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A Resolution is passed relative to the Privilege of Peers. An Assize having been brought against Lord Willoughby, of Parham, then attending Parliament, to be tried at the next Assizes and Sessions, an injunction is desired, that none shall proceed in and to that trial, upon the pain of £500.

Feb. 24. (Friday.) A Member of the Commons having come to the House being outlawed, and having defrauded several persons under colour of Privilege, after examination by a Committee, the Question is put, "Whether he shall have Privilege or not ?" It is carried, by 112 against 107, that he shall still continue a Member.

March 23. A Member of the House having gone before the Lords as Counsel with the Bishop of Winchester, it is taken to be a fault.

He pleads ignorance of the Order, and is remitted.

April 17. The Bill touching Knights and Burgesses, for attendance in Parliament, is debated.

May 8. The Queen comes to the House. The Speaker requires the Royal Assent to such Bills as had passed both Houses, and the Lord Keeper dissolves the Parliament. (a)

Jan. 11. (Monday.) A Parliament (II.) is held at 1568. Westminster.

Writs are issued to the Treasurer, one Duke, one Marquis, nine Earls, two Viscounts, and 29 Barons, Chivalers.

On account of the Queen's indisposition, Parliament is prorogued to next day.

Jan. 12. After a Sermon at the Abbey, the Queen proceeds
to the House, when the Lord Keeper, Bacon, opens the Session.
Jan. 15. The Commons present their Speaker, "Mr. Thomas
Wylliams, Esq.," who makes an Oration, and is accepted.

The Oath of Supremacy is taken by all the Members of both
Houses.

Jan. 22. (Friday.) Burgesses being returned of divers Boroughs not lately returned in the Chancery, Tregony, St. Jermyns and Mawes, (Cornwall,) Mynhed, (Somerset,) Tamworth, (Stafford,) Stok bridge, (Southampton,) Mr. Speaker declares that the Lord Steward agrees that they should resort into the House, to shew Letters Patent, why they should be returned in this Parliament.

Feb, 6. A Member's Servants, who had been imprisoned for a fray, are set at liberty, on entering sureties in a bond for £500, to appear personally in the Queen's Court, in Trinity Term next. Feb. 20. A Bill for a Supply is sent up by the Commons, and, on the 23d, passes the Lords.

Several Acts are passed, and Petitions presented for the Queen to marry.

April 10. (In Vigilia Pasche.) The Queen gives her assent to 31 Public, and 17 Private Acts, and the Lord Keeper prorogues the Parliament to October 2, next ensuing. (b)

(a) Dugdale. Parl. H. IV., 363-436. Against a Bill for the Liturgy, Dr. Feckenham, Abbot of Westminster, the last of his order that ever spoke in that House, and Dr. Scott, Bishop of Chester, make orations.

(b) Dugdale, 1562. P. H. IV., 437, which gives the same date. Cambden, in Kennet, p. 591, acquaints his Readers on the subject of the Subsidy, "That a Fifteenth and Tenth is a certain Tax on every City and Borough Town; not upon every man in particular, but a general sum in proportion to the computed wealth of the respective places. A Subsidy is what is imposed on every single person, as they are

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5

1564

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1566. A. R.

8

Oct. 2. Parliament again assembles, but by reason of the Plague, then raging in the Cities of London and Westminster, is prorogued to Öct. 5, 1564, A. R., 6.

Oct. 5. The Parliament is a third time prorogued to

April 30, and again to Oct. 4, when it is a fifth time prorogued.

Feb. 7. The Parliament is, a sixth time, prorogued to

Sept. 30, when the Meeting re-assembles. Writs are issued to the Treasurer, one Marquis, 17 Earls, 3 Viscounts, 41 Barons, Chivalers.

The Speaker of the Commons, "Mr. Thomas Williams, Esq," being dead, a Committee is appointed to wait upon the Lords, to have their aid and assistance, for intimation of the affair to her Majesty, and to know her pleasure upon it.

Her Majesty's pleasure is, that the Commons shall resort to their usual place, and choose a new Speaker, after the accustomed manner. Her Majesty's Solicitor-General, Richard Onslow, Esq., a Member of the Lower House, but who attended the House of Lords, is, after some proceedings and debate, elected by 82 against 70. He is approved.

Oct. 22. In consequence of the Lord Keeper's infirmities, Sir Robert Catlyn, Knight, Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, is appointed to execute his office in Parliament.

Oct. 30. A Committee of both Houses is appointed to petition the Queen about her Marriage.

Nov. 9. (Saturday.) Mr. Vice-Chamberlain declares her Majesty's express Commandment that they shall no farther proceed in their Suit, but satisfy themselves with her Highness's promise of Marriage.

Nov. 11. (Monday.) It is moved whether the Queen's Commandment is not against their Liberties. The "Dispute" is from 9, A. M. to 2, P. M., and is adjourned to next day.

Nov. 12. (Tuesday.) The Speaker communicates a Special Commandment from her Highness to this House that there shall be no further talk of the matter, and if any person is not satisfied, but had reasons, let him come before the Privy Council there to shew them.

Nov. 25. (Monday) Mr. Speaker declares her Highness's pleasure to revoke her two former Commandments, which revocation is taken of the House most joyfully, with most hearty prayers and thanks for the same.

Dec. 18. A Bill for a Subsidy sent up from the Commons, passes the Lords.

Dec. 24. (Tuesday.) Word is brought from the Lords, that they have adjourned to Monday. The Commons adjourn to Saturday, then to be called, to see and consider the Defaults.

Dec. 28. (Saturday.) The House is called, and adjourns till Mondav.

Dec. 30. (Monday.) The House is called and adjourns till Thursday, because the Lords above have so adjourned.

assessed by poll, according to the value of their goods and Lands. But neither one, nor other of these Taxes, is laid but by Act of Parliament."

Among other Acts made this Session is one declaring the Authority of the Lord Keeper of the Great Seal and the Lord Chancellor's to be one. Henry 8 had, by Act of Parliament, consigned the first place of Honour among Laymen in Parliaments and Great Councils to the Lord Chancellor, the second to the Lord Treasurer, the third to the Lord President of his Majesty's Council, and the fourth to the Lord Privy Seal, "if of the degree of Barons of Parliament or above;" and they were to take place of all Dukes, except those of the Blood Royal.

Jan. 2. (Thursday.) The Defaults are called, and twelve 1567. Members allowed to make default.

At three, F. M., Mr. Onslow, Speaker, makes an Oration to the Queen, and is answered by the Lord Keeper. The Queen addresses both Houses, and declares that she seems not pleased with the doings of the Commons, for busying themselves in this Session with matters which do not appertain at this time, "but with comfortable words," commands this Parliament to be dissolved. (c)

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April 2. (Monday.) A Parliament (III.) is held at 1571. Westminster.

Writs are addressed to the Marquis of Winchester, Treasurer,
and one other, 15 Earls, 3 Viscounts, 38 Barons.

After a Sermon at the Abbey, the Queen comes to the Upper
House, and makes a short Speech.

The Lord Keeper, Sir Nicholas Bacon, then shews the cause
of this Parliament. He informs the Members "that they are to
examine the want and superfluity of Laws; whether there be too
inany, which breedeth so many doubts, that the subject sometimes
is to seek how to observe them, and the Councellor how to give
advice concerning them."

Receivers and Tryers of Petitions are appointed.

April 4. The Commons present Christopher Wray, Esq, as Speaker, who is accepted. He makes a Speech of Two Hours. The Lord Keeper replies, and, among other matters, states, "that her Majesty having experience of late of some disorder and certain offences, they, the Commons, will do well to meddle with no Matters of State, but such as shall be propounded unto them, and to occupy themselves in other Matters concerning the Commonwealth."

It is agreed, that the Litany shall be read every day as in the last Parliament, and also a Prayer said by Mr. Speaker, as he shall think fittest for this time, to be begun every day at half after eight, A. M., and, at that each, then making default, shall forfeit for every time, fourpence to the Poorman's Box.

April 5, On the preceding day, the Commons had been called over, and the Oath of Allegiance and Supremacy given to each Member, by Lord Clynton, the Lord Steward of the Queen's Household. This day they are again called over; and two Gentlemen, who had entered, without being returned by the Clerk of the Crown, are committed to the Serjeant's Ward, and commanded to attend, next day, the Order of the House.

A Committee is named to confer with the Attorney and Solicitor General about several Boroughs, which had returned Members this Parliament, but sent none to the last.

A Debate takes place on Abuses in Religion.

April 7. A Committee is appointed to consider the amount, and time of yielding, some Relief unto her Majesty, to meet in the Star Chamber, on Monday, (9th) at two o'clock.

April 9. (Monday.) A Report is made concerning the validity of Burgesses, and it is ordered, by consent of the AttorneyGeneral, that the Burgesses shall sit according to their Returns ; because the validity of the Charters of their Towns is to be examined in another place, if cause be.

(c) Commons Journals. Dugdale. P. Hist. IV., 52-85. The frequent Prorogations of this Parliament, ab anno in annum, are an innovation upon all former practice. More than four years intervene between this Dissolution and the following Parliament. Ff

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1571.

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13

A long debate takes place relating to the Prerogative.

April 10. (Tuesday.) Mr. Speaker reciteth a command from her Majesty, to spend little time in Motions, and to avoid long Speeches.

He moves, also, that, henceforth, Motions shall be brought in writing. (d)

April 14. (Saturday.) Being Easter Eve, the House is adjourned to Thursday 19th, and it is agreed that, from thenceforth, they shall come to the House at Seven of the clock every morning.

April 19. (Thursday.) A Bill for the Validity of Burgesses not Resiant, is read a second time, and is committed after much debate.

Mr. Warncombe, (of Hereford,) recommends all those who are Burgesses to see to that Bill. It may touch and over-reach their whole Liberties. Lords' Letters may henceforth bear all the sway.

Mr. Norton explains the meaning of the Bill-to shame the imperfection of Choice, too often seen, by sending unfit men; and lest any thing might be objected to the imperfection of Parliament, by reason of the Choice made by Boroughs, for the most part of Strangers, whereas, by the political Law, no man ought to be chosen Burgess for any Borough, but only Residents and Inhabitants. The Choice should be of such as were able, and fit for so great a place and employment, without respect of Privilege of Place, or Degree. By reason of his being a Burgess, it might not be intended or thought he was any thing the wiser. The whole body of the Realm, and the good service of the same, were rather to be respected, than the private regard of Place, Privilege, or Degree of any person.

Another Member says, "I run wholly with the pretence of the Bill, that Boroughs decayed may be eased or relieved, knowing assuredly the same honourable for the Realm, and in many respects profitable and commodious to those who inhabit the Countries adjacent to such decayed Towns. The question shortly is, what sort of men are to come to this Court, and to public Consultation in Parliament; whether from Country or Town, should come Home-dwellers, or otherwise men chosen by directions, it forceth not whom. I am surely of mind, that, neither for the good service of her Majesty, the safety of our Country, or the Liberty, which of right we may challenge, this scope is to be given, or such looseness in choice to be permitted." Then, dividing the Classes of Society into Three; 1st, the Ministers and Teachers of Religion; Secondly, the Nobility, Knights and Soldiers; and Thirdly, the Providers, Devisers and Executors of all things necessary, commodious or seemly for a settled Estate, as Counsellors, Judges and Ministers of the Laws, Tillers of the Earth, Merchants, Victuallers and those who use Manual and Mechanical Arts, the Speaker declares, that of all these, regard, care and respect must be had, that being thoroughly consulted, the general and particular States may be known, if we mean to proceed for the public Weal. "This hath moved our Forefathers and on this ground hath it grown, that, in this Court, where we are to consider all, and as

(d) It may be observed that the Parliamentary History, from Sir Simonds D'Ewes's Diary, places this on the 20th, the Journals on April 10.

occasion may serve, to alter, constitute or reform all things, 1571. we know all sorts of men, so far as may be, to help all. Some A. R. one, whom Observation, Experience, and due Consideration of 13 a particular Country hath taught, can more perfectly open any question that may grow thereof, and more effectually reason thereupon, than the skillfullest otherwise whatsoever. And that they should be the very Inhabiters of the Countries, doubtless was the true meaning of ancient Kings and our Forefathers, who began and established this Court. The old Precedent of Parliament Writs teaches us, that of every Country their own Burgesses should be elected, &c. &c. The Statute, 1 Hen. 5, for the Confirmation of the old Laws, was therefore made, and not to create a new unknown Law; and that other in Hen. 6, was made to redress the Mischief which grew by the breach of that old Law.

Since we deal universally for all Sorts and all places, there should be here of all Sorts and of all Countries; and the Towns and Boroughs should not be eased that they may choose at liberty whom they list. Yet can I hardly call that a Liberty which is contrary to that which the King and Queen grant as a free gift," Et de majori gratia nostra, &c., dedimus potestatem quod de seipsis eligant duos Burgenses et duos Cives."

After reciting instances of attempts at Nomination by Noblemen, and the Council, which had been answered by those to whom they were made, "that they were prohibited by Law, and could not elect those so named:" "We stand, and have late stood," continues the Speaker, "upon the notorious manifestation of the authority of Parliament. Except you keep the ancient usage of the same, and endeavour the freedom thereof, you do nothing aright."

It is said, "That in some Towns there are not men of fit discretion. They be not the wiser, said the last Speaker, for being Burgesses. I can never be persuaded, but that either the Lord, whose the Town is, be the Town never so little; or the Steward, if it be the Queen's, or some good gentleman of the Country adjoining, will either assign them who know the Town, and can be content to be free among them, and to serve by their appointment for the Country and for them; or else, for some reasonable Fee, such as be of their learned Council and who know them and the Country and will deal for them. I mean it not so strictly as that those chosen should of necessity be Dwellers in the Town; but to be either of the Town, or towards the Town, Borderers and near Neighbours at least.

It was meant, at the first constitution of Parliament, that men of every Quarter and of all Sorts should come to this Court and that they should be freely chosen. This, in every Age hitherto, hath seemed best. To alter without cause is not convenient. To give every Town Liberty, may offer in time inconvenience. None so fit for every Country, as those who know the same.

While we say that Boroughs cannot send so fit men as be convenient, and alter the ancient usage, the only warrant and safe stay of freedom in Parliament, it may be said we have no Parliament within this Realm, nor liberty for any such to be here holden.

Mr. Bell. It is necessary all Places should be provided for, and not Boroughs only, being but one Member of the Commenwealth, and some having neither wealth to provide fit men, nor

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