House of Commons Journal Volume 1: 24 January 1558

The PARLIAMENT of King PHILIP and Queen MARY (the King's Majesty then being beyond the Seas) begun at Westminster on Thursday, the Twentieth Day of January, in the Fourth and Fifth Year of their Reign; where the Lord Chancellor, Archbishop of York, declared this Parliament called for Aid to be made to Her Majesty.

Mr. Cordell chosen Speaker.

AND that Day, in the Common House, by the entire Voice, was chosen to be Speaker, the worthy, and One of the Queen's Most Honourable Privy Council, Mr. William Cordell Esquire, learned in the Laws of this Realm, and Master of the Rolls.

House attend the Queen.

And on Saturday Afternoon, before the Queen in her Royal Seat, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and the Commons then present, the said Mr. Speaker made an ornate and eloquent Oration : After which the Queen's Majesty immediately made him Knight; and then by the Lord Chancellor the Parliament was prorogued until the Monday next following.

Lunae, 24o Januarii

Covents Seals.

1. The Bill touching forged Covents Seals of Abbots, Priors, &c.

Exigents, &c.

1. The Bill for true Returns of Exigents and Proclamations.

Woods.

1. The Bill touching Felling of Woods, by Persons that have the Soil, in Forests and Chases.

Conference - Defence of the Realm.

Mr. Serjeant Browne and Mr. Reade, from the Lords, required, that Mr. Speaker, with Ten or Twelve of the House, might speak with certain Lords appointed, immediately.

Mr. Speaker declared from the Lords, that it was meet to seek for the sure Defence of the Realm, and a Relief for the same; and to enter into that, the Lords have appointed Three Earls, Three Bishops, and Three Barons ; unto whom were appointed Twenty-one of this House.