House of Lords Journal Volume 4: 24 March 1641

Die Mercurii, videlicet, 24 die Martii.

PRAYERS.

Earl of Bedford excused.

The Earl of Bedford excused for his Absence.

Earl of Strafford allowed to make legal Exceptions to Witnesses.

Ordered, That, if the Earl of Strafford, at his Trial, do make any Legal Exceptions to Witnesses, he is to be allowed them.

Sir Peirce Croseby a Witness against him.

Ordered, That Sir Peirce Crosebie is to give his Evidence upon Oath against the Earl of Strafford (notwithstanding the Exception against him); and the Lords will value it as they see Cause; and this is to hold good in other Cases of this Nature.

Order about his Trial.

Ordered, That, if any Peer, having any Scruple, or Doubt, in him, arising out of the Evidence at the Trial of the earl of Strafford, shall stand up, and persist to desire to have the House adjourned, whereby he may be satisfied in his Conscience of the said Doubt, the House is to be adjourned, without giving a Reason there; but the Peer is to be answerable to this House for the Reason of it.

Committee for Religion.

Ordered, That the Committee for Religion do meet on Monday next, at Two of the Clock in the Afternoon, peremptorily.

Adjourn to Westm. Hall.

E. of Strafford at the Bar.

The Lord Steward adjourned this House to Westm. Hall; and the Peers being set all in their Robes, the Lord Steward commanded the Lieutenant of The Tower to bring the Earl of Strafford to the Bar; which being done, the Lord Steward told the Members of the House of Commons that managed the Evidence, That now they might proceed.

First Article opened by the Commons.

Then Mr. Maynard opened the Substance and Branches of the First Article against the Earl of Strafford; and desired that Witnesses might be sworn and examined in the Particulars.

The Names of the Witnesses which were sworn, at the Instance of the Commons, were these:

The Evidence concerning the First Article being finished;

E. Strafford's Answer.

The Earl of Strafford made his Answer thereunto, and produced, in this particular Article, Thomas Little and William Raylton, to be (fn. 1) Witnesses for him, but not upon Oath.

Reply.

Second Article.

After the Earl of Strafford had done his Answer, Mr. Maynard replied; which being ended, he went to the Second Article, and opened that; and then produced Witnesses upon Oath.

E. Strafford's Answer.

After the Witnesses had done their Evidence, the Earl of Strafford made his Answer, and produced Dr. Duncombe and Sir William Pennyman as Witnesses, but not upon Oath.

Reply.

Then Mr. Maynard replied for the Commons; which being done, the Lord Steward did let the Commons know, that further Proceeding in this Business is deferred until To-morrow Morning, at Nine a Clock.

Adjourn to the Chamber of Parliament.

Then the Lord Steward did adjourn the House to the usual Place above; and all the Peers went up to the House.

Bar to be kept clear.

Ordered, That the Lord Great Chamberlain is to take Care, that the Places about the Bar be kept free from People.

Adjourn.

Dominus Senescallus declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse in diem Jovis, videlicet, 25^m diem instantis Martii, hora 8^a, Dominis sic decernentibus.