November, 1645
[1 November, 1645.]
Whereas Richard Aldworth One of the Aldermen of the City
of Bristoll, Richard Vickris and Luke Hodges, who have heretofore
been Sheriffs, and were of the Common Council of the said City,
for their Fidelity to the Parliament, and adhering to it in the
Defence of their just Cause, have been pronounced to be removed
and displaced from being of the Company of the Aldermen and
Common Council of the said City; the same being done without
any just or lawful Cause, and contrary to the Rules of Justice and
Laws of the Land; the Lords and Commons assembled in
Parliament, having received full and ample Testimony of the
Integrity and Ability of the said Richard Aldworth, Richard
Vickris, and Luke Hodges, as likewise of their great Sufferings
for their being faithful in this Cause, do Declare and Ordain, That
such Amoving and Displacing of them, and every of them, was
unjust, unwarrantable, and unlawful and is in itself void, and of
none effect, and do further Declare, That the said Richard
Aldworth doth continue, and is, One of the Aldermen of the said
City; and that the said Richard Vickris and Luke Hodges do
continue, and are, of the Common Council of the said City;
notwithstanding any such pretended Removings, Expulsion, or
Displacing, had or made, at any Time whilst the said City hath
been in the Hands and Power of the Enemy; and do Ordain,
That they be accepted, admitted, and taken, to be of the Magistracy
Government, and Common Council of the said City, to all Intents,
and Purposes, as they were at the Time of the Beginning of
this unnatural War, or at any Time since: And the said Lords and
Commons do likewise Ordain and Declare, That Francis
Creswicke, the now Mayor of the said City of Bristoll, be forthwith,
and is hereby, removed and displaced from being Mayor of the
said City; and they do nominate and appoint John Gonning to
be the present Mayor of the said City, to all Intents and
Purposes, in the Room and Place of the said Francis Creswick;
and do require and enjoin the Sheriffs of the said City forthwith
to summon the rest of the Aldermen and Common Council of
the said City, or such Officers which by and according to the
Charters of the same City ought to be present, to meet at their
usual Place; who are hereby likewise required and enjoined to
meet and attend accordingly, and then and there to give unto
the said John Gonning, according to the ancient Custom, the
Oath usually taken by him which is chosen Mayor of the said
City: And it is lastly Ordained, that John Harrington Esquire be
added unto, and is hereby made One of the Committees or
Parliament of the said City.