October 1642: Ordinance for Maintenance to be given to the Wives and Children of those that are killed; and to maimed Soldiers.

October 1642

[24 October, 1642.]

Whereas divers Persons now are or hereafter may be, in the Service of the Parliament, in the present War, undertaken for the Preservation of the King's Majesty's Person, the Defence of the Religion and Laws of the Realm, and of the just Liberties of the Subjects, who have little or nothing to maintain themselves, their Wives, and Children, but by their own Labours: The Lords and Commons, for their better Encouragement in the Service, do Order and Declare, That they, the Lords and Commons, will provide competent Maintenance and Allowance for such of them as shall be maimed, and thereby disabled by their Labour to provide for themselves, their Wives, their Children, as formerly they did; and, in the Distribution of such Allowances and Rewards, they will always have regard to the Deserts and the Service of each Person.

And in case any such Person shall be slain, that they will make Provision for the Livelihood of their Wives or Children.

And in case any Persons of Estate shall be slain or die in the Service, the said Lords and Commons do Declare, That they will take the Estates, Wives, and Children, of such Persons, into their Protection; and in case their Estates shall not, at the Time of the Death of such Person, be settled, they will be always assistant to the Friends of the Party deceased, in the settling and disposing of their Estates, in such Manner as may be for the most Advantage of their Wives and Children, and shall, upon all Occasions, let their Children and Posterity know the Respect they bear to the Memory of those who have spent their Lives in Service of the Church and Commonwealth.