House of Commons Journal Volume 1: 19 February 1624

Journal of the House of Commons: Volume 1, 1547-1629. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1802.

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'House of Commons Journal Volume 1: 19 February 1624', in Journal of the House of Commons: Volume 1, 1547-1629, (London, 1802) pp. 670. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/commons-jrnl/vol1/p670 [accessed 19 March 2024]

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Jovis, 19 Februarii

Parliament Meets.

THIS Day his Majesty, according to his Highness' last Writ of Adjournment, rode in State, in his Chariot, from his Court at Whytehall, first unto the Abbey, with the Prince his Highness, and attended by, the Lords, Judges, &c. At the Abbey the Bishop of Exceter preached before him; and after the Sermon, he came into the Higher House of Parliament.

In this mean time, the Privy Council, Members of the House of Commons, and great Numbers of other the Members thereof, attended, sitting in the said House of Commons, expecting, when they should be sent for to come up to his Highness.

Message to attend the King.

After his Majesty was set, a Messenger was sent down, to require the Members of the Commons House to come up to his Majesty:

King's Speech.

Who going up accordingly, his Majesty made unto them a short, but a most learned and gracious, Speech; declaring unto them the principal Cause of his calling this Parliament; viz. for their Advice, whether he should proceed any further in his Treaties with Spaine, about the Match of the Prince, or concerning the Restitution of the Palatinate: And withal, gave them very gracious Assurance of his Care for Preservation of their Liberties and Privileges, &c. And at length directed the House of Commons to go down, and chuse a Speaker, and to present him, whom they should chuse, unto his Highness, upon Saturday then next after, at Two of the Clock in the Afternoon.

Sir T. Crew chosen Speaker.

The Members of the Commons House being come down into the said House, and settled; Mr. Treasurer of the Houshold, remembering our Grief for our last Parting thence, and congratulating for the Joy in our now Meeting (with Pursuasion of Endeavour to advance the Good both of King and Kingdom, which are inseparable) proceedeth, according to his Majesty's Directions; to the Choice of a Speaker; nominating, for that Service, Sir Tho. Crew, Serjeant at Law, an ancient Member of this House, a Man every way after our own Hearts.

Upon this, a general Acclamation in the House, Nemine contradicente, " Sir Tho. Crew."

Who thereupon, standing up, acknowlegeth the long Experience he hath had of the Love and Favour of this House, whence this their Choice of him now proceedeth; yet the Sense of his own Disabilities makes him intreat

them, for the Honour of the House, and Advancement of the Service, to make Choice of some fitter; whereof there are many.

Mr. Treasurer and Mr. Comptroller fetch and lead him to the Chair; where being set, he stood up, and told the House, that, sithence he found this done by God's Designment and Providence, his best Endeavours should not be wanting: Would carry an even Heart between Head and Body, and clean Hands, in Bills between Party and Party: Yet desireth Liberty, with their Favour, to appeal to his Majesty, to spare him, and to direct the Choice of a fitter. -

King appointed to be attended.

That his Majesty hath appointed the House, upon Saturday, at Two of the Clock in the Afternoon, to present their Speaker to him.

Generally agreed to meet here, and to be ready at One; and so the House departed.