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XVI. Observations on a MS. Relation of the Proceedings in the last Session of the Parliament holden in the Fourth year of King Charles, A.D. 1628, belonging to the Earl of Verulam

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 January 2012

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Extract

By permission of the Earl of Verulam, conveyed to me through W. J. Thorns Esq., F.S.A., I am enabled to exhibit to the Society a Manuscript from the collection at Gorhambury, which has some peculiar claims upon the attention of historical antiquaries. It is entitled, “A True Relation of the proceedings in the last Session of Parliament houlden in the Fourth year of King Charles, A° Dñi. 1628,” and is a nearly contemporary MS. plainly written upon ninety-two leaves of paper of a small folio size.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © The Society of Antiquaries of London 1860

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References

page 238 note a One will suffice for the identification of the corrected copies of the “True Eelation.” Under the 23rd February, there occurs a speech of Sir Humphrey May, in which he remarks: “We are all agreed a word is given; we have wine and oil before us; if you go to punish delinquents, there is vinegar in the wound.” In the Verulam and other similar manuscripts, the “word” is altered into “wound.” The MSS. of the first and second class read “a word,” or “the word,”

page 243 note a The words “misfortunes wee” are here repeated in the MS., but are underlined, apparently by the copyist, as if he had discovered the mistake.

page 243 note b The Harleian MS. 6,800, fol. 66, here contains the following very important addition:—

page 243 note c And being yet againe pressed, hee still denied to put it to the question, or to read it: which the Clerk also refused to doe.

“Whereupon the Remonstrance was againe redd’ [redelivered] to his handes, and by him read.

“And being the third time urged to it and refusing, still insisting upon the King's command, he wag checked by Mr. Selden, who told him he had ever loved his person well, but hee could not choose but much blame him now, that hee, being the servant of the Howse, should refuse their commands under any pretence or colour whatsoever; that this his obstinacy would growe a president to posteritie, for that heerafter if wee shall meete with a dishonest Speaker (as we cannot promise or assure ourselves the contrary) hee might, under pretence of the King's command, refuse to propose the business and intendment of the Howse, and therefore he wished him to proceed.

“The Speaker, with aboundance of teares, answered, “I will not say I will not, but I dare not;” desiring that they would not commaund his mine therein: That hee had been their faithfull servant, and would gladlie sacrifice his life for the good of his country, but hee durst not sinne against the express command of his soveraigne”

page 244 note a “Orations quaintly eloquent.” Harl. MS. 6,800, fol. 66 b.

page 244 note b This speech of Stroud does not occur in the other MSS. which I have seen.

page 244 note c “Delivered to a gent, of the house to keepe, and the Serjeant himself being a very old man (att his request) was suffered to goe only, and stood without the dore, but left his man behind him.”—Hargrave MS. 299, fo. 139 b.