To the King's most Excellent majesty: The humble Petition of the Lords and Commons in Parliament: Sent by Sir Philip Stapleton, to his Excellency the Earl of ESSEX: And by him to be presented to his sacred MAJESTY.  
ORdered by the Lords and Commons in Parliament that this Petition be forthwith printed and published: Hen. Elsygne, Cler. Parl. D. Com.  
Printed for F. Coules. September 27. 1642.   

The humble Petition of the Lords and Commons in Parliament, to his sacred Majesty: Sent by Sir Philip Stapleton to his Excellency the Earl of Essex, and by him to be presented to his Majesty.  
We your majesty's loyal Subjects, the Lords and Commons in Parliament, cannot without great grief & tenderness of compassion behold the pressing miseries, the eminent dangers, and the devouring Calamities which do extremely threaten, and have partly seized upon both your kingdoms of England and Ireland, by the practices of a party prevailing with your Majesty, who by many wicked plots and Conspiracies have attempted the alteration of the true Religion, and the ancient Government of this kingdom, and the introducing of popish idolatry and Superstition in the Church, and Tyranny and confusion in the State, and for the compassing thereof, have long corrupted your majesty's counsels, abused your power, and by sudden and untimely dissolving of former Parliaments, have often hindered the reformation and prevention of those mischiefs. And being now disabled to avoid the endeavours of this Parliament by any such means, have traitorously attempted to over-awe the same by force; And in prosecution of their wicked designs, have excited, encouraged, and fostered an unnatural Rebellion in Ireland, by which, in a most cruel and outrageous manner many thousands of your majesty's subjects there have been destroyed. And by false slanders upon your Parliament, and malicious and unjust accusations have endeavoured to begin the like Massacre here. And being through God's blessing therein disappointed, have (as the most mischievous and bloody design of all) drawn your Majesty to make war against your Parliament, and good Subjects of this kingdom, leading in your Person an Army against them, as if You intended by Conquest to establish an absolute and illimitted power over them, and by your power and the countenance of your presence have ransacked, spoiled, imprisoned and murdered divers of your people, and for their better assistance in their wicked designs, do seek to bring over the Rebels of Ireland, and other Forces beyond the Seas to join with them; And we finding ourselves utterly deprived of your Majesty protection, and the Authors, councillors, and abettors of these mischiefs in greatest power and favour with your Majesty, and defended by you against the justice and Authority of your high Court of parliament, whereby they are grown to that height and insolence as to manifest their rage and malice against those of the Nobility and others who are any whit inclinable unto Peace, not without great appearance of danger to your own royal Person; If you shall not in all things concur with their wicked and traitorous courses, have for the just and necessary defence of the Protestant religion of your majesty's person, Crown, and Dignity, of the Laws, and Liberties of the kingdom, and the privileges and power of Parliament, taken up arms and appointed and authorized Robert Earl of Essex to be Captain general of all the Forces by us raised, and to lead and conduct the same against these rebels and traitors, and them to subdue, and bring to condign punishment. And do most humbly beseech your Majesty to withdraw your royal presence and countenance from these wicked persons, & if they shall stand out in defence of their rebellions and unlawful attempts, That your Majesty will leave them to be suppressed by that power which we have sent against them, and that your Majesty will not mix your own dangers With theirs; but in peace, and safety without your Forces forthwith return to your Parliament, and by their faithful council and advice Compose the present distempers & confusions abounding in both your kingdoms and provide for the security and honour of yourself and your royal posterity, and the prosperous estate of all your Subjects, wherein if your Majesty please to yield to our most humble and earnest desires, we do in the presence of Almighty God profess that we will receive your Majesty with all honour, yield you all due obedience and subjection, and faithfully endeavour to secure your Person and Estate from all dangers, and to the utermost of our power to procure and establish to yourself, and to your people, all the blessings of a glorious and happy reign.  
FINIS.   


C R  
Dieu ET MON DROIT.   royal blazon or coat of arms