August 1643
[10 August, 1643.]
Forasmuch as the true Protestant Religion, the Laws and
Liberties of the Subject, and the Parliament, are in danger to
be subverted, Idolatry and Tyranny like to be introduced, by the
force and power of severall Armies raised by pretence of the
Kings Authority, consisting of Papists, and other dangerous and
ill-affected persons of this Kingdome, and Irish Rebels, and of
divers popish Souldiers, and others of forraigne Kingdoms and
Nations, being not under the Kings obedience, for the ruine and
destruction of this Kingdom, unlesse the same be prevented by a
considerable power of Forces to be suddenly raised by both
Houses of Parliament, being with Gods blessing and assistance
the most probable way to preserve this Kingdome, our Religion
and Liberty.
Committee for Militia of London, Deputy Lieutenants of Counties to levy soldiers, etc. in every county.; Constables and others to assist.; Provisions for persons pressed.; Any that refuse to be pressed may ;be imprisoned or fined.
Be it therefore Ordained by the Lords and Commons assembled
in Parliament, and by Authority of the same, That the Committee of the Militia for the City of London, the Deputy
Lieutenants and Committees of Parliament in every county,
city, or place within this Realme, or any two or more of them
within their severall limits and jurisdictions, shall, and are
hereby authorised from time to time, untill other Order be
taken by both Houses of Parliament, to raise, leavy, and Imprest
such number of Souldiers, Gunners, and Chirurgions, for the
defence of the King, Parliament, and Kingdome, as shall be
appointed by both Houses of Parliament, and by my Lord
Generall; And to command all Constables, and other Officers,
to be aiding and assisting to them in the said service of
Impresting; All which persons so to be Imprested, and every of
them, shall have such Imprest Mony, Coat and Conduct Mony,
Wages and Entertainment, and other necessary charges and
allowances, as shall be fit and convenient, according to the
discretion of the Committees and Deputy Lieutenants, or any
two or more of them respectively: And if any person or persons
shall wilfully refuse to be Imprested for the said service; That
then it shall, and may be lawfull to, and for the said persons so
authorised as aforesaid, to commit them to prison, untill they
shall yeeld obedience, or pay the summe of tenne pounds to the
said Committees or Deputy Lieutenants, to be imployed for the
supply of the said service.
Persons exempted from impressment.
Provided alwayes, that this Ordinance shall not extend to the
Pressing of any Clergy man, Scholler, or Student, in any the
Universities, Innes of Court, or Chancery, or houses of Law, or
any the Trained bands in any county, city or place, or of any
person Rated in the last Subsidies granted by the Parliament,
or the Son of any person Rated at five Pounds Goods, or three
pounds Lands, in the Subsidy Books; or of any person of the
Rank or degree of an Esquire or upwards, or the son of any
such person, or the son of the widow of any such person; or to
the pressing of any person under the age of eighteene, or above
the Age of fifty; or of the members, or Officers of either House
of Parliament, or of the Meniall servants of the Members or
Officers of either of the said Houses, or any the Assistants of
the Lords House, or any of their Meniall servants; or any the
Inhabitants of the Isles of Wight or Anglesey, or Cinque Ports,
or of any Mariner, Seaman, or Fisherman.