Die Mercurii, videlicet, 24 die Februarii
PRAYERS.
King present.
His Majesty this Morning came to the House, being
without His Robes; the Lords likewise being so, because He came unexpectedly. His Majesty declared unto
the House, that the Cause of His coming now was to
hear the Charge against the Earl of Strafford, and his
Answer thereunto, for His own particular Information.
E. of Strafford at the Bar.
His Charge and Answer read.
The Lords sitting silent; the Lord Keeper standing
behind on His Majesty's Right Hand, by Command
from the King, called for the Earl of Strafford to be
brought to the Bar, and commanded the Charge to be
read against him, One Article after another, by the
Clerk of the Parliament; and the Earl of Strafford's
Answer to every Article read by his Counsel; which
was accordingly read before the King.
After the King was gone, the Lords commanded the
Lord Keeper to resume the House.
My Lord Keeper did resume the House.
E. of Strafford again commanded to be brought to the Bar, and to deliver his Answer.
Then the Lords, taking all that was done in the
King's Presence to be no Act of the House, commanded
the Earl of Strafford to be brought to the Bar, and
appointed the Lord Keeper to demand of him his
Answer in Writing, according as he was enjoined by
Order of this House.
Bishops agree to withdraw when he delivers his Answer.
Then a Question arose, whether the Lords the Bishops should be present at the reading of the Earl of
Strafford's Answer, it being in Agitatione Causæ Sanguinis; and the Lords the Bishops said they would withdraw when the Earl of Strafford came in with his Answer
to the Bar.
E. Strafford's Answer put in.
The Earl of Strafford came in, and tendered his
Answer at the Bar; and, as soon as the Earl of Strafford came in, all the Lords the Bishops went out.
The Bishops being gone, the Lords commanded the
Answer to be read at Bar, which was done by the
Counsel of the Earl of Strafford. Which being read,
the Earl of Strafford desired Leave to speak. The
Lord Keeper told him he might speak, so it be not
any Thing touching his Answer. And having Leave,
his Desire was, to have Time to examine Witnesses in
his own Defence, and to have the Names of those
that have been examined Witnesses against him, and
to have Power to cross-examine, or except against, such
Witnesses as he should desire; that the Depositions of
his Witnesses might be taken in Writing; and that he
might have a Warrant from this House to produce his
Witnesses.
Withdraws.
After this, the Earl of Strafford withdrew, and his
Counsel with him.
Then the House did Order, That no Answer is to
be given by this House to the Earl of Strafford's Desires, until this House hear an Answer from the House
of Commons to his Answer.
Conference to be had concerning this Answer.
The House thought fit to have a Conference with
the House of Commons To morrow Morning about the
Earl of Strafford's Answer.
Ordered, That Serjeant Glanvile have Leave to
go the Circuit, and afterwards to return and attend this
House.
Adjourn.
Dominus Custos Magni Sigilli declaravit præsens
Parliamentum continuandum esse usque in diem Jovis,
videlicet, 25m diem instantis Februarii, 1640, hora
nona, Dominis sic decernentibus.