House of Lords Journal Volume 7: 31 December 1644

DIE Martis, 31 die Decembris.

PRAYERS, by Mr. Scudder.

Ds. Grey de Warke, Speaker this Day.

Sir J. Hotham's Execution respited.

Ordered, That the Execution of Sir John Hotham Knight and Baronet shall be respited until Saturday next; and this to be directed to the Lieutenant of The Tower of London or his Deputy, and to the Sheriffs of Midd. and London, and every One of them, and to the Provost-marshal or his Deputy, and to all others.

Le Strange's Petition for Mercy.

Upon reading the Petition of Roger Le Strange; most humbly shewing, "That he, having a Commission from His Majesty, for the reducing of Lynne in Norfolke, having been ever openly in Arms on the King's Party, was lately apprehended, and tried by a Council of War, and adjudged to die the most ignominious Death; prostrating at their Lordships Feet, most humbly implores their Lordships Mercy, that he may not be cut off in the Prime of his Youth, but live to do God and his Country Service hereafter.

"Roger Le Strange."

Judge Advocate to give an Account of the Proceedings against him.

Ordered, That the Advocate of the Martial Court shall give an Account to this House To-morrow Morning, at Nine of the Clock, or as soon after as he can, of all the Proceedings against the said Mr. Le Strange; and that his Execution and all further Proceedings against him be staid, until this House (from whence the Business was recommended to the Commissioners for Martial Law) shall give further Directions.

Woodward, for publishing Libels.

Mr. Justice Bacon informed this House of some Paper, which Ezechiell Woodward confessed he made: Hereupon it is Ordered, That Mr. Serjeant Whitfield shall peruse them over, and report them to this House; and because the said Woodward is now in Custody of the Gentleman Usher, it is Ordered, He shall be released, giving his own Bond, to appear before this House when he shall be summoned.

Message from the H.C. with Ordinances.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Mr. Nicolls;

To desire their Lordships Concurrence in several Ordinances:

1. An Ordinance for seizing Monies of Mr. Coriton's.

Read Twice, and committed to these Lords following:

Any Three, to meet To-morrow in the Afternoon; and Mr. Younge, mentioned in the Ordinance, to attend with the Will.

Mr. Justice Bacon and Mr. Serjeant Whitfield, Assistants.

2. An Ordinance concerning the Blockhouses in the Thames.

Read Twice, and committed to the former Committee.

3. An Ordinance concerning disfranchising some Aldermen of Yorke, &c.

Read Twice, and committed to the former Committee.

The Answer returned was:

Answer.

That their Lordships will take these Ordinances into speedy Consideration, and will send an Answer by Messengers of their own.

Message from the H. C. with Committees Names for Derby;

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Mr. Ellis; to desire their Lordships Concurrence in several Particulars:

1. That Sir Edward Coke Baronet, and Sir Samuell Sleigh Knight, be added to the Committees for Sequestrations, and for the Fifth and Twentieth Part, and all other Committees, for the County of Derby.

Agreed to.

with an Order and Ordinance;

2. An Order, That the Patents of Sheriffs be delivered to the Messengers of the Great Seal.

(Here enter it.)

Agreed to.

3. An Ordinance for taking off the Sequestration of Tho. Platers. (Here enter it.)

Read Thrice, and Agreed to.

and to defer private Business.

4. To acquaint their Lordships, that, in regard of the many Public Businesses, they have put off all Private Businesses for Ten Days.

The Answer returned was:

Answer.

That their Lordships agree to the Order and Ordinances now brought up.

Message from thence, for Sir J. Hotham's Execution.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Sir Rob't Pye Knight, and others:

To let their Lordships know, that the House of Commons do know no Cause but the Execution of Sir John Hotham should go on.

Sheriffs Patents to be delivered to the Messengers of the Great Seal.

"It is this Day Ordered, by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, That the Commissioners of the Great Seal do require the Officers and Clerks, in whose Custody the Patents for the Sheriffs and Commissions to take the Oath are, to deliver the same to the Messengers of the Great Seal, or to others appointed to receive the same, to be delivered according to the Direction of the Commissioners of the Great Seal."

Order to discharge Mr. Playters's Delinquency.

"Whereas Thomas Playters Esquire hath compounded for his Delinquency against the Parliament, for the Sum of One Thousand Pounds, and a Hundred Pounds more for the Satisfaction of the Arrears of his Revenue, and paid the same accordingly to Sir Gilbert Gerrard Baronet, Treasurer at Wars: It is this Day Ordained and Declared, by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, That the said Thomas Playters be, and is hereby, discharged of his Delinquency, and of and from all Sequestrations of his Estate whatsoever, from the Day of his Composition; and all Committees, Sequestrators, and other Persons whom the same may concern, are to take Notice hereof, and yield a ready Obedience hereunto, and suffer the said Thomas Playters, or his Assigns, quietly to take the Profits and Rents of his Estate, and all Arrears thereof not already received to the Use of the Parliament, or due upon the Sequestration out of the Rents of his Houses in London before the said Day of his Composition.

"And be it further Ordained, That the said Eleven Hundred Pounds shall be issued out by the said Sir Gilbert Gerrard as followeth; videlicet, One Thousand Pounds unto and for the Relief of Widows and Soldiers, according to an Ordinance in that Behalf; and the Residue, being One Hundred Pounds, he is to pay unto Jonathan Powell, Girdler, towards Satisfaction of a Debt due to the said Jonathan Powell from the State."

Adjourn.

House adjourned till 9^a cras.