John Elyott

, or Elliot, [•] Cornish man born, and an Esquires Son, became a Gent. Com. of Exeter Coll. in Mich. Term, an. 1607. aged 15 years, left the University without a degree, after he had continued there about 3 years, went to one of the Inns of Court, as it seems, and was made a Barrester. In 1618. May 10. he received the honour of Knighthood from his Maj. at Whitehall, and ever after to the time of his death, was either elected a Knight of his County, or a Burgess for some Borough therein, to serve in all Parliaments. But so it was, that he shewing himself in them an active man for the publick, a generous assertor (as he pretended) of the ancient liberty of the Subject, and an enemy to the incroachments made by rising Favourites, was several times committed to custody. He hath going under his name.

Several Speeches spoken in Parliament, as, (1) Speech against George Duke of [〈◊〉] and [〈◊〉] grievances. (2) Sp. by way of Epilogue concerning the Duke of Bucks impeachment. These two were spoken in 1626. and soon after he, with Sir Dud. Digges, who spoke the Prologue to the said impeachment, were committed both prisoners to the Tower, but soon after were released: whereupon Elyott spoke. (3) A Sp. to clear himself as to the particulars charged against him. In the same year he was imprison’d in the Gatehouse at Westm. for refusing to part with money on the Loan, and thereupon in a Petition to the King he set forth the illegality of the said Loan, or of any Tax without a Parliament. Which way he took, when his Council would not assist him otherwise; alledging farther that his conscience could not submit to it, and prayed for his liberty, but could not obtain it. (4) Speech upon the Kings giving notice to both Houses, that he did intend shortly to end the Session of Parliament. an. 1628. (5) Sp. against the D. of Bucks, interrupted in it by the Speaker. (6) Sp. concerning Religion, an. 1628. This was printed in 1641. in one sh. in qu. (7) Sp. against particular persons, spoken in 1628. and therefore a little before the dissolution of the Parl. he, with other Members were committed to the Tower. All which Speeches, with Certaine Debates of the said Sir Joh. Elyott you may see in the first vol. of Historical Collections, made by John Rushworth. What more to be added, is that about the same time (1628.) was an information exhibited against Sir John in the Court of the Kings Bench, for a sower of discord, for his murmurings, seditions, &c. against the King, Nobles, Prelates, &c. in Parliament, which were pleaded against by several persons on his behalf; and that many years after his death, 1629 (which hapned, as I conceive, about sixteen hundred twenty and nine) were Votes passed in the H. of Com. that 5000. pounds should be given to his children, because he had suffered in the 3 of Car. 1. Dom. 1627. for opposing the illegalities of that time. The said Votes passed in 1646. and no doubt there is, but all, or at least some, of the money was paid.