House of Lords Journal Volume 4: 16 February 1641

DIE Martis, videlicet, 16 die Februarii.

PRAYERS.

Message from the H. C. for a Conference about the Earl of Strafford.

A Message from the House of Commons, by Sir Phillip Stapleton: To desire a Conference, with a Committee of both Houses, touching the Earl of Strafford's Business; and this to be presently, if it may stand with their Lordships Conveniency.

Answer.

The Answer was: That their Lordships will return an Answer, by Messengers of their own.

King present.

The Royal Assent to the Bill for preventing the too long Intermission of Parliaments;

After this, His Majesty came in Person to the House, the Lords sitting all in their Robes. The House of Commons came, with their Speaker. Then the Clerk of the Crown reading the Title of a Bill, videlicet, "An Act for preventing of Inconveniences happening by the long Intermission of Parliaments," His Majesty made a short Speech, to let both Houses know His Gracious Intentions therein; and that there was never any Thing of more Favour to the Subject than this; which being ended, the Clerk of the Parliaments read the Royal Assent to the aforesaid Act: videlicet,

"Le Roy le veult."

and to the Subsidy Bill.

Next, the Speaker of the House of Commons presented, by a short Speech, an Act, intituled, "An Act for Relief of His Majesty's Army and the Northern Parts of the Kingdom, containing a Grant of Four Entire Subsidies;" humbly beseeching His Majesty to accept thereof. And the Clerk of the Crown reading the Title of it, the Clerk of the Parliament read the Royal Assent, in these Words:

"Le Roy, remerciant ses bones Subjects, accepte leur Benevolence, et ainsi le veult."

Message to the H. C. that this House agrees to the Conference.

Then a Message was sent to the House of Commons, by the Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas and the Master of the Rolls: To let them know that their Lordships will give them a Conference, with a Committee of both Houses, presently, in the Painted Chamber.

Lords appointed to report it.

The Lord Privy Seal,
The Earl Marshal,
The Earl of Bath,
Earl of Bristoll,

Were appointed to report the Conference.

The House was adjourned during Pleasure, and the Lords went to the Conference; which being ended, the House was resumed:

Conference reported.

And the Earl of Bath briefly reported the Heads of the Conference, to this Effect: "That Mr. Pim did declare, That he was commanded, from the House of Commons, to express the great Joy which they took in the good Correspondency and Concurrence of both Houses; and then he said, That the House of Commons did desire that the Earl of Strafford may be called upon, for his speedy Answer to the Accusation of High Treason against him. The Reasons that moved the House of Commons were these:

1. Since they brought up his Charge, they have found out fresh Matter to discover the Reasons of his Design.

2. He is the Head of Discontented Faction.

3. He holds all his Great Places both in England and Ireland.

4. The Fears of the People of the whole Kingdom, by reason of his Practices and Designs.

5. He stands accused by Three Kingdoms.

6. He stands accused of Great Treasons by the House of Commons.

"Therefore the House of Commons desires that the said Earl of Strafford may have a speedy Trial, which they leave to the Wisdom and Justice of this House, as their Lordships shall think fit."

Message to the H. C. for them to join in giving Thanks to His Majesty for His Assent to the Two Bills;

and for Public Rejoicings.

After this, a Message was sent to the House of Commons, by the Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas and Mr. Justice Heath: To let them know how sensible their Lordships are of His Majesty's great Favour this Day in coming hither, and giving His Royal Assent to the Bill for Parliaments; and that they are desirous that both Houses may attend His Majesty, at such Time as His Majesty shall please to appoint, to give Him humble Thanks; and to know whether they will join with them in it; and that Bonfires be made, and Bells to be rung, both in London and Westmr.

These Lords following were appointed by the House to attend His Majesty presently, to know what Time

His Majesty will please to appoint both Houses to wait on Him for the Purpose aforesaid:

Lords appointed to know when His Majesty will be attended.

The Lord Chamberlain,

Earl of Bedford,
Earl of Essex,
Earl of Cambridge,
Earl Bristoll,
Earl Holland,
Lord Viscount Say & Seale.

In the mean Time, these Lords following were appointed by the House, to draw up and prepare what was fitting to (fn. 1) be presented to His Majesty, by Way of Thanks from both Houses: videlicet,

Committee to draw up the Address.

Counterseiting Lord Faulconbridge's Privilege. Bembrigg and Speeringe to appear.

Ordered, That, on Saturday next, Phillip Bembrig, committed by this House for counterfeiting the Hand and Seal of the Lord Faulconbridge; and likewise William Speeringe, that bought the Protection, do appear here in Court.

The Answer to the Message was: That the House of Commons were now in Agitation, concerning the Business of the Message; and they will be ready to join with this House, to give His Majesty Thanks, when their Lordships shall give them Notice of the Time.

Lady Wentworth Leave to visit the E. of Strafford.

Ordered, That the Lady Wentworth shall have Leave to visit the Earl of Strafford, her Brother-in-Law, for One Time.

Time appointed by His Majesty for receiving the Thanks of both Houses.

The Lords which attended His Majesty returned, and signified to the House, That they have acquainted His Majesty with the Desire of both Houses, to give Him Thanks for His Favours this Day expressed to both Houses; and His Majesty hath appointed this Afternoon, in The Banqueting House, at Whitehall, between Two and Three of the Clock.

The Address reported.

The Lords, which were deputed to draw up the Heads of what they conceived fit to present His Majesty with, returned, and offered a Paper to the House; the Contents whereof was this: "That the Lord Keeper is to give His Majesty most humble and hearty Thanks, in the Name of both Houses and this whole Kingdom, for His speedy and gracious Royal Assent to the Bill, intituled, An Act for the preventing of Inconveniences happening by the long Intermission of Parliaments; which, as it is of singular Comfort and Security to all His Subjects for the present, so we are confident it will be of infinite Honour, and Settlement of His Majesty's Royal Crown and Dignity, as well as Comfort to our Posterity."

Sent to the H. C.

Which being read, and approved of by this House, was sent down to the House of Commons, by the Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, and Mr. Justice Heath.

Public Rejoicings on this Occasion.

Ordered, That the Lord Keeper do take Care that Notice be given to the Lord Mayor of London, and the Dean of Westm. that Bonfires be made, and the Bells be rung.

Lord Keeper sworn, according to the Act for preventing the too long Intermission of Parliaments.

Memorandum, This Day the Lord Keeper took the Oath mentioned in the Bill that passed the Royal Assent this Day, intituled, "An Act for the preventing of Inconveniences happening by the long Intermission of Parliaments;" which was administered unto him at the Clerk's Table, the Clerk of the Crown reading the Words, in hæc verba:

Form of the Oath.

"You shall swear that you will truly and faithfully issue forth, and send abroad, all Writs of Summons to Parliament for both Houses, at such Time, and in such Manner, as is expressed and enjoined by an Act of Parliament, intituled, An Act for the preventing of Inconveniences happening by the long Intermission of Parliaments, etc."

After this, the Petition of the Earl of Strafford was Twice read, in hæc verba: videlicet,

E. Strafford's Petition for Time to answer.

To the Right Honourable the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, in the High Court of Parliament assembled.

The humble Petition of Thomas Earl of Strafford, His Majesty's Lieutenant General of Ireland.

"Most humbly sheweth,

"That whereas he is given to understand your Lordships did dislike, that, in his former Petition, the further Time he humbly craved for putting in his Answer was not expressed, he trusteth to obtain your Lordships Pardon, in regard he held it a Presumption in him to set down any in certain, but better befitting his Condition in all Humility to submit himself entirely to your Lordships good Pleasure therein.

"But now, with all Obedience to your Lordships, he beseecheth it may be considered that the First Charge was in such general Terms as he could not know well what to answer; and now he finds the further Impeachment to be of such Length and Weight, as it were not possible to prepare his Answer in the Time prefixed.

"His humble Suit, therefore, to your Lordships is, That you will be nobly pleased to enlarge his former Time Fourteen Days longer, in which, by God's Help, his Answer shall be put in, and sooner, if in any wise he can effect it.

"And he shall wish unto your Noble Lordships the Increase and Continuance of all Honour and Happiness.

"Strafforde."

Ordered to put in his Answer To-morrow.

Ordered, That the Earl of Strafford be brought hither by the Lieutenant of The Tower, and Personally appear here, To-morrow Morning, to put in his Answer to his Charge, according to the Tenor of a former Order made by this House.

Adjourn.

Dominus Custos Magni Sigilli declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque in diem Mercurii, videlicet, 17^m diem instantis Februarii, hora nona, Dominis sic decernentibus.

Huc usque examinatur per Dominos,

He. Bathon.
Warwicke.
Rob. Brooke.