Chapter Seven

Extract

The Queene, shortly after her retorne into France, marryes her daughter to the Duke of Anjou, brother to the King of France. The match with the King of Portugal's sister is resolved upon; which resolution Charles Steward, at the first meeting of his Convention which he calls a Parliament, acquaints them with, not as desiring their advice therein, or a probation thereof (thinking that below him), but in order to their providing of monyes for her reception, and for setling of his revenue. Those in the Howse of Comons order the sacrament of the Lord's Supper to be taken by all their members kneeling, which Colonell Norton 908 and Mr. Hampden, son to that famous patriot Mr. John Hampden, scrupled to doe. Alderman Love, one of the members in parlament for the citty of London, was voted out of the Howse for having spoken against the Booke of Common Prayer. And Gunning that popish preist (though passing under the name of prelaticall), pressing in a sermon he preached before the Howse to a reconcilliation with the church of Rome, speaking favourably of them, had the thankes of the Howse given him of his sermon, notwithstanding Mr. Morris one of the King's Secretaryes publiquely opposed it, saying he thought he expected none from them as yet before he had wonne the Howse to his oppinion, and therefore moved he might be sent to Rome for this thankes, for for his parte he had none to give him. Yea such hopes had the popish party now conceived of carrying the day, that the Lady Abbess of Fountarabeau, base daughter to Henry the 4th, sent into England to demaund the restitution of the lands there belonging to her nunnery, it being founded by one of our kinges who endowed it with lands in England. And an intimate freind of myne, going to see the English convent of monkes in Paris, found them full of hopes concerning England.