House of Lords Journal Volume 4: 9 November 1640

DIE Lunæ, videlicet, 9 die Novembris.

PRAYERS.

A Message from H. C. concerning the Fast.

A Message from the House of Commons, by Sir Thomas Roe, accompanied with divers others of the House, to this Effect, and after this Manner: videlicet,

The Members of the House of Commons were admitted in, and standing at the lower End of the House, the Prince's Highness, the Lord Keeper with the Purse, the Earl Marshal, and divers others of their Lordships, came to the Bar; whereupon the Members of the House of Commons approached with low Obeisance; and Sir Thomas Roe delivered to their Lordships, That the Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses of the House of Commons, have taken into Consideration the great and weighty Affairs at this Time, as the due Worship of Almighty God, the Safety and Welfare of this Kingdom; and do think that the best Way to obtain a Blessing is first to implore Almighty God by Fasting and Prayer; and to that Purpose do humbly desire the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, in this High Court of Parliament assembled (well knowing their Lordships Piety), that they would be pleased to join with the House of Commons in an humble Petition to His Majesty, for One Day of Humiliation and Fasting, for both Houses and the City of London, and afterwards for One other Day for the whole Kingdom in general, and this to be with all convenient Speed.

After this, the Messengers of the House of Commons retired; and the Lord Keeper reported the Effect of this Message to the House, whereupon the Lords resolved speedily to return them an Answer; and the Members of the House of Commons being called in, the Lord Keeper signified to them as follows:

Answer.

That the Lords Spiritual and Temporal have been made acquainted with the Message from the House of Commons, concerning the Fast; and their Lordships receive it gladly, and will join with them in a Petition to His Majesty for One Day's Fasting for both Houses and the City of London, and also for One other Day for the whole Kingdom in General.

Lords appointed to move the King about the Fast

The Commons, after this, departed; and the Lords were pleased to appoint the Lord Archbishop of Cant. Earl Marshal, and the Lord Chamberlain, to move His Majesty in this humble Request of both Houses concerning the Fast, and to return His Majesty's Pleasure therein; which aforesaid Lords went immediately to wait upon His Majesty, for the speedy effecting of it.

E. of Salisbury's Privilege. Floydariested.

It was moved, That Hugh Floyd, a menial Servant of the Earl of Sarum, was lately arrested, at the Suit of Thomas Barbery, by John Clarke, Bailiff, and John Dorman, contrary to the Privileges and Order of this High and Honourable Court.

E. of Cleveland's Privilege. Dixon arrested.

The Earl of Cleveland likewise moved the House, That one Robert Dixon, a menial Servant of his Lordship's, was likewise lately arrested, at the Suit of Richard Catlyne, Esquire, upon Execution, by John Gray, Kelham Smith, and John Clark, Bailiffs, contrary to the Privileges of this Honourable Court.

E. of Dover's Privilege. Course arrested.

Likewise the Earl of Dover moved, That one Robert Course, a menial Servant of his Lordship's, was arrested lately, by Richard Somerbutts, Bailiff, (fn. 1) at the Suit of Andrew Costone, contrary to the Privileges and Customs of this Honourable House; and it was Ordered, That all the Parties aforesaid that did arrest them, and likewise the Serjeants and Bailiffs, and other Officers, are to be sent for, by the Serjeant at Arms, or his Deputy, to appear here in this High Court of Parliament, Tomorrow Morning, at Nine of the Clock.

The Lord Keeper signified to the House, That he was commanded by His Majesty to deliver a Message to their Lordships: videlicet,

Message from His Majesty concerning Recusants.

"That His Majesty, taking Notice of an extraordinary Confluence at this Time of Popish Recusants to the City of London and Westm. and the Parts near unto them, hath been Graciously pleased, for preventing all Inconveniencies that may thence arise, to resolve of setting forth a Proclamation for their Departure, and general Disarming, according to the Law. This He hath commanded His Attorney General to draw with all Speed; and He hath commanded me to signify this His Pleasure and Resolution to your Lordships. And because His Majesty hath been informed that some Jealousies have grown from His making a Constable of The Tower, and putting in a Garrison there, which His Majesty did in Favour of the City, and to prevent the Insolencies of base and loose People; His Majesty hath resolved that it shall be forthwith left without Constable or Garrison, as formerly hath been."

Hospitals.

Hodie 1^a vice lecta est Billa, for Hospitals, &c.

The Lord Archbishop of Cant. the Earl Marshal, and Lord Chamberlain, returned speedily from His Majesty; and the Lord Archbishop of Cant. reported His Majesty's Answer, to this Effect: videlicet,

His Majesty's Answer concerning the Fast.

That they have presented the humble Requests of their Lordships and the House of Commons concerning a Fast; and that His Majesty likes it very well, and refers the appointing of the Day and other Particulars to the Consideration of both Houses, upon a Conference.

Whereupon the Lords resolved to send a Message to the House of Commons, by Sir Robert Rich and Mr. Attorney General, to this Effect: videlicet,

Message to the H.C. for a Conference, concerning the Fast.

That the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, in the High Court of Parliament assembled, have presented to His Majesty the humble Desires of both Houses, concerning a Fast to be kept, One Day for both Houses and London, and One other Day for the Kingdom in general; and they have received a Gracious Answer concerning the same: Therefore their Lordships do desire a Meeting presently (if it may stand with their Conveniency), in the Painted Chamber, to appoint and agree upon the Time and other Particulars, and their Lordships will meet them, with a Committee of Twelve.

In the mean Time, their Lordships were pleased to resolve upon these Lords for the Committee: videlicet,

Committee for the Conference.

Answer from the H. C.

The House of Commons returned this Answer: That they will meet their Lordships presently, in the Painted Chamber, with a proportionable Number.

Then the House thought fit, by Way of Preparation, to propound what Days were fittest and convenient for keeping the Fast upon; and their Lordships did resolve upon To-morrow Sevennight for both Houses and London, and To-morrow Month for the Fast Day of the Kingdom in general. And this was thought fit to be offered at the Conference; and Agreed to, if it stood with the Conveniency of the House of Commons.

The Lords Committees went forth into the Painted Chamber, to the said Conference.

Conference reported.

At their Lordships Return from the Conference, the Lord Archbishop of Cant. reported to the House, That they have had a Conference with the Committees of the House of Commons, concerning the Fast; and they have signified unto them His Majesty's Answer, and have propounded To-morrow Sevennight for both Houses and London, and To morrow Month to be the Day for the Kingdom in general; and they have repaired to their House, to acquaint them with it, and will return an Answer presently.

Preachers upon the Fast Day.

In this Interim, their Lordships were pleased to appoint who should preach upon the Fast Day, and it was Agreed that the Lord Bishop of Durham and the Lord Bishop of Carlile should preach; but left it to their Lordships to agree who should preach in the Morning.

The Committee of the House of Commons, having reported the Conference concerning the Fast unto their House, returned again into the Painted Chamber; and Notice being given to the Lords, the Lords Committees went forth to them again; and the Commons signified to their Lordships the Answer of the House, which was presently reported to their Lordships, by the Lord Archbishop of Cant. in the House, to this Effect:

The Commons Answer, concerning the Fast.

That the House of Commons do give their Lordships hearty Thanks, for their Assistance and Readiness to join with them in their humble Desires to His Majesty concerning a Fast; and that they do agree to the Days propounded; but desire to offer One Particular to their Lordships Consideration, to the End that no Difference may be conceived; which is, that the Suburbs and Outparishes, as they are mentioned in the Weekly Bills of Sickness (the Parish Church of St. Margaret's in Westm. and the Collegiate Church of St. Peter's in Westminster, excepted), may be included, and taken in, as Part of London, which he said their Lordships were to give them an Answer in presently; to which the House consenting, the Lords Committees met again with the Committees of the House of Commons, and returned them the aforesaid Answer.

Proclamation concerning the Fast.

It was moved, That the King may be humbly desired, that a Proclamation may be speedily published, to mention both the Days appointed for the keeping of the Fast.

Roseby, a Recusant, for keeping a Tavern close to the Parliament House.

Upon a Motion made, That one Henry Roseby, who keeps a Tavern near to the High Court of Parliament, contrary to the former Orders of this Honourable Court, and that the said Henry Roseby and his Wife are both Popish Recusants, and have frequent Resort to their House by Friars, Jesuits, Priests, and other Popish Recusants; it was referred to the Consideration of the Committee for Privileges, to examine the Business; and Notice to be given to some of the Justices of Peace for the City of Westm. to attend the Lords Committees for Privileges this Afternoon.

Inmates under the Prince's Lodgings.

It was Ordered by the House, upon the Motion of the Earl Marshal, That all the Inmates now inhabiting in the Rooms under the Lodgings of the Prince his Highness, near the High and Honourable Court of Parliament, shall be speedily removed from thence.

Lord Stafford's Precedency.

The Business concerning the Lord Stafford, appointed to be this Day heard at the Committees of Privileges, is deferred until Monday next.

Concerning the E. of Middlesex's Admission to his Seat.

Likewise the Business concerning the Earl of Middlesex is deferred until Monday next.

Oath of Allegiance.

Likewise the Consideration of the taking the Oath of Allegiance is deferred until Monday next.

L. Campden excused.

Viscount Campden was excused, being not well.

Adjourn.

Dominus Custos Magni Sigilli declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque in diem Martis, videlicet, decimum diem instantis Novembris, nona hora Aurora, Dominis sic decernentibus.