A conference about the next succession to the crown of England divided into two parts : the first containeth the discourse of a civil lawyer, how and in what manner propinquity of bloud is to be preferred : the second containeth the speech of a temporal lawyer about the particular titles of all such as do, or may, pretend (within England or without) to the next succession : whereunto is also added a new and perfect arbor and genealogy of the descents of all the kings and princes of England, from the Conquest to the present day, whereby each mans pretence is made more plain ... / published by R. Doleman.

THE PREFACE OF THE Second Part.

THe Civilian had no sooner ended his Discourse, but all the Company being most desirous to hear what the Temporal Lawyer had prepared to say, about the several Titles of the present Pre∣tenders to the Crown of England, began with one accord to request him earnestly for the per∣formance of his promised Speech in that be∣half, who shewing himself neither unwilling nor unready for the same, told them, that he was content to yield to their desires, but yet with one condition, which was, that he would take in hand this matter with the same assevera∣tion and protestation, with the Civilian in some occasions had used before him,* 1.1 and it liked him well, to wit, that having to speak in this Discourse of many Princes, Peers and Nobles of the Royal Blood of England (to all which by Law of Nature, Equity and Reason he said that he bare reverent honour and re∣spect) and to discuss their several Pretentions, Rights, Interests and Titles to the Crown, he said, that his meaning was, not to offend, hurt, or prejudicate none: nor to determin any thing

resolutly in favour or hinderance of any of their Pretences or Claims, of what Side, Family, Faction, Religion, or other Party soever he or she were, but rather plainly and indifferently without hatred or partial affection to or against any, to lay down sincerely what he had heard or read, or of himself conceived, that might justly be alledged in favour or disfavour of eve∣ry Titler.

And so much the rather he said that he would do this, for that in very truth the Civi∣lians speech had put him in a great indifferen∣cy concerning matter of Succession,* 1.2 and had taken out of his Head many scrupulosities about nice Points of Nearness in Blood, by the ma∣ny Examples and Reasons that he had al∣ledged of the Proceeding of Christian Com∣monwealths in this Affair, preferring often∣times him that was further off in Blood, upon other Considerations of more weight and im∣portance, which Point seemed to him to have been so evidently proved, as no man can deny it, and much less condemn the same, without the Inconveniences before alledged and mentioned, of calling all in doubt that now is established in the World, considering that not only foreign Countries, but England also it self so often hath used the same putting back the next in Blood.

Wherefore he said, that for as much as Com∣monwealths, and the consent, will and desire of each Realm was proved to have High and

Soveraign Authority in this Affair, and that as on the one side Nearness of Blood was to be re∣spected, so on the other there wanted not sun∣dry considerations and circumstances of as great moment as this, or rather greater, for that oftentimes these considerations had been preferred before Nearness of Blood, as hath been declared. I do not know (quoth he) who of the Pretenders may next obtain the Garland, whatsoever his Right by Propinquity be, so he have someright (as I think all have that do pre∣tend) and therefore I mean not to stand upon the justification or impugning of any one Title, but rather to leave all to God and to them, that must one day try and judge the same in Eng∣land, to whom I suppose this Speech of mine cannot be but grateful and commodious, for the better understanding and discerning of those matters, whereof of necessity, ere it be long, they must be Judges and Ʋmpires, when God shall appoint, and consequently for them to be ignorant or unacquainted with the same, (as men say that commonly most in England at this day cannot be but very inconvenient and dangerous.

In this manner he spake, and after this he began his discourse, setting down first of all the sundry Books and Treatises, which he under∣stood had been made or written hitherto of this Affair.

Notes

• * 1.1

  A protesta∣tion of the Lawyer.
• * 1.2

  Why they will not de∣termin of any one Title.