Appendix
in any of the premises, shall not be drawn hereafter in consequence or example; and that your Majesty would be also graciously pleased, for the further comfort and safety of your people, to declare your royal will and pleasure, that in the things aforesaid all your officers and ministers shall serve you according to the laws and statutes of this realm, as they tender the honor of your Majesty, and the prosperity of this kingdom.
Qua quidem petitione lecta et plenius intellecta per dictum dominum regem taliter est responsum in plena parliamento viz. Soit droit fait come est desiré.[1]
VII
BILL OF RIGHTS. 1689
Whereas the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, assembled at Westminster, lawfully, fully, and freely representing all the estates of the people of this realm, did, upon the thirteenth day of February, in the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred eighty-eight, present
- ↑ “Which petition having been read and more fully understood, answer was made thus in full parliament by the said lord king, to wit: Let right be done as it is petitioned.” This final and satisfactory answer of the king was obtained on June 7th. The comparative adverb plenius (“more fully”) is perhaps reminiscent of the reading five days earlier when the king had returned his evasive answer in these words: “The King willeth that right be done according to the laws and customs of the realm; and that the statutes be put in due execution, that his subjects may have no cause to complain of any wrong or oppressions, contrary to their just rights and liberties, to the preservation whereof he holds himself as well obliged as of his prerogative.” The Commons wished a specific confirmation of the laws cited in the Petition.
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