Acts and Ordinances of the Interregnum, 1642-1660

The full text of legislation passed into law during the Interregnum. Contains over 900 pieces of legislation. ranging from that concerning the trial and execution of William Laud, Archbishop of Canterbury to the regulation of trade in currants, and from the propagation of the Gospel in the New World to the draining of the Great Fen. Originally published in three volumes, it is here given together, along with a table of acts passed and a substantial introduction.

British History Online (no series). Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1911.

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Table of Contents

Title Page(s)
January 1645: Ordinance impowering the Commissioners of both Houses to treat with the King's Commissioners at Uxbridge. 609
January 1645: An Ordinance for the raising of Moneys for Redemption of distressed Captives. 609-611
January 1645: An Ordinance for Continuation of the severall Ordinances of Excise or New-Impost untill the 11. of September, 1646. 611-612
January 1645: Ordinance for the Parliament's Commissioners, or any Ten of them, to treat with the King's Commissioners. 612
February 1645: An Ordinance Concerning the Dutchy Seale of Lancaster, Together with the Oath of the Sheriffe of Lancaster. 612-614
February 1645: An Ordinance for Raising and maintaining of Forces for the defence of the Kingdome, under the Command of Sir Thomas Fairfax, Knight. 614-626
February 1645: Ordinance to prevent fraudulent Entries of exciseable Commodities, and authorizing the Commissioners of Excise to punish Offenders against the Ordinance for an Excise on Spirits, Wine, &c. 626-627
February 1645: An Ordinance for Continuance of the Subsidie of Tonnage and Poundage, together with the Book of Rates, in full force and power from the 25 of March 1645, untill the 26 of March 1647... 627-630
February 1645: An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, for the raising and levying of the Monthly Sum of One and Twenty Thousand Pounds, towards the Maintenance of the Scotish Army... 630-646
February 1645: An Ordinance to enable the Lord High Admirall to press Marriners, Saylers, and others for the service of the Navy. 646-647
February 1645: An Ordinance Commanding all Officers and Souldiers, upon pain of Death, to repaire to their Colours within Eight and forty houres after notice of this Ordinance. 647-648
February 1645: An Ordinance that the Committee for the Militia of London, shall have power to Impose upon persons to find Armes, not exceeding three Foot-Souldiers for any one man: And to search for Papists and suspitious persons… 648-650
February 1645: An Ordinance for the speedy raising and Impresting of Men, for the recruiting of the Forces under the Command of Sir Thomas Fairfax, in the defence of the Kingdome. 650-651
March 1645: An Ordinance for charging and taxing a Monethlv rate of 300 pounds upon the County of Essex, for the safety and defence of the said County, and to continue untill the first day of December next, if this unnaturall Warre shall so long continue. 651-653
March 1645: Ordinance for Sir T. Fairfax to appoint his inferior Officers. 653
March 1645: An Ordinance for providing of Draught-horses for carriage of the traine of Artillerie to the Army, under the Command of Sir Thomas Fairfax, And for paying of Coat and Conduct-money. 653-655
March 1645: An Ordinance for the third part of Customs for Currans to be for the use of the Garison of Glocester. 656
March 1645: An Ordinance for securing of the Eighty Thousand pounds advanced by and under the eight Treasurers hereafter named, and for a further provision for the Raising and Maintaining of the Forces under the command of Sir Thomas Fairfax. 656-660
April 1645: Ordinance for additional Power to Sir T. Fairfax. 660-662
April 1645: An Ordinance for a Monethly Charge and Tax of Two thousand eight hundred pounds upon the County of Lincoln for the Defence and Safety of the said County. 662-664
April 1645: An Ordinance for the discharging of the Members of both Houses from all Offices both Military and Civil. 664-665
April 1645: An Ordinance for the Militia of London and Middlesex to Prest Soldiers and send to Maidenhead. 665
April 1645: An Ordinance for enabling of the Commissioners of the Great-Seal, and the other Committees in their several Counties, to tender an Oath to all such persons of what degree or quality soever, that shall come into the protection of the Parliament 665-666
April 1645: An Ordinance for exempting the University of Cambridge from Taxation, 666-667
April 1645: An Ordinance giving power to the Commissioners of the Customs to search for prohibited goods. 667-669
April 1645: Ordinance appointing a Committee for the Admiralty and Cinque Ports. 669
April 1645: An Ordinance for the maintenance of some Preaching Ministers in the Cities of Yorke, Durham, and Carlisle, and in the Town of Newcastle upon Tyne, and Town of Berwick upon Tweed... 669-671
April 1645: An Ordinance for the setling of Mr. Philip Goodwyn in the Vicaridge of Watford, and of Doctor Burgess in the publique Lecture of the Church of Pauls London. 672-674
April 1645: An Ordinance for constituting Commissioners and Councel of War in the County of Kent, for punishing, either by Death or otherwise, such persons as were in the late Rising in the said County. 674-675
April 1645: An Ordinance for punishing Souldiers Imprested and forsaking their Colours. 675-677
April 1645: An Ordinance for none to preach but ordained Ministers, except alowed by both Houses of Parliament. 677
May 1645: Ordinance for a Committee to reside with the Army in Ireland. 677
May 1645: An Ordinance for freeing and discharging the Vintners, with certain exceptions, from any demand, for or concerning any delinquency, &c. 678-679
May 1645: An Ordinance prohibiting the Importation of Whale-Oyle, Fin or Gills, but by Ships set forth from hence, and by English Subjects. 679-680
May 1645: An Ordinance for raising moneys out of Delinquents Estates for maintaining Horse and Foot for the Garison at Glocester and County of Glocester &c. 680-681
May 1645: Ordinance against stealing Children. 681-682
May 1645: Dr. Walker and Thelwell to be sent into Flanders, to negociate for the Merchants Ships stayed there; and to prevent the Cruizers against Ships belonging to those in Obedience to the Parliament from being protected in the Ports there. 682-683
May 1645: An Ordinance enabling the Committee of Oxon, Bucks, and Berks, to take voluntary subscriptions for maintaining of additional Forces under the command of Major General Brown for the taking of Oxford. 683-684
May 1645: General Cromwell to be continued in his Command. 684
May 1645: An Ordinance for authorizing Treasurers to receive the Arrears of an Ordinance dated Aug. 3. 1643. 684
May 1645: An Ordinance for a Collection for relief of Taunton. 685
May 1645: An Ordinance for the appointing of Col. Massey Commander in chief of the Forces of the Western Association. 685
May 1645: An Ordinance for the raising of a Monethly Sum upon the county of Derby, for the payment of their Forces, and other necessary expences for publike services. 686-688
June 1645: Order for protecting Petit, De Liques, and Faucult, against Rednes & al. Concerning their Invention of weighing Ships that were foundered. 689
June 1645: An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, for the raising and impresting of Men, within the Western Association 690-691
June 1645: Ordinance for regulating the Excise. 691-692
June 1645: An Ordinance for constituting Commissioners and a Councel of War, for trial of all persons in the late Rising in the County of Kent. 692-694
June 1645: An Ordinance enabling the Committee of Southampton to put in execution all Ordinances of Parliament for Leavying of Money, and Raising of Forses for the safety of the said County. 694-696
June 1645: An Ordinance giving Sir Thomas Fairfax power to Prest men in al Towns and places where his Army shall march, And to continue for one Moneth. 696-697
June 1645: An Ordinance for the more speedy getting in of the Moneys in Arrear, formerly Imposed upon the Bill of Four hundred thousand pounds; the Ordinances for the Fifty Subsidies, weekly Assessment, and weekly Meal... 697-700
June 1645: An Ordinance enabling the Committee at Goldsmiths-Hall for the Scots Affairs, to manage the Ordinance of the Twentieth of February, 1644. For the more speedy raising and payment of the 21000l... 700-702
June 1645: An Ordinance for the present raising of the sum of One and thirty thousand pounds, according to the Ordinance of both Houses bearing date the 20. of February, 1644… 702-703
June 1645: An Ordinance for the Associating the Counties of York, Lancaster, Notingham, Bishoprick of Durham, Northumberland, Cumberland and Westmerland. 703-714
June 1645: An Ordinance constituting a Committee for the raising of Moneys for the safety and defence of the County of Rutland. 714-715
June 1645: An Ordinance enabling Commissioners to execute Martial Law upon all such persons as run away from their Colours. 715-716
June 1645: An Odinance for the better taking and expediting the Accompts of the whole Kingdom. 717-722
July 1645: An Ordinance whereby a Committee of Lords and Commons is appointed to receive, prepare and consider of Propositions for the speedy relief of Ireland. 722-723
July 1645: Au Ordinance for the raising of Twenty thousand pounds, to be imployed towards the reducing of Oxford to the obedience of the Parliament. 723-725
July 1645: An Ordinance for putting the County of Surrey into a posture of defence, by the better regulating of the Trained-Bands, and raising other Forces of Horse and Foot…and the pay of such Foot as shall belong to the Garrison of Farnham Castle. 726-731
July 1645: An Ordinance for continuance of a former Ordinance for relief of Distressed Captives. 731-732
July 1645: An Ordinance for the raising and collecting of Ten thousand pounds, for and towards the Redemption of distressed Captives 732-734
July 1645: An Ordinance for Raising of Moneys for maintaining of 500. Horse to be raised in the Eastern Association. 734-735
July 1645: An Ordinance for Relief of the Counties of Oxon, Bucks, Berks and Southampton, &c. 735-736
July 1645: An Ordinance for the Leavying and Collecting of Money in Arrear in the County of Middlesex, and Cities of London and Westminster, Borough of Southwark and places adjacent. 736-738
July 1645: An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons in Parliament, for the nominating, appointing, and authorizing...to be Committees and Commissioners of both Houses, to be sent to the Kingdom of Scotland... 738
July 1645: Ordinance for taking Accompts in the Northern Counties. 738-740
August 1645: An Ordinance for a Monethly Assessment upon the county of Lincoln. 740-742
August 1645: An Ordinance for Taxing of Moneys for the Reducing of Newark. 742-743
August 1645: An Ordinance for giving the Publique Faith of the Kingdom, for repayment of moneys paid in upon the Twentieth, and Twentieth and Fifth parts. 743-744
August 1645: Ordinance concerning the Isle of Ely. 744-745
August 1645: An Ordinance enabling the Committee of the Militia of London to search for Papists and other ill-affected persons that come out of the Kings Quarters. 746
August 1645: An Ordinance for continuance of the weekly Assessment for Ireland six Moneths longer; with some additions and alterations for the further managing of the Irish affairs. 746-749
August 1645: Ordinance regulating the Election of Elders 749-754
August 1645: An Ordinance for the more effectual putting in Execution the Directory for Publique Worship, in all Parish-Churches and Chappels within the Kingdom of England and Wales. 755-757
August 1645: An Ordinance for the execution of the Ordinances for weekly Assessments in the Western Association. 757-758
August 1645: An Ordinance for an Election of Scholars in the Colledge of Eaton. 758
August 1645: An Ordinance for ordaining a Committee in the county of Lancaster 758-762
September 1645: An Ordinance for maintenance of the Garisons of Newport Pagnel, Bedford, Lyn Regis, and others in the Eastern Association.. 762-766
September 1645: An Ordinance for the raising of 500. Horse and 500. Dragoons. 766-768
September 1645: An Ordinance for taking away the Fifth part of Delinquents Estates, formerly granted their wives & children. 769
September 1645: An Ordinance appointing a Comptrol on the Office of Excise London, and the extents thereof. 769-771
September 1645: An Ordinance concerning the Excise. 771-772
September 1645: An Ordinance for the making void all Commissions and Warrants, or other Writings issued forth in His Majesties Name to Captain George Carteret Governor of Jersey. 772-774
September 1645: Ordinance for the Committee of the West to regulate divers Abuses in Wiltshire. 774
September 1645: An Ordinance for the gathering of all Arrears in the County of Essex, of the Fifth and Twentieth part of mens Estates, and the weekly Assessment for raising and maintaining of the Army late under the command of the Earl of Manchester. 775
September 1645: An Ordinance concerning Eight hundred Horse sent out of the Eastern Association for the safety of Lincolushire. 775-776
September 1645: An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, for the further Supply of the British Army in Ireland. 776-783
October 1645: Ordinance to continue the One for the Committee of the Admiralty, and authorizing them to appoint the Standing Officers in the Navy. 783
October 1645: An Ordinance for Reducing the Accounts of Excise upon the several Ordinances to one and the same Determination, And Declaring from what time the Comptrol upon the Excise shall take its Beginning. 783-784
October 1645: An Ordinance for the settling of the Yearly Sum of Eight Thousand Pounds upon his Highness Charles Lodowicke, the Prince Elector, Count Palatine of the Rhine. 784-786
October 1645: An Ordinance for Advancing by way of loan, the sum of Forty thousand pounds, for payment of Sir Thomas Fairfax Army 786-789
October 1645: An Ordinance, together with Rules and Directions concerning Suspension from the Sacrament of the Lords Supper in cases of Ignorance and Scandall. 789-797
October 1645: An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons for the better Securing and Government of the City of Bristoll. 797-798
October 1645: An Ordinance for a Contribution for Relief of Leicester. 799-800
November 1645: An Ordinance for Compositions for Wardships in the Court of Wards and Liveries, and for Signing of Bills, and passing of them under the Great Seal. 800-801
November 1645: Ordinance to settle the Magistracy of the City of Bristol. 801-802
November 1645: An Ordinance concerning those that shall come in from the Kings Quarters, without giving an accompt thereof within five days to the Committee at Goldsmiths Hall, to be taken as Spies, and proceeded against by Martial-Law. 802-803
November 1645: An Ordinance for Constituting and appointing a Committee of Lords and Commons for the better ordering, directing and disposing of the Rents, Issues and Profits belonging to the Colledge and Collegiate Church of Westminster. 803-805
November 1645: Ordinance for disabling the Judges who have deserted their Places. 805
November 1645: An Ordinance for an Additional Excize or New Impost upon Lead; Gold, Silver and Copper Thread; Gold, Silver and Copper Wyer; Glasse and Glasses made in the Kingdom; Lynseed Oyle, Whale Oyle, Pilchard, and all other Oyles... 806-809