March 1646: Ordinance to prevent Abuses in Heraldry.

March, 1646

[19 March, 1645/6.]

Whereas divers Persons have assumed to themselves the Use and Bearing of the Arms of several of the Nobility and Gentry of this Kingdom, whereby many Errors are crept in, and divers Abuses committed, since the Sitting of this Parliament, which may produce great Inconveniences and Debate hereafter, if seasonable Remedy be not provided; It is therefore Ordained, by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, That Algernoone Earl of Northumberland, Phillip Earl of Pembrooke, and Mountgomery, Robert Earl of Essex, Charles Earl of Nottingham, William Earl of Salisbury, Robert Earl of Warwick Bazill Earl of Denbigh, Oliver Earl of Bollingbrooke, Edward Earl of Manchester, William Viscount Say & Seale, Francis Lord Dacres, Dudley Lord North, John Lord Robertes, Edward Lord Howard of Escrike, Edward Lord Mountague, Phillip Lord Herbert, Charles Lord Cranborne, Phillip Lord Lisle, Denzill Hollis Esquire, William Pierpoint Esquire, Nathaniell Fynes Esquire, Sir Gilbert Gerrard Knight and Baronet, Sir William Lewis Baronet, Sir John Bampfield Baronet, Sir Symones D'Ewes Knight and Baronet, Sir John Curson Baronet, Sir Benjamin Rudyard, Sir Phillip Stapilton, Bulstrod Whitlock Esquire, Henry Cholmleigh, Sir Henry Vane Junior, and Sir John Evelin Junior, Knights, Oliver St. John His Majesty's Solicitor General Edmond Prideaux, Samuell Browne, John Glynn Recorder of the City of London, John Selden, John Crewe, John Lisle, John Maynard, Dennis Bond, William Ellis, Roger Hill, John Broxholme, and Edward Byshe, Esquires, Members of either House, or any Five of them, whereof one Lord and two Commoners, shall hereby have Power to settle and regulate the Office and Officers of Arms, and all Abuses therein or otherwise committed; and to hear and determine all Manner of Offences and Abuses since the beginning of this Parliament committed, or that shall be committed, in or by the bearing, assuming, giving, granting, or allowing, of any Coat or Scutcheon of Arms, or of any Crest thereto belonging; and in those Particulars only to supply the Offices of the Constable and Marshal of England, in such Sort and Manner as to the Office of Constable and Marshal of England doth belong, or of Right have heretofore belonged.