Folger Shakespeare Library
CELM

Parliamentary Archives

  • BRY/3

    A volume of parliamentary records.

    Late 17th century.

    Among the Braye Manuscripts, descending from John Browne (1608-91), Clerk of the Parliaments, whose daughter, Martha, married Sir Roger Cave, Bt, of Stanford Hall, Rugby, seat of successive Lords Braye.

    • ClE 117 ff. 74r-5r

      Copy.

      Articles of Treason exhibited in Parliament against Clarendon, 14 November 1667 published in London, 1667. The Proceedings in the House of Commons touching the Impeachment of Clarendon 1667 published in London, 1700.

      Edward Hyde, First Earl of Clarendon, Impeachment Proceedings against Clarendon in 1667

  • BRY/89

    A folio journal of the House of Commons from 17 March 1627/8 to 26 June 1628, in a single professional secretary hand, including (ff. 420r-9r) a Table of contents, 429 leaves, in contemporary calf gilt with traces of ties.

    c.1630.

    Among the Braye Manuscripts, descending from John Browne (1608-91), Clerk of the Parliaments, whose daughter, Martha, married Sir Roger Cave, Bt, of Stanford Hall, Rugby, seat of successive Lords Braye.

    • HoJ 349 f. 82r

      Copy of a seven-line summary, ascribed to Serieant Hoskins.

      Speech, beginning (in a brief summary) That knowing our own rights we might be better enabled to give....

      John Hoskyns, Speech in the House of Commons, 2 April 1628
    • RuB 75 ff. 87r-9v

      Copy, headed Sr Beniamine Ruddiers speech 28 April 1628.

      Speech beginning We are here upon a great business.... Yale 1628, III, 127-9 and 133-4. Variants: III, 138-9, 141, 143, and 161. Variant version in Manning, pp. 126-8.

      Sir Benjamin Rudyerd, Speech in the House of Commons, 28 April 1628
    • HlJ 25.6 f. 91r-v

      Copy, headed The Bishop of Exceters letter sent to the howse of Commons. 28. Aprill 1628.

      Letter, beginning Gentlemen, For God's sake be wise in your well-meant zeal.... First published in Cabala (London, 1663), p. 113. Wynter, VIII, 272.

      Joseph Hall, Episcopal Admonition, Sent in a Letter to the House of Commons, April 28, 1628
    • RuB 92 f. 329r

      Copy, headed Sr Beniamin Ruddier.

      Speech beginning I would we were as ready to reward as punish....

      Sir Benjamin Rudyerd, Speech in the House of Commons, c.16 May 1628

  • BRY/92

    A quarto volume of parliamentary speeches 1621-25, in one or more professional secretary hands, written from both ends, with (at the front) a table of contents, 146 leaves (plus numerous blanks), in contemporary vellum with ties.

    c.1625-30s.
    • BcF 501 ff. 67v-70r

      Copy of Bacon's submission on 22 April 1621.

      The Humble Submissions and Supplications Bacon sent to the House of Lords, on 19 March 1620/1 (beginning I humbly pray your Lordships all to make a favourable and true construction of my absence...); 22 April 1621 (beginning It may please your Lordships, I shall humbly crave at your Lordships' hands a benign interpretation...); and 30 April 1621 (beginning Upon advised consideration of the charge, descending into mine own conscience...), written at the time of his indictment for corruption. Spedding, XIV, 215-16, 242-5, 252-62.

      Francis Bacon, Bacon's Humble Submissions and Supplications

  • BRY/100

    Copy/Extracts, in the hand of John Browne, Clerk of the Parliament, 230 octavo pages (plus 150 blanks), in contemporary sheepskin.

    • CtR 311
      No description or publication history available.

      Tract beginning The Kings of England have supported and repaired their Estates.... First published, as An Abstract out of the Records of the Tower, touching the Kings Revenue: and how they have supported themselves, London, [1642]. Cottoni posthuma (1651), pp. [161]-200 [i.e. 202].

      Sir Robert Cotton, The Manner and Meanes how the Kings of England have from time to time Supported and Repaired their Estates. Written...1609.

  • GRO/1

    A folio volume of parliamentary proceedings and state tracts, in several professional secretary hands, with (f. iiir) a table of contents, iv + 200 leaves, in contemporary calf with remains of metal clasps.

    c.1635.

    Once owned by Sir Richard Grosvenor (1585-1645); later by the Duke of Westminster, Eaton Hall, Cheshire, with his bookplate (inscribed XXI no. 21) and a label with No. 24 on the spine. Assembled largely from Liber 8 (= MS 24). Sotheby's, 20 February 1967, lot 263. Formerly House of Lords Record Office, Historical Collection No. 53.

    Recorded in HMC. 3rd Report (187-), Appendix, p. 214b.

    • CtR 127 ff. 23r-8r

      Copy, as written by Sr Robert Cotton to Sr Edward Mountague Ao: 1621, subscribed R: C: B:.

      Tract, the full title sometimes given as A Brief discourse prouinge that the house of Comons hath Equall power with the Peeres in point of Judicature written by Sr Rob: Cotton to Sr Edward Mountague Ano Dni. 1621, beginning Sir, To give you as short an accompt of your desire as I can.... First published in London, 1640. Cottoni posthuma (1651), pp. [341]-351.

      Sir Robert Cotton, A Briefe Discovrse concerning the Power of the Peeres and Commons of Parliament in point of Judicature
    • BcF 502 ff. 30r-1r

      Copy of Bacon's Submission and Confession on April 1621.

      The Humble Submissions and Supplications Bacon sent to the House of Lords, on 19 March 1620/1 (beginning I humbly pray your Lordships all to make a favourable and true construction of my absence...); 22 April 1621 (beginning It may please your Lordships, I shall humbly crave at your Lordships' hands a benign interpretation...); and 30 April 1621 (beginning Upon advised consideration of the charge, descending into mine own conscience...), written at the time of his indictment for corruption. Spedding, XIV, 215-16, 242-5, 252-62.

      Francis Bacon, Bacon's Humble Submissions and Supplications
    • RaW 710.258 ff. 33r-4v

      Copy, headed Sr Walter Rawleigh his Apologie.

      Ralegh's letter of 1618 to his cousin George, Lord Carew of Clopton (beginning Because I know not whether I shall live...). First published in Judicious and Select Essays (London, 1650). Edwards, II, 375 et seq. Youings, No. 222, pp. 364-8.

      Sir Walter Ralegh, Short Apology for his last Actions at Guiana
    • ElQ 242 ff. 140v-1v

      Copy of Version I, headed The Queenes speech, here beginning This kingdome hath had many wise noble and victorious princes..., after the date 7 Aprill [1593] Saturday.

      First published (Version II) in John Stow, Annales; or a General Chronicle of England (London, 1601), pp. 1272-3.

      Version I. Beginning This kingdom hath had many noble and victorious princes.... Hartley, III, 173-5. Collected Works, Speech 21, pp. 328-30 (Version 1)

      Version II. Beginning My Lords and you, my Commons of the Lower House, were it not that I know no speeches presented by any other.... Hartley, III, 28-9. Collected Works, Speech 21, pp. 330-2.

      Queen Elizabeth I, Queen Elizabeth's Speech at the Closing of Parliament, April 10, 1593

  • HC/CL/JO/12/1

    A large folio volume of parliamentary records 1547-1642, comprising a precedent book under subject headings, in a single rounded hand, with annotations in two other hands, 527 pages (plus a few blanks).

    Compiled and annotated by Arthur Onslow (1691-1768), Speaker of the House of Commons.

    Mid-18th century.
    • CtR 334 After p. 526, pp. [vii-viii]

      Copy, transcribed from Cotton Library, Julius C.IX.22. Fol. 129 The whole in Sir Rob. Cottons own hand, subscribed Ro: Cotton, on three pages of two tipped-in conjugate folio leaves, endorsed Sr Robert Cotton upon the Precedence of the Speaker.

      An opinion beginning The Speaker in Parliament called to be Sergant hath precedenc to all other of that brotherhood....

      Sir Robert Cotton, On the Precedence of the Speaker

  • HC/LB/1/5

    Copy, in a professional secretary hand, the normal heading preceded by a title-page Parliaments Antiquity and Dignity written by Sr. Robert Cotton, and subscribed Robert Cotton, 19 + i leaves, disbound.

    c.1620s.

    Presented by J. Stanley Holmes, July 1948. Formerly House of Commons Library MS 5.

    • CtR 483
      No description or publication history available.

      Tract beginning To search so high as the Norman Conquest.... First published, as The Forme of Governement of the Kingdome of England collected out of the Fundamental Lawes and Statutes of this Kingdome, London, 1642. Cottoni posthuma (1651), pp. [11]-39.

      Sir Robert Cotton, That the Kings of England have been pleased usually to consult with their Peeres in the great Councell, and Commons in Parliament, of Marriage, Peace, and Warre. Written...Anno 1611

  • HC/LB/1/16

    Copy, in a professional hand, headed Sr Beniamin Rudgiars als Ruddiers speech in Parliament in Nouembr. Ano Dni. 1640, on all four pages of a pair of conjugate folio leaves.

    c.1640s.

    With a tipped-in letter by Ralph Verney (1879-1959), Secretary to the Speaker of the House of Commons, to the librarian of the House of Commons, 2 November 1945, stating that the MS had been donated by Dumpleton [?Cyril Walter Dumpleton (1897-1966), MP for St Albans] to the Speaker Douglas Clifton Brown in 1945.

    • RuB 169
      No description or publication history available.

      Speech (variously dated 4, 7, 9 and 10 November 1640) beginning We are here assembled to do God's business and the King's.... First published in The Speeches of Sr. Benjamin Rudyer in the high Court of Parliament (London, 1641), pp. 1-10. Manning, pp. 159-65.

      Sir Benjamin Rudyerd, Speech in the House of Commons, ?7 November 1640

  • HL/PO/JO/2/12

    Journal of the House of Lords, Vol. 12.

    • ClE 118 p. 144 et seq.

      Copy.

      Articles of Treason exhibited in Parliament against Clarendon, 14 November 1667 published in London, 1667. The Proceedings in the House of Commons touching the Impeachment of Clarendon 1667 published in London, 1700.

      Edward Hyde, First Earl of Clarendon, Impeachment Proceedings against Clarendon in 1667

  • HL/PO/JO/10/1/17

    A large guardbook of parliamentary papers, in various hands and paper sizes, 161 leaves.

    • BcF 503 ff. 98r-9r

      Copy of Bacon's submission on 22 April 1621, in a professional secretary hand, on two conjugate folio leaves, once folded as a letter or packet.

      The Humble Submissions and Supplications Bacon sent to the House of Lords, on 19 March 1620/1 (beginning I humbly pray your Lordships all to make a favourable and true construction of my absence...); 22 April 1621 (beginning It may please your Lordships, I shall humbly crave at your Lordships' hands a benign interpretation...); and 30 April 1621 (beginning Upon advised consideration of the charge, descending into mine own conscience...), written at the time of his indictment for corruption. Spedding, XIV, 215-16, 242-5, 252-62.

      Francis Bacon, Bacon's Humble Submissions and Supplications

  • HL/PO/JO/10/1/125A

    Autograph petition signed by Lovelace, to the House of Commons, for his release from the Gatehouse prison, on one side of an oblong quarto leaf, 17 June 1642.

    1642.

    Formerly House of Lords Record Office, Main Papers, H.L, 17 June 1642.

    Recorded in HMC, 5th Report, p. 29. Facsimiles in Wilkinson (1925), I, facing p. xxxv, and in IELM, II.ii, Facsimile I, after p. xxi.

    • *LoR 52
      Autograph
      No description or publication history available.
      Richard Lovelace, Document(s)

  • HL/PO/JO/10/1/289 (D-K, item 49)

    A petition by Herrick, to the House of Lords, requesting that the revenues of his vicarage, which had been sequestered during the Commonwealth period, might be newly sequestered into the hands of the churchwardens or overseers of the poor until he could prove his title to it by law, in a professional hand and signed by Herrick (Robert Herrick), 23 June 1660.

    In a guardbook of petitions to Parliament.

    1660.

    Formerly House of Lords Record Office, Main Papers, H.L., 23 June 1660.

    Edited in Delattre, pp. 515-16 and in Martin, pp. xvi-xvii.

    • *HeR 446
      Autograph
      No description or publication history available.
      Robert Herrick, Document(s)

  • HL/PO/JO/1/174

    A large guardbook of papers relating to the House of Lords from 23 September to11 October 1644, in various hands and paper sizes, 141 leaves foliated ff. 94-160, 1-74.

    1644.
    • WaE 842 f. 112r

      Waller's petition to the house of Lords, when a prisoner in the Tower, pleading for mercy, pledging a £10,000 fine from his estate and seeking banishment, in a rounded hand, with his autograph signature Edm Waller, on the first page of a pair of conjugate folio leaves, endorsed Mr Wallers Peticon. read. sept. 24o 1644.

      Edmund Waller, Document(s)

  • HL/PO/JO/10/1/256

    A large guardbook of parliamentary papers from 11 to 27 March 1647/8, in various hands and paper sizes, foliated ff. 14 to 120.

    • *WiG 68 f. 47r
      Autograph

      A petition by Wither, to the House of Lords, for payment of money owed him, in a small professional secretary hand, written across the width of one side of a single broadsheet, with Wither's autograph signature Geo: Wither. [15 March 1647/8].

      Formerly House of Lords Record Office, Main Papers, H.L., 15 March 1647/8. Recorded in HMC, 7th Report (1879), Appendix, p. 15.

      George Wither, Petitions

  • HL/PO/JO/10/1/280

    A large guardbook of parliamentary papers from 9 January 1648/9 to 25 February 1649/50, in various hands and paper sizes, 144 leaves foliated ff. 1-126, 1-8.

    Recorded in HMC, 7th Report, pp. 70-1.

    • *WiG 69 f. 93r
      Autograph

      Petition by George Wither to Parliament, for money owed him, probably in his neat secretary hand and signed by him Geo. Wither, on the first page of a pair of conjugate folio leaves, 19 September 1649.

      George Wither, Petitions

  • HL/PO/JO/10/1/289 (D-K)

    A guardbook of petitions to Parliament, 108 items.

  • HL/PO/JO/10/1/329/108

    A volume relating to impeachments in Parliament, 1667.

    • ClE 119 f. 35r-40r

      Related papers.

      Articles of Treason exhibited in Parliament against Clarendon, 14 November 1667 published in London, 1667. The Proceedings in the House of Commons touching the Impeachment of Clarendon 1667 published in London, 1700.

      Edward Hyde, First Earl of Clarendon, Impeachment Proceedings against Clarendon in 1667

  • HL/PO/RO/1/14

    An octavo parliamentary notebook, neatly arranged under commonplace-book headings, c.40 pages, in calf gilt.

    c.1620s-40s.

    From the library of Bertram Ashburnham (1797-1878), fourth Earl of Ashburnham, book collector. Sotheby's, 11 December 1997, lot 81.

    • CtR 422 [unspecified page numbers]

      Extracts.

      Treatise, written c.1614 and Presented to King James, beginning Wearied with the lingering calamities of Civil Arms.... First published in London, 1627. Cottoni posthuma (1651), at the end (i + pp. 1-27).

      Sir Robert Cotton, A Short View of the Long Life and Reign of Henry the Third, King of England
    • RuB 207 [unspecified page numbers]

      Extracts from one or more speeches.

      Sir Benjamin Rudyerd, Speech(es)

  • HL/PO/RO/1/37

    A folio volume of speeches and proceedings in Parliament 1628, in a single professional secretary hand, viii + 459 pages, in contemporary calf.

    c.1628-30s.

    Bookplate of E.S. and H. Lloyd. Purchased from Peter Eaton (Booksellers) Ltd, 24 October 1967. Formerly House of Lords Record Office, Historical Collection 50.

    • RuB 24 pp. 63-6

      Copy, headed Sr Beniamin Ruddiard 22: Martij: 1627[/8].

      Speech. Yale 1628, II, 58-60, two parallel versions: (1) beginning This is the crisis of parliaments...; (2) beginning It is the goodness of God and the favour of the King...; II, 68, third version, beginning If we be thankful, all is well. By this we shall know whether parliaments will live or die...; II, 73, fourth, brief reported version, beginning We are not now upon the bene esse of our kingdom but the esse....

      Sir Benjamin Rudyerd, Speech in the House of Commons, c.20-22 March 1627/8
    • RuB 50 pp. 135-6

      Copy, headed 9: Aprill: 1628: Sr Beniamin Ruddiards speech.

      Speech beginning The best thanks we can return his Matie for his gracious and religious answer....

      Sir Benjamin Rudyerd, Speech in the House of Commons, c.2-9 April 1628
    • RuB 76 pp. 191-4

      Copy, headed Sr Beniamin Ruddiard: 28th of Aprill: 1628: in the House of Comons.

      Speech beginning We are here upon a great business.... Yale 1628, III, 127-9 and 133-4. Variants: III, 138-9, 141, 143, and 161. Variant version in Manning, pp. 126-8.

      Sir Benjamin Rudyerd, Speech in the House of Commons, 28 April 1628
    • RuB 103 pp. 212-15

      Copy, headed May 22th: 1628 Sr Beniamin Ruddiards speech.

      Speech beginning I did not think to have spoken.... First published, as Sir Benjamin Rudierd His speech in Behalfe of the Clergie and of Parishes destitute of Instruction through want of Maintenance, Oxford, 1628. Manning, pp. 135-8. Yale 1628, III, 17-19, where it is dated probably 21 April 1628.

      Sir Benjamin Rudyerd, Speech in the House of Commons, ?22 May 1628
    • HlJ 26 p. 251

      Copy, headed The Bishop of Exceters Letter to the Lower house of Parliament.

      Letter, beginning Gentlemen, For God's sake be wise in your well-meant zeal.... First published in Cabala (London, 1663), p. 113. Wynter, VIII, 272.

      Joseph Hall, Episcopal Admonition, Sent in a Letter to the House of Commons, April 28, 1628

  • TOW

    A folio volume of proceedings of the House of Commons from 27 October to 19 December 1600, in several professional secretary hands, 414 leaves, in half-calf marbled boards.

    As collected by Hayward Townshend (c.1577-1603/21), parliamentary diarist.

    c.1620s.
    • ElQ 297 pp. 232-9

      Copy of Version I, with introduction After three lowe reverences made, hee [the Speaker] wth the rest kneeled Downe, and her Maitie begune thus to answere her self.

      First published (Version III), as Her maiesties most princelie answere, deliuered by her selfe at White-hall, on the last day of November 1601 (London, 1601: STC 7578).

      Version I. Beginning Mr. Speaker, we have heard your declaration and perceive your care of our estate.... Hartley, III, 412-14. Hartley, III, 495-6. Collected Works, Speech 23, pp. 337-40 (Version 1). Selected Works, Speech 11, pp. 84-92.

      Version II. Beginning Mr. Speaker, we perceive your coming is to present thanks unto me.... Hartley, III, 294-7 (third version). Collected Works, Speech 23, pp. 340-2 (Version 2).

      Version III. Beginning Mr. Speaker, we perceive by you, whom we did constitute the mouth of our Lower House, how with even consent.... Hartley, III, 292-3 (second version). Collected Works, Speech 23, pp. 342-4 (Version 3). STC 7578.

      Version IV. Beginning Mr Speaker, I well understand by that you have delivered, that you with these gentlemen of the Lower House come to give us thankes for benefitts receyved.... Hartley, III, 289-91 (first version).

      Queen Elizabeth I, Elizabeth's Golden Speech, November 30, 1601

  • WDR/1

    An octavo notebook of proceedings in the House of Commons between c.1607 and 1640, in a single cursive hand, written from both ends, 185 leaves (including numerous blanks), in one remaining contemporary vellum cover.

    Compiled by Sir William Drake, MP (1606-69), of Shardeloes House, near Amersham, Buckinghamshire. Including (f. 184v rev.) Notes taken from a Journall (lent me by Mr [Robert] Cotton of the Lower House of Parlament in the yeare yeare [sic] 1620 and (f. 162v rev.) notes from a journal of 1626 lent by Mr Cotton copied out of Elsynges one book.

    c.1620-40.

    From the collection of Percy Millican. Purchased 1970.

    • RuB 208 ff. 6r, 167v-164v rev., 169v rev.

      Copies of, or extracts from, three speeches: (i) headed Ben: Ruddiard, eleven lines beginning The dangers which threaten from abroade are obvious to euery mans understanding...; (ii) a long speech headed Sir Beniamin Rudiard first spake in the great Business concerning the Treaty beginning It is an old saying in State that a King of many daughters...; (iii) eighteen lines headed Sir Benjamin Ruddiard spake to the Bill of Plurality and Non Residency beginning My Motion is that some course may be taken for the brideling of Covetous Presumptious patrons....

      Sir Benjamin Rudyerd, Speech(es)

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