The Humble PETITION O● T●E KNIGHTS, ESQUIRES, MINISTERS, GENTLEMEN, AND Free-holders, in the county Palatine of LANCASTER.  
Presented, May 2. 1642.  
With His majesties ●●TTER TO THE mayor of Kingston upon Hull, 25. of April, ●64●.  
 royal blazon or coat of arms 
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LONDON. Printed for Andrew Coe. 1642.   

His Majesties Letter to the mayor of Kingston upon hull, April 25. 1642.  
To Our trusty and well-beloved, the Ma●or, Aldermen, and Burgesses of Our Town and Port of Kingston upon Hull.  
TRusty and well-beloved, Wee greet you well.  
whereas we have been long sensible of the just complaints and great Burdens of Our Subjects in these Northern parts, by occasion of the Garrison in Our Town of Hull; And whereas we were upon Friday the 22. of this Month petitioned by divers of the Gentry, and others, Inhabitants of this County, That the Munition at Hull might remain in the Magazine there, for the security of Our person, and of all these Northern parts, their Fear, being much grounded upon the Parliaments Relations of foreign Invasions: Vpon which, the more to express our care of Our peoples safety, We did ourself go in person to that Our Town, that upon our own view, we might consult what proportion of it might bee fitly removed vpon any pressing occasion, having a respect to the promised supply for Scotland, the necessary use of Arms for Ireland, as well as for the safeguard and satisfaction of these Northern parts: But much contrary to Our expectation, and the Duty and allegiance of Our Subjects, We found the Gates of that Our Town shut, & the Bridges drawn up against us; and though we came in a peaceable way, reposing the greatest confidence in the Love and Loyalty of Our People, by offering( as we did) to put Our own Person, and Our two Sons, but with twenty Horse, into that Town, there being in it a Garrison of about eight hundred Souldiers; Yet We were not denied entrance, but in a warlike manner opposed by Sir John Hotham, the armed men being placed in all the Ports, and about all the walls of the town, alleging( though falsely) for his excuse, the Command of the Parliament, and being pressed by us to show such an Order in writing, he could not do it; for We were ever very confident that there was never any public Order of theirs, that could so much as imply a denial to Our admission; We knowing well enough, that he was entrusted by them for a Guard and Security of that place against foreign Enemies; or those at home who are dis-affected in Religion, and not against His natural sovereign, which hostile Opposition and actual Levying of War against Our Person being by the Statute of 25. Edw. 3. enacted High Treason: Which Statute considered, and that for the avoiding of all jealousies, as We have said; We were content to have been admitted with so very small a number Our in Company, We were thereupon constrained to proclaim the said Sir John Hotham, and all those that shall adhere to assist him Traytors ▪ Of all which aforeesaid passages, We have acquainted Our Parliament demanding Iustice to be done upon him, that they might thereby have opportunity to vindicate the imputation laid on them by Sir John Hotham and We the easier way to chastise according to the Law● so high a Treason. And lest a mis-understanding of Our intentions, or of the Law may misguide any of Our loyal and well-affected subjects, the Inhabitants, Captains, Officers, or Souldiers in that Town, We have thought fit to commend to your consideration the afore name Statute, with that of the 11. of Hen. 7. Cap. 1.  
Wherein it is declared, by the unanimous Assent of Parliament, That the Subjects of this realm are bound, by the duty of Allegiance, to serve the King, for the time being, for the defence of his person and the Land, against every Rebellion, Might, or Power raised against him, and with his Majesty to enter or abide in Service in Battle, if cause so require. And it was therfore then enacted, That from henceforth no person whatsoever that shall attend upon the King, or be in place, by his command, within or without the Land, That for the same dead and true service of allegiance, he, and they be no ways attaint or convict of high Treason, or of other offences for that Cause, by any process of Law, whereby he, or any of them shall lose or forfeit Lives, Lands, Tenements, Goods, or anything; but be, for that dead and Service utterly discharged of any vexation, trouble, or loss; And if any Act or Acts, or other process of Law thereupon for the same happen to be made contrary to this Ordinance, that then that Act or Acts, or other process of the Law whatsoever they shall be, stand and be utterly voided.  
All which, together with the Copies of our Message and Petition( which We sand here enclosed) We require you to publish to the Inhabitants, and all such Commanders and Souldiers as will hear them: That knowing both the peril of the Law on the one side, and the security of such as shall adhere to us on the other, they bee not misled( through ignorance) to decline their Allegiance; and that the Souldiers may lay down their Arms, and admit Our entrance in a peaceable way. In so doing, you shall both discharge your duties, and those that shall have need, be assured to find( upon such their submission) Our ready Mercy and Pardon. And wee do likewise require and charge all you, the Inhabitants( as well Souldiers as others) upon your Allegiance, That you permit not any part of our Magazine or Munition so be removed or transported out of that town, under any pretence of Order or power whatsoever, without our royal Assent in writing under Our hand. Assuring you, that it will bee much more pleasing to us to have Occasion administered by the fidelity of the Inhabitants to enlarge those Graces and Immunities granted to that town by Our predecessors, then to have any occasion to question your Charter.  
Given at Our Court at York the 25. of April, 1642.   

To the Kings most Excellent majesty, The humble Petition of the Knights, Esquires, Ministers, Gentlemen, Freeholders, in the County Palatine of Lancaster.  
showing unto Your sacred majesty,  
OUr heart-breaking sense, and sorrow, for the unhappy Rents and Distractions in your Majesties Dominions; especially in the Session of so grave, and Religious an Assembly, and most Graciously convened by your Majesty; endeavouring the glory of Almighty God, in the Reformation of Religion, and the Honour and weal of your Majesties realms, in settling and securing your royal Throne in plenty and peace.  
But perceiving the long and remote distance of Your Majesty from the honourable Assembly, to have distracted the hearts of your good Subjects, and animated the Popish and malignant party amongst us, and fearing it may expose us to the fury of a foreign Foe, retard the settling of the weighty affairs of our land and the subduing of the Rebels in Ireland: And finding your Majesties late Resolution for the Expedition to threaten danger to your royal person, far more worth then 10000 of us: We therfore your Majesties most loyal Subjects, out of the zeal to Gods true Religion, your Majesties honour and safety ▪ and the peace and welfare of your Dominions, out of the deep sense and apprehension, of our entrust in the same, do in all humility, present and prostrate ourselves and supplications at your royal feet, beseeching your Majesty to return to your great council, and there present a live body of the kingdom, in whom the Nation hath so far confided, that they have entrusted them with their lives, liberties, and estates, and in which multitude of Counsellors, there is health and steadfastness, and whereby your Throne may be established in righteousness; And we with the rest of your faithful Subjects, shall continually praise and pray for your prosperous and happy reign over us.  
FINIS.