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