House of Lords Journal Volume 5: 12 November 1642

DIE Sabbati, 12 die Novembris.

PRAYERS.

Lord Grey de Warke, Speaker.

The Earls of Northumb. and Pembrooke reported, "That (fn. 1) they waited on the King Yesterday; and the King hath returned a full Answer to the Petition of both Houses by them, to save Time:

King's Answer to the Parliament's Petition.

"We take God to Witness, how deeply we are affected with the Miseries of this Kingdom, which heretofore We have stroven (as much as in Us lay) to prevent; it being sufficiently known to all the World, that, as We were not the first that took up Arms, so We have shewed Our Readiness of composing all Things in a fair Way, by Our several Offers of Treaty; and shall be glad (now at Length) to find any such Inclinations in others. The same Tenderness to avoid the Destruction of Our Subjects (whom We know to be Our greatest Strength), which would always make Our greatest Victories bitter to Us, shall make Us willingly hearken to such Propositions whereby these bloody Distempers may be stopped, and the great Distractions of this Kingdom settled, to God's Glory, Our Honour, and the Welfare and Flourishing of Our People; and to that End shall reside at Our own Castle at Windsor (if the Forces there shall be removed) till Committees may have Time to attend Us with the same (which, to prevent the Inconveniences that will intervene, We wish may be hastened); and shall be ready there, or (if that be refused Us) at any Place where We shall be, to receive such Propositions as aforesaid from both Our Houses of Parliament. Do you your Duty; We will not be wanting to Ours. God of His Mercy give a Blessing."

This being read, the House Resolved, To communicate it to the House of Commons, at a Conference.

Lord General desires Instruction about his Forces, during the Treaty.

The Lord General desiring that he might receive Directions from this House, how he should order his Forces during the Time of this Treaty; for if he should advance his Quarters towards the King's, it might be thought an Act of Hostility; and, if he should omit any Thing, then he might be thought to be remiss.

Hereupon this House Resolved, To write a Letter to the Secretary, to know the King's Pleasure concerning the Cessation of Arms during the Time of this Treaty; and gave the Lord General Directions to forbear doing (fn. 1) any Acts of Hostility until further Directions. The Earls of Essex, Northumb. Holland, and Manchester, were appointed to make a Draught of a Letter, and present it to this House, and so to be communicated to the House of Commons with the King's Answer.

Message to the H. C. for a Conference about the King's Answer.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Serjeant Whitfeild and Dr. Chylde:

To desire a present Conference, concerning the King's Answer.

Lord General in Behalf of Col. Vavasor, taken Prisoner by him.

The Lord General signified to this House, "That Colonel Vavasor, taken Prisoner in the Army at the Battle, gave his Word to his Excellency for his Forthcoming; but yet it happened that, in the Army, he might have escaped if he would, which he did not; and the said Colonel Vavasor desires that he may have the Favour of this House, to go beyond the Seas, promising to his Excellency, upon his Honour, That he will not take up Arms, nor receive Command, against the Parliament:" Which this House left to the Lord General.

The Messengers return with this Answer:

Answer from the H. C.

That the House of Commons will give a present Conference, in the Painted Chamber, as is desired.

Letter to L. Falkland, about a Cessation of Arms during the Treaty.

"My Lord,

"I am commanded, by the Lords and Commons assembled in both Houses of Parliament, to signify to your Lordship, that with much Joy they received His Majesty's gracious Answer to their Petition, expressing His Pious Inclinations unto Peace: They do Resolve, with all Diligence, to send their humble Propositions unto His Majesty, and likewise their Answer concerning Windsor Castle; in the mean Time, they desire to know His Majesty's Pleasure, how the Armies shall govern themselves, and whether His Majesty resolves not of a Cessation of all Acts of Hostility, upon this Overture of a Treaty of Peace. This is all that I am directed to present unto your Lordship; adding only unto it, an Assurance of being

"Your Lordship's most affectionate

"Friend and Servant."

Subject of the Conference.

The House approved of this Letter, and appointed the Earl of Northumb. to give the House of Commons a Relation of the Manner of delivering the Petition to the King; and to communicate unto them the King's Answer, and the Letter to the Secretary, and desire their Concurrence therein.

The House was adjourned during Pleasure, and the Lords went to the Conference; which being ended, the House was resumed.

Lady Grey-in-solently used.

Delinquents sent for.

Information was given to this House, "That the Lady Grey hath been insolently and uncivily used by the Guards that keep the Gates, and her Horses offered to be taken away out of her Coach:" Hereupon this House Ordered, That the Persons may be sent for, to appear before this House, to answer the same Insolency.

For the Countesses of Bath and Westmorland's Coaches to be admitted into The Tower.

It was moved, "That the Coaches of the Countesses of Westm. and Bathon might be admitted to come into The Tower; and the Countess of Bathon to stay with her Lord sometimes, when it is foul Weather."

Ordered, That the Consideration of these Propositions are left to the Lieutenant of The Tower.

Message from the H. C. about the Letter to Lord Falkland.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Mr. Pym:

That the House of Commons do consent to (fn. 2) a Letter to be sent to the Lord Viscount Falkland, with some Amendments; which (fn. 2) were read and approved of, and Ordered to be sent to the King. (Here enter it.)

Ordered, That this House shall fit this Afternoon, at Three a Clock.

Message to the H. C. to sit P. M.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Sir Rob't Rich and Mr. Page:

To let the House of Commons know, That this House intends to sit this Afternoon, at Three of the Clock; and desire them to sit likewise.

The Messengers return with this Answer:

Answer.

That the House of Commons will sit at Three a Clock this Afternoon.

Adjourn.

Adjourn till 3^a post meridiem.

Post meridiem.

PRAYERS.

Lord Grey de Warke, Speaker.

Adjourn.

House adjourned until 10^a Lunæ.