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 ...

The Devises of the Commons,* 1.1 exhibited in a Schedule.

[unspec 19]

[unspec 20] First, that there may be appointed about the Kings person the most sage and approved wise men in the Court••* 1.2 the like Officers for the well governance of both.

That the most wise and able man in the Realm may be chosen Chan∣cellor,* 1.3 and that he seek to redress the enormities of the Chancery.

That the like order may be of the Treasurer,* 1.4 Barons, and Officers of the Exchequer.

[unspec 22] That the like be made touching all the Justices of both Benches;* 1.5 and that in th••s year two Justices, two Serjeants, and four Apprentices of the Law may be sworne to declare the delay and defects of the Law, and that the same may be remedied.

[unspec 23] That upon the accomplishment hereof, the Commons may view the names of the persons,* 1.6 and see the Ordinances before the confirming of them.

[unspec 24] The provision may be made for observing of the peace, and re∣pressing of such tumults as late were.* 1.7

[unspec 25] That remedy may be had against importable losses of the Commons and Realm, sustained by the Wars.

[unspec 26] That due consideration may be had of the great poverty within the Realm fallen by the Wars,* 1.8 carrying forth of good money,* 1.9 and base money now remaining, and by the low prices of Wooll,* 1.10 Tin, and Lead.

[unspec 27] That all Lords and Nobles,* 1.11 upon these Ordinances made, will help them to be severally executed on all Estates; and that it would please the King to grant a Pardon general, according to a Petition before made.

[unspec 28] Whereupon certain of the chief Clerks of the Chancery, certain Justices, Barons of the Exchequer•• and others learned in the Law,* 1.12 were appointed to consult thereon, and to present to the Lords their devises. And also there were appointed certain Merchants to declare the causes of the low prices of our commodities, carrying over of our money, washing and clipping of the same.

[unspec 29] All which made report accordingly to the Lords and Commons; * 1.13 whereof remedy was provided in part, viz. touching the Exchequer, and Merchants, and defaults of the Chancery, if any there were.

[unspec 30] After this, the Commons required of the King three manner of Pardons to be confirmed by Parliament,* 1.14 viz. The first touching Nobles and Gentlemen, which in resisting of Traitors and rebellious Villains, slew certain persons without due process of Law. The second for such as were of those rebellious companies. The third for such as lived in peace without any rising; which was granted.

The Pardon for Nobles and Gentlemen.* 1.15

[unspec 35] [unspec 32] The Pardons of the Rebels being out of the Towns of Canterbury, * 1.16 Bury S. Edmonds, Beverley, Scarborough, Bridgwater, and Cambridge, except such persons whose names appear hereafter, being the principal

and Ringleaders of the Rebels; except Provers and Appealers of Treason and Felonies, and except such as slew Simon Archbishop of Canterbury late Chancellor,* 1.17 the Prior of S. Iohns then Treasurer, and Iohn de Cavendish Chief Justice of the Kings Bench; so as all men endamaged by such insurrection be not foreclosed of their due remedy.* 1.18

[unspec 33] * 1.19The Pardon for such as lived in due obeisance, as free from that in∣surrection.

[unspec 34] * 1.20The Commons after came into the Parliament, where before the King they made a recapitulation of their former requests, and require now to have the same framed and fashioned out, and namely of the Ordinance against Purveyors.

[unspec 35] Thereto was replied by the King, That his charges were great as well for sundry particularities he uttered,* 1.21 as like to be greater for the so∣lemnity of the Kings marriage with the Lady Anne, the daughter of the late mighty Prince Charls Emperor of Rome, the which Lady was newly come into the Realm; the tenth part of which charges the King had not in treasure or otherwise; and that therefore it was as necessary to provide for the safety of the Kings estate,* 1.22 as for the Common weal.

[unspec 36] * 1.23The Commons answered, That considering the Subjects evil wills, they durst grant no Tax. Then was required of them the continuance of the Subsidies of Woolls and other Staple-wares: Whereto was an∣swered, that the Commons were not thereof advised.

[unspec 37] The Commons then thought good to have the Parliament adjourned until after Christmas,* 1.24 for that the same Feast approached, and that in the mean time they might be further advised of every particular point. Wherewith the King seemed to be content, and the rather for that the Queen was arrived.

[unspec 38] At this time, the Earl of Arundel and Sir Michael de la Poole were chosen and sworne to be about the Kings person for Council in govern∣ing him.* 1.25

[unspec 39] The Commons then require the sight of the Pardons granted. Thereto was answered, that such was not the guise; but that the Com∣mons should make petition for such Pardon in writing,* 1.26 and that the King the last day of the Parliament should answer the same. And further it was said, that the King used not to grant any thing to the Commons,* 1.27 unless they also granted to him. The Commons answered,* 1.28 that of the grant of the Subsidies of Wooll and other Staple-wares they would be advised: And it was answered for the King,* 1.29 that he would so be of any Pardon.

[unspec 40] * 1.30The Commons being somwhat better advised, came before and considering as well the Kings great charges, as fearing lest by the continual grants of the Subsidy of Woolls the same would grow in cu∣stom, and so be challenged by the King as of right; for avoiding where∣of, the Lords and Commons granted to the King the like Subsidy of Woolls and Staple-wares as lastly was granted,* 1.31 from the Feast of the Circumcision of our Lord then ensuing, until Candlemas then follow∣ing

so as the space between Christmas and the Circumcision, should be [unspec 41] an interruption to the Kings claim aforesaid, if it were attempted.

[unspec 42] Whereupon were openly read the pardons granted,* 1.32 whereof the Commons were greatly joyous, and gave the King thanks.

A goodly President of a Commission granted by Parliament for stay of Riots,* 1.33 Insurrections, and Rebellions.

[unspec 43] [unspec 44] The Mainprisors of Sir Ralph Ferrens knight, expressed in the last Parliament, tit. 24. bring forth, and desire to be discharged of their Mainprize,* 1.34 and Sir Ralph being received into the Kings protection, and so set at large,* 1.35 Richard Clynedon Esquire, by his Bill exhibited to the King in Parliament, accuseth Sir William Cogan knight,* 1.36 for that the said Sir William with other his accomplices of the Town of Bridge∣water should by menaces extort of the Prior of S. Iohn of Ierusalem the sum of two hundred pound for, and in the name of a Fine, and one hundred pound by Obligation, the which he offereth to try by the Combate with the said Sir William.

[unspec 45] The same Sir William being in Parliament requireth Councel for that he was unlearned,* 1.37 the which was denied, for the case touched Treason; whereupon after advice with certain of his friends, he in per∣son making request that he might at any time correct and amend any his answers, pleaded not culpable, and to be tried by his County, whereupon in the end of the Parliament both parties were adjourned before the Justices of the Common Law, for what attained to the Law.

[unspec 46] The Major,* 1.38 Bailiffs, and Commonalty of Cambridge were accused for that they in the late tumults, and uproars, confederates with other mis-doers, brake up the Treasury of the University of Cambridge, and there took and burned sundry of the Charters of the University, and also compelled the Chancellor and Schollers of the said University under their common Seal to release to the said Major and Burgesses all manner of Liberties, and also all actions reall and personal, and further to be bound to them in great sums of money, whereupon it was agreed in form following:

That one Writ should be directed to the Major,* 1.39 Bailiffs, and Com∣monalty (that now were) to appear in the Parliament, and to answer, the form whereof doth there appear.

[unspec 47] And that another Writ in form aforesaid should be directed to the Ma∣jor, * 1.40 and Bailiffs (that then were) the form whereof doth there also appear.

[unspec 48] The Major and Bailiffs (which then were) appeared in proper person, * 1.41 and pleaded not guilty in writing thereunto, the Commonalty by their Attornies appeared at the day.

[unspec 49] The Major and Bailiffs (that before were) appeared also in proper per∣son, and the said Major answered,* 1.42 that he was not privie to any such act, but only by the compulsion of the other, if any thing were therein done, the which the learned Councel did disprove.

[unspec 50] The Burgesses of Cambridge delivered into the Parliament the said two deeds,* 1.43 sealed by the Chancellor and Schollers.

[unspec 51] That one deed containing a release of all Liberties and Priviledges * 1.44

with a bond of Three thousand pounds, to release all such suits against the said Burgesses.

[unspec 52] * 1.45The other was a Release of all Actions real and personal, as there doth appear.

[unspec 53] * 1.46After the restitution and redelivering of which two Deeds, they both were commanded to be cancelled for the causes aforesaid.

[unspec 54] After that, the Chancellor and Scholars aforesaid by way of Petition,* 1.47 and in form of sundry Articles exhibited, shewed the beginning and whole discourse of the Mayor and Bailiffs doings largely, there con∣tained.

[unspec 55] Upon reading of which Bill, it was demanded of the said Burgesses, what they could say wherefore their Liberties late by the King confirm∣ed,* 1.48 should not be seised into the Kings hands as forfeited? They re∣quire a Copy of the Bill, Council, and respite to answer.

[unspec 56] To the Copy of the Bill it was answered,* 1.49 That since they heard the same, it should suffice; for by Law they ought to have no Copy. To Council it was said, That wherein Council was to be had, it should: Wherefore they then were pointed to answer to no crime or offence, but only touching their Liberties.

[unspec 57] * 1.50After many dilatory shifts, the said Burgesses touching their Liberties only, in the end submitted themselves to the Kings mercy and grace, saving their answers to all other matters.

[unspec 58] The King thereupon by common consent of Parliament seised the said Liberties into his hands as forfeited.* 1.51

[unspec 59] And after granted to the Chancellor and Scholars aforesaid within the aforesaid Town of Cambridge and suburbs of the same,* 1.52 the affise, cognisance, and correction of Bread, all Weights, Measures, Regrators and Forestallers, with the Fines and Amerciaments of the same, yielding therefore yearly at the Exchequer Ten pounds, Vide R. 2. tit. 11.

[unspec 60] * 1.53And the rest of the Liberties he granted to the said Mayor and Bailiffs, yielding therefore yearly the Feefarm of An hundred and one marks, and Four marks of increase over and above the same, at the Exchequer aforesaid.

[unspec 61] William de Burcestor knight,* 1.54 and Margaret his wife, late the wife of Sir Bartholmew Burcester knight, sheweth by a long Bill, how Sir Thomas Hungerford knight was enfeoffed by the said Bartholmew of the Manor of High-Tresbury, Steart, and Colon in the County of Wilts, and of certain Lands in Wales, to the end a refeoffment should be made of the same to the said Bartholmew and Margaret, and the heirs of the said Bartholmew, and how by the Council of the said Thomas the same was done accordingly; and that the said Thomas should notwith∣standing inform the Lady le Dispencer, the daughter and heir of the said Bartholmew, that the said Bartholmew should be disseised of the premisses, and thereby should procure the said Lady to enter upon the premisses: And further, that the said Thomas had bought the Mannor of High-Tresbury of the said Lady, and therefore prayeth remedy.

[unspec 62] The same Sir Thomas upon warning cometh into the Parliament, and by his answer traverseth every point,* 1.55 and seemeth very well to avoid the same.

[unspec 63] The names of all such as were excepted out of the Pardon, being the principal Leaders of the late Insurrection,* 1.56 being many in number, but no Gentlemen or other of name.

[unspec 64] For that Christmas approached,* 1.57 for the preparation of the Queens Coronation and other weighty affairs, on the 15 of December the Par∣liament was adjourned untill the Friday next before the Convention of S. Paul then following.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Commons devises
• * 1.2

  Wise men to be appointed about th•• Kings person, Wise Officers.
• * 1.3

  Chancellor to be elected, Chanceries enor∣mities redressed.
• * 1.4

  Treasurer, Barons, Exchequer-Officers
• * 1.5

  Justices of both Benches, Serjeants &c.
• * 1.6

  Commons to view the Names and Ordinances, be∣fore confirmed.
• * 1.7

  Tumults sup∣pressed.
• * 1.8

  Realms great po∣verty by the wars.
• * 1.9

  Money exported, Base money.
• * 1.10

  Low price of Wools, Tin and Lead.
• * 1.11

  Lords and Nobles, Ordinances exe∣cuted, General Pardon desired.
• * 1.12

  Law regulated, Clerks of Chan∣c••ry, Justices, Barons of Ex∣chequer, Lawyers, Lords, &c.
• * 1.13

  Report to the Lords and Com∣mons, Exchequer.
• * 1.14

  Pardons required confirmed in Par∣liament.
• * 1.15

  Pardon.
• * 1.16

  Rebels pardon, Excepted person••
• * 1.17

  Archbishop slain, Treasurer slain, Chief Justice slain,
• * 1.18

  Due remedy.
• * 1.19

  Pardon for those who rose not.
• * 1.20

  Commons request Law-made, Ordinance against Purveyors.
• * 1.21

  Kings charges great, Kings marriage with Anne daughter to the Emperor Charls.
• * 1.22

  Aid for safety of the King, State, and Common wealth.
• * 1.23

  Peoples ill will, Commons dare not grant greater Taxes. Subsidy of Wooll and Staple-wares, Commons un∣advised.
• * 1.24

  Parliament ad∣journed till after Christmas, Further advice, Queens arrival.
• * 1.25

  Earl of Arundel, Sir Mic. de la Poole.
• * 1.26

  Custom of Parlia∣ment, Pardons.
• * 1.27

  King used not to grant ought to the Commons, till they granted something to him.
• * 1.28

  Commons answer, Subsidy delayed.
• * 1.29

  Kings answer, Pardons delayed.
• * 1.30

  Commons better advised,
• * 1.31

  Subsidy of Wools and Staple-wares granted with an interruption.
• * 1.32

  Pardons openly read, Commons thanks.
• * 1.33

  Commission by Parliament to stay Riots, Insurrecti∣ons, Rebellions.
• * 1.34

  Mainp••isors dis∣charged.
• * 1.35

  Enlargement•• Richard Cl••nd••n E••quire.
• * 1.36

  Bill of accusation, Sir William Coggan Menaces, Extortion•• Combate.
• * 1.37

  C••uncel desire in Par••iament•• de∣nied in Treason, A••swers amended Triall adjourned ••ou•• of Parliament before the Justi∣ces, Common Law,
• * 1.38

  Major and Com∣monalty of Cam∣bridge accused, Insurrection, Universities trea∣surie robbed, Universities Char∣ters, Chancellor and the Universities released by Duress, University Seal.
• * 1.39

  Writs to the M••jor and Com∣monalty of Cam∣bridge to appear and answer in Parliament.
• * 1.40

  A Writ to the Major and Bailiff,
• * 1.41

  They appear in proper person, The Commons appear by A••tor∣ney.
• * 1.42

  Not guilty plead∣ed by the Major.
• * 1.43

  Deeds redeliver∣ed, sealed, gotten by Duress.
• * 1.44

  R••lease of Liber∣ties &c. by Dur••••••.
• * 1.45

  Release of Acti∣ons.
• * 1.46

  Deeds by Duress cancelled.
• * 1.47

  Chancellor and Scholars Articles and Petition a∣gaints the Mayor and Bailiffs.
• * 1.48

  Their answer re∣quired, Liberties forfeited.
• * 1.49

  Copy of the Bill, and Council desired.
• * 1.50

  Submission to the Kings mercy.
• * 1.51

  Liberties of Cam∣bridge seised by consent of Parlia∣ment.
• * 1.52

  Priviledges and Liberties granted to the Chancellor and University of Cambridge.
• * 1.53

  Liberties granted to the Mayor and Bailiffs of Cam∣bridge.
• * 1.54

  Sir William de Bur∣cestor and Margaret his wise, their Bill of Complaint.
• * 1.55

  Traverse in Par∣liament of the Bill.
• * 1.56

  Principal Rebels excepted out of the Pardon by name.
• * 1.57

  Parliament ad∣journed, Christmas, Queen•• Coro∣nation.