgesses or Commons in Parl. as e Sir Rob Cotton and others of Note as well as some injudicious Antiquaries have mistaken which having elsewhere at large evinced beyond all contradiction I shall not here further insist upon but proceed to some other general Observations on the precedent Writs 2ly From the manifold Varieties and differences of these recited writs both of Election and Prorogation before and since the Statutes of Henry 4. 5 6. touching elections the Readers may discern the Gross oversight and mistake of Sir Edward Cook in his 4. Institutes p. 10. That these Writs of Summons and Election can receive no alteration but by Act of Parliament Which having elsewhere touched and at large refuted Register Part 1. p. 395. 396 397. I shall prosecute no further 3ly I shall observe from the precedent Writs that no persons ought of right to be elected Knights of any County nor Citizens Burgesses or Barons of any City Borough or Port wherein they are elected but such as are real actual Members of the said respective Counties Cities Boroughs Ports residing or inhabiting within them as this Clause in all the recited Writs De Comitatu tuo duos Milites et de qualibet Civitate duos Milites et de quolibet Burgo duos Burgenses de quolibet Portu duos Barones c. de discretioribus ad laborandum potentioribus eligi c. clearly import and the Statutes of 7 H. 4. c. 15. 1
H. 5. c. 1. 10 H. 6. c. 2. 23 H. 6. c. 15. being declaratory only in this point most punctually enact in precise terms And if any other persons who are no Inhabitants or Residents within or proper Members of such Counties Cities Boroughs Ports be elected or returned they may lawfully refuse to sit or serve as the Writs and these Statutes clearly evidence without the least contempt or penalty the peoples election of such contrary to the Writs and these Statutes being void in Law and unable to contradict or reverse the Writ Acts to the contrary if insisted on 4ly These usual clausâ—…s in most Writs de discretioribus et ad laborandum potentioribus seclude and exempt all infants under age Ideots Lunaticks insiâ—…m aged sickly persons unable to travell sit counsell advise and discharge their trusts from being elected Knights Citizens Burgesses or Barons of Ports and if any such be elected returned by the oversight imprudence improvidence of the electors they may and ought to be discharged by the King and Lords anâ—… others by new Writs issued elected returned in their places who are able to advise travel and discharge their duties as the writs and statutes enjoyn them Impotency sickness and inability in Members elected being as just a ground to discharge any Knight Citizen Burgess or Baron of the Ports from serving in Parliaments as to discharge the Speaker of the Commons House as is evident by the forecited Writs presidents and returns of Sheriffs in 2â—… E. 1. by the resolution of the Parliament it self in 38. H. 8. Brookâ—… Parliament 7. against Sir Edward Cooks groundless fancie to the contrary Institutes 4. p. 8. there being the self-same reason and Law too in both cases 5. That the election of anâ—… Sheriff of a Countie whiles he continues in his 〈◊〉 for a â—…night Citizen Burgesse in his own or any other County is void and illegal being against the express provision of the Ordinance of Parliament 46 E. 3. the very inhibition and words of the writs for election some presidents before that Ordinance and the * resolution of the Lords and Judges in Starchamber 5. Caroli in the case of Mr. Walter Long elected and returned a Citizen for the City of Bath in Somersetshire An. 3 Car. whiles he was Sheriff of the County of Wilts who thereupon comming forth of the County against his Oath and trust and sitting as a Member in the House during his Shrievaltie was sentenced in the Starchamber to be committed Prisoner to the Tower during â—…is Majesties pleasure to pay a Fine of 2000 marks to the King and further to make â—…is humble submission and acknowledgement of â—…is Offence both in the Court of Starchamber and to his Majesty before his enlargement â—…nce Which was accordingly executed Yet notwithstanding I sinde in the very Statute of 34 35 H. 8. ch 24. for assurance of certain Lands to John Hind Serjeant at Law and his heirs paying x l. yearly to the charges and wages of the Knights of the Parliament of Cambridgshire for the time being for ever that Edward North Knight Sheriff of the said Shire was one of the two Knights for the said Shire that very Parliament wherein this Act was passed and he and Thomas Rudsâ—…ne Esq his Companion and their Successors Knights of the said County incorporated and made one body politick together with the Sheriff of the said County for the time being by the name of Wardens of the Fees and Wages of the Knights of the Shire of Cambridge chosen for the Parl. and to have perpetual succession to implead sue for and receive the said x l. annnual rent and that he received his share therein when both Sheriff and Knight of the Shire to his own use for his fees wages that Parliament til a new election of knights of that County for the Parl. next ensuing it And Sir Edward Cooke informs us that at the Parliament holden 1 Car. Rs. the Sheriff for the County of Buckingham being then himself was chosen Knight for the County of Norfolk and reterned into the Chancery and â—…aving a Subpaena out of the Chancery served upon him at the sute of the Lady C. pendente Parliamento upon motion he had the privilege of Parl. allowed unto him by the judgement of the whole House of Com mons though I finde not that he then sate in the house during his Shrievalty 6. That amongst the writs of Summons to Parliament in Cl. 23 E. 1. dors 9. 25 E. 1. d 6. 30 E. 1. d. 12 35 E. 1 d 13. 1 E. 2. d. 8. 11. 3 E. 2. d. 17. 11 E. 3. pars 1. d. 15. 32 E 3. dors 14. There are no writs for electing Knights Citizens or Burgesses entred with the rest most likely by the negligence of the Clerks there being vacant space in some of them left for their entries And the Original Writs themselves being all or most of them retorned into the Chancery and there reserved in distinct Bundles by themselves with the Sherifs returns upon them now for the most part lost mislayed perished or imbezelled made them perchance more careless to enter them than the Writs to the Spiritual and Temporal Lords issued personally to themselves alone and not returnable by them or the Sheriffs as the writs for elections usually were which Writs as the Statutes of 5 R. 2. ch 4. 23 H. 6. c. 15. inform us Sometimes the Sheriffs have not returned but the said Writs have embesyled and moreover made no precepts to Mayors and Bailiffs for the election of Citizens and Buâ—…gesses to come to the Parliament by colour of these words conteined in the said Writs Quod in pleno Comimitatu tuo eligi facias pro Comitatu tuo duos Milites pro qualibet Civitate in Com. tuo duos Cives pro quolibet Burgo in Com. tuo duos Burgenses The reason why some of these writs are missing in some extant Bundles and some Cities and Boroughs in those returned now and then omitted in the Sheriffs returns indorsed on or annexed to them as the subsequent Table will visibly demonstrate 7ly That before the Statutes of 7 H. 4. c. 15. 11 H. 4. c. 1. 1 H. 5. c. 1. 6 H. 6. c. 4. 8 H. 6. c. 7. 10 H. 6. c. 2. 23 H. 6. c. 15. 9 H. 8. c. 16. 27 H. 8. c. 26. 34 H. 8. c. 13. 35 H. 8. c. 11. the Kings of England had a very large and absolute power in limiting prescribing in and by their Writs to Sheriffs Mayors Bay liffs and others both the respective numbers and likewise the qualifications of the Knights Citizens Burgesses and Barons of the Ports elected and returned to serve in the several Parliaments and Great Councils summoned by them sometimes commanding 4. most times only 2. Knights sometimes but one Knight to be elected in each County for the whole County sometimes prescribing the self-same Knights Citizens and Burgesses that were elected returned for
the last precedent Parliament to be returned and summoned to the Parliament next succeeding if in life and able to travell and to elect new only in the places of such of them who were dead sickly or infirm Other times summoning only the moiety of them to perfect what they all had agreed and been mistaken in And also ordering new elections in the places of those who would not or could not attend or who were unduly elected or chosen for 2. Counties at once as in case of the Lord Cameyes and Berners Sometimes prescribing 2. sometimes 4. Citizens to be elected for London sometimes 4. other times 2. Barons for every of the Ports and now and then but 2. Barons for them all and sometimes 2. other times but one Citizen and Burgesse for each City and Borough the number of which they increased or diminish'd as they saw just cause omitting now and then some Cities Boroughs out of their writs of summons formerly sending Citizens and Burgesses to Parliaments and Great Councils and creating by their Patents Writs or both new Cities and Boroughs with power to send Citizens and Burgesses to Parliaments and Great Councils who never sent any before and creating other Boroughs Cities Counties within themselves and then issuing Writs to their Sheriffs Mayors and immediate Officers to make their elections and returns which formerly were issued only to and made by the Sheriffs of the Counties wherein they were situated as the precedent Writs and returns with the two next Sections will fully evidence And that without the precedent Votes or subsequent consents of the Commons House who from 49 H. 3. till 23 E. 4. and many years after were never the immediate sole or proper Judges Desciders either of the undue elections returns numbers or qualifications of their own Members or Speakers but our Kings alone or their Counsil and House of Lords as the premises irrefragably evidence and the Presidents I have clted in my Plea for the Lords p. 371. to 419. To which I shall refer the Reader 8. I shall for a close of my Observations give you this brief Catalogue of the several Cities and Boroughs in each County of England which sent Citizens and Burgesses to Parliament mentioned in the returns of the Bundles of Writs yet extant in the Tower of London An. 26 28 E. 1. 42 E. 3. and in the Clause Rolls of 45 E. 3 m. 21. dors omitting those in 2 10 11 13 16 R. 2. 1 3 8 9 H. 5. 1 2 3 6 11 13 20 H. 6. 7 12 E 4. by wâ—… you may clearly discern which are antient Cities Boroughs in the reigns of Ed. 1. 3. which new and when each of them began to send Citizens Burgesses to our Parliaments which God willing I shall further clear hereafter in a Distinct Section of the Several forms and numbers of Writs for levying the expences of Knights Citizens and Burgesses of Parliament wherein I shall present you if it be deemed worthy my pains and beneficial to posterity with an Exact Kalendar of the names of all the several Knights of Counties Citizens of Cities Burgesses of Boroughs and Barons of the Ports formerly elected and returned to our Parliaments and receiving wages extant in the Clause Rolls and returns of the Writs for their Elections and Expences in the Tower not hitherto undertaken or collected by any man to my knowledge The first Figures signifie the years of each King mentioned in the Table Bedford Borough returned two Burgesses to Parliament Anno 26 E. 1. 42 45 E. 3. Reding 2. Burgesses 42 45 E. 3. Walingford 2. Burgesses 42 E 3. Amersham 2. Burgesses 28 E. 1. Wendover 2. Burgesses 28 E. 1. Wycombe 2 Burgesses 28 E. 1. 42 45 E. 3. Cambridge Borough 2. Burgesses 26 28 E. 1. 45 E. 3. None in Ed. 1. or Ed. 3. Bodmin Borough 2 Burgesses 26 E. 1. 42 45 E. 3. Dunbeued alias Lanceston 2 Burgesses 26 E. 1. 42 45 E. 3. Helston 2 Burgesses 26 E. 1. 42 E 45 E. 3. Lyscard 2 Burgesses 42 45 E. 3. Lostwithiel 2 Burgesses 42 45 E. 3. Trurou 26 E. 1. 42 45 E. 3. Carelisle City two Citizens 42 45 E. 3. Derby Borough 2 Burgesses 26 28 E. 1. 42 E. 3. Exeter City 2 Citizens 26 28 E. 1. 42 45 E. 3. Ashperton Borough 2 Burgesses 26 E. 1. Bardnestaple 2 Burgesses 26 28 E. 1. 42 45 E. 3. Chessing-colleton 2 Burgesses 42 E. 3. Dartmouth 42 45 E. 3. Honeton 2 Burgesses 28 E. 1. Lydeford 2 Burgesses 28 E. 1. Oâ—…mpton 2 Burgesses 28 E. 1. Plimpton 2 Burgesses 26 E. 1. 42 45 E. 3. Sutton 2 Burgesses 26 E. 1. Thavestoke 2 Burgesses 42 45 E. 3. Totnes 2 Burgesses 26 28 E. 1. 42 45 E. 3. Brideport 2 Burgesses 26 28 E. 1. 42 45 E. 3. Dorcester 2 Burgesses 26 28 E. 1. 42 45 E. 3. Lyme 2 Burgesses 45 E. 3. Melcombe 2 Burgesses 42 45 E. 3. Poole 2 Burgesses 42 E. 3 Shaftesbury 2 Burgesses 26 E. 1. 45 E. 3. Warham 2 Burgesses 42 45 E. 3. Waymouth 2 Burgesses 42 E. 3. Colecester 2 Burgesses 26 28 E. 1. 42 45 E. 3. Maldon 2 Burgesses 42 45 E. 3. Bristoll 2 Burgesses 26 28 E. 1. 42 45 E. 3. After made a Countie of it self Gloucester 2 Burgesses 26 28 E. 1. 42 45 E. 3. Hereford City 2 Citizens 26 28 E. 1. 42 45 E. 3. Bewley 2 Burgesses 26 E. 1. Leominster 2 Burgesses 26 28 E. 1. 42 45 E. 3. Weâ—… 2. Burgesses 28 E. 1. St. Allans Borough 2 Burgesses 28 E. 1. Hertford 2 Burgesses 26 28 E. 1. Huntingdon Borough 2. Burgesses 26 28 E. 1. 45 E. 3 Canterbury City 2 Citizens 26 28 E. 1. 42 E. 3. Rochester City 2 Citizens 26 28 E. 1. 42 E. 3. Lancaster 2 Burgesses 26 E. 1. Preston in Alderness 2 Burgesses 26 E. 1. Leicester Borough 2 Burgesses 26 28 E. 1. 42. 45 E. 3. Lincolne City 2 Citizens 49 H. 3. 26 28 E. 1. 42 45 E. 3. Grymesby 2 Burgesses 26 28 E. 1. 42 45 E. 3. Stamford 2 Burgesses 26 E. 1. London 26 E. 1. 2 Citizens 42 E. 3. 4. Citizens 45 E. 3. Northampton 2 Burgesses 26 28 E. 1. 42 45 E. 3. Norwich City 2 citizens 26 28 E. 1. 42 45 E. 3. Jernemuth 2 Burgesses 26 28 E. 1. 42 45 E. 3. Lenne 2 Burgesses 26 28 E. 1. 42 45 E. 3. Newcastle upon Tyne 2 Burgesses 26 E. 1. 45 E. 3. Nottingham Borough 2 Burgesses 26 28 E. 1. 42 E. 3. Oxford Borough 2 Burgesses 26 28 E. 1. 44 45 E. 3. Bruges or Bridgenorth Borough 2 Burgesses 28 E. 1. 45 E. 3. Salop 2 Burgesses 26 28 E. 1. 45 E. 3.
Bath City 2 Citizens 26 28 E. 1. 42 45 E. whose return is likewise extant in the bundles of 3 10 11 13 16 R. 2. 1 7 8 9 H. 5. 1 2 3 H. 6. 12 E. 4. Bridgewater Borough 2 Burgesses 26 21 E. 1. 42 45 E. 3. Ivâ—…ster 2 Burgesses 26 E. 1. Milburne port 2 Burgesses 26 28 E. 1. Taunton 2 Burgesses 26 28 E. 1. 42 45 E. 3. VVells 2 Burgesses 26 E. 1. 45 E. 3. Cives VVinchester City 2 Citizens 26 28 E. 1. 42 45 E. 3. Alesford 2 Burgesses 28 E. 1. Basingstoke 2 Burgesses 28 E. 1. Odeham 2 Burgesses 28 E. 1. Ouertone 2 Burgesses 28 E. 1. Portesmouth 2 Burgesses 26 28 E. 1. 45 E. 3. Southampton 2 Burgesses 26 28 E. 1. 45 E. 3. Dâ—…nwich 2 Burgesses 26 28 E. 1. 42 45 E. 3. Gyppeswich 2 Burgesses 26 28 E. 1. 42 45 E. 3. Oreford 2 Burgesses 26 E. 1. Newcastle under Lyne 2 Burgesses 45 E. 3. Stafford 2 Burgesses 26 28 E. 1. 42 45 E. 3. Blechingleigh Borough 2 Burgesses 26 28 E. 1. 42 45 E. 3. Gildeford 2 Burgesses 26 28 E. 1. 42 45 E. 3. Ryegate 2 Burgesses 26 28 E. 1. 42 45 E. 3. Southwerke 2 Burgesses 26 28 E. 1. 42 45 E 3. Chichester City 2 Citizens 26 E. 1. 42 45 E. 3. Arundel Borough 2 Burgesses 42 45 E. 3. Brembre 2 Burgesses 42 E. 3. East Greenstead 2 Burgesses 42 45 E. 3. Horsham 2 Burgesses 42 45 E. 3. Lewes 2 Burgesses 26 E. 1. 42 45 E 3. Midhurst 2 Burgesses 45 E. 3. Seaford 2 Burgesses 26 E. 1. 45 E. 3. Shâ—…rham 2 Burgesses 26 E. 1. 42 45 E. 3. Steining 2 Burgesses 26 E. 1. 42 E. 3. Coventre City 2 Citizens 26 28 E 1. Warwick Borough 2 Burgesses 26 28 E. 1. 42 45 E. 3. Apelby 2 Burgesses 26 28 E. 1. 42 42 E. 3. New Sarum City 2 Citizens 26 28 E. 1. Bedwine Borough 2 Burgesses 42 E. 3. Calne 2 Burgesses 26 28 E. 1. Chipenham 2 Burgesses 26 28 E. 1. Devises 2 Burgesses 28 E. 1. 42 E. 3. Dounton 2 Burgesies 26 28 E 1. Ludgersale 2 Burgesses 28 E. 1. Merleburge 2 Burgesses 26 28 E. 1. 42 E. 3. Malmeâ—…bury 2 Burgesses 26 28 E. 1. 42 45 E. 3. Old Sarum 2 Burgesses 42 E. 3. Wilton 2 Burgesses 28 E. 1. 42 E. 3. Worcester City 2 Citizens 26 28 E. 1. 42 45 E. 3. Wych 2 Burgesses 26 28 E. 1. Yorke City 2 Citizens 49 H. 3. 26 28 E. 1. 42 43 E. 3. Aluerton 2 Burgesses 26 E. 1. Beverlayco 2 Burgesses 26 E. 1. Kingston upon Hull 2 Burgesses 42 45. E. 3. Maldon 2 Burgesses 26 E. 1. Pontefract 2 Burgesses 26 E. 1. Scardeburgh 2 Burgesses 28 E. 1. 42 45 E. 3. I shall observe from these Writs and the forementioned Retorns and Table 1. That the Sheriff of Buckingbamshire in Anno 26 E. 1. retorns Nulli sunt Cives nec Burgenses in Com. praedicto nec Burgus c. yet in 28 E. 1. but two years after the Sheriff thereof retorns 2. Burgesses a plece with 2. Manucaptors for e-every of them for Amersham Wycombe Wendover e'ected for a former Parliament that year Therefore it is probable the King first created them Boroughs that very year The like observation you may make upon the Boroughs of all other Counties where you meet with any Retorns in 26 28 Edw. 1. 42 Edw. 3. or since reciting Nulla est Civitas vel Burgus or Non est alia Civitas vel Burgus or Non sunt alii Burgi in Com. or Balliva mea then those he then retorned as such there you may certainly resolve that every City or Borough omitted then out of those antient Retorns and since retorned for Cities or Boroughs in subsequent Retorns were made Cities and Boroughs since that time and where you find any City or Borough first mentioned in the Sheriffs Retorns yet extant which are but 22. Bundles in all before the end of Edward 4. his Reign or in the Writs in the Clause Rolls issued to them De expensis Civium Burgensâ—…um venientibus ad Parliamentum which are more by far than the Bundles as I shall hereafter God willing evidence in a peculiar Section you may probably if not certainly conclude That it was first created a City or Borough and enabled to send Citizens or Burgesses to Parliament near that year wherein you first find such mention of it in both or either of these Records and not before as the precedent and ensuing Table will more fully inform you 2ly You may clearly discern by this Table and the subsequent Retorns of Writs Anno 3 11 12 13. 16 R. 2. 1 3 8 9 H. 5. 1 2 3 6 11 13 20 H. 6. 7 E 12 4. that some Cities and Boroughs which send Citizens and Burgesses to Parliament were oft times omitted out of the Sheriffs Retorns in antient times and yet imprinted into subsequent retorns interpolatis vicibns Now whether this was done by special direction from the King or his Council on whose Arbitrary pleasure they depended before they had special Charters granted enabling them to send Citizens and Burgesses to all Parliaments to be afterwards held by the King his Heirs and Successors Kings of England or by the carelessnesse of the Sheriffs in not issuing out Warrants to or not retorning them which is most probable as the Stat. of 5 R. 2. Parl. 2. c. 4. 22 H. 6. c. 15 inform us and therupon enacted That if any Sheriff of the Realm be from thence forth negligent in making his Retorns of Writs of Parliament or that he leave out of the said Retorns any Cities or Boroughs which be bound of old times were wont to come to the Parliament he shall be punished in manner as was accustomed to be done in the said case in the said time past And that every Sheriff after delivering of the Writ for elections to him shall without fraud make and deliver a sufficient Precept to the Maiors and Bayliffs of the Cities and Boroughs within his Countie for electing Citizens and Burgesses under the penalties therein mentioned Or whether they were thus omitted through their own default in not demanding Warrants from the Sheriffâ—… or not electing and retorning Burgesses upon their Warrants issued to which many times the Sheriffs retorned nullum mihi dederunt responsum c. I cannot certainly determine 3ly That some antient Boroughs once or twice retorned heretofore in former times as Lydeford in Devonshire and others have afterwards been totally omitted and discontinned either by the Kings mere pleasure or upon their own Petitions to the King they being either unable or unwilling to bear the expences of their Burgesses in coming to continuing at and returning from the Parliament which were constantly levyed heretofore by writs de expensis
Burgensium levandis sued to them or the Sheriffs aâ—…ter most Parliaments ended by many Burgesses of Boroughs as well as by Knights of Shires and Citizens of Cities as I shall if God say Amen demonstrate at large in its due place and shall hereno further insist upon 4ly That of late times some of these antient long-discontinued Boroughs have been revived and new Writs or Warrants for electing Burgesses sent unto them sometimes upon their own Petitions now and then upon some Courtiers Petition to the King in hopes by Letters from the Court and Feasting or Bribing the Burgesses to be elected and retorned Burgesses for the revived Boroughs sometimes by motion or order of some Members of the Commons House who had a design to bring in some Burgesses and made sure of the Burgesses Voyces before hand the Burgesses being now very willing to have their Boroughs revived because many times instead of giving wages to their Burgesses for their service in Parliament as of old they receive not only thanks Feasts but Rewards and Boons if not underhand Bribes for their Voyces from their elected Burgesses who assure them before their choyce they will neither expect nor exact any expences from them which many of them scarce deserve since they do neither them nor their Country any service at all in Parl. promoting only their own private interests or ends or their friends Finally though I shall readily subscribe to Mr. Littletons opinions Section 194. That the antient Towns called Boroughs be the most antient Towns that be within England For the Towns that now be Cities or Counties in old time were Boroughs and called Boroughs for of such old Towns called Boroughs come the Burgesses of the Parliament to the Parliament when the King hath summoned his Parliament which I shall further clear in the next Sections yet I can by no means assent to Mr. William Lambard of Lincolns Inne his Judgement though a learned Antiquary or some others inferences thence who thus argues Now as those written Authorities do undoubtedly confirm Our assertion of this manner of Parliament so is there also an unwritten Law or Prescription that doth no less infallibly uphold the same For it is well known that ln everie quarter of the Realmâ—… a great many of Boroughs do send their Burgesses to the Parliament which are neverthelesse so antient and so long since decayed and gone to nought that it cannot be shewed that they have been of any reputation at any time since the Conquest and much lesse that they haue obtained the Privileges by the Grant of any King succeeding the same so that the interest which they have in Parliament groweth by an antient usage before the Conquest whereof they cannot shew any begining Which thing is also confirmed by contrarie usage in the self same thing For it is likewise known that they of antient Demesn do prescribe in not sending to the Parliament For which reason also they are neither Contributors to the Wages of Knights there neither are they bound to sundry Acts of Parliament though the same be generally penned and do make no exception of them But there is no antient Demesn saving that only which is described in the Book of Domesday under the Title of Terra Regis which of necessity must be such as either was in the hands of the Conqueror himself who made the Book or of Edw. the Confessor that was before him And so again if they of Antient Demesne have ever since the Conquest prescribed not to send Burgesses to Parliament then no doubt there was a Parliament before the Conquest to the vhich they of other places did send their Burgesses To which I answer that this Argument is fallacious and no waies conclusive For 1. these antient decayod Burroughs that now in many places send Burgesses to the Parliament were in no such great reputation at all at or before the Conquest as is insâ—…uated for ought appears by the Book of Dooms-day or any other Record or Historie but as mean and inconsiderable as now they are 2ly There is no Historie or Record that any of these Boroughs whether decayed or not decayed yea though much enlarged enrichd since the Conquest did ever send Burgesses to any one Parliament either before or after the Conquest till 49 H. 3. And I challenge all the Antiquaries in England to demonstrate the contrarie by History or Records 3ly It is irrefragable by the forementioned returns of Sheriffs that all or most of those poor or decayed Boroughs in Cornwall Devonshire Wiltshire Southampton Sussex and some other Counties did in 26 E. 1. and some years after send no Burgesses at all to our Parliament as Camelford Foway Grantpount St. Germins St. Ives St. Maries or Maws St. Michael Portlow Saltash Trebonny Tregony in Cornwall Bearalston in Devon Christchurch Newport Newtown Stockbridge Whitechurch Yermouth in the Countie of Southampton Midhurst and Horsham in Sussex Crickland Henden Old Sarum Heytesbury Westbury Wotton Basset in Wiltshire with others in other Counties as the precedent Table clearly demonstrates all or most of them being enabled to send Burgesses to Parliament since the reign of Edw. the 1. and not before much less by prescription before the Conquest as M. Lambard and others conceit and that percliance not by any special Charters of our Kings creating them Boroughs or Corporations but by private directions of the King and Counsil to the Sheriffs of Counties wherein they were to issue out Precepts to them to elect and retorn Burgesses when they saw any just cause not by antient usage or prescription before the Conquest which none of these Boroughs ever yet pretended or insisted on for ought I can find upon my best inquiry after their Original 3ly The antientest writs for Knights wages extant are those of 28 E. 1. Rot. Claus. dors 3 12 cl 29 E. 1. dors 17. 32 E. 1. dors 3. and no Records Histories or Law-books I have seen derive their original higher than the Reign of King Edward the first The first Statute concerning them is that of 12 R. 2. c. 12. on which the writ in the Register is grounded which enacts only That the levying of the expences of Knights shall be as hath been used before this time the next Statute of 11 H. 4. c. 1. enacts That Knights of Shires unduly retorned shall lose their wages of the Parliament of old time accustomed not at or before the Conquest accustomed The first printed case concerning them in our Lawbooks is but in M. 12 H. 4. f. 3. a. Fitzh Avowry 52. Br. 42. and the first Petitions in Parliament concerning them are those of 28 51 E. 3. Yea no man can prove there were any Knights for Counties elected and sent to Parliaments by the Kings Writs before 49 H. 3. Therefore the prescription to be discharged from contributing to their wages cannot be extended higher than 49 H. 3. not to the Reign of the Conqueror or before the Conquest
Cl. 25 E. 1 m. 5. 3. dorso * Claus. 25 E. 1. m. 3. dorso De veniendo cum equis 8â—… armis Oxon. London Nota. Surr Sussex Wigorn. Glouc. Derby Notingh Salop. Stafford Hereford Roteland Westmerland Wyltes Lanc. Lincoln Northumbr Nota. Somersee * See Register part 1. p. 8. 113. to 126 Mat. Westm part 2. p. 407 408. Tho. Walsingham Hist. Angl. p. 34 35 36 * See Brooke Fitzherbert Ash. Title Mainprise De Consilio sommonito De Militibus Civibus Burgensibus mittend ad Parliamentum Regis * quid fecerunt Cantebrigg Lincoln Hertford Suff. Norff. Warwic Nota. Ebor. Essex Surr Sutbton Wigorn. Glouc. Bucks Devon Hereford Salop. Somers Northampt. * See Cooks 2 Instit. p. 540. De Militibus mittendis usque Ebor. pro Magna Carta Carta de Foresta De eligendo alium Militem * See Mat. Parisiensis Additamenta p. 215. such a kinde of Writ as this Anno 42 H. 3. * See my Plea for the Lords p. 389 390 391. Quidam Articuli liberati Regi pro Communitate Regni * See Claus. 33 E. 1. m. 8. dorso De Petitionibus recipiendis where 4 of the Kings Counsel are commanded appointed by Writ to receive all Petitions that Parliament * See My Plea for the Lords p. 263. to 268. De Revocatione Militum ad propria * Here p. 69. * Claus. 25 E. 2. m. 23. * See these Ordinances in the Parl. Roll of 5 E. 2. which were afterwards reversed and nulled * These being setled by former grants Rot. Pat. 3. E. 1. m. 1. 9. and the Statute of 25 E. 1. 6 7. Lib. Rub. Scac. p. 256. Cooks 2 Instit. p. 630 631. Nota. Nota. * Sec Part. 1. p. 27 28. 177. 215. Sec Claus. E. 2. dors 22. 31. * Walsingham Hist. Angliae p. 72. to 78. other Hâ—…rians in Auno 5 E. 2. * Claus. 4 E. 9. m. 43. dorso See my plea for the Lords p. 376 327. * Es â—…uires not Sergeants at saw See 5 II. 5. cap. 1. * Part 1. p. 57. * Not one 〈◊〉 of Cornwall Noâ—… * See here p. 41 42 43 44 45 47 48 49 54 56 59. Westmerland Wiltes Cornub. Berks. Bucks Essex Glouc. Kanc. Leic. Derbe Roteland Hertford Notyngham Warwycke Surr. Sussex Hereford Devon Oxon. Bedford Somerset Dorset Lincolne Norff. Suff. Northt Wigorn. Cumbr. Southton London Ebor. De venire faciend Milites Cives Burgenses apud Wynton See my Epistle to the exact Abridgment of the Records in the Tower * Esquires not Serjeants at Law See 23 H. 6. c. 15 22 E. 3. 18. a. 26 E. 3. 57. Fitz. dtoit 37. 25 E. 3. stat 1. the next writ of 47 E. 3. * An exact abridgment p. 116. Walfing Fabian Speed and others * Mere p. 114. Mr. Seldens Titles of Honor p. 737. my Plea for the Lords p. 143. * See my Table of the Lords to my exact abridgement Title Thomas Camoyes part 1. of this Registr p. 272. See my plea for the Lords p. 384 385. a See my plea sor the Lords p. 144 145 146. b Plea for 376 to 410. the Lords p. c Hist. Angl. p. 414. d 4 Instit. p. 10. e 2 Par. Claus. m. dors n. 4. f 4 Instit. p. 10. 48. g Irenarches Redivivus near the eud My Table to the Exact Abridgement of the Records in the Tower Tit. Ordinance of Parliament h See Cook 4 instit p. 10 48 49. i See Mr. Will. Hackwells Catalogue of the Speakers names printed 1641. Electorum Surry and Suffolk Bristol * Not the Commons-House or Committee of Privilege De summonitione Parliamenti * See my I lea for the Lords p. 396 397. * Plea for the Lords p. 371 to 416. a Mat. Paris p. 299. 300. Edit Tig. 1589. b Mat. Paris p. 305. Mat. Westm. p. 113. c Mat. Paris 308. d Mat. Paris 311. e Mat. Paris 312. f Mat. paris p. 316 319. Mat. Westm. p. 118 119. g Mat. paris p. 3â—… Mat. Paris p. 354 355 357 Mat. Westm. p. 130. i Mat. Paris p. 359 364. Mat. Westm. p. 132 k Mat. Paris p. 367. l Mat. Paris p. 372 373. m Mat. Paris p. 375. n Mat. Paris p. 381 382 383 390 391. o Mat. Paris p. 405 406 407 408. p See pat 20 H. 3. d. 13. Cl. 20 H. 3. m. 2 â—…racton f. 416 417. Seldens Titles of Honor p. 721 722. q Mat. Paris p. 414 416 417. r Mat Paris p. 420 421. Mat. Westm. p. 143. 144. s Mat. Paris p. 431. t Mat. Paris p. 451 452. u Mat. Paris p. 495. x Mat. Paris p. 505 508. y Mat. Paris p. 560 561 562 563. Mat. Westm. p. 163. z Mat. Paris p. 619 620 621 622 623. Mat. Paris p. 624. b Mat. Paris p. 626 627. Mat. Westm. p. 185 186. c Mat. Paris p 631. d Mat. Paris p. 674 677 678 679 680. Mat. Westm. p. 205 206 207 c. e Mat Paris p. 686 687. Mat. Westm p. 208 209 210. f Mat. Paris p. 697 698. g Mat. Paris p. 707. h Mat. Paris p 712 713. i Mat. Paris p. 518 519. k Mat. Paris p. 732. m Mat. Paris 〈◊〉 to 827. l Mat. Paris p. 740. n Mat. Paris p. 838 839. o Mat. Paris p. 358 359. p Mat. Paris p. 876. q Mat. Paris p. 884 885. r Mat. Paris p. 878 179. s Mat. Paris p. 933 to 939. t Mat. Paris p. 940 941. See Mat. Parisiensis Additamenta p. 215. Henricus Dei gratia c. cum nâ—…viter in Parliamento nostro Oxoniae communiter suit Ordinatum c. u Mat. Paris p. 943 948. See 960 961. x Mat. Paris p. 951 952 953 954. y Mat. Paris p. 955. See Claus. 43 H. 3. m. 10. dorso 14 Cedula z Mat. Paris p. 955 957. a Mat. Paris p. 967. Mat. Westm. p. 340. b Fitz. Nat. Br. 32. c. c Cooks 2 Instit p. 79. d Hist. Angliae Edit Londinl 1640. p. 978. e Auctuarium Additamentorum Edit Londini 1640. p. 222. f Cottoni Posthuma p. 347 348. Mr. Hacwels Catalogue of speakers g see my Epistle to the Exact Abridgment of the Records of the Tower Plea for the Lords p. 359 360. * Here p. 54 55 59. h Here p. 55 63. i Mr. Rushworths Historical Collections p. 694 695 696. * Instit. 4. p. 48. * Here p. 117 118. Bedfordshire Berkeshire Buckinghamshire Cambridgshire Cheshire Cornwall Cumberland Derbyshire Devonshire Dorsetsh Essex Gloucestershire Hereford Hertford Huntingdon Kent Lancaster Leicestershire Lincolnshire Middlesex Northt Norsolke Northum Nottingh Oxfordsh Salop. Somerset Southtsh Suffolk Staffordsh Surry Sussex Warwick shire Westmerl Wiltshire Worcester Yorkshire a Here p. 41. 58 59. * See Hobarts Reports p. 14. 15. c Cooks 1 Instit f. 159. d His Archaion or Commentary upon the High Courts of Justice p. 257 258 259. * An Exact Abridgement of the Records in the Tower p. 86. * Hobards Reports p. 117 118 198 199. * Ardua Regni Plea for the Lords p. 371 to 419. The 〈◊〉 part of this brief Register p. 27 28 1â—…7 219 to 222 434 435. * Exact Coll. p. 496 498. a Exact Coll. p. 650 655 657. * Exact Collection p. 739. * Exact Collection p. 4 6.