House of Lords Journal Volume 6: 11 March 1644

DIE Lunæ, videlicet, 11 Martii.

PRAYERS.

Lords present this Day:

Ds. Grey de Warke, Speaker.

Message from the Assembly of Divines, about Letters they bad written to Foreign Churches.

This Day Doctor Burges and divers others of the Assembly delivered to this House, "That they were commanded by the Assembly to present to their Lordships some Letters, which they have written to Foreign Churches, especially to the Churches of Zealand, with the Answer to the same:

"The humble Message of the Assembly of Divines to the Honourable Houses of Parliament, by the Committee appointed to present Copies of the Letters of the Assembly sent to the Walacrian Churches, and their Answer to them.

"By virtue of an Order of the Honourable House of Commons, dated the 22th of November last, the Assembly wrote Letters to sundry Foreign Reformed Churches, directing One of them to the Churches in Zeland, of which they have received an Answer from the Classis of Walacria, within that Province.

"The Assembly, upon Receipt of that Answer, do hold it meet to give an Account to both the Honourable Houses of Parliament, as well of their own Letter, as of that Answer, by presenting Copies of both in Latin and English (the Translations having been examined in the Assembly), because the said Churches do highly approve of our late National Covenant, and much rejoice in, and bless God for, the Care and Zeal of the Parliament of England, for the sure Reforming of this Church according to the Word of God, and for Uniformity in Religion, Public Worship and Discipline in all the Three Kingdoms; which the Assembly holds itself bound in Duty not to conceal. But because our Walacrian Brethren do, in their said Answer, complain of a Book, as offensive to the Reformed Churches abroad, lately written and published by Five Members of this Assembly, in the English Tongue, intituled, An Apologetical Narration, the Assembly conceives itself in some Sort necessitated to make it known, that the said Assembly had no Hand in the contriving, approving, or publishing of the said Narration, or any Part thereof, nor knew of it before it was published; the Consideration of all which they humbly leave to the Wisdom of the said Honourable House."

Answer to them.

"The Answer returned was, "That their Lordships do perceive, by this Message, that what the Assembly hath done in this Business hath been by an Order of the House of Commons; therefore this House thinks it fit, that the Assembly acquaint them with what hath been (fn. 1) done; and when the House of Commons desires their Concurrence in any Thing touching this Business, they will be ready to do what (fn. 2) is fit in it."

Ordinance for the Weekly Meal.

Next was read the Ordinance for the Weekly Meal the Second Time, and Ordered to be committed to these Lords following: videlicet,

Their Lordships, or any Three, to meet on Wednesday Morning, at Nine of the Clock.

Mr. Serjeant Whitfield to be Assistant.

Servants of the King's Children.

The List for the Servants of the King's Children was reported from the Committees, and read; and it is Ordered, That Sir David Cunningham shall be heard what he can say for himself, concerning his Place, before it be sent down to the House of Commons.

Letter sent to the King.

The Lord General reported to this House, "That he had (fn. 3) sent away the Letter to the King."

It is Ordered, That this House shall be adjourned until To-morrow, at One of the Clock in the Afternoon, in regard of the Bishop of Canterburie's Trial.

Message to the H. C. to acquaint them with it;

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Sir Edward Leech and Dr. Aylett:

To let them know, that the Lord General hath sent away the Letter to the King.

to expedite the Counte's of Cleveland's Petition;

2. To desire them to expedite the Petition of the Countess of Cleaveland.

and about the Receiver for the Court of Wards.

3. To give Expedition to the Ordinance concerning a Receiver to be appointed for the Court of Wards.

Paper from the Governor of Flanders.

A Paper was read, from Francisco de Melos, Governor of Flanders, and Ordered to be referred to the Lord Admiral, Lord Wharton, and the Lord Grey, to examine the Business, and report the same to this House; and their (fn. 4) Lordships to send for such Civilians as they think fit, to inform them concerning this Business.

Any Three of their Lordships to meet To-morrow Morning, at Nine of the Clock, and afterwards at such other Time as they shall think fit to appoint.

Message from the H. C. about examining Witnesses against the Archbishop of Canterbury;

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Mr. Serjeant Wyld:

1. That whereas Sir Henry Vane Knight, Senior, is to be a Witness against the Archbishop of Cant. but in regard he is sick, they desire that their Lordships (fn. 5) would appoint some Lords to go to him, and take his Examination upon Oath.

2. To desire that the Earl of Northumb. may be examined concerning the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Agreed to.

and with an Order.

3. To desire Concurrence in an Order to give Power to the Lord Mayor of London to seize on the Books and Goods of the Dean's and Chapter of Paul's, &c.

Which was read, and committed to the Committee for the Ordinance concerning the Weekly Meal.

Commission to examine Sir Henry Vane Senior, against the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Ordered, That the Earl of Rutland and the Lord Howard are hereby appointed to go and examine Sir Henry Vane Knight, Senior, upon Oath, concerning the Archbishop of Canterbury; and the Clerk of the Crown is to prepare a Commission accordingly; and the Commissioners for the Great Seal are hereby authorized the sealing of it.

The Answer returned was:

Answer to the H. C.

That this House agrees that the Earl of Northumb. be examined concerning the Archbishop of Cant. Bu siness; and that their Lordships have appointed Two Lords to examine Sir Henry Vane, upon Oath.

And concerning the Ordinance now brought, their Lordships will send an Answer by Messengers of their own.

Message to them, to expedite Lord Howard's Ordinance.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Mr. Serjeant Whitfield and Dr. Aylett:

To put them in Mind to give Expedition to the Lord Howard's Ordinance, remaining with them.

Persons to attend, for prosecuting the Sequestration of the E. of Holland's Estate.

This House being informed, "That the Countess of Holland is summoned, by an Order from the Committee of Sequestration for Midd. to appear before them, concerning the Earl of Holland's Estate, to know whether she will rent Kensington;" and this House considering that divers Messages have been sent to the House of Commons, to desire that the Sequestration of the Earl of Holland's Estate may be taken off: It is Ordered, That William Palmer and Thomas Wheeler, that hath subscribed the said Order, shall have Notice to attend this House To-morrow, at One of the Clock, to inform their Lordships further concerning this Business.

Answer from the H. C.

The Messengers sent to the House of Commons return with this Answer:

That they have referred the Petition of the Countess of Cleaveland to the Committee for Sequestrations; and concerning the Receiver of the Court of Wards, they will send an Answer by Messengers of their own.

Letter from the Governer of Flanders about Arms.

"Noble Sir,

"In Answer of the Letters which I have received from the Lords, about the Condition of some Arms, and concerning the Difference which remaineth in the Two Particulars, One of the which their Lordships desired in their Letter of the 16th of January should be by me dispatched to their Satisfaction, I have procured until this Time to ripen with all Care and Dispatch the Business desired; but seeing that their (fn. 6) Arms are in the Possession of One particular Man, and that the other pretendeth to take them out, each One alledging in his own Behalf different Pretences, whereby they have made a Process in Law, which this Day proceedeth in the Privy Council of these Provinces; I have thought good (for in regard it doth not depend of the Authority or Conveniency of the Government, but of the Opinion of Ministers of the long Robe) to assure the Lords, that, in whatsoever they shall command me, I shall endeavour to maintain and preserve that Peace, Amity, and Correspondence, which His Majesty (fn. 7) the King my Master holdeth with the Kingdom of England; upon which the Lords may be pleased to give me Notice of what may offer therein, for the more Observancy; because neither we will be wanting nor I omit to esteem all the Occasions which may offer to serve their Lordships in general, and particularly to the Lords, whom God keep in his Custody.

"Brassells, this 12th of March, 1644.
Your Lordship's chiefest Servant,
Don Fran. De Melo, Marquis of De Lor De Laguna."

Protection for Rygate Priory.

Ordered, That Nicholas Chesterman and Brickstocke, and all other Persons, shall forbear to cut any Ashes or other Trees (fn. 8) that are near unto, or do or may shelter, the Priory-house of Rygate, in the County of Surrey, or which the Countess of Peterborough claimeth to be hers, or growing upon any Lands claimed by her, as belongeth to the Priory of Rygate, until such Time as this House shall give further Directions herein.

Adjourn.

House adjourned till 1^a cras post meridiem.