House of Commons Journal Volume 1: 07 March 1581

Martis, 7 Martii, 1580

Conveyances.

The Bill against Secret Conveyances, and deceitful Sales of Land. - The first Reading.

Church Reformation.

Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer declareth, that Mr. Vicechamberlain, both Mr. Secretaries, and himself, have, according to their Commission from this House, conferred with some of my Lords the Bishops, touching the Griefs of this House, for some Things very requisite to be reformed in the Church; as, the great Number of unlearned and unable Ministers ; the great Abuse of Excommunication for every Matter of small Moment; the Commutation of Penance; and the great Multitude of Dispensations and Pluralities ; and other Things very hurtful to the Church : And in the Name of this House, desired their Lordships to join with them in Petition to her Majesty, for Reformation of the said Abuses: Declaring further, that they found some of the said Lords the Bishops, not only ready to confess and grant the said Defects and Abuses, wishing due Redress thereof; but also very willing to join with the said Committees, in moving of her Majesty in that Behalf: Whereupon they afterwards joined in humble Suit together, unto her Highness; and received her Majesty's most gracious Answer, "That as her Highness had, the last Session of Parliament, of her own good Consideration, and before any Petition or Suit thereof made by this House, committed the Charge and Consideration thereof unto some of her Highness' Clergy, who had not performed the same according to her Highness' Commandment; so now her Majesty would eftsoons commit the same unto such others of them, as with all convenient Speed, without Remissness and Slackness, should see the same accomplished accordingly, in such sort, as the same shall neither be delayed or undone:" For the which, as they did all render unto her Majesty most humble and dutiful Thanks, so did Mr. Chancellor further declare, that the only Cause why no due Reformation hath been already had in the said Petitions, was, only by the Negligence and Slackness of some others, and not of her Majesty, nor of this House; alleging withal, that some of the said Bishops had yet done something in those Matters, delivered by her Majesty to their Charge, as in a more advised Care of allowing and making of Ministers; but yet, in effect, little or nothing to the Purpose : And so concluding, moveth this House to rest satisfied with her Majesty's said most gracious Answer; and to resolve upon some Form of yielding Thanks unto her Highness, for her most gracious Acceptation of the humble Petition of this House unto her Highness in that Behalf; and also of putting her Majesty in Remembrance for Execution thereof, at her Highness's good Pleasure.

Carlyle, &c.

1. nova. The Bill for the City of Carlyle, and the Town of Barwike. - The first Reading.

Borders.

1. 2. nova. The Bill for Maintenance of the Borders and Frontiers against Scotlande, twice read; and ordered to be ingrossed.

Thanks to the Queen for Church Reformation,

Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, after sundry Motions and Arguments for the Manner and Form of Proceeding in giving most humble Thanks unto her Majesty for her Highness's said most gracious Acceptation of the most humble Petition of this House unto her Highness, for Redress of sundry Enormities in the Church; and for the

further Putting of her Majesty in Remembrance for Execution of the same; moveth, that not this whole House, nor any chosen or selected Number of the same, but rather, Mr. Speaker, in his Oration upon the last Day of this Session, do, in the Name of this whole House, then yield unto her Highness their most humble and dutiful Thanks, with their like Remembrance and Continuation of their most humble, and lowly Petition and Suit unto her Majesty, for the speedy Execution and Accomplishment thereof, at her Highness's good Pleasure.

Fines, &c.

Mr. Serjeant Anderson and Mr. Dr. Clerk do bring from the Lords, An Act for Reformation of Errors in Fines and common Recoveries.

Thanks to the Queen for Church Reformation

It is Resolved, by the House, upon the Question, That Mr. Speaker, in the Name of this whole House, do, in his Oration to her Majesty upon the last Day of this present Session of Parliament, give unto her Highness most humble and dutiful Thanks, in the Name of this whole House, for her Majesty's said most gracious Acceptation and Consideration of the said humble Petition and Suit of this House unto her Highness; and do also put her Majesty in Remembrance for the Execution and Accomplishment thereof, at her Highness's good Pleasure, in such sort, as to Mr. Speaker, without receiving Instruction or Direction of any of this House, shall seem most meet and convenient.