House of Commons Journal Volume 1: 17 March 1628

Parliamentum, tentum [17^o] die Martii, 3^o Caroli [Regis.]

Lunae, 17 Martii, 3 Caroli Regis.

Members sworn.

ABOUT Eight of the Clock in the Forenoon, * [Earl] of Pembroke, Lord Steward of his Majesty's Houshold, [came] into the outward Room of the Commons House of [Parliament,] accompanied with Mr. Treasurer of the Houshold, Mr. Secretary Cooke, Mr. Chancellor of the Duchy, and [divers] other; where the Deputy-clerk of the Crown, attended by the Cryer of the Chancery, called over the Names of all such Knights, Citizens, Burgesses, and [Barons] of the Cinque Ports, as were then returned: [And] the said Lord Steward, having sworn about . . did make his Deputation, under his Hand and Seal, to the said Privy Counsellors, and sundry other Members of the said House of Commons; thereby authorising them, or any One or more of them, to minister the Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance to all the Members of the said House of Commons, during this Parliament; and so departed.

House attends the King;

About Two of the Clock in the Afternoon, his Majesty, having rid in State to Westminster Abby, and there heard the Sermon, preached by the Bishop of Bathe and Welles, and being set in the Upper House, sent for the Commons, to come up unto him; where his Majesty made a short Speech unto the Lords and Commons, referring the further Amplification thereof unto the Lord Keeper; who accordingly performed the same:

Directed to choose a Speaker.

And, in the End, his Majesty directed the Commons to go down into their House, and chuse them a Speaker, and to present him unto his Highness upon Wednesday after, at Two of the Clock.

Sir J. Finch chosen Speaker.

The Commons being come into their House, and settled, Mr. Treasurer brake the Silence, putting them in mind of the Work of that Day, viz. the Election of a Speaker; nominating and commending unto them, as a very fit Man for that Purpose, Sir John Finch Knight, the Queen's Attorney General: Who being thereupon called upon, excused himself, [by] his Insufficiency for so great an Employment; [but, by] his Speech, increased the Desires of the House [towards] him ; so as, with a greater Acclamation than [before, he was] called to the Chair; whither being fetched [by Mr. Treasurer] and Secretary Cooke, he desired Leave to * * *