Communicated by Ur. James Waylen. 331 
annum for increase of maintenance to the minister of Frome, and 
also the impropriation of Lullington, for increase of maintenance to 
a minister there, then the fine to be reduced to £3100. Commons’ 
Journals, 15th June, 1648. 
The adjustment of the fines levied on this house was greatly 
complicated by the rival claims of the two brothers, Sir James 
Thynne and Sir Henry Frederick Thynne, and of their mother, the 
dowager Lady Katharine Thynne. Before the war broke out, this 
family controversy had engaged the attention of the House on 
sundry occasions during the summer of 1641—an event which has 
gathered a national interest about it, from the concurrent action of 
“Mr. Oliver Cromwell” at a period prior to his more public mani- 
festation as a soldier. It is from Simon D’ Ewes’ Journal we learn 
that the order of Ist June, 1641 for Sir James Thynne’s attendance 
to show cause, concerning his brother, was based on a motion by 
Mr. Cromwell. This younger brother, Sir Henry Frederick Thynne, 
held considerable property in his hands, the right to which his elder 
brother Sir James disputed, and the case had been for a long time 
agitated in the Court of Wards. We gather from D’ Ewes’ Journal 
that Sir James had availed himself of his privilege as a Member of 
the House to procure copies of the documents belonging to his 
brother, and otherwise to affect disadvantageously his cause. Some 
‘such report at least was current ; and if D’ Ewes has correctly stated 
it, Mr. Cromwell was undoubtedly justified in calling a brother . 
member to account for taking advantage in a domestic controversy 
_ of a right which he held in a representative capacity. The Commons 
were loud in the assertion of their delegated privileges; they were, 
_ therefore, all the more bound in honour to prevent the right from 
being abused. The case came before the House on the 20th July 
following, when Sir James, being supported by Hyde and Falkland, 
_ was successful (on a division, ninety-five to seventy-six) in getting 
the whole affair referred to a committee, Whitelocke and Maynard 
; being the tellers against such a course. On the 17th August it was 
decided that the privilege claimed by Sir James should be disallowed ; 
and in February following he quitted the House. Perhaps we may 
read it in the light of a special mark of Royal favour towards the 
