July 1643
[10 July, 1643.]
The Lords and Commons, taking into Consideration the
miserable Distractions and Calamities with which this
whole Kingdom and Nation is now infested, the Face and
cruel Effects of an unnatural Civil War being too
visible and apparent in all the Parts thereof, and the Power
of the Sword so prevailing as that the Public Justice of the
Kingdom cannot be expected to be administered in a just and
indifferent Way, but that the Judges and Ministers thereof may
be terrified and awed by the Power of armed Men; and also for
preventing of Inconveniences which may happen, by Assemblies
of Multitudes of People, in these Times of such miserable Distraction, have thought fit to Order, and the said Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled do Ordain and Declare, That the
several Judges and Justices of the Assize and Nisi Prius, and
Justices of Oyer and Terminer and Gaol Delivery, and thier
Associates, and the Clerks of Assize, and every of them, of or
within any the Counties or Cities of England and Dominion
of Wales, do forbear to execute any of the said Commissions, or
to hold or keep any Assizes or Gaol Delivery, at any Time during
this Summer Vacation, or to issue any Warrant for summoning
the Assizes, within any County in which they shall be appointed
Judges or Justices; and, if they have already issued any, that
they forthwith revoke and re-call the same; and herein their
ready and perfect Obedience is expected and required, as they
will answer the Contempt and Neglect hereof before the Lords
and Commons in Parliament.