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CHAPTER XVIII.

THE PARLIAMENT OF 1601.

THE DISCONTENTED HUMOR OF THE COMMONS AT THEIR ASSEMBLING. — AGGRAVATED BY THEIR EXCLUSION FROM THE UPPER HOUSE AT THE OPENING OF THE PARLIAMENT. A NEW OFFENCE. — THE SPEAKER'S PETITIONS AND THE LORD KEEPER'S ANSWER. IRREVERENCE OF THE COMMONS TOWARDS THE QUEEN. · THE TRUE REASON FOR THEIR EXCLUSION. MONOPOLIES, THE REASON OF THEIR INCREASE.

EXTORTIONS UNDER THEM. — A BILL

COMMITTED.
BILL INTRO-

BOLD PRO

INTRODUCED AGAINST THEM. DEBATE UPON IT. IT IS
A NEW DISCUSSION. THE SUBJECT POSTPONED. —
- A NEW
DUCED. ANOTHER DEBATE. THE SUBJECT RECOMMITTED. -
POSAL IN COMMITTEE. THE HOUSE AGAIN EXCITED. THEIR BOLD AND
NOVEL COURSE. MESSAGE FROM THE QUEEN. CECIL'S EXULTANT COM-
MENTS UPON IT.- REJOICING OF THE HOUSE. THEY TENDER THEIR THANKS
TO THE QUEEN IN A BODY.. HER MAJESTY'S REPLY.- BILLS FOR THE
SUPPRESSING OF IMMORALITIES. BILLS CONCERNING THE SABBATH.
ATTEMPT TO STIFLE FREEDOM OF SPEECH STIFLED.

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THE portal of a new century was opened. The most varied and momentous events produced by any century of which we have history were wrapped within it all along to its farther extremity, unsuspected by the generation who stood upon its threshold, although signs of their coming and character were already floating in the air. Principles adverse to despotic monarchy and priestly domination, crude but vigorous ideas of civil rights, and a peculiar detestation of the Man of Sin, had taken root in the English mind, and were impelling it to resultsthough at terrible cost- which have made the Northern Isle the queen among nations, the admiration of her rivals, and a blessing to the world.

It has been our humble task to trace, we trust not inaccurately, the progress of these various but blended elements from the point of their first emergence to that where they had become a well-defined, augmenting, but as yet a controllable stream; destined, however, first to inundation, then to fertility. We follow it only for another day's journey.

The tenth and last Parliament of Queen Elizabeth was opened in the year 1601, on Tuesday, the twenty-seventh day of October. The Commons came together in a gloomy mood. The people throughout the realm were chafing under oppressions emanating from the royal prerogative, and the representatives sympathized with their constituents. Even before the House could be organized, this temper was fanned. They had taken the customary oath, some before the Lord Steward, -now the Lord Admiral Charles Howard, Earl of Nottingham, others before his deputies. The customary notice being given, that she awaited her Commons, they immediately went to the chamber of the Lords, but found the door closed against them; "and notwithstanding any means that was made by them, it was still kept shut." Indeed, they were told by a gentleman usher, who spake to them through the door, "An ye be not quiet, ye shall all be set in the stocks." "So they returned back again unto their own house much discontented," and "taking it in great disgrace." A few of their number, however, including those who were of her Majesty's Privy Council, had obtained private entrance to the

1

Townshend, 182.

upper House by some special means," and had heard the opening speech of the Lord Keeper Egerton, which soon after was reported to the House by Mr. Secretary Cecil.1

When all who had obtained entrance to the upper House returned, Mr. John Crooke, Recorder of London, was chosen Speaker, and the House dispersed until Friday, the day fixed for his presentation. They then reassembled, and "having stayed there a good while silent," and receiving no message from her Majesty, they went to the door of the upper House, where they were kept waiting half an hour before they were sent for; another incident which added to their discontent.2

In reply to the usual petition for freedom of speech, the Lord Keeper said: "Her Majesty willingly consenteth thereto, with this caution, that the time be not spent in idle and vain matter, painting the same out with froth and volubility of words, whereby the speakers may seem to gain some reputed credit by emboldening themselves to contradiction."

To the petition for personal liberty,- by which was meant that "the members of the Commons, with their servants and necessary attendants, might be exempted from all manner of arrests and suits during the continuance of the Parliament,"3-the Lord Keeper replied: "For liberties unto yourselves and persons, her Majesty hath commanded me to say unto you all, that she ever intendeth to pre

1 Townshend, 182-185. D'Ewes, 623. Hansard, I. 911.

2 Townshend, 175. D'Ewes, 600, 621.

$ D'Ewes, 16.

But

serve the liberties of the House, and granteth freedom even unto the meanest members thereof. her Majesty's pleasure is you should not maintain and keep with you notorious persons either for life or behavior, and desperate debtors who never come abroad, fearing laws, but at these times; pettifoggers and vipers of the commonwealth; and common solicitors that set dissension between man and man; and men of like condition to these."1

Room was now made for her Majesty to pass through the Commons to the great chamber. In doing so, she silently offered her hand to the Speaker, who kissed it. A few voices only said, "God bless your Majesty!" though upon such occasions heretofore not a tongue withheld the salutation. The crowd affording insufficient room, her Majesty waved her hand that they should recede, and one of the gentlemen ushers cried out, "Back, masters! make room!" "We can make no more," replied a sullen voice in the rear, "an you will hang us." Her Majesty raised her head and looked whence the voice proceeded, but affected not to hear and passed on." These were strange tokens of ill-humor; but little knew these Commoners why their aged queen, striving to appear hale, could not address their Speaker or rebuke the rudeness which she had heard. Little did they suspect what an effort it cost her so to pass through their midst that her tottering weakness might not appear.

The true cause of their exclusion at the opening of the Parliament was undoubtedly concealed from 2 Townshend, 178, 179. D'Ewes, 602.

1 Townshend, 177, 178. D'Ewes, 601, 602. Hansard, I. 909.

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the Commons, for her courtiers well knew that she wished to veil her growing infirmities. Age had so enfeebled her, that she was ill able to bear her heavy robes of state. It had so happened, that, just as the Commons were approaching to hear the Lord Keeper's speech, she sank from her throne, and would have fallen had she not been caught in the arms of the nobleman who bore the sword of state. The Lord Keeper, however, had proceeded with all haste, that her Majesty might get into the open air as soon as possible. During this state of things, while all was confusion, and while all were anxious for the queen, the door had been shut; and those within had thought of anything else than of those who stood waiting and grumbling without.1

After they had fairly moved in the prosecution of business, Mr. Lieffe, reminding Sir William Knollys of his promise, called for information of the Lord Keeper's speech. He also complained of the violence perpetrated by an usher of the House of Lords. Mr. Comptroller gave a vague pledge that any particular member should receive satisfaction for the rough words of the usher, and referred to Mr. Secretary Cecil for the other matter. The Secretary then gave a summary of the Lord Keeper's speech; the two chief points being the danger of the realm through the malice of Spain, and the necessity for money to furnish means of protection.2

The reign of Elizabeth - during the long term

1 Campbell, II. 187.

2 Townshend, 182-185. D'Ewes, 623. Hansard, I. 911.

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