House of Lords Journal Volume 6: 16 March 1644

DIE Sabbati, 16 die Martii.

PRAYERS, by Mr. Gower.

Lords present this Day:

Ds. Grey de Warke, Speaker.

Colonel Ven, 1000 l. for Windsor Garrison.

"It is this Day Ordered, by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, That the Committee for the King's Revenue shall pay unto Colonel John Venn, for the Use of the Garrison in Windsor Castle, the Sum of One Thousand Pounds, out of the Arrears of the Court of Wards, next after the former Assignments shall be satisfied and paid."

Archbishop of Canterbury's Trial.

This Day the Lords proceeded against the Archbishop of Canterbury, upon the Residue of the Second Article, touching his subverting of the fundamental Laws, by the Power he assumed to himself at the Council Table, to compel the Subjects out of their Estates, by putting People out of their Houses and Estates near Paul's Church.

Another Particular was, the forcing of the Gouldsmithes Company, to force them to lend to Pauls.

1. Was instanced, in the pulling down and demolishing Mens Houses against their Will, by his Means, by Order of the Council Board, dated the 12th March, 1634.

Another Order was read, of the Council Table, date (fn. 1) 16 March, 1631, "That divers Houses built upon Paules Church shall be demolished by The Lady-day next; and the Bishop of London, Dean and Prebends, shall take the Surrender of the Leases upon their Composition."

Another Order was read, dated the 2d March, 1631: "An Order that divers Houses at the South West End of Pauls shall be pulled down by The Lady-day; if not, the Sheriff of London is to see it done; and if the Persons be obstinate, and will refuse to (fn. 2) compound, Certificate is to be made by the Committee to the Council Board, and lose their Materials."

Michaell Burton, upon Oath, deposed, "That Mr. Wheatlies House was pulled down near Paules Church, about Twenty-four Years ago; and he was promised Satisfaction, but none was given: They went to the Bishop; he referred them to the Sub-committee, and they to Sir H. Marten; and he told them, "That they and others must repair to the Bishop of London;" and he bid him make Means to the Archbishop. He went to the Archbishop at Croydon, and delivered his Petition; but the Archbishop gave him harsh Language; and the Deponent told him, "That King James promised Satisfaction." The Archbishop bid him go to King James; who was dead long before.

"That Wheatlies House was (fn. 3) worth about Five Hundred Pounds."

Mary Bury upon Oath deposed, "That [ (fn. 4) her Husband's] House was pulled down, and she knows none Means, but the Bishop of London; and no Satisfaction was given, to the Damage of Five Hundred Pounds."

Tho. Wheeler upon Oath deposed, "That his House was pulled down over his Head, by Order of the Bishop, by the Sub-committee, who told him so; the House worth One Hundred Pounds, and no Satisfaction given. This was done about Eleven Years ago."

Wm. Wathon deposed, "That his House was pulled down about Eleven Years ago; and he went to Fulham, to the Bishop of Lond. and complained to him of it; the House was worth One Hundred Pounds. About Five Years after, he was (fn. 5) put into the High Commission Court, for having a House of Office near the Church; and he and others were fined Five Hundred Pounds for the same."

To prove that divers Shopkeepers in Cheapeside were ordered to be removed from amongst the Gouldsmiths, as by Order of the Council Board dated the 12th November:

Jo. Bartlett deposed, "His Shop amongst the Goldsmithes in Cheapeside, he was forced out of his Shop, by the Lord Mayor, by Order of the Council Board, whereunto the Archbishop's Hand was; and he was forced to enter (fn. 5) into a Bond of One Hundred Pounds, to resign up his Shop by a limited Day; and afterwards he was seized of by the Archbishop's Pursuivants, and examined ex Officio, what Books he had sold for Seven Years past, and was imprisoned; and after, was brought by Flamsteed before the Council Table, and committed to Prison to The Fleete, and no Cause shewn."

To this Particular also Francis Maning deposed.

The next Instance was Mr. Riche's Case, how he was (fn. 5) put out of his Benefice, by the Power of the Archbishop: Concerning this, Edward Rich deposed, and Ric'd Talbois.

Next, Mr. Foxley and his Wife deponed, "How he was committed by Power of the Archbishop to the Prison of The Fleete, and no Cause shewed, by the Council Table."

Next, Mr. Samuall Vassell deponed, "how he was committed by Order of the Council Table, by Means of the Archbishop."

Then Sir John Corbett deponed, "how he was imprisoned by Order of the Council Board, by Means of the Archbishop."

Concerning the Business of the Difference between the Clergy of London and the City, Mr. Marshes deponed all the Passages; and, by the Archbishop's own Memorial, it appeared that it was one of his Projects to see the Tithes of London settled between the Clergy and the City.

The next was Prynn's Case, which was declared particularly by Mr. Prynn himself; also John Cocket deponed concerning this Business, and Tho. Edwards. and Wm. Wickins.

Then Mr. Burton deponed the Manner of his Sufferings; so did Mrs. Bastwicke depone the Manner of her Husband's Prosecution, and how she was not suffered to come to him.

Ordered, That the Archbishop shall make his Answer to the Evidence delivered this Day against him on Monday Morning, at Eight of the Clock.

Adjourn.

House adjourned till 8^a, Monday Morning next.