December 1644
[17 December, 1644.]
Whereas the Dutchy Seale belonging to the County Palatine
of Lancaster, hath been forceably taken from Christopher Banister Esquire, Vice-Chancellor of the said County, by the forces
raised against the Parliament: In the want whereof, neither
Sheriff nor Justice of Peace, could be made for that County, nor
common Justice administred unto the Inhabitants thereof, unto
their unsufferable prejudice and detriment.
New Seal for Duchy of Lancaster authorized.; Seal to be sent to Christopher Banister, Vice-Chancellor of County.; All Acts done by former Seal since its removal from said C. Banister to be void.
Be it therefore Declared and Ordained by the Lords and
Commons assembled in Parliament, That a Dutchy Seal already
by them provided and made, shall be forthwith put in use, and
shall be, and is hereby authorized and established to be of like
force, power and validity, to all intents and purposes, as any
Dutchy Seal of the County Palatine of Lancaster heretofore hath
been or ought to be: And the said Seal shall be forthwith sent
by a Messenger, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of
Commons, to the said Christopher Banister, who is hereby
authorized and ordered, during the pleasure of both Houses of
Parliament, to put the same Seale in use, and to doe and performe all Acts and things, as fully and amply as hee or any other
Vice-Chancellor hath formerly done or performed; and to doe
and performe such other Acts and things therewith, as he shall
receive directions for, from both Houses of Parliament. And it
is further Ordered and Ordained, That all Acts whatsoever, that
have been done by the said former Dutchy Seale for the County
Palatine of Lancaster, since the same was taken away from the
said Christopher Banister, as aforesaid, or any Act or thing
that hereafter shall be done, by that or any other Dutchy Seal,
for the County Palatine of Lancaster (other then what is hereby
appointed and established) shall be utterly void, frustrate, and of
no effect; And what the said Christopher Banister shall do in
pursuance of this Ordinance, be shall be protected by authority
of both Houses of Parliament.