House of Commons Journal Volume 1: 23-30 January 1559

The First PARLIAMENT of the most Noble and Mighty Princess ELIZABETH, by the Grace of God, Queen of England, France, and Ireland, Defensor of the Faith. &c. begun at Westminster, on Monday the Three-and-twentieth Day of January, Anno Regni sui primo, by the Queen's Commission directed to Sir Nicholas Bakon, Knt. Lord Keeper of the Great Seal, the Lord Treasurer, and other, to prorogue the same Parliament, until the Twenty-fifth Day of the same Month.

House to choose a Speaker.

AT which Twenty-fifth Day, the Queen, in her Royal Person, came to the Parliament-chamber, the Lords and Commons attendant; where the Lord Keeper of the Great Seal, after an excellent Oration by him made, containing the urgent Causes for the Calling of this Parliament, declared the Queen's Pleasure to be, that the Commons should repair to their accustomed Place, and there to choose their Speaker.

Sir T. Gargrave chosen Speaker.

Sir T. Gargrave chosen Speaker. And immediately at the Common House, by the first Motion and Nomination of Mr. Treasurer of the Queen's House, the Worshipful Sir Thomas Gargrave, Knt. One of the Honourable Council in the North Parts, and learned in the Laws of this Realm, was, with one Voice of the whole House, chosen to be Speaker, and set in the Chair: And soon after Mr. Treasurer and Mr. Comptroller repaired to the Queen, to know her Highness Pleasure, when Mr. Speaker should be presented to her Highness, for Confirmation of this Election :

And soon after they returned, shewing her Pleasure was, That to be done on Saturday next, at One of the Clock, Afternoon. At which Time the Queen, sitting in her Royal Seat, Mr. Speaker made a notable Oration, touching partly the Decays of this Realm, with some Remedies for the same; and also made certain Petitions for the ancient Liberties; which being granted by the Queen, to be used reverently and decently; Mr. Speaker, with the Commons, did repair to their Common-House; where was read,

Woods, &c.

Woods, &c. 1. The Bill touching Felling of Woods and Timber Trees in Forests and Chases,

Lunae, 30o Januarii

French Wares.

1. The Bill for Avoiding of French Wares and Wines.

Corporations.

1. The Bill touching any Variance of Grants made by Corporations.

Subsidy.

Mr. Treasurer, with Twenty-three other of this House, appointed to treat together for a convenient Subsidy ;

Validity of Parliament.

and also for the Validity as well of the Parliaments lately had, as this Parliament, lacking, in the Writ of Summons, " Supremum Caput."