ere. 
 
 THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES
 
 THE 
 
 PARLIAMENTARY 
 
 O R 
 CONSTITUTIONAL 
 
 Hiftory of England; 
 
 Being a 
 
 FAITHFUL ACCOUNT 
 
 Of all the 
 
 Moft remarkable Transactions 
 In Par liament, 
 
 From the earl ie ft Times. 
 
 COLLECTED 
 From the Journals of both Houses, the Records, 
 original Manuscripts, fcarce Speeches and 
 Tracts ; all compared with the feveral Cotem- 
 porary Writers, and connected, throughout, with 
 the Hiftory of the Times. 
 
 By Several Hands. 
 
 Vol. II. 
 
 From the Acceflion of King Henry IV, to the 
 Death of King Henry VII. 
 
 LONDON, 
 
 Printed j and Sold by Thomas OJhorne, in Gray's Inn-, 
 and 
 William Sandby, againft Sc. Dunftan^sCburcb^Fket-firest. 
 MDCCLJ.
 
 TIC
 
 THE 
 
 Parliamentary HISTORY 
 
 OF 
 
 ENGLAND. 
 
 T may well be faid, that Henry IV. The Acceffor 
 began his Reign at the Inftant King K^S Henry ] 
 Richard was committed Prifoner to the 
 Tower ; for we do not find that he evef 
 did one Act of State afterwards (a). 
 The new-elected King did not claim 
 the Crown by that Right only, as judging it too pre- 
 carious ; but trumped up a much worfe Title to it* 
 by drawing his Pedigree from Edmund, firnamed Crouch- 
 tack, as eldeft Son to King Henry III. when it was 
 then, and is now notorious, that the faid Edmund 
 was only Second Son to Henry III. On the Day 
 of his Coronation, however, be took more Strings to 
 his Bow ; and by Proclamation, then made, he claim'd 
 the Crown of England, Firft, by Conqueft ; Secondly* „ 
 becaufe King Richard had refigned that Dignity, and 
 V o L. II. A deligned 
 
 (a) The laft th« we find, in the Public A8i, is dated at Weftmnfieti 
 Scfupibtr aoth, the Day before he was lent to the Tmtr, 
 
 11 
 
 x3104 
 
 r>
 
 a The 'Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry iv. defigned him for his Succeffor ; and Laftly, becaufe he 
 was of the Blood Royal, and next Heir-Male (£) unto 
 King Richard. 
 
 We (hall not difpute any further the Validity of any 
 of thefe Titles : The ftrongeft Arm then carried it ; for 
 there was another Perfon, then in Being, who, after 
 the Death of King Richard, without lime, had been 
 publickly proclaimed Heir Apparent to the Crown. 
 This was Edmund Mortimer , Earl of March, Son to 
 Roger Mortimer, flain in Jre!and,xvho was defcended from 
 Lionel, Duke of Clarence, elder Brother to John Duke of 
 Lancajter, King Henry's Father, by his Mother Philip- 
 pa, only Daughter and Heir to the faid Lionel. « And 
 
 * therefore, fays another Hiftorian (c), the faid Edmund 
 4 thought himfelf nearer Heir Male to the Succtffion 
 ' of the Crown, as indeed he was, than he that, by 
 
 * Colour of Right claiming it, carried it by Dint of 
 
 * Sword.' But this Earl well confidered, that the 
 Torrent of the Times was far too impetuous for him 
 to withftand, and therefore wifely withdrew himfelf 
 from aH publick Affairs, to his Caftle and Barony of 
 IVigmore in Hereford/hire, where he lived a private Life 
 for feveral Years. For, as Mr Rapin well .obferves, 
 he had no other Way to fecure his Repofe, and even 
 his Lite, againft the Sufpicions of a Prince whofe In- 
 tereft it was to deftroy him. And, it was but too pro- 
 bable that the new King would embrace the firft Oc- 
 cafion to free himfelf from the Uneafinefs, which fuch a 
 Rival could create {d). 
 
 But, let the Steps to the Throne have been never fo 
 llippery and dangerous, Henry found himfelf fafely pla- 
 ced in it, and fortified there by the Sanction of the two 
 Houfes of Parliament. Some Hiftorians have hinted, 
 that the Lower Houfe was hardly brought to confent 
 to the Depofuion of the late King ; but, at length, was 
 overawed by the great Ones, to a Compliance with it 
 \e). But this does not appear upon Record by the Pro- 
 f ceeaings 
 
 (h) Hares Mal«, indeed, quoth Edmond Mortimer to his Secret 
 a F nhetth ndf ° 1StheP > ratC ^^-hant whenhe i^ h t r :;- 
 {c) HaW* Chronicle, FA £*/ "V™*' *' "' 
 (d) tfa/m'sHiftory of England, Fol. Edit. P. 4 8 4 . 
 W Sir John Hazard. — Biondi\ Hift. of the Civil Wars. P. *r.
 
 Of ENGLAND. 3 
 
 ceedings of the next Parliament, which Henry had ^ a z Henry lV f 
 called, and was to meet at Wejlminjler on the 6th of 
 October following. 
 
 We have fufficiently taken Notice what collufive 
 Doings had been afted in calling thefe two Parlia- 
 ments, the latter of which was to meet fix Days after 
 the former was diflolved ; but were indeed the fame 
 individual Perfons, both in Lords and Commons, as the 
 former (f) 
 
 M. Rapin makes a juft Reflexion on this Piece of 
 Chicanery ', which we mail give in his own Words as 
 follows : 
 
 ' To proceed according to Cuftom, the Reprefen- 
 ' tatives mull have been chofen anew. But Henry 
 ' did not think fit to run the Rifque of a lefs favour- 
 ' able Parliament than that which had fo heartily efpou- 
 4 fed his Caufe. He was contented, therefore, with 
 
 * impowering the fame Reprefentatives to make, with 
 c the Houfe of Lords, a. new Parliament under his 
 
 * Authority. I mail not venture to decide, whether 
 
 * this Proceeding was fomewhat irregular, or authorifed 
 
 * by any former Precedent. But, be that as it will, 
 
 * the fame Parliament met again on the gth of ORq- 
 1 ber (g-), as if called by the new King. 
 
 We mall now proceed to quote from more certain 
 Authority, which is the faithful Abridger of the Parlia- 
 mentary Records themfelves ; advertifing the Reader, 
 that, fince now Dr Brady and Mr Tyrrel are both filent, 
 to avoid a Repetition of needlefs Notes, the jub- 
 ilance of Parliamentary Proceedings, in this and fome 
 fucceeding Reigns, are wholely taken from Sir Robert 
 Cotton's Abridgment of them ; and, where any Matter 
 is advanced otherwife, the Authors (hall then be re- 
 mark'd. 
 
 But, it cannot be amifs in the Beginning of this Par- 
 liament, to give the Names of the Peers fummoned to 
 it by the fecond Writ, in Henry's Name ; And as thefe, 
 with the Peers called to the firft, Hand, in the Abridg- 
 ment, on two oppofite Pages, there is no Difference 
 except in the Names of the Kings ; and, in the former, 
 Sir Thomas Erpingham is put as Warden of the Cinque 
 A 2 Ports, 
 
 (f) See Vol. I. p.. 502. 
 
 (g) Repin, Vol, I. p, 484, —. He fliould have faid the 6th.
 
 4 The 'Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry iv. Ports, which in the other he is not. The firft Writ is 
 thus directed, Rex [Richardus] &c. dilecio Confanguineo 
 fuo Henrico Dud Lancaftrise Salutem, &c. apud Weft- 
 monaiterium in Crajiino S. Michaelis proximo futuro. 
 Tejie Rege apud Ceitriam xxix De Augufti. The 
 
 a Parliament other is, Rex [Henricus] &c. Henrico Duci Lancaftriae 
 
 caii'datWeft- [Filio fuo] &c. apud Weftmonafterium, in Feflo Sand. 
 
 minfter. Kidis Virginia fexto Die Oilobris, 1399. Tejie Rege 
 
 apud Weftmonafterium, 30 Septembris. Next follow 
 the Names and Titles of the Peers {h). 
 
 Edmond Duke of Tori, William, Lord Clinton, 
 Edivard Duke of Albemarle, Thomas, Lord de la Ware, 
 Thomas Duke of Surrey, Stephen, Lord Scrape of 
 Jobh Duke of Exeter, Majham, 
 
 John Marquefs of Dorfet, William, Lord Roos of 
 Thomas de Beauchamp, Earl Hamlake, 
 
 of Warwick, Henry, Lord Fitz-Hugh, 
 
 Aubrey de y'ere, Earl of William, Lord Ferrers of 
 
 Oxford, Grcby, 
 
 Edward Courtney, Earl of Thomas, Lord Morley, 
 
 Devon, Richard, Lord Scrape, 
 
 John de Montacute, Earl of Hugh, Lord Burnel, 
 
 Sarum, Thomas, Lord Berkeley of 
 
 Henry Percie, Earl of Nor- Berkeley, 
 
 thwibefland, John, Lord Welles, 
 
 Edward, Earl of Stafford, Philp, Lord De$encer, 
 Michael de la Pole, Earl of Almaric, Lord St Amand, 
 
 Suffolk, Ralph, Lord Cromwell, 
 
 Thomas de Percie, Earl of Ralph, Lord Lumley, 
 
 Worcejler* Ralph, Lord Greyjlock, 
 
 Thomas le Defpenfer, Earl Robert, Lord Harrington, 
 
 olGloceflcr, John, Lord Darcy, 
 
 Ralph Nevile, Earl of Walter, Lord Fitz-Walter, 
 
 Wejlmor eland, William, Lord Willoughby, 
 
 Thomas, Lord de Carnois, John, Lord Cobham, 
 John L^rd Bourchie", William, Lord Dacre, 
 
 John, Lord Charleton de William, Lord Nevile of 
 
 Powys, Halkmjhire, 
 
 s Richard, 
 
 (b) There is a Miftake in DugdaWs Summons to Parliament, in pla- 
 cing the Writs for calling a' Parliament at York, the firft Year of this 
 King, inftead of the Second ; and putting it before this Parliament at 
 fPefiminJJcr j as the Dates of the Writs, thcmfelves, will evidently fhevr,
 
 Of ENGLAND. 5 
 
 Richard^ Lord Seymore, Reginald, Lord Grey of King Henry J.V, 
 William Beauchamp, Lord Ruthin, 
 
 Bergavenny, Thomas, Lord Bardolf of 
 
 John, Lord Lrc^//, of Tich- Wormgay, 
 
 marjh, Robert, Lord Scales, 
 
 R chard ', LordGWji -of Co- P^r, Lord Mauley* 
 
 donore, 
 
 On Monday, being the 6th of Ocloher, thefe Peers, 
 with the Bifhops and Commons of England, being af- 
 fembled in the Great Hall at Wejlminjler, and the new 
 King placed in the Royal Throne ; by his Command, 
 Thomas Arundele, Archbimop of Canterbury, declared, 
 
 * That this Parliament was fummon'd by King Rich- Jf^erbu^ 
 ' ard, to be held the Tuefday next before. Which informs them of 
 ' Summons was annull'd and made void by the Accept- ^"S Richard's 
 
 * ingof the Renunciation of the faid King Ricbard® e * o{ition ' 
 c and Depofing of him ; which was done the fame Day 
 
 * in the Prefence of the King, Lords and Commons, 
 4 as by the Proc?fs hereafter to be read would appear. 
 
 He then told thtm, * That this moft famous Realm, 
 e abounding in all Felicities, had been long governed 
 6 by Children and young Counfellors, and would, ut- 
 
 * terly, have been ruined and wafted, had not God 
 ' fent a wife and difcreet Man to govern the fame, 
 ' who meant, by God's Help, to be governed himfelf 
 e by the wife and old Heads of the Realm.' 
 
 After this he took for his Text thefe Words out of 
 Maccabees, Incumbit nobis ordinare pro Regno, i. e. // is 
 the King's Will to be governed by the honourable, difcreet, 
 and fag e Men of the Realm, and by their common Confent ; 
 and not by his Wdlor Humour, to rule the fame. He further 
 laid great Strefs on this, \ That this Nation, of any 
 ' under the Sun, might beft fiipport and live within 
 ' itfelf, alledging for Authority this Adage, £$uod inter 
 ' Regna, hoc Principatum tenet. 
 
 To thefe he added, • That to every good Govern - 
 ' ment Three Things were required ; Firft, Juftice ; 
 
 * next, That the Laws mould be duly obferved ; and 
 ' laftly, That every Degree of Men, in their feveral 
 ' Vocations, mould be encouraged and protected.' He 
 brought many Reafons why this Nation ought to be 
 
 A 3 well
 
 6 The Parliamentary Histort 
 
 King Henry iv. we ^ governed, and faid, ' That their new King in- 
 ' tended ftriclly to obferve thefe three Points. 
 
 He concluded with acquainting them, * That Hen- 
 f ry, their King and Lord, meant to be Crown'd on the 
 
 * Monday following, after which he would wholely ad- 
 ' diet himfelf to the Care of the Common-wealth j 
 
 * and delired the Commons that they would confent 
 ' to have the Parliament continued to the Tuefday 
 
 * following.' After this Harangue was ended, Henry 
 Percie, Earl of Northumberland, and Conftable of Eng- 
 land, demanded of the Lords and Commons, whe- 
 ther they would agree to this Continuance, who, be- 
 ing all and feverally examined, confented thereto. 
 
 Then the Receivers and Tryers of Petitions for Eng- 
 land, Ireland, Wales, and Scotland, were appointed, 
 with thofe for Gajcoigny, and other Places beyond the 
 Seas, with the Iiles. 
 
 The next Thing they went upon, was to read the 
 Record of the Renunciation of King Richard II. with 
 their Acceptance of the fame, and the Depofition of the 
 faid King, as follows : 
 
 The Roll of Parliament fummoned and holden at Weft- 
 minfter, on the Feajl of St Faith the Virgin, in the fir jl 
 Year of the Reign of King Henry IV. after the Con- 
 quejl, Membrane XX. 
 
 The Record and Procefs of the Renunciation of King Rich- 
 ard II. after the Conqueft, and likewife the Acceptance 
 of the fame Renunciation, ivith the Depofition of the 
 fame King Richard aftenvards enfuing (;'). 
 
 ' "HE it remembered, that on Monday the Feaft of 
 ' I) St Michael the Archangel, in the three and twen- 
 4 tieth Year of the Reign of King Richard II. the 
 
 * Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and other Perfons of 
 ' Note ; that is to fay, the Lord Richard le Scrope 
 ' Archbifhop of York, John Bifhop of Hereford, Henry 
 
 ■ Earl 
 
 (i) It was printed, from an attefted Copy, in the original Languages, 
 
 . ' by Sir Roger Tivifden, at the End of his Edition of the Decern Scrip tores 
 
 Jiijitrite Anglicance. Col. 2743. But, this Translation is taken from the 
 
 Hiftory of the Life and Reign of Richard II. by a Per/on of Quality. 8vo. 
 
 Land. 168 1. p. 192, &c.
 
 Of ENGLAND. 7. 
 
 Earl of Northumberland, and Ralph Earl of Weflmore- King Henry IV. 
 land j the Lord Hugh de Burnel, Thomas Lord de 
 Berkeley, the Prior of Canterbury with the Abbot of 
 Wejlminjler, William Thyrning, ■ Knight, and John 
 Markham, Juftices ; Thomas Stow and John Burbache, 
 Dodtors of Laws, Thomas de Erpingham and Thomas 
 Gray, Knights, William de Feryby and Dionyfius Lap- 
 ham) Publick Notaries, fir ft deputed to the A£t. un- 
 der- written, by the Aflent and Advice of feveral of 
 the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and of the Judges 
 and others, fkilful as well in the Civil and Canon 
 Law, as in the Laws of the Realm, aflembled at 
 Wejlminjler in the ufual Place of Council j did about 
 Nine of the Clock come to the Prefence of the faid 
 King, being within the Tower of London : And it be- 
 ing recited before the faid King, by the faid Earl of 
 Northumberland, in the Behalf of all the reft before- 
 named, fo as aforefaid joyned with him : How the 
 faid King heretofore at Conway in North-Wales, (k) 
 being at Liberty, did promife unto the Lord Thomas 
 Archbifhop of Canterbury, and the Earl of Northum- 
 berland, that he would yield up and renounce the 
 Crown of England and France, and his Regal Maje- 
 jefty, for Caufes of his Inability and Infufficiency, 
 there by the faid King himfelf confeffed, and that in 
 the beft Manner and Form the fame could be done, 
 as Counfel learned mould beft order ; the faid King 
 before the faid Lords and others above-named, here- 
 unto benignly anfwer'd, That he would with Ejfeft 
 accomplijh, what before in that Behalf he had promifed, 
 but defired to have fome Difcourfe with his Coufins, 
 Henry Duke of Lancafler, and the faid Lord Archbi- 
 fhop of Canterbury, before he fulfilled fuch his Pro- 
 mife. z 
 ' Afterwards the fame Day after Dinner, the faid 
 King much affecting the Coming of the faid Duke 
 of Lancafler, and having long waited for him, atlaft 
 the faid Duke of Lancajler, the Lords, and others 
 above-named, and alfo the faid Archbifhop of Can- 
 terbury, did come to the Pretence of the faid King in 
 the Tower aforefaid ; the Lords de Roos, de Wil- 
 hughby, and de Bergavenny, and very many others be- 
 
 ' ing 
 
 (*J See Vol. I. p. 501.
 
 8 The Parliamentary HisTOPxY 
 
 Ring Henry IV. c ing then there prefent ; and after the faid King had 
 had Difcourfe with the faid Duke of Lancajier and 
 Archbifhop, exhibiting a merry Countenance here 
 and there amongft them to Part thereof, as appeared 
 to thole that flood round about ; at laft the faid King 
 calling to him all that were there prefent, did publickly 
 fay before them, That he was ready to make the Re- 
 nunciation, and to renounce andvecede, according to the 
 Promife by him made as afore/aid. And fo forthwith, 
 although, as was faid unto him, he might have made 
 fome Deputy to have ferv'd as the Organ of his 
 Voice, for av -id'ng fo tedious a Labour as the reading 
 of the faid Ceffion and Renunciation, reduc'd by 
 others into a Schedule of Parchment ; yet the faid 
 King, very willingly as appeared, and with a plea- 
 fant Countenance, holding the faid Schedule in h s 
 Hand, faid, That he him/elf would read it, and di- 
 ftin&lyread the fame through : And alfo did abfolve 
 all his Liege People, and renounce, and recede, and 
 fwear, and other Things did fay and pronounce in 
 Reading, and did fubferibe it with his own Hand, as 
 is more fully contained in the faid Schedule ; the Te- 
 nor whereof is fuch. 
 
 /N the Na'ne of G O D, Amen. / Richard, by the 
 Grace of God, King of England and France, and 
 Richard's Ref^- Lord of Ireland, do abfolve the Archbijhops, B/hops, and 
 nation of the ot h er Prelates of Churches, fecular or regular, ofwhatfo- 
 ever Dignity, Degree, State, or Condition they be ; the 
 Dukes, MarqueJJes, Earls, Barons, Vajjals andVaha- 
 fors ; and all and every my Liege People whatjbever, Ec- 
 clefta flicks or Seculars, of all the faid Kingdoms and Do* 
 minions, by what Na»:e foever they are known, from the 
 Oath or Fealty and Homage, and other Oaths whatfoe- 
 verto me made, and from all Bond or Tye ^Leigiance, 
 Royalty, and Dominion, whereby they have been or are 
 cbligxd, or otherwifc in any Manner bound unto me. 
 And 1 do free, releafe, and acquit them and their Heirs 
 and SuccefJbrs for ever, from the faid Oaths and other 
 Obligations ivhatfoevcr. Andldodifmijsthemfree, un- 
 loofen, quit and in full Immunity , as far as relates to my 
 Perfon, to every Ejfecl oj Law which may follow from the 
 
 Premiffes
 
 Of ENGLAND. p 
 
 Premises, or any of them. And I do purely \ of my own k^ n eary j Vt 
 Accord, /imply and ab/olutely, in and by the beft Manner 
 Way and Form that may be, in thefe Writings, Renounce 
 and totally Refign, all Kingly Dignity and Majefty, and 
 the Crown and Dominion and Power of the /aid King- 
 doms and Dominions, and all other my Dominions and 
 Po/J'effions, or any Way belonging or appertaining unto me t 
 by what Name joever they may be reckon 'd up within the 
 afore/aid Kingdoms, or el/where ; and all Right and Co- 
 lour of Right and Title, PoffeJJion and Dominion^ which 
 at any Time I have had, novj have, or by any Means Jhall 
 have in or to the fame, or any of them, with their univer- 
 fal Rights and Appurtenances, or any Dependencies howe- 
 ver, on them or any of them : Andal/o the Rule and Go- 
 vernment 0/ the /aid Kingdoms and Dominions, and their 
 Admimftration, and all Manner of meer and mixt Em- 
 pire and Jurifdi&ion to me in the /aid Kingdoms belong- 
 ing, or that may be belonging ; and to the Name of King, 
 and the Honour, Regality, and Celfitude Royal, purely^ 
 voluntarily, jimply, and ab/olutely, by the beft Manner 
 Way and Form that the /ame can be done in the/e Writ- 
 ings, I do Renounce, and them do totally Refign, and 
 in Deed and in Word di/mi/s and quit the /ame, and from 
 them do recede for ever. Saving to my Succe/fors Kings 
 ^England, the Rights to them or any of them belonging, 
 or that Jhall any Way belong, in the /aid Kingdoms or Do- 
 minions, and all other the Premiffes /or ever. And I do 
 con/e/s, acknowledge, repute, and truly and out ^certain 
 Knowledge, do judge my/elf to have been and to be utterly 
 infufficient rfwiunuieful for the Rule and Government of 
 the faid Kingdoms and Dominions, with all their Appurte- 
 nances : And that for my notorious Demerits / de/erve to 
 be depo/ed. And 1 do fwear upon the/e Holy Gofpels of 
 God, by me corporally touch' d, that I will never aft con- 
 trary to the faid Refignation, Renunc'ation^ DifmiJJion^ 
 and Ceffion ; nor any Way oppo/e the /ame in Deed or in 
 Word, by my/elf or any other or others : Nor will, as much 
 as in me lies, permit the fame publickly or privately to be 
 contraried or oppofed ; but the /aid Renunciation, Refig- 
 nation, Difmiflion and Ceflion, will/or ever efleem ra- 
 tified and wellplea/uig, and firmly hold and objerve th* 
 
 fame
 
 io The Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry lV.f ame in ^ e w ^ m ^ in ever y ^ art 5 f° God me help, 
 ' and thefe Holy Gofpels of God. 
 
 / the before-named King Richard do here fubjerile 
 my [elf with my own Hand. 
 
 c And prefently to the faid Renunciation and Ceffi- 
 on, the faid King added by Word of Mouth, That if 
 it lay in his Power the faid Duke of Lancafter Jhould 
 fucceed him in his Kingdom. But becaufe, as he faid, 
 this did not depend on his Pleafure, he did requeft the 
 faid Archbifhop of York, and Bifhop of Hereford, 
 whom he for that Time had constituted his Procura- 
 tors, to declare, and intimate fuch his Ceflion and Re- 
 nunciation to the States of the Kingdom, That they 
 would be pleafed tofignify to the People, his Will and In- 
 tention in that Behalf. And in Token of fuch his 
 Will and Intention, did then and there openly pluck 
 off the Golden Ring of his Signet from his own Fing- 
 er, and put it upon the Finger of the faid Duke of 
 Lancafter, defiring as he affirmed, that the fame 
 might be made known to all the States of the Kingdom. 
 Which being done, taking their Leaves on both Sides, 
 they all went out of the faid Tower, to return to their 
 Lodgings. 
 
 ' But on the Morrow, viz. Tuefday the Feaft of St. 
 Jerome, in the great Hall at Wejlminfter, in the Place 
 honourably prepared for holding the Parliament, the 
 faid Archbifhops of Canterbury and York, and the 
 Duke of Lancafter, and other Dukes and Lords, as 
 well Spiritual as Temporal, whofe Names are under- 
 written, and the Commons of the faid Kingdom, af- 
 fembled in a great Multitude in Parliament, being 
 prefent, and the faid Duke of Lancafter being feated 
 in a Place due to his Quality, and the Chair of State *, 
 being folemnly adorn'd with Cloth of Gold, 
 but then empty, without any Perfon whatever pre- 
 fixing therein ; the above named Archbifhop of 
 York, in the Name of himfelf, and of the faid Bi- 
 fhop of Hereford, according to the Oder of the faid 
 King, did publickly declare the Ceffion, and Renun- 
 ciation, to have been fo made by him as aforefaid, 
 
 • with 
 
 * Or Royal Throne.
 
 Of E N G L A N D. u . 
 
 with the Subfcription of his Royal Hand, and Deli- j^g Henry iv. 
 very of his Signet. And the laid Ceffion and Re- 
 nunciation, did there caufe to be read by another, 
 firft in Latin and then in Englijh. 
 * Immediately after which, it was demanded of the 
 Eftates and People there prefent, to wit, firft of the 
 Archbifhop of Canterbury, to whom, by Reafon of the 
 Dignity and Prerogative of his Metropolitan Church 
 of Canterbury, it belongs in this Behalf to have the 
 firft Voice amongft the reft of the Prelates, and No- 
 bles of the Realm, Whether, for their lnterej} and 
 the Utility of the Kingdom, they would be pleafed to ad- 
 admit fueh Renunciation and Cejfion. And the faid 
 States and People, judging from the Caufes by the faid 
 King himfelf, in his Renunciation andCeflion afore- 
 faid, fignified, that the fame was very expedient, did 
 each Man fingly by himfelf, and in common v with the 
 People, unanimoufly admit the faid Ceffion and Re- 
 nunciation. 
 
 « After which Admiflion, it was then and there pub- 
 licity declar'd, that befides fuch Ceffion and Renun- 
 ciation, fo as aforefaid admitted, it would be very ex- 
 pedient and profitable to the Kingdom, for the re- 
 moving of all Scruples, and taking away finifter Sus- 
 picions, that very many Crimes and Defects, by the 
 faid King about the ill Governance of his Kingdom 
 very often committed, reduc'd into Writing by Way 
 of Articles, by Reafon of which, as himfelf affirm'd 
 in the Ceffion, by him made, he was defervedly to be 
 depofed, mould be publickly read, and declared to the 
 People. And fo the greateft Part of the faid Articles, 
 were then and there read through. The Tenour of 
 all which Articles is fuch. 
 
 But yet in the Roll, before the Articles, there are firfl 
 thefe Words. 
 
 ' Here followeth the Form of the Oath, that is 
 8 ufed and accuftom'd to be taken by the Kings of Eng- 
 * land, at their Coronation ; which the Archbifhop of 
 ' Canterbury Hath ufed to require and receive from the 
 ' faid Kings, as in the Books of the Pontifical of the 
 ' Archbifhops and Bifhops, is more fully contain'd. 
 
 1 Which Oath, Richard II. after the Conqueft of 
 ' England^ did take at his Coronation j and the fame 
 
 ' was
 
 i 2 The Parliamentary Histort 
 
 King Hemy IV. c was adminiftred by the Archbifhop of Canterbury* 
 ' and the very fame Oath the King afterwards repeat- 
 ' ed, as in the Rolls of the Chancery may more fully 
 
 * be found of Record. 
 
 « 'Thou Jbalt keep to the Church of God, and People \ en" 
 € tire Peace and Concord in God, according to thy Power. 
 c The King {Hall anfwer, 1 will keep them. 
 
 * Thou/halt in all thy Judgments caufe to be done, equal 
 6 and right Jujlice, and Difcretion, in Mercy, and in 
 
 * Truth, according to thy Power. He fhall anfwer, / 
 
 * willfo do. 
 
 * Thou do ft grant thejujl Laws and Cuftoms, as Jhall 
 
 * beheld^ and doji prorr.ife the fame Jhall by thee be pro- 
 
 * tefted, and for the Honour of God corroborated, quas 
 
 * vulgus elegerit, which the People Jhall chufe, to the ut- 
 
 * mojl of thy Power. He fhall anfwer, I do Jo grant 
 
 * andpromife. 
 
 c To the aforefaid Queftions, fuch others are added as 
 
 * fhall bejuft, and all Things being fo pronounced, the 
 ' King by his own Oath on the Altar, before all the 
 
 * AiTembly, confirms and promifes, that he will keep 
 
 * and obferve the fame. 
 
 Then follow the Objections or Articles againft the 
 King, touching his Depofition. 
 
 IMprimis, It is objected againft King Richard, that 
 whereas by Reafon of his ill Government, viz. His 
 againft him. giving away the Goods and PofTeflions belonging to his 
 Crown, and that to Perfons unworthy ; and his indis- 
 creet fquandering the fame away otherwife, and to that 
 End impofing, without Caufe, Collections and other 
 grievous Burthens on his People, more than they were 
 able to bear ; and alfo innumerable other Evils by his 
 Aflent and Command perpetrated ; there were by the 
 whole Parliament certain Prelates, and others, Tempo- . 
 ral Lords, elected and afiigned, who might with all 
 their Power, and at their own Charges, faithfully la- 
 bour about the juft Government of the Realm : Yet 
 the King caufing a Conventicle to be held by him, with 
 his Accomplices, the faid Lords, as well Spiritual as 
 Temporal, fo occupy'd about the Safety and Profit of 
 the Kingdom, did propofe to impeach of High Trea- 
 
 fon j
 
 O/ENGLAND. 13 
 
 fon ; and did violently draw the Judges of the King-j^ngn^ jy, 
 dom, for fear of Death and Corporal Tortures, to fuch 
 his wicked Purpofe, molt vigoroufly ftriving to deftroy 
 the faid Lords (m). 
 
 II. The laid King lately at Shrewsbury, caufed feve- 
 ral, and the greater Part of the Judges, to come before 
 him and his Favourites privately in a Chamber, and by- 
 Menaces, and various Terrors, and fuch Affrightments 
 as might fall even upon Men of conftam Refolutions, 
 did induce, caufe, and compel them feverally to anfwer 
 certain Qyeftions there propounded, on the Behalf of the 
 King ; concerning the Laws of his Kingdom, befides, 
 and againft their Will, and otherwife than they would 
 have atifwered, haa they been 't Liberty and unforc'd. 
 By Colour of which Aniwers, the faid Kingpurpofed to 
 have proceeded afterwards to the Deftrudtion of Thomas 
 Duke of Glcucejler, and the Earls of Arundel and War- 
 wick, and other Lords, againft A-hofe Deeds and Beha- 
 viour the laid King was much incenfed, chiefly became 
 they defir'd the faiJ King to be under good Guidance ; 
 bui Providence withftanding it, by the Refiftance and 
 Power of [he faid Lords, the King was not able to bring 
 fuch his Defign to Fffedt (n). 
 
 III. When the* Lords Temporal defending them- 
 felves,-had withftood his Malice and Fraud, and the 
 faid King had prefix'd a Day for holding his Parliament, 
 to do them and other Inhabitants of the Realm, Juftice 
 in that Behalf, and the faid Temporal Lords, were 
 quietly and peaceably gone home, and at reft in their 
 Houfes, in Hope and Confidence of the faid Parliament, 
 the King fecretly fent the Duke of Ireland with his Let- 
 ters and Standard towards Chejler, and there gathered 
 Multitudes in Arms, and caufed them to rife againft the 
 faid Lords, the Nobles of the Kingdom, and Servants 
 of the State, publickly erecting his Standard againft 
 the Peace which he had fworn to keep. From whence 
 Slaughters of Men, Captivities, Distentions, and other 
 infinite Mifchiefs, did eniue throughout the whole 
 Kingdom j by which Act he became guilty of Per- 
 
 jurvf*). 
 
 Although the faid King had in full Parliament, 
 
 and 
 
 (m) Vol. I, p.460. (n)Ibid, p, 483. (e) Ibid. ?, $%%,
 
 1 4 The ^Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry IV. ana * (J7 tne AiTent thereof, pardoned the faid Duke of 
 ' Glocejler, and Earls of Arundel, and Warwick, and all 
 their Afliftants, and others, all Offences ; and had for 
 many Years fhewn Signs of Peace and Love, to the 
 faid Duke and Earls, and to the reft appeared with -a 
 pleafant and benign Countenance. Yet the faid King 
 always and continually bearing Gall in his Heart, did 
 at laft, taking an Opportunity, caufe the faid Duke of 
 Glocejler, the Uncle of him the faid King, and alfo the 
 Son of Edward the late King of England, of happy 
 Memory, and Conftable of England, then humbly go- 
 ing to meet the faid King, in folemn Proceffion ; and 
 the faid Earls of Arundel, and Warwick, to be taken 
 and arretted ; and him the faid Duke out of the King- 
 dom of England, to the Town of Calais, did caufe ro be 
 led, and there imprifoned, and under the Cuftody of the 
 Earl of Nottingham, one of the Appellors of the faid 
 Duke, detained, and without Anfwer, or any lawful 
 Procefs whatfoever, did inhumanly and cruelly caufe 
 to be fuffocated, ftrangled, and murdered. And the 
 Earl of Arundel, though he pleaded as well the Gene- 
 ral Pardon, as a Pardon afterwards to him fpecially 
 granted, and defired Juftice to be done him, yet in his 
 Parliament, encompafled with armed Men, and innu- 
 merable Archers of the People by him gathered to that 
 Purpofe by Prefling, did damnably caufe to be behead- 
 ed. And the Earl of Warwick, and Lord Cobham, did 
 commit to perpetual Imprifonment ; wickedly and a- 
 gainft Juftice, and the Laws of his Kingdom, and his 
 exprefs Oath, confiscating their Lands and Tenements, 
 ' as well Fee-fimple, as Fee- tail, from them and their 
 Heirs, and giving the fame to their Appellors^). 
 
 V. At the fame Time, that the King in his Parlia- 
 ment caufed the Duke of Glocejler, and Earls of Arun- 
 del and Warwick, to be adjudged, that he might more 
 freely exercife his Cruelty upon them, and accomplifh 
 » his injurious Will in other Matters, he gathered to 
 himfelf a great Multitude of Malefactors of the County 
 of Chejler ; of whom fome paifing with the King 
 through the Kingdom, as well within the King's Pa- 
 lace as without, did cruelly kill the Liege Subjects of 
 
 the 
 
 (t)VQii. p. 469, i&
 
 Of ENGLAND. i S 
 
 the Kingdom, and fome they beat and wounded, and King Henry IV* 
 
 did plunder the Goods of the People, and refufe to pay 
 
 for their Victuals, and did ravilh and violate their 
 
 Wives, and other Women ; and though there were 
 
 grievous Complaints, of fuch their Exceffes, brought 
 
 to the Hearing of the faid King, yet the laid King did 
 
 not regard to caufe Juflice to be done, or any Remedy 
 
 thereupon, but did favour the faid Troops in fuch 
 
 their Evil- Doings, trailing in them and their Guard, 
 
 againft all others of his Kingdom ; for which Caufe, 
 
 the faithful People of his Kingdom had great Matter 
 
 of Commotion and Indignation (g). 
 
 VI. Although the faid King by his Writs, caufed 
 Proclamation to be made throughout the whole King- 
 dom, that he had caufed his Uncle the Duke of Glo- 
 cefter, and the Earls of Arundel and Warwick, to be 
 taken and arretted, not for any AfTeniblings or Troop- 
 ings by them formerly mad^ within the Kingdom of 
 England, but for very many Extortions, Oppreflions, 
 and other Things by them afterwards done, and per- 
 petrated, againft his Royalty, and Kingly Majefty ; 
 And that it was not his Intention, that any of the Fa- 
 mily of the faid Duke, and Earls, or of their Follow- 
 ers at the Time of fuch Aflembling, and Trooping, 
 fhould for that Occafion be molefte, or aggrieved ; 
 yet the faid King, at laft, in his Parliament, did not 
 impeach the laid Lords for Extortions, Oppreflions, or 
 any fuch Matters, but for the Aflemblings and Troop- 
 ings aforefaid did adjudge them to Death ; and very 
 many of the Family of the faid Lords, and others, who 
 were following them at the Time of fuch their AfTem- 
 bling, and Trooping, he did, for Fear of Death, force 
 to make Fine and Ranfom, as Traitors or Rebels, to 
 the great Deftruclion of a great Number of his People. 
 And fo he did fubtlely, fraudulently, and malicioufly 
 deceive the faid Lords, and their Domettics, and the Peo- 
 ple of his Kingdom (r). 
 
 VII. After very many of thofe Perfons fo making 
 Fine and Ranfom, had obtained of the King, his Let- 
 ters Patent of full Pardon in the Premifes, they could 
 
 •not reap any Commodity by fuch Letters of Pardon, N 
 
 'till 
 
 ( ? ) Vol. I. p. 488. (r) Ibid. p. 466.
 
 1 6 The Parliamentary Hi sTour 
 
 King Henry IV. 'till they had made new Fines, and Ranfoms, forfav- 
 ing of their Life, whereby very many were impo- 
 verifh'd ; which was a great Derogation and Difhonour 
 to the Name and State of a King. 
 
 VIII. In the laft Parliament held at Shrew/bury, th e 
 faid King purpofing to opprefs his People, fubtlely 
 procured, and caufed it to be granted, that the Power 
 of the Parliament, by the Confent of the States of this 
 Kingdom) Jhould remain in certain Perfons, to determine, 
 after the D'tJJblution of the Parliament , certain Petiti- 
 ons in the faid Parliament exhibited, but then not dif 
 patched. By Colour of which Grant, the Perfons fo 
 deputed proceeded to other Things generally touching 
 that Parliament. And this with the Will of the King; 
 in Derogation of the State of Parliament, and the great 
 Damage of the whole Kingdom, and pernicious Ex- 
 ample. And that they might feem to have fome Co- 
 lour and Authority, for fuch their Doings, the King 
 caufed the Parliament Rolls, to be altered and blotted at 
 his Pleafure, againft the Effect of the faid Grant (s). 
 
 IX. Notwithstanding the faid King at his Coronation 
 had fworn, That in all his Judgments, he would caufe 
 
 . to be done equal and right Juftice, and Dijcretion, in 
 Mercy and Truth, according to his Power j yet the faid 
 Kingrigoroufly, without all Mercy, did, amongft other 
 Things, ordain, under grievous Penalties, that none 
 fhould fue for any Favour, or intercede with the faid 
 King, for Henry Duke of Lancafler, being banimed, 
 whereby the faid King did act againft the Bond of Cha- 
 rity, rafhly violating his Oath aforefaid (t). 
 
 X. Although the Crown of the Kingdom of Eng- 
 land, and the Rights of the faid Crown, and the King- 
 dom itfelf, have in all Time paft, been fo free, that 
 our Lord the Pope, nor any other without the King- 
 dom, ought to concern himfelf about the fame ; yet 
 the aforeiaid King, for the Corroboration of fuch his 
 erroneous Statutes, did make Supplication to our Lord 
 the Pope, that he would confirm the Statutes ordain'd 
 in his laft Parliament, whereupon our Lord the Pope 
 granted his Apojlolick Letters., in which grievous Cenfures 
 are denounced againft any that mould prefume in any 
 
 Thing 
 
 (%) Ibid, p. 49*. (t) Ibid, p, 495.
 
 Of E N G L A N D. ty 
 
 Thing to act contrary to the faid Statutes ; all which King Henry iv. 
 are well known to tend againfb the Crown, and Royal 
 Dignity, and againft the Statutes and Liberties of the 
 faid Kingdom (u). 
 
 XL Although the Lord Henry, now Duke of Lan- 
 cajler, by the King's Command had preferred his Bill 
 touching the State and Honour of the King, againft the 
 Duke of Norfolk, and the fame had duly profecuted ; 
 fo that according to the King's Order, he had exhibit- 
 ed himfelf in all Points prepared for the Combate. And 
 the faid King had declared, that the faid Duke of 
 Lantajler had honourably performed his Devoir as much 
 as in him lay, and this by a Decree publickly pro- 
 claimed before all the People aflembled at the faid 
 Combate : Yet the faid King, without any legal Rea- 
 fon whatfoever, did caufe and command the faid Duke 
 to be banilh'd for ten Years, againft all Juftice, and 
 the Laws and Cuftoms of this Kingdom, and the Law 
 of War in that Behalf, thereby damnably incurring 
 Perjury (x). 
 
 XII. After the faid King had gracioufly granted by 
 his Letters Patents, to the Lord Henry now Duke of 
 Lancafter, that in his Abfence whilft he was banilh'd, 
 his General Attornies might profecute for Livery to 
 him to be made of all Manner of Inheritance or Suc- 
 ceftions belonging unto him, and that his Homage 
 fhould be refpited, paying a certain reafonable Fine j he 
 injurioufly did revoke the faid Letters Patent, againft 
 the Laws of the Land, thereby incurring the Crime of 
 Perjury (y), 
 
 XIII. Notwithftanding that it was Enacted, that 
 every Year the Officers of the King, with his Juftices 
 and others of the King's Council, mould choofe She- 
 riffs for all the Counties of England, and name them to 
 our Lord the King, according a3 to their Difcretion 
 and Confcience fhould feem expedient, for the Good 
 and Utility of the Kingdom, the faid King hath caufed 
 Perfons to be made Sheriffs, not fo nominated or elected* 
 but others according to the Capricio's of his Pleafure, 
 fometimes his Favourites or Creatures, and fometimes 
 fuch as he knew would not oppoie his Humour, for his 
 
 Vol. II. B own 
 
 00 See before, Vol. I. p. 486, (*} Ibid, p. 494, (j} Hid, p., 497,
 
 1 8 The Parliamentary History 
 
 KbgHen»yJV. own and others private Advantage, to the great Grie- 
 vance of his People, and againit the Laws of his King- 
 dom, thereby notorioufly incurring Perjury, (z) 
 
 XIV. At fuch Time as the aforefaid King refuelled, 
 and had of very many Lords and others of his King* 
 dom, divers Sums of Money by way of Loan, to be 
 paid again at a cert in Term, notwithftanding the faid 
 King faithfully promifed by his feveral Letters Patent 
 to the feveral Perfons of whom he borrowed the faid 
 Monies, that at the Term limited as aforefaid, he would 
 repay the fame ; yet he did not fulfil fuch his Promife, 
 nor are they yet fatisfied the faid Monies, whereby 
 fuch Creditors are much agrieved, and not only they, 
 but many others of the Kingdom repute the King un- 
 faithful. 
 
 XV. Whereas the King of England, by the Revenue 
 of his K ; ngdom, and' the Patrimony belonging to his 
 Crown, is able to live honeftly, without the Opprefli- 
 on of his People, as long as the Kingdom is not bur- 
 den'd with the Charge of Wars ; yet the faid King, in 
 a Manner for his whole Time during the Truces be- 
 tween the Kingdom of England and its Adverfaries, 
 hath not only given away a great, yea indeed the great- 
 efc Part of his faid Patrimony, and this to unworthy 
 Perfons ; but alfo hath further impofed on his Subjects 
 fo many Burthens of Monies granted, as it were every 
 Year of his Reign, that thereby he hath extremely and 
 too exceflively oppreffed his People, to the lmpoverifh- 
 ment of his Kingdom ; not converting the Goods (o 
 levied to the Commodity and Profit. of the Kingdom of 
 England, but prodigally fquandering it away for the 
 Orientation of his Name, and in Pomp and Vain-Glo- 
 ry : Whilft great Sums of Money are owing in his 
 Kingdom for the Victuals of his Houlhold, and other 
 Things bought, though he hath abounded with Riches 
 and Trealurcs more than any of his Progenitors. 
 
 XVI. The faid King not willing to keep or protect 
 the juft Laws and Cuitoms of his Kingdom, but ac- 
 cording to h.'s Arbitrary Will to do whatfoever mould 
 occur to his Defires; fometimes and very often, when 
 the Laws of his Kingdom have been expounded and 
 
 declared 
 
 \ (*) Sec Vol, I, p, 4of.
 
 0/ E N G L A N D. i 9 
 
 declared to him by the Judges and others of his Coun- King Henry IV • 
 
 cil, and that they have defired that he would do Juilice 
 
 according to thofe Laws, hath exprefly and with an 
 
 angry and haughty Countenance, faid, *fbat bis Laws 
 
 were in bis Mouth ; and fometimes, 'that they were in 
 
 his Breaji : And, that He him/elf alone could make and 
 
 change the Laws of his Kingdom : And being feduced 
 
 with that Opinion, did not fuffer Juftice to be done 
 
 to very many of his Liege People, but by Threats and 
 
 Terrors hath forced very many to ceafe from the Pro- 
 
 lecution of Common Juftice. 
 
 XVII. That after certain Statutes had been made in 
 Parliament, which always bind till they are fpecially 
 revok'd by the Authority of another Parliament ; the 
 faid King defiring to enjoy fuch Liberty that no fuch 
 Statutes mould fo bind him, but that he might do and 
 execute his Pleafure, fubtilly procured a Petition to be 
 preferred in his Parliament on Behalf of the Common- 
 alty of his Kingdom, and to be granted to him in gene- 
 ral, That he might be as free as any of his Progenitors 
 were before him : By Colour of which Petition and 
 Conceffion the faid King hath very often commanded 
 very many Things to be done againft fuch Statutes un- 
 repealed ; acting therein exprefly and knowingly againlc 
 his Oath taken in his Coronation, as aforefaid (a). 
 
 XVIII. Although it was Enacted and Ordained, 
 that no Sheriff mould hold his Office above one Year 
 together, but that three Years mould pafs, before he 
 mould be again admitted to that Office ; the faid King 
 Richard fometimes for his own fingle Commodity, and 
 fometimes at the Inftance of others for their Advan- 
 tage, hath permitted and . caufed certain Sheriffs to 
 Hand and remain continually in their Offices, fometimes 
 two, fometimes three Years, againft the Tenor and 
 Effect of the Statute aforefaid, thereby incurring Per- 
 jury ; and this is notorious, publick, and generally ill 
 fpoken of. 
 
 XIX. Although by the Statute and Cuftom of his 
 
 Realm in the calling together of every Parliament, his 
 
 People in the feveral Counties of the Kingdom ought 
 
 to be free in choofing and deputing two Knights to be 
 
 B 2 prefent 
 
 («) S«e Vol, I. p. 449.
 
 no The 'Parliamentary Histout 
 
 Kuig Henry IV. prefent in fuch Parliament for each refpective County ; 
 and to declare their Grievances, and to profecute fuch 
 Remedies thereupon, as to them fhall feem expedient : 
 Yet the aforefaid King, that in his Parliaments he 
 might be able more freely to accomplifh the Effe&s of 
 his Head-ftrong Will, did very often direct his Com- 
 mands to his Sheriffs, that they fhould caufe to come 
 to his Parliaments as Knights of the Shire, certain Per- 
 fons by the faid King named (£), which Knights being his 
 Favourites he might lead, as often he had done, 
 fometimes by various Menaces and Terrors, and fome- 
 times by Gifts, to confent to thofe Things as were pre- 
 judicial to the Kingdom, and exceeding burdenfome to 
 the People ; and efpecially to grant to the faid King a 
 Subfidy on Wool for the Term of Ms Life> and ano- 
 ther Subfidy for certain Years, thereby too grievoufly 
 opVrefling his People (c). 
 
 XX. The faid King, that he might more freely ful- 
 fil and follow in every Thing his own Arbitrary Will, 
 did unlawfully caufe and command, That the Sheriff* 
 throughout his whole Realm, befides their ancient ac- 
 cuftomed Oath, mould fwear that they would obey all 
 his Commands, as often as they fhould be directed to 
 them, under his Great and Privy Seal, and alfo his 
 Letters under his Signet : And that in cafe the faid 
 Sheriffs fhould come to know that any within their 
 Bailiwicks, of whatfoever Condition they were, had 
 publickly or fecretly faid or fpoken any 111, that might 
 tend to the Difgrace or Scandal of his Royal Perfon, 
 they fhould arreft and imprifon them, there fafely to 
 be kept 'till they fhould receive Command from the 
 King to the contrary, as may be found in the Record ; 
 which Facl may probably tend to the Deftru&ion of 
 many of the Liege People of the faid Kingdom. 
 
 XXI. The laid King ftriving to trample under Foot 
 his People, and fubtilly to acquire their Goods to him- 
 felf, that he might abound in fuperfluous Riches, did 
 caufe the People of Seventeen Counties of the Realm 
 to fubmit themfejves to the King as Traitors, by Let- 
 ters under their Seals ; by Colour whereof he got mighty 
 Sums of- Money to" be granted him by the Clergy and 
 
 People 
 
 {i) See Vol.1, p. 406. (e) Hid. p. 486.
 
 0/ ENGLAND. n 
 
 People of thofe Counties, for obtaining his Royal Good- King Henry IV. 
 
 Will and Favour : And though to pleafe the People, 
 
 the King had caufed thofe obligatory Letters to be re- 
 
 ftored, yet the Procurators of the People having full 
 
 Power granted them to oblige themfelves and their 
 
 Heirs to the kid King ; he the faid King caufed them 
 
 under their Seals to be bound to him in the Name of 
 
 the faid People, and fo deceived his People, and fubtil- 
 
 ly extorted from them their Goods. * 
 
 XXII. Although the faid King at his Coronation 
 had fworn to keep the Liberties granted to the Church 
 of England yet the faid King, by Reafon of his Voy- 
 age into Ireland^ did by his Letters command very 
 many Religious Pe fons, viz. Abbots and Priors of his 
 K ngdom, ftriclly requiring that fome of them fhould 
 fend to him certain Horfes ; and fome of them not 
 only Horfes, but alfo Waggons and Carriages for his 
 laid Voyage, or. in Lieu thereof great Sums of Money 
 in the . faid Letters exprefled : By which Manner of 
 Writing, he forced many of fuch Religious out of Fear 
 to fulfil his Will and Command, whereby they were 
 heavily impoverifh'd and opprefs'd, in manifeft Deroga- 
 tion of Ecclefiaitical Liberty ; by which Pretext the 
 faid King Richard did incur Perjury. 
 
 XXIII. In moft of the great Royal Councils, when 
 the Lords of the Realm, the Judges and others, being 
 charg'd that they would faithfully counfel the King in 
 Matters relating to his State and that of his Kingdom : 
 The faid Lords, Juftices, and others, very often in gi- 
 ving Counfel according to their beft Difcretion, have 
 been by the King fuddenly and fo fiercely chidden and 
 reproved, that they have not dared to fpeak the Truth, 
 in giving their Advice for the State of the King and 
 Kingdom (d). 
 
 XXIV. The Treafure, Crowns, Reliques, and other 
 Jewels, viz. The Goods of the Kingdom, which 
 Time out of Mind have been repofited in the Trea- 
 fury of the Kingdom, for the Honour of the King, 
 and Prefervation of his Kingdom againfl any fudden 
 Event or Exigency ; the faid King going out of his 
 Kingdom into Ireland, did take away, and caufed the 
 
 B 3 fame 
 
 (d) Sec Vol. I. P. 406.
 
 1 2 The 'Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry IV. fame to be carried with him, tviibout the Confent of , 
 the States of the Kingdom : Whereby this Kingdom 
 had been vaftly impoveriih'd, if God by the retaking 
 of the faid Goods againft the faid King's Will had not 
 otherwife provided. And furthermore the faid King 
 did caufe the Rolls of Records touching the State and 
 Government of his Kingdom to be deftroyed and rafed, 
 to the great Prejudice of his People, and difinheriting 
 of the Crown of the faid Kingdom : And all this, as 
 'tis probably believed, in Favour and Support of his 
 Evil Governance. 
 
 XXV. The faid King was wont, as it were perpe- 
 tually, to be fo variable and: diffembling in his Words 
 and Writings, and fo contrary to himfelf, and efpe- 
 cially in writing to the Pope, and to Kings, and other 
 Lords out of the Kingdom, and Within it, and alfo to 
 others his Subjects, that no Man living that knew his 
 Conditions could or would confide in him ; nay, he 
 was reputed fo unfaithful and unconftant, that it be- 
 came fcandalous not only to his own Perfon, but alfo 
 to the whole Kingdom, and efpecially amongft Fo- 
 reigners of all the World who came to know the 
 fame. 
 
 XXVI. Although the Lands and Tenements, the 
 Goods and Chattels of every Freeman, by the Laws of 
 the Realm ufed from all Time heretofore, ought not 
 to be taken from him, unlefs they be forfeited : Yet 
 the faid King purpofing and longing to weaken fuch 
 Laws, in the Prefence of very many Lords, and others 
 of the Commonalty of the Kingdom, hath frequently 
 faid and affirm'd, That the Life of every one of his Suk- 
 jeils, and his Lands, Tenements, Goods, and Chattels, 
 are his± the faid King's, at his Will and Pleafure, with- 
 out any Forfeiture : Which is utterly againft the Laws 
 and Cuftoms of the Kingdom aforefaid. 
 
 XXVII. Although it was enadled and ordained, 
 and is hitherto confirmed, That no Freeman fhall be 
 taken, nor any way deftroyed ; and that the King 
 fhall not pafs, nor fend any to pafs upon him, but by 
 the lawful Judgment of his Peers, or by the Laws of 
 the Land : Yet by the Will, Command and Order of 
 
 the 
 
 i ■
 
 Of E N G L A N D. a 3 
 
 the faid King, very many of his Liege People being K;„g Hewy IV, 
 malicioufly accufed for having publickly or iecretly 
 faid fomething rhar might tend to the Difpraife, Scan- 
 dal, or Difgrace of the Perfon of the faid King, have 
 been taken and impri f oned, and brought btioie the 
 Conftable and Marfhal of England in the Court Mili- 
 tary, in which Court the laid Liege People being ac- 
 cufed would not be admitted to make any other An- 
 fwer, than that they were no way guilty, and would 
 juftify the fame, and defend themfelves by their Bodies, 
 and not other wife ; notwithstanding their Appellors 
 were young Men, flout and lufty, and thofe lb accufed, 
 ancient and impotent, maim d or infirm ; whereby not 
 only Dtftruction of the Lords and Grandees of the 
 Kingdom, but alfo of -:11 and Angular Perlons of the 
 Commonalty of the fame may probably enfue : Since 
 therefore the laid/ King hath wilfully acted contrary to 
 fuch a Statute of this K ngdom, 'tis not to be doubted 
 bui he hath thereby incurred the Crime of Perjurv. 
 
 OCX VI II: Although the People of the Realm of Eng- 
 land, by Virtue of their Leigiance, are fully enough 
 bound to their King ; and the faid King, by the Laws 
 and Cuftoms of his Kingdom, is enabled to correct and 
 punifh his People, if in any Kind they tran^refs ; yet 
 the faid King defiring to trample on, and too much 
 opprefs his People, that he might the more freely exe- 
 cute and follow the Humour or hisfoolifh and unlawful 
 Will, by his Letters to all the Counties of his King<- 
 dom, did enjoin and command, That all his Subjects, as 
 well Spiritual as Temporal, hVuld take certain Oaths 
 in general, which were too vrevous to them, and 
 which might probably caufe the final Deftrudtion of his 
 People ; and that they mould confirm luch their Oaths 
 under their Letters and Seals. To which Royal Com- 
 mand, the People of his Kingdom did fubmit and pay 
 Obedience, that they might not incur his Indignation 
 or Difpleafure, and alfo for Fear of Death (d). 
 
 XXIX. When Parties contending in the Ecclefiafti- 
 cal Court in Caufes meerly Ecclefiaftical and Spiritual, 
 had endeavoured to obtain from the Chancellor of Eng- 
 land > Prohibitions to hinder the lawful Procefs in the 
 
 faid 
 
 (d) SscVcl.I' p. 4*6.
 
 a 4 The 'Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry iv. faid Courts, and the faid Chancellor had juftly refus'd 
 to grant the fame : Yet the faid King by Letters under 
 his Signet, has frequently prohibited the Ecclefiaftical 
 Judges to proceed in fuch Caufes, thereby evilly infring- 
 ing the Liberties of the Church in the Grand Charter 
 approved, to the Confervation whereof he was fworn, 
 and damnably incurring Perjury, and the Sentence of 
 Excommunication againft fuch Violators thereof by the 
 Holy Fathers pronounc'd. 
 
 XXX. The faid King without any reafonable or 
 lawful Caufe whatfoever, or any other Procefs of Law, 
 did in his Parliament, encompafs'd in warlike Manner 
 by armed Men, adjudge Thomas of Arundel, Lord Arch- 
 bifhop of Canterbury, (Primate, of all England, his Spiri- 
 tual Father, abfenting himfelf by the treacherous Coun- 
 fel of the faid King) to Banifhment, againft the Laws 
 of his Kingdom , fo by him fworn to as aforefaid (e). 
 
 XXXI. By Infpeclion of the Teftament of the faid 
 King ; fealed with the Great and Privy Seal, and alfo 
 with his Signet, among other Things there is contained 
 
 this Claufe or Article * Item, We will that the 
 
 ' Refidue of our Gold, (the true Debts of our Houfhold, 
 
 * Chamber, and Wardrobe, being paid, for Payment 
 
 * whereof we bequeath twenty thoufand Marks, referv- 
 
 * ing to our Executors, five or fix thoufand Marks ; 
 
 * which we will by them to be expended towards the 
 
 * more plentiful Maintenance of the Lepers, and Chap- 
 
 * lains, to celebrate before them, by us founded at 
 c Wejlminjler, and Bermondefeye,) fhall remain to our 
 
 * Succefibr, provided always that he approve, ratify and 
 6 confirm, and hold, and caufe to be holden, and firm- 
 4 ly obferved, all and lingular, the Statutes, Ordinan- 
 ■ ces, and Judgments, made, given, and rendered in 
 
 * our Parliament, begun at Wejlminjler the 17th Day 
 
 * of the Month of September, in the one and twentieth 
 
 * Year of our Reign, and in the fame Parliament, con- 
 
 * tinued at Shrewsbury, and there holden ; and alfo, all 
 
 * the Ordinances, Judgments, and Eftablifhments, of 
 
 * the 1 6th Day of September, in the 22d Year of our 
 
 * Reign, at Coventry ; and afterwards at Wejlminjler, 
 ' the 8th Day of March, in the Year aforefaid, by the 
 
 • Authority 
 
 if) See Vol. I. p. 465.
 
 Of E N G L A N D. i S 
 
 Authority of the faid Parliament ; and likewife all j^g Henry lYt . 
 other Ordinances, and Judgments, which fhall here- 
 after happen to be made by Authority of the faid Par- 
 liament. But otherwife, if our faid Succeflbr (hall 
 refufe to perform the Premifles, (which we do not 
 believe) then we will that Thomas Duke of Surrey, 
 Edward Duke of Albemarle, John Duke of Ex- 
 eter, and William le Strope Earl of Wiltjhire, pay- 
 ing firft the Debts of our Houfliold, our Cham- 
 ber, and our Wardrobe, and referving five or fix 
 thoufand Marks, as aforefaid, fhall have and hold 
 all the faid Refidue abovemention'd j for to fupport 
 and defend the faid Statutes, Eftabliihments, Ordi- 
 nances, and Judgments, to their utmoft Power, e- 
 ven unto Death, if it be neceflary ; upon all which, 
 and every Part, we do hereby charge and burden their 
 Confciences as they will anfwer in the Day of Judg- 
 ment.' By which Article it may evidently enough 
 appear, that the faid King did obftinately ftrive to main- 
 tain and defend thofe Statutes and Ordinances, which 
 are erroneous and unjuft, and repugnant to all Law and 
 Reafon. And this not only during his Life, but after 
 his Death too ; neither regarding the Peril of his own 
 Soul, nor yet the utter Deftrudtion of his faid Kingdom 
 or Liege People. 
 
 XXXII. In the i ith Year of the faid King Richard, 
 he the faid King, in the Chappel of his Manor of Lang- 
 ley, in the Prelenceof the Dukes of Lancafler and Tori, 
 and very many other Lords, defiring, as it hath appear- 
 ed, that his Uncle the Duke of Gloce/ler, then there 
 prefent, mould fully confide in the good Will of him 
 the faid King ; did voluntarily and of his own Accord, 
 fwear before the venerable Sacrament of the Lord's Bo- 
 dy, there placed upon the Altar, that thence forwards he 
 would never endammage, trouble, or grieve him, the 
 faid Duke of Gloce/ler, for any of his Deeds which were 
 faid to have been committed againft the Perfon of him 
 the faid King, but did cheerfully and totally forgive 
 him all his Offence, if any were. Yet afterwards, 
 notwithftanding fuch Oath, the faid King did horribly 
 and cruelly caufe the faid Duke to be murder'd, for fuch 
 
 the
 
 2$. The Tarliamentary History 
 
 Kin* Henry iv. the ^fore pretended Offences, thereby incurring the 
 Guilt of damnable Perjury (/). 
 
 XXXIII. After one of the Knights of the Shires, of 
 the faid Kingdom, having a Voice in Parliament, had 
 impeach'd the faid Thomas, Archbifhop of Canterbury, 
 upon certain Defaults, committed againft the King's 
 Majefty, as was untruly fuggefted ; and the faid Arch- 
 bifhop, prefently then and there offered himfelf ready to 
 anfwer the Matters charged upon him j and defired that 
 he might be thereunto admitted by the King, not 
 doubting, as he faid, but he mould be able fufficiently 
 to (hew his Innocence : Yet the faid King, contriving 
 by all the Ways and Means he could, to opprefs the 
 faid Archbifhop of Canterbury, and ruin his Eftate, as 
 the Event of the Matter, has declared, fpeaking graci- 
 oufly, and with a- chearful Countenance to the faid 
 Archbifhop, from his Royal Seat, did advife, and very 
 earneftly requeft him, that at that Time, he would 
 hold his Peace, and expect a better and more fit Time 
 to make his Defence (g) ; which Day being pafl'ed, the 
 faid King from Day to Day, for Five Days or more, 
 did fraudulently and treacheroufly deceive the faid 
 Archbifhop, counselling him, and perfuading him, that 
 he fhould not come to the Parliament, but wait at 
 home without any Fear ; becaufe, as the faid King 
 faithfully did promife him, there mould not in his Ab- 
 fence any Lois or Prejudice be done or happen to him. 
 Notwithstanding all which, the faid King, in his Par- 
 liament aforeiaid, did in the mean Time adjudge the 
 faid' Archbifhop to be*banimed, during the King's Plea- 
 fure, though abfent, and never any way called to an- 
 fwer, and without any reafonable CaUfe whatfoever ; 
 and alfo voluntarily, againft the Laws of the Kingdom 
 and all Juftice, confifcated all his Goods, whereby he 
 likewife became guilty of Perjury. But furthermore, 
 the faid King being willing to paliate his Malice and 
 Subtiky, by flattering Difcourfes which he oft-times 
 had with the faid Archbifhop, did endeavour to clear 
 himfelf of fuch Injury done, and make as if it were 
 the Doings of others ; infomuch that the Archbifhop 
 difccurfing.with the King, and with the Duke of Nor- 
 
 (/) See Vol. I. P. 476, {g) Ibid, p. 466.
 
 Of ENGLAND. 27 
 
 folk) and other Lords, and great Men of the King- Kj n g H^y jy # 
 dom ; happen'd to fay by way of lamenting his own* 
 Condition, ' That he was not the firft that had fuffer- 
 ' ed Banifhment, nor fhould he be the laft j for he 
 ' thought in a fhort Time the Duke of Norfolk, and 
 
 * other Lords would follow him* and confidently a- 
 e verred to the Kins, That all the Rigour of thefe Pro- 
 
 * ceedings would finally be returned back on his own 
 
 * Head.' To which the faid King, as aftonifhed, ha- 
 ftily replied, That he verily thought it might fo happen ; 
 and that he him/elf might and indeed ought to be ex- 
 pel! 'd his Kingdom by his Liegt People. And further the 
 faid King faid, That if the fame- Jhould happen, He 
 would convey himfelf to the fame Place, where the faid 
 Archbijhop Jhould be. And that the Archbifhop might 
 the rather credit his Words, he fhewed him a certain, 
 great Jewel (g), curiouily formed, underneath the 
 Skirt of his outward Veftment ; intimating for certain, 
 to the faid Archbifhop, that whenever he mould fend 
 that Jewel for a Token, he would not delay to come 
 thither, where the faid Archbifhop fhould be refident : 
 And that the faid Archbifhop might more confide in 
 him ; the faid King fent to him, advifing him, that he 
 fhould privately fend all his Jewels, and other Things 
 of Value, belonging to his Chapel, unto him the faid 
 King, for the fafe keeping thereof ; left by Colour of 
 the before-mentioned Judgment, any one fhould wrong- 
 fully feize the fame. Which, under the greateft Confi- 
 dence in the World* being done, the faid King caufed 
 him to repofite the faid Goods in certain Coffers ; and 
 the faid Coffers to be locked up, and fealed by one of 
 the Archbifhop's Clerks ; and keeping the faid Coffers 
 by him, returned the Keys thereof by the faid Clerk to 
 the Archbifhop : Yet afterwards, unknown to the faid 
 Archbifhop, caufed the faid Coffers to be broken open, 
 and difpofed of the Goods therein, at his Will and Plea- 
 sure. Furthermore, the faid King faithfully promifed 
 
 the faid A rehbifhep, that if he would but repair to the 
 Port of Hampton, in, order to go out of the Realm, he 
 would at laft, by the Interceflion of the Queen, get 
 him recalled. And if it fhould happen, that he the 
 
 faid 
 (g) Monde, a Broecb, or 7abku
 
 s8 The ^Parliamentary H 1 sT o k y 
 
 Kbg Henry vrfi^ Archbifhop fhould go out of the Realm, he fhould 
 without fail return into England, before Eafter next 
 following ; nor fhould in any kind Iofe his Archbifhop- 
 rick : And this he faithfully promifed, fwearing upon 
 the Crofs of the late Martyr St Thomas, Archbifhop of 
 Canterbury , by h m the faid King corporally touched : 
 All which Promifes notwithftanding, the faid King for- 
 ced the faid Archbifhop to depart the Realm j and 
 forthwith tranfmitted ipeci.il Letters to the Apoftolical 
 See, to have him tranflated. And fo, and by other 
 Frauds, and deceitful Tricks of the faid King, the faid 
 Archbifhop, being a well-meaning believing Man, was 
 fubtilly circumvented. 
 
 ■ 
 After the Recital of the foregoing Articles, the Record 
 proceeds thus ; 
 * And becaufe it feemed to all the Eftates of the 
 *. Realm, being asfked their Judgments thereupon, as. 
 
 * well feverally as jointly ; that thefe Caufes of Crimes 
 
 * and Defaults were fufficient and notorious to depofe 
 
 * the faid King; confidering alio his own Confeflion 
 
 * of his Infufficiency, and other Things contained in 
 ' his faid Renunciation and Ceflion, openly delivered; 
 ' all the faid States did unanimoufly confent, that 
 € ex abundanti, they fhould proceed unto a Depofi- 
 
 * tion of the faid King ; for the greater Security and 
 
 * Tranquility of the People, and Benefit of the King- 
 ' dom. Whereupon the faid States and Commons 
 
 * unanimoufly constituted, and publickly deputed 
 ' certain Commiffioners, viz. The Bifhop of St 
 « Afaph, the Abbot of Glajlonbury, the Earl of Glocefter, 
 
 * the Lord Berkeley, Sir Thomas Erpyngham, and Sir 
 ' Thomas Grey, Knights, and Sir William Ihirnyng, 
 
 * one of the Juftices, to pafs fuch Sentence of Depofi- 
 ' tion ; and to depofe the faid King Richard, from all 
 
 * Kingly Dignity, Majefty, and Honour, on the Be- 
 
 * half and m the Name, and by the Authority of ail 
 
 * the faid States, as in like Cafes, from the antient Cu- 
 
 * Horn of the faid Kingdom had been obferved {h). And 
 
 * forthwith the laid Commiffioners taking, upon them- 
 
 * felves the Burthen of the faid Commiflion, and lit— 
 
 'ting 
 
 (b) See the Proceedings upon tht Deposition of King Edward the 
 Second, in Vol. I. p. 182, &c.
 
 
 Of ENGLAND. ^ 
 
 ting on a Tribunal before the faid Royal Chair of King Henry IV. 
 State, having firft had fome Debate of the Matter, 
 did on the Behalf and in the Name, and by the Au- 
 thority aforefaid, pafs the faid Sentence of Depofiti- 
 on, being reduced into Writing ; and caufed fuch 
 their Sentence to be read and recited by the faid Bi- 
 fhop of St Ajaph, their Colleague, by the Will and 
 * Command of the rell of the faid Commiffioners : In 
 thefe Words; 
 
 I 
 
 N the Name of God, Amen. We John, Bijhop The Sentence of 
 ofStAhph, John Abbot of Glaftonbury, Thomas ^ e p n of £? n paffed 
 Earl of Glocefter, Thomas Lord Berkeley, Thomas Richard. 8 
 de Erpyngham, and Thomas Grey, Knights, and Wil- 
 liam Thirnyng Jujlice, Commiffioners fpecially deputed 
 to the Matters under- written, by the Peers and Lords 
 Spiritual and Temporal of the Kingdom of England, 
 and the Commons of the faid Kingdom ; reprefenting all 
 the Eflates of the jaid Realm , fitting in Tribunal ; and 
 having confidered the multiplied Perjuries, Cruelty, and 
 very many other Crimes of the faid Richard, touching 
 his Government, committed and perpetrated in his King" 
 doms and Dominions aforefaid, during the Time of his 
 Governance ; all of them before the faid States, openly and 
 publickly propounded,, exhibited, and recited ; zvhich have 
 been and are fo publick, notorious, manifeft, and fan- 
 ialous, that they could not nor can be concealed with De- 
 nial or Excufe . And confidering likewife the Confejfon 
 of the faid Richard, acknowledging and reputing , and 
 truly, and of his own certain Knowledge judging, himfelf 
 to have been and to be utterly inefficient and unmeet 
 for the Rule and Government of the faid Kingdoms at.d 
 Dominions, and their Appurtenances, and for fuch his 
 notorious Demerits worthy to be depofed ; as by him the 
 faid Richard, was before declared, and by his U ill and 
 Command, pubiijhed before the fid States, and made 
 known and expofed to them in the Vulgar Tongue (/); 
 having already had diligent Deliberation upon theje Things 
 and all othe> s, tran faded in ihis Affair before the faid 
 States and us, We do, on the Behalf, and in the Name, and 
 by the Authority to us in this Matter committed ', ex abun- 
 
 danti, 
 
 (i) See before,, p. 8.
 
 30 The 'Parliamentary History 
 
 KingHeniy iv k danti<7«i for Caution , pronounce , decree, and declare 
 him tie [aid Richard, to have been, and to be unfit, un- 
 able, and utterly infuffitient for, and unworthy of the 
 ■Rule and Government of the Jaid Kingdoms, and the Do- 
 minion, and Rights, and Appurtenances of the fame; and 
 for and by Reafon of the Premises, to be defervedly De- 
 pofed of, and from all Royal Dignity and Honour, if any 
 Thing offuch Dignity and Honour were yet remaining 
 in him. And with the fame Caution we Jo Depofe him 
 by this our definitive Sentence in Writing, exprejly for- 
 bidding all and fingular the Lords, . Archbifhpps, Bi- 
 Ihops, and Prelates, Dukes, MarquelTes, Earis, Ba- 
 rons, Knights, Vaflals, and Valvaibrs, and other Sub- 
 jects, and Liege People of the faid Kingdoms and Domi- 
 nion, and other Places to the Jaid Kingdoms and Domi- 
 nion belonging, that henceforth none of them fljall any 
 way obey or regard the jaid Richard, as King or Lord of 
 the faid Kingdom and Dominion, 
 
 c Furthermore, the faid States willing that nothing 
 c {hould be wanting which might be of value, or ought 
 
 * to be required touching the Premifles, being feverally 
 ' interrogated thereupon, did conilitute the fame Per- 
 c . fons that were before nominated Commiffion^rs, to 
 ' be their Procurators, jointly and feverally to refign 
 1 and give back to the faid King Richard, the Homage 
 
 * and Fealty to him before made, and to intimate to 
 4 him, if it mould be requifite, all the Premifles, touch- 
 
 * ing fuch his Depofition and Renunciation. 
 
 * And then prefently, as foon as it appeared by the 
 ' Premiflls, and the Occafion of them, that the 
 
 * Crown of England, with its Appurtenances was va- 
 1 cant ; the aforefaid Henry Duke of Lancafler, rifing 
 
 * up from his Place, and ftanding fo erected as he might 
 
 * conveniently be feen by the People, and humbly for- 
 4 tifying him (elf with the Sign of the Crofs on his 
 
 * Forehead, and on his Breaft, having alfo firft called 
 
 * upon the Name of Chrifl, did claim the faid Kingdom, 
 
 * fo vacant as aforefaid, with its Crown and all its 
 ' Members and Appurtenances; in this Form of Words 
 ! in his Mother Tongue.
 
 Of E N G L A N D. 3 i 
 
 IiR tfje ^ame of ^fatier, £on, ana iEoip$cff, 31 Kin S Henry iv. 
 Henry of Lancafter, cljalenge tljiB Keitme Of Yng- 
 
 londe. ano the Croim totth. all the g$ember#, ana tf)e 
 2lppurtenanrc#, al# 31 tfjat am Dcfcehoit, be Bight 
 ilme of tfje EMoDe, coming fro rfje guoe &o£o tag 
 
 Henry Therde, attD tijO^SU^ ftjat 3Ktght that (250D Of ljjj8? 
 
 dE^ace hath ferit mee, totth l^elpp of mp &jm, ano of Henry's claim 
 mp ;ffrenDr# to recooer it ; & he toliicl) Betome toatf to theCrown. 
 in povnt to be omone for Befaut of <25obernance, ano 
 tmuopng of tlje (Puoe jdatoeje; 
 
 * After which Claim and Challenge, as well the 
 e Lords Spiritual as Temporal, and all the States there 
 
 * prelent, being feverally and jointly interrogated, 
 ' what they thought of that Claim ; the faid States 
 
 * with the whole People, without any Difficulty or De- 
 e lay did unanimoufly confent, that the faid Duke 
 ' mould reign over them. And forthwith, as the faid 
 
 * King (hewed to the States of the Kingdom the Sig- 
 
 * net of Kir.g Richard, delivered to him as a Token of 
 ' his Will, that he fhould fucceed him as aforefaid (k) ; 
 ' the faid Archbifhop taking the faid King Henry by 
 ' the right Hand, led him to the Royal Chair of State : 
 ' And after the faid King kneeling down before it, had 
 ' prayed a little while, the faid Archbifhop of Canter- 
 ' bury, affifted by the Archbifhop of Kork, did place the 
 
 * faid King, and caufe him to fit in the faid Royal 
 « Seat ; all the People wonderfully (homing for Joy. 
 6 And by and by the faid Archbifhop of Canterbury, 
 
 * having with much ado procured Silence from the 
 ■ over joy'd Multitude, made a fhort Difcourfe, or O- 
 
 * ration in thele Words.' 
 
 Vir dominabitur Populo, A Man Jball reign ever my 
 People, i Sam. ix. 17. 
 Thefe are the Wordi of the King of Kings, fpeaking to The Archbifhop 
 Samuel, and teaching him how a Perfon fhould be qual of Canterbury's 
 fed to rule, ftnee the People de fired to have a King gi- o P c e c e ^ pon Uut 
 ven. And not unfitly may they be faid of our Lord the 
 King, whom we lehold this Day', and if we but . n ti- 
 mately confider theje Words, they afford us Matter f great 
 
 Confola- 
 (*) See before, p. io# .
 
 3 1 The Tarliamentary History 
 
 Kine H« IV ^ on f°^' im » f or God does not threaten us, as he did fir- 
 nry ' merly his People by Ifaiah, faying, Ifa. iii. I will make 
 Children to rule over them. But according to his Com- 
 panion, who in bis Wrath remembreth Mercy, he hath 
 vijited his People, and now Children no more* as hereto- 
 fore^ jhall lord it over them ; for the Lord faith to them, 
 A Man shall rule. Of the late Rulers tf this King- 
 dom or any of them, one might have fitly faid that of the 
 Apoflle, Cor. xiii. I fpake as a Child, I underftood as a 
 Child, I thought as a Child. The Apojlle repeats it 
 thrice, As a Child I fpake, I underftood and thought. 
 As to Speech, 'tis certain that a Child is unconftant in 
 fpeaking, he eafily fpeaks true, and as eafilyfalfe, is ready 
 in Words to promije, but what he promijes he presently for- 
 gets. Now thefe are Things very inconvenient and dan- 
 gerous in a King-, nor is it pofftble that any Realm Jhall 
 Jland long in Happinefs where thefe Conditions bear Sway. 
 But from fuch Mifchiefs a Kingdom is freed, whofe 
 Scepter is Jwayed by a Man, for it belongs to a Man 
 to Jet a watch before his Tongue ; and fuch is our pre- 
 fent Happinejs, over whom not a Child, but a Man isfet, 
 and fuch an one, as I hope we may fay of him, That in 
 Ecclef. ix. Blefled is the Man that hath not erred with 
 • his Tongue. Then faith the Apojlle, I underftood as a 
 Child : Now a Child relijhes nothing but Flatteries and 
 pleafing Things, and underjlands only Bawbles and Tri- 
 fles, and loves not one that argues according to Truth, yea 
 indeed hates him beyond all Meafure. But heretofore a- 
 mongjl us Truth was trampled under foot, fo that none 
 durjt Jpeak it ; and therefore 'tis plain and apparent enough, 
 that He, that then reigti 'd underftood as a Child. For 
 a Man is not addieled to fuch Things, but under/iands 
 Wijdom, fo that by the Grace of God it may be faid of him, 
 as it is written Ecclef. ix. Blefled is the Man that a- 
 bideth in Wifdom. For as a Child is delighted in Vanity, 
 fo a Man has Regard to Truth and Wifdom. Truth 
 therefore Jhall enter and Vanity depart, which has done 
 fo much Mifchief in our Nation ; for now a Man Jhall 
 rule, who Jeeks after Truth, and not Vanity or Flattery. 
 Thirdly, it is (aid, I thought as a Child, for a Chili 
 thinks and ftudies only how to have his Humour, and do 
 
 Things
 
 O/ENGLAND. 33 ' 
 
 Things according to his own Will, and not according to King Henry IV» 
 Reafon : Therefore when a Child reigns, there only Self- 
 Will reigns, and Reafon is banijh'd, and Conftancy it 
 put to flighty and great Danger enfues ; from which 
 Danger we are delivered, for a Man fhall rule over us ; 
 to wit, one that fpeaks not like a Child ; but thus as one 
 that has the Perfection of Reafon. — I come not to do my 
 own Will, but the Will of him that fent me ; to wit, 
 of God : And therefore of fuch a Man we will fay not 
 only that he will abide in Wifdom, but alfo that as a Man, 
 not a Child, he will meditate on the Circumfpeclion of 
 God ; that is, he will every way diligently obferve that 
 God's Will, not his own, be done ; and fo in the Jlead of 
 a Child wantoning in foolijh flubborn Humours, a Man 
 Jhall reign , and Jitch a Man that it Jhall be fa id of him—* 
 A King mail reign in Wifdom, and he {hall execute 
 Judgment, and do Juftice in the Earth. 
 
 ' Which Harangue being ended, the faid Lord King 
 ' Henry, to appeafe the Minds of his Subjects, did then 
 ' and there utter thefe Words : 
 
 &it#, 31 thanfe <25oD anD 30toe £pirituel anD arem^Henry'sDeciara. 
 pojel, ano alt the £>tate# of the &onD, anD do 30*0? to don of Thanks. 
 tarpte, it e# nogtjt m? WLill that no 3$an thpnke tfjat 
 be toap of Conqueff 3 toolo Difherit anp Span of i)i# 
 heritage, f ranches, 0? other Kpgtjt* that Ijpm ogfjt 
 to haue, no put Ijpm out of that that he 1)30, anD ha# 
 haD bp the guoe &atoje" anD Cuffonuf of the 3&etome : 
 Crcept thofe iderfontf that has been agan the guoa 
 4&urpofe anD tlje commune 3&?ofit of the iUetome* 
 
 ■ And forthwith confidering, that by the "former 
 
 * Vacancy of the Royal Throne, by the Ceffion and De- 
 
 * pofition aforefaid, all Power of Juftices, Sheriffs, and 
 ' other Officers, throughout the Kingdom was ceafed ; 
 ' therefore, to the end that there might be no Failure 
 ' nor Delay in the Adminiftration of Juftice, to the 
 ' Grievance of the People, he caufed principal Officers 
 ' and Juftices to be made and fworn to him with the 
 
 * ufual Oaths. And it was immediately proclaimed by 
 ' the King's Command, that on Monday next, after the 
 
 Vol. II. C *foid
 
 Kinj Hewy IV, 
 
 34 The 'Parliamentary HistoPxY 
 
 faid Feaft of St. Michael, a Parliament mould be held, 
 and celebrated. And that on the Monday follow- 
 ing, that is to fay on the Feaft of St. Edward^ 
 mould be the Coronation of the faid King at Wejl- 
 minjler, and that all thofe that could claim any Ser- 
 vice in the faid Coronation mould come to the 
 White-Hall of the Palace, before the Steward, Con- 
 ftable, and Marfhal of England, on Saturday next, 
 before the Day of the faid Parliament, to make their 
 juft Demands in that behalf, and receive Right there- 
 in. But as for the fhortning the Day affigned to the 
 Parliament, there was a Protejlation made by the 
 King, That it was not his Intent that thereby any 
 Prejudice mould be brought upon the States of his 
 Kingdom ; nor that the fame for the future mould 
 be drawn into Example j But that fuch Abbreviation 
 of Time was only made for the Benefit and Profit 
 of the Kingdom, and efpecially to fave the Labour 
 and Expences of feveral of his People, and that the 
 Grievances of the People might be the fooner re- 
 medied. 
 
 * After which the King arifing from his Royal Throne, 
 and beholding the People with a cheerful and benign 
 Countenance, retired himfelf from thence, all the 
 People rejoicing. And the fame Day in the White- 
 Hail aforefaid, made a folemn Feaft to the Nobles and 
 Gentry, there in a vaft Multitude afiembled. 
 ' And afterwards, viz. on Wednejday next following, 
 the before-named Procurators fo deputed as aforefaid, 
 did, according as they were commanded, repair into 
 the Prefence of the faid late King Richard, being 
 within the Tower aforeiaid ; and the faid Sir William 
 Thirnyng the Juftice, for himfelf and his Companions 
 and Fellow-Procurators, in the Name of all the States 
 and People aforefaid, did notify and fully declare unto 
 the faid Richard, their Admijjion of his faid Renuncia- 
 tion, and the Manner, Caufe and Form of fuch Sen- 
 tence of Depofition, and prefently did refign and give 
 back to the faid late King Richard, the Homage and 
 Fealty formerly to him made as aforefaid. With 
 thefe Words : 
 
 The
 
 Of E N G L A N D. 35 
 
 The Words which William Thirnyng [pake to Monfire King Henry IV* 
 Richard late King of England, at the Tower of 'Lon- 
 don in his Chamber^ on Wednefday next after the 
 Feajl of St. Michael the Archangel^ were as follow (/) : 
 
 Sire, 31t i# toete knoto to 30to, tljat tljer toa# a $ar# s;r wimam 
 lement fomcn'D of an tlje &tattg of tlje 3Keaume Th5rnyng ' S Ac , 
 fo^ to be at Weftmyftre, anD to begin on tlje Tuefday in count of the 
 tlje SJSom of tlje ffiG. of &u Michel tlje aircljangci, convention be- 
 tljat toa0 3efferDap ; bpcaufe of tlje toljiclj Summon* ^* n h g .™- 
 all tlje #tate* of tDiflf &onD toere ttjere gaDpr'O, tye^™™ 
 toljiclj £>tate# Ijole maDe tljes fame ^erfones tljat btn 
 comen Ijere to 30toe ncto, Ijer ^ocuratojtf, ana gafoen 
 tjem fuH aiuto^ite anD ^otoer, anD cljargeD tjem fo? 
 to fap tlje QUojDjO" tljat toe fljaH fap to 30&1 in Ijer 
 iftame, anoon tljeir beljaloej tljat i.sf to tojj>tten, tlje 
 Biftjop of <feeint Affa foj <£r0bi(l)oppe0 anDlBiftjoppejer, 
 tlje 2ibb0t Of Glaftenbury fo? aibbottf anD &ZiQUV0p 
 ano an otljer $)en of fjolp Cfjirclje, j&eculer* anD 
 Sftetoeto, tlje (Sarle of Giouceftre.foj TZukess anD <£rl#, 
 tlje ?Lo^D of Berkeley, foj iSarontf anD ISanerette*, 
 £>ir Thomas Irpyngham Ctjamberleyn, fo? all tlje 
 Bacljiler* anD Commons of tlji# &ono be ^outlj ; 
 $>ir Thomas Grey foj all tlje J&acljiler* anD Commons 
 Dp iRo^ttj, anD mp fetatoe Johan Markfaam anD me (op i 
 
 to come toitfj fjem fo? an tlje* £>tate0* 2inD fo, Sire, x 
 
 tljefe flflo?O0, anD tlje Doing tljat toe fall fap to 30toe, 
 iss not onlpclj our flfto^Dea but tlje Bojmg* of an tfje 
 £tate# of tljia &onD, anD our Cljarge in Ijer iRame* 
 
 aiuD fje anftoereD anD faiD, 2Tbat Ije topffe toele tljat 
 toe toolo nogljt faj> but a# toe toere crjargeD* 
 
 Sire, 3erememb ( ie 30toc toete tljat on Moneday in 
 Ijetfeff of g>eint Michel tlje Slrcfjaungel, rpgijtljere in 
 ttyig Cijamber, anD in tofjat defence 3e 3&enounceD 
 anD CeffeD of tlje £>tate of &pnge anD of SLo^Dedjip, 
 ano of an tlje ^©ijjnite anD $lprfl;ip tbat longea 
 tfjereto, anD affoileD aU 30ur *uige# of Ijer fljgeance - 
 anD ^Dbetfance tljat longeD to 30toe uppe tlje fourme 
 tljat 10 conuneD in tlje fame Renunciation anD Cef» 
 Son, toljiclj 3e reDDe 30ur felf bp sour SBoutlj, ano af* 
 fermeD it bj> 30ur £Dtlje, anD bp 30ur otone Silriting^ 
 fllpen tot) i 3c maoe anD o^eincD vour ^^ocura^ 
 
 tOUt0 tty <Br0bi(I)Op Of Zork anD tlje JSiUJOp Of Here- 
 C 2 ford, 
 
 (/) It is remarkable, that this very Sir William Tbirry/tg was Chief 
 Juftice of the King's Bench in the aift Year of Richard's Reign, and 
 then declar'd, in the Parliament held at Shrew/bury, his Approbation of 
 thofe Opinions in Law, for which the Judges had been banifhed ten 
 Years before, . . ■ Sed '1'emfera mutann-.r, See VoLI, P. 485,, -^ *t /j 
 
 jv?rfL«L J $&*- h CA^t. n& «X<r»-* J& mC (W »- Juh<t efts/ L j<*
 
 3 6 The ^Parliamentary History 
 
 «hg Henry rv. ford * &$ to notice ano Declare in 30m* iframe tfprjef 
 denunciation ano Cefflon at Weftmynftre to ad tlje 
 . States', ano all tlje people tljat toas ttjere gaopr'0, 
 bpcaufe of tlje £>ummon0 aforefaiD, tl)e tolucl) tlju* 
 Don pefferDap bptljes&oro^our^rocuratCMrtf.anD 
 toele fjeroe ano tmoerffouoen, tfjetf Renunciation ano 
 CeiEcn i»ere plmelrclj ano frelicl) accepteo, ano fuU 
 iicrj agreeo bp all tfje &fate0 ano people fcgefaiD* 
 2no otc r ti)ijer, Sire, at tlje 3!nSance of all tljes states? 
 ano people, tljere toare certain airticlejs of ©efautetf 
 in 30m* d5obernance reooe lijere, ano tljo toele rjero 
 ano pleinelicl) imoerffouoen to all tlje jbutes forefaiD, 
 fjem tfjogtjt Ijem fo tretoe, ano fo noto?ie ano fcnotoen, 
 %lp.t by tijo Caufeg, ano bp no otrjcr, ajer tfjei fapo, 
 ano ijaupng Confioe ration to 30ur oton Sllo^oeor in 
 30m* ohm denunciation ano Ccifson, tljat 5e toere 
 nottoortljp, no Efficient ne able fo? to gobe?nf, fo? 
 30ur otone Bemeritetf, ig it ig more pleineliclj con* 
 teneo therein 5 Ijem tijogljt tljat toa£ refonable ano 
 caufe fo? to oepofe ^otoe, ano rjer Commiffarie^ tljat 
 tljep maoe ano o?oein , o > eg it ig of 2Kecoro, tljcr oe* 
 clareo ano oecreeo ano aO/uogeD 30U) fo? t j be DepofeO, 
 ano prpoeo 30toe of tlje Mate of &ing, ano of tlje 
 3Loroeflnp conteineo in ttje Renunciation ano Ceffton 
 fo?fapo, ano of an tlje lignite ano tftprlhipp, ano of 
 all tlje 3lominiuration tljat longeo thereto* 3lno toe 
 4&?ocurato?# to all tlje* states ano people fozfapo og 
 toe be cljargeo ip ljem, ano bp Ijer 3luto?te gpffen ug, 
 ano in Ijer iRame 3eloe 30to uppe fo? all tlje £tate# 
 ano people fo?fapO, l£omage,^eige, ano 5feauce, ano 
 aH&eigtance, ano all otljer 2$onoe,e, Cljarge#, ano 
 £eruice# tljat long thereto, ano ti)at wn of all tlje# 
 states ano people, fro tljp# tpme fo?toaro ne bere 
 30toe jfeytl), ne Do 30toe SDoeifahce 00 to trjar &ing* 
 . 31no Ije anftoereo ano fepo, tl)at Ije lokeo not ttjet 
 after, butijefepoe, tljat after all tljitf Ije fjopeo tljat 
 ig (i'ofpn tooloe be guoe &o?o to Ijpim 
 
 So far the Record. 
 
 Sir John Hayward tells us, That when the Com- 
 mittee, appointed to receive Richard's Refignation, af- 
 lembled at the Tower for that Purpofe the Day before 
 this Parliament was to begin, the unhappy Monarch 
 was brought forth, apparell'd in his Royal Robe, the 
 Diadem on his Head, and the Scepter in his Hand j and 
 was plac'd amongft them in a Chair of State. He adds; 
 
 that
 
 Of E N G L A N D. 37 
 
 that after a little Paufe and Expe£lation, the King arofe King Henry iv< 
 from his Seat, and ipake to the Aflembly thefe Words, 
 or the very like in Effedt, (m) : 
 
 IAffure my/elf, that fame at this prefent, and many here- Richard's Speech 
 after ; will account my Cafe lamentable ; either that to the Commit- 
 1 have deferved this Dejeclion, if it be juft ; or if it ^ te \ a j^ h " s te R to 
 wrongful^ that I could not avoid it. Indeed I do confefs, Agnation. 
 that many Times I havejhew'd my f elf both lefs provident, 
 and lefs painful for the Benefit of the Commonwealth, 
 than Ifjould, or might, or intended to do hereafter ; and 
 have in many Aclions more refpecled the fatisfying of my 
 own particular Humour \ than either Juftice to fame pri- 
 vate Perfons, or the common Good of all ; yet I did not at , 
 any Time either omit Duty or commit Grievance, upon 
 natural Dulnefs, or fet Malice ; but partly by Abufe of 
 corrupt Councilors, partly by Error of my youthful Judg- 
 ment. And now the Remembrance of thefe Over fights, 
 is Jo unpleafant to no Man as to my/elf -, and the rather be- 
 caufe I have no Means left, either to recompence the Inju- 
 ries which 1 have done, or to te/lify to the World my refor- 
 med Ajfeclions, which Experience and Stayednefs of 1 ears 
 had already corrected, and would daily have framed to more . 
 Perfeclion. But whether all the Imputations wherewith 
 lam charged be true, either in Sub fiance, or in fu'ch Qua- 
 lity as they are la ; d, or whether being true, they be Jo hei- 
 tious, as to enforce thefe Extremities ; or whether any 
 other Prince, especially in the Heat of Youth, and in the . 
 Space of two and tiventy Tears, the Time of my un/ortu- ■ 
 nate Reign, doth not fometimes, either for Advantage, or 
 upon Dijpleajiire, in as deep Manner grieve fome particu- 
 lar Sub} eel, I will not now examine : It helpeth not to ufe 
 Defence, neither booteth it to make Complaint ; there is 
 no Place left for the one nor Pity for the other : And { 
 therefore I refer it to the Judgment of God, and your lefs 
 diflempefd Confiderations. 
 
 I accufe no Man, I blame no Fortune, I complain of 
 nothing ; I have no Plea fur e infuch vain and needlej's Com- 
 forts, and if I lifted to have 'flood upon Terms, I know I 
 have great Favourers Abroad ; and fome Friends, I hope, 
 at Home, who would have been ready, yea forward on my 
 Behalf, to fet up a bloody and doubtful IV ar : But Icfleem 
 C 3 not 
 
 (w) Life of King Wary IV. P. 86.
 
 38 The 'Parliamentary History 
 
 KlngHenrylv. not my Dignity at [0 high a Price », as the Hazard of fa 
 great Valour ; the Spilling of fo much Englijh Blood, and 
 the Spoil and Waft e of fo fiourijhing a Realm, as thereby 
 might have been occafionea. Therefore that the Common- 
 wealth may rather rife by my Fall, than If and by the Ru- 
 in thereof, I willingly yield to your Defires ; and am here 
 come to dijpofjefs myfelf of all publick Authority and Title, 
 and to male it free and lawful for you to create for your 
 King, Henry Duke of Lancauer, my Coufin German, 
 whom I know to be as worthy to take that Place, as I fee you 
 willing to give it to him. 
 
 King Henry 
 crovra'd. 
 
 Sir John Dare- 
 wood chofen 
 Speaker on the 
 Sicknefs of Sir 
 John Cheney. 
 
 A Subfidy 
 granted. 
 
 Aft of Indem- 
 nity for King 
 Henry's Adhe- 
 rents. 
 
 There was no farther Bufinefs done the firft Day, 
 but the reading of the above Record, before the 
 Parliament ; and the Monday following, being the 
 Feaft of St Edward, King and Confeflbr, was ap- 
 pointed for Henry's Coronation, which was performed, 
 at Weftminfler, with the ufual Ceremonies. 
 
 The next Day the Parliament met again, when the 
 Commons prefented to the King Sir John Cheney, for 
 their Speaker, whom the King accepted, and he made 
 the ufual Proteftation, which was alfo, allowed. But 
 the Day following the faid Sir John, with the Com- 
 mons, came again before the King, and declared, 
 that by realon of a fudden Diforder he was unable to 
 ferve, and that they had chofe Sir John Darewood in 
 his Place ; befeeching the King to allow the faid Sir 
 John Darewood to be Speaker for the Commons. Which 
 faid Knight, having made the ufual Proteftation, was 
 allowed as before. 
 
 Then the Commons, with the Aflent of the Bilhops 
 and Lords, and in order to provide for the Wars againlt 
 Scotland, Defence of Calais and Ireland, and the Amend- 
 ment of the State ; alfo, in Hopes that their Requefts 
 fhould be granted, gave to the King for three Years the 
 Subfidy on Wools, Skins, and Wool- fells ; that is Fif- 
 ty Shillings on every Sack from Denizens, and four 
 Pounds from Aliens ; alfo one Tenth and one Fif- 
 teenth. 
 
 The next Thing this Parliament went upon was to 
 pafs an Aft of Indemnity to fcreen thofe who, during 
 the late Troubles, had taken up Arms in Favour of the 
 
 King,
 
 Of ENGLAND. 39 
 
 King, then Duke of Lancajler ; likewife to pafs an King Henry IV. 
 Adl for the repealing the whole Proceedings of the Par- 
 liament at Shrew/bury ', 21. Richard II. and to confirm 
 that Parliament which was held the i ith of the faid 
 King, except the Effect of the Pardon granted by the 
 faid Statute, of the 21 ft of Richard II. which they 
 ordained fhould ftand, notwithftanding the reft of it 
 was repealed (m). Alfo it was ena&ed, That nothing, 
 for the future, fhould be efteemed or adjudged to be 
 Treafon, but what was ordained to be fo by the 25th 
 of Edward III. and that all Blank Charters, whatfo- 
 foever, which the City of London, and Seventeen 
 Counties befides, had been forced tojeal and give to 
 King Richard, mould be utterly void. 
 
 The Archbifhop of Canterbury moved the Houfe for 
 their Confent to addrefs the King, that he would 
 pleafe to create Henry, his eldeft Son, Prince of Wales, 
 Duke of Cornwall and Earl of Chejler. Upon which 
 the King, fitting in his Royal Seat, in full Parliament, 
 put a Coronet on the Head of the faid Henry, his eld- 
 eft Son, a Ring of Gold on his Finger, and gave him 
 a Golden Rod in his Hand, and killed him ; alfo, by a 
 Charter then given him, he was created Prince of 
 Wales («), &c. His Uncle, the Duke of Tori, put the 
 Robes on the young Prince, and afterwards brought 
 him to the Seat affigned, for that Principality, in Par- 
 liament. It was, alfo, then ena&ed by all the Eftates, 
 that the faid Prince mould fucceed his Father in the 
 Realm of England; and they all promifed to accept and 
 obey him accordingly (0). 
 
 The next' Day, being Thurfday, the Archbifhop of 
 Canterbury moved, in the Upper Houfe, that the Lords 
 fhould in no wife difclofe any Thing that fhould then 
 be put to them j v.hich being promifed by all, the 
 Earl of Northumberland put this important Queftion to 
 the Houfe, What they would advife was Jit to be done 
 > . with 
 
 I 
 
 («) Statutes at Large, Anno i. &f 2. Hen. IV. Walfingbam, p. 361. 
 
 {n) This Charter is extant in Jtjpmr't Feed. Anglia, Tom. VIII. p. 91. 
 It is only tor the Dutchy of Cornwall, wherein all the Lands, Heredi- 
 taments, QF«< belonging to it, are exprcfied. The next Inftrument is for 
 the Principality of Wala. 
 
 (9) The Prince vvas juft then twelve Years old, Ho Hi ng /head's 
 Clrtm, P. 511.
 
 40 The Parliamentary History 
 
 King H«»ry IV. with Richard the late King, in order to his Keeping in 
 Jafe Cujlody ; for the King would have his Life fav'd ? 
 To which all the Lords, whofe Names are here under- 
 K$ii a oV the written, being feverally examined, anfwered, 'That 
 ' it feemed advifeable to them, that he mould be put 
 under a fafe and fecret Guard, and in fuch a Place 
 where no Concourfe of People might refort to him ; 
 and that he be guarded by trufty and fufficient Per- 
 fons, and that no Perfon who had been familiar 
 with him, fhould be about his Perfon, and that it 
 mould be done in the moft fecret Manner, that can 
 be devifed.' 
 
 late King's Per 
 fon. 
 
 The Peers pre- 
 fent at that Que 
 ilion. 
 
 The Names of the Lords, who being ajked, Ajfented ta 
 the ^uejlion,are thefe following (/>) i 
 
 The Archbifhop of Can- The Prince. 
 terbury. 
 
 Archbifhop of York. 
 Bifhop of London. 
 Bifhop of Ely. 
 Bifhop of Lincoln. . 
 Bifhop of Norwich. 
 Bifhop of Rochejler. 
 Bifhop of Salifbury. 
 Bifhop of Exeter. 
 Bifhop of Chichefler. 
 Bifhop of St Afaph. 
 Bifhop of Chejler. 
 Bifhop of St David's. 
 Bifhop of Landaff. 
 Bifhop of Durham. 
 Abbot of Weflminjler. 
 Abbot of St Albans. 
 Abbot of St Aujlin. 
 Abbot of Bury. 
 Abbot of St Mary's, York. 
 Abbot of Glocejler. 
 Abbot of Battel. 
 
 Duke of Ycrk. 
 
 Earl of Arundel. 
 
 Earl of Warwick. 
 
 Earl of Stafford. 
 
 Earl of Northumberland. 
 
 Earl of Suffolk. 
 
 Earl of Worcefler. 
 
 Lord Rofs. 
 
 Lord Grey of Ruthin. 
 
 Lord Charleton. 
 
 Lord Bardolfe. 
 
 Lord Willoughby. 
 
 Lord Farnival. 
 
 Lord Ferrers. 
 
 Lord Beaumont. 
 
 Lord Berkeley. 
 
 Lord Fitz-Walters. 
 
 Lord Mauley. 
 
 Lord Scales. 
 
 Lord Morley. 
 
 Lord Burnel. 
 
 Lord Lovel. Lord 
 
 ( p ) Sir Robert C»tton only mentions, that the Names of fuch Bifhops, 
 Lords, and Knights, as aflented to the Imprifonment of King Richard,, 
 next follow on the Record ; but we have fupplied that Defect fiom a 
 Manufcript. The Reader may obferve, upon comparing this with the 
 foregoing Lift, that moft of the Lords who compos'd the laft Miniftry, 
 vere abfent on this Occafion. See before, p. 4. .
 
 Of E N G L A N D. 41 
 
 Lord Camois. Lord de Bergavenney. King Henry IV. 
 
 Lord Seymor. Lord Lumley. 
 
 Lord Cromwel. Baron of Greyflock. 
 
 Lord Cobhatn. Baron of Hilton. 
 
 Sir i#/zry Piercy. Sir 'Thomas Erpingham, 
 
 Sir Robert Scrope. Chamberlain. 
 
 Lord Fitz-Hitgh. Sir Matthew Gowin. 
 
 It is obfervable, that the Bifhop of Carlijle is not in 
 this Lift, and, indeed there is great Reafon for it ; he 
 being the only Man, either in the Prelacy or Laity, 
 that had the Courage to oppofe this Ufurpation at that 
 Time. Sir John Hayivard (q) has given us a Speech 
 made by this Bifhop, on the Occafion, when the laft . 
 Queftion was put in the Houfe of Lords. We fhall 
 not conteft the Genuinenefs of it ; fo much is certain, 
 that this honeft Man fuffered greatly for his Loyalty to 
 the depofed Prince j being deprived of his Dignity, put 
 under a long Imprifonment, and, had it not been for 
 his Order which was then held too facred, mull have 
 died the Death of a Traitor. If it be objected, that 
 it was now too late to make Speeches, when the new 
 King was actually crown'd, the aforefaid Author has 
 in fome Meafure accounted for that, in remarking, 
 
 * That this Prelate was a Man both learned and wife, 
 
 * and always ufed both Liberty and Conftancy in a 
 ' good Caufe ; that in his fecret Judgment he never 
 
 * gave Allowance to thefe Proceedings, yet he difiem- 
 ' bled his Diflike until he might, to fome Purpofe, 
 
 * declare it ; therefore, now, adds he, being in a Place 
 ' to be heard of all, and, by Order of the Houfe to be 
 
 * interrupted by none, he rofe up with a bold and refo- 
 ' lute Spirit, and uttered his Mind as followeth (r). 
 
 THIS 
 
 (q) Life of King Henry IV. Land. ,1630. P. IOI. 
 
 (r ) The Name of this Bifhop of Carlijle was Thomas Merh, alias, of 
 Newmarket, alias Sumejlre. He had been confecrated An. 1397, was 
 deprived in 1399, but lived feveral Years after. 
 
 Lb Neve's Fajii Ecchfix Anglicanae, P. 334. 
 
 Walfwgham fays, He was made by the Pope Titular Bi/hop of Samos. 
 Sir Walter Raleigb writes, that he was the only honeft Man in this Par- 
 liament, who fcorned his Life and Fortune, in Refpe£t to his Sovereign's 
 Right and his own Allegiance, Prerogative of Parliaments, P. 85. 
 
 This Bi/hop attended Richard in his Expedition to Ireland. See 
 Vol. I. p. 50P. 
 
 Btpin
 
 4 £ The Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry IV 
 
 BilhopofCar- 
 lifle's Speech a- 
 gainft itr 
 
 THIS Queftion, Right honourable Lords, concern- 
 eth a Matter of great Confequence*and Weight; 
 the Determining whereof will afluredly procure, ei- 
 ther fafe Quiet, or dangerous Difturbance, both to 
 our particular Confciences, and alfo to the common 
 State. Therefore, before you refolve upon it, I pray 
 you call to your Confederation thefe two Things ; 
 firft, whether King Richard be fufficiently depofed or 
 no ; fecondly, whether King Henry be with good 
 Judgment or Juftice chofen in his Place. For the firft 
 Point we are firft to examine, whether a King, be- 
 ing lawfully and fully inftituted byanyjuft Title, 
 may upon Imputation either of Negligence, or of 
 Tyranny, be depofed by his Subjects : Secondly, 
 what King Richard hath omitted in the one, or com- 
 mitted in the other, for which he mould deferve fo 
 heavy Judgment. I will not fpe2k what may be 
 done in a Popular State, or in a Confular ; in which 
 although one beareth the Name and Honour of a 
 Prince, yet he hath not fupreme Power of Majefty ; 
 but in the one, the People have the higheft Empire ; 
 in the other* the Nobility and chief Men of Eftate 5 
 in neither, the Prince. Of the firft Sort was the 
 Commonwealth of the Lacedemonians, who after the 
 Form of Government which Lycurgus framed, often- 
 times fined, oftentimes fetter'd their Kings, and 
 fometimes condemned them to Death ; fuch were 
 alfo in Ccefar's Time, the petty Kings of every City 
 in France, who were many Times arraigned upon 
 Life and Death, and, as Jmbiorix, Prince of the 
 Leodienfes, confefs'd, had no greater Power over the 
 People, than the People had over them. Of the ie- 
 cond Condition were the Roman Emperors at the firft ; 
 of whom fome, namely, Nero and Maximianus 
 were openly condemn'd ; others were fuddenly fur- 
 priz'd by Judgment, and Authority of ' the Senate ; 
 and fuch are now the Emperors of Germany, whom 
 
 the 
 
 Rapin, upon introducing an Abftraft of this Speech, fays, that the Com- 
 mons, not fatkfied with the bare Depofing of King Richard, would have 
 had him tried, in Form, and petitioned the King for that Purpofe. His 
 Marginal Note on this refers to Cotton's Abridgment for his Authority j 
 whereas there is not one Word of this Petition mentioned in the Abrid- 
 pr's Account of this Parliament. Rapin Ftl, Edit. p. 4.86.
 
 0/ ENGLAND. 43 
 
 1 the other Princes, by their Ariftocratical Power, do K i ng He rr> 
 ' not only reftrain, but fometimes alfo remove from 
 
 * their Imperial State ; fuch are alfo the Kings of Den- 
 
 * mark and Swedeland, who are many Times by the 
 
 * Nobility dejected, either into Prifon, or into Exile 5 
 fuch likewife are the Dukes of Venice, and of fome 
 other Free States in Italy ; and the chiefeft Caufe for 
 which Lewis Earl of Flanders was lately expelPd from 
 his Place, was for drawing to himfelf Cognizance in 
 Matters of Life and Death, which high Power never 
 pertained to his Dignity. 
 
 * In thefe and fuch like Governments, the Prince 
 hath not regal Rights, but is himfelf fubject to that 
 Power which is greater than his ; whether it be in the 
 Nobility or the Common People. But if the Sove- 
 reign Majefty be in the Prince, as it was in the three 
 firft Empires, and in the Kingdom of Judea, and If- 
 rael ; and is now in the Kingdoms of England^ 
 France, Spain, Scotland, Mufcovy, Turkey, Tartary, 
 Perfta, Ethiopia, and almoft all the Kingdoms of 
 Afia and Africa ; although for his Vices he be unpro- 
 fitable to the Subject, yea hurtful, yea intolerable ; 
 yet can they lawfully neither .harm his Perfon, nor 
 hazard his Power, whether by Judgment, or elfe by 
 Force. For neither one, nor all Magiftrates, have 
 any Authority over the Prince, from whom all Au- 
 thority is deriv'd, and whofe only Prefence doth fi- 
 lence and fufpend all inferior Jurifdiction and Pow- 
 er. As for Force, what Subject can attempt, or af- 
 file, or counfel, or conceal Violence againft his 
 Prince, and not incur the high and heinous Crime of 
 Treafon. 
 
 1 It is a common Saying, Thought is free ; free in- 
 deed from Punifhment of fecular Laws, except by 
 Word or Deed it break forth into Action ; yet the 
 fecret Thoughts againft the facred Majefty of a Prince, 
 without Attempt, without Endeavour, have been 
 adjudged worthy of Death ; and fome who in Auri- 
 cular Confeflion, have difcover'd their treacherous 
 Devifes againft the Perfon of their Prince, have after- 
 wards been executed for the fame. All Laws do ex- 
 empt a Madman from Punilhment, becaufe their 
 
 * Actions
 
 King Henry IV. 
 
 44 The Tarllamentary History 
 
 Actions are not governed by their Will and Purpofe 5 
 and the Will of Man being fet afide, all his Doings 
 are indifferent, neither can the Body offend without a 
 corrupt or erroneous Mind : Yet if a Madman draw 
 his Sword upon his King, it hath been adjudged ta 
 deferve Death. And leaft any Man fhould furmife 
 that Princes, for the Maintenance of their own Safe-, 
 ty and Sovereignty, are the only Authors of thefa 
 Judgments, let us a little confider the Patterns and 
 Precepts of Holy Scripture. Nebuchadnezzar, King 
 of AJJyria y wafted all Palejline with Fire and Sword j 
 befieg'd Jeru/alem a long Time-; and at the laft 
 took it ; flew the King ; burnt the Temple ? 
 took away the Holy VeiTels and Treafure ; the reft 
 he permitted to the Cruelty and Spoil of his unmerci- 
 ful Soldiers, who defiled all Places with Rape and 
 Slaughter, and ruinated to the Ground that flourifh-, 
 ing City : After the Glut of this bloody Butchery,, 
 the People that remdn'd he led captive into Chaldea ; 
 there he erected his Golden Image, and commanded 
 that they which refufed to worfhip it, fhould be caft. 
 into a fiery Furnace. » 
 
 \ What Cruelty, what Injuftice, what Impiety 
 is comparable to this ? And yet God calleth Nebu- : 
 chainezzar his Servant, and promifeth Hire and Wa- 
 ges for his Service : And the Prophets Jeremiah and. 
 Baruch did write to the Jews to pray for the Life of. 
 him, and of Baltazar his Son, that their Days might, 
 be upon Earth as the Days of Heaven : And Ezekiel 
 with bitter Terms abhorreth the Difloyalty of Zede- 
 cbiah, became he revolted from Nebuchadnezzar \ 
 whofe Homager and Tributary he was. What fhalL 
 we fay of Saul ? Did he not put all the Priefts to Ex- 
 ecution, becaufe one of them did relieve holy and. 
 harmlefs David? Did he not violently perfecute that 
 his moft faithful Servant and dutiful Son in Law, du- 
 ring which Purfuit, he fell twice into the Power of 
 David ; who did not only fpare, but alfo protect the 
 King ; reproved the Pretorian Soldiers for their neg- 
 ligent Watch ; and was touch'd in Heart for cutting 
 away the Lap of his Garment ; and afterwards cauf- 
 ed the Meflenger. to be ilain, who upon Requeft, and 
 
 for
 
 Of ENGLAND. 45 
 
 for Pity, had tent his Hand (as he faid) to help for- K ; n „ Henry Iv< 
 ward the voluntary Death of that facred King ? As 
 for the contrary Examples, as that of Jehu who flew 
 Jehoram and Ahaziah, Kings of Jfrael and Judah ; 
 they were done by exprefs Oracle and Revelation 
 from God, and are no more fet down for our Imita- 
 tion, than the robbing of the -Egyptians, or any other 
 particular and priviledg'd Commandment ; but in the 
 general Precept, which all Men mull ordinarily fol- 
 low, not only our A&ions, but our Speeches alfo, 
 and our very Thoughts are ftri&ly charged with Duty 
 and Obedience unto Princes, whether they be good or 
 evil. The Law of God ordaineth, That he which doth 
 prefumptuoufiy againjl the Ruler of the People Jhall dye ; 
 and the Prophet David forbiddeth to touch the Lords 
 anointed ; Thou Jlmlt not rail upon the Judges, nei- 
 ther /peak Evil againjl the Ruler of the People. And 
 the Apoftles do demand further, that even our 
 Thoughts and Souls be obedient to higher Powers; 
 and leaft any fhould imagine that they meant of good 
 Princes only, they fpeak generally of all; and further 
 to take away all Doubt, they make exprefs Mention of 
 the Evil. For the Power and Authority of wicked 
 Princes is the Ordinance of God ; and therefore 
 Chrift told Pilate, that the Power which he had was 
 given him from above ; and the Prophet Efay calleth 
 Cyrus, being a prophane and heathen Prince, the ' 
 Lord's Anointed. For God ftirred up the Spirit 
 even of wicked Princes to do his Will ; and as Jeho- 
 faphat fiid to his Rulers, they execute not the Judg- 
 ment of Man, but of the Lord : In regard hereof, 
 David calleth them Gods ; becaufe they have their 
 Rule and Authority immediately from God ; which 
 if they abufe, they are not to be adjudged by their 
 Subje&s, for no Power within their Dominion is fu- 
 perior to theirs ; but God referveth them to the foreft 
 Trial : Horribly and juddainly, faith the Wifeman, 
 will the Lord appear unto them, and a hard Judgment 
 Jhall they have. 
 
 1 The Law of God commanded), that the Child 
 (hall be put to Death, for any Contumely done 
 unto the Parents ; hut what if the Father be a Rob- 
 
 ♦ bcr ?
 
 King Henry IV. 
 
 46 The Parliamentary Histort 
 
 ber ? If a Murtherer ? If for all Excefs of Villanies, 
 odious and execrable both to God and Man ? Surely 
 he deferveih the higheft Degree of Punifhments, and 
 yet muft not the Son lift up his Hand againft him, 
 for no Offence is fo great as to be punifh'd by Parri- 
 cide : But our Country is dearer unto us than our 
 Parents ; and the Prince is Pater Patria, the Father 
 of our Country ; and therefore more facred and dear 
 unto us than our Parents by Nature, and muft not 
 be violated, how imperious, how impious foever he 
 be : Doth he command or demand, our Perfons or 
 our Purfes, we muft not Ihun for the one, nor lhrink 
 for the other ; for, as Nebemiah faith, Kings have Do- 
 minion over the Bodies and over the Cattle of their Sub- 
 jects, at their Pleafure. Doth he enjoin thofe Acti- 
 ons which are contrary to the Laws of God ? We 
 muft neither wholly obey nor violently refift, but 
 with a conftant Courage fubmit ourfelves to all Man- 
 ner of Punifhment, and fhew our Subjection by en- 
 during, and not performing ; yea the Church hath 
 declared it to be an Herefy, to hold that a Prince 
 may be flain or depofed by his Subjects, for any Dif- 
 order or Default, either in Life, or elfe in Govern- 
 ment. There will be Faulrs fo long as there are 
 Men ; and as we endure with Patience a barren 
 Year if it happen, and unfeafonable Weather, and 
 fuch other Defects of Nature, fo muft we tolerate the 
 Imperfections of Rulers ; and quietly expect, either 
 a Reformation, or elfe a Change. 
 1 But alas, good King Richard, why fuch Cruelty? 
 What fuch Impiety hath he ever committed ? Exa- 
 mine rightly thofe Imputations which are laid againft 
 him, without any falie Circumftance of Aggrava- 
 tion, and you mall find nothing objected, either of 
 any Truth, or of great Moment. It may be, that 
 many Errors and Overfights have efcaped him, yet 
 none fo grievous to be termed Tyranny ; as proceed- 
 ing rather from unexperienced Ignorance, or corrupt 
 Counlel, than from any natural or wilful Malice. 
 Oh, how fhall the World be peftered with Tyrants, 
 if Subjects may rebel upon every Pretence of Ty- 
 ranny ? How many good Princes fhall daily be 
 
 J fupprefied
 
 O/ENGLAND. 47 
 
 ' fupprefTed by thofe, by wliom they ought to be fup- K ; ng Henry lVt 
 
 4 ported ? If they levy a Subfidy, or any other Taxa- 
 
 4 tion, it (hall be claimed Oppreffion : If they put 
 
 ' any to Death for Traiterous Attempts againft their 
 
 * Perfons, it fhall be exclaimed Cruelty : If they do 
 1 any Thing againft the Lull and Liking of the People, 
 4 it fhall be proclaimed Tyranny. 
 
 ' But let it be, that without Authority in us, or 
 ' Defert in him, King Richard mull be depofed : Yet 
 4 what Right had the Duke of Lancafter to the 
 
 ■ Crown ? Or what Reafon have we without his 
 c Right to give it to him ? If he make Title as Heir 
 4 unto King Richard, then muft he yet ftay until King 
 4 Richard's Death : For no Man can fucceed as Heir 
 
 ■ to one that liveth. But it is well known to all Men, 
 
 * who are not either wilfully blind or groily ignorant, 
 
 * that there are fome now alive, lineally defcended 
 
 * from Lionel Duke of Clarence, whofe Offfpring was 
 ' by Judgment of the High Court of Parliament holden 
 4 the ninth Year of the Reign of King Richard, declar- 
 ' ed next Succeflbr to the Crown, in cafe King Ri- 
 4 chard mould die without lff\ie(t). Concerning theTitle 
 ' from Edmund Crouchback, I will pafs it over ; feeing 
 
 ■ the Authors thereof are become afhamed of fo ablurd 
 
 * Abufe, both of their own Knowledge, and our Cre- 
 4 dulity ; and therefore all the Claim is now made, by 
 ' Right of Conqueft ; by the Ceffion and Grant of 
 
 * King Richard ; and by the general Confent of all 
 4 the People. It is a bad Wooll that will take no Co- 
 
 * lour : But what Conqueft can a Subject pretend a- 
 ' gainft bis Sovereign, where the War is Infurreclion, 
 ' and the Vi&ory high and heinous Treafon ? As for 
 4 the Refignation which King Richard made, being a 
 ' pent Priloner for the fame Caufe, it is an Act extort- 
 ' ed by Force ; and therefore of no Validity to bind 
 4 him : And feeing that by the Laws of this Land, 
 4 the King alone cannot alienate the ancient Jewels 
 4 and Ornaments pertaining to the Crown, furely he 
 
 * cannot give away the Crown it felf, and therewithal 
 4 the Kingdom. 
 
 * Neither have we any Cuftom, that the People at 
 
 4 Pleafure 
 
 (0 See Vol, I« p t 3S7, ?ip4 ij» this Volume, p, a.
 
 King Henry IV. 
 
 48 7 he Parliamentary History 
 
 Pleafure fhould elect their King ; but they are al- 
 ways bound unto him, who by Right of Blood is 
 right SucceiTor \ much lefs can they confirm and 
 make good that Title, which is before by Violence 
 ufurped ; for nothing can then be freely done, when 
 Libsrty is once reftrained by Fear.^ So did Scylla, by 
 Terror of his Legions, obtain the Law Velleia to 
 be made, whereby he was created Dictator for Four- 
 fcore Years : And by like Impreflion of Fear, Cafar 
 caufed the Law Servia to be promulged, by which 
 he was made perpetual Dictator : But both thefe 
 Laws were afterwards adjudged void. As for the 
 Depofing of King Edward the Second it is no -more 
 to be urged, than the Poifoning of King John, or 
 the Murdering of any oiher good and lawful Prince : 
 We mull live according to Laws, and not to Ex- 
 amples: And yet the Kingdom was not then taken 
 from the lawful Succeflbr. But if we look back to 
 Times lately paft, we (hall find that thefe Titles 
 were more ftrong in King Stephen, than they are in 
 the Duke of Lancojler. For King Henry the firft 
 being at large Liberty, neither reftrained in Body, nor 
 conftrained in Mind, had appointed him to fucceed ; 
 as it was upon good Credit, certainly affirmed. The 
 People aflented to this Defignment ; and thereupon 
 without Fear 1 , and without Force, he was anointed 
 King, and obtained full Poffeflion of the Realm («). 
 Yet Henry, Son of the Earl of Anjou, having a nearer 
 Right by his Mother to the Crown, notwithftanding 
 his Father was a Stranger, and himfelf born beyond 
 the Seas, raifed fiich rough Wars upon King Stephen, 
 that there was no end of fpoiling the Goods, and 
 fpilling the Blood of the unhappy People, befides the 
 Ruins and Deformities of many Cities and Holds ; 
 until his lawful Inheritance was to him allured. It 
 terrifieth me to remember how many flourifhing Em- 
 pires and Kingdoms have been, by means of iuch 
 Contentions, either torn in pieces with inteftine Di- 
 vifion, or lubdued to foreign Princes, under pretence 
 of Afliftance and Aid ; and I need not repeat how 
 this Realm hath heretofore been maken with thefe 
 fcveral Mifchitfs. And yet neither the Examples 
 
 'of 
 
 (u) See Vol. I. P. n.
 
 Of E N G L A N D. 49 
 
 of other Countries, nor the Miferies of our own, KingHenry IV, 
 are fufficient to make us to beware. 
 * O Englfomen, worfe bewitched than the foolifh 
 Galatians ! Our unftaid Minds and reillefs Refolutions 
 do nothing elfe but hunt after our own Harms : No 
 People have more Hatred abroad, and none lefs Quiet 
 at home : In other Countries the Sword of Invafion 
 hath been fhaken againft us : In our own Land, the 
 Fire of Inlurrediion hath been kindled among us : 
 And what are thefe Innovations, but Whetftones 
 to fbarpen the one and Bellows to blow up the 
 other ? 
 
 ' Certainly I fear that the fame will happen unto us 
 which Mjop fableth to have been fallen unto the 
 Frogs, who being defirous to have a Kinsr, a Beam 
 was given unto them ; the firft Fall whereof did 
 put them in fome fear, but when they faw it lie ftill 
 in the Stream, they infulted thereon with great Con- 
 tempt, and defired a King of quicker Courage : Then 
 was fent unto them a Stork, which ftalking among 
 them with ftately Steps, continually devoured them. 
 The Mildnefs of King Richard hath bred in us this 
 Scorn, interpreting it to be Cowardice and Dulnefs of 
 Nature : The next Heir is alfo rejected : I will not fay 
 that with greater Courage we (hall find greater Cruelty ; 
 but if either of thefe (hall hereafter be able to fet up 
 their Side, and bring the Matter to Trial by Arms, I 
 do afluredly fay, that which Part foever mail carry 
 the Fortune of the Field, the People both ways muft 
 go to wreck. And thus have I declared my Mind 
 concerning this Queftion, in more Words than your 
 Wifdom, yet fewer than the Weight of the Caufe, 
 doth require ; and do boldly conclude, that we have 
 neither Power nor ..Policy, either to depofe King 
 Richard^ or to ele£t Duke Henry in his place ; that 
 King Richard remaineth ftill our Sovereign Prince, 
 and therefore it is not lawful for us to give Judgment 
 upon him ; that the Duke, whom you call King, 
 hath more offended againft the King and the Realm, 
 than the King hath done, either againft him or us : 
 For being banifhed the Realm for ten Years by the 
 King and his Council, amongft whom bis own Fa- 
 Voj.. II. D « ther
 
 jo The Parliamentary History 
 
 Rug Henry IV. * ther was Chief (a) ; and fworn not to return again 
 1 without fpecial Licence ; he hath not only violated 
 
 * his Oath, but with impious Arms difturbed the Quiet 
 
 * of the Land, and difpoflefTed the King from his 
 ' Royal Eftate ; and now demandeth Judgment againft 
 ' his Perfon, without Offence proved, or Defence heard. 
 ' If this Injury and this Perjury doth nothing move us, 
 ' yet let both our private and common Dangers fome- 
 ' what withdraw us from thefe violent Proceedings (b).* 
 
 For which he is This Speech, fays the Hiftorian from whom we now 
 charged with quote, was differently taken, as Men were then diffe- 
 High Treafon. ren tly affe&ed, between Fear, Hope, and Shame ; yet, 
 the major Part, by far, fhewed themfelves in the In- 
 tereft of their new King Henry ; and the Orator was 
 inftantly attach'd of High Treafon, by the Earl Mar- 
 Jbal and fcnt Prifoner to the Abbey of Saint Albans. 
 Whofe Council, adds he, then contemned, was after- 
 wards better thought upon ; partly in the Life-time of 
 this King Henry, during whofe Reign fcarce a Year 
 palled without much Slaughter and Execution ; but 
 more efpecially in the Reigns fucceeding. For, within 
 the Space of thirty-fix Years, twelve fet Battles were 
 fought in this Realm, and on this Quarrel, by Englijh- 
 men only ; and more than fourfcore Princes of the 
 Blood Royal of England, ilain by each others 
 Swords (c). 
 
 But, it cannot be amifs to quote one whole Para- 
 graph from M. Rapin's Hiftory, containing his Reflec- 
 tions 
 
 (a) See before in Vol. I. p. 492. 
 
 (£) Our immortal Sbakefpear, in his hiftorical Play of ¥Lm% Richard II. 
 has given us the Subftance of this Speech, made by the Bifliop of Car- 
 UJle, in his elegant Manner. Theobald's Firfi Edit. P. 316. 
 
 The fame great Poet, at the Conclufion of this Play, when the faid 
 Bi/hop was brought before Henry to receive his Sentence for being con- 
 cerned in an Infurre&ion againft him, makes the King fpeak thus : 
 
 King. " Carlisle this is thy Doom. 
 
 " Chufe out fome fecret Place, fome reverend Room 
 " More than thou haft, and with it joy thy Life j 
 ** So, as thou liveft in Peace, die free from Strife. 
 " For though mine Enemy thou haft ever been, 
 " High Sparks of Honour in thee I have feen." 
 
 Ibid. P. 340. 
 
 (f) Sir John Hayivard, P. 1 10. By which Slaughter all the Heirs Male 
 of both Lines, were deftroyed. Hol/ingjbead, P. 511.
 
 0/ ENGLAND. 51 
 
 tions on the Condudr, of this Parliament, in the Sen- Kj ng Henry iv, 
 tence of King Richard's perpetual Imprifonment ; and, 
 what is agreed by moll Hiftorians, tho' it is not in the 
 Abridgement of the Records, that there was made to it 
 this terrible Addition, That if, at any time, any Infur- 
 reclion Jhould be made in his Favour , he Jhould be the 
 firjl that Jhould fuffer Death for it (d). Becaufe, we 
 think that here our Foreigner fhews his Partiality on 
 the Side of Monarchy ; and feems to own, that Parlia- 
 ments are capable of acting as unjuftly as the moft ab- 
 folute Kings ; a Circumftance few will believe that 
 have not well noted this Paflage ; and therefore we ■ 
 mail give it in his Tranflator Tindals own Words (e) : 
 
 * It is not my bufinefs to determine, how far the Mr Rapin'i Re- 
 Authority of the Parliament may be extended, with marks on the 
 refpedl to the King's Perfon. I mail only obferve, JSjJtLkfi? 
 that this is the fecond Inftance of the Depofing of a 
 King of England, without hearing his Defence, or fo 
 much as obferving the ufual Formalities prefcribed by 
 the Law, in the Trial of the meaneft Subject. The 
 Parliament which depofed Edward II. was fatisfied 
 with decreeing, that he mould be kept in fafe Custo- 
 dy during Life. But this Parliament, to Richard's 
 Depofing, adds the Sentence of Death : For no other- 
 wife can the Condition be confidered, upon which 
 his Life is granted. Let us farther remark, that one 
 of the chief Articles of Accufation againft this Prince, 
 was his putting to Death the Duke of Glocejler his 
 Uncle, without a previous Trial. And this fame 
 Parliament condemns him unheard, upon his bare 
 Confeffion, when a Prifoner j not, that he is guilty 
 of the particular Crimes laid to his Charge, but that 
 he is in his own Opinion unworthy to wear the 
 Crown. They are not content with ftripping him 
 of his Royalty, but order him to be imprifoned for 
 Life. What do I fay ? They really condemn him 
 to die, lince in feeming to grant him his Life, they 
 add a Condition, which probably mult foon make 
 him lofe it. If in perufing the Reign of Richard II. 
 one can't help detefting the Principles of the Shrew/- 
 D 2 ' bury 
 
 (i) Ha/Ps Chron. Fol. X. and Grafton P. 40*. 
 \t) Rapin, Vol. I. P. 4*7-
 
 52 The ^Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry rv. * «7 Parliament, which tended to fubjecl the Lives* 
 
 * Honours and Fortunes of the Nation to the King's 
 ' Will, what ought we to think of this ? By a con- 
 
 * trary Excefs, they put the Life and Honour of the 
 » ' King himfelf in the power of his Subjects, and re- 
 
 ' fufe the Sovereign a Privilege, which every Englifb 
 ' Subject has a right to demand. The Examples thefe 
 ' two Parliaments afford, are a clear Evidence that the 
 
 * Englijh Conftitution can never pretend to that Degree 
 
 * of Perfection, boafted by fome, till the Bounds to be 
 ' prefcribed to the Prerogative Royal, and the Privileges 
 ' of Parliament, are precifely determined.' 
 
 To proceed with the Bufmefs tranfacted in this Par- 
 liament : The Commons appeared again with their 
 f n a g r s th 7 J3>5J: Speaker, and declared to the King, that the Duke of 
 liamcnt. * Britainy, had fent word that be was ready to do all 
 which the King would defire him, and therefore prayed 
 that the Earldom of Richmond, being his own Inheri- 
 tance, might not be granted away by any Letters Pa- 
 tents, which Petition was made a Requeft from the 
 Commons. 
 
 The Duke of York, the Earl of Northumberland, and 
 others of Kindred to the Archbifhop of Canterbury, 
 pray'd the King that the faid Archbifhop might have his 
 Recovery againft Roger Walden, who had been made 
 Archbifhop of Canterbury during the others Exile, for 
 fundry Wades and Spoils, done by the faid Roger in 
 the Archbifhoprick aforefaid, which the King initantly 
 granted, and thanked them for their Motion. But the 
 Commons, upon hearing of this Award, prayed the 
 King that, fince they were not made privy to the 
 Judgment aforefaid, no Record might be made to 
 charge or make them Parties therein. To which the 
 Archbifhop of Canterbury, by the King's Command 
 anfwered, ' That the Commons were only Petitioners, 
 6 and that all Judgments belong to the King and 
 ' Lords j unlefs it was in Statutes, Grants of Sublidies 
 
 * or fuch like ;' which Ordinance the King willed 
 fhould be from that time obferved. 
 
 The two Northern Earls, Northumberland and 
 
 Weftmoreland, requefted the King that he would purge 
 
 them from a Reproach caft on them, ' That they had 
 
 ' > . i advifcd
 
 Of E N G L A N D. 53 
 
 ' advifed the King to make War on Scotland J The King Henry IV. 
 King took it upon himfelf, and caufed the Earl of 
 Northumberland to afk every Lord there, feparately, 
 his Opinion relating to the faid War, who all encou- . 
 raged the King to undertake it. 
 
 To the King's eldeft Son, befides the Titles and Prin- 
 cipalities already conferred this Parliament, were added 
 the Dukedoms of Lancajler and Aquitaln j to the for- 
 mer of which were given all fuch Liberties and Fran- 
 chifes, as were heretofore granted to the Duke of the 
 faid Dutchy j and that they mould remain to his eldeft 
 Son, and to his Heirs, Dukes of Lancajler, diflever'd 
 from the Crown of England j and thereupon the King ' 
 
 delivered a Charter thereof, made in Parliament, to 
 Henry his eldeft Son. 
 
 The King enaded, by the Allent of the Lords, that 
 a certain new People, difguis'd in white Garments, com- - 
 ing from beyond Sea, and pretending great Sandlitv, 
 fhould in no wife be fufter'd to tarry or harbour with- 
 in the Realm. 
 
 Next follow feveral private Affairs too tedious to men- 
 tion ; except, that on the Petition of Sir Thomas Haxey f 
 Clerk, the King pardon'd and revok'd the Judgment 
 made againft him in the 20th Year of King Richard's 
 Reign, and reftor'd him to Blood, and the Recovery of 
 all his Goods, Livings, Lands and Tenements (g). 
 
 Sir William Rickkill, one of the Judges to the late 
 King, but now a Prifoner, was brought before the 
 Parliament, and required to anfwer by what Warrant 
 he took and certified the Confeflion of the late Duke of 
 Gloucejler, in the 21ft Year of Richard 11. (h) j and 
 by Order of the King, Sir Walter Clopton, Chief Ju- 
 ftice, was put to examine him. But Rickhill, anfwer- 
 ing at full, and producing fufficient Authority for what 
 he had done, and his fincere Dealing therein, the Lords - 
 unanimoufly declared that they thought he had afted 
 juftly ; and upon this the Chief Juftice adjudged the 
 faid Sir William acquitted thereof for ever. 
 The Petitions of the Commons, and the King's Anfwers. . . f . 
 
 Petition. That the Liberties of the Church, the commons, 
 D 3 Great 
 
 (g) He was then a Member cf Parliament and was fentenced to 
 Death, for bringing in a Bill to regulate the King's Houfliold, Anno 20, 
 Ric. II See Vol. 1. p. ±c%, 
 
 {b) Vol. I. p. 475.
 
 54 The Tarliamentary History 
 
 King Henry IV. Great Charter, and Charter of the Forefts, be confirm'd. 
 
 Anfiver. The King willeth the fame (i). 
 
 Pet. That the Lords Spiritual, Temporal, and the 
 Judges, do not from henceforth plead, in Excufe, that 
 they durft not for Fear of Death to fpeak the Truth. 
 
 Anfw. The King reputeth them all tobejuft, and 
 that they will not give him Council to the contrary $ 
 but if they do, let Complaint be made. 
 
 Pet. That all the King's chief Officers be fworn to 
 fhun all Bribery, and fuch as are attainted thereof to 
 lofe all they have. 
 
 Anfw Every fuch Officer, upon Attaint, mall be 
 punifhed for his Mifdoing ; otherwife the Statutes al- 
 ready made may fuffice. 
 
 Pet. That no Part of the Crown-Lands may be 
 fold, given, or exchanged ; and that there be a Resump- 
 tion of fuch as are. 
 
 Anfw. The King will be advifed of this. 
 
 Pet. That every Man may purfue his Remedy for 
 all Havock and Spoils, committed fince the coming of 
 the King. 
 
 Anfw. For Spoils done where the King's Army hath 
 been, he will be advifed ; for the reft he granteth. 
 
 Pet. That all Men difpoflefled of any Tenements, 
 without Procefs of Law, may be reftored, if done fince 
 ■ the King's coming in. 
 
 Anfw. They are remitted to the Common Law. 
 
 Pet. That, in Confederation of the great Plague in 
 the North, it would pleafe the King to lie with his 
 Army in the midft of the Kingdom. 
 
 Anfw. The King will be advifed. 
 
 Pet. That the King will appoint able Captains, as 
 well in England as in Wales. 
 
 Anfw. 
 
 (!) The Preamble to this Statute, and the reft in this Year, begins 
 in this Manner : 
 
 f Henry, by the Grace of God, King of England and of France, 
 f and Lord of Ireland j to the Laud and Honour of God and Reverence 
 
 * of Holy Church, for to nourifh Unity, Peace and Concord, amongft all 
 ' Parties within the Realm of England ; and for Redrefs and Recovery 
 
 * of the fame Realm, which now of late hath been dangeroufly put to 
 ' great Ruin and Defolation ; by the Afient of the Prelates, Dukes, 
 
 * Earls, Barons, and at the Inftance and fpecial Requeft of the Com- 
 
 * mons of the fame Realm aflembled at his Parliament held »t Weji- 
 
 * minjler, on the Feaft of St. Faith the Virgin, the firft Year of his 
 
 * Reign, hath made, ordained, and eftabliflied certain Ordinances and 
 f Statutes in Form, as foljoweth,* Statutes at large, An, I, Hen. IV,
 
 Of E N G L A N D. 55 
 
 Anfw. The King meaneth no lefs. King Henry iv* 
 
 The Commons grant to the King, that be mail be 
 as free and enjoy as great Liberties as any of his Pro- 
 genitors had before him ; whereupon the King, in Par- 
 liament, promifed that he would not turn the fame 
 contrary to the Laws. 
 
 Pet. The Commons pray the Reverfal of the Judg- 
 ment given againft Richard Earl of Arundel in the 2 1 ft 
 Year of King Richard^ and that Reftitution be made 
 to Thomas his Son and Heir (k). 
 
 Anfw, The King hath {hewn Favour to Thomas now 
 Earl, and to others. 
 
 Pet. That fuch Records, touching the Inheritance of 
 the faid Earl of Arundel and Surrey, late embezzled f 
 may be fought for and reftored. 
 
 Anfw. The King willeth. 
 
 Pet. They make the like Requeft for Reftitution to 
 be made to Thomas Earl of iVarwick (/). 
 
 Anfw. The King hath fhewn Favour to him alfo. 
 
 Pet. They require a Repeal of the A61 made Anno 
 21. Richard II. with a general Reftitution of Lands 
 and Goods, to all fuch as loft thereby. 
 
 Anfw. The King has been gracious in this alfo, and 
 for the reft he will be advifed (m). 
 
 Thefe are all or moft of the Petitions and Anfwers, 
 on publick AfEurs, which palled in this Parliament. 
 But there are yet fome Matters in the Pleas of the 
 Crown, at this Time, which deferve our Attention. 
 
 The Commons pray the King, that the Lords, who 
 
 were Appellants in the Parliament held the twenty- firft 
 
 D 4 of 
 
 (k) See Vol. I. p. 470. 
 
 (I) Ibid. p. 477. _ . 
 
 (m) ARepeal of the whole Parliament holden 21 Ric. II. and of the 
 Authority given thereby was palled, and the Parliament held 11 Ric. II, 
 confirmed. Alfo a Reftitution to thofe, or their Heirs, who were attainted 
 21 Ric. II, Statutes at Large, An. 1. Hen. IV. See before, in the Firft 
 Volume, p. 412, and 492. 
 
 The Parliament 21 Ric. II. was called, fays Hall, the Evil Parlia- 
 ment for the Nobility, the worfe for the Menalty, but the worft of all 
 for the Commonalty. Hah *j Chr$n. Fol. XI. 
 
 A general Pardon was alfo paiTed for Treafon, Felony, &c. except to 
 the Murderers of the Duke oiGloceficr. Stat at Large, An. 1. Hen. IV. 
 
 Hall writes, that an A€t was palled this Parliament for entailing the 
 Crown of England on this King Henry, his four Sons in Succeilion, and 
 their Poftericy ; and hath given us the Subftance of it. But nothing of 
 this Nature appears on the Records, or in the Statute-Books, till 
 Ann, 7. Hen. IV. which fee. 
 
 ■
 
 5 6 The Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry IV. °f the late King Richard, maybe called on to anfwer 
 for their Acts done at that lime. The Records of 
 which were brought and read in Parliament, in the 
 Prefence of Edward Duke of Albemarle , Thomas Duke of 
 Surrey , John Duke of Exeter, John Marquefs of Dcrjet, 
 
 ?ohn Earl of Salisbury, and Thomas Earl of Glocejter. 
 hefe were all the Accufers of the Archbifhop and the 
 reft of the Lords, in the Parliament of the 21ft of, 
 Richard II. that were fpared from Execution ; except 
 King Henry himfelf, then Earl of Derby, who was the 
 principal Peribn concerned in that Affair. 
 Proceedings a- The Duke of Albemarle was called on firft, who 
 gainft the Duke pleaded in Excufe, ' That he was no Contriver of the 
 and A o?heTLcrds faid Appeal j and what he then did, was by the King's 
 Appellants, in Command, whom he durft not difobey. That in 
 the aift of Ri- relation to King Henry\ Exile, and Revocation of 
 chard II. ^ ls p atent} } t was entirely againft his Will, and he cal- 
 
 led certain Lords to witnefs the fame : He, alfo, en- 
 deavoured to excufe himfelf from advifing, or being 
 any ways privy to the Death of the Duke of Gh- 
 cejler* 
 
 The Duke of Surrey prayed the King to confider 
 the tender Age, and fmall Reputation he was in, at 
 the time the Appeal was made. Afterwards, he an- 
 fwered in all Points, as the former Duke had done ; 
 all which he offered to prove when the King fhould 
 appoint. 
 
 The Duke of Exeter pleaded alfo, as above ; only, 
 in relation to the Duke of Glocejter, he added, that he 
 heard King Richard fay, that he fhould be flain. 
 
 The Marquefs of Dorfet affirmed, as before, only he 
 made no mention of the Duke of Glocejler. 
 
 The Earl of Sali/buty faid, that he was drawn into 
 the Appeal, for fear of his Life ; and for that he was 
 accufed by the Duke of Norfolk, that he fhould have 
 meant to have flain the Duke of Lancajler, the King's 
 Father. Albeit, he was ready by' the King's Order, to 
 have difproved the Charge 5 but, for that he had not yet 
 offered to acquit himfelf thereof, he afked Pardon for 
 the fame (n). 
 
 The Earl of Glocejler affirmed the fame with the 
 Duke of Albemarle. 
 
 After 
 
 (») Vol. I. p, 491.
 
 Of E N G L A N D. 57 
 
 After thefe Noblemen had anfwered the feveral Que- King Henry iv. 
 flions, they were all ordered to withdraw, whilft the 
 King and Parliament confulted what Sentence to award 
 for them. And the King and Lords did adjudge, They are fen- 
 
 • That the faid Dukes, Mat quels and Earls, mould ™ d t ^ a £' 
 
 • lofe their Names and Titles, and all the Honours "["./of t hek" 
 
 * thereto belonging ; and that they mould forfeit all Honours. 
 ■ the Lands and Goods, which they, or any of them 
 
 c had given them at the Death of the faid Duke of 
 < Ghcefter, or at any time fince ; and that if they, or 
 ' any of them, mould efpoufe the Quarrel, or affift the 
 
 * Perfon of King Richard, lately depofed, that then 
 ' the fame mould be Treafon.' Which Sentence or 
 Judgment, by the King's Command was pronounced 
 by Sir William Thirning, Lord Chief Juftice of the 
 King's Bench. 
 
 But after all, we find that as to their Lands, it was But are reftored 
 left to the King either to continue them in Pofleflion, by the King. 
 or turn them out if he pleafed. Yet, Henry, willing 
 to begin his Reign with fome Acts of Clemency, not 
 only left them their Eftates, but, alfo, reftored them to 
 their Honours. Moreover, he made the Duke of Exe- 
 ter, who had married his Half- Sifter, Governor of Ca- 
 lais. But Walfingham (o) writes, that this mild Sentence 
 on the Lords was greatly refented by the Common 
 People, both againft the King and his Council, becaufe 
 they judged thofe Noblemen by their late Proceedings, 
 guilty of Death. 
 
 On the 29th Day of November the Commons re- 
 quired, that the Arreft and Judgment againft William 
 le Scrope, Earl of Wiitfhire, Sir Henry Green, and John 
 BuJJy Knights, who had been executed without any 
 Procefs at Brijlol, might be confirmed in full Parlia- 
 ment (p). On which Sir Richard le Scrope petitioned the 
 King that nothing might be done to difinherit him or 
 his Children, considering the faid William was his Son. 
 The Commons afked Sir Richard, if the Judgment a- 
 gainft his Son was lawful ? Who anfwered, that it was 
 lawful. Upon which, the King faid, that he would 
 have all the Lands of the Perfons aforefaid forfeited 
 to him by way of Conqueji, as of thofe who had been 
 
 the 
 
 (*; Walfingham, p. 362. Fabian's Chron. Fol. CLXV. 
 ($) See Vol. I, p. 500.
 
 j 8 The Tarliamentary H i s T o S r 
 
 KingHenrylV. the chief Actors in the Parliament of the twenty-firft 
 of Richard the Second. 
 
 The laft Thing which we fhall mention in the Pro- 
 ceedings of this Parliament, is fome farther Enquiry 
 made there in relation to the Duke of Glocejler ; which 
 tho' not all mentioned in the Abridgment, our older 
 Chroniclers (a), particularly Hilling/head, are very 
 exact in defcribing. Sir John Baggot, then a Prifoner 
 in the Tower, was brought to the Bar of the Houfe, 
 and there examined on the Affair of that Murder ; who 
 there declared, in a Bill, then delivered in, * That it 
 
 mX IfA?' ' was b y the Advice and ^(ligation of the Duke of Al- 
 
 Duke of Glo- ' bemarle, that the Lords were apprehended by the 
 
 cefter. < King, and that the Duke of Gloucejler was inhuman- 
 
 6 ly murder'd at Calais. That the Duke of Norfolk 
 
 * did keep the Duke of Gloucejler alive three Weeks 
 
 * againft the King's Will ; but, for Fear of the King's 
 ' Difpleafure, the faid Duke and himfelf, with leve- 
 c ral of the King's Servants, went over to Calais, and 
 ' faw him put to Death.' After this Declaration was 
 openly read, the Duke of Albemarle rofe up and faid, 
 « That he utterly denied the Charge to be true againft 
 ' him, and offer 'd to juftify his Innocency by Combat, 
 4 in fuch Manner as fhould be thought requifire.' But 
 
 , Baggott, not being at Liberty to accept the Challenge, 
 
 the Lord Fitz- Walter, and twenty other Lords, offer'd 
 to make it good by their Bodies, that he was the Caufe 
 of the Duke of Glouce/ler's Death. The Duke of Sur- 
 rey flood up againft the Lord Fitz- Walter, and having af- 
 firmed that what the Duke of Albemarle had done againft 
 the Duke of Gloucejler, was by Conftraint, he offer'd 
 to vindicate him by Fight; and all their Hoods, which 
 they flung down as Pledges of their Intentions, were 
 deliver'd to the Ccnftable and Marfhal to be kept. But 
 all thefe Differences the King thought proper to accom- 
 modate, in a Way more politick and more confiftent 
 with the Exigency of the Times, than fuffering them 
 to go on to a Martial Trial. 
 
 Baggott, in one of his Examinations before the 
 
 Houfe 
 
 (q) Hcllitigjbcad' 1 s Chron. p. 511, 512, £fc. Sir John Hayivard, U2< 
 Daniel in Kennet, 274.
 
 0/ E N G L A N D. 59 
 
 Houfe, mention'd one John Halt, then a Prifoner in King Henry IV, 
 Newgate, who could fay much more than he, relating 
 to the Death of the Duke of Ghucejier. Which HaU> 
 being fent for and examined, confefled the whole Mat- 
 ter ; whofe Examination, Confeffion, and Sentence 
 paired againft him, being on the Rolls, we {hall give 
 from Sir Robert Cotton's own Account of it. 
 
 ' John Hall, a Servant of the Duke of Norfolk, being 
 examined by Sir Walter Clapton, Chief Juftice, in full 
 Parliament, confefs'd upon his Oath, that in the 
 Month of September, An. 21, Rich. II. the Duke of 
 Norfolk charged the faid John, among others, to mur- 
 der the Duke of Gloucefler, there being prefent one John 
 Co/fox, an Efquire of the faid Duke of Norfolk ; and 
 that they two then being at Calais, went together to our 
 Ladies Church,where they found William Hempfey,E{q; 
 
 as aforefaid, Brad/haw, Efq; as aforeiaid, William 
 
 Servadlet, of the Chamber of the late King Richard ; 
 Francis Vadlett, of the Chamber of the Duke of Albe- 
 marle j William Rogers, William Dennice, and 
 
 Cockle, Servants to the faid Duke of Norfolk ; all whom 
 were fworn upon the Body of Chrift, before one Sir 
 William Chaplin, of St George's, in the Church of our 
 Lady, that they mould not difclofe the faid FacT: or 
 Murder.* 
 
 ' That after this Oath made, they altogether went 
 with the Duke of Norfolk, towards the Houfe call'd the 
 Princes Inn, and when they were come, the faid Duke 
 of Norfolk caufed the Perfons aforefaid to enter into a 
 Lodging within the fame Houfe, and fo departed.' 
 
 4 After which John Lovetofte, with fundry other £f- 
 quires, brought the Duke of Gloucefler, and deliver'd 
 him to the faid S earl and Francis, in an Inner Parlour, 
 and faid, * There is Sear! and Francis-,' whereupon the 
 Duke of Gloucefler faid, 'Now I fee I fhall do well,' and 
 fo asked Searl how the King did ? who faid well ; and 
 fent to him Commendations, and fo the faid John Love- 
 tofte departed.' 
 
 ' Whereupon the faid Searl and Francis, took the faid 
 Duke of Gloucefler into an Upper Chamber, faying, 
 * That they would fpeak with him i ' unto whom when 
 
 they
 
 6o The Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry iv. they were come there, they faid, * That the King's Will 
 
 * was,that he fliould be flain ; the Duke anfwer'd there- 
 to, * If it be fo it is welcome ;' that Searl and Francis 
 willed the Duke to take a Chaplain, whom the Duke 
 there took, and was confefled.' 
 
 ' After which Confeflion they caufed the Duke to lye 
 upon a Bed, upon whom fo lying, the faid Searl and 
 Francis threw a Feather- Bed, the Sides whereof the faid 
 William Rogers, Dennice, and Cockle or the Chamber, 
 held ; and Searl and Francis lay on the Mouth of the 
 faid Duke until he was dead ; Col/ox, Hemp/ley, and 
 Brad/haw, fat that Night by the Duke on their Knees, 
 weeping, and praying for the Soul of the faid Duke ; 
 and Hall, this Examinant, kept the Door until the Duke 
 was flain.' 
 
 ' After the Death of which Duke, the Duke of Nor- 
 folk came in, and feeing him dead, laid, * It were a great 
 
 * Matter to have the faid Duke living again.' 
 
 ' By whofe Confeflion it feemed to the Lords, that he 
 the faid John Hall, had deferved a grievous Death j 
 whereupon they adjudged, by the Aflent of the King, 
 that the fame Hall mould be drawn from Tower-Hill 
 to Tyburn, his Bowels to be burned before him, his 
 Body to be . hanged, headed, and quartered, and his 
 Head to be fent and fet upon Calais, and his Quarters 
 at the King's Pleafure ; and theMarfhal the fame Day 
 did Execution accordingly.' 
 
 Though the Reader may find that this Revolution 
 was fufficiently fandtified by the Archbifhop of Canter- 
 bury, and all the other Bifhops, except one, concur- 
 ring with it, yet a more formal Teftimony was ex- 
 petted from them. And, whilft the two Houfes of 
 Parliament were acting, in the Manner abovefaid, at 
 Wcjlminjler, the Bifhops and Clergy met in the Con- 
 vocation at St Paul's. As the King rightly judged, 
 that, in order to fupport himfelf on the Throne, it 
 was neceflary to make that Body his Friends, he fent 
 the Earls of Northumberland and Weflmoreland to allure 
 them of his Protection. Thefe Ambafladors, being 
 admitted into the AfTembly, faid, * That they were 
 
 * come from the King, not to demand Money, as was 
 
 * ufual in the former Rtign ; but to acquaint the Cler- 
 
 ' gy
 
 s Of ENGLAND. 6t 
 
 * gy of the King's Refolution to maintain them in all Ki ng Henry IV. 
 ' their Privileges and Immunities. Adding, that they 
 
 ' had Orders to allure the Convocation, that the King 
 c was ready to concur with them in whatever Means 
 
 * (hould be thought proper to extirpate Herefy, and The Kin e P ro - 
 
 « punifh obftinate Hereticks.' They concluded with SergylnS? 
 defiring the Clergy's Prayers for the Welfare of the pating Herefy. 
 King and Kingdom. 
 
 M. Rap'in remarks here, that nothing could be more 
 apt to gain the Hearts of the Ecciefiafticks, than the 
 King's Promife to extirpate Herefy. The Number of 
 the Lollards ', ' which daily. encrealed,\ gave the Clergy 
 much Reafon to fear, that in the End a Reformation 
 might be fet on Foot, very detrimental to their Tem- 
 poral Interefts. Accordingly, the AiTurances the King 
 gave the Convocation, were received with great De- 
 monftrations of Joy and Thankfulnefs. And, the 
 Reader will find, in the Courfe of this Reign, that he 
 'ftrictly kept his Word with them. 
 
 The next Year, being Anno 1400, began with Trou- 
 bles of various Kinds, but all levelled againft Henry and The King of 
 his new acquired Government. The King of France^ France declares 
 whofe Daughter Richard had married, was exceedingly a 6 ainft Henry, 
 exalperated at the late Rcvolunon; and made great Pre- 
 parations to revenge the" Affront done to his Son-in- 
 Law. Henry had fent an Embafly into France^ to ex- 
 cufe this Matter as well as he could, but the Envoys 
 could proceed no farther than Calais ; becaufe the French 
 King had not only denied them his Safe-ConducT:, but 
 had imprifon'd an Herald they had fent to demand it. 
 In this prefling Exigency, nothing but War being ex- 
 pected, and the Sinews of it very much wanted, Henry 
 called a great Council of Peers to meet at Wejlminfter^ 
 on the 9th Day of February, to confult of proper Mea- A c 
 fures to divert this Blow. In the Collection of Public p eer s Only, cai- 
 JUs is a long Memorial of what was concluded on in l«*» to prevent 
 this Council ; which, as it is there expreiTed, was cal- * har e xn s the . 
 led of Lords Spiritual and Temporal only, in this pref- an y Tax for the 
 ling Neceflity, to avoid fummoning any Parliament (r), War. 
 and laying any Tax or Impofuion on the Commons. 
 
 They 
 
 (r) Pour efebuire aucvne Parkmext ejire fommoner, &c. Feed, Avg, 
 Tom. VIII. P, 125, iz6.
 
 6 2 The Tarliamentary History 
 
 King Henry iv. They therefore confented to raife Forces at their own 
 Expence ; and, in the Lift of the Names of the Peers 
 then prefent, is an Account of what Number of arm- 
 ed Men each Temporal Lord engaged himfelf to bring ; 
 but the Spiritual, tho' there alfo named, are out of this 
 Queftion. 
 
 Nor were the Scots lefs frightful to Henry on the 
 other Side ; but taking Advantage of the Diflcntions in 
 England, they broke the Truce, and made feveral In- 
 roads, with great Devaftations and Plundering?. To 
 ftem this Tide, Henry carried his new railed Forces 
 towards Scotland ; and in his Way thither he thought 
 to have met a Parliament he had fummoned to appear 
 at York. For we find, that Writs of Summons were 
 
 Anno Regni i. &nt out, directed to Henry Prince of Wales, 13c. and 
 1400- dated at Weftminjler the 19th Day of September, for a 
 At York. Parliament to meet at York, on the Feaft of All Souls, 
 next coming. Cotton has given us no more than the 
 Names of the Peers that were fummoned to this Parlia- 
 ment ; it is probable that the Bufinefs of it was inter- 
 rupted by the Infurredtions, then made in the Nation, 
 in Favour of King Richard. It is not for our Purpofe 
 to be fo particular as to defcribe all thefe firft Attacks 
 againft this new fettled Goverment ; we muft refer our 
 Readers to the larger Englijh Hiftorians for that Pur- 
 pofe. Sufficient it is to fey, that thefe Civil Tumults 
 were foon quafhed, and the Authors of them fuffered 
 Death, or perpetual Imprifonment. In this Interval, 
 it was thought neceflary that the unhappy Occafion, 
 though innocent of them himfelf, fhould be, alfo, re- 
 moved ; and Richard II. underwent the feme Fate 
 
 Richard 11. put with his Great Grandfather Edward II. to make fure 
 
 to Death. Work> and prove this common Maxim true, that 
 
 There is but a frnall Space betwixt the Prifons and Graves 
 oj Kings (5). 
 
 After thefe Commotions were, in fome Meafure, 
 
 Anno Regni 2. quieted, another Parliament was fummoned to meet on 
 1401. the 21 ft of January, in the fecond Year of this King, 
 
 At Weftminfler. whcn thc Knights and Burgefies were called into the 
 Chancery Court, in Wejlminjler-Hall, before the 
 
 Chancellor 
 
 (t) Authors differ as to the Manner of his Death. Some lay he wae 
 murdered with a Poll-Ax : Others, that he was flarv'd.
 
 Of E N G L A N D. 63 
 
 Chancellor and the Steward of the King's Houfhold, King Henry IV. 
 by Name ; upon whofe Appearance, the Chancellor 
 put off the Parliament to the next Day, by the King's 
 Authority. 
 
 On the faid Day Sir William Thyrning, Chief Juftice 
 of the King's Bench, by the King's Command, de- 
 clared, ' That this Parliament was called to the End 
 f that Holy Church, and other Corporations and Per- 
 
 * fons mould enjoy their Liberties ; that all good Laws 
 ' mould be executed, and Juftice truly miniftred ; and 
 ' that nothing mould be done in Derogation of the 
 
 * Common Law. 
 
 He then rehearfed, ' What great Charges the King 
 
 * had been at for his Coronation ; for fupprefling the 
 « late Rebellion attempted by the Nobles ; for his Ex- 
 pedition againft the Scots ; and, laftly, for refilling 
 
 * the Rebels in North Wales ; all which Adventures 
 « he had undertaken in his own proper Per ion.' He 
 further told them, ' That the King was bound to re- 
 c turn the Queen into France., with all fuch Jewels 
 
 * and Riches as King Richard had with her in Mar- 
 
 * riage. He put them in Mind of the Charges for 
 
 * keeping of Calais, and the King's other FortrefTes 
 
 * abroad ; eipecially for the Dutchy of Guienne, being 
 
 * annexed to the Crown, for the which War was like- 
 ' ly to enfue, becaufe the King of France had created 
 ' his eldeft Son Duke of Gnenne ; and laftly, for the 
 
 * Wars in Scotland and Ireland. For the Support of 
 
 * all which great Charges he urged the Lords and Com- 
 6 mons to confult and to confider the Importance of 
 
 f them ; He concluded with defiring the Commons to " • 
 ' choofe a Speaker, and to prefent him the next Day - 
 ' to the King. 
 
 Then the Receivers and Tryers of Petitions were 
 appointed for England, and the other Kingdoms and 
 Countries abroad, as ufual ; and on the Day after, be- sir Arnold Sa- 
 ing January 23, the Commons prefented to the King v age chofen 
 Sir Arnold Savage for their Speaker, who made the ac- s P eaker ' 
 cuftomed Proteltation, for himfelf and the Commons, 
 which was accepted and enrolled. 
 
 On the z5th, the Commons by their Speaker, in full 
 Parliament, ' gave the King moft hearty Thanks for 
 
 i his
 
 x 64 The 'Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry IV. c his Pfomife of maintaining the Catholic Faith. They 
 
 * defired that the King would nor give an Ear to any 
 
 * flanderous and untrue Reports concerning their Pro- 
 
 * ceedings, but let the Event (hew the fame.' Which 
 being promifed, the Speaker went on and declared to 
 the King, * That to every good Government four 
 ' Things appertained, viz. Wifdom, Prowefs, Man- 
 ' hood and Riches ; all which he affirmed was in the 
 ■ King and his Nobility, as the World very well knew, 
 ' and they would approve -, for the Hearts and Good- 
 
 * wijl of Subjefls, which his Majefty had, were the 
 ' Riches of a King. Therefore, for certain Reafons, 
 c the Commons would perfuade the King not to agree 
 ' to the Challenges,which the French had mado to him 
 ' and the Lords.' This the King promifed not to at- 
 tempt without their Advice, and gave them Thanks 
 for their tender good Will to him (s).' 
 
 On the laft Day of January, the Commons, by 
 
 k Word of Mouth prayed, that certain Petitions might 
 
 be anfwered by the King, which he, again, defired 
 
 might be put in Writing, and then he promifed to an- 
 
 fwer them. 
 
 On the 21ft of February, the Commons prayed the 
 King to execute the Ordinance of King Richard the 
 Second, upon the Conqueft of Wales, viz. that no 
 Wekhman born mould bear any Office in that Country, 
 &V. The King promifed to fend for the Ordinance, 
 and cauie Execution of it. 
 
 They then required the King, that, according to the 
 Laws and Cuftoms of the Realm, he would feize into 
 his Hands the Houfes and Lands of all Alien Priories, 
 and Donatives, during the Wars. To this the King 
 required Advice, and promifed to do therein as the 
 Bifhops and Peers fhould inftrucl: him* 
 
 The fame Day, on a like Motion, the King revok- 
 ed all Annuities granted out of the Cuftom of Wools ; 
 and at the fame time they required the King to com- 
 mit the Charge of Wool- weighing, and the Inventory 
 
 of 
 
 (s) The Duke of Orleans, Brother to the French King, a Prince of 
 great Courage and Reputation in Arms, had fent a Challenge to Henry 
 to meet him at Bourdeaux, with a hundred ftout Warriors on a Side, 
 theie to fight, ano each Victor to have his Prifoner. This Accident is 
 placed two or three Year* later by all our Hiftonans,
 
 Of ENGLAND. 6s 
 
 Ctf King Richard's Goods, which the Treafurers had King Henry IV. 
 
 delivered to them, to fome Perfons as might make due 
 
 Enquiry thereof, and difcharge the Commons of it. 
 
 They, alfo defired, * That all Matters tranfadted in this 
 
 ' Parliament, might be engrofled before the Departure 
 
 ' of the Juftices.' * It was anfwered, « That the Clerk 
 
 * of Parliament had Orders fo to do.' 
 
 At the fame time the Commons declared, ' That k 
 « was not the ufual Cuftom for them to grant any Sub- 
 ' fidy before they had received Anfwers to their Peti* 
 ' tions j and prayed the Oblervation of that Cuilom 
 
 * from thenceforth/ Upon this the King required a 
 Conference with the Lords ; and, on the laft Day of 
 the Seffion, gave the Commons this Anfwef, * That 
 ' there was never any fuch Ufe known, but that they 
 
 * mould firft go through with all other Bufinefs, which 
 « Ordinance the King intended not to alter.' After 
 which a Subfidy was granted of one Tenth, and one 
 Fifteenth j Two Shillings on every Ton of Wine, and A Subfidy. 
 Eight- Pence in the Pound on Merchandize. 
 
 The Lords Temporal, with the King's Aflent, ad- 
 judged Thomas Holland late Earl of Kent, John Ho/-* Proceedings a- 
 land late Earl of Huntington, John Montagu late Earl Jjj* ^^ nm 
 of Salijbury, Thomas le Defpenfer and Ralph Lumley % £ Q n*&l, 
 Knights, and feveral others, who were, for their Trea- 
 fons and Rebellions, taken by certain of the King's 
 Subjects, and beheaded as Traitors, that they mould 
 forfeit all fuch Lands as they had in Fee, January the 
 fifth, in the Firft of this King, or at any Time after, 
 together with all their Goods and Chattels. To which 
 Judgment all the Lords prefent put their Names. 
 
 But the Commons fhewed themfelves more chari- 
 table than the Lords j for, coming before the King, 
 March the 5 th, their Speaker in an Oration h^-made 
 to the Throne, took occafion, ' to liken the three Eftates 
 
 * of the Realm to the Trinity, as confiding of King, 
 ■ Bifhops and Lords, and the Commons i wherein, 
 c add;, he, ought to be Unity ; and therefore prayed 
 ' the King to reconcile the Earl of Rutland and the 
 
 * Lord Fitz-zvalter (x) . ' Thefe Lords kneeling, 
 at the fame time, and fubmitting themfelves to the 
 
 Vol. II. E King 
 
 (x) Sec before, P. 5*.
 
 66 The Tarliamentary History 
 
 King Henry iv. King's Will, were both pardoned. The Commons 
 ' firft, and the Lords after, pray that the Earl of Somer- 
 fet might have the lame Mercy extended to him as the 
 Earl of Rutland^ and be both reftored to their Goods, 
 Names and Liberties, notwithstanding the Judgment 
 given againft them, prima Regis ; which the King, 
 with Thanks for their Motion, alfo granted. Thefe 
 Earls had forfeited the Titles of Duke of Albemarle 
 and Marquefs of Dcrfet, by that Judgment. The for- 
 mer of them, being Son to the Duke of York, had 
 merited fome Favour by being the firft,tho' inadvertenr, 
 Difcoverer of a dangerous Confpiracy againft Henry (y). 
 Some more Acls of Clemency, to private Perfons, were 
 done in this Parliament, which the King, like a politic 
 Prince, thought proper to gild his Caufe with, and to 
 eftablifh his Throne in Mercy. 
 
 An Affair of the like Nature with the preceeding, 
 deferves alfo our Notice : It feems, that Henry le 
 Spenfer, the famous Bifhop of Norwich, lb much fpoke 
 of in the Beginning of the laft Reign (z), had been ac- 
 cufed by Sir Thomas Erpingham, then Vice- Chamberlain 
 to the King, of being a Stirrer in the laft Iniurreclions, 
 or, at leaft, a Favourer of that Caufe. The Bifhop 
 was fent for to come before the King in Parliament, 
 and on his Appearance, the King ordered him to be 
 placed in his accuftomed Seat ; then his Majefty declar- 
 ed, * That he took the Accufations of the laid Sir Tho- 
 
 * mas againft the faid Bifhop to be juft, and to pro- 
 
 * ceed from the great Zeal the Accufer had for 
 ' him j neverthelefs, confidering the Order of the faid 
 ' Bifhop, and that he was of the King's Lineage, and 
 
 * to oblige him to better Behaviour for the future, he 
 ' pardoned the faid Bifhop all his Mifprifions done 
 ' againft his Perfon.' The whole Bench of Bifhops 
 Hood up at this, and gave his Majefty their Thanks 
 in open Parliament ; and deli red him to caufe the faid 
 Bifhop of Norwich, and Sir Thomas Erpingham^ to 
 ihake Hands and kifs each other, in Token of Amity. 
 
 The Commons required the King to affift in pacify- 
 ing 
 
 (y) He was concern* d n a Plot, with the Earls of Kent, Hunting-, 
 ton,SaUfiury, &c. [Seek. 65] for reftoring King Richard j but it be- 
 ing blown, he fav'd himfelf, by making the firft Diftovery, 
 
 (xj See Vol. h p. 377.
 
 Of E N G L A N D. 67 
 
 ing the Schifm then in the Church of Rome, which had King Henry IV, 
 continued a long time, if it could be done without 
 any Charge to this Realm* The Lords alfo defired 
 the fame ; the King anfwered, * That the Bifhops 
 ' mould confider of it.' And, at Home, in order 
 to fupprefs the Reformers, or the Followers of JVick- 
 iffi's Doctrine, which was Hill adhered to by many, 
 a Writ is mentioned in the Records of this Parlia- 
 ment to be fent to the Sheriffs of London for the Burn- 
 ing of William Sawtre, a Clerk, convicted of Herefy by 
 his Clergy, and by them adjudged to be burnt (a). 
 There was alio a Statute made at this Seffion of Par- An Aft forput- 
 liament touching the imprifoning' or punifhing, with p"* t " eretlck$ t0 
 Death, fuch as held any erroneous Opinion in Religion j 
 but Cotton remarks, that the printed Statute differs 
 greatly from the Record, not only in Form, but much 
 more in Matter, in order to maintain Ecclefiaftical Ty- 
 ranny (b). His Publifher, Prynne, has this Note upon 
 it, < That this was the firft Statute and butcherly Knife, 
 ' that the impeaching Prelates procured, or had, againft 
 f the poor Preachers of Chrift's Gofpel.' Mafter Fox 
 writes, alfo, that King Henry IV. who depofed King 
 Richard II. was the firft of all Englijh Kings that be- 
 gan the unmerciful Burning of Chrift's Saints (c). 
 
 However, fome other Laws were made in this Par- Another againft 
 liament, of great Ufe and Advantage to the State, viz. Pavilions from 
 
 * That no Provilions fhould be brought from Rome, Rome * 
 
 E 2 « by 
 
 (a) Parifh Prieft o/ St. Ofith in London. Stoive fays, He was the firft 
 Man that fuffered Death for Religion \r\England. The Writ from the King 
 directed to the Mayor and Sheriffs of London, ad comburendum Williel- 
 mumSautre Capellanum, is in Rymer'$F«</. Ang. Tom. VlII. P. 178. 
 
 (b) This AQ. having been repealed by Parliament 25 Henry VUI. and 
 feveral Times fince, is not printed at large in our Statute-Hooks. An 
 Abftraft of it is given, Ann zdo, Hen. IV. Cap. XV. in this Manner 1 
 ' The Catholic Faith and the Holy Church, amongft all the Kingdoms 
 ' of the World, hath been very devoutly ot'erved in England, and 
 ' endowed, which hath not been troubled with Herefy. And there- 
 ' fore none fhall preach without Licence from the Diocefan of the 
 ' fame Place. None fhall preach or write any Book contrary to the 
 
 * Catholic Faith, or the Determination of Holy Church. None 
 
 * fhall make any Conventicles of fuch Se£ts and wicked Docxrines, nor 
 ' fhall favour fuch Preachers. Every Ordinary may convene before him, 
 ' and imprifon any Perfon fufpe&ed of Herefy. An obffinate Heretic 
 ' fhall be burned before the People, 6fc.' See Collier'* Eccl. HiJIory, 
 P. 614, (&c. Tindal, in his Notes on Rapin, fays, that this bloody 
 Statute was not repealed till the Year 1677. Fol.Ed. 491. N. 4. 
 
 (c) Fox's A&s and Monuments, P, 675.
 
 68 The Parliamentary History 
 
 , King Henry IV. e by any Religious Perfon, to exempt them from Obe- 
 4 dience to the Secular Power ; and that all fuch Per- 
 ' fons who {hall bring any fuch Provifions into the 
 c Nation, fhall incur a Praemunire. That no Perfon 
 ' fhall carry any Gold or Silver Coin out of the Nation, 
 ' without a fpecial Licence from the King ; and if any 
 
 * one fhall prefume to do to the contrary, he fhall for- 
 e feit all the faid Coin to the King. That the Chiro- 
 
 * grapher of the Common- Pleas , the Clerk of the Crown 
 
 * and King's Bench, and the Marfhal of the Marjhalfea 
 
 * of the Kjng's Houfe, fhould take no greater Fees, 
 ' than what are prefcribed and limited by the Sta- 
 
 * tutes (d).' By thefe A£ts, fays an Hiftorian, the 
 due Subjection of the Clergy and People was preferved 
 and fecured to the King ; the Traffick of the Nation 
 promoted ; and the Courts of Juftice made eafy, and 
 not an intolerable Grievance, as fince they have been, 
 to all fuch as feek their Rights (e). 
 
 There is a long Chain of Petitions from the Com- 
 mons, with the Anfwers to them in Sir Robert Cotton ; 
 but as they are moft of them on Law-Affairs, or pri- 
 vate Properties, we fhall omit them, and haften to a 
 Conclufion of this Parliament, which may be thought 
 too tedious already. 
 
 On Thurfday the tenth of March, being the laft 
 Day of this Parliament, the Commons all kneeled be- 
 fore the King, and befought him to pardon them, if, 
 through Ignorance they might have offended him ; 
 which the King readily granted. Then the whole A£- 
 fembly heard Mafs together, when the Archbifhop of 
 Canterbury read the Epiftle and Gofpel ; the King did 
 the Sacrifice by promifing to maintain the Faith of 
 Holy Church ; and when they were come to fay, Jte, 
 A Eubfidy tnijfa ej}, & Deo Gratias, the Commons offered their 
 
 granted. granted Subfidy ; for the which the King returned them 
 
 all Thanks, and the Chancellor difmiffed them to their 
 « own Home. We may well fuppofe this Piece of 
 Mock- Devotion and Pageantry quite new, and now 
 pradlifed, ad Captum Vulgi, fince we have not met with 
 the like in the Records, or Hiftories, of any former 
 Reigns. Henry s 
 
 (d) See Statutes at Large, Ann. 2. Hen. IV. 
 (1) Daniel in Kennet, f. 283,
 
 Of ENGLAND. 6 9 
 
 Henry's new got Diadem was by no means eafy on King Henry iv, 
 his Head, as yet ; for a dangerous InfurrecYion was begun 
 in Wales, under the Conduct of Qiven Glendour. 
 This Welch General made an Tncurfion into Hereford- infurreaion in 
 Jbire, where being oppofed by Edmund Mortimer, Earl WaIes » 
 of March, who, as is faid before, was retired to his 
 Caftle of Wigmore in that County, the latter was de- 
 feated and taken Prifoner (/). Henry was no ways dif- 
 pleafed at this News ; nor in any Hafte to have the cap- 
 tive Earl releafed from Imprisonment, who, himfelf 
 was, at length, more reconciled to it ; for by Henry's 
 Jealoufy of every thing relating to his Crown, and his 
 Severity to thofe who either could or would difpute it 
 with him, the captive Eirl might think himfelf fafer 
 in Prifon than in his own Houfe. This dreaded Ene- 
 my being fecured, Henry ftill knew there were not 
 wanting; in the Kingdom, Perfons, who laid hold of 
 every Occafion to find fault with his Conduct. There 
 was ftill a dangerous Ferment amongft his Subjects i 
 and if the-Malecontents remained quiet, it was only 
 in Expectation of a favourable Opportunity to rife. 
 Reports were fpread that King Richard was yet alive ; 
 but the Authors of it, being found out, fuffered Death 
 without Mercy. The King's great Severity, fhewn 
 on this occafion, contributed very much to efface the 
 good Opinion conceived of his Clemency and Hu- 
 manity. 
 
 In the midft of thefe Confufions and Anxieties, Anno Regni 3. 
 Henry found himfelf obliged to call a Parliament ; J 402. 
 for we find in the Abridgment of Records, that Writs At Weftnunfter - 
 were fent out for one to meet at Weftminjler, the Day 
 after Candlemas, in the third of this King, and in the 
 Year 1402 ; but nothing more is given of it, than the 
 Names of the Peers fummoned to it (g). 
 
 And it was not till the next Year, that another Par- Anno Regni 4, 
 lament was fummoned to meet, at the fame Place, on ^^' a 
 the Morrow after St. Michael, or September the 30th. e m er " 
 Which being aflembjed, and the Knights, &V. called 
 over, as ufual in the Court of Chancery, the next 
 E 3 Day 
 
 (f) See before, p. 2, 
 
 (jj-) Moft Hiftorians write, that this Parliament met at Coventry, 
 but that by the Inconvenience of the Place on account of Provifions 
 
 and Lodgings, it was adjeurn'd. to JVeftminflcr.
 
 7° The Parliamentary History 
 
 Kir.g Henry IV. Day the Lord High Chancellor, in the Prefence of the 
 King, declared the Caufe of their Meeting to be, 
 Firft, for preferving the Rights and Liberties of Holy- 
 Church, and of all Corporations and Perfons. 
 
 Then, he took for his Theme, Paxmulta diligentibus 
 Legem ; from which he took Occafion * To commend 
 
 * Peace, and to fhew the great Bleflings of it. He 
 
 * faid, that Peace was always with thofe that obeyed 
 ' the Laws j and, contrariry, he urged the Gall and 
 ' Mifchief of Diflention and Difobedience ; and that 
 ' There was no other way to check Peace- breakers than 
 ' by War. He declared that by Diflention and pri- 
 
 * vate Difcord, the Flower of all Chivalry, the Stock 
 ' of Nobles within this Realm, was in a manner, 
 ' lately, confumed ; and that the whole Nation was in 
 
 * danger of being fubverted, had not God, as a Deli- 
 ' verer, raifed up the King. 
 
 1 He put them in mind of the King's late great 
 
 * Victory againft the Scots j he much lamented the 
 'great Schifm in the Church, by having two Popes, 
 ' and told them that the King intended to do his Part 
 ' towards healing the fame. He then defired them to 
 ' provide Ways and Means for maintaining the War 
 ' againft Scotland ; for utterly fubje&ing the Enemies 
 ' in Wales ; for wholly conquering Ireland, and putting 
 ' a Stop to their Prince in that Country ; for defending 
 
 * Guienne, Calais, and the Marfhes thereof ; and de- 
 6 fired the Commons to chufe a Speaker, and to pre- 
 ' fent him on the Morrow for Approbation.' 
 
 The next Day the Commons prefented Sir Henry de 
 Rldfbrdlhofen ^ e ^f or ^ for tneir Speaker, who making the common 
 Proteftation, it was granted. " This Houfe took feve- 
 ral Days to confider of the Lord Chancellor's Charge to 
 them ; and we find that they were much at a lofs what 
 to determine. For on the i oth Day of Oclober, the 
 Chancellor acquainted the King, that the Commons 
 defired to have certain of the Lords fent to them, with 
 whom they might confer. The King granted their Re- 
 queft, with this Proteftation, • That the fame was done 
 ' out of Favour, and not of Duty ;' which Proteft was 
 enrolled by the Clerk. Then the King fent the Ste- 
 ward of his Houfliold and his Secretary to the Com- 
 mons, 
 
 Speaker.
 
 0/ E N G L A N D. 71 
 
 mons, to acquaint them with it; who returned for King Henry IV, 
 Anfwer to the King, that they accepted of his Protef- 
 tation ; and accordingly four Bifhops, four Earls, and 
 four Barons were ordered to attend them. 
 
 On the 1 6th of Oclober, the Commons in full Par- 
 liament, by the Mouth of their Speaker, « gave to the 
 ' 'King their raoft humble Thanks for his many valiant T f s e - K3 ^'^ Suc * 
 ' Exploits , namely, for his laft Expedition into Scot- i re \ anAf a a n ^ s ' 
 c lend, and for his three feveral Journies into Wales, Scotland, 
 y fince the former ; wherein, they took Occafion to 
 c praife the Valour of the Prince ; and forgot not to 
 8 mention the noble Service performed by the Lord 
 c Thomas, the King's fecond Son, in Ireland. As for 
 1 the Victory in Scotland, they humbly hoped, that by 
 
 * good Policy it might be made to turn to the Advan- 
 
 * tage and Eafe of the Commons ; and, becaufe, in 
 ' that Battle, the Earl of Northumberland behaved gal- 
 8 lantly, they prayed the King to give him Thanks.' 
 
 On the 20th, the King being placed on his Royal 
 Throne, the Earl of Northumberland and other Lords s . F 
 brought before him Sir Mordach le Steward* Son and p r ifoners brought 
 Heir to the Duke of Albany, Brother to the King of before the Par- 
 Scots ; the Lord Montgomerie, Sir William Grave, Sir liament * 
 Adam Fojler, Scots ; and Sir James de Helfey, Sir Pierce 
 Hazars, and John Darney, Efq; Frenchmen ; who, with 
 others were taken Prifoners in the Battle of Hambledon 
 Hilly nigh Woolland in the County of Northumber- 
 land, on the Day of the Exaltation of Holy Crofs, or 
 September the 14th laft pad (g). 
 
 Thefe Prifoners in coming into the King's Prefence, 
 kneeled three Times ; firft, at the White-Hall Gate of 
 the King's Palace, then in the midft of the Hall, and 
 laftly before the Throne ; and, whilft they were Hill 
 kneeling, Sir Adam Fojler, in the Name of them all, 
 humbly prayed the King, that they might be entertain- 
 ed according to the Courfe of War ; which the King, 
 becaufe they were taken valiantly fighting in the Field, 
 E 4 readily 
 
 (g) Or Halldoivn Kill. This Rattle was gained by the Earl of. 
 Northumberland and Henry furnamed Hot/pur, his Son ; where 10,000 
 Scots were fmin, ;md many taken Prifoners. But a Qturrel foon after 
 arofe between the King and the Earl about thefe Prifoners, which had 
 like to have been of fatal Conference to the King ; but was really f© 
 in the Enti, to the Earl and his whole Familv,
 
 j i The Parliamentary History 
 
 KingH<mry IV. readily granted. Then the faid Sir Adam declared, 
 
 ■ That in order to flop theEffufion of Chrijlian Blood, it 
 
 v ' was now in the King's Power to have either a final 
 
 ' Peace or a League.' Upon which the King anfwered, 
 
 ' That by his own Flattery and Untruth he was taught 
 
 * to be wifer, than to truft them ; fince he had caufed 
 
 * the King, by relying upon his Word, to leave Scot- 
 
 * land fooner than he intended to do.' Sir Adam afked 
 Pardon for this, and then they were committed to the 
 Care of the Steward of the Houfhold, to wait the 
 King's Pleafure. 
 
 On the 6th of November, the Commons prayed the 
 King to confider the Loyalty of John Earl of Somer- 
 fet, and to reftore him to the Name and Honour ©f 
 Marquefs, which he lately loft. The King required 
 Advice upon this ; but the Earl faid, that the Title of 
 Marquefs was new and unufual, and therefore defired 
 that he might be excufed from taking it. 
 
 On the 25th of the fame Month the Commons, 
 with Aflent of the Bifliops and Lords, granted to the 
 A Subfidy King the ufual Subfidy on Wools, Wool-Fels and Skins, 
 granted. f or t h ree Years ; alfo Three Shillings on every Tun of 
 
 Wine, and Twelve-pence in the Pound on Mer- 
 chandize, befides a Tenth and a Fifteenth. This large 
 and extenfive Grant put the King into fuch a good 
 Humour, that he fent the Earl of Northumberland to 
 invite the whole Body of the Commons to dine with 
 him the next Day ; which, we fuppofe they did accord- 
 ingly. And, there being nothing worth our Notice, 
 either in the farther Proceedings of this Parliament, or 
 in the Petitions, we fhall conclude with the Diflblution 
 of it, which was on the 25th of November aforefaid. 
 Piercy Earl of This Year a dangerous Rebellion was fet on foot, 
 Northumberland, which had like to have proved fatal to the King and 
 and others revolt. fc s Government. The principal Agents in it, were the 
 Family of Piercy, with the Earl of Northumberland their 
 Head, who had been the chief Inftruments of railing 
 Henry to the Throne. But, growing jealous of one 
 another, they foon loft all Refpecls, and turned from 
 faft Friends to be the moft mortal Enemies. The Bat- 
 tle of Hambledon or Halidown- Hill, led on by the 
 Earl and Henry Piercy, furnamed Hot/pur, his Son ; 
 
 where
 
 Of ENGLAND. 73 
 
 (where 'tis faid, that 10,000 Scots were flain, and many j^g Henry IV . 
 raken Prifoners, the Principal of which had been pre- 
 fcnted to the King in Parliament) was the chief Motive. 
 For, a Difpute happening between Henry and the Male- 
 contents, about the Difpoial or Exchange of fome . 
 Prifoners, they took that Opportunity to raife Forces; 
 and bid Defiance to the Sovereign of their own making. 
 Henry was as acYive in his Oppofition, and brought 
 down an Army which met with the difcontented Lords 
 at Shrewsbury, where a terrible Battle was fought be- 
 tween them. Hall, in his Chronicle, tells us, that the 
 Night before the Battle, the Earl, his Brother, and Son, 
 fent a Challenge to Henry, comprifed in feveral Ar- 
 ticles, which feverely treated and branded him with 
 Ufurpation and Perjury. Thefe Articles are given at 
 length by the aforefaid old Hiftorian, but are ftrangely 
 abridg'd and mangled by the Moderns ; therefore, tho* 
 not ftrictly Parliamentary, yet they well deferve a Place 
 in thefe Enquiries, and are as follow (h) : 
 
 f We Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland, High Their Remon- 
 
 * Conftable of England, and Warden of the Weft ftranccs i & 3itA 
 c Marches of England towards Scotland ; Henry Percy, Hearf ' 
 
 ' our eldeft Son, Warden of the Eaft Marches of Eng- 
 
 * land towards Scotland ; and Thomas Percy, Earl of 
 
 * IVorceJler, being Proctors and Protectors of the Com- 
 
 * mon wealth, before our Lord Jefus Chrijl, our Su- 
 
 * preme Judge, do alledge, fay, and intend to prove 
 
 * with our Hands perfonaliy, this inftant Day, againft 
 
 * thee Henry Duke of Lnncajler % thy Complices and 
 
 * Favourers, unjuftly prefuming and named King of 
 ' England, without "Title of Right, but only of thy' 
 
 * Guile and by Force of thy Fautors ; that when thou 
 
 * after thine Exile didft entei England^ thoumadeftan 
 ' Oath to us upon the HolyGofpels, bodily touched and 
 ' killed by thee ?.t Doncqfter, that thou wouldft never 
 ' claim the Crown, Kingdom or State Royal, but on' 
 
 * ly thine own proper Inheritance, and the Inheritance 
 
 * of thy Wife in England ; and that R chard, our So- 
 
 * vereign Lord the King and thi e, mould reign dur- 
 
 * ing the Term, of his Life, governed by the good 
 
 • Coun- 
 ts Ilalfs Chronicle, Fol, %i.
 
 King Henry IV 
 
 74 The Tarliamentary History 
 
 Council of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal. Thou 
 haft imprifone'd the fame thy Sovereign Lord and our 
 King, within the Tower of London., until he had, 
 for Fear of Death, refigned his Kingdoms of Eng* 
 land and France^ and had renounced all his Right in 
 the forefaid Kingdoms, and others his Dominions and 
 Lands beyond the Sea, Under Colour of which 
 Refignation and Renunciation, by the Counfel of thy 
 Friends and Complices, and by the open Noifing of 
 the Rafcal People by thee and thy Adherents sflem- 
 bled at JVellminfler^ thou haft crowned thy felf King 
 of the Realms aforefaid ; and haft feized and entered 
 into all the Caftles and Lordfhips pertaining to the 
 King's Crown, contrary to thine Oath j wherefore 
 thou art forfworn and falfe. 
 
 ' Alfo, we do alledge, fay, and intend to prove, 
 that whereas thou fworeft upon the fame Gofpels, in 
 the fame Place and Time to us, that thou wouldft 
 not fuffer any Difmes to be levied of the Clergy, nor 
 Fifteenths of the People, nor any other Tallages and 
 Taxes to be levied in the Realm of England to the 
 Behoof of the Realm during thy Life, but by the 
 Confideration of the three Eftates of the Realm, ex- 
 cept for great Need, in cafes of Importance, or for 
 trie Refiftance of our Enemies only, and none other- 
 wife : Thou, contrary to thine Oath fo made, haft 
 caus'd to be levied right m3ny Difmes and Fifteenths 
 and other Jmpofitions and Tallages, .as well of the 
 Clergy as of the Commonalty of the Realm of Eng- 
 land, and of the Merchants, for Fear of thy Majefty 
 Royal ; wherefore thou art perjured and falfe. 
 ' Alfo we do alledge, fay, and intend to prove, that 
 whereas thou fworeft to us upon the fame Gofpels, 
 in the forefaid Place and Time, that our Sovereign 
 Lord and thine, King Richard, fhould reign during 
 Term of his Life in his Royal Prerogative and Dig- 
 nity ; thou haft caufed the fame our Sovereign Lord 
 and thine, traiteroufly within the Caftle of Ponte- 
 frafi, without the Confent or Judgment of the 
 Lords of the Realm, by the Space of fifteen Days 
 and fo many Nights (which is horrible among Chri- 
 flian People to be heard) with Hunger, Thirft and 
 
 * Cold
 
 0/ENGIANO. 75 
 
 Cold to perifh, and be murdered ; wherefore thou art King Henry iv, 
 perjured and falfe. 
 
 * Alio, we do alledge, fay and intend to prove, 
 that thou at that Time when oar Sovereign Lord and 
 thine, King Richard, was fo by that horrible Mur- 
 der dead as above- faid, thou by extorted Power, 
 did'ft ufurp and take the Kingdom of England, and 
 the Name and the Honour of the Kingdom of France* 
 unjuftly and wrongfully, contrary to thine Oath, 
 from Edmund Mortimer, Earl of March, and of 
 Ulfier* the then next and direct Heir of England 
 and of France immediately by due Courfe of Inheri- 
 tance after the Deceafe of the forefaid Richard ; 
 wherefore thou art perjured and falfe. 
 
 ' Alfo, we do alledge, fay, and intend to prove, as 
 aforefaid, that whereas thou mad'ft an Oath in the 
 fame Place and Time, to fupport and maintain the 
 Laws and good Cuftoms of the Realm of England ; 
 and alfo afterward, at the Time of thy Coronation, 
 thou mad'ft an Oath, the faid Laws and good Cu- 
 ftoms to keep and conferve inviolable : Thou and 
 thy Fautors, fraudulently, and contrary to the Law 
 of England, have written almoft through every Shire 
 of England, to chufe fuch Knights for to hold a 
 Parliament as fhall be for thy Plea fure and Purpofe ; 
 fo that in thy Parliaments no Juftice fhould be mini- 
 fter'd, againft thy Mind, in thefe our Complaints now 
 moved and mewed by us, whereby at any Time we 
 might have any perfect Redrefs, notwithftanding that 
 we, according to our Conference ( as we truft ruled 
 by God) have often times thereof complained, as 
 well can teftify and bear Witnefs the Right Reverend 
 Fathers in God, Thomas Arundcll, Archbifhop of 
 Canterbury, and Richard Scrope, Archbifhop of 
 York : Wherefore now by Force and Strength of 
 Hand, before our Lord Jefus Chrijt, we muft feek 
 our Remedy and Help. 
 
 ■ Alfo we do alledge, fay, and intend to prove, that 
 whereas Edmund Mortimer, Earl of March and UJ/ler, 
 was taken Prifoner by Owen Glendour, in a. pitched 
 and foughten Field, and call into Prifon, and laden 
 with Iron Fetters, for thy Matter and Caufe, whom 
 
 • falfely
 
 7 6 The Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry iv. ' falfely thou haft proclaimed willingly to yield him- 
 
 ■ felf Prifoner to the faid Ozven Glendcr, and neither 
 ' wouldft deliver him thy felf, nor yet fuffer us his 
 
 * Kinfmen to ranfom and deliver him : Yet notwith- 
 ' Handing, we have not only concluded and agreed 
 
 * with the fame Owen for his Ranfom, at our proper 
 ' Charges and Expences, but alfo for a Peace between 
 ' thee and the faid Owen. Why haft thou then not 
 ' only publifhed and declared us as Traitors, but alfo 
 ' craftily and deceitfully imagined, purpofed and con- 
 ( fpired the utter Deftruclion and Confufion of our 
 ' Perfons ? For the which Caufe we defy thee, thy 
 6 Fautors and Complices as common Traitors and 
 
 ■ Deftroyers of the Realm, and the Invaders, Oppref- 
 ' fors and Confounders of the very true and right 
 c Heirs to the Crown of England, which Thing we 
 e intend with our Hands to prove this Day, Almighty 
 
 * God helping us. 
 
 A Battle enfues, This Charge was fent to King Henry from the 
 
 wherein they are L, or ds, by two Efquires, who, having read them, an- 
 
 fwered, very coolly, ' That he was ready to prove 
 
 ' their Quarrel to him falfe and feigned, by dint of 
 
 ■ ' Sword and bloody Battle, and not by flanderous 
 
 ' Words and Writings ; and that he doubted not but 
 
 * Almighty God would aid and aflift his righteous 
 ' Caufe, againft fuch unfaithful Perfons and falfe fore- 
 
 * fworn Traitors.' Accordingly, the next Day a fierce 
 and bloody Battle was fought, near Shrew/bury -, where 
 tho' atfirft, the Lords had the Advantage, yet in the 
 End, that furious young Hero, Hot/pur, being flain, 
 their whole Army was routed, killed on the Spot, or 
 taken Prifoners. Amongft whom was Thomas Percy, 
 Earl of Worcefler, who was prefently beheaded in the 
 Field. 
 
 This Battle was fought July 22, 1403. The Earl 
 of Northumberland was then with an Army in the 
 North, but the King marching againft him, he thought 
 fit to come in upon the Terms offered to fave himfelf 
 and Fortune. ■ 
 Anno Repii 5 . Thevery next winter in the 5th Year of this King's 
 AtWeftminfter. Reign, another Parliament was fummoned to meet at 
 
 TVeftminJler^
 
 O/ENGLAND. yy 
 
 JVeJlminfler, the Day after St. Hilary or January the Kj ng Henry iv. 
 14th. When being all aflembled, the Bifhop of Lon- 
 don^ the King's Brother (/'), and then Lord Chancellor 
 of England, in the Prefence of the King, Lords and 
 Commons, declared the Caufe of the Parliament ; for 
 the Prefervation of Holy Church, &.c. 
 
 He then took for his Text thefe Words, Multitudo 
 Sapientium, SfJV. and thereby, learnedly, argued, * That 
 by Council every Realm was governed ; he refemb- 
 led every State to the Body of a Man, and applied 
 the Right Hand to the Church, and the Left to the 
 Temporal Lords, and the reft of the Members to 
 the Commonalty ; of all which Members and Eftates, 
 the King, as the Head, was defirous to have their 
 Advice, and had called the faid Parliament, on divers 
 Occafions, for that Purpofe. 
 ' The firft Thing that he put them in mind of, 
 was the utter Suppreflion of the Welch Rebellions ; 
 for repelling the Malice of the Duke of Orleans, and 
 the Earl of St. Paule, who had bent them felves whol- 
 ly againft the King and Realm, as appeared by their 
 late Defcent upon the Ifle of Wight, where they 
 were repulfed. To confider, alfo, the imminent 
 Danger that the Marfhes of Calais, Guienne, and o- 
 ther Dominions, beyond Sea, were then in ; to re- 
 member the Wars in Ireland and Scotland, and 
 likewife to take Order touching the late Rebellion 
 under Henry Peircy, and others his Adherents at the 
 late Battle at Shrew/bury ; and then, defired the 
 Commons to chufe, and the next Day to prefent 
 their Speaker.' 
 
 Accordingly, the next Day the Commons came be- sir Arnold Sa.r 
 fore the King, and prefented Sir Jmold Savage for their vage cho/en 
 Speaker : Whereupon the faid Sir Arnold made the s P eaker « 
 ufual Proteftation, for himfelf and the Commons, 
 which was allowed. 
 
 The firft Things' we find that the Commons in 
 this Parliament went upon, were thefe : ' They de - 
 « fired the King to have Regard to the Charges for 1 
 
 w reprefling 
 
 («) This Prelate was Henry Beaufort, Half-Brother to the King by 
 Katberint Swinford, He is not i<i Ls NiVi's Fajli, as Bifhop ef 
 Linden,
 
 7$ The Tarliatnentary History 
 
 King Henry IV. « ffing the M^ /ftgb| ^ ^ fefe fc ^ 
 
 < Sea ; to confider the great Expences of his own 
 Houihold; and that both the King and Prince might 
 
 ■ give Liveries according to the Statute made for that 
 purpofe. That the King would provide for the Re- 
 pairs of his Caftles and Houfes, and, namely, for his 
 Cattle at (Vindfor, which were ail greatly in Decay • 
 and not grant away the Profits of thofe Caftles and 
 Houfes, and ftand to the Repairs of them himielf : 
 by doing which he muft be obliged to charge his 
 Commons greatly, which might endanger the whole 
 .' Eftate. 
 
 •n. tr , t , 9 n thei8 thof &****% the Earl of Northumber- 
 Sonhurnbelnd " «™.«to Parliament, before the King and Lords, 
 pardon'd. <* nd lhe * e &7 «s Petition to the King, acknowledged to 
 
 have atted againft his Allegiance , namely, forgather- 
 ing of Forces and giving Liveries, for which he craved 
 Pardon ; and the rather, for that on the King's Letters 
 he yielded hrmfelf, and came to the King to York 
 whereas he might have kept him'felf away. The King 
 delivered this Petition to the Judges, to be by them 
 considered ; but the Lords made Protection againft if, 
 The Lords pro- ** that the ordering thereof belonged to themfelves 
 teft againft refer- Accordingly, they, as Peers of Parliament, to whom 
 TrLSttt «f J y^h Judgment belonged, in confidering well the 
 Judges. Statute of the 25 th of Edward III. touching Treafons, 
 
 and the Statute of Liveries made in this Kind's Time 
 adjudged the Earl's Crime to be no Treafon nor Felony' 
 but, only, a Trefpafs fineable to the King. For 
 which Judgment the faid Earl gave great Thanks to 
 the King and Lords ; and at his own Requeft, he was 
 fworn to be a true Liegeman to the King, to the 
 Prince, and to the Heirs of his Body begotten, and 
 to every of the King's Sons, and to their Illue fuc- 
 ceeding to the Crown of England, according to Law. 
 That done, the King pardoned the faid Earl his Fine 
 and Ranl'om (k). 
 
 The Archbifhop of Canterbury prayed the King, 
 
 that 
 
 ,S k ) J be Articles on whick the Earl of Northumberland furrendred 
 himielf to Henry, and which were to be confirmed by Parliament, arc 
 jn the Pubhck A3* under this Title ; 
 
 Cedula Conventionum cum Comite Northumbris. 
 
 Fscd. Ang. torn. VIII. -P. 364. ' Gallice.
 
 O/ENGLAND. 79 
 
 that forafmuch as he and the Duke of York, with other King Henry IV. 
 
 Bifhops and Lords, were iufpe&ed by many to be in 
 
 the Confederacy with Henry Percy Son to the Earl of 
 
 Northumberland, that the faid Earl would fpeak the 
 
 Truth ; on which the Earl, by the King's Command, 
 
 <5n his Oath, purged them all from that Matter. But 
 
 the fame Day, the levying of War by the faid Sir Henry 
 
 Percy was adjudged Treafon, by the King and Lords, in 
 
 full Parliament. 
 
 The Commons proceeded in their firft Defign of re- 
 gulating the King's Houfhold, with whom the Lords 
 accorded; and they required that four Per fons mould 
 be removed out of the King's Houfe, viz. the Abbot King > s officers 
 of Dare, the King's Confeflbr, with Durham and remov'd upon 
 Crosbie, Gentlemen of his Chamber. On February the Addrefs of Par- 
 9th, the Confeflbr, Durham and Crosbie, came into am 
 Parliament, before the King and Lords, when his 
 Majefty took occafion to excufe thofe Officers himfelf, 
 faying, * That he knew no Caufe why they fhould be 
 4 removed, but only becaufe they were hated by the 
 c People.' Yet, he charged them to depart from his 
 Houfe according to the Defire of the Commons, and 
 would have proceeded in the fame Manner againft the 
 Abbot, had he been prefent. The Commons prayed, 
 alfo, * That fuch might be appointed Officers of the 
 
 * King's Houfhold, as were known to be of virtuous 
 ' Life, and that the Lords and themfelves might be 
 
 * privy to the taking of them. 
 
 And a War with France being fuddenly expelled, the 
 Commons defired, ' That the Commillion for arraying 
 ' and muftering of Men, and watching of Beacons, 
 
 * might be amended ; and that from thenceforth there 
 ■ mould be no other Alteration in the Form of it.' To 
 which, the King, with the Aflent of the Lords, and, 
 after Confultation had with the Judges, consented. 
 The Form and Precedent of the faid Commiflion 
 ftands next on the Roll. This Commiflion the Reader 
 will find much canvafled, both by King and Parliament, 
 in our later Civil Diflentions. 
 
 At the Requeft of the Commons, a Committee of 
 Lords were, particularly, appointed to make fomc far- 
 ther Regulations, who agreed on thefe Articles. 
 
 < Firft y
 
 8 b The Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry iv. ' Firft, that all Foreigners, in the Intereft of the 
 And herRe * Anti-Pope, be not fufFered to be about the King's 
 latum in his™"' Perfon,but bebanifh'd the Realm (/). And, that other 
 Houfhold. « Strangers, who were Catholicks, and particularly 
 
 ' thofe of Dutchland, [fo tranjlated] be appointed to 
 
 ' remain upon fuch of the Frontiers of the Kingdom 
 
 4 where Gairifons are. 
 
 ' Next, that all French Perfons, Bretons, Lombards, 
 
 f Italians, and Bavarians whatfoever, be removed out 
 
 * of theHoufe from the King and Queen ; except the 
 ' Queen's two Daughters, Maria, and St Miches ; 
 ' Aider and John Purian, and their Wives (m). And 
 
 * that no Welchman be about the King's Peribn. 
 Thefe Articles were read in full Parliament, Feb. 
 
 the 2 ill, and confi med by the King, with the Lords 
 Allen t ; and full Charge was given to the chief Officers 
 of the Houftiold, there named, to put them in Execu- 
 tion ; who, that Evening, performed the fame. 
 
 But, for more Satisfaction to the Queen and her 
 Daughters, the King, with the Confent of the Lords, 
 ordained and afiigned to the Queen, inftead of the Fo- 
 reigners, two Knights, a Damofel, two Chamber- 
 maids, one Miftrefs, two Efquires, one Nurfe, and 
 one Chambermaid for the Queen's Daughters, and a 
 Mefie. ger to wait on them at certain Times. 
 
 The King's Letters Patents were confirmed by A(5l 
 of Pailiament, by which a Commiflion was granted, 
 that certain Revenues and Cuftoms, there exprels'd, 
 and amounting to the Sum of ten thoufand one hun- 
 dred Pounds, mould be yearly paid to the Treafurer of 
 his Houle, for the Expences of the Family. In which 
 Grant it appears, that the Profits of the Hanaper, in 
 Chancery, was then worth only 2000 1. per Annum. 
 
 After fettling the King's Houfhold, in the Manner 
 above, the Commons went upon reftoring Peace and 
 Unanimity amongft the Peers and Great Men of the 
 Land. They return'd his Majefty hearty Thanks for 
 extending his Favour to the Earl of Northumberland '; 
 
 and, 
 
 (l) BenediEl- XIII. The Englijb -adher'd to Boniface IX. 
 (m) This Queen was Joan of Navarre, Widow of the Duke of 
 Brttagne ; But Henry had no Iffue by her.
 
 Of E N G L A N D. 8* 
 
 and, at their Requeft, the King commanded the faid King Henry Sft 
 Earl and the Earl of Wejlmoreland, in Token of per- 
 feci: Amity, to kifs each other, in open Parliament, 
 thrice, and to fhake Hands as often ; alfo, to promife 
 that their Friends and Tenants fhould do the like. 
 The Earls of Northumberland and Dunbar were like- 
 wife commanded to perform the fame Ceremony. 
 
 The fame Time, at the Requeft of the Commons, 
 the King in open Parliament, affirmed, that the Arch- 
 bifhop of Canterbury, the Duke of York, the Earl of 
 Northumberland, and the other Lords, who were fuf- 
 pedted to be in the Confederacy with Sir Henry Percy t 
 were all his true Liegemen ; and that neither they nor 
 any of them fhould ever be impeach'd thereof by the 
 King, or his Heirs, at any Time hereafter. 
 
 Some Matters of a lefs publick Concern, came alfo 
 before this Parliament. The Commons reported that 
 King Edward III. in a Parliament held in the nth of 
 his Reign, created his eldeft Son Duke of Cornwall, 
 and annexed the faid Dutchy to theCrown,with divers 
 Hereditaments, by Letters Patents; and by Authority 
 of the fame never to be difmembered or fold away («). 
 They therefore pray the King to refume, feize, and Dutchy of Corn- 
 unite again to the faid Dutchy fuch Lands as were fold wall re-annex'd 
 away by Prince Edward, King Richard, or by him- t0 the Crown * 
 felf. Which Petition was anfwer'd in EffeCt following : 
 'It is agreed by the King and Lords, that the Prince, 
 
 * by the Advice of his Counfel, fhall have his Scire fa- 
 ' cias; or other his beft Means of Recovery ; wherein 
 
 * fhall be allow'd no Protection, or praying in Aid of 
 ' the King, unlefs it be for Sir John Cornwall, and E- 
 ' lizabeth his Wife, late Wife to John Holland, late 
 
 * Earl of Huntington ; and for fuch Perfons to whom 
 5 the King is bound by Warranty ; and in Order to 
 ' render the Value, in fuch Cafes, the Prince fhall fue to 
 ' the King.' There are feveral other Articles relating 
 to the Reftitution of this Dutchy which we fhall omit. 
 
 At the Petition of Joan, Queen of England, the 
 King granted, that the faid Queen fhould enjoy, dur- several Annul- 
 ing her Life, in Lands and Tenements, to the full ties granted.. 
 Sum of ten thoufand Marks by the Year ; for and in 
 
 Vol. II. F Confiderarion 
 
 (») See Vol. 1. P. 23fc
 
 8 a The ^Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry IV. Confederation of her Dower, according as other Queens 
 of England had done. 
 
 Upon the Petition of Edward Duke of York (n\ 
 touching iooo/. a Year, granted by Richard II. to 
 him, and his Heirs Male, the King granted to Edward 
 the faid Duke 400 /. out of the Cuftorns of Kingjion 
 upon Hull, and 289 /. 6 s. 8 d. out of the Cuftoms of 
 London, as Parcel of the iaid 1000/. to him and his 
 Heirs lawfully begotten. 
 
 John Earl of Somerfet, Captain of Calais, and of the 
 Marfhes thereof, declared, that whereas by Indenture 
 between the King and nim, he flood bound to keep 
 the Town and Caftle aforefaid, taking therefore, for 
 himfelf and his Soldiers, in Time of Peace or Truce 
 6301 /. n s. 8 d. andinTimeof War 10,509/. 6 s. Sd. 
 whereof he was unpaid 12,423/. 12 s. 4. d. he there- 
 fore for Want of this is much ftreighten'd, and prayeth 
 due Payment for the future. By this the Reader may 
 fee how much Money it coft the Government, in 
 thofe Days, to keep that important Fortrefs in PoiTefli- 
 on. 
 
 On the Petition of Joan, late Wife to Thomas Earl 
 of Kent, to have 1000/. a Year during her Life, out 
 of the Hereditaments of the faid Thomas, the King, by 
 the Confent of Edmund Earl of Kent, Brother to the 
 faid Thomas, granted to the faid Joan, during Life, 
 certain Mannors and Hereditaments, there named, to 
 the Value of 300 Marks over and above her Jointure, 
 for the which the faid Joan releas'd to the faid Edmund 
 - all her Dower. 
 
 The Sheriff of Rutland having return'd one William 
 
 Sheriff fin'd for Ondeby, for Knight of the fame Shire, and not Thomas 
 
 a falfe Return, de Thorpe, who was chofen, he was commanded to 
 
 amend the fame Return, by returning Thomas Thorpe ; 
 
 and farther was committed to the Fleet, and to Fine, 
 
 and Ranfom, at the King's Pleafure. 
 
 The Petitions of the Commons occur next, in the 
 Conclufion of this Parliament, but are no ways to our 
 Purpofe. 
 
 It 
 
 (n) This Duke was Son to the old Duke Edmund, who died a Year 
 or two before, - '.
 
 O/ENGLAND. 83 
 
 It is obfervable that not ona Tax or Subfidy appears King Henry IV. 
 on the Record, to have been either asked or granted by 
 the King or Parliament, at this Seflion. But a Cotem- 
 porary Hiftorian has afligned a Reafon for this Omifli- 
 on ; by telling us, that the Record of the Subfidy, 
 which he fays, was new and very pernicious to the 
 Country, was ordered to be burned by thofe that 
 granted it (o). This Tax is faid, by fome, to be twen- Tne Record of a 
 ty Shillings of every Knight's Fee, and twenty Pence o^^hT by 
 of every one that had twenty Pounds Lands a Year, Parliament that 
 and one Shilling in the Pound for Money or Goods, granted it. 
 and fo upwards according to that Rate (p). If this be 
 true, it was a heavy Tax indeed, and it is more than 
 probable, that it was fomewhat extraordinary, fince 
 the Parliament took fuch Care that it fhould not be 
 drawn into Confequence, by deftroying the Evidences 
 of it. But, in vain are Precautions taken, fays a late 
 Hiftorian, to bury in Oblivion fuch Sorts of Precedents, 
 which Princes, upon Occafion, too frequently call to 
 Remembrance (g). The Records, however, prove 
 one Thing remarkable, that in the Statutes at Large, 
 Cap. xv. 5 th Henry IV. the Act for a general Pardon, 
 there, differs from the Record, in Effect, as wanting 
 the fignificant Word, Treafon, as likewife in Form (r). 
 
 In the fame Year of this King, new Writs were if- 
 fued out, directed as ufual, for a Parliament to meet at 
 Coventry, on the Third of December j tho' there is no 
 Account of any Proceedings at it on Record. But in 
 the next Year, other Writs erne out for fummoning 
 another Parliament to meet at the fame Place, dated at 
 Litchfield, Augujl 25, and returnable the 6th of Oclo- 
 
 F2 ber 
 
 (0) Tbo. Walfingham. His Words are thefe ; Concejfores ipjl et Au- " 
 tbores diBi Tallagii, in perpetuum Latere Pojleros voluerunt ; nempe tub 
 ea. tantum Conditione concedebatur , ne traberetur pojieriut in Exemplum, 
 vec fervarentur ejus Evidently in Tbefauraria Regia nee in Scaccario, fed 
 Scriptura vel Recordations cjufdem, protinus poji datum Ccmpotum crema- 
 rentur. Hift. Ang. p. 369, 370. Stowe's Cbron. p. 330. 
 
 (p) Rollingjbead' s Chron. 5x4. Daniel in {Zeimet, 289. 
 
 (q) Rapin, Fol. Edit. 495. 
 
 (r) In the Statutes at Large, 5th Hen. IV. Cap. vi. is the Act for 
 laying a Penalty on any who make an Aflault on any Servant belonging 
 to a Knight of a Shire, attending the Parliament, wtiich is the frj}j23 
 •f Privilege we have met with,
 
 Anno Regni 6 
 
 1405. 
 
 At Coventry. 
 
 84 The ^Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry IV. her (i). Being all met in the Great Chamber within the 
 Priory of Coventry, which was appointed and orna- 
 mented for that Purpole, Henry Beaufort, then Bifhop 
 of Lincoln, and Lord Chancellor, the King's Brother, 
 in the Prefence of the Three Eftates of the Realm, de- 
 clared the Caufe of the Summons, in the ufual Pre- 
 amble ; for Holy Church, Corporations, and Perfons 
 enjoying their Liberties ; and then gave out this 
 Text, Rex vccavit Seniores Terns, on which he learn- 
 edly argued, 
 
 ' That for the Safety of the Realm, both within and 
 ' without, and particularly, for reprefling the Welch 
 
 * Rebels ; for refilling their Enemies in France and 
 ' Brhainy, who were daily- getting Reinforcements, 
 
 * in order to invade the Nation, and to fubvert the 
 
 * State; for the due Obfervation of the Peade and 
 
 * Administration of Tuftice, the King had called the 
 ' Wife Men of the Realm to be by them advifed for 
 ' the beft. That the lalt Parliament had not pro- 
 ' vided a fufficient Force for fubduing the Welch, nei- 
 
 * ther was there a Competency granted for the Perfor- 
 *■ mance of fuch great Exploits ; and becaufe the 
 
 * French had determined to make War upon England^ 
 
 * and had 'then actually invaded Guienne, they could 
 ' not wonder at the fuddeti Calling of this Parliament, 
 ' fince they ought fpeedily to determine for the avoid- 
 ' ing of thefe fo great Mifchiefs and imminent Dan- 
 
 * gers.' He then urged the Commons to chufe a 
 Speaker, and prefent him the next Day to the 
 King. 
 
 This urgent Demand was as fpeedily complied with 
 
 by the Commons ; for the next Day having prefented 
 
 Sir William Sturmey for their Speaker, the very Day 
 
 "after, Oclober 8, they, with the Affent of the Lords, 
 
 granted the King two Tenths and two Fifteenths, alfo, 
 
 the 
 
 Sir William 
 Sturmey chofen 
 Speaker. 
 
 (s) This Year another Infurrefrion was raifed againft Henry, of which 
 the Archbiihop of York, Richard Scrope, the Earl of Northumberland, 
 1'bcmas Mowbray, Earl Marihal, were the Principals. The Articles 
 mentioned before, [See P. 73.] were again renewed againft Henry, and 
 publickly fixed on the Church Doors in the City of York. But, by a 
 Stratagem ufed by the Earl of Wejlmoreland, the Kiig's General, 
 the Archbiihop and Earl were taken and beheaded, whilft the Earl o£ 
 Northumberland found Means to fly into Scotland,
 
 Of E N G L A N D. 85 
 
 the Subfidy on Wools, Wool-fells, and Skins ; that- is, King Henry IV. 
 of every Denizen, for each Sack of Wool 43 s. 4 */. 
 for every 240 Wool-fels the like Sum, and for every 
 Laft of Skins Five Pounds : Of Aliens 10 s. more, to 
 fubfift for two Years ; Three Shillings on every Tun 
 of Wine, imported or exported, and Twelvepence in 
 the Pound on Merchandize. On Condition, that the 
 fame mould be employed, only, towards jhe Main- 
 tenance of the Wars, and Defence of the Realm ; 
 and the Lord Fur nival, and Sir John Pelham, Knights, A Subfidy gr»n> 
 were appointed 7>eafurers of War, ' who were then ted « 
 fworn to execute their Offices according to the Inten- 
 tion of the Grant. ^ 
 
 Several Bifhops and Lords . offered to lend certain 
 Sums of Money, in order to raife Forces for refcuing 
 the Lord of Coytiff, who was then- befieged in his 
 Cattle by the Welch Rebels ; the King appointed, by 
 Confent of Parliament, that fuch Loans mould be re- 
 paid out of the firft Payments of the Subfidy then 
 granted. 
 
 On the 26th of October the Commons came before 
 the King and Lords, in full Parliament, and begged Several Gra»tr. 
 Leave to recommend the young Lords John and Hum- 
 phry, two of the King's Sons, for his Advancement of 
 them to honourable Eftates and Livings. They, alfo, 
 prayed the King to remember the Duke of Tort's late * 
 
 Service in Guienne, and elfewhere, fo as he might be 
 paid the Arrears due to him. The like Requeft they 
 made for the Earl of Sonierfet, and Sir Thomas Beau- 
 fort Jnis Brother. Laftly, They befeeched the King 
 to reftore to Richard, Brother to the Duke of York, 
 certain Jewels, to the Value of 4000 /. which were in 
 the Hands of King Richard II. They, likewife, con- 
 curred in the Requeft above, for the Refcue of the 
 Lord of Coytiff. 
 
 If what an Ancient and a Cotemporary Hiftorian (t) 
 writes be true, there is a great Defect in the Recdrds 
 relating to ibme confiderable Tranfaftions which were 
 carried on againft the Clergy in this Parliament ; for 
 there is not one Word in Cotton's Abridgment faid a- 
 F 3 bout 
 
 (?) Th. Walfwgbajn fub ho« Anno.
 
 King Henry IV 
 
 The Laymen's 
 Parliament. 
 
 Motion for ap- 
 plying the Re. 
 venues of the 
 Church to the 
 Service of the 
 State. 
 
 8 6 The Tarltamentary History 
 
 bout it. It is probable, that fince the Defign mifcarried, 
 the Clergy had* Intereft enough to keep it out of the 
 Rolls. But, be that as it will, 'tis agreed that the 
 Court had been tampering in the Elections this Parlia- 
 ment, to get fuch Members returned, as were not over 
 favourable to the Intereft of the Church. An Error in 
 .Government, tho' made a principal Article againft 
 King Richard^ yet over-looked in King Henry («). 
 The aforecited Author relates, That the King dire&ed 
 the Sheriffs, in his Writs for ele&ing Knights of the 
 Shire, to chufe none that were any way learned in the 
 Laws of the Land ; but that they mould fend fuch to 
 this Parliament as were wholly ignorant in the Courfe 
 of either Canon or Civil Law ; which was done [x). 
 From whence this Parliament got the Name of Parlia- 
 mentum Indoclorum, the Illiterate or ilack^KlearninjJ 
 parliament* But it is more probable it was nick- 
 named fo, fome Time after, by the Clergy, on Ac- 
 count of the Defigns there carried on againft that learn- 
 ed Body ; for we find that other Authors call it the 
 * %%ymm'8 parliament (y). 
 
 However, our former Authority goes on and writes, 
 that when the King firft reprefented to this Parliament, 
 fo compofed, his great Want of an extraordinary Aid, 
 the Commons went in a Body, and, by their Speaker, 
 addrefled him, remonftrating, ' That without bur- 
 ' thening his People, he might fupply his Occafions 
 ' by feizing on the Revenues of the Clergy.' They fet 
 forth, * That the Clergy poflefled a Third Part of the 
 ' Riches of the Realm, and not doing the King any 
 ' Perjonal Service, it was but juft they fhould contri- 
 c bate out of their Revenues, towards the preffing Ne- 
 *. ceflities of the State : That it was evident, the Riches 
 ' of the Ecclefiafticks made them negligent in their 
 c Duty, and the LefTening of their exceilive Incomes 
 ' would be a double Advantage both to the Church 
 ' and State. 
 The King received this Addrefs in a Manner as 
 
 fhewed 
 
 («) Daniel "mKennet, P. 290. Rapin, Fol. Edit. P. 495, 496. 
 
 (x) Direxit ergo Brevia Vicecemitibus, ne quofquant e Comitatibus elige • 
 rent quoyifmodo Militet, qui, in Jure Regni, vel Dodi fuiflent vel Ap- 
 prentice ; fed tales omnino mitterentur ad hoc Negotium, quos conflaret ig- 
 norare cujufque Juris Metbodum ; faclumque ha eft. Waiiingham, p. 371. 
 
 (j») Steve's Cbron, p. 330. Speed, p. 619.
 
 Of E N G L A N D. 87 
 
 fhewed that it was not difagreeable to him ; and it is kw Henry IY, 
 not unlikely that it was he who, covertly, was the 
 firft Mover of it. The Archbifhop of Canterbury be- 
 ing prefent, thought it his Duty to fpeak on an Occa- 
 lion where his own and the Intereft of the whole which is oppofei 
 Clergy was concerned. He reprefented to the King, by theArchbi- 
 
 * That tho' the Ecclefiafticks ferved him not in Per-* ? of Cant«- 
 ' fon, it could not be inferred that they were unfer- ^ 
 
 * viceable, fince they fent into the Field their Vaflals 
 ' and Tenants whenever there was Occafion. That 
 
 * the ftripping the Clergy of their Eftates, would put 
 ' a Stop to their Prayers, Night and Day, for the 
 
 " Welfare of the State •, and there was no expecting * 
 
 * God's Protection of the Kingdom, if the Prayers of - 
 e the Church were fo little valued.' Upon this, the 
 Speaker of the Commons feemed to fmile, and faid 
 openly, f That he thought the Prayers of the Church 
 
 ' a very flender Supply (z).' To which the Archbi- 
 fhop anfwered, with fome Emotion, ' That if the 
 ' prayers of the Church were fo flighted, and that 
 ' other Confiderations were not capable of fupprefling 
 4 the Plots againft the Clergy, it would be found diffi- v 
 ' cult to deprive them of their Eftates without expo- 
 
 * pofing the Kingdom to great Danger ; and, fo long 
 ' as he was Archbifhop of Canterbury, he would op- 
 
 * pofe this Injuftice to the utmoft of his Power.' Then, 
 fuddenly, falling on his Knees before the King, ' he 
 
 * ftrongly prefled him in Point of Confcience, and en- 
 
 * deavoured to make him fenfible, that, of all the ' 
 ' Crimes a Prince could commit, none was fo heinous 
 
 * as an Invafion of the Church's Patrimony.' 
 
 Whether Henry was moved with the Archbifhop's 
 Speech, or that he forefaw the ftrong Opposition the 
 Clergy would make, and that he could not, without 
 great Difficulty, accomplifh his Defign, he fuddenly 
 changed his Purpole, and refolved to defift from it. He 
 anfwered the Archbifhop, « That, though he blamed 
 
 * not his Zeal, he could not help faying, that his 
 
 * Fears were groundlefs ; for when he mounted the 
 
 F4 ' Throne, 
 
 (z) Waljingham fays, that this Speaker was called Sir John Cheney, 
 who having, as 'twas faid, taken Deacon's Orders, had deferted his 
 Character, and* turned Soldier, P. 371, 372. But by the Record he is 
 called Sir William Sturmey,
 
 88 7 he Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry IV. c Throne, he made a firm Refolution to fupport the 
 
 * Church with all his Power, and hoped by God's 
 6 Afiiftance to leave her in a better State than he 
 
 * found her.' The Archbifhop, encouraged by this 
 Anfwer, turned to the Commons, and fpoke to them 
 in a Manner not very proper to gain their Goodwill, 
 telling them their Demand was built wholly on Ir- 
 religion and Avarice. ' You, fays he, and fuch like 
 ' as you, have advifed both our Lord the King and his 
 
 '* Predeceflbrs, to confifcate the Goods and Lands of 
 
 * the Alien Priories and Religious Houfes, on Pretence 
 
 ■ he fhould gain great Riches by it, as, indeed, they 
 ' were worth many Thoufands. Notwithftanding, it 
 
 ■ is mod true, that the King is not Half a Mark the 
 6 richer for them all ; for you have extorted, or, at 
 
 * leaft, begged them out of his Hands, and have appro- 
 
 * priated the faid Goods to your own Ufes. So, it 
 ' may well be conjectured that your Requeft to have 
 
 * our Temporalities, proceeds not fo much for the 
 
 * King's Profit, as for your own Covetoufnefs. For, 
 
 * without Doubt, if the King, as God forbid, mould 
 ' fulfil your wicked Purpofe, he would nor be one 
 ' Farthing the richer for it, at the Year's End. And, 
 
 * verily, adds he, I will fooner have my Head cut off", 
 
 * than that the Church mould be deprived of the leaft 
 
 * Right pertaining to it. 
 
 The Commons made no Reply to this fevere Re- 
 primand, but when they came back to their Houfe, 
 This Projea A. me y revived to perfift in their Petition, and brought 
 ven up, and a in a Bill tc feize the Clergy's Revenues. But, there 
 gupply voted. W as no Probability of fucceeding in their Project ; the 
 Solicitations of the Archbifhop, and the reft of the Pre- 
 lates, were fo prevalent with the Lords, that they 
 threw out the Bill ; and fo the Commons were forced 
 to find other Means to fupply the King's Occafions(tf). 
 
 Some Petitions of the Commons in this Parliament 
 
 Petition 3 That all Hereditaments, Liberties, and Cu- 
 
 floms 
 
 [a) Waljingham fays, that the Knights and Burgefies were fo aftiam- 
 ed of themfelves, that they confefied their Fault to the Archbifhop, 
 ?nd asked his Pardon. And, That the Clergy granted the King at this 
 Time a Tenth and an Half, notwithftanding that the Half of the laft 
 granted Tenth was yet unpaid. P. 372,
 
 Of E N G L A N D. 8;> 
 
 ftoms as pertained to the Crown in the 40th Year of Ki ng Henry iv. 
 
 King Edward III. and have been fince by any Means 
 
 granted, be refumed into the King's Hands for ever ; 
 
 provided that all Towns (hall enjoy their Liberties, 
 
 except alfo the Lands of fuch as were forejudged in 
 
 the nth of Richard II. and fold away. Petitions of the 
 
 Pet. That all Tuns and Pipes of Wines granted to Commons, 
 any Perfon by the King, 'or any of his Progenitors, 
 be alfo refumed. 
 
 Pet. That the Queen may be endowed of all fuch 
 Hereditaments as Anne the late Queen was, in whofe 
 Hands foever the fame be, and by what Grant foever. 
 
 Pet. That all Grants of King Edward III. or any 
 of his Progenitors, and before the faid 40th Year, may 
 be confirmed by Parliament. 
 
 Pet. That no Man be reftrained of any Warrant 
 granted to build any Caftle, or Caflet, or to inclofe 
 any Park. 
 
 Anfwer. The King will execute their Requefts, as 
 far forth, as by the Law, and his Prerogative he may- 
 do, and for that the Lands of the Crown in the 40th 
 Year of Edward III. were not certainly known : He 
 would appoint certain Commiflioners to enquire, and 
 execute the fame. 
 
 'Tis enadled, that Proclamation be made, that all 
 fuch as have any Patents granted fince the 40th Year 
 of Edward III. of any annual Value for Life, or 
 Years, do, on Pain of forfeiting the fame, bring them 
 in by a Day there prefcribed, to the End that fuch as 
 deferve the fame, may have Continuance, and the reft 
 revoked. 
 
 Upon the Petition of Henry Prince of Wales it was 
 ena&ed by the Lords, that the faid Prince mould have 
 due Payment made of One Thoufand Marks granted 
 to him for the keeping of certain Men at Arms for 
 the Defence of Wales. 
 
 On the laft Day of this Parliament, the Commons 
 prayed, That the Money borrowed for faving of the 
 Honour of the Lord John, the King's Son, and the 
 Eftate of the Realm may be anfwered : That the King 
 would confider the painful Service of the Duke of York, 
 whilft he was the King's Lieutenant of Guienne, and 
 that he may be paid what to him is due i and alfo to 
 
 remember
 
 $o The ^Parliamentary H i s T o r r 
 
 King Henry IV. remember Sir Thomas Erpingham(b), Sir Thomas Bemp- 
 fon, John Northbury, and other valiant Knights and 
 Efquires, who adventured themfelves with the King 
 at his coming into the Kingdom. Likewife, That no 
 Stranger born be a Cuftomer, or the like Officer, neither 
 enjoy any Benefice within the Realm. And, that no 
 Members of the Commons Houfe be Collectors of Sub- 
 fidies. The King's A nfwer to the Four Firft, was, The 
 King will he advifed : And to the Laft, It Jhall be as 
 in the Reign of Ed ward III. Laftly, At the Requeft 
 of the Commons, the King remitted Six Shillings and 
 Eightpence of every Sack of Wool, and the like of 
 other Staple Commodities of the Grant made in the 
 4th Year of Henry IV. by Reafon that fo much was 
 mif- entered in the R.oll. 
 
 There were feveral other Petitions arid Anfwers upon 
 lefs Affairs, which, being read, the Chancellor, by 
 the King's Command, returned his Majefty's Thanks 
 to them all, and diffolved this Parliament. 
 
 In the feventh Year of this King's Reign (c), Writs 
 AnnoRegni 7. were jfl ue d, dated 2 1 ft December ; for a Parliament to 
 At Weftniinfter. meet at Coventry on the 15th of February j but on the 
 ift of January, Writs were iflued for their Meeting at 
 Gloi'cejier on the Day firft appointed : And on the 9th 
 of February, Writs were a third Time iflued for their 
 affembling at Wejiminfler on Monday in the firft Week 
 of Lent, or March the firft that Year. Being all met 
 at Wejiminfler, according to the laft Prorogation, in 
 the Painted Chamber of the King's Palace there, Tho- 
 mas de Langley, Clerk, then Lord Chancellor, opened 
 the Caufe of the Summons, and after making the ufual 
 Declaration about the Liberties of Holy Church, &c. 
 he took for his Subject thefe Words, Multorum Confi- 
 lia requiruntur in magnis ; and faid, 
 
 * That 
 
 (b) He was Warden of the Cinque Ports, Anno 23, Richard II. and 
 was fummoned to Parliament as fuch, in the firft nine Years of Henry 
 JV. Nor was there any Perfon fummoned as Warden in this Reign, but 
 JlCnry Prince of Walx, in the Eleventh Year. 
 
 (c) Dugdale's Summons to Parliament, P. 372. 
 
 This Author and Sir Robert Cotton differ oftentimes fo much in their 
 Dates of Summons, that it is hardly poflible to reconcile them. Dugdale 
 fays, there were no Summons in the Sixth of this Reign ; contrary to 
 Walfingham, Cotton, and the Statutes at Large, which mention feveral 
 A&s p*ls'd in that very Year.
 
 Of ENGLAND. ^i 
 
 • That in the weighty Affairs relative to the good Kf ng Henry IV. 
 c Government of the Realm, and Safety of the Sub- 
 ' jects, which were annoyed by the Rebellion of the 
 
 * Welch, and likely to be invaded by the French and 
 ' Scots, who ceafed not to infeft Gulenne and the 
 ' Marines of Calais ; befides the Troubles raifed by the 
 
 * Irifh, he had called the fame Parliament, as meaning 
 ■ to follow the Counfel of the Wife, faying, Fill nil 
 ' fine Confilio facias, et tunc pofl Factum non pasnitebit ; 
 ' wherein he purpofed to begin, alfo, with the Example 
 
 * of Ahafmerus, £$ui interrogavit Sapientes, et illorum 
 6 cauta faciebat Confilia. In which Confutation, he 
 ' declared to the King, Lords and Commons, that if 
 
 * they would obferve the Laws of God, they might 
 
 * then aflure themfelves to find Peace at Home, and 
 
 * Victory Abroad/ 
 
 The Receivers of Petitions being appointed, the next. 
 Day the Commons came before the King and Lords, 
 and prefented Sir John Tibetot for their Speaker, who Jj *£j£ ihe * 
 excufed himfelf on account of his Youth, and other Speaker. 
 Caufes ; but the King confirmed the Election. The 
 very fame Day the Commons, with the AfTent of the 
 Bifhops and Lords, granted a Subfidy of one Tenth and 
 one Fifteenth, to be levied on the Laity for one Year ; 
 and, befides, they gave to the King, in other Matters, 
 the fame that was granted in the laft Parliament. 
 
 M.Rapin makes a fine Flourifh here (d), ' ThztHenry 
 ' was denied an Aid of Money in this Parliament, and 
 ' was flatly told there was no vifible Occafion for it : 
 ' That the King was extremely offended at this De- '« 
 
 ' nial ; but, however, durft not fhew his Refentment, 
 ' for fear of exafperating them : Mean while, he de- 
 1 vifed an Expedient, which procured him what he 
 
 * wanted. This was to keep the Parliament aflembled, 
 
 * till they mould, of their own accord, be brought to 
 ' grant his Demand. So, without any frefti Applica- 
 ' tion he continued the Seflion, till the End of Auguft. 
 ' This, adds he, was very inconvenient to the Mem- 
 ' bers, who had Bufinefs at Home, and withal very 
 
 * expenfive to the People who were to bear their 
 
 * Charges. At length the Commons, impatient of 
 
 * returning 
 
 (J) FoL Edit. P. 498.
 
 A Miftake of 
 Mr Rapin. 
 
 9 2 The Tarliameittary History 
 
 fCing Henry iv. « returning to their Homes, voted him a Subfidy, not 
 
 * without loud Murmurs at the Conftraint laid upon 
 
 * them.' 
 
 Thus, do fome Hiftorians fet off their Labours in 
 glaring Colours and pompous Expreflions, in order to 
 take the Eye, and divert the Ear of their Readers ! 
 There happens to be little or no Truth in all this Parade 
 of Words, which our Frenchman gives us ; for there 
 was no Demur at all in the Parliament's granting an 
 Aid. On the contrary, it was given much fooner than 
 ordinary, and in a very unufual way ; being granted on 
 the very fame Day the Commons prefented their 
 Speaker, or the fecond Day of the Seflion. It is true, 
 indeed, this Parliament was continued by Prorogation 
 for a much longer Time than Rapin fpeaks of ; but it 
 was not for the Reafon he mentions, but, as it will 
 appear in the Sequel, on a quite different Occafion. 
 
 If Walfmgkam lead him into this Miftake, as his 
 Marginal Note feems to infer, Cottotfs Abridgement, 
 which is alfo quoted in the fame Place, would have fet 
 him right again, if he would have taken the Trouble 
 to confult it. 
 
 It was not till March 23d, that the Commons came 
 before the King again, when Sir John Tibetot, their 
 Speaker, made the common Proteftation, and requir'd 
 a Confirmation of all their Liberties and Privileges, 
 and that they might at any Time fend for any of their 
 Bills from the Lords, for Amendment of the fame ; 
 which was granted. The fame Day the faid Speaker, 
 before the King, made feveral Memorandums for good 
 Government, namely, for confirming all their Liber- 
 ties, for fafe keeping of the Sea, and for providing for 
 the Defence of Guienne, which was in Danger to be 
 loft. 
 
 On the 3d of April, the Speaker required of the 
 King, that the following Regulations might be enter'd 
 on Record, viz. 
 
 1 That for the better refilling of the Welch Rebels, 
 * the Prince might refide in Wales, and have fufficient 
 ' Power given him, by Commiflion, for that Purpofe.' 
 
 ' That no Heritages, conquered from the Welch, be 
 1 given away till one Quarter of a Year after.' The 
 
 King 
 
 The Speaker 
 prcpofes feveral 
 Regulations in 
 tike Government.
 
 Of ENGLAND.' 93 
 
 King anfwered, « That he would not grant any with- K i ng Henry iv. 
 
 * out Advice.* 
 
 * That the Time for banifhing all Frenchmen and 
 
 * Bretons out of the Realm, be appointed.' It was an- 
 fwered, * It (hall with all convenient Speed.' 
 
 * That it would pleafe the King to excufe the Com- 
 ' mons, in that it had been reported, they had talked 
 ' of the King's Perfon, otherwife than befeemed them, 
 ' which was untrue.' The King anfwered, * He be- 
 4 lieved the fame.' 
 
 Then a Committee of both Houfes was appointed, 
 to treat about the Safeguard of the Sea, who agreed 
 upon the Articles following : 
 
 * I. That the Merchants, Mariners, and Owners of 
 ' Englljh Ships, mail find and provide fufficient and 
 
 * able Ships for 2000 Fighting Men, and 1000 Sea- 
 
 * men, for a Year and a half. To anfwer which Ex- 
 
 * pence they fhall have allow'd, upon Account, 12 d. 
 
 * in the Pound on Merchandize, and 3 s. 5 d. 
 *■ upon every Tun of Wine ; with the fourth Part of 
 c the Subfidy on Wools, Wool-fells, and Skins, grant- 
 c ed in the laft Parliament ; and that the Merchants, in 
 
 * levying the faid Sums, mould have Warrants under 
 ' the Privy Seal as oft as there was Occafion. 
 
 * II. That the Merchants fhall enjoy all fuch Prizes 
 
 ' as they fhall take, having due Confideration for the , 
 
 * King's Captains when he fhall appoint any. 
 
 * III. That if the Royal Navy of the Enemy fhall 
 
 * happen to be at Sea, and the King make out againft 
 ' them, then the Merchants aforefaid fhall have one 
 
 * Month's Notice to provide. 
 
 * IV. The Merchants aforefaid fhall have reafona- 
 
 * ble Warning of any Peace or Truce to be made; af- 
 
 * ter which they fhall have due Confideration for all 
 
 * their Charges. - , 
 1 V. That the Merchants name two Perfons, one 
 
 ' for the South and the other for the North, who, by 
 c Commiffion, fhall have the fame Power as other Ad- 
 ' mirals have had on the like Occafion. 
 
 * Laftly, the Merchants demanded 4000 /. for the 
 s prefent, but the Anfwer was, the King had it not(VJ. 
 
 The 
 
 («) The King's Writ Jo fte Mayor and Sheriffs ofLtndsn, with a full 
 
 Account
 
 P4 7he Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry IV. The fame Day tne Kin S\ for certain weighty Rea- 
 ' fons, as the Record exprefleth it, adjourned the faid 
 Parliament, from that Day, unto the Quindene of 
 Eajler, next enfuing, to be holden at the faid Place, at 
 Wejhninjler ; and licenfed the Lords and Commons to 
 depart for that Time. 
 
 The Day appointed was the 25th of April, that 
 Year ; when, becaufe the Archbifhop of Canterbury, 
 with feveral other Bifhops and Lords, were not yet 
 come, the Parliament was again adjourned for four 
 Days more. At the Meeting, the Speaker of the 
 Commons prayed the King, that, under his Protection, 
 he might be allowed as great a Liberty of Speech, as 
 any of his Predecefibrs ever had, which was granted. 
 They then requefted the King to appoint certain Per- 
 fons, by Name, to be of his Council ; and that by 
 Authority of Parliament. They required, that Provi- 
 fion mould be made for the great Dearth at Calais ; 
 that all Captains beyond the Seas be commanded to 
 repair fpeedily to their Forts and Ports, as the Earl of 
 Somerfet was about to go to Calais ; and that Richard 
 Cbildero one of the Admirals for the Sea, might be or- 
 dered to go thither ; all which the King granted. 
 
 Some more private Affairs next follow in the Re- 
 cord, which we chufe to omit. This Parliament con- 
 tinued fitting till the 7th of June, when the famous 
 Act was palled for entailing the Crown of England, with 
 all the Hereditaments and Rights whatfoever, on the 
 
 Sa C by°A n a of P refent Kin S> and the Helrs Male of his Bod >> law " 
 Parliament. fully begotten. In like manner, it was entailed on 
 
 the Prince of Wales, and, for default of his Iflue, on 
 
 the Lords Thomas, John and Humphrey fucceffively {/)'. 
 
 But our Abr'idger remarks, that the Conveyance is 
 
 crofied on the Record j and on the Margin of it is 
 
 wrote Vacat j yet this Conveyance, he adds, was 
 
 exemplified under the Great Seal, at that Time. 
 
 W c 
 
 Account of this Agreement of the Merchants, is in the Public Ails. 
 The like Writs are directed to the Chief Officers of all the Cities and 
 great Towns in England. Tefte Rege apud Weftmonafterium fexto Die 
 Aprilis. Feed. Ang. Tom. VI 11. P. 437. 
 
 There is another Inftrument in the faid Public ABs under this Title } 
 DeAdmirallo conflituto per Mercatores Regi nominato. Jbid. P, 43J/» 
 
 (/) J"* 1 " the third Sou is omitted, by Miftake in Cettta,
 
 Of E N G L A N D. 93 
 
 We (hall make no Remarks of our own on this ex- King Henry IV. 
 traordinary Act of Parliament, for fettling the Succef- 
 fion, and limiting of it to the Heirs Male only ; though 
 we have not met, in the Courfe of thefe Enquiries, 
 with an Ad of this Nature. We fhall only fay, that 
 the Exclufion of the Females, from fucceeding, of any 
 Line, whatfoever, was a tacit Difherifon of the 
 Houfe of York ; who, as the Reader will find in the 
 Sequel, claimed} only, from that Source. 
 
 The Commons required, ' That certain Perfons may 
 c be appointed Auditors, to take and examine the Ac- 
 
 * counts of the Lord Furnival, and Sir John Pelbam i 
 
 * madeTreafurers of War in the laft Parliament/ They 
 required alfo, * That three Parts of the Subfidy granted to 
 6 the Merchants for keeping the Sea, be paid to them ; 
 
 * and that the fourth (hall only be employed for the 
 ' Defence of the Realm. That all Aliens may avoid 
 
 * the Kingdom, except thofe that are made Denizens, 
 
 * or Men of the Church, impotent Perfons, oxDutch- 
 
 * men. That all Lands and other Profits, let out for 
 ' Life, or Years by the King, or his Progenitors, may 
 
 * be improved to greater Value. Laftly, that all the 
 1 Revenues and Profits of the P.ealm, granted fince 
 ' the Beginning of the Parliament, may be refumed 
 ' into the King's Hands, and referved for the Mainte- 
 
 * nance of his Houfe ; and that all the exorbitant 
 
 * Charges of the Houfhold be fpeedily retrenched.' 
 On the 19th of June, the King, again, adjourned 
 
 this Parliament from that Day to the ^uindene of St. 
 Michael, or the 15 th of Oftober following. 
 
 On which Day the Parliament being again aflembled, 
 was farther adjourned for four Days more, to give 
 Time for fome Lords and Commons yet to come up. 
 And it was not till November 17 th, that Sir John Ti- 
 beiot, Speaker of the Commons, came before the 
 King, and required a Confirmation of his firft Proteft, 
 which was granted. And, upon a Motion of the laid 
 Speaker, the King charged both Lords and Commons, 
 on their Allegiance, that they mould, particularly, 
 enquire concerning any evil Government, and prevent 
 it for the future. The fame Day the Speaker required 
 that the Caftle of Manlion, which was the Key of the 
 
 three.
 
 $6 The 'Parliamentary Histort 
 
 KingHenry IV. three Kingdoms, and which was kept by Sir Charles 
 de Navarr, a Foreigner, might be kept by Englijhmen 
 only. * That all Fines and Ranfoms of the IVelch- 
 ' men may be employed in thofe Wars. That the 
 ' Prince may be fent into Wales with all Speed, con- 
 ' fidering the Rebellion of the Earl of Ncrthumber- 
 
 * land and others (f). That certain Caftles might be 
 
 * kept as Hoftages for the Earl of Dcuglafs ; and that 
 ' the other Scotch Prifoners mould not be ilightly given 
 'up, confidering, as they laid, that they were the 
 c Flower of all Scotland.' 
 
 In this Seffion of the fame Parliament, the Convey- 
 ance or Act of Settlement, mentioned before, was re- 
 pealed, and another Act was made upon it, whereby 
 the Crown is entailed upon the King and his Sons, in 
 general Tail, &c. 
 M Ra * vr ^ r R~ a P' m nas bellowed a great deal of Hiftorical 
 marks on that" Learning on the pafling and repealing of the laft, and 
 Settlement. making this new Ac~t of Settlement ; wherein the Ar- 
 guments pro &? con-i about the Right of Females fuc- 
 ceeding to the Crown of England, is learnedly difcuf- 
 fed (g). We mall re ! erour Readers to that Author for 
 the whole of the Arguments on the Queftion, and con- 
 tent ourfelves with making fome Obfervations from 
 him, on the Statute before us (h). He fays, 4 That 
 
 * when Henry IV . mounted the Throne, he pretended 
 
 ■ to be the next Heir of Richard II. by which he 
 ' feemed to make no Account of the Earl of March's 
 
 ■ Right, defcended, only, from a Daughter (/). And, 
 ' indeed, fuppofing the Invalidity of the Female Right, 
 ' it could not be denied, but that he was nearer than 
 
 * the Earl of March, who was fet up againft him* 
 , ' But this pretended Invalidity was a Point not de- 
 
 ' cided ; for the People were generally of Opinion, 
 ' that Daughters had a Right to the Succeflion, lince, 
 ' without its being neceflary to alledge Examples or 
 
 * Precedents in their Favour, it was fufficient that there 
 
 ' was 
 
 (f) The Earl of Northumberland had revolted again, but had been 
 forced to fly, with the Lord Bardolf, into Scotland for Protection. 
 Eeing betrayed there, they fled into Wales, and joining with Owe* 
 Chndour , were then become formidable. 
 . (g) Rapin, Fol. Ed. P. 498. 
 
 (b) Statutes at Large, An. 7. Hen. IV. Cap. 2. 
 
 (i) See Vol. 1. P. 387. and in this Volume, P. z*
 
 O/ENGLAND. 97 
 
 c was no Law to exclude them. Upon this Founda- K i n gH enry |^; 
 
 * tion the late Rebellion was railed, as appeared by the 
 
 * Manifefto the Rebels publifhed. It is therefore very 
 4 likely, that, to remove this Pretence from the Male- 
 
 * contents, Henry would have had this Point fettled by > 
 
 * an Act, which in excluding the Daughters, and their 
 
 * Iflue, feemed to infinuate the reigning King afcend- 
 ' ed the Throne, purfuant to the cuftomary Laws of 
 
 * the Realm. But this Act, which, fays our Author, 
 ' was extorted the fame way as the Subfidy, lafted but 
 
 * till the End of the Year. The next Parliament, 
 
 * {ftitt fnijlaking, for it was all the fame] made fuch ' 
 
 * ftrong Remohltrances to the King, that he confented 
 
 * to the Repeal. This Parliament, not fatisfied with 
 
 * leaving the Right of the Daughters in its former 
 
 * doubtful State, pafled a new Act, whereby the Fe- 
 c males and their Pofterity were eftablifhedin their na- 
 
 * tural Rights. Our Author concludes with obferving, 
 
 * that the Precaution taken by the King to fecure his 
 ' Right in the firft Act, was extremely prejudicial to his 
 
 * Pofterity. He thereby gaveOccafion for thefecond, 
 ' which ftrengthened the Title of the Earl of March ; 
 
 * and, confequently of the Houfe of York, who became 
 ' Heirs to that Prince.' 
 
 We fhall make no Apology for inferting this long The foregoing 
 Quotation, from an Author of fuch Eminence in Hi- Settlement re- 
 ttery; and, where he is right in his Points, fhall al- gj£ £* J", 
 ways give him his due Praife. A Matter of that great crown in Gene- 
 Moment, as the Succeffion to the Crown of England, «l Tail. 
 fettled by Act of Parliament, muff, not be flightly 
 pafs'd over, in thefe Enquiries. We fhall, therefore, 
 give our Readers an Abftradt of the Statute itfelf, as it 
 is publifhed in the Collection of Public Acls, tranflated 
 from the Latin ; which, with the Names of the Bi- 
 fhops, Abbots, and Lords, &c. who figned the faid 
 Act, may ferve to conclude our Account of this extra- 
 ordinary Proceeding (/). 
 
 HENRY, by the Grace of God, &c. 
 
 It begins with a Recital of the Act made laft Seflion 
 of Parliament for fettling the Succeffion on the Male 
 
 G Line, 
 
 (/) Feed, Anglic. Tom, VIII. P, 462, 463, 464.
 
 5)8 The Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry IV. Line, only, as aforefaid. Then adds, Neverthelefs, be- 
 caufe the Prelates, Lords, Clergy and the tvhole Cont- 
 mun'ity of England, confidering, that the /aid Statute, 
 by excluding the Female Line, too much contracted the 
 Right of Succejfion, which they rather fought to enlarge ; 
 they unanimously petitioned us, with more than ordinary 
 Zeal, to annul and make void the faid Statute, and topajs 
 an Acl for fettling the Right of Succeflion in Henry, my 
 Son, ana Heir, and the refi of my Sons, and their Children, 
 lawfully begotten, fuccejfively. 
 
 We, therefore, judging the /aid Requejl to be confo- 
 nant to Right, do annul and make void the faid former 
 Statute ; and, with the Confent and by the Authority of 
 the faid Prelates, Lords, &c. in Parliament affembled, 
 do ordain, eflablifh, &c. the faid Henry our Firjl-born 
 Son, our true, lawful, and undoubted Heir, and 
 univerfal Succejjor, to our Crowns and Kingdoms of 
 England and France, and to all our Dominions beyond 
 the Sea what fever ; with all their Rights, Appurte- 
 nances, Privileges, &c. belonging thereto; and after him, 
 fuccejjively, to the Heirs of his Body lawjully begotten for 
 ever. \ 
 
 For Failure of this, in like Manner the Settlement 
 eftablifhes it on Thomas the King's fecond Son, and his 
 Heirs, fcfr. then to John and Humphrey his third and 
 fourth fucceeding. 
 
 Provided, That by this Statute or Ordinance, we 
 intend not to change or alter the Succejfion to the Rights, 
 PoffeJJions, Honours and Cuftoms, with all other Appur- 
 tenances, belonging to the Dutchy of Lancafter ; but that 
 the faid Rights, &c. may remain as they have been ac- 
 cuflomed, this or any other Statute made in this Parlia- 
 ment, notwithflanding. 
 Whick is fub- In Tefiimony of which not only our Seal, but the Seals 
 fcrib'd by the f a u fa Lords Spiritual and Temporal aforefaid, for 
 * themfelves, the Clergy and Community aforefaid, are put 
 
 to thefe Ptefents. 
 
 Bishops. Nicholas, Bifhop of London, 
 
 Thomas, Archbifhop of Henry, of 'Winch ujler. 
 Canterbury, Primate of John, of Ely. 
 England, Thomas^ of Durham. 
 
 Robert,
 
 0/ E N G L A N D. s>9 
 
 The Prior of Coventry j £i"6 & nr 5r IV. 
 
 And 
 Walter ; Prior of the Hofpi- 
 
 pital of 5/. "John of jf** 
 
 rufalem, in "England. 
 
 R obert , Bifhop of Ch'uhejler. 
 
 Richard^ of Salifbury. 
 
 Guy, of &/. David's. 
 
 John, of Coventry and £/'ta&- 
 field. 
 
 Richard, of Worcefler. 
 
 Richard, of &z/£ and /F>/A. 
 
 Robert, of Hereford. 
 
 Philip, of Lincoln. 
 
 Thomas, of Landaff-, and 
 
 William, of CarliJJe. 
 
 The Guardians of the Spi- 
 ritualities belonging to 
 the Archbifhoprick of 
 r*r£, and to the Bi- 
 fhopricks of Norwich and 
 Rochejler. 
 
 The Abbots of 
 Wejlminjler. 
 St. Mans. 
 Waltham. 
 Peterborough. 
 St. John, in Colchejler. 
 St. Edmund's Bury. 
 Abyndon. 
 
 St. Mary's, York. 
 Croyland. 
 Bardoney. 
 
 St. Bennet, of Hulm. 
 Glajlenbury. 
 Malmfbury. 
 Redyng. 
 Thorney. 
 Selby. 
 Battel. 
 Cirencejler. 
 St. Peter's, Glocefter. 
 Eve/ham. 
 Ramefey. 
 
 Hyde, near Winch efler. 
 Winchecumbe. 
 
 Dukes. 
 
 Edmund, Duke of York* 
 John, of Somerfet. 
 Edmund, of Kent. 
 
 Earls. 
 
 Thomas, Earl of Arundel. 
 Richard, of Warwick. 
 Edward, of Devon/hire. 
 Michael, of %^/£. 
 Richard, of Oxford ; and, 
 Ralph, of Weflmoreland. 
 
 Barons. 
 William, Lord &«. 
 Richard, Lord Gr<y of C<?- 
 
 denore. 
 Henry, Lord Beaumont. 
 Reginald, Lord <?r<?y, % of 
 
 Ruthyn. 
 William, Lord Ferrers. 
 Thomas, Lord Furnlval. 
 William, Lord Willoughby* 
 Hugh, Lord Burnel. 
 William, Lord Clynton. 
 Thomas, Lord Morley. 
 John, Lord Darcey. 
 John, Lord Z,w*7. 
 Barth. Lord Bourghchier* 
 Gilbert, Lord 7tf/A?r. 
 William, Lord Z<?«f#. 
 Thomas, Lord Camois. 
 Richard, Lord Seymour. 
 Henry, Lord Fitz-Hugh. 
 Henry, Lord Scrope , of 
 
 Majham. 
 
 G 2 John,
 
 i bo The Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry IV. John, Lord Welles, Ralph, Lord Cromwell. 
 
 'John, Lord Cobham. Ralph, Lord Greyjhck. 
 
 Peter, Lord Mauley. IVilliam, Lord Bergavenny. 
 
 John, Lord Latymere. John, Lord Touchett. 
 
 Edward, Lord Charlton, Robert, Lord Ponynges. 
 
 of Poivys. John, Lord Harrington ; 
 Thomas, Lord £><? /# /%r. And, ' 
 
 Thomas, Lord Berkeley. Richard, Lord Strange. 
 
 And by the Alfo Sir ^w Tibetot, Knight, Speaker of the Houfe 
 
 Speaker, on Be- gf Commons, in this Parliament, in his own and in the 
 half of the Com- Name of the whole Body, gave his AfTent to all thq 
 
 aforefaid Articles. Lajlly, The King, with all the reft, 
 
 fwore to keep all the laid Premifles inviolably. 
 
 Dated in this prefent Parliament, within our Palace 
 
 at Weftminfter, December i, Anno Dom. 1406, in the 
 
 Eighth Tear of cur Reign. 
 
 Sir Robert Cotton, or rather his Publisher, Mr. Prynne, 
 makes the following Remark on the Proceedings of the 
 Clergy in this Parliament, which we fhall give ver- 
 batim. 
 
 ' At this Time the Clergy fuborned Henry Prince 
 
 * of Wales, for and in the Name of the Bifhops and 
 
 * Lords ; and Sir John Tibetote, the Speaker, for and 
 
 * in the Name of the Commons ; to exhibit a long 
 
 * and bloody Bill againft certain Men called Lollards^ 
 
 * namely againft thofe that preached or taught any 
 
 * Thing againft the Temporal Livings of the Clergy. 
 
 * Other Points touching Lollardy, I read none; only, 
 ' this is to be marked for their better Expedition in 
 ' this Exploit, they joined Prophecies touching the 
 ' King's Eftate, and fuch as whifpered and bruited 
 c that King Richard was ft ill living ; all which they 
 c inferted, to the End that by fuch -Subtilty /they might 
 ' better gain their Ends againft the poor Lollards afore- 
 ' faid. Wherein, note a moft unlawful and monftrous 
 ' Tyranny; *for the Requeft of the laid Bill was, that 
 ' every Officer, or other Minifter whatfoever, might 
 
 * enquire after, or apprehend fuch Lollards, without 
 
 * any other Commiffionj and that no Sanftuary mould 
 '" protect them.' 
 
 But
 
 O/ENGLAND, 101 
 
 But it will not be amifs to give the Reader an Ab- King Henry iv. 
 firacl: of this Bill, which Mr. Fuller, in his Church Hi- 
 itory, fays, he carefully took from the Records in the 
 Tower. 
 
 To our moft redoubted and gracious Sovereign, the 
 KING (m). 
 
 Y Our humble Son, Henry Prince of Wales, and The Lords Ai - 
 the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in this pre- S t a £ u,llthe 
 fent Parliament, humbly fhew, That the Church of 
 England hath been, and now is, endow'd with Tem- 
 poral Pofleflions, by the Gifts and Grants, as well 
 of your Royal Progenitors, as by the Anceftors of 
 the faid Lords Temporal, to maintain Divine Ser- 
 vice, keep Hofpitality, &c. to the Honour of God, 
 and the Soul's Health of your Progenitors, and the 
 faid Lords Temporal. 
 
 ' Yet, now of late, fome, at the Tnftigation of the 
 Enemy, againft the aforefaid Church and Prelates, 
 have, as well in public Sermons, as in Conventicles 
 and fecret Places called Schools, ftirr'd and moved 
 the People of your Kingdom to take away the faid 
 Temporal Pofleflions from the faid Prelates, with 
 which they are as rightly endow'd, as it hath been, 
 or might be, belt advifed or imagined by the Laws 
 and Cuftoms of your Kingdom ; and of which they 
 are as furely pofTefs'd, as the Lords Temporal are of 
 their Inheritances. 
 
 6 Wherefore, in cafe that this evil Purpofe be not 
 refifted by your Royal Majefty, it is very likely, 
 that in Procefs of Time they will alfo excite the 
 People of your Kingdom for to take away from the 
 faid Lords Temporal their Pofleflions and Heritages, 
 fo to make them common to the open Commotion 
 of your People. 
 
 *■ There be alfo others who publifh, and caufe to be 
 publifhed, evilly and falfely, among the People of your 
 Kingdom, That Richard, late King of England, (who 
 is gone to God, and on whofe Soul God through 
 his Grace have Mercy) is ftill alive. And fome 
 have writ and publifhed divers falfe pretended Pro- 
 G 3 ' phecies 
 
 (m) Fuller'^ ChunbMiJiory,- Book IV. p. 16^
 
 i oa The ^Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry IV. ' phecies to the People ; difturbing them who would, 
 
 * to their Power, live peaceably, ferve God, and faith- 
 
 * fully fubnoit and obey you their Liege Lord. 
 
 ' Wherefore, may it pleafe your Royal Majefly, in 
 
 * Maintenance of the Honour of God, Confervation 
 
 * of the Laws of Holy Church, as alio in Prefervation 
 
 * of you, your Children, and the Lords aforefaid, and 
 
 * for the Quiet of all your Kingdom, to ordain by a 
 
 * Statute in the prefent Parliament, by the Aflent of 
 
 * the Lords aforefaid, and the Commons of your King- 
 
 * dom, That in cafe any Man or Woman, of what 
 
 * Eftate or Condition they be, preach, publifh, or main- 
 
 * tain, hold, ufe, or exercife, any Schools ; if any Sedt 
 ' or Doctrine hereafter againft the Catholick Faith, 
 
 * either preach, publifh, maintain, or write a Schedule, 
 ' whereby the People may be moved to take away the 
 ' Temporal Pofleffions of the aforefaid Prelates ; or 
 ' preach and publifh, That Richard late King, who is 
 
 * dead, mould ftill be in full Life ; or that the Fool in 
 
 * Scotland, is that King Richard who is dead ; or that 
 ' publifh or write any pretended Prophecies to the Com- 
 ' motion of your People ; 
 
 * That they, and every of them, be taken, and put 
 
 * in Prifon, without being deliver'd in Bail, or other- 
 ' wife, except by good and fuffkient Mainprize, to be 
 
 * taken before the Chancellor of England, &c. 
 
 At the Petition of Thomas Lord Fumival, and Sir 
 John Pelham Knight, Treafurers of War as aforefaid, 
 it was agreed, that certain Auditors affigned in this Par- 
 liament to take their Accounts, fhould make due Al- 
 lowance to them ; and that they, their Heirs and Land- 
 Tenants, fhould be clearly dilcharged from the faid 
 Account. 
 
 The Speaker of the Houfe of Commons came again 
 before the King and Lords, and required, in the Name 
 of that Body, th.it all the Lords of Council might be 
 fworn to obferve certain Articles, which they had 
 drawn up, for the belter Regulation of the publick Af- 
 fairs of the Kingdom. The Archbifhop of Canterbury, 
 for himfelf and others, refufed to fwcar to them, but 
 offered to do what they could towards their Obfervance. 
 
 Upcri
 
 Of E N G L A N D. 103 
 
 Upon this the King charged the faid Archbifhop, with King Henry iv. 
 the reft, on their Allegiance, to take the Oath, which 
 accordingly they did ; and further, the King caufed all 
 the Officers of his Houfhold, and of all his Courts of , 
 Juftice, to be fworn to fulfil the faid Oath. The Ar- 
 ticles were thefe : 
 
 ' I. That worthy Ccuncellors and Officers be ap- Articles for ths 
 e pointed, and not to be removed without good Proof ^ e ^ latlon ° f 
 c of their ill Management. II. That no due Grants be prefente/b^th* 
 ' flayed at the Great or Privy Seal. III. That none Speaker, and 
 
 * about the King's Perfon do purfue any Suit or Quar- £°™ 8 t ^J B 3f 
 
 * rel, by any other Means than by Order of the Com- " 8 s un "' 
 
 * mon Law. IV. That no Officer be appointed by 
 ' any Mediation contrary to the Laws. V. That 
 ' Order be taken for the Governance of the King's 
 ' Houfe, Chamber and Wardrobe. VI. That the Re- 
 6 venues and Profits of the Crown and Realm be em- 
 c ployed towards the Charges next aforefaid. VII. 
 1 That no Perfon, under a Penalty, do receive, or take 
 1 by way of Gift any of the Profits aforefaid. VIII. 
 c That two certain Days in the Week be appointed for 
 1 all Suitors to exhibit their Petitions to the King ; and 
 
 ; that fome Perfons may be, alfo, appointed to receive 
 
 ; and give Anfwers to the fame. IX. That no Man, 
 
 1 whatfoever, do prefer any Bill or Suit to the King on 
 
 : any other Days. X. That none of the Council hold 
 
 : Pleas of any Matter determinable at Common Law. 
 
 ; XI. That all Statutes touching Buyers and Purvey- 
 
 ' ors may be executed. XII. That no one of the 
 
 ! King's Council (hall give Encouragement to any 
 
 Suitor, before Determination had in full Council. 
 
 XIII. That no Matters of Council may be difpatched, 
 
 but by full AfTent, unlefs the fame require great 
 
 hafte; in which Cafes Word fhall be fent to fuch 
 
 Counfellors as areabfent, to the End that their Advice 
 
 may be known. The XIV, XV, XVI, XVII, 
 
 ; XVIII, and XIX Articles, ordain. That none of 
 
 the King's higher Qfficers, or other Under -Officers, 
 
 or Clerks, of any of his Courts, or of his Houfhold, 
 
 mail take any but their accuftomed Fees, or appoint 
 
 any Minifter under them to do the fame. XX. 
 
 That tfie Queen do pay for her Journey to the 
 
 G 4 ' King's
 
 104 The Tarliamentary History 
 
 King Henry IV. « King's Houfes, as Queen Philippa lately did. XXI. 
 That none of the Officers of the Marjhalfe<f% of the 
 King's Houfe, or Clerk of the Market, do hold any 
 Plea otherwife than in the Time of Edward the Firft. 
 XXII. That all the Sheriffs before the Election of 
 Knights of the Shire, fhrtll by open Proclamation in 
 their feveral Counties, give fifteen Days Refpite to 
 the Time and Place. XXIII. That all the King's 
 great Officers of every Court, and of his Houfhold, 
 fhall maintain the Common Laws. XXIV. That 
 all Foreigners who are not Denizens do make Fines 
 by a Day, with the King. XXV. That the Ste- 
 ward of the King's Houfe, with the Treafurer, have 
 full Power to difcnarge the Serjeants and other Offi 
 cers, for their Mifdemeanors. XXVI. That the 
 faid Officers, and Chamberlain of the Houfhold, do 
 execute their Trufts according to the Statutes of the 
 King's Houfe. XXVII. That no Judicial Officer, 
 or other Minifter within the King's Houfe, or in any 
 of his Courts, enjoy any of the faid Offices, but at 
 Will. XXVIII. That all the Chief Officers of the' 
 King's Houfe and Courts, do make, yearly, Ariel: 
 Enquiries of all Mifdemeanors and Mifprifions done 
 under them, and make Report thereof to the King's 
 Council. XXIX. That the Array of the fperfal 
 Affize challenged, be tryed, at large, as in general 
 Aflizes ; and, that the Sheriff do take nothing for 
 any Pannel between Party and Party. Laftly, That 
 all the Articles, aforefaid, fhall only continue to 
 the End of the next Parliament/ 
 
 Whoever confiders well the foregoing Articles, deli- 
 Yer'd by the Speaker, will find that there is fcarce a 
 trifling one amongft them ; which evidently fhews, 
 That the Commons of England were neither Fools nor 
 Knaves in thole Days. - Nor was the King lefs obli- 
 ging and condefcending, on his Part, than, the Com- 
 mons had been refolute and prefumptive on theirs j 
 rot only fuffering the faid Articles, which ftruck fuffici- 
 enily at his Prerogative, to pa'fs into a Law, though 
 but a temporary one ; but alfo, compelling the Arch- 
 bifhop wiih the reft of the Council, &V. to fwear to 
 
 the
 
 Of ENGLAND. 105 
 
 the Obfervance of them. Which alfo, demonftratesKiogHenjyiv. 
 that, whatever indirect Steps Henry took to acquire the 
 Diadem, he was refolved to keep it ; and is a flrong 
 Inftance that the beft Laws for the Subject, have 
 been often gained under the weakeft Titles of our 
 Kings. 
 
 Rapin remarks, that as the King's Defign in this Par- Aft relating to 
 liament was to demand Money, he readily gave his County-Elec- 
 Aflent to fecure the Freedom of Elections ; by which, tlons ' 
 adds he, it is evident that the King had done fomething 
 in the Elections for the laft Parliament, tending to 
 abridge the Liberty of Voting (n). This Act is flill ex- 
 tant in our Statute- Books, by which it was enacted, 
 ' That at the next County- Court after the Delivery 
 ' of the Writ of Parliament, all there prefent, as well 
 
 * Suitors fummoned for the fame Caufe, as others, fhall 
 ' attend to the Election of the Knights for the Parlia-, 
 
 * liament, and in the full County they fhall proceed to 
 ' Election freely and indifferently, notwithjlanding any 
 ' Requejt or Commandment to the contrary. And, af- 
 ' ter they are chofen, their Names fhall be written in 
 
 ' an Indenture, under the Seals of all thofe that did v 
 
 * chuie them, and tack'd to the Writ of Parliament ; 
 ' which Indenture mall be holden for the Sheriff's Re- 
 ' turn of the faid Writ (o).' This Method feems, with 
 fome little Variation, to, be the Manner of chufing at 
 this Time. 
 
 There are many more Petitions, Anfwers, &c. in 
 the Abridger\ Account of the Proceedings of this Par- 
 liament, which, becaufe they are on leffer Affairs, 
 or private Property, are omitted. It is obfervable 
 however, how anxious the Commons were that all thefe 
 Matters mould be carefully recorded ; for at their own 
 Requeit it was enacted, that certain Members of their 
 Houfe mould be prefent at the ejigrofling the Roll of 
 this Parliament. 
 
 The King, to fhew his Generofity and Gratitude to Ample Grants 
 Sir John Tibetot, the young Speaker of the Houfe of made by the 
 Commons, gran'ed to him, in Fee, all the Lands and ^ibetS th J oh * 
 Hereditaments of Richard op Griffith ap Voetkus, in the Speaker. C ' 
 
 Counties 
 
 (ti) Rapin, Fol. Edit. P. 498. 
 
 (p) Statutes at lage > An, 7. Hen. IV. Cap. xv.-
 
 1 06 The Parliamentary History 
 
 KiogHwry iv. Counties of Carmarthen and Cardigan, and elfewhere, 
 in the Principality of South Wales, forfeited to the 
 King by his being an Adherent to Owen Glendour, Re- 
 bel and Traitor ; and, alfo, the Office of Keeper of 
 the Forefts of Waybridge and Sapley in the County of 
 Huntington, without any Fee or Out-Payment. And, 
 further, the King gave to the faid Sir John the Goods 
 and Chattels of Peter Prifwick, Carpenter, a Felon, 
 amounting to one hundred and fifty Pounds ; all which 
 muft be allowed a truly Royal Donation (p). 
 
 Mr Prynne makes an Obfervation again at the End 
 of this laft Seflion of Parliament, to this Purpofe, 
 
 * That the Commons young Speaker took more upon 
 c him, and fpoke more boldly and fervently to the 
 
 * King and Lords, than any Speaker had done before 
 
 * him. Which Innovation, beginning to grow in 
 
 * Fafhion, the King and Lords thought proper, in a 
 
 * iucceeding Parliament, to put a Check upon, as a 
 
 * Novelty incohfiftent with the King's Prerogative. 
 
 * That the Speakers afterwards, became more mcdeft, 
 4 and did not fay any Thing that was difpleafing to the 
 
 * King i or, if they cafually did, to pray that it might 
 
 * be imputed, only, to their Ignorance, and not unto the 
 
 * Commons? It is further remarkable, that this is the 
 longeft Parliament we have yet met with ; for, tho* 
 it is not exprefly faid when it was diflblved, yet we 
 may well fuppofe, by the three Prorogations, that it 
 continued near a Year ; which was an Innovation, in 
 the ancient Conftitution, taken Notice of by feveral 
 Hiftorians as a great Blot in this Reign. Hollingjhead, 
 in particular, fays, that the long Continuance of this 
 Parliament was a great Lofs and Damage to the Com- 
 monalty ; for the Expences of their Reprefentatives 
 was, almoft, equal, in Value, to the Sum that was de- 
 manded for the Subfidy {q). 
 
 On the 20th of Oclober, in the fuccecding Year, 
 
 another 
 
 ( p) He was afterwards made Earl of Worcejier. Dugd ale's Barn, 
 wge. 
 
 (q) HoHiftgJbead's Cbron. P. 531. 
 
 J. Strive writes, that the Foreign Servants, which came with the 
 Queen out of Bretagnc, were by this Parliament banifhed the Realm ; 
 as, alfo, two of her Daughters, which fhe had by her formor Kufiiand, 
 John de Mount ford, Puke of Bret ague. P. 333.
 
 Of E N G L A N D t . 107 
 
 anothef Parliament met, by Summons, at Glocejier ; i^ng Henry IV. 
 but, upon calling over the Houfe of Commons, feveral 
 Defaulters being found, it was put off for four Days 
 longer. On that Day the Archbifhop of Canterbury, Anno Regn ; „ 
 Arundel, ftill Lord Chancellor, opened the Seflion and 1407. 
 the Caufe of the Meeting, with a Speech, and took At Gloucefter. 
 this Text for his Subject, Regem honorificate. 
 
 In which, he endeavoured to prove, * That for three 
 
 * efpecial Caufes the King ought to be honoured, 
 6 Firjl, For that the King, by maintaining the Liber- 
 6 ty of Holy Church, honoured God, and therefore 
 ' ought himfelf to be honoured. Secondly, He ought 
 ' to be honoured for his great Care towards his Sub- 
 ' jefts, as well in the Observation of the Laws, as in 
 c his Defence of them againft Foreign Enemies. And, 
 ' Thirdly, Becaufe that, ever fince his Coronation, he 
 6 had fhewn Favour and Pardon to all that afked. 
 
 * them. And added, that, as in Neceflity, every 
 ' Member of Man's Body would feek Comfort from 
 c the Head, as the Chief; fo he applied it to the ho- 
 
 * nouring of the King, who was the Head of the Con- 
 ' ftitution. He defired the Houfe of Commons to 
 ' choofe a Speaker that Afternoon, and prefent him the 
 ' next Day to the King ; and laftly, he required them 
 ' all to confider on proper Means to end the Rebelli- 
 
 * on in Wales ; to take Care for the fafe guarding of 
 ' the Sea ; for defending of Guienne, Calais, and Ire- 
 ' land, and the Northern Marches, and how by their 
 ' Aid the fame might be beft accomplifhed.' 
 
 The Chancellor having finifhed his Harangue, the s5r Tho . mas 
 Receivers and Triers of Petitions were conftituted ; and chaucer chofen 
 the next Day the Commons presented Sir Thomas Cbau- Speaker. 
 cer (r), for their Speaker, who, Vter Excufe for him- 
 felf and Confirmation, made the common Proteftation, 
 which was granted. \ « 
 
 On the 9th of November the Commons came again 
 before the King, where the faid Speaker repeated his for- 
 mer Proteftation, and began to rehearfe the Grant of the 
 lift Subsidies, and the Oaths of the Lords, and others, 
 for the Difnofition of the lame. But ^he Chancellor 
 interrupted him, and faid, that no Accounts were yet 
 
 made 
 
 (r) Son to that famous EpgHJb Pcet, Geojfry Chaucer, Stcive, P, 326..
 
 1 08 The Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry iv. mac ^ e f° r tne Diiburfements of the fame to the Com- 
 mons ; and that the Lords, having little Thanks for 
 the laft, would by no Means take the like Oath a- 
 gain ; which the King, at his Requeft, excufed them 
 from [s\ Then the laid Speaker made great Com- 
 plaints againft Purveyors ; to which the Steward and 
 Treafurer of the King's Houfe anfwered, * That the 
 ! fame mould be remedied'. 
 His Com hint of November 14., Upon the Coming of the Commons 
 Grievances. before the King and Lords, the Speaker told them of 
 the great Difadvantage the Nation lufftred by not 
 guarding the Sea ; and that thole who had Lands on 
 the. Marches of Wales never dwelled thereon ; of which 
 he defired that dueConlideration might be taken, which 
 was promifed : And that certain Lords, by Name, 
 might be appointed to confer with the Commons on 
 thele and other Matters. But, at the Requeft of the 
 Merchants, made laft Parliament, the King granted to 
 William Childero, late Admiral of the South and Weft 
 Seas, the Allowance of 2668 /. which was due to him, 
 and that he be difcharged of all Accounts. 
 The Commons On the zift fctf November, which was the laft Day 
 return Thanks f this Parliament, the Speaker defired the King to give 
 iVcoSa^Publick Thanks to the Prince of Wales, for his great 
 Wales. Fatigue and good Conduct in Wales ; for which both 
 
 the King and the Prince returned back their Comple- 
 ments to the Commons (7J. After which the Prince, 
 kneeling before the King, cleared the Duke of York from 
 difloyal Reports Ipread againft him, and in open Par- 
 liament averted him to be a true and loyal Knight. At 
 the lame Time, the Speaker moved the King to ad- 
 vance his Sons the Lords Thomas, John, and Humphrey, 
 to fome honourable Titles and Fortunes. 
 A Subfidy The Lords and Commons on the fame Day granted 
 
 granted. to the King one Tenth and a Half ; with the like Sub- 
 
 fidy for Staple and other Merchandizes, as was granted 
 in the laft Parliament, for two Years. And, in Con- 
 iideration of the Subfidies aforefaid, the King promifed, 
 that for two Years, next enfuing, he would require n& 
 
 other- 
 
 (s) See before, P. 104. 
 
 (t) The Prir.ce having the Command of an Army in Wales, had gain- 
 ed two Victories there 5 in the latter of which the Son of Oiven Ckn- 
 dmr was taken Prifobep Rap in, Fol, Edit. P, 496.
 
 Of ENGLAND. iop 
 
 other Subfidies or Charge on his Subjects ; and, for more King Henry IY„ 
 Aflurance thereof, defired that this might pafs into an 
 Act, and that every Member might have a Copy of it. 
 
 It feems, by the Record, that the Lords and Com- 
 mons did not agree fo well, as formerly, in this Parlia- 
 ment ; for a Difference that happened between the two 
 Houfes about granting the Subfidy, gave Rife to the 
 following Ordinance, viz. . . 
 
 1 That in all future Parliaments, in the Abfence of An Osier to pre- 
 
 * the King, it mould be lawful as well to the Lords by J' ent tne Lords . 
 
 ' themfelve?, as to the Commons by themfelves, to c ™™ g co t h ^c"^, 
 ' debate of all Matters relating to the Realm, and of mons private De- 
 ' the Means to redrefs them; without difclofing the batestotheKin £* 
 
 • fame to the King before a Determination made there- 
 ' of, and that to be done only by the Mouth of the 
 ' Speaker. Which Ordinance was made, becaufe Part 
 *■ of the aforefaid Difpleafure arofe on Account of the 
 ' Lords making the King, feveral Times, privy to their 
 ' Debates on the Subfidy, and brought Meflages from 
 ' him ; which the Commons faid was abfolutely againft 
 ( their Liberties.' 
 
 On the faid laft Day of this Parliament, the Speaker 
 required, that the Commons might depart with as great 
 Liberty as they had done heretofore ; and again recom- 
 mended it to the King and Lords, that fufficient Means 
 might be taken for guarding the Seas, and refilling the 
 Welch Rebels («). 
 
 It was not till two Years after the laft, that another AnnoRegnij II# 
 Parliament was called, which was to meet at Weft- 1410. 
 minfter, on the ^jindene of St Hilary, or January the At w eftminfter. 
 1 8th, 1410, but they did not fit to do Bufinefs 'tijl 
 nine Days after. When the Bifhop of IVinchefter, the 
 King's Brother, there being then no Chancellor, de- 
 clared the Caufe of the Summons to be for the Prefer- 
 vation of the Church's Liberties, £3V. and then took. 
 
 for 
 
 (u) Some more Strokes were made at the Court of Rome this Parlia- 
 ment, on the Score of Provifions, &c. Statutes a: Large, An, <J. Hen. 
 IV, Cap. viii. 
 
 This Year Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland, raifed Forces, and 
 enter'd Ycrkjhire, but was overthrown by the Sheriff of that County, 
 and himfelf flain. This was the End of the Father, Son, and Brother, 
 defcended from one of the nobleft Races that came from Normandy into 
 England. Biondi's Hijiory of the Wars between the Houfes of York 
 «nd Lancafter j P. 85.
 
 no The Parliamentary History 
 
 £ing Henry IV- for his Subject, Dec et nos impkre omnetn Jujlitiam, on 
 which he di (canted to this Purport ; 
 
 1 That this Parliament was fummoned for two 
 ' Caufes ; the firft for the inward Governance of the 
 6 Realm, as in the due Obfervance of the Laws ; the 
 ' fecond for outward Governance, as in a proper De- 
 
 * fence againft a Foreign Enemy ; and in this he 
 
 * touched upon the Duke of Burgundy, then Gover- 
 ' nor of France, who he faid meant to befiege Calais, 
 
 * with a great Army, and then to conquer this King- 
 
 * dom.' 
 
 He told them', amongft other Matters, ' That there 
 
 * were two Kinds of Government, the Jus Regimi- 
 
 * nis, and Jus SubjeSlionis ; allowing the firft to be 
 
 * better, according to the Anfwer of Ariflotle to King 
 
 * Alexander, who, being afked in what Manner the 
 4 faid King might ftrongeft fortify the Walls of a new 
 ' Fortrefs, or Frontier Town, which he had built ; 
 
 * anfwered, that the ftrongeft Walls were the hearty 
 '• Good-Will of his Subjects, and Obedience to the 
 ' Laws.' 
 
 He faid, * That all true Subjects owe to their Sove- 
 
 * reign three chief Points, viz. Honour and Obedi- 
 ■ ence, Reverence and Benevolence, and hearty Afli- 
 
 * ftance. And, becaufe the prefent Neceflity re- 
 ' quirM ready Afliftance, and fpeedy Difpatch, the 
 
 * King had called this Aflembly for a full Confultation ; 
 
 * which he wifhed might redound to the Glory of God, 
 4 the Honour of the King, and the Safety of the whole 
 1 Realm. For which good End he willed the Com- 
 
 * mons to go to an Election of their Speaker, and pre- 
 
 * fent him the next Day to the King. 
 
 Sir Thomas ^ n ^ e 2 ^ tn °^ January, the Commons prefented 
 
 Chaucer again Sir Thomas Chaucer, again, for their Speaker, who, 
 
 chofen Speaker making the common Proteftation, the King, by his 
 
 own Mouth, allowed of it ; but added, * That fince now 
 
 * the Lords and Commons were come to an Agreement, 
 
 * he expected that they, the Commons, would fpeak 
 
 * no unbecoming Words, or attempt any Thing that 
 
 * was not confiftent with Decency.' 
 
 Feb. the ;th, at the Requeft of the Commons the 
 Aflizes were prorogued, by the King, during the Sit- 
 ting
 
 Of E N G L A N D. m 
 
 ting of Parliament. But nothing more is faid of their King Henry iv. 
 Proceedings 'till the 15 th of March, which, being at 
 that Time in Palm-Sunday Week, at the Defire of the 
 Commons, the Parliament was adjourn'd to the £>uin- 
 dene of Eafler next following. 
 
 At that Day, being April the 7th, the Parliament 
 reaflembled, when the King granted, that certain of 
 the molt learned Bifhops, and worthy Lords, mould 
 be afiigned to be of his Council ; and that they and all 
 the Judges mould be fworn to give good Counfel and up- 
 right Judgment. 
 
 It was ena&ed, that all fuch as had Caftles and Several Afls 
 Towns in theMarfhes of Scotland, mould furnifh them P afi fd for the Se- 
 with Neceflaries, and keep Guard there in proper Per- ™*\ o( the 
 fon. The fame Order was taken for the Caftles and " S om * 
 Towns in Wales. Alfo, that the Revenues of the 
 King's Dominions beyond Sea mould for three Years be 
 employed on the Soldiers there ; and that no Officer 
 there, who is immediately accountable to the King, ' 
 fhall enjoy the fame during Life. 
 
 It was alfo enadted, that three Parts of the Subfidy on 
 Wools fhall be employed upon the Defence of Calais* 
 the Cattle there, the new Tower on Rochbank, and on 
 the Marfhes of Calais, and for the Payment of certain 
 Debts there. That fuch Subfidies as mould be granted 
 this Parliament mould be employed according to the 
 Grant, and not otherwife. And, on a Remonftrance 
 from the Commons, the King ordered that all Fo- 
 reigners who are come into the Realm, except Mer-- 
 chants, fhall make Proteftation to live and die in the 
 King's Quarrel ; fhall ferve in the Wars if they are able ; 
 and fhall not be lodged but in Englijbmen's Houfes. 
 Alfo, that none of them fhall be Brokers, and that no 
 Broker fhall be a Merchant to his own Ufe.' 
 
 On the 2d of May, upon the earneft Requeft of the ^^ „ cat ^ 
 Commons, fuch Lords as were before appointed to befpedtpaidbyPar- 
 of the King's Council, were again declared ; all of lia ™ enttoHcnr y 
 whom, with the Judges, were then fworn to do Juf- Prmce of Waks ' 
 tice ; except the Prince of Wales, who, for his Wor- 
 thinefs, as is there exprefTed, was excufed that Cere- 
 mony. 
 The Reader may obferve, that there are feveral Paf- 
 
 fages
 
 1 1 2 The Parliamentary History 
 
 .King Henry iv. fages in the Courfe of thefe Proceedings, which evr- 
 . dently mew what Relpeft the Commons in Parliament 
 v "paid to* this Prince of Wales., at that Time. This does 
 not, by any Means, fuit with the light Character which 
 moft Hiftorians have given of this Prince in his young- 
 er Days. And, if he had been guilty of thofe Levities 
 he is accufed of, he would not have had, we may well 
 fuppofe, fo many Compliments paid him ; nor have 
 been made Prefident of ihe Council, as he, certainly, 
 then was : For, in an Ordinance, made this Parlia- 
 ment, where, if any of the King's Chief Officers or 
 Judges, fhali take any Bribe or Reward, he mall 
 forfeit treble the Value to the King, it is Wrote on 
 the Margin of the Roll, Refpefluatur per Domwum 
 Principem et Con/ilium. If is, therefore, ft ill more 
 evident by this, what fome Hiftorians remark, that 
 it was the King's Jealoufy of his Son's growing 
 Greatnefs and Popularity, and his Neglect of him for 
 that Reafon, which threw the Prince on the diflblute 
 Courfes which are laid to his Charge. 
 
 In this Parliament, there was fome Relaxation de- 
 manded of the late fevere Act againft Lollards and He* 
 reticks ; for now it was requefted by the Commons, 
 
 • That all fuch Perfons as mould be arretted by Force of 
 The Commons c the Statute, made againft Lollardy in the fecond Year 
 pray a Mitigation « of this Reign, may be bailed and freely purge them- 
 thfLoflfrdT-^ ' felvesofit; that they be arretted by rid others than 
 
 r s ' * the Sheriffs, or fuch like Officers ; and that no Ha- 
 
 * vock be made of their Goods/ Anfwer. The King 
 will be advifed. 
 
 Thus fir the Record. But Mr Rapin relates, that 
 • on palling the A ct for regulating Elections, the Com- 
 mons were encouraged, before they granted an Aid, to 
 renew their former Inftances in regard to the Clergy. 
 Wicklff's Doctrine h?d gained fo much Ground, that 
 the Majority of the Houfe of Commons were then in 
 that Way of thinking •, and, thus biased, theyprefent- 
 ed two Petitions to the King* one againft the Clergy, 
 and the other in Favour of the LoHards. In the firft 
 they fet forth, * That the Clergy- made an ill \3fe of 
 ' their Riche?, and confumed their Incomes in a very 
 
 * different
 
 Of ENGLAND. 113 
 
 ' different Manner from the Intent of the Donors. King Henry IV. 
 
 * That their Revenues were exceffive, and confequent- 
 
 * \y it was ncceffary to leflen them. That fo many And renew their 
 
 * Eftates might eafily be taken from them as would Projea for re- 
 c ferveto provide for 1 5 o Earls, at the Rate of 3ooo d """ 8 o th /^ 
 
 , nit t 1 1 -n «*. venues or the 
 
 ' Marks, yearly, each ; 1500 Barons at 100 Marks clergy. 
 ' each ; 6200 Knights at 40 Marks ; and 100 
 ' Hofpitals, at as many Marks, yearly, for each 
 
 * Hofpital. That, by thefc Means, the Kingdom's 
 ' Safety would be better provided for, the Poor better 
 4 maintained, and the Clergy more attach'd to their 
 ' Duty (x). 
 
 This is Monf. Rapiri's Account of the Contents -of 
 this Bill; but could fo learned and judicious an Author 
 ever fuppofe that fuch a Number of Earls, Barons, and 
 Knights, were likely to be fupported at fuch a Calcu- 
 lation ; provided that the Commons were willing to 
 raife fo many new Lords and Matters amongft them. 
 His Marginal Note refers you to Walfingham for his 
 Authority ; but, unfortunately for him, that very 
 Authority contradicts it, and fliews him, if not an ig- 
 norant, at leaft, a carelefs or an unfair Tranilator. 
 Walfinghatnh Account of the Contents of the Bill, 
 which -the Commons now exhibited againft the Clergy, 
 is this, * That the Temporalities, difordinately wafted 
 'by Men of the Church, might well fuffice to find the 
 
 * King with 15 Earls, 1500 Knights, 6200 Efquires, 
 ' and 1 00 Almhoufes, for the Relief of poor People, 
 
 * more than there were then in England (y). That 
 
 Vol. II. H * every 
 
 (x) Cent-cinftiant Cotntes, a trots •milk Marcs cbacun far Annee t 
 quinxe-cens Barons, a loo Marcs cbacun, Jix-mille deux-cens Cbevalieri 
 a 40 Marcs, & cent Hofpitaux a ioo Marcs. , 
 
 Rap in Edit. Amft. Tom III. p. 407. 
 
 (_y) The Form of the Petition, or Remonftrance, in rValJingbam, made 
 by the Houfe or Commons to the King and Lords, runs in thefe Words, 
 
 ExcelkntiJJimo Domino nofiro Regi ct omnibus Proceribus, in prafenti Par- 
 liamento conjiitutis, omnes Communes jideles demonjirant humiliter y dicentes 
 "veraciter, quod Dominus nojler Rex poteji habere de Bonis 'Temporalibus, per 
 Epifcopos et Abbates, ac Priores, occupatis ac fuperbe vaftatis in Regno t 
 quindecimComitesj mille quingentos Milites, fex mille ducentos Armi- 
 geros, et centum Xenodochia plura quamfunt, bene et jideiiter fuftentatttf 
 de Tern's et Tencmentis, nunc inutiliter et fuperbe -vajiatis. 
 
 The fucceeding Account of the feveral Stipends, &c. is given by our 
 older Chronicles, and is taken from an ancient MS Hiftory of thefe 
 Times, under the Title, of Titus Liyius,
 
 U4 Tb e Tarliawentary History 
 
 King Henry IV. * every Earl mould have, of yearly Rent, 3000 ' 
 ' Marks; every Knight 100 Marks, and 4 Plough - 
 
 * Lands ; every Efquire 40 Marks and 2 Plough Land.5 ; 
 ' and every Almfhoufe 100 Marks ; and be overlooked 
 < by two true fecular Pjieftsto each Houfe. And, over 
 ' and above all thefe, the King might put yearly, 
 
 * into his own Coffers, 20,000 Pounds. Provided 
 /' « alfo, that every Townfhip mould maintain their own 
 
 * Poor, that could not labour ; on Condition, that if 
 ' any was overburthen'd with them, then the faid 
 
 * Townfhips to be relieved by the Almfhoufes aforefaid. 
 6 And, for to bear the Charges of all thefe Things, the 
 ' Commons affirmed, in their Bill, that the Tempo- 
 ' ralities, theji in the Poffeffion of Spiritual Men, a- 
 
 * mounted to 322,000 Marks, yearly Rent. 5 The 
 Commons alfo alledged, ' That over and above the 
 ' faid Sum of 322,000 Marks, feveral Houfes of Reli- 
 ' gion in England, poflefTed as many Temporalities, 
 ' as might fuffice to find 15000 Priefts ; every Prieft 
 1 to be allowed, for his Stipend, feven Marks a Year.' 
 
 This is a genuine Account of this extraordinary At- 
 tack on the Clergy, in thofe Days ; the Bill was 
 brought into the Houfe by Sir John Oldcajlle, Lord 
 Cobbam ; which drew upon him the Hatred of that vaft 
 Bbdy of Men, and terminated at laft in his own De- 
 ftrudion. , 
 
 The fecond Petition is mentioned in the Record, 
 wherein the Commons prayed that the Statute pafs'd 
 againft the Lol/ards, in the fecond Year of this Reign, 
 might be repealed ; or, at leaft, qualified with fome 
 Reftridtions. 
 
 ' Mr Rap'in here again makes this Reflection on thefe 
 two Petitions ; ' That if the Parliament which firit 
 
 * mov'd the leiTening the Clergy's Revenues was call'd 
 ' the unlearned, it may well be mppofed that this met 
 ' with no better Treatment. The Name of Lollard 
 1 and Heretick was plentifully bellowed ; and the 
 ' Clergy- condder'd thefe Petitions as tending to under- 
 ' mine ail Religion, This was induftrioufly infinuated- 
 ' to- the King, wkh all the Aggravation which Parties' 
 
 * .concern'dareqapableof displaying pn fuch an Occa- 
 
 * fipn. . it is hard to know, lays our Author, whether 
 
 ' the
 
 O/ENGLAND. iij 
 
 c the King himfelf was of this Mind ; but, however, King Henry iv. 
 ' he openly declared, that he had the Intereit of the 
 ' Church no left at Heart than the Clergy themfelves. 
 ' And, being now very eafy from his Enemies, both at 
 
 * home and abroad, he had no Mind to provoke fa 
 
 * great and dangerous a Body againft him. For this 
 ' Reafon he rebuked the Commons very fharply, and 
 
 * faid, That he neither could nor ivould confint to their Both which the 
 ' Petitions , and exprejly forbad them to meddle any more Kin s refufes to 
 < with the Church's Concerns. As for the Lollards, he compIy Wlth ' 
 
 c added y thpt far from permitting the Statute againjl 
 
 * them to be repealed^ he ivified it more rigor ous, for the 
 6 utter Extirpation of Herefy 'out of the Land (z).' 
 
 The Commons being baulk'd again in their Expec- 
 tations in thcfe higher Matters, contented themfelve9 
 with petitioning, that Clerks when convicted, might 
 be put into the King's Prifons, or thofe of the Tem- 
 poral Lords ; alledging, for Reafon, that Clerks 
 by thofe Means frequently efcap'd the Punimment . » 
 
 they deferv'd (a). This Point had been often at- 
 tempted by the Laity againft the Clergy ; particularly, , 
 as high as the Reign of King Henry II. when that 
 Prince, and all the Peers of the Realm, maintained 
 this Point fo ftoutly againft Archbiihop Becket and Pope 
 Alexander III. But our Henry, fearing to be expofed 
 to the fame Troubles his Predeceflbr had been, refufe'd, * 
 alfo, to give hiis Aflent to this Bill ; and, to mew the 
 Commons how far he was from giving any Counte- 
 nance to thefe Proceedings, he figned a Warrant for 
 H 2 the 
 
 (z) The King had been long fufpecTed, even before he came to the 
 Crown, to be as great a Favourer of fVicklijfs Dodtrine as his Father 
 was before him. Fabian and Hollingjkead both write, that in Sir John 
 Bagot's Examination, before the Council, very foon after the late Revo- 
 lution, he declared that he heard King- Richard fay, ' That he knew 
 ' the Duke oi Hereford, if he was once King, would prove a bitterand 
 ' cruel Enemy to the Church. Hcllingjbcad, y>. 511. Biondi, 49. 
 
 The Abbot of Wefminjier, aifo, in his Speech to tne Lords ergag'd 
 in the Cnnfpiracy againft Henry, in the firft Year of his Reign, urg'd, 
 
 * That he neard him once fay, when Duk.6 of Lancajier, that Princes 
 ' had too little, and the Religious too much ; and therefore he fuppos'd 
 
 * him no Friend to the Church, if he continued long in that Dignity. 
 
 Grafron's Chr -nick, p. 409. 
 (a) Waljingham 's Words aje, Ut Clerici con-vicli de ceiero non trade- 
 tcntur Ergajluiis Epifcoporum, Jed Carcerihui regiis et temporalium Dwni- 
 norum. p. 379.
 
 1 1 6 The Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry IV. the burning of one Thomas Badby, who had been be- 
 fore convicted of Herefy (b). 
 And fuffers a The Commons confider'd this Execution as an Infult, 
 Lollard to be and great Aggravation of the King's other Refufals ; 
 burnt. anc | accordingly, when Henry demanded a Power to 
 
 levy every Year a certain Subfidy, which was a Tenth 
 from the Clergy, and a Fifteenth from the Laity, with- 
 out a Meeting of a Parliament, this Demand was bold- 
 whichthcCom- ly rejected. The Commons would have even refufed 
 mons refent. the Supply for his neceflary Occafions, if he had not 
 forced them to it, by prolonging the Seflion 'till he got 
 his Defire. 
 
 The Reader will find here much more Matter, re- 
 lating to the Proceedings of this Parliament, than the 
 Abridger of the Records has given us ; it muft therefore 
 reft on the Credit of the cotemporary Hiftorians before 
 mentioned. By thefe it plainly appears, that Henry had 
 as defpotick Principles as his PredecefTor, when he durft 
 to fhew them. 
 
 A Matter of more private Concern came alfo before 
 this Parliament, which fince it bears Refpect to an an- 
 cient and noble Family, which we fhall have great Oc- 
 cafion to mention in the Sequel of this Work, we can- 
 not omit the Jbridger's Account of it. 
 
 The Petition of Richard de Ha/lings, fheweth, that 
 Ralph de Hajiings, his Brother, who was attainted and 
 beheaded for High Treafon, in the fixth Year of the 
 King, died without Iflue ; and prayeth to be reftored 
 as well to his Blood, as to all fuch Lands as the faid 
 Ralphhzd at the Time of his Death, without any fur- 
 ther Suit (c). Which Petition, by the Aflent of the 
 whole Parliament, was granted. 
 
 On the 9th Day of May, and the laft of this Par- 
 Alterations in liament, the Speaker of the Commons requir'd the cer- 
 £ t-C R UK M«! tain Knowledge of the Counfellors Names ; whereup- 
 eque ' on two of them were changed. They then, with the 
 a Subfmv Aflent of the Bifhops and Lords, granted the King the 
 grtstdbv hke Sublidy as in the 9th of this Reign, fo as exprefs 
 
 Mention 
 
 (0) The Writ to the Sheriff's of London, De Haretico combitrcndo, for 
 burning this Thomas Badby, is in Fad. Ang. Tom VIII. p. 627. 
 
 (c) He was beheaded for an Infurrf&ioii at Tork, An, 1405* with the 
 
 Archbiftyp, and Thomas Mo if/bray, Earl Marlhal.
 
 Of ENGLAND. 117 
 
 Mention (hould be made in the Grant, that it was pro- King Henry iv. 
 vided of their own good Wills ; whereof they gave twen- 
 ty thoufand Marks to the King, to difpofe of at his 
 Pleafure. After which the Speaker recommended to 
 the King the Perfons cf the Queen, the Prince, the 
 Lords Thomas, John, and Humphrey, the King's Sons, 
 and pray'd their Advancement ; for which the King 
 thanked them, and promifed Satisfaction in this Matter 
 at a proper Opportunity (i ). 
 
 Before the Meeting of this laft Parliament King 
 Henry found himfelf more at Eafe in his Government, 
 than ever he had been yet. France, which had hither- 
 to been a terrible Thorn in his Heel, was now itfelf 
 torn in Pieces by a Civil War between the two Hou- 
 fes of Orleans and Burgundy. This, alfo, occafioned 
 Scotland and Wales, fince they could now receive no 
 farther Affiltance from France, to agree to a Truce 
 with England. All Henry's inborn Enemies were al- 
 moft totally deftroyed ; and, having nothing to fear, 
 either at Home or Abroad, he became more abfolute 
 than ever. The Reader may obferve, that at the Head 
 of this Seffion, when the Speaker of the Houfe of Com- 
 mons made the ufual Proteftation, the King took 
 more upon him than formerly, by prohibiting the Spea- s 
 
 ker from ufing any indecent Expreffions j that is, we 
 fuppofe, from faying, or doing, any Thing that might 
 give him Offence. We fhall here aga ; n beg Leave to 
 give a remarkable Paragraph in Raping Hiftory, con- 
 taining fome Reflections on the Means Henry ufed to 
 pack this Parliament ; as that Author does not quote 
 his Authority, we fhall reft it, fingly, on his own ; 
 but, it is Matter of Ibme Wonder that fuch Expreffi- 
 ons mould flow from the Pen of this Hiftorian. 
 
 ' Though Henry, fays he, had caufed Richard to be 
 • depofed for uiurping an arbitrary Power contrary to 
 ' the Laws, yet, he himfelf plainly fhewed by certain 
 c Proceedings he would have been glad to govern with 
 6 an abfolute Authority. This chiefly appeared in the 
 ' Elections of Members of Parliament. By the Di- 
 f rections of the Court, certain Artifices were prac- 
 c tifed, to render the Freedom of Voting of no Ufe ; 
 H 3 ' fince 
 
 (d) Priace Ttemas his fecpnd Son, was accordingly created Puke of 
 Chrence,
 
 1 1 8 The Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry iv. * face this Sheriffs took the Liberty to return fuch 
 ' Reprefentaiives as had not a Majority of Votes. This 
 
 * is a Thing of fo fatal a Confequence, that it may be 
 ' affirmed, the Liberty of the Englijl) will no longer 
 
 * fubliit than whilft the Privilege of freely electing their 
 ' Reprefentatives in Parliament ftands inviolated. If 
 ' once the Sovereign comes to chufe what Reprefenta- 
 ' tives he pleafes, the Bounds of the Royal Authority 
 1 will be in the End fo enlarged, that nothing but the 
 ' mere Shadow of Liberty will remain. Of this, we 
 i have feen a remarkable Inftance in the Reign of 
 
 * Richard II. But it may farther be added, that all 
 ' the Kings of England, who have enjoyed a more ab- 
 ' folute Power than the reft, acquired it by this Way ; 
 f I mean, by procuring their Creatures to be elected. 
 I When a Parliament confifts of fuch Members, it is 
 ' not the King which is charged with Encroachments 
 
 * on the People's Liberty, but it is the Nation itlelf 
 - that voluntarily runs into Slavery. And, if, after- 
 ' wards, they refclve to throw off their Chains, they 
 
 * can only fucceed by violent Means ; and this, by the 
 
 * Way, is the Spring of moft of our Civil Wars fo 
 ' often kindled in England. 
 
 We may venture to affirm, that no native Hiftorian 
 could more juftly defcant on the Abufe of Englijh Par- 
 liaments than this Foreigner hath here done. And, 
 we wifh we could fay, that this Practice hath not- been 
 ufed in much later Reigns, and, even down to our own 
 Times. Yet the Reader may well wonder, what all 
 this long Preamble was to introduce ; our Author goes 
 on and writes, k That the Parliament which met in 
 ' January 14^, confidering the Confequences of the 
 
 * King's Proceedings to over-rule EleiUons, believed 
 
 * the Redrefs of that Abujg as the moft preffing Af- 
 i fair. Accordingly, in the Beginning of the Seffion, 
 
 * they prefented a Bill to the King, by which the She- 
 ' rifis who fhould be guilty of making falfe Returns, 
 
 * were to be fined one Hundred Pounds Sterling for 
 '* each Offence {e). The King would have been glad 
 
 * to 
 
 (e) This is nn Tmendation of the Statute of 7 Hen. IV. For the better 
 Jiigulation of Elections fcr Knigbts of the Shire. Hereby not only the 
 Sheiifff were to forfeit 100/. for every fuch Offence, but the Knights 
 of Shires, 10 returned, were alio to lofe their accuftomed Wages, See 
 fafare, p. 82, and 105.
 
 Of ENGLAND. 115) 
 
 * to evade this Act ; but as he could not do it, without King Henry tv. 
 ' laying himfelf too open, befides as he intended to -de- 
 
 * mand a Subfidy, he gave it the Royal AHent.' 
 
 The only Reafon Rapin gives for gaining this Sta- 
 tute is an ipfe dixit of his own ; not one fingle Word 
 of it appearing on the Record. Nay, it is much more 
 probable that the King and his Parliament agreed very 
 well this Seflion ; fince, in the Grant of the Subfidyy 
 they made him a lingular, and very unufual, Prelent 
 of 20,000 Marks at his own Difpolal. 
 
 Anoiher Parliament afiembled. at Wejhnwfter, on 
 the 2d of November •, in the 13th and laft Year of this 
 King's Reign {/). At which Time, the Commons 
 be : ng called over, as ulual, Sir Thomas Beaufort t ano- 
 ther Half-Brother of the King's, then Chancellor, by- 
 Virtue of Letters Patent there read and enrolled, be- 
 gan, prorogued, and continued the laid Parliament for 
 a Week longer. 
 
 At which Time the faid Chancellor, by the King's Anno Regm* 13. 
 Command,. in his Pretence, and in the Prefer.ceof all At Y/^bnbfter. 
 the Lords and Commons, declared, * That this Par'ia- 
 ' ment was called for three Caufes : For the good Go- . 
 ' vernment of the Realm, due Execution of the Laws, 
 
 * and the Defence of the Kingdom, with ih/aJafe Keep- 
 ' ing of the Seas.' From thefe he arguedV ' That to 
 ' the good Governance of the Realm belonged faith- 
 
 * ful Council without Flattery, and due Obedience 
 < without Grudging, To the due Execution of the 
 ' Laws did appertain fincere Keeping of the fame, and 
 
 * fpeedy Redreis for Fear of Abufe. To the Defence 
 
 « of the Realm there needed their hearty willing Relief ; . 
 
 * to the King in his Diftrefs, with diicreet and fpeedy 
 
 * Provifion ; for all which Caufes they were then ai- 
 
 * iembled.' He added, * That it was the King's 
 
 * Pleafure the Church, with all Corporations and Per- 
 
 * fons mould enjoy their wonted Liberties ; and, for 
 \ expediting thefe Matters he defired the Commons to 
 ' chufe a Speaker, and prefent him the next Day.' 
 
 Accordingly, the Commons prefented Sir Thomas sir Thomas 
 Chaucer, once more, as their Speaker ; whofe- Excufe Chaucer a *hlrl 
 
 ' r „_ Time chofea 
 
 n0t Speaker. 
 ( f) Sir William Dugdah places this Parliament in the 12th Year, and 
 fays, there were no Summons in the 13th, but Cotton's Abridgment, an4 / 
 
 the Statutes at Large, make it the isthaiid laft.
 
 1 20 The Tarliamentarg History 
 
 Kinj Henry iv. not being allowed, he prayed that he might fpeak un- 
 der the ufual Proteftation. It was granted, that he 
 might fpeak as others before had done ; but that the 
 King would have no Novelties introduced, and would 
 enjoy his Prerogative. Upon this, the Speaker defired 
 a Refpite for three Days, to give his Anfwer in Writ- 
 ing, which was, ' That he defired no other Protefta- 
 ' tion than what other Speakers had m2de -, and, that 
 ' if he mould fpeak any Thing to the King's Difplea- 
 ' fure, it, might be imputed to his own Ignorance, on- 
 ' ly, and not to the Body of the Commons j ' which 
 the King granted. 
 
 Then the Commons, by Aflent of the Bifhops and 
 Lords, granted to the King the fame Subfidy, as to 
 Tonage and Poundage, as in the two la'ft Parliaments ; 
 fo, alfo, that it might be exprefTed to proceed from 
 their own Good- Will, and not of Duty. They alfo 
 granted, that every Perfon poflcfled of Twenty Pounds, 
 by the Year, above all Charges, fhall pay Six Shillings 
 and Eightpence ; except Lands purchafed in Mortmain, 
 before the 20th of Edward I. and Lands purchafed in 
 The firft Land- Frank Almoigne, fince the faid 20th Year. This is the 
 Tax * firft Tax upon Land that we have yet met with. 
 
 On the laft Day of November, the Speaker, in the 
 
 Name of "the Commons, prayed the King to give 
 
 • Thanks to the Prince, and others appointed to be of 
 
 the King's Council, in the laft Parliament, for well 
 
 employing the Treafure then granted ; which his Ma- 
 
 jefty did accordingly. 
 
 An A&forregu- It was enacted, ' That the Mint-Mafter within the 
 
 lating the Coin. < Tower of London, and other Minters within the 
 
 ' King's Grant, may coin of every Pound of Gold of 
 
 * the Tower-Wright Fifty Nobles ; and of the fame 
 
 * Weight of Silver Thirty Shillings Sterling, during 
 
 * two Years ; provided that the faid Gold and Silver 
 ' be of as good Allay as the old Coin was (e). 
 
 About this Time the current Coin of the Nation 
 was much debafed by Foreign Money being added to 
 it ; whereupon a Law was made, this Parliament, for 
 prohibiting a certain bad Coin, called Galley-Half-' 
 Pence, to pafs current, as, alfo, all Foreign Money, 
 
 as, 
 
 (c) Statutes at Large t An, 13. Hen, IV, Cap. vi.
 
 Of E N G L A N D. 121 
 
 as well of Scotland as other Nations- An Hiftorianjcihg Henry iv» 
 writes, that tho' the King had no Tax granted this 
 Parliament, (we fuppofe he means no Tenths nor Fif- 
 teenths) yet he fo well managed the Bufinefs of the 
 Coinage, that he raifed as good a Fund by it. For, 
 partly, by feizing the forfeited Money, and, partly, 
 by coining new Nobles, which he made a Groat light- 
 er than the old, he much enriched his own Trea- 
 ty (f). 
 
 A Church-Affair of fome Confequence came, alfo, 
 
 before this Parliament j Thomas, Archbifhop of Can- 
 terbury, by a long Inftrument, in Latin, mewed, that 
 in the Time of Richard II. the Univerfity of Oxford 
 had purchased a Bull to be clearly exempt from the 
 Vifitation of the faid Archbifhop, to the End that they 
 might better fupport Hereticks and Lollards ; and that 
 the faid King Richard took Order that they mould 
 itill be fubject to the faid Archbif hop's Vifitation, not- 
 withftanding the faid Bull. Yet, he added, that in this 
 King's Time he had been difturbed in his Vifitation 
 aforeiaid by Richard Courtney, the Chancellor, Ben- 
 net Brett, and John Bird, the Proctors of the faid 
 Univerfity ; and that, by their Submiflion to the 
 King's Order, it was by him, in Chancery, decreed, 
 that the whole Univerfity aforefaid, and all Orders* 
 Perfons and Faculties in the fame, mould be fully fub- 
 jedl to the Vifitation of the faid Archbifhop and his Suc- 
 cefibrs, and to his and their Officers. And that as 
 often as the faid Archbifhop, or his Succeflbrs, or his 
 or their Officers, fhould be interrupted by the faid 
 Chancellor, their Liberties mould be feized into the 
 King's Hands, until the faid Archbifhop was reftored The Archbifll 
 to his Right. And, further, for every Time of fuch f Canterbury'? 
 Interruption, the faid Chancellor, or other Officer of Powe r o fvifiting 
 the Univerfity, mould be bound to pay to the King the Uni 7^ y , 
 
 *V «". * 1 t% j confirmed by 
 
 One thoufand Pounds. Parliament, not- 
 
 All thefe Articles and Orders, at the Requeft of the withstanding the 
 faid Archbimop, were confirmed by the whole Affent^ 8 ^ 1 * 
 of Parliament. On all which Sir Robert Cotton makes 
 this Remark, ■ That hence it moft manifeftly appears, 
 * that even in thofe Days, the Prerogatives of our 
 
 * Princes 
 
 {/) Daniel'm Kennet, P. 30 J.
 
 i a a ■ The Parliamentary History 
 
 King Hwry IV. ' Princes were nothing fubjed to the Pope's Suprema- 
 ' cy. For, otherwife, this Archbithop, the Pope's 
 ' adopted and Fcfter-Son, would not have fo flighted 
 ' the Pope's Bulls, which he plainly took for mere 
 'Bells and Baubles (£)• 
 
 On the 20th of December, which was the laft Day 
 of this Parliament, the Lords and Commons, by their 
 joint Petition, feemed to lament, that a Report was 
 fpread, that the King was offended with fome, in both 
 Houfes, for Matters done in the laft Parliament ; and 
 they defired that the King would embrace and efteem 
 ihem as his loyal Subjects ; which Requeft he, out of 
 meer Grace, granted. Then the Speaker, again, re- 
 commended to the King the Perfons of the Queen, 
 the Prince, and the reft of the King's Sons, praying the 
 Advancement of their Eftates ; for which his Majefty 
 returned them his hearty Thanks. And, after the 
 more private Petitions of the Commons were anfwer- 
 ed, the Chancellor, by the King's Command, gave 
 Thanks to the Three Eftates of the Realm, and dif- 
 iblved this Parliament". 
 Aft againft But we muft not omit to mention that a Statute was 
 
 Riotl « palled in this Parliament againft Riots and other Public 
 
 Afiemblies, whereby it was enacled, * That all juftices 
 f. of Peace fhould have a very ftricl: Eye upon the 
 
 * Subject to prevent all riotous Meetings, and Sheriffs 
 
 * to be as watchful to fuppreis them j which, if they 
 ' neglecled, they fhould each of them forfeit ioo/. 
 
 * for every fuch Offence (h)' By which, adds the Hi- 
 ftorian before quoted, it feems that King Richard's 
 Ghoft haunted this King to his dying Day -, that the 
 People were never thoroughly fatisfied, but difturbed 
 his Peace, on every occafion, by Riots and Tumults (z). 
 
 A general Pai- However, we find in the Public Acls a general Pardon, 
 don. or Aft of Grace, not mentioned by the Abridger of 
 
 the Records, which muft have pafied in this Seffion of 
 Parliament, tho' ir is dated December 22, or two Days 
 after the Diffolution of it, The King's Writ or Pro- 
 clamation of the Adt, was fent to all the Sheriffs in 
 
 England j 
 
 (g) Cotton'* Abridgement, p. 480. 
 
 (b) Stat at Large, Ann. 13. Hen. IV. Caf. VII. 
 
 fi) Daniel in Kennet, p. 301.
 
 Of E N Q L A N P. 123 
 
 England ; and there are but two Exceptions, ^z. King Hem yiv, 
 Owen Glendour and Thomas de Trumpyngton, with their 
 Adherents, included (7). This feems to be a very fea- 
 fonable Aft of Grace, both for the King and his Sub- 
 jects j fince, as he fhewed Mercy to them, he had the 
 better Title to expect it himiclf, from the King of 
 Kings, before whom he was fhortly to appear. For, 
 very foon after, Henry was feized with a Diftemper, Tne Death of 
 which, in three Months Time, brought him to his End ; Henry IV. 
 dying Manh the 20th, 14 \\, in the 46th Year of his 
 Age, and the 14th of his Reign (m). 
 
 An Abftradt from the Speech trnt Shake/pear makes 
 this King Henry give to his Son the Prince of Wales, on 
 his Death-Bed, by way of Advice to him, may not 
 improperly conclude this Reign. 
 
 King. f~X)me hither, Harry, fit thou on my Bed, 
 
 M And hear, 1 think, the very latejl Counfel, 
 That ever IJhall breathe. Heav'n knows, my Son t 
 By what Bye- Paths and indireft crook' d Ways 
 I met this Crown ; and I myjelf know well 
 
 How troubkfome it fat upon my Head 
 
 __ It feemed in me, 
 
 But as an Honour fnatched with boifl'rous Hand, 
 
 And I had many living to upbraid 
 
 My Gain of it by their Ajfijlance ; 
 
 JVIr.ch daily grew to parrel and to Bloodfied.-^ 
 
 ,- ___. Therefore, my Harry, 
 
 Be it thy Courfe to bufy giddy Minds 
 
 With Foreign Quarrels 3 that Aftion t hence, 
 
 born out, 
 May wafte the Memory of former Days, 
 More would I fay, but my Lungs are wafted fi 9 
 That Strength of Speech is utterly denfd me. 
 How I came by the Croiun, O God, forgive/ 
 And grant it may with Thee in true Peace live, 
 
 TAXES 
 
 (t) Feed. Ang. Tom. VIII. P. 711. 
 
 (m) Moft of our old Chronicles will have it, that Henry died before 
 the hit Parliament was dilTolved. But few of them agree in the Dif- 
 temper that caufed it j fome fay, that he died of an Apoplexy, and 
 Polydore Vergil will have it, that it was an incurable Difeafe, inflicted 
 for his Ufurpation, and fays, Subito Morbo tentatus, nulla Medicinf 
 fublevari potuit, lib, XXI . p. 438.
 
 ia4 Tb* Tarliamentary History 
 
 King Henry IV. 
 
 TAXES in the Reign of King Henry IV. 
 
 IN his firft Year there was granted to him 5 s. on 
 every Sack of Wool from Denizens ; and four 
 Pounds from Aliens for three Years : Alfo a Tenth and 
 a Fifteenth. 
 
 In his fecond Year, a Subfidy was granted of one 
 Tenths and one Fifteenth ; Two Shillings on every Ton 
 of Wine, and Eight- Pence in the Pound on Mer- 
 chandize. 
 
 In his fourth Year there was granted to the King, 
 the ufual Subfidy on Wools, Wool-Fels and Skins, for 
 three Years ; alfo Three Shillings on every Tun of 
 Wine, and Twelve-pence in the Pound on Merchan- 
 dize, befides a Tenth and a Fifteenth. 
 
 In his fifth Year there was a Tax of Twenty Shil- 
 lings on every Knight's Fee, and Twenty-pence of 
 every one that had Twenty Pounds Lands a Year, and 
 One Shilling in the Pound for Money or Goods, and 
 fo upwards according to that Rate. But the Record of 
 this Subfidy was burnt by Order of the Parliament that 
 granted it. 
 
 In his fixth Year he had two Tenths and two Fif- 
 teenths, alio, the Subfidy on Wools, Wool Fells, and 
 Skins ; that is, of every Denizen, for each Sack of 
 Wool 43 s. 4 d. for every 240 Wool Fels the like Sum, 
 and for every Laft of Skins Five Pounds : Of Alienp 
 10 j. more, to fubiift for two Years ; Three Shillings 
 on every Tun of Wine, imported or exported, and 
 Twelve-pence in the Pound on Merchandize. 
 
 In his feventh Year, there was granted a Subfidy of 
 one Tenth and one Fifteenth, befides the ufual Grant 
 upon Wools. 
 
 In his ninth Year, he had one Tenth and a Half with 
 the fame Subfidy as in the laft Parliament, for two 
 Years. 
 
 In his eleventh Year, the fame Tax was granted ; 
 And, 
 
 In his thirteenth Year, it was again repeated, with 
 the Addition of 6 s. and $d. upon every Owner of 
 Lands of 20 /. a Year clear Eftate. 
 
 Towards
 
 Of 
 
 ENGLAND. 125 
 
 Towards forming fome Notion of the Value of thefe King Henry iv. 
 Taxes, take the following Account of 
 
 The Price of Provisions in this Reign. 
 
 In 1401, Wheat very dear, at 165. the Quarter (n). 
 
 In 1407, a Cow was fold for 7 s. and her Calf for 
 is. Sd. Five Bufhels and a half of Salt for 3 s. ^d. 
 Two Bufhels of Wheat for \od. A Threfher for a 
 Day's Labour 2d. An Ox fold for 135. \d. A 
 new Plough 10 d. For elevea Bufhels of fowing 
 Wheat 5 s. 10 id. For eighteen Bufhels of fowing 
 Oats 4*. 6d. For a Dung- Cart and all Materials 
 is, zd. For a Pair of Cart- Wheels 3 J. id. (0) 
 
 («) Fabian'* Chronicle. 
 
 (0) Kennett'j Parochial Antiquities. Fleetwood'* Cbnmicon 
 fretiofum, 
 
 HENRr
 
 1 26 The ^Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry V. 
 
 TTENRT the Fifth began his Reign March 20, 
 -**■ Anno 141 9, the Day of his Father's Death, and 
 was proclaimed 1 on the next, with the ufual Ceremonies. 
 Our older Chronicles, and their Copiers, impute feveral 
 Wildnefies and light Behaviour to the Minority of this 
 Prince, very unbecoming his high Birth and Station. 
 But the Reader may obferve, in the Courfe of thefe 
 Enquiries, throughout his Father's Reign, that feveral 
 high Compliments were made this Prince of Wales, on 
 his Valour and Prudence, by Parliament ; very incOn- 
 liftent with fuch a Character (,/>). We are told by a co- 
 temporary HiftOrian, and an ancient Manufcript Chro* 
 nicle" of this King's Life, that the late King, his Father, 
 had fummoned a Parliament to meet at Weftminfter y 
 on March the 24th this Year, which Was four Days 
 after he died [q). 'That being met, accordingly, 
 they gave an extraordinary Teftimony of their entire 
 Confidence in the new King, by an Addrefs to him 
 from both Houfes, wherein they offered to fwear Alle- 
 giance to him before he was crowned, or had taken 
 the cuftomary Oath to govern according to the Laws. 
 The King gave them Thanks for their good Affections 
 to him, and exhorted them to employ all their Power 
 for the Good of the Nation, in their feveral Places and 
 His Speech to Stations. Be fold them, * That he began his Reign 
 the Parliament ' by pardoning all that bad offended him ; and, with 3 
 ™^!ln Cceffloni fincere Defign for his People's Hnppinefs, laid, that 
 « he would be crowned on no other Condition, than 
 
 * to make ufe of all his Authority to promote it. And, 
 4 prayed to God, that if he forefaw he was like to 
 
 * prove any other than a juft and good King, he 
 
 * would pleafe to take him immediately out of the 
 ' World, rather than feat him on the Throne, to be a 
 
 * publicCalamity to his People.' 
 The generous Offer made by both Houfes of Parlia- 
 ment 
 
 (p) See before, p. 108, and 112. 
 
 (q) Titus Li'vius, a M. S. ' wrote under that Name, of this King's 
 Reit;n, and dedicated to his Son a.id SucceiTor. Nicholson'* Hlftt 
 Library, P. 82. 
 
 Walfingham writes that this Parliament met on the Day after Candle^ 
 rnai-Vay, but that the King did not live to i'ee the End of it, dying an 
 &.arck 20, as afutefaiu, P. 3S2. « 
 
 to the Crown,
 
 O/ENGLAND. 127 
 
 ment to this King, at his Acccffion, and fuch, as an old K mg Henry V, 
 Hiftorian (r), fays, was never made before to any Eng- 
 li/b Prince, is another convincing Teftimony of the 
 great Confidence they placed in his Adminiftration and 
 Juftice. And his fubfequent Conduct evidently fhewed 
 that they were not miitaken in him. But, whatever 
 our old Chronicles fay of the calling this Parliament, 
 we meet with no Authority for it on Record (/).' 
 There is an inccnfiffent Account in Cotton's Abridge- 
 ment, of a Parliament called at Leicefter, "January 29, 
 the firft of this King, and prorogued to the fame Place 
 the laft Day of April following ; but the Dates of the 
 Writs do by no means agree with the Date of the laft 
 King's Death. This Matter, however-, is fet right by 
 another Infpedtor of Records (/), who has given us the 
 Form of a Writ directed to Thomas Archbifhop of Can- 
 terbury, dated March 22, for calling of a Parliament. 
 The Reafons given in the faid Writ of Summons were 
 thefe, ' That the King by the Advice of his Council, 
 4 had determined to hold a Parliament three Weeks after 
 4 Eafter next following, in order to confult and treat 
 4 with the Biftiops and other Prelates, the Lords and 
 c Commons, concerning the State and Safety of the 
 4 Nation. The Archbifhop was therefore commanded, 
 
 * as he had any Regard to the King's Honour, or the 
 4 Safety and Defence of the Kingdom, to be prefent 
 4 at the Seflions, and to give Notice, to the Prior and 
 ' Chapter of the Church of Canterbury, to the Arch- 
 4 deacons and all the Clergy of that Diocefe, that the 
 4 Prior and Archdeacons mould come in their own 
 
 * Perfons to Parliament, and that the Chapter mould 
 4 fend thither one fit Proctor, and the Clergy two 
 4 diftinctly appointed, with Power to confent to what 
 4 fhould be enacted by the General Council of the 
 4 Nation.' The like Writs were directed to other 
 Bifhops, Abbots, and Priors, to William Gafcoign Lord 
 Chief Juftice, to Edward de Courtenay Earl of Devon- 
 Jbire, and others of the Nobility. 
 
 On 
 
 (r) J. Stowed Cbron. P. 343. 
 
 (s) The Reader will find in the Account we give of the next Parlia- 
 ment, that the Members of ~iht Hcufe of Commons petitioned the King 
 that Cofts might be allowed thera for attending the Parliament, Ann* 
 14 Henry IV. tho' no Bufinefs was done at it. 
 
 (t) PwCD^tE'f Sumnmf tt F(Lrliam-:nt, p. 38S1 
 

 
 i a 8 The Tarltamentary History 
 
 King Henry v. On the appointed Day, being May 15, that Year, 
 
 the Parliament met at Wejlmlnjler ; when the King, 
 
 AnnoRegnii. fitting on his Throne, and the other Eftates of the 
 
 At Wdtniinfter. Realm attending, the Bifhop of Winchefter, the King's 
 
 Uncle, and Lord Chancellor, made a Speech to t them, 
 
 wherein he firit. declared, c That this Parliament was 
 
 * called in order that the Church, with all Corporations, 
 ' and Perfons, mould enjoy their accuftom'd Liberties, 
 ' and alfo for a general Confultation. 
 
 The Latin Sentence he chofe for his Theme was, 
 Ante omne Aclum Con/ilium Jiabilire ; he told them, 
 ' That the King defired to confult with them on feve- 
 ' ral Accounts, for the competent Support of his Roy- 
 
 * al Dignity ; the due Execution of good Laws and 
 ' Government of the Nation j the encouraging his 
 ' Allies and fubduing his Enemies. And, that they 
 ' might more effectually go about thefe weighty Mat- 
 ■ ters, he urged the Commons to chufe their Speaker, 
 
 „...,. e „ * and prefent him the next Day to the King.' Then 
 
 William Stour- .«*,*: , ~ r n • • • . j 
 
 ton, Ei'q } chofen the Receivers and I ryers of Petitions were appointed, 
 Speaker. and, the Day after, the Commons prefented William 
 
 Stourton^ Efq; who was allowed. 
 
 May 22. The Commons came before the King and 
 Lords, when their Speaker declar'd to his Majefty, that 
 in the Time of his Father, many fair Promifes were 
 made for the Obfervation of the Laws, but nothing 
 d6ne in them ; whereupon he prayed the King to pro- 
 vide for the due Execution of them. And, particular- 
 ly, mentioned a late Riot againft the Abbot of Ciren- 
 cejler, which he defir'd might be punifh'd. The Speak- 
 er was commanded to exhibit the fame in Writing, 
 that the King might the better confider of it. 
 
 May 25. Jihn Dorewood, Efq; and others of the 
 Commons, deliver'd to hL Majefty a Scheme, for pro- 
 viding for the Defence of Ireland, the Marfhes of Wales 
 and of Scotland^ of Calais, the Dutchy of Guyenne, for 
 fafe guarding the Seas, for furnifhing out a Fleet, and 
 for raifing fufficient Forces to repel any Invafion. 
 
 On the 3d of June the Commons again attended the 
 Eut falling lick, King in the Houie of Lords, and their Speaker, being 
 Efq "is chofen 05 renc ^ er '^ by Sicknefs, unable to ferve, they prefented 
 in his Hsce. the faid "John Dartzvood, who had ( the King's Appro- 
 bation. 
 
 And
 
 Of ENGL AND. u 9 
 
 And whereas Annuities were to be paid to feveral KineHem-yV, 
 Perfons by Letters Patent, it was enacled, ' That the 
 ' King for the Support of his Charges, mould Yearly 
 * receive ten thouland Pounds, and the Remainder 
 ' fhould be paid according to the Rate/ And whereas 
 Henrjjy. had by his Laft Will given all his Goods 
 and Chattels to difcharge his Debts, and for the Pay- 
 ment of certain Legacies, and had made Henry Arch- 
 bifhop of York, Thomas Bifhop of Durham, John Pel- 
 ham, Robert Waterton, and John Laventhorp Executors» 
 and had appointed the King and Archbifhop to be Over- 
 feers of this his Teftament ; but the Goods falling 
 fhort, the Archbifhop of Canterbury, as Ordinary, ought 
 to have the Adminiftration of the faid Goods and Chat- 
 tels : Therefore, that they might not be fet to com- The King pay* 
 mon Sale, the King took Pofleflion of them, and granted his Father's 
 the Sum of 25,000 Marks, the Value of thefe Goods, 
 to be paid out of the Wardrobe in three Years to the 
 Executors, and difcharg'd them of all Executions by the 
 fame Will, which fhould be over and above the laft 
 mention'd Sum. The Commons petition'd the King,- 
 
 • That the Statute made in the Fifth Year of Henry 
 
 * the Fourth, for the Regulation of Aliens, might be ob- 
 ' ferv'd.' Which the King granted, faving his Prero- 
 gative. The Commons, with the Aflent of the Bi- ASubfidygrant- 
 fhopsand Lords, granted to the King the like Subfidyed for four Yews. 
 on Staple-Ware, Tunnage and Poundage for four Years, 
 
 as they had given to his Father in the thirteenth Year 
 of his Reign. 
 
 In the Twenty-fifth Year of Edward the Third, an 
 Aft had been made for maintaining the Right of the 
 Englifo Kings to confer Ecclefiaftical Preferments and 
 Benefices: It was reinfore'd and confirm'd afterwards Aa - nft PtQ _ 
 by two others, one made in trje Thirteenth of Richard V ifors tromRome 
 the Second, the other to the fame Effect in the fecond of «-iafurc*d. 
 Henry the Fourth, forbidding all Perfons to, accept any 
 vacant Bifhopncks, or other Church Benefices, from the 
 Popes of Rome, or any other than the King, under Pe- 
 nalty of Banifhment, and Forfeiture of Lands and 
 Goods to the Crown. And now by this Parliament 
 in the firft Year of Henry the Fifth, it was enadted, 
 
 I « 1>t
 
 130 The Parliamentary History 
 
 Kinc Henry V ' That all thefe Statutes made againft Provifors from 
 6 Rome, mould be ftridly obferv'd.' 
 
 The Houfe of Commons prefented a large Com- 
 plaint of the many Oppreflions, with which the Ordina- 
 ries aggrieved the People in the proving of Wills, and 
 the like ; and of the Abufes they committed by punifh- 
 ing Fornication and Adultery with pecuniary Pennance ; 
 Petitions of the aftd petition'd the King* that thefe Grievances might 
 Commons. jj e fedrefs'd : Whofe Anfwer was, 4 That he would 
 
 * give Orders to the Bifhops to rectify 'em, and if they 
 
 * neglected it, he would do it himfelf.' They likewife 
 petition'd, that Cofts might be allow'd to the Knights, 
 and Burgefles fummon'd to Parliament in the fourteenth 
 Year of Henry the Fourth, though nothing was done 
 in that Seflion. The King reply'd, • That if upon 
 c View of the Records any the like Precedents could 
 ■ be found, Allowance of their Fees mould be made.' 
 They alfo petition'd, that the Grounds fet out by the 
 Perambulations of Edward III. might be intirely disfo- 
 refted ; to which the King anfwer'd, ' That fuch as 
 
 * had juft Complaints againft the Charters of the Fo- 
 
 * reft fhould be heard.' And when the Commons far- 
 ther afk'd of the King a Declaration for furcharging of 
 Sheriffs, and petition'd that they might be allow'd 
 upon their Oaths in the Exchequer; he promis'd, 
 
 * That upon the Sheriffs coming before the Council 
 ' and the Barons of the Exchequer, they mould find 
 1 Remedy.' To another Petition, defiring that no 
 Barge, Ship, Boat, or other Velfel going on any River, 
 be taken for a Deodand, if a Perfon accidentally falling 
 out of it be drown'd, the King reply'd, ' That he 
 
 * would take Advice about it.' The like Anfwer he 
 return'd to a Petition offered in favour of Merchants, 
 that they might freely bring into the Nation their 
 Goods of Arras, and all other Merchandize but that 
 of the Staple ; and paying their due Cuftoms, might 
 fell the fame as they pleafed to all Men, the Genoa 
 Merchants excepted. 
 
 As the Commons thus made their Petitions to the 
 King, either for the redreffing of Grievances, or for the 
 Eftablifhment of luch Orders as they apprehended might 
 piomote the Publick Good - 3 fo likewife many Laws 
 
 were
 
 Of ENGLAND. 131 
 
 were enacted to render the Nation rich, flourifhing and King Henry V. 
 profperous. It was enacted, ' That all Aliens mould 
 
 * depart the Kingdom, and that all fuch Merchants A- 
 8 liens as remain'd mould live in Engli/h Families, on 
 
 * Pain of Imprifonment at the King's Will ; alfo that 
 ■ all the Livings of Priors Aliens, (befides fome which 
 
 * they excepted,) fhould be feized for the King's Ufe.' 
 By another Act it was ordain'd, • That every Juror in 
 
 * all Inquifitions mould be queftion'd upon his Oath, 
 
 * whether he, or any other had receiv'd any thing for 
 8 his Ufe, as to the Procefs of the Bufinefs, and that 
 ' upon Conviction by his Oath he mould be try'd.* 
 
 An Act was made about the Election of Perfons to several Atl« 
 ferve in Parliament ; by which it was appointed, pa fs'd for the 
 8 That none fhould be chofen Knights of the Shire, Pubiick Benefit 
 ' who were not refident in the County on the Day of l on * 
 8 when the Writ of Summons was dated ; nor any be 
 
 * chofen Burgeffes, but fuch as were Citizens or 
 
 * Townfmen and Freemen, dwelling in the Cities 
 
 * and Towns where they were elected/ Another Act 
 pafs'd to inforce the obferving of fome former Sta- 
 tutes about the removing or ftraiting Wears, Mills, 
 Stanks, Stales and Kydels, which were a Nuifance to 
 the Rivers. Another againft the Forgers of falfe Deeds, 
 ordaining, • That the aggriev'd Party mould have his 
 
 * Suit, and recover Damages, and that the Perfon con- > 
 
 * vict mould make Fine and Ranfom at the King's 
 f Pleafure.' By another, Provifion was made againft 
 
 the Abufes that arofe from the Continuance of the Of- 
 ficers of Sheriffs, fuch as Under- Sheriffs, Clerks, Re- 
 ceivers and Bailiffs, in their Places, from Year to Year, 
 or from their interchangeable Removal out of one Of- 
 fice into another : It was enacted therefore, ' That 
 ' thole who fhould be Bailiffs of Sheriffs for one Year, 
 
 * fhould bear no fuch Office for three Years following, 
 8 excepting Bailiffs of Sheriffs which are inherite in 
 8 their Office ; and that no Under-Sheriff, Sheriff's 
 
 * Clerk, Receiver or Bailiff, fhould be Attorney in any 
 8 of the King's Courts during their being in any fuch 
 1 Office.' By another Act it was ordain'd, * That in 
 
 * every original Writ of v Actions Perfonal, Appeals 
 8 a^d Indictments, Additions mould be made of the 
 
 I a * Eftate
 
 1 3 i The 'Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry V. c Eftate or Degree, or Myftery of the Perfons, and of 
 ' the Counties and Towns where they dwelt.' And 
 whereas the Friends and Kindred of thofe Rebels that 
 were flain in the late Commotions in Wales, in the for- 
 mer Reign, endeavour'd to revenge their Blood by 
 Quarrels and lnfults on the King's faithful Subject 
 by Indictments or Impeachments, or Threatnings of 
 Vengeance : It was therefore ordain'd by another Sta- 
 tute, ' That no fuch Quarrel, Action, or Demand be 
 
 * made, on Penalty of paying to the injur'd Perfon 
 ' treble Damages, and of two Years Imprifonment 
 
 * after the Conviclion.' There were Complaints alfo 
 of Neglect in executing the Law made in the 13th 
 Year of Richard the Second, forbidding any Alien 
 Frenchman to have or enjoy any Benefice within this 
 Nation, and requiring their Departure out of the Na- 
 tion by a certain Time limited : And that when any 
 Benefices became vacant by the Departure or Death of 
 the Priors, Aliens or others, EngUjhntin, fhould be put 
 in. The Commons reprefented 4 That contrary to 
 ' this Act Alien Frenchmen did purchafe the King's 
 6 Letters Patents to be Denizens, that they might 
 ' enjoy the Benefices, which they did accordingly pof- 
 ' fefs, to the great Damage of the Kingdom, by carry- 
 ' ing away its Treafure, and betraying the King's 
 
 * Counfefs to his Enemies.' The King confidering 
 thefe Mifchiefs, pafs'd an Act to enjoin the ftrict Obier- 
 vance and Execution of the former; alfo for clear- 
 ing the Nation of thefe Priors Aliens, thofe that were Con- 
 ventual, and thofe who had Inftitution and Induction, 
 only excepted, on condition that they be Catholick, 
 and find Surety not to difclofe the Counfels and Secrets 
 of the Realm. Great Difturbances were produc'd by 
 the coming over into England of confiderable Numbers 
 of lrijhmen, and begging Priefts, who were called 
 Chamber- Deacons: Therefore, for the Eftablifhment of 
 the Quiet here, and to re-people that forfaken Kingdom, 
 it was ordered by Parliament, * That they fhould de- 
 * part before the 1 ft of November, on Forfeiture 
 ' of their Goods, and Imprifonment at the King's 
 ' Pleafure.' There was another Complaint exhib : ted, 
 ' That whereas all the Revenues, Profits, Fifhing 
 
 ' Cuftoms
 
 Vj ENGLAND. 133 
 
 ' Cuftoms of the Town and Marches of Calais had King Henry v. 
 
 * been appointed by Edward III. and Richard II. to 
 
 * be levy'd by the Treafurer of Calais to fatisfy the 
 ' Charges necefftry for its Defence, thefe Revenues 
 ' had been diverted from their intended Ufe in the 
 
 * former Reign, and beftow'd by Letters Patents on 
 ' feveral Captains, and other Perfons.' An Act was 
 pafs'd to revoke all thefe Patents and Grants, and to 
 appropriate the Revenues and Profits of that Town to 
 their firft Purpofe. 
 
 Whilft the Parliament fat at Wejlm'infter^ the Con- 
 vocation of the Clergy, according to the ufual Cuftom 
 of thofe Times, was afTembled at St Paul's ; and wtre 
 much more active in their Proceedings than the other. 
 Thomas Arundel, Archbifhop of Canterbury, being fen- T j, e cler?y ff .„ 
 fible how zealous the King was for the Church, thought up the Kk, .o 
 this the fitteft Opportunity to root out thofe Heretical fjj 1 *** *; ir 
 Doctrines, which had long been a grievous Thorn in^° F " V0U '^ ',' '^ 
 the Sides of the Clergy. He hoped that the King's the Lollards. 
 Youth and natural Courage, concurring with his Reli- 
 gious Inclination, would more earneftly engage him in 
 a Work, by which he might merit, at once, both the Fa- 
 vour of God and of his People. By the Help of twelve 
 Inquifitors, which- the Prelate had fent out the Year 
 before, he had collected a large Bundle of Accufations, 
 which were afterwards digefted into no lefs than 246 
 Articles, againft the Principles and Doctrines of the 
 Lollards. On the Canvafing of thefe, in Con- 
 vocation, it was, at length, decreed, ' That it would 
 1 be impoffible to extirpate the Doctrines of TVicHiffe, 
 1 unlefs certain Great Men, who were the profefled 
 
 * Abettors and Maintainers of them, were taken off. 
 
 * That Sir John Oldcaftle, Lord Ccbham, being the 
 
 * Chief of them, mould be firft dealt withal ; and 
 * that, without Delay, a Procefs fhculd be ifl'ued out 
 ' againft him, as a moil notorious Heretick (a).* And s 
 became the faid Lord was in great Favour with the 
 King, for his Conduct and Valour, it was thought ad- 
 
 I "? vifeable 
 
 (a) This Sir John Cobham had been principally concern'd in bringing 
 in i Bill in the laft "Reign for reducing the exorbitant Revenues of titt. 
 Clergy ; The vvcurft Kind of Herefy he couU be guilty o£.
 
 134 Ihe 'Parliamentary History 
 
 Kins Henry V. vifeable to acquaint his Majefty with their Defigns, 
 ' and the juft Occafion of them ; that, having obtained 
 his Leave, their Proceedings might be more fuccefsful, 
 and give lefs Offence (b). 
 
 Thefe Things being fettjed in Convocation, an Ac- 
 cident happen'd, which gave the Clergy a much great- 
 er Handle to work the Downfal of thefe new Refor- 
 mers ; who, being openly abetted by fome, but fecretly 
 by many more great Men, who wanted to be (haring 
 the Revenues of the Church amongft them, were 
 become exceeding dangerous to the Clergy. And, in the 
 very firft Year of this King an Infurre&ion of thefe 
 Reformers began in and about London, headed by Sif 
 John Oldcajlle and Others, which might have proved of 
 ill Confequence, had not the King himfelf, by his Vi- 
 gilance and Conduct, fupprefi'ed it. This unadvifed 
 Step of the Lollards gave the young Monarch a warm 
 Refentment againft them, and made him judge that 
 their Principles were equally deftru&ive to Church and 
 State. 
 AnnoRegni, a. A Parliament was called to meet at Leicejler on the 
 a L 414 ft 30th of ^r;7, 1 4 14. The Abridgment of the Records* 
 cr * has put the Summons to this Parliament under the firft 
 Year of this King -, but the Statute- Books, and our 
 older Hiftorians and Chronicles, place it in the Second. 
 The firft Acl that we find to be done at it, was a very 
 fevere Statute made againft the Followers of Wicklijfe'% 
 A moil fevere Do&rine, whereby it was [c) enacted, • That whoever 
 them 3831 " 11 ' reac * ^ e Scriptures in Englijh^ which was then cal- 
 
 * led Wickliffe's Learning, fhould forfeit Land, Cattle, 
 
 * Goods and Life, and be condemn'd as Hereticks to 
 
 * God, Enemies to the Crown, and Traitors to the 
 ' Kingdom ; that they fhould not have the Benefit of 
 ■ any Sanctuary, tho' this was a Privilege then granted 
 ' to the moft notorious Malefactors ; and that if they 
 ' continu'd obftinate, or relaps'd after Pardon, they 
 
 * mould firft be hang'd for Treafon againft the King, 
 
 * and then burn'd for Herefy againft God.' The Cler- 
 
 gy 
 
 (b) Walsingham,P. 383. Daniel in Kiknit, P. 309. Set 
 
 alfo FoLtEs'i Cburcb-Hijiory, and Collier'* Ecclefiajlical Mifior], 
 P. 633, & fupra. 
 
 (e) Statutes at Large, An. z, Hen. V.
 
 0/ ENGLAND. 135 
 
 gy having obtain'd this Aft, it was foon put in Execu- K i n? - 
 tion ; many were taken, and fuffer'd Death upon it, 
 and others fled in great Numbers into Germany, Bohe- 
 mia, France, Spain, Portugal, and into the Mountains 
 of Scotland, Wales , and Ireland. 
 
 Several Afts of publick Benefit were likewife pafs'd 
 in this Seflion, viz. An Aft to remedy the Abufes 
 committed in diverting the Goods and Revenues of 
 Hofpitals to other Ufes than what the Founders in- 
 tended. Alfo, an Aft againft the Followers of Wick- 
 Mffe, who were called Hereticks and Lollards ; in 
 which it was required, * That the Chancellor, Trea- 
 4 furer, Juftices of the one Bench with the oher, Ju- 
 4 ftices of Peace, Sheriffs, Mayors, Bailiff., and all 
 
 * other Officers, mould take an Oath to employ their 
 
 * Power to extirpate all Manner of Herefies, com- 
 4 monly called Lollardies, within the Places where 
 
 * they exercis'd their Offices : And that all Perfons con- 
 
 * vift of Herefy, and left to the Secular Power, fhould 
 
 * forfeit all their Lands and Goods to the King.' 
 Likewife an Aft againft Riots and unlawful Aflerhr 
 blies, enjoining, ' That fuch Rioters as were attainted 
 4 of great and heinous Riots, fhould fufFer at leaft 
 4 one whole Year's Imprifonment without Bail or 
 4 Mainprize j and that they who were attainted x of 
 
 * lefTer Riots, fhould fufFer Imprifonment as long as 
 ' the King and his Council thought fit ; and that the 
 4 Fines on fuch Rioters fhould be raifed to greater Sums 
 4 than they were ufually, for the Support of the Cofis 
 4 of the Juftices, and other Officers.' There was ano- 
 ther Aft (d) pafs'd in this Parliament, by which the 
 Priories Alien, who depended on fome Capital Abbies 
 in Normandy, that received the Profits of them, fhould 
 be intirely at the King's Difpofal : For the Houfe of 
 Commons confider'd, that by thefe Abbies beyond 
 Sea, pofieffmg the Lands and Revenues of thefe Alien 
 Priories, great Sums of Money were carried out of the 
 Nation ; and they forefaw, that when the War was 
 begun with France, all the Subjefts of England who 
 
 I 4 had 
 
 (d) This A& in not in the Statute Book, but is mentioned among 
 the Patent-Rolls, 3 Hen, V. P, z. M, z,
 
 136 The 'Parliamentary History 
 
 King Heniy V. had Lands and Eftates in that Kingdom would be de- 
 The AHenPrio _priv'd of them : They therefore made this Aft to dif- 
 ries^eftedi/thcpoffefs thefe Foreign Monasteries of thefe Priories AI- 
 King. ien, and to veft them in the King, who having thus 
 
 the Power of difpofing of them as he pleas'd, foon af- 
 ter by Letters Patent dated June 24, gave two of 
 them, (one of Paunfeld in EJex, the other of Wells in 
 Norfolk^ which belong'd to the Abbey of St Stephen's 
 in Normandy) to John IVodehoufe, Efq; and requir'd 
 from him no other Acknowledgment than to prefent a 
 Rofe to the King yearly on the Feaft of John the 
 Baptijl. 
 
 The Houfe of Commons having complain'd of the 
 evil Adminiftration of Juftice, and undue Goverment 
 in Shrcp/bire, and that by fuch Negligencies more Mur- 
 ders and Robberies were committed there than in 
 any other County of England ; the King, to remedy 
 thefe Diforders, lent Edward Duke of York into that 
 County, to fee fuch a Grand Jury return'd, as would, 
 effectually inquire into fuch Outrages, and punifh fe- 
 verely all that were guilty of them. 
 
 But, notwithstanding this Act againft the Lollards y 
 it was in this Parliament, at Leice/ler, that the Storm 
 which had long been railing againft the Clergy, had 
 like to have broke out to fome Purpofe ; had not the 
 Wit and Policy of Henry Cbichely, then Archbifhop of 
 Canterbury, -who fucceeded Aiundel, diverted the Danger. 
 Another At- The Houie of Commons had again put the King in 
 tempt of the Mind, of what had been defired in Parliament four 
 ?°™™™J*i n ! i Years before, about converting the Lands and Pofleffi- 
 ons of the Clergy to the Service of the State (e). 
 
 * This Bill, fays an old (launch Proteftant Writer, 
 ' made the fat Abbots to fweat ; the proud Priors to 
 
 * frown ; the poor Priors to curie ; the filly Nuns to 
 ' weep, and, indeed, all her Merchants to fear that 
 
 * Babel would down (/").' For, at this very Time 
 the Clergy were more apprehenfive of their Danger 
 than ever, fince they knew not what the aftive and bold 
 Spirit of a young Prince, agitated by Counfels which 
 had a natural Tendency to increafe his own Greatnefs, 
 
 might 
 
 (t) Fabian's Chron. Fol. clxxi- See before. P, 114. 
 {/J Hall's Cbron. P, 7a. 
 
 the Clergy's Re-
 
 Of E N G L A N D. 13.7 
 
 might produce againft them ; and, confequently, they K ; ng Henry V. 
 were in a terrible Confirmation. They once thought of 
 fixing the King in their Intereft, by the voluntary Pre- 
 fent of a large Sum of Money ; but, fome of the wifer 
 Bifhops considering that fuch an Appearance of Bribery 
 would be indecent for Perfons of their Character, and 
 expofe them to the Hatred and Scorn of the People, 
 this Propofalwas rejected. And as it had been conclud- 
 ed, in the laft Synod at London, that the moft effectual 
 Courfe to avert the impending Storm, was to find the 
 King fome other Bufinefs to employ the Vigour of his ■ 
 
 Courage, which might otherwife prove dangerous to which is fet a- 
 them ; it was therefore judged neceflary to turn his fiJe by prompt- 
 Thoughts to War ; and to follicite his Ambition by ^wkn" 5 * * 
 reminding him of the Crown of France, defcended to France 
 him from Edward II. one of his Royal Progenitors. 
 By a Reprefentation of the juft Right the King had to 
 that Claim, it was hoped his enterprifing Spirit might 
 be ftirred up to demand the Crown of France, as the 
 undoubted Heir, and, upon Refufal, to attempt the 
 Recovery of it by Arms. And, to make thefe Coun- 
 fels more prevalent, they, alfo, agreed to make an Offer 
 of a greatSum of Money to fupply the neceflaryExpences 
 of the War. Alfo, to give up all the Alien Priories in the 
 Kingdom, to the Number of no, who were polTef- 
 fed of Lands that would confiderably increafe the Re- 
 venues of the Crown. 
 
 Thefe Refolutions were foon after put in Execution ; 
 for, we are told, that in this very Parliament, at Lei- 
 cejler, the Archbifhop of Canterbury rofe up, in the 
 Houie of Lords, and addreiled the King in Words to 
 this Purport (g): 
 
 1 We all know, Great Sir, with what Royal Wif- The Archbifhop 
 
 * dom and Care you have eftablifh'd the Peace and of Canterbury's 
 
 * Profperity of your People, and we all enjoy the Speech in favour 
 
 . T), <r J r J 11 \_ /-. r> 1 -i of the fa id War. 
 
 1 Bkllmgs of your excellent Government : But while 
 
 * your Defigns and Actions have het-n directed to our 
 
 * common Good, we have not done any thing for the 
 
 1 Increafe 
 
 (g) Thefe Speeches, in Parliament, "are all printed, at length, in 
 Hall's Chronicle, Fol. xxxvi. &c. and are but moderniz'd by Mr 
 Goodwin. See, alfo. Uollingjbead, f. 545. Biojtdi, P. 104, &c. 
 Speed's Chron. P. 62*.
 
 King Henry V, 
 
 138 The Parliamentary History 
 
 Increafe of your Empire ; and among all the De- 
 bates in this Honourable Aflembly to make Laws for 
 the Security of the Subjects Liberties and Privileges, 
 we have neglected to confider how we may advance 
 the Greatnefs of our King, and in him that of our 
 Country too. Now, fince I owe all my Fortune to 
 your Favour, Gratitude, as well as the Duty of a 
 Subject* obliges me to propound what I think may 
 promote the Honour of fo gracious a Sovereign, and 
 enlarge his Power. You adminifter Juftice to your 
 People with a noble Equity, you are illuftrious in the 
 Arts of a peaceful Government; but the Glory of a 
 Great King conlifts not fo much in a Reign of Serenity 
 and Plenty, in great Treafures, in magnificent Palaces, 
 in populous and fair Cities, as in the Enlargement 
 of his Dominions ; efpecially when the Allertion of 
 his Right calls him out to War, and Juftice, not 
 Ambition, authorizes all his Conquefts. Your Ma- 
 jefty ought to wear the Crown of France by a Right 
 defcending to You from Edward III. your illuftrious 
 Predeceflbr. That valiant King openly challenged 
 his Right by Ambafiadors, and when the French 
 endeavoured to elude it by a pretended Salick Law, 
 he bravely attempted to conquer by Arms what he 
 could not obtain by a juft Treaty. You have the 
 fame Title to demand that Crown, and the fame 
 Reafons to make War, upon a Refufal. I doubt 
 not but they will oppofe their imaginary Salick Law 
 in like Manner againft your Claim ; but I know ve- 
 ry well, that as they contradict themfejves in af- 
 figning the Original of this Law, fo if it were granted 
 that there is fuch a one, yet France is not concern'd 
 in it. 'Tis in vain to tell us, .that 'twas made by 
 Pbaramond the Founder of their Monarchy, as if 
 he could be the Founder of a Law which had no 
 Name nor Being 'till above four hundred Years af- 
 ter his Death : For then it was that Charles the 
 Great returning from the Conqueft of Saxony, Part 
 of his Army pafs'd the Sala, and feated themfelves 
 between that River and the Elb, and from the Name 
 of the former were called Salique Gauls. This new 
 Cqlony detefting the vicious Manners of the German 
 
 * Women,
 
 Of E N G L A N D. 139 
 
 Women, made a Law, that none of that Sex fhould Kin* Henry V, 
 inherit Lands within the Bounds of their little Go- 
 vernment. But what is all this to France? How 
 will the French perfuade us, that by virtue of this 
 Law the Crown of that Kingdom mud not defcend 
 to any Daughter of their Kings, if they do not firft 
 prove their Country to be fituated between thofe two 
 German Rivers ? But tho' all were true, which they 
 report of this boafted Law, yet why mould they ufe 
 it as an Argument againft the Right of our Kings, 
 when they never made it any Bar in the Succeifion of 
 their own? Pepin, who by depofing ChildericllI, 
 mounted the Throne, was acknowledge the next 
 Heir as defcended from the Princefs Blithilda, Daugh- 
 ter of Clotbair the firft j and Hugh Capet, who u- 
 furp'd the Crown from Charles Duke of Lorain the 
 next Male Heir, to give himfelf the Colour of a 
 Title, afTerted that he fprung from the Princefs Lin- 
 garda, the Daughter of Charlemaign. Thus Lewis 
 the Ninth too, whom they honour as a Saint, neg- 
 lecting the precarious Title of Hugh Capet his Grand- 
 father, could fufficiently fatisfy his Conscience and the 
 Nation by deriving his Right from Queen Ifabella 
 his Grandmother, as defcended from the Princefs Er- 
 mingarde, Daughter and Heir of Charles Duke of Lo- 
 rain, whom Hugh Capet had depriv'd of his King- 
 dom and Life. But were it certain that this Salick 
 Law had from the Beginnings of the Monarchy been 
 eftablifh'd and inviolably obferv'd in France, yet what 
 Obligation can a Law have, which is contrary to the 
 Commands of God, and the Cuftoms of all other 
 Nations, and fo offends againft all the Rules of Juf- 
 tice and Reafon ? God declares, that if a Man died 
 without Sons, the Inheritance fhould defcend to the 
 Daughter : And there never was a Law among any 
 People in the World, which excluded the Daughters 
 from the Rights of Children. The French alone vio- 
 late the Statutes of Heaven, and flight all the Laws 
 that are in force on Earth, that they may devolve 
 the Right of their Crown on whom they pleafe. 
 But it is your undoubted Right, my Sovereign, and 
 all the Powers of France will be too weak to oppofe 
 
 * your
 
 1 40 The Tarliamentary History 
 
 King Henry v.J your Poileffion, if you do but refolve to vindicate it. 
 c Confider therefore the juft Title which you have to 
 ' this Crown, devolv'd on you by Queen Jfabella, your 
 4 Great Grand-mother, Sifter and Heir to three fuc- 
 ' ceflive Kings of France^ who died without Children, 
 
 * and take up noble Arms to afTert fo juft a Caufe ! 
 
 * Advance your Standard into France^ and with affur'd 
 
 * Hopes of Victory march to conquer thofe Domi- 
 
 * nions which are your own by Inheritance ! There is 
 ' no true Englijhman but is ready to devote his Life 
 ' and Fortune to fo glorious a Service of his King. 
 
 * And in full Perfuafion of the Juftice of the War, we 
 « the Clergy have given fuch a Sum of Money to 
 4 maintain it, as was never granted to any of your 
 c Predeceffors, and will join all our Prayers for the 
 ' Succefs of your Arms.* 
 
 When the Archbifhop had ended his Speech (b), and 
 the King feem'd mov'd with it, Nevil Earl of Wejl- 
 moreland, who was High-Warden of the Marches to- 
 ward Scotland, apprehending that the Country com- 
 mitted to his Government would be expos'd to the In- 
 curfions of that Nation, if the King mould draw his 
 Forces out of England for this Expedition, thus fpoke 
 to difluade the War. 
 ■Which h op- f Tho, faid he, I freely acknowledge myfelf of the 
 p Sl ythe , E f' ^me Mind with my Lord the Archbifhop, as to the 
 
 ©tWeftmoreland., _ / . ■ r> 
 
 * Lrlory that will be gam d in conquering trance y and 
 
 * the Advantages that may arife from the Acquifition of 
 ' fuch a flourifhing Kingdom ; yet I cannot but ad- 
 ' vile, that our Arms fhould be firft turn'd on Scotland^ 
 ' that by fubduing that People to the Englijh Dominion, 
 *. the whole Ifland may be brought under one Govern- 
 ' ment. When all our Strength and Forces fhall be 
 ' united, when there fhall be no Enemies to difturb 
 ' us within the Bounds of this our little World, feparat- 
 ' ed from the other by the Ocean, then Will be the 
 ' proper Time to confider of foreign Conquefts, and 
 
 * how we may extend the Englijh Empire abroad, 
 
 * which, while we are unfecur'd at home, we cannot 
 ' attempt with any reafonable Hopes of Succefs. It 
 6 has therefore been the conftant Practice of wife Go- 
 
 ' vernments, \ 
 
 {b) Hollirrgjbcpd, 54€. Biovdi.
 
 Of E N G L A N D. 141 
 
 * vernments, who have profper'd in enlarging their King Henry V. 
 
 * Dominions, firft to fubdue thofe People which bor- 
 
 * der'd on them, before they advanc'd their Arms againft 
 ' the more remote. By this Method were the AJJyrian, 
 
 * Per/tan and Grecian Monarchies raifed to fuch Height 
 
 ' of Power, that a great Part of the World was forced ■ 
 
 * to bow to them. Thus the Romans eftablifh'd a 
 
 * larger Empire than any of the former j but they 
 ' would have fail'd in the Attempt, if they had in- 
 
 * vaded more diftant Nations, before they had fubdu'd 
 
 * their Neighbours : But when by conquering the 
 ' Samnites, the Volfcl, the Fidenates, and other People 
 
 * around them, they had made themfelves intire Ma- 
 
 * Iters of all Italy, they foon carried their victorious 
 
 * Arms thro' molt Parts of the Earth. But what need 
 
 * I argue from Examples? It is reafon fufficient againft 
 
 * a War with France, that whenever to invade that 
 ' Kingdom we fhall draw the Strength out of our 
 ' own, the Scots our ancient and inveterate Ne-igh- 
 ' bours will bring Fire and Sword into the Bowels of 
 
 * our unguarded Country. And to put this paft Que- 
 ' ftion, I will only remind vou of the old League be- 
 
 * tween that Nation and France, by which, if either 
 ' of them are invaded, they are bound mutually to 
 
 * affift one another. We have found them fo punc- 
 
 * tual to their Agreement hitherto, that whenever we 
 ' have tranfported our Armies into France, the Scots 
 
 * have enter'd our Country with dreadful Devaluations. 
 
 * If then we mult have a War with either of thefe 
 ' People, let it be with Scotland, where all Things 
 
 * promife to us an eafier Victory, their King being an 
 ' honourable Prifoner in our Court, and the unfeafon- 
 
 * able Severity of the Duke of Albany, who governs in 
 
 * his Abfence, having thrown that Nation into difmal 
 
 * Convulfions. But to invade France, what a vaft 
 
 * Army is neceflary ; what immenfe Sums of Money 
 
 * to raife and pay the Soldiers, and what a prodigious " 
 
 * Fleet to tranfport them?' , _ 
 The Earl having ended the Duke of Exeter (i), But being f 
 
 the King's Uncle, who having been defign'd by his Fa- ported by the 
 
 ther DuJccof Exeter j 
 
 (I) E'JUngjbtady Biondi, &c. call him fo ; but he was , then only 
 Eari of Dorfet, tho' created Duke af:er.\ard;.
 
 Kinj Henry V. 
 
 142 The Tarliamentary History 
 
 ther for the Church, had received a learned Education 
 in the Univerfities of Italy-, thus fpoke in Anfwer. 
 * If 1 did not know, that the moft effe&ual Courfe 
 to deftroy any Mifchief, is to cut off the Root 
 which feeds it j and if Experience had not taught all 
 of us that France is the Spring which has nourifh'd 
 a perpetual growing Enmity in the Hearts of the 
 Scots againft us, I mould advife that the French might 
 be the laft with whom we make War. But fince 
 they have always been induftrious to render Scotland 
 an irreconcileable Enemy, and to foment in the Minds 
 of that Nation a fierce Hatred and Defire of Revenge ; 
 fince they have on all occafions ftirr'd 'em up to 
 invade us, and by their Affiftance have enabled them 
 to do fo ; it is certainly the belt Counfel, that by 
 a vigorous War upon France we fhould ftrike at the 
 Head of all thefe Mifchiefs : For if that Kingdom be 
 conquered, either the Scots will no more be our Ene- 
 mies, their Hatred being no longer kept alive and 
 cherifh'd by the old Fomenters of it ; or if they 
 refufe to incorporate into one People with us, yet 
 deftitute of Succour from that Nation, they mult 
 without any lading War fubmit to our Power. How 
 will they be in a condition to fight us, when they 
 mall want Arms to put into their Soldiers Hands, or 
 Officers to lead 'em, all Supplies from France being 
 cut off? And whither fhall they have recourfe for 
 Aid, when that People is fubdu'd by us ? Not to 
 Denmark, whofe King is Brother-in-Law to ours; 
 not to Portugal and CaJIile, for the Kings of both 
 thofe Nations are allied to our Sovereign ; not to 
 Italy at fo great a diftance ; not to Germany or Hun- 
 gary> which are in League with us. Let us then 
 begin the War with France , fince we fhall conquer 
 two Nations with one Victory ; and fince a rich, 
 fruitful and pleafant Country will be the Reward of 
 the Conqueror. What tho* the Scots may invade 
 us, when our King with his Army is abfent ? Their 
 Incur fions furely will not be fo dangerous, but that the 
 Earl of We jlmor eland, who is Warden of the Marches, 
 with a few felett Troops, will be able not only to 
 make Head againft them, but to give them a Re- 
 pulfe.' . The.
 
 Of E N G L A N D. 143 
 
 The Duke's Arguments prevail'd with the King and King Henry V. 
 his Brothers, who being all young and ardent of Glory, 
 were impatient to fignalize "their Courage againft the 
 old Enemies of their Country : And the fame gallant 
 Spirit' diffuling itfelf thro' the Minds of the other 
 Nobles, they all declar'd for a War with France ; War j, 4 et i mi 
 which being thus refolv'd on, the Parliament was pro- accordingly, 
 rogued to Wejlminjler. 
 
 In this Parliament the King created his Brothers 
 John, Duke of Bedford; and Humphry ', Duke of Glo- 
 ' cefler ; and Richard, Brother to the Duke of York, was 
 alfo made Earl of Cambridge (I). 
 
 We have no Account of the Proceedings in this for- 
 mer Seffion of Parliament, at Leicefter; nor of the Pro- 
 rogation of it, as above, in Cotton's Records j but a new 
 Parliament, which he fays, was called to meet at Wejl- 
 minjler, this Year, falls in exactly with the Hiftories, 
 and goes on regularly with them for the future ; the 
 Writs bearing Date September 26, to be holden on the 
 Oclaves of St. Martin following. 
 
 It having been our Cuftom hitherto, to exhibit a Annt R j 
 Lift of the Temporal Lords, once or twice in a King's 1414. ' 
 Reign, we fhall therefore give the Names of the Peers At Wcftminfter. 
 fummoned to this Parliament {m). 
 
 r HO MAS, Duke of Richard Beauchamp, Earl of 
 Chrence t and Earl of Warwick. 
 
 Albemarle. Richard dt Vere, Earl of 
 
 John, Duk e of Bedford, and Oxford. 
 
 Earl of KendaJe. Thomas, Earl of Salisbury. 
 
 Humphrey, Duke of Glo- John, Earl Marfhal. 
 
 cejlet\ and Earl of Bern- Thomas, Earl of Dor jet. 
 
 broke. Michael de la Pole, Earl of g 
 
 Edward, Duke of York. Suffolk. 
 
 Richard, Earl of Cambridge. Ralph Nevile, Earl of Wejl- 
 Edward Courtney, Earl of mor eland, , 
 
 Devon/hire. Edward, Lord Charlton of 
 
 Ihomas, Earl of Arundel. Powis. 
 
 Edmond, Earl of March. William, Lord Clinton. 
 
 Thomas, 
 
 (/) Hall's Chronicle, Fol. xxxvi. J. Stowe, P. 345. 
 (ot) Cotton'* Abridgement , P, £38. Dugdalk'i Summitn to Par* 
 foment, P. 394.
 
 1 44 The Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry V. Thomas, Lord de la War. Richard, Lord Grey, of Co- 
 Henry, Lord Scrope of Ma- donor e. 
 
 Jham. Reginald, Lord Grey, of 
 
 Henry, Lord Fitzhugb. Ruthyn. 
 
 William, Lord Ferrers, of -P^r, Lord Mauley. 
 
 Groby. William, Lord Zfltf£, of 
 
 Thomas, Lord Morley. Harringworth. 
 
 Hugh, Lord Burnel. Thomas, Lord Camois. 
 
 Thomas, Lord Berkley, of William, Lord Botreaux. 
 
 Berkley. John, Lord Latimer. 
 
 John, Lord V^elles. Richard, Lord Strange. 
 
 Ralph, Lord Cromwel. Robert, Lord Poynings. 
 Ralph, Lord Greyjlock. Gilbert, Lord 7*#0/. 
 Thomas, Lord Dacre, of y^ 5 Lord Clifford. 
 
 Gil/land. John, Lord Talbot, of /tfr- 
 
 Robert, Lord Harrington. nival. 
 Robert, Lord Willoughby. 
 John, Lord Z^W, of T/V^- No Lord-Warden of the 
 
 *w*r/#. Cinque-Forts in this Lift. 
 
 On November the Jpth, the Parliament met, and the 
 King being feated on his Throne, in the Painted Cham- 
 ber of his Palace at Wejlminjler ; by his Command, 
 the Bifhop of Winchejler his Uncle, and Chancellor of 
 England, opened the Seffion by a Speech ; wherein he 
 declared, ' That his Majefty would, that the Church, 
 ' with all Corporations and Perfons fhould enjoy their 
 ' former Liberties. That the King not only endeavour- 
 
 * ed to govern the Realm wifely, but he was alfo 
 
 * ftrengthning himfelf to recover his due Inheritance, 
 
 * which, tho' belonging to, yet had been a long Time 
 ' withheld from his Crown ; which Claim he was re- 
 ' folved to profecute even unto Death. And for the 
 
 * attempting fuch a mighty Exploit, great Provifion 
 
 * was required.' 
 
 Then taking for his Subject, Dum Tempus habemus- 
 cperamur bonum ; he inferred from thence, ' That to 
 
 * every natural Difpoiition two Kinds of Times, or 
 4 Seafons, were limited ; for Inftance, as to Trees, one 
 
 * Time of growing, and another Time of bloflbming 
 ' and bearing Fruit ; to Man, one Time for Labour, 
 
 * and another for Reft ; to Princes, the Heads of Men, 
 
 a*
 
 Of £ N G L A N D, 145 
 
 ' a Time for Peace, and another for War. That the King Henry V. 
 ' King finding his People' in great Eafc and Peace, had 
 ' therefore the better opportunity to attack the Ene- 
 ' my j to which he applied, Dum Tempus. That to 
 
 * fuch an high and noble Enterprize, fome Things 
 
 * were abfolutely neceflary, as good Advice, Obedience 
 
 * of his Subjects, and a chearful Relief from them. , 
 ' That they ought to grant a larger Subfidy, confider- 
 
 * ing that their Prince and only Patron, would go 
 
 * in Perfon againft the Enemy, and freely expofe his 
 c Life to all the Dangers of the War ; and concluded 
 
 * with defiring the Commons to choofe a Speaker, and 
 
 * prefent him the next Day to the King.' According- Thomas chau- 
 ly, they elected Thomas Chaucer Efq; and prefented him"^^' ekaei 
 in the ufual Form. pea«cer. 
 
 The Commons then proceeded to confider of the 
 Supplies, and by the Affent of the Bifhops and Lords 
 granted to the King two whole Tenths, and two whole A Supply voted. 
 Fifteenths, to be levied on the Laity. 
 
 It was enacted likewife, ' That the King by his 
 ' Council, fhould have Power to make Ordinances con- 
 ' cerning the Coin, which mould continue till the 
 c next Parliament ' 
 
 Henry Percy, Grandfon of the late Earl of Northum- 
 berland, and Son to Henry Hotfpur, ilain at the Battle 
 of Shrew/bury, being now of Age, and a Prifoner in 
 Scotland, prefented h;s Declaration to the Parliament ; 
 in which he fhew'd that the King had reftor'd him to Henry Percy re- 
 the Honour which his Father had forfeited by his Re- ftored t0 his Ti- 
 bellion, and had made him Earl of Northumberland : th ™* Mite ' 
 He therefore requir'd a general Reftituticn to it in 
 Blood, and that he might be reftor'd to all the Heredi- 
 taments which were intail'd, with free Entry in all of 
 them, referving to the King the Lands of Fee-fimple. 
 The King granted all to him, on condition that before 
 his Entry into any of the faid Lands, he mould, by Mat- 
 ter of Record in Chancery, prove the Lands intail'd : 
 And his Majefty appointed Sir Robert Urn/ revile to treat 
 with the Scots about Percy's Delivery, who, by the 
 Earl of Northumberland his Grandfather, had been left 
 with them as an Hoftage. He confirmed alio to John 
 Duke of Bedford^ and to his Heirs Male, the Cattle, 
 K Earldom,
 
 1 46 The 'Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry V. Earldom, Honour, and Seigniory of Richmond, which 
 Ralph Eatl of Wejimoreland held during his Life. 
 ' Aa for the Re- In this Parliament it was enacted, c That fuchPer- 
 guiation of Ju- c ions on ] v {^q^ b e made Juftices of Peace, by the 
 
 fl K es of Peace j , ^.^ q{ ^ Chancel]or , an j of the King > s Coun _ 
 
 * cil, who dwelt in the County in which they were to 
 ' exercife their Office.' 
 
 That whereas, contrary to the Statute made in the 
 Thirty-fixth Year of Edward III. forbidding any Parifh 
 Prieft, or Yearly Prieft, to take more than five or fix 
 Marks for their Annual Stipend, the Priefts refus'd to 
 ferve under Ten Pound, Twelve Marks, or Ten Marks 
 The clergy 5 at the leaft : It was ordain'd, ' That no Yearly 
 
 * Chaplain mould take above feven, nor any Parifh 
 ' Prieft, retain'd to be a Curate, more than eight, but 
 ' by Licence of the Ordinary, lb as the whole Sum 
 
 * exceeded not nine Marks,' 
 
 In confideration of the Abufes that arofe from fuch 
 H*%* f+-r~rt~* Perfons ferving on the Inqueft and Jury, as (having no- 
 5s^r7 i*/—* 1 ". thing to live upon, nor to lofe when con vi&fd of P-gr- 
 fc^ *~- ^^T**. jury) gave falfe Verdids contrary to their Confciences, 
 *-*• *" ^/jX^/*^^ an Act was made, * That no Perfdfl who had not in 
 TZlji^^. A^- * Land or Tenements forty Shillings yearly, mould 
 *^^A^t*^» *■ be admitted on an Inqueft upon Tri al of Life and 
 %? h% x^t^GJ? De aths nor on any other Inqueft in Picas ReaT or 
 
 * Perjonai, of which the Debt and Damages decIar'S 
 ' amounted to forty Marks, but upon the Parties,con- 
 
 * cern'd challenging him mould be rejected. 
 By Authority of this Parliament, Richard, who was 
 
 Son and Heir to the Earl of Cambridge, beheaded at 
 Southampton for High-Treafon the Year before, was 
 reftored to Blood, and created Duke of York. This 
 Prince was the fole Heir to the Houfe of that Name, 
 and fome time after married Citify Daughter to the 
 Eail of Wejimoreland, by whom he had Henry, who 
 died young; Edward, afterwards King ; Edmund, Earl 
 of Rutland ; Anne, Dutchefs of Exeter ; Elizabeth* 
 Dutchefs of Suffolk; George, Duke of Clarence ; Ri- 
 chard, Duke of Glocejler, afterwards King j and Mar- 
 garet, Dutchefs of Burgundy lb). 
 
 The 
 
 [/>) Fabian'* C&nw. Fol. CLXXIIII. 

 
 O/ENGLAND. 147 
 
 The King had been fufficiendy moved with the King Henry V. 
 Reafons given in the Parliament at Leicejler for making 
 his Claim to the Crown of France, and his great Cou- 
 rage and Spirit now fpurred him on to attempt the 
 Conqueft of that Kingdom, if his Demands were not 
 accepted. The Subfidies granted, by the Clergy and 
 Laity, to enable the King to begin this great Enter- 
 prize, amounted, in the whole, to a very large Sum ; 
 and, if we may believe an old Hiftorian, to no lefs than 
 three hundred thoufand Marks Sterling. By which 
 means great Levies of Men were made, fuccefsfully, in 
 all Parts of the Kingdom. 
 
 But, to gain a more fpecious Pretence for War, it 
 was neceflary firft to offer Peace ; tho' upon fuch Terms 
 as Henry knew well enough would not be accepted. 
 There had been fome time before a Treaty of Marriage 
 fet on foot between this young Monarch and the 
 Princefs of France, who is faid to have been a Paragon 
 of Beauty j but now Henry much enlarged his Demands 
 with the Princefs ; and by his Emb.ifTadors to the 
 Court of France ; infifled on a Reflitution of all thofe 
 Provinces, which his Predeceflbrs had ever enjoyed in 
 that Kingdom. How defirous foever the French Court 
 was of an Alliance with England, and marrying their 
 Princefs to a young and potent King, yet the reftoring 
 thefe Provinces, was a very difagreeable Article, and 
 could never be reconciled to their Politicks. 
 
 Accordingly, all Treaties of Peace were broke off The French War 
 upon it, and the King of England made mighty Prepa profecuted with 
 rations, both by Sea and Land, to invade France, and great Vl & our< 
 aflert his Right to that Kii gdom by the Ratio ultima 
 Regum. 1 
 
 To the particular Writer of this King's Life (c), and 
 to the more general Hiftorians, we mult refer for a De- 
 fcription of the glorious Exploits performed by this mag- 
 nanimous Hero in France; of which, the ever-memo- 
 rable Battle of jigincourt has employed their Heads and 
 Pens to fome purpofe. After Henry 's Return to Eng- 
 land, and his triumphant Entry into his capitaf City 
 ,of London, he prefently called a Parliament -, the Writs 
 K 2 for 
 
 (c) The llijlory of the Reign of Henry V. King of England, by 
 Mr, Goodwin, Fel. Lond. 1704.
 
 1 48 The Tarliamentary H 1 s T o ry 
 
 Kin| Henry ▼. for which were dated January 21ft, and returnable the 
 1 6th of March following. In the Abridgment of Re- 
 cords we find, that John Duke of Bedford, the King's 
 Brother, who had been left Regent in his Abfence, cal- 
 led two Parliaments ; but there is nothing added, ex- 
 cept the Names of the Peers who were fummoned to 
 them. Tt is remarkable, however, that there are not 
 twenty Lords named in each Summons ; the reft, we 
 may well fuppofe, were gathering of Laurels with their 
 heroic Sovereign in France. 
 
 AnnoRegni 3. The Parliament met at Wejiminfler on the 16th of 
 1415- March 1415, when the King fitting in his Royal 
 
 At Wcftmmftcr. ThronCj in the p a j„ te j chamber of the Palace, com- 
 manded the Bifhop oSWinchefter, ftill Lord Chancellor, 
 to open the Caufe of the Summons ; who, in the Pre- 
 fence of the three Eftates of the Realm, firft made the 
 ufual Declaration, that it was the King's royal Will 
 and Pleafure that the Church and all other Perfons and 
 Corporations mould enjoy their Liberties, and then 
 took for his Text, Vobis Viam, &c. 
 v In difcourfing on which he endeavoured to demon- 
 
 ftrate, * That a Thing well begun and continued with 
 
 * Diligence, muft have a profperous Event, according 
 
 * to the Saying, 
 
 Dimidium Facli, qui bene capit habet. 
 
 * This he applied to the King's Succefl'es, who had 
 
 * made fo glorious a Beginning, by invading France to 
 ' recover his Right, and an Inheritance derived from 
 
 * his Anceftors j who had purfued his gallant Enter- 
 
 * prize in a continued Courfe of Victory, by the Con- 
 
 * queft of Harfleur, and the Defeat of the French, in 
 ' a general Battle at Agincourt. That it being only 
 
 * peculiar to divine Wifdom to forefee the End and 
 
 * Event of all Things, he entirely referred that to 
 
 * God ,• with great Hope of SuTefs from fo profperous 
 
 * a Beginning. Which, that the King might be en- 
 
 * abled to obtain, he had called this Parliament for 
 ' their good Counfel and Affiftance.' 
 
 Sir Waiter Pem- The Commons, retiring to their Houfe, chofe Sir 
 cKampchoien Walter Beauckamp, Knight, for their Speaker; who, 
 teaser. being allowed, they next, with the Aflent of the 
 
 iifhops and Lords, appointed that the TitUbt and Fif- 
 teenths,
 
 Of ENGLAND. 149 
 
 teenths, granted laft Parliament, mould be paid fooner Rin * Henr y v « 
 than was ordered. By the fame Authority, it was 
 enabled, ' That, confidering the damnable Schifm be- 
 
 * tween the two Popes at Rome, all Bifhops elecl, 
 
 * and other Perfons, mould be confirmed by their own 
 ' Metropolitans, upon the King's Writ, without far- 
 ' ther Excufe or Delay.' 
 
 On the 8th of April, the King prorogu'd the Parlia- 
 ment to Monday in the third Week after Eafler ; when 
 being again aflembled, the Chancellor told them the 
 Reafon of the faid Adjournment, was, not only on 
 occafion of the devout Time, but that an honourable 
 Peace had been offer'd by the French, and that the Em- 
 peror Sigifmund was the Mediator in it ; in which the 
 Commons were defir'd to give their Advice. But, 
 tho' this is here mention'd in the Records, they give 
 us no farther Account about it. The other Tranfac- 
 tions of this Parliament are all on lefs publick Affairs, 
 no new Subfidy being either asked or granted ; which 
 may be owing to the great Riches the King had acquir'd, 
 either by the vail Plunder at Agincourt, or the Ranfotn 
 of Prifoners. 
 
 The following are the moft remarkable Petitions in 
 this Parliament : 
 
 Petition. ' That all Sheriffs, for the Fees of Knights Petit ' ons of the 
 « coming to the Parliament, might enter into all Li- Common3 ' 
 c berties, except the Demefnes of all Lords, and fuch 
 
 * Towns as find BurgefTes. 
 
 Anfwer. ' The Stature made 1 2th Richard II. mould 
 
 * be kept. 
 
 Pet. f That all Sheriffs might be difcharg'd in the 
 
 * Exchequer upon their Oaths. 
 Anf. « The King will be advis'd. 
 
 <Pet. « That all Owners of Ships, during the Time 
 ' of their being in the King's Service, might have three 
 ' Shillings and four Pence in the Tun above the or^ 
 ' dinary Freight. 
 
 Anf. ' The King would do according to Reafon. 
 
 Pet. « That all Men might go to the Parts of Iceland 
 ' to fiih freely, as they us'd to do. 
 
 Anf. * The King will take Advice. 
 
 Ptt. f That all the Ordinaries thro' the Kingdom 
 K 3 « might*
 
 1 50 The ^Parliamentary Hi story 
 
 King Henry V. c might, by an aflign'd Day, enquire, and certify in 
 * to Chancery, the Foundations of Hofpitals, with 
 ' all Circumftanc.es, that Redrefs might be made in 
 < this Buiinefs. \ 
 
 Anf. ' The Statute made at Lehejler> 2d Hen. V. 
 « (hall be obferv'd. 
 
 Pet. * That the King's Purveyors do take eight 
 « Bufhels of Corn only to the Quarter, ftrik'd ; and 
 « that they take up no Provifion in the Market, with- 
 ' out the Good- will of the Party, and ready Pay. 
 
 Anf. ' The Statutes made for that Purpofe mall be 
 ' kept. 
 
 Pet. * That fome Remedy might be found for the 
 ' Relief of the poor Clergy, much wafted, becaufe the 
 
 * Univerfities fwarm'd with new Learning, by reafon 
 ' of the Statute of Provifors, which caus'd the old 
 ' Faith to be neglecled. 
 
 Anf. ' At the King's Motion, the Bifhops pro- 
 ' mis'd to provide a Remedy for this Buiinefs. 
 Pet. ' That the Penalty of fuffering any Prifoner 
 
 * to efcape, who was guilty of counterfeiting, warning, 
 ' or clipping Money, might be a hundred Pound. 
 
 Anf. * The Penalty fhall be arbitrary as before. 
 
 Pet. c That all Writs of Subpana, and Certis de 
 1 Caufis, going out of the Chancery and Exchequer, 
 ' might be controll'd, and not granted in Matters de- 
 ' terminable at the Common Law, on Penalty of the 
 4 Plaintiffs paying forty Pounds by Way of Debt to the 
 
 * Defendant. 
 
 Anf \ The King will be advis'd. 
 A&s paffed. It was alfo enadled in this Parliament, * That where- 
 
 £ as feveral Bretons were come into the Kingdom, 
 
 * either as Spies, or to carry Money and Jewels 
 
 * out of the Nation, all of them not naturaliz'd, 
 ' were, by Act of Parliament, requir'd to go out of 
 
 * the Land, before June 24 eniuingi, upon capital 
 ' Penalty.' This was becaufe the Duke of Brctagne 
 was Confederate with the King of France. 
 
 And whereas Provifions of Benefices from the Pope 
 had been made ufe of, to exclude from the faid Bene^ 
 fices the Incumbents, who by the Gift of the Patron 
 had long enjoy'd them j it was therefore ordain'd by 
 
 another
 
 Of ENGLAND. 151 
 
 another Ad, * That no Incumbents fhould be moleft- King Henry v. 
 
 * ed under Pretence of any fuch Provisions of the 
 c Pope ; that whoever disquieted them, mould incur 
 e the Penalties contain'd in the Statutes of Provifors 
 ' before made ; and that they mould be profecuted 
 c by Proccfs of Praemunire facias form'd againft them ; 
 
 * and that the Perfoh who fu'd them mould recover 
 
 * treble Damages. 
 
 Another Act pafs'd, to make Clipping, Warning, 
 and Filing of Money, Treafon : And whereas, (by 
 reafon that it belonged only to the King's Juftices be- 
 fore himfelf, or by fpecial Commiflion afiign'd, to 
 judge and punifii this Crime J it was fo boldly and ge- 
 nerally pradis'd, that the Deftrudion of all the Coin 
 was unavoidable, if hafty Execution and Remedy 
 were not provided ; it was therefore enaded in another 
 Statute, ' That the Juftices. afiign'd to take Affizes, 
 ' in all the Counties of England, fhould have Power 
 ' by the King's Commiffions to hear, and determine 
 ' in their Seffions, all fuch Caufes concerning the de- 
 ' baling or falfifying the Coin of the Nation.' And 
 whereas, contrary to the Cuftom in the Days of Ed- 
 ward III. when no more than Half a Crown, or a 
 Crown at the molt, was paid for proving a Will, the 
 Ordinaries did now take forty or fifty Shillings : It was 
 therefore ordain'd by another Ad, ' That no Ordinary 
 ' fhould take above that old cuftomary Rate for the 
 c Probate of any Teftament, upon Penalty of forfeiting 
 ' to the agriev'd Perlbn treble the Sum fo receiv'd.' 
 This Statute was to ftand in Force only to the End of 
 the following Year. 
 
 Thefe Ads being pafs'd, and Henry, the Grandfon of 
 Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland, who had fo 
 long been an Exile in Scotland, and who, in the Parlia- 
 ment held at Wejlmlnfter, in the Second Year of this 
 King's Reign, had been reftor'd to his Honours and 
 Lands, having now in the Houfe of Lords done Ho- 
 mage to the King fitting in his Chair of State, this 
 Seffion ended. 
 
 Next Year great Preparations being made, on both 
 
 Sides, to carry on the War again with Vigour. The 
 
 Englijl) King found himfelf obliged to call a Par- 
 
 K 4 ltament,
 
 i .52 The Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry v. liament, in order to raife Supplies for that Purpofe ; and 
 Writs were fent out dated at Sandwich, October 9, juft 
 after the King's fecond Landing from Abroad, for one 
 to meet at Wejlminjler on the 1 9th of the fame Month ; 
 the nreffing Exigencies of the State requiring fuch a 
 fpeedy Summons. 
 
 AnnoRegni4. On the Day of the Meeting, the Bifhop of Win- 
 i4 l6 -. chejler opened the Seflion with the ufual Formalities, 
 
 At Weftnunfter, anc j ^ ltx q UOt j n g f or his Theme this Latin Sentence, 
 Operant detis ut quieti fitis. He alledged, ' That as 
 
 * God had in fix Days created all the World, and 
 
 * refted the feventh ; fo the King, agreeable to his 
 
 * Coronation Oath, had, in Jive former Parliaments, 
 c endeavoured to eftablifh good Laws for juft Admi- 
 ' niftration at Home, and the fecuring of an honourable 
 ' Peace Abroad. But that the French were fo little 
 
 * inclined to comply with the reafonable Terms of- 
 
 * fered them, that they refufed to render the Englijh 
 
 * Prifoners taken at the Battle of Agincourt, or to 
 ' ranfom their own. That the King provoked at the 
 
 * obftinate Injuftice of an Enemy, who refolved not 
 
 * to do him Right in any Thing, was conftrained to 
 ' attempt the Recovery of his own by Force of Arms. 
 
 * And fince, faid he, this is his Majefty's juft Refolu- 
 ' tion, and that there is, indeed, no other way to 
 
 * bring his Enemy to Reafon, Bella faciamus ut Pacem 
 
 * habeamus, quia Finis Belli Pax eft ; he is determined 
 
 * to ufe Violence, and purchafe that Peace, with the 
 ' Sword, which is not to be otherwife obtained.' He 
 concluded with telling them, that the King intended to 
 make ufe of their Counfel, and required them tochufe 
 and prefent their Speaker to him. 
 
 Roger Flower, On the third Day of the Seflion the Commons pre- 
 Efq;eleded fented Roger Flower, Efq; who was accepted ; and to 
 Speaker. ^ ew ^^ g re?Ll 2 ea i f or tne Caufe the King was en- 
 
 gaged in, with the Confent of the Lords, they granted 
 two whole Tenths and two Fifteenths to be levied on 
 » the Laity ; the Clergy, alio, granted two Tenths on 
 
 their own Body. But all this being not fufficient, or 
 thought too dilatory for the King's preffing Occafions, 
 at the fame time it was enafted, c That all Perfons who 
 
 * would lend any Sums of Money to the King, fhould 
 
 have
 
 Of ENGLAND. 153 
 
 ' have Letters Patent to be paid out of the firft Mo- King Henry v. 
 * ney raifedbytheSubfidy ;' and the Dukes of Clarence, 
 Bedford, and Glocejler flood engaged for the Perfor- 
 mance of this, in cafe the King fhould die : Upon 
 v/hich many of the Bifhops and Lords, whofe Names 
 are in the Parliament Rolls, readily fubfcrib'd ; yet all 
 was fo deficient, that the King was neceflitated to The Crown and 
 pawn the Crown to Henry Beaufort, Bifhop of Win- Kin s' s Jewels 
 defter, for a vaft Sum, and to borrow a thoufand Marks ^^j,"'" 
 of the Lord-Mayor of London, upon the Security ofwaragainft 
 many rich Jewels (d ). France. 
 
 At this time his Majefty was pleafed to grant a ge- An Act for a Ge- 
 neral Pardon for all Crimes which did not concern neralPardon > 
 Life, or Lofs of Members. *? d feve ™l °~ 
 
 An Aft was alfo paffed, < That all Sheriffs mould ' P 
 have allowance upon their Accounts by Oath.' This 
 had been petitioned for by the Commons in the former 
 Seffion. 
 
 Alfo, whereas by an Act made 12 £.11. certain 
 Rates of annual Wages for Bailiffs and other Servants 
 of Husbandry were fettled, and a Penalty ordain'd for 
 any who gave or took more ; by an Act now it was 
 eftablifh'd, * That the Taker only fhould incur this 
 Penalty.' 
 
 Another Act ordain'd, that none of the Irijh Nation 
 fhould be elected an Archbifhop, Bifhop, Abbot, or 
 Prior ; and that whoever promoted fuch to thofe Ec- 
 clefiaftical Preferments, or brought any fuch Irift? Re- 
 bels to Parliaments, Councils, and other Affemblies 
 among the Englijh, fhould have all their Temporal 
 Eftates feiz'd into the King's Hands, till they had paid 
 the Fines due for fuch Offences. 
 
 There was alfo an Aft of Pardon, by which all For- 
 feitures, Fines, Debts and Demands, not exceeding 
 Twenty-fix Shillings and Eight pence were remitted, 
 and all Trefpafles, Offences, Confpiracies, &c. par- 
 don'd. 
 
 Befides thefe, and fome other lefs remarkable Acts, 
 
 the 
 
 (d) Henry Beaufort, Bifhop of Wincbejicr, on hi* own Account, lent 
 the King zo,poo 1,
 
 1 54 the Tarliamentary History 
 
 King Kenry v. the League and Alliance between the King and the Em- 
 peror Sigifmund, was confirm'd by the whole Aflent (e). 
 And on the laft Day of the Seffion, the King fitting on 
 his Throne in full Parliament, created Thomas Beaufort, 
 who was Earl of Dorfet, Duke of Exeter, who had 
 alfo a thoufand Pounds confirm'd to him, to be paid 
 yearly out of the Exchequer, and forty Pounds out of 
 the Cuftoms at Exeter. The Lords fo approved of this 
 Example of the King's Liberality, that they faid no 
 Objection could be made, but only that it was too 
 little, and not proportionable to the Merits and Ser- 
 vices of that noble Perfon (f). 
 
 In this Seffion Sir John Tibetot, who had fo much 
 diftinguifh'd himfelf as Speaker of the Houfe of Com- 
 mons in the laft Reign, was appointed the King's Re- 
 fident at the Imperial Court. 
 
 Henry, by the Affiflance of his Parliament, having 
 
 again railed Money for the Support of the War, and 
 
 refolving to invade France, early next Spring ; great 
 
 Levies of Men were made for that Purpofe. He caufed 
 
 Proclamation to be made, that all Soldiers, who would 
 
 ferve him in his Wars, fhould have twenty-five Crowns 
 
 a Month ; and invited them to partake in his Con- 
 
 quefts, which, in all Appearance, would this Year be 
 
 very confiderable. Other Means he took to render his 
 
 '' . Army formidable ; but, it was not till July, 1417, 
 
 that he could get all ready to embark, and he landed 
 
 his Army at Bevile, in Normandy, a few Days after, 
 
 in fpite of all Oppofition. 
 
 . John Duke of Bedford the King's Brother was left Re- 
 
 thc Scots°de- g ent during his Abfence ; and w hi! ft this victorious Mo- 
 
 feated. narch was gaining many Victories and Towns in France, 
 
 the Scots thought proper to invade the Engl; fa Borders ; 
 
 but, by the Conduct of the Regent, they were foon 
 
 driven 
 
 (e) This Emperor came over to England, and employ'd his beft En- 
 deavours to mediate a Peace between the Crowns of England and Trance j 
 but they all proved ineffcclual, and all he could do was to fettle a Jail- 
 ing Peace, on feveral Articles, between himfelf and the Crown of Eng- 
 land. There is an Inftrument in the Public ABs, under this Title j 
 and refers to the next Parliament. Allegantia cum Rege Romanorum, 
 pro Forma Traftatus inde habiti, Confirmatio in Parliamcnto. Dat. Vicef- 
 Jimo tiono Die Oclobris Reg. 4to, Fcen. Ang. Tom. IX. P. 403. 
 
 (/) He was Son to the Duke of Exeter, beheaded at Chefier for a 
 . Plot in the laft Reign. ,
 
 Of ENGLAND. 155 
 
 driven back again with Shame and Lofs. After the Kin; Henry v. 
 Nation was thus delivered from the Dangers of this 
 Invaficn, the Duke thought proper to call a Parliament, 
 the Writs bearing Date October 5, and to fit the 16th 
 of November following, at Wejlminjler. 
 
 At which Time and Place being alTembled, in the Anno Re s nl s- 
 Painted Chamber before the Regent, Thomas Lang ley, At wdbninfter. 
 Bifhop of Durham, then Lord Chancellor, declared 
 the Caufe of their Meeting, and took for his Theme, 
 Confortamini et viriliter agite, et glorioft eritis. * On 
 which Words he took occafion to expatiate, and to 
 fet forth their Happinefs and Glory in the Reign of a 
 King, who, during his Father's Life, had fupprefs'd 
 the Rebellion of the Welch ; and, fince he came to 
 the Crown, had defeated the dangerous Confpiracies 
 formed againft the Church, and againft his own Per- 
 fon and Government. Who had been fo profperous 
 in War by the Conqueft of Harfleur, and the Vic- 
 tory at Jgincourt, and who now with continued 
 Succefles, was fubduing Normandy to the Engli/h 
 Dominion. That the chief Caufes of their Meeting 
 were to provide for the keeping of the Peace at home, 
 and due Obfervation of the Laws j to make Provi- 
 fion for the Support of the War, and to take Care 
 for the Defence of the Marches of Scotland. That in 
 all thefe Things it would become them viriliter a- 
 gere, to adl ftrenuoufly ; which, if they did, he then 
 allured them of Honour and Glory ; confidering, 
 Renumeratio Virtutum ejl Honor.'' He concluded, as 
 ufual, with defiring the Commons fo chufe their 
 Speaker, and prefent him next Day to the Duke Re- 
 gent. Accordingly on the third Day of their Sitting, Roger Flower, 
 Roger Flower Efq; was, again, elected ; who, with Efc H a g a 'nchofer» 
 the common Proteftation, was allowed. And, as a s P eaker - 
 Teftimony of their hearty Attachment to the King's 
 Intereft, and Zeal for the War, the Commons with the 
 Aflent of the Bifhops and Lords, granted to his Ma- a Subfidy 
 jelly a Tenth, and one Fifteenth (g). & ranted - 
 
 We 
 
 (g) Sed Pecunia imprimis imperatur, quo Sumptui in Copias fuo Tem- 
 pore fiant \ tiempe nullus erat, cut id Bellum von maxime Cordi ej/et, 
 videreturque tarn utile quam opportunum, 
 
 Pot. Vers, Lib. XXII. P. 449.
 
 King Henry V. 
 
 Proceedings a- 
 gainft Sir John 
 Oldcaftle, Lord 
 Cobham. 
 
 1 36 The Tarliamentary History 
 
 We fhall conclude the Tranfaclions of this Parlia- 
 ment with an Affair of an extraordinary Nature, which 
 came before the Lords j and firft give what the Record 
 relates about it. 
 
 4 On Tuefday the Eighteenth of December, and the 
 
 * Twenty-ninth Day of this Parliament, Sir John Old- 
 ' cajlle^ of Cowling in the County of Kent, Knight, 
 ' being outlawed upon Treafon in the King's- Bench, 
 f and excommunicated by the Archbifhop of Canier- 
 ' bury, for Herefies, was brought before the Lords ; 
 ' and, having heard his faid Conviction, anfwered not 
 
 * thereto in Excufe : Upon which Record and Procefs 
 1 it was adjudged, that he ihould be taken as a Traitor 
 ' to the King and Realm j that he fhould be carried to 
 ' the Tower of London, and from thence drawn thro* 
 ' London to the new Gallows in Saint Gyles's, without 
 ' Temple-Bar, and there to be hanged, and burned hang- 
 ' ing.' The Record out of the King's Bench is at 
 large ; the EffecT: whereof is, ' That the faid Sir John 
 
 * Oldca/lle, and others, to the Number of twenty Men, 
 ? called Lollards, at Saint Giles's aforefaid, did confpire 
 
 * to fubvert the State of the Clergy, to kill the King, 
 
 * his Brothers, and other Nobles.' The Archbifhop 
 of Canterbury's Inftrument for his Excommunication, 
 is there alfo at large (h). 
 
 And a Motion being made, that the Lord Pewit 
 might have the Thanks of the Houfe, and the Reward 
 in the Proclamation mentioned, for apprehending of 
 Sir John Oldca/lle, Knight, the Heretick ; it palled in 
 the Affirmative. §hiid vultis mihidare, cries out Wil- 
 liam Prynne at this Paffage ; ' The Brother of Judas 
 ' craveth his Reward for betraying the Innocent \ 
 ' wherein it is not to be doubted but that his lighter 
 
 * Reward in this World was heavily revensed of 
 ' God (/').' 
 
 He 
 
 (h) Cotton's Abridgment, P. 553. Mr. Goodioin, the Writer of Henry 
 the Fifth's Life and Reign, in the Recital of the Contents of his 
 Fourth Book, F. 150, mentions the Trial of Sir John Oldcaftle Lord 
 Cobham, in Parliament, as an Article ; but gives not one Word of it in 
 the Chapter. 
 
 (i) Cotton, ibidem. 
 
 The Price fet on Oldcaftle's Head, by the King's Proclamation, was 
 
 1 00a
 
 Of E N G L A N D. 157 
 
 He adds, • The Clergy at this their own Parliament , K ; ng Henry V. 
 
 * ceafe not to rage, and roar after Chriftian Blood, 
 
 * tanquam Leones rugientes ; and whofoever did the 
 
 * Fault, they cry crucify Chrijl y and deliver us Barra- 
 ' has ; for now all horrible Mifchiefs whatfoever were 
 
 * imputed to the poor Lollards.' 
 
 Thus far Sir Robert Cotton, and his Publifher. 
 
 What we have to add, relating to the Condemnation 
 of this great Man, by his Peers, is chiefly from Wal- „ 
 Jmgham ; who, tho' a Co-temporary Hiftorian, yet 
 being a Monaftic Writer, we may well fuppofe too 
 partial in the Recital (k). He fays, that, 
 
 When the Parliament was informed of Sir John 
 OldcaJlle\ being taken in Wales by the Lord Powis 9 
 they ordered him to be fent for up. He was brought ' 
 to London in a Horfe-Litter, having been much wound- 
 ed in the Conflict, and placed before the Duke Regent 
 and the other Eftates of the Realm ; and the Indict- 
 ment drawn up againll him at the King's Bench, fome 
 Years before, for levying War agaihft the King, was 
 read in the Houfe. Being demanded what he could 
 alledge in Arreft of Judgment ; he ran out into a Dif- 
 courfe very foreign to the Purpofe, about God's Mer- 
 cies ; and that all mortal Men, who would be Fol- 
 lowers of God, ought to prefer Mercy above Judg- 
 ment ; and that Vengeance pertained only to the Lord, 
 and that his Servants ought not to intrench upon this 
 Prerogative of the Almighty. Thus he went on, fays 
 our Authority, talking widely from the Bufinefs, till, 
 at laft, the Chief Juftice defired the Regent to order 
 the Prifoner not to make them lofe any more Time, 
 but to anfwer directly to the Point. After fome Paufe 
 he told them, it was a fmall Thing for him to be 
 judged by them, or of Man's Judgment ; and then be- 
 gan again to ramble from the Queftion, when the 
 
 Chief 
 
 looo Marks ; with a Promife of perpetual Exemption from Taxes to 
 any Town that fhould fecnre him. F^d. Ang. Tom. IX. P. 89. 
 
 Walfmgham makes ufe of this Proclamation as an Inftance to fhew 
 how generally Wickliffc's Do£tri«e had arYecled the Minds of the People, f 
 
 that in fo long time there was not found any Man, whom (o great a 
 Reward could tempt to betray him. 
 
 (k) Walftng. Hypodig. Neujl. P. 590. See alfo J. Stoive's Cbrox. 
 P- 3SS-
 
 1 5 8 The ^Parliamentary History 
 
 Kin Henr v Chief Juftice once more interrupted him, and bid him 
 anfwer peremptorily, if he had any Thing to objedT a- 
 gainft the Legality of the Procefs ? To this he replied, 
 with a furprifing Boldnefs, that he had no Judge a- 
 mongji them, nor could acknowledge them as judges > as 
 long as his Sovereign Lord King Richard -was living in 
 Scotland. Upon this Anfwer, a Warrant was inftantly 
 figned for his Execution, and he was ordered to be 
 hanged and burnt. The firft Part of his Sentence was 
 for Treafon ; and the other for Herefy. Accordingly 
 he was executed on a Gallows, built on purpofe in 
 St. Giles's Fields, being hung by the Neck in a Chain 
 of Iron, and his Body, with the Gallows, confumed 
 to Afhes. 
 
 Though this unhappy Nobleman's Paternal Name 
 was Oldcajlle, yet by marrying the Lady Joan Grand- 
 Daughter to John Lord Cobham, and his Heir, he took 
 the Title of Lord Cobham. He was Sheriff of Here- 
 ford/hire, in the eighth Year of Henry IV. and as a 
 Peer had Summons to Parliament among the Barons 
 in the (k) eleventh, twelfth, and thirteenth of that 
 King's Reign, and in the firft Year of Henry V. He 
 had been honour'd by Henry the Fourth with a confi- 
 derable Command in thofe Troops, which in the 
 twelfth Year of his Reign was fent over to aflift the 
 Duke of Burgundy again ft the Duke of Orleans. 
 
 In feveral Parliaments (I) he had frequently reprefented 
 to three Kings fucceffively, viz. Richard the Second, 
 Henry the Fourth, and Henry the Fifth, the infufferable 
 Abufes committed by the Clergy. 
 
 In 1391, he made a Speech in Parliament againft the 
 Pope's Power, and againft the Removal of Caufes to 
 Heme to be tried there j. upon which an Aft pafs'd, 
 
 * That no Perfon fhould transfer his Suit to the Pope, 
 ' nor publifh any Excommunications from him, on 
 
 * Penalty of Confiscation of Goods, and perpetual 
 ' Imprisonment.' 
 
 In 1395, and in 1405, he had prefented to the Par- 
 • liament feveral Difcourfes, concerning a Reformation of 
 
 Diicipline and Manners in the Church. 
 
 (k) Dugdali'i Summons ta Parlismint, P. 381, 3, 5, 9. 
 (I) Bala: us de Script. Bri\an. 
 
 In
 
 Of E N G L A N D. i 59 
 
 In 1 395, he prefented a Book of his own Compo- King Henry v. 
 Jure to the Parliament, in which he difp'ay'd the cor- , 
 rupt Manners of the Priefts, and annex'd fomeVerfes to 
 expofe their" abominable Practices, and to excite the 
 Juftice of the Magiftrates to punifh them. 
 
 Many are the Difputes between the Proteftant and 
 Popifh Writers, about the Character of this Nobleman, 
 who was the firft Peer of England that fuffered for 
 Religion (m). The former crying him up as a Martyr 
 to Truth ; and the latter treating him with no better 
 Titles than an Enthufiaft, a Rebel, and ah Heretick. 
 Mr. Goodwin fays, ' He had all the Qualities of a brave 
 * and gallant Gentleman, and was equally illuftrious 
 1 in Arts and Arms : ' But, if what Walfingham relates 
 of his Behaviour at his Execution be true, that when 
 many Perfons of Quality attended there, the hit Words 
 he fpoke was to Sir Thomas Erpingham, adjuring him, 
 that if he Jaw him rife from the Dead again, on the 
 third Day, he would procure that his Seel might live in 
 Peace and ^uietnefs (n) ; We can look upon him, in 
 this latter Part of his Life, as little better than an 
 Enthufiaft. 
 
 In this Seflion the Letters Patent made for the Bifhop 
 of IVinchejler, for one and twenty Marks to be levy'd 
 out of she Cuftoms of all Staple Wares fent from South- 
 hampton, to fatisfy the Sum which he had lent the King 
 for the War, were confirm'd by this Parliament. 
 
 A grievous Complaint being made of Infurrections, 
 of which the Lollards were fufpected to be the Authors 
 and Abettors, and a Petition being prefented that Com- 
 miflion at all times might be granted to enquire after 
 them ; Anfwer was given, * That the Statutes provided 
 ' in that Cafe fhould be executed.' 
 
 There was alfo a Motion offer'd, that no Collector 
 for the Clergy fhould be appointed out of his Deanry : 
 To which this Anfwer was retum'd, that the Clergy 
 fhould appoint their Collectors. 
 
 The 
 
 (») Foxe's ABs andMonum. P. 740, to 774. State Trials, Vol. I. 
 Collier's Ecc. Hijl. P. 647, &c. 
 
 (ri) Adjurans eum, ut fi cerxeret eum refurgcrc Die ttrtia, Pacem fro- . 
 curark Scffa June, Walfingham 400,
 
 1 60 The Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry v. The next Year was wholly taken up with the gal- 
 The King's ^ ant Actions and Conquefts in Normandy and France, 
 great Succefs in performed by our young Englijb Alexander ; and con- 
 Frauce. eluded with the taking of the large and ftrong City of 
 
 Roan, the Capital of Normandy ; after which, the reft 
 of the Towns, yet untaken, in that Province, eaiily 
 fubmitted themfelves to the victorious King. It was 
 not till the Year 141 9, that we meet with another 
 Parliament, called in England, by the fame Authority 
 as the former ; for Writs of Summons were iflued out, 
 in the Regent's Name, dated Jug. 24, for a Parliament 
 to meet at Wejlminjler, on the 16th of October fol- 
 lowing. 
 AnnoRe 6 ni7. On the fame Day the Bifhop of Durham, Lord 
 I 4 I 9> Chancellor, declared the Caufe of the Summons, before 
 At Weftmmfter. the Re g. ent and ,j )e other Eftates of lhe Kingdom, and 
 
 faid, * That the King's Subjects had great Reafon to 
 
 * revere him, and pray for his Welfare ; fince x as he 
 
 * could not obtain that Peace, which he fo often' fought 
 ' for, he had begun and carried on War, Timore Dei, 
 
 * which, being Principium Sapientia, the Effects of it 
 1 were evidently (hewn, by the many Victories he had 
 ' gained with Honour:' All which he took care, par- 
 ticularly, to enumerate. For his Theme he took thefe 
 Words, Bonum facientes non deficiamus ; and from 
 thence told them, ' That his Majefty was in good 
 ■ Health and Spirits, that he delired his Subjects would 
 ' be careful to obferve the Laws, and provide for the 
 4 Defence of the Realm ; and, confidcring, that this 
 4 Enterpr.ze fo well begun could not be now left off 
 
 * without imminent Danger, he expected new Provi- 
 
 * lions to be made, that he might end the War to his 
 
 * own Honour and their Advantage.' 
 
 After the Receivers and Triers of Petitions, for 
 
 England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland, with Gafcoigny, 
 
 and the other foreign Dominions, were appointed ; 
 
 Roger Flower, the Commons prefented Roger Flower, Eiq; once more, 
 
 Efq; a third as their Speaker ; and, on November the 13th, they, 
 
 Time ch&fen v/ j m fa Bjfoops and Lords, granted to his Majefty 
 
 Speaker. one pffi ge9 £ anc ] one Xtnth t and one half Part of them 
 
 both. 
 
 Th*
 
 Of 
 
 ENGLAND. 161 
 
 The like Order was taken for the Payment of King Kenry V. 
 fuch who Should lend Money to the King, as had been 
 obferv'd in the fourth Year of his Reign. There were 
 twenty-three Lords, whole Names are in the Roll, A oan# 
 who made their Subfcription. 
 
 It was alfo enacted, * That the Lords of the Coun- 
 ' ell fhould have Power to eftablifh Orders touching 
 
 * the Coin.' 
 
 And for the keeping the Money within the Nation, 
 if was enabled, ' That all Neceflaries fhould be bought 
 
 * at Home for the King's Soldiers, and fent to them ; 
 
 * and alfo that certain Wools fhould be bought, and 
 1 "fent into Normandy, notwithstanding any Statute for 
 
 * the Staple made to the contrary.' 
 
 The Queen Dowager's Confeflbr having accufed her 
 for, conspiring the Death of the King, it was ordained 
 4 That all the Lands and Goods of Roger Doller and 
 c Petromel Brocart, her Sureties, mould be feized, and 
 ' paid to the King ; and Sufficient Warrant- was pro- 
 
 * vided for all who mould pay the SamefV)-' 
 
 In the Year 1420, and the 8th of this King, the Hen ma . 
 French War was brought to a Conclufion, by a Mar- Catherine^T 
 riage between the Princefs Catherine of France, and France 
 Henry King of England ; whereby Henry was declared 
 Regent and Heir-Apparent to the Crown of France. 
 In the Abridgment cf Records, there is a Lift of the 
 Peers fummoned to a Parliament to be held at Wejl- 
 mlnjhr on the Second Day of March this Year ; but 
 no farther Account is given of it. But the Statute- 
 B 00k s tell us, that a Parliament met on the Second 
 Day of December in the 8th of this King; and that 
 in this Seffion a remarkable Statute was made, occafion- Anno Re g ni 8. 
 ed by the Peace then concluded between the two At .^^ nfteri 
 Kings; whereby it was enacted, that, ' Whereas the 
 t&- Government of France was devolved on King Henry, 
 1 which would require his frequent Abience from Eng~ 
 ' land; therefore, if a Parliament fhould be fummoned 
 
 * by the Writs of the King's Lieutenant, and the 
 
 * King arrive foon after thefe Writs were i Slued out 
 ' of Chancery-, yet that Parliament Should not be dif- 
 
 Vol. II. L ' folved. 
 
 (») For an Account of Queen Joan\ Confpiraty, fee Goodwin's HU 
 ftory of Henry the Fifth.
 
 1 6 a The- Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry V. * folved, nor new Summons made, but that it mould 
 
 * meet by vertue of the former (o).' 
 
 Another Act was pafied, by which all foreign Mer- 
 chants, buying Wool in England, to tranfport into o- 
 ther Parts, were obliged to pay into the Mint of. the 
 Tower an Ounce of Gold Bullion ; and for three 
 Pieces of Tin the fame, or the equal Value in Silver 
 Bullion, upon Penalty of Forfeiture of their Goods. 
 
 The next Year King Henry, covered with Laurels, 
 
 returned to England, and found the Nation flourifhing 
 
 and profperous, under the Government of Humphrey 
 
 Duke of Gkucejler, his Brother ; who had fucceeded 
 
 Jehu Duke of Bedford in the Regency, and managed 
 
 Anno Regni 9. all Affairs with equal Wifdom and Succefs. In May 
 
 AtWcftmbfter X + 2I » the King met his Parliament at IVeftmlnfler, 
 
 'and, with his own Mouth, reprefented to them the 
 
 State of Affairs, * What Conquefts he had made in 
 
 * France, and what Supplies were necellary to continue 
 ' the War. That the Dauphin, and his Party, who 
 ' maintained fome Cities and Provinces againtt him, 
 ' being fubdued, that Kingdom might be entirely an- 
 
 * nexed to the Englijh Crown (p).' The Commons 
 A Subfidy agreed to give him a Fifteenth ; tho' a Petition was 
 
 prefented, filled with fad Complaints of the People's 
 Poverty, and intolerable Burden of the War, and that 
 even his Conqueft of France would prove the Ruin of 
 England. This was done by fome Perfons, fays an 
 Hiftorian, who, more affecting their own private In- 
 tereft, than the Profperity of their Country, regretted 
 to part with any Money to advance the Greatneis and 
 Honour of the Government (a). 
 Eut fome difcon- However, this Hint is fufficient to fhew, that tho' 
 tented at it. the King had gained Victories and made great Acqui- 
 sitions Abroad, yet there were fome of his Subjects at 
 Home, who thought them too dear bought, by the 
 many Taxations which had been impofed for their 
 Support of a War not likely, in the End, to prove 
 beneficial to the Englifh Nation. M. Rcpin remarks, 
 that to gain the before- named Subfidy, the King had 
 
 laid 
 
 (p) Stat, at large, An. 8. Hen. V. Cap. 1, i. 
 (p) Hollingshead'j Chrorr. 580. 
 \q) WalsinohaMj Pt4?4.
 
 Of ENGLAND. \6$ 
 
 laid before the Parliament a State of the Revenues and King Henry V. 
 Expences of the Crown (r). By this Account, a 
 Fragment whereof is inferted in the Collection of Pub- 
 lic Jcls, it appears that the King's annual Revenues, at 
 this Time, amounted but to Fifty five Thoufand feven 
 Hundred and forty three Pounds Sterling j and that the 
 ordinary Expences ran away with Fifty two Thoufand 
 two hundred and thirty five Pounds j fo that there re- 
 mained but three Thoufand five hundred and Eight 
 Pounds, to provide for at leaft a Dozen extraordinary 
 Articles mentioned in the Account (s). One half of 
 France was ftill unconquered, and the Provinces fub- 
 ject to the Englljb fo drained, that there was no Prof- 
 peel: of drawing from thence the neceflary Supplies for 
 continuing the War* for which Reafon the Burden 
 was ftill to fall upon England. Wherefore the above- 
 named Petition rauft have been very difagreeable to the 
 King ; by which it appeared that the Parliament grew 
 weary of furnifhing Money at this Juncture too, when 
 it was more neceflary than ever, by Reafon of a Diver- # 
 fion the Kingdom was then threatned with from the 
 Scots. An ancient Chronicle relates, that, to relieve 
 the King in this Exigency, his Uncle, the rich Bifhop 
 of PFinchefter, lent him another 20,000 1. on the Subfidy, 
 left the Commons fhould be called upon too foon 
 for the Money (t). But it does not add, that the Pre- 
 late was wary enough to take the Crown in Pawn for 
 his Loan ; and this is fettled as the real worth of it at that 
 Time (u). Though it is fcarce the Value of one of the 
 Jewels belonging to the Crown of England at this Day. 
 During this Seffion, there was a Convocation of the 
 Cle%Jf at St. Pauls, who gave the King a Tenth on 
 thefe Conditions, * That the Purveyors of his Majefty's 
 
 * Houfhold fhould not meddle with the Goods or Pof- 
 ' feffions of the Clergy. That if any of that Body were 
 ' accus'd of a Capital Crime in the King's Courts of 
 
 * Judicature, they might upon Bail be freed from Im« 
 
 * prifonment ; and that all cajlrated Pr lefts mould be 
 6 proceeded againft in Law as Felons.' 
 
 L 2 But 
 
 (r) Hift. ofEng. Fol. Ed. P. 527. 
 (j) Feed. Ang. Tom. X. P. 113. 
 \t) Fabian- tCbron. Fol.CLXXVII. 
 \u) Feed. Ang. Tom. X. P. 190.
 
 1 64 The Yar'i'ianieutary History 
 
 King Henry' v. ' But tho' the Parliament was fo backward in giving 
 Money towards carrying on the War, yet the very 
 next Thing they went upon, was to declare their Ap- 
 probation of the Peace concluded at Troyes, between 
 King Henry' and the King of France,' to give their 
 Confents, and promife to obferve it. And fince that 
 Peace had, not only been fworn to, and ratified by the 
 . two Kings, but, alfo, by the three Eftates of France ; 
 
 France? 'the Lords and Commons of England would have it 
 
 confirm'd, in the fame folemn Manner, in Parliament. 
 Whereupon Thomas Langley Bifhop of Durham, Lord 
 Chancellor, having, by the King's Order, read the 
 Articles of it, both Houfes of Parliament avowed, that 
 they approved and accepted it, as molt conducive to 
 the Good of both Nations, and of all Chrijlendom ; and 
 every one promifed for himfelf, his Heirs and Succef- 
 fois, that they would inviolably obferve it (x). 
 
 During the fitting of this Parliament, Catherine 
 Princefs of France, whom Henry had married fome 
 Time before, and was the itrongeft Cement to this 
 Peace, was crowned at IVej'tmhiJler with the greateft 
 Solemnity (y). 
 
 The moft remarkable Act made in this Seflion, was 
 one, by which it wasordain'd, ' That whereasWafhers, 
 Clippers and Counterfeits of the Money had debas'd 
 
 Aas pafsM ntK j fpcii'd t he Coin ; none mould receive any Gold, 
 but by the King's Weights appointed for that Purpofe; 
 and that the Gold which was not of due Weight, nor 
 of right Alloy, mould be fent to the Mint to be new 
 • coin'd, the King at his own Charge making up the 
 Deficiencies.' 
 
 It was alfo enaded, ' That every third Benefice, the 
 Pfefentation of which belong'd to the Prelates and Mo- 
 nnfteries, fhould be confer'd on fome Scholar of -Ox- 
 ford or Cambridge? An excellent Method for the 
 Advancement and Encouragement of Learning. 
 
 Whilft 
 
 (x) In the Collection of fubllc Acls, is a Ccpy of the King's Letters 
 of Exemplification, under the Broad Seal, teftifying the Parliament's 
 Approbation of the Peace, and enrolling a public, Inftrument of the 
 fame. Dated at Canterbury, June 1, 14ZI. Fccd.'AnG. Tern. X. 
 P. 125. 
 
 And the Inftrument itfejf is 'published in the fame Tome, P, iio. 
 
 (y) Pdyd.Vcrg. P. 45 $.
 
 Of ENGLA N D. 165 
 
 WhiJft Henry was advancing his Conquefts againft the King Henry V. 
 Dauphin in France, his Brother, the Duke of Bedford^ ad- 
 rniniftred the Regency in England, with great Wifdom 
 and Fidelity. This Governour thought fit to call a Anno Regni g> 
 Parliament, which met at Weflminfler on the firft of . i 42 i. 
 December, in the fame Year as the former. The Bi- At Weftminfter. 
 fhop of Durham opened the Sellion wiih a formal . 
 Speech, or rather a Sermon, of little or no Significa'ncy ; 
 except, that in the Conclufion he told them, \ They 
 ought to eftablifh good Laws, and defend the Frontiers 
 of their Country with manly Courage.' 
 
 On the third Day of their fitting the Commons pre-^.fUchard Baynard 
 fen ted Richard Baynard Efq; to the Regent for their Efq; chofen 
 Speaker ; and the fame Day, with the Confent of the s & ,eaker< 
 other Houfe, they granted the King one Tenth, and enc 
 Fifteenth^ to be levied on the Laity; but with this A Subfldy ' 
 Condition, fays Watftngham, that the firft half of it 
 fhould be paid in the. Money then current. It was 
 alfo, ordained, That all fuch Money, with other, 
 fhould pafs till March 25, if it was not notorioufly 
 clipp'd and wafh'd (z). The Gold Coin had been lei- 
 fened in the Value, by clipping and warning; therefore 
 the Parliament ordained, for the Relief of the People, 
 that the Receivers of the Tax fhould take all fuch light 
 Pieces, if they did not want in Weight more than 
 Twelve-pence in the Noble; or, if they did, thofe a& for Reguht- 
 who paid them were to make up the Defect. The ing the Coin. 
 People therefore put off their Gold as faft as they 
 could, and hoarded up their Silver (tf). By which the 
 King, tho' then under Neceflities for Money, was 
 contented to lofe almott Three Shillings in the Pound, 
 for the Benefit of the People. 
 
 Several more Statutes were made this Seilion of Par- 
 liament, relating to the Coinage ; the Heads of which 
 are as follow : 
 
 ' That all the Statutes un-repealed concerning the good 
 and lawful Management of Gold and Silver mould be 
 ftri&ly obferved and executed.' 
 
 * That the King fhould appoint his Exchanges of 
 L 3 the 
 
 (z,) IJiJi. Aug. P, 4.06- Nee Tonfione -vel Loticne enormittr dmlr.ut'um, 
 Thjs ihews that the Cuftom of clipping and waihing Money is ancient. 
 
 (a) WaOikm am, Ibidem. Fabian's Chrcu. For. CI.XXVIU. 
 /%•*:'?/ in Kennet, [». 3^5.
 
 1 66 The Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry V. i ne Money of Gold and Silver in the City of London^ 
 and other Towns, to be kept in open Places in High 
 Streets, for the Eafe of the People ; and that all who 
 came to the Tower of London to have Money new 
 coin'd, mould have it deliver'd to them within eight 
 Days, according to the Value of what they brought, 
 paying for the Coinage of Gold at the Rate of five 
 Shillings in the Pound ; and for coining a Pound of 
 Silver, fifteen Pence: And that fuch who would not 
 bring their Money to the Tower, but deliver'd it into 
 the King's Exchanges, mould pay a Penny in the 
 Noble, and fo proportionably.' 
 
 Another was, ■ To oblige all the Mafters and 
 Workers in the Mint, to make due and prompt Pay- 
 ment of the new Money, either by Weight or Number, 
 to all who brought in their old ; and that if there was 
 any Default in the new Money, either as to Weight 
 or Alloy, the Mafters of the Mint mould prefently 
 change it, and melt it down.' 
 
 Alfo it was enacted, * That the Wardens, Survey- 
 ors, and Minifters of the Exchanges out of the Tower, 
 mould not divert the Gold and Silver received by them, 
 to any other Ufe j but mould be oblig'd to bring it to 
 the Mint to be coin'd, that there might be the fuller 
 Circulation of Money thro' the Kingdom.' 
 
 A Mint was alfo eftablifh'd at Calais, in the fame 
 Manner as at the Tower. 
 
 And it was likewife ordain'd, * That the new-coin'd 
 Money mould be of as good Alloy and Weight as the 
 old.' 
 
 Alfo, c That the Chancellor of England fhould de- 
 liver to thofe who would have them, good and juft 
 Weights of the Noble, half Noble, and Farthing of 
 Gold, to prevent the People's being abus'd by fuch as 
 were counterfeit.' 
 
 The Sheriffs and Juftices of Peace were alfo requir'd 
 to make a Search after all Falfifiers of Weights, and to 
 keep them in Prifon till they had made Fine and Ran- 
 icm at their Difcretion 
 
 An Act having been paffed Anno 14, Richard II. 
 wherein it was ordain'd, * That for every Exchange 
 made by Merchants in the Court of Rome, or in other 
 
 Parts,
 
 O/ENGLAND. 167 
 
 Parts, they fhould be bound to buy within three Months K>ng Henry V. 
 following, Merchandizes of the Staple, to the Value of 
 the Sum lb exchang'd, upon Forfeiture of the fame: 
 And whereas the Merchants had reprefented to the Par- 
 liament, that the Time allotted was too fhort to buy 
 fuch Merchandizes, and (hip them, and that in Default 
 of Exchanges, the Money of the Nation would be car- 
 ried beyond Sea.' 
 
 It was therefore enaded, c That all Merchants, who 
 fhould make fuch Exchanges, fhould be bound personal- 
 ly in the Chancery by Recognizance to buy within 
 nine Months following the Merchandizes and Com- 
 modities afore fa id.' 
 
 As the Parliament granted the King a Tenth, and 
 Fifteenth, fo a Convocation, which had met at York, 
 Sept. 22. foregoing, gave him a Tenth ; and the Duke 
 of Bedford requir'd the Archbifhcp, by an Order dated 
 Ocl. 27. to appoint fome of his Clergy to be ihe Col- 
 lectors, and to return their Names into the Exchequer 
 before Eajler. 
 
 This was the laft Parliament called in the Reign of 
 Henry the Fifth, who died of a Dyfentery, Augujl 31, 
 1422, VitV:ncennes in France and in the tenth of his Tiie Deat f, of 
 Reign (b). In the midft of his Conquefts, and in the Henry the Fifth. 
 Zenith of his Age was this great King fnatched away ; 
 leaving one Son to fucceed him, an Infant fcarce nine 
 Months old. 
 
 The glorious Reign of this Prince has furnifh'd all 
 out general Hiftorians, with Abundance of Matter for 
 railing the moft finifh'd and exahed Character. But 
 though his victorious Sword cut them out Work enough 
 to follow ; yet thefe Enquiries, under a civil Capacity, 
 have not been much enriched thereby. Fr>r llenry 
 Jftricllv puriued his Father's laft Advice to him ; and 
 by amufing his Subjects with this foreign War, kept 
 them all quiet and peaceable at Home. By thefe Means 
 his Title to the Crown was never once called in Que- 
 ftion all his Reign ; and as long as either England or 
 France remain, or any Memoirs continue in either of 
 L 4 them, 
 
 (r; There is an Inftrument in the Public J8s, dated Tefle Rege apvd 
 ■Ccjhutii di Soft dt V'mccn. XXX. Die Augvjii, which was the Day be» 
 i;r:hcJko. Fxd.Ar.g. Tom. X. P. Z51.
 
 1 68 Tloe Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry V. them, his Virtues and brave A&ions will be revered, 
 and celebrated, as the Glory of the one and the Terror 
 of the other. To clofe up this poor and imperfect 
 Sketch of this great Prince's Character, we {hall only 
 add, what a co-temporary monaftic Chronicle has left 
 us of it. It is there faid, that Henry the Fifth, at his 
 coming to the Crown, made it one of his firft Acts to 
 convey King Richard's Body, from Lang ley , where it had 
 been ignobly interred, to Weflminjier ; and depofited it 
 near the Tomb of S. Edward, King and ConfefTor. 
 This was done, according to the Piety of thofe Times, 
 to make fotne Attonement for the Cruelties exercifed 
 againft Richard, as his Deposition and Sentence of per- 
 petual Imprifonment, which this King Henry by no 
 means approved of ; and all thofe who had been in- 
 ftrumental in his Death, he looked upon as guilty of 
 High Treafon (a-). 
 
 Taxes in this King's Reign. 
 
 In his firft Year he had the like Subfidy on Staple- 
 Taxes g?nt:d in Ware, Tunnage and Poundage for four Years, as had 
 his Reign j b een given to his Father in the thirteenth Year of his 
 Reign. 
 
 In his fecond Year an Act was pafs'd, whereby the 
 Priories Alien, who depended on fome Capital Abbies 
 in Normandy, that received the Profits' of them, mould 
 be veiled in the King for carrying on a War againft 
 France. 
 
 The fame Year the Parliament granted him two 
 whole Tenths, and two whole Fifteenths, to be levied 
 on the Laity. 
 
 In his third Year no Tax was afk'd or granted. 
 
 In his fourth Year, he had two whole Tenths 
 and two Fifteenths to be levied on the Laity ; the 
 Clergy, alfo, granted two Tenths on their own Bod v. 
 But this being not fufficient, he was oblig'd to pawn his 
 Crown and Jewels to carry on the French War. 
 
 In his fifth Year he had one Tenth and one Fif- 
 teenth. 
 
 His 
 
 (x) Qui quidem Regis Richardi Depofitionem, ac ejus perpetuam Jn~ 
 carcerationem, nullatenus approbans ; fed omnes qui Caufa ejus Mortis ex* 
 titcranty Proditionis reos fore disjudkans. 
 
 Hift. Croylandenfis Continuatio, ad An. 1414.
 
 Of E N G L A N D. i6 9 
 
 His fixth Year was wholly fpent on the Conqueft of King Henry v. 
 Frame. But, 
 
 In his feventhYear the Parliament granted. to his 
 Majefty one Fifteenth and one Tenth, and one half 
 Part of them both. 
 
 In his eighth Year he had one Tenth and one Fif- 
 teenth. 
 
 Our Hiftorians are very deficient in noting the 
 Prices of Provfions in this Reign ; their Pens are fo And Value of 
 employed in defcribing the glorious Vidories of this Money * 
 Englijh Hero, that they feem almofl to have forgot 
 Domeftick Affairs. Fabian's, Chronicle however tells 
 us, That, in the Year 141 6, Wheat was fo dear as to 
 be fold for 16 *. a Quarter : And that in 1422, it fold 
 for 8 s. and Malt at 5 s. A Ram fold alfo for 8 d. 
 
 HENRT
 
 170 The Parliamentary History 
 
 H 
 
 r E NRT the Sixth was an Infant of about nine 
 Months old when he began his Reign. Some Au- 
 thors affirm, that he was proclaimed King of all his 
 Dominions, both at London and Paris ; but he could 
 TheAcceffionofnot then be fo proclaimed King of France, becaufe 
 
 «ng Henry VJ. Char j e$ the S } xth was fti j, 1Jving ^ am j by the Treaty f 
 
 Troyes, the King of England was not to be ftiled King 
 of France till after Charles's Death. But, that happen- 
 ing very foon after, for he died within lefs than two 
 Months of King Henry V. the Infant King was pro- 
 claimed King of France and England, in Paris ; and 
 in the other Parts of France, by the Name of Henry 
 the Second in that Kingdom, tho' the Sixth in England. 
 John Duke of Bedford, the young King's Uncle, was 
 conftituted Regent of France ; and after the Deith of 
 Charles, who was the ftrongeft Support to the EngUJh 
 Intereft in that Kingdom, had work enough upon his 
 Hands to defend what they had got from the Efforts of 
 the Dauphin of France, who caufed himfelf, alfo, to 
 be crown'd King at Poicliers. 
 
 Whilft thefe Affairs were in various Agitations a- 
 
 Anno Regni 1 broad, the fame Year, Anno 14.22, Writs of Summons 
 
 1422. ' ' were iflued out, in the young King's Name, dated Sep- 
 
 At wertmimter. umber 29, for a Parliament to meet on the Monday 
 
 next after the Feaft of St. Martin, at Wefinvnfter. 
 
 And, on the fame Diy before any other Bufinefs was 
 
 begun ; a Commiffion directed to Humphrey Duke of 
 
 Glocejler, the King's Uncle, empowering him to begin 
 
 the Parliament, was read, in the Prefence of the faid 
 
 Duke, fitting in the Painted Chamber, and before the 
 
 Lords and Commons aflembled (a). 
 
 After 
 
 (a) The Commiffion itfelf, being one of the fisft Acls of Stat? done 
 by this Infant King, may not be incurious to the Reader. 
 
 Henricus, Dei Gratia, Rex Angliae, & Franciae, & Doiniiius II;- 
 • berniae, omnibus ad qr/os, &c. Salutem, 
 
 Sciatis quod, cum, de A'vijamento Concilii nojlri, pro quibufdam arduis 
 & urgentibus Negotiis, Nos, Staium & Dcfenjionem Rcgr.i nbjhi Anglix, 
 acEccleJia? Anglican*?, contingentibus, quoddam Parli amentum nofirmr., apud 
 Weftmonafterium, DicLur.a, proximo ante Fefium Sancli Martini,' pro- 
 ximo futurum, tencri ordinavaimus. Et quia mero, propter certa? 
 • Can fas, ad Parliamtntum prtcdicfum, perfonaliter, non poterimus inter- 
 effe ; ac de Circumfpc&ione & Induflria, carijfimi Auuneuli noflri, Hum- 
 fredi Ducis Glcuceftrise pkuam FiJuciam reportaittcs 5 tidttit Jkmncufo 
 
 M fi i.
 
 0/ ENGL AND. 171 
 
 After which Henry Cbichehy, Archbimop of Canter- King Henry vi. 
 bury, by Command of the faid Duke, the King's Com- 
 miffioner, declared the Caufe of calling the faid Parlia- 
 ment, and took for his Theme, Principes Pcpulorutn 
 tongregati funt cum Deo, 
 
 In difcourfing on which Words he introduced many- 
 notable Examples and Apothegms ; and, amongft them 
 obferved, * That God of his great Mercy had left llfue 
 
 * unto them of the moft victorious Prince Henry, be- 
 ' gotten of the Royal Blood of France, whereby the 
 ' fame Iflue was now become King of France. That, 
 ' as all Perfections were comprifed within the Number 
 
 * of Six, fince God had made all Things in fix Days, 
 
 * fo, his divine Majefty was to accomplifh the good 
 ' Beginnings of the famous fifth Henry, in the iixth 
 ' Henry his Son ; who, he added, would that all E- 
 ' ftates and Perfons mould enjoy their full Liberties.' 
 He then declared, * That, confidering the King's ten- 
 der Age, this Parliament was called for three Caufes; 
 ' the firft for the good Governance of the King's Per- 
 ' fon j the fecond for preferving the Peace, and laftly, 
 ' for the fure Defence of the Realm. But, that it 
 ' principally imported them to provide fome honoura- 
 
 * ble and difcreet Perfons for the Governance aforelaid, 
 
 * in which, they all ought to give their bed Advice. 
 4 He defired them, in this, to follow the Counfel, 
 "* which Jethro gave to Mofes in Exodus, viz. fuch as 
 
 * feared God, wife, religious, haling Covefoufnefs, 
 
 * puiiTant, &c.' And then concluded with defiring 
 the Commons to chufe a Speaker, and prefent him 
 next Day to the Duke. 
 
 Receivers 
 
 tto/lro, incboandnm, & in eo procedendum, & ad faciendum omnia & 
 Jingula, qua pro Nobis, & per Nos, pro bono Rcgimine & Gubernatione 
 Regni nofiri pradicli, ac aliorum Dominiorum nofirorum, cidcm Regno 
 nojlro pertinentium, ibidem fuerint facienda. Nee non ad Parliamentum 
 illud finiendum & dijfolvendum, de AJJcnfu Confilii no/iri, phtiam, tenore 
 
 Prafentium, committimus Potejlatem. DanteS ulterius, de AJfenfu 
 
 ejufdem Concilii nofiri , tarn uni-verjis & fingulis Arcbicpijcopis, Epifcopis, 
 Abbatibus, Prioribus, Ducibus, Comitibus, Baronibus, & Militibus, qudm 
 omnibus aliis quorum interefl, ad Parliamentum nofimm pradieJum conven- 
 turis, Jimiliter Tenore Prafentium, firmitcr in Mandatis, quod cidcm A- 
 •vuncu/o nojlro intendant in Pramijftt, in Forma fupradicla. In ct.jus, five. 
 Tefie Rege apud Weftmonafterium fexto Die Novembris, per Breve de 
 privato Sigillo, Feed. Ang. Tom, X. P. zy t .
 
 Roger Flower, 
 
 Ei'q; a fourth 
 Time chofen 
 Speaker. 
 
 1 72 The Tarliamentafy History 
 
 KingKemyVl. Receivers and Tryers of Petitions, being appointed 
 far England,. Ireland, Wales, and Scotland, with Gaf- 
 coigny, other foreign Parts, and the Iiles ; on Tuejday 
 being the fecond Day of the Parliament, the Commons 
 prefented Roger Flower, Efq; to the Duke and Lords 
 for their Speaker i who, with the ufual Proteftatio^ 
 was allowed. 
 
 The two Bifhops of Durham and London, the for- 
 mer having been Chancellor of England in the late 
 Reign, and the other Chancellor of the Dutchy of 
 Normandy, who had both delivered the feveral Seals 
 of their Offices to the Duke of Glocejier, prayed to be 
 difcharged by Acl of Parliament, and that the fame 
 might be enrolled , which was granted. It was then, 
 alfo, enabled, That the King's Stile and Titles fhould 
 be changed, and that upon all his Seals fhould be en- 
 graven this Motto, Henricus Rex Francia, & Anglia, 
 & Dominus Hibernia. 
 
 At the Requeft of the Commons, the Duke of Glo- 
 cefler declared to them, that the King had appointed 
 the Bilhop of Durham to be his Chancellor ; William 
 Rindrofe, Trcafurer of England ; and, 'John Stafford, 
 to be Keeper of the Privy Seal ; for all which Offices 
 their Patents were made, and confirmed by Parlia- 
 ment. 
 
 The King, by his Letters-Patent, confirmed, alfo, 
 by Parliament, appointed John Duke of Bedford Pro- 
 tector and Defender of the Realm, and Church of Eng- 
 land, and Chief Counfellor to the King ; but becaufe 
 the faid Duke was then beyond the Seas, it was ena&ed, 
 ' That during his Abfehce Hupiphrcy Duke of Glo- 
 ' cejler fhould fupply the faid Office ; which laid Duke 
 ' tock upon him the Dignity aforefaid, under a Pro- 
 ' teiration that it -mould be no Prejudice to the Right 
 ' of his Brother (b)S And it was alfo enacted, *That 
 4 the Protestors fhall, during the King's Minority, 
 * difpofe or ail the Offices of the Forefts, Keepers of 
 
 ' Park?, 
 
 (b) The Inftrument for conftituting the Duke of Bedford Prote&or, 
 and in his Abfcnce the Duke of Glocejier, is, alfo, in the Publick Afts, 
 Tom- X. P. 261. 
 
 Rapin fay, that this was a neceffary Expedient to perform the Je- 
 cesTed King's Will, who had appointed Dvike Humphrey Protcdror, 
 without delegating ficm the elder Brother's Plights, lei Ed, P. 336. 
 
 A Protector 
 appointed.
 
 Of E N G L A N D. 173 
 
 * Parks and Warrens •, and that all Benefices in the King HcmyVi. 
 
 * King's Gift, being above the Value of twenty Marks, 
 
 * mould continue in their Difpofal during their Lives.' 
 And it is likewife faid, that the Protedtoi's Salary was 
 
 fettled then at 8000 Marks a Year. The Parliament The Parliament 
 alio appointed Governors to take care of the King's ^ s e G ^ dians 
 Perfon and Education, who were Thomas . Beaufort x\ n ^ v ° nnz 
 Duke of Exeter, and Henry his Brother Rifhop of Win- 
 chcjler, both great Uncles to the King (<:). 
 
 And, it was then enadted, ' That all Eftates fhould 
 
 * have their Liberties confirmed, which have not been 
 ' revoked, without the Word Concedimus to be in any 
 ' of the faid Confirmations : And that all Writs, 
 
 * Commiffions and Dependants of the fame, made by 
 ' the King's Council, relating to this Parliament, be 
 ' confirmed by the Authority of the fame. 
 
 * And whereas the late King Henry V. conftituted 
 
 * and appointed Henry Lord Fitz-hugh, Walter Hun- 
 ' gerford r Walter Beauchamp, Lewis Robfart, William 
 ' Porter, Robert Babthorpe, John V/oodhofe, and John 
 ' Leventhorpe Efquires, Executors of his laft Will 
 « and Teftament, the King granteth, now, to them 
 ' 40,000 Marks for the Performance of the faid Will. 
 
 * Nineteen Marks due to the Executors of Henry IV. 
 
 * by Overfightof the Supervifors of the faid Will from 
 
 * the Duke of ' Gloce/ler, and other Lords there named' ; , 
 A Schedule thereto annexed, containeth the King's 
 Letters Patents for the faid Sum. 
 
 ' The Commons, with the Afl'ent of the Bifhops 
 « and Lords, grant to the King the fame Subfidy on A Sub %. 
 
 4 Woollen or Staple-Wares, Tunnage and Poundage 
 
 * as formerly, for two Years to come'. And it was, 
 
 alfo, enafted, « That all fuch Petitions as are not de-^^J,;, 
 ' termined in this Parliament, {hall be referred to the during the Mi-' 
 
 * King's Council to be concluded according to their norit y* 
 
 * Difcretion. Alfo, certain Bifhops, and Lords, and 
 ' others were then named to be Counfellors and Affi'f- 
 
 * tants to the Lord Proteftor in the Governance afore- 
 
 5 faid. And, that all Juftices of. Peace, Sheriff,, Ef- 
 ' cheators, Collectors of the Cuftoms, Comptrollers, 
 
 * Weighers, Searchers and other Officers be placed, or 
 
 ' uifplaceM 
 
 (c) Rain'n ■
 
 1 74 The Tarliamentary History 
 
 K.mg Henry VI. * difplaced, at their Determination. That thefe Coun- 
 8 feilors may have the Advantage of all manner of 
 1 Wards, Marriages, Farms, and other Cafualties of 
 ' the Crown. And that nothing be ordained in Coun- 
 
 * cil but by Six at the leaft, or more ; and, in all great 
 
 * Caufes, by all, or the greateft Part of them; and, 
 c when the King is to be conferred withal, that nothing 
 
 * be done without the Afl'ents of the Dukes of Bedford 
 
 * and Glocejler. That the Treafurer of England and 
 
 * the two Chamberlains of the Exchequer may have 
 
 * each of them a Key to the King's Receipt ; but that 
 ' they be fworn in Council, to make none privy thereto 
 
 * but the Members thereof. That the Clerks of the 
 ' Council be fworn to take down duly the Names of 
 ' fuch of the Councellors as attend, and to regifter truly 
 ' all their Ordinances'. All which Articles were en- 
 acted and confirmed by Parliament ; with a Proviib, 
 
 * That all fuch Officers, as held the fame for Life, or 
 
 * otherwife, may be allowed to appoint Deputies, any 
 
 * of thefe Articles notwithftanding'. 
 
 Thefe excellent Rules and Ordinances being ratified 
 in Parliament, all poffible Care was taken for the good 
 Several good Governance of the Realm, during the King's Minori- 
 a.vs pa s . t y^ -ph e other moft memorable Tranfictions of this 
 Parliament were, Firft, a Statute wasenadted S That all 
 ' fuch as were imprifoned in any of the King's Goals 
 ' for Herefy, or hollar dy, fhould be delivered to the Or- 
 
 * dinary to be punifhed'. 
 
 ' Upon two Petitions of Katherine Queen Dowager 
 
 ' of England, the King, in Performance of the League 
 
 ' made between the French King and Henry the 
 
 1 Fifth his Father, by two Letters Patents granted to 
 
 ' the faid Queen for her Dowry, fundry Manors, Cuf- 
 
 ' toms, and other Hereditaments in the Principalty of 
 
 ' Wales, and Dutchy of hantafier, there named, to 
 
 * the clear Yearly Value of 20,000 Marks ; all which 
 
 * Dowry and Letters Patents weie confirmed in Pailia- 
 ' ment with feveral Provifo's'. 
 
 ' Ann, Countefs of Stafford, Daughter and Heir of 
 ' Eleanor one of the Daughters and Heirs of Humplry 
 1 de Bohun late Earl of Hereford, Ejjex and Nwthamp- 
 1 ten, and Conftable of England, recited a Partition 
 
 made
 
 Of ENGLAND. 175 
 
 * made between Henry Fifth and her, of the faid Earl's King Henry vi. 
 
 * Inheritance, in the ninth of his Reign, at which 
 ' Time certain Knights Fees in Grofs were not divid- 
 
 * ed ; wherefore, She now prayeth Remedy for thofe, 
 
 * as well as concerning certain Members belonging to 
 
 * the Caftle of Brechnoch in Wales. Anfwer, The 
 
 * King's Council (hall have Power, by Authority of 
 ' Parliament, to fettle the fame'. 
 
 • Bartkolemw Gold-beater , Matter of the Mint, with- 
 ' in the Tower, requireth larger Commiffion, touching 
 
 * the Coinage and Exchange of Money, in the faid 
 ' Tower, although it be ordered by the King that no 
 
 * Minter mould hold the Exchange ; an Ordinance was 
 
 * made that the faid Mafter mould keep the Exchange 
 ' till the next Parliament, fo that he take not above 
 
 * Three-half- pence for the Exchange of a Noble.' 
 
 It was enacted, that ' Thomas Chancer, Chief Butler 
 
 * to the King, fhall hold the faid Office during his Life, 
 ' according to the Letters Patents made to his Father 
 « Gevffry Chaucer, and to himfeif by King Henry IV7 
 
 A Statute was made * That the King's Council 
 
 * might aflign Money to be coined in as many Places 
 
 * as they pleafed. — Another, That all the Statutes re- 
 
 * lating to Purveyors {hall be proclaimed, in every 
 ' County, four Times in a Year.— What Sort of Irijb- 
 
 * men, only, may come to dwell in England, 
 
 * That the Mafter of the Mint (hall lend to the Mint 
 ' to be coined, all the Gold and Silver that fhall come 
 
 * to his Hands by Exchange. A certain Allowance 
 ' fhall be made to thofe who were returned to ferve 
 
 * King Henry V. in his Wars out of the Gains of the 
 ' War (d). Thofe Jewels which King Henry V. did 
 ' mortgage, fhall he redeemed or forfeited, faving the 
 ' Jewels of the Crown (e). 
 
 The laft Thing that we find worth Notice, amongft 
 the Tranfaclions of this Parliament, is c That Humphry 
 
 * Duke of Glocejler had granted to him, by Authority 
 
 * of the faid Parliament, the Offices of Lord Great 
 
 * Chamberlain and Conftable of England with all the 
 
 * Profits 
 
 (d) Thefe are faid to be maimed or decrcpid Soldiers, called now Invalids, 
 
 (e) Statutes at large An, Primo Hzn. VJ. Cap. x, a, 3, 4, 5.
 
 1 7 6 The Parliamentary History 
 
 KingKemy vi. ' Profits thereunto belonging, to continue to bim dur- 
 * ing the King's Pleafure'. 
 
 The next Year another Parliament was called by 
 Writs, dated September 'the firit, returnable on the twen- 
 tieth Day of Oclcber following. It is remarkable, that a 
 much fmaller Number of Peers were fummoned to this 
 and thelaft Parliament, thanufually ; from whence we 
 conclude, that the greateft Part of the Engljjfj Nobility, • 
 at that Time, were engaged abroad, as Governors of 
 
 Anno Regni z. ^ ome conquered City, Town, or Fortrefs ; or other- 
 1423. wife witheld by fome important Poft in the ^rmy. • 
 
 At Weftminfter. a Lift of thofe called to this Meeting is as follows. 
 
 Humphry , Duke of Glo- William, Lord Bottreaux, 
 
 cejler, \ Thomas , Lord Dacre of 
 
 Henry, Earl of Northum- Gil/land, 
 
 berland, William, Lord Clinton, 
 
 Ralph, Earl of Wejlmore- William, Lord Harrivg- 
 
 land, ton, 
 
 Thomas, Lord De la Warr, Thomas, <Earl Marjhal, 
 William, Lord Ferrers of Edmond, Earl of "\ 
 
 Groly, March, f 
 
 Names of the John, Lord Welles,, Thomas, Duke ofExe-y ... 
 
 Peers. John, Lord Gray/lock, ter, \ 
 
 Reginald, Lord Grey of Richard, Earl of War- j 
 
 Ruthin, wick,, 
 
 John, Lord Latvmcr, Ja?nes, Lord Audley, 
 
 Richard, Lord Strange, Richard, Lord Cromwell, 
 Robert, Lord Poynings, Henry, LoidFitz-Hugh. 
 
 On the Day of the Meeting of this Parliament, a 
 Cornmiihon was again read to conftitute the Duke of 
 Glocejler Lord PrendentCg) ; and, by his Command, the 
 Bifhopcf Durham, Lord Chancellor, opened the Caufe- 
 of the Summons, under this Text, 
 
 Deufn timete, Regem honorificate. 
 On thefe Words he argued, ' That we ought to fear 
 * God, even, wiih a Child-like Fear; quoniam qui" 
 
 \ .timet 
 
 . : ' 
 
 (f) Thefe four are placed in both the Lifts after feveral of the Baronr. 
 Omitted in this JJftj James, Lord Berkeley. 
 
 (p-;''TheCc:r.m:;fiioni3in the P:tbl:ck Aih. dated atWtfn&Hpef, Oclebr- 
 J9. 'fom. X. P. 31c
 
 Of ENGLAND. 177 
 
 timet Deum, dil'git eum, et tunc illuminabitur Cor King Henry vi. 
 
 * ejus. -And that the 'King ought to be honoured, fince 
 now this Realm had attained their Wifh; which 
 was, that the King of England might alfo be King of 
 France. And fince this great Undertaking was brought 
 
 * about by the Labour and Conquefts of their prefent 
 ' King's Father, they ought to honour him equally for 
 ' it ; {cx'0?nnis Qui diligit eum qui genuit, ddigit eum 
 '. qui natus efi. 
 
 ' That all the Lords of the Council, appointed by the 
 ' laft Parliament for the Regency, and for the. due Ob- 
 ' fervalion of the Peace, 'during the King's Minority, 
 c w.erea-fiembled ; in order to take the Advice and Con- 
 4 Cent of Parliament, towards perfecting the fame.' 
 Then, he defired the Commons to chufe their Speaker 
 and prefent him to the Duke, the King's Commiffioner 
 in this Parliament.' 
 
 The Receivers and Tryers of Petitions being appoint- John Rufl'el Efqj 
 ed, the Commons prefented John Ruffe I £fq; as their chofen Speaker* 
 Speaker, who with the ufual Proteftation was allowed. 
 
 4 And whereas, John Lord Talbot of Fumival, be- 
 
 * ing the King's Lieutenant 6[ Ireland, had accufed 
 ' James Butler, Earl of Ormond, of certain Treafons ; 
 ' which 'Accufation was then depending before John 
 \ Duke of Bedford, Conftable of England, in his Mar- 
 
 * fhal's Court ; the King, to take up the Matter be- 
 
 * twixt them, doth, by AfTent of Parliament, utterly 
 
 * abjlifh the faid Accufation, and all Suits upon the 
 c fame.' The Accufations are particularly recited in 
 the Record. 
 
 A Committee of the Commons were appointed to 
 wait upon the Duke of Gloceffer, and to give him their 
 hearty Thanks for vouchsafing to communicate to them 
 the Treaty with the Scottijh Ambaflador, for the Delive- 
 ry and Marriage of James King of Scotland, which they 
 greatly approved of. 
 
 An Ordinance was made. 'That the Mint-Mafterin 
 
 * the Tower fliall keep the Exchange, allowed him by 
 ' the laft Parliament, duringthe King's Pleafure.' And* 
 it was enacted, at the Petition of the Northern Counties, 
 
 * That a Coinage fliould beat York, during the King's 
 *' Pleafure ; and that all Pcrfons do bring in their Gold, 
 
 Vol. II. M • there
 
 1 7 8 The ^Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry vi. * there to be new coined, which is not of full Weight. 
 
 Thefe are all the Acts and Ordinances, which the 
 Abridger has thought proper to take Notice of, made in 
 the Firft Seffion of this Parliament, which was adjourn- 
 ed the 17 th Day of December , on account of the ap-, 
 proaching Feltival, to the 15th of January following. 
 
 On the Day prefix'd being again afiembled, the firft 
 Thing worth Notice thar they went upon was, ' That 
 
 * on the Petition of the Executors of the laft Will of 
 ' .Henry IV. the King had by his Letters Patents affign- 
 
 * ed the Payment of 40,000 Marks to the Executors of 
 ' Henry V. to the End that the laft Executors mould 
 '■ pay the lirft, and, alio, difcharge the Will of Henry V. 
 
 * which Letters Patents were confirmed by Parlia- 
 ' ment. The faid Executors prayed, that they might 
 ' have the Jewels, Plate, and Goods of the laid King 
 
 * Henry V. to the Value of 40,000 Marks, which was 
 Orders relating to« granted. And that the faid Executors (hall have all the 
 l«cKbg' s ^ ' Wards, Marriages, Goods, Debts and Chattels, which 
 Deotj. * were the laid King's for the Payment of his Debts.' But 
 
 then it was enacted, < That the Executors of both the 
 ' late Kings fhall pay all their Debts ; as Well thole due 
 
 * by Talley as by Debentures'. At the fameTimean Act 
 was palled, ' To fee u re thofe Perfons who had only the 
 
 * late King's Jewels in Pawn, and that they mould not 
 
 * be obliged to deliver the fame 'till their Debts were paid. 
 ' And that the Bifhop of Winchejlcr, who lent the King 
 
 * 20,000 Marks en the Crown, fhould have Letters Pa- 
 ' tents to receive the faid Sum out of the Cuftoms. 
 
 The Bifhop of Durham, Executor to Henry Bowet 
 late Archbifhop of York, and others, petitioned the Parlia- 
 ment * To order the Payment of 900 Pounds lent to 
 ' King Henry V. on a Tabernacle of Gold, once be- 
 ' longing to the Duke of Lancafter ; and to be difcharg- 
 
 * ed from the faid Executors on the Delivery of the 
 
 * faid Tabernacle ; which, by common Affent, was con- 
 
 * firmed', On the Petition of Katherine QuzenofEng- 
 c land, a new Dower was afligned her, inltead of the 
 
 * other granted by the laft Parliament, it being, in many 
 
 * Places, found faulty and erroneous. Laftl) , JohnStaf- 
 
 * ford, Treafurer of England, by his Petition, prajed, 
 • * That the Schedule, indented, made between him on 
 
 ' the
 
 Of E N G L A N D. i 79 
 
 * the one Part, and the Executors of Henry V. on the King Henry VI, 
 
 * other; relating to the Goods of the laid King, deli- 
 
 * ver'd to the faid Executors, to the Value of 40,000 
 « Marks, might be confirmed by Parliament, and he 
 
 * be difcharg'd thereof; which was granted.' Cotton 
 remarks that the Inventory of thefe Goods are on the 
 Record, containing the Jewels, Cloths of Arras, Ap- 
 parel, and other Particulars, with the Prices an- 
 nex'd to them ; wherein, adds he, may be feen the 
 Frugality of the late King, there being fome plain 
 Gowns of his not worth forty Shillings, with other lefs 
 coftly Apparel, and fuchas the worft Pages of the leaft 
 Nobleman, in our Days, would fcorn to wear. 
 
 The Parliament having thus honourably provided for 
 the Payment of the late King's Debts, an Affair of 
 more publick Concern came before them. James, 
 King of Scotland, had been a Prifoner in England, ever A Peace witM 
 iince the Reign of Henry the Fourth ; wherein the Po- the Scots ' 
 licy rather than the Juftice of this Detention, muff, be 
 commended. However, it was now thought, that if 
 the Scotch King was fet at Liberty, Things might be fo 
 manag'd with him, that a firm and lafting Peace might 
 be eftablifh'd between the two Nations. And left the 
 Obligation mould be too foon forgot, it wasalfopro- 
 pos'd to give him to Wife Jane, Daughter to John 
 Duke of Somerset, and Coufm-German to the young 
 King (h). Accordingly, by Letters Patents, directed 
 to certain Biihops and others, a Treaty was fet on. 
 Foot at Durham, between the CommilTioners of both 
 Nations ; and the faid Letters Patents were not only 
 confirmed by this Parliament, but the Power to deli- 
 ver up the King of Scots, on the Conditions agreed on, 
 was alio ratified by them. The Scotch King was releaf- 
 ed from his Captivity of eighteen Years, and marry'd 
 to the Lady, with whom he had a large Dower, be- 
 fides many Gifts of Plate and Jewels, which her Kin- 
 dred of the Nobility prefented them with. At his De- 
 parture, he was alio induc'd to take an Oath of Friend- 
 fhip and Fidelity, fay fome ; or as other Hiftorians 
 M 2 write, 
 
 ( b) The rhoft beautiful Woman of her Tim.', with whorri he was 
 dsi'peratc'y in Love. 
 
 Bvfkar.eii'z Hift. of Seotland, by Bend, Vol. I. p. 444*
 
 i S o The '■Parliamentary History 
 
 
 King Henry vi. write, did Homage to the young King of England, at 
 his Caftle of JVindfor ; wherein he own'd that he held 
 and claimed his'Kingdom under a fuperior Lord (;'). Bat 
 what are Oaths or Bonds to Kings? James, loon after 
 his Arrival in Scotland, forgot them ; and either out of a 
 natural Affection to the French Nation, orelfe being de- 
 Jirousto (hake off all B.idgtsof Subjection to the Eng- 
 Vjby he entrcd into a Unci League with the King of 
 Fra>,cc, and entirely delcrted the other's Intereit. 
 
 Petitions b Par- The reft of the Proceedings of this Parliament v/e 
 
 liament. fe a |] range a9 follows ! 
 
 Edmund^ Earl of March, Son and Heir to Roger 
 Earl of March, prcfented a Petition, wherein he fhew- 
 ed,' that King Henry V. lor the Sum of 10,000 Marks, 
 paid to certain of the Kind's Creditors by the faidEarl, 
 promis'd to him, by Word of Mouth, his own Mar- 
 riage, he being then the King's Ward, which he re- 
 queues may be confirmed by Parliament ; and it was 
 granted. 
 
 Thomas, Duke of Exeter reported, how, that the 
 late King, a little before his Death, much repented 
 him to the faidDuke, for confifcating the Land of the 
 Lord Scrope, upon the Attainder of Henrys the laft 
 Lord, and his Beheading at Northampton ■> becauie, he 
 iince underftood that the faid Eftate was entail'd upon 
 Geofrey, Stephen^ and John le Scrope, his Brothers ; and 
 that the Lord Fitz-Hugh and; JVilliam Porter, to 
 whom Part of the faid Lands were given, were con- 
 tented, on Proof of the Entail, to make Reilitution 
 cf the lame. But we do not find what the Parliament 
 did further in it.- 
 
 On 
 
 (i) The Oath was in thefe Words, ' I james Steward, King cf 
 ' Scotland, fhafl be true and faithful unto'you Loid Henry, by tfie Grace 
 ' of God, King of England and France, the noble and tupericr Lord of 
 ' the Kingdom of Scotland, which I hold and claim of you. And, I 
 ' /hail bear you my Faith and Fidelity of Life and Limb, and wordly 
 
 * Honour, a gain ft all Men ; and faithfully 1 /hall acknowledge and do 
 
 * you Service due for the Kingdom of Scotland aforefaid ; Co- help me 
 
 * God, and thefe holy Evangelifts.' ,Ht>tiir.gjhead r s Chron. p. 587. 
 Buchanan, according to his ufual Partiality, mentions this Oath but 
 
 flightly ; and beftows a whole Page or two irr excufing it and the King, 
 from any Ingratitude to the Englijh Nation, by fiding with the French, 
 He was afterwards inhumanly murder' d by his own Subjzcls. 
 
 Bond's Tranjlat. Vol I p. 464.
 
 O/ENGLAND. 181 
 
 On the Petition of Joan, Queen of England, Wife King Henry VI. 
 to King Henry IV. the King, by Con fen t of Parlia- 
 ment, reftor'd to her all her Dower, and the Arrears 
 of the fame, with all her Goods that were taken from 
 her [k). 
 
 At the Petition of the Mafter and Brethren of the 
 Hofpital of St Leonards in York, it was enacted, * That 
 4 they mould enjoy all their Threaves of Corn, within 
 '* the Counties of York, Cumberland, Wejlmoreland, and 
 ' Lancajhire ; and that they may recover the fame by 
 
 * an Action of Debt or Detinue.' This Statute was 
 made remarkable, by being the firft Occafio.n of a great 
 Revolution which happened fome Years after. 
 
 It was enacted, ' That if any Perfon mould carry out 
 
 * of the Realm any Staple- Ware, from the Staple of 
 ' CW/V^uncuitom'd, he mall forfeit the fame, and make 
 
 * Fine and Ranfom at the King's Pleafure. Alio, that 
 ' no- Licence be granted to any Perfon to tranfport any 
 ' flight Looms, out of Hamp/hire, Kent, Sujcx, and 
 
 * York ; but only to Calice.' But this laft was only \o 
 continue to the next Parliament. 
 
 Two Foreign Ladies of Quality, who bad been 
 marry'd, the one to the Duke of Bedford, and the other 
 to the Duke cf Glocejler, were naturaliz'd this Parlia- 
 ment. The former was Ann, Sifter to Philip Duke 
 of Burgundy, and Wife to John Duke of Bedford, 
 Regent of France ; the latter was Jaquet, or Jaqueline, 
 fole Daughter and Heirefs to William Duke of Bava- 
 ria, who was married to Humphrey, Duke of Glocejler. 
 This Princefs, by her Father's Death, had the Govern- 
 ment of the Earldoms of Hninault and Holland, two 
 large and populous Countries, defcended to her ; and, 
 tho' marry'd to John, Duke of Brabant, yet on Pre- 
 tence that her Husband was tqo nearly related to her, 
 before Marriage ; or, as others fay, for his unkind Ufage 
 of her ; me left him and came into England, where 
 fhe foon after became Duke Humphrey's Wife, to the 
 great Difpleafure of her former Husband ; and in the 
 End prov'd the Ruin of the Englijh Intereft in France. 
 
 Sir John Mortimer, of Bifiop's Hatfield in the 
 M 3 County 
 
 (&) See before, p. 161.
 
 1 8 2 The Tarltamentary History 
 
 King Henry vi. County of Hertford, having been indicted on the Oath 
 of one King, Servant to Sir Robert Scot, Keeper of the 
 An Expojl Taa o Tower of L ondon, upon the Statute of Efcapes ; an Act 
 TohnMorttofer was made this Parliament on Purpofe to deftroy him, 
 jo n or lmer. a j] ed g| n g f evera ] ot h er Articles againft him. As firft, 
 That the faid Sir John had contrived, with him, to break 
 out of hislmprifonment, and had promis'd him imme- 
 diately a Reward of forty Pounds a Year, to be aiding 
 and a (lifting to him in his Efcape ; and afterwards an 
 Earldom. Second, That the faid Sir John told him, 
 that after his Efcape he would go into Wales to the 
 Earl of March, and having rais'd 40,000 Men, would 
 enter the Kingdom again, and cut off the Heads of the 
 Protector and the Bifhop of Winche/ler. Third, he 
 had told this Informant, That the Earl of March was 
 rightful Heir to the Crown of England, and that after 
 him he was the next Heir ; wherefore, if the Earl of 
 March refus'd to recover his Right, he himfelf would 
 take upon him the Regal Power as hie Due. Laftly, 
 That when he came into PFales, if the Earl of March 
 would not accept his Service, nor engage in the Caufe, 
 he would then fly into France, and aflift the French 
 King againft King Henry, and did not doubt but in the 
 End he fhould gain his Defign (I). 
 
 It appears by the Record, th;$t this Sir John Morti- 
 mer had been committed Prifoner to the Tower, for 
 Sulpicion of Treafon done againft the lare King, from 
 whence he had made his Efcape the firft Year of this 
 Reign. For which Efcape alone, we fuppofe, he was 
 indicted, and this Indictment, by the Authority of Par- 
 liament, wasallow'd to be good ; and the faid Sir John 
 being again apprehended and brought before this Parlia- 
 ment, Judgment Was given againft him, to be carried 
 back to the Tower, aiv' drawn from thence to Tyburn, 
 there to be hanged, drawn, and quartered ; his Head 
 fet on London Bridge, and his four Quarters on the 
 four Gates of the City. A ftrange Judgment and Sen- 
 tence, fays Cotton, that any Man in a peaceable Time 
 fhould be condemned on a bare Indictment, without 
 any Arraignment or due Trial. But, it is not to be 
 wondered at, when we confider that the Jealoufy the 
 
 Houfe 
 
 (/) Sam. Daniel in Kennet, P. 34S.
 
 Of ENGLAND. 183 
 
 Houfe of Lancajler conceived again ft any Commotion Kia „ vl 
 in Favour of the Houfe of York, was the Occafion of 
 this Defcendant of the latter being took off by fo ille- 
 gal and arbitrary a Proceeding. On whofe Death, fays 
 an old Hiftorian (m), great Slander arofe to the Con- 
 trivers of it. And another (») remarks, that his Faults 
 were believed to be Calumnies, anj himfelf brought to 
 fo ignominious an End for that alone, which, by vul- 
 gar Politicians, is called Re a fins of State. The Earl of 
 March, the immediate Heir, was, we may believe, more 
 than fufpected; but nothing being proved againft him,it 
 was thought politic to fend him over into Ireland, with 
 Forces to fecure that Kingdom.where he foon after died, 
 without Iilue, whofc Inheritance defcended to Richard 
 Plantagcnet Son and Heir to Richard Ear] of Cam- 
 bridge, beheaded at Southampton in the late Reign (0), 
 
 There are feveral more Acls and Ordinances made 
 in this Parliament, which may be feen in the Abridge- 
 ment and in the Statutes at Large ; and having fat till 
 the 1 8th of February, on that Day they granted theASubfidy. 
 King the fame Subfidy on Tonnage and Poundage as 
 in the laft. It was, alio, enadted, That Merchant- The Protector's 
 Strangers (hall only pay 43;. and \d. Duty on every r ° wer reduced 
 Sack of Wool, notwithftanding the Grant made in by Par,iament - 
 the feventh Year of the laft Reign. They next ap- 
 pointed and named the Blfhops and Lords, with other 
 Perfons that were to be of the King's Council. All 
 which Perfons took upon them to adc, on certain Rules 
 and Articles affigned them, far ftricter than the laft, 
 and very derogatory to the Power of the Protector. • 
 Amongft the reft, lays Cotton, one carries with it a' 
 very good Face of Juftice, viz. That the Clerk of the 
 Council (hall be Iworn, alway, to prefer and promote 
 the pooreft Man's Suit, or Bill, beibre a»y other ; and 
 that the King's Sergeant (hall take no Money for any 
 Counfel therein. 
 
 The French War was ftill carried on by the Regent 
 
 againft die Dauphin, who was, by his Party, ftiled 
 
 Charles the Seventh, with various Succefs ; whilft the 
 
 M 4 Protector 
 
 {m) HAtt's Cbron. See alio, J. Stowe, P. 365. 
 (s) Biondi'i Htfi. of the Civil Wan between the Iioufcs cf York and 
 Lancafter. P. 25. Hen. VI. 
 {0) Ibid. P. 366.
 
 1 8 4 The 1* arli a merit ary History 
 
 King Henry VI. Proteftor, England being loaded with many difficult 
 Affairs of St ite, thought fit to call another Parliament, 
 in order to extricate himfelf out of them. The Writs 
 Anno Regni 3. of Summons were dated the 24th of February, and re- 
 1425. turnable, at Wcjlmirjlcr, the la ft Day of April follow-' 
 At Weftminfter. jn ^ The Protestor and Council thought it r.eceflary, 
 in order to engage both Lords and Commons more 
 zealoufly in their Interefts, to bring the Infant- King 
 into" the; Houfe ; and, accordingly, on the Day of 
 their Meeting, he was carried thro' the City, on a 
 The infant- great Hbrfe, to Wejhmnjlcr. The People flock'd in 
 King carried to great Multitudes to behold him ; and imagining with 
 the Houfe, themfelves that they could difcern the Features and Ver- 
 tues of his Father, to be tranfplanted into him by Na- 
 ture, they loaded him with loud Acclamations and 
 hearty Wifhes of a long and happy Life (p). Being 
 . come to the Palace, he was from thence conducted to 
 the Houfe of Lords, and fat on his Mother's Knee in- 
 the Throne. It y as a ftrange Sight, lays one, and the 
 firflTime it ever was feen in England-, an Infant flwrfg in 
 his Mother's Lap, and before it could tell wh:>t' EngVfl> 
 meant, to exercife the Place of' Sovereign Direction in 
 open Parliament (q). Yet, fo it was, for the Com- 
 mons being called, the Bifhop of JVinchejier, then Lord 
 Chancellor, opened the Caufe of the Summons in Man- 
 ner following ; 
 
 For the. Head of his Difcourfe he chofe the fe, Words, 
 Gloria, Honor, et Pax, omni operant i Bonuni; this he 
 divided into three Branches, viz. Bonum hcnejlum, which 
 confifted in the due Obedience of the Subject ; Bowjn de- 
 
 leBabile 
 
 f» Hall's Cb, snick Yo\. XXIII. 3 Henry VI. Bollinifhead, 589- 
 Taman gives .an Account of this Prcceffion in thefe Words, F Two Day* 
 
 * before the Par!ement met, the Kinge with the Queene his Moder came 
 
 < thorugh the Cytye from Wendefore, and when he came at the V/eft 
 « ' Dore of Poulys, the Lorde Protecler toke him out of the Chare, and 
 
 ' fo was ledd upon his Fete, between the Sayde Lorde Prote£tour and the 
 
 * Duke of Exeter unto' the Steppes goyng ; into the Quyer. From whence 
 ' he was borne unto the hygh Aulter, and there kneled on a Traverfe 
 
 * purveyed for hym. And when he had ben there he yode to the Rode of 
 » the North Dore and there made his OrTerynges. And then was he borne in- 
 
 * to the Church yerde, and there fet upon a fayre Courfer, a^d fo conveyed 
 
 < thorugh Chepe and the other Streetes of the Cytye unto S. George's 
 
 * Barre, and fo held hisjournay to hisManour of Kenyngton. In the fame 
 
 * Manner he was conveyed thorugh the Cytye to Wejlminfter to mete the 
 
 * Parlement.* Fabians Chron. Part 7, Fol, ,j8i. 
 (?) Spud's Chron. P. 65*.
 
 
 Of ENGLAND. 185 
 
 kttabik, which was giving good Council ; and "Bonum Kin s Hen T VI » 
 utile, which was the free and willing Relief they owed 
 to their Prince and Commonwealth. 
 
 By the firft, he argued that God was moft glorified j 
 by the fecond, the Prince bed honoured ; by the third, 
 the Subject's Safety better guarded. According to the 
 faying in St. Luke, Gloria in excelfts Deo, in Terra Pax, 
 etHcminibus bona Voluntas. Glory is given to God by due 
 Obedience in the Subjects ; the Prince is honoured by 
 having found Advice given him ; and the Subjects go- 
 verned in Peace by relieving their Prince. And, in 
 this he affirmed, that Princes ought to be obeyed tho' they 
 were evil ; according to the Command of St. .Peter, 
 obedite Prapofitis ; for although they were not good in 
 themfelves, yet, as they commanded many good Things 
 to be obferveJ, they ought to be obeyed ; and put them 
 in mind that, Sicut Princeps tenetur regere regaliter, fie 
 Plebs obcdire. 
 
 On his fecond Divifion, relating to found Counfel, 
 he urged this -Text, Salus ubi multa Covfilia, and told 
 them that an Elephant had three Properties, the one, in 
 that he wanted a Gall ; the fecond for that he was in- 
 flexible and could not bow ; and the third, in that he 
 was of a molt found and perfect Memory ; all which 
 Properties, by Application, he wifhed might be in all 
 Counfellors. That for their wanting a Gall, they 
 might be thereby free from all Malice, Rancor and 
 Envy ; by being inflexible, that they fhould not ftoop 
 to any Reward, nor in Judgment refpect any Perfon ; 
 and of a found Memory, that they by calling to mind 
 Dangers paft, might prevent Perils to come (r). 
 
 His la ft Topic, for the Relief of the King; he urged 
 that it ought to be done with all Readinefs of Mind, con- 
 fldering that God, by the young Prince, his chofen Vef- 
 fel, there before them, had not only governed them in 
 Safety, but had, alfo, given to them many honourable 
 Victories and great Conquefts ; all which ought to en- 
 force them more willingly to offer, that their Grants 
 fhould be more readily taken. Laftly, he defired the 
 Commons to go together and chufe their Speaker and 
 
 prefent 
 
 (r) Lord Coke's Character of a Member of Parliament, bwlcsqu'd by 
 Pr. Swift, feems to have been borrow'd from this Speech. 
 
 Svyift'j Mifcellanies, Vol. 4.
 
 1 86 The Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry vi. prefent him the next Day. Accordingly, they prefent- 
 ed Sir Thomas Nanton Knight, for their Speaker, before 
 sir Thomas tne King and Lords, whofe Excufe being not allowed, 
 Speaker/ C * he, with the ufual Protcftation, was accepted of. 
 
 But the Bufinefs of this Seflion was much interrupted, 
 by a Quarrel between two great Men about a Right of 
 Precedency. John Mowbray, Earl Marfhal, and Rich- 
 ard Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick, were the two An- 
 tagonists ; and each laid Claim to the higher Place in 
 the Parhament-Hcufe. They were, however, com- 
 manded not to come to the Houfe, till the Matter be- 
 tween them was fully heard ; and learned Counfel was al- 
 lowed them to plead and fpeak to their refpe&ive Claims. 
 The Duke of Glocejler, as Protector, with the Bifhopsand 
 the reft of the Peers fat as Judges ; and they, with the 
 Members of the Lower Houfe, were ail fworn to give up- 
 right Judgrcentin the Caufe,without Favour or Affection. 
 The Commcns Sir Robert Cotton, in his Abridgment, has taken Pains 
 confuited in a to extract, from the Record, the Subftance of the Pleas 
 Cafe of Prece- on j^h gj^ . wn ich is prefixed to his Account of the 
 ency m eeragr. p roceec j j n g S f ^ ]S Parliament. Therein the Pedigrees of 
 thofe two ancient and noble Families are fairly let forth, 
 in order to fupport their feveral Claims. 
 
 For proving the Earl Marfial's Title, Roger Hunt, 
 his Counfel, exhibited to the Lords a Pedigree, where- 
 in it was demonltrated, that the faidEarl Marftal came 
 of the Royal Blood, and gave the Arms of England, 
 with a Difference, in his Efcutcheon. The faid Pedi- 
 gree deduced the Earl Matfoal from King Edward I. 
 and mewed the Earl to be allied in Blood to the prefent 
 King, from Thomas Earl of Lancajlcr. It, alfo, mewed 
 that the faid Earl was related to the King by the Line of 
 the Earl of Arundel. Wherefore the Counfel pleaded, 
 that his Client fhould have the Preference. 
 
 Sir Walter Beauchamp, Counfel for the Earl of War- 
 wick, produced, alfo, a Pedigree ; and, in fhewing the 
 great Antiquity of the Family, he proved, by many 
 Authorities, that Antiquity hath had Superiority to the 
 Blood Royal. By thefe Arguments he enforced the 
 Title of the Earl of Warwick ; but innfted, chiefly, on 
 the faid Earl's great Polieffions; which he made the 
 llrongeft Plea in his Favour. 
 
 The
 
 Of ENGLAND. 187 
 
 The Counfel for both thefe Earls having finimed King Hem? vl 
 their Pleas and demanded Judgment ; it might perhaps 
 have perplexed the Miniftry how to pleafe them both, 
 but, that a Method was devifed to do it effectual ly. 
 The Earl Marjbal had been, privately, required ro put 
 in his Claim for being reitored to the Title of Duke of 
 Norfolk ; according to the Creation of Thomas his Fa- 
 ther, and as Brother and Heir to Thomas* who died with- 
 out Ifiiie, Son of the faid Thomas his Father (s) ; which 
 Claim, when it was publickly made, was, for feveral 
 Reafons, granted and confirmed by Parliament. By 
 this Way, the Precedency was out of Difpute betwixt 
 them ; and the Earl of IVarivick was the Occafion of 
 helping his Antagonift to the Dukedom againft his Will; 
 which the other, perhaps, would never have obtained 
 without it. 
 
 It may, well, be fuppofed, that this Difpute between 
 '.nde two Noblemen took up the whole Bufinefs of the 
 Parliament this firft Seffion ; for we meet with no other 
 Proceeding till May 15 th, when the Duke olGlocejler* 
 by Commiflion under the King's Letters Patents, pro- 
 rogued it for a Week longer. 
 
 The Firft Things we rind that they went upon, in 
 this fecond Seflion, was by common Allent, to grant, A SiMdy. 
 as an Aid, the former Subfidy on Wools for three 
 Years longer ; and Tonnage and Poundage "for one 
 Year; upon Condition, that foreign Merchants mould 
 be ftriclly looked to for their Duties. 
 
 The Lords of Parliament, by Name, promifcd, on 
 their Honours, that they would not hinder the Bifhop 
 of Wincbejler, but further fuch Security as he mould 
 obtain from the King, for Money by him lent to the Go- 
 vernment. And, it was enacted, That the King's Coun- 
 cil mould have Power to give Securities to the laid Bi- 
 fhop, and to other of the King's Creditors for fuch 
 Debis as were due to them. Alio, the faid Bifhop hav- 
 ing obtained the King's Letters Patents to receive 20,000 
 Pounds, cut of the firft Money arifing from the King's 
 Cuitoms or Revenues of the Crown, the fame was con- 
 firmed to him by Parliament. 
 
 Sir John Cornwal Knight, Father-in-Law to the Earl 
 of Huntington* then Prifoner to the Earl of Fendopne m 
 
 Fianct 
 
 (sj He was beheaded for High Treafon againft Henry IV.
 
 1 88 The Tarliamentary History 
 
 •king Henry VI. France, 'having, by Alignment, the Wardenfhip of 
 the Body and Lands oi.John Arundel, Son and Heir of 
 John Arundel of Arundel Knight, except 500 Marks 
 payable to the King, petitioneth, that the Yearly Rent 
 of the faid Eftate might go towards Payment of 1800 
 Marks, difburfed to the Earl of Vendofme, towards the 
 Ranfom of the laid Earl of Huntington ; which was 
 granted-. And, at the Petition of the faid Earl, the 
 Lords of Ganccurt and Tokervile, French Prisoners, 
 were delivered to the faid Sir John Cor nival for 5000 
 Marks difburfed in Part of the faid Earl's Ranfom. 
 Petitions. On Petition of Ann, late Wife to Edmund Earl of 
 
 March and Ul/ler (t) , it was ordained that the faid Ann 
 Ihould have Livery of her Dower, on rinding of any 
 Offices after the Death of the faid Earl, and upon her 
 Oath not to marry. That Part relating to the Offices 
 we do not underftand ; but this Lady was the Widow 
 of the faid Earl of March-, and dying without Iflue-, 
 he left his Honour and Eftate. to Richard Plantagenet y 
 Earl of Cambridge, his Sifter's Son ; who, being there- 
 by, Heir, to Lionel Duke of Clarence, firft began the 
 Conteft, between the two Houfes, /or the Crown of 
 England. 
 
 There are feveral other Matters relating to more pri- 
 vate Affairs, in- the Abridgement, which we (hall pafe 
 over ; and only mention one which has a more public 
 Concern, and which Cotton hath given us in thefe 
 Words : 
 
 ' It isenacled* that the Quarrel and Combat, betwixt 
 ' the Duke of Ghcejier isuS. the Duke of Burgundy, do 
 ' in no Cafe proceed ; but that the fame by the King's 
 
 * Letters Patents be committed to the old French King, 
 ' the King's Mother, and the Regent of France ; and 
 
 * that the Duke of Burgundy do deliver into indifferent 
 
 * Hands the Perfon of my Lord of Glocejler.' 
 
 It is not eafy to reconcile this Paragraph to the Hif- 
 
 tory 
 
 (f ) This Edmund Earl of March, Sec. had been a Prifoner of State ever 
 fince the keign of Henry IV ; was grownlame and decrepid with Age and 
 Confinement ; but thisYear was happily releafed from his Milery. Hall's 
 Cbron. 3 Hen. VI. Fol. xxiii. 
 
 Shakeffear hath gi /en us a fine Scene of this fame Edmund Mortimer 
 giving his laft 4.dvice to his Nephew Richard Plantagenet , afterwards 
 Duke of York, in Prifon. Henry VI. -Part firft.
 
 Of E N G L A N D. i8p 
 
 tory of the Times ; it feems by this that the old French . 
 King was ftill alive, and that the Duke of Glocelier was Kl " s Henry VL 
 then a Prifoner to the Duke of Burgundy : Whereas all 
 Hiftories agree that the French King had been dead two 
 Years before; and that Duke Humphry was never a 
 Prifoner to the other. It mull be a Miftake in the 
 Abridger, or his Pub lijher, in calling it the old French 
 King, inftead of Queen, or the Queen Mother o( France; 
 and fomeof our Hiftorians tell us, that it was the Duke 
 of Glocefter. who fent the Duke of Bui gundy a Challenge 
 for afiifting the Duke of Brabant , in the Affairs of his 
 elop'd Wife ; and charging' him with Treafbn a- 
 gainft the King of England (u). But the Regent of 
 France, coniidering, that it might be of very ill Confe- 
 quence to the Enghjh Intereft, became a Mediator be- 
 tween them, and made a friendly Conclusion, juft when 
 the Heroes had got every Thing prepared for the Com- 
 bat. The Duke of Glocefter had borrowed 20,000 Marks 
 of the public Treafure, .to enable him to raife Forces 
 for the Recovery of his Lady's Dominions in Flanders ; 
 which was to be repaid in a certain Term of Years ; 
 and it was now ordained, by Parliament, that the Lords 
 of the Council fhould take Securities for it. Duke 
 Humphrey was very uniuccefsfull in this Expedition ; for 
 he loft the Lady and her Dominions, alfo ; me became 
 at laft reconciled to her former Hufband ; and the Duke, 
 to remove the Chagrin of fuch aDifappointment mar- 
 ried Eleanor, the Daughter of Reginald Lord Cobham, 
 who had before, been his Miftrefs ; which proved a very 
 unfortunate. Match to Iiim (x). . 
 
 There were feveral Acts made for the public Bene- 
 fit this Parliament. The chief of which are, I. A- Several a#s 
 gainft the Exportation of Sheep beyond Sea. without the pafs'd for the Be- 
 King's Licence ; becaufe by carrying of Sheep into *| efit of the Na " 
 Flanders', and other Parts, the : Wool of England would 
 at length become of little Value, and the Woollen Ma- 
 nufacture of. the Nation be greatly diminifhed. To 
 remedy this,' they laid on a, heavy Tax of forty 
 
 three 
 
 (u) Biondi fays otherways, and makes the Challenge come from 
 Philip Duke of Burgundy to the Duke of Glocefter, for relieving upon his 
 Honour in this Affair. Biondi' 's Henry VI. P. 26. 
 
 (x)Sam, Daniel ia Ktnnet. P. 551. Speed's Chron. P. 653.
 
 i po The Tarliamentary History 
 
 KingHcmy vi. three Shillings a Sack upon exported Wools, which was 
 ten Shillings more than ever was paid before for the 
 like Quantity. II. For lhe Exportation of Butter and 
 Cheefe, to encourage Hufbandry ; giving the Chancel- 
 lor of England leave to grant Licences, at his Difcretion. 
 to fuch Perfonsas mall defire to vend the faid Articles 
 in foreign Parts, as well as at the great Staple at Calls. 
 1IL That all Merchant Strangers, within fifteen Days 
 after they are landed, in any Port of this Kingdom, 
 fhall take Lodgings or other Habitations, in the Town 
 or Place where the Port is, under fome Englljhmen ; 
 and fhall not make any Sale of any Goods or Merchan- 
 dize till they are fo fettled ; and then (hall fell all their 
 Merchandize within forty Days next enfuing ; and if 
 any Goods remain unfold after that Time they fhall be 
 forfeited to the King's Ufe. This Adt was intended 
 for a double Benefit ; firft, that the King might not 
 be defrauded of his Cuftems ; and next, that Strangers 
 might not by keeping of their Goods and Merchandizes, 
 underftand the Wants of the Nation and fo raifs the 
 Prices. After pafiing thefe, and feveral more Acls, the 
 Parliament was diflblved, and the Members fent back 
 into their own Countries (;•). 
 Quarrel between About this Time it was, that a dangerous Quarrel was 
 the Lord Protec- fet on Foot between two very great Men, both chief 
 ^ r ' T d \vt Bl "Supporters to the Houfeof Lancajler, Humphrey Lord 
 eherter, reterr'd Pioteclor, and Henry Beaufort, the rich Biihop of 
 tu Parliament. Whichefler, great Uncle to the King. 
 
 '1 he latter of thefe, by his Magnificence and Gran- 
 deur, feemed fo much to out-fhine the Protestor him- 
 ielf, tho' almoft on the Throne, that he drew on him 
 the Odium and Jealoufy of the other. The haughty 
 Spirit of the Bifhop, being Legate to the Pope in Eng- 
 land, was fo great, that the Proleclor could not en- 
 dure h ; s Pride; and fuch an implacable Enmity grew 
 between them, that great Parties were raifed, on bdth 
 Sides, for each other's Defence. In fhort, a civil War 
 was much dreaded would be the Confequence j and, ail 
 
 their 
 
 (?) A Petition of the Commons was exhibited this Parliament, Thai 
 r.ll Paifons, Vicar?, and others, having Cures, and not rcfi.krit irpan thrrn, 
 may forfeit their Benefices ; one half to the King and the other hair to 
 the Patron. Anfruxr, The King hath commanded the JtotbMSwjfi m, 
 {.nr.ttruuiy and jSrk to provide a Remedy.- Cetunt j8f.
 
 Of E N G L A N D. 191 
 
 their mutual Friends could do, was not fufficient to k^s H*** v *- 
 pacify the Mind of the Protector, or to make the 
 Prelate yield any further, than, as he thought, was be- 
 coming his high Place and State. Tn this Situation the 
 Bifhop, however, thought proper to write a Letter to 
 the Duke of Bedford, Regent of France, to come over 
 and endeavour to heal Matters between them. The 
 Duke came accordingly, and calling a Council of the 
 chief Nobility at St. Albans, many hot Cornells arofe ; 
 and, nothing being concluded at that time, it was ad- 
 journ'd to Northampton, but, to as little purpofe ; till, 
 at laft, it was determined, that thefe Differences fhould 
 be referred to Parliament. Accordingly, Writs of Sum- Anno Rcgni 4# 
 mons were ifiued out, dated Wejlminjler, January 7, 1426. 
 for one to meet, at Leicejer, on the 18 th Day of Feb- At defter. 
 ruary following. 
 
 At which Time and Place being affembled, in the 
 great Hall of the Caftle of Leicefler, much Care had 
 been taken to prevent any Tumults between the great 
 Trains of the Protestor and the Bifhcp, by ftri&ly pro- 
 hibiting any Perfon whatfoever, to come thither with 
 Swords or any other warlike Weapon, Which Order, 
 tho' it was literally obferved, yet the Lords and their 
 Attendants came armed with Batts, or great Clubs, on 
 their Shoulders ; from whence this Meeting got the 
 Name of the Parliament of Batts ; but this, alfo, as The Parliament 
 foon as it was taken notice' of, was prohibited (z). of Batts. 
 Being all, at length, fat in a peaceable manner, as a- 
 forefaid, the young King being there, alfo, prefent, the 
 Bifhop of Winchefler, as Lord Chancellor of England^ 
 declared the Caufe of the Summons, in a very fhort 
 Manner ; for, after telling them that the King's Will 
 was, that all Eftates fhould enjoy their Liberties, he 
 took his Subject from thefe Words of St. Paul-, Sic 
 fa cite ut fa hi fitis. 
 
 Thefe the learned Prelate divided into three Parts, 
 and referred them ' Firft'to God, for protecting the 
 4 Faith of the Church, againft all Invafions from Lol- 
 * lards and Hereticks ; fecondly, by imparting found 
 ' Counfel -, and, laftly, by granting the fevcral need- 
 
 « ful 
 
 (*) After this they took Stones snd Plummets of Lead, and hid them 
 in thtir Sleeves and Bofoms. Fabian' iCbren,
 
 191 The Tarliamentary History 
 
 King Henry vi. c ful Subfidies. By which, he affirmed, three Virtues 
 4 and Conveniences would follow, viz. Glory to God, 
 
 * by protecting his Faith ; Honour to the King, by re- 
 
 * ceiving good Advice; and Peace to the Subject, by 
 
 * their liberal Grants. In all which he defired, that 
 
 * every Eftate of this Parliament would labour ; and 
 
 * that the Commons would chufe, and the next Day 
 
 * prefent their Speaker.' 
 
 The King's Letters Patents were read, whereby he 
 
 appointed John Duke of Bedford his Commiffioncr, to 
 
 prorogue and diffolve this Parliament at his, Pleafure. 
 
 sir Richard Vcr- The lame Day the Commons prefented, before the 
 
 non chofer. King, Sir Richard Vernon, Knight, to be their Speaker ; 
 
 Speaker. • w | 1( ^ ^^ { ^ e common Proteftation, was allowed. 
 
 Then the Commons expreffed their great Diflikc to 
 the Diffentions between Duke Humphrey and the Bifhop 
 of JVihchejler, and moved for their Reconcilement. 
 On which, the Duke of Bedford, fome Bifiiops, and 
 ether Lords, made a folemn Decree amongft them- 
 ielves, to hear and determine the faid Difference, with- 
 out Favour or Affection ; and, at the fame time to give 
 no Encouragement to either of them to break the Peace. 
 Which Order, after every one of the Lords had fvvorn 
 to obferve, they fent a Copy of it to the Commons. 
 They then proceeded in the Matter, and, at length, 
 caufed the faid Duke and B;fhop, by their formal In* 
 ftruments, to have their Difputes compromifed, and 
 referred to the Decifion of a iele£l Committee of cer- 
 tain Bifhops and Lords ; who, after fome time, came 
 to this Refolution about them : Firft, that the, faid 
 B : fhopof Uuichefcr mould fubmithimfelf to the King's 
 Mercy ; which he did accordingly. And, then the 
 Duke of Bedford, in open Parliament, pronounced the 
 laid Bifhop innocent of what was alledged again ft him, 
 in that he procured a Perfon to murder the late King, 
 when he was Prince, as the A^urderer himfelf confeffed 
 who was drowned by the Earl of Arundel. And, alfo, 
 in that he fhould counfel and advife the faid Prince to 
 have depofed Henry the Fourth his Father. Likewife, 
 it was awarded by the faid Committee, that the Bifhop 
 fhould acknowledge his Offence to the Duke of Glo- 
 cejler % and, in a fubmiffive Manner, afk his Pardon ;
 
 Of E N G L A N D. 193 
 
 that the faid Duke (hould freely forgive him ; and, in King Henry vi . 
 
 Token of a thorough Reconciliation, each fhould take 
 
 the other by the Hand, which was accordingly done 
 
 before the whole Aflembly. Some time after the Bi- 
 
 fhop of Winchejier petitioned the Parliament to be dif- 
 
 charged of the great Seal, as Chancellor, which, by 
 
 common Confent, was granted. 
 
 This is all the Account which the Abridger of the 
 Records has thought fit to extract, relating to this itrong 
 Contention between thefe two Noblemen ; who, 
 though fo nearly related as Uncle and Nephew, yet 
 they ftill carried on that implacable Malice againft each 
 other, as ended not but in the Death of one or both 
 of them. However, our elder Chronicles are not fo 
 filent in this Matter ; they tell us, that when the Affair 
 of the Quarrel was brought before the Parliament, and 
 each Party allowed to plead his Caufe freely, the Pro- 
 tector, who looked upon himfelf as the Perfon aggriev- 
 ed, exhibited five Articles againft the Bifhop, to all 
 which he was urged to give in his Anfwer. Which 
 Articles, being very extraordinary, and then thought 
 not unworthy a Parliament's Notice, cannot be be- 
 neath the Reader's Perufal. 
 
 Articles (a) of Accufation prefented to the Parliament Articles againft 
 by the Duke of Gloucefter, again/Msnry, Bi/bop 9f*??**?± tX * 
 
 ■%xt- , n y • i > • * r 1 r it J Bimop or Win- 
 
 Wmchefter, with his Anjwento them Jeverally. chefter with hi* 
 
 I. That Richard Woodvile, Efq; Keeper of the AnftM,n% 
 Tower of London, did by the Inftigation and Encou- 
 ragement of the faid Bifhop of fFincheJier, deny Ad- 
 mittance to him the faid Duke of Gloucefter, then be- 
 ing Protector of the Kingdom, into the Tower, con- 
 trary 
 
 (a) A Copy of thefe Articles are in Hall's and HolllngJbead\ Cbro- 
 liclct, but they are only five in Number. The Anfwer the Bifhop 
 gave to the Subftance of the Letter is made a feparate Article. The 
 Letter itfelf, which the Bifhop oiWincbefter fen: to the Duke of Bedford, 
 it preferved in our old Chronicles, in its original Language as follows t 
 
 ' Ryht highe and mighty Prince and my righte noble and, after one, 
 leveft Lordc, 1 recommend mc unto you v.irh all my Harte. And a* 
 you defyre the Welfare of the King our Sovereign Lorde, and of his 
 Realmes of Englande and Fraurce, and your awne Health and ours 
 alfo, fo haft you hether, for, by my Trouthe, if you tary we /hall put 
 this Landc in Adventure with a Felde, fueh a Brother you have her , 
 
 Vol. II. N God
 
 jj^4 ThsiTMliammffojArL isto^t 
 
 King Hsnry Vi. trary, to Reafon. . and Duty., and in Derogation to the 
 
 King's Authority, . : 
 
 To this. Article the Bifhop anfwct'd, ' That \vhi!e 
 '• the Duke of Glouccfur was gone into Hainau/t, it 
 f happen'd, that 'many Pamphlets. and Rep&rts being 
 ' riifpers'd up and down the City 01 London tending to 
 ' Rebellion, it was crder'd by the -Lords of 'his Maie- 
 
 * fry's Council, that Richard W.oodvile, Eiq; fhould 
 \ with a fu-mcient Number -of arra'd Men have the 
 1 keeping of. : the .Tower, and ihould not permit any 
 
 v lan to, come into the Tower flronger than himfelf, 
 4 whhout'the fpecial Commandment of the King, by 
 , fjj the Advice of his Council. After this Itrict Charge 
 I the L'ukc of Gk-cijter returning out of Hainattit^zjad 
 ' not approving the fortifying- the Tower, told the 
 ' Citizens, who were diliatished at it, That- had he 
 ' been in England it ficuld mi have been fa; and imme- 
 
 * diately going to the Tov/er demanded Admittance, 
 f but IFoodvile not. daring to give, him Entrance came 
 4 to the Bifhop of IVuuheJler for Advice, who told 
 
 * him, That the. Duke of Gloucester- took more upon him 
 i than he ought, and that before he advntied him into the 
 
 * Tower ', he ought to provide himfelf a fuffnient Warrant 
 ' of the King and Council for his jo doing contrary to the 
 \ former Order. 
 
 ■ II- That the Lord Bifhop of . V/inc hefl.et\ without 
 the Advice or Confentof the 'Lord Duke of Ghuc<fie>-^ 
 or of his Majefty's Privy Council, centriv'd and pur- 
 pofcd : to lay Hands on his Majefty's Perfon, and to 
 have remoVd him' from I libam, the Place that he was 
 then in, to/. there to put him under the Go- 
 
 vefr.nv nt <sT ; pcff TCrfons as he.pkaAi. 
 
 • The Biihop's"AHfwef to this Article was, * That 
 *tihe never could propound to himfelf any Advantage 
 
 * by removing the- King, or tak' . g \ . :m into his' Cuftd- 
 s dy or Charge, nor did ever i j meddle 'with 
 
 . any 
 
 God make hym a good, Man. For youre, .Wii'dom fcnoweth- that the 
 Profile of Traunce. ftandeth in ti "i , England* , &c. I The 
 
 J T:ynity keepe Ycu.' 
 
 •i in'jreatc hliiiz on JUjiahnt) +.;c<;. hy your true Servaunt to 
 my Lifc'.s Elide, i Her. 
 
 Datri of the Ljris, and the A: titration, in HeH'ittnn, 
 
 Fci;>;x vm:
 
 O/ENGLAND. i 9S 
 
 ' any Thing about the King's Perfon without the Ad- King Henry VI. 
 
 * vice of the Privy Council, as in Time and Place he 
 
 * could prove. 
 
 III. That the Lord Bifhop of Winchejler knowing, 
 that the Duke of Gloucef.er had refolv'd to prevent his 
 Defign of feizing the King's Perfon at $itham, laid 
 wait for him, by placing arm'd Men at the End of 
 London- Bridge, and in the Windows of the Chamber,, 
 and Cellars in Southward, to have kill'd him, if he had 
 pafs'd that Way ; all which is againft the King's Peace, 
 and Duty of a true Subjecl. 
 
 The Bifhop's Defence to this heavy Charge was this, 
 
 * That true indeed it is, that he did provide a certain 
 
 * Number of arm'd Men, and fet them at the Foot of 
 
 * London-Bridge, and other Places, without any In- 
 
 * tention to do any bodily Harm to the Duke of Gh~ 
 ' cejler, but merely for his own Safety and Defence, 
 ' being inform'd by feveral credible Perfons, that the 
 ' Lord Duke of Gkucejier had purpofed bodily Harm 
 
 * to him, anJ gather'd together a Company of Citizens i 
 ' for that End.' 
 
 IV. That the late King Henry the Fifth told him, 
 That when he was Prince, a Man was feized in his 
 Chamber, who was hid behind the Hangings, and con- 
 feiTed after his Apprehenfion, that he was fet af work 
 by the Bifhop of Winchejler, . to kill the Prince in his 
 Bed. He was deliver'd to the Earl of Arundel, who 
 drown'd him in a Sack in the Thames. 
 
 To this Accufation the Bifhop reply 'd, ' That he 
 ' was ever a true and faithful Subject to his. Sovereigns, 
 
 * and never purpofed or contrived any Treafon againft 
 
 * any of their Perfons, and efpecially againir. his Sove- 
 
 * reign Lord King Henry the Fifth. -And this he 
 ' thought was fufficiently evident to any, that confi- 
 ' der'd the great Wifdom and Courage of the faid 
 ' King-, and the gieat Trull he repofed in him fo 
 
 * long as he remained King, which he would not have 
 
 * done had he found him guilty of iuch Unfaithfulnefs 
 
 * to him while he was Prince. 
 
 V. That the B:fhop of Winchejler in the Sicknefs 
 
 of King Henry A the Fourth, advifed his Son Prince 
 
 Henry, to 'ailiime the Government of tile Nation be- 
 
 N 2, fore'
 
 King Henry VI. 
 
 15)6 The Parliamentary Histom 
 
 fore his Father's Death, as the faid Prince himfelf told 
 him. 
 
 The Bifhop reply'd, 'That this was meer Calumny, 
 
 * which could not be proved ; and he hoped the Parlia- 
 
 * ment would appoint them Judges, that he might vin- 
 
 * dicate his Honour, or elie leave him to fue out his 
 
 * Right before iuitable Judges.' 
 
 VI. That the Lord Bifhop of W'nthefler had, in his 
 Letter to the Duke of Bedford* plainly declared his 
 malicious Purpofe of afTembling the People, and flir- 
 ting up a Rebellion in the Nation contrary to the 
 King's Peace. 
 
 The Bifhop's Anfwer to this Accufation was, ' That 
 
 * he never had any Intention to difturb the Peace of 
 
 * the Nation, or raife any Rebellion, but fent to the 
 ' Duke of Bedford to come over in hafte to fettle all 
 ' Things that were prejudicial to the Peace ; and 
 
 * though he had indeed written in the Letter, That if 
 4 he tarried^ ive Jhall put the Land in Adventure by a 
 1 Field, fuch a Brother you have here ; He did not 
 
 * mean it of any Dcfign of his own, but concerning 
 « the (editions Affemblies of Mifons, Carpenters, Tilers 
 ' 'and PlaitlereTs, who being difhifted by the late Ad of 
 ' Parliament againft excefiive Wages of thofe Trades, 
 ' "had given xaax many feditious Speeches and Menaces 
 ' againft the great Men, which tended much to Re- 
 
 * beilion •, and yet the Duke of Gloucefer did not ufe 
 4 his Endeavour, as he ought to have done in his Place, 
 ' to fupprefs fuch unlawful AfTemblies, fo that he fear- 
 ' ed the King and his good Subjects muft have made a 
 
 * Field to withfland them : To prevent which, he 
 1 chiefly dellred the Duke of Bedford to come over.' 
 
 Which are re- This Charge, and the Anfwers to it being thus deli- 
 ferr'd to a feieaver'd into the Parliament, the further Examination of 
 Committee. xl ^ by lhe Houfes devolv'd upon a feleft Number 
 of Lords, viz. Henry Archbifhop of Canterbury* Thomas 
 Duke of Exeter* Jehn Duke of Norfolk (b), Thomas 
 Bifhop of Durham* Philip Bifhop of Worcejler* John 
 Bifhop of Bath^ Humphrey Earl of Stafford* Ralph Lord 
 Cornwal* and Mafter Allenwich* Keeper of the Privy 
 
 Seal, 
 
 (b) John, Lord Mowhriy, w«j not Duke of Norfolk, till after 
 the Reconcilution of the Duke of Ghucefter and the Biihop of Wiu- 
 tbtfitr.
 
 Of E N G L A N D. i 9 y 
 
 Seal, who having thoroughly examin'd all Matters, ac- King Henry vr. 
 quitted the Bifhop, and by a formal Award enjoin'd 
 them to be firm Friends for the future ; and by fuch ^ t e te B d ,(h ° f p t a h c c 
 Inducements wrought upon them, that they fhook charge. 
 Hands, and parted with all outward Signs of perfect 
 Love and Agreement, which gave a mighty Satisfaction 
 to all People, both of the Clergy and Laity. And the a Reconciliation 
 King, by the Advice of his Council, made a magnificent between him and 
 Fealt at Whitfuntide, to rejoice for this happy Reconci- Qj e oc ^ e ot 
 liation. At this Feaft the Duke of Bedford, Regent of 
 France, knighted King Henry, who immediately made 
 Richard Plantagenet Earl of Cambridge, Duke of York ; 
 and reftor'd John Lord Mowbray, Earl-Marfhal, Son of 
 Thomas Duke of Norfolk, who was banifh'd by Richard 
 the Second, to the Title and Stile of Duke of Norfolk ; 
 and made above forty others Knights. After this the Par- 
 liament fat till June the 15th following ; but did nothing 
 more than raife a Supply of Men and Money to carry on 
 the Conqueft of France, which were gather'd out 01 the 
 great Cities and Towns of the Kingdom chiefly. 
 
 The whole Bufinefs of this Seflion of Parliament, 
 was, almoft employed, in fettling the Differences be- 
 tween thefe two great Men, very little elle of Moment 
 being done at it. What is any ways ligniricant, is as 
 follows : 
 
 After the Bifhop of Wmchejhr was difcharged of the 
 Chancellorfhip, John, Bifhop of Bath and IVclh, was, 
 alfo, difmifled from being Treafurer of England ; and 
 the latter delivered to the Duke of Bedford the King's 
 great Seal of Gold, in a Leathern Bag, which the 
 Duke took, fhewed it openly, and afterwards gave 
 the fame to John Kempe, Bifhop of London, as Chan- 
 cellor of England (c). 
 
 The Bifhop of Durham, by vertue of a Privy Seal 
 to him directed, delivered the la ft Will and Teftament 
 of Henry V. which was fealed with the great and privy 
 Seals of the private Signet, to the Lords of the Council, 
 who gave the fame to the fafe keeping of Mailer fVtlHam 
 Allenwick, Keeper of the Privy Seal. Jt was then, alfo 
 ena&ed, that the Lords of the Council lhall have full 
 N 3 Power 
 
 (e) Soon after made Archbifliop of York. 
 
 Lk Neve'* Fafti Bee. An*.
 
 1 5)8 The 'Parliamentary H 1 s T o it y 
 
 King Henry VI. Power to bind the King, his Heirs and SuccefTors, to 
 his Creditors in one Security for 40,000 /. 
 
 It was enacted, That the King's Council fhould 
 have Power to end all fuch Bills as are not finifhed by- 
 Parliament. And, March 20, the Chancellor of Eng- 
 land^ by a Commiffion from the King, prorogued this 
 Parliament from the fame Day, unto Monday next 
 after the Feaft of St. George, at Leicefier, aforefaid. 
 
 But, tho' this Prorogation was only to the latter 
 
 End of April, we hear of no more of their Proceedings 
 
 'till the firft Day of June; when, by common AlTent, 
 
 ASubfidy. the fame Subfidy on Wools, &c. with Tonnage and 
 
 Poundage, was granted for two Years, as in the pre- 
 
 ceeding Parliaments. 
 
 Attack upon the I n the Petitions we find, that another Stroke was made 
 
 Clergy. at the Clergy ; which was, that no Man mould make 
 
 any Advowion, Prefentation, Collation, or Indu&ion, 
 
 to any Foreigner of any Benefice or other Ecciefiaftital 
 
 Dignity, on Pain of a Praemunire: And, that every 
 
 Perfon might prefent again for the Non-Refidence of 
 
 the Incumbent. To the firft, the King will be ad- 
 
 vifed ; and to the other, the Bifhops have piomifed to 
 
 take Order therein. 
 
 It is probable thefe Anfwers of the King to the Peti- 
 tions of the Commons, on the foregoing Heads, which 
 amounted in the firft to a Denial of paffing the Bill, 
 proceeded from the ftrong Remonftrances which Mar- 
 tin V. then Pope, had made both to the King and 
 The Pope's Me- Parliament againft it. The Pope's Letters on this 
 nacing Letter to ccafion, are prefer ved by Bifhop Burnet ; the latter 
 
 the Parliament, r , . , i r» ,• • • « s 
 
 to repeal the Sta- ot which to the Parliament, requiring them utterly to 
 
 tute of Provi- repeal the Statute of Provifors, .is fo fingular, as to de- 
 
 sors. f erve a pj ace j n tne f e Enquiries, in its own Language, 
 
 under this Note (d). The next Inftrument, from the 
 
 fame 
 
 (d) Martinus Epifcopus, Servus Servorum Dei, •venerabilibus Fra- 
 tribus & dihelis Filits, Nobilibus viris Parliament I Regni Anglic, 
 Salutem & Jlpoflolicatn Benediclionem. 
 
 Multis nunciii ac frequentibus exbortaiionibus, pro debito paftoralis of- 
 ficii, <vo$ ac Rcgnum-veflrum baBenus admonuimus, ut pro falute anima- 
 rum vejirarum, & ipfius Regni honor e quoddam detefiabile Statutum contra 
 Divinum &? Eumanum Jus cditum, quod fine intcritu falutis aterna nul- 
 latenus fervari poteji, abokretur.. Et quoniam id fine Farliamento toili 
 * nna
 
 C/^NGLAND. ioo 
 
 fame Authority, contains- the Subflance of a Speech King Henry VI. 
 made by the Archbifhr p of Cgnterbwy to the Houfe of 
 Commons, to mow them to a Repeal of that A6t. 
 
 the Archbi- The Archbifhop 
 Of London, of Canterbury's 
 
 , A bbotS Of commons , info- 
 
 IVelrminfler and ic^v.v/.r, ^vent to th,e Houfe of Com* vour of the 
 men?, then fitting, according to Cuftom, in the Re- Po P e?s Demand* 
 fecrory of the Abbey of "Ityiirbjier: And here, the 
 Archbifhop of Canierbwy declared the Occahon of 
 his coming, premifing a Protcfta.'.on, tliat neither 
 N 4 himfelf 
 
 «ji .pojfe, ex parte Churijfimi in Cbrijlo Filii aofiri Hennci Regis Anglia; 
 illuftns, Dileclo Filii Magijiro Juliano Caujaru,n curia Camera' Apoftolicts 
 Aaditori ,j tunc Nuncio: nojfro, refpor. jam cxtitit, in quo {qvavi primuni 
 pojjet) 'eonvocato, quod'JitA pcjji l i!e first pro nojlra Requifuionis txecu- 
 tione Je fdilurum, idem Rex pclliciius ej), protejrans juribus ac Privilegt'is 
 
 veils dctrahcre aut de- 
 uii, decrevimus ujque 
 quod tarn Rex y.:x:a juani 
 Regiam Promijjiotiem , qu'afc <dos pro jaluie animarum veprarurr., Sancte ac 
 Catboltce jeeundum r,ojlram : Rcfutjiticnem ce-ncluactis. Itaque cum Parlia- 
 ;n:ntum (ut ferturj jam infiet, ves omnes quorum animas r.ojlra cura Do- 
 minus nojier jelus Chriftus commiftt , bortamur, monemus, objecranms, ut una~ 
 mmes vsjirarum animarum Jalutem, tic conjeisntiarum ytfrttSreM prce ceteris 
 rebus amaJttes , pr/tdiclum abo'minabije Statutum (quod qui obfervat vel ob- 
 fervari faciat ialvari non potcft) pepitus tollatur, ££ i)e Regno in perpe- 
 tuum aboJeatis. £>uod Ji quis for/it an vobis contrarium perjuadere audeat, 
 quicunque ills fit, Seecularis vel Ecclsfiaflici Status, tanquam boftem ani- 
 marum vejirarum & honorum nullatenus audite ; nee ewn •virum Catholi- 
 cum reputetis, qui advsrfus Romarae Ecd'fia AuEi ar.it atem, Juraqus & 
 Privilegia Sedi Apoftoliate Divinitus cbtiiceffa, aliquid ir.achi'nari prajump- 
 ferit,' quious ipje Rex veflcr . Illujlris nolle ullatetius derogarc publics tro- 
 tejiatus eft. Nos quidtm ipfi fumus ab omnipotent} Deo Jelu Chrifto, fupct 
 vos Cjf Univerfalem Ecclejiam conjlituti, cujus Doctrines ac perjuajioni Jine 
 ulla Contraditlione omnimodam ftdem <vos £•? quilibet Chriftianus habere dc- 
 bet'n : Nostamen, etfi jndignos , eves fuas pafcere Chriffin vcluit, clavef- 
 que aperiendi ac folvcndi Ceelos tradidit. Et Ji quis nos audit, fervi 
 Chrifti tcjlimonium ChnfHanum audit ; & ft quis nos Jpernit, Chnftum 
 fpefnere convincitur, Et quoniam de vobis ac fingulis Chriftianis in di- 
 Jiriclo Dei jfudicio rationem reddituri fumus, idco vos pro Jaluie vejtra 
 turn Jape tamquc ejjicaeiter admonemus ; & ne ; quifquam fub alicujui 
 damn! temporalis praetextu <vos fib hac nojlra Catbolica DoBrina fubmovcat, 
 ecce nos promptos paratofquc ojferimaf, omnibus caujis, propter ques- diclum ,.„-y/ .,« 
 
 Statutum conditum ejj'e prastenditur , falubriter providers, it a ut nec^ Regno 
 nee cuiquam priwta perjena: prajudicium aliquod ex ipjius Statuti aboli- 
 tio <li pojfit accidcre. Super bis omnibus £jf nojlra intentiorte, plene injlruEto 
 dilefte F.lia Magijiro Joanni de Obizi?, in ditto Regno Nuntio £? Collec- 
 tor t. noftro, dabitis Credential pl.nam fidem. 
 
 Dat. Roms a pud Saneios Apojlolos, tertio Die O-itobris, PantiJicaiuX 
 mojlri Anno decimo. 
 
 Buhop Burnet's Coileclion of Records, Vol. I. P. 995.
 
 aoo The ^Parliamentary H i s t o k t 
 
 King Henry vi. himfelf nor any of his Brethren intended to offer any 
 thing in prejudice of the King's Prerogative, or any 
 other Part of the Conftitution. After this Preliminary 
 Difcourfe, he took this Text for the Subject of what 
 he defign'd to fay, Render unto Cefar the Things that 
 are Cafar's, and unto God the Things that are God's. 
 From thefe Words he took occafion to ftate the Ec- 
 clefiaftical and Civil JurifdivStions, and to point out the 
 Barrier between the Church and State. From hence he 
 went on to the Pope's Supremacy j and, that the grant- 
 ing Provifions was one Branch of this Privilege, he at- 
 tempted to prove from Scripture, Prefcription, and the 
 general Confent of Chrijlendom. He therefore requeft- 
 ed the Commons to confider how much the Salvation 
 of their own Souls, and the Happinefs of the King- 
 dom, was concerned in giving the Pope Satisfaction j 
 putting them in mind of the Danger of an Interdict, 
 unlefs the Statute of Pramunire was repealed : And 
 after he had preis'd the Point home, and difcover'd a 
 great deal of Heartinefs and Zeal in the Affair, even with 
 Tears in his F.yes, he withdrew with the reft of his 
 To which the Brethren. The Commons debated the Matter, but 
 Commons pay r .o were not fatisfy'd, it feems, with the Archbifhop's Ar- 
 Kegard. guments ; for they came to no Refolution, either for 
 
 repealing or explaining the Ad above-mentioned : 
 But, on the contrary, refolved to petition the King 
 as aforefaid (e). 
 
 The War with Frame ftill continued to be carried on 
 with great Vigour on both Sides ; but the French King 
 and his Party had the worft of it by far, till the un- 
 fortunate Siege of Orleans was undertaken ; which, 
 being railed by that wonderful Heroine, Joan la Pucelk^ 
 the Englijh Intereft, in that Kingdom, from that Time 
 forward, began to decay. A frefh Supply being much 
 wanted for the War, Writs of Summons were ordered 
 Anno Rceni 6. out f° r ca '^ n g a Parliament to meet at Wcjlminjler, on 
 14x8. ' the ^uindene of St. Michael, or Oclober the 14th, in the 
 AtWcftminfter, y ear 1428. When being all aflembled before the 
 King, in the Painted Chamher of the Palace, John 
 Kempe, Archbifhop of fork, then Chancellor, opened 
 the Caufe of the Summons, taking for his Text thefe 
 
 Words 
 
 (e) Burnet, ut fupra.
 
 Of ENGL AND. aoi 
 
 Words, out of Maccabees, Sine Providentia Regali im-K^z Henry TL 
 pojjibile eft Pacem Regibus dare; from which he deduced 
 two Heads of Difcourfe. 
 
 ' The firft, was the Duty of the Prince towards his 
 ' Subjects j and the other the Duty of the Subjects to 
 1 their Prince. The firft of thefe he again fubdivided 
 e into three other Points belonging to it j that the Sub- 
 
 * jects fhould be defended from any foreign Invafion ; 
 
 * that Juftice fhould be indifferently adminiftred ; and 
 
 * that Peace fhould be kept within the Realm. Three 
 
 * Things, he laid, alfo, belonged to the Subjects ; 
 ' firft, that they mould grant large Supplies for their 
 c better Defence in Time of War ; in Peace, that they 
 
 * would readily obey their Magiftrates, and meekly to 
 « fubmit themfelves to the known Laws of the Land. 
 
 * All which the better to accomplifh, the King had 
 
 * called this Parliament, and confirmed all their Lt- 
 c berties : And, that Bufinefs might be fooner begun 
 
 * and ended, he defired the Commons to make Choice 
 ' of a Speaker, and prefent him the next Day before 
 
 ' the King.' Accordingly the Commons chofe John johnTyrril, Efq; 
 Tyrril, Efq; whofe Excule not being allowed, with the ekaed Speaker, 
 ufual Proteftation, he was admitted. 
 
 This Parliament is faid to have fat, from the Date 
 aforefaid, to the 8th Day of December ; but no Account 
 of any Bufinefs done at it, is given us. By reafon of 
 Chrijlmas Holidays, it was then prorogu'd, by the Lord 
 Prote&or, to the ^uindene of St Hilary, or January 
 the 28th following. 
 
 The firft Thing we find then mention'd, is the a Subfidy. 
 Grant of a large Subfidy, which was three Shillings a 
 Tun for all Wine imported, and twelve Pence in the 
 Pound for all Merchandize. Befides this, there was a 
 kind of a Poll-Tax granted, which, tho' not general, And a Poii-T»x< 
 was laid on every Parifh that was worth ten Marks per 
 Annum ; ten of the chiefeft Pariftiioners in it were to 
 pay fix Shillings and eight Pence a Head. And in eve- 
 ry Parifli that was worth ten Pounds a Year, the like 
 Number of Pariftiioners were each to pay a Mark. In 
 all Corporations, it was ordain'd, that every Perfon, 
 worth above twenty Shillings, befides his Apparel and 
 Houfhold Goods, fhould pay four Pence each to the 
 
 King;
 
 202 7 he Parliamentary H i st o R y 
 
 Kjng Henry V|. King ; and fo proportionably for every twenty they 
 were worth more; by which means this Tax rais'd 
 considerable Sums in the Cities and Borough?. 
 
 Aaspafled. Several uleful Statutes were pafs'd' this Parlia- 
 
 ment ; Firft, That by reafon of the quick Return 
 of Capias's in the King's Bench, Exigents were granted 
 and awarded, whereby divers Perfons being by bafe and 
 fraudulent Practices outlaw'd, their Goods and Chat- 
 „ tels were immediately leiz'd as forfeited to the King ; 
 and fo divers of his Majefty's good and faithful Subjects 
 were utterly undone, as by Complaint of the Com- 
 mons in Parliament doth appear. Therefore, before 
 my Exigents mall be granted for the future, every 
 Capias (hall be directed to the Sheriffs, at leaft fix 
 Weeks ; and if upon the Return the Judges '{hall think 
 fit to grant an Exigent^ they may proceed as formerly ; 
 but that if any be granted before the Return of the Writ 
 they (hall be void. 
 
 Second,. That Sheriffs {hall be obiig'd, under the Pe- 
 nalty of Forty Pounds, to deliver to all Plaintiffs, Te- 
 nants or Defendants, a true Copy of their Pannels'fix 
 Days before the Afjlzes, when they {hall be fo required 
 by the faid Plaintiffs or Defendants. 
 
 Third, Whereas Sheriffs by corrupt Juries have been 
 wrongfully indicted to the Juitices of Affize, for mak- 
 ing fa lie Returns of the Knights chofen in their feveral 
 Shires to ferve in Parliament, by which Means the 
 Sheriffs were liable to pay ioo /. Forfeiture, and the 
 Knights left their accuftom'd Wages in Parliament, 
 without Remedy ; therefore, it was enacted that the 
 Sheriffs and Knights againft whom any Inquelts or Of- 
 fices of undue Election are found, mall for the future 
 have their Anfwer and Traverfe to fuch' Inquelts and 
 _ Offices, and {hall not be endamag'd till duly convicted. 
 
 Fourthly, It was crdained alfo by this Parliament, that 
 feveral Commissions of Sewers 'mould be iilued out by the 
 Chancellor of England, into different Parts of the King- 
 dom, to cleanfe and repair all Walls, Ditches, Guticrs, 
 Bridges, Wears, &V. to prevent the great Inundations 
 of the Sea and Rivers, which had then happened in di- 
 vers Parts of the Nation. And, a Form of a Com- 
 -miffion was composed on Purpofe that it might be the 
 
 more
 
 Of ENGLAND. 203 
 
 more effectual ; and an Order it annex'd to it, that for King Henry vi~ 
 ten Years next enfuing they fhould be fo ftriclly execut- 
 ed, that all Water-Courfes fhould be cleans'd, and the 
 Nation iecur'd againft frequent Inundations. 
 
 Some Matters of lefs publick Concern next occurs ; 
 as th.it it was ordained, by the King and the other Im- 
 itates of the Realm, that no Man fhould contract or 
 marry himfelf to any Queen of England, without a 
 fpecial Licence firft obtain'd from the King, on the' 
 Forfeiture of all his Lands and Goods to the Crown. 
 It is remark'd by the Abridger, that the Bifhops and 
 the inferior Clergy agreed to this Bill, fo far as not to 
 contradict the Laws of God, and the Church, and 
 fo as no deadly Sin fhould be occafion'd by it. It is The QueenDow- 
 probable that this Act was occafion'd by the humb!e' 3 | er m " lies 
 Marriage of Queen Katherine ; who about this Time wen u or * 
 had thought fit to take to her Bed, Oiven Tudor, a 
 Welch Gentleman of no great Fortune, but faid to be 
 defcended from their Cadwallader, the firft of the Bri- 
 lijh Princes, and a long Race of his Defendants (/). 
 
 Although the Breach between Duke Humphrey and 
 the Bifhop of Winchejler had been in ibme Meafure 
 clofed by a formal Concord and Agreement, made pub- 
 Jickly in the Lft Parliament, yet it was too wide, at 
 firft, ever to admit of a thorough Re-Union. The The Bi/hop of 
 Prelate, by hislntereft or his Money, had found Means Winchefter made 
 to obtain a Cardinal's Hat from Rome ; and by this a Cardlnal - 
 Elevation in the Church thought himfelf more than 
 equal, in Dignity, to the Protector of England* 
 'The latter's Jealoufy, in being eclips'd, we may fup- 
 pofe, occafion'd a Motion being made, in this Parlia- 
 ment, to both Houfes, by himfelf, for explaining the 
 Title and Power of a Protector, or Defender of the 
 Realm ; affirming, that he would not fit in the Houfe 
 till he underftood what it was, fince, as he faid, Peo- 
 ple fpoke differently of it. 
 
 This Affair was taken into Confideraticn by the a Difpute be- 
 King's Council and the Lords of Parliament ; and after ^^ f> im . an <i 
 due Deliberation this Anfwer was returned to the Duke C eft C i "decided in 
 by them. ' That they did not think he had anv great fiis Favour. 
 
 * Right 
 
 (f) Biondi. Sam, Daniel in Kennet. p. 382.
 
 204 The Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry VI. * Right to be Protestor, yet to fatisfie his Defire they 
 ' were content he mould be fo, and have fuch Power as 
 ' was allowed him by Parliament in the firft of this 
 ' Reign. But, that the Name of the Protestor and 
 ' Defender imported, only, a perfonal Duty of Atten- 
 
 * dance, in the actual Defence of the Realm againft fo- 
 
 * reign Enemies and inward Rebels ; and not any par- 
 6 ticlar Authority, fuch as properly belongs to Tutors, 
 ' Lieutenants, Governors or Regents, for if they had 
 ' defigned otherwife they then would have exprefled it 
 
 * at the Time aforefaid. Thus, it was allowed that 
 < in Council, as principal Counfellor, he had Pre- 
 ' heminence ; but in Parliament, he had no Claim to 
 ' any higher Place than as Duke of GloteJIer ; fo they 
 ' defired him to be content with his Place in Parliament 
 
 * and with the other Power afligned him, for they fhould 
 ' agree to no other Determination.' This Order, or A- 
 ward, was fubfcrib'd by all the Bifhops, Lords and others 
 of the King's Council there prefent. Laftly, it was 
 enacted, by Confent of Parliament, that the Lords of the 
 King's Council fhould have full Power to determine all 
 Petitions not yet ended, with the Advice of the Judges. 
 And, accordingly, feveral Bills and Petitions were an- 
 fwered and indorfed, by certain Lords, named in the 
 Record, who met in the StarCbamler for that 
 Purpofe. 
 
 J. Stowe tell us of an odd Affair, that, he fays, hap- 
 pened this Parliament, which was this ; 
 a Female Re- * One Millrefs Sto&es, with divers other (tout Wo- 
 monftrance to c men f Londotiy of good Account and well apparrell'd, 
 gaYnftThe^Duke. ' came openly to the upper Houfc of Parliament, 
 ' and delivered Letters to the Duke of Ghcejler^ to the 
 c Archbifhops, and other Lords there prefent, containing 
 ' Matters of Rebuke and fharp Reprehenfion to the faid 
 ' Duke of Gloccjler becaufe he would not deliver his 
 ' Wife Jaqueline^ out of her grievous Imprifonment, 
 \ being then detained Prifoner by the Duke of Burgun- 
 ' dy, and differing her there to remain, unkindly, 
 ' whilit he kept another Adultcrefs, contrary to the 
 4 Law of God and the honourable Eftate of Matri- 
 c mony (g) '. But what good Succefs this virtuous Re- 
 
 monftrance, 
 
 ig) Stowr's Conn. P, 369.
 
 Of E N G L A N D. 105 
 
 monftrance, from the Ladies, had, our Author is filent ; King Henry VI, 
 we may very well fuppofe their Arms too feeble to hurt 
 fo great a Man as the Lord Prote&or. 
 
 The next Year, being the eighth of this King, ano- Anno I ^" i 8 ' 
 ther Parliament was fummoned to meet at Wefiminjler At Weftminfter. 
 on the Day after the Feaft of St- Matthew, or September 
 2 2d ; and being all aflembled, the King himfelf fitting 
 in the Chair of State, in the Painted Chamber, John 
 Archbifhop of York, Lord Chancellor, opened theCaufe 
 of this Summons, under thefe Words of St. Luke, £>uo- 
 modc Jiabit Regnum, &c. 
 
 From which Text, he argued * That in the Realm 
 
 * of England, three Caufes were to be noted which hin- 
 
 * dered its Advancement. Firft, Want of Faith, was 
 
 * the Root of all Vice, Eo quod fine Fide impojfibile eji 
 ' placere Deo ; the Second, Want of Fear, which was 
 
 * the chief in every good Mind, Nam qui nihil timet, 
 1 negliget \ and, Laftly, the Want of upright Juftice, 
 
 * the Pillar of every Kingdom, for, Ex Jujlitia fequi- 
 
 * tur Pax, et ex Pace Return Abundantia maxime pro- 
 
 * creatur. 
 
 * Inftead of thefe three Virtues, three abominable 
 ' Vices, he faid, were fprung up ; namely, Infide- 
 ' lity, by Errors and Herefies ; Obftinacy, inftead of 
 
 * Fear; and Opprefiion in the Place of Juftice. Through 
 ' Infidelity, he told them, that the late Troubles in 
 
 * Germany, and the Deftru&ion of the Kingdom of 
 
 * Bohemia had happened. Fear, he again divided in two 
 ' Parts, the one fpiritual and virtuous, as fearing God 
 
 * and Man for God; the other carnal and vicious, 
 
 * from whence fprung Murmurs and Rebellion, which 
 ' would procure fuch Deftru&ion as happened to Da- 
 
 * than and Abiram. From Oppreflion, enfued the 
 
 * transferring of Kingdoms, according to the wife Man, 
 ' Regnum alienum in Regnum transfertur propter In- 
 1 jujiitias &f Injurias. But that if true Faith, due 
 ' Fear, and ftridt Juftice was reftored, there was then 
 1 no doubt but this would be a flourifliing Kingdom. 
 
 * He concluded, That as the Prince was bound to de- 
 
 * fend the Subjefts t and to keep Peace, fo ought the 
 1 Subje&s to grant largely to the Prince out of their 
 c Goods, that he might be enabled to perform the fame, 
 
 « to
 
 ; 
 io6 The Tiirliamcntary History 
 
 King Henry vi. * to whch End the faid Parliament was called. He 
 ' then directed the Commons to chufe their Speaker, and 
 \ prefent him as ufual'. 
 wilibm A:;i-. r; . The next Day the Commons came again before the 
 s£S. ? K>»»g and Lores; when certain of their Members in- 
 
 formed the Houfe that they had chofen one William Al- 
 li?igt:n liter, to be their Speaker, but defired a Refpite of 
 two Days before they prefented him ; which, being 
 granted, the faid William Allington, on the fourth Day 
 of the Seflion, made the ufual Proteftation, and was 
 allowed. 
 
 During the Sitting of this Parliament, the King 
 
 having now entered into the ninth Year of his Age, 
 
 and fhewing a toward Pregnancy of Wit and Parts, 
 
 it was ihouglit proper to admit him, as it were, into 
 
 his regal Dignity, by a Coronation. Accordingly, 
 
 ThcKing crown- on the 6th of November, being theFeaft of St. Leonard, 
 
 teaorftip h dif-°" l ^ e Ceremony was performed at Wejlmiufler, with great 
 
 foiv'd. Solemnity. And, very foon after, a Motion was 
 
 made in the Houfe of Lords, ' That fince the King 
 
 * had taken upon him the Protection and Defence of 
 ' the Realm by his Coronation, the Name and Power 
 ' of Protect or and Defender, granted to the Dukes of 
 ' Bedford and Ghueefler, from the Day of the laid Co- 
 c ronation, fnould utterly ceafe. And, that they the 
 
 * faid Dukes mould have the Name of principal Coun- 
 
 * feller?, only ; any Order to the contrary, notwith- 
 ' Handing.' Which Motion, after fome Debate, was 
 agreed to by the whole Houfe ; and the Duke of Bed- 
 fod Handing up, in full Parliament, did relinquilh the 
 laid Tides, as to his own Perfon, fo always that the 
 faid Releafe mould no way hurt his Title as Duke of 
 Bedford '(h). 
 
 It 
 
 (h) The Memorial of this whole Proceeding in Parliament, is in the 
 Pubiick Ads ; in which is this remarkable Claufe. 
 
 Pro co etiam quod, Arjijamento diligenti & Deliberation f matura babitis 
 inter Dominos Spirituals & Temporales, in prafenti Parliaminto exijientes, 
 utrum di&um Nomen Prote£loriS & Defenforis, ex Caufa pnediBa t 
 ceffare deberet, r.ecnef Auditifque & intellect's nonnullis r.otabilibus Rit- 
 tionibus & AUegationibus in bae Parte faEtis, tandem •videbjtuf prtefati; 
 Dominis Spiritualibus &? Temporalibus, quod diclun: Nomen Proteclcris vs? 
 Defenforis, a Tempore Coronationh pnediclee, ex Caujis prxditfis, fpt' 
 cialiler cejjare deberet. 
 
 Nomine tamen, &c< Fred. Ang. Tom. X. P, 43$,
 
 AY / 
 
 ■Of E N G L- A N D. 207 
 
 It was not till the twelfth Day of December, that a King Henry vi. 
 Supply was granted by this Parliament, of one whole 
 Tenth and one Fifteenth, to be levied on the Laity. A lar 5 e Subfid > r ' 
 Tho', afterwards, on the twentieth of the fame Month, 
 the Commons',- at the fpecial Inftance and IM re of the 
 Bifhop of JVincheJler, juit. then made a Cardinal, grant- 
 ed another Tenth and a Fifteenth, to be levied as above* 
 They, alfo, gave the King a Grant of Tunnage and 
 Poundage, to continue till the next Parliament. This 
 liberal Donation, at the Prelate's Requeft, fhews, that 
 the new- made Cardinal was in high Eiteem with them, 
 at that Time ; and his Title has gained a Place in the 
 Records themfelves, as follow? : 
 
 Reverendijjimus in Chrifto Pater Domlnus Henricus, 
 Permiljione divina, Titulo Saneli Eufebii Presbyteri Car- 
 d'.nalis in Anglia nuncupates. 
 
 On the fame Day the Chancellor, by the King's 
 Command, and the Confent of the Bifhops and Lords, 
 prorogued the Parliament unto Monday next after the 
 Feaft of St Hilary next enfuing, on account of the - 
 Holy days. 
 
 Being again afiembled, the. firft Thing they did was 
 to take under Coniideration, the prefent high Eftate of 
 the Cardinal Bifhop of Winchefler-, becaufe that Dig- 
 nity exempted him from being of the King's Council, 
 but at his own Pieafure. Therefore, the reft of the 
 Bifhops and Lords contented to join in an humble Re- 
 queft to the faid Cardinal, that he would vouchfafe to 
 be made citj of the Council, under a Proteftation that 
 the faid Cuiir.il ihould abfent himfelf in all Affairs 
 and Counsels of the King, whenever the Pope or See 
 of Rome was'. concerned' in them. Which Requeft, fo 
 made, the Cardinal condefcended to grant under the 
 i>id Condition. 
 
 This, High P.rieft was , at. that Time in fuch Eftim'a- The Cardinal in 
 tion, alfo, with the Commons, in Parliament, that & reat Efteem 
 they uiv^.nimonfly joined' in a Petition to the King, W1 
 praying him,, that, in confideration of the great and 
 notable- Services, lie had done the Crown, both under 
 the prefent King and his Father, that he would grant 
 h.m a full Pardon for whatever- he had a fled contrary 
 to the Laws j particularly in regard "to the Statute of 
 
 Pramunire. 
 
 mons.
 
 ao8 The ^Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry vi. Praemunire. This Petition was granted ; and, confe- 
 quently, the Cardinal was fkreened from all Profecu- 
 tions. Two Acts were, alfo, pafled in the Cardinal's 
 Favour, at this Time, relating to fome Loans of Money- 
 he had lent the King on his Jewels ; which will be 
 mentioned in the Sequel (i). 
 
 Authority was given to the King's Council to make 
 Securities to feveral Creditors of the Crown, for the 
 Sum of 50,000 1. It was alfo ordained, that the Trea- 
 furer and Victualler of the important Town of Calais, 
 fhall receive a certain Quantity of Mercantile or Staple 
 Ware, and other Revenues, within the faid Town, 
 for the Payment of the Garrifon there, and the necefla- 
 ry Reparations. 
 
 The 
 
 (/*) This Petition, with the two Afts, are printed at large in Rymer ; 
 and the former being fomewhat extraordinary defeives a Place, in thi» 
 
 Hiflory, in its original Language. 
 
 Item Priount Les Comunis que pleafe a vous Trefgracious Seigneur. 
 Conjiderant les trefgraunds fif notable Services & Natureffes, fibien *■ 
 vout, come a veftre trefnoble Pere, qui Dieu affoile, avaunt cet ILurei, 
 faitex par le Trefverent Pere en Dieu, Henry Beaufort, Preftre Cardi- 
 nal, fouth la Title de Saint Eufebe, & Evefque de Wyncheftre, 
 d 'or diner Gf grauntier, par AJfent des Seigneurs Efpirituclx S? Tempo- 
 relx, en cefi veftre prefent Parlement efteanx par AuElorite de mefme I* 
 Parlement, que le dit Henry Cardinal, par qucconque Noun mefme It 
 Henry foit name, ne nul aultre, ferra mye, purfue, vexe, emplede, cu 
 gra-vc, par vous, ou vos Heires. ou Succejfcurs, Royes d* Engleterre, r.t 
 par afcun aultre Perfon, a Caufe d'afcun Provifion, ou d'afcun Offenfe, 
 ou Mifprifton, fait par le dit Henty en countre afcun EJlatut des Provifours, 
 ou par Caufe d'afcun Exemption, Refceit, Acceptation, Admiffton, ou Exe- 
 tution d'afcunx Bulles Papalles, a luy en afcun Maniere faitx, merque le 
 dit Henry Cardinal, & chefcun aultre, de toutex tielx Maner d'Aclioni, 
 Purfuts, Empecbements t et Vexations, et de toute Chafes queux ferroienc 
 en Offenfe de vol Ley is en celle Partie, a Caufe fuifdit, et de toutx aul- 
 tre: Anions ct Purfuites, dount Punijfement, femblable al Punijferr.ent con - 
 Unutx en I'Efiatutx de Provifours, viendroit ou furdroit, foient, et 
 ebefcun de eux foit, par mefme /' ' Auiloritee > en vers vous, vos Heires et 
 Succejfours, ent quitex & difekargex tout autrcment, et que toutx tiel* 
 Aclions Sf Purfutes, envtrs le dit Henry Cardinal, et Chefcun aultre, a 
 Caufes furdites, foit extientes, et pleinement paritex, voidex, cafjex et irri- 
 tes. 
 
 Et que vous, vos Heires et Succcffours, foiex et foient, de tout Manere en- 
 ter efj'e, et de toutx Maner s a" Atlions et Purfuites, aver ou purfuer par cclli 
 Encbefon, envers le dit Henry Cardinall et chefcun aultre, forelofe et ex- 
 clufe pur toutx Jours, par le AuElorite fufdit ; afcun EJlatut es et Ordinan- 
 ces, faitx a contraire, nient objlantx. 
 
 Refponfio Regis. 
 Fjat prout petitur, quantum ad praditlum Cardinalem, et omnes alios 
 qui Octaficne ejufdim Cerdinalis imptti poterunt vel tmplacitari. 
 
 F«d. Anglican. Tom. X p. git.
 
 0/ ENGLAND. io 9 
 
 The valiant Lord Talbot being then a Prifoner in King Henry VI. 
 France, the King, by common Confenr, agreed to re- 
 leafe Sir William Bircham, Knight, a French Prifoner, 
 as Part of hisRanfom ; provided the faid Sir IVilliam 
 was notimpeach'd for the Death of the Duke of Bur- 
 gundy. It is remarkable, that this Lord Talbot had ferv- 
 ed the late King, in his Wars, two Years, without any 
 Wages. At the fame Time it was agreed by Parlia- 
 ment, that the Duke of Orleans Coufin to the King, 
 who had been a Prifoner in England ever fince the Bat- 
 tle of Jgincourt, and was then in the Cuftody of Sir 
 Thomas Chamberzvorth, Knight, mould be deliver'd to 
 Sir John Cornwall Knight, by him to be lafe kept. 
 And that the Duke of Bourbon, taken at the fame Battle, 
 mould be committed to the Cuftody of Sir Thomas 
 Chamberworth. 
 
 This Parliament fat to the 23d of February, on 
 which Day, as if they could not be tired with granting 
 Money, they gave the King the fame Subfidy on 
 Wools, as was granted informer Parliaments, for two 
 Years. And at the fame Time, they confented to Another Subfidy. 
 fhorten the Payment of the laft Tenth and Fifteenth, 
 to relieve the preffingNecefnties of the State. 
 
 Before they were dilTolv'd, they alfo agreed upon Ankles for the 
 certain Articles, Eighteen in Number, for the better Regulation of 
 Regulation of the King's Council. All which faid Ar- J^^S 8 '" 
 tides, every one of the Lords of the Council, whofe 
 Names are there fpecified, promifed faithfully to per- 
 form. The Abridger has made but two Observations 
 on thefe Articles : The one, that the Dukes or Bedford 
 and Gloucefer were accounted no higher in Council 
 than as two of the fame Body ; the other is, that all 
 fuch Officers, civil or military, who have ferv'd the 
 King and his Father faithfully, mould be firft preferred 
 to Places and Benefices in the King's Gift. A goodly 
 Precedent, fays Cotton, to encourage Officers to ferve 
 painfully and faithfully, when their Hoping is not turn- 
 ed to Haltering. 
 
 There were many Acls made in this Parliament 
 
 which the Reader may, if he pleafes, confult altogether 
 
 :n the Statutes at large. But an Account of two or 
 
 Vol. II. O three
 
 1 1 o The Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry vi. three of them cannot well be omitted in thefe Inqui- 
 ies. The firft was, ' That the Bifhops and the infe- 
 rior Clergy coming to attend their Service in Parlia- 
 A£ts relating to c ment, fhall have the fame Privilege, in regard of 
 Privilege j < ^ p ro r, e £tion f t heir Servants, as the Peers of the 
 Realm. That every City, Borough, and Town in 
 the Kingdom, fhall have at their own Charge a com- 
 mon Balance and Weights, fealed according to the 
 Standard of the Exchequer, in the keeping of the 
 Alfo to Weights * Mayor, or Conftable. At which Balance all the 
 and Meafures j « Inhabitants of the fame City or Town were to weigh, 
 without paying any Thing ; but Strangers were to 
 pay a fmall Premium there fpecified. 
 It was alfo ena&ed, ' That whereas Knighrs of the 
 Shire had of late been chofen by outragious and ex- 
 cefiive Numbers of People, and of fmall Subftance ; 
 for the future, the faid Knights fhall be elected in every 
 County, by People dwelling and refident in the faid 
 Counties, whereof every one fhall have, in Lands orTe- 
 nements, to the Value of forty Shillings, by the Year, 
 at the leaft, above all Charges ; and that they which 
 fhall be fo chofen fhall be dwelling and refident within 
 the faid Counties. 
 
 In the Parliament, ioth Henry VI. Anno 1432, it 
 was declared, ' That the faid forty Shillings per Annum 
 1 muftbe Freehold.' This Statute is in Force at this 
 Day ; but the Difference in the Value of Money, 
 then and now, will be belt afcertained by the Price of 
 Provifions neir this Period. Arr.onz;ft the Petitions 
 there are alio fume, with their Anfvvers, which deferve 
 our Notice. 
 Petitions and ? et ' That the Statutes, made on all Appeals for 
 
 Anfwers. Things done out of the Realm, fhall be tried before the 
 
 Conftable and Marfhal of England ; and that all done 
 within the Realm, be tried by the Laws of the 
 Nation. 
 
 Anf. The Statutes made for that Purpofe fhall be 
 kept. 
 
 Pet. That Sheriffs, and fuch other Officer?, be not 
 impeached by Procefs out of the Exchequer, for Things 
 not leviable. 
 
 Votes for 
 Knights of Shires 
 limited to Free- 
 holds of 40 s. 
 fer Annum. 
 
 Anfw.
 
 Of E N G L A N D. m 
 
 Anfw. The King's Council fhall have Power to de- King Henry VI. 
 termine this Matter. 
 
 Pet. That all BurgefTes of Parliament may have 
 their Writs to the Sheriff of the fame Shire, to levy their 
 Fees and Wages. 
 
 Anfw. The King will be advifed. 
 
 'Pet. That all fuch Soldiers as pafs thro' the Realm, 
 may pay for their Victuals and Lodging. 
 
 Anfw. The King will be advifed. 
 
 Pet. That all Lands, whatfoever, do contribute to 
 the Payment of Knight's Fees coming to Parliament, 
 excepting the Lands of Bifhops, Peers, and Towns who 
 fend Burgeffes. 
 
 An/w. The fame as before. 
 
 Complaint being made to the Houfe of Commons, 
 that one William Lake, Servant to William Mildred, one 
 of the Burgeffes for London, was committed to the Fleet 
 on an Execution of Debt ,• he was immediately dif- 
 charged by the Privilege of the Houfe ; and Authority Privilege of Par- 
 given to the Chancellor to appoint certain Perfons, by Hament. 
 Commiffion, to apprehend him after the End of the 
 Parliament. Sir Robert Cotton remarks that no fuch 
 Man, as is here mentioned, can be arrefted in the Time 
 of Parliament, but for Treafon, Felony, or Breach of 
 the Peace. 
 
 This Parliament being diffolved on the 23d of Fe- 
 bruary i fome Petitions which were not anfwered, were 
 left, as was ufual in thofe Days, to the Determination 
 of the King's Council, 
 
 Immediately after the Diffolution of this Parlia- 
 ment, the young King Henry fet out for France, at- 
 tended with a great Train of the Englijh Nobility 
 and Gentry ; and arriving foon after at the City of 
 Roan in Normandy^ he made his Abode there all the 
 Summer. And, in November, in the Year 1430, the Hemy crown'd 
 Eighth of his Reign, he was with thegreateii Solemnity Kin s °f France, 
 crowned King of France at Paris. 
 
 Whilft the young Monarch and his Council were 
 exercifing the regal Power abroad, the Duke of Glo- 
 cejler y who had been left Regent in his Abfence, know- 
 ing the preffing Occafion they had for Men and Money, 
 in order to carry on the French War, was obliged to 
 O z ' call
 
 a i a The Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry vi. call a Parliament, at home, for that purpofe. Writs 
 
 were fent out, dated November 7th, and returnable at 
 
 JVeJlminJler y ihQ 12th of January following. 
 
 Anno Regn! 9. Being all met in the Painted Chamber , Humphrey 
 
 a. w 4 i r " a- Duke of Glocefter, called now Guardian or Keeper of 
 
 At Weftminfter. _, ,,.,- ,. , ~,, . r r> 1 C-. 
 
 England^ being feated in the Chair of btate, the Com- 
 mons being alfo prefent, commanded William Lin- 
 wood, Dcdtor of Laws, to open the Caufe of the Sum- 
 mons, John Kempe, Archbifhop of York and Chancellor, 
 being abfent by Sicknefs, who took for his Theme, 
 Firmabitur Solium Regni ejus. 
 
 On this he endeavoured to demonftrate, < That the 
 
 * King and Kingdom ought to be eftablifhed by a three- 
 
 * fold Virtue. The firft, by Unity, the next Peace, 
 
 * and the third by Juftice. Unity he fubdivided into 
 
 * other three Parts, viz. colleclivam, as in gathering 
 6 Goods together j the other, cou/iitutivam, as in com- 
 4 paring the feveral Members of a Man's Body j the 
 4 third, confentaneam, as in Union of each Body my- 
 
 * ftical, or politic. Peace, was, alfo, threefold ; Peace 
 
 * Monaftical, which every Man hath over himfelf ; 
 
 * Oeconomical, as relating to the Government over 
 c his Houfehold ; and Political, whereby the good Eftate 
 
 * of the King is beft fecured. And, lailly, Juftice had 
 ' its three Parts ; the firft, every Subject's due Obe- 
 
 * dience to the Magiftrates ; the fecond, by advifing his 
 ' Neighbours and Equals ; and the laft, in relieving 
 ' the Poor. He concluded with obferving, that the 
 
 * aforefaid Unity was much broke within the King- 
 
 * dom by Wbifperers and Mifdoers j from which an 
 
 * utter Subversion was like to enfue. That it was the 
 
 * King's full Defire that every Eftate in the Realm 
 
 * fhould enjoy all their juft Liberties ; and prayed the 
 
 * Commons to choofe their Speaker, and prefent him 
 
 * the next Day to the Guardian.' 
 
 johnTyrrei.Efy; The fame Day the Commons made a Report of their 
 
 chofen speaker. Speaker, as in the laft Parliament ;' and on January 
 
 15th, they prefented John Tyrrel Efq; whofe Excufe 
 
 being refu fed ; with the accuftomed Proteftanon, he was 
 
 allowed. 
 
 The very firft Thing that they went upon in this 
 Parliament, was the Supply ; and a Grant was agreed 
 
 on,
 
 Of ENGLAND. 213 
 
 on, of one Tenth and one Fifteenth, and a third of both. King Henry VI. 
 They, alfo, gave Tonnage and Poundage for two 
 Years,with a Subfidy of the like Value on all Merchants.A Subfidy. 
 Aliens, over and above the faid Tonnage and Poun- 
 dage. The Commons, alfo, granted to the King twen- 
 ty Shillings from every Layman holding a Knight's 
 Fee, and according to the Value under or over. The 
 fame from the Clergy for all Lands purchafed fince the 
 20th Edward I. And that all other Perfons having He- 
 reditaments to the Value of Twenty Pounds, over all 
 Reprifes, not held as above, {hall, alfo, pay Twenty 
 Shillings ; and fo according to Rate. This is another A Lmd-Tax. 
 Inftance of a Tax on Lands and Tenements. 
 
 An Aft was paffed this Seflion, to empower certain 
 Lords, of the King's own Family, to be Commiffioners 
 for treating of a Peace with the Perfon called here, only, 
 the Dauphin of France. 
 
 It was ordained, that the King's Council, and o- 
 ther Head Officers, exprefled in the Record, mould 
 have Yearly out of the Exchequer, by way of Reward, 
 fuch Fees as are there particularly mentioned. And, at 
 the fame time Authority was given to the King's Coun- 
 cil, to make Securities to the King's Creditors, for the 
 Loan of 50,000 /. as in the laft Parliament. 
 
 Several Affairs, relating to private Property, were 
 tranfa<5ted this Seflion : But, only, one is remarkable e- 
 nough for our Purpofe ; fince it made a great Noife at 
 that time, and produced an Act of Parliament, ftill in 
 Force in our Statute- Books. The Cafe was this : 
 
 A Charge of Baftardy was alledged againft Eleanor 
 the Wife of James Lord Dudley, who claimed the In- Baftardy*} 1 " 2 *" 
 heritance of Edmund Earl of Kent, as being his eldeft 
 Daughter, and a legitimate Iflue, or Mulier, by Con- 
 fiance his Wife ; for the Proof of which, (he had pro- 
 cured a Certificate from the Ordinary. Againft this 
 Claim, the other Daughters of the faid Edmund Earl 
 of Kent prefented a Petition to Parliament, alledging, 
 that the faid Eleanor was a Baftard ; that her Mother 
 Confiance, the late Wife to Thomas Defpenfer, was never 
 married to the faid Earl ; and that the faid Certificate 
 brought ftom the Ordinary, was obtained by Fraud. 
 All this being fully proved, in order to prevent fuch 
 O 3 Proceedings
 
 a 1 4 The Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry vi. Proceedings Tor the future, an Act was made, * That 
 
 * in all Pleas, wherein Baftardy is alledged againft any 
 ' Perfon, Party to the (aid Plea, the Judge, or Judges, 
 ' of or in the Courts where the faid Plea is depending, 
 ' fhall certify it to the Chancellor of England, for the 
 c Time being, to the Intent that Proclamation be 
 
 * made in the faid Chancery, for three Months, once 
 ' in every Month, that all Perfons who have any 
 ' thing to object againft the faid Mulier, or Perfon 
 ' pretending himfelf a legitimate Iffue, may put in 
 ' their Allegations and Objections before any Certifi- 
 ' cate be given by the Bifhops.' 
 
 An Ac! was, alfo, made to redrefs another Grievance, 
 
 To Executors of which was, ' That whereas under Colour of Outlaw- 
 
 Wiiis j < r j eS) f uec j out a g a i n ft certain Perfons, Occafion was 
 
 c taken to moleft others of the fame Name, and to 
 
 * feize their Goods and Chattels, efpecially when they 
 ' were dead, becaufe there was no Remedy at Com- 
 
 * mon Law for Executors to recover fuch Seizures ; 
 ' therefore, it was enacted by this Parliament, in fa- 
 
 * vour of Executors ; that in Defence of the Teftator's 
 1 Goods, a Writ called Identitate Nominis, mould be 
 ' granted to them, and mould be as maintainable by 
 ' them as by any other Perfon living.' 
 
 And Hindrance Complaint being made to the Houfes, that the 
 °h Navi . 6 ? tion by Welchrnen affembled in great Numbers, and being arm'd, 
 did in a riotous and rebellious Manner, intercept and 
 hinder the Boats, Trows, Floats called Drays, carrying 
 Wares and Merchandifes up the River Severn, to 
 Brijlol, Glocejier, Worcejler, and other Places, and broke 
 the faid Veffels, to the End that the Traders might 
 have their Boats and Veffels of them only ; therefore, 
 it was enacted, ' That all the King's Liege People 
 ' fhould have free Paffage upon the faid River, to 
 ' carry their Goods and Chattels as they pleafe, with- 
 ' out any Moleftation from the IVelcb ; and if for the 
 ' future, they any ways molefted them in their Paffage, 
 ' or Traffjck, the Party or Parries aggrieved fhall have 
 4 their Action at Common Law.' 
 
 Remarkable Petitions and Anfwers, in this Parlia- 
 ment. 
 
 Pet. That all Outlawries in Actions perfonal, pro- 
 
 nounaed
 
 Of E N G L A N D. 215 
 
 nounced before the Statute of Additions, made the 1 ft of King Henry vj. 
 Henry V. may be pardoned. . 
 
 Anf. The King will be advifed. Anfwers.*" 
 
 Pet. That in the Writ of forging of falfe Deeds, 
 the Venire facia may be of both Counties, as well 
 where the Land doth lie, as where the Writ is brought. 
 
 Anfw. The fame as before. 
 
 Pet. That the Statute made Anno 8. Henry VI. 
 Cap. 2. touching Denmark, may be utterly void and 
 revoked. 
 
 Anfw. The King expects to hear from his Ambaf- 
 fador at that Court j and in the mean time will be 
 advifed. 
 
 Pet. The Commons of Northumberland, Cumber- 
 land, Weflmoreland, and the Bifhoprick of Durham, 
 pray, that the Merchants of Newcaflle, may, at all 
 Times buy, and tranfport their own Wools. 
 
 Anfw. The King will be advifed. 
 
 Pet. That Attachments and Prohibitions againft 
 Tythe of great Wood, may be granted to every Per- 
 fon out of either of the Benches. 
 
 Anfw. The fame. 
 
 Pet. That two Perfons in every Hundred of the 
 Realm, may by Com million, be appointed to fearch 
 the due making of Woollen Cloths, and to feal the 
 fame, taking One Penny. 
 
 Anfw. The King will be advifed. 
 
 In Confideration of 200 /. paid by the Merchants of 
 the Ifle of Ely to certain Perfons of the County of 
 Cambridge, to buyTwenty Marks of Land by theYear ; 
 it is enadted, * That the faid Inhabitants for ever fhall 
 
 * be difcharged from paying any Thing towards the Fees 
 
 * of Knights of the Shire for Cambridge/Inn.' 
 
 We have no Account how long this Parliament fat ; 
 but Hiftorians tell us, that, before the DhTolution of it, 
 Ambafladors came from James King of Scots to the 
 Duke of Glocejler, to defire that a Peace might be con- 
 cluded between the two Nations. But the Duke, not 
 willing to determine fo important a Matter, without 
 the Confent of the People, referred it to the three Im- 
 itates, who, after long Confutation and many De- 
 O \ bates,
 
 1 1 6 The 'Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry VI. bates, fettled a Peace with them. Which Peace it was 
 A Peace with tnen thought would long continue, becaufe Scotland 
 the Scots. was fo difturbed by home-bred Divifions, that no Mo- 
 
 leftation could be expected from that Quarter (k). 
 
 The young King Hayed no longer in Paris, than 
 till the Noblemen of France and Normandy had paid 
 their Homage to him, after his Coronation ; when he 
 returned for England, landed at Dover, and was met 
 in his Way to London by the Citizens, and conducted 
 to Wejiminjler with great Pomp, Triumph, and many 
 Sorts of Pageantry. 
 
 Not long after the King's Arrival, the Council 
 thought it neceflary to call another Parliament ; for 
 which Purpofe Writs of Summons were iflued out 
 dated Feb. 25, for one to meet at Wejiminjler, the 
 1 2th Day of May following. 
 Anno Regni 10. At wn ' c ^ Time being aflembled, in the ufual Cham- 
 1432. ber within the Palace, the King himfelf on the Throne, 
 At Weftminfter. anc j a ]j f ne L or cl s and Commons attending, John Staf- 
 ford, Bifhop of Bath and Wells, then Chancellor of 
 England, was commanded to open the Caufe of the 
 Summons; which he did in this Manner, taking for 
 his Text thefe Words of St. Peter, Deum timet e, Re- 
 gem honorificate. 
 
 * On which Words he remarked two Points, the 
 
 * firft, a general Cour.fel to • Princes, that they might 
 ' learn Knowledge; to obey and ferve God, according 
 
 * to the Words of the Prophet, Nunc Reges intelligitc, 
 1 erudimini quijudicatis Terr am, fervite Domino in 77- 
 ' more. The fecond, a Commandment to Subjects 
 ' to learn to obey and honour the Prince, according to 
 
 * the Saying of the Apoftle, Omnis Anima fublimiori- 
 
 * bus Pote/latibus fubdita fit, non enim efl Potejlas, &c. 
 ' And again, Reddite omnibus Debita, Tributum cui Tri- 
 
 * butum efl, csV. 
 
 * Which Points he learnedly enlarg'd upon, and en- 
 
 * deavoured to prove by many Examples, Authorities, 
 
 * and Similitudes, that the King and Realm of Eng- 
 
 * land might eafily attain to the Heighth of Peace and 
 ' Profperity, if true Fear of God and Honour to the 
 
 * Prince were in the Hearts of the Subjects ; wherefore 
 
 * for 
 
 WhAlL.FoI.CXXI. HOLLINGSHEAD, P. 607.
 
 Of ENGLAND. 217 
 
 c for the attaining thereto, and fupp re fling fuch Re- King Henry VI, 
 ' bels as defpifed the Rights of the Church, and would 
 
 * deftroy the Minifters of the fame, was one Caufe for 
 ' the calling this Aflembly* The other was, for the 
 ' due Execution of the Laws, which was Salus cujus- 
 
 * libet Civitatis et Regni. And the laft was, how to 
 
 * find Ways and Means to enrich the Subjects, who for 
 ' a long Time had liv'd in great Want and Penury.' 
 He concluded, as ufual, with acquainting them, that the 
 King defired that every Eftate mould enjoy its own due 
 Liberties ; and that the Commons fhould chufe their 
 Speaker, and prefent him the next Day to the King. 
 
 On the fecond Day of their fitting, the Duke of 
 Glotejler ftood up in the Houfe of Lords and faid, ' That 
 ' he had been informed the Commons had made aDecla- 
 ' ration, that if they could underftand the Lords of the 
 
 * King's Council intended to ferve in their Station with 
 ' perfect Unity, it would greatly encourage them to 
 ' do their Parts effectually. That he promifed, for 
 
 * his Part, that although he was Chief Prefident of 
 
 * the Council, yet he would act nothing without the 
 
 * Confent of the Majority of them.' This Declara- 
 tion of the Duke's was, the nextDay, made to the Com- 
 mons, by the Chancellor. 
 
 The Day after, the Commons prefented to the King j hnRuflel,Efij 
 "John Rujply Efq; for their Speaker, who, making the eleaed Speaker, 
 ufual Proreftation, was allow'd of. They, then, with 
 the Confent of the Lords, granted one Tenth and half ASubfiJy. 
 a Fifteenth ; alfo one Year's Subfidy on Wools, and 
 the lame Tonnage and Poundage, as in the laft Parlia- 
 ment. But the King releas'd the Tncreafe of Six-pence 
 on every Pound, laid then on all Merchant Strangers. 
 
 A great Complaint war made to the Houfes, by the Another Quarrel 
 Cardinal Bifhop of Winchejler, that, he being in Flan- between Cardinal 
 ders, in his Way to Rome, was obliged to return back "of cio?' 
 in or Jer to clear himfelf from a Report that had been cefter. 
 fpread that he was a Traytor to the Realm ; of which, 
 the Duke of Glo'tce/ler, by the King's Command, de- 
 clared him guiltlefs. But Sir Robert Cotton here re- 
 marks, that the true Reafon of the Cardinal's Hidden 
 Return, was, that having feveral of the King's Jew- 
 els ia Pawn, he had order'd them to be lent after him ; 
 
 Which
 
 2 1 8 The Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry vi. which Jewels, by Command from the King, or ra- 
 ther the Duke of G/ouceJIer, were arrefted at Sandwich. 
 This brought the Cardinal back in a mighty Pother ; 
 and it appears by the next Article in the Record, that 
 an Order was taken that the Cardinal fhould pay to the 
 King 6000 /. more for them, and lend to him befides 
 14000/. which was done accordingly; and then he 
 was allow'd to take them, or leave them behind him, at 
 his Pleafure. The Kingalfo, with the Confent of the 
 other Eftates, granted a Pardon for all Offences, and 
 for all Penalties and Pains incurred by him on the Sta- 
 tute of Pramunire, Thus far Sir Robert ; but another 
 Hiftorian {I) acquaints us, that when the Jewels the 
 Cardinal had in Pawn were feized at Sandwich, he was 
 then in Flanders upon the King's Affairs ; but, on the 
 News of the Seizure, he came over in all hafte to Lon- 
 don, without Leave j which gave the Duke of GIou- 
 tejler Occafion to feize his Baggage. That, on the Day 
 after his Arrival, he went to the Houfe of Lords • and 
 faid, he was come to clear himfelf from the Crimes laid 
 to his Charge, and vindicate his Innocency, againft 
 whoever fhould be his Accufer. That the Duke of 
 Gloucejl.er not thinking it proper to fupport what he had 
 advanced, the Prelate was anfwered, that fince none 
 appeared to accufe him, he was acknowledg'd as a loyal 
 Subject. He thanked the Houfe for this Declaration, 
 and defir'd it might be drawn up in Form ; which was 
 granted. Then he complain'd, that at his Arrival at 
 Sandwich his Baggage was feized ; and petition'd the 
 Reftituiion. He maintained that the Seizure was made 
 without Caufe, and offered to lend the King 6000 /. 
 forfixYeirs; on Condition, that if the Seizure appear- 
 ed to be lawful, the Money lent fhould be forfeited to 
 the King's Ufe. Heoffer'd moreover to lend him the 
 like Sum, and to defer the Demand of the 13000* 
 Mark?, due to him on another Account, provided the 
 Payment of the whole fhould be allign'd out of the 
 next Subfidy granted to. the King. His Aim was to 
 fhew his Regard for the King's and the People's 
 Wants. His Offers were accepted, and the Seizure re- 
 ftor'd. Thus the Duke of Ghucejler, inftead of hurt- 
 ing 
 
 (!) Rapids H\&. of Er.g. Fol. Edit. p. 334, 335.
 
 Of ENGL AND. n 9 
 
 ing his Enemy, had the Mortification to fee him re- King Henry Vl. 
 
 ceive the Applaufes of both Houfes. Mean while this 
 
 Difcord produced very ill Effects. As the Duke ofGlou- Which termi- 
 
 cc/ler had Friends and Adherents in the Council, the [J 1 ^*™™ 
 
 Oppofition, generally between the two Parties, could 
 
 not but be very prejudicial to the King's Affairs. 
 
 For, whilft the Duke and the Cardinal thought only of 
 
 their own private Concerns, the War in France was 
 
 neglected, though it was more neceffary than ever to 
 
 fupportit with the greateft Efforts. 
 
 We have chofe to give this long Quotation from Ra- 
 pin, as it particularly relates to thisDefign, and to fet 
 this Matter in as clear a Light as poffible. The Autho- 
 rities that Author quotes from, are fome Inftruments 
 in the Public Afls, and Cotton's Records. The Read- 
 er may obferve, that the latter differs widely from his 
 Account, efpecially in Regard to the Seizure of the 
 Crown Jewels ; which was made on his going out of the 
 Kingdom, and not on his Return into it. And it is 
 certain, that the Duke of Ghucejier was in the right to 
 prevent the Cardinal from carrying fuch a Treafure over 
 with him into Foreign Parts. However, the Prelate 
 had Intereft enough in this Parliament, to get the Peti- 
 tion from the Commons, made in the laft, again rati- 
 fied ; with the two fubfequent Acts forReftitution, t£c. 
 and all of them exemplified under the Broad Seal (m). 
 
 But to go on with the other Proceedings of this Par- 
 liament : Some more Matters of lefs Moment occurred ; 
 the principal of which are thefe, 
 
 The Commons petitioned the King, that the Fees and 
 Wages of the King's Judges, Serjeants, and Attorneys, 
 might be paid, which was ordered accordingly. And 
 by Order of the Houfes, certain Accountants of the 
 King's Houfhold, by Name, were pardoned their Of- 
 fences. 
 
 On the Petition of Richard Duke of York, Brother 
 to Edwardhte Duke of Tork, and Coufin-German to 
 Edmund late Earl of March, to have Livery of all the 
 Hereditaments belonging to the faid Duke and Earl, 
 by Ordinance of Parliament they were reftdred to him. 
 
 This 
 
 (m) Fisd.Ang. Tom. X. p. 5i6,J7> 18, 1.9. For an Inventory of thefe 
 Jewels, with their particular Sorts, Weight, and Value, fee, alio, 
 p. 593, &e.
 
 no The Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry vi. This was the famous Duke of Tori, who firft began 
 the open Quarrel between the two Houfes. In this 
 Parliament, alfo, as was anciently the Cuftom, the 
 King created the renowned Sir John ComzvalKnght, 
 Baron of Fannhoppe ; there to fit and enjoy the Liberty 
 of a Baron. 
 
 Petitions and Anfwers. 
 
 Pet. That the Defendant in an Appeal of Maim 
 Petitions and may make his Attorney. 
 Anfwers. j^ The King will be advifed. 
 
 Pet. That the Statute, made 7 Hen. IV. Cap. 9. 
 relating to Merchants Strangers may be executed with 
 this Adjunct, viz, Pains and Penalties on the Engfjh 
 Merchants, and Officers of every Town for not execut- 
 ing of it. 
 
 Anfw, The King will be advifed. 
 
 Pet. That none be compelled to be examined in Par- 
 liament, or elfewhere, touching his Frank Tenant. 
 
 Anfw. The fame. 
 
 Pet. T hat fuch Perfons as fhall have their Goods 
 taken by the Merchants of Hans, in their Parts, may 
 have their Remedy by Action at Law in London, againft 
 the Hans Merchants refiding in that City. 
 
 AnJ. The fame as before. 
 
 Pet. That no Merchant or other Perfon be impeach- 
 ed for the Seal of any Cloth, broad or narrow, after 
 Juch Time as the Alnager (n) has fealed the fame, and 
 Cuftom is paid for it. 
 
 Anf. The fame. 
 
 Pet. For fpeedy Redrefsof and in all Actions belong- 
 ing to fuch Perfcns, as were Members of the Houfe of 
 Commons. 
 
 Anf. The fame. 
 
 Pet. That all Parfonages, appropriated to fome re- 
 ligious Houfe, not endowing of Vicars on the fame, 
 may be within fix Months unappropriated . 
 
 Anf. As before. 
 
 A Motion 
 
 (n) Alnager, Auhmger, in Latin, Ulniger or Vlnatcr, a Meafurer of 
 Cloth by Eli. This Officer was anciently, both Searcher and Meafurcr 
 of Clcth as well as Alnager, and was Collector of the Subfidy granted to 
 the King by the fevcral Statutes ; he had a peculiar Seal to denote the 
 Defidb which each Cloth contained. See Jacob' 'i Latu Di&.
 
 Of ENGLAND. 221 
 
 A Motion was made, and a Device offered, for the King Henry vi. 
 true making of Gafcoign Wine. 
 
 Anf. The King will fend this over to the Officers of 
 Guienne, and appoint them to take Order therein. 
 
 P^/.That Prohibitions and Attachments may be had, 
 upon the Statute of the 45 Ed. III. againft Parfons 
 fuing for Tithe-Wood above the Age of twenty Years. 
 
 Anf. The Statutes, to that purpofe provided, {hall be 
 obferved. 
 
 At the Petition of the Houfe of Commons, the King 
 releafed utterly, on account of certain Doubts, the 
 Subfidy granted in the laft Parliament on Lands and 
 Tenements, fo as it never fhould be mentioned again. Jp^hfund^" 
 This looks as if all Parties were afhamed of fuch an Tax. 
 uncommon Impofition on the Subject in thole Days ; 
 tho' it is now no Novelty, and will continue, we fear, 
 to be as immutable as Fate. 
 
 The French War had, about this Time, run greatly 
 againft the Intereft of the Englijh in that Kingdom ; and, 
 in the eleventh Year of this King, another Parliament 
 was called, by Writs dated May 24, to meet at Weft- Anno Regni «, 
 minjler on the 8th of July following. Being all aflem- r 433« 
 bled, before the King, in the Painted Chamber of the AtWeftmi,lfter ' 
 Palace, the Dukes of Bedford and Glocejler, both of them 
 prefent ; the fame Chancellor, as in the laft Parliament, 
 declared the Caufe of the Summons, and took for his 
 Theme, Sufcipiant Montes Pacem Populo, et Colles Juf- 
 ticiam. 
 
 * This Subject, he divided into three Parts, accord- 
 
 * ing to the three Eftates cf the Realm ; by the Moun- 
 
 * tains, he underftood Bifhops, Lords and Magiftrates ; 
 
 * by the lefler Hills, he meant Knights, Efquires, and 
 
 * Merchants ; by the People, he meant Hufbandmen, 
 
 * Artificers and Labourers. To which three Eftates he 
 ' endeavoured to prove, by many Examples and Au- 
 
 * thorities, that a triple political Vertue ought to be- 
 ' long; to the firft, Unity, Peace and Concord, with - 
 1 out Diffimulation; to the fecond, Equity, Confidera- 
 
 * tion and upright Juftice, without Partiality ; to the 
 8 laft, a due Obedience to the King, his Laws and Ma- 
 ' giftrates, without grudging. By ftriftly obfervingof 
 ' all which, he affirmed, that infinite Bleflings and great 
 
 Acqui-
 
 q.0.2 The Tarliamentary History 
 
 King Henry VI. ' Acquisitions would accrue to the Nation ; and that this 
 ' very Afiembly was called as a Means for that Purpofe. 
 ' Wherefore he enjoined the Commons to make Choice 
 ' of their Speaker, and prefent him to the Kingas ufual'. 
 The Receivers and Tryers of Petitions being appoint- 
 ed, for the different Kingdoms and Countries under 
 Ro erHunt Ef the Dominion of the Englijh King, as was in thofe 
 chofcn Speaker. ' Days the conftant Cuftom of Parliament, on the 1 1 th, 
 of July the Commons prefented Roger Hunt, Efq; for 
 their Speaker; who with the ufual Ceremony, was 
 allowed. 
 
 The 13th Day, the Duke of Bedford rofe up before 
 the King, in the Houfe of Lords, and faid * That for 
 ' two efpecial Caufes he had come into the King's Pre- 
 
 * fence, and left hisCharge beyond Sea : The one was for 
 
 * the Safeguard of the King's Perfon ; and the other, to 
 
 * clear himfelf from fome Slanders whieh were caft up- 
 ' on him, as that he had been the Oocafion of the late 
 
 * great Lofles in France and Namandy^ by his Default 
 ' and Negligence ; and offered to take his Tryal for the 
 ' fame'. On which the Chancellor, by the King's 
 Command, declared ' That his Majeily took him for his 
 ' true and faithful Subject, and moil dear Uncle ; and, 
 
 * for his coming, at that Time, gave him moft hearty 
 
 * Thanks'. 
 
 After this Parliament had fat a Month, the Plague 
 began to break out in London; therefore, the Chancellor, 
 by the King's Commands, called them all before him ; 
 gave them Thanks for their Attendance ; and, on the 
 13th, of Augujl prorogued the Parliament to the fif- 
 teenth Day after St. Michael^ enfuing, at Weft- 
 minjler. But, becaufe the King's Occasions for Mo- 
 ney were very urgent, and could not flay till the next 
 Seffion, it w;iS ordained, that the Treafurer of England 
 fhould keep in his Hands 2000 /. for the Service of the 
 Houfliold/ 
 
 It is to be fuppofed that this Parliament met again 
 at the Time appointed, but we hear no more of their 
 Tranfadticns 'till the third Day of November; when 
 the Speaker of the Houfe of Commons came before the 
 King, in the other Houfe, and (hewed to his Majefty a 
 Precedent, in the Reign of King Edivard_ II. whereby 
 
 thai
 
 O/ENGLAND, 223 
 
 that King commanded the Bifhops and Clergy, to pro- ^s Henry vi. 
 nounce Sentence of Excommunication againft certain 
 Offenders at that Time. The Speaker then defired his 
 Majefty to act in the fame Manner, and caufe the 
 Clergy to excommunicate fome that were then culpa- 
 ble. But, all that was done in this Affair, was, that the 
 King took the Precedent, and promis'd to be advifed. 
 
 At the fame Time the Speaker prefented to the King 
 and Lords one Article, amongft others, in an Ordinance 
 of Parliament, made in the 8th of this Reign, where- 
 by, it was eftablifhed, That no Nobleman, nor other 
 Perfon, fhould retain in his Service any Offender againft 
 the Law, or maintain any Title or Quarrel. Which 
 Article, all the Bifhops and Lords, there prefent, were 
 fworn to obferve. And, fome Days after, the King 
 commanded the Duke of Bedford to goto the Houfe of 
 Commons, and fwear all the Members to perform the The whole Na- 
 Articleaforefaid, which he did accordingly. donfwomto the 
 
 And it was alfo enacted, by general Content, That all A ^ll^a° thc 
 the Lords, Knights, Efquires, Yeomen and other Quarrels. 
 Perfons throughout the Realm! fhould, by fpecial 
 Commiffions, be fworn to perform the faid Articles. 
 This Act, or Ordinance, feems calculated to prevent 
 the evil Effect of the then mortal Quarrel, between the 
 Cardinal B fhop of Winchefler and the Duke of Glo- 
 cejler. 
 
 November 24, the Commons came again before the 
 King and Lords, and by their Speaker complimented D "ke of Bedford 
 the Duke of Bedford, on his warlike Behaviour and^|J^^ ,ance 
 notable Deeds done in France ; and particularly, for his Thanks of the 
 Conduct in the Battle of Vernoyl, Befides, they com- Commons, 
 mended him for his politic Government in the Regency 
 of that Kingdom ; and for which they defired the King 
 to infift upon the faid Duke's perfonal Attendance about 
 him ; and, after fome Confultation amongft the Lords, 
 the Duke, at his Majefty's Requeft, accepted the Office. 
 But at the fame Time he required, that fix Articles 
 might be agreed to by Parliament, relating to the Go- 
 vernment, which was granted. And by thefe Articles, 
 which the Abridger remarks, were all very reafonable, 
 the Duke of Bedford recover'd fome Part of the Preroga- 
 tive which the Duke of Glocefler had loft, thro' the 
 
 malicious
 
 224 The Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry VI. malicious Intriegues of the Cardinal and the Clergy, who 
 were his fworn Enemies. After this the Duke of Bed- 
 ford took occafion to declare before the Parliament, 
 That whereas he, and the Duke oiGloceJler\ for their 
 Attendance as principal Counfellors, or Prefidents of 
 the Council, had fome Years an Allowance made 
 . them of 8000 Marks Yearly ; at other Times 6000 
 
 him. aarySra " C Marks, fometimes5COO,but never lei's than 4000 Marks 
 Yearly, he would now, for his perfonal Attendance, only 
 require an Allowance of 1000/. a Year, and 500/. 
 for pafling the Sea into France, or repafling it, as oft 
 as there was occafion. Which Demand, being thought 
 very reafcnable by both the Houies, was readily grant- 
 ed. 
 
 The Subfidy granted by this Parliament, was a Tenth 
 
 ASubfidy ; and a Fifteenth, to be levied on the Laity. They like- 
 wife granted the fame Tonnage and Poundage as was 
 given the kit Year, for two Years to come ; as, alfo, 
 a Subfidy of 53 s. and 4 d. on every Sack of Wool for 
 three Years eniuing. Authority was aifo given to the 
 King's Council, to enter into Securities for 100,000 
 Marks for the prefent Occafions of the Government. 
 A Vote of Credit, which, the Reader may obferve, has 
 
 And a Vote of ^ een more frequent in this Reign than in any preceeding 
 
 Credit. one. An Hiitorian remarks, but erroneoufly, on the 
 
 Proceedings of this Parliament, that no Taxes were 
 given the King by it. ' Perhaps, adds he, it was be- 
 ' caufetheDutyof Tonnage and Poundage, which was 
 ? given this King in his third Year was ftill continued. 
 
 * And, whereas, before they were granted for certain 
 Cuftoms fi ft f ' Years only, they were now indefinitely given him 
 culled. 'for the Service of the War ; and from thence, as 
 
 ' Stow favs, they received the Name of Cuftoms ; 
 ' i. e. ufual and conftant Payments (o),' 
 
 A Petition of Thomas Langiey, then Bifhop of Dur- 
 ham, was preferred to the Houfe of Lorus, fetting 
 forth, 'That whereas thcKing had granted aCommiffion 
 
 * to certain Perfons, there named, and they by virtue 
 ' thereof fat and made Enquiry at Horton Pool, within 
 ' the County- Palatine of Durham ;' be therefore prayed 
 that the laid Commifiion might be revoked. Hereupon 
 Sir UAUiam Earl Knight, the King's Atorney Gene- 
 ral, 
 
 (0) Dtir.iet in Ksnnet, P. 372.
 
 0/ E N G L A N D. 225 
 
 ral, very learnedly endeavoured to prove 'That the King Henry vi. 
 * faid Bifhop ought to have no County Palath.e, nor 
 ' Liberties Royal'. On the contrary, the Bifhop pro- 
 duced his Authorities to prove his Right, and the Mat- The Liberties of 
 ter was ftrenuoufly debated between them. At M^oTdItI^] 
 Judgment was given for the Bifhop, and the laid In-.afcertained by 
 quifition returned into Chancery, or elfewhere, was Parliamcnt » 
 declared null and void. The Abridger remarks, that the 
 Record of this Matter is very long, and fhews the Ful-' 
 nefs of Power in the Liberties of this County Pala- 
 tine. 
 
 Ralph LordCromwel, High Treafurer of England, pe- 
 titioned the Parliament, that they would take into Con- 
 iideration the State of the Revenues of the Crown and 
 the Difburfements, the faid Revenue being not able to 
 fupply the Expence by 35,000 /. Yearly ; wherefore he 
 prayed, that Order might be taken for the King's Houf- 
 hold ; that he may enjoy the Office as freely as others 
 before him; and that no Grant be palled by the King 
 without the Knowledge of him the faid Treafurer. He 
 alfo, by three long Schedules annexed, fhewed the Par- 
 ticulars of the whole Revenues and Profits of the Crown, 
 with the Charge out of the fame in all Ways and 
 Means. This was thought proper to be laid before the 
 Commons, and all the Requefts aforefaid were granted. 
 The faid Lord Cromivel by another Petition, alfo, fhew- 
 ed, that Warrants for Payments were come to him for 
 more than two Years Profits of the Crown ; wherefore, 
 he dcfired, that the Confideration of the King's Eftate 
 might be fpeedy, and that a Prefcription for his Payment 
 fhould be made. 
 
 In the Statutes at Large are feveral Acts made 
 this Parliament, on the Petitions of the Commons, very Afts 6 , d< 
 conducive to the publick Good. There are likewile 
 fome more Petitions, on. Private Properties, in the 
 Abridgement, not anfwering this Purpofe. Some of the 
 moil remarkable Acts, 'we think proper to give an 
 Abftract of, are as follows. 
 
 I. It was provided by an Act, * That fuch Perfons as 
 were Keepers of the' Steius or JVkore- Houfes in Souths 
 zvark, fhould not be impannelfd upon any Jury, nor 
 keep an Inn or Tavern in any other Places, leaft Men 
 
 Vol. II. ■" P ~of
 
 116 The 'Parliament my History 
 
 King Henry VI. f fuch vile Confciences and Practices fhould corrupt 
 Juftice, and propigate their Villanies over the Na- 
 tion/ 
 
 II. It was enacted, * That even Diffeifors fhould not 
 be put out of Pofleflion by any Collufive Tricks of 
 Law, as was then ufual, by making the Sheriff the Dif- 
 leifor, and then entring upon the Lands for the Defauk 
 of the Tenant's not anfwering :' Wherefore it was or- 
 dain'd', 'That all fuch Writs (hall be abated and quafh- 
 edY And 
 
 III. In the Behalf of the Perfon difleifed wrongfully 
 of h : s Lands, whereas before the Law was, that the 
 piiTeifee might fue the Diffeiibr.in his Life-time, if he 
 took the Profits at the Time of ;he Suit commenced, 
 which to avoid,, the DdTeiibrs made over the Land by 
 Feoffments to others, and ib avoided the Suit : Where- 
 upon it was enacted, * That the Differ r ees mould have 
 their Action as well again ft the Feoffee, as Diffeifor 
 himfelf, if cither of them take the Profits of the Land.' 
 
 . IV. And becaufe divers Tenants of Lands lor Term 
 of Life mi Years, made over the faid Lands to other 
 Under- Tenants, to the end that they might not be lia- 
 ble to Wils of Wade, for the Damage's done upon the faid 
 Lands by their Order and Connivance before the Grant 
 of the laid Leafe.s; I: v/ashefeupen enacted, 'That the 
 Tenant in Reyc.rfion might have his Action againft 
 the Tenant for Life or Years, for the Damages done, 
 as well before as after the Lcafe made to any Under- 
 Tcnants, and recover treble Damages for the faid 
 Wafte, provided tru:t it Were prov'd, that the faid 
 Fir ft -Tenants took the Profits of. the Land to their own 
 proper U.'e at the Time of the Wafre done.' 
 
 V. Whereas dives SluIs and Indictments, as well 
 for the King p his 'Subject!, were diiconiinu'd by mak- 
 ing of new Cc;n:;ii!]ions for the Peace, to the great De- 
 lay of Juilice, Ina Wrcng of the Subjects, it was en- 
 ailed, ' That' no Picas, orProcelles mould be difconti- 
 nu'd by any new Com miff ons, but the Juft'ices lb 
 made, fhould have rower and Authority to continue all 
 Pleas depending, and determine the fame.' 
 
 V{. An Ahufe alio being crept into the Nation about 
 Meafufes contrary to the Statutes j and Purveyors, Bak- 
 ers,
 
 Of E N G L A N D. n 7 
 
 ers, Merchants, and Buyers of Corn, taking Nine Kift s Henry VI « 
 Bufhels for the Quarter; it was enacled, * That the 
 Statutes for Weights and Meafures fhould be proc!<i;m'd 
 in every Market-Town, and that there fhould be a Ba- 
 fhel, common Ballance and Weights in every Market- 
 Town, City and Borough kept by the Mayor and Jus- 
 tices, according to the Standard in the Exchequer ; and if 
 any Perfon fhall prefume to Sell or Buy by any other 
 Weight or Meafures, they fhall forfeit Five Pounds to 
 the Perfon that fhall fue for it, and Five Pounds to the 
 King. 1 
 
 VII. Recognifors having found out a way to defeat 
 the Executions of fuch Perfon as they were indebted to 
 by Recognizance, by bringing their Writs De Corpus 
 cum Caufa out of Chancery, and giving Sureties to the 
 King only, were deliver'd out of Prifon,and their Cre- 
 ditors defeated of their Debts ; it was therefore or- 
 dain'd, ' That Sureties fhould be given as well to the 
 Party as to the King, that their Debts may be furely 
 paid.' 
 
 Other Acls of lefs Importance were alfo made 
 this Sefiion ; as about the Meafure of certain Cloths, 
 call'd Streights ; for the punifhing of fuch as fhall dare 
 to aflault any Perfon coming to the Parliament or 
 Council by the King's Command : And laftly, For 
 fetting a Price upon Wax- Candles, Images and Fi- 
 gures : But thefe Acts being only Temporary, and long 
 finceout of Ufe, deferve little Regard.' 
 
 We fhall only obfetve that this Parliament fat to the . 
 zift of December, for on that Day the Bifhops and 
 Lords of the King's Council were afked whether they 
 would attend ? The Cardinal, the two Archbifhops, the 
 Bifhops of Ely and Lincoln, anfwer'd they would when 
 they could, but all the others promifed abfolutely to 
 attend. 
 
 The French War ftill continued, and about this 
 Time with good Succefs to the Englijb, under the Con- 
 duel: of the victorious Lord Talbot and the Earl of Arun- 
 del. But the latter having the Misfortune to be kill'd, 
 before the paltry Caftle of Gerberoy, and the Dukes of 
 Bedford and Burgundy commencing a Quarrel, which 
 ended in an open Rupture between them, Affairs were 
 again thrown into a different Situation in that Kingdom. 
 P a In
 
 a 2 8 The 'Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry vi. J n this Interval we find that Writs of Summons were 
 fent out to call a Parliament, dated November lft, to 
 meet at Wejlminjler on the 8th Day of July following; 
 which was afterwards prorogued to Reading fifteen Days 
 after Michaelmas, in the 1 2th Year of this King's Reign. 
 The Abridger of the Records hath given us no Proceed- 
 ings of this Parliament, for which Reafon we fuppofe 
 they were not entered on the Rolls ; nor are there any 
 A&s in the Statute Books relating to it. It was not 
 till two Years after, that a Parliament fat to doBufinefs, 
 which was called by. "Writs dated at Wejlminjler, July 
 5 th Anno Dom. 1435, to meet at the fame Place on the 
 10th of Oclcb.er following. 
 
 Anno Regni 14. O n which Day being afTembled before the King, fit- 
 1435. ting in his Chair of Sta:e in the Painted Chamber, the 
 
 At Wcftminfter. Bifhop of Bath and Wells (p) then Chancellor of Eng- 
 land, by the King's Command, opened the Seffion with 
 a Speech, and touk for his Theme this Texi 9 Sollicitifitis 
 Jcrvare Unit at em Sp'ritus in Vinculo Pads ; and, amongft 
 other Matters, he told them ' That the Duke of Bur- 
 1 gundy, who bad fvvorn Allegiance both to the King 
 
 * and his Father, had bafely broke hisOath and revolted ; 
 ' That he had appointed a Diet, or Sitting, at Arras y 
 
 * without the King's Knowledge, where two Cardi- 
 
 * r.a:scame to treat about a Peace between England and 
 4 Francs ; Thataftertbe Kingwasacquainted with it, he 
 
 * fent ibnie Pcrfon: of Quality as his Embaiiadors at this 
 
 * Meeting, who there piopofed reafonable and honeft 
 V Terms of Agreement, which the French refufed and 
 ' fcofFed at ; by which nothing was done at that Diet. 
 
 * After which the King, he faid, was told, that the 
 c faid Duke of Burgundy had em red into a League with 
 ' the French:, and, as fuch, there remained nothing 
 ' for the King to do, but either to lofe his Stile and Ti- 
 ' tie, and Kingdom of France, or elfe refulve to defend 
 
 * the fame by Force. How to acTt in the beltManner in 
 4 thefe Affairs, he added, was the Cauieof this Aflembly ; 
 
 * for which End he defired the Commons to chufe a Speak- 
 ' er, and next Day to preient him to the King'. Accord- 
 ingly, 
 
 (p) John Stafford, who was afterwards traofiated to Canterbury, 
 Le Neve's Taf.i. 
 
 I
 
 Of E N G L A N D. n 9 
 
 ingly, they prefented John Bowes Efq; whofe Excufe King Henry VI. 
 being refufed, he made the ufual Proteftation which was T . „ „ _,„ . 
 
 ,. , lonn Kowes £lq; 
 
 allowed. § peakcr . 
 
 The firft Thing we find upon the Record that this 
 Parliament went upon, was to give Authority to the 
 King's Council, to make Securities to the Creditors of 
 the Crown for 100,000/. By the King's Letters 
 Patents, Security was, alfo, given to certain Perfons, 
 there named, for 8000 Marks, fent by them to the 
 King, out of the Revenues of the Duke of Bedford, 
 and the Earl of Arundel deceafed. 
 
 _ An unuiual Sublidy was, alio, granted by this Par- An unufual Jarge 
 liament, viz. that every Perfon holding any Frank Ten- Subfidy. 
 ant in Lands, Annuities, Fees, Offices, or Heredita- 
 ments, above the Yearly Value of five Pounds, fhould 
 pay Six-pence for every Pound, upon his Oath. Alfo, 
 a Tenth and a Fifteenth was granted the King on the 
 Laity; deducting thereof 4000/. for the Relief of de- 
 cayed Towns and Villages. A Subfidy, alfo, on every 
 Sack of Wool; 335. ^ d. from Merchants Denizens 
 and 46 s. 8 d. from Aliens ; and fo according to that 
 Rate on other Staple Ware, was granted the King, 
 with Tonnage and Poundage for two Years. 
 
 It is fuppofed that thefe large Subfidies were granted, 
 as a very extraordinary Aid, to enable the King to keep 
 his Pofleffions in France, then in great Danger of being 
 entirely loft. What gave thegreateft Blow to that Inte- 
 reft was the Death of the Duke of Bedford, Regent of 
 France, who died at Roan, September the fourteenth, 
 143?, foon after a Peace had been concluded between 
 Charles the French King and the Duke of Burgundy. 
 It is faid, that the Duke of Bedford forefaw the Change, 
 that would inevitably follow the making this Union, 
 and that it would root the Engl;Jh out of France j 
 which was one great Reaion that haftned his Death (a). 
 Some public Acts were made this Seffion, in order 
 chiefly to regulate fome Abufes in other Ads, or to ex- 
 plain them better. The moft remarkable are, ' That the 
 ' Judges, in their Circuits, fhall have Power to give 
 ' Judgments in all Cafes of Felony and Treafon, as 
 
 well 
 
 (j) Daniel in Kennet 37S.
 
 230 The 'Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry VI. ' well upon Perfons acquitted as attainted, and award 
 ' Executions according to that Judgment. That all 
 ' Wools and Wool-fels, that fhall be fhip'd to be tranf- 
 f ported, fhall be carry'dto Calais only ; and no Licenfes 
 
 * fhall be granted to the contrary, except by the King 
 
 * and Council. That all Wool and Wool-fcls, and 
 La ' ol ^ er Merchandizes of the Staple, which Ihall be 
 
 ' fhipped in any Creeks or Ports, clandestinely, in or- 
 ' der to cheat the King of his Subfidies and Cuftoms, 
 ' fhall be forfeited to the King. Thai all Perfons who 
 ' mail dare to difturb any Foreigners, in felling Fifh 
 
 * or other Victuals, either by Wholefale or Retate, fhall 
 ' forfeit Ten Pounds, one Moiety to the King, and 
 ' the other to the Perfbn that fhall fue for the fame'. 
 
 There is nothing elfe remarkable which paffed in this 
 Stfiion of Parliament; and the French War ft ill iub- 
 iifting, another was called to meet at Cambridge, 
 "January 21ft, the very next Year after the laft : But, 
 for Reafons of State, not mentioned, was ordered by 
 other Writs tc meet at Wejlminfter on the Day afore- 
 faid. 
 
 John, Eifhop of Bath and JVelh, Chancellor of Eng- 
 
 AnnoRegni, 15, land, opened this Seilion with a very elaborate Speech, 
 
 A w'liw ft aj1c * ma dethis Text his Subject, Corona Regni in Ma- 
 
 in er * nu Dei, kc. Ifaiah 62. On which he demonftrated, 
 
 ' That three Sorts of Men are crowned ; viz. all Chrif- 
 
 * tians in 'their Baptifm, in Token whereof they are 
 4 anointed ; all. Clerks in their Order, in Token where- 
 
 * of they are fhaven ; and all King's in their Coronati- 
 ' on, who in Token thereof wear a Crown of Gold 
 ' fet about with Flowers and precious Stones. The 
 
 * Figure of the Crown he refembled to the -Body po- 
 ' litic of the Nation; the Flowers and Stones to the 
 
 * Honours and Offices of a Prince, as Gold eftima- 
 
 * ble and durable ; and that Commonwealth is molt 
 ' firm and ftable which is governed by the faithful 
 ' Care of a Prince ; for, as Gold is flexible to the 
 ' Workman, fo ought every Part of the Commonality 
 « to be at the Beck of the Prince, feeking the Prof- 
 
 * perity of Him'. 
 
 ' The erecting and ftanding of the Flowers, in the 
 < upper Part of the Crown, denoteth the King's Pre- 
 
 fceminency
 
 O/ENGLAND. 231 
 
 * hem inency over his Subjects ; which ought to be gar- j^ns Henry fi. 
 
 * niflied with four Car imal Virtues. That is to lay, 
 4 in the Fore-Part ought to be Wifdom, adorned with 
 
 * three precious Stones, viz. Memory or' Thiols paft> 
 
 * Circumfpection of Things prefent, and Prudence in 
 
 * Things to come. Oa the Right Hand ought to be. 
 
 * Fortitude, accompanied with Courage in attempt- 
 1 ing, Patience in fuffering, and Per fevt ranee in well* 
 4 meaning. On the Left Side ought to be Juftice, di- 
 
 * -ftributing her Arms three Ways, to the belt, mean, 
 c and loweft. On the Hinaer-Part ought to be Tern*.; 
 1 psrance with her Trinity, viz. Reltra nt of Senfuality 
 
 ' in Fear, Silence in Speech, and Mortification in 
 
 * Will: All which.* proceeding from God, fully prov'd 
 
 * that the Crown of the King was in the Hand of God. 
 He concluded with declaring, * That this Parlia- 
 
 * ment was called for three principal Caufes ; the firft, 
 ' for Juftice and Peace amongft Subjects ; the fecond, 
 ' how the Commodities growing within this Realm 
 
 * might have a ready Vent ; the third, how the Realm 
 
 * might be defended, and the Sea kept againft Enemies 
 
 * and Rebels. To which End, he defired the Com- 
 4 mons to chufe their Speaker, and prefent him the 
 
 * next Day to the King. 
 
 The Receivers and Tryers of Petitions for England, 
 and all other Parts of the King's Dominion-, being ap- ■ 
 pointed, according to ancient Cuftom, the Commons Knt.SpMker 2 '* 
 prefented Sir John Tirrei, Knight, to be their Speak-faiiing sick, 
 er, whofe Excufe being refufed, he, with the common^ 111 '"" 1 BeerI /> 
 Proteftation, was allowed. But, March line 19th, aStead. 
 Committee of Commons was fent to the King, declar- 
 ing that their Houfe had newly chofen William Beer- 
 ly, Efq, to be their Speaker, in the Room of Sir John 
 "Tirrel, dilabled from attending by grievous Sickneis, 
 which IVuliam wasallow'dby the King under theulual 
 Proteftation. 
 
 The Subfidies eranted by this Parliament were the 
 like Tenth and Fifteenth., as in the lalt. Alio, the lame Subridies S ranted - 
 Subfidy on Wools, £3Y. was granted for three Years 
 to come. Authority was likewife given to the King's 
 Council, to make Affurances to the King's Creditors, 
 for the Sum of 100,000 /. And by the fame Autho- 
 rity,
 
 i^i The Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry VI. rity, the Treafurer of England was to pay to the Car- 
 dinal Bifhop of Winchejler 2000 Marks. 
 
 The important Town of Calais was, at this Time, 
 befieged by the Duke of Burgundy in Perfon, and a nu- 
 merous Army. On this, the Duke of Glocejler, Cap- 
 tain or Governor of the faid Town, petitioned this 
 Parliament, that if any Misfortune mould happen to 
 his Charge, for Want of Payment of the Soldiers in 
 that Garnfon, the fame might not be imputed to his 
 Mifconduct. However, Hiftory informs us, that the 
 Duke oiGljCefter went over in Perfon, with an Army, 
 to the Relief of that Town ; on whofe Arrival, the 
 Flemings, under the Duke of Burgundy, rais'd the 
 Siege, and fled away fhamefully for fear of a Battle. 
 The particular Acts that- were made this Seffion 
 Aflspafs'd. were, firft, * A Remedy was provided againft vexatious 
 and troublefome Suits of f uch Perfons, as were not of the 
 King's Houfhold, in the Court of Stewards and Mar- 
 {halsof the King's Houfe ; and it was allowed as an 
 Exemption from their Jurifdiction to plead and aver, 
 that they are not of the King's Houfe.' 
 
 Second, ' An Allowance was given to all the King's 
 Subjects of England to tranfport Corn, when at a low 
 Price, out of the Realm, viz. Wheat at fix Shillings 
 and eight Pence, and Barley at three Shillings and four 
 Pence the Quarter.' 
 
 Third, * An Injunction to all Sheriffs, Bailiffs of Fran- 
 chifes, and Coroners, that in Actions, or Writs of At- 
 taint of Plea for Lands, of the yearly Value of forty 
 Pounds, they do not return nor impannel any Perfons 
 but fuch as be inhabiting in his Bailiwick, and have an 
 Eftate to their own Ufe, in Lands and Tenements, to 
 the yearly Value of twenty Pounds or more, on the 
 Penalty of forfeiting ten Pounds to the King, and ten 
 Pounds to the Plaintiffs in the faid Action or Writs of 
 Attaint ; and that no Perfon of lefs Sufficiency of Free- 
 hold than twenty Pounds a Year, fhall be fworn in the 
 King's Court upon any Iflue in the faid Actions, if he 
 be by the Plaintiffs in due Form challenged.' 
 
 Fourth, ' A Permiflion was given to all Perfons, as 
 well Religious: as Secular, to appoint themfelves General 
 
 Attorneys
 
 0/ E N G L A N D. 233 
 
 Attorneys to fue or plead for them, in every Hundred or King Henry v 
 Wapontake.' And, 
 
 Fifth, ' A Prohibition was laid upon all Merchants, 
 to (hip or caufe to be (hipped any Wool, Wool- Fells, 
 or other Merchandizes belonging to the Staple, in any 
 Place within this Realm, except at the Keys and 
 Wharfs aflign'd by the Statute, where the King's 
 Weights and Wools are fet ; excepting the Merchants 
 of Genoa (r), Venice, Tufcany, Florence, Catalonia, 
 and the BurgefTes of Berwick. 
 
 Some Petitions, alfo, of a mote publick Concern 
 than ordinary, may not be improper to take Notice of, 
 as, 
 
 On a Petition of Humphrey, Duke of Ghcejler, and 
 Dame Eleanor his Wife, the King granted his Letters Petitions in Par- 
 Patents, confirmed by this Parliament, giving Licence liament « 
 to the faid Duke to impark 200 Acres of Land in Green- 
 wich, and that they may embattle their Manor- Houfe 
 there, and build it with Stone j alfo to raife a Tower 
 of Stone within the faid Park. 
 
 John, Earl of Oxford, petition'd for a Pardon for 
 
 300 /. the Remainder of a Fine of 3000/. paid to the 
 
 King for marrying without Licence. It was anfwered, 
 
 .that the laid Debt was aflign'd over, but that the King 
 
 would remember him fome other Way. 
 
 Sir Richard Woodville, Knight, paid to the King 
 1000/. as a Fine for marrying Jaquet, or "Jaqueline, 
 Dutchefs of Bedford, without Licence. This Foreign 
 Lady fhew'd as little Continence in her Widowhood, 
 as Queen Catherine had done ; being quickly married 
 again to the aforefaid brisk young Knight, afterwards 
 created Earl of Rivers, by whom (he had leveral Chil- 
 dren ; and amongft them the Lady Elizabeth, who, 
 being Wife to King Edward the Fourth, was after- 
 wards Queen of England. 
 
 About this Time died Catherine (s), Queen of Eng- 
 /d«i,Mother to Henry VI. and it being notified to the 
 King inParliament, that his Mother had made him fole 
 Executor to her Will, the King appointed Robert Ral- 
 
 Jlon, 
 
 (r) In the old Statute, this City of Genoa is always wrote Jean, 
 (s) She died Jan, z x 14-36 -7, at BenrtQtidfca, and was buried at 
 Wejiminfter.
 
 234 Ito 'Parliamentary Histoiy 
 
 King Henry v\. ft ** Clerk, Keeper of the great Wardrobe, John 
 Merjion and Richard Alrccd, E:qrs. to execute the laid 
 Queai's Will ; under the Direction of the Cardinal, 
 the Duke of Glocejler, and the Bifhop of Lincoln, or 
 any two of them to whom they mould account. 
 
 On the Petition of Ifaicl, late Wife of John Bote- 
 ler, of Beanfly, in the County of Lancafier, Knight, 
 ■which Ifabel, one William Pull, of Winall, in the 
 County of Chejler, Gentleman, fhamefuliy did ravifh ; 
 it was enacted, That if the laid. William do not furren- 
 der himfelf, after Proclamation made againtl him, that 
 he Ihould be taken as a Tray tor attainted. The faid 
 IfabsU by another Petition, mewed how the faid William, 
 by Durefs and Meansof Imprifonmcnt, enforced her 
 -■»<■ ' to marry him, and under Colour thereof, ravim'd her ; 
 
 for -which fhe prayed to have her Appeal, which was 
 granted. 
 a general Par- The laft Things we find' on the Record, transacted 
 don « this Parliament, was the King's general Pardon of all 
 
 Treafons, Felonies, Forfeitures, and other Offences ; 
 hut this does not appear in the Statu te-Books. And 
 Authority was given to the Lords of the Gxmcil, to 
 anfwer all fuch Petitions as were not anfwered in this 
 Parliament. 
 
 We have now a Cowrie of three Years before we meet 
 with another Parliament ; during which Time our 
 larger EngliJJ) Hi dorian s are very full in their Defciip- 
 tionsof the French War, and the various Effects of it 
 to both Nations. But in the Year 1439, the Engl;/}) 
 Government wanting frefh Supplies, a Parliament was 
 fummon'd, to meet on the Morrow after the Feartof 
 St Martin, or November 1 2th, at Wejlminfler. 
 
 At which Time and Place being all aiiembled, the 
 AnnoRegni i%. Biftop of Bath and Wells lti'll Chancellor, was com- 
 At wffinftcr. manded by the King to open the Seihon by a Speech, 
 who took for his Subject this Text from Matthew ii. 
 Adapcriat Dominus Cor no fir urn in Lege /ltd, et in Pra- 
 ceptis fuis, et facial Pacem, &c. From which Words 
 he ehdeavour'd to draw two cipecial Points ; the firft, 
 
 * What great Defire every Chriftian ought to have to 
 
 * the Reformation of his Life, by the only Means of 
 ' God ; who, againit all Hardneis was 10 bend, and to 
 
 incline
 
 Of E N G L A N D. i 5S 
 
 1 incline his Heart to God's Laws and Commandments. King Hen , 7 VIf 
 
 * The fecond, what Thirft every lick Cbriflian ought 
 4 to have, to crave and feek Peace, after his manifold 
 
 * Conflicts and Battles in this World. 
 
 « As to the firft, that God mould open the Heart, 
 
 ' and not the Hearts, fince the Words were ipoken 
 
 ' to the Children of Ifrael ; he noted that thereby was 
 
 ' meant a myftical Unity, according to thefe Words 
 
 ' in Judges ii. Convent univerfus Ifrael ad CiviUitem 
 
 f quafi Homo unus, tadetn Meiite, unoque Cojifilio. 
 
 * Which being fpoken to them, was left for our 
 ' Learning, that we might follow the fame, and might 
 ' attain to true Peace. 
 
 ' To the fecond, By tfeis Word Ifrael is underftood 
 6 their States, namely, of Princes, of Nobles, of 
 ' Power and of Wifdom; all which, if they the fame 
 ' agreed in Unity, there was no doubt bat Peace of 
 s Body and Soul would enfue. 
 
 ' For the Reftoring of which, he told thern,;that this 
 ' Parliament was called ; remembring them, that the 
 < King would have all Eftates enjoy their Liberties ; 
 
 * then defired the Commons to chafe, and the nexl 
 
 * Day prefent their Speaker to the King.' 
 
 This formal Prelate having .ended his Spiritual Ha- „,.„. _ , 
 
 . r\ i r° r William Tief- 
 
 rangue, the next Day the Commons preiented to the ham, Efq ; 
 King William Trejham Efq; who with she ufual Solem- Speaker. ' 
 nity was allowed. 
 
 The Subfidies granted, by this Parliament, were a 
 Tenth ^ and a Fifteenth ; and half a Fifteenth was grant- 
 ed to be levied of the Laity, in, fuch Form as was in the Su lies granted 
 fourth Year of this King.- An Import on Wools was 
 alfo granted for three Years, as Anno 14. Hen. VI. The 
 Commons alfo, granted to the King, that all Aliens, 
 not Denizens, within the Realm, fhould pay to the 
 King Yearly, Sixteen Pence for each, being an Houfe- 
 keeper ; being none, Six Pence. 
 
 The fame Authority was alfo given to the Treafurer of 
 England^ andothers, to make Securities for 1 00,000 /. 
 as in former Parliaments. An Order was alfo taken 
 for the Payment of the King's Debts, contracted for 
 the Provifions of his Houfhold. 
 
 December,
 
 2 3 6 The Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry vi. December, 21, the Chancellor by the King's Com- 
 mand declared to the Lords and Commons, that the 
 
 The Parliament King nad prorogued the Parliament i'rom that Day unto 
 
 Prorogued to the Day after St. Hilary next coming, to be hoiden at 
 
 Reading. Reading. 
 
 There were no lefs than Nineteen Statutes made in 
 this Parliament, tho' how long it fat at both Places, 
 is uncertain. The moft remaikable of which. Ads are 
 thefe, 
 
 A&spafs'd. I. * That Cheefe and Butter maybe carried out of 
 
 the Kingdom without Licence.' 
 
 II. c That Merchant Strangersfhall not fell their Mer- 
 chandizes one to another in England, but that every 
 fuch Merchant fhall have an Holt or Surveyor, ap- 
 pointed him at his landing, by the Chief Officer of the 
 Town or Place where he fhall land, who fhall keep a 
 Regifter of all he buys and fells, and take two Pence in 
 the Pound of him for all Merchandize by him bought 
 or fold, and the faid Merchants fhall fell and buy all 
 within eight Months.' 
 
 III. ' That aliPerfons, made Juftices of the Peace, 
 fhould have Lands and Tenements to the Value of 
 twenty Pounds a Year, except in Cities and Corpora- 
 tions.' The Reafon affigned for this Statute was then, 
 as it has very lately been thought proper, becaufe that 
 ibme Perlbns had been appointed Juftices, who, on 
 account of their Mtannefs and Incapacity could not 
 govern or direct: the People ; whilft others, by rea- 
 ibn of their Neceffities, committed great Extortions 
 andOppreflions. 
 
 IV. 4 That no Captain fhall detain the Wages of 
 Common Soldiers, except it be for their Clothing, un- 
 der the Penalty of twenty Pounds for every Spear, and 
 ten Pounds for a Bow ; to be paid to the Kingf/).' 
 
 V. * That every Perfon muttering and receiving the 
 King's Wages, who fhall depart from their Captains 
 and the King's Service, without apparent Licence 
 granted ihem.by the faid Captains^ fhall be punifhed as 
 Felons.' 
 
 VII. f That no Perfon fhall be a Condor of Difmes 
 and Shiinzimes, [Tenths and Fifteenths, ]\n any Coun- 
 
 {() Statute 18 Hen. VI. Chap. \%.
 
 Of E N G L A N D. 137 
 
 ty, who is fo in the City of the fame ; except he be ^"S Heni 7 VI 
 able to difper.d, in Lards and Tenements, in the faid 
 County ,an Hundred Shillings a Year, over and above all 
 Charges and Repriies.' 
 
 There are, alio, many Petitions on Private Affairs, 
 which are „ not worth Notice ; the mo'ft publick from 
 the Commons, with their Anfwers, are as follows: 
 
 Pet. That no Perfon once making Fine for not being 
 Knighted, be ever again called fork; and that the Petitlons « 
 Fines be no other than ufual. 
 
 Anfw. The King will beadvifed. 
 
 Pet. That every Merchant may lawfully tranfport 
 all manner of Hides, Calf-fkins, Long- Fells and Tal- 
 low, to what Place he liketh, ' befides to Calais. 
 
 Anfw. The King will be advited. 
 
 Pet. That no Owner of any Ship be impeached for 
 any Hurt done by his Ship to a: y other Ship on the Sea, 
 or in Port, or Creek, if he was not a Party, thereto. 
 
 Anfw. The fame as before. 
 
 Pet. That every Collector of Cuftoms, and Comp- 
 trollers of every port, may licence the King's Subjects to 
 tranfport Corn from one Shire or Town, to another, 
 taking Surety of Debt, to the Value, that the fame be 
 not carried beyond Sea. 
 
 Anfw. As before. 
 
 Pet. That no Italian, or other Merchant, beyond 
 the Streights of Morocco, [now Gibralter^ bring any 
 Merchandize into the Realm, but fuch as is the Pro- 
 duce, of their own Countries' j for very good Reafons 
 mentioned in the Record. 
 
 Anjiv. The fame as above. 
 
 Pet. That all Spice-ties fold in any Port within the 
 Realm, by any Merchants Strangers, be as clear gar- 
 belled as the fime is in Loudon. 
 
 A/fw. The King will be advifed. 
 
 An Act was made this Seffion that the fourth Part of 
 the Tatb ana" Fifteenth {hall be paid to the Treafurer 
 of the King's Koufnold, in order to make ready Pay- 
 ment for the King's Purveyance. And, by the uid Act 
 it appeal-, the Revenues of the Dutchies of Lancajler 
 and Comvjal were alfo appropriated to- that U-'e. 
 | On the Petition of the Judges it was enacted, \ That all 
 
 the
 
 £j 8 The Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry vi. the juftj ces f both Benches Juftices of Affize, the 
 King's Serjeant and Attorney, {hall yearly, at two 
 Feafts of the Year then expreffed, be paid, and allow- 
 ed their Fees and Liveries, by the Hands of the Clerk 
 of the Hanaper, for the Time being, out of the Cuf- 
 toms of London, Brijhl, and King/Ion upon Hull. 
 
 The Archbifhop of Roan, Cardinal Luxemburg (//), 
 to whom the Pope at the Death of the Bifhop of Ely, 
 had granted to the faid Archbifhop, during his Life, all 
 the Profits of the faid Bifhoprick, by the Name of Ad- 
 rniniftrator, fhew'd his Bull to the King, who utterly 
 rejeeled it. Notwithstanding, for his Services done in 
 France, the King makes him a Grant of the Ad m initia- 
 tion aforefa id. So ftri&ly was the Statute of Pramu- 
 nir*t fo often mentioned, adhered to in thofe Days. 
 
 The lafL Thing that we think proper to take Notice 
 of among the T ran factions of this Parliament, is, that 
 in Confederation of the great Plague of Peftilence, fo 
 called, it was enacf ed, ' That all fuch Perfons as fhould 
 do Homage to the King, fhould do the fame without kifs- 
 inghim ; and the fame Homage to be as good as though 
 the Kifs wasgiven.' On which WilliamPrynne makes this 
 wife Remark, 'That, by this it appears that the Cuftom 
 
 • of Homage done in thole Times doth greatly vary 
 
 * from the prefent Ceremony ; for now they are fo far 
 ' from killing the King, that they do not fo much as 
 4 fee him.' 
 
 In the 20th Year of this King, another Parliament was 
 called by Writ, to mtttztlVeJlmin/hr,on the Feaft of 
 Anno Regni 20. tne Converfion of St. Paul, but no morethan the Names 
 1442. of the Peeis, fo Summoned, is given in the Abridg- 
 AtWeamia{ier - meut of the Records zboxxt it. But, in the Statutes at 
 large, there are thirteen A&s faid to be made in this Par- 
 liament ; yet, none of them being particular, we muft 
 refer the very curious Enquirer to the Statute- Book a- 
 forelaid for them (#). And, it was not 'till three Years 
 
 after 
 
 (u) Collier' t Eccles. Wjl. Vol. I. P. 668. 
 
 •\x) One of them feems to be well calculated for the publick Good, viz. 
 That no Ofncer of the Cuftoms, or Searcher, fhall have a Ship of his 
 run, ufe Merchandize, keep a Wharf or Inn, or be a Factor $ in order 
 to avoid the many Frauds that would naturally enfue from thence, Cbap. ;'. 
 
 Mr. Daniel has wholly omitted this Parliament,
 
 Of ENGLAND. ^9 
 
 after this Period, that we meet with any Account of King Henry VI. 
 a Parliament, when Writs were"' ifiued out, dated at 
 Wejlminfter, 'January 13. for one to meet at the fame 
 Place ori the 25th of Fcburary following. 
 
 In Pretence of the King fitting in Perion in his Chair 
 of State, and of the Lords and Commons, John S taf-*** f *&•**• 
 ford late Bifhop of Bath and Wells, but now Arch- Ac Weftmbfter. 
 bifhop of Canterbury, Primate of all England, Deputy 
 to the See of Rome, and Chancellor of England, de- 
 clared the Caufe of calling this Parliament, and took 
 for his Subject thefe Words from Pjalm Ixxxiv. J njl it i a 
 & Pax ofculata funt. 
 
 On which he told them, ■ That thro' the great Di- 
 £ ligence and Conduct of the Earl of Suffolk, the King's 
 
 * dear Coufin, and other Noblemen, fent as EmbafTadors The King's 
 
 * into France, as well upon a Treaty of Marriage to Ma »iagenotifi- 
 4 be had between the King and Margaret, Daughter ed ' 
 
 ' to the King of Sicily, as for to fettle a Peace between 
 
 * England and France, the fa id Marriage was contract - 
 
 * ed ; and a Sufpenfion of Arms, for a Time, was grant- 
 ' ed. He further laid, that the fa id Earl ftaid in France 
 
 * for the fafe Conduct of the faid Princefs Margaret in- 
 ' to the Realm of England, by which two Means he 
 ' nothing doubted, but that- thro' God's Grace, the 
 ' faid Truce would end ib well that Juftice and Peace 
 4 mould be within this Nation more than it had been/ 
 He then bid the Commons chafe and prefent their 
 Speaker to the King. 
 
 On the fecond Day of this Parliament the Commons 
 notified to the Lords, that they had chofen their Speak- William Burgh* 
 er; and the next Day they presented William Burghley, le i Ef i» Speak- 
 Efq; to the King, whole Excufe being rejected, he 
 was allowed as Speaker, under the Common Protec- 
 tion . 
 
 ThisSefiion, we find, by the. Record, was continu- 
 ed to March -he 15th, but no Notice taken of any 
 more Bulkels done in it ; when the Chancellor^ by 
 the King's Com man. i, with -the-Allent of the Lords, 
 and i.i the Prefence . of the Commons, prorogued the 
 Parliament from thw: Day to the 19th of Jpri I next 
 etrfuni<** at Wejhmnjler afovefaid. 
 
 This. Prorogation we mayiuppofc was/dellrwd to 
 
 give
 
 24° Tfoe Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry vi. give Time for the new Queen to arrive, who 
 came into England, under the Conduct of the Earl of 
 Suffolk, about the Beginning of April this Year, and 
 was crowned at IVeJlminfter, the 30th of the fame 
 
 The new Queen Month, with the ufual Solemnity and Ceremonies. 
 
 Crown'd. This Lady was the Daughter of Reyner, Duke of 
 
 Anjou, and titular King of Sicily, Naples and Jerufa- 
 lem ; Great Names, indeed ! but they brought the Duke 
 neither Profit, nor Authority. The Match was firft. 
 propounded by the Earl of Suffolk, at that Time fent as 
 one of Henry's EmbafYadors to treat about a Peace with 
 the French King. And, tho' fhe brought no Fortune 
 with her, yet it was believed it would prove an effectual 
 Means of uniting the Minds of the two contending 
 Princes. For fhe, being a near Relation to the King of 
 France, might prove the Foundation of a firm Peace; 
 which would fave England more Treafure than the 
 greatefl Prince in the World could give with his 
 Daughter (y). 
 
 Thefe were the apparent Motives that induced the 
 Earl of Suffolk to exceed his Commiflion ; and, with- 
 out his Matter's Knowledge, not only to contract him 
 in Marriage, but to undertake, inftead of receiving a 
 Portion with the Lady, that the Dutchy of Anjou, with 
 the whole Province of Main, then in the Hands of the 
 Englifb, mould be given up to her Father. Though the 
 Earl of Suffolk was more zealous than cautious in this 
 Affair, yet knowing well his Mailer Henry's natural 
 Mildnefsand Difpofition for Peace, he ventured to take 
 , ... this extraordinary Step ; which, though at firft was 
 well relifhed in England, both by King and People, 
 yet, in the End, proved very detrimental to the Eng- 
 li/b Intereft, and was the Occafion of Suffolk's own De- 
 
 ftrudlion. 
 
 (y) Polydore Vergil, gives this Princefs the following high Character ; 
 Puellam tarn ultra alias Faminqs pulcbram quam prudent em, ac Animo pra- 
 ter Naturam Sexus pra-ditamingenti, quod ejus Res gefiar quas fuo Ordine 
 vtemorabimus perfpicue declararunt. Polyd.Verg. Lib. XXIU. P. 491. 
 Another Foreigner complements his Country- Woman in a loftier Strain j 
 
 L'Angleterre «' avoit point encore vue de Reine plus digne du Trone 
 
 que Marguerite d' Anjou. NulleFemme ne la furpajfoit en Beautc, & p:u 
 
 d' Hommcs Vegalloient en Courage. Jlfembloit que le del V eut formee a £>ej\. 
 
 fein de fuppleer a ce qui manquoit a fon Mari pour etre un grand Roi, &c. 
 
 D'OmzAKsHrJ!. de RevoLV Anglcterre Tom. II. P. 196.
 
 Of E N G L A N D. 241 
 
 ftrudtion. What Notice was taken of thefe primary King Henry VI. 
 Affairs, in Parliament, the Confequence will mew. 
 
 This Parliament being again afiembled on the ig'.h 
 of April, according to the Prorogation, the firft Thing 
 we find entered upon the Record, is the Grant of a Sub- 
 fidy of a Tenth and a Fifteenth, and half a Tenth and half a A Subfidy, 
 Fifteenth, referving out of it 5000/. to be allowed to 
 certain poor Towns, there named, which were wafted. 
 A Subfidy on Wools, alfo, of 34. s. 4 d. of Denifens, 
 and 53 s. of Aliens, for every Sack of Wool, &c. with 
 Tonnage and Poundage of Denifens, and double of 
 Aliens, was granted to the King for four Years. 
 
 The next Thing the Parliament did was to take in- 
 to Confideration the Affair of the Peace with France ; 
 and we find that the Chancellor of England, in the Pre- 
 fence of the King and whole Parliament, made a Pro- 
 teftation, * That the Peace which the King had made 
 ' with the French King, or rather was about to make, 
 ' was meerly of his own Motion and Will ; 2nd that 
 
 * he was not inftigated thereto by himfelf, or any of the 
 ' Lords whatfover.' Which Proteft was enrolled. 
 
 On this, it was enacted, by the Authority aforefaid,. . , 
 
 * That the Statute made in the Reign of Henry V. im- Fran ceT 
 ' porting, That no Peace fhould be made with the French 
 
 ' King that now is, and was then called the Dauphin 
 
 * of France, without the AfTentof the three Eftatesof 
 4 both Realms, fhould be utterly repealed and revoked. 
 
 * And that no Perfon, whatfcever, fhould be impeach'd 
 ' at any Time to come, for giving Counfel to bring 
 ' about this Peace with France. ' 
 
 This extraordinary Act, which by the bye, is not in- 
 ferred in the Statutes of this Parliament, feems to have 
 been calculated for a Compliment to the Earl of Suffolk, 
 now made a Marquefs for this Piece of Service, and to 
 indemnify him from any further Trouble about the 
 Match. We are told, by the Records, that on the 
 fecond Day of June the Marquefs came into the Houfe, 
 and made a Declaration of his Services to the King, 
 Lords and Commons, and his Requefl was, that they 
 would judge all he had done to be reafonable andjuft. 
 That on the 4th of June, the Speaker of the Houfe of 
 Commons came before the King and Cords, and there, 
 
 Vol. II. Q. in
 
 ment for his 
 Condud therein 
 
 242 The 'Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry vi. in Behalf of their whole Body, highly commended the 
 
 Perfon and numerous Services of the Marquefs and Earl 
 
 of Suffolk, particularly, for the Kind's Marriage, and 
 
 The Marquefs of f or obtaining the Truce with France j for aU'which, 
 
 by thePari P ia°- V at l ^ e Requeft of the Commons and Mediation of the 
 
 Lords, a Vote was pafTed, l That the faid Marquefs 
 
 mould be efteemed as a molt true and faithful Subjeci 
 
 to the King.' 
 
 An Hiftorian of Credit, and more circumftantial in Par- 
 liamentary Affairs than any other (z), tells us, That 
 the Marquefs of Suffolk made a long and elegant Speech 
 in the Houfe of Lords on this Occafion ; letting forth 
 the Pains and Labour he had been at in his Embafiage 
 into France, as well in concluding a Truce for aSea- 
 fbn, as in making up the Match for the King ; ad- 
 vertising them, that, as the Truce was to expire in 
 April, he like a faithful Subjeci: advifed that all Pre- 
 paration fhould be made for the Prefervation of the 
 King's Country in France, praying them to take No- 
 tice of it, and give him a Difcharge for his Legation. 
 The next Day he went into the Lower- Houfe, and 
 with equal Eloquence, not only fhewed his Fidelity 
 in hi? Legation, but fet forth what great Charges he 
 had been at in attending it, and fetching over the 
 Queen ; defiring that this Aclion might be recorded 
 in the Parliament Rolls, and himfelfbe difchargtd by 
 both Houfes, with a Confederation for theExpence. 
 Behold, (adds our Authority) what the Eloquence 
 of Favourites can do! Few Men of Prudence in 
 either Houfe, but knew that the Marquefs deferved 
 little Thanks for his Labour, either in making the 
 Peace or the Match ; yet, as if all had been well done 
 for the Nation's Intereft, the very next Day the Speak- 
 er of the Houfe of Commons, IVill'am Burgbly, at- 
 tended with a great number of the Houfe, went up 
 to the Lords, and defired their Concurrence in a Peti- 
 tion to the King, to reward the Marquefs for his Ser- 
 vices. And to fhew their Gratitude, they cauled the 
 whole Action to be enrolled,, and gave him a whole 
 Fifteenth in Confideration of his Expences'. 
 
 - This 
 
 (x) Sam. Darnel in Ksnmt, P, 394, 395. See Stmoit Cl-ron. P. 385.
 
 Of ENGLAND. 243 
 
 This is our Hiftorian's Account, which differs not King Henry vi. 
 much, except in the Embelifhment, from the Records ; 
 and, except the Fifteenth given to the Marquefi, of 
 which there is no Mention in the Abridgment * nor in 
 any of our ancient Chronicles. Rapin remarks, that 
 this was one of thofe Parliaments that was managed by 
 Court Intrigues j which, adds he, has been too often 
 the Cafe. This plainly appeared in a Refolution to re- 
 turn the Mar que fi of Suffolk public Thanks for nego- 
 tiating the King's Marriage, without any Advantage 
 accruing to either King or State, by uniting him to a 
 Family that was a mortal Enemy to both (a). 
 
 There are no lefs than eighteen feveral Act?, fome 
 new, and others explanatory, which were palled this 
 Seflion, and are in our Statute- Books. The Heads of 
 thofe, that chiefly regard the public Concern, are thefe: 
 « A Rehearfal of the Statute made 1 5 Hen. VI. Chap. II. 
 touching Licence to tranfport Corn, when Wheat 
 doth not exceed 6 s. and 8 d. and Barley 3 s. and 4 d. 
 the Quarter, made perpetual' (b). 'No Man mail be 
 Sheriff or Under- Sheriff, &c. above a Year.' ' No She- 
 riff fhall let to Farm his County or Bailiwick :' * The 
 Sheriffs and Bailiffs Fees in feveral Cafes limited.' 
 
 ' An Act for the ordering and levying the Wages of 
 the Knights of Parliament.' ' Who (hall be Knights for 
 the Parliament.' * The Manner of their Ele&ion. The 
 Remedy where one is chofen and another returned.' &c. 
 
 The King's Letters Patents under the great Seal of 
 England, and under the Seal of the Dutchy of Lancejler, 
 made to John, Cardinal and Archbifnop of Canterbury* 
 and feveral others, relating to fome Poiieflions in the 
 faid Dutchy ; and three other Letters Patents under the 
 Seal only of the Dutchy of Lancajier, made to the 
 Perfons aforefaid, of feveral Poileflions to the Perfor- 
 mance of the laft Will and Teftament of the prefent 
 King, were read and confirmed by the whole Eftates 
 in Parliament. 
 
 The King's Letters Patents for the Erection and En- 
 dowment of Eaten College, founded 20 Henry VI. with 
 Q_ 2 all 
 
 {a) Rapin, Fol. Ed. 569. 
 
 (b) This was done, i&ys Ha!!, to pleafe the People j ad captumVuJgi. 
 And was again confirmed by Edward IV.
 
 n44 T&& 'Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry vi. all the Lands and Liberties, then, and now granted, 
 were efpecially declared and confirmed by Parliament. 
 As, alfo, the like Letters Patents of the King's, made 
 for the erecting and endowing a College [King's College] 
 in Cambridge, were publickly read and confirmed by 
 i this Parliament. 
 
 The new Queen feeing the Marquefs of Suffolk, 
 who is faid by Hiftoriars to be too great a Favourite 
 with her, particularly honoured for his Services by 
 the Lords and Reprefentatives of the Nation, found it 
 no Difficulty to get her eafy Hufband to join in confer- 
 He is created a ring new Dignities upon him. He was prefently railed 
 Duke and gains from Marquefs to Duke of Suffolk, and had feveral 
 ofth^KngdTm Manorsand Wardfhips given him to fupport this new 
 by the Queen's Dignity ; and, having the Queen's Heart, who certain- 
 Means. ]y managed the King as fhe pleafed, this new Duke 
 may properly be then faid to be the greateft Man in the 
 Kingdom. 
 
 The Perfon that flood the moft in their way to an 
 abfolute Rule, was Humphry, for his great Humanity 
 and Hofpitality, juftly, called the good Duke of Glo- 
 ccfler. This Nobleman had been long engaged in a 
 mortal Quarrel with his half-bred Uncle, Henry Beau- 
 fort the haughty Bifhop of IVinchejler ; .as the former 
 Part of thefe Enquiries, and the larger Englijb Hiftori- 
 ans, do more particularly relate. The Duke had acted 
 in his Proteclorfhip with great Wifdom and Caution ; 
 yet, even in that great Poll he could not efcape a Snare 
 laid for him by the Cardinal, and his other Enemies. 
 His Dutchefs was accufed of tampering and dealing 
 ■with Witches and Conjurers, in order to deprive the 
 King of his Life, and raifeher Hufband to the Crown. 
 The fuperftitious Ignorance of that Age made this Ac- 
 cufaticneaiily credited ; and, being found guilty along 
 with her Accomplices, they fufrered Death; and fhe 
 afhnmeful Pennance and a perpetual Imprifonment. 
 . The new Favourite, as hath been faid, having found 
 
 theRufn^the ne -could not have all Things within his Gripe, without 
 Duke of GJocef- removing this great Man, foon contrived to effect it. 
 UT ' The fir it Step that the Queen and her Minion took, was 
 
 to get the Duke of Gloucejler, not only difplaccd from 
 having any Command about the King's Perfon, but 
 
 even
 
 Of ENGLAND. 245 
 
 even from his Council. Not long after they accufed Kin s Hcnr y v *« 
 him of feveral Crimes and Mifdeameanors; all 
 which the Duke cleared himfelf fo well of, that he was 
 honourably acquitted of them before the King and 
 Council. 
 
 This Difappointment did but aggravate his Enemies 
 the more againft him, and many other Snares were laid 
 to catch him ; for, it was judg'd, they durft not openly 
 attack a Man of his Character, who was really the Peo- 
 ple's Darling. But, a more plaufible Expedient was at 
 laft thought of. A Parliament was reiolved to be call- 
 ed, where he was to be apprehended for fome Charge of 
 High Treafon, committed to clofe Cultody, and then 
 they thought they might work their Will of him. 
 
 Accordingly, we find, by the Records, that Writs A Parliament 
 were firft ifliied out for calling a Parliament to meet at"^' d t0T that 
 Cambridge, on the ioth Day of February, 1447 ; but 
 afterwards, for Reafons of State no doubt, other Writs 
 were difpatched after them to fummon the fame Peers, 
 by Name, to meet in Parliament, on the fame Day at 
 St. Edmunds-Bury. When, being met in the Refettory 
 of the Abbey there, 'John Archbifhop of Canterbury, 
 Primate, Legate and Chancellor, as before, opened the nn ° I4 ! g 7 m * 5 * 
 Seflion by the King's Command, and took for his St. Edmunds- 
 Theme thefe Words out of the Proverbs, Qui autem^^' 
 ineunt Pacis Concilia, fequitur illos Gaudium. 
 
 In repeating his Text, Qui autem, &c. he faid, 
 1 There were three Kinds of Counfels ; the firft, of 
 
 * the Wicked, utterly to be fhunn'd, according to the 
 4 Saying of the Pfalmiji, Beatus eft Vir, qui non ambu- 
 
 * lav it in Conjuio Impiorum. The fecond, of the 
 ' Good and Learned, who go with Circumfpedion, 
 
 * according to Ifaiah 6. Finito Conftlio fujcepit aEiior in 
 
 * Domu fua, 6f fecit Ccenam magnam. The third, 
 
 * of the Holy Ghoft, expelling all Doubts by work- 
 ' ing inwardly, according to the Pfalmiji, Confilium 
 4 autem Domini in aternum manet ; Cogitationes ejus a 
 1 Generatione ad Gcnerationem* 
 
 All which, his Subject, according to the Abridger\ 
 
 he enlarged with fundry Sayings and Examples, and at 
 
 laft thought proper to acquaint them, ' That between 
 
 4 the-Ambalfadors of the Englifb and French Kinga, an 
 
 Q, 3 * Agreement
 
 246 The Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry VI. « Agreement was made, that the two Kings mould 
 ' have an Interview ; and that fufficient Afliirance 
 ' would be given for his Majefty's Pafiage beyond 
 ' Sea, his fafe Refidence there, and Return. For which 
 ' Reafon, the King defired their Advice, and would a£i 
 ' accordingly. He concluded, as ufual, defiring the 
 ' Commons to chufe and prefent their Speaker, and put 
 ' them in mind, that the King's Will was, all Eftates 
 ' fhou'd enjoy their Liberties.' 
 
 The Receivers and Tryers of Englifl) and Foreign 
 
 Petitions to this Parliament being appointed ; on the ie- 
 
 WUHamTre- cond Day the Commons prefented, as their Speaker, 
 
 ST P ea E ker. elea * William ^rejham Efq; whofe Excufe being rejefted, he 
 
 was with the common Proteftation allowed. 
 
 It is very remarkable, after this ufual Preamble, that 
 the Heads of all the Acts made in this Parliament, in 
 the Statute Books, are comprifed in two Lines. And 
 what is mentioned in the Abridgment of the Records is lit- 
 tle or nothing to the Purpofe. Authority given to the 
 King's Council for 100,000 /. Some Grants of the King 
 to his new ereded Colleges of Eaton and Cambridge, 
 and an Exchange in the new Queen Margaret's Re- 
 venues of 4666/. 13 j. and 4-d. out of the Cuftoms, &c. 
 for fome other Lands and Hereditaments fettled on her, 
 during Life, confirmed, was every Thing materi- 
 al done in this Parliament : Except another Article, 
 which may lead us into an Enquiry about this ftrange 
 Proceeding of calling a Parliament on fuch a trifling 
 Occafion ; and when there was no Subfidies afked nor 
 given, nor any other Bufinefs of Moment done at it. 
 The Article is this, * That it is by the King enacted, 
 ' that Eleanor, the late Wife of the Duke of Glocefter, 
 ' fhall be utterly barred from claiming any Dower of 
 ' any of the Hereditaments, &c. of the laid Duke.' 
 
 By this it appears, that another Motive, and which has 
 been hinted at before, was the Occafion of calling this 
 Parliament; and fince it has been fo carefully kept out 
 of the Records, the more general Hiftorians muft inform 
 us. 
 
 4 With the new Year, fays one (c), the Lords began 
 
 • to 
 
 (c) Sam, Daniel by "Rennet, P. 395.
 
 Of E N G L A N D. 247 
 
 ' ro prepare for meeting in Parliament at Bury (d) ; and King Henry VI, 
 
 * that the Duke of Glocefter might fear no Evil, all 
 
 * Things at Court were carried with great Smoothnefs 
 
 * towards him. But Care was taken to have it whiiper- 
 ' ed in his Ear, that it was necefTary he fhould be at it, 
 
 * to prevent the Defigns of the Queen and her Party. 
 ' The good Duke, not at all jealous of ill Practices, 
 ' but retaining his old Zeal for the Commonwealth, 
 ' hearkned to the Caution, and with the reft of the 
 
 ' Lords came to the Place at the Time appointed, ready 
 , to attend the National Bufinefs. 
 
 ' On the firft Day of the Seffion, all Things went 
 4 well enough, and the Ceremonies at the Opening of a 
 
 * Parliament were performed as ufual. On the fecond 
 4 Day the Lord Beaumont (e), then High Con (table 
 ' of England, being accompanied with the Dukes of 
 
 * Buckingham and Somerfet, and many others, arre it- T ' ie Duke of 
 
 * ed the Duke of Glocefter, and put him in Cuttody un- 2. arreft * 
 c der a ftrong Guard. His Servants were all taken 
 
 '* from him, and thirty-two of them fent to different 
 
 * Prifons. The Nation was in great Amaze at this 
 6 fudden Action, and every Man was inquifitive to 
 ' know, what new Matter was found cut againft ?he 
 
 * Duke, who had fo lately cleared himself of all that 
 
 * could be alledged againft him. His Enemies thought 
 
 * it neceflary to lay fome Crime to his Charge, and 
 ' therefore gave it out that Humphry, Duke of G!oce/!er, 
 ' with his Train of Servants, had traiteroufly conipir- 
 ' ed to kill the King that he might fet the Lady Eleanor 
 ' his Wife at Liberty. A ridiculous Charge, but, yet 
 
 * fufficient to quiet the People, whom they only fear- 
 ' ed, in the Execution of their Defign ; for the more 
 ' improbable his Crime was, the ealier it would be to 
 *' free himielf, and ib the People relted content with 
 
 Q_4 ■ the 
 
 (d) To which Town all the Commonalty of the whole County of Suffolk 
 were warned to attend the King there, in their mod defenfible Array. 
 Fabiarfs Chron. Anno ijytf. Holhngfhead writes, that Bury was pitch'd 
 upon as a much properer Place to execute their Purpofe againft the Duke, 
 thai either fPefhnittjfer or London, on account of his great Popularity, 
 Chron. P 627. 
 
 y.Stoivc fays, that the Roads about Bury, were ail kept by arm- 
 ed Men, both Day and Night, fo that many died of Cold aad Watching. 
 
 Chron. P. 386. 
 
 (/} He ii called in the Lift of Peers, Job;: Lord VTW
 
 148 The Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry vi.' the Senfe of his Wifdom and Innocency. But his 
 
 * Enemies had contrived otherwife, that he fhould ne- 
 ' ver come to his Defence (f) ; for the Night after his 
 
 And murder' a ' Commitment, as fome fay, but others a few Nights 
 
 privately. < after Qf), he was found dead in his Bed, and his Body 
 
 ' Ihewed to the Lords and Commons aflembled in Parlia- 
 
 ' ment, and lay expofed to open View of all Comers 
 
 * for fome Time ; in which, becaufe no Signs of a 
 ' violent Death appeared, it was reported, that he died 
 ' of an Apoplexy or Impofthume. But, becaufe none 
 ' of his Servants fuffered after his Death, which they 
 ' ought to have done, had they been guilty of High 
 ' Treafon, as was alledged againfr, them, (though five of 
 1 them were condemned, and when near their Executi- 
 ' on v/ere pardoned by the Duke ok' Suffolk's Means [b) ;) 
 
 * it was generally thought a fufficient Ground to be- 
 ' lieve, that he was murdered by the Queen's Means ; 
 ' and fome v/ere fo particular as to report, that he was 
 ' ftrangled between two Pillows, or Feather- Beds, as 
 ' Thomas Wcodjlock, Duke of Glocejler before him, had 
 ' been j others that he had an hot Spit run up his Fun- 
 
 * diment, as King EdwardW. had; others affirmed, that 
 
 * he died of mere Grief, becaufe he faw he muft now 
 ' fall a Sacrifice to his Enemies Malice, without being 
 
 * allowed to defend himfelf; all which Conjectures 
 
 * have little Foundation. The mo ft difcreet judge, he 
 ' was murdered ; but, being tranfadted in private it 
 ' was not (afe to determine by what Means.' 
 
 It 
 
 (f ) Tie History ofCroyland, cotempoiary, fpeaks thus ofthe Duke, 
 i~liu ad Refponfum non admijj'us, nee juaiciali Examine condemnatus , Vcf- 
 perefojpes ct ineolumh, Mane (prcb Dolor) mortuus clatus eft et oftenfus. 
 Hift. Croyland. Continuatio. P. 521. 
 
 (g) Fabian fays within fix Days alter the Duke was arretted. Cbron. 
 Ann) ~i.iA.-j. 
 
 John Htotve Twenty four-Days 5 and that fome faid the Duke died for 
 Sorrow, that they wouid.net bring him to his Anfwer. Cbron. P. 386. 
 
 (b) Their Names were Sir Roger Chamberlain Knight, Middleton, Her- 
 bert, and Arthur Efquires j and one Richard Needbam Yeoman. They 
 were Sentenced to be draws, hanged and quartered ; of which the 
 Drawing and Hanging were put in Execution, but when they were cut 
 down U be quartered, and marked with a Knife for that Purpofe, the 
 Marquefs of Suffolk, there prelent, ihewed the King's Pardon for them 
 and they were releaied. A dangerous Experiment- Fabian, ibid. 
 
 The Pardon is in the Public s.c~i% ; at the End of which, is the Date at 
 If tfimivfter jUnt 4 ; and then, Per tfftm Regem, et de Data pradif.a^ 
 JlilfirHatt Parli amsnti. Feed. jing. Tom. xi. P,, J79.
 
 Of E N G L A N D. 249 
 
 It is more than barely probable that this laft Con- ^"6 H=nry vl, 
 jediure is right : A Parliament had been fummoned on 
 fo trifling an Occafion, as is mentioned in the Lord Chan- 
 cellor's Speech; and which, by the bye, was a mere 
 Pretext ; for not one Word more is mentioned in the 
 Records or Hiftory, relating to the Royal Interview 
 there fpoken of. On which, we may well fuppofe, that 
 it was a Trap laid 10 catch the Duke, and the Event too 
 plainly fhew3 that his Death either public, or private, 
 was the principal Defign of it. 
 
 The Death of this great Man was, very foon after, 
 revenged upon his Enemies ; the Cardinal Bifhop of 
 Wincbejler died within a Month of him, and, as we are 
 told, in great Agonies both of Body and Mind. And 
 tho' the Queen and the Duke of Suffolk now managed 
 both the King and Kingdom without Controul, yet the 
 Reign of the latter was very fhort lived, as the Couri'e 
 of thefe Enquiries will {hew. The Method they took 
 to govern, was very oppreffive and intolerable to the Sub- 
 jects ; and tho' the Queen made ufe of her Hufband's 
 Name, yet me could fcarely hide her Ufurpation, be- 
 caufe, in England, the Queen Confort hath no Power, 
 but Title only. 
 
 The Death of the Duke of Glocejler had yet another The Duke of 
 ill Conlequence, by opening a Door to the Duke of YqAYfirft At- 
 Tcrk to put in his Claim to the Crown, which he ne-JJl 
 ver durft have done, whilfta Man of fuch Wifdom and 
 Popularity, as the former, flood in his Way. It does 
 not appear that York had any Hand in the Duke's Mur- 
 der ; but it may be well fuppofed, that he was glad to 
 fee it acted by others ; and that the Queen and her Mi- 
 nion went on, in the Government, in the arbitrary 
 Manner they did. In a fmall Time after Duke Hum- 
 phry's Death, he began to reprefent to his Friends the 
 Mifcry of the Nation, which, under the Name of a 
 King, weak and unable to govern, was ruled by an 
 ambitious Queen, and her Favourites. He firft put it 
 into their Heads, That it was neceflary to pitch upon 
 fome other Perfon to be King, fince the prefent King 
 had depofed himfelf, in Effect, by fuffering the Queen 
 and Suffolk to over-rule all ; that King Henry was really 
 a good Man, but fitter for a Cloifter than a Palace, there- 
 fore
 
 250 Hoc Tarliamentary History 
 
 King Henry vi. f ore t j ie Kingdom was to be put into better Hands than 
 thoieof Women and Favourites. Having thus artfully 
 infufed into their Minds a general Discontent, he next 
 put forward his own Title to the Crown j which, al- 
 lowing Hereditary Right to be valid, was indubitable. 
 Yet, added, that tho' he would not vainly vaunt him- 
 felf fit for ia great an Office, he might boldly claim the 
 Crown as his Right ; and hop'd, ihat the Diligence and 
 Valour he had ihewn in France, for the Preservation 
 of the EngHjb Dominions inthat Kingdom, were De- 
 monitrations enough to prove, that he had the true Spirit 
 of an EngtiJIman in him, and was zealous in all 
 Things for the Good of the Nation. 
 
 Thus much is thought proper to be faid, tho' fome- 
 what digreflive from our Parliamentary Defign, in 
 order to keep up a Connection in Hittory; and to (hew, 
 at what Time thofe great Difputes between the two 
 Houfes began, which n^ar overturned thewnole King- 
 dom. It was two Years after the laft, that we meet 
 with another Parliament, which was called by Writs, 
 dated at IVeJhijnjier, January 2d, to meet at the fame 
 Place on the 1 2th of February foliowing ; the firit Peer 
 now on the Lift, is Richard Duke of Tot k. 
 AnnoResni-27. On the Day r.ppointed being all met in the Painted 
 1449. Chamber of the Palace, John Archbifhop ol ' Canterbury ^ 
 e nun .ei. Q lance jj or f England, declared theCauie of the Sum- 
 mons, and made a notable Declaration ; but what it was, 
 John Day Ef q - our dbridger takes no further Notice. Three Days 
 chofen Speaker, after, the Commons prefented John Day, Efq; for their 
 Speaker, who was allowed; and foon after a Grant 
 of a Tenth and half a Fifteenth, to be levied on the 
 Laity, palled both Houfes; with a Grant, alfo, of 
 Tonnage and Poundage, for five Years to come, on 
 all Merchants whatsoever, with an Addition of three 
 Shillings more on Aliens, as well of the Hans 
 Towns as othcrwife. Authority was likewife given to 
 the Council of State, to borrow 100, oco /. as well upon 
 the King's Revenues, as his Jewels. 
 
 We find, on Record, that another Grant was made 
 
 mwrtx and a t0 the King oi half a Tmth and a ' whole Fi P^nth, to 
 be levied as before. Alfo, a Poll-Tax was again renew- 
 ed and granted to the King;, of Sixteen Pence to be taken 
 
 of
 
 Of ENGLAND. 251 
 
 of every Houfe-holder within the Realm, not born ^bg Henry vi. 
 within the King's Dominions, and fix Pence of every 
 other Perfon, fo born, and no Houfe-holder ; with 
 fix Shillings and eight Pence of all and every Merchant- 
 Stranger, and twenty Pence of all and every of their 
 Clerks. Laftly, the like Subfidy on Wools was 
 granted for four Years, as before. 
 
 A MefTage from the Duke of Somerfet, the King's 
 Lieutenant in France, was delivered to this Parliament 
 verbatim, by the Lord Hajiings Chancellor of France, 
 and the Abbot of Glocejler; importing, That the great 
 Preparations the French were making, werefuch, that, 
 if a War mould happen, then the Country of Norman- 
 dy was not able to defend itfelf. And, as the Truce 
 was to endure but for fourteen Months, it was necefla- 
 ry to acquaint the King and Council, in Difcharge of 
 the laid Duke, that they might provide accordingly. 
 
 The Enghjh Government took fome Alarm at this 
 Meflage, and being well provided with Money by the 
 late Subfidies, a confiderable Reinforcement was fen t Normandy loft. 
 over to the Duke Regent; but thefe had ill luck, and 
 were molt of them cutoff; after which, the Duke of 
 Somerfet gave up Caen to the Fiench, and infhort, all 
 Normandy, thirty Years after it had been conquered 
 by Henry the Fifth. 
 
 A Motion was made in Parliament, that the Soldiers 
 Wages at Calais, and the Charge of the Reparations 
 there, be paid out of the Subfidy on Wools ; it was 
 granted. This Motion produced an Acl, which bore 
 this Title, ' Becaufe in the Reign of King Edward 
 ' III. the Subfidies and Cuftoms of the Staple of Calais 
 
 * was threelcore and eight thoufand Pounds Yearly, 
 ' and now is not above twelve thoufand ; therefore 
 ' no Licence granted, or to be granted by the King, 
 
 * fhall be available, for the Carriage of Wools, Fells, 
 
 * or Tin, to any Place out of the Realm but to Calais. 
 
 * And whofoever doth obtain, accept, and put in Exe- 
 ' cutionany fuch Licence, fhall be out of the King's 
 
 * Protection.' 
 
 Alfo, it was enacted, that if Woollen Cloths, made in 
 this Realm, mould be prohibited or not accepted in 
 Holland, Brabant and Zeland, under the Dominion of 
 
 the
 
 k$i The Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry vi. the Duke of Burgundy, then no Merchandize, grow- 
 ing or wrought, within any of his Countries, fhall 
 come into England on Pain of Forfeiture thereof (i). 
 
 Upon Contention between William Earl of Arundel 
 and Thomas Earl of Devon (k), for Superiority of Place 
 in Council and Parliament, it was enafted by the King 
 and Lords, with the Advice of the Judges, That thefaid 
 Earl of Arundel and his Heirs, by reafon of the Caftle 
 and Honour of Arundel, (hall for ever enjoy the Prehe- 
 minence in the Prefence of the King and elfewhere, 
 above the faid Earl of Devon, as worfhipfully, fo faith 
 the Adt, as any of his Anteftors, Earls of Arundel be- 
 fore that Time ever h id And yet, it is obfereable, 
 that in all the fucceeding Lifts of Peers fummoned to 
 Parliament, the Earl of Devon is always placed before the 
 Earl of Arundeh 
 
 But the moft remarkable Thing done this Parliament, 
 ^^J^^was by the Bifhops ; who now made a ftrong Pufh to 
 peal the statute "have the Act of Praemunire repealed. They had made 
 ofPramumre confiderable Intereft in both Houfes to effed: their De- 
 proves mefteau- flg n? ^ m j t wag j, n ya j n> -p he g realcr p art f t h e L orc is 
 
 and Commons were fo zealous for the Continuance of 
 it, that they were conftrained to endure that Eye -fore; 
 and it remains in Force to this Day (/). 
 
 This Parliament had two ieveral Prorogations ; one 
 from the 4th of April to the 7 th of May, and the 
 other, as the Record fays, by reafon of the Plague then 
 reigning in London and IVeJlmi'iifter, from May 30th to 
 June 1 6th, ixWincheJler; tho' we cannot find that they 
 ever met at that Place. 
 
 We have hinted before, that the Englijh Affairs in 
 
 France were in a very bad Situation at that Time. 
 
 The Nation dif-The Lois of Normandy is afcribed by an Hiftorian (w), 
 
 contented. f0 three Caufes . p^ the Treachery of the Natives 
 
 there ; who, tho' natural- born Subjects to the King of 
 England, yet being French, in Language and Cuftoms, 
 they arretted Subjection, moftly, to the French King. 
 
 Secondly, 
 
 [i) Statutes at Large Cap. i, a. 
 
 (k) William T it x- Alan Earl of Arundel ', Thomas Couriency Earl of 
 Devon. Dugdale'j BaronageYol. I. P. 323. 
 (I) Daniel in Kennet, P. 400. 
 f» Ibid P. 401.
 
 O/ENGLAND. 253 
 
 Secondly, The Duke of Somerfet's Avarice, who kept K ; ng Henry vr# 
 
 not the Garrifons full as he ought to have done, that he 
 
 might pocket the Money allowed for Soldiers. And, 
 
 laftly, The Divifions at Home, in which the Great 
 
 Ones engaged with fo much Zeal that they had no 
 
 Regard to Affairs abroad. 
 
 The LofTes in France being known in England, »t AParl j nt 
 bred a general Difcontent amongft the People; and the caird to meet at 
 Fault was totally laid on the Queen and her Miniftry. Leicefter. 
 The loudeft Exclamations were railed againft the Duke 
 of Suffolk, as the chief Inftrument of all the Mifconr 
 duel ; and it was refolved, that he fhould undergo a Na- 
 tional Enquiry about it. The Queen, apprehenfive of 
 the Danger her Favourite was in from luch a Pro- 
 ceedure, did all fhe could to prevent it. Firft, by en- 
 deavouring to hinder a Parliament from being called ; 
 and next, when fhe could not avoid that, by having it 
 fummoned to meet at Leicefter j where, in a Country- 
 Town, fhe imagined, her numerous Attendance might 
 over-awe the Members. But the Lords and Commons, 
 who knew they were iafe under the Protection of the J^jf" Ce 
 City of London, politively refufed to meet at all, unlefs where but at 
 they were appointed to come to Wejlminfter. So the Weftminfter. 
 Writs of Summons were iJiued out, dated September 23d, 
 for a Parliament to meet, at the latter, on the 6th Day 
 of November following. ' «HM tSST* 
 
 By the Abridgment ef the Records, we find that this accordingly, 
 Parliament underwent feveral Prorogations; for on the Anno Regni 28. 
 firft Day of the SefTion, John Archbifhop of Canterbury, I4S °* 
 declared to the Lords and Commons, that, for avoiding 
 the infectious Air of Wejlni'njier, the King had, really, 
 prorogued the faid Parliament to London ; and defired 
 the Commons tochufe their Speaker, and prefent him But p »'2>"°su 4 
 the next Day to the King. Sir Robert Cotton here t0 London * 
 obferves, that itfeems the Fear of the Plague had caufed 
 the Archbifhop to forget his Orat'on ; and the Clerk of 
 Parliament to enroll him as Chancellor. Which flievvs, 
 that fome Thing or other put them in great Confufion 
 at this Time. 
 
 On the third Day of the Seffion, the Commons 
 prefented Sir John Popham Knight, as their Speaker, 
 whofe Excufc for not ferving the Office, we find, 
 
 was
 
 2J4 The Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry vi. was accepted, and he was difcharged. So on the fame 
 William Tre Day, the Commons'prefented William Trejbam, Efq; for 
 fham, Efq;eka-the fame Purpofe, who, with the common Protefhui- 
 
 John Fopiiam . December Ath the Parliament was again adjourned 
 
 excus'd. from London to Wejlminjler, to be there held by the 
 
 Chancellor, in the Prefence of the King, Lords and 
 
 The Parliament Commons the next Day . And on the I?th Day of 
 aojourn u back % , • n r ss a-m 
 
 again to Weft- the fame Month, the Archhuhop of Canterbury Chan- 
 
 miniier. cellor of England, in the King's Prefence, and on his 
 
 BehaK, gave Thanks to the three Eftates, and prorogued 
 
 the Parliament from that Day unto the 22d of January 
 
 next at Wejlminlhr. 
 
 This laft Prorogation may be accounted for, by rea- 
 fon of the Chriflmas Holidays ; but we are further 
 told, that on the faid 2 2d Day of January, when the 
 Parliament met, the Archbifhop of Canterbury was dif- 
 charged from the Office of Chancellor, and Join 
 Kempe, Cardinal and Archbifhop of York, was put in 
 From thence to his Place ; that they fat at Wejlminjler to the thir- 
 Lekcfter. t j et h jj.y f Match; and then the Chancellor, by the 
 
 King's Command, prorogued the Parliament from the 
 faid Day to the 29th of Jpril, next enfuing, at Lei- 
 cester. 
 
 In all this Time there is not one Word more of Bu- 
 finefs done thisSefiion, than is before mentioned. But, 
 after this, an extraordinary Subfidy was granted ; which 
 a Vge Subfidy. was, 'That every Perton having by free Deed, Copy, 
 Grant of Annuity, or Office, the clear Yearly Value 
 of 20;. in Frank-Tenement mould pay Six- pence, and 
 fo from 20 s. to 20/. From 20/. to2Co/. Yearly, 
 Twelve pence in the Pound : From 200/. and upwards 
 2 s. for every Pound, as well Laity as Clergy ; Guar- 
 dians of Wards, Men having Fees, and all Corporations 
 to p:-y accoidingly. Several Sums alfo, out of the 
 King's Revenues and Fee-Farms, to a great Value, 
 were allowed to bear and pay the Charges of the King's 
 Houfhold. 
 
 But, before the laft Prorogation to Leicefler, came 
 on the Tiial of the Duke o\ Suffolk, on feveral Articles 
 of High Trer.fcn ; which, becaufe he faw that he could 
 
 not
 
 Of E N G L A N D. 255 
 
 not avoid, he moved for himfelf (n). For, according K5n s Henrv VI * 
 to the Record, on the 22d Day of January, the Duke 
 ftood up in the Houfe of Lords, and required the King 
 
 * That he might be fpecially accufed, and be allowed 
 
 * to anfwer to what many jM en reported of him, that 
 
 * he was an unfaithful SubjecV He further told the 
 King, l That his Father, and ^three of his Brethren, 
 ' died in his Service and that of his Father's and 
 c Grandfather's. That he himfelf had ferved in the 
 
 * Wars thirty-four Years ; and, being but a Knight, 
 4 and taken Prifoner, had paid for his Ranfom 2000 /. 
 
 * That he had been of the Order of the Garter thirty 
 
 * Years, and a Counfellor to the King fifteen Years, 
 
 * and had been feventeen Years in the Wars, without 
 ' returning Home. And, allcing God's Mercy, as he 
 ' had been true to the King and Realm, he required 
 
 * his Purgation.' 
 
 January 26, the Commons came before the Lords, 
 and required that the Duke, on his Confellion, might be 
 committed to fafe Cuftody ; but, the Lords and Judges, 
 upon Confultation, 4 thought there was no good Caufe 
 ' for it, unlefs fome efpecial Matter was objected a- 
 c gainft him.' 
 
 January 28, the Speaker came again, and declared, 
 4 That the Duke of Suffolk, as it was faid, had fold this 
 Realm to the French, who had prepared to come hither ; 
 and that the faid Duke, for his own Defence, had fur- 
 nifhed the Caftle of IValiingford with all warlike Mu- 
 nition j whereupon at the Speaker's Requeft, the faid The Duke of 
 Duke was committed to the Tower of London, Suffolk commit- 
 
 February 7, the Speaker of the Houfe of Com- 
 mons, the Chancellor and the Lords, lent to the King 
 a Bill of Articles, by which they accufed William de la 
 
 Pole, 
 
 (n) Hall writes, that the Duke of Suffolk was called in every Man's 
 Mouth a Traitor and a Murderer, a Robber of the King's Treafute, and 
 worthy to be put to the moll cruel Death ; for which Reafon the 
 Queen, fornewhat fe;ii;;g his Deftruction, but m;re her own Confufion, 
 caufed the Parliament before begun at the Black Fryers in London, to be 
 adjourned to Leicejler ; thinking there, by forcing the Laws, to fubdus 
 and reprefs all the Malice an:: 111-wiil conceived ftgalnft the Duke and 
 her. But tew of the Nobilicy would appear there, fo that the Parlia- 
 ment was again adjourned to London. Hall's Cbron. Fol. CLVlll. 
 Hollhgfcead, P, 631. J, Stoivc. P. 387.
 
 z$6 The 'Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry vi. Pool, Duke of Suffolk, late of Ewelm in the County of 
 
 Oxford, of fundry Treafons (o), viz. 
 ATtides againft I. That the faid Duke having the Wardfhip of 
 him. Margaret the Daughter and Heir of John Duke of 
 
 Somerfet, he meant to marry his Son John to her ; and 
 thereby for want of Iffue of the King, to claim the 
 Crown, and to procure the French King, by means of 
 certain French Lords, there named, to depofe the 
 King. 
 
 II. 7'hat he procured the Delivery of the Duke of 
 Orleans, and pradtifed with him to caufe the French to 
 recover the Englfh Conquefts in that Kingdom. 
 
 III. Related to the Duke's Promife of Delivery of 
 Anjou and Main, to requite the King of Sicily the 
 King's Enemy, without the Aflent of the other Em- 
 baffadors. 
 
 IV. For difclofing the King's Counfel to the Earl 
 of Dumoys Baftard of Orleans, and to others of the 
 French Nation. 
 
 V. For betraying to the French the Strength of the 
 King's Piles, Ordnance, and Munition, beyond Sea. 
 
 VI. That the faid Duke, by difclofing the King's 
 Secrets, caufed the Peace to be broken. 
 
 VII. That the faid Duke fupported the King's Ene- 
 mies, by Haying fundry Arms which mould have paf- 
 fed againft them. 
 
 VIII. That the faid Duke had ftrcngthned the King's 
 Enem : es againft him, by not compromifing in the laft 
 Peace the King of Arragon, who is almoft loft \ and 
 the Duke of Brit any, who is wholly fo (p). 
 
 All which Articles, the Commons require to been- 
 rolled, and that Profecution may be awarded thereon. 
 
 On the 9th Day of" March, the Commons made a 
 new Complaint againft the Duke, in Effe£t following : 
 
 Firft. For procuring the King, in his 1 8th Year, to 
 give away the Inheritance and Lands of the Crown. 
 
 For 
 
 (0) Fabian writes, that James Fienes Lord Say, the Eifhop of Sa'if- 
 bury, and Daniel Trevilian, Gentlemen, with others, were at the fame, 
 time, accufed by the Commons. Fabian's Chron. A. 1450. J. Strive, 
 P. 387. 
 
 (/>) Rafin remarks, that Hiftorians fay the Duke cleared himfelf 
 from all bat this raft Article, and has taken fome Pains to exolain it. 
 Sz? Raping Hijl. of England, ¥o\.Y.i. ?, $j$. • *
 
 O/ENGLAND. <i 5 y 
 
 For procuring many Liberties in derogation of the King Henry VI. 
 Common Law, and Hinderance of Juftice. 
 
 For caufing the King to give away the Caftle of 
 Manlion de S early and other Territories in Guienne. 
 
 For that the Earl of Armanac and other Nobles of 
 Guienne, were drawn from their Obedience to the 
 King, by the faid Duke's difcovering of Secrets, to the 
 utter Impoverifhment of this Realm. 
 
 For procuring the King to beftow the keeping of 
 divers Towns and Offices in Normandy and Guienne, 
 on unworthy Perfons. 
 
 For procuring the King to grant the Earldoms of 
 Enreney and Longuevile, and other Lordfhips in Nor- 
 mandy to the Baftard of Orleans, and other French- 
 men, the King's chiefeft Enemies, without the AlTent 
 of the Council. 
 
 For that the Duke procured the King, in his own 
 Prefence, to promife the French Embaflador to attend 
 ity Perfon at the Convention in France, to the King's 
 Subverfion if it had taken Effect. 
 
 For caufing the Subfidies granted to be contrarily 
 employed. 
 
 For caufing the King's Treafure to be fpent on the 
 French Queen, and other French People. 
 
 For confuming the Sum of 60,000/. left by the 
 Lord Dudley the late Treafurer. 
 
 For conveying out of the King's Treafury the Ob- 
 ligations of the Finnance for the Duke of Orleans. 
 
 For procuring himfelf to be made Earl of Pembroke, 
 and obtaining the Lordfhips of Haverford-Wejl, after 
 the Death of Sir Rowland Lenthal. 
 
 For flaying the Procefs of Outlawry againfl William 
 Talbois, Eiq; of Lincoln, upon feveral Appeals of 
 Murder. 
 
 For procuring a Pardon to the faid William, for not 
 appearing upon Suretyfhip of Peace. 
 
 For procuring Perfons of his Confederacy to be 
 made Sheriffs. 
 
 For procuring a Garrifon of Engli/hmen to fight a- 
 gainft the Germans, the King's Allies^ on the Part of 
 the French, the King's Enemies. 
 
 Vol. II. R All
 
 258 The 'Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry VI. -All which Articles the Commons required to be 
 enroll'd, and that the faid Duke might anfwer to 
 them. 
 
 On the 9th Day of March the Duke of Suffolk was 
 brought from the Tower, by the King's Writ, into 
 the Parliament Chamber, at Wejlminjler, before the 
 King and Lords ; to whom the Articles aforefaid were 
 rehearfed, who defir'd a Copy of them, which was 
 granted. And, for the more ready Anfwer to them, 
 he was committed to the Cuftody of certain Efquires, 
 in the Tower within the King's Palace. 
 
 March the 14th the faid Duke appeared again before 
 the Lords, and on his Knees denied the Truth of the 
 firft eight Articles of Treafon againft him j and ofter'd 
 to prove them falfe in any Manner the King fhould ap- 
 point. The firft of them he denied as impoflible, in- 
 ferring, thatfome of the Lords knew he meant to have 
 married his Son to the Earl of Warwick'"?, Daughter, if 
 fhe had lived. To many of the reft, he referred him- 
 felf to the King's Letters Patents, and to fome Adts of 
 the Council. To the yielding up of Anjou and Main, 
 he referred alfo to the Ads of the Council ; which 
 fhew, that other Lords were privy thereto, as well as 
 himfelf, and faid that the fame wasdeliver'd up by the 
 Bifhop of Ch'cheJIer, then Keeper of the Privy Seal. 
 
 On March 17th the faid Duke was brought again 
 before the Lords, to whom the Chancellor repeated 
 the Anfwer he had made, and told him, that therein he 
 had not put himfelf upon his Peerage, and asked the 
 Duke which Way he would be tried ? .Who, kneeling, 
 faid, that he hoped he had anfwered all Things to the 
 full, and fo protefting his Innocency, referred himfelf 
 entirely to the King's Mercy and Award. 
 
 Thereupon the Chancellor, by the King's Corn- 
 He is fcntenced mand, pronounced this Sentence, ' That fince the 
 to be banifhed « Duke did not put himfelf upon his Peerage, the King, 
 
 fi h vcYears 0mf0r ' in relation to the Articles of Trealon contain'd in 
 
 * the firft Bill, would be doubtful. And as to the Ar- 
 ' tides of Mifprifion, the King, not as Judge by the 
 
 * Advice of the Lords, but as one to whole Order the 
 ' Duke had committed himfelf, doth banifh him the 
 
 ' Realm
 
 Of E N G L A N D. 239 
 
 * Realm , and other his Dominions, for five Years ; King Henry VT, 
 ' from the firft Day of May next enfuing (a).' 
 
 After which Sentence being given, the Lord Vif- 
 count Beaumont, Lord High Conftable, flood up, on 
 the Behalf of the Bifhops and Lords, and required, 
 ' That it might be enrolled, that the faid Judgment 
 
 * was by the King's own Rule, and not by their Af- 
 ' fent j and alfo required, that neither they nor their 
 ' Heirs mould, by this Example, be barred of their 
 ' Peerage and Privileges.' 
 
 Mr Collier here remarks, that by the Enrollment of 
 thisProteftation, it appears, the Bifhops had an equal 
 Right of being tried by their Peers with the Lords 
 Temporal : Why elfe, adds he, mould it be moved, 
 in Behalf of the Bifliops, that this Cafe of the Duke of 
 Suffolk might not be drawn into a Precedent, to the 
 Difadvantage of their Peerage {b). 
 
 We have chofe to give the foregoing Account of this 
 Parliamentary Inquiry, into the Mifconducl of a Prime 
 Minifter, from the Records themfelves j our larger 
 Englijh Hiftorians are much more prolix in the Circum- 
 tfances of this Trial, but not altogether lb confiftent 
 with Truth. What we have to add, about the Fate of 
 this unfortunate Statefman, is, that undoubtedly the 
 Mildnefs of his Sentence proceeded from the Queen's 
 great Indulgence to him; who was in hopes, that hisfhort 
 Banifhment might laft longer than the Malice of his Ene- 
 mies againft him. But, unhappily for both, the Duke was 
 taken Prifoner at Sea, by a private Englijh Captain,who 
 had way-laid him, had his Head ftruck off on the But in his Paf- 
 Sideofa Cock-boat, and fell openly a terrible Example fageis murdered 
 of divine Vengeance, for the private Murder of the b * a ^P* 8 " 1 ' 
 good Duke of Gloucejier. Yet this Minifter, bad as he 
 was, hath found fome Advocates in Hiftory j and 
 one old Writer particularly, remarks, ' That the moft 
 ' vile Thing in this Parliamentary Accufation againft 
 R 2 * him 
 
 (a) The HiftVy of Croyland, after giving the Duke of Suffolk a moft 
 terrible Charadler, fays, that he was condemn'd by Parliament to per- 
 petual Banifhment. Statuto deinde Parliamento, caventes Regis OffcnpQ- 
 tiem, ipfum in Exilium condemnahant perpetuum : hifiiias t&men ei pontn- 
 tes ad Tempus, et Diem Transfretationh in Partes peregrinas peremptorivm 
 affignantes. Kift. Croyland. Continuatio. p. 525, Ed. Gal», 
 
 (b) ailier's Ex.. Hjft.. Vol. I. p. 672,'
 
 z6o The Parliamentary H i s T o R y 
 
 Kingftewy Vi. « him was, that they mould charge that as a Crime up- 
 ' on Suffolk now, which they themlelves had in a for- 
 4 mer Parliament confented unto and ratified (c).' 
 
 There was little other Buiinefs than what is mention- 
 ed, done at this Seffion ; and no Adls of any Con fe- 
 quence were pafs'd, except one only, mentioned in the 
 Abridgment of the Records, call'd an Act of Refump- 
 tion i whereby Power was given to the King, 4 -'To 
 4 take into his Hands all Hereditaments, Offices, Li- 
 
 * berties and Grants whatfoever, from the firft Day of 
 
 * his Reign to the making of this A& j except certain 
 
 * peculiar Grants there mention'd.' 
 
 By the Duke of Suffolk's Death, the Door was made 
 
 ftill wider for the Duke of York's Claim to the Crown ; 
 
 and he, with his Friends, made all the Ufe they could 
 
 of this favourable Conjuncture. An Hiftorian {d) tells 
 
 us, that his Friends gave it out in all Companies, 
 
 The Duke of « That the Nation, being governed by a flothfui 
 
 S'obtaSS' Kir) gand a n ambitious Queen, who neither of them 
 
 Crown. ' ' underftood the true Meafures of Government, did 
 
 . * daily decay in its Reputation and Intereft, of which 
 
 * the Lofs of France was an invincible Demonstration. 
 
 * That the publick Good ought to be more nearly 
 
 * look'd into, and Men of fuch Abilities rais'd ro the 
 c Helm, as might both advance the Honour of the Eng- 
 4 liff), and be a Terror to their Enemies. That the 
 4 Duke of York was a Perfon every way qualified for 
 4 the greateft Truft, having given a very great Proof 
 
 * of it in compofing the Rebellion in Ireland, with fo 
 
 * great Satisfaction to the People, as well as Safety to 
 
 * the King. That in reality, that Duke had the beft 
 4 Title to the Crown, the Family of Lancajler being 
 4 no better than Ufurpers; and, though, indeed, King 
 4 Henry might be tolerable, if he was either like his 
 4 Father or his Grand-Father, whofe Virtue and Cou- 
 4 rage made their bad Tides overlook'd ; yet fince his 
 
 * eafy and gentle Nature render'd him incapable of go- 
 4 verning well, it was better for the People to fet up a 
 4 Perfon, zvho, if be bad no Right, was the fitteji Man 
 4 in the Nation to wield a Sceptre, but much more being 
 
 the 
 
 (c) Speed's Chron. p, 662. 
 
 (d) Sam* Banid by Kenr.et> p. 403,
 
 Of ENGLAND. 261 
 
 4 the true Heir, than fuffer others to ufurp the Power of^ m l Henr y VI * 
 ' doing them, and the King himfelf, a Mi/chief. 
 
 Thefe and fuch like Difcourfes being well relifhed 
 by the Generality of the Nation, it was not long be- 
 fore the Refolution of a Change was put to a greater 
 Trial. The Story of the Rebellion under Jack Cade 9 
 who filled himfelf Lord Mortimer, is too well known, 
 to need any Repetition here ; our Hiitorians luppofe, 
 that this Fellow was fpirited up, under Hand, by the 
 Duke of York, to try t^e Bent of the Nation, in regard 
 to his Title ; that Lord, or Sir John Mortimer having 
 been Brother to the Earl of March, who was beheaded 
 in the laft Reign, and who was then the undoubted 
 Heir of the Line of Tort. Our Purpofe is, only, to 
 fhew how much the Parliament of England were con- 
 cerned in this Quarrel ; and one being called the next 
 Year, in the midit of Cade's Rebellion, we fhall pro- 
 ceed in our Enquiries of what was tranfafred at it. 
 
 It has been our Cuftom, hitherto, to give a Lift or 
 two of the Peers, fummoned to Parliament, in a. long 
 or z( fhort Reign, in order to inform the Reader under 
 what Names and Titles they were then called, as well 
 as the particular Number of them. We think proper 
 to give the following Lift of Peers, fummoned to at- 
 tend the next Parliament, fince in a fmall Time after, 
 they were interrupted by the Civil Wars, and moft of 
 their Meetings then were to their own Deftru&ions. 
 
 In the 29th Year of Henry the Sixth. Anno RegnI 
 
 The King, &c. to Richard Duke oj York, Sec. to meet i 45 i. 
 at Weftminfter, on the Fea/l of St. Leonard, &c. Wit- At Weftminfter. 
 nefs the King at Weftminfter, September the fifth. 
 
 Henry, Duke of Exeter, William, Earl of Arundel, peerage at that 
 John, Duke of Norfolk, Ralph, Earl of Wejlmore- Time. 
 Humphry, Duke of Bite- land, 
 
 kingham, Richard, Earl of Salijhury, 
 
 Edmund, Duke of Somerfet, John, Earl of Oxford, 
 Richard, Earl of Warwick, John, Earl of Wcrcefler, 
 Henry , Earl of Northumber- James, Earl of Wiltjhire, 
 
 land, . John, Vifcount Beaumont^ 
 
 Thomas, Earl of Devsnfhire, James, Lord Berkeley, 
 
 R 3 Edward,
 
 162 The Tdrliamentciry History 
 
 King Henry vi. Edward, Lord Gray, of Thomas, Lord Clifford, 
 
 Groby, Henry, Vifcount Bourchier, 
 
 Edmund, Lord Gray, of Edward, Lord Brooke, of 
 
 Ruthin, Cobkam, 
 
 Robert, Lord Hungerfcrd John, Lord Talbot of Lijle, 
 
 fenior, Thomas, Lord Sfa/tf, 
 
 Ralph, Lord Gray/lock, Reginald, Lord 6r<^ <fe 
 /^«ry Pwy, Lord Poin- Wilton, 
 
 ings, ' John, Lord Stourton, 
 
 William, Lord Bottreaux, Richard Woodvile , Lord 
 Thomas, Lord Dacres, of Rivers, 
 
 Gil/land, William Bourchier, Lord 
 
 y^«, Lord Beauchamp, Fitzwarren, 
 
 James, Lord Audley, William, Lord Boneviie, 
 
 Ralph, Lord Cromwell, Henry. Bromfleet , Lord 
 William, Lord Zouch, of Vefcy, 
 
 Harringworth, Thomas, Lord £00/, 
 
 John, Lord Scroop, of Ma- Robert, Lord Hungerford, 
 
 Jbam, of Mo/ins, 
 
 William, Lord Fitzhugh, Ralph, Lord Boteler, of 
 Henry, Lord Scroop, of Sudlcy, 
 
 Bolton, Thomas, Lord Grtfy, of 
 
 Leonard Lord Welles, Richmond, 
 
 John, Lord Clinton, William Beat/champ, Lord 
 
 William, Lord Zcw/, 5/. Amand, 
 
 Edward Nevile, Lord S*r- Thomas Percy, Lord iigr*- 
 
 gavenny, mont, 
 
 Robert, Lord Willoughby, John Sutton, Lord Dudley, 
 William Fynes, Lord &7y and Seal(e). 
 
 Thefe great Men, with the Prelates, Clergy and 
 Commons, being afl'embled November 6th before the 
 King, fitting in his Chair of State, in the Painted 
 Chamber at Weftminjler, John Kempe Cardinal, Arch- 
 bifhop of 13ri and Chancellor of England, by the 
 King's Command, declared, * Thatthb Parliament was 
 * called to provide for the Defence of the Realm, the 
 ' fafe keeping of the Seas, and to make Provifion for 
 ' an Army againft the French ; but, particularly, for 
 
 ' fuppreffing 
 
 (c) Bellies thefe Dukes, Earls and Barons, Writs were directed to 
 •bout fourteen Kt.iplits, 6?c. to attend the Service of the Houfe of Peers 
 this' Parliament. Dugd ale'j Summons to Parliament, P. 445,
 
 Of E N G L A N D. 263 
 
 < fuppreffing of Infurre&ions at Home.' To which King Henry VI. 
 End, he defired the Commons to chufe, and prefent 
 their Speaker, as ufual. 
 
 But, according to the Record, it wns not till the 
 19th of November, that the Commons prefented Sir sir"W!liiam01d- 
 William Oldball, Knight, to be their Speaker, who was hail chofen 
 allowed, with the ufual Proteftation. Speaker^ 
 
 The firft Thing, we find, that this Parliament went 
 upon, was to devife Jeveral Orders and Regulations 
 about altering the IVLnner of collecting and paying 
 the Subfidy granted by the laft Parliament ; tho' what 
 Regulations they were, are not mentioned in the 
 Abridgement. 
 
 Nor is any thing elfc given us from the Record, 
 except a Complaint and Appeal for a Murder, tho' this 
 Seffion lafted above a Month; when, on the 17th of 
 December, the Chancellor, in the Prefence of the King 
 ■ and the three Eftates, prorogued the Parliament to the 
 fame Place, on the 20th Day of January following. 
 And, again, on the 29th Day of April, it was, alfo, 
 prorogued to the fifth of May next enfuing. 
 
 The firft Thing that we find, now, in this third 
 Seffion, is a Grant to the King of 20,000/. out of 
 the Cuftoms of London and Southampton, by hundred 
 Pound Payments, to relieve his immediate Wants and 
 Poverty. Befides, in Confideration of 4000/. delivered 
 to the King, in Allom, by fome Genoefe Merchants 
 there named, it was enacled, ' That they fhall be al- a Monopoly 
 
 * lowed to fhip any Staple Ware out of the South of granted, in order 
 
 * England, until they be anfwered the faid Sum.' t0 raife Mcne y- 
 Alfo, it was enacted, ■ That certain Merchants of the 
 
 * South fhall have all the Allom aforefaid, on advancing 
 ' to the King in Hand 8000 /. and that no Man be 
 1 allowed to bring, buy or fell any other Allom, for 
 
 * the Space of two Years, on Pain of forfeiting the 
 
 * fame.' This was a ftrange Monopoly, and mewed 
 the preffing Occafions of the King and Sta:e, for Mo- 
 ney at that Time. 
 
 A very extraordinary Petition of the Commons was The Commons 
 prefented to the King, importing no lefs than the Re- ddiretheRemo- 
 movalof moft, or all his Court, from him. For itJ^J^jSl 
 was defired, that Edmund Duke of Somerfet, Alice ° 
 R 4 Poole,
 
 264 The Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry VI. Poole late Wife of William Poole late Duke of Suffolk, 
 William Bifhop of Chepr (f), Sir John Sutton Knt. 
 Baron of Dudley, William Daniel late of London , Efq; 
 John Trevilian and Edward Grim/lone of London, Efqrs. 
 Thomas Kemp, Clerk of the Commons ; Reginald, 
 Abbot of St. Peter's in the County of Glocejler ; Tho- 
 mas Pulford of London, Efq; John Hampton, William 
 Myners, John Blackwell, John Penerike, John Gergo- 
 ran, Stephen Slegg, Thomas Stacey, Thomas Hore, 
 Efquires j the Lord Ha/lings, Sir Edmond Hungerford, 
 Sir Thomas Stanley, Knights j Jenkin de Stanley, Efq; 
 Ufher of the King's Chamber, Bart hoi. Hawley, Ralph 
 Balthorp, Efqrs. Sir Edmund Hampton, Sir Robert Wing- 
 field, Knts. Mr. Gervafe Deberre, one of the King s 
 Secretaries, Mr. John Somerfet, and Mr. John New- 
 port of the Ifle of Wight, « be banifhed from the 
 ' King's Prefence during their Lives, and not to come 
 c within twelve Miles of the Court, becaufe the Peo- 
 c pie fpoke evil of them.' 
 
 The King's mild The King's Anfwer to this Petition, was, * That 
 * as to himfelf, he was well contented, that they 
 ' mould go, unlefs they were Lords, and a few others 
 ' whom he could not well fpare from about his Per- 
 ' fon, and fo to continue abfent for one Year, to fee 
 ' if any Man could truly lay any Thing to their 
 ' Charge.' 
 
 Whether this laft Petition was made in order to quiet 
 the Clamours of the People of Kent, &c. who were 
 then up in Arms under the Conduct of Jack Cade, we 
 know not. But, a very fevere Ac~l was palled th : s 
 Seffion againfl that Rebel ; whereby he was attainted of 
 Treafon, all his Lands, Tenements, bV. given to the 
 King, and his Blood corrupted (g). 
 
 But tho' our Records are fomewhat filent, as to the 
 Complaints of the Commons, under Cade ; Hiftory 
 is not fo, but hath given us the Contents of two Bill?, 
 which, it is faid, they exhibited to the Houfes, then fit- 
 ting 
 
 (fj The Bifhoprick of Cbejler, as it now {rands, was only erected by 
 Jfc.'^VIlI. but the Biihops of Litchfield and Coventry, were anciently 
 iHled Biihops or Cbeftcr. This Man was one William Bootbe, tranflated 
 the next Year to the See of York. Le Neve' 's Fajli Ecc. Aug. 
 
 (g) Stat, at Large. 29 Henry VI. Cap. I. 
 
 Anfwer. 
 
 The Rebellion 
 in Kent under 
 Jack Cade.
 
 Of E N G L A N D. 165 
 
 ting at Wejiminjler^ that they might have their Con- „ VI 
 currence with them in the Reformation they were s enry 
 bringing about in the Government. 
 
 (b) The firft they called The Complaints of the Com- The h!gh De _ 
 mom of Kent, and the Caufes of their ajfembling at mands of the 
 Blackheath. In it they reprefented to the Parliament, Rebels * 
 
 * That it was reported that Kent fhould be depopulated 
 
 * and made a Forreft, to revenge the Duke of Suffolk's 
 1 Death, tho' the People of that Country were no way 
 ' guilty of it. That the King had given the Revenues 
 ' of the Crown to his Favourites, and refolved to live 
 ' on Taxes raifed on his Subje&s, which would impo- 
 ' verifh his People. That Lords of the Royal Blood 
 ' were excluded from his Government, and mean Per- 
 
 * fons preferred, who would not adminifter Juftice 
 ' without Bribes and Gifts. That the Provifions of 
 
 * the King's Houfe were taken of the Subjects, and 
 
 * not paid for, to the undoing of many. That the 
 ' King's menial Servants falfely accufed many of High- 
 ' Treafon, in order to get their Eftates. That the 
 
 * King's Servants by unjuft Claims of Feoffments, 
 ' have deprived divers of the Commons of their E- 
 i ftates and Rights. That certain Traitors who have 
 ' loft the King's Territories in France, mould be pu- 
 ' nifhed without Mercy. That the Sheriffs and Un- 
 ' der-Sheriffs of Counties, farming their Offices and 
 " ^Bailiwicks, are forced to extort unjuft Fines from 
 ' the People to pay the Sums. That the Officers of 
 1 the Court of Dover in Kent, vex and arreft Men, in 
 < all Parts of the Country, upon untrue Aclions, and 
 ' require great Fees of them for their Deliverance. 
 c That the Freedom of Election for Knights of the 
 ' Shires hath been taken from the People by the great 
 
 * Men, who fend Letters to their Tenants and Depen- 
 ' dants to chufe fuch Men as the People approve not 
 ' of. That Collectors of the King's Taxes being / 
 4 made, for Bribes, by the Knights of the Shire, ufe* 
 
 * many Extortions to raife them. And, laflly, that 
 ' the Seffions being held in the fartheft Part of the 
 
 * County, Eaftward, the People were forced to go five 
 ' Days Journey to them, to their great Trouble and 
 
 4 Damage; 
 
 (h) Sam. Daniel by Kennct, P. 403.
 
 266 The_ Parliamentary History 
 
 Kbg Henry VI. * Damage; which they defire might be fettled in two 
 f Places more conveniently.' 
 
 The other Paper they ftiled, The Requefls of the 
 great JJfembly in Kent ; and, in this, they humbly pe- 
 titioned, f That the King would aflume to himfelf the 
 
 * Demefnes of the Crown, that he might live con- 
 ' formable to his Royal D-gnity. That the Duke of 
 f Suffolk's Kindred mould be punifhed, according to the 
 ' Laws of the Realm ; and the Lords of the Blood- 
 ' Royal, viz. the Dukes of York, Exeter, Buckingham, 
 
 * and Norfolk, be taken mto Favour, and entrufted 
 ' with the Government, and that then he would be 
 ' the happieft and richeft Prince in Ghriflendom. That 
 .' all Perions guilty of the Duke or Gloce/ier's Deith 
 
 * be punifhed as falfe Traitors to the King and Realm ; 
 ? and the rather, becaufe by their Means, the Duke of 
 ' Exeter, the Cardinal of Winckejier, and the noble 
 
 * Prince the Duke of Warwick, with many other Lords 
 ' and Gentlemen, and all the King's Countries in 
 
 * France have been loft. Laftly, that all Extortions 
 ( * ufed daily among the common People, viz. Green- 
 
 * Wax, King's- Bench, and King's P surveyors and Sta- 
 f tutes of Labourers be fo regulated, by the King and 
 ' his Council, that they may not be fuch an intolerable 
 
 * Burthen to the Commons of England* 
 
 Thefe Complaints of Grievances, &c. having been 
 feen and perufed, as well by the Lords and Commons 
 in Parliament afTembled, as by the King's Council, 
 were not only, fays our Hiftorian, condemned and dis- 
 approved, but the Authors of them voted proud and 
 prefumptuous Rebels, not to be gratified with fair Pro- 
 ?nijes, but fupprejfed by Force of Arms. But another 
 Hiftorian fays, more juftly, as feems probable by the 
 Abftract from the Record?, that it does not appear the 
 Complaints of thefe People were rejected by Parliament, 
 only that the Council condemned them ; as they would 
 have done, had they been more reasonable, corifidering 
 the Method of preferring them (i). 
 
 Howe\ er,it was not long after, that Jack Cade and his 
 weSd!" fU? " Followers were put to Flight by the King's Army, and 
 
 their 
 
 (i) HoCtiNCH ead'j Chron, P. 634* 
 
 prefled.
 
 OfENGLAN D. 167 
 
 their Leader flain, having had a Price fet on his Head King Henry VI. 
 by Proclamation (k). 
 
 This fmall Commotion, in Comparifon to what 
 followed, being fettled, and the War with France en- Farther Attempts 
 tirely ended; for all Aquitain,. which had been in the ^£ c Duke of 
 Englijh Hands near 300 Years, being yeilded up ; there 
 was nothing left to contend for The Duke of Tork 9 
 who was then in Ireland, hearing of the bad Succefs 
 of his fir/ft Attempt, came over to confult with his 
 Friends in England what Game they were next to play. 
 The chief Supporters of his Party, werejcbn Mow- 
 bray Duke of Norfolk, Richard Nevil Earl of Salifbury, 
 with the Lord Richard Nevil his Son ; who was after- 
 wards the famous Earl of Warwick, by the Mar- 
 riage of the Lady Anne Beauchamp ; Thomas Courtney, 
 Earl of Devon, and Edward Brooke, Lord Cohham ; 
 all of them Perfons of great Authority, numerous At- 
 tendants and daring Valour. Thefe Noblemen, with 
 
 many 
 
 (k) In the Public A&s is a Licence from the King to one John Mif- 
 tdden, and three of his Servants, to carry on a Procefs, in Alchemy, 
 for the Tranimutation of Metals, or to find out the Philosopher's Stone. 
 There are no lefs than three Licences before, in this Reign, to different 
 People, for this Piece of Folly, or Knavery, which was ftill carried on 
 to much greater Lengths in later Reigns. Thjs Grant is fpecified, at the 
 End, to be done by the King, with the Authority of Parliament, which 
 fhews the Ignorance and Credulity of that Age. Fad. Ang. Tom. XI. 
 Pag. 309. 
 
 But, in another Licence granted to John Fauceby, Jobn Kyrkby, and 
 John Rayny, about four Years after, this Myftery is farther explained in 
 thefe Words : 
 
 Cum a,ntiqui fapientes & famofifiimi Philofophi, in fuis fcriptis &f Li~ 
 iris, fub Figurls & Integument is, docuerint & relinquerunt, ex Vino, ex 
 Lapidibus pretiofis, ex Oleis, ex Vegetabilibus, ex Animalibus, ex Metal/is, 
 & ex mediis Mineralibus multas Medeciras gloriofas &f notabiles confici 
 pojfe ; & prafertim quandam preti/fij/imam Medicinam, quam aliqui Mc- 
 dicorum Philofophorum Matrem, vel lmperatricem Medicinarum dixcrur.t ; 
 alii Gloriam ineftimabilcm eandem nominarunt ; alii, vero Quintam- 
 EfTentiam, aliis Lapidem Philofophorum &f Elixir Vitae noncupaverunt ; 
 Cujus Medicina Virtus tarn ejjicax & admirabilis exijleret, quod per earn 
 quacunque Infirw.it at es curabiles curarentur facilitcr, Vita humana ad fuam 
 prorogaretur'PPrminumj & Homo in Sanitate & Viribus naturalibus , tarn 
 Corporis ^quam Anima, Fortitudine Membrorum, Memoria Claritate, fif 
 Iugenii Viwacitate, ad eundem Terminum mirabiliter prafervaretur : Shia- 
 cunque etiam Vulnera curabilia fine Difficultate fanarentur, qua, infuper, 
 contra omne Genus Venenorum, foret j'umma & optima Medicina, fed ad 
 alia plura commoda, nobis & Reipublica Regni nojiri utilijfima, per ean- 
 dem fieri poffait, -veluti Metallorum c Tranfmutationes in veriffimum Auruni 
 & finijfimum Argentum, &c. 
 
 Tefic Rege apud Weftmonafterium 23 Aprilis 1456. per ipfum Rcgem, 
 fe? ae Au&orittte Parliamenti. i x it Ang. Tew. XI. Pag. 379,
 
 i6% The Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry vi. many others of lefi'er note, had divers Meetings about 
 letting the great Machine in Motion ; and the old To- 
 pic of redreffing Grievances in the Government, was 
 thought to be the mod plaufible Way to begin the 
 Quarrel. Accordingly, a Letter of Remonftrance was 
 wrote by the Duke of York to the King, mewing the 
 Male-Adminiftration of the Miniftry, pointing out fome 
 Ways to redreis them, by impnfoning and bringing to 
 Tryal the chief Offenders, particularly the Duke of 
 Somerfet. The King returned a mild Anfwer to this 
 
 tr..,v»o ,„ a. Letter; but that not w sfv ng the Duke, he harmed 
 He raifes an Ar- . „ 1 . . ° * . , 
 
 my. mto Wales, raned an Army, and encamped with them 
 
 on Burnt-heathy near B.Qrtford, within ten or twelve 
 Miles of London. The M;niftry had, alio, taken 
 fome care of themfe'ves, by railing Forces, which, un- 
 der the King's Command, were encamped on Black- 
 heathy fome few Miles diftant from the other. 
 
 Henry had no mind to come to a Battle, being al- 
 ways fparing of his Subjects Blood, and .therefore fent 
 Meflengers to the Duke to know his Reafons for com- 
 ing thus armed againft him. The Duke's Anfwer was 
 Accommodation to the fame Purport as his Letter; the Bifhops and 
 between him and J j0 rds who were fent by the King, had a CommifDon 
 the King. to grant any reafonable Terms of Accommodation; 
 
 they, therefore, allured him, that the Duke of Somer- 
 fet mould immediately be clap'd up in Prifon ; on which 
 he inftantly difmifled his Army. Nay, he is laid to 
 have taken an Oath, fome Time after, in St. Paul's 
 Church, before the King and all his Nobles, never to 
 take Arms again, or difturb King Henry in the Pofleffion 
 of the Crown. 
 
 In this Interval, when the Sore was thinly fkinned 
 over, which was likely to break out more violently af- 
 terwards, a Parliament was called to meet at Reading, 
 by Writs dated at JVeJlminfter the 20th Day of January, 
 for an Appearance at the Place aforefaid on the 6th 
 Day of March following ; Richard Duke of York and 
 AnnoRegni 31. Edmund Duke of Somerfct being the firft Perfons named 
 HS3 • ' on the Lift. 
 
 At Reading. At ^ Day appo j nte( J fay a ]1 met j n fa great 
 
 Chamber or Refectory, within the Abby of Reading, 
 
 when
 
 Of E N G L A N D. i6 9 
 
 •when (I) William* Bifhop of Lincoln* in the Abfence King Henry VI, 
 of y^« Archbifhop of Canterbury, Chancellor of Eng- 
 land, very notably, according to our Authority, de- 
 clared the Caufe of the Parliament; chiefly, for the 
 good Government of the Realm, and fafe Defence of 
 the fame ; to which End he bid the Commons choofe 
 their Speaker, and prefent him as ufual. And the next 
 Day, after the Receivers and Tryers of Petitions, ac- 
 cording to antient Cuftom were appointed, the Com- Thomas Thorpe 
 mons prefented to the King Thomas Thorpe, Efq; to ^ fqj elefted * 
 be their Speaker, -who, with the common Proteftation pea er * 
 was allowed. 
 
 The firft Thing they went upon in this Seflion, was the 
 Supply ; when the Commons granted to the King, one 
 Tenth and-one Fifteenth ; like wife, Tonnage and Poun- 
 dage during his Life. The Commons, alfo, granted 
 to the King, for the fame Term, the Subfidy on 
 Wools ; that is 23 s. 4 d. for every Sack of Denizens, A Su t fi( j yt 
 and 5 /.from Aliens, and Co for other Staple-ware in pro- 
 portion. Likewife, they gave the King of every Mer- 
 chant, not born within the Realm, and no Denizen, 
 and keeping Houfe, 40 s. and of every fuch Merchant, as 
 fhall remain within the Realm but fix Weeks, 20 s. per 
 Annum. And of every Merchant alien, being no De- 
 nizen, 13 j. 4^. Yearly, during the King's Life. 
 
 After this, the Speaker came before the King, and 
 declared that the Commons had vo^ed 20,000 Archers, 
 for the King's Service, for the- Term of half a Year. 
 And, March the 1 8th, when thefe Money Bills were 
 palled, and Thanks for them given to the Lords by 
 the King himfelf; John, Cardinal, Archbifhop, and The Parliament 
 Chancellor, by the King's Command, prorogued thef™^, t() 
 Parliament from the Day and Town aforefaid, to the 
 20th of April then enfuing, at Wejlminjlcr. 
 
 Being met again, the King difcbarged the Commons 
 of 7000 Archers, part of the 20,000 granted him laft' 
 
 Seffions. 
 
 (/) William Alnnvick died Bifticp of Lincoln, Anno 1449 ; to whom 
 fuccecded Marmaduke Luntley, who died in 1451, and was fucceeded by 
 "John Chedtvorth, the fame Year. Le Neve's Fajli Etc. Ang. There 
 muft be feme Miftake therefore, either in that Author, or in the Record. 
 In DufrtLle's Summons to Parliament the Writ is directed J, Efifap* 
 Lincoln, for this Meeting.
 
 ijo The 'Parliamentary History 
 
 Kir.g Henry vi.Seffions. And, a due Proportion was fettled, for every 
 particular County in the Realm, what they would 
 bear towards the Support of 13,000 Men for his Ma- 
 jefty's Service. But, in Confideraticn of a confidera- 
 b!e Sum of Money, to be levied by the Commons, the 
 King was content to refpitethe railing the faid 13,000 
 Archers; unlefs, upon great Neceflity, or being obliged 
 to go in Perfon to the Wars, he be forc'd to take them. 
 
 It was ordained that Edmund Duke of Somerfct, late 
 Captain of Calais, (hall be paid 21,648/. 10 s. out of 
 the Cuftom of the Staple Wares going out of the Port 
 of Sandwich-, for Fees and Wages due to him and 
 other chief Captains and Soldiers, whilft he was Go- 
 vernor there. Alfo, a particular Rate was made out 
 of the Grant of a Fifteenth, to certain Perfons in every 
 County in England, allotted to the repairing of Calais, 
 and for making a Rife- bank there. Like wile, an Al- 
 lotment of 2© 5. out of the Subfidy for every Sack of 
 Wool, was allowed towards the Wages and Victualling 
 of Soldiers in the Garrilon at Calais. 
 
 The Commons farther grant unto the King the Moi- 
 ety of one Tenth and one Fifteenth, for which the 
 King thought proper to return them Thanks; and af- 
 ter thefe Words, viz. We thank you for your Grants, 
 for the which be you affured, we ivillle a good and gracious 
 Lord unto you ; the Lord Chancellor, on the fecond Day 
 of July, prorogued the Parliament again to Reading^ 
 to the feventh Day of November following. And, at 
 Reading, on the fame Day, we find that the Parliament 
 was adjourned from thence to the eleventh of February 
 next, at IVefminfler. But en that Day, John Earl 
 of ' IVorcefler, and Treafurer of England,by the King's 
 Letters Patents, made another fhort Prorogation of 
 three Days, to the fourteenth of the faid Month at 
 J'Vefimivfer. 
 
 On which Day being again afiembled to do Bufi- 
 
 ncls, Richard Duke of York, by the King's Letters Pa- 
 
 York Present tents, was appointed Prdident in the laid Parliament (m). 
 
 On the fame D?y, a very remarkable Cafe c-ime be- 
 fore this Parliament. The Commons reprefented to the 
 
 King 
 
 (m) The laftrument for it is in the Public ASs, and the Adjournment v 
 to '''ehmirjtcr, mentioned. 
 
 Dated at lVcJimi?iJiir, Feb. 13. Anr.o Rtgr.i, 31. 
 
 To Reading ; 
 
 And to Weft- 
 minflei- again. 
 
 The Duke of 
 
 of the Parlia 
 
 Hient
 
 O/ENGLAND. 271 
 
 King and Lords, that Thomas Thorpe, their Speaker, King Henry vi. 
 and William Rail, a Member of their Houfe, were both 
 imprifoned ; they therefore requefted, that the faid 
 Members might be fet at Liberty, according to the 
 Privileges of their Houfe. 
 
 The next Day, the Duke of York flood up in the 
 Houfe of Lords, and acquainted their Lordfhips, 
 ' That he had received Damages in an Action of Tref- 
 
 * pafs againft the faid Thorp, laft Term, by a Verdid f jj^ p ,^ nt 
 
 * in the King's Exchequer for carrying away the Goods the'speakerXr a 
 
 * of the faid Duke of York, out of Durham- Houfe; Trefpafs. 
 
 * for the whicli he remained in Execution, and prayed 
 ' that he might continue there.' 
 
 The Advice of all the Judges being taken in this Mat- 
 ter, they made Anfwer, * That it was not their Part to 
 
 * judge of the Parliament's Actions, who were Judges 
 
 * of the Law themfelves ; only, they faid, that a 
 ' General Superfedeas of the Parliament there was not, 
 
 * but a Special there was ; in which Cafe of Special Su- 
 « perfedeas, every Member of the Houfe of Commons 
 ' ought to enjoy the fame ; unlefs it be in Cafes of 
 
 * Treafon, Felony, Surety of the Peace, or for a Con- 
 ' demnation before the Parliament.' 
 
 ' After which Anfwer being given, the Lords came 
 to this Refolution, * That the faid Thomas Thorpe 
 ' mould remain in Execution, notwithstanding his Pri- 
 ' vilege.' And, fent a Committee of their own Houfe The Commons 
 to the Commons, to require them, on the King's cllufe sir Tho- 
 Behalf, to chufe a new Speaker. Accordingly, a Com- Xs ftST k ° n " 
 mittee of the Commons were fent to the Lords to ac- 
 quaint them that they had newly chofen, in the Place 
 of Thomas Thorpe, Sir Thomas Charlton, Knight, for 
 their Speaker j to which the Chancellor anfwered, that 
 the King approved of him, and willed them to proceed 
 effectually. 
 
 About this Time, King Henry fell dangeroufly fick 
 at Clarendon, and happy had it been for him, if he had 
 then ended his Days ; his Sicknefs continued a long 
 Time, but, at laft, he was perfectly recovered of it.' 
 The Joy at Court, on this Occafion, was augmented 
 by the Birth of a young Prince, Queen Margaret hav- 
 ing been deliverea of him this Year, who was chnlrned by 
 
 tl.e
 
 iji The Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry vi. tne Name of Edward. The Tranfa&ions of this 
 Parliament take Notice of both thefe Particulars, as will 
 appear by the Sequel. 
 
 A Committee of the Houfe of Lords was appointed 
 to go to the King, lying Sick at Wind/or, to learn his 
 Pleafure touching two Articles ; the Firft, to 
 know who fhould be Archbifhop of Canterbury, and 
 who Chancellor of England, in the Place of John 
 Kemp,, by whofe Death they lay in the King's Difpo- 
 fal. The fecond, to know whether certain Lords, 
 there named, to be of the Privy Council, were agree- 
 able to him, or not. On the z5th of March the faid 
 Committee reported to the whole Houfe, ' That they 
 *. had been to wait upon the King at Windfor, and af- 
 ' ter three feveral Repairs thither, and earneft Sollicita- 
 ' tions to fpeak with the King, they could by no 
 ' means have Anfwer, or Token of Anfwer, being 
 4 only told the King was Sick.' 
 
 And whereas the Lords, on the 27th of March, had 
 appointed the Duke of York to be Proteftor and De- 
 fender of the Realm, fo long as the fame fhall pleafe the 
 King, the faid Duke thereupon required the Anfwer of 
 the Lords to the Articles following. 
 
 I. * That it be ena&ed, that the faid Duke doth 
 
 * take upon him the faid Office, by the particular Ap- 
 ' pointment of the Lords, and not of his own Seeking 
 'or Defire.' 
 
 Anfwer, ' The like Articles fhall be made for this, 
 
 * as was made during the King's Minority. 
 
 II. * That all the Lords will affift the Duke in 
 « his Office.' 
 
 Anfwer, * It is agreed by all lawful means. 
 
 III. c To prefcribe the Power thereby given to the 
 « faid Duke.' 
 
 Anfwer, ■ He fhall be Chief of the Council, Pro- 
 c teclor and Defender, which implies a perfonal 
 ' Attendance ap;ainft foreign Invafion, and inward Re- 
 ' beilion ; but no Authority of Governance j and ail 
 
 * this foit be no Prejudice to the Prince. 
 
 IV. ' To appoint how much Money the faid Duke 
 ' fhall take for the Exercife of the faid Office.' 
 
 Anfwer.,
 
 Of E N G L A N D. ij$ 
 
 jfnfwer, • Precedents (hall be fearched, and the Duke Kin£ Henry V1, 
 * conferred withal about it, after which an Aft fhall be 
 ' made to fettle it.' 
 
 Then the King's Letters Patents were read in the 
 Houfe, appointing the faid Duke to be his chief Coun- 
 fellor, Prote&or and Defender of this Realm, during 
 the King's Pleafure ; or, unto iucb Time as Edward 
 the Prince fhall come to Age of Difcretion («). Which 
 great Office the Duke, in full Parliament, took upon 
 him to perform. Hence it appears, fays a late Hiftorp- 
 an, that it was believed the King's Indifpofuion would 
 laft as long as he lived, and that it affetted his Under- 
 standing more than his Body. In the next Place, adds 
 he, by referving this Office, for a Child of fix Months 
 old, who was to exercife it when at Age, the Parlia- 
 ment fhewed their Intention, to preferve entire the 
 Rights of the Houfe of Lancajler, though the Duke of 
 York was declared Protector. Other Letters Patents 
 were read, which were made to Edward the young 
 Prince, as in Anno I. Henry VI. with the Yearly Fee 
 of zooo Marks, only ; befides Allowances for learn- 
 ing to ride and fuch other Exerci fes ; provided the 
 fame be- no ways prejudicial to any Grant made to 
 Margaret Queen of England. Again, 
 
 The King, by his Letters Patents, createth his Son 
 Edward Prince of Wales, and Earl of Chejler, to him 2&nKS?f 
 and to his Heirs, Kings of England, with the Revenues w a i ej> ©v, 
 thereunto belonging; which were confirmed by the 
 Hands of all the Lords, and by the Commons in Par- 
 liament. 
 
 By the fame Authority the King granted to his 
 Queen Margaret, the Sum of iooo /. Yearly, for her 
 Life, out of the Cuftoms and Subfidy of Wools in the ADowr y {ett]ei 
 Port of Southampton; befides fundry Manors an d ontheQieea " 
 Hereditaments in the Counties of Northampton, South- 
 hampton, and Oxfordjlnre, which were, alio, confirm- 
 ed to her by Parliament. 
 
 The further mifcelhneous Proceedings of this 
 
 Vol. II. S Parliament 
 
 (n) This Inftrument is, z\(~>, in the Public Ails, and another imme- 
 diately following it for conffituting Edivard the young Prince, tho* therf 
 fesree feven Months old, Protector, ©V. when he fhall arrive at Years of 
 Difcretion. They are both of the fame Date, viz. April 3d, but the 
 firft is faid to be. done by Authority of Parliament, which the other if 
 fr°t. fad- J*g, Tom. XI, P. 346, 347,
 
 174 7^ Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry VI. Parliament were, that Richard Earl of Salisbury, John 
 Earl of Shrew/bury, John Earl of Worcefler, James 
 Earl of Wilt/hire, and the Lord Stourton, were appoint- 
 ed to keep the Sea; to whom was allotted the three 
 Years Tonnage and Poundage granted by the laft 
 Parliament. And April 15th, it was agreed, that to- 
 wards the Support of the Expence of the Lords afore- 
 faid, there fhould be a Loan made from certain Cities 
 and Towns, there named, of particular Sums, and they 
 were to be anfwered for the fame out of certain Cus- 
 toms and Subfidies. 
 
 In this Parliament Thomas Courtney, Earl of Devon, 
 was accufed of Treafon, and acquitted of the fame, 
 by his Peers ; Humphry Duke of Buckingham being 
 High Steward for the Time being. But, becaufe the 
 Duke of York judged the Honefty of the faid Lord to 
 be touched, the faid Earl made a public Declaration 
 of his Loyalty before the Houfe, and referred further 
 Tryalofit, as a Knight fhould do ; On whicbfthe Lords 
 wholly acquitted him, as a loyal Subject. 
 
 The King by his Letters Patents, publickly read in 
 this Parliament, acknowledg'd Edmond of Hadjham, 
 and Jafper of Hatfield, the Sons of Queen Katherine his 
 22SS2df" Mother, to be his lawful Half-Brothers and Denizens. 
 tails with Pre- The King, alfo,»created the faid Edmond, Earl of Rich- 
 .ctfeicy; mond ; and that in Parliament, and elfewhere, he 
 
 fhould have Preheminence above all Earls. The King, 
 likevvil'e, granted to the faid Edmond, and to the Heirs 
 Male of his Body, lawfully begotten, the whole Coun- 
 ty, Honour, and Dominion, of Richmond, with all the 
 Hereditaments and Appurtenances, with Warranty by 
 the accuftomed Services. Like wife, by Affent of Par- 
 liament, the King granted to the faid Earl of Richmond, 
 in Tail- general, the Manor of IVorefdale, with the 
 Appurtenanees,'in the Counties of Lancafter, Weflmorc- 
 Lmd and York, late belonging to John Duke of Bedford, 
 •to hold only by Fealty, with certain Provifions therein. 
 The King, alfo, by other Letters Patents, created 
 Jafper of Hatfield, Earl of Pembroke, with the Prehe- 
 minence to take Place above all Earls, next unto his 
 elder Brother Edmond; and gave him, likewife. the 
 whole County, Honour and Dominion of Pembroke, 
 as above. In bo;h which Creations and Grants, are 
 
 certain
 
 Of E N G L A N D. 173 
 
 certain Provifoes, or Exceptions, and both thefe Let- K5n s Henr y VI * 
 rers Patents were confirmed by Parliament. 
 
 The Commons required the Lords to call to mind 
 the Hazard that the Town of Calais was then in, and 
 the fafe keeping of the Sea, and that the Subfidy grant- 
 ed might be really employed to that Purpofe. They, 
 alfo, defired the Lords toexcufe them, from granting 
 any other Subfidies ; finally, they required, that a grave, 
 or wife Council, mould be eftablifhed, to anfwer all 
 Petitions, &c. which was promifed. 
 
 It was ordained, that the Mayor, Conftable and Fel- 
 lowfhip of the Merchants of the Staple at Calais, mail 
 be paid 10,000 Marks out of the Subfidy of Wools there, 
 which Sum they lent towards the Payment of the Sol- 
 dier's Wages in that Place. The faid Mayor and Mer- 
 chants made feveral Demands befides, wh ; ch are not 
 fpecified; to which they had Anfwers given them. But,' 
 Richard Duke of York, being appointed Captain, or 
 Governor ofCalais, and requiring Satisfaction in 13 Ar- 
 ticles, or Demands, concerning ready Payment, and 
 other proper Supplies for keeping the fame, could ob- 
 tain no Anfwer to them. 
 
 Sir William Oldhall, Knight, who was Speaker in the 
 laft Parliament, was, alfo, attainted of Treafon for 
 being concerned in Cade's Rebellion, and a Writ of 
 Outlawry againft him, was confirmed by Parliament. 
 
 Whereas Robert Poynings of Soutbivark Efq; being 
 Carver, Sword-bearer and chief Actor with Jack 
 Cade, had his Pardon, upon which he, with certain 
 Sureties by Recognizance, was bound in the Chancery 
 for his good Behaviour ; fince which Time, he had 
 committed many Rio:s, particularly, in railing and 
 going with Men armed in Kent, againft the Law ; 
 therefore it was ordained, that an Extent, upon the 
 faid Recognizance, fhall go againft the faid Poynings, 
 and his Sureties, and him, and their Lands and Goods. 
 
 We fhall conclude the Ads of this Parliament, with 
 a fhort Account of a Statute made on a private Affair. 
 A Complaint was made by Henry Beaumont, Efq; Son 
 and Heir to Sir Henry Beaumont Knight, and Charles 
 Rowel Efq; againft Edward Lancajler of Sk'pton in 
 Craven, Efq; for taking away Dame Joan Beaumont, 
 S 2 late
 
 iy6 The Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry VI. late Wife to the faid Henry, being lawfully married to 
 the faid Charles, and for that the faid Edward married 
 the faid Dame, againft her Will, and thereby ravifh- 
 cd her ; againft which Edward, and many others there 
 named, Remedy is given by way of Appeal. Thefe,and 
 fuch like Practices, produced a Statute, which in the 
 Ads of this Year goes under this Title, A Remedy for a 
 U oman inforced to be bound by Statute or Obl'gation. 
 
 It has been faid, that the Wars with France being 
 now ended, the Civil D indentions, between the two 
 Houfes of York and Lancafler, began in contending for 
 the Crown ; tho' hitherto Matters had been earned 
 on both Sides with Moderation , the Houie of York 
 having yet, not openly, made the^r Claim to the Re- 
 gality, neither in Parliament nor out ; but, only, raifed 
 an Army, under Pretence of reforming Abufes in the 
 Government. * The Title this Family had to the 
 
 * Crown, fays an Hiftorian {o), was very fair, accord- 
 
 * ing to the Law of the Land; Richard, the prefent 
 
 * Duke, being Great-Grandfon of Lionel Duke of Cia- 
 1 rence, elder Brother to John of Gaunt, Duke of Lan- 
 1 cajler, by whom the three Henrys derived their Right 
 4 to the Crown. But Htnry VI. tho' his Title was 
 
 * not lb fair and clear, yet, not being the Ufurper 
 
 * himfelf, but fucceeding upon the Ufurpation of his 
 c Father and Grandfather, two very great Princes, 
 
 * and he being of known Goodneis and Piety, had 
 
 * long kept PoiTellion of it. Therefore it required 
 ' great Art,- Cunning and Force, in the Duke of York, 
 1 to wreft the Diadem from him.' 
 
 Moft of our Hiftorians relate, that the Duke of Somer- 
 set was accufed of Treafon, in the lall Parliament, hav- 
 ing been arretted fome Time before, and fent Prifcner 
 . to the Tower (/>). How far this lalt Circumftance 
 
 may 
 
 (0) Daniel by Kennct p. 410. 
 
 \p) Fabian writes, that the Duke of Somerfet was arretted of High. 
 Treafon December, I. 1451. when the Parliament w^s fitting, and his 
 Goods torne out of his Houfe in the Black Friers and embezled. For, 
 at this Time, adds he, the Lords Servants and Attendants who came to 
 Parliament were very numerous; the temporal Lords keeping then more, 
 Ik.iVitality, a;,d had greater Iletinues of Servants, far exceeding whac 
 the Lonis in his Time did, • Fabian's Chron. Anno 1451. 
 
 J. Stow*
 
 Of ENGLAND. 277 
 
 may be true, is uncertain ; but the former is apparently King Henry vl# 
 falfe, by the Proceedings of that Parliament given be- 
 fore. It is faid further, ' That the Queen, who was 
 ' as intent to five Somerfet, as his Enemies to deftroy 
 ' him, had fo contrived Matters, that nothing fhould 
 
 * be done againft him ; for the King, being fomewhat 
 ' recovered from his lllnefs, and come well to his Senfes, 
 ' me caufed him, tho' very weak, to be carried to the 
 
 * Houfes, and there to diflblve the Parliament, fo 
 ' that nothing was determined in the Matter.' It is 
 not poflible to fuppofe that the careful Abridger of the 
 Parliamentary Records, would have overlooked this 
 laft Circumftance; and, therefore, fince he has taken 
 no Notice of it, we may well fuppofe it as erroneous as 
 the former. Inftead of that, Edmond Duke of Somer- 
 fet is the fecond Perfon, on the Lift of the Peers, 
 
 fummoned to this Parliament ; and he was ordered to 
 be paid a very large Sum, due to him, for Fees, 
 Wages, fcfY. whilft he was Governor of Calais , by 
 Con lent of both Houfes. 
 
 It is certain, however, that the Duke of Tork, find- 
 ing he could not get Somerfet removed from the King's, 
 or rather the Queen's, Protection, which probably he 
 was not forry for, rais'd another Army and encamped 
 with it near St. Albans. The King and his Courtiers 
 were as ready to oppofe him, and a Battle was fought 
 near that Town, May 23, Anno 1455, in which the 
 Duke was vicioridus ; and the Duke of Somerfet, the ^jf^jfef an 
 Earls of Northumberland and Stafford, John Lord Clif- Army; and takes 
 ford, with many others, Perfons of Note, and about *&* K^s Prifon- 
 800 common Men, were flain ; and what rendred this er " 
 Victory more compleat, the King himfelf was taken 
 Prifoner. 
 
 The Duke of Tork, and the Lords his Confederates, 
 
 carried the King with them to St. Albans, and paid 
 
 S 3 him 
 
 y. Stowe has given us the Articles, which, he fays, the Duke of Tork 
 exhibited againft the Duke of Somerfet in Parliament j but they are very 
 trifling and infignificant. Cbroti. P. 393. 
 
 By two Inftrumsnts in the Public Aifi, we find, that the Dukes of 
 Tork and Somerfet were bound to each other in the Sum of 20,00a 
 Marks, to refer their Differences to the Arbitration of the Archbiihop 
 of Canterbury , and feven other Bifhops and Noblemen, there named. 
 Eved, Ang. Tom. XL P. i6a, 363.
 
 iy% The Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry VI. him all the Honour and Reverence due to his Dignity. 
 They befought him, on their Knees, to forgive the Ac- 
 tion of that Day, and accept them for his loyal Sub- 
 jects. For now the Duke of Somerfet, the common 
 Enemy of the Nation, and the Caufe of this Commo- 
 tion, being dead, he, and all his Adherents, would re- 
 main, during their Lives, his faithful and obedient Sub- 
 jects ; and that he mould find, that the DeftrucVion of 
 Somerfet was his own Prefervation. 
 
 With fuch artful Speeches they amufed the poor 
 King, who feemed well fatisfied with their Actions. 
 After which the confederate Lords fpent their Whitjun- 
 tlde together at London ; where it was refolved to call a 
 Parliament, to fettle and compofe Things for the ge- 
 neral Good of the Nation. Writs were accordingly 
 ilTued out for fummoninga Parliament, dated May 26, 
 at Wefiminjltr^ to meet at the fame Place on the 9th 
 Day of July following. It is to be noted, that no 
 Peers of either Side of the Qiieftion were omitted in the 
 Summons ; th ; s Lift being conformable to the laft, 
 except in the Names of the Peers flain in the laft 
 Battle (f). ( 
 Anno Regni 33. Our Abridger of the Records beginshis Account of this 
 a»w I 1 55: a Parliament in this Manner: * In the Prefence of the 
 
 At Weitnunfter. __. _ . , . _ . e „_ , _ , 
 
 i King, fitting in his Chair of Lftate, and of the 
 1 Lords and Commons, c thomas{r) Archbifhop of Can- 
 ' terbury and Chancellor of England, declared the Caufe 
 *■ of the Parliament, and took for his Theme, tsY. 
 < Other Report there is nfine. Wherefore the Chancel- 
 
 * lor willed the Commons to chufe their Speaker, and 
 1 the next Day to prefent him to the King. And far- 
 ' ther fhewed to them, that the King's Pleafure was, 
 
 * that all Eftates mould enjoy their Liberties.' 
 
 It was not till the next Day of the Seffion, that the 
 Chancellor caufed certain Articles to be read before the 
 Houfes containing the Caufe of the Summons, which 
 were divided as follows : 
 
 Firft, to take Order for the Expences of the King*s 
 
 HoufJhold. For the due Payment of the Garrilon 
 
 at Calais, and the Marches there. To provide for 
 
 keeping 
 
 {q) Dugdali's Summons to Parliament , Anno Regni 33, 
 (r) Thomas Bturcbier, \*z N ev s' s Yafii Ecc. Jt;g,
 
 Of ENGLAND. iy 9 
 
 keeping the Seas againft any Invafion of the French ; King Henry VI* 
 particularly, to guard againft the Scots, who had be- 
 fieged Berwick, notwithstanding the Truce. To ap- 
 point how and what Time the 13,000 Archers, granted 
 
 laft Parliament, mould be employed. To procure 
 
 a perfedl Accord and Unity amongft the Lords. 
 
 To reftrain the carrying out of Gold and Silver Coin. 
 
 -To provide for better keeping of the Seas. 
 
 To take Precaution that the Peace may be kept in 
 Wales To every one of which Articles, a Com- 
 mittee of certain Bifhops and Lords were, feverally, 
 appointed. 
 
 The Day after, the Commons prefented Sir John 
 Wenlock to the King, as their Speaker j who, with the i SI V°u n ,- Wen " 
 ufual Ceremony, was allowed. The fame Day a long speaker! ^ 
 Conveyance, or Charter, made by the King, whereby 
 he acquitteth Richard Duke of York, Richard Earl of 
 Warivick, and Richard Earl of Salijbury, of any dif- 
 loyal Practices, and taketh them to be his good and 
 faithful Subjects, was read and confirmed by Parlia- 
 ment. In which it is remarked, that Edmund late 
 Duke of Somerfet, Thomas Thorp (s), and William 
 Joftph Efqrs. by their falfe Dealings, had caufed the 
 King to think the contrary of thefe Lords, and raife a 
 great Power againft the Duke and them. 
 
 Then fome Letters were read, wrote by the Duke 
 of Tori, and fent to the Archbimop of Canttrhury, Chan- 
 cellor of England, dated from Royjion, in May laft, 
 concerning his coming with an armed Force to meet 
 the King, in order to redrefs the Grievances he had 
 complained of: One of thefe was alfo figned by the 
 Earls and Lords that accompanied him, and exprelTed 
 their great Obeyfance and Submiffion to his Majefty. 
 But, thefe Letters, it feems, were kept from the King's 
 Knowledge, by the Duke of Somerfet, and others, until 
 fuch Time as the faid Duke of York, csY. met with 
 the King at St. Alkans, laft May, in order to have fpoke 
 with him ; but that the Duke of Somerfet, and others, 
 did refill: them with a great Number of armed Men, 
 S 4 in 
 
 (i) Thorpe was a Baron of the Exchequer ; and "Jofeph is called by 
 Stifuie, for what Reafon we know not, the King's Collateral Companion, 
 
 Stowe'* Chron, P. 400*
 
 The Duke of 
 York and his 
 Confederates de 
 clared innocent, 
 
 280 The Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry VI. in which ConfiicT: the faid Duke of Sojnerfet was flain. 
 Laltly, it was urged, that the Duke of York and his 
 Allies, waited en his Mzjefty very civilly, and made 
 their humble Obeylance to him after the Battle. 
 
 Upon which the Duke of York, and all his Accom- 
 plices, were acquitted of coming with him to the faid 
 Conftidtor Battle, and of any Harm done at it. This 
 was confirmed by the King, and the general Confent 
 of both the Houfes, and ordered to be enrolled, July 
 23, in the 33d Year of his Reign. All the Bifhops 
 and Lords were fworn to be true to the King, in open 
 Parliament, tho' none of their Names are, as ufual, 
 entered upon the Record. The fame Order was taken 
 for all other Lords that ihould come to Parliament, to 
 lake the like Oaths. 
 
 At theRequeft of the Earls of Sali/hury, Shnivfbury, 
 and Worcejier, and of the Lord St our ton, who were 
 made Guardians of the Seas, by the laft Parliament, 
 they were difcharged from that Office. And, July 31, 
 the Archbifhop of Canterbury, as Chancellor, in the 
 King's Prefence prorogued the Parliament from the 
 fame Day and Place to the 12th Day of November en- 
 fuing, at Wejlm'mjier ; after a general Pardon had 
 been granted by the King, and confirmed by their Au- 
 thority, for all Treafons, Felonies, Contempts, Tref^ 
 pafies, &c. 
 
 This is a pretty long Prorogation ; and as to what 
 was done in the Interval, Hiftory being filent, we may 
 conclude, that every Thing ftill continued in a feeming 
 amicable Way. At the Time appointed, the two 
 Houfes met again ; but here, it feems, the King was 
 abient, for his Letters Patents were read the firft Day, 
 conftituting Richard Duke of York to prefide in this 
 Seflion ; which Commifilon was read publickly, firft 
 before the Lords, and next before the Commons (t). 
 
 November 
 
 ft) The Preamble to this Inftrument is in thefe Words : 
 Henricus, &c. Sa'atis quod cum Nos, undecimo Die Novembris ultimo 
 fraterito, de Affenfu Conjilii nojiri, pro eo quod nos Parliamento nojiro, 
 quod nono Die Julii ultimo pratterito apud Palatium nojirum Wefrmona- 
 fverii tenuimus, & tricejftmo primo Julii tunc proximo fequente ufq; ad 
 duodecimum Diem Novembris ultimo prateritum ad Palatium nojirum pra 
 diiium prorogavimus &f adjerna-vimus, ob certas juftas, & rationabikt 
 Qaufas, in Perjotia xofira interejfe nor pojfumus i 
 
 De
 
 Of ENGLAND. 181 . 
 
 November 13 th, a Member of the Houfe of Com- King Henry vi. 
 mons, whom the Abridger of the Records calls, only, 
 by the fingle Name of Barley^ with others, were ap- 
 pointed a Committee from that Body, to go to the 
 Lords, and require that the Duke of York^ and the 
 Lords, might move the King to appoint an able Pro- 
 tector and Defender of the Realm, fince he would not 
 himfelf attend the publick Service^ and that the Com- 
 mons might be made acquainted with his Perfon and 
 Character. 
 
 The next Day the faid Bur/ey, and others of the 
 Commons, came again before the Lords and renewed 
 their Suit about the Prote&orfhip ; as they did the 
 Day after. Upon this, the Lords held a Confultation 
 on the Affair, when it was refolved, that the Duke of 
 York was the mod worthy for the Office ; and there- 
 fore a Requeil was made to the faid Duke by the whole 
 Houfe, that he would take upon him the faid Protec- 
 torfhip, according to the Precedents ufed before on the 
 like Occafion ; the Duke excufed himfelf from accept- 
 ing the Office, but defired Refpite to confider of it. 
 
 This Confederation took up but a very little Time ; 
 for, the next Day, Burley and the reft coming, as be- 
 fore, to the Lords, again repeated their Defire. To 
 which the Lord Chancellor anfwered, that the King, 
 with the AlTent of the Lords, had requefted the Duke 
 of York to be Protestor and Defender of the Realm. 
 The Duke accepted of it, and made the fame Protefta- The Duke ag^ln 
 tion and Demand, as he did in the laft Parliament, and appointed m 
 had the fame Anfwer. And, after the faid Duke had teftor " 
 had fome Conference with a Committee of the Peers, 
 appointed for that Purpofe, it was agreed, that he 
 mould have, yearly, towards his Charges four thouland 
 Marks. Only, he defired that it might be recorded, he 
 fought not this Honour himfelf, but had it laid upon 
 him by them («). 
 
 But 
 
 De Circumfpe&ionc & Indufiria carijjimi Confafiguinei nofiri Ricardi 
 Ducts Eborum, &e. 
 
 Dated Nov. 12, Anno Regni 34. Fad. Ang. Tom. XI. P. 370. 
 
 (a) The Preamble to this Commiflion is^ill more remarkable than 
 the tormsr. 
 
 Rex, fe«. Cum Communitas Hegni nojlri AngHa; in prafenti Parlia- 
 
 PHKtO
 
 282 The Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry VI. But this great Power, we fuppofe, was thought too 
 dangerous, to remain long in the Duke's Pofleffion j for 
 a fmall Time after, before this Parliament broke up, 
 the King came in Perfon to the Houfe ; and, as well 
 by his Letters Patents, in the Nature of a Writ directed 
 to Richard Duke of York, as by the whole Confent of 
 But foon re- the faid Parliament, revoked and repealed the Power 
 mov'd. of Protector and Defender, and chief Counfellor, be- 
 
 fore committed to the faid Dukef*). And, at the 
 fame time the King committed the whole Eftate, Af- 
 fairs, and Governance of the Realm, to the Lords 
 of his Council. Only, for Matters concerning his 
 Perfon, they were not to proceed without making him 
 privy to it. 
 
 In this Parliament, the King, by feveral Letters 
 Patents, confirmed to his young Son, Edward Prince 
 of Wales, and his Heirs, Kings of England, his Crea- 
 tion of the Principality and Earldom of Cbejler, with all 
 the particular Dominions and Hereditaments belonging 
 to the faid Honours. And, as it is recited, becaufe the 
 faid Prince, the King's firft-born Son, on the Day of his 
 Birth is, and ought to be Duke of Cornwal, the King de- 
 livered up the fame to him, and all other Hereditaments 
 
 belonging 
 
 men to nojlro exijkns nobis fiepius bumillime fupplicavcrit & injianter per- 
 fuaferit, ob reprimendas Injolentias, Rebellions, Murdra & Riotas qua 
 indies di'verfis ejufdetn Regni Partibus attemptantur & committuntur, & ob 
 bonum publicum T.'uitionemq:ie ejufdcm Regni ac Pacts nojirte, ncc ncn Tran- 
 quilitatis Subditorum nojtrorum Confenvationem, inclinare & confentire •ve- 
 limus Pcrjonam aliquant potent em & idoneum Protectorem & De- 
 fensorem Regni nojlri pradiEli conjlituere & ordinate, ct/jus Sapientia 
 & Indujlria, Poientia & "Jwuaminc, Regni Negotia melius, tutius & fe- 
 licius dirigi & expedire valeant j 
 
 Nos, Petitionem Communitatis prtediElx contemplantes , Infirmitateque, 
 qua altiiTimo Salvatori noftro Perfonam noftram vifttare placuit, Impe- 
 dimentum praeftante quo minus ad adtualem Executionem Prote£Honis 
 & Defenfionis Regni noftri praeJi&i & Ecclefiae Anglicanee intendere pof- 
 iimus, & fi plurimis vexaremur Negotiis, celerique Sanitati recuperandae 
 Obftaculum foret, confi'ierata. 
 
 De CircumfpeSiione & Indujlria carijftmi Conjanguinei nojlri Ricatdi, 
 Duct's Eborum, Sec. 
 
 A Claufe is added, that this Grant /hall be void, as foon as Edward 
 his Son {hall arrive at Years of Difcretion. Dated at Wejlminjler, Nov, 
 19. By Authority of Parliament. 
 
 Feed. Ang. Tom. XI. Pag. 369, 370. 
 
 (x) This Inftrument is dated Feb. 25: Under it, 
 , Per ipfumRegem & Con/ilium in Parliamento. Ibid. P. 373,.
 
 Of E N G L A N D. 2S3 
 
 belonging to that Dukedom. Alfo, it was ordained, King Henry VI. 
 that the faid Prince fhall be at Dier, and live in the 
 Kmg*s Court unto the Age of fourteen Years ; for the 
 which Diet, the King fhall yearly take all the Reve- 
 nues and Profits of the faid Principality, Earldom, and 
 Dutchy of the faid Prince, until the faid Prince come 
 to the Age of fourteen Years. Allowing yearly, to- 
 wards his Wardrobe and Servants Wages 10,000/. unto 
 the Age of eight Years ; and from that to fourteen 
 Years 20,000 Marks yearly, with feveral other Provi- 
 fions there exprefled, which were all confirmed by Par- 
 liament (y). 
 
 At the Requeft of the Mayor and Company of the 
 Staple at Calais, Sir John Cheyney Knt. Victualler of 
 that Town, who by the Appointment of the Council 
 had delivered to the faid Mayor and Company certain 
 of their Obligations, to the Sum of 2000 Marks, which 
 they lent the faid Sir John, by Confent of Parliament, 
 was acquitted of the fame. 
 
 The King for 20,000/. borrowed of the Merchants 
 of the Staple, by the Aflent of Parliament, granted to 
 them the Repayment of the fame, out of the Cuftoms 
 and Paflage-Dues in the Ports of Sandwich and South- 
 hampton. 
 
 A particular Allotment of 3934/. 19 s. ±%d. out 
 of divers of the King's Revenues, Cuftoms and Fee- 
 Farms, is allowed, yearly, towards the Charges of the 
 King's Houfhold. 
 
 A general A<ft of Refumption of all Lands, Offices, 
 and Fees, &c. from the firft Day of this King's Reign, 
 was palled, with feveral Provifions made therein. 
 
 And, after all this Bufinefs was tranfacted, Thomas 
 Archbifhop of Canterbury and Chancellor cf England, 
 by the Appointment of the Duke of York, the King's 
 Commiflioner, in the Prefence of the Lords and Com- 
 mons, prorogued the Parliament from that Day, De- 
 cember, 
 
 (y) Notwithftanding thefe Royal Donations, Hiftorians {tick not to 
 fay, that he was not fo much as the Queen's Son, but changed in the 
 Cradle. Fabian's Cbron. Anno 1453. 
 
 Hollingshead writes, that it was the Opinion of the common 
 People, perchance untruly, fays he, that the King was not able to get 
 a Child. Cbron, P, $41.
 
 284 The 'Parliamentary H 1 s T o k r 
 
 King Henry VI. cem }, er j^ to the -14-th of January next enfuing, at 
 JVejiminjlcr. 
 
 But tho' we hear no more of a Meeting of this 
 Parliament, yet it is neceflary to learn what Hiftorians 
 have collected relating to the Proceedings of it, that 
 the Reader, by comparing them with the foregoing Ac- 
 count, from the Recotds, may better come at the 
 Source of the Mifchiefs, which foon after involved all 
 England in Blood and Ruin. 
 
 It is faid that this Parliament met on the Day appoint- 
 ed, July, 9th, in order, indeed, to fettle Things ac- 
 cording to the Will of the conquering Lords, but under 
 a Pretence of doing all for thi public Good (%). Some 
 few Ads were made, more for the Colour of Juftics 
 than the common Safety. One was, * That Servants 
 
 * of Perfons lately deceafad, who have embezzled their 
 4 Mailer's Goods before the Executors can enter upon 
 
 * them, if they are found guilty, (hall be attainted of 
 
 * Felony. That whereas the Officers of the Exchequer 
 ■ ' were guilty of great Extortion in exacting Fees of the 
 
 ' People, it was dinted what Fees mould be taken by 
 
 * them in the feveral Caufes, there tried and adjudged. 
 
 * That there mould be but fix common Attorneys in 
 
 * the County of Norfolk, fix in Suffolk, and two in 
 1 Norwich ; becaufe it was found by Experience that the 
 4 Multitude of Attorneys in thole Counties ftirred up 
 
 * and procured many Suits at Law, for fmall TrepaiTes, 
 
 * little Offences and fmall Debts {a).* Thefe Ads were 
 palled and published, to let People fee what a Reforma- 
 tion they might expecl, if the popular Lords had the 
 Rule. But, (adds our Authority) they lerved but, 
 as a curious Prologue to what followed, and was chiefly, 
 intended, w'z, the following Votes and Refolutions j 
 
 Refoluuons * Firtt, That the Government, as it was managed 
 
 g»infttheQu,en, t fcy t j le Q ueen> Duke of S:merfct, and their Friends 
 
 • * had been of late a great Injuftice and Oppreflion to 
 
 * the People. 
 
 * That the King, who washimfelfa pious and good 
 
 * Prince 
 
 (z) Sam. Daniel by Ketwet P. 412. 
 
 (a) See Statutei at large, Anno 33. Henry VI, Chap. I, 3, 7,
 
 Of ENGLAND. 285 
 
 * Prince, had been abu fed by t'hofe who counfelled and King Henry VI. 
 \ advifed him, to his great Difhonour. 
 
 * That the Duke of Ghcejier , v/hofe Memory had 
 x been ftained with a Charge of Treaibn and Rebellion 
 6 fince his Death, was a true and faithful Subject both 
 
 * to the King and Realm. 
 
 « That all manner of Alienations and Gifts of the 
 ' Revenues and Lands of the Crown, whether made by 
 
 * the King himfelf, or Parliament, from the firft Year of 
 ' his Reign, mould be revoked, and the faid Lands 
 ' and Revenues renamed and taken into the King's 
 
 * Hands (b). 
 
 ' That no Perfon, or Perfons, mould judge or report 
 
 * that the Duke of York, with the Earls of Salisbury 
 ' and Wanvick, were guilty of Rebellion or Treafon, 
 
 * in coming againft the King in a warlike Manner 
 ' to St. Albans, fince the Action was neceflary, and 
 
 * taken in Hand to free the King from Captivity, and 
 
 * bring Peace and Safety .to the Nation; but ail the 
 
 * Blame was to be laid on the Duke of Somerfet, Lord 
 
 * Chief Baron Thorpe and William Jofepb, Efq; who out 
 
 * of a malicious and evil Defign, kept a Letter fent by 
 ' the Lords from the King's Knowledge ; which, if it 
 <*had been delivered to the King's Majefty, would have 
 ' taken away the Caufe of thefe Diforders (c). 
 
 By thefe Votes and Adts, ('adds our Authority,) they 
 made Way for the Refolution, which was the main 
 Drift of all ; by which it was appointed, that the Duke 
 of Tori, mould be Protector of the Realm, and the Earl 
 of Sali/bury Lord Chancellor, and the Earl of Warwick 
 Governor of Calais and the Territories thereunto be- 
 longing. So that all Authority, Civil and Military, 
 
 was 
 
 (b) Hollingjbead, P. 644. Rafirt P. 580. 
 
 {cj The Purport of the Letter was this : That as faithful and humble 
 Subjects, they required only that it would pleafe the King, whofe Honour, 
 Health, Surety and Prefervation, they chiefly wiihcd, not to give Credit to 
 their Adverfaries malicious Suggestions, till their coming tohis Prefence j 
 unto which they humbly befought him, that they might be admitted as 
 his faithful Liege People, to ihew the Intent and Purpofe of their com- 
 ing ; which was to no other End than to declare their Fidelity and Al- 
 legiance towards his moft Royal Perfon } intending to put thcmfelves with 
 much Diligence and Labour, to prccure him as much Honour, Health, 
 and Safeguard as any Subjett living. 
 
 Hall's Chrcr.. P. 644.
 
 2 86 The 'Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry VI. wasina manner, put into the Hand, of the Confede- 
 rate Lords, who made a kind of a Triumvirate, and 
 Henry had only his Title of King, without any other 
 Power. Under this Eftablifhment, the Lords were 
 very Careful to adminifter Juftice impartially ; to avoid 
 Delays of Suits, and to punifh Bribery ; in order to 
 ingratiate themfelves with the People. 
 
 An Hiftorian remarks, that they had no mind to de- 
 ftroy the King, left they mould, fuddenly, provoke 
 the Fury of the common People againft them ; amongft 
 which fimple Sort, adds he, for his Holinefs of Life, 
 and abundant Clemency, he was much favoured and 
 efteemed (d). 
 
 Thus far our Hiftorians; whofe Account, if com- 
 pared with the Records, is fomewhat contradictory, 
 tho' the main Syftem of this Demi-Revolution, feems 
 to be fet in a true Light. But, this exalted Power, fo 
 fnatched as it was, continued on its Bafis, but for a 
 fmall Time, for the Queen foon found Means to over- 
 turn it. Notwithstanding the Lofs of the Duke of 
 Somerfet, and others, in the Battle at St. Albans, fhe 
 had then feveral very eminent Lords in her Intereft j 
 and, being a Lady of a mafculine Spirit, fhe was not 
 afraid to undertake any Thing to keep up the Dignity of 
 her Hufband's Crown. It is probable, that fhe caufed the 
 King to revoke the Grant of the Protedtoifhip to the 
 Duke of York, in the laft Sefiion of Parliament, before 
 it was prorogued ; as it is particularly mentioned in 
 the Records, tho' all our Hiftorians are filent about 
 that, and, only fay, that the Duke and the Earl of 
 Salisjbury were diiplaced from their great Offices, by 
 an exprefs Order, under the Great Seal, fome Time 
 after the Parliament broke up (e). 
 
 It is not in the Compafs of thefe Enquiries to trace the 
 Beginning, or Progrefs, of thefe inteftine Troubles, 
 any further than the Parliament of England was con- 
 cerned in them ; fome rieceflary Connections being al- 
 lowed. The Queen and her Party being again reftor- 
 ed to the Government, kept their Ground for fome 
 
 Time \ 
 
 {<f) Hairs Chron. Fol. CLXIX. 
 
 (e) It was done by Adt of general Council, called for that purpofe 
 to Greenwich. Holing/head. P. 646.
 
 O/ENGLAND. 287 
 
 Time ; tho' the difcontented Lords watched all Op- Kin s Henr y VI - 
 
 portunities to diflodge them. Some Tumults and 
 
 Skirmifhes happened betwixt the two Parties, and 
 
 another general Battle was dreaded j to prevent 
 
 which, the pious King and his B;fhops interfered, and 
 
 Terms of Accommodation were offered to reconcile 
 
 them. A grand Meeting of the Heads of both Parties An Agreement 
 
 appeared at London, with numerous Retinues of armed between the 
 
 Followers (f)\ and there, Sword-in-Hand, as it were, a 2SfSe*(SSb. 
 
 feeming Reconduction was efTeded, the Terms of rate Lords. 
 
 which are contained in eight Articles. Which Award, 
 
 or Agreement, was iealed with the Great Seal, in the , 
 
 King's Palace at Wejlminjlcr, March 2.4, 1458. and 
 
 the thirty fixth of his Reignfx/. 
 
 And, on the Day of Publication, a folemn Proceffion 
 was made to St. Paul's Church ; the King in his Royal 
 Robes, and the Duke of York leading the Queen, before 
 whom marched the Duke of Somerjet, and the Earl of 
 Salisbury, the Duke of Exeter , and the Earl of War- 
 wick^ with the reft of the Lords, thus coupled, at- 
 tending (h). 
 
 Affairs continued in a peaceable Manner, after this, 
 but a very fhort Time; for the fame Year, a Fray 
 happening near the King's Palace at Wejlminjler, be- 
 tween a Servant of the King's and fome of the Earl of 
 Warwick's, the Quarrel run fo high, that, many join- \ 
 ing on each Side, the Earl himfelf had like to have been 
 flain, who came to appeafe it. The Earl taking this 
 as a Defign of the Queen's, to murder'him, and fearing 
 worle might happen, he haftned down to York, where 
 meeting the Duke and his Father, they loon concerted 
 Meafures together to begin a new Commotion. 
 
 The Civil War was, again, entered into with great But the Quarrel 
 Brifknefs on both Sides ; but Fortune did not favour f °° n renew'd. 
 the Duke of York and his Party in this fecond Attempt ; 
 for when the two Armies were come fo near that a Bat- 
 tle 
 
 (f) Fabian has left us an Account how and where, the Lords of both 
 Parties were lodged in the City and Suburbs. That fome had 600 armed 
 Men, fome 900, and none left than 400, in their Retinues. So that the 
 Mayor was obliged to keep a ftrong and diligent Watch, Night and Day, 
 to prevent Tumults. Chron. Anno 1458. 
 
 (g) See the Form pf this Award in Hollingfhcad, P. 647. and the other 
 En?Ujb Chronicles, Sub hoc Anno. 
 
 
 b) Hollingjbead, P. 648.
 
 King Henry VI 
 
 The King gains 
 a Viftory. 
 
 Anno Regni 3S 
 
 1+60. 
 
 At Coventry. 
 
 Thomas Tre- 
 fham, Elq; cho- 
 len Speaker. 
 
 The Duke of 
 York, &V. at- 
 tainted. 
 
 288 Tlje Tarltamentary History 
 
 . tie was expected, the King's Proclamation of a gene- 
 ral Pardon, for paft Offences, caufed moll of the Duke's 
 Followers to throw down their Arms, and accept 
 it ; and their Leaders were forced to fly into different 
 Countries for Protection. 
 
 Henry having thus got a Victory, without Blood - 
 fhed, came to Coventry ; where he had iummoned a 
 Parliament to meet on the 20th of November by Writs 
 dated at Leominjler, or Lempjler> the 9th of Oclober 
 foregoing. It appears by the Lift of the Lords, called to 
 this Parliament, that it was wholly made up of thofe who 
 were ftaunch Friends to the Houfe of Lancajier ; tho' 
 the Archbifhops, Bifhops, &f<r. were fummoned as- 
 ufual (i). 
 
 On the Day of their Meeting, the King fitting in 
 his Chair of State, in the Chapter- Houfe, belonging to 
 the Priory of our Lady at Coventry, the Lords and 
 Commons being, alfo, prefent, William (£), Bifhop 
 of W-.ncheJhr, then Chancellor of England^ made a 
 notable Declaration, (fays our Authority) why this 
 Parliament was called. But gives us no more of it, than 
 that he willed the Commons to choofe their Speaker, 
 and prefent him the next Day to the King. Accord- 
 ingly, the Commons prefented Thomas Tre/ham, Efq; 
 whofe Excufe being rejected, with the common P10- 
 teftation, he was allowed. 
 
 The firft Thing this Parliament went upon, was to 
 bring in, and pufs a Bill of Attainder againit Richard 
 Duke of Tor k, and others, his Accomplices. The In- 
 ftrument is very long, and contains, amongft other 
 Matters, the following Charges. 
 
 Firft, v A Commemoration of the King's great Care in 
 1 bringing the faid Duke up from a Child ; and the many 
 ' Kindneiies and Honours, he had beftowed upon him. 
 
 * Next, the Confederation of the f<rid Duke with Jack 
 
 * Cade, to get himfelf advanced to the Crown. The 
 
 * Duke's coming out of Ireland wi:h Forces, even, in- 
 
 * to the King's Court and Prefence. His Practices to 
 ' be Protector. His Intent to have railed an Army 
 
 againft 
 
 {!) Dugdau's Summons to Parliament, Anno 3S. Henry VI. Fabias 
 calls this Meeting a Parliament or m gnat" Council. Chron. 1459, 60. 
 (k) Wiliiam JVayncfiete. Li Njsve'* Fajli Ece. jSng.
 
 Of E N G L A N D. rt 9 
 
 againft the King at Dartford in Kent. The Duke's King Henry Vi. 
 Submiflion and Oath to the King in Paul's, after 
 the fame. The Duke's Oath at large. His Con- The Articles a- 
 federacy with the Earls of Warwick and Salisbury, gainft him, 
 A Rehearfal of the King's fundry Favours and 
 Benefits conferred on the faid two Earls. The 
 King's Pardon granted to the faid Duke and Earls, 
 and their Promifes of due Obedience, with aRenu- 
 meration of divers Benefits bellowed upon them 
 after. The Ambition of the faid Duke and Earls; 
 their new Oaths and Promifes made to the King ; 
 their Policy in not coming to the Council ; and 
 their Readinefs in getting together from a great 
 Diftance. The Expedition of the Earl of Salij- 
 bury,wilh Thomas and JohnNevile, Knights, Sons 
 to the faid Earl; 'Thomas Parkin, IVilli am Stanley, 
 Efqrs. Sons to Thomas Lord Stanley, and Thomas 
 Oringe of Tongue in the County of York, with 500 
 Men and Banners difplayed at Bloreheath, on the 
 Feaftof St. Matthew, AnnoRegni 37. James Lord 
 Audley flain at the Battle of Bloreheath, in Staf- 
 fer (Jfl)ire (I ), by the faid Earl ; and John Lord 
 Dudley, with feveral others taken Prifoners. The 
 King's purfuing them for the Space of 30 Days 
 and Nights ; the King's Pardon offered to them, 
 and their Refufal. The AiTembly of the faid Duke 
 with Edivard Earl of March, Richard Earl of 
 Warwick, Richard Earl of Salisbury, Edmund 
 Earl of Rutland, John Lord Clinton, John Wen- 
 lock, James Pickering, John Coniers and Thomas 
 Parr, Knights ; John Bourchier and Edward 
 Bourchier Efquires, Nephews to the faid Duke ; 
 Thomas Colt of London Gentleman, John Clay of 
 Chejhunt in Hertfordshire, Roger Egerton of 
 Shrewsbury, and Robert Bold, Brother to Sir Henry 
 Bold, Efquires ; who, with many others, pitched 
 their Field near Ludloiv in the County of Here* 
 ford, on Friday, the Vigil of the Tranilation of 
 St. Edward, jnno Regni 38. That the Duke 
 made a Pretence to the Army that the King was 
 Vol. II. T « dead, 
 
 (I) Near Drayton, Seft, 23, 1460.
 
 i$>o The T art: amcntary History 
 
 King Henry VI. * dead, for whole Soul Mafs was faid publickiy in 
 ' the faid Duke's Camp. The King's Expe&ation 
 
 * of the Duke, and the Duke's ranging his Army in 
 
 * Battle Array, Fortifying the Ground with Carts, 
 
 * placing -Guns between them ; an Ambufh laid, 
 ' and his Intention to have fuddenly furprifed the 
 ' King's Forces. The Departure of the faid Duke 
 ' and Earls out of the Field, about Midnight, under 
 ' Colour to rcpofe themfelves at Ludlow ; and their 
 ' Flight vMo'lVales, becaufe that their Army faint- 
 
 * ed and fubrnitted themfelves to the King, who 
 
 * granted them Pardon.' 
 
 Wherefore, for thefe and many other Caufes, 
 the faid Duke, Earls, and others, were attainted of 
 Treafon by Parliament, and voted Traitors to the 
 King and Kingdom ; Alice, the Wife of Richard En\ 
 of ' SaVJbury («), Sir JVilliam Q!dhall y Knt. and 
 Thomas Vaughcn, of London^ Efq; were, at the 
 fame time attainted as Traitors, for procuring and 
 aiding the Trealbns aforefaid. And all and lingu- 
 lar Hereditaments, &c. of the faid Duke, and o- 
 thers, attainted, in Fee or Fee- Tail, were adjudged 
 to be forfeited 10 the Crown ; and their Heirs 
 difinherited to the Ninth Generation («). 
 
 Richard Gray Lord Pczvis> Sir Henry Radford 
 Knt. and Walter Devereux Efq; were pardoned 
 their Lives, for being in the Field with the Duke 
 at Ludhiv ; but their Hereditaments, and other 
 Profits, were forfeited as before. 
 
 It was ena&ed, « That all Letters Patents, and 
 ' Grains of any Office to any Perfon that was a- 
 4 gainfi the King in the Fields of St. Man: y 
 
 * Blcrt-hcath^ and Ludloiv, mall be void ; and that 
 
 * all Grams made by Richwd^Duke of York, o'r 
 4 by the Earls of Salisbury and Warwick to any 
 
 * Perfons, 'being in thofe Fields againft the King, 
 
 * be alio, void. Btt that ail Grams made by the 
 ' King to Pcrfons with him in the faid Fields, may 
 
 * ftand gcod ; fome Froviib's excepted.' 
 
 At 
 
 (in) He v.-as Eirl of Salisbury in Right of his Wife, who was 
 Djughter and Heir to Thomas cU.Montacutc, the laft Earl of that 
 Name. Dugdal t 's Barrage, Parti. Pag. 302. 
 
 («) HOLLINCSHEAD, p. 652. DaNIEL ill KeNNET. p. 420.
 
 0/ E.NGLAND. i 9 i 
 
 At the Requeft of the Houfe of Commons, King Henry VI. 
 Walter Hopton, Roger Kenijlone, Falk Stafford, 
 William Haflings Son to Sir Leonard Ha/lings, 
 Knt. and William Haves, Efquires, for being in 
 the Field againft the King at Ludlow, paid their 
 Fines, and were pardoned. At the fame time the 
 Commons accufed the Lord Stanley, in fundry Par- 
 ticulars, of being in Confederacy with the Duke 
 of York ; and pray'd, that he may be committed to 
 Prifon. Anfwer, The King will be advifed. 
 
 After which a very folemn Oath was framed, A folemnOatn. 
 which all the Bifhops and Lords, there named, takentoHeni T' 
 did take, fubfcribe and feal, on the nth Day of 
 December in full Parliament. 
 
 The more private Tranfa&ions of this Parlia- 
 ment, on the Record, are thefe ; 
 
 The King, by the Authority aforefaid, gave to 
 the Queen the Manor of Cor/ham, with the Appur- 
 tenances in Wilts, and 20 /. yearly, out of the 
 Aulnage of Cloth in London, in Exchange for the 
 Manor of Havering -Bower in EJJex. 
 
 All fuch Manors and other Hereditaments of the 
 Dutchyof Lancafter, as arecomprifed in an Article 
 made 23 Henry VI. which with other Heredita- 
 ments of the faid Dutchy, were granted to Tho- 
 mas Archbifhop of Canterbury, and to feveral o- 
 ther Feoffees in Truft, for the Performance of the 
 King's lair. Will, were commanded to pafs under 
 the Great Seal, and were confirmed by Parlia- 
 ment. 
 
 Edward Prince of Wales, by his Petition, re- 
 citeth the Ereclion, Donation and Annexing of 
 the Dutchyof Cornwal, with all the Hereditaments 
 and Liberties belonging to the fame, granted by 
 Parliament ; and feveral other Patents granted the 
 1 1 th of Edward III. were alfo recited at large ; 
 whereupon the faid Prince required, that he may 
 enjoy the fame accordingly ; and, amongft other 
 Things, that all fuch Tenants, as hold of the faid 
 Dutchy, in chief, may therefore fue Livery out of 
 the faid Duke's Hand, although they hold other- 
 T % ways
 
 i^i The Parliamentary H i s To ry 
 
 King H»nry VI, ways of the King in Chief; and that he may free- 
 ly enjoy the faid Dutchy, with all the Revenues 
 and Liberties of the fame, as it ought to be, not- 
 withftanding a Statute, made Anno 33 Henry VI. 
 all which were granted, by common Confent, 
 with certain Provifo's and Exceptions. 
 
 The King's Letters Patents were confirmed, by 
 this Parliament, to the Provoft and Scholars of the 
 College of Eaton , and as well all and lingular 
 his Grants, as all other Men's Grants made to 
 the faid Provoft and Scholars. The fame Confir- 
 mation was made to the Provoft and Scholars of 
 King's- College, Cambridge ; with a Provifion for 
 a College called Pembroke- Hall, in that Univerfity. 
 Likewife the Royal Foundation and Donation of 
 the Priory of Syon, erected by King Henry V. was 
 confirmed by the whole AfTent of Parliament. 
 
 The Commons exhibited a Complaint againft 
 twenty- five Knights and Efquires, by Name, of 
 feveral Counties, for their manifold Robberies, 
 Rapes, and Executions ; againft which Uriel Or- 
 ders were taken to caufe them to anfwer for the 
 fame. 
 
 It was en.icled, * That all Letters Patents made 
 ' to any Perfon or Perfons, of the Offices of She- 
 ' riffs or Efcheators for Life, within the Counties 
 ' of Chejier and Flint, be utterly void j except 
 
 * certain Perfons there named.' 
 
 A flrange. Aa In Laftlv, and what is very remarkable, ' An Act 
 
 rogativc? thePlC " 4 wa ? pafled, Ik?* a' 1 ^ch Knights of any County, 
 
 ' as were returned to this Parliament by vertueof 
 
 * the King's Letters, without any other Election, 
 ' mould be valid ; and that no Sheriff, fur return - 
 
 * ing them, fhall incur the Penalty of the Statute 
 
 * made Anno 23 Henry VI.' 
 
 After all which, on the 25th Day of December, 
 
 Jays The Abridgement, the Chancellor, in the Pre- 
 
 J'ence of the King and the three Eitatcs, and by 
 
 / his Majefty's Command, after giving Thanks to 
 
 the whole Body, diffolved this Parliament. 
 
 Thefe
 
 Of E N G L A N D. 293 
 
 Thefe were the Tranfadtions of this extraordi- King Henry vi. 
 nary Parliament, extracted from the Records ; of 
 which our Hiftorians are, almoft, altogether filent ; 
 nor is there any Mention of it in the Statutes at 
 forge, except, that we find an $.&. was made, in the 
 next, to repeal and abolifh all the Proceedings of 
 this Parliament at Coventry. It is very remarkable, 
 however, what one cotemporary Hifrorian hath 
 left us concerning King Henry's Conduit on the 
 Bill of Attainder ; he writes, ' That when the 
 ' Clerk of Parliament had read the Statute to the 
 ' Lords, the King's Modefty and Love for Mercy 
 ' was fo great, that he caufed a Provifo to be in- 
 ' ferted and added to the Bill, That it night be 
 
 * lawful to him, at all Times, fully, without Au- 
 ' thority of any other Parliament, to pardon the /aid 
 1 Noblemen, and rejlore them again to their former 
 
 * EJlates, Degrees, and Dignities ; if, with a Spirit 
 
 * of Humility, they came to befeech bis Grace and 
 ' Favour (<?).' 
 
 But, not long after their Rifing, Affairs had a a feeond Battle, 
 new Turn ; and the Partizans of the Houfe of 
 York overthrew all the Meafures that had been 
 taken againft them. A Battle was fought near 
 Northampton, with great Obflinacy. on both Sides ; 
 till at length the Victory fell to the young Earl 
 of March, eldeft Son : to the Duke of York, who, 
 in his Father's Abfence in Ireland, was General 
 in Chief. Ten Thoufand of the King's Forces 
 were Hain j amongft whom were theie Men of 
 Note, Humphrey Duke of Buckingham, John Tal- 
 bot Earl of Shrewsbury, Thomas Lord Egremont, 
 John Vifcount Beaumont and Sir William Lacy. 
 The King himfelf was, again, taken Prifoner in The King again 
 his Tent ; whilft the Queen, with the young Prince taken Prifoner. 
 Edward her Son, and the Duke of Somerfet, fled 
 as far as the Bifhoprick of Durham, before they 
 thought themfelves fafe from the Puriuers. This 
 Battle was fought July 6, 146 1. 
 
 The victorious Lords having the King one-; 
 T 3 1 more 
 
 ft) J, Whethamstiad, Abbot of St, Albany
 
 25)4 The Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry vj.more m their Power, and ruling all Things, almoft 
 at their own Pleafure, proceeded vigorously in 
 the Execution of their Defigns. To that End, 
 they fummon'ed a Parliament to meet at Wejl- 
 minjhr, on the 7th of Oclober\ the Writs bearing 
 Date at the lame Place, July the 30th, Anno Regni 
 
 39- 
 There is a Miftake of a Year in the Date of 
 
 Dugdale's Summons to this Parliament, in which 
 the Abridgment of the Records is right. But then, 
 the former has given the Names of all the Spiri- 
 tual and Temporal Lords, £sV, which are wholly 
 omitted in the other; in which we remark, that 
 the Summons was general ; for all- the Peers, 
 which were left alive, of both Parties, were called 
 to it, without any Exception. And there is no- 
 thing in the Body of the Writ which is contrary 
 to the ufual Form ; the fi'rft of thofe to the Lay-" 
 Lords, was dire&ed to Rchard Duke of York in 
 the fame Stile as before (p). 
 
 In the Prefence of the King, fitting in his 
 
 Ann °*6 8 r ,39 ' Chairof St:lte > in * h * ■' i fmye'dChamhir- Within 
 At Weftminfter. the Palace at IVeflminfter, and of the Lords and 
 Commons, George Bifhop of Exeter [q), then 
 Chancellor of England, made a notable Declara- 
 tion, taking for his Theme, Congregate Populum'. 
 & Sanclrpccte Ecclefiam, Joel z. At the Conclu- 
 fion of which, the Commons were delired to 
 chufe their Speaker, and prefent him tb the King. 
 The next Day the Commons made a Declaration 
 to the Chancellor, that they had made choice of 
 a Speaker ; and, on the fourth Day of this Seffion, 
 they prefented John Green, Efq; whole Excufc 
 cho£n Speaker/ 1 ' te' m % tefufcd, he was admitted as ufual. 
 
 The firfr Thing ,this Parliament went upon, 
 was to ja&B an Acl to repeal the Jaft, held at 
 Cwent/y, November 20th, Anno 3 8 Henry VI. and 
 
 that 
 
 (p) Rex cbarjjjimo Confanguineo fuo R{cardo Duci Ebor, &c. ' 
 DcOMAle' 's\$ 'utv mens y Anno Regni 38. 
 
 (q) Gtorgc Ncvile, Son to the Eifl of Salisbury, and Brother 
 to the famous Earl of Warwick, afterwards tranflated to York. 
 Le Neve, &c.
 
 Of E.N G L A.N D. xoj; 
 
 that all Ads, Statutes, and Ordinances, made by King Henry vr. 
 I the Authority of the fald Parliament, ftiall be re- jj 
 verfed. For which this Reafon is afljgned, Beeaufe the Lte ParJia. 
 /&tf Parliament was unlawfully fum/noned, ' and_ /foment at Coventry 
 Knights and Burgeffei not Duely chofcn'{r). repeal'd. 
 
 The Reader may obferve, by a Paragraph in the 
 Account of the laft Parliament, that the King'- was' 
 obliged to get the Sanction Of the Houfes to glofs ' 
 over an undue Practice, in the Return of Knights 
 of the Shires for that Parliament. It is probable 
 that Henrys Credit was then at fp low an Ebb, 
 that he durft not truft the Country, on fuch an 
 important Occafion'; and therefore, fummoned 
 the Knights by Letters, expreisly, from himfelf. 
 This unwarrantable Proceeding imift be the firft, 
 that the Duke of York and his Party would take 
 hold of, to caflate and annul that terrible Bill of 
 Attainder which was carried againir. them in that 
 Parliament. And, fo effectually they did it, that 
 the Adts and Statutes of the Parliament at Coven- 
 try, have no Place nor Mention in our Statute- 
 Books, except in the Repeal as is faid before (s). 
 
 And now we begin with the' fir ft Time that 
 Richard Duke of York made his publick Claim to \ 
 the Crown of England, in the Face of an Engllfb 
 Parliament. It has been many times hinted at TIie ^^ of 
 before, in the Progrefs of; theft Enquiries, that hjs "Vork's Claim to 
 fole Aim was to gain the Diadem' » -nbtwitbfhnd- the Crown > a c- 
 ing the many fpecioiis Pretences of raifing Ar- R e r ^f St t0 Ule 
 mies to reform Grievances, in order to hide his . 
 real Defign. As this is a Criterion of Time, very 
 remarkable in Englifl) Hiftory, and the Duke of 
 York's Claim made valid, or difpa ted, by Writers ' 
 of different Sentiments ; we fhall fir ft give what 
 Sir Rsbert Cotton hath extratfed from the Records ; 
 T 4 and 
 
 (r} See Statutes- et Large, Anno 39 Hriiry VI. Cap. I. 
 
 (sj In the ruLlh A3} is a Mandamus • .lent to the Sheriffs, 
 &c. thro' England, comftianoing tnem to malts Proclamation in 
 their feveral Divih.>ns, that the Acts ' ©V. done at Co-v;i:!ry are' 
 null and void. Dated at Canterbury, AuguA 8, 146c, Autioritate 
 Parliamxnti. Feed, Ang. Tom. XI. P. 460.
 
 196 The 'Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry VI. and next, what our beft Hiftorians have left us 
 about ir. 
 
 On the 1 6th Day of Oclober, the Council for 
 the Duke of York exhibited a Writing to the Lords, 
 in full Parliament, containing the Right and 
 Claim of the faid Duke to the Crown of Eng- 
 land, and Lordfhip of Ireland. The Lords, upon 
 fome Confultation amongft themfelves, agreed that 
 it fhould be read, but not to be anfwered without 
 the King. 
 
 The Duke, in his Claim, derived his Pedigree 
 from King Henry the Third to King Edward the 
 Third, and proved himfelf defcended in a right 
 Line from Lionel Duke of Clarence, third Son to 
 King Edward the Third, by which he avouched 
 himfelf the undoubted Heir to the Crown before 
 any of the Line of John of Gaunt, who was, only, 
 the fourth Son to the faid King Edward. 
 
 The Lords, after a long Confultation thought 
 proper to lay this Claim and Title before the King, 
 who defired them to call the Judges, King's Ser- 
 jeants, and the Attorney- General, to anfwer the 
 fame. But they, well conlidering the Danger 
 in meddling with this high Affair, utterly re- 
 fufed to be concerned it. Upon which an Order 
 was made, that every Peer might freely and in- 
 differently fpeak his Mind, without Fear and Im- 
 peachment. And, in the End, the following Ob- 
 jections were made to the Duke's Claim, 
 ob'efti to his ^ ' ^e Oaths of all the Lords taken to the 
 Title. * King in being, and, particularly the Oath of 
 
 ' the Duke himfelf.' 
 
 II. * The feveral A6ls of Parliament made a- 
 ' gainft the Title of the faid Duke.' 
 
 III. * Several Ads of Entail made of the Crown 
 « of England.' 
 
 IV. * That the Duke, by pretending to draw 
 ' his Title from Lionel Duke of Clarence, fhould 
 'rather bear his Arms, than thole of Edmund 
 « Langley Duke of York? 
 
 Laftly,
 
 0/ E N G L A N D. n 9 7 
 
 Laftly, ' That at the Time Henry IV. took King Henry V r. 
 
 * upon him the Crown of England, he had the 
 ' fame, not as Conqueror, but as right Heir to 
 ' King Henry the Third.' 
 
 The Anfwer which Richard Plantagenet, com- 
 monly called Duke of York, gave to the Objections 
 aforefaid, was as follows : 
 
 Firft, f That no Oath, being the Law of Man, TheDuke ' s *** 
 ' ought to be performed or kept, when the fame wer ' 
 ' tendeth to the Suppreffion of Truth and Right, 
 
 * which is againft the Law of God.' 
 
 ' To the fecond and third, he knoweth no o- 
 ' ther Afts of Parliament than one, Anno I. Hen- 
 ' ry, IV, touching a general Tayl by him a Wrong- 
 ' doer ; for if he had any Right to the fame, he 
 ' neither needed, nor would have made fuch an 
 « Entail.' 
 
 ' To the fourth, hejuftly might have born the 
 ' Arms of the Duke of Clarence, and of. England \ 
 
 * only he forbore the fame for a Time, as he did 
 4 his Claim to the Crown.' 
 
 4 The Fifth, being a manifeft, and an approved 
 ' Untruth, was only a Cloak to fhadow the violent 
 ' Ufurpation of Henry of Derby.' 
 
 After this Anfwer of the Duke, to the Objecti- 
 ons againft his Title, was read in the Houfe, the 
 Lords went upon Ways and Means to compromife 
 Matters, and came to this Refolution, That the 
 King jhould enjoy the Croivn of England, during hh 
 Life ; and that the Duke and his Heirs flmtldfuc- 
 ceed after him. Which Determination the Chan- 
 cellor was appointed to declare to the King. And The Parliament 
 the Duke oi York's Pedegreeanu Title being again JS^S t0 
 repeated tc him, the Kingconiented to this Award ; Crown, after 
 and it was drawn up in Form following; Henry's Death. 
 
 ' Firft, That the King mould, during his Life, 
 ' enjoy the Crown and Preheminence of the 
 ' Realm of England. 
 
 * That the laid Duke, the Eari of March, and 
 
 * Edmund Earl of Rutland, his S ->ns, mould be 
 ' fworn by no means to (borten the Days, or impair 
 
 the
 
 2 08 The Parliamentary History 
 . * 
 
 Kirns Hew* VI ' the ' Sovereignty of the laid King, during his 
 4 Life.' 
 
 4 That the faid Duke, fhould be from thence- 
 
 * forth reputed, andftiledy the very Heir apparent 
 
 * to the Crown aforefaid, and fhall enjoy the fame 
 4 after the Death, or Refighation, of the faid King. 
 
 -5. That the faid Duke, fhall have Lands and 
 4 Hereditaments allotted to him of the clear yearly 
 4 Value of 10,000 Marks; that is, 500D for 'him - 
 
 * felf, 3500 for the Earl of March, and 1500 
 
 * Marks for the Earl of Rutland. 
 
 4 That the Compafling the Death of the laid 
 4 Duke •fhall be Treafon. 
 
 ' That all the Bifhops and Lords, in full Par- 
 4 liament, fhall fwear to the faid Duke and to his 
 
 * Heirs, in Form aforefaid. 
 
 * That the faid Duke, and his two Sons, fhall 
 ' fwear to defend the Lords on this Agreement.' 
 The King, on his own free Motion, and Con- 
 fent of the Lords, agreed to all the Ordinances 
 aforefaid. And, by the Affent aforefaid, he ut- 
 terly repealed the faid Statute of Entail, made An- 
 no 1, Henry IV. lb, always as, hereafter, no better 
 Title could be proved for the defeating of 1 this Ti- 
 tle and Act. 
 
 After all this, on the Vigil of the Feaft of All 
 Saints, the Duke of Tork y and the two Earls.* his 
 Sons, .came into the Parliament, before the King 
 and" Lords; and there both promifed and fwore, to 
 perform the Award aforefaid ; provided, the King, 
 on his Part, duly performed the fame ; which the 
 King, then, alfo promifed to do. All which Pro- 
 teflation the Duke and Earls. required to be enrolled. 
 Then the King, by hisLetters Patents, affigned 
 to the Duke of tifik feveral Diftricts and other 
 Hereditaments in ' Wales, and eliewhere, to the 
 yearly Value of 1 0,000 Marks, as aforefaid; in 
 which Grant are fbme Provilb's, particularly, for 
 the Dutchy of Lancafler. All this was confirmed 
 by the full Confent of Parliament ; and, an Aft 
 was published ' declaring the Duke ol-To^k ro be 
 ' right Heir to the Crown ; by which, ' alfo, a 
 
 1 Power
 
 y,0/ ENGLAND. i 99 
 
 ' Power was given hirh, to ride thro* the whole King Henry VI. 
 
 c Kingdom, for fuppreffing of all Rebellions and 
 
 * Infurrections j wherein Commandment is given 
 ' to all Sheriffs, Officers and Subjects, to obey 
 
 * him as the King, under fome Reftri&ions.' 
 .An Affair or two, of lefs Confequence, concludes 
 
 the Bufinefs of this Seffion in the Records. .,,, ?(JT 
 
 Whereas for iuch Hereditaments, of the Dutchy 
 of Lanca/ier, which the King had put under Feoffees 
 in Truft, to the Ufe of his laft Will, there was 
 appointed one chief Steward and Chancellor, one 
 Receiver-General, an Attorney-General with Au- 
 ditors, with Fees accordingly ; the King by Aflent 
 of Parliament, revokes all the laid Offices and 
 Fees in the faid Grant, fo as all the laid Pre- 
 miffes in Feoffmentfballbe under the Rule and 
 Government of luch Chancellors, and other Of- 
 ficers, as were and had the fame, before the faid 
 Feoffment was made. And, it was further en- 
 acted, f. That all the Revenues of the Dutchy of 
 Lancalhr, as well of Land and Feoffment, as o- 
 therways, fhall be received by the Receiver- Ge- 
 neral of the faid Dutchy, for two Years, and by 
 him paid over to the Treafurer of England '; with 
 other weighty Affairs of the Realm, wherein are 
 contained fome principal Provifions for Foreigners, 
 and Officers of the faid Dutchy.' Laftly, ' all the 
 Conveyances and Feoffments, in Ufe for all the 
 Hereditaments, mentioned in the 38 of Henry VI. 
 were rehearfed ; and it was enacted that all and 
 lingular the Premifles fhall go only to the Perfor- 
 mance of the King's Will, and not otherwife.' 
 
 One only Act, made in this Parliament, is enter- 
 ed at length in our Statute-Books, /which is ; 
 ' That a Woman at fourteen Years of Age, on 
 c the Death of her Anceftor, fhall have Livery of 
 
 * her Land.' This Act was palled, fays Sir Ro- 
 bert Cotton , on the Petition of John Nei)U, Knt. 
 and Ifabel his Wife, the Daughter and . Heir of 
 Edmond Goldjlhorp, Knt. 
 
 Thus far the Records. We fhall next examine 
 how cur Hiftorians have treated this important Af- 
 fair,
 
 3 oo The Tarliametttary History 
 
 King H«nry VI. fair of the Succeflion, which was the greateft that 
 ever came before an Enghfb Parliament. And firft, 
 Mr. Daniel tells us, that after the victori- 
 ous Lords, who had now the King in their Power, 
 had caufed him to call a Parliament, they fent 
 MeiTengers, with all fpeed, to Ireland, to inform 
 The Duke's tnc Duke of York of their Succefs. Ambition,y&y* 
 Claim, as related our Author, needs no Spurs ; the Duke prefently 
 byHiftorians. embarked himfelfand his Retinue at Dublin-, land- 
 ed at Chejler, and October ioth, made his public 
 Entry into London ; with Trumpets founding, a 
 naked Sword born before him, a great Train of 
 armed Men accompanying him ; and took up 
 his Lodging in the King's own Palace, and in his 
 own Apartments, the humble King contenting 
 himfelf with the Queen's Lodgings. 
 
 The Parliament had fat three Days before the 
 Duke arrived ; and tie having pafled thro' the" City, 
 in the Manner aforelaid, went direclly to Wefi- 
 minjier, into the Houfe of Peers, and placed him- 
 felf on the King's Seat or Throne ; tho' other (/) 
 Hiftorians fay, that he did not fit down, but only 
 took hold of the Cloth of State. He flood a 
 while in that Polture, looking upon the Lords 
 ftedfaftly, as tho' he would read their Counten- 
 ances, their Thoughts, and Resentment of that 
 Action. At that Inftant, Thomas Bourchier, 
 Archbifhop of Canterbury, came from Henry in- 
 to the Houfe, and after making the uiual Reve- 
 rence to the Duke he afk'd him, Whether he would 
 not go and pay his Rejpecls to the King ? The Duke, 
 at this Queftion, was obferved to change Colour, 
 and then aniwered him in a Pallion, That he knew 
 none in this Kingdom, to whom he owed that Duty or 
 Honour j. but, en the contrary, ail Men ozu'd it to 
 him ; and therefore King Henry ought to come to 
 him. 
 
 The Archbifliop, having heard this Reply, 
 went back to the King to let him know it ; which 
 
 the 
 
 (f)BlONlu's IletiryVl. P, 172.
 
 Of E N G L A N D, 301 
 
 the Duke perceiving, he rofe up and followed him King Henry VI, 
 
 into the Palace, got Pofleflion of the King's 
 
 Lodgings, breaking open feveral Doors and Locks 
 
 for Entrance. He ftaid there but a little while, 
 
 and then returned to the Houfe again, leaving his 
 
 Servants and chief Attendants to keep them for 
 
 him. Being, again, feated on the Royal Throne, 
 
 he boldly made his Demand of the Crown and 
 
 the regal Authority of England, in a Speech for 
 
 that Purpofe. 
 
 Hall, in his Chronicle, hath given us a 
 Speech, which he fays the Duke of York fpoke 
 from the Throne, in the Houfe of Peers, when 
 he made his Claim to the Crown at that Time. 
 But, the Subftance and Language of it, is fo very 
 mean, that it does not deferve pur Notice, 
 not even as it is altered by Mr. Daniel ; efpecially, 
 when the Claim, hath been much better made out 
 by the Record itfclf. Livy is faid to be very remark- 
 able for putting fine Speeches into the Mouths of 
 his Heroes and Senators; but the Non-fenfe, and 
 Stupidity of this makes it impoflible to come from 
 any Body but the Hiftorian himfelf (u). Befides, 
 John Wethamjlead, Abbot of St. Albans y a Cotem- 
 porary, and probably, by his Station, in the Houfe 
 of Peers at that Time, makes no mention of any 
 fuch Speech, in the Hiftory he wrote of this Reign ; 
 and, particularly, of this Revolution (#). 
 
 The 
 
 (a) As an Inftance, in the firft Paragraph of it, is this remark- 
 able Expreffion and Metaphor, This noble Realm, and our natural 
 Country, Jhall never be unbuckled from her daily Fever, except I, 
 as the principal Phyfician, and you, as the true and trujly Apothe- 
 caries, confult together in making of a Potion, and try out the clean 
 and pure Stuff, from the corrupt and putrified Drugs. 
 
 Hall's Chron. *'ol. C.LXXVII. 
 See Hcllingjhead, alfo, P. 655. 
 (x) The Hiftory of Croyland, near Cotemporary with thefe Times, 
 frems to fay that the Duke of York did make his Claim in the 
 Houfe, by Word of Mouth; Accedens ad Thronum Regis, Sedcm 
 illam •vcndicai'it tanquam Juam, dejeribens Genealogiam j'uam line- 
 tlitcr, &c. Hist. Croyland Contin. 550. 
 
 Tin
 
 302 The 'Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry vi. The French Jefuit, indeed, has put a Speech 
 into the Duke's Mouth, on this Occafion, not un- 
 worthy either of the Speaker or the Author, for 
 fuch we fuppofe him to be ; which, fince it comes 
 within the Compafs of our Defign, well - deferves 
 a Place in thefe Enquiries. 
 
 It was fuppofed by the Parliament, fays that 
 Hiftorian, that the Duke would now take offthe 
 Mafk; but they were perfectly convinced of 
 it, by an open Declaration, which he himfclf 
 made to them, the firft Time he entered the Houfe. 
 For, being feated on the Throne, without afking 
 Leave of any one, he fpoke as follows; (y) 
 
 You all know very well, fays he, that the 
 
 'Throne whereon I fit hath been ufurpcd from my 
 
 . q , Anceflors; and you cannot be ignorant , by what 
 
 Parliament. ° ° Crimes, thofe who had it full Sixty Tears, have kept 
 PoffeJfiOn of it. Henry the fourth embrued his 
 Hands in the Blood <?/" Richard the fecdnd ; and 'Hen- 
 ry the fifth dejlroyed my Father. But, we. will 
 /pare the Remembrance of thefe Things, xvhich can 
 onlyferveto (iir up a Breafil, dijpojed to take that Ven- 
 geance which I ivill facrifice to the Public Good, 
 IVhilfl the Houfe of Lancafter did no other Hurt, 
 but to me and mine, I thought myfelfwell recompens- 
 ed by the Honour ivhich accrued to the Nation, in 
 fubduing fo many great and fine Provinces to the 
 Englifh Scepter. I little regretted the not being a 
 King,zvkilft you had a Monarch, who well defer vW 
 to have been one. But, at this Time, when a weak 
 feeble Heir to that happy Ufurpation, keeps from me a 
 Crown, and lofes thoje Conquefls which have coftyou 
 fo much Blood, I Jl)ould be unworthy of that "of fo 
 many Kings which runs in my Veins, if, to recover 
 
 thofe 
 
 The hit Aft of State which Henry did, or was commanded to do, 
 was to giant a Commiffion to Edtvard Duke of York, after his Fa- 
 ther R\ckard was (lain at the Battle of Wakefield, for raifing Forces 
 to fight againft his Queen and Son. Dated Feb. 12, 1461. at 
 Wejiwinjltr. Rymer. Tom. X. 
 
 ( y) Fere D'Orleans Hifl. de Revel. D'Ang. Tom. II. P. ztl. 
 Ed'. Paris.
 
 Of ENGLAND. 303 
 
 tnofe Conquefts, I do not take the Crown. Aid me y^ Henry VI. 
 with your A ffi fiance to fupport the Weight, and you 
 Jhail partake with me in the Advantage of it. 
 
 Our Hifcorian goes on, and tells us, that the 
 Countenances of the Houfe, during the Time the 
 Duke was fpeaking, and their profound Silence at 
 the End of his Harangue, appeared to that Prince 
 a fure Token that the Crown, on Henry'a Head, 
 was not fo loofe as he imagined. Greatly cha- 
 grin'd, he left the Houfe very abruptly ; and, in a 
 Paffion faid at his going out, Think of this Matter. 
 
 • / have taken my Courfe, take you yours. 
 
 While thcfe Things were doing, many hot 
 Difputes pafled between the Lords Spiritual 
 and Temporal, and the Commons, about the 
 Settlement of the Crown. Some thought it very Debate thereupon 
 unreafonable to call King Henry's Title in Quefti- 
 on, who had been fo long in Pofieflion of the So- 
 vereignty ; and fo much the rather, becaufe the 
 Duke of York himlelf had, in fwearing Allegiance 
 to King Henry fo often, and declaring tiim his 
 lawful Sovereign, tied up himfelf from claiming 
 the Crown, if he had any Right to it. But on the 
 other Side, the Duke of York's Friends, which 
 were not a few, argued that the Duke's Title was 
 fo clear; and fo well known to them all, that it 
 would be the greatcft Injuftice in the World to 
 deny him his Right ; and tho' King Henry, it is 
 true, had been long in the Pofieflion of the 
 Throne, yet his Ufurpation being lo evident, he 
 ought to be as willing to recede from what he was 
 wrongfully poiTeffed of, as they were in' Juftice 
 bound to declare him deprived. 'Twas true, they 
 faid, the Duke of York had often fworn Allegiance 
 to King Henry, and taken him fur hi-; lawful So- 
 vereign, yet he never renounced hi Right; and 
 'twas plain, his Oaths and-Promifes were out of 
 Fear or Force, and not willingly (z). 
 
 Another 
 
 (z) Whilft this weighty Affair was delating in the lower Houfe, 
 vhich was the then Fmry, as it is called, in the Abby of ;, 
 
 mirjltr,
 
 304 The Tarliamentary History 
 
 King Henry vi. Another old Hiftorian hath drawn up the Ar- 
 guments made ufe of in favour of the reigning 
 King, and the Houfe of Lanca/ier, in a much bet- 
 ter Manner ; and fays, that tho' the Effect of the 
 Duke of Tori's Title, as to the Points of Pede- 
 gree, was very true, yet the Friends of King 
 Henrys without denying what could not be denied, 
 had fomewhat to fay for him ; and amongft o- 
 ther Things, they alledged (a), ' That Richard the 
 fecond refigned up his Crown and Regality at 
 large; and that none elfe making Claim, but 
 Henry Duke of Lancajler, he was thereunto, 
 by Confent of all the three Eitates, admitted. 
 That Richard Earl of Cambridge was, for High 
 Treafon attainted and executed, and his Iflue 
 made incapable of any Inheritance ; that this 
 Richard his Son, now challenging the Crown 
 of England^ being reftored by themeer Clemen- 
 cy and Goodnefs of this King Henry the Sixth, 
 had voluntarily acknowledged him for his lawful 
 Sovereign, and fworn the fame ; and that the 
 faid Richard was finally, for Treafon, attaint- 
 ed and adjudged uninheritable. They alledg'd al- 
 io feveral Acts of Parliament made to eftablifli 
 the Right of the Lancajirian Line ; the Suc- 
 ceflion of three Henrys, that is to fay, the 
 fourth, fifth, and fixth ; the politic Government 
 of the fir ft of thofe Kings, the noble Victories of 
 the fecond, and the holy Life of the third ; 
 which three King's Lives contained in reigning 
 near threescore Years, in which Number this 
 was the 39th of Henry the Vlth, who was de- 
 fcended from the Uncle ; and the Duke of York 
 but from a Female, of which Females none 
 had ever been in Poffeffion of the Crown. Thefe 
 
 great 
 
 mir.fttr, a Crown which hung for Ornament from the Roof fudden- 
 Jy fell down ; and at the fame Time, another Crown, placed for the 
 fame Purpofe, on Dwir Caftle, fell likewi.'e. Thefe Omens were 
 vulgarly conftrued, that King Henry' % Reign was at an End, and 
 that the Crown fhould be transferred from one Royal Line to- ano- 
 ther.. 
 
 (a) Speed's Chrt*,
 
 Of E N G L A N D. 305 
 
 great and weighty Points, adds our Author, were King Henry VI, 
 
 confidered, and the rather, becaufe that King 
 
 Henry being at that Time no better than a Pri- 
 
 foner, no Acl: of his to eftablifh the Title of the 
 
 Houfe of York, could be fo valid as to difmherit 
 
 his own Son ; who was then at Liberty, and with 
 
 the Queen his Mother, in Arms, ready to free 
 
 his Father, or hazard the Destruction of the whole 
 
 EngUJh Name. To all thefe Arguments the 
 
 Yorkljls objected one Rule of Law, which was, 
 
 "Jura Sanguinis nullo Jure civili dirimi pojjunt. 
 
 Hovyever, the Arguments, Pro and Con, being 
 thought ftrong on both Sides, a Medium was hit 
 upon, and thought proper by the Lords, in order 
 to avoid a Difpute lefs amicable. And, on All 
 Saints Day, November ill, an Award, or Agree- The Lords in 
 ment, was fettled between thefe two Princes Payment make 
 KSng Henry and Richard Duke of York, under a ^ e ^ d e King 
 thefe Articles (c) : and the Duke of 
 
 * I. That notwithstanding the clear and undif- York, 
 pu table Title of Richard Duke of York, to the 
 Crown of England, as Heir to Lionel Duke of 
 Clarence, the faid Duke tenderly defiring the 
 Wealth and Profperity of this Land, and to lay 
 afide all that may be a Trouble to the fame ; and 
 considering the long Pofleflion of the faid King 
 Henry, who hath all his Time been named, taken, 
 and reputed for Kins of England, and Lord of 
 Ireland, it isconfented, and agreed to, that the faid 
 King Henry, (hall be taken and reputed King of 
 England, and Lord of Ireland, during his natural 
 Life, and the faid Duke mall honour him as his 
 Sovereign Lord. 
 
 'II. That the faid Richard, Duke of York, with 
 his two Sons, Edward Earl of March, and Ed- 
 mund Earl of Rutland, fhall promife and bind 
 themfelves by folemn Oaths, neither to do, pro- 
 cure, or fuffer any Thing to the Prejudice of the 
 natural Life of King Henry VI. or to the dimi- 
 
 Vol. II. U nifhing 
 
 (f) Sam. Darid in Ktnnet, P, 444. HoHingJhead, P. 657. 
 Stave, 409.
 
 306 TheT&rliqmentary History 
 
 King Henry vi. n i(hing of bis Royal Dignity, but fhall withftand 
 to their utmolt Power any Perfon that fliall attempt 
 it, as God {hall help them. 
 
 ' III. That Richard, Duke of York fha!l from 
 thenceforth be called and reputed the very and 
 rightful- Heir to the Englifl) Crown, and after the 
 Deccafe of the faid King Henty, the faid Duke 
 and his Heirs fhall immediately iucceed to them. 
 
 4 IV. That the faid Richard Duke of York fliall 
 have, by the Authority of this prefent Parliament, 
 Caftles, Manors, Lands and Tenements, with 
 their Appurtenances, to the Yearly Value of 
 10,000 Marks, over and above all Charges and 
 Reprifes, of which 5000 Marks fhall be for his 
 own Eftate, 3000 for the Earl of March^ and 2000 
 for the Earl of Rutland, yet with fuch Intents and 
 Confiderations, as fhall be declared by the Lords 
 of the King's Council. 
 
 * V. That if any Perfon imagine, or compafs 
 the Death of the faid Duke, and thereof be con- 
 victed, they fhall be adjudged guilty of High 
 Treafon. 
 
 ' VI. That the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, 
 and Commons in Parliament aflembled, fhall take 
 an Oath, to accept, take, worfhip, and repute 
 the faid Richard Duke of York y and his Heirs, as 
 ^bovefaid, and the faid. Duke: fhall protect thein in 
 keeping this Agreement 
 
 4 VH. That this Accord and Agreement fhall 
 be notified and publifh'd by the King's Letters Pa- 
 tents, and his Confent and Agreement be openly 
 .declared to all and every one of them ; and if 
 the faid King Henry fliall break, or go againlt any 
 Point'of this Accord, then the faid Crown -and 
 Royal Dignity, fhall immediately devolve and 
 'come to the Dcke of York, if he be alive, or to 
 the next Heir of his Lineage. 
 
 * VHI.That all Statutes and Acts of Parliament, 
 made in the Tjme of Henry IV . or V. to entajl 
 the Crown on their Heirs, fhall be annuli'd and 
 repeal'd. 
 
 IX.
 
 Of E N G L A N D. 307 
 
 * IX. That the Duke of r*r/J fhall be Protector King Henry VI. 
 of the Realm for the future, and be called Prince 
 of Wales, Duke of Cornwal, and Earl of Cktjler. 
 
 This Agreement drawn up in the Form above- 
 laid, was engroiled, fealed, and fworn unto by 
 both Parties on All- Saints Day ; and then it was 
 enacted by the Parliament, that it be made unal- 
 terable on all Hands. King Henry was obferved 
 to be very much pleafed with this Agreement : 
 Not, doubtlefs, becaufe he was willing his Son 
 mould be excluded from the Crown ; but becaufe he 
 feared more fevere Dealings with himfelf, and 
 hoped Time would better provide for his Son ; 
 and therefore appointed a folemn Proceflion the 
 fame Day, to give Thanks to God for this 
 peaceable Settlement of Affairs. The King rode 
 to the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, attended 
 with the Duke of York, Earls of Salisbury and 
 Warwick, and many other Lords, with his Crown 
 upon his Head, and heard Even-Song, and then 
 return'd to the Bifhop's Palace,where he continued 
 fome Time. 
 
 The next Day Richard Duke of York was by 
 Sound of Trumpet folemnly proclaimed, * Heir- 
 ' Apparent to the Crown of England, and all his 
 ' Progeny after him, alfo Lord Protector of the 
 ' Nation, during the King's Life (d). 
 
 We cannot avoid giving here a Reflection from 
 a much later Hiftorian, on this Criterion of Eng- * e < marks there " 
 li[h Hiftory, as remarkable as any is to be found 
 in that celebrated Writer. After a very fhort 
 Abftract of the Articles, he adds, that (e) very 
 likely, this Agreement did not come up to the 
 Duke of York's Expectation. He was contented, 
 however, becaufe he perceived it would be very 
 difficult to obtain more, without open Force. 
 It cannot be denied, that he behaved with a Mo- 
 deration very uncommon in fuch Cafes. In his 
 prefent Circumttances, and according to the Rule 
 generally followed by Parliaments, to declare for 
 U 2 the 
 
 (d) F abus'i Chron. Anno 1461. 
 
 (t) Rapin'j Hift. of England, Fol, Ed, P, 385.
 
 308 The^Piirliamcntary History 
 
 King Henry vi. the ftrongeft, nothing was more eafy for the Duk e 
 than to caufe the Crown to be adjudged to him 
 immediately. He had at his Command a victo- 
 rious, and at that time f irrefiftible Army. Be- 
 iides, moft of the Members of Parliament were 
 in his Intereft, and probably, after acknowledging 
 his Title to be indifputable, they would not have 
 wanted much Sollicitation to proceed one Step 
 farther,, and place him on the Throne. It is 
 therefore manifeft, if the Parliament (hewed any 
 regard for Henry, it was, becaufe they thought 
 themfelves at Liberty to ufe this Equity, notwith- 
 ftanding the victorious Army which might have 
 offered them Violence, if the Duke would have 
 made ufe of his Advantages. It muft be farther 
 pbferved, that the Duke of York was older than 
 the King, and therefore naturally could not ex- 
 pect to out-live him. And yet, thofe who have 
 . , writ the Hiftory of thefe Troubles, have put an 
 
 ill Construction upon all they have faid concern- 
 ing this Prince. The Reafon may be eafily guef- 
 fed. The Houfe of York enjoying the Throne 
 but twenty-four Years, we have no Hiftorian in 
 that Interval ; all we have being later, and writ- 
 ing fince the Reftoration of the Houfe of Lan- 
 eqfier in the Perfon of Henry VII. This muft be 
 always remembred in reading the Hiftory of thefe 
 Civil" Wars. 
 
 But, to put the laft Hand to this Affair, the 
 
 Duke of York was very defirous that the Queen 
 
 and her Son fhould, alfo, be piefent to ratify the 
 
 Treaty. The King wrote to them both to come 
 
 "up, but he foon found the Spirit of that fierce 
 
 Princefs other ways difpofed than his own. In 
 
 more, fhe abfolutely refufed to obey ; and having 
 
 an Army with her of 18,000 Men, with the 
 
 Dukes of Somerfet and Exeter, the Earls of IVilt- 
 
 jhire and Devonfoire, the Lord Clifford, and a 
 
 considerable Party of the Northern Nobility, fhe 
 
 hoped to manage better for their common Intereft 
 
 than her Hufband had dene. 
 
 The
 
 Of -ENGIA.N D. 309 
 
 The Duke of York being appri-fed of the Queen's Kin 8 Henry vt 
 Refolution, and the Preparations fhe had made 
 to preferve the Crown to her Son, marched ^J^f™ 7 
 down his Forces into the North ; and, leaving Queen/ 
 King Henry to the Care of the Ear! of Warwick 
 and the Duke of Not/elk, advanced with the Earl 
 of Salisbury as far ?.S Wakefield, He' had given 
 Orders to his Son, the Earl of March, to follow 
 and join him with what Forces he could raife ; 
 and, till their Arrival fecured himfelf: and his 
 fmall Army in the Caftle of Sandal, near the 
 Town aforefaid. The Queen well knew that 
 fhe had no Time to lofe, and therefore came her- 
 felf in Perfon, at the Head of her Army, to at- 
 tack the Duke before his Son could come to his 
 Affiftance. The Duke was fcarce 5000 ftrong, 
 but his great Courage was the Occaiion of his 
 Ruin, for fcorning to be cooped up in a Caftle 
 by a Woman, contrary to the Advice of the Earl 
 of Salijbury and other old Officers, he ventured to 
 give her Battle ; where, being overpower'd by 
 Numbers, he bravely fell, and his fmall Army . 
 were cut in Pieces. With him was ilain alio the The Duke of 
 Earl of Salijbury, with many more of Note ; but *J* a |j^" B]rJ 
 none is fo remarkable as the Death of the young 
 Earl of Rutland, fcarce twelve Years old, who 
 was butchered by the Lord Clifford after the Bat- 
 tle was over, becaule he had the Misfortune to be 
 Son to the Duke of York. 
 
 The Heroine Margaret was much elated at this 
 Victory, and the Death of her greateft Enemy : 
 She firft ordered his Head to be (truck off, crown- 
 ed with Paper in Derifion, and, with the Heads 
 of the Earl of Salijbury, and others, fet on one 
 of the Gates of York ; then marched Southward 
 with her victorious Army to deliver her Hufband ; 
 and, in a new Parliament-, to get the late Accom- 
 modation with the Houfe of York annulled, and 
 fet afide. For fome Time longer Fortune was 
 her Friend ; fhe defeated the Earl of Warwick 
 hear St. Albans, retook the King, and marched 
 U 3 for
 
 3io TheTarliattfefttdfyyii^To&Y 
 
 King Henry VI. f or London with her Forces, in order to compleat 
 her Defign. But hearing that the young Earl 
 of March, now Duke of York, .had -beaten the Earl 
 ■ of Pembroke in Wala, and was'; marching towards 
 her, joined with the Earl of Warwick and his 
 fcatter'd Troops^ fhe changed her Rout and went 
 Northward, not having any Confidence in Cafe of 
 a Battle, in the Londoners, or her Southern Sub- 
 jects. Edward, being informed of this, marched 
 directly for the Capital, where he was joyfully 
 received ; and having afiembled all the Bifhops 
 and Lords that were in Town, along with the 
 principal Citizens, like Alexander, he cur the Knot 
 at one Stroke, which his Father had fo lohg been 
 endeavouring to unloofe. In fhort, in that Af- 
 fembly, he claimed the Crown, firft by an un- 
 doubted hereditary Right ; and next by an In- 
 fradtion of the feventh Article in the Accord, 
 made between Henry and his Father, in the Iail 
 Parliament, which the faid Henry had broke. 
 But his Son Ed- The Affair was pufhed fo warmly, that he was, 
 ward proves vie- upon the Spot, declared King, by the Name of 
 'SSSkL- EdlvardxnQ Fourth, March the 4th, 1461 ; be- 
 proc wg. .^ ^ en ^^ twenty Years of Age. The next 
 
 Day he made a folemn Proceffion thro' the City, 
 firft to St. PauFs, and next to Wejlminjler- Abbey ; 
 and was proclaimed King by the Title ajorefaid, 
 with the ufual Ceremonies. 
 
 EDWARD
 
 Of ENGL AND. 311 
 
 , 
 
 TO D WARD having thus obtained the Title of King Edward rv. 
 ■*-' King, Vi b 5 Armu, as it were, had yet much 
 to do to get Poffeflion of the Crown ; for the heroic 
 Margaret was fbil at the Plead of an Army, 
 com-pofed of all the Forces belonging to the Rcd- 
 Rofe Party; fighting for a King who had been 
 long recognifed as fuch, and which had been twice 
 victorious in, what was then called, the Royal 
 Caufe. Edward, . therefore, had no time to loie; 
 he knew very well that he had no other way to 
 fecure London, but to leave it immediately, and 
 march towards Tcrk. The Queen was then in 
 that City ; and hearing of bis Approach, fire fent 
 out her Army, commanded by the Duke of So- 
 tnerfet, the Eail of Northumberland, and the 
 Lord Clifford to meet him. Some Advantage 
 was gained by thefe Generals, at firft, by the 
 Surprife of the important Poft of Ferrybridge j 
 but the Torkijh having quickly regained it, they 
 marched over the River Aire, and met the Bulk 
 of the Queen's Army, drawn up in order of Bat- The fatal Battle 
 tie, in the Fields near a Village called T(/wti)fii of Towton. 
 about two Miles South-weft of Tadcaficr. 
 
 It is not to our Purpofe, to enter into the Par- 
 ticulars of this bloody Engagement ; the grcateft 
 and moft obftinate that, to this Day, was evvr 
 fought in this Ifland ; it is fufneient to fay that Ed- 
 ward was victorious, after the Lofs of above thirty- 
 fix thoufand Wrtgtrjh Men, who then fell by each 
 other's Swords. King Henry, his Queen and Son, 
 fled into Scotland', and Edward marched into Tcrk, ' 
 where he icon took down the Heads of his Fa- 
 ther, the Earl of Saiifoury, and others, which had 
 been put over one of the City-Gates ; and placed 
 in their Room the Heads of fome of the molt 
 mortal Enemies of his Houfe, who were taken 
 or {lain in the Battle. 
 
 Edward ftaid fomeTime at York to fix theNor- 
 
 thern Provinces more fully in his lntereft ; and 
 
 leaving every Thing quiet in thofe Countries, he 
 
 U 4 returned
 
 A Parliament 
 call'd. 
 
 31a The Parliamentary History 
 
 King Edward rv. returned to London, and was folemnly crowned 
 foon after at Wejlminfter, with the ufual Ceremo- 
 nies. Then to fettle all other Matters of State, 
 on the moft lading Foundation, he fummoned 
 a Parliament by Writs, dated at Weflminfler, 
 May 23, to meet at the fame Place the 6th Day 
 of July following. But, becaufe the King of 
 Scots was entered into England with an Army, in 
 favour of King Henry, Edward and his Council 
 thought proper to poftpone the Meeting of the 
 Parliament ; and, by other Writs dated July 26, 
 the fame Peers were fummoned to appear at Wefl- 
 minjler on the 4th Day of November following (/). 
 The former Writ of Summons directed to Tho- 
 mas (g), Archbifhop of Canterbury, is in the ufual 
 Stile, with the reft of the Bifhops, Abbots, and 
 Priors, as well as the Temporal Lords ; but the 
 Names of the latter, in this firft Parliament after 
 fo great a Revolution, may not be unacceptable 
 to a curious Enquirer. 
 
 Tee King to bis dearly beloved Coufin, 
 John Duke of Norfolk, John Lord Audley, 
 Richard Earl of War- Thomas Lord Scroope 
 
 tuick, Ma foam, 
 
 'John Earl of Oxford, John Lord Clinton, 
 William Earl of Arundel, John Lord Lovel, 
 Ralph Earl of Wejlmore- Edward Nevil Lord 
 
 land, Bergavenny , 
 
 Henry Vilcount Bour- Edward Brook Lord Cob- 
 
 chier, ham, 
 
 Edward Lord Grey of Reginald Lord Gray of 
 
 Ruthin, Wilton, 
 
 James Lord Berkeley, John Lord 
 George Lord Latimer, 
 Ralph Lord Grayjiock, 
 William Lord Bottreaux, 
 John Lord Beauchamp, 
 
 The Names of 
 the Peers. 
 
 Of 
 
 Of 
 
 Stourtcn 
 Stourton, 
 William Bourchier 
 Fitz-Waryn, 
 
 Henry 
 
 Lord 
 
 (f) Dugd »ie' 's Summons to Parliament, Anno I, EdwardlV. 
 W. Prynne, the Publisher of Cotton's Abridgement, has made fed 
 Miftakes in the Dates of thefe two Writs. 
 
 (g) Bourcbier, Le Nevb'j Fafii Ecc. Ang.
 
 5*3 
 
 Lord KingEdwai 
 
 . 
 
 Of ENGLAND. 
 
 Henry Bromfiete Lord William NevUe 
 
 Veflty, Fauconberge , 
 
 Ralph Lord Boteler of John Bourchier Lord 
 
 S'tdlcy, Earners, 
 
 Thomas Lord Gray of Richard Welles Lord 
 
 Richmond, Willoughby, 
 
 John Lord $««<?« of Sir /ft«ry Fitz-Hugh, 
 
 Dudley, Sir //i?»ry Gr*y, 
 
 William Fynes Lord Sir Richard Wejl, 
 
 Say, Sir Thomas Stanley, 
 
 Richard Fynes Lord Sir 7^' z Nevile Lord 
 
 Dacre, Montacute. 
 
 Befides thefe Lords, &e. other Writs were di- 
 rected to fummon the twelve Judges there named, 
 and, in the Writs for altering the Time from July 
 to November, fevcn are called, to fit in the Houfe 
 of Peers (h). 
 
 The Parliament met, at the Time and Place . 
 
 lad appointed, when, in the Prefence of the ""^i^ 1 *' 
 King fitting on the Throne, and of the Lords At Weftminftcr. 
 and Commons, George (i), Bifhop of Exeter, de- 
 clared the Caufe of the Summons in a notable O- 
 ration, taking for his Theme, Bonas facite Vias 
 iff Studia Veftra. Jer. 7. After which he or- 
 dered the Commons to chufe, and the next Day 
 to prefent their Speaker. 
 
 The Receivers and Tryers of Petitions fcr 
 England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland, with Gaf- 
 coigny and the Ifles, being, according to ancient 
 Cuftom appointed ; on the third Day of their Sit- 
 ting the Commons prefented to the King Sir 
 James Strangewaies Knt. to be their Speaker ; 
 whofe Excuie being rejeded, he, with the com- 
 mon Proteftation, was allowed. At the fame s . _ 
 time, the faid Sir James Strangewaies made a waieT^hofen" 2 '" 
 
 Speech Speaker. 
 
 (j&) Ac cum Prtelathy Magnatibut 6f Proccribus dibli Rcgni 
 Colloquium habere £f Traclatum. 
 
 Summonitiones ad Parliamenta, I Ed-ward TV. 
 (i) George Nevile, Brother to the famous Earl of Warwick, 
 afterwards Archbifhop of Yorh, 
 
 Le Neve'j Fajli, Sec. 

 
 314 Tlse Tarliamentary History 
 
 K^jEdwvdlv. Speech to the Throne ; in which he took occafion 
 to commend the King for his extraordinary Cou- 
 rage and Conduct a gain ft his Enemies ; and re- 
 turned Thanks to God for the great Victories 
 given to him. 
 
 The next Thing we find" that was done in this 
 Parliament, was to read a long Declaration of the 
 King's Title to the Crown ; containing, in effect, 
 what hisTather had delivered to Parliament the 
 39th of the laft Reign. To which was added, 
 a Recapitulation of the tyrannous Reign of 
 Henry the Fourth, with his heinous murdering of 
 King Richard the Second (k). 
 
 After this an Act- was palled, by the general 
 Henry iv? i- Confent of both Hoy fes.of Parliament, that King 
 dared to have Edward the Fourth was and is undoubted King 
 beenanUfurpa- of England, from the 4th Day of March then laft 
 Family^ifmhe- P a ^> when all the Eftates yielded themfelves o- 
 ritcd. beyfant Subjects to the faid Edivard IV. and his 
 
 Heirs for ever ; affirming the Reign of Henry JV. 
 to have been an Intrufion and Ufurpation. It was 
 alfo enacted, that King Edward IV. was feized 
 of the Crown and Profits of the Realm of Eng- 
 land, from the faid 4th Day of Anarch, in luch 
 Sort as King H chard II. enjoyed the fame, in the 
 23d Year of his Reign. In which Act is one 
 Provifion, and one general Provifion for all Men's 
 Rights, except thole who claim by Grants from 
 Henry IV. Henry V. and Henry Nl(l). The 
 
 faid 
 
 (k) M. Rafin obferves on thefe Proceeding;, ' That feveral fore- 
 * going Inftances demonstrate, that the Parliaments of England 
 1 never attempted to f\\ erve from that vholefome Principle of de- 
 ' claring for the ftrongeft j and adds, that what we /hall fee in 
 ' the Sequel of this very Reign will frill farther confirm it.' 
 .,35, • R a pin's I'.iJ}. of England, Fol. Ed. P. 597. 
 
 (I) The Act of Parliament, which is very long, bears this Title 
 amongft the Statutes at Large, viz. 
 
 Which AEls, done by King Henry IV. V. and VI. or by ethers 
 during their Reigns, jhall continue good, and lubich not, Cap. 1. 
 The Preamble runs thus : 
 
 ' For the Efchewing of Ambiguities, Doubts, and Diversities of 
 ' Opinions, which may rife, eniue, and be taken of and upon 
 ' Judicial Afts, and upon Exemplifications of the fame, made or 
 
 'had
 
 Of E N G L A N D. 315 
 
 faid Henry of Derby* other wife called Henry IV. King Edward IV. 
 and the Heirs of his Body coming, are by this Act 
 utterly difabled to enjoy any Inheritance, Eftato, 
 or Profits, within this Realm or Dominions of 
 the fame for ever. And thus, fays an Hiitorian, 
 it is remarkable that the Law, in this and in the 
 Attainder that followed, reached Henry, even, 
 under the Shelter of a King de Faelo (m). 
 
 Then a whole Recital of the Concord, or A- 
 greement, made between Henry VI. and Richard 
 Duke of Tori, Anno 39, Henry VI. was read, and 
 the Breach of it by iundry Means was declared. 
 By which Breach it was, alfo, declared, that King 
 Edward IV. was difcharged from the faid Con- 
 cord, and that no Article of it mould bind him, 
 as King, to that Agreement. 
 
 Mr. Habington in his Life of King Edward the 
 Fourth, fays, that at his Coronation, being feated 
 in the moil perfpicuous Place of the Great Hall at 
 IVeJlminjler, he himfeif made an open Declara- 
 tion of his double Title to the Crown. * Firft, 
 
 * by Defcent, as before mentioned ; and next, by 
 ' Authority of Parliament ; which, upon Exami- 
 ' nation of the late Duke of York's Title, confer- 
 
 * red the PoiTeflion of the Kingdom immediately 
 
 * on him or his Heirs, when Henry VI. mould 
 c make Forfeiture of it, by Death, Refignation 
 ' or Breach of that Accord fworn there fo folemn- 
 
 * ly between them. And that this Accord was 
 ' broken, the Slaughter of the faid Duke, opprefs'd 
 
 * with unequal Numbers of Henry's Party, at 
 
 * the Battle of Wakefield, did but too fadly mani- 
 
 * fell. Never thelefs, he protefled he would forego 
 
 ' the 
 
 ' had in the Time or Times of Henry the Fourth, Henry the Fifth 
 
 * his Son, and Henry the Sixth his Son, or any of th-m, late 
 ' Kings cf England fucceflivcly, in Deed and not of Rifchc, 
 
 * £fc* 
 
 There is only another Aft in the Statute Books made this Par- 
 liament, which was, that Juftices of Peace may award Procek ujion 
 Indictments taken in a Sheriff 's Tourns. Anno i. Edward IV. 
 Cap. z. 
 
 (*) Collier' s EccleJIaJi. Hifi. Book VII. P. 679.
 
 Attainders with 
 out Number. 
 
 3 1(5 The Parliamentary History 
 
 king Edward tv. ' the Juftice of his Claim, rather than enter up- 
 4 on it without their free Vote. At which, una- 
 ' nimoufly, the Aflembly cried out, King Edward, 
 ' King Edward ; joyful that their Voices m'ght 
 4 confirm him King, who had deigned them fo 
 *" humble a Compliment, as to profefs that he 
 1 would not receive the Title without their Suf- 
 ' frage.' In another Place, the fame Author 
 makes this Remark, that ' Perhaps this Ceremo- 
 
 * ny did then appear needful, in regard the fame 
 
 * Voices had vowed Obedience to another. O- 
 ' therwife, whofoever mall alledge that the Suf- 
 *" frage of the Multitude is neceffary to confirm a 
 
 * Prince, deftroys the Right of Succeffion, and in 
 ' that the Monarchy, which fo long and trium- 
 
 * phantly hath ruled' this Nation.' But, to return 
 to the further Proceedings of this Parliament. 
 
 Next follows a long Bill of Attainder of divers 
 Perfons for the Death of Richard Duke of lark, 
 and others ; particularly, Henry VI. Margaret 
 late Queen of England, Echvard called Prince of 
 Wales, Henry late Duke of Somerjet, and Henry 
 Earl of Northumberland. Reciting, that William. 
 Lord Bonevile, Sir Thomas Kurid, Knights of the 
 Garter, and Sir WilVam Gower, Knt. Standard- 
 Bearer to Richard Duke oiYori, were againft 
 Law beheaded and murdered. 
 
 Another Bill of Attainder was pafled againft 
 Thomas Courtney late Earl of DevcnJJjire, Thomas 
 Lord Rods, John lace Lord Nevile, Baldwyn Fuljl- 
 hurjl, Alexander Hedie, Nicholas Latimer, James 
 Lutterel, Edmond Mount fort, Thomas Fundem, 
 Henry Leiv's, John Heron of Ford, Richard 
 Tunjlal, Henry Bellingham, Robert Whittingham, 
 Knights i Andrew Trollop, late of Guinejcoe Efq; 
 with feveral other Efquires, Gentlemen, and Yeo- 
 men, for being at the Death of the Duke of Tork y 
 at Wakefield, the 30th Day of December laft paft. 
 And, 
 
 Henry, Duke of Exeter, William, Vifcount 
 Bsaumont, John Gray, late Lord Rougemont, 
 
 Randilf
 
 Of ENGLAND, 317 
 
 Randolf, late Lord Dacre ; Humphrey Z)<j/n?//, King Edward rv. ' 
 
 P/>///p Wentworth, William Raivkejley, Edmund 
 
 Hampden, Thomas Findrey, John Courtney, John 
 
 Osmond, alias Botler, William Midey, Simon 
 
 Haynes, William Holland, called the Ballard of 
 
 Exeter, Thomas Ormond, alias Botler, Thomas 
 
 Everingham, Henry Roos of Rockingham, with 
 
 feveral other Efquires, Gentlemen, Yeomen and 
 
 Priefts, were attainted for being againft King Ed' 
 
 ward IV March 29. laft, being Palm Sunday, 
 
 in the Fields called Saxton Fields,, and Towton 
 
 Fields, in the County of TcrL 
 
 King Henry VI. Queen Margaret, Prince 
 Edward and fome others, there named, are at- 
 tainted, for delivering up the Town of Berwick, 
 to James, King of S^ts, on the Feaft of St 
 John the Evangelijl laft paft. Likewife, for 
 praftifing to deliver up the Caftle and City of 
 Carlijle to the Scots. And the laft named Perfons, 
 with Jafper, Earl of Pembroke, James, Earl of 
 Wilts, Robert, Lord Htngerford, with certain 
 Priefts and Friars, were alfo attainted, for pro- 
 curing Foreign Princes to invade the King and 
 Realm. 
 
 Henry VI. with certain Perfons afore-named, 
 John Forte/cue, William Talbois, and other Ef- 
 quires, Gentlemen, Priefts and Friars, were at- 
 tainted, for being in the Field againft King Ed- 
 ward IV. in the Bifhoprick of Durham, the 18th 
 Day of June laft paft. And the Duke of Exeter 
 aforefaid, Jafper, Earl of Pembroke, and others, 
 were attainted for railing War againft the King 
 at Tubal, beiides Caernarvon in Wales, on Friday 
 next after the Feaft of St Edward laft paft. 
 
 The Attainder and Forfeiture of all and lingular 
 the Hereditaments of the aforefaid Henry VI. and 
 namely of all the Land belonging to the Duchy 
 of Lancafter ; that the faid King Edzvard IV. 
 fhall hold the faid Duchy and County Palatine of 
 Lancajler, to him and to his Heirs Kings of Eng- 
 land, with all Offices and Liberties to the fame 
 
 belonging
 
 3 J 8 The Parliamentary History 
 
 KiDgEJw.-nd iv. belonging, feperate from the Crown; and that 
 the Tenants of the faid Duchy do enjoy all their 
 Liberties, in fuch wife as when Henry VI. held 
 the lame on the third Day of March laft. 
 
 And Reftitutions. After paffing all thefe Bills of Attainder and 
 Forfeitures, the Patliament went upon A els of 
 Reftitution ; and the whole Procefs and Judg- 
 ment, as well by Parliament as otherwife, againft 
 Richard^ Earl of Cambridge, and feveral others, 
 was utterly made void and repealed. The 
 like Judgment in Parliament againft John Mon- 
 tague, late Earl of Salisbury, and Thomas, 
 Lord Defpencer, was made void ; and Richard, 
 Earl of IVarwick, and Ann, his Wife, the 
 Daughter of Ifabel, Daughter and Heir to the faid 
 Thomas, in Right of the faid Ann^ was reftored 
 to all the Hereditaments of the^faid Thomas. Alfo, 
 Alice, Countefs of Salisbury, Daughter to Tho- 
 mas Montague, late Earl of Salisbury, Son of the 
 faid John, was reftored to all the Hereditaments of 
 the faid John. Laftly, Thomas Lumley, Knight, 
 Son to Ralph Lumley, Knight, was alfo reftored to 
 all the Hereditaments of the faid Ralph, and the 
 Judgment againft him, made void. 
 
 Thefe were all, or moil, of the A£ts and Ordi- 
 nances which palled this Parliament. At the 
 Clofeof the Seilion the King came to the Houfe, 
 and lending for the Commons, after they had 
 given their Aflent to the Attainder .Bills and the 
 reft, addielied himieif to them as follows'. ■ 
 
 3te8ff £?trantoap3, ano pe tljat be commpn 
 ftr-tfje Common of tljis mp ?LenD, 
 
 Edward's Speech Y?£D2!l ff?C frltf §tTt?8 atlD tCHECf GtcJtfftjeW- 
 
 to his firii Far- Jp tims tljat vz rja'oe rjao to mp SK&fytanD 
 
 liament. m>&, tljat p ftttO 1ttp ZWKtQjXjS fjafo? l)SD UtlfO 
 
 tlye Corcnne cf tlyis 3Seame, tlje tofjictfj from 
 vs |ate been long Sime rjottfjolDe* 3iuD notee 
 rljanfcro be aimpgljtp <&oti, of toljejs* <3me 
 Src&tfh all eiitforp, bp prure true i&ms 
 ana Elite Mifrntf, p am refeeo unto tyajt 
 
 ttjat
 
 Of E N G L A N D. *tj 
 
 tljat i# mp Bight anD STitie, taherefcre p tljanke King Edward rv. 
 
 pou a£ Ijtrtelp as p can. 3llfo for ti)e tenDer 
 
 anD true ifievtes that pe Ijatoe fljetocD unto me, 
 
 in that ye fjabe tenDerlp Ijat) in :Kemera- 
 
 braunce, tlje Correction of the horrible furore 
 
 ano cruel Betlj of mp iioro my tfaoer, mp 
 
 brother KutlanD, anD my Cofpn of ^aipsburp 
 
 anD oiljer, p tljanke pou right hertelp, anD p 
 
 fljalt be unto pou toiri) the^race of lllm:ghtp 
 
 C5oo, a0 gooD ano grat;ou£ ssjcfcereign iioro a* 
 
 euer teas enp ofmp noble ^drogenitours to 
 
 their &ubgette# ano i iegemen. SnD for rlje 
 
 fcitljfull anD lobpng igertesf, anD alfo tije grete 
 
 ^labours that pe ha *e bnrn ano fufiepneD totoaroa 
 
 me, m tije recouering of mp faiD Bight anD 
 
 Eitle tohich p n :to poiTeDe, p tljanke pou toitl) 
 
 all mp *|erte, anD pf v fjaa enp better (25 OD to 
 
 retoaro p u toitfj ail thm mp Boop pe ujulD 
 
 fjafce it, tije toh'fj ^all altoep be reDp for pour 
 
 ©efente, neber fpar.ng nor letting for noo j^po* 
 
 parD;c. £ raping pou all of poure hertp 3im£* 
 
 tens anD geoD Contt nuance, a# p ft:all be unto 
 
 pou poure fcerap rigljtfcmffe anD lobpng liege 
 
 &orD. 
 
 This honeft and well meaning Speech, we 
 have chole to give in the Language and true 
 Orthography of the Times. And, left it mould 
 be faulty in the Abridgment, we have procur'd 
 a faithful Copy from the Roll itfelf ; which, by 
 comparing, will be found to differ fomewbat s 
 both in Senfe and Spelling (»). 
 
 After the King had ended his Speech, the 
 Record tells us, that the Lord Chancellor flood 
 up, and declar'd, that fince the whole Bufinefs 
 of this Parliament was npt yet concluded, and the 
 approaching Feftival of Chrijlmas would obftrucl 
 it ; He, therefore, by the King's Command, 
 prorogu'd the Parliament to the 6th of May next 
 enfuirig. At the fameTime he told them, the;King 
 had put out a Proclamation againft giving of 
 
 Liveries 
 
 ( » ) For this and many other Favours, we are oblig'd to that 
 curious and learned Antiquary, George Holmes, Eiqj Deputy-Keeper 
 «f the '.Re.cqrdi, and F.R.S,
 
 320 The 'Parliamentary History 
 
 King Edward iv. Liveries and Badges, contrary to Law, alfo 
 againft Maintenances, Robberies and Murders ; 
 all, and every of which, the Bifhops, Lords and 
 Commons, there prefent, promis'd to obey, and 
 to fee obferv'd throughout the Kingdom. 
 
 Thefe were the Tranfaclions of this firft Par- 
 liament called by this King, as they ftand on Re- 
 cord ; and of which few or none of our Hiftorians 
 have taken any Notice. The Hijlory o/Croyland, 
 indeed, near cotemporary with thefe Times, 
 obferves, c That Edward having gain'd the laft 
 ' Victory near Tadcajler y kept his Eajler at York 
 
 * with great Splendour ; and having fettled all 
 ' Things to his Mind* for the Prefervation of the 
 ' North, he return'd to London, where he was 
 
 * foon after crown'd at Wejlm'uifter : That in a 
 
 * Parliament, caU'd immediately after, almoft 
 
 * every Act of State, that had been done by the 
 ' three preceeding Kings, was refum'd or annuli'd : 
 ' That all the Coin of the Kingdom, both in 
 ' Gold and Silver was chang'd and new ftruck, 
 
 * th:it, at length, the very Name of Henry 
 1 might be blotted out : That by the Ail a- 
 
 * forefaid, two Charters of PofiefTions and Li- 
 ' berties granted to their Abby by King Henry 
 ' the Fifth and Sixth, were rendered abfolutely 
 e invalid : And, that in thofe Days, the King- 
 
 * dom was redue'd to Obedience^ for which 
 ' Mercy, granted from Heaven againft its Ene- 
 ' mies, Thankfgiving to Almighty God was 
 ' tendered by every one(o).' 
 
 He distributes the At the Clofe of this Parliament, Hiftorians tell 
 J^£j; us, that Edward beftow'd great Largefles to his 
 Frkads. Friends, cut of the Eftates forfeited by his Ene- 
 
 mies (/>). Nor were Honours and Titles wanting 
 
 to 
 
 (o) Pacatum eft igitur Regnum Dicbus iftis, et pro concejfa 
 ceclitiis de Tnimicis Triumpho, univerji Populi Gratiarum jiBiones 
 reddidcruvt omnipotent i Deo. Hist. Crovland Continuatio. 
 Ed. Gale. P. 533. 
 
 (j>) jut, ut eft in veteri Verba, laborantem AgricoUiq opor- 
 
 tct primum de FruBibus pcreipcrc, primum omnium de Ser.terttia et 
 AuBoritnte Concilii , fuis Militibus bene mentis Agros il'oritm, qui 
 Kenrici Partes j-j'ebantur, diftribait, See, Pot, VrRC. liift, 
 Ang. P. 513.
 
 Of ENGLAND. 321 
 
 to particular Perfons, whom either Proximity of„. w _, , v 
 Blood, or Merit, had render'd dear to him. His ing 
 two remaining Brothers, George and Richard, be 
 created Dukes ; the former of Clarence, the other 
 of Glocejler. John Lord Nevile, Brother to the 
 Earl of Warwick, he made Vifcount Montacvte, 
 afterward Marquefs of Montacute. Henry Bour- 
 chier, Brother to the Archbifhop of Canterbury, 
 was created Earl of EJfex ; and William Lord 
 Fauconberg Earl of Kent : He rais'd feveral others 
 to the Title of Barons, and honoured many with 
 Knighthood. Punimments fucceeded to Re- 
 wards ; for John Earl of Oxford, Aubrey de Vere t * 
 his Son, Sir John Tiddenham, Knight, William 
 Tirel and Walter Montgomery, Efquires, were, 
 without any Trial, attainted and convicted of 
 Treafon, and beheaded on Tower- Hill (a). 
 
 Though the great Earl of Warwick, is not men- 
 tioned here as receiving any higher Titles and 
 Rewards; yet, a Cotemporary Hiftorian (;•), af- 
 fures us, that he was not without an ample Share 
 of the latter. He had feveral Manors and Lord- 
 fhips beftowed upon him by the King; fome out 
 of Crown Lands, and others that were confifcat- 
 ed. He was conftituted Governor of Calais, and 
 had other great Offices ; fo, that our Author has 
 himfelf heard, that he received annually in Pen- 
 iions, and thefe kind of Profits, Eighty Thoufand 
 Pounds, befides his own Inheritance. All thefe 
 enabled him to fpend the moll in Hofpitality, that 
 ever any Subjeft did before him ; of which 
 our older Chronicles give fome ftrongand familiar 
 Inftances. But, an unwarrantable Defection, after- 
 wards, from the Family who hall beftowed 
 thefe Gratuities upon him, loft this great Mas 
 his whole Income, and his Life into the Bargain. 
 Some new Commotions happening about this 
 Time, prevented King Edward from meeting this 
 laft Parliament, at the Time of the Prorogation. 
 Therefore, it is entered on the Roll, that on the 
 Vol. II. X fixth 
 
 (q) Hall's Chron. Anno 1461. Habington in Kennett. P-433- 
 \r) Lts Mtmtira de fh.il. ds. Commincs, Livrc, III. Cbaj>. Vh
 
 3aa Tloe Tarliamentary History 
 
 King Edward rv. f ixt h j) a y f ^/^ j n t h e f eC ond Year of this 
 Reign, becaufe the King could not attend to be 
 there, Thomas, Archbifhop of Canterbury, by 
 the King's Letters Patents, diflblved the faid Par- 
 liament. Dugdale has* given us a Summons, to 
 a Parliament at York, to be held the 5th Day of 
 February , Anno ?.. Edward IV. and another the 
 fame Year to Wejiminijler the 29th of April, but 
 no Notice is taken in that Author, of any other 
 Parliament, till the 6th of this King. 
 
 Ann0 J^ egni 3* However, the Abridgment gives us the Proceed- 
 
 At wttftoinfter. ' n £ s °f a Parliament fummoned by Writs, dated 
 February 28th, to meet alWeJl minder the 29th of 
 •April, Anno 1. Edward, IV. When and where 
 being all met, as ufual, George Bifhop of Exeter, 
 then Lord Chancellor, declared the Caufe of the 
 Summons in a fet Speech ; after which he di- 
 re&ed the Commons to choofe a Speaker ; and 
 on the third Day of the Seffion they presented 
 
 John Say, Eq; John Say E(q\ who was accepted. 
 
 chofen Speaker. The only material Tranfaclion of this frrfl Sef- 
 fxon of Parliament was, to grant the King an Aid 
 
 a Subfidy. of 37,000 /. to be levied in the Counties, Cities 
 and Towns, according to a Rate there expreffed. 
 And, on the 27th Day of June, in the Prefence 
 of the King, Lords and Commons, the Chan- 
 cellor, by his Majefty's Command, gave Thanks 
 to the Commons for the Subfidy granted, and 
 prorogued the Parliament from the fame Day un- 
 -to the fourth of November next, at Wejlminjier. 
 
 On the faid 4th Day of November, Thomas 
 Archbifliop of Canterbury, the King's Kinfman, 
 by his Letters Patents, held and continued the 
 parliament ; and the fame Day the Chancellor 
 told them that the King, out cfhis meer Grace, 
 releafed unto the Commons 6oco/. Parcel of the 
 Grant aforefaid ; vv hereupon it was enacted that 
 31,000 /, mall be levied in Manner of a Ftfteenth % 
 jjnd be called by that Name. And then the 
 Chancellor, in the King's Name, and as his 
 Lieutenant* adjaum'd Ihe- faid Parliament, from 
 
 lhac
 
 Of ENGLAND. 313 
 
 that Day to the 20th of February enfuing, atKingEdwardtv. 
 York. 
 
 At which Time and Place being again aiTem- 
 bled, William (/) Bifhop of Lincoln, by Com- 
 mand of William {t) Archbifhop of York, the 
 King's Commiflioner, by Letters Patents, held 
 the faid Parliament, and adjourned it over from the 
 laid Day, to the firft Day of May next enfuing, 
 at York as aforefaid. The Realbn for this laif. Ad- 
 journment is faid, in the Abridgment , to be becaufe 
 that fome Confpiracies and Rebellions being raifed 
 againftthe King in Glocejlerjhire, he wasobl'ged 
 to go in Perfon to fupprefs them. 
 
 On the firft of May the Lords and Commons Anno Regnl 4. 
 were again aflembled, in the great Hall, within 1464- 
 the Palace of the Archbifhop at York. The AtYork - 
 King's Letters Patents were read, conftituting 
 and appointing Richard Earl of Warivick and the 
 Earl of Salisbury, his Commiflioners to hold and » 
 
 continue the faid Parliament, from the faid firft Day 
 of May to the 25th Day of November following; 
 and upon reading thereof the Abbot of Fonntain's, 
 by Commiflion under the Privy Seal, adjourned 
 the fame accordingly. The Caufe of which laft 
 Adjournment, isafligned to be, that the King was 
 bufily employed, in the more Northern Parts, for the 
 fuppreffing of Rebels, and Defence of the King- 
 dom againft a foreign Invafion. 
 
 On the 25 th of November, at the fame Place as 
 before, the Parliament once more met, when the 
 fame Commiflioners were appointed, to hold and 
 prorogue the laid Parliament, from that Day to 
 the 26th of January next enfuing, at Wejiminfier , 
 and the Abbot of St. Mary's in York, by the King's 
 Appointment, prorogued the fame accordingly. 
 
 Thefe Interruptions and diftant Adjournments 
 X 2 were 
 
 (fj There was no William Bifhop of Lincoln, according to Le 
 Neve's Fafii at that Time. John Ckedwortb was then Biihop, 
 and died fo, Anno 147 1. 
 
 (t ) This was William Bootbe, who died the next Year, Anna 
 1464 and- was lucceeded by George Ncvile, Brothel? to the Earl of 
 Wat-wick, Le Neve's Fafii Eccle/iar Ar.g. 
 
 ■
 
 324 The Tarliamentciry History 
 
 King Idwwd IV. were occafioned by the Unileadinefs of the Times ; 
 Edward, tho* in Pofleflion of the Crown, yet it 
 was not fo firmly fixed on his Head, but his Enemy 
 . Margaret found means to fhake it. Some Aids 
 
 {he had from France, but they were difcomfited on 
 their Landing in the North, by the Baftard Ogle. 
 However, by giving up Berwick, and fome other 
 Fortrefles on the Borders, to the Scots, fhe got fome 
 Forces in that Country, and marching into Nor- 
 tbumberland with them, took the Caftle of Bam- 
 burg, and parTed forward to the Bifhoprick of 
 Durham -, her Army daily increafing. But they 
 Edward defeats were met with, and defeated at Hegeley-Moor, by 
 ^Armies raifed Yi\n% Edward -, and another Army which was fol- 
 asam lowing with King Henry , underwent the fame 
 
 Fate at Hexham, in Northumberland', Henry him- 
 King Henry felfwith much Difficulty efcaping. Shortly after 
 taken Prifoner. which, this unfortunate Prince came into England 
 in Difguife ; but, being betrayed, was apprehend- 
 ed at Waddington- Hall in Lancaflnre, as he fat at 
 Dinner ; from whence he was conveyed to Lon- 
 don, with his Legs bound to the Stirrups, where 
 he was arrefted by the Earl of Warwick, and 
 committed Prifoner to the Toiver. 
 The Parliament The 26th of January being come, the Parlia- 
 ^IffZ'f^" ment met at Wejlminfter, according to the lafl 
 Adjournments, Prorogation. And now we find that they had 
 and grant Edward Time to do Bufinefs ; and the very firft Ac! they 
 aSubfidyforLife. went upon was to grant a Supply to the King, 
 
 which was done too in a very effectual and un- 
 ufual Manner. For, the Common?, with the 
 Aflent of the Bifhops and Lords, granted to the 
 King, during his life, the Subfidies following : 
 Firft. 
 
 * Tonnage and Poundage of every EngliJJ) 
 
 * Merchant, for every Sack of Wool 33 ; and 4. d, 
 ' For every 240 Wool-fells 33^.4^. For every 
 c Lafl of H.des 3 /. 6 s. 8 d. Of every Merchant 
 
 * Stranger, whether Denizens or not, for every 
 
 * Sack of Wool, 3 /. 6 t. 8 d. For every Laft o( 
 
 « Hides
 
 Of E N G L A N D. 31s 
 
 * Hides, 3 I. 13 s. 4 i. For every 240 Wool- fells King Edward IV. 
 ' 3/. 6;. S d. with a Provifo only made, that 
 
 * the Town of Calais, and the Soldiers in Garri- 
 
 * fon there, may be victualled and paid with 
 1 Part of the faid Subfidies according to a Rate 
 ' there ftated.' 
 
 It was, alfo, ordained, 'That the Treafurer 
 ' of Calais be obliged, under a Penalty, to ac- 
 ' count Yearly in the Exchequer ; and that he 
 ' may difpofe of all the Offices, under him, in 
 ' the Town or Marches of Calais, to whom he 
 
 * pleafes. to hold the fame at the King's Will.' 
 The Government and Staple of Calais, having 
 
 been often mentioned in the Courfe of thefe En- 
 quries,it will not be amifs in this Place, to give fome 
 Account of it out of the Memoirs of Philip de 
 Commines. That Author tell us, ' That this was 
 ' the richeft Jewel in the Englifh Crown, and the 
 ' moll profitable Government in Chrijlendom, if 
 
 * not in the whole World. That he was there 
 ' feveral Times, during the Differences between 
 ' the Houfes of York and Lancajler, and was told 
 
 * by the chief Officer of the Staple for Cloth, that 
 
 * he would willingly farm the Government of 
 ' the Town, at fifteen Thoufand Crowns, per 
 ' Annum ; for the Governor of Calais receives 
 
 * all Profits on that Side of the Sea, has the Be- 
 
 * nefit of Convoys, and the entire Difpofal and 
 t Management of the Garrifon (»).' 
 
 And, in another Place, the fame Author tells us, 
 
 * That it is almoft incredible what prodigious Re- 
 ' turn for their Wools, the Merchants make 
 ' twice every Year from that Place.' 
 
 But to proceed, Next, came on the At- 
 tainders of feveral more Perfonsj of Quality, and 
 others, who were flain or taken in the late Battles ; 
 particularly Henry Beaufort, late Duke of Somer- 
 fct, was attainted for railing Waragainft the King, 
 and joining with Henry VI. at the Battle of Hex- 
 X 3 ham, 
 
 (u) Let Memoir es it PliiL de Comminei, Livre iii, Chap, iv, 
 <3 Cbap, vi.
 
 326 The Parliamentary History 
 
 KineEdwardiv ham, in the County of Northumberland, on the 
 * 8th Day of May laft paft. 
 
 Sir Ralph Piercy Knight, was alfo attainted for 
 
 delivering up the King's Caftles of Bamburgh and 
 
 Dunjlanburgh to Henry, and for railing War 
 
 againft the King at the Battle at Hegeley-Moor, 
 
 in Northumberland on the Day of the Feaft of St. 
 
 Mark, laft paft (.*•)• 
 
 More Attainders Sir Humphrey Nevile, Sir Henry Bellinghatn, 
 
 againft Henry's Sir Thomas Philips, Knights, many other Eiquires, 
 
 Followers. Gentlemen and Yeomen, were like wife attainted 
 
 for taking Part with Henry at Bamburgh. 
 
 Edmund Beaufort and John Beaufort, Brothers 
 to the faid Duke of Somerfet, Sir William Carle, 
 alias Cane Knt and others, were alfo attainted 
 for adhering to Margaret late Queen of England. 
 Some more of lefler Note are mention'd ; and, 
 to all the above named Perfons, as the Record 
 fpeaks, the King had granted Pardon in the firft 
 Year of his Reign. And, it was enacted, That 
 the Attainders of the faid Duke of Somerfet, Hum- 
 phrey Nevile . Ralph Peircy, Henry BelVvgham, 
 and others, made, Anno Re?ni 1. fhall itand ; 
 and that the Reftitutions to them made flail be void. 
 A Proclamation, alfo, was ordered to be illued 
 out againft ftveral Knights, Gentlemen, and 
 Others, by Name, who had efcap'd from the Bat- 
 tles, That if they did not yield them/elves to the King's 
 Mercy byfuch a Day, they Jkouldfland attainted of 
 High Tr f a/on, and incur the Pains of the fame. 
 An a& of Re- Then an Act of Refumption was pafs'd, 
 fumption. whereby the King took into his Hands all Man- 
 
 ner of Hereditaments belonging to the Crown, 
 
 the 
 
 (x) This Sir Ralph Piercy is celebrated by all, or moil of our 
 Englijh Hiftorians, for dying bravely at this Battle, and with thefe 
 Words in his Mouth, J have Jawed the Bird in my Breaft ; mean- 
 ing the Oath that he had l'worn to King Henry. But, by the Bill 
 of Attainder, it feems to appear that he had been guilty of a Piece 
 of Treachery, hi delivering up two Caftles, which he had bean en- 
 trufted with the keeping of by King Ed-ward. And Hall, in his 
 Chronicle confirms this, by faying that he forgot that he 
 had before abandoned King Henry in his utanoft NecelTity> and fub- 
 rnitted himfelf to King Edward. Fol, exxi.
 
 O/ENGLAND. 327 
 
 the Principality. of Wales, the Duchies of Corn- ^-^ Edward rv. 
 zval and Lancajler, and the Earldom of Chejler ; 
 from the Feaft of the Purification of our Lady laft: 
 -before, in fuch Manner as he had, or ought to 
 have had, on the 4th Day of March^ in the flrft 
 Year of his Reign ; any Letters Patents, or 
 Grants, to the contrary notwithftanding. And, 
 that all Grants, Leafes. fete made by the King," 
 before the faid Feaft, of any Hereditaments be- 
 longing to his Duchy of York, or Earldom of 
 March y be alfo void j but with many Pro- 
 vides. 
 
 The laft A& of this Parliament, that we think 
 proper to mention, is, That whereas the Sum 
 of 32,831,/. was due to the Mayor and Com-, 
 pany of the Merchants of the Staple of Calais* 
 the King, by the Authority of Parliament, in or- 
 der to content them and difcharge that Debt, af- 
 figned them a Power to take a Yearly Rate out of 
 the Subfidy on Wool, until full Payment be 
 made. 
 
 There were feveral Statutes made, in this and 
 the preceding Seffions of this long Parliament, •, 
 
 for the Encouragement of the Woollen Manu- 
 factory, and Trade in general j which the Reader,, 
 if he pleafes, may find in the Statute- Books ; 
 it being- needlefs here to take any further Notice 
 of them. One Aft or two, however, deferves sumptuary Uws* 
 mention, wrr'ch was to reftrain the exceffive Va- 
 nity then ufed in Drefs or Apparel ; which, not- 
 wiihftanding the Deftruclion and Mifery the Ci- 
 vil Wars had occafion'd, was grown to a very 
 great Height. One Thing, in particular, was» 
 the extravagant Way the People then had got of 
 adorning their Feet. They wore the Beaks, or 
 Pikes, of their Shoes fo long, that it incumbred 
 them in their Walking, and they were forced to 
 tie them up to their Knees. The Gentlemen did 
 it with Chains of Silver, or Silver gilt ; and thofe 
 wh'o could not afford to be at that Charge, with 
 S:lk Laces. This ridiculous Falhion had been in 
 X 4 fcinp
 
 ga8 The Parliamentary History 
 
 King Edward rv.fome Meafure ufed, ever fince Richard the lid's 
 Time ; but thefe enormous Pikes were now, by 
 Act of Parliament, curtailed to two Inches ; un- 
 der a Penalty both to the Shoemaker and the 
 Wearer (y). 
 
 Likewife, during one of thefe Seffions of Par- 
 liament, a Convocation met at London, in which 
 the Clergy very willingly gave a Tenth to the 
 Crown ; in Acknowledgment for an extenfive 
 Charter lately granted them. And here, a Com- 
 plaint being made of the Violation of Sanctuaries, 
 the utmoft Cenfures of the Church were decreed 
 againft thofe, who mould drag any Peribns out 
 of Churches or other priviledg'd Places, and carry 
 them to Prifon. There was, alfo, a Conftitu- 
 tion pafs'd, for the Regulation of the Clergy's 
 Habits (%). 
 
 After the DhTolution of the lad Parliament, we 
 meet with no other Summons for three Years ; 
 during which Time Edward's Affairs were again 
 
 -, . . thrown into a very precarious Situation. The Earl 
 
 Edward marries r Tr7 • » , . r, t- • j l \ ■ <,- • 
 
 the Lady Gray, °f IVanmck, his greateit rriend, had been dil- 
 gracedin an Embafly to the French King v to con- 
 clude a Marriage between the King of England 
 and his Sifter, whilft Edward was a&ually con- 
 fummating one at Home, with a Widow Lady, 
 and one of his own Subjects (a). The Earl, from 
 a faft Friend, became, on this, Edward's bittereft 
 Enemy ; and returning to England, had the good 
 Fortune, by Surprize, to take King Edward Pri- 
 foner, and fent him, as fuch, to his Caftleof Mid-> 
 dleham in York/hire. Here, being flenderly guard- 
 ed, the King found means to make his Efcape ; 
 and foon after drove the Earl of Warwick- with 
 the King's Brother George Duke of Clarence, who 
 had alfo deferted his Intereft, out of the King- 
 dom. But, returning foon after, with Forces 
 
 lent 
 
 (y) See Statutes at Large, An. 4. Ed. TV. Cap. 7. 
 
 (x) Collier's Ecclef. Hift. Vol. I. P. 6S0. 
 
 (a) The Lady Elizabeth Gray, the Relift of Sir John Gray, 
 flain at the Battle of St. Alban's on King Henry's Side. She had 
 been a Maid of Honour to Queen Margaret, and was hericlf crown- 
 ed-Queen of England, May, 3,6, 1465.
 
 Of ENGL AND. 329 
 
 lent them by the French King, they reduced Ed- King Edward iv.* 
 ward to fuch an Extremity, that he, in his Turn, 
 was forced to fly the Kingdom ; and Henry, be- 
 ing releafed from a long Confinement, was once 
 more feated on the Throne. 
 
 In the Interval of thefe Commotions, and vari- - 
 ous Turns of Fortune, we find that a Parliament 
 was fummoned, in the Year 1467, by Writs, 
 dated at Wejlminjler, the 28 th Day of February \ 
 to meet at the fame Place, on the third Day of 
 June following {b). George Duke of Clarence ', 
 and Richard Earl of Warwick and Sarum, are here 
 both fummoned as ufual. 
 
 In the Prefence of the King, fitting on the 
 Throne, in the Painted Chamber of the Palace of An^^gni 7. 
 Wejlminfler, and of the Lords and Commons, AtWeftminfter, 
 William (c), Bifhop of Lincoln, in the Abfence of 
 George Archbifhop of York, Chancellor of 
 England, by the King's Command, declared the 
 Caufe of the Summons ; after which, he ordered 
 the Commons to chufe their Speaker, and prefent 
 him as ufual. Accordingly, Sir John Say Knight, Sir JohnS cho _ 
 was prefented, and accepted by the Kiner. fen Speaker. 
 
 After which, the King, with his own Mouth, 
 made the following Oration to the Commons. 
 
 31orm £>ap, ano ye &ivs come to tlji* my Court 
 of parliament for trje Common* of trjt* 
 my Heatm* 
 
 T^ldB Caufe totjp 31 rjabe calo ano fummon* Edward's s P eech 
 eo ttji* my prefenc parliament, i*, t!jat totheParliament ' 
 31 purpofe to im upon mine oton, ano not to 
 cljarge my £>ubject* but in great ano urgent 
 Caufe*, concerning more tfje aieale of tfjem* 
 feltoe*, ano alfo trje defence of tljem ano of tlji* 
 my Kealme, rather tfjan mine otone ^leafure, 
 a* tjeretofoje by Common* of tlji* ¥lano ljarlj 
 beene Done, ano borne unto my ifcrogeuitoj* 
 in time jf neeo ; torjerein 3, trull tljat yte, &ivgi, 
 ano all trje Common* of tlji* my %mn toi2 be 
 
 a* 
 
 (b) Dugdalc places this Summons in the 6th of Edward IV. 
 
 (c ) A Miftake again for John Qhtdwsrtb.
 
 330 The Parliamentary History 
 ring Edward iv, a0 tenDcr anD feinDe unto me in in fuel) cafes as 
 fyeretoftye anp Commons babe been ro any of 
 mp 3&rogemtours» 3inD fo? tbe goco nriB, 
 &inDnefs, anD true hearts that pee h&he borne, 
 continueD, anD uwtoeD to meat all times hereto* 
 foje, % tharike pou as heartifp as % can ; llfo 
 "31 truff ppe toill continue in time coming j f j 
 tohicfj bp tbe(25race of <2>oD 3; (bail bt fo reu as 
 Sooo anD gracious a &ing, anD rugae as 
 rigfoteonSp upon pou as flier DiD anp cf mp 
 progenitors upon Commons cf dtis rr?t> 
 HRealme in 7, apes pau\ anD r haH alfo in time 
 of neeD applp mp k etfen fa? the ftHeafe anD 
 ©tfence of pou, anD cf this mp Keatme, not 
 fpajing mp 3odp noj iUfe fo,z aup ^jeoparop 
 ^ . that might happen to the fame (d). 
 
 .v»&da An Act of Reiumption was paired, tj^e fame irt . 
 
 Effe&as the laft Parliament ; alibanothci thtt.thc 
 King fhould for ever enjoy all Utch Hereditaments 
 as Richard Duke of Yrk., poflefied on h- j.ath 
 Day of December, Anno 39 Henry VI. any Grant 
 to the contrary notwithftaiding (e). 
 
 Richard Welles, Lord IfGIkughly Son and Heir 
 of (/) Leonard Welles Lord WiUough 'v, was re- 
 ilored in Blood to the fa: d Lord Leonard, and to 
 all his Hereditaments, notwithihntibg the Attain- 
 der made againft the faid Leonard. Anno 1. Ed' 
 ward IV. As was, alio, Sir Thomas Trejham, 
 Knight, and his Attainder made void. 
 
 Theie were all the Tran factions of the firPu 
 Seflion of this Parliament ; for, on the 5th Day 
 of July, Robert (g) B.fhop of Bath and Welly, 
 then Chancellor, in the Prefence of the King, 
 Lords and Commons, firft an fwercd certain Peti- 
 tions 
 
 (d) From the Parliament-Roll, 7 Ediv. IV. This Speech is 
 
 quoted by Sir Henry Yclverton, in his Argument concerning Itnpofi- 
 tisnt, 7 Jac. I. as an Acknowledgment on the Part of the King 
 that he had jio Right to impofe at his own Will, and that the Sub- 
 ject had a certain and aiftuict Property from that which was his 
 own. 
 
 (e) The Day he was flain at the Battle oiV/atejield. 
 
 (f) Slain at the Battle of fozoton. 
 
 {g) Robert Stillington, Le Neve's Fafti, tifc.
 
 O/ENGLAND. 331 
 
 tions from the Lower Houfe, and then thanked KingEdwardiv. 
 them in the King's Name, for the Statute of Re- 
 fumption; alluring them, that the King had pro- 
 vided for Calais ; had taken the like Gare for Ire- 
 land and Wales ; and further, that his Majefty de- 
 fired there might be a due Execution of the Laws. 
 After which, by the King's Command, he pro- 
 rogued the Parliament from the fame Day and 
 Place, to the 6th of November next enfuing at 
 Reading. And from thence, the faid Chancellor ^^ Regn ; g % 
 again prorogued this Parliament, by the King's 1468. 
 Command, from the faid 6th of November, to At Readi "S- 
 the 6th Day of May, at Reading aforefaid. But 
 they did not fit at that Place, for the Chancellor, 
 at their next Meeting, adjourned them from the 
 6th of May to the 12th of the lame Month at 
 Wejhninjler. 
 
 Thele frequent Prorogations were owing to p rorogue d t « 
 the Unquietnefs of the Times, which were far Weftmmfter. 
 from being fettled as yet ; but, at this laft Ad- 
 journment, the Parliament fat to do Bufinefs, and 
 befides palling feveral beneficial Acts for the fur- 
 ther Encouragement of the Woollen Manufacture?, 
 &c. fome Subfidies were granted, which will be 
 feen in their proper Place. For, five Days after 
 this Meeting, the King fent for the Commons, 
 into the Houfe of Lords, when the Chancellor, by 
 his Command, fpoke to the whole Body to this 
 Effed : 
 
 * Firft, he began with Juftice, and inftane'd 
 ' the good Effects of the fame. He next declar- 
 
 * ed, that the three Eftar.es comprehended the 
 ' Government of this Land ; the Preheminence 
 ' whereof was due to the King, as Chief, the 
 
 * fecond to the Bifhops and Lords, and the third 
 ' to the Commons .* 
 
 ' He then put them in Mind, in what poor E- 
 
 * ftate the King found the Crown ; defpoiled of 
 
 * the due Inheritance ; wafted in its Treafures ; 
 ' the Laws wrecked ; and the whole, by. the 
 
 * Usurpation, in a Manner-. fub verted. Add to 
 
 • this,
 
 Kin|£dwardIV. 
 
 A Subfidy. 
 
 332 The Parliamentary Hi stort 
 
 this, the Lofs of the Crown of France, the 
 Dutchies of Normandy, Gafcoigny, and Guienne, 
 the ancient Patrimony of the Crown of England 
 loft alfo; and further, he found it involved 
 in a War with Denmark, Spain, Scotland, 
 Britany, and other Parts, and even with their 
 old Enemy of France* 
 
 6 Then defcending he told them, that the King 
 had appeafed all Tumults within the Realm; 
 and planted fuch inward Peace, that Law and 
 Juftice might be extended. That the King had 
 made Peace with Scotland ; that the Lord Win- 
 ters was negotiating a League with Spain and 
 Denmark, fo as to open a free Commerce with 
 thofe Countries. But, what was ftill the great- 
 eft he had allied himfelf to the Dukes of Burgun- 
 dy and Britany, two mod povvettul Princes; in 
 fuch Sort as they had given the King the ftrong- 
 eft Aiiurance 01 a&mg vigoroufly again ft France, 
 for the recovering of that Kingdom, and other 
 the King's Patrimonies ; of which, fince they 
 made little doubt, the King thought proper not 
 to omit fuch an Opportunity, and fuch a one as 
 never happened before. And, that his Majefty 
 might fee this Kingdom as glorious as any of 
 .his Predecefibrs ever did, he was ready to adven- 
 ture his own Perfon in fo ji,ft a Caufe. Laftly, 
 he told them, that the King had called this Parlia- 
 ment to make them acquainted with thefe Mat- 
 ters, and to defire their Advice and Affiftance.' 
 The Anfwer the Commons made to this pithy 
 Harangue, was, immediately, to grant a large 
 Subfidy of two Tenths and two Fifteenths, to be 
 levied on the Laity. Referving, only, 12,000/. 
 to be deducted out of it for the Relief of poor de- 
 cayed Towns. 
 
 '1 he Senate having thus liberally contributed to 
 the Supplies of the State ; the next Thing they 
 went upon, was to confirm, by their Authority, 
 the King's Patents granted to his new Queen 
 Elizabeth, for eftabliftiing her Dower. That the 
 
 Part
 
 Of ENGLAND. 333 
 
 Part of the faid Dower, afiigned to her by Letters King Edward rv. 
 Patents under the Seal of the Dutchy oiLancafler^ 
 fhould be valid ; tho' there be no Livery and Seifin 
 of the fame : And that the Queen might perfon- 
 ally plead and be impleaded in her own Name; 
 to which are added the Names of the feveral Ma- 
 nors and other Hereditaments, affigned to her Ma- 
 jefty, in the Dutchy of Lancajler, and elfewhere, 
 under the Great Seal, which were all confirmed by 
 Parliament. 
 
 In Confideration of the Sum of 10,000 /. paid 
 in Part of a greater Sum, due by the King, 
 to Charles Duke of Burgundy (£), on the Mar- 
 riage between the faid Duke and the Princefs 
 Margaret^ the King's Sifter, by the Mayor and 
 Company of the Staple of Calais ; the King, by 
 Letters Patents granted, that they fhould be re- 
 paid out of the Subfidy on Wools ; which Letters 
 Patents were, by common Aflent, confirmed. 
 
 Many good Laws were made this Parliament, 
 for the Encouragement of the Woollen Manufac- 
 tories £sV. as is before mentioned ; but we refer 
 the Reader to the Statute Books, for more Infor- 
 mation about them. One Thing in the Abridge' 
 merit of the Records is remarkable enough, ' That 
 ' a Bill was brought in this Parliament, whereby 
 ' all fuch as fhould rob any Church of any Pax, 
 ' Cope, Granel, Mafs-book, or any other 
 
 * Trinket, (whereof, fays William Prynne, the 
 
 * whole Rabble is named,) fhall be deemed a 
 
 * Traytor, and be burned for the fame ; and that 
 ' all fuch Perfons fhall be deprived of the Bene- 
 
 * fit of their Clergy ; that an Appeal for Reftitu- 
 
 * tion may, alfo, lie, and that all Juftices of 
 
 * Peace may enquire of the fame.' The Pub- 
 lifher remarks that by the Preamble to thefe Moti- 
 ons, it feems that this Bill was made againft the 
 
 Lollards ; 
 
 (b) This Charles, then Duke of Burgundy, was very nearly relat- 
 td to the Houfe of Lancafter ; for Phifippa, Daughter to John 
 Duke of Lancafter, was marryed to John King of Portugal, by 
 whom ftie had Ifabella, Mother to this Qbarla.
 
 334 T^e Parliamentary History 
 
 King Edward iv. Lollards ; but the King's Anfvver to it was, Le 
 R-oi s'avi/era. 
 
 The Civil Wars, which had been carried on to 
 long and with fuch Fury by both Parties, were not 
 
 Edward forced to yet at an End ; for, foon after the Diflbluticn of 
 
 dom thC KlDS " t ^i s Parliament, Edward was obliged, for his own 
 Safety, to leave the Kingdom. This happened 
 in the Year 1470 ; and, in the Month of Oclo- 
 ber, this Year, the Earl of Warwick releafed 
 King Henry from his Imprifonment, and he 
 
 Henry vi. re- was once raore re ft red to the Englijh Crown. 
 However, we find that Writs of Summons, went 
 out in King Edward's Name, dated at Weftminfter, 
 Auguft, 10, [9. Edward IV.] for a Parliament to 
 meet at York, September 22. following. But, a 
 Stop was put to this Meeting by other Writs, dat- 
 ed September 7th, the fame Year j and the Rea- 
 ibn of the Prohibition is given in the Body of 
 the Inilrument to be, becaufe the King was cer- 
 tainly informed that Rebels, Enemies at Home, 
 and Foreign Enemies, both from France and Scot- 
 land, had entered this Kingdom in a hoftile Man- 
 ner, and with armed Force had actually invaded 
 it, &c(i). 
 
 Hiftorians (k) inform us that after the great 
 
 AnnoRegni43. Earl of Warwick had raifed King Henry from a 
 1470. Prifon to a Throne, from whence he was called, 
 
 AtWeitminfter. ^e Setter up and Puller down of Kings, a Parlia- 
 ment was called to meet at Wejlminjler, November, 
 26, 14.70. wherein nothing was denied tvhich 
 the prevailing Party thought fit to authorize. For 
 
 Edward declared here King Edivard was declared a Traitor to his 
 
 wbe 3 nUfurp C r,£ oumry . an Tjfurper of the Crown ; and had 
 all his Goods confifcated ; the like Judgment paf- 
 fed againft his Brother Richard Duke of Gkcejhr, 
 
 and 
 
 (/) S.".od, certitudinallter informamur . Rebella, Inimici et 
 
 .^dferfarii nofiri, Regno mm Franciae et Scotiae, Rcgnum nofirum 
 Angliae hojJiliter ingredi rt tnvadere proponent, Vi armata, Sec. 
 Dec ' 1 e's Summons to Parli anient, Page 466. 
 
 Cotton hath given us the Names of the Peers fummoned to thi» 
 Parliament. 
 
 (k) HaWs Chron, Fol. ccxi. Grafton's P, 691. and Hahingtott 
 inKennet P. 446.
 
 O/ENGLAND 33s 
 
 and all his Adherents ; of whom, John Tip toft Earl Kln Henry VL 
 of Worcejler, Lord High Conftable of England,vnd 
 Lord Deputy of Ireland, was beheaded. All the 
 Statutes made by King Edward were revoked ; 
 all the Attainders, againft the Earls of Oxford, Pem- 
 broke, and many others, reverfed ; the Crowns of 
 England and France, entailed on King Henry and 
 his Heirs Male; and, for Want of fuch, unto 
 George Duke of Clarence and his Male I flue, and 
 he was declared immediate Heir to his Father 
 Richard Duke of York. Laftly, the Earl of War- 
 wick, was made Protector of the Kingdom, and 
 Clarence his Son-in-Law join'd in Commiflion 
 with him. 
 
 AnHiftprian of fome Eminence (7), is very Remarks on thI , 
 fmart in his Kemarks on the Act to entail the new Settlement. 
 Crown in the Manner aforefaid ; by which he fays, 
 the Earl of Warwick fhewed not only the Extent, 
 but the Infolency of his Greatnefs ; as if, adds 
 he, the Title of the Kingdom appertained to 
 them, who were neareft in Alliance to him, not 
 next in Blood to the Crown. This Author 
 goes on and writes, ' For, if the Juftice of Lan- 
 
 * cafters Claim had the Preheminence for Want 
 ' of Iflue in King Henry, why fbould not the 
 ' Sovereignty fall to the Duke of Somerfet ? Or, 
 1 if that Line was crooked in refpect of Baftar- 
 ' dy, why not to the Houfe of Portugal, with- 
 
 * out 'any Blemifh, defcending from John of 
 
 * Gaunt? Or, if the Houfe of York had the bet- 
 ' ter Tiile, why was George Duke of Clarence 
 ' then fet down but fecond in the Entail ? Or, 
 ' if the Right was in Warwick himfelf, (for his 
 
 * Power ordered and difordered allj why was the 
 ' Kingdom to defcend firft of all to the young- 
 ' er Daughter? But r5repofterous Ambition never 
 ' knew how to give an Account to Reafon. 
 
 It would be unpardonable, alio, to omit the 
 Reflections of M. Rapin T])oyras t on the Con- 
 dud of this Parliament, fince this, and feveral 
 more fuch, we have quoted from that Author^ 
 
 evidently 
 
 (I) Habisot OH, vtfupra.
 
 33^ The Tarliamcntary Histort 
 
 KingHentyVl. evidently, (hew, that he was no Friend to Parlia- 
 mentary Proceedings. He writes, * That the 
 
 * contrary Refolutions of Parliaments, in re- 
 
 * gard to the Quarrel between the Houfes of York 
 ' and Lancafter, clearly (hew that thefe Aflem- 
 ' blies acted not with Freedom, but were fway- 
 ' ed by the Events which happened before their 
 
 * Deliberations. It is in vain to urge, therefore, 
 
 * the Authority of Parliaments in Support of the 
 ' Rights of either Houfe. Their Determinations 
 4 are, properly, of no Force ; fince they had not 
 
 * the Liberty to judge according to their Under- 
 
 * ftanding ; unlefs it is faid that their Underftand- 
 ' ing directed them always to fide with the 
 
 * ftrongeft.' And, upon the Act to entail the 
 Crown, in Default of Heir . Male from Henry, 
 on the Duke of Clarence^ &c. Our Author goes 
 on and fays, * That here would be a large Field, 
 ' to expatiate on the unlimited Authority of 
 ' Parliament, if this Statute had been made with 
 ' Freedom, and after mature Deliberation. But, 
 
 * it is eafy to fee the little Freedom there was in 
 
 * this Parliament, if it is confidered, that this Act 
 
 * was only a bare Confirmation of the Earl of 
 c Warwick's Engagements. Moreover, out of 
 « pure Condefcenfion for the Earl, or rather by 
 
 * his Direction, and contrary to the Laws and 
 
 * Cuftoms of the Realm, it was not fcrupled to 
 ' deprive the Daughters of the Houfe of Lancaf- 
 *■ ter> of a Right enjoyed by the PrinceMes of the 
 
 * Royal Family, ever fince the Norman Con- 
 ' queft.' Thus adds he, 'By a hafty Refolution, 
 ' was eftablifhed in England a kind of Salic Law, 
 
 * which the Englijb had fo much cenfur'd and de- 
 
 * rided, when Edward 111, and Philip deValois, 
 1 were contending for the Crown ©f France. 
 ' And, befides, this Parliament manifeftly fup- 
 ' pofed Henry's Inability, and confidered him 
 
 * only as the Shadow of a King, by confti- 
 
 * tuting the Duke of Clarence and the Earl of 
 ! Warwick joint Governors of the Kingdom.' 
 
 What
 
 Of ENGLAND. y j7 
 
 What we can pick up elfe,. relating to the Pro- King Homy VI. 
 ceedingsof this Parliament, is from an old Chro- 
 nicle (a) which informs us, that it began at IVeJl- 
 minjler at the Time aforefaid, and from thence 
 was adjourn'd to St. Paul's Church, London, where 
 it continu'd till Chri/imas. That an Alderman 
 of the faid City, call'd Sir Thomas Cook, who had 
 been tried for Treafon, Anno 7. Edward IV. and 
 acquitted ; but for Mifprifion had been imprifon- 
 ed, feverely fined, and otherways ill us'd ; now 
 exhibited a Bill of Complaint, in the Houfe of 
 Commons, againft the Lord Rivers and others, 
 who had been the occafion of his Troubles. He 
 petition'd the Houfe that he might be repaid his 
 Lofs and Damage, out of the faid' Lord's Eftate, 
 to the Value of 22,000 Marks. It is likely, adds 
 our Hiftorian, that it would have been granted to 
 him, if King Henry's Affairs had profper'd ; for, 
 this Sir Thomas Cook, was a Member of the Houfe 
 of Commons j a good Speaker^ of great Boldnefs 
 and Vivacity of Wit. But he had better have 
 been quiet, for he fmarted much worfe for it af- 
 terwards. 
 
 We have been mpre careful to collect what 
 Hiftorians have left us concerning the Proceedings 
 of this Parliament, fince there is not one Word 
 of all this Matter on Record. Probably, if thefe 
 Proceedings were entered on the Rolls, Edward, 
 who foon after was reftored, caufed them to be 
 erafed and abrogared. Dugdale, indeed, hath 
 given us the Summons to this Parliament, the 
 Date of which is Anno 49, Henry VI. [9 & 
 10 Regis Edward IV.] wherein the firft Writ to 
 the Peers is directed to Henry's mod dear Coufin 
 George Duke of Clarence, who had then revolted 
 from his own Family ; but there is no Mention 
 at all of it in the Abridgment of the Records. 
 
 However, this Dream of Regal Power in Henry 
 laired but a fmall Time (b) ; for the Fugitive 
 
 Vol. II. Y Edward 
 
 (<t) Fabian's Chrcn, Fol. 219. 
 
 (b) The Afts of State which are in the ¥<rd, An%. make it ap- 
 pear by their Dates, that Henry's reiuftated Regal Power laftcd on- 
 
 h
 
 3 3 8 The Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry VI. having gained fome Aids from his Brother in 
 Law, the Duke of Burgundy, and being promifed 
 more in England, landed at Raven/burg in Tork- 
 jhire. At his firft Arrival, he feem'd to lay afide 
 his Claim to the Crown ; pretending only to his 
 Rights as Duke of York ; but, having poflefs'd 
 Edward returns, himfelfof that City and got his Friends about him, 
 he loon threw off that Mafk, and marching for- 
 ward, with a now powerful Army, was met and 
 joined by his Brother the- Duke of Clarence, with 
 a very confiderable Reinforcement. 
 
 Edward, being now ftrong enough to cope 
 
 with his Enemy the Earl of Warwick, marched 
 
 on dire&ly for London ; and at his Approach the 
 
 Citizens open'd their Gates to him ; the Earl of 
 
 Warwick was not there, but peaceable Henry fell 
 
 once more into his Enemies Hands. The Earl, 
 
 however, was advancing towards London, with a 
 
 The Battle of powerful Army, againfbwhom the warlike Ed- 
 
 Barnet. ward oppos'd himfelf ; and, at Barnet their Ar- 
 
 • , mies meeting, a dreadful Battle enfued ; where, 
 
 at firft, Warwick's good Fortune in War gave 
 
 him great Hopes of a compleat Victory ; bur, by 
 
 Henry again tak- a fatal Miftake amongft his own Men, the Day 
 
 en Prifoner, and W as changed, and Edward was victorious, with 
 
 Edward reftor'd. the Death of the EarJ of ^rwitl^ and the Mar- 
 
 quefs of Montacute his Brother ; ten Thoufand 
 Englijhmen more, falling, on both Sides, at that 
 Another Battle Battle. In a few Weeks after this, another Bat- 
 at Tewksbury. tie was fought at Tewkefiwry, between King Ed- 
 ward and the martial Queen Margaret, where 
 the Heroine was, alfo, defeated ; her Son Prince 
 Edward made a Prifoner. and deftroyed ; all the 
 Nobility and Gentry with her taken or flain, and 
 her whole Army cut to Pieces. This Viclory 
 Henry's Death. was fo° n a ^ ter followed by the Death of the pious 
 Henry ; faid to have been murdered in the Tower, 
 by the Hands of Richard Duke of Gloucester, King 
 Edward's Brother. And thus dying as it were, 
 
 the 
 
 ly from about OB. the 9th, to the 27th of March. Several of 
 which A£rs are faid to be done Auc X ositatz Parliaments 
 Rjrr.sr\ Fad. Ang. Tom, XI,
 
 O/ENGLAND, 335) 
 
 the like Death as King Richard, proves t hat Kin s EdwardIV 
 Scripture-Maxim true, That God vifits the Sins of 
 the Fathers on the Children, even, unto the third 
 and fourth Generation. 
 
 The grim King of Terrors having thus fatiated 
 himfelfwith the Blood of fo many Princes and 
 common Men, a while laid down his deadly 
 Scithe, and England enjoyed a profound State of 
 Tranquility. But, it was not till the Year 1472, 
 and the 12th of this King, that we meet with 
 any more Parliaments ; when Writs of Summons 
 were ifllied out, dated at Wefminfler the'ninth 
 Day of Augujl, for a Parliament to meet at the 
 fame Place on the fixth of Oclober following ; a 
 Lift of the Peers, at the End of the late deftruc- 
 tive Civil War, may not be improper in this 
 Place {c). 
 
 The King to his mojl dear Brother George Duke of 
 
 Clarence, &c. 
 Richard Duke of Ghr John Earl of Wiltflnre, Peerage aVfid- 6 ' 
 
 cefler, Ralph Lord Greyjlock, ward's Reftora- 
 
 John Duke of Norfolk, Thomas Lord Scrape, of tion - 
 John Duke of Suffolk, Mo/ham, 
 William Earl of Arun- John Lord Beauchamp, 
 
 dele, "John Lord Audley, 
 
 Henry Earl of Effex, Edward Nevile, Lord 
 Edmund Earl of Kent, Bergavenny, 
 Ralph Earl of Wejlmore- Reginald Lord Grey, of 
 
 land, Wilton, » 
 
 Henry YjxA of Northum- John Lord Strange, 
 
 herland, Henry Lord Grey, 
 
 Anthony Earl Ryvers, John Lord Howard, 
 John Earl of Shrewf- Richard Lord Wejl, 
 
 bury, 
 
 Y 2 Walter 
 
 (c) We find, in the Public Ails, that Edward aflembled as ma- 
 ny of the Lords Spiritual, and Temporal, as were in or near London, 
 in the Parliament Chamber at Wcftminfler, July 3. Anno 147 1. 
 At this Meeting, a formal Oath was propofed to them, to fwear 
 Fealty to his Son Prince Edward, as his Heir apparent ; which 
 was taken and fubfcribed by the two Archbifliops, eight Bifhops, 
 and all the Temporal Lgrds and Knights there prefent. 
 
 Feed. Ang. Tom. XI. P. 714.
 
 , 34° The Parliamentary Hi story 
 
 King Edward IV. Walter Devereux Lord Walter Blount Lord 
 
 Ferrers, v Mount joy, 
 
 Richard Lord Scrope, William Lord Stourton, 
 
 of Bolton, John Bourghchier Lord 
 jRtf/p/; 'Boteler Lord S#<r/- Bemers, 
 
 ley, Full- Bourghchier Lord 
 Thomas Lord Lumley, Fitz Waryn, 
 
 Thomas Lord Stanley, John Sutton Lord IW- 
 Richard Fenys Lord Dtf- /*y, 
 
 <t*, . William Lord FMings, 
 
 John Broke Lord CW?- William Lord Berkeley, 
 
 ham, John Lord Dynham, 
 
 Ten Judges by Name are alfo fummoned. 
 
 Anno Re ni iz This Parliament being aifembled, as aforefaid, 
 
 1,10 1472/ '• before the King in the Painted Chamber at Wejl- 
 
 At Weftminfter. min/ler, Robert, Bifhop of Bath and Wells, then 
 
 Chancellor, opened the Caufe of their Meeting ; 
 
 after which he directed the Commons, as ufual, 
 
 to choofe and prefent their Speaker : And William 
 
 Wiffiam Ailing- Alllngtcn, Efq; was chofen, prefented, and ac- 
 
 Spcakcr.' z ™ ^ n ce P te< ^ by the King for that Purpofe. 
 
 The firft Thing we find that the Commons 
 went upon was the Supply ; and 14,000 Archers 
 were voted, to ferve the King at their Cofts, for 
 one Year ; the fame to be levied according to a 
 Proportion out of all Lands and Tenements. 
 The Lords Spiritual and Temporal did, alfo, tax 
 themfelves, by Way of Grant unto the King, 
 a fiixgukrSort towards furnifhing the Forces aforefaid, the tenth 
 r>f Tax Part of one whole Year's Revenue of all and An- 
 
 gular their Lands and Polleflions. 
 
 The Commons then, by a long Proteftation de- 
 livered to the King and Lords, required that the 
 Statutes made againft Riots, Maintenancies, Op- 
 rreilions, and for regulating Labourers, may be 
 . executed. And the 'fame Day, viz,. Nov. 30th, 
 the Bifhop of Rochejler, by the King's Command, 
 relumed Thanks to the Commons for their Grant, 
 and prorogued the Parliament from the fame Day 
 
 to
 
 Of ENGLAND. 341 
 
 to the 8 th of February next enfuing, at Wejimin- King Edward rv. 
 
 At this Seflion the King's Letters Patents for . 
 creating Edward, his firft begotten Son, Prince 
 of Wales and Earl of Chejler, were confirmed by 
 Parliament ; likewife the King's Letters Patents 
 for granting and delivering to the young Prince 
 the Hereditaments and other Appurtenances be- 
 longing to the faid Principality and to the Dutchy 
 of Cornwall, was, by the fame Authority, con- E(Jward creatfej 
 firmed. This Prince was then about two Years his eidcft Son 
 old, the Queen having been deliver'd of him, in Prince of Wales, 
 the Sanctuary at Wejlminjler ', whilft the King was &c> 
 an Exile. 
 
 Next follow feveral Acts of Mercy in revers- 
 ing the Attainders of divers Perfqns, amongft 
 whom Sir Henry Percie, Knight, as he is there ^jjJ^J" 1 " 
 ftiled, Son and Heir to Henry late Earl of Nor- 
 thumberland (d), was reftored, in Blood, to the 
 faid Earldom, and to all fuch Hereditaments as 
 came into the King's Hands, March z, Anns 9, 
 Edward IV. and the Attainder made againft the 
 faid Earl Anno 1, Edward IV. was made void. 
 The Reader may obferve that this Earl was fum- 
 mon'd to this very Parliament. 
 
 Ralph Nevile, Son and Heir to John late Lord 
 Nevile ; Sir Henry Rcos, Knight, late Lord 
 Roos of Hamlake [e) ; and feveral more there na- 
 med, have their Attainders reverfed,, and are re- 
 ftored to their Honours and Pofl'eflions. 
 
 We find that this Parliament continued fitting AfmoRe ^ x l 
 till the 8th Day of April, Anno 13, Edward IV. 147^ 
 when the Commons granted the King one Tenth 
 and one Fifteenth, rekrving out of ii 6000/. to 
 be diftributed to certain decay 'd Towns. And, 
 it was ordained that the Money arifing from the 
 Tenths given by the Lords in the firft Sefiion of 
 this Parliament, be paid into the Hands of the 
 Treafurer of England. Alfo, in Confiderarion 
 of 23,000/. due by the King to the Mayor and 
 Y 3 Merchants 
 
 (J) Shin at the Battle offnvton'on the Lancajirian Side. 
 \f) UdmjUy in Yorkjbire,
 
 342 Hoe Parliamentary History 
 
 King Edward iv. Merchants of the Staple at Calais, the King 
 by a long A£t granted to them a Fifteenth, in 
 like Manner as in the Parliament of the 7 th of 
 Edward IV. 
 
 An Hiftorian writes, ' That for Relief of the 
 6 King's great Neceffity, a full Subfidy was grant- 
 
 * ed ; for all his mighty Fortunes ferved, only, 
 4 to reward the Multitude of his Adherents; and 
 
 * in Recompence of the Subfidy he granted them a 
 
 * general Pardon. And indeed, by that he liberally 
 ' repaid them ; for, by the late Civil Wars, the 
 ' Lapfe into Treafon was fo univerfal, that fcarce 
 ' any Eftate could be fafe if Licence was given 
 
 * to Informers, the Cormorants of a Common- 
 ' wealth, who fwallow much but never grow 
 
 * fat > and leaft of all advance what they moll 
 ' pretend, the King's Benefit (/). 
 
 Several more Perfons, by Name, are now re- 
 itored in Blood to their Lands and Poflefiions, for- 
 feited by Attainders ; amongft whom the princi- 
 pal was Sir Humphrey Dacres, Son of Thomas 
 Dacres, and Brother to Ralph, late Lord Da- 
 rtres, flain at the Battle of Tcwton (g), who was 
 Son and Heir to the aforefaid Thomas ; and all 
 the feveral Attainders againft the faid Ralph 
 and Humphrey were made void. And, 
 The Parliament On the 8th Day of April aforefaid, the Chan- 
 prorogu'd. cellor, after giving Thanks to the Commons for 
 the Subfidy, by the King's Command prorogued 
 the Parliament to the 6th of Ocloher following. 
 But, before they parted it was agreed and ordained, 
 4 That the King, on any urgent Occafion which 
 ' required their Attendance, might call and re- 
 c aflemble the faid Parliament, giving only, by 
 ' Proclamation, twenty Days Notice.' 
 
 In 
 
 (f) Habington in Kennet, p. 459. 
 
 (g) He was buried in Saxton Church Yard, where a Grayeftonc 
 was laid over him with this Infcription ; 
 
 Hie jacet Ranulphus Dominus de Dakre et Miles, et occifus 
 
 erat in Bello, Principe Henrico Sexto, Anno Dom. M.CCCC.LXI. 
 XXIX Die Martii, "videlicet, Dominica Die Palmarum. Cujus A- 
 nima: propitietur Dens, Amen. 
 
 Drake'* Antiquities of York j Fol, Land. 1736. p. III»
 
 Of E N G L A N D. 343 
 
 In the firft Seflion of this Parliament, a Noble- KingEdward vi. 
 man call'd Lewis De Bruges , a Netherlander, 
 Lord of Gruthufe, and Prince of Stcinbufe, came L ; De Bruges, a 
 over into England, and was receiv'd by the King 252^7* <• 
 
 •i ,m A ■ r -n • in- . , & created Earl of 
 
 with ail Demonuranons of £ nendfhip. And, Winchefter. 
 on the 13th of Offober, in the Houfe of Lords, 
 was created Earl of Winchefier ; receiving, with 
 the Title, the ancient Arms of Roger de ^uincy, 
 formerly Earl of the fame Place ; with an Addi- 
 tion oTthe Arms of England, in a Canton. The 
 Reafon of this fo extraordinary a Favour confer- 
 red upon a Stranger, fays an Hiftorian, was the 
 great Refpedt this Nobleman mewed to Edward, 
 when he was forced to fly his Country by the 
 prevailing Power of the Earl of Wanvick, and 
 feek Prote&ion from the Duke of Burgundy. 
 This Nobleman, being of that Country, did his 
 utmoft to comfort the King, then diftra&ed by 
 his many Afflictions (£)• 
 
 At the Time appointed, viz. Off. 6, this Par- Afe cond Seflion, 
 liament met again, and continued fitting from 
 Day to Day, to the 1 3th of December following. 
 During which Time fome more Attainders were 
 revers'd ; and a Suit, or Contention at Law, was 
 terminated between the King with the E?iglijh 
 Merchants, of one Side, and the Merchants oi 
 the Hans Towns, in Germany, or the Stilliards, 
 on the other Party, and a free Intercourfe between 
 thefe Countries and Merchants was fettled for ever. 
 The King alfo confirmed to the faid Foreign 
 Merchants, of the Stilliards, their old Liberties, 
 granted to all Foreign Merchants, of every Coun- 
 try by Name, by KingEdward 1. but afterwards 
 particularly, to thefe Merchants of the Stilliards, 
 by King Edward II. wherein is to be noted the 
 Cuftoms they were then rated at, and the King's 
 Grant not to raife the fame, all which was con- 
 firmed by this Parliament (i). 
 
 Y 4 A 
 
 \b) Hahington vt fiipra, 450. Philip de Comwlnes, Liv. 3. Cap. 5. 
 (:') This Inftrument of a verv great Length, is printed in the 
 Publkk A&s, Tom XI. p. 793, &c.
 
 344 The Parliamentary History. 
 
 KbgEdwardiv. A new Aft of Refumption was, alfo, made, 
 whereby the King took into his Hands all the He- 
 reditaments of the Crown, with the Duchies of 
 Lancafler and York, from the Feaft of St. Thomas 
 A ?«w A& of - m t ^ e y ear 1473, and of which the King was 
 ump ° feifed March 4th, Anno Regni 1. or what came 
 into the King's Hands fince, by Attainder or o- 
 therwife. And, a fpecial Commiflion was given 
 to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancajler, for 
 alluring the Payment of certain of the King's 
 Debts granted out of the faid Duchy, under the 
 Seal of that Office. In this is a Number of 
 Provisions, particularly one, that the fame mould 
 not prejudice the Corporation, Union, and An- 
 nexation of the Duchy of Lane after and County 
 Palatine, nor the Officers nor Tenants of thofe 
 Diftricls. Several Provifions, were alfo made 
 to particular People, by Name, in this Commif- 
 lion ; amongft which, fays the Abridger, we mult 
 not forget one Provifion, for Mother Cobb* Mid- 
 wife to Elizabeth, the King's bell belov'd Wife, 
 and Queen of England. 
 
 On the 13th of December the Bifti.op of Dur- 
 ham, then Chancellor of England, in the Prefence 
 of the King, Lords and Commons, after giving 
 Thanks, on the King's Eehalf and by his Com- 
 mand, to the three Eftates, prorogued this Parlia- 
 ment, once more, to the 20th of "January , next 
 coming, at Weftmlnfler. 
 
 We learn that this Parliament again aflembled 
 on the Day aforefaid, and continu'd to fit till the 
 The Parliament fjfft of February \ when the faid Bifhop of Dur- 
 Tnd Prorogad-" ham ^ as Chancellor, call'd the Commons before 
 on! an/are again the King and told them, « That they were then 
 prb'rogu'd. < aflembled to coniult which Way the King 
 ' might proceed in the Wars ; but, becaufe his 
 
 * Majefty had yet heard nothing from his Brother 
 
 * the Duke" of Burgundy, relating to that Affair, 
 c whereon much depended ; it was the King's 
 « Command that this Parliament fhould be pro- 
 
 rogu'd
 
 Of E N G L A N D. 345 
 
 « rogu'd from the faid Day, to the ninth Day of King Edward rv. 
 ' May enfuing.' 
 
 At the Time appointed by the laft Prorogation Anno Regni 14. 
 this fame Parliament met again at Wejlminfler ; H74« 
 and now, by the common Confent, the King At Weftmlnfter ' 
 granted to his Brother George Duke of Clarence 
 and Ifabel his Wife, and to his other Brother 
 Richard Duke of Glocejler and Ann his Wife, 
 Daughter and Heir to Richard Nevile, late Earl Grants, in this 
 of Warwick, and Daughters and Heirs apparent ^'^X^ *£ 
 to 4nn Countefs of Warwick, « That they (hall clarence "nd 
 ' enjoy to them, and the Heirs of their faid Glocefter, the 
 « Wives, all the Hereditaments, belonging to Kins ' s Brothera - 
 ' the faid Ann, in fuch wife as if the faid Ann 
 ' was naturally dead j and that their faid Wives 
 
 * fhould be of Blood to the faid Ann and enjoy all 
 ' Benefits accordingly, fhe being, for ever, barred 
 6 from claiming the fame (k). Alfo that both the 
 
 * faid Dukes and like wife their Wives, and the 
 
 * Heirs of both, may make Partition of the Pre- 
 6 mifles to Hand good in Law ; and that the faid 
 
 * Dukes or either of them, overliving his Wife, 
 ' fhall during his Life enjoy her Property. That 
 ' all Alienations, Difconti nuances, Charges and In- 
 ' cumbrances, fuffered by either of the faid Dukes 
 1 or their Wives, to debar the other of the faid 
 ' Pur-parties, fhall be utterly void. Moreover, 
 
 * that if the faid Duke of Glocejler be at any Time 
 
 * hereafter divprced from the faid Ann his Wife, 
 
 * and fuffer any Inch Incumbrance as above, 
 6 that it fhall be void. And further, that if the 
 
 * faid Duke Richard, upon fuch Divorce, doth 
 
 his 
 
 [i) This Lady was Ann the Daughter and Heir of Richard Bcau~ 
 champ, Earl of Warwick, and married to Richard Nevile, eldcffc 
 Son to the Earl of Salifbury , who had the Title of Earl-of Warwick 
 given him by Patent of Henry VI. in the Right of his Wife. She 
 had only two Daughters by the faid Earl, Ifabel and Ann ; the firft 
 was married to George Duke of Clarence, and the other to Edward 
 Prince of Wales, Son to Henry VI. and after his Death to his Mur- 
 derer Richard Duke of Glocejler j who, as is faid, difpatch'd her 
 alfo, by Poifon, to make Way for his intended Match with his 
 JSrothw King Edward's Daughter. 
 
 Dugdale's Baronage Vol, I. Page 307.
 
 346 The Parliamentary History. 
 
 king Edward IV. « his uttermoft to be reconciled, during his Wife's 
 ' Life, that then after the Death of his faid Wife, 
 ' he fhall enjoy her Purparty.' 
 
 The Effect of the Gr.mt made to the Mayor 
 and Company of the Staple at Calais, Anno 13, 
 Edward IV. was in a Manner recited ; and, it 
 was further enacted, * That the laid Mayor, dur- 
 ' ing the Term there meniion'd, fhall pay 1000 
 c Marks for the Fees and Rewards of the King's 
 ' Judges, Serjeants and Attornies.' 
 
 The Parliament This Seffion only continued to the 28 th of 
 
 E5Fj5*L Mah when the Bifhop of Uncohl $' as Chan " 
 
 cellor, in the Prefence of the King and the three 
 Eftates, prorogued the Parliament to the 6th Day 
 They meet again, of June next enfuing. At which Time, beiides 
 and grant a Sub- reverfing the Attainders of a few more Gentle- 
 fldy * men, and fome other Acts on private Affairs, a 
 
 Subfidy was granted by the Commons to the 
 King of one Tenth and one Fifteenth ; Alfo, 
 51,117/. 45. yd. id. as full Payment for the 
 Wages of 14,000 Archers granted'* before ; and 
 for the raifing of this, every County, City, and 
 Town was feverally taxed. And on July 18th, 
 the aforefaid Chancellor, by the King's Command 
 prorogued the Parliament to the 23d Day of Fe- 
 bruary, next enfuing, at JVeJlminJier. 
 The fame Parik- This Parliament being again ailembled, on the 
 m ™V^ ccts f ter faid Day, which was (till in the 14th of this 
 on/ 10r ° satl "King, an Ordinance was immediately made by 
 them for the fpeedy levying the Tenth, on all Re- 
 venues, granted in the » 2th Year of this Reign. 
 
 An Act was made this Seflion for appointing 
 Thomas Archbifhop of Canterbury, and feveral o- 
 thers, Feoffees in Truft, for fundry Heredita- 
 ments in the Duchy of Lancajier, to the Perfor- 
 mance of the King's laft Will and Teft anient, 
 &'c. 
 
 The Houfe called the Style- Hou/e, otherwife 
 the Stilliard, in the Parifh of Allhalhws in Lon- 
 <&//,was by Authority of Parliament afligned to the 
 
 Merchants 
 
 (/) Thomas Rotkcram, afterwards tranflated to York, Le Niti'j 
 Fajti Ecc. Ang.
 
 Of E N G L A N D. 347 
 
 Merchants of the Hans Towns, and to their Sue- King Edward IV, 
 ceflbrs for ever, together with other Tenements 
 to the fame belonging, yielding Yearly to the 
 Mayor of London 70/. and fome other Out- 
 Payment. 
 
 On the Petition of Richard Duke of Glocejler, 
 the King would not attaint John Neviie late Mar- 
 quefs of Mont acute, flain in the Battle, near Bar- 
 net ; but, by Authority of Parliament, he gave 
 to the faid Duke, and to the Heirs of his Body, . 
 lawfully begotten, feveral Honours, Baronies, 
 Caftles, Manors, and other Hereditaments, which 
 belonged to Richard Neviie, late Earl of Warwick. 
 And, by the fame Authority, the King gave to 
 George Duke of Clarence, feveral other Manors, 
 &c. in EJJex, with the Manfion-Houfe, in Lon- 
 don, called the Harbor, late belonging to the faid 
 Earl. Likewife, in Exchange for the Manor and 
 Wapontake of Chejierfield and Scar/dale, in the 
 County of Derby, and the Manor of Bujby in 
 Hertfordfiire, allotted to Richard Duke of Glo- 
 cejier and Anne his Wife, the King gave to the 
 faid Duke and Anne, in Fee, the Manor of Cct- 
 tingham in the County of York, with the Advow- 
 fon of the feme, which late belonged to Richard 
 late Duke of York, the King's Father, together 
 with the Town and Caftle of Scardeburgh, with 
 the Fee-Farm of the fame, and other Liber- 
 ties. 
 
 Several other Manors are mentioned in the 
 Records, as granted to the Duke of Clarence, in 
 Devonjhire and Somerfetjhire, &c. all which were 
 Parcels of forfeited Eitates,which at this time muft 
 greatly increafe the Revenues of the Royal Fa- 
 mily. 
 
 The whole Bufinefs of this laft Seffion of the Numerous At- 
 Parliament feems, by the Records, to be taken up tainders, Revo- 
 with Attainders, and revoking Attainders, Grants cations of Attain- 
 of forfeited Eftates, £sV. the fatal Confequences &"' ran ' 
 of Civil Wars ; but it woulJ be too tedious to 
 mention any more of them. However, we find 
 
 that
 
 34S The Parliamentary History 
 
 King Edward iv. "that in the Statute Books are feveral Acts, made 
 for the Publick Good, in the different Seflions of 
 this long Parliament, to which we rauft alfo refer ; 
 and (hall only obferve, that before the Diflblu- 
 tion thereof, the Commons made another 
 
 Another Subfidy. Gmntto ±Q K ; ng of ^ y^ and one JB^. 
 
 teenth, with a Third of each of them. Which 
 Grant being read, and agreed to by the Lords, 
 the Lord Chancellor, on the 14th Day of March ', 
 This long Parlia- Anno Re S ni l 5- ( m ) b Y the King's Command, re- 
 ment diflblv'd. turned Thanks to the three Eftates, and diflblved 
 the Parliament. 
 
 We have not in the Courfe of thefe Enquiries, 
 hitherto, met with a Parliament of fo long a Du- 
 ration ; they having fat, with the feveral Proro- 
 gations, near two Years and a half. During 
 which The Hijiory of Croyland takes notice, that 
 no lefs than three feveral Lord Chancellors prefid- 
 ed. The firft, adds that Authority, was Robert 
 [Still ngton] Bifhop of Bath, who did nothing but 
 by the Advice of his Difciple John [dlcock] Bifhop 
 of Worcejler ; the next was Lawrence [Soothe] 
 Bifhop of Durham, who tired himfelf with do- 
 ing juft nothing at all ; and the third w/is Thomas 
 [Rotheram] Bifhop of Lincoln, who did all, and 
 brought every thing to a happy Conclufion. 
 
 The aforefaid Authority («), cotemporary with 
 thefe Times, goes on and tells us, ' That the 
 ' King made it his utmoft Study, in this Parlia- 
 ' ment, to incite and animate the Lords and 
 ' Commons, to confent to a War with France. 
 ' And, that many elegant Speeches, as well on 
 ' the State of the Nation, as on Foreign Affairs, 
 A rge 1 y, ( p art j cu i ar jy j n regard of the Duke of Burgundy, 
 6 were made in open Parliament. At laft, every 
 ' one agreed with his Majefty's Wifhes, and ap- 
 ' plauding greatly the royal Propofal, many 
 4 Tenths and Fifteenths were granted j feparately, 
 
 * as" 
 
 (m) The Abridgement has it Anno Regnl 14. but it muft be a 
 Miftake, for Edward IV. began his Reign on the 4th of March. 
 (») Hist. Croyl. Continnatio 557, 5<;8.
 
 Of ENGLAND. 34c? 
 
 * as the Matter required, in the Convocation of King Edward iv. 
 ' the Clergy and Afiembly of the Laity, who 
 
 ' both interefted themfelves in making thefe Con- 
 ' ceffions ; befides charging their Hereditary 
 ' PofTeflions and immoveable Goods, freely, with 
 
 * another Tenth to fuftain the Expences of the 
 
 * War. Neither did all thefe Burthens on the And anew Impo- 
 
 * People feem fufficient. For a new, and a yet fltion > ca,ld *■ 
 « unheard-of Impofition (*) was afked, called a ?*"£%£%' 
 
 * Benevolence, whereby, every one might a War againft 
 ' give what they would, or rather, what they France « 
 
 * would not. The Money raifed by all thefe 
 ' Ways and Means, amounted to fo vail a Sum, 
 « as, adds the Monk by way of Prophecy, no doubt 
 ' the like was never feen before ; nor, in all prob- 
 
 * ability, ever will be feen again.' 
 
 Hall, in his Chronicle, hath given us the Man- 
 ner by which this new Device of a Benevolence 
 was collected ; which was begun the Year after 
 the laft Subfidy was granted (/>). The King, 
 he fays, caufed his Officers, to bring before him, 
 one after another, the richeft and mod fubftantial 
 Citizens, and to them he explained the Caufe, . . 
 Purpofe, and the Neceflity of the War, begun 
 with France, and the Weaknefs of his Treafury 
 to carry it on. Requiring them by the Love and 
 Regard they owed - their natural Prince, out of 
 Gratitude and Kindnefs to him, that they would 
 give him freely fome Aid in Money, towards the 
 Maintenance of the War and Army. What , 
 Ihould I fay more, adds our Author ? This In- 
 vention had its Effect. Some calling to Remem- 
 brance the Benefits received from him ; fome 
 with Shame, and fome with Fear, moved and 
 encouraged, gave liberally of their Money ; which 
 could not have been other ways obtained without 
 
 much 
 
 (0) In the fecond-Year of his Reign he fent out Letters, under 
 the Privy Seal, to afk fuch a Contribution as this, to help him to 
 raife Forces againft the Scots, coming in with King Henry, which 
 was liberally granted. Stowe's Chron. 416. 
 
 (f)Hta.j. , sCiroiHcIe, Fol. CC.XXVII. Copied by Gb At tok, 
 P. 719.
 
 350 Tke Parliamentary History 
 
 KingEdwatd iv. muc h Grudging and Reluclancy (p). Our Hi- 
 ftorian goes on and tells us a pleafant Story, which 
 happened by this way of gathering the Benevo- 
 lence. The King had called before him a Widow 
 Gentlewoman, much abounding in Wealth, and 
 equally ftricken in Years ; of whom, he only de- 
 manded what me would freely give him, towards 
 the Support of his great Charges ? By my Troth, 
 quoth the old Lady, for the fake of thy lovely 
 Countenance, thou /halt have Iwenty Pound?. The 
 King, expecting fcarce half that Sum, thanked 
 her, and gave her a loving Kifs. Whether the 
 Flavour of his Breath, adds Hall, did fo warm her 
 old Heart, or fhe efteemed the Kifs of a King fo 
 precious a Jewel, fhe fwore directly, that he 
 mould have Twenty Pounds more ? Which, me 
 as willingly paid as offered {q). 
 
 But, leave we this new Way of railing Money, 
 which, by all we can find, was only practifed on 
 the richeft Citizens of London, and not carried 
 thro* the Nation : Let us fee what the King did 
 Which proves with his Riches, and how they were employed 
 unfuccefsful. abroad. Edward embarked with his Forces, and 
 landed at Calais, where he was joined by the 
 Duke of Burgundy, who had invited him to this 
 War ; but with fo poor a Reinforcement, that 
 
 Edward 
 
 (/>) Fabian writes, that the Mayor of London for his Part gave 
 XXX /. each of the Aldermen XX Marks ; the Commoners, fingly, 
 gave him the Wages of half a Man for a Year, which amounted 
 to iv /. xi s. iiii d. Ch«on. Fol. CC.XXII. 
 
 (q) A Story, fomewhat applicable to this, actually happened at 
 Tontfrete in York/hire, in the Year of King Charles lid's Reitera- 
 tion. It was then thought proper, to fupply the prefentNeceffities 
 . of the King and State, to fend Officers about the Kingdom, to 
 
 colled): what Money each Perfon would freely contribute on that 
 Occafion 5 and which was, alfo, call'd a Benevolence. The 
 Collectors came to the Houfe of an old Lady, who then liv'd in 
 the Town aforefaid, and havingtold her their Errand, ' Alafs ! Alafs !' 
 faid fhe, ' A poor King indeed, to go a begging the firft Year of his 
 ' Reign ! but flay, I will bellow fomething on him j* and, telling 
 them out ten broad Pieces, 'Here, fays fhe, take thofe.' The- 
 Officers were going away, very thankful for what they had got j 
 
 * Hold,' fays the old Lady, ' Here are ten more, to bear rh» 
 ' Charges of the other ; and then, perhaps, fome of t^era may 
 
 * reach him/
 
 Of E N G L A N D, 351 
 
 Edward thinking himfelf flighted, and fearing King Edward rv. 
 
 fome Treachery, haftily concluded a Peace with 
 
 the French King ; and the whole ended in an In- A Peac v e _ da PP' d 
 
 . . ° , t r . i-i up with France, 
 
 terview between the two Kings, which was per- ^ hicii aifobiigas 
 formed at Piguigny, with great Ceremony and the Nation. 
 Magnificence. 
 
 But, the -Nation was no Ways pleafed with 
 this Piece of Pageantry ; the Money which had 
 been fqueezed, as it were out of every one's Purfes, 
 was given and granted for a quite different Pur- 
 pofe than to be fpent in a pompous Parade. A 
 War with France, on the old Quarrel, was what 
 all wifhed for ; and it was with great Difficulty, 
 that Edward prevented his chief Minifters from 
 being call'd to an Account, at his Return ; being 
 greatly fufpecled that they had been touched with 
 French Gold, in order to advife him to confent 
 to a Peace (r). An Hiftorian remarks, ' That 
 
 * furely, there is fome in-born Malice, rancoring 
 
 * in the Genius of our Nation, againft the 
 c French ; the Saxon Government having once 
 ' received a final Overthrow from them, in the 
 4 Conqueft of Duke William. Or elfe, it would 
 4 be a Wonder why the Englijh were never fpar- 
 
 * ingof their Lives or Treafure, when any War 
 ' was to be advanc'd againft the French (s),' 
 
 The King was in his Nature fo liberal to thofe 
 who had "any Ways befriended him, that he foon 
 got quit of all the Treafure that was left after his 
 French Expedition. And, knowing well theFickle- 
 nefs of the Nation j how prone they were to raife 
 Infurreftions, and how fond of Novelties ; he 
 durft not call a Parliament to lay on any new Sub- The King's Me- 
 fidy, but "took other very different Ways to reftore thod of raifing 
 his Treafury. Under the Force of a Statute, ^JJ" n ey, a t0 P ^ 
 Which had been pafled in Parliament, he firft took ^entf a 
 into his own Hands all the Revenues of the Crown, 
 
 to 
 
 ( r) Philip de Commines exprefsly fays, That tliey were all at that 
 Time Penfioners to France ; and that the King of England loft 
 more Credit, amongft his own Subjects, by this Peace, than he 
 had gained Honour by the nine forOiir Viftpries he had won. 
 i/w IV. Chap. X. 
 
 (s) Hibingtun ia Kunmt $U
 
 552 The Parliamentary History 
 
 Kmg Edward rv. to whomfoever alienated, and applied them to de- 
 fray the Expences of the State. Next, he fix'd, 
 in every Part of the Kingdom, Collectors of the 
 Cuftoms, Men well qualified for their Offices, 
 and who were hard enough on the Merchants. 
 He loaded many Ships of Burthen, with the fineft 
 Wools, Cloth, Tin, and other Commodities of 
 the Kingdom, and, like a meer Merchant, trad- 
 ed to Italy and Greece with them, and had, in Ex- 
 change, the Product of thofe Countries. The 
 vacant Bifhopricks, which had fallen into his 
 Hands, and. which, by Magna Cbarta, he could 
 not make Sale of, he granted no Reftitution of 
 the Temporalities under a fixed Price. The Re- 
 gisters and Rolls of Chancery were ftriclly fearch- 
 ed-; and whofoever he found had entered upon 
 their Eftates, without due Form of Law, he 
 made them pay large Fines for their Titles. 
 Thefe and fuch like Kinds of Snares, which a cun- 
 ning Fowler could poffibly invent, he put in Prac- 
 tice ; add to this, the ten Thoufand Pounds a 
 Year, by Treaty, from France ; with the Tenths of 
 all Church Livings, from the Payment of which no 
 Bifhop or Clergyman could get excufed, in a few 
 Years filled the King's Coffer?, and made him one 
 of the richeft Princes of that Age. Infomuch, 
 adds our Authority, that for VefTels of Gold and 
 Siiver, for Tapefiry, for precious Ornaments, 
 Robes and Veftments, for building of Caftles, Col- 
 leges, and other famous Places, none of his An- 
 cestors could be compared to him (t). 
 
 By thefe Means we may fuppofe the King 
 fubiiited himfelf, and difcharged the neceilary Ex- 
 pences of the State, without laying any general 
 Tax on his Subjects, or having occafion to call a 
 Parliament for fome Time. For it was not till 
 near three Years after the laft Parliament was 
 diffolv'd, that we meet with any Account of 
 another ; but no Writs of Summons are given 
 to it, either in Dugdale or The Abridgement. 
 The laft Authority, however, mentions the 
 
 Proceedings 
 
 (t)tii%r, Croyi. Cont. 559.
 
 Of E N G L A N D. 553 
 
 Proceedings of a Parliament, held at W.eft- KingEdwardrfc. 
 minjler, on the 16th Day of January, in the 
 17th of King Edward the IVth ; and our Sta- 
 tute- Books, . by a Recital of feveral Afts there 
 made, confirm it. 
 
 At the Time appointed, the Parliament metAnnoRegn!i7. 
 at Wejlminjler ; when Thomas Rotheram, Bifhop H77- 
 of Lincoln, in the Prefence of the King, Lords, AtWeftmmftcr, 
 and Commons, in the Painted Chamber, de- 
 clared the Caufe of the Summons, under this 
 Text, Dominus regit me 9 et nihil Mihi deerit. 
 
 Upon which he largely treated \Of theObe- 
 
 * dience which Subjedts owe to their Prince ; and 
 
 * fhewed, by many Examples, out of the Old 
 ' and New Teftament, what grievous Plagues 
 
 * had happen'd to the Rebellious and Difobedient ; 
 
 * particularifmg that Saying of St. Paul, Nonfwe 
 *■ Caufa Rex Gladium portat. He added, that the 
 
 * Majefty of the King was upheld by the Hand 
 
 * and Counfel of God, by which he was ad- 
 ' vanc'd to the Throne of his Anceftors.' And 
 concluded with obierving, ' That under the Per- 
 ' fon of the King, with the Perfons of the Bifhops 
 
 * and Lords, and under thofe of the Commons, 
 ' Si Dominus regit me nihil Mihi deerit '; fed in 
 
 * Loco Pafcuce illos collocabit. J Then he directed 
 the Commons to choofe their Speaker, amongft 
 themfelves, as ufual, and prefent him to the 
 
 King ; who next Day prefented William Ailing- w . u . .„. 
 
 r?r c u Wcc 1- n 1 William Ailing-. 
 
 ion, Efq; for that Omce, who was allowed t0 n Efij; chofea 
 
 accordingly. Speaker. 
 
 The firft Thing we find is a Creation exem- 
 plified of Richard, the King's fecond Son, being The K ; ng < s f e _ 
 thereby made Duke of Tork and Norfolk, Earl cond Son created 
 Marfhal of England, Earl of Warren and Not- Duke of York * 
 tingham. Likewife, that the King had appointed &c " 
 his faid Son to marry with Ann, the Daughter and 
 Heir to John late Duke of Norfolk, the faid Ann 
 being then but fix Years of Age and the Prince 
 about the fame. On this Declaration an Aft was 
 
 Vol. II. Z made
 
 354 The ^Parliamentary History 
 
 KingEdwardiv. made, that, if the faid Ann fhould happen to die, 
 before fhe had Iflue by the faid Duke of York ; that 
 then the faid Duke fhould enjoy, during his 
 Life, feveral Baronies, Honours, Caftles, Manors, 
 Knight3 - Fees* and other Hereditaments by 
 Name, in Wale^ Sujex, and other Countries, Par- 
 cel of the Inheritance of the faid Ann, A Con- 
 firmation of the Jointure, rated by Particulars, to 
 Elizabeth Duchefs of Norfolk late Wife to 
 John Duke of Norfolk ; all which PremifTes, 
 with all other Reverfions of the faid Duke, were 
 granted and confirmed by Parliament to the laid 
 Duke of York, during his Life j in which are in- 
 cluded fome Proviiions for the Lord Howard, tht 
 Lord Berkeley and others. 
 
 The Exchange of the Caftle and Manor of El- 
 vel, in Wales ) belonging to Richard Duke of 
 Ghcefter and Ann his Wife, for the King's Caftle 
 and Manor of Wigmore, in the fame Country, &c. 
 was confirmed by Parliament. As, alfo, lome 
 other Privileges were granted to the faid Duke. 
 And whereas the King had created George Ne- 
 Nevile, Duke of vile, the Son of John Nevile late Marquefs of 
 fcvok'd?™ 6 Montacute , Duke of Bedford ; the King, by Au- 
 thority of Parliament, revoketh the faid Creation, 
 * and all other Titles and Honours, as well from 
 the laid George as from the faid John. 
 
 It is neceflary to expatiate a little upon this ex- 
 traordinary Ai\ of Revocation. John Nevile, fe- 
 ccnd Son to Richard Earl of Salisbury, and Bro- 
 ther to the famous Earl of Wanvick, for his good 
 Services to the Houfe of York, had been created 
 Marquefs of Montacute, or Mountague, by King 
 Edward IV. and had feveral large and rich Ma- 
 nors given him. Hiftori ins are far from being 
 clear in the Character of this Nobleman ; it is laid 
 that when his Brother the Earl of Warwick defert- 
 ed the Intereft of the Duke of York he did the 
 fame, and raifed Forces in the North, and that 
 by both Edward was driven out of the Kingdom. 
 I:i tiie Parliament called on the Reftoration of 
 
 Henry
 
 Of E N G L A N D. &$ 
 
 tlenryW. the fame Authorities aflure us, that King Edward IV. 
 the Marquefs came to it, and with many Words 
 endeavoured toexcufe his having formerly acled 
 for King Edward ; urging, that it was really 
 the Fear of Death only thatoblig'd him to it j on 
 which he obtain'd his Pardon, and was put upon 
 the lame Footing, for Friendfhip, with his Bro- 
 ther. Bur, adds one, if he had flood firm to Ed- 
 ward ', he had done Henry lefs Harm, as an open 
 Enemy, than a treacherous Friend j becaufe, 
 thofe we are aware of feldom greatly hurt us (a).- 
 For within a fhort Time after, King Edward re- 
 turning, this John privately held a Correfpon- 
 dence with him ; and being then with a large 
 Army at Pontefracl, he fuffer'd Edward to pals 
 by him without any Moleftation. That after- 
 wards he outwardly made a Shew of joining with 
 his Brother the Earl of Warwick, and the reft of 
 the Lancajlrians at Barnet, but that he privately 
 got on King Edward's Livery, in order to take 
 his Part ; which being difcern'd by fome of his 
 Brother's Servants, they forthwith fell upon him 
 and killed him (b). Theie laft Particulars are only 
 mention'd by Dugdale, who quotes Leland's Col-- 
 leftanea for his Authority ; but, if this had been 
 true, his Son Gw£*, without the higheft Ingrati- 
 tude, had never fuffercd as above. For we are 
 told, that by his Father's Attainder, at this 
 Time, he was deprived of fufficient Livelihood \. 
 and lofing all his own Honours and Titles alio, 
 he retired to Sheriff Htt on Caftle, in Tori/bin, 
 where, Anno 1483, 1 Edward V. he died. 
 
 The Earl's other Brother, George Nevile, 
 Archbifhop of York, famous for his extraordinary 
 Inftallat.on-Feaft, lived fome Time quietly un- 
 der Edward's Government. But the King 
 Z z growing 
 
 (a) Porro Ji is cum Edwardo ftetiJJ'et, Dubio frocul minus Ho/Tit 
 quant fucofus Amiens IcrJijJ'et ; quoniam qua: cavemus raro bandit 
 ranrittr voccnt 
 
 Pol. Verg. />. 52X. 
 
 {b) DuGPALt'i Baronage, Vol. I. p. 308. from Lthnd,
 
 k 356 The 'Parliamentary Histokt 
 
 King Edward iv. growing jealous of him, at laft feized on his Per- 
 fon and Effefts by a Stratagem, and fent him Pri- 
 foner to the Caftle of Guifnes, where he foon after 
 died. Thus the Crime of double Perfidy was 
 amply reveng'd by the Deftruttion of this whole 
 noble Family. But to return to our Parliamen- 
 tary Proceedings : 
 
 To foften the Rigour of the laft Sentence, we 
 find that fome others, who had been attainted, 
 were pardoned and had their Eftates reftored to 
 them. The principal of which was Sir Thomas 
 fere, Knight, Brother to John late Earl of Ox- 
 . - ford, which Family had been ftrongly attach'd 
 to the Houfe of Lancafler ; for, even after the 
 Battle of Tezvksbury, the laid Earl and his Bro- 
 thers retir'd to St Michael's Mount in Cornwall 
 and held it out againft King Edward fome 
 Months. The Earl himfelf, however, fuffered 
 feverely ; for tho' he was pardoned as to his Life, 
 in the Parliament of the 1 2th of this King, yet he 
 was made a clofe Prifoner, in the Caftle of 
 Guifnes, and continued fo to the laft Year of 
 Richard the Third. In all which Time his Lady 
 was never fuffered to come to him, nor had any 
 Thing allow'd her for Maintenance ; but lived 
 upon the Charity of well difpos'd People, and by 
 what me could earn with her Needle, or other 
 feminine Employments (0- 
 
 We muft not omit another Remark, viz. 
 that the Procefs and Judgment againft another 
 Lady, called in the Record Anchenette Twindowe, 
 for poifoning Ifabel, late Wife to George Duke of 
 Clarence, and for which the laid Lady had fuffer'd 
 Death at Ware, the Year before, were utterly 
 repealed by this Parliament : Probably it being found 
 a wrong Accufation, this Was to make fome A- 
 mends to her Family. 
 
 On the Petitions of the Commons fome ufeful 
 A£ts were made this Parliament j as, ' That all 
 
 Irfi 
 
 (c) Fasta*;': Clror. Fol. cc,xw.
 
 O/ENGLAND. 357 
 
 * Irijh Money fhould be prohibited in this King- King Edward iv f 
 ' dom. That it fhould be Felony to carry out 
 
 ' of England, or IVales, any Coin of this Realm, 
 c or any Plate, Bullion, Jewels of Gold or Silver, 
 
 * without the King's Licence, 13c. An Aft a- Several ufeful 
 ' gainft unlawful Games, fuch as are there call'd Afts paired. 
 
 * KloJJe, Half-bowle, Rayles, Hand in Band, 
 
 * or ^uechbord, on Pain of two Years Imprifon- 
 
 * ment and Forfeiture of Forty Pounds ; and 
 6 whofoever mould fuffer any other Perfon to 
 4 play at fuch Games in his Houfe or other Place, 
 
 * mall fuffer three Years Imprifonment and forfeit 
 ' twenty Pounds. A long Aft for regulating 
 « Apparel, which had then grown to a very great 
 
 * Extravagance. An Aft was made to repeal a 
 
 * Parliament holden Anno 9, Edward IV. [or 
 
 * Anno 4.8, Henry VI.] with all the Afts there- 
 ' in made, and their Exemplifications (d).* Laft- 
 ly, The Abridgment mentions an Aft to conti- 
 nue only to the next Parliament, ' To oblige all 
 
 * Irijhmen born, or coming of Irijh Parents, who 
 ' refide in England, either to repair and remain- 
 
 * in Ireland, or elfe to pay yearly a certain Sum, 
 ' there rated, for the Defence of the fame.' .Alfo, 
 
 * That an Ordinance was made for John 
 ' Atwill, a Burgefs, in this Parliament, for the 
 ' City of Exeter, (who had been condemn'd in the 
 
 * Exchequer, on eight feveral Informations, at the 
 4 Suit of John Taylor, of the fame Town,) to have 
 
 - c as many Superfedeas, as hepleafed, until his com- 
 ' ing to his own Home'. An Aft of Privilege dircft- 
 . Iy in the Face of the other Courts of Juftice, and 
 is fomewhat extraordinary at that Time. 
 
 The Reader may obferve that no Supply was 
 either asked or granted this Parliament ; fome o- 
 ther Neceflities of State requiring this Meeting ; 
 and the King ftill fubfifting himfelf on his own 
 Revenues. 
 
 About this Time a Difcord arofe between the 
 Z 3 King 
 
 \d) See before in this Volume,^.. 33+.
 
 35S The Tarltamentary History 
 
 King Edward iv« King and his Brother George, Duke of Clarence ; 
 which ended in the Deftrudlion of the latter. 
 
 ' It was obferv'd, fays the Hifisry of Crcyland (e), 
 that the Duke withdrew himfelf, by little and 
 little, from the King's Piefence ; in Council he 
 would fcarce ipeak a Word, nor would he wil- 
 lingly either ear. or drink in the King's Palace. 
 A Quarrel be- This Coldnefs in the Duke was thought by many 
 SX^S to proceed from the general Resumption of 
 George r>uke of Crown Lands, which, as has been faid, the King 
 chrencc. nac } pra&ifed ; by which the Duke had loft; the 
 
 noble Lordfhip of Tutbury, and feveral other 
 Lands which the King had formerly given him* 
 Add to this, that on the Death of Charles Duke- 
 of Burgundy ; Mary, his only Daughter and Heir, 
 by Margaret, King Edward's Sifter, was defign- 
 ed by her Mother to be given to Clarence, his Own 
 "Wife being newly dead ; but the King, fays our 
 Authority, not willing his ungrateful Brother 
 mould gain fuch a Fortune, impeded the Match 
 fo much, that it never took Place ; and the. 
 young Lady was afterwards married to the Em- 
 peror of Germany's Sen, Maximilian. The 
 Duke's Anger, was by this Ufage much more raifed 
 againft the King ; and they began to regard one 
 another with no brotherly Aipefts. Befides, 
 Flatterets and Tale-bearers, who always haunt 
 the Courts of Princes, by carrying and repeating 
 Stories, made the Matter ftill worfe between 
 them. But the Reafon of the Duke's Imprifon^ 
 ment is faid to be this ; one John Stacey, whom 
 our Author calls an Aftronomtr and a greatNe- 
 cromancer, was joined in Confederacy with Tho- 
 mas Burdet, Eiq, one of the Duke's Servants ; 
 and they were nccufed of compafling the Death 
 of Richard ho\d Beaucbatnp, at the Inftigaiion of 
 his Wife, an Adulrrefs, by making of Leaden 
 Images, and other Things to that Purpofe. Sta* 
 (ey having pafs'd a fevere Examination, on the 
 
 ' exercifing 
 
 (*)Hxst. Croyl. Cont, 561, 562.
 
 Of ENGLAND. 3 jp 
 
 exercifing this damnable Art, fays the Monk, KingEdwardiv. 
 
 confeft many Matters both againft himfelf and 
 
 againft the faid Burdet, who was thereupon 
 
 taken up. They were both tried in Wejiminjler- 
 
 Hal/ y at the Bar of the King's Bench, moft of 
 
 the Lords Temporal fitting with the Judges, 
 
 where they were found guilty and condemn'd to 
 
 fufFer Death for it. Being drawn to Tyburn, and Tw0 of the lat( _ 
 
 permitted to fpeak what they pleafed ; Stacey faid ter's Confede- " 
 
 little, but Burdet, with great Boklneis anc many rates executed » 
 
 Words, declared his Innocence, and ended h,sj^ e n n g c ^ e,r 
 
 Difcourfe, adds the Monk, with thefe Words of. 
 
 Sufanna, * Ecce r/iorior, cum nihil horum fece- 
 
 « rim {f): 
 
 The next Day the Duke of Clarence came in- 
 to the Council Chamber, at Wejiminjler ; and 
 brought with him a famous Divine, of the Order 
 of Minor eU^ who had taken the Confeflion and 
 Declaration aforefaid, and repeated it to the Lords 
 of the Council ; which, as foon as he had done, 
 the Duke withdrew. The King was at that 
 Time at JVmdJor y and when he was told this Af- 
 fair, he fell into a vehement PaiTion at his Brother ; 
 and recollecting in his Mind all ihe Informations 
 he had receiv'd againft him, he fummon'd him to 
 appear before him on a Day appointed, in the 
 Palace at Wejlirinjler^ when the Lord Mayor and 
 
 Aldermen 
 
 (f) This Burdet is the Man whom all our later Hiftorians parti- 
 cularly mention for being executed on a very trivial Accufation, 
 King Edward, in ibme Progrefs that he made, took Cccafion to 
 hunt in this Gentleman's Park ; and amongft lcveral Deer that he 
 kill'd, mot a white Buck, which the Squire much valued. And 
 faying that he wifh'd the Horns of the Buck in that Man's Belly 
 who advis'd the King to kill him : This was conftrued as wishing 
 the Horns in the King's Belly, and he was executed for it. Our 
 Cotemporary Hiftoriam, from whom we have quoted, mention 
 nothing of this Buck-Affair j and old Stotvc fays, exprefly, that 
 he was accus'd of Poifoning, Sorcery, and Inchantment, heinous 
 Crimes in thofe Days to be even fufpc&ed of 5 for which he was 
 attainted by Parliament, drawn to Tyburr, and there beheaded. 
 This may therefore be look'd upon as one of the partial Strokes at 
 die Houfcof York, by the Lar.cajlrijn Writers who fucceeded. 
 
 Stows'; Cbroji. p, 430..
 
 360 The 'Parliamentary History 
 
 King Edward IV. Aldermen of London were prefent ; and there 
 the King, with his own Mouth, ' acculed the 
 Duke of many Articles, particularly the lail 
 mentioned ; aggravating it vehemently againft 
 him, and charging the Duke with ftigmatiling 
 him as a Reprobate to the Laws of the Land, 
 and that his Judges and Juries were equally un- 
 juft. Upon which the Duke was fent Prifoner 
 to the Tower, from which Imprifonment Death 
 only freed him. 
 
 What follow'd in the next Parliament, Hill 
 adds our former Authority, ' Mens refugit enar- 
 * rare ;' fince it was a melancholy Sight to fee fuch 
 Dlfcord arife between two Peribns fo near akin 
 in Humanity, for no one charged the Duke but 
 the King, nor no one anfwered the King but the 
 Duke. Some, however, were produced, of 
 whom it was much doubted, whether they came 
 as 1 Accufers of the Duke, or Evidences for him. 
 
 .«_ t> t i.:« The Duke anfwered all Objections to his Con- 
 
 The Duke him- _ . , J . . . 
 
 fdf tried, con- duct, by aflat Denial ; offering, if it might be 
 demned and exe- granted, to defend his Caufe by Combat. S$uid 
 cutjd. triultis iinmore'r ? the Houfe of Lords were of O- 
 
 pinion that the Evidence againft the Duke was fuf- 
 ficient ; and therefore proceeded to Condemnati- 
 on, the Sentence of which was pronounced by 
 Henry Duke of Buckingham, for that Time made 
 Lord High Steward of England (g). Execution, 
 however, was delay'd, 'till the Speaker of the 
 Houfe of Commons and his Brethren were called 
 before the other Houfe, when a Rehearing of the 
 whole Matter was made before them. The Con- 
 fequence of all which was, that the Duke was 
 put to Death, within the Tower of London, in a 
 few Days ; but what Kind of Death he fuffered is 
 unknown, Utinam Finis Mali (h). This is the 
 
 honeft 
 
 (g^ Sir William Dugdale fays, that the Duke was not attainted 
 in Parliament till after his Death j but the Authority afore-quoted, 
 which proves to the contrary, is not to be contradicted. 
 
 Dugdaj e's Baronage, Vol. II. p. 164. 
 
 (b) Moll Authors agree that lie was drown'd in a Butt of Malm* 
 fey Wifler
 
 Of E N G L A N D. $61 
 
 honeft Monk's Prayer, at the End of his Kii^EdWard rv 5 . 
 Tragic Story. And a fuperftitious Perfon would 
 be apt to believe that he had either forefaw, or 
 dreaded, fome future Mifchief might happen, as 
 indeed it did, to the two Children of this unfortu- 
 nate Prince, Edward Earl of Warwick, and 
 Margaret Countefs of Salisbury j both born, fays 
 an Hiftorian, under the fame malevolent Conftel- 
 lation with their Father, for he loft his Head in 
 Henry the VIIth'sTime, and fhe hers by Com- 
 mand of Henry the Vlllth (i). 
 
 We have choie to tranflate all the abovefaid 
 Account from the Cotemporary Hiitory before 
 quoted ; as thebeft Authority we can give of this 
 extraordinary Proceeding. Add to this, that all 
 our ancient Chronicles, are exprefs that the Duke 
 was condemn'd by Parliament ; and yet there is 
 not one Word of it, or of any Parliament being 
 iummon'd at that Time, to be found on Record. 
 It is probable, that the great Grief, which all 
 agree the King exprefs'd afterwards, for fuffering 
 himfelf to be hurried away by Prejudice and Pafli- 
 on againft his Brother, was the Occafion that the 
 Procefs was kept out of the Records. 
 
 But the particular Writer of this King's Life is 
 more explicit ; and hath not only laid the Death 
 of the Duke of Clarence to the evil Machinations 
 of his Brother Ghcejler^ but hath alfo given us the 
 Sum and Subftance of the Bill of Attainder againft 
 him ; which, as it lays the Matter fully open, 
 we fhall give in his own Words as follows (k) : 
 
 ' In his Attainder, according to the Form, are The Form of ac- 
 < Crimes enough to make his Death have Appea- JjjJ 6 " 8 " 04 
 
 * ranteof Juftice, the Execution of which theKing 
 
 * feem'd rather cohftrain'd to, than to have fought. 
 
 * For there are reckon 'd up, How the Duke of 
 
 ' Clarence 
 
 (0 Biovdi. Vol: II. p. 66. 
 
 (kj Mr Uablngton feldom quotes his Authorities j hut thb is 
 ■noft certainly taken from old Stowc, who fays he has read the 
 ■Attainder, Cbron. p. 430,
 
 King Edward IV. 
 
 362 The Tarliamentary History 
 
 Clarence, to bring the prefent Government in- 
 to Hatred with the People and thereby the 
 prefent State into Trouble, had not only in his 
 Speeches frequently laid Injuftice to the King's 
 Charge in attainting Thomas Bwdet falfly, con- 
 vidt of many notorious Treafons; but fuborn'd 
 many of his Servants and divers others, cor- 
 rupted with Money, to divulge the like fedi- 
 tious Difcourfes : That he had fpread Abroad 
 impious Rumours that the King dealt by Necro- 
 mancy ; and that, upon Offence againft fuch of 
 his Subjects whom by Order of Law he could not 
 deftroy, he was accuftom'd to take them away 
 by Poifon : That he had not refted there, but 
 thereby to advance himfelf to the Kingdom, 
 and for ever to difable the King and his Pofte- 
 rity from the Crown, he had contraiy to Truth, 
 Nature and Religion, Viper-like deitroying her 
 who gave him Life, publinYd that the King 
 was a Baftard and no Way capable to reign : 
 That to make this his fo monftrous Ambition 
 more fuccefsful, and already to begin his Ufur- 
 pation, he had caus'd many of the King's Sub- 
 jects to be lworn upon the moft blefl'ed Sacra- 
 ment to be true to him and his Heirs, without 
 any Exception of their Allegiance ; after which 
 fo fol-mn Oaths, he difcover d to them his Re- 
 fblution to right himfelf and his Followers, who 
 had both fullered by the King's violent wreft- 
 ing away their Eftates ; and in particular to 
 revenge himfelf upon the King, who (as he 
 moft impioufly and falfly fuggefted) had by 
 Art-Magick contrived to confume him as a 
 Candle confumeth in burning. And, what 
 moft exprefs'd the Treafon of his Defigns, that' 
 he had got out an Exemplification under the' 
 great Seal of Henry VI. late King; wherein was 
 fhewed how by the Parliament it was enacled, 
 that if the faid Henry and Edward his Son fhould 
 die without Ifiue-male, the Kingdom (hou Id de- • 
 fcend upon the Duke of Clarence and his H eirs ; 
 
 * whereby
 
 Of E.N GLAND. 363 
 
 c whereby clearly appear'd his Intention, imme- King Edward iv, 
 
 * diately to poflefs himfelf of the Crown,, with 
 ' Deftruclion of King Edward and his Chillren, 
 ' by Pretence of a general Election of the Com- 
 
 * mon- wealth. This was the Sum of his Attain- 
 ' der, which we may well believe had not ib eafi- 
 
 * ly paft but by the King's publick declaring him- 
 
 * lelf ; the fecret working of the Duke of Glou- 
 ' cefter ; and the paflionate urging of the Queen's 
 
 ' £ indred - * ut this Attainder hath in it one His Death ch 
 
 * Thing moll remarkable, that Clarence here falfly e d on his Brother 
 
 * was accufed of laying Baftardy to the King, to Richar( i Duke of 
 « endeavour Pofieflion of the Crown ; which GWfter - 
 
 * afterward was alledg'd indeed by Richard, Duke 
 6 of GlouceJIer, to the abfolute Difinherit of the 
 
 * King's Sons.' 
 
 It was not till five Years after the Difiblution Anno Regni 22. 
 of the laft Parliament, that we meet with another H 8 *- 
 on Record, which was fummoned by Writs, AtWeftminftcr ' 
 dated at Wejiminjler, Nov. 15 th, in the Z2d and 
 laft Year of this King, to meet at the fame Place, 
 on the 20th of January following. The firft 
 Writ to the Peers, was directed to his molt dear 
 firft born Son, Edward Prince of Wales, &c. and 
 the next to the King's other Son, Richard Duke 
 of York. 
 
 Being all afTembled on the Day appointed, the 
 Archbifhop of lork, Thomas Rotheram, Lord 
 Chancellor, opened the Seflion, by a Speech on 
 this Subject, Domw-is lilumlnatio mea &' Saks 
 mea. After which he directed the Commons to 
 chufe a Speaker; who, the next Day, prefentedftyr 1 ',*' 5 " 
 John Wood, Efqj for that Office. ^Speaker. 
 
 The firft Thing, on Record, which was done 
 in this Parliament, is, that the Houle of Com- 
 mons voted a Supply ; and by the Confent of 
 the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, a Tenth and 
 a Fifteenth, to be levied on the Laity, was grant-ASubfidy, 
 cd ; except a Dedudtin of 6000 /. to be bellow- 
 ed on decay'd Towns. Alfo, a yearly Subiidy 
 
 to
 
 364 The Tarliamentary History 
 
 King Edward iv. t0 ^ e levied on all Strangers, as well Denizens as 
 others. And, 
 
 At the Requeft of the Commons, in Recom- 
 penceof the above Grant, the King commanded 
 that all the Statutes, concerning Weights and 
 Meafures, Labourers, Beggars, and Vagabonds, 
 fhould be proclaimed and duly obferv'd. 
 
 A yearly Rent, or Annuity, out of the King's 
 Cuftoms and other Revenues, amounting to the 
 Sum of 11,000 /. was fettled, by Parliament, for 
 defraying" the King's Houfhold Expences. 
 
 The reft of the Bufinefe tranfa&eci in this Par- 
 liament, which The Abridgement givrs us, was 
 chiefly Gifts and Exchanges ot Mrnors and other 
 Hereditaments, in the Dutchies of Comwal and 
 Lancajler, which would be too tedious to men- 
 tion. Except, that a Very large Grant to Richard 
 Duke of Glocejier, of the Wardenfhip of the 
 North- Marches, together with the Caftles, Towns, 
 Lordfhips, Cuftoms, and Fee-Farm of Carli/Ie, 
 and Newcajlle ; with fewral of the King's Here- 
 ditaments, belonging to the Dutchy of Lancajier, 
 in Cumberland j and feveral Countries and Lands 
 within Scotland there mentioned, and fome Royal 
 Prerogatives within the fame, to hold the famq 
 of the King by Knight's Service, was confirm'd 
 by Parliament. This extraordinary Grant, with 
 what has preceeded, were but too ungratefully re- 
 paid, as will appear in the Sequel. Alio, 
 
 In fome Grants, Leafes and Releafes made be- 
 tween the King, the Abbot of St. Mary's, York* 
 and the Prior of St. Johns of Jerufalem, con- 
 firmed by this Parliament, Mr. Prynne, the Pub- 
 lifher of the Abridgement, remarks, * That in all 
 ' thefe Grants, as well of the laid Abbot, as the 
 ' faid Prior, they feverally ftile the King by thefe 
 4 very Words, Supremus Dominus nojler Edwardus 
 
 * quartus, Rex. At which time, adds he, if there 
 ' was any Pope, either his Power here was very 
 
 * little, or elfe not much regarded.' 
 
 Some
 
 O/ENGLAND. $6 S 
 
 Some Acts are, alfo, in the Statute-Books, KingEiwardrv. 
 made this Parliament, for the Advantage of the 
 Publick, to which we refer ; and mall only men- 
 tion one, by which all former Statutes made, 
 touching the Excefs of Apparel, were repealed. 
 And, what kind of Apparel, Temporal Men, of a fumptuaty 
 every Degree and Eftate, were allowed to wear. Law. 
 Alfo,' * That none, under the Degree of a Lord, 
 
 * except certain Perfons particularly named, mail 
 
 * wear any Gown, or Mantle, unlefs it be of fuch 
 
 * a Length, that a Man Handing upright, it (hall 
 ' cover his privy Members and Buttocks (/).' 
 
 But, though our Records inform us of no pub- 
 lic Affairs being tranfacted this Parliament, yet 
 the Hijiory aforementioned is not fo filent : That 
 Authority tells us, * That Edward's foreign Nego- 
 tiations were driven to a very difagreeable Crifis. 
 He now found out, that Lewis the French King, 
 had long made his Game of him ; and, at prefent, 
 feemed fo much to defpife his Power, that he not 
 only withdrew the annual Tribute ; but, actual- 
 ly forbid the Marriage of the Dauphin with the 
 Princefs Elizabeth, Edward's eldeft Daughter, tho* 
 they had been folemnly contracted : That the 
 Scots, having a Mind to break the Truce, firff, 
 defpifed the Match that was agreed upon between 
 their King and Cicely* another Daughter of Ed- 
 ward's, and then openly efpoufed the Caufe of 
 France. Other foreign Concerns relating to his 
 Friend the Duke of Auflria, gravelled him ; nor 
 were his domeftic Affairs in any profound Degree 
 of Tranquillity. Under thefe Dilemmas, adds ™ e ii £ i f B ? L Fcat * 
 our Author, he found himfelf neceffitated to call y ' 
 
 a Parliament, to whom he opened the Caufe of 
 his Troubles, and the fraudulent Ufage he had 
 met with from the Powers above mentioned ; and 
 begg'd of them to affift him to revenge the Af- 
 front. Neverthelefs, he durft not, /ays the Monk* 
 
 ask 
 
 {/) Statutes at Laisej Anno n, EdivarflV. &f>, i.
 
 '466 Ihe ^Parliamentary History 
 
 King Edward rv.afk any SubfiJy from the Commons; but too^ 
 more Freedom with the Clergy, to whom he told 
 his Neceffities, in a kind Manner ; and they, with 
 TheCiergy grant as much Benignity granted a Tenth ; and were fo 
 him a Tenth, complaifant to him, that whatever the King afkM 
 they granted. Here the Monk (alls into an Excla- 
 mation againft fuch Practices ; which becaufe it is 
 lingular in its Kind, we mall give in his own Words. 
 O Jet vile, pernitiofum Exitium Ecclefiae ! Avert at?, 
 Deus, ab omnibus Regum fucccdentium Animis y 
 Faclum ejufmodi in uttam trahere Confequentiam j 
 ne forfan ipjis ea Mala, five deteriora, excogitare 
 pojfmt, eve want, qua ?nox huic Regi, & fua da- 
 rijfimc& Pojhritati, miferabiliter evenerunt (m). 
 
 The Abridgment of the Records hath given us 
 the Names of the Peers fummoned to attend a 
 Parliament at Wejlminjler^ January the 20th, in 
 the twenty-third Year of this King. But there 
 are no Proceedings of fuch a Parliament, on Re- 
 cord ; it is probable they never met, being pre- 
 vented by the lad Sicknefs and Death of the K ng, 
 The Death of wn i cn happened foon after. For he died at his 
 Edward iv. Palace of Wejhtiinfier the 9th Dav of April, Anno 
 1483, and the 23d Year of his Reign. 
 
 The mteftine Troubles that were on Foot, in 
 this Kingdom, when this Monarch began his 
 Reign ; and which continued, by Intervals, during 
 the greateft Part of it, yields but fmall Matter for 
 theie Parliamentary Enquiries. And, indeed, when 
 Edward, by many Vidtories, had ait length fub- 
 dued all his Enemies, we find but very few Par- 
 liaments called, in proportion to fome former 
 Reigns. It is probable, that this King had taken 
 fome Difguft againft thefe Aflemblies, by obierving 
 that they ever declared on the ftrongeft Side ; a 
 flagrant Inftance of which was, the Recogniiing 
 and Swearing io defend two oppolite Titles, in lels 
 than the Space of fix Months (n). It is true, that 
 the Kingdom had been wafted, to the very Bones, 
 
 as 
 
 (n) Hist.Croyl. Cvtt. 503. 
 M See p- 3>4> 339-
 
 Of ENGLAND. 367 
 
 as it were, by the great Depredations, always con- King Edward r* 
 fequential to Civil Wars ; and the Commons 
 left in fo poor a Condition that they were little 
 able to grant Supplies. This might be another 
 Reafon why this King chofe not to opprefs them 
 by Taxes ; but to fupport himfeif on the Reve- 
 nues of the Crown, his own paternal Eftate, Be- 
 nevolences from the Rich, and the Returns of 
 Money he muft neceflarily acquire by Traffick in 
 his mercantile Affairs. In relation to Trade in 
 general ; though the Reader may obferve that 
 many good A6ts were made in this Reign to en- 
 courage it, particularly the Woollen Manufactory ; 
 yet, moft Authors have accufed this King of a 
 very falfe Step, in making a Prefent to the King 
 of Spain of fome Cot [wold Sheep j the Breed of 
 ■which have been very detrimental to that laft- 
 named natural Branch of Trade ever fince. But 
 one old Hiftorian (o), has in fome meafure cleared 
 him from that Afperfion ; by obferving that long 
 e'er this, Sheep muft have been common in Spain* 
 as is apparent by a Patent, granted by K. Henry II. 
 An. 1 1 85, in the 31ft of his Reign, to the Weavers^ 
 of London , that if any Englijh Cloth was found 
 to be mixed with Spanijb Wool, the Mayor of 
 
 London mould fee it burnt -Thus much we 
 
 have thought proper to fay at the Conclufion of 
 this Reign ; but as to the Virtues and Vices of 
 King Edward IV. in a more general Way, we 
 leave them as they were ; fince it is well known, 
 that the good and bad Characters of this Prince is 
 fufficiently difcufs'd by other Hiftorians. 
 
 (0) Jt Stowe, P. 419. A League of Friend/hip and Com- 
 merce having been ratified between King Ed-rvard, Henry King 
 of Cajiile, and John King of Arragin ; the former judging it 
 Tery beneficial to England, made die latter a Prefent of thefe 
 Sheep. Anno 1465. 
 
 Taxes
 
 3^8 Ths Parliamentary HisTort 
 
 TAXES during the Reigns of King Henry VI. 
 and King Edward IV. 
 
 In the Firft Year of Henry VI. the Commons, 
 with the Affent of the Bifhops and Lords, grant- 
 ed to the King the fame Subfidy on Woollen or 
 Staple Wares, Tunnage and Poundage as for- 
 merly, for two Years to come. 
 
 In his Second Year the fame Tax was renew'd. 
 
 In his Third Year the former Subfidies on Wools 
 was granted for three Years longer j and Ton- 
 nage and Poundage for one Year ; upon Condi- 
 tion, that foreign Merchants fhquld be ftri&Iy 
 looked to for their Duties. 
 
 In his Fourth Year the fame Subfidy on Wools, 
 &V. with Tonnage and Poundage, was granted 
 for two Years, as in the preceeding Parliaments. 
 
 In his Sixth Year the Parliament granted a Sub- 
 fidy of 3 s. a Tun for all Wine imported, and i s. 
 in the Pound for all Merchandize. Bolides this, 
 there was a kind of a Poll-Tax on every Parifh 
 that was worth ten Marks per Annum ; ten of the 
 chief Parifhioners were to pay 6 s. and 8 d. a Head. 
 And in every Parifh worth io /. a Year, the like 
 Number of Parifhioners were each to pay a Maik. 
 In all Corporations, every Perfon worth above 
 20 s. befides his Apparel and Houfhold Goods, 
 was to pay .4 d. each to the King ; and fo pro-' 
 portionably for every twenty they were worth 
 more. 
 
 In his Eighth Year a Supply was granted of one 
 whole Tenth and one Fifteenth, to be levied on the 
 Laity. , The Commons, at the fpecial Inftance 
 of the Bifhop of Winchejler, juft then made a 
 Cardinal, granted another Tenth ,and a Fifteenth, 
 to be levied as above. They, alio, gave the 
 King a Grant of Tunnage and Pound. .ge, to con - 
 tinue till the next Parliament. 
 
 In the fame Seffion they gave the King the 
 fame Subfidy on Wools, as was granted in former 
 
 Parliaments*
 
 Of E N G L A N D. 3 6 9 
 
 Parliaments, for two Years. And at the fame 
 Time, they confented to fhorten the Payment of 
 the lad Tenth and Fifteenth, to relieve the pref- 
 fing Neceflities of the State. 
 
 In his Ninth Year the Parliament granted a 
 Supply of one Tenth and one Fifteenth, and a 
 third of both. They, alfo, gave Tonnage and 
 Poundage for two Years, with a Subfidy of the 
 like Value on all Merchants Aliens, over and 
 above the faid Tonnage and Poundage. The 
 Commons, alfo, granted to the King 20 s. from 
 evrv Layman holding a Knight's Fee, and ac- 
 cording to the Value under or over. The fame 
 from the Clergy for all Xands purchafed fince the 
 20th Edward I. And that all other Perfons, hav- 
 ing Hereditaments to the Value of 20/. over all 
 Reprifes not held as above, fhall alfo pay 20 ;. 
 and fo according to Rate : But this was afterwards 
 given up by the King. 
 
 In his Tenth Year he had one Tenth and half 
 a Fifteenth ; alfo one Year's Subfidy on Wools, 
 and the fame Tonnage and Poundage, as in the 
 laft Parliament. But he releas'd the Increafe 
 of Six-pence in the Pound on Merchant- 
 Strangers. 
 
 The next Year the Parliament granted a Tenth 
 and a Fifteenth, to be levied on the Laity. They 
 likewife granted the fame Tonnage and Poundage 
 given the laft Year, for two Years to come ; as, 
 alfo a Subfidy of 53;. and 4 d. on every Sack of 
 "Wool for three Years enfuing ; and befides this a 
 Vote of Credit of 100,000 Marks. 
 
 In his Fourteenth Year a very'unufual Subfidy 
 was granted, viz. That every Perfon holding any 
 Frank Tenant in Lands, Annuities, Fees, Offi- 
 ces, or Hereditaments, above the yearly Value 
 of 5 /. fhould pay 6 d. for every Pound, upon his 
 Oath ; and a Tenth and a Fifteenth was granted 
 on the Laity. A Subfidy, alfo, on every Sack 
 Of Wool ; 33 s. ±d. from Merchants Denizens, 
 and 46 5. 8 d, from Aliens; and fo according to 
 
 Vol. II. A a that
 
 3?o The Parliamentary. History. 
 
 that Rate on other Staple Ware, with Tonnage 
 and Poundage for two Years. 
 
 Inhis Fifteenth Year the Subfidies granted were 
 the like Tenth and Fifteenth,, as' in the laft. Alfo, 
 the fame Subfidy on Wools, &c. was granted for 
 three Years to come. 
 
 In his Eighteenth Year a Tenth and a Fifteenth, 
 and half a Fifteenth, was granted to be levied of 
 the Laity,, as in his fourth Year. An Impofr on. 
 Wools was alfo granted for three.Yeara ; apd that 
 all Aliens,. not Denizens, withinthe Realm, fhould 
 pay to the King yearly i6</. for each, being an 
 Houfe-keeper ; being none 6d. 
 
 In' his Twenty-third Year a Tenth and ^.Fif- 
 teenth , and a half of both, was granted by Parlia,. 
 ment. A Subfidy alfo of 3 4. J. 4^. of Denifens, 
 and 53 s. of Aliens, for every Sack of Wool, &ci 
 with Tonnage and Poundage of Denifens, end 
 double of Aliens, was granted to the King for 
 four Years 
 
 In his Twenty-feventh Year a Grant of a 
 Tenth and half a Fifteenth, to be levied on the 
 Laity, palled both Houfes';' with a Grant, alio, 
 of Tonnage and Poundage, for five Years to 
 come, on all Merchants , whatfoever, with an 
 Addition of 3 s. more on Aliens, as well of'the 
 Mam-Towns as other wile. Another Grant was 
 alfo made of half a Tenth and a whole Fifteenth. 
 Likewife a Poll -Tax was again renewed and 
 granted to the King of \hd. to be taken of every 
 Houfholder within the Realm, not born within 
 the King's Dominions,, and 6d. of every; Other 
 Perfon lb born, and no Houfholder ; with 6 s. 
 and 8^.. of every Merchant S, ranger, and 20 d. 
 of their Cleiks. Laftly,. the l;ke Subiliy cnWbctfs 
 was granted for four Ye^rs, as before. 
 
 The nex,t Year the jjoIlowirJg SubfiJy was 
 granted, iiz. That every Perfon having btyfrie 
 Deed, Copy, Grant of Annuity, or CffLe, rife 
 clear Yearly Value of 20 5. in frank -TcmrfieKt 
 
 fb'ould
 
 Of ENGLAND. 371 
 
 fliould pay 6 d. and fo from 20 s. to 20 /. From 
 20/. to 200/. Yearly, 12 d. in the Pound : From 
 200/. and upwards 2 s. for every Pound, as well 
 Laity as Clergy ; Guardians of Wards, Men hav- 
 ing Fees, and all Corporations to pay accordingly. 
 
 In his Twenty-ninth Year he had a Grant of 
 20,000 /. out of the Cuftoms of London and 
 Southampton ; and a very extraordinary Monopoly 
 was granted in order to raife Money. 
 
 In his Thirty- fii ft Year the Commons granted 
 one Tenth, and one Fifteenth ; likewife Tonnage 
 and Poundage during his Life. For the fame 
 Term 53 s. 4 d. for every Sack of Denifens, and 
 5/. from' Aliens, and fo for other Staple- ware in 
 Proportion. Likewife, every Merchant, not 
 born within the Realm, and no Denifen, and 
 keeping Houfe, 40*. and of every fuch Merchant, 
 as (hall remain within the Realm but fix 
 Weeks, 20 s. And of every Merchant alien, 
 being no Denifen, 13 s. 4. d. Yearly, during the 
 King's Life. 
 
 EdwardlV. had noSubfidy granted him till the 
 third Year of his Reign, when the Parliament 
 gave him an Aid of 37,000 /. to be levied accord- 
 ing to a certain Rate : But he afterwards releas'd 
 6coo /. of the faid Grant 
 
 The next Year he had Tonnage and Poundage 
 of every .Englifh Merchant, for every Sack of 
 Wool 335. and $d. For every 240 Wool-fels 
 .33 s. 4 d For every Laft of Hides 3 /. 6 s. 8 d. 
 And of every Merchant-Stranger, whether De- 
 nifens or not, for every Sack of Wool 3 /. 6 s. Sd. 
 For every Latt of Hides 3 /. 13;. 4^. For every 
 240 Wool-fels 3/. 6s. 8d. And all this was 
 granted him for .his Life. 
 
 In his Eighth Ye?r he had a Subfidy of two 
 Tenths and two Fifteenths, to be levied on the 
 Laity. This Year Henry VI. was reftor'd ; but 
 foon .after Edward recovcr'd the Own : And, 
 
 In his Twelfth Year the Commons voted a 
 Aai Supply
 
 $yi The Parliamentary History 
 
 Supply of 14,000 Archers at their own Coft, the 
 fame to be levied according to a Proportion out of 
 all Lands and Tenement?. The Lords alfo tax'd 
 themfelves, by way of Grant, unto the King, 
 towards furnifhing the Forces aforefaid, the Tenth 
 Part of one whole Year's Revenue of their Lands 
 and Pofleffions. 
 
 In his Thirteenth Year the Commons granted 
 the King one Tenth, and one Fifteenth. 
 
 The next Year a Subfidy was granted by the 
 Commons of one Tenth and one Fifteenth ; alfo 
 51,117/. 4*. y^d. for the Wages of the 14,000 
 Archers voted in his twelfth Year. 
 
 In his Fifteenth Year, he had a Tenth, a Fif- 
 teenth, and a Third of each ; befides this, the King 
 rais'd Money after a new Invention, call'd A Be- 
 nevolence. 
 
 In his Twenty -fecond Year he had a Tenth and 
 a Fifteenth granted him to be levied on the Laity. 
 The Clergy alfo granted a Tenth. 
 
 The V rice of Provisions and Labour during 
 the Reigns of Henry VI. and Edward IV. By 
 ivhich a better Idea may be formed of the Value 
 of the foregoing Taxes. 
 
 IN the Year 1423, Wheat fold for 8;. a Quar- 
 ter, and Malt for 5 s. (a) 
 In 1425,3 Colt fold for 8 s. Peafe for is. 2d. 
 a Quarter; and for i,{d. a Buihel. An Ox's 
 Hide for 2;. $d. A Cow's Hide for is. 3^. 
 and for is. j^d. A Calf's Skin for 1^. 
 Twenty- one Lambs for \s. A Dozen of Sheep- 
 Skins for 3 s. A Tod of pure Wool for gs. 6d. 
 the Tod. Nineteen Ells of Napkin Cloth fold 
 for $s. A Gallon of Ale for i\d. Red Wine 
 at 8 d. a Gallon, or Flaggon. Sweet Wine at 
 1 s. 4 d. A Stone Cutter for a Day's Labour 
 4i. A Tyler 3^. A Sawyer ^d, For twenty 
 
 Pullets 
 
 (a) Fa b 1 a n ' : Chronicle,
 
 Of E N G L A N D. $j} 
 
 Pullets is. $d. For a Quarter of an Ox to fait 
 is. + d. For a Cade of Red Herrings' (720 the 
 Cade,) 8 j. For a Frail of Figs 3 j. ^d. For 12 
 Pound of Raifins is. id. For a great Flefli- 
 Ax is. 4 d. For two Yards of Ruflet Cloth 
 for the Shepherd is. xd. For four Quarters of 
 Wheat to be malted i6j. For a Bay Horfe, for 
 the Prior's Stable, \l 6 s. %d. For two Colts 
 9 j. For 30 Pair of Autumnal ('Winter) Gloves 
 for the Servants \s. To the Baker's Servant for 
 1 o Days 1 s. For threfhing a Quarter of Wheat 
 3 £ d. For eight Woodcocks for a Prefent 1 s . 
 For 12 Pair of Gloves to the Biftiop of Iforeefter'i 
 Servants 5 /. For one Man plowing and harrow- 
 ing 1 2 Days 1 s. (b) 
 
 In the Year 1426, five Oxen, each apprais'd 
 at 3 s. 4 d. Six Cows, each at 2 ;. 8 d. Three 
 Horfes, each at 3 s. (c) 
 
 In 1435 and 14? 6, Wheat, on account of a 
 wet Autumn in 1434, fold for 1/. 6 s. Bd. but 
 the Year following it fell to 5 J. 4 d. 
 
 In 1439, Wheat fold for 20;. a Quarter (d)- t 
 and alfo in fome Places for 1 /. 6 s. 8 d. (e) 
 
 In 1440, the Scarcity ftill continuing, Wheat 
 fold for 1 /. 4 s. a Quarter ; and Malt for 13 s. 
 Oats 5 s. \d. Wine 1 s. a Gallon ; and Bay 
 Salt 1 s. a Bufhel. 
 
 From 1444, we have the following Account 
 by Bifhop Fleetwood (/J, viz. For an hundred 
 Quarters of Wheat 21/. 13 J. \d. each Quarter 
 at 4 j. 4-d. For two Bufhels of Wheat for Seed 
 j s. For two Bufhels of Peafe (for Seed a!fo} 1 s. 
 For five Quarters of Peafe 15 s. each Quarter at 
 3;. For 50 Quarters of Malt 10/. each Quarter 
 at 4 s. For fix Calves 12s. each Calf at z s. 
 For eight Porkers 1 /«, 4 s. each at 3 s. without 
 
 the 
 
 (b) From « Computus of" the Prior and Canon of Burceftcr Ce. 
 9xon, inKlNNlTT'i Parochial Antiquititt. 
 
 (e) Spblman'j GioJJary, under the Word Gmife, 
 
 (d) Srowi'i Chronicle. 
 
 (t) Fabian. 
 
 (/) Cbrenizm Pretiefum.
 
 374 TheTarliamntaryHisVoRY 
 
 the Head. For 40 Geefe 10s. each Cjoofe at 
 3 d. For 31 Dozen of Pidgeons 10 s. 8 J. each 
 Dozen at about /\.\d. For 1 5 Dozen of Pidgeons 
 y s. 6d. each Dozen at 6d. For 100 Dozen of 
 Pidgeons, each Dozen at $\d. For an Ox 
 1 /. 1 1 s. 8 d. For eight Cignets, or young 
 Swans, each 3 J. For a Flitch of Bacon 15. %d. 
 For four Oxen, young and lean, 5 2 J. each at 13*. 
 For 26 Warp of Ling 1 /. 10 s. $d. For 100 
 Stockfifh 1 7 5. (id. For a Barrel of Herrings, i. e. 
 30 Gallons fully packed, 1 /. For ' two Plough 
 Oxen 1 /. 35. For a Quarter of Oats is, Sd. 
 For three Bufhel of Green Peafe, for Seed, 2;. id. 
 At this Time it appears, that M after-Traders 
 wrought by the Day at 3 d. and their Labourers 
 or Servants at 1 d. But then it's believ'd they had 
 their Meat and Drink. The Yearly Wages were, 
 fome 1/. 6 s. 8d. others 1 /. 
 
 In 1445, feven Quarters and an half of Wheat 
 came to 30 s. which is, each Quarter, at 4.S. 6d. 
 Oats, by the Quarter, at z s. Twelve Flaggons, 
 or Gallons of Ale is. 6d. each Gallon at i±d. 
 Hay, by the Load, 3*. 6\d. For 3000 Red 
 Herrings 1/. in. Twenty-four Bullocks and 
 Heifers 61. each Head at 5 s. Cloth for Surplices 
 for Scholars, the Ell, at Sd — This was the fame 
 as ufed at the Altar j and therefore, in thofe Days 
 was certainly fine. 
 
 In 1447, Wheat, by the Quarter, 8 s. Oats, 
 the Quarter 2S. i{d. 
 
 In 1448,, Wheat, by the Quarter, 6s. 2d. 
 Oats, the Quarter 2 s.-, A Cade of Red Herrings 
 5 s. 8d. A Barrel of White Herrings 9 s. id. 
 
 In 1449, Wheat, by the Quarter, 5 s. A Cade 
 
 "of Red Herrings 6 s. A Barrel'of White Herrings 
 
 105. 3*7. • Fifteen Sheep, at 1 1. 16 s. 10 d. each 
 
 Sheep at (within i) z s. 5 Id. Seven Hogs, at 
 
 T3 s. Sd. each Hog at (within 4) t s.'f%$ d. 
 
 In 1450, Oats the Quarter is. icd: Beans 
 the Quarter zs. bd. 
 
 In
 
 O/ENGLAND. 57s 
 
 In 145 1, Wheat, by the Quarter, at $s. Oats 
 the Quarter 10 s. lo^d. Twenty-fix Gallons of 
 Ale 3 j. each Gallon at i£ d. Beans, the Quarter, 
 3 J. 4</. For a Cade of Red Herrings 7 s. <±d. 
 For a Barrel of White Herrings 13 s. yd. 
 
 In 1453, Wheat, by the Quarter, 5*. /\.d. 
 Ale, per Gallon i?d. A Cade of Red Herrings 
 7 J. 6d. Fourfcore White Herrings 1 s. 
 • In 1454, Oats by the Quarter is. 1 o£ d. 
 
 In 1455, Wheat very cheap, the. Quarter at 
 1 J. zd. Malt, the Quarter, at 1 s. 5 d. 
 ■ In 1457, Wheat, b Y the Quarter, ys. $d. Oats 
 the Quarter is. g^d. A Gallon of Ale id. 
 A Cade of Red Herrings, at 6s 2d. Ninety- 
 two White Herrings 1 s. 
 
 In 1459, Wheat, by the Quarter, 5*. Oats, 
 the Quarter Ss. 10 d. A Gallon of Ale at id. 
 A Cade of Red Herrings, at 7 ;. 10^. Ninety- 
 two White Herrings, at 1 s. 
 
 In 1460, Wheat the Quarter, at 8 s. Oats, 
 the Quarter 2 s. A Gallon of Ale at 1 d. A Cade 
 of Red Herrings, at 7 ;. One hundred and Ninety- 
 two White Herrings, at 2 i.— Here the Bifhop 
 takes notice, that from 1440 to 1460, Wheat 
 was never above 8 s. the Quarter, notwithftand- 
 ing the Sword was drawn betwixt the Houfes of 
 York and Lancajier, which ufually cuts down 
 Corn, as well as Men. 
 
 In 1463, Wheat fold at London for 2 s. a 
 Quarter. Barley at is. lod. Peafe 3^. \d. Oats 
 J si 2d. Alfo, the fame Year in Norfolk, Wheat 
 fold for is. Sd. Barley 1 s. Malt is. 8 d. Oats 
 
 ** (g) 
 
 In 1464, White Wheat fold for 6s. Zd. a 
 Quarter (h). 
 
 In 1475, Oats fold for is. lod. a Quarter, 
 and a Load of Hay for 6 s. Sd. (?) 
 
 (g) Stowe'j Chronicle. 
 
 (h) Cotton's Abridgement of the Records. 
 
 \t) Fleetwood, ut fupra. t 
 
 A a 4 BY
 
 His Acceflion. 
 
 376 The Tarllamentary History 
 
 King Edward V'.TJY the Death of King Edward IV. the firft 
 jj Prince of the York Line, the Inheritance of 
 the Crown defcended, by Right of Succeffion, to 
 his eldeft Son, Edward, then Prince of Wain 5 
 who, from the Day of his Father's Death, was 
 ftiled King of England, and proclaimed as fuch, 
 by the Name of Edward V. being then about 
 thirteen Years of Age. 
 
 This is the Preamble that the great Sir Thomas 
 Mdre gives to his Life and Reign of this unfor* 
 tunate young King j whofe State and Dignity 
 was foon undermined by his unnatural and bar» 
 barous Uncle, Richard, Duke of Glocejier. The 
 fliort Reign, if we may fo call it, of this Prince, 
 was fo wholly taken up with the wicked lmrigues 
 of his Uncle to difpofiefs him, that no Parliament 
 could be called j for he was not even differed to 
 live to his Coronation. Therefore, 
 
 To the particular Writer abovemention'd, of 
 this King's Life, and to the more general Englijh 
 Hiftorians, we rauft refer our Readers ; fince all 
 that was done, in this fhort Interval of Sovereign- 
 ty, relating to our Purpofe, will be comprifed in 
 the Reign of the Succeffor j this young King and 
 his Brother bein^ both taken off, by cruel Means, 
 to make Way for him. Edward V. begun his 
 Life and ended it in a very unhappy Manner ; for 
 he was born in a Sancluary, and died in a Prifon, 
 He fir ft faw Light in Wejlminjler Abby, where 
 his Alother had taken San6tuary, after the Earl of 
 Warwick had driven her Hufband Edward IV. 
 out of the Kingdom, in September 1470 j and 
 he was murdered in the Tower of London* in 
 July 1483, a little while after his Uncle Richard\ 
 Coronation. 
 
 Asd Murder. 
 
 Richard
 
 O/ENGLAND. $77 
 
 niC HARD III. waded to the Throne KingRichardill. 
 ** thro' almoft an Ocean of Blood, drawn 
 from his neareft Relations ; how long his ambi- 
 tious Defigns had been fettled in his Breaft is un- 
 certain ; but, 'tis probable they had been a great 
 while refident there ; and, at length, had brought 
 him to a fix'd Determination of obtaining the 
 Crown at any Price. It is more than fufpecled 
 that he had a principal Hand in bringing his Bro- 
 ther Clarence to his Death ; and by gaining of an 
 Act of Attainder to pafs againft him, this Duke's 
 Children were effectually cut off from fucceeding 
 to the Crown {k). A Bulwark fo formidable being 
 removed, Richard's next Step, after his Brother 
 King Edward's Death, was to try to get his 
 Children declared illegitimate ; to put to Death 
 all their Relations by the Mother's Side; and 
 laftly, to make fure Work, to have the two 
 young Princes murdered, as aforefaid. Thefe Hia wicked Co** 
 Obftacles being all taken out of his Way, it is Sf<££ 
 certain that Richard's Title to the Crown was to himfeif. 
 uncontefted ; being then the only remaining Male 
 Heir, that could inherit from his Father Richard 
 Duke of York, on whom and his Defendants, 
 the Crown had been entailed by Act of Par- 
 liament. There was indeed one more Impedi- 
 ment to his Happinefs left ; and that was the 
 Princefs Elizabeth, eldeft Daughter to EdwardlV. 
 and his own Niece : But, he had well con- 
 trived a Solution for this Difficulty, tho' not fo 
 cruel as the former, in the Main ; for, though 
 he was obliged to deftroy his own Wife (I) to 
 effect it, yet his Defign was to marry his Ncicc 
 Elizabeth, himfeif ; in order to prevent any other 
 Per/on from doing it, and thereby to raife up, ftill, 
 
 difputed 
 
 (k) See before, P. 361. 
 
 (/) She was Daughter to the famous larl oiJVarxv'ci, fh'ft mar- 
 ried to Edward Prince of Wales, and afterwards to this Monfter of 
 Mankind, one of her Hufband's Murderers. The Courtihip on this 
 extraordinary Occafion, between Richard and the Widow, i; finely 
 drawn up by Shahfpear jn his- Tragedy of Richard III.
 
 378 The 'Parliamentary Histobt 
 
 HngRkhardni.^^P uted Titles to the Crown. But more of this 
 in the Sequel, 
 
 The very firft Year of Richard\ Reign was 
 much dilturbed by a dangerous and powerful Con- 
 fpiracy formed againft him ; at the Head of which 
 was the Duke of Buckingham. This Lord had 
 been the chief Instrument in railing Richard to 
 his prefent Greatnefs ; but, as fome relate, be- 
 cause he would not confent to the Murder or the 
 two young Princes, and being denied the Earldom 
 and Inheritance of Hereford, which he claimed 
 by Promife, he abruptly left the Court : Soon af- 
 terwards, in order to fecure himfelf from Richard's 
 Malice, who now watched all Opportunities to 
 deftroy him, he readily joined with thofe who 
 AConfpiracy a. nad engaged in a Confpiracy to dethrone Richard, 
 gainft him, in and fet up the Earl of Richmond, the only remain- 
 favour of Henry j n g Branch of the Lancajirian Family ; and, by 
 .?fS' fW, a Marriage of this Prince with Elizabeth, the late 
 King's Daughter, perfectly to reconcile and con- 
 folidate the White and Red Rofe Factions. To 
 this End, the Duke of Buckingham raifed Forces ; 
 but was foon, by an unforefeen Accident, pre- 
 vented from effecting any Thing ; forced to 
 fly for Security to the Houfe of an old Servant, 
 who betrayed h\m to Richard ', and, at Salifbury^ 
 loft his own Head, as an Attonement for the 
 Crime he had committed in fetting a Crown on 
 the Head of his Adverfary. 
 Anno Regni i. In the fhort Reign of this King we meet but 
 1484. with one Parliament, which was eall'd to Wefl- 
 AtWeAminfter. m i n p r January the 23d, in the firft Year of it. 
 The Form of the Wiit of Summons, directed to 
 Thomas Abp. of Canterbury, the reft of the Bifhops, 
 Abbots, Priors, &c. and to the Temporal Lords, 
 is as ufual ; the firft Writ to the latter is directed 
 to his moft dear firft-born Son Edward, Prince 
 of Wales, Duke of Comwal, and Earl of Chejier. 
 This Prince who was then about ten Years of 
 Age, had been fo created at York, fome Months 
 
 before
 
 "'Of ENGL A ND. 379 
 
 before, at his Father's' fecond Cor^natirj*ia\in that jGi4iBM*«i f in, 
 City (m) f He enjoyed this Dignity but for a fmall 
 Time, for he died the next Year ; and lived 
 not to fee his Father's difmal Cataftrophe, nor to 
 tafte perhaps of greater Mifery himfelf. The 
 reft of the Peers, as they ftand in Dugdale's Cata- 
 logue, are as follows. 
 
 John Duke of Norfolk, Walter Devereux Lord 
 
 John Duke of Suffolk, Ferrers, 
 
 William Earl of Arundel, John Lord Scrope, of 
 
 Edmund Earl of Kent, Bolton, 
 
 Ralph Earl of Wejlmore- Thomas Lord Lumley, of 
 
 land, Lumley, 
 
 Henry Earl of Northum* Thomas Lord Stanley, of 
 
 her/and, Stanley, 
 
 William Earl of Hunting- John Broke Lord Cobham t 
 
 ton, John Blount Lord Mount' 
 
 Thomas Earl of Surrey, joy, 
 William Earl of Netting- JohnStourtonLordStour- 
 
 ham, ton, 
 
 Francis Vifcount Lovcl, John Sutton Lord Dud- 
 Edward Vifcount Life, ley, 
 Ralph Lord Grey flock, John Lord Dynham, of 
 John Lord Scrope, of Care Dynham, 
 
 Mafiam, Richard Lord Fitz* 
 
 Richard Lord Beauchamp Hugh, 
 
 of Beauchamp, John Lord 'Louche 
 
 John Lord Audley, Thomas Arundell Lord 
 
 George Lord Nevile, of Matravers, 
 
 Bergavemiy, Humphrey Lord Dacre, 
 
 Reginald Lord G/vy, of of Gil/land, 
 
 Wilton, John Ld . Gr^y, of Poivis, 
 
 George Stanley Lord i* William Lord Hajhngs, 
 
 la Strange, of Welles, 
 
 Henry Lord Gr<y, 0zc^«Ld. O^/^, of O^/fc, 
 
 Richard Weft Lord <fc /<z Edtvard Lord Ha/lings, 
 
 War, of /&«£ *r/W. 
 
 fftt 
 
 . f«; S'e a particular Account of this King's Coronation at York, 
 in Djl a k e * s Eboracum. P. 117.
 
 380 The Tarltamentary History 
 
 ICiniRichardni. 7 ^ Nanus of the Judges fummoned alfi t$ this 
 Parliament were theje. 
 
 Sir William Hufee Knt. Sir Richard Neat, 
 
 Chief Juftice, Sir Thomas Tremayle 9 
 
 Sir Thomas Brian, Sir John Vavafour 9 
 Sir Guy Fairfax, And, 
 
 Sir William Jenny, Morgan Kidwelly, Efqj 
 Sir John Catejhy, the King's Attorney 
 
 Sir Roger Tounjend, General. 
 
 Our older Chronicles, and more modern Hifto- 
 rians, are very (hort in their Account of the 
 Proceedings of this Parliament. The Hiflory of 
 Croyland, cotemporary with thefe Times, might 
 be expeded to furnifh more Matter for thefe En- 
 quiries, relating to it: But there it is only curibrily 
 mention'd ; though fome Hints are given, about 
 the Methods taken to force the Act of Succeffion 
 through the Houfes, as are aim eft incredible. It 
 is there faid, * That in thin Parliament, the King, 
 ' in order to ftrengthen his Title to that Crown, 
 
 • which he had in the proceeding Summer gain'd, 
 
 * brought an Affair, relating to matrimonial Con- 
 
 • tra&s, to be difputed before an Affembly of 
 e Laymen. And, though it was well known that 
 
 * luch a Court had nothing to do in this Matter, 
 6 yet fo great w r as the Dread and Fear, which 
 ' then poflefs'd the boldeft, that they not only 
 e undertook the Affair, but gave Sentence ac- 
 c cording'y.' For, adds our Authority, fo many 
 great Men, Peers and Commoners, were pro- 
 fcrib'd [ he means attainted ] as was never known 
 fince the Time of the Triumvirate of Odtavius, 
 Anlhony and Lepidus (n). Befides, a great Quan- 
 tity of Money was drawn out of the King's Trea- 
 fury at this Time, in order to gain this Ad, and 
 chiefly diitributed amongft his Northern Friends, 
 
 whom 
 
 (n) 3~ot et tantorum DaxinerOm, Nobiliun;, Proccntm, et Cont- 
 ttiunium, eiiam trium Epijcoporum, Trofcriptiones faElce funt, ut a 
 Triumvirato Oclaviani, Antonii * Lepidi, FaEium Jtmi/e nufquam 
 iwiAnejje !:ga:sr. Hist. Crotl. Cont. P. 570.
 
 Of ENGLAND. 381 
 
 whom he planted, alfo, for his greater Security, K, Richard nj. 
 in every Part of the Kingdom ; which gave much 
 Offence to his more Southern Subjects, and made 
 them pay more Regard to the Hopes of a future 
 Revolution, than to the prefent Tyrant. 
 
 Fabian , who liv'd in this King's Time, and 
 ends his Chronicle with the next Reign, hath not 
 one lingle Word of this Parliament. Hall and 
 Hollingjhead only lay, that in the Beginning of 
 the Year 1484, a Parliament was fummon'd, in 
 which the Earl of Richmond, and his Followers, 
 were attainted, and the People burthen'd with - 
 fevereTaxes and Impolitions ; and that the Money 
 fo collected was wafted on this King's Creatures, 
 or fquander'd away prodigally, to flop the Mouths 
 of fuch as knew any Thing of his Guilt in the 
 Death of his Nephews. 
 
 Polydore Vergil writes (0), that after this Parlia^ 
 ment had attainted all the exil'd Perfons, and 
 confiscated their Eftates to the King's Ufe, 
 Richard was not content with thefe rich Spoils, 
 but commanded them to grant him a large Sup- 
 ply j for, in order to vindicate himfelf from 
 Calumny, and to buy the Favour of the People, 
 he had bellowed luch Largefles of Money 
 amongft them, that his Treafury was very low. 
 But the molt extraordinary Stretch was, that 
 Thomas Stanley fhould be alfo declar'd an Enemy 
 to the State, on account of his Wife Margaret's 
 being Mother to the Earl of Richmond, who was 
 commonly thought to be at the Head of the 
 Confpiracy (p). And though a Woman's Politics 
 may be judged of fmall Moment, yet this Parlia- 
 ment thought proper to take Notice of her, and 
 commanded her Husband, in whom they could 
 
 find 
 
 (0) llij), Ang. Lib. xrv. p. 554. 
 
 (f>) Richard's own Policy here failed him j for it was owing to 
 the Defertion of this Sir Thomas Stanley, and his Forces, that he 
 afterwards loft his Crown and Life, at the Battle of Bojioorth. 
 Stanley was created Earl of Derby by llsnry VIL.
 
 ^S 2 TheTarliamentaryMiSTOKY 
 
 K.RichnniriiL find no Guile, to confine her clofely ; and fufFer 
 rfo Mefiengers, of any Account, to pafs between 
 her Son and her, that might difturb the Peace of 
 the Kingdom. The fame Author adds, that by 
 Confent of this Parliament a- Peace with the Stoti t 
 Who had begun Hoftilities on the Englifh Borders, 
 was concluded.* 
 
 The particular Writer of this King's Life QJJ 
 and a very particular one he is indeed, for, he has 
 taken true Pains to warn his Blackmoor white, is 
 more explicate than any other in his Account of 
 the Proceedings in this Parliament. He fays, 
 I That in this Parliament were many good Laws 
 1 cnacled ; the Marriages of King Edward were 
 4 debated ; that with the Lady Gray adjudged 
 
 * unlawful, aird her Children illegitimate ; there 
 ' being Proof of a former -Contra dr. and Marriage 
 ' with the Lady Eleanor Taffat, Daughter to- the 
 c old Earl of Sbreivsbury, and' Relict of the Lord 
 
 * Sutler of Sudeley, then, and long after, living. 
 4 All th.it had been inferred by the Duke of 
 + Buckingham, or contained in the Bill fupplica- 
 ' tory, demonftrated, was again confuted, and 
 
 * Judgment given againft that Marriage ; the 
 4 incapacity alio of the Children of the Earl of 
 
 * Wanvkk and his Sifter, the Lady, Eliza! 9fh 
 4 Phntcigeuct, were all decreed and confirmed by 
 l * Ad of Parliament. So that here, adds ctir 
 
 * A::i-kor, to tax. lb general an A fTent, were to fry 
 " there was not one hunef: or juft Man in : ih$t 
 
 * high Court j and what greater Scandal can there 
 
 * be gainftthe whole Kingdom ? - 
 
 * There was likswilt: Notice taken of the Earl 
 
 * of Rrcfrmwd's Pretence to the Crown, by a 
 
 * Title derived from -the Konfe of Lancafler ; 
 ■'who was at that Time in France labouring to 
 ' engage the King and the Duke of Btittain in his 
 
 (?) George'Bvck, Efq; AutWof theHiiloiy of King Rick ardlil. 
 feT. t647, London. But finc6 printed with Notes in Kenned ~, Co:-
 
 O/ENGLAND, 3 X 3 
 
 * Quarrel. Oh ! the infinite Windings and per- k. Richard nj, 
 
 * plexed Steps we labour thorough, to get that 
 ' which we mult bid Goodnight to To-morrow ; 
 ' and yet the true and rightful Lancafler had no 
 
 * Finger in this ; for this Earl was not then 
 
 * granted to be of the Houfe of Lancafter ; until 
 ' the Pope, by his Bull, had given him that Title j 
 
 * and himfelf, after he was King, by his Prero- 
 ' gative aflumed it. In this. Parliament he was 
 
 * attainted of High Treafon, and with him John 
 
 * Earl of Oxford^ Thomas Marquefs of Dorfet, 
 
 * Jafper Earl of Pembroke, Lionel Bifhop of 
 « Salisbury, Pierce Bifhop of Exiter, the Lady 
 
 * Margaret Countefsof Richmond, Thomas Morton 
 « Bifhop of Ely, Thomas Nandich by the Stile of 
 
 * Thomas Nandich of Cambridge, Conjurer, 
 
 * William Knevet of Buckingham fmeared with 
 ' the fame Pitch, George Brown of Beachworth^ 
 
 * Thomas Lukenor of Tratton, John Guilford, 
 *■ John Fogg, Edward Poinings, Thomas Ficries 
 ' of Cherjlmonceux, Nicholas Gainford, William 
 ' Clifford, John Dotrel, with others of Kent and 
 ' the Wejl Country. There was further enacted, 
 
 * for the Approbation and confirming the true 
 c and lawful Title of King Richard, this Claufe or 
 
 * Sentence, 
 
 It is declared, pronounced, decreed, confirmed 
 and eflablijlied, by the Authority of this prefent 
 Parliament, that King Richard III. is the true and 
 undoubted King of this Realm ; as well by Right of 
 Confanguinity and Heritage, as by lawful Election 
 and Coronation, &c. 
 
 Our Author proceeds with this Remark, * That 
 *' in a Place of the Roll of this Parliament, there 
 
 * are Arguments to be gathered, that the two 
 ' Sons of King Edward were living in the Time 
 4 of this Parliament, which was at leaft nine 
 
 * Months after the Death of their Father, and 
 ' fix Months after Richard was declared King. 
 
 * Which, adds he, will import thus much, That 
 
 «if
 
 384 7%* Parliamentary History. 
 
 K. Richard m. * if King Richard differed them to live fo long, 
 1 there is no Reafon why he mould after make 
 'them away ; for their Lives could not rectify 
 \ their Blood or Titles, nor their Deaths advan- 
 ' tage him. Neither can Baftards be dangerous 
 
 * or prejudicial to the true and titular Lord, or 
 ' lawful Proprietor, be he King or Subjedt ; 
 
 * witnefs Foreign Countries, and England itfelf, 
 
 * which holds Baftards uncapable of Heritage, 
 
 * Honour or Offices.' 
 
 Thus far we have thought proper to extract, 
 verbatim^ from this Panegyrift ; and mall only 
 add, what the Annotator in Rennet's Collection 
 remarks on the PafTage of Edward's Children 
 being alive at the Time this Parliament was 
 fitting. He fays, * That the Author would have 
 ' done much towards the Credit he drives at in 
 
 * his Hiftory, to have fpecified the Place of the 
 
 * Roll and the Words thereof, whence fuch 
 
 * Arguments might be gathered. F or, adds he, 
 1 all Hiftories relate the Murthers to be committed 
 
 * before this Time (r)' 
 
 But, to fetafide all Doubts in this Matter, Sir 
 Robert Cotton hath left us a full Tranilation of 
 this Bill for excluding of Edward's Children, and 
 fettling the Crown on Richard and his Defcen- 
 dants ; extracted from the Parliament Rolls, 
 in the firft Year of his Reign. As this is the laft 
 Parliamentary Record, which we can have from 
 that painful Collector and Abridger of thofe moft 
 valuable Monuments of Englijh Hiftory, then 
 and now depofited in the Tower of London-, we 
 (hall give it verbatim^ along with the Annotations 
 of William Prynne, Efq; the Editor of thefe 
 curious Remains : And, the rather, becaufe this 
 extraordinary Bill, tho' publilhed by Mr Prynne 
 t?ear 1 00 Years ago, is fo far from being copied, 
 
 tba-t 
 
 (r) Kenr.et, p. 5»S.
 
 Of E N G L A N D, 385 
 
 that, except by one (a), it isfcarce takenNotice ofK, Richard ill. 
 by any Englijh Hiftorian whatfoever. 
 
 Anno primo Ricardi TertiL 
 
 In Rotub Parliament i tenti apud Weftm. die 
 Veneris viceflimo tertio die Januarii, Anno Regni 
 Regis Richardi Tertii primo, inter alia conti- 
 nents, utjequitur. 
 
 Memorandum quod quadamBilla exhibit a fiat coram 
 Domino Rege in Parliament o prcediclo in hac 
 Verba. 
 
 ' ^T 7Hereas late heretofore, that is to foy, 
 ' W before the Confecration, Coronation, and 
 
 * Inthronization of our Sovereign Lord King 
 ' Richard III. a Roll of Parchment, containing 
 ' in Writing certain Articles of the Tenor under - 
 ' written, on the Behalf, and in the Name of the 
 ' Three Eftates of this Realm of England, that is 
 ' to fay, of the Lords Spiritual, and Temporal, 
 ' and of the Commons by Name, and other Nobles 
 ' and notable Perfons of the Commons in great 
 ' Multitude, was prefented and actually deliver'd 
 ' unto our faid Sovereign Lord, the Intent and 
 ' Effect exprefs'd at large in the fame Roll j to the 
 
 * which Roll, and to the Confederations, and 
 ' inftant Petition comprifed in the fame, our faid 
 
 * Sovereign Lord for the publick Weal, and 
 
 * Tranquility of this Land, benignly affented. 
 
 ' Now, forafmuch as neither the faid Three 
 Vol. II. Bb 'Eftates 
 
 (a) John Speed, p. 713. This Author concludes his Abftrac! 
 ef this Bill with this Remark j * Thefe Things I have laid forth, 
 
 * more at large, out of the Parliament Roll, that ye may under- 
 
 * ftand both what and how great Matters, the Power of a Prince, 
 ■ the outward Shew of Virtue, the wily Fetches of Lawyers, 
 
 * fawning Hope, penfive Fear, Defire of Change and goodly Pre- m 
 ' tences, are able to effeft in that moft wife Aflembly of all the 
 
 * Eftates in the Kingdom, even againft all Law and Right j fo the 
 
 * Saying of Solomon in this State feemcd moft true, that a living 
 
 * Dog is better than a dead Lien,
 
 3$ 6 The Parliamentary History 
 
 K. Richard ill. ' Eftates, neither the faid Perfons, which in 
 
 * their Name prefemed and delivered, as it is 
 1 aforefaid, the {aid Roll unto our faid Sovereign 
 ' Lord the King, were aflembled in Form of Par - 
 
 . * liament ; by Reafon . whereof divers Doubts, 
 
 fented'by^verai ' Ql )e ftions, and Ambiguities being moved and 
 Lords and Com- * ingendered in the Minds of divers Perfons as it 
 
 monsout of Far- c jg (y^ (fr)' 
 
 aiTwhen Duke ' Therefore, to the perpetual Memory of the 
 of Gioceiter, de- ' Truth, and Declaration of the fame, be it 
 thouVdonei aS ' ordainecl > provided, and eftablifhed in this 
 Payment? '" ' prefent Parliament, That the Tenor of the faid 
 
 * Roll, with all the Contents of the fame, 
 
 * prefented as is abovefaid, and delivered to our 
 ' abovefaid Sovereign Lord the King, in the 
 c Name, and in the Behalf, of the faid Three 
 c Eftates out of Parliament (c), be now by the 
 ' faid Three Eftates aflembled in this prefent 
 ' Parliament, and. by Authority of the fame, 
 ■ ratified, enrolled, recorded, approved, and 
 c authorized, to the removing of the Occafions 
 ' of Doubts and Ambiguities, and to all other 
 
 * lawful Effects that fhall now thereof enfue ; fo 
 
 * that all Things faid, affirmed, fpecified, defired, 
 
 * and remembred in the faid Roll, and in the 
 ' Tenor of the fame, underwritten in the Name 
 
 * of the faid Three Eftates, to the Effect expref- 
 f fed in the laid Roll, be of the like Effect, Virtue, 
 ' and Force, as if all the fame Things had been 
 
 * fo faid, affirmed, fpecified, and remembred in 
 ' full Parliament, and by Authority of the fame 
 ' accepted and approved : The Tenor of the faid 
 
 <Roll 
 
 (h) Thing? done and concluded without the Three Eftates in Par- 
 liament give little or no Satisfaction to the People, though in the 
 Name of the Parliament and the Three Eftates. 
 
 Mr Pry tire's Notes. 
 
 (c) The Three Eftates muft concur to make a ParJiament, ePe 
 his Title would neither be valid nor fatisfadlory, but ambiguous as 
 before, no one or two of them being a full or real Parliament, but 
 aii conjoin'd.- Hid,
 
 O/ENGLAND. 387 
 
 c Roll of Parchment, whereof above is made K.Richard hi, 
 
 * mention, followeth, and is fuch. 
 
 1 
 
 To the High and Mighty Prince Richard Duke of 
 Gloucefter, 
 
 4 Pleafeth it your noble Grace to underftand 
 
 * the Confiderations, Election, and Petition under The Petiritioa 
 
 * written, of us the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, ltfelf * 
 c and Commons of this Realm of England^ and 
 
 4 thereunto agreeable, to give your Aflent to the 
 
 * common and publick Weal of this Land, and to 
 
 * the Comfort and Gladnefs of all the People of 
 ' the fame (d). 
 
 c Firft, we confider, how that heretofore in 
 ' Time paft, this Land for many Years flood in 
 
 * great Prosperity, Honour, and Tranquility 5 
 
 * which was caufed for fo much as the Kings 
 
 * reigning ufed and followed the Advice and 
 
 * Council of certain Lords Spiritual and Temporal, 
 
 * and other Perfons of approved Sagenefs, Pru- 
 
 * dence, Policy, and Experience, dreading God, ' 
 c and having tender Zeal and Affection to indiffe- 
 
 ' rent Administration of Juftice, and to the 
 
 * common and publick Weal of the Land : Then 
 
 * our Lord God was dreaded, loved, and 
 
 * honoured ; then within the Land was Peace 
 
 * and Tranquility, and among the Neighbours 
 « Concord and Charity ; then the Malice of 
 
 * outward Enemies was mightily refilled and 
 
 * reprefled j and the Land honourably defended ' 
 
 * with many great and glorious Victories ; then 
 
 * the Intercourfe of Merchants was largely ufed 
 
 * and exercifed j by which Things above remem- 
 ' bred, the Land was greatly enriched, fo that as 
 
 * well the Merchants as the Artificers, and other 
 
 4 poor People, labouring for their living in divers ' 
 B b 2 * Occupations, 
 
 (d) The new Device of this bloody Ufurper, to entitle himfelf to 
 th« Crown of England, and take upon him the Regal Government* ,
 
 K.Richard III. 
 
 388 The Tarliamentary History 
 
 ' Occupations, had competent Gain, to the 
 ' Satisfaction of them and their Houfholds, living 
 ' without miferable and intolerable Poverty. But 
 ' afterwards, when as fuch had the Rule and 
 ' Governance of this Land, delighting in Adula- 
 
 * tion and Flattery, and led by Senfuality and 
 
 * Concupifcence, follow'd the Council of Perfons 
 ' infolent, vicious, and of inordinate Avarice, 
 ' defpifingthe Council of Perfons good, virtuous, 
 
 * and prudent, fuch as above be remembred j the 
 
 * Prosperity of this Land decreafed daily, fo that 
 
 * our Felicity was turn'd into Mifery, and our 
 ■ Profperity into Adverfity, and the Order of 
 4 Policy, and the Laws of God and Man con- 
 
 * founded ; whereby it is likely for this Realm to 
 ' fall into great Mifery and Defolation, (whichGod 
 
 * defend; without due Provifion of convenable 
 
 * Remedy be had in this Behalf in all godly 
 
 * Hafte. 
 ' Over this, among other Things more fpecial, 
 
 * we confider how in the Time of the Reign of 
 
 * Edward IV. late deceafed, after the ungracious 
 ' pretended Marriage (as all England hath Caufe 
 
 * to fay) made betwixt the faid King Edward and 
 ' Elizabeth, fometimes Wife to Sir John Gray, 
 
 Knight, late naming herfelf, and many Years 
 heretofore, Queen of England, the Order of 
 Gray is declar'd < politick Rule was fubverted, the Laws of God, 
 vcid ' * and of God's Church, &c. alfo the Laws of 
 
 * Nature, and of England, and alfo the laudable 
 
 * Cuftoms and Liberties of the fame, wherein 
 
 * every E ng lijhman is Inheritor, was broke, fubvert- 
 
 * ed, and contemned, againft all Reafon and 
 
 * Juftice 00 ; fo that the Land was ruled by Self- 
 ' Will andPleafure, Fear and Dread, all Manner 
 
 * of Equity and Law laid apart and defpifed ; 
 
 * whereof enfued many Inconveniences and Mif- 
 
 * chiefs, as Murders, Extortions and Oppreffions, 
 ' namely of poor and impotent People ; fo that 
 
 * no Man was lure of his Life, Land, or Lively- 
 
 * hood 
 
 (e) Liberties and Laws every Engtijhman'i Inheritance, Prynnp 
 
 Wherein King 
 Edward the 
 Fourth's Marri- 
 age with Lady
 
 Of E N G L A N D. & 9 
 
 * hood, nor of his Wife, Daughter, or Servant, k. Richard in, 
 
 * every good Maiden and Woman Handing in 
 ' Fear to be ravifhed and deflowered. And befides 
 ' this, what Difcords, inward Battles, Effufion 
 ' of Chriftian Men's Blood, and namely, by the 
 ' Deftrudlion of the Nobles Blood of this Land, 
 8 was had and committed within the fame, is 
 ' evident, and notorious through all this Realm, 
 
 * unto the great Sorrow and Heavinefs of all true 
 
 * Englijhmen. And here alfo we confider, how 
 
 * that the faid pretended Marriage betwixt the 
 
 * above named King Edward and Elizabeth Gray, 
 
 * was made of great Preemption, without the 
 c Knowing and Aflent of the Lords of this Land, 
 
 * and alfo by Sorcery and Witchcraft committed 
 c by the faid Elizabeth, and her Mother Jaquet, 
 
 * Duchefs of Bedford, as the common Opinion of 
 ' the People, and the publick Voice and Fame is 
 ' throughout all this Land, and hereafter if the 
 
 * Caufe {hall require, fhall be proved fufficiently 
 « in Time and Place convenient. And here alfo 
 ' we confider, how that the faid pretended 
 
 * Marriage was made privily and fecretly, without 
 ' Edition of Banns, in a private Chamber, a 
 
 ■ prophane Place, and not openly in the Face of 
 « the Church, after the Laws of God's Church, 
 
 * but contrary thereunto, and the laudable Cuftom 
 
 * of the Church of England ; and how alfo at 
 ' the Time of the Contract of the fame pretended 
 
 * Marriage, and before and long Time after, the 
 
 * faid King Edward was and flood married, and 
 ' troth-plight, to one Dame Eleanor Butler, 
 4 Daughter to the Earl of Shrewsbury, with whom 
 ' the faid King Edward had made a. Pre-contract 
 ' of Matrimony, long Time before he made 
 
 * the faid pretended Marriage with the faid Eliza- 
 
 * beih Gray, in Manner and Form aforefaid. 
 
 ■ Which Premifles being true, as in very Truth 
 « they be true, itappeareth and followeth evidently 
 4 that the faid King Edward during his Life, and 
 
 B b 3 * the
 
 3^0 The Parliament dry History 
 
 K. Richard in. ' tn e laid Elizabeth, lived together iinCully and 
 
 * damnably in Adultery, againft the Law of Gcd 
 ' and of his Church j and therefore, no marvel 
 ' that the Sovereign Lord .and Head of the Land 
 ' being of fuch ungodly Difpofition, and provoking 
 c the Ire and Indignation of our Lord God, fuch 
 ' heinous Mifchiefs and Inconveniences as are 
 4 above remembred were ufed, and committed in 
 
 * the Realm amongft the Subjects. Alfo it ap- 
 ' peareth evidently, and followeth, that all the 
 ' Iflue and Children of the faid King Edward, be 
 
 * Baliards, and unable to inherit, or claim any 
 Ai^his Children t T . Inheritance by the Law, and Cuftom 
 
 illegitimate. c < r> 7 j 
 
 c of England. 
 
 1 Moreover, we confider how that afterwards 
 ' by the Three Eftates of this Realm alTembled in 
 ' Parliament, holden at IVeftminfter, Anno 17, 
 
 * of the Reign of the faid King EdwardJV. he 
 ' then being in PoiTe.flionof the Crown and Royal 
 4 Eftate, by Act made in the fame Parliament, 
 
 The Duke of « George Duke of Clarence, Brother to the King 
 
 cdtTa'rUamSt* ' Edward now deceas'd, was convifted, and 
 
 ' ' attainted of High Treafon, as in the faid A<5t is 
 
 c contained more at large ; becaufe, andbyReafon 
 
 His iffue thereby f whereof, all the lilue of the faid George was, 
 
 not inheritable, ' and is difabled, and barred of all Right and 
 
 but uncapabietoc Q a j raj t hat in any Cafe they might have, or 
 
 cl ^ theCrown *< challenge by Inheritance, to the Crown and 
 
 ' Dignity Royal of this Realm, by the ancient 
 
 ' Laws and Cuftoms of this fame Realm. 
 
 c Over this, we confider, that you be the 
 Richard in. de- < undoubted Heir of Richard Duke of York, very 
 Hch d thereto U . bted< Inheritor of the faid Crown and Dignity Royal, 
 
 * and as in Right King of England by Way of 
 ' Inheritance ; and that at this Time the Premiiles 
 ' duly confidered, there is none other. Perfon 
 
 * living but you only that may claim' the faid 
 ' Crown and Dignity Royal, by Way of Inhe- 
 
 * ritance, and how that you be born within this 
 
 * Land j by Reafon whereof, as we deem in our 
 
 < Minds,
 
 Of ENGLAND. 39 % 
 
 Minds, you be more naturally inclin'd to the K. Richard iii. 
 Profperity and Commonweal of the fame ; and 
 all the Three Eftates of the Land have, and 
 may have more certain Knowledge of your Birth 
 and Filiation aforefaid. We confider alfo the 
 great Wit, Prudence, Juftice, Princely Cou- 
 rage, and the memorable and laudable Ads in 
 divers Battles, which as we by Experience know 
 you heretofore have done, for the Defence and 
 Salvation of this Realm, and alfo the great 
 Noblenefs and Excellency of your Birth and 
 Blood, as of him that is defcended of the three 
 moil Royal Houies of Chriftendom ; that is to 
 fay, England^ France, and Spain (/*). Where- 
 fore thefe Premilles duly by us confidered, we 
 defiring effectually the Peace, Tranquility, and 
 weal publick of this Land, and the Reduction 
 of the fame to the ancient honourable Eftate, 
 and Profperity : And having in your great 
 prudent Juftice, princely Courage, and excel- 
 lent Virtue, lingular Confidence, have chofen by 
 in all that in us is, and by that our Writing 
 choofe you high and mighty Prince,' our 
 Sovereign Lord (g), to whom we know of 
 certain it appertaineth of Inheritance fo to be 
 chofen (h). And hereupon we humbly defire, 
 pray, and require your moll noble Grace, that 
 according to this Election of us the Three Eftates 
 of your Land, as by Inheritance, you will accept 
 and take upon you the faid Crown and Royal 
 Dignity, with all Things thereunto annexed and 
 appertaining, as to you of Right belonging, as 
 
 4 well 
 
 (/") His pretended Virtues and Fitnefs to reign as King ; his Va- 
 lour in Battle ; his honourable and Royal Birth j without one 
 Word of his defperate Treafons, Regicides, Murders, Hypocrify, f 
 
 and other Vices. Pryr.ne. 
 
 {g) His Election by the Three Eftates and this Inftrument, to 
 be Kingof-E^W. Ibtd ' 
 
 (b) They make his hereditary Title the Ground of their Choice. 
 ' ttt~\
 
 32 a the Parliamentary History 
 
 K. Richard III. « W ell by Inheritance as by lawful Election (i) j 
 ' and in cafe you fo do, we promife to affift and 
 
 * ferve your Highuefs, as true and faithful Subje&s 
 e and Liege-men, and to live and dye with you 
 ' in this Matter, and every other juft Quarrel ^ 
 ' for certainly we be determin'd rather to adven- 
 c ture and commit us to me Peril of our Lives and 
 ' Jeopardy of Death, than to live in fuch Thral- 
 
 * dom and Bondage as we have done long Time 
 ' heretofore ; oppreffed and injured by Extorfions; 
 ' and new Impositions, againft the Law of God 
 4 and Man, and the Liberties and old Policy, and 
 ' Laws of this Land, wherein every Englijhman 
 ' is inherited (k). Our Lord God, King of all 
 ' Kings, by whofe infinite Goodnefs and eternal 
 ' Providence all Things are principally go- 
 ' verned in this World, lighten your Soul, and 
 ' grant you Grace to do as well in this Matter 
 ' as in all others, that which may be according to 
 6 his Will and Pleafure, and to the common and 
 
 * publick Weal of this Land. So that after great 
 ' Clouds, Troubles, Storms and Tempefts, the 
 ' Sun of Juflice and of Grace may fhine upon us» 
 ' to the Joy and Comfort of all true hearted 
 6 Englijbmen (I). 
 
 * Albeit that the Right, Title, and Eftate which 
 Thittfth? ' our Soverei g n Lord > Kin 8 •R'VAtfri III, hath to, 
 crown °by the * ana " ' n the Crown and Royal Dignity of this 
 Law of God aad £ Realm of England, with all Things thereunto 
 Nature. t w ithin the fame Realm, and without it annex'd 
 
 * and apdertaining, being juft and lawful, as 
 ' grounded upon the Laws of God and Nature, 
 ' and alfo upon the ancient Laws and laudable 
 
 * Cuftoms of this laid Realm j and alfo taken 
 
 'and 
 
 (/) Their Petition and Importunity to him to accept of the 
 Crown, though himfelf moft eagerly thirfted after it. And his 
 hereditary Right thereto feconded by their Election. Prynne. 
 
 (k)- Their Promife to afiift, l'erve, and obey him, upon his Ac- 
 ceptance thereof, as his Subjects, and to live and dye with him. 
 And their pretended great Thraldom, Bondage, Oppreffions, &c. 
 under his PredecefTbrs. Ibid. 
 
 (!) Their Prayer for him, and their great Trouble, occ.iGon'd 
 partly by himicJf. ttdd*
 
 Of E N G L A N D. 393 
 
 ' and reputed as fuch by all Perfons, being learned k. Richard nr. 
 
 * in the abovefaid Laws and Cuftoms (m). 
 
 * Yet neverthelefs, forafmuch as it is confider- 
 ' ed, that the moft. Part of the People is not 
 4 fufficiently learned in the abovefaid Laws and 
 
 * Cuftoms, whereby the Truth and Right in this 
 4 Behalf of likelihood may be hid, and not clearly 
 4 known to all the People, and thereupon put in 
 
 * Doubt and Queftion. And over this, how that 
 « the Court of Parliament is of fuch Authority, 
 4 and the People of this Land is of fuch a Nature 
 
 * and Difpofition as Experience teacheth, that 
 ' Manifestation or Declaration of any Truth or' 
 ' Right, made by the Three Eftates of this Realm 
 4 affembled in Parliament, and by Authority of 
 
 * the fame, maketh before all other Things, moft 
 
 * Faith, and certain quieting of Men's Minds, 
 
 * and removeth the Occafion of Doubts, and 
 
 * feditious Language («). 
 
 4 Therefore, at the Requeft, and by the AUent 
 
 * of the Three Eftates of this Realm, that is to 
 
 * fay, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and 
 4 Commons of this Land, affembled in this prefent 
 4 Parliament, and by Authority of the fame, be it 
 
 * pronounced, decreed and declared, that our faid 
 4 Sovereign Lord the King was, and is the very 
 4 undoubted King of this Realm of England, with 
 
 * all Things theraunto within the fame Realm, The Crown ftt- 
 4 and without it, united, annexed, and appertain- tled , and snt / ll f* 
 
 * ing, as well by Right of Confanguimty and He in of his Body. 
 
 * Inheritance, as by lawful Ele&ion, Confecration 
 4 and Coronation (0). 
 
 « And . 
 
 (m) The Lawyers flatter and approve his Title. The common 
 People ignorant in the Laws. Prynne. 
 
 (») The Parliament's Authority with the People, when true, 
 free, and real, confiding of the Three Eftates. It's Declaration 
 quieteth all Men's Minds, removeth all Doubts and Seditions. 
 Yet he that confiders 39 Hen. VI. [p. 294.] or 1 Ed. IV. [p. 3 14. J 
 will fcarce beleive this for a Truth, neither prov'd it fo in his 
 own Cafe. The Three Efhtes muft all concur to make a Parlia- 
 ment, and valid Election. Ibid. 
 
 (0) They decree and declare him the undoubted King of this 
 Realm, by Inheritance and their lawful Election coupled together. 
 
 Ibid.
 
 K. Richard III. 
 
 His Son declared 
 Heir apparent. 
 
 35>4 The Parliamentary History 
 
 * And over this, that at the Requeft, and by 
 the Aflent and Authority abovefaid, be it 
 ordained, enabled and eftablifhed, that the faid 
 Crown, and Royal Dignity of this Realm, 
 and the Inheritance of the fame, and all other 
 Things thereunto within this Realm, or without 
 it, united and annexed, and now appertaining, 
 reft and abide in the Perfon of our faid Sovereign 
 Lord the King, during his Life, and after his 
 Deceafe in his Heirs of his Body begotten, in 
 efpecial at the Requeft, and by Aflent, and the 
 Authority aforefaid, be it ordained, enacted, 
 eftablifhed, pronounced, decreed and declared, 
 that the high and excellent Prince Edward, Son 
 of our faid Lord the King, be Heir apparent of 
 the fame our Sovereign Lord the King, to 
 fucceed to him in the abovefaid Crown and Royal 
 Dignity, with all Things (as is aforefaid) there- 
 unto united, annexed, and appertaining, to 
 have them after the Deceafe of our faid Sovereign 
 Lord the King, to him ? and to the Heirs of his 
 Body lawfully begotten. 
 
 * £>ucs quidem Billa Communibus Regni Angliae 
 in ditto Parliamento exijlentibus tranfportata fuit y 
 cui quidem Billa idem Communes Afjenfum fuum 
 prabuerunt fub hiis Verbis : A cefte Bille les 
 Communs font afl'entes ; quibus quidem Billa 
 & Ajfenfu coram Domino Rege in Parliamento 
 praditto, lettis, auditis, & plene intellects, & 
 de Ajfenfu Dominorum Spiritualium tf? 'Tempora- 
 lium in ditto Parl.amento fimiliter exi/lentium, 
 C5f Communitatis praditta ; nee non Authoritaie 
 ejufdem Parliament i pronunciatum, dec return, £sf 
 declaratum exiftit, omnia, et fingula in Billa 
 praedicta contenta fore vera et indubia ; ac idem 
 Dominus Rex, de Afleniu diftorum trium 
 Statuum Regni, & Authoritate praedicla, omnia 
 & fingula prsemifla in Billa prasdicla contenta 
 concedit, h ea pro vero & indubio pronunciat, 
 decernit, & declarat (p). 
 
 The 
 
 (f ) Hire h« create* and ratifies his own Title. Jkid t
 
 O/ENGLAN D. , 395 
 
 The Reader is to obferve, that this Parliament K.. Richard m. 
 is not introduced, in the Abridgment of the Records, 
 or in the Roll itfelf, with that Formality as moft 
 of or all the reft are. There are no Writs of Sum- 
 mons, nor Names of Peers ; no Speech from the 
 Throne, or from the Lord Chancellor, declaring 
 the Caufe of the Meeting, nor any Speaker to the 
 Commons mentioned in it. Neither is there wSKXSJJ 
 Notice taken of a Tax or Subfidy ; tho' this Im- f thisParlk- 
 pofition is faid, by Hiftorians, to have been verymcnt. 
 grievous and burthenfome to the People. There 
 is no manner of Wonder that the Ac\ of Attain- 
 der, againft the Earl of Richmond and his Fol- 
 lowers, is not to be found on Record : Conqueft 
 and Succeflion to the Crown, foon after, gave 
 him Power enough, not only to abrogate that Aft, 
 but even to erafe it from the Records. And, the 
 Reafon the abovefaid Roll is yet extant, may be 
 affigned to the Policy of the Conqueror ; fince it 
 convey'd a Stigma, or Blot, on the Houfe of 
 Tork t by baftardifing of Edward's Children. And, 
 yet, this politic Succeflbr was obliged to marry the 
 eldeft Princefs of that Houfe, by Compact and 
 Agreement with his Coadjutors ; in order to fettle 
 for ever thofe fatal Differences, which had divid- 
 ed and torn the Nation for fo many Years, about 
 the difputed Titles of York and Lancajler. 
 
 Richard was well aware that this propofed 
 Union was the greateft Motive, the Malecon tents 
 to his Government had, to draw in many more 
 indifferent People, not only to wifh for, but to en- 
 deavour to bring it about. In order, therefore, to 
 fruftrate this Project, he took a pious Refolution 
 to add Inceft to the reft of his enormous Crimes, 
 by marrying the Princefs Elizabeth his eldeft Bro- 
 ther's Daughter himfelf. The Hi/lory cf Croy- 
 land informs us, that, during the Sitting of this 
 Parliament, Richard, by fair Promifes, mixed 
 with fome terrible Threats, had, at laft, prevailed 
 upon the too eafy Queen, to fend all her Daughrers 
 to Court j where they were received, by their 
 
 unnatural
 
 3$6 The 'Parliawentdry Hi stout 
 
 K. Richard I1L imnaturai Uncle, with all feeming Tendernefs and 
 ArFedtion. At this Time alfo, the fame Autho- 
 rity tells us, that the King got together, almoft, 
 all the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in the 
 Kingdom, the Chief of the Members of the 
 Houie of Commons, and the principal Perfons 
 of his Houfhold, into a private Parlour {q) of the 
 P?!ace ; and commanded them to take a new 
 coined Oath, by whom framed is uncertain, to 
 be true to the SucceiTion of his only Son Edward^ 
 in cafe of his F 'her's Mortality ; and they were 
 all, likewife, obliged to fign their Names to it. 
 .But to proceed. 
 
 Mr. Rapin(r) obteves, that Richard called this 
 Parliament at a very feafonable Juncture. The 
 Duke of Buckingham's Confpiracy feeming entire- 
 ly ftifled by the Death of that Lord, and the Re- 
 treat of the Earl of Richmond (s), there was not 
 in the Kingdom any Perfon in a Condition to lift 
 up his Head againft him. So the Parliament, 
 adds he, confifting, no doubt, of Reprefentatives 
 devoted to the King, declared Edward the Fourth's 
 Iliue illegitimate-, and confirmed Richard's irre- 
 gular Ele&ion, with his pretended Right to the 
 Crown. This Ad was abfolutely neceffory for 
 Richard's Security j beiides, fays cur Author, the 
 Parliament thereby avoided the Trouble of en- 
 quiring after the Fate of Edward V. whom all 
 England had for fome Months acknowledged for 
 King. Then an Aft of Attainder was palled 
 againft Henry Earl of Richmond, and all his Adhe- 
 rents, by vertue whereof all their Eftates were 
 forfeited to the King. By this Adl, which de- 
 clared all thole Rebels and Traitors, that wer£ 
 concerned in the Duke of Buckingham's and the 
 Earl of Richmond's Confpiracies, all the late Exe- 
 cutions 
 
 (q) In quodam inferiori Ccenacuh, juxta Ambitum qui iucit ad 
 Camerat Regina. Hist. Croyl. Cont. P. 570. 
 
 (r) Ra pin's Hi/. o/Eng. Fcl.Ed. P. 642. 
 
 (j) Richmond had been waiting upon the Englijh Coafts, with a 
 few Ships, but when he was allured of Buckingham's Defeat and 
 Death, he failed back into Britany. 
 V. 570. 
 
 Henry Earl of 
 Richmond and 
 his Adherents 
 attainted. 
 
 Hi6T. Crorl. Cont.
 
 Of E N G L A N D. S97 
 
 cutions were in feme meafure juftified ; becaufe, K. Richard III 
 ftill, adds our Authority ', fuch as had fuffered, were 
 confidered as guilty of the Crime condemned by 
 this Act. 
 
 The Senfe of another Author, who, tho' a 
 Foreigner, feems to make a juft Reflecton on this 
 Matter, is this (/). ' The Decree above being 
 ' regiftred amongft the Acts of the Parliament, 
 
 * and by that made authentical in every Part of 
 
 * it, makes it appear that the Kings of England 
 « have Power to do what they will, when they 
 ' are either loved for their Virtues, or feared for 
 ' their Force. As to what concerns Love, there 
 4 is no Proof of it in this prefent Cafe ; but of 
 
 * Fear, fufficient ; that Terror being the primum 
 
 * mobile in this Bufinefs.' 
 
 But, it muft be allowed that fome other Bufi- 
 nefs was done in this Parliament, befides fettling 
 the Succeflion, and palling the Bill of Attainder. 
 Many wholefome Laws, very beneficial to the 
 Public, were enacted in it j a plain Evidence of 
 which is their Handing unrepealed, in our Statute- 
 Booh, to this Day. Some of the moft remarkable 
 we (hall mention. 
 
 i. * That whereas the Subjects of this Realm ufefulAcTspuf- 
 ' had of late been burdened with a new Impofi- fed. 
 ' lion, called a Benevolence, the fame mould not 
 ' thenceforth be exacted. 2. That every Juftice 
 ' of Peace fhall have Power to admit a Prifoner, 
 ' arretted for Felony, to Bail, and that no Officer 
 ' fhall feize the Goods of a Prifoner, arrefted for 
 
 * Felony, till be attainted. 3. That no Perfon 
 
 * fhall be impannelled upon Juries, but who hath 
 
 * Twenty Shillings Freehold, or Twenty-fix Shil- 
 ' lings and Eight-pence Copyhold, at the leaft. 
 
 * 4. That Wine and Oil-Veflels fhall contain as 
 
 * follows : Every Tun fhall hold 252 Gallons ; a 
 
 * Pipe 126 Gallons; a Tertian 8f Gallons; a 
 
 * Hogfhead 63 Gallons ; a Barrel 31 Gallons and 
 
 * a half ; a Rundlet 18 Gallons and a hAf(u).' 
 
 The 
 
 (0 Biondi, Vol. II. P. 1X6. 
 
 $0 STATUf ESAjLARSr,/fMJ i^ Ric, III, Cap, %, 3,4, ;l j.
 
 39S The Parliamentary History 
 
 k. Richard in. The Ad againft collecting Benevolences hath 
 this remarkable Preamble : 
 * The King, remembring how the Commons 
 
 * of this his Realm, by new and unlawful Inven- 
 
 * tions and inordinate Covetoufnefs, againft the 
 ' Law of his Realm have been put to great 
 ' Thraldom and infupportable Charges and Exac- 
 ' tions, and efpecially by a new Impofition called 
 4 a Benevolence ; whereby for divers Years the 
 ' Subjects and Commons of this Land, againft 
 
 * their Wills and Freedoms, have paid great Sums 
 
 * of Money to their almoft utter Deftruction ; 
 ' for divers and many worfhipful Men of this 
 ', Realm, by occafion thereof were compelled to 
 
 * break up their Houfholds, and to live in great 
 
 * Penury and Wretched nefs, their Debts unpaid, 
 1 and their Children unpreferr'd ; and fuchMemo- 
 c rials as they had ordained to be done for the 
 
 * Wealth of their Souls anentifed and annulled, to 
 
 * the great Difpleafure of God, and Deftruction 
 6 of this Realm.' Therefore, &c. 
 
 It is eafy to fee that the Intent of this Act had 
 a double Afpect, to make Richard's own Govern- 
 ment feem mild and fparing of his Subjects Money, 
 at the fame time that it call an Odium on that of 
 his Brother Edward (x). But, it was not very 
 long, after pairing this Act, that Richard himfelf 
 broke it ; for, on the firft News of the Earl of 
 Richmond's, Invaiion, having fufficiently emptied 
 his Coffers, and fquandered away the great Trea- 
 fure left by his Brother, he had Recourfe to the 
 very fame Means (Which he had condemned in 
 open Parliament,) to procure more. And, fays 
 cur coiemporary Authority y the Word Benevolence 
 which had been ufed with fo much Contempt, 
 converted itfelf ; for the King fent out his Crea- 
 tures, who were Children of this World, and 
 therefore wifer than the Children of Light, who 
 by Prayers and Threats, by Hook or Crook, 
 lcrnpecTand gleaned together vaft Sums of Money, 
 
 from 
 
 (.y) Sec before in this Volume,, P. $49,
 
 O/ENGLAND, 399 
 
 from almoft all Sorts of People, and carried it toK. Richard mi 
 the King's Treafury (y). 
 
 This is all we can collect relating to ; the Trans- 
 actions of this Parliament, either from the Records, 
 Statute-Books, or Hiftorians ; what we have elfe 
 to fay in this Reign, is, that a new Invafion, hap- 
 pening foon after under the Earl of Richmond, 
 King Richard loft his Life and his Crown in the Richard lulled at 
 Battle of Bofworth, Auguft 22, 1485, and the theBattlcofBoi: - 
 Conqueror was proclaimed, at the Head of his w ' 
 Army, King of England, &c. in the open Field. 
 
 Thus fell the laft of the Sons of Richard Duke 
 of York ; whofe violent Ambition proved the 
 Ruin of him and all the Male Line of Plantagenet* 
 Had he been content with the Protectorship, he 
 would have had no Enemies, but have ended his 
 Days in Peace and Honour ; and ieen the Crown 
 eftablifhed in his Family. It is certain that the 
 Hiftorians, immediately following thefe Times, 
 in Compliment perhaps to the reigning Prince, 
 have given us Richard's Character as black as 
 it could be made. Mr. Buck has endeavoured as 
 far to polifh it, and to reprefent him a Prince of 
 much better Shape both in Body and Mind, than 
 he had been generally efteemed. Various are the 
 Cenfures which have palTed on his Performance 5 
 we fhall only trouble the R.eader with that of 
 Dr. Fuller, 4 His Memory, fays he, fpeaking of 
 King Richard, « has met with a modern Pen, 
 6 who has not only purged but praifed it to the 
 
 * Heigh th ; and, pity it is, that fo able an Ad- 
 
 * vocate, had not a more meriting Peribn for his 
 6 Client (sj.' 
 
 . The 
 
 (y) Hist. Choyt.. Cont. P. 571,2. 
 
 (x) Fuller'} Worthies, P.282, in Nortbamptonjbire. Biffiop 
 Kennet, in his Notes on Lord Verulam'% Hiftory of the fucceeding 
 Reign, remarks, That amongft the Number of Perfons attainted 
 Sa the firft Parliament of Henry VII, was one Jthn Buck, be- 
 headed at Bofworth, a Relation to George Buck, the Author of the 
 Life of RithardUL which perhaps, adds he, was the Reafon why 
 that Hiftorian, in Oppofition to other Writers on the fame Subject, 
 endeavours to have it believed, that King Richard was both a great 
 and" a good Man. Kennett** Coi/eiliat, Vol. II. P. 581.
 
 400 The Parliamentary Histort 
 
 K. Richard hi. The celebrated French Writer of Englijb Hif- 
 tory, concludes his Reign of Richard III. in this 
 Manner : 
 
 ' Let us clofe, fays he, the Hiftory of the 
 ' Plantagenets, with a brief Recapitulation of the 
 
 * moft memorable Accidents that befel the Kings 
 
 * of this Race, whilft on the Throne of England. 
 
 * In this Summary of the fourteen foregoing 
 ' Reigns, it will be feen, not without Aftonifh- 
 
 * ment, perhaps, that the Happinefs and Glory 
 ' enjoyed by this Race, for above three hundred 
 ' Years, were, almoft nothing, in comparifon of 
 
 * their Misfortunes.' And then he begins with a 
 long Detail of direful Accidents, all tending to 
 prove, that even God Almighty himfelf, always 
 acted in Oppofition to an Hereditary Title to the 
 Englijh Crown. On which extraordinary Reca- 
 pitulation, his Tranilator and Annotator Mr. 
 Tindal, makes this juft Reflection : 
 
 * It were to be wifhed that fo good an Hifto- 
 
 * rian as Rapin, had been more fparing of 
 
 * God's Judgments j fuch Remarks at beft being 
 ' a Sign of great Weaknefs. But when they are 
 ' built on Falfities in Fact, as is fometimes the 
 4 Cafe, they are inexcufable. Of this, adds he, 
 
 * we have an Inftance, even in Rapin himfelf. 
 1 And, as for the long Lift of God's Judgments 
 
 * upon the Houfe of Plantagenet, it contains no- 
 
 * thing extraordinary ; nothing but what is very 
 
 * common in this World, and what might eafily 
 ' be matched out of the Hiftories of feveral other 
 ' Nations {a)* 
 
 W KAHK*sHift,efEri£lanJ, fol.Edit, P. 647. Notefc. 
 
 THE
 
 Gj ENGLAND. 401 
 
 THE great God of Battles having given King Henry v". 
 Henry Earl of Richmond a cqmpleat Vi&ory 
 pver his mortal Enemy Richard III. and he being 
 !lain in the. Field, the .Diadem, for which they 
 both fought, and which Richard wore on his 
 Head that Day, being found, was immediately 
 put on Henry's ; and, according to a Roman 
 Cuftom, he \ra$ faluted Emperor by the Soldiery 
 in the open Field. The TMe to z. Crown by 
 Conqueft, muft be' allow'd. a very jlrong one j 
 bwl Henry VII would nottiuft.tQ that, nor folely 
 to the lame Pedigree he pietended to claim from 
 John of Gaunt, the Source of the Lancajlrian 
 Stream; knowing well, that it was i'o obit ructed 
 in the Way, by a Bar of Baftardy, that it w;as 
 impoflible to make it feem clear to the World (a). 
 The bed Title he had, w:;s by Marriage with ' 
 the Princefs Elizabeth, eldeft Daughter to King His Title to Cfo 
 Edward IV. and which : he was obliged by Crown * 
 Compact to.confummate. But yet,, his inbred Ha- 
 tred to the Houfe of Tori was fo great, that he 
 difdain'd a Power that would then be more Matri- 
 monial than Regal ; and io refolv'd to.reft upon 
 the Title of Lancajler, as chief; and, as the great 
 Lord Bacon obfe.rves, to uie the. other two, of 
 fconqueft and Marriage, as Supporters to it (b). 
 Vol. II. Cc With 
 
 (a) For Henry the Seventh's Title to the CroWn by Defcent, fee 
 the Life of Edward IV. by John Habington, Efq; in Kennet, 
 Vol. I. p. 471. 
 
 Philip de Commines, in fpeaking of the violent Proceedings in 
 Rjcbard's Reign, fays, LediS Roy Richard ne le porta pat loing j 
 car contra lui efe-va Dicu un Ennemy, (eOtout en /' Infant) que 
 n^wveit he Croix nk P ilk, ne mil Droid, eommejecroy, aleCou- 
 ronne d' Anglcterre ; ne cjlime riens,fors- que de fa Perfonne efoit 
 konefe, et await beaucoup fouffcrt 5 car leplufpart de fa <vie avoit 
 tjh Prifonnier. " : Li-vre Sixiefmc; Chap, ir.' 
 
 (b) Polydore Vergil introduces two Prophecies to confirm henrf^ 
 Title to the Crown, in thefe Words t 
 
 Henricus Principum a'.que Populi jujfu Rex creatur 5 ftiit il'e 
 Annus Salutis, M.CCCC.LXXXVI. Henricus fc Regnum adeptus 
 tfl, quod Dei Nutu Sf Corf Ho gejium, et prwifum ej/e, <vifum eji, 
 
 Jttando abhinc, id ef, ex hoc Anno Salutis , 14S6, Anno* 
 > CC.XCVII. Adentoria proditum ferunt, Vecem Ditinitus Cadou- 
 al»4ra ultimt Britaimorum Reg', redditam, ejui Progeniem rurfui 
 
 rcgr.d-*
 
 402 The ^Parliamentary History 
 
 K»gH«nry VII. With thefe Views Henry took PolTeflion of the 
 Englifb Crown ; and the Solemnity of his Coro- 
 nation was perform'd in the ufual Place and Man- 
 ner, on the 13 th Day of Oclober, in the Year 
 1485. The next Year, in order to gain a further 
 Anno Regni 1. Sanction to his Title, he called a Parliament, 
 i486. by Writs bearing Date at WeflminJier, Sept. 15. 
 At Weftminiier. Anno Regni fui prima, to meet at the fame Place, 
 on the 7 th Day of Nov. following. A Lift of the 
 Peers, on this other great Revolution in the 
 State, is as follows (c) : 
 
 John Duke of Suffolk, George Lord Nevile of 
 J a/per (d) Duke of Bed- Bergavenny, 
 
 ford, Richard Lord Grey, 
 
 William Earl of Arun- Richard Lord De la 
 The state of the dele, Ware, 
 
 Peerage. jfa Earl of Oxford, Thomas Lord Lumley, 
 
 'Edmund Earl of Kent, John Lord Broke oi Cob- 
 William Earl of Notting- ham, 
 
 ham, ' John Lord Mountjoy, 
 
 Edward Earl of Wilts, John Lord Stourton, 
 Richard Earl Rivers, John Lord Sutton of 
 Thomas Earl of Derby. Dudley, 
 William Earl of Hun- John Lord Denham, 
 
 tington, Thomas Lord Arundele of 
 
 Edward Earl of Devon, Matravers, 
 Ralph Lord Greyfock, Edward Vifcount Lifle y 
 Thomas Lord Scrope of John Lord Grey of 
 Mnjham, Powis, 
 
 , Richard Lord Beau- Henry Lord Clifford of 
 champ of Beauchamp, Clifford (e), 
 
 John 
 
 rrgnaturam. Jfiiui Voch Fato Henricum diEium Rtgnum obtinuijjfe, 
 Opinio per Animos Hominumjampridem periiajerat, quod et Henricus 
 Scxtus futurum pradix erat. 
 
 Pol. Verg. Ang.HiJl. Lib. xxvi. p. 566. 
 
 (c) From Dug p ale's Summons to Parliament, An. 1. Hen. VII. 
 p. 476, 6fc. 
 
 (d) Jafpcr Earl cf Pembroke, King Hcnrfs Uncle, had been cre- 
 ated by nim Dike of Bedford, at his Coronation. As was alio 
 TLomas Lord Stanley made Earl of Derby, the King's Father in 
 Law. And Edward Courtney, Earl of Devon. 
 
 Lord Bacon's Henry VII. 
 {t) The Story of the Prefervation of this Lord Clifford from tke 
 
 Furjr
 
 Of ENGLAND. 403 
 
 John Rat cliff Lord F.tz- William Vifcount Beau' KingHtnry VII. 
 
 Walter, mont. 
 
 The Judges, 
 LordChief JufikeHufee, Sir Humphrey Starky* 
 Sir Thomas Brian, John Suliard, 
 
 Sir Guy Fairfax, John Vavafour, 
 
 Sir John Catesby, JVilham Hode, Attorney 
 
 Sir Richard Noel, General. 
 
 Sir Roger Townfjend, 
 
 Mr Rapin introduces his Account of the Pro- 
 ceedings of this Parliament in this Manner : 
 
 * Eight Days after the Coronation the Parlia- 
 ' mentmetj Henry's Ends in calling a Parliament 
 
 * were chiefly four. The firft, was to be dechr'd 
 
 * King de Jure, as he was already K'ng de Fa£lo ; 
 
 * and to fecure the Crown to his Pofterity by an 
 
 * Aft in Form. The fecond, to reverfe the 
 
 * Attainders of all his Party. The third, to 
 
 * attaint thofe who had exprefs'd a great Animo- 
 ' fity againft him, and moil Zeal for the late 
 
 * King. The fourth and laft, was to mew, 
 
 * that tho' he had by his fole Authority placed 
 ' himfelf on the Throne, to prevent his Title 
 ' from being queftioned ; he intended however to 
 ' govern the Kingdom like his Predeceffors, by 
 ' Way of Parliaments, and not affume a defpotic 
 ' Power. This Step, adds our Author, was 
 
 * abfolutely necelTary for a Prince whofe Title 
 
 * was fo dubious ; and who afcended the Throne 
 
 * without being call'd to it, in ihe ufal Way* 
 The great Lord Bacon, in his Hijiory of the 
 
 Life and Reign of K ; ng Henry VII. from whom 
 all our modern Hiftorians, particularly the laft, 
 have copied, is fo very exact in his Account of 
 the Proceedings in this firft Parliament called by 
 this King, that we are perfuaded that noble Au- 
 C c 2 thor's 
 
 FuryoftheHtmfe of Tori, who would certainly have facrifk'd him 
 for his Father's Cruelty ; and his being brought up as a Shepherd to 
 tliis Time, having never learnt to read or write, is very remarka- 
 ble, SecDuGDAi.x'j£4r«n f Vol, II. p. 34.3.
 
 404 The Parliamentary History 
 
 Xin&Kenry Vlli ihor's own Words will be more acceptable than 
 any Abridgment or Alteration of them. -.He tells 
 us, * That on the feventh of November the 
 Km^held h : s Parliament at IVefminjler, which 
 he had jummoned immediately after his coming 
 to London. His Ends in calling a Parliament, and 
 that lb fpeedily, were chiefly three ; firft, to pro- 
 cure the Crown to be entailed upon himfelf. 
 Next, to have the Attainders of all of his Party, . 
 which were in no fmall Number, reverfed, and 
 all Atts of Hoftility by them done in his Quarrel, 
 remitted and difcharged y and, on the other Side, 
 to attaint by Parliament, the Heads and Principals 
 of his Enemies. The third, to calm and quiet the 
 Fears of the reft of that Party, by a general Par-- 
 don ; not being ignorant in how great Danger a. 
 King Hands from his Subjects, when moft of his 
 Subjects are confeious in themferves, that they 
 ftand in his Danger. Unto thefe three fpecial 
 Motives of a Parliament was added, that he, as a . 
 prudent arid moderate Prince, made this Judg- . 
 ment ; that it was fit for "him to haften to let his 
 People fee, that he meant to govern by Law, - 
 howfoever he came in by the Sword ; and fit > 
 alfo to reclaim them to know him for their King, . 
 whom they had fo lately talked of as an Enemy 
 or banifhed Man. For that which concerned the 
 Entailing of the Crown, '(more than that he was 
 true in his own Will, that he would not endure ', 
 
 T ft S r fce * ( ftt an y mem * on °f tne ^ady ^fe»W$t no not in the * 
 iirion Henry andNature of fpecial Entail,) he carry'd it Qiherwife 
 hisHcks. with great Wii'dom 'and Meafure. For he did- 
 
 not prefs to have the Ac!:. penned by 'way of De- . 
 claration or Recognition of Right ; as on the other 
 S de, he avoided to have it by new Law or Or- 
 dinance; but chofe rather a kind of Middle- way, 
 byway of Elhblifhment, and that under Covert 
 arid* indiffi rent Words ; That the Inheritance of 
 the Crown Jhould rejl, remain^ and abide in the 
 King, &c which Words might equally be applied, 
 That the Crown mould continue to him ; but 
 
 whether
 
 O/ENGLAND. 405 
 
 whether as having former Right to it, which was K » n z Henry VIL 
 doubtful, or having jt then in Fad and Pofleffion, 
 which no Man denied, was left fair to Interpreta- 
 tion either way. And again, for the Limitation 
 .of the Entail, he did not prefs it to go farther 
 than to himfelf and to the Heirs of his Body, not 
 ipeakmg of his right Heiis j but leaving that to 
 the Law to decide ; fo as the Entail might feem 
 rather a perfonal Favour to him and his Children, 
 than a total Difinherifon to the Houfe of York. 
 And in this Form was tl)e Law drawn and paf- 
 lcd(g). This Statute he procured to be con- 
 firmed by the Pope's Bull the Year following, 
 with mention neverthelefs, by way of Recital, of 
 his other Titles, both of 3L)efcent and Conqueft. 
 So as now the Wreathe of Three was made a 
 Wreathe of Five (/;), for to the three firft Titles 
 of the two Houfes, and Conqueft, were added 
 two more, the Authorities Parliamentary and 
 Papal W 
 
 Cc 3 c The 
 
 (g) The Words of the Act of Settlement on Henry, are thefe s 
 
 * To the Pleafure of Almighty God, Wealth, Profperity and Sure- 
 ' ty of this Realm of England, and to the fipgular Comfort of all 
 ' the King's Subjects of the fame, in avoiding all Ambiguities and 
 
 * Queftions j be it ordained, eftablifhed, and enacted, by this pre-r 
 
 * fent Parliament, that the Inheritance of the Crown of this 
 ' Realm of England, and alfo of France, with all the Prehemi- 
 ' nence and Dignity Royal to the fame belonging beyond the Sea, 
 
 * with the Appurtenances thereto in any wife due or appertaining j 
 
 * fhall reft, remain, and abide in the moil Royal Perfon of our now 
 
 * Sovere gn Lord King Henry the Seventh, and in the Heirs of his 
 f Body lawfully coming, perpetually with the Grace of God fo to 
 ' endure, and in none other,' 
 
 H.ul'j Chronicle, Henry VII. Fol. III. 
 \h) Nathaniel Bacon makes it a Wreathe of fix, viz. By Inhe- 
 ' ritance, War, Efpoufals, Election, Gift of Parliament j and laftly, 
 by Pontifical Benediction. 
 
 Bacon or. Government, Fol. p. 1 14. Ed. 1 739. 
 (;') The Pope's Bull for confirming the Crown to Henry, by 
 rirtue of this Entail, is in the Collection of Publick Atlt, 
 Tom. XII. P. 297. in which is this remarkable EiprerTion : Non 
 rnodo Jure Belli., ac notorio & indubitato proximo Succejfwnii T/« 
 hdo, vcium etiam omnium Pra'latorum, Procerutn, Magnatum, No~ 
 kilium, totiufque cjufdem Rfgni Angliae, Plcbis Ehclione & Voto, 
 jiec non Decreto, Statute, &n)retinatione ipjius Angliz, Regni triun^ 
 S-iatuum in ipfo Convttttu Parliament noncupato.
 
 406 The Parliamentary History 
 
 King Heary VII. * The King like wife in the Reverfal ot the At 
 ' tainders of his Partakers, and difcharging them o" 
 all Offences incident to his Sei vice and Succour, 
 had his Will and Acts palled accordingly. In 
 the Pillage whereof. Exception was taken to di- 
 vers Perl'ons in the Home of Commons, for that 
 they were attainted, and thereby not legal, nor 
 habilitate to fcrve in Parliament, being difabled in 
 the higheft Degree : And that it mould be a great 
 Incongruity to have them to make Laws, who 
 themfelves were not inlawed. The Truth was, 
 that divers of thofe which had in the Time of 
 King Richard been ilrorgett and moft declared for 
 the King's Party, were returned Knights and 
 Burgefles for the Parliament, whether by Care or 
 Recommendation from the State, or the volun- 
 tary Inclination of the People ; many of which 
 had been by Richard the Third attainted by (Out- 
 lawries, or other wife. The King was femewhat 
 troubled with this: For though it had a grave 
 
 • and fpecious Shew, yet it reflected upon hh Party. 
 But wifely not (hewing him elf at all moved 
 therewith, he would i ol underftand it but as a 
 Cafe of Law ; and wifhed the Judges to be ad- 
 vifed thereupon ; who, for that purpofe,were forth- 
 with aHembled in the Exchequer Chamber, which 
 is the Council- Chamber of the Judges ; and upon 
 Deliberation they gave a grave and fafe Opinion 
 and Advice, mixed with Law and Convenience ; 
 which was, that the Knights and BurgefTes at- 
 
 Thc Attainders minted by the Courfe of Law, fhould forbear to 
 vf Ssrevro'd. come ' nto tne Houfe, till a Law were pafTed for 
 
 * the Reverfal of their Attainders/ 
 
 * It was at that time incidently moved amongft 
 the Judges in their Confultation, what fhould be 
 done for the King himfelf, who likewife was at- 
 tainted ; but it was with unanimous Confent re- 
 folved, That the Crown takes away all Defecls and 
 Stops in Blood ; and that from the 'Time the King 
 did afjum? the Crown, the Fountain was cleared, 
 and all Attainders and Corruption of Blood dif~ 
 
 charged.
 
 O/ENGLAND. 407 
 
 (barged. But neverthelefs for Honour's Sake it King Henry vn. 
 
 was ordained by Parliament, that all Records 
 
 wherein there was any Memory, or Mention of 
 
 the King's Attainder, /hould be defaced, cancelled, 
 
 and taken off the File.' \ 
 
 * But on the Part of the King's Enemies, there 
 were by Parliament attainted, the late Duke of . . -. rf 
 Glocejier, calling himfelf Richard the Third, the his Enemies at- 
 Duke of Norfolk , the Earl of Surry , Vifcount tainted. 
 Lovely the Lord Ferrers^ the Lord 1ouck, Richard 
 Ratclffiy William Catejiy, and many others of 
 Degree and Quality. In which Bills of Attain- 
 ders neverthelefs, there were contained many juft 
 and temperate Claufes, Savings and Provifo's, 
 Well mewing and fore- tokening the Wjfdom, 
 Sthy, and Moderation of the King's Spirit of 
 Government. And for the Pardon of the reft that 
 had flood againft the King, the King upon a fe- 
 cond Advice, thought it not fit it mould pafs by 
 Parliament, the better, being Matter of Grace, 
 to impropriate the Thanks to himfelf; ufing only 
 the Opportunity of a Parliament-Time, the better 
 to difperfe it into the Veins of the Kingdom. 
 Therefore during the Parliament, he publifhed his 
 Royal Pioclamation, offering Pardon and Grace 
 of Reftitution, to all fuch as had taken Arms, or 
 been participant of any Attempts againft him ; fo 
 as they fubmitted themfelves to his Mercy by a Pardons to othm, 
 Day, and took the Oath of Allegiance and Fide- 
 lity to him. Whereupon many came out of 
 Sanctuary, and many more came out of Fear, no 
 iefs guilty than thofe that had taken Sanctuary.' 
 
 * As for Money or Treafure, the King thought 
 it not feafonable, or fit, to demand any of his 
 Subjects at this Parliament ; both becaufe he had 
 received Satisfaction from them in Matters of fo 
 great Importance, and becaufe he could not re- 
 munerate them with any general Pardon, being 
 prevented therein by the Coronation -Pardon, 
 pafled immediately before. But chiefly, for that 
 it was in every Man's Eye, what great Forfeitures 
 C c 4 and
 
 408 The Parliamentary History 
 
 '. . , 
 
 King Henry VII. and Confifcations he had at that prefent to help 
 
 himfelf ; whereby thofe Cafualries of the Crown' 
 
 might in reafon fpare the Purfes of his Subjects; 
 
 efpecially in a Time when he was in Peace with 
 
 ,,. all his Neighbours (-0- Some few Laws paffed at 
 Laws sals d ; , t-» i • \ n r -.~> r , 
 
 :, ■ • ■ . that Parliament, almoft for form-lake ; amongft 
 
 which there, 'was one, to reduce Aliens, being 
 made Denizens, to pay Strangers Cuttoms ; and 
 ano'her, to draw to himfelf the Seizures and. 
 Competitions of Italian Goods, for not Employ- 
 ment, being Points' of Profit to his Coffers, 
 whereof from the very Beginning- he ' Was not 
 forgetful ; and had been more happy at the latter 
 End, if his early Providence, ' which kept him 
 frorn all Neceffity of exacting upon his- People, 
 could like wife have temper'd his Nature therein. 
 He added during Parliament, to his former 
 Creations, the Ennoblement or Advancement in 
 Nobility of a few others : The Lord Chandos of 
 Britain, was made Earl of Bath, and Sir'G;7« 
 fad Preferments. j^ a { v fj ene y ' was m ade Lord Dawbeney, and' Sir 
 Robert TVilloug'hby Lord Brooks. 
 
 * The King did 1 al'fo with great Ncblenefs and 
 Bounty, which Virtues at that Time had their 
 Turns in h"s Nature, reftore Edward Stafford) 
 elded Son to Henry Duke of Buckingham, attaint- 
 ed in the Time of King Richard, nor only ro his 
 Dignities, but to his Fortunes and Poffeffions, 
 which were great ; to which 1 he was moved alio 
 by a kind of Gratitude', for that the Duke was 
 the Man that moved the firft Stone againft the 
 Tyrany of King Richard, 'and indeed made the 
 King a Bridge to the Crown upon his own Ruins. 
 Thus the Parliament broke up. ? 
 
 Thus far the noble Hiftorian. What we have 
 further to add to his full Account, is, only, an 
 Abftrad from The Continuation* of the Hijiory of 
 
 Croy* 
 
 (k) Though Lord Bacen fays this, yet we are informed by the 
 CoMzKion of. Publick A&s, that the ufiial Tonnage and Poundage, 
 and the Subfidy on Wools, Wool-Fells and Hides, were granted by 
 this Parliament. Rymer'j Fad. Tom. XII. P. 335. 
 
 'The Clergy alio granted a Tenth. Ibid, P. 323.
 
 Of E N G L A N D. 493 
 
 Qroyland (I), fo o r ten before quoted, which ends j^,,, Henri- Vi * 
 in this very Year, relating to the Proceedings of - • ' . , 
 this Parliament. It is there faid, ! ' That after 
 s: King Henry's Coronation, a Parliament was 
 
 5 heldat Jf'e/lmktfisr in winch many Things were 
 
 * treated of and done, (it were to be wifhed that 
 
 * all were for the general Good) too copious 
 
 * for this Compendium of a Hiftory, Amongft 
 
 * the reft, thirty Perfons were profcribed, or more 
 
 * commonly; attainted (w), which Act, tho* 
 ? much more modeft than what was done in the 
 ' Parliaments under the late Kings Richard and 
 ' Edward, yet, did not pals without great Debates, 
 
 * or, to fpeak more plainly, many {harp DifputeS 
 4 and Altercations. O God ! exclaims the. Motile, 
 
 * what Security can Princes have, that their Sub- 
 ' jedls will defend their Perfons in the Day of 
 
 * Battle ; when, being forced there, perhaps, by 
 e their abfolute Commands and Threats, the Side 
 
 * they fight for, as is often the Cafe, being worft- 
 c ed, they find their own Lives, Fortune?, and 
 s Eftates, involvedjn the common Ruin. In this 
 
 * Parliament, adds our Authority, the Crown was 
 G fettled on Henry, as his real Right, not from one 
 
 * but many Titles $ for he did not claim the 
 e EngliJI) Diadem, fo much from Blood or Affinity, 
 \ as from the Right of Conqueft in the Field. 
 c There were fome, however, who chofe rather 
 
 * to cpnceal their Thoughts than fpeak thern 
 
 * openly ; and the more i'o, becaufe, by his own 
 
 6 Cohfent, the King's Marriage with the Princefs 
 ' Elizabeth, eldeft Daughter to King Edward, 
 
 * was there treated on, and agreed unto ; in which 
 G Match, all the Deficiencies which Henry wanted 
 
 * in Title feemed well filled up. But of this, per- 
 ' haps, more may be faid in another Place.' 
 
 It is eafy to fee by this Quotation, from our 
 cotemporary Hiftoriographer, that he is no Advo- 
 cate 
 
 (/) Inter Rerum Asg. Script, vet. Ed. Gale, Torn. I, - 
 i (wj Profcriftiones, quai vulgaris Attintta vetant. Ibidem*
 
 41 o The 'Parliamentary Histort. 
 
 King Henry VII. cate f° r Henry's Title, nor Friend to his Sue 
 ceflion ; and that, if he durft, he would have left 
 us his Thoughts in a plainer' Manner upon it. 
 But his Hifiory ending, as is faid before, in this 
 very Year, we meet with no more Refledions 
 about it, in that Author. 
 
 It is evident, however, by other Hiftorians, that 
 . notwithftanding all the Precautions which Henry 
 Guard about 1 his t0 °k to ftrengthen and iupport his Title to the 
 Perfoa. Crown, in a Parliamentary Way ; ye:, his Reign 
 
 was not without fome violent Concuflions, which 
 greatly (hook his new acquired Diadem. The 
 Partizans and Favourers of the Houfe of York 
 were Hill very powerful and numerous ; and 
 omitted no Oportunity to exert themfelves in that 
 Caufe. This he feemed well to forefee ; and his 
 Jealoufy on that Occafion made him inftitute a 
 Guard of fifty Archers, under the Command of a 
 Captain ; to be always near his Perfon, in cafe 
 of any fudden Attempt. This v/as then a new 
 Thing in England ; their Kings, before, were 
 only guarded by the Laws, and their Subjects 
 Affe&ions. But, to take away all Jealoufy of 
 this fmall jlanding Army^ he declared the Infti- 
 1 tution to be perpetual ; and that it was no more 
 
 than what he had obferved in his Exile to be done 
 by foreign Princes ; that it did not become the 
 Majefty of a King to be without a Guard ; for, 
 it was requifite to be had, if not of Neceflity, 
 for Decency («). An Inftitution that has been 
 . kept up, with an Addition of fifty more, by all 
 our fucceeding Princes. The Reader will find 
 that Henry's Precautions were not without 
 Reafon. 
 
 In the Beginning of the Year i486, the Mar- 
 
 2be£ am HeirdT ria S e was folemnized between King Henry and 
 
 of the* Houfe of the Princefs Elizabeth ; which was defigned to 
 
 York. have entirely united the two contending Titles, 
 
 fo that no future Efforts mould be made, by either 
 
 Side, to difturb it. But, yet, this very Year an 
 
 Infurreclion 
 
 («) Biondi, Both IX. Tag. 159.
 
 O/ENGLAND. 4" 
 
 Infurre&ion began, raifed by the Lord Lovely Sir Kin g Henry vn, 
 Humphrey Stafford and his Brother ; though upon 
 the News of an Army coming againft them they 
 difperfed themfelves. 
 
 But, a much more dangerous Commotion 
 happened in the next Year, under a counterfeit 
 Plantagenet ; one Lambert Shnnel, a B iker's Son, Lambert's Plot 
 being ipirited.up to take the Name and Title of defeated - 
 Edward Earl of IVarwick, only Son to George 
 late Duke <;f Clarence, and then a Prifoner in the 
 Tower. This Impoiture was carried on fo far, 
 that the counterfeit Prince was ?£tually crowned 
 King of England.&c. at Chrijl-Church, in Dublin ; 
 the hrijh Nation always greatly favouring the Title 
 of the Houfe of York. From that Kingdom the 
 new King came with eonfiderable Forces into 
 England \ where he was joined by the Earl of 
 Lincoln (o), and the Lord hovel, Sir Thomas 
 Brought on and others ; but, meeting with King 
 Henry's Forces near a Village called Syfo in Not- 
 tingham/hire, a Battle enfued, in which Henry was 
 again victorious, the aforefaid Lords, &c, flain, 
 their upftart King taken Prifoner, and their whole 
 Army cut in Pieces. Thus, Lambert's Pageantry 
 foon came to an End, and he himfelf was degraded 
 from his high State to be a mean Servitor in the 
 King's Kitchen. 
 
 ' For the extirpating the Roots and Caufes of 
 the like Commotions in Time to come, the King, 
 fays Lord Bacon, began to find where his Shoe 
 did wring him ; and that it was his depreffing the Thc ~ M 
 Houfe of York, that did rancle and feller the Af- crowned.' 
 fettions of his People. He , therefore, with much 
 Relu&ancy, confented to the Coronation of his 
 
 Queen, 
 
 («) This John Earl of Lincoln, was Son of John de la Pole, Duke 
 of Suffolk, by Elizabeth King Ed-ward the Fourth's eldeft Sifter. 
 King Richard III. in cafe he had difabled the Iflues of his elder 
 Brothers from inheriting thc Crown, and that himfelf mould ha\<e 
 no Children, had defigned this Nobleman to fuccced to the Crown. 
 
 Francis Vifcount Lovel was Lord Chamberlain to Richard IIJ. , 
 
 Lord Bacon.
 
 41 a The Parliamentary History 
 
 Queen, which was done with much Solemnity at 
 
 K^*™*™ IVeJfmhi/le^ ioon after hjis Return from the lafj 
 
 V i&ory, hut two Years after his Marriage ; 
 
 v which, adds our Authority, was like an old 
 
 Chriftening that had ftaid long for Godfathers. 
 
 The next Year fome Foreign Affairs came 
 
 upon the Carpet, which had like to have ended in 
 
 a War between France and England. The Oc- 
 
 cafion of it will beft appear by the Proceedings of 
 
 another Parliament, which the King was obliged 
 
 to call, by Writs bearing Date September the firft, 
 
 Anno Regnl 3, to meet at Wejlminjlcr on the ninth Day of 
 
 1488. November following, and in the third Year of 
 
 At We|bninfter. his R e ign. Being all affembled, Thomas Morton , 
 
 Archbifhop of Canterbury and Chancellor of 
 
 England, declared the Caufe of the Summons in 
 
 Words to this Effect : 
 
 * My Lords and Mailers (p) r 
 
 . * rirvHE King's Grace, our Sovereign Lord, 
 
 ' JL hath commanded me to declare unto 
 
 Skr^sJSo'.you"the Caules that have moved him at this 
 
 bothHoufes. ' Time to fummon this his Parliament, which I 
 
 ' (hall do in few Words ; craving Pardon of his 
 
 . * Grace and you all, if I perform it not as I 
 
 * would. 
 
 4 His Grace doth firft of all let you know, that 
 
 * he retaineth in thankful Memory the Love and 
 
 * Loyalty (hewed to him by you, at your lait 
 
 * Meeting, in Eftablifhment of his Royalty ; 
 
 * freeing and difcharging of his Partakers, and 
 
 * Confifcation of his Traitors and Rebels; more 
 
 * than which could not corne from Subjecls to 
 
 * their Sovereign, in one Action. This he taketh 
 
 * fo well at your Hands, as he hath made it a 
 
 * Refolution to himfelf to communicate with fo 
 ' loving and well_ approved Subjects, in all Affairs 
 ' that are of publick Nature, at Home or Abroad. 
 
 ' Two 
 
 (p) Lord Bacon*
 
 Of E N G'L A N D. 413 
 
 \ Two, therefore, are the Caufcs of yourK^gHter? Vn. 
 
 prefent aflemblmg: The one, a Foreign Bufi- 
 
 nefs ; the other, Matter of Government at 
 
 Home. 
 
 * The French King (as no doubt you have 
 
 heard) maketh at this p-eient hot War upon the. 
 
 Duke of Brittains. His Aimy is now before 
 
 Nants, and holdeth it itraitly begged, being 
 
 the- principal City (if not in Ceft'rriony and. 
 
 Preheminence, yet in S'rcngth and Wealth) of 
 
 that Duchy. Y ,-u nvy gu' :fs at his Hopes, by. 
 
 his a'ttemD':in<z i he ra:eeft Part of the War 
 
 firft The Cai/fe p'f dbls War he knoweth beft.. 
 
 He alle igeih the cnterta n'i g and fuccciiring 
 
 of the Duke (tiytfihm. and fonv* o.her French 
 
 Lords, whom the King taktih ftr his Ehe'mks. 
 
 Others divine of oth-r .Matters. Both Parts 
 
 have by their Amb ITadors divers times prayed 
 
 the King's Aids : The French King, Aids cr. 
 
 Neutrality ; the Brittcns, Aids fimply ; for fo ; 
 
 their Cafe requireth. The King, as a Chri- 
 
 ftian Prince, and b'efied Son of the Holy Church, 
 
 hath offered himfelf as a Mediator, to treat a 
 
 Peace between them. • The French King. 
 
 yieideth to tre.it, but will not fray the Profecu- 
 
 tion of the War. The Brittons, that defire 
 
 Peace moft, hearken to it lead; not upon. 
 
 Confidence or Stiffnefs, but opon Difiruft of 
 
 true Meaning, feeing the War goes on. So as 
 
 the King, after as much Pains and Care to effect 
 
 a Peace, as ever he took in any Bufinefs, not 
 
 being able to remove the P'rofecution on the one 
 
 Side, nor the Diftruft oh the other, caufed by 
 
 that Profecution, hath let fall the Treaty ; not. 
 
 repenting of it, but defpairing of it now, as. 
 
 not likely to fucceed. Therefore, by this 
 
 "Narrative you now underftand the State of the 
 
 Queftion, whereupon the King prayeth your 
 
 Advice ; which is no other, but, Whether he. 
 
 (hall enter into an auxiliary and defenfive War 
 
 for the Brimns againft France ? 
 
 4 And
 
 414 The Tarliamentary Hi&roKY 
 
 King Heory VII. ' And for the better to open yourUnderftandings 
 ' in this Affair, the King hath commanded me 
 c to fay fomewhat to you from him, of the Per- 
 ' fons that do intervene in this Bufinefs ; and 
 
 * fomewhat of the Confequence thereof, as it 
 ' hath Relation to this Kingdom ; and fomewhat 
 
 * of the Example of it in general ; making 
 
 * neverthelefs no Conclufion or Judgment of 
 ' any Point, until his Grace hath receiv'd your 
 ' faithful and politick Advices. 
 
 * Firft, for the King our Sovereign himfelf, 
 4 who is the principal Perfon you are to eye in 
 ' this Bufinefs ; his Grace doth profefs, that he 
 
 * truly and conftantly defireth to reign in Peace. 
 
 * But his Grace faith, he will neither buy Peace 
 e wuh Difhonour, nor take it up at Intereft of 
 ' Danger to enfue ; but (hall think it a good 
 
 * Change, if it pleafed God to change the inward 
 
 * Troubles and Seditions, wherewith he hath 
 
 * been hitherto exercifed, into an honourable Fo- 
 
 * reign War. And for the other two Perfons in 
 
 * this Action, the French King, and the Duke of 
 
 * Brittaine, his Grace doth declare unto you, 
 
 * that they be the Men, unto whom he is of all 
 
 * other Friends and Allies moft bounden ; the one 
 
 * having held over him his Hand of Protection 
 
 * from the Tyrant, the other having reach'd 
 
 * forth unto him his Hand of Help, for the Re- 
 
 * covery of his Kingdom. So that his Affection 
 
 * toward them in his natural Perfon, is upon 
 ' equal Terms. And whereas you may have 
 
 * heard, that his Grace was enforced to fly cut of 
 ' Brittaine into France* for Doubts of being be- 
 
 * tray'd ; his Grace would not in any Sort have 
 
 * that reflect upon the Duke of Brittaine^ in De- 
 
 * facement of his former Benefits ; for that he is 
 
 * thoroughly inform'd, that it was but the Prac- 
 
 * tice of lbme corrupt Perfons about him, during 
 
 * the Time of his Sicknels, altogether without 
 
 * his Confent or Privity. 
 
 * But
 
 Of E N G L A N D. 415 
 
 ' But howfoever thefe Things do in tereft his King Henry vn» 
 
 * Grace in his particular, yet he knoweth well 
 
 * that the higher Bond, that tieth him to procure 
 4 by all Means the Safety and Welfare of his 
 
 * loving Subjects, doth difinterefl him of thefe 
 
 * Obligations of Gratitude, otherwife than thus ; 
 
 * that if his Grace be forced to make a War, he 
 
 * do it without Paffion or Ambition. 
 
 ' For the Confequence of this Action towards 
 ' this Kingdom, it is much as the French King's > - 
 ' Intention is. For if it be no more, but to 
 
 * range his Subjects to Reafon, who bear them- 
 
 * felves float upon the Strength of the Duke of 
 « Britaine, it is nothing to us. But if it be in 
 4 the French King's Purpofe, for if it mould not 
 ' be in his Purpofe, yet if it fhall follow all one, 
 ' as if it were fought,) that the French King fhall 
 
 * make a Province of Brittaine, and join it to the 
 
 * Crown of France ; then it is worthy the Confi- 
 ' deration, how this may import England, as 
 
 * well in the Increafement of the Greatnefs of 
 
 * France, by the Addition of fuch a Country, 
 ' that ftretcheth his Boughs unto our Seas, as in 
 
 * depriving this Nation, and leaving it fo naked 
 
 * of fo firm and allured Confederates, as the 
 ' Brittons have always been {q). For then it will 
 ' come to pafs, that whereas not long fince, this 
 ' Realm was mighty upon the Continent, firft in 
 ' Territory and after in Alliance, in refpect of 
 
 * Burgundy and Brittaine, which were Confede- 
 ' rates indeed, but dependant Confederates ; now 
 
 * the one being already caft, partly into the 
 
 * Greatnefs of France, and partly into that of Au- 
 
 * jlria , the other is like wholly to be caft into 
 8 the Greatnefs of France ; and this Iiland fhall 
 
 'remain 
 
 (q) It appears by this how much the growing Greatnefs of France 
 was dreaded in thofe Days ; and how much more it is to be feared 
 by England, when both thefe-Maritime Dukedoms, of Burgundy 
 and Brittain, hav« been long fince annexed to that Crown,
 
 4iS- The ^Parliamentary History 
 
 iH Wenry vii, c remain confined in effect within the Salt Wr, 
 ters, and girt about with the Coaft Countries of 
 two mighty Monarchs. , ,, ; 
 
 * For the. Example, ft refteth likewife upon 
 the lame Qyeftion, upon 'the French King's 
 Intent. For if Brittaine be carried and lw«l- 
 lowed up by France, as the. World abroad (apt 
 to impute andconftru.e the Aclions of Princes to 
 Ambition) conceive it will ; then it is an Ex- 
 ample very dangerous and univerfal, that the 
 leiTer Neighbour's Eftate mould be devoured by 
 the greater. . For this may be the Cafe of Scot- 
 land towards England ; of Portugal toward?" 
 Spain ; of the fmaller Eftates of Italy towards 
 the greater ; and fo of Germany ; or as if fomc 
 of you of the Commons might not live and 
 dwell fafely* befides fome of thefe great Lords, ' 
 And the bringing irrpf this -Example, will be 
 chiefly laid to the King's Charge, as to him ' 
 that wasmoft interefted and moll: able to forbid it. " 
 But then on the other Side, there- is fo fair a 
 Pretext on the French King's ,Part (and yet' 
 Pretext is never wanting to Power) in regard 
 the Danger imminent to his own Eftate isifuch, 
 as may make this Enterprife feem rather a Work 
 of Neceflity than of Ambition, as doth in Rea- 
 foh correct the Danger of the Example. For* 
 that the Example of that which is done in a 
 Man's own Defence cannot be dangerous, 
 becaufe it is in an another's Power to avoid it. 
 But in all this Bufinefs, the King remits himfelf 
 to your grave and mature Advice, whereupon 
 he purpofeth to rely.* 
 
 * For that which may concern Government 
 ■ at home, the King hath commanded me to 
 
 fay unto you ; That he thinketh there was 
 never any King (for the fmall Time that be 
 hath reigned) had greater and jufter Caufe of 
 
 ■« the
 
 Of ENGLAND. 417 
 
 the two contrary Paflions, of Joy and Sorrow, King Henry VII. 
 than his Grace hath. Joy, in refpect of the 
 rare and vifible Favours of Almighty God 
 in girding the Imperial Sword upon his Side, 
 and affi fling the fame his Sword againft all his 
 Enemies; andMikewife in blefling him with 
 fo many good and loving Servants and Subjects, 
 which have never failed to give him faithful 
 Council, ready Obedience, and courageous 
 Defence. Sorrow, for that it hath not pleafed 
 God to fuffer him to fheath his Sword (as he 
 greatly defired otherwife than for Administration 
 of Jultice) but that he hath been forced to draw 
 it fo oft to cut off traiterous and diiloyal Sub- 
 jects, whom (it feems) God hath left (a few 
 amongft many good) as the Canaanites among 
 the People of Ijrael, to be Thorns in their Sides, 
 to tempt and try them ; though the End hath 
 been always (God's Name be bleffed therefore) 
 that the Deftruction hath fallen upon their own 
 Heads. 
 
 ' Wherefore his Grace faith, That he feeth, 
 that it is not the Blood fpilt in the Field that 
 will fave the Blood in the City ; nor the Mar- 
 fhal's Sword that will fet this Kingdom in 
 perfect Peace ; but that the true Way is, to 
 flop the Seeds of Sedition and Rebellion in their 
 Beginnings ; and for that Purpofe to devife, 
 confirm, and quicken good and wholfome Laws, 
 againft Riots, and unlawful Aflemblies of Peo- 
 ple, and all Combinations and Confederacies of 
 them, by Liveries, Tokens, and other Badges 
 of factious Dependance ; that the Peace of the 
 Land may by thefe Ordinances, as by Bars of 
 Iron, be foundly bound in and Strengthened, 
 .and all Force both in Court, Country, and 
 private Houfes, be fuppreft. The Care hereof, 
 which fo much concerneth yourfelves, and 
 which the Nature of the Times doth inflantly 
 call tor, his Grace commends to vour. Wifdoms. 
 Vol. II. D d ' And
 
 4i 8 The Parliamentary History. 
 
 King Henry vil. « And becaufe it is the King's Defire, that this 
 Peace, wherein he hopeth to govern and main- 
 tain you, do not bear only unto you Leaves for 
 you to fit under rhe Shade of them in Safety, 
 but alfo fhould bear you Fruit of Riches, 
 Wealth and Plenty : Therefore his Grace prays 
 you, to take into Confideration Matter of 
 Trade, as alfo the Manufactures of the King- 
 dom, and to reprefs the baftard and b?,rren 
 Employment of Monies, to Ufury and unlaw- 
 ful Exchanges, that they may be (as their na- 
 tural Ufe is) turned upon Commerce, and 
 lawful and Royal Trading. And likewife, 
 that our People be fet on Work in Arts and 
 Handy-crafts ; that the Realm may fubfift' 
 more of itfelf, that Idlenefs be avoided, and 
 the draining out of our Treafure, for Foreign 
 Manufactures, ftopp'd. But you are not to 
 reft here only, but to provide further, that 
 whatfoever Merchandize fhall be brought in 
 from beyond the Seas, may be employ'd 
 upon the Commodities of this Land ; whereby 
 the Kingdom's Stock of Treafure may be fure 
 to be kept from being diminifhed, by any over- 
 trading of the Foreigner. 
 ' And laftly, becaufe the King is welPaffured, 
 that you would not have him poor, that willies 
 you rich j he doubteth not, but, that you wiH 
 have Care, as well to maintain his Revenues of 
 Cuftoms, and all other Natures, as alfo to fup- 
 ply him with your loving Aids, if the Cafe 
 mail (o require. The rather, for that you 
 know the King is a good Husband, and but a 
 Steward in Effeft for the Publick ; and that 
 what comes from you is but asMoifture drawn 
 from the Earth, which gathers into a Cloud, 
 and falls back upon the Earth again. And you 
 know well, how the Kingdoms about you grow 
 more and more in Greatnefs, and the Times 
 are inning 5 and therefore not fit to find the 
 
 1 King
 
 Of E N G L A N D. 415^ 
 
 * King with an empty Purfe. More I have not King Henry Vlf. 
 ' to fay to you ; and with, i that what hath been 
 
 * faid, had been better exprels'd ; but that your 
 ' Wifdoms and good Affections will fupply. 
 ' God blefs your Doings.' 
 
 It has been obferv'd, elfewhere in thefe Inqui- 
 ries, that it is no hard Matter to difpofe an Englijk 
 Parliament to give Money for a War with France. 
 But, at this Time it was more than ordinarily 
 their Intereft to it ; in order to prevent the 
 Growth of the French Monarchy, and to hinder 
 them from making themfelves Mailers of the 
 Duchy of Britainy ; which is full of Sea-ports 
 and Haven?, very well fituated to do much Mif- 
 chief to the Engiijb, either by Invafion or Inter- 
 ruption of Traffick. Wherefore the Parliament 
 not only advifed the Kiqg to efpoufe the Caufeof 
 the Duke of Britain, and fend him fome fpeedy a large Supply 
 Aid, but unanirnoufly voted the King a large voted for a w *r 
 Supply for that Purpofe (q). Accordingly, £„. withF "n«. 
 beit Lord Brook was fent over to his Aid, with 
 a Body of 8000 choice Men, well armed j but 
 it all came to nothing ; for the Duke having loft 
 a Battle and foon after his Life, the Englijh Forces 
 were recalled, and the Diltrict of Britainy was 
 reduced under Subjection to the Crown of France^ 
 in which State it hath ever fince remained. 
 
 But, to return to the more private Bufinefs of 
 this Sefiion, in regard to the enacting of Laws 
 for the Good of the Commonwealth. For, ac- 
 cording to the Lord Chancellor's Admonition, 
 there were many excellent Laws made this 
 Parliament, and as the King himself had recom- 
 mended to them. Lord Bacon hath very elegant- 
 D dx ly 
 
 (q) Authors vary much about what this Tax or Subfidy was j 
 Polydore Vergil writes, that it was a Poll-Tax ; Tribute in Jir.gula 
 Capita impofito. Old Fabian, and after him Hall, Hollir.gfhead, 
 •nd Stoive, fay it was zTentb Penny on all Lands and Goods. But, 
 it was more likely the former, becaufe a Poll-Tax was always 
 odious to the People, and raifed futh a Commotion in the collecting 
 of it.
 
 4^0 The ^Parliamentary History 
 
 king H«nry VII. ly and judicioufly drawn them all up under their 
 ieveral Heads, and we cannot do better than give 
 them in h.s own Words as follow (r) : 
 Afts paTed this * Firft, the Authority of the Star-Chamber, 
 Parliament which before fubfifted by the ancient Common 
 Laws of the Realm, was confirmed in certain 
 Caies by Act of Parliament. This Court is one 
 of the fageft and nobleft Inftitutions of this King- 
 dom. For in the Diitribution of Courts of Or- 
 dinary Juftice, (belides the High Court of Par- 
 Relating to the liament) in which Diftriburion the King's Bench 
 Star-Chamber ; holdeth the Pleas of the Crown ; the Common 
 Place, Pleo.s Civil , the Exchequer, Pleas concern- 
 ing the King's Revenue ; and the Chancery the 
 Pretorian Power for mitigating the Rigour of 
 Law, in c.\{q of Extremity, by the Confcience of 
 a good Man : There was neverihelefs always 
 referv'd a high and preheminent Power to the 
 King's Council, in Caufes that might in Exam- 
 ple, or Confequence, concern the State of the 
 Commonwealth, which if they were criminal, 
 the Council ufed to fit in the Chamber, call'd the 
 Star Chamber ; if civil, in the White-Chamber, 
 or White- Hall And, as the Chancery had the 
 Pretorian Power for Equity, fo the Star-Chambcr 
 had the Cenforian Power for Offences, under the 
 Degree of Capital. This Court of Star-Chamber 
 is compounded of good Elements, for itconfifteth 
 of four Kinds of Perfons ; Counfellors, Peers, 
 Prelates, and Chief- Judges. It difcerneth alfo 
 principally of four Kinds of Caufes ; Forces, 
 Frauds, Crimes various of Stellionate, and the: 
 Inchoations or middle Acts towards Crimes Capi- 
 tal, or heinous, not actually committed or per- 
 petrated. But that which was principally aimed 
 at by this Act was Force, and the two chief 
 Supports of Force, Combination of Multitudes, 
 and Maintenance or Headfhip of great Perfons (s). 
 
 ' From 
 
 (;•) Kennet, p. 594. 
 
 (i) It ss to be obfav'd, that notwithstanding Lord Bacon's high 
 €i.arader of this new Court of Juftice, yet it was look'd upon in a 
 
 lucceedinj^
 
 Of ENGL AN D. 421 
 
 c From the general Peace of the Country, the King Henry VTi; 
 King's Care went on to the Peace of the King's 
 Houfe, and the Security of his great Officers and 
 Counfellors. But this Law was fomewhat of a 
 ftrange Composition and Temper ; That if any 
 of the King's Servants under the Degree of a Lord, 
 do conipire the Death of any of the King's Coun- Confpiring the 
 fel, or Lord of the Realm, it is made Capital. Death of the 
 This Law was thought to be procured by the Klng ' s CoBnfeI S 
 Lord Chancellor, who being a ftern and haughty 
 Man, and finding he had fome mortal Enemies 
 in Court, provided for his own Safety ; drowning 
 the Envy of it in a general Law, by comm ni- 
 cating the Privilege with all other Counfellors and 
 P, ers, and yet not daring to extend it further, 
 than to the King's Servants in Checkrow-le, left 
 it mould have been too harm to the Gentlemen, 
 and other Commons of the Kingdom ; who 
 might have thought their ancient Liberty and 
 the Clemency of the Laws of England invaded, 
 if the Willinany Cafeof Felony, (houljbemade 
 the Deed. And yet the Reafon which the Ad: 
 yieldeth (thai: is to fay, That he that conf r ireth 
 the Death of Counfellors may be thought indirect- 
 ly, and by a Means, to confpire the Death of the 
 King himfelf) is indifferent to all Subjects, as well 
 as to Servants in Court. However it feems this 
 fufficed to ferve the Lord Chancellor's Turn at 
 this Time : But yet he liv'd to need a general 
 Law, for that he grew afterwards as odious to the 
 Country, as he was then to the Court. 
 
 From the Peace of the King's Houfe, the 
 King's Care extended to the Peace of private 
 Houfes and Families ; for there was an excellent 
 moral Law moulded thus ; The taking and car- 
 rying away Women forcibly, and againft their 
 Will, ("except Female Wards and Bond Women) Rap W } 
 D d 3 was 
 
 fucceeding Reign, as no better than an Ail of great Tyranny j 
 though begun by a rving de Faclo, and confirmed by a Parliament. 
 This Court confirmed of Counfellors, Peer?, Pre!a:es, and Chief- 
 Judges ; it took Cognizance of Forces, Frauds, Advances towards 
 heinous and capital Crimes, not a&ually committed.
 
 422 The Parliamentary H i sto r y 
 
 .King Henry VII. was ma d e Capital. The Parliament wifely and 
 juftly conceiving, that the obtaining of Women 
 by Force into Pofieffion (howfoever afterwards 
 Aflent might follow by Allurements) was but a 
 Rape drawn forth in length, becaufe the firft 
 Force drew on all the reft. 
 
 ' There was made alfo another Law for Peace 
 
 Murders • m general, and reprefllng of Mu/thers and Man- 
 
 ilaughters, and was inAmendment of theCommon 
 Laws of the Realm, being this ; That whereas 
 by the Common Law, the King's Suit in cafe of 
 Homicide, did expect the Year and the Day, 
 allow'd to the Party's Suit by Way of Appeal ; 
 and that it was found by Experience, that the 
 Party was many Times compounded with, and 
 many Times wearied with the Suit, fo that in 
 the End fuch Suit was let fall, and by that Time 
 / the Matter was in a Manner forgotten, and there- 
 
 by Profecution at the King's Suit by Indictment 
 ("which is ever beft, flagrante Crimine) neglected ; 
 it was ordained, That the Suit by Indictment 
 might be taken as well at any Time within the 
 Year and the Day, as after, not prejudicing ne- 
 verthelefs the Parties Suit. 
 
 Privile e of * ^ ne King began alfo then, as well in Wif- 
 
 Clergy j dom as in Juftice, to pare a little the Privilege of 
 
 Clergy, ordaining, That Clerks convicted fhould 
 be burnt in the Hand, both becaufe they might 
 tafle of fome corporal Punifhment, and that they 
 might carry a Brand of Infamy. But for this 
 good Act's Sake, the King himfelf was after 
 branded by Perkirfs Proclamation, for an exe- 
 crable Breaker of the Rites of Holy Church. 
 
 ' Another Law was made for the better Peace 
 : of the Country ; by which Law the King's Offi- 
 cers and Farmers were to forfeit their Places and 
 Holds, in cafe of unlawful Retainer, or partaking 
 
 Riots • * n Ri° ts ana " unlawful Aflemblies. 
 
 * Thefe were the Laws that were made for 
 repreflingof Force, which thofe Times did chiefly 
 rtquire ; and were fo prudently framed, as they 
 
 are
 
 0/ ENGLAND. 423 
 
 are found fit for all fucceeding Times, and fo King Henry vir. 
 continue to this Day. 
 
 ' There was alio made good and politick Laws 
 in that Parliament, againft Ufury, which is the And ufury. 
 Baihrd Ufe of Money ; and againft unlawful 
 Chievances and Exchanges, which is Baftard 
 Ufury. And alfo for the Security of the King's 
 Cuftoms ; and for the Employment of the Pro- 
 ceedures of Foreign Commodities, brought in by . 
 Merchant- Grangers, upon the Native Commodi- 
 ties of the Realm : Together with fome other 
 Laws of lefs Importance.' 
 
 But, notwithstanding thefe good and falutary 
 Laws were, by the three Eftates, enacted ; yet 
 the People were fo far from being well reconciled 
 to the Government that they feemed to watch all 
 Opportunities to rebel againft it. Accordingly, 
 when the King's Commifiioners came down to 
 levy the Subfidy in York/hire and the Bifhoprick 
 of Durham, the Inhabitants began to mutiny j An Infurre&ion 
 faying openly, That they had lately endured a in the North, 
 thoufand Injuries, and that they neither could 
 nor would pay the Tax demanded. This was 
 their Pretence ; but Lord Bacon obferves that the 
 Refufal did not proceed from any prefent Necef- 
 fity, but from the old Humour of thofe Countries ; 
 where the Memory of King Richard was fo 
 ftrong, that, like Lees, it lay in the Bottom of 
 Men's Hearts ; and, if the Veflel was but ftirred, 
 it would come up (/). The Commiflioners, be- 
 ing fome what aftonimed, referred the Matter to 
 the Earl of Northumberland, who was the prin- 
 cipal Man for Authority in thofe Parts. The 
 Earl inftantly informed the Court of it, and fig- 
 nified in plain Terms how boifterous thefe Nor- 
 D d 4 them 
 
 (0 Ld. Bacon, 595. Hall'* Chronicle, HenryVII. Fol. XVI. 
 Grafton, P. 807, &c. 
 
 The particular Regard that the Citizens of York, with the In- 
 habitants of the adjacent Counties paid to King Richard, and he to 
 them, is beft ken in fome Letters and Memorials, extracted from 
 an old Regifter Book in that Citji, which are printed in Drake'* 
 ffijlorj of York. Fol. Lond. 1736.
 
 424 The Parliamentary History. 
 
 ^ing Henry Vli. them People were, and defired the King's Direc- 
 tions about the Affair. Henry being, as the Say- 
 ing is, as ftiff as they were fturdy, fent back a 
 peremptory Anfwer, c That he would not abate 
 
 * one Penny of a Subfidy, which had been grant" 
 ' ed him by Parliament ; becaufe it might en- 
 ' courage other Counties to expect the like Re- 
 4 leafe, or Mitigation ; but, chiefly, becaufe he 
 
 * would never iuffer that the bafe Multitude 
 ' mould fruftrate the Authority of Parliament, 
 4 wherein their Votes and Confents were included.' 
 Upon this Difpatch from Court the Earl aflembled 
 the principal Juftices and Freeholders of the 
 County ; and delivered the King's Mind to 
 them in the very fame imperious Language it was 
 fent ; which {hould not have been fo, but that, 
 as Lord Bacon obferves, this harm Bufinefs was 
 unfortunately fallen into the Hands of a harm 
 Man. In fhort, it proved fatal to himlelf ; for 
 this Meflage did not only irritate the People 
 greatly, but made them conceive that the Deli- 
 verer of it was the principal Contriver and Per- 
 fuader of the Council. A Mob, or Rabble of 
 People, rofe inftantly upon it, and, afiailing the 
 Duke's Houfe, flew him and feveral of his Ser- 
 vants. Nor did it flop here, for the Rabble creating 
 for their Leader one Sir John Egremond y a fac- 
 tious Peribn, and one who for a long time had 
 born the King an ill Will ; being animated, alfo, 
 by another Incendiary, a mean Fellow, called 
 'John a Chambre, who bore a principal Sway a- 
 mongft them, they broke out into an open Re- 
 bellion, and gave out in flat Terms, that they 
 would march againft King Henry, and fight for 
 the Maintenance of their Liberties. 
 
 When the King was advertifed of this new In- 
 furredlion, which, fays the noble Hiftorian, was a 
 Fever which almoft took him every Year ; ac- 
 cording to his Manner, he feemed little troubled 
 Which is fup- at j t> b ut f ent d own t he Earl of Surrey with a 
 
 pr ' * fufficient Force againft the Rebels ; who, fought 
 
 w:t%
 
 O/ENGLAND, 425 
 
 with, and defeated them, taking Pri.foner one of King Henry vh. 
 their Leaders "John a Cbambre - 3 the other, Sir 
 John Egremond, found means to efcape into 
 Flanders, to the Lady Margaret Duchefs of Bur- 
 gundy ; whofe Court was then an JJylum for all 
 the Enemies to King Henry. 
 
 Soon after this Defeat the King came down to^^o^ 
 York, where John a Chambre was executed in executed, 
 great State ; for he was hanged upon a Gibbet, 
 raifed a Stage higher than a Pair of fquare Gal- 
 lows, in the midft of which it was placed ; and, 
 as a Traitor paramount, he was mounted, whilft 
 the chief of his Accomplices were hanged on a 
 lower Srory round about him. The reft of the 
 Rebels were pardoned ; and the King having 
 well fettled- thefe Northern Commotions, returned 
 to London \ leaving the Earl of Surrey his Lieute- 
 nant in tho'e Parts, and Sir Richard TunJJal for 
 his principal Commidioner to levy the Subfidy j 
 of which, adds the noble Hiftorian, he did not 
 remit one Denier. This Infurreclion happened 
 in the Year 1489. And, 
 
 At the End of this fourth Year of his Reign, 
 the King thought fit to call another Parliament, 
 but the exprefs Time is not mentioned in Dugdale, 
 for the Summons to this, and the Parliaments in 
 the two fucceeding Years, are not to be found 
 on the Rolls («)■ However, the Statute-Booh 
 fay, it began on January 13, Anno Regni 4. 
 
 Lord Bacon obferves, that the King did not call . R . 
 this Parliament fo foon after the laft, for any par- 1489-90. 
 ticular Occafion of State ; but becaufe the former 
 Parliament* being ended fomewhat too fuddenly, 
 in regard of the Preparation for Brittany, he 
 thought he had not remunerated his People fuf- 
 ficiently with good Laws, which evermore was 
 his Retribution for Treafure. But tho' the Stile 
 of our noble Hiftorian be fomewhat too ftiff for 
 
 thefe 
 
 (a) Anno 4, 5 & 6 Hen. VII. Nulla: Summonitionc: recordata. 
 Dugdale's Summons to Parliament.
 
 426 The ^Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry vii. ^ e ^ e Times, yet his Matter and Connection are 
 ' fo confonant to this Defign, that we mall make 
 no Apology for another long Quotation from him, 
 in his own Words, as follows : 
 
 ' The King finding by the Infurrection in the 
 North, there was Difcontentment abroad, in refpect 
 of the Subfidy, he thought it good to give his 
 Laws made in Subjects yet farther Contentment, and Comfort 
 thi« Parliament, in that kind. Certainly his Times for good Com- 
 monwealths Laws did excel ; fo as he may juftly 
 be celebrated for the beft Law-giver to this Na- 
 tion, after King Edward the Firft. For his 
 Laws (who fo marks them well) are deep, and 
 not vulgar ; not made upon the Spur of a parti- 
 cular Occafion for the prefent, but out of Pro- 
 vidence of the future, to make the Eftate of his 
 People ftill more and more happy ; after the man- 
 ner of the Legiilators in ancient and heroical 
 Times. 
 
 * Firft, therefore, he made a Law, fuitable to 
 his own Acts and Times. For, as him felf had in 
 his Peribn and Marriage made a final Concord, 
 in the great Suit and Title for the Crown ; fo by 
 this Law he fettled the like Peace and Quiet in 
 the private Pofleflions of the Subjects. Ordain- 
 
 RelatingtoFinesjing, That Fines thenceforth fhould be final, to 
 conclude all Strangers Rights ; and that upon 
 Fines levied, and folemnly proclaimed, the Subject 
 mould have his Time of Watch for five Years 
 after his Title accrued ; which, if he fore-palled, . 
 his Right fhould be bound for ever after ; with 
 fome Exception neverthelefs, of Minors, married 
 Women, and fuch incompetent Perfons. 
 
 * This Statute did in effect but reltore an an- 
 cient Statute of the Realm, which was itfelf alfo 
 
 , made but in Affirmance of the Common-Law. 
 
 'The Alteration had been by a Statute, commonly 
 
 called the Statute of Non-Claim., made in the 
 
 Time of Edward the Third. And furely this 
 
 Law was a kind of Prognostic of the good Peace, 
 
 which
 
 Of ENGLAND. 427 
 
 which fince his Time hath for the raoft Part Ki H VIL 
 
 continued in this Kingdom, until this Day. For 
 
 Statutes of Non-Claim are fit for Times of War, 
 
 when Mens Heads are troubled, that they cannot 
 
 intend their Eftate; but Statutes, that quiet Pof- 
 
 fefiiori9, are fitteft for Times of Peace, to extin- 
 
 guifh Suits and Contentions, which is one of the 
 
 Banes of Peace. 
 
 ' Another Statute was made of Angular Policy, The Soldiery ; 
 for the Population apparently, and (if it be tho- 
 roughly confidered) for the Soldiery and Military 
 Forces of the Realm. 
 
 * Inclofures at that time began to be more fre- 
 quent, whereby Arable Land which could not be 
 manured without People and Families) was turned 
 into Pailure, which was eafily ri-d'by a few H^rdf- 
 men ; and Tenancies for Years, Lives and at 
 Will (whereupon much of the Yeomanry lived) 
 were turned into Demefnes. This bred a Decay 
 of People, and (by conftquence^ a Decay of 
 Towns, Churches, Tithes, and the like. The 
 King likewife knew full well, and in no wife 
 forgot, that there enfued withal upon this a Decay 
 and Diminution of Subfidy-andTaxes ; for the more 
 Gentlemen, ever the lower Books of Subfidies. 
 In remedying of this Inconvenience, the King's 
 Wifdom was admirable, and the Parliament's at 
 that Time. Inclofures they would not forbid, 
 for that had been to forbid the Improvement of 
 the Patrimony of the Kingdom ; nor Tillage they 
 would not compel, for that was to ftrive with 
 Nature and Utility. But they took a courfe to 
 take away depopulating Inclofures, and depopu- 
 lating Pafturage, and yet not by that*Name, or 
 by any imperious exprefs Prohibition, but by Con- 
 fequence. The Ordinance was, That all Houfes 
 of Hufbandry, that were ufed with twenty Acres inclofures of 
 of Ground, and upwards, mould be maintained Land, 
 and kept up for ever ; together with a competent 
 Proportion of Land to be ufed and occupied with 
 
 them;
 
 428 The Tarliamentary History 
 
 King Hcary VII. them, and in no wife to be fevered from them ; 
 as by another Statute, made afterwards in hisSuc- 
 ceflbr's Time,was more fully declared. This upon 
 Forfeiture to be taken ; not by way of popular Ac- 
 tion, but by Seizure of the Land itfelf, by the King 
 and Lords of the Fee, as to half the Profits, till 
 the Houfes and Lands were reftored. By this 
 means the Houfes being kept up, did of Neceflity 
 inforce a Dweller; and the Proportion of Land 
 for Occupation being kept up, did of Ncceflity 
 inforce that Dweller, not to be a Beggar or Cot- 
 tager, but a Man of fome Subftance, that might 
 keep Hinds and Servants, and fet the Plough on 
 going. This did wonderfully concern the Might 
 and Manhood of the Kingdom, to have 
 Fermes, as it were of a Standard fufficient to 
 maintain an able Body out of Penury ; and did in 
 effect amortize a gre-it Part of the Lands of the 
 Kingdom unto the Hold and Occupation of the 
 Yeomanry, or middle People, of a Condition 
 between Gentlemen and Cottagers or Pealants. 
 Now, how much this did advance the military 
 Power of the Kingdom, is apparent by the t;ue 
 Principles of War, and the Examples of other 
 Kingdoms. For it hath be'en held by the general 
 Opinion of Men of beft Judgment in the Wars 
 (howfoever fome have varied, and that it may 
 receive fome Diftinction of Cafe) that the prin- 
 cipal Strength of an Army confifteth in the In- 
 fantry or Foot. And to make good Infantry, it 
 requireth Men bred, not in a fervile or indigent 
 Fafhion, but in fome free and plentiful Manner. 
 Therefore, if a State run moll to Noblemen and 
 Gentlemen, and that the Hulbmd-men and 
 Plough-men be bat as their Work- folks and La- 
 bourers, or elie meer Cottagers (which are but 
 Houfe Beggars) you may have a good Cavalry, 
 but never good liable Bands of Foot ; like to 
 Coppice- Woods, that if you leave in them 
 Staddles too thick, they will run to Bullies and 
 
 Briars,
 
 Of E N G L A N D. 4 a£ 
 
 Briars, and have little clean Underwood. And King HfenryVil. 
 this is to be feen in France and Italy, and fome 
 other Parts abroad, where in effecT: all is Noblefle, 
 or Pefantry ; I fpeak of People out of Towns, and 
 no middle People ; and therefore no good Forces 
 of Foot : Infomuch, as they are inforced to em- 
 ploy mercenary Bands of Switzers, and the like, 
 for their Battalions of F"oot : Whereby alfo it 
 comes to pafs, that thofe Nations have much 
 People, and few Soldiers. Whereas the King 
 faw, that contrariwife it would follow, that 
 England, though much lefs in Territory, yet 
 mould have infinitely more Soldiers of their native 
 Forces, than thofe other Nations have. Thus 
 did the King fecretly fow Hydra's Teeth, where- 
 from (according to the Poets Fiction) fhould rife up 
 armed Men for the Service of the Kingdom. 
 
 ' The King alfo (having Care to make his 
 Realm potent, as well by Sea as by Land) for the 
 better Maintenance of the Navy, ordained, That 
 Wines and Woads from the Parts of Gafcoigny and The Wl - He _ 
 Languedoc, mould not be brought but in Englijh Trade, 
 Bottoms; bowing the ancient Policy of this Eftate, 
 from Confideration of Plenty to Confideration of 
 Power. For that almoft all the ancient Statutes 
 incite by all means Merchant-Strangers, to bring 
 in all Sorts of Commodities ; having for End 
 Cheapnefs, and not looking to the Point of State 
 concerning the Naval Power. 
 
 * The King alfo made a Statute in that Parlia- 
 ment Monitory and Minatory, towards Jufticesjuftjcesof Peace, 
 of Peace, that they fhould duly execute their Of- 
 fice ; inviting Complaints againft them, firft to 
 their Fellow- Juftices, then to the Juftices of 
 Afiize, then to the King or Chancellor ; and 
 that a Proclamation, which he had pubiifhed of 
 that Tenor, fhould be read in open Seffions four 
 Times a Year, to keep them awake. Meaning 
 alfo to have his Laws executed, and thereby to 
 reap either Obedience or Forfeitures ; (wherein to- 
 wards
 
 Kjng Henry VII 
 
 Penal Laws 
 
 Coinage 5 
 
 Woolen Manu- 
 facture ; 
 
 430 The 'Parliamentary History 
 
 wards his latter Times he did decline too much to 
 the left Hand) he did ordain Remedy againft the 
 Practice that was grown in ufe, to Hop and damp 
 Informations upon Penal Laws ; by procuring In- 
 formations by Collulion to be put in by the Con- 
 federates of the Delinquents, to be faintly profe- 
 cuted, and let fall at pleafure, and pleading them 
 in bar of the Informations, which were profecuted 
 with Effect. 
 
 * He made alfo Laws for the Correction of the 
 Mint and counterfeiting of foreign Coin current. 
 And that no Payment in Gold fhould be made to 
 any Merchant- Stranger, the better to keep Trea- 
 fure within the Realm, for that Gold was the 
 Metal that lay in leaft Room. 
 
 * He made alfo Statutes for the Maintenance of 
 Drapery, and the keeping of Wools within the 
 Realm ; and not only fo, but for ftinting and 
 limiting the Prices of Cloth ; one for the finer, 
 and another for the courfer Sort. Which I note, 
 both becaufe it was a rare thing to fet Prices by 
 Statute, efpecially upon our Home-Commodities; 
 and becaufe of the wife Model of the Act, not 
 prescribing Prices, but ftinting them not to exceed 
 a Pate, that the Clothier might drape accordingly, 
 as he might afford. 
 
 ' Divers other good Statutes were made that 
 Parliament, but thefe were the principal. And 
 here I do defire thofe, into whofe Hands this 
 Work (hall fall, that they do take in good Part 
 my long infilling upon the Laws that were made 
 in this King's Reign ; whereof I have thefe Rea- 
 fons : Both becaufe it was the preheminent Virtue 
 and Merit of this King, to whofe Memory I do 
 Honour; and becaufe it hath fome Correfpondonce 
 to my Perfon ; but chiefly, becaufe (in my Judg- 
 ment) it is fome Defect even in the beft Writers 
 of Hiftory, that they do not often enough fum- 
 marily deliver and fet down the moft memorable 
 Laws, that pafTed in the Times whereof they 
 
 write,
 
 0/ E N G L A N D, 431 
 
 write, being indeed the principal A els of Peace. King Henry vil. 
 For though they may be had in original Books of 
 Law themfelves ; yet that informeth not the 
 Judgment of Kings and Counfellors, and Perfons 
 of Eltate, fo well as to fee them defcribed, and 
 entered in the Table and Pourtrait of the Times.* 
 
 Monf. Rapin takes no Manner of Notice of 
 this Parliament. His Annotator hath given us the 
 Heads of feme more Statutes made in it, but 
 there were ftill others, in Reference to the 
 Church, which are not taken Notice of by Lord 
 Bacon j but are what we think proper juft to 
 mention. 
 
 Firft, an Act was paffed, c That all Letters Religious Houfts. 
 
 * Patents granted to any Religious Houfes, for 
 
 * discharging them from the Payment of Tithes* 
 
 * fhould be void and of no EffecT:.' 
 
 Next, * Becaufe People were embolden'd by Murder and Rob- 
 ' the Benefit of the Clergy, to commit Murder, bery. 
 ' Robbery, &c. To prevent this Inconvenience, 
 
 * this Privilege is reftrained to the firft Offence, 
 ' and new Penalties ena&ed againft Offenders 
 
 * in fuch Cafes (#). 
 
 We have now a Gap of Time of three Years, 
 before we meet with an Account of another Par- 
 Jiament ; in which Interval, the Exigencies of 
 State had render'd it abfolutely neceffary to have a 
 Quarrel with France. 
 
 'We fhall pafs over fome Altercations, in the, 
 noble Hiftorian, between Henry and the French 
 King, tending more towards fhewing a deeper 
 Reach in Politics, than any real Defign to enter 
 into an adual War with each other. A more 
 particular Account of which will be as well feen 
 in the Proceedings of the next Parliament j which 
 the King found himfelf oblig'd to call byAVrits, 
 bearing Date at TVeflminJier, Auguji iz, to meet 
 at the fame Place, on the 17th of October follow- 
 ing. 
 
 . (*) Statuttt 4 Hen, VII. Cap. 5, 1^. Colljir'j EccUf. 
 THift. p. 703..
 
 43 1 7W Tarliainsntary History 
 
 King Henry VII. ing. The firft Writ to the Peers ij dire&ed to his 
 moft dear firft-born Son Arthur, Prince of Wales, 
 &c. a Child then about two Years of Age (y). 
 
 AnnoRegni, 7. At the Time appointed, being all aflembled 
 At Wcftrmnfter. as uiual, the King himfelf fpoke to them, from 
 the Throne, in thefe Words : 
 My Lords, and you the Commons, 
 
 The King's l/lT^ en I purpofed to make a War in Brittainy by 
 Speech at open- r r my Lieutenant, I made Declaration thereof 
 ingtheSeffion. f y 0U by my Chancellor ; but novj that 1 mean to 
 make a War upon France in Per/on, I will declare 
 it to you my/elf. That War was to defend another 
 Man's Right, but this is to recover our own ; and 
 that ended by Accident, but we hope this jhall end 
 in Viclory. 
 
 The French King troubles the Chrijlian World. 
 That which he hath is not his own, and yet he feeketh 
 more. He hath invejled himfelf of Brittainy. He 
 ?naintaineth the Rebels in Flanders, and he threat- 
 neth Italy. For Ourfelves, he hath proceeded from 
 Diflimulation to Negiecl, and from Negiecl to Con- 
 tumely. He hath affailed our Confederates ; he 
 denieth our tribute. In a Word, he feeks War ; 
 fo did not his Father, but fought Peace at our 
 Hands ; and fo perhaps will he, when good Coun- 
 cil or Time Jhall make him fee as much as his Father 
 did. 
 
 Mean while, let us make his Ambition our Ad- 
 vantage ; and let us not Jland upon a few Crowns 
 of Tribute or Acknowledgement, but {by the Favour 
 of Almighty Good) try our Ri^ht for the Crown of 
 France itfelf ; remembering that there hath been a 
 French King Prifoner in England, and a King of 
 England crowned in prance. Our Confederates 
 are not dhninifhed. Burgundy is in a mightier 
 Hand than ever, and never more provoked. Brit- 
 tainy cannot help us, but it may hurt them. New 
 Acquejls are more Burthen than Strength. The 
 
 Malecontents 
 
 (y) Dug dais's Summons, Anno 7. Hen. VII. p. 4S0,
 
 Of E N G L A N D, 433 
 
 Male contents of his own Kingdom have not been „ 
 
 bafe, popular % nor titulary lmpoflors, but of an z ^ 
 higher Nature. The King of Spain {doubt )e not) 
 will join with us, not knowing where the French 
 King's Ambition will flay. Our Holy Father the 
 Pope likes no Tramontanes in Italy. But howfoever 
 it be, this Matter of Confederates is raiher to be 
 thought on than reckoned on. For, Gd forbid, 
 but England yftWi be ab,e to get Reafon ^France, 
 without a Second 
 
 At the Battles of Crefly, Poicliers, Agen- 
 Court, we were of Our/elves. France hath much 
 People, and few Soldiers. ''I hey have noflable Bands 
 of Foot. Some good Horfe they have, but thole are 
 Forces which are leaft fit for a defenftve War, 
 where the Aclions are in the AJJailants Choice. It 
 was our Difcords only that lojl France ; and (by the 
 Power of God) it is the good Peace wh ch we now 
 enjoy, that will recover it. God hath hitherto _ 
 bleffed my Sword. I have in this Time that I have 
 reigned, weeded out my bad Subjeds and tried my 
 good. My People and I know one another, wh ch 
 breeds Confidence. And if there Jhould be any bad 
 Blood left in the Kingdom, an honourable Foreign 
 War ivill vent it, or purify it. In this great. 
 Bufmefs, let me have your Advice and Aid. If any 
 of you were to make his Son Knight, you mght have 
 Aid of your Tenants by Law. This concerns the 
 Knighthood and Spurs cf the Kingdom, whereof I 
 am Father ; and bound not only to jeek to maintain 
 it, but to advance it. But for Matter of Treafure 9 
 let it not be taken from the poorer Sort ; but from 
 thofe, to whom the Benefit of the War may redound. 
 France is no Wilder nefs j and J, that profefi gjod 
 Husbandry, hope to make the War, after the Be- 
 ginnings, to pay itjelf. Go together in God's 
 Name, and lofe no Time ; for I have called this 
 Parliament wholly for this Caufe. 
 
 Lord Bacon obferves, ' That the Parliament took 
 
 Fire immediately at this Speech, b ing ever 
 
 affectionate to a War with France 3 but, at this 
 
 Vol. II. E e Time
 
 A War with 
 France refolved 
 
 •H. 
 
 43 4 The Tarliamentary Hi story 
 
 Sing Henry vii. Time the more fo, in order to repair the Difho- 
 nour tb:y thought the King had iuftair.ed by the 
 Lofs of Britany. 
 
 ' Therefore they advifed the King, with great 
 Alactitv, to undertake the War of France. And 
 although the Parliament confifted of the Firft and 
 SeconJNob lity, together with the principalCitizens 
 and Townfmen, yet worthily 3nd juftly refpe&ing 
 more the People, whofe Deputies they were, 
 than their own private Perfons ; and finding by 
 the Lord Chancellor's Speech the King's Inclina- 
 tion ihat Way, they confented r hat Commiflion- 
 ers mould go forth, for the gathering and levying 
 A Benevolence of a Benevolence, from the -more able Sort. This 
 panted by fa- Tax, called Benevo'ence, was devifed by Edward 
 the Fourth, for which he fuftained much Envy. 
 It was abolifhed by Richard the Third, by A6t of 
 Parliament, to ingratiate himfelf with the People ; 
 and it was now revived by this King, but with 
 Confent of Parliament, for fo it was not in the 
 Time of King Edward the Fourth. But by this 
 Way he railed exceeding great Sums ; infomuch 
 as the City of London^ in chofe Days, contributed 
 ninethoufand Pounds and hetter, and that chiefly 
 levied upon the wealthier Sort. There is a Tra- 
 dition of a Dilemma, that Bifhop Morton, the 
 Chancellor, ufed to raife up the Benevolence to 
 higher Rates ; fome called it his Fork, and 
 fome his Crotch. For he had couch'd an Article 
 in the In^ru&ions to the Commifiioners, who 
 were to levy the Benevolence, That if they met 
 with any that were fparing, they (hodd tell them, 
 that they muft needs have becaufe they laid up ; 
 and if they were Spenders, they muft needs have 
 becaufe it was feen in their Port, and Manner of 
 living. So neither Kind came amifs. 
 
 ' This Parliament was merely a Parliament of 
 War ; for it was in Subftance but a Declaration 
 of War againft France and Scotland^ with fome 
 Statutes conducing thereunto ; as the fevere 
 punifhing of Mortpays, and keeping back of 
 
 Soldiers
 
 Of E N G L A N D. 41$ 
 
 Soldiers Wages by Captains j the like Severity King Henry Vtt 
 
 for the Departure of Soldiers without Licence j - 
 
 ftrengthening of the common Law in Favour of 
 
 Protections, for thofe that were in the King's 
 
 Service ; and the fetting the Gate open and wide, 
 
 for Men to fell or mortgage their Lands wiihout 
 
 Finei. for Alienation, to furniih themfelves with 
 
 Money for the War ; and laitly, the avoiding of' 
 
 all Siottijb Men out of England. There was alfo 
 
 a Statute, forthediiperftngof the Standard of the 
 
 Exchequer, throughout England; the.eby to fize 
 
 Weights and Meafures ; and two or three more of 
 
 lefs Importance.' 
 
 Old Fabian, an Hiftorian in thefe very Times, 
 mentions the Sum which the Citv of London was 
 obhged to pay to this Benevolence , more particu- 
 larly than Lord Bacon. He fays, * That this Year, 
 1492, a great Benevolence wts granted the King 
 for his Journey into France. Towards which 
 the Company of Drapers gave more than any 
 other Fellowfhip in the City Every A'derman 
 then in Being, nolente volente, paid 200 /. over 
 and above the Sum that was given from the 
 Chamber of London, which amounted to 
 9682 /. 17 s. 4<i. A mighty Sum in thole Days, 
 when, the fame Author tells us, th t a Bufhel of 
 Wheat was fold this very Year for two and 
 twenty Pence ; but two Yeirs after for Six- 
 pence (a),' Other Chronicles tell us, that the King 
 was willing to eafe his lower Kind of Subjects 
 from Taxations* knowing very well the 
 Difficulty of railing the laft ; and therefore fell 
 upon this Way of a Benevolence from the richer 
 Sort : But, publifh'd at the fame Time, that 
 he mould meafure the Depth of each Man's 
 Affection to him by the Largeriefsor Smallntfsof 
 the Gift. This Way of gathering Money, asob- 
 ferv'd above, was firft invented by King Edward 
 the Fourth, but condemn'd in Parliament in the 
 E e 2 firft 
 
 («) Fabian'* G&r#», 461.1492,
 
 43 6 TheTarliamentary Hi stoky 
 
 KingHenryVH.firft of Richard III. however, Henry thought fit 
 to revive it, with the Confent of this Parliament* 
 and great Sums of Money were collected by thefe 
 Means ; tho' not without fome Grudges from 
 the Donors. 
 
 Hail (b) makes a very pertinent Remark upon 
 the Occafion. * By this, fays be, a Man may 
 
 * perceive, that what is once pradis'd for the 
 ' Utility of a Prince, and brought to a Precedent 
 
 * by Matter of Record, may be turned to the great 
 
 * Prejudice of the People j if Rulers, in Autho- 
 ' rity, will lo adjudge and determine it.' 
 
 M ghty Preparations and Levies weie now 
 
 made for the F>ench War, and the Ki rig aclual- 
 
 The King lands ly embark'd with them at Sandwich, OeJooer the 
 
 w^bteaP^T 6th ' and the lame Day hc ,anJed at Calais * 
 'Afterwards Henry befieged Bulloign, in Form ; 
 
 but there he received fuch Overtures of a Peace 
 
 from the French King, as were very acceptable 
 
 to him j and Money, the Idol which Henry always 
 
 worfhipped, ibon brought it to a Conclufion. In 
 
 fhort, the Price of a Peace was ftated on one Side, 
 
 and agreed to on the other ; by which Henry fill'd 
 
 his Coffers, but it was by the emptying of a great 
 
 many of the Purfes of the Nobility and principal 
 
 Perfons in the Army ; who had many of them 
 
 fold or engag'd their Eftates upon the Hopes of 
 
 thi3 War (c). Thefe ftuck not to fay, ' That 
 
 the King had made good what he had faid in 
 
 Parliament ; 'That after the War was once begun 9 
 
 he doubted not but to make it pay itfeif. And he 
 
 had kept his Promife accordingly.' 
 
 But, tho' the Act for enabling Perfons to fell 
 
 or mortgage their Eftates, proved fo pernicious to 
 
 the Nobility at that Time and their Pofterity 
 
 after them; yet, it has proved of infinite Service 
 
 to the Commons of England ; who, by thefe 
 
 ' • Means 
 
 (b) Chron. Fol. an 
 
 (c) Henry received from the French King, in ready Money, 
 745,000 Ducats, which amounts to 186,250 /. Englijb ; and a 
 Peiifion, or Tribute, of 25,000 Crowns yearly, J. Speed, p. 737,
 
 Of E N G L A N D. 437 
 
 Means have purchafed and do now enjoy many KingHenryVif, 
 EiLres which anciently belonged to the chief 
 N hihty of the Kingdom. And, by thus 
 weakening their Powers, Vailalage was taken off, 
 and Henry's Ti le. which chiefly lay in the 
 People, gre ily ftreng'bened. 
 
 Soon a-'ter the King's Return from his extra- 
 ordinary Winter Campaign hvo France, another 
 Confpmcy broke out againft him ; which had 
 like to have proved of worfe Conlequence than 
 any that h ; theno happened. Margaret, Dutchefs 
 of Burgu.dy, Siller to Edward IV. was a 
 Princets that watched all Opportunities to diflurb 
 Henry's Rcpofe ; and had now fpirited up one 
 Perkin IVarbeck, a bold and comely Youth, to 
 perfonaie Richard Duke of York, laid to have 
 been murthered with his Brother in the Tower. 
 To the noble Hiftori^n, and the more general 
 Hiftories, we muft refer our Readers for the 
 Particulars of this Affair ; which continued in 
 Agitation fome Years before it was entirely fet- 
 tled (d). 
 
 In the Midft of thefe Commotions, Henry 
 thought fit to call another Parliament ; the Writs 
 of Summons bearing Date at Wejlminfler, Sep- 
 tember 15th, for a Parliament to meet at the fame 
 Place on the 14th of October following ; which 
 is fcarce a Month's Notice (e). 
 
 It were to be wifhed, that fehe noble Hi dorian Anno Regni 11. 
 would have introduced this Parliament with the At wdSnfter. 
 Ee 3 fame 
 
 (d) In the Year 1496, King Henry granted Licence to one John 
 Cabot, a Citizen of Venice, and his three Sons Lewis, Sebajlian 
 and Sancho, with five Ships, &c. to fail to the JVefl -Indies, and 
 make Difcoveries of Lands and Countries, as the Record fays j 
 £%ua' Cbriftianis omnibus ante bac tempora fuerunt incognita. The 
 King was to have one Fifth of the Money and Me.chandizes they 
 gained by this Voyage. Feed, Ang. Tom. XII. Pag 597. 
 
 (e) Dvgdal^s Summons, Anno 11. Hen. VII. P. 481. There 
 is a very great Miftake in Kennel's Marginal Dates of Years, in 
 his Edition. Lord Bacon fays exprelsly, that this Parliament was 
 called in the eleventh Year of this King, which was Anno 1497 } 
 the Notes, all along, make it only 1495 and 1496. Pag. biz, &c, 
 
 M. Rafin has fallen into the fame Error. Fabian mentions a 
 
 Parliament held at PFefiminjier, in the Year 1494.
 
 43 8 The *P arliamen* ary Histort 
 
 King Henry VII. fame Solemnity as be did the 1 ft, with a Speech 
 from the Throne, &V. However, what he does 
 fay relating to th.- Proceedings, finrre he is our 
 principal Guide, lAe, in his own Phraie and Man- 
 ner, as follows : 
 
 ' This Year alio, the King called his Parlia- 
 
 Aftipaft'd. ment ; where miny Laws were made, of a more 
 private and vulgar Nature, than ought to detain 
 the Pveader of ar. Hiftory. And it may be juftly 
 fufpecled, by 'he Proceedings following, that as 
 the King did excel in good Commonwealth Laws, 
 fo neverthelefs he had, in fee ret. a defign to make 
 ufe of them, as well for collecting of Treafure, 
 as for correcting of Manners ; and fo, meaning 
 thereby to harrow his People, did accumulate 
 them the rather. 
 
 4 The principal Law, that was made this Par- 
 liament, was a Law of a itrange Nature ; rather 
 juft than legal, and more magnanimous than pro- 
 vident. This Law did ordain, That no Perfon 
 that did affift in Arms, or orherwife, the King 
 for the time being, mould afterward be impeached 
 therefore, or attainted, either by the Courfe of 
 the Law, or by Act of Parliament : But, if any 
 fuch Act of Attainder did happen to be made, it 
 fhould be void, and of none Effect ; for that it 
 was agreeable to Reafon of Eftate, that the Sub- 
 ject fhould not enquire of the Juftnefs of the 
 King's Title, or Quarrel ; and it was agreeable 
 to good Conscience, that, whatfoever the Fortune 
 of the War were, the Subject fhould not fuffer for 
 his Obedience. The Spirit of this Law was won- 
 derfully pious and noble ; being like in Matter of 
 War unto the Spirit of David in Matter of Plague, 
 who laid, If 1 have finned, Jirike me ; but what 
 have tkeje Sheep done P Neither wanted this Law 
 Par's of prudent and deep Fore-fight : for, it did 
 the better take away occafion for the People to 
 bul'y themfelves, to pry into the King's Title ; 
 for that howfoever it fell, their Safety was already 
 
 provided
 
 Of E N G L A N D. 439 
 
 provided for. Befides, it could not but greatly King Henry VH. 
 dra unto him the Love and Hearts of the Peo- 
 ple, beiauie he feemed more careful for them, 
 tl- '■'■■ for himfelf. But yet neverthelefs, it did 
 take ft irom hi.-- Party that great Tie and Spur 
 of N cefliry, to fight and go Vidors out of the 
 Field ; confidering their Lives and Fortunes were 
 put in Safety, and protected, wheiher they flood 
 to it, or ran away. But the Force and Obliga- 
 tion of this Law was in itfelf illufory, as to the 
 latter P.irt of it, by a precedent Ad of Parlia- 
 ment, to bird or fruftrate a future. For a fu- 
 prerre and abfolute Power cannot conclude itfelf, 
 neither can that which is in Nature revocable be 
 made fixed ; no more than if a Man fhould ap- 
 point or declare by his Will, that if he made any 
 latter Will, it fhould be void. And for the Cafe 
 of the Ad of Parliament, there is a notable Prece- 
 dent of it in King Henry the Eighth's Time ; 
 who, doubting he might die in the Minority of 
 his Son, procured an Ad to pafs, That no Statute 
 made during the Minority of the Kmg y Jhould bind 
 him or his Succeffors, except it were confirmed by 
 the King under his great Sea!> at his full Age. But 
 the firft Ad that palled in King Edward the 
 Sixth's Time, was an Ad of Repeal of that for- 
 mer Ad ; at which time, neverthelefs, the King 
 was * Minor. But Things that do not bind may 
 fatisfy for the time. 
 
 ' There was alfo made afhoaring or underprop- 
 ing Ad (or the Benevolence, to mr.ke the Sums 
 which any P. rfon had agreed to pay, and never- 
 thelefs were not brought in, to be leviable by a 
 Courfe of Law. Which Ad did not only bring 
 in the. Arrears, but did indeed countenance the 
 whole Ruiinefs, and was pretended to be made at 
 the D.fire of thofe, that had been forward to . 
 
 Fy (f) ' IT rf 
 
 E e 4 This 
 
 (f) This Aft brought in, ftill, very large Sums to the King's 
 Coffers. The Arrears being very confiderable, betaufe the War 
 
 with
 
 44° 7be Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry VII. * I n this Parliament alfo was made that goodLaw i 
 which gave the Attaint upon a falfe Verdict be- 
 tween 1 arty and Party, which before was a kind 
 of Evangile, irremediable. It extends not to 
 Caufes capital, as well becaufe they are for the 
 moll Part at the King's Suit, as becauie in them, 
 if they be followed in Courfe of Indictment, 
 there pafleth a double Jury, the Indidtors and the 
 Triers ; and fo not twelve Men, but four and 
 twenty. But it feemeth that was not the only 
 Reafon ; for this Reafon holdeih not in the Ap- 
 peal. But the great Reafon was, left it fhould 
 tend to the Difcouragement of Jurors in Cafes of 
 Life and Death ; if they fhould be fubjecT: to Suit 
 and Penalty, where the Favour of Life makeih 
 againft them. It extendeth not alfo to any Suit, 
 ■where the Demand is under the Value of forty- 
 Pounds i for that in fuch Cafes of petty Value, 
 it would not quit the Charge, to go about again. 
 
 ' There wasanotherLaw made againft a Branch 
 of Ingratitude in Women, who having been ad- 
 vanced by their Hufbands, or their Hufbands An- 
 cestors, mould alien, and thereby feek to defeat 
 the Heirs, or thofe in 'Remainder, of the Lands, 
 whereunto they had been fo advanced. The 
 Remedy was, by giving Power to the next, to 
 enter for a Forfeiture. 
 
 4 There was alfo enacled that charitable Law, 
 for the Admiffion of poor Suitors in Forma Pau- 
 peris t without Fee to £ounfcllor, Attorney, or 
 Clerk ; whereby poor Men became rather able to 
 vex, than unable to fue. There were divers o- 
 ther good Laws made that Parliament, as we faid 
 beiore ; but we ftill obferve our Manner, in fe- 
 . lecling out thofe, that are not of a vulgar Na- 
 ture {g). 
 
 Though 
 
 with France having lafted not long, many Perfons had declined to 
 pay either in full, or in Part. It appears by the Public Ails, that 
 the Archbifhop of. Canterbury was indebted 1500 /. Sterling. 
 Feed. Ang. Tom. XII. P. 632. 
 (g) See Statutes at Large Anno Regni Henry VII. Undccimo.
 
 Of E N G L A N D. 44l 
 
 ' Though in the Acts of this Parliament, King Henry vn. 
 there is no mention made of the Oppofition then 
 on foot j whether oui o<- Policy, or not, is uncer- 
 tain ; or whether the King thought it below him 
 then, to trouble ihe Houfes about it ; yet it is 
 certain, that, (tout and wife as he was, he was 
 not without his Apprehenfions. The Impoftor 
 had prevailed upon the King of Scots to efpoufe 
 his Quarrel ; who, actually, invaded England, 
 the next Year ; and Henry found himfelf obliged, 
 at laft, to lay the Affair before a Parliament, 
 which was fummoned to meet at Weftminfter, on 
 January i6ih, in the twelfih Year of his Reign. 
 
 Lord Bacon fays, * That the Winter following 
 the King called hi? Parliament; where, inaSpeech AnnoRegni iz. 
 from the Throne, he did much exaggerate both H98. 
 the Malice and the cruel predatory War lately At WeftmiBftCT - 
 made by the King of Scotland ; * That this King be- 
 ' ing in Amity with him, and no ways provoked, The King bysbe- 
 ' mould ib burn in Hatred towards him, as to drink fore th £ * >arlia - 
 ' of the Lees and Dregs of Perkin's Intoxication,™'" 0/ parkin 
 
 * who was every where elfe detected and Warbeck. 
 
 * difcarded. And that when he perceived it was 
 
 * out of his Reach to do the King any Hurt, he 
 ' had turned his Arms upon unarmed and unpro- 
 ' vided People, to fpoil only and depopulate, con- 
 ' trary to the Laws both of War and Peace : 
 ' Concluding, that he could neither with Honour, 
 
 * nor with the Safety of his People, to whom he 
 c did owe Protection, let pafs thefe Wrongs unre- 
 4 venged.' The Parliament underftood him well, 
 
 and gave him a Subfidy, limited to the Sum of ASubfld anted 
 1 20,000/. befides two Fifteenths. For his Wars 
 were always to him as a Mine of Treafure, of a 
 flrange Kind of Ore, Iron at the Top, and Gold 
 and Silver at the Bottom. At this Parliament 
 (for that there had been fo much Time fpent in 
 making Laws the Year before, and for that it was 
 called purpofely in refpect of the Scottijh War) 
 there Were no Laws made to be remembered. 
 
 Only
 
 44* The Parliamentary History 
 
 K - H vn Onlv there pafed a Law, at the Suit of the 
 Merchant- M ventures of England, againft the 
 Merchant Adv' crturers of London, for monopo- 
 lizing and etfa&ing upon t c Trade: Whch it 
 feemeth rhey did, a lit !e 10 l«ve themfelves, after 
 the' hard Time the v hdfufrined by Warit of 
 Ti. le. Butthote Innovation^, were taken away 
 by P, rlianvnr. 
 
 TheSunfi y granted this ' armarium, according 
 to Fabian, was tw Tenti.s ; r. i a Half, two 
 Aides and two lift tenths, in odet 10 raife the 
 Sum of 120 ooo 1 for the Scotch War The 
 King borrow'd aKo of the City ot London 40C0I. 
 but Ha/land Hoti'mgfoead both fay. that though 
 this Subfidy, now gtame i, w .s not great, yet 
 the common People grudged much to pay it ; 
 jtfways hath g iuch Taxes and Exactions 
 
 The F eruh Je uit rematks, tha Henry loved 
 Money io well, that he made a Tra e of boih 
 P ace and War to gain it j Jelling the former to 
 S r ngtrs, and the latter to h s own Subjects. 
 Under this Piecaution. adds this Author, the 
 Enghfl) Nation, the ler.it ir ;ctableof all Na ions 
 in paying Taxe- to their Kings, are always on 
 their Guard againft h:m when he goes upon hat 
 Artic'e (h). And, indee,', no fooner this S-..b- 
 fidy began to be levied in Cornwall but the Comijh 
 . Men rofein anaclual Rebel ion ayaiiift ir j under 
 
 Coniwd the Leading of one F/anwmL a Lawyer, and 
 
 one Michael Jo/eph, a Bbek:m:tb Thefe Cap- 
 tains marched their Follower- toward-- Kent ; and at 
 Welles were joined by James Tou<ht, Lord Dudley t 
 who, to the great Joy of ihe fniur-g( r,'s, accej d 
 of the fele Command over them From U el'es 
 they marched to Blackkeath,- where the King's 
 Forces met and defeated them without much 
 
 Trouble : 
 
 \ 
 
 {h) Le Peupk Anglois -te moirs docile it teut ' le Peuples a payer 
 des Subfiles u Jes Bois, etoit teujpurt en Card, centre luy quand il 
 fagijjo'' decet Article 
 
 Lift, de Re-vol, d" Angleterrt } par Fere D'Oricans. Tom, II. 
 P- 336.
 
 Of E N G L A N D. 443 
 
 Trouble; the Lord Audley and trie other Leaders 1 ^* Henry vis, 
 were taken Prifoners, and foon after executed. 
 
 Not lony; after the Conclufion of the laft Par- 
 liament, Pertiu's Affairs came to a Crifis j and 
 after many Struggles to fubvert the prefent Go- 
 vernment, he was taken at laft, and committed 
 Prifoner to the Tower ; from whence, not long 
 after, he was drawn to Tiburn, and there execut- Perkin executed, 
 ed. Bur, though this Execution may be faid to 
 be jail enough, another followed, foon after, 
 wh.ch mull carry an eternal Stain of Infamy. 
 Elw.u-d Plantagenet, Son to George Di'ke of Edward Plantage- 
 Clarence who had been a Prifoner almoft from net put to Death. 
 his Cradle, was now thought proper to be facri- 
 fic'u to the Policy of the Times (/'). A Marriage 
 was then tranfafting between Prince Arthur, 
 King Henry 1 % eldeft Son, and the Princefs Ka- 
 tberine, Daughter to Ferdinand and lfabella. 
 King and Queen of Spain. The Spani/h Court 
 objected to the Match, becaufe Henry's Title 
 might be yet difputed whilft a Male Heir of the 
 Houfe of York was Hill living. Henry foon re- 
 moved that Obftacle ; and, on a feigned Accufa- 
 tion, had the poor Prince arraigned and executed. 
 But, though the Marriage took Place upon 
 this, yet it prov'd a very unhappy one to the 
 Princefs. Prince Arthur died, as is faid, before Arthur, Prince «f 
 Confummation ; and the Princefs being afterward Wales, married, 
 married to Henry the King's fecond Son, was, 
 after twenty Years Cohabitation, divorced from 
 him. On the Declaration of which, the unhappy 
 Queen ufed ?his remarkable Expreflion ; That Jfje 
 had not offended ; but that it was a Judgment of 
 God> for that her former Marriage was made in 
 Blood. 
 
 Henry 
 
 (»*) Hall writes, that this poor Prince was kept dofe Prifoner, 
 almoft from the Sight of Men, but cfpecially of Birds and Beaftt j 
 infomuch that he could sot tell a Goole from a Capon. 
 
 An. 15. Hen. j. Fol. I.
 
 444 The Parliamentary History 
 
 Kbg Henry VII. Henry \ being now freed from all his Enemies, 
 fethimfelf earneftly to indulge his favourite Poflion 
 of Avarice. And, to that End made Ufe of 
 very fcandalous Ways and Means ; of which the 
 noble Hiftorian is full of Inftances. But, it wasnot 
 till feven Years after the laft, that he thought fit 
 to fummon another Parliament ; a larger Space 
 of Time from calling thofe Affemblies, than we 
 have met wkh in many preceeding Reigns. The 
 Summons to this Parliament is not on Record ; 
 or at leaft, is not in Dugdale ; but our Statute- 
 Books inform us, that it met on the 16th Day of 
 A»noRcgnli9. January, in the 19th Year of this Reign. 
 a -m 1 ^"/! The King's Pretence in afiembhng this Parlia- 
 
 ment, was the Neceffity of reviving certain 
 Statutes and making fome new ones. Put, the 
 real Motive was to demand a Subfidy for hi&eldeft 
 Daughter's Dowry, juft then married to the 
 King of Scots. The Cuflom of demanding Mo- 
 ney on fuch Occafions, fays Rapin (k), was too 
 advantageous to this King to fuffer it to be abolifh- 
 cd. The new Queen's Portk n was but 30,000 
 Nobles ; but, the Subfidy granted may be well 
 thought more confiderable, befides a handfome 
 Prefent made by the Clergy on the fame Account. 
 So that inftead of emptying his Coffers, by the 
 Marriage of his Daughter, he fill'd them the 
 fuller for it. 
 
 Old Fabian, whofe Chronicle ends in the laft 
 Year of this King, informs us, that it was not a 
 Subfidy, but only an Aid of 36,0001. that was 
 granted ; though, he does not tell us whether 
 it was on the Marriage of the Princefs, or not. 
 
 Lord Bacon begins his Account of the Proceed- 
 ings in this Parliament with obferving, . * That a 
 Man may eafily guefs how abfolute the King 
 took himfelf to be with his Parliament, when his 
 Edmund Dudley, Creature Dudley, that was fo odious to the 
 EfqjchofeSpeak-Public, was made Speaker of the Houfe of Com- 
 *• mons. 
 
 (*j Fel. Edit, p. 687.
 
 Of ENGLAND. 445 
 
 mons. He tells us, that there were not any King Henry vn. 
 memorable Statures made in it, relating to public 
 Government ; and thofe that were pais'd, had ftill 
 a Stamp of the King's Wifdom and Policy; that 
 is, of his Craft and Avarice. The noble Hiftorian 
 hath given us fo full a View of this King's unjuft 
 Exactions, drawn up in a very few Words, at Laws ena&ei, 
 the End of his Account of the A&s made in this 
 Parliament, that it cannot be unacceptable to our 
 Readers. 
 
 ' There was a Statute made for the difanulling 
 of all Patents of Leafe or Grant, to fuch as came 
 not upon lawful Summons, to feive the King in 
 his Wars, againft his Enemies or Rebels, or that 
 fhould depart without the King's Licence ; with 
 an Exception of certain Perfons of the Long Robe. 
 Providing neverthelefs, that they fhould have the 
 King's Wages, from their Houfe, till their 
 Return Home again. There had been the like 
 made before for Offices, and by this Statute it 
 was extended to Lands. But a Man may eafjly 
 fee by many Statutes made in this King's Time, 
 that the King thought it fafeft to affiit Martial 
 Law by Law of Parliament. 
 
 ' Another Statute was made, prohibiting the 
 bringing in of Manufactures of Silk wrought by 
 itfelf, or mix'd with any other Thread. But it 
 was not of Stuffs of whole Piece (for that the 
 Realm had of them no Manufacture in Ufe at 
 that Time) but of Knit Silk, or Texture of Silk ; 
 as Ribbands, Laces, Cawls, Points, and Girdles, 
 &V. which the People of England could then 
 well (kill to make. This Law pointed at a true 
 Principle ; that where Foreign Materials are but 
 Superfluities, Foreign Manufactures fhould be 
 prohibited. For that will either banifh the Super- 
 fluity or gain the Manufacture. 
 
 ' There was a Law alfo of Refumption of 
 Patents of Goals, and the re-annexing of them 
 to the Sheriffwicks j priviledg'd Officers being no 
 
 lefs
 
 44^ The Parliamentary History. 
 
 KintHeniyVIl. lefs an Interruption of Juftice, than priviledg'd 
 Places. 
 
 « There was likewife a Law to reftrain the 
 Bye- Laws or Ordinances of Corporations, which 
 many Times were againft the Prerogative of the 
 King, the Common- Law of rhe Realm, and the 
 Liberty of the Subje6t, being Fraternities in Evil. 
 It was therefore provided, that they fhould not 
 be put in Execution, without ihe Allowance of 
 the Chancellor, Treaiurer, and the two Chief 
 Juftices, or three of them, or of rhe two Juftices 
 of Circuit where the Corporation was. 
 
 ' Another Law was, in EffecT:, to bring in the 
 Silver of the Realm to the Mint, in making all 
 clipped, diminifhed, or impair'd Coins ofSilver(/), 
 not to be current in Payments ; without giving 
 any Remedy of Weigh:, but with an Exception 
 only of a reafonable Wearing, which was as no- 
 thing in refpedt of the Uncertainty ; and fo, upon 
 the Matter, to fet the Mint on Work, and to 
 give Way to new Coins of Silver, which mould 
 be then minted. 
 
 ' There was likewife a long Statute againft 
 Vagabonds, wherein two Things may be noted ; 
 the one the Diflike the Parliament hd of Goaling 
 of them, as that which was chargeable, pefterous, 
 and of no open Example. The other, that in the 
 . Statutes of this King's Time, for this of the 
 nineteenth Year is not the only Statute of that 
 Kind, there are ever coupled, the Punifhment of 
 Vagabonds, and the forbidding of Dice, and 
 Cards, and unlawful Games, unto Servants and 
 mean People, and the putting down and fuppref- 
 fingof Ale-Houies, as Strings of one R ot toge- 
 ther, and as if the one were unprofitable Without 
 the other. 
 
 ' As for Riot and Retainers, there pafied fcarte 
 any Parliament in this Time without a Law 
 
 againft 
 
 </) Groat*, Half Grnts, and Shilliogs with Half Faces. F*h t
 
 Of E N G L A N D. 447 
 
 againft them, the King ever having an Eye to King Henry VH. 
 Might and Multitude. 
 
 4 There was granted alfo in rhat Parliament a ASubfidy and • 
 Subfily, borh for the Temporality and the Benevolent*. 
 Clergy. And yet nevertheless, e'er the Year 
 exp-r'd, th :re went out Comm.flions for a general 
 Banevoler ce ; though there were no Wars, no 
 Fears. The fame Year the City gave 5000 
 M^rks, for Confirmation of their Liberties ; a 
 Thing filter for the Beginnings of Kings Reigns, 
 than the latter Ends. Neither was it a fmall 
 Matter, hat the Mint gained upon the late 
 Statute, by the Re-coinage of Groats and Half 
 Groats, nnw Twelve pences, and Six-pences- 
 As for Empfon and Dudley's Mills, they did grind 
 more than ever* So that it was a ftrange Thing, 
 to lee what Golden Showers poured down upon 
 the King's Treaiuryat once Tne laft Payments 
 of the M rrage-Money from Spain ; the Subsidy; 
 the Bertvodenct ■ the Re-coinage ; the Redempti- 
 on ot -i he City's Liberties; the Cifual ties. And 
 this is the more to be marvell'd at, becaufe the 
 K.ng had then no Occafions at all of Wars or 
 Troubles. He had now, but one Son and one 
 Daughter unbeftow'd. He was wife ; he was of 
 an high Mind ; he needed not to make Riches his 
 Gory. He did excel in fo many Things elfe ; 
 fave that certainly Avarice doth ever find in itfelf Henry's exceffive 
 Matter of Ambition. Belike he thought to leave Avarice, 
 his Son fuch a Kingdom, and fuch a Mafs of 
 Treafure, as he might choofe his Greatnefa where 
 he would (m). 
 
 This was the laft Parliament called in the Reign, 
 of Henry VII. who lived not three Years after 
 the Diflolution of it. He died at Richmond, in Hit Death ani 
 Surrey, Jprl 22, 1508. in the 5 2d Year of his chara,aer * 
 Age, and the 2 jd of his Reign. 
 
 The French Jefuit, before quoted, has drawn 
 up this Prince's Character in a very fublime and 
 
 copious 
 
 (m) Lord BaC«n.
 
 448 The ^Parliamentary History 
 
 King Henry vii. copious Manner. We are perfuaded that a 
 tranflated Abftract of it cannot be improper to 
 conclude this Reign (n). 
 
 After mentioning his exceffive Avarice in the 
 Accumulation of Riches, by Mems of h's two 
 chief Solicitors, Empjon and Dudley ; he adds, 
 That notwithftanding this, Henry was a great 
 Prince, of a fuperior ard folid Senfe, of appro- 
 ved Valour, profound Politics, and of great 
 Application to public Affairs. Making War 
 with Conduct, without loving of it ; and 
 affecting Peace without feeming to demand it. 
 Lively and active, but always circumlpect ; 
 knowing better than any other Prince the real 
 and folid Intereft of his State, and the Allian- 
 ces agreeable to it. No King of ' ngfond ever 
 knew better the Secret how to make the Royal 
 Prerogative and the People's Privileges c nfonant 
 to each other ; nor the Temper he ou^ht to 
 keep to be Mailer of the Parliament, wi hout 
 feeming to force a Compliance from them. 
 He had neither Favourites nor Miftrefles ; paid 
 all due Refpect to his Mother, loved his Wife 
 and educated his Children well;- but never let 
 his Family concern themfelves with the State. 
 In the Command of his Armies, and the 
 Management of public Affairs, he always era- 
 ploy'd Men of Quality, rather than other Men ; 
 but, he ever preferred the ableft and moft 
 defervingof them. 
 
 * In (hort, he did Abundance for a Prince that 
 pafledfrom Exile to a Throne ; who had found 
 the Kingdom torn to Pieces, as it were, by a 
 long and bloody Civil War, carried on by two 
 great Factions, and to leave it peaceable 
 throughout. To begin a new Royal Family, 
 and in the Perfon of his fecond Son, Henry, 
 who after the Death of Arthur was Prince of 
 
 Wales, 
 
 («) Eifi. de Revel, de Ang. far Pert D" Orleans. 
 
 Tom, II, p. 34.1, &c».
 
 Of ENGLAND. 44^ 
 
 to leave a SuccefTor every Way agreeable to allKtog Henry VII; 
 his Subjects ; his eldeft Daughter, Margaret , mar- 
 ried to the King of Scots ; and his youngeft,Mzrjr, 
 betrothed to the then Archduke of Aufiria^ whom a 
 at that Time, fo many Kings regarded,* 
 
 Vol. II. 
 
 Ff 
 
 Tax**
 
 43 o Jhs 'Parliamentary History 
 
 Taxes during the Reign of King Henry VII. 
 
 IN his third Year a large Supply was granted him 
 for a War with France j but the Value of it 
 uncertain. 
 
 In his feventh Year a Benevolence was granted 
 by Parliament, for the fame Purpofe. 
 
 In his eleventh Year the remaining Arrears there- 
 of were collected to the full. 
 
 The next Year he had a Subfidy of 1 20,000 1. 
 befides two Fifteenth. 
 
 In his nineteenth Year he had an Aid of 36,000 1. 
 for the Dowry of his eldeft Daughter, then married 
 to the King of Scots. 
 
 And, in the fame Year, a Subfidy in Parliament, 
 both from the Tempo ralty and Clergy ; neverthelefs 
 he iflued out Commiflions for railing a general Be- 
 nevolence. 
 
 Tenths and Fifteenths have been, and 
 will he, fo often mentioned in the Courfe of this 
 Work, that the Reader may well defire an Expla- 
 nation of thole Terms. Our ableft Lawyers are 
 puzzled about it, and the Manner how they were 
 collected ; what we have met with relating to that 
 Affair is not entirely fatisfactory ; becaufe, we pre- 
 sume, they varied with the Times, and were char- 
 ged upon Goods and Chattels rather than Land, 
 efpecially in Cities and great Towns. But let the 
 following Explanation lpeak for itfelf. 
 
 A Fifteenth, or Quinzieme, is a Tax of Money, 
 laid upon a City, Borough, or other Town, 
 throughout the Realm; and fo called, becaufe it 
 amounted to a fifteenth Part of that which the City 
 or Town had been, of old, valued at : And there- 
 fore every Town knew what a Fifteenth for them- 
 felves did amount to ; which was in Proportion to 
 the Land or Circuit about it. Thus Cambden fays 
 of Bath, Geldebat pro viginti Hidis. Whereas a 
 Subfidy was raifed upon every particular Man's 
 
 Goods,
 
 Of E N G L A N D. 451 
 
 Goods, or Lands, and therefore was uncertain ; 
 becaufe the Eftate of every particular Man is un- 
 certain (a). 
 
 The laft Edition of this Law-DiRionary adds, 
 That thefe Rates were taken out of Doom/day- Book* 
 in the Exchequer ; as Camden again witnefies of 
 Welles, in Somerfetjhire, thus ; £>uo Tempore, ut 
 tefiatur Cenfualis Anglics Liber, Epifcopus ipfum 
 Oppidum tenuit, quod pro qulnquaginta Hidis gelda- 
 vt i and fo of other Towns : By which it appears, 
 that, of old Time, this feemed to be a yearly Tri- 
 bute in Certainty : Whereas now, tho' the Rate 
 be certain, yet it is not levied but by Parliament. 
 To this we may add, That thefe Kinds of Taxa- 
 tions were impofed by the King at his Pleafure, 
 till Edward I. bound himfelf and his Succeflbrs, 
 from that Time forward, not to levy it but by 
 Confent of the Realm {b). 
 
 The Price ^/Provisions in the Reign of 
 Henry VII. 
 
 IN 1485, Wheat fold at 3 s. per Bufhel, and 
 Bay Salt the fame Price. Hay, 5 s. per Load. 
 —In 1489, Oats at 2s. per Quarter.— in 1491, 
 Wheat, 14 s. 8 d. per Quarter. — In 1493, Oats at 
 2S. and Beans 3 s. 4d. per Quarter. — In 1494, 
 Wheat fold for only 4 s per Quarter, and the next 
 Year only 3 s. 4d. But in 1497, ** r °k t0 20S « 
 — In 1498, Hay fold from 8s. 2d. to 10s. and 
 12 s. ^r Load. — The next Year, Wheat fold for 
 1 1. 4 s. per Quarter ; and in 1504, for 5 s. Sd. per 
 Bufhel. — The next Year a Load of Hay fold for 
 6s. and Oats, 3 s. per Quarter. — In 1506, Oats, 
 2S. and Beans, 3s. Sd per Quarter. Next Year 
 about the fame Price. — And, in 1508, Oats fold 
 for is. lod. per Quarter. 
 
 (a) Coivel's Di&ionary. (b) See Vol. I. p. 107, and 114. 
 
 The END of the Second Volume,
 
 
 
 
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