his Head set upon the Bridg gate The King upon this Success put out a Proclamation for a Sollemn and Publick Thanksgiving throughout the Kingdom and the Popish Priests who began to appear more Bare-faced than ever Magnified the Victory in their Sermons and Discourses Attributing it solely to the Virgin Mary nay some of them were so vain as to afirm that she was seen flying over the Armies with a drawn Sword during the Fight but we believe they might mistake her for a Meteor that appeared that Evening with a very swist motion and spreading light passing quite through the City of London The Duke of Monmouth the Lord Grey and a German Officer being brought to White-Hall on the 13 th of July they were sent by Water to the Tower and although great Intercession was made for the Duke by the Queen Dowager and others he was on the 15 th brought upon a Scaffold on Tower-Hill and after having made a large Speech and Discoursed with the Bishops that waited on him shewing much Penitence and declaring he dyed in the Communion of the Church of England he layed down his Head and whether through the the Inability of the Executioner or a fear that seiz'd him the Execution was Barbarous for He received five stroaks before his Head was severed from his shoulders his Body and Head were delivered to his Servants who carried them away in a Mourning Herse in order to its private Interment and thus fell this great Man who had been so long the Darling of the Multitude and upon whose Inconstant Breath he to much bore himself till it brought him to Ruin as for the Lord Grey he was afterward Pardoned and the Brandenburger dismised but others fared not so well for a Bloody Scene ensued which was Acted with too much Heat and Cruelty and several Proclamations were set forth commanding divers Persons that Absconded to surrender themselves and soon after the Earl of Stamford the Lord Delamere and the Lord Brandon were Committed to the Tower the first of which was discharged the second Pardoned and the last Acquitted by his Peers Our Ships being on the Coast of Sally to Curb those Pirates Maned out their Boats and boldly passed their Bar Burning their Ships in the Port within Pistol shot of the Town and notwithstanding the Continual Fire that was made only one Man was mortaly wounded and five lightly hurt On the 12 th of July Henry Duke of Norfolk Earl Marshal of England Henry Earl of Peterborrough Groom of the stole to the King and Lawrence Earl of Rochester Lord High-Treasurer of England were Installed Knights of the Garter at the Royal Chaple of St. George within the Castle of Windsor and on the 30 th the Earl of Feversham was Installed and the White Staff of Lord Chamberlain of the King 's House-hold was given to the Earl of Aylesbury On the 4 th of August pursuant to the Adjornment the Parliament met at Westminster and the Lord Treasurer whom the King appointed to perform the part of Lord Keeper in his Absence having declared to the House of Lords that they should further Adjourn to the 9 th of November and the like being Signified to the Commons by the Earl of Midletoâ— both Houses Adjourned accordinglyâ— And the French King and Duke of Orleance sent to Congratulate the King upon his Victory the first by the Marescha de Humiers and the last by the Count de Tonnerre and on the 8 th of August the City of York had their Charter restored which was received with great Joy and a Declaration bearing date the 25 th was put forth to Regulate the Soldiers and prevent any disorders they might commit the King resolving to keep up his Army and the Lord Cheif Justice Jefferys and others being sent into the VVest with Commission to Try those that were in Prison for taking part with the Duke of Monmouth Made a miserable Havock of those People Condemning great Numbers and causing them to be Hang'd in all the principal Towns and their Quarters to be set up in such abundance that the stench Infected the Air and brought a kind of a Contageon few of those that went from London except such as turned Evidences against others Escaped many as well Women as Men were publickly Whip'd and others had their Estates seiz'd and a great many were thrust on Ship-board and Sold to the Transmarine Plantations so that there was nothing but Weeping and Lamentation to be heard yet it nothing moved the Inexorable Judge to Compassion for a Proclamation coming forth forbiding any to Harbour or Relieve any of them that had been with the Duke they were forced to wander up and down in Woods their nearest Relations not daring to Relieve them so that several were Starved to Death or Perished for Want of Necessaries such as could get shiping went for Holland and other places of Refuge and on the 3 d. of September Alice Lisle a very Ancient Lady was Executed upon a publick Scaffold at VVinchester by having her Head Severed from her Body pursuant to a Sentence for no other Crime than giving Entertainment in her House to one John Hix who had been with the Duke which brought such a Terror upon others that a Father delivered up his own Son and those that had concealed any was forced to dismiss them and Orders were every where given to search for Suspected Persons so that the Popish Priests by making Interest for Pardons got extraordinary sums of money nor did the Lord Chief Justice less Inrich himself as since it has appeared by taking 15000 l. of one Person for a Pardon and no doubt a great deal of many others and the Lord Keeper North Dying on the 5 th of September the Great Seal was keept for the Lord Chief Justice till the Bloody Harvest was finished and this month Dyed that Great and Eminent States-man Sr. Leoline Jenkins and was Buried with much Formality and Ceremony in Jesus Colledge Chaple at Oxford to which he had been a considerable Benefactor The Lord Cheif Justice being by this time sufficiently Gluted with Blood returning to VVhite-Hall about the latter end of September having before been made Barron of VVem had now the Broad Seal delivered to him with the Title of Lord Chancellour Sr. Edward Herbert Cheif Justice of Chester was made Lord Cheif Justice of the Kings-Bench and Sr. Edward Lutwich Succeeded him in his place of Cheif Justice of Chester and Sr. Robert VVright was removed from the Exchequer to the Kings-Bench and many other Alterations were made On the 19 th of October Henry Cornish Esq was brought to his Tryal at the Old Baily upon an Indictment of High Treason and was found Guilty upon very slender Evidence There was likewise Tryed one William Ring for Harbouring and Concealing Joseph Kelloway and Henry Lawrence who had been with the Duke of Monmouth in the West as likewise John Ferneley for Harbouring and Concealing James Burton a Person Outlawed for high Treason and
Gracious Letter into our Consideration hoping shortly by the Blessing of God to fall upon such Resolutions as may be Acceptable to Your Majesty secure the Protestant Religion and Establish the Government Laws and Liberties of this Kingdom upon solid Foundations most agreeable to the General Good and Inclination of the People As for the Proposals of the Union we doubt not but Your Majesty will so dispose the Matter that there may be an equal Readiness in the Kingdom of England to Accomplish it as one of the best means for the securing the Happiness of these Nations and setling a lasting Peace we have hitherto and still shall endeavour to avoid Animosities or Prejudice which might disturb our Councils that as we Design the Publick Good so it may be done with the General Concurrence and Approbation of the Nation and in the mean time we Desire the Continuance of Your Majesties Care and Protection towards us in all our Concerns whereof the kind Expressions in Your Gracious Letter has given us full Assurance Signed c. On the 31 st of March Dr. Gilbert Burnet Bishop Elect of Salisbury was Consecrated according to the Form prescribed in the Book of Common-Prayer in the Chapple in the Pallace of Fullham by the Bishops of London Lincoln Landaff St. Asaph and Carlisle by vertue of a Commission granted them by his Grace the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and now by Reason of this great Revolution Hillary Term being omitted an Act was passed for renewing of Actions and Processes lately depending in the Courts at Westminster and discontinued by the not holding the said Term and for supplying the defect relating to proceedings at Law an Act for exhibiting a Bill in the present Parliament for the Naturalizing the most Noble Prince George of Denmark and an other for punishing Officers or Soldiers that shall Mutiny or Desert their Majesties Service On the 3 d. of April at a Chapter held of the most Noble Order of the Garter Duke Frederick Mareschal d' Schomberge General of his Majesties Forces and Master General of the Ordinance and the Right Honourable William Earl of Devonshire Lord Steward of his Majesties Houshold were elected Knights Companions of the Noble Order and were invested with the Garter and George having been first Knighted by the Sovereign with the usual Ceremonies and the Lord Bishop of Salisbury was sworn and admitted Chancellour of the Order A great many Arms being imbezled by the Soldiers that had formerly been disbanded or were diserted a Proclamation was Published for their Discovery commanding the Delivery and bringing in such Arms and other Matters relating thereto with a value set to such as should bring them in or Discover them On the 5 th of April his Grace the Duke of Ormond was Installed in St. Georges Chapple at Windsor Knight and Companion of the Noble Order of the Garter with the usual Ceremonies and about this time the King published a Declaration to assure such English as were in his Service in the Low-Countries of full English pay upon the English Establishment as full to all Intents and Purposes as any other Regiment of his Subjects remaining within the Kingdom of England and proceeded to make many Creations of Honour conferring them on worthy Patriots of their Country and on the 9 th of April coming to the Parliament House He passed an Act for the Establishing the Coronation Oath an Act for Naturalizing the most Noble Prince George of Denmark and settling his Precedence an Act for Naturalizing Frederick Count Schomberge and others and Two Regiments were Embarqued for Ireland under Collonel Coningham and Collonel Richards and other Preparations made to follow them in order to relieve the Protestants that yet held out The Convention of the Estates of Scotland for several Reasons mentioned in an Act for that Purpose declared King Iames to have forefaulted the Right of his Crown and that the Throne was became Vacant and thereupon Voted and Ordered that the Committee for setling the Government should bring in an Act for setling the Crown upon their Majesties William and Mary King and Queen of England and to consider the Terms of Destination of Heirs of the Crown and likewise to prepare and bring in an Instrument of Government to be offered with the Crown c. And about this time a Barbarous Murther was committed upon the Person of Sir George Lockheart President of the Sessions in that Kingdom one Cheesely shooting him through the Back as he was going from Church because he had compelled Cheesely to allow his Wife and Children Maintenance for which the Murtherer was tortured to oblige him to confess his Accomplices but he accused noman whereupon he was sentenced to have his Hand cut off and nailed to the Gallows and then to be hanged and afterward hanged in Chains which was accordingly Executed The 11 th of April being appointed for the Day of their Majesties Coronation at Westminster great were the Preparations and their Majesties being come from White-Hall to Westminster the Nobility c. being put in order by the Heâ—aulds they came down into Westminster Hall where the Sword and Spurs were presented to them After which the Dean and Prebendaries of VVestminster having brought the Crowns and other Regalia presented them sevarally to their Majesties which with the Sword and Spurs were delivered to those Lords that were appointed to carry them Then the Procession began in this manner Drums and Trumpets six Clerks in Chancery two a Breast as all the rest of the Proceeding went Chaplains having Dignities Aldermen of London Masters in Chancery Solicitor and Attorny General Gentlemen of the Privy-Chamber Judges Children of Westminster and of the Kings Chapple Cheair of Westminster Prebands of Westminster Master of the Jewel-house Privy-Councellors not Peers Two Pursuivants Barronesses Borons Bishops a Pursuivant a Viscountess Viscounts twoâ—Heraulds Countesses Earls a Herauld a Marchioness two Heraulds Dutches Dukes two Kings of Arms the Lord Privy-Seal Lord President of the Council Arch-Bishop of York his Royal Highness the Prince of Denmark two Persons Repesenting the Dukes of Aquitain and Normandy Then the Lords who bore Their Majesties Regalia viz. The Earl of Manchester St. Edwards Staff the Lord Grey of Ruthin the Spurs the Earl of Clare the Queens Scepter with the Cross the Earl of Northampton the Kings the Earls of Shrewsbury Pembroek and Derby the Three Swords Then Garter King at Arms between the Usher of the Black-Rod and the Lord Mayor of London the Great Chamber-Lain single the Earl of Oxford with the Sword of State between the Duke of Norfolk Earl Marshal of England and the Duke of Ormond Lord High Constable for the Day then the Earl of Bedford with the Queens Scepter of the Dove and the Earl of Rutland with the Kings the Duke of Boulton with the Queens Orbe and the Duke of Grafton with the Kings the Duke of Somerset with the Queens Crown and the Earl of of Devonshire who was made High Steward of England for
the only Story that has been made of me And I shall make it my endeavour to preserve this Government in Churcb and State as it is now by Law Established I know the Principles of the Church of England are for Monarchy and the Members of it have shewed themselves Good and Loyal Subjects Therefore I shall allways take Care to defend and support it I know too that the Laws of England are sufficient to make the King as great a Monarch as I can wish and as I shall never depart from the Just Rights and Prerogative of the Crown so I shall never invade any Man's Property I have often ventured my Life in Defence of this Nation and I shall still go as far as any Man in preserving it in all its Just Rights and Liberties Upon this fair promising Speech the Lords of the Council became Humble Suitors to the King that it might be Printted and Published for the Satisfaction of the People which was accordingly done and although some People as yet doubted of K. James's being a Roman Catholick he now put them out of doubt by going publickly to the Chappel so that these Protestant Lords that waited on him thither would not enter with him but attended his coming out c. On the 9 th of February a Proclamation was Exhibited for continuing the Collection of Customs and Subsidies of Tonage and Poundage and Orders were taken for the Funeral Solemnity of the Deceased King and every one that appeared or attended at Court were commanded by an Order of the Earl Marshal to be in the deepest Mourning except Long Cloaks and that as well the Lords as Privy Councelloâ— and Officers of his Late Majesties as of the present Houshold should cover their Coaches and Chairs and cloath their Livery Servants with Black Cloath and that none presumed to use any Varnish or Bullion Nails to be seen on their Chairs or Coaches except his Majesty the Queen Consort Queen Dowager and their Royal Highnesses and the Proclamation Ceremony was upon notice performed in all the chief Cities Towns and Places of the Three Kingdoms c. and a great many Addresses of Condolence and Congratulation were presented from the Societies and Inns of Court and from divers parts of the Kingdom before the Funeral of Charles the Second was performed to particularize which would be too tedious to the Reader and swell this Book at too large a Price nor was Scotland behind in these Proceedings for the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and others of the Council proceeded in their Formalities to the Market Cross and made the Solemn Publication and returned a suitable Answer to the Letter the King had sent them to give notice of what had happened an other was sent in the Name of the Arch-Bishops and Bishops of that Kingdom of Congratulation and Condolence Ireland appeared not behind Hand for his Grace the Duke of Ormond Lord Lieutenant of that Kingdom having received the News on the 10 th of February in the Evening The next Day the Ceremony of Proclaiming was performed and a Proclamation was issued forth on the 16 tb directing the payment of the Duty arising by Excise and the Right Honourable Lawrence Earl of Rochester Lord President of the Council was appointed Lord High-Treasurer of England the King Declaring the Lord Marquess of Hallifax Lord President of the Council in his stead Likewise the Earl of Clarendon Lord Privy Seal and the D. of Beaufort Lord President of Wales who were sworn accordingly The Lord Godolphin was appointed Chamberlain to the Queen and Henry Bulkly Esq Master of his Houshold Sir Stephen Fox eldest Clark of the Green Cloth Sir William Boreman second Clark Sir Winston Churchil Eldest Clark-Comptroller and Sir Richard Mason Youngest Clarkâ—Comptroller being in the same Places during the Reign of King Charles the Second And for some time an industrious Party laboured to accost the Court with Addresses being the prime subject of publick Papers and the great Business of the Lord Chief Justice Jefferys at this time was against Higlers and Carryers for carrying Letters some of which were tryed and fined at the Kings-Bench Bar Westminster Many Forreign Ambassadors arrived with Complements of Condolance and Congratulation and the Solemnity of the Coronation being appointed on the 23d of April being St. Georges day a Proclamation was issued forth bearing date the sixth of March in order to the Preparation on that occasion and the King resolving to call a Parliament to sit at Westminster on the 19th of May great Preparations were made upon the Writs being issued out in order to Elect Members for the Shires Cities Boroughs c And an Order bearing date the 20th of March was Published for the Apprehending of Highway-men and Robers any Person so doing before that Order should be recalled upon Conviction to have Ten Pounds as a Reward And a great many Officers were changed in the Kingdom of Ireland whereupon sundry Addresses ensued On the 14 th of April 1685. the Ambassadors of the States General of the United Provinces made their Publick Entery and had a House made Ready for their Reception in St. James's Square and had their first Publick Audience on the 20 th being Conducted to it by the Lord North and Sir Charles Cotterel Master of the Ceremonies And the 23 d. of April being come the Proceeding of the Coronation Set in Order passed from VVestminster Hall to the Abby and there was performed with the usual Ceremonies very Splendid and Magnificent which ended it returned to the aforesaid Hall where a Royal Entertainment was prepared and the King's Champion came in on Horse-Back and made his Challenge c. and most of the Towns throughout England were that Night filled with Bone-Fiers And on the same Day the Parliament of Scotland met at Edenburg and passed on the 28 th Two Acts one for settlâ—ng the Protestant Religion and the other for settling the Excise of Inland and Foreign Commodities upon the King and his Lawful Heirs and Successors for ever On the 30 th of April Sir Roger Le' Estrange Author of the Observatâ—r was Knighted in the King's Bed-Chamber and on the 6 th of May his Grace the Duke of Norfolk was Elected Knight Companion of the Noble Order of the Garter and invested with the George and Garter having first been Knighted by the Soveraign The Enemies of Dr. Oats having by this time prevailed against him he was tryed on the 8 th and 9 th of May upon Two Informations of Willful Perjury at the Kings-Bench Bar Sir George Jefferys being Lord Chief Justice and after a long Hearing a Verdict passed against him upon either Indictment and his Sentence proved very severe and was put in Execution with all manner of Rigour yet he lived contrary to the Expectation of Many to weather that Storm and see the short Triumph of his Enemies On the 28 th of May a Proclamation was Published in Scotland for the stirring up the several Counties and Shires for
was found with his Sword run through him under colour to make it suspected he murthered himself Lawrence Hill Henry Bury and Robert Green were on the 10th of February tryed for the Murther at the Kings-Bench Bar where they were found Guilty upon the Evidence of Captain William Bedlow and the positive Oath of Miles Prance who swore himself to be immediately concerned in the Murther though since the popish Priests have prevailed upon him to recant as will appear hereafter and one Samuel Atkins was likewise Indicted as an Accessary to the Murther but acquitted and according to Sentence Green Bury and Hill were Executed at Tyburn where they denyed the Fact And this month Sir Joseph Williamson giving place the Earl of Sunderland was appointed Principal Secretary of State And now the time being come for the Judges to go the Lenten Circuit they had a strict Charge to recommend to the Justices of Peace and other Magistrates the putting the Laws in execution against popish Recusants and to see it done themselves as much as in them lay And upon the Kings Command the Duke and Dutchess of York departed for Holland and there went Ashoar at Masland-sluyce and so to the Hague and were received at the Court. On the 28th of March another Proclamation was issued out for a publick Fast to implore the further Protection of Almighty God in preserving us from our Enemies and commanded to be strictly kept and it was accordingly observed with more than ordinary Devotion and Solemnity And thus passed over the memorable Transactions of the latter part of the year 1678. In April 1679. The Knights Citizens and Burgeâ—ses in Parliament assembled having in the Name of themselves and all the Commons of England impeach'd William Earl of Powis William Viscount Stafford William Lord Petre Henry Lord Arundel of Wardour and John Lord Bellasis Prisoners in the Tower upon divers Articles of High Treason and other high Crimes and Offences at the Bar of the House of Lords c. The said Prisoners were on the Ninth of April except the Lord Bellasis by reason of his illness of the Gout brought to the Bar of the Lords-House where kneeling and afterwards standing the Articles of their Impeachment were Read upon which they made several Petitions to the House that they might have Copies of their Charge and time to Answer thereto that they might be allowed Council and that their Witnesses might be summoned and have Liberty to come and Return And that that they might have the use of such Records as they should have occasion for which were granted them but with limitation that their Council should only assist them in matters of Law And the Lord Bellasis was allowed though absent a Copy of his Charge After this those that were present were remanded to the Tower and being brought again the 16th they delivered their Answers to the Articles of Charge and were reconducted to the Tower and on the 20th of April the King dissolved his Privy Council and called another putting forth a Declaration to shew his reasons for so doing appointing his new Council to consist of Thirty Persons Fifteen whereof were to be certain and the rest to be Elective at his pleasure Ten out of the Nobility and Five Commoners besides a Lord President a Secretary of Scotland and such of the Princes of the Blood as should be at Court the King acquainting his Parliament that next his great Council he would be advised by that Council and on the 30th of April being seated on the Throne and the Commons attending he made a Speech to both Houses recommending to them three particulars viz. The Prosecution of the Plot the Disbanding of the Army and the setting out a Fleet. And after that the Lord Chancellour opened to them the Kings Mind concerning the securing the Religion and Liberty in future Reigns And another Proclamation was published for Banishing Papists ten miles from London As also another for the Discovery and Apprehending several Persons suspected to have contrived and acted in fellonous Burning Houses in and about the City of London as Morice Gifford a popish Priest Roger Clinton Derby Molrain alias Fowler and several others of the Romish Religion On the 13th of May a Villanous and Barbarous Murther was committed upon the Person of the Arch-Bishop of St. Andrews Primate of Scotland by several desperate Ruffians on Horse-back who Seizing him in his Coach on the Road dragged him out and not giving him as he earnestly requested so much time as to say his Prayers beat out his Brains for which several of them were afterwards deservedly Hanged being ridged Sectaries And now the Parliament of England considering the Kings urgent Occasions granted him a supply of Two Hundred and Six thousand Four Hundred and Sixty Two Pounds Seventeen Shillings and Three pence for paying off and disbanding the Forces raised since the 29th of September 1677. And accordingly Commissioners were appointed to disband those Forces And the same Month he gave the Royal Assent to a Bill for the better securing the Liberty of the Subject and for Prevention of Imprisonment beyond the Seas As likewise a Bill for the Engrossing the Records of Fines burnt in the Fire that a little before had consumed the greatest part of the Temple The latter end of this Month a great number of discontented People armed in Scotland proclaiming the Covenant and putting out a Declaration of Grievances burning publickly several Acts of Parliament which they seemed to be disgusted at and many Hostilities ensued their number dayly encreasing but the Duke of Monmouth passing into that Kingdom with an Army utterly defeated and scattered them in the Fight of Bothwell Bridge and several of the Ring-Leaders were taken and Executed On the 13 th of June Thomas White alias Whitebread Provincial of the Jesuits in England William Harcourt pretended Rector of London John Fenwick Procurator for the Jesuits in England John Gaven and Anthony Turner all Jesuits and Priests were Tried at the Old-Bayly where they were found Guilty of High-Treason in Conspiring the Death of the King c. And the next Day Richard Langhorn a Councellor at Law was Tryed and found Guilty upon the like Account and they were all Executed soon after at Tyburn In the begining of July a dreadful Fire happened at East Deerham and burnt down the greatest part of the Town destroying Six or Seaven People and almost all the Substance of the Inhabitants On the 12 th the King Published a Proclamation for dissolving the Parliament declaring his Purpose was to meet his People in frequent Parliaments giving Directions thereupon to the Lord Chancellour to Issue out Writs for the Calling of another Parliament to Sit at Westminster the 7 th of October following On the 18 th Sir George Wakeman the Queen's Physitian William Marshal William Rumley and James Corker were tryed at the Old-Bayly upon Indictments of High-Treason in Conspiring the Death of the King c. But contrary to the Expectation of
many and perhaps their own were found not Guilty For as soon as they were at Liberty they went to visit other Countries John Evans and William Lloyd Two Popish Priests were condemned at the Assizes holden at Cardriff About the latter end of August the King fell sick at Windsor and had divers dangerous Fits of a Tertian Ague and continued for many days indisposed insomuch that People began to be in doubt of his Recovery The News of which being speedily conveyed to the Duke his Brother in Flanders he hasted over and on the 2 d. of September contrary to the Expectation of many arrived at Windsor and told the King ' that hearing of his Indisposition he thought he could do no less then come to wait upon him and see how he did adding he was ready as soon as his Majesty pleased to return into Flanders or any other part of the World he should Command him to go to ' It having amongst other things been discovered that Four Ruffians were hired to kill the King at Windsor He put forth his Proclamation for Apprehending them but they made their escape till the storm was over and now the Duke of Monmouth upon some Matters suggested falling into the King's Displeasure had many of his Great Offices and Places of Trust taken from him and Ordered to leave the Court Whereupon he passed the Seas for Holland but finding in his Progress into other Parts that it was not safe for him considering the Attempts that might be made upon his Person of which he had warning through the many Affronts he had given him he returned soon after without being sent for And Writs being issued out for the Calling a Parliament to Sit at Westminster On the 7 th of October a Proclamation was Ordered to be issued out to Prorogue the Sitting to the 30 th of the said Month And the Duke and Dutchess of York had Leave to go to Scotland whither upon her Arrival from Holland they departed in few Days and a Commission was Ordered for the Prorogation of the Parliament till tthe 26 th of January and the Earl of Shaftsbury was removed from being President of the Council and the Earl of Radnor was appointed President and Sir William Jones getting leave of the King to quit his Place of Attorney General Sir Creswel Levins was appointed to that Station Sir Robert Clayton having been chosen Lord Mayor for the City of London he on the 29 th of October was sworn at Westminster before the Barons of the Exchequer and returning went to Guild-Hall with the accustomed Splendor and Magnificence where the Judges and a great many of the Nobility accompanied him at a Sumptuous Entertainment And this Month the King Ordered a Proclamation to be issued out for the more effectual and speedy Discovery and Prosecution of the Popish Plot for now the Papists growing more confident began to ply their Instruments for shaming their Plot upon the Protestants and some dangerous Papers were found in the bottom of Mrs. Celliers Meal Tub for which she was committed Prisoner to New-Gate especially upon Thomas Dangerfield's making his Discovery as likewise one Mrs. Rugaut and John Gadbury was committed to the Gate House the Earl of Castlemain to the Tower and other Persons accused were taken into the Custody of the King's Messengers one great Matter was that Dangerfield had been hired or induced to Plant several Treasonable and Dangerous Papers in Collonel Roderick Mansel's Chamber importing a designed Insurrection of divers Protestants with a List of some designed for Officers c. And the Countess of Powis being likewise accused by Dangerfield was committed to the Tower and divers Persons being examined before the Council acknowledged several Circumstantial Matters that strengthened Dangerfield's Evidence whereupon he had his Pardon as likewise had one Serjeant a secular Priest whom the King on this Occasion had sent for out of Holland And another Proclamation was put forth for the more Effectual Discovery of Jesuits and of the Estates belonging to them or to any Popish Colledge Seminary or other Popish and Superstitious Foundation And the King about this time granted a General Pardon to those concerned in the Late Insurrection in Scotland except some of the Ring-leaders and particularly the Murtherers of the Arch-Bishop of St. Andrews in case they Signed a Bond upon Condition never to rise up in Arms against Him or His Authority the which Five taken at Bothwell-Bridge were so obstinately Foolish as to refuse and to justifie their Proceedings Likewise to declare the Murther of the Arch-Bishop no Sin whereupon after Tryal they were Sentenced by the Lords Justicers to be Hanged in Chains at the place where the Murther was committed which was put in Execution and on the 24 th of November the Duke and Dutchess of York arrived at Edenburg and were received by most of the Nobility residing in those Parts and he soon after Received into the Privy-Council of that Kingdom On the 12 th of December a Proclamation was Issued out for the prorogation of the Parliament of England to the 11 th of the ensuing November and the King appointed a Committee of the Lords of His Privy Council to consider the most effectual means for putting the Laws in Execution against Papists and the suppression of Popery and other matters tending to that Affair and that the Justices of Peace should be permitted to Search Somerset-House at any time in the Queens absence as also St. James's for Priests and Papists And in January David Joseph Kemish William Russel alias Nap Henry Starkey William Marshal James Corker Lionel Anderson alias Munson Charles Parris alias Parrey and Alexander Lundsden were Arraigned at the Old Baily for High Treason upon the Statute of the 27 th of Elizabeth who being born Subjects of the King of England and having taken orders of Priest-hood by the authority derived from the See of Rome had come and remained in England contrary to the Statute and all but Keemish whose Sickness rendered him incapable of it were Tryed and six Convicted of High Treason and afterwards by Judgment attainted according to the Statute but a special Verdict was found for Lundsden he being a Scotch man and a Question arising whether he was within the purvey of the Statute or no but however being Convicted only as Priests none of them suffered but after a long Imprisonment in Newgate got their Liberty On the 9 th of February amongst other Matters Gadbury pleaded his Pardon at the Kings Bench Bar Westminster and Sir Thomas Gascoin a Roman Catholick having been accused by one Baldron and Mobray he was Tryed upon an Information of High Treason but was acquitted Sir Lionel Ienkins upon Mr. Secretary Coventry's request to leave that Station was appointed Secretary of State On the 24 th of February the Duke and Dutchess of York arrived from Scotland and were received by the King with much Joy and Satisfaction And the King having released a Judgment obtained upon a Quo
Warranto against the City of London concerning the duty of Water-ballage and caused a Nolle prosequi to be entered the Lord Mayor Court of Aldermen Recorder and Committee of Common Council went in a Body to pay their dutiful acknowledgment to the King and afterwards many of them did the like to his Royal Highness the Duke About this time James Baker alias Hesketh and John Naylor were Tryed at the Old Baily for being Priests yet only the former was found Guilty And now some Heats arising amongst great Ones to prevent the danger the King published a Proclamation wherein he declared that he would not Pardon any Person that should Kill another in a Duel And thus ended the noted Affairs of this Year In May 1680. A prodigious Storm of Hail fell the Stones being of a vast weight and 8 or 9 Inches in Circumference did great damage to Houses Cattle Fowl Herbs Corn c. And soon after Mrs. Celier getting herself Tryed before the Lord Chief Justice Scroggs was acquitted by the said Judges disapproving of Dangerfield as a good Evidence But not content with this narrow escape she undertook to publish a Book for shamming the Popish Plot and particularly Prance's Evidence as to the Murther of Sir Edmond Bury Godfrey for which She was Tryed at the Old Baily Fin'd and Pilloryed And the Parliament sitting according to prorogation and the popish Lords in the Tower having been obliged to give in sufficient Answers they proceeded to Try William Viscount Stafford who had the whole House of Peers for his Judges a place being erected in Westminster-Hall for that purpose where after a Tryal which held 4 or 5 days he was by the majority of Voices cast and attainted of high Treason for which he lost his Head on Tower-Hill And soon after his Death a prodigious beam of Light streamed in the Night-time from the West and soon after the Star from whence it darted appeared above the Horizon and grew nightly higher till it had compassed East and West and was admired by many who made different Judgments as their Minds lead them And the Parliament after a considerable Sitting was prorogued to a further time but before the time of their appointed Meeting they were dissolved and a Parliament called to meet at Oxford on the 21 th of March though the Earl of Essex and divers Lords petition'd the King to have it sit at Westminster however they did not prevail for the Parliament accordingly met at Oxford where the King in his Speech amongst other things put them in mind of the râ—lief of Tangier then pressed by the Mâ—â—rs But they had not sat many days before they were Dissolved and the King came in great haste for London One Edward Fitz-Harris having been discovered by Mr. Everard and Sir William Waller to have contrived a treasonable and dangerous Pamphlet since called Treason in Grain and having other projects against the Government he had been Impeached by the Commons but in fine was Tryed before the Lord Chief Justice Pemberton and being found guilty of High Treason was Executed at Tyburn with one Oliver Plunket condemned at the Kings Bench Bar for attempting to betray Ireland to the French Plunket was a Romish Bishop and termed the titular Primate of Ireland and the Wife and Maid of Fitz-Harris accused some persons of Honour but it came to nothing but upon Information of several Irish Evidence and others soon after the Earl of Shaftsbury was committed to the Tower as were several other persons having continued there a considerable time a Bill of High Treason was drawn up against him as likewise Bills against Stephen Colledge and others and preferred to the Grand Jury of the City of London and the Evidence heard in open Court at the Old Baily but after a long Examination the Bills were found Ignoramus but Colledge was soon after carried by Water to Oxford and there being Tryed for treasonable words spoke in that City during the siting of the Parliament there was found Guilty and Executed and the following Michaelmass Term the Earl of Shaftsbury and divers others were set at Liberty A Parliament being called in Scotland the King sent his Brother to preside as his High Commissioner and there amonst other things they passed an Act for asserting the right of Succession to the Crown making it Treason for any to question or object it and the Earl of Argyle for only making some Queries c. was committed to the Castle and in danger of his Life but he escaped thence by changing Habit with a Ladies Page that came to visit him and fled into Holland where he remained till his unfortunate invading Scotland Anno 1685 of which more hereafter The Duke being returned for England upon the concluding of the Parliament and leaving his Dutchess in Scotland whilst he was on his way again by Sea in the Gloucester Frigat attended with several Yatchs to fetch her home the Frigat under full Sail stood in upon the Lemmon and Orrey two dangerous Sands off the Humber Mouth where she beat along the Sands till she foundered and falling off the Sands fell into deep Water where she was swallowed up and about One hundred Persons lost besides the Dukes Plate and a great deal of Treasure Amongst the Drowned was the Lord Obrian the Duke however with as many as his Barge which was hoisted Over-board could hold got safe to the Yatchts and landed in Scotland and the Pilot being suspected of Treatchery suffered a long Imprisonment in the Marshaseas on this occasion and soon after this Disaster the Duke and Dutches returned for England Sir John Moore after the Mayorality of Sir Patience Ward being Elected Lord Mayor of London and received with the usual Splendor at the time of Election of Sheriffs great Heats and Contests arise among the Citizens about the Electing two Persons to serve as Sheriffs for the year ensuing and it was deferred from time to time however in the end Sir Peter Rich and Sir Dudly North were sworn Mr. Box who had been declared Elected declining it and paying his Fine and Siâ— William Pritehard was chosen Lord Mayor and upon the occasion of these Contendings several Citizens as Sir Thomas Player and others had Informations in the Crown Exhibited against them as Rioters and haviug a Verdict found against them before the Lord Chief Justice Saunders at Guild-hall were the following Term Fined at the Kings-Bench Bar very considerably And this year died the Illustrious Prince Rupert a Prince whose great Services have all along been very considerable to these Kingdoms And a thing not known before two Ambassadors arrived one from the Emperor of Fess and Morocco and the other from the King of Bantam with rich Presents and were splendidly Entertained and much admired by the crouding People for their strange Habits The first came to treat of Peace and free Traffick Tangier an English Garison standing in his Masters Countries and the other to crave Succour for the King
his Master against his Son who had risen in Rebellion against him and soon after outed him of his Kingdom by the help of the Dutch and our East-India Company of their Trade in that part of the Country As for the Emperor of Morocco he kept not the Truce or Treaty his Ambassador had made whereupon the King finding one Town very chargeable to keep against a populous Country and that it turn'd to no great advantage by reason the Mould could not be finished as had been proposed he sent the Lord Dartmoueh to fetch off the Garrison the Inhabitants and their Effects and then fired the Town and blew up the Works which had cost a Million of Mony And now the Court being disgusted at the proceedings of the City of London a Quo Warranto was brought against their Famous and Ancient Charter and the Controversie admitted of many long Arguments and Debates at the Kings Bench Bar between the Kings Council and the Council for the City but it being over-ruled in the end it was declared by the Judges that the Liberties and Franchises should be Seized into the King's hands however Judgment was not entered up but the King appointed the Lord Mayor Sheriffs c. to Act by Commission reserving to himself the Nomination of the Chief Magistrates and the Common Council was laid aside and so it continued 'till the Charter was restored Anno 1688. of which hereafter for the City finding it in vain to contend when the Opinions of the Judges were against them found themselves constrained to acquiesce in what was done as did afterwards most of the Corporations of England likewise the Companies or Bodys Corporate of London c. whose Charters and Franchises were either Seized or Surrendered About this time the Nation was allarmed by the appearing of Keeling West and others who Deposed there was a Design against the Life of the King c. whereupon the Earl of Eslex the Lord Russel Captain VValcot VVilliam Hone John Rouse were Imprisoned and Proclamation published for the apprehending the Duke of Monmouth and others that fled many of which upon their not rendring themselves were attainted by Out-lawry but the Duke a considerable time after came in and was received into Favour the proceedings upon Out-lawry having been stopped by the Kings special Command but the Duke out of Discontent soon after went for Holland and from thence after his Fathers Death Invaded England of which hereafter However this Business proved very Bloody for the Earl of Essex was found with his Throat cut in the Tower Rouse Hene and VValâ—ot were Executed at Tyburn the Lord Russel was Beheaded in Lincoln-Inn-Field Collonel Sidney on Tower-Hill and Sir Thomas Armstrong being surprized and brought from Holland and James Holloway from Nevis were executed upon their Out-lawrys by a rule of Court made for their Execution all of them making very penitent ends and upon this score divers were Executed afterwards as will appear in the Reign of K. James The Earl of Shaftsbury a little before this matter broke out Dyed in Holland whither he was retired and his Body was brought over and Buried in England This Storm being a little over the happy Marriage was Consummated between the Lady Anne and his Royal Highness Prince George Brother to the King of Denmark the Ceremony being performed by the Bishop of London in the presence of the King Queen Duke Dutchess and most of the great Persons of the Court and followed with great demonstrations of Joy and Satisfaction throughout the Kingdom and a great Muster of the Land Forces was soon after held on Putney-Heath where the King and most of the Court went to take a view of them And such a Frost happened that the like had never been known in England before all the Rivers were Frozen over and the Harbours and Havens were stopped up so that Carts and Coaches might move on the Waters but neither Boats nor Shipping could stir for the space of six Weeks People keeping Fairs upon the River of Thames with all manner of Disports as likewise upon other great Waters and divers Fowle and Cattle were starved to Death many of the Elder sort of People despairing to out-live so sharp a Season but the Wind turning it Thawed of a suddain without much harm The King having appointed Sir William Goslin and Sir Peter Vandeput by Commission under the Great Seal to be Sheriffs of London and Middlesex on the 28 th of September 1684. they were Sworn at Guild-Hall before the Lord Mayor anâ— Court of Aldermen and on the 30 th at Westminster in the Exchequer Chamber taking upon them the charge of Sherâ—ffs 〈◊〉 the ensuing Year On the 2 d. of October the City of Oxford had a New Charter sent and thereupon according to what was nominated therein Mr. Walker was sworn Mayor and Mr. Baker Town-Clerk the latter making a large Speech upon the occasion and afterward great Feasting ensued to Treat and Wellcome the Earl of Abindon who brought the Charter And about this time many other Charters were sent down to divers Cities Corporations c. in lieu of those that had been surrendered or were taken away by proceedings in the Courts of Westmincter and a new Engine was Invented by sundry Undertakers to make Sea-water fresh which was tryed and approved by many persons of Quality of divers Nations and experienc'd Sea-Commanders as well as Foreign Ministers of State and His Grace the Duke of Grafton being appointed Recorder of Bury St. Edmonds by the new Charter he was received there with many demonstrations of Joy and sworn the 20 th of October And Justice Windham Dying in this Month Mr. Baron Street was removed to the Common-Pleas and in his stead Sir Robert Wright was Constituted and Sir James Smith being Commissionated by the King to be Lord Mayor for the ensuing Year was Sworn before the Barons of the Exchequer on the 29 th and the Entertainment was performed with the usual Solemnities Great Storms about this time happened at Sea and Land which did considerable damage breaking many Ships in pieces and over-setting some Houses And Dr. Turner being removed to the Bishoprick of Ely Dr. Sprat Dean of Westminster was Consecrated Bishop of Rochester at the Chapple at Lambeth by the Lord Arch-Bishop of Canterbury aâ—â—isted by several other Bishops and two Addresses were presented to the King the one from the Lieutenant and Governour General of the Collony and Dominion of Virginia together with the Council of the same and the other fromt the Burgesses and General Assembly of the said Dominion in the Name of themselves and the Commons to congratulate his happy continuance in the Throne and the sensibility they had of their own Tranquility under his Reign c. On the 6 th of November the Tryal commenced at Guild-Hall between Sir William Pritchard formerly Lord Mayor of London and Mr. Papillion c. before the Lord Chief Justice Jefferies where the Jury gave Sir William 10000 l.
and of the Laws Rights and Priviledges of England from the Iâ—vasion made upon them c. and immediately after viz. the 16 th the following Promise of Reward was published by the King viz. Whereas an Humble Address has been made unto us by our Commons Assembled in Parliament that we by our Proclamation would be pleased to promise a Reward of 5000. pounds to such Person or Persons who shall bring in the Person of James Duke of Monmouth alive or dead and whereas the said Duke of Monmouth stands attainted of High Treason by Act of Parliament We do hereby by the Advice of our Privy Council Publish and Declare our Royal Promise And our Will and Pleasure is that whoever shall bring in the Body of the said James Duke of Monmouth either dead or alive shall receive and have the reward of 5000. l. to be forthwith payed by our High-Treasurer of England for such his or theâ— Service During these proceedings at Westminster the Duke left Lime with about 60 Horse and a 120 Foot a party of which came to Bridport and surprised divers Volunteer Gentlemen in an Inn between whom there happened a smart Skirmish in which Mr. Wadham Strangways and Mr. Coaker were killed but some Forces coming in the Dukes Party was beaten off and obliged to retreat with some loss about 7 being killed and 23 taken Prisoners and soon after there happened a small Skirmish between a detach'd Party of the Kings and some of the Dukes Men near Taunton where Lieutenant Monaux who commanded the former was mortally wounded by a Shot in the Head of which he dyed and divers others were killed and wounded on both sides so that more of the Dukes Party coming in the Kings Forces were obliged to retire Whilst these things were transacted in England the Forces on both sides encreased in Scotland and a hot Skirmish happened between a Party of 300 Men under the Command of the Marquiss of Athol for the King and about 400 Foot and 80 Horse of the Earl of Argyles in which several were killed and the latter in the end retired and marched back to Elengreg a Castle fortified by the Earl but upon the Kings Ships of War coming before the Castle they marched off and abandoned it so that upon fiâ—ing the first Gun two Men put off with a White Flag to give notice of what had happened whereupon the Commanders on Board sent their Men on Shore and took possession of the Castle Ammunition and what they found there which was very considerable On the 17th of June the Earls Men passed the River Clyde in the night time and the Earl of Dumbarton Commander in Chief for the King passed the River Leuin and marched from Glasgow very early the next morning and overtook them in the Parish of Killerne the Kings Horse and Dragoons kept up with the Earls men till the Foot arrived but they being Posted in a strong ground and it being late in the evening they stood in battle all night but before day the Earls men had passed the Clyde swiming over their Horse and passing over their Foot in Boats whereupon the Kings Forces marched to Glasgow where after they had rested two hours the Earl of Dumbarton with the Horse and Dragoons marched after them leaving the Foot to follow with all convenient speed Upon this Retreat part of Argyle's Forces took Guides to conduct them to Galloway but mistaking the way were led into a Bog and thereupon obliged to disperse into small Parties as did the King's Forces to pursue them which caused great Consternation and Disorder and the Earl of Argyle returning towards the Clyde was set upon by Two of Greynocks Servants but stoutly defended himself till he received a Wound in his Head upon which not longer trusting his Horse he alighted and betook himself to the Water into which a Country Fellow entered after him upon whom the Earl Fired but his Pistol missed and he was beaten down when in his Fall He cryed out Unfortunate Argyle and thereupon was made Prisoner and carryed to a commanded Party and a Party of 40. Horse commanded by the Lord Ross with as many Dragoons commanded by Captain Cleland fell upon a Patty of the Stoutest that yet remained in a Body commanded by Sir John Cochran who had taken the way to the Sea They had fortefied themselves in a small Inclosure in which they had posted themselves covered Breast-high Notwithstanding which the Lord Ross Charged them but the Ground being too strong for the Horse and the Captain of the Dragoons being killed in the coming up the Lord Ross slightly wounded Sir Adam Blair shot in the Neck and Sir William VVallock in the Side before the Dragoons had time to come up on Foot the Earles Men had got into a Wood behind the Inclosure which the King's Forces beset and Five of the Earl of Arran's Men took Richard Rumbald the Maltster who â—â—ghting desperately killed one of them upon the Place and was himself wounded Collonel Ayloff was likewise taken and 200. more sent to Glasgow Prisoners Aylofff during his Imprisonment in a desperate Mood ripped up his Belly with a Pen-Knife but the Wound proved not Mortal Notwithstanding this Defeat given in Scotland the Duke of Monmouth held out in England his Forces being very much increased which created for a time no small fear at Court all the Militia of the Country were raised and divers eminent Persons secured in most Parts of England especially in London where all the Halls were filled with Citizens on whom Guards were set and it was but branding 〈◊〉 Man with the Epethite of a disaffected Person and a File of Musqueteers were sent to take him up the Roads were every where stopped and no Letters were sent but such as were unsealed and sent open On the 20 th of June Capt. Trevanion Commander of the Suadadoes a Man of War coming into the Cob at Lime found there a Pink and a Dogger left by the Duke which he seized and 40 Barrels of Powder there was likewise found in the Town Back Breast and Head-peices for between 4 or 5000 Men he Released likewise those that had been made Prisoners for not takeing Arms under the Duke On the 25 th of June a hot Skirmish happened between a Party of a 100 Horse Commanded by Collonel Oglethorp for the King and a Party of the Dukes Men in which about 80 of the latter were kill'd and the Earl of Newbury was Wounded in the Belly this happened near Canisham-Bridge between Bristol and Bath and the next day in the Evening all the Kings Forces Joyned near Bath upon which the Dukes Men drew up on the other side the Town and Marched away yet the Comâ—â—ns got together at Froom Assembled from divers parts Headed by a Constable and set up the Dukes Declaration in the Market-place upon Notice of which the Earl of Pembroke Lord Liutenant of the County of Wilts Marched theither with 160 Horse and mounted behind
his Consent That the Act should be made null and void for which they returned him an Address of Thanks and upon the same occasion the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common Council made and Presented their Address On the 16 th of March the King passed Two Acts one for Impowering His Majesty to apprehend and detain such Persons as he shall find just Cause to suspect are Conspiring against the Government and an Act for anulling and making void the Attainder of William Russel Esq commonly called Lord Russel and then made a very Gracious Speech requiring them to settle the Oaths that Papists might be excluded and Protestants that were willing and able to serve might be admitted to places of Trust About this time we had News That a great part of the Regiment of Foot once Commanded by the Lord Dumbarton had revolted and seized on the Money designed for their Pay and Marching away with some Field Pieces had Proclaimed K. James commiting several Disorders and Outrages in the County of Suffolk and other places whereupon the Parliament besought his Majesty to Issue out a Proclamation for apprehending and surpressing them which was accordingly done and more Forces sent to quell them however at first they prepared to make resistance but the King's Horse being ready to attack them they threw down their Arms and surrendred upon Discretion and were most of them the Officers especially brought up to London the greatest part of the Soldiers were sent to the English Army assisting the States General against France and several of the principal Officers were tryed at the Assizes holden for the County of Suffolk and being found Guilty cast themselves upon the King's Mercy expressing a hearty Sorrow for what they had done and were thereupon Reprieved The Coronation Day being appointed on the 11 th of April 1689. A Proclamation was published to give Notice thereof to such as had Claims by Tenure of Land Service Dignity Places Honour Offices or Trust that they might timely make their Claims in order to have things done regular upon so great and solemn Occasions And the Lord Lieutenants of the respective Countys were perfected So that all things tended to good order and settlement in England but the Affairs of Ireland admitted of no such Happiness for the late King being Landed there with French Forces and drawn to him a considerable Army of Irish Papists For a time we had but a Melancholly account of Affairs in that Kingdom however several places held out and put a stop to the Torrent of the Enemy and such as were uncapable of Resisting were obliged to take such Conditions as they could get On the 22 th of March Thomas Pilkington Esq since Knighted Elected to be Lord Mayor for the City of London for the remaining part of the Year in the room of Sir John Chapman who Dyed in his Mayoralty was presented to the Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal and afterwards Sworn at the Hustings in Guild-Hall according to the ancient Custom and at Five in the Afternoon he was Sworn without the Tower-Gate by the Lord Lucas Chief Governour of the Tower in pursuance of their Majesties Writ directed to him and of the ancient usuage at such time as the Exchequer Court is not holden at Westminster And the Day before an Act passed the Royal Assent for a present Supply for their Majesties The Convention of the Estates of Scotland met at Edenburgh to consult the settlement of the Affairs of that Kingdom as it had been appointed the 16 th of March they chose his Grace the Duke of Hamilton their President and settled their Committee of Five out of every Estate for Examining the Elections and then took the matter of the Castle of Edenburgh into their Consideration and sent to the Duke of Gourdon who yet held it out requiring him to put it into their hands whereupon he required an Indemnity for all that had passed and a Security for the future which the Convention condescending to in so far as he had acted as a Papist they sent the Earls of Tweedale and Lothain with an Indemnity in Writing for himself and all that were with him upon which he desired 24 Hours to consider it but though this was granted it appeared in the end that he only delayed to gain time when after several Messages sent to and fro the Convention sent up the Heralds at Arms in their Formalities to charge him in the Name and Authority of the Convention Immediately to deliver up the Castle upon pain of Treason and upon refusal he was Proclaimed at the Mercat Cross and all Persons forbid upon pain of Treason to Converse Correspond or Treat with him or to Aid Abet or Succour him and so they proceeded to Forfeit him And the King of England's Letter was read with great applause and a Committee appointed to draw up an Answer in the most thankful and dutiful manner but there being a Letter likewise sent by the late King James brought by one Mr. Crane before they would suffer it to be read they passed an Act by the unanimous consent of the House asserting the Lawfulness of the Convention notwithstanding any thing that might be alledged in the said Letter to the contrary and the Person that brought it was committed to the Custody of a Serjeant at Arms but upon his humble Petition he in a few Days was set at Liberty and obtained a Pasport to return to his Master And the Convention approved proved of all that the Noblemen and Gentlemen at London had done in praying His Majesty to take upon him the Administration of the Government The Viscount Dundee being Discovered to have a secret Conference with the Duke of Gourdon and upon being Summoned Flying with between 30 and 40 Horse stronger Forces were raised and 3 Regiments were sent from England under the Command of Major General Mackay and thus passed over the Material Transactions of the Year 1688. just a hundred Years since the Spanish Invasion was defeated and brought to nothing In the beginning of the Year 1689. the Lord Ross arrived with a Letter from the Convention of Scotland which he presented to his Majesty viz. May it please Your Majesty AS Religion Liberty and Law are the dearest concerns of Mankind so the deepest sence of the extream hazard they were exposed to must produce suitable Returns from the Kingdom of Scotland to Your Majesty whom in all Sincerity and Gratitude we Acknowledge to be under God our great and seasonable Deliverer and we heartily Congratulate that as God has Honoured Your Majesty to be an Eminent Instrument of the Preservation of his Truth so he has rewarded Your Undertaking with Success in the considerable Progrese you have made in Delivering us and in preserving to us the Protestant Religion We return our most Dutiful Thanks to Your Majesty for the accepting the Administration of Publick Affairs and convening the Estates of this Kingdom and we shall with all convenient Dilligence take Your
the Defence of that Kingdom On the 19 th of May the Parliament met at Westminster pursuant to the Writs of Summons and the Commons being by the Black Rod sent for up to the House of Lords the Lord Keeper declared to them That it was his Majesties Pleasure to defer Speaking to them till both Houses had taken the Oathes appointed to be taken by Act of Parliament and then he would Declare his Mind to them concerning the Cause of Calling them And further That the Gentlemen of the House of Commons should go apart and proceed immediately to the Choice of a Speaker and accordingly they chose Sir John Trevor who was approved by the King And on the 22 d. of May the King made a Speech to both Houses promising to maintain the Government in Church and State in all its Rights and Priviledges demanding a Settlement of the Revenue for Life and further supplies â— proceeded to let them know he had received News that the Earl of Argyle was Landed in the VVest Highlands of Scotland with the Men he brought with him out of Holland and that he had put out Two Declarations one in his own Name and the other in the Names of those he brought over with him c. Upon this the Commons going to their House Voted the Revenue should be settled and that a Bill should be brought in for that purpose And the Lords and Commons declared their Resolutions to stand by and assist him And the Scots began likewise to stir to prevent the Danger that threatned that Kingdom from a geathering Army passing divers Acts and putting forth sundry Proclamations and raising Forces especially in the Highlands for the Earles Declation spread abroad many believed they contained somewhat of Reason and thereupon went unto him so that in a short time from about 300. he brought over with him he became about 3000. strong fortefying some Places and keeping the Islands On the 30 th of May Thomas Dangerfield was tryed at the King's Bench-Bar for Writing and Publishing a Book called his Narative and a Verdict passed against him and in the Afternoon at a Nisiprius held at Guild Hall Mr. Richard Baxter was Tryed and Convicted for Writing Notes upon the New Testament and the same Day the Act for setling the Revenues on the King for Life as it was in King Charles's Time passed the Royal Assent On the 1 st of June about Five in the Morning Her Royal Highness the Princess Ann of Denmark was Delivered of a Daughter which in the Afternoon was Christened by the Lord Bishop of London by the Name of Mary The Earl of Argyle being by this time on the firm Land sent out his Summons from Campletown in these Words viz. Being by the Blessing of God came safe to this Place with a Resolution according to a Declaration emitted for the Defence of the Protestant Religion and our Lives and Liberties against Popery and Arbitrary Government and all the Fensible Men of Illa being come this Length and this Country being this Day together at a General Rendesvous these are to require all Heritors Tenants and Others and all the Fensible Men within the division of Cowal between Sixty and Sixteen with all their Useful Arms and Two Week Loan to come to Tarbet against Tuseday the 26th Instant at Twelve of the Clock without fail or sooner if possible And in Order to this he sent to Cowal and dispersed divers Letters and a great many Persons came in but the Highlanders for the most part declared for the King However the Earl on the 26 th of June Marched from Campletown in Kintaire with Two Troops of Horse and 700. Foot to Tarbet and there met 200. of the Illa Men and 200. more were expected and mustered on the 28 th and the Three Ships belonging to him the greatest carrying 30â— Guns and other small Vessels afterward taken up came likewise into the Port and from thence he passed to divers other places Sailing round the Islands and taking in such Men as would join him and amongst other Letters we find the following dated at Campletown May 22. 1685 and directed to the Laird of Lupe Loving Friends It hath pleased God to bring me safe to this Place where several of both Nations do appear with me for the Defence of the Protestant Religion our Lives and Liberties against Popery and Arbitrary Government whereof the particulars are emitted in Two Declarations by those Noblemen Gentlemen and Others and by me for my self Your Father and I lived in great Friendship and I am glad to serve you his Son in Defence of the Protestant Religion and I will be ready to do it in your particular when there is Occasion I beseech you let not any out of Fear or bad Principles perswade you to neglect your Duty to God and your Country at this time or to believe that the D. York is not a Papist or that being one he can be a Righteous King Then know that all England is in Arms in Three several Places and the Duke of Monmouth appears at the same time upon the same Grounds that we do and few Places in Scotland but will join and the South and West want but till they hear I am Landed for so they resolved before I left Holland Now I beseech you make no delay to separate from those that abuse you and are carrying on a Popish Design but come with all the Men of your Command to assist the Cause of Religion where you shall be most welcome to your Loving Friend to serve you Argyle P. S. Let this serve Young Loigie Skipuag and Charles Mc. Echan By this time the Charlotte Yatch was arriv'd in the Clyde and several Men of War were dispatched from England as the Falcon Mairmaid c. and several Warrants were issued out for Persons in England that had retired from their Houses and publick notice given in the Gazette for the apprehending them On the 13 th of June an Express came to the King at White-Hall by the Mayor of Lyme that on the 11 th there appeared Three Ships off that place and about 7 in the Evening the Duke of Monmouth Landed with about 150. Men and possessed himself of that Town sending some of his Men into the Neighbouring Counties to incite the People to Rise whereupon a Proclamation was put forth for Apprehending him his Adherents Adbettors Accomplices and Advisers And the King sent notiâ—e of the Dukes Landing to both Houses of Parliament then Sitting at Westminster who severally Addressed him and promised him in their Addresses to stand by him with their Lives and Fortunes intreating him to have more than ordinary Care of his Royal Person to secure it from any Attempt c. And on the 15 th of June a Proclamation was Published to Suppress the Duke's Declaration Entituled The Declaration of James Duke of Monmouth and the Noblemen Gentlemen and others now in Arms for the Defence and Vindication of the Protestant Religion