March, 1646
[19 March, 1645/6.]
Whereas divers Persons have assumed to themselves the Use
and Bearing of the Arms of several of the Nobility and Gentry
of this Kingdom, whereby many Errors are crept in, and divers
Abuses committed, since the Sitting of this Parliament, which
may produce great Inconveniences and Debate hereafter, if
seasonable Remedy be not provided; It is therefore Ordained, by
the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, That
Algernoone Earl of Northumberland, Phillip Earl of Pembrooke,
and Mountgomery, Robert Earl of Essex, Charles Earl of
Nottingham, William Earl of Salisbury, Robert Earl of Warwick
Bazill Earl of Denbigh, Oliver Earl of Bollingbrooke, Edward
Earl of Manchester, William Viscount Say & Seale, Francis
Lord Dacres, Dudley Lord North, John Lord Robertes, Edward
Lord Howard of Escrike, Edward Lord Mountague, Phillip Lord
Herbert, Charles Lord Cranborne, Phillip Lord Lisle, Denzill
Hollis Esquire, William Pierpoint Esquire, Nathaniell Fynes
Esquire, Sir Gilbert Gerrard Knight and Baronet, Sir William
Lewis Baronet, Sir John Bampfield Baronet, Sir Symones
D'Ewes Knight and Baronet, Sir John Curson Baronet, Sir
Benjamin Rudyard, Sir Phillip Stapilton, Bulstrod Whitlock
Esquire, Henry Cholmleigh, Sir Henry Vane Junior, and Sir
John Evelin Junior, Knights, Oliver St. John His Majesty's
Solicitor General Edmond Prideaux, Samuell Browne, John
Glynn Recorder of the City of London, John Selden, John Crewe,
John Lisle, John Maynard, Dennis Bond, William Ellis, Roger
Hill, John Broxholme, and Edward Byshe, Esquires, Members of
either House, or any Five of them, whereof one Lord and two
Commoners, shall hereby have Power to settle and regulate the
Office and Officers of Arms, and all Abuses therein or otherwise
committed; and to hear and determine all Manner of Offences
and Abuses since the beginning of this Parliament committed,
or that shall be committed, in or by the bearing, assuming,
giving, granting, or allowing, of any Coat or Scutcheon of
Arms, or of any Crest thereto belonging; and in those
Particulars only to supply the Offices of the Constable and
Marshal of England, in such Sort and Manner as to the Office
of Constable and Marshal of England doth belong, or of Right
have heretofore belonged.