April, 1645
[1 April, 1645.]
Whereas the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament
have, by an Ordinance, in or about the 15th Day of February last
past, intituled, "An Ordinance for raising and maintaining
Forces, for the Defence of the Kingdom, under the Command
of Sir Thomas Fairefax," Ordained, That there be forthwith
raised and formed an Army, consisting of Six Thousand Six
Hundred Horse, One Thousand Dragooners, and Fourteen
Thousand Four Hundred Feet, and shall be under the immediate
Command of the said Sir Thomas Fairefax Knight, who is
thereby constituted and ordained Commander in Chief of all the
said Forces: The Lords and Commons now assembled in Parliament, taking the same into their serious Consideration, have
Ordained, and be it Ordained, That the said Sir Thomas Fairefax
shall rule, govern, command, dispose, and employ, the said Army,
and every Part thereof, and all Officers and others whatsoever,
employed, or to be employed, in or concerning the same, in, for,
or about, all Defences, Offences, Invasions, Executions, and other
military and hostile Acts and Services, as Commander in chief,
and be subject to such Orders and Directions as he hath or shall
receive from both Houses of Parliament, or from the Committee of both Kingdoms; and the said Army, and
every Part thereof, shall 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, depress, subdue, pursue, slay, kill, and put to
Execution of Death, by all Ways and Means; and to fulfil and
execute all and singular other Things for the governing of the
said Army; and likewise shall have Power to assign and grant
Commissions to all such Commanders and Officers as shall be
thought necessary and requisite for the Government and
Command of the said Army; and likewise shall have Power to
assign and appoint One or more Provost Marshalls, for the
Execution of his Commands, according to this Ordinance: And
it is further Ordered and Ordained, That the said Sir Thomas
Fairefax shall have Power to command all Garrisons, Forts,
Castles, and Towns, already fortified, or to be fortified, without
amoving or displacing the Governors and Commanders; as likewise, by himself or others deputed and authorized by him to
take up and use such Carriages, Draught Horses, Boats, and
other Vessels, as in his Discretion, as as often and he shall think
meet, shall be needful, for the conveying and conducting of
the said Army, or any Part thereof, or for bringing or carrying
Ammunition, Ordnance, Artillery, Victuals, and all or any
other Provisions necessary or requisite for the Army, or
any Part thereof, to or from any Place or Places, according
to the Intent of this Ordinance; and likewise to give
Rules, Instructions, and Directions, for the governing, leading,
and conducting the said Army; and shall also have Power to
execute Martial Law, for the Punishment of all Tumults,
Rapines, Murders, and other Crimes and Misdemeanors, of
any Person whatsoever in the said Army, according to the
Course and Customs of the Wars, and Law of the Land,
and according to the Laws and Ordinances of War heretofore allowed by both Houses of Parliament; and the said
Laws and Ordinances of War shall cause to be proclaimed, performed, and executed; straightly charging and requiring all the
Officers and Soldiers of the said Army to be obedient to him the
said Sir Thomas Fairefax; as likewise all Lieutenants of Counties,
Sheriffs, Deputy Lieutenants, Officers of the Ordnance, Justices of
the Peace, Mayors, Bailiffs, and other His Majesty's Officers and
Subjects whatsovever, in their respective Counties and Places, to
be aiding and assisting to him the said Sir Thomas Fairefax, in
the Execution of the said Office of Commander in chief of the
said Army, for the Ends and Purposes, and in the Manner
aforesaid: And do likewise Ordain and Declare, That the said
Sir Thomas Fairefax, 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.