Kingdoms, over the Liberties, Estates, and Laws of his Majesties Subjects; and likewise for having by his own Authority commanded the laying and assessing of Souldiers upon his Majesties Subjects in Ireland, against their consent, to compel them to obey his un∣lawful Commands and Orders, made upon Paper-peti∣tions, in Causes, between party and party, which ac∣cordingly was executed upon divers of his Majesties Subjects, in a War-like manner within the said Realm of Ireland; and in so doing, did Levy War against the King's Majesty and his Liege-people in that King∣dom. And also for that he upon the unhappy Disso∣lution of the last Parliament, did slander the House of Commons to his Majesty, and did counsel and advise his Majesty, that he was loose and absolved from Rules of Government, and that he had an Army in Ireland, which he might employ to reduce this Kingdom; for which he deserves to undergo the pains and Forfeitures of High Treason.
And the said Earl hath been also an Incendiary of the Wars between the two Kingdoms of England and Scotland, all which offences have been suf∣ficiently proved against the said Earl upon his Impeach∣ment.
Be it therefore Enacted by the King's most Excel∣lent Majesty, and by the Lords and Commons in this present Parliament Assembled, and by Authority of the same, that the said Earl of Strafford, for the hainous Crimes and Offences aforesaid, stand and be adjudged and attainted of High Treason, and shall suffer such pain of death, and incur the Forfeitures of his Goods and Chattels, Lands, Tenements, and Hereditaments of any estate of Free-hold or Inheri∣tance in the said Kingdoms of England and Ireland, which the said Earl, or any other to his use, or in trust for him, have or had the day of the first sitting of this present Parliament, or at any time since.
Provided that no Judge or Judges, Justice or Ju∣stices whatsoever, shall adjudge or interpret any Act or thing to be Treason, nor hear or determine any Treason, nor in any other manner than he or they should or ought to have done before the making of this Act, and as if this Act had never been had, or made. Serving alwaies unto all and singular persons and bo∣dies politique and corporal their Heirs and Succes∣sors, (others than the said Earl and his Heirs, and such as claim by, from or under him) all such right, title and Interest, of, in and to all and singular such of the said Lands, Tenements, and Hereditaments, as he, they, or any of them, had before the first day of this present Parliament, any thing herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding.
Provided that the passing of this present Act, and his Majesties assent thereunto, shall not be any deter∣mination of this present Sessions of Parliament, and all Bills and matters whatsoever depending in Parlia∣ment, and not fully enacted and determined; And all Statutes and Acts of Parliament, which have their continuance until the end of this present Session of Par∣liament, shall remain, continue, and be in force, as if this Act had not been.
His Majesty had been present at this great trial from first to last, and was not satisfied of the Earl's guilt, as to any matters of Treason; of Misdemeanours he would not acquit him, and therefore on the first of May, he called both the Houses together, and declared himself as fol∣lows: