July 1647: An Ordinance for Constituting and Setling of the Committee of the Militia of the City of London. With the names of them therein expressed.

July, 1647

[23 July, 1647].

Names of Committee for Militia of London.; Powers.; Indemnity; No citizen of London to be compelled to serve outside City.; Ord. 4 May, 1647 repealed. This Ord. to continue during pleasure of Parliament.

The Lords and Commons in Parliament Assembled, taking into their serious Consideration the present state and Condition of the Kingdome of England and particularly of the City of London, Do Ordaine and Declare, and be it Ordained and Declared by the Authority of Parliament, That the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs of the City of London, for the time being, Sir John Wollaston, Isaac Pennington, Thomas Atkin, John Warner, James Bance, John Fowke, William Gibbs, John Hendrick, John Langham, and Richard Chambers, Aldermen, Field Marshall Skippon, Randall Manwaring, Francis Peck, Samuel Warner, James Russell, Nathaniel Wright, William Barkley, Alexander Normington, Stephen Estwick, Owen Rowe, Richard Turner son. William Hobson, Richard Bateman, Richard Turner, Jr., Robert Tichborne, Tempest Milner, William Antrebus, Thomas Player, Senr., Samuel Harsnet, Francis Allen, Colonell Wilson, Colonell John Bellany, Alexander Jones, Citizens, or any nine or more of them, be, and are hereby constituted and appointed a Committee for the Militia of the City of London and Liberties thereof, and all other places within the Lines of Communication, and weekly Bills of Mortality; And shall have power and are hereby authorized, to assemble and call together all and singular person and persons of the said City of London, and Liberties thereof, within the Lines of Communication, and weekly Bills of Mortality, that are meet and fit for the Wars, and them to traine, exercise, and put in readinesse, and them after their abilities and faculties, well and sufficiently from time to time, to cause to be arrayed and weaponed, and to take the Musters of them in places most fit for that purpose: And that they shall have power to lead, conduct, and imploy the persons aforesaid, arrayed and weaponed, for the suppression of all Rebellions, Insurrections, and Invasions, that may happen within the said City and Liberties thereof, or within the Lines of Communication, and weekly Bills of Mortality; And likewise shall have further power and authority to lead, conduct, and imploy the persons aforesaid, arrayed and weaponed, as well within the Said City, as within any other part of this Realme of England and Dominion of Wales, for the suppression of all Rebellions, Insurrections, and Invasions that may happen, according as they shall from time to time receive Directions from the Lords and Commons Assembled in Parliament. And that the said Committee, or any nine or more of them, as aforesaid, shall have power, and are hereby authorized, to constitute and make Colonels, Captaines and other officers; and shall have power to remove and displace Colonels, Captains, and other Officers from time to time, as they or any nine of them as aforesaid, shall see cause and thinke fit: And that the said Committee, or any nine or more of them, as aforesaid, shal have the same powers and authorities, to all intents and purposes, and in the same manner and forme, as any Committee for the Militia of the City of London had the 20 day of July, Anno Dom. 1647, by any Order or Ordinance of Parliament; And that all and every person and persons who have heretofore acted or done, or hereafter shall act or do any act or thing whatsoever by vertue of this or any former Ordinance or Ordinances of Parliament concerning the said Militia shall be saved harmlesse and indempnified, for and concerning the same, by authority of Parliament. And it is hereby further Ordained, That no Citizen of the City of London, nor any of the Forces of the said City or Liberties thereof, shall be drawne forth, or compelled to go out of the said City or Liberties thereof, for Military Service, without his or their free consent. And it is lastly Ordained and Declared by Authority aforesaid, That the Ordinance of Parliament of the fourth day of May, 1647, for the Militia of London, shall from henceforth cease and be determined to all intents and purposes whatsoever. And this present Ordinance is to continue during the pleasure of both Houses of Parliament.