The Diary of Thomas Burton: 29 January 1658-9

Saturday, January 29, 1658–9. (fn. 1)

The Committee of Privileges this day adjourned from the Star-Chamber, to the House, in the forenoon, where the case, of Reading, between an election made of Mr. Henry Nevile, (fn. 2) and Mr. Blagrave one way, and another election made of other persons, another way, took up almost the whole forenoon's debate.

The case was, that the Mayor was elected and chosen in August last, and sworn the first Monday after Michaelmas, according to usual course. Not long after, upon the noise of a Parliament, some debate happened in the Council Chamber, between the Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council, concerning the manner of their elections, the Mayor declaring for free and open public elections by all the Commons out of the House. Some of the members of that House conceiving the right of election to remain with them in the House, apprehended that the Mayor went about to betray and lose the privileges of the House, which being resented by others, and heat of the debate begetting unkindness, the major part of the House displaced the Mayor, ejected and removed him from his place, and did choose and swear another Mayor in his place. This new Mayor makes an election in the House of two Burgesses, and returns them. The old Mayor, and the Commons at large, make another election of Mr. Nevile. and Mr. Blagrave. Whether of these two elections were good and warrantable was the question.

Reported by the Committee, and so ordered by the House, that the return and election of Mr. Nevile and Mr. Blagrave was good, and the other not.