February, 1644/5
[28 February, 1644/5.]
Forasmuch as the true Protestant Religion, the Lawes and
Liberties of the Subjects; and the Parliament are in danger to
be subverted, Idolatry and Tyranny like to be introduced by the
force and power of severall Armies raised by pretence of the
Kings authority, consisting of Papists, and other dangerous and
ill-affected persons of this Kingdome, and Irish Rebels, and of
divers Popish souldiers, and others of Forraigne Kingdomes and
Nations, being not under the Kings obedience, for the ruine and
destruction of this Kingdome, unlesse the same be prevented by
a considerable power of Forces to be suddenly raised by both
Houses of Parliament, being with Gods blessing and assistance,
the most probable way to preserve this Kingdome, our Religion
and Libertie.
Power to Committee of Militia of London to press Soldiers.; Imprest, Coat, and Conduct Moneys, etc.; Penalty for refusal.
Be it therefore Ordained by the Lords and Commons Assembled in Parliament, and by Authority of the same, That the
Committee of the Militia for the City of London, the DeputyLievtenants, and Committees of Parliament in every Countie,
City, or place within this Realme, or any two or more of them
within their severall Limits and Jurisdictions, shall and are
hereby Authorized, and are hereby required and enjoyned from
time to time, to raise, leavy, and Imprest, such number of
Souldiers, Gunners and Chirurgions, for the defence of the King,
Parliament and Kingdome, as shall bee appointed by both Houses
of Parliament, by the Committee of both Kingdomes, or by Sir
Thomas Fairfax, And to Command all Constables and other
Officers to be ayding and assisting to them in the said service of
Impresting; All which persons so to be Imprested and every of
them, shall have such Imprest Money, Coat and Conduct Money,
Wages and entertainment, and other necessary charges and
allowances as shall be fit and convenient, according to the discretion of the Committees and Deputy-Lievtenants or any two
or more of them respectively, and if any person or persons shall
wilfully refuse so to be Imprested for the said Service, that then
it shall and may be lawfull to and for the said persons so
authorized as aforesaid to commit them to Prison, untill they
shall yeeld obedience or pay the summe of ten pounds to the said
Committees or Deputy-Lievtenants, to be imployed for the supply
of the said service.
Persons Exempted.
Provided alwayes that this Ordinance shall not extend to the
pressing of any Clergyman, Scholar, or Student in any the Universities, Innes of Court, or Chancery, or houses of Law, or any
the Trayned Bands, in any County, City or place, or of any
person, rated in the last Subsidies granted by Parliament, or the
Sonne of any person rated at five pounds goods, or three pounds
lands, in the Subsidie Bookes, or of any person of the ranke or
degree of an Esquire or upwards, or the Sonne of any such
person, or the Sonne of the Widow, of any such person; or to
the pressing of any person under the age of eighteene, or above
the age of fifty, or of the Members or Officer of either House or
Parliament, or of the Meniall servants of the Peeres of the Kingdome, or Officers of either of the said Houses, or any the Assistants or Attendants of the Lords House, or any of their Meniall
Servants, or any the Inhabytants of the Isle of Wight, or Cinque
Ports or of any Marriner, Seaman, Waterman, or Fisherman, or
any Officer imployed in the Office of Excise, or in the Office of
Customes for Tunnage or Poundage.
Ord. to continue nine months only.
Provided that this Ordinance shall continue and bee in force
for the space of nine moneths from the date hereof and no
longer.