The Summons of the Spiritualtie.

ALl Bishops, Abbots, Priors and all other great Clarks that holde by countie or barony, by reason of their holding, ought to be monished, and also to come to the Parlement, and none other inferiours of the Clergie, vnlesse their presence were pro­fitable and necessary for the Parlement. And to those the King is bound to giue their costꝭ comming & abiding at the Parlemēt, and such inferiour Clarks not to be monished to come to the Parlement. But the king was ac­customed to send his writs vnto such discrete men, desi­ring them to come and be at the Parlement.

Also the King was accustomed to send his monicions or summons to the Archbishops, Bishops and other ex­empt persons, that is to say, Abbots, Priors, Deanes and other ecclesiastical persons that haue iurisdiction by such exemption and distinct priuiledges, that they for euery Deanry and Archdeconry through England should elect and choose or cause to be elected & chosen, two discrete and wise proctors of their owne Archdeconry whiche should come and be at the parlement, there to sustain and alow, and to doo that thing that euery man of their Deanry or Archdeaconry might doo if they weer there in proper per­sons, & those Proctors so sent, for the Clergie: should bring with them their double proxies sealed with double seales of their superiours. The one of the proxies to remain with the Clarks of the Parlement: and thother to remain [Page] with the said proctors, and vnder this maner the Clergie ought to be called to the Parlement.

The summons of the Temporaltie.

ALso all and euery Earle, Baron and their péeres, that is to say, that haue lands and rents to the value of an Earldome or of a whole Barony, that is to say, xx. knights fées, euery fée contayning .xx. pound land, which amounteth to iiij. hundred pound in the whole, or to the value of an whole Barony, that is to say xiij. fées: and the third parte of a knights fée, euery fée accounted at xx. pound. which amounteth in the whole to iiij. hundred Marks. And no inferior persons of y^e Tempo­raltie shall come to the Parlement by reason of his holde vnlesse his presence be necessary and profitable, and they to be ordred for their charges at the kings costs, as is spo­ken of before of the inferior Clerks.

The summons of the Barons of the fiue Portes.

ALso the King ought to send his writs to y^e warden of the fiue portes that he should cause to be elected or chosen for euery of y^e said portes: two discrete & wise Barons that should come and be present at the Parlement, there to answere, sustain, aledge and doo all things concerning the said parlement, aswel as if all and euery of the Barons were there per­sonally. And these Barons so elect and chosen: shall bring with them their double proxies, double sealed with the common seal of the port. The one therof to be deliuered to the Clarkes of the Parlement: and the other to remain with the said Barons so chosen and elected. And when it shall chaunce the said Barons (licence obteyned) to de­parte: [Page 13] they were accustomed to haue a writ sealed with the great seal to the warden of the fiue portes for their re­sonable expences doon from the first of their comming to the Parlement, vntil the time of their departing and comming home, to be leuied of y^e comminaltie of euery party hauing expresse mention made in the writ from the said first day of their comming: vntil the time of their licence obteyned, and it was accustomed that mention should be made in the said writ what euery Baron should take of the cōmons for a day, that is to say, some more, some lesse, a consideration and respect had to the honestest, for their tarying, labours & expences, and it was not accustomed that any certain sum was limitted by the said Court.

Of the knights of the Parlement.

ALso the king was accustomed to send his writꝭ to all the Shirifs within the Realme, that they should cause to be chosen two honest, wise and discrete knights for euery Shéere to come to the Parlement with such proxies, as is before spoken of the Barons of the fiue portes. But for the expences of the said two knights for euery shéere was not accustomed to be graunted abooue .xiij. shillings .iiij. pence for a day.

Of the Citizens of the Parlement.

IN the like the Maior of London and the Shiriffes. The Maior and Baliffes, or the Maior and Citizens of York, and all other Cittyes were wunt to be warned that they for the comminaltie of their cit­tyes should elect & choose two discrete ho­nest & wise Citizens to come and be at y^e Parlement vn­der the fourme as is spoken of before of the Barons and of the knights of the shéere. And the said Citizens were ac­customed to be like and equall in their expences for com­ming, [Page] abiding and returning to and from the Parlement as are the knights.

Of the Burgesses of the Parlement.

IN like manner the Bayliffes and wise men of the Boroughes were accustomed, and ought to be warned that they should choose two discrete, honest, and wise Bur­gesses of them selues, and by thē to come and be at the Parlement, in like maner as is spoken of the Citizens. But it was not accustomed that twoo Burgesses should haue for their charges abooue x. shillings, & sometime not abooue vj. shillings .viij. pence. and that should be taxed by the Court, after the habilitie of the borough, and the honestie of the Burgesses.

Of the two principall Clarkes of the Parlement.

ALso two principall Clarkes of the Parlement shall sit in the midst of the Iustices which shall inrolle all plaintes, and matters of the Parle­ment. And it is to be knowen that these twoo Clarkes be not subiect to any of the Iustices of England, nor that any Iustice hath any aucthoritie in the Parle­ment except he be assigned to any thing by the King, and Péeres of the Parlement.

And when they be assigned with other Suetors of the Parlement to hear and determin diuers pleaes and peti­cions to be finished by Parlement, yet the twoo Clarks to be immediat subiectꝭ to the King and Parlement in com­mō, vnlesse one of y^e Iudges or two be assigned to examin and amēd their inrolling. And if the péeres of y^e Parlemēt be assigned to hear & examin any speciall petition, after they haue broken their matter: they shall giue their sen­tence and Iudgement in the ful Perlement, and the two [Page 14] Clarks inrolle the same, and all other plaints and iudge­ments of the Parlement in the principall of the Parle­mēt, and there to deliuer those rolles to the Treasurer before the Parlement be finished.

Prouided that the said Clarks shall haue a transumpt or Copy of it, if they list, and these two Clarks shall haue for their expēces xiij. shillings and iiij. pence, vnlesse they haue any fees or offices by the king, and be dayly waitors hauing meat and drink of the Kings cost: and then they to haue .vj. shillings and viij. pence euery day during the Parlement.

Of the fiue Clarks.

ALso the King shall assigne fiue Clarks, wise and approbate, of whom, the first shall attēd the Bishops. The second the proctors of the Clergie. The third the Earles and Barons. The fourth the knights of the Shéeres, and the fifth: the Citizens and Burgesses.

And euery of them shall haue ij. shillings a day: vnlesse they be the Kings seruants, and haue sufficient liuing of the King, & then they to haue but xij. pence the day, which Clarks shall write all doutes betwéen the King and the Parlement, and they to be at their coūcels where so euer they be commaūded. And in cace they shalbe vacant: they shall help y^e two principall clarks to inrolle their busines.

Of the causes and douts of the Parlement.

WHen any breach, difficultie of dout, or de­fuse cause of warre or peace dooth appéer within the Realme or without, that cace ought to be declared in writing in the ful Parlement, there to be treated and disputed among the Péeres of the Parle­ment, and if it be necessary: the King shall commaund or [Page] in the Kings name it shalbe commaunded that euery de­grée, and the persons of euery degrée of the Parlement shalbe present in the parlement, and to the Clark of euery degrée in the Parlement, the cause, breach and dout shall be deliuered, and by him at a certain place to be to them deliuered and declared.

And the vpon they to study, imagine and consider how this dout or breach may be prouided for, as they in time comming shall make answere for the prseruation of the King, them selues, and the commons whose persons they doo represent, and so in this behalfe they shall make their answere or councel to be written, so that euery degrées answere and aduisement heard: the whole Parlement to admit and alowe the best and wisest councel and therafter to doo, and wheras béen diuers opinions: then to incline to the more parte of the Parlement.

And in cace there be any discorde betwéen the king and any of the estates, or betwéen estates, wherby the peace of the Realme, or the people of the countrie might be distur­bed: in this cace if the King think it expedient, it ought to be commoned of, and reformed by the aduise of all the Péeres of the Realme. Or in cace the King and Realme béen troubled with warres, or a doutful cace be depen­ing before the Chaūceller of England, or a defuse iudgement be depending before the Iustices, and if in those the Péeres of the degrées of the Parlement cannot agrée: then the Earle Steward, the Earle Constable, and the Earle Marshall, or twoo of them: shall elect .xxv. persons of euery degrée of the péeres of the Realme, y^t is to say: twoo Bishops, thrée proctors for the Clergie, two Earles, thrée Barons, fiue knights of the Shéeres, fiue Citizens, and fiue Burgesses, and these .xxv. may condiscend into xij. of them selues, and these xij. into .vj. of them selues, and these six may condiscend into thrée, but these thrée cannot con­discend into a lesse number without the Kings concent, and then those thrée may condiscend into two, and the two into one, and after his opinion and determination: [Page 15] the matter shalbe ordered vnlesse the King wil discent as he may, and then may he and his councel examin and a­mend the ordination, so it be vnwritten and doon out of the Parlement house without their concents.

Of matters of the Parlement.

THe matters whereof the Parlement is holden or kept: ought to be deliuered into the Parlement, and to be called vpon in manner of a kalender, according to euery mannes petition, and no respect to be had to any mannes person: but that he who layeth first his bil in: shalbe first heard.

In the Kalender of the Parlement euery matter ought to be had in memory vnder this manner and forme.

First: of warres if their be any, of matters concerning the King and Quéenes person, and of their Children.

Secondly: of matters concerning the common weale, and to ordain new lawes debarring th'olde lawes made in times past, whose execution haue béen preiudiciall.

Thirdly: the matters concerning the priuat weale, and these to be examined according to the file and Kalender as is before writen.

The dayes and houres of the Parlement.

THe Parlement shalbe holden euery day, Sundaies, Allhallon day, all soules day & the natiuitie of Saint Iohn the Baptist excepted. And euery feriall day it should begin at mid prime time, and that houre: the king is bound to be in the Parlement and all y^e péeres of the Realme. On the holy daies the parlement shall begin at the prime, because of the diuine seruice should be first heard.

The degrees of the Parlement.

THe King is head and chéef at the beginning and at th'end of the parlement, and to him no comparison is to be made, and so the King is one degrée by him self.

The second is of Archebishops, Abbots and Priors, holding by Baronyes.

The third is of the Proctors of the Clergie. The fourth of Earles Barons and other estates and gentles holding to the value of an Earledome or Baronye as is before written. The fift of Knights of the Shéeres.

The sixt of Citizens and Burgesses, and so the Parle­ment is of six degrées. And it is to be noted that if any of the said degrees be absent after their first lawful monici­ons or summons: the Parlement is not of sufficient effect.

The forme of the Parlement.

SIth it is showed vnder what forme euery man ought to be monished, and how long time the monitions should be, and what they be that should come vnto it: it is to be knowen who they be that ought to be monished to come to the Parlement by reason of their offices. And also it is to be noted that the two principall Clarks of the Parlement for the King and his Councel, and other secondary Clarks, of whom and of whose office mencion shalbe héerafter made.

The chéef Cryer of England with his deputies, and the chéef Porter of England, howbeit these two offices were accustomed to be occupyed by one person, these ought to be there the first day of the Parlement.

The Lord Chaunceler of England, the Treasurer, the Chamberlain, the Barons of the Eschequer, the Iustices, all the kings Clarks and knights, with Sergeants at the [Page 16] Law of the kings retinew or fée: ought to be there the second day, vnlesse they haue a resonable impediment or let.

Of the beginning of the Parlement.

THe King ought to be in the Parlement the first day and should sit in the midst of the high bench. The sixt day: the Chaunceller, the Treasurer, the Barons of the Eschequer and the Iustices were accustomed to recorde the defaults doon in the Parlemēt in forme folowing. The first day they must call all the Citizens and Burgesses of all England, and for lack of their apparaunce: a Citty shalbe amerced in a C. pound, and a borough a C. markꝭ.

The second day: they shall call knights of Shéeres, and in default of their apparance: the shéere shalbe amerced a C. poūd.

The third day: the Barons of the fiue portes, & after them th'other Barons, and then the Earles, and for lack of appa­rance of euery Baron: they shalbe amerced a C. markꝭ, and of an Erle: a C. pound, the like shalbe doon to them that be Earles and Barons Péeres, that is to say, as haue Lands and rents to y^e yéerly value of an Earledome or of a barony as is before expressed. The fourth day: the Proctors of the Clergie shalbe cal­led, and for lack of their apparance: their Bishops shalbe amer­ced a C. marks for euery Archdeaconry that maketh default.

The fifth day: Deanes, Priors, Abbots, Bishops and Arch­bishops, and for lack of apparaunce of an Archbishop: he shalbe amerced a C. pound, a Bishop, an Abbot and a Prior, whiche holde an whole barony: a C. marks.

Of the Proclamations.

THe first day of the Parlement: proclamation shalbe made first in the Hall or in the Monastery or some other open place where the Parlement shalbe holden or kept, and after in the Citty or Town opēly that euery man hauing Bil or Peticion to be eranuned or determined in y^e Parlement that is should be laid in within fiue dayes of the beginning of [Page] the parlement.

Of the preaching of the Parlement.

AN Archbishop or some famose discrete and eloquent Clark tobe assigned by the Archbishop in whose prouince the Parlement shalbe kept and holden, shall preach on the first of y^e fiue dayes in the ful Parlement & in the Kings presence, and he shall begin when all the Parlement or the moste parte shalbe there assembled, & in his prison or pray­er he shall require all the whole Parlement that they humbly beséech almightie God for the peace and tranquilitie of the King and Realme.

Of the Speaker of the Parlement.

AFter the Sermon doon: the L. Chaunceller of England or the chéef Iustice elect, shall stand declaring in the par­lement house, first generally and then specially the cau­ses of the Parlement, and wherfore the same is holden.

And it is to be noted that euery man (the King excepted) shall stand while the said Speaker dooth declare his matter, to th'entent that euery man may hear him: & in cace he doo speak obscurely or darkly or so lowe that he cannot be heard: he must begin again, or els an other speak in his place.

What the King shall say after the Speaker hath doon.

THe King after the speaker hath declared the causes of the Parlement: shall desire the Spiritualtie and the Temporaltie naming euery degrée, that is to say, Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Priors, Arch­deacons, proctors and others of the Clergie, Earles Barons, knights, Citizens and Burgesses, and others of the Temporaltie, that they doo diligently studiously and loouingly indeuer them selues to examin pertract and handle the causes [Page 17] of the Parlement, to the honor of God principally: secondare­ly to the Kings honor, and lastly to the welth of the Realme.

Of the Kings absence.

THe King ought dayly to be present in the Parlement, vnlesse he be sick or diseased: and then he may kéep his chamber, so that he lodge not out of the manor or town, where the Parlement is holden, and then he ought to send for xij. persons of the great estates that be monished or summoned to the Parlement, wherof two to be Bishops, two Earles, two Barons, two Knights, two Citizens and two Burgesses, to sée his person & to certifie of his estate, & in their presence he ought to commit power to the Archbishop of the prouince, to the Lord Steward and to the chéef Iustices, that they ioyntly and seue­rally shall begin and continew the Parlement in the Kings name, making expresse mention in his commission of his dis­ease to th'other estates, and that the persons abooue named can expresse the same, for it is a perilous cace and dangerous for the communaltie and Realme that the King should be absent from the Parlement: but onely for bodely sicknes.

Of places and seates in the Parlement.

FIrst as it is before said, the King shall sit in the midst of the bench, vpon the right hand the Archbishop of Canterbury, at his left hand the Arch­bishop of Yorke, and then Bishops, Abbots, and Priors in order, and then euery man in his degrée, and amongst his péeres, and that this order be kept: the Lord Steward of England is bound to look vnto, vnlesse the King assigne some other.

At the Kings righ foot, the Chaunceller of England, the chéef Iustice of England with his felowes, and their Clarks, that be of the Parlemēt. And at his left foot shall sit the Treasurer, the Chamberlain, the Barons of the Eschequer, the Iudge of the [Page] common place with their Clarks that been of the Parlement.

Of the porters of the Parlement.

THe chéef Porter of the Parlement shall stand within the great gate or Monastery, hall or place, wher the Parlement is holden and shall attend that no man enter into the Parlement except he be called for matters that he shew­eth in the Parlement. And it is expedient that the said Porter haue knowledge of euery mannes name that shall enter into the Parlement, and if need require to haue many porters vnder him.

Of Cryers of the Parlement.

THe Cryer shall stand without the Parlement door, and the Porter shall shew him when and what he shall call. The king was accustomed to appoint his Sergeāts at armes to kéep the Parlement door, that no thrust, presse or noyse, were made there, by meanes wherof the Parlement might be letted, and that such thrust, preace or noyse might he auoyded, and proclamation should be made that no person en­terprise such things there, vnder pain of imprisonment, for by Law: the Parlement door should not be shut, but he kept by the Porter or Sergeaunt at Armes.

Of the help for the King.

THe King was not accustomed to demaūd help of his Realme but onely for war that was in­stant, or for the creation of his Sonnes to bée made knights: or his Daughters to be mary­ed, and these helps ought to be demaunded in the ful Parlement, and in writing to be deli­uered vnto euery degrée, and they in writing to make an­swere. [Page 18] And if this help ought to be graunted: then euery degrée of the Parlemēt should cōcent therto. And it is to be knowen, that two Knights or two Citizens, or two Eurgesses whiche come to the Parlement, in graunting or denying any thing demaunded in the Parlement: haue more aucthoritie then the greatest Earle in England. And in like cace, two proctors for the Clergie in one diocesse: haue more aucthoritie then their Bishops in things to be graunted or denyed in Parlement, and y^e reason is this. The King may holde his parlemēt for the communaltie of his Realme without Bishops, Earles or Ba­rons, so that they haue lawful sūmons and come not, for some time there was no Bishop, Earle nor Baron, and yet y^e King hid kéep his Parlemēt, but of the contrary, if the communaltie of the Clergie and of the Temporaltie be monished to the par­lement as they ought to be by the Law, and for certain causes they doo not or wilnot come, as if they pretend that the King hath not ruled or gouerned them accordingly, and doo therin expresse wherin he hath not ruled them accordingly: in this cace the Parlement whiche the King holdeth with the Bishops, Earles and Barons is of no effect, and therfore in all things that are to be graunted, ordayned, established or broken by parlement: the communaltie of y^e parlement of necessitie must con­cent therunto. For in the cōmunaltie are conteyned iiij. degrées of Parlement, that is to say, proctors of the Clergie, Knights of Shéers, Citizens of Cittyes and Burgesses of Townes, & these persons doo represent the whole cōmunaltie of England wher as th'other estates doo represent but their owne persons.

For billes and peticions of the Parlement.

THe Parlement ought not to bée ended whiles any peticion dependeth vndiscussed or at least to whome a determinate aunswere is not made, and if the King permit the contrary: hée is per­iured, also no Péere of the Parlement shall de­parte from the same without licence obtayned of the King [Page] and of his péeres, which licence is to be obteyned in open par­lement, and to be recorded in rolle of Parlement. And if it happen any of the Péeres to be sick, during the Parlement so that he cannot come to it: then for thrée dayes he shall send his ex­cuse to the Parlement, but if after thrée dayes passed he come not: then two of his péeres shalbe sent to him to sée his person, and therof to aduertise the Parlement, and if any suspicion be had: these two Péeres shalbe sworne to testifie the very trueth, and if it appéer he haue fained him self sick: he then to be amer­ced as a fault for his not appéeraunce at the beginning of y^e Perlement, and if he be sick then before: then he shall make a sufficient to appéer in Parlement for him.

No person of the Parlement can be excused hauing his helth and memory.

The ending of the Parlement.

THe finishing of the Parlement must be assig­ned, appointed and openly proclamed bothe in the Parlement, and within the palace of the Parlement. And if there be any wil say, that he hath no answere of his bil deliuered into the Parlement: then the Parlement to continue, but if no man so say: it is to be supposed that euery man hath re­medye or assigned how to haue remedy by the Lawes, and at the proclamation made, if there be no Billes to be laid in: the King may licence his Parlement.

Of the Coppyes of the Records of the Parlement.

THe Clark of the Parlement shall deny to no man the coppy of his processe, but shall deliuer vnto euery man that demaundeth it, taking for euery ten lines a peny.

And if the party be poore and therupon maketh his othe to haue nothing: the rolle of the Parlement shalbe tenne inches [Page 19] brode. The Parlement shalbe kept whersoeuer it shall please the King.

THese orders in processe of time did successe, and were out of all vse, few or no Parlements béeing kept, from the time of William the Conqueror, vntil the reign of King Edward the first, who by th'aduise of his wise & learned coun­sailers prescribed a forme & order how the Parlements with­in this Realme should be obserued and kept, which orders also in the course of certain yéeres grew out of vse in many points, and the order héer ensuing: is that which is in our dayes re­ceiued and vsed.

By whome and for what cause a Parlement ought to be summoned and called.

THe King who is Gods anoynted béeing the hed and chéef of the whole Realme and vpon whome the gouernment and estates therof doo wholy and onely de­pend: hath the power and authoritie to call and assemble his Parlement, and therin to séek & aske the aduise, councel and assistāce of his whole Realme, and without this his authoritie: no parlement can properly be summoned or assembled. And y^e King hauing this authoritie, ought not to summō his Parlement: but for weightie & great causes, and in which he of necessitie ought to haue the aduise and counsel of all the estates of his Realme, whiche be these and suche like as foloweth.

First for Religion, for, for asmuche as by the Lawes of God and this Realme, the King next and immediatly vnder God is his deputye and Vicar in Earth, and the chéefest ruler within his Realmes and dominons: his office, function and duty is, abooue all things to séek and sée that God be honored in true Religion and Vertue, and that he and his people doo bothe in profession and life liue according to the same.

Also that all Idolatries, false Religions, heresies, scismes, errors, supersticions, and what so euer is contrary to true Re­ligion, all disorders and abuses, either among the Clergie or the Laietie, be reformed, ordred and redressed.

[Page] Also the assuraunce of the King and Quéens persons, and of their Children their aduancement & preferment in mari­ages, the establishing of succession, the suppression of Traitors, the aduoyding or eschewing of warres, the attempting or moo­ving of warres, the subduing of Rebelles, and pacifying of ciuil warres and commotions, the leuying or hauing any aide or Subsidye for the preseruation of the King and publique estate.

Also the making and establishing of good and wholsome Lawes, or the repealing and debarring of former Lawes, as whose execution may be hurtful or preiudiciall to the estates of the Prince or common welth. For these and such like cau­ses beeing of great weight, charge and importaunce: the King (by y^e aduise of his councel) may call & summon his high Court of Parlement, and by the authoritie therof establish and or­der such good Lawes and orders as then shalbe thought moste expedient and necessary.

The order and manner how to summon the Parlement

THe King ought to send out his writs of sum­mons to all the estates of his Realme, at least forty dayes before the beginning of the Parle­ment. First to all his Lords and Barons, that is to wit, Archbishops, Bishops, Dukes, Mar­quesses, Earles, Vicountes and Barons, and euery of these must haue a speciall writ, then to the Clergie, and the writ of their summons must be addressed to euery per­ticuler Bishop, for the Clergie of his diocesse, & all these writs which are for the Clergie: the King alwaies sendeth to y^e Arch­bishops of Canterbury and York, & by them they are sent and dispersed abrode to euery perticuler Bishop w^tin their seuerall prouinces, and so the Bishops giue summons to the Clergie.

Lastly, for the summoning of the Commons: hée sendeth his writ to the Lord warden of the fiue portes, for the election [Page 21] of the Barons therof, and to euery seuerall Shiriffe, for the choice and election of Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses within his countie.

How and what persons ought to be chosen for the Clergie, and of their allowaunces.

THe Bishop ought vpon the receipt of the writ sent vnto him for the sumoning of his Clergie: forthwith to summō and warne all deanes and Archdeacons within his diocesse to appéer in proper person at the Parlement, vnlesse they haue some sufficient and resonable cause of ab­sence, in whiche cace he may appéer by his Proctor hauing a warrant or proxie for the same.

Then must he also send the like summons to the Deane and Chapter of his Cathedrall Churche, who shall foorthwith assemble their Chapter and make choice of some one of them selues to appéer in their behalf, and this man thus chosen: must haue thrir commission or proxie.

He must also send out his summons to euery Archdeacon­ry and peculier, requiring that the whole Clergie doo appéer before him, his Chaūceller or Officer at a certain day, time, and place, who béeing so assembled: shall make choice and election of two men of the said Clergie to appéer for them, and these shall haue their commission or proxie for the same.

These Proctors thus to be chosen ought to be graue, wise, and learned men, béeing professors either of Diuinitie or of the ecclesiasticall Lawes. and that can, wil, and be able to dispute in cause of controuersie, conuincing of heresies, appeasing of Scismes, and deuising of good and godly constitutions concer­ning true Religion, and orders of the Church.

These Proctors (thus elected) ought to haue resonable allowances for their charges, according to the state, qualitie, or con­dition of the person, as also a respect had to the time, the proc­tors of the Dean and Chapter are to be paid out of the Esche­quer [Page] of the Cathedrall Churche. The Proctors of the Clergie are to be paid of the Clergie, among whome a collection is to beleuied for the same, according to an olde order vsed among them.

How and what maner of Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses ought to be chosen, and of their alowances.

THe Sheriffe of euery Countie hauing receiued his writꝭ: ought foorthwith to send his precepts & sum­mons to the Maiors, Bayliffes, and hed Officers of euery Citty, Town corporate, Borough, and such places as haue béen accustomed to send Burgesses, within his Countie, that they doo choose and elect among them selues two Citizēs for euery Citty, & two Burgesses for euery Borough, according to their olde custome and vsage. And these hed Officers ought then to assemble them selues and the Alder men and commen councel of euery Citty or Town, & to make choice among them selues of two able and sufficient men of e­uery Citty or Town, to serue for and in the said Parlement.

Likewise at the next Countie day to be holden in the said Countie after the receipt of this writ, the Sheriffe ought open­ly in the Court of his Shéer or Countie, betwéen the houres of viij. and .ix. of the fore noon: make Proclamation that euery frée holder shall come into the Court, and choose two sufficient men to be Knightꝭ for the Parlement, & then he must cause the writ to be openly and distinctly read, whervpon the said frée holders then and there present: ought to choose two Knights according­ly, but he him self cannot giue any voice, neither be chosen.

These elections a forsaid so past and doon: there ought to be seuerall Indentures made betwéen the Sheriffe & the frée hol­ders of the choise of the knights, and betwéen the Maior and the hed Officers of euery perticuler Cittie & Town of the choice of their Citizens and Burgesses, and of their names & of their [Page 22] mainperners and Sureties. Of these Indētures, the one parte béeing sealed by the Sheriffe: ought to be returned to the Clark of the Parlement, and th'other parte of the Indentures, sealed by such as made choice of the Knights, and such as made choice of Citizens and Burgesses vnder the seuerall common seales of their Citties and Townes: ought to remain with the She­riffe, or rather with the partyes so elected and chosen.

The charges of euery knight and Citizen was wunt to be a like, which was xiij. shillings .iiij. pēce by the day, but now by the Statute it is but viij. shillings, that is, to euery Knight, & e­uery Citizen iiij. shillings, & to euery Burgesse the olde vsage to haue v. shillings, but now it is but iij. shillings & iiij. pence li­mitted by the Statute, which alowaunces is to be giuen from the first day of their iorney towards the Parlement, vntil the last day of their return from thēce. Prouided that euery such person shalbe alowed for so many daies as by iorneyīg xxvj. miles euery day in the Winter, and xxx. miles in the Summer, hée may come and return to and from the Parlement.

In choice of these Knights, Citizens and Burgesses: good regarde is to be had that the Lawes & customs of the Realme be héerin kept and obserued, for none ought to be chosen: vnlesse he be resiant and dwelling with in the Shéer, Citty or Town, for which he is chosen. And he ought to be a graue, wise, learned, skilful, and of great experience in causes of policies, and of such audacitie as bothe canne and will boldely vtter and speak his minde according to duety, and as occation shall serue, for no man ought to bée silent or dum in that house, but according to his talent hée must and ought to speak in the furtheraunce of the King and common welth.

And the Knights also ought to be skilful in martiall affaires, and therfore the woords of the writs are that such should be chosen for Knights as be Cincti gladio, not because they shall come into the Parlement house in armoure, or with their Swoordes: but because they should be suche as haue good ex­perience, and knowledge in feates of Warre, and of martiall affayres, whereby they may in suche caces giue the [Page] King and Realme good aduise and councel, likewise they ought to be Lay men and of good fame, honestie, and credit, béeing not vtlawed, excōmunicated, or periured, or otherwise infamose, for such persons: ought not to haue place or to be admitted into the Parlement house.

The degrees of the Parlement.

IN times past there were six degrées or estates of the Parlement, whiche euery of them had their seuerall officers and ministers of atten­daunce, but now the same are reduced into foure degrées. The first is the King, who in his personage is a ful and whole degrée of him self, and without whome nothing can be doon.

The second degrée is of the Lords of the Clergie and of the Temporaltie, and are all called by the names of Barons.

The third is of knights, Citizens, and Burgesses, and these be called by the names of the communaltie.

The fourth: is of the Clergie which are called by the name of conudcacion, and these persons haue no voice in the Parle­ment, nether can they doo any thing other thē to intreat in cau­ses of Religion, which from them is to be commended to other estates.

Of the places and houses of the Parlement.

AS it lyeth in the King to assigne and appoint the time when the Parlement shall begin, so that he giue at the least forty dayes summons: so likewise he may name and appoint the place where it shalbe kept, but wheresoeuer it bée kept, th'olde vsage and maner was that all the whole degrées of the parlement, sat togither in one house, and euery man that had there to speak: did opēly before the king and his whole Parlement, but héerof did growe many incon­veniences, [Page 23] and therfore to auoid the great confusions which are in such great assemblies: as also to cut of th'occasions of displeasures which eftsoones did happen, when a mean man speaking his conscience fréely, either could not be heard, or fel into the displeasure of his betters, and for sundrye other great gréefs, did deuide this one house into thrée houses, that is to wit, the higher house, the lower house and the conuocation house.

In the first: sitteth the King, and his Lords spirituall and Temporall called by the name of Barons, and this house is called the higher house.

The second is: where the Knights, Citizens and Burgesses doo sit, and they be called by the name of Commons, and this house is called the lower house.

The third is: where the prelats and Proctors of the Clergie sit béeing called by the name of the Clergie, and this house is called the conuocation house, of euery of these houses: their or­ders and officers, we wil bréefly subuect and declare perticu­lerly in order as foloweth.

Of the higher house.

THe higher house (as is said) is where the King and his Barons doo sit in Parlement, where the King sitteth highest, and the Lords and Barons beneath him eche man in his degrée, the order is this. The house is much more in length then in breadth, and the higher end therof in the middle is the Kingꝭ seat or Throne hanged richly with cloth of estate, and there the king sitteth all waies alone. On his right hād: there is a long bench next to the wall of the house whiche reacheth not so farre vp as the Kings seat, and vpon this sit the Archbishops and Bishops euery one in his degrée. On his left hand: there are two like bēches, vpon the inner: sit the Dukes, Marquesses, Erles and Vicounts. On the other which is the hindermoste & next to the wall: sit all the Barons euery man in his degrée. In the middle of the house betwéen the Archbishops seat and the Dukes seat: sitteth the [Page] Speaker, who commonly is the Lord Chaunceller, or kéeper of the great Seale of England, or the L. chéef Iustice of Eng­land as pleaseth the King, who dooth appoint him, and he hath before him: his two Clarks sitting at a Table before them vp­on which they doo write and lay their Bookes. In the middle rowme beneath them: sit the chéef Iustices and Iudges of the Realme, the Barons of y^e Eschequer, the Quéenes Sergeants and all such as be of the Kings learned Councel, either in the common Lawes of the Realme: or of the Ecclesiasticall lawes, and all these sit vpon great Wool sacks, couered with red cloth.

At the lower end of all these feates is a bar or a Rail, betwéen which and the lower end of the house: is a void rowme seruing for the lower house, and for all Sutors, that shall haue cause and occasion to repair to the King or to the Lords. This house as it is distinct from the others: so there bée distinct Officers to the same belonging and appertaining, whiche all be assigned and appointed by the King, and all haue allowances for their charges at the Kings hands, of which Officers what they are, what is euery of their offices, and what allowances they haue: shalbe written in order héerafter.

Of the Officers of the higher house and first of the Speaker, and of his office.

THe chéefest Officer of the higher house: is the Speaker, who is appointed by the King, and commonly he is the Lord Chaunceller or kéeper of the great Seale, or Lord chéef Iustice of England, his office consisteth in diuers points.

First: he must on the first day of the Parlement, make his oration in the higher house, before the king, his Lords and commons, & then & there declare the causes why the King hath summoned that parlement, exhorting and aduising euery man to do his office and duty, in such sorte as may be to the glory of God, honor of the King, and benefit of the common welth.

Also he must make one other oration, but in way of an­swere to the Speakers Oration, when he is presented to the King.

[Page 24] Likewise he must make the like, on the last day of the Parlement, and you shall vnderstand that vpon these thrée dayes: he standeth on the right hand of the King néer to his seat, at a bar there appointed for him, but at all other times: he sitteth in the middle of the house as is before said.

When he hath ended his oration vpon the first day: he must giue order vnto the lower house in the Kings behalf, willing them to repair vnto their house, and there (according to their ancient order and customes) make choice of their Speaker,

All Billes presēted vnto the higher house: he must receiue, which he hath foorthwith to deliuer to the Clarkes to be safely kept.

All Billes he must cause to be red twise before they be in­groced, and béeing red thrée times: he must put the same to que­stion.

If any Bil put to question doo passe with their consēt: then the same must be sent to the lower house, vnlesse it came first from thence, and in that cace: it must be kept vntil the end of the Parlement.

If any Bil be denyed, impugned, and cléere ouerthrowne: the [...]more to be thencefoorth receiued.

If [...] be put to question, and it be doutful whether side is the greater and giueth moste voices: then he must cause the house to be deuided, and then iudge of the Bil according to the greater number.

If any Bill be imperfect or requireth to be amended: hée must choose a certain number of that house, as he shall think good, and to them commit that Bil to be reformed and amen­ded.

If any Bil or message be tobe sent to y^e lower house: it is his office to make choice of two of the Kings learned councel there béeing to be the messengers therof.

If any Bil or message be sent from the lower house: hée must come from his place to the bar & there receiue the same, and béeing returned to his place and euery Straunger or me­ssenger departed: he must disclose the same to the Lords.

[Page] Item if any disorder be committed or doon in the house by a­ny Lord or other person: he ought with the aduise of the Lords to reforme the same, but if it be emong the Lords, and they wil not be reformed: then he must foorth with aduertise the King.

Item he ought at the beginning of the Parlement: to call by name all the Lords of the Parlement, and likewise at other times as he séeth occasion, whose defaults ought to be recorded, and they to pay their fines vnlesse they be dispenced with all by speciall licence from the King, or haue some iust and resonable cause of absence.

Item he must sée and cause the Clarks to make true entries and true recordes of all things doon there, and to sée that the Clarks doo giue and deliuer the copyes of all such Billes there red to such as demaund for the same.

Item he shall kéep the secrets and cause and commaund e­uery man of eche degrée in that house to doo the like.

Also he ought not to go any where, but the gentleman Sergeant ought to attend vpon him, going before him with his Mace, vnlesse he be Lord Chaunceller for then he hath a Ser­geant of his owne.

His alowance that he hath is at the Kings charges.

Also for euery priuate Bil that passeth and is enacted: his hath x. pound for his parte.

Of the Chaunceller of the higher house.

THe Chaunceller is the principall Clark of the higher house, and his charge is safely to kéep the recordes of the Parlement and the Arts whiche be past.

All suche Statutes as be enacted: hée must send to the Kings seuerall Courts of recordes to be enrolled, as namely the Chauncery, the kings Bench, the common place, and the Eschequer.

[Page 25] All suche Acts as are to be imprinted: he must send to the Printer.

All such priuate Acts as are not imprinted, if any man wil haue the same exemplified: he must transmit the same to the Lord Chaunceller to be ingrossed and sealed, and for the same, he to take the fées appointed and accustomed.

He hath for his alowance an ordinary fée for terme of life of the King.

Of the Clarks of the Parlement.

THere be two Clarks, the one named the Clark of the Parlement: and the other named the Clark of the Crown. The Clark of the Par­lement his office is to sit before the Lord Speaker, and to read such Billes presented as hée shalbe commaunded.

He must kéep true records and true entries of all things there doon and to be entred.

If any require a coppy of any bil there: he ought to giue the same receiuing the ordinary fées.

If any Bil after his ordinary readingꝭ, be to be ingrossed he must doo it.

The councel of the house he may not disclose.

At the end of the Parlement: he must deliuer vp vnto the Chaunceller, all the Acts and records of that house, sauing he may kéep a transumpt and a coppy therof to him self.

He hath his alowance of the King.

Also for euery priuate Bil whiche is enacted: he hath thrée pound.

Also for euery Bil wherof he giueth a coppy: he hath for e­uery ten lines a peny according to the custome,

THe Clark of the Crown: his office is to supply the place and the rowme of the Clark of the Parlement in his ab­sence, [Page] and hath in all things the like charges and profits, as the Clark ought to haue.

He must giue his attendaunce to the higher house from time to time and doo what shalbe inioyned him.

All suche Acts as be not imprinted, if any man will haue them exemplified vnder the brode Seale: he must exemplifie them, and haue for the same his ordinary fées.

These two Clarks at the end of the Parlement: ought to be present in the house, and within the lower bar at a boord before them, their faces towards the King, and there the one must read the billes which are past bothe houses: and the other must read the concent or disagreement of the King.

Of the Sergeants or porters of the higher house.

THere is but one Sergeant whiche hath the charge of kéeping of the doores, for though there be diuers doores: yet the kéepers therof are at his assignement.

He ought to sée the house be cléene and kept swéet.

He ought not to suffer any manner of person to be within she house, so long as the Lords be there sitting, other then such as be of the learned councel, and of that house, and except also such as come in message from the lower house with Billes or otherwise, and except also such as be sent for, and be admitted to haue any thing there to doo.

Also he must attend and go alwaies with his Mace before the Speaker, vnlesse he be Lord Chaunceller, or kéeper of the great Seale, for then he hath a Sergeant of his owne.

He ought to kéep safely such prisoners as be commaunded to his warde, and to fetch or sēd for such as he shalbe commaun­ded to fetch.

This Porter or Sergeant hath besides his ordinary fée: a standing allowance for euery day of the Parlement.

[Page 26] Also he hath for euery priuate Bil which is enacted: xl. s.

Also he hath for euery prisoner committed to his warde: a certain alowance for his fées.

Also he hath of euery Baron or Lord of that house, a certain rewarde.

Of the lower house.

THe lower house (as is said) is a place distinct from the others, it is more of length then of breadth, it is made like a Theater, hauing foure rowes of seates one abooue an other roūd about the same. At the higher end in the midle of y^e lower rowe: is a seat made for y^e Speaker, in which he alwaies sitteth, before it: is a table boord, at which sitteth the Clark of the house and there vpon layeth his Books, and writeth his recordes. Vpon the lower rowe on bothe sides the Speaker: sit such personages as be of the kings priuy councel, or of his chéef Officers, but as for any other: none claimeth nor can claime any place, but sitteth as he cōmeth, sauing that on the right hand of the Speaker, next beneath the said Coun­celles: the Londoners and the Citizens of York doo sit, and so in order should sit all the Citizens accordingly. Without this house: is one other in which the vnder Clarkꝭ doo sit, as also such as be Suters and attendāt to that house, and when so euer the house is deuided vpon any Bil: then the rowme is voided, and the one parte of the house commeth down into this to be num­bred.

The office of the Speaker of the lower house.

[Page] THe chéef or principall Officer of this house: is the Speaker, and is chosen by the whole house or the more parte of them, he himself béeing one of the same number, and a man for graui­tie, wisdome, experience, and learning: chosen to supplye that Office during the time of the Parlement, and is to be presented to the King the third day folowing.

His Office is to direct and guide that house in good order, and to sée the ordinaunces, vsages, and customs of the same to be firmely kept and obserued.

When he is presented vnto the King sitting in his estate royall in the Parlement house, for the purpose: he must then and there make his oration in commendation of the Lawes and of the Parlement, whiche doon: then he hath in the name of the house of the commons: to make to the King thrée requests.

First: that it may please his maiestie to graunt that the commons assembled in the Parlement may haue and inioy the ancient priuiledges, customes and liberties as in times past haue appertayned and béen vsed in that house.

Then that euery one of y^e house may haue libertie of spéech, and fréely to vtter, speake and declare his minde and oppinion to any Bil or question to be proponed.

Also that euery Knight, Citizen and Burgesse, and their ser­uants, may haue frée comming and going to and from the said Parlement, as also during the time of Parlement, and that they, nor any of their Seruants nor retinewe: to be are­sted, molested, sued, imprisoned, or troubled by any person or persons.

And lastly, that if he or any other of that company, béeing sent or come to him of any message, and doo mistake him self in dooing therof: that his Maiestie wil not take the aduantage therof but gratiously pardon the same.

He must haue good regarde and sée that the Clark doo en­ter and make true records, and safely to kéep the same, and all such Billes as be deliuered into that house.

[Page 27] He must on the first and third day, and whensoeuer he els wil, call the house by name, and record their defaults.

All billes to be brought and to be presented into that house: he must receiue and deliuer to the Clark.

He ought to cause and command the Clark to read the Bil­les brought in, plainly and sensibly, which doon: he must bréef­ly resite and repete th'effect and meaning therof.

Of the Billes brought in he hath choice, which and when they shalbe red: vnlesse order by the whole house be taken in that behalf.

Euery Bil must haue thrée readings, and after the second reading: he must cause the Clark to ingrose the same, vnlesse the samr be reiected and dashed.

If any Bil or message be sent from the Lords, he ought to cause the messengers to bring the same vnto him, and he to re­ceiue the same openly, and they béeing departed and gone: he ought to disclose and open the same to the house.

If when a Bil is red, diuers doo rise at one instant to speak to the same, and it cannot be discerned who rose first: then shall he appoint who shall speak, neuerthelesse euery one shall haue his course to speak if he list.

If any speak to a Bil and be out of the matter: he shall put him in remembrance and wil him to come to the matter.

If any Bil be red thrée times, and euery man haue spoken his minde: then shall he aske the house whether the Bil shall passe or not, saying thus, as many as wil haue this Bil passe in maner and forme as hath béen red: say yea, then the affir­matiue parte say yea, as many as wil not haue this Bil passe in maner and forme as haue béen red: say no. If vpon this que­stion the whole house or the more parte, doo affirme and alowe the Bil: then the same is to be sent to the higher house to the Lords. But if the whole house or the more parte doo de­nye the Bil: then the same is dashed out and to be reiected, but if it be doutful vpon giuing of voices, whether side is the grea­ter: thē must a deuision be made of the house, and the affirma­tiue parte must arise, & departe into the vtter rowme, which (by [Page] the Sergeant) is voided before hand of all persons that were there, and then the Speaker must assigne two or foure to number them first which sit within, & then the other which be with­out, as they doo come in, one by one, and as vpon the triall the Bil shalbe alowed or disalowed by the greater uumber: so to be accepted as is before said.

If vpon this triall the number of either side be like: then the Speaker shall giue his voice and that onely in this point, for other wise he hath no voice.

Also if any of the house doo misbehaue him self, and breke the order of the house: he hath to reforme, correct, and punish him, but yet with the aduise of the house.

If any forrain person doo enter into that house, the assem­bly therof béeing sitting, or doo by arresting any one persō thereof, or by any other meanes breke the liberties and priueledges of that house: he ought to sée him to be be punished.

Also during the time of the Parlement: he ought to seque­ster him self, from dealing or intermedling in any publique or priuate affaires, and dedicate and bēd him self wholly to serue his office and function.

Also he ought not to resorte to any noble man, counceller or other person to deal in any of the Parlement matters: but must and ought to haue with him a compitent number of some of that house, who may be witnesses of his dooings.

Also during the time of Parlement: he ought to haue the Sergeant of Armes with his mace to go before him.

Also he hath the libertie to send any offender, either to Sergeants warde, or to the Tower, or to any other prison at his choice, according to the qualitie and quantitie of the offence.

He hath allowance for his diet, one hundred pounds of the King for euery Sessions of Parlement.

Also he hath for euery priuate Bil passed bothe houses and enacted: fiue pounds.

At th'end, and on the last day of the Parlement: he maketh his oration before the King, in moste humble maner declaring the dutiful seruice, and obedience of the Commons then assem­bled [Page 28] to his Maiestie: as also moste humblye praying his pardon if any thing haue béen doon amisse.

Of the Clark of the lower house.

THere is onely one Clark belonging to this house, his office is to sit next before the Speaker, at a Ta­ble vpon which he writeth and layeth his books.

He must make true entrie of the recordes and Billes of the house, as also of all the orders therof.

The Billes appointed vnto him by the Speaker to be red: hée must read openly, plainly and sensibly.

The Billes which are to be ingrossed, he must doo it.

If any of the house aske the sight of any Bil there, or of the book of the orders of the house: he hath to deliuer the same vnto him.

If any desire to haue the copy of any Bil: he ought to giue it him, receiuing for his paines after ten lines a peny.

He may not be absent at any time of sitting, without spe­ciall licence.

He ought to haue for euery priuate Bil passed and enacted: forty shillings.

He hath allowed vnto him for his charges (of the King) for euery Sessions: ten pound.

Of the Sergeant or porter of the lower house.

THe Sergeant of this house is commonly one of the Kings Sergeants at Armes, and is appointed to this office by the King. His office is to kéep the doores of the house, and for the same: he hath others vnder him, for he him self kéepeth the door of the inner house, wher the commons sit, and séeth the same to be clene.

Also he may not suffer any to enter into this house during the time of the sitting there, vnlesse he be one of the house, [Page] or be sent from the King or the Lords, or otherwise licenced to come in.

If any such person doo come: he ought to bring him in, going before him with his Mace vpon his shoulder.

If any be commited to his warde: he ought to take charge of him, and to kéep him in safetie vntil he be required for him.

If he be sent for any person or to go in any message: hée must leaue a substitute behinde him, to doo his Office in his absence.

He must alwaies attend the Speaker, and go before him, carying his mare vpon his shoulder.

His allowance (during the time of the Parlement) is xij. d. the day of the Kings charges.

Also he hath of euery Knight and Citizen: ij. shillings and vj. pence, and of euery Burgesse, ij. shillings.

If any be commaunded to his warde: he hath of euery such Prisoner, by the day .vj. shillings and .viij. pence.

If any priuate Bil doo passe and be enacted: he hath for eue­ry such Bil .xx. shillings.

Of the Conuocacion house.

THe conuocation house, is the assemblie of the whole Clergie at and in some pe­culier place apointed for the purpose.

But as the Barons and Lords of the Parlement haue their house seuerall and distinct from the Commons: euen so the Archibishops and Bishops doo se­quester them selues and haue a house se­uerall from the residue of the Clergie. And this their house is called the higher Conuocation house, the other béeing named the lower Conuocation house. Bothe these houses haue their se­uerall Officers, orders and vsages, & eche Officer hath his pe­culier charge and function, as also certain allowances, euen as [Page 29] is vsed in the Parlement houses of the Lords and commons.

The Archbishops and Bishops doo sit all at a Table and doo discourse all such causes and matters as are brought in questi­on before thē, either of their owne motions: or from the higher Court of Parlement, or from the lower house of Conuocation, or from any priuate person. Euery Archbishop and Bishop sit­teth and taketh place according to his estate and degrée, which degrées are knowen by such degrées and offices in the Church: as to euery of them is assigned, for one hath the personage of a Preest, an other of a Deacon, this is a Subdeacō, he is a Sex, ten and so foorth, as such officers were wunt to be in y^e Church.

The Bishops doo not sit at the fore noon, but onely at the af­ter noon, because they béeing Barons of the higher house of par­lement: doo resorte and assemble them selues there at the fore­noones with the Temporall Lords.

The Conuocacion house of the rest of the Clergie: doo ob­serue in a maner the like orders as the lower house of the com­mons doo vse, for béeing assembled togither on the first day with the Bishops: are by them willed to make choice of a Speaker for them, whome they call the Proloquutor, when they haue chosen him: they doo present him vnto the Bishops, and he thus presented: maketh his oration, and dooth all things as the Speaker of the lower house for the Commons dooth, as wel for the ordering of the Clergie and of the house, for his order in sitting, the order in speaking, the order of recording the things doon e­mong them, and all other such like things.

And this is to be vnderstanded, that the whole Clergie can deale and intreat but onely of matters of Religion, and orders of the Church, whiche their dooings & conclusions cannot binde the whole Realme: vnlesse they be confirmed by Act of Parle­ment, but yet sufficient to binde the whole Clergie to the kée­ping therof, so that the King (who is the supreme gouernour of bothe estates) doo consent and confirme the same. And foras­much as by knowing the orders of the Parlement house: you may also knowe the orders of bothe the Conuocation houses, which are like and correspondent to y^• others. These shall suffise [Page] for this matter.

Of extraordinary persons which ought to be summoned to the Parlement.

BEsides the personages of the former degrées which ought to be summoned to the parlement: the King also must warne and summon all his councellers bothe of th'one Law and of th'other and those haue their places onely in the higher house, namely the two chéef Iustices and their associates, of the Kings bench, and the common places, the Ba­rons of the Eschequer, the Sergeants, the Attorney, the Soli­citer, the Maister of the Rolles, and his fellowes of the Chaun­cerye.

The offices of these personages are to giue councel to the King and Parlement in euery doutful cause according to the Lawes.

Also if any Bil be conceiued and made disorderly: they ought to amend and reforme the same, vpon order and com­maundemet to them giuen.

Also they must attend to come and go at the commaunde­ment of the King and Parlement.

Also they may not speak nor giue aduise: but when they be asked and put to question.

Also they haue no voice in Parlement: because they are commonly councellers to the same.

They are all retained at the Kings charges.

Likewise all officers of the Parlement are to be summo­ned, as namely the Chaunceller of the Parlement, the Clarks, the Sergeants, the Porters and such others, who likewise are retained at the Kings costs. Of their offices and charges, it is alredy perticulerly declared.

Of the dayes and houres to sit in Parlement.

[Page 30] ALl dayes of the wéek are appointed sauing and excepted the Sundayes and all principall fea­stes, as namely the feasts of All hallown day, Christmas, Easter, Whitsontide, and Saint Iohn y^e Baptistꝭ day, & also such other dayes as the Parlement by concent shall appoynt and assigne.

The beginning is at eight of the clock in the morning, and dooth continew vntil .xi. of the clock.

They doo not sit at after noones, for those times are reser­ued for Committies and the Conuocation house.

In the morning: they begin with the Common prayer, and Letanye which are openly red in the house.

Of the King, his office and authoritie.

HAuing declared of all the estates, degrées, and personages of the Parlement: it resteth now to speak also of the King and of his office, who is all in all, the beginning and the ending and vpon whome resteth and dependeth the effect and substaunce of the whole Parlement, for without him and his authoritie: nothing can be doon, and with it: all things take effect, neuerthelesse when he calleth and a­ssembleth his Parlement: there are sundrye orders whiche of him are to be obserued, and which he ought to sée to be kept and executed, or els the Parlement surcesseth to be a Parlement and taketh not his effect, of whiche orders: these be the chéef which doo insue.

First: the King ought to send out his summons to all the estates of his Realme, of a Parlemēt assigning & appointing the time, day and piace.

Also his summons must be at the least forty dyaes before the beginning of his Parlement.

Also he must appoint and prouide all such officers as ought [Page] to attend the Parlement, who must be found at his charges.

Also the King ought not to make any choice, or cause any choice to be made of any Knight, Citizens, Burgesses, Proctors of the Clergie, Speaker of the common house, or Proloquutor of the Conuocation house: but they must be elected and chosen by the lawes, orders and customs of the Realme, as they were wunt and ought to be, and the Kings good aduise yet not to be contemned.

Also the king ought to graunt, permit, and allow to all and euery of the estates and to euery perticuler man, lawfully elec­ted and come to the Parlement all and euery the auncient fréedoms, priuiledges, immunitie, and customes during the Par­lement: as also during the times and dayes comming and go­ing to and from the Parlement, but yet the same humbly to be requested of his highnes by the Speaker in his oratiō at the beginning of the Parlement.

Also the King in person ought to be present in the Parle­ment thrée daies at the least during the time of the Parlemēt, that is to say, the first day when the whole estates according to the summons make their apparance, whiche is called the first day of the Parlement. On the second day when the Speaker of the common house is presented, which is counted the begin­ning of the Parlement. And the third day which is the last day when the Parlement is proroged or dissolued, for vpon these dayes: he must be present, vnlesse in cace of sicknes, or absence out of the Realme, for in these caces: the King may summon his Parlement by commission, and the same is of as good effect, as if he were present in person, and as for any other dayes: he is at his choice and libertie to come, or not to come to the Parle­ment.

Also the King ought to propone vnto the Parlement house in writing all such things and matters of charge, as for whiche he calleth the said Parlemēt, and accordingly as the same shal then by the consent of all estates be aduised, concluded and a­gréed, so the King either hath to allow or disalowe the same, for he can (of him self) neither adde nor deminish any Bil, but [Page 31] accept the same as it is presented vnto him from the estates of the Parlement, or els altogither reiect it.

Also the King as he dooth prefixe and assigne the day, and time when the Parlement shall begin: so also he must assigne and appoint the time when the same shalbe proroged or dissol­ued, whiche ought not to be as long as any matters of charge, weight or importaunce be in question, and the same not deci­ded nor determined.

Of the dignitie, power and authoritie of the Parlement and of the orders of the same.

THe Parlement is the hiest, chéefest, and grea­test Court that is or can be within the Realme for it consisteth of the whole Realme, whiche is deuided into thrée estates, that is to wit, the King, the Nobles, and the Commons, euery of which estates are subiect to all suche orders as are concluded and established in Parlement.

These thrée estates may ioyntly and with one consent or agréemēt: establish and enact any Laws, orders, & Statutes for the common welth, but béeing deuided, and one swaruing from the other: they can do no thing, for the King though hée be the head, yet alone: cannot make any Law, nor yet y^e king and his Lords onely, nor yet the King and his Commons alone, nei­ther yet can the Lords and the Commons, without the King doo anything of auail. And yet neuerthelesse if the King in due order haue summoned all his Lords and Barons, and they wil not come, or if they come they wil not yet appéer, or if they come and appéer, yet wil not doo or yéeld to any thing: then the King with the concent of his Commons (who are represented by the Knights Citizens and Burgesses) may ordain & establish any Act or Law, which ar as good, sufficent and effectuall: as if the Lords had giuen their consents.

But of the contrary, if the Commons be summoned, and wil not come, or comming wil not appéer, or appéering wil not con­sent [Page] to doo any thing, aledging some iust weightie and great cause. The King (in these caces) cannot with his Lords deuise, make, or establish any Law, the reasons are these, when Par­lements were first begon and ordained: there were no Prelats or Barons of the Parlement, and the Temporall Lords were very few or none, and then the King and his Commons did make a ful Parlement, which authoritie was hetherto neuer abridged, again euery Baron in Parlement dooth represent but his owne person, & speaketh in the behalf of him self alone.

But in the Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses: are represēted the Commons of the whole Realme, and euery of these giueth not consent onely for himself: but for all those also for whom he is sent. And the King with the consent of his Commons: had euer a sufficient and ful authoritie to make, ordain, & establish good & wholesome Lawes for the commō welth of his Realme, wherfore the Lords béeing lawfully summoned & yet refusing to come, sit or cōsent in Parlemēt: cannot by their folly abridge the King and the Commons of their lawful proceding in Par­lement.

The Lords and Commons (in times past) did sit all in one house, but for the aduoiding of confusion: they be now deuided into twoo seuerall houses, and yet neuertheles they are of like and equall authoritie, euery persō of either of y^e said houses bée­ing named, reputed, & coūted a péer of the Realme, for the time of the Parlement, y^t is to say, equall, for Par, is equall. And therfore the oppinion, censure and iudgement of a mean Burgesse: is of as great auail: as is the best Lords, no regarde béeing had to the partie who speaketh: but the matter that is spoken.

They be also called Péeres as it were Fathers for Pier, is a Father, by which is ment that all such as be of the Parlement: should be auncient, graue, wise, learned and expert men of the land, for such were the Senators of Roome, and called Patres conscripti for the wisdome and care that was in them in go­uerning of y^e common welth. They are also called Councellers, because they are assembled and called to the Parlement, for their aduise and good councel in making and deuising of suche [Page 32] good orders and Lawes as may be for the common welth.

They, therfore which make choice of Knights, Citizens and Burgesses, ought to be wel aduised that they doo elect and choose such as béeing to be of that assemblye, and therby equall with the great estates: should be graue, auncient, wise, learned, expert & careful men for their commonwelth, and who (as faithful and trusty councellers) should doo that whiche should turn and be for the best commoditie of the common welth, otherwise they doo great iniury to their Prince and common weale.

Also euery person of the Parlement during the times of the Parlement, and at his comming and going from the same: is frée from all troubles, arrests and molestations, no action or sute taking effect which during that time is begun, entred, or commenced against him, in what Court so euer the same be, except in causes of Treason, Murder and Fellony, and except al­so executions in Law, awarded and graunted before the begin­ning of the Parlement.

Also euery person hauing voices in Parlement: hath frée libertie of speach to speak his minde, oppinion and iudgemēt to any matter proponed, or of him self to propone any matter for the commoditie of the Prince and of the common welth, but hauing once spoken to any Bil: he may speak no more for that time.

Also euery person once elected and chosen a knight, Citizen or Burgesse & returned: cannot be dismissed out of that house, but béeing admitted: shall haue his place and voice there, if he be a Lay man. But if by errour a man of the Clergie be chosen: then he ought and shalbe dismissed, also if he be excomunicated, outlawed or infamose.

Also euery one of these houses ought to be incorrupt no briber nor taker of any rewards, gifts, or money, either for deui­sing of any bil or for speaking of his minde: but to doo all thingꝭ vprightly, and in such sorte, as best for the King and common welth.

Also euery one ought to be of a quiet, honest, and gentle, behauiour, none taunting, checking or misusing an other in [Page] any vnséemly woords or déds, but all affections set a parte to doo and indeuer in wisdome, sobrietie & knowledge, that which that place requireth.

Also if any one doo offend or misbehaue himself: he is to be corrected and punished by the aduise and order of the residue of the house.

Also all the Prisons, wardes, gailes within the Realme and the kéepers of the same: are at the commaundement of the Parlement for the custodie and safe kéeping or punishment of all and euery such Prisoners as shalbe sent to any of them by the said Palrement houses or any of them, how beit moste commonly the Tower of London is the prison which is moste vsed.

Also if any one of the Parlement house be serued, sued, ar­rested or attached by any writ, attachment or minister of the Kings bench, Common place, Chauncery, or what Court soe­uer within this Realme: the partie so troubled and making complaint therof to the Parlement house: then foorth with a Sergeant at Armes, is sent to the said Court, not onely aduer­tising, that the partie so molested is one of the Parlemēt house: but also inhibiting and commaunding the Officers of the said Court to call in the said processe, and not to deale any further a­gainst the said partie, for the Parlement béeing the hiest court, all other Courts yéeld and giue place to the same.

Also as euery one of the Parlement house is frée for his owne person, for all maner of sutes to be commenced against him: so are also his Seruants frée, and not to be troubled nor molested, but beeing troubled: haue the like remedie as the Maister hath or may haue.

Also no manner of person béeing not one of the Parlement house: ought to enter or come within the house, as long as the sitting is there: vpon pain of imprisonment or suche other pu­nishment; as by the house shalbe ordred and adiudged.

Also euery person of the Parlement ought to kéep secret and not to disclose the secrets and things spokē and doon in the Parlement house, to any manner of person vnlesse he be one of [Page 33] the same house: vpon pain to be sequestred out of the house, or o­therwise punished, as by the order of the house shalbe appoin­ted.

Also none of the Parlement house ought to departe from the Parlement: without speciall leaue obteyned of the Spea­ker of the house, and the same his licence be also recorded.

Also no person béeing not of the Parlement house: ought to come into the same, during the time of the sitting, so euery one comming into the same: oweth a dutie and a reuerence to be giuen when he entreth and commeth in.

If a Baron or a Lord come and enter into y^e higher house: he ought to doo his obeysaunce before the cloth of estate, and so to take his place.

Also when he speaketh: he must stand bare headed, and speake his minde plainly, sensibly, and in decent order.

If any come in message or be sent for to the higher house: they must stay at the inner door vntil they be called in, & then béeing entred: must first make their obeysaūce, which doon: to go to the lower end of the house & their to stay vntil they be called, and béeing called: they must first make one lowe courtesie and obei­saūce, and gooing forwards must in the middle way make one other lowe curtesie, and then béeing come foorth to the Barre: must make the third curtesie, the like must be doon at the de­parture.

Also when any Knight, Citizen, or Burgesse dooth enter and come into the lower house, he must make his dutiful and hum­ble obeysaunce at his entry in: and then take his place. And you shal vnderstād that as euery such person ought to be graue, wise and expert: so ought he to show him self in his Apparail, for in times past: none of the councellers of y^e Parlement came otherwise then in his gown, and not armed nor girded with weapon, for the Parlement house is a place for wise, graue and good men, to consult, debate, and aduise how to make Lawes, and orders for the common welth, and not to be armed as men redy to fight, or to trye matters by the Swoord: and albe it the writ for the election of the Knights, haue expresse woords to [Page] choose such for Knights as be girded with the Swoord, yet it is not ment therby that they should come and sit armed: but bee such as be skilful in feates of Armes, and besides their good ad­uises: can wel serue in martiall affaires. And thus the Romain Senators vsed, who béeing men of great knowledge and experience as wel in martiall affaires, as in politique causes, sat allwaies in the Senate house, and places of councel in their Gownes and long Robes. The like also was alwaies and hath been the order in the Parlements of this Realme, as long as the auncient Lawes, the olde customes, and good orders therof were kept and obserued.

Also if any other person or persons either in message or béeing sent for, doo come: he ought to be brought in by the Serge­ant & at the first entring: must (folowing the Sergeant) make one lowe obeysaunce, and beeing past in the middle way: must make one other, and when he is come before the Speaker: he must make the third, and then doo his message, the like order he must kéep in his return. But if he doo come alone or with his learned councel, to pleade any matter, or to answere to any ob­iection: he shall enter and go no farther then to the Bar within the door, aud there to doo his thrée obeysaunces.

Also when any Bil is committed, the Committes haue not authoritie to conclude: but onely to order, reforme, examin, and amend the thing committed vnto them, and of their dooings they must giue reporte to the house again, by whome the Bill is to be considered.

Also euery Bil whiche is brought into the house: must bée red thrée seuerall times, and vpon thrée seuerall dayes.

Also euery Bil which vpon any reading is committed and returned again: ought to haue his thrée readings vnlesse the Committes haue not altred the bil in any substaunce or forme, but onely in certain woords.

Also when any Bil vpon any reading is altogither by one concent reiected, or by voices after y^e third reading ouerthrown: it ought not to be brought any more to be red during y^e Sessi­ons of Parlement.

[Page 34] Also if any man doo speak vnto a Bill and be out of his matter: he ought to be put in remembraunce of the matter by the Speaker onely and by none other, and be willed to come to the matter.

Also whensoeuer any person dooth speak to any Bill: hée ought to stand vp, and to be bare headed, and then with all re­uerence, grauitte, and séemly spéech, to declare his minde. But when so euer any Bil shalbe tryed either for allowances, or to be reiected: then euery one ought to sit, because he is then as a Iudge.

Also euery Knight, Citizen, and Burgesse before he doo en­ter into the Parlement and take his place there: ought to bée sworne and to take his othe, acknowledging the King to be the supreme and onely gouernour of all the estates within his Realme as also to renounce all forrain Potentates.

The order of the beginning and ending of the Parlement.

ON the first day of the summons for the Parle­ment, the King in proper person (vnlesse he bée sick or absent out of the Realme) béeing ap­parailled in his royall and Parlement Robes: ought to be conducted & brought by all his Ba­rons of the Clergie and Laitie, and the Com­mons summoned to the Parlement, vnto the Churrh, where ought a Sermon to be made by some Archbishop, Bishop or some other famouse learned man. The Sermon ended: he must in like order be brought to the higher house of Parlement, and there to take his seat vnder the cloth of estate, likewise euery Lord and Baron (in his degree) ought to take his place.

This doon: the Lord Chaunceller or he whom the King ap­pointeth to be the speaker of that house, maketh his oration to the whole assembly, declaring the causes why & wherfore that Parlement is called and summoned, exhorting and perswa­ding euery man to doo his best indeuor in all such matters as [Page] shalbe in the said Parlement proponed as shalbe moste expedi­ent for the glory of God, the honor of the King, and the common welth of the whole Realme. Then he directeth his talke, vnto the Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses, aduertising them that the Kings pleasure is, that they doo repair to their house, and there according to the olde and auncient custome: to choose and elect some one wise, graue, and learned man emong them sel­ues to be Speaker for them, and giueth them a day when they shall present him to the King. And these things thus doon: the King ariseth, and euery man departeth. This is accounted for the first day of the Parlement.

THe second or third day after, when the Speaker is to be presented: the King with all his Nobles (in like order as before) doo assemble again in the higher house, and then come vp all the commons of the lower house, and then and there doo present their Speaker vnto the King. The Speaker foorthwith maketh his dutiful obeysaunces: beginneth and ma­keth his oration before the King, and prosequuteth such mat­ters as occasion serueth, and as is before resited in the office of the Speaker, and this doon: euery man departeth. And this is accounted for the beginning of the Parlement, for before the Speaker be presented, and these things orderly doon: there can no Billes be put in, nor matters be entreated of.

LAstly when all matters of weight be discussed, ended and dermined: the King commaundeth an end to be made.

And that day the King, his Nobles and Commons doo again assemble in the higher house, in their Robes, and in like order as is before recited, where the Speaker maketh his o­ration, and is answered by the Lord Chaunceller or Speaker of the higher house. Then all the Billes concluded and past in bothe houses, that is to say, in the higher house of the Lords, and in the lower house of the commons, are there red by the ti­tles, and then the King giueth his concent or discent to euery of them as he thinketh good. And when the titles of all the the [Page 35] Billes are red: the Lord Chaunceller, or Lord Speaker by the Kings commaundement, pronounceth the Parlement to bee proroged or cleane dissolued. And this is called the last day or the end of the Parlement, and eue­ry man is at libertie to departe homewards.