thence to the Hague accompanied by sundry Noble-men as well English as others and there gave the States an Account of his Conduct with which they were very much satisfied and returned his Highness their hearty Thanks for his weary Enterprizes c. The French not appearing any ways inclinable to Action or undertaking the Siege of any important Place his Highness taking leave of the States embarked for England attended by the Earl of Ossory and divers other Lords and Gentlemen on the Yatches sent for his Accommodation by His Majesty of great Britain King Charles II. and was attended by three English Men of War and a Squadron the States ordered to wait upon him Commanded by Admiral Evertson there was also in his Train the Count of Nassau and Mr. Odyck and proceeding with a prosperous Gale safely arrived at Harwich the 19th of October 1677. where he was received by the Duke of Albemarle and proceeding thence in the King's Coaches to Ipswich he was there very favourably received by his Majesty and a splendid Train of Nobility as also by his Royal Highness with all the Testimonies and Expressions of real Joy and Affection and on the 23d they arrived at White-Hall where his Royal Highness's Lodgings were prepared for his Reception and soon after it was known to what intent his Highness had been invited over nor did he on the 29th of October fail upon the Invitation of the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of the City of London to accompany His Majesty His Royal Highness and the Court to be a spectatour of the Cities magnificent annual Triumph and was splendidly entertained to his high satisfaction Now the King having chosen his Highness from amongst the Princes of Europe as the fittest Match for his illustrious Neece the Princess Mary for which intent he was invited to Court he on the first of November declared his Intention in Council with which the Lords were extremely satisfied as well in the Merits of his Highness as the security of the Protestant Religion by so agreeable a Match and the better for the conservation of a Peace with the united Provinces whereupon the Council to testifie a farther mark of the contentment they received went in a body to Complement and Congratulate the Princess and then the Prince upon this happy occasion as did afterwards the rest of the Nobility of the Kingdom and others a general satisfaction being every where expressed so that his Highness sent an Express to the States General to acquaint them with what was intended the Summe of which was That in consideration they had by their earnest Wishes to him declared how much they desired to see him Married after he had well weighed the Reasons that had induced him to it in Conformity to their Desires and the Tranquillity of their State he conceived he could not doe better than to address himself to the Princess Mary eldest Daughter to the Duke of York that he had made his Request to have her in Marriage both of the King and the Duke who had condescended to his Proposals and therefore he thought it requisite to give their Lordships notice of it expecting in return their speedy Approbation that he might the sooner hasten again to their Service Upon this notice of his Highness's Intentions the States assembled to consider the weighty Reasons that induced him to make so happy a choice in placing his Affections on the most illustrious Princess in Europe and with much Joy Gratulation approved them testifying by a publick Edict the satisfaction they conceived and declaring the esteem of so great an Alliance made a resolution to observe it to the utmost of their power and accordingly sent their Approbation to his Highness on the 4th of November old Style on which day the happy Marriage was solemnized the Ceremonies performed by the Bishop of London and the King gave the Princess Nor did the News appear in publick but with the greatest Demonstrations of Joy imaginable the Bells every where rang and Bon-fires flam'd in the streets and an universal consent spread over the Kingdom and Congratulatory Poems were made by the best hands upon the occasion But whilst every one was Reveling in Joy and Contentment the Prince had his thoughts employed upon the important Business of the State and having received the farther Complements and Congratulations of the Nobles and Gentry he on the 29th took his leave of the Court together with his fair Princess and with a Train of Noble-men and Ladies took his way to embark for Holland whither he was attended by several Men of War and having a prosperous Passage landed at Ter-heyde and from thence passed to Hounsleyrdyke where for some time their Highnesses continued and received private Visits till the Magnificence that was to attend their publick Entry into the Hague was prepared where upon their Ingress the Bridge was crowned with Garlands of Triumph and under them written Vxori Batavis vivat Nassovius Hector Auriaco Patriae vivat Britanica Princeps Here they found likewise the twelve Companies of Burghers drawn up in Arms and the People every where expressing their satisfaction with loud and joyfull Acclamations and upon passing the Bridge 24 Virgins met them singing Songs prepared for the occasion and strewing the way with fragrant Herbs on each side the Coach wherein their Highnesses were and arriving at the Town-house they found a Triumphal Arch erected through which they passed this Arch was beautified and adorned with a Sylvian Scene and on the top a Hieroglyphick of Amity by the clasping of two hands and a Motto viz. Auriaci his Thalamis Bataevis dos Regia pax est Then crossing the Market-place into the High-street they found another Arch erected with this Motto viz. Ingredere Auspicius Batavis Felicibus Aulam and in the mean time the Cannon was fired from all parts and the Burghers gave several Volleys at Night the whole Country was enlightened with Bon-fires and Fire-works of sundry kinds and forms and so with great joy and satisfaction passed the rest of the Winter little Action happening abroad in that season yet the French King made early preparations against the Spring which obliged his Majesty of Great Britain as he had before designed to labour to compose the unhappy differences that had occasioned the expence of so much Bloud and Treasure and in order to it he sent the Earl of Feversham to the French King with Instructions to negotiate a Peace between that King and the Confederates the purport of his Commission was to propose That the City of Charleroy Aeith Courtray Tournay Conde Oudenard Valenciennes and St. Guilain should be restored to the Spaniards in consideration of which the French King should keep La Frenche Conte intire but this not succeeding His Majesty of Great Britain dispatched a Commission fully impowring the Lord Hide his Ambassadour at the Hague to make Alliance with the States General mutually to stand by and defend each other till they could oblige
Faith is to be kept with Hereticks as they call the Protestants for the same cruelty and inhumanity continued with as great Rage and Fury where there was any plunder to be had or people of Note dwelling In Picardy Normandy Le Berry Campaigne Orleance Neivernois Belessois and the Isles of France nay in Paris it self after the Edict was published the Procurator-General and some other Magistrates sent for the Heads of divers Families and declared to them That it was the King's positive Will that they should change their Religion and that if they would not comply they should be made to doe it and so proceeded by Letters under the Princes Seal to banish the Elders of the Consistory and such persons as they found or at least conceived inflexible One thing is remarkable viz. Monsieur Saignelay Secretary of State having sent for to his House under divers pretences about 100 Merchants and others he caused the Doors to be shut upon them and instead of the business they expected presented them with an Abjuration commanding them in the King's name to sign it declaring with a stern Countenance they should not stir out at the Door till they had done it The purport of it was this That they should not only abjure the Heresie of Calvin and enter into the Catholick Church but declare that they did it voluntarily or without being forced or compelled to it and although they many ways excused it yet being sharply reprimanded and terrified by his Threats not being fore-warned of such a danger and doubting the ill consequence that might attend it they at last not voluntarily but by constraint signed that Abjuration Nor by the power and influence of the Clergy did the Magistrates refrain to take away Children from their Parents to bring up in their superstitious way of idolatrous Worship frequently separating the Man and Wife where they could gain upon the one or the other to Apostatize Nor did they spare to doe this in Orange the sovereign Principality of his Highness the Prince where the French King by Right has no power but taking away the Ministers by force committed them to Prison the Dragoons as it has been already hinted doing there mischiefs much in likeness as in other Places as well to the people as to the Officers of his Highness to whom that Principality belongs And much in this nature the Calamity of the suffering Protestants continued in the Kingdom of France to the year 1685. Nor do they fail at this day to make good as much as in them lies what their Clergy threaten in their Pastoral Letters by making it their study to invent new manner of Torments the Magistrates being ever ready to assist them in the Execution I might go on with this melancholy Story to the swelling of a large Volume and add to it the Cruelty of the Savoyards against the Protestants in the Countries under that Duke whose Miseries equal if not exceed that I have mentioned as likewise in sundry other places and indeed in all places where the Papists have power but that the digression will seem too long and therefore I only give the Reader a taste of what has been served up in full Banquets of Cruelty and Revenge thereby to let those that are at this day un-informed know what they must expect if they come into the hands of such as account it meritorious to destroy Hereticks nor think it any Crime to break the most solemn Oaths and make void all Protestations and Engagements when they suppose it advantageous to their Interest or Church's Cause And note by the way that all of the Reformed Religion who have separated from the Traditions Errours and Idolatrous Worship of Rome pass with them for no other These Proceedings however turned at last to the disadvantage of the Persecutors for though for a time it enriched them yet the number of People that fled or were ruined occasioned the decay of Trade and Commerce so that those Revenues that supplied the French King's Coffers and enabled him to vex all Europe by a tedious War being exhausted notwithstanding he had taken Luxemburgh from the Spaniards he found himself in a low condition for money being the very sinews of War and his Subjects not forward to lend as appears by the Answer of the Bankers of Paris when he sent to them the last year for several Millions of Livres viz That they humbly begged his Excuse forasmuch that if they so far weakened the Bank they could not support their Credit in answering the Bills that should be drawn upon them He then I say found that when by such unjust means he depopulated his Kingdom he fought against himself but to return The Prince of Orange all this while highly disapproved his Proceedings and if in Arms he did not oppose them it was not for want of Will but rather that he on his part would keep the Peace inviolable and rather bear till a farther opportunity the affront and injury done him in the wrong his Subjects of the Principality of Orange had received than involve the States in a new War which might have been justly excused since the French were the Aggressors But to come yet nearer to the purpose Whilst his Highness was diverting and reposing himself from the Toils of War which now ceased by the conclusion and ratifying of the Treaty with France His Majesty of Great Britain King Charles II. after five or six days indisposition departed this Life at his Palace Royal of White-Hall on the 6th of February 1684. not only to the extraordinary Grief of his Subjects but of all Europe their Highnesses more especially bearing a superlative part in the sorrow the loss of that good King occasioned whose Funeral was privately solemnized on the 14th of February towards the Evening in King Henry the Seventh's Chapell where it was interred in Vault under the East-end of the South-Isle Service being ended and the Officers of his Houshold having broke their Staves the Royal Style was proclaimed by another of the Kings at Arms according to the Custome And thus set this great Monarch who had been so usefull and dear to the Interest of Christendom making way thereby for his Brother who was immediately proclaimed c. and accordingly was Crowned at Westminster on the twenty third of April following with much splendour and magnificence as is usual at the Royal Ceremonies of the Coronation of the Kings of Great Britain c. and had the Condolement and Congratulation the one for the Death of King Charles and the other for His Majesty's Accession to the Throne not only from the States-General but from most of the European Princes And now the States of Holland being in frequent Consults about the Affairs of that Republick between the Adjournments his Highness the Prince of Orange diverted himself in visiting the Towns and Fortifications and settling Military Affairs and the better to remove the Melancholy the Death of the King his Uncle had occasioned recreated
Three in the Afternoon and was received with most profound respect and submission by the Mayor and Aldermen in their Formalities the Steward of that Corporation Congratulating his Arrival in a most Elegant Speech and afterwards he went to the Prince of Denmark's Lodgings prepared for his Reception And whilst His Highness was preparing for London News came that the King attempting to pass the Seas at Feversham in disguise was stay'd by some of the Towns-men who were fearching for such as were endeavouring the like who being ignorant that it was his Majesty carried him in a rude manner to a house in the Town taking from him some Jewels considerable quantity of Gold and his Crucifix of a great Value Not did those rude People desist from their Incivilities till a Gentleman coming to see the Prisoners they had taken and knowing the King fell on his Knees to pay him duty whereat the multitude being strangely surprized a great part of them retired and others begged his Majesties Pardon offering to restore what they had taken from him but he would not receive his Gold again but gave it them in Generosity as a free Gift The Lords at White-Hall hearing of his Majesty's being at Feversham sent to wait upon him and pray him to return to his Palace Royal to which he seemed not at first inclinable though being pressed to a Return he at last consented But His Highness the Prince of Orange having fully determined to come to London with all speed he thought it in many respects improper for the King and himself to be there at one and the same time in the present State of Affairs upon notice his Majesty was returning he sent Monsieur Zulestein to meet him on the way and intreat him to return to Rochester but Monsieur Zulestein missing him by taking another Road than that by which he came the King arrived at White-hall the 16th of December in the Evening attended by divers Noblemen and a Guard of Horse and from thence he sent the Lord Feversham to invite his Highness to come to St. James's and take that Palace as his Place of Residence with what number of Troups he thought convenient The Prince deliberating upon this with the Lords at Windsor the day before he had appointed to be in Town and having communicated to them the Message and left them to debate the matter it was agreed that it was in no kind advisable for the Prince to accept the Invitation and there being on the other side a necessity the Prince should be in Town the next day the Lords thought the shortness of time could admit no better Expedient than that the King might be desired to remove to some Place within a reasonable distance from London upon which Ham a House belonging to the Dutchess of Lander-dale was concluded on and in order to this a Paper was drawn and Signed by the Prince viz. WE desire you the Lord Marquess of Hallifax the Earl of Shrewsbury and the Lord Delamere to tell the King that it is thought convenient for the greater safety of his Person that he do remove move to Ham where he shall be attended by Guards who will be ready to preserve him from any disturbance Given at Windsor the 17th of December 1688. This Paper being Signed by the Prince the three Lords mentioned therein were appointed to carry it and it was resolved before the delivery that his Highness's Guards should be possessed of all the Posts at White-Hall to prevent the possibility of a disturbance from Guards belonging to several Masters which besides other ill consequence might peradventure have involved even the King 's own person in the danger that might have happened from any dispute it was by computation supposed that the Prince's Guards might have reached them by Eight at Night but it so fell out by reason of the dirtiness of the ways c. that it was past ten before they were come and in drawing the King's Guards from White-Hall so much time was spent that before the Lords could proceed in their Message it was past twelve in which that they might preserve all possible Decency and Respect and not suddenly break in upon the King with a Message of this kind they sent to the Lord Middleton his principal Secretary of State the following Letter My Lord THere is a Message to be delivered to His Majesty from the Prince which is of so great Importance that we who are charged with it desire we may be immediately admitted and therefore desire to know where we may find your Lordship that you may introduce My Lord your Lordships most Humble Servants c. This Letter was signed by three Lords and the Lord Middleton sent back word by the Messenger he would be ready at the Stairs of the Guard-Chamber to carry the Lords to the King where accordingly they found his Lordship and he brought them to the King whom they found in Bed and after having made an Apology for coming at a time that might disturb him the Prince's Message before mentioned was delivered to him which after he had read he said he would comply with it the Lords as they were directed humbly desired that if it might be done with conveniency to His Majesty that he would be pleased to remove so early as to be at Ham by Noon to prevent by that means his meeting the Prince in his way to London To this the King readily agreed and afterwards asked if he might not appoint what Servants should attend him to which the Lords replied it was left to His Majesty to give Order in that as he pleased And after the Lords had taken their leave and were gone as far as the Privy Chamber the King sent for them again and told them that he had forgot to acquaint them with his Resolution before the Message came to send the Lord Godolphin the next Morning to the Prince to propose his going back to Rochester he finding by the Message Monsieur Zulestein was charged with that the Prince had no mind he should be at London and therefore he now desired that he might rather return to Rochester the Lords replied that they would immediately send an account to the Prince of what His Majesty desired and did not doubt of such an Answer as would be to his satisfaction and accordingly they immediately dispatched back again a Messenger who finding the Prince at Sion gave him an account of all that had passed and before Eight of the Clock in the morning had a Letter from the Sieur Benting by the Prince's Order agreeing to the King's Proposal of going to Rochester and accordingly the Guards and Barges being made ready to attend him his Coach and Sumpters appointed likewise to follow him he reached Gravesend on the 18th in the Evening and passed over Land in his Coach attended by several others where His Majesty was pleased to chuse the House of Sir Richard Head for the place of his Residence at that time One thing
and many kill'd on both sides he put a succour of 300 Men into it and with considerable Loss retreated This new recruit encouraging the Garison and the Prince having lost in the Action Collonel Suylesteyme who bore the fury of the Attack and faught valiantly but being over-powered and refusing Quarter was killed as likewise other brave Men and now the Weather more incommoding his Army than the Enemy he thought it convenient to rise from before it and drew off without any molestation After these Proceedings his Highness held a Council of War and having given necessary Orders marched to Rosendale where the General Rendezvouz were appointed and there having mustered an Army to the number of 24000. he took his March towards the Country of Liege and obliged the Count de Duras to retire to Stassemburgh with the Army he then had under his Command being desirous if it might conveniently be to give him Battel but understanding that the Count frequently shifted his Quarters in a kind of a retiring manner the Prince after investing Tongeren with his own and such Spanish Forces as had joyned with him and by that means not being able to draw him to a Battel he re-passed the Meuse and after some longer attendence to that purpose he marched to Maestreicht and sent a Party of Horse and Foot to take in the Castle of Valcheren which soon surrendred upon discretion and there they found a considerable Megazine especially of Forage And after that his Highness having invested Charleroy without success by reason of the sharpness of the Weather and taken Birch an important Place defended by three Captains and 300. Soldiers Demolishing the Town he marched through Brabant and put his Soldiers into Winter Quarters During these Transactions the French in considerable Parties taking the advantage of the hard Frost marched over the Ice and made some inconsiderable spoil in the Villages but upon the approach of his Highness they retired in disorder with considerable loss and had the Passes been defended as the States directed most of them had perished in the Waters by reason of the sudden Thaw that ensued About this time to make amends for the mischief the French had done Coeverden was recovered covered a Place of great importance and from whence the Garison-Soldiers by their frequent Inroads had greatly endamaged the Country And now his Highness industriously laboured to compose home-bred Differences and Discords which he effected with the same facility that attended all his undertakings insomuch that all Animosities were laid aside and every Man apply'd himself to promote the publick good of the Country and then he proceeded to visit the Fortifications and give such necessary Orders as the Juncture of Affairs required The Spring advancing the French King made great preparations against Holland invading them in Person with a powerfull Army whilst the Prince of Conde and Duke of Luxemburgh were encamped at Utriecht expecting Orders to fall into the County They had now likewise War with the King of Great Britain with whose powerfull Navy the French joyn'd which made the the Prince to be very carefull in attending the motion of the French by Land whilst the States prepared to set out their Naval Forces nor was such a Storm as then threatened the Provinces to be slightly regarded for the French King laid Siege to Maestriecht with an Army of 42000 Horse and Foot on the 10th of June it being before blocked up by the Count De l' Orge with three thousand Horse In this place was a Garison of about eight or nine hundred Horse and four thousand Foot Commanded by the valiant Monsieur d' Fariaux who defended the place with much Bravery to the last extremity killing the French about 9000 Soldiers besides Officers and Men of great note and then at the Petition and earnest Intreaty of the Inhabitants surrendered upon honourable terms and was soon after for his Courage and prudent Conduct made by his Highness Major General of the Army And at this Seige it was that the unfortunate Duke of Monmouth signalized his Valour to the highth of Bravery by which and the Courage of the English under his Command the French King may be justly said to make himself Master of this Place after which the French Army being drawn off and partly dispersed the Prince drew together his Forces and laid Siege to Maerd straitening it with 25000 Horse and Foot which obliged the Duke of Luxemburgh to bend his Forces that way however the Place was taken without much difficulty in four days and Luxemburgh retired About this time the States entred into a League with the Emperour and King of Spain against France whose Armies joyning at least in part the Seige of Bonne was pitch'd upon into which the Prince of Conde had only the advantage of putting 100 Horse who passed the Centinels under pretence of being the Duke of Lorrain's Party and 100 more attempting to doe the like through the Prince's Quarters not only failed of success but were most of them killed and taken Prisoners and 500 more who were to support them obliged to retreat being beholden for their safety to the swiftness of their Horses And now the Town was closely pressed by the confederate Army and the Governour summoned and although at the first he refused yet perceiving the resolution of the Besiegers to spare none they found in Arms if the Town was taken by Storm and the vigorous Attacks they made at the end of seven days a Parley was beat and the Besieged granted honourable terms they marched out to the number of 1500 so that with little loss of Bloud the Confederates became Masters of this City upon which the Prince of Orange drew off to Wesseling and commanding in the absence of Montecuculi the Imperial Army he seized on the Castles of Lechnich and Brevel and now Success attending his Sword he constrained the French although Turene had taken the Field with a considerable Army to quit many Places they conceived not to be tenable or at least ways to draw out the Garisons to recruit their Army which was not in a condition to make head against the Confederates Amongst those that they quitted was Herderwick Woerden Utreicht Bomniel Campen Elburg and Hattein and the Bishop of Munster who was in League with France quitted Mempel and Stenwick yet at their Departure they exacted great Summes of Mony from the Inhabitants in lieu of their not firing the Houses yet they dismantled many of them and left visible tokens of their Anger for being constrained to quit those important Places which they had gained at at a vast expence of Bloud and Treasure So far did the terrour of a young General in this Rising Glories work upon the minds of this late insulting Nation that they who had lately carried Ruine and Devastation into the nighbouring Country began now to shrink together in their own These were the principal Transactions to the end of the year 1673. and in gratitude for the
the French King to Reason the English Parliament at the same time declaring strongly for it and offering the King considerable Summes of Mony to carry on the projected Design against the Disturber of Christendom The Alliance was to be carried on in order to the recovering a satisfaction by such means as should be thought most expedient and best agreeable and indeed for a time it was vigorously maintained the Parliament of England pressing it with a more than ordinary Ardour and the King sent the Lord Montague his Ambassadour to France once more to press that King to a Compliance making at the same time new Levies of Horse and Foot However the French King rejecting the Propositions was not idle but made great preparations for War whereupon the King of Great Britain recalled his Forces that were in the French Service who were sent home without their Arrears But whilst the Confederates were agreeing about their Quota's or Levies the French early in the Spring besieged Gaunt which being taken by reason of the insufficiency of the Garison to maintain a place of that vast Circuit they sate down before Ypre which after a resolute defence surrendred These Places thus lost for want of succour made the Confederates draw out from all Parts the Prince of Orange being the first that took the Field and the Duke of Monmouth arrived at Bruges with about 3000 English Horse and Foot but the French King having done as much as he thought convenient at that time putting the greater part of his numerous Armies into Garisons to refresh them he retired to Paris but hearing the League against him continually strengthened by new Alliances and a Prohibition of the growth of his Kingdom he thought it no longer convenient to delay but formed himself a Project of Accommodation to this purpose viz. That the Prince and Bishop of Strasburgh should be entirely restored to all his Territories Honours Prerogatives and Goods and Prince William of Furstemburgh his Brother be set at Liberty That in relation to the Emperour he would stand to his Declarations insisting upon the Treaties of Westphalia offering to restore Philipsburgh or Friburgh That to the King of Spain he would restore Charleroy Aeith Courtray Gaunt Oudenard and St. Guilain together with Chastlerains and all their Dependencies but reserve to himself Conde Bouchain Air Cambray Valenciennes and Saint Omers with all their Castles and Dependencies with La Frenche Conte entire That he would restore Charlemont or Dinant to the Spaniard with the Emperour and Bishop of Liege's consent That the Confines between Spain the Low Countrys from the Sea should be the Meuse Newport Courtray Aeith Dixmund Mons Oudenard Namur and Charleroy and those Bounds to be assured by those Places That moreover to the States General he would restore Maestricht and allow the Commerce as formerly granted That he would restore to the Duke of Lorain according to the Pyrenean Treaty or surrender to him excepting Nancy all his Territories and in lieit of that City he would give him Toul thereby only reserving to himself a free passage into Alsatia And farther demanded satisfaction for his Allies The proposals were not generally liked yet after many Difficulties and Refusals the Treaty was at length signed by the Plenipotentiaries of France and Holland on the 11th of August 1678. yet the delays of the French King proved extremely prejudicial to his Affairs especially in lessening the Reputation his Arms had gained for whilst the Treaty held with indifferency and wavered without any certainty of coming to a conclusion the Prince of Orange having joyned the Confederate Forces they called a Council of War in which it was concluded that seeing Mons a City of the Province of Hainault had been a long time Blocked up by the French and that the Duke of Luxemburgh was on his March with the Army under his Command to prevent any Succours being put into the City that it was convenient to intercept him and with this Resolution the Prince and the Confederate Army set forward about the beginning of August and was joyned in his March by six thousand Munsterians and Brandenburghers under the Command of General Spaen The French upon notice of his Approach removed from Soignes where they had lain for some time encamped where the next day the Prince decamped with the Confederate Army and from thence marched toward Rockless advancing the left Wing as far as the Abby of St. Dennis that Place being the Duke of Luxemburgh's chief Quarters facing with his Right Wing Casteau possessed likewise by the French and although the Passes were extreme difficult which rendred the French more secure yet the Army being embatteled his Highness commanded a Party to drive the French from a Hillock they had possessed which was performed with little difficulty and then he caused the great Guns to play upon the Enemy that had posted themselves near the Cloister adjacent to the Town and though they strove to defend it with their Cannon yet after a considerable Battery a Party of Dragoons advanced and after a sharp dispute drove them thence and possessed the Place when in the mean time Adjutant General Collyer seconded by General Delwick passed the Defiles or narrow dirty Lanes with admirable courage contrary to the expectation of the French and drove them after a strenuous resistence into their own Lines when the Prince accompanied by the Duke of Monmouth who fought by his side that day fell in with great resolution and bravery encouraging by words and actions the Regiments that were advanced and signallizing his Valour above Report which so animated the Regiments of the left Wing that they followed each other till the Evening charging with great resolution and Count Horn bending the Cannon under his Charge against the Battalions of French that were drawn up in the Valley it greatly endamaged them by battering their Ranks The Fight being thus begun was carried on and maintained with much resolution and bravery the Prince forcing his Passage to Casteau which had been Attacked by the Spaniards in the right Wing where his Regiments of Foot-Guards had the Van-Guard under the Command of Count Solms and was seconded by the Regiments of Holstein Roques Sereres and they supported by the English who through the natural aversion they had to the French charged with such fury that the obstinate resistence the Enemy made could not sustain their impetuosity for after five hours dispute the French were driven from their Post by the Regiments of Guards who pursued them to the River Haines on the other side of Casteau And in this Battel it was that the renowned Earl of Ossory who commanded the English signalized his Valour and indeed the whole stress of the Battel lay upon the Infantry the Cavalry not being very serviceable in a Place of such narrow access and so full of precipices Night putting an end to the Slaughter the Duke of Luxemburgh finding his loss great and that he was no longer capable of
making good his Post drew off under the favour of the darkness of the Night in much Silence and Confusion and took a new Post nearer Mons covering his Army with a Wood on the one side and on the other it was secured by a River leaving behind him most of the wounded Men with many Tents and much Baggage and Ammunition The Prince upon this advantage would have pursued the French to have given them a total Defeat and free the Town of Mons from the apprehension of Danger But whilst he was preparing to make a second Attack an Express was sent him that the Treaty was signed between the States and the French King however they congratulated his Highness upon this Success in an extraordinary manner intreating him to be more sparing of their safety than to hazard himself in the midst of danger and the better to demonstrate at how dear a rate they esteemed his preservation they sent to Mr. Owerkirks a Person who had enterposed himself between the Prince and a French Captain that in the heat of the Fight was in a full Carier to charge him at adisadvantage a Sword whose Hilt was of Massy Gold a pair of Pistols inlay'd with Gold and a pair of golden Horse-buckles Upon the News that the Treaty was signed a Cessation of Arms ensued and upon the Duke of Luxemburgh's drawing off to the Country between the Muse and Sambre the Prince marched to Escousines upon the Road to Nivelle and there being no farther Business in relation to warlike Action he came to the Hague where he was received by the People with the highest demonstration of Joy and Acclamation and this last success no doubt hastened the Conclusion of the Treaty between France and Spain which was agreed on the 17th of November following yet it lasted not long before the French King upon the claiming several places in the Spanish Netherlands as Dependencies blocked up Luxemburgh which obliged the King of Great Britain Guarrantee of the Peace to interpose his Authority as likewise did the States by way of Mediation but the French King would not hearken to the quitting the claim he had laid unless the City of Luxemburgh might be put into his Possession with all its Dependencies three Leagues round it which being long debated and the time the French King gave to come to a Resolve being expired without concluding any thing of that Affair the Mareschal d' Humieres fell into the Spanish Provinces with a numerous Army and put them under Contribution making great spoil and ravage in many places and not so contented but upon the Prince of Chimai's Governour of Luxemburgh acting some Hostilities in their Territories the Mareschal laid Siege to and took Courtray burning many places of lesser note constraining others to pay a Ransome for saving themselves from Fire and in conclusion the Mareschal d' Crequi came before Luxemburgh with an Army of 30000 Men and cast a great number of Bombs into that City which burnt and demolished about Five hundred Houses and so retired to put his Army into Winter Quarters and in the mean while the Negotiation continued between the Arbritours to settle the Differences between the two Crowns nor did they spare any Diligence to create a good understanding by proposing Equivalents but the Spaniards at that time were so much averse that the Mediatours began to give over the hopes they had conceived of accommodating Matters in dispute nay the Spanish Ambassadour proceeded so far as to press the King of Great Britain to send over Forces to the Assistence of his Master but the King told him That the urgency of his Affairs at home could not admit of sending Forces abroad but that he was willing to doe the King of Spain all the good Offices that lay in him c. as also to use his utmost Endeavours for the Peace and Repose of Europe But not satisfied with this Answer they again applyed themselves to the States General but they being not willing to enter into any new Engagement of War with France the Ambassadours could not persuade them to make new Levies or to send any Forces to the Assistence of His Catholick Majesty nor could the Emperour give any assistence by reason of the storm that threatened him at that time in Hungary so that indeed the whole State of Europe being unwilling or not in a condition to enter into a new War it was greatly hoped that this would oblige those that stood out to a compliance And the better to perfect an Alliance a general Congress was held at the Hague where it was thought somewhat reasonable that the True of Twenty years which the French King had offered should be accepted including the Allies on all parts which coming to a Resolve and the Articles of Treaty agreed amongst other things it was thought fit that the French King should restore to the King of Spain Dixmuyden and Courtray with their Dependencies having liberty to demolish the Fortifications as likewise the other Places taken by force since the 30th of August 1683. and that in consideration thereof the King of Spain should Surrender to him Beaumont Luxemburgh Chimai and Bovines with all their Dependencies and to this purpose the Articles between the two Crowns were concluded on at Ratisbon And now the French King being at leisure began to grow exceeding troublesome to his Protestant Subjects having during the former Transactions put a very sensible Affront upon his Highness the Prince of Orange for whilst the Differences lasted between the French the Spaniards they extremely wasted his Patrimony in Brabant Burgundy and Luxemburgh where the Prince of Isenguyn supported by the French Interest and Arms had seized upon his Possession of Warnesson Desburgh Vianden St. Vith Budgenback c. yet out of a generosity to his Country in preferring their Peace and Tranquillity before his own interest he forbore at that time to put in for Reparation nor could the Violences the French King unjustly offered in entring upon his Principality of Orange be less resented by which Act he seemed to have this farther design viz. To hinder the Protestant Religion from flourishing there for upon the Persecution he raised in all parts of his own Territories many of the Protestants sent their Children to this Sovereign Principality to be Educated in Learning but this greatly displeasing him he sent his Orders to Monsieur Moran Super-intendent of Provence to March a Body of 2000 Men thither under the Command of his Lieutenant-General in Languedock to command the Magistrates of the Principality of Orange to send away all the Children to their Parents and not for the future to receive any more into their Schools or Academies To this unjust and unreasonable Demand they found themselves constrained to consent promising to give notice to the Parents of the Children that they might send for them home hoping by this means they had given the King satisfaction But what can satisfie an ambitious spightfull Mind for
although this gave the Citizens hope they were in Peace yet it proved not so for soon after Orders came to throw down the Walls of the City and the French Dragoons Quartering upon the Inhabitants committed many Indecencies and Disorders compelling the People to Work in ruining their own Fortifications which being undermined were blown up This News no sooner came to his Highness's Council but they complained of it to the States-General as a breach of the last Peace urging that Reparation might be required for such unjust Proceedings against the Subjects of his Highness in the midst of a general Peace Nor were the States wanting in Writing to the King and letting him know their Resentments for so great an Injury contrary to the Treaty of Nimeguen pressing him for Reparation of the damage his Highness had contrary to Articles sustained in the Violence done to his Subjects But they could get no other Answer from the French Court but that as for the Money extorted from the Inhabitants those that extorted it had no Order for it and he had commanded Restitution to be made and upon the Peoples submitting to his Pleasure he had withdrawn his Forces and restored the Inhabitants their Commerce according to their Desires but as for the rest he alledged he had reason for what he did This Answer though it was neither generous nor pleasing was all that could be got at that time and so the matter continues to a more favourable opportunity The Face of Peace now appearing amongst the Christian Princes and Hungary being the greatest Scene of War the States thought of Disbanding their supernumerary Forces and in order thereto advised with his Highness who assured them that there was no Person more desirous than himself to ease the People of their Contributions and Taxes but in consideration things were scarcely settled and that the nighbouring Countries had not yet Disbanded but were in Arms he thought it the safest way to continue them till they might be assuredly free from the fear or suspicion of any sinister event c. And according to this prudent and grave Counsel they were continued it being resolved by the States-General That the Extraordinary Forces should be kept up to a farther time And now his Highness being more at leisure and desirous to promote the good of his Country betook himself to the reforming the Government of Vtreicht in which during the Series of so tedious a War some Disorders and Irregularities had happened which he redressed by prudently altering such of the Magistracy as were looked upon unfit Persons to manage the Government and put such into their places as he found better capable of managing so weighty a Trust striving to promote and advance the welfare of the People at no small expence of Pains and Treasure contrary to the Methods of the French King who was then Dragooning his Subjects of the Protestant Religion and using all manner of ways to ruine them by Tortures Confiscations and Imprisonments and many such unchristian-like Proceedings And since we are come to this part pardon the Digression if I conceive it not amiss to expose the Methods France has of late years taken to bring over Protestants to the Church of Rome that the Reader may the better distinguish between the Actions of a vertuous Prince who makes it his utmost care and study to preserve and promote those that are under his Jurisdiction and a Prince that labours to ruine and destroy his Subjects I shall not trouble you with the Declaration put out against the Protestants in the year 1669. or hardships they suffered before and since that year in particular till I come to the year 1680. In this year the King issued out his Order thereby depriving them in general of all manner of places of Trust Offices and Services reducing the meaner sort thereby to great distress and disanulling the more wealthy of what they had purchased with their Money and the price of their Bloud And the next year 1681 by a Decree of their Council all Notaries Attornies Solicitors and Sergeants which made profession of the Reformed Religion were rendred uncapable of their Employments and the next year the Lords and Gentlemen were commanded to discharge their Protestant Officers and Servants and in Eighty three all Officers of the King's Household and those of the Princes of the Bloud were commanded to give place to the Roman Catholicks and in a word all manner of Persons of all Professions that were of the Reformed Religion had a Prohibition by those strict Decrees under severe Penalties And so strict were they that the Midwives unless Roman Catholicks durst not but by stealth perform their Office and by this means some were constrained to suffer their Tongue to give their Heart the Lye. These for the encouragement as they pretended of themselves and others being called new Converts were discharged from the Payment of their Debts for the space of three years and this was done the better to disappoint their Creditors of the Reformed Religion with whom they had mostly dealt Nor content with this by another way they quite discharged them of such Debts as those of that Religion had contracted in common These Proceedings served only as a Prologue to that which was afterward acted on the Unchristian-like Stage of France for the Councils influenced by the Priests who aimed more at the Estates of the Protestants than their Religion finding these ways not so effectual as they expected and perceiving that many of the more wealthy made over their Estates and left the Country exhibited a Prohibition of selling or alienating any Estates whatsoever the King annulling and breaking all Contracts and other Acts relating to such Sale or Alienation if it did not appear that after any such Act they did not stay in the Kingdom a whole year so that being deprived of all means to transport their effects and yet not suffered to enjoy them with any quiet many preferring a good Conscience before worldly Riches proposed to leave all they had and with it the Kingdom but this took no effect for hereupon they were forbidden it under severe Penalties which drove them to so great a strait that they knew not what offer or proposal to make finding every thing hazardous and uncertain But they were not long without new Proofs of Roman Severity for though they had already fleeced them yet not so contented the Intendents in their Districts had orders to weigh them down if possible with heavy Taxes by charging them with those of the new Converts who were discharged from paying any in favour of their pretended Conversion or by laying others on them which they termed Duties so that he who was before assessed in the Roll for 40 or 50 Livres escaped well if he came off for 5 or 600 and those that delayed or had not the Money were obliged to quarter Dragoons and suffer Imprisonment till they had made payment And to pass over many things of the like Nature
himself at his Country Palace when in the mean while the Duke of Monmouth and Earl of Argile going from Holland with an inconsiderable number of Men the former to invade England and the latter Scotland their Expeditions proved altogether successless for being severally routed and taken by the King's Forces they suffered Death together with divers others of their Adherents and Abettors In July 1687. his Highness returning from Hounstyrdyke to the Hague he there gave Audience to several foreign Ministers and then parted thence to visit the Garisons of Maestricht Boisleduck and others belonging to the States and in his Return was met by Her Royal Highness at Loo he having in his Progress given necessary Orders for the well governing and strengthening of those Places In December the Marquess d' Albeville Envoy extraordinary from his Majesty of Great Britain had Audience of his Highness the Prince of Orange and the States of Holland but they adjourning to the 7th of January great preparations of Fire-works were made in the mean while to entertain Her Royal Highness the Princess of Orange on New-years-day representing a Battel with four lines ranged with several Batteries lively expressing the manner of an Engagement Now the foreign Priests coming again into remembrance and being looked upon as Enemies to the Common-wealth notwithstanding the intercession that had been made on their behalf the Court of Justice at the Hague drew up a Decree commanding them to retire out of the Country and never to return again promising a Reward of 100 Ducatoons to any that should make discovery and settling a penalty of 600 Florins upon those that should harbour and conceal any of them for the first time 1200 for the second and corporal punishment for the third Offence whereupon a great many of them fled into England where indeed there was but too many before And now the Spring coming on the Prince and Princess of Orange went to their Palace at Loo The King of England for private Reasons of State being about this time desirous to call home the English Regiments in the Service of the States-General the Marquess d' Albeville made it known immediately to their Lordships but they not willing to part with those Forces he proceeded to put in his Memorials representing not only his Resentment of that Refusal but the danger of Officers and Soldiers might incurr but the States having before-hand disbanded them and listed them under their own Command as many as would enter themselves which was the greatest Part of them as well Officers as Soldiers this business came to nothing and although his Majesty had ordered the Masters and Captains of Ships and Vessels to give such as would return free Passage with promise of Advancement yet not many came over In May the Elector of Saxony was splendidly entertained by his Highness the Prince of Orange at Hounslaerdyke and the next day his Highness accompanied him to Scheveling where they went on Board a small Vessel that carried them to a Squadron of 17 Men of War arrived from Schonevelt under the Command of Vice-Admiral Allemond who sent upon their Approach two light Frigats and a Shallop to meet them and were saluted with the Cannon of all the Ships when having Dined on board the Vice-Admiral they returned to Scheveling and from thence his Electoral Highness of Saxony went to visit Delf Rotterdam Dort Maestricht Leige Aix and Cologne and so returned home by the way of Francfort when in the mean while the Heer Van Diest acquainted the Prince of Orange and the States with the Death of the Elector of Brandenburgh a person most firm to the Protestant Interest and whose Death was regretted by the Protestant Princes and States so that both the Prince and the States of Holland immediately nominated a fit person to go and make their Complement of Condolence to the present Elector The next month the Marquess d' Albeville acquainted the Prince and Princess of Orange as also the States with the News of the Queen of England's being delivered of a Son at their Royal Palace of St. James's on Sunday the 10th of June and soon after the News by sundry Expresses was likewise made known to the King's Ministers in all the Courts of Christendom who at a vast Expence and Magnificence proclaimed it and the Conduits in London were commanded to run with Wine and a Thanksgiving day was likewise held for the Queens safe Delivery Congratulations were made upon this occasion by all the Foreign Ministers and the Infant soon after ordered to be prayed for in the publick Prayers of the Church Some Addresses were likewise presented upon that occasion and the Romanists flattered themselves with a lasting Tranquillity and so sure they thought they were of gaining the point that the Lord Arch-Bishop of Canterbury the Lord Bishops of Ely Peterborough St. Asaph Chichester Bath and Wells and Bristol who had been committed by an Order of Council to the Tower for humbly beseeching his Majesty by Petition to remit his Commands of enjoyning his Declaration for Liberty of Conscience to be read in the Churches in time of Divine Service were brought to their Tryalls at the King's-Bench Court Westminster where notwithstanding all that was alledged against them and the pressing Arguments of a Popish Judge then upon the Bench their Candour and Innocence so fairly and plainly appeared that instead of their Adversaries proving that Petition a Libel it was evidently demonstrated that they had done nothing but their The Papists to leave no stone unturned that they might secure themselves for the future as well as the present used many Arts and Insinuations to sound the Intentions and thoughts of their Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Orange whereupon Mr. James Stewart took upon him that not without the King's knowledge and approbation as appears by the Letter writ to Minn Heer Fagel Pentionary of Holland and West-Friezeland upon the King 's publishing his Declaration for Liberty of Conscience and intention to take away the Test and Penal Laws which occasioned his Answer in substance this though little to the satisfaction of the Roman Catholicks viz. That their Highnesses have often declared as they did more particularly to the Marquess Albeville his Majesties Envoy extraordinary to the States That it is their Opinion that no Christian ought to be persecuted for his Conscience or be ill used because he differs from the publick and established Religion and therefore they could be content that even the Papists in England Scotland and Ireland might be suffered to continue in their Religion with as much Liberty as is allowed them by the States of the Vnited Provinces and as for the Protestant Dissenters their Highnesses did not only consent but heartily approved of their having an entire Liberty for the full Exercise of their Religion without any trouble or hindrance c. That their Highnesses were ready in case his Majesty of England should desire it to declare their willingness to concurr
the Texel had joined those that lay in the Maese and that the States upon the Arrest the French had made of the Dutch Ships in their Ports had published a Placart prohibiting the Importation of French Commodities till they were released and various reports going abroad the King put out a Proclamation prohibiting the spreading of Rumours and False News On Friday the 26th Old-style the Fleet having the Equipage on Board consisting of Fifty two men of War and a very numerous attendence of Victuallars and Vessels for the Transportation of the Land Forces Sailed between three and four of the Clock in the Afternoon from the Flats near the Bril with the Wind at South West and by South the Prince embarked on a Vessel of between Twenty eight and Thirty Guns there likewise embarked the Count de Solmes the Count de Stirum the Sieur Benting the Sieur Overkirk the Mareschal de Schomberg his Son Count Charles with several others as well English Noâ—… men as Strangers and the next day they came in sight of Scheveling when the Wind came more Westward but the Weather not being favourable some ships and small Vessels on which the Horse were on board suffered damage and the Fleet by that means delayed yet â—gain setting Sail on the 3d. of Novemâ—â—r between ten and eleven of the Clock 〈◊〉 the morning about half Seas over 〈◊〉 Fleet came within sight of Dover â—â—d were passing by till about five in â—he Afternoon at what time they were 〈◊〉 past that place without any interâ—â—ption from the English Fleet who lay â—ithin sight of them and Stearing a Chanel course westward the Wind at â—â—st North-east a very fresh Gale. 〈◊〉 the 5th of November about 300 â—il came into Torbay in the County of Devon and several of them directly to â—rixam Key and landed there Soldiers 〈◊〉 secure the landing of the rest if any Opposition should be made so that five or six hundred presently got on Land â—nd put themselves in a posture of Deâ—ence whilst the rest were fending on shoar some by Boats and some by the help of the Tide And so far were the Country people from being in a consternation that on such occasions frequently falls out that they on the contrary not only congratulated his Highness's Arrival but brought plenty of Provisions and Necessaries for the Soldiers and such as came on shoar there being only three small Vessels missing of the whole Fleet whereof two a Pink and a Fishing-boat were taken by the Woolwich below Hole Haven there being on board some Horse The other was a Fly-boat taken by the Swallow Frigat having on board four Companies of Foot of Collonel Babington's Regiment commanmanded by Major Collambine However the men were kindly used especially the Soldiers and these had not been taken but by their separation from the Fleet. As to the number of Horse and Foot as also the Fleet take the following List as it was said to be Printed in Holland HORSE THe Life Guard. Regiment of Guards Commanded by the Sieur Benting Waldeck's Regiment Nassau Mompelian Ginckel Count Vanderlip The Prince's Dragoons Marrewis Dragoons Segravemore Sapbroeck Flodorp Seyde Oye Suylestein Life Guard 197. Regiment of Guards of Benting 480. Princes Dragoons 860. Marrewis Dragoons 440 In all 3660. Troupers 1683. FOOT Foot Guards Commanded by Count Solms 25 Companies 2000. s. Mackey 12 Companies Balfort 12 Companies Talmash 12 Companies A Regiment which was formerly Bellisse 12 Companies A Regiment which was formerly Wachop's 12 Companies A Regiment which was the late Earl of Ossories 10 Companies Breckevelt 10 Companies Holstein 10 Companies Wirtemberg 10 Companies Hagendorn 10 Companies Fagel 10 Companies Nassau 10 Companies Carelson 12 Companies Brander 10 Companies Prince of Breckvel 10 Companies In all 164 Companies at 53 in a Company 8692 2000 Guards 10692. The FLEET Men of War 65. Fly-Boats 500. Pinks 60. Fire-Ships 10. 635. So by this it appears that his Highness had effectually 14352. persons under his command not accounting those that came over Voluntiers and these past peradventure rather increased than diminished during the Fleet which by this Account consisted of 635. great and small Ships and Vessels lying in the Roads for some time after this List was published But to return again to Torbay His Highness having in good order landed the greatest part of the Horse and Foot and given Directions for the speedy landing the rest and the Cannon to be un-shipped for the more conveniency at Topsham he marched towards the City of Exeter with the general Approbation Shouts and Applause of the People who flocked from all parts to welcome him and divers Gentlemen of those parts came to wait upon him and tender their service upon his approach the Bishop retired and the Gates were closed by Order of the Mayor but without baracadoing or fastening so that being soon opened an advanc'd party enter'd and was joyfully received by the Inhabitants a great many of them having before their coming listed themselves for the service of the Prince and into this City his Highness entred with great Splendour the Friday after his landing and took up his Residence in the Bishop's Palace giving a strict command to all the Officers and and Soldiers that they should behave themselves orderly and civilly to all manner of persons duly and diligently observing to defray their Quarters and offering no manner of Injury nor Violence under severe Penalties and such Regiments as that City could not quarter were appointed other Stations In this City in a full Auditory his Highness's first Declaration was read shewing the Reasons of his coming over and inducing him to appear in Arms in the Kingdom of England for the preserving the Protestant Religion and for the restoring the Laws and Liberties of England Scotland and Ireland setting forth How they had been manifestly Violated by Evil Counsellours and Ministers of State to the great Oppression of the people and endangering the Subversion of the Religion and Established Government of these Kingdoms and to bring them under Popery and Slavery With many other cogent and pressing Reasons set forth at large in that Declaration and especially a clause wherein his Highness expresses his doubts as likewise those of the Nation concerning the true Birth of the Infant and this part it was that caused the King to call the extraordinary Council that met in the Council Chamber a White-Hall on the 22d of October where before a considerable number of Peers Ministers of State Officers of the Houshold the Judges the King's Council the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen of the City c. where the Depositions of 41 Persons as to their knowledge in that matter consisting of both Sexes were given in and on the 27th of October they were enrolled in the Court of Chancery together with those of the Earl of Huntington and Earl of Peterborough who were not present when the Depositions were taken in the Council Chamber but given in the Chancery Court All which
of Orange having taken upon him at the request of the Lords and Commons the farther Administration of Government in Civil and Military Affairs proceeded to the most effectual meanes for the better setling the Army and taking care for their Payment and the better to assure them and encourage men of worth and true Valour the sale of Offices or Military Employments are laid aside And now the Wisdom of the Nation having thought it as we head necessary to have the presence of her Royal Highness the Princess of Orange in England upon this great juncture of Affairs thereupon a Convoy of Men of War as well English as Dutch was ordered to wait upon her till her Equipage could be got in a readiness and the Wind served to bring over her Highness c. During the Joy of the People in expectation or the Arrival of her Royal Highness and the preparations for her Reception we had News from France that the King and Queen of England were frequently visited by the French Nobility and entertained with the accustomed Grandeur and that the French King gave out that he would have extraordinary Forces in the Field early in the Spring to oppose the gathering Armies of the Confederate Princes and States of Holland promising to himself those advantages which only Time can make out or determine In opposition to which and to disable him in the lessening his Revenues an Address was agreed on by the honourable Convention Assembled at Westminster upon the great emergency of Affairs to desire and intreat his Highness the Prince of Orange to issue out his Proclamation for the prohibiting the Importation of French Commodities and the going out of any Ships hence for France farther recommending the State of Ireland as its present Condition requires to his Care. On Wednesday the 30th of January being the anniversary Solemnity for the Murther of King Charles I. Dr. Sharp Dean of Norwich Preached before the House at St. Margarets Westminster and on Thursday the 31th of January the day appointed for Thanksgiving in the City of London and Ten miles round it for the success of his Highness the Prince of Orange in the miraculous Deliverance he brought this Kingdom c. Dr. Gilbert Burnet now Bishop of Salisbury according to the desire of the House Preached before them in the same Church there being a numerous Assembly who at the close of that Sermon expressed an extraordinary satisfaction the whole course of it being managed with much Learning and Prudence in every respect suitable to the occasion of the day and the Prayers appointed were read in the other Churches with the same acceptation And because the sixth of February was at hand to prevent the Thanksgiving formerly appointed to be held on that day an Order of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal bearing date the second of the same Month was made publick in these words Ordered by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal assembled at Westminster that the Day of Thanksgiving on the 6th of February Instant on which Day the late King James II. came to the Throne shall not be observed in this Kingdom Things being in this forwardness a great many Citizens of London and Westminster appeared in the Court of Requests with two Petitions one to the Lords and another to the Commons both to this Effect viz. That they most humbly desired that his most Illustrious Highness the Prince of Orange might be speedily setled in the Throne by whose Courage Conduct and Reputation the Nation and the Protestant Religion might be defended from Enemies abroad and at home That Ireland might be rescued from its deplorable Condition and finally the Kingdoms setled on a lasting foundation in Peace and Liberty These being received and many weighty Considerations urging it her Royal Highness's Coming over was hastened and being on her Departure for England the States General the States of Holland the Council of State the Courts of Justice and all other Colleges either in Body or by their Deputies made their Complements to her on the Occasion and the like was done by foreign Ministers and all other Persons of Quality and at her Leaving the Hague the Magistrates entreated that the Burghers might attend her in Arms but She excused it however the States of Holland appointed three of their Body to wait upon her Royal Highness to the place of her Embarquing sending Orders to the Sieur d' Allemonde and the Ships under his Command to joyn Admiral Herbert who from England attended her with a Squadron of Men of war and sundry Yatches for the better conveniency of Transportation and having a prosperous Gale on the 12th of February in the afternoon She safely arrived at White-Hall having been saluted by the Guns of the Forts Ships in the road and those of the Tower where the Royal Banner was displayed and by that Example the Ships likewise had put out their Flags and Streamers Great was the Joy upon the safe Landing of her Royal Highness as appeared by the repeated Acclamations of the People and other publick Demonstrations and that Night She received the Complements of the chief Persons of Quality And now the Two Houses thought it no longer necessary to delay Proclaiming the Prince and Princess King and Queen of England so that having at large declared the Reasons for the Abdication of James II. laying down therein the Illegalities in former Proceedings and Miscarriages in Government c. they came to a Resolve That William and Mary Prince and Princess of Orange should be Declared King and Queen of England France and Ireland with all the Dominions thereunto belonging to hold the Crown and Royal Dignity of the said Kingdoms Dominions to them during their Lives and the Life of the Survivor of them and that the sole and full Exercise of the Regal Power be only in and executed by the Prince in the Name of Himself and the Princess during their joynt Lives and after their Deceases the Crown and Royal Dignities of the Kingdoms and Dominions to be to the Heirs of the Body of the Princess and for default of such Issue to the Princess Ann of Denmark and the Heirs of her Body and for default of such Issue to the Heirs of the Body of the Prince of Orange And praying the Prince and Princess to accept this accordingly the following Oaths were appointed to be taken by such Persons of whom the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy might be required by Law and farther that the former Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy be Abrogated After which the Oaths were Enacted viz. I A. B. do sincerely Promise and Swear That I will be faithfull and bear true Allegiance to their Majesties King William and Queen Mary So help me God. I A. B. do Swear That I do from my Heart Abhor Detest and Abjure as Impious and Heretical this damnable Doctrine and Position that Princes Excommunicated or deprived by the Pope or any Authority of the See of Rome may be Deposed or
Murthered by their Subjects or any other whatsoever And I do declare That no Foreign Prince Person Prelate State or Potentate hath or ought to have any Jurisdiction Power Superiority Preeminence or Authority Ecclesiastical or Spiritual within this Realm So help me God. These and others too many to be here inserted being the Proceedings in order to the Proclaiming on the 13th of February the Two Houses went to acquaint the Prince and Princess of Orange in the Banqueting-House with what they had done and having received Their Consent thereto the Lords and Commons about Eleven of the Clock went down to White-Hall Gate where the Officers at Arms Serjeants at Arms Trumpets and other Persons concerned in the Solemnity being assembled by order of the Duke of Norfolk Earl Marshal of England St. Thomas St. George Knight Garter Principal King at Arms having received a Proclamation and the Officers at Arms being Ordered by the House of Lords forthwith to Proclaim it York Herauld after the Trumpets had thrice Sounded Proclaimed it at White-Hall Gate Garter Reading it to him by Periods in the Presence of the Lords and Commons and a great Concourse of People c. and at the end of the Proclamation the Palace and all the adjacent Places resounded with the Eccho of a general Joy and loud Satisfaction and from thence in Excellent Order they proceeded to Temple-Bar where as the Ceremony is in this Case according to Custome finding the Gates shut two of the Officers at Arms attended by a Serjeant at Arms and two Trumpets knocked and thereupon the Sheriffs of London and Middlesex being informed of the Occasion of their Coming Ordered them to be opened and the whole Proceeding entered except the Bailiff of Westminster and his Men who returned as being obliged not to pass the Bounds of their Liberty and here the Lord Mayor Recorder and Aldermen received them in their Formalities and a second Proclamation was made between the two Temple-Gates in the same manner and order and the Lord Mayor Sheriffs Aldermen c. falling into the Proceding they passed to Wood-street-end in Cheapside and there made a third Proclamation and a fourth before the Royal Exchange in Cornhill every time concluding with Shouts and Acclamations of the People who filled the Streets Balconies and Windows in great multitudes and to prevent any Disorder such an Excess of Joy might occasion four Regiments of the City Militia were in Arms to line the Way for the better conveniency of Passage The Pomp of the Solemnity being over and night coming on the Bells and Bonfires made a second Proclamation of the Peoples Satisfaction and the news by the Thundering of the Cannon was in a short time carried by taking the fire of the Guns from one Ship to another beyond the Island it self nor were their curious Fire-works and Devices wanting on this Occasion and the Solemnity was more especially concluded with Magnificent Entertainments at Court and soon after their Majesties with the like Demonstration of Joy were Proclaimed in all the Cities and Principal Burghs Towns of England and Dominion of Wales On the 15th of February His Majesty returned both Houses a very Gracious Answer to their Declaration wherein he expressed Himself highly satisfied with what they had done and was pleased to promised them the utmost of his Care and Protection for the preservation of their Religion Laws and Liberties and that He would be willing to concurr with them in any thing that should be for the Good of the Kingdom and to doe all that in him lay to advance the Glory and Welfare of the Nation About this time a Complaint was made that divers disorderly Persons notwithstanding a former Declaration strictly enjoyning the contrary continued to destroy the Deer Timber and Underwoods in divers Chases and Forrests Farther Notice was published Commanding all Mayors Sheriffs Justices of the Peace and others whom it might concern to seize or cause Persons found offending therein to be seized and proceeded against according to Law without expectation of Pardon if found guilty And farther considering that divers had attempted to escape to Tyrconnel in Ireland to aid him in oppressing the Protestants of that Kingdom Orders were taken for stopping the Ports of Chester Beaumaris and Holy-head and other Ports and Creeks on the Irish Sea and not to susser any Person or Persons whatsoever to go for Ireland unless those by whom a Pass was produced from his Majesty or one of his Principal Secretaries of State. The Recorder Sheriffs and Common Serjeant of London having been to wait on their Majesties by Order of the Lord Mayor and Common Council to beg leave from them to attend their Majesties to Congratulate their happy Accession to the Throne the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Commons went in a Body and had the favour of Waiting upon their Majesties in the Banqueting-House and were Graciously received being admitted to Kiss their Majesties Hands And now we received continual Relations of the Joy that was conceived throughout the whole Shires of England c. Upon the several Proclaimings of King William and Queen Mary Expressed by Ringing of Bells making of Bonfires and drinking their Healths On the 18th of February in the morning the King went from White-Hall in his Barge of State to the Parliament-Stairs where he was received by several of the great Officers and others the Yeomen of the Guards and Gentlemen Pentioners making a Lane from the Water-side to the Door going up into the Prince's Lodgings the Proceedings being in this manner First went the Officers at Arms then the Noble-men bearing white Staves and after them Serjeants at Arms the Garter King at Arms between two Gentlemen-Ushers immediately before the Sword of State which was born by the Duke of Somerset having on the Left hand the Duke of Norfolk Earl Marshal of England with his Marshal's Staff next went the Marquess of Winchester bearing the Cup of State then the King followed by an Officer of the Guards and other Persons of Quality the Gentlemen Pentioners closing the Rear and his Majesty being come into the Prince's Lodging was invested with his Sur-coat and Mantle of Crimson Velvet bordered with Gold-Lace and furred with Ermins as also with the Collar of the Order of the Garter and as soon as the Crown was placed upon His Head the Officers at Arms and the Serjeants at Arms entered the House of Lords and the Noblemen who preceded his Majesty having placed themselves on each side of the Throne and his Majesty whose Train was born up by Noble-mens Eldest Sons being-seated on the Throne the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod was commanded to summon up the Commons who being accordingly introduced into the House of Peers and their Speaker conducted to the Bar with the usual Formalities and the Lords being in their Robes His Majesty made a most Gracious speech in which he was pleased to let them know how sensible he was of their Kindness and how much he valued the
confidence they had reposed in him Assuring them that he would never do any thing that might lessen their good Opinion of him putting them in mind of the Allies abroad and the hazard they may run especially Holland unless some speedy Care were taken That a good Settlement was necessary at Home particularly recommending to them the dangerous State of Ireland and the Methods to their spedy consideration On the 2d of February the Lord Bishop on London with the Clergy of the City to the number of an 100 waited on their Majesties with an humble Tender of their Fidelity and Duty and being Graciously received were admitted to kiss their Majesties Hands the King at the same time being pleased to give them a full Assurance of of his great Affection to the Church of England and of all the Protection and Encouragement to them for which he gave them his Royal Word concluding with Assuring them that they should ever find it so and they might depend upon it the Houses resolved into a free Parliament His Majesty went on the 23d of February by Water to the House of Lords attended with the usual Solemnity and being in his Royal Robes with the Crown on his Head seated on the Throne and the Commons being sent for His Majesty gave the Royal Assent to an Act for removing and preventing all Questions and Disputes about the Assembling and Sitting of the present Parliament And having disrobed himself he was attended to the Water-side with the like Ceremony as before and in the afternoon their Majesties went to Hampton-Court On the 28th of February two Proclamations were issued forth by the King and Queen the one at the Request of the Honourable House of Commons to apprehend Robert Brent Gentleman late of the Inner Temple charged with High Treason who procuring himself to be Bailed had left them and fled from Justice with the Reward of 200 l. to any person that should discover or apprehend him and those that should conceal or further his Escape to be proceeded against with the utmost severity according to Law. The other for the bringing in and restoring of Arms that had been Embezled or Lost during the Disorders and Disbandings amongst the Soldiers that had been in pay under the late King James and upon advice that the Earl of Tyrconnel laboured to draw the Irish more and more to his Party and confirm those that were already in Arms with him by laying before them the Danger already incurr'd their Majesties to leave them that should obstinately persist without excuse issued forth a Proclamation offering amongst other things Pardon and Indemnity for all things by those of the Earl's Party if they laid down their Arms and retired themselves to their respective Habitations and Places of Abode and there peaceably behaved themselves as good Subjects ought to doe as likewise that they should upon this ondition enjoy in full freedom their Estates according to Law and those of the Roman Church upon such Consideration to have all the Favour for the private Exercise of their Religion that the Law allows with a promise speedily to call a Parliament in that Kingdom but on the Contrary declaring them Rebels and Traytors c. and their Lands and Possessions forfeited and to be disposed and distributed to those that should be Aiding and Assisting in reducing the Kingdom to its due Obedience This Proclamation 't is thought whether hindred by Tyrconnel's violence from coming to the knowledge of the Vulgar or creating a fear in his followers made him fly to his Last refuge of more strictly disarming the Protestants as well those in Cities that fell into his hands as Gentlemen who were retired to their Houses where his Soldiers committed sundry Outrages of an high Nature Robbing and Pillaging without remorse or pity though under a colour excused himself by giving directions to the Magistrates to see that no wrong should be done however when Complaints were made he urged necessity compell'd his Men to doe what they did yet the Protestants especially in the North stood to their Arms and repelled force by force getting some supplies of Ammunition out of Scotland keeping the Town of Sligo and other places of strength with a Longing expectation of the Arrival of the Forces and necessary Provisions from England to be thereby enable to carry on the War and recover what has been taken from them by the Irish Papists And now the duty of Hearth mony being looked upon by the Commons as a grievance to the Subjects and represented as such to his Majesty the King was pleased to send a message that he left it to their considerations either to regulate it or to take it away which was received with great satisfaction and forthwith the thanks of the House were ordered to be returned his Majesty for his gracious Message and on the 1st of March in the Afternoon the Knights Citizens and Burgesses in Parliament assembled Waited upon his Majesty in the Banqueting-house and and there presented an Address of thanks wherein they expressed the Joy and Satisfaction they conceived at so unpresidented an offer humbly craving leave to present their Assurance that they-would make such gratefull and affectionate returns as were suitable to his Majesties most Gracious Intentions and be so carefull of the Support of the Crown that the World should see to the discouraging his Enemies that his Majesty reigns in the Hearts of his People c. The Lords Spiritual and Temporal and Commons Assembled in Parliament made likewise and Address to his Majesty expressing therein how highly they were sensible of their great and Signal deliverance c. And that being fully convinced of the restless Spirits and continued Endeavours of his Majesties and the Nations Enemies for the Extirpation of the Protestant Religion and the Subversion of the Laws and Liberties they unanimously declared that they would Stand by and Assist his Majesty with their Lives and Fortunes in Supporting his Allies abroad in reducing Ireland and in defence of the Protestant Religion of the Kingdom To this his Majesty was pleased to return them a very Gracious Answer expressing therein the valuable Esteem he had for Parliaments and especially for this expressing his Satisfaction of the Confidence and Trust they had reposed in him and that it should be his Care never to give any Parliament cause of distrust and withall recommending to them the care of the Allies abroad and minding them of the greate Expence the States of Holland had been at in the Expedition and Zeal they had to promote it and to second his Majesties Endeavours even with a neglect of their own Safety not doubting but their Generosity would not only enable him to make good his treaty with those States and repay what they actually layd out and of which an account should be given but support them to their utmost Ability against the power of their Enemies considering both Interests were upon one and the same Bottom As to safety his
Religion established by Law And will you preserve unto the Bishops and Clergy of this Realm and to the Churches committed to their Charge all such Rights and Privileges as by Law do or shall appertain to any of them King and Queen All this I promise to doe After this the King and Queen laying his and her hand upon the holy Gospel shall say King and Queen These things which I have here before promised I will perform and keep So help me God. Then the King and Queen shall kiss the book And this Oath by the same Act is to be administred to all the Kings and Queens that shall succeed to the Imperial Crown of this Realm at their respective Coronations by one of the Archbishops or Bishops and to be done in publick Thus every thing being in a readiness and the expected day arrived their Majesties being come from White-Hall to Westminster the Heralds began to put the Proceedings in order the Peers in the Lords House and the Peeresses in the painted Chamber so that about eleven in the morning their Majesties and the whole Proceeding were conducted into Westminster-Hall where at the upper end a Throne being erected their Majesties took their Seats under their Cloath of State on the inside the Table which done the Master of the Jewel-house presented to the Lord High Constable the Sword of State also the Sword Curtana and the two pointed Swords in their order who in the like order delivered them to the Lord Great Chamberlain and he having drawn them out of the Scaboards laid them on the Table before their Majesties as likewise the Spurs After which the Dean and Prebendaries of Westminster bring the Crowns and other Regalia presented them severally and then they were delivered to those Lords whose Office or Trust it was to bear them Then the Proceeding began from Westminster Hall to the Abbey where being entered and each seated or placed in order the Lord Bishop of London began with the Recognition which ending with a general Shout and universal Acclamation of Joy their Majesties offered and the Lords who carried the Regalia offered them at the Altar severally to be there disposed after which the Litany was sung by the Bishops of St. Asaph and Bangor which ended the Communion Service began the Epistle taken out of the 1 Pet. 2. ver 13 17. was read by the Bishop of Carlisle and the Gospel out of Mat. 22. 16 22. was read by the Bishop of St. Asaph after which followed the Nicene Creed and by this time the Bishop of Salisbury being in the Pulpit after repeating the Lords Prayers took his Text 2 Sam. 23.3 4. viz. The Lord God of Israel said the Rock of Israel spake to me he that ruleth over men must be just ruling in the fear of God and he shall be as the Light of the morning when the Sun riseth even a morning without Clouds as the tender Grass springing out of the Earth by clear shining after rain The Sermon which lasted half an hour being ended their Majesties took the new established Oath before mentioned and after Veni Creator was sung and the Holy Oil consecrated their Majesties were conducted to their Royal Chairs placed on the Theatre where the Honourable Members of the House of Commons who with their Speaker were seated in the north Cross might have a full prospect and there being disrobed of their Crimson Mantles their Majesties were solemnly annointed and presented with the Spurs and Sword which being offered up and redeemed by the Earl of Portland their Majesties were invested with the Imperial Robes and Orbs after that with the Rings and Sceptres and about four of the Clock the Crowns were placed on their heads by the Lord Bishop of London assisted by the Lord Bishop of Rochester upon which the Drums beat the Trumpets sounded the great Guns were fired yet were drowned in a manner by the loud shouts and joyfull Acclamations of the People and the Peers and Peeresses putting on their Coronets the holy Bible was presented to their Majesties and after the Benediction they vouchsafed to kiss the Bishops and then Te Deum was sung and they ascended the Throne the Archbishop and Bishops doing jointly Homage and kissed their Majesties left Cheeks and after them the Temporal Peers did the like whilest the Medals were cast about by the Treasurer of the Houshold inscribed on one side Ne totus absumatur and on the other Gulielmus Maria Rex Regina After this began the Communion their Majesties making their second Offering and having received the Holy Sacrament they went in State into St. Edward's Chapel where being divested of the Imperial Palls c. and robed in Purple Velvet returned to Westminster-Hall with their Crowns of State on their Heads the Peers and Peeresses wearing their Coronots where a very splendid Entertainment was furnished at sundry Tables and between the first and second course Charles Dymcke Esq their Majesties Champion came on Horseback completely armed between the Lord High Constable and Earl Marshal both on Horseback and made his Chalenge which was pronounced by York Herald in these words viz. If an Person of what degree soever high or low shall deny or gainsay our Sovereign Lord and Lady King William and Queen Mary King and Queen of England France and Ireland Defenders of the Faith to be rightfull King and Queen of this Realm of England or that they ought not to enjoy the Imperial Crown of the same Here is their Champion who saith he lyeth and is a false Traitor being ready in Person to combate with him and in this Quarrel will adventure his Life against him on what day soever be shall be appointed After which their Majesties Styles were proclaimed in Latin French and English and about eight in the evening they returned to White-Hall This caused great Rejoicing in Holland as well as England the States ordering it to be exprest by Bells Bonfires and Fireworks c. The Convention in Scotland declared their Majesties King and Queen in the following manner viz. After the Vote had passed the Estates assisted by the Ld. Provost Magistrates and Council of Edinburgh attended by Lyon King at Arms Heralds Pursuvants and Trumpets went to the Cross on foot proclaimed their Majesties ' King and Queen of Scotland and deputed some of the Estates to offer the Crown with an Instrument of Government for settling that Kingdom A Table of the chief Ministers of State and Officers of Trust newly made by the King and Queen of England The most Honourable Privy-Council HIS Royal Highness Prince George of Denmark Duke of Cumberland c. Lord A. B. Cant. Marquess of Caermarthen E. of Danby and L. President of the Council Marquess of Halifax L. Privy-Seal D. of Norfolk Earl-Marshal of England Duke of Bolton Marquess of Winchester E. of Lindsey L. Great Chamberlain of Engl. E. of Devonshire L. Steward of his Majesties Houshold E. of Dors Midds Ld. Chamberlain of his Majesties Houshold