Elizabeth Gaunt for Succouring and Assisting the said Burton with Money and helping him to a Passage in order to his escape beyond the Seas and were all Three found Guilty and received Sentence of Death as in case of High Treason And on the 23 d. of October Mr. Cornish was taken out of Newgate and Drawn in a Sledg to Kings-Street-end by Guild-Hall and there Executed on a Gibbet erected for that purpose his Head set upon Guild-Hall and his Quarters upon the Gates though since taken down and his Attainder reversed in Parliament Elizabeth Gaunt was conveyed to Tyburn and there Burnt to Ashes the other two got their Pardons and a Soldier for running from his Colours was Hanged on Tower Hill On the 27 th of October Richard Nelthrop and John Ayloff were carried from Newgate to the Kings Bench Bar and there received Sentence upon their being Outlawed for High Treason and a rule was made for their Execution on the 30 th when accordingly they were executed the first before Grays Inn Gate and the last before the Temple Gate and Quartered as in Case of High Treason On the 29 th of October Sir Robert Jefferys Lord Mayor of London was Sworn for the Year ensuing before the Barons of the Exchequer and the City received him with the usual Pomp c. and about the latter end of this Month a great Scuffle happened at Wiggan in the County Palatine of Lancaster between the Towns-Men and 4 Companys of Soldiers belonging to Sir William Clifton's Regiment in which many People were hurt however the inquiry as to the Agressors being submitted to a Court Marshal the Soldiers were excused and only obliged to remit out of their Pay so much Mony as their Quarters came to it being alledged That the Crouds of People pressed upon their Artillery and Carriages and their endeavouring to keep them off began the Fray On the 6 th of November an Order of Council was Published against making Bone-fires or Fire-works at or upon any Festival Days or Times whatsoever without particular leave first had from the King or Council-Board or signified to them by the Lord Mayor of London or by the Justices of Peace of the Respective Limmits upon Pain of Displeasure and being Prosecuted with the utmost Severity of the Law and some were taken up and Imprisoned on this occasion but upon submission and acknowledgment most of them Released And on the 20 th of November the King by the Lord Chancellour Prorogued the Parliament to the 19 th of February On the 4 th of December Robert Earl of Sunderland Principal Secretary of State was declared Lord President of the Council and took his place And divers new Charters about this time were Granted to sundry Corporations On the 10 th of December One Charles Bateman a Chirurgion was Tryed upon an Indictment of High-Treason for Conspiring the Death of King Charles the Second and to raise Rebellion within the Kingdom c. of which the Jury found him Guilty and he the next day received Sentance of Death as in Case of Treason and upon the 18 th was Executed at Tyburn where he made a very Pious End and his Head and Quarters afterwards set up in divers places And the King Appointed the Lord Viscount Tiveot Coll. Robert Phillips and John Evelyn do in the Absence of his Excellence the Earl of Clarendon who was made Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and on his way theither being Attended to the utmost Limits of this Kingdom with a Numerous and Gallant Train and received at Dublin with all the Demonstrations of Joy usual on that Occasion and the Earl of Huntingdon was appointed Lord Cheif Justice and Justice in Eyre of all the King's Forrests Chaces Parks and Warrens on the South side of Trent And on the 29 th the Bishop of Durham was Sworn Dean of the Chaple Royal and the Bishop of Rochester Clerk of the Closet to the King On the 30 th of December John Hambden Esq was Arraigned at the Old-Baily upon an Indictment of High-Treason but was afterwards Pardoned And a Proclamation was published for the further Prorogation of the Parliament viz. to the 10 th of May 1689. On the 8 th of February Thomas Saxton was brought to his Tryal at the Kings Bench-Bar upon an Indictment of Perjury in wilfully Forswearing himself at the Tryal of Henry Lord Delamere and the Jury found him Guilty without going from the Bar and afterward received Sentence to stand in the Pillory before VVestminsterx-Hall gate Temple Bar and the Royal Exchange and to be Whiped from New-gate to Tyburn and to pay 500 Marks as a Fine and he did stand in the Pillory and was Whiped Phlibert Vernatti who had been Attainted by Outlawry for Murthering Sr. Edmunbury Godfry appeared likewise at the Kings-Bench and being admitted to Reverse the Outlawry by Writ of Error tookâ— a kind of a pretended Tryal as knowingâ— doubtless no Witness would appear for that Miles Prance and others being called and not coming into Court the Jury was necessiated to Aâ—quit him and the Parliament Meeting on the 10 th of February was Prorogued by Commission to the 10 th of May. On the 13 th of February Sr. Thomas Jenner was Appointed one of the Baroâ—â— of the Exchequer in the place of Sr. VVilliam Gregory and Sr. Henry Bedingfield was Appointed a Justice of the Common-Pleas in the stead of Sr. Creswel Levens and Sr. John Holt was Constituted Recorder of London On the 10 th of March 1685. The King-Signed a Proclamation of General Pardon yet full of Exceptions in Sundry matters and cases Excluding from the benefit of it a great number by Name especially the most considerable Persons that had Escaped the Battle of Sedgmore or were concerned in the business of the VVest however divers Addresses followed it and sundry clusters were granted or restored and thus ended the most Remarkable Transactions of the year 1685. The year 1686. began with Storms in which a great many Ships were cast away and the shoars in many places were strew'd with Wrecks c. And on the 21 st of April Sr. Thomas Jones Lord Cheif Justice of the Common-Pleas VVilliam Montague Esq Lord Cheif Baron of the Exchequer Sr. Job Charleton one of the Justices of the Common-pleas and Sir Edward Nevil one of the Barons of the Exchequer had their Quietus and others appointed in in the stead however Sir Job Charleton was made Cheif Justice of Checter and a Call of Serjeants was made by Writ and they took their Oaths accordingly at the Chancery-Bar the first day of Easter Term and performed the Ceremonies usual on that occasion Presenting Rings with this Motto viz. Deus Rex Lex And an Order about this time was Published by the King and Council strictly Commanding any one to Betrary or Seduce any Person to the Forreign Plantations in America c. without their Consent and being lawfully bound before a Majestrate or such as should be thereunto Appointed which for a
its Enemies and as I do not doubt of such an Assistance from you as shall be suitable to your Advice to me to declare War against a powerful Enemy so you may relye upon me that no part of that which you shall give for the carrying it on with success shall be diverted by me to any other use And that the Protestants who had Fled from Ireland might not suffer want in England great care was taken to provide for them and most People wherever they came contributed liberally to their relief and assistance and the King was pleased to put forth a Declaration to encourage the French Protestants that should Transport themselves their Families and Estates into this Kingdom and a Proclamation Prohibiting the Importation of all sorts of Manufactures and Commodities whatsoever of the Growth Production and Manufacture of France in way of Trade c. On the 1st of May His Majesty was pleased to give the Royal Assent to an Act for raising Money by Pole and otherwise towards the Reducing of Ireland an Act for preventing Doubts and Questions concerning the Collecting the Publick Revenues and a private Act to Sell Lands for Paying of Debts c. For the better Supply and Support of Their Majesties Navies Two Proclamations were Issued out one to Prohibit Seamen from Serving Foreign Princes and the other for Prohibiting them from Deserting Their Majesties Navies and His Majesty having been pleased to call by His Writ divers worthy Persons to take upon them the State and Degree of Serjeants at Law they performed the Ceremony with all the Decency and Grandure that usually attends it and gave Rings with this Motto viz Veniendo Restituit Rem and the King was further pleased to Constitute Sir John Holt Lord Chief Justice of the King 's Bench. Sir William Dolbin Sir VVilliam Gregory Giles Eyers Esq Justices of the same Sir Henry Pollexfen Lord Chief Justice of the Common-Pleas Sir John Powel Thomas Rokeby Esq Peyton Ventris Esq Justices of the same Sir Robert Atkins Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer Sir Edward Nevill Nicholas Lechmer Esq John Turton Esq Barons of the same John Trenchard Esq Chief Justice of Chester Sir George Treby His Majesty's Attorney General John Summers Esq His Majesties Solicitor General During these things the French Fleet attempting to Land Forces in Ireland Admiral Herbert with a Squadron of the English Ships stood over to Kingsale on the 24 th of April in hopes to meet them and on the 29 th his Scouts made a Signal that they discovered a Fleet keeping their Wind which caused the Admiral to keep His all Night to hinder them getting into Kinsale and the next Morning had notice they were gone into Baltimore being 44 Sail whereupon he stood away towards the place but not finding them there the Scouts however got sight of them again in the Evening to the Westward of Cape clear whereupon steering after them it was sound they had got into Bantry so that the English Ships lay off the Bay all Night and by break of Day stood in where they found them at Anchor who presently got under Sail and bore down upon the English in a Line of 28 Men of War and five Fireships and when they came within Musquet-shot of the Defiance being the head-most of the English the French Admiral put out the Signal of Battle which they began with small and great Shot and the English made several Boards to gain the Wind or engage them close but that way of working not being advantageous the English Admiral stood off to Sea as well to have got his Ships into a Line as to have gained the Wind of the Enemy but the French were so cautious in bearing down that this advantage and opportunity could not be obtained so that our Admiral continued Battering upon the Stretch 'till Five in the Afternoon at what time the French tacked and stood further into the Bay and the English Admiral 's Ship and some of the rest being disabled in their Rigging could not follow them but continued some time before the Bay and gave them a Gun at parting In this Action Capt. George Aylmer of the Portland with 1 Lieutenant and 9 Seamen were Killed and about 250 Wounded and of the French without doubt a greater number and not without good Supposition one of their great Ships sunk although they had double the number of Ships and the advantage of the Wind. Upon this further Invasion of the French King made upon the Kingdom of Ireland Their Majesties of Great Brittain delayâ—ed no longer to Publish Their Declaration of War against him Given at Hampton-Court the 7 th of May 1689. Seting forth Reasons that moved Their Majesties to denounce War and the Unjust and Perfideous Dealings of the French King c. as well against Their Majesties Subjects in Europe as in America c. And to prevent upon this Rupture any Disturbance from Papist's an Act Intituled an Act for the better Securing the Government by Disarming Papist's and Reputed Papist's passed And now the Case of Algernoon Sidney Esq who lost his Head on Tower-Hill being before the Parliament amongst other Acts one was passed for Anulling and making Void his Attainder Collonel Lundy who had been Appointed Governour of London Derry in Ireland forsaking that place as supposing it not Tenable upon the Approach of the Irish Army and it being likewise left by Coll Richards and Collonel Coningham who brought back the Regiments under their Commands the Inhabitants and such as came in Arms from other Parts to Assist them Resolving however upon their Defence Choose that Brave Gentleman Mr. George Walker a Minister of their Governour and Major Baker his Assistant who although the Irish took Kilmore a Fort that lies advantageous to it defended they it almost to a Miracle against above 30000 Men till it was Relieved by Major General Kirk with Provision by Water the Inhabitants and Garison having Eat all manner of unclean things as Dogs Cats Rats Mice c. And thereupon the Enemy having lost a great number of Men and some of their best Commanders found themselves constrained to raise the Siege after they had lain before it Battering with their Cannon and Casting in Bombs from the 19 th of April to the end of August and a great party of the Protestants Fortifying themselves in the Isle of Inch and other Places made a Resolute defence beating off such as were sent to Attacque them and frequently taking great Booties by which means they Subsisted and held out till they were Succour'd and Recruted from England About this time the Papist's were commanded by Proclamation to leave London and Ten Miles about it unless such as were Excepted in an Act for this purpose and we had the happy News of the taking two French Men of War by the Nonsuch Frigate as likewise a Privatier and several of their Merchants by other English Frigates and Vessels On the 11 th of May â—he Commissioners Appointed to
best men On the 16 th of December the King went to the House of Lords at Westminster attended with the usual Solemnity and gave the Royal Assent to An Act granting to their Majesties an Aid of two Shillings in the Pound for one Year An Act for Declaring the rights of the Subject and settling the Succession of the Crown And some other Acts for Naturalizing Persons c. On the 23 th of December the King passed an Act to prevent Doubts and Questions concerning the Collection of the Publick Revenue An Act to punish Officers and Soldiers who shall mutiny or desert their Majesties Service and for punishing false Musters And a private Act for settling a Joynture c. On the first of January a Chapter being held by the Soveraign and Knights Companions of the most Noble Order of the Garter Frederick Elector of Brandenburgh was chosen a Knight Companion of the Order into the Stall of the Late Elector of Brandenburgh his Father The King of Denmark having sent about 6000 Horse and Foot to assist their Majesties of Great Britain Shipp'd in a very considerable Fleet they notwithstanding the projects of the French to disappoint it arrived safe in England and Scotland and were kindly received and care taken for passing them into Ireland to which Service they were chiefly designed being all well Disciplin'd and well Accourtred Men. On the 16 th the King came to the House of Lords and being Seated on the Throne the Commons attending gave the Royal Assent to An Act for a Grant to Their Majesties of an additional Aid of 12 d. in the Pound for one Year An Act for the Charging and Collecting the Duties upon Coffee Tea and Chocolate at the Custom-House and a private Act. And for the firmer settlement of the Kingdom of Scotland by putting the places of greatest Trust in confiding Hands His Majesty has been pleased to Constitute Lords Commissioners For the Great Seal The Duke of Hamilton the Earl of Argyle and the Earl of Southerland For the Privy Seal The Earl of Forfar the Earl of Kintore and the Lord of Carmichael For the Treasury The Earl of Crawford the Earl of Cassels the Earl of Tweddale the Lord Ruthuen and Mr. Melvil For the Clerk Register's Office The Lord Betheaven the Master of Burleigh Sir Duncan Campbell of Auclimbreak Sir Thomas Burnet of Lays and John Hay of Park Sir George Campbell of Cesnock Lord Justice Clerk On the 27 th of January His Majesty being seated on the Throne in the House of Lords sent for the Commons and gave the Royal Assent to An Act for the renewing of the Poll Bill and for an additional Poll. An Act to prevent Vexations Suits against such as acted in order to the bringing in their Majesties and Four private Acts. And then proceeded to make the following Gracious Speech My Lords and Gentlemen I Am very sensible of the readiness you have shewed to supply me with Money for the carrying on the Wars I am engaged in That I am glad of this occasion to give you Thanks for your careful dispatch of that matter which was absolutely necessary for the common safety The best return I can make your Kindness is to assure you that as far as it will goe it shall be imploy'd to the purposes it was given It is a very sensible Affliction to me to see my good People Burthened with heavy Taxes but since the speedy recovering of Ireland is in my Opinion the only means to ease them and to preserve the Peace and Honour of the Nation I am resolved to go thither in Person and with the Blessing of God Almighty endeavour to reduce that Kingdom that it may â—o longer be a Charge to this And as I have already ventured my Life for the Preservation of the Religion Laws and Liberties of this Nation so I am willing again to expose it to secure you the quiet enjoyment of them The Spring draws on and it being Requisite I should be early in the Field I must immediately apply my Thoughts to give Orders for the necessary Preparations which that I may have the more leisure to do I have thought convenient to put an End to this Sessions Then Mr. Speaker by His Majesty's Command said My Lords and Gentlemen IT is His Majesties Pleasure that this Parliament be Prorogued to the second Day of April next And this Parliament is Prorogued to the second Day of April next And thereupon His Majesty returned to his Palace FINIS
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
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.
he had been some time detained by contrary Winds he arrived and was received at Dubâ—â—n by those of his Sticklers with Accâ—â—maâ—â—â—â—s of Joy and from that time the Iâ—â—sh Papists began to date their hopes of subjectinâ— the Protestants and bragged that their Religion should not long coâ—â—inue And indeed this Earl did all he could to surpress it by placing and disâ—â—â—ing Officeâ—s and Ministers in Sâ—â—â—â—ns Military and Civil by â—n â—ncontroâ—lable Power refusing to shew â—ny Warâ—â—â—â— or gâ—ve the least reason for his so 〈◊〉 and all 〈◊〉 a â—â—ddain a Proclamation was sent to the Coâ—â—câ—l of Scotland 〈◊〉 sed in 〈…〉 Letter for Liberty of consâ—â—ce as â—â—ll for Roman Caâ—â—â—licks as other 〈◊〉 only Field-Convenciâ—â—â—â— and 〈◊〉 Meetings and such like 〈◊〉 and to suspend all Laws c. 〈◊〉 â—â—câ—sants and Conventicie◠〈◊〉 that â—hould peacefully meet disâ— anulling 〈…〉 Tests and other Matters 〈…〉 were rendeâ—d unqualified or uncapable of holding Places and Trusts in the Government and appointing a new Oath to acknowledge his Right and Power and not to take up or bear Arms against him but to oppose such as should attempt it to which a suitable Letter was returned Signed by the chief Ministers of State of that Kingdom promising Obedience And now many Roman Catholicks being Commissioned for the Peace throughout England and Dispenced with from taking the Oaths and Tests of Qualification The Protestant Justices of the County of Middlesex desired the same Dispensation might be allowed them To which the King replyed He took it kindly their putting Confidence in him and he would take care of them The New Lord Deputy of Ireland finding his violent Proceedings much disatisfied the greater part of the People and occasioned Reflections on them the better to palliate the Matter Isâ—ued out Three Proclamations One to assure the People of his good Intentions towards them commanding the Magistrates to apprehend and bring to Justice the spreaders of Reports tending otherways Another for preserving the Forces in good Order and Discipline And a Third for suppressing Tories and Robbers On the 18 th of March the King being in Council at White-Hall Declared his Intention further to Prorogue the Parliament to the 22 d. of November 1687. And that he intended a General Toleration of Liberty of Conscience to his Subjects and for that end he designed to Publish his Declaration for a general Liberty of Conscience to all Persons of what Perswasion soever c. The Attorney and Sollicitor General were forbidden to suffer Process to Issue out in the King's Name against any Dissenter whatsoever and a Proclamation was Issued out for a fuâ—ther Pâ—orogation of the Parliament and with these Proceedings concluded the Year 1686. On the 4 th of April 1687. A Declaration for Liberty of Conscience was Signed by the King at VVhite Hall promising amongst other things to Protect and Maintain the Arch-Bishops Bishops and Clergy and all others of the Church of England in the Free Exercise of their Religion as by Law Established c. and that the Penal Laws and all Tests should be laid aside and no longer useful for distinguishment of Opinion or keeping Persons of any Perswasion out of Places of Trust directing how and in what manner they should meet in their several Assemblies and upon what notice c. Upon this both Papists and Dissenters began to spread sundry Scandalous and Malicious Libels against the Conduct of the Church Established and doubted not but this great Engine would make her totter but it proved otherwise and this dividing made way for a surer Establishment However divers flattering Addresses followed from sundry Perswasions promoted for the most part by Underhand Insinuation for the Priests were every where busie in making their Advantage and several Alterations were made in the Judges and Ministers of State many of the Judges having given their Opinions for the Dispencing Power and it having been carryed for Sir Edward Hales in the King's-Bench Court upon an Action brought against him by his Coachman for Five Hundred Pounds according to the Statutes for taking upon him a Place of Trust without being Qualified by the Oathes c. On the 22 d. of April the King removed the Loâ—d Chief Justice Herbert to the Common Pleas and the Lord Chief Justice Wright to the Kings-Bench and Sir Francis Withens one of the Justices of the Kings-Bench had his Quietus And now the D. of Buckingham dying his Garter was given to the Earl of Sunderland and he was made a Knight Companion of the Order and Sir Richard Allebone a Roman Catholick who had been 〈◊〉 and a Serjeant at Law by the King 's Writ was sworn on the 28 th of April one of the Justices of the King's-Bench before the Lord Chancellor And the Parliament meeting at VVestminster were by Commission Prorogued to the 22 d. of November The Army being all this while on Foot and several Campaigns held at Hounslow-Heath where Two Cnâ—ppels were erected one for the Roman Catholicks and another for the Protestants The â—â—ege of Buda was appointed to be Acted but it being like to come to earnest about Priority and some Bullets being shot 〈◊〉 was given over and some of the Judges having given their Opinion that it was Death by the Law of the Land for a Soldier â—ntering into Pay Deserting his Coloâ—rs without Leave though in time of Peace divers were tryed and executed and now â—ddresses came crouding from all 〈◊〉 of Thanks for Liberty of Conscience c. The publick Papers being Weekly fiâ—led with them c. And the Priests proceeded to Build Chaples in St. John's Limes-Street Bucklers Bury Lincolns-sâ—n-Fields and in most places giving out what Advantages they had gained and how near they were to the Consummating their Wishes but 〈◊〉 Man Proposes God Disposes nor were the Quakers a thing unusual in those People behind-hand in their Complements and Addresses which induced many to believe that some Jesuits in Disguise were gotten amongst them About this time arrived a Ship very Richly â—aden with Gold and Silver from the VVest-Indies Commanded by Captain VVilliam Phillips who afterward was Knighted for this Exploit and this Treasure with several pieces of Canon were the Wreck of a Spanish Galleon about 40. Years since and recovered by Diving in 14 and 15 Fathom Water in a strong Sea running between divers Rocks and Islands the Treasure amounted to about 200000 l. and was partnered amongst those that had fitted him out of whom the Duke of Albermarle was principal but others going to attempt the like returned without Success and Sir John Narborough dyed in the Enterprize And now contrary to Expectation the King Published a Proclamation for the Dissolution of the Parliament given at Hampâ—on Court on the Second of July 1687. and upon an Embassy sent to Rome the Pope sent hither in Quality of his Nuncio Ferdinand d' Adda Arch-Bishop of Amasia c. who on the 3 d. of July had his publick Audience at VVindsor and was