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HAving shewn the Form of the Close Writs of Summons,* 1.1 for such as are to sit in the Lords House, either Ratione sanguinis regalis, or Ratione tenurae, or Ratione Nobilitatis & Honoris, I am now
to shew how some of these sit there Ratio∣ne Creationis (not Exclusive of the others) viz. by vertue of their Open Writs, or Patents of Creation; for though Close Writs of Summoning to a Parliament were thought sufficient to Nobilitate the persons and their Heirs, who had the be∣nefit of them; yet since Tenures and Prescriptions, and Writs only, were not found so safe and convenient, the way of Creation by Patent hath much increased.
2. These Lords Patentees having Writs of Summons, as Memoirs of their Duty to the publick, their Patents do not only in∣tile them to sit in Parliament, but direct them where they shall sit, which their Writs of Summons do not express; for the Writs do only appoint a place, and time where and when to meet, but not their distinct places where to sit, both in respect to their own, and to the other degrees of Nobility.
3. These are called Patents of Creation, signifying something which was not be∣fore; now it is evident by what I have shewn, that there were persons called Dukes, Marquesses, Earls, Viscounts, and Barons, both in Foreign parts, and in this Kingdom, long before those Degrees were Erected by Patent; but till then (as Mr. Selden saith) they were to be esteemed
rather Official than Nobilitated Dignities, and therefore it must be understood that the Form of making them Earls, Dukes, &c. by these Letters Patents, were not in use here in England, till Dukes, Mar∣quesses, Earls, &c. did accept of this in∣strument or Form; and thereupon call'd Dukes, Earls, &c. by Creation.
4. I find these Patents to be of three sorts. First, of Titles Confirm'd (viz. such as were before their Patents.) Secondly, of Titles Reviv'd (viz. which were before, but were extinct for want of Issue, or Escheated to the Crown for Treason, &c. (which often happened in the Barons-wars, and at other times Thirdly, Titles Created or given where none was before. As to the first, viz. of such Titles as were be∣fore their Patents of Creation, it appears that Awbry de Vere (as Mr. Cambden saith) had the choice of four Earldoms, viz. Dorset, Wilts, Berks, and Oxford∣shire, of which four Shires (there having been Official Earls both in the Saxons, and afterwards in the Normans time) he chose Oxfordshire, which being granted to him by Henry the 1st. it was confirm'd to him by Patent of Creation by Hen. the 2d. according to this following Patent.
The Patent to Awbry de Vere, Confirm∣ing him Earl of Oxford.
HEnricus Secundus Rex Angliae & Dux Normaniae & Aquitaniae & Comes Andigaviae
Archiepiscopis Episco∣pis Abbatibus Comitibus Baronibus Justi∣ciarijs Vicecomitibus Ministris & omni∣bus Fidelibus suis totius Angliae Franciae & Angliae Salutem.
Sciatis me dedisse & concessisse Comiti Comitatus Oxenford∣scire ut sit inde Comes quare volo & Fir∣miter praecipio quop ipse & haeredes sui habeant inde Comitatum suum ita libere & quiete & honorifice sicut aliquis Comi∣tum Angliae liberius & quietius & hono∣rificentius habet
Test. * 2.1
Attested by the Chancellor, three Earls, and ten others of Quality.
Mr. Selden observes,* 2.2 that this Patent was rather a Consirmation than a Crea∣tion; and further saith, that in a Chancery∣stile, a Creation and Confirmation signi∣sie the same; however though the words in the Patent are not Confirmasse, but only Dedisse, and Concessisse, yet I conceive it plainly appears to be a Confirmation from the words in the Patent, viz. habeant inde Comitatum suum, which implies that that
County was his before this Confirmatory Creation.
The second sort of Creation Patents, are the reviving of a Title which had been before, but lay Dorment as in this follow∣ing Patent, of Creating Edward call'd Edward the Black-Prince, Son to Edward the 3d. to be Duke of Cornwal, there be∣ing Official Dukes of Cornwal before.
The Preamble to the Creation of Edward, Son to Edward the 3d. Duke of Corn∣wal.
EDwardus Dei gratia,* 3.1 &c.
inter caetera Regni insignia illud arbitramur fore potissimum ut ipsum ordinum dignita∣tum & Ossiciorum distributione, congrue vallatum sanis fulciatur consilijs & robusto∣rum potentijs teneatur, plurimis ita{que} gra∣dibus haereditarijs in regno nostro cum per descensum haeredetatum secundum legem regni ejusdem ad cohaeredes & participes tunc deficiente exitu, & alijs eventibus va∣rijs ad manus regias devolutis passum est a diu in nominibus honoribus & graduum dignitate defectum multiplicem dictum regnum Nos igitur ea per quae regnum nostrum decorari idem{que} regnum ac Sancta ejusdem Ecclesiae aliae etiam terrae nostro subjectae Dominio contra hostium & ad∣versariorum
conatus securius & decentius defensari pax{que} nostra inter nostros ubi{que} subditos conservari illaesa poterint medita∣tione solicita intuentes ac loca ejusdem Regni insignia pristmis insigniri honori∣bus Cupientes nostrae considerationes in∣tuitus ad personam Dilecti & Fidelis nostri Edwardi Comitis Cestriae filij nostri pri∣mogeniti intimius convertentes volentes{que} personam ejusdem honorare eidem filio nostro nomen & honorem Ducis Cornu∣biae de Communi assensu & Consilio Praela∣torum Comitum Baronum & aliorum de Consilio nostro in presenti Parliamento nostro apud Westmonasterium die Lunae proxime post festum Sancti Matthaei Apostoli proxime preterit' convocato existentium dedimus ipsum{que} in Ducem Cornubiae prefecimus & Gladio cinximus sicut decet &c. Dedimus ita{que} &c. Castra &c. juxta generis 〈◊〉〈◊〉 nobilitatem valeat contenere & onera in hac parte incumben∣tia facilius supportare, viz. ut faciat Vicecomites predicti Comitatus.
7. It is affirm'd by our History, that there were Dukes of Cornwal (as I have shewn in the Brittish times) but afterwards in∣tituled Earls, but both the Titles of Dukes, and Earls of that County being long ex∣tinct, William the 1st. rais'd it to an
Earldom, and after Edward the 3d. Erect∣ed it to a Dukedom, and thereupon had a preamble, and this was done also by assent and consent of the Prelates, Earls, Barons, and others of his Council (which I pre∣sume doth include the Commons) but it may be observed, that here was no other Investiture mention'd than Gladio cinximus, which is the same Ceremony of a Knight Batchelor; but many great Royalties and priviledges were herein granted, as may be seen in the Patent at large.
That to the Earl of Oxford needed no preamble, or Consent of the Earls and Commons, or mention of the Form of Investitures, or of particulars of Lands and Castles granted, being only a Confirma∣tion of that honour which he injoyed; but it was convenient, that this to the Duke of Cornwal should have a preamble, in respect the Title had lain dead for a long time in the Crown, as may be Collected from the words, ad manus Regias devo∣lutis.
The like Patent of Reviver, was of the Barony of Abergaveny by Richard the 2d. to John de Beauchamp second Son to the Earl of Warwick, from whom by Mar∣riage of the Daughter and Heir, it came into the Family of the Nevils, where it yet continues; but this was a Barony long
before, for in the time of King William the 2d. call'd Rufus, Hamelius de Balon was Baron of Abergaveny, and from him it descended to Brian de Jnsula, then to the Bruce's, Cante Lupes, and Hastings, in which last name it continued many de∣scents, till John Hastings then Earl of Pembroke, and Baron of Abergaveny died without Issue; and then as I said, Richard the 2d. Conferr'd it John Beauchamp ac∣cording to this following Patent.
6. Richardus Secundus,* 3.2 &c. Sciatis quod pro bonis & gratuitis servitijs quae Dilectus & Fidelis Miles noster Johannes de Beau∣champ de Holt Senescallus Hospitij nostri nobis impendit ac loco per ipsum tempore creationis nostrae huc us{que} impenso & quem pro Nobis tenere poterit infuturum in nostris Consiliis & Parliamentis nec non pro nobili & Fideli genere unde descendit ac pro suis magnificis sensu & Circumspectione ipsum Jo∣hannem in unum Parium ac Baronum Regni Angliae nostri praefecimus volentes quod idem Johannes & haeredes masculi de corpore suo Exeuntes statum Baronis obtineant ac Do∣mini de Beauchamp & Barones de Kider∣minster nuncupentur in cujus rei, &c. Teste, &c.
10. Thus having given instances of Con∣firming,
and Reviving of Titles by Pa∣tents of Creation, I shall speak of the third sort of Creating, or Erecting of new Ti∣tles by Patent of Creation also.
The third sort of Creation Patents, is more properly call'd a Creation than the other; and for this, I instance the Patent to the Prince of Wales. 11. Ed. the 3d. for though Wales had been an ancient Principality in it self, and their Natives were Princes thereof; and this being the first time that that Title was transferr'd to an English man, and a Patent granted by an English King which had never been done before; it might properly be call'd a Crea∣tion, the Preamble of the Patent is Tran∣scrib'd Verbatim; but the Habendum (be∣ing very long) I have only given a short abstract of it.
The Preamble to the Creation of Edward Prince of Wales.* 4.1
REx &c.
Archiepiscopis &c. salutem
de serenitate regalis praeeminentiae velut ex Sole radii sic inferiores prodeunt principatus ut regiae claritatis integritas de Luce Lucem proferens Ex Lucis distri∣butione minoratae Lucis non sentiat detri∣menta Immo tanto magis Regale Sceptrum extollitur & Solium Regium sublimatur
quanto tribunali suo plures subsunt Proce∣res eminentiae clarioris Haec autem con∣sideratio condigna Nos qui nominis & ho∣noris Edwardi ducis Cornubiae & Comitis Cestriae primogeniti nostri charissimi in∣crementum appetimus (in quo potius Nos ipsos conspicimus honorari & domum nostram Regiam & subditum nobis populum nostrum speramus per Dei gratiam sumpta de gloriosis suis auspiciis conjectura honorifice roborari) allicit & inducit ut ipsum qui reputatione juris censetur eadem persona nobiscum dig∣no proveniamus honore & saecunda gratia persequamur de Consilio ita{que} & Consen∣su Praelatorum Comitum Baronum & Communitatum Regni nostri Angliae in Ge∣nerali Parliamento nostro apud Westmo∣nasterium die Lunae in Quindena Pasche proxime praeterita Convocato ipsum Edwar∣dum Principem Walliae fecimus & creavimus & dictum principatum sibi dedimus & con∣cessimus & per Chartam nostram confir∣mavimus ac ipsum de dicto principatu ut ibidem praeficiendo praesideat & praesiden∣do dictas partes derigat & defendat per fertum in Capite & annulum in digito aureum ac virgam argenteam investivimus juxta morem, habend'& tenend'de nobis sibi & haeredibus suis Regibus Angliae in perpetuum cum omnibus Dominijs & ter∣ris
nostris Northwalliae Westwalliae & Southwalliae, &c.
The like was in Richard the 2ds. time, when the Earldom or County of Lanca∣shire was Erected into a Dutchy Pala∣tine, which was not so before, the Pre∣amble of which Patent, I shall here insert; aswell to shew the Latin Style of the Age, as for other reasons, which I shall here∣after have occasion to mention.
The Patent of Creation to John Duke of Lancaster. Anno 1389.
INter Gloriosae Reipublicae curas & sol∣licitudines varias.* 5.1 Regiis humeris in∣cumbentes firmat potissime Regale solium effluens á justitia condigna premiatio mer∣ritorum ibinamque continue virtus crescit & colitur ubi a debito sibi praemio non frustratur. Cum igitur honor sit virtutis praemium constat quod virtuosis & stre∣nuis ex Regali justitia debentur fasces ho∣norum & praemia dignitatum quae uti{que} si dignis conferantur non debent simpli∣citer aestimari donum seu exhibitio favo∣rum sed potius debita compensatio meri∣torum Quid enim in retroactis saeculis & fesicium Principum temporibus Rempub∣licam amplius provexisse comperimusquam
quod pie regnantes virtuosos & strenuos sub se habebant oneris ijs injuncti parti∣cipes, quos postmodum juxta Exigentiam meritorum honore & distributionibus dig∣nitatum successive fecerunt ex debito Re∣galis Justitiae gloriosos. Quia quod soli non poterant, provida virtuosorum hujus∣modi provisione supplebant. Hijs igitur considerationibus inducti ad te praecharissimum patruum nostrum mentis nostrae aciem dirigentes actus{que} tuos virtuosos & praeclaria merita quibus te virtutum Dominus insignivit in profun∣dae discussionis liberamine ponderantes, de assensu Prelatorum Ducum Magnatum & aliorum Procerum & Communitatis Regni nostri Angliae in instanti Parliamento no∣stro apud Westmonasterium convocato existentium Te predilectissimum patruum nostrum in Ducem Aquitaniae cum titulo stilo & nomine & honore eidem debitis praefecimus ac inde praesentialiter per ap∣positionem Capae tuo Capiti ac traditio∣nem virgae aureae investimus in praemium eximiae virtutis tuae & attinentiae predicta∣rum toto vitae tuae possidendum, &c. Et, &c. Donamus tibi Ducatum, &c. te∣nendum de nobis ut de Rege Franciae, &c. ad totum vitae tuae.
Here was a great Merit express'd, and magnificently rewarded, yet not to his Heirs, but to himself only for life, which he took as a sufficient Recompence for his Services; and this was Assensu & consensu Praelatorum Ducum Magnat'. Et aliorum Procerum & Communitatis Regni nostri An∣gliae. And I observe, That when the Pa∣tents were only for Confirmation, the Assent and Consent of the Parliament was not inserted, but where they were to Revive, or meerly to Create, then the As∣sent and Consent was express'd.
The like Patent of meer Creation was that of the Ninth of Richard the Second, when Robert de Vere, then Earl of Oxford, was Created Marquess of Dublin; (which, saith Mr. Selden, was in him an English Title:) however, it was the first that any was Created of that Title here in Eng∣land.
And also the like Patent of meer Crea∣tion was that of 18 H. 6. whereby John de Beaumount was created Viscount de Beau∣mount, the Title of Viscount being before an Official Dignity, but never till this Creation nobilitated. All which may be more fully seen in the Rolls Chappel, or Patent Office.
13. As I have shewn three sorts of Pa∣tents of Creation, so, for the clearing of
some subsequent matters, I must shew, That these Patents usually consisted of four parts, (yet subject to variations) First, The King's Stile and Preamble. Se∣condly, Of Investitures. Thirdly, Of Places in Parliament. Fourthly, Grants of Lands, Annuities, &c.
As to the Preambles upon New Crea∣tions or Revivals, they were usually long, expressing the Merits of the Person, but commonly they were couch'd in few words; and those, viz. in generals, Pro bono & laudabili servitio quod dilectus & fidelis noster A. B. nobis nuper impendit, &c. particularly Pro rebelles nostros debellando, (according to the particular Services) and in others, Progratia nostra speciali & certa scientia & mero motu.
As for the Second I shall have occa∣sion to speak of them in the Chapter of Investitures.
For the Fourth, concerning Grants, Annuities, &c. I shall have little use of them.
But for the Third, concerning The di∣stinct Places of the Degrees of Nobles, I can find nothing in ancient Patents, but gene∣rals, viz. That his place should be in loco quem teneri poterit in futurum in nostris Consilijs & Parliamentis; and so they were generally set down (except in such as I
shall mention) till Edward the Sixth's time (which was soon after that the Act of 31 H. 8. concerning Precedencies was made) and then the whole frame of the Patents for all the Degrees, from the Ha∣bend' or Sciatis, were setled in this follow∣ing Method, and have ever since so conti∣nued with very little alterations. I begin first with Dukes.
The Sciatis to a Duke's Patent of Creation, and his Place in Parliament.
14. SCiatis pro consideratione praedicta de ulteriori gratia nostra speciali ac ex certa scientia & mero motu nostris Praefa∣tum A. in Ducem C. nec non ad statum, gradum, stilum, titulum, dignitatem, no∣men & honorem Ducis C. ereximus, praefe∣cimus, insignivimus, constituimus & crea∣vimus ipsum{que} A. in Ducem C. nec non ad statum, gradum, stilum, titulum, digni∣tatem, nomen & honorem Ducis C. tenore praesentium erigimus praeficimus insigni∣mus constituimus & creavimus per prae∣sentes eidem{que} A. nomen, stilum, titulum, statum, gradum, dignitatem & honorem Ducis C. imposuimus dedimus & praebui∣mus ac per praesentes imponumus damus & praebemus ac ipsum A. hujusmodi nomine stilo, titulo, statu, gradu, dignitate &
honore Ducis (per Gladij Cincturum, Capae & Circuli aurei impositionem in Capite & traditionem aureae virgae) insig∣nimus investimus & realiter nobilitamus per praesentes. Habend'& tenend'nomen stilum, titulum, statum, gradum, digni∣tatem & honorem Ducis C. praedict' cum omnibus singulis praeeminentijs, honori∣bus, caeteris{que} hujumodi nomini, stilo, ti∣tulo, statui, gradui, dignitati & honori Ducis pertinentibus sive spectantibus pre∣fat' A. & heredibus masculis de Corpore suo exeuntibus in perpetuum Volentes & per presentes concedentes pro nobis here∣dibus & successoribus nostris quod predi∣ctus A. & heredes sui Masculi predicti no∣men, stilum, titulum, statum, gradum, dignitatem & honorem predict' successive gerant & habeant & eorum quilibet gerat & habeat & per nomen Ducis C. successive vocitenter & nuncupenter & eorum quili∣bet vocitetur & nuncupetur, & quod idem A. & heredes Masculi sui predicti, successive ut Duces C. teneantur tractentur & repu∣tentur, et eorum quilibet teneatur tra∣ctetur et reputetur habeant{que} teneant et possideant, &c. (Then as to Parliaments,) [ B] Et quod dictus A. et heredes sui Masculi predicti et eorum quilibet habeat teneat et possideat Sedem locum et vocem in Par∣liamentis Comitijs et Consilijs nostris he∣redum
et successor' nostror' infra regnum nostrum Angliae ut Dux C. Nec non dictus A. et heredes sui Masculi predicti gaudeant & utantur et eorum quilibet gaudeat et uta∣tur per nomen Ducis C. omnibus et sin∣gulis juribus privilegijs praeeminentijs et immunitatibus statui Ducis in omibus rite et de jure pertinentibus quibus Duces hujus Regni Angl'antea haec tempor' melius, ho∣norificentius et quietius usu sunt et gavisi seu in presenti gaudeant et utuntur.
There is an addition of most of the latter Patents concerning Annuities grant∣ed, which I shall speak of so soon as I have recited so much as concern the Places appointed to the several Degrees of Nobles to sit in Parliament suitable to what is inserted in the Dukes Patent at the Fi∣gure B.
15. AFter the King's Title and Pre∣amble, in the Sciatis, these words are in the Marquess his Patent: viz.
Prefat' R. in Marchionem D. creavimus, &c. per Gladij cincturam & circuli aurei quo Capiti impositionem investivimus, &c. Ha∣bendum,
&c. honorem Marchionis D. &c. prefat' R. & heredibus masculis de corpore suo exeuntibus, &c. (Then as to Par∣liaments,) Et quod dictus R. & heredes sui masculi predicti & eorum quilibet ha∣beat teneat & possideat sedem locum & vo∣cem in Parliamentis Comitijs & Consilijs nostris heredum & successorum nostrorum infra Regnum nostrum Angliae, inter Pares Parliament' in gradu celsiori videl't inter Duces & Comites ut Marchio.
16. AFter the Kings Title and the Pre∣amble in the Sciatis, these words are also in the Earls Patents, viz.
Prefat' N. in Comitem A. &c. creavimus per gladij cincturam & Capae honoris & Circuli aurei impositionem investimus Habendum, &c. honorem Comitis A. &c. prefat' N. & here∣dibus masculis de Corpore suo exeuntibus, &c. (Then as to Parliaments,) Et quod di∣ctus N. & heredes sui Masculi predicti & eorum quilibet habeat teneat & possideat sedem locum & vocem in Parliamentis & Consilijs nostris heredum & successorum no∣strorum infra regnum nostrum Angl'inter alios Comites ut Comes A.
Note, It is not here said inter Marchiones & Vicecomites, because they were Degrees erected after the Earls.
17. AFter the Kings Title and the Pre∣amble, and the Sciatis, these words are also in the Viscounts Patents, viz.
Prefat' A. in Vicecomit••m N. &c. creavi∣mus ac ipsum insignijs Vicecomitis investi∣mus, &c. Habendum, &c. honorem Vice∣comitis N. &c. Et quod idem A. & heredes sui Masculi gerant titulum Vicecomitis N. &c. Et heredes sui Masculi predicti. (Then as to Parliaments,) Et eorum quilibet habeat teneat & possideat successive sedem locum & vocem in Parliamentis & publicis Comitijs (in the first Patent to Beaumont it is Congregationibus nostris) he∣redum & successorum nostrorum infra Reg∣num nostrum Angliae inter alios Vicecomites & ante omnes Barones ut Vicecomes.
18. AFter the Kings Title and the Pre∣amble in the Sciatis, these words are in the Barons Patent,
Prefat' A. B. &c. ad honorem Baronis B. &c. creavimus ip∣sum{que} A. B. Baronem B. Creavimus, &c. (no mention of Investitures) Habendum, &c. honorem A. B. heredibus suis Masculis, &c. per nomen Baronis B. de C. & heredes sui Masculi predicti. (Then as to Parliaments) Et eorum quilibet habeat teneat & possideat sedem locum & vocem in Parliamentis pub∣licis Comitijs & Concilijs nostris heredum & successorum nostrorum infra Regnum no∣strum Angliae inter alios Barones ut Ba∣rones Parliamentorum publicorum Comitio∣rum & Consiliorum.
Note, That the word Chevalier is in his Writ, but not in his Patent, nor the word Dominus, which was us'd in ancient Patents, is also disus'd in the latter Pa∣tents.
19. HEre I must observe how wanton the Penmen of these Patents have been in latter days, by multiplying words in them, which former ages thought superfluous, and even the Sages of the Law, who are the most knowing in what is sufficient, have anciently and do still re∣ject them (as may be seen in the Thir∣teenth Chapter) and yet the Jurisdiction and Priviledges which are granted to those Sages are little inferiour to what is granted in these, whereas those Patents do not contain (besides the names from the Sciatis to the Teste) above twelve words, and these by the redundancy of Sentences, at least one Thousand two Hun∣dred words.
20. IN the recital of the Sciatis (in Sect. 8.) I did omit the extravagant slou∣rishes, which are us'd in many of these Patents about Creation-Money and Annui∣ties given to the Patentees.
21. IMmediately after the words gaudent and utuntur (in the Sciatis at large, a little before mention'd) these words follow: viz.
Et quoniam aucta status & dignitatis cel∣situdine necessario crescunt sumptus & acce∣dunt onera grandiora: ut predictus A. & heredes masculi sui predicti melius decentius & honorificentius statum honorem & digni∣tatem predictam Vicecomiti N. ac Onera ipsi A. & heredibus suis masculis predictis in∣cumbentia manutenere & supportare valeat, Ideo de uberiori gratia nostra dedimus & concessimus eidem A. & heredibus masculis de Corpore exeuntibus feodum sive annualem redditum tresdecim librarum sex solidorum & octo denariorum legalis monet' Angliae. Habendum & percipiendum annuatim di∣ctum feodum sive annualem redditum tres∣decim librarum sex solidorum & octo dena∣riorum eidem A. & heredibus suis masculis de Corpore Exeuntibus de exitibus profi∣tuis, et reventionibus magnae & parvae custumae et subsidijs nostris nobis concessis sive debitis seu imposterum nobis heredibus seu successoribus nostris concedendis sive de∣bendis
provenientibus crescentibus sive emer∣gentibus infra portum Civitatis nostrae Londi∣ni per manus Custumariorum sive Collectorum nostrorum heredum et successorum nostrorum custumarumet subsidiorum nostrorum heredum et successorum nostrorum ibidem pro tempore existentium ad festum Pasche et Sancti Mi∣chaelis Archangeli per equales portiones vo∣lumus, &c. abs{que} fine hanaperio, &c. et quod Expressamentio, &c. and so concludes, in cujus, &c. Teste, &c.(too tedious to re∣cite) making above one Hundred words more: and almost the like is to an Earl for 20 l. per annum, so as the Money gi∣ven will scarce pay for the words written, or but little left to support such a Dignity, unless the meer expression of the ube∣rious munificence of the Donor be suffi∣cient.
Sure it was less chargeable, and as effe∣ctual when the words of the whole Pa∣tent of Creating the Earl of Essex, tem∣pore H. 2. and others in other Kings Reigns was only thus: viz.
Do & concedo G. de M. pro servitio suo, & heredibus suis post eum hereditabiliter ut sit Comes de Essexia, & habeat tertium dena∣riorum Vicecomitatus de placitis, sicut Comes habere debet in Comitatu suo.So here was both the Honor, the Service, and the Re∣ward mention'd in less then thirty words.
There is nothing alledged for the length of these Patents, but that the latter Ages (as 'tis said) are more cautious than the former, and that abundans cautela (say we) non nocet, which occasions an abun∣dance of words more than anciently were in use.
As to the sinalness of the Creation-Mo∣ney, those who have taken pains in Writing about raising of the price of Money, both Gold and Silver, since Edward the Third's time, tell us, That there are three ways of raising it; First, By encreasing the Va∣lue of it, that is by giving more parts to it than originally it had, as by ordaining an Angel of Gold to be valued at a 11 s. which was Coin'd for 10 s. or a Shilling, to be valued at 14 d. The Second, By di∣minishing the Matter, but leaving the same Name and Value to the Money which it had before, as when Angels or Shillings are Coin'd by the same Name and Value as before, but diminished some Grains in the weight; or if new Names be given to them, and the same Value retain'd, but the weight diminished, for in this case there being really less Gold or Silver in weight in the price than was before, and the va∣lue remaining the same, this Silver and Gold which remains hath an high price set upon it. The Third is, When the Va∣lue
remaining the same, of the Species of Money, and the Weight the same, the fineness is abated by putting more Allay to it, so as really then there is less Gold or Silver in fineness (for it is supply'd by Copper (which is usually the Allay to either) whereby the Weight is made the same as before, but the Fineness so much less. They further tell us, That the Cau∣ses of these Allays, are first the Gain which the States make by it, the better to supply themselves in their necessities for Money; the other Cause is an Art which all States do frequently use (as it were) to rob one another of their Money, by vying one upon another, who shall raise their Money highest; and this occasions the raise and fall of Exchanges of Money among our Merchants, which is a Mystery worth the knowing, by every one that serves in Parliament, thereby to prevent Injuries, and to maintain the Honour and Profit of our Kingdom.
But whatever uncertainties are in the raise or fall of Money, this is certain, That 20 l. per Annum, in those days, did go as far (if not farther) in managing Mens occasions (where Money was to be us'd) as 200 l. per Annum now; and one great Reason was, Because in almost all matters of Wars or Peace, the Tenants
were obliged by their Tenures, to supply their Lords, especially in Provisions for Hospitality and Labour, without Wages, or very little, so as a little Money was lookt on as a great Reward, as may be seen in the Tenure of the Lord of the Mannor of Carlton in Norfolk, who is oblig'd every year, with himself and his Servants, to present to the King a certain number of Herrings from the City of Norwich, (with which the Town of Tarmouth are oblig'd by their Patent to supply that City for that purpose) and after three days stay, upon delivery of the Herrings to the King, the Lord of Carlton is to be presented by the Master of the Green-Cloth with a Groat, to buy him a pair of Gloves, as a full Re∣compence of his Trouble, and this con∣tinues to this day.
So as if we look upon the gift of 20 Mark, or 20 l. according to the present Adequa∣tion of Money, to the rates of other things, it may seem a Sum derogatory to the Ho∣nour of the King that gives it, as to him that receives it, and therefore it must be considered as the Groat, a Gift of Anti∣quity, Noble and Liberal in its first Inten∣tion; but had the large Encomium to it (before recited) been as ancient as the Gift, I should not at this time have taken notice of its exuberancy. However (in
pursuance of my Design) these Patents of Creations do intitle them where to sit in the Lords House, &c.
Thus having done with the Patents which concern the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, I intended to have writ some∣thing here concerning the Antiquity and present Use of Seals and Labels to Patents and Writs, and of various Superscriptions to the Lords and Commons, &c. as also of Wax, Parchment, &c. (as necessary Utensils for carrying on the Constitution of a Parliament) but I shall reserve the Discourse of them till I have past through the Parliament-Writs, as well concerning the House of Lords as House of Commons, and Convocation-Houses, and so now pro∣ceed to the General Titles given to the Grandees of the House of Lords, viz. Nobles, Lords, and Peers.
Sect. 1.
5. H. 2.
Selden 1. H. p. 539.
Sect. 6.11. Ed. 3.
11. R. 2.
Sect. 11.17. Ed. 3.
Sect. 12.13. R. 2.