An exact abridgement of the records in the Tower of London from the reign of King Edward the Second, unto King Richard the Third, of all the Parliaments holden in each Kings reign, and the several acts in every Parliament : together with the names and titles of all the dukes, marquesses, earls, viscounts, and barons, summoned to every of the said Parliaments / collected by Sir Robert Cotton ... ; revised, rectified in sundry mistakes, and supplied with a preface, marginal notes, several ommissions, and exact tables ... by William Prynne ...

Anno Primo Ricardi Tertii. In Rotulo Parliamenti tenti apud Westm. die Veneris vice∣simo tertio die Januarii, Anno regni Regis Richardi Tertii primo, inter alia continentur, ut sequitur.

Mcmorand. quod quaedam Billa exhibita fuit coram Do∣mino Rege in Parliamento praedicto in haec verba.

WHereas late heretofore, that is to say, before the Consecra∣tion, Coronation, and Inthronization of our Soveraign Lord King Richard the Third, a roll of Parchment, containing in writing certain Articles of the tenor under-written, on the behalf, and in the name of the Three Estates of this Realm of England, that is to say, of the Lords Spiritual, and Temporal, and of the Commons by name, and divers Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and of the Commons by name, and other Nobles and notable per∣sons of the Commons in great multitude, was presented and actually delivered unto our said Soveraign Lord, the intent and effect expressed at large in the same roll, to the which roll, and to the Considerations, and instant Petition comprised in the same, our said Soveraign Lord for the publique weal, and tranquility of this Land, benignly assented.

Now for as much as neither the said three Estates, neither the said per∣sons, which in their name presented, and delivered as it is aforesaid the said roll unto our said Soveraign Lord the King, were assembled in form of Parliament; by reason whereof divers doubts, questions, and ambiguities

been moved and ingendred in the minds of divers persons as it is said.

Therefore, to the perpetual memory of the truth, and declara∣tion of the same, be it ordained, provided, and established in this present Parliament, that the tenor of the said roll, with all the Contents of the same, presented as is abovesaid, & delivered to our abovesaid Soveraign Lord the King, in the name, and in the behalf of the said three Estates out of Parliament: Now by the said three Estates assembled in this present Parliament, and by authority of the same, be ratifi∣ed, enrolled, recorded, approved, and authorized to the removing of the re∣casions of doubts, and ambiguities, and to all other lawfull effects that shall now thereof ensue, so that all things said, affirmed, specified, de∣sired, and remembred in the said roll, and in the tenour of the same, under-written in the name of the said three Estates to the ef∣fect expressed in the said roll, be of the like effect, vertue, and force, as if all the same things had been so said, affirmed, specifi∣ed, and remembred in full Parliament, and by authority of the same accepted and approved, the Tenor of the said roll of Parchment whereof above is made mention, followeth, and is such.

To the High and Mighty Prince, Richard Duke of Gloucester

PLeaseth it your Noble Grace to understand the Considerati∣ons, Election, and Petition under-written of us the Lords Spi∣ritual and Temporal, and Commons of this Realm of England, and thereunto agreeable, to give your assent to the Common and publique weal of this land, and to the comfort, and gladness of all the People of the same.

First, we consider, how that heretofore in time passed, this land for many years stood in great prosperity, honour, and tranquili∣ty: which was caused for so much as the Kings reigning, used and followed the advice and counsel of certain Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and other persons of approved sagenesse, prudence, policy, and experience, dreading God, and having tender zeal, and affection to indifferent administration of Justice, and to the Common, and publique weal of the land: Then our Lord God was dread, loved, and honoured; Then within the land was peace and tranquility, and among the Neighbours Concord and Chari∣ty; Then the malice of outward Enemies was mightily resisted, and repressed, and the Land honourably defended with many great and glorious victories; Then the intercourse of Merchants was largely used and exercised; by which things above remem∣bred, the land was greatly inriched, so that as well the Merchants as the Artificers, and other poor people, labouring for their living in divers Occupations, had competent gain, to the satisfaction of

them, and their housholds, living without miserable and intolle∣rable poverty. But afterwards, when as such had the rule and go∣vernance of this land, delighting in adulation, and flattery, and led by sensuality and concupiscence, followed the counsel of per∣sons, insolent, vicious, and of inordinate avarice, despising the Counsel of persons good, vertuous, and prudent, such as above be remembred; the prosperity of this land decreased daily, so that our felicity was turned into misery, and our prosperity into adver∣sity, and the order of policy, and the Laws of God, and man con∣founded, whereby it is likely this Realm to fall into great mise∣ry, and desolation, (which God defend) without due provision of convenable remedy be had in this behalf in all godly haste.

Over this, among other things more special, we consider how that the time of the reign of Edw. the 4. late deceased, after the un∣gracious pretended mariage (as all England hath cause to say) made betwixt the said King Edw. and Elizabeth, sometimes Wife to Sir Iohn Gray Knight, late naming her self, and many years here∣tofore, Queen of England, the order of politique rule was pervert∣ed, the Laws of God, and of Gods Church, &c. also the Laws of Nature, and of England, and also the laudable customs and liber∣ties of the same, wherein every Englishman is inheritor, is bro∣ken, subverted, and contemned, against all Reason and Justice: so that the Land was ruled by self-will, and pleasure, fear and dread, all manner of Equity and Law laid apart and despised, whereof ensued many inconveniencies and mischiefs, as Murders, Extortions, and Oppressions, namely of poor, and impotent peo∣ple: so that no man was sure of his life, land, or livelyhood, ne of his wife, daughter, or servant, every good Maiden, and Woman, standing in fear to be ravished, and deflowred. And besides this, what discords, inward battels, effusion of Christian mens blouds, and namely, by the destruction of the Nobles bloud of this land, was had and committed within the same, it is evident, and noto∣rious through all this Realm, unto the great sorrow, and heavi∣nesse of all true English-men. And here also we consider, how that the said pretended Mariage betwixt the above-named King Edward, and Elizabeth Gray, was made of great presumption, with∣out the knowing and assent of the Lords of this land, and also by Sorcery and Witchcraft committed by the said Elizabeth, and her Mother Iaquet, Dutchesse of Bedford, as the common opinion of the people, and the publique voice and fame is throughout all this land, and hereafter if the cause shall require, shall be proved suf∣ficiently in time and place convenient. And here also we consi∣der, how that the said pretended Mariage was made privily, and secretly without edition of banes, in a private Chamber, a pro∣phane place, and not openly in the face of the Church, after the Law of Gods Church; but contrary thereunto, and the laudable custom of the Church of England; and how also at the time of the contract of the same pretended Mariage, and before and long

time after, the said King Edward was and stood maried, and troth-plight to one Dame Elinor Butler, daughter to the Earl of Shrews∣bury, with whom the said King Edward had made a Pre-contract of Matrimony, long time before he made the said pretended Ma∣riage with the said Elizabeth Gray, in manner and form aforesaid. Which premisses being true, as in very truth they be true, it appear∣eth, and followeth evidently, that the said King Edward during his life, and the said Elizabeth, lived together sinfully and dam∣nably in adultery, against the Law of God and of his Church; and therefore, no marvel that the Soveraign Lord and head of the land being of such ungodly disposition, and provoking the ire and indignation of our Lord God, such heynous mischief and Incon∣veniences as are above remembred were used, and committed in the Realm amongst the Subjects. Also it appeareth evidently, and followeth, that all the issue, and children of the said King Edward be Ba∣stards, and unable to inherit, or claim any thing by inheritance by the Law, and custom of England.

Moreover, we consider how that afterwards by the three Estates of this Realm assembled in Parliament, holden at Westminster, An∣no 17. of the reign of the said King Edward the fourth, he then being in possession of the Crown, and royal Estate, by Act made in the same Parliament, George Duke of Clarence, brother to the King Edward now deceased, was convicted, and attainted of High Treason, as in the said Act is contained more at large; because, and by reason whereof, all the issue of the said George was, and is disabled, and barred of all right and claim, that in any case they might have, or challenge by inheritance, to the Crown and Dignity royal of this Realm, by the antient Laws and Customs of this same Realm.

Over this, we consider, that you be the undoubted heir of Ri∣chard Duke of York, very inheritor of the said Crown, and dignity royal, and as in right King of England by way of Inheritance; And that at this time the premises duely considered, there is none other person living but you onely, that may claim the said Crowne and Dignity royal, by way of Inheritance, and how that you be born within this Land; by reason whereof, as we deem in our minds, you be more naturally inclined to the prospe∣rity and common-weal of the same, And all the three Estates of the Land have, and may have more certain knowledge of your birth, and filiation aforesaid. We consider also th•• great Wit, Prudence, Justice, Princely courage, and the memorable and lau∣dable acts in divers battels, which as we by experience know you heretofore have done, for the defence, and salvation of this Realm•• and also the great noblenesse and excellency of your birth, and bloud, as of him that is descended of the three most royal houses of Christendome, that is to say, England, France, and Spain. Wherefore these premises duly by us considered, we desiring ef∣fectually the peace, tranquillity, and weal publique of this Land,

and the reduction of the same to the antient honourable estate, and prosperity; And having in your great prudent Justice, Princely courage, and excellent vertue, singular confidence; have cho∣sen in all that in us is, and by that our Writing choose you high and mighty Prince, our King and Soveraign Lord, &c. to whom we know of certain it appertaineth of Inheritance so to be cho∣sen. And hereupon we humbly desire, pray, and require your most Noble grace, that according to this election of us the•• Three Estates of your Land, as by inheritance; you will accept, and take upon you the said Crown and royal dignity, with all things there∣unto annexed, and appertaining, as to you of right belonging, as well by inheritance as by lawfull election; and in case you so do, we promise to assist and serve your Highnesse, as true, and faithfull Subjects and Liege-men, and to live and dye with you in this matter, and in every other just quarrel; for certainly we be determined rather to adventure and commit us to the peril of our lives, and jeopardy of death, than to live in such thraldom and bondage as we have done long time heretofore, op∣pressed and injured by Extortions, and new Impositions, against the Law of God, and Man, and the liberties, and old policy, and Laws of this Land, wherein every Englishman is inherited. Our Lord God King of all Kings, by whose infinite goodnesse, and e∣ternal providence, all things been principally governed in this world, lighten your Soul, and grant you grace to do as well in this matter as in all other, that which may be according to his will and pleasure; and to the common and publique weal of this Land. So that after great clouds, troubles, storms, and tempests, the Sun of Justice and of Grace may shine upon us, to the joy and comfort of all true-hearted English men.

Albeit that the right, title and estate which our Soveraign Lord King Richard the Third hath to, and in the Crown and roy∣al dignity of this Realm of England, with all things thereunto within the same Realm, and without it annexed and appertain∣ing, been just and lawfull, as grounded upon the Laws of God and Nature, and also upon the antient Laws and laudable Cu∣stoms of this said Realm; And also taken, and reputed by all such persons, as been learned in the abovesaid Lawes and Customs.

Yet neverthelesse, for as much as it is considered, that the most part of the people is not sufficiently learned in the abovesaid Laws and Customs, whereby the truth and right in this behalf of likelihood may be hid, and not clearly known to all the people, and thereupon put in doubt, and question. And over this, how that the Court of Parliament is of such authority, and the peo∣ple of this Land of such a nature and disposition as experience teacheth, that manifestation and declaration of any truth or right, made by the Three estates of this Realm assembled in Parliament, and by authority of the same, maketh before all other things, most

faith, and certain quieting of mens minds, and removeth the oc∣casion of doubts, and seditious language.

Therefore, at the request, and by the assent of the Three E∣states of this Realm, that is to say, the Lords Spiritual and Tem∣poral, and Commons of this Land assembled in this present Par∣liament, and by authority of the same, be it pronounced, decreed, and declared, that our said Soveraign Lord the King was, and is the very undoubted King of this Realm of England, with all things thereunto within the same Realm, and without it, united, annex∣ed, and appertaining, as well by right of consanguinity and inhe∣ritance, as by lawfull election, consecration and Coronation.

And over this, that at the request, and by the assent and autho∣rity abovesaid; be it ordained, enacted, and established, that the said Crown, and royal dignity of this Realm, and the Inheri∣tance of the same, and all other things therunto within this realm, or without it, united and annexed, and now appertaining, rest and bide in the person of our said Soveraign Lord the King, during his life, and after his decease in his heirs of his body begotten, in especial at the request, and by assent, and the authority a∣foresaid, be it ordained, enacted, established, pronounced, de∣creed and declared, that the high and excellent Prince Edward, Son of our said Lord the King, be heir apparent of the same our Soveraign Lord the King, to succeed to him in the abovesaid Crown and royal dignity, with all things (as is aforesaid) there∣unto united, annexed, and appertaining, to have them after the decease of our said Soveraign Lord the King, to him, and to the heirs of his body lawfully begotten.

Quae quidem Billa Communibus Regni Angliae in dicto Parliamento exi∣stentibus transportata fuit, cui quidem Billae idem Communes assensum su∣um praebuerunt sub hiis verbis: A ceste Bille les Communs sont as∣sentes; quibus quidem Billa & assensu coram Domino Rege in Parlia∣mento praedicto, lectis, auditis, & plene intellectis, & de assensu Domino∣rum Spiritualium & Temporalium in dicto Parliamento similiter existenti∣um, & Communitatis praedictae; nec non authoritate ejusdem Parliamenti pronunciatum, decretum, & declaratum existit, omnia, et singula in Billa praedicta contenta fore vera et indubia, ac idem Dominus Rex, de assensu dictorum trium Statuum Regni, & authoritate praedicta, omnia & singula praemissa in billa praedicta content•• concedit, & ea pro vero & indubio pronunciat, decernit, & de∣clarat.

Notes

• Things done and concluded without the 3. estates in Parl: give little or no sa∣tisfaction to the People, though in the name of the Parl. and 3. Esta••.
• The Parliaments Confirmation.
• The 3. Estates must concurr to make a Pa••l else his Title would neither be valid, nor satis∣factory, but ambigu∣ous, as before: No one or two of them being a full or real Pa••l•• but all con∣joyned.
• The new device of this Bloudy Usur∣per, to intitle him∣self to the Crown of England, and take upon him the Regal Govern∣ment.
• Good Counsellors.
• Administration of Justice.
• Merchandise, and Trade.
• Merchants.

  Artificers.
• Adulation.
• Avarice.
• Ill Counsel.
• Laws Confounded.
• Edward the 4. his Mariage blemished.
• Laws perverted.
• Liberties and Laws every English mans Inheritance.

  Arbitrary Govern∣ment.

  Force.
• Its mischievous Fruits.
• Murders.
• Extortions.
• Oppressions.
• Incertainty of Mens lives and Estates.
• Discords. Warrs.
• Nobles bloud de∣stroyed.
• Kings Mariage without the Lords assent, and by sor∣cery and witchcraft.
• Void Mariage.
• Private Mariage in a Chamber.
• Precontract.
• Edward the 4th his ungodly dispo∣sition.
• His Children ille∣gitimate, and Bastards.
• The Duke of Cla∣rence attainted by Parliament.
• His issue therby not inheritable and un∣capable to claim the Crown.
• Richard the 3. de∣clared undoubted heir to the Crown.
• An Englishman by birth.
• His pretended ver∣tue; and ••itness to reign as King; without one word of his desperate Treasons, Regi∣••••des, Murders, Hypocrisy, & other V••c••s.
• His valour in bat∣tel.
• His honourable and royal birth.
• His election by the 3. States & this Instrument to be King of England.
• They make his hereditary Title, the ground of their Choice.
• Their Petitition and importunity to him, to accept of the Crown, though himself most eagerly thirsted after it.
• His hereditary right thereto, seconded by their election.
• Their promise to assist, serve, & obey him, upon his accep∣tance thereof, as his Subjects, and to live and dye with him.
• Their pretended great Thraldom, Bondage, Oppressi∣ons, &c. under his Predecessors.
• Extortions.
• New Impositions a∣gainst Laws and Li∣berties.

  Nota.
• Their prayer for him.

  Great Trouble (oc∣casioned partly by himself.)
• Justice.
• Richard the 3. His hereditary Title to the Crown by the Law of God and Nature.
• The Lawyers star∣ter, and approve his Title.

  The Common peo∣ple ignorant in the Laws.
• The Parl•• author••ty with the people, when true, free, and real, consisting of the 3. Estates.
• Its Declaration qui∣••teth all mens minds, removeth all doubts & seditions. yet he that con••iders 39 H. 6. n. 8. to 33. 1 E. 4. n. 8. to 40. will scarce believe this for a truth, nei∣ther proved it so in his own case.
• The 3. Estates must all concurr to make a Parliament, and valid Election.
• They decree and declare him un∣doubted King of this Realm, by in∣heritance and their lawful election coupled together.
• The Crown setled & entailed on him, and the heirs of his body.
• His Son declared heir apparent.
• Here he creats & ratifies his own Ti∣tle.