Die Martis, 3 Novembris, 1640.
Parliament meets.
ABOUT Nine of Clock this Forenoon, the
Earl Marshal of England, Lord High Steward
of his Majesty's most Honourable Household,
came into the outward Room of the Commons House, accompanied with Mr. Treasurer of the
King's Houshold, Sir Thomas Roe, Knight, One of his
Majesty's most Honourable Privy Council, and others:
Where, when the Cryer of the Chancery had first made
Proclamation, and the Clerk of the Crown in Chancery
had called over the Names of all such Knights, Citizens,
Burgesses, and Barons of the Cinque Ports, as were then
returned, his Lordship first swore about threescore, and
then made his Deputation under his Hand and Seal; which
was openly read by the Clerk of the Parliament attending
upon the Commons; and by the which he did constitute
those of the Privy Council, and other Members of this
House, authorizing them, or any Six, Five, Four, or
more of them, in his Place and Stead, to minister the
Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance to all such Members
of this House, as had not yet received them, during this
present Parliament: Who then departed to wait upon the
King; who, about One of Clock, came in his Barge from
Whitehall to Westminster Bridge, where the Lords met
him; And from thence, in great Solemnity, he came,
accompanied with many of his Nobles, through Westminster Hall, and the Court of Requests, to the Abbey,
where he heard a Sermon preached by the Bishop of
Bristol; and then came to the Lords House: Where his
Majesty briefly, and the Lord Keeper more at large,
delivered the Causes of summoning this Parliament;
such Members of the House of Commons as pleased,
being there present.
Mr. Lentall chosen Speaker.
The House of Commons being returned from the Lords
and set; after a little Pause, Mr. Treasurer broke the
Silence, putting them in mind of the Custom of choosing
a Speaker, nominating Mr. Lentall; and with one
[Consent], was cried to the Chair. He rose and desired
to be excused, for the Weightiness of the Affairs, for his
own sake, knowing his own Weaknesses, or at least, for
their own sakes. His Excuse did more raise the Cry
of all Men to have him to the Chair; and was at length
led to the Chair by Mr. Treasurer and Mr. Secretary
Windebanke:
Before he took the Chair, he once again desired the
House to excuse him.
The House adjourns itself till Thursday at Two
of Clock post Meridiem, then to meet to present
Mr. Speaker.