192 LIFE, TIMES, AND SCIENTIFIC LABOURS [1G43-50. 



CHAPTER XII. 



AFFAIRS AFFECTING THE MARQUIS OF WORCESTER S FAMILY, 

 IN RESPECT OF WORCESTER HOUSE AND OTHER PROPERTY 

 IN AND NEAR LONDON. 



WORCESTER House, in the Strand, was of course early 

 in possession of the Parliament, who used it for the state 

 paper and other public offices. The mansion had gar 

 dens to the water-side.* In the reign of Henry VIII. it 

 had belonged to the see of Carlisle ; it was after 

 wards inhabited by the Earls of Bedford, being then 

 known as Bedford and Eussell House, from whom it 

 came to the Earls of Worcester, when it assumed their 

 name. It also figured as the temporary residence of 

 the great Earl of Clarendon, 37 who is represented to 

 have paid for it a rental of 500 2 per annum, probably 

 taking it furnished. 



On the 21st of April, 1643, the House of Commons 

 had 57 ordered, &quot; That the iron seized in Worcester House, 

 be forthwith sold ; and the proceeds delivered to the 

 collectors in the county of Middlesex, appointed by the 

 ordinance for seizing the estates of Papists, and noto 

 rious malignants ; to the end that they may be account 

 able to the Committee for it : And that no Committee, 

 or other person, do grant out Warrants for seizing the 

 estates of malignants, without the knowledge of that 

 Committee ; in regard there is an ordinance settled to 



37 Evelyn. 2 Allen s London. * 7 Jo. H. C. Vol. iii. p. 54. 



* See engraved view, page 8. 



