to be commenced against them, or any of them, for refusing to watch or to serve on juries, or bear or undergo any public office or employment above mentioned; and her Majesty doth hereby further order, that copies of this Order be left with the respective Clerks of the Peace for the cities of London and Westminster, and counties of Middlesex and Surrey, to be kept amongst the records of her Majesty's Sessions, to the intent that due obedience may be given thereunto, and her servants may not be vexed with unreasonable proceedings. C. C. GREVILLE. APPENDIX, No. IV. ORIGINAL LETTER FROM LORD HUNSDON TO KING JAMES THE FIRST, OF THE ANTIQUITY, USE, AND HONOUR OF THE BAND OF GENTLEMEN PENSIONERS. "Most mighty and most gracious Liege and Sovereign, "Amongst many other honours and duties which I owe unto the memory of my late deceased Sovereign, this is not the least; that it pleased her Majesty, upon the decease of my lord and father, who also enjoyed the same honourable office, to grace me with the Captainship of her Band of Gentlemen Pensioners; which place and dignity I have to this present enjoyed; for the further continuance whereof I humbly desire to understand your Majesty's directions, and withal do think it a matter agreeeable to my duty and allegiance, plainly and truly to inform your Majesty of the institution, nature, quality, and service of this honourable band. They are in all fifty Gentlemen, besides myself, lieutenant, standard-bearer, clerk of the checque, and gentleman harbinger, chosen out of the best and the ancientest families of Engand, and some of them sons to Earls, Barons, Knights, and Esquires, men thereunto especially recommended for their worthiness and sufficiency, without any stain or taint of dishonour, or disparagement in blood. Her Majesty and other Princes her predecessors have found great use of their services, as well in the guard and defence of their royal persons, as also in sundry other important employments, as well civil as military, at home and abroad; insomuch as it hath served them always as a nursery to breed up deputies for Ireland, Ambassadors into foreign parts, Counsellors of State, Captains of the Guard, Governors of Places, and Commanders in the wars both by sea and by land. Withal, I cannot omit to signify unto your Majesty the alacrity and affection wherewith, upon the decease of her Highness, they did embrace your Majesty's title and cause; insomuch that upon my motion they did most willingly offer themselves to a strong and settled combination, by solemn oath and vow, to defend and prosecute your Majesty's lawful right and title by themselves, their friends, allies, and followers, (being no contemptible portion of the kingdom,) to the last drop of their blood, against all impugners whatsoever; with which humble and dutiful desires of theirs to serve your Majesty I thought it my part and duty to acquaint you, and withal humbly desire to know your Majesty's pleasure and resolution concerning them. I have caused them to remain all about the court, with their horses, armour, and men, to attend the body of our late royal mistress; and being generally all desirous to wait upon your Majesty at your entry into this kingdom, as those that would be loth to be second to any in all obsequious and serviceable duties to your Majesty, where I humbly desire your Majesty's further direction, "And even to desire Almighty God," &c. |