21st March 1624

SUNDAY, 21 MARCH 1624

I. DIARY OF SIR THOMAS JERVOISE, HAMPSHIRE RECORD OFFICE, 44M69/F4/20/1

[p. 102]

[21 March 1624]

The King's speech for clearing the Duke of Buckingham, 24 [sic] March 1623.

II. NOTES OF EDWARD NICHOLAS, TNA, SP 14/161/10

[f. 11v]

[21 March 1624]

Lord Keeper's message from both Houses to the King.

On this Sunday, 21⁰ Martii, the Lord Keeper, accompanied with select committees of both Houses, waited on the King in the Banqueting House, where his Lordship, by appointment, did deliver that the two Houses of Parliament understanding of a complaint made to his Majesty that the Duke of Buckingham in a narration which his Grace, by his Majesty's command, made to committees of both Houses, 24⁰ Februarii, concerning the two treaties with Spain during his negotiation there, had let fall some speeches tending so much to the dishonour of the King of Spain as that if any minister in Spain should have said so much of our King, he should have expiated his words with no less than his head. That both Houses of Parliament, having taken into consideration how far that complaint did concern so worthy a member of Parliament and how that it did obliquely strike at the honour of both Houses, thought it their duties to give his Majesty a threefold answer or resolution thereunto. First, concerning the King of Spain, wherein they say that they have with one vote cleared the Duke of Buckingham from speaking anything in that narration which did derogate from the majesty and honour of that King. Secondly, touching the Duke of Buckingham who, they say and have by the votes of both Houses declared, should have failed of his fidelity and duty to his Majesty and the Houses of Parliament if he had omitted or left unspoken any part of what he delivered in that narration. Thirdly, for the Houses themselves, they say [f. 12] they have not only cleared the Duke of Buckingham, but given him thanks and think him to have deserved very much for his noble carriage and faithful relation of that business.

This was the effect as I remember of his Lordship's speech.

The effect of the King's answer. That by his Majesty's command, the Duke of Buckingham went over into Spain with the Prince, wherein his Lordship spent £40,000 and never gave his Majesty any account of it, nor ever will expect any penny of it from his Majesty. That his Lordship carried himself in that negotiation with as much felicity, judgement and diligence as his Majesty could wish. If other ambassadors would in these two points follow his Lordship's example, it would be much better for his estate, which is much spent by embassies, and for his businesses. But he that serves God and a good master shall not need to be afraid of any threatening or plots. That no man did ever so truly follow his Majesty's dictates as Buckingham has done in that business and all others, and that has made his Majesty so good a master to him, for a good servant is no less worthy of a good master than a good master of a good servant. That his Majesty thinks Buckingham did himself no right in desiring to be justified to his Majesty by this declaration from the Houses of Parliament, for though his Majesty has much faith in a report from these Houses, yet he did before, upon Buckingham's own relation, believe as much as the Houses have signified, for an honest man's word is as much with his Majesty as the affirmation of all the world.

I wrote this out of my memory, without the help of any notes, after I came to my chamber from Whitehall, but I doubt not but this noble knight will repair such omissions or mistakings as I have herein committed.

III. DIARY OF SIR WILLIAM SPRING, HOUGHTON LIBRARY, HARVARD UNIVERSITY, MS ENG. 980

[p. 152]

[21 March 1624]

On Sunday was presented to the King the justification of the Duke of Buckingham, which, with the King's reply, see among the speeches.

IV. JOURNAL OF SIR SIMONDS D'EWES, BL, HARL. MS 159

[f. 21]

On Palm Sunday, 21⁰ Martii 1623, at Whitehall

The committees of the Upper and Lower House came to his Majesty in his bedchamber to present to him the vote of both the Houses concerning the Duke of Buckingham's relation (he being then absent), which committees had their hearing in the afternoon about five of the clock after the Archbishop of Canterbury had ended his sermon which he preached in the cross at Whitehall, his Majesty, the Prince and the nobility besides an infinite assembly of people being present, where he made a most resolute and honest sermon upon this portion of the scripture: thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, etc.

[f. 21v] His Majesty's answer to the committees of both the Houses at the same in his bedchamber at Whitehall for the justification of the Duke of Buckingham.

At which the [f. 22] Lords laughed heartily, which ended, his Majesty went on with thanks to them for their care to make all things thus clear and with a full and royal acquittal, approbation and commendation of the Duke and all his proceedings in his carriage and relation concerning this cause. In particular his Majesty proceeded thus.