March 1647: An Ordinance for the better explaining and executing the Ordinance for sale of Bishops Lands.

March, 1647

[5 March, 1646/7.]

The Contractors to proceed to sale according to such particulars as shall be delivered to them by the Register.

Whereas by Ordinance of the Lords and Commons in this present Parliament assembled, made the sixteenth day of November, Anno Dom. 1646. among other instructions for the Contractors in the said Ordinance named, it is Ordained that the Demesne Lands of the late Arch-bishops and Bishops shall not be sold under ten years Purchase of the full values they were at in the year 1641. The same rule to be observed proportionably in the sale of Reversions expectant upon Estates for lives or years. The said Lords and Commons do hereby Declare and Ordain, That the said full value upon which the said Contractors shall proceed to sale, shall be according to such particulars as shall be made and delivered to the said Contractors under the hand of Henry Elsyng Register in the said Ordinance named, and that such particulars so made and delivered to them, shall be a sufficient justification for them to proceed to sale accordingly. And further that the said Register shall cause one faithfull, able and sufficient Clerk to be attending on the said Contractors at all their meetings, and to enter all their orders and proceedings, and to observe and obey all such commands and directions concerning the premisses, as they or any six or more of them shall direct and appoint. And that the said Books of Entries shall remain in the custody of the said Contractors, or such of them as they or the major part of them shall appoint.

No Copies of Entries to be made by any but the Register or his Clerk. The Oath of the Register and his Deputy and Clerk.

Provided that no Copies of the said Entries be made, had or taken out of the said Books by any others then the said Register or his Deputy, or the said Clerk, who are to have the use of them for that purpose. And that the said Register and his Deputy and the said Clerk shall severally and respectively take an Oath before the Trustees or any three of them, (which they are hereby authorized and required to administer to them accordingly) to execute the said respective Offices and Places according to the Ordinances and instructions of both Houses of Parliament in that behalf made, and not for any fear, favour, malice, or reward to violate the said respective trusts in them reposed.

Salaries for the Contractors.

And whereas by the afore recited Ordinances, it is ordained, that the said Contractors shall receive two pence in the pound for every sum that shall be paid to the Treasurers upon all and every contract or contracts by them made, the said Lords and Commons do hereby Declare and Ordain, that they shall in stead thereof, receive two pence in the pound for all such Lands Tenements, and Hereditaments, of the late Arch-bishop and Bishops which shall be contracted for, and sold by them, according to the rates for which they shall be sold.

Such as have lent moneys shall have like advantage for all other moneys due by the Ordinance as for the moneys lent.

And further the said Lords and Commons do hereby Declare and Ordain, that all such who have advanced and lent moneys upon the afore recited Ordinance, shall be allowed and have all the same advantages and benefits for and concerning any moneys otherwise due unto them by the afore recited Ordinance, as fully and amply to all intents and purposes whatsoever, as for and concerning any ready moneys lent and advanced upon the said Ordinance.