THE SECOND PART OF A BRIEF REGISTER AND SURVEY Of the several Kinds and Forms of Parliamentary VVrits.

COMPRISING The several Varieties and Forms of Writs for electing Knights, Citizens and Burgesses for Parliaments and Great Councils, issued to Sheriffs of Counties only, with the antientest Returns of these Writs by Sheriffs yet extant on Record (from 49 H. 3. til 22 E. 4.) amongst the Records in the Tower: intermixed with other rare Writs, pertinent to this subject; and some Writs of Prorogation and Re-som­mons, with special usefull Annotations and Observations on them, after most of these Writs recitals, for the Rea­ders information.

Wherein the Original of the Commons House, and elections of Knights, Citizens, Burgesses, and Barons of Ports to sit in Parliament, is infallibly evidenced to be no antienter than 40 H. 3. the Presidents and Objections to the contrarie, answered: The Original of antient Boroughs, and how many they were under King Edward the 1. 2, 3. discovered: The power of the Kings of England, in creating new Bo­roughs by Charters or Writs, augmenting, diminishing the number of Knights, Burgesses, Members of the Commons House, and altering the Forms of Writs of Summons, without a Parliament; The inability of the Commons House to eject, or censure any one of their Members, much less the major part (as now) without the King or House of Lords con­currence and Judicature, and the inconsistency of force and armed Gards with Parliaments freedom, are fully evidenced. Some grosse mistakes touching Parliament Writs and Members refuted, with many other Rarities concerning Parliaments.

By William Prynne Esquire, a Bencher of Lincolns-Inne.

Jer. 6 16.
Thus saith the Lord, stand ye in the waies and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way? and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your Sou's: but they said, We will not walk therein.

LONDON, Printed by T. Childe and L. Parry, and are to be sold by Edward Thomas at the Adam and Eve in Little Britain. 1660.

To the Reader.

Courteous Reader,

LEt it seem neither strange, nor injurious, nor unrea­sonable or unseasonable to thee, that I now publis [...] only one single Section and Fragment of the severa [...] Forms of Writs for electing Members of the Com­mons House in Parliament, without the remaining Se­ctions I at first intended to accompany it, to make it com­pleat; when as a very small Fragment of the old Com­mons House, not the full Tenth part of it, (after thei [...] own double forcible dissipation by the Army,) ha [...] by their own special command forcibly excluded all t [...] old secluded Members, (being above 200.) by arm [...] Gards, not only out of the House but Lobby too, D [...] ­cemb. 27. and voted them quite out of the House t [...] 5th. of January 1659. without the least accusation [...] hearing, behind their backs, though ready to justif [...] themselves face to face against all Objections, contrary [...] all Laws of Deu [...]r. 17. 2, to 14. John 7. 51. Acts 23. 30, 35. c. 24. 8, &c. c. 25. 16, 17, 18. Magna Charta c. 35. God, Nations, and the Land; whi [...] judge and disfranchise no man how criminal or v [...] soever, before he be heard, & have his Accusers fa [...] to face, and have license to answer for himself co [...] ­cerning the crimes laid against him. It seemi [...] Acts 25. 27. unreasonable (even in the judgments of mere Pagan [...] to imprison or condemn any person, and not with [...] to signifie the crimes laid against him. The only gro [...] of this their Unparliamentary bruitish Vote with [...] any crime, cause, or particular Members names expr [...] ­sed in it, is our See the E­pistle to my Speech, Dec. 4. 1648. voting the Kings Concessions up [...] the Propositions, to be a Ground for the House proceed upon for the settlement of the peace of t [...] Kingdom, according to our Trusts, Judgements, C [...] sciences, after 3. daies and one nights debate without [...] [Page] viding the House, when there were above 300. Members present: for which Vote alone Decemb. 5. (as it now appears) they then gave secret Orders to the Army Os­ficers to secure 45. and seclude above 200. more Mem­bers Dec. 6 & 7. 1648. and since that to re-s [...]clude them, May 7 & 9. and Decemb. 27, 1659. placing tr [...]ble Gards at the door, January 5. when they passed their vote to discharge, & disable them from sitting, to keep them out if they then attempted to enter. Had this bin only a sin of Ignorance, or private Injury, we should with patience and Christian charity, have pretermitted and remitted it with our Saviors prayer, Father forgive them for they c Luke 23, 24. know not what they do: but being a wilsull malicious, unatural crime against not only their Fellow-Members, contrary to all rules of Iustice, Nature, and the Gospel it self, resolving, That there should be no Schism in the d 1 Cor. 12, 25, 26. Body (of the House or Parliament, no more than in the natural Body) but that the Members should have the same care one of another, and whether one Member suffer, all the Members suffer with it; but also the highest injury and affront to all those Counties, Cities and Boroughs they represent, and a new kind of Gupowder-Treason, to blow up all English Parliaments founda­tions, Rights, Privileges, Members, and the funda­mental Government, Laws, and Liberties of the people in succeeding generations, if connived at, & not f [...]lly vi [...] ­dicated; being 6. several times, or more, impenitently per­petrated by them, the last after their own late double dissi­pations by divine retaliation, which they so highly resen­ted as Treasonable and Flagition in Cromwell and Lambert, seconded with an old and new Engagement and Oath of Abjuration, which some of them have alrea­dy taken, & intend to obtrude upon the Consciences of our 3. Nations, to send them down quick into Hell, if taken, or ruine them in their Liberties & Properties if denied, I cannot but look upon it as a kind of sin against the Holy Ghost (which I fear some of these desperadoes have wellnigh arived unto) Mat. r [...]. 31, 32. which shall never be forgiven [Page] to men, neither in this world, nor in that which is to come. The rather because they arrogate to them­selves, the Name, Power and Judicature of THE PARLIAMENT, no lesse than 5. times in this short Nonsence Vote; when as they are not the Tithe of a Commons House, and no Parliament at all, without the King, and House of Lords, & have not the least legal Jurisdiction to seclude or vote out any one Member, without the Kings or Lords concurence; whom they have engaged against, abjured, secluded against the very Act by which they pretend to sit: who were a Parliament alwaies without a Comons house til 49H. 3. without whom they can now Enact, Vote, Order nothing, that is valid, or Obliga­tory to the secluded Members or people; as this and the former part of my Register, and Plea for the Lords, will inform those Ignoramusses in Parliamentary pro­ceedings who think they may act, enact, and vote what they please, against all rules of Justice, the Laws of God and the Land) and our whole Nation, the reason and end of its present publication. If they or any others, shall receive any New-light, from these new unknow Anti­quities, to reduce the over-swelling House of Com­mons, within its antient bounds of loyalty and so­briety, for the peace, and settlement of our 3. King­doms, reduced to the brink of utter ruine, by their dan­gerous [...] Innovations, and Usurpations over their fellow-Members, [...]cers and Kings; and restore our Parliaments to their antient Constitution, Rights, Privileges, without any injurious Incroachments upon the Peoples Liberties, or one House upon the other, I shall [...] God for it, and by his assistance, proceed to pub­lish the remaining Sections, for the benifit of Posterity. In the mean time, I hope this Fragment will demerit thy thanks too, and thy servent Prayers for thy friend,

The unfeined, unmercinary Servant of his Native Country, in his generation William Prynn.
Lincolns-Inne Jan. 7. 1659.

THE SECOND PART OF A Brief Register, Kalendar, and Survey of the several Kindes, Forms of PARLIAMENTARY WRITS.

HAving already presented the world with the First Part of my Brief Register, Kalendar and Survey of the several kinds, forms of Parlia­mentary Writs, in 3. distinct Sections, with Special & General Choise useful Annotati­ons on, and Observations from them, rela­ting principally to the Members and Assistants of the LORDS HOUSE; I shall now proceed in this Second Part (by Gods assistance) to communicate to this pre­sent age and Posteritie in several Sections, the mani­fold varieties, forms of Writs issued to Sheriffs of Shires, and particular Corporations made Counties within themselves, Wardens of the Cinqueports, Mayors of Towns, Burroughs, and Officers of the Ports, for electing Knights, Citizens, Burgesses, Barons of the Ports, and other Mem­bers, to serve in our Great Councils, Parliaments, or attend [Page 2] upon, or appear before them as Assistants, or otherwise upon Extraordinarie Occasions; with the different Forms of Writs for Proroguing, Adjourning, Superseding Parliaments, or Councils after the first Writs of Sum­mons, issued to Spiritual and Temporal Lords of all ranks, the Kings Counsil, Sheriffs, and other Officers: with extraordinarie Writs directed to the King, Nobles, Officers, and others of Scotland; and to some Lords, Officers, and others in Ireland; as likewise to Mer­chants, Masters, Owners of Ships, and other private persons, to appear at or before the Parliament, or Kings Counsil in England, upon urgent occasions, relating to the respective Lands, affairs, defences of Scotland, or Ireland, or to the Guarding of the Seas, Merchandize, trade, and the like, with sundrie kinds of Writs, issued to the Arch-bishops, Bishops, Convocations, Clergy of Eng­land; besides other rare Writs relating to our Parlia­mentarie affairs and proceedings; not hitherto pub­lished or insisted on by any Writers of our Parlia­ments, though most worthie the knowledg of all No­ble-men, States-men, Parliament-men, Lawyers, Gen­tlemen of qualitie, Antiquaries, Historians, hitherto (for the most part) totally unacquainted with them, or the majoritie of them, almost quite buried in the grave of oblivion, many of our Records being now o­verspread with dust, cobwebs, and eaten up with rust, cankers, moths, worms, in their over-much neglected Cells, for want of industrie, care in those who should preserve, and reduce them into better order, for the publike benefit of the present and succeeding ages; A Work fit to be speedily executed, promoted, and no longer deferred by those whom it most concerns, and by persons in highest Authoritie as worthy their super­intendent eye and countenance, being the richest Trea­sures of the whole English Nation.

SECTION IV.

Of the several varieties, forms of Writs, for elect­ing Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses for Par­liaments and great Councils, issued to the Sheriffs of Counties, intermixed with some of their ancientest Retorns by Sheriffs; and some writs of Prorogation and Resummons; with special usefull Annotations on, and Observations from them, after most of these VVrits recitals.

VVHen and in what Kings Reign, Writs for electing Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses to serve in our great Councils & Parliaments were first issu­ed, and they upon the peoples free choice admitted into them as Members, is a great yet undecided Countrover­sie amongst Antiquaries, and Writers of our English Parliaments. Mr. William Lambard his Archaion. p. 242. to 273. Mr. Nathaniel Bacon. Some conceit, that there were Knights, Citizens, Burgesses, and Commons in the Reigns of our Saxon Kings, before the Conquest, summoned as Members to their grand Councils, and included together with the Nobles, under the name of Sapientes, and the like; for proof whereof they much insist upon the pretended ancient Treatise, stiled, Mo­dus tenendi Parliamentum, which in truth is but a late absurd Imposture, though cried up by 4 Inst. p. 12. 349. 1 Instit. p. 110. 2 Inst. p. 7, 8. Sir Edw. Cook (who over doted on it) for a most ancient Record, be­yond Page 18, 19, 20, 40, 85, 87. all exceptions, relying upon it as an undoubted Oracle. Others refer their original to the Parlia­mentarie Council held at Salisbury, in the sixteenth year of King Henry the 1. to which opinion Polydor Virgil, Holingshed, Speed, in their Histories, Anno 1216. Justice Dodderidg, Mr. Cambden, Mr. Agar, and Joseph Holland, in their Treatises of the (c) Antiquity of the Parliaments of England. The Prero­gative of the Parliament of England. p. 2, 3. Sir Walter Raleigh, The Free­holders Grand Inquest. p. 12, 13. and [Page 4] others incline, as most probable; Which I have at large refuted in My Plea for the Lords, p. 165. to 183. by un­answerable evidences. Sir Posthuma, p. 346, 347, 348. Rob: Cotton, and Titles of Honor, p. 712. 713, 717. Mr. Selden, two of our learnedest most judicious Antiqua­ries, do rather incline, that the writs for electing Knights, Citizens and Burgesses, began but about the later end of King Henry the 3. and that the first Writ of this kinde now ex­tant, is that in Cl. 49 H. 3. before which time, I conceive, it can hardly be made good by Historie or Records, that anie Knights, Citizens, Burgesses or Commons elected by the people, or others, were called to our Great Coun­cils or Parliaments, as Members of them. That which induceth me to adhere to this opinion, are not onely the Histories and Records I have Plea for the Lords, p. 30, to 35. 57, to 128, 203, to 262. The Supplement to it, p. 401. to 417. And Epistle before the 1. Part of The Register, &c. elswhere cited during the reigns of King Henry the 1. King Stephen, Henry the 2. Richard 1. King Iohn, and Henry the 3. of all the Parliamentarie Councils held under them before this year; which make no mention of anie such Knights, Citizens, Burgesses, or Commons summoned to, or present in them, as Members; but only of the Arch­bishops, Bishops, Abbots, Priors, Earls, Nobles, and Great men of the Realm; but these memorable Writs entred in the Clause Roll of 48 H. 3. which assure us, that there was a Parliamentarie Council summoned & held this year, by the King, his Prelates, Lords, Nobles, & Barons, and a Tenth granted him by the Prelates & Lords, ordained how to be levied & expended for the common benefit of the Realm & Church of England, by their unanimous Counsil and advice; without the least mention at all of anie Knights, Citizens, Burges­ses or Commons called to, or acting in it in anie kinde.

Claus. 48 H. 3. m. 5. dorso. Rex Johanni de Balliolo salutem. Cum jam sedata turbatione nuper habita in Regno nostro, Pax inter Nos et Barones nostros, di­vina cooperante gratia ordinata sit ac firmata; Et quae­dam ardua negocia Nos et Regnum nostrum tangentia Vobiscum communicanda habeamus, quae sine praesen­tia [Page 5] vestra & aliorum Fidelium nostrorum nequeunt expediri, Vobis de Consilio Baronum nostrorum mandamus in fide et homagio quibus Nobis tenemini firmiter injungentes, quatinus statim visis literis istis omnibus aliis praetermissis sitis ad Nos London, sine armis, cum summa festinatione veniatis, super prae­missis consilium vestrum impensuri. Et hoc sicut nos honorem nostrum, necnon et tranquilitatem Regni nostri diligitis, nullatenus omittatis. T. Rege apud Sanctum Paulum London 4. die Junii.

Eodem modo mandatum est Rogero de Clifford, Roge­ro de Leyburn, Hamoni Lestraung, Roberto de Nevill, Ade de Gesmuch.

These parties were See Mat. Pa­ris, p. 961. and the Catalogue of Barons in the London E­dition of him, 1640. after the Table. all Lords and Barons of the Realm (not Commoners) & summoned by particu­lar Writs by name, not elected by the people; and the Aliorum fidelium nostrorum, were the rest of the Prelates, Barons and Nobles, as these ensuing Writs resolve us.

Claus. 48 H. 3. m. 3. dorso. Rex M. Episcopo Norwicen. salutem. Cum per Praelatos et Magnates Regni nostri provisum sit, et unanimiter conceslum, quod Decimae proventuum omnium beneficiorum Ec­clesiasticorum in regno nostro conferantur, ad commu­nem utilitatem ejusdem Regni et Ecclesiae Anglicanae, et quod hujusmodi Decimae per locorum Episcopos leventur, et ad Nos mittantur. Vobis mandamus, quod hujusmodi Decimas, quas juxta provisionem prae­dictam in vestra Dioc. de beneficiis Ecclesiasticis levari fecistis ad Nos sine dilatione mittatis, convertendas in communem utilitatem Regni nostri et Ecclesiae prae­dictae. Et hoc nullatenus omittatis. Scitote, quod nisi hoc ad mandatum nostrum facere volueritis, De Consilio Magnatum qui sunt de Consilio nostro man­damus Vic. nostro Norff: & Suff: ad dictam Decimam, ob defectum vestri, quod vellemus levari, et ad Nos mit­ti fac. indilate. T. Rege apud Cantuar. primo die Septembr.

[Page 6] Rex Vic. Norff. & Suff. salutem. Cum per Pr [...]latos et Magnates regni no [...]ri Provisum sit, et unanimi­ter Concessunr, quod Decimae proventuum, &c. (as in the former W [...]it) & ad Nos mittantur; Et jam mandaveri­mus M. Norwich Episcopo, quod hujusmodi Decimas, quas juxta provisionem praedictam de beneficiis Ecclesiasticis in Dioc. sua levari fecit, et ad Nos sine dilatione mittat, conver­tend [...]s in commun [...]m [...]tilitatem regni nostri, et Ecclesiae praedictae, et hoc nullatenus omittat. Nos indempni­ta [...]i Ecclesiasticae libertatis quatinus fieri poterit pro­videre volentes, tibi De Consilio Magnatum qui sunt de Consilio nostro praecipimus injungentes, quod in propria persona tua accedas ad praedictū Episcopum, et ipsum ex parte nostra diligenter moneas et inducas, ut negotium istud juxta mandatum nostrum expleat cum effectu. Et si ipse propter hujusmodi monitionem hoc facere neglexerit, tu ex tun [...] per negligentiam ipsius praedictam Decimam de hujusmodi benesiciis Ecclesia­sticis levari, et ad Nos mitti fac. indilate. T. ut su­pra.

Rex C. Ebor. Archiepiscopo Angliae Primati salutem. Cum Nos, una cum Regni nostri Pra latis et Proceri­bus Cl. 48 H. 3. d. 3. super alienigenarum Inimicorum nostrorum adventu nuper praemuniti, de Consilio eorundem Prelatorum et Pro­cerum provida deliberatirne duxerimus sta [...]uendum, ut ab hujus defensionis auxilio nullus excusatur sexus aut ordo, nulli­us personae laboribus, nullis rerum parcatur impendiis; illa ta­men devotio debita quam ad sanctam Ecclesiam Catholicam gerimus nos induxit, ut virorum Ecclesiasticorum in hac parte subsidium de Pr [...]latorum ordinaretur assen [...]u; qui ut suae et Clericorum suorum tranquilitati pros [...]cerent et bellorum clades personaliter evitaren [...]. Decimam om­nium Ecclesiasticorum proventuum in [...]uis Diocaesibus non solum nobis, set ad utilitatem rei publicae Regni et Ecclesiae Anglicanae Concesserunt. Quia verò non tan­tùm Ecclesiasticis Ecclesiae Eborum. Suffraganeis et eo­rum Clericis, sed et ipsi Ebor. Ecclesiae vestrae ejusque Cl [...]ricis et toti Clero regni nostri prospicietur in hac [Page 7] parte. Vobis mandamus firmiter injungendo, quod Decimam omnium Ecclesiasticorum proventuum in Dioc. Ebor. existentium, nullo ab hac praestatione ex­empto, per vos vel ministros vestros citra festum Sancti Michaelis levari, et ad Nos micti facias. In hoc enim non modicum, Ecclesiasticae libertati deferimus, quod non per Ballivos nostros in tam ardua necessitate, set per vestros Ecclesiasticos hujusmodi subsidia ad opus reipublicae Regni et Ecclesiae Anglicanae co [...]ligi deman­demus Et sciatis, quod nisi hoc mandatum nostrum cum summa celeritate fueritis executi, quantumcunque libertates Ecclesiae tueri totis viribus nostris intendi­mus, omittere non possumus nec debemus, quin pro securitate regni nostri ejusque defensione et communi utilitate, dictam Decimam per Ballivos nostros levari faciamus. T. Rege apud Cantuar. 3. die Septem­bris.

Claus. 48 H. 3. d. 2. Rex Vic. Linc. salutem. Quia Magister Ordinis de Sempl [...]gham satisfecit Nobis de SUBSIDIO nobis prae­stando ad defensionē Regni nostri contra hostiū adven­tum alienigenarū in regnū praedictū. Tibi praecipimus quod districtionem quam fac. in terris et tenementis ip­sius Magistri in balliva tua occasione praedicta penitus relaxes, donec ali id inde tibi praeceperimus. T. Rege apud Cantuar. 28 die Octobr.

Had the Commons, Knights, Citizens and Burgesses been present in, or parties to the Ayds, or Ordinances, mentiond in these writs of 48 H. 3. it is very probable w [...] should have found som footste [...]s or hints of it in them; but their silence herin, & frequent mention only of the Prelates, Lords and Barons, concludes, they were not summoned to this Parliamentary Council.

If any Object, That the Knights and others who held of the King by Knight service, were summoned to appear Objection. with their horses, [...] and service in the Kings pre­sence at Oxford, as well as the Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots Priors, Farls and Barons, and that to assist him in his pre­sent necessity as well with their COUNSEL as ARMS: [Page 8] Therefore it is probable they were summoned to this Parliamentarie Council, as well as the Spiritual and Temporal Lords, as these Writs import.

Claus 48. H. 3. M. 6. Dorso. Rex Reginaldo silio Petri. Vic. Suthampt. salutem. Cum nuper propter salvatio­nem Regni nostri, ac etiam propter guerram in eodem Regno jam subortum, summoneri fecissemus Archie­piscopos, Episcopos, Abbates, Priores, Comites, Ba­rones, Milites & alios qui servicium Nobis debent, ut essent ad Nos apud Oxon ad mediam Quadriges. prox. praeteritam, cum equis & armis, & toto servicio suo No­bis debito, in hujusmodi necessitatis articulo Consili­um & auxilium essicax super praemissis impensuri: ac quidam ex eis servicium suum Nobis debitum ad man­datum nostrum facere noluerint; propter quod De Baronum consilio & Magnatum Nobiscum existenti­um provisum est, quod Baroniae, terrae & tenementa eo­rum qui de Nobis tenent in capite, & qui Nobis serviciū suum Nobis debitum juxta mandatum nostrum facere noluerunt, capiantur in manum nostram, donec tam de dicto servicio quam de hujusmodi Transgressione no­bis satisfecerint. Vobis mandamus sirmiter injungen­tes, quod Baronias Ven. Patris S Winton Episcopi, & Abbatis de Abindon, qui servicium suum Nobis debitum ad mandatum nostrum facere noluerunt, capias in ma­num nostram; & catalla sua cum bonis & catallis in ipsis inventis, sine distractione seu dilapidatione aliqua inde facienda salvo custodiri facias; Ita quod de bonis & catallis ipsis, vel [...]e precio eorundem, & de exitibus Baroniarum praedictarum Nobis sufficienter respondeas donec aliud inde praeceperimus. T. Rege, apud Oxon. 3 die Aprilis.

Eodem modo mandatum est Ade de Grennuill, Vic. Norht. quod capiat in manum Rs. Baronias Epis­copi Elien & Abbatis de Ramisey.

Eodem modo mand. est. Vic. Notingh. & Derb. quod capiat in manum Rs. Baronias Archepiscop. Ebor. & Episcopi Linc.

[Page 9] Which Writs were accordingly executed by some of these Sheriffs, even beyond the Kings instructions, as is evident by this Writ to the Sheriff of Yorkshire, upon the Archbishop of Yorks complaint.

Cl. 48. H. 3. m. 6. dorso, Rex Roberto de Nevil, Vic. Ebor. salutem, Cum Baronias quorundum Praelatorum regni nostri nuper ceperimus in manum nostram eo quod servicia sua nobis debita, nobis minimè fecerunt ad mandatum nostrum; ac vobis mandaverimus, quod Baroniam Ven. Patris G. Ebor. Archiepiscopi caperetis in manum nostram, pro eo quod servicium suum No­bis tempore competenti non exhibuit, & quod eam sal­vo, & absque destructione aliqua bonorum ejusdem Ba­roniae custodiri faceretis; vos, ut accepimus, bonorum illorum dissipationem non modicam fieri permittitis ad gravissimum dampnum Archiepiscopi sic praedicti, su­per quo, nec immerito, movemur. Verum quia de­mandam nostram servicii dicti Archiepiscopi jam in suspenso posuimus ad tempus, vobis mandamus, quate­nus Baroniam suam cum omnibus inde perceptis à tem­pore captionis ejusdem in manum nostram sine dilati­one restituatis eidem. Quià etiam datum est Nobis in­telligi, quod Milites & servientes Archiepiscopi prae­dicti versus Nos nuper venientes cum equis & armativis ad faciend. Nobis servicium praedictum per viam aresta­vistis, & quosdam ex eis adhuc in carcere detenetis, & à quibusdam eorum graves redemptiones cepistis, quod grave gerimus & indignemus; Vobis firmiter injungi­mus, quatinus dictos incarceratos sine mora deliberetis, & tam eis quam aliis, à quibus redemptiones cepistis, omnia per vos aut vestros sibi ablata plenarie restitui fa­ciatis. Ne super hoc oporteat Nos gravius sollicitari propter quod ad vos graviter capere debeamus. T. Rege apud Sutton 26 die Maii.

I answer, 1. That these were Writs of Summons not to a Parliament, but Camp, cum equis & armis, &c. Answ. as the Writs recite. 2. That the Counsil mentioned in it was onely Military, not Parliamentary, as the aid [Page 10] and assistance with Horses, Arms, and military services, coupled with it, resolve; and the recital in the Writs, ac etiam propter guerram in eodem regno jam subortam, &c. 3. It is most apparent, by the ensuing Clause: Propter quod de Baronum consilio & Magnatum Nobiscum existentium provisum est, &c. that the Baronies of these Bishops and others, who refused to do their services should be seised into the Kings hands: That the Barons and great men onely who were then present with the King at Oxford; did counsel and advise him, as Members of his Milita­ry, and Parliamentary Council, notthe Knights and others of inferiour condition, holding of him by Knight service, who then assisted him onely with their Horses, Arms, and military services 4. These Knights and others then summoned to Oxford, were no Knights, Citizens or Burgesses elected by the People and Kings Writs to serve in any Parliament then held at Oxford; but onely such who held Lands of the King by Knight service, which they were then summoned actually to perform, as his Tenants, for his defence in the Wars against foreign and domestick Enemies; as the Writs resolve. 5. The Writs of Summons to the Parliamentary Council held this year, mentioned in the forecited Writs, were different in form, date, The one 3. Aprilis, the other 4. Iunii, & 1 Septemb. following af­ter the Wars ended and Army dissol­ved, which preceeded this Parlia­ment. time, place, from the objected Writs; and in the manner of appearing: The one summoning them to appear at Oxford, cum equis & armis, &c. the other to appear at Lon­don sine armis, consilium vestrum impensuri, &c. There­fore there being no mention of any Knights and others of inferiour condition summoned together with the Barons and Nobles to appear at London in the Parlia­mentary Council there held, as there is in the other Writs of Summons to the Kings Camp and Armie. It is a most clear convincing argument, that in 48 H. 3. there were no Knights, Citizens, or Burgesses sum­moned to the Parliament, but onely the Spiritual and Temporal Lords and Barons.

Now because I meet with some other memorable [Page 11] Writs, which may seem in some mens judgment to prove that there were Knights, Citizens, Burgesses and Commons summoned to Parliaments or Councils be­fore 49 H. 3. I shall present you with them in order, with my Answers to and Observations on them.

The first and ancientest of them is this notable Writ of Proclamation, much insisted on, and imperfectly cited by Mr. William Lambard, (an eminent Antiquarie of Lincolns Inne) in his Archaion. p. 261, 262, 263. which I have faithfully transcribed out of the Patent Roll it self. Pat. 6 Johan. Rs. m. 2. dorso, as a raritie not formerly printed.

Rex, &c. Vic. Roteland, &c. Scias, quod provisum est * Pat. 6. Johan. Regis m 2. dorso. Communi assensu Archiepiscoporum, Episcoporum, Comitum. Baronum, & omnium fidelium nostrorum Angliae, quod novem Milites per totam Angliam in­venient decimum Militem benè paratum equis & armis, ad defensionem Regni nostri; & quod illi novem Mi­lites inveniant decimo Militi qualibet die ij. Sol: ad libe­rationem suam Et ideo tibi praecipimus, quod sicut te­ipsum & omnia tua diligis, provideas, quod decem Milites de Balliva tua sint apud London à die Pasche in tres septimanas, bene parati equis & armis, cum libera­tionibus suis, sicut praedictum est, parati ire in servici­um nostrum quo praeceperimus, & existere in servicio nostro ad defensionem Regni nostri quantum opus sue­rit. Provisum est etiam, quod si Alienigenae in terram nostram venerint, omnes unanimiter eis occurrant cum fortia & armis sine aliqua occasione & dilatione, audit is rumoribus de eorum adventu. Et si quis Miles, vel serviens, vel alius terram tenens Convictus. conventus suerit, qui se inde retraxerit, dummodo tanta non fuerit gravatus infirmitate quod illuc venire non possit, Ipse & haeredes sui imperpetuum exheredantur, da­buntur, & feodum suum remanebit Domino fundi, Feodi. ad faciend. inde voluntatem suam; ita quod exhaereda­tus vel haeredes sui nunquam inde aliquam habeant re­cuperationem. Si quis vero, Milites servientes vel alii [Page 12] qui terram non habent, inventi fuerint qui se similiter retraxerint, ipsi & haeredes sui Serbi fient imperpetu­um, reddendo singulis annis iiij. d. de capitibus suis; nec pro paupertate omittant ad praedictum negotium venire, cum illud audierint; quare ex quo ad exerci­tum venerint, providebitur unde sufficienter in servi­cio nostro poterant sustentare. Si vero Vic. vel Ball. vel Praepositus illos quise retraxerint Nobis per breve, vel per scriptum, vel viva voce non ostenderint; dict. Vic. vel Ballivus, vel Praepositus remanebit in miseri­cordia nostra de vita & membris. Et ideo tibi praecipi­mus, quod sub sestinatione Proclamari facias in foris per totam Ballivam tuam, & in Mercatis & Nundinis, & alibi, & ita te de negotio illo faciendo intromittas, quod ad te, pro defectu tui, capere non debeamus. Et tu ipse sis apud London ad praefatum terminum, vel ali­quem discretum ex parte tua mittas, & facias tunc No­bis sciret nomina decimorum Militum. Et habeas ibi hoc Breve. Teste meipso apud Wint. 3 die Aprilis.

Sed Nota; Vic. Eborum, Northumberland, Cumber­land, Westmerland, scribitur in eadem forma, hoc ad­jecto, Quod Rob. fil. Rog. & Const. Cestr. retineat de Militibus praedictis quos judicat expedire necessario ad defenfionem partium suarum.

Haee Brevia liberata sunt subscriptis.

Eborum, per Ric. Anglicum, Clericum Rob. fil. Rog.
Northumbr.
Westmerl.
Cumberl.
Bucks. & Bedf. per Spaine.
Norf. & Suff.
Essex & Herif.
Cantebr. & Hunt.
Oxon.
Berks.
Northt.
Glouc. Rad. de Chum­bras.
Honor. de Glouc.
Worcester.
Hereford.
Leic. & Warwic.
Salop. & Staff.
Lancastr.

[Page 13]

Wiltes per Lau­rentium.
Somerset & Dorset
Devon.
Cornub.
Sutht.
Linc. per Rog: Ba­stard hominē Senescalli.
Roteland
Not & Derb.
Kent per Thom fil. Nigell. Clericum Willielmi de Wroth.
Surr.
Midds.
Sussex.

From the Prologue of this Proclamation: Provisum est communi assensu Archiepiscoporum, Episcoporum, Comi­tum, Baronum, et omnium fidelium nostrorum Angliae: Archaion, p. 261, 262, 263, Mr. Lambard inferrs, that the Commonaltie of the Realm, both at this time, and long before, were summoned to our Great Councils and Parliaments, and present in, assenting to whatever was ordained in them, as well as the Spiritual and Temporal Lords; this being in truth the probablest evi­dence and Authority he produceth to prove this asser­tion.

But under his correction, I aver First, neither this rec­tal, nor any other testimonie alleged by him, doth clear­ly evidence, that these omnes fideles nostri Angliae were Knights, Citizens & Burgesses, or Commons of the Realm chosen by the people by virtue of the Kings writs, and sent by them to Parliaments and Great Councils in that or former ages, as Knights, Citizens and Burgesses have been of later times, no Histories, nor Records ma­king express mention of any such Writs or Elections of such Knights, Citizens, Burgesses of Parliament, before 49 H. 3.

2ly. The Writ of Summons extant in the See here, p. 2, 3. Clause Roll of 6. Johan. Regis, dors. 3. this very year, to the Parliamentary Council at London, (wherein this provision for defence of the kingdom against forein Enemies, was made as I conjecture,) makes mention only of Magnatum terrae nostrae, Quos ad diem illum et locum fecimus convoca­ri: [Page 14] not of any Commons, Knights of Shires, Citizens or Burgesses summoned to it.

3ly. Hist. Angl. p. 201. Matthew Paris, and Flores Hist. pars 2. Ann. 1204. p. 80. Seldens Ti­tles of Honor' p. 707. Mat. Westminster, who inform us of another Parliamentary Council held under King John at Oxford this very year, express it thus. Deinde in crastino Circumcisionis convenerunt ad Collo­quium (the word Parliamentum not being then in use) apud Oxon. Rex et Magnates Angliae: ubi concessa sunt Regi auxilia militaria. de quolibet Scuto duae marcae et di­midia. Nec etiam Episcopi et Abbates, sive Ecclesiae personae, sine promissione recesserunt; without mentioning any Knights, Citizens, Commons or Burgesses present at this Council, or parties to this grant. Wherefore, if the Ordinance mentioned in this Writ, was made at Ox­ford, these Omnium fidelium nostrorum Angliae (as I con­ceiue) cannot properly be meant of them, but of the Abbots, Priors, 7 E. 1. Stat. of Mortmain. See part 1. p. 383. Kings Counsil, or those Omnes alios qui de Capite tenent de Nobis, who were not Majores Barones Regni, mentioned in the Mat. Paris, 247. Great Charter of King John, some few years after, in this memorable Clause which best explains this in the Proclamation: Ad habendum Commune Consiltum Regni de auxi­liis assidendis, submoneri faciemus Archiepiscopos, Episcopos, Abbates, Comites & Majores Barones sigillatim per literas nostras: Et praeterea faoiemus in Generali per Vicecomites & Ballivos nostros, omnes alios qui de Ca­pite tenent de Nobis ad certum diem, scilicet ad terminū Quadraginta dierum ad minimum, et ad certum locum; in omnibus literis summonitionis illius Causam submonitio­nis illius exponemus: which was accordingly expres­sed in the writ of Summons 6 Johannis, and in all writs of like nature since this Great Charter, extant in our Records.

4ly. The very contents of the Provision men­tioned in this Proclamation; Quod novem Milites (to wit, those who held Lands by a Knights fee, and Knight-service) per totam Angliam invenient decimum Militem bene paratum equis et armis, &c. compared with [Page 15] Clause 19 H. 3. m. 1, 3, 6, 8. Prove these lesser Barons and Tenants of the King to be the persons intended in this Clause (not any elected Knights, Citizens and Burgesses,) who were either summoned in general to this Council, and consented to this provision therein when passed; or else assented thereto after the Lords and Great men had passed and communicated it to them in the Countrie.

5ly. Though this Provision and Proclamation doe not clearly prove the Summons of any elected Knights, Citizens and Burgesses to this Parliamentary Council; yet they are a clear euidence; That Ordinances for rai­sing Men, Forces, Taxes, and Impositions for the ne­ [...]ie defence of the King and Realm against forein Enemies, with forfeitures of Lands, & other severe pe­nalties for defaults therein, cannot, nor may not be made nor imposed on the Freeholders or Subjects of England, by the King or his Counsil, but onely by the common consent, grant and provision of the Spi­ritual and Temporal Lords, Great men, and other Lieges of the King, assembled in a Parliamentary Council; since the Provisions and penalties mentioned in this Proclamation were all made by their common con­sent, and that upon this occasion.

King Mat. Paris, Hist. Angliae, p. 200, 201, 202. John in the year 1203. passing out of England into Normandy with a great Army, giving himself over to luxurie, sleep and carelesness, suffered the King of France to take many Towns and Castles from him, without the least resistance. Being frequently infor­med thereof by complaints from all parts, he gave no other answer but this to the Complainants; Suffer him to do what he pleaseth, I will one day recover whatever he now violently surpriseth. Hereupon Comites et Barones, et alii de regno Angliae Nobiles,, qui ei eatenus fideliter adbaeserant talia audientes, ejusque desidiam incorrigibilem intelligentes, impetrata licentia quasi illico reversuri, remearunt ad propria; returning no more, but leaving the King in Normandie with very few Soldiers; Upon which he returning in­to [Page 16] England, the King of France came before most of King Johns Castles and Towns there, and perswaded them to submit themselves to him as their Chief Lord, seeing King John their immediate Lord had quite de­serted them: who accordingly submitted. King Iohn upon this occasion raising a puissant Army, intended to cross the Sea with them to regain his lost Townes and Castles from the French; Whereupon by the com­mon assent of his Spiritual and Temporal Lords and Lieges assembled in a Parliamentary Council, he made the precedent provisions & Proclamation for the De­fence of the Realm of England in case the French or any forein Enemies should invade it during his absence: After which Anno 1205. he took ship at Portsmouth a­gainst the prohibition of the Archbishop of Canterbury, and many other of his Nobles, who refusing to fol­low him, he was inforced to return after he had con­tinued at Sea two dayes. Reversus autem Rex coepit de Comitibus, Baronibus, Militibus, et viris religiosis, pecuni­am infinitam, occasiones praetendens, quod noluerunt eum se­qui in partes transmarinas, ut haereditatem amissam recupe­ret. And so much touching the contents, occasion, issue of these Provisions and Proclamation.

The 2. Writ is that of Rot. Claus. Anno 15. Johan­nis Regis, pars 2. m. 7. dorso, which I have examined by the Record.

Rex Vicecomiti Oxon. salutem. Praecipimus tibi quod omnes Milites, Ballivae tuae qui summoniti fuerunt esse apud Oxoniam ad Nos à die Omnium Sanctorum in quindecim dies, venire facias cum armis suis: corpora vero Baronum sine See here, p. 4, 5. armis singulariter, et IV. Discretos Milites de Co­mitatu tuo, illuc venire facias ad Nos ad eundem terminum, ad loquendum Nobiscum de Negotiis regni nostri. Teste meipso apud Witten. 11 die Novembr.

Eodem modo scribitur omnibus Vicecomitibus.

This unusual form of Writ, (the later part whereof sounds like a kinde of Summons of Knights out of eve­ry County to a Parliament at Oxford) hath much per­plexed [Page 17] many See Mr. Sel­dens Titles of Honor, p. 710. My Plea for the Lords, p. 374. learned men, who knew not well what to determin thereof, being without parallel. But under correction of others, I conceive it rather a Summons to a Military Camp of Warr, than to a Parliament or Parliamentary Council at Oxford; and these Quatuor dis­cretos Milites out of every County, were not summo­ned as Knights of the Shire to a Parliament then held, but rather as Inquisitors or Grand-Jury-men, upon a spe­cial occasion; thus related by Hist. Angliae p. 224, 229, 230, 231, &c. Matthew Paris, which in my apprehension will very satisfactorily explain this obscure Writ. King Iohn being both injuriously excommunicated, deposed from his Throne, his whole kingdom, interdicted & given by the Pope to the French King who thereupon prepared a great Army and Navy to possess himself therof; he did upon this occasi­on, to resist the French, and defend his Crown and kingdom against their intended invasion, by two seve­ral Writs, (recorded at large in this Historian) sum­mon all the Ships of England able to carry six horses to meet together at Portsmouth, well furnished with victu­als and Mariners to resist these Enemies by Sea; and all Earls, Barons, Knights, Freehold Tenants and o­thers who were bound by tenure, or able of bodie to bear arms, to meet him at Dover, to withstand them by Land. After which, having reconciled himself to the Pope by resigning his Kingdom of England and Ireland to, and retaking them from him under an yearly Tribute, he was by the Popes Legate absolved from his Excom­munication, and the kingdom from its long-continu­ed interdict, at Winchester; swearing upon the Holy Evangelists in this his Absolution; Quod Sanctam Ec­clesiam, ejusque ordinatos diligeret, defenderet, et manutene­ret contra omnes adversarios pro posse suo. Quodque bonas le­ges Antecessorum suorum, & praecipue Leges Edwardi Regis revocaret, et iniquas destrueret, et omnes homines su­os secundum justa Curiae suae judicia; judicaret, quodque singu­lis redderet jura sua. Juravit etiam, quod omnibus ad Inter­dicti negotium pertingentibus, inter proximum Pascha ple­nariam [Page 18] restitutionem faceret obtatorum, &c. In pursuance whereof, In crastino misit Rex literas ad omnes Vicecomi­tes regni Angliae, ut de singulis Dominicorum suorum villis: Quatuor legales homines cum praeposito, apud Sanctum Albanum, pridie nonas Augusti fecerent con­v [...]nire, ut per illos, et alios ministros suos de dam­nis singulorum Episcoporum, ut ablatis certitudinem inquireret, et quid singulis deberetur. Dum haec age­rentur, interfuerunt Concilio apud Sanctum Albanum, Galfridus filius Petri, et Episcopus Winton. cum Ar­chiepiscopo, et Episcopis et Magnatibus Regni. Ubi cunctis pace Regis denunciata, ex ejusdem Regis parte firmiter praeceptum est; quatenus leges Henrici avi sui ab omnibus in regno suo custodirentur, et omnes leges iniquae penitus enerventur. Denunciatum est praeterea Vicecomitibus, Forestariis, aliisque Ministris Regis, sicut vitam et membra sua diligunt, ne à quo­quam aliquid violenter extorquerent, vel alicui inju­riam irrogare praesumant, aut scotalla alicubi in regno faciant, sicut facere consueverant. After which, Rex verò Johannis cum se à quibusdam Magnatibus (who deserted him in Poytiers) quasi derelictum cognovis­set, magnum Congregabit Exercitum ut rebelles ad consuetum obsequium revocaret. Cumque arma mo­vere incepisset, venit ad eum Archiepiscopus apud Northamtonam, dicens, plurimum in injuriam sui Sa­cramenti, quod in absolutione sua praestiterat, redun­dare, Si absque Iudicio Curiae suae contra quempiam bella moveret. Quod audiens Rex, cum ingenti strepitu dixit, Se regni negocia propter Episcopum non differre, cum laica judicia ad ipsum non pertineant. In crastino autem summo diluculo iter furibundus arripi­ens versus Notingham properavit. Secutus est quoque Regem Archiepiscopus memoratus, constanter affir­mans, quod nisi ab inceptis celerius desisterit, omnes qui versus quempiam ante relaxationem interdicti ho­stiliter arma gesserunt, praeter ipsum solum, anathema­tis vinculo innodaret. Sicque ab inceptis Regem re­vocans [Page 19] Archiepiscopus, non prius abe, recessit donec Diem conipetentem ad Curiam Regis veniendi, et ibidem Iuri parendi Baronibus impetrasset. The 8. of September following, the Archbishop, Bishops, Abbots, Priors and Barons of the Realm assembling together at Pauls, the Archbishop calling some of the Barons to him apart from the rest, secretly acquainted them with the Kings forecited Oath taken at his abso­lution, and produced before them the Charter of Li­berties granted by King Henry the first; by which they might, if they would, reduce their long lost Liberties to their pristine estate: At which the Barons greatly rejoycing, juraverunt omnes in praesentia Archiepiscopi, quod viso tempore congruo, pro hiis libertatibus, si necesse fue­rit, decertabunt usque ad mortem. Archiepiscopus autem promisit eis fidelissimum auxilium suum pro posse suo; Et sic confoederatione facta inter eos, Colloquium solutum est. The King hereupon (as I conjecture) issued out the prece­dent writ the 3. of November following, (whereon it bears date) to all the Sheriffs of England, consisting of 3. distinct parts, sutable to that time and occasion. The first is, to new summon Omnes Milites, all who held of him by Knight-service, with those Souldiers (not knights, or knights of Shires,) in their respective Bai­liwicks, they had formerly summoned (by some such writ as this) to repair to Oxford, to come to the Kings person (ad Nos) without naming any certain place, 15 daies after All Souls day; cum armis; with their arms; (the See here, p. p. 4, 5. & Part 1. p. 156. to 180. usual form and clause in precedent and subsequent writs of Summons of an Army and forces to aid the King, not to a Parliament, or Great Council of State) and that to defend and assist him; against the precedent confe­deracy of the Archbishop, Bishops, Abbots, Priors and Barons, then newly entred into at London; against whom he had raised a great Army (by like Writs) but a few Moneth [...] before, to reduce these Rebels to obedience: which Armie the Archbishop caused him to dissolve, as Matthew Paris relates. The 2. Clause is, Corpora ve­ro [Page 20] Baronum singulariter sine armis; to summon and bring to the King the Bodies of the Barons in their respective Counties apart one from another, without arms, (as in the said writ) not two or more of them together, with their arms and armed attendants, to prevent all dan­gers, tumults, insurrections and intended rebellions, if they should come armed to his Court; being now thus summoned to appear before him, not to treat and ad­vise with him, and the rest of the Prelates, Earls and Nobles, of any urgent affairs concerning the King or Realm, (of which there is no mention at all in this writ in relation to the Barons, as there is in all Writs of Summons to Parliaments or Great Councils issued to them, extant in our Records;) But rather, according to the Archbishops engagement to the King at Nottingham a little before this writ, to submit themselves to the Iustice of his Court and a legal trial concerning the crimes he should there object against them, upon their appearance on the day prefixed in the writ, the same I conceive, the King and Archbishop had formerly agreed upon at Noting­ham. And that this was the reason why they were to appear without armour, is evident; by the like Sum­mons hertofore to See Malms­bury de Gestis Regum, l. 2. c. 13. Hoveden, Wigorniensis, & Bromton, Anno 1051. & My Plea for the Lords, p. 308, Earl Godwin and his Sons to appear in the Kings Court, to answer the Kings charge against them, attended only with [...] men, without any force or arms: by the subsequent Statutes of 7 E. 1. Rastal, Armour; 1 & 2 E. 3. c, 3. expresly resolving, that in all Assemblies which should be made within the Realm of England for ever, every man should come without all force and armour, well and peaceably: And that no man, Great or Small, of whatsoever condition he be, except the Kings Servants in his presence, and his Ministers and their Assistants in execu­ting his precepts, or their Office; or upon a cry made for arms to keep the peace, in such places where such acts happen, should be so hardy to come before the King or his Iustices, or other his Ministers doing their office with force and arms, nor bring no force in [...]ffray of Peace. Which was but the See here, p. 5. Aluredi Regis Lex 41, 42. Chron. Jo­han. Bromton, col. 825. anti­ent Common and Statute Law of England. The 3. [Page 21] Clause of the Writ, which only hath some resemblance of a writ of Summons; is to summon not two, but quatuor Discretos Milites de Comitatu tuo; being more than we read summoned in succeeding Rolls out of every County. as Knights of Shires to our Parlia­ment; and those not to come to any Parliament or Great Council, at any certain place, of which there is no mention at all in this Writ, but ad Nos, to the King himself, at the time there specified; and that only, Ad loquendum Nobiscum de negotiis regni nostri; not, ad tractandum Nobiscum, et cum Praelatis, Proceribus, or Magnatibus, or aliis, or caeteris fidelibus regni nostri, de arduis et urgentissimis negotiis, Nos et statum Regni nostri contingentibus; or, ad faciendum et consentiendum hiis, quae tunc & ibidem de Communi Consilio regni nostri, Deo propi­tio, contigerit ordinari; the usual Clauses in all Writs of Summons of Barons, or Knights of Counties to Par­liaments and Great Parliamentary Councils; There­fore certainly this Writ was no Summons of Knights of Shires to a Parliament or Great Council; the rather, because there is no clause in it for electing these 4. knights; nor yet of any Citizens or Burgesses, as is usual in the Writs for electing Knights of Counties, and because no Writs of Summons ever prescribed the Summons of Barous and Knights together like this: Upon all which considerations, I conceive, this ad lo­quendum Nobiscum de negotiis regni nostri, for which these 4. Knights were summoned; was the very same, or the like business for which Matthew Paris relates the King some few Moneths before, sent Letters to the Sherifs of every County throughout England, to cause Quatuor lega­les homines (the same with those this Writ stiles, Quatuor Discretos Milites) out of every of their Counties, to come to St. Albanes the 8. of August follow­ing, to inquire of and inform the King, what dammages and losses any of the Bishops had sustained by the King, and his Of­ficers, during the Interdict and their banishments, and what was due to every one of them; that so he might satisfie [Page 22] them according to his premised Oath; as Chart. 16 Io­hann. Regis m. 9. n. 67. the next year after this, compa­red with Pat. 15 Iohan. Regis nu. 3. De Interdicto relax­ando, &c. clearly intimate, if not resolve. This I am fully perswaded, was the true scope, nature and inten­tion of this Writ; which hath puzled so many, and none else have hitherto fully or truly explained: which I humbly submit to the Readers considera­tion.

The 3. Writ I have found in our Records, touching the election of any Knights of Counties to a Parlia­mentary Council before 49 H. 3. is this of Claus. 38 H. 3. m. 7. & 12. dorso, (not mentioned in any Trea­tises of our Parliaments, or Collection of Parliamenta­ry Writs of Summons I have seen) transcribed with my own hand out of the Roll it self, as worthy obser­vation.

Rex Vic. Bed. et Berks salutem. Cum Comites & Baro­nes, 2 & caeteri Magnates Regni nostri Nobis firmiter promi­serunt, Forma directa Magnatibus & Vicom. Angliae. quod erunt London à die Pasche prox. futur. in tres Septimanas cum equis et armis, parati et benè muniti ad ten­dendum sine ulla dilatione versus Portesmouth, ad transfre­tand. ad Nos in Vasconiam contra Regem Castell. qui terram nostram Vasconiae in manuforti in aestate prox. futu­ra hostiliter est ingressurus. Et tibi mandavimus, quod omnes ill [...]s de Balliva tua, qui tenent 20 librat. terrae de Nobis in Capite, vel de aliis qui sunt infra aetatem, et in custodia nostra, ad idem distringas; Tibi districtè praecipimus, quod praeter omnes praedictos venire faciatis coram Consilio nostro, apud Westmon: in Quindena Paschae prox. futur. Ouatu­or Legales et Discretos Milites de Comitatibus praedictis, quos iidem Comitatus ad hoc eligerint vice omnium et singulorum eorundem; videlicet, Duos de uno Comitatu, et duos de alio, ad providen­dum una cum Militibus aliorum Comitatuum, quos ad eundem diem vocari fecimus, quale Auxilium Nobis in tanta necessitate impendere voluerint. Et tu ipse Militibus et aliis de Comitatu praedicto necessitatem [Page 23] nostram, et tam urgens negotium nostrum diligenter exponas, et ad competens auxilium Nobis ad praesens impendend. effica­citer inducas. Ita quod praefati Ouatuor Milites praefato Consilio nostro ad praedictum terminum Pasche respondere possint super praedicto auxilio pro singulis Com praedictorum. Firmiter etiam tibi praecipimus, quod omnia debita quae No­bis aretro sunt in Balliva tua et solvi debuerint ad Scaccarium nostrum ante Pasch. jam instans, vel solvi debent ad Scace. ejusdem Pasche, habeas ad idem Scac. in quindena praedict. Pasche. Scientes, quod nisi praedicta debita tunc ibidem ba­bueris, non solum corpus tuum arrestari faciemus, set debita illa de terris et tenementis (tuis) levari faciemus ad dampnum tuum non modicum. Teste A. Regina, et C. Com. Cor­nub. apud Windesore xi. die Febr.

Consimilia Brevia diriguntur omnibus Vicecomitibus Angliae.

These Writs, though at first view they look like Writs for electing Knights of Shires to a Parliamentary Council, yet in truth they are no such Writs, but onely command the Sheriffs to cause two Knights to be elect­ed in every County by the Counties themselves, in their steads to appear before the Kings Counsel (not Parl.) at Westminster on Quindena Pasche following, to inform the Counsel, what voluntary ayde each particular County would grant the King in his great necessity, towards the De­fence of Gascoigne against the intended invasion of the King of Castell. Which Nece [...]ity and Business, the Sheriffs themselves were commanded diligently to declare to the elected Knights and others of the County, and effectually to in­duce them to grant the King a present competent ayde; So as the Knights of each County might answer, upon their appear­ance before the Kings Counsil at the day prefixed, what they would doe concerning this ayde thus required of them. This appears 1. By that very Clause of these Writs, which is most pertinent; which requires not the Sheriffs to e­lect two Knights to come to any Great Council or Parliament, there to advise and consult together touch­ing the granting of a Subsidie or ayde to the King, but [Page 24] only 2ly. By the very Prologue of the Writ, which re­cites, That the Earls, Barons, and the rest of the Great men of the Realm had firmly promised the King to be at London 3. weeks after Easter with their horses and arms: not to hold a Parliament or Great Council, but to march from thence to Portsmouth without any delay, and to cross the Seas to the King in Gascoigne, to ayd him against the King of Castell: and that he should distrain all who held 20 l. lands a year of the King in Capite, or of any of his Wards within their respective Counties, to accompany the Lords and Great men in this Expedition. And thereupon it requires a vo­luntarie ayde of the rest of the Freeholders and Inhabi­tants in each County towards this expedition, in man­ner aforsaid, for which end they were to elect 2 knights in each County to appear before the Kings Privy Counsil, not the Earls, Barons, and other Great men of the Realm, 15 dayes after Easter, a week before the Nobles and Great men appointed to meet. 3ly. By the whole frame of the Writ, differing much from the Writs of Summons here ensuing; and commanding the Sherifs to levy and pay in all the Kings debts under strictest pe­nalties into his Exchequer by a certain day, which no other Writ of Summons to Parliament doth. 4ly. By comparing it with a like Writ to both the Archbishops, and all Bishops of Engl. (forecited, Part 1. p. 4, 5.) to sum­mon all their Chapters, Archdeacons, Clergy, and other Re­ligious persons before them in their respective Diocesses, and to excite them to a free and liberal contribution of an ayde to the King upon the same necessity and occasion; where­of they were to certifie the Kings Counsil by certain dis­creet men [...]hosen by them, at the same time as the Knights of Counties were, both which Writs are entred toge­ther in the same membrana, differ but two dayes in their date, and fully explain each other. 5ly, By parallelling it with this writ in Claus. 19 H. 3. m. 8. dorso.

Rex Vic. Sussex salutem. Scias quod Archiepiscopi, E­piscopi, Abbates, Priores, Comites, Barones, & omnes alii [Page 25] de Regno nostro Angliae qui de Nobis tenent in Ca­pite, spontanea voluntate sua et sine consuetudine Conces­serunt Nobis efficax Auxilium, ad magna negotia nostra expedienda: unde provisum est De Constlio illorum, quod habeant de singulis feodis Militum Ward. quae de Nobis te­nent in Capite duas Marcas, ad praedictum Auxilium Nobis faciendum, et unde providerint reddere Nobis unam medieta­tem ante festum Sancti Michaelis, Anno regni nostri 19. & aliam medietatem ad Pasch. Anno regni nostri 20. Ideo ti­bi praecipimus, quod ad mandatum Venerabilis Patris R. Ci­cestr. Episcopi Cancellarii nostri sine dilatione distringas om­nes Milites et liberè tenentes qui de eo tenent per Servicium Militare, in Balliva tua, ad reddendum ei de singulis feodis & Wardis duas Marcas, ad praedictum Auxilium Nobis per manum suam reddendum in terminis praedictis.

Sic scribitur pro aliis Episcopis, Abbatibus, Prioribus, et Magnatibus; to the number of 23. And dors. 6. of the former Roll, there is the like Writ for other Temporal Barons.

By which it is apparent, that in this Kings reign, as well as in succeeding ages, all Publike Aydes granted in Parliamentarie Councils, were granted by the com­mon consent of the Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Priors, Earls, Barons, and others who held of the King in Capite; by Act of Parliament, according to the forecited Clause of the Great Charter of King John, and the subsequent Statutes of 25 E. 1. c. 5, 6. De Tallagio non concedendo, 14 E. 3. c. 21. & Stat. 2. c. 1. the Petition of Right, 3 Caroli, and other Acts; Therefore this Ayde which these Knights were chosen and summoned to grant for their respective Counties, without the Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Priors, Earls, Barons and Great men of the Realm, or without any Citizens or Burgesses summoned to­gether with them, was doubtless no Parliamentary Ayde, but a voluntarie free Contribution of their own, without common consent in Parliament; and so this Writ no Writ of Summons or election to a Par­liament, though not impertinent to my Theam, and worthy observation.

[Page 26] The 4 th sort of Writs I have found in my search which have any Analogie to a Summons of Knights to a Parliamentary Council, is this memorable Writ of Claus. 45 H. 3 [...]m 6. dorso, not taken notice of by others.

Rex Vic. Norff. & Suff. salutem. Cum ex parte E­piscopi Wigorn, Comitem Leic. et Glouo. ac quorun­dam aliorum Procerum Regni nostri, vocati sunt tres Milites de singulis Comitatibus nostris, quod sint coram ipsis ad Sanctum Albanum in instanti festo Sancti Matthaei Apostoll, secum Tractaturi super communibus Negotiis Regni Nostri. Et Nos & praedicti Proceres nostri in eundem diem apud Winde­sore convenimus ad Tractandum de Pace inter Nos et ipsos. Tibi praecipimus quod illis Militlbus de Balliva tua qui vocati sunt coram ets ad diem prae­dictum, firmiter injungetis. injungentes ex parte nostra; ut om­ni occasione postposita, ad Nos die praedicto veniant a­pud Windesore, et eis etiam districte inhibeas, ne dicto die, alibi quam ad Nos accedant; sed eos modis om­nibus venire fac. coram Nobis ad diem praedict. No­biscum super praemissis Colloquium habituros, ut ip­si per effectum operis videant et intelligant, quod ni­hil attemptare proponimus, nisi quod honori atque utilitati Regni nostri (tendere) noverimus, querere. T. Rege apud Windesor. xi. die Septemb.

Eodem modo mandatum est singulis Vicomitibus citra Trentam.

Our See Mat. Pa­ris, Mat. West. Walsingham, Polychroni­con, Polydor Virgil, Fabian, Grafton, Ho­linshed, Speed and Daniel, Ann. 1261. & 45 H. 3. Historians relate, that a little before this writ, there fell out a Great Difference between King Henry and his Barons, concerning the Provisions made at Ox­ford, and his Oath for their Observation, from which he held himself absolved, because it was compulsory: The King and his partie objected against the Barons, (who pretended the profit of the Realm) that they sought only their own bonor and gain, contrary to their pretences and decrees: They on the other side spread abroad rumors among the people, that the King intended to introduce forein forces and impose [Page 27] Taxes at his pleasure, &c. to the subversion of the State of the Realm, and oppression of the people; Which the King by his Proclamations protested against as false and scanda­lous, to undeceive his seduced Subjects, whose affections and assistance the Barons by these false suggestions endeavou­red to alienate from him, as Claus. 45 H. 3. pars 1. d. 15. and Claus. 48 H 3. d. 9. Pat. 48 H. 3. d. 20. record, Whiles the King and Barons thus banded against each other, it appears by this Writ, the Barons summoned 3. Knights out of every Connty to come before them at St. Albans, on St. Matthews day, to treat with them con­cerning the common affairs of the Realm: But whether these 3. Knights were elected by the Inhabitants of each County, or such only as the Barons themselves nominated, (which is most probable) appears not cer­tainly by the Writ, of which our Histories make no mention. The King being informed hereof, to pre­vent this intended Assembly at St. Albans by his writs commands these Lords and Barons to repair to him at Windsore the self-sameday on w ch they appointed these Knights to meet them, to treat of a Peace between him and them; and by this Writ commanded this and all other Sheriffs on this side Trent, to whom like writs were sent, to summon those very Knights the Barons had called to St. Albans, to appear before him the same day at Windesore, strictly prohibiting them to appear that day at any other place than before him­self; and to cause them by all possible means then to come before him, to conferr with him about the premises, (to wit, the peace and reconciliation between him and the Barons) that so thèy might by the effect of that Treaty both see and understand, that he purposed to attempt or seek nothing, but what he knew was for the honor and profit of his Realnt. So as these Writs in reality, were no pro­per legal Summons of any Knights of Shires to a Par­liament, or Great Council, but rather an inhibition to divert them from confederating and meeting with the Barons, by summoning them all at the same time [Page 28] to appear before the King at Windsore, to be witnesses of his fair proceedings and publike intentions in the Treatie of Peace then intended between him and his Barons. And that which further clears it, is somwhat a like Writ in the same Roll to the Barons and Bailiffs of Sandwich about 3. weeks after the precedent Writ: which for its raritie I shall here insert.

Claus. 45 H. 3. m. 5. dorso. Rex Baronibus et Ballivis suis de Sandwic. salutem Cum Vos et Progenitores vestri, Nobis et Progenitori­bus nostris et Coronae nostrae semper extitistis prompti et fideles, & jam per quosdam Nobis adversarios prote­nus sicut audivimus, quod hac die quindena post festum S. Michaelis, sub specie reformandae pacis. inter Vos et Barones nostros de Wincheles, apud Bradhull convenire debeatis, ubi in dampnum nostrum colligationes requi­rere, et eos quos poterint à nostra fidelitate avertere proponunt. Vobis mandamus sub debito fidelitatis et dilectionis quibus Nobis tenemini specialiter injungen­tes, ne ibi aliquo modo accedatis, aut animos vestros eorum suggestionibus aliquo modo inclinetis, et super contentionibus inter vos et dictos Barones nostros de Wincheles subortis, in pace vos habeatis usque ad festum Nativitatis Domini, ut tunc ad vos Custodem Por­tuum nostrorum, aut aliquem alium fidelem et discre­tum mittamus ad pacem illam prout melius et com­modius fieri poterit, inter vos et ipsos reformandā; Nos enim praedictis Baronibus nostris de Wincheles, hoc ip­sum injunximus per literas nostras. Et quia intellexi­mus, quod quidam extranei contra Nos ingressi sunt regnum nostrum, quorum quidam inter Sandwic. & Dover. quidam autem inter Heth & Fullesham, et qui­dam apud Shorham nuper applicuerunt, et insuper qui­dam in partibus Flandriae se parant ad ingrediendum modo consimili regnum nostrum, omnimodam dili­gentiam quam poteritis inhibeatis ad custodiend. et prohibend. ne aliqui extranei regnum praedictū modo praedicto ingrediantur, prout etiam alias dedimus vobis in mandatis. Attendetis enim et fidelitatem et devo­tionem [Page 29] quam semper erga Nos habuistis, et quas pro custodia Maris (quae vobis et caeteris Portubus no­stris specialiter incumbit) et honores et libertates prae aliis et Regno nostro adepti estis, quas speciali praero­gativa semper intendimus et volumus conservare. T [...] ­ste Rege apud Sanctum Paulum London 3. die Octo­bris.

Eodem modo mandatum est Baronibus et Bal­livo de Wincbeles.

The very first Record I have yet found, wherein 1 there is express mention made of any Writs to Sherifs or others, to send any Knights, Citizens, Burgesses and Barons of the Ports to Parliament, is Cl. 49 H. 3. d. 11. Cedula. where after the Part. 1. p. 5. forecited Writs to the Bishops of Durham & Norwich, and the Eodem modo mandatum est, to the Bishops, Abbots, Priors, Deans, Earls, Lords and Barons, there follows this entry in the Record,

See my Plea for the Lords, p. 379. Item mandatum est singulis Vicecom. per Angl. quod venire faciant Duos Milites de legalioribus, probioribus et discretioribus Militibus singulorum Comitatuum ad Regem London; in Octab. praedict­ in forma praedicta.

Item in forma praedicta scribitur Civibus Eborum, Civibus Lincoln, et caeteris Burgis Angl quod mittant in forma praedicta Duos de discretioribus, legaliori­bus et probioribus tam Cibibus quam Burgenlibus suis.

Item in forma praedicta mandatum est Baronibus & probis hominibus Quinque Portuum prout conti­netur in Brevi inrotulato inferius.

It seems by this Writ, that the Writs then issued to these Knights, Citizens and Burgesses, were the same in form and substance with those to the Spiritual and Temporal Lords, with little or no variation. But not one of them is particularly registred except the Writ to the Cinqueports varying in some clauses from the Writs to the Lords.

That I shall principally observe from this Entry, is, [Page 30] First, that there were only two Knights, Citizens, Bur­gesses, Barons of Ports, and no more, to be sent out of every County, City, Borough and Port. 2ly. That these were to be duly qualified as these Writs prescri­bed; to wit, two of the more or most legal, honest and discreet Knights, Citizens, Burgesses, Barons, in every County, City, Burrough and Cinque-Port. 3ly. That it appears not by this Entry whether the Counties themselves, or the Sheriffs alone, were to elect and make choice of these Knights. 4ly. That the Writs for electing Citizens and Burgesses were directed im­mediately to the Citizens and Burgesses themselves, not to the Sheriffs of the Counties, wherein they were si­tuated, nor to their Mayors, Sheriffs, or chief Officers, as in succeeding ages. 5ly. That no Writ issued to the Citizens of London, their Mat. Westm. Anno 1265. p. 340. My Plea for the Lords, p. 258, 259. Liberties being then seiseà by the King, many of them imprisoned and their estates confiscated for siding with the Barons against the King; and that York and Lincoln are the only Cities mentioned particularly in the Roll.

It is evident by these Clauses in the Prologues to the printed Statutes of Marleborough, Anno 52 H. 3. The more discreet men of the Realm being called together, as well of the Higher, as of the Lower Estate, &c. of Westm. 1. Anno 3 E. 1. These be the Acts of King Ed­ward, &c. made at Westminster, at his first Parliament general after his Coronation by his Counsil, and by the As­sent of Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Priors, Earls, Barons, and all the Commonaltie of the Realm being thi­ther summoned, &c. That Writs of Summons issued to all these respectively in these two Parliaments and others succeding them; but yet I find no Writs of sum­mons or elections to [...]hese Parliaments now extant in the Clause or other Rolls of these years to the Tem­poral Lords, or Sheriffs; the Writs being then kept in Bundles by themselves, (especially those to Sheriffs,) and not entred in the Clause Rolls, and those Bundles quite lost through negligence, or casualtie. The very [Page 31] first Writs of Summons of Knights, Citizens and Bur­gesses issued to Sheriffs, that I have met with in our Records entred at large in the Rolls, are these of Claus. An. 22 E. 1. m. 6. dorso. Which are very rare and memorable, extant in no Collections of these Writs by others, that I have seen.

Rex Vic. Northumbr. salutem. Quia cum Comiti­bus, Cl. 22 E. 1. m. 6. dorso. Baronibus, et caeteris Magnatibus de regno nostro super quibusdam negotiis arduis Nos et idem regnum De Militibus eligendis & mittendis ad Consilium. nostrum contingentibus, in crastino Sancti Martini, prox. futuro apud Westm. Colloquium habere volu­mus et Tractatum. Tibi praecipimus, quod eligi fa­cias duos Milites, de discretioribus et ad laborandum po­tentioribus de Com. praedicto, et eos ad Nos usque Westm. venire facias. Ita quod sint ibi in crastino prae­dicto, cum plena potestate pro se et tota Communitate Com. praedicti, ad consulend. et consentiend. pro se et Communitate illa, biis quae Comites, Barones, & Proceres praedicti concor­diter ordinaverint in praemissis. Et ita quod pro defectu potestatis hujusmodi idem negotium infectum non rema­neat. Et habeas ibi hoc breve. Teste Rege apud Westm 8 die Octob.

Consimiles Literae diriguntur singulis Vicecomi­tibus Angliae. T. ut supta.

After which followes this second Writ entred im­mediately after it in the same dorse.

Rex Vic. Northumbr. salutem. Cum nuper tibi prae­ceperimus, Pro Rege de aliis Militibus cum Priori­bus intenden­dis ut supra. quod duos Milites de discretioribus & ad labo­randum potentioribus ejusdem Comitatus, de consensu ejus­dem eligi, et eos ad Nos usque Westm. in crastino Sancti Martini prox. futuro cum plena potestate pro se & to­ta Communitate ejusdem Com. venire faceres, ad con­sulend. et consentiend pro tota Communitate illa hiis qui Co­mites, Barones, et Proceres de Regno nostro in dicto crastino ordinaverint. Tibi praecipimus firmiter injungentes, quod praeter duos illos Milites eligi facias alios duos Milites legales, et ad laborandum potentes, et eos una cum dictis duobus Militibus usque Westm. venire facias. Ita [Page 32] quod in dicto crastino sint ibidem, ad audiendum et faciendum quod et tunc ibidem plenius injungemus. Et hoc nullo mo­do omittas. Et habeas ibi hoc Breve. Teste Rege a­pud Westm. 9. die Octobr.

Eodem modo mandatum est singulis Vicecom.

Angliae, mutatis mutandis. T. ut supra.

In these two Writs there are many things worthy our special observation.

1. That the word Parliamentum is not used in them, but only Colloquium et Tractatum. 2ly. That there is no mention in these Writs of any Colloquium or Tractatum, cum Praelatis; but only cum Comitibus, & caeteris Magna­tibus de regno nostro. 3ly. That the Sheriffs are required only Duos Milites de Com. praedicto eligi fac. &c. with­out any Citizens or Burgesses of the Cities or Bo­roughs within their respective Counties. 4ly. That these two Knights were to be thus qualified; De dis­cretioribus, et ad laborandum potentioribus, & magis lega­les; and to be de Com. praedicto; not of any other County. 5ly. That they were to be elected, De consensu ejusdem Comitatus, not without or against their con­sents. 6ly. That they were to appear at the day and place prescribed in the Writs; Cum plena potestate pro se et tota Communitate Com. praedict. ad consulend. et consenti­end. and that only, hiis quae Comites, Barones & Pr [...]e­res praedicti concorditer ordinaverint in praemissis; not what the Knights themselves should ordain or prescribe: who could then vote, order, determin nothing, but what the Earls, Barons, Nobles, and the King did first or­dain and advise: much less ordain or order any thing without and against their wills, order and assents, as some of late most insolently and unparliamentarily have presumed to doe without the least ground, war­rant, reason, president: As is further evident by this in the later Writ; ad audiendum et faciendum quod et tunc ibi­dem plenius injungemus. 7ly. That there is but one days difference between the dates of both these Writs, and that they issued in the self-same form (mutatis mutan­dis) [Page 33] to all the Sheriffs of England. 8ly. (which is most observable). That the King by these Writs en­joyns every Sheriff in each County of England, quod praeter duos illos Milites, which they were to elect by vir­tue of the first Writs, eligi facias Duos alios Milites legales, &c. et eos una cum dictis duobus Militibus usque Westm. venire facias, &c. So that they were to elect no less than 4. Knights by these two Writs for every County, with equal power and authority; who were all to appear and serve in this Parliament: A clear e­vidence, that the King in this age was not confined to any certain Number of Knights (nor yet of Citi­zens or Burgesses) in any County, but might then sum­m [...]n so many Knights, as he thought most expedi­ent and necessary, since reduced to a certainty by the subsequent Statutes of 5 R. 2. c. 4. 7 H. 4. c. 15. 11 H. 4. c. 1. 1 H. 5. c. 1. 6 H. 6. c. 4. 8 H. 6. c. 7. 10 H. 6. c. 2. 23 H. 6. c. 11. 15. 27 H. 8. c. 26. 34 H. 8. c. 13. 35 H. 8. c. 11. 9ly. That the King by his Tibi praecipimus firmiter injungentes, & hoc nullo modo omittatis; manifests, that the Sheriffs were bound at their peril to obey, execute both these Writs, without disputing or diso­beying them. 10ly. That though the Writs enjoin the Sheriff only, & habeas ihi hoc breve; yet the Sheriff was to return the names of the Knights elected toge­ther with the Writ, as the practise and returns in those times resolve.

The next Writs I have met with for electing Knights Citizens and Burgesses, are those in Claus. 23 E. 1. m' 4. dorso.

Rex Vic. Northt. salutem. Quia cum Comitibus, Ba­ronibus, & caeteris Proceribus regni nostri super remediis 4 contra pericula quae eidem regno hiis diebus imminent provi­dend. Colloquium habere volumus et Tractatum, per quod eis mandavimus, quod sint ad Nos die Dominica prox. post se­stum Sancti Martini in yeme prox. futur. apud Westm. ad tractand. ordinand. & faciend. qualiter sit hujusmodi peri­culis obviand, Tibi praecipimus firmiter injungentes, quod [Page 34] de Com. praevicto Duos Milites, & de quolibet Civi­tate ejusdem Com. Duos Cives, & de quolibet Burgo Du­os Burgenses, de discretioribus, et ad laborand. potentio­ribus sine dilatione eligi, et eos ad Nos ad praedictos diem & locum venire fac. Ita quod dicti Milites plenam & sufficien­tem potestatem pro se & Communitate Com. praedicti, & dicti Cives et Burgenses pro se et Communitate Civitatum et Bur­go [...]um praedictorum divisim ab ipsis tunc ibidem habeant ad faciend. tunc quod de Communi Consilio ordinabi­tur in praemissis. Ita quod pro defectu hujusmodi pote­statis negotium praedictum infectum non remaneat quoquo modo. Et babeas ibi nomina Militum, Civium & Burgen­fium, & hoc breve. Teste Rege apud Cantuar. tertio die Octobr.

Consimiles literae diriguntur singulis Vicecom. per Angliam, et de eadem data.

The next Writs of this kind now extant, are those of 5 Claus. 24 E. 1. m. 7. dors. little different from the for­mer.

Rex Vic. Linc. salutem. Quia cum Comitibus, &c. (as in the former Writ) quod sint ad Nos in crastino Animarum prox. futur. apud Sanctum Edmundum ad tractand. ordinand. et faciend. qualiter sit periculis obviand. hujusmodi et statui ejusdem Regni tutius, et utilius consulend. Tibi praecipimus quod de Com. praedicto duos Milites, et de qualibet Civitate ejusdem Com. duos Cives, et de quolibet Burgo duos Burgenses de discretioribus et ad laborand. potentioribus, sine dilatione eligi, et cos ad Nos ad praedictos diem et locū venire facias. Ita quod dicti Milites plenam & sufficien­tem potestatem pro se et Communitate Com. praedicti habeant in praemissis; Ita quod pro defectu potestatis hujusmodi negotium praedictum non remaneat quoquo modo inane. Et habeas ibi nomina Militum, Civium et Burgensium et hoc breve. T. ut supra.

Consimiles literae diriguntur singulis Vicecomi­tibus per Angliam. T. ut supra.

There is nothing remarkable in this Writ, but only [Page 35] that it differs somewhat in words, but not in sub­stance from the ordinary Writs succeeding it, in the Ita quod, &c. I shall therefore proceed to the next Writs of this kind.

The next are these notable Writs (unobserved by 6 others) which I meet with in 25 E. 1. when the great De veniendo pro confirma­tione Magnae Cartae. Charter of the Liberties and of the Forest were to be confirmed, in respect of a great ayd given to the King against the French, thus entred in Claus. 25 E. 1. d. 6. after the Writ de Parliamento tenendo to the See Part 1. p. 9. Archbishop of Cant. dated 9 die Septembris, and the list of the names of the Spiritual and Temporal Lords.

Rex Vic. Ebor. salutem. Quia in relevationem omnium incolarum et populi Regni nostri pro Octava omnium honorum singulorum ligeorum per totum idem Regnum pro urgentissima nunc dicti Regni contra Gallicos necessitate levanda, conces­simus pro Nobis et Haeredibus nostris confirmare, et firmiter teneri facere Magnam Cartam de Libertati­bus Angliae; et Cartam de Libertatibus Forestae; & concedere omnibus & singulis ejusdem Regni literas nostras Patentes; quod dictae Octavae levatio non cedat eisdem in prae­judicium, servitutem et exhaeredationem, usum vel consue tu­dinem in futurum. Tibi praecipimus firmiter injungentes, quod sine dilatione aliqua duos de probioribus et legalioribus Militibus Com. tui Eligi, et eos plenam potestatem pro ipsis & tota Communitate dicti Com. habentes, ad Edwardum filium nostrum carissimum, tenentem in Anglia locum no­strum, venire facias. Ita quod sint London. ad eundem fi­lium nostrum modis omnibus in Octabis Sancti Michaelis proximo futuri ad ultimum, Cartas super Confirmatione no­stra Cartarum praedictarum, et literas nostras super dicta con­cessione pro ipsa Communitate in forma praedicta recepturi, & facturi ulterius, quod per dictum filium nostrum ibidem fuerit ordinatum. Et boc nullo modo omittas. Et habeas ibi boc Breve. T. Edwardo filio nostro apud Sanctum Paulum London 10. die Septembr.

Consimiles Literae diriguntur singulis Vicecom. per Angliam.

[Page 36] From these new extraordinary Writs, I shall observe, 1. That extraordinary publike necessities against forein enemies, require extraordinary Aydes from the people. 2ly. That when ever such extraordinary excessive ayds were granted by Parliament, it was with this special caution, that the King by his Patents as well as the Parliament, should declare, that it should not afterward be drawn into Custom, nor turn to the prejudice, thral­dom, or dishinherison of the people in succeeding times. 3ly. That those extraordinary Aydes were re­compenced with extraordinary Grants and new See 25 E. 1, c. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. Con­firmations of the Great Charters of the Liberties of Engl. and of the Forest, (which the Walsingham Hist. Angl. p. 35. to 42. Lords and Commons then much pressed and insisted on) for the King and his heires, which were new confirmed by special Let­ters Patents, which the knights elected for every Coun­ty, were to be impowred by the Commonaltie of each County to receive, and to deliver to them. and to do what else the Prince by advice of the Nobles should or­dain in this Parliament. 4. That the chief occasion of this Writ and Parliament was this; the Earls of He­reford, and Marshall, who were very powerfull and po­pular, inhibited the Barons of the Eschequer, after the Kings passage into Flanders, to levy the 8. part of their goods granted to him at St. Edmunds, without their consents; and induced the City of London to joyn with them, not to pay the same, unless these Great Charters and their other Liberties were first confirmed, which the Prince and his Counsil promised to doe, as you may read at large in Thomas de Walsingham, Hist. Angl. p. 35. to 42. and Ypodigma Neustriae, p. 84, 85, 86. &c. Mat. Westminster, Anno 1297. p. 409, 410. Henry de Knyghton, de Eventibus Angliae, l. 3. c. 11. Holinshed, Grafton, with other our vulgar Historians; and My Plea for the Lords, p. 98. to 104. The Prince, by advice of the Counsil, after the summons of this Parliament, to prevent all Commotions by these Earls and their Confederates, issued special Writs not only to all [Page 37] Cl. 25 E. 1 m. 5. 3. dorso Great Cities and Corporations of England, prohibiting, Ne Congregationes & Conventicula fiant, to disturb the publike peace, and to all Captains and Governors of Castles, in respect of the present dangers, safely to guard their Castles, so as non Nobis vel dicto Consilio non passet aliquod periculum imminere, as the Writs at large inform us; but likewise sent special Writs to some Earls and Lords formerly summoned to the Parlia­ment at London, and to some others whom they most confided in, to repair to the Prince and his Counsil, with their horses and arms; as is evident by these me­morable Writs intermixed with the Writs of Sum­mons to this Parliament, Claus. 25 E. 1. m. 5. dor­so.

Claus. 25 E. 1. m. 3. dorso. De veniendo cum equis 8 [...] armis. Rex dilecto et fideli nostro Ricardo fil. Alani Comiti Arundell salutem. Quia nuper ante passagium nostrum ad partes transmarinas injunximus Edwardo filio nostro, tenenti in Anglia locum nostrum, quaedam Negotia Nos & regnum no­strum specialiter contingentibus, super quibus ipsum Vobiscum habere volumus Colloquium & Tractatum. Vobis man­damus in fide et dilectione quibus Nobis tenemini firmiter in­jungentes, quantum sitis, cum equis et armis ad dictum fili­um nostrum die Dominica proxima ante instans festum Sti. Michaelis ubicunque tunc fuerit in Anglia; ad veniendum ibidem cum dicto Filio nostro et ejus Consilio super dictis ne­gotiis locuturi & tractaturi, ac facturi quod tunc Uobis per ipsum & Consilium suum injungetur ex parte nostra. Et hoc sicut Nos & bonorem nostrum, & commodum regni nostri di­ligitis, nullatenus omittatis. T. Edwardo filio Regis a­pud Sanctum Paulum London. 9 die Septembris.

Consim. literae diriguntur subscriptis, Roberto de Dacre, and 48 more.

(The like Writs issued Fulconi fil. Warini, to be cum equis & armis ad dictum filium nostrum London in Octab. Sancti Michaelis, prox futur. Ibidem cum dicto filio nostro et ejus Consilio super dictis negotiis locuturi et tractaturi, &c. T [...]ut supra.

Consimiles literae diriguntur, to 28. others.)

[Page 38] Et Memor. quod omnes isti rogati fuerunt quod venirent a­pud Roffs: praeter Phum. Muhaunks, Nichum. Bram­cher, Simonem Roges de Fydoks, Petrum Mellore, & Phum. de Wylyver, quorum brevia fuerunt restitu­ta.

Rex dilecto et fideli suo Johanni Gifford salutem. Licet nuper vobis mandaverimus, quod propter quaedam ardua Ne­gotia Nos et regnum nostrum tangentia, ad Parliamentum quod erit London in proximo crastino Sancti Michaelis ad Edwardum filium nostrum, tenentem in Anglia locum no­strum modis omnibus veniretis. Vobis tamen ob aliquas cer­tas causas firmiter injungendo mandamus, quod interim taliter ordinetis, quod equi vestri et arma sint ad Vos London. in Octabis dicti festi Sancti Michaelis ad ultimum. Et hoc sicut Nos et commodum regni diligitis, nullatenus omittatis. T. Edwardo filio nostro apud Sanctum Paulum 16. die Sep­tembris.

Consimiles Literae dirigunlur subscriptis, viz. Edmun­do Com. Cornub. Roberto de Tateshall, Ful­coni fil. Warini.

So as it appears by these Writs that there was first a Summons to London to the Parliament, and after to a kinde of Militari Camp, cum equis & armis.

These Writs would have little prevailed to secure the Prince and his Counsil, and prevent Insurrections, had they not then issued out the former, for the con­firmation and future inviolable observation of the Great Cbarters, and redress of all other Grievances men­tioned in their Petitions in Walsingham, the free and full concession whereof in Parliament, and ratification of these Charters, quieted all tumultuous Spirits and drew on the people to a chearfull payment of that ex­traordinary Tax which disgusted them.

The next writs are not entred in the Clause Rolls, but I find the Original Writs themselves, with their returns, in the Bundle of them yet extant in the Tower, out of which I shall present you with this true transcript, copied with my own hand.

[Page 39] Anno 26 E. 1. Bundela n. 1. Edwardus Dei gratia Nortbt. 7. Rex Angliae, Dominus Hyberniae, & Dux Aquitaniae. Vic. Northt. salutem. Quia apud Ebor. in instanti sesto Pen­tecostes esse proponimus Deo concedente, et ibidem Cum Comitibus, Baronibus, et caeteris Proceribus dicti regni super negotiis Nos et Statum ejusdem Reg­ni tangentibus habere volumus Colloquium et Tracta­tum: per quod mandavimus tisdem Comitibus, Ba­ronibus, et Proceribus quod tunc sint ad Nos ibidem Nobiscum locuturi, et super dictis negotiis tractaturi. Tibi praecipimus firmiter injungentes, quod de Com. praedicto duos Milites, et de qualibet Civitate ejusdem Com. duos Cives, et de quolibet Burgo duos Burgenses de discretio­ribus, et ad laborandum potentioribus sine dilatione eligi, & eos ad Nos ad praedictos diem et locum venire facias. It a quod dicti Milites plenam et sufficientem potestatem pro se et Communitate Com. praedicti, et dicti Cives & Burgenses pro se et Communitate Civitatum et Burgorum praedictorum divisim ab ipsis tunc ibidem habeant, ad faciend. quod tunc de communi Consilio ordinabitur in praemissis. Ita quod pro defectu hujus­modi potestatis negotia praedicta infecta nō remaneant quoquo modo. Et habeas ibi nomina Militum, Civi­um et Burgensium, et hoc Breve. Teste meipso apud Fulham, 13. die Aprilis, Anno regni nostri vicessimo sexto.

The rest of the Writs in this Bundle to the other Sheriffs were all in the self-same form, and have the self-same date, except that to the Sheriff of London; Therefore I shall not repeat any more of them, but ac­quaint you with the several different returns of the Sheriffs endorsed on every of these Writs, or in Ce­dules annexed to them, being the first Returns extant, full of excellent variety and use, as well as ratity. The first Writ to the Sheriff of Northampton, is thus endor­sed and returned by the Sheriff.

[Page 40] Nomina Militum Electorum pro Com. Northamptone

  • Stephanus Rabas Man: per
    • Rogerum fil. Galfridi.
    • Willielmum Cartar
    • Henr. de Ossevill
    • Willielmum Andrew.
  • Philippus de Bosco Man. pe [...]
    • Alex. Wyn, de Wodeffs.
    • Gervas Gould de eadem.
    • Will. Pestour de eadem.
    • Simonē Craneffe de eadem

Nomina Burgensium Electorum pro villata Northampt.

  • Johannes de Longevylle Man. per
    • Matthaeum le Mercer,
    • Iohannem Minsmyth,
    • Robertum de Sedeffs,
    • Willielmum Demont.
  • Spencer de Northt. Man. per
    • Johan. de Thorp
    • Hugo le Paumer
    • Henry de Harwood
    • Galfr. de Garliks.

The Writ to the Sheriff of the County of Oxford, is thus endorsed and returned, Note: Oxon. 2

Milites et Burgenses subscripti electi sunt secundum formam content. in brevi, et manucapt. de veniend. &c. viz. Willielmus de Nalebrok Miles, Henricus de Bruly Miles, with two manucaptors for each. De Burgo Oxon: 2. Burgesses are returned, with 2. manucaptors for each. Non sunt plures Burgi & Civitates in Com. Oxon.

The writ to the Sheriffs of London is, Quod de Civi­tale praedicta Duos Cives de discretioribus & ad laborandum Note: London. 3 potentioribus sine dilatione eligi, &c. ut supra. T. Rege a­pud Westm. 10 die Aprilis. On which writ this return is indorsed,

Secundum quod injunctum est Nobis per istud man­datum, eligi fecimus Walterum de Fynchyngfeld, et Adam de Fowham, ad essend. coram Vobis ad diem et locum in brevi contentos, Vobis collocutur, et super negotiis vestris tractatur. quibus ad hoc plenam et sufficientem [Page 41] potestatem dedimus nomine nostro, prout praecipitur in brevi.

The writ for Middlesex is thus returned, Totus Middlesex. 4. Com. Midd. elegerunt Ricum. de Wyndesore & Henricum de Enefeld Milites, ad veniend apud Eborum, pro toto Com. &c.

Manucaptores Dom. Rici: de Wyndesore essendi ad diem in brevi, 2. are there returned, with two for the other. Nulla est Civitas vel Burgus in balliva mea.

The return for Hereford is in this form.

Nomina duorum Militum Com. Hereford. Hereford. 5.

Manucaptores Thomae de Chabenore, 4. there named as his Manucaptors.

Manucaptores Thomae de la Mare, 4. there listed as his manucaptors.

Nomina duor. Civium Civitatis Hereford, 2. there returned, having each 2. manucaptors.

Nomina duorum Burgensium de Burgo Leominster, 2. Burgesses returned with their two manucaptors a­peece.

Nomina duorum Burgensium de Burgo de Bewelye 2. with 2. manucaptors for either returned.

The return of the Sheriff of Buckingham. Johannes Bucks. 6. de Sherwode Miles, electus est, et habet plenam et suffici­entem potestatem pro se et Communitate Com. prae­dicti. Et idem Johannes manucaptus est veniendi co­ram vobis ad diem in brevi contentum.

Nomina manucaptorum praedicti Johan. &c. 4. there named and returned.

Laur: de Blunkesdon Miles, electus est in forma prae­dicta, et manucaptus est veniendi coram vobis ad di­em in brevi contentum. Nomina manucapt. &c. 4. there specified.

Nulli sunt Cives nec Burgenses in Com: praedicto, nec Ci­vitas, nec Burgus: propter quod Cives nec Burgenses coram vobis ventre facere non possum.

The return of the Sheriff of Bedford, Walterus fil. Bedford. 7. Roberti Miles, electus est, et habet plenam et sufficien­tem [Page 42] potestatem pro se et Communitate Com. praedict. Et idem Walterus manucaptus est de veniendo coram vobis ad diem in brevi contentum.

Nomina manucaptorum praedicti Walteri 4.

Ricardus de Rous Miles, electus est, et habet plenam, &c. ut supra, & distring: per octo boves et quatuor afros, veniend. coram vobis ad diem in brevi. Nota.

  • Burgenses
    • Thomas Halyday de Burgo Bed: electus est, & manucap. per 4. there listed.
    • Robertus de Cywelle de Burgo Bed. manu­capt. per 4. there named.

The return of the Sheriff of Surrey endorsed on the Note: Surr: 8 Writ, Milites, Burgenses electi in Com: Surr. viz. Ioban: de Auburnon Miles, manucapt. est per 2. there listed. Io­hannes de Hamme Miles, per 2. others.

Burgus de Gildeford, 2 Burgesses, with 2 manucaptors.

Burg: de Sutbwerk, 2 Burgesses, with 2 manucaptors.

Burgus de Reygate, 2 Burgesses, with 2 manucapsors.

Burgus de Blecchyngelegh 2. with 2 manucaptors for each of all these Burgesses,

Milites, Cives et Burgenses electi in Com: Sussex, viz: Note: Sussex. 9 & manuc: secundum tenorem Brevis.

Henricus Huse Miles, manucapt. est per 2. venire ad diem, &c.

Radul: Samsaver Miles, manucapt. est per 2. venire ad diem.

Burgenses de Seford 2. having each 2 manucaptors.

Burgenses de Shorham 2. with 2 manucaptors.

Burgenses de Steryng Bunibus, with 2 manucap­tors.

Burgenses de Lewes 2 with 2 manucaptors for either.

Cives Civitatis Cycestr: 2. with 2 mauucaptors for each.

Nomina Militum, Civium, Burgensium in Com: Wigorn. Note: Wigorn. 10 electorum,

Willielmus de Meueschal Miles, et sunt manucaptores ejusdem Willielmi 2.

Thomas de Bertelegh Miles, & sunt manucaptores 2. there listed.

[Page 43] Cives Wigorn: 2. man: 2. for each, there named.

Burgenses de Wychia 2. manuc. 2 for either.

Schedula. Nomina Militum et Burgensium secundum te­norem Note: Glouc. 11 Brevis Domini Regis huic panello attach: electi de es­sendo ad diem et locum in brevi content. prout in eodem praeei­pitur.

  • Milites
    • Robertus de. Berkeleye, man. 4.
    • Johan. de Langeleye, man. 4. there listed.
  • Burgenses de villa Bristoll
    • Johannes de Tanner, man. 2.
    • Iohannes de Cheddre, man. 2.

Burgenses de villa Gloucestr: 2. with 2 manucaptors returned.

Nulla est civitas in Com: Gloucestr.

De Com. Derby electi sunt duo Milites, qui plenam Note: Derby 12 et sufficientem potestatem habent pro se et Communi­tate Com: praedict: secundum tenorem hujus brevis, viz. Henricus de Braylesford Miles, qui manucaptu [...] per 2. Henricus filius Herberti Miles, qui manucapitur by 2. there listed.

Et breve istud returnatum fuit Willo: le Oyler Balli­uo Libertatis Villae Derb: qui plenum returnum brevis habet pro duobus Burgensibus ejusdem villae, et mihi respond: quod elegit assensu Communitatis totius vil­lae praedictae Magistrum Willum. Broun de Derby, et Ni­cbum. le Latimer de eadem, who have two manucaptors for each returned.

De Com. Nottingh. electi sunt duo Milites, qui ple­nam et sussic. potestatem habent pro se et Communita­te Note: Notingh. 13 Comitatus praedicti, secundum tenorem hujus bre­vis, viz. Richus. de Byngbam Miles, qui manucaptus per 2. Richus de Furneus Miles, qui manucaptus per 2. there named.

Et Breve istud retorn, fuit Ballivis Libertatis villae Not­tingh. pro duobus Burgensibus; qui michi responderunt, quod eligerunt assensu Communitatis villae praedictae, Johem le Flemyng, de Nott. Adam de Flemyng de eadem: who found two manucaptors a-peece there recorded.

Willus: de Hodenet Miles electus, manucaptus est ven: Note: Salop. 14 [Page 44] ad diem in brevi contentum per 2. Petrus de Byton Miles electus, manucaptus est per two there named.

Burgenses de Salop 2. Burgenses; de Bruges 2. there named, manuc. per 2 manucaptors for each of them.

Willielmus de Stafford Miles electus, manucaptus est Note: Stafford 15 venire ad diem in brevi contentum per 2. Henricus Mau­ney Miles electus manuc. est per 2. there recorded.

Burg. de Stafford ven. & non alii.

Nomina Militum. Robertus de Hoo & Iohannes Aygnel Note: Hereford 16 electi sunt in pleno Com. Hereford, Duos Milites per communitatem ejusdem Com. ad diem et locum in hoc breui content. ad faciend. quod Breve exigit; et manu­capti sunt prout patet in Cedula huic brevi annexa: wherein there are four manucaptors for either of them returned.

Iohannes de Westret de Hereford, Simon Walle de eadem electi sunt duos Burgenses per Communitatem Burgen­sium Hereford in forma praedicta; et manucapti sunt, prout patet in dicta Cedula huic brevi consuta: ha­ving each 4. manucaptors, all of Hereford.

Nulla est Civitas, nec plures Burgi in dicto Com. existunt.

Per istud Breve elegi per communitatem totius Com. duos Note: Roteland. 17 Milites, scil. Johannem de Folevill, et Willielmum de Bercks. qui manucapti sunt essendi apud Ebor. ad diem in brevi nominatum: & sunt Manucaptores, 3 for each there listed.

Nulla est Civitas nec Burgus in Balliva mea.

Nomina Militum electorum pro Communitate Com. West­merl. Note: Westmerland. 18 Thomas de Derewenwater electus est, et manucaptus per 2. Rogerus de Burton, manucaptus per 2. there na­med.

De Civibus nichil, quia nulli Cives sunt in Com. praedicto.

Nomina Burgensium, 2. there returned for Apelby; who had two manucaptors for each.

Responsum istius Brevis est in quodam panello huic Brevi Note: Wyltes. 19 attacbiato.

VVillus: de Cotes Miles, electus pro Communitate Com: manucaptus est. veniend. ad diem infra content. [Page 45] per 2. Iohannes de Grynstede Miles, electus est pro eadem Communitate, manucaptus per two there named.

Cives 2. pro Civitate Novae Sarum electi, manucapt. veniend. per two manucaptors for each.

Burgenses 2. pro Burgo de Dounton, 2. pro Burgo de Devises, 2 pro Burgo de Chippenham, 2 pro Burgo de Malmsbur. who had two manucaptors for each there­in returned.

Et retorn: fuit Constab. Merleberge, et Ballivis Liber­tatum de Kalne & Worthe, qui nullum inde dederunt responsum.

Nullus venil nec Burgus de Lanc. is endorsed on the Note: Lanc. 20 Writ; In the Cedule annexed this return is made. Eligi feci per consensum totius Com: Henricum de Kyghebey, & Johannem Devias Milites, essendi ad diem ut infra brevi, qui plenam et sufficientem potestatem habent pro se et Commu­nitate totius Com. ad faciend. prout in brevi continetur. El sunt manucaptores ipsius Henrici, veniendi ad diem ut infra 4. and 4. for the other Knight there returned.

Nulla est Civitas in Com. Lanc. Burgenses 2. de Preston. Note: Lincoln. 21 Burgenses 2. de Lancastria; who all finde 4. manucap­tors for each of them there returned.

Nomina duorum Militum electorum pro Communitate Com. Lincoln, & eorum manucaptores.

Manucaptores Willi: Dysux Militis 4. Johan: Marmyon Militis 4. there named.

Nomina Civium civitatis Linc. & eorum manucaptorum, two Citizens there returned, found each 4. manucap­tors.

Nomina Burgensium Burgi Stamfordiae, et eorum manu­captores, 2. returned, who had 4. manucaptors apeece: Grymesby, two Burgenses thence returned had each of them 4 manucaptors.

Nomina Militum electorum pro Communitate Com. Nor­thumbr. Note: Northumbr. 22 Dominus Henricus de Dychende, & est manu­captus per 4. Dominus Johannis de Ogghel, & est manu­captus per 4. there named.

Nomina Burgensium electorum pr [...] communitate Burgi [Page 46] Novi Castri super Tynam sunt in Cedula huic Brevi an­nexa: 2. Burgenses are returned in the Cedule, with 4. manucaptors for either.

Arrayamentum hujus brevis attachiatur huic Brevi, is in­dorsed Ebor. 23. on the Writ, with this Cedule, Nomina Mili­tum electorum pro Com. Ebor.

Manucaptores Iohannis Sampson 2

Manucaptores Iohannis de Heselarton 2. there named.

Nomina Civium civitatis Ebor. cum eorum manucapt: 2. returned, with two several manucaptors for either.

Nomina Burgensium de Com. Ebor. cum eorum mas nucapt. Beverlac. 2. Scardeburg. 2. Pontefract 2. Malton 2. Alverton 2. Burgenses returned from each, with two manucaptors for every of them.

Nomina Militum de Com: Suff. Dominus Johannes Suffolk. 24. de Byckele cujus manuc. sunt 2. Dominus Petrus de Den­narstover, cujus man. sunt 2. there named.

Nomina Burgensium Gyppeswic. 2. Nomina Bur­gensium de Dunewyco 2. Nomina Burgensium de Ore­ford 2, returned for either, with two manucaptors for each of them.

Nullus ven. in Burgo de Norwico is indorsed on the writ. In Cedula. Norff. 25.

Nomina Militum Com. Norff. Dominus VVillielmus Rostovyn, cujus manuc. sunt 2. Dominus Willus: de Warnny, cujus manue. sunt 2.

Nomina Civium Norwic. 2. with two Manucaptors apeece.

Nomina Burgensium de Lenn: 2. who found two manucaptors for either. Pro Burgo de Ieremuta, retur­natum fuit istud Breve Ballivis de Ieremuta qui habent returna Brevium, et nichil inde mihi responderunt.

Responsum est in panello huic Brevi annexo. The Cedule Devon. 26. annext begins thus.

Nomina Militum, Civium et Burgensium de Comitatu Devon. electorum pro communitate Com. praedict. De assensu totius communitatis Devon. electi sunt duo Milites, viz. Johannes de Umfravill, & Willielmus de Chamber­noun, [Page 47] quos distring. essend. ad diem in brevi contentum; sed Johannes de Umfravill nullum manucaptorem micbi mit­tere Nota. voluit. Willielmus de Chambernoun manucaptus est, per Simonem de Hok, Johannem Richman.

Cives, pro Civitate Exon. electi sunt Cives 2. with two manucaptors apeece.

Burgenses; Barnst. 2. Plimpton 2. Sutton 2. Totton 2. Dertemouth 2. Ashperton 2. with two manucaptors for each Burgesse there returned.

Henricus de Blount unus duorum Militum electus, per se Essex. 27. et communitate Com. Essex manucapitur per 6. Willielmus de Dureem alter Miles electus pro eodem Com. manuc. per 6. The two Burgenses elected pro communitate Burgi Cole. cestr. manuc. per 4. manucaptors for each. Et non est ali­qua Civitas in Balliva mea, nec alter Burgus quam super no­minat.

Johannes de Aunger Mil. & Robertus Pontrel, Mi­lites Leicestr. 28. electi pro toto Com. Leic. plenam potestatem pro eodem Com. habentes, manucapti sunt essendi coram vobis ad diem in brevi content. secundum tenorem istius brevis. Et praedictus Johannes manucap: per two, and the others by two Ma­nucaptors there named.

The 2. Burgenses elected pro villa de Leicest. in forma praedict. find each two manucaptors, there returned.

Philippus de Gaytone, & Johannes fil. Guidonis, Warwic. 29. Milites electi de com. Warr. plenam potestatem babent pro to­to com. praedicto; manuc. sunt essendi coram vobis ad diem in hoc brevi content. per two manucaptors apeece, Electi 2. de villa de Coventr, & 2 Homines villae Warwick: each of them find two manucaptors.

Burgesses 2. Electi de civ. Roff: quorum uterque manu. Kanc. 30. cap. per 4. there named as their joynt manucaptors.

Milites electi de com. Cant. Richus de Scombard, & Johannes de Gosehall, quorum uterque man. per 4. ma­nucaptors there listed.

Burgenses Civitatis Cant. 2. quorum uterque man. per 4. there returned.

Milites electi de Com. Cantebr. Stephanus le Mes­ser Cantebr. 31. [Page 48] de Oversdone, Petrus de Armyngton de eadem: ma­capt. 4. returned after them. Burgenses 2. Cant. with two manucaptors for each de eadem villa.

Milites electi de Com. Hunt. Radus. de Laytone, Ri­cus. Hant. 32. Hotot, man. 4. for both. Burgenses 2. for Hunt: with two manucaptors for each ejusdem villae.

Regin: de Bevill & Thomas de Pridiex Milites, e­lecti Cornub. 33. sunt per totam communitatem Com. Cornub. qui quidem manucapti sunt veniend apud Ebor. ad diem in brevi content. et ad faciend. prout continetur in brevi: each of them having 4. manucaptors returned over against their names.

Nomina Burgensium; de Bodmin 2. qui man. per 4. manu­captores. Nomina Burgensium de Launcest. qui man. per 4. manucaptores. Nomina Burgensium de Trurou. qui manuc. sunt per 4. manucapt. Nom. Burgensium de Helston 2 qui manuc. per 4. manucaptores apeece, there named.

Responsio hujus Brevis patet in Cedula huic brevi con­suta. Sutbton. 34.

Nomina duorum Militum electorum in Com. Sutht. Hugo de Escote Miles, qui manuc. per 2. Baldewinus de Bello Monte, qui manuc. est per two there returned.

Nomina Civium civitatis Wynton. 2. with two ma­nucaptors for each, all de Wynton.

Nomina Burgensium de Burgo Sutht. 2. with two ma­nucaptors apeece. Nomina Burgens. Burgi de Portes­muth 2. with two manucaptors for each.

In plena Com. Dors. per totam Communitatem Com. eligi feci duos Milites, & de quolibet Burgo duos Burgenses, de dis­cretioribus Dorses. 35. et ad laborandum potentioribus, secundum tenorem hujus brevis: Nomina continentur in Cedula huic brevi an­nexa. Qui quidem Milites plenam & sufficientem potestatem pro se & communitate Com. praedict. et dicti Burgenses pro se & communitate dictorum Burgorum divisim ab ipsis habent. Et tam praedicti Milites, quam praedicti Burgenses, manucap­ti sunt veniendi coram vobis ad diem et locum in brevi conten­tos ad faciend. quod tunc ibidem ordinabitur, secundum te­norem hujus brevis, prout continetur in eadem Ce­dula.

[Page 49] Nulla est Civitas in Com. praedicto is indorsed on the Writ. In the Cedule annexed followes,

Milites Com. Dors. & eorum manucaptores, Philippus Maubanke Miles, with two man. Jacobus de Trowe Miles, with two manucaptors there listed.

Nomina Burgensium ejusdem Comitatus, et eorum manu­captores, viz. de Burgo de Brideport 2. with two ma­nucaptors for either. De Burgo de Dorcestria 2. with two manucaptors. De Burgo de Shafton 2. with two manucaptors for either.

The last Writ in the Bundle is thus indorsed.

In pleno Com. Somerset per totam communitatem ejus­dem Note: Somersee. 36 Com. eligi feci duos Milites, et de qualibet Civitate duos Cives, et de quolibet Burgo duos Burgenses de discretioribus et ad labor andum potentioribus, secundum tenorem hujus bre­vis, quorum nomina continentur in Cedula huic brevi consuta. Qui quidem Milites plenam & sufficientem potestatem, pro se & Communitate Com. praedict. habent, & dicti Cives pro se & tota Communitate dictae Civitat. divisim ab ipsis habent, & dicti Burgenses pro se et tota communitate dictorum Bur­gorum divisim similiter ab ipsis habent. Et praedicti Milites, quam praedicti Cives & Burgenses manucapti sunt veniendi coram vobis ad diem et locum in brevi contentos, ad faciend. quod tune ibidem ordinabitur, secundum tenorem hujus brevis, prout continetur in praedicta Cedula; which follows in this form.

Nomina Militum Com. Somerset et eorum manucaptores, Robertus de Brent Miles, Johannes de Wyk Miles To whose names he returns severally, manucaptus est per two there named.

Nomina Civium Civitatis Bathon. & eorum manucap­tores; Henricus Baton, & Thomas le Mesteer, who have 2. manucaptors' apeece.

Nomina Burgensium ejusdem Com. de Burgo Taunton, 2. with two manucaptors for each; De Burgo de Brig­ges Walteri 2. with two manucaptors; De Burgo de Welles 2. with two manucaptors; De Burgo de Ivelce­ster 2. with two manncaptors; De Burgo de Mille­burne-port [Page 50] 2. with two manucaptors apeece.

The Writt to the Sheriff of Hertford and the return thereof, is wanting in this Bundle, and I have here for brevitie, left out the names of most Citizens and Burgesses returned, with their manucaptors names.

It is observable, from these Writs issued to the She­riffs, 1, That there is no mention at all of the Bishops, Abbots, or Clergie summoned to this Convention at Yorke, touching any Conference or Treaty there to be held with them; but only cum Comitibus, Baronibus & Proceribus regni nostri; who were only summoned thi­ther (as this writ imports) the Clergy being then in a See Register part 1. p. 8. 113. to 126, Mat. Westm, part 2. p. 407, 408. Tho. Walsingham, Hist. Angl. p. 34, 35, 36, Praemunire, and under the Kings displeasure, as I conceive. 2. That the Earls, Barons, and Nobles of the Realm, were the only persons summoned, Nobiscum locuturi, & super praedictis negotiis tractaturi: And the Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses elected, required, and impowred only, ad faciend: quod tunc de communi Consilio ordinabitur in praemissis: which full and sufficient pow­er they were every of them to receive for themselves and the whole Commonalties who elected them, from the said respective Commonalties, by vertue of the Kings writ. 3ly. That the want of such a full and sufficient power, might hinder and disappoint the exe­cution of such businesses as were there appointed and ordained by common consent of the King and Lords. 4ly. That the word Parliamentum is not used in any of these writs. 5ly. That there is no Writ in this Bun­dle to the Constable of Dover, and Warden of the Cinque-ports, for electing any Barons for those Ports, nor any returns made of them. 6ly. That the City of London had then a particular Writ directed to the She­riffs thereof for the election only of two Citizens, and no more.

I shall observe also from the Sheriffs returns of these writs, 1. That the Knights in every shire were elected in the full County, by and for the whole County; from whom they received full and sufficient power, [Page 51] ad faciend. quod tunc ordinabitur secundum tenorem hujus brevis: and that the Citizens and Burgesses were then elected and impowred by the respective Commonalties of the Cities and Burroughs for whom they served. 2. That all the Sheriffs did then exact and receive from every Knight, Citizen, Burgesse thus elected and returned, special manucaptors for his appearing at the day and place appointed by the writ, whose names they returned; some of them requiring, & they putting in 6. others 4. most of them two manucaptors apeece of good qualitie, for their appearing; though the writs particularly enjoyned them not to take any manucap­tors' from them. And that by vertue only of this ge­ueral clause in the writs: Et eos ad nos ad praedictos diem et locum venire facias: it being the See Brooke, Fitzherbert, & Ash. Title, Mainprise. usual legal way to cause them to repair to the King and Parliament at the day & usual place prefixed (in other writs) which practice afterwards continued; there being manucaptors returnd & sound by most Knights, Citizens, Burgesses, that I hav seen, after the reign of King Edw. the 1. & 2. till 12 E. 4. though many had none in later times 3. That of all the Knights, Citizens and Burgesses elected and retur­ned this year, one or two of them only refused to finde manucaptors; to wit, John de Umfravill chosen one of the Knights for Devon, which the Sheriff speci­ally returns: And Sir William Rous one of the knights for Bedfordshire, as it seems, whom the Sheriff thereup­on distrained, per octo boves et quatuor afros veniend. co­ram vobis ad diem in brevi: 4ly. That the Sheriffs re­turns are various and different in their forms, some more general, & brief, some more full and punctual ac­cording to the contents of the writ; some with Ce­dules annexed, others on the dorse of the writs, yet all accepted as sufficient, and legal. 5ly. That some Counties in after times, & at this day, have many more Boroughs, sending 2. Burgesses apeece to Parliaments than they had in 26 E. 1. by new Charters fince purcha­sed, as appears by comparing these returns with those [Page 52] of later and present times. 6ly. That such Cities and Boroughs who had returns of writs, made their own returns of their Citizens and Burgesses elected, with their manucaptors to the Sheriffs: and that such of them who made no elections nor returns upon the writs, were returned as defalters by the Sheriffs. 7ly. That Bristoll was within the County of Gloueester, and its Burgesses and manucaptors returned amongst others of that County, till afterwards made a County with­in it self. 8ly. That Bath in 26 E. 1. was a City, and elected two Citizens, with manucaptors; and Wells, then only a Borough, electing and returning two Bur­gesses. 9ly. That some of the Knights returned have the word Dominus prefixed before, not following after their names, which shews they were only titular, not real Lords, perchance the sons of Lords, which are so stiled.

As none of the writs to the Sheriffs are entred in the Clause Roll of 26 E. 1. so I finde no other writ of Summons to the Spiritual or Temporal Lords registred therein, but only this to the Archbishop of York, which I omitted in the first Section, and shall here insert.

Claus. 26 E. l. d. 12. Rex Ven. in Christo Patri W. De Consilio sommonito. eadem gratia Archiep. Ebor. salutem. Quia super quibus­dam arduis negotiis Nos et statum Regni nostri tangentibus, Vobiscum habere volumus Colloquium et Tractatum; Vobis mandamus in fide et dilectione quibus Nobis tenemini firmi­ter injungentes, quod ad Nos usque Westm. personaliter ac­cedatis. Ita quod omnibus modis sitis ibidem die Dominica in Ramis Palmarum prox. futur. ad ultimum, super dictis negotiis locuturi et etiam tractaturi. Et hoc nullo modo omit­tatis. Teste Rege apud Sandwycum 15 die Martii.

Consimiles literae diriguntur subscriptis, viz. Sc. London Episcopo, Magistro Roberto de Radeswell, Archidiac. Cestr. and 20 others of the Kings Counsil, without a­ny other Spiritual or Temporal Lords.

In 27 E. 1. I finde a writ issued to the Archbishop of Canterbury, with a De Parliamento tenendo in the [Page 53] margin of the Roll, though the writ and Postscript declare it to be but a private Counsil; which I have al­ready presented you with, Part 1. p. 10, 11. there being very few Spiritual and Temporal Lords, not any Knights, Citizens or Burgesses summoned thereunto.

In 28 E. 1. there issued two several forms of writs to all Sheriffs, for electing Knights, Citizens and Bur­gesses for two several Parliaments, held that year at London, and Lincoln; most of which Original writs, with their several returns, are yet extant in the Bundle of them in the Tower, and likewise both of them re­corded one after the other in Claus. 28 E. 1. mem: 16. dorso.

Rex Vic. Lincoln. salutem. Quia ad salvationem Coronae 8 nostrae, et communem utilitatem popull Regni nostri Secunda die Dominica Quadragesimae prox. sutur. London. Parlia­mentum tenere, et cum Praelatis, Magnatibus & Proceribus ejusdem Regni super negotiis Nos et idem Regnum contin­gentibus speciale Colloquium babere volumus et tractatum; Tibi praecipimus firmiter injungentos, quod de Com. praedicto duos Milites, &c. Ita quod, &c. (just as before, m. 23. E. 1. d. 4.) T. Rege apud Berewicum super Twed, 29. die Decembr.

Consimiles literae diriguntur singulis Vicecomitibus per Angliam.

The other writ (extraordinary and remarkable) is entred in Cl. 28 E. 1. m. 3. dorso. The Original writs then issued remain in the Bundle of writs of this year, with the returns annexed.

Rex Vic. Cumbr. salutem. Cum nuper pro communi u­tilitate 9 populi Regni nostri concesserimus, quod Charta de De Militibus, Civibus & Burgensibus mittend. ad Parliamentum Regis. Foresta in singulis suis articulis firmiter observaretur, assignando quosdam de fidelibus nostris in singulis Com, ejusdē Regni in quibus Forestae nostrae existunt ad perambulationem in eisdem Forestis faciend. Ita quod perambulationem illam distinctè et apertè factam ad Nos, antequam aliqua executio, vel aliquod aliud inde fieret reportarent; et quod Juramentum nostrum, [Page 54] jus Coronae Angliae, rationes et calumpniae nostrae, nec­non jus, rationes et calumpniae aliorum omnium salva forent. Nos licet dilecti et fideles nostri nune primò ad Nos detulerunt quid fecerunt quod fecerint in negotiis memoratis; quia ta­men Praelati, Comites, Barones, & caeteri Magnates dicti Regni, in quorum praesentia nostras et aliorum proponi & audiri volumus rationes, et de quorum Consilio in eodem negotio, prout alias diximus, intendimus operari; Maxime cum ipsi ad observand. et manutenend. Jura Regni et Coronae nostrae praedictae una Nobiscum Juramenti [...]i [...] sint astricti, juxta latus nostrum tunc temporis non fuerunt: ac pro eo similiter quod illi qui suas rationes qua­tenus illud negotium illos tangit proponere debeant, inde prae­muniti non erant, eidem negotio sine ipsorum consilio finem im­ponere non potuimus bono modo. Et quia negotium illud quantum possumus cupimus maturari, ita quod per Nos non fiet absque ulterioris dilationis incommodo effectum debitum sorci­atur; Uolentes cùm Praelatis, Comitibus, Baronibus & Magnatibus supradictis, ac cumaliis de Communitate dicti regni, super boc, e [...] quibusdam aliis arduis Negotiis Nos et statum regni praedicti tangentibus babere Colloquium et Tractatum. Tibi praecipimus firmiter injungentes, quod venire facias coram Nobis ad Parliamentum nostrum apud Lincoln. in Octab. Sancti Hillarii prox. futur. Duos Milites de Balliva tua; Illos videlicet, qui pro com­munitate Com. praedicti ad Parliamentum nostrum ultimo praeteritum per Praeceptum nostrum vene­rant: & eliam de qualibet Civitate infra Ballivam tuam eosdem Cives, & de quolibet Burgo eosdem Burgen­ses qui ad praedictum Parliamentum nostrum alias sic venerant. Et si fortè aliquis Militum, Civium, aut Burgensium praedictorum mortuus fuerit, aut infirmus, per quod ad dictos diem et locum venire nequerint, tunc loco illius mortui, aut infirmi, unum alium idoneum ad hoc eligi, et ad dictum Parliamentum nostrum venire facias. Ita quod Milites, Cives & Burgenses praedicti dictis die et loco modis omnibus intersint cum plena potestate audiendt et Faciendi ea quae ibidem in [Page 55] praemissis ordinari continget pro Communi commo­do dicti Regni. Et eisdem Militibus de Communitate Com. praedicti, et Civibus de Civitatibus, et Burgen­fibus de Burgis praedictis, Rationabiles expensas suas habere facias in Ueniendo ad Parliamentum no­strum, ibidem Morando, et etiam Redeundo. Tibi insuper praecipimus sicut prius, quod per totam Ballivam tuam sine dilatione publice proclamari fac. Quod omnes illi qui terras aut tenementa habeant infra-metas Forestae no­strae in Balliva tua, & qui Perambulationem in aliquo calumpniari voluerint, quod sint coram Nobis in Parliamento nostro praedicto ostensur. in hac parte ra­tiones suas et Calumpnias si quas habent. Et habeas ibi nomina Militum, Civium, & Burgensium, et hoc breve. T. Rege apud le Rose 26 die Septembris.

Consimiles literae diriguntur Vic. subscriptis in quo­rum Com. Forestae existunt, Viz.

Westmerl. Surr. Hereford
Eborum. Southt. Roteland
Notingham Wiltes. Oxon.
Derby Somerset Salop.
Northampt. Dorset Stafford.
Bucks. Devon. VVarr.
Hunt: Glouc.  
Essex Wigorn.  

Rex Uic. Lincoln. salutem. Cum nuper pro Communi u­tilitate, &c. ut supra usque ibi, pro communi commodo dicti Regni. Et habeas ibi nomina praedictorum Militum, Civium et Burgensium, et hoc breve. T. ut supra.

Eodem modo mandatum est Vic-subscriptis, in quorum Com. non sunt Forestae.

Norff. Kent Northumbr
Suff. Sussex Cumbr.
Cantebr. Middlesex Lancastr.
Bedf. Leicestr. Hertford.

[Page 54] These Writs are thus variously returned by the She­riffs.

Alenus de Fraunceyes manucapitur per 2. Thomas Note: Cantebrigg. 1 de Scalaris manucapitur per 2. Burgenses 2. Cant. with two manucaptors for either.

Nomina Militum de Com. Lincoln. duorum Civi­um de qualibet Civitate, et duorum Burgensium de Note: Lincoln. 2 quolibet Burgo infra Com. praedictum, viz. eorum qui ad Parliamentum ultimò praeceptum venerunt, et secu­ritatem quam michi fecerunt ad veniend. ad Parliamen­tum nunc tenend. patent in sequenti. Man. Thomae fil. Eustachii, unius Militis Com. praedicti 4. there return­ed after his name: Man. Thomae de Burnham alterius Mi­litis, 4. there listed. Man. Stephani de Cranham, unius Civis civitatis Lincoln 4. Man. Willi Cause alterius Civ. 4. all de Lincoln. Man. unius Burgensium de Grymsby 4. alterius Burgensis 4. there named.

Nomina Militum Com. Hertford, Rogerus de Pate­mer with two manucaptors. Willus le Galle 2. manu­captors. Note: Hertford 3 Burgenses Villae Hertford 2. Burgenses, villae de Sancto Albano. 2. with two manucaptors for every of them.

Warrenus do Ualoignes Miles, qui ad Parliamentum ultimo praeteritum extitit pro communitate Com. Kanc. 4. Kantiae, manucaptus est quod fit ad diem et locum in hoc brevi contentum per 4. there named. Richardus de Scolande, Miles, qui pro communitate Com. Cantiae, exitit ad Parliamentum ultimo praeteritum, mortuus est; in loco ejus per communitatem Com. Cantiae, Henricus de Apeldrefeld electus est; manucaptus est quod fit ad di­em et locum in brevi content. per 4. Johannes de Sancto Dionysio unus Civium de civitate Roff: manucaptus est per 4. Robertus de Bettlescombe, unus Civium de civit. Roff. manucapitur per 4. there listed. De Civibus Civ. Cantuar. retornat. fuit istud Breve Ballivis Li­bertatis ejusdem civitatis, qui nichil respondent.

Executio istius Brevis patet in Cedula huic brevi attach.

Milites electi: Petrus de Dennardeston nunc electus Note: Suff. 5 [Page 55] est loco Johannis de Bishake, qui infirmus est: qui ma­nucaptus est per 2. Johannis de Peyton manuc. est per 2.

Burgenses electi Gippewic. ss. 2. Donewic. 2. with two manucaptors for every of them.

Executio istius Brevis patet in Cedula huic brevi attach:

Milites electi, Ricus: de Walsingham manucaptus est Note: Norff. 6 per 2. Robertus de Hengham per 2.

Cives electi, Norwicum 2. with two manucaptors for each.

Burgenses electi, Jernem. 2. Lenn. 2. with two seve­al manucaptors.

Iohannes de Mandeville et Johannes de Folevill Mili­tes, qui ad Parliamentum prox, praeteritum manucap­ti, Leicestr. 7. &c. per two manucaptors for either. Burgenses villae de Leycestr. 2. man. per two manucaptors there returned: Et omnes supradicti plenam habent potestatem se­cundum tenorem istius brevis.

Milites electiss. Iohannes Perceval de Samoy, &c. ma­nuc. Note: Warwic. 8 per two there listed: Et idem Iohannis fuit ad Par­liamentum prox. praeteritum. ss. Iohannes de Clyntone, de Makstoke, electus est nun [...] loco Philippi de Payton, eo quod idem Philippus est nunc Vicecomes Warr. & Leic. et praedictus Iohannes manuc. est per two there na­med. Nota.

Burgenses Villae Warr. 2. Burgenses Villae Coventr. 2. with two manucaptors apeece.

Omnes supradicti plenam habent potestatem, secundum teno­rem brevis.

Proclamatio publicè & solenniter facta est secundum teno­rem brevis praedicti.

Manucapt. Iohannis de Elsefeld Militis, qui prius fuit Oxon. 9. ad Parliamentum prout in brevi content. 2 manucapt. Iohan: de Pratellis alterius Militis, 2. there returned.

Burg. Villae Oxon 2. with two distinct manucaptors for either.

Nulla est Civitas nec aliquis Burgus praeter praedict. Bur­gum Oxon. in Com. Oxon.

[Page 56] Publicè proclamari feci per totam Ballivam meam, qnod omnes illi qui habent terras infra metas Forestae et per ambula­tionem voluerint calumpniari, sint ad diem et locum contentos in brevi, prout in eodem praecipitur.

Et quia Com. Berk est in Balliva mea, licet Peram­bulatio in eodem sacta fuit et observata, pro eo quod in isto Brevi continetur, quod Colloquium in Parliamento tractandum erit super aliis negotiis praefatum Regem tangen­tibus; Ideo gratis eligerunt duos Milites, quorum no­mina si contingat aliquid de eis fieri, sunt haec, Iohan­nis de Hues, & Rogerus de Burghfeld.

Nomina Militum pro Communitate Com. Ebor: cum Note: Ebor. 10 manucapt. eorum,

Man. Roberti de Balliolo Militis 2. man: Petri Becard Militis 2. there listed.

Nomina Civium de civitate Ebor. cum eor. manuc. 2. there named, with two several manucaptors.

Nomina Burgensium de Burgo de Scardeburg. 2. with two manucaptors.

Et Proclamari feci per totam Ballivam meam, tàm infra li­bertates quàm extra, quod omnes illi qui terras aut ten. ha­bent infra metas Forestae Domini Regis sint ad Parliamentum prout breve exigit.

Nomina Militum Com. Essex: Ricardus le Fyshere Note: Essex. 11 de Ha [...]send, Willus: le Fishere de eadem. Manuc. Io­hannem de Fillol. Militem. Ricardus Clericus de Maden, Robertus de Thapstede manu [...]. Hugonem le Blunt Militem.

Nomina Burgensium villae Golecestr. 2 with two ma­nucaptors for each.

Proclamari feci per totam Ballivam meam, prout praecipi­tur.

Iohannes de Hammes, unus Miles electus pro commu­nitate Note: Surr: 12 Com. Surr. manuc. est per 2. ven. ad diem. Io­hannes de Burstowe, per 2.

Burgus de Bleechynghlegh 2. Burgus de Guldeford 2. Burgus de Suthwerke 2. Burgus de Ryegate 2. with two manucaptors for each.

Manuc. Hugh de Escote Militis 2. manuc. Baldwini de Note: Sutbton. 13 Bello Alneto. 2.

[Page 57] Burgenses de Portesmue. 2. Burgenses de Overtone 2. Burgenses de Alresford. 2. Cives Wynton 2. with two manucaptors for every of them.

Pro Burgensibus villae Sutht. And: Insulae Odeham & Basinggestoke, breve istud retornatum suit Ballivis Li­bertatum Sutht. qui nullum inde michi dederunt re­sponsum. Et vobis significo, quod proclamari feci quod in brevi praecipitur, secundum tenorem ejusdem brevis.

Nomina Mil. electorum per Com. Wygorn, qui ma­nucapti sunt veniend, adParliamentum ad diem in hoc Note: Wigorn. 14 brevi nominatum

Man. Roberti de Bracy 2. Man. Simonis de Crombe 2.

Nomina Civium eodem modo electorum pro Com­munitate civitatis Wygorn. 2. with two several manu­captors.

Nomina Burgens. de Wych eodem modo electorum, 2. with two distinct manucaptors.

Eligi in pleno Com. Glouc. feci loco unius Militis Note: Glouc. 15 gravi infirmitate detentus, alium Militem nomine Rici de Croupes, per assensum ipsius Comitatus: Sic enim habetis duos Milites Com. illius, videlicet, Iohannem de Acton in libertate Comitis Glouc. de Thornbury com­morantem, et praedictum Ricardum in libertate Abbatis Cyrenc. sic conversantem; pro quibus vero Militibus retornatum fuit istud breve Ballivis praedictarum li­bertatum, qui habent returnum omnium brevium prae­dictis Militibus et eorum expensis, juxta tenorem bre­vis. Praedictus tamen Ballivus de Thornbury mihi re­spondet de manucapt. praedict. Iohannis subscriptis de expensis vero execut. eorundem Militum Ballivae suae nil michi respondet. Ballivus etiam praedictae liberta­tis Cirencestr. de executione dicti Rici: Militis et eorum expensis nullum mihi dedit responsum. Ideo de execut. ipsius Rici: ac eorum expensis nichil agere potui. Nec idem Ricus Miles, aliquid habet in Com. Glouc. extra libertatem praedictam per quod potest distringi.

Manucaptores Iohannis de Acton, Militis, two there named. [Page 58] De expensis insuper praedictorum Militum juxta man­datum vestrum alibi in Com. praedicto levandis, retor­natum suit istud breve tam Ballivis libertatum de Hene­bury, Glideslow, Sancti Brionelli, Bysele Fiscamp et Westow. qui habent retornum omnium brevium, qui de expensis illis nichil michi respondent. Et etiam Ballivis liberta­tis de Poukelechirche et Teukesbury, qui similiter habent return si omnium brevium, quod partem expensarū pro portione sua ipsos contingentes michi persolverunt, et partem illius nequaquam. de qua quidem alia par­te michi non respond: quoniam praeceptum suit aliis Ballivis de Gildabulis, quod omni festinatione expen­sas pro portione sua celeriter levarent, de quibus po­stea partem illarum expensarum de eodem Gildabul. recepi: et Iohanni de Acton praedicto in partem solutio­nis expensarum suarum versus partes Lincolniae, libera­vi, et sic major pars illarum expensarum tam de praedic­tis libertatibus quam de gildabulo adhuc restat. levand.

Caeterum Domine retornatum fuit breve istud pro Burgens. Bristoll, et Burgens. Glouc, Ballivis libertatum Burgorum praedictorū, qui habent returnum omnium Brevium, qui mihi respondent, quod executi sunt prae­ceptum vestrum in omnibus juxta tenorem, et quod Bur­gens. sui, Burgorum suorum praedictorum, manucap­ti sunt per manucaptores subscriptis.

Manucaptores Iohan: de Malmesb. de Bristol, 2. de Bristol.

Publicè proclamari feci per totam Ballivam meam, quod omnes illi qui terras et ten: habent infra metas Forestae et qui perambulationem illam in aliquo calumpniari voluerint, quod sint ad Parliamentum, ostensuri rationes et calumpnias si quas habent.

Hugo de Chastiloum Miles, qui pro Communitate com. Bucks. ad Parliamentum ultimo praeteritum, venit. ma­nuc. per 4. Robertus Pogers Miles, qui ad Parliamentum Note: Bucks. 16 ultimo praeteritnm venit infirmus est. In loco ipsius Ro­berti, Gerardus de Braybroke Miles electus est, et manu­capitur per 4 there returned. Burgenses 2. de Agnunde­sham, qui ad ultimum Parliamentum venerunt: manuc. [Page 59] per 4. manucaptors for either. Iohannes de la Lude Burgensis Wycumbe, electus est loco Stepbani Ayet, qui fuit ad ultimum Parliamentum, pro eo quod idem Stephanus infirmus est: manuc. per 4. Thomas de Tailleur alter Burgensis de Wycumbe, qui ad ultimum Parliamen­tum venit manuc. per. 4. Burgenses; de Wendouer (two there named) qui ad ultimum Parliamentum ven. manuc. per 4. manucaptors apeece there returned.

Nomina Militum, Civium et Burgensium electorum ve­niendi Note: Devon. 17 ad Parliamentum secundum contentum brevis.

Quia Reginaldus de Ferrers et Robertus Beaupell Mili­tes, qui alias fuerunt ad Parliamentum per electionem Com. non sunt potentes ad laborand. ad praesens, electi sunt loco eorum Henricus de Ralegh & Nicholaus de Kyrkton; who found 4 manucaptors apeece there returned.

Nomina Civium Exon. Henry de Bokwell, Iohannis Fartheyn loco Nicholai Page qui impotens est. Pro Bur­go Totton 2. Pro Burgo de Okampton 2. Pro Burgo de Lydeford 2. Pro Burgo de Barnastaple 2. Pro Burgo Ho­neton 2. without manucaptors returned.

Milites Com. Hereford manucaptores Rici de Ba [...]ker Note: Hereford. 18 Mil. 2. man. Johannis de Acton 2. Cives Hereford 2. with two manucaptors for each. Burgenses Leominster 2. Butgenses Webeleye 2. with two manucaptors apeece.

Et Proclamari feci prout in brevi continetur.

Milites Com. Salop. Thomas de Rochhale Miles, ma­nuc: Note: Salop. 19 est per 2. Petrus de Syton Miles manuc. est per 2. Burgenses Salop 2. Burgenses de Bruges, 2, manuc. per two manucaptors each man.

Milites de Com. Dors. man. Philippi Maunbanke 2. Dorset. 20. manuc. Henrici Conore 2. Burgenses de Brideport 2. with two manucaptors for either. Burgens. de Dorcest. 2. with two manucaptors apeece.

Publice proclamari feci per totam Ballivam meam; quod omnes illi qui terras et ten. habent infra metas Forestae Dom: Regis in Balliva mea qui Perambulationem in aliquo calum­niari voluerint, quod sint ad diem et locn̄ in brevi isto content. ostensuri rationes suas et calumpnias si quas habent, secundum formam hujus brevis.

[Page 60] Milites de Com. Somerset manucaptores Willi: de Note: Somers. 21 Bere Militis 2. man. Hugonis de Popham Militis 2.

Civitas Bathon: manuc. Willi: Leken 2. manuc Petri le Wenetour 2. de Bathon.

Burgus de Mileburn 2. Burgus de Brigwater 2. Burgus Tanton 2. with two manucaptors for every Burgess.

Publire proclamari feci per totam Ballivam meam, quod omnes illi qui terras & tenem. habent infra metas Forestae Domini Regis in Balliva mea praedicta, et qui Perambula­tionem in aliquo calumpniari voluerint. quod sint ad diem & locum in isto brevi conteut. ostensuri rationes suas et calump­nias si quas habent secundum formam isti [...] Brevis.

Responsum istius Brevis est in Panello huic Brevi attachiato.

Nomina Militum Com: Wyltes, simul cum nominibus Ci­vium Wyltes. 22. et Burgensium elect. pro Communitate Civitatum & Burgorum.

Duo Milites; Petrus filius Warini, manuc. est venien­di per 2. Willus de Cotes, manuc. est eodem modo per 2.

Cives Sarum, Iohannes de Braundestone manuc. per 2. Walterus Goer manuc. est per two.

Burgenses de Doutone 2. Burgenses de Malmesbury 2. Burgenses de Chypenham 2. Burgenses de Kalne 2. Bur­genses de Wylton 2. Burgenses de Devyses 2. Burgen­ses de Merleberge 2. Burgenses de——(torn out of the writ, yet most likely Lurdgeshall, by the ma­nucaptors) they all having two several manucaptors; Et Proclamatio facta est secundum formam in brevi Regis contentam publice infra Ballivam meam.

Milites Com. Stafford. Radus. Basset de Sapecote manuc. Stafford 23. est per two. Henr. Marneysin. manucapt. est per two manucaptors. Burgenses de Stafford two, with two Manucaptors apeece.

Plegii Willielmi de Blount 2. Pleg. Iohannis de Fole­ville Roteland. 24. 2.

Publice proclamari feci per totam Ballivam meam, quod omnes illi qui terras et tenem. habent inframetas Forestae Do­mini [Page 61] Regis in Balliva mea, et qui Perambulationem in ali­quo calumpniare volunt, quod sint in Parliamento suo apud Lincoln. ostensur. in hac parte rationes et calumpn [...]as si quas habent.

Manucapt. Iohannis de Deen 2. manuc. Roberti de Gayhouse 2. manuc. Burgens. Hunt. 2. having both two Huntingdon. 25. manucaptors apeece.

Nomina Militum, manuc: Hugonis Wake 2. manuc. Iohannis Deu. 2. Nomina Burgens. Northton 2. with Note: Northampt. 26 two manucaptors for each: with a Publice proclamari feci, &c. 20 in former return [...].

Radus: de Frecheuyle & Galfridus de Greslye Milites, su­erunt Derby 27. ad ultimum Parliamentum vestrum pro Commu­nitate Com. Derby; et modo man: sunt de essend. coram vobis apud Lincoln, secundum tenorem brevis, viz. Ra­dus de Frechuyle; &c. man. per two apeece.

Burgenses de Derby 2. man: per two apeece; ut su­pra.

Ranulphus de Waudesby, & Willus d [...] Chadworth Milites, Notingh 28. ad ultimum Parliamentum pro Communitate Com. Not. man. sunt essendi coram vobis apud Lincoln. per two man. apeece.

Burgenses 2. pro Notingh. with two manuc.

Nomina Militum elect: per Com: Hugh de Louther, Westmerland. 29. & Robertus de Washeton, with two man: apeece.

Nomina Burg: de Appleby 2. with two manucap­tors.

The return is torn and unlegible, together with the most of the writ. Cumberland. 30.

The Writs to the Sheriffs of 4 Counties mentioned in the Clause Rolls, and their returns are missing in this Bundle, and there is no mention at all in the roll of any Writs then issued to the Sheriffs of Cornwall, or London, nor any such writs to them in the Bundle, whatever was the reason of this omission.

I have for brevity recited only the names of the Knights for these Counties, omitting the names of the Citizens, Burgesses and Manucaptors for the most [Page 62] part; which those who please may peruse in the re­turns.

In this Parliament of 28 E. 1. the Great Charter of the liberties of England and the Forest, were specially confirmed; and not only several writs issued to She­riffs through all Counties of England for their reading, publishing, and due observation, recorded in the Cl. Roll of 28 E. 1. d. 7, 8. but likewise certain Knights or other Freeholders were publikely elected by the Sheriff, Coroners and Commonalty of every County through­out England, for the punishing of all Trespasses and Offences committed against the same, by special Pa­tents issued to them by the King and his Counsil; whom they were personally to attend concerning the same; as is apparent by these two memorable writs, not hither to taken notice of by any to my knowledge, and not improper for this Section being See Cooks 2 Instit. p. 540. grounded on the printed Statute of 28 E. 1. ch. 1.

Rex Vic. Lincoln. et Coronatoribus et Communita­ti De Militibus mittendis us (que) Ebor. pro Magna Carta & Carta de Foresta. ejusdem Com. salutem. Quia propter communem utilitatem Praelatorum, Procerum et Magnatum ac po­puli regni nostri concessimus pro Nobis et haeredibus nostris, quod Magna Charta de Libertatibus Angliae et Carta de Foresta in singulis suis Articulis de cae­tero teneantur et firmiter observentur: Vobis manda­mus, quod tres Milites, vel alios tres de probioribus, legalioribus et discretioribus liberis hominibus Com. praedicti de assensu ejusdem Com: sine dilatione eligi, et cos usque Ebor: venire faciatis. Ita quod sint ibidem in Crastino Ascensionis Domini coram Nobis vel Consilio nostro, ad faciend. et exequend. ea quae tunc eis ibidem injungetur ex parte nostra pro observatione Cartarum predictarum: et habeatis ibi nomina prae­dictorum Militum vel liberor. hominum et hoc breve. Teste Rege apud Westm. 26. die Martii.

Consimiles literae diriguntur singulis Vic. & Coronatoribus et Communitatibus singu­lorum Comitat. per Angliam.

[Page 63] Claus. 28 E. 1. d. 7. Rex Vic. Nortbt. salutem. Quia De eligendo alium Mili­tem, Philippus de Geyton unus illorum de Balliva tua quos nuper de speciali praecepto nostro de tuo et Coronato­rum ac Communitatis Comitatus praedicti communi assensu eligi, et usque Eborum in Crastino Ascenfionis Domini venire fecisti, ad facienda et exequenda ea quae eis ibidem injungerentur ex parte nostra See Mat. Pa­risiensis Addi­tamenta, p. 215. such a kinde of Writ as this, Anno 42 H. 3. pro obserba­tione magnae Cartae de Libertatibus Angliae et Car­tae similiter de Foresta, electus est in Com. Warr. & per Nos una cum quibusdam aliis fidelibus nostris de eodem Com. assignatus ad Transgressiones quas contra tenores praedictarum Cartarum ibidem fieri contingat, audiend. et terminand. per quod ad praemissa facienda in Com. tuo prout erat electus, nequit intendere quo­quo modo: Tibi praecipimus, quod loco ipfius Philip­pi de assensu Coronatorum et Communitatis Comita­tus tui praedicti; eligi facias unum alium de probiori­bus, legalioribus et discretioribus ejusdem Comitatus, qui ad hoc in eodem Com. tuo una cum ipsis ad hoc ibidem electis, et coram nobis juratis intendat, juxta formam potestatis ipsis electis, et sibi per Nos traden­dae. Et cum eum fic eligi feceris Nobis de ipsius no­mine constare facias sine mora, ut tunc dictis electis et sibi literas nostras Patentes de potestate sua in hac par­te fieri faciamus. Teste Rege apud Sanctum Edmun­dum 10 die Ju.

In and from the former Writs, and their various re­turns, there are sundry things very observable, which I shall note before I pass to the next ensuing.

1. The occasion of these Writs and last Parliament; wit, the examination, confirmation and establishment of the New Perambulation of the Forests then made and returned to the King by the Commissioners speci­ally appointed thereunto for the Common profit of the people of the Realm, upon the Lords and Commons earnest requests in former Parliaments; as you may read at large in Thomas Walsingham, Hist. Angliae, p. 35. 37, 38, 42, 44, 48. Ypodigm. Neustriae, p. 84, 85, 86, 87, 88. Mat. Westm. Ann. 1297, 1299. My Plea for the Lords. [Page 64] p. 98. to 104. Claus. 28 E. 1. d. 13. and Claus. 9 E. 2. d. 6. Schedula.

2. The excellent principle of right and justice com­prised in them; That Perambulations of Forests, though made and returned by speciall Commissioners appoint­ed by the King and Parliament, ought not to be rati­fied as binding, till the reasons, exceptions, and com­plaints of all persons concerned therein were publike­ly heard and descided before the Lords in Parliament; and they publikely summoned by Proclamations in each County, to propound their exceptions and reasons a­gainst them, if they had any. Which rule ought to be still observed in all other like publike cases, both in and out of Parliaments.

3. The special command and limitation of the King in and by these writs, commanding all Sheriffes throughout England, to summon to this New Parlia­ment at Lincolne, no new elected Knights, Citizens, or Burgesses, except only in the places of such who were dead, sick, or unable to com to it; but only those Knights, Citizens and Burgesses who were elected and sent to the last Parliament before it, by the Kings pre­cept. Which was accordingly executed, as appears by the Sheriffs returns.

4. A Resolution and Declaration of the King him­self by special writs out of Parliament, without the petition, vote, or privity of the Commons themselves; That if any Knights of Shires, Citizens or Burgesses elected and returned to Parliament be sick, or unable to serve and discharge their duties; the See my Plea for the Lords, p. 389, 390, 391. King himself may by ge­neral or special writs, command, other fitting persons to be elected and sent to Parliament in their places; as well as when they are actually dead: which was accordingly practised this year, as the Sheriffs returns attest: And since that resolved and practised in the Parliament Anno 38 H. 8. Brooke Parliament 7. and Cromptons Jurisdiction of Courts, f. 16. against the erronious opinion of Sir Edward Cooke to the contrary, 4 Instit: p. 8. And one Knight is discharged because made a Sheriff, and ano­ther chosen in his place.

[Page 65] 5. That all Knights, Citizens and Burgesses elected and sent to Parliaments, ought to have full and suffi­cient power and commission for themselves and the several Comminalties of the Counties, Cities, Boroughs for which they serve, to hear, do and consent to such things as shall happen to be ordained by common ad­vice and counsel in those Parliaments; which ought to be comprised in the returns of their elections.

6. That all old and new Knights, Citizens and Bur­gesses elected for this Parliament, were enforced to put in Manucaptors to appear at the day prefixed, who are expressed in all the Sheriffs returns.

7. That these old Knights, Citizens and Burgesses, summoned to this new Parliament, are by a special Clause in the writ of Summons it self, ordered to re­ceive their reasonable expences in coming to, abiding at, and returning from the Parliament, from the Commonalties of the Counties, Cities and Burroughs, for which they served: for which they usually had special writs only at the conclusions of Parliaments; there being no such clause in any writ of Summons I have seen, but thi [...] alone. That no Sheriffs in their returns make any mention what they had done touch­ing the levying of their wages, but the Sheriff of Gl [...] ­cester only: Of which more in its proper place.

8. That the Sheriffs of those Counties wherein there were Forests, had one Clause in their writs, to make publike proclamation in their Counties, that all such who had lands or tenements within the bounds of any Forest, should appear before the King in Parliament, to sh [...]w their reasons and exceptions against the perambulation, if they had any: which was accordingly executed by such She­riffs; which Clause was totally omitted out of the Writs to those Sheriffs within whose Counties there were no Forests.

9. That there is no mention of any writs of Sum­mons in this Roll issued to the Warden of the Cinque­ports, to summon and elect any Barons of those Ports [Page 66] to come to this, nor to the two precedent Parliaments.

10. That though there is special mention made in the writs to the Clergie of the Kings Counsil, and o­ther Assistants summoned to this Parliament at Lincoln, of a Conference and Treaty to be had in this Parlia­ment at Lincoln, concerning the right and dominion of the King and his Ancestors, Kings of England, to and over the Realm of Scotland; yet there is no recital of it in these writs to the Sheriffs, nor in those to the Spiritual and Temporal Lords.

There were two special writs more issued to the two Justices of the Forests, beyond and on this side Trent, to summon all the Foresters under them to this Par­liament: Of which in its proper Section in due time.

I find no more Bundles of Writs for elections issu­ed to Sheriffes now extant in the Tower during the reign of Edward the 1. only the transcripts of some of them are in the Clause Rolls ensuing.

The next writ of this nature, is that of Clause 30 E. 1. dorse. 9.

Rex Vic. Ebor. salutem. Quia super diversis, & ar­duis 10 negotiis Nos et Statum Regni nostri, ac pro commodo & securitate ejusdem Regni Parliamentum in prox: festo Sancti Michis. London duximus statuend. Tibi praecipimus fir­miter injungentes, quod de Com. praedicto duos Milites, et de qualibet Civitate duos Cives, et de quolibet Burgo duos Burgen­ses de discretioribus ipsius Comitatus sine dilationeeligi, et ad Nos venire faciatis ad diem. et l [...]cum praedictos. Ita quod dicti Milites pro Communitate Com. praedicti, &c. tunc ibi­dem habeant sufficientem potestatem ad faciend. quod tunc de Communi consilio ordinabitur in praemissis. Et habeas ibi nomina Militum, Civium, & Burgensium, et hoc breve. Te­ste Rege apud Westm. 20 die Julii: [28 die August.]

Consimiles Literae diriguntur singulis Vic [...]omit. per Ang­liam. Et ubi est unus Vic. duorum Com. dicitur sic, quod de utroque Com. praedictorum duos Milites, &c. ut supra.

It is observable, First, That this Parliament was [Page 67] called as well for the benefit and security of the people of the Realm, as for the weighty affairs of the King and kingdom. 2ly. That de discretioribus, is the only qualification required in the Knights, Citizens and Burgesses to be elected. 3ly. That they were to have sufficient power for the Commonalty of the Counties, Cities, and Burroughs for which they were chosen, only ad faciend, quod tunc de Communi Consilio ordinabitur in praemissis. 4ly. That some were Sheriffs of two Counties at once (usual in former times) and that they had only one writ issued to them, to elect two Knights &c. in each County, &c. which they severally returned.

Claus. 30 E. 1. dors. 7. There are other writs issued Uic. Ebor. & singulis Vicecom. per A [...]gliam. T. Rege apud Lewes 13. die Septembr. agreeing in form with the pre­cedent. The next is entred Claus. 32 E. 1. dors. 2.

Rex Vic. Ebor. &c. Quia pro quibusdam, &c. usque 11 tractatum. Tibi praecipimus, &c. quod de Com. praedict. duos Milites, & de, &c. de discretioribus & ad laborand. poten­tioribus, sine dilatione eligi, &c. Ita quod dicti: Milites ple­nam & sufficientem potestatem pro se et Communitate Com. praedicti, &c. divisim ab ipsis tunc ibidem habeant, ad fa­ciend. quod tunc de Communi Consilio ordinabitur in praemis­sis: Ita quod pro defectu hujusm [...]di potestatis negotia praedic­ta non remaneant infacta. Et habeas, &c. Teste ut su­pra.

Consimiles literae diriguntur singulis Uic. per Ang­liam.

Claus. 33 E. 1. dors. 10. & 20. There are no writs to Sheriffs entred with the rest to the Spiritual and 12 Temporal Lords, either of Summons or Prorogation, but a space left for their entry, with other Writs then omitted. Cl. 34 E. 1. d. 2. There is a writ at large entred, Vicecom. Ebor. agreeing in form with the last recited: with like writs, singulis Vicecom. per Angliam; but in Cl. 35 E. 1. d. 13. there are no writs to the She­riffs entred, nor yet to the Spiritual, but only to the Temporal Lords.

[Page 68] Claus. 1 E. 2. dors. 19. Claus. 2. E. 2. dors. 11. there 13 are writs entred at large, Vic. Ebor. and Claus. 4 E. 2. dors. 2. Vic. Kanc. with Consimiles literae singulis Vic. per Angliam, after every of them, agreeing all in form with the precedent writs, and their dates, recitals are the same with those to the Spiritual Lords foreci­ted. Part 1. Sect. 1, 2.

In the Parliament of 2 E. 2. at Westminster, the King requesting an Ayde from the Commons then elected by his writs, they granted him the 25 part of their goods upon this Condition, that he would answer and redress their grievances, which they then presented, and reduced to 11. Articles, and prayed the King in a modest manner, to redress if he pleased; who thereupon promised them relief therein, and accordingly gave an­swers to them in his next Parliament at Stanford; thus recorded in Claus. 3 E. 2. m. 1. dorso.

Les Articles souz escritz baillez a nostre Seigneur le Roi Quidam Arti­culi liberati Regi pro Communitate Regni. par la Communate de son Roialme, a son Parlement quil tynt a West: ou Ouis de Pasch. L'an. de son regne second, en quel Parlement, le Roi preia daver une Aide de sa terre, é les bones gentz granterent au Roi le xxv. denier Par cien Condicion, qil meist Conseil et remedie en les Articles a­vantdits. E. le Roi a son Parlement a Staunford commen­ceant le dimeynge prochein apres la Saint Jakes, l'an de son Regne tiercz, ordena respons et remedie a mesmes les Articles. Les queux respons et remedie il fist notefier son people a son dit Parlement a Staunford, et que sont cy dessouz escritz, cest asaver, apres chescun Article le remedie que y est or­dene.

Les bone gentz du Roialme qui sont cy venuz au Parle­ment, prient a nostre Seygneur le Roi quil voille, si lui plest, aver regard de son poure poeple qe molt se sente greve de ceo, qil ne sont pas menes si come il deussent estre. Nomeement des pointm de la Grant Chartre, & prie de ce, si lui plest, remedie. Estre ce prient a leur Seygneur le Roi, si lui plest, qil voille oir les choses que molt ont grevez son poeple, & un­core grevent de nouel de jour en auter, per ceux qui se dient [Page 69] estre ses Ministres, et mettre en amendement si lui plest.

A de primes, de bledz, brees, chans, fresches et alors et toute manere de Polaill, peison de Meer & de Eaw duie pris per ceux qe se diont estre Ministres le Roy, qe rien ne paent, ne autre certeinete per faille, ne en autre manere ne font au poe­ple le Roi, per quoy son poeple est empoueri.

Acest Article est respondu: Qil y avoit une Ordinaunce faitz de cieuz Prises en temps le Roi Edward pere nostre Seigneur le Roy qui ore est, la quele Ordenaunce hom entend qe soit covenable par le. Roy, et profitable pur son poeple: & voet nostre Seygneur le Roy qe cele Ordenaunce soit tenue & garde en toutz pointz.

L'autre, qe le Roi per ses Ministres prent de chescun tonel de vyn ij. soldz. de chescun drap qe Marchandz alieni font venir en sa terre ij s. & de chescune livre de aver de pois iij. deniers, au d'alnage du poeple, et per tieuz prises achate le poeple au tierz denier plus qil ne soloit.

Nostre Seigneur le Roi a la request de son poeple grant, qe cete petite Custome de vyns, de draps, et daver de pois, soit souztrete et ouste a la volente le Roi, pur saver quel profit et quel avantage amestera alui & a son people per cele suztrete, et puis en aur a le Roi consail selonc lavantage qil y verra; Sau­ves toutes voies a nostre Seignr. le Roi les aunciennes Prises et Customes aunciennement dues et approves.

Le tierz; qe la ou le Roi ad commande qe la moneye destre­lings qe alott en temps le Roi son pere, a qui dieus face mercy feust tenuz aussi bone come elle feust en le temps son pere; les vendours es Citez, Burghs, & es autres villes marchandes des obeissament ne le tout pas, Mais encontre son mandement vendent au double value, & plus cher en moltz des lieus de sa terre, per quoi la poeple est molt empoveri.

Le Roi voet, qe briefs soient enueez en touz les Contez Dengleterre a fair crier, qe lo monoie courge a sa droite value, si come elle soloit en temps son pere, et ci sur grevouse peyne & qe hom nencberisse les choses pur la monoye, car le Roi la voet maintenir aussi ausi bone come elle soloit estre.

Le quart; qe come le poeple se senti molt greve et travaille en temps le Roi lour Seignr. son pere, a qui deiu face mercy, [Page 70] de ce qe Seneschaus et Mareschaux plederent moltz de maners des pledz qe a eux nafferoient apleder, et as pleintes de son poe­ple qe per tieux pledz feust grevez et enpovreux fist remedy et establi certains pointz & articles des queux et de quoi Senesch. et Mar. douient devant eux aver conissance apleder, les Senesch: et Mar. qe ore sont, ceux pointz, ne ceux Articles ne sount, ne re gardent, ainz enlargissent lour jurisdiction, et lour poair encon­tre lordenance et establishment son pere, qui deiu face mercy, dont son poeple est molt greve et enpoveri, et de ceo prie reme­die.

Le Roi voet, qe Senescheaux et Mar. ne teignent autre ma­nere de plede ne en autre forme qe nestote ordenez per le Roi son pere, qui dieus assoile, et qe ne passent desoremes cele Ordenance qest enroulleé en Chauncellere.

Le quint; que les Seneschaux & Mars. ou el vount per pais hors de la verge, ou lour poair nest pas, tenent pleds, amercient Burghs & Villes grevousement sauz garant, et au grefs damage es enpoverissement du poeple, pur quoi le poeple prie reme­dy.

Le Roi voet, que les pledz de la Mareschaucie ne soient tenuz fors (que) deinz la verge, cest asaver, deins le: 12 lieves enviroun la ou corps le Roi serra, et selonc lordenaunce avantdits.

Le sisme, Qe les Chevalers, gentz de Citez é de Burghs. e dautres Villes qe sont venuz a son Parlement per son comman­dement, pur eux et pur la poeple e ont Petitions a liver per tortz & grevances faites a eux, qe ne poent estre redressees per la commune ley, ne en autre manere saunz especial garant, il ne troeuent hom qe lour petitions recieve, sicome soloit estre au Parlement in temps le Roi lour Seignr. son pere, qui deiu face mercy, et de ce prient sa grace & remedy.

Le Roy voet, qe en ses Parlements desoremes gentz soient assignees a receiver petitions, et qe elles soient delivres per son Conseil, aussi come See Claus. 33 E. 1. m. 8. dorso. De Pe­titionibus re­cipiendis: where 4 of the Kings Counsel are command­ed & appoint­ed by Writ to receive all Petitions that Parlia­ment. estre soloient en temps son pere.

Le Septisme Article, qe la ou le Roi ad ses pernours de prises faire en Feires et Citez, per mi le Roialme les pernours le Roi pernent plus qe ne besoigne al oeps le Roi, ceux mesmesle liv­rent au autres pur marchander a lour preudemeyne, et au profit a qe il le delivrent, et au damage le Roi, et de son poeple; dont le poeple prie remedie.

Le Roi voet, qe lordenaunce qe sa faite de cieux Prises en temps le Roy son pere, soit tenue et gardeé, la quelle est contenue es Roulles de la Chauncellarie.

[Page 71] Le Oytisme, qe per la ou il y ad suite faite selonc forme de ley en les Banks nostre Seygneur le Roi, souent per Protections, et per Breffs dessouz la targe, sont leur dreitures delaez, a grant damage du poeple.

Le Roi voet, qe Protections oue les Clauses daquitance de pledz, ne soient grantez desoremes a nulles gentz forsqe a ceux qi vent hors du Roialme en le servise le Roi pur grosses busoignes du Roialme. E le Roi ad charge le Chanceller qi ne les face en autre manere. Et quant es Breffs de la targe, la Roi voet qe lordenaunce soit garde qe en fust faite en temps le Roi son pere, la quelle est en Chancellarie.

Le Novism, qe par la ou larons sont enditez de larciniez, r [...]beries, homicides, et autres felonies faites, trop logierement purchaunt la chartre le Roi de sa pees, per quoi ceux qi les ont enditez ne osent demorer en lour pais pur doute de ceux larons, & plusurs se retreent de enditementz faire per cele encheson, dont le poeple prie remedie.

Le Roi voet, que desoremes ne soit grante pardoun de felonie forsqe en cas ou aunciennement soleit estre grantez, cest asaver, si borne tue autre per mesaventure, ou soi defendant, ou en deue­rie, & ce soit troue per record de Justices.

Le disme, qe per la ou les communs pledz du Banks le Roi de Contez douient estre pledez en certein leiu, la veignant les Ministres le Roi de ses Chasteaux et treent en cieu ma­ner les pledz devant les portes des Chasteaux, contra la forme de la ley, et de ce prie remedie.

Le Roi voet qe les Constables des Chasteaux ne destreignent gentz apleder devant eux nul play de foreign Conte, ne deinz Counte, autrement qe aunciennement soleit estre fait.

Le Viceisme, qe par la ou diverses gentz du Roialme te­nent lour tenements en chefs du Roi et uncore tenuz. eux et lour auncestres du temps dont memoire nest, veignent les Es­cheters le Roi, et seisant lour terres et les oustout per enque­stes quil fait de lour office, sanz appeller en la Court le Roi, dont le poeple se sente molt greve.

Le Roi voet, qe gentz et lour auncestres ont tenuz du temps dont il nyad memoire, si come la petition suppose, e les Es­chetors ne se mellent pur encheson del premier entre.

[Page 72] Et ordenez est et commander per nostre Seignr. le Roi, qe a ceux qe se voudront pleinder a Chauncellier, qe nul bom soit venus encontre aucun des ditz pointz, le Chancellier par brofs du grant seal en face cel remedie come il verra qe face afere pur reson. Et le Roi ad aussint charge le dit Chanceller et ses Ministres, qe chescun endroit bien garde les pointz avant­ditz.

He who shall seriously peruse these premised Grie­vances of the Commons, which were all they com­plained of in the Parliaments of 2 & 3 Edw. 2. under the See My Plea for the Lords, p. 263. to 268. misgovernment of Peter de Gaveston Earl of Corn­wall, and other the Kings ill Counsellors who misled him, and were banished, and removed from him by Judgement of Parliament, will finde them not the thousandth part so many for number, nor so grievous, oppressive, destructive to the persons, lives, liberties, properties, estates, purses of the people by millions of degrees, as those the people and whole Nation have lately groaned under for many years, and suffered from their very real or nominal Parliaments themselves, their Comittees, & the grand Pretended Gardians, Assertors, Protectors of their Laws, Liberties, and Enfranchisers of them from Regal Tyranny and Bondage into a mis­named Free-State and Government, or rather Aegyp­tian or Turkish vassallage; Which I desire all consci­entious publike-spirited Englishman now cordially to contemplate. If the Commons in Parliament were so zealous to get these few petit Grievances redressed then, bought out with a grant only of the 25 part of their goods, and thereupon thus redressed for the fu­ture; How zealous & industrious should they be now to reform all those innumerable transcendent grievances and pressures under which we have so long languished and have paid so many millions of Treasure, yea spent whole Oceans of English bloud to remove, and yet are not eased nor released from them, nor in probability like to be, being the least of their care, who should re­dress, petition, protest against them: Let this president [Page 73] spurr and excite them to their duties herein, being one of the first Petitions of publike grievances exhibited by the Commons alone without the Lords, to the King, that I have met with in our records; upon which ac­count, I thought not impertinent to insert it here at large, having transcribed it with mine own hands out of the Clause Roll it self.

The next Writ I shall present you with at large be­ing very remarkable, is thus recorded in Claus. 5 E. 2. m. 26. dorso.

Rex Vic. Ebor. salutem. Praecipimus tibi firmiter injun­gentes, 14 quod illos Milites, Cives & Burgenses, de Balliva tua, quos nuper ad praesens Parliamentum nostrum apud London incboatum demandato nostro venire fecisti, & qui ab eodem Parliamento certis de causts recesserunt, bel alios ad hoc idoneos loco eorum, si ad hoc bacare non possint, usque Westm. ad idem Parliamentum quod ibi­d [...]m duximus continuandum, venire facias. Ita quod sint ibi­dem in crastino Sancti Martini prox. futur. ad ultimum cum sufficienti potestate Comitatus tui, & Civitatum et Burgorum praedictorum ad consentiendum, &c. Teste Rege apud Lon­don. xi die Octobris.

By this writ it is apparent, 1. That there were Knights, Citizens and Burgesses elected and sent to this Parliament at London, by the Kings writ, though not entred in the Roll of Summons, Claus. 5 E 2. d. 3. 17. 25. 2ly, That they departed from the Parlia­ment for certain reasons, not expressed, it seems with­out the Kings License. 3ly. That thereupon the King by this writ commands the Sheriff, to resummon them to come to the Parliament again, which was adjourn­ed to a certain day, most likely by reason of their de­parture from it: or else to elect and send other fit per­sons in their places, if they could or would not attend, sufficiently impowred from the Counties, Cities, and Boroughs for which they served. And that without the vote, order, ejection or privity of the Commons in Parliament; who had then no power to remove, [Page 74] eject, imprison, suspend their own Members, or issue writs for new elections, as of late they do.

Claus. 6 E. 2. d. 31. I meet with this writ of Pro­rogation, but not with the Original writ of Summons issued to the Sheriff.

Rex Vic. Ebor. salutem. Licet nuper Parliamentum nostrum apud Lincoln. (ut supra Archiepiscopo, usque ordi­navimus) 15 Tibi praecipimus, quod de Com. tuo duos Milites, & de qualibet Civitate duos Cives, & de quolibet Burgo du­os Burgenses de discretioribus & ad laborand. potentioribus eligi, & eos ad Nos ad dictos diem et locum venire faceres. Ita quod Milites plenam et sufficientem potestatem pro se & Communitate Com praedicti, et dicti Cives et Burgenses pro se et Communitate Civium et Burgorum praedictorum divisim ab ipsis haberent tunc ibidem, ad faciend. quod de Communi Consilio nostro ordinari contigerit in praemissis. Ita quod pro defectu hujusmodi potestatis negotia praedicta infacta non remaneant. Quia tamen versus partes London. &c. (usque tractabuntur.) Et ideo tibi praecipimus firmiter injungentes, quod Milites, Cives & Burgenses praedictos sine dilatione eli­gi, & eos ad Nos usque Westm. ad dictam diem Dominicam post dictum festum Assumptionis venire facias in forma prae­dicta. Et babeas ibi nomina dictorum Militum, Civium & Burgensium, & hoc breve. Teste ut supra.

Eodem modo mandatum est singulls Vic. per Angliam.

Also in Claus. 6. E. 2. m. 27. dorso. I finde this spe­cial Memorial entred.

Memorandum, quod die Lunae prox. ante festum decollatio­nis De Revocatio­ne Militum ad propria. Sancti Johannis Baptistae Anno Regis Edwardi fil. Regis Edwardi sexto. Dom. Rex apud Westm. praecepit, quod Milites, Cives & Burgenses qui ad Parliamentum Regis ibidem summonitum converant pro Communitatibus, Civibus et Burgis Angliae, ad propria remearent. Ita quod reverterent ibidem in Crastino Sancti Michaelis prox. futur. sub paena quae decet. T. Rege apud Westm. 28 die Augusti.

A clear evidence, that the Knights, Citizens and Burgesses then summoned and sent to the Parliament, [Page 75] could neither prorogue nor adjourn themselves, nor depart thence, without the Kings special license; which was entred on record, and were liable to a fitting pe­nalty, if they returned not upon the day of proroga­tion prefixed by the King.

I shall only observe by the way; that whereas the King in his answer to the second Article of the Com­mons Petition in the Here, p. 69. Parliament of 3 E. 2. suspended the Petit Customs upon Wines, Cloth, and other Merchan­dize; that the very next year he issued out writs to the Collectors of the Customs and Officers in England, and to the Chief Justice, Treasurer and Barons of the Ex­chequer in Ireland, De nova Custuma colligenda, to collect these new Customs again, not withstanding this his Or­dinance in the Parliament at Stamford, because there was nulla utilitas regno, by the ceasing and abating thereof, as appears by the writs of 2. & 6. Augusti, rot. Finium. An. 4 E. 2. But in Claus. 5 E. 2. m. 23. there came this Countermand by Order from the Prelates, Earls and Barons of the Realm appointed by Commission to re­form the abuses of the Kings Houshold and Realm, a­gainst the collecting of them and any other new cu­stoms and Maltots.

Claus. 25 E. 2. m. 23. Rex Collectoribus novae Custumae lanarum, coriorum, pellium lanatorum et aliarum rerum venalium in portu Lon­don salutem. Cum Praelati, Comites & Barones dicti reg­ni nostri quibus nuper per literas nostras Patentes commissi­mus potestatem, ordinandi de statu Hospitii nostri et Regni praedicti, inter See these Ordinances in the Parl. Roll of 5 E. 2. which were afterwards re­versed and nulled. caeteras Ordinationes quas super praemissis fe­cerant, et quas acceptavimus, et per totum regnum fecimus publicari, ordinaverint; Quod omnimodo Custumae & Maletot levatae post Coronationem Domini E. quondam Regis Angliae patris nostri, integrè amoveantur, et penitus extinguantur; These being setled by for­mer grants, Rot. Pat. 3. E. 1. m. 1. 9. and the Statute of 25 E. 1. 6, 7. Lib. Rub. Scac. p. 256. Cooks 2 Instit. p. 630, 631. Salvis Custumis lanarum, coriorum, & pellium lanatorum ult. vid. de quolibet Sacco lanae dimid. marc. & de 300. pel­libus lanat. dimid. marc. & de lasto Coriorum unam marcam: [Page 76] Vobis mandamus, quod de nova Custuma praedicta in Portu praedicto percipiend. supersedeatis omnino. T. R. apud London 9. Octobr. Per ipsum Regem & totum Consili­um.

The like writs then issued to most Port Towns in England. If we could see the like president now against all new excessive Imposts and Excises issued to all Col­lectors and other Officers after so many years conti­nuance of them, to the ruine of trade, and impoverish­ing of the Nation (only to enslave them to a New Mi­litary tyrannical usurping power, and keep on their iron yoaks upon their over-galled necks) it vvould be a most joyfull spectacle to their eyes, and blessed tydings to their ears, vvhich they have long in vain expected from late publike Conventions, which instead of easing, do still renew and continue these heavy yokes and bur­dens upon them, though a thousand times more grie­vous than those then complained against and redres­sed.

In Claus. 5 E. 2. m. 31. 22. I finde a Writ issued by the King Willo: de Marescall, & Mich de Segrave, pro­hibiting, that they come not armed to the Parliament, seu alio modo quam tempore clarae memoriae E. quondam Regis Nota. Angl. Patris nostri fieri consuevit; there being a quarrel between them: and Dorse 30. 27. 25. 8. & m. 30. there are sundry other particulars concerning passages and proceedings in that Parliament, worthy perusal, though not proper for this Section. And so in Cl. 7 E. 2. m. 2. 8. 25. Cl. 8 E. 2. dors. 7, 8. Claus. 9 E. 2. dors. 27. 26. 20. 17. 6.

Cl. 7 E. 2. m. 7. dorso. the Writ of election entred at large is thus directed, to the Sheriff of Hertf. and Essex.

Rex Vic. Hertf. & Essex salutem. Cum diversa & ar­dua 16 negotia (as in the Writ to the Archbishop.) Tibi praecipimus firmiter injungentes, quod de utroque Com. Comitatuum praedictorum, duos Milites, et de qualibet Ci­vitate duos Cives, & de quolibet Burgo duos Burgenses de discretioribus, et ad laborandum potentioribus eligi, et eos [Page 77] ad Nos ad dictos diem et locum venire facias. Ita quod Mili­tes plenam & sufficientem potestatem pro se & Communitate Com. praedictorum; et dicti Cives & Burgenses pro se & Communitate Civitatum & Burgornm praedictorum divisim ab ipsis babeant, and faciend. & consentiend. biis, quae tunc de Communi Consilto favente Domino ordinari contigerit. Ita quod, &c.

Consimiles literae diriguntur singulis Uicecom. per Angliam.

The like writs issued to the Sheriff of these two Counties, Cl. 7 E. 2. dors. 15. Cl. 8 E. 2. d. 29. Cl. 9. E. 2. d. 22. Cl. 11 E. 2. dors. 14. & 8. Cl. 12 E. 2. d. 11. 29. Cl. 14 E. 2. d. 5. 23. Cl. 16 E. 2. dors. 26. (va­rying only in the Prolognes and dates, like those to the Archbishop) and to all other Sheriffs of England. And Claus. 19 E. 2. dors. 27. the first writ issued Vic. Norff. et Suff. Quod de utroque Com. Comitatnum praedicto­rum du [...]s Milites, &c. de discretioribus et al laborand. po­tentioribus eligi, &c. facias, and to all other Sheriffs of England in like form.

In Cl. 17 E. 2. d. 27. l find this Writ of Prorogati­on 17 and Resummons entred, Rex Vic. Roteland, salu­t [...]m. Cum nuper quo quibusdam specialibus negotiis ordi­nassemus cum Proceribus Regni nostri apud Westm. in Oct. sancti Hillarii prox futur. habere Colloquium et Tractatum. Tibique praecipissemus quod de Com. praedict. duos milites, &c. usque ordinari contigerit super negotiis antedictis. Ac cum pro majori commodo & utilitate Regni nostri ordinaverimus Parliamentum nostrum apud dictum locum tenere Westm. a die Purificationis beatae Mariae Virginis prox. futur. in tres Septimanas & cum Praelatis, Magnatibns & Proceribus di­cti Regni super dictis negotiis, & aliis idem Regnum tangen­tibus habere Colloquium & Tractatum, per quod nolumus, Milites, Cives aut Burgenses praedicti ad locum praedictum in dictis Octabis ex causa praedicta accedant. Tibi praecipi­mus firmiter injungentes, quod de Com. praedicto duos mili­tes, & de qualibet Civitate duos Cives, & de quolibet Burge duos Burgenses de discretionibus, & ad laborand. potenti­oribus [Page 78] eligi, & cos ad dictum locum Westm. in dictis tribus Septimanis venire fac. Ita quod praedicti Milites plenam &. sufficientem potestate [...] pro se & communitate com. praed. dicti­que Cives &. Burgenses pro se & Civitatibus dictarum Civi­tatum & Burgorum praedictorum divisim ab ipsis habeant, ad faciend. & consentiend. biis quae in dicto Parliamento ordi­nari contigerit super negotiis antedictis. Ita etiam quod pro defectu potestatis hujusmodi dicta negotia infecta non rema­neant quovis modo. Et habeas ibi nomina dictorum Mili­tium, Civium & Burgensium, & hoc breve. Teste Rege apud Kenilworth, 26 die Decembr. per ipsum Regem.

Eodem modo scribitur singulis Vic. per Angl.

So Cl. 20 E. 2. d. 4. there issued this Writ of Pro­rogation 18 and Resummons somewhat different from the rest. Rex Vic. Northumb. salutem. Licet nuper super arduis negotiis nos & statum Regni nostri tan­gentibus Parliamentum apud Westm. in Quindena sancti Andreae prox futur. tenere, ac ibidem per Isabellam Re­ginam Angliae Consortem nostram carissimam, & per Edwardum filium nostrum Primogenitum, Custodem ejusdem Regni, nobis extra idem Regnum tunc agen­tibus, atque Praelatos, Proceres & Magnates Regni praedicti, habere voluissemus Colloquium & tractatum. Vobisque praeciperimus quod de communitate Com. tui duos Milites, & de singulis Civitatibus duos Ci­ves, & de singulis Burgis duos Burgenses venire face­res ad diem & locum praedictos. Ita quod dicti Mili­tes a communitate dicti Com. & dicti Cives a Commu­nitatibus dictarum Civitatum, & praedicti Burgenses a communitatibus Burgorum praedict. plenam & suffici­entem haberent potestatem ad consentiend. hiis quae tunc ibidem de communi Consilio Regni nostri con­tigerent ordinari. Quia tamen quibusdam de causis necessariis & utilibus praedictum Parliamentum & Tractatum usque in crastino Epiphaniae Domini prox. jam futur. apud dictum locum Westm. tunc tenend. duximus prorogand. Tibi significamus, quos prae­dictos Milites, Cives & Burgenses ad dictam Quinde­nam [Page 79] apud dictum locum Westm. ex causa Parliamenti & tractatus praedictorum accedere non oportet, & hoc cis scire facias ex parte nostra. Tibi insuper praecipi­mus quod praedictos Milites, Cives & Burgenses venire facias in dicto crastino apud dictum locum Westm. cum sufficienti potestate sicut praedictum est. Et habeas ibi nomina dictorum Militum, Civium & Burgen­sium, & hoc breve, & hoc nullatenus omittatis. Te­ste ut supra.

Eodem modo mandatum est singulis Vic. per Angl. sub eadem data.

The next Writs for Election issued to Sheriffs are these in Claus. 1 E. 3. pars 2. dors. 16. Vic. Ebor. dors. 3. Vic. Lincoln. Claus. 2 E. 3. dors. 15. Vic. Northumb, with Consimiles literes singulis Vic. per Angl. all in the usual form.

In Claus. 2 E. 3. m. 31 dors. the Writs to Sheriffs, 19 are thus observably enlarged, with their memorable Prologue and conclusion.

Rex Vic. Ebor. salutem, cum in Parliamento nostro. apud Eborum convocato, magna & ardua negotia Nos & statum Regni nostri tangentia proposita suissent quae propter absentiam quorundam Praelatorum & ali­orum Magnatum & Procerum Regni nostri tunc non poterant terminari: super quibus & aliis diversis ne­gotiis de assensu omnium Praelatorum, Magnatum & Procerum in eodem Parliamento nostro tunc ex­istentium, apud Northampton a diePasche prox. futuro, in tres Sept. a Parliamentum tenere, & cum Praelatis, Mag­natibus & Proceribus dicti Regni Colloquium habe­re ordinavimus & Tractatum. Tibi praecipimus sirmi­ter injungentes, quod de dicto Com. duos Milites, & de qualibet civitate Com. illius duos Cives, & de quolibet Burgo duos Burgenses, de discretioribus & ad laborandum potentioribus eligi, & ad dictos di­em & locum venire facias. Ita quod dicti Milites plenam & sufficientem potestatem pro se, &c. (as in other Writs to hoc breve:) Et quia ante haec tempora [Page 80] nogotia in hujusmodi Parliamentis tractanda impedita fue­runt, Nota. ex eo quod nonnulli Magnates cum multitudine [...]umul­tuosa: hominum armatorum, ad Parliamenta illa accesse­runt, & populus partlum ubi Parliamenta tenta fuerunt dampnificatus extitit & gravatus, per quod, per nos, & Con­silium nostrum concordatum existit, quod omnes & singuli de Regno nostro cujuscunque status seu con­ditionis fuerint, si ad dictum Parliamentum venire voluerint, modo debito, & absque aliqua hujusmodi multitudine, sub forisfacture omnium quae nobis foris­facere poterint, accedant. Tibi praecipimus firmiter injun­gentes, quod in Balliva tua ubi meli [...] expedire videris publicè proclamari, & ex parte nostra firmiter inhiberi facias, ne quis sub forisfactura praedicta cujuscunque status seu condi­tionis existit, ad Parliamentum praedictum cum hujusmodi multitudine hominum armatorum accedere praesumat, per quod populus noster terreri, seu dicta negotia nostra retardari valeant quovis modo, Teste Rege apud Eborum, 5 die Marcii.

Eodem modo mandatum est singulis Vic. per Ang­liam.

From which Writ I shall observe, 1. That the Writs of Summons to Parliaments may be altered and enlarged with necessary Prologues and clauses, accor­ding to the times and emergent occasions, by the King and his Counsel, without consent or Act of Parlia­ment. 2ly. That the absence of some Prelates, Lords, and Great men from the Parliament is a just cause to adjourn or dissolve it. 3ly. That no weighty af­fairs ought to be concluded but in a full Parliament, when all the Lords and Members are present; and not in an empty House, when any considerable number of Lords and other Members are absent or secluded. 4ly. That no Lords nor other persons whatsoever, though summoned as Members, Sec Part. 1. p. 27, 28. 177. 215. Sec Claus. E. 2. dors. 22. 31. ought to come to Parliaments with a tumultuous multitude of people, followers, and armed men; it being inconsistent with the freedom and privileges of Parliaments, a grand [Page 81] disturbance to their proceedings touching the weigh­ty affairs of the King and Kingdom therein propoun­ded, and a great terror and oppression to the people in those places where the Parliaments are held; Much less then ought Petitioners, or those who are no Mem­bers, to draw up whole Troops, Regiments of armed Souldiers to terrifie, force, seclude, secure, dissolve the ve­ry Lords, Members, Houses, and Parliaments themselves. 5ly. That the King and his Counsil alone may by pub­lick Writs and Proclamations lawfully prohibit the resort of any persons, of what condition soever, to Parliaments, with any tumultuous multitude, or armed men, under the pain of forseiting all they have; and that by the antient Common-law of England, as well as by the Statute of 7 E. 1. Rastal Armer. 1. it being a chief branch of the Kings antient royal Prerogative and Office, as the Act declares. 6ly. That they may insert this Prohibition and Proclamation into the ve­ry Writs of Summons themselves, when there is just occasion; as there was never so much cause as now to do it, after so many unparallel'd eumults and vio­lences offered to Members, and raised against Parlia­ments themselves, by tumultuous wultitudes of rude people, and whole Troops, Regiments, Armies of Sword-men raised for their defence, to the total, if not final subversion of the antient Rights, Liberties, and constitution of our English Parliaments.

In the Parliaments of 5 E. 2. some Noblemen and Earls, by reason of dissentions between them, and o­ther fears and jealousies, intended to resort to those Parliaments with a great number of armed men of their friends and retainers; which the King being in­formed of, thereupon issued these memorable writs un­to them, expressing the manifold mischiefs and incon­veniences thence ensuing, and prohibiting them to come to these Parliaments with any arms, horses of warr, or multitudes of people, or to disturb the peace, affright the people of the Realm, or hinder the pub­like [Page 82] affairs of Parliament in any kinde, under pain of forfeiting all their lands, tenements, and whatever else they might forfeit to him, worthy the considera­tion and imitation of present and future ages upon the like occasions.

Clause 5 E. 2. dors. 31. Rex dilecto et fideli sno Nicho: de Segrave, falutem. Datum est nobis intelligi, quod vos occasione quarundam dissensionum inter vos, et dilectum & fidelem nostrum Willielmum Mareschal, nuper subor­tarum, ad arma vos paratis, & amicos & confederatos ve­sttos, se parare similiter procuratis, quodque ad Parliamentum nostrum quod apud London die Dominica proxima post fe­stum Sti. Laurentii. proximo futur. fecimus summoneri, ac­cedere intenditis cum multitudine armatorum, unde in im­mensum non immerito commovemur. Et quia accessus bu­jusmodi si fieret, in nostri contemptum, et expeditionis negotio­rum nostrorum impedimentum, ac terrorem populi regni no­stri et lesionem pacis nostrae cederet manifestè. Uobis man­damus in fide et bomagio quibus Nobis tenemini, sub foris­factura terrarum ac tenementorum, ac omnium aliorum quae Nobis forisfacere poteritis districtè inhibentes, ne ad dic­tum Parliamentum cum armis, seu alio modo, quam tempore clarae memoriae Domini E. quondam Regis Angl. patris no­stri consuevit, accedere, aut aliqua alia per quae expeditio ne­gotiorum nostrorum in dicto Parliamento retardari, aut pax nostra turbari, seu populus dicti regni nostri quovis modo ter­reri valeat facere praesumatis. Consimilia mandata et Inhibitionem fecimus praefato Willielmo super negotio antedicto. Teste Rege apud Berwic. super Twed. 20 die Julii.

Eodem modo mandatum est praefato Willielmo de Ma­reschal. T. ut supra.

Cl. 5 E. 2. dors. 22. Rex dilecto et fideli suo Gil­berto de Clare Comiti Glouc. & Hereford, salutem. In­telleximus, quod ad praesens Parliamentum nostrum a­pud Westm. continuatum, estis cum equis et armis, more non debito venientes, unde admiramur non immerito et turbamur; praesertim cum per hujusmodi acces­sum [Page 83] vestrum ibidem expeditio negotiorum Nos et sta­tum regni nostri tangentium in dicto Parliamento no­stro tractandorum impediri, et populus partirum illa­rum ac alibl in regno nostro, terreri posset non modi­cum, et pax nostra turbari. Vobis igitur mandamus in fide et homagio quibus Nobis tenemini firmiter injun­gedtes, quod ad dictum Parliamentum nostrum ad trac­tandum Nobiscum, et cum Praelatis ac Magnatibus de regno nostro super dictis negotiis veniatis, prout tem­pore clarae memoriae Domini E. quondam Regis Angl. patris nostri fieri consuevit, equis pro armis vobiscum ibidem nullatenus adducentes, nec aliquid aliud at­temptantes per quod pax nostra turbari, aut populus noster terreri valeat quovis modo. T. apud Westm. 28 die Novemb: Per ipsum Regem.

Eodem modo mandatum subscriptis, viz. Thomae Comiti Lancastr. Humfr. de Bohun Comiti Heref. & Essex, Adamaro de Ualenc. Com: Pembroke, Gui­doni de Bello-Campo Com: Warr. Edmundo Com. Arundell.

It seems notwithstanding those Writs, Walsingham Hist. Angliae, p. 72. to 78. & other H [...] ­rians in Auno 5 E. 2. there were some forces raised by these Earls and Nobles, principally against Peter Gaveston; which produced these ill effects; 1. It terrified most of the Knights, Citizens and Burgesses, and caused them to depart home, and desert the Parlia­ment; so as the King was enforced to issue out new Writs, to resummon them, and to command the She­riff to elect others in their places, in case they would not or could not come; as is evident by the Writs in dorse 26 of Cl. 5. E. 2. forecited, p. 73. 2ly. It frighted away most of the Kings Justices and Counsil from the Parliament; so that he was constrained to resum­mon, and command them not to depart from the Par­liament during its continuance, without his special li­cense, as appears by this ensuing memorable Writ.

Cl. 5 E. 2. d. 27. Rex dilecto et fideli suo Roberto de Retford salutem. Nuper vobis ex parte nostra suit in­junctum, quod una cum caeteris de Consilio nostro in [Page 84] praesenti Parliamento nostro London ad tractandum i­bidem super diversis negotiis Nos et Statum regni nostri tangentibus moram continuam faceretis, quo­usque aliud inde praecipissemus. Vosque mandatum no­strum, in hac parte minus justè ponderantes, à dicto Parliamento, caeteris de Consilio nostro ibidem circa dicta negotia nostra tractantibus, ad alias partes vos elongasti [...], unde admiramur non modicum, et merito conturbamur. Vobis igitur mandamus in fide qua No­bis tenemini sirmiter injungentes, quod statim visis praesentibus, omnibus aliis praetermissis ad dictam Ci­vitatem cum omni festinatione accedatis, ibidem cum caeteris de Consilio nostro super dictis negotiis tracta­turi, vestrumque Consilium impensuri, et exinde sine licentia nostra speciali durante Parliamento praedicto nullaten us recedatis. Et hoc ficut indignationem no­stram vitare volueritis nullo modo omittatis. T. Re­ge apud Haddelye 12 die Septembr: Per Consilium.

Eodem modo mandatum est subscriptis, viz: Willo: de Ormesby, Rico: de Bereford, Henrico de Staunton, Johi. de Mitford, Henrico le Scrop, Henrico de Gul­deford, Willo: de Colneye, Willo. de Goldington, Johi: de Insula, Johi: de Doncastr. Johi: Lovell de Snotescumbe, Rico de Rodeneye, Johi: Cheynel, Willo: de Bourne, Johi: de Batesford, Rog [...]ro de Scotre.

3ly. It necessitated the King to adjourn the Parlia­ment till a further time, and much hindred the pub­like affaires of the King and kingdom, which should have been dispatched therein, as is evident by the writ of Prorogation. Cl. 5 E. 2. dorso 17. And what sad­der effects such armed tumults and Souldiers have of late years produced, not only to the disturbance of the publike peace and affairs of the Realm, and Parliament, but to the very ruin of the King, Parliament, kingdom, Lawes, Liberties themselves, we have seen by sad expe­rience; Therfore we should use all good and effectual means for the future prevention of such tumults, arm­ed powers and mischiefs, when and where any Parlia­ments are convened.

[Page 85] The next Writs are in Claus. 4 E. 3. dors. 19. Vic. Northumbr. recited at large, with Cons. literae singulis Vicec. per Angl running all in the ordinary form, ha­ving the same recitals and dates with those to the Pre­lates forecited, Section 1.

But in Dors. 13. of this year, I find this memo­rable Writ of Proclamation issued to all Sheriffs cf Countles, after the Writs of Elections sent unto them, to direct them and the people what persons they should then elect for their Knights, and inviting all that were grieved by the Kings Officers to complain against them in Parliament to the King himself, or such as he should appoint who should give them full and speedy relief: There being the like Writs for­merly issued to them by King Edward the first, Claus. 17 E. 1. dors. 2. Quod Vit. singuli venire fac. illos qui de Ministr. Rs. conqueri voluerint, quod veniant apud Westm. coram certis Justiciariis assignandis, to exemine and re­dress all offences, misdemeanours and oppressions, dum Rex erat extra Regnum.

Claus. 4 E. 9. m. 43. dorso. See my plea for the Lords. p. 376, 327. Le Roy a Viscount de Lancastr. falutz. Pur ce que nous avomous entendues, que diverses oppressions et duretes ount este faits sur plusours gentz de nostre Roilme, per acunes q'uont estre nos Ministers en di­verses Offices, et auxint per acunes gentz de nostre Rollme, auxibien Nouz consealers come autres, tant come nous besoigne per reason de la tendernes de nostre age, ount este meney per acunes gentz a da­mage et dishonor de nouz, la quelle chose nous ne voloms desore soeffrer, et nos avoms mult grant desire que tiels choses fuissent m [...]s en estat due, et les tortes, et misprisions, redresses. Vous mandoms et charge [...]nt en la foi que vous nous devoz, que has­timent sanz delay, faitz crier per mi vostre bailive auxibien deinz Franchise come dehors, que toutz ceux que se vodroint pleindre des oppressions, du­retes ou autres grievance a eux faitz countre droiture et: les loyes, et les usages de nostre Roilme, veigne it [Page 86] a Westm. a cest nostre prochein Parlement, et mon­strent illeoqes lour plaints a nous, ou a ceux que nous ferront a ce deput, et nous lour feroms fair cove­nable. et hasti [...], remede, dont ils se devient aggreer per reason. Et pour ce que avant ces heures ascunes, des Chivalers qe sont venus as Parlements pour les communautes des countees ount estre gentz de coveig­ne et maintieners des fauses querels, et nount mi seof­free que les bones gentz poient monstrer les grievan­ces du comune poeple, ne les choses que deuseant avoir este redresses en Parlement, a gran [...] damage, de nous et de nostre poeple, vos mandoms et char­geoms qe vous faces eslier per come assent de vestre Counte [...], deux des plus leaux et plus suffisouns Chi­valers et Es [...]uires, not Sergeants at saw. See 5 II. 5. cap. 1. Sergeantz de mesme le Countee que soient mi suspiciouns de male coveigne ne communes mein­teir [...]ours des parties, d'estrez a nostre Parlement se­lonc le forme de nostre mandement que vous en a­ves. Et ceo ne lessez si come vous voilliez eschuer nostre grief indignation: Don a Woodstock le triers jour de November, per ipsum Regem.

Eodem modo mandatum est singulis, Vic. per Angl. A fit Writ to be now revived.

The next writs are those in Claus 5 E. 3. dors. 7.

Rex Vic. Eborum salutem. Cum pro magnis & arduis 23 negotiis Nos & statum a [...] regimen Regni nostri specialiter contingentibus de consilio Praelatorum & Magnatum Nobis assistentium, ordinavimus Parliamentum nostrum apud Westm. in crastino sancti Michaelis prox. futur. tenere, & cum Praelatis, Magnatibus & Proceribus dicti Regni habe­re Colloquium & Tractatum. Tibi pr [...]cipimus firmit [...]r in­jungentes, quod de dicto Com. duos Milites, & de qualibet Civitate Com. illius duos Cives, & de quolibet Burgo du­os Burgenses, de discretioribus, & ad laborandum potenti­oribus eligi, & eos ad dictos diem & locum venire facias. Ita quod dicti Milites plenam & sufficientem po [...]estatem pro se, & pro communitate Com. praedicti, & dicti Cives & Burgenses, pro se & communitate Civitatum & Burgorum [Page 87] divisim ab ipsis habeant ad faciend. & consentiend. biis quae tunc de communi Consilio favente Domino ordinari conti­gerit super negotiis antedictis. Ita quod pro defectu pote­statis hujusmodi dicta negotia infecta non remaneant quovis modo. Et habeat ibi nomina praedictorum Militum, Civium & Burgensium, & hoc breve. Teste ut supra.

Eodem modo praeceptum est singulis Vic. per Angliam.

The like in all respects, except in the recitals (be­ing alwayes the same with those to the Spiritual and Temporal Lords, relating in special or general the cau­ses of summoning each Parliament, and in the times and places of the Parliament, and dates of the Writs) issued to the Sheriffs, and are entred in the same order as those preceding, in Cl. 5 E. 3. d. 25. Claus. 6 E. 3. d. 9. 19. 36. Claus. 7 E. 3. part 1. d. 3. Claus. 8 E. 3. dors. 18. Claus. 9 E. 3. d. 2. 18. Claus. 10 E. 3. d. 1. 5. Cl. 11 E. 3. pars 2. d. 11. 40. Cl. 12 E. 3. pars 2. d. 32. Cl. 13 E. 3. pars 2. d. 28. where you may peruse them.

But in Cl. 10 E. 3. dors. 1. there is this Writ of Proro­gation and Resummons entred. Rex Vic. Ebor. salutem. 23 Cum nuper Parliamentum nostrum quod apud Ebor. in di­em lunae in festo sancti Hillarii prox futur. tenere ordinavi­mus, usque ad Octabas Purificationis beatae Mariae Virginis prox. futur. prorogavimus apud eundem locum tunc tenend. Et tibi preceperimus, quod de Com tuo Milites duos, &c. ve­nire faceres, ad faciend. et consentiend biis quae tunc de com­muni Consilio ordinari contigerit super quibusdam Negotiis Nos et Statum Regni nostri tangentibus. Ac propter di­versa nova Nobis et dicto regno nostro permolesta, quae in par­tibus transmarinis jam noviter emerserunt, &c. (as in the Writ to the Archbishop) idem Parliamentum usque diem Lunae prox. post festum Sancti Matthaei Apostoli prox. futur. apud Westm. tunc tenend. duximus prorogand. Tibi praecipi­mus, quod praemuni [...]i fac. Milites, Cives & Burgenses prae­dictos, quod ad Octabas praedictas ad dictum locum Ebor. ex causa Parliamenti non veniant ista vice. Praecipimus insu­per tibi firmiter injungentes, quod eosdem Milites, Gives et Burgenses sic electos, vel alios eligend. si electi non fucrunt, [Page 88] in forma praedicta eligi, et eos ad dictum locum Westm. ad praedictum diem Lunae venire facias. Ita quod Milites ple­nam et sufficientem potestatem pro se & Communitate Com. praedicti habeant, &c. (ut supra.) usque hoc breve. Teste ut supra.

Eodem modo mandatum est singulis Vic. per Angl.

In Claus. 13 E. 3. pars 2. dors. 1. the form of the 24 Writ for elections to the Sheriffs, is thus notably va­ried.

Rex Vic. Eborum salutem. Cum quaedam ardua & urgentia negotia Nos, et honorem nostrum, Sta­tumque Regni nostri contingentia in Parliamento nostro apud Westm, in Quindena sancti Michaelis prox. praeterito summonito, Praelatis, Proceribus ct Com­munitati dicti regni ibidem existentibus exposita exti­tissent, super quibus eadem Communitas tempus ad deliberand. petiit, supplicans quoddam aliud Parlia­mentum statim infra breve, ut tunc deliberatione hu­jusmodi valeret expofitis maturius responderi, per quod de avisamento Praelatorum et Procerum praedictorum necnon ad dictae Communitatis hujusmodi supplica­tionem, ordinavimus, quod super hiis et aliis urgen­tissimis negotiis tam Nos et expeditionem guerrae no­strae, ac jura nostra et Coronae nostrae in partibus trans­marinis, quam defensionem dicti regni ceterarumque terrarum nostrarum contingentibus, Parliamentum nostrum apud Westm. in Octabis Sancti Hillarii prox. futur. teneatur. Nos advertentes, quod negotia no­stra in Parliamento nostro hactenus agitata saepius im­pedita fuerunt et etiam retardata, Ita quod electiones de Militibus, Civibus et Burgensibus pro Communi­ [...]tibus Com: Civitatum et Burgorum ad Parliamenta illa venientibus minus factae provide exiterunt. Tibi praecipimus districtius injungentes, quod de dicto Co­mitatu tuo duos Milites gladiis cinctos, et de qualibet Civitate Com. illius Duos Cives, et de quolibet Burgo Duos Burgenses de discr [...]tioribus et probio­ribus Militibus, Cidibus et Burgensibus Com. Ci­vitatum [Page 89] et Burgorum, et eosd [...]m ad laborand. poten­tioribus, eligi, et eos ad dictos diem et locum venire facias. Ita quod iidem Milites plenam et sufficientem potestatem pro se et Communitate Com. praedicti, & dicti Cives ac Burgenses pro se et Communitatibus Ci­vitatum et Burgorum divisim ab ipsis habeant, ad faci­end. et consentiend. hiis quae tunc de Communi Con­silio nostro, favente Domino, ordinari contigerit su­per negotiis antedictis. Ita quod pro defectu potesta­tis hujusmodi, seu Propter improvidam electionem Militum, Civium aut Burgensium praedictorum (quam tibi si aliter quam praedictum est facta fuerit im­putabimus) dicta negotia infecta non remaneant quo­vis modo; & habeas ibi nomina praedictorum Mili­tum, Civium et Burgensium, et hoc breve. Teste ut supra.

Per ipsum Regem, et dictum Custodem & Consilium.

Eodem modo mandatum est singulis Vicecomitibus per Angliam.

From wheuce it is observable,

1. That the Commons in Parliament ought not rashly to determine, or give answer to any business of great moment propounded to them, without due time and consideration; and that they may justly desire con­venient time to deliberate upon it, till another Par­liament shall be summoned for that purpose; as they did here: which the King upon their Petition, and the advice of the Prelates and Great men, assented to by his Cussos Regni.

2. That the indiscreet and Improvident Elections of unfitting, undiscreet, dishonest, insufficient Knights, Citizens and Burgesses, is a frequent occasion of hin­dering and retarding the great and weighty affair [...] of the King and kingdom in Parliament, and cause of their miscarriage without good effect.

3. That the blame of such improvident elections, is much to be imputed to the Sheriffs, as well as Elect­ors.

[Page 90] 4. That the Clause of gladiis cinctos, was first added to duos Milites by this writ, not being in any former writs; that so none but actual Knights by Order, as well as tenure, might be elected and returned.

5. That the word Probioribus, is superadded to Dis­cretioribus et ad laborandum Potentiaribus Militibus, Civi­bus et Burgensibus, &c. extant in none of the precedent Writs since 49 H. 3. and Legalioribus omitted.

6. That there was no Alteration at all now made in the Writs to the Warden of the Cinque-ports, con­tinuing as before, but only in those to Sheriffs for ele­cting Knights, Citizens and Burgesses.

The next succeeding writ in Claus. 14 E. 3. pars 1. 25 dors. 33. runs in the usual form, yet with duos Milites gladiis cinctos, &c. de discretioribus et probioribus Militi­bus, Civibus et Burgensibus Com. Civitatum et Burgorum eo­rundem, et ad labor and. potentioribus eligi, &c. but de pro­bioribus is omitted out of the Writ to the Warden of the Cinque Ports. In dors. 23 of this Roll, gladiis cinctos is omitted in the writs to Sheriffs, as it is in Claus. 15 E. 3. pars 1. d. 37. cl. 16 E. 3 pars 2. d. 22. (where Probioribus is changed into Legalioribus) cl. 17 E. 3 pars 1. d. 25. (probioribus is used, and legalioribus omitted) as it is likewise in claus. 18 E. 3. pars 2. d. 14. claus. 20 E. 3. pars 2. d. 22.

In Claus. 21 E. 3. p. 2. d. 9. The Writ is Duos Milites 26 &c. de discretioribus et probioribus, &c. to hoc breve. Then follows this notable clause, Et scire vos volumus, quod dictum Parliamentum non ad Aurilia seu Tallagia apo­pulo dicti regni nostri petenda, vel alia onera eidem populo imponenda, sed duntarat pro pro su [...]titia po­pulo nostro super dampuis et gravaminibus sibi illa­tis faciend. et pro tractatu super dictis negotiis, ut praemit­titur b [...]end. fecimus summoneri. Teste ut supra. Per ip­sum Regem.

Consimilia Brevia diriguntur singulis Vio per Angli­am, sub eadem data.

This last Clause (which would now be very wel­com [Page 91] and seasonable to all Sheriffs, Counties, Cities, Boroughs, Ports in writs for elections) shewes the true, proper, genuine principal end of summoning Par­liaments, and what they should principally intend: The calling of them heretofore, & in latter ages, changes, only to grant Ayds, raise monies, advance the ambitious or covetous designs of others, instead of the peoples ease, profit, and redress of their grievances, damages, op­pressions, being a grand Abuse, as Andrew Horne long since resolved under Edward the 1. in his Mirrour of Iu­stices, ch. 5. p. 282.

Claus. 22 E. 3. pars 1. d. 32. The Writ to the War­den of the Cinque ports is registred before that to the 27 Sheriffs, (as it is likewise in dorso 7. and sundry other succeeding Rolls) which is only, Duos Milites, &c. de discretioribus & probioribus &c. But the writs to the She­riffs, dors. 7. are thus varied. Tibi praecipimus firmiter injungentes, quod de Comitatu tuo duos Milites Gladio cin­ctos, et Ordinein Pilitarem habentes, et non alios (in the Negative as well as Affirmative) Et de qualibet Civitate Com: illius duos Cives, et de quolibet Burgo duos Burgenses de Aptioribus, discretioribus, probioribus, et fide dignis Militibus, Cibibus et Burgenssbus Com: Civitatum et Burgorum eorundem eligi, &c. Ita quod pro de­fectu potestatis hujusmodi, aut propter improvidam electionem Militum, Civium & Burgensium praedictorum, dicta negotia infecta non remaneant quovis mode: Per quod ad se (te) tan­quam ad impedimentum negotiorum nostrorū praedictorum ma­teriam babeamus graviter capiend. Et habeas ibi nomina, &c.

The like Clauses are in the Writs of Prorogation Claus. 22 E. 3. pars 2. d. 3. But there is no alteration or new clause at all in any of the Writs to the Cinque­ports, which still retains, Duos Barones de discretioribus, & ad laborand. potentioribus, &c. having only seu propter improvidam electionem Baronum praedictorum, &c. added sometimes in the last Ita quod, &c. where the Writs to Sheriffs have it.

[Page 92] In Claus. 24 E. 3. pars 2. m. 3. dorso, there is this 28 addition and limitation in the writs then issued to all the Sherifs through England, Quod de Comitatu tuo duos Milites, &c. de discretioribus et probioribus Militibus, Ci­vibus, et Burgensibus, & ad laborand. potentioribus, Dut non sunt placitorum aut querel arum manutentores, aut ex hujusmodi questu viventes, &c. (in the Negative) Sed homines valentes et bonae fidet, & publicum com­modum diligentes eligi, &c. (in the Affirmative.) Very necessary and just general limitations, directions both for the Electors and Sheriffs to observe, with a seu propter improvidam electionem Militum, Civium, aut Burgensium praedictorum negotia nostra infecta non remane­ant quovis modo.

The self same Limitations are in the Writs to all Sheriffs in Claus. 25 E 3. pars 1. dors. 5. cl. 28. E. 3. d 26. & Claus. 29 E. 3. dors. 8. but not in those to the Cinque ports in these or other Rolls.

I meet with these unusual Writs both to Sherifs of Counties, Mayors, and Bailifs of Cities, Burroughs, and to the Warden of the Cinque ports, in Claus. 26 E. 3. m. 14. dorso, worthy special observation.

Rex Vic. Kanc: salutem. Quia per magnis et urgenti­bus 29 negotiis, &c. (ut supra, Part 1. p. 57) usque ibi remedium et tunc sic, cum Praelatis et Magnatibus, ut supra usque ibi tractatum. Tibi praecipimus firmiter injungentes, quod unum Militem de provectioribus, discretioribus, et magia ex­pertis Militibus Com. praedicti, De assensu ejusdem Com. eligi, et eum ad diem et locum praedictum venire faci­as. Ita quod idem Miles pro se et Communitate Com. prae­dicti plenam et sufficientem potestatem habeat ad tractand. consulend. et consentiend. hiis quae tunc divina favente clementia contigerit ordinari super negotiis antedictis. Et ut homines ab ista occupatione autumpnalibus qu [...] minus possu­mus retrabamus, unum tantum Militem de quolibet Co­mitatu ad dictum Consilium Mittend. habere volu­mus ista vice. Nos de die receptionis praesentium, & per quem tibi delatae fuerint certificans tunc ibidem. Teste ut supra.

[Page 93] Consimilia Brevia diriguntur singulis Vic. per Angliam sub eadem data.

Consimile Breve dirigitur Henrico Com. Lancastr. mu­tatis mutandis, sub eadem data.

Rex Uicomitibus London salutem. Quia pro magnis & 30 urgentibus negotiis, &c. ut supra usque tractatum: & tunc sic. Vobis firmiter injungentes quod duos Cives de provectioribus, discretioribus, & magis expertis Civibus Civitatis prae­dictae De assensu ejusdem Civitatis, &c. ut supra. mu­tandis mutandis, usque ad amedictis: et tunc sic; Nos de die re­ceptionis, &c. ut supra. Teste ut supra.

Rex Majori et Ballivis Civitatis suae Eborum, salutem. 31 Quia, &c. ut supra usque ibi tractatum: et tunc sic. Vobis praecipimus firmiter injungentes, quod unum Civem de pro­vectioribus, discretioribus, &c. ut supra, usque ibi antedictis: & tunc sic. Et ut homines ab istis occupationibus autumpna­libus quo minus possumus retrabamus, unum tantum Ci­vem de qualibet Civitate ad dictum Con [...]lium mil­tend. habere volumus, ista vice. Nos de die, &c. ut supra. Teste ut supra.

Consimilia Brevia diriguntur Major [...]bus et Ballivis Civi­tatum et Burgorum subscriptorum sub eadem data, viz.

Majori & Ballivis de Norwich pro uno Cive.

Majori et Ballivis de Kingeston super Hull, pro uno Burgense.

Ballivis de Sancto Botho, pro uno Burgense.

Majori & Ballivis Bristoll, pro uno Burgense.

Majori & Ballivis de Villa Southampton, pro uno Burgense.

Majori & Ballivis Cicestr. pro uno Cive.

Ballivis Villae magnae Jernmutb, pro uno Bur­gense.

Majori & Ballivis Villae de Lenn: pro uno Bur­gense.

Majori & Ballivis Lincoln. pro uno Cive.

Rex dilecto & fideli suo Bartho. de Burghershe, Con­stabulario Castri sui Dovor, & Custodi Quinque Portuum suorum vel ejus [...] Tenenti, salutem. Quia pro magnis [Page 94] & urgentilus negotiis, &c. Vobis mandamus firmiter in­jungentes Quod de Quinque Portubus praedictis duos Barones de Provectoribus, discretioribus, & magis expertis Baronibus Portuum praedictorum eligi, & eos ad diem & locum venire faciatis. Ita quod iidem Barones ple­nam & sufficientem potest. pro se & commun. Portuum babe­ant ad tract and. consulend & consentiend biis quae tunc divi­na favente clementia de communi Consilio contiger it ordinari. Et ut homines ab ista occupatione Autumpnalibus quo minus possumus retrabamus duos tantum Barones de Portu­bus prae dictis ad dictum Consilium mittend. habere volumus, ista vic. Nos de die receptionis praesentium, per & quem vobis dilatae fuerint certificantes tunc ibid. Test. ut supra.

In these Writs there are these several things re­markable.

1. The occasions of them, Pro magnis & urgentibus negotiis & novis subitis ad nos perlatis, nos & statum, ac jura Regni nostri Angliae, summe concernentibus, super quibus festinum & providum oportet exhiberi remedium, as the Writ to the Part 1. p. 57. Arch-bishop recites, and the ut supra in these writs refers to.

2ly. The title given to this Convention, not Par­liamentum, but Consilium, as the latter clauses of these writs: ad dictum Consilium, and the marginal Note in the Roll, summonitio Consilii import.

3ly. The persons summoned to it, namely, the Arch-bishops, Bishops, one Prior, one Abbot, the Earls, and temporal Lords and Barons, the Kings Justices and Counsil, as well of the Clergy as Laity: but one Knight only, and no more out of every Shire for the whole Shire, 2 Citizens out of London only, but one Citizen and Burgesse alone out of e­very other Citie and Borough, and 2 Barons, but no more out of all the Cinque-ports.

4ly. The extraordinary qualification of the Knights, Citizens, Burgesses, and Barons to be ele­cted, who are limited to be de provectioribus, discretiori­bus, & magis expertis Militibus, Civibus, Burgensibus & Baronibus.

[Page 95] 5ly. The reason rendered why one only in each of these was at this time prescribed to be elected, and no more, was, ut homines ab ista occupatione autumpnalibus quo minus possumus retrabamus.

6ly. The clause of the plenary and sufficient power they were to have for themselves, and the Com­monaltyes who elected them, ad tractand. consulend. & consentiend. hiis quae tunc divina favente clementia de communi consilio contigerit ordinari super negotiis ante dictis, varyes from former clauses.

7ly. The Certificate required from all to whom these writs issued, Nos de die acceptionis praesentium, & per quem tibi dilatae fuerint certificans tunc ibidem; not u­sual in other writs.

8ly. That writs issued to Sheriffs, only to choose one Knight, but not to elect any Citizen or Burgess within their Counties, the writs for their elections now issuing to the Maiors, Sheriffs, Bayliffs of each City and Bo­rough, not to the Sheriffs.

There are other forms of Writs somewhat like un­to these last recited, thus registred in Claus. 21 E. 3. 23 m. 12. dors. not unworthy special observation, issu­ed to Sheriffs of Counties, Mayors, Sheriffs, Bayliffs' of Corporations & Cities, which I shall present you with.

Rex Vic. Lanc. salutem. Quia pro magnis & urgenti­bus negotiis, Nos & statum Regni nostri Angliae concer­nentibus, cum Prelatis, Magnatibus, Proceribus, & aliis fildelibus dicti Regni nostri apud Westm. die Lunae prox. post festum sancti Mathaei Apostoli prox. futur. Colloquium habere volumus & tractatum. Tibi pr [...]imus firmites injungentes, quod unum Militem gladio Cinctum de dis­cretioribus & magis expertis Militibus Com praedicti, de as­sensu ejusdem Comitatus, sine dilastone eligi, & eum ad dtem & locum praedictos venire facias. Ita quod idem Miles pro se & pro communitate Com. praedicti plen [...]n & sufficientem petestatem habeat ad tractand. consulend & consentiend. hiis quae tunc divina favente clementia, contigerit ordinari super negotiis antedictis, & hoc nullatenus omittatisi Teste ut supra.

Eodem modo mandatum est singulla Vicecomitibus per Angliam sub eadem data.

Rex dilecto & fideli suo Bartho. de Burghersh. Con­stabulario Castri sui Dov. &c. vobis mandamus, &c. quod de quolibet Portuum praedictorum unum Baro­nem de discretionibus & magis expertis Baronibus Portuum eorundem eligi, &c. Ita quod iidem Ba­rones plenam & sufficientem potestatem pro se & com­munitate Portuum praedictorum habeant ad tractand. &c. ut supra.

Rex Majori & Vicecomitibus London, &c. ut supra. Quod duos Cives de provectioribus & discretioribus & magis expertis Civibus Civitatis predictae, de assen­su ejusdem Civitatis sine dilatione eligi, &c. Ita quod lidem Cives pro se, &c. & hoc nullatenus omitta­tis.

Eodem modo mandatum est Majoribus & Bal­livis Civitatum & Burgorum subscripto­rum, de duobus Civibus sive Burgensibus mittendis, sub eadem data, viz.

Majori & Ballivis Civitatis Karliol.

Majori & Ballivis villae Novi Castri super Tynam.

Majori & Ballivis Civitatis Eborum.

Majori & Ballivis Villae de Kingeston super Hull,

Majori & Ballivis Civitatis Lincoln.

Majori & Ballivis Villae Cauntebrigg.

Ballivis Villae de santo Botho (Botolph.)

Ballivis Civitatis Norwich.

Majori & Ballivis de Bristol.

Majori & Ballivis Villae Southampton.

Majori & Ballivis Cicestr.

Ballivis Magna Jernemuth.

Ballivis de Gippewico.

Majori & Ballivis de Lenn.

Majori & Ballivis Civitatis Wynton.

Majori & Ballivis Gloucestr.

Majori & Ballivis Civitatis Sarum.

Majori & Ballivis Civitatis Exon.

[Page 97] Majori & Ballivis Bathon.

Majori & Ballivis Wellen.

Majori & Ballivis de Coventr.

Majori & Ballivis de Lichefeld.

Majori & Ballivis Civitatis Wigorn.

Majori & Ballivis Civitatis Hereford.

Mojori & Ballivis Villae Northampton.

Majori & Ballivis Civitatis Cantuar.

Majori & Ballivis Civitatis Roffen.

Majori & Ballivis Bedford.

Majori & Ballivis de Bokingham.

Majori & Ballivis Oxon.

Majori & Ballivis Elien.

Majori & Ballivis Notingham.

Majori & Ballivis Derb.

Majori & Ballivis Salop.

Majori & Ballivis Stafford.

Majori & Ballivis Warwick.

Majori & Ballivis Leicestr.

The things most observable from these writs are these.

1. That in the margin of the Roll, these writs are sti­ed Summonitio Consilii: that the word Parliamentum is not mentioned in them, but Colloqu. & Tractatum, and in the Prologue to the printed Statute of the Staple, 27 E. 3. it is styled, Dur great Counsel at Wett­minster.

2ly. That both the Arch-bishops, all the Bishops, Abbots, Priors, Earls, Temporal Lords, and Kings Counsel usually summoned to former Parliaments, were summoned to this Great Council, and 2 Citizens and Burgesses out of every City, and chief, (but not Not one [...] of Cornwall. petty) Borough, by special Writs issued to their Maiors and Bay­liffs only, not to the Sheriffs of Counties as usually; and yet but one Knight out of every County, and one Ba­ron out of every of the Cinqueports was summoned thereunto: which is thus expressed in the very printed Pro­logue to the Statute of the Staple made therein, Anno [Page 98] 27 E. 3. 1353. Whereas good deliberation had with the Pre­lates, Dukes, Earls, Barons, and Great men of the Counties, that is to say, of every County one (Knight) for all the County, and of the Commons of Cities, and Boroughs of our Realm, of England summoned to our Great Coun­sel, &c.

3ly. That the principal cause of summoning this Great Counsel, was the setling of the Staple for England, Wales, and Ireland, and making Laws and Ordinances for the same, by the Counsel and common assent of the said Prelates, Dukes, Earls, and Barons, Knights and Com­mons, as the Prologue to the Statute of the Staple made therein, and the Statute it self resolves us: which principally concerned Cities and Boroughs.

4ly. That the Knights, Citizens, Burgesses, and Barons to be elected and sent thereto, were limited to be, De discretioribus & magis expertis Militibus, &c. and to have plenam & sufficientem potestatem ad tra­ctand. consulend. & consentiend. &c. as in the precedent writs.

5ly. That the number of the Cities and Boroughs to which special writs issued were 37. besides London, and the Cinque-ports, entred promiscuously without any alphabetical or other order, as the Clerks pleased, but none out of Cornwall or small Boroughs.

6ly. That in 28 E. 3. a Parliament was summoned for confirmation of the Ordinances and Statutes for establish­ing the Staple made in this Great Councel, wherein they were confirmed, with certain Declarations and Additions, to be firmly kept and holden for a Statute to endure for ever, as the printed Act of 28 E. 3. c. 13. the Parliament, and Statute rolls inform us. Therefore no binding Acts till then.

The next Writs for electing Knights, Citizens and 24 Burgesses, are in Claus. 28 E. 3. dors. 26. the writs to the Sheriffs are, duos Milites, duos Cives, & duos Burgens. de dis­cretioribus, & provect. & ad laborand. potentioribus, qui non sunt placitatores, quaerelarum manutentores, aut ex hujusmodi questu viventes, sed homines valentes & bonae fidei, ac. pub­licum [Page 99] commodum diligentes eligi, &c. (as in claus. 24 E. 3. pars 2 dors. 3. forecited,) and those in claus. 29 E. 3. dors. 8. are both the same with these in all clauses, except in their dates, and the dayes, places of the Pailiament, though the writs of Prorogation Dors. 7. vary from them, having duos Milites gladiis cinctos, &c de discretioribus, & probioribus Militibus, &c. & ad la­borand. potentioribus, only in them.

Clause 31 E. 3. dors. 21. The writs, to the Sheriffs 25 are only, Duos Milites, duos Cives, & duos Burgenses, de discretioribus, probioribus Militibus, Civibus, & Bur­gensibus, & ad laborand. potentioribus, with a seu propter improvidam electionem, &c. in the Ita quod, &c. which clause is in the writ to the Warden of the Cinque­ports, entred after those to Sheriffs. But the writs to the Sheriffs, dors. 2. of this Roll run thus.

Rex, Vic. Kanc. &c. Tibi praecipimus firmiter injun­gentes, quod de Com. tuo duos Milites, gladiis cinctos, & de qualibet Civitate com. illius duos Cives, & de quolibet Burgo. duos Burgenses, de discretioribus & probioribus Militibus, Civibus, & Burgensibus, com. comitatuum & Burgorum eorundem, et de ele­gantioribus personis eligi, &c. Ita quod, &c. seu prop­ter improvidam electionem Militum, Civium, aut Burgensium praedictorum, dicta negotia nostra infecta nō remaneant, &c. Et habeas ibi nomina praedictorum, Militum, Civium & Burgensium, & hoc breve. Et sci­re facias eisdem, quod propter arduitatem negotio­rum praedictorum & celeriorem expeditionem eorun­dem, volumus primo die Parliamenti personaliter in­teresse, per quod nolumus, nec intervimus aliquem No [...], ad dictum Parliamentum summonitum quin eodem primo die personaliter intersint, habere ullo modo excusatum, seu excusationem inde admittere aliqua­lem. Teste ut supra.

Consimilia brevia diriguntur fingulis Viceco­mitibus per Angliam, nec non Henrico Duo ci Lancastr. vel ejus locum tenenti, sub e­adem data

[Page 100] In these writs I observe, 1. A new qualification, De elegantioribus personis in no writs else before or after. 2ly. An unusual clause in the close of them; strictly requiring every person summoned to this Parliament, to be personally present at it on the very first day thereof without any excuse. An infallible Argument and clear evidence, that all Members of Parliament duly elected or summoned, ought personally to ap­pear therein at the See here p. 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 47, 48, 49, 54, 56, 59. very first day, and none of them to be suspended, secluded, ejected by their Fellow-Members, or others. 3ly. That no excuses ought to be admitted for the non-attendance of Persons duly sum­moned to Parliaments. 4ly. That the King alone is and ought to be the principal Judge of Members excuses for absenting from Parliament, & the only Person who can and ought to dispence with their non-attendance, since the Parliament is his Parliament, Court, Coun­cil, summoned only by his Writs and Precepts, for his and the publick businesses; not the Lords or Com­mons, who cannot dispence with absent Members without or against his consent.

In Claus. 34 E. 3. dors. 4. there is this new addition in the Writs to Sheriffs. 26

Rex Vic. Kanc. &c. Quod de Com. tuo duos Milites, &c. de discretioribus, & probioribus Militibus, Civibus, & Burgensibus, &c. Ita quod iidem Milites in pleno Comitatu tuo eligentur, & plenam & sufficientem potestatem pro se, &c. Ita quod, &c. seu propter improvidam electionem Militum, &c. with a Scire facias eisdem quod propter arduitatem negotiorum praedictorum & celeriorem expeditionem eorundem, &c. as in the last preceding Writs; but in the writs in this Roll, Dorse 35. to another Parliament this year, these new clauses are left out.

In the Clause roll, anno 36 E. 3. d. 16. there is this 27 observable variation in the writs to Sheriffs.

Rex Vic. Kanc. &c. Quia super quibusdam arduis, &c. Parliamentum nostr. apud Westm. &c. tenere ordinavimus & [Page 101] cum Praelatis, Magnatibus, & Proceribus dicti Regni Col­loquium habcre & Tractatum. Tibi praecipimus, &c. Quod de Com. praedicto duos Milites, &c. de discretioribus, Me­lioribus et Ualidioribus Militibus, Civibus, & Bur­gensibus eligi, & eos ad dictum diem & locum venire fa­cias. Ita quod iidem Milites pro se & communitate Com. praedicti, dictique Cives & Burgenses pro se, &c. plenam & sufficientem potestatem ab ipsiis communitatibus habe­ant, ad consentiend. hiis quae per Nos ac dictos Praela­tos, Magnates et Proceres ordinari contigerit favente Domino. Et hoc sicut te indempnem servare voluer is, nullatenus omittas, & habeas ibi nomina Militum, &c.

The writ to the Warden of the Cinqueports runs 28 likewise in this form, de quolibet Portu portuum praedicto­rum duos Barones de melioribus, validioribus, & discreti­oribus Baronibus: without any other variation from the usual form. The self same clauses are in both these writs in Claus. 37 E. 3. dors. 22. claus. 38 E. 3. dors. 3. claus. 39 E. 3. d. 2. claus. 42 E. 3. dors. 22. & claus. 43 E. 3. dors. 24. all in the self-same form and words.

From these writs it is observable, 1. That the best, ablest, and discreetest Knights, Citizens, Barons, ought to be elected and summoned to Parliaments, and that the King may command, require such to be chosen by his writs, without any prejudice to, or intrenchment upon the peoples libertie and freedome in elections, who are obliged in prudence, reason, duty, consci­ence, only to elect such persons. 2ly. That all Knights, Citizens, Burgesses, Barons of Ports ought to have full and sufficient authority from the Commonalties who elect them, both for themselves and them, to consent to those things which the King, Lords, and Nobles shall ordain in Parliament, concerning the great and weighty affairs of the Realm. 3ly. That the power of decreeing and ordaining things in Parlia­ment, whether publick or private, resided principally, if not soly in the King and Lords, and of assenting [Page 102] to them, in the knights, Citizens, Burgesses and Ba­rons of the Cinque ports in their own and the Com­mons behalf. 4ly. That Sherifs may be justly punish­ed and censured by the King for neglects, or miscarri­ages in elections of Knights, Citizens and Burgesses.

The Writs for elections issued to Sheriffs in Claus. 37 E. 3. d. 22. cl. 38 E. 3. d. 3. cl. 39 E. 3. d. 2. cl. 42 29 E. 3. d. 22. & cl. 43 E. 3. d. 24. run all in the ordina­ry form, Quod de Com. praedicto duos Milites, &c. de me­lioribus, valentioribus, or validioribus, or valentioribus & discretioribus Militibus, Civibus & Burgensibus Com. Ci­vitatum & Burgorum praedictorum eligi, &c. facias. The original Writs for elections An. 42 E. 3. are yet extant in a loose unfiled bundle, with their several returns indorsed on, or annexed to them; where the Knights, Citizens and Burgesses elected and returned, are in the returns said to be, de melioribus, valentioribus et discretio­ribus Militibus, Civibus et Burgensibus of the respective Counties, Cities, Boroughs, for which they are retur­ned; and to have plenam et sufficientem potestatem pro se et communitate dicti Com. Civitatis, or Burgi (respectively) ad consentiendum hiis quae in instanti Parliamento contigerit ordinari.

I shall here present you with this brief abstract of the Writs and the several returns then made.

Bundle 42 E. 3. Rex, &c. Duos Milites, &c. de melio­ribus, valentioribus & Discretioribus Militibus, Civibus & Burgensibus Com. Civitatum, et Burgorum praedictorum eligi, &c. Teste meipso apud Westm. 24 die Febr. Anno Regni nostri 42.

Nomina Militum de Com. Westmerl: Henr: de Crow­eld Note: Westmerland. 1 senior, Iohes: de Preston. Nomina Burgensium de Appelby, &c. Sir Thomas de Strickland Vic.

Ego Walterus Haywode Vic. vobis fic respondeo pro­ut Note: Wiltes. 2 patet inferius et in Cedula huic consut.

Pro Burgensibus Burgorum de la Vize, Marleberghe, & Malmesbury, ego dictus Vic. vobis significo, quod mandavi Willo: Baggeswych, Ballivo libertatis Phe. Re­ginae [Page 103] Angliae, cui executio hujus brevis pro dictis Burgensibus venire fac. pertinet faciend: qui quidem Ballivus michi nullum inde dedit responsum.

Et pro Burgensibus Burgi de Bedewpride, ego dictus Vic. vobis significo, quod mandavi Jobi Hommede Bal­livo Libertatis Radi. Cornitis Stafford de Hundredo suo de Kynnwardeston, cui executio hujus brevis per­tinet faciend. pro dictis Burgensibus venire fac. &c. Qui quidem ballivus michi nullum inde dedit respon­sum.

Two Knights for the County, two Citizens for New Sarum, two Burgesses for old Sarum, two Burges­ses for Wilton are returned by the Sheriff, with two manucaptors names for each of them.

Two Knights, with two manucaptors. Nullae sunt Civitates infra ballivam meam. Nomina Burgorum Note: Cornub. 3 Dounhenedburgh 2. Liskyedburgh 2. Lostwythiel Burgh 2. Trurou Burgh 2. Hellestonburgh 2. Bodmynburgh 2, Bur­gesses, with two manucaptors apeece.

Berks, two Knights, Redyng, Walyngford two Bur­gesses for each, with two manucaptors for every of Note: Berks. 4 them.

Two Knights; Wycombe 2. Burgesses, with two manucaptors returned for every of them. Note: Bucks. 5

Two Knights, Colecestre two, Maldon two Burgesses, Note: Essex. 6 all having two manucaptors but the last Burgess for Maldon, who hath none.

Nomina Militum Com: Gloucestr: elect. Iohes: Tracy, Iohes: Poyns, qui manucapti sunt per two only. Nomi­na Note: Glouc. 7 Burgorum Villae Glouc. 2. pro Villa Bristol 2. ha­ving but two manucaptors for both.

Knights two, Citizens two for Cant. two for Roche­ster, Note: Kanc. 8 with two manucaptors apeece. No Burgesses.

Knights two, Burgesses two for Leicestr. two ma­nucaptors Note: Leic. 9 returned for each. Non sunt plures Civitates vel Burgi infra Com: praedict.

Knights two, Burgesses two, for Derbe, with two manucaptors for each. Note: Derbe. 10

[Page 104] Knights two, with two manucaptors apeece. Non sunt in eadem Balliva aliqua Civitas, nec Burgus. Note: Roteland. 11

Knights two only returned with two manucaptors, Note: Hertford. 12 no Burgesses for Hertford, or S t Albans,

Knights two, Burgesses two, for Notyngham, with Note: Notyngham. 13 two manucaptors for each.

Knights two, Burgesses 2. for Warwycke, with two Note: Warwycke. 14 manucaptors for every of them. Non sunt plures Civita­tes nec Burgi infra Com. praedict.

Vic. Surry et Sussex: There was then but one Sheriff Note: Surr. & Sussex. 15 for both these Counties, who had two writs, filed and returned together for both Counties, in one Cedula Knights two for Surrey: Burgesses for Guldeford 2. Rye­gate 2. Sutbwerke 2. Bleccbynglegh 2. with two manu­captors for every of them. Sussex, two Knights, Ci­ves Cicestriae two, Burgenses Arundel 2. Horsham 2. Est­grenstede 2. Lewes 2. Shorbam 2. Stenyng and Brembre 2. with two manucaptors apeece.

Knights 2. Cives 2. for Hereford, Burgenses Leomin­stre Note: Hereford. 16 2. with two manucaptors for each

Knights two, Cives Exon. two, Burgenses Derte­muth Note: Devon. 17 2. Tottes 2. Plympton 2. Tavystoke 2. Chesing Collyton 2. Barnstable 2.

Knights two, Burgesses two for Oxon, vvith two Note: Oxon. 18 manucaptors for each.

Knights two, Burgesses two for Bedford, with two Note: Bedford. 19 manucaptors.

Somerset and Dorset had but one Sheriff for both Note: Somerset & Dorset. 20 Counties, yet two Writs, which are filed and return­ed in one Cedule. Somerset, Knights two, Burgenses Villae de Brigge-water 2. de Taunton 2. two manucaptors for each. Dorset, Knights 2. Burgenses Brideport 2. Dorchestre 2. Waymouth 2. Melcomb 2. Warham 2. Villae de la Poule 2. with two manucaptors for each.

Knights two, Cives Lincoln two. Burgenses Grymes­by Note: Lincolne 21 2. with tvvo manucaptors apeece.

Norfolk and Suffolk had tvvo Writs, but one Sheriff, Note: Norff. & Suff. 22 vvho returned them both together. Norff: Knights 2. [Page 105] Cives Norw. 2. Burgesses, 2. Len: episcopi, with two manucaptors; magnae Jernemuth. 2. Suff. Knights two, Burgenses villae Gippewic. 2. Donewich. nullum dedit responsum.

Two Knights, and two Burgesses, for Northampton. Note: Northt. 23 without any manucaptors returned for either.

Two Knights, Cives Wygorn. with two manucap­tors for each, Non sunt in Balliva mea alii Civitates vel Note: Wigorn. 24 Burgi.

Milites two, Cives two, Karliol. without any ma­nucaptors. Non sunt plures Civitates, nec aliqui Burgi in Note: Cumbr. 25 Balliva [...].

Knights two, Cives two, for Wynton, Burgenses, Note: Southton. 26 Portesmouth. two.

Four Citizens returned without any manu­captors. Note: London. 27

Two Knights, with two manucaptors, Cives two, Ebor. Burgenses Scardeburg 2. Kingestone 2. with two Note: Ebor. 28 manucaptors for each.

Two Knights, with two manucaptors, and two Stafford. 29. Burgesses for Stafford.

All the rest of the writs, during the reign of King Ed­ward the 3d. but those of 42. are lost, mislay'd, or through carelesness lye (as many other Records still do) in a confused heap in the white Tower quite neg­lected, over-spread with cobwebs, dust, mothes, and cankers, being never yet reduced into order, through the sloathfulnesse or negligence of those who should preserve and digest them into a usefull regulation for the publique benefit of the present and future Ages.

The writs for elections to the Sheriffs in claus. 44 E. 3. dorso. 12. are thus altered in form, from the last writs, in some particulars of note.

Rex Vic. Kanc. salutem. Quia super quibusdam arduis & urgentibus negotiis Nos & statum & defen­sionem Regni nostri Angliae, ac jura Coronae nostrae concernentibus, Parliamentum nostrum apud Westm. [Page 106] die Lunae in prima Septimana Quadragesimae, viz. in festo sancti Mathiae Apostoli tenere ordinavimus, & cum Praelatis, Magnatibus & Proceribus dicti Regni Colloquium habere & Tractatum. Tibi praecipimus firmiter injungentes, quod de Com. praedicto duos Mi­lites gladiis cinctos, et in armis et actibus armorum magis probatos et circumspectos et discretos, & de qualibet Civitate ejusdem com. duos Cives, & de quolibet Burg. duos Burgenses de melioribus & vali­dioribus, & discretioribus Militibus, Civibus & Bur­gensibus, Comitat. Civitatum & Burgorum proedicto­rum eligi, & eos usque Wesim. die Sabbati in festo sancti Petri ad Cathedra prox. futur. venire facias ibi­dem, et tunc durante Parliamento praedicto conti­nue moraturos, Ita quod iidem Milites pro se, & com­munitate Com. praedicti, dicti (que) Cives & Burgenses pro se et communitate Civitatum & Burgorum praedicto­rum plenam & sufficientem potestatem, ab ipsis Comi­munitat. habeant ad consulend. et consentiend. hiis quae per Nos et dictos Praelatos, Magnates et Pro­ceres fieri et ordinari contigerit, favente Domino su­per negotiis antedictis. Et hoc [...]cut teipsum in­dempnem servari volueris nullatenus omittas. Et ha­beas ibi nomina Militum, Civium & Burgensium & hoc breve. Teste Rege apud Westminster. octo die Ja­nuarii.

Consimilia brevia diriguntur fingulis Vicec. per Angliam.

From whence it is observable, 1. That in times of war and danger when Parliaments are summoned for the necessary defence of the Realm, and Rights of the Crown; Knights who are most approved, skil­full, circumspect, and discreet in matters of Arms and war, and the best, ablest, and wisest men may be pre­scribed by the Kings writs to be elected in such gene­ral terms as these, and are fittest to be chosen by the Commonalty in all Counties. 2ly. That Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses when elected and summoned [Page 107] to Parliaments, ought not only to be admitted freely into, but to continue constantly in them without suspention, ejectiō by their fellow Members, or others, & not to depart from them 3ly. That none can licenso or dispence with their departures from Parliament but the King, or at least with his privity or consent. 4ly. That Knights, Citizens, Burgesses, are to con­sult and advise well together of all publick businesses propounded to them, or ordained by the King and Lords, before they assent unto them. 5. That they ought to have full and sufficient power from the Commonal­ty as well to consult of as consent to them.

There are no writs of Summons to a new Parliament extant in the Rolls of 45 E. 3. but this memorable 30 Summons only of half the Knights, Citizens, and Bur­gesses elected and retorned the last Parliament before, pertinent to my Theam, and very observable, which I shall here transcribe at large for its rarity, out of claus. 45 E. 3 m. 21 dors.

Rex Vic. Kanc. salutem, Cum Comites, Barones, Magnates & Communitas Regni nostri Angliae in ul­timo De venire fa­ciend. Milites, Cives & Bur­genses apud Wynton. Parliamento nostro apud Westm. tento, in auxili­um expensarum quas tam pro salvatione & defensione Regni nostri Angliae & Navigii ejusdem Regni, quam pro expeditione guerrae nostrae Franciae no [...] facere o­portebit, concesserint nobis quoddam subsidium vi­ginti & duorum solidorum & trium denariorum le­vand. & percipiend. de qualibet Parochia dicti Regni. Ita quod quaelibet Parochia majoris valoris auxilians sit & contributoria alteri Parochiae minoris valoris juxta ratum; ea intensione quod dictum sub­sidium ad summam, quinquaginta millium librarum se attingeret. Et quia habita super levatione subsidii prae­dicti per Nos & Consilium nostrum deliberatione diligenti, videtur eidem Consilio, quod dicti viginti et duo solidi, & tres denarii de qualibet parochia dicti Regni sic levandi, ad dictam summam quinquaginta millium librarum per multum non attingunt; & sic [Page 108] verisimiliter formidatur, quod nobis de dicta summa quinquaginta millium librarum ad terminos statutos juxta intentionem concessionis praedictae respon­deri non potest. Nos volentes plenius informari su­per declaratione intentionis concessionis subsidii prae­dicti, qualiter levatio ejusdem celerius fieri possit, & considerantes, quod onerosum esset omnes Magna­tes, Milites, Cives & Burgenses, qui ad dictum Parli­amentum nostrum de mandato nostro venerant, ite­rum ex hac causa conveniri; ordinavimus, ut laboribus parcatur et expensis, cum quibusdam eorundem Magnatum, Civium et Burgensium praedictorum su­per praemissis Colloquium habere et Tractatum. Tibi praecipimus firmiter injungentes, quod Thomam Apuldrefeld unum Militum Com. praedicti, Edmundum Horne, Vnum Civium Civitatis Cantuar. et Johan. Fyn­chenfeld unum Civium Civitatis Roffen, qui pro com­munitate Com. & Civitatum praedict. ad dictum Par­liamentum de mandato nostro venerunt, si supersti­tes fuerint, alioquin socios suos qui cum eis de veni­endo ad Parliamentum praedictum electi fuerunt, prae­munire facias; quod ipsi omnibus aliis praetermissis, & quacunque excusatione cessante, in propriis perso­nis suis sint apud Wynton, in Octabis sanctae Trinitatis prox. futur. ad informand. Nos & dictum Confili­um nostrum, super modo & forma quibus Nobis de de dicta summa quinquaginta millium librarum cele­rius & commodius, juxta intentionem concessionis praedictae poterit responderi. Et interim diligenter inquires de numero Ecclesiarum Parochialium & Capellarum & Praebendarum in Com. praedicto, tam in manibus Secularium quam religiosorum existen­tium, et Nobis de nominibus eorundem, ac de nomi­nibus Militum et Civium praedictorum ad dictos diem et locum distincte et aperte certifices, hoc breve Nobis remittens. Et hoc nullatenus omittas. T. R. apud Westm. 27 die Aprilis.

Confimilia Brevia diriguntur Vircecom. sub­sciptis [Page 109] de praemuniendo Milites, Cives, et Burgenses subscriptos de Com. Civitati­bus et Burg. subscriptis, de veniendo apud Wynton: ad Octabas praedictas, sub eadem data, viz.

Vic. Surr. de praemuniendo VVillum. de Cobeham militem, Thomam Dane Burgensem de Suthwerks, Pe­trum Somere, Burgensem de Guildeford, et Johan. Bode­kesham Burgensem de Bleechynlegh.

Vic. Sussex, de praemuniendo Johan VValeys mili­tem, Johan. VVyn, Civem Cicestr. Henr. Exton Bur­gensem de Midhurst, Johan. Gosham Burgensem de Arun­del; VVillum Snelling Burgensem de Shorham, Robtum, Frensch Burgensem de Horsham, Henr. VVerkeman Bur­gensem de Lewes, Johan. Chapman Burgensem de Se­ford, Gregorium Attebole Burgensem de Est-Grene­stede.

Vic. Southt. de praemuniendo Bernardam Brocas mi­litem, Stephanum Hayne Civem VVynton, VVillum. Ba­coun Burgensem Suthampton, Robertum Lekford Burgen­sem de Portesmuth.

Vic. VVilts, de praemuniendo Laurencium de sancto Martino militem, Johan. Bont, Civem Novae-Sarum, VVilliam de Keynesham Burgensem de Malmesbury.

Vic. Somerset. de praemuniendo Johan. Beauchamp de Lillesdon militem, Johan. VVhittokesmede Civem Bathon. Johan. Ropere Civem de VVelles, Johan. Osbern Bur­gensem de Taunton, Adam Best Burgensem de Br igge­water.

Vic. Dorset. de praemuniendo VValterum Perle mili­tem, Johan. Chichestre Burgensem de Melcombe, Ro­bertum Osent, Burgensem de Lym, Ricum Suward Bur­gensem de Bridport, Johan. Champeon Burgensem de Dorchestre, VVilliam Chike Burgensem de VVarham, VValter Henle Burgensem de Shaftesbury.

Vic. Devon. de praemuniendo VVilliam Bonevill mi­litem, Johan. Pafford Burgensem de Dertemouth, Hugo­nem VVerf Burgensem Torton, Johan. Combe Burgen­sem [Page 200] de Plympton, Johan. Bosoun Civem Exon, Ricum. Cokelescombe Burgensem de Tavystoke, VVillum: Torner Burgensem de Barnstaple.

Vic. Cornub. de praemuniendo Johan. Trevewyth mi­litem, Richardum Truisa Burgensem de Donbened­burgh, Johan. Jowel Burgensem de Bodmyn, Ricum. Car­sur Burgensem de Lostwythiell, Stephum. Chamberleyn Burgens. de Liskird, Willum. Boyvill Burgensem de Tru­reu. Johan. Tremaen Burgensem de Helleston.

Vic. Glouc. de praemuniendo Johan. Poyntes Mili­tem, VVilliam Heyberere Burgensem Glouc. Johan. Bathe Burgensem Bristoll.

Vic. Hereford, de praemuniendo Thomam Chaundos Militem, Henr. Cachepol Civem Hereford, VVillum. Ta­vernor Burgensem de Leomynstre.

Vic. Salop. de praemuniendo Robertum de Kendale Militem, Thomam le Skynnere Burgensem de Salop. Ni­ehum. Palmere Burgensem de Briggenorib.

Vic. Staff. de praemuniendo Johan. de Perton Mili­tem, Hugonem Snell Burgensem de Stafford, Rogerum Letys Burgensem villae Novi Castri subtus Lymam.

Vic. VVygorn. de praemuniendo Ricum. Fiton Mili­tem, et Johan. Croule Civem VVygorn.

Vic. Oxon, de praemuniendo Rogerum de Cotesford Militem, VVillum. Coteshale Burgensem Oxon, Johan. James Burgensem de Walyngford.

Vic. Berks, de praemuniendo Johan. de Foxle Militem, et VVillum. Catour Burgens. de Redynges.

Vic. Bedf. de praemuniendo Thomam Reynes Militem, et Ricum. Frereman Burgens. de Bedeford.

Vic. Buk. de praemuniendo Fulconem de Bermynge­ham Militem, et Willielmum atte Dene Burgens. de Wy­combe.

Vic. Northt. de praemuniendo Thomam de Preston Mi­litem, et Johan. de Bukbrok Burgensem de Nor­hampton.

Vic. Roteland, de praemuniendo Laurencium Hanberk Militem.

[Page 111] Vic. Warr. de praemuniendo Iohan. Peyto Militem, et Thomam Parny Burgensem de Warwick.

Vic. Leyc. de praemuniendo Willielmum Flannvil Mi­litem, et Willielmum Taillard Burgensem villae de Ley­cestre.

Vic. Notyngh. de praemuniendo, Rogerum Belers Militem, et Rogerum de Holm Burgensem de Notyng­ham.

Vic. Derb. de praemuniendo Godefredam Foliambe Militem, et Iohan. Frowell Burgensem de Derby.

Vic. Lincoln de praemuniendo Robertum Hanley Mili­tem, Iohan de Outhorp Civem Lincoln, Ricard. de Herby Burgensem de Grymesby.

Vic. Eborum, de praemuniendo Robertum Rouclyf Mi­litem, Willielmum Graa Civem Ebor. Henr. de Boston Burgensem de Scardeburgh, Walterum Frost, Burgen­sem de Kingeston super Hull.

Vic: Northumbr. de praemuniendo Alanum de Heton Militem, et Laurencium Datton Burgensem villae Novi Castri super Tynam.

Vic. Westmerl. de praemuniendo Hugonem de Louthre Militem, Robertum Overdos Burgensem de Applebey.

Vic. Cumbr. de praemuniendo Gibbertum Culwenne Militem, et Johan. de Whitlawe Civem Karliol.

Vic. Lancastr. de praemuniendo Iohan. de Ipres Mi­litem.

Vic. Norff. de praemuniendo Edmundum de Thorp Mi­litem, Iohan. Latymer Burgensem Norwic. Thomam de Bodekesham Burgensem de Lenn, et Iohan. de Halle Bur­gensem Magnae Iernemuth.

Vic. Suff. de praemuniendo Rogerum de Boys Militem, Robertum de Preston Burgensem de Gippewico. Iohan. Astell Burgensem de Donewich.

Vic. Cantebr. de praemuniendo Iohan. Chene Militem, et Iohan. Morys Burgensem Cantebrig.

Vic. Hunt. de praemuniendo Nicb. Stynecle Mili­tem, et Willielmum Wyghtman Burgensem de Huntyng­don.

[Page 112] Vic. Essex. de praemuniendo Robertum de Marny Mi­litem, Ioban. Halle Burgensem de Colchestre, et Williel­mum Halle Burgensem de Malden.

Vic. Hertf. de praemuniendo Thomam. de Fytlyng Mil.

Vic. Midd. de praemuniendo Iohan. Pekbrugge, Milit.

Ric. de Pembrugg Constabular. castri Regis Dovor, de praemuniendo Nichum. Parker de Hastynges. Robertum Baddyng de Wenchelse, Willum. Taillour de Rye, Willum. Holynbroke de Romene, VVillum. Hampton de Hethe, Monyn de Davorr, Arnaldum Broun de Sandwic. Barones

Vicomitibus London de praemuniendo Bartbolomeum Frisling, et Iohan. Phelipot Cives London.

In this excellent Record, we have these observable particulars.

1. Particular writs to all Sheriffs and the Warden of the Cinqueports, after the Parliament ended and dissolved, to summon to UUinchester only half the Knights, Citizens, Burgesses, and Barons of the Cinque­ports formerly summoned to the Parliament at Lon­don, to appear before the King and his Counsel; with their particular names in the writs, and a special clause to summon their companions in case any of them since dyed; and that to avoid the great expence and trouble of summoning all the rest. 2ly. The reasons why they are thus summoned, not to make Laws, nor grant new subsidies, nor alter any thing for­merly agreed upon and passed by common consent in Parliament, for that had been very illegal, dangerous, unparliamentary; but only to inform the King and his Counsel, how a subsidy of fifty thousand pounds granted to the K. by that Parliament in an intire sum, and then to be raysed by a proportionale rate layd by them upon every parish throughout the Realm, might be speedily and fully raised according to their inten­tions by this way of levy; when as the King and his Counsel upon consideration found, that the intire sum could not be raysed in this way according to their intentions, but would fall far short of their computati­on, [Page 113] there being not so many Parishes in England as they conceived. 3ly. That the Commons and whole Parliament may sometimes mistake and erre in their computations and proceedings. 4ly. That no Sub­sidies or Aydes can be granted or levyed for the neces­sary defence of the Realm by Sea or land, nor the way and manner of raysing them altered but in and by common consent in a full Parliamen [...]. 5ly. That in doubtfull grants of Subsidies and Acts of this nature, mentioned in this Writ, the best and speedyest way to resolve the doubts, and know the true intention of them, is to confer with those Mem­bers who first granted and passed them. 6ly. We have here the particular names of all the antient Ci­ties and Boroughs in each County, and of the Cinque­ports which in that Age sent Citizens, Burgesses and Barons to the Parliament, being one of the fullest Records for this purpose I have seen, and more ex­act than any Rolls or Writs for levying their expen­ces. 7ly. Here are the names of half the Knights, Citizens, Burgesses, and Barons of the Ports summo­ned to this Parliament, who had writs for their ex­pences granted them in repairing to VVinchester by vertue of thi [...] Writ, as Dorse 22. of this Roll im­ports, of which more in its proper place. 8ly. The Sheriffs are required to enquire and certifie the number of all the Parish Churches, Chappels, Prebends in their respective Counties.

The writs to Sheriffs in Claus. 46 E. 3. dorse 11. are only in the usual form. Quod de Com. tuo duos 33 Milites de discretioribus & probioribus Militibus, Ci­vibus, Burgensibus, &c. & ad laborand. potentiori­bus eligi, &c. ad faciend. & consentiend. hiis quae tunc de communi Consilio Regni nostri ordinari conti­gerit, &c. Ita quod, &c. seu propter improvi­dam electionem Militum, &c. as in former writs. In this Parliament upon complaint made of Sheriffs and other unfitting persons elected Knights of Shires, [Page 114] this insuing Ordinance, was made to rectifie these. abuses to disable the election of such for the future.

Rot. parl. an. 46 E. 3. n. 13. Auxi un Ordenance fait en mes­me 32 la Parlement fuit luez, en manere come ensuet. Pur ceo que See my E­pistle to the exact Abridg­ment of the Records in the Tower. Gentz de Ley que pursuont diverses busoignes en les Courts le Roy pur singuleres persones oue queux ils sont procurent, & font mettre pleuseurs Petitions en Parlementz en nom des comunes que riens lour touche, mes solement les singulers persones, ou queuz ils sont de moiez. Auxi Viscontz, que sont Comunes Ministres au people, et dovient demurrer sur lour Office pur droit faire a checune, sont nomez, et ont devant ces heures retornez en Parlementz, Chivalers des Countees per mesmes les Viscontz; Est accorde & as­senta en cest Parlement, que desormes Nul home de ley pursuont busoigues en la Courte le Roy, ne Uis­count pur le temps que il est Uiscount, soient retournem, ne acceptem Chibalers des Countees; ne que ces qui sont Gentm de ley & Uiscountz ore retournez au Parle­ment eient gagem.

Num. 14. Mes voyet lo Roy, que Chivalers & Esquires, not Serjeants at Law. See 23 H. 6. c. 15 22 E. 3. 18. a. 26 E. 3. 57. Fitz. dtoit. 37. 25 E. 3. stat. 1. & the next writ of 47 E. 3. Sersaunts des meulz Valeurs du paiis soiz retornez desore Chivalers en Parlementz, & quils sount estuz en plein Counte.

By vertue of this Ordinance all Sheriffs of Coun­ties have alwaies by special clauses inserted into writs of Elections ever since, been disabled to be chosen Knights of the Shire, or Burgesses, and sometimes Apprentices, and men of Law, whiles they pleaded and practised, for the reasons expressed in this Ordinance.

The very next writs of Summons to Parliament, 33 claus 47 E. 3. m. 13. dors. were thus altered, & some new clauses put into them in pursuance of this Ordinance.

Rex Vic. Kanc. salutem. Quia de avisamento Con­filii nostri, &c. Tibi praecipimus firmiter injungentes, quod de Com. tuo duos milites gladiis cinctos, seu Armigeros, de dicto Com digniores et probiores, et in actibus armorum magis expertos et discre [...] et non alterins conditionis, & de qualibet Civitate Com. illius duos Cives, & de quolibet Burgo duos Burgenses, qui in navigio et exercitio mercandisa­rum [Page 115] notitiam habeant meliorem, eligi: et eos ad di­ctos diem & locum venire facias. Ita quod iidem Mili­tes plenam & sufficientem potestatem pro se, &c. (as in ordinary Writs) ab ipfis habeant ad faciend. & con­sentiend. eis quae tunc de communi Confilio Regni no­stri favente Domino contingant ordinari super negoti­is antedictis. Ita quod pro defectu hujusmodi pote­statis, seu propter improvidam electionem Militum, Ci­vium, aut Burgensium praedictorum, dicta negotia no­stra infecta non remaneant, quovis modo. Nolumus autem quod tu, seu aliquis alius Uicecomes regni praedicti, aut aliquis alterius conditionis quam supe­rius specificatur aliqualiter sit electus. Et habeas ibi nomina praedictorum Militum, Civium, & Burgensi­um, et hoc breve. Teste ut supra.

Consimilia brevia diriguntur singulis Viceco­mitibus per Angliam.

In the writ to the Warden of the Cinqueports this new clause of qualification is inserted: Et de quolibet Portu Portuum praedictorum duos Barones de melioribus, & in navigio et exercitio mercandizarum discretioribus e­ligi, without any other alteration.

It is observable, that these Writs issuing in times of war both by Land and Sea with An exact a­bridgment, p. 116. Walfing. Fabian, Speed and others. France, as is evident by Rot. parl. 47 E. 3. num. 2, 3, 4. thereupon these new qualifications of Knights, Citizens, Burgesses, and Ba­rons of the Cinqueports were inserted into these writs, that the first shall be Knights by order, or at least Ar­migeros digniores & probiores, & in actibus armorum magis expertos & discretos. The later of them such, qui in navigio & exercitio mercandizarum notitiam habent meliorem; which were fitting qualifications, considering the times wherein they were inserted into these Writs. 2ly. That there were express prohibitory clauses in these writs, to inhibite the elections of any persons not thus qualified, & non alterius conditionis, relating to the Knights and Esquires; and last clause in the Writ. No­lumus tamen quid tu, &c. aut aliquis alterius conditionis, quam superius specificatur aliqualiter sit electus: which [Page 116] was grounded on the Mere p. 114. Ordinance of Parliament, in 46 E. 3. and manifests the antient power and Prerogatiue of our Kings, to prescribe to their Subjects what kind of fit persons they ought to elect, and to prohibite the choyce of any others not so qualified, when they are proner to make undue elections of mean, indiscreet, unable, and unfitting Knights, Citizens, Burgesses, Barons, to the prejudice of the publick, 5ly. That though our Kings cannot prescribe to their subjects what particular persons they shall elect, being inconsi­stent with the freeness of elections, the Stat. of 3 E. 1. c. 5. an apparent incroachment on their liberty, and a ready means to pack Parliaments at their pleasure, to effect their own private end, & oppres, enslave their sub­jects, yet their prescribing of just and fitting qualificati­ons in the general in all persons to be elected, and in­hibiting the choyce of any not so qualified, is no in­croachment upon their libertyes and freedom in electi­ons, as this Writ and others, and the forecited Or­dinance doth evidence.

The next Writs to Sheriffs for electing Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses, are those in Clause 47 E. 3. dors. 13. cl. 49 E. 3. d. 4, 6. cl. 50 E. 3. p. 1. d. 6. run­ning all in this form. Rex Vic. Kanc. &c. Quod de comita­tu tuo duos Milites gladiis cinctos, magis idoneos et discretos, & de qualibet Civitate Com. illius duos Cives, & de quoli­bet Burgo duos Burgenses de discretioribus, & magis suffici­entibus eligi, &c. with this prohibition in the close of all these Writs Nolumus autem quod tu, vel aliquis alius Vi­cecomes Regni noctri praedicti, aut aliquis altertus Condi­tionis quam superius specificatur aliqualiter sit ele­ctus. Et babeas ibi nomina praedictorum Militum, Civium, & Burgensium, & hoc breve.

The writs to Sheriffs for the election of Knights, Ci­tizens, 34 and Burgesses, in cl. 1 R. 2, d. 37. cl. 2 R. 2. d. 13. 29. cl. 3 R. 2. d. 27, 32. cl. 4 R. 2. d. 32. cl. 5 R. 2. d. 12. 40. cl. 6 R 2. p. 1. d. 4, 17, 37. cl. 7 R. 2. d. 10, 37. cl. 8 R. 2. d. 35. cl. 9 R. 2. d. 45. cl. 10 R. [Page 117] 2. d. 42. cl. 11 R. 2. d. 13. 24. have all the same pro­hibitory clause, & nolumus autem, &c. as the last writs in King Edward the third his Reign. But in the writ of claus. 12 R. 2. d. 42. these words aut alterius conditio­nis quam superius specificatur, are omitted out of the Nolu­mus autem: In all the Writs of Claus. 13 R. 2. pars 1. d. 6. they are again inserted. But in the writs of Cl. 14 R. 2. d. 42. cl. 15 R. 2. d. 37. cl. 16 R. 2. d. 32. cl. 17 R. 2: d. 30. cl. 18 R. 2. d. 23. cl. 20 R. 2. p. 1. d. 15. cl. 21 R. 2. p. 1. d. 27. cl. 23 R. 2. d: 3. and in all Writs under H. 4, 5, 6. & E. 4. they are also totally omit­ted.: and Nolumus autem quod tu, aut aliquis alius Viceco­mes Regni praedicti aliqualiter sit electus, only reteined. In all these Writs under Richard the 2d. there is this clause added, not extant in those of Edward the 3d. Tibi prae­cipimus firmiter injungentes, quod in pleno Comitatu tuo de communt assensu ejusdem, duos Milites gladiis cinctos, magis idoneos & discretos, &c. eligi, &c. facias: which clause most clearly evidenceth, that all Knights ought to be elected in a full County-Court, by the common assent of the County, & not to be nominated, elected by the King, or any others without or against the Counties consent & approbation. There are 5 bundles of Writs in Ann. 3, 10, 11, 13, 16 Rich. 2d, yet ex­tant, for elections of Knights, Citizens, and Burges­ses, issued to Sheriffs, and others; with their retotns in­dorsed on or annexed to them, which I shall pretermit.

There are only two extraordinary unusual Writs, concerning the election of Knights, during the Reign of King Richard the 2d. worthy special observation, which I shall present you with at large. The first of them thus recorded in Claus. 7 R. 2. m. 32. De Militi­bus venientibus ad Parliamentum loco aliorum eligendis. 34

Rex Vic. Surry. salatem. Quia ut accepimus, tu Tho­mam Mr. Seldens Titles of Ho­nor, p. 737. & my Plea for the Lords, p. 143. Camoys Chivaler, qui Baronettus est, sicut quamplu­res antecessorum suorum extiterunt, ad essendum unum Mili­tum venientiam ad proximum Parliamentum nostrum pro Co­munitate Comitatus praedicti, de assensu ejusdem Comitatus, [Page 118] eligisti: Nos advententes, quod hujusd. Baronetti ante haec tem­pora, Milit. Comit. ratione alicujus Parl. eligi, minime consuev. ipsum de officio Militis, ad dictum Parliamentum pro comunitate Comitatus praedicti venturi, exonerari vo­lumus Et ideo tibi praecipimus, quod quendam alium Mi­litem idoneum et discretum gladio cinctum, in loco ipsi­us Thomae eligi, & eum ad diem & locum Parliamenti praedicti venire facias. Cum plena & sufficienti potestate ad consentiend. hiis quae in Parliamento praedicto fient, juxta tenorem prioris brevis nostri tibi pro electione hujusmodi Mi­litum directi, & nomen ejus Nobis scire facias. Teste Rege apud Westm. octavo die Octobris.

Consimile Breve dirigitur Vic. Surry, pro Iacobo Ber­ners, qui est de retinentia Regis & familiaris, & u­nus Militum Kantiae T. R. apud Westm. 18 die Oct.

It is evident by the Rolls and Summons cited in the See my Ta­ble of the Lords to my exact abridge­ment, Title Thomas Ca­moyes. & part 1. of this Registr. p. 272. precedent Table of the Temporal Lords and Barons, that Ralph Camoys was sumoned to Parliament amongst the other Lords and Barons in 49 H. 3. and another of that name to sundry Parliaments, under Ed. 2 & 3. and Iohn de Camoyes after them: That this Thomas Ca­moyes mentioned in the Writ, was descended from them, and then a Peer and Baron of the Realm, (though sty­led a Baronet in the Writ, which in that age signified a Baron of Parliament, as the hujusmodi Baronetti in the Writ, and Mr. Selden evidence;) being summoned by Writ with the rest of the Barons to this very Parlia­ment of 7 R. 2. and sundry others afterwards during his Reign, and the Reigns of Henry the fourth and fifth; from whence I shall observe.

1. That no Peers or Barons of the Realm may, can, or ought to be elected, retorned Kights of Shires, Citizens, or Burgesses of Parliament, and their elections voyd if made, being uncapable to sit or vote in the Com­mons House as Members therof, as I have largely proved in My plea for the Lords and house of Peers, p. 143 to 148. to which I shall refer the Readers for fuller resolution.

2ly. That if any election be once made upon the [Page 119] the Kings first Writ, though void or illegal in it self, yet the Sheriff and County cannot proceed to a new election, without a new Writ from the King autho­rising them.

3ly. That if a meer void election of a Peer or o­ther person uncapable, be made by the Country and Sheriff, the King may thereupon by such a new writ as this, declare it null, yea discharge the pe [...]son elected from his undue election, and command a new electi­on to be made by such a Writ as this, before the Parlia­ment meet as well as alter it; as he did here, this Parli­ament for which the Lord Camoyes was elected one of the Knights of the Countie for Surry, being summo­ned to begin on the 25 of October (as the Writ it self and Parliament roll assure us) and the writ for his dis­charge, and a new election of another fit person and Knight in his stead, bearing date the 8th. of October, being 15 daies before the Parliament was to meet.

4ly. That the King in this Age, not the Commons House, was the sole proper Judge of void & double ele­ctions, who had no Jurisdiction or authoritie to hear or determine anie complaints concerning Elections, much lesse to suspend, seclude, or reject anie of their Fellow-Members, (a late dangerous usurpation) either by Custom of Parliament, the Writs of election, or any other Law, Statute, authoritie, but only the King or Lords; as I have largelie proved in my Plea for the Lords, by unreasonable Presidents [...], reasons, Statutes, p. 371. to 420. to which I shall refer the Reader.

5ly. That when the self-same person is elected a kinght for two Counties at once, the king by his Writ may discharge him of one of them, and issue a new election in his room, as in the case of Iames Berners elected both for Surry and Kent.

The next Writ is this of Clause 11 R. 2. m. 24. dorso. 35

Rex Vic. Kanc. salutem. Quia de avisamento Con­silii See my plea for the Lords, p. 384, 385. nostri pro quibusdam arduis & urgentibus nego­gotiis [Page 120] Nos, statum & defensionem Regni nostri Angliae, seu Ecclesiae Anglicanae contingentibus quoddam Par­liamentum nostrum apud Westm. in Craftino Purifica­tionis beatae Mariae prox futur. teneri ordinavimus, & ibidem vobiscum et cum Praelatis, Magnatibus, & Pro­ceribus Regni nostri Angliae Colloquium habere & Tractatum. Tibi praecipimus firmiter injungentes, quod de Comitatu tuo duos Milites gladiis cinctos ma­gis idoneos & discretos Com. praedicti, & in debatis modernis magis indifferentes; & de qualibet Civita­te ejusdem Com. duos Cives, & de quolibet Burgo duos Burgenses de discretioribus & magis sufficientibus eligi, & eos ad dictos diem & locum venire facias, &c. Teste Rege apud Windsore, decimo septimo die Decembr.

Consimilia Brevia diriguntur singulis Vic. per Angliam.

The King before any elections made, being informed, that this new inserted clause, in debatis modernis magis indifferentes,, (relating only to knights of Shires, not Citizens and Burgesses) was contrary to the forms of Elections antiently used, and against the liberty of the Lords and Commons of the Realm till that time u­sed, did thereupon supersede and revoke these writs, as to this unusual clause alone, by this memorable Writ, entred in the next Membrana, viz. Cl. 11 R. 2. m. 23. dorso.

Rex Vic. Kant. salutem, licet nuper & breve no­strum inter caetera tibi praecipimus firmiter injungen­tes, quod de Comitatu tuo duos Milites gladiis cin­ctos, magis idoneus & discretos Com. praedicti, & in debatis modernis magis indifferentes eligi, & eos ad Parliamentum nostrum quod apud Westm. in crastino Purificationis beatae Mariae prox. futur. tenere ordina­vimus, ad eosdem diem & locum venire faceres. Nos tamen attendentes dictam clausulam, in debatis mo­dernis magis indifferentes, contra formam electionis antiquitus usitatae, et contra libertatem Dominorum et Communitatis regni nostri Angliae hactenus ob­tentam existere, volentesque proinde praedictos Mili­tes [Page 121] libere eligi, modo et forma prout antiquitus fieri consuebit. Tibi praecipimus firmiter injungentes, quod de Com. tuo duos Milites gladiis cinctos, magis idoneos & discretos Com. praedicti, prout hactenus fieri consuebit, eligi, & eos ad praedictos diem & locum venire facias, dicta clausula non obstante; caeteraque omnia & singula in dicto brevi nostro contenta fac: et exequaris juxta tenorem ejusdem, dictam clausulam pe­nitus omittens. Et habeas ibi hoc breve, & aliud breve. Teste Rege apud Westmonast. primo die Jan.

Per ipsum Regem & Consilium.

Consimilia brevia diriguntur singulis Vicecomi­tibus per Angliam: & carissimo Anvunculo Regis Johanni Regi Castellae & Legionis, Duci Lancastr. vel ejus Cancellario in eodem Ducatu, sub eadem data.

From these two memorable Writs, compared with some of the limitations in the precedent Writs, it is evident, 1. That although the King may by his Writs advise and command the Sheriffs and people by gene­ral clauses, to elect two of the best, wisest, discreetest, fittest, elegantest ablest Knights, Citizens, Burgesses in each County, City, Borough, and most able to take pains: and likewise probi­bite them to elect maintainers of Quarrels and false sutes, per­sons of ill fame, living by maintenance and dishonest gain, She­riffs of Counties, practising Lawyers, Barons of the Realm, and other unfitting persons for such a publick Service; Yet he ought not to insert any new qualifications or restraints into his Writs, contrary to the amient, usual form, liberty, and freedom of the peoples Elections, which may tend to the packing of any Parliament, to promote any particular factions, parties, or designs to the publick prejudice, or deprive the people of their antient legal freedom in their Elections, especially in times of general discord, discontents, jealousies, or open sad debates between the King and his Subjects, as these new clauses, in debatis modernis magis indiffe­rentes, &c. and other late Army qualifications, restraints [...] [Page 118] [...] [Page 119] [...] [Page 120] [...] [Page 121] [Page 122] of more dangerous consequence do in the late In­strument of Government, and Petition and advice prescribed by the New-Modellers of Parliaments, and our Republicans since, to advance their own particular designs, & admit, seclude, what Members they please, though best affected to the publick welfare, ease, peace, fafety, settlement of our distracted Nations, and most desired, confided in by the people who elected them by their unanimous Votes.

2ly. That our Kings themselves are bound in Ju­stice and prudence to reverse and revoke all such un­usual, illegal clauses and restraints, inserted into writs for Elections, which are inconsistent with the just rights and freedom of the people in their elections, ac­cording to the Statutes of 3 E. 1. c. 5. 9 E. 4. c. 14. 7 H. c. 15. and this memorable President of King Ri­ [...]bard the 2d. and that before any publick report there­of in Parliament, or examination by the Commons.

3ly. That no Peer or Baron of the Realm, may or ought (a) See my plea sor the Lords, p. 144, 145, 146. to be elected a Knight of the Shire, or Burgess of Parliament, That the King himself may by his Writ, null and declare their Elections void, and command a new E­lection to be made, before the Parliament assembles, without the Commons precedent or concurrent Votes.

4. That if the same person be elected Knight of the shire in two several Counties, the King by his Writ may null and discharge the second election before the Par­liament meets, and order the election of a New Knight for the County wherein he was last elected, (he being uncapable to serve in both) without the Commons or­der or privity. 5ly. That the Commons House or Com­mittees in this Age, were not the ludges, Desciders of the lawfulness of Knights and Burgesses elections, (as now they make themselves) but the King himself, or the King and Lords House, or his Counsel in Parliament, without the Commons, as I have Plea for 376 to 410. the Lords, p. elsewhere proved at large by sundry Presidents.

[Page 123] Besides, the writs for elections under King Richard 36 the 2d. entred in the Clause Rolls, there are five se­veral Bundles of writs, anno 3, 10, 11, 13, & 16 R. 2. is­sued to Sheriffs for electing Knights, Citizens, Burges­ses, for the respective Parliaments held in those years, having the Retorns of the Sheriffs. with all the names of the knights, Citizens, Burgesses then elected indor­sed on them, or in Cedules annexed to them, most of them having two Manucaptors apiece for their appea­rance at the day and place of the Parliament, and some few of them no Manucaptors at all; the forms of the Retorns agreeing for the most part with those of 26 & 28 E. 1. & 42 E. 3. forecited. upon which confidera­tion I shall wholy pretermit them, to avoid prolixity and nauseousness.

The original writs of Elections and their Retorns 37 under K. Henry 4. are either mislayed or totally lost, em­beseled, perished through negligence, or casualty, so as I can give you no particular account of them, but only of their transcripts entred in the Clause-Rolls. The first of them are enrolled, in Claus. 1 H. 4. m. 37. dors. claus. 2 H. 4. pars 2. dors. 8. cl. 3 H. 4. dors. 2. 17. cl. 5 H. 4. pars 1. dors. 28. pars 2. dors. 11. agreeing all in words, substance, form, with the usual VVrits fore­cited under Richard the second, without any variati­on, except in their Prologues and dates, being the same with those to the Prelates, Section 1. But in Cl. 5 H. 4. part 2. m. 4. dors. there was an unusual new Clause inserted into the VVrits then issued, prohi­biting all Apprentices, or any other man of Law to be elected, as well as Sheriffs, these Writs else agreeing in all things with the ordinary form.

Rex Vic. &c. Jalutem, &c. Nolumus autem quod tu sive 38 aliquis alius Vicecomes Regni nostri, nec Apprenticius, aut aliquis alius homo ad legem aliqualiter sit ele­ctus. Teste Rege apud Lichefeld, quinio die Augusti.

Hist. Angl. p. 414. Thomas of Walsingham, a credible Historian then li­ving, took special Notice of this extraordinary VVrit, [Page 124] recording in his History of England, direxit ergo Rex bre­via Vicecomitibus, ne quosquam pro Comitatibus eligerent quovismedo Milites. qui in Iure regni docti fuissent vel Apprenticii, sed tales omnino mitterentur ad boc negotium, quos constat ignorare cujusque Iuris methodum, quod et factum est. But what prejudice to the Republike and people this produced by imposing new insupportable Taxes upon them, he informs us in his Ypodigma Nestr. p. 164. Grave Sir 4 Instit. p. 10. Edward Cook (the most confident com­mon Mistaker, Mis-reporter of Records that I have hi­therto read) peremptorily affirms, That the Historian (VValsingham) was (herein) mistaken, and that there was no such Clause in the Writs then issued. A clear evi­dence he never perused this Clause Roll or VVrit with his own eyes (or most else be cites) as I have done more than once for my own and others satisfaction; transcribing this passage out of it, with my own hand, which I have also met with in sundry other tran­scripts, as well as in the Roll it self, where all may peruse it when they please. And if this be not suffici­ent evidence, our learned Antiquary Sir Henry Spelman, (a person of far greater judgement and learning in An­tiquities than Sir Edw Cook) hath assured us thereof in his Glossarium p. 44. Prohibet Rex Henrious 4 legum Apprenticios ad Parliamentaria Comitia Coventriae habita sexto die Octob. anno Regni sui sexto in Comi­tatibus eligendos, ut non solum meminêre Annales nostri, sed ipsum etiam ( 2 Par. Claus. m. dors. n. 4. breve Parliamentarium uni­cuique Vicecomitum directum, datumque vigessimo quinto die Aug. anno ejusdem 5. uti patet ibidem in pede, viz. Nolumus autem quod tu seu aliquis alius Vic. Regni nostri praedicti, aut Apprenticius sive aliquis alius homo ad legem aliqualiter sit electus, &c. Hinc Parliamentum illud Laicorum dicitur & indoctorunr, quo & jugulum Ecclesiae atrocius petebatur. And Sir Ed­ward Cook himself at unawares confesseth as much, some few pages after 4 Instit. p. 48. as I have evidenced in my Plea for the Lords. p. 379, 380, 381. and Preface to the [Page 125] Exact Abridgement of the Records in the Tower. I find in truth, that there were no less than three several writs of Summons and Elections to three distinct Parlia­ments in this one year of 5 H. 4. The first dated apud Leichfeld 5 die Augusti, for a Parliament to be held at Coventree octavo die Octobr. entred Claus. pars 2 H. 4 dors. 4. whereinto this clause was inserted, omitted in most Collections of Parliamentary writs of Summons. The second entred in Claus. 5 H. 4. pars 2. dors. 11. Teste Johanne Duce Bedford, Custode Angliae apud Westm. 5 die Octobris. The third entred Clause 5 H. 4. pars 1. dors. 28. for a Parliament apud Coventre, tertio die De­cembris. Teste Rege apud VVestm. 20 die Octobris, in which two latter writs there is no such Clause in­serted, but only in the first, which perchance was the ground of 4 Instit. p. 10. 48. Sir Edward Cooks confident mistake, who only saw a transcript of the latter, not of the first Writs.

This Clause was warranted by and grounded on the forecited Ordinance of 46 E. 3. as Sir Edward Cook a [...] ­tests, and I subscribe to; but that this was an Ordinance [...] ­ly of the Lords, or that Ordinances differed from Acts of Parliament in those times, in this, that one had the threefold concurrent assent of the King, Lords and Commons, the o­ther not, &c. as he there affirms, I utterly deny, and have Irenar­ches Redivi­vus, near the eud. My Ta­ble to the Ex­act Abridge­ment of the Records in the Tower, Tit. Ordinance of Parliament. elsewhere at large resuted by unanswerable evi­dences, and above an hundred Acts of Parliament, which make them both one and the same, they having both this threefold concurrent assent to make them Acts, or Ordinances, without which they are neither: and him­self confesseth it in his 2. Institutes p. 101. 645, 646. & elsewhere. The reason for secluding practising Lawyers from being elected, whiles they actually continued to plead and prosecute Suites in the Kings Courts for o­thers, are expressed in the Ordinance, now fit to be re­vived, (h) See Cook. 4 instit p. 10, 48, 49. that so the Lawyers elected may totally attend the publick businesses of the Kingdom and Parliament in the House, and not neglect them: which if they do [Page 126] faithfully and conscienciously execute with publick spirits, there are no Members whatsoever more usefull, necessary, beneficial to the publick than they, both forthe penning of good laws, debating all businesses of law, examining all complaints'and grievances: whence none but Lawyers for the most part in antient or late times have been chosen See Mr. Will. Hack­wells Cata­logue of the Speakers names prin­ted, 1641. Speakers of the Commons House, & few else but they imployed as Chair-men in most Committees.

After this, upon the making of the Statutes of 7 H. 4. c. 15. & 11 H. 4. c. 1. upon the Commons petition, as appears, by 1 H. 4. rot. parl. num. 83. 139. & 11 H. 4. n. 54. for regulating former abuses in the elections of Knights of Shires to serve in Parliaments; the ant [...] ­ent 39 form for the VVrits for electing Knights, was somewhat altered and enlarged; as is evident by the next ensuing VVrits of Clause 8 H. 4. dors. 2. cl. 11 H. 4. dors. 32. cl. 12 H. 4. dors. 2. cl. 14 H. 4. dors. 22. & cl. 1 H. 5. dors. 9. & 37. agreeing all in one form, and differ­ing only in the prologues, dates, and places of the Par­liaments; I shall therefore present you only with a Transcript of the last of them.

Rex Vic. Kanc. salutem. Quia de avisamento Con­silii nostri, &c. (as in the former VVrits.) Tibi prae­cipimus 40 sirmiter injungentes, Quod facta proclama­tione in proximo Comitatu tuo post receptionem hu­jus brevis tenendo, de die & loco (Parliamenti) praedi­ctis, duos Milites gladiis cinctos, magis idoneos & dis­cretos de Com. praedict. &c. libere et indifferen­ter per illos qui proclamationi hujusmodi interfuerint juxta formam Statuti inde editi et provist, eligi, & nomina eorum Militum Civinm & Burgensium sic [...]eligendorum, in quibusdam Indenturis inter te & il­los Electorum. qui hujusmodi electioni interfuerint inde constituend. licet hujusmodi eligendi praesentes vel absentes fuerint, inseri, eosque ad dictos diem & locum venire facias. Ita quod, &c. (as in former writs) No­lumus autem quod tu, vel, (seu) aliquis alius Vicecomes Regni nostri praedicti aiiqualiter sit electus. Et electio­nem tuam in pleno Comitatu tuo distinctè & apertè [Page 127] factam sub sigillo tuo & sigillis eorum qui electioni illi interfuerint Nobis in Cancellaria nostra ad dictos di­em & locum certifices indilatè. Remittend, Nobis a­liam partem Indenturarum praedictarum praesentibus consutam una cum hoc breve. Teste Rege apud Westm. 22 die Maii.

The like writs then issued to all other Sheriffs of Counties, and this form with little or no variation, continued from 1 H. 4. to all Sheriffs of particular Ci­ties and Boroughs, made Counties within them­selves, (as Lincoln, York, Bristol, Coventre, Nor­wich, Notyngham, Newcastle upon Tyne, Kingstone upon Hull, and Southampton, mutatis mutandis) till the Statute of 8 H. 6. c. 7. concerning Elections was made, as the Clause. Rolls assure us, where the writs of Sum­mons are recorded; only the writs to the Sheriffs of London were to elect Qua [...]uor Cives de discretioribus & magis sufficien [...]ibus; the writs to the Sheriffs of other Cities that were Counties, to elect Duos Cives, and to those Boroughs which were Counties, to choose Du­os Burgenses.

The bundle of those original writs which issued in 1 H. 5 is yet extant, together with the several retorns and Indentures of the Sheriffs, and names of the Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses then elected and retorned, the major number of them having Manucaptors retorned for their appearance at the day and place of the Parlia­ment, which others of them have not. The Statutes of 7 H. 4. c. 15. & 11 H. 4. c. 1. enacting all Sheriffs to make their Retorns of the Knights elected by Inden­tures, between the Sheriffs and Electors, under their re­spective Seals, never in use before, thereupon the forms of their Retorns were accordingly altered and made by Indentures, wherein the names of the Knights elected and of their Electors were retorned, some inserting more, some fewer names of the Electors, with ge­neral clauses for the rest; on the dorse of many of which Indentures the names of the Knights, Manu­captors, [Page 128] and sometimes of the Citizens and Burgesses, and their Manucaptors are entred, and others of them on the dorses only of the Writs; These Indentures are somewhat various and different in their forms and words, but for the most part they accord in substance: All those from 7 H 4. to the end of his Reign, being not extant, but lost or mislayd, I shall present you with some few of the first of them yet extant in 1 H. 5. upon the retorn of the last forecited writ that year.

Executio istius brevis patet in quadam Cedula, & in qua­dam Indentura huic brevi consuta.

Haec Indentura facta apud Lostwythiel, 24 die A­prilis Anno Regni Regis Henrici quinti, post conque­stum Angliae primo, in pleno Com. ibidem tent. inter Johannem Arundel Vic. Com. praedicti; & Johan. Whales­brew, Willum. Grynevile, and 32. more there named, & plures alios de dicto Com. ibidem tunc praesentes, se­cundum Proclamationem dicti Dom. Regis, de Militi­bus pro Parliamento in dicto brevi specificato eligen­dis factam. Qui tunc ibidem unanimi assensu et con­sensu eligerunt Johan. Wibbury & Johan. Trelonny Mili­tes, qui habent plenam & sufficieutem potestatem pro se & communitate Com. praedicti, ad faciend. & con. sentiend, prout breve praedictum in se exegit & requirit. In cujus rei testimonium huic parti Indenturae huic breve consut. proedictus Johannes Whalesbrew & caeteri omnes praenominati sigilla sua apposuerunt. Et alteri parti Indentur. praedictarum Vic. sigillum suum ap­posuit. Dat. die, loco & anno supradictis.

Nomina Militum electorum pro Parliamento in bre­vi huic Cedulae consut. Those named in the Indenture having each two Manucaptors.

Nulla est Civitas in Com. praedicto.

Nomina Burgensium pro Parliamento in Com. praedicto: Dounhevedburgh, 2. Bodmyn Burgh. 2. Helston Burg. 2. Lostwithiel Burg. 2. Truru Burg. 2. having eve­ry of them two Manucaptors retorned over against their names, all there named.

[Page 129] The Counties of Snssex & Surry having a several writs, and but one Sheriff are retorned both together; the In­denture for Surry runs thus, Haec Indentura facta apud Guldeford, &c. testatur, quod virtute brevis Dom. Regis in pleno Com. praedicto plenarie lecti & auditi, per assensum & consensum Willi Weston, (and three more there na­med) & omnium aliorum fidelium ibidem existentium, electi sunt in Milites pro communitate Com. praedicti existend. ad Parliamentum Dom. Reg [...]s apud Westm. ex tunc prox­tenend. Johannes Burg [...]. & Willielmus Aferde. In cujus rei Testimonium, &c.

The Indenture annexed to the Writ for Sussex is in Surry and Suffolk. French, between the Sheriff, & les gentilles homes & comunes du dit Counte, dauter part, witnessing, that the Gentlemen and Commons had chosen Richard Sayvyle and Richard Wakebira, a consentie & affaire ceo que as Chi­valers de Parliament affaire duement appertient, pur le bonor & profit du dit nostre seigneur le Roy & son Roialme: in te­stimony whereof the Sheriff and the Gentlemen, and Commons, to wit, 14 there named, and other Gentle­men and Commons, set to their Seals the day and year aforesaid.

None of the Knights, Citizens or Burgesses tetorned upon this Indenture, have any Manucaptors indorsed on the Indenture, nor retorned in the Cedule, as most of the others have in other Counties, though not all; and some of them are retorned to be atached, & quili­bet eorum separatim per se, by particular persons there retorned, without any Manucaptors for them, as in the retorn for Cambridge-shire.

Most of the Indentures mention, that the Knights e­lected and retorned have plenam & sufficientem potestatem pro se & communitate Com. praedict. ad faciend. & consent. [...]iis qu [...] tunc ibidem de communi co [...]silio dicti Regni faven­te Domino ordinari contigerit super negoti [...] in praedicto brevi specificatis. In cujus rei testimonium, &c. as the retorns of the Sheriff of Hertford-shire & Essex, (which Counties had then but one Sheriff) and sundry others attest. [Page 130] The Indenture for Wyltes addes: Item praesens Indentura, testatur, qnod Cives & Burgenses de qualibet Civitate & Burg. Com. praedict. electi, &c. plenam & sufficieneem potestatem prose, & communitate Civitatum & Burgorum praedictorum divisim habentes ad faciend & consentiend, prout dictum breve in se exigit & requirit. Incujus rei Testimonium, &c. In some Retorns is added, by the Electors, (as also in 3 H. 5. for Essex.) Dantes & concedentes eisdem Roberto Darcy & Johanni Tyrrel Militibus, pro proedicto Parliamen­to, plenam & sufficientem potestatem prose, & communitate Com. praedicti ad faciend. & consentiend. hiis quae tunc ibi­dem de communi Consilio Regni Domini Regis favente Do­mino ordinari contigerit super negotiis in praedicto brevi spe­cificatis. The substance whereof is expressed in most Retorns.

The retorn of the She [...]iff of Bristol is thus endor­fed. Bristol. Adprox. Com. tentum apud Bristol postquam istud Bre­ve mihi deliberatum fuit, viz die Lunae 10 die Aprilis, An­no Regni Henrici quarti post conquestum primo, proclama­ri feci breve infra scriptum prout illud requirit. Et ulteri­us vobis certifico, quod ad eundem. Com. & coadunatis, discretioribus & magis sufficientibus Burgensibus dictae Villae ex assensu Jobannis Clyve, Majoris Villae praedictae & aliorum plurimorum ibidem existentium, eligimus duos discretos & ma­gis sussicientes Burgenses Com. Bristol, viz. Thomam Norton & Iohannem Leycestre, qui tam ut Milites pro Com. Bristol, quam ut Burgenses Villae praedict. respondeant in Parliamento Domini Regis tenend. apud Westm. a die Pasche in tres Septimanas, prox. futur. & eos ad praedictum Parliamentum venire faciam, prout in altera parte quarun­dam Indenturarum: inde inter me & illos qui electioni praedict. interfucrunt confect. huic brevi consut. continetur, prou [...] istud Breve requirit. Iohannes Sherpe Vic. Bristol.

Haec Indentura facta Bristol inter Johannem Sherpe Vi­cecomitem Com. Bristol, ex parte [...]una, & Johannem Clyve Majorem villae praedict. (and thirty more named particularly) & alios probos homines villae praedictae, ex. parte altera testatur; quod virtute brevis. Domini [Page 131] Regis uni parti harum Indenturarum consut. in Com. tento apud Bristol die Lunae, &c. (as before in the Retorn) coadunatis discretioribus & magis sufficien­tibus Burgensibus dictae villae, Thomas Norton & Johaennes Leycestre Burgenses & Mercatores villae Bristol sunt e­lecti, essendi in Parliamento Domini Regis tenend. &c. (as before) ad respondend. in Parliamento praedi­cto tam ut Milites pro Com. Bristol, quam ut Bur­genses pro Burgo praedict. villae: qui quidem Thomas Norton et Iohannes Leycestre praesentes in Electione praedict. praemuniti (sunt) comparendi in dicto Parliamento ad diem et locum praedictum, ex consen­su & assensu dictorum Majoris et proborum hominum praedictorum, et communitatis villlae praedictae, ad con­sentiend. et faciend. omnia et singula quae in dicto Par­liamento contigerit ordinari, ac omnia alia quod breve praedictum exigit. In cujus rei testimonium tam praedictus Vicecomes, quam praefatus Major et singuli probi homines supradicti, sigilla sua alternatim apposuerunt. Dat. Bristol anno et die supradictis.

The Counties of Somerset and Dorset had then two distinct writs, and but one Sheriff, who retorned both writs together.

In the Indenture for the County of Somerset, dated at Yuelchester, 1 die Maii, anno 1 H. 5. there are 24 Ele­ctors only named; Qui ex assensu totius Com. prae­dicti eligerunt. Thomam Brooke Militem, et Rogerum Chedder, Milites essendi apud Westm. ad Parliamentum &c. ad faciend, et consentiend pro Commun. praedict. tunc. ibidem prout breve praefato Vic. inde direct. &c. in se exigit et requirit, &c.

These 2. Knights have each one Manucaptor over a­gainst their names, but the Citizens and Burgesses in the County none, except those of Wells, who have two Manucaptors over against their names: But the Knights for the County of Dorset have no Manucap­tors, nor any of the Burgesses, except Lyme, who have only two Manucaptors for both Burgesses.

[Page 132] I shall trouble you with no more varieties of In­dentures of this kind to avoid prolixity: Those who are not sufficed with these, may peruse them in the Bun­dles of writs and retorns, anne 1, 3, 8, 9 H. 5. 1, 2, 3, 6, 11, 13, 20 H. 6. & 7. & 12 Edw. 4. where they may satiate, if not surfet themselves with retorns and In­dentures of this nature.

The forms and substances of all the several writs for elections of Knights, Citizens and Burgesses from 11 H. 4. till 2 H. 6. and of their respective retorns by Indenture in the Bundles of writs and retorns of Anno 3, 8, & 9 H. 5. et Anno 1, 2, 3, 6 H. 6. are the same with those of 1 H. 5. last cited, and all the transcripts of writs for elections recorded in Cl. 2 H. 5. dors. 16. cl. 3 H. 5. dors. 15. cl. 4 H. 5. dors. 18. cl. 5 H. 5. dors. 11. cl. 7. H. 5. d. 9. cl. 8 H. 5. d. 2. cl. 9 H. 5. d. 13. cl. 1 H. 6. d. 22. cl. 2. H. 6. d. 18. cl. 3. H. 6. d. 9. cl. 4. H. 6. d. 15. cl. 5 H. 6. d. 4. cl. 7. H. 6. d. 2. agree in substance and form with the last recited writs of 1 H. 5. Therefore I shall not repeat any of them, but refer you to their perusal in these Rolls. Yet after the Statute of 8 H. 6. c. 7. touching elections of Knights, made upon the Commons Petition to the King and Lords, entred in the Parliament Roll of 8 H 6. num. 57. the form of the Writs for [...]lections was somewhat altered and enlarged, yet without any ses form or alteration prescribed by that Parliament or Statute, as is evideut by the Clause rolls of 9 H. 6. dors. 28. 10 H. 6. dors. 16. 11 H. 6. d. 10. 12 H. 6. d. 2. 13 H. 6. d. 18. 18 H. 6. d. 33. 20 H. 6. d. 27. et 23 H. 6. d. 21. and the bundles and retorns of the writs, an. 11, 13, 20 H. 6. which all accord in this ensuing form of 23 H. 6. which I shall only here insert.

Rex Vic. Kanc. salutem. Quia pro quibusdam, &c. Teste, ut supra usque ibi: Et tunc sic: cum Praelatis, Magnatibus, et Proceribus dicti Regni nostri Collo­quiū habere volumus et Tractatum. Ac in stat. nostro in Parl. apud West: (so the writ in 9 H. 6. but those in 10 H. [Page 133] 6. and after) apud Westm. An. regni nostri 8. tento edito, inter caetera provisum et ordinatum, existit. Quod Mi­lites Com. infra Regnum. nostrum Angl. eligend. ad ve­niond. in parl. ex tunc tenend. eligantur in quolibet Com. per homines in eodem Com. commorantes et re­sidentes, quorum quilibet habeat liberum tenement. ad valorem quadraginta solidorum peran. ad minus, ultra reprisas, et quod illi qui eligendi fuerint sint similiter in eisdem Com. commorantes et residentes; quodque illi qui habuerint majorem numerum ipsor. qui qua­draginta solidos per an. ac ultra expendere possunt, ut praedict. est, per Vicecom. cujuslibet Com. per Indentu­ras inter ipsos Vicecom. et praefatos electores inde con­ficiend. sigiliatas, Milites pro Parl. returnentur. Et quod quilibet Vic. Angliae habeat potestatem autoritate Par­liamenti praedicti, examinandi super sacra dei Evangelia quemlibet hujusmodi electorem, quantum per annum expendere possit. Et si aliquis Vic. Milites de veniendo ad Parliamentum in contrarium ordinationis praedictae retornaverit, habeant Not the Commons-House, or Committee of Privilege. Justic. ad Assisas in Sessionibus suis assisarum, potestatem autoritate supradicta de et su­per hoc Inquisitionem capiendi, per quam si id coram eisdem Justiciariis comperi & Vicecomes inde debite convinci contigerit, tunc idem Vic. paenā cent. librarum Nobis solvend. incurrat, et imprisonetur per unum an­num absque traditione in ballium, aut manucaptione. Et quod milites pro Parliamento nostro in contrari­um ordinatione praedicta retornati vadia sua perdent, prout in statuto praedicto plenius continetur. Tibi praecipimus firmiter injungentes, quod facta procla­matione in prox. Com. tuo post receptionem hujus bre­vi [...] tenend. de die et loco praedictis, duos milites gla­diis cinctos, magis idoneos et discretos Com. praedicti, et de qualibet Civitate Com. illius duos Cives, et de quolibet Burgo duos Burgenses de discretioribus et ma­gis sufficientibus, libere et indifferenter, per illos qui proclamationi interfuerint, juxta formam statuti prae­dicti, ac cujusdam alterius statuti inde dudum editi et [Page 134] provisi eligi, et nomina eorundem militum, Civium et Burgensium sic eligend. in quibusdam Indenturis inter te et illos, qui hujusmodi electioni intersuerint inde conficiend. sive hujusmodi eligendi praesentes fue­rint vel absentes, inseri, eosque ad dictos diem et lo­cum venire sac. Ita quod iidem milites plenam et suffi­cient. potestatem pro se et commun. Com. illius, ac dicti Cives et Burgenses pro se et communitatibus Civita­tum et Burgorum praedictorum, divisim ab ipsis habe­ant, ad faciend. et consentiend. hiis quae tune ibidem de communi Consilio dicti regni nostri savente domi­no contigerit ordinari super negotiis antedictis. Ita quod pro defectu potestatis hujusmodi, seu propter improvidam electionem Militum Civium aut Burgen­sium praedictorum, dicta negotia infecta non remaneant quovis modo. Nolumus autem quod tu, aut aliquis alius Vicecomes dicti Regni nostri aliqualiter sit ele­ctns. Et electionem tuam in pleno Com. tuo factam distinctè et apertè sub sigillis tui et sigillis eorum qui electioni illi interfuerint Nobis in Cancellariam no­stram ad dictos diem et locum certifices indilatè, remit­tens nobis alteram partem Indenturarum praedictarum praesentibus consutam una cum hoc breve. Teste Rege apud Westm. 12 die Januar.

Consimilia brevia diriguntur singulis Vic. Ang [...]: sub eadem data.

Rex Vic. London salutem. Quia, &c. ut supra.

Consimilia brevia diriguntur Vic. subscriptis mutatis mutandis sub eadem data, viz.

Vicecomitibus Civitatis Eborum pro 2. Civibus eli­gend.

Vic. villae Novi Castri super Tynam pro 2. Burgensibus eligend.

Vic. villae de K [...]ngstone super Hull pro 2. Burgensibus eligend.

Vic. Civitatis Norwici pro 2. Civibus eligend.

Vic. Civitatis Linc. pro 2. Civibus eligend.

By this writ of 26 H. 6. (agreeing with former [Page 135] writs) here transcribed at large, you may observe, that it differs onely from the last recited in the rehearsal of the Statute of 8 H. 6. and from the precedent writs by the recital of the Statute of 7 H. 4. That since these Acts the qualification of the persons is, that the Knights and persons elected be only gladiis cinctos, magis idoneos & discretos, & similiter in eisdem Com. commorantes & residentes, &c. That all Elections must be made liberè & indifferenter, &c. as these Writs and Acts prescribe, prohibiting no Officers or pro­fessions of men, whether Lawyers or others, to be elec­ted, but only Sheriffs, in the Nolumus autem, &c.

In the Parliament of 23 H. 6. c. 15. there was upon 43 the Commons petition another new Statute made con­cerning De summo­nitione Par­liamenti. elections of Knights, whereupon in the next writs of Summons Clause anno 25 H. 6. m. 24. dorso it was inserted into the writs, agreeing verbatim with the last forecited writ, except only in this Statutes recital thus inserted.

Rex Vic. Kanc. salutem. Quia, &c. ut supra in the last recited to plenius continetur: and then, Ac insuper in statuto nostro apud West. ultimo tento edito inter caetera ordi­natum existat, Quod Milites Com. pro Parliamento ex tunc eligend. Milites notabiles de eisdem Com. pro quibus sic eligentur, seu saltem notabiles Armigeri, hominesve generosi de natu, eorundem Com. Ou [...] habiles sunt Milites fieri, et nullus homo de gradu valettae et gradu inferiori de essendo Milites hujusmodi existant, prout in eodem statuto plenius continetur. Tibi praecipimus firmiter injungentes, &c. verbatim as in the last recited writ, T. Rege apud Westm. 14 die Dec. Per [...]m Regem & Consil: suum, to the end. Consimilia Brevia follow to the Sheriffs of Counties, Cities, and Boroughs, as in it.

This Statute and writ puts a greater restriction in relation to the Knights of Counties qualities, abi­lities, sufficiences than any before, to prevent the e­lections of persons of mean quality, and estates, which the vulgar rabble of people in those leveling times were [Page 136] overmuch enclined unto; which form continued in all succeeding Parliaments under Henry the sixth, and Edward the fourth, with little or no variation, as the Clause rolls evidence wherein they are recorded, viz. 27 H. 6. d. 24. 28 H. 6. d. 26. 29 H. 6. d. 41. 31 H. 6. d. 36. 33 H 6. d. 36. 38 H. 6. d. 30. 49 H. 6. d. 6. 1 Ed. 4. d. 35. 2 E. 4. d. 3. 6 E. 4. d. 1. 12 E. 4. d. 21. 22, & 23 E. 4, d. 10.

There are only two bundles of Writs for elections and their returns under King Edward the fourth re­maining in the Tower of London, anno 7 & 12 E. 4. agreeing in form and substance with the last recited writs, and their retorns and Indentures with those fore­mentioned in 1 H 5. which those who please may per­use at leasure, being over-tedious and superfluous to transcribe at large.

The ordinary forms of the Writs, Retorns, and In­dentures of this kind used after those in the Tower (ending with King Edward the fourth) and continu­ed till the last Parliament of King Charles are these, which I shall present you with out of Mr. Crompton his Jurisdictions of Courts, f. 1, 2.

Elizabetha Regina, &c. Vic. N. &c. salut. quia de a­visamento & assensu Consilii nostri pro quibusdam arduis & urgentibus negotiis, Nos, statum, & defensionem regni nostri Angliae, & Ecclesiae Anglicanae, concernent. quoddam Parlia­liamentum nostrum ad Civitatem nostram West. duodecimo die Novembris prox. futur. teneri ordinavimus, & ibid. cum Prae­latis, Magnatibus & Procer. dicti regni nostri Colloquium ha­bere & tract. Tibi praecipimus firmiter injungentes, quod facta proclamac. in prox. comitat. tuo post receptionem hujus brevis nostri tenend. die & loco praedict. duos Milites gladiis cinctos magis idoneos & discretos comit. praedicti, & de qualib. Civitate com. illius duos Cives, & de quolibet Burgo duos Bur­genses de discretioribus & magis sufficientibus libere & indiffe­renter per illos qui proclam. hujusmodi interfuerint juxta forma statutorum inde edit. & provis. eligi, & nomina eorundum milit. Civium & Burgens. sic electorum in quibusdam indentur, inter [Page 137] te et illos qui hujusmodi electioni interfuerint, inde confici­end. sive hujusmodi electi praesentes fuerint vel absentes, inseri: cosque ad dict. diem & locum venire fac. Ita quod iidem milites plenam & sufficientem potestatem pro se & communitate comit. praedicti; ac dicti Cives & Burgenses pro se & communitat. ci­vitatum & burgorum praedictorum divisim ab ipsis habeant, ad faciendum & consentiendum hiis quae tunc ibid. de communi consilio dicti regni nostri (favente deo) contigerint ordinari super negotiis ante-dictis: Ita quod pro defectu potestatis hu­jusmodi, seu propter improvidam electionem militum, civium & burgensium praedictorum, dicta negotia infecta non remane­ant quovismodo. Nolumus autem quod tu, nec aliquis alius vic. dicti reg. nostri aliqualiter sit electus. Et electionem illam in pleno comitatu factam, distincte & aperte sub sigillo tuo, & si­gillis eorum qui electioni illi interfuerint, Nobis in cancellar, nostram ad dict. diem & locum certifices indilatè, remittens nobis alteram partem Indenturarum praedictarum presaentibus consut. una cum hoc breve. Teste me ipsa apud Westmona­sterium decimo octavo die Saptembris anno Regni nostri xxx. H. A. Gerrard.

Retorn de vicount sur cest brief.

VIrtute istius brevis eligi feci duos milit. gladiis cinctos magis idoneos & discretos de comitat. meo viz. W. F. & V. S, qui plenam & sufficientem potestatem pro se & com­munitate comitat. praedicti habeant, ad faciendum & con­sentiendum iis quae ad diem & locum infra contentos de commu­ni consilio regni Angliae ordinari contigerint: & praedicti W. F. & V. S. manucapti sunt per I. P. V. B. I. D. & R. N. ad essendum ad Parliamentum Dominae Reginae apud West­monast. ad diem infra contentum, ad faciendum quod hoc bre­ve in se exigit & requirit. li. Int. f. 595.

Feci etiam praeceptum virtute hujus brevis I. B. & A. S. Ballivis libertatis villae de G. in comitat. meo, quod de eo­dem Burgo eligi facerent, duos Burgenses de discretioribus & magis sufficientibus quod sint ad Parliamentum dictae dominae Reginae ad diem & locum infra content. ad faciendum & [Page 138] consentiendum [...]t praedictum est, qui quidem Ballivi sic mibi respondent; quod eligi fecerunt de praedicto Burgo de G. duos Bu [...]g. discretos & magis sufficientes ad essend. ad Parliamen­tum praedictum, viz. R. P. & G. I. ad faciendum & con­sentiendum ut supradictum est. Virtute etiam istius brevis ad proximum comi [...]at. meum post receptionem ejusdem, tentum apud V. tali die & anno in pleno comitatuillo proclamari feci omnia in isto brevi contenta, secundam formam & effectum hujus brevis, prout hoc breve in se exigit & requirit.

Residuum vero executionis istius brevis patet in quibusdam Indent. huic brevi consut. Li. Intr. 595.

HAEC Indentura facta tali die & anno inter G. A. armig. vic. Comitatus N. ex una parte, & I. B. & I. D. &c. ex al­tera parte testatur, quod secundum formam brevis huic In­dent. consut. fact. proclam. in pleno comitatu meo tento apud G. tali die & anno praedicti I. B. I. D. & alii qui procl. prae­dictae in pleno comitat. praedict. interfuerunt, secundum for­mam statutorum in brevi praedicto specificatorum & secundum exigen. brovis illius eligerunt W. F. & V. S. milites, gladiis cinctos, pro comitatu praedicto, ad essendum ad Parliamentum in eodem brevi specific. qui plenam & sufficientem potestatem pro se et communitate comitatus praedicti habeant, ad faciendum & consentiendum prout breve illud in se exigit & requirit. In cujus rei testimonium, partes praedictae his Indenturis sigilla sua alternatim apposuerunt. Datum tali die & ann [...]. Plo. 120.

G. A. armig. vic.

Autiel Indenture serra fait inter vicount et Bur­gesses de D. sur election de lour Burgesses, &c Mu­tatis mutandis.

I have here given you the exactest, fullest, clearest Account of all the several forms and varieties of writs for electing Knights of Counties, Citizens and Bur­gesses for our Parliaments, and Great Councils, and of their retorns extant in our Records, ever yet presented to the World, hitherto unacquainted with most of them, of which our greatest Antiquaries have been in some measure ignorant: I shall now close up this Section with 2. m [...]morable rare Records in the [Page 139] Parliaments of 18 & 38 H. 6. touching the elections of Knights, not impertinent to my purpose, and wor­thy publication.

The first of them I find See my I lea for the Lords, p. 396, 397. thus recorded, Rot. Parl. An. 18 H. 6. m. 13. n. 18. Memorandum quod pro eo 1 quod 16 die Novembris, anno praesenti, lecto coram Rege & Dominis spiritualibus & Temporalibus in Parliamento prae­dicto tunc existentibus, & per illos plenius intellecto retorno ejusdem Brevis ipsius Domini Regis Gilberto Hore, nuper Vic. Cantebr. pro electione duorum Militum inter alia, qui ad Parliamentum praedictum pro Com. praedicto venire debuis­sent juxta formam in eodem Breve specificatam faciend. directi, satis evidenter constabat tunc ibidem, quibusdam certis de causis in eodem returno specificatis, nullos Milites ad veniend. ad Parliamentum praedictum pro eodem Comitatu pretextu bre­vis praedicti [...]ctos aliqualiter extitisse; Per ipsum Domi­num Regem De avisamento et assensu eorundem Do­minorum spiritualium et temporalium consideratum [...]t ordinatum fuit tunc ibidem, quod per quoddam aliud breve ipsius domini Regis de data dicti prioris Brevis, Vic. Com. praedicti detur specialiter in mandatis. Quod ipse facta Proclamatione in prox. Comitatu suo infra dictum Com. Can­tebr. post receptionem brevis illius tenend. de die & loco ten­tionis Parliamenti praedicti, electionem duorum Militum gladiis cinctorum, ac omnia alia in eodem continenda juxta formam ejusdem Brevis faciat & exequatur. Et quod idem Vicecomes antequam ad hujusmodi electionem procedat, pub­licè in eodem Com. proclamari & inhiberi faciat, ne aliqua persona tunc ibidene armata, seu modo guerrino arraiata ad ele­ctionem illam accedat, nec quicquam quod in perturbatienem pacis ipsius. Domini Regis seu electionis illius cedere valea [...] ibidem, vel alibi faciat vel attemptet, nec quod aliqua perso­na se de electione illa intromittat, nec vocem suam in electio­ne illa, tantummodo excepta persona quae vocem in hujusmodi electione infra Com. praedictum facienda juxta formam statuti in eoslem brevi specificati habere debeat, dare praesumat quo­vis modo sub periculo incumbenti, ac sub paena imprisona­menti corporis sui ad voluntatem ipsius Domini Regis. Et [Page 140] idem Vicec. personas quae praemissa seu aliquod praemissorum in aliquo contemnere praesumpserint, prisonae ipsius Domini Regis mancipet & committat in eadem salvo & secure custodi­end. quos (que) idem Dominus Rexpro earum deliberatione, aliter duxerit demandand.

From which memorable writ I shall observe,

1. That the Sheriff of a County after his Writ for electing Knights of the Shire received and proclaimed, may justly refuse to proceed to th [...] election, in case any Souldiers or others armed with weapons, and ar­rayed in warlike manner resort unto it, to interrupt or disturb the Election: And that this being retorned is a good excuse for the Sheriffs not electing the Knights?

2ly. That the King and Lords in that Age were sole Iudges of the Retorns of Sheriffs upon Writs for Ele­ctions, of the legality of them, and the elections made upon them (as I have Plea for the Lords, p. 371, to 416. elsewhere largely evidenced by re­cords) not the Commons House.

3ly. That they alone (not the Commons) gave or­der for new writs for electing Knights and Burgesses when, or where there was cause, and directions how to make them, as in this case and others.

4ly. That the Sheriff was here specially directed, to make publick Proclam. before the writ for election of knights for the shire, was read, to prohibit any person whatsoever to resort to the Election armed, or arrayed in warlike manner, or to do any thing in disturbance of the Kings peace, or of the election; and that no person should interpose, meddle with or give his voyce in the election in any kind, but such who had a lawfull right to do it according to the form of the Statute.

5ly. That if any person resorted to it armed, or did any thing that might either disturb the Kings peace, or election, or intermeddle therein, or gave his voyce who had no voyce by Law, that the Sheriff should forthwith imprison him for his offence, in the Kings prison, till the King himself give order for his re­lease. Which I conceive all Sheriffs may still do in [Page 141] like Cases by vertue of the Statute of 3 Edw. 1. c. 5. con­cerning the freedoms of elections, which enacts and commands, upon great forfeiture, that no great man, nor other by force of arms, or menacing, shall disturb any to make free election. And if none may disturb the freedom of Ele­ctions by armed force; much less may they interrupt the Members from sitting in the House, or disturb them in the freedom of their debates, when elected, assembled in Parliament; under greater penalties and forfeitures.

The second is thus enrolled, Rot. Parl. An 38 H. 6. n. 11.

To the King our Soveraign Lord, Meekly beseeching 2 your true Liegemen, Sheriffs of the Shires of this your noble Realm that were of the years past passed; Where it plea­sed your Highness to command divers of your said Be­seechers, by your honourable Letters of privy Seal to proceed to election of their several shires of Knights of shires for this your present Parliament, for the good & hasty speed thereof, Please it your noble Grace to ordain, and to grant by assent of your Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and by the Commons assembled in this present Parliament by au­thority of the same; That all elections of Knights of your seid Shires in such wise chosen, and by your said Be­seechers retorned, be as good and effectual as any ele­ction of Knights, by any of your seid Shires made or done by vertue of your seid Writ or Writs to every of your seid Beseechers direct. And that your seid Be­seechers and their Under-Sheriffs and Clarks, and e­very of them, be quite and discharged against your Liege-people, of the penalties and forfeitures that they or eny of them be fellyn, or may be chargeable, by force of a Statute made the 23 year of your noble Reign, as for occupying or exercising their seid Office longer than a year for every maner elections of Knights, as well by force of your Writs, as by force of your let­ters of Privy-seal, as otherwise, and for retorns of the same, and for all maner retorns of Citizens and Bur­gesses in their several Shires for this present Parlia­ment, by every of them retorned before the last day of this present Parliament. Provided alway, that [Page 142] by this Act they nor none of them be excused or dis­charged of eny other offence or thing done by them in eny of their seyd Offices. Alway forseyn that no man be amerced for eny suyt begon by him against eny of your seyd Beseechers to recover the seyd penalties for eny occupation of the seyd Office for the premises.

Le Roy le voet.

The occasion of this Petition and Act then passed is thus expressed in the printed Statute of 39 H. 6. c. 1. That divers Knights of Counties, Citizens, and Burgesses were named, retorned, & accepted in this Parliament of 38 H. 6. some of them without any due or free election, others with­out any election at all, against the course of the Kings Laws, and the liberties of the Commons of this Realm, (by vertue of the Kings Letters of Privy [...]eal without any free election:) and that by the means & labours of divers seditious, and evil­disposed Persons, only to destroy certain of the great faithfull Lords and Nobles, and other faithfull Liege-people of the Realm, out of hatred, malice, & greedy, unsatiable covetousness, to gain their Lands, Inheritances, Offices and Estates. For which undue elections, the Sheriffs being purposely kept longer in their Offices than they otherwise should have been, and fearing to be exemplarily punished by Actions upon the Statute brought against them, there­upon they petitioned the King, and procured this Act of Parl. for them and their Under-sheriffs present and fu­ture indemnities for these illegal Elections, and retorns of persons unduly elected, or nominated by the King alone, without any election by the people; for which misdemeanor of theirs, this whole Parliament, and all Acts made therein were repealed and made void the ve­ry next year and Parliament following, 39 H. 6. c. 1. from whence I shall observe,

1. That no Sheriffs or Officers, can be secured, in. dempnified against undue elections, and retorns of Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses, nominated to them by the King, or any others, but only by Act of Parlia­ment. 2. That such undue elections & retorns as these [Page 143] are usually made by the procurement and labour of se­ditious, and evil-disposed persons, out of malice, hatred, or insatiable covetousness, and for pernitious ends and designs. 3ly. That Parliaments unduly ele­cted, and packed by policy or power, prove alwaies ab­ortive, and are repealed, as void and pernitious in conclusion; of which we have seen pregnant instan­ces in this and other late Parliaments, worthy our sad­dest considerations.

Vsefull Observations in and from the precedent Se­ction.

FRom these recited Writs, I conceive it to be most clearly and satisfactorily evidenced, 1. That there were no Knights, Citizens, or Burgesses elected and summo­ned by Writs to our Great Councils, and Parliaments before 49 H. 3. which I shall here further demonstrate by these punctual, irrefragable Testimonies, Presi­dents and Records under his Reign, till this very year, Mat. Paris p. 299. 300. Edit Tig. 1589. Anno 1221. (the 5 of Henry 3d.) Convene­runt Magnates Angliae ad Regem apud Westmonasteri­um, ut de negotiis regni tractarent: After which the King having suppressed the Welsh the same year, and built a strong Castle at Montgomery, disbanded his Ar­my, Concedentibus Magnatibus de quolibet scuto duo marcas argenti Mat. Paris p. 305. Mat. Westm. p. 113. Anno 1223. (the 7th. of his Reign.) Rex Henricus in Octavis Epiphaniae apud Londonias veniens cum Baronibus ad Colloquium, requisitus est ab Archiepiscopo Cantuariensi & Magna­tibus aliis, ut libertates, & liberas consuetudines, [Page 144] pro quibus guerra mota suit, contra patrom suum con­firmaret Mat. Paris. 308. Anno 1224. (8 H. 3.) Per idem tempus convenerunt ad Colloquium in Octavis sanctae Trini­tatis apud Nor [...]amptonam, Rex cum Archiepiscopis, Episcopis, Comitibus, Baronibus, & aliis multis, (Lords, Peers, and others of his Counsel) de regni negotiis tractaturi, voluit enim Rex uti Consilio Mag­natum suorum de terris transmarinis, quas Rex Fran­corum paulatim occupaverat, Mat. Paris 311. Anno 1229. (9 H. 3.) the King demanding advice, and an ayd of the fifteenth part of his peoples Goods to recover his for­rein Territories; Archiepiscopus & Concio tota (apud Westm.) Episcoporum, Comitum et Baronum, Abba­tum & Priorum habita deliberatione, Regi dedere responsum, quod regiis petitioibus gratanter adquies­cerent, si illis diu petitas libertates concedere voluis­set. Whereupon he granted and confirmed the great Charter. Mat. Paris 312. The same year, Martio mense, convenerunt apud Westmonasterium ad Colloquium Rex Angliae cum Magnatibus suis, ubi Rex sententialiter jussit dif­finire, quid de proditore suo Falcatio suit agendum. Proceres vero in hoc pariter consenserunt, eo quod patri suo multis fideliter servierat annis, ne de vita pe­riclitaretur vel membris, sed ut Angliam aeternaliter abjuraret, omnes communiter addixerunt, which was accordingly executed forthwith. Mat. paris p. 316, 319. Mat. Westm. p. 118, 119. Anno 1226. (10 H. 3.) venit interea terminus Concilii ad festum san­cti Hillarii apud Westm. praesixus, ubi Rex cum Clero & Magnatibus Regni comparere debuerat, ut Domini Papae mandatum audiret, &c. They meeting again the same year after Easter, Rex convocatis seorsum Prae­latis, & quibusdam Magnatibus, hoc Archiepiscopo dedit responsum, &c. Mat. paris p. 3 [...]. Anno 1229. (13 H. 3.) fecit Rex conveni [...] apud Westm. Dominica qua contatur mi­sericordia Domini, Archiepiscopos, Episcopos, Abba­tes, Priores, Templarios, Hospitilarios, Comites, Ba­rones, Ecclesiarum rectores, et qui de eo tenebant in ca­pite, (but no Knights of Counties, Citizens, and Bur­gesses [Page 145] we read of) ut audirent negotia memorata of Stephen [...]ho Popes Chaplain, and Nuncio, demanding an ayd against the Emperour from England.) Et de rerum exigentiis communiter tractarent ibidem. (h) Anno Mat. Paris, p. 354, 355, 357, Mat. Westm. p. 130. 1231. (15 H. 3.) convenerunt ad Colloquium apud Westm. Rex cum Praelatis et aliis Magnatibus Regni, &c. The King this year intending to mary the King of Scots Daughter, indignantibus Comitibus et Ba­ronibus suis unmersis, because Hubert who was chief Iustice had maried the eldest Daughter, he thereupon desisted from his purpose. Mat. Paris, p. 359, 364. Mat. Westm. p. 132 Anno 1232. convenerunt Nonas Martii ad Colloquium apud Westm. ad vocatio­nem Regis, Magnates Angliae tam Laici quam Praelati, &c. Comes Cestriae Ranulphus pro Magnatibus aliis loquens, &c. After which the same year, Convenerunt apud Lambiam ad Colloquium in exaltatione sanctae crucis coram Rege, Episcopi, & alii ecclesiarum Prae­lati, cum Proceribus Regni. Ubi concessa est Regi, &c. quadragesima pars rerum mobilium ab Episcopis, Abbatibus, Priorribus, Clericis & Laicis, ficut ea habuerunt in frugibus tunc congregatis in autumno, an­no Regni ejusdem Regis 16. The Writ for collecting it (which is memorable) recites, Mat. Paris, p. 367. Sciatis quod Archi­episcopi, Episcopi, Abbates, Priores, & Clerici ter­ras habentes qui ad Ecclesias suas non pertinent; Co­mites, Barons, Milltes, liberi homines et Villani de reg­no nostro concesserunt Nobis in auxilium 40. partem omnium mobilium suorum apparentium, &c. Yet w [...]e read of no Milites, liberi tenentes, or villani; but only Episcopi & Ecclefiarum Praelati; cum Procerbus regni, summoned to this Parliamentarie Convention; whose grant of this ayde, is said to be the grant of all the Clergie, Knights, Freemen, and Villains of the Realm too; yet we never read that Villains were Members of Parliament, or the Commons House in any age: Mat. Paris, p. 372, 373. An­no 1233. (17 H. 3.) Rex missis literis vocavit Omnes de regno Comites & Barones ad Colloquium, ut venirent apud Oxoniam ad festum Sancti Johannis. Sed [Page 146] ipsi noluerunt ad ejus mandatum venire, tum propter insidias alienigaenarum, tum propter indignationem, quam conceperant adversus Regem, qui extraneos ob eorundem Baronum vocavit contemptum, &c. After which the same year, Cum Comites ac Barones Ang­liae in magno militiae apparatu Londonias tenderent ad Colloquium, Calend. Augusti sibi praefixum, &c. Vene­runt autem ad Colloquium praedictum Comes Cestriae, &c. cum aliis Comitibus et Baronibus multis; Sed nihil ibi actum fuit propter absent [...]am Comitis Mares­calli, & Gilberti de Basset, et quorundam aliorum absen­tiam Magnatum. After which the same year, Mat. Paris, p. 375. Erat interea Rex apud Westm. ad Colloquium 7 Idus Octob. sicut Magnatibus promiserat,, ut per eorum Consili­um emendaret ea, quae in regno erant corrigenda: the Bishops being there likewise present. Mat. Paris, p. 381, 382, 383, 390, 391. An. 12 [...]4. (18 H. 3.) Rex Anglorum venit ad Colloquium apud Westm. in Purificatione beatae Mariae, &c. After that, Con­venerunt ad Colloquium Dominica prima in passione Domini (5 to idus Aprilis) apud Westm. Rex cum Co­mitibus & Baronibus, et Archiepiscopus cum suis Su [...] ­fraganeis, ut regno perturbato salubriter providerent: Mat. Paris, p. 405, 406, 407, 408. Anno 1236. (20 H. 3.) The Archbishop, cum Epis­copis, Magnatibus, Nobilibus, & Praelatis, were pre­sent at Londan at the Kings marriage; which festivitie ended, Rex venit Mertoniam, utibi revocati Magnates, audito recenti Imperatoris mandato, unà cum Rege de regni negotiis contrectarent. Audiens autem Rex si­mul & Magnates ibi congregati, praehabita deliberatio­nis responderunt, &c. Then reciting the Statutes there made. Item concessit Dominus Rex ex consensu Mag­natum, quod de caetero non currant usurae contra mi­norem, p See pat. 20 H. 3. d. 13. Cl. 20 H. 3. m. 2 [...]racton f. 416, 417. Seldens Titles of Ho­nor, p. 721, 722. &c. Cap. 9. Rogaverunt omnes Episcopi Magnates, ut consentirent, quod nati ante matrimo­nium essent legitimi, sicut illi qui nati sunt post matri­monium, quantum ad successionem haereditariam, quia Ecclesia tales habet pro legitimis, Et omnes Comi­tes et Barones responderunt una voce (without any [Page 147] Knights, Citizens, Burgesses or Commons, that wee read of) Quod nolunt leges Angliae mutare, quae bucusque usitatae sunt et approbatae. And cap. 11. Quia Magnates petierunt, &c. mentions only the Nobles without any Commons. The Mat. Paris, p. 414, 416, 417. same year 4 kalend Maii, Congre­gati sunt Magnates Angliae Londini ad Colloquium, de negotiis regni tractaturi. After which, Congrega­ti sunt apud Wintoniam Magnates Angliae praesente Rege, sexto Idus Junii; Ubi rex nitebatur, &c. Anno quoque eodem Rex suorum Consilio fretus Magna­tum iter versus Eboracum maturavit, ut Consilio fultus Majorum regni, provideret qualiter discordia inter ip­sum et Regem Scotiae Alexandrum, quae jam in odium ex­creverat, penitus sedaretur, &c. Mat Paris, p. 420, 421. Mat. Westm. p. 143. 144. Anno 1237. (21 H. 3.) Rex Henricus misit continuo per omnes fines Angliae scripta Regalia, praecipiens omnibus ad regnum Ang­liae spectantibus, videlicet, Archiepiscopis, Abbatibus, & Prioribus installatis, Comitibus & Baronibus (but to no Knights of Shires, Citizens or Burgesses, we read of) ut omnes sine omissione in Octavis Epiphaniae Londo­niis convenirent, Regia negotia tractaturi totum regnum contingentia. Quod audientes Magnates, Regiis prae­ceptis continuo paruerunt. Venit igitur die Sancti Hi­larii Londonias infinita Nobilium multitudo, scilicet Regni totalis universitas, &c There being no menti­on of any Commons, but only of the Nobles Magna­tum & Baronum, in the debates and transactions of this Grand Council: After which the same year, Rex asseruit in Colloquio, ad quod etiam ex longinquo No­biles convocaverat, cum juramento, &c. who granted him an ayd secundum provisionem Magnatum expen­dendum. Mat. Paris, p. 431. Eodem Anno scripsit Rex omnibus Mag­natibus suis, ut coram eo et domino Legato in festo exaltationis Sanctae crucis Eboracum convenirent, de arduis negotiis regnum contingentibus tractaturi: where a peace and league was concluded between him and the King of Scots. Mat. Paris, p. 451, 452. Anno 1238. (22 H. 3.) Con­venerunt Magnates die statuto Londini, super his dili­genter [Page 148] tractaturi, &c. Ibi igitur post multas multorum deceptationes se subjecit Rex quorundam provisioni de gravioribus viris, jurans se eorum provisioni adquiesce­ret. Quod et factum est, et in scriptum redactum, & appensa sunt tam Legati, quam aliorum Magnatum sigilla, omnibus in communi manifestanda. Mat. Paris, p. 495. Anno 1239. (23 H. 3.) Comites, Barones, & alii Magna­tes Angliae, writ and sent a Letter to the Pope against his encroachments on their Advowsons, presented to him by Robert de Twinge, ex parte Magnatum Angliae, who returned an Answer to it beginning thus; Grego­rius Episcopus, &c. dilectis filiis Nobilibus Viris R. Comiti Pictavtae & Cornubiae, & Baronibus Angliae: Mat. Paris, p. 505, 508. Anno 1240. (24 H. 3.) congregati sunt Londi [...]i Archiepisco­pi & Episcopi, cum multis aliis Magnatibus, praesente etiam Legato, reponentes querimoniam coram Rege in Curia sua, super variis injuriis et oppressionibus, et quo­tidianis desolationibus illatis Ecclesiae, per iniquum Re­gis Confilium, contra suas Cartas, et juramenta temerè veniendo, &c. Ejusdem anni spatio convenerunt apud Radingum omnes Angliae Archiepiscopi, Episcopi, et majores Abbates, et quidam Magnates regni, Papalo mandatum à Domino Legato explicandū, audituri, &c. Comes vero Ricardus & alii Magnates Crucesignati ibidem existentes, &c. Anno 1242. (26 H. 3.) scripsit Rex Anglorum omnibus regni sui Magnatibus, Ar­chiepiscopis, y Mat. Paris, p. 560, 561, 562, 563. Mat. Westm. p. 163. Episcopis, Abbatibus, Prioribus, Comi­tibus & Baronibus, (without mentioning any Knights, Citizens, Burgesses or Commons) districtè praecipiens, ut omnes Generaliter Londinum die Mar­tis ante Purificationem beatae Virginis convenirent de arduis negotiis regni, dilationem non capientibus, cum summa deliberatione tractaturi. Imminente vero Puri­ficatione beatae Mariae, totius Angliae Nobilitas tam Praelatorum, quam Comitum et Baronum, secundum Regium praeceptum, est Londini congregatum, &c. Re­sponderunt Magnates, cum magna cordium amaritu­dine, &c. There being no mention of any Commons, [Page 149] Knights, Citizens, or Burgesses therein (though writ in the margin: Convocatur Generale Parliamentum Londini, &c.) Postea verò, ne oblivio tenorem respon­sionis Baronum deleret, in scriptum taliter sunt haec redacta. Cum Dominus Eboracensis Archiepiscopus, et omnes Episcopi Angliae, Abbates et Priores per se, vel per Procuratores suos, necnon et omnes Comiteg et ferè omnes Barones Angliae, ad mandatum Domini Regis convenissent apud Westm. &c. Anno Dom. 1242. regni Henrici 3. Regis 26. audituri Domini Regis vo­luntatem et negotium, pro quo ipsos mandaverat. Et idem Dominus Rex, &c. per eosdem solennes nuncios omnes Magnates de Regno suo rogasset de consilio ei dando et auxilio faciendo, &c. tandem dicti Episcopi, Abbates et Priores, Comites et Barones, magno in­ter eos tractatu praehabito, in primis Domino Regi per praedictos Magnates dederunt consilium, &c. Et cum dicti Magnates nuncii istud Domino Regi nunci­assent responsum, redeuntes ad Barnagium, dixerunt, quod in parte sufficiens dederunt Domino Regi respon­sum. Mat. Paris, p. 619, 620, 621, 622, 623. Anno 1244. (28 H. 3.) convenerunt Regia sub­monitione convocati Londinum Magnates totius Regni, Archiepiscopi, Episcopi, Abbates, Priores, & Comites & Barones; (without Knights, Citizens, Burgesses or Commons) In quo Concilio petiit Rex ore proprio, in praesentia Magnatum, auxilium sibi fieri pecuniare, &c. Recedentesque Magnates de refectorio, convenerunt Archiepiscopi, & Episcopi, Abbates & Priores seorsim per se super hoc diligenter tractaruri. Tandem requi­siti ex parte eorum Comites & Barones, si vellent suis Con­siliis unanimiter consentire in responfione et provisione super hiis facienda? Qui responderunt, quod sine com­mnni universitate nihil facerent: Whereupon the Spi­ritual and Temporal Lords appointing a Committee, agreed in an Answer and Ordinance; there being no mention of any but of these Magnatum, Magnates, Magnatibus, et Praelatis, in all the passages of this Parliamentary Council, which are large and notable. [Page 150] a The same year, Convenientibus autem iterum Mag­natibus Mat. Paris, p. 624. cum Praelatis generaliter Londini, a die purifi­cationis beatae Mariae in tres Septimanas. Concilium super praedictis negotiis et tractatum habuerunt dili­gentem: where they granting the King an ayde to mar­rie his daughter of xx 8. upon every Knights fee, upon condition to ratifie the Great Charter; cum novisset Martinus Nuncius Domini Papae, quod Magnates Ang­liae Regiae contributioni generaliter consensissent, in­hiabat avidius ad negotium suum ad quod missus fuerat consummandum, &c. After which the same year, Mat. Paris, p. 626, 627. Mat. Westm. p. 185, 186. Rex edicto publicè proposito, & summonitione generaliter facta, fecit notificare per totam Angliam, ut quilibet Baro tenens de Rege in capite, haberet prompta & pa­rata Regali praecepto omnia servitia militaria, quae ei debentur, tam Episcopi et Abbates, quam Laici Baro­nes: Congregata igitur universitate totius Angliae Nobilium apud Novum Castrum super fluvium Thynam, tractatum est diligenter, super tam arduo negotio (con­cerning the differences and an accord between Alexander King of Scots and King Henry) Concilio habito circa Assumptionem beatae Mariae diligentissimo: where peace was concluded between the Kings, and ratified by the Charter of the King of Scots, and the Seals of his Prelates, Earls and Barons. The same year Mat. Paris, p 631. in crastino Omnium Animarum convenientes Magnates Angliae, Rex cùm instantissimè, ne dic [...]m impudentissimè auxili­um pecuniare ab eis iterum postularet, toties laesi et il­lusi contradixerunt ei unanimiter et uno ore in facie. Mat. Paris, p. 674, 677, 678, 679, 680. Mat. Westm. p. 205, 206, 207, &c. Anno 1246. (30 H. 3.) Rex missis, literis suis totius Regni Magnates convocavit, ut Londini die qua canta­tur, Letare Hierusalem, de statu regni generaliter conve­nirent tractaturi. On which day, Edicto Regio convo­cata convenit ad Parliamentum generalissimum to­tius Regni Anglicani totalis Nobilitas Londini, vi­delicet Praelatorum, tam Abbatum & Priorum, quàm E­piscoporum, Comitum quoque & Baronum (with­out any mention or intimation of Knights, Citixens. [Page 151] Burgesses, Commoners) ut de statu Regni jam vacil­lante, efficaciter, prout exigit urgens necessitas, consu­lerent. Convenientibus igitur ad Parliamentum me­moratum totius Regni Magnatibus, in primis aggres­sus est, Dominus Rex ore proprio Episcopos per se, posteà verò Comites & Barones, deinde autem Abbates & Priores; videlicet, super his pro quibus miserat nun­cios suos solennes ad Concilium- Lugdunense: Then shewing them the Oppressions and grievances of the Church and Realm of England by the Pope, drawn in­to Articles; which they all consented unto: the Bishops by themselves, the Abb [...]s by themselves, the Earls, Nobles, and Barons by themselves, in their own names, and in the name of all the Clergy and people of England, and the King by himself, writ several Letters to the Pope and Cardi­nals for their redress. The King in the mean time send­ing forth Prohibitions under his Seal to all the Bishops, Mat Paris, p. 686, 687. Mat. Westm p. 208, 209, 210. not to pay any tax or tallage to the Pope; Contra provisionem per Magnates nostros tam Praelatos quàm Comites & Barones factam in Concilio nostro Londinensi, &c. After which, die Translationis beati Thomae Martyris, habitum est Magnum Concilium inter Regem et regni Magnates apud Wintoniam; where re­ceiving the Popes answer to their messengers sent to the Council of Lyons, touching their grievances, and his carriage towards them, Haec autem cum audisset Do­minus Rex cum Magnatibus suis, commotus est vehe­menter et meritò, &c. Anno 1247. (31 H. 3.) Mat. Paris, p. 697, 698. urgen­te mandato Papali redivivo, de importabili contribu­tione, &c. fecit Dominus Rex Magnates suos, necnon et Angliae Archidiaconos (but no Knights, Citizens or Burgesses) per scripta su [...] Regia Londinum convocari. Quo cum pervenissent die praefixo, Episcopi omnes sese gratis absentarunt, ne viderentur propriis factis eminus adversari. In crastino igitur purificationis beatae Ma­riae, dominus Rex cum suis Magnatibus tractatum ha­bens diligentem, per plures consilium urgens dies pro­telavit. g Mat. Paris, p. 707. At last they sent Letters to the Pope in the [Page 152] name of all the Clergy and people of England for redress of their grievances. The same year, Mat. Paris, p, 712, 713. Dominus Rex comperiens regnum suum enormiter periclitari, jussit omnem totins Regni Nobilitatem convocari, ut de statu ipsius tàm mani [...]è periclitantis, Oxoniis &c. di­ligenter contrectarent. Praelatos áutem maxime ad hoc Parliamentum vocavit arctius. After which; Scripsit Rex omnibus regni sui Magnatibus ut in festo Sancti Edwardi, omnes ibidem convenirent: Die igitur praefixo convenientes Magnates apud We [...]m. there was a christal vessel of the blo [...]d of Christ presented & shewed to them sent from Hierusalem, which the King bestowed on St. Peters at Westminster. Mat. Paris, p. 518, 519. Anno 1248. (32 H. 3. in Octavis Purificationis edicto Regio convocata totius Regni Angli [...] Nobilitas, convenit Londini, ut de Regni ne­gotiis nimis perturbati, & depauperati, & de temporibus nostris enormiter mutilati, diligenter & efficaciter si­mul, cum domino Rege contrectaret. Advenerunt igi­ [...]r, illuc, excepta Baronum, Militum Nobilium, nec non & Abbatum, Priorum, & Glericorum, multitudine copiosa, novem Episcopi, cum totidem Comitibus, (there named.) Et cum proposuisset Dominus Rex, (non enim propositum suum latuit Universitatem) pe­cuniare auxilium postulare, redargutus est graviter super hoc, &c. Quia quando in ultima tali exactione cui No­biles Angliae vix consenserunt, confecit Cartam suam, quod amplius talem non faceret Magnatibus suis in­juriam & gravamen, &c. Mat. Paris, p. 732. Anno 1249. (33 H. 3.) Do­minus Rex ad jam solitas cavillationes Romanas recur­rens, cum non posset omnes congregatos Regni Nobi­les ad consensum flectere, singulos ad se vocans, vel uni­cuique scribens, affatus est eos impudenter supplican­do, &c. The same year, ad clausum Paschae convenerunt Magnates Angliae, prout condictum fuerat cis Londini, ut quod Rex saepè promiserat, eisdem saltem tunc ad­impleret: but by reason of Earl Richards voluntary ab­sence nothing was effected. Et sic Magnates delusi ad m Mat. Paris, [...]. to 827. propria remearunt. Mat. Paris, p. 740. Anno 1252. (35 H. 3.) Conve­nerunt [Page 153] velut ex edicto regio convocati Londini totius Angliae Praelati serè universi & Magnates; of whom he desired a tenth of all Ecclesiastical livings granted unto him by the Pope; which all the Bishops joynt­ly and severally opposed: Soluto igitur cum Regis, Cle­ri, & Magnatum indignatione consilio. After­wards, Convocatis denno, Dominus Rex Dptimati­bus suis, qui suo impetui primo restiterunt, conve­nit eos de negotio Vasconiae, quid agendum? cui respon­derunt Magnates, &c. Solutum est igitur Concilium, Rege hinc inde tam contra Magnates, quam contra Praelatos, ira succensus vehementi. There being no mention nor intimation of any Knights, Citizens, Burgesses or Commons present in it. Mat. Paris, p. 838, 839. Anno 1253 (36 H. 3.) In quindena Paschae mense Aprili tota edi­cto Regio convocata Angliae Nobilitas convenit Lon­dini, de arduis Regni negotiis simul cum Rege tracta­tura. Extiterunt igitur ibidem cum Comitibus & Ba­ronibus, Archiepiscopus Cantuariensis, & Episcopi Ang­liae ferè omnes. Archiepiscopus verò Eboracensis, qui in quantum potest Regis concilia vitare consuevit, quia expertua ea frequenter esse vana, excusavit se, [...]erens se esse remotum & senem. Pro Cestrensi autem absente valetudo manifesta allegavit. In this Parliament th [...] Great Charter was confirmed, and a solemn excommu­nication denounced by all the Bishops against the In­fringers thereof. Mat. Paris, p. 358, 359. Anno 1254. (38 H. 3.) Congregati iterum Angliae Magnates Londini. Quibus significa­vit Rex, quod pecunia indigebat, &c. Responde­runt autem omnes & singuli, &c. Magnates edocti, Re­gis muscipulas praecaverunt. Mat. Paris, p. 876. Anno 1255. (39 H. 3.) In quindena Paschae, quae vulgali [...] Hokeday appella­tur, convenerunt Londini omnes Nobiles Angliae viri Ecclefiastici, quam seculares, ita quòd nunquam tam po­pulosa multitudo ibi anteà visa fuerat congregata. Libi Dominus Rex se multis debitis conquestus est fuisse im­plicatum, nec se posse sine Magnatum suorum efficaci juvamine liberari, &c. Inito igitur consilio, &c. quia il­lud [Page 154] nullo modo suisset tollerabile, inter eos concessum est, quòd multum sese gravarent pro magnae chartae sine omni cavillatione observatione ex tunc & deinceps, quam, &c. Quia nesciebant Praelati vel Magnates quo modo suum Prothea, scilicet Regem tenerent, &c. No­biles pro imminenti exactione, in cordibus sauciaban­tur, &c. Mat. Paris, p. 884, 885. Anno 1255. (39 H. 3.) Ad festum sancti Edwardi, fuerunt apud Westmonasterium omnes ferè Angliae Magnates: inter quos prius Rex alloquebatur fratrem suum Comitem Cornubiae Richardum, petens ab eo instantissimè auxilium pecuniare, &c. Comes au­tem nec preces Regis, nec Papae voluit exaudire, & eo maximè, quod negotium eundi in Apuliam assumpsit sine consilio suo & assensu Baronagii sui, &c. Rex i­taque, ad consuetas conversus cavillationes, ut Mag­nates flecteret ad cons [...]sum, per multos dies nego­tium Parliamenti distulit inchoati, ita ut usque in men­sem fictis occasionibus negotium protelaret. Et tunc a [...] alium locum conciliaturos, evacuatis in Civitate London. crumenis, potius provocavit, quàm convoca­vit, &c. Et sic infecto negotio singuli provocati, ad propria remearunt, Mat. Paris, p. 878, 179. Anno 1257. (41 H. 3.) in me­dia Quadragesima factum est magnum Parliamentum, &c. Adierant autem ad dictum Parliamentum, Comes Gloverniae Richardus, Dominus Johannes Mansel, novus in Regem electus Alemanniae Comes Ricardus, Universitati Angliae valedicturus. Extitit enim ibidem tota ferè Angliae Nobilitas. Sciendum quod in memo­rato Parliamento generalissimo, fuerunt sex Archiepi­scopi, videlicet Cantuariensis, Eboracensis, Dublanen­sis, Messanensis, qui opimas à singulis Ecclesiia recepit procurationes. Et Tarentiuus Appulus, qui venerat ad infatuandum Regem super negotio Apuliae, the sixts he forgets to name: But he mentions no Knights, Ci­tizens, Burgesses or Commons present in, or summo­ned to this most general Parliament. Mat. Paris, p. 933, to 939. Anno 1258. (42 H. 3.) Post die Martis, quae vulgaliter Hokedaio appellatur, factum est Parliamentum Londini. Rex nam­que [Page 155] multis & arduis negotiis sollicitabatur, &c. Exi­git insuper pecuniam insinitam, &c. Doluit igitur No­bilitas Regni, se unius hominis, ita confundi supina simplicitate, &c. In crastino autem & diebus sequenti­bus, habuerunt diligentem Tractatum Rex & Magna­tes, quomodo conterrerent Wallensium tam intolle­rabilem cum irruptionibus suis crebris insolentiam. Submonetur igitur generaliter tota Angliae militia, ut omnes qui tenentur ad servitia militaria Dom [...]no Regi, sint prompti & parati sequi Regem profecturum in Wal­liam, cum equis & armis, die Lunae ante nativitatem B. Johannis Baptistae apud Cestriam, &c. Eodemque tem­pore cum instanter & constanter respondissent Magna­tes Regni communiter Regi, qui cum magna instantia in memorato Parliamento urgenter pecuniam insini­tam sibi dari postulasset, pro negotio Apuliae expedi­endo, & aliis arduis promovendis, quod nullo modo potuerunt sine eorum irrestaurabili subversione toties inaniter substantiolas suas usque ad exinanitionem ef­fundere, &c. Cum constanter & praecisè respondissent quasi uno ore Magnates Regni in Parliamento Regi, cum urgenter ab eis postulasset auxilium pecuniare, quòd nec voluerunt, nec potuerunt amplius sustinere tales extortiones. Rex iratus, ad alia se conuertit aslu­tiae argumenta, &c. Duravit adhuc praelibati Parlia­menti altercatio inter Regem & Regni Magnates, us­que diem Dominicam proximam post ascensionem, & multiplicabantur contra Regem variae diatim queri­moniae, &c. Et quia nesciebant adhuc Magnates quo­modo suum Prothea tenere voluissent, quia arduum fu­erat negotium & difficile, dilatum est Parliamentum usque ad festum sancti Barnabae apud Oxoniam diligen ter celebrandum. Interim Optimates Angliae fibi prae­caventes & providentes, consoederati sunt, &c. Mat. Paris, p. 940, 941. See Mat. Pari­siensis Addita­menta, p. 215. Henricus Dei gratia, &c. cum n [...]viter in Par­liamento nostro. Oxoniae, com­muniter suit Ordinatum &c. Instan­te vero festo sancti Barnabae Apostoli, Magnates et Nobiles terrae ad Parliamentum quod Oxoniae tenen­dum suit, properabant, praeceperuntque omnibus, qui eisdem servitium militare debuerant, quatenus cum ip­sis [Page 156] venirent parati, veluti ad corpora sua contra hosti­les insoltus defensuri, &c. Parliamento autem incipi­ente, solidabatur Magnatum propositum & Confili­um Immutabile, &c. In all the debates and transactions of this Parliament recited at large in our Historians, there is no mention of any Knights, Citizens, Burges­ses, Commons, but only of Comites, Magnates, Baro­nes, Nobiles, who acted and spake all, who are stiled Universitas Regni, and the Statutes and Ordinances they made at Oxford, Statuta Baronum; to which the Londiners and others assented: Mat. Paris, p. 943, 948. See 960, 961. Cirea festum san­cti Leonardi tale iniit Consilium Universitas Baro­nagii quod tunc Londinierat. Mat. Paris, p. 951, 952, 953, 954. Anno 1259. (42 H. 3) Fuit Rex ad Natale domini Londini, ubi magna solli­citudine tractatum est inter Nobiles Regni, quomodo conservato suo salubri proposito, satisfacerent defiderio Regis Richardi de Alemannia, &c. Proposuerunt igitur Magnates accipere juramentum ab ipso Rege Aleman. antequam applicuisset, ne Regno Angliae quomodolibet noceret, vel provisionem communem impediret, Co­mes autem Legriae Simon, non sine multoram admira­tione, in partibus adhuc transmarinis morabatur. Un­de in magna parte suit Consilium Baronagii mutila­tum, &c. In crastino autem intraverunt Magnates Angliae capitulum Cantuariense, where King Richard took a solemne Oath before them, which they prescri­bed and administred to him. In octavis purificatio­nis, congregati sunt Nobiles Angliae Londini, prous inter se prius condixerant, &c. over against which is printed in the Margin, Parliamentum Londini habitum. After which the Historian informs us, William de Hortuna y Mat. Paris, p. 955. See Claus. 43 H. 3. m. 10. dorso & 14 Cedula. was sent into Scotland, Negotia enim ardua sed secre­ta Regi & Reginae, as Scotioe Magnatibus, sibi injun­cta fuerunt, ex parte Regis & Reginae & Magnatium Angliae. Quicum illo [...] veniret, Regem Scotiae & Re­ginam, & Regni Magnates, ibi ad parliameutum in v [...]nit, prout desideravit, congregatos, &c. By which it is evident, That in this Age the King, Queen, [Page 157] and Nobles of England and Scotland, constituted and made up the Parliaments of both kingdoms, without any elected Knights of Shires, Citizens or Burgesses, introduced in succeeding times. The same year, Mat. Paris, p. 955, 957. cir­ca Kalend. Apr. ex praecepto et consilio Domini Regis Angliae et totius Baronagii, arripuerunt iter transma­rinum ad Parliamentum magnum Regis Francorum te­nendum in Francia pro pluribus arduis negotiis Regna Franciae & Angliae, de resignatione Normanniae et literas credentiae, &c. Magnates vero Angliae statutis quae in­ceperant salubriter intendebant, ad malas consuetudines, injurias et corruptelas amodo delendas, omnino as­sidui et confederati, Mat. Paris, p. 967. Mat. Westm. p. 340. Anno 1265. (49 H. 3.) after the battel of Evesham, wherein the Barons were slaine and routed, on the Nativity of our Ladie, Septemb. 8. Rex potestati Regiae restitutus, de consilio filii victo­ris Wintoniam Parliamentum convocavit, ubi consilio inito, Civitatem Londinensem ob suam rebellionem pri­vavit suis privilegiis & libertatibus antiquis, Capitane­os etiam factionis contra Regem, juxta voluntatem ejus plectendos jubet carceri mancipari: Rex et Regni Proceres writes Matthew Westminster) apud Winton: ordinarunt, quod ditiores civitatis Londinensis in carce­rem truderentur, quod Cives antiquis libertatibus pri­varentur, et quod stipites et cathenae quibus Civitas fu­erat roborata, de medio tollerentur, pro eo quod Si­moni de Monteforti, Comiti Leicestriae in regis contemp­tum, et etiam damnum regni, fortiter adhaeserunt: quo totum factumest.

By all these Historical passages in Matthew Paris, Rish­anger his Continuer, and Mat. Westminster, it is most apparent beyond contradiction, that as there were ma­ny writs of summons under K. Henry 3. to Parliamen­tarie Councils issued to the Spiritual and Temporal Lords before 49 H. 3. not extant in the Clause Rolls, or other Records: so there were no Knights of Shires, Citizens, Burgesses or Commons elected or summoned by writ or Charter to these Great Councils or Parlia­ments [Page 158] during all the reign of King Henry the [...]. until the Parliament held at London in Octabis Sancti Hillarii, the 49. year of his reign, when they were first elected, & summoned by writ, for ought appears by Historie or Record; there being none but the Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Priors, Earls, Nobles, Barons, Spiritual and Temporal Lords of the Realm, summoned to, consult­ing, acting, debating, ordering, enacting Lawes or Or­dinances, or granting, refusing aydes, subsidies, or expostulating with the King or Pope in any of them; as all these transcribed passages evidence, with the Re­cords of Claus. 18 H. 3. m. 10. Vic. Lincoln, Claus. 19 H. 3 m. 20. cited in my Epistle before the first part of this Brief Register, Kalendar and Survey; and those of 48 H. 3. here cited, p. 4. to 10. To which I shall super­adde for further confirmation of this truth, Claus. 18 H. 3 m. 27. Rex Majori et Civibus suis Dublin, &c. where the King reciting the death of the Earl Marshal slain in Ireland; subjoyns: Nos vero ea occasione con­vocavimus Archiepiscopos, Episcopos, Comites, Ba­rones, et omnes Magnates nostros Angliae, quod sint ad Nos apud London die Dominica prox. post instante [...] mediam Quadragesimam, ad tractandum Nobiscum ibi­dem super hiis & aliis Statum nostrum, & terrae nostrae Angliae & Hiberniae tangentibus; & Nos Domino con­cedente de Consilio praedictorum ibidem providebimus secundum quod Nobis, et indempnitati t [...]rrae nostrae Angliae & Hiberniae viderimus expedire. Quod verò ad diem illum actum fuerit et provisum, vobis sine mora & dispendio et significari curabim [...]. T. Rege apud b Fitz. Nat. Br. 32. c. Westm. 27 die Martii. Plac. 18 H. 3. rot. 15. dorso: Claus. 19 H. 3. dorso 1. & dorso 9. Fitzberbert Darrein presentment, 23. Provisum est coram Domino Rege, Archtepiscopis, Episcopis, Comitibus & Baronibus, & Consilio Domini Regis, quod nulla Assisa ultimae prae­sentationis de caetero capiatur de Ecclesiiis praebendatis, nec de Praebendis, &c. Pat. 20 H. 3. d. 13. 18. Rex Vic. Norff. & Suff. Scias, quod die Merc. in crastino Sancti [Page 159] Vinc. in Curia nostra coram Nobis et coram venerabili Patre E. Cantuar. Archiepiscopo, & Coepiscopis sul [...], et coram majori parte Comitum et Baronum nostro­rum Angliae, pro communi utilitate totius regni nostri provisum suit, tam à praedictis Archiepiscopis, Epis­copis, Comitibus & Baronibus, quàm à Nobis con­ [...]ssum, quod de caetero, Omnes viduae, &c. r [...]citing the Statute of Merton made that year, according to the Cooks 2 In­stit. p. 79. Printed Latin Prologue thereof: Claus. 37 H. 3. dorso 9. De Magna Carta tenenda ad in [...]antiam P [...]latorum & Magnatum regm nostri, &c. And Claus. 43 H. 3. dors. 9. where the Pope by his Letters earnestly pressing King Henry the 3 d to restore his brother Adomar to his Bisho­prick of Winchester, being enforced to relinquish it and England too by the Barons prosecution; the King in his Letter to the Pope there recorded, alleged, that though he was readie to gra [...]fie his Holiness in any thing he might; yet he could not consent to Adomars restitution. Adding, Your Nuntio who brought this Letter, Preces et praecepta vestra coram Nobis & Prae­latis regni nostri, qui tunc Nobiscum aderant, ac alia Universitate Comitum, Baronum ac Procerume regni nostri, plenè et diligenter exposuit, et diebus pluribus nitebamur Nos, Consilium nostrum, et Uni­versitatem praedictam; to give their assents for Ado­mars restitution. Tamen mandatis hujusmodi, quod non solum personam nostram, verum etiam Universi­tatem regni nostri contingit, non possumus absque gravi dispendio, et subversione jurium et consuetudinum Regni ejusdem, et contra juramentum proprium, adim­plere. Et quanquam hoc facere vellemus, praedicta Universitas in hac parte, quae unius confilii et volun­tatis existit, propter graves et notabiles excessus prae­dicto fratri nostro objectas id nullatenus sustineret, &c. Which passages, with others in this memorable Letter of the Kings, compared with that Letter sent about the same time by the Lords against Adomars restitution, to the Pope, ex parte Regni et totius Angliae Universitata, [Page 160] scriptum a Barnagio; mentioned by Hist. Angliae Edit. Londinl, 1640. p. 978. Matthew Paris, Anno 1258. and printed in his Additamenta, p. 215, 216, 217. beginning thus; Sanctissimo patri in Chri­sto Alexandro, &c. Communitas Comitum, Proce­rum, Magnatum, aliorumque Regni Angli [...], &c. re­ [...]iting, that the King by the Popes power and assistance could not without their counsel and assent, much lesse against their wills, effect what he desired; nor reform his Kingdom, but de Procerum & Magnatum suorum Consilio: Caeterum praefatus Dominus Rex attendens impossibile pondus negotii memorati et Statum Regni sui imbecillum, voluit et expressè concessit, ut de Pro­cerum & Magnatum Consilio (sinè quibus Regnum suum gubernare non poterat, nec negotium prosequi memoratum) dicta reformatio promoveret: which A­domar, breaking his Oath, and receding from his promises, opposed, to the great disturbance, and almost total subversion of the whole Realm, &c. His unbride­led rapines, tyrannies and opp [...]ssions (which they there expres [...] at large) being such, and rendring him so odi­ous, that Scituri pro certo, quod etiamsi Dominus Rex & Regni Majores, (assembled in a Parliamentary Councill) hoc vellent, Communitas tamen (out of Parliament) ipsius ingressum in Angliam jam nullatenus sustineret. Which Letter was subscribed and sealed by 6. Earls, and 4. Noblemen, vice totius Communitatis (Barnagit) in testimonium praedictorum: Being like­wise compared with the Popes Answer thereunto; Auctuarium Additamento­rum: Edit. Londini 1640. p. 222. Literae Papales missae Communitati Angliae, Alex­ander Episcopu [...], &c. Dilectis filiis, Nobilibus Uiris, Consiliariis charissimi in Christo filii nostri illustris Regis Angliae, ac caeteris Proceribus et Magnatibus Regni Angiiae, salutem, et Apostolicam benedictionem, &c. will infallibly evidence. First, that the King, Prelats, Earls, Spiritual, Temporal Barons, and Nobles of the Realm, were our only Parliament Members, with­out any Knights, Citizens or Burgesses annexed to, or pr [...]t with them, before 49 H. 3. 2ly. That they [Page 161] were then usually stiled the Communitas, or Univer­sitas Regni, or Barnagii, Baronagii, or Commu­nitas Comitum Procerum et Magnatum regni Ang­gliae; and only intended, denoted by these Titles and phrases, not the Knights, Citizens, Burgesses or Com­mons in Parl. as e Sir Rob Cotton, and others of Note, as well as some injudicious Antiquaries have mista­ken: f Cottoni Post­huma, p. 347, 348. Mr. Hac­wels Cata­logue of spea­kers. which having see my Epi­stle to the Exact Abridg­ment of the Records of the Tower, & Plea for the Lords, p. 359, 360. elsewhere at large evinced beyond all contradiction, I shall not here further insist up­on; but proceed to some other general Observations on the precedent Writs.

2ly. From the manifold Varieties and differences of these recited writs both of Election and Prorogation be­fore and since the Statutes of Henry 4. 5, & 6. touching elections, the Readers may discern the Gross oversight and mistake of Sir Edward Cook in his 4. Institutes, p. 10. That these Writs of Summons and Election can receive no al­teration but by Act of Parliament: Which having else­where touched, and at large refuted, Register Part 1. p. 395. 396, 397. I shall prosecute no further.

3ly. I shall observe from the precedent Writs, that no persons ought of right to be elected Knights of a­ny County, nor Citizens, Burgesses, or Barons of any City, Borough or Port wherein they are elected, but such as are real, actual Members of the said respective Counties, Cities, Boroughs, Ports, residing, or inhabiting within them, as this Clause in all the reci­ted Writs; De Comitatu tuo duos Milites, et de qualibet Civitate duos Milites, et de quolibet Burgo duos Burgenses, & de quolibet Portu duos Barones, &c. de discretioribus & ad laborandum potentioribus eligi &c. clearly import, and the Statutes of 7 H. 4. c. 15. 1 H. 5. c. 1. 10 H. 6. c. 2. 23 H. 6. c. 15. (being declaratory only in this point) most pun­ctually enact in precise terms: And if any other persons who are no Inhabitants, or Residents within, or pro­per Members of such Counties, Cities, Boroughs, Ports be elected or returned, they may lawfully refuse to sit or serve, as the Writs and these Statutes clearly evi­dence, [Page 162] without the least contempt or penalty, the peo­ples election of such, contrary to the Writs and these Statutes, being void in Law, and unable to contradict. or reverse the Writ, Acts to the contrary if insisted on.

4ly. These usual claus [...]s in most, Writs de discretio­ribus, et ad laborandum potentioribus seclude and exempt all infants under age, Ideots, Lunaticks, insi [...]m, aged, sick­ly persons, unable to travell, sit, counsell, advise, and discharge their trusts, from being elected Knights, Ci­tizens, Burgesses or Barons of Ports; and if any such be elected, returned by the oversight, imprudence, improvidence of the electors, they may and ought to be discharged by the King and Lords, an [...] others by new Writs issued, elected, returned in their places, who are able to advise, travel, and discharge their du­ties, as the writs and statutes enjoyn them; Impoten­cy, sickness, and inability in Members elected, being as just a ground to discharge any Knight, Citizen, Bur­gess or Baron of the Ports from serving in Parliaments, as to discharge the Speaker of the Commons House, as is evident by the forecited Writs, presidents, and Here, p. 54, 55, 59. re­turns of Sheriffs in 2 [...]. E. 1. by the resolution of the Parliament it self in 38. H. 8. Brook [...] Parliament 7. against Sir Edward Cooks groundless fancie to the con­trary, Institutes 4. p. 8. there being the self-same reason and Law too in both cases.

5. That the election of an [...] Sheriff of a Countie whiles he continues in his [...], for a [...]night, Citizen, Burgesse, in his own or any other County, is void and illegal, being against the express provision of the Or­dinance of Parliament, 46 E. 3. the very inhibition and words of the writs for election, Here, p. 55, 63. some presidents before that Ordinance; and the * resolution of the Lords and Judges in Starchamber 5. Caroli, in the case of Mr. Rush­worths Histo­rical Collecti­ons, p. 694, 695, 696. Mr. Wal­ter Long, elected and returned a Citizen for the City of Bath in Somersetshire, An. 3 Car. whiles he was She­riff of the County of Wilts; who thereupon comming forth of the County against his Oath and trust, and sit­ting as a Member in the House during his Shrievaltie, [Page 163] was sentenced in the Starchamber to be committed Prisoner to the Tower during [...]is Majesties pleasure, to pay a Fine of 2000 marks to the King, and further to make [...]is humble submission and acknowledgement of [...]is Offence, both in the Court of Starchamber, and to his Majesty, before his enlarge­ment [...]nce: Which was accordingly executed. Yet notwithstanding I sinde in the very Statute of 34 & 35 H. 8. ch. 24. for assurance of certain Lands to John Hind Serjeant at Law and his heirs, paying x l. yearly to the char­ges and wages of the Knights of the Parliament of Cambridg­shire for the time being, for ever; that Edward North Knight, Sheriff of the said Shire, was one of the two Knights for the said Shire that very Parliament where­in this Act was passed, and he and Thomas Ruds [...]ne Esq his Companion, and their Successors Knights of the said County, incorporated and made one body politick; together with the Sheriff of the said County for the time be­ing, by the name of Wardens of the Fees and Wages of the Knights of the Shire of Cambridge, chosen for the Parl. and to have perpetual succession, to implead, sue for and receive the said x l. annnual rent, and that he received his share therein, when both Sheriff and Knight of the Shire, to his own use, for his fees & wages that Parliament, til a new election of knights of that County for the Parl. next ensuing it. And Instit. 4. p. 48. Sir Edward Cooke informs us, that at the Parliament holden 1 Car. Rs. the Sheriff for the County of Buckingham (being then himself) was chosen Knight for the County of Norfolk, and reterned into the Chancery, and [...]aving a Subpaena out of the Chancery served upon him at the sute of the Lady C. penden­te Parliamento, upon motion, he had the privilege of Parl. allowed unto him by the judgement of the whole House of Com, mons: though I finde not that he then sate in the house during his Shrievalty.

6. That amongst the writs of Summons to Parlia­ment in Cl. 23 E. 1. dors. 9. 25 E. 1. d, 6. 30 E. 1. d. 12, 35 E. 1 d, 13. 1 E. 2. d. 8. 11. 3 E. 2. d. 17. 11 E. 3. pars 1. d. 15. 32 E 3. dors. 14. There are no writs for electing Knights, Citizens, or Burgesses entred with the rest; most likely by the negligence of the Clerks, there being [Page 164] vacant space in some of them left for their entries: And the Original Writs themselves being all or most of them retorned into the Chancery, and there reser­ved in distinct Bundles by themselves with the Sherifs returns upon them (now for the most part lost, mislay­ed, perished or imbezelled) made them (perchance) more careless to enter them, than the Writs to the Spiritual and Temporal Lords, issued personally to themselves alone, and not returnable by them or the Sheriffs, as the writs for elections usually were; which Writs, (as the Statutes of 5 R. 2. ch. 4. & 23 H. 6. c. 15. inform us) Sometimes the Sheriffs have not return­ed, but the said Writs have embesyled; and moreover made no precepts to Mayors and Bailiffs for the election of Citizens and Bu [...]gesses to come to the Parliament, by colour of these words conteined in the said Writs, Quod in pleno Comi­mitatu tuo eligi facias pro Comitatu tuo, duos Milites, & pro qualibet Civitate in Com. tuo, duos Cives; & pro quolibet Burgo in Com. tuo, duos Burgenses; The reason why some of these writs are missing in some extant Bundles, and some Cities and Boroughs in those returned, now and then omitted in the Sheriffs returns, (indorsed on or annexed to them) as the subsequent Table will visibly demonstrate.

7ly. That before the Statutes of 7 H. 4. c. 15. 11 H. 4. c. 1. 1 H. 5. c. 1. 6 H. 6. c. 4. 8 H. 6. c. 7. 10 H. 6. c. 2. 23 H. 6. c. 15. 9 H. 8. c. 16. 27 H. 8. c. 26. 34 H. 8. c. 13. 35 H. 8. c. 11. the Kings of England had a very large and absolute power in limiting, prescribing in and by their Writs to Sheriffs, Mayors, Bay liffs and others, both the respective numbers, and likewise the qualifications of the Knights, Citizens, Burgesses and Barons of the Ports, elected and returned to serve in the several Parliaments and Great Councils summon­ed by them, sometimes commanding 4. most times on­ly 2. Knights, sometimes but one Knight to be elected in each County, for the whole County; sometimes prescribing the self-same Knights, Citizens, and Bur­gesses [Page 165] that were elected, returned for the last precedent Parliament, to be returned and summoned to the Par­liament next succeeding, if in life and able to travell; and to elect new only in the places of such of them who were dead, sickly, or infirm; Other times summo­ning only the moiety of them, to perfect what they all had agreed, and been mistaken in: And also ordering new elections in the places of those who would not, or could not attend, or who were unduly elected, or chosen for 2. Counties at once, (as in case of the Lord Here p. 117, 118. Cameyes and Berners.) Sometimes prescribing 2. sometimes 4. Citizens to be elected for London; some­times 4. other times 2. Barons for every of the Ports, and now and then but 2. Barons for them all: and sometimes 2. other times but one Citizen and Burgesse for each City and Borough: the number of which they increased or diminish'd, as they saw just cause, omitting now and then some Cities, Boroughs out of their writs of summons, formerly sending Citizens, and Burges­ses to Parliaments and Great Councils, and creating by their Patents, Writs, or both, new Cities and Bo­roughs, with power to send Citizens and Burgesses to Parliaments and Great Councils, who never sent any before; and creating other Boroughs, Cities, Coun­ties within themselves, and then issuing Writs to their Sheriffs, Mayors, and immediate Officers to make their elections and returns; which formerly were issued on­ly to, and made by the Sheriffs of the Counties, where­in they were situated; as the precedent Writs and re­turns with the two next Sections will fully evidence: And that without the precedent Votes, or subsequent consents of the Commons House; who from 49 H. 3. till 23 E. 4. and many years after, were never the immediate, sole or proper Judges, Desciders either of the undue elections, returns, numbers, or qualifications, of their own Members or Speakers, but our Kings a­lone or their Counsil and House of Lords; as the premises irrefragably evidence, and the Presidents I [Page 166] have clted in my Plea for the Lords, p. 371. to 419. To which I shall refer the Reader.

8. I shall for a close of my Observations, give you this brief Catalogue of the several Cities and Boroughs in each County of England, which sent Citizens and Bur­gesses to Parliament, mentioned in the returns of the Bundles of Writs yet extant in the Tower of London, An. 26, 28 E. 1. & 42 E. 3. and in the Clause Rolls of 45 E. 3 m. 21. dors. omitting those in 2, 10, 11, 13, 16 R. 2. 1, 3, 8, 9 H. 5. 1, 2, 3, 6, 11, 13, 20 H. 6. 7 & 12 E 4. by w [...] you may clearly discern which are antient Cities, Boroughs, in the reigns of Ed. 1. & 3. which new, and when each of them began to send Citizens, Bur­gesses to our Parliaments; which God willing I shall further clear hereafter in a Distinct Section, of the Se­veral forms and numbers of Writs for levying the expences of Knights, Citizens and Burgesses of Parliament; wherein I shall present you (if it be deemed worthy my pains, and beneficial to posterity) with an Exact Kalendar of the names of all the several Knights of Counties, Citizens of Cities, Burgesses of Boroughs, and Barons of the Ports, formerly elected and returned to our Parliaments, and receiving wages, extant in the Clause Rolls and re­turns of the Writs for their Elections, and Expences in the Tower, not hitherto undertaken or collected by a­ny man to my knowledge. The first Figures signifie the years of each King mentioned in the Table.

Bedford Borough returned two Burgesses to Parliament Note: Bedford­shire. 1 Anno 26 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3.

Reding 2. Burgesses, 42, & 45 E. 3. Note: Berkeshire. 2

Walingford 2. Burgesses, 42 E 3.

Amersham 2. Burgesses, 28 E. 1. Note: Bucking­hamshire. 3

Wendover 2. Burgesses, 28 E. 1.

Wycombe 2 Burgesses, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3.

Cambridge Borough, 2. Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 45 Note: Cambridg­shire. 4 E. 3.

None in Ed. 1. or Ed. 3. Note: Cheshire. 5

[Page 167] Bodmin Borough 2 Burgesses, 26 E. 1. 42, & 45 E. 3. Note: Cornwall. 6

Dunbeued, alias Lanceston, 2 Burgesses, 26 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3.

Helston 2 Burgesses, 26 E. 1. 42 E & 45 E. 3.

Lyscard 2 Burgesses, 42 & 45 E. 3.

Lostwithiel 2 Burgesses, 42 & 45 E. 3.

Trurou 26 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3.

Carelisle City two Citizens, 42 & 45 E. 3. Note: Cumber­land. 7

Derby Borough 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 E. 3.

Exeter City 2 Citizens, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3. Note: Derbyshire. 8

Ashperton Borough 2 Burgesses, 26 E. 1. Note: Devonshire. 9

Bardnestaple 2 Burgesses 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3.

Chessing-colleton 2 Burgesses, 42 E. 3.

Dartmouth 42 & 45 E. 3.

Honeton 2 Burgesses, 28 E. 1.

Lydeford 2 Burgesses 28 E. 1.

O [...]mpton 2 Burgesses 28 E. 1.

Plimpton 2 Burgesses 26 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3.

Sutton 2 Burgesses 26 E. 1.

Thavestoke 2 Burgesses, 42 & 45 E. 3.

Totnes 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3.

Brideport 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3.

Dorcester 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3. Note: Dorsetsh. 10

Lyme 2 Burgesses 45 E. 3.

Melcombe 2 Burgesses, 42 & 45 E. 3.

Poole 2 Burgesses, 42 E. 3,

Shaftesbury 2 Burgesses, 26 E. 1. 45 E. 3.

Warham 2 Burgesses, 42 & 45 E. 3.

Waymouth 2 Burgesses, 42 E. 3.

Colecester 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3. Note: Essex. 11

Maldon 2 Burgesses, 42 & 45 E. 3.

Bristoll, 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3. After Note: Glouce­stershire. 11 made a Countie of it self.

Gloucester 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3.

Hereford City 2 Citizens 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3. Note: Hereford. 12

Bewley 2 Burgesses, 26 E. 1.

Leominster 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3.

[Page 168] We [...] 2. Burgesses 28 E. 1.

St. Allans Borough 2 Burgesses 28 E. 1. Note: Hertford. 14

Hertford 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1.

Huntingdon Borough 2. Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 45 E. 3 Note: Hun­tingdon. 15

Canterbury City 2 Citizens, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 E. 3.

Rochester City 2 Citizens, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 E. 3. Note: Kent. 16

Lancaster 2 Burgesses 26 E. 1. Note: Lancaster 17

Preston in Alderness 2 Burgesses 26 E. 1.

Leicester Borough 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 42. & Note: Leicester­shire. 18 45 E. 3.

Lincolne City 2 Citizens, 49 H. 3. 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & Note: Lincoln­shire. 19 45 E. 3.

Grymesby 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3.

Stamford 2 Burgesses, 26 E. 1.

London 26 E. 1. 2 Citizens, 42 E. 3. (4. Citizens) 45 Note: Middle­sex. 20 E. 3.

Northampton 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3. Note: Northt. 21

Norwich City, 2 citizens, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. Note: Norsolke. 22 3.

Jernemuth 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3.

Lenne 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3.

Newcastle upon Tyne 2 Burgesses, 26 E. 1. 45 E. 3. Note: Northum. 23

Nottingham Borough 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 E. 3. Note: Nottingh. 24

Oxford Borough 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 44 & 45 E. 3. Note: Oxfordsh. 25

Bruges (or Bridgenorth) Borough 2 Burgesses 28 E. Note: Salop. 26 1. 45 E. 3.

Salop 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 45 E. 3.

Bath City 2 Citizens, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. [whose Note: Somerset. 27 return is likewise extant in the bundles of 3, 10, 11, 13, 16 R. 2. 1, 7, 8, 9, H. 5. 1, 2, 3 H. 6. & 12 E. 4.

Bridgewater Borough 2 Burgesses, 26, 21 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3.

Iv [...]ster 2 Burgesses, 26 E. 1.

Milburne port 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1.

Taunton 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3.

VVells 2 Burgesses, 26 E. 1. 45 E. 3. [Cives.]

VVinchester City, 2 Citizens, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3. Note: Southtsh. 28

Alesford 2 Burgesses, 28 E. 1.

Basingstoke 2 Burgesses, 28 E. 1.

[Page 169] Odeham 2 Burgesses, 28 E. 1.

Ouertone 2 Burgesses 28 E. 1.

Portesmouth 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 45 E. 3.

Southampton 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 45 E. 3.

D [...]nwich 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3. Note: Suffolk. 29

Gyppeswich 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3.

Oreford 2 Burgesses, 26 E. 1.

Newcastle under Lyne 2 Burgesses, 45 E. 3.

Stafford 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3. Note: Staffordsh. 30

Blechingleigh Borough 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3. Note: Surry. 31

Gildeford 2 Burgesses 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3.

Ryegate 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3.

Southwerke 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 E 3.

Chichester City 2 Citizens, 26 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3. Note: Sussex. 32

Arundel Borough 2 Burgesses, 42 & 45 E. 3.

Brembre 2 Burgesses, 42 E. 3.

East Greenstead 2 Burgesses, 42 & 45 E. 3.

Horsham 2 Burgesses, 42 & 45 E. 3.

Lewes 2 Burgesses, 26 E. 1. 42 & 45 E 3.

Midhurst 2 Burgesses, 45 E. 3.

Seaford 2 Burgesses, 26 E. 1. 45 E. 3.

Sh [...]rham 2 Burgesses, 26 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3.

Steining 2 Burgesses 26 E. 1. 42 E. 3.

Coventre City, 2 Citizens, 26, 28 E 1.

Warwick Borough 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 Note: Warwick. shire. 33 E. 3.

Apelby 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 42 E. 3.

New Sarum City 2 Citizens, 26, 28 E. 1. Note: Westmerl. 34

Bedwine Borough 2 Burgesses, 42 E. 3. Note: Wiltshire. 35

Calne 2 Burgesses 26, 28 E. 1.

Chipenham 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1.

Devises 2 Burgesses, 28 E. 1. 42 E. 3.

Dounton 2 Burgesies, 26, 28 E 1.

Ludgersale 2 Burgesses 28 E. 1.

Merleburge 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 E. 3.

Malme [...]bury 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3.

Old Sarum 2 Burgesses, 42 E. 3.

[Page 170] Wilton 2 Burgesses 28 E. 1. 42 E. 3.

Worcester City 2 Citizens, 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3. Note: Worcester. 36 Wych 2 Burgesses, 26, 28 E. 1.

Yorke City 2 Citizens, 49 H. 3. 26, 28 E. 1. 42 & 43 Note: Yorkshire. 37 E. 3.

Aluerton 2 Burgesses, 26 E. 1.

Beverlayco 2 Burgesses, 26 E. 1.

Kingston upon Hull 2 Burgesses 42 & 45. E. 3.

Maldon 2 Burgesses, 26 E. 1.

Pontefract 2 Burgesses, 26 E. 1.

Scardeburgh 2 Burgesses, 28 E. 1. 42 & 45 E. 3.

I shall observe from these Writs, and the foremen­tioned Retorns and Table, 1. That the Sheriff of a Here p. 41. 58, 59. Buckingbamshire in Anno 26 E. 1. retorns, Nulli sunt Cives nec Burgenses in Com. praedicto. nec Burgus, &c. yet in 28 E. 1. but two years after, the Sheriff thereof re­torns 2. Burgesses a plece, (with 2. Manucaptors for e­every of them) for Amersham, Wycombe, Wendover, e'e­cted for a former Parliament that year: Therefore it is probable the King first created them Boroughs that very year: The like observation you may make upon the Boroughs of all other Counties where you meet with any Retorns in 26, 28 Edw. 1. 42 Edw. 3. or since, reciting, Nulla est Civitas vel Burgus; or Non est alia Civitas vel Burgus, or Non sunt alii Burgi, in Com. or Balliva mea, then those he then retorned as such: there you may certainly resolve, that every City or Borough omitted then out of those antient Retorns and since retorned for Cities or Boroughs in subse­quent Retorns, were made Cities and Boroughs since that time; and where you find any City or Borough first mentioned in the Sheriffs Retorns yet extant, (which are but 22. Bundles in all before the end of Edward 4. his Reign,) or in the Writs in the Clause Rolls issued to them, De expensis Civium & Burgens [...] ­um venientibus ad Parliamentum, which are more by far than the Bundles, (as I shall hereafter God willing [Page 171] evidence in a peculiar Section,) you may probably, if not certainly, conclude, That it was first created a City, or Borough, and enabled to send Citizens or Burgesses to Parliament near that year, wherein you first find such mention of it in both or either of these Records, and not before, as the precedent and ensuing Table will more fully inform you. 2ly. You may clearly discern by this Table, and the subsequent Re­torns of Writs, Anno 3, 11, 12, 13. 16 R. 2. 1, 3, 8, 9 H. 5. 1, 2, 3, 6, 11, 13, 20 H. 6. 7, & E, 12, 4. that some Cities and Boroughs, which send Citizens and Burgesses to Parliament were oft times omitted out of the Sheriffs Retorns in antient times, and yet im­printed into subsequent retorns interpolatis vicibns; Now whether this was done by special direction from the King or his Council, (on whose Arbitrary pleasure they depended (before they had See Hobarts Reports, p. 14. 15. special Charters grant­ed enabling them to send Citizens and Burgesses to all Parlia­ments, to be afterwards held by the King, his Heirs and Suc­cessors Kings of England) or by the carelessnesse of the Sheriffs in not issuing out Warrants to or not retorn­ing them; which is most probable, as the Stat. of 5 R. 2. Parl. 2. c. 4. & 22 H. 6. c. 15 inform us, and therupon en­acted, That if any Sheriff of the Realm be from thence forth negligent in making his Retorns of Writs of Parliament, or that he leave out of the said Retorns any Cities, or Boroughs which be bound, & of old times were wont to come to the Parliament, he shall be punished in man­ner as was accustomed to be done in the said case in the said time past. And that every Sheriff after delivering of the Writ for elections to him, shall without fraud make and deliver a sufficient Precept to the Maiors and Bayliffs of the Cities and Boroughs within his Countie for electing Citi­zens and Burgesses, under the penalties therein mentio­ned. Or whether they were thus omitted, through their own default in not demanding Warrants from the Sheriff [...], or not electing and retorning Burgesses upon their Warrants issued, (to which many times [Page 172] the Sheriffs retorned nullum mihi dederunt responsum, &c.) I cannot certainly determine. 3ly. That some anti­ent Boroughs once or twice retorned heretofore in former times (as Lydeford in Devonshire, and others) have afterwards been totally omitted and discontinn­ed, either by the Kings mere pleasure, or upon their own Petitions to the King, they being either unable or unwilling to bear the expences of their Burgesses in coming to, continuing at, and returning from the Parliament, which were constantly levyed heretofore by writs de expensis Burgensium levandis, sued to them or the Sheriffs a [...]ter most Parliaments ended by many Burgesses of Boroughs as well as by Knights of Shires, and Citizens of Cities, as I shall, (if God say Amen) demonstrate at large in its due place, and shall hereno further insist upon. 4ly. That of late times some of these antient long-discontinued Boroughs have been revived, and new Writs or Warrants for electing Bur­gesses sent unto them, sometimes upon their own Pe­titions; now and then upon some Courtiers Petition to the King, in hopes by Letters from the Court and Feasting or Bribing the Burgesses, to be elected, and retorned Burgesses for the revived Boroughs; sometimes by motion or order of some Members of the Commons House who had a design to bring in some Burgesses, and made sure of the Burgesses Voyces before hand; the Burgesses being now very willing to have their Boroughs revived, because many times instead of gi­ving wages to their Burgesses, for their service in Parli­ament as of old, they receive not only thanks, Feasts, but Rewards and Boons, if not underhand Bribes for their Voyces, from their elected Burgesses, who assure them before their choyce, they will neither expect nor ex­act any expences from them, which many of them scarce deserve, since they do neither them nor their Country any service at all in Parl. promoting on­ly their own private interests or ends, or their friends.

Finally, though I shall readily subscribe to Mr. [Page 173] Littletons opinions, Section 194. ‘That the antient Towns called Boroughs, be the most antient Towns that be within England, For the Towns that now be Cooks 1 In­stit. f. 159. Cities or Counties, in old time were Boroughs, and called Boroughs; for of such old Towns called Bo­roughs come the Burgesses of the Parliament, to the Parliament, when the King hath summoned his Par­liament,’ which I shall further clear in the next Secti­ons; yet I can by no means assent to Mr. William Lam­bard of His Archai­on or Com­mentary upon the High Courts of Ju­stice, p. 257, 258, 259. Lincolns Inne his Judgement, (though a learn­ed Antiquary) or some others inferences thence, who thus argues. Now as those written Authorities do un­doubtedly confirm, ‘Our assertion of this manner of Parliament, so is there also an unwritten Law or Pre­scription, that doth no less infallibly uphold the same; For it is well known that ln everie quarter of the Realm [...] a great many of Boroughs do send their Burges­ses to the Parliament, which are neverthelesse so anti­ent, and so long since decayed; and gone to nought, that it cannot be shewed, that they have been of a­ny reputation, at any time since the Conquest, and much lesse, that they haue obtained the Privileges, by the Grant of any King succeeding the same, so that the interest which they have in Parliament groweth by an antient usage before the Conquest, whereof they cannot shew any begining. Which thing is also confirmed by contrarie usage in the self same thing.’ For it is likewise known, that ‘they of antient Demesn do prescribe, in not send­ing to the Parliament; For which reason also, they are neither Contributors to the Wages of Knights there, neither are they bound to sundry Acts of Parliament, though the same be generally penned, and do make no exception of them. But there is no antient Demesn, saving that only which is described in the Book of Domesday, under the Title of Terra Regis, which of necessity must be such; as either was in the hands of the Conqueror himself, who made the Book, or of Edw. the Confessor [Page 174] that was before him. And so again, if they of An­tient Demesne have ever since the Conquest, pre­scribed not to send Burgesses to Parliament, then no doubt there was a Parliament before the Con­quest, to the vhich they of other places did send their Burgesses.’ To which I answer, that this Argu­ment is fallacious, and no waies conclusive. For 1. these antient decayod Burroughs that now in many places send Burgesses to the Parliament, were in no such great reputation at all at or before the Conquest, as is ins [...]uated, for ought appears by the Book of Dooms­day, or any other Record or Historie, but as mean and inconsiderable as now they are. 2ly. There is no Hi­storie or Record, that any of these Boroughs, whether decayed, or not decayed, yea though much enlarged, enrichd since the Conquest, did ever send Burgesses to any one Parliament, either before or after the Con­quest, till 49 H. 3. And I challenge all the Antiqua­ries in England to demonstrate the contrarie by Histo­ry or Records. 3ly. It is irrefragable by the foremen­tioned returns of Sheriffs, that all or most of those poor or decayed Boroughs in Cornwall, Devonshire, Wiltshire, Southampton, Sussex, and some other Coun­ties, did in 26 E. 1. and some years after, send no Bur­gesses at all to our Parliament; as Camelford, Foway, Grantpount, St. Germins, St. Ives, St. Maries [or Maws] St. Michael, Portlow, Saltash, Trebonny, Tregony in Corn­wall, Bearalston in Devon, Christchurch, Newport, New­town, Stockbridge, Whitechurch, Yermouth in the Coun­tie of Southampton, Midhurst and Horsham in Sussex, Crickland, Henden, Old Sarum, Heytesbury, Westbury, Wotton Basset in Wiltshire; with others in other Coun­ties, as the precedent Table clearly demonstrates: all or most of them being enabled to send Burgesses to Parliament since the reign of Edw. the 1. and not before: much less by prescription before the Con­quest, as M. Lambard and others conceit; and that per­cliance not by any special Charters of our Kings crea­ting [Page 175] them Boroughs or Corporations, but by private di­rections of the King and Counsil to the Sheriffs of Counties wherein they were, to issue out Precepts to them to elect and retorn Burgesses, when they saw any just cause; not by antient usage or prescription before the Conquest, which none of these Boroughs ever yet pretended or insisted on, for ought I can find, upon my best inquiry after their Original. 3ly. The anti­entest writs for Knights wages extant, are those of 28 E. 1. Rot. Claus. dors. 3, & 12, & cl. 29 E. 1. dors. 17. 32 E. 1. dors. 3. and no Records, Histories or Law­books I have seen, derive their original higher than the Reign of King Edward the first. The first Sta­tute concerning them is that of 12 R. 2. c. 12. (on which the writ in the Register is grounded) which enacts only, That the levying of the expences of Knights shall be, as hath been used before this time: the next Statute of 11 H. 4. c. 1. enacts, That Knights of Shires unduly retorned shall lose their wages of the Parliament of old time accustomed, (not at or before the Con­quest accustomed.) The first printed case concerning them in our Lawbooks, is but in M. 12 H. 4. f. 3. a. Fitzh. Avowry 52. & Br. 42. and the first An Exact Abridgement of the Re­cords in the Tower, p. 86. Petitions in Parliament concerning them, are those of 28 & 51 E. 3. Yea no man can prove there were any Knights for Counties elected and sent to Parlia­ments by the Kings Writs before 49 H. 3. Therefore, the prescription to be discharged from contributing to their wages, cannot be extended higher than 49 H. 3. not to the Reign of the Conqueror, or before the Con­quest, as Mr. Lambard would strain it. 4ly. The writ in the Register, part 1. f. 192. made after the Statute of 12 R. 2. c. 12. to exempt the Bishop of Londons Tenants at Fulham, from contributing to the expen­ces of the Knights of Middlesex, recites only; ‘Quod licet ipsi & eorum Antecessores, & Praedecessores, expensis Militum ad Parliamenta nostra, vel Pro­geuitorum nostrorum quondam Regum Angliae, [Page 176] pro Communitate Com. praedicti ante haec tem­pora venientium nullatenus solvere aut contribu­ere consueverunt. And one of the Writs in the Register, f. 261. b. Vic. Huntingdon, Quod Homi­nes de antiquo Dominico non contribuant expen­sis Militum, begins thus. Cum secundum con­suetudinem in Regno nostro Augliae hactenus obtentam & approbatam, homines & tenentes de antiquo Dominico Coronae Angliae, quieti sunt & esse debeant, a contributione expensarum Mi­litum ad Parliamenta venientium:’ Both which import only, That neither they nor their Prede­cessors or Ancestors, since Knights were first sent to Parliaments in 49 H. 3. or afterwards, were accus­tomed to contribute towards their expences, but exempted from the same: Not that there were such Knights who had wages, and that they were exempted from it, before the Conquest: And that other form of the Writ in the Register, f. 261. a. touching Te­nants of antient Demesn, ‘Quod licet ipsi & eo­rum A [...]ecessores tenentes de eodem manerio, A TEMPORE QUO NON EXTAT MEMORIA, SEMPER HACTENUS QUIETI ESSE CONSUE­VERUNT de expensis Militum ad Parliamenta no­stra vel Progenitorum nostrorum Regum Angliae pro Communitate dicti Comitatus venientium,’ must have the self-same interpretation: or this at least which is equivalent to it. That time out of mind, before there were any Knights of Shires ele­cted in the County, they were alwayes [...]ree from contributing to their Wages, and never used to pay any such Tax; (this presc [...]iption will ex­tend to all times before 49 H. 3. and the Conquest it self:) And since 49 H. 3. and the elections of Knights of Shires, they and their Ancestors time out of mind, or, of old time (as the statutes of 5 Richard 2. cap. 4. 11 Henry 4. cap. 1. express it) have alwayes used to be quit from such ex­pences [Page 177] of Knights, and never charged with them. There are many Prescriptions and Customs in use in King Edward the third his time, and since, which are said to be time out of mind, yet certainly they had their Original not before, but long since the Conquest, as you may read in Brook [...], Fitzherbert, and other Law-Books, Title Custome and Pre­scription, and Cooks 1 Institutes, fol. 58. 113. ‘That which hath been used, or prescribed in but for two or three Ages only, or out of the memory or mind of men then living, being Hobards Re­ports, p. 117, 118, 198, 199. reputed a legal Custome or Prescription, 34 Henry 6. 36. Br. Prescription 6. Therefore this Prescription of Tenants in Antient Demesn, to be exempt from contributing to Knights wages, or not to send Burgesses to the Parliament, time out of mind, will no waies warrant Mr. Lambards conclusion thence. Ergo, No doubt there was a Parliament before the Conquest, to which they of other places used to send their Knights and Burgesses.’ I am certain that at this day Tenants in Antient De­mesn, can plead, that both they and their Ance­stors time out of mind of man, were never accusto­med to pay Excise for any thing, for which Ex­cise is now generally demanded; will it there­fore follow; Ergo, all places else now subject to pay Excise, were lyable to pay it before the Con­quest, when as it was first set on foot since 1642? If not, then Mr. Lambards Argument is as great an inconsequence as it, seeing Knights and Burges­ses of Parliament began, not before the 49th. of Henry the third, as I have evidenced: and were never heard of (as he conceits) before the Con­quest, which none of the Authorities cited by him do satisfactorily evidence, and all Histories, Re­cords from the Conquest, till 49 Henry the 3d. most clearly refute. I should now proceed to the 5th. Section, Of Writs for electing Knights, Citizens and [Page 178] Burgesses, issued to the Earls, Dukes, Lieutenants, and Chancellors of the Dutchy of Lancaster, the Sheriffs of London, Bristol, York, New-castle upon Tine, Norwich, Lincoln, Kingston upon Hull, South­ampton, Coventry, Canterbury, and other Towns made Counties within themselves, after their severance from the Shires in which they are situated: with some forms of their Retorns, and usefull Observations on them; but the present Exigence of our affairs, and strange Vote of a few Commoners, Jan. 5. 1659. creating themselves a Parliament without a King or House of Lords, and adjudging, declaring above two hundred Members to stand discharged from voting or sitting as Members of this Parliament, during this Parliament; And that Writs do issue to elect New Members in their Places, behind their backs (as being either afraid or ashamed to look them in the faces) without naming any one of them, and that before the least legal accusation, hearing, trial or conviction whatsoever, of any delinquency, except only their loyalty, sincerity, fidelity to their King, Country, the Rights and Privileges of Parliament, constant ad­hering to their original Trusts, Oaths, Protesta­tion, Covenant, Vow, Votes, Ordinances, Decla­rations, Remonstrances, Principles of Piety, Hones­ty, Christianity, and abomination of all Treachery, Perjury, Jesuitical Practices, and destructive pub­lick Innovations, contrary to the expresse Word of God, the Fundamental Laws, Statutes and Go­vernment of this Realm, and the tenor of the Writs and Indentures wherby they were made Members, which their secluders have violated, subverted in the highest degree, hath caused me to publish this Chapter by it self; wherin I have, as Ardua Regni, Plea for the Lords p. 371, to 419. The [...]. part of this brief Re­gister, p. 27, 28, 1 [...]7, 219, to 222, 434, 435. elsewhere, made good to all the world, by Records, Presidents, Judgements in Parliament, law, reason, and divinity too, That the whole House of Commons, in its greatest fulnesse freedom and power, nover hed any lawfull right [Page 179] or Authority, upon full bearing, evidence, conviction, to expel any single Member of the House for breach of trust, or other misdemeanor whatsoever (no more than one Judge, Justice, Commissioner, Committee, or Grand Jury-man, to unjudge, uncommission, discharge or eject another, being all equals, equally intrust­ed by the people, and having no power of judica­ture over each other) without the Lords or Kings consent, in whom the sole Judicature in our Parli­aments resides; much lesse then the Tenth part of the Commons House, (sitting under a visible force, and keeping four times their Number of Members out by armed guards, which nulls all they vote or do) to eject the Majority of the House, order New Elections of others in their places, and make them uncapable to be elected, by the meer Club­law, of pellitur e medio sapientia, vi geritur res: which unparalell'd injustice neither these exclu­ded Members, nor yet the Counties, Cities and Boroughs for whom they serve, nor the Freeborn English Nation, nor Army-Officers so lately disofficed, cashiered for ejecting the secluders, upon as good grounds, and by the same Law of the longest Sword they now make use of, Exact Coll. p. 496, 498. will patiently endure to their own and the Nations infamy, the ruine of our Parliaments Constitution and Privileges, if con­nived at in these times of sad distraction.

I shall desire these forcible Secluders, and Voters of us out of the House, seriously to consider these Passages of Exact Coll. p. 650, 655, 657. A Declaration of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, to which many of them were parties, in ans­wer to his Majesties Declaration 23. October 1642. If the t [...]uth was that the d [...]my (of the King) is raised, to force some particular Members of this Parliament, to be delivered up, yet upon this ground would it follow, that the same is levied against the Parliament: for we have often declared to his Majestie and the world, That we were alwaies ready to re­ceive any evidence or accusation against any of them, and to judge and punish them, according to their demerits; yet hi­therto [Page 180] no Evidence produced, no Accuser appearing, (the case of the now secluded, ejected, disabled Majority of the Members) And yet notwithstanding to raise an d [...]my to compell the Parliament to expose those Members to the fury of those wicked counsellors, that thirst after nothing more than the ruine of them and the Commonwealth; What can be more evi­dent, then that the same is levied against the Parliament? for, did they prevail in this, then by the same reason might they demand (and these now sitting forcibly seclude and eject) twenty more, and conse­quently, never rest satisfied, until their malice and Tyranny did devour all those Members they found crosse and opposite to their lewd and wicked designs (as our secluders have done) and so by de­priving the Parliament of their Members, destroy the whole Body. Thus seconded in Exact Col­lection, p. 739. The Remonstrance of the Lords and commons assembled in Parliament, Nov. 2. 1642. in answer to his Majesties Declaration. This is the doc­trine of that Declaration, 5. That his Majesty, or any other person, may upon suggestion and pretence of Treason, Felony, or the breach of the Peace, take the Members of Parliament out of either. House of Parliament, without giving satisfaction to the House whereof they are Members, of the grounds of such suggestion or accusation, and with­out and against their consent: so they may dismember a Parliament when they please, and make it what they will, when they will: (as our secluders have done, by voting and keeping out above 200. by meer force before Accusation or Heating) And in their Exact Collec­tion, p. 4, 6. Declaration of August 4. 1642. where­with I shall conclude. If the King (by his Army) may force this Parliament (as our secluders have done) they may bid fare­well to all Parliaments, for ever receiving good by them. And if Parliaments be lost, they (the people) are lost, their Laws are lost as well, [...]se late [...]y made, as in former times, all which will be cut in sunder with the same sword now drawn for the destruction of this Parliament; as they are now by the forcible seclusion of the Members by Order and Command of those now sitting.

ERRATA.

PAge 8. l. 7. r. Subortam, p. 22. l. 7. sustentari, l. 18. scire, p. 26. l. 7. Comi­tum, p. 26. l. 4. Et, de, p. 37. l. 6. posset, p. 50. l. 2. Hertford, r. Berks. p. 54. 28. extitit. p. 63 l. 31. r. [...] wit. p. 79. l. 18. their, r. this. p. 83. l. 3 par­tium. p. 94. l. 12. et, per p 95. l. 2. 21 r. 27 E. 3. p. 119. l. 28. unreasonable, r. unanswerable. l. 33. a new writ for. p. 120. l. 26 et, [...]. per. p. 121. l. 14. Avun [...]ulo. p, 122, l. 15. 16, r. 9 E 2. [...]. 13. 7 H. 4 p. 126. l. 11. 1, r. 7 H 4. p. 128. l. 126. brevi. p. 145. l. 26. Baronis. p. 171. l. 13, 14. imparred, r. i [...]serted.

FINIS.

THE MISCELLANEOUS WORKS OF WILLIAM PRYNNE, Esquire, UTTER-BARRESTER, of Lincolnes Inne.

VOL. XXIV.

PSALME 120. v. 5, 6.
My Soule hath long dwelt with them, that are enemies unto peace: I labour for peace; but when I speake unto them thereof, they make them ready to Battle.

London: Printed for the Author, and are to be sold by Edward Thomas, dwelling in Green Arbour.

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