25th May 1624

Proceedings in Parliament 1624: The House of Commons. Originally published by British History Online, , 2015-18.

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'25th May 1624', in Proceedings in Parliament 1624: The House of Commons, (, 2015-18) pp. . British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/no-series/proceedings-1624-parl/may-25 [accessed 13 April 2024]

In this section

TUESDAY, 25 MAY 1624

I. JOURNAL OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, PA, HC/CL/JO/1/14

[CJ 711; f. 56]

Martis, 250 Maii, 220 Jacobi

The Lord Mayor entreated to consider of so much of [John] Peck's petition as is within his jurisdiction, and the justices of peace for the residue. And the patent, in the meantime, to be delivered to the patentee with charge to be ready to produce the same, as it shall be required.

Dungeness. This afternoon, before the committee for grievances.

Motion to have the matter of buildings and Carpenters heard.

Mr. [Edward] Alford Mr. [John] Bankes
Sir John Savile Mr. [John] More
Sir Thomas Myddelton Mr. [Christopher] Brooke
Sir Charles Montagu Knights and burgesses of Middlesex
Sir Edward Villiers Sir Richard Wynn

to consider of the petition about buildings, the Carpenters' petition, and proclamations about buildings and other proclamations concerning the subjects' interest in lands or other estate; and for a petition to be prepared to his Majesty about them. 2 [o']clock this afternoon, in the Court of Wards.

L. 3a. An act that sheriffs, having a quietus est, shall be discharged, etc.

Upon question, passed.

SIR EDWARD COKE reports the amendments in the bill of monopolies with the alterations and provisos.

[Blank]

[f. 56v] The amendments and alterations in the bill of monopolies inserted at the table by the Clerk's servant, and then the alterations and proviso thirdly read. [Blank]

Upon question, passed.

Upon question, the draft of the grievances now to be read.

Sir Robert Phelips to make his report peremptorily, tomorrow, 9 [o']clock.

Bills sent up to the Lords by Sir Edward Coke/

SIR EDWIN SANDYS reports from the committee for trade, first, concerning Clothworkers. 12,000 in number, wanting work, very poor. Deprived of the inheritance of their hands and laws. 1 cloth in 10 ought to be dressed by the statute 80 Eliz. This taken away by the Merchant Adventurers.

That the committee thought fit a Petition of Right to his Majesty to restore them to the law of 80 Eliz. and so to [sic] presented to his Majesty.

Resolved, upon question, in the House.

[f. 57] Sir Edwin Sandys and Mr. [Nicholas] Ferrar to do it.

SIR EDWIN SANDYS reports further a complaint of the western merchants against the farmers of the Custom House for taking for serges and perpetuanas more than allowed by the Book of Rates. That there being great diversity in the goodness and price of these wares, the farmers have raised the Book of Rates for the better, but diminish it not for the worse.

That the committee thought it strange and of ill-consequence that the farmers should alter the Book of Rates at their own pleasure and so fine the King's subjects to their own profit.

This, upon question, resolved to be a grievance, and to be preferred to his Majesty by petition as the rest.

SIR EDWIN SANDYS reports further about prisage taken in the West Country for wines. Butlerage is 3s. a tun, taken only in London, Southampton and the Cinque Ports. That they take prisage where under x tuns, contrary to the law, and take of the best wine.

This likewise resolved to be petitioned as a grievance.

The preamble to the grievances read, and allowed.

The first, concerning Sir Ferdinando Gorges's patent, read, amended and then, upon question, allowed.

The second, concerning Wyre Drawers, read and allowed.

The third, concerning concealed hospitals, read and allowed.

The fourth, concerning briefs, read and allowed. [Blank]

[f. 57v] The 5th, concerning the Apothecaries and Grocers, read.

The sixth, for the lighthouse at Wintertonness, read and allowed.

The 7th, for Sir S[imon] Harvey, read. And question being made for the cozening Lichland of £530, that, upon question, resolved to stand.

Upon second question, all the residue against him to stand.

Mr. Speaker to be here again at 4 of the clock for the rest of the grievances.

Sir Edward Coke to sit this afternoon upon the committee for grievances. Lady Boteler's case to be then heard.

Bill of continuance of statutes. To be debated tomorrow, 9 [o']clock.

[f. 50] Martis, 250 Maii, 220 Jacobi, post meridiem, [committee of grievances]

Sir Edward Coke to move the House tomorrow morning to sit that afternoon and to hear this cause.

[f. 50v] Dungeness. Mr. Herne serves counsel for Mr. [Hugh] Bullock. That he was shipwrecked thereabouts. That the Trinity House and Ne[wcastle mer]ch[an]ts petitioned.

[f. 57v] Martis, 250 Maii, 220 Jacobi, post meridiem

Mr. [William] Lamplugh to attend the House with his counsel tomorrow morning; to be heard if time.

Upon question, the eighth petition of grievance, for the orders in the Court of Wards, (being read) allowed to pass.

The petition for York castle, etc. read and, upon question, allowed.

Baron [Sir Edward] Bromley and Justice [Sir William] Jones bring from the Lords a confirmation of the subsidy granted from the clergy and 4 bills (which came from hence) with amendments:

  • 1. Relief of patentees.
  • [2.] Levying fines in others' names.
  • 3. Relief of creditors against such as die in execution.
  • 4. Colchester bill.

Bill of inferior Courts. All that will come to have voice, tomorrow morning, 7 [o']clock, Court of Wards.

L. 3a. An act for fees in boroughs, etc.

Upon much debate, resolved to defer the question for passage until tomorrow morning.

[f. 58] Upon report made from the committee for grievances, it is ordered that the cause between Sir Pexall Brocas and Mr. Auditor [Walter] Curle shall be referred to the Court of Wards, where it depends, with a recommendation thereof for that, as the House conceives, due consideration ought to be had of this cause of the said Sir Pexall Brocas.

The grievances for trade to be read between 7 and 8 in the morning.

[House adjourned]

II. JOURNAL OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, PA, HC/CL/JO/1/13

[CJ 794; f. 216]

Martis, 25 Maii 1624

SIR JOHN SAVILE moves to have the Lord Mayor desired, from this House, to take consideration of [John] Peck's patent, and to have the patent delivered to Peck.

Ordered.

Dungeness light[house]. This afternoon.

MR. [EDWARD] ALFORD. To have a committee named.

Mr. [Edward] Alford Knights, burgesses, Middlesex
Sir John Savile Sir Charles Montagu
Sir Thomas Myddelton Sir Edward Villiers
Mr. [John] More Sir Richard Wynn
Mr. [Christopher] Brooke

to consider of the Carpenters' petition about buildings and the proclamations. This afternoon, 2 [o']clock, Court of Wards.

L. 3. An act that sheriffs, their heirs, executors and administrators, having their quietus est, shall be absolutely discharged of their accounts.

Upon question, passed.

SIR EDWARD COKE reports the alterations of the bill of monopolies. Committee are agreed upon them.

Alterations ordered to be inserted and proviso annexed.

MR. [ROBERT] SNELLING. Yesterday appointed for the hearing of a great grievance, survey of [sea]coals, but had a message from his Majesty to stop it. To have the message now delivered in the House.

[f. 216v] Sir Robert Phelips to make his report tomorrow, 8 [o']clock, for Mrs. Thomas and Mr. [Robert] Grice.

[Blank]

MR. COMPTROLLER. Yesterday, according to the King's command, he delivered a message from the King to the committee of grievances. King had appointed any 6 of his Council to revoke this patent, therefore thought the [sic] that this House should not need to meddle with it this session. If it should be found inconvenient, and the Council do nothing in it, then to take it into consideration the next session.

MR. SOLICITOR. Not the King's intent to foreclose us from any grievance. The King desires to have the honour himself of recalling of it.

Mr. Comptroller Sir Henry Anderson
Sir Edward Coke Sir Peter Riddell
Mr. [William] Noye Sir Nathaniel Rich
Sir Robert Pye Sir Thomas Savile
Mr. Solicitor Mr. [Christopher] Herrys
Sir Thomas Trevor Sir William Fleetwood
Mr. [Robert] Snelling Mr. [John] Glanville
Sir William Pitt Mr. [Christopher] Brooke
Mr. [Edward] Alford
Mr. [William] Mallory
Sir Thomas Denton
Sir John Savile

These are appointed to take into consideration the patent of survey of [sea]coals and to frame a petition to his Majesty concerning the same, if they see cause. This afternoon, 3 [o']clock, Exchequer Chamber. Counsel to be heard.

The alterations and proviso of the bill of monopolies thirdly read and passed.

Upon question, the grievances now to be read in the House.

Sir Edward Coke sent up to the Lords with divers bills, such as came down from the Lords to us and here passed and such as have formerly passed this House and came down from the Lords with amendments.

[f. 217] SIR EDWIN SANDYS reports from the committee of trade concerning the Clothworkers of London. Edward 3 first brought them into this land. Now grown to great poverty through hardness of times and hearts. Complain of want of work. 8 Elizabeth a statute that provides for these men to export 1in 10 cloths dyed and dressed. An order of the Council that these poor men should [blank] but this not observed neither.

The committee thought fit to have a petition to his Majesty to restore them to the benefit of the statute of 8 Eliz.

Resolved, upon question, that such a petition shall be framed to be presented to his Majesty.

SIR EDWIN SANDYS goes on with his report, for a complaint of the western merchants against the farmers of the customs for exacting more than is set down in the Book of Rates for serges and perpetuanas. Committee were very desirous to accommodate this business between [CJ 795] the merchants and the farmers. Committee of opinion that this a grievance fit to be present to his Majesty.

Resolved, upon question, that this shall be presented in a petition of grievance to his Majesty.

SIR EDWIN SANDYS goes on with his report, concerning prisage of wines. Western merchants complain of it. The officers exact a tun of wine under 10 tuns and of the choice wine, and fill them up.

Resolved, upon question, that this also shall be presented to his Majesty among the grievances.

The grievances read:

  • 1. Concerning free fishing in New England: with some alterations, allowed by the House.
  • 2. Gold Wyre Drawers of London: allowed.
  • 3. Pretences of concealments and defective titles: allowed.
  • 4. Against licences called briefs: allowed.

[f. 217v] Ordered, an order of declaration of the opinion of this House to be drawn by the Clerk against the certificates of justices of peace for these briefs.

  • 5. Patent of the Apothecaries of London: allowed.
  • 6. Wintertonness light[house]: recommitted, and after allowed.
  • 7. Sir Simon Harvey: allowed.
  • 8. Of grace, touching the instruction of the Court of Wards: deferred until the afternoon.

Mr. Speaker to be here at 4 [o']clock.

Sir Edward Coke to sit at grievances this afternoon.

Continuance of statutes and the rest of the bills that came with amendments, to be considered of tomorrow, 9 [o']clock.

Martis, 25 Maii 1624, post meridiem

Mr. [William] Lamplugh to attend the House tomorrow morning, 7 [o']clock, with his counsel.

The 8th petition read concerning the instructions of the Court of Wards: allowed.

MR. [WILLIAM] MALLORY presents another petition of grievance for York castle and other: read and allowed.

A message from the Lords by Baron [Sir Edward] Bromley and Justice [Sir William] Jones. The Lords have sent down to this House, first, a confirmation of the subsidy of the clergy, and 3 bills passed this House, sent down with amendments:

  • 1. Relief of patentees.
  • 2. Colchester bill.
  • 3. Levying fines in other men's names.
  • 4. Relief of creditors against such as die in execution.

[f. 218] SIR EDWARD COKE reports from the committee of grievances Sir Pexall Brocas's case. The committee have heard counsel on both sides and they think fit that this case should be referred to the Court of Wards, where it depends, for that they conceive due consideration ought to be had of Sir Pexall Brocas's case.

Resolved, upon question, that this cause of Sir Pexall Brocas shall be referred to the Court of Wards with a recommendation from this House, for that they conceive due consideration ought to be had of Sir Pexall Brocas.

L. 3. An act concerning the fees to be taken in cities, boroughs and towns and the tabling thereof.

After much dispute, this bill put off until tomorrow morning.

Inferior courts. Tomorrow morning, 7 [o']clock, Courts of Wards. And all to have voice.

The grievances for trade to be read tomorrow between 7 and 8 [o']clock.

[House adjourned]

III. DIARY OF JOHN HAWARDE, WILTSHIRE AND SWINDON ARCHIVES, 9/34/2

[p. 297]

[25 May 1624]

[Mondaye and] Tusedaye I was absente.

IV. DIARY OF EDWARD NICHOLAS, TNA, SP 14/166

[f. 220v]

Tuesday, 250 Maii 1624

A committee is appointed to consider of the complaints against the building in London and the petition of the Carpenters occasioned thereby and proclamations thereon granted and about the frequency of other proclamations, to sit this afternoon in Court of Wards.

An act that sheriffs, their heirs, executors and administrators, having a quietus est, shall be absolutely discharged of their accounts. 3. L. This bill is passed this House. r. p.

MR. [ROBERT] SNELLING says that the patent for survey of [sea]coals trenches to the destruction of above 200 sail of ships, which are ruined if that patent continue. That [f. 221] yesterday that patent was to have been considered of at the committee of grievances, but there was a message delivered from the King by Mr. Comptroller that his Majesty, in regard he had provided by a clause in that patent that if there be anything found inconvenient or grievous in that patent, that then 6 of his Privy Council should determine and revoke the said patent. That his Majesty would not have us meddle with this patent this sessions [sic] since his Majesty has so carefully provided therein, and for that it being so near an end of the sessions [sic] as that we cannot perfect and determine anything fully therein. He says if the debate of grievances be thus by his Majesty's messages taken from us, we then shall lose the very substance and principal essence of parliamentary liberty.

SIR THOMAS TREVOR says that this patent for survey of seacoal is to the prejudice of the King's revenue, who has of his farmers for the custom of this [sea]coal £8,000 per annum.

SIR ROBERT PYE says that the King has £8,000 per annum for the custom of [sea]coal and there is good hope that the King's revenue thereof will be raised to £12,000 per annum, and this patent does cross and prejudice his Majesty's revenue for the seacoal.

Ordered, that a select committee shall take this patent for survey of seacoal into consideration and prepare a [f. 221v] petition concerning the same to his Majesty, showing that it is against his Majesty's own revenue and inconvenient to his Majesty's subjects; to meet this afternoon in the Exchequer Chamber. And Sir Robert Sharpeigh, a principal patentee for the survey of seacoals, is then to be heard with his counsel if he will.

SIR EDWIN SANDYS reports from the committee of trade that there is a petition of the Clothworkers. This company of Clothworkers was one of the first 12 companies. Clothing was first occasioned and set up by E. 3, who brought clothiers out of Germany and other countries. These Clothworkers complain that they are doubly disinherited of the inheritance of the labour of their hands, for they cannot have work, and of the inheritance of the laws of this kingdom. That by the statute of 80 Eliz. the merchants that do transport 9 white cloths should also transport one dyed and dressed cloth, which law the merchants do not perform, and the petitioners being in number 1,200 [sic] men cannot have the benefit of the law against them, so as they are like to beg and starve.

Ordered, that there shall be a Petition of Right preferred to the King on the behalf of these Clothworkers that the law of 80 Eliz. may have its due execution.

SIR E[DWIN] SANDYS reports from the same committee that the [western] merchants complain against the farmers of the Custom House for altering of the Book of Rates and raising of the imposition or [f. 222] custom on serges and perpetuanas and the like. That the farmers said they laid on the same stuffs the same rate that was before set on them, and if the serges, etc. were not the weight or measure which those stuffs were when the custom or imposition was first made, they had no reason to spare or encourage the false making of stuffs. The merchants answered that unless those stuffs were slightly made, they could not vent the same. That the committee thought it strange that the customers or farmers should exact and raise the imposition on any stuff and make themselves judges and parties.

Ordered, that these exactions of the farmers of the Custom House shall be presented as a grievance to the King.

Ordered, that the exactions and abuses of the butlerage and prisage of wine in the West Country shall be presented as a grievance to the King.

SIR E[DWIN] SANDYS says that prisage of wine is general through England but butlerage is allowed only in London, Southampton and Cinque Ports, and it is one [f. 222v] hogshead of wine before the mast and another behind it should be free from imposition or paying any custom.

It is allowed by MR. [WILLIAM] NOYE, and the opinion of this House, that by the law of nations it is free for all men to fish in the main sea (which is fretum), but in the narrow seas (which is properly mare) it is not free by the law of nations for all men to fish, and alleged, for example, that it not free for any to fish in these narrow seas between England and France.

SIR PETER HEYMAN says that the usual rate of the briefs under the Great Seal for begging in churches for the City of London is £25, and they are commonly sold by those to whom such briefs are granted.

Ordered, that the Clerk of this House shall against tomorrow draw an order that it will be by this House of Parliament held a contempt for any justice of peace to make any certificate whereon these kind of begging briefs are grounded and granted.

The petition of those seven grievances which are expressed before on Wednesday, the 19th of May, are now this day all passed by vote to be engrossed to be so as they are now written preferred to the King.

[f. 223] At committee, afternoon, Tuesday, 250 Maii 1624

The counsel of [Hugh] Bullock says that Bullock, having shipwrecked (as many before had done) at or near Dungeness in Kent, did petition to the King that there might be a light[house] set up at Dungeness for the common good. His Majesty referred the same to the lords of the Council, who certified that it was convenient that such a lighthouse should be erected, and the Trinity House certified that a penny of a ton inward of all merchandise to be paid to him who should erect such a lighthouse. That Bullock propounded the erecting of this lighthouse to Mr. Bing, a servant of the Lord Northampton's (then Lord Warden), to further the suit to his Lord and master, and Bing propounded it to [William] Lamplugh to help further it to the King. And there being by the assistance of Sir Edward Howard a grant thereof procured, it was by agreement concluded that Sir Edward Howard should have one moiety of the profit of this lighthouse, and Mr. Bing and Mr. Lamplugh were to have the other moiety of the said profits.

But it appears by this that this was erected by the permission of the Lord Warden, and I now desired that my Lord Warden that now is may have the ordering and superintendency of this light[house], it being erected within the jurisdiction of the Cinque Ports.

Sir Robert Killigrew says that the grievance of this patent is that the patentees do take this imposition of all [f. 223v] strangers in the West Country before they come to this light[house], and of such as may peradventure be cast away before they come to receive benefit by this light[house]. And this imposition does deter all strangers from putting into the havens of the West Country, which are principally enriched by the coming in of strangers' ships into those parts. The patentees taking one penny of a ton of all ships and goods outward and as much of all ships and goods inward bound, and that of strangers' and foreigners' ships as well as home born subjects'.

Ordered, that this business shall be further heard tomorrow morning in the House and Lamplugh to have notice thereof.

Mr. Speaker goes into the chair.

Grievances to be put into the petition of grievances to the King:

9th. That no grants of the custody and keeping of prisons and gaols may be to other than the sheriffs of the county because they ought to be kept by him or his deputies, who is answerable for any prisoner that shall escape. This is passed the vote of the House.

Message from the Lords, who bring us the clergy's gift of 4 tenths and their Lordships' confirmation thereof.

Ordered, that a cause and complaint preferred by Sir Pexall Brocas against Auditor [Walter] Curle shall be recommended hence to the Court of Wards, where the cause does depend.

[f. 224] An act concerning fees taken by cities, boroughs and port towns. 3. L.

It is alleged that if this bill aims at nothing but extortion, that it is needless for there are laws enough already against extortion of fees, and that it is absolutely against the charter of the Cinque Ports that any of those ports should be drawn out of the ports.

Ordered, that the further debate of this bill shall be deferred until tomorrow morning.

V. DIARY OF SIR WILLIAM SPRING, HOUGHTON LIBRARY, HARVARD UNIVERSITY, MS ENG. 980

[p. 241]

Tuesday, the 25th

There is reported to the House a message sent from the King by the COMPTROLLER concerning the patent of [sea]coals unto the committee of grievances, which was that the King would take order that the grievance in execution of that patent should be taken away if six of his Council should so find it needful, and that otherwise the House might proceed next sessions [sic]. That the King had been informed that the House had condemned the patent and never heard it, but that it was answered to the King that the committee only delivered their opinion that since that patent was never yet executed, it was fit to stay until the patent was examined.

But SIR ROBERT PYE and SIR THOMAS TREVOR do inform the House that the King's farmers for the seacoal do now pay into the King's receivers [£]8,000 per annum and shortly are to pay [£]1,000, and that if this patent go on it will overthrow the King's revenue. That the farmers have already lost [£]1,000, and if the King were rightly informed of it he would take order in it.

Hereupon, the House orders that a select committee shall pen up the matter of the complaint after the patent is examined, and that both the general grievance and the King's loss shall be presented to him.

Bills that are passed here are sent to the Lords/

VI. DIARY OF RICHARD DYOTT, STAFFORDSHIRE RECORD OFFICE, MS D661/11/1/2

[f. 163]

May 25

You cannot shut the door at a committee. Any man may then go out.

[f. 163v] Bills passed:

  • 1. Bill [blank] to plead general issue to information of intrusion.
  • 2. For reformation of jeofails.
  • 3. Against usury.
  • 4. To enable justices to make restitution of possession in case of lease for years, etc.
  • 5. Of concealments.
  • 6. For limitation of actions.
  • 7. Monopolies.

Report by [SIR EDWIN] SANDYS. A complaint of the Clothworkers (being one of the 12 companies of London) and Dyers. Brought in by E. 3. They are 12,000 souls. As the prophet, God has increased their nation but not their joys. They have lost the inheritance of their hands, and like- [f. 164] wise of the law. 8. Eliz., for 9 cloths that are carried out, 1 dyed and dressed must be carried. It was awarded in Bromley's time, and Merchant Adventurers set to their seal that that statute should be put in execution. They make a Petition of Right to be restored to the benefit of the law, etc. 8 Eliz for Clothworkers. Dyers complain too, but that depends upon the other, for the remedy of one helps the other.

Resolved, that a Petition of Right to the King for the Clothworkers, that one cloth of 9 shall be dyed and dressed that be carried out.

Report 2. Butlerage 3s. in a tun in London, Southampton and 5 ports. [f. 164v] Prisage a tun before and a tun after the mast, if 10 tun in the ship. They take the choice wine.

These exactions to be presented as a grievance. Resolved, upon question.

Whereas it was put in the petition concerning New England that by the law of nations the French and Dutch do fish there, it was put out at the motion of [MR. WILLIAM] NOYE because may be prejudicial to us in other cases.

Grievances to be presented to King.

  • 1. [Sir Ferdinando] Gorges's patent.
  • 2. The Wyre Drawers being an ancient company restrained by new letters patent, were forbidden to use their lawful trades, etc. That the grievance.

They were as ancient as H. 7 and E. 4['s] time, and of the Company of Goldsmiths, said [SIR EDWARD] COKE.

[MR.] CHARLES PRICE. A kinsman of mine brought it out of Italy within 15 [?years], [f. 165] so it was either discontinued here or else was not so ancient. It consumes £150 every week by melting so much in coin or bullion.

  • 3. Concealers and procurers of defective titles, which fit to be regulated by rules of King's own conscience. Sir John Townshend's letters patent of hospitals (though not made to him).

SPENCER moved that he might make restitution of the lands sold.

  • 4. Licences called briefs. That the statute in that case provided may be observed, and no more granted.

[MR. WILLIAM] NOYE. These licences are not granted unless that justices of peace make certifi- [f. 1635] cate of the pretended loss. Would have the King petitioned to command them not to make such certificates, and would have it declared by some order that this House holds it a grievance.

Ordered.

SIR THOMAS WENTWORTH. That his name and diverse other [?justices] have been counterfeited. And that their clauses in many of these briefs that justices of peace shall be aiding to these beggars, which an unfit thing.

[MR. MARTIN] BOND. 44 of these briefs at this time in London to be served. £1,900 I have known offered for a brief. One burnt in the shoulder has one. Fee to have the City of London in is £25 at the Great Seal.

  • 5. The letters patent to the Apothecaries a grievance, for that they have been [f. 166] members of the Company of Grocers, and have used to sell drugs, distillations. They are dismembered from the Grocers without their consent, against the law (their drugs are viewed and searched by the College of Physicians) and have appropriated the sole selling of the things aforesaid to themselves by colour of the patent.
  • 6. Sir John Meldrum's patent of lighthouses at Wintertonness.
  • 7. The great abuses of Sir Simon Harvey to [his] Majesty and subjects.

  • 1. That made warrants of his own authority to diverse [?constables] for taking up of malt and paying such prices as if taking lawful.
  • [2.] Took a great quantity of ling and payed not for, as if the taking [illegible] [f. 166v] lawful he ought to have done.
  • [3.] He overcharged diverse countries [sic] with carriages for King.
  • [4.] The undertakers having delivered their oxen, etc., he would not pay them.
  • [5.] £20,000 will not set the Household in so good order as it was before he came.
  • [6.] Cheating of one of his fellow[s] of £500.

[SIR JOHN] SAVILE. That not think fit to meddle with the reformation of the King's Household. One Browne was brought in by Lord of Leicester. He was questioned here, but Sir Robert Cecil answered, “Will you take an account whether the Queen has a custard to supper?” And that was all the thanks we had for it. A private cheating by him of one of his fellows of £500 not fit to present, but only general grievances and oppressions of the people.

[f. 167] CHANCELLOR OF DUCHY. That because the King holds him to be a man of integrity, therefore we made use of this to discover his condition to the King.

Ordered, that should pass with the rest.

VII. DIARY OF SIR WALTER EARLE, BL, ADD. MS 18,597

[f. 192v]

Tuesday, the 25th of May

Bill for the discharge of sheriffs that have their quietus est. Passed.

MR. COMPTROLLER delivered the same message in the House which he had yesterday delivered to the committee of grievances, touching the patent of surveying of seacoal.

The House being informed that the King's intent was not to foreclose the House from presenting it as a grievance, ordered that a select committee should draw [f. 193] up the petition to be presented among the grievances.

Bills sent up to the Lords.

SIR EDWIN SANDYS'S report from the committee of trade. The new imposition laid upon perpetuanas. The exactions for prisage, taking for under 10 tun, taking the best of it.

These ordered to be presented as grievances.

The roll of grievances, the first reading:

  • 1. The patent granted to Sir Ferdinando Gorges, forbidding to fish on the coast of New England under pain of confiscation of ships and goods. Petition, that those clauses concerning restraint might be declared to be void.
  • 2. The patent of Gold Wyre Drawers imposing 6d. per ounce on the gold wire, prohibiting others, etc., making it worse, etc. Petition, that the patent might be recalled.
  • 3. The patent for concealments and defective titles. The lands of 14 hospitals taken away. Petition, that the patent might be called in.
  • 4. Licences called briefs, against law. Petition, no such to be granted.
  • 5. The patent granted to the Apothecaries excluding the Grocers from selling drugs, etc. Petition, to avoid the letters patents.
  • 6. The patent for lighthouses at Wintertonness, the patentee exacting 2d. for every chaldron of coal, etc.
  • 7. The abuses of Sir Simon Harvey in cart taking and purveyance, etc.
  • 8. The altering the instructions, etc. of the Court of Wards.
  • [f. 193v] 9. Grants and letters patents made of castles that are common gaols of counties.

Vide, the addition to these after.

Committee of grievances

The grievance of Dungeness. One [Hugh] Bullock, by his counsel, informed that having suffered shipwreck on that coast, made means to the Trinity House to sue to the King for a lighthouse to be there erected. A certificate that 2d. per ton homeward was a reasonable proportion for maintenance of it.

Master of the Rolls [sic] informed the House that the last Parliament there were touching this 3 things.

The House sitting

A message from the Lords. The bill of subsidy for the clergy brought down. Bill for relief of patentees in case of forfeiture, etc. Bill against such as levy fines in the name of others. Bill for relief of creditors against such as die in execution. Bill for Colchester haven. All with amendments.

Bill touching fees in towns corporate, etc. Third read.

The passing put off until the morrow.

VIII. JOURNAL OF SIR SIMONDS D'EWES, BL, HARL. MS 159

[f. 120v]

May 25, Tuesday

[240,] 250, …