Anno 1634.
[Car. 9] Our Coasts were much infested by Pyrats, even by Turks, and Algiers men, to the great prejudice of trade. The Dutch men became almost Masters of the Sea, in the Northern fishing; Overtures were * 1.1 made concerning Herring fishing, and Busses, for our own Coasts: and to prevent Strangers. Some petty quarrels fell out between us and the Hollan∣ders, about those matters of fishing; upon which, Grotius did write his Book of Mare liberum, but is clearly answered by that learned treatise of Selden's * 1.2 called Mare clausum.
The King finding the Controversie begun, and that it must be maintained by force, which his want of money could not doe; He by the advice of his Attorney Noy, and of the Lord Keeper Co∣ventry, who as far as his learning in those matters did extend (and that was not far) did approve, and assist the project.
And by advice of his Privy Council, and Coun∣cil Learned, the King requires Shipmoney. The Writ for it was at first but to Maritime Towns * 1.3 and Counties; but that not sufficing, other Writs were Issued out, to all Counties to levy Ship-money.
Yet great care was taken to favour the Clergy, all the rest of the People, except Courtiers, and Officers, generally murmur at this taxe; although it was politickly layd with all equality, yet the great objection against it was, because it was im∣posed without assent of Parliament, and that there∣fore it was unlawfull.
The old Chancellor Oxenstierne of Sweden, the great director of their affairs both at home and abroad, particularly in Germany, during the Queen's minority, sent his eldest Son Grave John * 1.4 Oxenstierne Ambassadour to our King, with Creden∣tials from the Queen of Sweden. But Grave John the Ambassadour, and the Authority from whence he came, were so unworthily slighted in our Court, who were not willing to give any assistance to the Prince Elector against the Emperor, that in great distast, Grave John, who was high enough in his own thoughts, and for the honour of his Mistress the Queen, went away in discontent from England, and neither he nor his Father, nor family, were friends to our King, after this affront put upon them.
The Parliament of Ireland gave some Subsidies to the King, and the 39 Articles of our Church were there by that Parliament Established.
Mr. Attorney Noy having set on foot the tax * 1.5 of Ship money, leaveth it, and the world. He died of the distemper of the Stone.
The Scots began to murmer against their last Parliament; the Lord Balmerino was questioned * 1.6 about a Letter written by King James, to Pope Clement, to complement him. It was suggested, that this Lord's Father being Secretary to the King, did draw the Letter, and shufling it among other papers, did by that means, get it to be signed by the King. Yet was this Lord after∣wards not onely pardoned, but honoured and pre∣ferred.
The discontented party in Scotland, had Intelli∣gence of the discontents in England, and the Car∣dinal Richeliew sent his Agents to foment the dis∣contents in both Kingdomes, who met with mat∣ter, and persons, very apt to be kindled.
The Lord Treasurer Weston dyed; not much la∣mented * 1.7 of the people; who generally esteemed him to be a covert Papist, and an Agent for Rome, and though himself might be dispenced with, yet most of his family made open profession of the Popish Religion, and continue in the same pro∣fession.
Sir Edward Coke dyed this year also; who was * 1.8 of greater reputation with the people, but of less at Court; whose Illegal actions he earnestly oppo∣sed in Parliament, being usually chosen a Member of the House of Commons, after he was put out of his publick offices. He was a man of great Learning, and Industry, and had the value of a just, and Im∣partial Magistrate.
The Imperialists, and Swedes fought a bloudy Battaile at Nortington, where the Swedes were overthrown, 12000 of them slain, and 6000 taken prisoners, but hereupon insued a peace between them. The Emperor being wisely the more In∣clined to it, after his being victorious in the Warre.
Spotteswood, Archbishop of St. Andrews was * 1.9 made Chancellor of Scotland, and though he was a wise, and learned man, and of good reputation, and life, yet it gave offence to many, that he being a Clergy man, should be Invested with that dignity; which they affirmed, not to have been done before, since the Reformation.
At Abington, complaint was made to the Mayor, and to the Recorder, of divers in the Town, who were Nonconformists to the orders, and ceremo∣nies of the Church in divine Service, as that some did not stand up at the Creed, nor bow to the Altar, nor at the name of Jesus, nor receive the Sacrament kneeling at the High Altar, and the like.
For which some that were related to the Eccle∣siastical Court complained to them, being Justices of the Peace for the Town, and desir'd they would punish these Offenders, the Recorder answered them, that these offences were more properly punish∣able by the Ecclesiastical Judges in their Courts, than by Justices of Peace, and therefore he advised them to inform the Chancellor of the Diocesse, or other Officers of that Jurisdiction concerning those Matters, that proceedings might be had therein according to their Law, but he thought it not fit for him to interpose in those matters, the Complainers seemed much un∣satisfied herewith; but the Mayor being somewhat inclin'd to the opinions of the Non-conformists, was not easily to be perswaded to punish them, and