September 1644: An Order for raising eleven hundred horse for his Excellencie the Earle of Essex.

September 1644

[30 September, 1644.]

Horses to be raised in Berks, etc.

It is this day Ordered by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, That such persons as shall be employed by the Earle of Essex Lord Generall, under his hand and seale, shall be authorised and have hereby power to raise eleven hundred Horses, whereof five hundred to recruit the troopes, and sixe hundred for draught horses for the Traine of artillery, within the Counties of Berks, Oxon, Hants, Wilts, Dorset, Sommerset, Devon, or otherwhere upon his march: And such persons as the Lord-Generall shall appoint to raise the said number of Horses, are to give a note in writing unto each party from whome a Horse shall be taken, of the value, colour, and marke of the horse, testifying likewise that the partie is to repaire unto the Committee of that Countie, where upon proofe of the value he shall receive satisfaction, and whosoever shall doe contrarie shall suffer death, and such persons as shall be so appointed to raise horses, are to make returne unto the Earle of Essex LordGenerall, of what horses they have raised, and from what parties, and in what Parishes, who is to returne the same unto the Committees of the Countrie, not above two horses to be taken out of a Teame, and the Marke-master of the Army is to marke them as they are brought in, And likewise the Commissioners of the Lord Generalls Army are to see these Rules observed and to heare complaints thereupon. And if any appointed by the LordGenerall as aforesaid to take Horses, shall take any monie for spareing of any horses or releasing any horses being taken, shall upon proofe be cashiered ipso facto, and be subject to such further punishment as the Lord-Generall shall thinke fit.

Peers exempt.

Provided that no horse of any member of either house of Parliament, or any Assistant of the house of Peers, or any attendant on either House of Parliament shall be taken or seized upon by vertue of the Ordinance of any thing herein contained, any thing in this Ordinance contained to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding.