House of Commons Journal Volume 1: 05 April 1614

Martis, 5o Aprilis, 12 Jacobi, 1614

Parliament meets.

ABOUT Twelve of the Clock, my Lord Admiral, Lord High Steward for this Time, came into the Room, commonly called the Whytehall or Court of Requests; where Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Chancellor of the Duchy, Mr. Secretary Winwood, and Sir Tho. Lake (all of his Majesty's Privy Council) had long attended his coming. The said Lord Steward being come, and attended as before, and also with the Clerk of the Crown, and the Clerk of this House; after Proclamation made by a Crier, that no Man should enter into the House, before he had taken the Oaths of Supremacy, and of Allegiance, and before he were returned by the Sheriff; the said Privy Counsellors were first sworn, and, after, about Twenty more, by the said Lord Steward. After, the said Lord Steward appointed all the said Privy Counsellors, and - &c, to be his Deputies, to minister the same Oaths, during this Parliament. This done, the said Lord Steward departed; and, after, his Deputies divided themselves into Three several Companies, where the other Knights and Burgesses were sworn, by Ten and Twelve together; so as, in less than One Hour, all the Knights and Burgesses, which appeared this Day (whereof there were a very great Number) were sworn accordingly. Then divers of the said Knights and Burgesses, about 160 in Number, took their Places in the House, attending a Message from his Majesty, for their Repair to him, into the Higher House. After they had thus attended about One Hour, Mr. Conisby came to the House, to let them know, that the King had called for them. Whereupon they all (except some Ten, who remained still in the House) repaired to the Higher House; but, coming thither, found the Room so full, as, that most of them returned back again into the House, and there attended the Return of the Residue from his Majesty; there being, in the mean Time, much Dislike expressed by divers Members of the House, that the said Room in the Higher House, appointed for the Commons, should be so filled with Strangers, as that there should not be room left for the Members of this House.

At their Return (about half an Hour past Four a Clock) the House stayed about One Quarter of an Hour, until Mr. Attorney-general, Sir H. Mountague, the King's Serjeant, Sir W. Cope, and Sir Ro. Rich were sworn : Mr. Secretary Winwood, after great Silence in the House, stood up, and made a Speech; the Sum whereof was,

Mr. Crew chosen Speaker.

That the Honour of King, and Happiness of the Subject, depended upon this Parliament: Great Care therefore to be had for Choice of the Speaker now.

The Speaker the Pilot to guide this great Ship. -

On all Sides great Variety of Choice for that Service; but commendeth to them specially Mr. R. Crew, for his Learning, Judgment, Religion.

A general Voice, " Mr. Crew," Nemine contradicente.

Mr. Crew, after Silence, disableth himself, by his own Infirmities, the Weight of the Business, by the Judgment of the House, by the Difficulty of the Negotiation between a prudent King and intelligent House. -

[Not] inured to the publick Service : - Never but in One Parliament: - Few Observations [then;] sithence then forgotten : - a * rather than *. - Prayeth a new Choice.

Mr. Chancellor: - That his Excuse kindleth the Desire of the House to him: His Modesty specially commended.

With a general Applause called on; and thereupon fetched to the Chair [by] Mr. Chancellor and Mr. Secretary Winwood.

Who, still excusing himself by his Disabilities, desireth Leave [of] the House to appeal to his Majesty for sparing him, and for a [better] Choice.

Mr. Speaker to be presented to the King.

After, Mr. Speaker elect signified the King's Pleasure to be, that the House should present the Speaker to him on Thursday next, at Two of the Clock in the After-noon ; and therefore desired, the House would meet all here, by One of the Clock the same Day, to attend Mr. Speaker to his Majesty.