Journal of the House of Commons: December 1566

The Journals of All the Parliaments During the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. Originally published by Irish University Press, Shannon, Ire, 1682.

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'Journal of the House of Commons: December 1566', in The Journals of All the Parliaments During the Reign of Queen Elizabeth, (Shannon, Ire, 1682) pp. 131-135. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/no-series/jrnl-parliament-eliz1/pp131-135 [accessed 25 April 2024]

December 1566

On Monday the 2d day of December, Two Bills had each of them their second reading; of which the first being the Bill for Confirmation of Letters Patents of Merchant Adventurers at Bristol, was Ordered to be ingrossed: And the second for the pulling up of Weares and Piles, was (as it should seem) committed to Mr ViceChamberlain, and others.

Six Bills were sent up to the Lords by Mr Vice-Chamberlain and others; of which one was the Bill for the Free-School of Southwark, and another for the Jointure of the Lady Cobham.

The Bill touching Fines and Recoveries was read the second time, and (as it should seem) was committed to the Master of the Rolls, and others.

The Bill for making of Allom and Copperas, by Letters Patents by Cornelius de Vos, and by him assigned to the Lord Mountjoy, was read the third time, and a Proviso thereunto annexed, was read the first, second and third time.

On Tuesday the 3d day of December, Three Bills of no great moment, had each of them one reading; of which the third being the Bill for the Office of Town-Clerk of the City of York, was read the second time, and Ordered to be ingrossed.

Three Bills also had each of them their second reading; of which the first being the Bill touching the Statute made for Apparel, was (as it should seem) committed to Mr Vice-Chamberlain, and others; And the second for buying of Woolls in the North parts, was committed unto Mr Gargrave; the like reference see on Thursday the 28th day of November foregoing. And the third being the Bill for carrying over Sea of Rams, Sheep or Lambs, to be Felony, was (as it seemeth) committed to Mr Wilson, and others.

John Grey Esq; did this day promise before the whole House, that he and his should keep the Peace against Edward Jones, and the said Jones promised immediately to withdraw his Action. Vide concerning this matter on Friday the 15th day, Saturday the 16th day, and on Saturday the 23th day of November foregoing.

Two Bills also had each of them one reading; of which the first being the Bill for making of Steel and Plates for Armour, within the Realm, was read the second time, and Ordered to be ingrossed.

It was finally this day Ordered, that the House should be called on Monday next.

On Wednesday the 4th of December, Two Bills of no great moment, had each of them one reading; of which the first being the Bill for punishment of Vagabonds and Loyterers, was read the first time.

Three Bills also had each of them their third reading, and passed upon the Question; of which the second was the Bill for Merchant Adventurers of Bristoll; and the third for the Drapers, Cottoners and Frizers of Shrewsbury.

The Bill lastly to take away Sanctuary for Debt, was read the third time; and upon the Question and division of the House, dashed with the difference of seventeen Voices; viz. with the Bill sixty, and against it seventy seven.

On Thursday the 5th day of December, Two Bills of no great moment, had each of them one reading; of which the second being the Bill for the Town-Clerk of York, was read the third time, and Ordered to be ingrossed.

Four Bills were sent up to the Lords by Mr Vice-Chamberlain, of which one was the Bill for the Drapers, Cottoners and Frizers of Shrewsbury; and another for Merchant Adventurers of Bristoll.

The Bill with a little Book Printed in the Year 1562. (which was the fourth or fifth Year of her Majesties Reign) for the found Christian Religion, was read the first time. Vide May the 17th Thursday an. 13 Eliz. in the House of Commons Journal.

On Friday the 6th day of December, Eight Bills of no great moment, had each of them one reading; of which the third being the Bill for the punishment of Offenders, in Swearing, Drunkenness, & c. was read the second time, and (as it should seem) committed to Mr Vice-Chamberlain, and others; And divers Bills touching Religion, of which see fully on Thursday May the 17th in an. 13 Eliz. in the Journal of the House of Commons.

On Saturday the 7th day of December, Three Bills of no great moment, had each of them one reading; of which the third being the Bill for the finishing of the Port of Hartlond in Devon was read the second time, and Ordered to be ingrossed.

The Bill confirming the Corporation of the Kings Heralds at Arms, and the Bill for the Embroiderers of London, were each of them read the second time, and committed (as it should seem) to Mr Vice-Chamberlain, and others.

Walter Strickland Esq;, Knight for the County of Cumberland, being diseased with the Gout, was Licensed to be absent.

On Monday the 9th day of December, Three Bills had each of them one reading; of which the second being the Bill to avoid fraudulent Gifts, and also Order for Bankrupts, was read the second time, and (as it should seem) committed unto Mr Seckford; and the third for Explanation of the Act of 37 Hen. 8. touching Colledges and Free-Chappels for Leases, with a Proviso for Judgments given, was read the third time, and passed upon the question.

On Tuesday the 10th day of December, Two Bills had each of them one reading; of which the Bill with a little Book Printed an. 1562. for the sound Christian Religion, was read the second time, and Ordered to be ingrossed. Vide May the 17th Thursday in An. 13 Regin. Eliz. sequen. in the Commons House Journal.

Mr Serjeant Carus, and Mr Attorney, brought from the Lords two Bills; one for the Stature of Horses, and another for Allom and Copperas.

The Preamble of the Bill of Subsidy, after long Arguments, was read the first and second time.

On Wednesday the 11th day of December, Four Bills of no great moment, had each of them one reading; of which the first being the Bill for pulling up of Piles, Weares and Fifth-Gates; The second for Records to be kept in Wales, And the third touching Goal-Delivery in the Counties of Wales, and touching Sheriffs and Justices of the Peace, were each of them read the second time, and Ordered to be ingrossed.

The Proviso and Amendments of the Bill for Informers, was sent from the Lords, and read the first time, and (as it should seem) committed to Mr Seckford to consider of it.

On Thursday the 12th day of December, Nine Bills had each of them one reading; of which the seventh being the Bill that John Stafford, born beyond the Seas, may be a free Denizen; and another for the making of Steel in England, were each of them read the third time, and passed upon the Question, and were with two others sent up to the Lords, by Mr Vice-Chamberlain.

Mr Serjeant Carus brought from the Lords, the Subsidy for the Clergy; whereupon the Bill for one Fifteenth and Tenth, and also one Subsidy granted by the Temporalty, was read the third time, and passed upon the Question.

On Friday the 13th day of December, Six Bills had each of them one reading; of which the fourth being the Bill for bringing in of TonnageWares landed in other Countries, was read the second time, and Ordered to be ingrossed. And the Bill for the Articles of Religion, passed upon the third reading; Vide May the 17th Thursday in Anno 13 Eliz. Sequent. in the Journals of the Commons.

On Saturday the 14th day of December, Five Bills had each of them one reading; of which the third, that several Sheriffs may be in Buckingham and Bedford; and the fourth for Confirmation of Letters Patents since the first Year of the Reign of Queen Eliz. were each of them read the second time, and Ordered to be ingrossed.

The Bill for the Articles of Religion, and the Bill for the Port in Hartlond, was sent to the Lords by Mr Vice-Chamberlain, & c.

The Bill for making and wearing of Hats and Caps within the Realm, with the Proviso added thereunto, was read the second time, and Ordered to be ingrossed.

The House was appointed to be called on Thursday next, in the Afternoon.

On Monday the 16th day of December, Three Bills of no great moment, had each of them their third reading; and passed upon the Question: of which the first was the Bill for keeping of the Records in twelve Shires of Wales, with divers Ordinances there.

Mr Serjeant Carus brought from the Lords two Bills, one for graving of Seals, and the other for Merioneth.

The Bill touching the bringing in of Tonnage Wares landed by the way to be forfeit, with a Proviso, was read the third time.

On Tuesday the 17th day of December, Four Bills of no great moment, had each of them one reading; of which the fourth being the Bill for Adjournment of Affizes at Lancaster and Durham, was read the second time; but no mention is made whether it was Ordered to be ingrossed, or referr'd to Committees. Vide consimile December the 19th Thursday, posted.

The Bill for the Merchant Adventurers Corporation, for discovery of Russia, and new Trades, with three Provisoes, were each of them read the third time, and with the Bill passed upon the Question.

The Bill of Subsidy, with the three Bills last past, were sent up to the Lords by Mr Chancellor of the Dutchy.

Leonard Ireby Burgess for Boston, for his Affairs, is Licensed by Mr Speaker to be absent.

On Wednesday the 18th day of December, Three Bills of no great moment, had each of them their second reading; of which the first was the Bill for the Bowyers of London, the second for Tryals of Felony in the County of Merioneth, and the third for the graving of Alneagers Seals by the Graver of the Mint.

Three Bill also were each of them read the third time; of which the first being the Bill for Latitats for Execution out of the Kings-Bench, and the second for paving of Kentish-street, passed upon the Question.

The Bill for Dyers of Woolls, Cloths, or Caps; The Bill for maintaining of Sea-Marks, for the Trinity-House of Deptford, and for Watermen of the Thames; And the Bill for the Cloth-Workers of London, was read each of them the second time, and Ordered to be ingrossed.

The new Bills to alter the Statute for the making and breadth of Cloths, was read the first time.

The Bills which last passed in this House, were sent up to the Lords by Mr Vice-Chamberlain, and others.

Two Bills finally had each of them one reading; of which the first being the Proviso added to the Bill for making Steel in England, was read the third time, and with the Bill Ordered to be ingrossed.

On Thursday the 19th day of December, the Bill touching Plumstead-Marsh, for the Inning of it, was read the second time, and Ordered to be ingrossed.

Two Bills also had each of them their second reading; of which the first was the Bill that no person shall hold above two Tenements; and the second to repeal a Branch of a Statute for breed of Stone-Horses in divers Shires.

The Addition to the Lords Bill for Fines with Proclamations, was read the first and second time, and Ordered to be ingrossed.

The Additions sent from the Lords, in the Bill touching Informers, were read, and (as it should seem) referred to Mr Lovelace, to consider of them.

The new Bill for Apparel, was brought from the Lords by Serjeant Carus.

The Bill for Bankrupts and fraudulent Gifts, was dashed upon the question, and division of the House, by the difference of sixteen Voices; viz. with the Bill forty, and against the Bill fifty six.

Two Bills lastly had each of them their first reading; of which the first was the Bill for Reformation of excess in Appael.

On Friday the 20th day of December, the Bill for the Subsidy of the Clergy of Cant. was read the second time.

Four Bills also had each of them one reading; of which the first for the Almes-House of Plymouth, The second for the making of Bay-Salt, and White-Salt in England; And the third for preservation of Grain, by killing of Crows and other Vermine, were each of them read the second time, and Ordered to be ingrossed.

The Bill for the Jointure of the Lady Warwick; and the Bill amended for Shrewsbury, were brought from the Lords by Mr Attorney.

Two Bills were sent up to the Lords by Mr Attorney; of which one was the Bill for making of Steel in England.

The Proviso in the Bill for Tonnage-Wares, was read the third time, and passed upon the Question.

The Bill for the Inning of Plumstead-Marsh, and the Bill for Confirmation of Letters Patents made since the first year òf Queen Elizabeth, were each of them read the third time, and passed upon the Question; and were sent up to the Lords by Mr Chancellor of the Dutchy.

The Bill for pulling up of Weares, Fish Gates, and Piles, was read the third time, and upon the Question and Division of the House, dashed, with the difference of three Voices only; viz. with the Bill forty two, and against it forty five.

The Bill for preservation of Grain by destruction of Vermin, was read the third time, and passed upon the Question.

The Bill for the Jointure of the Lady Anne Countess of Warwick, was read the first and second time.

The Proviso from the Lords for the Sessions to be kept at Hereford, added to the Bill for GoalDeliveries in Wales, was read the first, second and third time, and passed upon the Question.

Francis Thinn came into the House personally, and agreed to such things, concerning his Title to Tythes in Plumstead-Marsh, as Sir John Thynn should say for him.

On Saturday the 21th day of December, Six Bills were read the third time, and passed upon the question; of which the second was the Bill for Tryal of Felonies in Merionethshire in Wales; And another touching Fines with Proclamations, though the Original be imbezelled, to which this House had made an Addition; and a Proviso for the Heir of the Earl of Kent; and were sent up to the Lords by Mr Chancellor of the Dutchy.

The Bill also for repairing of Sea-Marks, Marriners and Watermen, was read the third time, and passed upon the question.

The Bill for the Subsidy of the Clergy of Canterbury, was read the third time, and passed upon the question.

The Bill for engraving of Alneagers Seals, by the Graver of the Mint in the Tower of London, was read the third time; and two other Bills had each of them their second and third reading; of which the first was the Bill for the avoiding of excess in Apparel; but no mention is made that they passed the House.

The Bill that Hexamshire shall be of the County of Northumberland, and parcel of the Bishoprick of Durham, was read the third time, and passed upon the Question.

Three Bills also had each of them one reading; of which the first being the Bill for buying of Woolls out of Caermarthen, Cardigan and Pembroke; and the third for keeping the Assizes in Lancaster, were each of them read the second time, and dashed upon the question.

The Bill against carrying over Sea of Rams, Lambs, or Sheep alive; The Bill against carrying over of Pelts or Tann'd-Leather, And the Bill for the Market of Battell to be kept at Battell, were each of them read the second time, and Ordered to be ingrossed.

The General Bill to avoid Fairs and Markets on Sunday, to the next work-day following, was read the first and second time.

The House being moved with a Commission for Execution of penal Laws, Dated the third day of December last, appointed divers Committees (whose names through the Clerks great negligence are wholly omitted in the Original Journal-Book of the House of Commons) to move the Lords to be a means for the revoking of the said Commission; to which their Lordships agreed, conceiving with the Commons, that Edmond Matthew, John Elliot, and Robert Reynold, the Commissioners nominated and authorized in the said Commission, were not fit persons for the Execution of the same.

On Monday the 23th day of December, Four Bills of no great moment, had each of them one reading; of which the third being the Bill against carrying over Sea of Rams, Lambs and Sheep alive, was read the third time, and passed upon the question.

The Bill for the Clothing Town of Wonersh in Surrey, was read the third time, but as yet passed not the House.

The Bill for helping of Havens and Ports of the Sea, was read the second time.

Seven Bills with three others, were sent up to the Lords by Mr Vice-Chamberlain; of which one was the Bill for the making of White and Bay Salt, and another for the Subsidy of the Clergy of Canterbury.

Report being made upon the Bill for Apparel, it was upon the question dashed.

The Bill for continuance of divers Acts of Parliament, with Addition for transporting of Grain, was read the second time.

A Report was made upon the Bill for Clothmaking in the Town of Wonersh in the County of Surrey; and a Proviso being read the first, second and third time, thereunto added by the House, the Bill was upon the question dashed.

The Bill for the Queens Majesties Pardon, and the Bill for Tonnage-Wares, with some words added unto them, were brought from the Lords by Mr Attorney; which said Bill touching Tonnage-Wares to put out Wines, &c. was read the first time, and dashed upon the Question.

On Tuesday the 24th day of December, the Bill for the Queens Majesties general and beneficial Pardon, unto the 26th day of December, in the eighth year of her Highness Reign, was read the first time, and accepted by the Commons.

The Bill for continuance of divers penal Statutes, was read the third time, and passed upon the question, and was sent up to the Lords by Mr Chancellor of the Dutchy.

The Bill for the Alneagers Seals to be graved in the Tower, was read the fourth time (or rather (as it should seem) some Additions or Amendments thereunto annexed) and dashed upon the question.

The Bill touching Sheriffs, Under-Sheriffs and Bailiffs of Liberties to take Oaths, was read the third, time, and upon the Question dashed.

The Bill for continuance of Statutes, was brought from the Lords, to take away all the Provisoes and Articles besides, only the continuance of the Acts, was upon the question and division of the House, dashed; viz. with the Bill sixty one, and against it ninety seven.

Mr Attorney, and Mr Dr Lewis, brought word from the Lords, that their Lordships had Adjourned their House uncil Monday next. Whereupon Mr Speaker, with the advice of this House, Adjourned the Parliament until Saturday next, and then it was Ordered, that the House should then be called to see and consider the defaults.

On Saturday the 28th of December, the House was called, and Adjourned until Monday then next following.

On Monday the 30th day of December, the House was called again, and Adjourned further till Thursday next following, because the Lords above had so Adjourned their said House.