Journal of the House of Lords: Volume 3, 1620-1628. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1767-1830.
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'House of Lords Journal Volume 3: 4 August 1625', in Journal of the House of Lords: Volume 3, 1620-1628( London, 1767-1830), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/lords-jrnl/vol3/pp469-472 [accessed 17 November 2024].
'House of Lords Journal Volume 3: 4 August 1625', in Journal of the House of Lords: Volume 3, 1620-1628( London, 1767-1830), British History Online, accessed November 17, 2024, https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/lords-jrnl/vol3/pp469-472.
"House of Lords Journal Volume 3: 4 August 1625". Journal of the House of Lords: Volume 3, 1620-1628. (London, 1767-1830), , British History Online. Web. 17 November 2024. https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/lords-jrnl/vol3/pp469-472.
In this section
DIE Jovis, videlicet, 4 die Augusti,
Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales, quorum nomina subscribuntur, præsentes fuerunt:
Message from the King, for both Houses to attend.
LORD Keeper declared, That His Majesty expects their Lordships Attendance presently, in Christ - church Hall; where His Majesty intends to speak somewhat unto their Lordships and the Commons.
Adjourn.
Dominus Custos Magni Sigilli declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque in pomeridianum hujus diei, hora 3a, Dominis sic decernentibus.
Memorandum, That this Day the Lords and Commons were commanded to attend His Majesty, in Christ-church Hall, in Oxford, where His Majesty spake unto them in Manner following: videlicet,
King's Speech.
"My Lords, and you of the Commons, well all remember, that, from your Desires and Advice, My Father (now with God) brake off those Two Treaties with Spaine that were then in Hand; well you then foresaw, that, as well for regaining My dispossessed Brother's Inheritance, as Home Defence, a War was likely to succeed; and that, as your Counsels had led My Father into it, so your Assistances in a Parliamentary Way to pursue it should not be wanting. The Aid you gave Him, by Advice, was for Succour of His Allies, guarding Ireland, and the Home Parts, Supply of Munition, preparing and setting forth of His Navy. A Council you thought on and appointed for the War, and Treasurers for issuing of your Monies. And, to begin this Work of your Advice, you gave Three Subsidies, and as many Fifteens, which with Speed were levied, and by Direction of that Council of War (in which the Preparation of this Navy was not the least) disbursed. It pleased God, at the Entrance of this Preparation (by your Advice begun), to call My Father to His Mercy; whereby I entered as well to the Care of your Designs, as His Crown. I did not then, as Princes of Custom do, and for Formality, re-assemble you; but that, by your further Advice and Aid, I might be able to proceed in that, which, by your Counsels, my Father was now engaged in. Your Love to Me, and Forwardness to further those Affairs, you expressed by a Grant of Two Subsidies, yet ungathered; although I must assure you, by Myself and others, upon Credit taken up, and aforehand disbursed; all far too short as yet to set forth that Navy now preparing, as I have lately found by Estimate of those of Care and Skill employed about it. Before you could be acquainted fully with those Necessities of further Aid, it pleased God to visit the Place of your Assembly then with a grievous Plague. To stay you in that Danger, had been a Neglect of My just Care. To prorogue the Parliament, had destroyed the Enterprize. I therefore adjourned you to this Place, a Place then free of that Infection, which since it hath pleased God to visit also: Here then to hold you long, against your own Desires, were to express in Me little Care of your Safeties; and to adjourn it without your further Helps, were to destroy the Preparations already made. I therefore leave the Care of both to your Elections, Resolutions, and Answers; only acquainting you with My own Opinion, which is, that better far it were both for your Honours and Mine, that, with Hazard of Half the Fleet, it were set forth, than with assured Loss of so much Provision stayed at Home.
"When you shall be pleased, of the whole Particular of all Expences about this Preparation to take an Account, My Lord Treasurer there, and other the Ministers employed, shall acquaint you."
And His Majesty promised an Answer, within Two Days, unto the Petition delivered Him touching Religion.
His Majesty's Speech being ended, He commanded the Lord Conway, and afterwards Sir John Cooke, to declare the State of His Majesty's Affairs more particularly; the Effect whereof was:
L. Conway and Sir John Cook, Secretaries of State, their Speeches.
"That our Sovereign Lord King James, of Famous Memory, at the Suit of both Houses of Parliament, and by the powerful Operation of His Majesty (that now is), gave Consent to break off the Two Treaties with Spaine, touching the Match and Palatinate: That it was then foreseen a War would ensue, there being no other Means to recover the Palatinate, nor to vindicate the many Wrongs and Scorns done unto His Majesty and His Royal Children.
"Besides, if the King of Spaine had been suffered to proceed in His Conquests, He would, under Pretence of the Catholick Cause, have been the Catholick Monarch, which he so much affects.
"With these Necessities, Our late Sovereign considered also the Dangers that might ensue: First, that He should run a Hazard with His People by their Indisposition unto War, being so long enured unto Peace. And Secondly, what Opinion His Neighbour Princes might have if He should suddenly run into a War; wherefore he suffered Himself to be wrought upon by new Treaties, for the Restitution of the Palatinate, which were nourished by the Friends and Agents of Spaine. And herein His Majesty proceeded so far as the wisest Prince could; and suffered Himself to be won unto that which otherwise was impossible for His Royal Nature to endure.
"Our late Sovereign also considered the many Difficulties abroad. The King of Spaine, by Force and Contract, was fully possessed of the Palatinate; and most of the Electors and Princes of Germany were joined with Him; some having the Electoral Dignity, and others Part of the Land; and the Estates of other Princes there, who were most likely to join in a War for the Recovery thereof, seized on, and all secured by a great Army. Besides, the Emperor had called a Diet, in which He would take away all Possibility hereafter, for Recovery of the Honour or the Inheritance of the Palatinate. Thus it stood in Germany and in France. The King there chose to sheath His Sword in the Bowels of His own Subjects, rather than to declare Himself against the Catholick Cause.
"In The Low Countries, the Sect of the Arminians prevailed much, who inclined to the Papists rather than their own Safety; notwithstanding that the Enemy had a great and a powerful Army there at that Time; so that His Majesty was inforced to protect and to countenance them with an Army of Six Thousand from hence; but with Caution of Re-payment of the Charges, and of the like Supply from thence, if required. And he sought Alliance with France, by a Match for His Royal Majesty that now is, thereby to get an Interest in that King, and to win Him to be a Party.
"The last Consideration, was His Majesty's own Honour. He had laboured the Two Kings of Denmarke and Sweden, and the Germaine Princes, from whom He received cold Answers; they refusing to join, unless they did first see His Majesty in the Field. Of this His Majesty was very tender, unless the League were broken, or He first warred upon. The Forces of an Army were considered; and whether to proceed by way of Invasion or Diversion. The Charges thereof appeared in Parliament to be Seven Hundred Thousand Pounds per Annum; besides, Ireland was to be fortified, the Forts here repaired, and a Navy prepared. Whereupon he thought it more feasible to enter into League with the French King, the Dukes of Savoye and Venice. And hereupon an Army was committed to Count Maunsfeild, the Charge whereof came but to Twenty Thousand Pounds a Month for His Majesty's Part; and commanded this great Fleet also to be prepared. All which so heartened the Princes of Germany, that they sent Ambassadors to the Kings of Denmarke and Sweden; and those Two Kings offered a greater Army; videlicet, of Foot, and Horse; towards which His Majesty is to pay per Mensem. The Army of Count Maunsfeild, though disastrous, yet brought forth these happy Effects:
"1. It prevented the Diet intended by the Emperor.
"2. The Germaine Princes gathered new Courage, to defend themselves, and oppose the Enemy.
"3. The King of Denmarke raised an Army, with which He is marched in Person as far as Minden.
"4. The Confederates of France and Italy have prosecuted a War in Millane.
"5. War is denounced to the King of Spaine in Millane, and Peace is now made by the French King with His Subjects.
"So by this Army Breath is given to our Affairs.
"This Parliament is not called for any Formality, upon His now Majesty's first coming to the Crown, but upon these real Occasions, to consult with the Lords and Commons; wherein Two Subsidies are already given, and very graciously accepted; but the Money thereof (and more) already disbursed. The Fleet is now at (fn. 1) Sea, and hastening to be at the Rendezvous at the Time appointed; the Army ready at Plymouth expecting their Commanders.
"Here is engaged the Honour of His Majesty and Religion; and the Safety of the Kingdom; besides, the King is most certainly advised of Undertakings to infest His Majesty's Dominions in Ireland, and our Coasts, and of the Enemy's Increase of Shipping in all Parts for that Purpose.
"These call you hither (the Lords and Commons) again. The Charge of all this amounts to above Four Hundred Thousand Pounds; and the King is not able to bear the further Prosecution thereof. All which His Majesty hath left to your Considerations.
"His Majesty is verily persuaded, that there is no King better loves His Subjects, Religion, and Laws of the Land, than Himself. And likewise that there is no People better loves their King; which He will cherish to the uttermost.
"It was thought this Place had been safe and secure for this Assembly; and that it might here continue; and, sith the Sickness hath brought some Fear thereof, His Majesty wills the Lords and Commons to put into the Balance the Fear of the Sickness, and these His and their great and weighty Occasions."
Post meridiem,
Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales, quorum nomina subscribuntur, præsentes fuerunt:
Motion to adjourn.
THE Lord Keeper moved, That, in respect that there was no such Occasion of sitting this Afternoon as was expected, the House might be adjourned.
Absent Lords excused.
The Lord Brooke excused by the Lord Viscount Say and Seale, for want of Health.
The Lord Morley excused, for a Time.
The Earl of Westmerland excused, and that he had sent his Proxy.
The Lord Bishop of Worcester excused, for Want of Health.
Adjourn.
Dominus Custos Magni Sigilli declaravit præsens Farliamentum continuandum esse usque in diem crastinum, videlicet, quintum diem instantis Augusti, hora nona, Dominis sic decernentibus.