House of Commons Journal Volume 8: 8 May 1661

JOURNALS OF THE HOUSE of COMMONS.

Parliamentum inceptum et tentum apud Civitatem Westmonasterium, die Mercurii, octavo scilicet die Maii, Anno Regni Domini nostri Caroli Secundi, Dei Gratia, Angliæ, Scotiæ, Franciæ, et Hiberniæ Regis, Fidei Defensoris, &c. decimo tertio, Annoque Domini 1661.

Prayers.

Parliament meets.

Members take Oaths.

ON which said Eight of May, being the First Day of the Session of this Parliament called by his Sacred Majesty King Charles the Second, about Seven of the Clock in the Morning, the most noble James Duke of Ormond, Lord High Steward of his Majesty's Houshold, having Power, by himself and his Deputies, to administer the Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance to all Persons returned as Members, before they sat in the House, came into the Court of Requests, a Place anciently made use of for that Purpose, attended with several Persons of Honour: And the Clerk of the Crown presenting to his Grace a List of the Knights, Citizens, Burgesses, and Barons, elected to serve in this present Parliament; and the Clerk of the House of Commons attending, according to the Duty of his Place; his Grace did himself in Person administer the said Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance to above Fifty Members of the House of Commons. And his Grace having made a Commission or Deputation under his Hand and Seal to several of those so sworn, and to divers other Members of the House, to administer the said Oaths to the rest of the Members of the House, the same was publickly read; and thereupon his Lordship departed to attend his Majesty. And all the Members so commissioned, which were then present, did divide themselves into several Places; and, being attended by Mr. William Goldesbrough, the Clerk of the House of Commons, and Mr. Sharpe, his Assistant or Deputy, and several Clerks by them assigned for this Service, did, according to the Power to them given, orderly and distinctly, administer the said Oaths to all other Members who then appeared: And an exact List in Writing was taken of every Member's Name that took the said Oaths.

Message to attend the King.

And, after the Members had seated themselves in the House of Commons, Sir John Eyton, Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, came from his Majesty into the House, to acquaint them, that his Majesty expected them in the House of Lords.

And thereupon the Members immediately went up to attend his Majesty; who was pleased to make this gracious Speech:

My Lords, and Gentlemen, &c.

* * * *

And, after his Majesty had finished, the Lord Chancellor spake as followeth:

My Lords, and you, &c.

* * * *

Which being done, the several Members returned into the House of Commons.

Sir E. Turner chosen Speaker.

And Sir Charles Berkeley, Comptroller of his Majesty's Houshold, proposing unto the House Sir Edward Turner Knight, as a very worthy and fit Person for that Employment; he was (una voce) allowed and made Choice of as their Speaker: And, the House not admitting any Excuse, he was immediately conducted to the Chair by Sir George Carterett, Vice Chamberlain to his Majesty, and Mr. Comptroller, and Sir Heneage Finch, his Majesty's Solicitor General: And, being in the Chair, he modestly declaring the Doubts he had of his own Abilities, desired the House to make Choice of some Person better experienced, and fitter for this Service: Which being denied; and the House unanimously confirming their former Choice; the Mace was brought in, and laid upon the Table.

And the House being acquainted, that his Majesty had appointed them to present their Speaker on Friday next, at Three of the Clock in the Afternoon;

Adjournment.

The Question being put, it was resolved, that the House should be adjourned till Two of the Clock that Afternoon; and then to meet to present their Speaker to his Majesty, at the Time appointed.

Lord Steward's Deputation.

JAMES Butler, Marquis and Earl of Ormond, Earl of Ossory, Viscount Thurles, Baron of Arclo, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Lord Steward of his Majesty's Houshold, Chancellor of the University of Dublyn, Knight of the most Honourable Order of the Garter, and one of his Majesty's Privy Council of England and Ireland; To all to whom these Presents shall come, Greeting, Know ye, that I the said Lord Steward, by virtue of my said Office of Lord Steward, have constituted, named and appointed, and by these Presents do constitute, name, and appoint, the Right Honourable Arthur Annesley Esquire, Sir William Morris Knight, Principal Secretary of State, Denzill Hollis Esquire, Sir Anthony Ashly Cooper, Sir John Holland, Sir Gilbert Gerrard, Baronets, Sir William Lewis, Sir William Waller, Sir Walter Earle, Sir Anthony Irby, Sir Dudly North, Sir Richard Browne, Sir John Robinson, Sir Henage Finch, Knights, John Crew, William Pryn, Richard Knightly, Thomas Hatcher, Edward Turner, Edward King, Samuell Jones, Job Charleton, Esquires, or any Six, Five, Four, Three, Two, or One of them, my Deputies and Deputy, in my Place and Stead, to tender and minister the Oath of Supremacy, according to the Form and Effect prescribed and set down in the Statute in that Behalf made in the First Year of the Reign of the late Renowned Queen Elizabeth; and also the Oath of Allegiance, according to the Form and Effect prescribed and set down in the Statute in that Behalf made in the Seventh Year of the Reign of the late Renowned King James, to all and every Person which is or shall be elected or appointed a Knight, Citizen, or Burgess, or Baron for any of the Five Ports, for the Parliament summoned to begin and to be holden the Five-and-twentieth Day of April last past; and to take and receive the Oaths of every the said Person and Persons which is or shall be elected or appointed, Knight, Citizen, Burgess, or Baron for any of the said Five Ports, as aforesaid, for the same Parliament begun and holden on the said Five-and-twentieth Day of April last past: Giving them Six, Five, Four, Three, Two, and One of them, full Power and Authority to execute and perform the same: Ratifying, confirming, and allowing, all and whatsoever my said Deputies, or any Six, Five, Four, Three, Two, or One of them shall do and perform in this Behalf, in as ample, perfect, and full Manner, as if I myself had personally been present and done the same. In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal. Given the Fourth Day of June, in the Twelfth Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord Charles, by the Grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c.

Ormonde.