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
may see our Unanimity and that I may have the opportunity of shewing you how ready I am to do any thing that may give Comfort and Satisfaction to such Dutiful and Loyal Subjects Hereupon a Proclamation was Issued out for the Confinement of Popish Recusants more distant from London within five Miles of their Dwellings and another Proclamation for Apprehending divers Persons by Name accused of the Conspiracy Likewise an Order of Council for the apprehending Jesuits and Popish Priests with the Reward of Twenty l. a Head One William Staley a Goldsmith's Son in Covent Garden and a noted Papist was Tryed on the 21 of November at the Kings-Bench Bar before the Lord Chief Justice Scroggs and other Judges of that Bench upon an Indictment of High Treason for saying He would Kill the King c. and being Convicted was Sentenc'd to be Draw'd Hanged and Quartered which was accordingly Executed and his Quarters being given to his Friends a great many Papists crowded to his Funeral which was Solemnized with much pomp as accounting him the Proto-Martyr of their Cause The King was so much Incensed at this proceeding that an Order was sent to have the Body taken up and the Head and Quarters afixed upon the Gates of the City of London which was accordingly performed And now the Conspiracy being more narrowly searched into and manifested by the Papers seized with Edward Coleman Esq he was Tryed at the Kings Bench Bar before the Lord Chief Justice Scroggs on the 27 th of November upon an Indictment of High Treason in Conspiring the Death of the King subverting the Government and Extirpating the Protestant Religion upon which he was found Guilty by a Jury of Gentlemen of Quality of the County of Middlesex and the next day received Sentence as in case of High Treason and was Executed at Tyburn and a reward and protection was offered to such as would come in within a limited time and make a further Discovery and to prevent any danger that might from hence arise in any of the other Kingdoms Expresses were dispatched and such Persons as were accused or had been suspected were Seized and all due care taken especially in Ireland where by reason of the number of Papists Inhabiting that Kingdom the danger seemed to threaten and an Order was published That no Person upon great penalties should resort to the Queens Chapple or the Houses of Ambassadors unless her Servants or Servants of such Ambassadors as had Chapples and strict Inquiry was made upon this occasion Officers being appointed to have an Eye upon such as came in and out and some who could give no good account of themselves were carried before the Magistrates and Committed and a Proclamation was Issued out for dis-arming and securing Popish Recusants throughout the Kingdom which was punctually observed in most parts On the 17 th of November Letters having been scattered in the Streets of Dublin in Ireland Intimating a Conspiracy against the Life of the Duke of Ormond Lord Lieutenant of that Kingdom to be put in Execution by one Michael Jepson he was thereupon Seized and confessed the Design and that he was preverted and incited amongst other Inducements to this intended Murther for that Alexander Jepson his Father had been hanged at Dublin for the Plot contrived 1663. and hereupon Brin and Plunket two Secular Priests were Seized the former being the party that set him on to perpretrate this wickedness and Papers from other Priests incouraging the like were found upon a strict Inquiry And now the Parliament of England having made a considerable progress into the Plot and the design growing more and more apparent by the Testimonies of other Witnesses that came in they were on the 30 th of December Prorogued 'till the 4 th of February following upon which the Papists relying for a greater boldness in returning to the Cities of London and Westminster another Proclamation was Issued out commanding them to depart as likewise the Magistrates and Officers to make diligent search for such as should lurk about Town c. And a Proclamation commanding the immediate return of the Children of Noblemen Gentlemen and others that were the Kings Subjects being in Foreign Seminaries and forbidding relief to be sent to them according to the Statute made in the 20 th Year of Elizabeth or undergoe the Penalty of that Statute which is to be adjudged a Traytor and suffer Forfeit and â—oss as in case of High Treason And another Proclamation for apprehending several Jesuits by Name viz. John Gaven Vavasor alias Gifford Edward Levison as also Broadstreet a Popish Priest and Francis Evers alias Ireland forbidding all Persons to Harbour Conceal or Shelter them on pain of being proceeded against for High Treason offering for the lattor 100 l. and for the rest 50 l. a Man and William Ireland and John Grove the first a Jesuit being Tryed and Convicted at the Old Baily as Guilty of the Conspiracy were Sentenced as in case of High Treason and afterward Executed at Tyburn In the Month of February several of the Justices of the Peace being doubtful in putting the Laws in Execution as to what related in some particulars against Popish Recusants and proposing several Queries to His Majesty He referred them to His Judges who after Consultation made this return of their Opinions viz. I. That Foreigners being Popish Recusants and excercising ordinary Trades but not Merchants are not excused from taking the Oaths or finding Securities II. That Foreigners though certified by Ambassadors to be their Servants except they are their menial Servants are not excused III. That Foreigners though settled House-Keepers being no Travellers or Foreign Ministers Servants are not excused IV. That the Kings Native Subjects are not excused from taking the Oaths by being menial Servants to Foreign Masters V. That we find no Law that excuses a Female Covert being a Papist from taking the Oaths though her Husband be a Protestant VI. That a Popish Recusant having taken the Oaths is not bound to find new Surities unless upon a new tender of the Oaths he shall refuse to take the same And this was Signed Will. Scroggs Fra. North W. Montague W. Wylde T. Littleton Hugh Windham Robert Atkins V. Bertie Fra. Bramston Tho. Jones W. Dolbin And the King having approved the Opinion of his Judges ordered the Justices of the Peace in their respective precincts to take notice accordingly in the execution of their dutys and conform thereunto and ordered the Custos Rotulorum of each County to give them Information and a further charge given them to put the Laws in Execution where any neglect had been The Murther of Sir Edmond Bury Godfrey being by this time fully discovered to have been acted in Somerset House Yard whither he had been way-layed and trained in under pretence of parting a Fray and there being Strangled by the suddain twisting a Napkin round his Neck and afterwards breaking his Neck and that he had been carried to Primrose-bill where he
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.
Damages and on the 18 th of November Mr. Rosewel was Trayed and sound Guilâ—y of High-Treason for Speaking words in a Meeting-house at Rederiff and on the 20 th Elias Best received Judgment for speaking certain words and was Fin'd 1000 l. Ordered to stand Twice in the Pillory and to find Sureties for good Behaviour during Life and a Rule was made for all Clerks of the Peace and common Clerks of several Cities Towns and Burroughs for Extracting the Names of such as had been Defaulters in refusing to go to Church into the Exchequer On the 24 th of November Dr. Mew was Translated from the See of Bath and Wells to that of Winchester vacant by the Death of Dr. Morley In this Month several desperate Persons in the Kingdom of Scotland affixed in the Night time a Paper on divers Crosses in the Towns and Villages and doors of Churches declaring War against the King under the Name of Charles Stuart and their Resolution to kill and destroy all that Served and Adhered unto him and in Pursuance thereunto about 36 Footmen and 16 Horse coming in the Night time to a Country Inn called Swiney Abby Seized on Two of the Kings Horse-Guards in their Beds and cuting them in peices carryed away a great deal of their Flesh as in Triumph On the 2 d. of December the Artillery Company kept their Anual Feast at Merchant Taylors-Hall where their Royal Highnesses the Duke of York as their Captain General and the Prince of Denmark were present with many of the Nobility and other Persons of Quallity and were Splendidly Entertained And the Duke of Albemarle being made Recorder of Colchester was received there on the 20 th with great Splendor and the Earl of Bath was Constituted Governour of Plymouth to whom the Inhabitants of several Corporations delivered up their Surrenders and Charters desiring him to lay them at His Majesties Feet which he performed with a Petition on their behalf the King accepted them with demonstrations of his Favour saying he very well remembered the Duty and Loyalty of that Country viz. Cornwall and was very well pleased with this fresh demonstration of it by them and for the better securing the Roads a Proclamation was put forth for the Apprehending Highway-men with the Reward of 10 l. upoâ— Conviction And in Scotland on the 23 d. of December Robert Baily was Tryed and found Guilty of endeavouring to stir up Rebellion in the Kingdom and in the Afternoon was Executed as in Case of High-Treason and his Head and Quarters set up in divers places and now many of the Cities and Corporations of England having delivered up their Charters had the same or new ones Restored as Leeds Carlisle Lincoln c. and an Order of the Courts of Kings-Bench and Common-Pleas was Published that all Clerks and Attorneys should Enter themselves in one of the Inns of Court or Inns of Chancery or dwell as near as possible leaving word with the Buttler of the places of their Aboads upon pain of being put out of the Roles of Clerks and Attorneys On the 13 th of January the King sent to the Lord Mayor of the City of London a Silver-Box Sealed up with his own Seal in which was Inclosed the Receipts of the several Cements used by the Pattentees of making Sea water fresh as also the Receipt of the Metalline Composition and Ingredients certified under the Hand of the Honourable Mr. Robert Boyle to be kept so Sealed up by the present and Succeeding Lord Mayors least a Secret of so great Importance to the Publick might come to be lost if lodged only in the knowledge of a few Persons herein Concerned On the 25 th of January Dr. Thomas Kenn was Consecrated Bishop of Bath and VVells by the Lord Arch Bishop of Canterbury and other Assistant Bishops the next day did Homage to the King but now to the Grief of all Loyal English Men the Life of this Great Monarch who had Tryed the Smiles and Frowns of Fortune and seen her in all her shapes grew to a Period for on the Second of February he was taken as he was rising with a violent fit of the Appoplexy and it was given out by some that he was Dead which caused the Councel on the Fourth to publish the following Notice viz. At the Council Chamber White-Hall the 4 th of February 1684. at Five in the Afternoon The Lords of His Majesties most Honourable Privy Council have thought fit for the preventing false Reports to make known that His Majesty upon Monday Morning last was seized with a most violent Fit that gave great Cause to fear the Issue of it but after some hours an Amendment appeared which by the blessing of God being improved by the Application of seasonable and proper Remedies is now so advanced that the Physicians have this Day as well as Yesterday given this account to the Council viz. That they conceived his Majesty to be in a Condition of Safety and that he will in a few Days be freed from his Distemper but they were deceived in their Account for on the Sixth of February he Dyed having been pestered and tormented at his Death by the impertinency of Father Hudleston and other Popish Priests who now growing bold as perceiving this Monarch past Recovery had the Impudence to bring their Trumpery about him and after his Decease to give out that he Dyed a Roman Catholick and Wrote several Pamphlets and Libels to justifie their Assertions Upon the Death of this Prince his Brother was immediately Proclaimed King by the Stile of James the Second c. at White-Hall-Gate Temple-Bar and before the Royal-Exchange with the usual Solemnity having caused all the Lords and Others of the Deceased King's Privyvy-Council that were present to be Sworn of His Privy-Council and an Order was Published for all that were in Places of Trust to continue them till further notice there being a Clause in the Order viz. Reserving in his own Judgment hereafter the Reformation and Redress of any abuse in Misgovernment upon due Knowledge and Examination thereof Notwithstanding which the Popelings who knew this was their time to play their Cards soon undermined a great many Worthy Persons and got them out of their Employments but the Church of England being at present look'd upon as the main Pillar of the Throne the King spared not to give that Church especial promises of his Favour c. in the following Speech made at his first Sitting in Council My Lords Before I enter upon any other Business I think sit to say something to you since it hath pleased Almighty God to place me in this Station and I am now to Succeed so Good and Gracious a King as well as so Kind a Brother I think fit to Declare to you That I will endeavour to follow his Example and most especially in that of his great Clemency and Tenderness to his People I have been reputed to be a Man for Arbitrary Power but that is not
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
and should be Recommended by the Lord Lieutenants On the 30 th of September divers of the Bishops were sent for to White-Hall and received into Favour and the King let them know that he would signifie his pleasure for taking off the Suspension of the Lord Bishop of London which was done accordingly and a Proclamation was Published giving notice of the suddain Invasion expected from Holâ—and and the Writs that had been Issued out for Election of Members to sit in Parliament were by this Proclamation re-called and discharged and all People Commanded to be in a readness foâ— Defence and charged on pain of High Treasâ—â— noâ— to be Corresponding Aiding 〈◊〉 or Countenancing any of the Inâ—aders 〈◊〉 And hereupon the Dukâ—â— of 〈…〉 â—erwick were Elected Knight◠〈◊〉 of the Order and 〈…〉 the â—arter and George having 〈◊〉 first Knighted by the Soveraign and 〈◊〉 â—ew Commissions were given out to raise Men in divers Counties whâ—lst some â—oble Men came in to offer their Service And now the Church of England came again into the Thoughts of the Court the King being pleased to declare in Council on the 5 th of October That in pursuance to his Intention and Resolution to Protect the Church of England and that all Suspitions and Jealousies to the contrary might be removed He thought fit to dissolve the Commission for Causes Ecclesiastical c. And accordingly gave Directions to the Lord Chancellour that it might be forth-with done And his Grace the Duke of Newcastle was appointed Lord Lieutenant of the Three Ridings of the County of York On the 6 th the City of London had re-restored to her all her Ancient Franchises and Priviledges as fully as she injoyed them before the Judgment upon the Quo Warranto and the Lord Chancellour Jefferys brought an Instrument of Restitution and Confirmation under the great Seal of England and Sir John Eyles who by appointment succeeded Sir John Shorter he Dying before the expiration of his Mayoralty had his Quietus Sir Iohn Chapman being by this Instrument appointed Lord Mayor until the Feast of Simon and Jude and was Sworn in the Guild-Hall with the usual Solemnity and the Aldermen that were in being at the time of the said Judgment were restored to their places and the Vacancies left to be supplyed by Election according to the Ancient Custom And from this Message no doubt the Chancellor took a presage of his falling Greatness for instead of being received with Shouts and Acclamations he was affronted in his return by several Inferiour Persons and took it very patiently contrary to his wonted fiery Humour yet the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Sheriffs Addressed the King upon this occasion as likewise did the Lieutenancy of the City And the Lords of the Privy Council of Scotland sent a Letter signed by many of them to let the King know into what a Postuâ—â— they had put that Kingdom for Defence On the 10th of October the King was pleased to signifie That having received several Complaints of great Abuses and Irregularities committed in the late Regulations of Corporations He thought fit to Authorize and Require the Lords Lieutenants of the several Counties to inform themselves of all such Abuses and Irregularities within their Lieutenancies and to make forthwith Report thereof to himself together with what they conceived fit to be done for redressing the same and that then be would give such further Orders as should be requisite And hereupon some few Addresses followed and the Lord Bishop of Winchester was impowered as Visitor of St. Mary Magdelens Colledge in Oxford to settle the Society regularly and statutably whereupon the Popish Tribe was turned out and those worthy Persons who had been causelesly dismissed restored to their fellowships c. and had power to chuse themselves a President On the 13 th of October Sir John Chapman was Elected Lord Mayor for the enâ—suing Year and Sir Humphry Edwin and Mr. John Fleet afterwards Knighted by the King were Elected Sheriffs and Siâ— Peter Rich Chamberlain And a Proclamation bearing Date the 〈◊〉 was puâ—lished for restoring Corporatione to theâ— ancient Charters Liberties Râ—ghts and Franchises and to displace many of those who bore Offices or haâ— plâ—ces of Truff unduly obtained by the taking away such Charters or put in by the Regulators and leave for 〈◊〉 aâ— had been wrongfully 〈…〉 though late this 〈…〉 he had been abâ—â—ed and Imposed on by such as sought their own advantage and revenge before his â—rue Interest and the well-fare of the Kingdoms And now the Infant having before been privately Christened was Solemnly named at the Chapple of St. James's amidst the Ceremonies and Rites of Baptism as used in the Church of Rome viz. James Francis Edward the Pope by his Nuncio standing for God-Father and the Queen Dowager as God-mother and divers new Lord Lientenants were appointed in the Countys c. And a Proclamation bearing date the 20 th of October was published for driving all Cattle of Draught Oxen c. 20 Miles from the Shoar and that the Coasts should be diligently Guarded which was given in charge to those that were in power in the respective Counties as well Civil as Miâ—itary And although a considerable Army was on Foot under the Command of the Earl of Feversham as also a Fleet at Sea under the Command of the Earl of Dartâ—outh yet such parâ—â—ck â—ear had seized the Priests and such Ministers of State as wore 〈◊〉 of evil Practices that they were prâ—parâ—â— to be on the Wing and made it a great part of theâ—â— Business to gaze upon the Weather-Cocks and observe which way the Wind stood and to that end a Vane was placed on the highest part of the Banquetting-House where it yet remains and Sutlers were Incouraged more than ordinary to follow the Army with Provisions and other Necessaries And now the Legality of the Birth of the Infant being much discoursed of abroad an Extraordinary Council was called on the 22 th of October where by the King's desire and appointment the Queen Dowager and divers of the Peers as well Spiritual as Temporal that were about the Town as also the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of London and the Judges with several of the Kings Council at Law the Ladies Lords and others that were present at the time the Queen was held to be in Labour did likewise appear and Declare upon Oath what they knew concerning or relating to the Biâ—th c. which was afterward published at large and soon after Theirs and other Deâ—ositions were by the Kings Order Inrolled in Chancery and about this time the Eaâ—l of Sunderland was removed from being principal Secrecary of State and the Lord Viscount Preston appointed to take that Office upon him and the Wind for the most part continued at S. W. and by S. so that though all things were in a readiness and the Dutch Fleet labouring to get to Sea it was for a time obstructed which made the Priests Insinuate into the
more foolish sort of Biggots that the Virgin Mary had commanded the Wind not to shift its Quarter till Lady-day at soonest And various Reports flying abroad every one freely speaking as they thought or stood affected a Proclamation was published to prevent the spreading of false News but the Rumours rather increased then lessened On the 29 th of October Sir John Chapman was sworn Lord Mayor of the City of London before the Barons of the Exchequer but the Solemnity was not great at his return by reason of the Consternation the People were in also to prevent Tumults that might have happened notwithstanding the Judges and several of the Lords of the Privy-Council dined with him at Grocers Hall In the begining of November the Wind suddenly coming about the Dutch Fleet weighed Anchor and got to Sea consisting of 635. Men of War Flyboats Pinks and Fire-Ships on Board which was his Royal Highness the Prince of Orange since King of England c. with divers great Commanders as well English Noblemen as others and 〈◊〉 Horse and Footâ— and on the 3 d. of November about 10â— of the Clock in the Morning it appeared abouâ— half Seas over between Dover and Callais steering a Chanâ—â—l Course Westward the Wind a very fresh Gale at East North East and was between Six and Seven Hours passing by Dover◠〈◊〉 Fleet lying still the Seameâ— not being willing to sight on this Occasion Yet a Fly-Boat and some Stragling Victuallers were brought into the River by Scoutships and such as were cruizing for Discovery and on the Fifth of November the Day of our former Deliverance from the Powder Plot about 300â— Sail of the Dutch Fleet came into Torbay and divers into Brixham Key where they Landed some Souldiers whilst the rest were sâ—nt on Shoar in Boats without any Opposition The Country People who in other cases being timerous and frighted from their Habitations here on the contrary came flocking to the Shoar and brought such Provisions as they hastily could get to comfort and refresh the Soldiers The Army being Landed Marched toward Exeter increasing as it went and that City upon its approach opened the Gates and many of the Towns-Men Listed themselves only the Bishop left his Pallace and came 〈◊〉 London where the King appointed him to the Archiepisâ—â—pal See of York In which his Grace has been since confirmed and now the Armies be ginning to move the King 〈◊〉 out an Order for the punctual Payment of Quarters and good Behaviour c. and a Proclamation to suppâ—â—â— Declaration omitted by the Prince and the Trainâ—â— Aâ—â—sâ—ery was ordered to be in a Readiness to mâ—rch to Salisbury but the Court was extreamly startled upon News that the Lord Cornbury was gone over with a considerable Number of Horse and Dragoons and that the Noblemen and Gentlemen went in daily and even the whole Army or the greater part of it shewed an open unwillingness to Fight against those that came to deliver us from Popery c. Upon these Proceedings Exetar â—air and other Fairs in the West were 〈◊〉 and on the 17 th of November in the Afternoon the King went to Windsor and from thence continued his â—ourneâ— towards Salisbury 〈…〉 a General Bâ—nde 〈◊〉 of 〈…〉 dering the Privy Council to meet in his Absence for the dispaâ—â— of Affâ—irs as Occasion should require and the 〈◊〉 Forces held to be 3 or 4000. that wâ—re 〈◊〉 over a little before by the Earl of Tyrconnel marched into the West Whilst these things were doing the Lord Delamere mustered a great many Forces upon Boddon Downs and Declared for the Prince The King arriving at Salisbury was Lodged in the Bishop's Pallace and while he continued there a Skirmish happened between an advanced Party of Foot who had gone too far from the main Body or else were going to the Prince's Army and Collonel Sarsefield who commanded a Party of the King's Horse Dragoons and Granadiers in which the former being very unequal in number were worsted some being after a resolute defence killed others taken Prisoners and the rest escaped on the Kings part Four were killed and Two wounded one mortally this happened near Wincanton where the Foot upon the pursuit made after them had posted themselves in a strong ground and had had the better had not a Countrey-man discovered a place where the Horse might enter The King finding great Numbers as well Soldiers in his own Pay as others to go daily over Published a Proclamation of General Pardon to such as would return within the space of 40. Days as also Pardon and Protection to all such Foreigners as should do the like but it little or nothing availed for we do not hear of any that returned With these Discouragements the King came hastily from Salisbury having first given Order for his Army to retreat which was done with great Precipitation even contrary to Expectation considering for several Campaigns it had attracted the wonder of many on Hounslow Heath The King thus returning and hearing that several strong Places had declared against him thought it convenient in order to quiet the People to Call a Parliament and Ordered the Lord Chancellour to Issue out Writs for summoning a Parliament to meet at Westminster the 15 th of January ensuing and made Collonel Edward Griffin a Baron of this Kingdom by the Name and Title of Lord Griffin of Braybrook in the County of Northampton after which he caused his Proclamation to be Published for Calling a Parliament On the 9 th of December his Grace the Lord Arch-Bishop of York did Homage to the King the Ceremonies of his Translation to that See having been performed the Day before at Lambeth-House by the Lord Arch-bishop of Canterbury assisted by the Bishops of St. Asaph Ely Rochester and Pâ—terborough Whilst these things happened Hâ—ll â—ork Plimouth and some other Places were secured for the Prince's Interest by divers Noble â—on and Gentlemen and the whole Kingdom inclined to his Side and his Army which was greatly encreased advanced a pace towards London when some of the advanced Parties finding an Opposition in the Town of Reading by some Scotch and Irish Troops of Horse and Dragoons posted there they after a hot Skiâ—mish â—orced their 〈◊〉 and clearing â—he Town drove them to â—â—yford-Bridge where the main Guard had taken its Station and those fearing a greater Party 〈◊〉 thought fit to retire and leave the passage free though not above Nine or Ten were killed in the skirmish This News flying swiftly to White-Hall alarmed the 〈◊〉 and put all into hurry and confusionâ— The 〈◊〉 whose Councils as it is 〈◊〉 believed had brought the 〈…〉 packed up their 〈…〉 themselves 〈…〉 who in the height of his 〈…〉 professed nothing grieâ—â—d him more than that he had not stayed â—n the Reign of K Charles the Second and â—ered with his 〈◊〉 had by this â—hanged his Mind and 〈◊〉 no Stomach to be placed as a Martyr in the Roman â—alender for having gotten a huge
Mass of Money he timely â—â—bbed off with it and never staid till he had Earthed himself beyond the Seas The Queen and the Infant â—ant were likewise sent privately away for France where they arrived and were received by Order of the French King and King James not thinking himself safe in White-Hall on the 〈◊〉 of December about Three in the Morning privately left 〈◊〉 Pallace and wenâ— by Water â—â—lenderly â—ttended to kent and â—o Overland to â—â—e Shoar in Expectation of Shipping himâ—â—lf for France but a great search being â—ade by the Country People for Father 〈◊〉 and others the King and Sir Edward 〈◊〉 were â—aken in 〈◊〉 near Peversham and there plundered by the Mobily they keeping themselves a considerable time concealed Whilst these things happened most People were exâ—â—earâ—ly surpriz'd at thâ— King's Departure whereupon the Lords that were in and about Town both 〈◊〉 â—nd Temporal assembled 〈…〉 to â—â—nsult what was best to be done iâ— so 〈…〉 and from thence adjourned to the Guild Hall London where the Lord Mayor had summoned a Common-Council and thither sent for Mr. Skelleton Lieutenant of the Tower and caused him to deliver up the Keys to the Lord Lucas constituting him as Governour and drew up a Declaration of their good meaning to the Settlement of the Peace and Tranquility of the Kingdom which was signed by 29. of them and thereupon they sent some of their Body to wait upon the Prince with it as their good meaning and affection towards him for having ventured his Person c. for rescuing the Kingdoms from Popery c. The Lord Mayor Court of Aldermen and Common Council Addressed likewise to the same Purpose and the Multitude got together and pulled down the Chapples and Mass-Houses in Lime-Street Bucklers-Berry St. Johns Wild-Street Lincolns Inn-Fields c. committing many Disorders upon the Houses of Ambassadours especially that of the Spanish and Florentine Ambassadour and Envoy which could not in that juncture of hurry and confusion be remedied though the Trained-Bands and Watches were up On the 12 th of December the Lord Jefferys was taken in Hope and Anchor-Alley in Wapping Disguised in the Habit of a Seaman going for Coals to New-Castle and brought before the Lord Mayor of London attended by a numerous Rabble and by him at his own Request sent to the Tower where he soon after was charged with a Warrant from the Lords at Whiteâ— Hall and there through Grief and â—ear fell into a Mallady that swept him from the Stage of the World where he had Acted with too much Cruelty Notice being given to the Lords at White-Hall that the King was at Feversham they dispatched a Messenger to intreat his return and accordingly on the 16 th in the Evening he came to his Palace and sent the Earl of Foversham to the Prince who was then at Windsor to invite him to St. James's and put out an Order for suppressing Tumults and disorderly Outrages committed by the Rabble but the 18 th the King removed to Rochester upon request and the Prince came to Town attended with a numerous Train through the shouts and Acclamations of the People and the Bells-Ringing Bonefires likewise made the Streets shine in the Evening and the King's Army at his Command being disbanded by the Earl of Feversham being ordered by the Prince to repair to their Colours Quarters were appointed at several Cities Towns and Villages for the English Scotch and Irish Forces and all People to whom any of them had embezled their Arms c. were commanded to restore them and on the 20 th of December the Lord Mayor being indisposed the Aldermen and their Deputies waited upon his Highness being accompanied with some of the Common Council of each Ward to Congratulate him upon his Happy Arrival at St. James's which was performed by Sir George Trebie their Recorder in a very Learned and Eloquent Speech and was very favourably received And the Sheriff Nobility and Gentry of the County of Norfolk presented an Address to the same purpose carrying with it a deep Sense of their Acknowledgment of so great a Blessing And now by reason of this great Revolution the Nation being unsettled and the King having with-drawn himself from Rochester beyond the Seas it was highly thought convenient that a way should be found out to create a calmness in the minds of the people whereupon the Lords Spiritual and Temporal were appointed to give their attendance as likewise such Members as had served in the late Parliaments in the Reign of King Charles the Second and Court of Aldermen together with the Members of the Common Council of the City of London the Lords assembled in the Lords House at Westminster on the 25 th of December and unanimously concluded to Intreat His Highness to take upon Him the administration of Affairs and dispose of the publick Revenues c. and take into his Princely care the conâ—ition of Ireland which by Tyrconnel's means had mostly revolted They likewise â—mplored him to Issue out His Summons for the Lords Spiritual and Temporal being Protestants as also his Circular Letters to the Counties Cities Boroughs to order the Elections of such a number of Persons to represent them as are of right to be sent to Parliament and on the the 26 th the Commons and Aldermen c. waited upon his Highness at St. James's to whom he made the following Speech viz. YOU Gentlemen that have been Members of the late Parliaments I have desired you to meet me bere to advise the best manner how to pursue the ends of my Declaration in calling a Free Parliament for the preservation of the Protestant Religion and restoring of the Rights and Liberties of the Kingdom and settling the same that they may not be in danger of being again subverted And you the Aldermen and Members of the Common Council of the City of London I desire the same of you and in regard your Numbers are like to be great you may if you think fit divide your selves and sit in several places Upon this they agreed to go to the House of Commons at Westminster where they chose Henry Powle Esq for their Chairman and resolved upon an Address which was drawn up to the same purpose as that of the Lords and Graciously received on the 27 th and the day following occasioned the like favourable Answer And now the Election coming on for their Sitting the 22 th of January least any disturbance should happen by the Soldiers Quartering in Boroughs and Corporations an Order was Published That they should March out of those places a day before the Election Garisons excepted and not return til the Election was over A Declaration was likewise Published for the due ordering the Collection of the Publick Revenue and Mony being wanting the Citizens of London very liberally upon His Highness's Letter Lent between 2 and 300000 l. to be repayed at Interest at six Months and thence as cheerfully continued it for a longer time
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
offer Their Majesties the Crown of Scotland viz. The Earl of Argyle Sir James Montgomery and Sir John Darlerimple the younger met in the Council Chamber about Three in the Afternoon and being Conducted by the Master of the Cerimonies and Accompany'd by divers Noble Men to the Banqueting-House They presented a Letter to the King who with the Queen Sat under a Canopy of State from the Estates of Scotland and then an Instrument of Government after that a Paper containing Grievances which they desired might be Redressed and then an Address to His Majesty for turning the Meeting of the Estates of the aforesaid Kingdom into a Parliament all Signed by his Grace Duke Hamilton President of the Meeting and were Read to Their Majesties whereupon the King Returned the following Gracious Answer When I Engaged in this Undertaking I had particular Regard and Consideration for Scotland and therefore I did Emit a Declaration in Relation to that as well as this Kingdom which I Intend to make Good and Effectual to them I take it very Kindly that Scotland hath Expressed so much Confidence in and Affection to me They shall find me willing to Assist them in every thing that concerns the Well and Interest of that Kingdom by making what Laws shall be necessary for the Security of their Religion Property and Liberty and to Ease them of what may be justly Grieveous to them This was Received with the highest sense of Thankfulness and Satisfaction and the Corronation Oath thereupon Tendered to the King and Queen the Earl of Argyle Speaking the Words distinctly and the King and Queen Repeating after him holding up Their right Hands after the manner of taking Oaths in Scotland This done the Commissioners declared that the Estates of Scotland had Authorized them to Represent to His Majesty that the Clause in the Oath in Relation to the Rooting out of Heriticks did not Import the Destroying Heriticks and that by the Law of Scotland no Man was to be Persecuted for his private Opinion and even Obstinate and Convicted Heriticks were only to be denounced Rebels or Out-lawed whereby their Moveable Estates are Confiscated for His Majesty at his Repeating that Clause in the Oath did Declare That he did not mean by those Words that he was under any Obligation to become a Persecutor To which the Commissioners Reply'd that neither the meaning of the Oath nor the Law of Scotland did Import it whereupon His Majesty Declared He took the Oath in that Sense And called the Commissioners and others present for Witnesses and then the King and Queen Signed the Coronation Oath and the Commissioners and several of the Scotch Nobility had the Honour to kiss Their Majesties Hands The King taking a Progress to Portsmouth c. to view the Fleet put in there was Pleased in Consideration of the Service done against the French in Bantre-Bay to give a Donative of Ten Shillings a Man to all that were in that Engagement which Amounted to the Sum of 2600 l. and Dineing on Board the Elizabeth he was Pleased as a Mark of His Great Satisfaction in the Conduct and Service of Admiral Herbert to Declare His Intentions of Confering upon him the Title and Dignity of an Earl of this Kingdom and he was after Created Earl of Torrington c. His Majesty was likewise Pleased to Confer the Honour of Knight-hood on John Ashby Commander of the Defiance and Captain Clowdesly Shovel of the Edgar and Returned through the Repeated Acclamations of the Sea-men and the Crowds of People that were on the Shoar gethered from divers Places to Express the Satisfaction they had of seeing His Majesty in those Parts The Castle of Edenburg being still in the Hands of the Duke of Gourdon it was strictly Blocked up and several Batteries were Raised against it So that all Communication with the Besieged were cut off however the Viscount Dundee being Abroad and having strengthned himself proceeded to open Hostilities and amongst other Exploits came with a Party of 50 or 60 Horse to the Town of St. Johns-Towns and in the Night time surprized and carried away the Laird of Blair a Member of the Convention and two other Gentlemen and having a Design upon Inverness wheither he had sent to demand Mony of the Majestrates he was prevented by divers Gentlemen taking Arms and Raising about 7 or 800 of the Neighbouring People nor durst he Attempt to Enter Dundee it being in a posture of Defence and the Committe of the Estates Appointed Persons to Receive the Duke of Gourdons Rents for the use of the Publick forgiving a years Rent to the Tennants provided they live Peaceably and did the like by that of the Viscount Dundee's and Orders were taken to Reduce the Bass which was held out against the Government and a Party who had taken up Arms for Dundee and Attaqued Capt. Young on his March to Kintyre with a Detachment of 500 Men of the new Leavys â—was Routed many of them then kill'd and others taken Prisoners On the 24 th of May His Majesty in the House of Lords at Westminster gave the Royal Assent to an Act for Exempting Their Majesties Protestant Subjects Dissenting from the Church of England from the Penalties of certain Penal Laws An Act for Anulling and making Void the Attainder of Alice Lisle Widdow who was Beheaded in the West And a private Act. And now the Army being in motion and War Proclaimed against France Their Majesties by Proclamation Commanded a General Fast throughout the Kingdom to Implore the Blessing of Almighty God â—pon Their Arms c. to be Religiously and Solemnly Kept and Observed on the 5 th of June within the Cities of London and Westminster and Ten Miles Distance And on the 19 th throughout the whole Kingdom Dominion of Wales and Town of Berwick upon Tweed And Their Majesties were Impowred by an Act to Commit without Bail such Persons as they should find Just Cause to Suspect Conspiring against the Government And the Duâ—ch Ambassadors Arriving to Congratulate Their Majesties upon Their Happy Accession to the Crown in the Name of the States General of the United Provinces were Received at Greenwich by the Earl of Sussex Sir Charles Cottrel Master of the Ceremonies and Six Gentlemen of His Majesties Privy-Chamber from whence they were Conducted in the Kings Barges to the Landing place the Tower Standard being Displayed and at their Landing they were Complemented by the Lord Lucas Governour of the Tower and Saâ—uted with the Dischaâ—ge of the Cannon and from thence being Attended by 16 Pages on Horse-back and 60 Foot-men in Liveries they were Conducted in Their Majesties Coaches followed by Six Coaches of their own and about 50 others belonging to the Nobility to Cleveland-House at St. James's Appointed for their Entertainment where their Excellencies were Complemented from the King by the Lord Cornwallis and from the Queen by Sir Edward Villers Master of the Horse to Her Majesty from the Queen Dowager by Mr. Sayers Her
Majesties Vice-Chamberlain from the Prince of Denmark by the Lord Cornbury Master of his Horse and from the Princess by Lieutenant Collonel Sandys and soon after had their Audiences with Regard due to their Charracter and Their Majesties were on the like Occasion Congratulated by divers other Foreign Ministers About this time happened an Extraordinary Act of Bravery which for its Prodigeous Effect may well be Incerted viz. Robert Casâ—n Master of the Richards Advice a Collier about 400 Tun 6 Guns 12 Men 2 Boys and one Passenger meeting Two French Privatiers of Foulness one of 18 Guns and a 130 Men and other of 4 Guns 55 Men who Boarding the Advice were several time beaten off with considerable loss so that after several Attempts and a Fight of Four hours 20 of the French being kill'd 12 wounded and two that were left on Board taken Prisoners the Privatiers stood away and left the Collier to Prosecute his Voyage The Estates of Scotland on the 24 th of May having Received His Majesties Letter Signifying to them that at their Desire he had Resolved to turn them into a Parliament Authorizing them to Adjourn themselves to the Fifth of June following That all their Members being Required to be present they might proceed to dispatch what Affairs should most Conduce to the Setlement of the Nation Thereupon they Ordered Unanimously a Letter of Thanks to be Written to His Majesty for His most Gracious Letter to them and then in Pursuance thereof Adjourned to the 5 th of June Giving Orders for all their Members to be present on that day and the Privy Council Assembling during the Interval took upon them the Care and Management of such Affairs as properly belonged to their Charge giving Order for the Raising a new Battery against the Castle upon the Hill within the Town Walls whilst Major General Mackay Opposed the Progress and Proceedings of the Viscount Dundee who kept himself in Lochquelabar to Joyn the High-land-Clans he expected to come to his Assistance A Declaration was Published about this time giving great Incouragement to the Officers Seamen and Marriners employed in the Navy and divers French Prizes were brought into several Ports of this Kingdom â—aden with Wines Brandy and other valuable Commodities And the French Fleet was dared in the Harbour of Brest into which the greatest part was put for Succour and Shelter from the English who kept the Seas and all Persons were forbid by Proclamation to Trade or Traffick with any Person or Persons whatsoever in the Kingdom of Ireland without leave first obtained in that behalf or to correspond or to have Communication with any Person in any part or place within the same except such as are in Obedience to the present Government The Convention of Scotland meeting on the 5 th of June the Duke of Hamilton acquainted them that his Majesty had been pleased to send him a Commission to represent His Royal Person in the ensuing Parliament and that he had received Instructions from his Majesty for turning the Meeting of the Estates into a Parliament and then to Adjourn to the 17 th and thereafter not only to consent to such a Law as may Redress the particular Articles of Grievances but likewise to any other Acts they should advise for the securing the Religion Peace and Happiness of the Kingdom After which the King's Commission and Letters to the Estates was read and the Lord Commissioner declared it was the King's Pleasure that the Earl of Crawford should preside in Parliament whereupon he was called to the Presidents Seat and the Estates passed an Act declaring that the Three Estates met together on the 5 th of June 1689. Consisting of the Noblemen Knights and Burgesses are a Lawful and Free Parliament to all Intents and Purposes soever and that it shall be High-Treason for any Person to Disown Quarrel or Impugne the Dignity and Authority of this Parliament upon any pretence whatsoever And this Act being touched with the Scepter according to the manner of passing Acts in Scotland the President by the Command of the Lord Commissioner adjourned the Parliament to the 17 th of June and divers Persons who had been imprisoned upon Suspition of corresponding with the Duke of Gourdon and the Viscount of Dundee were set at Liberty and a Party of the King's Forces upon notice that some of Dundees Men had engaged the Laird of Grant who had 30. Dragoons allowed him to convey him to his House advanced to the number of 150. Dragoons commanded by Sir Thomas Levingston Collonel of the Scots Dragoons and Lieutenant Collonel Hawley of Berkley's Regiment who met and encountred near a Rockey Hill about 500. Men most of the Macleans newly come up whom they beat and pursued so closely amongst the Hills whither they retired that about 100. of them were killed and on the Kings part only the Laird of Andgour and a Captain of Berkleys with 5 or 6 Draggoons These and other Proceedings of the like nature greatly discouraged the Duke of Gourdon who came to Terms of Articles after several Parlies which were these THE Duke of Gourdon hath so much Respect for all the Princes of King James the Sixth Line as not to Condition with any of them for his own particular Interest so he renders himself entirely to King William's Discretion I. That Lieutenant Collonel Winderham Lieutenant Governour of the Castle shall submit himself to King William's Pleasure his Life being secured and all the rest of the Garrison shall have their Lives Liberties and Fortunes secured and Passes granted to those that will take Oathes not to bear Arms against the present Government II. The Garrison is allowed to march out with their Swords and Baggage belonging properly to themselves III. That all Gentlemen Voluntiers Servants and Others within the Garrison shall have the same Capitulation with the rest of the Garrison IV. That all manner of Persons shall have the benefit of the first Article who have kept Correspondence with the Castle and who have not been in Arms and being at present at Edenburg or in the same County shall be indemnified and have the Benefit of the Capipitulation V. The Sick Soldiers shall have Liberty to dispose of themselves as they think best they behaving themselves as becometh VI. That all the Officers and Gentlemen Servants and Soldiers shall have the same Benefit which others have they living peaceably VII A considerable Post within the Castle shall be immediately how soon security is granted to the Garrison for the above written Articles put in Possession of those Forces under the command of Major General Lanier Upon these Conditions the strong Castle of Edenburg which had for a considerable time been a Terrour to the City and parts thereabout was surrendered and the Duke kept under Confinement till the King's Pleasure was known And the Parliament meeting on the 17 th of June proceeded to pass an Act for the asserting and recognizâ—ng Their Majesties Authority and afterward all of