Journal of the House of Lords: April 1563

The Journals of All the Parliaments During the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. Originally published by Irish University Press, Shannon, Ire, 1682.

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Citation:

Simonds d'Ewes, 'Journal of the House of Lords: April 1563', in The Journals of All the Parliaments During the Reign of Queen Elizabeth( Shannon, Ire, 1682), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/no-series/jrnl-parliament-eliz1/pp72-77 [accessed 22 December 2024].

Simonds d'Ewes, 'Journal of the House of Lords: April 1563', in The Journals of All the Parliaments During the Reign of Queen Elizabeth( Shannon, Ire, 1682), British History Online, accessed December 22, 2024, https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/no-series/jrnl-parliament-eliz1/pp72-77.

Simonds d'Ewes. "Journal of the House of Lords: April 1563". The Journals of All the Parliaments During the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. (Shannon, Ire, 1682), , British History Online. Web. 22 December 2024. https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/no-series/jrnl-parliament-eliz1/pp72-77.

April 1563

On Thursday the first day of April, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal Assembled in the House; but nothing was done, save only the Parliament continued by the Lord Keeper in Form following.

Dominus Custos magni Sigilli continnavit præsens Parliamentum usq; in diem Sabbati prox. hora nona.

On Saturday the 3d day of April, Three Bills were brought from the House of Commons; of which the first was the Bill for relief of the Poor, with divers Amendments added by the House of Commons, and two Provisoes; And the second for Confirmation of Letters Patents granted to the Town of Southampton, touching the bringing in of Wines by Merchant Strangers, with a Proviso added by the Commons. The Bill touching the Annuity granted for the finding of a School at Guildford, was read tertiâ vice & conclus.

Hodiè introduct. est à domo Communi Billa, touching an Assignment of the Queens Majesties Houshold; with certain Provisoes thereunto added by the Commons, quæ primà secunda & tertia vice lect. & conclus. sunt.

The Bill lastly for the Annexing of the County of Dorset to the Jurisdiction of the Bishoprick of Salisbury, was read prima vice.

On Monday the 5. day of April, the Bill for the translating of the Bible, and other Divine Service into the Welch Tongue, was read the third time; and a Proviso added thereunto by the Lords, was also thrice read, & conclus. & commissa Servienti Carus in Domum Commnnem deferend.

The Bill for the relief of the Poor was read tertiâ vice & conclus.

On Tuesday the 6. day of April, Five Bills were brought up to the Lords from the House of Commons; of which the first being the Bill for the translating of the Bible into the Welch Tongue, with three others, was returned, & conclus. And the fifth, being the Bill touching Curriers, Shoo-makers, and other Artificers, occupying the working of Leather, was read prima vice.

The Proviso added by the Lords to the Bill for the Town of Southampton, was read primâ, Secundâ & tertiâ vice & counclus. & commissa Attornato & Sollicitatori Dominæ Regin. in Domum Communem deferend.

Dominus Custos magni Sigilli continuavit præ Sens Parliamentum suq; in boram secundam à Meridie.

On the aforesaid Tuesday in the Afternoon, the Bill touching Tanners, Curriers, Shoomakers, and other Artificers, occupying the working of Leather, was read secundâ vice; Et nota, that the same Bill was read the day following, tertiâ vice & conclus.

On Wednesday the 7. day of April, Seven Bills were brought up to the Lords from the House of Commons; of which the one was for Orders for Bankrupts, their Goods and Chattels, Lands and Tenements, and another for Retailers of Worsted Wools in Norwich, and the County of Norsolk, with a Proviso added by the Commons.

Dominus Custos magni Sigilli continuavit præ sens Parliamentum usq; in boram secundam à Meridie.

On the aforesaid Wednesday in the Afternoon, the Bill touching Orders for Bankrupts, their Goods and Chattels, Lands and Tenements, was read primâ vice.

On Thursday the 8. day of April, Three Bills were brought up to the Lords from the House of Commons; of which the first being the Bill to take away the Misdemeanors of Purveyors and Takers, was read primâ vice.

The Bill for divers Orders for Artificers, Labourers, Servants of Husbandry, and Apprentices, was read tertiâ vice, & conclus. and sent down to the House of Commons, by Serjeant Carus and Dr Yale.

Two Bills were sent up to the Lords from the House of Commons; the one that Sanctuary shall not be allowed to defraud any due Debt, And the other was for the Paving of Kentish Town near Southwark.

The Proviso annex'd by the Commons, to the Bill for Retailers of Worsted-Woolls in Norwich, and the County of Norfolk, was read tertiâ vice, & communi omnium Procerum assensu conclus.

The Proviso annex'd by the Commons to the Bill for the maintenance of Tillage; And also one other Proviso annex'd to the same Bill, by the Lords, were each of them read primâ, Secundâ & tertiâ vice.

On Friday the 9. day of April, the Bill for Tillage was given to Mr Attorney, and Mr Martin, to be carried to the House of Commons.

The Bill touching Orders of Bankrupts, their Goods and Chattels, Lands and Tenements, was read secundâ vice.

Three Bills were brought up to the Lords, from the House of Commons conclus.; of which one was touching divers Orders for Artificers, Labourers, Servants of Husbandry and Apprentices; And the second for the maintenance of Tillage; And the third for the due Execution of the Writ de Excommunicato capiendo, with a Proviso annex'd by the Commons, and divers Amendments; quæ primâ & secundâ vice lect. sunt; eadem Provis. tertiâ vice lecta est & conclus.

The Bill to take away the misdemeanors of Purveyors, and Takers, was read the second time, and committed to Justice Southcot: Quod nota.

The Bill for the destruction of Rooks, Coughs and other Vermine, was brought up to the Lords, from the House of Commons; which said Bill was on the day following in the Afternoon read primâ vice.

On Saturday the 10th day of April, the Bill for the reviving of a Statute made Anno xxiii Hen. 8. touching the making of Goals, with a Proviso thereunto annex'd by the Commons; which said Proviso was read primâ, secundâ & tertiâ vice, & conclus.

The Bill for the Queens Majesties most free and General Pardon, was read primâ vice, & communi omnium Procerum assensu conclusa.

Nota, That this Bill for the general Pardon, was concluded after the first reading; whereas to all other Bills three readings are required, before they can be passed.

The Bill also for Reformation of divers misdemeanors in Purveyors, was read tertiâ vice, with certain Amendments, & conclusa.

And then following the ordinary from, the Parliament was continued in manner and order accustomed; viz.

Dominus Custos magni Sigilli continuavit præsens Parliamentum usq; in boram primam à Meridie.

In the Afternoon, the Bill for destruction of Rooks and Coughs, and other Vermin; And the Bill touching buying and felling of course Woolls, to make Cottons, & c. were each of them read tertiâ vice & conclus.

Two Bills were returned from the House of Commons conclus. One to take away the misdemeanors of Purveyors, and Takers, and the other touching Orders for Bankrupts, their Goods and Chattels, Lands and Tenements.

Nota, That in the Original Journal-Book of the Upper House, next after the setting down or entring of the two Bills aforesaid to have been returned up to the Lords, from the House of Commons, there followeth immediately the entrance of the Prorogation of this Session of Parliament; which doubtless happened through the great negligence of Francis Spilman Esq; at this time Clerk of the said Upper House: For the Queens majesty her self, with the Lords both Spiritual and Temporal was present in her Robes, and gave her Royal Assent to such Acts as passed; Although no presence of any of the Lords or her Majesty, be at all marked in the said Original Journal-Book. And therefore I have caused the solemn and stately manner of the Queens coming to the Upper House, with the several Interlocutory Speeches of the Speaker of the House of Commons, and the Lord Keeper, to be inserted at large out of a written Copy, or Anonymous memorial thereof, I had by me, being doubtless the very Original Draught, set down by some Member of one of the two Houses, or at least by some other observant person, then present, while the said Speeches passed in the Upper House; for it is written in a hand and language of that very time, and in many places amended and interlined.

About three of the Clock (this present Saturday in the Afternoon) the Queens Majesty came by Water from Whiteball, and landed on the backside of the Parliament Chamber; and so the Earl of Northumberland, bearing the Sword afore her, the Dutchess of Norfolk the Train, she proceeded up into her Privy-Chamber, and there Apparell'd her self in her Parliament Robes: during which time the Lords likewise put on their Robes, and took their Places.

On the Upper Sack sate the Lord Keeper, till the Queen came, and then he went to his place, at the Rail, on the right hand to the Cloth of Estate: On the Wooll-sack on the North-side, sate Sir Robert Catlin, and Sir James Dyer, the two Chief Justices, Sir John Mason, and Serjeant Carus, Mr Ruswell the Queens Sollicitor, and Doctor Yale.

On the Sack on the South-side, sate Sir William Cecill Secretary, Sir William Cordall Master of the Rolls, Justice Weston, Serjeant Southcott, Mr Gerrard the Queens Attorney, and Doctor Lewes.

On the nether Sack sate Mr Spilman, Clerk of the Parliament, Mr Powle Deputy and joint Patentee with Mr Martin, Clerk of the Crown, Mr Heming and some Clerks of the Signet, Dister and Permiter, before which nether Sack stood a little Table.

Then the Queens Majesty, being Apparell'd in her Parliament Robes, with a Caul on her Head, came forth, and proceeded up, and took the Seat; the Duke of Norfolk, as Earl Marshal, with his gilt Rod, before her, with the Marquess of Northampton bearing the Cap of Maintenance, and stood on her right hand, and the Earl of Northumberland the Sword on her left hand; the Queens Mantle born over her Arms by the Lord Admiral, and Lord of Hunsdon; her Train born by the Dutchess of Norfolk, assisted by the Lord Chamberlain, and Mr Astley Master of the Jewel-House; and so her Majesty being placed, the Duke of Norfolk, the Lord Admiral, and the Lord Hunsdon, took their places, and from time to time, as her Majesty stood up, her Mantle over her Arms, was assisted up with the Lord Robert Dudley, Master of the House, and Sir Francis Knowles Vice-Chamberlain.

Then all being placed, Mr Williams the Speaker was brought in between Sir Edward Rogers Comptroller, and Sir Ambrose Cave Chancellor of the Dutchy; and after one obeysance made proceeded down to the Wall, and from thence came up to the Rail, in the way making three Obeysances; and after he was up at the Rail, he made three Obeysances, and then began his Oration, as followeth.

This it is, most Excellent and Vertuous Princess, &c. As nature giveth to every reasonable Creature to speak, so it is a grace to be well learned; and I presenting the Mouth of such a Body, as cannot speak for it self; and in the presence of your Majesties Person and Nobles, must most humbly desire and crave of your Highness, to bear with my imperfections.

This Common-Wealth hath been by Gods Providence first instituted, and since by Mans Policy continued, wherein Justice and good Counsel is most to be preferred; for Antient Law-makers, and Authors of good Laws, be worthy to be praised, and had in perpetual remembrance; and such are the Laws that we have made in this Common-Wealth, as (in mine Opinion) do excel and pass all other humane Laws.

Amongst divers Authors of good Laws, we have set forth unto us, to the end they should not be forgotten, three Queens; the first Palestina the Queen, Reigning before the Deluge, who made Laws as well concerning Peace as War.

The second was Ceres the Queen, which made Laws concerning evil doers; And the third was Marc. Wife of Bathilacus, Mother to Stillicus the King, who enacted Laws for the maintenance and preservation of the good and well-doers.

And since that time, Etheldred a King in this Realm, Established Laws, and set in most beaten, high, and cross ways, a Cross, and therein a Hand, with a Ring of Gold, pointing to the most usual way, which also stood untaken away or diminished during his Life.

And so you are the fourth Queen, Establisher of good Laws, our most dread Soveraign Lady, for your time as happy as any of the three, which happiness for the present I let slip, and desire, as all our hearts do, that some happy Marriage to your contentation might shortly be brought to pass; your Majesty finding this Realm out of Order, and full of Abuses, have continually had a special care to reform the said Abuses; and for the more expelling thereof, have Congregated together this Assembly, whereby partly to your Contentation, for Reformation of the same, to its old pristine Estate, and for Money and Peace, is all that chiefly we have done; for which purposes we have agreed upon and made certain Laws, which until your Majesty have granted your Royal Assent, and so given Life thereunto, cannot be called Laws.

And herein requiring of your Majesty three Petitions, two for the Commons, and one for my self; the first for such Laws as they have made, being as yet without Life, and so no Laws, that it would please your Majesty to grant your Royal Assent unto them; Secondly, that your Highness would accept their doings in good part, that the imperfections of their Labours, by your acceptance may be supplied; for, as appeareth in sundry Histories, the persons of those Princes and Subjects have long continued, which have well used themselves one toward th'other; which without neglecting of my duty, I cannot in your presence so let slip; for, as it appeareth in divers Histories, the Noble Alexander having presented unto him by one of his poor Souldiers the Head of one of his Enemies, he, not forgetting the Service of his Souldier, although herein he had done but his Duty, gave unto him a Cup of Gold, which first the Souldier refused; but after that Alexander had Commanded it to be filled with Wine, and delivered him, he received it, whereby appeareth the Noble and Liberal Heart of the said Alexander.

Also Xenophon writing of the Life of Cyrus, who being liberal of Gifts, having vanquished Cræsus, and he marvelled at his liberality, said, it were better to keep it by him, them so liberally to depart from it; unto whom Cyrus answered, That his Treasure was innumerable; and appointed Cræsus a day, to see the same; and thereupon took Order, that his Subjects should before that time bring in their Treasure; which being innumerable, and more than Cyrus by any other means could have given, Cræsus much wondred thereat; Cyrus said, thou causest me to take of my Subjects, and retain the same; but what need I to take, when they so frankly will bring it unto me? and so as occasion serveth, ready continually to supply my want? therefore how can I be but rich, having such Subjects? but if they by my meanas or any other were poor, then were I poor also.

Which two worthy Examples of Alexander and Cyrus, your Majesty hath not forgotten to ensue; but with the like zeal have hitherto always used us, and now especially at this present, by your most gracious and free Pardon; for the which, and all other, they by me their Mouth, do most humbly thank you; knowledging such, and so much love and zeal of their parts towards your Majesty, as ever any Subjects did bear towards their Prince and Governour. And in token thereof, with one Assent do offer to your Highness, one Subsidy and two Fifteens, most humbly beseeching your Majesty to accept it, not in recompence of your benefits, but as a Token of their Duty, as the poor Widdows Farthing was accepted, as appeareth in the Scripture.

Thirdly, That it may also like your Majesty, to accept my humble thanks in allowing, and admitting me, being unworthy of this place, and bearing with my unworthy service; and last of all, my unfitting words, uplandish and rude Speech; beseeching God to incline your Majesties Heart to Marriage, and that he will so bless, and send such good success thereunto, that we may see the Fruits and Children, that may come thereof, so that you, and they, may prosperously, and as long time Regin over us, as ever did any Kings or Princes, which God for his Mercies take grant unto us. And so he ended, making his Obeysance.

Then the Queen called the Lord Keeper unto her, Commanding him, in her Name, to Answer him, as she then declared unto him; which followeth.

Mr Speaker, The Queens Majesty hath heard how humbly and discreetly you have declared the Proceedings, and for Answer hath Commanded me, that I should utter three or four things, the first for her Royal Assent to the Acts made at this Parliament; Secondaly, How comfortably, and also thankfully, her Majesty accepteth your Liberality; And thirdly, For the Executing of the Laws.

Here my Lords and Masters, although I cannot declare, or open it unto you, as her Majesty hath Commanded me; and therefore willingly would hold by Tongue, if I might, which, for that I cannot be so excused, say unto you as followeth; not doubting of her Highness Clemency in bearing with me herein.

First, Her Majesty considereth how wisely you have done, for the abolishing of the Romish Power, the Common Enemy of this Realm; remembring your care for the defence of the same Realm, your respects for the maintenance of Victual, the banishment of Vagabonds, and relief of the Poor, with other: And therefore alloweth your worthy Proceedings herein.

Secondly, Your Liberality and Benevolence, wherein your wife Considerations towards her Charges, is by her Majesty taken in thankful part; and I take it to be my Duty, to put you in remembrance, that although this Subsidy is made, and to be born by Subjects, not daily accustomed thereunto; but that at her first entrance she had the like; and that the grant thereof is more liberal than afore hath been accustomed, and that it is of your necessity, yet it is to withstand a greater necessity, that for fault thereof would else have ensued; and therefore that penny is well spent that saveth a groat; which also hath been granted, neither with perswasions, threats, nor sharp words, which afore this time hath been accustomed, but by one general consent of you all; wherein appeareth your good wills, and benevolent minds, you bear to her Majesty, which zeal she most accepteth; and as she hath cause, thanketh you.

Again, by her Majesties Commandment, she remembring by whom, why, and to whom this was granted, doth think as freely as you have granted the most part whereof hath been accepted, and left those that have so freely offered should not be so ready towards the gathering, thinketh it much better to lose the sum granted, than to lose your benevolent minds.

Thirdly, To the Execution of Laws, I have little to say, although the whole substance consisteth therein; because I did in the beginning of this Parliament declare my Opinion in that matter; and therefore, as now you have to your Charges taken pains in making good Laws, so put to your helps, to see these and all other Executed; for as it is infallible, that a thing done unconstrained, is much better than when they be constrained thereunto, even so her Majesty willeth you to look well, without more words, to the Execution, lest her Grace should be driven to do, as she doth in her Ecclesiastical Laws, make Commissions to inquire, whether they be done or no; whereby she shall known those Justices and Officers, who have done their Duty, and are to be used in service of Justice, whereof her Majesty desireth to have many; and again she shall understand who are to be barred from the like rooms, and the penal Statutes to be on them Executed, after this gentle warning: which inquiry I know is like to fall on me, as well as another. Howbeit, if Justice be not Executed, I shall be glad to see this Order taken. Notwithstanding, her Majesty hopeth that this her admonition shall not need, for that you see Laws without Execution, be as a Torch unlighted, or Body without a Soul: therefore look well to the Executing. Here endeth the three things, which her Majesty commanded me to say unto you.

Besides this, her Majesty hath to Answer your Petitions, and as to the first, in which you desire her Royal Assent to such matters as you have agreed upon; to that she faith, how at this present she is come for that purpose.

And for your other Petitions, to accept in good part, as well your service as the travails and doings of the nether House, this Parliament; and to that she Answereth, how that she doth not only accept them in good part, but also thanketh both you, and them for the same.

And touching your request before this made unto her, for her Marriage and Saccession, because it is of such importance, whereby I doubted my own opening thereof, and therefore desire her Majesty, that her meaning might be written, which she hath done and delivered to me, to be read as followeth.

Since there can be no duer Debt than Princes words, which I would observe, therefore I Answer to the same; this it is. The two Petitions, which you made unto me, do contain two things; my Marriage, and Succession after me. For the first, If I had let slip too much time, or if my strength had been decayed, you might the better have spoke therein; or if any think I never meant to try that Life, they be deceived; but if I may hereafter bend my mind thereunto, the rather for fulfilling your request, I shall be therewith very well content.

For the second, the greatness thereof maketh me to say and pray, that I may linger here in this Vale of Misery for your Comfort, wherein I have witness of my Study and Travail, for your Surety; And I cannot with Nunc dimittis, end my Life, without I see some foundation of your Surety after my Grave Stone.

These foregoing Speeches being thus transcribed out of the very Autograph, or Original Memorial of them, as aforesaid; now follows the form and manner of her Majesties Royal Assent to such Acts as passed.

Sir Nicholas Bacon, Lord Keeper, Commanded the Clerk of the Crown to read the Acts; whereupon Mr Thomas Powle, as Joint-Patentee, and in the absence of Mr Martin, Clerk of the Crown, stood up before the little Table, set before the Wooll-sacks, and after Obeysance made, began to read the Titles of the same, as followeth.

An Act for the Assurance of the Queens Majesties Royal Power over all States and Subjects, within her Dominions.

Then Francis Spilman Esq; Clerk of the Upper House standing up, after Obeysance made read her Majesties Answer in these words; viz

La Roine le veult.

And then both the Clerk of the Crown, and the Clerk of the Upper House, made Obeysance together.

Thomas Powle Esq; Clerk of the Crown, standing up, did read the Title of the Bill of Subsidy, and then Francis Spilman Esq; Clerk of the Upper House, standing up likewise, did read the Queens Majesties Answer, in manner and form following; viz.

La Roigne remercye ses loyaulx subjects, accept leur benevolence, & ainst le veult.

The said Clerk, having read the Queens Acceptance and thanks for the Subsidy given as aforesaid, did then, upon the reading of the Title of her Majesties Pardon, by the Clerk of the Crown as aforesaid, pronounce in these French words following, the thanks of the Lords and Commons for the same.

Les Prelats, Seigneurs & Communes on ce present Parliament Assembles, an nom de touts vous autres subjects, remercient tres humblement vostre Majestye, & prient à Dieu que ils vous donne en santè bonne vie, & longue.

The Bills of Subsidy and Pardon being passed, then were the Titles of the publick Acts read by the Clerk of the Crown; to every one of which allowed by the Queen, the Clerk of the Upper House read these French words following; viz.

La Roigne le veult.

To every private Act that passed, the said Clerk of the Upper House read the Queens Answer, in these French words following.

Soit fait come it est desire.

These two last Answers to the public and private Acts, that pass, are to be written by the said Clerk at the end of every Act.

To such Acts as her Majesty did forbear to allow, the Clerk of the Upper-House read in these French words following, viz.

La Roigne s' advisera.

Her Majesty having given her Royal Assent to such Acts as passed, in manner and form as aforesaid, then Sir Nicholas Bacon, Lord Keeper of the Great Seal, Prorogued this Session of Parliament by her Majesties Commandment, to a further day; which is thus entred in the Original Journal-Book of the Upper House, viz.

Dominus Custos magni Sigilli ex Mandato Dominæ Reginæ Prorogavit præsens Parliamentum usq; in secundum diem Octobris proximum futurum.

After which (as is contained in the often before-mentioned Anonymous Autograph, or Original Memorial of this days passages) the Queen rose, and proceeded into her Privy-Chamber, and shifted, and then proceeded to her Barge, and so to the Court, which was about six of the Clock in the Afternoon.

That which followeth, being the second Prorogation of this foregoing Session, de an. 5 Regin Eliz. is entred at large at the beginning of the Original Journal-Book of the Upper House, de in 8, & 9 Reginæ ejusdem; being the second and first Session of this present Parliament; yet because it fell out within this fifth Year, and may indifferently be referred to the Upper House Journal of either Session, I thought good in the transcribing of it to cause it to be annexed, and added to this present Journal in manner and form following.

Memorandum, quod secundo die Octobris, Anno Regni Elizabethæ Dei Gratia &c. Quento, in quem diem 10° die Aprilis ultimo elapso Prorogatum fuit hoc præsens Parliamentum, ex Mandato dictæ Dominæ Reginæ convenerunt Domini tam spirituales quam temporales, quorum nomina subsequuntur, viz

Marchio Wintoniæ Thesauraius Anglieæ Episcopus London, Episcopus Wintoniæ Dominus, north, Dominus Mordaunt.

Qui cùm convenissent, adstantibus tune etiam Populi Burgensumq; ut vocant satis magnâ frequentia, dictus Dominus Thesaur arius paucis verbis declaravit conventum Procerum & Populi, quem Parliamentum vocant, in bunc diem destinatum, à dict a Domina Regina, certis quibusdam de causis & considerationibus illam ad id specialiter moventibus, maximè propter infectionem Aeris pestiferi per Civitates London, & Westmonaster, ac suburbia earundem, ad præsens grassantem, differri in quintum diem Octobris qui erit in Anno Domini Millesimo quingentesimo sexagesimo quarto; Atq; ut tam Proceribus quam Populo palam fieret Regiam Majestatem it a constituisse, Literas commissarias dictæ Domineæ Reginæ Francisco Spilman Armigero Clerico Parliamenti publicè & claraâ voce legendas, in manus tradidit: earum autem tenor hic erat.

Elizabeth Dei Gratia Angliæ Franciæ & Hiberniæ Regina, fidei defensor, &c. Charissimo Consanguineo, Willielmo Marchioni Winton. Thesaurario Angliæ, ac reverendis in Christo Patribus, Edmundo Episcopo London, Roberto Episcopo Winton, Willielmo Episcopo Cicestrensi, nec non prædilectis & fidelibus suis, Henrico Domino Morley, Arthuræ Domino Grey de Wilton, Edwardo Domino Windfor, & Johanni Domino Mordaunt, Salutem. Cùm nos nuper pro quibusdam arduis & urgentibus negotiis, nos, statum & defensionem Regni nostri Angliæ, ac Ecclesiæ Anglicanæ concernentibus, præsens hoc Parliamentum nostrum, apud Civitatem nostram Westmonasterii, duo-decimo die Januarii, Anno Regni nostri quinto, inchoari & teneri ordinaverimus, à quo die idem Parliamentum tunc & ibidem tentum & continuatum fuerat usq; decimum diem Aprilis, tunc prox. Sequentem, eodemq; decimo die Aprilis idem Parliamentum nostrum usq; ad & in instantem secundum diem Octobris prorogatum suerat, ibidemq; tunc tenendum & continunadum: Sciatis quod nos, certis urgentibus causis & considerationibus nos Specialiter moventibus, & præcipuè propter infectionem Aeris pestiferi ubiq; per Civitates nostras London, & Westminster & earundem Suburbia ad præsens invalescentem, de fidelitate, prudentiâ & Circumspectione vestris plurimum considentes, de avisamento & assensu Concilii nostri assignavimus vos, & duos vestrum, dantes vobis, & duobus vestrum tenore præsentium plenam potestatem, facultatem, & Authoritatem hoc instanti die Sabbathi, ad præsens Parliamentum nostrum, nomine nostro, ad & in quintum diem Octobris qui erit in Anno Domini Millesimo quingentesimo sexagesimo quarto, usq; Civitatem nostram Westmonasterii prædict. Prorogandum & continuandum, ibidemq; tunc tenend. & prosequend., & ideo vobis Mandamus, quod circa præmissa diligenter intendails, & ea in formaprædicta effectualiter explicetis. Damus autem universis & singulis Archiepiscopis, Ducibus, Marchionibus, Comitibus, Vice Comitibus, Episcopis, Baronibus, Militibus, Civibus & Burgensibus, ac omnibus aliis quorum interest, ad dictum Parliamentum nostrum conventuris, tenore præsentium firmiter in Mandatis, quod vobis in præmissis faciend. agend. & exequend. pareant, obediant & intendant, prout decet. In cujus rei Testimonium, has Literas nostras fieri fecimus Patentes. Teste meipsa apud Castrum nostrum de Windsor Secundo die Octobris, Anno Regni nostri Quinto.

After which second time of Prorogation, in manner and form abovesaid, it was again Prorogued three several times as aforesaid; all which Prorogations are at large set down in the begining of the Journal of the Upper House, in the Session of Parliament in Anno 8 Regin. Eliz.