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 ...

Petitions of the Commons, with their Answers.

[unspec 40]

That the liberties of the Church,* 1.1 the Great Charter, and the Charter of the Forrest may be maintained.

The King granteth thereto.* 1.2

[unspec 41] The Commons of the Dutchy of Cornwall shew how by the taking up of their Mariners lately,* 1.3 the Spaniards burned all their ships, and otherwise much endammaged them. The like complaint made at the Sea-coasts, and therefore prayen remedy.* 1.4

[unspec 42] The King by the advice of his Council will provide remedy there∣fore. * 1.5

That every Disseisin may maintain his Assise against the principal Disseisor,* 1.6 albeit they make over Feoffments to others in maintenance.

The Statute made therefore in the last Parliament shall be kept.

[unspec 45] The Print touching Riots and Routs,* 1.7 cap. 7. agreeth with the Record.

They pray remedy, for that sundry men without any cause are called into the Exchequer to account for sweet Wines and Scotish money.* 1.8

* 1.9The King will cause the Officers to see the same amended.

[unspec 46] * 1.10They require remedy against the Extortions of Ordinaries for Pro∣bate of Testaments, and against the slights of false Summoners there uttered, unless the poor do bribe them with money, which they call the Bishops Arms.

[unspec 47] * 1.11Let declaration be made that the old Laws do not provide therefore, and remedy shall be found.

* 1.12That declarations may be made in what sort men shall pay tythe of their Wood.

As it hath heretofore been used.

That men may enjoy their Purlieus freely,* 1.13 and that perambulations may be made as was in time of King Henry.

[unspec 49] * 1.14The King thinketh that the perambulations be duly made, and who will may complain, and shall be heard.

* 1.15That no man by Writ or otherwise be to answer of his Freehold be∣fore the Council, but only at the Common Law.

* 1.16No man shall be forced to answer finally thereunto, provided that all persons shall answer before the Council of oppressions.

[unspec 50] That the poorer sort of Justices of Peace in every Shire may be removed,* 1.17 and more able in their place.

[unspec 51] * 1.18The Chancellor, Treasurer, and other of the Kings Council shall in such cases appoint the most able.

[unspec 52] * 1.19It is enacted, that no Justice shall stay Justice for any Writ of the great or Privie Seal, or other commandment whatsoever, the same be∣ing against the Law or Statutes before that time made.

* 1.20It is enacted, that all Cities and Corporations may have their liberties confirmed according to the grant of the last Parliament.

[unspec 53] * 1.21That all Patents of Farms as well of Denizens as Aliens, may be confirmed,* 1.22 and not repealed.

[unspec 54] * 1.23 The King granteth, but where there are Extents duly returned, or for other reasonable causes.

[unspec 55] That all small Merchandises shall be carried to Callice,* 1.24 except as is contained 1 R. 2. tit. 36.

That the Justices of the Kings Bench for the delivery of prisoners,* 1.25 may have power to grant Nisi prius without Writs of the Chancery,* 1.26 or the Privy seal.

As it hath been, it shall be used.

[unspec 56] * 1.27It is enacted, that no Escheator shall remain Escheator in the Office above three years.

[unspec 57] They pray that all Lords holding as well of the King, as of other Nobles, may contribute to the payment of knights fees of the Parlia∣ment.* 1.28 See the next Parliament, tit. 43.

* 1.29It shall be as heretofore.

[unspec 58] That all Sheriffs upon their Accompts may be allowed for such li∣berties as have been granted to any person according to the rate of his or their Fee farm.* 1.30

* 1.31The Lords during the Kings minority cannot so deal,* 1.32 but they will understand of the case whereby remedy shall be provided.

[unspec 59] The Commons of Essex and Hartford-shire pray, that the Sheriff of the same may yearly be discharged of One hundred pounds,* 1.33 parcel of his Fee-farm, which for certain causes there expressed he cannot levy.

The King of his meer good will hath pardoned them an hundred marks yearly for three Quarters ensuing.* 1.34

[unspec 60] The Print touching Labourers,* 1.35 cap. 8. agreeth with the Record.

[unspec 61] Divers Towns upon the Marches of Wales pray that they may not be distrained or impeached in Wales,* 1.36 but where they are Debtors, Su••tors or Trespassors.

The King and the Lords of the Marches will provide remedy therefore.* 1.37

[unspec 62] They require that the Justices of the Peace may be allowed some certain Fees.* 1.38

Two or three of the Justices,* 1.39 such as shall hold the Sessions,* 1.40 shall be only for one year, and receive the sixth part of the profits of those Sessions.

[unspec 63] It is enacted, that the Statute made in the 14. year of Edw. 3. cap. 5. touching taking away of delays,* 1.41 shall be observed.

[unspec 64] The Commons of the County of Kent pray,* 1.42 that remedy may be had for the better keeping of the Sea-coasts; so as the Nobles having great part of the same, they may contribute thereto.

The King by advice of his Council will provide remedy.* 1.43

[unspec 65] Divers Counties bordering upon Severn,* 1.44 require that the Statute made against Kidels, Stauks, and Stakes raised upon Rivers, be executed.

It liketh the King.

[unspec 66] It is enacted,* 1.45 that no man shall be put out of his Freehold by any Letters-Patents granted upon suggestions,* 1.46 unless the same be found for the King by Enquest, or by Evidence in the Kings Court.

[unspec 67] That some remedy may be found against the taking of sundry mens ships,* 1.47 whereby they have been spoiled, to the utter decay of the whole Navy.

The King will therefore make the best provision he may.* 1.48

[unspec 68] That remedy may be provided against the Barks and Ballingers of Normandy upon the North parts of Tyne,* 1.49 and thereby taking and spoil∣ing divers and sundry English Boats since the last Truce.

The King by advice will provide remedy.* 1.50

[unspec 69] That remedy may be had against such Labourers,* 1.51 as to avoid the same slee into Cities or Towns, and there become Clerks or Artificers.

The King will herein do his best.* 1.52

[unspec 70] That some order may be taken touching Aliens,* 1.53 having the greatest part of the Church dignities in their hands.

The King by advice of the Lords will provide therefore.* 1.54

[unspec 71] It is enacted, that all Cardinals to Pope Urban that now is,* 1.55 shall be seised into the Kings hands.

[unspec 72] The Commons of the Isle of Wight pray remedy,* 1.56 for that most of the Inhabitants, by loss of Enemies, and payments, have forsaken the same Isle.* 1.57

The King will do his best.

[unspec 73] It is enacted, that all the Statutes made in the time of E. 3. shall be observed.* 1.58

[unspec 74] [unspec 75] The Statute touching Merchant-strangers to sell their Ware within any Port of the Realm,* 1.59 and in the Book cap. 1. is so bemouldred and defaced, as much of the Record wanteth.

[unspec 76] * 1.60The Record touching Merchant-strangers in the Book cap. 3. in like sort much impaired.

* 1.61The print touching Mariners, cap. 4. agreeth with the Record.

[unspec 77] * 1.62An Act, that Pope Urban was true and lawful Pope; and that the Livings of all Cardinals and other Rebels to the said Pope shall be seised in the Kings hands,* 1.63 and the King to be answered of the profits thereof; And that whosoever within this Realm shall procure or obtain any provision or other instrument from any other Pope then the said Urban, shall be out of the Kings protection.

[unspec 79] It is enacted, that from henceforth the Officers of London shall not exact or demand of any the Clergy or Lawyers of this Realm,* 1.64 Justices, Sergeants, or other learned in the Law, or otherway, who lie in London, and not make their continual abode there, any Tenths or Fifteens, or other Taxes for any their goods there remaining. Look 3 R. 2. tit. 46.

[unspec 80] It is enacted, that the Town of Yarmouth shall have their old liberties confirmed,* 1.65 with their liberty of their Fair of Herring within the same Town, and with the rod Kingly in such wise as King E. 3. did by his Charter to them lastly granted, with the Clause of Licet, without any Fine paying; so as all manner of men, as well Denizens as Strangers, may freely buy and sell Herring within the same Town during the said Fair freely, notwithstanding the Repeal lately made.

* 1.66And it is to be noted, that Statute cap. 5. touching Tellers of News of Noblemen or Councellors, is not in the Record, nor any mention thereof. Quod nota.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Churches li••er∣••es, Magna Charta, &••.
• * 1.2

  Answ.
• * 1.3

  Cornnwal, Mariners, Ships, Spaniards.
• * 1.4

  Answ.
• * 1.5

  Councel.
• * 1.6

  A••••ise, Diss••••s••r.

  [unspec 43] Answ.
• * 1.7

  Riots and R••u••s.
• * 1.8

  Exchequ••e•••• Account•• Sweet Wines, Scottish money.
• * 1.9

  Answ.
• * 1.10

  Ordinaries ex∣tortions, Probate of Wills, Summoners, Bribes.
• * 1.11

  Answ.
• * 1.12

  Tythe-wood.

  [unspec 48] Answ.
• * 1.13

  Purlieus, Perambulations, Forrests.
• * 1.14

  Answ.
• * 1.15

  Freehold, Council, Common-Law.
• * 1.16

  Answ.

  Oppressions.
• * 1.17

  Justices of Peace.
• * 1.18

  Answ.
• * 1.19

  Justice not to be stayed, Great and Privy-seal.
• * 1.20

  Corporations, Liberties.
• * 1.21

  Patents confirmed
• * 1.22

  Answ.
• * 1.23

  Extents.
• * 1.24

  Merchandises, Callice.
• * 1.25

  Justices of Kings Bench, Prisoners, Nisi prius, Writs.
• * 1.26

  Answ.

  Common-Law.
• * 1.27

  Escheator.
• * 1.28

  Knights wages, Contribution.
• * 1.29

  Answ.
• * 1.30

  Sheriff•• Accounts, Liberties, Fee-farm.
• * 1.31

  Answ.
• * 1.32

  Kings minority,
• * 1.33

  Sheriff•• disc〈◊〉〈◊〉 Fee-farm.
• * 1.34

  Answ.

  Pardon.
• * 1.35

  Labourers.
• * 1.36

  Marches of Wales, Wales, Distress.
• * 1.37

  Answ.

  Lords Marchers.
• * 1.38

  Justices of Peace ••ees.
• * 1.39

  Answ.
• * 1.40

  Sessions.
• * 1.41

  Delayes.
• * 1.42

  Kent, Sea-coasts, Nobles, Contribution.
• * 1.43

  Answ.

  Kings Counci••.
• * 1.44

  Severn, Nusances.
• * 1.45

  Answ.
• * 1.46

  Freehold outed, Letters-Patents, I••quests.
• * 1.47

  Ships taking, Navies decay.
• * 1.48

  Answ.
• * 1.49

  Sea-guarding, Pyrates and Ene∣mies, Shipping.
• * 1.50

  Answ.
• * 1.51

  Labourers.
• * 1.52

  Answ.
• * 1.53

  Aliens.
• * 1.54

  Answ.

  Lords advice.
• * 1.55

  Cardinals, Pope Vrban.
• * 1.56

  Isle of Wight, Damages.
• * 1.57

  Answ.
• * 1.58

  Statutes to be kept.
• * 1.59

  Merchant-strangers.
• * 1.60

  Merchant-strangers.
• * 1.61

  Mariners.
• * 1.62

  Pope Vrban de∣clared lawful Pope by Act of Parliament.
• * 1.63

  Cardinals lands and goods seised, Provision, Praemunire.
• * 1.64

  London, Exactions, Quindesms, Clergy, Lawyers, Justices, Sergeants, Taxes, Residence.
• * 1.65

  Yarmouth, Liberties, Herring Fair, Free-trade, Herring.
• * 1.66

  News.