July 1642
[15 July 1642.]
Whereas, upon serious Consideration of the present and imminent Dangers of Force and Violence, which, at this time, threaten
the Parliament and the whole Kingdom, through the cunning
practice of Papists, and malicious Counsels of divers ill-affected
Persons, inciting his Majesty to raise men, make great Provisions
for War, and place Garrisons in Towns and other Places of Importance within this Kingdom; and by Terror of Arms, to compel
his Subjects to submit to a Commission of Array, contrary to Law;
whereby god's true Religion and the Liberty of the Kingdom are
like to be suppressed, and the whole Frame of the antient and
well-tempered Government of this Realm to be dissolved and
destroyed, and the English Nation inthralled, in their Persons and
Estates, to an arbitrary Power; The Lords and Commons in this
present Parliament assembled, according to the Duty and Trust
which lies upon them, for Prevention of these great Mischiefs
and Preservation of the Safety of his Majesty's Person, the Peace
of the Kingdom, and the Defence of the Parliament, resolved and
ordained, That an Army be forthwith raised; and that the Trained
Bands, and other Forces of the Kingdom, be put into a Posture
and Condition fit to oppose any Force and Insurrection by
Papists, or ill-affected Persons, against the Public Peace and Laws
of the Kingdom, however countenanced by any pretended Commission or Authority from his Majesty, and finding it most
most necessary that some Persons of Honour, Wisdom, and
Fidelity, should be appointed to command the said Army and
Forces; and having had long Experience and certain Knowledge
that Robert Earl of Essex is, every Way, qualified for a Trust of
so high a Nature and Concernment, in regard of the Nobility
of his Birth, his great Judgment in Martial Affairs, approved
Integrity and Sufficiency in divers Honourable Employments
and Commands in the said Public Service of this State; and in
whom his Majesty reposed such Confidence, that, when he went
into Scotland the last Summer, he left him General of all the
South Parts of the Kingdom; and especially in regard of his
Faithfulness and good Affections to the Liberty, Peace, and
Prosperity of the Kingdom, in this present Parliament abundantly
manifested; and of the great Honour and Confidence among
the well-affected People of the Kingdom, which he hath hereby
gained: The said Lords and Commons do constitute and ordain
him, the said Robert Earl of Essex, to be the Captain-General
and Chief Commander of the Army appointed to be raised, and
of all other Forces of the Kingdom, for the Ends and Purposes
aforementioned; and that he the said Earl shall have and enjoy
all Power, Titles, Preheminence, Authority, Jurisdiction, and
Liberties, incident and belonging to the said Office of CaptainGeneral, throughout the whole Kingdom of England and
Dominion of Wales, in as large and ample a Manner as any other
General of an Army in this Kingdom hath lawfully used
exercised, and enjoyed; to have, hold, and execute the Office of
Captain-General, in such Manner, and according to such Instructions, as he shall, from Time to Time, receive from both Houses
of Parliament.
And do further grant and ordain, That the said Earl shall
have Power to raise and levy Forces, as well Men at Arms, as
other Horsemen and Footmen of all kinds, and meet for the
Wars, in all Counties, Cities, Boroughs, Towns Corporate, and
other Places, of this Kingdom and Dominion of Wales, as well
within Liberties as without; and them to conduct and lead
against all and singular Enemies, Rebels, Traitors, and other like
offenders, and every of their Adherents; and with them to fight,
and them to invade, resist, repress, subdue, pursue, slay, and kill;
to put in Execution all and singular other Things for the levying
and governing of the said Forces, preserving the Safety of his
Majesty's Person, Defence of the Parliament, and the Conservation of this Realm and the Subjects thereof in Peace, howsoever countenanced by any pretended Commission or Authority
from his Majesty, or otherwise; and shall have Power to assign
and appoint a Lieutenant-General under him, the said Earl, in
his Stead to do and execute all and every the Powers and
Authority granted to him, the said Earl, also to appoint a
Lieutenant-General of the Troops of Horse and all such Commanders and Officers as shall be necessary and requisite for the
Government and Command of the said Army; and likewise one
Provost-Martial for the Execution of his Commands, according
to this Ordinance.
And for the better Execution of the Premises, it is ordered and
ordained, that the said Earl shall have Power to command all
Forts and Castles, already fortified or to be fortified; and to
remove, displace, or continue, the Captains, Lieutenants, and
Soldiers: As likewise all Ships, Barks and Vessels, which he,
the said Earl, shall think meet, from Time to Time, for the Use
and Service of the said Army and Forces, under his Government
and Command; likewise to give Rules, Instructions, and
Directions, for the Governing, Leading, and Conducting the said
Army, and for the Punishing of all Mutinies, Tumults, Rapines
and other Crimes, and Misdemeanors of any Person whatsoever
in the same, according to the Course and Custome of the Wars,
and Law of the Land; and the said Rules and Instructions to
cause to be proclaimed, performed and executed; safety
charging and requiring both the said Lieutenant-Generals,
Provost-Martial, and all other Officers and Soldiers, of the said
Army; as likewise all Lieutenants of Counties, Sheriffs, Deputy
Lieutenants, Officers of the Ordnance, Commanders of Forts,
Justices of Peace, Mayors, Bailiffs, and other his Majesty's
Officers and Subjects whatsoever, to be aiding and assisting, and
obedient to him, the said Earl, in the Execution of the said
Office of Captain-General, for the Ends and Purposes, and in the
Manner aforesaid.
And do likewise ordain and declare, That the said Earl, the
Commanders and Officers of the said Army, and all his Majesty's
Officers and Subjects whatsoever, in the Execution of the
Premises, shall be saved harmless, and defended by the Power
and Authority of both Houses of Parliament.