THE PARLIAMENT OF LADIES. OR Divers remarkable passages of Ladies in Spring-Garden; in Parliament Assembled. Together with certain Votes of the unlawful Assembly at Kates in Coven Garden.  

Vespre Veneris Martis: 26. 1647.  
Ordered by the Ladies in Parliament Assembled, That their Orders and Votes be forthwith Printed and published, to prevent such misreports and scandals, which either malice, or want of wit, heightened with snoffes of Ale or stained Claret may cause, in the dishonour of the said Votes and proceed in Parliament.  
Ja: Kingsmill Clar. Parliamen.   
The second Edition corrected by the original, unto which is added a Supplement of some further proceed in the said Parliament.  
Pinted in the year 1647.   

THE PARLIAMENT OF LADIES: OR Divers remarkable passages of Ladies in Spring-Garden in Parliament Assembled.  

THE Rattleheaded Ladies being Assembled at Kates in the Covent-Garden, and having spent some time in choosing of their Speaker, it having been objected against the Lady Duchess that she had used beating up of quarters, and other usual sports, too frequently with Prince Rupert; they at last resolved upon the Lady Issabella Thin, hoping thereby that these acts might have the greater influence upon the King's Majesty.  
First, They took into consideration their own business, & voted, that no round head should dare to come into any of their quarters.  
Secondly, that on the contrary, none of the members of the Cavelliers do cohabit in any of the Round heads quarters, or pay any contributions to them, by way of benevolence, or loan, etc.  
Thirdly, that thanks be given to the Lady Montague, Tenhar Craven etc. for their curtisies and favours shown to the distressed Caveliers beyond the Seas.  
Fourthly, ordered here upon that the said Ladies, together with the Lady Standhoppe, have leave to sell, give away, or otherwise to dispose of their french commodities, without paying Excise or custom.  
Fiftly, that Mistress Phillips be forthwith sent into France from this House, to the Lord Montague, to acquaint him how his Lady is negotiated, with the members of both Houses.  
Sixtly, that Ms. Cramlin for the Protestants, and Ms. Wibourn for the Papists, be appointed Messengers to attend the House, and that they have the title given them, of Messengers of the Chamber.  
The said Ladies in Parliament Assembled do declare;  
That by their first Votes of this day, they do not in any way intent to exclude from their quarters, that part of the House of Peers, which voted the bill for maintenance of the Army, out of doors, in that the said Lords are understood to be well-affected, and not Roundheads; whilst these things were in agitation, in comes a Seargiant from the House of Ladies, at Mistress Chips assembled, in the name of which, he pronounceth this an unlawful Assembly, (a junto, a Mongrel Parliament) commanding them to confine their Votes and themselves to their own Houses, there to continue during pleasure. Hyde Park, St. James Park, Spring-Garden and Kates, in anywise notwithstanding.  
This put their Lady ships into a great disorder, and more confusion then if they had been taken, with their gallants, by each of their Husbands, which is the cause we hear no more of this Parliament,  
The Lady's well-affected (being as you heard, at their house in Spring Garden) spent some time in the choosing of their Speaker, and the major part pitched on the Lady Holland; she desired to excuse herself, alleging her Husband's desersion, and entreated that all her right might be conferred on the Lady Carlisle, but the said Lady being not thought fit to be trusted, the Lady Exeter, was named, but it was objected by the Lady Hypslay, that the said Lady was a Delinquent, and had formerly carried supplies to the King; pretending likewise that her Husband, Sir john Hypslay, was much damnified in his estate and offices by the said supplies, but the Lady Salesbury coming in, this dispute soon ended, and the Chair was conferred on her, neminae Contradicentae  
She immediately named Mistress Peele Messenger to attend the House, and the Lady Norton, together with the Lady Stapleton; to be doorkeepers, with order to keep all out but Members, this was by all assented unto, notwithstanding some exceptions were taken at the slowness of Mistress Peeles pace, it being aggrevated by one, that she went slower than the Masters of the Chancery, when they go on messages.  
Then their Ladyships took into consideration in the first place, the difficult cases that might fall out in the business of their House, ordered that Master Doctor Wetherborne be sent from Holland, Master Davison from Paris to be Assistants to this House, Ordered likewise that Master Dr. Hinton and Master Chamberline be also Assistants, that so with greater secrecy and ease there Lady ships might be helped out with their most troublesome and pressing affairs.  
The House then adjurned till the day following, where being met accordingly, the first business was to send the aforesaid Messengers, to the unlawful Assembly at Kates; next falling upon their votes in Particular Declared;  
That part of their Order to be an absolute breach of the privilege which forbids Caveliers to enter into the Roundheads quarters, and accordingly Ordered that the said shee-Cavilliers shall within two days depart this City and come not within twenty miles of the line of Communication: And farther Ordered, that no malignant Lady presume to walk in Spring Garden after twelve a clock at night, upon any pretence whatsoever.  
Nixt their Ladyships took into consideration the great number of Malignants and Delinquents, and Ordered, that there be a Committee for composition, to meet at the La. Kent's, for Protestants, and at the Lady Lakes, for Papists.  
This day complaint was brought in against Sir Henry Blunt Knight, for publishing an heretical and dangerous Doctrine, viz That it is better to side with and resort to common Women than Ladies of Honour: upon nature deliberation, thereof the Ladies with much indignation sent for him, who being come, and hearing his accusation read, was commanded to with draw during this 〈…〉 the Lady Foster and offers to the consideration of the House, the dangerous effect of this opinion, what it might produce if it ●e suffered to spread among the people, to the utter decay of Trade, as also of the particular Committee of Rhenish wine, in the most parts Cheesecakes, and sill●bubs, whereby the profit of this House will be greatly diminished.  
This speech was received with great applause of the whole House, and the said Sir Henry Blunt was called in the second time, who being commanded to kneel, refused, alleging that the House was no lawful judicature, but appealed to all the Commons of England and Wales; which suspended all proceed therein for a time.  
The House considered in the next place, that divers weak persons have crept into places beyond their abilities, and to the end that men of greater parts might be put into their rooms, they appointed the Lady Midlesex, Mistress Dunch, the Lady Foster, and the Lady Anne Waller by reason of their great experience in Soldiery in this Kingdom, to be a Committee of Tryers for the business.  
The House being ready to ajourne, there came news of a quarrel between two notorious members of this House Mistress Harris, and Mistress Dunch, much good council was given them to agree, and unice against the common enemy, their Husbands, and it was at length ordered that these should be reconciled, and Tom Temple to put up his blade.  
The morning following they took into consideration all the several garrisons of the Kingdom, what were to be kept and what not: And ordered:  
First, that Northampton be continued a Garrison, and that the Lady Sunderland be requested to take the command of it on her; notwithstanding the selfe-denying Ordinance.  
Secondly, Ordered that an English Garrison be put into Carlisle, to prevent a foreign Enemy getting into possession there: of; as is to be feared by reason of some secret intelligence had by the French Imbassodor in that place.  
Thirdly, that Lychester, Newport, and Malbrough, and all other that are either old fortifications, or otherwise useless be forthwith slighted.  
After this they took into consideration the standing forces in this Kingdom, with their several entertainments, and Ordered;  
First, That the Lord Francis, Master Slings by, Master Tuston, Master Antum, have pay allowed them continually, that they shall be provided to draw forth in service at the least warning.  
Secondly, that Colonel Cook, Master Henry Haward, of Berkes, and Master Nevell, have free quarter only.  
Thirdly, that the Prince Electer, Prince Griffeth, and Master Glascock henceforth pay their quarters.  
Ordered that by addition to their first Vote, that Sir john Morley, be forth with paid for his service to the House, notwithstanding his Delinquency, but so that if he shall break out any more, he shall be errecoverably put into the exceptions.  
Ordered that all such forces as shall be disbanded, shall be sent for Ireland, or otherwise disposed out of this Kingdom.  
Their Ladyships were then informed, that a Messenger then waited at the door, from the House of Commons, and Sir Peter Wentworth, and Master Bainton, who brought it, being let in, they found it was for the relief of maimed Soldiers, their Ladyships referred them to the Lady Peeterborough, to consider? what relief was to be given them, to whom they joined Mistress Howard, sometimes a maid of Honour, she having purged herself of her Malignancy.  
This day the House received reports from the Committee of complaints, and first, against the Prince Elector, who was accused that he was not secret in his trust to this house, but bewrayed them in their service, by acquainting Prince Griffeth with his his main design, and soin stead of doing their business, did his own; next against Prince Griffeth, that by treachery he gained near the works, and then by a storm took a fort that would have yielded upon reasonable conditions. This was urged much against him by the Lady Herb and the Lady Sidley, the consideration of this business was put of till another time, and also another accusation against the said Prince, that he had deserted his employment both brought in by the Lady Barrington.  
The next was an accusasion against the Lord Rich (the righth onourable) by the Lady Mary Cockyn, Alias Cullen who pretended that she had been plundered by the said Lord, to the value of two thousand pounds, of jewels and other commodities, but it being alleged by the Lady Warwick, that it was done to one that had been a Commander against the Parliament, the accusation was cast out.  
Then the House ajourned till the next day.  
The first business this day was the report from the Committee of Tryers, who named in the first place, the right honourable the Earl of Denbeigh, to be a man of extraordinary abilities and parts, whereupon it was ordered that his Lord ship be commander in chief of all the standing forces of this King doom, and that his head quarters be in Andover, until the House have some other need of his Forces.  
Ordered that the Lord Cambaen, in regard of his large talent, have a favourable composition at the Lady Kent's.  
Ordered that Sir Ambrogio a Politic Italian be had in remembrance, for his extreordinary pains to content this House, and that when the affairs of this Kingdom be settled, he be put into the Dutch office, and in the mean time, being what he had before did not content him, that he be satisfied out of Mis. Hills arrears which are forfeited to the State for some 〈◊〉 of hers  
This business being over, up stands the Lady Middlesex the zealous and well affected Lady Mildmay, and moved that a public Fast might be appointed for imploring, for men's constant affections towards this House, and also to stop the contagious infection and itching humours that are now crept in among us and likely to over spread us all if not timely stopped, the motion was embraced, and Master Osbestone some time Prebend at Peter's Westminster, together with Doctor Sibbald, Pastor of 〈◊〉, Clarkenwell, mentioned to preach before the How●●. 〈◊〉 one Cornelius, brought in an accusation against the Doctor 〈◊〉, for one ill-affected to the present government, having preached lately in his house in a Tub, where upon he was rejected, and the Lady Kinsington desired that Master Sal●●●● might be substituted in his 〈◊〉, of whose great parts and able performances she had long experience, which presently was assented unto by all.  
Their Ladyships in the next place took 〈…〉 consideration the great decay of Cattle and other Beasts in the Kingdom, during this unnatural War, thought the fittest means for a remedy, to be their Ladyships sending (as they did) to the Commons to entreat them that some of their members might join with their Ladyships to consider of the said business, they presently named La. Grace, and the H. C. the L. Grace her Husband, to be a Committee, to debate the fittest means multiply and increase the said Beasts to whom they gave these instructions.  
That 〈…〉 be entreated and the 〈◊〉 of this House therein used, to return to his Concubine here, notwithstanding his wife be alive at 〈◊〉 because 〈◊〉 hath not that urgent necessity of multiplying Beasts as this Kingdom hath.  
That they shall entreat all, or the most part of the Morleys in England, and all other men of that shape, to marry.  
That all such men who have vowed, whether Prisoners, or Free men, never to cut their beards till his Majesty comes to London, be encouraged therein.  
The House then taking into consideration the sale of Delinquents estates, Ordered, that Master Harrington: for his good service, have the E. of New castles baggage, and also that the Lady Devonshire have Worchester house, notwithstanding the Votes of the Houses at Westminster, in favour of the Earl of Salisbury, that her Ladyship may be present with less trouble at her many and serious negotiations with the 〈◊〉 Commissioners.  
This day a Petition came from the Lady Stanhoppe, humbly desiring that she might be received into their House, pretending that she was well-affected, but it was urged to the contrary, that she affected, it was true, but a Scotish affection m●●'d with a French, could never make her a more affected Lady; it was farther alleged, that the said Lady had been in arms under Colonel Slingsby, but some friends answered in her behalf that it was under which Master Slingsby who was ordered to be kept for this House, and so the debate was put off till another time.  
A motion was then made for putting down of plays, whereupon the Lady Munmouth desired it might be explained what plays were meant, for as much if they should put down the game at In and in, it would prove much to the prejudice of their House, as also to Master Young, who had deserved well of her Ladyships, but answer being made, Stageplays were only understood, she declared she would concur with the House in that, now Sir John Suckling was dead, but truly she liked his play well.  
After this it was moved by the Lady Crompton, that a thanksgiving day might be appointed for the recovery of the right honourable the Earl of Pembroke, which was consented unto, and Master Caudry was desired to preach, and be desired to sing the Psalm in English and not in Hebrew.  
Ordered that thanks be given Master Robinson for hi●d vout prayer, that the said Lord might once more climb one M●y-hill.  
The House then appointed Commissioners to go to his Majesty; viz. The Lady of Oxford, and Stamford, together with the Lady May, to move His Majesty's heart to give a real assent, that so an happy union may follow.  
This day they passed an act of oblivion to the Lady Delk●sh, the Lady Scot, the Lady Aubigne, and Mistress Ray, for their Delinquency in the Enemy's quarters.  
Soon after the Lady Norton, doorkeeper of the House, complained of Sir Robert Harlow a member of the House of Commons, for attempting to deface her, which happened thus, the said Lady being a zealous Independent, and so one of the Saints, and Sir Robert having found out that she was likewise painted, he pretended that she came with his Ordinance of Idolatry, Saints Crosses, etc. But some friends of the Lady door keeper, urging on her behalf, that none did ever yet attempt to adore or worship her, she was justified, and the House then declared that if any person by virtue of any power whatsoever, pretended to be derived from the House of Commons, or any other Court, shall go about to impeach, hinder, or disturb any Lady, from painting, washing, or adorning herself to the best advantage, as also from platting, of her hair, or vesting of Teeth, that, that act is a great breach of the privilege of the House, and that the offenders shall be proceeded against accordingly.  
In the last place, their Ladyships being to adjourn for some weeks, desired first, that a main point in divinity might be desided, viz. what is meant by the word (Due benevolence) In the new Testament, and in order there-unto they sent to the Ministers of the Assembly, entreating them to make some declaration concerning the same, the Messengers found the Assembly busy about their own affairs, endeavouring to bring that text (less the Son lest he be angry) to prove Presbytery, but understanding their Ladyship's request, they left it, and fell presently upon debate of the said (Due benevolence) which I do not intent to set down particularly, it being not to be found in the La. journal, only I hear, that Master Obediah Sedwicks opinion was, that if a man had been absent from his Spouse any time, that then the conjugal tye, obliged him to solace her now, and anon too, and that is to say twice in the compass of a natural day, and it being alleged no rule can be made for it, it depending upon men's several constitutions and healths, it was declared by them that all and every man coupled in the bond of Matrimony and wedlock, he is engaged to content his Mate and fellow feeler, as often as the strength of his body will permit.  
Their Ladyships having received this Decree, desired them to make it (jure Divine) and to publish it, that so no Husband in the Country may pretend ignorance, whereupon their Holiness made this ensuing Cannon.  

Die jovis 25. Mar. 1647.  
It is by these presents Decreed and declared to all the world, by the Counsel called and met at Westminster in the Kingdom of great Britain, that all men who have, or shall take upon them the state of Matrimony, are by their vows and by the sense of holy writ, obliged to comfort and comply with their Wives as oft as their strength of body will permit and give them leave, and though they should pretend that it stood not with their, afaires, that they be obliged thereunto notwithstanding, this we enjoin and command in the Kingdom, under penalty of being debarred the Sacrament, of which we hope to have the Monopoly.  
Adonira. Bifield Scribe.   
The day following in the evehing this Decrees being brought to their Ladyships, they ordered that the Speaker of their House should give thanks to the members of the Assembly of Divines, for their great care and pains in reforming of this Kingdom, and in particular for this present Declaration, and Ordered these their Votes should be printed, and so they adjourned till farther time.   

Dies Veneris 8. Aprilis 1647.  
This day there was a commotion in the house, by reason of a disorder in the City, occasioned by a rumour of Doomsday, which the people did believe was at hand, and that the World was now ending, because it hath met with its beginning, for Adam and Eve, were seen both in one person, and whereas Eve was once taken out of Adam, Adam was now seen struting out of Eue.  
The House fearing what issue this monster and the multitude might bring forth, and doubting a general insurrection, doubled all their Guards, and desired the timely assistants of their dear Sisters of Scotland, whereupon the Lady Fowler, Madam Grey, and Ms. Hamlen were sent to, to draw up all their forces, and put them in order, to receive the first charge, in case any were seen to advance.  
The Forces of the City under the command of Mall Cutpurse, and Mall Sebran, two very able Members, were appointed to guard the House, who being there placed with pipes in both theirmouthes, with fire and smoke in a very short time, had almost choked both the passage and the Pass ngers.  
But on the sudden they were furiously assaulted, and although Madam Sebran kept stoutly to her post, yet she was feign to fall back at last, and lie at her open guard giving entrance to the Assailant, who carelessly passing their whifflers, suddenly entered the House, and put almost all to the squeak.  
The Speaker being something more manly than the rest, opposed herself to this intruder, demanding from what place? upon what business? and who she was? (for as yet the Phantom apearred more like Eve then Adam) that had contrary to the rules of the House, thus publicly thrust herself into their secrets, and commanded her immediattly to withdraw, but she answered that she entered upon her own right, being as good a member as any there, and that most of them knew she had always stood stiff in the business (being in action) when they were but in consultation, and her name was Madam Swivalshe-met Hungerford.  
The very sight of this Madam with a Dildoe, together with the noise of her name, put the House into agreat silence, and some began to whisper an adjournment, but 'twas not thought fit, to leave one of such extraordinary parts (of whom Anny-seed Robin was but a Type) absolutely unsatisfied, especially all the Tryars acknowledging her abilities, and many other Ladies openly declaring in her behalf.  
Wherhfore for the present after a public acknowledgement of her pregnent services, it was ordered by reason of the affright that the City had been in, that now she should only go visit, and show herself to the Alderman's wives, and immediately after should follow a public thanksgiving for their daughters happy delivery.   
FINIS.