Elizabeth Gaunt for Succouring and Assisting the said Burton with Money and helping him to a Passage in order to his escape beyond the Seas and were all Three found Guilty and received Sentence of Death as in case of High Treason And on the 23 d. of October Mr. Cornish was taken out of Newgate and Drawn in a Sledg to Kings-Street-end by Guild-Hall and there Executed on a Gibbet erected for that purpose his Head set upon Guild-Hall and his Quarters upon the Gates though since taken down and his Attainder reversed in Parliament Elizabeth Gaunt was conveyed to Tyburn and there Burnt to Ashes the other two got their Pardons and a Soldier for running from his Colours was Hanged on Tower Hill On the 27 th of October Richard Nelthrop and John Ayloff were carried from Newgate to the Kings Bench Bar and there received Sentence upon their being Outlawed for High Treason and a rule was made for their Execution on the 30 th when accordingly they were executed the first before Grays Inn Gate and the last before the Temple Gate and Quartered as in Case of High Treason On the 29 th of October Sir Robert Jefferys Lord Mayor of London was Sworn for the Year ensuing before the Barons of the Exchequer and the City received him with the usual Pomp c. and about the latter end of this Month a great Scuffle happened at Wiggan in the County Palatine of Lancaster between the Towns-Men and 4 Companys of Soldiers belonging to Sir William Clifton's Regiment in which many People were hurt however the inquiry as to the Agressors being submitted to a Court Marshal the Soldiers were excused and only obliged to remit out of their Pay so much Mony as their Quarters came to it being alledged That the Crouds of People pressed upon their Artillery and Carriages and their endeavouring to keep them off began the Fray On the 6 th of November an Order of Council was Published against making Bone-fires or Fire-works at or upon any Festival Days or Times whatsoever without particular leave first had from the King or Council-Board or signified to them by the Lord Mayor of London or by the Justices of Peace of the Respective Limmits upon Pain of Displeasure and being Prosecuted with the utmost Severity of the Law and some were taken up and Imprisoned on this occasion but upon submission and acknowledgment most of them Released And on the 20 th of November the King by the Lord Chancellour Prorogued the Parliament to the 19 th of February On the 4 th of December Robert Earl of Sunderland Principal Secretary of State was declared Lord President of the Council and took his place And divers new Charters about this time were Granted to sundry Corporations On the 10 th of December One Charles Bateman a Chirurgion was Tryed upon an Indictment of High-Treason for Conspiring the Death of King Charles the Second and to raise Rebellion within the Kingdom c. of which the Jury found him Guilty and he the next day received Sentance of Death as in Case of Treason and upon the 18 th was Executed at Tyburn where he made a very Pious End and his Head and Quarters afterwards set up in divers places And the King Appointed the Lord Viscount Tiveot Coll. Robert Phillips and John Evelyn do in the Absence of his Excellence the Earl of Clarendon who was made Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and on his way theither being Attended to the utmost Limits of this Kingdom with a Numerous and Gallant Train and received at Dublin with all the Demonstrations of Joy usual on that Occasion and the Earl of Huntingdon was appointed Lord Cheif Justice and Justice in Eyre of all the King's Forrests Chaces Parks and Warrens on the South side of Trent And on the 29 th the Bishop of Durham was Sworn Dean of the Chaple Royal and the Bishop of Rochester Clerk of the Closet to the King On the 30 th of December John Hambden Esq was Arraigned at the Old-Baily upon an Indictment of High-Treason but was afterwards Pardoned And a Proclamation was published for the further Prorogation of the Parliament viz. to the 10 th of May 1689. On the 8 th of February Thomas Saxton was brought to his Tryal at the Kings Bench-Bar upon an Indictment of Perjury in wilfully Forswearing himself at the Tryal of Henry Lord Delamere and the Jury found him Guilty without going from the Bar and afterward received Sentence to stand in the Pillory before VVestminsterx-Hall gate Temple Bar and the Royal Exchange and to be Whiped from New-gate to Tyburn and to pay 500 Marks as a Fine and he did stand in the Pillory and was Whiped Phlibert Vernatti who had been Attainted by Outlawry for Murthering Sr. Edmunbury Godfry appeared likewise at the Kings-Bench and being admitted to Reverse the Outlawry by Writ of Error tookâ— a kind of a pretended Tryal as knowingâ— doubtless no Witness would appear for that Miles Prance and others being called and not coming into Court the Jury was necessiated to Aâ—quit him and the Parliament Meeting on the 10 th of February was Prorogued by Commission to the 10 th of May. On the 13 th of February Sr. Thomas Jenner was Appointed one of the Baroâ—â— of the Exchequer in the place of Sr. VVilliam Gregory and Sr. Henry Bedingfield was Appointed a Justice of the Common-Pleas in the stead of Sr. Creswel Levens and Sr. John Holt was Constituted Recorder of London On the 10 th of March 1685. The King-Signed a Proclamation of General Pardon yet full of Exceptions in Sundry matters and cases Excluding from the benefit of it a great number by Name especially the most considerable Persons that had Escaped the Battle of Sedgmore or were concerned in the business of the VVest however divers Addresses followed it and sundry clusters were granted or restored and thus ended the most Remarkable Transactions of the year 1685. The year 1686. began with Storms in which a great many Ships were cast away and the shoars in many places were strew'd with Wrecks c. And on the 21 st of April Sr. Thomas Jones Lord Cheif Justice of the Common-Pleas VVilliam Montague Esq Lord Cheif Baron of the Exchequer Sr. Job Charleton one of the Justices of the Common-pleas and Sir Edward Nevil one of the Barons of the Exchequer had their Quietus and others appointed in in the stead however Sir Job Charleton was made Cheif Justice of Checter and a Call of Serjeants was made by Writ and they took their Oaths accordingly at the Chancery-Bar the first day of Easter Term and performed the Ceremonies usual on that occasion Presenting Rings with this Motto viz. Deus Rex Lex And an Order about this time was Published by the King and Council strictly Commanding any one to Betrary or Seduce any Person to the Forreign Plantations in America c. without their Consent and being lawfully bound before a Majestrate or such as should be thereunto Appointed which for a
Gracious Letter into our Consideration hoping shortly by the Blessing of God to fall upon such Resolutions as may be Acceptable to Your Majesty secure the Protestant Religion and Establish the Government Laws and Liberties of this Kingdom upon solid Foundations most agreeable to the General Good and Inclination of the People As for the Proposals of the Union we doubt not but Your Majesty will so dispose the Matter that there may be an equal Readiness in the Kingdom of England to Accomplish it as one of the best means for the securing the Happiness of these Nations and setling a lasting Peace we have hitherto and still shall endeavour to avoid Animosities or Prejudice which might disturb our Councils that as we Design the Publick Good so it may be done with the General Concurrence and Approbation of the Nation and in the mean time we Desire the Continuance of Your Majesties Care and Protection towards us in all our Concerns whereof the kind Expressions in Your Gracious Letter has given us full Assurance Signed c. On the 31 st of March Dr. Gilbert Burnet Bishop Elect of Salisbury was Consecrated according to the Form prescribed in the Book of Common-Prayer in the Chapple in the Pallace of Fullham by the Bishops of London Lincoln Landaff St. Asaph and Carlisle by vertue of a Commission granted them by his Grace the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and now by Reason of this great Revolution Hillary Term being omitted an Act was passed for renewing of Actions and Processes lately depending in the Courts at Westminster and discontinued by the not holding the said Term and for supplying the defect relating to proceedings at Law an Act for exhibiting a Bill in the present Parliament for the Naturalizing the most Noble Prince George of Denmark and an other for punishing Officers or Soldiers that shall Mutiny or Desert their Majesties Service On the 3 d. of April at a Chapter held of the most Noble Order of the Garter Duke Frederick Mareschal d' Schomberge General of his Majesties Forces and Master General of the Ordinance and the Right Honourable William Earl of Devonshire Lord Steward of his Majesties Houshold were elected Knights Companions of the Noble Order and were invested with the Garter and George having been first Knighted by the Sovereign with the usual Ceremonies and the Lord Bishop of Salisbury was sworn and admitted Chancellour of the Order A great many Arms being imbezled by the Soldiers that had formerly been disbanded or were diserted a Proclamation was Published for their Discovery commanding the Delivery and bringing in such Arms and other Matters relating thereto with a value set to such as should bring them in or Discover them On the 5 th of April his Grace the Duke of Ormond was Installed in St. Georges Chapple at Windsor Knight and Companion of the Noble Order of the Garter with the usual Ceremonies and about this time the King published a Declaration to assure such English as were in his Service in the Low-Countries of full English pay upon the English Establishment as full to all Intents and Purposes as any other Regiment of his Subjects remaining within the Kingdom of England and proceeded to make many Creations of Honour conferring them on worthy Patriots of their Country and on the 9 th of April coming to the Parliament House He passed an Act for the Establishing the Coronation Oath an Act for Naturalizing the most Noble Prince George of Denmark and settling his Precedence an Act for Naturalizing Frederick Count Schomberge and others and Two Regiments were Embarqued for Ireland under Collonel Coningham and Collonel Richards and other Preparations made to follow them in order to relieve the Protestants that yet held out The Convention of the Estates of Scotland for several Reasons mentioned in an Act for that Purpose declared King Iames to have forefaulted the Right of his Crown and that the Throne was became Vacant and thereupon Voted and Ordered that the Committee for setling the Government should bring in an Act for setling the Crown upon their Majesties William and Mary King and Queen of England and to consider the Terms of Destination of Heirs of the Crown and likewise to prepare and bring in an Instrument of Government to be offered with the Crown c. And about this time a Barbarous Murther was committed upon the Person of Sir George Lockheart President of the Sessions in that Kingdom one Cheesely shooting him through the Back as he was going from Church because he had compelled Cheesely to allow his Wife and Children Maintenance for which the Murtherer was tortured to oblige him to confess his Accomplices but he accused noman whereupon he was sentenced to have his Hand cut off and nailed to the Gallows and then to be hanged and afterward hanged in Chains which was accordingly Executed The 11 th of April being appointed for the Day of their Majesties Coronation at Westminster great were the Preparations and their Majesties being come from White-Hall to Westminster the Nobility c. being put in order by the Heâ—aulds they came down into Westminster Hall where the Sword and Spurs were presented to them After which the Dean and Prebendaries of VVestminster having brought the Crowns and other Regalia presented them sevarally to their Majesties which with the Sword and Spurs were delivered to those Lords that were appointed to carry them Then the Procession began in this manner Drums and Trumpets six Clerks in Chancery two a Breast as all the rest of the Proceeding went Chaplains having Dignities Aldermen of London Masters in Chancery Solicitor and Attorny General Gentlemen of the Privy-Chamber Judges Children of Westminster and of the Kings Chapple Cheair of Westminster Prebands of Westminster Master of the Jewel-house Privy-Councellors not Peers Two Pursuivants Barronesses Borons Bishops a Pursuivant a Viscountess Viscounts twoâ—Heraulds Countesses Earls a Herauld a Marchioness two Heraulds Dutches Dukes two Kings of Arms the Lord Privy-Seal Lord President of the Council Arch-Bishop of York his Royal Highness the Prince of Denmark two Persons Repesenting the Dukes of Aquitain and Normandy Then the Lords who bore Their Majesties Regalia viz. The Earl of Manchester St. Edwards Staff the Lord Grey of Ruthin the Spurs the Earl of Clare the Queens Scepter with the Cross the Earl of Northampton the Kings the Earls of Shrewsbury Pembroek and Derby the Three Swords Then Garter King at Arms between the Usher of the Black-Rod and the Lord Mayor of London the Great Chamber-Lain single the Earl of Oxford with the Sword of State between the Duke of Norfolk Earl Marshal of England and the Duke of Ormond Lord High Constable for the Day then the Earl of Bedford with the Queens Scepter of the Dove and the Earl of Rutland with the Kings the Duke of Boulton with the Queens Orbe and the Duke of Grafton with the Kings the Duke of Somerset with the Queens Crown and the Earl of of Devonshire who was made High Steward of England for
A Prospect take of those who next Heav'ns hand Routed Rome's Powers and sav'd the drooping Land Whilst promis'd Blessings croud About the Throne And all with Joy the happy Change do owne A Faithful ACCOUNT OF THE Present State OF AFFAIRS IN England Scotland and Ireland OR The Remarkable Transactions and Proceedings that have happened in these Kingdoms since the Discovery of the Horrid Popish Plot Anno 1678. to this present Year 1689 90. Plainly shewing the State of Affairs from time to time in Peace and War but more particularly what has happened under the Government and Reign of their present Majesties King William and Queen Mary and of our wonderful Deliverance from Popery and Slavery c. By E. C. LICENSED and Entered according to Order London Printed for Tho. Bever at the Hand and Star next the Middle Temple-Gate near Temple-Bar 1690. THE PREFACE TO THE READER READER I Have undertaken this Historical Account that the hand of Providence may be the more fully seen in our many signal and great Deliverances it being a Collection of such Transactions as from time to time have publickly happened whereby it appears how all along the Projects and Devices of the Enemies of our Religion have been frustrated even when they supposed themselves the surest As likewise the various turns of Affairs laid down in such Order as will not only refresh them in the the Memories of such as have been Conversant and knowing in Matters of this kind but instruct those that are Ignorant of them and be a means to convey them to Posterity I need not much Appologize in a Work of this Nature but only declare what is done is faithfully laid down as it has in the several Periods occurred viz. In part of the Reign of King Charles the Second the Reign of King James the Second but more largely since the beginning of our present great and wonderful Deliverance from Popery and Arbitrary Power by their present most sacred Majesties King William and Queen Mary and so refering you to what is contained in the following Pages I Remain Reader Your very Humble Servant E. C. A Faithful Account of the Remarkable Transactions and Proceedings that have happened in the Kingdoms of England Scotland and Ireland VVHen the Nations seemed to be in a Calm as having Peace abroad and Plenty at home and every one promised him â—elf a large Portion of Felicity Trading being in its height all on a suddain Mens Minds were strangely amused and disturbed upon the Discovery of a Horrid Plot designed against the Life of King Charles the Second As likewise all his Protestant Subjects by way of Massacre to the utter Subversion of the Protestant Religion True it is for some time it was held as it were in Suspense but a Testimony most apparent confirming what had been Discovered by Dr. Oats and Dr. Tongue viz. The Murthering Sir Edmond-Bury Godfrey whose Body was found with the Neck broke and a Sword thrust through it at a place called Primrose-Hill a Mile or Two out of Town On the 12 th of October 1678. after he had been Three Days missing the King upon notice was extreamly troubled and upon further Enquiry it appearing that he as a Justice of Peace for the County of Middlesex had taken Dr. Oats's Depositions c. concerning the Plot he Discovered it was conjectured he had been Murthered by some Villains to stifle that Affair and the Coroner's Inquest having found him to be Murthered on the 20 th of that Month the King Published a Proclamation for the Apprehending the Murtherers with the offer of a Reward of 500. l. to any that should make the Discovery and that if any of the Murtherers should discover the rest whereby they or any of them should be Apprehended he should not only have his Offence pardoned but receive the said Reward and a few Days after there being private Intimation that some Persons who could discover the manner of the Circumstances and yet were with-held through fear of the Revenge the Murtherers or their Friends might take the King renewed his Promise that they should not only immediately receive the Reward but that he would take such Effectual Courses for the security of such Discoverers as they should in Reason propose and the same Month a Proclamation was Published for a General Fast on the 13 th of the following November and the King acquainted upon the Informations that he had received the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and Commons in Parliament of the Design against his Life and Government which was followed by a Proclamation commanding all Persons being Popish Recusants and so reputed to depart from the Cities of London and Westminster and other Places within Ten Miles of the same and the King further Declared in Council that whosoever should make a Discovery of any Officer or Souldier of his Horse or Foot Guards who having formerly taken the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy and the Tests enjoyned by Act of Parliament for the preventing Dangers which may happen from Popish Recusants and had since or for the future should be preverted to the Romish Religion or hear Mass the Discoverer upon Intimation given to the Duke of Monmouth Lord General of His Majesties Forces should have the Reward of 20. l. for every Officer or Soldier and divers accused and suspected Persons as well of the Nobility as others were taken up and committed On the 9 th of November the King being seated in his Throne in the House of Lords at Westminster and the Commons attending he made the following Speech My Lords and Gentlemen I am so very sensible of the Great and Extraordinary Care you have already taken and still continue to shew for the Preservation of my Person in these Times of Danger that I could not satisfie my self without coming hither on purpose to give you all my most hearty thanks for it Nor do I think it enough to give you my thanks only but I hold my self obliged to let you see withal that I do as much stâ—dy your Preservation to as I can possibly and that I am ready to join with you in all the ways and means that may Establish a firm security of the Protestant Religion as your own Hearts can wish and this not only during my time of which I am sure you have no fear but in all future Ages even to the end of the World And therefore I am come to assure you that whatsoever Reasonable Bills you shall present to be passed into Laws to make you safe in the Reign of any Successor so as they tend not to Impeach the Right of Succession nor the Descent of the Crown in the True Line and so as they restrain not my Power nor the just rights of any Protestant Successor shall find from me a ready concurrence And I desire you withal to think of some more effectual means for the Conviction of Popish Recusants and to expedite your Councils as fast as you can that the World
was found with his Sword run through him under colour to make it suspected he murthered himself Lawrence Hill Henry Bury and Robert Green were on the 10th of February tryed for the Murther at the Kings-Bench Bar where they were found Guilty upon the Evidence of Captain William Bedlow and the positive Oath of Miles Prance who swore himself to be immediately concerned in the Murther though since the popish Priests have prevailed upon him to recant as will appear hereafter and one Samuel Atkins was likewise Indicted as an Accessary to the Murther but acquitted and according to Sentence Green Bury and Hill were Executed at Tyburn where they denyed the Fact And this month Sir Joseph Williamson giving place the Earl of Sunderland was appointed Principal Secretary of State And now the time being come for the Judges to go the Lenten Circuit they had a strict Charge to recommend to the Justices of Peace and other Magistrates the putting the Laws in execution against popish Recusants and to see it done themselves as much as in them lay And upon the Kings Command the Duke and Dutchess of York departed for Holland and there went Ashoar at Masland-sluyce and so to the Hague and were received at the Court. On the 28th of March another Proclamation was issued out for a publick Fast to implore the further Protection of Almighty God in preserving us from our Enemies and commanded to be strictly kept and it was accordingly observed with more than ordinary Devotion and Solemnity And thus passed over the memorable Transactions of the latter part of the year 1678. In April 1679. The Knights Citizens and Burgeâ—ses in Parliament assembled having in the Name of themselves and all the Commons of England impeach'd William Earl of Powis William Viscount Stafford William Lord Petre Henry Lord Arundel of Wardour and John Lord Bellasis Prisoners in the Tower upon divers Articles of High Treason and other high Crimes and Offences at the Bar of the House of Lords c. The said Prisoners were on the Ninth of April except the Lord Bellasis by reason of his illness of the Gout brought to the Bar of the Lords-House where kneeling and afterwards standing the Articles of their Impeachment were Read upon which they made several Petitions to the House that they might have Copies of their Charge and time to Answer thereto that they might be allowed Council and that their Witnesses might be summoned and have Liberty to come and Return And that that they might have the use of such Records as they should have occasion for which were granted them but with limitation that their Council should only assist them in matters of Law And the Lord Bellasis was allowed though absent a Copy of his Charge After this those that were present were remanded to the Tower and being brought again the 16th they delivered their Answers to the Articles of Charge and were reconducted to the Tower and on the 20th of April the King dissolved his Privy Council and called another putting forth a Declaration to shew his reasons for so doing appointing his new Council to consist of Thirty Persons Fifteen whereof were to be certain and the rest to be Elective at his pleasure Ten out of the Nobility and Five Commoners besides a Lord President a Secretary of Scotland and such of the Princes of the Blood as should be at Court the King acquainting his Parliament that next his great Council he would be advised by that Council and on the 30th of April being seated on the Throne and the Commons attending he made a Speech to both Houses recommending to them three particulars viz. The Prosecution of the Plot the Disbanding of the Army and the setting out a Fleet. And after that the Lord Chancellour opened to them the Kings Mind concerning the securing the Religion and Liberty in future Reigns And another Proclamation was published for Banishing Papists ten miles from London As also another for the Discovery and Apprehending several Persons suspected to have contrived and acted in fellonous Burning Houses in and about the City of London as Morice Gifford a popish Priest Roger Clinton Derby Molrain alias Fowler and several others of the Romish Religion On the 13th of May a Villanous and Barbarous Murther was committed upon the Person of the Arch-Bishop of St. Andrews Primate of Scotland by several desperate Ruffians on Horse-back who Seizing him in his Coach on the Road dragged him out and not giving him as he earnestly requested so much time as to say his Prayers beat out his Brains for which several of them were afterwards deservedly Hanged being ridged Sectaries And now the Parliament of England considering the Kings urgent Occasions granted him a supply of Two Hundred and Six thousand Four Hundred and Sixty Two Pounds Seventeen Shillings and Three pence for paying off and disbanding the Forces raised since the 29th of September 1677. And accordingly Commissioners were appointed to disband those Forces And the same Month he gave the Royal Assent to a Bill for the better securing the Liberty of the Subject and for Prevention of Imprisonment beyond the Seas As likewise a Bill for the Engrossing the Records of Fines burnt in the Fire that a little before had consumed the greatest part of the Temple The latter end of this Month a great number of discontented People armed in Scotland proclaiming the Covenant and putting out a Declaration of Grievances burning publickly several Acts of Parliament which they seemed to be disgusted at and many Hostilities ensued their number dayly encreasing but the Duke of Monmouth passing into that Kingdom with an Army utterly defeated and scattered them in the Fight of Bothwell Bridge and several of the Ring-Leaders were taken and Executed On the 13 th of June Thomas White alias Whitebread Provincial of the Jesuits in England William Harcourt pretended Rector of London John Fenwick Procurator for the Jesuits in England John Gaven and Anthony Turner all Jesuits and Priests were Tried at the Old-Bayly where they were found Guilty of High-Treason in Conspiring the Death of the King c. And the next Day Richard Langhorn a Councellor at Law was Tryed and found Guilty upon the like Account and they were all Executed soon after at Tyburn In the begining of July a dreadful Fire happened at East Deerham and burnt down the greatest part of the Town destroying Six or Seaven People and almost all the Substance of the Inhabitants On the 12 th the King Published a Proclamation for dissolving the Parliament declaring his Purpose was to meet his People in frequent Parliaments giving Directions thereupon to the Lord Chancellour to Issue out Writs for the Calling of another Parliament to Sit at Westminster the 7 th of October following On the 18 th Sir George Wakeman the Queen's Physitian William Marshal William Rumley and James Corker were tryed at the Old-Bayly upon Indictments of High-Treason in Conspiring the Death of the King c. But contrary to the Expectation of
many and perhaps their own were found not Guilty For as soon as they were at Liberty they went to visit other Countries John Evans and William Lloyd Two Popish Priests were condemned at the Assizes holden at Cardriff About the latter end of August the King fell sick at Windsor and had divers dangerous Fits of a Tertian Ague and continued for many days indisposed insomuch that People began to be in doubt of his Recovery The News of which being speedily conveyed to the Duke his Brother in Flanders he hasted over and on the 2 d. of September contrary to the Expectation of many arrived at Windsor and told the King ' that hearing of his Indisposition he thought he could do no less then come to wait upon him and see how he did adding he was ready as soon as his Majesty pleased to return into Flanders or any other part of the World he should Command him to go to ' It having amongst other things been discovered that Four Ruffians were hired to kill the King at Windsor He put forth his Proclamation for Apprehending them but they made their escape till the storm was over and now the Duke of Monmouth upon some Matters suggested falling into the King's Displeasure had many of his Great Offices and Places of Trust taken from him and Ordered to leave the Court Whereupon he passed the Seas for Holland but finding in his Progress into other Parts that it was not safe for him considering the Attempts that might be made upon his Person of which he had warning through the many Affronts he had given him he returned soon after without being sent for And Writs being issued out for the Calling a Parliament to Sit at Westminster On the 7 th of October a Proclamation was Ordered to be issued out to Prorogue the Sitting to the 30 th of the said Month And the Duke and Dutchess of York had Leave to go to Scotland whither upon her Arrival from Holland they departed in few Days and a Commission was Ordered for the Prorogation of the Parliament till tthe 26 th of January and the Earl of Shaftsbury was removed from being President of the Council and the Earl of Radnor was appointed President and Sir William Jones getting leave of the King to quit his Place of Attorney General Sir Creswel Levins was appointed to that Station Sir Robert Clayton having been chosen Lord Mayor for the City of London he on the 29 th of October was sworn at Westminster before the Barons of the Exchequer and returning went to Guild-Hall with the accustomed Splendor and Magnificence where the Judges and a great many of the Nobility accompanied him at a Sumptuous Entertainment And this Month the King Ordered a Proclamation to be issued out for the more effectual and speedy Discovery and Prosecution of the Popish Plot for now the Papists growing more confident began to ply their Instruments for shaming their Plot upon the Protestants and some dangerous Papers were found in the bottom of Mrs. Celliers Meal Tub for which she was committed Prisoner to New-Gate especially upon Thomas Dangerfield's making his Discovery as likewise one Mrs. Rugaut and John Gadbury was committed to the Gate House the Earl of Castlemain to the Tower and other Persons accused were taken into the Custody of the King's Messengers one great Matter was that Dangerfield had been hired or induced to Plant several Treasonable and Dangerous Papers in Collonel Roderick Mansel's Chamber importing a designed Insurrection of divers Protestants with a List of some designed for Officers c. And the Countess of Powis being likewise accused by Dangerfield was committed to the Tower and divers Persons being examined before the Council acknowledged several Circumstantial Matters that strengthened Dangerfield's Evidence whereupon he had his Pardon as likewise had one Serjeant a secular Priest whom the King on this Occasion had sent for out of Holland And another Proclamation was put forth for the more Effectual Discovery of Jesuits and of the Estates belonging to them or to any Popish Colledge Seminary or other Popish and Superstitious Foundation And the King about this time granted a General Pardon to those concerned in the Late Insurrection in Scotland except some of the Ring-leaders and particularly the Murtherers of the Arch-Bishop of St. Andrews in case they Signed a Bond upon Condition never to rise up in Arms against Him or His Authority the which Five taken at Bothwell-Bridge were so obstinately Foolish as to refuse and to justifie their Proceedings Likewise to declare the Murther of the Arch-Bishop no Sin whereupon after Tryal they were Sentenced by the Lords Justicers to be Hanged in Chains at the place where the Murther was committed which was put in Execution and on the 24 th of November the Duke and Dutchess of York arrived at Edenburg and were received by most of the Nobility residing in those Parts and he soon after Received into the Privy-Council of that Kingdom On the 12 th of December a Proclamation was Issued out for the prorogation of the Parliament of England to the 11 th of the ensuing November and the King appointed a Committee of the Lords of His Privy Council to consider the most effectual means for putting the Laws in Execution against Papists and the suppression of Popery and other matters tending to that Affair and that the Justices of Peace should be permitted to Search Somerset-House at any time in the Queens absence as also St. James's for Priests and Papists And in January David Joseph Kemish William Russel alias Nap Henry Starkey William Marshal James Corker Lionel Anderson alias Munson Charles Parris alias Parrey and Alexander Lundsden were Arraigned at the Old Baily for High Treason upon the Statute of the 27 th of Elizabeth who being born Subjects of the King of England and having taken orders of Priest-hood by the authority derived from the See of Rome had come and remained in England contrary to the Statute and all but Keemish whose Sickness rendered him incapable of it were Tryed and six Convicted of High Treason and afterwards by Judgment attainted according to the Statute but a special Verdict was found for Lundsden he being a Scotch man and a Question arising whether he was within the purvey of the Statute or no but however being Convicted only as Priests none of them suffered but after a long Imprisonment in Newgate got their Liberty On the 9 th of February amongst other Matters Gadbury pleaded his Pardon at the Kings Bench Bar Westminster and Sir Thomas Gascoin a Roman Catholick having been accused by one Baldron and Mobray he was Tryed upon an Information of High Treason but was acquitted Sir Lionel Ienkins upon Mr. Secretary Coventry's request to leave that Station was appointed Secretary of State On the 24 th of February the Duke and Dutchess of York arrived from Scotland and were received by the King with much Joy and Satisfaction And the King having released a Judgment obtained upon a Quo
the Defence of that Kingdom On the 19 th of May the Parliament met at Westminster pursuant to the Writs of Summons and the Commons being by the Black Rod sent for up to the House of Lords the Lord Keeper declared to them That it was his Majesties Pleasure to defer Speaking to them till both Houses had taken the Oathes appointed to be taken by Act of Parliament and then he would Declare his Mind to them concerning the Cause of Calling them And further That the Gentlemen of the House of Commons should go apart and proceed immediately to the Choice of a Speaker and accordingly they chose Sir John Trevor who was approved by the King And on the 22 d. of May the King made a Speech to both Houses promising to maintain the Government in Church and State in all its Rights and Priviledges demanding a Settlement of the Revenue for Life and further supplies â— proceeded to let them know he had received News that the Earl of Argyle was Landed in the VVest Highlands of Scotland with the Men he brought with him out of Holland and that he had put out Two Declarations one in his own Name and the other in the Names of those he brought over with him c. Upon this the Commons going to their House Voted the Revenue should be settled and that a Bill should be brought in for that purpose And the Lords and Commons declared their Resolutions to stand by and assist him And the Scots began likewise to stir to prevent the Danger that threatned that Kingdom from a geathering Army passing divers Acts and putting forth sundry Proclamations and raising Forces especially in the Highlands for the Earles Declation spread abroad many believed they contained somewhat of Reason and thereupon went unto him so that in a short time from about 300. he brought over with him he became about 3000. strong fortefying some Places and keeping the Islands On the 30 th of May Thomas Dangerfield was tryed at the King's Bench-Bar for Writing and Publishing a Book called his Narative and a Verdict passed against him and in the Afternoon at a Nisiprius held at Guild Hall Mr. Richard Baxter was Tryed and Convicted for Writing Notes upon the New Testament and the same Day the Act for setling the Revenues on the King for Life as it was in King Charles's Time passed the Royal Assent On the 1 st of June about Five in the Morning Her Royal Highness the Princess Ann of Denmark was Delivered of a Daughter which in the Afternoon was Christened by the Lord Bishop of London by the Name of Mary The Earl of Argyle being by this time on the firm Land sent out his Summons from Campletown in these Words viz. Being by the Blessing of God came safe to this Place with a Resolution according to a Declaration emitted for the Defence of the Protestant Religion and our Lives and Liberties against Popery and Arbitrary Government and all the Fensible Men of Illa being come this Length and this Country being this Day together at a General Rendesvous these are to require all Heritors Tenants and Others and all the Fensible Men within the division of Cowal between Sixty and Sixteen with all their Useful Arms and Two Week Loan to come to Tarbet against Tuseday the 26th Instant at Twelve of the Clock without fail or sooner if possible And in Order to this he sent to Cowal and dispersed divers Letters and a great many Persons came in but the Highlanders for the most part declared for the King However the Earl on the 26 th of June Marched from Campletown in Kintaire with Two Troops of Horse and 700. Foot to Tarbet and there met 200. of the Illa Men and 200. more were expected and mustered on the 28 th and the Three Ships belonging to him the greatest carrying 30â— Guns and other small Vessels afterward taken up came likewise into the Port and from thence he passed to divers other places Sailing round the Islands and taking in such Men as would join him and amongst other Letters we find the following dated at Campletown May 22. 1685 and directed to the Laird of Lupe Loving Friends It hath pleased God to bring me safe to this Place where several of both Nations do appear with me for the Defence of the Protestant Religion our Lives and Liberties against Popery and Arbitrary Government whereof the particulars are emitted in Two Declarations by those Noblemen Gentlemen and Others and by me for my self Your Father and I lived in great Friendship and I am glad to serve you his Son in Defence of the Protestant Religion and I will be ready to do it in your particular when there is Occasion I beseech you let not any out of Fear or bad Principles perswade you to neglect your Duty to God and your Country at this time or to believe that the D. York is not a Papist or that being one he can be a Righteous King Then know that all England is in Arms in Three several Places and the Duke of Monmouth appears at the same time upon the same Grounds that we do and few Places in Scotland but will join and the South and West want but till they hear I am Landed for so they resolved before I left Holland Now I beseech you make no delay to separate from those that abuse you and are carrying on a Popish Design but come with all the Men of your Command to assist the Cause of Religion where you shall be most welcome to your Loving Friend to serve you Argyle P. S. Let this serve Young Loigie Skipuag and Charles Mc. Echan By this time the Charlotte Yatch was arriv'd in the Clyde and several Men of War were dispatched from England as the Falcon Mairmaid c. and several Warrants were issued out for Persons in England that had retired from their Houses and publick notice given in the Gazette for the apprehending them On the 13 th of June an Express came to the King at White-Hall by the Mayor of Lyme that on the 11 th there appeared Three Ships off that place and about 7 in the Evening the Duke of Monmouth Landed with about 150. Men and possessed himself of that Town sending some of his Men into the Neighbouring Counties to incite the People to Rise whereupon a Proclamation was put forth for Apprehending him his Adherents Adbettors Accomplices and Advisers And the King sent notiâ—e of the Dukes Landing to both Houses of Parliament then Sitting at Westminster who severally Addressed him and promised him in their Addresses to stand by him with their Lives and Fortunes intreating him to have more than ordinary Care of his Royal Person to secure it from any Attempt c. And on the 15 th of June a Proclamation was Published to Suppress the Duke's Declaration Entituled The Declaration of James Duke of Monmouth and the Noblemen Gentlemen and others now in Arms for the Defence and Vindication of the Protestant Religion
and should be Recommended by the Lord Lieutenants On the 30 th of September divers of the Bishops were sent for to White-Hall and received into Favour and the King let them know that he would signifie his pleasure for taking off the Suspension of the Lord Bishop of London which was done accordingly and a Proclamation was Published giving notice of the suddain Invasion expected from Holâ—and and the Writs that had been Issued out for Election of Members to sit in Parliament were by this Proclamation re-called and discharged and all People Commanded to be in a readness foâ— Defence and charged on pain of High Treasâ—â— noâ— to be Corresponding Aiding 〈◊〉 or Countenancing any of the Inâ—aders 〈◊〉 And hereupon the Dukâ—â— of 〈…〉 â—erwick were Elected Knight◠〈◊〉 of the Order and 〈…〉 the â—arter and George having 〈◊〉 first Knighted by the Soveraign and 〈◊〉 â—ew Commissions were given out to raise Men in divers Counties whâ—lst some â—oble Men came in to offer their Service And now the Church of England came again into the Thoughts of the Court the King being pleased to declare in Council on the 5 th of October That in pursuance to his Intention and Resolution to Protect the Church of England and that all Suspitions and Jealousies to the contrary might be removed He thought fit to dissolve the Commission for Causes Ecclesiastical c. And accordingly gave Directions to the Lord Chancellour that it might be forth-with done And his Grace the Duke of Newcastle was appointed Lord Lieutenant of the Three Ridings of the County of York On the 6 th the City of London had re-restored to her all her Ancient Franchises and Priviledges as fully as she injoyed them before the Judgment upon the Quo Warranto and the Lord Chancellour Jefferys brought an Instrument of Restitution and Confirmation under the great Seal of England and Sir John Eyles who by appointment succeeded Sir John Shorter he Dying before the expiration of his Mayoralty had his Quietus Sir Iohn Chapman being by this Instrument appointed Lord Mayor until the Feast of Simon and Jude and was Sworn in the Guild-Hall with the usual Solemnity and the Aldermen that were in being at the time of the said Judgment were restored to their places and the Vacancies left to be supplyed by Election according to the Ancient Custom And from this Message no doubt the Chancellor took a presage of his falling Greatness for instead of being received with Shouts and Acclamations he was affronted in his return by several Inferiour Persons and took it very patiently contrary to his wonted fiery Humour yet the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Sheriffs Addressed the King upon this occasion as likewise did the Lieutenancy of the City And the Lords of the Privy Council of Scotland sent a Letter signed by many of them to let the King know into what a Postuâ—â— they had put that Kingdom for Defence On the 10th of October the King was pleased to signifie That having received several Complaints of great Abuses and Irregularities committed in the late Regulations of Corporations He thought fit to Authorize and Require the Lords Lieutenants of the several Counties to inform themselves of all such Abuses and Irregularities within their Lieutenancies and to make forthwith Report thereof to himself together with what they conceived fit to be done for redressing the same and that then be would give such further Orders as should be requisite And hereupon some few Addresses followed and the Lord Bishop of Winchester was impowered as Visitor of St. Mary Magdelens Colledge in Oxford to settle the Society regularly and statutably whereupon the Popish Tribe was turned out and those worthy Persons who had been causelesly dismissed restored to their fellowships c. and had power to chuse themselves a President On the 13 th of October Sir John Chapman was Elected Lord Mayor for the enâ—suing Year and Sir Humphry Edwin and Mr. John Fleet afterwards Knighted by the King were Elected Sheriffs and Siâ— Peter Rich Chamberlain And a Proclamation bearing Date the 〈◊〉 was puâ—lished for restoring Corporatione to theâ— ancient Charters Liberties Râ—ghts and Franchises and to displace many of those who bore Offices or haâ— plâ—ces of Truff unduly obtained by the taking away such Charters or put in by the Regulators and leave for 〈◊〉 aâ— had been wrongfully 〈…〉 though late this 〈…〉 he had been abâ—â—ed and Imposed on by such as sought their own advantage and revenge before his â—rue Interest and the well-fare of the Kingdoms And now the Infant having before been privately Christened was Solemnly named at the Chapple of St. James's amidst the Ceremonies and Rites of Baptism as used in the Church of Rome viz. James Francis Edward the Pope by his Nuncio standing for God-Father and the Queen Dowager as God-mother and divers new Lord Lientenants were appointed in the Countys c. And a Proclamation bearing date the 20 th of October was published for driving all Cattle of Draught Oxen c. 20 Miles from the Shoar and that the Coasts should be diligently Guarded which was given in charge to those that were in power in the respective Counties as well Civil as Miâ—itary And although a considerable Army was on Foot under the Command of the Earl of Feversham as also a Fleet at Sea under the Command of the Earl of Dartâ—outh yet such parâ—â—ck â—ear had seized the Priests and such Ministers of State as wore 〈◊〉 of evil Practices that they were prâ—parâ—â— to be on the Wing and made it a great part of theâ—â— Business to gaze upon the Weather-Cocks and observe which way the Wind stood and to that end a Vane was placed on the highest part of the Banquetting-House where it yet remains and Sutlers were Incouraged more than ordinary to follow the Army with Provisions and other Necessaries And now the Legality of the Birth of the Infant being much discoursed of abroad an Extraordinary Council was called on the 22 th of October where by the King's desire and appointment the Queen Dowager and divers of the Peers as well Spiritual as Temporal that were about the Town as also the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of London and the Judges with several of the Kings Council at Law the Ladies Lords and others that were present at the time the Queen was held to be in Labour did likewise appear and Declare upon Oath what they knew concerning or relating to the Biâ—th c. which was afterward published at large and soon after Theirs and other Deâ—ositions were by the Kings Order Inrolled in Chancery and about this time the Eaâ—l of Sunderland was removed from being principal Secrecary of State and the Lord Viscount Preston appointed to take that Office upon him and the Wind for the most part continued at S. W. and by S. so that though all things were in a readiness and the Dutch Fleet labouring to get to Sea it was for a time obstructed which made the Priests Insinuate into the
offer Their Majesties the Crown of Scotland viz. The Earl of Argyle Sir James Montgomery and Sir John Darlerimple the younger met in the Council Chamber about Three in the Afternoon and being Conducted by the Master of the Cerimonies and Accompany'd by divers Noble Men to the Banqueting-House They presented a Letter to the King who with the Queen Sat under a Canopy of State from the Estates of Scotland and then an Instrument of Government after that a Paper containing Grievances which they desired might be Redressed and then an Address to His Majesty for turning the Meeting of the Estates of the aforesaid Kingdom into a Parliament all Signed by his Grace Duke Hamilton President of the Meeting and were Read to Their Majesties whereupon the King Returned the following Gracious Answer When I Engaged in this Undertaking I had particular Regard and Consideration for Scotland and therefore I did Emit a Declaration in Relation to that as well as this Kingdom which I Intend to make Good and Effectual to them I take it very Kindly that Scotland hath Expressed so much Confidence in and Affection to me They shall find me willing to Assist them in every thing that concerns the Well and Interest of that Kingdom by making what Laws shall be necessary for the Security of their Religion Property and Liberty and to Ease them of what may be justly Grieveous to them This was Received with the highest sense of Thankfulness and Satisfaction and the Corronation Oath thereupon Tendered to the King and Queen the Earl of Argyle Speaking the Words distinctly and the King and Queen Repeating after him holding up Their right Hands after the manner of taking Oaths in Scotland This done the Commissioners declared that the Estates of Scotland had Authorized them to Represent to His Majesty that the Clause in the Oath in Relation to the Rooting out of Heriticks did not Import the Destroying Heriticks and that by the Law of Scotland no Man was to be Persecuted for his private Opinion and even Obstinate and Convicted Heriticks were only to be denounced Rebels or Out-lawed whereby their Moveable Estates are Confiscated for His Majesty at his Repeating that Clause in the Oath did Declare That he did not mean by those Words that he was under any Obligation to become a Persecutor To which the Commissioners Reply'd that neither the meaning of the Oath nor the Law of Scotland did Import it whereupon His Majesty Declared He took the Oath in that Sense And called the Commissioners and others present for Witnesses and then the King and Queen Signed the Coronation Oath and the Commissioners and several of the Scotch Nobility had the Honour to kiss Their Majesties Hands The King taking a Progress to Portsmouth c. to view the Fleet put in there was Pleased in Consideration of the Service done against the French in Bantre-Bay to give a Donative of Ten Shillings a Man to all that were in that Engagement which Amounted to the Sum of 2600 l. and Dineing on Board the Elizabeth he was Pleased as a Mark of His Great Satisfaction in the Conduct and Service of Admiral Herbert to Declare His Intentions of Confering upon him the Title and Dignity of an Earl of this Kingdom and he was after Created Earl of Torrington c. His Majesty was likewise Pleased to Confer the Honour of Knight-hood on John Ashby Commander of the Defiance and Captain Clowdesly Shovel of the Edgar and Returned through the Repeated Acclamations of the Sea-men and the Crowds of People that were on the Shoar gethered from divers Places to Express the Satisfaction they had of seeing His Majesty in those Parts The Castle of Edenburg being still in the Hands of the Duke of Gourdon it was strictly Blocked up and several Batteries were Raised against it So that all Communication with the Besieged were cut off however the Viscount Dundee being Abroad and having strengthned himself proceeded to open Hostilities and amongst other Exploits came with a Party of 50 or 60 Horse to the Town of St. Johns-Towns and in the Night time surprized and carried away the Laird of Blair a Member of the Convention and two other Gentlemen and having a Design upon Inverness wheither he had sent to demand Mony of the Majestrates he was prevented by divers Gentlemen taking Arms and Raising about 7 or 800 of the Neighbouring People nor durst he Attempt to Enter Dundee it being in a posture of Defence and the Committe of the Estates Appointed Persons to Receive the Duke of Gourdons Rents for the use of the Publick forgiving a years Rent to the Tennants provided they live Peaceably and did the like by that of the Viscount Dundee's and Orders were taken to Reduce the Bass which was held out against the Government and a Party who had taken up Arms for Dundee and Attaqued Capt. Young on his March to Kintyre with a Detachment of 500 Men of the new Leavys â—was Routed many of them then kill'd and others taken Prisoners On the 24 th of May His Majesty in the House of Lords at Westminster gave the Royal Assent to an Act for Exempting Their Majesties Protestant Subjects Dissenting from the Church of England from the Penalties of certain Penal Laws An Act for Anulling and making Void the Attainder of Alice Lisle Widdow who was Beheaded in the West And a private Act. And now the Army being in motion and War Proclaimed against France Their Majesties by Proclamation Commanded a General Fast throughout the Kingdom to Implore the Blessing of Almighty God â—pon Their Arms c. to be Religiously and Solemnly Kept and Observed on the 5 th of June within the Cities of London and Westminster and Ten Miles Distance And on the 19 th throughout the whole Kingdom Dominion of Wales and Town of Berwick upon Tweed And Their Majesties were Impowred by an Act to Commit without Bail such Persons as they should find Just Cause to Suspect Conspiring against the Government And the Duâ—ch Ambassadors Arriving to Congratulate Their Majesties upon Their Happy Accession to the Crown in the Name of the States General of the United Provinces were Received at Greenwich by the Earl of Sussex Sir Charles Cottrel Master of the Ceremonies and Six Gentlemen of His Majesties Privy-Chamber from whence they were Conducted in the Kings Barges to the Landing place the Tower Standard being Displayed and at their Landing they were Complemented by the Lord Lucas Governour of the Tower and Saâ—uted with the Dischaâ—ge of the Cannon and from thence being Attended by 16 Pages on Horse-back and 60 Foot-men in Liveries they were Conducted in Their Majesties Coaches followed by Six Coaches of their own and about 50 others belonging to the Nobility to Cleveland-House at St. James's Appointed for their Entertainment where their Excellencies were Complemented from the King by the Lord Cornwallis and from the Queen by Sir Edward Villers Master of the Horse to Her Majesty from the Queen Dowager by Mr. Sayers Her