House of Commons Journal Volume 1: 21-24 October 1555

The PARLIAMENT of the Queen's Majesty, Queen MARY, (the King's Majesty being beyond the Seas) begun at Westminster, on Monday, the Twenty-first Day of October, in the Second and Third Year of their Reign : Where the Lord Chancellor, Bishop of Winchester, declared this Parliament called for necessary Aid to be made to her Majesty.

Mr. Pollard chosen Speaker.

AND after, in the Common House, by the entire Voice, was chosen to be Speaker, eftsoons, the worthy worshipful Man Mr. John Pollard, Esquire, profoundly learned in the Laws of this Realm, &c. And on the Wednesday following, Afternoon, he made an ornate Oration before the Queen's Majesty. After which was read a Bull from the Pope's Holiness, confirming the Doings of my Lord Cardinal Poole, touching Assurance of Abbey-Lands, &c. After which Mr. Speaker, with the Commons, departed to the Nether House; where was read,

1. The Bill touching Absence of Knights and Burgesses in the Parliament-time.

Jovis, 24^o Octobris

Dicing-houses.

1. The Bill against Dicing-houses, Bowling-alleys, &c.

Exemplifications.

1. The Bill to plead Exemplifications or Enrollment of Deeds.

Absence of Members.

2. The Bill for the Absence of the Knights and Burgesses.

Leases.

1. The Bill touching Leases to be made by Spiritual Persons.

Aid.

Mr. Comptroller, Mr. S. Petre, with Eighteen more, to devise Articles for Aid to the Queen's Majesty.