House of Lords Journal Volume 4: 10 December 1640

DIE Jovis, videlicet, 10 die Decembris.

PRAYERS.

Witnesses sworn in the E of Strafford's Cause

This Day were sworn these Witnesses, in causa Comitis Strafford: videlicet,

Sir David Foules.
James Mallevorey, Esquire.
Sir Henry Garrawaye.
Tho. Wiseman, Esquire.

And afterwards the Lord Keeper gave them a Command from the House for Secrecy, as formerly was given to other Witnesses; and they were appointed to attend the Lords deputed this Afternoon, at Three o'Clock, to be examined.

Bp of Peterborough excused.

Lord Bishop of Peterbourough excused for being absent.

Mr. Poole, &c questioned concerning the Riot in the Church of Halstead.

After this, Mr. Etheridge, Minister, and Mr. Carter, the Curate, and William Till, Clerk of the Parish, Ben. Parsons, Tho. Chadwick, were examined at the Bar, concerning the Riot lately committed in the Church of Halsteed, in the County of Essex; as striking the Book of Common-Prayer out of the Curate's Hand, as he was baptizing a Child at the Fount, and kicking it up and down the Church, and for taking the Clerk by the Throat, forcing him to deliver unto them the Hood and Surplice, which they immediately rent and tore in Pieces; and other Misdemeanours and Outrages were committed in the said Church, on Simon and Jude's Day last, in Divine Service, by Jonathan Poole and Grace his Wife, Robert Haward, Barbary Rogers, Wife of William Rogers, John Sage, and Mary his Wife, Peter Redall, William Rich; and because it was alledged that some of the chief Actors in this Riot are sled, and absent themselves, that they cannot be found; therefore this House doth Order, That the Lord Lieutenants of the said (fn. 2) County do command the Deputy Lieutenants, and the Justices of Peace near adjoining, to take the best Care they can for the apprehending these Delinquents, and to give an Account to this House; and it was further Ordered, That the Witnesses that appeared here this Day may go down again into the Country, and come up again when there is further Occasion to use their Testimonies; and further Ordered, That John Sage be sent for, as (fn. 3) a Delinquent.

Memorandum, That Mr. Carter, the Curate, was appointed to set down, in Writing under his own Hand, that which he testified this Day at the Bar, concerning this Business, and deliver it to the Clerk.

L. Audley's Petition versus

The Petition of James Lord Awdley, Earl of Castlehaven, was read, to this Effect:

L. Cottington.

"That he might be restored to the Manor of Founthill, with Damages; which Manor is now in the Possession of the Lord Cottington, by Purchase," etc.

Committed to

To meet, they or any Five of them, upon Monday next, at Two of the Clock in the Afternoon, in the Painted Chamber.

Witnesses sworn in the E of Strafford's Cause.

More Witnesses sworn in causa Comitis Strafford.

Henry Percey, Esquire, sworn at the Bar; the Clerk reading the Oath.

Afterwards the Lord Keeper gave them a Command from the House for Secrecy, as formerly was given to others, and to attend here at Three o'Clock this Afternoon, to be examined before the Deputed Lords.

Order for searching of Trunks going to Chester, for Ireland, supposed to be the E of Strafford's.

The House was moved, That one Henry Manwaring, Searcher for the City of Chester, hath informed that there are divers Chests and Trunks sent down to Chester, to be shipped for Ireland, the said Manwaring being called in, said, That one Robinson, of Bosome's Inn, told him that there were Three Chests, or Trunks, very heavy, sent down, directed to one William Sutton, of Chester, and were to be sent over into Ireland; but they were not yet come to Chester: Whereupon it was Ordered by this House, That the Chests be searched by Two discreet Persons, such as the Lord Chamberlain of Chester (viz. the Lord Strange) shall appoint, whereof the Mayor of Chester to be one; and that Mr. Raylton, Solicitor to the Earl of Strafford, do acquaint the said Earl of Strafford, and to send some Person by him appointed, to be there at the same Time, with the Keys: And if, upon Search, any Money or Papers be found in the said Chests or Trunks, then the Money and Papers are to be stayed until further Directions from this House; else they are to be let go.

Inhabitants of Banbury's Petition versus Mr Howes their Vicar.

The Petition of the Inhabitants of the Town of Banbury, was read, to this Effect. That John Howes, Vicar of Banbury, hath shewed himself to be a Person ill-affected to the State; for, upon the 5th of November 1639, though he had the Statute-Book sent to him by the Churchwardens, and was desired to read the Statute appointed to be read that Day, to keep thankfully in Memory the great Deliverance from the Powder Plot, he refused to read the same; nor would he, upon the last 5th of November, read these Words in the Prayer appointed to be read that Day, viz. whose Religion is Rebellion, and whose Faith is Faction; nor keep the Fast appointed at the last Parliament. Besides, he hath cast out Aspersions upon some of the Nobility, saying, in the Hearing of divers, That some of the Lords promised to aid the Scots, when they should come into England; but, now they were come, durst not be seen in it.

Mr Howes sent for.

Whereupon it was Ordered, The said John Howes is to be sent for by the Serjeant at Arms, and brought before their Lordships To-morrow Morning, to answer the same.

It was moved, That it may be considered by what Right the aforesaid John Howes was presented to the Vicarage of Banbury; whereupon it was thought fit to be committed to these Lords following. videlicet,

Committee for this Business.

To meet To-morrow in the Afternoon, at Two o'Clock, in the Painted Chamber.

Adjourn.

Dominus Custos Magni Sigilli declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque in diem Veneris, videlicet, 11^m diem instantis Decembris, hora nona, Dominis sic decernentibus.