The first part of a brief register, kalendar and survey of the several kinds, forms of all parliamentary vvrits comprising in 3. sections, all writs ... illustrated with choice, usefull annotations ... / by William Prynne ...

To the Ingenuous Readers, especi∣cially those of the Long Robe, and more Noble or Generous Eng∣lish Extraction.

THere are 5. grand Defects of very publike concernment, highly ten∣ding if not to the dishonor, yet certainly to the great disservice, prejudice of our Kingdom, Par∣liaments, great Officers of State, Nobility, Gentry, Nation, and more especially of the Professors and Profession of the municipall Laws, which I have for many years last past, not only much admired at, and exceedingly de∣plored, but also used my best endeavors to get supplied, so farr as there was ••ny probability to effect it.

The 1. is the irreparable losse of all the Par∣liament ••olls during the Reigns of our antient••••t Kings, from William the 1. till 5 E. 2. •• the first

Roll of that kind now extant) and of many o∣ther of those Rolls since, during the Reigns of Edw. 2. and 3. with the not publishing in Print those Parliamentary Rolls and Records yet extant by pub∣like Order, for the benefit of Posterity, to prevent their suppression, destruction, Embe∣zelling by fire, warr, casualties, t••e negligence, or present malice of some Iesuitical Furies, or il∣lit••rate Animals, instigated thereunto by Hugh Peters his misintituled Pamphlet, Good work for a good Magistrate, printed 1651. p. 96. Where after his proposal of a short new Modell for the Law, he sub∣joyns, This being done, I•• IS VERY ADVISA∣BLE TO BURN ALL THE OLD RECORDS, YEA EVEN THOSE IN THE TOWER, THE MONVMENTS OF TYRANNY: Which des∣perate bedlam advise of his, I havea 1.1 elsewhere at large refuted, as most pernicious to the publike, and to all Corporations and Landed men.

The 2. is the great want of an Exact Collection out of the Clause, Parliament, and Statu'e Rolls, of all Statutes, Ordinances and Acts of Parlia∣ment made before the use of Printing them im∣mediately after the Parliaments conclusion, or during their Sessions, came in fashion: all our Statutes at large, and the Abridgments of them, (even Ferdinando Pultons of Lincolns Inne Esq. the best & most refined) having sundryb 1.2 Spuri∣ous Impostures printed in them, under the Titles of Acts, Statutes, and Ordinances of Parliament, which in ver••ty are neither of them, but only particular Writs or Instuctions of the King to the Iustices and other Officers by advise of his Coun••l out of Parliament: Such are the St••∣tutes,

De circumspecte agatis, said to be made in 13. E. 1. (resolved to be no Statute, but made by the Pre∣lates alone. M. 19. E. 3. Fitz. Jur. 28.) The Statutes of Protections, Champerty, and Conspirators, in 33 E. 1. De conjunctim feoffatis, in 34 E. 1. Ne rector prosternat arbores in caemiterio, in 35 E. 1. The Statute for Knights, 1 E. 2. of Gavelet, 10 E. 2. with sundry others, as the very form, words, & penning of them demonstrate, being transcribed only out of the Clause or Patents not Parliament or Statute Rolls. Besides these there are some forged Acts and Statutes printed in these Sta∣tute Books not extant in the Statute Rolls that remain intire: yea, there are sundry misprisions in printed Statutes, varying both in form & substance from the Statute Rolls wherein they are recorded, omitting some material words and clauses, adding and altering o∣thers; most of the publishers of our Statutes taking them upon meer trust, as they found them transcribed by others, but never examining them by the Statute Rolls & Original Records, as is most apparent by their c 1.3 mistakes of the very times and dates of some Statutes, by their printing others of them without any date, as d 1.4 made during the reign of King H. 3. Ed. the 1. or 2. BUTUNCERTAIN WHEN, ORIN WHICH OF THEIR TIMES, & by the manifold variances between their Printed Books, and the Statute Rolls, of which I have given you a particular account in my Table to the E••act. Abridgement of the Records in the Tower; the Compiler whereof was mistaken in this, That the Statute of 2 R. 2. c. 5. touching tellers of News (or Lyes) of Noblemen, or Counsellors, is not in the Record, nor any mention thereof; it being recorded at large in French in the Statute Roll of the first Par∣liament that year, wherein it is printed, though not in the second, as I can attest upon my own view

of the Statute Roll it self. Besides these Impostures, and Variances, there are many useful Acts in the Parliament and Clause Rolls totally omitted out of all our Printed Statute-Books, some whereof I have heretofore published in my Irenarches Redivivus.

The 3. is the Grand deplorable Deficiency of such an Exact Chronological History of all the Great Councils, Synods, Parliaments of England, with their several Canons, Acts, Ordinances, Proceedings, as I have formerly mentioned in the Epistle to my Plea for the Lords, my Preface to an Exact Abridge∣ment of the Records in the Tower; and in a prin∣ted Title three year since, by which I endeavoured to promote it; which would supply all the three precedent Defects.

The 4. is the great lack of diligent faithfull Collections and Publications of all the choicest Records, Proclamations, Writs, Letters, Char∣ters, Patents, Commissions, &c. in the Tower, or elsewhere, which concern the Liberties and Pro∣perties of the Subject; The just antient Duties, Customs, Revenues, Jurisdictions of the Kings and Crown of England in times of Warre and peace; the Coin, Merchandize, Manufactures, Trade, Government, Navy, Forts, Militia of En∣gland and Ireland; and the Negotiations, Leagues, Treaties with forein States: or at leastwise the want of an Exact Table, Repertory to them, whereby they might be readily found out, and made u••e of upon all emergent occasions.

The 5. is a Compleat Register or Kalendar of all Parliamentary Writs extant in our Records, which those who have formerly written Discour∣ses touching our English Parliaments, were either

totally ignorant of, or not well acquainted with, or else took no care or pains at all to communicate to others, though the very foundations of all our Parliaments and their proceedings; The omis∣sion or ignorance whereof hath made most of their Treatises of this subject very imperfect, un∣satisfactory, and full of gross misprisions, which pass for current Truths.

It seemed very strange and monstrous to me, that none of our Kings, Parliaments, Great Offi∣cers of State, Nobles, but especially none of our reverend Iudges, learned Lawye••s, nor any of the M••sters of the Rolls (to whose beneficial Office, care, diligence, it most prope••ly appertained) in so large a tract of time since Printing first grew common, have not hitherto put to their own helping hands, nor incouraged others by Honorary Salaries, to supply these depl••rable, prejudicial Defects, (especially the 3. first) which so much concern the publike Government, Justice, Ho∣nor, welfare, Laws, Interest of the whole Eng∣lish Nation; when as forein Kings Parliaments, Statesmen, Lawyers, Advocates (especially in France, Spain, Germany, Denmark) have been very diligent and laborious in later ages, in searching out, transcribing, publishing to posterity all the Antiquities, Records, Councils, Parliaments, Laws, Edicts, Ordinances, Histories, Transacti∣ons of th••ir Predecessors, and encouraged their learnedest Scholars by great Offices, Honors, Sa∣laries, and bountiful rewards, to collections and publications of this Nature, to their eternal ho∣nor. VVhereupon I endeavoured the last long

Parliament by an Epistle to the Lords to excite them to contribute their best assistance towards the speedy Publication of all our Parliamentary Rolls and Records, profering my best endeavors to promote it; but I neither then nor since recei∣ved the least incouragement from them or others towards this beneficial publike undertaking, from which soon after I was both discouraged and disabled by near 3. years close Imprisonment in 3. remote Castles, under armed, strictest guards by Mr. Iohn Bradshaws and his Whitehall Associates warrant, without any accusation, hea∣ring, or particular cause either then or since ex∣pressed, of purpose to debarr me from publishing any thing of this Nature, or against their New Tyrannical usurpations, transcending all in former ages. After my enlargement from these 3. years expensive, as well as tedious restraints, (superad∣ded to my former Imprisonments and Losses un∣der the Prelates and Army-Officers,) I endeavored to revive this Heroick work, and to encourage all publike-Spirited Noblemen, Gentlemen, Lawyers to promote it; both by the publicati∣on of many unknown rare Records, in the second Part of my Demurrer to the Iews long discontinued Remitter into England; and Discoveries therein of the Vsefulness and excellency of our Records in general, and of those relating to our Parliaments, Laws, Liberties, Properties in particular: Since which, by a printed Paper, I proposed a way, how, in what manner, and by what time this usefull Design might probably be effected with no loss at all, but certain gain to those who

should contribute only 10 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a piece towards it, for a year or two at most, and should then cer∣tainly receive their principal again, together with Books in the interval amounting to treble the interest; which, though some of my friends to whom I communicated these papers, highly ap∣proved of, seeming forwards to contribute to∣wards it, yet I found such a general lukewar••nness, or rather absolute coldness (in others) really to advance it, as caused me totally to desist from any further prosecution thereof; Whereupon to supply those defects in some degree as much as in me lay, I did with no little pains and cost up∣on my own private account alone, (without the least assistance, contribution from any others) collect, compile, print and publish to the world, in the 3. First Parts of my Seasonable Historical Vin∣dication, and Chronological Collection of the good old Fundamental Liberties, Rights, Franchises, Laws 〈◊〉〈◊〉 all English Freemen; an Exquisite Epitome of all the Parliamentary Councils, Synods, and State-assem∣blies held within our Realms upon several Occasions, extant in our Historians, from the Britons first a∣rival therein, till the Coronation of King Willi∣am the first Anno 1066. conteining the space of 2390. years. Which though very usefull, sea∣sonable, profitable, containing sundry rarities in them; were looked upon by most men with con∣tempt, like old Almanacks, Clothes or Fashions quite out of d••te; whence most of them lye moulding in Warehouses for want of sale. After which in pursute of these beginnings; I freely contributed my labors, to the publishing of A••••xact Abridg∣ment

of the Parli••ment Rolls and Records in the Tower of London; from King Edward the 2. till 1 R. 3. rectifying sundry mistakes, supplying divers de∣fects therein, adorning it with a necessary Pre∣face, usefull Tables and Marginal Notes, without which it had been in a manner altogether use∣less▪ Since which, I much enlarged and reprin∣ted ••pon my own Account alone (for want of as∣sistance by others) my Plea for the Lords and House of Peers; Wherein I have communicated to the world out of Records and Histories, more Presi∣dents, knowledge, touching the Judicature, Ju∣risdiction and Proceedings of our Great Coun∣cils and Parliaments in former ages, and more fully vindicated the just, antient Privilege and Hereditary right of the Lords and Barons of this Realm, to sit, vote, judge in all our English Parliaments, than any others have done in for∣mer ages, without the least incouragement, ayde, or retribution from any of their Lordships, not∣withstanding my manifold sufferings by, from, and under some of them and their ancesters here∣tofore both in person and estate, without the smallest voted recompence.

These last publications, together with my Soveraign Power of Parliaments and Kingdoms, my Historical Collection of the Great Councils and Parlia∣ments of England; and new published Argument of the Case of the Lord Magwire, having in some measure (though not so fully as I desire) suppli∣ed the 4. first premised De••ects, I have endeavo∣red by this present•• Brief Regist••••, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and Survey of the s••veral 〈…〉〈…〉,

(the only Basis whereon Parliaments are foun∣ded, by which they are supported, directed, as well as convened) and by my usefull Observations on them, more compleatly to supply the 5. de••ect, than any of the former, so farr as my present leisure and ability will extend, without supplies from others; wherein I have with no little pains and diligence, given you a most exact and faith∣full Account of all the Writs of Summons to Parliaments, Great Councils, and most Convo∣cations in England, extant in the Clause Rolls and Records of the Tower, from the 5. year of King Iohn, till the 23. of Edward the 4th, that I have hitherto met with upon my best search after them, digested into several Sections in a Chro∣nological method, with usefull Observations on them; Wherein you have a compendious, yet full and satisfactory Account of all the several Forms and Varieties of writs of Summons du∣ring all this tract of time issued to Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Priors, Masters of Religious Orders, and all Spiritual Lords; to the Prince of Wales, Forein Kings, Dukes, Earls, Marquesses, Vi∣counts, Barons, Temporal Lords and Great men; to the Kings Counsil, Judges and other Assistants to the House of Lords; the Sheriffs of Counties, and particular Corporations made Counties, for electing Knights, Citizens and Burgesses to serve in Parliament, and to the Constable of Dover Castle, Warden of the Cinque-ports, and Ports themselves for electing Barons of those Ports; with the particular Rolls, membranaes, dorses, wherein every of these summons are re∣corded:

Together with a general Account in gross summ••, how many Bishops, Abbots, Pri∣ors, Earls, Barons, Great men, and Assistants of the Kings Counsil were summoned to every of these Parliaments and Great Councils, & 4 most usefull, acurate, short Alphabetical & Chrono∣logical ••ables, inserted into my Observations on the 3. first Sections of these Different writs: 1. Of the Names of all the Abbots, Priors, Ma∣sters of Religious Orders, and other Clergymen (except Bishops) summoned to any Parliament or Great Council from 49 H. 3. till 23 E. 4. with the years, rolls, dorses in each Kings reign, wherein you shall find them summoned, and how oft any of them were summoned, and con∣sequently when omitted out of the lists of sum∣mons. 2ly. Of the Names of all the Dukes, Earls, Marquesses, and Princes of Wales. 3ly. Of all the Temporal Viscounts, Lords, Barons, Peers, and Great men. 4ly. Of all the Kings Counsil, Judges, Justices, and other Great Officers sum∣moned as Assistants to the Lords, in every Parlia∣ment and Great Council held in England from 49 H. 3. to 23 E. 4. with the particular Roll, year, dorse in every Kings reign, wherein you may find their names and summons entred, and when and how oft any of them or their posteri∣ty were thus summoned. Which Tables, as they were very painfull and troublesom to me ex∣actly to collect, being inforced to transcribe most of them three times over, before I could digest them into that form as here you find them, con∣sisting of very many figures (which I examined near five times over, to prevent mistakes in any

of them) so being thus compleated, will be the most usefull and delightfull Kalender to all An∣tiquaries, Heraulds, Law••ers, Noblemen, Gen∣tlemen and others delighting in Antiquities, or Pedegrees, ever yet communicated to the English Nation; rectifying all those mistakes in names, & supplying those manifold defects in my Table of this nature to the Exact Abridgement of the Re∣cords in the Tower. If any Noblemen. Lawyers, Gentlemen, or others, would find out and know in a moment, when or how often, or in what Roll and dorse any of their Ancestors, Family, Name, were summoned to any Parliament or Great Council; or when or how often any Ab∣bot or Prior (whose lands they or their Clients now enjoy) were summoned to Parliaments, or of what Order they were, these Tables, com∣pared with the printed Lists before them, will presently resolve them, better than all the Ta∣bles and Kalendars to the Records in the Tower, which are very defective, and if they have cause to make use of the Records upon any occasion, these Tables will punctually direct them both to the Number Roll and Dorse too wherein they are recorded, without further search: So as I may conclude them to be greatly beneficial, as well to the Keepers of those Records, as to all those who shall have future occasion to make use of them in any kind.

For the extraordinary writs of summons and others here published at large, I dare averr, that most of the Nobility, Gentry, Lawyers, and Parliament men of the English Nation▪ never

so much as once saw, or heard of most of them before this publication; and those few Antiqua∣ries, Lawyers, Gentlemen, who have gottena∣uy transcripts and Collections of the writs of summons in the Tower, shall meet with many memorable rare writs in this Abridgement, which are totally omitted out of their Folio Volumes, col∣lected to their hands by others; which I have here supplied by my own industry, and likewise digested into method: all those large Coll••cti∣ons of writs which I have yet seen, being both de∣fective, confused, fraught with a tedious repe∣tition of those names of Abbots, Priors, Dukes, Earls, Lords, Barons, which I have contracted into four short Tables in an orderly method. So as I may justly stile this Register, Kalendar and Survey, a rich Cabinet, and Compendious Treasury of the chiefest, and most precious Parliamentary Iewels, Rarities, Records, ever yet presented to the world in print.

As for my Observations on, and Collections from these writs, I dare affirm without vain∣glory, they are for the most part such, as were never yet known nor communicated to the world; and will be of excellent use, not only for the searching, but understanding of Records, and of the true constitution, proceedings, Privileges, Affairs, Ends of the Great Councils and Parlia∣ments of England, and duties of their respective Members; wherein I have discovered, refuted many oversights and mistakes in Sir Edward Cook, and other pretended Antiquaries, who have writ∣ten of our English Parliaments, and given clearer

evidences of the original, beginning, use of the name Parliament in England; of the Authority, Power, use of the Kings Counsil, Iudges in Parlia∣ments; of the Kings general writs of Summons to Temporal as well as Spiritual persons who held not by Barony, not making themselves, nor their Successors, nor posterities, Lords or Barons, and of sundry other materiall particulars, rela∣ting to the Freedom, Fulness, Summons, Affairs & Proceedings of our Parliaments, than any hither∣to have done; out of an unfeigned desire of com∣municating more knowledg to the present & suc∣ceeding Generations, touching our Parliaments, and their affairs, than former times have been publikely acquainted with, that thereby I might restore our Parliaments to their primitive insti∣tution, use, splendor, freedom, Honor, that so the•• may be made medicinal Restoratives, Blessing not Grievances, or Diseases to our 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Church and State, ora 1.5 Physicians of no value. We read ofb 1.6 a woman in the Gospel, which had a•• issue of bloud for 12 years, and had suff••ed many thi••gs of many Physicians, and spent all that she had upon them, even all her living, and yet was nothing better, but rather worse, and could not be heated by any of them. This woman is a true Emble•• of England, ly••••g for so many years, or more, si••k of a bloudy issue under the hands of several Physicians, under the Name and Disguise of Parliaments of several Forms and Modells, who (with their armed sup∣porters) have put her to infinite expences, suffe∣rings, and exhausted all she hath; and yet they have neither healed nor amended her in any

kinde, but left her in a ••arr worse condition then they found her,c 1.7 for want of healing skil, or medicins; applying nothing but new corrosives & causticks of steel, instead of astringents and incar••natives to her bleeding wounds: yea those very Physici∣ans are now so full of man••fold infirmities, di∣stempers, if not gross corruptions, that we may surely say unto them this Proverb,d 1.8 PHYSICIAN HEAL THY SELF, before we can possibly expect any publike healing from them either in Church or State. If these few leaves, through Gods bles∣sing on them, shall becomee 1.9 like to the leaves of the tree of life, for the healing of these Physicians, & our Nations, (one prime end of their publicati∣on) I shall bless God for it, and deem my cost and labour well bestowed; however this shall be my comfort;f 1.10 In magnis et voluisse sat est: g 1.11 Etiam non assecutis voluisse abunde pulchrum at∣que magnisicum est, in such a case as this.

One chief means to make our future Parlia∣ments beneficial, medicinal and restorative to our Nation, is, to restore them to their antient freedom, and secure them and their Members from all future force and violence; which may be easily effected, 1.* 1.12 By removing all armed Forces, and Souldiers a good distance from the places where they shall be kept, and prohibiting them under severest penalties, not to approach near unto them during their Sessions. 2ly.* 1.13 By defending the wearing of any offensive arms or weapons in or near the Cities where the Parlia∣ments convene. 3ly. By inhibiting all tumul∣tuous popular addresses to them, under colour of

Petitions or otherwise, and ordering, that no Petitions or Addresses shal be tendred unto them from any County, City, Corporation, or Fraternity upon any occasion by above 12. grave selected persons at most, under pain of being que∣stioned and proceeded against as tumultuous. 4ly. By declaring and enacting all Persons what∣soever to be actual Traytors, and Enemies to the Nation, (as they are by* 1.14 Law) and to be effectual∣ly proceeded against as such; who shall offer any force, violence, assault to the Parliament, or any Member or Members thereof during their attending therein, or in going to or returning from the same, or violently interrupt their pro∣ceeding••. And that all who shall hereafter be peccant in this kind, &* 1.15 their heirs males shall be for ever hereafter disabled to sit in Parliament, or bear any Office whatsoever, Civil or military, or to purchase or re-ceive any Lands, Cha∣ttels, Gift, Legacy or bequest whatsoever, or to enjoy the privileges of an English Freeman.

My chief design in this & other late publica∣tions, hath been to inform the English Nation of the true Original constitution, uses, ends, Rights, Privileges, Judicarure, and Proceedings of the Great Councils and Parliaments held within our Island, from its original plantation by the Britons, till the Normans ruling in it, which I have already published in a Brief* 1.16 Chr••nological manner, and from thence to the end of King Ed∣ward the 4th his reign, which I have likewi••e in a good measure accomplished in my late inlar∣ged Plea for the Lords and House of Peers; where∣in

I have given the Readers a large account of most of the Great Councils held under King Henry the 1. and 2. proving, there were no Knights, Citizens or Burgesses summoned to them in their reigns, as they have been of later times; which may be further evidenced by these Histo∣rical Passages and Great Councils which I there omitted.

In the year of Christ 1109. in ah 1.17 Great Council of the Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, ET PRINCIPVM totius Regni, there was this Canon made amongst others; Vt nullus Archidiaconus Presbyter, Diaconus, Canonicus uxorem ducat, vel ductam retineat, &c. Vt Presbyter quamdiu illicitam conversationem mulieris habuerit, non sit legalis, nec missam celebret, nec si celebraverit, ejus miss a audiatur: After Anselms banishment very many Priests re∣teining or resuming their wives contrary to these Decrees,i 1.18 King Henry the 1. thereupon cau∣sed his Ministers to indict, and prosecute many Priests for this contempt, only to extort monies from them: but their fines not amounting to so great a summ as the King expected, there was a general Sentence given against all the Priests, as well innocent as nocent, and a fine set upon eve∣ry Parish Church, which the Priest thereof was to redeem; which some Priests having no mo∣ney, and others refusing to pay, because it was an unjust innovation, they were thereupon contu∣meliously seised upon by force, imprisoned and tortured; and when neer 200 of them in their Surplisses and Priests habits came all together to the Kings place in London barefoot, imploring

him with one voice to take pity on them, Ille ad preces ••orum nulla miseratione permotus est, vel saltem quavis eos, sicut homin••s omnis religionis expertes, re∣sponsi honestate dignatus, suis obtutibus festine abegi praecepit: whereupon they repaired to the Queen, who only wept in pity towards them, but could not relieve them. Anselm upon the other Bi∣shops Letter to him, writ an Epistle to the King touching this proceeding of his, as an innovati∣on, Quod hactenus inauditum et inusitatum est in Ec∣clesia Dei de ullo Rege, et de aliquo Principe. No•• enim pertinet secundum legem Dei hujusmodi culpam vindicare ••isi ad singulos Episcopos per suas parochias, ••ut si & ipsi Episcopi in hoc negligentes fuerint, ad Archiepiscopum & Primatem, &c. Adding, Dico enim vobis quod valde timere debetis, quod pecunia ta∣liter accepta, ut taceam quantum noceat animae, non tamen cum expendetur, adjuvabit terrena negoti••, quantum postea perturbabit. To which the King returned this answer.

k 1.19 Henricus Dei gratia Rex Anglorum, Ansel∣mo Archiepiscopo Cantuariae salutem. In die Sancti Gregorii apud Tunebrigge, mihi fuerunt delatae literae repostae sub tuo sigillo. Et per ••a mihi mandasti talia unde multum miror, quia quod feci credo me per te fecisse. Et in die As∣censionis Domini HABEBO OMNES BARO∣NES MEOS (without Knights, Citizens or Burgesses) MECUM CONGREGATOS, & PER CONSILIUM EORUM ita convenien∣ter tibi respondebo quod cum tecum loquar non credo te me inde blasphematurum. Et quicquid fiat alias, scito quod tui, quicquid ipsi fecerint,

per omnes terras tuas in pace permanserint.

l 1.20 Anno Gratiae ••172. King Henry the 2d. Venit OXENFORD, & IN GENERALI CONCILIO ibidem celebrato CONSTITU∣IT Iohannem filium suum REGEM IN HY∣BERNIA, concessione & confirmatione Alexan∣dri summi pontificis. Et in eodem Concilio venerunt ad Regem Resus filius Griphini regulus de Su••hwales, & David fil••s O••ain regulus de North∣wales; qui sororem ejusdem regis Angliae in uxo∣rem duxerat, & Cadwelanus regulus de Delnain, & Owanus de Keuillian, & G••iffinus de Brunfeld, & Madacus ••ilius Gervetrog: & alii multi de nobi∣lioribus Gualliae, et omnes devenerunt homines regis Angliae patris, & fidelitatem ei contra om∣nes homines, & pacem sibi & regno suo servan∣dam juraverunt. In eodem autem Concilio de∣dit dominu•• Rex Angliae praedicto Reso filio Grif∣sini terram de Meronith: & David filio Owain ter∣ram de Ellesmare. Deditque dominus ••ex Hugoni de Lasci (ut supradictum est) in Hybernia totam Midam cum pertinentiis suis pro servitio 100. militum, tenendam de ipso et Iohanne filio suo, & chartam suam ei inde fecit. Deditque ibidem Roberto filio Stephani & Miloni de Cogham regnum de Co••ch, pro servitio 60. militum, tenendum de ipso et Iohanne filio suo, excepta civitate de Corch, cum uno cantredo, quae dominus rex sibi et hae∣redibus suis retinuit. Deditque ibidem Hereber∣to filio Hereberti, et Willielmo fratri Comitis Re∣ginaldi, & Iollano de la Primerai nepoti eorum regnum de Limeric, pro servitio 60. militum, te∣nendum de ipso et Iohanne filio suo: excepta ci∣vitate

de Limeric, cum uno cantredo, quae domi∣nus sibi et haeredibus suis retinuit. Trad••dit au∣tem dominus rex Willielmo filio Aldelini dapifero suo civitatem Wesesordiae in custodia, cum omn••bus pertinentiis suis; & statuit haec subscripta in posterum pertinenda ad servicium Wesefordiae: Harkelou cum pertinentiis suis, Glascarric cum pertinentiis suis; & terram Gilberti de Boisrohard, Ferneg Winal cum pertinentiis suis, Fernes cum pertinentiis suis: & totam terram de Hervei in∣ter Weseforde & aquam de Water••orde. Servitium Raimundi de Druna. Servitium de Frodrevelan. Servitium Vimo••thi de Leighlerin. Tenementum etiam Machtaloe cum pertinentiis suis. Et Leis terram Gaufridi de Costentin cum pertinentiis suis: & totam terram Orueldi. Tradidit etiam ibidem dominus rex Roberto le Poer marescallo suo in custodia civitatem Water••ordiae: cum omnibus pertinentiis suis: et statuit haec subscripta in po∣sterum pertinenda ad servitium Waterfordiae: to∣tam terram quae est inter Waterforde & aquam quae est ultra Lismors, & totam terram de Oise∣ric cum pertinentiis suis. Tradidit etiam ibi∣dem dominus rex Hugoni de Laci civitatem Di∣veliniae cum omnibus pertinentiis suis in custo∣dia: & sta••it haec subscripta in posterum perti∣nenda ad Servitium Diveliniae; totam terram de Offelana cum pertinentiis suis, & Kildaran cum pertinentiis suis, & totam terram de Offalaia, cum pertinentiis suis, & Wikechelon cum pertinen∣tiis suis, & servitium de Mida, & servitium qua∣tuor militum, quod Robe••tus Poer debet de ca∣stello suo de Dunaver. Postquam autem domi∣nus

rex apud Oxeneford in praedicto modo terras Hyberniae, et earum servitia divisisset, secit om∣nes quibus earun••emcustodias commis••rat homi∣nes suos & Iohannis silii sui devenire: et jurare e••s ligantias et fidelitates de terris Hyberniae. Et ie••de m Concilio dedit dominus rex Richardo Priori de Kiteby abbatiam de Witebi. Et Benedicto Priori Ecclesiae sanctae Trinitatis Cantuariae, abbatiam de Burgo, & Richardus Cantuariensis Archiepiscopus benedixit cum in abbatem. Eo∣dem anno praedictus Vivianus Presbyter Cardi∣nalis & Apostolicae sedis legatus, peracta lega∣tione sua in Hyb••rnia, rediit in Angliam, & per conductum domini r••gis rediit in Scotiam, & ce∣lebrato Concilio apu•• castellum puellarum, sus∣spendit a pontificali officio Christianum Episco∣pum Candidae casae, quia ad Concilium suum venire noluit; sed Episc. suspensionem illam non tenuit, septus munimine Rogeri Eboracensis Archi∣epise. cujus suffraganeus ipse erat. Deinde venit dominus Rex us{que} Merleberge: ubi Rex dedit Phi∣lippo de Brensa totum regnum de Limeric pro ser∣vitio sexaginta mili••um, tenendum de ipso & de Iohanne filio suo. Nam Herebertus & Willielmus fratres Reginaldi Comi••is Cornubiae, & Ioslanus de la Pumerai nepos eorum, regnum illud habe∣re noluerunt, eo quod nondum perquisitum erat: nam occiso a regalibus rege Monodero, qui Rex erat de Limeric, & homo regis Angliae inde sue∣rat, quidam de progenie illius, vir potens et for∣tis, regnum de Limeric invasit, cepit, et potenter rexit, nullam subjectionem faciens Regi Angliae, nec suis obedire voluit propter infidelitatem eo∣rum, & mala quae faciebant populo Hyberniae si∣ne

merito. Rex vero Corcensis & alii multi di∣vites Hyberniae insurrexerunt in Regem Angliae, & suos: & erant novissima eorum pejora priori∣bus, & se mutuo interfecerunt.

By which president it is evident; that King Henry by the advice of his Great Council of Pre∣lates and Nobles of & in England, disposed both of the Kingdoms, Crowns and Lands in Ireland to his Son, and other subjects of England. The same Kingm 1.21 Henry the 2. Anno Dom. 1182. aetatis annum inchoans quadragesimum nonum, dum mentis et corporis incolumitate vigeret, dum regnum suum undi∣que tranquillae pacis commoditatibus frueretur, apud Waltham Episcopi Winton, REGNI CON∣VOCAVIT MAJORES. Itaque pr••••sentibus il∣lis et approbantibus quandam pecuniae partem in causas pias procurans, Qua••raginta siquidem duo mili••a marcorum argenti, quingentas marcas auri distribuit, &c. After thisn 1.22 Pope Lucius An. 1185. sending a Letter to King Henry the 2d. to take the Cross upon him and succour the holy Land, by the P••∣triarch and Master of the Hospital of Hierusalem, who presented it to him, together with the toy. al banner, and Keyes of the Lords Scpulcher, and of the Tower of David, and City of Ierusalem, on the behalf of the King and Princes of the Land, im∣portuning his answer to their requests: Domi••us Rex statuit eis terminum suae responsionis primam Do∣minicam Quadragesimae apud Londonias. Ad quam Dominicam, Dominus Rex & Patriarcha et E∣piscopi, et Abbates, et COMITES et BARONES ANGLIAE (but no Knights, Citizens or Bur∣gesses thereof, & Willielm. REX SCOTIAE, &

David frater ejus, CUM COMITIBUS ET BARONIBUS TERRAE SUAE 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Londoniis: et habito inde cum deliberatione consslio, PLACUIT VNIVERSIS, quod Dominus Rex con∣suleret inde Dominum suum Philippum Regem Fran∣ciae: et sic soluto CONCILIO, Dominus Rex dedit universis hominibus suis, tam Clericis quam Lacis, li∣centiam capiendi crucem. Unde factum est quod Bald∣winus Cantuariensis Archiepiscopus, et Ranulphus Iusticiarius Angliae, & Walterus Rothomagensis Ar∣chiepiscopus, et Hugo Dunelmensis Episcopus, et alii quamplures Episcopi transmarini et cismarini: et fere omnes Comites et Barones et Milites Angliae, & Nor∣manniae, & Aquitaniae, & Britanniae, & Ande∣gaviae, & Cenomanniae & Turoniae Crucem cepe∣runt. Deinde Dominus Rex venit usque Windle∣shoures et ibi in Dominica ubi cantatur, Laetare Je∣rusal••m, fecit Johannem silium suum militem, & statim misit eum in Hyberniam, & INDE EVM REGEM CONSTITVIT.

To pretermit the Parliamentary Councils un∣der King•• Richard the 1. of which I have given you some account in my Plea ••or the Lords, p. 234. to 242. I shall proceed to those in the beginning of King Iohns reign.

In the 1. year of King Iohn Anno Dom. 1199. there was a Great Council of the Spiritual and Temporal Lords and Barons summoned to his Coronation, thus related bya 1.23 Matthew Westmin∣ster, though there be no writs of Summons there∣unto extant on record; Dux Normanniae Johan∣nes in vigilia Ascensionis Domini London venit, ibi CONGREGATIS ANGLIAE NOBILIBVS, ab

H••b••rto Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo coronatus est, die•• Ascensionis Domini; whichb 1.24 Roger de Hov••den thus relates,

Congregatis igitnr apud Lundo∣nias in advent•• praedicti ducis Huberto Cantu∣ariensi, Johanne Dublinensi, et de Raguse Ar∣chiepiscopus, Willielmo Lundoniensi, Gil∣berto Roffensi, Johanne Norwicensi, Hugone Lincolnensi, Eustachio Eliensi, Godfrido Wintoniensi, Henrico Exoniensi, Sefrido Ci∣cestrensi, Gau••rido Coventrensi, Savarico Ba∣thoniensi, Hereberto Salesburiensi, Philippo Dunelmensi, Rogero de sancto Andrea in Sco∣tia, Henrico de Landas Episcopis, Roberto de Leicestre, Richardo de Clare, Willielmo de Tutesburie, Hamelino de Warenne, Williel∣mo de Salisbirie, Willielmo de Striguil, Wal∣ranno de Warewic, Rogero Bigot, Willielmo de Arundel, Ranulfo de Cestre Comitibus, & Baronibus multis: Hubertus Cantuariensis Archiepiscopus coronoavit, et consecravit in regem Angliae prefatum Johannem ducem Normanniae, in Ecclesia sancti Petri Apostoli Westminstriae, sexto Calen••. Iunii, feria 5. die Ascensionis Domini; Philippo Dunelmen∣si Episcopo appellante, ne coronatio illa fieret in absentia Gaufridi Eboracensis Archiepisco∣pi, totius Angliae Primatis.

c 1.25 Matthew Paris thus records the manner of his Coronation more fully.

CONGREGATIS ita que in adventu ejus, Archiepiscopis, Episcopis, Comitibus et Baronibus atque aliis omnibus, qui ejus co∣ronationi interesse debuerant, Archiepisco∣pus staus in medio omnium, dixit; Audite u∣niversi.

Noverit discretio vestra, quod nullus praevia ratione alii succedere habet regnum, nisi ab universitate Regni unanimiter, invoca∣ta Spiritus gratia electus, & secundum morum suorum eminentiam praeelectus, ad exemplum et similitudinem Saul primi Regis inuncti, quem praeposuit Dominus populo suo, non Re∣gis filium, nec de Regali stirpe procreatum. Similiter post eum David Sem ei filium: hunc quia strenuum et aptum dignitati regiae, illum quia sanctum et humilem, ut sic qui cunctos in regno supereminet strenuitate, omnibus praesit et potestate et regimine. Ve∣rum si quis ex stirpe Regis defuncti aliis prae∣polleret, pronius et promptius in electionem ejus est consentiendum. Haec idcirco diximus pro inclyto Comite Iohanne, qui praesens est, frater illustrissimi Regis nostri Richardi jam defuncti, qui haerede caruit ab eo egrediente, qui providus et strenuus & manifeste nobilis, qnem nos, invocata Spiritus sanctigratia, ra∣tione tam meritorum quam sanguinis Regii unanimiter elegimus universi. Erat autem Ar∣chiepiscopus vir prosundi pectoris, et in regno singularis columna stabilicatis et sapientiae in∣comparabilis. Nec ausi erant alii super his ad∣huc ambigere; scientes quod sine causa hoc non sic diffiniverat. Verum Comes Iohannes et omnes hoc acceptaban••, ipsumque Comitem in Regem eligentes et assumentes, exclamant dicentes: Vivat rex. Interrogatus autem postea Archiepiscopus Hubertus, quare haec dixisset? respondit se praesaga mente conjecturare, et

quibusdam oraculis edoctum & certificatum fuisse, quod ipse Johannes Regnum & Coro∣nam Angliae foret aliquando corrupturus, & in magnam confusionem precipitaturus. Et ne haberet liberas habenas hoc faciendi, ipsum electione non successione haereditaria, eligi de∣bere affirmabat. Archiepiscopus autem impo∣nens capiti ejus coronam, unxit eum in regem ap••d Westmor a••t••rium, sc. in Ecclesia princi∣pis Apostolorum, Dominicae ascensionis die, sexto kalendas Junii, Philippo Dunelmensi E∣piscopo appellante, sed non obtinen••e, ne coro∣natio illa fieret in absentia G. Archiepiscopi Eboracensis. In hac coronatione Rex Iohannes triplici involutus est sacramento: Quod vide∣licet sanctam Ecclesiam et ejus ordinatos dili∣geret, et eam ab incursione malignantium in∣demnem conservaret: et quod perversis legibus destructis, bonas substitueret, et rectam justiti∣am in regno Angliae exerceret. Deinde adjura∣tus est ab eodem Archiepisc opo ex parte Dei, et districte prohibitus, ne honorem hunc acci∣pere praesumeret, nisi in mente habeat opere, quod juraverat, adimplere. Ad hoc ille respon∣dens, promisit se per auxilium Dei, bona fide, ea quae juraverat, servaturum. In crastino au∣tem, homagiis et fidelitatibus acceptis, beatum Albanum Protomartyrem Angliae, orationis gratia, devotus petivit. Et sic brevissimam in Anglia moram faciens, ea quae statuenda erant in regno, cum consilio Magnatum rite pere∣git.

In the 2. year of (d) King Iohn, Anno 1200.

Hub••rt Archbishop of Canterbury and Chancel∣lor of England, Generale celebravit Concilium Londini apud Westmona sterium, contra prohibitionem Gawfri∣di silii Petri, Comitis Essex, tunc temporis summi Iusticiarij Angl••ae; In which many Laws and Canons were made touching Ecclesiastical persons and businesses, recorded at large ine 1.26 Roger de Hoveden. And in the same year the sameg 1.27 Au∣thor writes, the long su••e between William de Stu∣tevil, and William de Moubray, touching the Ba∣rony of Moubray, was compremised and ended by an agreement made between them CONSI∣LIO REGNI, & VOLVNTATE REGIS. In which Council of the Realm, it is most proba∣ble, Statuta quaedam Johannis Regis, concerning the prises of Wine, registred byg 1.28 Hoveden, were made. Sed hoc PRIMUM Regis STATU∣TUM vix inchoatum, statim est adnihilatum, quiae Mercatores hanc Assisam sustinere non poterunt, & data est eis licentia vendendi sextertium de vino albo pro octo denariis, & vini rubri pro sex denariis, & sic repleta est terra potu, & potatoribus. The Writs of Summons for these two General Councils of the Church and Realm this year, are not found extant on record.

The Patent Roll in the 5 ofh 1.29 King Iohn, makes mention of an Assise of Beer and Wine, made per Commune Consilium Baronum nostrorum, held the year before at Winchester.

Rex, &c. sciatis, Nos Communi Cons••lio Ba∣ronum nostrorum constituisse, Quod albus pa∣nis factus in Civitate nostra Winton. fit ponde∣ris 3 c Sol. &c. Et unusquisque Pistor sigil∣lum

suum pani suo apponat, &c. Et volumus et firmiter praecipimus, quod haec constitutio firmiter teneatur. Facta est autem haec con∣stitutio ad Pascham proximam post obitum Alienorae Reginae matris nostrae, anno regni nostri quinto, Teste G. fil. Petri Com. Essex. apud Freitemnel 15 die Aprilis.

This Ordinance for the Assise of Bread, with the Proclamation and proceedings thereupon, is more at large recorded in Matthew Paris Hist. Angl. Anno 1262, Editione Tyguri 1589. p. 200. where you may peruse it at leasure.

In the 5th. year of his reign (asx 1.30 Met. Paris relates) Rex Johannes in COMITES & BARO∣NES occasiones praetendens, quod ipsuminter hostes re∣liquerant in partibus transmarinis, unde Castella, & terras suas pro eorum defectu amiserat, caepit ab eis sep∣timam partem omnium mobilium suorum (by grant, as I conceive in a Parliamentary Council) nec etiam ab hac rapina in Ecclesiis conuentualibns manus coercuit violentas. Yet I find no Writ of Sum∣mons to this Council in the Rolls of this year.

In the 6 year of his reign,y 1.31 An. 1204. In cra∣stino circumcisionis venerunt ad Colloquium apud Ox∣oniam Rex & MAGNATES Angliae, ubi con∣cessa sunt Regi auxilia militaria de quolibet scuto, scil∣cet duae marcae & dimidia. Nec etiam Episcopi & Abbates, sive Ecclesiasticae personae, sine promiss one recesserunt.

In the 8 year of his Regality, asz 1.32 King Iohn celebrated the day of our Saviours Na••ivity at Oxford; So it appears he likewise held a Par∣liamentary

Council there, which granted him an ayd toward the recovery of his lands in France, and defence of the Realm of England, by these two Records that year.

Claus. 8. Iohan. Regis dors. 2. Rex Iustic. auxilii assidendi & Vic. Berks salutem: Sciatis quod Ab∣bas de Abbendon finivit nobiscum pro sexties cent. mar. pro habenda quietantia de dominicis feodis & hominibus omnibus tenentibus suis in Balliva vestra de anxilio Nobis proviso PER CONCI∣LIUM NOSTRUM OXON: et ideo vobis man∣damus quod ipse inde quietus sit. Et si quid inde per Nos inc••oatum suerit, penitus relax. Tu autem Vic. videas quod securus sis quod habe∣amus unam medietatem finis illius ad proxi∣mum clausum Pasche: Et aliam medi••tatem ad ptoximum festum Sancti Iohannis Baptistae. Alio∣quin capietur de firma tua. Et Justitiariis man∣datum est & libere tenentibus suis in ballivia tua quod faciant ei praedictum auxilium. Et si quid inde cepisti, id ei sine dilatione reddi fac. T.

Pat. 8. Iohan. Rs. m. 1. Rex Archidiacon••, Of∣ficiali & toti Clero Archiepiscopatus Cantuar. Salutem. Notum satis, quod Archiepiscopi, Episcopi, Abbates, Priores, & Magnates regni nostri auxi∣lium Nobis fecerunt ad defensionem regni no∣stri & recuperationem terrarum nostrarum. Ve∣rum quia de vobis confidimns, quod Nos & ••o∣norem nostrum diligitis, & defensionem regni nostri, & recuperationem terrarum nostrarum affectatis, vos rogamus attentius, quatenus tale axilium Nobis exemplo accepto ex parte vestra faciatis, ut inde vobis gratias dare debeamus:

Et quod alii Rectores Ecclesiarum intuitu ve∣stri ad auxilium Nobis faciendum exempio ve∣stro facilius inuitentur: ••t quantitat••m auxilii quod nobis quilibet ipsorum sac••re voluer it, quilibet vestrum seperatim faciat. Ita quod per ipsos in octabis Sanctae circumcisionis inde possimus testificari. Teste me ipso apud Ebor. 26. die Maii.

This same year the Arch-bishops, Bishops, Ab∣bots, Archdeacons, and Clergy of England by command from Pope Innocent, without the Kings Writ or consent, were called to, and resolved to hold a Council at Saint Albans, to pay Romescot in an unusual manner, and many other unaccustomed exactions, to the great pre∣judice of the Kingdom, and oppression of the people; whereupon the King upon the general complaint of the universality of the Earls, Ba∣rons, Knights, and other Subjects against those exactions & this Council, issued forth this memo∣rable Writ and Prohibirion, in preservation of the rights of the Crown, Kingdom, People, against this Papal usurpation and innovati∣on.

Pat. 8. Iohan. Rs. m. 1. Rex Archiepiscopis, Episcopis, Abbatibus, Archidiaconis, & omni clero apud Sanctum Albanum AD CONCILIVM convocato salutem. Conquerente universitate Comitum Baronum, Militum, & aliorum-fidelium nostro∣rum, audivimus, quod non solum in lai••orum grave praejudicium, sed etiam in totius Regni no∣stri intolerabile dispendium, super Romescotto praeter consuetudinem soluendo, & aliis pluribus

inconsuetis exac••ionibus, Autoritate summi Ponti∣sicis CONCILIUM inire, & CONCILIUM celebrare decrevistis. Nos vero licet ob honorem sidie nostrae & debitum reverentiae quod sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae impendere tenemur, voluntatem sancti Patris vestri Domini Papae Innocentiae obtemperare cupimus, tamen omittere non possumus quin quaerelis fide∣lium & subditorum nostrorum clamantium de jactura sua & timentium, prout necesse est, sibi subveniamus, & ••mergentib••scausis quae indemp∣nitati pacis & unitati regni nostri obviare pos∣sunt, quanta decet celeritate & diligentia occur∣ramus. Vobis igitur praecise mandamus & ex∣presse prohibemus, ne super praedictis vel ali∣quibus aliis CONCILIUM ALIQUOD an∣thoritate aliqua in fide qua nobis tenemini te∣neatis, vel contra regni nostri consuetudinem aliquod novum statuatis, et sicut Nos & honorem nostrum, & communem regni tranquillitatem diligitis à celebratione hujusmodi CONCI∣LII & à praedictis taxationibus ad praesens super∣sedeatis, quousque cum universitate nostra super hoc COLLOQUIUM habuerimus. Scientes per certo, quod expediet honori sanctae Romanae Ec∣clesiae & domino Papae & Nobis & Vobis quod istud ad praesens negotium differatur, donec generalem ha∣buimus conferrentiam commodius & honestius explica∣ri. Et quod vobis hoc mandamus pro honore, & commodo sacrosanctae Ecclesiae, & vestri & regni nostri id feci∣mus: Quia talia audivimus quod hoc ita fieri necessa∣rio expedit, sicut vobis dicemus cum vobiscum locuti fuerimus. Teste me ipso apud Ebor. 26. die Maii.

Now because all Elections of Knights of Shiers, are and ought to be made in the next * 1.33 County Court after the Writs for Elections come to the Sheriffs hands; I shall adde this memorable exposition of the Statute of Magna Charta, c. 35. made by the King and greater part of the Bishops, Earls, and Barons of the Realm without the Commons, touching the holding of Hundred Courts, Wapentakes, & Court Leets, omitted by Sir Edward Cook in his Commentary thereon, which it better explains than his Anno∣tations upon it.

Claus. 18. H. 3. m. 10. Rex Vic. Linc. salu∣tem. Quia audivimus quod tu & Ballivi tui, & Ballivi aliorum qui Hundredum habent in Comitatu tuo, non intelligitis qualiter Hundre∣da & Wapentake teneri debeant in Com. tuo, post∣quam concessimus omnibus de Regno nostro Libertates in cartis nostris quas indo fecimus, dum f••imus infra aetatem. Nos eandem Ca••••am nu∣per legi fecimus in praesentia Dom. CANIU∣AR. ARCHIEP. & MAJORIS & SANIO∣RIS PARTIS OMNIUM EPISCOPORUM, COMITUM ET BARONUM TO TIUS REGNI NOSTRI, UT CORAM EIS ET PER EOS EXPONERETUR haec clausula contenta in* 1.34 Carta nostra de Libertatibus, viz. Quod nullus Vicecomes vel Ballivus faciat Turnum suum per Hundredum, nisi ••is in anno, & non nisi loco debito & consueto; viz. semel post Pascham, & iterum post festum sancti Michaelis. Ita scilicet quod qui libet habeat ••ibertates suas quas habuit & habere consuevit tempore H. Regis avi nostri, vel quas postea

perquisivit. Unde à multis ibi dictum suit, quod t••••pore H. Regis avi nostri tam Hundreda et Wapentac, quam curi•••• Magnatum Angliae sole∣bant teneri de Quindena in Quindenam; Et licet multum placeret communi utilitati totius regni & indempnitati pauperum providere, quia ta∣men illi duo Turnii plene non sufficient ad pacem regni nostri conservandam, & ad excessus tam divi∣tibus quam pauperibus illatis corrigendos quae ad Hun∣dredum pertinent, De COMMVNI CONSI∣LIO praedict. Dom. CANTUAR. & OMNI∣UM praedict. EPISCOPORUM COMITUM, ET BARONUM, ET ALIORUM, ITA PRO∣VISUM EST. Quod inter praedictos duos Tur∣nos teneantur Hundredum & Wapentakia, & etiam curiae Magnatum de Tribus septimanis in Tres sep∣timanas, ubi prius teneri solent de Quindena in Quin∣denam. Ita tamen, quod ad illa Hundred a & VVapentakia & Curias non fiat generalis summo∣nitio, si••ut ad Turnos praedictos; set ad hujus∣modi illa VVapentakia & Curias convenient con∣querentes & adversarii sui, & illi qui sectas de∣bent, per quos teneantur placita & fiant judicia, nisi ita sit quod ad Hundreda illa & VVapentakia fieri debeat Inquisitio de placitis Coronae, sicut de morte hominis, Thesauro invento, & hujusmodi: ad quae inquirenda conveniant cum praedictis sectariis quatuor villatae proximae; scilicet om∣nes de illis villis qui necessarii fuerint ad Inquisi∣tiones illas faciendas. Et ideo tibi praecipimus, quod praedicta Hundreda VVapentakia & Curias tam Nostras quam aliorum teneri facias de ce∣tero secundum quod praedictum e••t de tribus

sepeimanis in tres septimanas, exceptis praedictis duobus Turnit, qui de caetero teneantur secun∣dum quod prius teneri solebant. T. R. apud VVestm. 11. Octobris.

I shall only adde this one Record more, pro∣ving, that matters concerning Truces, were resol∣ved by King H. 3. the Spiritual and Temporal Lords in Parliamentary Councils, without any Knights, Citizens, or Burgesses.

Claus. 19. H. 3. m. 20. Rex Roberto de Lan∣geton, Archidiacono Cant. & Abbati de sancta Radegunda, salute••, Super sollicitudine & dili∣gentia laudabili simul & laboribus sumptuosis quas circa negotium nostrum expediendum quod vobis injunximus apposuistis, urrique vestrum copiosas referrimus gratiarum actiones, vobis quidem magister S. praecipuas & speciales, ut∣pote ei cujus fidelitatem & prudentiam plu∣rimum commendamus. Sciatis autem quod CONGREGATIS apud VVestmon. in octabis sancti Hillarii vener: patribus G. Cantuar Archiepis∣copo, EPISCOPIS, COMITIBUS, ET ALIIS FIDELIBUS NOSTRIS. (to wit, the Ba∣rons and Great men, not Commons, as the sub∣sequent clause attests.) Post diligentem tracta∣tum habitum CUM IPSIS DE NEGOTIO TREVGARVM inter Nos & Regem Franciae & aliis agendis nostris, visum fuit iisdem fideli∣bus nostris, quod nullo modo sine verecundia & op∣probrio nostris Insulam de Olerone 〈◊〉〈◊〉 potuimus Comiti Marchiae pro cōsensu suo adhibendo ad treugas inter nos ineundas, nec in co consilium Nobis praestare vel consentire voluerint. Sic enim praeter verecun∣diam

quam inde consequeremus ab omnibus quibus factum nostrum innotesceret teneremur et pro re∣missis, et minus valentibus haberemur, et etiam pessimum & perniciosum exemplum aliis qui in casu consimili ad similia petenda per hoc moverentur. Vnde si per d••centas libras annuas Treugis du∣rantibus ad consensum Treugarum possit••idem Comes induci pro Insula praedicta sicut alias lo∣cutum suit, bene placeret tam Nobis quam praedictis MAGNATIBVS NOSTRIS; et ad hoc laborare velitis, quia priori conditioni con∣sentire non esset honestum, vel expediens, &c. T. Rege apud Westm. 27. Januarii.

I shall trouble you with no more Presidents or Records of this nature, by way of Preface to this first part of my Register, Kalender and Sur∣vey of Parliamentary Writs: In which I have pre∣sented you onely with the several Writs of Sum∣mons directed to the Spiritual and Temporal Lords, and Kings Counsil (their ordinary Assistants) in∣termixed with some other Writs, and several forms of Procurations, in my Observations on them; which relate wholly, or principally to the House of Lords, Convocations, and Clergy, a∣mounting to a just vendible Volume. The several forms, varieties of Writs issued to Sheriffs of Coun∣ties, Wardens, or Officers of the Cinque-Ports, Dukes of Lancaster, their Lieutenants, or Chancellors, and Sheriffs of particular Cities, Towns, Boroughs ••made Counties within ••emselves) for electing Knights, Citizens, Burgesses, and Barons of the Ports (pecu∣liar to the House of Commons) with all sorts of Writs for proroguing, continuing, adjourning

Parliaments, or superseding them after summons to them upon extraordinary occasions, (relating equally to both Houses of Parliament, and their Members) together with some special Writs of Summons to the Kings, Prelates, Nobles, Barons, Great Officers, and others of the Realms, Lands of Scotland and Ireland, to appear in, at, or be∣fore the Parliaments, Great Councils, Kings, or Privy Counsil in England, concerning the af∣fairs, or defence of Scotland and Ireland onely: as likewise to particular Merchants, Masters of Ships, Forresters, Lawyers, learned men of both Universities, and other Persons upon spe∣cial occasions, to attend the Parliament, King, Counsil; with my particular Observations on them, (which I at first intended to have publish∣ed in this Piece) I shall (if God send health, life, oportunity, and incouragement by a grate∣ful acceptance of these First-fruits) with all con∣venient speed, communicate to the World in A Second Part. After which, I shall in two or more distinct Volumes, present unto publick view several other kinds of Writs, relating to the Parliaments, Great Councils, Convocations and Clergy of England, to all sorts of proceedings in them, Cri∣minal, or Civil; the assessing, levying of the expences of Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses of Parliament: of Dismes, Quidismes, Aids, Subsidies, Customs, Imposts, granted by them; with the disposing, releasing of them; the de∣fence of the Realm by Land or Sea in times of danger; the proclaming, observing of the Great Charters, Laws, and Liberties of England; and

of Acts and Ordinances of Parliament newly enacted; with sundry other Rarities, which all former Writers of our English Parliaments have either totally omitted, or but briefly touched, and that very slightly; though of excellent use, and most ne∣cessary to be insisted on, for the information of their Readers, and benefit of Posterity.

Not to detain you with any longer Preface, I shall now leave you to the perusal of this First Part, distinct from those Parts I intend shall follow it; if embraced with that re∣spect, affection, and desire as it may justly ex∣pect and hope for from the Nobility, Gentry, Lawyers, Antiquaries and Heralds of the En∣glish nation. But if slighted, vilified, neglected, like old Almanacks or fashions grown quite out of use and request (though meer Novelties in their discovery & communication to the world, hither∣to unacquainted with them) I shall then resolve to cast no more such precious ancient* 1.35 Pearls and Rarities be••ore swine; who wil neglect & trample them under their feet; but reserve them for my own private Cabinet, use, ornament, benefit, delight, and such learned Friends to whom I shal hereafter bequeath them, who will esti∣mate them according to their true intrinsecal worth, and prefer them before the most orient Pearls and Diamonds, which are only for shew, when as these are of greatest publick use, and will be so esteemed in future generations, how much soever slighted by the Athenians of this age, who like the old ones, Acts 17. 20, 21. spend their ti••e in nothing else but to tell or

hear some new thing; preferring new Gloworms, Ignes fatui, and Prodigious Comets, shining onely in the night, before the Sun, Moon, and fixed Pla∣nets, which ten thousand times outshine, tran∣scend them both in splendor, magnitude, use, ex∣cellency, and publick benefit. It isa 1.36 Cicero his observation of old, Solis exortus, cursus, occasus ne∣mo admiratur propterea quod quotidie ••iunt; at ••c∣clypses solis mirantur, quia raro accidunt. Nulla nisi rara aut admirabili re commovetur animus. Which b 1.37 Seneca thus seconds, Ita cōpositi sumus, ut nos quo∣tidiana, etiam si admiratione digna sunt, transeant: con∣tra, minimarum quoque rerum, si insolitae prodierunt, spectaculum dulce fiat. Hic quoque caetus astrorum, qui∣bus immensi corporis pulchritudo distringuitur, populum non convocat, sed cum aliquid ex more mutatum est, omnium vultus in coelo est. Nemo observat lunam nisi laborantem. Tunc urbes clamant, tunc pro se superstiti∣one vana trepidant. Quanta illa majora sunt, quod Sol totidem gradus quotidie habet & annum suo circuitu claudit; quod à solstitio diem inclinat, & noctibus spa∣cium dat, quod sydera abscondit, quod terras cum tanto major sit illis, non urit, sed calorem suum intentionibus & remissionibus temperando fovet; quod lunam nun∣quam implet, nisi adversam sibi, nec obscurat; haec ta∣men non annotamus quamdiu ordo servatur. Si quid turbatum est, aut praeter consuetudinem emicuit, specta∣mus, interrogamus, ostendimus. Idem in comae: is fit, &c. Adeo naturale est, nova, magis quā magna mirari: w^ch. is in truth both the sin & folly of our present fan∣tastick childish age, affecting, studying, delighting, admiring nothing but Novelties, as well in Theo∣logy, all kinds of Arts, Sciences, publick Govern∣ment,

and Parliaments themselves, as ••••ell as Fashions or Apparel, though never so prodigi∣ous, Heterodox, ridiculous or destructive. But however vertiginous Scepticks, and fantastick Gallants having more hair than brains, are wholly enamor∣ed, infatuated with New-Nothings, yet all judici∣ous Christians, Lawyers, Statesmen, (with ho∣ly and prudent Kingc 1.38 David (a man after Gods own heart) will consider the dayes of old, the years of ancient times: And according to Gods own pre∣cept, d 1.39 stand in the wayes and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, that they may find ease for their souls: Concluding with holy Iob▪e 1.40 with the ancient is wisdom and understanding: And with our Saviours own resolution, wherwith I shall close up this Epistle,f 1.41 No man having drunk old wine, straitway desireth new; for he saith, THE OLD IS BETTER. Which is the experimental resolution of.

Your unfeined Friend and Servant, as well in relation to private as publick good, WILL. PRYNNE.

From my Study in Lincolns Inne, Ian. 26. 1658/1659.

Notes

• a 1.1

  The 2. p••rt of a short De••urrer to the lews long discontinued Remitter into England, p. 136, &c.
• b 1.2

  See the Exact Abridg∣ment of the Records in the Tower, and my Table there, to Ti∣tle Sta∣tutes.
• c 1.3

  See the fi••st part of my short Demur∣rer to the Iews long dis∣continued Re∣mitter into England, p. 36, 37, 49. 53, 54, &c.
• d 1.4

  See Pul∣tons Statutes at large, Lond. 1618. p. 115. Rastals kalen∣dar of Sta∣tutes in the end of his A∣bridgment; and Tottles Magna Char••ta, out of which they transcribed them.
• a 1.5

  〈…〉〈…〉
• b 1.6

  〈…〉〈…〉
• c 1.7

  ••er. 30. 13.
• d 1.8

  Lu. 4. 23.
• e 1.9

  Rev. 22. 2.
• f 1.10

  Propertius p. 134.
• g 1.11

  Pliny Praefatio in com. 1. Nat. Hist.
• * 1.12

  7 E. 1. Ra∣stal, Armor 1.
• * 1.13

  Cook 4. In∣stit. p. 14.
• * 1.14

  4 E. 3. rot. Parl. n. 1. 21R. 2. c. 12. 31H. 6. c. 1. 3 ••ac. c. 1, 2. Exact Collection, p. 200. &c. A Collection, P. 201, 202.
• * 1.15

  21 R. 2. c. ••.
• * 1.16

  In my Sum∣mary Col∣lections, &c. and Breviate,
• h 1.17

  Eadmerus Hist. Novor. l. 3. p. 67, 68.
• i 1.18

  Eadmerus l. 4. p. 83, 84, 85.
• k 1.19

  Eadmeru•• ••. 4. p. 86.
• l 1.20

  Hoveden, Annal. pars p••sterior, p. 56••, 567.
• m 1.21

  R••d••lph. de Diceto, Ymagines Histor. col. 613.
• n 1.22

  Hov•• Anna. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 P 6••8, 629.
• a 1.23

  Flores H••st. pa••s 2. Anno 1199. p.
• b 1.24

  Annalium pars posterior Ann. 119. p. 793.
• c 1.25

  H••st. A••g p. 1••9. 1••0.
• e 1.26

  Annal. pars post••rior P. 806. to 810.
• g 1.27

  Pag. ••803.
• g 1.28

  Ibid. p. 795, 796.
• h 1.29

  Pat. 5. Johan Regis m. 1. n. 3. Seldens Title of Honor p. 707.
• x 1.30

  ••ist. Ang. p. 204.
• y 1.31

  Mat. Pa∣ris, p. 201. Ma••. Westm. p. 83.
• z 1.32

  Mat. Paris p. 204. M••t. Westm. p. 83.
• * 1.33

  7. H. 4. c. 15. 8. H. 4. Rot. Pa••l. 83. 139.
• * 1.34

  Mag Carta c. 35.
• * 1.35

  Mat. 7. 6.
• a 1.36

  Ad here∣nicum: p. 21.
• b 1.37

  Natural. quaest. l. 7. p. 933.
• c 1.38

  Psal. 77. 5.
• d 1.39

  Jer. 6. 16.
• e 1.40

  Job 12. 12.
• f 1.41

  Luk. 5. 39.