THE Royal Almanack Containing a Succinct ACCOUNT OF THE Most Memorable Actions OF K. WILLIAM III. With the Year and Day of the Month when they happened Composed by P. VINCENT CORONELLI Cosmographer to the most Serene Republick of Venice and presented to his Majesty by himself LONDON Printed for E. Whitlock near Stationer's Hall 1696. TO THE READER HAving met with this little Book I thought it not unfit to publish it in our Tongue were it for no other Reason than that no Body may be ignorant how great an Esteem our Glorious Monarch's matchless Virtues have gained him in the remotest Parts of Europe The Reader is desired to take notice That being composed in Italian the New Roman Style is made use of And if there be any Events misdated it is expected so small an Error may in a Stranger be pardonable especially in one whose other celebrated Works have made large amends to the letter'd part of the World In short if the Reader is deceived in his Expectation which were hard we hope the Exhorbitancy of the Price will not much impair his Pocket nor that of the Volume be too great an Exercise for his Patience THE Royal Almanack c. Ianuary 1. 1679. A Treaty being on Foot between the Spanish and Dutch Ministers to the effect that Maestricht might be given up to his Catholick Majesty the Prince of Orange opposed it being not fully satisfied as to his own Pretensions 2 1689. The late King James being a second Time imbarked for France the Administration of the Kingdom of England was placed in the Prince of Orange till such time as a Convention might be assembled 3 1661. The Provinces of Overissel and Zeeland being resolved to chuse him their Captain General their Pensioners gave him notice thereof but having that very Day heard of the Princess his Mother's Sickness himself fell sick thereupon 4 1689. His Majesty began his Government by an Act of Grace in restoring the Earls of Feversham and Sunderland to their Liberty 5 1671. He returned from Oxford and Windsor where he had been royally entertained by his Majesty of Great Britain having been a Mediator for the States General in which Negotiation he gave convincing Proofs of his admirable Parts and his Kindness for the said States 6. 7 1689. He is present at Council and sends Circular Letters to call a Convention 8. 9 1677. He receives 200000 Ducats from his Princess in part of the Satisfaction he demanded 10 1691. The King makes himself Master of Lansbrough in Ireland 11. 12 1672. He positively refuses the Dignity of Captain General unless it be conferred upon him for Life 13. 14. 15 1691. His Majesty prorogues the Parliament of England 16 1692. His Majesty leaves London with a Design to go over into Holland to confer with several Confederate Princes but is put back by contrary Winds 17 1672. The States General name Min Heer 's John de Wit de Reverning and Fagel to ingross the necessary Instructions which the Captain General was to act by 18 1651. A general Assembly of the States is held to dispose of the Offices enjoy'd by the late Prince of Orange 19 1672. The Prince of Orange proclaim'd Captain General of the Provinces of Holland and West Friezland 20. 1675. He goes from the Hague to visit the Fortresses and give his Orders to the Magistrates of that Country 21 1674. He went into Mourning for the Prince Palatine de Simmeren his Unkle 22 1674. The States of Holland allow his Royal Highness a more numerous Train and increase the Number of his Guards 23 1673. As a Token of his Generosity and of his Tenderness for the States he quits his Claim to a Tenth Part of all the Prizes made at Sea 24. 25 1679. He returns to the Hague after having visited the Fortifications of Narden and other Places in the Provinces of Holland and Vtrecht 26 1692. The King imbarks a second Time for Holland attended by the Dukes of Norfolk and Ormond the Earls of Portland Devonshire and Dorset the Bishop of London and several other English Noblemen 27. 28 1675. He generously refuses the Proposals made him by the Nobility and Magistracy of the Dutchy of Geldreland and County of Zutphen who proffer'd to elect him for their Soveraign with the Titles of Duke of Gueldreland and Earl of Zurphen 29 1978. Through his Mediation a Treaty for an Offensive and Defensive League between England and Holland is concluded 30 1691. His Majesty arrives in sight of the Dutch Coasts with his Convoy which consisted of 12 Men of War 7 Yachts and some other Vessels and the Landing being difficult gets into a Boat and is soon out of Sight of his Fleet is benighted and in that manner exposed to the Injuries of the Air and ready to be cast away to the unexpressible Sorrow of those who attended him whom himself comforted and especially the Pilot to whom he might say That he carried Cesar but with that Difference That Cesar was by his Fear forced back but his Majesty through great Labours and no small Hazards lands at the Goree 31 1691. He arrives unexpected at the Hague Which was the first time since his happy Accession to the Crown of England that he came there to honour the States with his Royal Presence and tho' he came as incognito yet he is received with the Noise of all the Cannon ringing of Bells c. February 1 1689. Both Houses of the Convention assembled at Westminster desire the Prince of Orange to protect them and to take upon him the Administration of the Government 2. 1674. The States general declare the Prince of Orange Hereditary Governour of Holland and desire his Highness to marry the Duke of York's Daughter 3 1674. His Royal Highness presented the King of England with a Lyon and a Tyger which had been lately sent him out of the Indies 4 1677. He does at the Request of the States General go to Groninguen attended by some of the Deputies to compose some Differences which had happen'd in that City 5 1691. His Majesty to comply with the People's Desires of expressing the Joy they had at his safe arrival is oblig'd to make his Publick Entry into the Hague through a great number of Triumphal Arches while a general Satisfaction was expressed by Acclamations Feasts Bonfires c. 6 1691. His Majesty took the Management of Affairs with an extraordinary Application bore his Part in the Joy the Confederates had conceived at their good Successes and gave Audience to several Princes 7 1691. He assists in Person at the holding of the States of Holland and West Friesland and then at that of the States General of the Vnited Provinces and is afterwards present at the Council of State being received in those Assemblies with all possible Tokens of Esteem Veneration and Respect 8 1691. He reassumes at the Hague the Function of Governour and Captain General in the same manner as before he was King 9 1674. The States of
Duke of Gloster and a Member of the King of England's Privy Council 25 1660. The Prince being now 16 Years old is complemented on that occasion by several Persons of Quality And the States who had a Horse-Guard in his Palace cause them to withdraw that he may have it wholly at his disposal 26 1682. A Decree is made in France whereby the Magistracy and Inhabitants of the City of Orange are forbidden any more to acknowledge his Royal Highness for their Sovereign 27 28 29 30. December 1 1673. A Medal is seen in Holland having on one side the Prince of Orange holding a Sword in his Right-hand and the Arms of Vtrecht in his Left with this Inscription Moneta Argentea pro Confectore Belli Trajactensis and on the other the Arms of the States General with this Motto Concordia res parvae crescunt 2 3 4 5 1676. He went to Zeeland to honour the Assembly of the States of that Province with his presence 6 7 8 1673. He returns glorious to the Hague where he is received with Honour Joy and Respect 9 1677. He arrives incognito at the Hague with the Royal Princess his Consort 10 11 12 1676. His Royal Highness returns from Zealand to the Hague through several Dangers at Sea by reason of the Ice 13 14 1677. He makes a most splendid Entry into the Hague with his Princess through an infinite crowd of People who had flocked thither from all Parts to express the share they took in his happiness 15 1663. The Prince uses repeated Instances with the States that they would seize on the Estates and Effects of the Spaniards to oblige them to pay what was due to his House by obligation from the King of Spain on condition they would procure him a Peace with Holland which had been done 16 17 1690. His Majesty is royally entertained by the City of London who spent a vast Sum of Mony on that occasion 18 1677. The Prince thanks the States for the Consent they had given to his Marriage and gives them an Account of his Negotiations in England then goes to the Council of State where the Preparations for the next Campaign are debated 19 1675. This day the Princess of Orange his Mother was buried with the utmost Pomp having left him the Baronies of Tornaut and Zouvenbrug besides above 150000 Florins-worth of Jewels and a Diamond of an extraordinary value 20 1690. A Conspiracy is discover'd in London wherein some Persons of great quality were concerned 21 1688. The late King James being fled from London the Lords Ecclesiastical and Temporal flock from all Parts to the Prince of Orange to be ready to form a Convention 22 23 24 1688. King James seeing the whole Nation sided with the Prince of Orange and that his Royal Highness's Army increased daily disguises himself and goes on board a Vessel bound for France but being forced back on the English Coast near Feversham he is seized by some Country-men who mistook him for a Jesuit 25 1688. His Royal Highness invites K. James to London 26 1688. King James returns thither where he exercises for a short while a Regal Authority 27 1688. King James leaves London and goes to Rochester and thence to France whereby he abdicates his Kingdom 28 1671. This day the States General agreed on the following Resolutions viz. That they would raise 20000 Land-men and 10000 Mariners to increase their Sea and Land Armies That they would build several great Barks to serve on the Rhine to hinder the French from frequently passing that River That they would fit out a Fleet of 48 Men of War 24 Frigats and 24 Fireships And to add 20000 Florins per Annum to the Prince of Orange's Pension 29 30 31. FINIS
Holland do unanimously and solemnly confer on the Prince of Orange and his Heirs Male for ever the Places of Captain General and Admiral and the Government of that Province to the general Satisfaction of all the Nobility and Commonalty 10 1677. Charles II. King of England gives his Consent to the Match agreed upon between the Princess Mary Daughter to the Duke of York and the Prince of Orange his Nephew 11 1661. His Majesty of Great Britain having made several Instances with the States General That according to her R. H. his late Sister's Will they would send him certain Papers which he was desirous to keep during the young Prince's Minority which the States having refused alledging they were his Guardians which they took as a great Honour It occasion'd a Rupture between the two States 12 1651. The States of the Provinces of Holland and Zealand and the Cities of Amsterdam and Delft were desired to be Godfathers to the young Prince 13 1689. While the Convention were agreeing to invest the Prince of Orange with the Regal Authority his R. H. being already acquainted with their Design sends a Squadron of 12 Men of War to fetch over his princely Consort 14. 1689. The House of Lords asserts the Succession of the Princess of Orange to the Crown of England 15 1675. The Assembly of Arnheim seeing the Prince of Orange would not be their Sovereign did in imitation of the other Provinces chuse him for their Governour 16 1691. The Electors of Bavaria and Brandenburg the Marquess of Castanaga Governour of the Low Countries the Landgrave of Hesse Cassel and several other Persons of an eminent Quality came to the Hague to negotiate some Business concerning the League so that there was there at that Time an Appearance of 50 Princes Counts General Officers and Persons of the first Rank 14 English Lords above 30 Embassadors and a great Number of Princesses and Ladies 17 1676. The Elector of Brandenbourg proposes a March between the Prince of Orange and the Princess of Radzevill his Couzin a Lady of a very considerable Fortune 19 1679. The Prince's Mediation procures a firm and lasting Peace between the English and Dutch 20 1674. The States of Zeeland having declared as those of Holland had already done That the Places of Captain General and Admiral did hereditarily belong to his Family add thereto the Quality of Noble Hereditary of that Province which the States of Vtrecht also did in April the Year following 20 1689. The Princess of Orange goes from the Hague and embarks at the Brill the People by redoubled Acclamation expressing their Joy at the occasion of her Journey and she is attended by 5 of the Deputies of the Admiralty 20 1677. The Prince notwithstanding the Rigour of the Season and the almost invincible Opposition of his Enemies endeavours to relieve Valencies besieg'd by the French 21 1671. The Dutchess of York who was lately brought to Bed of a Daughter baptizes her that Day and the Prince of Orange stands Godfather 22 1689. The Princess of Orange who at her Landing had been waited on by the Princess of Denmark her Sister and several English Noblemen comes to London where she is received with a Discharge of the Cannon ringing of Bells Huzza's Bonfires and all possible Expressions of Joy 23 1689. Both Houses of Convention do joyntly desire the Prince and Princess of Orange to accept of the Vacant Throne of England which they did And that Day his Majesty wrote to the States to acquaint them therewith to thank them for the Forces they had lent him and tell them he was now in a condition to express his Gratitude for all former Kindnesses 24 1671. The Prince goes from London to Rochester and thence to Guernsey whence one of his Majesty's Yachts transports him to Holland being according to his Majesty's Order attended during that Journey by the Earl of Ossery and Monsieur Silvius 24 1689. The Prince and Princess of Orange are proclaim'd King and Queen of England c. to the inexpressible Joy of all their Subjects 24 1672. The Prince of Orange accepts the Dignity of Captain General of the States 25 1672. He is sworn as such in that Assembly 25 1696. A most horrid Conspiracy to Assassinate his Majesty's sacred Person is discovered 25 1689. The Convention being constituted a Parliament his Majesty recommends to their Care the Union between the English and Dutch Nations and that Day the Parliament promised him to repay the Charges which the States General were at on the account of the late Expedition 26 1689. The Parliament grant his Majesty 600000 l. to enable him to repay to the States the Sums which they had laid out for the fitting out of the Fleet that came with him from Holland and 600000 l. besides to begin the War in Ireland 27 1674 The Prince having considerably strengthened his Army he forces the French to abandon Nimeguen Zutphen Arnhem Till and Fort Skin 28 1672. The two Houses of Convention are changed into a Parliament and that Day his Majesty came first to the House of Lords in his Robes c. March 1 1692. The King arrives Incognito in an ordinary Coach but is soon known and receiv'd with loud Huzza's c. 2 1692. He makes a kind Reception to the D. of Richmond to whom he restores all his Estate which had been confiscated 3 1689. He sends back the Forces which the States General had lent him to attend him in his Expedition with rich Presents in consideration of the Charges they had been at on his account 4 1689. He is no sooner King of England but he acts as such and is complemented by the Nobility the Officers of the Crown and Foreign Ministers who all congratulate his happy accession to to the Crown 5. 6 1696. Both Houses of Parliament entred into an Association to stand by and assist each other in the Defence of his Majesty and of his Kingdom c. 7 1679. He makes an Offensive and Defensive League between the Elector of Brandenbourg and the States General 8 1689. He sends Admiral Herbert with 30 Men of War to cruise on the Irish Coasts to hinder the French from landing 9 1673 The French abandon Wezel and some other Places of the Dutchy of Cleves through the Fear they stood in of the P. of Orange's numerous Army 10 1690. Above 200 Gentlemen come to London and offer to serve as Volunteers in his Majesty's Army in Ireland 11 1654. A Medal is publish'd in Holland on the Reverse whereof is seen the young P. of Orange in a Roman Dress crown'd with Lawrel and with a Staff in his Hand standing before the Statue of Pallas who earnestly looks on the Prince shewing him a Sun in the middle of which is seen the Hebrew Word Jehovah and near the Prince this Motto Fear God The Temple of Pallas is to be seen in Perspective 12 1689. He gives Orders for the sitting out a Fleet of 60 Men of War and raising
of several new Regiments 13 1656. He begins his Studies at Leyden where the accuteness of his Wit raises him above the rest of the Scholars as much as his eminent Quality 14. 15 1657. The very Picture of the Prince of Orange shewed to Cromwel strikes him with Fear 17. 18 1660. K. Charles II. expresses to the Deputies of the States General his great Tenderness for the Prince of Orange and the Royal Princess his Sister 18 1672. The States General allow him 4000 Men which go by the Name of Troops of his Highnesses Houshold 19 1660. K. Charles II. his Unkle having brought him to the Hague carries him to the Assembly of the States General to whom he earnestly recommends the young Prince's Interest 20 1673. He goes into Zeeland to negotiate an Offensive and Defensive League with Spain which was to last till the King of France had restor'd to the Spaniards and Dutch the Places he had taken from them 21. 22 1691. The King having taken his Leave of the Council of State and of the Dutch Commonwealth and Royally Entertained all the Princes Lords and Ladies who had waited on him at the Hague goes to Breda at the Head of his Army with a Design to relieve Mons. 23 1689. The Parliament present his Majesty with 420000 l. 24. 25 1690. The Parliament of Scotland grant him a Subsidy of 200000 l. 26 1689. The Convention of Scotland return their Thanks to the King for the Protection he had allowed them 27 1673. He gives Audience to the Imperial and Spanish Embassadors and sends M. d'Odyck as his Deputy to the Congress at Colen and opposes the Suspension of Arms that was set on Foot refusing his Consent thereto till the Return of a Courier he had sent to the Elector of Brandenbourg 28 1651. The young Prince's Guardianship is courted by some Princes several Provinces and the States General 29 1680. He goes from the Hague to visit the Cities of Boldue Berg op Zoom c. on the Frontiers of Brabant 30 1676. He recovers of a little Indisposition he had had 31 1660. He goes to Breda to congratulate K. Charles II. on his Restauration to the Throne of England c. April 1 1675. A small ebullition of his Blood occasions a Swelling in his Head which is cured by Bleeding 2 1673. The Small Pox with which he is taken sick and whereof his Father dy'd gives the People a general Fear who in this occasion shew their Kindness and extream Respect and Love they bear him and he is visited by Foreign Ministers 3 1674. The States General present the P. of Orange with 2000000 Florins in consideration of the K. of England's having quitted to his Royal Highness the Fishery of Herrings 4 1674. He goes into Zealand to appease some Disorders there which being speedily and happily ended he returns and in his Journey visits Flessingue Sluce Ardembourg Berg op Zoom Breda and Bolduc 5 1674. The Province of Vtrecht does at his Request agree to spoil the Crown of Spain and its Subjects to the value of 196985 Florins by way of Reprisal 6. 7. 8 1677. He marched to the Relief of S. Omer 9 1671. Being fallen dangerously ill in Louvestein Castle he fortunately recovers his Health to the general Satisfaction 10 1693. He permits 600 French Protestans Families who were come into Switzerland and had implor'd his Protection to go and settle in Ireland 11. 12 13 1677. With an undaunted Courage he makes himself Master of a Passage on the Rhine in spight of the French Army 14 1675. The States of Holland seeing his Highness out of Danger from a grievous Sickness he had had send some of their Body to him to desire him to take Care of his Health and to give them leave to return Publick Thanks to Almighty God for his happy Recovery 15 1675. The Lords of the Province of Gueldre seeing his R. H. would not accept of the Sovereignty they offer'd him chose him for their perpetual Governour which Dignity was also conferr'd on his Heirs Male for ever as an Acknowledgment of the great Obligations his Highness had laid upon ' em 16 1666. The States General accept with Joy the Guardianship of the young Prince and chuse 6 Lords whom they entrust with his Education to the general Satisfaction of the People who else would have rose up in Arms throughout the Provinces 17 1675. Two Envoys one from the K. of England and the other from the Duke of York come to the Hague to enquire into the state of his Health 18 1691. His Majesty presents the Duke of Zel with the most Noble Order of the Garter at the Hague 19 1676. The Parliament express their Love to him in that they grant K. Charles a Duty for 9 Years on Law Proceedings the better to enable him to pay his R. H. the Sums he ow'd him 20 1691. Having provided for the Safety of the City of Brussels and some other Places he goes for England 21 1689. Their Majesties went to Westminster-Abby where they were Crowned by the Bishop of London with the usual Solemnity 22 1688. He goes to meet the Elector of Saxony who came to see him at Loo being attended by his own Regiment of Guards his Regiment of Dragoons and a great number of Coaches 23 1689. The House of Commons humbly request his Majesty That he would declare War against the French King and promise to stand by him and to assist him in the carrying on the War to the utmost of their Power 24 1691. Having visited the Fleet where he was received with loud Acclamations he returns to London to provide for the Safety of his Subjects and there he receives Advice of the great Victory the Earl of Athlone had obtained over the French in Ireland 25 1668. He goes from the Hague for the Camp at Adersburg 26 1689. The Convention of Scotland send the E. of Argyle Sir Thomas Mongomery and Sir John Dalrimple to offer the Crown of Scotland to his Majesty and take the Oaths of Allegiance c. as their Representatives 27 1690. The House of Lords make a Bill whereby they assert their Majesty's Right to the Crown of England 28 1666. The States General allow the young Prince a Court. 29 1689. 600 Medals of Gold worth 3 l. a piece are distributed each Member of the House of Commons being presented with one they had the King and Queen's Effigies on one Side and on the other a Phaeton struck with Thunder by Jupiter with this Inscription Ne totus absumatur Orbis lest the whole World be consumed 30 1690. The Parliament vest in his Majesty all the Customs which had been granted to James I. and the Duties which King Charles and King James II. had enjoy'd and moreover allow him to dispose of all the Subsidies as himself should seem sitting for the space of 4 Years May. 1 1673. The States General give the Command of their Armies to Prince Maurice for Friezland the Mareschal de Wertz