November, 1645
[1 November, 1645.]
Bills may be passed under Great Seal without His Majesty's signature.
Whereas divers Compositions have been heretofore made by
sundry persons, with the Master and Councel of His Majesties
Court of Wards and Liveries at Westminster, for the Wardships
of the Bodies of divers of His Majesties Wards; upon some of
which Compositions, considerable Sums of money have been
already paid, and others are to be paid; But in regard the
Grants of the said Wardships are to pass under the Great Seal,
by Bill signed by His Majesty, which in these times of distraction
cannot be obtained; By means whereof the said persons who
have already so Compounded and paid their said moneys, are
without the fruit of their said Compositions, And also aswel those
which have Compounded and have not yet paid, as others which
are prepared to compound for several Wardships, are for the
reasons aforesaid discouraged to make their several Compositions
and Payments with the said Master and Councel: The Lords and
Commons assembled in Parliament do therefore hereby Ordain
and Declare, That all and every such Bill or Bills as hereafter
shall be Signed by the Master and Clerk of the said Court of
Wards and Liveries for the time being, notwithstanding their
not being Signed by His Majesty, shall be passed under the Great
Seal in form usual. And the Commissioners of the said Great
Seal for the time being, are hereby required and Authorized to
pass Letters Patents in form usual from time to time under the
said Great Seal, unto the several Committees or Grantees of the
Mariages of the said respective Wards, according to the tenour
and effect of the said Bills so Signed as aforesaid: And this
Ordinance shall be their sufficient Warrant in that behalf;
which Letters Patents so passed, shall be effectual in Law, according to the tenour thereof, the not Signing thereof by His
Majesty notwithstanding. And it is also Ordained by the Lords
and Commons aforesaid, That the Master and Councel of the
said Court shall proceed in all things belonging to the Jurisdiction of that Court according to Law.