House of Lords Journal Volume 11: 12 June 1663

DIE Veneris, 12 die Junii.

Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales præsentes fuerunt:

PRAYERS.

E. of Kent's Bill.

Hodie 3^a vice lecta est Billa, "An Act for the settling of the Lands of the Earl of Kent and the Lord Lucas, on the Marriage of the said Earl with the Daughter and Heir Apparent of the said Lord Lucas."

The Question being put, "Whether this Bill shall pass?"

It was Resolved in the Affirmative.

Message to H. C. with it.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Sir Thomas Birde and Sir Nathaniell Hobart:

To deliver to them the Bill for the settling of the Lands of the Earl of Kent, and desire their Concurrence therein.

Beaver, L. Morley's Servant, Privilege.

The House being informed, "That one Beaver, a Taylor, living in Fleet-streat, being arrested by one of his Creditors for a just Debt, pleads that he hath a Protection from the Lord Morley, a Peer of this House, and so claims Privilege of Parliament;"

The Lord Morley, being present, did own the said Beaver to be his menial Servant, and hath given him Wages many Years; and did acknowledge he hath given the said Beaver a Protection.

L. Chamberlain's Report, concerning E. Bridgwater and E. Middlesex Quarrel and Challenge.

The Lord Chamberlain acquainted the House, "That, during the Time of the late Adjournment of the Parliament, there was a Falling-out between Two Peers of this House, upon which ensued a Challenge. The Occasion was, upon a Letter sent from the Earl of Bridgwater to Sir Chichester Wraye; upon which the Earl of Middlesex sent a Challenge in Writing to the Earl of Bridgwater."

The said Letter and Challenge being read; the Lord Chamberlain proceeded to give the House a further Account of the Progress of the Business; and told their Lordships, "That the King, having Notice of that Challenge and of their Lordships Intentions to fight a Duel, commanded him to send a Serjeant at Arms to find them out, and apprehend their Persons, for preventing of further Mischief; and accordingly the Serjeant found the Earl of Midd. at an Inn, and the Earl of Bridgwater upon the Place appointed for their Meeting. The King, understanding that the Serjeant at Arms had them in Custody, commanded them not to stir out of their own Houses, nor to do any Thing to the Disturbance of the Peace, until He had examined the Business. Upon this, His Majesty caused them to come before Him, and appointed Two Lords of each Side to endeavour to accommodate the Difference between them, who, after divers Meetings, could not produce any Accord; whereupon Two Lords more were added on each Side: But their Endeavours becoming fruitless, His Majesty, being made acquainted therewith, gave Order to the Commissioners for the Office of Earl Marshal to hear the Business, and set down their Opinions what was fittest to be done to reconcile the Difference. And the Commissioners presenting their Opinions therein to the King, and His Majesty approving thereof, sent for the Earl of Bridgwater and the Earl of Midd. and caused the same to be read to them; to which the Earl of Bridgwater submitted; but the Earl of Midd. did not, but demeaned himself so, as he gave His Majesty great Offence thereby. Whereupon the King hath referred the Consideration of the whole Business to this House, to the End it may receive their Lordships Resentment, and such Course may be taken as may preserve the public Peace of the Kingdom; and that His Majesty may have Right done Him."

The House, upon this, demanded of the Two Lords, what they could say for themselves touching this Business.

The Earl of Bridgwater said, "He had nothing to say, but what is contained in his Letter to Sir Chichester Wray."

The Earl of Midd. said, "He was surprized; not thinking this Business would have been brought before the House this Day: Therefore desired a Time to be heard, by his Counsel."

The House then commanded the said Two Lords to withdraw themselves in several Rooms;

And the House for the present entered into Consideration of the Matter of Fact only, concerning the Crime of sending and accepting of the Challenge; which, the House conceived, tended to the Breach of the public Peace, and the great Indignity and Dishonour which redounded to this House thereby, and the Discredit to His Majesty's Government.

And so, in order to their Lordships further Proceedings hereafter upon the several Degrees of the whole Business, Consideration was had of the present Disposing of the Persons of the said Lords.

And, after some Debate,

The Question was put, "Whether the Earl of Middlesex shall be sent Prisoner to The Tower ?"

It was Resolved in the Affirmative.

And the Question being put, "Whether the Question for committing the Earl of Bridgwater Prisoner to The Tower shall be put?"

It was Resolved in the Negative.

Then the Question was put, "Whether the Earl of Bridgwater shall be committed Prisoner to the Black Rod?"

It was Resolved in the Affirmative.

E. of Middlesex committed to The Tower.

ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, upon the Question, That the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod attending this House shall take into his Custody the Body of the Earl of Middlesex, and forthwith convey him in Safety to The Tower of London, and deliver him into the Custody of the Lieutenant of the said Tower.

ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, upon the Question, That the Lieutenant of The Tower of London shall receive the Body of the Earl of Midd. and keep him in Safety in the said Tower.

E. of Bridgewater committed to the Usher of the Black Rod.

ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, upon the Question, That the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod shall take into his Custody the Body of the Earl of Bridgwater, and keep him in safe Custody, until the Pleasure of this House be further signified.

E. of Middlesex brought to the Bar.

Then the Earl of Middlesex was called to the Bar; and, after he had kneeled as a Delinquent, the Lord Chancellor pronounced to him the said Order of this House, for his Commitment to The Tower.

E. of Bridgewater brought to the Bar.

In like Manner the Earl of Bridgwater was brought to the Bar; and the Lord Chancellor declared unto him the Order of this House, for his Commitment to the Custody of the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod.

ORDERED, That those Committees that should have met this Afternoon, shall meet To-morrow Morning.

Adjourn.

Dominus Cancellarius declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque in diem Lunæ, videlicet, 15^um diem instantis Junii, hora decima Aurora, Dominis sic decernentibus.

Hitherto examined by us,

Dorsett.
Chandos.
Hunsdon.