Father had his Wardship purchased by his Mother the Lady Elizabeth Vere of Edward the black Prince for the summe of twenty pounds who by his Charter which is extant did grant the custody of his Lands with his Marriage to his dear and well beloved Elizabeth that was the Wife of Robert de Vere those are the words of the Deed on condition it might be without disparagement There are remaining Covenants hereupon agreed unto between the said Robert and his Mother as also a Petition from the said Lady to Queen Isabel for her protection against Sir Henry Greene a man of great power by whom the Minor and her self were oppressed in some circumstances of the rights that did belong unto them When this Robert had attained to mans estate he confirmed to his Uncle's Wife the Lady Alice de Vere the agreement had been made with her by his Father He became afterwards much considered from his Vertue and noble qualities and in the eighteenth year of Richard the Second he served his Country in the Office of High Sheriff and did much adhere to the King in those difficulties which happened in his Reign Yet there fell out about this time a quarrel between him and a Knight of great Authority called Sir Edmund Noone on whom having made an assault wherein the said Edmund was wounded it caused him trouble for a time and an Imprisonment in the Fleet upon pretence of the Riot but the matter being composed by Friends he afterward recovered the King's grace and his liberty He Married Elizabeth the Daughter of Sir John de Tay of a noble Family and descended from antient Barons of that Name by whom having had but one Daughter called Margaret he gave her for Wife to Thomas Ashby Lord of Lovesby in the County of Leicester with his Lordships of Thrapston and Addington to them and the heirs of their bodies but it falling out that she dyed without Issue His Lands he had setled upon them returned to his Brother Baldwin and his heirs as being his lawful successors SIR BALDWIN de VERE being for many years a younger Brother appli'd himself to the Wars and a dependence upon great Princes for the support of his fortune We find him in the fourth year of King Henry the Fourth to have been Lieutenant Governor of the Isles of Guernsey and Jersey under that noble Prince Edward Earl of Rutland and of Corke and who was afterwards Duke of York He followed this illustrious Hero in all the succeeding Wars of that Age and fought by his side at the time he fell with so much glory in the famous Battel of Agencourt after whose death he had confirm'd unto him by King Henry the Fifth an annuity of twenty marks by the year that had been granted to him by that Duke for his life out of his inheritance in the Customs of Linnen Leather and Skins in the Port of Kingston upon Hull to be received at the hands of the Collectors thereof during the Minority of Richard the Son of Richard late Earl of Cambridge After this his fortune or rather his setled affection to the relations and interests of the House of York carried him into the Kingdom of Ireland where in the second year of King Henry the Sixth he was constituted Treasurer of his Liberties by the Lord Edmund Mortimer Earl of March and Ulster and at that time Lord Lieutenant of Ireland which by his Letters Patents that are extant and other testimonies does appear After the death of the Earl of March and the return of Sir Baldwin Vere into England the fortunes of Love as well as those of Armes did contribute to the advantage and establishment of this worthy and industrious Knight for he fell into the favour of a young Lady the Daughter and heir of Sir John Kingston alias Mohun who brought him the Mannors of Barkloe Overhall and Hoakenhanger that were of her inheritance And in conclusion his Brothers Death without Issue male made him possession of the Lordships of Thrapston Addington and the other Lands belonging to that Family So as having no more to desire at the hands of fortune he departed this life full of years and happiness leaving Issue Sir Richard Vere Lord of Addington and Thrapston Elizabeth Vere Amy Vere AFTER the decease of Sir Baldwin de Vere RICHARD his Son came to inherit the Estate and interests of that Family He met with some trouble in the beginning about this accession which came to his Father for want of Issue male from his Uncle Sir Robert de Vere who notwithstanding had made over the Lordships of Addington and Thrapston to certain Trustees for the security of the Portion promised to his Daughter Margaret that had been married to a Gentleman of consideration one Thomas Ashby of the County of Leicester And these Trustees happening to be men of the highest rank and of most power in the Kingdom as the Earls of Hereford and Stafford the Lord Beaumont the Lord Cromwel and the Lord Zouch and not a little partial to Thomas Ashby and his Wife Margaret it was no easy matter to procure a resignation of their interest But his Cousin Margaret coming to dye without Issue and having given testimony of her desire to have justice done unto her lawful successor those noble Lords were induced upon some fair agreement with Thomas Ashby to redemise to Richard de Vere the Mannor of Aldington and the other Lands wherein they had been formerly enfeoffed Soon after this Richard de Vere was setled in his fortune he contracted an alliance in the Family of Greene the most considerable among the Gentlemen of that tract by marrying Isabella one of the Daughters of John Greene who stiled himself Lord of Herdwick in the days of his Brother Ralph that was Lord of Drayton and from whose death without Issue male his descendants came to be possest of a great and noble Patrimony The great Lords of the Church being no easie neighbours in that age from their exceeding interest and authority and this Sir Richard de Vere being a man of a great spirit and of a Family unaccustomed to unreasonable submissions there arose a contest between him and the Lord Abbot of Croyland which made much noise about certain bordering pretences How it was ended does not appear but soon after this Sir Richard de Vere departed this life leaving Issue by his Wife Isabella Greene Sir Henry de Vere Baldwin Vere Constance Married to John Butler Lord of Woodhall Elizabeth Vere Married to William Dounhalle Margaret Vere Married to John Verners of Essex Amy Vere Married to John Ward of Irtlingborow Elena Vere Married to Thomas Isham of Pitchtsley HENRY the eldest Son of Sir Richard Vere with the Estate of his Father inherited the Suit and Difference with the Lord Abbot of Croyland and by his endeavours to defend his interests in that affair he incurr'd the displeasure of King Richard III. which was particularly testified in a Letter to himself and in some
in contrarium factis editis sive ordinatis non obstantibus In cujus rei testimonium c. Sub Sigillo Magno An Indenture septipartite between Edward Duke of Buckingham and the Coheirs of Greene and Vere THis Indenture septipartite made the second Day of September in the fifteenth Year of the Reign of King Henry the Seventh Between the Right Noble Prince Edward Duke of Buckingham Earl of Herford Stafford and Northampton on the one partie Margaret Countesse of Wiltes late Wife of Edward late Earl of Wiltes on the second partie Thomas Cheyne of Artlingburgh Knight and Elizabeth his Wife Daughter and Heir of Margery Hodleston Daughter and oon of the Heirs of John Greene and Sister and oon of the Heirs of Herry Greene late Lord of Drayton in the County of Northampton on the third partie Richard Gilford Knight Comptroller of the Kings most honourable Houshold Garden of Audre youngest Daughter of Henry Vere late of Great Addington in the County of Northampton Esquire Son and Heir of Isabell Daughter and another of the Heirs of the said John Greene and Sister and another of the Heirs of the said Herry Greene on the fourth part Alice Lady Fits Hugh late the Wife of William Fits Hugh Knight Lord Fits Hugh Garden of Constance the third Daughter of the said Harry Vere now married to John Parre on the fifth Partie John Mordaunt of Turvey in the County of Bedford oon of the Kings Sergeants at Law Garden of Elizabeth first and eldest Daughter of the said Harry Vere and married to John Mordaunt Son and Heir Apparent of the same John Mordaunt of the sixth partie And the same John Mordaunt Garden alsoe of Amye second Daughter of the same Henry Vere now married to Robert Mordaunt second Son to the same John Mordaunt the Fader of the seventh partie Witnesseth That where upon Communication and Agreement of Marriage had and concluded between Edward late Earl of Wiltes and the said Margaret Countesse of Wiltes It was fully covenanted bargained and agreed That the said Countesse should have in Joynture for terme of her life Mannors Lands and Tenements of the same late Earl of suche yerely value as Sir Reynald Grey Knight would name And alsoe such other as the said Sir Reynald would name And after the said Sir Reynald by the assent and agreement of the said late Earl named that the said Countesse should have in Joynture for terme of her life Mannors Lands and Tenements of the said Edward late Earl of Wiltes to the yearly value of three hundred Marks above all Charges and after the same naming a Youes was made to the same Edward and Margaret and to other persons for terme of life of the same Margaret to the use and behoof of the same Margaret of the Mannors of Newton Blosmavile Clifton Watershall Brafeld and Policote in the County of Bucks Sutton Peggislond Botellis Tracies and Stamford-rivers in the County of Essex Which Mannors Lands and Tenements were sometimes of the Right Noble Prince Humphrey Duke of Bucks Aile to the said Edward late Earl of Wiltes and bene of the yearely value of one hundred twenty one Pounds thirteen Shillings and four Pence And towards the recompence of the residue of the said Joynture the said Edward late Earl and Margaret and other had Estate of the Mannors of Wamiden Empton and Moche Wolston in the County of Bucks and Chalton in the County of Bedford Which Mannors Lands and Tenements were sometimes of the said Herry Greene and be of the yerely value of forty one Pounds ten Shillings eleven Pence All which Mannors Lands and Tenements as well such as were late of the sayd late Duke of Bucks as of the sayd Herry extend to the yerely value of one hundred sixty three Pounds fower Shillings and three Pence And soe the sayd Margaret now Countesse lacked of her Joynture to her belonging by reason of the same Covenant Bargain and Agreement thirty six Pounds fifteen Shillings nine Pence And whereas after that the sayd Earl in his life for the tender favour and love which he had to the sayd Edward now Duke of Buckingham was in very mind and fully agreed that the sayd Joynture Lands and Tenements that were of the Inheritance of the sayd Duke of Bucks should be changed and that the sayd Margaret now Countesse should have in recompence of them other Mannors Lands and Tenements that were of the same Herry Greene of like value And where Estate was made to Robert Wittelbury William Merbury Esquires Robert Bayston Clerk Thomas Montague John Freman and one John Feld Clerk now dead of and in the Mannors of Raunds Ringstede Cotes Stawike Luffwike Sudburgh and Harringworth in the County of Northampton Emton and Mochewolston in the County of Bucks Chalton in the County of Bedford Warmester Westbury Grately Dichrich in the Countye of Wiltes and Southampton Buckworth in the County of Huntington and Combton in the County of Cambridge and of all other Lands and Tenements which sometime were of the sayd Constance late Wife of John late Earl of Wiltes and Moder to the sayd Edward late Earl of Wiltes in the sayd Countyes of Northampton Wiltes Southampton Bedford Bucks Huntington and Cambridge To have to them and to their Heirs for ever to the use of the said Edward late Earl and of his Heirs And where alsoe Estate was before that made of and in the said Mannors of Wamiden Emton Mochewolston and Chalton in the Countyes of Bedford and Bucks and of divers other Lands and Tenements in the same Countyes the which late were of the sayd Harry Greene to the sayd Edward and Margaret then his Wife Johane Vicountesse Lesle John Vicount Lesle Thomas Grey Esquire Thomas Kebell one of the Kings Sergeants at Law Edward Hungerford Esquire Humphrey Connesby Thomas Frowike Sergeants at Law John Tichbourne John Smith John Gardiner Thomas Bayall and Thomas Haywode To have to them for terme of life of the sayd Margaret the Remainder thereof to the right Heirs of the sayd Edward late Earl of Wiltes And of the residue of the sayd Mannors Lands and Tenements whereof the sayd Robert Wittelbury and his Cofeffez were infeossed they were satisfied thereof at the time of the death of the sayd Edward late Earle and yet thereof be seised And where alsoe the sayd Edward Duke of Bucks hath before this time pretended Title to part of the sayd Mannors Lands and Tenements and other Mannors Lands and Tenements late of the sayd Edward late Earle of the Greenes Lands as Cosyne and next Heir to the sayd Edward late Earle of the Faders side of the sayd late Earle And where alsoe the same Countesse claymeth to have dower of parcel of the same Mannors Lands and Tenements over and beside her sayd Joynture And where alsoe the sayd Richard Alice Lady Fits Hugh and John Mordaunt the Fader as moche as in them is for their interest for causes comprized in their Indentures have promissed to the sayd Sir
not well to be discern'd by reason of the Hoods were over her Face But passing after into the body of the Church the Earl had a farther view into a Gallery above where the Duke sate to hear the Service The Office and Musick at an end the Court retir'd in the order it had come and all went out to be spectators of the Shooting but his Lordship retired to his Inn not being in a condition or desiring to be seen publickly abroad Near six of the Clock that divertisement had an end and our Guide having acquainted some under Officer of the Court that Two Gentlemen of the English Embassadors Train that were at Cullen and had come to see that Town were desirous to have a sight of the Court and do Reverence to the Prince he was told That he might bring them They came then to the Palace under his conduct and being met by a Gentleman in the Inner-Court he took them out of the Hands of the Townsman and carried them up into a large Room where after some attendance they were led into another whereinto the Prince came unto them The Duke of Newburgh seem'd to be at that time near Forty Years of Age of competent Stature well shap'd well dress'd and of a most obliging behavior He had a Suit after the French fashion of a Grey Stuff with Diamond Buttons a Diamond Hatband and a Diamond Sword and about his Neck in a Black Ribbon hung the Order of the Golden Fleece He did receive their Complements with much Courtesie which they paid with all Respect and of himself began to entertain them with divers Questions about their Journey the Embassadors and proceeding of the Treaty at Cullen and afterwards insensibly fell upon England the Court thereof the Princes and its other concerns He enquir'd concerning the Duke of York and his Marriage where was Monsieur de Peterborow and if he continued at Paris after the disappointment of the Treaty of Inspruk to all which questions having been answered he said afterward He heard the Duke was like to be Married to an English Lady they assur'd him they heard of no such thing At last he took his leave of them with much civility and when he was departed they ask'd the Gentleman if they might have the farther favor of seeing the Dutchess and the young Princess who having told them he would enquire he left them and after some stay return'd to let them know they should be admitted Towards which they were carried and introduc'd into an upper Room where seem'd to expect them the Dutchess of Newburgh accompanied with the young Princess her eldest Daughter The Earl made her his complements with the greatest respect of which he was capable whereunto her Highness as he was told in her own Tongue made all suitable returns but said That being not vers'd in the French Tongue she defired her Daughter the Princess might interpret between them at which the Princess did approach and help'd to carry on the conversation and with intention as he thought to shew her capacity in that Language They all by that time as he had reason afterward to believe suspecting the Earl of being some other person and having more design in his little Voyage than was pretended The Dutchess of Newburgh was a Princess in his Opinion of about five or six and thirty years of a middle stature light brown Hair enclining to be Fat great characters of goodness in her countenance and was such a one as might be proper for a good Wife without qualities over subtile or Courtly as might be found in the spirits of Ladies bred in France or Italy The Princess her Daughter was suppos'd to be about Eighteen years of Age of middle stature she had likewise very light Hair and was of an exceeding Fair Complexion her Eyes were of a light blueish gray the turn of her Face more round than oval that part of her Neck he saw was white as Snow but upon the whole at those Years she was enclining to be Fat In discourse she render'd to his Lordship readily her Mother's sence and spoke her own aptly enough She had the appearance of one that might be proper enough for a good Wife and that possibly was fit for Generation But the great genius did not appear of Business or Conversation for which she has been praised since she came to sit upon the greatest Throne of Europe After a due time the Earl of Peterborow did from hence too take his leave with all the circumstances of respect were due to persons of that Quality But at his departure he found himself much more attended by Gentlemen and with greater respect than at his arrival And he was pressed to stay Supper by the Chief Officers of the House even to a degree of being like to have it imposed upon him But his Resolution of not receiving any farther Engagement made him in the civillest manner he could break thorow all that and got him liberty to retire to his Inn where after he had made a very ill Supper there came to enquire for him under pretence of a Visit from a Countryman a young Gentleman one Hamilton that wore a Gold Key by his side and was said to be much in the Duke's favor and of his Bed-Chamber This Mr. Hamilton seem'd every way to try what he could get out of the Earl and by his discourse his Lordship perceiv'd his proceedings had puzled the Court But withal That they were suspicious of his satisfactions by reason his Lordship declined to receive greater favors from them than was just necessary however he departed civilly and his Lordship to his rest The Earl was impatient to be gone in the Morning and having a Waggon ready the ordinary way of Travelling in that Country he came by Land to Cullen whence his Lordship immediately dispatch'd an Express for England with the success and account of his Journey In answer whereunto his Lordship had immediate Orders to return with all speed to Paris with an assurance That at his arrival there he should meet directions to demand to marry and to bring home the Princess Mary Anne of Wirtenbergue As has been said there were a great party in the Court of England engaged to promote the Marriage of Newburgh but there was another that moved strongly to promote Madmoiselle D' Alboeuf Daughter to the Duke of that Name who was a Cadet Prince of the House of Lorain which was the Dutchess of Portsmouth who was then and continued to his end the favorite Mistress of King Charles II. and she who wanted neither cunning nor Counsel considering the transitoriness of humane condition and particularly of humane affections and not knowing how soon her retreat might be necessary into her own Country did wisely endeavor to oblige therein and make all the Friends she could So to engage the House of Lorain and Boullion she had wrought with the King not only to consent to the Marriage but to order the Earl
prevail did undertake it The Princess then at last gave her self up to the will of her Friends a day was set for the Solemnity and his Excellency had liberty to visit her Highness in he own appartment The Earl of Peterborow instead of making a publick Entry which the little preparation he had made by reason of his being incognito would not well admit was notwithstanding in the noblest manner that place was capable of brought to his audience of the Dutchess Regent and the Duke her Son who was but Twelve years old by the Prince Renaldo of Esté the young Duke's Uncle and all that were great or considerable in that Court and indeed the Ceremony Attendance State Guards and other Appurtenances were in that Order and Magnificence as might have become a Prince of far greater Revenue and Territories and herein all the marks of Soveraignty did appear which are usual with Princes who are independant but of God He delivered the King his Master's Letter to their Highnesses in the usual form and after having made a Speech suitable to the occasion retired as he came only instead of being conducted to his Coach he was led into a very noble apartment which was design'd now to entertain his Excellency in quality of Extraordinary Embassador all the time he would have occasion to stay in Modena and therein indeed with great Plenty and Magnificence he was served in all necessary kinds at the Expence of that Generous Princess But now other things being concluded and the Earl pressing his departure the Day for the Marriage was assign'd being the _____ of September Against which the Earl had betimes prepared himself in habit and Equipage suitable to the occasion and about Eleven of the Clock he was fetch'd at his Lodging by the Duke accompanied by his Uncle the Prince Renaldo and all the considerable Cavaliers of the Court and conducted to a Chamber near the Chapel where he reposed himself till so much of the Service was done as seem'd obnoxious to the Religion he did profess after which he was led to the Chapel where the Princes expected him and there between them was perform'd the Ceremony design'd for a perpetual Marriage between this admirable Princess and the Duke of York his Master After which he led her by the Hand to her Apartment and there taking his leave he went to repose himself till he was fetch'd to accompany these Princes at the Dinner That did succeed about One of the Clock and as to the Ceremony of it it was perform'd at a long Table over the upper end whereof was a rich Cloth of State under which in representation of a Bridegroom the Earl of Peterborow sate with the Princess the Duke Dutchess and other Princes of that House sitting on either side according to their degrees This Dinner was served with all the care and curiosity that was possible for any thing of that nature to be contriv'd What the Sea could afford though it was not near and what the Rivers and the Lakes was there what the Land could produce or the Air of Italy was not wanting and all this was made more excellent by the Courtesie and good Humor of the Princes But it ended at last and all arose in order to a greater liberty for Conversation That had also a conclusion for that time too and the company for their repose retired every one to their Apartment and to his Excellency's he was conducted after the same ceremony as he was brought to Dinner To the honor of the Night was dedicated Dancing and a Ball whereunto all the Beauties of that Court did resort It was perform'd with the Order and Ornaments suitable to the other parts of the Entertainment being much to the satisfaction and esteem of all the Strangers that did see it The next Day in a very formal Cavelcade the Duke and his Excellency rode to the Cathedral where a solemn Service and Te Deum was sung in honor of the accomplishing of this Marriage And two or three other days more were spent in triumphal Shows and other testimonies of Publick Rejoycing After all which the time of undertaking the departure being come the Dutchess Mother would by all means accompany her Daughter into England and it could not be diverted by any means although it proved chargeable to her and of ill Consequence to her concerns in that Government Passes were obtained from the Kings of France and Spain and the Italian Princes through whose Territories her Royal Highness was to pass to travel incognito but with orders to provide any accomodations should be necessary for her service She began then this happy voyage the _____ of September in the Year 1673. accompanied by the Dutchess Regent the Duke her Brother his Excellency and the Prince Renaldo of Esté with whatever was Noble and considerable among their own Subjects as many other Men of Quality who made their Court to those Princes upon different obligations and a very Princely Corteggio it was that went with them out of Modena Monsieur d' Angeao and his Brother had gone some days before to Milan and did not rejoyn the Princess till they came into Piedmont After two days the young Duke was perswaded to take his leave of his Sister and return but he did it with all that repugnancy of which an excellent nature could be capable having been ever bred together with that reciprocal kindness which nearness and merit could beget But the Princess was near being dissolv'd in tears she left her loving and hopeful Brother her happy and delicious Country with the kind companions of her youth among whom she had been bred and all these perhaps for ever her Youth and Innocence permitted her not to know whither it was she was to go to what kind of part nor among whom So compassion was to be allow'd to her Fears as well as her Enclinations and it was enough we could procure her to proceed and to be comforted Having passed then through her own Country through the Parmesan and part of the Milanese she came at last into Piedmont where the Princes were almost as it had been by Spirits for several days invisibly lodg'd and provided for after a most magnificent manner but ever at the expence of that Generous Duke till they came out of his Territories where they were met by Officers of the King of France who did accompany and defray them unto the City of Paris bringing them to lodge at the Arsenall where his Excellency was likewise provided for and had a noble Table kept for his own particular at the same Kings expence all the time of his residence there The necessity of our repair into England now drew near but her Royal Highness here fell sick and her Disease for all the power and diligence of Medicines hung so upon her as for some weeks they were not able to think of their remove And when her strength was again return'd the King of France for all her desire of
curiae tam liberorum quam rativorum tenentium cum omnibus aliis suis pertinentiis in Hynton Cambrugh Treversham in Comitatu Cantabrigiae Habendum tenendum omnia praedicta terras tenementa mea redditus servitia curias sectas curiarum tam liberorum quam nativorum tenentium cum omnibus aliis suis pertinentiis praefatis Thomae Johanni Rogero Roberto Brown Johanni haeredibus assignatis suis de capitalibus dominis feodorum illorum per servitia inde debita de jure consueta in perpetuum Et Ego verò praedctus Robertus Mordaunt haeredes mei omnia praedicta terras tenementa redditus servitia curias fectas curiarum tam liberorum quam nativorum tenentium cum omnibus pertenentiis suis praefatis Thomae Johanni Johanni Rogero Roberto Brown Johanni haeredibus assignatis suis contra omnes gentes warrantizabimus in perpetuum In cujus rei testimonium huic praesenti Chartae meae sigillum meum apposui Data apud Turveiam praedictam tertio die Martii Anno Regni Regis Richardi Secundi post Conquestum quarto decimo His testibus Roberto Ellys de Hynton praedictâ Richardo Chamburlyn de eâdem Willielmo Tripplow aliis multis Charta Roberti Mordaunt NOverint universi per praesentes me Robertum Mordaunt de Turveia Attornâsse loco meo posuisse dilectum mihi in Christo Robertum Ellys de Hynton attornatum meum ad deliberandum Thomae Pevere de Thoddington Johanni Curteys de Wymington Johanni Boteler de Stacheden Rogero Keston Roberto Brown de Turveia Johanni Atte Welle clerico haeredibus assignatis suis plenam pacificam feisinam de omnibus terris tenementis redditibus servitiis curiis sectis curiarum tam liberorum quam nativorum tenentium cum omnibus aliis suis pertinentiis in Hynton Camburgh Treversham in Comitatu Cantabrigiae secundum tenorem ejusdem Chartae meae eisdem confectae ratum gratum habiturus quioquid idem Robertus nomine meo faciet in praemissis per praesentes In cujus rei testimonium praesentibus Sigillum meum apposui Data apud Turveiam praedictam tertio die Martii Anno Regni Regis Richardi Secundi post Conquestum quarto decimo Charta Roberti Mordaunt SCiant praesentes futuri quòd Ego Robertus Mordaunt de Turveia dedi concessi hac praesenti Charta mea confirmavi Thomae Pevere de Thoddington Johanni Curteys de Wymington Johanni Boteler de Stacheden Rogero Keston Roberto Brown de Turveia Johanni Atte Welle clerico omnia terras tenementa mea redditus consuetudines servitia curias visus sectas curiarum tam liberorum quam nativorum tenentium cum wardis maritagiis releviis heriotis eschaetis omnibus aliis suis pertinentiis in Chesham Welpoole Aumondsham Dedi etiam eisdem Thomae Johanni Johanni Rogero Roberto Brown Johanni reversionem omnium terrarum tenementorum reddituum consuetudinum servitiorum curiarum visuum franciplegiorum sectarum Curiarum tam liberorum quam nativorum tenentium cum wardis maritagiis releviis heriotis eschaetis omnibus aliis suis pertinentiis quae quas Thomas de Ardres de Turveia Elizabetha uxor ejus tenent de me praedicto Roberto Mordaunt ad terminum vitae eorum in Eselburgh Bridsthorne Wedon Herdwick in Comitatu Buckinghamiae Habendum tenendum omnia praedicta terras tenementa redditus consuetudines servitia curias vilus franciplegiorum sectas curiarum tam liberorum tenentium quam nativorum cum wardis maritagiis releviis heriotis eschaetis omnibus aliis suis pertinentiis Et etiam reversionem omnium terrarum tenementorum reddituum consuetudinum servitiorum Curiarum visuum franciplegiorrum sectarum Curiarum tam liberorum quà m nativorum tenentium cum wardis maritagiis releviis heriotis eschaetis omnibus aliis pertinentiis suis praefatis Thomae Johanni Johanni Rogero Roberto Brown Johanni haeredibus assignatis suis de capitablibus Dominis feodorum illorum per servitia inde debita de jure indè consueta in perpetuum Et ego vero praedictus Robertus Mordaunt haeredes mei omnia praedicta terras tenementa redditus consuetudines servitia curias visus franciplegiorum sectas Curiarum tam liberorum quam nativorum tenentium cum wardis maritagiis releviis heriotis eschaetis omnibus aliis suis pertinentiis Et reversionem praedictam omnium terrarum tenementorum reddituum servitiorum cum omnibus aliis suis pertinentiis post decessum praedictorum Thomae de Ardres Elizabethae praefatis Thomae Pevere Johanni Johanni Rogero Roberto Brown Johanni haeredibus assignatis suis contra omnes gentes warrantizabimus in perpetuum In cujus rei testimonium huic praesenti Chartae meae Sigillum meum apposui Data apud Turveiam praedictam tertio die Martii Anno Regni Regis Richardi Secundi post Conquestum quarto decimo His testibus Johanne Chesham Johanne Atte Brooke seniore Roberto Morring aliis Out of the old Manuscript ET Thomas de Ardres per fait Indentre portant date apud Turvey le lundie prochain avant le Fest de Seint Andrew l'Apostel Anno Regni Regis Richardi Secundi post Conquestum vicesimo granta viginti duo solidos quatuor denarios à Thoma Foddringey aliis pour terme de vie Agnes la Femme Robert Mordaunt qui fit exchange avec Thomas de Ardres pour le Maner de Shephale pour le dower le dit Agnes in Shephale avantdit Endentures faicts per entre le tres haut puissant Prince Edward Duc de Yorke Robert Mordaunt Thomas Mirefield CEtte Endentre faicte per entre tres haut puissant Prince Edward Duc de Yorke d'une part Robert Mordaunt Thomas Mirefield Esquiers d'autre part tesmoigne Que les dits Robert Thomas sont retenus avecque le dit Duc pour demy an commencant le siziesme jour de Juliet venant prochain avesque xxiv archers prenant pour luy mesme xviij d. le jour pour l'autre lance xviij d. le jour pour chacun des xxiv archers noef d. le jour seront le dit Robert Thomas avecque leurs dits gents prests montez armez arrayez au dit jour en le port de Southampton comme à leur dites gentes apertinet seront le dit Robert Thomas payez pour deux mois avant leur depart d'Angleterre c'est ascavoir pour un mois en main pour un autre à leur montre à la mer. Et aussi de mois en mois au commencement de chaque mois ou dedans dix jours apres le dit commencement feront le dit Robert Thomas gait garde avesque tous leurs dits gents quant si souvent comme ce seront
Ancient Families as also that for any Advantage or Prerogative the House of Mordaunt is oblig'd but only to Vertue to Antiquity and to Truth A SUCCINCT GENEALOGY OF THE House of Alno or Alneto Justified by Publick Records Ancient and Extant Charters Histories and other Authentick Proofs By ROBERT HALSTEAD To the House of Alno or Alneto is ascribed for Arms Argent a Lion Rampant Gules charged on the Shoulder with a Shield bearing Or three Martlets Azure Of the Name Antiquity Greatness Alliances Posssesions and Arms of the House of Alno or de Alneto THE Lords of this House received their Appellation from Alnetum a Town in France of which at the time of the Conquest or a little before they had the Dominion In those elder and little curious times they were often indifferently called of Alno Alnoto and Alneto and the Antiquity of this Name hereby appears to be so great as there are few that by just proofs can be traced to a higher Degree The Quality Prerogative and Greatness of this House was such as besides the Liberties they had upon their own Lands of peculiar Courts and particular Justice the Chief thereof had the Priviledge of Banner-bearing Ferendi Banneriam which was the same as is called in high Dutch a Banner heer and was at that time the greatest that could be in the Fortune of any Man who was not an immediate Sovereign and as much as to say a Power of obliging his Kindred his Relations and his Vassals to follow him to those Wars whereunto he should be pleased to engage There did belong unto it in Propriety within the Dutchy of Normandy a Town and Castle called at that time Alnetum they had great Lands in the Territory of Pont-Audomare and large Possessions in the Vicounty of Contonville In the Stile used by this Family in their Deeds and Transactions after they came into England whereof I have seen divers that are extant and well preserved are all the circumstances of Dignity as omnibus hominibus suis tam Francis quam Anglicis and in their Seals were engraven their Images like Knights at Arms in Military Postures as was then in peculiar use with the great men of that time Their Alliances did also answer all the other parts of their Greatness for of four they contracted after their Arrival in this Country one was with a very Famous House and the other three with Families of the greatest and most eminent Nobility Vide Cam. Re. p. 276. But I am so far from undertaking to ascertain the Arms they bore as I am obliged to say I believe there were very few if any in Hereditary use at that time of their Conjunction with the House of Mordaunt which was about the end of the Reign of Henry the Second or in the beginning of King Richard the First Yet I shall not forbear to apply those that have been ascribed to them from very many Ages as may appear by several Pedegrees with other pieces of Sculpture and Painting remaining at this day in divers Churches and Noble Houses of this Kingdom which were Argent a Lyon Rampant Gules charged on the Shoulder with a Shield bearing in a Field Or three Martlets Azure PAINE of ALNO or de ALNETO Lord of Turvey Maydford and other Lands and Lordships PAINE of ALNO or de ALNETO was one of those Illustrious Adventurers which came over with William Duke of Normandy to the Conquest of England in whose Service the Valour of our Hero prov'd so considerable as in the Partition this Prince did after make to his Followers he had allotted to him for his share several fair Lands and large Possessions and among the rest the Noble Lordship of Turvey in the County of Bedford with the Royalties and Priviledges belonging thereunto As the Advowson of the Church the Jurisdiction of many Families that held thereof in Villanage the particular Courts Leet and Baron the right of Free-Warren and Free-Fishing for a long and great Tract with those of Waifs Strays and Felons Goods It containing in the whole Four Thousand Five Hundred Fifty five Aeres of rich and fertile Land with a Treasure of fair Woods growing upon the same After that to the disorder of the War there had succeeded a Settlement in the Kingdom Paine of Alno did receive in Marriage as the Crown of all his Virtue Emelina de Burdet from the hands of her Father Sir Hugh de Burdet another great Companion of this Conquest and as her Portion the Town and Lordship of Maydford in the County of Northampton being part of those Lands which the said Sir Hugh had received for his Service from the Bounty and Acknowledgment of King William the First This Family of Burdet was of great Antiquity having possessed a very Honourable Rank in the Dutchy of Normandy before the Conquest For we find Sir William de Burdet Father or Ancestor to this Sir Hugh de Burdet to be mentioned in that antient Roll which contains the Names of all the Lords that owed Knights-Service to the Dukes of that Country and it had the Fortune for many Ages to produce men Famous and Renowned for Military Valour and Virtue Their Issue Henry of Alneto Lord of Turvey and Maydford Herbert of Alneto that was a Witness to a Charter whereby King Henry the First gave Lands to St. Peters and St. Maries in Exeter HENRY de ALNETO Succeeded his Father in his Lands and Lordships for we find by a Charter which is extant how be did confirm several Grants of Lands in Turvey that had been given to the Church of St. James in Northampton and to the Canons of that place by Robert the Son of Durand and his Heirs by his Brother Herbert and by others It appears that he gave to the Priory of our Blessed Lady of Luffield within the County of Northampton in the Forest of Whittlewood one Messuage with the Appurtenances in the Town of Maydford He married into the House of Lisors Lizures or de Lusoris as is seen by a Deed wherein Ralph de Caines does Witness that he was present when the Lord William de Lizures did give to Sir Henry of Alneto his Lands in Lichborow and Everton to him and to his Heirs to be begotten on the Body of his Daughter Agnes on Condition That if it did so fall out as he should die without Issue of the said Agnes they should then revert to him and his lawful Successors This William de Lizures was a great Baron at that time Chief Forester of the County of Northampton and of so great Authority in that Country as it occasioned a Letter to be written to him from Queen Elianor the Wife of King Henry the First wherein she prays him for the Love of her to protect one Malgerius a Monk and his Followers at that time retired within his Jurisdiction He was the Son of the Lord Foulke de Lizures that in the time of Henry the First had the Custody of the Forests of Rokingham
de advocatione Ecclesiae dictae Villae de Islip rationabilia Estoveria durante vitâ suâ absque Impetitione vasti Reddendo inde annuatim praedictis Thomae Margaretae Haeredibus suis unam Rosam ad Festum Nativitatis Sancti Johannis Baptistae pro omnibus aliis servitiis In cujus rei testimonium partes praedictae hiis Indenturis Sigilla sua alternatim apposuerunt Hiis testibus Richardo Chamberlayne Thomâ Drayton Richardo Reyndon Gervasio Campyon Johanne Parker aliis Dat' apud Addington primo die Junii Anno Regni Regis Henrici Quinti post Conquestum Octavo Intitulatur supra Petram jacentem in Capella Sanctae Mariae in Ecclesia de Addington Anno Milleno bis quorum deno Morti Robertus Vere cessit pace refectus Et de Louenham Domina sua Conjux cecidit Anna Inde decem demptis societur Christe redemptus Amen BALDWIN de VERE second of that Name Lord of Addington Thrapston Barklow Overhall Kempton Hokenhanger and other Lands and Lordships Carta Roberti de Vere OMnibus ad quos praesens Scriptum pervenerit Robertus Vere de Thrapston salutem in Domino Noveritis me dedisse concessisse Baldewino Vere Fratri meo unum annuum redditum Centum Solidorum percipiendum annuatim de Manerio meo ibidem Habendum ad terminum virae suae ad Festa Paschae Sancti Michaelis aequaliter Et si praedictus redditus aretro sit in parteâ—â—el in toto per unum mensem ultra aliquem terminum supradictum quòd tunc ben e liceat praefato Baldewino in omnibus terris tenementis meis in Thrapston distringere districtiones fugare retinere quousque eidem Baldewino de redditu praediâ—cto ejus arreragiis plenariè fuerit satisfactum Et Ego praedictus Robertus Haeredes mei praedictum annuum redditum Centum Solidorum cum pertinentiis praedicto Baldewino ad terminum vitae warrantizabimus In cujus rei testimonium huic praesenti Scripto Sigillum meum apposui Hiis testibus Domino Henrico Grene Milite Thoma Grene de Sudburgh Thoma Cottingham Johanne Phipston de Thrapston Thoma Drayton aliis Dat' apud Thrapston vicesimo die Martii Anno Regni Regis Richardi Secundi post Conquestum nono Carta Edwardi Deverwyk Comitis de Rutteland de Cork EDward D'Everwyk Counte de Rutteland de Cork A nostre chier bienaymé Escuier Baudwin Vere nostre Lieutenant Receivor des Isles de Gernsey Jersey salutz Pour ce qu'il nous vient asses à memoire que vous avez payé delivré pour nous à nostre ceps Comandement les parcelees soubz escriptz des issues des dites Isles prudement à Thomas Clove venant par devers nous des dites Isles en retornant deux Marcz Item à Richard Pensaux pour ses despenses pour la mesme cause quarante Shillings Item à Jenkyn Freeman pour ses despenses deux fois en alant retornant de Message cinq Marcz quarante soulz Item donne à une Varlet mon tres redoubté Seigneur le Roy venant pour avoir deliverance de le Sire Cobham vingt Shillings Item à la Servante du dit Varlet quarante soulz Item en leur despenses illeoques des vingt quatre Mariners pour deux jours avec vittaille à eux delivre pour le mer quarante Shillings Item delivres à les Mariners alantz pour vous servir en la journée d'Ireland vingt deux Marcz six Shillings vingt soulz Item dix Marcz deliveres à nos propres mains si nous voulons que vous ejez due entiere allowance des pracelles avantditz que cestes nos Lettres ensellés desoubz nostre Seal avous à nos Auditours en soyent garrauntz Donné à Londres le quinzisme jour de Decembre l'an du Regne de mon tres redoubté Seigneur le Roy Henry quart primer Requeste de Baldewin Vere au Roy Henry Cinqueisme PLese au Roy nostre Soverein tres-gracious Seigneur graciousement considerer que vostre humble Lige Baldewin Vere avoit de la graunt de le noble Prince son redoubté Seigneur le Duc de York qui darrein morust à qui Dieu pardoint vingt Marcz pour terme desa vie de l'annuité de l'enheritance de le dit Duc en le port de Kingeston sur Hull sicome en les Lettres Patentes en faites il est contenuz plus en plein la quelle annuité est ore d'en avent en vostre main à cause del meindre age de Richard filz de Richard Naugerres Counte de Cambrige Heir au dit Duc sur ce de vostre grace speciale pour le service que le dit Baldewin vous fera tres-gracious Seigneur en temps à venir luy granter vingt Marcz à prendre annuellement durant le miendre age de Richard filz à dit Richard Counte Heir au dit Duc de vostre custume des Leyns quirs pealx entrans en le dit port par les mains des Cueilleurs d'ycelle pour le temps esteantz es termes de pasque de Seint Michel par oue les porcions Considerantz tres-gracious Seigneur que le dit suppliant n'a pour son long service fait à son dit Seigneur le Duc sinon soulement les ditz vingt Marcz annuels pour Dieu en euure de Charité Carta Thomae Asheby PAteat Universis per praesentes me Thomam Asheby de Louesby seniorem recepisse habuisse die Confectionis praesentium de Baudwin Vere Thoma Asheby juniore Administratoribus Bonorum Catallorum quae fuerant Roberti Vere quatuordecim Marcas legalis Monetae alia vice per manus praedicti Thomae Asheby junioris sexdecim Marcas de quibus quidem summis fateor me esse solutum dictósque Administratores inde fore quietos per praesentes In cujus rei testimonium huic scripto acquietantiae Sigillum meum apposui Dato apud Louesby in Comitatu Leicestriae die Lunae in Septimana Pentecostes Anno Regni Regis Henrici Quinti post Conquestum nono Sigillum thome assheby Carta Edmundi de Mortuo Mari Comitis Marche Ulton. EDmundus de Mortuo Mari Comes Marchae Ultoniae Dominus de Wigmore Clare Trym Connac Omnibus ad quos praesentes Literae pervenerint salutem Sciatis quòd nos de Fidelitate Circumspectione Industria dilecti Armigeri nostri Baldewini Vere pleniùs confidentes ordinavimus constituimus assignavimus ipsum Thesaurarium nostrum Libertatis nostrae Midiae habendum occupandum idem officium quamdiu nobis placuerit percipiendo de nobis in Officio illo feoda vadia regarda praedicto Officio ab antiquo debita consueta In cujus rei testimonium has Literas nostras fieri fecimus Patentes Teste dilecto Armigero nostro Richardo Nugent Seneschallo
being Martial to introduce him into the Favour of the greatest Captains of his time particulary those that were applied unto the Sea whom with his Company in every occasion he did so well humor as he became the future Hopes of that calling In intervals of Martial occasions he followed the King and Ministers who found him of so solid and useful a Temper as they thought him fit serve the Crown in any important capacity He followed the King to Boloigne at the magnificent enterview with King Francis And in the Twenty sixth of Henry the Eighth was sent into Scotland to present King James with the Order of the Garter and his Master's desire that he would come through England to accompany him and be present at the enterview The Duke his Father had been instrumental in the greatest disasters of Scotland But in those Heroick times Generous Princes had a value for Noble Enemies King James was taken with the Nature and Manners of the Lord William Howard and perceiving in his Merit much hopes of future greatness he did so cultivate his friendship as when there was business to be transacted between the Crowns that King did shew an inclination more ready to hear this Lord than any other wherefore King Henry having at that time a great desire to draw the King of Scotland to an enterview he sent him to Edenburgh in the ..... Year of his Reign together with the Bishop of St. Asaph to perswade him thereunto as also to make him propositions of very great advantage In the Three and thirtieth Year of the same King he was sent Extraordinary Ambassador into France in his discharge of which Employment having much satisfied the King and his Ministers he expected a chearful welcome at his return but from the Faults or the Misfortune of another he found such a disappointment as lodged him in the Tower instead of the Palace and gave him the Frowns due to the ill behaviour of the Queen instead of the Applauses his own endeavours had deserved For Katharine Howard the Fifth Wife of Henry the Eighth was his Niece and had in a short space after her Marriage so conducted her self as she fell into his Majesties disgrace and lost her Head Thereupon the old Dutchess of Norfolk with this Lord William and his Lady were Indicted for Misprision of Treason in concealing as was alledged what they knew of that Queen 's former behavior and Condemn'd to perpetual Imprisonment But after that for reason of State and to justifie the King something had been done under an appearance of Anger and Severity the King that knew the Lord William was never Author of that Match and that it could not be expected he should have taken great pains to hinder the Honor and Advantage of his Niece who he could not foresee would have made so ill a use of so great a good Fortune his Majesty set at liberty this Noble Lord and his Relations who had suffered this restraint Although they did remain under some sort of discouragement during the short remainder of this King's Reign who for other reasons had Beheaded the Noble Earl of Surrey that was Brother to this Lord and Imprisoned the Duke his Father a Servant and Subject that had deserved more than any other of his time But after the Death of King Henry when the State began to grow jealous of the French for designing to recover the Key of their Kingdom the considerable Town of Calis King Edward's Council cast into the Arms of the Lord William Howard and to make it safe made him Lord Deputy thereof in the Sixth Year of his Reign After the Death of King Edward the Queen his Sister being notable for the Council she chose and the Ministers and Servants she imployed in every purpose took this noble Lord into the nearest of her Trust and Confidence she knew his Valour his Experience and the opinion the World had of it and therefore thought none so fit for the great Office of High Admiral of England which she conferr'd upon him in the First Year of her Reign creating him at the same time Lord Baron of Effingham whereof in the succeeding Parliament he took his place she also made him Lord Chamberlain of her Houshold and he was afterwards Lord Privy Seal When this Queen was dead her Sister remembering the behaviour of this Lord to have been tender towards her and obliging during the times of her troubles and Persecution she conferred the same Office of Chamberlain upon him in the First Year of her Reign He was also sent by Queen Elizabeth with the Lord Cobham Ambassador to the Spaniard into the Netherlands on an important Negotiation and in the Twelfth of that Queen joyned with the Earl of Sussex in Command of those Forces that were sent to suppress the Rebellion of the Earls of Northumberland and Westmorland He was also one of the Peers who sate upon the Tryal of his unfortunate Nephew the Duke of Norfolk Thus after having been imployed as has been express'd in the Service of so many Kings in management of the Highest Offices and Imployments of the State he dyed full of Honor Esteem and Reputation the Fifteenth Year of Queen Elizabeth at her Palace of Hampton-Court By his Will bequeathing his Collar of Gold and his Robes of the Order to Charles his Son for he was also a Knight of the Garter and was honorably Interred in the Parish Church of Rygate He Married Two Wives The First Katharine Daughter to Sir John Braughton of Tuddington in the County of Bedford The Second Margaret Daughter of Sir John Gammage Issue by his First Wife Mary Married to William Paulet the Third Marquess of Winchester Issue by his Second Wife Charles Howard Earl of Nottingham William Howard of Lingfield Edward Howard Henry who died Young Dowglas Married to John Lord Sheffield after to the Earl of Leicester Mary Married to Edward Lord Dudly after to Richard Mountpesson Frances Married to Edward Earl of Hartford Martha Married to Sir George Burcher Knight CHARLES Lord Howard Earl of Nottingham Lord High-Admiral of England Lord Chamberlain Justice and Heir of all the Forrests on this side Trent Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter and one of the Lords of the Privy-Council to Queen Elizabeth and King James the First CHAPTER III. CHARLES HOWARD the eldest Son of the Lord William Baron of Effingham of whom we have last Treated was bred under a Father who knew that great Birth and Dignities were things that weighed much upon those that wore them and could never be honourably supported without equal Merit and Capacities in those that would pretend to be advantaged by them He had therefore in his Youth been bred to the Theories of all the Noble Arts that could render a Man useful to his King and Country and as soon as he was of a fit strength he was thrust by his Father into the practice of them upon every necessary occasion He was with him in
one Estate for One and twenty Years of the said Mannor and Premises granted to Francis late Earl of Bedford Oliver late Earl of Bullingbrooke Sir Henry Compton and Sir Rowland Saint John to Commence immediately from and after the Decease of the said Countess Dowager for the raising of Four thousand Pounds for the Portion of the Lady Elizabeth Howard Daughter of the said Countess according to the Purport and true Meaning of One Indenture bearing Date the First Day of November in the Fourteenth Year of His now Majesty's Reign as by the said Indenture may appear And that the Uses Estates and Limitations herein before mentioned shall be Subject to and Charged with the said Rent-Charge of Three hundred Pounds per Annum and term of One and twenty years any thing in these Presents contained to the contrary notwithstanding In witness whereof the parties above named have to these present Indentures Interchangably set their Hands and Seals the Day and Year first above written E. PETERBOROW Sealed and Delivered in the Presence of Tho. Farrer Will. Preston Sam. Holland A SUCCINCT GENEALOGY Of the HOUSE of MORDAUNT Justified by Antient and Extant Charters Publick Records Histories and other Authentick Proofs By ROBERT HALSTEAD The Arms of the House of Mordaunt were Argent a Cheveron Sable between Three Stars Waved of the same Of the Name Antiquity Descent Alliance Possessions Greatness Actions and Arms of the House of Mordaunt IN the Preface to these Genealogies there has been exposed to the Reader the Nature and Antiquity of Sur-names and the grounds causes and occasions upon which they were assum'd in general To ascribe why the Lords of this House took to themselves the Name of Mordaunt is not in my power but that they did so near Six hundred Years ago and have continued it to their descendants unto this very day will be as easie as to read the unquestioned Proofs shall be exposed upon that matter The obvious and natural conjecture will be the quality of the occasion where they first appeared an occasion of War Chivalry and Conquest a Souldier a younger Brother and a brave fellow set out to make a Fortune by adventures of Arms it was proper to such a one dare mortem to Wound Kill and Destroy his Enemy whence le Mordaunt which was the first Epithet assum'd by Osbert the beginner of that House might appear no unproper sobriquit for him that did deserve it The descent of this Osbert is not affirm'd to be certain neither by one of who detestes to advantage his undertaking by any thing he cannot prove but it is evident his Father Robert was a great deserver in the Conquest and that by the assistance he brought Duke William and the share he acquired as the reward of his labour He bore the illustrious appellation of de Sancto Aegidio or of Saint Giles which at that time was the Name of the Soveraign Earls and Princes of Tholouse of which House he was in all probability a Son a Brother or a near Relation and from his Brother Eustace the eldest Son of this Robert our Osbert did receive several noble provisions as the Lordship of Radwell that of Brayfield with Lands in Wahull in Lavendon and in other parts and for the Blood of the Gentlemen who were his descendants it has been so fortunately pure as never to have been mis-allyed since the first knowledge of the Family but the chiefs thereof have always Married into Names of great Authority and Nobleness as that of Fortis Alno Olney who were of the first Conquerors those of Wake L'Estrange Latimer Vere Darcy and Howard all of the prime Nobility And as they have taken Wives out of the greatest Families so they have given them to the chiefest Gentlemen and prime Houses of England to Strangeways to Fettyplace to Browns to Henningham to Mansell to Danvers to Radney to Nevill and to Howard To these circumstances has been added their felicity that by the Prudent Conduct of their Affairs and successful undertakings they have ever flourished in an eminent degree of Riches and opulency They had been before the time of the first Sir John Mordaunt Lords of great Mannors Lands and Lordships but from his time to which was design'd the exaltation of this Family and his Alliance with the House of Latimer his Sons with the Heir of Vere and his Grandsons with the Inheritrix of Fitz-Lewis The Riches and Patrimony of this House was such as there was scarce a Gentleman in England whose Estate was comparable to it After this as the occasion of their coming into this Kingdom was the Military Service of a victorious Prince so the Lords of this House have continued to serve divers of their Kings in their Wars they have served them likewise in their Councils they have deserved to be called into the supreme Dignity of the Peerage and thereby made hereditary Grandees Judges and Councellors in which they have remain'd for divers Ages There have been of them Privy Councellors to several of the greatest Kings Ministers of State Captains Ambassadors and Governours of Provinces And in all these qualities they have served without reproach So as if Antiquity of Original Illustrious Derivance Descent from noblest Blood great Alliances high Dignities and Employments worthy Actions and large Possessions be of Virtue to make a Family considerable there will be little cause for Envy to bark at my endeavouring to establish the Honour and Memory thereof according to what is due to the merit of a Name so Illustrious For the Arms of this House from the time they have been in use and born hereditarily in Families were Argent a Cheveron Sable between Three Stars Waved of the same OSBERT le MORDAVNT Lord of Radwell and other Lands and Lordships CHAPTER I. IN the Year 1066. against which Providence had prepared so great a change for the People and Government of England as did ensue by their subjection to the total Conquest of a Victorious Prince At that time among the other Hero's who joyn'd their hopes and assistance to the Fortunes of the famous William Duke of Normandy there was a Noble Knight called Robert of Saint Giles in the Latin Tongue Robertus de Sancto Aegidio who brought to his Service Fourscore Knights Milites out of the South parts of France and joyn'd himself to the Duke 's other Troops at the Imbarcation for this great undertaking Of this Robert of Saint Giles no more is extant of what he was than the assurance that the Soveraign Earls and Princes of Tholouse did all at that time use the Name and Appellation of Saint Giles or De Sancto Aegidio That the Attendance of Fourscore Kinghts was an Equipage suitable to a Prince Adventurer and that after his labors in this War he was rewarded by the generous Conqueror with great Lands and noble Possessions How long this Robert of Saint Giles lived or remain'd in this Kingdom we cannot tell but we find his Son Eustace of Saint
but their happening a conjuncture which rendered those of his profession under much suspicion and jealousy from the Proceedings of that Conspiracy called The Gunpowder Treason which if it had succeeded would have been of so cruel a consequence This worthy Lord was envolv'd in the unhappy troubles it produc'd to most of his perswasion For upon surmise of his holding correspondence with the Traytors the innocent Lord in the Seventh Year of King James the First was seized in his House and committed Prisoner to the Tower for which there could be never produc'd other grounds than his professed Religion his being absent from that Parliament which was upon leave and some neighbourly correspondences he had held with Sir Everard Digby and certain others of the conspirators which were but slender Reasons for so large Sufferings His Lordship thereupon was severely Fined and so long kept a Prisoner that by the distruction of his Health it brought him finally to his Grave after which his Innocency sufficiently appear'd to convince his persecutors of the Injustice of their severe dealings His Issue John Lord Mordaunt first Earl of Peterborow James Mordaunt first married to Mary Tirringham after to ....... Gostwick from whom is descended John Mordaunt of ...... in the County of Leicester Lewis Mordaunt that dyed without Issue by his Wife ...... Smith the Widow of Sir Robert Throgmorton Frances Mordaunt married to Sir Thomas Nevill Eldest Son of the Lord Abarganey Elizabeth that dyed unmarried Margaret that dyed unmarried Anne that dyed unmarried JOHN Earl of PETERBOROW Peer of England Lord Mordaunt Lord Baron of Turvey and Lord Lieutenant of the County of Northampton CHAPTER XVI JOHN Lord Mordaunt being young and under years at the Death of his Father and remaining in the care and government of his Mother the Lady Margaret Mordaunt who was a Zealous as well as a Publick Professor of the obnoxious and suspected Religion after he came of an age capable of taking important impressions was by the command of King James the First as an act of State taken out of that Lady's custody and committed to be brought up in the House and under the direction of his Grace George Abbot at that time Archbishop of Canterbury Where he lived for a while till he was thought fit to be sent to improve his Studies at Oxford In this University this young Lord flourished in the liking and esteem of every body He enjoy'd many perfections of Body and Mind He was very Beautiful Ingenious Affable and Applicable to all was good and useful and there he remain'd the Star of the University till King James the First coming to Oxford in a Progress took him from that place to follow the Court designing him to such kind of farther improvement as might render him in time more useful to his Service and the Government The first testimony he gave him of his Favour was to quit him of the Fine had been imposed upon his Father of Ten Thousand Pounds for his being suspiciously absent from the dangerous Parliament and to set him at liberty from any burthens of Obligations might come upon him by reason of his Wardship of which by the King's Command he was discharg'd He commanded his attendance in his first Journey he made back to Scotland during which that Gracious King gave him so many particular marks of his Favour and Kindness As to standers by Fortune and occasion never seem'd to present themselves to any with more fairness to be taken hold upon than to this young Lord. But in fine he was not born to the advancement of his House and a humor he had which was averse to Constraint and indulgent to all his own Passions gave way afterward to anothers entrance into Favour who was design'd for all the Greatness England could give Notwithstanding the Great and Unfortunate Charles Son and Successor to this King conferr'd upon him the Dignity of an Earl under the Title of Peterborow gave him the Lieutenancy and Government of the Province where he lived besides many invitations to his nearest Affairs and Councils But the destiny of this Lord carried him to other purposes for having Married Elizabeth Howard the Daughter of William Lord Howard of Effingham and sole Heir to that Family which had bred so many Admirals and Great Officers of State he was invited by her that had receiv'd some disgust at Court and was a Lady of a very haughty Spirit to take part with those unhappy Reformers who at last destroy'd all they pretended to amend and this Lord with much regret for having been engag'd among those unfortunate Politicians at last ended his life of a Consumption in the Second Year of the Civil War leaving Issue Henry Earl of Peterborow John Lord Viscount Mordaunt Married to Elizabeth Cary. Elizabeth Mordaunt Married to Thomas Lord Howard of Escrick HENRY Earl of PETERBOROW Peer of England Lord Mordaunt Lord Baron of Turvey Groom of the Stole and First Gentleman of the Bed-Chamber to King JAMES the Second Lord Lieutenant of the County of Northampton and One of the Lords of his Majesty's most Honourable Privy Council CHAPTER XVII HENRY Lord Mordaunt although at his coming into the World he found the greatest part of Men enclined to Rebellion and defire of change both in the Government of Church and State Yet having been bred under well principled Masters in the Royal College of Eaton in the Company of several young Lords of great Quality whose Education was inspected by the Learned and Memorable Sir Henry Wotton at that time retired from sundry Embassies and Employments to the Provostship of that place He received such a tincture of Duty to his Prince and Love to the Monarchy as neither Hazards Disappointments Hard Usage nor any difficult Circumstances could ever afterward extinguish I leave the particulars of his Childhood and early Youth and come to meet him at his first appearance in the City of York where he accompanied his Father who came to attend the King at his Great Council which he had called in order to take Resolutions about the Scotch War and the ensuing Parliament The English Army that had been Raised for the Defence of the Kingdom lay Encamped about the Town among the Souldiers this young Lord continually appear'd at the Musters at the Reviews and at the Exercises whereat he was always present and being not then in his Seventeenth Year he intended if the War had proceeded to have personally engaged in all the Actions and Successes of it In the Assemblies of the Council he did ever constantly attend to hear the Debates of the most important matters were agitated there being admitted thereunto in Quality of a Peer's Son who had all place behind the King as in Parliament But at last the Cessation being made and a Parliament resolv'd upon the King return'd to London and the Young Lord with his Father to his House in order to â—â—ake preparation for their attendance in that occasion The time come for the
the first and most honorable place in his Court at that time vacant by the so late death of the Lord of Muskery who was Groom of the Stool and first Gentleman of his Bed-Chamber And this person did offer himself if the Earl did esteem the occasion to be an instrument of proposing the matter and bringing it about His Lordship that was surprized did not at first embrace it with that warmth the Gentleman did expect who thought to have thereby put such an obligation upon the Earl as might deserve some extaordinary acknowledgment for he was not altogether uninterest'd and had several considerations of his own which excited the appearance of his friendship in this matter But the Earl told his Friend he desired a few days to consider of the business and to inform himself of the nature and commodities of the place that he might see how such an Employment would quadrate with the condition of his Affairs and Fortune having at that time a Mother a live who kept away the most confiderable part of his Estate so as if he had not with the place some such emolument as might equal the encrease of Expence would grow upon him by the change of his condition and application he should insensibly draw himself into such circumstances as would afterwards become uneasie The Earl of Peterborow in the mean time by the advice of his Friends did not haste away from the Fleet as soon as the Fight was done as weary of the Fatigue or impatient of the strait living aboard but staid to attend the Duke to the Court and his reception as he had come out only to wait upon his Highness and to shew a particular devotion to so great a Prince He came then with him to Whitehall and was a witness of the kind reception he had from so dear a Brother And his Highness presented the Earl to the King as a particular partaker of the Honor as well as the hazards of that great occasion who thereupon received from His Majesty very signal Thanks and Commendations Some days were now past during the consideration the Earl had employ'd about the proposition was made him by his Friend at Sea concerning the Duke's Service and indeed according to the information he receiv'd he did not judge the allowances were like to be made him would support the extraordinary charges would arise from that condition So as unwilling to bring a burthensome Service to a Master he did rather desire to make more easie a declension of that affair became more sutiable to his inclination When one Morning about a week after happ'ning to visit another Friend upon whose judgment candor and experience he had a much greater dependance and acquainting him with the answer he did intend to make he was by many important reasons over-ruled as to a change of his resolution and perswaded to embrace the occasion of entring into the Interests and Service of his Royal Highness This Gentleman was a Servant to the Duke himself and much nearer than the first to every part of his Favor and Inclination And having occasions that were like for divers times to keep him distant from the Court he thought by introducing the Earl of Peterborow to establish a Friend who would maintain his interests and pretences there in his absence very usefully And it is true that he had those that did prove then and after very confiderable to himself and many others He did then undertake the management of this accord and acquainted the Duke with the Earl's desire to be his Servant with which he did suggest so many reasons as made his Highness resolve notwithstanding some little dislike of the Earl's demur to receive him with that kindness and encouragement as was suitable to his Birth and Quality There was some little dissatisfaction in the minds of the first proposer and others of his Faction to find the Earl introduc'd and not by them thinking his actions and dependance would prove accordingly But by whom it was they could not guess and it was for some time a secret From thenceforth the Earl applied himself close to the Duke's Service and Interests He attended him in the Plague Year to York and afterwards to Oxford He participated of the Frowns and Smiles were applied to every variation of his Fortune In the Parliaments which did succeed he did not only adhere but appear in all his interests he avoided not the hard looks were given to those that durst endeavour the protection of his Father-in-Law the Earl of Clarendon and stood by his defence when he was abandon'd by such as were fed and cloath'd by the Fortunes and Favours he had procur'd them He opposed the Bill for Divorce of the Lord Ross sollicited by the Court not in favor of that Lord now Earl of Rutland but as an introduction to a greater that was intended whereby the Duke 's Right to the Succession would have been cut off by an act unusual in this Kingdom and esteem'd unlawful in every other These proceedings got the Earl of Peterborow the opinion of being more particularly tyed to the Duke's Service by affection than every one would have had him Such as envied the vertue of this Prince desiring he should have the forms of Greatness in his Service but not the zeal the duty nor the true sincerity that should sustain it The Earl of Peterborow was not a Man to act for him in one occasion for his Service and to betray him in another for his own advantage He was ever concern'd for the Duke in the first place but for his own Reputation in the second And though it is true he would have dyed for the Duke in a great occasion yet it is certain his own honor would have had some share in the sacrifice With these principles and in actions suitable unto them he continued in his Royal Highnesses Service several Years and although he was esteem'd by all the Ministers he had not many marks of their favor who think the dependants upon the Brother and Presumptive Heir of a King rejoyce not over-much to see that power in them which naturally as his due the others would have devolv'd upon their Master However he lived well with all and they with him Though the World saw well by the little acquisitions he made of Honors or Advantage that he did serve his Master with the least design of interest of any person that ever did approach him About the Year ..... it fell out that Anne Duchess of York departed this life and by those that were friends to the Duke and the Government it was thought fit that another should be sought to supply by her fruitfulness the want of Issue Male which Providence to that time had denyed to the felicity of the Royal House All concurr'd in the profession that this was necessary but not every one in their endeavours to accomplish it The accession of Sons like to live would have made the Duke more considerable than
overcome allowances were made for the Earl's Equipage and provision of Money design'd for the maintenance of the Embassie Orders were given for Commissions and Instructions And after the Earl had served His Majesty in Raising for him a Regiment of Foot whereof he was to be Colonel design'd for carrying on the Dutch War his affairs being all in a readiness for proceeding on his Embassie he did on the _____ of March in the Year _____ under the Character of Embassador Extraordinary to the Emperor depart from London on that employment having in his custody Jewels of his Royal Highness's particular Cabinet to the value of Twenty Thousand Pound intended for a present to the young Archduchess of Inspruk The Earl arrived at Dover the next day and under a very fair passage came the day following to Calles where having stay'd too Nights in providing for his farther proceeding to Paris on the Third day in the Morning an Express came to him from the Court bringing Letters of assurance from thence and from Germany too That the Empress was dead and the long Treaty of Inspruk broken off by reason the Emperor was now resolv'd to have that Princess for himself The Earl had notwithstanding Letters from his Royal Highness and from the Earl of Arlington by the King's Command That notwithstanding this he should proceed to Paris remaining quiet there under his own particular character attending their farther Commands whereby he was like to be employ'd to procure a Princess that might be a fit Wife for the Duke out of some other Family His Lordship obey'd and after being settled at Paris he had advice from his Royal Highness That there had been proposed to him Four Wives with whom since it was impossible for him to be acquainted he did command his Lordship to endeavor by all the diligence he could use to get sight and knowledge of them or at least their Pictures with the most impartial relations of their Manners and Dispositions The First of these was the Dutchess of Guise whom France most particularly wish'd to favor into this Alliance the next the young Princess of Modena only Sister to the present Duke of that City and Country the Third a Lady called Madmoiselle de Rais and the Fourth Mary Anne Princess of Wirtenbergue This was a great trust to the performance whereof was requisite both Honesty and Discretion the first To render unconsider'd all the advantages might be propos'd to make partial the person trusted against the interest and satisfaction of his Master and the latter To find out and judge what might be most expedient and agreeable to his true humor and circumstances The first and the latter of these did recide at Paris the Dutchess of Guise at her own House and the Princess of Wirtenbergue as a Pensioner in the Monastery of ....... but the Princess of Modena was with her Mother in Italy and Madmoiselle de Rais at her Relations some Hundred Miles distant from Paris The Dutchess of Guise he saw at Court she was the youngest Daughter of Gaston of Bourbon Duke of Orleans the King of France his Uncle but a Princess for whom he knew the Duke had no inclination she not being only low and ill shap'd but under the appearance of a feeble Complection so as though she had much reputation for Innocence and Vertue her Constitution did not promise a likelihood of either many or strong Children and that end appearing to the Earl the chief business of the Duke and of England too all the favor of France a share whereof he might have tasted from the merit of a recommendator to this Alliance could not induce him to promote a matter contrary to the ends of his Trust and the Duke's Service The Princess of Modena Mary of Esté his Lordship could not see but by the means of a Scotch Gentleman that had been conversant in the House of Conty one Mr. Conn he was introduced into the Palace of that Prince whose Wife had been one of the young Princess of Modena's nearest Relations and there he saw her Picture that had been lately sent thither from that Court It bore the appearance of a young Creature about Fourteen years of Age but such a light of Beauty such Characters of Ingenuity and Goodness as it surprized the Earl and fixt upon his Phancy That he had found his Mistress and the Fortune of England An ill Picture he saw of Madmoiselle de Rais but being at such distance as he could not know her self or have any perfect relation of her circumstances he sought no farther encouragement in that matter His whole thoughts were turned upon the young Princess of Modena with whose Character that he might be the better acquainted by the means of the forementioned Mr. Conn he got a meeting such as might seem accidental with a Gentleman called the Abbot Richini a Man that was employ'd at Paris in Negotiating the interests of the House of Esté and it was in a private but commodious place for such an interview in the Cloysters of the Great Charter-House in Paris After usual Complements they fell upon divers indifferent Discourses and by degrees that made it casual coming to matters of England and the Duke's being a Widower with the necessity of another Marriage we talk'd of Divers Princesses that the World named as proper for a Match so Illustrious The Earl had occasion hereupon to enquire of him What Children there were in the House of Esté he told him only too A Son that was the present Duke as yet a Minor and a Daughter of about Fourteen Years of Age to whom although he attributed many excellences yet he endeavour'd to make them useless to us by saying The Dutchess her Mother but more strongly her own Enclinations did design her to a Religious life and that she did seem resolv'd not to Marry This affirmation was an extream blow to the hopes and desires of the Earl of Peterborow and of which he was forced to give an account together with the esteem and great value he had for the Character that from all hands he had received of this young Princess But after this he was induc'd by the Duke 's particular direction to make his access to the Princess Mary Anne of Wirtenbergue that had likewise as has been said been recommended to his consideration This Lady whose Father had been slain in the War and her Mother retired at that time into Flanders of which Country she was did remain in a Monastery of Ladies in company of several others of great Quality And the Earl was introduc'd to a fight of her by Father Gilbert Talbot at that time newly entred into Orders of Priesthood and an acquaintance of her Confessor She was perswaded to receive his Lordship by way of a Visit in the manner as is usual at the Grate of a Parlor design'd to give the Ladies opportunities of speech at seasonable times with their Friends and Relations This Princess who was Daughter of
House of Esté so considerable a part of its State and Riches resting upon the violent usurpation of the Dutchy of Ferara and other Lands belonging to those Princes so as the interest of Religion apart the Popes and their Nephews do consider this Family as the least their Friend of any other in Italy And do believe If their Alliance to any Royal or Potent House should by their support offer them a fair occasion to recover their Dominions they might be induc'd to use other means than Preces Lacrimae to recover their own even from the Successor of St. Peter It seem'd time then to press on this Affair to a conclusion wherefore the Earl against that Night did desire again that he might see the Princess to which purpose he was at the time appointed conducted up to the Palace as he was before and found the Princess with her Mother He did approach her with the respects he thought due to his future Mistriss and having made her the Complements were proper he ask'd her pardon if he was made an Instrument to discompose her quiet and in some sort to cross her Enclinations but he thought before from the sight of her Picture and was now much more confirm'd in the Opinion by the view of her self That it was the only way to make happy a Prince whose Love and Application when she came to know him would be well able to make amends for what she might now in some measure esteem a sufferance She answer'd with a little fierceness That she was obliged to the King of England and the Duke for their good opinion but she could not but wonder why from so many Princes of more merit who would esteem that Honor and be ready to embrace it they should persist in endeavouring to force the Enclinations of another for whom it was impossible to agree to a proposition of that nature and that had vow'd her self as much as was in her power to another sort of life out of which she could never think she should be happy She desir'd his Excellency and even as he thought with Tears in her Eyes That if he had interest in his Masters he would oblige her by endeavouring yet to divert any farther persecution of a Maid who had an invincible aversion for Marriage There were Princesses enough she said in Italy and even in that House that would not be unworthy so great an Honor and that from the esteem they might have thereof would deserve it much better than she could do The Earl began to be a little peek'd at expressions he thought something too earnest in opposition of what he did desire He told her then he begg'd her pardon if he could not obey her he might have been induced to it before he saw her but it was now impossible He could not believe from what he did perceive of her That she was made for other end than to give Princes to the World which should honor it with Characters of high Vertue and Merit That his Country had need of such and he would now hazard the offending her by persisting in his demand since if he did incur her indignation he was sure at last she would not own it because it would prove to be for making her one of the most happy Princesses in Europe The Princess Mary of Esté appear'd to be at this time about Fourteen Years of Age she was tall and admirably shaped her Complexion was of the last fairness her Hair black as Jet so were her Eye-brows and her Eyes but the latter so full of light and sweetness as they did dazle and charm too There seem'd given unto them from Nature Sovereign Power power to kill and power to save and in the whole turn of her Face which was of the most graceful oval could be fram'd there was all the Features all the Beauty and all that could be great and charming in any humane Creature This Princess seem'd unsatisfied for all he could say of the Earls persistance but said no more and retired with the Dutchess after the end of the Conversation The next day his Excellency complain'd to Nardi of her Highnesses proceeding expressing dissatisfaction that having been kept in hand on pretence of the Abbot of Angeao's Negotiation for the Dispence he found now a greater difficulty would arise when that was done which was obtaining a consent from the Princess to which so lately she did express so much aversion He told him He should not find that strange nor be concern'd since the Ladies of Italy when it came to be in earnest were to have no will but that of their Friends and her Mother satisfied she would soon to have no will but that of their Friends and her Mother satisfied she would soon be brought to a more difficult matter if she thought fit The Earl then began to declare That time drew on and the meeting of the Parliament came near to which he was much circumscrib'd in his Affairs and he was obliged to come to a sudden conclusion or to depart Upon Notice whereof the Dutchess sent him notice next day of greater hopes of the young princess's concurrance whom she said had been pressed by the Duke her Brother and all her Friends so as upon the arrival of the Dispence she hoped he should be satisfied In the mean time the Treaty did proceed about the Portion which was to be Fourscore Thousand Pounds to be paid at several times according to agreements With conditions for Jointure Maintenance and other matters and upon these things there was not any disagreement But now at last came from Rome the Abbot of Angeao without the Dispensation which he could not by any means obtain by reason the Cardinal Altieri was inflexible and threats of Excommunication were issued out to any should undertake to perform or celebrate that Marriage Hereupon we were all upon the Fears and Expectation of a total Rupture The Dutchess her self a Zealous if not a Bigot Woman was in great pain about the part that might seem offensive to his Holiness or neglective of his Authority and the Princess took occasion from hence to support her unwillingness But in truth the Cardinal Barbarin of whom the Dutchess had great dependance and all the other Adherents and Relations of the House of Esté being every day more and more possessed of the Honor and Interest they were like to find in this Alliance were scandalised at the unreasonable obstinacy of the Pope and his Nephew and did franckly advise the Dutchess of Modena suddenly to make up and perfect the Marriage the peace and excuse of the thing being eafier to be had after it was done than any present Licence to be obtained for doing it The Bishop of Modena was then apply'd to for the performance but he refusing a poor English Jacobine was found Brother to Jerome White that after served the Dutchess who having nothing to lose and on whom the terror of Excommunication did not so much
of Parliament The Duke had much to do to get an exemption for himself as a respect to the advantage of his High Birth The Lords Powis Stafford Arundell and Petres were after accused of High Treason and many others In fine Hell was broke loose Malice Revenge and Ambition were supported by all that Falsehood and Perjury could contrive And lastly it was the most deplorable time that ever was seen in England But during all these Troubles the Earl of Peterborow continued firm industrious and diligent to all that could be of use and service to the Duke his Master he exposed himself in Parliament by perpetual opposition of that party he got the ill-will of the City and he made himself obnoxious to the Enemies of the Duke and his Religion in all the Provinces of England he stood up for the Innocent he to his power supported the oppressed and he declared for publick justice against publick malice and publick partiality After this things came to that height as the King was induced to send his Brother out of England whether it were he thought he was not able to protect him against the aversion of the People and Parliament or that he was weary of being urged to those generous ways of defending his Interest and Prerogative which the Duke was always ready to suggest unto him And to this he was urged by his Ministers his Minions and his Mistress The Duke then was forced to retire into Holland and after into Flanders the Earl of Peterborow remaining behind to serve his Master in what might occur in Parliament but at the instance of the prevailing party he was immediately with the rest of his Royal Highness's Friends excluded out of the Privy Council whereof before he had of some years been a Member he fell then to working by himself and all his Friends to strengthen the interest his Master had left behind he endeavour'd to make him Creatures he disabused several that had taken prejudices upon false suggestions And in fine braved his Enemies by all the important oppositions he could make against them and when the Parliament was up and that there was no more opportunity to serve him here his Lordship follow'd him into his Exile with his Wife and Family resolved to run his Fortune and support as well as he could the consequences of their displeasure who were like to be offended at such an adherence And indeed he was no sooner gone than he began to feel the weight of their resentment for there was a Pension he had given him from the King under the Great Seal of England of a Thousand pound by the Year for valuable consideration and which he had constantly received for divers Years from the date thereof that was immediately stopp'd and forbid farther to be paid by the influencing malice of the Earls of Essex and Shaftsbury He constantly then attended his Royal Highness during his stay in those Countries and at an expence as did no dishonor to his Master his Country nor the Quality of which he was and upon his Highness's notice of the King his Brother's being sick and the resolution he took thereupon to repair into England he with the Lord Churchil alone came over with him unto Windsor leaving the Dutchess and the Court at that time behind them I mention this as an introduction to an accident which after happen'd wherein his Lordship and his Royal Master had like to have been much concern'd which was effectually as shall be here set down Upon the Earl of Peterborow's arrival at London after a day or two he went to visit a noble Lady of his acquaintace the Countess of Powis who with her Family were in affliction by reason of the unjust Imprisonment and Oppression of the Earl her Husband at that time in the Tower After some discourses of the times and of the straits wherein it was believed the King the Duke and the Royal Family were all by reason of the seditious proceedings in Parliament and the disaffection had been raised towards them by the wicked Arts of their Enemies her Ladiship ask'd Whether his Lordship did not believe it might be a service to His Majesty and his Highness if some of the considerable leaders in those proceedings and designs could be taken off from their Malice and introduc'd into the King's Service and the endeavours of honestly astssiing the Crown The Earl gave his approbation of the proposition and said He did believe it would be so and that encouragement ought to be given to those that were capable to effect any such matter Her Ladiship told him then she knew an ingenious Woman who from the Calling of a Mid-wife had opportunity of frequenting domestically many considerable Families and that was intimately acquainted even with the Earl of Shaftsbury from whom she had been sometimes trusted with messages if not propositions to his Royal Highness himself although nothing had succeeded thereupon This Woman she said was passionately concern'd for the King and the Duke and had every where made it her business to soften their Enemies and make them Creatures She acquainted her Ladiship That she found divers of them susceptible of reason and to be taken off but they all feared an imaginary implacability in the Duke's Nature and that advancing his power they should but promote their own prejudices by giving him thereby opportunities of revenging the injuries they might formerly have done him So as if by receiving one or two of them into grace from the submissions they should make the rest might be disabused of the error they were in from the conceit of his revengeful Nature she did much believe it would prove of very good effect The Earl of Peterborow told the Countess of Powis he would willingly see this Woman and if the Men she named were considerable enough he would undertake upon due submissions beginning with one to make the rest see the Duke was the most gracious Prince in the World the most ready to forgive and the gladest to reclaim any Gentleman out of an ill proceeding wherein he might have been engaged through mistakes evil Counsel or Company or other Accidents that sometimes have influence over humane nature This Woman whose name was Cellier met the Earl at the same place the next day and affirming all the Countess had said told his Lordship That the fittest Man to begin withal was one Sir Robert Payton The Earl knew this Gentleman had been a Factious a Turbulent and a Discontented Man he had been turn'd out of some Employments by the endeavours and power of certain Ministers which he did after resent and endeavour to revenge upon the Government He had grown very popular presided at dangerous Clubs and carried the being Knight of the Shire for Middlesex against all the endeavours of the Court and the Loyal Party He was dangerously bold and industrious in the Parliament and his Lordship thought it not an ill service to take him off A time was appointed for
he was forc'd to depart once more from thence to conduct her home according as he had engaged himself to do In order to this he Embarked upon the Friggat the accomodations as well as the safety whereof was esteem'd more proper for both the Voyage and the Company difficulties having been experienced in the last passage aboard the Yatchts which were esteem'd would not have been so dangerous in this other sort of Embarkation His Highness proceeded then but Providence shew'd that all pre-cautions are vain and let the wise take what care they can the event and success of all things are ever in her power For the Duke had not sailed far being over or near the Coast of Yarmouth when from many circumstances of negligence or ill conduct in those who had the leading of that sailing affair the Duke's Ship struck upon a Sand and in a short time sunk down to rights all perishing in this occasion except such as could swim or had the extraordinary fortune to be saved by Boats which may be thought to have had enough to do in so distracted and divided a conjuncture But the Duke himself was preserv'd with a few in his own Pinnace by the care and Loyalty of the Seamen who would neither intrude themselves nor suffer others for their safeties to expose that of a Prince so considerable His Highness came after safely to Land at Leith and once again into the Arms of his incomparable Dutchess who was half dead though she saw him live at the fears of that which though it was now past she had heard had been once so near After some days stay they together left Scotland for the last time and came together to London where they were received with all the joy honest Men could express The Summer they spent with the King at which time was discovered the first part of the desperate Phanatick Plot divers Accusations there were and the Lord Russel was Tryed Condemned and Executed Many were Imprison'd and a great consternation appear'd upon all that Party The Earl of Peterborow was in the mean time restor'd to his place in Council and his part in the Summers actions consisted in causing Presentments to be made and Indictments in his own Country for examples sake of such as had been of Shaftsbury's Party and appear'd disaffected to the Crown with settling the Magistracy and Offices of the Militia in faithful hands so as by the end of the Year of one of the most perverse and worst enclin'd Countries of all England he did with the pains care and diligence that he apply'd render it the most exemplary and readiest to serve the King of any other In October ensuing he attended the Duke his Master to New-market and was with his Highness at the time when that fortunate Fire broke out which burnt that Town and preserv'd the King and his Brother by hastening their return to London sooner than was intended By which the assault of Rye was prevented and those measures disconcerted which in consequence were design'd to the ruine of the Kingdom and all those that loved the Royal House and the Government He continued to serve his Master with the same zeal and concern the rest of the days of King Charles at whose Sickness and sudden Death he was present and a witness of that tenderness wherewith the dying King resign'd his Dominions and all his Interest to his loving Brother as the right of his inheritance by all the Laws both of God and Man After the King's decease great endeavours were used to prevent the Earl of Peterborow from succeeding to the place under the new King wherein he had served his Majesty while he was Duke the space of twenty years together but his Master was too just and generous not to stick to his old Servant that had run so many fortunes and hazards with him He did then give his Lordship the Gold Key and thereby establish'd him Groom of the Stole and First Gentleman and Governor of his Bed-Chamber The Earl served his Majesty afterward at his Royal Coronation in bearing before him St. Edward's Scepter and after the ensuing Parliament and the passing the Bill of Attainder against the Duke of Monmouth one Evening when his Lordship expected nothing less his Majesty with a bounty and graciousness never to be forgotten took him aside and ask'd If he did not remember a promise that had once been made him to which the Earl replied He had a memory only for what pleased his Majesty who answered He had not forgotten the Garter he should have had after his attendance on him at the Sole-Bay Fight and he should find he was as mindful of old Promises as ancient Service Some days being past the King commanded the Earl's attendance at a Chapter in Whitehall and there caused him to be Invested with the George and Garter after which his Lordship was sent into the Country to raise Troops against the Rebellion wherein he did very exemplary Service to his Majesty and upon his return he with the Duke of Norfolk and the Lord Treasurer was Installed in the Royal Castle of Windsor to all the purposes and privileges which do appertain to the Noble Order of the Garter Henry Earl of Peterborow had Issue by his Wife the Lady Penelope Obrien two Daughters Elizabeth Mordaunt that dyed in the Twelfth year of her Age. Mary Mordaunt Married to Henry Howard Duke of Norfolk OSBERT le MORDAUNT a Norman Knight Osmond le Mordawnt Elena Fortis Baldwin Mordaunt Eustace le Mordaunt Alice of Alne Robert Mordaunt William de Mordaunt Amicia de Olney Agnes Mordaunt William de Merdaunt Rese de Wake Richard Merdaunt William Merdaunt Rebert de Mordaunt Ieane de Bray Nichalas Mordaunt Richard Mordaunt Edmund de Mordaunt Elena de Broc Rebert de Mordaunt Agnes le Ejlrange 〈◊〉 Mordaunt 〈◊〉 Cheney 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 Boys Edmund Fettyplace Margaret Mordaunt John Denton John Radney of Radney Stoak Anne Mordaunt John Fisher Robert de Mordaunt Elizabeth de Holdenby Cassandria Mordaunt a Nun in the Monestery of Elnestow Elizabeth Mordaunt William Mordaunt Margaret Pec. Maud Mordaunt Willm. Mordaunt Ld. of Hempsted Anne Huntington Sr. John Mordaunt Edith Latimen Eliz Mordaunt Sr. Willm. Brown Ld. of Abess Reading in Essex William Mordaunt John 1st Lord Mordaunt Elizabeth Vere Robert Mordaunt Amye de Vere Johanna Mordaunt Giles Strangway Ld. of Melborne in Com Dorsell Edith Mordaunt Iohn Elmes Ld. of Lilford George Mordaunt of the Hill Cicely Harding John 2d. Lord Mordaunt Elly Fitzlewes Edmund Mordaunt Willm. Mordaunt Ld. of Oakley Agness Booth 〈◊〉 Mordaunt 〈◊〉 Strangway 〈◊〉 Melborne 〈◊〉 Dorsell 〈◊〉 Mordaunt 〈◊〉 of Oakley 〈◊〉 Booth Dowthy Mordaunt Thomas Moore Ld. of Bampton Eliz Mordaunt Silvester Danvers Anne Mordaunt Clement Tanfield Eliz Mordaunt George Monox Lewes Lord Mordaunt Elizabeth Darcy Margaret Mordaunt Willm. Acclam Ursula Mordaunt Tho Welbore of Clavering in Essex Mary Mordaunt Thomas Mancell Lord of Morgan Henry Lord Mordaunt Margaret Compton Catherine Mordaunt Iohn Honingham
divisiones divisus existit aut reputatur fore divisum ex antiquo captum cognitum fuit quarum una pars vocatur sive cognoscitur per nomen de le East division altera per nomen de le West division eundemque Comitatum sic partitum divisum per duos separales Locumtenentes duabus separalibus Commissionibus nostris munitos armare arraiare ordinare disponere regere gubernare secundum formam Statuti praedicti equum esse duximus Sciatis igitur quod nos ad requisitionem tam praefati Johannis Comitis Exoniae quam praefati Henrici Comitis de Peterborow pro praeventione omnium omnimodarum Controversiarum Discordiarum Misprisionum Difficultatum in conjuncta Executione officii praedicti Locumtenentis Comitatus praedicti Ac etiam virtute secundum tenorem formam effectum Actus Parlamenti in praesentibus praesentatum ac pro meliori executione ejusdem potestate authoritate in eodem Actu contentis specificatis nominavimus fecimus assignavimus ac per praesentes nominamus fecimus assignamus te praefatum Henricum Comitem de Peterborow per te ipsum solum non conjunctim cum praefato Johanne Comite Exoniae Locumtenentem nostrum per in dicta parte sive divisione nuncupata sive cognita per nomen de le West division Comitatus nostri Northamptoniae praedictae per in omnibus Civitatibus Burgis Libertatibus Locis incorporatis privilegiatis ac in aliis locis quibuscunque infra Divisionem illam vocatam le West division vel infra limites vel praecincta ejusdem tenore praesentium ac virtute Actus praedicti plenius separatim distinctim potestatem authoritatem tibi damus concedimus infra le West division praedictam ad faciendum exequendum peragendum performandum omnia singula in aut per Actum Parlamenti praedicti inactitatum declaratum sive contentum quae ad hujusmodi Locumtenentem per nos vigore Actus illius nominandum seu constituendum aliqualiter spectant virtute ejusdem Actus faciendum exequendum performandum seu peragendum Et ideo tibi mandamus quod secundum tenorem formam effectum Actus Parlamenti illius in hac parte procedas ea omnia singula facere exequi cum effectu infra le West division praedictam periculo incumbente In cujus rei Testimonium has Literas nostras fieri fecimus Patentes Teste meipso apud Westmonasterium Vicesimo sexto die Maii Anno Regni nostri Vicesimo sexto Per breve de privato Sigillo Instructions for our Right Trusty and Right welbeloved Cousin Henry Earl of Peterborow our Embassador Extraordinary to the Court of Modena Given at our Court at Whitehall the Thirty first Day of July 1673. Charles R. THE occasion failing upon which we lately Instructed you in the quality of our Extraordinary Embassador to the Court of Vienna viz. The effecting a Marriage betwixt our most dear Brother JAMES Duke of York c. and the Young Archdutchess of Inspruck and our said dear Brother desiring us now to consent to his Marriage with the Young Princess of Modena Mary d' Esté Sister to the present Duke of Modena we have thought fit hereby to enjoin and direct you to make what convenient speed you possibly can to the Court of the said Prince and introducing your self there by your Letters of Credence which we herewith send you to an Audience with the Dutchess Regent after the performance of such Complements to her on our part as will best occur to you upon the Subject open unto her our Brother's earnest desire to Espouse the Young Princess her Daughter declaring withal the sufficient Authority you have to effect the same by virtue of those Powers you will herewith receive from us and our said most dear Brother And desiring of her to appoint you some Ministers with whom you may adjust all circumstances as well relating to the Marriage as the briging the Princess hither Accordingly you shall stipulate and agree such Conditions and Articles with them for the payment of the Young Princess's Portion on their part and for the establishing of a Jointure on ours as you shall be more particularly Instructed therein by our said dearest Brother who seems to be willing to settle a Jointure of Fifteen thousand Pounds per annum Sterling Money of England and even to enlarge himself further therein if the value of her Portion hitherto not certainly known to us shall require a better and further secure this clause by referring it and the time for the payment of her Portion to the Arbitration of the most Christian King as a neutral person betwixt the parties in case you do not find it easie for you finally to conclude these Points your self These Capitulations being thus finished you shall proceed to Espouse the Princess in our Brother's name according to the Deputation and Proxy he will send you to that effect and when that Ceremony is over adjust with the Dutchess Regent or her Ministers the manner of bringing the Young Princess hither which we suspect for the avoiding of many troublesome and chargeable Ceremonies she will chuse to do Incognita consequent to which you shall leave to them the defraying the expence thereof as far as Paris or Calice whither our said Brother will resolve to send a part of his Household to receive and entertain her at his charge until she arrives in our Court assuring the Dutchess Regent and the Young Princess too of all possible evidences on our part of our tender care and affection to her agreeable to the quality of her Person and the Love we shall ever bear her as our Brother's Wife Now although it be unusual to send Extraordinary Embassadors to a single Prince in Italy of that Sphere yet we have condescended unto it to honour our most dear Brother's choice of this Princess for his Wife But that on the other side our own Dignity may not suffer thereby you must be careful at your appearance in that Court to stipulate and adjust the manner of your Reception there to the full extent of such Ceremonies as have been given to the Embassadors of France and Spain that have ever appeared there and particularly those given to the Duke de Navailles when he conducted thither a Wife to the late Duke You shall not fail to give us timely notice of all your Progress and Proceedings herein by the Hands of one of our principal Secretaries of State that if need be we may transmit to you our further Instructions and Directions for the better performance of this important Service Given at our Court at Whitehall the Thirty first Day of July One thousand six hundred seventy three in the five and twentieth Year of our Reign By his Majesty's Command ARLINGTON C. R. JAMES Duke of York and Albany Earl of Ulster c. Instructions for the Earl of Peterborow