A DECLARATION AND ORDINANCE OF THE LORDS AND COMMONS Assembled in PARLIAMENT, For the Associating of the several Counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Cambridge, Isle of Ely, Hertford, and County of the City of Norwich, for the mutual defence and preservation of themselves from all Rapines, coverings, and Spoylings of Papists, and other ill affencted persons, who have combined, and raised great force of Horse and Foot, to destroy multitudes of His Majesties Subjects.  
Together with divers Instructions for the Lord-Lievtenants, Deputy-Lievtenants, and other Officers of the said Counties.  
Also a Declaration and Engagement of the said Counties, according to their several Subscriptions.  

ORdered by the Lords and Commons in Parliament, That this Declaration and Instructions be forthwith Printed and Published.  
Joh. Brown, clear. Parliament.  
Hen. elsing, clear. Parl. D. come.   
London, Printed by J. R. for Edw. Husbands, and are to be sold at his Shop in the Middle-Temple. Feb. 3. 1642.   

A Declaration and Ordinance of the Lords and Commons assembled in PARLIAMENT.  
THe Lords and Commons now in Parliament assembled, being certainly informed, That Papists, and other wicked and ill-affected persons, have traitorously combined together, and entred into Association, and have raised, and daily do raise great Forces both of Horse and Foot, in several Counties of this Kingdom, and have plundered, spoiled, and destroyed Multitudes of His Majesties good Subjects; and if not timely prevented, will utterly subvert and destroy the true Protestant Religion( which is their chief Design) the Laws of the Land, the privileges if Parliament, and the Liberty of the Subject; The said Lords and Commons do declare, That they hold it a thing most fit and necessary for the present state of this Kingdom, and do accordingly Order, That all Lords-Lievtenants, Deputy-Lievtenants, colonels, Captains, and other Officers, and all other well-affected persons, Inhabitants in the several Counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Cambridge, and the Isle of Ely, Hertford, and the County of the City of Norwich, shall and may associate themselves, and mutually aid, succour, and assist one another, in the mutual defence and preservation of themselves, and of the Peace of the said Counties, from all Rapines, Plundering, Spoylings of the said Papists and ill-affected persons.  
And it is further Ordered and Declared; That the said Lords-Lievtenants, Deputy-Lievtenants, colonels, Captains, and other Officers, have Power and Authority to raise Forces of Horse and Foot, and to lead them into any place which shall be fitting and convenient, and to give battle, and to fight with all such as are, or shall be raised to levy War against the Parliament, and all other Forces raised without Authority and Consent of both Houses of Parliament; that make any Insurrection, and plunder and destroy His Majesties good Subjects, And them to invade, resist, suppress, subdue, and pursue, kill and slay, and put to execution of death, and by all means to destroy, as enemies to the Kingdom; and to perform all things else needful for the preservation of the safety and peace of the said Counties, either by Water or Land, observing from time to time such other Directions and Commands, as they shall receive from both Houses of Parliament, or from the Earl of Essex, Lord general: And that the said Inhabitants of the said several Counties, and every of them, for so doing, shall he saved and kept harmless, by power and Authority of Parliament.  
And the said Lords and Commons taking into their serious Considerations the necessity of appointing a Commander in chief over the Forces which are, or shall be raised in the Counties aforesaid, or any of them, for the Service aforesaid, in regard that by particular Commissions already granted to persons in the said several Counties, there is not power given to led Forces out of their own Counties; It is Ordered, That the Lord general the Earl of Essex shall be desired to grant a Commission to William Lord Grey of Wark, to command in chief, as mayor, general of all the Forces to be raised in the said Counties, and to have power to led, conduct, and carry the same to such places within the said Counties, as he shall think fit, for the defence of the said Counties, And likewise power to give the same Orders and Instructions, in his Excellencies absence, for regulating the Souldiers, which are or shall be under his Command, as his said Excellency hath given to his Army, and to use Marshall Law to compel Obedience thereunto, as occasion shall require; And also Power and Authority to make and appoint colonels, Captains, and other Officers, for levying, conducting and leading the said Forces as he shall think fit.  


Joh. Brown, Cleric. Parliamentorum.  
Hen. elsing, Cleric. Parl. D. come.     

Instructions for the Lord-Lievtenants, Deputy-Lievtenants, and other Officers and Commanders in the Counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Cambridge, Isle of Ely, Hartford, and County of the City of Norwich.  
THat the Lords-Lievtenants of the several Counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Cambridge, Isle of Ely, Hartford, and the County and City of Norwich, or the Deputy-Lievtenants of the said Counties respectively, or any two or more of them, with all convenient speed, do summon the several Gentlemen, Freeholders, and other Inhabitants of the said several Counties, as well within Liberties and Corporations, as without; That do, or are able to bear or find arms, to such places in the said several Counties, as they hold most fitting, and at such meetings to take a view what Arms and Force can be raised in the said Counties respectively, and examine the defects of Arms and Ammunition, and to consult of some sitting course how to have the want of arms and other defects to be supplied, and at such meetings, or at any other fit time and times, the said Deputy-Lievtenants, or any two of them, with the assistance of the Committee, for the Propositions and Subscriptions in the several Counties, or any two of them, shall and may propound to all the Inhabitants of the said Counties, Cities, and Corporations, that are able to bear or find Arms, or to contribute towards the same, what present and imminent danger and necessity the whole Kingdom is now reduced unto, by the wicked advice and attempts and conspiracies of Papists and other persons now about His Majesty, and to propound to them to join in Association and mutual defence of one another, according to the form of an Association hereunto annexed: and to require them to set down in writing, and subscribe what Arms for Horse and Foot, what Horse, either Dragooners or others, they will have in readiness upon every just occasion, for the defence of the said Counties.  
Secondly, the better to prevent the plundering and spoiling of the said Counties, and to have means for the furnishing of Arms and Ammunition, making Fortifications, and payment of Officers, and other public necessary charges; That there be forthwith raised in the said several Counties respectively, the fourth part of such like several Sums as were assessed upon the said Counties, by virtue of the Act lately made in this present Parliament, for the raising of 400000 pounds, the same fourth part to be raised by way of Tax and Rate, upon the said several Counties respectively.  
Thirdly, And for the better levying of the said fourth part of the said Sum of 400000 pounds, or of any other sum to be assessed and set upon the said Counties, for the defence and preservation of the same, by consent of both Houses of Parliament; That the Lords-Lievtenants, and Deputy-Lievtenants of the said Counties respectively, or any two or more of them, shall, and may assess and Tax, or cause to be Assessed and Taxed, the said sum and sums, upon the several Cities, Corporations, Hundreds, Towns, and Hamlets in the said several Counties, after the most industrious and usual proportion of other Rates in the said Counties: And that they, or any two or more of them, nominate and appoint Treasurers, Collectors, and Assessors in every County abovesaid, for the Assessing, Receiving, and Collecting such Sum and Sums of Money as abovesaid: And that the said Lord-Lievtenants, Deputy-Lievtenants, or any two or more of them, shall, and may grant Warrants under their Hands and Seals in writing, to any Constable or other Officer whatsoever, To raise and levy the said Sum and Sums so to be Assessed and Taxed as abovesaid, upon all such persons upon whom any Sum shall be so Assessed and set as abovesaid, that do refuse or neglect to pay the same by way of distress or Sale of the goods of the person so refusing, or neglecting to pay the same. And in case no distress is or may be found, then the said Lord-Lievtenants, Deputy-Lievtenants, or any two or more of them, shall, and may commit such person and persons so refusing and neglecting to pay as abovesaid, to some common Goal, there to remain without bail or Mainprize, until payment made of such sum and sums as abovesaid.  
Fourthly, That all Sheriffs, Justices of the Peace, Maiors, bailiffs, and Constables, and all other His Majesties Officers, as well within Liberties, as without, Be from time to time aiding and Assisting unto the said Lord-Lievtenants, Deputy-Lievtenants, in execution of the power to them given by both Houses of Parliament, and of these Instructions.  
Fifthly, The Lord-Lievtenants, Deputy-Lievtenants of the said several Counties, or any two or more of them, do put in execution in the said Counties all former Instructions to them granted by both Houses of Parliament, for the executing of the Militia, disarming of Popish Recusants, and other ill affencted persons; and for the preserving the Peace of the said Counties.  
Sixthly, That no Treasurer and Receiver of any Money, shall issue out any Money, but under the hands of the Lord-Lievtenants, or two or more Deputy lieutenants in every County respectively; And that the several Lord-Lievtenants, and Deputy-Lievtenants, do not sign or grant any Warrants for the issuing or paying any Sum or Sums, but for the furnishing of Arms and Ammunition, making of Fortifications, payment of Officers and Souldiers, and other necessary public charges, tending to the safety and preservation of the said Counties, and not otherwise.  
Seventhly, That the Lord-Lievtenants, Deputy-Lievtenants of every the said Counties respectively, or any two or more of them, shall and may from time to time, raise such, and so many of the trained Bands, and other persons inhabiting in the said Counties, as they shall judge necessary and fitting, to enter into the houses of all Papists, and other persons that are voted to be Delinquents, by both or either Houses of Parliament, Or that have put in execution the Commission of Array, Or that have been present with, or aiding and Assisting to His Majesty in this unnatural War against the Parliament; Or that being of ability, have not contributed upon the Propositions of raising of Horse, Money, or Plate, for the defence of the King and Parliament; Or that have refused to sand Horse and Arms to the Musters, when by the Depuputy-Lievtenants appointed by power of Parliament, they having been required so to do; Or such Clergy-men and others, that have publicly preached or declared themselves to oppose, disgrace, or revile the Proceedings of both or either Houses of Parliament, and to seize upon the Arms, Ammunition, and Horses sit for service in the War, that belong to such person and persons; The same Horses, Arms, and Ammunition to be employed and disposed of by the direction of one or more of the Deputy-Lievtenants of the said Counties, for the pu●like service and defence of the several Counties, and in the mean time to be kept in some safe place.  
Highthly, That in every County the Lord-Lievtenants, Deputy-Lievtenants, or any two or more of them, do cause the several Companies of the trained Bands and volunteers to be put into Regiments; and to nominate, appoint, and place colonels, Lievtenant-Colonells, Serjeant-Majors, Captaines, lieutenants, and other Officers in every Regiment and Company, where any such are wanting; or when such as are, and have been nominated, have refused to execute those places.  
Ninthly, That the Lord-Lievtenants, Deputy-Lievtenants, or any two of them in each County respectively, do nominate and appoint one experienced soldier in every Regiment to be an Adjutor, to be resident in the said Counties to exercise the several Companies of the said Regiments, and to be aiding and assisting to the colonel from time to time, and to do and perform all such commands as he shall receive from the Lord-Lievtenants, Deputy-Lievtenants, or the said colonel; And also to have in every Regiment, one experienced soldier to be a sergeant, to exercise and teach the several Companies, and to execute the commands of the Lord-Lievtenants, Deputy-Lievtenants, or the colonel, Lievtenant-Colonell, or privy-councillor of the said Regiment, and the said sergeant to have the pay of a sergeant to a Company; and also that in each Troop of Horse, there be an experienced soldier appointed to be a corporal.  
Tenthly, That the Dragooners be put into Companies, And that one hundred and twelve be allotted to a Company; and that each Company of Dragooners have an experienced soldier to be a corporal, and he to have the present pay of a corporal.  
Eleventhly, That the Lords-Lievtenants, Deputy-Lievtenants in each County respectively, or any two, or more of them, shall, and may give command and directions from time to time, to secure, and fortify all Bridges, Cawses, and Passages, and in times of approach of an Enemy, or fear of any Invasion by an Enemy, to pull down, or stop the Bridges, Cawses, Passages, and to cut the Banks in the said Counties respectively; And to have power to fortify and secure any Town, Hundred, or Hamlet, where the said Town, Hundred or Hamlet are willing to do the same at their own proper charges; And also to have Power at all times, to seize, and stop all Barges, Boats, or other Vessels, passing by Water for the safety of the said County.  
Twelfthly, That the said Lords-Lievtenants, Deputy-Lievtenants, or any two of them, shall, and may Imprison, or commit to safe custody, all and every such Persons, as being able, and have had due Summons, do notwithstanding refuse, or wilfully neglect to appear at Muster, or to sand some able Persons to be allowed of, by the Captains, or chief Officer of the Company in his behalf.  


Joh. Brown, Cl●r. Parliamentorum.  
Hen. elsing, clear. Parl. D. come.     


WHereas the Lords and Commons now assembled in Parliament, have taken into th●ir considerations, That in times so full of Division and Danger as these are, an Union of our Hearts and Forces is most conducing to the public Good, and safety of the whole Kingdom; And have therefore ordained, That the Inhabitants of the Counties of Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, and Hertfordshire, together with the Isle of Ely, and County of the City of Norwich, should enter into an Association with one another, for the maintenance and preservation of the Peace of the said Counties: Therefore in pursuance of the said Order, and the better to confirm a mutual Confidence in one another, we whose Names are hereunto subscribed, do hereby promise, testify, and declare, To maintain and defend, with our Lives, Powers, and Estates, the Peace of the said Counties, And to aid and assist one another, under the Command and Conduct of such Person as now hath, or hereafter shall have, by the Authority of both Houses of Parliament, The Command in chief of all the Forces of the said Counties, according to the true intent and meaning of the said Order of Association. Whereunto we do most willingly give our Assents; and neither for hope, fear, or other respect, shall ever relinquish this Promise.  


Joh. Brown, Cleric. Parliamentorum.  
Hen. elsing, Cleric. Parl. D. come.     

WE whose Names are here under-witten, do hereby engage ourselves to provide Horses and Arms, and to maintain and find at our own proper Costs and Charges, and at all times to have in a readiness, for the service of this and those other Counties now associated together by the Authority of both Houses of Parliament, so many men completely armed and furnished, and such Horses, Geldings, Nagg●, Mares, as we have severally and respectively subscribed for; to be commanded, l●d, and conducted into any parts and places within the said County, by such person as now hath, or hereafter shall have the Command in chief of all the Forces of the said Counties.   
FINIS.