Journal of the House of Commons: October 1566

October 1566

On Tuesday the first day of October, the Knights, Citizens, Burgesses and Barons of the House of Commons, being Assembled together in their own House, about nine of the Clock in the Forenoon, report was made unto them (by Sir Edward Rogers Knight, Comptroller of her Majesties Houshold, as is most probable, in respect that he was the Chief Privy-Councellor of the House) that her Majesty had been moved according to the former Order, for her Licence to chuse a Speaker, and that they should receive Answer thereof this day in the Upper House; and thereupon, as soon as they had notice, that divers of the Lords, Spiritual and Temporal, with Sir Nicholas Bacon Knight, Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England, were Assembled in the Upper House, and expected their repair thither, they presently went up unto the Lords, where the Lord Keeper shewed forth a Commission from her Majesty under the Great Seal of England, directed unto him, which he Commanded the Clerk openly to read.

Which said Commission, as also the greatest part of the foregoing days passages, are transcribed out of the Original Journal-Book of the Upper House, and inserted here, as into the due and proper place. Which very things were in part also mentioned in the Original Book of the House of Commons, with the passages of this present Tuesday, although in both I have not omitted to supply some things my self, which might easily be gathered by the comparing of several things together. The Tenor of the said Commission ensueth verbatim.

ELizabeth, by the Grace of God, Queen of England, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c. To our right Trusty and right well Beloved Chancellor, Sir Nicholas Bacon Knight, Lord Keeper of our Great Seal of England, Greeting. Where in the beginning of this present Parliament holden at Westminster the 12^th day of January, in the fifth Year of our Reign, the Knights, Citizens and Burgesses being Assembled in the same Year, in the same Parliament, were Commanded by us, to go to their accustomed place, and there to chuse among themselves one, to be their Speaker, according to their accustomed manner; whereupon the same Knights, Citizens and Burgesses, did Elect and chuse one Thomas Williams Esq; to be their Speaker, and the same their Election did afterwards certifie unto us, which we did allow and ratifie; since which time this our present Parliament hath been continued by divers Prorogations, until the 30. of September, in this present eighth Year of our Reign, at which day the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and also the said Knights, Citizens and Burgesses being Assembled, for this present Parliament at Westminister, in their accustomed places, the said Knights, Citizens and Burgesses have declared unto us, that the said Thomas Williams since the last Session of this present Parliament, is dead. And thereupon have made their humble Suit and Petition unto us, that they might have Licence and Commandment from us, to proceed to elect among themselves, one other to be their Speaker for the rest of this present Parliament yet to come. Wherefore We, having certain and perfect knowledge, that the said Thomas Williams is dead, as they have alledged, and considering their humble Petition and Request, very meet and necessary to be granted, have appointed and Constituted you, and by these Presents, We do Will, Command, Constitute and Appoint you, for us and in our Name, to call the said Knights, Citizens and Burgesses before you, and other the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, Assembled in this our present Parliament, in the Higher House of our Parliament at Westminister, and there for us, and in our Name, to Will and Command the said Knights, Citizens and Burgesses, to resort to their accustomed place, and there to Elect and chuse amongst themselves, one sufficient and able person, to be their Speaker for the rest of this present Parliament to come; And after they have so made their Election, that then three or four of them, for and in all their names, shall signifie the same unto us. And thereupon we will further signifie our pleasure unto them, what day and time they shall present the person Elected before us, as heretofore hath been in like cases accustomed to be done; wherefore our Will and Pleasure is, that you do diligently attend about the doing of the premises, and execute the same with effect. In Witness whereof we have caused these our Letters of Commission to be Sealed with our Great Seal of England. Witness our Self at Westminster, the first day of October, in the Eighth Year of our Reign. The residue of this Days Passages follows out of the Journal of the House of Commons.

As soon as the said Commission had been read, the Knights, Citizens and Burgesses, and Barons of the House of Commons, departed into their own House; where Sir Edward Rogers Knight, Comptroller of her Majesties Houshold, declared unto them, that for as much as Richard Onslow Esq;, her Majesties Sollicitor General, was a Member of their said House, being Elected a Burgess for the Borough of ....... in the County of Sussex, they would use some means to have him restored unto them (who as yet attended in the Upper House) to join with them in their Election of a Speaker. And thereupon, notice thereof being given to the Lords of the Upper House, upon Consultation had amongst them, the said M^r Onslow was sent down with the Queens Serjeant at Law, M^r Carus, and M^r Attorney General, to shew for himself, why he should not be a Member of this House, who alledging many weighty reasons, as well for his Office of Sollicitor, as for his Writ of Attendance in the Upper House, was nevertheless adjudged to be a Member of this House. And thereupon proceeding to the Election, M^r Comptroller nominated M^r Onslow to be Speaker, who humbly disabled himself, as well for non-ability of substance meet for that place, as also for his Oath made to the Queens Majesty, and required them to proceed to a new Election; upon whose Arguments the House was divided, and the number to have him Speaker was eighty two, and the contrary was sixty. And immediately M^r Comptroller, and M^r Vice-Chamberlain, brought him from his place, to the Chair, and there set him down.

On Wednesday the second day of October, between three and four of the Clock in the Afternoon, the Knights, Citizens and Burgesses of the House of Commons, repaired to the Upper House (having notice that her Majesty with the Lords and divers others were already set in the said House, expecting their coming) where Richard Onslow Esq;, their Speaker Elect, was led up to the Rail or Bar at the lower end of the said House, between Sir Edward Rogers Knight, Comptroller of her Majesties Houshold, and Sir Francis Knolles Knight, her Highness ViceChamberlain, and so presented unto her Majesty; where having disabled himself in many respects, he was notwithstanding allowed by her Majesty, by the Mouth of the Lord Keeper. After which having desired free access to her Highness, and pardon for himself, if he should in any thing unwittingly fail or mistake; the Lord Keeper, by her Majesties Commandment, declared her full Assent to the said particulars. And thereupon the said Speaker, being now completely and perfectly invested in his place, departed back with the residue of the House of Commons, unto their own House; where according to the usual Form, one Bill had its first reading; viz. The Bill how Sanctuary-persons shall be compellable for payment of their Debts.

Nota, That the Passages of this Afternoon, containing in them the manner of the Presentment and Allowance of the Speaker, were in part transcribed out of the Original JournalBook of the House of Commons, and in part out of a certain Anonymous Memorial I had by me, containing the foresaid matters at large; in both which, it doth appear directly, that the said Richard Onslow Esq;, her Majesties Sollicitor General, now Speaker of the said House, did contrary to all former and latter Presidents, only Petition her Majesty in behalf of the House, for free access; and did very ignorantly omit, or carelesly forget to mention those two other antient and undoubted Priviledges of the same House; viz. Liberty of Speech, and Freedom from Arrests for themselves and Followers; or else perhaps he thought and conceived, that those said rights of the House were so evident and unquestionable, as they needed no further Confirmation. And doubtless, whatsoever the said M^r Onslow conceived, yet the Event at this Session of Parliament, notwithstanding his omission, made it most clear, for those two great businesses of her Majesties Marriage, and declaring a Successor, coming into agitation at this time, M^r Mounson, M^r Bell, M^r Paul Wentworth, and others used so great Liberty of Speech, as (I conceive) was never used in any Parliament, or Session of Parliament before, or since. Nor were they any less zealous to maintain and preserve that their other priviledge of freedom from Arrests (omitted likewise by the said M^r Onslow) when occasion was offered, than at any other time.

A motion finally was made this day by Sir William Cecil, her Majesties Principal Secretary, that one Hen. Green, Burgess for Hereford, was come up to attend; and that the Plague was in the said Town at his coming away: and thereupon it was Ordered by the House, that he should not come thither but have Licence to depart.

It was Ordered, that the House should be called upon Friday next.

This day M^r Speaker took the Oath, which I conceive was the Oath of Supremacy, in such form and manner, as other Members of the House have it administred unto them; saving only that he takes it in the presence of the House.

On Thursday the third day of October, were divers Arguments made touching the Oath, which the new Burgesses (Elected in such places as were void since the last Session, in An. 5 Regin. Eliz.) should take; being, as I conceive, the same Oath of Supremacy, which the other Burgesses had taken at the beginning of the foresaid Session, in the fifth year of her Majesty. And at last it was fully resolved by the said House, that they should take the said Oath accordingly. And M^r Comptroller of her Majesties Houshold, was appointed to Minister the said Oath unto them; Vt vide in die Veneris jam proximè sequente: vide Octob. 8. Tuesday postea.

This day the Clerk of the House, and Serjeant at Arms, took the Oath, which was doubtless that of Supremacy; but how this should happen, that the Clerk of the House should take the same, I cannot guess. For he, being an Officer for Life, taketh the same only at his first coming into the said place, and never after. And at this Session of Parliament ........ Seymor Esq; continued in that place, which he had held many years before; and the first Parliament in which Fulk Onslow Esq; his Successor did serve, was in the next following in Anno 13 Regin. Eliz.

M^r Thomas Broomly, being Elected both a Burgess for the Borough of Guildford in the County of Surrey, and one of the Knights for London, upon his Election to stand for Guildford, it was resolved by the House, that a new Writ should go out for the Choice of another Knight, to be returned for London.

The long Bill touching Informations with costs for the Defendant, was read the first time; and the Bill touching Sanctuaries, was read the second time, and committed (as it seemeth) to M^r Recorder and others.

On Friday the 4^th day of October, the Bill for Answering the Queens Majesties Revenues in the hands of Receivers, was read the first time.

Sir Francis Knolles, her Majesties Vice-Chamberlain, declared unto the House, that the Deputy to the Lord Steward, by the Constitution of the Queens Majesties Houshold, is taken to be M^r Treasurer, or M^r Comptroller, and the Oath to be taken before one of them, and that the Queens Majesty hath appointed Sir Edward Rogers Knight, her said Comptroller, to take the Oath (at this time usually accustomed to be administred) of the Knights and Burgesses, as Lord Steward for that purpose.

Nota, That there being at this time no Lord Steward of her Majesties Houshold, it is here said (which is worthy much observation) that by the constitutions of the Queens Houshold, when there is no Lord Steward, the Treasurer or Comptroller of her said Houshold are taken to be of common usage and course his Deputy, to all intents and purposes.

Nota also, That none of the Knights, or Burgesses, which had been present, at the first Session of this Parliament, in an. 5 Regin. Eliz. and had then taken the Oath of Supremacy, did now take it again; but only such of them, who had been newly Elected, and returned for places void since the ending of the said first Session, as see more at large on Tuesday the 8^th day of this instant October following.

The House was appointed to be called on Monday next at eight of the Clock.

The Bill touching informations upon penal Statutes, with costs for the Defendants, was read the second time, and committed (as it seemeth) to Sir Nicholas Throgmorton, and others.

On Saturday the 5^th day of October, the Bill for Answering the Queens Majesties Revenues, in the hands of Receivers, was read the second time, and committed (as it seemeth) to M^r Vice-Chamberlain, and others. The new Bill also to avoid Sanctuaries for Debt, was read the first time. And lastly, The long Bill of Apparel, as well for temporal men as spiritual, and also for Women, was read the first time, and was thereupon (as it should seem) committed unto M^r Comptroller and others, to consider of it.

On Monday the 7^th day of October, the new Bill to avoid Sanctuaries for Debt, was read the second time, and Ordered to be ingrossed. After which, upon Allegations made for the exemption of the Sanctuary of Westminster, by the Dean thereof, a day was given unto him, on Friday next at nine of the Clock, to attend in the House, with his Learned Councel, to shew cause, why the said Sanctuary should be exempted. Vide also touching this matter on Wednesday the 16^th day of this instant October.

Christopher Haies a Merchant of London, made suit to come into the House, to put them in remembrance of some matters of weight, and being heard, thanks were given him for his Motion; but what the said Motion was, through the Clerks great negligence is wholly omitted, neither is it possible to gather by the Journal-Book it self to what end it tended, although it may not improbably be conjectured, that it was touching matters of Merchandize, or Shipping.

The business (which had been disputed of in the House on Thursday foregoing) was this day again debated, and (as it should seem) some moved to know, whether the Antient Knights and Burgesses still remaining, since the last Session, in Anno 5 Regin. Eliz. ought not to take again the Oath of Supremacy, as well as those that were newly Elected, and returned. Although it were the general Opinion, and Vote of the House (as may be gathered) that the new Knights and Burgesses only, should be sworn; yet it was committed to M^r Secretary Cecill, M^r Vice-Chamberlain, M^r Kingsmill and others (not named) to consider thereof, and to certify the House, which they did accordingly, on the Morrow following.

On Tuesday the 8^th day of October, the Bill touching the ingrossing of Tallow, and Kitchinstuff, was read the first time.

M^r Kingsmill one of the Committee appointed yesterday to consider whether the Antient Members of the House, which had taken the Oath the last Session in An. 5 Regin. Eliz. should now have it administred unto them again, or whether those only who were newly Elected, and returned at the beginning of this present Session, (and to certifie thereof accordingly) made Declaration this Forenoon, by the Assent of the said Committee, that the former Knights and Burgesses should not be sworn, but those only who were newly returned.

A Motion was made that ........ Gardiner, one of the Burgesses of the House, remained now Prisoner in the Fleet, and desired to be restored to the said House; whereupon the Master of the Rolls, and the Master of the Requests, were appointed by the House to repair unto the Lord Keeper (in the name of the same House) to know the cause of his said Imprisonment, and to demand his Restitution. To which Question and Request, the said Lord Keeper did send his Answer by them, on the Morrow following.

On Wednesday the 9^th day of October, Two Bills had each of them their first reading; of which the second was the Bill for buying of course Woolls in the North parts.

The Master of the Rolls (who had been sent yesterday with the Master of Requests, unto the Lord Keeper, touching ....... Gardiner, a Member of this House) declared from his Lordship, that he might be restored to this House again, with condition that upon Prorogation, or Dissolution of this present Session of Parliament, he might be Prisoner again.

Two Bills had each of them one reading, of which the second being the Bill touching ingrossing of Tallow, and Kitchin stuff, was upon the second reading rejected.

On Thursday the 10^th day of October, Two Bills had each of them their first reading; of which the second being the Bill for continuance of divers Acts of Parliament, to the end of the next Parliament, was read the first time.

The new Bill also touching Apparel of the Laity and Clergy, was this day brought into the House; but whether it was read or no, cannot certainly be set down.

The Dean of Westminster (who had been appointed on Monday the 7^th day of this instant October foregoing, to shew the Priviledges of the Sanctuary of the said Church) had further day given him this instant Thursday, upon the Motion of M^r Speaker, until Wednesday next, being the 16^th day of this instant October following.

On Friday the 11^th day of October, the Bill that Sussex and Surrey, and other Counties, never having but one Sheriff, may have several Sheriffs, was read the first time, and under the Title of the said Bill, at the bottom of it, is written M^r Vice-Chamberlain, which is all that is usually done also under the Title of any Bill, which is committed upon the second reading, whether M^r Vice-Chamberlain or any other be one of the Committees named; such is the imperfect setting down of things in these former times: and therefore to what end M^r Vice-Chamberlains name should be added in this place, I cannot guess, unless this Bill were committed upon the first reading (as many others have been) or else that he brought in the Bill, and commended it to the House.

The new Bill against Informers upon penal Statutes, was this day brought into the House, and read the first time.

On Saturday the 12^th day of October, the Bill touching prices of Barrells by Coopers, as in the Statute Anno 24 Hen. 8. was read the first time.

Two Bills lastly against Informers upon penal Statutes, were each of them read the second time; and (as it should seem) were thereupon committed to M^r Vice-Chamberlain and others.

On Monday the 14^th day of October, Three Bills had each of them one reading; of which the third being the Bill touching prices of Barrels and Kilderkins, sold by Coopers, was upon the second reading Ordered to be ingrossed.

Upon Complaint made by M^r Grasion against one Philpot, a Pursuivant in the Court of Wards, touching two Promoters for Extortion, the said Pursuivant was sent for.

On Tuesday the 15^th day of October, the new Bill touching Apparel to be worn by the Laity, and Clergy, was read the second time; and, as it should seem, was thereupon committed to M^r Vice-Chamberlain and others.

Two Bills were brought from the Lords to the House of Commons, by M^r Serjeant Carus, and M^r Attorney; of which the first was the Bill touching Fines and Recoveries; and the second was the Bill to take away Clergy from Offenders in certain Cases.

On Wednesday the 16^th day of October, Two Bills of no great moment, had each of them one reading; of which the second being the Bill for Assurance of Fines and Recoveries to be good, from the beginning of the Reign of Queen Eliz. although the Original be imbezelled, was read the first time.

This Morning finally the Dean of Westminster (according to the appointment of the House on Thursday last, the 10^th day of this instant October foregoing) was present at the Bar, with his Councel.; viz. Mr. Edmond Plowden of the Middle-Temple, and Mr. Ford a Civilian. The Dean himself made an Oration in defence of the Sanctuary, and alledged divers Grants by King Lucius and other Christian Kings, and Mr. Plowden alledged the Grant for Sanctuary there by King Edward five hundred years ago; viz. Dat. in An. 1066. with great reasons in Law and Chronicle; and Mr. Ford alledged divers Stories and Laws for the same; and thereupon the Bill was committed to the Master of the Rolls, and others (not named) to peruse the Grants, and to certifie the force of the Law now for Sanctuaries.

On Thursday the 17^th day of October, the Bill affirming the Consecration of Archibishops and Bishops within this Realm, was read the second time, and Ordered to be ingrossed.

Sir Edward Rogers Knight, Comptroller of her Majesties Houshold, moved the House to have consideration of the Queens Majesties late great and extraordinary expences, to proportion out some supply accordingly. And thereupon Sir William Cecil Knight, her Highness Principal Secretary, made an Excellent Declaration of the Queens great Charges in defending New-Haven in France, in repairing and increasing the Navy and Munition, her Charges also against John Oneyle in Ireland; and immediately thereupon, all the Privy-Council being Members of this House, the Master of the Rolls, and forty others of the House, whose names are omitted through the negligence of the Clerk, were nominated and appointed to consider of the rate and payment of some supply and aid to be given to her Majesty, and Ordered to meet to Morrow in the Afternoon, in the Star-Chamber.

On Friday the 18^th day of October, Four Bills had each of them one reading, of which the last being the Bill touching prices of Barrels and Kilderkins, was read the third time.

A Motion was made by Mr. Molineux, for the reviving of the Suit touching the Declaration of a Successor, in case her Majesty should die without Issue of her own Body; which Suit had been first moved by the House, and their Petition preferred therein, in the first Session of this Parliament, in Anno 5 Regin. Eliz. and that the said business touching the Declaration of a Successor, and the Subsidy Bill might proceed together, which Motion was very well approved by the greater part of the said House.

And thereupon divers Propositions and Reasonings ensued, this great business being once moved, although it should seem in the conclusion thereof, that the greater part of the House were resolved to recontinue the said Suit, and to know her Highness Answer: Although Sir Ralph Sadler Knight Banneret, one of her PrivyCouncil, had declared and affirmed unto the House, that he had heard the Queen say, in the presence of divers of the Nobility, that for the Wealth of the Realm, her Highness was minded to Marry. Vide plus concerning this matter on Monday the 25^th day of November following, whither all the days are referred, on which this business was agitated.

On Saturday the 19^th day of October, the Bill touching Fines and Recoveries to be good from the beginning of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth, although the Originals be lost, was read the second time, and, as it should seem, was committed to M^r Seckford and others.

Three Bills finally were brought down to the House from the Lords, of which one was the Bill for the Indenization of John Stafford, born beyond the Seas; and another for prevention of fraudulent gifts in Bankrupts.

Mr. Secretary Cecill, and Sir Francis Knolles, her Majesties Vice-Chamberlain, declared unto the House, that the Queens Majesty was, by Gods special Providence, moved to Marriage, and that the mindeth for the Wealth of her Commons, to prosecute the same.

Sir Ambrose Cave Chancellor of the Dutchy, and Sir Edward Rogers Comptroller of her Majesties Houshold, affirmed the same, and thereupon perswaded and advised the House to see the sequel of that, before they made further Suit touching the Declaration of a Successor.

But against this Opinion divers Lawyers of the House (although their names are negligently omitted, the chief of them being Mounson, Bell, and Kingsmill) did argue very boldly and judiciously. And so prevailed with the greatest part of the House, as that it was resolved, contrary to the foregoing Motion of those of her Majesties Privy-Council, to recontinue their Suit touching the Declaration of a Successor, and to get the Queens Answer. And to that end it was Ordered, that all the Privy-Council being Members of this House, with forty four others (whose names are omitted in the Original Journal-Book of the said House) should meet to Morrow, to consult and advise in what manner they might move the Lords of the Upper-House, to join with them in this matter.

This is the second day in which this great business was agitated in the House of Commons, upon which doubtless those four Privy-Councellors, who first moved to have a stop made of it, did it not without her Majesties special Direction (who, as it is very probable, foresaw even then the great inconveniencies, which the further prosecution thereof would produce) as see more at large, that it did indeed so fall out, upon Monday the 25^th day of November ensuing.

M^r Secretary Cecill (seeing his former Motion could not prevail to stop the foregoing resolution of the House, partly, as may be conjectured, to divert it, and partly that the matter of supply might preceed it) made a Declaration of the Rates of one Subsidy, and one fifteenth and tenth, according to the proportion of that Subsidy which had been given in the first Session of this Parliament (in an. 5 Regin. Eliz.) but withal proposed further days of payment.

October the 20^th Sunday.

On Monday the 21^th day of October, some Addition, which had been annex'd to the Bill touching Coopers (as it should seem) after the third reading thereof (which was on Friday the 18. day of this instant October foregoing) was read the first, second and third time, and so passed with the Bill.

Three other Bills had each of them one reading; of which the first being the Bill to take Clergy from Cut-Purses and Pick-Purses, was read the third time, and passed upon the Question.

These two foregoing Bills, which passed this House this Morning, were sent up to the Lords by Mr. Comptroller, with all the Committees (who were appointed on Saturday the 19. day of this instant October foregoing, in the great business touching her Majesties Declaration of a Successor) with Order also from the House to move the Lords to join with this House, in the said Suit to her Majesty (Vide plus concerning this business, on Monday the 25. day of November ensuing.)

Three Bills had each of them one reading, of which the first being the Bill for Sealing of Cloaths by the Alneager of Lancaster, was read the second time, and (as it should seem) committed to Mr. Southerly and others.

The Committees brought word from the Lords, upon their request, that they coming again to the Lords on the Morrow, following, should have Answer.

On Tuesday the 22. day of October, the Bill Confirming the Consecration of Archibishops, and Bishops within this Realm, was read the third time, and passed upon the Question.

Doctor Vaughan and Mr. Martin brought word from the Lords, that their Lordships desired the Committees of this House, to defer their coming unto them until to Morrow. But about what business the said meeting should then be, is through the great negligence of Mr. Seymour, at this time Clerk of the House of Commons, wholly omitted: although it were doubtless touching those two great business; of her Majesties Marriage, and the Declaration of her next Successor. For the consideration of which, the House had appointed a select Committee (being the same here mentioned) on Saturday the 19. day of this instant October foregoing, and had yesterday sent them up to the Lords, to move their Lordships to join with them in Petitioning her Majesty, touching the same. And it should seem the reason why their Lordships deferr'd their Answer this day, contrary to their appointment yesterday, was because the Archbishop of York, the Earl of Northumberland, and eighteen other Lords Spiritual and Temporal, were first appointed to repair in the Afternoon of this present Tuesday, unto her Majesty, to know her pleasure therein, as may directly be gathered out of the Original Journal-Book of the Upper House. Vide Novemb. 25. postea.

On Wednesday the 23. day of October, Mr. Comptroller and the other Committees (appointed on Saturday the 19. day of this instant October foregoing) were sent up to the Lords, with the Bill for declaring the manner of making and Consecrating of Archbishops and Bishops within this Realm to be good, lawful and perfect; and, as it should seem, had Order likewise to desire of the Lords their resolution touching those two great business of her Majesties Marriage, and Declaration of a Successor; and that Mr. Bell, Mr. Mounson, and Mr. Kingsmill, three others of the said Committee, should make Declaration of the said matters unto their Lordships. For upon the return of the same Committees from the Lords, towards the end of this Forenoon, they made report to this purpose, accordingly.

Ten Bills had each of them their first reading, of which the first was the Bill to confirm by Parliament the Queens Letters Patents for an Hospital at Gloucester; and the second touching Demurrers after Verdict, how exceptions should be entered.

Mr. Comptroller with the rest of the Committees (which had been sent up to the Lords this Morning) returning from them, shewed that their Lordships having heard the several Declarations of Mr. Bell, Mr. Mounson, and Mr. Kingsmill, and others of the said Committee, touching those two great businesses of her Majesties Marriage, and Declaration of her next Successor, who had spoken very amply and fully unto their Lordships, were resolved to deliberate further (as the great weight of the matters in hand required) and to send word thereof to this House accordingly. Vide at large concerning this business, on Monday the 25. day of November ensuing.

On Thursday the 24. day of October, the Bill for Corporation of Merchant Adventurers, for discovery of new Trades, was read the first time.

It was Ordered, that a Warrant should be granted to require a Writ for the Election of a new Burgess for Abingdon, in the County of Berks, in the place of Oliver Hide Deceased.

Two Bills also had each of them one reading, of which the first being the Bill touching Demurrers, how they shall be entred, was upon the second reading Ordered to be engrossed.

On Friday the 25. day of October, Two Bills had each of them one reading; of which the first was intituled, The Bill amended for Apparel of all States under the Prince.

Mr. Serjeant Carus, and Mr. Attorney, brought word from the Lords, that the Committees of this House (appointed on Saturday the 19. day of this instant October foregoing) might be sent up to their Lordships to receive their Answer. Whereupon as many of the Committees as were then present, without others in the places of those that were absent, went up to the Lords, and soon after returned, and brought word down to the House, that their Lordships would join with this said House in the Suit to her Majesty, touching her Majesties Marriage, and the Declaration of a Successor. Vide plus concerning this matter, on Monday the 25. day of November ensuing.

The Bill touching Cutlers of London to have search of that Art in divers places in and about London, was read the first time.

On Saturday the 26. day of October, Two Bills had each of them their first reading; of which the first was the Bill for the Inning of the residue of Plumsted-Marsh; and the second the Bill touching Informers for Execution of penal Statutes, and under it was written thus.

Wray.

A like President to which see on Friday the 11. of this instant October foregoing, where the reason of it is conjecturally discussed.

On Monday the 28. day of October, Two Bills had each of them one reading; of which the first being the Bill touching the making of Steel, and Iron-Wyer within this Realm; and the second being the Bill for one Fifteenth and Tenth, and also a Subsidy, as well of English Persons as Strangers, were each of them read the first time.

On Tuesday the 29. day of October, Three Bills had each of them one reading; of which the last being the Bill Confirming the Letters Patents for the Hospital at Gloucester, was read the second time; and (as it should seem) committed to Mr. Arnold, and others.

A Warrant was granted for a Writ to be made, and sent out for the Election of a new Burgess for the Borough of Graunpound, in the County of Cornwall, in the place of Christopher Perne, reported to be Lunatick.

A Warrant also was granted to William Jones, Servant to Sir Thomas Gerrard Knight, one of the Knights for the County of Lancaster, to attain priviledge (that is to have his priviledge allowed) who was Summoned to Answer at London in a Plea of Debt of ten pound, at the Suit of John Allen and Emme his Wife.

On Wednesday the 30. day of October, the Bill touching Informers for Execution of penal Laws, was read the second time, and Ordered to be ingrossed.

The Lords sent word by Mr. Serjeant Carus, and Mr. Attorney, that they have chosen of themselves thirty, and require a number of this House to be joined with them, to consult of the Suit to the Queens Majesty (touching those two great businesses of her Majesties Marriage, and Declaration of a Successor) and to send up word to Morrow of the number chosen. Vide concerning this matter on Monday the 25. day of November following.

On Thursday the 31. day of October, upon the report of the Bill for Sanctuaries, it was agreed to be ingrossed: but what the effect of the said report was, or by whom it was made, appeareth not in the Original Journal-Book of the House of Commons; but may easily be collected by comparing this foregoing matter, with the former agitation of this business on Wednesday the 16. day of this present October foregoing. For this Bill of Sanctuaries having had its first and second reading on Monday the 7. day of the same Month, was then said from ingrossing, upon the motion of the Dean of Westminster, upon his pretending that it was prejudicial to the Liberties and Priviledges of the said Church; and thereupon having been heard himself at large, and his Councel also on the foresaid 16. day of October, the whole business was referred to the Master of the Rolls, to consider of further, and thereupon to make report unto the House; which, as it seemeth, having done accordingly, this present Thursday Morning, the House thereupon proceeded with the said Bill, and Ordered it to be ingrossed.

Two Bills of no great moment, had each of them their first reading; of which the second was the Bill for Explanation of the Act for Chantry Lands.

The House this day (according to the request of the Lords sent down yesterday by Mr. Serjeant Carus, and Mr. Attorney) appointed all the Privy-Council, being Members of this House, and divers others, to repair unto the Lords this Forenoon; which they performed immediately: But their names being very negligently omitted, by Mr. Seymour, at this time Clerk of the House of Commons, in this Original Journal-Book of the said House; are therefore supplied out of that of the Upper House, being as followeth.

Sir Edward Rogers Knight, Comptroller of her Highness Houshold, Sir Francis Knolles, her Highness Vice-Chamberlain, Sir William Cecill, her Majesties Chief Secretary, Sir Ambrose Cave Knight, Chancellor of her Highness Dutchy of Lancaster, Sir William Peeter, Sir Ralph Sadler, Sir Walter Mildmay, Knights, all of her Highness Privy-Council, Sir Thomas Wroth the Master of the Rolls, Sir Nicholas Throckmorton, Sir Morrice Berkely, Sir Peter Carew, Sir John Chichester, Sir Thomas Gargrave, Sir Henry Nevill, Sir Nicholas Arnold, Sir Henry Ashelie, Sir John Pollard, Sir John Perrott, Sir Gabriel Carew, Sir Thomas Gerrard, Sir William Chester, Sir John White, Sir John Sellinger, Sir John Constable, Sir . . . . . . Hastings, Sir John Moor, Sir John Southwrote, Sir John Thinn, Sir G. Turpin, Sir Henry Gates, Sir Robert Wingfeild, Sir Henry Cheyney, and Sir Arthur Champernown Knights, Mr. Seckford, Mr. Bell, Mr. Mounson, Mr. Dalton, Mr. Colbie, Mr. Kingsmill, Mr. Mollineux, Mr. Mersh, Mr. Prat, Mr. Norton, Mr. Robert Newdigate, Mr. Strickland, Mr. Wray, Mr. Sands, Mr. Recorder, Mr. William Fleetwood, Mr. Mountgomery, Mr. Thomas Fleetwood, Mr. Heneage, Mr. Bartue, Mr. Alford, Mr. Henry Knolles Sen., Mr. Hasset, Mr. Hawtry, Mr. John Haistings, Mr. Asbbie of the Jewel-House, Mr. Colly, Mr. William Moor, Mr. Hilliar, Mr. Knight Marshall, Mr. Robert Manners, Mr. Bark ham, Mr. Francis Newdigate, Mr. Warncomb, Mr. Francis Brown, Mr. Dunch, Mr. Withers, Mr. Robert Bowes, Mr. Awberry, Mr. Haddon, Mr. Edward Leighton, Mr. Young, Mr. Charles Howard, and Mr. Wilson Esquires.

The Names of these Committees being thus transcribed out of the Original Journal-Book of the Upper House, now follows the Issue of their said meeting and Conference with the Lords, out of the Original Journal-Book of the House of Commons; which was, that after they had returned thanks unto their Lordships for their readiness to join with them in their Suit unto her Majesty touching those two great businesses of her Marriage, and the Declaration of a Successor; their said Lordships Answer was, that on Saturday next in the Afternoon they would confer with them the said Committees of the House of Commons, in the Utter (or Outward) Parliament Chamber.