August 1643: An Ordinance for the speedy Raising and Impresting of men, for the Defence of the Kmgdom.

August 1643

[10 August, 1643.]

Forasmuch as the true Protestant Religion, the Laws and Liberties of the Subject, and the Parliament, are in danger to be subverted, Idolatry and Tyranny like to be introduced, by the force and power of severall Armies raised by pretence of the Kings Authority, consisting of Papists, and other dangerous and ill-affected persons of this Kingdome, and Irish Rebels, and of divers popish Souldiers, and others of forraigne Kingdoms and Nations, being not under the Kings obedience, for the ruine and destruction of this Kingdom, unlesse the same be prevented by a considerable power of Forces to be suddenly raised by both Houses of Parliament, being with Gods blessing and assistance the most probable way to preserve this Kingdome, our Religion and Liberty.

Committee for Militia of London, Deputy Lieutenants of Counties to levy soldiers, etc. in every county.; Constables and others to assist.; Provisions for persons pressed.; Any that refuse to be pressed may ;be imprisoned or fined.

Be it therefore Ordained by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, and by Authority of the same, That the Committee of the Militia for the City of London, the Deputy Lieutenants and Committees of Parliament in every county, city, or place within this Realme, or any two or more of them within their severall limits and jurisdictions, shall, and are hereby authorised from time to time, untill other Order be taken by both Houses of Parliament, to raise, leavy, and Imprest such number of Souldiers, Gunners, and Chirurgions, for the defence of the King, Parliament, and Kingdome, as shall be appointed by both Houses of Parliament, and by my Lord Generall; And to command all Constables, and other Officers, to be aiding and assisting to them in the said service of Impresting; All which persons so to be Imprested, and every of them, shall have such Imprest Mony, Coat and Conduct Mony, Wages and Entertainment, and other necessary charges and allowances, as shall be fit and convenient, according to the discretion of the Committees and Deputy Lieutenants, or any two or more of them respectively: And if any person or persons shall wilfully refuse to be Imprested for the said service; That then it shall, and may be lawfull to, and for the said persons so authorised as aforesaid, to commit them to prison, untill they shall yeeld obedience, or pay the summe of tenne pounds to the said Committees or Deputy Lieutenants, to be imployed for the supply of the said service.

Persons exempted from impressment.

Provided alwayes, that this Ordinance shall not extend to the Pressing of any Clergy man, Scholler, or Student, in any the Universities, Innes of Court, or Chancery, or houses of Law, or any the Trained bands in any county, city or place, or of any person Rated in the last Subsidies granted by the Parliament, or the Son of any person Rated at five Pounds Goods, or three pounds Lands, in the Subsidy Books; or of any person of the Rank or degree of an Esquire or upwards, or the son of any such person, or the son of the widow of any such person; or to the pressing of any person under the age of eighteene, or above the Age of fifty; or of the members, or Officers of either House of Parliament, or of the Meniall servants of the Members or Officers of either of the said Houses, or any the Assistants of the Lords House, or any of their Meniall servants; or any the Inhabitants of the Isles of Wight or Anglesey, or Cinque Ports, or of any Mariner, Seaman, or Fisherman.