Journal of the House of Commons: February 1598

The Journals of All the Parliaments During the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. Originally published by Irish University Press, Shannon, Ire, 1682.

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'Journal of the House of Commons: February 1598', in The Journals of All the Parliaments During the Reign of Queen Elizabeth, (Shannon, Ire, 1682) pp. 591-596. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/no-series/jrnl-parliament-eliz1/pp591-596 [accessed 25 April 2024]

February 1598

On Wednesday the 1. day of February three Bills of no great moment had each of them one reading; of which the last being the Bill for reviving, continuing and Explanation of an Act for the necessary relief of Mariners and Souldiers was read the third time and passed upon the question

The Amendments in the Bill against the Excess of Apparel was read the second time and Ordered upon the question to be ingrossed.

The Bill for the maintenance of Hospitality and for increase of all Victuals and Flesh, whereby the Poor shall be much relieved, was read the second time, and rejected upon the several questions for the committing and ingrossing.

The Amendments and Provisoes of the Lords to the Bill lately passed in the House and sent up to their Lordships from this House, intituled An Act against Forestallers, Regrators and Ingrossers, being three times read, the said Amendments and Proviso where dashed upon the questions.

Two Bills lastly had each of them one reading; of which the last being the Bill for the Confirmation of Statutes Merchants in the Town Corporate of Newcastle upon Tyne, was read the third time and passed upon the question.

Mr Recorder of London, Mr Tanfield, Mr Wiseman, Mr Snagg, Mr Finch, Mr Lea, Mr Francis Moore, Mr Boyes, Mr Hide and Mr John Shirley were added to the former Committees in the Bill for the better Execution of Judgment (who were appointed on Wednesday the 25th day of this instant January foregoing) and were appointed to meet this Afternoon at two of the Clock in the Middle-Temple.

On Friday the third day of February, the Bill to restrain the Lading of Corn in some Ports was upon the second reading committed unto Mr Colebrand, Mr Hext, Sir Thomas Mounson, Mr Arnold, the Burgesses of Port Towns, Mr Shirley and others, who were appointed to meet this Afternoon at two of the Clock in the Middle-Temple Hall.

The Bill also for the restraint of carrying of Corn out of the Realm was read the second time and committed to the last former Committees, and the same time and place appointed for meeting, and both the said Bills and Committees names were delivered to Mr Colebrand.

The Bill against the excess of Apparel was read the third time and passed upon the Question.

Mr Serjeant Drew and Mr. Doctor Stanhop did bring from the Lords a Bill Intituled An Act for the reformation of the abuses touching WineCasks with special recommendation for the speedy proceeding in the same Bill; and did further bring word from their Lordships, that whereas their Lordships received a Bill from this House Intituled An Act for the reviving, continuance and explanation of divers Statutes, which Bill as their Lordships do wish good success unto, so their Lordships do in that respect pray present Conference of some convenient number of this House with six of their Lordships. Whereupon Mr. Shirley, Mr. Snagg, Mr. Duport, Mr. Francis Moore, Mr. George Crooke, Mr. Finch, Mr. Oldsworth, Sir Robert Wroth, Mr. Wiseman, Mr. Boyes, Mr. Tasborough, Mr. Colebrand, Mr. George Moore, Sir Francis Hastings and Mr. Serjeant Lewkenor were presently appointed for that purpose accordingly.

Four Bills were sent up to the Lords from the House of Commons by Sir Francis Hastings and others; of which the first was the Bill for Confirmation of Statutes Merchants acknowledged in the Town Corporate of Newcastle upon Tyne; And the second was for the renewing, continuance and explanation of an Act for the necessary relief of Souldiers and Mariners.

Mr. Secretary one of the Committees in the Bill for reforming of sundry abuses committed by Souldiers and others used in her Majesties Services concerning the Wars (who were appointed on Friday the 27th day of January foregoing) shewed that he and the other of the Committees of this House have attended the Committees of their Lordships in that Bill accordingly; And that they found their Lordships very honourably inclined to hear the further minds and opinions of this House touching any the parts or points of the said Bill for their Lordships better satisfactions concerning the same. And so moving for another meeting of the said Committees of this House to consider and confer touching the said Bill amongst themselves in the mean time, the Committees names were thereupon read by the Clerk, and the time of their meeting set down to be to Morrow at two of the Clock in the Afternoon in the Exchequer Chamber.

Mr. Francis Bacon, one of the Committees in the Bill lately passed in the Upper House and sent down by the Lords to this House, Intituled An Act against the decaying of Towns and Houses of Husbandry, shewed the meeting of the Committees, and that the more part of them being imployed in the Committee of a Bill for the more speedy payment of the Queens Majesties Debts (who were appointed on Tuesday the 31th day of January foregoing) And in the Bill for the better explanation of the Act made in the thirteenth year of her Majesties Reign Intituled An Act to make the Lands, Tenements, Goods and Chattles of Tellors, Receivors, &c. liable to the payment of their Debts, they would proceed in the said other Bill, and so moved for another meeting for that purpose. Whereupon it was Ordered the same should be at two of the Clock in the Afternoon of this present day in the Exchequer Chamber.

Mr. Serjeant Drew and Mr. Doctor Stanhop did bring from the Lords a Bill lately passed in this House and sent up to their Lordships Intituled An Act for the establishing of the Lands given by John Bedfords Will to the perpetual repair and Amendments of the Highways at Aylesbury in the County of Buckingham according to the said Will; And did shew that their Lordships had likewise passed the same Bill in the Upper House with some Amendments, and with a Proviso annexed unto the same by their Lordships; and so did deliver the said Bill to Mr. Speaker.

Sir Francis Hastings and others returning from the Lords, he shewed the delivering of the Bills unto their Lordships which were sent up unto them by himself and others the Members of this House.

The Bill for Reformation of abuses in WineCasks was upon the second reading committed unto Sir Robert Wroth, the Knights and Burgesses of London, Mr. Snagg, Mr. Wiseman, Mr. Thomas Smith, the Burgesses of York, Mr. Peirson, Mr. Hext, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. George Moore and Mr. Lilley; and the Bill and Committees names were delivered to Mr. Hext, who with the rest was appointed to meet to Morrow in the Morning at eight of the Clock in the Committee Chamber.

On Saturday the 4th day of February, Mr. John Shirley one of the Committees in the Bill for the better Execution of Judgment (who were appointed on Wednesday the 25th day of January foregoing) shewed the meeting and travel of the Committees and some their Amendments in the Bill, and so delivered in the Bill.

The Bill for erecting and building of a Bridge over the River of Wye at Wilton upon Wye near the Town of Rosse in the County of Hereford, was read the third time and passed upon the question.

Mr Doctor Carew and Mr Doctor Stanhop did bring from the Lords a Bill passed in this House and sent up to their Lordships, intituled An Act for establishing a Joynture to Anne Lady Wentworth now wife of William Pope Esquire, and for the better enabling of William Pope aforesaid to sell certain of his Lands for the payment of his Debts, and another for the confirmation of the Jointure of the Lady Verney wife of Sir Edmund Verney Knight, which Bill their Lordships have also passed with some Amendments.

The Bill for the more speedy payment of the Queens Majesties Debts, and for the better explanation of the Act made in the 13. year of the Queen intituled An Act to make the Lands, Tenements, Goods and Chattels of Tellors, Receivours, &c. lyable to the payment of their debts, was read the third time, and after very many Speeches and Arguments both with the Bill and against the Bill, was in the end passed upon the Question, and upon the division of the House, with the advantage of thirty three voices, viz. with the Yea one hundred ninety five, and with the No one hundred and twelve.

Mr Doctor Carew and Mr Doctor Stanhop did bring from the Lords a Bill lately passed in this House and sent up to their Lordships, intituled An Act against the deceitful Stretching and Taintering of Northern Cloaths; and did shew that their Lordships have also passed the same Bill in the Upper House with some Amendments added by their Lordships to the same Bill, and so did deliver the Bill to Mr Speaker.

The said Mr Doctor Carew and Mr Doctor Stanhop did bring from their Lordships a Bill lately passed in this House and sent up unto their Lordships, intituled An Act for the reviving, continuance, explanation, perfecting and repealing of divers Statutes; and did shew that their Lordships have in like manner passed the same Bill with some Amendments and a Proviso; and so delivered in the Bill and Proviso to Mr Speaker.

On Monday the 6th day of February two Bills had each of them one Reading; of which the first being the Bill for reformation of retailing Brokers and Pawn-takers was read the first time.

Mr Boyes one of the Committees in the two Bills, the one against carrying of Corn out of the Realm and the other to restrain the lading of Corn in some Ports, shewed the meeting and travel of the Committees with some Amendments in one of the same Bills, and so delivered in the same Bills into this House.

Mr Francis Bacon one of the Committees in the Bill lately passed in the Upper House by the Lords, and sent down to this House, against the decaying of Towns and Houses of Husbandry, shewed the meeting and travel of the Committees and their Amendments to the same Bill, which Amendments being read to the House were very well liked of by the whole House.

Thomas Bashfield was present at the Bar and charged with a contempt against the priviledge of this House in disturbing by way of an Appearance of Robert Sherry a Member of this House returned a Burgess for the Town of Ludlow in the County of Salop, and was for his said contempt then committed to the Serjeants Ward, there to remain during the Pleasure of this House, and was on the next day after discharged of his Imprisonment paying his Fees and taking the Oath of Supremacy.

Five Bills were sent up to the Lords from the House of Commons by Mr Comptroller and others; of which the last was the Bill for the Conrfimation of the Joynture of Mary Lady Verney, wife of Sir Edmund Verney Knight.

The Amendments and Provisoes of the Lords in the Bill lately passed in this House for establishing of the Lands given by John Bedfords Will to the perpetual repair and amendments of the Highways at Aylesbury in the County of Bucks according to the said Will, being three times read, the same Amendments were assented unto, and the Proviso likewise passed upon the question.

Mr Doctor Carew and Mr Dr Stanhop did bring from the Lords a Bill lately passed in this House and sent up to their Lordships for the further continuance and explanation of an Act for the necessary relief of Souldiers and Mariners made in the thirty fifth year of the Queens Majesties Reign that now is; and did shew that their Lordships have in like Case passed the same Bill in the Upper House with some Amendments, and so delivered in the said Bill to Mr Speaker.

The Bill for the Amendments of the Highways in the Counties of Sussex, Surry and Kent, was read the third time and passed upon the question.

The Amendments of the Committees of this House in the Bill lately passed by the Lords against the decay of Towns and Houses of Husbandry, and sent down by their Lordships into this House, being three times read, were assented unto by this House upon the question accordingly. Whereupon the said Bill and Amendments being read for the third reading, and put to the question for the passing, the said Bill and Amendments in that form were passed by this House upon the same question.

Mr Doctor Carew and Mr Doctor Stanhop, did bring from the Lords two Bills; of which the first was the Bill for the draining and recovery of certain overflown Grounds in the County of Norfolk, and delivered the same Bill to Mr Speaker.

On Tuesday the 7th day of February, Two Bills of no great moment had each of them one reading; of which the second being the Bill for establishing a Joynture to Anne Lady Wentworth now Wife of William Pope Esquire, and for the better enabling of the said William Pope to sell certain of his Lands for the payment of his debts, was read the second time and committed to Mr. Comptroller, Mr. Lewkenor, Mr. Francis Bacon,

Mr. Oglethorpe, Mr. Boyes, with divers others, who were appointed to meet this Afternoon at two of the Clock in the Court of Wards.

The Amendments and Proviso of the Lords in the Bill lately passed in this House intituled An Act for the reviving, continuance, explanation, perf cting and repealing of divers Statutes, being thrice read, the Amendments were assented unto, and the Proviso was passed upon the question.

The Bill lately passed in this House intituled An Act for the amendment of Highways in Sussex, Surry, and Kent, The Bill for the establishing the Lands given by John Bedford's Will to the perpetual repair and amendments of the Highways at Aylesbury in the County of Buckingham, with one other of no great moment, were sent up to the Lords by Mr. Comptroller, Mr. Chancellor and others.

The Bill for the better measuring of seven Miles from the Town of Great-Yarmouth according to a Statute made in the 31th Year of King Edward the Third was read the third time, and dashed upon the Question by the division of the House, with the difference of eighteen Voices, viz. with the No a hundred and eight, and with the Yea ninety.

Mr Serjeant Drew and Mr Doctor Carew did bring word from the Lords, that their Lordships do desire a Conference of a convenient number of the Members of this House with twenty of their Lordships this Afternoon in the Chamber next the Upper House, touching the Bill lately passed in this House Intituled An Act against the excess of Apparel. Whereupon it was Ordered that the former Committees of this House in the same Bill (who were appointed on Thursday the 19th day of January foregoing) shall attend their Lordships accordingly.

Post Meridiem.

The Bill for reformation of retailing Brokers and Pawn-Takers was read the second time, and thereupon committed unto Mr George Moore, Mr Hart, Mr Recorder of London, Mr Lewkenor, Mr Wiseman, Mr Ludlow, Sir John Leviston, Mr Crompton, Mr Conisby, Mr Lidley, Mr Johnson and Mr Doctor Parkins, who were appointed to meet to Morrow Morning in the Committee Chamber.

The Amendments and Proviso of the Lords in the Bill lately passed in this House and sent up unto their Lordships, Intituled An Act for the recovery of three hundred thousand Acres more or less of waste Marish and Watery grounds in the Isle of Ely, and in the Counties of Cambridge, Huntington, Northampton, Lincoln, Norfolk and Suffolk were read three times.

The Provisoes of the Lords in the Bill lately passed in this House and sent up to their Lordships, Intituled An Act concerning the draining and recovery from the Water of certain overflown grounds in the County of Norfolk, were three times read; in which time of the last reading of these Provisoes Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer came to the House, and then presently told Mr. Speaker and the residue of this House, that her Majesty commanded him to signifie unto Mr. Speaker and to the residue of this House, that her Majesties express pleasure was, that the said two Bills concerning the draining of Marish and Fenny grounds should not be any more read in this House.

The Amendments and Proviso of the Lords to the Bill lately passed in this House and sent up unto their Lordships, Intituled An Act against the deceitful stretching and taintering of Northern Cloth, being three times read, the said Amendments were assented unto, and the said Proviso passed upon the Question.

The Bill Intituled An Act for the reviving, continuance, explanation, perfecting and repealing of divers Statutes was sent up unto their Lordships by Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer and others.

Mr. Comptroller, one of the Committees of this House for Conference with the Committees of the Lords this Afternoon concerning the Bill lately passed in this House and sent up unto their Lordships, Intituled An Act against the Excess of Apparel, &c. shewed their meeting with the said Committees of the Lords, and that their Lordships have no good liking of the said Bill for sundry imperfections in the same not answerable to her Majesties Proclamation touching the degrees and qualities of persons; And that their Lordships shewing themselves very courteously and kindly towards the said Committees of this House could have been well pleased to have proceeding with a more convenient Bill for the said purpose, if the expected shortness of the Parliament could so have permitted. Whereupon the House resolved not to deal any further touching that matter this Parliament.

The said Mr. Comptroller then also further shewed, that he and other the Committees of this House in the Bill Intituled An Act for the enabling of Edmund Mollineux Esquire to sell Lands for the payment of Debts and Legacies, and in the Bill for establishing the Jointure to Anne Lady Wentworth now Wife of William Pope Esq;, and for the better enabling the said William Pope to sell certain of his Lands for the payment of his Debts (who had been appointed in the beginning of this present day) shewed the meeting of the Committees and their some small Amendments in both the same Bills, and so delivered in both the said Bills; which Bills being each of them read severally for the third reading, the said Amendments being likewise three times read, the said Bills were thereupon passed upon the Question accordingly.

The Amendments and Provisoes of the Lords to the Bill lately passed in this House Intituled An Act for the further continuance and explanation of an Act for the necessary relief of Souldiers and Mariners being three times read, the Amendments were assented unto, and the Proviso passed upon the Question accordingly.

The Amendments of the Committees in the Bill for the better Execution of Judgments being twice read, the same were upon the Question Ordered to be ingrossed.

On Wednesday the 8th day of February, the Bill Intituled An Act for the establishing a Jointure to Anne Lady Wentworth now Wife of William Pope Esquire, and for the better enabling of the said William Pope to sell certain of his Lands for the payment of his Debts, The Bill Intituled An Act for the enabling of Edmund Mollineux Esquire to sell Lands for the payment of Debts and Legacies, The Bill Intituled An Act against deceitful stretching and taintering of Northern Cloth, The Bill intituled An Act for the further continuing and Explanation of an Act for the necessary relief of Souldiers and Mariners made in the thirty fifth year of the Queens Majesties Reign that now is, were sent up to the Lords by Mr. Comptroller and others.

The Bill for reformation of abuses in WineCasks was read the third time, and dashed upon the Question.

The Bill for the better Execution of Judgments was read the third time, and passed upon the Question.

Mr. Wingfield moved for the ordinary proceeding of this House in the usual course of Parliament to be permitted, concerning the two Bills lately passed in this House concerning sundry surrounded grounds in sundry Counties of this Realm, and sent up from this House unto the Lords, and there in like manner passed with their Lordships in the Upper House with some Amendments and some Provisoes sent down again by their Lordships unto this House, the further proceeding of this House in which Bill was yesterday restrained by a Message delivered from her Majesty by Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer unto Mr. Speaker and this whole House.

Mr. Doctor Carew and Mr. Doctor Stanhop did bring from the Lords a Bill lately passed in this House and sent up to their Lordships, Intituled An Act that Lessees may enjoy their Leases against all Patentees, their Heirs and Assigns, notwithstanding any default in payment of their Rents during the time that the Reversion or Inheritance remained in the Crown; And did shew that the same Bill hath likewise passed with their Lordships with some Amendments and a Proviso; and so delivered in the same Bill to Mr Speaker.

Mr Serjeant Drew, Mr Attorney General and Mr. Doctor Stanhop did bring from the Lords a Bill Intituled An Act for the Queens Majesties most Gracious general and free Pardon.

Post Meridiem.

The Amendments and Provisoes of the Lords in the Bill lately passed in this House and sent up to their Lordships from this House Intituled An Act that Leflees may enjoy their Leases against all Patentees, their Heirs and Assigns, notwithstanding any default of payment of their Rents, during the time that the Reversion or Inheritance remained in the Crown, being three times read, the said Amendments were assented unto, and the said Provisoes were passed upon the Question.

The Amendments of the Committees of this House in the Bill that lately passed in the Upper House and was sent down by their Lordships to this House, Intituled An Act for reformation of Retailing Brokers and Pawn-Takers being three times read, the said Amendments were assented unto and the Bill likewise passed upon the Question.

On Thursday the 19th day of February, the Bill Intituled An Act for Reformation of Retailing Brokers and other Pawn-Takers, The Bill Intituled An Act that Lessees may enjoy their Leases against all Patentees, their Heirs and Assigns, notwithstanding any default of payment of their Rents during the time that the Reversion or Inheritance remained in the Crown, And the Bill Intituled An Act for the better Execution of Judgment, were sent up to the Lords by Mr. Comptroller and others.

The Bill for the Queens Majesties most gracious general and free pardon was once read and passed upon the Question.

Nota, That whereas to the passing of other Bills three distinct and several Readings are required, here the Bill for her Majesties most gracious Pardon passed upon the first Reading.

Mr Serjeant Drew and Mr Doctor Carew did bring from the Lords the Bill Intituled An Act for the Grant of three Subsidies and six Fifteenths and Tenths, and did shew that their Lordships have in like manner passed the same Bill; and so delivered the same to Mr Speaker, to the end he may carry the same up into the Upper House to be presented by him unto her Majesty in the name of this whole House.

Nota, That the Original Journal-Book of the House of Commons ended here, and contained no other or further Passages of this day, although her Majesty came in Person in the Afternoon to the Upper House, which is therefore supplied out of the fragmentary and imperfect Journal mentioned more particularly at the beginning of this present Journal, as followeth.

The Queens Majesty came to the Upper House somewhat after three of the Clock in the Afternoon this present Thursday being the 9th day of this instant February, of which the House of Commons having notice, repaired thither with Christopher Yelverton Serjeant at Law their Speaker, who having in the name of the House presented her Majesty with the Bill of three Subsidies and six Fifteenths and Tenths, and amongst other things desired her Majesties Royal Assent to such Laws as had passed the two Houses, he was Answered according to her Majesties Commandment by the Lord Keeper, that she thankfully accepted the said Gift of her Loving Subjects, and very well allowed of the said Speakers pains and Speech.

Then Mr Smith, the Clerk of the Upper House, having read the Titles of all the Acts, her Majesty gave her said Royal Assent to twenty four publick Acts or Statutes, and to nineteen private, and refused or quashed forty eight several Bills which had passed both the Houses. After which Sir Thomas Egerton Knight, Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England, by her Majesties Commandment Dissolved this present Parliament.