House of Lords Journal Volume 4: 13 April 1642

DIE Mercurii, videlicet, 13 die Aprilis.

PRAYERS.

A Bill from the King concerning settling the Militia.

The Lord Keeper signified to the House, "That Mr. Attorney General acquainted him, that he had a Bill to offer to their Lordships, by Command of the King, for the settling of the Militia of the Kingdom; and he desired to know their Lordships Directions to whom he should deliver it:" Hereupon the House Ordered Serjeant Ayliff and Serjeant Glanvile, Two of the King's Counsel, to go to the Door, and bring it in; which they did accordingly, and delivered it to the Clerk of the Parliaments.

A Letter to E. Salisbury to attend the King at York.

The Earl of Salishbury acquainted this House, "That he had received a Letter from His Majesty, under His Sign Manual, to command him to give his Attendance on His Majesty at Yorke, with a Letter of Dispensation and Licence to be absent, and give his Proxy; and, according to the Duty he owed to this House as a Peer, he humbly desired to know the Pleasure of the House herein, whether he should go or not."

Then the House commanded the Letter to be read; which was done, in hæc verba: videlicet,

"CHARLES R.

The Letter.

"Right Trusty and Right Well-beloved Cousin and Counsellor, We greet you well. We have thought good, by these, to second Our former Commands of the 23d of March last, for your Attendance upon Us here (as one of Our Prime Officers of Our Household) at St. George's Feast, which We have appointed to keep here the 18th of this Month; not doubting but, when you shall let Our Parliament understand that you have received Our Second Command for your Attendance, they will readily dispense with your Absence for so short a Time; to which Purpose We have likewise herewith sent you a Licence, as hath been usual in such Cases. We are so well persuaded of your Obedience to this Our just Command, as We believe that you will not fail Our Expectation herein.

"Given at Our Court at Yorke the 10th of April 1642.

"To Our Right Trusty and Right Well-beloved Cousin and Counsellor, William Earl of Salishbury, Captain of Our Pensioners."

E. of Salisbury commanded to attend the Parliament.

Hereupon this House took the same into Consideration; and commanded and Ordered the said Earl of Salisbury, That he shall attend this House, in regard of the present great and urgent Affairs now depending in Parliament.

M. Howlet, presented by Archbishop of Cant. to the Living of Lachenden approved of.

Upon reading of a Petition of the Archbishop of Canterbury, wherein Mr. Richard Howlett, Batchelor of Divinity (having lost lately a good Preferment in Ireland by the Rebellion there), was nominted by his Grace to be preferred to the Rectory of Lachenden, in the County of Essex, with the Approbation of this House; as also upon a Certificate of the Lord Primate of Armagh, "That the said Mr. Howlett is a Man esteemed of sound Doctrine, and uncorrupted Life, and very industrious in the Ministry:" It is Ordered, That this House doth approve of the said Mr. Richard Howlett, and do recommend him to the said Archbishop of Canterbury, to be collated and instituted to the aforesaid Rectory of Lachenden, with what convenient Speed he can.

Deputations for Colonels and Captains in the Militia.

Ordered, That the Lord Admiral, the Lord Pagett, the Lord Kymbolton, and the Lord Brooke, shall consider and perfect the Deputations to be given to Colonels and Captains, etc. and report the same to this House speedily.

Information concerning the Duke of Vendosme's Manner of living at Worsop.

The Earl of Clare acquainted this House with a Letter, which he received out of Nottinghamshire, from one Mr. Holmesteed; shewing, "That they are informed, that the Duke of Vendosme hath an Intent to come and live at Worsop, a House of the Earl of Arundle's; and the Speech is, that he will keep a Hundred Horses there, and intends to lay in Three Hundred Tuns of Wine, and have a great Recourse of Company; which the Country doubts may be a great Cause of Fears and Jealousies, in these Times of Distractions:" Hereupon this House Ordered, That the Earl of Clare do write to the Gentleman that gave this Information, to encourage him herein, and to desire him to be vigilant and careful to observe further this Business; and, if he knows of any Occasion of Danger, that he would further inform this House of the same.

Next, the House took into Consideration the King's last Message, declaring His Resolution of going into Ireland against the Rebels.

The Message was read; and, after a long and serious Debate of it, it was Resolved, upon the Question, nemine contradicente,

Vote concerning the King's going into Ireland to be unsafe.

That it is most dangerous and unsafe; and that this House cannot consent unto His Majesty's going into Ireland.

The Vote to be communicated to H. C.

This being done; it is Ordered, That the aforesaid Vote be communicated to the House of Commons; and that they be desired to appoint a Committee, to join with a Committee of Lords, to take into Consideration this Vote, and the King's Message, in all Parts excepting that concerning the Militia; and that they offer their Opinions to the Houses as they shall think fit.

Committee to consider of the King's Message concerning His going into Ireland.

The Names of the Lords Committees were these: videlicet,

Their Lordships, or any Five, to meet with a proportionable Number of the House of Commons, this Afternoon, at Four of the Clock, in the Painted Chamber.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Sir Edward Leech and Mr. Page:

Message to H. C. with the Vote against the King's going into Ireland.

To acquaint the House of Commons with the Vote, touching the King's going into Ireland; and that the Lords have appointed a Committee of Sixteen Lords, to take the said Vote into Consideration, and the King's Message, in all Parts excepting the Militia, and to offer their Opinions thereupon as they shall think fit; further to desire, that the House of Commons would nominate and appoint a select Committee of their House, to join with the Lords Committees, in the Consideration of this Business, and to meet at Four of the Clock this Afternoon, in the Painted Chamber.

Letter from the King to Lord Savile, to attend Him at York.

The Lord Savill acquainted the House, "That he had received a Letter from the King, commanding him to give his Attendance upon Him at Yorke; and his Lordship, being a Member of this House, desired to know the Pleasure of the House therein:" Hereupon this House Ordered, That the Lord Savill shall attend this House, in regard of the great, present, and urgent Affairs now depending in Parliament.

Ordered, That Mr. Bretheridge and Mr. Pynchbacke shall have Notice to attend the Earls of Bathon and Pembrooke To-morrow Morning, at Eight of the Clock, in the Painted Chamber.

Baker's Sermon at Exeter, brought in by Justice Foster.

Mr. Justice Foster this Day acquainted the House, "That, at the last Assizes in the City of Exon, one Thomas Baker preached before him, who made a Sermon which he conceived to be very scandalous; and, having sent for him, demanded the Copy of the said Sermon;" which was delivered by the said Judge into this House: And these Lords following were appointed Committees to peruse the said Sermon, and report the same to this House: videlicet,

Any Two of their Lordships to meet when they please.

Baker to be attached.

Ordered, That the Gentleman Usher attending this House, his Deputy or Deputies, shall attach the Body of the aforesaid Thomas Baker, Clerk, and forthwith bring him before the Lords in Parliament, to answer such Matters as he stands charged with in that House.

Thanks given to Justice Foster.

Then the House directed the Lord Keeper to give Thanks to Mr. Justice Foster, from this House, for his Care in this Business, and Respect shewed to this House; which accordingly was done.

Benyon to be brought.

Ordered, That George Benyon, now a Prisoner in The Tower, shall be brought before the Lords in Parliament, on Thursday the 14th of this Instant April, at Eight of the Clock in the Morning.

Stanley, a Witness against him, to be brought.

Ordered, That Henry Stanley, now a Prisoner in The Fleet, shall be brought before the Lords in Parliament, to testify his Knowledge as a Witness, on the Behalf of the Lord St. John, against Geo. Benyon, on Thursday the 14th of this Instant April.

Adjourn.

Dominus Custos Magni Sigilli declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque in diem Jovis, videlicet, 14^m diem instantis Aprilis, 1642, hora 9^a Aurora, Dominis sic decernentibus.