July 1643: A Declaration and Ordinance for the speedy raising of a Body of Horse, for the preservation, Safety,and Peace of the Kingdome, to resist the Insolencies and Outrages committed by the Souldiers of the Kings Army...

July 1643

[25 July, 1643.]

Horse to be raised.; In which Counties and in what proportions.

The Lords and Commons taking into their sad and serious consideration, the great and manifold miseries under which the good and well-affected People of this Land now suffer, by means of that Popish Army which is pretended to be raised by the Kings Authority; which consisting for the most part in Horse, doe range and wander up and downe the Countries, and not onely Plunder, Imbezill, and take away the Goods and Estates of the well-affected, but abuse their persons, and very often times destroy and kill them: And in a deep sence and apprehension of their sad and wretched estate and condition, being not onely wholly deserted and forsaken by those, from whom by the Laws of God and Man they ought to receive Protection, and preservation from Violence and Injury; but also their Persons and Estates exposed to Rume and Destruction, without any colour or warrant of Legall authority: And the said Lords and Commons having resolved to apply the uttermost of their endeavours, in discharge of that great Trust reposed in them for the preservation, peace, and safety of the People of this Kingdome, and securing their Persons and Estates from the Rapine and fury of the Souldiers; and finding it most necessary that a Body of Horse should be forthwith raised, To resist and repell the Insolencies and Outrages committed by the Souldiers of the Kings Army; Not doubting but all good people will readily and willingly contribute their best Assistance, unto a work so necessary, for the good of the Kingdome, and their owne preservation; Have thought fit, and doe hereby Declare and Ordain, That such number of good, able, and sufficient Horses for service (of which, the Troopes of Trained Horse of each County are to bee accompted as part) shall bee forthwith raised in such Counties, Cities and places, and brought unto such places of Rendevouz, and at such times as are hereafter in this Ordinance mentioned and expressed; That is to say, within the Cities of London and Westminster, and Suburbs thereof, and the County of Middlesex, there shall bee forthwith raised Fifteen Hundred Horse; within the County of Hertford, Three hundred Horse; within the County of Essex, Five hundred Horse; within the County of Surrey, Three hundred Horse; within the County of Sussex, Foure hundred Horse; within the County of Kent, Six hundred Horse, of which number the City of Canterbury and Cinque-Ports are to beare an equall proportion; within the County of Buckingham, Two hundred Horse; within the County of Bedford, Two hundred Horse; within the County of Berks, Two hundred Horse; within the County of Southampton, Five hundred Horse; within the County of Cambridge and Isle of Ely, Two hundred Horse; within the County of Huntingdon, One hundred Horse; within the County of Suffolke, Five hundred Horse; within the County of Norfolke, Six hundred Horse, of which the City of Norwich is to bear an equall proportion; and within the County of Northampton, Four hundred Horse.

Times and places of Rendez-vous for Bands of Horse in different Counties.

And it is further Ordained, that such of the Trained Horse of London, Westminster, and the County of Middlesex, and such others as are already raised within the said Cities of London and Westminster, and the County of Middlesex, do meet in Tothill-fields in Westminster, on the Five and twentieth of this instant July, and the rest appointed by this Ordinance to be raised within the said Cities and Countie, to make up the number of Fifteen hundred on the Fourth of August next; and the Trained Horse of the Counties of Essex, and Kent, and such other Horse as are already raised within the said Counties, are to meet in Tothill-fields in Westminster on Friday next, the eight and twentieth of this instant July; and the rest appointed by this Ordinance to be raised to make up the proportions allotted upon the severall Counties, are too meet at the said Rendevouz on the Fourth of August next; and the Trained-Horse of the Counties of Suffolke, Norfolke, Cambridge, Isle of Ely, and Huntingdon, and such other Horse as are already raised within the said Counties, are to meet at Cambridge on the first of August next; and the rest appointed by this Ordinance to be raised, to make up the proportions allotted upon these severall Counties, are to meet at the said Rendevouz on the Eight of August next; and the Trained-Horse of the Counties of Surry, Sussex, Southampton and Berks, and such other Horse as are already raised within the said Counties, are to meet at Windsor, on the Eight and twentieth of this instant July; and the rest appointed by this Ordinance to be raised, to make up the proportions allotted upon these severall Counties, are to meet at the said Rendevouz on the Fourth of August next; and the Trained-Horse of Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire, and Buckinghamshire, and such other Horse as are already raised within the said Counties, are to meet at Bedford on the First of August next; and the rest appointed by this Ordinance to be raised, to make up the proportions allotted upon these severall Counties, are to meet at the said Rendevouz on the Eight of August next.

Deputy-Lieutenants and Committees of Parliament to put this Ord in execution.

And be it further Ordained by the authority aforesaid, That the severall and respective Deputy-Lievtenants and Committees of Parliament, of the severall and respective Cities, Counties, and places aforesaid, and every Two of them, are hereby authorized and required, to cause this Ordinance to be put in due, full, and speedy execution, and to use all possible diligence and circumspection in the taking and listing of such Horses, that the same may be done with such indifferency and equality, that as little offence may bee given to the well-affected party as may be: And to the end that this work may be carryed on with Expedition, and that the Deputy-Lievtenants and Committees of Parliament, unto whose care and fidelity the same is specially intrusted and recommended, as absolutely necessary, not onely for safety and preservation unto those Counties, but even to the whole Kingdome, to be forthwith dispatched, may be armed with power sufficient for the effecting of the same. Be it likewise Declared and Ordained, That it shall and may be lawfull to and for the said several and respective Deputy-Lievtenants and Committees of Parliament, or any two of them as aforesaid, to take and seize the Horse or Horses of any person within any of the severall and respective Cities, Counties, or places as aforesaid, and them to List and Inroll, and cause to be brought to the respective Rendevouz, appointed as aforesaid.

Refractory persons to be fined.

And if any person shall show himselfe opposite or refractory unto this service, so as the same by means thereof shall be delayed, molested or interrupted, it shall and may be lawfull to and for the said Deputy-Lievtenants and Committees of Parliament respectively, or any two of them, to impose a reasonable Fine on such person, for such his contempt to this Ordinance, and disturbance to this so necessary a service; and the same Fine to leavie, by imprisonment of his Body, and sequestration of his Estate, untill the same shall be fully satisfied.

Pay for soldiers.

And full power and authority is hereby likewise given unto the said severall and respective Deputy-Lievtenants and Committees of Parliament, as aforesaid, to use all good and lawfull wayes and meanes for the effecting of this service, as in their wisdome, judgement and discretion shall be thought most conducing to the advancing thereof. And the said DeputyLievtenants and Committees of Parliament, as aforesaid, are to take care that able and sufficient Riders of the severall horses aforesaid, be provided of good and fitting Men, and of such persons as are well-affected to this service; who are also to have provided and sent for every Souldier and Horses, one Moneths pay beforehand, by one fitting and sufficient person, who is to continue with the said Horse as Pay-master; which Money is to be raised and leavyed out of the severall and respective Counties, Cities and places in such manner as by the said severall and respective Deputy-Lievtenants and Committees of Parliament, or any two of them, shall be thought most indifferent and convenient: And if any person shall refuse, or neglect to pay any summe of Money, whereat he shall be rated or assessed, that then it shall and may be lawfull to, and for the said DeputyLievtenants and Committees of Parliament, or any two of them, to appoint a Distresse of the Goods of such person to be taken, and to be sold for satisfaction of the same.

Edward Earl of Manchester to command in chief,

And it is further Ordained, That Edward Earle of Manchester shall command in chiefe, all the Horse and Foot that shall be raised in the Counties aforesaid by vertue of this Ordinance.

and to have horses raised delivered to; him, and to give list of horses.

And it is likewise Ordained, That the respective DeputyLievtenants, Committees, and persons imployed by them of the Counties, and Cities of London, Westminster, Middlesex, Essex, and Kent, do deliver the Horses of their severall Counties and Cities, raised and to be raised, as aforesaid, unto the Earle of Manchester, or in his absence to Collonel de Mazeris, appointed hereby to command the said Horse under the said Earle of Manchester, and to Train and Exercise them, and to imploy them for the defence of the said Counties, as cause shall require, untill such time as further Order shall be taken by the Lords and Commons now assembled in Parliament.

Next in command to be in London, etc., Colonel de Mazeris.

And it is further Ordained, That the said Earle of Manchester, or the said Collonel de Mazeris, shall give in writing under his hand a perfect List of the numbers of Horse and Armes he receives of the severall Counties: For the which Horse and Armes, the severall Counties and persons who furnish the same, shall have the Publique-Faith for repayment and satisfaction.

In Bedford, etc., Sir John Norrige.

And it is further Ordained, That the respective DeputyLievtenants, Committees, and persons imployed by them of the Counties of Bedford, Buckingham, Northampton, and Hertford, do deliver the Horses of their severall Counties, raised and to be raised as aforesaid, under the said Earle of Manchester, or in his absence to Sir Iohn Norrige, appointed hereby to command the said Horse under the said Earle of Manchester and to Train and Exercise them, and to imploy them for the defence of the said Counties, as cause shall require, until such time as further Order shall be taken by the Lords and Commons now assembled in Parliament.

And it is further Ordained, that the said Earle of Manchester, or the said Sir Iohn Norrige, shall give in writing under his hand, a perfect List of the number of Horse and Armes he receives of the severall Counties; for the which Horse and Armes, the severall Counties and persons who furnish the same, shall have the Publique-Faith for repayment and satisfaction.

In Norfolk, etc., Sir Miles Hubbard.

And it is also Ordained, That the respective DeputyLievtenants, Committees, and persons imployed by them of the Counties of Norfolke and Suffolke, doe deliver the Horses of their severall Counties unto the said Earle of Manchester, or in his absence to Sir Miles Hubbard, appointed hereby to command the said Horses under the said Earle, and to Traine and Exercise them, and to imploy them for the defence of the said Counties as cause shall require, untill such time as further Order shall bee taken by the Lords and Commons in Parliament

And it is further Ordained, that the said Earle, or the said Sir Miles Hubbard shall give in writing under his hand, a perfect List of the number of Horse and Armes hee receives of the severall Counties; for the which Horse and Armes the severall Counties and persons who furnish the same, shall have the Publique-Faith for repayment and satisfaction.

In Huntingdon, Colonel Oliver Cromwell,

And it is also Ordained, That the respective Deputy Lievtenants, Committees, and persons imployed by them of the Counties of Huntingdon, Cambridge, and Isle of Ely, doe deliver the Horses of their severall Counties, unto the said Earle of Manchester, or in his absence to Collonel Oliver Cromwell, appointed herby to command the said Horse under the said Earle of Manchester, and to Train and Exercise them, and to imploy them for the defence of the said Counties as cause shall require, untill such time as further Order shall be taken by the Lords and Commons now assembled in Parliament.

And it is further Ordained, That the said Earle, or the said Collonel Cromwell shall give in writing under his hand, a perfect List of the number of Horse and Armes hee receives of the severall Counties; for the which Horse and Armes, the severall Counties and persons who furnish the same, shall have the Publique-faith for repayment and satisfaction.

and in Surrey, etc., Colonel Richard Norton.

And be it lastly Ordained, That the respective DeputyLievtenants, Committees, and persons imployed by them of the Counties of Surrey, Sussex, Southampton and Berks, doe deliver the Horses of their severall Counties, unto the said Earle of Manchester, or in his absence to Collonel Richard Norton, appointed likewise hereby to command the said Horse under the said Earle of Manchester, and to Train and Exercise them, and to imploy them for the defence of the said Counties as cause shall require, untill such time as further Order shall be taken by the Lords and Commons now assembled in Parliament.

And it is further Ordained, that the said Earle of Manchester, or the said Collonel Norton, shall give in writing under his hand, a perfect List of the number of Horse and Armes he receives of the several Counties, and persons who furnish the same, shall have the Publique-Faith for repayment and satisfaction.

Horses of Peers, etc., excepted.

Provided alwayes, that this Ordinance shall not extend to the Horses, Mares, or Geldings of any Peere, or Member of the House of Peeres, nor to the Horses, Mares, or Geldings of any Assistant or Attendant in the said House of Peers.