January 1644: An Ordinance for prevention of the Adjournment of the Courts of Justice, without consent of both Housts of Parliament.

January 1644

[22 January, 1643/4.]

Any Persons that deliver to Judges of King's Court at Westminster any Writ, etc., signed with any Great Seal other than of the Parlt., to be proceeded against as Spies.; None to carry any writings from West-minster, etc., to Oxford, or other places where King's forces are.

The Lords and Commons taking into serious consideration the great inconvenience that has come to His Majesties Subjects by the late frequent adjournment of the Courts of Justice, and by Spies resorting to the Cities of London and Westminster, under pretence thereof; for the prevention of the same for the future, doe hereby order and ordaine, That in case any person or persons shall at any time hereafter deliver, or cause to be delivered to any of the Judges of any of his Majesties Courts to be held in Westminster, or to any of their Clerkes or Servants, or to any officers of any the said respective Courts, or any others, to be delivered to any of the said Judges, any Writ, Proclamation, or other thing whatsoever, sealed with any great Seale, other than the great Seale of England now attending the Parliament by Ordinance of both houses, all and every such person and persons shall be proceeded against by the LawMarshall, as Spies; and the Lord Generall is hereby desired forthwith to proceed against every such person accordingly. And it is further ordered and ordained, That none of the said Judges, nor their Clerkes, Servants, or any Officer or Officers of the respective Courts aforesaid, shall presume to receive, view, or any wayes meddle with any Writ or Proclamation sealed with any great Seale, without first acquainting the Speakers of the two Houses therewith, and receiving and pursuing the directions to be given thereupon from both Houses of Parliament, upon Paine of Imprisonment of their Persons, Sequestration of their Estates, and such further punishment as shall be thought meet by both Houses of Parliament. And that no Judge, Officer, or other person whatsoever, presume to carry, or cause to be carried, any Records, Writings, or other Memorialls from any of the Courts at Westminster, or other places in or about the Cities of London or Westminster unto the City of Oxford, or other place where the Kings forces are, under paine of incurring such, or the like penalties as aforesaid.