Verney papers: notes of proceedings in the Long Parliament temp. Charles I. printed from original pencil memoranda taken in the House of Sir Ralph Verney, knight, member for the borough of Aylesbury, and now in the possession of Sir Harry Verney, Bart / Edited by John Bruce.

  • Sir Ralph Verney, 1st Baronet, of Middle Claydon
Date:
1845
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Verney papers: notes of proceedings in the Long Parliament temp. Charles I. printed from original pencil memoranda taken in the House of Sir Ralph Verney, knight, member for the borough of Aylesbury, and now in the possession of Sir Harry Verney, Bart / Edited by John Bruce. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    [21st sheet.] THURSDAY, 29TH APRILL 1641. [ARGUMENT ON BEHALF OF THE COMMONS BEFORE THE LORDS, TOUCHING THE MATTER OF LAW IN THE BUSINESS OF LORD STRAFFORD.] Wee met the lords in a comittee of both houses, and they cam without there robes, and Mr. St. John the kings solicitor argued the poynt of law, in his place, about the midle of the house, and not at the barr, and hee was assisted by Mr. Manord and Mr. Glin. And my lord Straford was present, but hee was placed behind the barr, and not where hee was wount to sit, but Mr. Maxwell and the leiftenant of the Tower did stand before him, soe that hee wTas not seene.a Mr. Solicitor. The commons had passed a bill to destroy my lord Straford, “ roote and branch.’5 Two things to satisfie in judgment. 1st. The law already setled is a good ground for a judgment. 2d. The legislative power of the parliament. The first is apparrent and without. The second is internall and within. Lord Straford is not condemned by a new law now a-makinge, but by old. Parliments alwaies consulted withall in all generall doubtfull causes. If private conscience is satisfied, there would need neither articles or evidence now they goe by bill. 6 Heades 1. A treason in 15th article within the stat. of 25 Edw. 3. 2. A treason in the 23rd article within the same statute. 3. A complication of ill acts within the same statute. 4. A treason within the stat. 18 Hen. 6. * Nalson tells us that “ the king, prince and queen ” were present on this great occa¬ sion. (Nalson, ii. 162).
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