House of Commons Journal Volume 1: 08 February 1576

The SECOND SESSION of the Fourth Parliament of our Sovereign Lady ELIZABETH, by the Grace of God Queen of England, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c. holden upon Prorogation at Westminster, the Eighth Day of February, in the Eighteenth Year of her Majesty's most happy and prosperous Reign.

Mercurii, octavo Februarii, 1575

Actions for Slander.

1. THE Bill, that upon Actions upon the Case brought for slanderous Words or Writings, the County may be traversed. - The first Reading.

Member speaking irreverently of the Queen.

Peter Wentwoorthe Esquire, One of the Burgesses for the Borough of Tregonye in the County of Cornewall, was, for unreverend and undutiful Words uttered by him in this House, of our Sovereign Lady the Queen's Majesty, sequestred, that the House might proceed to Conference and Consideration of his said Speech: Whereupon, after sundry Motions had, it was agreed and ordered by this House, upon the Question, That he should be presently committed to the Serjeant's Ward, as Prisoner ; and, so remaining, should be examined upon his said Speech, for the Extenuating of his Fault therein, by All the Privy Council, being of this House, the Master of the Requests, Mr. Captain of the Guard, Mr. Treasurer of the Chamber, the Master of the Jewel-house, the Master of the Wardrobe, Mr. Lieutenant of the Tower, Sir Thoms. Scotte, Sir Rowland Hayward, Mr. Attorney of the Duchy, Mr. Henr. Knolles the Elder, Mr. Sampole, Mr. Rondall, Mr. Birckhed, and Mr. Mershe; to meet this Afternoon between Two and Three of the Clock at the Star-chamber; and to make Report at this House To-morrow next: And then the said Peter Wentwoorth was brought to the Bar, and committed thereupon to the said Serjeant's Ward, according to the said Order.