December 1644: An Ordinance for establishing a new Seale for the County Palatine of Lancaster.

December 1644

[17 December, 1644.]

Whereas the Dutchy Seale belonging to the County Palatine of Lancaster, hath been forceably taken from Christopher Banister Esquire, Vice-Chancellor of the said County, by the forces raised against the Parliament: In the want whereof, neither Sheriff nor Justice of Peace, could be made for that County, nor common Justice administred unto the Inhabitants thereof, unto their unsufferable prejudice and detriment.

New Seal for Duchy of Lancaster authorized.; Seal to be sent to Christopher Banister, Vice-Chancellor of County.; All Acts done by former Seal since its removal from said C. Banister to be void.

Be it therefore Declared and Ordained by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, That a Dutchy Seal already by them provided and made, shall be forthwith put in use, and shall be, and is hereby authorized and established to be of like force, power and validity, to all intents and purposes, as any Dutchy Seal of the County Palatine of Lancaster heretofore hath been or ought to be: And the said Seal shall be forthwith sent by a Messenger, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Commons, to the said Christopher Banister, who is hereby authorized and ordered, during the pleasure of both Houses of Parliament, to put the same Seale in use, and to doe and performe all Acts and things, as fully and amply as hee or any other Vice-Chancellor hath formerly done or performed; and to doe and performe such other Acts and things therewith, as he shall receive directions for, from both Houses of Parliament. And it is further Ordered and Ordained, That all Acts whatsoever, that have been done by the said former Dutchy Seale for the County Palatine of Lancaster, since the same was taken away from the said Christopher Banister, as aforesaid, or any Act or thing that hereafter shall be done, by that or any other Dutchy Seal, for the County Palatine of Lancaster (other then what is hereby appointed and established) shall be utterly void, frustrate, and of no effect; And what the said Christopher Banister shall do in pursuance of this Ordinance, be shall be protected by authority of both Houses of Parliament.