House of Commons Journal Volume 2: 15 March 1641

Die Luno, 15 Martii, 1640.

PRAYERS.

Usury.

1^a vice lecta AN Act against Usury. est Billa,

Disbanding Irish Army, &c.

According to an Order made on Saturday last, the House entered into the Consideration of disbanding the new-levied Irish Army, &c.; and, after some Debate, the House thus resolved to go up to the Lords with this Declaration;

This House desires, according to their former Proposition, that the new Irish Army may be disbanded, as a Thing that concerns the Safety of this Kingdom; and that no Papists be entertained in the old Army: And for that other Proposition of adding of Two thousand more to the old Army, they conceive it not fit to interest or engage themselves therein:

They likewise desire, and concur with the Lords, that all Recusants may be disarmed, according to Law.

Trial of E. of Straford.

A Message from the Lords, by Mr. Attorney and Dr. Mason;

That the House of Peers desire a Conference concerning the Time of the Earl of Straford's Trial, and some other Circumstances that concern that Trial; they desire it presently, in the Painted Chamber, if it may stand with the Conveniency of this House, by the same former Committee.

Answer returned by the same Messengers; that this House has taken their Lordships Message into Consideration; and will give a Meeting presently, as is desired, by the same Committee.

Stafford Writ.

Ordered, That a Warrant issue under Mr. Speaker's Hand, directed to the Clerk of the Crown in Chancery, for a new Writ for Electing of a Knight to serve in this present Parliament for the County of Stafford, in the Room and Stead of Sir Wm. Bowyer, formerly returned to serve for that County, and since deceased.

Privilege.

Ordered, That Adam Head, who caused John Daniel, a menial Servant of Mr. Edward Ash, a Member of this House to be arrested; and that Wm. Hauks and Benjamin Wintrell, who, at the Suit of Adam Head, arrested the said John Daniell, contrary to the Privilege of this House, be forthwith sent for as Delinquents, by the Serjeant at Arms attendant on this House, to answer their Contempt, and Breach of the Privilege of this House.

Removing Papists.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the Business concerning the Removal of the English Papists from Court be resumed To-morrow Morning at Nine of Clock.

Trial of Earl of Straford.

Mr. Whittlock reports, from the Conference had with the Lords concerning the Trial of the Earl of Straford, in hoc verba:

That the Lord of Bathe did tell us, that he had something to acquaint us from the Lords, by way of Supply of the Matter of Trial of the Earl of Straford:

That their Lordships had ordered, that the Place for the Trial of the Earl of Straford shall be in Westminsterhall:

That the King hath been acquainted therewith; and hath been pleased to assent thereunto:

That the Time for the said Trial shall be on Monday next at Nine of the Clock in the Forenoon; and that, against that Time, Care is taken, that all things shall be prepared and made ready; and that the Lords will be pleased to give Notice of the Time appointed for this Trial to the Earl of Straford, to attend accordingly; and a Warrant is to be directed to the Lieutenant of the Tower, to bring the said Earl of Straford, at the Time and Place aforesaid:

After this, the Earl of Essex did tell us, the Lords did take into Consideration something alleged in the Earl of Straford's Answer to the Twenty-seventh Article; wherein the Peers, that were of the Great Council, had some Aspersion cast upon them; that they had entered this Protestation; "Whereas the Lords of the Great Council at Yorke, to clear their Honours only, have made their Protestation, that they did neither command nor approve the Raising of Monies in Yorkeshire, as is alleged by the Earl of Straford, in his Answer to the Twenty-seventh Article of the Commons." Now the said Protestation is, by this House, unanimously admitted; and it is likewise ordered, that so much may be intimated to the Committee of the House of Commons, at the next Conference.

Moved, That the Committee for the Earl of Straford do consider of the last Part of the Report now made, concerning the Protestation made by the Lords of the Great Council at Yorke, how far they may make use of it in Evidence, at the Trial of the Earl of Straford.

Ordered, That the Committee for the Earl of Straford, consider of the last Part of the Report concerning the Protestation made by the Lords of the Great Council at Yorke, how far they may think fit to make use of it as Evidence at the Trial.