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CHARLES I (1600-1649), king of England, Scotland and Ireland. Letter signed (at head, 'Charles R') to Arthur Basset, York, 5 August 1642, appointing him, in view of the coming civil war, colonel of the regiment of trained bands formerly under Sir Samuel Roles, who is now dismissed, one page, folio, integral address leaf, papered seal, seal slits (pencil annotation, minor soiling and trace of mount on address leaf).
'Whereas in these great distractions w[hi]ch soe much threaten the Peace of this Kingdome and the safety of Our Person, it is necessary to putt all Our Loving Sub[jec]ts into a posture of defense, and to Array and muster them, that Wee nor they bee not surprised by any Forraigne Invasion, or Domestique Rebellion, to w[hi]ch purpose Wee have sent Our Commission of Array into your County. And ... doe hereby make, ordaine, and Constitute you Arthur Bassett Esq to bee Colonell of that Regiment of Our Traynebandes lately under the Commaunde of S[i]r Samuell Roles Knt whom Wee doe hereby discharge of the said Commaund, straightly forbiddinge him any more to execute the same, or any person to obey him if hee shall soe presume ...'.
The formal beginning of the English Civil War was to follow within less than three weeks, when Charles raised his standard at Nottingham on 22 August. The means by which he raised his army, the Commission of Array, was an ancient obligation of all free men to defend their county: it was obsolete by the 17th Century, but was revived by Charles in order to counter the parliamentary musters.
'Whereas in these great distractions w[hi]ch soe much threaten the Peace of this Kingdome and the safety of Our Person, it is necessary to putt all Our Loving Sub[jec]ts into a posture of defense, and to Array and muster them, that Wee nor they bee not surprised by any Forraigne Invasion, or Domestique Rebellion, to w[hi]ch purpose Wee have sent Our Commission of Array into your County. And ... doe hereby make, ordaine, and Constitute you Arthur Bassett Esq to bee Colonell of that Regiment of Our Traynebandes lately under the Commaunde of S[i]r Samuell Roles Knt whom Wee doe hereby discharge of the said Commaund, straightly forbiddinge him any more to execute the same, or any person to obey him if hee shall soe presume ...'.
The formal beginning of the English Civil War was to follow within less than three weeks, when Charles raised his standard at Nottingham on 22 August. The means by which he raised his army, the Commission of Array, was an ancient obligation of all free men to defend their county: it was obsolete by the 17th Century, but was revived by Charles in order to counter the parliamentary musters.
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