The manner of the impeachment of the 12 bishops, accused of high treason. For preferring a petition and making a protestation to the subverting of the fundamentall lawes, and being of parliaments. Whereunto is added the said petition and remonstrance of the saids bishops.

1641

⟨The Manner of Impeachment of the Twelve Bishops
1641⟩

⟨The 12 Bishops⟩

⟨Jo. Abp of York⟩
⟨Ths. Bp of Durham⟩
⟨Joseph Bp of Norwich⟩
⟨Rob. B. of Coventry & Litchfield⟩
⟨John B. of St. Asaph⟩
⟨W ^m B. of Bath & Wells⟩
⟨Geo. B. of Hereford⟩
⟨Matthew B. of Ely⟩
⟨Rob ^t. B. of Oxford⟩
⟨Godfrey B. of Glocester⟩
⟨John B. of Peterborough⟩
⟨Morgan B. of Llandaff⟩

[Page] The manner of the Impeachment of the 12 Bishops, accused of High Treason.

For preferring a Petition and making a Protestation to the subverting of the Fundamentall Lawes, and being of Parliaments.

Wherunto is added the said petition and Remonstrance of the saids Bishops.

Printed at London, and re-printed at Edinburgh.

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[Page 1]

THe House of Lords was pleased on the 10. of December, to send a message to the House of Commons by Sir John Bankes, and Judge Reeves, to desire a present conference by a Committee of both Houses, touching matters of dangerous and high consequence.

And at the conference, the Lord Keeper in the name of the House of Peeres delivered, as followeth.

That this Petition and Protestation of the twelve Bishops, containing matter of high and dangerous consequence, and such as my Lords are very sensible of, and such as require a speedy and sudden resolution: It extending to the deep intrinching upon the fundamentall priviledges and being of Parliaments. Therefore the Lords have thought fit, that this matter concerning the whole Parliament may be communicated to the House of Commons; it being a thing of so great and so generall concernment.

This being thus communicated to the House of Commons, they came to this resolution, to accuse these twelve Bishops of high Treason, for indeavouring to subvert the fundamentall Laws and being of Parliaments.

[Page 2] And Master Glynne was ordered to go to the Lords, and at their barre in the name of the House of Commons and all the Commons of England, to accuse these twelve prelats of high Treason, for indeavouring to subvert the fundamentall Lawes of the Realme, and the very being of Parliaments manifested by preferring that Petition and Protestation: and to desire the Lords that they may bee forthwith sequestred from Parliament, and put into safe custody, and that their Lordships would appoint a speedy day for the Commons to charge them, and they to answer for that, the Commons were ready to make good their charge.

He was further ordered, to give the Lords thanks for communicating this Petition, with so much affection and speed, and for expressing their sense thereof.

After Master Glynne had delivered this at the barre, the Lords sent the Black Rod instantly to finde out these Bishops and apprehend them: and by eight of the clock at night they were all taken and brought upon their knees to the barre; and ten of them committed to the Towre, and two (in regard of their age, and indeed of the worthy parts of one of them, the learned Bishop of Durham) were committed to the Blak Rod.

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To the Kings most excellent Majesty, and the Lords and Peeres now assembled in Parliament.
The humble Petition and Protestation of all the Bishops and Prelates now called by his Majesties Writs, to attend the Parliament and present about London and Westminster for that service.

THat whereas the Petitioners are called up by severall and respective Writs, and under great penulties, to attend in Parliament: and have a clear and undubitate right to Vote in Bills, and other matters whatsoever debetable in Parliament, by the ancient customes, Laws, and statutes of this Realme, and ought to be protected by your Majesty, quietly to attend and prosecute that great service.

They humbly remonstrate and protest before God, your Majestie, and the noble Lords and Peeres now assembled in Parliament; that as they have an undubitate right to sit and vote in the House of the Lords, so are they (if they be protected from force & violence) most ready and willing to performe their duties accordingly. And that they doe abhominate all actions or opinions tending to Poperie, and the maintenance thereof: As also, all propention and inclination to [Page 3]any malignant party, or any other sect or party whatsoever, to the which, their own reasons, and consciences, shall not move them to adhere.

But whereas they have been at severall times violently manassed, affronted, and assaulted by multitudes of people, in their coming to perform their services in that honourable House, and lately chased away and put in danger of their lives, and can finde no redresse for protection, upon sundry complaints made to both Houses in these particulars.

They likewise humbly protest before your Majesty, and the noble House of Peeres, that saving unto themselves all their rights and interists of sitting and voting in that house at other times. They dare not sit or vote in the House of Peeres, untill your Majesty shall further secure them from all affronts, indignities, and dangers in the premisses.

Lastly, whereas their fears are not built upon fantasies or conceits, but upon such grounds and objects as may well terrifie men of good resolutions, and much constancie. They do in all duty and humility protest before your Majesty, and the Peeres of that most honourable House of Parliament, against all Lawes, orders, votes, resoluitons, and determinations, as in themselves null, and of no effect, which in their absence since the twenty seventh of this instant moneth of December, 1641 yeares, have already passed: as likewise against all such as shall hereafter passe in that most honourable House, during the time of this their forced & [Page 5]violent absence from the said most Hon: House, not denying: but if the absenting of themselves were wilfull and voluntary, that most honourable House might proceed in all these premisses, their absence for this their Protestation notwithstanding.

And humbly beseeching your most excellent Majesty to command the Clerk of that House of Peeres to enter this their Petition and Protestation amongst his Records.

They will ever pray to God to blesse and preserve, &c.

Jo: Eborac.
Thomas, Duresme.
Robert. Co: Lich.
Jos: Norwitch,
Jo: Asaphen.
Guil. Ba: & Wells.
Geo: Hereford.
Robert: Oxon.
Ma: Ely.
Godfr. Glouc.
Jo. Peterburg.
Mor: Llandaff.

Ʋera Copia,

Jo: Brown Cleric. Parliament.

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