The oppressed mans oppressions declared: or An epistle written by Lieut. Col. Iohn Lilburne, prerogative-prisoner (by the illegall and arbitrary authority of the House of Lords) in the Tower of London, to Col. Francis West, lieutenant thereof: in which the oppressing cruelty of all the gaolers of England is declared, and particularly the lieutenants of the Tower. As also, there is thrown unto Tho. Edwards, the author of the 3d. ulcerous gangræna, a bone or two to pick: in which also, divers things are handled, of speciall concernment to the present times.

The First Roll

Records and Remembrances of those things which were done in the Parlia∣ment summoned at Westminster, on Munday next after the Feast of Saint Katherine, in the yeare of the reigne of King Edward the third, from the Conquest, the fourth, delivered into the Chancery, by Henry de Edenstone Clerk of the Parliament.

THese are the Treasons, Felonies, Wickednesses, done to our Lord the King, and his people, by Roger de Mortimer, and others of his confederacie. First of all, whereas it was ordai∣ned at the Parliament of our lord the King, which was held next after his corona∣tion at Westminster, that four Bishops, four Earles, and six Barons, should abide neere the King for to counsel him; so alwayes that there may be foure of them, viz. one Bi∣shop, one Earle, and two Barons, at the least, And that no great businesse be done without their assent, and that each of them should answer for his deeds, during his time. After which Parliament, the said Roger Mortimer, (not having regard to the said assent) tooke upon himselfe Royall power. and the government of the Realme, and encroacht upon the State of the King, and ousted, and caused to be ousted, and placed Officers in the Kings House and else where, throughout the Realm at his pleasure, of such which were of his minde, and placed John Wyàrd and others over the King, to espy his actions and sayings; so that our Lord the King was in such manner environed of such, as that hee could not doe any thing at his pleasure, but was as a man which is kept in ward.

Also whereas the Father of our LORD the KING, was at Kenilwarth, by ordi∣nance and assent of the Peers of the Land, there to stay at his pleasure for to be served as becommeth such a Lord, the said Roger, by Royall power taken unto himselfe, did not permit him to have any money at his will; and ordered that he was sent to Rarkly Castle, where by him and his, he was traitorously and falsly murthered and slain.

But that which is this to my purpose, is Roll the second, being the judgement of Sir Samon de Bereford, which verbatim followeth thus.

Notes

• The judgement of Roger de Mortimer.