House of Lords Journal Volume 6: 28 July 1643

DIE Veneris, 28 die Julii.

PRAYERS.

Earl of Manchester, Speaker.

Conference about Sir Kenelm Digby.

It was moved, "To have a Conference with the House of Commons, to let them know the Request of the Queen of France, concerning Sir Kenelme Digby; and that this House thinks it fit to grant it as a Civility to the Queen of France."

Message to the H. C. for it.

A Message to this Purpose was sent to the House of Commons, by Sir Rob't Rich and Mr. Page.

Horses of the Assistants of this House not to be listed.

Upon Information to this House, "That there is a General Commission come from the Lord General, for the listing of Horses, whereby the Horses of the Assistants of this House are listed:" Hereupon this House Ordered, That a Letter be written by the Speaker, as from this House, to desire him to give Order to exempt their Horses; in the mean Time, their Horses are not to be listed.

Sequestration of the Profits of Henningford Abbats from Paige.

Next, this House heard the Charge and Articles exhibited against Symon Paige, Parson of Henningford Abbatts, in the County of Huntingdon, by the Parishioners of the said Parish.

The Articles were read, as followeth:

"1. That he is a common Alehouse-haunter, and that he hath sat drinking Two Days and Two Nights together; and his Use hath been to go to the Alehouse commonly on the Sabbath-day; the Parishioners generally having formerly (fn. 1) presented a Petition to the Honourable House of Commons against the said Paige, for the same Misdemeanors.

"2. That, on the Sabbath-day, he gave Liberty to the young People for Sports, as namely, Foot-ballplay, and Cudgel-play, and would go and see the same himself, and said "Well done!" as he looked on.

"3. That formerly he hath not preached for many Years together, and now but once on the Sabbathday; when he doth preach, he is very forward in officiating the late Innovations, and hath read the Second Service at the Altar.

"4. That he hath preached in his Sermons, "That they must bow at the Name of Jesus, and stand up at Gloria Patri, &c." And, for not doing so, Two of his Neighbours were put into the High Commission Court, to their great Charges."

To all these Articles he pleaded not Guilty; only he confessed he discontinued from his Living for a while, but preached Four or Five Times a Year, and placed a Curate in his Stead.

Then this House heard what the Witnesses could say by Oath, to prove the Charge against him.

Hereupon this House, upon serious Consideration of the whole Business, Ordered and Adjudged, "That the said Paige shall, for his Offence, be sequestered from his Living at Henningford Abbatts, for the Space of Two Months; and the Rents and the Tithes and Profits to be paid to the said Page, who is to pay a Quarter of a Year's Profits to an able Godly Minister, that shall be appointed to officiate the Cure for Two Months; and, after the Expiration of the Two Months, then the said Page is to be restored to his Living again."

E. of Kingston, a Pass.

Ordered, That the now Earl of Kingston shall have a Pass, to go from Oxford into Nottinghamshire, to the Funeral of his Father, lately dead; and to stay there for Ten Days, and afterwards to return to Oxford.

Bringest, & al. a Pass.

Ordered, That Mr. Richard Bringest and his Man, and Two other of the Duke of Buckingham's Servants, with a Pair of Sumpters and Sumpter-cloth, Gloves, and Black Ribbons, and Six Shirts for the Lords, Four Suits of Cloth for the Grooms and Footman, and some other small Linen for Servants, shall have a Pass, to go to Oxford, and return again to London, without Molestation.

E. of Portland's Petition, for his Releasement;

Upon reading the Petition of the Earl of Portland; shewing, "That he hath been almost Seven Weeks a Prisoner, at the Desire of the House of Commons, upon the unjust Accusation of Mr. Waller to them, without any Charge brought up to their Lordships against (fn. 2) him, whereby he hath been as much prejudiced in his Estate as if he had been convicted of the highest Crimes, and is left without any Means to support himself and his Family.

"Humbly, therefore, prayeth their Lordships, there being no Prosecution against him, that he may be released of his Imprisonment, and have his Estate restored to him, or that he may have the Liberty of the Town, upon Bail."

and Lord Conway's.

Likewise the Petition of the Lord Viscount Conway was read; shewing, "That he being a Prisoner by the Space of Seven Weeks, by reason of Mr. Waller's Accusation, of which he is no Way guilty: In regard whereof, and for that his Lordship's Estate in Ireland and England (being by reason of the Wars and Troubles therein totally ruined) affords him no Means of Subsistence, and the Charge of Imprisonment is very excessive;

"He humbly, therefore, prayeth their Lordships would be pleased to take such Order for his speedy Enlargement, as may seem most agreeable to Justice and Equity, &c."

Message to the H. C. that the Lords will release them, if no Charge is brought up against them.

Ordered, To send a Message to the House of Commons, to let them know, that their Lordships have received Two Petitions, one from the Earl of Portland, and the other from the Lord Viscount Conway; and, in regard of the great Charge they are now at, which they are not able to bear, and that they suffer very much in their Estates, their Lordships are Resolved, in Case no further Accusation be brought up against them within Two or Three Days, to give them such an Enlargement as they may be ready at any Time to answer any Charge as shall be alledged against them.

And accordingly a Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Mr. Serjeant Whitfeild and Mr. Serjeant Fynch.

Their Goods to be restored.

Ordered, That the Goods and Horses of the Earl of Portland and the Lord Viscount Conway, now deposited, shall be restored to them.

E. of Lindsey's Exchange.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Lord General, to do what he thinks fit about the Exchange of the Earl of Lyndsey.

The Messengers sent to the House of Commons return with this Answer:

Answer from the H. C.

That they will give a present Conference, as is desired.

Countess of Leicester, a Pass.

Ordered, That the Countess of Leycester shall have a Pass, with herself, Children, and Servants, Coach, and Horses, to go to Penshurst, and return back again to London.

Chickley, committed for Deer-stealing, released.

Ordered, That Chickley, committed formerly for Stealing of Deer, shall be released.

The Messengers return with this Answer:

That they have delivered their Message to the House of Commons, concerning the Earl of Portland, and the Lord Viscount Conway.

Adjourn.

House adjourned till 10^a cras.