House of Lords Journal Volume 2: 18 January 1581

DIE Mercurii, 18° die Januarii,

Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales, quorum nomina subsequuntur, præsentes fuerunt:

Sheriffs, &c.

HODIE 2^a vice lecta est Billa, for the Reformation of Disorders and Abuses in Sheriffs, Under Sheriffs, and their Ministers.

Fines and Recoveries.

Item 1^a vice lecta est Billa, touching Fines and Recoveries.

Sedition against the Queen.

Item 1^a vice lecta est Billa, against slanderous Words and Rumours, and other seditious Practices, against the Queen's Majesty.

Queen's Commission issued in consequence of the late Address of both Houses.

The Queen's Highness having been moved, in the Suit agreed upon as is aforesaid, made Signification of Her Royal Pleasure in the same, by the Personages before named, unto all the Lords and Commons purposely by Her Highness's Commandment for that Respect assembled together, in the Upper House, called the Lords Parliament Chamber, this Wednesday, being the 18th Day of January; and thereupon the Lord Chancellor shewed forth a Commission from Her Highness, under the Broad Seal of England, which he commanded the Clerk openly to read unto them; the Tenor whereof ensueth, verbatim:

Queen's Commission to the Lord Chancellor, authorizing him to direct the Commons to choose a Speaker.

"Elizabeth, by the Grace of God, Queen of England, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c. To Our Right Trusty and Right Well-beloved Counsellor Sir Thomas Bromleye, Knight, Lord Chancellor of England, Greeting.

"Whereas, in the Beginning of this Our present Parliament, holden at Westm. the 8th Day of May, in the 14th Year of Our Reign, the Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses, being assembled in the same Parliament, were commanded by Us to go to their accustomed Place, and there to choose amongst themselves one to be their Speaker, according to the accustomed Manner; whereupon the same Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses, did elect and choose one Robert Bell, Esquire, afterwards Knight, and Chief Baron of Our Exchequer, now deceased, to be their Speaker; and the same their Election did afterward certify unto Us, which Election We did allow and ratify. Sithen which Time, this Our present Parliament hath been continued, by divers Prorogations, until the 8th Day of February, in the Eighteenth Year of Our Reign; at which Time the said Parliament was holden, and continued from the said 8th Day of February, until the 15th Day of March then next following; from which Time also the said Parliament hath continued, by divers and sundry Prorogations, until the 16th Day of January, in this present 23d Year of Our Reign; at which Day, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and also the said Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses, being assembled for this present Parliament at Westm. in their accustomed Places, the said Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses, have declared unto Us, that the said Sir Robert Bell, fithen the last Session of this present Parliament, is dead; and thereupon have made their humble Suit and Petition to Us, that they might have Licence and Commandment from Us, to proceed to elect, amongst themselves, one other to be their Speaker, for the rest of this present Parliament yet to come: Wherefore, We having certain and perfect Knowledge, that the said Sir Robert Bell is dead, as they have alledged, and considering their humble Petition and Request very meet and necessary to be granted, have appointed and constituted you, and by these Presents We do will, command, constitute, and appoint you, for Us, and in Our Name, to call the said Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses before you, and other the Lords Spiritual and Temporal assembled in this Our present Parliament, in the higher House of Our Parliament, at Westm. and there, for Us, and in Our Name, to will and command the said Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses, to resort to their accustomed Place, and there to elect and choose amongst themselves one sufficient and able Person, to be their Speaker, for the rest of this present Parliament yet to come; and, after they have once made their Election, that then Three or Four of them, for and in all their Names, shall signify the same unto Us; and thereupon We will further signify Our Pleasure unto them, what Day and Time they shall present the Person elected before us, as heretofore hath been in like Cases accustomed to be done. Wherefore Our Will and Pleasure is, that you do diligently attend about the doing of the Premises, and execute the same with Effect. In Witness whereof, We have caused these Our Letters of Commission to be sealed with Our Great Seal. Witness Ourself at Westm. the 16th Day of January, in the 23d Year of our Reign."

Adjourn.

Dominus Cancellarius continuavit præsens Parliamentum usque in diem prox. hora nona.