The Copy of a LETTER From ALISBVRY.
Directed to Colonell Hampden, Colonell Goodwin, and read in both Houses of Parliament, May 18. 1643.
Relating how his Maiesty hath sent 12 or 1400 of his Forces, under the Command of the Earle of Cleveland, the Lord Shandosse, the Lord Crayford, and Sir Iohn Byron, into those parts, who amongst many other cruelties fired a Countrey Towne called Swanborne, in seven places, Murdered diverse, and amongst the rest one Woman big with Child was cut in pieces by them.
With An Ordinance concerning the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury.
ORdered by the Lords and Commons Assembled in Parliament, that this Letter be forthwith Printed and Published.
LONDON, May 19. Printed for Iohn Wright in the Old Bailey. 1643.
THE Copy of a Letter from AILESBURY directed to Colonell Hampden, Colonell Goodwyn, and read in both Houses of Parliament, May 18. 1643.
WE cannot but acquaint you, that you may make it knowne to the House of Commons, if you please, in what miserable condition this County is at this time, the King hath sent into these parts about 12. or 1400. of his Forces, commanded as wee are informed by the Earle of Cleaveland, who is accompanied with the Lord Shandose, the Lord crawford, Sir John Byron, and others of Note, who according to the knowne Law of the Land, pillage and plunder all the Towns where they come, they murder our neighbors that make but any defence to preserve their goods, one woman (amongst the rest) bigge [Page] with child, who could make no great resistance, they cut in peeces, what housholdgoods they cannot carry away▪ they sweepe cleane divers of our pastures, leaving no Cattell behind them, and that no cruelty might be left unexercised by them, they have this day fired a Country Village called Swanbourne, in 7. places of the Town, for no other reason but because they were not willing to be plundered of all they had, and guarded the fire so carefully with al their forces divided into severall parts, that no neighbors durst adventure to come to quench it, all the while it burn [...]d our Forces in this Garrison consisting only of Foot, saving one troope of Horse, we were not able to encounter with the Enemy, nor relieve our neighbors thus despoyled, but yet to interrupt that, which to them is a sport, we drew out some Forces in their sight as far as with safety we could, whereby they have not acted this day all the mischief they intended to execute before night, but what they have left undone to day, wee expect they will ere they leave us, make up, for they are now so strong that they quarter [Page] at Buckingham & where they please, in those parts without resistance. We wish the Parliaments Army were so accomodated, that this Country (which hath hitherto bin, and yet is most ready to serve & obey the Orders of the Houses) might not be destroyed and made utterly unable to contribute unto it, before we can be relieved by it, but relying upon Gods providence, and the best meanes which may be afforded to preserve us, wee rest
- John Wittewrong,
- Tho. Tyrrill.
WHereas William Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, standeth Impeached in this present Parliament for High Treason, and for divers other great offences and misdemeanours, and by reason of many great and weighty businesses he cannot yet be brought to tryall for the said offences and misdemeanours, and he in respect of his said Archbishopprick of Ganterbury, hath power to give and Collate fit Clerks divers Parsonages, Vicaridges, Prebends, and other Ecclesiasticall promotions and preferments, and if any of them should become voyd, and he left to preferre whom he please to the anie, the same may prove very inconvenient, he bestowing them upon unfit and unworthy persons; Be it therefore Ordered and Ordained, by the Lords and [Page] Commons in this present Parliament, that in case any of the foresaid Parsonages, Vicaridges, Prebends, or other Ecclesiastical promotions or preferments now be, or shall hereafter and before the tryall of the said Lord Archbishop become voyd, that the said Lord Archbishop of Canterbury shall forbeare to present or Collate any person or persons thereunto, without the leave and Order of both Houses of Parliament: And it is further Ordered and Ordained, that the said Lord Archbishop shal from time to time untill his said tryall, present and Collate such fit person or persons, to every such Parsonage, Vicaridge, Prebend and other Ecclesiasticall preferment as aforesaid, which now are, or hereafter before his said tryall shall become voyd, as by both Houses of Parliament shall be nominated and appoynted. And it is further Ordered by the said Lords and Commons in Parliament, that al Archdeacons, Registers, and other Officers, Ministers, and persons whatsoever, shall [Page] forbeare to give or make any Admission, Institution, Collation, or Induction of any person or persons whatsoever, which by the said Archbishop shal be presented, in or to any such Parsonage, Vicaridge, Prebend, or other Ecclesiasticall preferment, other then such person and persons as shal be nominated and appoynted by both Houses of Parliament as aforesaid. And it is lastly Ordered, that the said Lord Archbishop, and the Churchwardens of every Parish and other Officers of the Church, where any Parsonage, Viccaridge, Prebend, or other Ec-clesiasticall promotions or preferments, in the Donation or guift of the said Archbishop is, shall within two moneths after the respective avoydance thereof, give notice of such avoydance to the Lord Speaker of the House of Peérs for the time being.