"That the House of Commons should not deal or intermeddle 1581. with any Matters touching her Majesty's Person, or Estate, or A. R, Church Government." Jan. 21. (Saturday.) Mr. Paul Wentworth, makes a Motion for a Public Fast and for daily Preaching. "The Fast for some one certain Day, but the Preaching every Morning before the House did sit. That so, they, beginning their Proceedings with the Service and Worship of God, he might the better bless them in all their consultations and actions." After a warm Debate, the Motion is carried by 115 to 100. A Fast is accordingly appointed in the Temple Church for the 29th. A Burgess indicted of Felony, is adjudged to remain in the House, unless he be convicted. Jan. 24. The Speaker declares himself sorry for the error committed by the House on Saturday, in resolving to have a public Fast, and shews her Majesty's great misliking of the Proceeding. He advises the House to a submission in that behalf, and moves them to bestow their time and endeavour, hereafter, in matters proper and pertinent, and to omit all superfluous and unnecessary Motions and Arguments, with all due regard to the order of the House. The Vice-Chamberlain declares a Message from her Majesty, shewing her great admiration of the Rashness of the House in attempting such an Innovation as the Fast, without her Majesty's privity and pleasure first known, declaring her Majesty's protestation for the allowing of fasting and prayer, with the use and exercise of it in her own person; but reproving the undutiful proceeding of this House, at the same time, setting forth her Majesty's most honorable and good acceptation of the zeal, duty and fidelity of the House, towards Religion, the safety of her Highness's Person, and the state of the Commonwealth; shewing farther, that her Highness had already deeply consulted upon those matters and prepared fit and apt courses, meet and ready to be delivered to this House. He thinks it meet that the House do make most humble submission to her Majesty, acknowledging the offence with full purpose to forbear committing of the like offence. Mr. Nicholas St. Leger, extenuating the said offence, urges the sincerity of their intention in the Motion. The imperfections and sins, to which not only private men but public States are subject, needed to be supported by prayer and humiliation. He urges the great remissness of the Bishops in suffering that most necessary duty of fasting and humiliation to grow even out of use in the Church, and trusts her Majesty and all her subjects, will be ready to express their true repentance to God by humbling themselves in Sackcloth and Ashes. It is agreed, by consent of the whole House, that Mr. ViceChamberlain shall carry the Submission of the House to her Majesty. An Answer is brought of her Majesty's gracious acceptance of the Submission. The Cause of her Misliking was not that they desired Fasting and Prayer, but that they presumed to indict a Form of Public Fast, thus intruding upon her Authority Ecclesiastical. Mr. Hall, a Member, for a Book against certain Members of the House, is apprehended, committed to the Tower, fined, &c. Gg 23 March 2. A Bill for a Subsidy is sent up by the Commons, and passes the House of Lords on the 8th. The Commons send up a new Bill "for fortifying the Borders towards Scotland," and return a former Bill, which the Lords with great deliberation had passed and sent down with the same Title. This course, the Lords think "derogatory to the Superi ority of the Place, and contrary to the Ancient Course of both Houses. As they dislike this disorder, so it is their pleasure that this their misliking be entered in the Records of Parliament, lest so evil an example may hereafter be used as a Precedent." March 10. The New Bill is read a first time by the Lords, and on the 15th, passes, with certain Amendments agreed to by the Commons. Certain Causes of Appeal between Party and Party are tried at the Bar of the House of Lords, and entered in their Journal. Some Orders and Regulations are made relating to Elections. March 18. (Saturday.) It is Ordered and Resolved, "That every Knight for the Shire that hath been absent this whole Session of Parliament without excuse allowed by this House, shall have £20 for a Fine, set and assessed upon him to her Majesty's use; and for and upon every Citizen, Burgess, or Baron for like default, £10, &c., and that all Knights, Citizens, Burgesses and Barons for Ports as have attended and departed without licence, shall forfeit and lose his or their Wages, and henceforth, none shall depart without licence, upon pain of Fine, over and besides loss of Wages." The Queen gives Assent to 15 public and as many private Bills, and the Parliament is prorogued, by the Lord Keeper, to April 24. (i) April 24. The Parliament is again prorogued, and after Nov. 23. A Parliament (V.) is held at Westminster. Nov. 24. The Commons present their Speaker, John Puckering, Esq. Nov. 27. A Bill for the better and more reverend observance of the Sabbath Day, after much dispute, passes both Houses. Dec 14. Three Petitions are read touching "the liberty of Godly Preachers to exercise and continue their Ministry, and for the speedy supply of able and sufficient men into divers places, now destitute of the ordinary means of Salvation." A Bill for the utter extirpation of Popery, against Jesuits and others, is carried through the Commons, with little oppo sition. (i) Dugdale calls the year, 1580. P. H. IV, 228-255. Mr. Paul Wentworth was brother to Peter, who in the last Parliament spoke on the Liberty of Parliaments. This Session exhibits the first instance of a difference between the two Houses, and of Appeals between Parties, heard at the Bar of the House. It appears that this Parliament lasted altogether Eleven years, from May 8, 1572, to April 19, 1583. It is stated in the Parl. Hist. that as the list of Peers amounts in this Parliament to 63, there had been since the beginning of the Reign, twenty new creations, which, with the 26 Bishops, must have given the Court a very great power in the House of Lords. Elizabeth's only NEW creations appear to have been about EIGHT only, up to 1584. The difference alluded to, arose from many ancient Barons being minors at her accession. Dr. Parry who spoke against it in violent terms, is sequestered 1584. and again admitted only on humble acknowledgment of his A. R. fault on his knees, at the Bar of the House. Dec. 21. The Parliament is adjourned to Feb. 4, "That Gentlemen and other Members of that House may repair to their own Home for their better ease and recreation." Before separating, Mr. Vice-Chamberlain moves the House, "That besides rendering our most humble and loyal thanks to her Highness, we do join our Hearts and Minds together in most humble and earnest Prayer unto Almighty God, for his infinite Benefits and Blessings poured upon this whole Realm. He had a Paper, devised and set down by an honest, godly and learned man, which he would read, if it pleased them; they might follow, and say it after him. Which being assented unto most willingly, and every one kneeling, Mr. Vice-Chamberlain reads the said Prayer; and every one, then, departs." Feb. 4. The Parliament meets again. Feb. 23. The Commons take into Consideration the State of the Nation; adverting to Spain, the Pope, the holy League in France, the Jesuits and especially Ireland. "That her Majesty did specially shun danger from Ireland, of which they conceived this Proverb to be true, "Look to Ireland, if we will rest quiet in England." March 13. The Commons send up a Grant of a Supply, consisting of an entire Subsidy, Two Fifteenths and Two Tenths. On the Second Reading, the Lords omit the Tenths, and it is so passed. March 15. The Jesuit's Bill, amended by the Lords, passes. By an Act passed in the Lords for the Surety of the Queen's Person, an "Association" of 24 of the Privy Council and House of Lords is formed for making Inquisition after all such as should invade the Kingdom, &c., &c., or make claim to the Crown of England, &c. March 29. The Queen gives Assent to 30 Public and 13 Private Acts, and after making a Speech, prorogues the Parliament to May 20. It is again prorogued, at Six different times, to Sept. 14, when it is dissolved. (k) 27 Oct. 15. A Parliament (VI.) meets at Westminster, 1586. but is adjourned to Oct. 29. The Meeting is opened by Commissioners. Writs are issued to W. Cecil, Treasurer, to the Marquis of Winchester, 19 Earls, 2 Viscounts, and 37 Barons, Chivalers. The Lord Chancellor opens the Session, declaring that the present Parliament was summoned for no usual Causes, not for making new Laws, whereof her Majesty thought there were The Commons Journals, in the reign of Elizabeth, end on Saturday, 18 March, 1580 (1581) A. R. 23. (k) P. H. IV., 256-280. Camden attributes the "invention of associating," to Dudley, Earl of Leicester. Rumours were spread of great dangers, wicked designs, and treacherous practices, against the Queen and State. The Earl drew in men of all degrees and conditions throughout England, to bind themselves in an Association, by mutual vows, subscriptions and seals, to prosecute to death, as far as lay in their power, all those that should attempt anything against the Queen." It is a curious coincidence, that while one Earl of Leicester had seized a King of England, and held him prisoner, for the promotion of his own views against the existing constitution, a second individual, bearing the title, should first have formed a defensive league for the security of the Prince, and the preservation of the Constitution, as then actually existing. A. R. 28 228 1586. A. R. 28 1587. A. R. 29 more made than executed, nor for Subsidies and Fifteenths, of Receivers and Tryers of Petitions are appointed. Oct. 31. The Commons present their Speaker, John Puckering. Esq., and the House is adjourned to Nov. 4. Nov. 5. The Chancellor sets forth the foul and indiscreet dealings practised by the Queen of Scots against her Majesty and the whole Realm. In the Commons, Sir Christopher Hatton opens the charge against the Queen of Scots. Nov. 7. A Conference takes place between the two Houses. Nov. 12. (Saturday.) The Chancellor presents to the Queen a Joint Petition from both Houses, for the execution of the Queen of Scots. Nov. 14. Her Majesty sends a Message in favour of the Queen of Scots, and the Parliament adjourns to the 18th, on which day, a Resolution passes, "That no other way, device, or means, could or can possibly be found or imagined, that safety can in anywise be had, so long as the said Queen of Scots doth or shall live. Nov. 22. The Question being put in the Houses of Lords and Commons, every Peer and every Commoner gives his Voice, That they could find no other way." 66 Dec. 2. The Lords Commissioners adjourn the Parliament to Feb. 15. (1) Feb. 15. The Parliament meets, by prorogation, at Westminster. Writs are issued to W. Cecil, Treasurer, the Marquis of Winchester, 13 Earls, 2 Viscounts, 35 Barons, Chivalers. In the absence of the Lord Chancellor, from sickness, the Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas is, by Commission, authorised to act in his stead. Feb. 22. The Commons meet after a short adjournment, when Sir Christopher Hatton, Vice-Chamberlain, opens to them the affair of the Spanish Invasion. A Committee is appointed to meet in the Exchequer Chamber, to set down Articles for a Subsidy. Feb. 28. Her Majesty sends for Mr. Speaker, "by occasion whereof the House does not sit." March 1. Mr. Wentworth delivers unto Mr. Speaker certain Articles, which contain Questions touching the Liberties of the He desires House, some of which he is required to answer. they may be read. Mr. Speaker "will peruse them, and then do what is fit." The Questions are: "Whether this Council be not a place for any Member of the same here assembled, freely and without controulment of any A curious Letter from Lord Burghley to Lord Cobham, dated 27th Oct., 1584, sending him a copy of the Association, and inviting him to join it, will be found in Lodge's Illustrations of British History, 8vo. edit., vol. 2, p. 250. It appears from the Speech of the Treasurer in the next Parliament, P. H. IV., 300, that a Form of Prayer was then extant in Print, and used daily in the house. (1) Dugdale. P. H. IV., 281-300. The proceedings of this Parliament differed from those of any that had ever been summoned before in this kingdom. No Bills were exhibited and therefore no acts passed. They were called only to constitute a higher Tribunal, and thus, as has been observed, obtained a power against crowned heads, which one of their branches fatally took to themselves in a succeeding reign. person, or danger of Laws, by Bill or Speech, to utter any of 1587. the griefs of this Commonwealth whatsoever, touching the Ser- A. R. vice of God, the Safety of the Prince and this noble Realm ? Whether that great Honour may be done unto God, and Benefit and Service unto the Prince and State, without free Speech in this Council, which may be done with it? Whether there be any Council, which can make, add to, or diminish from, the Laws of the Realm, but only this Council of Parliament ? Whether it be not against the Orders of this Council to make any Secret or Matter of Weight, which is here in hand, known to the Prince or any other, concerning the high Service of God, Prince or State, without the consent of the House? Whether the Speaker or any other, may interrupt any Member of this Council in his Speech used in this House, tending to any of the forenamed high Services? Whether the Speaker may rise when he will, any matter being propounded, without Consent of the House, or not? Whether the Speaker may over-rule the House in any Matter or Cause there in question; or whether he is to be ruled or overruled in any Matter, or not? Whether the Prince or State can continue, stand, and be maintained without this Council of Parliament, but by altering the Government of the State ?" The Speaker does not think proper to put these Questions to the House, and Mr. Wentworth is soon after committed Prisoner to the Tower; and March 2, four of the Speakers on the aforesaid Motion, are sent for before the Lord Chancellor and Privy Council, and by them committed to the Tower. March 4. A Motion is made in the House that since several good and necessary Members are taken from them, it would please them to be humble Petitioners to her Majesty, for the restitution of such Members to the House. Mr. Vice-Chamberlain answers, "That if the Gentlemen were committed for matter within the Privilege of the House, there might be room for a Petition, but if not, we shall occasion her Majesty's further displeasure. He advises, that they stay till they hear more, which cannot be long. March 7. A Bill is sent up from the Commons on a Subsidy and Grant, which passes the Lords on the 9th. A Grant also from the Clergy is read and passed. March 11. The Commons ask a Conference with the Lords, after which the Lords join with the Commons in a Petition to her Majesty as to a Benevolence, which the Lower House thinks good to offer to her Majesty. The Lords resolve that the Commons should be left to themselves, and that they will take such Order herein, as to their Lordships shall seem convenient. They afterwards ratify the Resolution, both touching the sum and the payment, and order that this Free Gift be entered on Record. March 23. The Commons send up a new Bill for the Sale of Lands for a Debt due to the Crown, &c. The Lords had before passed a Bill to the same effect, and sent it down to the Cominons. It is entered, that since the Commons had rejected their Bill without Conference, and framed and sent up a new Bill, in a Precedent so strange and so contrary to the orders of this House, they resolve to put it to the Question, whether this new Bill shall by the orders of the House be read or not. 29 ARY ITY |