The Commission of Array was as fol∣loweth:
CHARLES by the Grace of God, King of England, Scotland, &c. to our most dear Cousins Henry Earl of Huntingdon, and William Earl of Devonshire; and also to our be∣loved and trusty, Henry Hastings Esquire, Son of the said Earl of Huntingdon; Henry Bark∣ley, George Villiers, Thomas Burton, Baronets; Henry Shipwith, &c. Knights▪ Henry Hasting of Humberton, &c. Esquires; and the Sheriff of our Cuunty of L. for the time being, greet∣ing. Know ye, that we willing to take care and provide for the safety and defence of Our Self and Kingdom, and our Lieges thereof, ac∣cording as our duty is, and by God's good fa∣vour resolving to resist the malice of our ene∣mies, if they shall presume to invade this our Realm of England: Have appointed you, or any three or more of you, to Array and Train all and every person and persons in Arms, Bow∣men, &c. dwelling within your said County, with Liberties and without; and that you cause to be Armed all such as are able of body, and fit to bear them, who have of their own where∣with to Arm themselves, viz. every one ac∣cording to his Estate or condition, to rate and proportion according to your advice and dis∣cretion, or of any three of you; and to di∣strain all those who have Lands and Possessions, and through debility of body are unable for Service, causing them to find according to the quality of their Lands and Goods, what Arms conveniently and reasonably (saving their condition) they can bear; and to pro∣vide men at Arms, armed but with Bows and Arrows, so that they who shall stay and con∣tinue at their own home in their County for the defence of this our Kingdom against our enemies, shall receive no wages nor expences for this their stay at home aforesaid: and that you likewise dispose and cause to be disposed the said men so Armed and Arrayed, into Regi∣ments, Troops, and Companies, or other Di∣visions as you shall see convenient. And we have assigned you, or any three or more of you, whereof you the said Earl of Huntingdon, and in your absence you the said Earl of Devon∣shire, or you Henry Hastings, son of the said Earl of Huntingdon, to be one of the said men at Arms, and Bow-men, so Arrayed and Train∣ed, as well to the Sca-Coasts as to any other places, where, and as often, and as need shall require, to expel, overcome and destroy our said enemies, from time to time, in any eminent peril, to command and lead. And we have likewise Commissionated you or any three or more of you, to cause Muster or Musters of the said men so Armed and Arrayed to be made, and to supervise them, as oft as occasion shall require.
And also to proclaim, ordain, and diligent∣ly examine, and see that all, and every such men at Arms, armed men, and Bow-men in such Musters, be armed with their own, and not others Weapons, upon penalty of losing them; those only excepted who are to be armed at the Charge of others. And to Arrest, take, and in our Prisons to put all, and every of those who in this behalf you shall find enemies or Rebels, and to continue them in such Prisons until they shall be thence delivered by Law. And therefore, as straightly as we can, upon your Faith and Allegiance which you owe us, we enjoyn and command you, that forthwith upon the sight of these presents, that in the best and safest manner you can, you Arm and Ar∣ray your selves; and that before you at certain daies and places which you shall judge most convenient and expedient, and of least hin∣drance to our people, you cause all men dwel∣ling in your County by whom the Array and Arming may be best effected and compleated, to be called and come together, there and then to be Arrayed and Armed; and them so Ar∣rayed and Armed, to keep in the same Array. And furthermore, that you cause Beacons to be set up in the usual places, by which the several Counties may in fit time be fore-armed against the coming of our Enemies. And the same men so Arrayed and Armed in eminent danger,