May 1646: An Ordinance to command all Papists, Officers and Soldiers of Fortune, and such as have born Arms against the Parliament, to depart and remove themselves twenty miles at the least distant from the City of London, &c. by May 12. 164.

May, 1646

[7 May, 1646.]

Ord. of 31 March, 1645 as to removal of Papists, etc., from London, recited.; Said Ord. to continue for another month.; Papists, etc., to remove 20 miles at least from London.; And to send notice to Committee of intended resort.

Whereas the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, by an Ordinance of the One and thirtieth of March last, for the reasons therein mentioned have Ordered, That all Papists whatsoever, and all Officers and Soldiers of Fortune, and other persons that have born Arms against the Parliament, not being under restraint should before the end of the sixth day of April last past, depart out of the Cities of London and Westminster, and Lines of Communication; the said Order to continue for the space of one Moneth after the said sixth day of April, under divers Penalties, Limitations and Provisoes in the said Ordinance mentioned, whereunto relation being had doth and may appear. And whereas the said Lords and Commons do take notice that divers persons, in obedience to the said Ordinance, have departed the said Cities and Lines of Communication, and yet do remain in the Towns and Villages near adjoyning; who, upon all attempts that might be made to the disturbance of the peace of the said Cities, can soon draw themselves together for action, and put themselves into a condition to act any mischievous design that may be against the said Cities; The said Lords and Commons for the safety of the Parliament and Cities of London and Westminster do conceive it most necessary, that further care and provision should be had to prevent the great Inconveniences that may arise by the continuance of the said persons in the said places, or their present resort to the said Cities, Do Ordain and Declare, That the said Ordinance, and all and every Clause, and Article and Provisoes thereof, shall continue and be in force to all intents and purposes, under the penalties therein mentioned, against all and every such person and persons for the space of one Moneth more from the end and expiration of the aforesaid Moneth, as if the said Ordinance had been made to have continued for two Moneths from the said sixth day of April. And it is further Ordained, That all persons that have born Arms against the Parliament, and all Papists whatsoever, which went out of the Lines of Communication, in obedience to the said Ordinance, and all other such persons as aforesaid, as have since come from the Enemies Quarters to or near the said Cities, shall by the Twelfth day of this instant May, depart and remove themselves Twenty miles at the least distant from the said Cities, and Lines of Communication, under the Penalties mentioned in the said recited Ordinance: And of the places whither they intend to resort, shall give or send particular notice under their hands in writing unto the Committee sitting at Goldsmiths Hall, mentioned in the said recited Ordinance, before the said Twelfth day of May.