you that grace which will teach and enable us to want as well as to wear a Crown which is not worth the taking up or enjoying upon sordid dishonourable or irreligious terms Do you always keep firm to the true Principles of Piety Virtue and Honour and you shall never want a Kingdom It will be your honour to afford all respect love and protection to your Mother who hath many ways deserved well of me especially in being a means to bless me with so many hopeful Children and being content with incomparable magnanimity to suffer with me and them May you be an Anchor of hope to these weather-beaten Kingdoms your Wisdom Justice Piety and Valour a repairer of what the folly and wickedness of some men have so far ruined as to leave nothing intire to the Crown Nobility Clergy or Commons of Laws Liberties Estates Order Honour Conscience or Lives Let those that love me find me when I am gone in your presence and vertues What good I intended do you perform when God shall put it into your power I pray God bless you and establish your Kingdom in Righteousness your Soul in true Religion and your Honour in the Love of God and your People Farewel till we meet if not on Earth yet in Heaven The good King having thus resigned himself and all his Affairs into the hand of God patiently submitted to his Cross and in a way of renunciation as it were and self-disposition of his Government transferred and bequeathed the Scepter together with his Advice and Direction for his wielding of it He applied himself wholly to the making preparation for his departing from an earthly to a heavenly Kingdom being assisted in his Piety and Devotion by Dr. Juxon Bishop of London And being upon the fatal 30th of January brought upon a Scaffold erected before his own Palace of Whitehall where he was barbarously murdered by his own Rebellious Subjects he delivered himself in the following Speech Being not likely to be much heard I could be silent did not silence intimate a submission to the guilt as well as to the punishment charged upon me But in my duty to my God and Country to clear my self an Honest Man a good King and a good Christian I protest before God to whom I must instantly give an account that as may appear from the date of their Commissions and mine I begun not the War against the Parliament nor intended I any incroachment upon their Priviledges they began with me and the Militia which they confest was mine but thought it fit to have it from me yet I charge not the guilt of these unhappy troubles upon the two Houses for I believe ill instruments betwixt us was the cause of all this Bloodshed however this Sentence is just upon me for an unjust Sentence permitted by me What Christian I am this good Man pointing to Dr. Juxon and others that have been inwardly familiar with me and know me as well as my self may bear witness I die in Communion with the Professors of the Reformed Religion that hath been Establisht in the Church of England in Queen Eliz. and my Fathers time of Blessed Memory and in Charity with all the World forgiving the worst of mine Enemies and praying God that this be not laid to their Charge As a good King I advise my Subjects not to ground your selves in Conquests without a good cause that you would give God the King and the People their dues You may give God his due by the advice of a national Synod freely chosen and freely debating among themselves How you may give the King his due the Law will instruct you and the People have their due when they have that Government and those Laws whereby their Lives and Goods are most their own I have delivered my Conscience I pray God you take those courses that may be for the Kingdoms and your own good Having finisht this Speech and poured forth his Divine Soul to God in Prayer it was sent by death to him that gave it where the great Assembly in Heaven joyfully welcomed that Martyred King and made room for Charles of Great Brittain The Life and Reign of Charles the first being thus determined by this untimely and fatal stroak his Eldest Son who likewise bore his Name immediately Succeeded him by the Title of Charles the Second Who was the Lawful and undoubted Heir not only of all his Dominions but also of his admirable and Heavenly Vertues being endowed with all those Qualifications which are requisite to or could possibly be desired in a Prince and under the influence of whose happy Reign these Nations might have enjoyed as much happiness and felicity as their Hearts would wish had not their own folly and madness for a time prevented it For no sooner had the Fatal Ax severed England and her Liberties by cutting off the Head of her King but the Parliament as the Juncto still presumed to call themselves the better to crush Monarchy and maintain what they had now so far prosecuted issued forth a Proclamation that none under penalty of being deemed guilty of High Treason should presume to Proclaim declare publish or any way promote the Prince of Wales Son to the late King or any other Person whatsoever to be King or Chief Magistrate of England or of any part of the Dominions or any part thereof by Colour of Inheritance Succession or Election or any other claim or pretence whatsoever without the free consent of the People in Parliament and which Proclamation altho not publisht till the 2 of February yet was in part Proclaimed on the very day of the Kings Murder And for the more ensuring and the better carrying on their Government with the more plausibility they publish an Act of State for the alteration of Writs wherein instead of King the Name Stile and Test and Custodes Libertatis Angliae Anthoritate Parliamenti should be used and no other All Writs being ordered to run so and those concerned in the Law required to take notice thereof yet they provided that all Patents granted by the late King should still stand in full force and vertue And having cast off the chief of those three Estates by which the Nation had been so long Governed they think likewise of abolishing the second that so they might usurp the whole power into their own hands in order whereunto having first Voted that they would make no farther Addresses to them nor receive any from them they made an Ordinance for abolishing the House of Lords as dangerous and useless And then having abolished the Ancient Governments of this Kingdom they proceeded to the consideration of Establishing another but found it a work of so much intricacy that they could come to no resolution but only agreed in a Negative Voice that there should for the future be no Government in England either by King or House of Lords and thereupon ordered the old Great Seal to be broken and a new one to
to be Elected for Members of that Parliament as were known to favour their Discipline yet that no part of the Government might be left unjustified and unreared the greater part of those chosen for Members of the House of Commons were as well affected to the Restoration and Settlement of the Church as the former had been to the Restoration and Settlement of the Crown The Eighth of May being come when they were to sit according to the Splendid Custome of opening those great Assemblies He rode in State and Tryumph from White-Hall to Westminster being arrayed in his Royal Robes and his Crown on his head and having placed himself on His Throne in the House of Peeres commanded the Commons to attend him there and in a most pleasant and obliging manner declared his great Content in meeting them Telling them that he was very confident that it would prove a happy Parliament and acquainting them with his design of his Marrying the Infanta of Portugal which Match having been proposed to his Privy Council and highly approved of by them he thought none there present would willingly have him live and die a Batchellor In confidence whereof he had newly made and signed a Treaty with that King by his Embassadour Don Francisco de Mello who was then ready to depart with the said Treaty in which the Article of Marriage was inserted The Kings Speech being ended and the Lord Chancellor Hide having given them a further account of the Reasons why they were called and the happy Effects his Master expected from their Sitting The Commons made Choice of Sir Edward Turner the Dukes Attorney General for their Speaker who in his Speech upon his being presented to and acceptâ— of by the King exprest the hopes of that House That as His Majesty had manifested his great Indulgence to their former which was but his Adopted So he had a fuller Blessing for that present which was his Natural Parliament being called by His immediate Writ The Convocation of the English Clergy being all Eminent Learned and Pious Persons met likewise on the Sixteenth of that Month at Westminster and a Parliament began about the same time in Ireland The Parliament at the special instance and desire of the King who was willing to give the highest demonstration of his Care and Resolution for the assuring to his Subjects whatsoever was contained and promised in His Declaration from Breda and the Act of Pardon first began with an Act for the Confirmation of the Act of Oblivion which being done by the Free Parliament not called by the Kings Writ was thought by the Guilty not to be valid and secure enough to them and that they might by a wise provision before hand prevent all Objections and Scruples which might otherwise have been raised upon that account They Ratified and Confirmed all the other Laws made therein and then proceeded to frame such new ones as were necessary for the better setling and maintaining the Publick Peace wherein that for Regulating Corporations as the most necessary had the Precedency wherein Commissioners were Impowered to displace all such as bore Offices and were any way suspected to be ill-willers to the Government and the Kings Authority or should refuse the Oath of Allegiance and Supremacy or the Oath of Abjuration which was indeed at that time the only or at least the chief Test of Loyalty in regard they were therein to renounce the Solemn League and Covenant as unlawful in it self and illegally imposed But during the Houses Debate about that Bill Mr. Prin who had alwayes indulged himself the liberty of Quarrelling with every thing that any way ran counter to his inclinations could not refrain against the Priviledge of the House whereof he was a Member from publishing his Reasons against the said Bill affirming it was contrary to Magna Charta but the Commons having Commanded their Serjeant at Arms to Seize the Printer and Prin owning himself to be the Author he was brought to the Barr and severely rebuked by the Speaker but upon his humble submission and the House's favourable reflection upon his great Endeavours for the Restitution of the King he was remitted the Censure and Punishment which he had incurred by that over-sight And that they might shew their respect and veneration to the Prelacy by relieving it from the Oppressions and justifying of it from the Calumnies and Reproaches of the late times they Repealed the Act of the 1 Caroli 7. which forbid the Bishops medling in Civil affaires and debarred them from their Priviledg of Peerage in the House of Lords to all which Honours they were by this Repeal restored as fully as ever they had been before The free Parliament having before their desolution respitted the punishment of several of the Regicides the Parliament next reassumed the Consideration of that matter and having caused the Lord Manson Sir Henry Mildmay and Mr. Robert Wallop to be brought to the Bar declared their Estates to be confiscated and their Persons and Posterity degraded from all Titles and Armes of Gentility and that they should be carried back again to the Tower and from thence be drawn through the City of London to Tyburn on the 30th of the following January and so back again with halters about their necks upon Sledges and after that to suffer perpetual imprisonment And having now done as much as could be expected from them for the present they were adjourned by the King who declared his great satisfaction in what they had done and that his confidence iâ— them had not in the least deceivedâ— him About which time the Duke oâ— York having been chosen Captain to the Artillery Company in London honoured them with his Presence and led them in their Ground And in the August following the Kings Sollicitor Sir Heneage Finch being chosen Reader of the Inner-Temple he was pleased to indulge him a Favour never granted before by any of his Royal Progenitors to any of those famous Societies accepting of an invitation to dine with him in that Hall These endeavours of the Parliament to settle the Nation upon the Foundation of a well-grounded and lasting Peace by excluding from all Offices as well Sacred as Civil and Military those that refused to take the aforesaid Oaths did highly urge the Discontented of the late Anarchy whose anger suggested to them some hopes of undoing all again In order whereunto they laid new designs and Conspiracies and had several meetings to consult about them but their designes proved Abortive by a timely discovery Barbone Moyer Salmon Wildman Haynes Ireton and others were seized and Committed to safe custody The King out of a Noble and generous inclination to shew Respect and Veneration to the Memory of his Friends when it was out of his power to reward their Persons and considering likewise that the Living are usually very much taken with kindnesses exprest to the dead did about this time give order for the Re-interring those two Loyal Commanders Sir
Montross his deplorable Fate ibid. The Kings Letter to the Scots 75 His shrewd Treaty with their Commissioners 76 The English Juncto sit uneasie alarm'd with the Scots Proceedings ibid. Cromwel call'd out of Ireland and made General 81 The King Lands at the Spey in Scotland 82 1650. Cromwel Marches Northwards ibid. The Scots at difference before among themselves thereupon Unite 83 The King most Solemnly Crown'd at Schone 84 Raises an Army himself Personal Valour 162 The Kings promotes a Peace between France and Spain 165 Goes Incognito to the place of Treaty 166 The Duke of York offer'd the Constableship of Castile 169 1659. The King gives forth new Commissions 171 Sir George Booth Rises 172 Is unfortunately defeated 174 And taken Prisoner 175 The King at St. Malloes 176 An Overture to try Monk 177 Monks Brother sent into Scotland to him 178 Monk undertakes the Kings Restauration 182 Sends his Brother to the Parliament 184 A Prophetick Speech 185 Monk prepares for England 187 Whence Dr. Clergies comes to him 189 Lambert sends Morgan into Scotland 192 A Convention at Edenborough ibid. Monks Commissioners sign an Agreement 193 The Rump sits again 194 Invite Monk to London but distrust him 195 The People address to him 196 He desires the Parliament to remove their Guards 197 Was to have been sent to the Tower 198 But goes to the Parliament ibid. Made one of the Council of State 199 Pulls down the City-Gates 201 Sends a Letter to the Rump 202 Marches into the City 203 The Rump dissemble their Indignation 204 Employ their Adjutators 205 A Conference about the secluded Members 206 Who are readmitted 207 Monk made General ibid. They discharge Booth ibid. Dissolve themselves and call a free Parliment 208 Appoint a Council of State ibid. 1660. Greenvile introduc'd to the General by Morris 210 Delivers him a Letter from the King 211 The General commends his Secrecy 212 Desires him to acquaint the King with his Resolution to Restore him 213 Which was accordingly done at Brussels 214 Monk leaves his Reward to the Kings pleasure 215 The King gives Greenvile a Warrant for an Earldom 216 Signs a Commission for Monks being General 217 Removes privately to Breda ibid. Lambert escapes from the Tower but is retaken by Ingolsby 218 The free Parliament meets 219 Greenvile delivers the Kings Letter to the General 220 And his Letters and Declaration to the two Houses 221 The Reverence exprest by the Commons at reading them with Resolves thereupon 222 The Kings Letter delivered to General Mountague and the Joy it occasioned in the Fleet. 224 The Parliament Invites the King 〈◊〉 225 The Commissioners arrive at Breda ibid. The King Proclaim'd 226 The King prepares for his Return 228 Treated and presented by the Dutch ibid. The Sâ—ates Speech to him â—â—at parting 229 He leaves Holland with a glorious Fleet. 232 And Arrives at Dover 234 The General meets him there ibid. He goes to Canterbury 235 To Chattham 230 Is presented with an Address ibid. Views the Army ibid. Comes to London 237 Rides in Triumph through London ibid. Is received by the Parliament 240 He thanks them for their Loyalty ibid. He goes to the Parliament house 241 Chooses his Privy-Council 242 The Act of Oblivion 243 The General madâ— Duke of Albemarle c. 245 Several others advanc'd ibid Resignation of Purchases 246 Embassadors congratulate his Restauration ibid. The Oblivion-Act comprehensive 247 29th of May Annisary ibid. The Army Disbanded ibid. The Kings Speech at the Adjournment 248 Duke of Glocester dies 349 The Kings care to settle the Church ibid. Regicides brought to Tryalâ— 251 The Queen Mother comes into England 252 Argile sent back to Scotland 253 Princess of Orange dies 254 The healing Parliament dissolv'd ibid. Cromwels Carkass upon the Gallows 255 The Fifth-Monarchy mens Adventure 256 Preparations for the Kings Coronation 260 1661. Four Triumphal Arches erected by the City 261 The Order of his Cavalcade through the City 268 The manner of his Crowning 273 The Thunder that day the Censures thereon 279 He calls a fresh Parliament 280 The Presbyterians stickle in Elections 282 He Rides in State to the Parliament which he acquaints with his design of Marrying the Infanta of Portugal 283 A Convocation of the Clergy 284 The Act of Oblivion confirmed by that Parliament 285 The Act for Regulating Corporations ibid. Pryn censur'd by the Parliament 286 The Bishops restored to their Peerage ibid. The Lord Munson and others censured 287 Parliament adjourn'd by the King ibid. The Duke of York Captain of the Artillery Company 288 Barbone and others secured 289 The Kings Piety to the memory of his Friends 290 The Quarrel between the French and Spanish Embassadors 291 Harry Martyn no humble Servant to Proclamations ibid. The Duke of Ormond made Deputy of Ireland ibid. Episcopacy restored in Scotland 293 1662. A Fleet sent for the Queen and a Garrison to Tangier ibid. The Agreeableness of the King and Queens Fortunes 294 Her arrival at Portsmouth ibid. Queen of Bohemia dies 295 The King married at Portsmouth 296 The African Potentates allarmed 297 Tangier made a free Port. 298 The dreadful St. Bartholomew 299 Several Cities and Towns dismantl'd ibid. Dunkirk return'd to the French 300 Philips and others excuted for Plotting 301 An Embassy out of Russia ibid. 1663. The Kings Progress into the West 303 Oates and others executed 304 1664. The Parliament for War with the Dutch ibid. The King fits out two Fleets 306 His Personal care and industry 307 The Plague begins in London ibid. Prince Rupert at the Spithead 310 The Dutch afraid to put to Sea ibid. An Embargo on Dutch Ships 311 The Act for a Royal Aid 312 War Proclaimed against Holland 313 1665. A General Fast enjoyned 314 His Royal Highness Lord High Admiral ibid The Dutch allarm'd 315 Are Beaten 316 The Sickness increasing in London 317 The King and Parliament at Oxford 318 The Duke of Albemarl left in London 320 A Fast kept on every Wednesday ibid. The English Fleet upon the Coast of Holland 321 The Earl of Sandwich Attacques the Dutch in Berghen ibid. France takes part with Holland 322 A Plot discover'd ibid. 1666. Prince Rupert and the Duke of Albemarle Admirals 324 They fight the Dutch 325 London in Ashes 327 The Kings great compassion in that distress 330 Various Opinions about that Fire ibid. The Kings Prudence and Care in its Rebuilding 331 The first Invention of Ensuring houses from Fire 332 An Act of Parliament for the Rebuilding of London ibid His Pious care for Rebuilding the Churches 335 Sir Jonas More the first Rebuilder 336 A Prodigious Storm 337 A Commotion in Scotland ibid. War with Denmark 338 A Treaty at Breda 339 The Dutch spend a Summer in needless Preparations ibid. They come to Chattham 340 Peace concluded with Holland 341 1667. The Earl of Clarendon in disgrace 342 1669 Earl of Carlisle Embassador to Sweden 343 Queenmother dies 344 The Duke of Albemarle
the Island joyned them to those which he had brought with him out of France the news whereof arriving at Westminster a Letter is dispatcht from the Parliament and delivered him by Colonel Russel Governour of Guernzey wherein they humbly desired that for his Fathers his own and for his three more than miserable Kingdoms sake he would come among his Fathers Subjects offering thereupon to afford all that lay in their power to give or himself could expect to receive But not daring to trust them he waved their Complement and proceeded to manage his affairs by Sea and Land to that advantage if they had had their desired success as might have enabled the King in the approaching treaty to stand upon such terms as conduced most to his Honour both as a Man a Christian and a King In order whereunto he came attended by the Duke of York Prince Rupert the Lords Hopton Wilmot Wilâ—oughby Branford and Ruthen and Sir Henry Palmer with twenty Sail of Ships towards Yarmouth and landed there with 2000 Men where the divided multitude entertained him according to their various Inclinations some with an Hosanna and others with a Crucifie And as himself had taken care of his affairs at Sea so he sent commissions to several Persons of Honour and Trust whom he commanded to take care of them by Land viz. Ormond Inchequeen and Montgomery in Ireland the Committee of State and their Officers in Scotland the Lords Goring and Capel in Essex and Kent Glenham and Langdale in the North Hales Lucas Langhorn Poyer Owen Buckingham and the Earls of Holland and Peterborough in those places where each of them resided and Letters of correspondence past mutually between him and the Scots his Father and the City in some whereof which were intercepted the City the Lords and some of the Commons declared themselves ready to contribute all possible asistance for the composing of those unhappy differences For whose encouragement he was graciously pleased to declare himself rather the asserter of his Peoples Priviledges than his own Rights as though he fought against his Subjects not to make himself but them happy against their wills for in a Declaration which he then publisht he Solemnly protested 1. For the Establishment of Religion according to his Fathers agreement in the 26th of the preceding December 2. The performance of the said agreement and pursuance of the concessions on the Kings part 3. The restoring of the King to a Personal Treaty 4. The just Priviledges of Parliament 5. An Act of Oblivion 6. The liberty of the Subject abolishing excise contribution forfeit quarter c. 7. Disbanding the Armies and setling of Peace 8. The Defence of the narrow Seas the securing of â—rade and the support of the Navy and Seamen was all he designed in his present undertakings Which Gracious Declaration he seconded with a Letter to the Lords wherein he required 1 That a Personal Treaty might be had in such place and manner as might consist with the Kings Honour Safety and Freedom that so it might not be blemished with any Face of restraint 2. That Scotland might be included 3. That in the mean time there might be a cessation of Arms and an orderly moderate subsistance mutually agreed on for the Forces on both sides to the Souldiers content and the Subjects ease But such was their stubborn peevishness that all his concessions were slighted and his endeavours came to nothing Wherefore seeing he could do nothing by fair means he applyed himself to Force and made several Honourable but unsuccessful attempts to reduce his Rebellious Subjects to the obedience of their Soveraign Poyer and Langhorn reduce South Wales raise a Thousand Men keep Pembroke Tenby and Chepstow beat Fleming and Horton but soon after received a total rout at St. Fogins Tenby and Pembroke being surrendred and Langhorn and Poyer forced to submit to Mercy in whose behalf he wrote to St. Thomas Fairfax from the Downs where he then lay with his Fleet that they might have the usage and terms of Souldiers of War as those had who were taken by him To which Letter the General answered with all due respects to his Highness that it was not in his power to Act further the Parliament having ordered their Tryals he dar'd not interpose their Justice but only pray for Mercy and Peace subscribing himself his Highness's Humble Servant Sir John Owen likewise reduced North Wales to as little purpose Nor had his affairs much better success in Surrey Essex Kent And the City who having first petitioned and then fought for their own Peace the Kings Honour Safety and Liberty and the Kingdoms Establishment were able to accomplish nothing to purpose The Kentish Men Rendezvouzed at Black-heath under Sir Edw. Hales who commanded them as General Sir Geo. Lisley and others offering a Parly to Sir Tho. Fairfax to which he returned this Answer c. SIRS I received a Message from you for a Pass for some Gentlemen to come and and Treat according to an Order of Parliament but know of no such Order of theirs or Authority of yours to appoint Commissioners for such a purpose finding you them in Arms against the Parliament I cannot admit of a Treaty but if ye shall forthwith lay down your Arms and return home I doubt not of the Parliaments mercy to such as have been deluded into this Rebellion and their Exemplary Justice to the Chief Actors therein Of which Answer having satisfied the Prince they did by directions from him make this Reply 1. That an universal and perpetual Dictate of Nature even self-preservation not to invade others Rights but to secure their own had drawn them together 2. 'T was an undoubted Power over them ordained of God they did then obey and so did neither Tumult nor Rebel 3. That Providence which had given them that opportunity they dare not neglect nor could they lay down their Arms without the forfeiture of their Reason and their Honour and that as for the uncertain mercy which he offered to the deluded many whom he thought knew not why they were come together the certain Justice he had threatned their Leaders withal he might assure himself there was but one Soul in that great Body which was therefore resolved to stand or fall together as one Man being not tempted with any hope except that of returning to their ancient Rights Priviledges Governments and Settlements and altogether uncapable of any fear save only that of relapsing into their former slavery And that the fair managing of their business was a sufficient demonstration of their Inclinations to Peace entreating him therefore rather to make the Country his Friend than his Enemy The General being inexorable and and they resolved both Armies met at a barricadoed Bridge between the Heartâ— and Graves-end where both sides strenuously disputed the Passage till the Country-men retired back into their main Body being over-powered by multitudes rather than overcome by valour whereupon notwithstanding
Judicial proceedings And then he return'd to White-Hall where he chose the Lords of his Privy Council amongst whom were several of the long Parliament that had given sufficient Testimony of their sincere repentance and their resolution to be Loyal for the future and he appointed Judges for the Benches and Courts of Judicature Several Addresses were likewise made to him from the Nobility and Gentry of all the Countreys in England wherein they congratulated his Restitution to his Crown and Kingdom assuring him of their exceeding Joy and willingness to maintain his Royal Person and Authority Divers persons that had been eminent for their service and affection to him were about that time also dignified with the honour of Knighthood And several men guilty of his Fathers murder having made their escape beyond-Sea a Proclamation was Issued forth wherein all those persons who had â—ate gave Judgment or any way assisted in that horrid and detestable fact were commanded to surrender themselves within fourteen days to the Speaker or Speakers of Parliament to the Lord Mayor of London or the Sheriff of that County wherein they then resided forbidding all persons to conceal or harbour them under misprision of Treason whereupon divers submitted themselves and were secur'd in the Tower The Commons in drawing up the Act of Oblivion order'd that some others besides those who had actually sate in Judgment upon the late King should be excepted out of it viz. Broughton Phelps Cook Dâ—nby and Hugh Peters which so affrighted others who had a hand in that execrable murder that Col. John Hutchinson a Member of that Parliament and Coll. Frâ— Lussels presented their Petition to them wherein they confest their guilt and declar'd the artifices which were us'd to draw them in by which submission they obtain'd pardon upon some small forfeitures only But Peters being shortly after taken in Southwark was clapt up into the Tower And the Parliament not looking upon themselves nor the people of England free from the guilt nor safe from the punishment which in those unhappy times they had contracted unless they laid hold of the Kings offer of Grace in his Declaration from Breda did therefore resolv'd in a full house that they did in the name of themselves and of all the Commons of England lay hold on the gracious pardon mention'd in that Declaration with reference to the exclusion of such as should be excepted in an Act of Pardon and they order'd a Declaration that their Resolution should be drawn up which was done accordingly and presented to the King by Denzell afterward Lord Hollis some of the most eminent in Office under the late Usurpers having in the mean while to make sure of that Grace gotten their particular pardons exemplified under the great Seal of England To prevent which trouble the King was more than ordinary pressing for the speedy passing the Act of Oblivion taking care to express his grateful sentiments of the Loyalty and services of several Illustrious personages that were principally instrumental in accomplishing his Restauration by dignifying them with Places and Titles of honour And to shew how highly the Generals Loyalty had advanc'd him in his good Opinion he was dignifi'd by him with the Titles of Duke of Albemarle Earl of Torrington and Baron of Potheridge Beauchamp Teyes had his Temples deserv'dly incircl'd with a Ducal Coronet by the hand of his Majesty being thereby invested with the right of Peerage in all the three Kingdoms whose equal Felicity and Honour he had preferr'd before his own and therefore now most deservingly shar'd with them therein by his Investure in those Dignities which were compleated on the 13th of the following July by his taking his place in the House of Lords being attended by the Commons and introduc'd by the Duke of Buckingham Montague was made Earl of Sandwich Ormond Earl of Brecknock and Lord Steward of the Kings Houshold the Earl of Lindsey Lord High Chamberlain Manchester L. Chamberlain of the Kings Houshold Southhampton Lord High Treasurer Greenvile Earl of Bath and Groom of the Stole Sir Frederick Cornwallis Treasurer of the Kings Houshold by an old grant and Sir John Berkley Controller Divers rich Presents were now made to him from the several Cities and Burroughs of the Kingdom in Gold and Plate and the resignation of several Feefarm Rents which had been purchas'd from the Usurpers the City of London among the rest with a Complement of their good Stewardship rendred their grant of new Perk in Surrey and all the Rents accruing at Michaelmas Day were now secured from the late Purchasers of Crown and Church Laws to the utter disappointing of their unjust and covetous expectations from such base and unwarrantable Penny-worths A Peace was now made Proclaim'd between us and Spain and a Splendid Embassy dispatcht from Denmark to congratulate his happy Restauratian The Court of Soissons who had Married Cardinal Mazarines Neece being sent from the French King on the same Errand entring London with all the sumptuous and extraordinary Magnificence imaginable and there was no Prince nor State in Europe but what sent an Embassador thither to congratulate him upon that happy and wonderful occasion And the Parliament having after many debates and disputes alterations and insertions at last finish'd the long desir'd Act of Oblivion which was extraordinary comprehensive and indulgent even to the regret of many injur'd Loyalists who found no better Argument to perswade their acquiescing therein than their unchangeable Loyalty to the King whose special Act that was There were no more excepted out of it but only the Regicides and Murderers of the late King only Lambert Vane and twenty more were thereby reserv'd to such forfeitures as should be afterward declar'd by Parliament the principal whereof was Hazelrick St. John Lenthal the Speaker Philip Nye Burton of Tarmouth and some Sequestrators Officers and Major Generals of the Army among whom was Desbrough Pine Butler Ireton c. They likewise past an Act for the perpetual Anniversary Thanksgiving on the 29 of May which was the day both of his Birth and Restauration and therefore deserv'd a perpetual memorial and to be made by a Parliamentary Canonization the most auspicious in the English Kallender to both which he gave his Royal assent and shortly after at their adjournment to another for disbanding the Army and paying off the Navy which although they once threatned us with a perpetuating our slavery yet were now forc'd by the happy conjunction of his Fortune with his Wisdom and Goodness after many models to submit to its last desolation And the Commons having after the passing of their Bills acquainted him that they had nothing more to ask or offer at that time but that if his Majesties occasions would permit they might adjourn and go into their own Countries where they should endeavour to make his subjects sensible of their extraordinary happiness in having such a King to Rule and Govern them He consented to it telling
Charles Lucas and Sir George Lisle which was performed with abundance of splendor at Colchester the place which they had bravely defended for him and where they were at its Reduction basely shot to death all the Gentry of those Parts together with the Townesmen in Armes and Mourning attending their Hearses As he had done a little before for the Earl of Montross in Scotland Count Coningsmark who was sent hither from the Young King and Queen of Sweden being upon his departure another more splendid Embassy was sent from thence at whose Reception near the Tower a Fray or Conflict happened between the French and Spanish Ambassadors upon a Quarrel for Precedency whose Coach should follow next after that wherein the Swedish Ambassador rode Both Parties came prepared for the Encounter but the French were basely worsted and seven or eight of them slain which was like to have proved the ground of a new War between those Crowns the French King sending a Messenger to Madrid to demand satisfaction But at the entreaty of the new married Queen and the Spanish King consenting that the French Ambassador should for the time to come have the Precedency upon such occasions the difference was composed Now also several Prisoners in the Tower Regicides and others were by reason of the unwearied Practices of their Parties abroad sent to several remote Castles and Islands for securing the Peace The adjournment being expired the Parliament met again on the 20th of November when the Lords Spiritual the Bishops by vertue of the Act of Repeal made in the former Session took their places again in Parliament which the King was very much pleased to behold and in his Speech to both Houses did Congratulate with them for their enjoyment of their former priviledges as a Felicity he had much desired to see accomplisht in that goodly restored and re-establisht Fabrick of the Government and the Regicides that came in upon Proclamation and were upon that account respited after Sentence to the Pleasure of the Parliament being brought to the Bar of the House of Lords and demanded what they had to say Why Judgment should not pass upon them according to Sentence pleaded the Proclamation Harry Martyn adding that he never obeyed any Proclamation before and therefore hoped he should not be then hanged for taking the Kings word whereupon they were remanded back again to the Tower till further Order Ireland having been hitherto governed by three Lords Justices The Duke of Ormond having been a faithful Servant and constant Attender upon the King in all his Troubles was now nominated Deputy of that Kingdom and Episcopacy after it had been so long banished out of Scotland and so many Miseries and Confusions had befallen that Kingdom through the Fury and Zeal of the Kirke was reduced with all gladness and sufficient testimonies of a welcome reception the four Bishops that had been a little before Consecrated at Lambeth restored whereof Dr. James Sharpe Arch-Bishop of St. Andrews and Metropolitan of Scotland was one who Consecrated others in that Kingdom the whole Order being defunct by the long Usurpation of the Presbyterian Discipline A Fleet was at this time sent to fetch home the Queen from Portugal and carry Forces to Garrison Tangier which being part of the Queens Dowry was delivered by them to Sir Richard Stayner who with Five Hundred Men had taken possession of it in his Masters behalf and was to maintain it till the Earl of Peterborough who was nominated for Governour should arrive and the King supposing her to be by this time at Sea on her way for England acquainted the Parliament therewith and desired that as a Complement to her they would cause the Streets and High-wayes of London to be fitted and cleansed against Her Reception This Royal Bride seems to have been fitted and predisposed by Heaven for his Princely Embraces for besides being designed for him by her Father in the beginning of the late Troubles her Family had suffered a long Eclipse by the interposition of the Spanish Monarchy for the space of near one hundred Years and had now newly recovered its Splendor by her Fathers assuming the Crown which was almost as miraculous a Revolution and as strange a turn of Providence as that of our Captivity by his recovery of his Dominions On the 14th of May She arrived safe at Portsmouth in the Charles which had brought the King over to England after a tedious and dangerous Voyage the joy whereof served to alleviate the grief and wipe away the Tears occasioned by the death of his Aunt the Queen of Bohemia who died a little before having lived to survive all the Misfortunes of her Family which almost from the very time of Her Marriage in the Year One Thousand Six Hundred and Twelve had fallen very thick upon it Her death was followed with a most violent and Tempestuous Wind whereby divers Persons were killed and much damage done as well in Forraign parts as in these Kingdoms as if Heaven had designed thereby to intimate to the World that those Troubles and Calamities suffered by that Princess and the Royal Family and by which most parts of Europe had been tempested were now all blown over and was like her to rest in a perpetual Repose Several Bills which were ready for His Royal Assent detained him at White-Hall somewhat longer then he was willing had their weight and tendency been of less importance but in regard their being past into Acts would set the Nation right where it was before the Troubles began by providing remedies against those mischiefs which had then unhinged the Kingdoms happiness such as the Forbidding armed or tumultuary Petitions and ordering that not above Twelve shall resort together at any time to deliver Petitions to the King whereby they provided so far as Humane Wisdom could foresee against the like dangers by insensible degrees brought upon the Nation in the late Confusions But having once signed those Acts and thereby furnisht his Subjects with so many good and wholsome Laws as no Age of our fore-Fathers could ever boast of he posted away to Portsmouth having sent the Bishop of London thither before Him who was to consummate the Sacred Rights of Marriage which was performed in private and the Queen Conducted soon after by Him to Hampton-Court and from thence to London in great Pomp and Splendour The Parliament of Ireland having about that time for the better defraying his necessary Charge given him a subsidy of One Hundred and Twenty Thousand Pounds to be raised in two Years The Affrican Potentates alarumed by the Arrival of the English and terrified by the Fame of those Warlike and Martial Atchievements began to fear that if they suffered them quietly to possess Tangier they should thereby give them incouragement to incroach farther upon them which consideration drew thither Gayland a War-like Prince but then a Rebel against the Emperour of Fez and Morocco having usurpt part of his Dominions who continued there
Protestant Successor and limit the Authority of the former if any such should be by providing that all Church-preferments should be conferred on Pious and Learned Protestants That the Parliament which should happen to be in being at his own Death or if none the last that sate should thereupon assemble without any new Summons or Election That during the Reign of any Popish Successor no Privy Councellor or Judg of the Common Law or Chancery should be put in or displaced but by consent of Parliament That none should be Justices of Peace but Protestants and that the Lord Lieutenants and Deputy Lieutenants of Counties and Officers in the Navy should not be put in nor removed but by the Authority of Parliament Telling them he conceived it hard to invent any other Restraint to be put on a Popish Successor Yet if any thing did occur to their Wisdom whereby their Religion and Liberties might be better secured he was ready to consent to it Whereupon the Commons after they had several times adjourned the consideration of this Speech on the 11th of May resolved That they would stand by His Majesty with their Lives and Fortunes And that if he should come by any violent Death which they prayed God to avert they would revenge it to the utmost upon the Papists According to which Vote an Address was drawn up and presented by them to the King with this Variation in the form of words We shall be ready to revenge upon the Papists any violence offered by them to your Sacred Majesty which words were neither exprest nor intimated in their Vote altho absolutely necessary and essential to the Justice of their designed Revenge And without taking the least notice of the Resolution exprest in his Speech Not to suffer any alteration in the Descent to the Throne brought in a Bill to disable his Royal Highness to inherit the Imperial Crown of England which being put to the Vote was carried in the Affirmative by One and Twenty Voices but being prorogued soon after it proceeded no further In the mean while the Two Houses were very earnest in debating the methods whereby they should bring the Lords in the Tower to their Trials And Danby being demanded at the Bar of the Lords House Whether he would rely on and abide by the Plea of his Pardon returned for answer That having been advised by his Council his Pardon was good in Law he would insist upon his Plea and requested his Council might be heard And the Lords acquainting the Commons with his desire instead of granting it they in the Names of the Knights Citizens and Burgesses in Parliament and all the Commons of England demanded Judgment against him upon the Impeachment affirming his Pardon to be illegal and void However the Lords appointed him a day to argue his Plea and ordered the Five Lords to be tried the Week after and an Address to be made to the King for the appointing a Lord Steward for their Trials But the Commons not satisfied with their proceedings desired a Committee of both Houses might consider of the most proper methods of proceeding upon Impeachments according to the usage of Parliament but the Lords refused it as contrary to the known Rules and Orders of their House which ever was and ought to be tender in matters relating to their Judicature Whereupon the Commons resolved That no Commoner should presume to maintain the Validity of the Pardon pleaded by Danby without the leave of that House And that the persons so doing should be accounted Betrayers of the Liberties of the Commons of England Upon which the Lords to take away all occasion of disgust between the Two Houses receded from their former resolution and appointed a Committee to treat with them but a difference arising in that joynt Committee about the Bishops Right to be present at Trials in capital cases the Lords affirming they might stay till the Court proceeded to the Vote of Guilty or Not Guilty and the Commons denying it the Bishops endeavour'd to find out a Medium which might satisfie both and therefore desired leave of the Lords to withdraw themselves from the Trials with liberty of entring their usual protestations But this not satisfying the Commons they resolved not to proceed to the Trial of the Five Lords before Judgment given on Danby's Pardon and to insist upon the Bishops having no Right of Voting in capital Offences which made the King who saw that these heats took up their whole time and prevented their entring upon such Debates as more nearly concerned them and would have conduced more toward the setling of the Nation thought it best to prorogue them in hopes that in their next meeting their Debates might be more happy and unanimous About this time the Faction ran higher in Scotland and boiled into an open Râ—bellion which took its first beginning from the barbarous Murder of Dr. Sharp Archbishop of St. Andrews and Primate of that Kindom on the 3d of May 1679. by a company of inveâ—â—â—ate Covenanters as he was travelling from Edenborough to his own Residence who had born him an immorâ—al hatred because having formerly been one of their Party he had revolted as they termed his honest Reformation But appeared more visible toward the latter end of that Month in the Western parts of Scotland when a party of Rebels well mounted and armed coming to Rugland proclaimed the Covenant burnt the following Acts of Parliament viz. Those which concerned the King's Supremacy the Eâ—â—â—blishment of Episcopacy the appointing the Anniversary of the 29th of May and the Recissory Act by which all the Mock-Laws made in the late Anarchy were repealed And publisht an insolent Declaration full of Treason and stuft with the very Spirit and Quintescence of Rebellion inviting others to joyn with them which the Covenanters commonly there called WHIGS from whence the Name was afterward brought into England and applied to all the Dissenting Party accepted of and flockt so fast to them that their Army increased daily to such a considerable number that they became formidable Whereupon the King hastned away the Duke of Monmouth as his Generalissimo to suppress them which with the Assistance of the Loyal Gentry and Herritors of that Nation he easily performed in one Battel at Bothwell-Bridg For having forced his passage over the Bridg and seized the only piece of Cannon they had they fled toward Hamilton-Park And altho they afterward rallied again and Faced about upon the advantage of a rising ground yet so soon as the Cannon began to play on them they all fled in disorder and confusion Robert Hamilton who was their chief Commander being one of the first There were many of the Rebels kill'd in the place and several hundreds taken Prisoners whereof some few were Executed The King who was willing to try all means to please and satisfie his people fearing the Animosities of that Parliament were too great to admit of a Reconciliation and would prevent their doing any
considered the Plea and consulted with other Judges about it and were of opinion it was insufficient and was therefore overruled and the Prisoner ordered to plead over Whereupon he pleaded Not guilty and had till the first Thursday in the next Term allowed him for his Tryal In the mean while many Loyal Addresses flowed from all parts of the Nation full of Congratulations and Thanks to the King for his late Declaration And in Trinity-Term Dr. Oliver Plunket was Try'd for High-Treason the Evidence against him being all profest Papists affirmed he was made Primate of Ireland by the Pope at the French Kings Recommendation and that he having thereupon engaged to do that King all the Service he could had actually levied amongst his Popish Clergy great Sums of Money to introduce the French Dominion and extirpate the Protestants out of that Kingdom upon which evidence he was found Guilty and was together with Fitz-harris who received his Tryal the next day executed at Tyburn on the first of the following July protesting his innocency and praying for the King Queen and Duke Presently after the Tryal of Fitz-Harris his Wife and Maid accused the Lord Howard of Escrick of contriving the Treasonable Libel for which he was convicted who was thereupon committed to the Tower And in a Paper delivered at his Execution to Dr. Haukins Minister of the Tower for his Wife he confirmed that accusation denying what he had formerly confest about Danby and the Plot affirming he was drawn into that confession only through hopes of saving his Life thereby But a Bill of Indictment against Howard being delivered on the last day of the Term to the Grand-Jury of Edmunton Hundred sworn to by Fitz-harris's Wife and Maid and by some others that Jury pretending to be unsatisfied with the Evidence would have indorsed it with an Ignoramus had not one of the Clerks of the Crown who attended them withdrawn it from them for which notwithstanding they were told by the Court the Kings Attorney might stop such proceedings as he saw occasion they preferred a Bill of Indictment against the Clerk to the Jury of Oswelston Hundred there attending for that pretended Misdemeanor The Reason why some Persons went so well attended to the Oxford Parliament began now to appear for about this time there was discovery made of a design of seizing the Kings Person whilst he was there and several factious People were thereupon committed to the Tower viz. Rouse Haynes White Colledg and the Earl of Shaftsbury whose Papers were likewise seiz'd At the Sessions which began soon after he and Howard moved to be bailed but the Judges told them it lay not in their power to bail out of the Tower At this Sessions and Indictment of High Treason was preferred to the Grand-Jury of London against one of those lately committed to the Tower whose Name was Colledg But in regard he was a busie factious Fellow and ever loved to meddle most with that he least understood and pass his ignorant censures upon the great Affairs of State He was the more commonly known by the Name of the Protestant Joyner But notwithstanding the Evidence against him was full and clear they returned an Ignoramus upon the Bill whereupon part of the Treasonable Words and Matters for which he was there Indicted being transacted at Oxford whilst the Parliament sate there the Cause was removed to that Assizes where he was before the Lord Chief Justice North tryed upon the same Evidence and condemned and executed In a Parliament held at this time in Scotland the Duke of York presided as the Kings High Commissioner and an Act was past which asserted the Right of Succession to the Imperial Crown of Scotland asserting it to be by inherent right and that the nature of the Monarchy was such that by the fundamental and unalterable Law of the Realm it transmitted and devolved by Lineal Succession according to proximity of Blood and that no difference in Religion no Law nor Act of Parliament could alter or divert the Right of Succession of the Crown to the nearest and lawful Heirs and declaring it High Treason either by Writing Speaking or any other way to endeavour the least Alteration therein The French Protestants being greatly opprest and persecuted by that King flockt into England in great multitudes and were received by the King of England with abundance of Kindness and affection ordering that his Officers and Magistrates should give them the same Countenance and Favour with his own Subjects assuring them he would take them into his Royal Protection and grant 'em his Letters of Dennization and promising to procure in the next Parliament an Act for their Naturalization A special Commission of Oyer and Terminer being granted by him for the Tryal of Shaftsbury and others at the Old Bayly the Bill of High Treason preferred against Shaftsbury notwithstanding the Evidence swore very full to the Treason was returned by the Grand-Jury the Foreman whereof was Sir Samuel Barnardiston Ignoramus as a former Jury had done that of Colledg Whereupon the people whose Idol he was gave a great Shout and assaulted those who were Witnesses against him with that violence that the Sheriffs to prevent mischief were forced to guard them as far as the Savoy homeward Bonfires were that Night made by the Rabble almost in every Street at one whereof Capt. Griffith was knockt down and wounded in the Head for endeavouring to put it out And a rout of people marching down Warwick-lane one whereof had his Sword drawn sometimes cryed No York no Popish Successor and then bawl'd out a Monmouth a Shaftsbury a Buckingham till they were stopt by the Watch at Ludgate But tho the factious Rabble were thus overjoyed at the acquittal of their Idol yet the sober and Loyal part of the Nation had other sentiments about it and declared their Indignation in several Loyal Addresses against the most Execrable and Traiterous designed Association which was discovered in Shaftsburys Closet amongst his other papers which threatned not the King alone but Monarchy it self In February 1682 there hapned a strange and Barbarous Murder which for the boldness of the Attempt and the baseness of the manner wherein it was perpetrated is scarcely to be parellel'd in any History For Thomas Thin of Long-Leat Esq a Gentleman of an Estate of about 10000 l. per annum having privately married Elizabeth Daughter and sole Heir of Jocelin Earl of Northumberland and Relict to Henry Earl of Ogle Son and Heir apparent to the Duke of Newcastle And some of her Friends who were not so well satisfied with the Match as her Grand-mother was by whose means it was said to be made up having perswaded her before ever her New Husband had bedded her to withdraw her self secretly into Holland the Town was thereupon alarumed with the approach of a mighty Suit in Law concerning the Validity of the Match the best Civilians being engaged on the one side or the other And Count
as well as good and gracious King which the whole series of his Reign discovered him to be About this time by Order not Creation he was first called Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwal and Earl of Chester the Revenues belonging to each of them being assigned him for the maintenance of his Court the several Offices whereof were pitcht upon and appointed by the King his Father who taking great delight to see his Children about him ordered the Prince to attend him in several of his Progresses and particularly in that to Oxford where they were entertained with the acting of the Royal Slave which prov'd too prophetick of both their approaching Calamities During his abode there his Discourse with several Learned Doctors was so extraordinary and above the common capacity of his years that it administred matter of amazement and wonder to the whole University In the Parliament which was called soon after he took his place among the Peers who were now his equals but were hereafter to become his Subjects and there he first tryed how a Coronet would fit his Royal Head before the death of his Father called him to wear the Imperial Crown and about this time he was with great Solemnity installed Knight of the Garter together with divers of the Nobility who were his Attendance and received the same Honour with him But after all this a sad misfortune dampt the publick Joy and threatned the untimely setting of our Rising Sun for in the year 39 he first brake his Arm and was afterward afflicted with a Violent Fever and a small spice of the Jaundice but it was not long before those Clouds of fear were dissipated by the perfect recovery of his health Some unhappy misunderstandings beginning now to grow between his Father and the Parliament who knowing a King would do no wrong himself resolved to call some of his Council to an account for pretended miscarriages among whom the most Eminent was the Earl of Strafford who first led the way being by no known Law as that Judicious King who was present at the Tryal declared attainted of Treason and the King prevailed upon by the Importunity of his People and a Letter from the Earl himself who rather chose to be made a Sacrifice than to hazard his Majesties Affairs to sign a Warrant for his Execution But the King 's tender Conscience being extreamly checkt and troubled for that unwilling consent presently sent a Letter to the Peers which was written with his own Hand to desire them to forbear or at least delay the Execution of his Sentence and that it might be the more prevalent with them he sent it by the Prince which was the first Publick Business we find him imployed in which being a work of Mercy proved so good an Omen of his own Inclination that it afterward became so predominant in him as even to rejoyce over his exactest Justice although he could not then prevail on the behalf of that unfortunate Earl And not long after we find him engaged in another Publick Business being one of the Chief Assistants in the performing the Solemnities of his Sisters Marriage with the Prince of Orange The fatal Breach between the King and Parliament growing still wider and hastening to an unnatural Rupture he resolved notwithstanding many of his Nobles and Faithful Servants proffered their Service to curb any Insolencies that should be attempted on him to remove himself some time from London hoping that thereby their Jealousies and Rumours would wast and perish and therefore commanded the Prince together with his Queen and some of his Servants to attend him at Greenwich and from thence to Hampton-Court whither some Commissioners being sent to him for a Pacification they made their first Application to the Prince as the most proper Mediator between the King and his two Houses of Parliament So early was it that he began to tread in the steps and labour to imitate his Grandfather in becoming a Peace-maker which not succeeding according to expectation he accompanied his Father together with the present King to Theobalds leaving the Rebels to fret themselves at their escape and from thence into the North where he beheld a black Cloud begin to gather which though small in appearance yet was big with that dismal Storm that in a short time spread it self over his Father himself and three Nations For the King repairing to Hull to take a view of that Magazine which his Treasure had purchased and his Crown claimed as one of its Jura Regalia the Magistrate thereof bearing a Sword by a Power only derived from him without which Majesty it self is but a Solemn Trifle and Authority but a gilded Pageantry He was by Sir John Hotham who was sent thither by the Parliament denied Entrance and forced to wait with the Prince and the Duke of York at the Gate of that Garrison and could at last prevail for nothing more but only his two Sons being admitted as Children to see the Town which when they had done they accompanied their Father to York whom they now beheld deprived of that which Gr. Tholosanus calls the chiefest Flower in a Prince's Diadem and disarmed of that Majesty which of right belonged to him where the Prince was by his Father made a Captain of a choice Guard of Loyal Nobles and Gentlemen who there repaired to him For such was the Indulgent Care he had of his Subjects that he resolved they should hazard themselves no farther in the defence of his Person than he would hazard himself for the defence of their Laws Liberties and that his Eldest Son who was to succeed him in his Crown Dignity should accompany them in all those Dangers to which they should expose themselves In which Quality he attended his Father through the several Stages he past as a Partner with him in his Troubles the greatest whereof was as himself declares in his incomparable 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his unhappy involving his Innocent Off-spring in those Troubles that deserved to have been born to better Fortune At Edghill Fight notwithstanding the tenderness of his years he gave such proof of his Valour and Courage and was so little terrified with the horrid noise of Guns Drums and Trumpets the prancing of Horses and the clashing of Swords to which he had till then never been used that the Earl of Lindsey who observed it said to those about him There is a Child born to end that War we now begin But the Battel being lost he returned to his Father at Oxford where he was committed to the Care of his Kinsman the Marquess of Hartford then Chancellor of that University who provided him several Tutors in each Language Art and Science wherein it concerned him as a Prince to be acquainted and he applied himself to his Studies with as much pain and seriousness as the severest Gown-man in the place his great Soul entertaining nothing but deep thoughts profound Maxims and Intricate Mysteries and he would severely
be made which was delivered to the keeping of three Commissioners viz Keeble Whitlock and Lisly and considered of new Oaths to be adminstred to the Judges who thereupon met and upon debate six of them were contented to continue in their Employments provided the Fundamental Laws of the Kingdom were not altered For whose satisfaction the Juncto by their Declaration of the Ninth of February did assure them that they were fully resolved to maintain and would uphold preserve and keep the Fundamental Laws of this Nation for and concerning the preservation of the Laws Properties and Liberties of the People with all things incident thereunto They proceeded likewise to appoint such Persons as they thought would be most firm to their Interest to exercise the Offices of Justices of the Peace throughout the Nation and constituted a Council of State consisting of about forty in number whereof five might be Lords And finally to secure all whereas they had before onely repealed they now abolish and make void the Oath of Allegiance and Supremacy But notwithstanding all their endeavours to render themselves secure and firm in their Government yet the People began now to be generally discontented And those who had formerly affected them growing sensible of the Inconveniencies that were like to ensue upon the cutting off of their Prince beginning to abhor their practices there was a general Plot carried on against them in all the Counties of England Which obliged them to send Forces into most parts to awe them and thereby the better to keep them in order Notwithstanding which Contrivances of theirs to bar up the way to that Imperial Throne which they had impudently invaded and parted into shares amongst themselves there were some who had Courage and Loyalty enough left them to assert the King's Right and their own Duty in a Printed Proclamation thrown about the Streets And to convince the Juncto at Westminster that all men would not be wheedled to run a gadding after their Calves at Bethel but that there were some still left who would tread in the old Path and beaten Tract of Government in the succession of Charles the Second to the Crown of England which Proclamation was as follows We the Noblemen Judges Knights Lawyers Gentlemen Ministers Free-holders Merchants Citizens c. and other Freemen of England do according to our Allegiance and Covenant by these presents heartily joyfully and unanimously acknowledge and proclaim the Illustrious Charles Prince of Wales next Heir of the Blood Royal to his Father King Charles whose late wicked and traiterous Murder we do from our Souls abominate and all Parties and Consenters thereunto to be by hereditary Birthright and lawful Succession Rightful and undoubted King of Great Brittain France and Ireland and the Dominions thereunto belonging And that we will faithfully constantly and sincerely in our several places and callings defend and maintain His Royal Person Crown and Dignity with our Estates Lives and last drop of our Blood against all Opposers thereof whom we do hereby declare to be Traitors and Enemies to His Majesty and His Kingdoms In testimony whereof we have ordered and caused to be published and proclaimed throughout all Countrys and Corporations of this Realm the first day of February and the first year of His Majesties Reign God save King Charles the Second Which Proclamation although without any Solemnity or indeed open Appearance met with the same chearful Reception and inward Loyal Resolutions as if Vent had been given to a publick manifestation of Duty and Joy by His Majesties present ascending the Throne For it revived the hearts of his mourning and disconsolate Subjects to see the sure and certain Succession thereof asserted and continued in the same most beloved and darling Name the Eldest Branch and descended of their martyr'd Soveraign in whose Ruins the Regicides thought to have rak'd up and buried all Claims and Just Titles to the Imperial Diadem of these Kingdoms The said Out-cries and lamentable Groans sent forth by all Loyal Subjects at the Loss of their Head together with the Martyrs Instructions and his George which were according to his Fathers desire sent him by the Dutch Embassador found him at the Hague in Holland where he then kept his Court and was first saluted King and the horrour thereof so seized his great Soul with wonder and astonishment that it had certainly sunk under the weight of it had not the Religious Consideration that he ought not to sorrow as one without hope buoyed up his Spirit and Reason forbid him to cast away himself with grief who was then become the only hope of three Kingdoms Generous Rage prompting Princes to Revenge rather than Despair which was not to be accomplisht by weeping Eyes but by wise Counsels and valiant Performances Wherefore he bravely cheered up and reassumed his wonted Courage Comfort State and Majesty And for the better managing of his Affairs went soon after to Paris to solicit that Court to embrace his Interest and afford him some Assistance for the recovery of his Right and the redressing his Subjects miseries by discountenancing the English Rebels and furnishing him with that competency of Money Men Arms and Ammunition which might enable him not to Invade his Country but to encourage his own Subjects to rescue themselves from a forced Slavery But the French King being under Age and Cardinal Mazarine who then governed the great Affairs of that Kingdom being no Friend to this banisht and distressed King but holding a correspondence with his rebellious Subjects he was able to procure no Assistance from thence Whereupon he next applied himself to Spain whither he sent the Lord Cottington as his Embassador who upon his arrival there was confronted by a Competitor viz. Ascham who called himself an Embassador from the then New Majesties of England until he was dispatcht by some Switz After which Cottington was dismist with this Answer That were it any thing in the King of Spain's own Dominion which his Master of Great Brittain had desired it should have been no sooner requested than granted But being a Forreign Quarrel he could not interest himself therein in regard it was not reasonable he should busie himself in other mens matters who had so many Irons in the fire himself But in the mean time the Emperor the Princes of Germany the Kings of Denmark and Sweden being acquainted with the present circumstance of his Affairs by his several Embassadors sent to each of them they highly resented his deplorable condition and resolved his speedy assistance and supply And Holland upon his Account and the Interest of his Sister the Princess of Orange did upon terms agreed on between the late King and their Embassador two days before his death resolve not to vail to this younger Sisters State as they had been wont to do to the Kings of England but by the Forlorn of some private acts of Hostility begin that difference which soon after brake out into an open War Nor
Montross was removed by an unfortunate death Wherefore he sent Sir Will. Fleming beforehand to complement the States he returned them his Answer in the following Letter which he sent back by Liberton We have received your Letter by Mr. Windram of Liberton and graciously accept your good affections towards us your Resentment of our Condition and our Fathers Murder And out of a gracious desire of a good understanding between us and our Subjects of Scotland for their Peace Happiness and Comfort we command and desire you to send us Commissioners sufficiently Authorized to treat and agree with us about those things which concern the Interest of our Subjects of Scotland and our Interest in England Scotland and Ireland at Breda on the 5th of March. That all the World may know how sincerely we desire Agreement we have addressed these to you under the Name and Title of Committeee of Estates of our Kingdom of Scotland and do expect you use this Grace no otherwise for the prejudice of us and our Affairs than for the Treaty and in order to it Given at our Court in Jersey Jan. 6. 1649. Charles Rex Another Letter to the same purpose being likewise directed by him to the Committee of the Kirk The Scots gladly received those Letters and presently made choice of Commissioners to repair to Holland sufficiently instructed for the concluding of a Treaty with the King who arrived at Breda on the 16th of March and were on the 19th conducted by the L. Wentworth Master of the Ceremonies to their Audience when they delivered to His Majesty the following Propositions 1. That the Excommunicated should be forbid the Covenant 2. That all the Acts of Parliament be ratified the Covenant taken the Presbyterian Government establisht and practised in His Majesties Family and elsewhere and that he himself swear to it 3. That all Civill matters might be determined by subsequent Parliaments and all Ecclesiastical matters by the general Kirk assembled Which Propositions of theirs being delivered he distinguisht the Civil part of their Proposals from those that concerned Ecclesiastical matters and told them that as to what concerned Civil Affairs he would confirm all the Acts and Ordinances of the last Session of their Parliament And that all Affairs concerning that Kingdom should be transacted in a Parliamentary way as they had been in his Royal Father and Grandfathers time And that as long as any person did stand excommunicated he should be uncapable of any Office or place of trust in that Nation And as to what concerned the Ecclesiastical matters he told them That the Covenant seemed more proper for Subjects than for a King in regard Allegiance unto Soveraignty was a considerable part of it And that as to those parts of it wherein he thought himself concerned he would upon the word of a Prince with the limitation allowed in the Covenant viz. as far as he did or might in his Conscience according to the Word of God endeavour in his place the Reformation in Religion and Worship in England Scotland and Ireland Assuring them moreover that he would allow the Scottish Nation a Liberty as large as he enjoyed himself And that in case the generality of the Scottish Nation assembled in Parliament would propose unto him the Presbyterian Government as the way wherein that Nation would walk in fellowship with God he would confirm and establish it by his Royal Authority And finally That in order to his making good those particulars he would with all convenient speed repair to his Ancient Kingdom of Scotland desiring to be excused if his Fathers and his own ancient and faithful Friends who had constantly attended on him in all his sufferings should come along with him thither since he could not in point of gratitude discharge those from the Advantages of Loyalty whose faithfulness to him was so great that no hazards whatsoever could discharge them from the Services Employments and Dangers of it telling them he should be a King in vain if Allegiance in his Court were esteemed a fault that deserved cashiering These Proposals and Answers were rationally debated by Commissioners on both sides the Scots standing very stifly to their Principles and the Kings Commissioners resolved not to yield to all their demands whereupon by an influence which the English had upon some of the Commsssioners for they had their Active Agents both their and in Scotland streneously endeavouring to countermine the honest endeavours of all sides for pacification the treaty was like to break off as unhappily as by them it was thought to be begun but by the mediation of the States General the Queen of Bohemia and the Prince of Orange it was reassumed and brought to a Conclusion upon the Covenant Terms on the Kings part with the forementioned limitation it was the Religious part of the Treaty which kept them at the greatest distance and was the most difficult to be agreed upon controversies of that nature being ever the most irreconcileable the civil part ever quickly dispatcht in regard he was of such a condescending temper that conld contentedly quit much of his interest for the Peace and welfare of his People but was unwilling to quit any of his conscience which he knew to be a far more weighty and sacred matter On the Scots side it was agreed that his Majesty should be admitted to the Throne of Scotland and his just Rights in that Kingdoms recovered by Parliament from the hands of those who had usurpt them and that they should assist his Majesty in bringing the Murderers of his Royal Father to condign punishment restore him to the Kingdom of England and the vindicating his Right thereunto against the present Usurpers c. The Treaty being thus finisht the Commissioners both of the Kirk and the State were splendidly treated by the Prince of Orange and highly honoured by his Majesty after which they returned into Scotland exceedingly satisfied in their success and entertainment Nor were the Scots alone in their Endeavours at this time to restore His Majesty to his lost Dominions For many of the Presbyterians in England did likewise by their Agents at Bâ—â—da engage all their Interest for the promotion thereof But Cromwel's Emissaries being so thick that three could scarcely meet together but one of them would in the end prove his Spie they were betrayed and their Designs came to nothing Many eminent persons especially of their Ministers being taken and brought to Tryal as Case Jenkins Jackson Love and others some whereof were executed upon the importunity of Cromwel who protested to the Juncto that if they did not Justice in England he would not fight in Scotland viz. Love and Gibbons The Juncto were very much allarumed when they understood that notwithstanding all their Endeavours to the contrary the Treaty at Breda is concluded And that among other things the Scots had engaged to assist His Majesty to bring them and the Rebels of their Conspiracy to condign pnnishment and â—o recover those
about for some time upon pretence of entring into a League of Friendship with them but meeting of a sudden as he was ranging with his Horse who are accounted the swiftest in the World with some of our Forces who were forraging for Provisions and Horse-meat he surprized and defeated them their manner of Fighting being to take and leave as they find advantage which they do with very active and quick Force and Resolution but the English were not long before they requiâ—ed him and revenged the injury upon some of his adventurous Stragglers after which he freely entred into and finished a Treaty of Peace with them And the King not long after made it a free Port and indowed it with all the Priviledges of a Merchant City being very conveniently Scituated for Commerce and Trade especially in regard of the Security thereof The great discourse and expectation at this time was what the Presbyterians would do after the Act of Uniformity was past which provided that by St. Bartholomews day their Ministers should renounce the Covenant read Divine Service and Common-Prayer in Church Vestments as the Surplise which was the main thing they pretended to â—cruple or else forsake their Livâ—â—gs Many endeavours there had been â—â—ed before to prevail with the Parâ—â—ament for some Tolleration but â—ot being able to carry it there they afterward applyed themselves to the King and His Council but upon 〈◊〉 full Debate of their Petition and â—s full a hearing of what they had â—o say the business was laid aside â—n regard there was none present who could answer and dispute their pretences for the Superseding the express meaning of that Act. But the Bishop of London by his Prudence and foresight had provided Pious and able Ministers to succeed them in their Cures and for the better security of the publick Peace for times to come the Commissioners for regulating Corporations besides the displacing such Officers as were â—ill affected ordered the Walls of such Townes and Cities as had been the reception of and maintained the late Rebellion to be demolished as examples and security to succeeding Ages viz. Glocester Coventry Northampton Taunton and Leicester which was done accordingly And the Town of Dunkirk which was taken from the Spaniards by Cromwell and had ever since been kept at a vast charge was now also by the Advice of His Council in regard it had never been Annext by Act of Parliament to the Crown of England returned to the French King upon the valuable Consideration of Five Hundred Thousand Pounds And there having been great talk and long suspicion of a Plot secretly carryed on against the Government insomuch that the most part of that Summer the Trained-Bands had watcht every night the design now appeared being carryed on by Ludlow Danvers Lockyer Strange and others for the overthrowing of the Government in order whereunto they were to have seized the Tower Deal-Castle and other places of Strength and were â—o have had the word given them â—he night they were to have fallen â—n which was the last of October by George Phillips a Serjeant in the Colâ—onels Company of the White Regiment But being discovered by â—ne of their number they were â—any of them taken and by sufficient Witnesses Convicted of the Conspiracy four whereof viz. Philâ—ips Tongue Gibbs and Stubbs were Executed according to Sentence and â—he rest pardoned by the King who â—lwayes loved to mix Mercy with his Executions The Emperour of Russia about this â—ime sent hither a very Splendid Embassy by three of his Chief Princes one whereof came some time before the other and had Audience of the King in Private at Hampâ—on-Court they were received in greater State than any Ambassadors â—ad been that Arrived before them â—he whole Military Force of the City being in Arms and several of the Companies in their Liveries â—nd the Aldermen with their Gold Chaines riding before them They had about thirty Servants that rode on Horseback with Hawks on their fists as Presents And being Conducted on the New-Years-Day following to their Audience at White-Hall they delivered their Presents which were very rich consisting of Furs Beavers Ermins and the like together with Persian Carpets three Persian Horses Argâ—marick and other Commodities of that Country as Damasks Silks and Embroderies and a whole Ship load of Hemp there were likewise of the same nature sent from the Empress to the Queen and from the Prince of Russia all which were received with that affection and kindness which the King discovered upon all occasions toward that great and Potent Monarch The King having ordered the Earl of Rothes to succeed Middleton as Chief Commissioner in Scotland went in the Vacation time on Progress Westward from London to Bath and from thence through Glocester-Shire to Oxford being presented at Reading and Newbury with Purses of Gold and receiving where-ever he came very high and Splendid Entertainments At Oxford He was met half a Mile from the City by the Doctors and Schollars in their Formalities and upon His entring the Subburbs by the Militia of that City through which he passed to his Lodgings During his stay there he visited the Schollars and was Nobly Enrertained But not long after His return notwithstanding all those Provisions for peace he was informed of a Plot discovered in the North to involve his Subjects in a War again which was to have begun first in Ireland and so to have been brought into England and several of the Conspirators being taken he sent down a Commission to York in the midst of Winter to try them Fifteen whereof were found Guilty the Chief of them was Captain Oates and shortly after divers more were arraigned the chief whereof were Cotton Denham and Atkins some of them were executed at York some at Leeds and some at other places nor wanted they some in London to abett and favour their designes by Libels and such like Methods for which a Printer was Apprehended Tryed and Execued and others pilloryed and Fined The Dutch having notwithstanding all their great pretences of Love and Friendship to the King been guilty of many Injuries and depredations to the English Nation the King and Parliament in the following Spring took into their Consideration the many Complaints that were made against them and both Houses Petitioned the King to take a speedy and effectual course for the redressing thereof promising to assist him therein with their Lives and Fortunes But he alwayes preferring Peace before War when it may be had upon Honourable Conditions resolv'd to see what he could do with them by fair means before he let things come to extremity and therefore by his Agent there demanded satisfaction for the injuries done by them But that subtle people not willing to return a speedy answer resolved to send their own Embassadour into England which as it was a way of answering more Magnificent so it occasioned the greater delay of time which was the thing they chiefly aim'd at that so they might
according to his accustomed Wisdom foreseeing it would otherwise be impossible to have it uniform and decide the Controversies which would arise about dividing the Ground belonging to each House and oblige the Repairers to build with Brick or Stone provided an Act of Parliament for the setling all things in relation thereunto and the erecting a Court of Judicature to judge and determin all Differences that might arise between Party and Party prohibiting in the mean time the hasty building any publick Edifices and proclaiming a general Fast through England and Wales ordering the distresses of those who were ruined thereby to be then recommended to the Charity of all well-disposed persons and the Money so gathered to be afterward distributed by the hands of the Lord Mayor The Act was pass'd in the approaching Parliament wherein besides the provision for the building the Houses of Brick or Stone it was enacted That the most eminent Streets should be of a considerable breadth and those toward the Water-sides wide enough to render Passages convenient that a fair Wharf should be left all along the River's-side and no Houses built thereon but at a convenient distance appointed therein none whereof were to be inhabited by Dyers Brewers or Sugar-Bakers And that an exact Survey should be made of the Ruins for the satisfaction of particular Interests and a Model framed of the whole Building the better to understand if it were convenient for them to appoint any alterations therein And to shew his Pious Care for the Rebuilding of the Churches for the Service of God as well as Houses for his Subjects to dwell in he recommended that Work to the Charity and magnanimous Bounty of publick spirited Persons and for an encouragement to others promised to Rebuild the Custom-house and Enlarge it for the Benefit of Merchants at his own Charge which he afterward performed engaging to part with all his Right and Benefit arising from his own Lands within the City for the Publick Good and to remit the Duties arising from Hearth-Money to those who should Erect any New Buildings according to his Declaration for Seven Years And to demonstrate his Resolution to perform whatsoever he had promised in his Declaration commanded one Knight to be committed to Prison for presuming to Print certain Propositions for the Rebuilding the City with considerable Advantages to the Crown which were repugnant to his gracious Offers in that Declaration So that London being ashamed to lye longer smothered under Ashes when all those Provisions were made for its Resurrection was by Sir Jonas Moore according to the appointed Model first roused in Fleet-street and from that beginning grew so hastily towards a perfection that within the compass of a few years it outvyed all its ancient Glory and Splendour and appeared far more beautiful in its rise than its fall had rendred it abject and desolate But the burning of London was not the only unhappy Accident that fell out in that Year of Wonders for the Fire which had laid the City in Ashes threatned the Court with the like dissolation for having by the misfortune of a Candle falling into the straw violently seized upon the Horse-Guard in the Tilt-Yard over against White-Hall it burned down the North-West part of that Building but being so close under the King 's own eye it was by timely help in a little time mastered And at a place called Welbourn in Lincoln-shire after a prodigious Thunder with Hail-stones of a more than ordinary bigness there followed such a Storm and Tempest that its violence threw down most of the Houses to the ground tore up Trees by the Roots and dispersing several Ricks of Corn and Hay passed to the next Village called Willington where it threw down firm Houses and going forward to Nanby it fell so violently upon the Church that it dash'd the Spire in pieces and so tore and rent the Body of the Church that it almost levelled it with the ground And that Scotland might likewise bear a share in that Year's Calamities a Seditious Zeal having inspired some Malecontents with revenge against Sir James Turner for executing too vigorously as they pretended the Laws against them they committed an insolent Ryot upon his person taking him out of his Bed and carrying him naked into the Market-place where they were hardly restrained from cutting him in pieces which Tumult was first raised by a small and an inconsiderable Rabble but in a short time increased to a Body of One thousand six hundred Men who marching toward Edenburgh were encountred and defeated near Glencarn many of them being slain and more taken the Ring-leaders whereof were executed and most of the rest pardoned But in the midst of all these unhappy Distractions he did not neglect the making all necessary Preparations for carrying on and maintaining his War with Holland France and Denmark the latter whereof was now entered into a League offensive and defensive with the States of the Vnited Provinces upon pretence of the Assault made upon the Dutch in his Port of Berghen although he had the freedom of that Port frankly offered him by the King of Denmark himself at a time when he thought nothing of it and that in order to the doing those very Acts of Hostility wherewith he was then unjustly reproach'd by that King as he declared in his Declaration of War against Denmark published about that time And for a good Omen of his future success he not long after his Declaration of War received News that the Vice-Admiral of Denmark was taken by some of his Frigots upon the Coast of Scotland However the King of Sweden having become a Mediator for Peace between him and the States-General and prevailed with him to condescend thereunto and appoint Breda for the place of Treaty the Dutch notwithstanding busied themselves in making Preparations for continuing the War resolving to treat of Peace in a posture and condition to fight if it succeeded not and he not being ignorant of their intentions to make him spend that Summer in needless Expences for War and only keep himself upon his own guard But we having therefore but a small Fleet abroad the Dutch upon intimation thereof got out to Sea betimes and finding no Enemy to resist them made an attempt on Burnt Island but being beaten off with loss they next attempted the Fort of Sheerness which being then a place of small force was after a short but stout resistance abandoned by Sir Edward Spragg and so the Mouth of that narrow River was left open to them And being encouraged by this success they landed about three thousand men near Felton-Cliff and with two thousand of them adventured to make two Assaults upon Languard-Fort but were beaten off and forced to retire in such haste that they left their Scaling-Ladders behind them and had about one hundred and fifty slain upon the place the other thousand which were left behind the Cliff to secure their retreat being encountered by the Trained-bands
under the Command of the Earl of Suffolk a smart Skirmish pass'd between them and continued till Ten at Night when it was renewed again by the return of the beaten Companies from the Fort but the English Horse not being able to come up there was not that execution done upon them which otherwise might have been However the Dutch lik'd not that hot Service well enough to abide their coming but as soon as their Boats were afloat embarqued with all haste and returned to their Ships and sailing for the Humber they engaged a Squadron of the English which they found there but being worsted shewed themselves before Portsmouth and made some slight Attempts in Devonshire and Cornwall And after de Ruyter their Admiral had been civily treated in the West by the Earl of Bath and Sir Jonathan Trelawney and received advice that the Peace was concluded they sailed back for Holland This Peace was concluded at Breda upon the twenty first of June in the Year 1667. when the Articles were signed by the several Plenipotentiaries and upon the fourteenth of the following August the Ratifications thereof interchanged the Mediators first bringing the Ratifications and other Instrustruments of the Dutch French and Danes into the English Embassadors Lodgings and received theirs in exchange which done the English Embassadors went into the apartments of the Dutch and their Allies where they made and received the Complements usual in such cases and the Peace was thereupon immediately Proclaimed before the Doors of the several Plenipotentiaries and on the twenty fourth of that Month at the Exchange which was then kept at Gresham Colledge and other places in London But the Foundation of the Royal Exchange in Cornhil being about that time appointed to be laid the King was pleased to shew his readiness to countenance that Work by being present at and assisting in the solemnity thereof with his own Royal hands as his Brother the Duke of York did shortly after who laid the first stone of the second Pillar which Edifice was in a short time finished and is now the most curious Fabrick of that kind in the whole World About this time that wise and useful States-man and Privy-Counsellor Edward Hide Earl of Clarendon and Lord High-Chancellor of England who had always behaved himself with abundance of Loyalty and Faithfulness to his Master as well before as after his Restauration falling into disgrace with the Parliament was forced to abscond and leaving that Office which he had so long managed with advantage to the King and honour to himself retired into France where he lived in a voluntary Exile 'till he died A sort of idle and licentious Persons getting together in the Holy-days at Easter and pretending former custom took the liberty to pull down some Houses of bad repute about the Suburbs of London under the notion of Apprentices yet others being found guilty of it four of them were apprehended Tryed Condemned and Executed and two of their Heads set upon the Bridge for a terror to others Having dispatch'd the Earl of Carlile as his Embassador Extraordinary to the Court of Sweden with which King he always maintained a friendly correspondence he directed a Letter for the Earl when he was at Copenhagen on his way to Sweden to be by him delivered to the King of Denmark in answer to an obliging Letter he had a little before received from him which Letter of the King 's was so acceptable to the Dane that upon the Earl's request he immediately dispatch'd orders to all his Ports and Towns of commerce especially those in Norway for restoring the English to the same Freedom and Priviledges in Trading thither as they had before the War And the Earl upon his arrival in Sweden presented that King with the George worn by the Knights of the Garter and after his having been entertained in that Court with all imaginable respect upon his Masters account and dismiss'd with particular marks of the King of Sweden's favour and testimonies of the acceptableness of his Embassie he was upon his return home solemnly Installed in that Order at Windsor While the King was diverting himself this Summer with the Duke and others of his Nobles in the new Forrest in Hampshire he received the doleful tidings of his Mothers death at Columbe the thirty first of August she being nobly buried in the December following at St. Dennis And to close the publick affairs of this Year the restorer of the Crown to the King and happiness to the Kingdom George Duke of Albemarle and Lord General of all the Kings Land Forces exchanged his temporary Coronet for an Eternal Crown and the King as a mark of Gratitude to the Father sent his Garter to his Son and Successor the present Duke of Albemarle whom he continued in many of his Honours and Preferments promising withall that himself would take care of his Fathers Funeral which he accordingly did and after he had publickly lain in State at Somerset-House for some time caused his Funeral to be solemnized with that Pomp and Splendor that it is verily believed no Subject was ever honoured with the like In the following Spring the King having a great desire to unite Scotland and England into one Kingdom endeavoured to have it accomplish'd by procuring an Act of Parliament in order thereunto and nominating Commissioners for each Kingdom to meet and treat about it But they not being able to agree it was wholly laid aside and came to nothing The King's Wisdom and Conduct being famed throughout all parts of the World like a second Solomon drew to his Court several Foreign Princes to see and admire him And about this time the Prince of Tuscany came upon the same Errand and was by him treated both at London and Windsor with great Respect and Splendour and by several of his Nobles in his Progress through England the chief Cities whereof he was desirous to take a view of after which he departed for Holland and so returned into his own Countrey where not long after besides his splendid Entertainment of the Earl of Northumberland in acknowledgment of the King's Kindness and Affection express'd to him when in England he built and gave to the King two very stout Galleys for a guard of the Coast about Tangier which were of great importance to his Service in those parts But altho' the King was well pleased with this Princes visit yet he shortly after received a more welcome one from his Sister the Dutchess of Orleans who came to Dover to pay him her last Visit and was there entertained by him with as much Affection and Bounty as the time of her stay which was but short would permit Nor was her stay in this World much longer for soon after her return she died suddenly to his unexpressible grief The King being now at peace at home employed his Naval Forces against the Algerines a People that never keep Peace longer than till they can have an opportunity to break
it on certain factious persons unknown to them which they desire Mr. Withins Steward of that Court to represent in their Names to the King which he accordingly did and received the Honour of Knighthood as a Reward of his Loyalty After which several such like addresses were directed from many of the Counties and that from Norfolk had a farther acknowledgment of their humble thanks to the King for calling home the Duke And the Lord Shandois having been elected by the Turky Company to go Embassador to Constantinople and desiring the Kings approbation the King 〈◊〉 him that having been concerned in promoting petitions which were â—â—rogatory to his Prerogative and tended to sedition he could not think him fit for his Favour whereupon he humbly acknowledged his fault to the King in Council protesting â—â—at he had been misled and drawn into it by being perswaded it was for his Mâ—jesties Service but being now better informed he abhorred and disowned all such Practices and humbly begging his Pardon he as freely obtained it Upon the 18th of May so great a Storm of Hail fell in London and the adjacent parts that the like had not been seen in many Years before the Stones being of an extraordinary bigness and very hard till they had lain a while many of them being as large as Pullets Eggs. One which I saw measured was somewhat more than Nine Inches about several Rooks in the Temple Garden being beaten down and killed with them and the Glass of many Sky-lights battered and broken to pieces And now the Parliament which had been several times this Summer prorogued met on the 21st of October according to â—he King's Declaration to them at their meeting in April to whom he declared in a Speech to both Houses That he had during that long prorogation made Alliances with Holland and Spain and desired money of them for the relieving Tangier the defence whereof had very much exhausted his Treasure and advising them not to meddle with the Succession of the Crown but proceed to the discovery of the Plot and the Trial of the Lords The Commons having chosen Mr. Williams a Barrester of Grays Inn and Recorder of Chester for their Speaker to convince the World that the King had not without Reason deferred their sitting so long and that neither he nor the Nation would have been losers if they had not sate then fell to purging their house expelling Sir Robert Can a Burgess for Bristol for having said there was no other Plot but a Presbyterian one and Sir Francis Withins for having declared himself an Abhorrer of the late tumultuous Petitions for the Parliaments sitting The former was committed by them to the Tower and both ordered to receive their Censure on their knees from the Speaker Several other Members were likewise declared guilty of the same Offence with Sir Francis Withins And not content with punishing their own Members they take notice of others who were without their Walls amongst whom Sir George Jeffries Recorder of London one of the King's Serjeants at Law and Chief Justice of Chester became the Object of their displeasure and was Voted a Betrayer of the Subjects Rights and an Address was made to the King to remove him from all publick Affairs and Impeachments Voted and drawn up against Sir Francis North Chief Justice of the Common-Pleas Sir William Scrogs Chief Justice of the Kings-Bench Sir Thomas Jones one of the puisny Judges of that Court and Sir Richard Weston one of the Barons of the Exchequer for several pretended misdemeanors that of Sir Francis North being the advising and drawing up of the Proclamation against Petitions But not contenting themselves to deal with Subjects they proceeded next to a matter of a far greater concern For on the 11th of November notwithstanding the King's desire at their opening That they would not meddle with the Succession a Bill past in the House of Commons intituled An Act for securing the Protestant Religion by disabling James Duke of York from inheriting the Imperial Crown of England and Ireland and the Territories thereunto belonging which notwithstanding all the opposition made against it by the unbiassed and Judicious Loyalists who tho their Reasons were strongest yet their number were fewest was carried up to the Peers by the Lord Russel attended by almost all the Commons who gave a Hum at the delivery of it The Lords having ordered it upon their departure to be read put it to the Vote whether it should be read a second time which being carried in the Affirmative by Two Voices only after the second reading it was debated till Eleven a Clock at night the King being present all the while and then thrown out of the House by a Majority of about Thirty Voices in which number were all the Bishops then present to shew how careful the Prelacy is to promote Monarchy Soon after the Parliament proceeded to the Trial of William Lord Viscount Stafford which began in Westminster-Hall on Tuesday the 30th of November and the Impeachment and Evidence upon the same were managed by a Committee of the Commons and the Witnesses against him were Oates Turberville and Dugdale The Lord Chancellor Finch was created Lord High Steward for the solemnity of his Trial which lasted a whole week and being found Guilty by the Majority of Four and Twenty Voices he received Sentence on the 17th of December and on the 29th of that Month was beheaded on Tower-Hill protesting his Innocency with his last breath as all those had done who died for the Plot before him Some were so bold as to question the King's power to dispence with the Rigor of the Sentence and the unhappy Lord Russel was said to be one of them During these publick Transactions a large and prodigious flame of Light appeared in the West The Star from which the Blaze proceeded was but small and when first discovered seemed to be not much above the Horizon but every night after appeared somewhat higher in the beginning of the night and consequently set later its lustre and magnitude decreasing by degrees Whether this finger of the Almighty so visibly seen in the Heavens portended good or bad Events to the World in general or England in particular is a matter too mysterious for me to unfold and therefore shall I leave it till made more plain by the Effects which will be the best Commentatary thereon The King finding the Commons taken up with other business without taking the least care of providing him Money for the supplying his pressing wants and the relieving Tangier then besieged by the Emperor of Morocco recommended the matter more seriously to them in his Speech on the 15th of December But all the Answer he could obtain from them was an Address complaining of several pretended Grievances and refusing all supplies of Money for the Relief of Tangier or any other use unless he would pass a Bill for the Exclusion of the Duke and to enable all Protestants to associate
thrice and find security for his Good Behaviour during Life And one Butler of Northamptonshire for Presenting and Reading to the Knights of the Shire at the last Election for that County a seditious Paper of Address was fined 500 Marks and order'd to find Sureties for his Good Behaviour during Life And Dalby and Nicholson two Retainers to the Salamanca Doctor were ordered to stand in the Pillory for several false and scandalous Speeches utter'd by them But the most remarkable of all was the Business of one Roswell a Conventicle-Preacher about Redriff who was this Term tryed and convicted of High Treason in certain treasonable words spoken bâ— him in his Preachment on the 14th of September But some question arising about the Form of his Indictment which was argued by Council on both sides the Court took time to consider of their Judgment till the next Term before which time Roswel obtained the Kings Gracious Pardon who ever loved to endear his Subjects by Acts of Kindness rather than to terrifie them by Examples of Justice In this Term also was Oates indicted for Perjury in relation to Irelands being in London at the time sworn to by him at Irelands Tryal and being brought up to the Kings Bench-Bar to hear his Indictment read and pleading Not guilty his Tryal was appointed the next Term and at the Sessions which followed soon after at the Old-baily he was again Indicted upon a second Indictment for Perjury and upon pleading Not Guilty that was also appointed to be Tryed the next Term at the Kings Bench Court The Roads being now exrteamly infested with Robbers the King order'd for the ease and safety of his Subjects that all his Officers of Justice and others should with their utmost diligence endeavour the apprehending of High-way men and other Robbers promising That those who should apprehend any of them should have a reward of Ten Pounds for every Offender taken by them and delivered into Custody A little before Christmas when the minds of men in regard they were then to celebrate the Commemoration of the Incarnation and Nativity of the Prince of Peace shou'd have been wholly taken up with thoughts of Peace the restless and implacable Spirits of the factious and designing crew that were not yet so deprest as to be deprived of all hopes of reviving their Game were notwithstanding otherwise employ'd for about this time they dispers'd in a secret and clandestine manner a most wicked false and treasonable Libel relating to the Death of the late Earl of Essex Wherein they would have born the World in hand that he did not murder himself Strict enquiry was made after the Author and several of the Books seiz'd but the Author could not be discovered only Henry Danvers commonly called Collonel Danvers an Anabaptist by Profession and a Principal Officer in the late Rebellious Army was found to be the Author of a certain Sheet which was an abstract of that Libel wherein the very Qâ—intescence and Venom of it was crowded into a smaller Compass and a Warrant thereupon was sent out for his Apprehension but being an old cunning Fox he fled upon the discovery whereupon the King gave Publick Notice in the Gazette That whosoever should apprehend him and cause him to be deliver'd into safe Custody that he might be proceeded against according to Law for those dangerous and treasonable Practices should have a reward of 100l to be immediately paid by the Lords of the Treasury In the beginning of this Hillary Term Sir Scroop How one of the Knights of the Shire for the County of Nottingham in the late Parliaments appearing in the Kings Bench to answer to an Information exhibited against him for Words spoken against the King and his Brother pleaded Guilty confessing his Offence and with much sorrow cast himself upon the Kings and the Dukes Mercy whereupon being the next day introduc'd to them he was after his humble submission to them and promises of future Loyalty and Obedience receiv'd to Grace and being deeply affected with that unmerited favour acknowledg'd that he did in point of Gratitude for the Kings Goodness therein owe him his Life and Estate and would for the future dedicate Both to the service of him and the Royal Family But Englands Glorious Sun of Happiness and Tranquility which had shined bright and resplendent for near Five and Twenty Years together must now suffer a fatal Eclipse and be for some few days wrapt up in Black and Mournful Clouds and have it's Glory totally tho not finally obscur'd by the Lamented and much Deplored Death of this happy and wonderful Monarch for upon Monday the second of February he was suddenly taken with an Apoplectick Fit which was so violent that in all probability he would never have reviv'd again had not Doctor King who being one of his Physicians was then present having been that morning with some others of the Kings Physicians to look upon a sore Heel which he had for some time immediately let him blood by which and other proper means afterward used he seemed to be in so fair a way of recovery that the Lords of the Council thought fit for the preventing of false Reports to publish on Thursdâ—y That some Hours after the Kings being first taken an amendment appeared which wlth the Blessing of God improved by the Application of proper and seasonable Remedies was then so far advanc'd that the Physicians conceiv'd him to be in a condition of safety and that he would in a few days be freed from his Distemper The People in divers Places of the Country where it had been positively reported he was dead receiv'd this news of his Recovery with incredible joy exprest by the Ringing of Bells and Bonfires but in few days all was dampt again by the certain and unwelcome news of his Death For when neither the endeavours of men nor the invocations of Heaven could prevail he expired on Friday the Sixth of February having lain all that time in abundance of pain and misery which he endur'd with incredible Patience often lifting up his hands and eyes to Heaven and breathing forth the fervent desires oâ— his Holy and Pious Soul in several Short but sweet and Pathetick Ejaculations Kings in respect of their Office are stiled Gods in the Sacred Writ and are like him immortal and therefore can never die but their Persons being made of the same mouldring Principles with the meanest of their Subjects they must die like men and when the time appointed for their dissolution is come it is impossible either for men or Angels Physick or Physicians to detain them longer here for they may with as much ease dissolve the Covenant of the Night and Day keep the Sea from flowing and the Sun from shining as preserve Kings from being hurried as well as the rest of mankind to the place appointed for all Living As no King was ever better beloved by his Subjects whilst living so none ever died more lamented than
whole Nation But to abate the joy of the English London which had flourished throughout so many Ages and been accounted one of the goodliest Cities in the World was about this time destroyed and burnt down to the ground by a most dreadful fire which began on Sunday September the â—econd about two in the morning 1666. a Year that in regard of its agreement with the number of the Beast mentioned in the Revelations had filled all Men with great expectations of some memorable accident that would fall out therein many eminent Writers having with more confidence than truth Predicted the fall of Antichrist and the utter ruin and desolation of Rome which they affirmed to be the Apocalyptical Babylon It began at a Bakers House in Pudding-Lane near new Fishstreet a place very close and for the most part consisting of old Timber Houses which burned like so many pitch'd Barrels whereby it spread it self with such an impetuous and irresistable fury that notwithstanding all endeavours to extinguish it it extended it self to all the several quarters of the City and by Wednesday night consumed that goodly Pile The King and the Duke during all that time riding from place to place and by their personal care and labour encouraging all Men to attempt the putting a stop to its fury and rage which was at last happily performed at the Temple-Church Pye-Corner Holborn-Bridg Aldersgate Cripplegate at the Church in Fenchurch-street at Cloathworkers-Hall in Mincing-Lane in the middle of Mark-Lane the lower end of Coleman-street the upper end of Bishopsgate-street and at the Tower-Dock But on Thursday in the evening it unfortunately broke out again at the Temple by the accidental falling of some sparks upon a Pile of Timber Buildings and might have done much more harm had not the Duke who watch'd there in Person all that night and so encouraged the People with his presence that by blowing up the Houses about it it was extinguish'd before day It consumed accâ—â—â—ing to the best computation of Surveyers employed by the King for that purpose 373 Acres of Buildings within the Walls and more than 63 Acres without the Walls 87 Parish-Churches six Consecrated Chappels the Royal Exchange the Guild-Hall and many other stately Buildings belonging to the several Companies and according to the best account about 13000 and 200 Houses the total sum of which loss was valued at nine Millions and nine hundred thousand pound Sterling In so deplorable and amazing an accident it is not difficult to imagine how many Persons were constrained in hast and confusion to remove their Goods into the Fields and take up their Lodgings in the open Air which gave the King whose heart was ever open to compassionate the distress and miseries of his Subjects an opportunity of exercising his commiseration by commanding the Justices of the Peace to send Provisions into the Markets and opening his Sea-stores for the supplying of the poor and necessitous The Fire happening at a time when England was engaged in a War with France and Holland was thought by many to be a treacherous Act contriv'd and perpetrated by the French which some were the more induc'd to believe in regard one Hubert a melancholly Frenchman confest he did the fact by putting a Fire-ball into the House of the Baker where it began And Oates the Discoverer of the Salamanca Plot lays the guilt of that action upon a knot of Jesuites and Irish-men who having laid the project long before could not put it in execution 'till that time notwithstanding which for we are not to believe all that the Doctor has been pleas'd to swear it is uncertain to this day whether some casual accident or the malice of those who envied the happiness and grandeur of that City were the immediate occasions of it But however it were it was permitted by Heaven for a Punishment of its Pride Luxury and Rebellion London being thus consumed and laid in Ashes the grieved Inhabitants look'd upon its Rebuilding as so weighty and ponderous an undertaking that they despaired of ever living to see it begun much less finished and therefore took Houses in the out-parts at vast Rents and Fines and for a long term of Years Nor might their fears have been altogether groundless had it happened in a time less happy and fortunate but living in a Reign of Wonders they found contrary to all mens expectations that it suddenly started up rather than was gradually built in far more splendour and beauty than ever it was before And that fire wherein all their happiness seemed to have been for ever buried proved a real advantage by reason of that provident care which was thereupon taken by the King to prevent such fatal accidents for the future by commanding all the buildings which were for the most part before of Timber to be now made of Brick or Stone and so contrived that if a Fire happened in any of them it might be hem'd in within the Walls of that particular House without indangering the adjoyning Buildings by putting the Inhabitants of each Parish and divers principal Merchants and Gentlemen that live in that City upon providing greater plenty of large and hand Engines Buckets and other such like things necessary for the quenching of Fires And by making Men more expert in the methods of stopping the progress of any Fires that shall happen for the future and finally by putting several ingenious Persons upon contriving and setting up an Office for the Ensuring of Houses from being destroyed by fire for thirty one years at five pence per pound for Brick Houses and ten pence per pound for Timber Houses which is to be discounted by way of purchase and five years only paid down for eight seven for twelve nine and one half for twenty one eleven for thirty one years Insurance so that it is in reality but little more than three pence per pound for Brick Houses and six pence per pound for Timber Houses only requiring ten pounds in Mony to be paid to the Insurers toward the defraying of their Charges in Re-building the House so often as it shall happen to be burnt down within the term ensured And because many Persons take Leases of Houses for different terms of Years they do not tye any Person to Insure for thirty one but so many Years only as themselves please setling several Ground Rents and making other sufficient Provisions for the security of the Subscribers This Office they setled in Thredneedle-street in the back-side of the Royal Exchange and it is certainly one of the greatest designs that any Age hath ever produced and will prove more universally advantagious than was at first believed the severe stroaks falling more light on parâ—icular Persons now than in former Ages in regard they are by vertue of this contrivance supported by a publick stock those whose houses escape made by that means to contribute toward the repairing of those that are burned In order to the re-building London the King