Journal of the House of Commons: November 1566

November 1566

The House Adjourned it self until Monday next ensuing, being the 4^th day of November, and the Committees before-named were appointed to meet in the mean time, on Saturday Morning, to agree upon such reasons, as they might offer to the Lords in the Afternoon of that day, to be presented unto her Majesty, to perswade and induce her to Marriage, or at least to the Declaration of a Successor.

But what the Issue of the Conference was, between the Committees of the Lords and Commons, doth no where appear in the Original Journal-Books of the Upper and Commons House; but it may be very probably conjectured, that upon their meeting it was agreed, that the Commons should not at all at this time prefer any Petition unto her Majesty, touching the said great businesses, because they had already perform'd it in the first Session of this Parliament, in An. 5 Regin. Eliz. on Thursday the 28^th day of January in anno prædicto, and that thereupon now the Lords only should sue unto her Majesty, in the foresaid great matters, if the said Upper House should allow thereof. Which resolution (as it should seem) was accordingly approved, and put in Execution, as is very probable, upon Tuesday the 5^th day of November following. Ut vide ibidem.

On Monday the 4^th day of November (to which day the House of Commons had Adjourned it self on Thursday the 31^th day of October foregoing) Three Bills had each of them one reading; of which the first being the new Bill for the Alneagers Fees of Lancashire, and for the length, breadth and weight of Cottons, Frizes and Rugs, was read the first time.

On Tuesday the 5^th day of November, Five Bills of no great moment, had each of them one reading; of which the second being the Bill for the having of one Sheriff of one County in divers Counties, was read the second time, and thereupon Ordered to be ingrossed.

The Lords sent down M^r Serjeant Caras, and M^r Attorney, to signifie unto the House, that the Committees (touching those two great matters of her Majesties Marriage, and Declaration of a Successor, whose names see on Thursday the 31^th day of October foregoing) should come up unto their Lordships; who immediately thereupon did so. And shortly after, returning from the Lords, they made Declaration, that their Lordships required, that thirty of this House should be before the Queen in the Afternoon, at the Palace (with thirty of the Lords) which were thereupon appointed, and chosen accordingly by M^r Speaker, out of the foresaid Committees (nominated on the 31^th day of October foregoing) to attend her Majesty, and to understand what her pleasure was.

Post Meridiem.

The Committees of the Lords and House of Commons attended her Majesty this Afternoon touching those two great businesses of her Marriage, and Declaration of a Successor; which I have supplied as a thing necessary for the understanding, both of the former and future agitation (of which see more largely on Monday the 25^th day of this instant November following) and what her Majesties Answer was, shall be needless to insert here, in respect that it was openly published by M^r Comptroller, and M^r Secretary Cecill, on this ensuing Morning.

On Wednesday the 6^th day of November, Two Bills had each of them one reading; of which the second being the Bill for the Cloth-Workers of London to have search, was read the second time, and (as it should seem) committed to M^r Chancellor, and others.

The Bill touching Informers for better Execution of penal Laws, was read the third time, and passed upon the Question.

M^r D^r Vaughan, and M^r Yale, brought from the Lords, the Bill for Hexamshire, and a Proviso in the Bill for Bishops.

Sir Edward Rogers Knight, Comptroller of her Highness Houshold, and Sir William Cecill Knight, her Majesties Principal Secretary, read in writing notes of the Queens Majesties saying, before the Lords and Committees of this House; tending that her Grace had signified to both Houses, by words of a Prince, that she by Gods Grace would Marry, and would have it therefore believed; and touching limitation for Succession, the perils be so great to her Person, and whereof the hath felt part in her Sisters time, that time will not yet suffer to trèat of it. Whereupon all the House was silent. Vide plus concerning this matter on Monday the 25^th day of this instant November following.

The Proviso added to the Bill for Archbishops and Bishops, was read the first time.

On Thursday the 7^th day of November, Three Bills had each of them one reading; of which the last being the Bill for Confirmation of the Hospital of S^t Bartholomews in Gloucester, was read the third time, and passed upon the Question.

On Friday the 8^th day of November, Two Bills had each of them one reading; of which the first being the Bill for wearing of Caps on Holy-days, and not Hats, was read the first time.

M^r Lambert began a Learned Oration, for iteration of the Suit to the Queens Majesty for limitation of Succession; and thereupon strongly reasoned for both parts: whence it appeareth plainly, that though her Majesty satisfied the Lords by her former Answer on Tuesday the 5^th of this instant November preceding (the effect of which was, that she was desirous to incline her mind to Marriage; but could not declare a Successor, in respect of the great danger thereof) yet those of the House of Commons rested not contented therewith, but only resting upon her Majesties promise touching her Marriage, they still discoursed of, and resolved to press further, that other part of their former Suit touching the Declaration of a Successor; as appeareth by this foregoing Motion of M^r Lambert, and by the sequel afterwards; touching all which, see more fully on Monday the 25^th day of this instant November ensuing.

On Saturday the 9^th day of November, Two Bills of no great moment, had each of them one reading; of which the first being the new Bill for carrying of Rams, or Sheep, over Sea, to be Felony, was read the first time; And the second being the Bill to avoid delays upon Verdicts and Demurrers in Law, was read the third time, and passed upon the Question.

Sir Francis Knolles Knight, her Majesties ViceChamberlain, declared the Queens Majesties Express Commands to this House, that they should no further proceed in their Suit, but to satisfie themselves with her Highness Promise of Marriage. After whom M^r Secretary Cecill, and M^r Comptroller, severally rehearsed the like matter. So that by this it may be gathered, that her Majesty understanding of M^r Lambert's Motion made Yesterday, and fearing that the House Should fall a fresh upon the discussion of this business, did now send her Express Inhibition to prevent it, by these forenamed honourable Personages; of which matter see more at large on Monday the 25^th day of this instant November following.

The Bill for two Sheriffs to be several of Oxon and Berks, was read the first time.

It is Ordered, That if after the reading of the first Bill, any of the House depart before the rising of M^r Speaker, without Licence of M^r Speaker, that then he shall pay to the poor Mans Box four pence.

Sunday November the 10^th day.

On Monday the 11^th day of November, Two Bills had each of them one reading; of which the first being the Bill for Confirmation of Letters Patents, made to the Cordwayners of London, was read the first time.

Paul Wentworth a Burgess of the House, by way of Motion, desired to know whether the Queens Command and Inhibition, that they should no longer dispute of the matter of Succession (sent Yesterday to the House) were not against the Liberties and Priviledges, of the said House? And thereupon arose divers Arguments, which continued from nine of the Clock in the Morning till two of the Clock in the Afternoon. But then, because the time was far spent, all further debate and reasoning was deferred until the next Morning. And, as it should seem, no certain resolution of the House given therein; neither doth it appear in the Original JournalBook of the House of Commons, either what the effect of these Arguments were, or by whom uttered, which with many other defects and imperfections, happened therein, through the great negligence of M^r Seymour, at this time Clerk of the same House.

On Tuesday the 12^th day of November, M^r Speaker being sent for to attend upon the Queens Majesty, at the Court, about nine of the Clock, sent word to the House, where he was, requiring the House to have Patience; and at his coming, after ten of the Clock, began to shew, that he had received a special Command from her Highness to this House, notwithstanding her first Commandment, that there should not be further talk of that matter in the House (touching the Declaration of a Successor, in Case that her Majesty should die without Issue) and if any person thought himself not satisfied, but had further reasons, let him come before the PrivyCouncil, and there shew them. Vide plus concerning this business, on Monday the 25^th day of this instant November following.

On Wednesday the 13^th day of November, Six Bills of no great moment, had each of them one reading; of which the fourth being the Bill for Thomas Browns Lands to be altered from Gavelkind, was read the second time, and Ordered to be ingrossed.

Three Bills were sent up to the Lords, from the House of Commons; of which one was the Bill for the better Execution of penal Laws; And another to avoid delays upon Verdicts and Demurrers in Law.

The Bill touching two Branches in the Statute made for Chauntry-Lands, was read the second time, and committed to M^r Marsh.

M^r Serjeant Carus, and M^r D^r Huick, brought from the Lords two Bills; one for the Jointure of the Lady Cobham, and the other for Carriage of Wooll growing in divers Shires in Wales.

On Thursday the 14th day of November, Three Bills had each of them one reading; of which the third being the Bill to avoid long delays in Civil and Marine Causes, was read the second time, and Ordered to be ingrossed.

The Bill for several Sheriffs to be in Surrey and Sussex, Essex and Hertford, Oxon and Berks, Somerset and Dorset, Warwick and Leicester, Nottingham and Darby from 1567. was read the third time, and passed upon the Question.

On Friday the 15th day of November, the Bill for buying of Ostrich Woolls, by Hat-makers and Felt-makers, was read the first time.

Edward Jones Complained of John Grey Esq;, Knight for Stafford, that he had misused and threatned him in Paul's, casting away his Cap, whereby he was in great fear of his Life, and prayed Remedy of this House. To the which M^r Grey Answered at the Bar, that he had divers times claimed a Debt due by his Father, to the which he had reasonably Answered. Whereupon the hearing of the matter, for the Surety of Jones, was committed unto Sir Thomas Wroth, and four others of this House. Vide plus touching this matter on Tuesday the 3^d day of December following.

The Bill to avoid excess in Apparel in divers Degrees, was read the third time, and passed upon the Question.

Leonard Darnet, Burgess for Marlborough in the County of Wilts, is for his great Affairs Licensed by the House to be absent.

On Saturday the 16th day of November, Three Bills had each of them one reading; of which the third and last, being the Bill touching Cutters of Tann'd Leather, was read the second time; but no mention is made, either of committing, or ingrossing of it.

The Bill for several Sheriffs to be in several Counties; And the Bill to avoid excess in Apparel in divers degrees, were sent up to the Lords by M^r Vice-Chamberlain.

Robert Ireland, Burgess for the Borough of Salop, Edward Leighton Esq;, one of the Knights for the County of Salop, were each of them Licensed by the House for their special Affairs to be absent, until........ and so this matter, without expressing the certain time, breaks off abruptly in the Original Journal-Book of the House of Commons, through the great negligence of M^r Seymour, Clerk of the said House; although it may very probably be conjectured, that this Licence was not granted unto them absolutely, but upon condition to return again and attend the service of the House, at some certain day prefixed. Vide consimile December 7th Postea.

Upon divers Arguments made, that Edward Jones might be sent to the Tower for so using Grey, in attaching his Goods, tending to the breach of the Priviledge of this House, the matter was estsoons committed to M^r Wroth and others, as well to provide Surety of Jones against the said Grey, until Saturday next, and then further to report, as also touching an Informer sent to Ward by M^r Graston, and removed by Habeas Corpus into the Kings-Bench. Vide on Tuesday the 3^d day of December following.

November the 17th Sunday.

On Monday the 18th day of November, William Epse, Burgess for Rumney, was Licensed to be absent for eight days. Vide consimile in die præ cedente.

Five Bills of no great moment, had each of them one reading; of which the third being the Bill for making of Allom, and Copperas, by the Lord Mountjoy; And the fourth being the Bill to repeal the Act made for prices, were each of them read the second time, and Ordered to be ingrossed.

On Tuesday the 19th day of November, Three Bills had each of them one reading; of which the last being the Bill for the Alneagers Fees of Lancaster, and the length, breadth and weight of Cottons, Frizes and Rugs, was read the second time, and Ordered to be ingrossed.

On Wednesday the 20th day of November, Two Bills had each of them one reading; of which the first being the Bill for places for the keeping of Records in the twelve Shires of Wales, was read the first time.

The Bill for Wollnersh in the County of Surrey, was brought from the Lords by M^r Attorney.

Two Bills lastly had each of them one reading; of which the first being the Bill for the Jointure of the Lady Frances Cobham in Cooling, was read the second time.

On Thursday the 21th day of November, Five Bills had each of them one reading; of which the first being the Bill to repeal a Branch in the Act for Watermen upon the Thames; And the second touching the Act made for sale of stuff for Apparel, not paid for, were each of them read the first time.

On Friday the 22nd day of November, Six Bills of no great moment, had each of them one reading; of which the third being the Bill for the Felt-makers and Hat-makers, was upon the second reading rejected; and the fourth and sixth being for wearing of Caps, upon the Sabbath, or Holy-Days, and also that Tryals of Felonies done in Wales, shall be at the great Sessions there, were each of them read the second time, and (as it should seem) committed to M^r Crofts and others.

Richard Wheatley Clerk, Attendant upon Sir Henry Cromwell Knight, one of the Knights for the County of Huntingdon, being Attached by several Bills of Middlesex, in several Pleas of Trespass, at the Suit of William Marlyn, and Michaell Welch, required the Priviledge of the House.

On Saturday the 23th day of November, A Proviso added to the Bill for Bishops, in lieu of the Lords Proviso, was read the first time.

The Bill touching Latitats was brought from the Lords, by M^r Serjeant Carus, and M^r Read.

M^r Thomas Wroth declared John Grey, and Edward Jones by Mediation to be agreed, and that attachment to be void, upon condition, that M^r Grey should openly in the House promise, that he, nor any by him should hurt the said Jones, when he should come next to the House, being now sick of the small Pox, and the Recognizance taken not to be certified: Vide concerning this matter on Tuesday the 3^d day of December following.

On Monday the 25th day of November, Two Bills had each of them on reading; of which the first being the Bill for the Jointure of the Lady Cobham, was read the second time.

The Proviso to the Bill for Bishops in lieu of the Lords Proviso, was read the second time, and Ordered to be ingrossed.

M^r Speaker coming from the Queens Majesty, declared her Highness Pleasure to be, that for her good will to the House, she did revoke her two former Commandments, requiring the House no further to proceed at this time in the matter. Which Revocation was taken of all the House most joyfully, with most hearty Prayer and thanks for the same.

HER Majesty having found by Experience, that the desire of the House of Commons in that great business touching the Declaration of a Successor, in Case she should die without Issue, was like other Passions, more easily calmed and quieted by following than resisting, did now at length remit unto them (as appeareth by this Message brought by the Speaker) that freedom of Speech, and liberty of discussion, which they had formerly made use of, without any such allowance, and by that means did sooner satisie their discontent, and procure their silence, than by any former secret diversions, or open inhibitions. And though that business only touching the Declaration of a Successor, be mentioned here, yet both in the first Session of this Parliament, in an. 5 Regin. Eliz. and in the greatest part of this present Session, de an. 8, & 9 Reginæ ejusdem, it was joined with the other great matter of her Majesties Marriage. For the House of Commons, having in the said fifth Year of her Majestie, Petitioned her in their own name only, on Thursday the 28th day of January in the Afternoon, both to incline her Royal Person to Marriage, and to make Declaration of her next and rightful Successor, in default of her own Issue, they received from her a Gracious Answer; but finding now in this second Session of that Parliament begun and continued above three Years after, that there followed no Issue, or effect thereupon, in respect that her Majesty remained still as far from any likelihood of Marriage, as then; and that the State of the Kingdom, in Case she should die, grew every day more dangerous than other, in respect of the several pretented Rights to the Crown, which now began openly to be disputed and maintained, according to the several inclinations and opinions of men; Therefore (I say) on Friday the 18th day of October, in this present Session, de An. 8, & 9 Regin. Eliz. M^r Mollineux first moved it in the House, that they might again revive their former Suit to her Majesty, to declare a Successor, but mentioned not her Marriage; whereupon Sir Ralph Sadler Knight Banneret, one of her Majesties PrivyCouncil, stayed the House from further proceeding at that time, by making Declaration of her Majesties own Speeches, tending to the expression of her good Inclination unto Marriage; and that therefore the House should expect the timely Issue of that a while, and not intermeddle with the matter of Succession. Which report and advice of Sir Ralph Sadlers, being seconded again the next day being Saturday the 19th day of the same Month., by others of her Majesties Council, was then opposed by divers of the House. And it was at last concluded, that they should renew their said Suit to her Majesty, touching the Declaration of a Successor; according to which resolution, they not only debated it themselves, on Monday the 21th day, and on Tuesday the 22^th day of October foregoing, but also afterwards with the Lords on Wednesday the 23th day, on Thursday the 24^th day, and on Wednesday the 30^th day, and on Thursday the 31th day of the same Month; joining also unto it that other great business of her Majesties Marriage (which I conceive was only colourably added, that the other Motion touching Succession, might be the less distastful to her Majesty) who having appointed thirty of either House to attend her on Tuesday the 5th day of this instant November foregoing, in the Afternoon, did there Answer the Lords Petition (who doubtless preferred it by themselves in this Session, de An. 8, & 9 Regin. Eliz. as the Commons had Petitioned her in the same matters by themselves, in the first Session of this Parliament in an. 5 Reginæ ejusdem) but the Commons resting not satisfied with the said Answer (wherein her Majesty did only in general intimate her inclination to Marriage, but absolutely denied to make any Declaration of her Successor, which they chiefly aimed at, in respect of the danger) did notwithstanding several inhibitions and restrictions, further prosecute the same matter, plainly and singly, without the least mention any more of her Marriage, on Wednesday the 6^th day, Friday the 8^th day, Saturday the 9^th day, Monday the 11^th day, and on Tuesday the 12^th day of this instant November foregoing, until this present Monday the 25^th day of the same Month, when upon her Majesties Gracious Permission of freedom of Speech, they ceased further to treat thereof, as appeareth by the following silence of the Original Journal-Book of the House of Commons therein, until the last day of this Session, being Thursday the second day of January following, when her said Majesty did mildly reprove the violent prosecution of the same, by the said House.

On Tuesday the 26^th day of November, Three Bills had each of them one reading; of which the third being the Bill for the Corporation of Merchants, for discovery of new Trades in Russia, was read the third time, and Ordered to be ingrossed.

M^r Serjeant Carus and M^r Vaughan, brought from the Lords two Bills, one for the Expedition of Justice in Lancaster, and another for the Jointure of the Lady Stafford.

It was Ordered this day, that the House should be called upon Tuesday next.

On Wednesday the 27^th day of November, Three Bills had each of them one reading; of which the second being the Bill for the Almeshouse at Plymouth in the County of Devon, And the third to avoid vexations upon the Writ of Latitat, &c. were each of them read the first time.

M^r Secretary declared from her Majesty, that for the good will she beareth to her Subjects, her Highness doth remit the third payment of the said Subsidy, before rated; for which her great Clemency, most hearty thanks was given by the House; and immediately was read.

The Bills for the grant of one Fifteenth, and a Subsidy at two payments the second time, and committed (as it should seem) to M^r Seckford and others.

Nota, That here her Majesty (as is very probable) did remit this third and extraordinary payment of the Subsidy, the more yet to withdraw them from the further prosecution of that great business touching the Declaration of a Successor, (mentioned at large on Monday the 25^th day of this instant November foregoing) in which those of the House of Commons had proceeded with great violence: and that her Majesty had this intent in remitting the said third payment, is the more apparent, because it had been formerly given by the said Commons, thereby the rather to induce her Majesty to the said Declaration of a Successor, as is plainly set down by M^r Cambden, in Annual. Regin. Eliz. Edit. Lugdun. Batav. A. D. 1625. page 102.

On Thursday the 28^th day of November, Four Bills of no great moment, had each of them one reading; of which the last being the Bill for preservation of Corn by destruction of Crows, and other Vermin, was read the first time.

Five other Bills were each of them read the first time, and passed upon the Question; of which one was the Bill for the Jointure of the Lady Cobham, and another to avoid long Suits in Civil and Marine Causes.

The Bill lastly for Confirmation of Letters Patents, was read the second time, and (as it seemeth) was committed to M^r Gargrave, and others, whose name I conceive should have been written, Sir Thomas Gargrave; for it is usual in this Journal of the House of Commons, in this present session de An. 8, & 9 Regin. Eliz. according to the use of former times, to stile Knights by the term of M^r prefixed only to their Surnames.

On Friday the 29^th day of November, Four Bills of no great moment, had each of them one reading; of which the second being the Bill for John Stafford born beyond the Sea, to be a free Denizen; and the third for the Watermen upon the Thames, were each of them read the second time: but no mention made either of referring them to Committees, or Ordering to be ingrossed.

Divers Arguments were had in the House, touching a Preamble to be made and set down, before the Bill of Subsidy, whereupon the said Bill was Ordered to be ingrossed.

On Saturday the 30^th day of November, Five Bills of no great moment, had each of them one reading; of which the second being the Bill for the Frizers and Cottoners of Shrewsbury; the third touching a Leafe made by the Masters of the Colledges in 37 Hen. 8. and the fourth to have several Sheriffs in Oxon and Berks, were each of them read the second time, and Ordered to be ingrossed.

The Bill to repeal the Statute made An. 7 Edw. 6. for prices of Wines, was read the third time, and upon the Question and Division of the House, passed; viz. with the Bill ninety five, and against it sixty five.

The Bill lastly requiring the Impost to be taken away, was read the first time.