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CAVALIER AND PURITAN
IN THE
DAYS OF THE STUARTS
COMPILED FROM THE PRIVATE PAPERS
AND DIARY OF SIR RICHARD NEWDIGATE, SECOND BARONET
WITH EXTRACTS FROM MS. NEWS-LETTERS
ADDRESSED TO HIM BETWEEN
1675 AND 1689
BY
LADY NEWDIGATE -NEWDEGATE
Author of 'The Cheverels of Cheverel Manor'
Ac.
WITH A PORTRAIT
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LONDON
SMITH, ELDER, & CO., 15 WATERLOO PLACE
1901
[All rights reserved)
CONTENTS
CHAP. PAGE
INTRODUCTION vii
I. A SQUIRE IN THE DAYS OF THE STUARTS . . I
II. A KING'S TARDY RECOGNITION 21
III. CHARLES II. AND HIS PARLIAMENT 35
IV. CHRONICLES OF THE COURT 52
V. ROUGH MANNERS AND BARBAROUS DEEDS . . "2
VI. RELIGIOUS BIGOTRY AND PERSECUTION . . . 88
VII. THE TERRORS OF THE PILLORY . . . . IOI
VIII. SIR RICHARD NEWDIGATE'S DIARY . . . . 1 14
IX. SIR RICHARD'S FIRST PARLIAMENTARY EXPERIENCE 129
X. THE LADY OGLE'S MATRIMONIAL ADVENTURES . 14$
XI. AMBASSADORS AND THEIR ECCENTRICITIES . . 165
XII. SOME DARING WOOERS I?8
XIII. A FAMILY INTERLUDE 197
vi CAVALIER AND PURITAN
CHAP. PAGE
XIV. SEARCH FOR ARMS AT ARBURY .... 208
XV. WIG AND GOWN 222
XVI. THE GREAT FROST OF 1683-4 .... 233
XVII. SUNDRY ITEMS OF NEWS 243
XVIII. THE LAST OF THE STUART KINGS .... 254
XIX. THE STRUGGLE FOR THE CROWN . . . . 271
XX. AN AUTOCRAT AT HOME 290
XXI. A TOUR IN FRANCE 312
XXII. HOMEWARD BOUND 329
XXIII. END OF THE DIARY AND THE DIARIST . 343
INDEX 361
INTRODUCTION
IN the following pages will be found some echoes
of the past, tending to illustrate the lighter side
of public, private, and social life in the days of the
Stuarts.
The original and contemporary sources from
which extracts have been made are twofold :
1. A collection of manuscript news-letters
written from London to Sir Richard Newdigate,
2nd Bart., of Arbury, Warwickshire.
2. The remains of a private diary kept by Sir
Richard during many years of his life, and some
letters of interest addressed to him, which help
to illustrate the Stuart period.
The writers of the news-letters, sometimes
called ' intelligencers,' were employed profession-
ally by those living at a distance from London,
viii CAVALIER AND PURITAN
who, like the owner of Arbury, were desirous of
being kept in touch with all that was passing at
the seat of government in the unquiet days of
the seventeenth century. Their business was to
supplement the scanty news a strict censorship
allowed to appear in the public print or Gazette,
in Charles II. 's time, with gleanings of social and
political gossip, picked up by hearsay, and usually
prefaced by an irresponsible ' 'Tis said ' etc.
My readers may remember how, in a well-
known romance ' Shrewsbury,' by Stanley Wey-
man the narrator, adrift in London and reduced
to sore straits, is fortunate in finding work as a
copyist under a news-writer of repute. At first
the task seems an easy one. The scribe soon
finishes the requisite number of copies of the
sheet of occurrences and on-dits collected by his
master from the public news-resorts of the capital,
but overlooks the importance of the word ' Whig '
or ' Tory ' added by him as a guide to the political
bias of each Western town for which the letters
are destined. When his patron returns, his work
INTRODUCTION ix
goes for naught, and he has to learn how Tory
Bridport and Whiggish Frome cannot be served
identically. His apprenticeship then begins in
the art of manipulating and colouring the items of
public news so as to render them acceptable to
the opposite parties in the realm. ' There are
tricks in all trades/ he avows ; ' so Mr. Timothy
Brome, the writer, did not enjoy without reason
the reputation of the most popular news-vendor
in London.'
In Macaulay's ' History' we find a more
serious picture of this useful calling. The his-
torian asserts that ' no part of the load which
the old mails carried out was more important
than the news-letters. ... In the capital the
coffee-houses supplied in some measure the place
of a journal. . . . Neither the Gazette, nor any
supplementary broadside printed by authority,
ever contained any intelligence which it did not
suit the purposes of the Court to publish. . . .
The news-writer rambled from coffee-room to
coffee-room, collecting reports ; squeezed himself
x CAVALIER AND PURITAN
into the Sessions House at the Old Bailey if there
was an interesting trial ; nay, perhaps obtained
admission to the gallery of Whitehall, and noticed
how the King and Duke looked. . . . Such were
the sources from which the inhabitants of the largest
provincial cities and the great body of the gentry
and clergy learned almost all that they knew of the
history of their own time. . . . Many of these
curious journals might doubtless still be detected by
a diligent search in the archives of old families '
Perhaps there are not many series of news-
letters, of the time of which Macaulay writes, that
have been preserved so carefully as those at
Arbury. They date from 1675 to 1712, and
when at some later date they were roughly bound
up in nineteen folio volumes, they found a safe
resting-place in a dark and inaccessible corner of
the library.
The extracts from them which follow are given
in the news-writers' quaint but often picturesque
language. The diversity of handwriting in these
letters proves that different writers were employed,
INTRODUCTION xi
some being far more illiterate than others. The
mode of spelling at that date was so erratic that I
have thought it advisable to adopt one uniform
standard.
No doubt the letters at Arbury were copied in
duplicate and despatched to more customers than
one. Yet we know they had to be varied to suit
the special proclivities of the man to whom they
were addressed. In the present series it is easy
to read between the lines that the client for whom
the newsmen catered was a Protestant of the Pro-
testants ; a loyal subject in spite of the strain upon
the people's allegiance after the Restoration ; and
though a man of culture and a patron of the arts,
he was not so refined as to shrink from coarser
and more realistic details than we should tolerate
in the present day. Nor had he a soul above
the social gossip and scandal which the newsmen
liberally supplied for his entertainment.
The principal qualifications for the post of
an intelligencer seem to have been alertness and
enterprise tempered with accuracy. The profes-
xii CAVALIER AND PURITAN
sion was not without its risks, should the news-
writer be too bold or frank in the exercise of his
calling.
Under the date of September 1681 we are
told that ' some Malicious writers of news have
sent into the Country false and base reflections on
the Government, and the same coming to the
knowledge of Authority, some of them have been
seized, together with their writings, in order to be
prosecuted according to their demerits.'
In spite of the risks entailed, an intelligencer's
charges were not heavy, even allowing for the
vast difference in the value of money between that
era and the present day.
' Read a news-letter from Muddiman,' writes
Sir Richard Newdigate in his diary, 'whose news
I intend to have for one quarter and no longer,
for which he is to have ,1.5.0.'
The writers seldom sign their names, and then
only when a private note is added in the margin,
such as the following :
* S r I return my humble acknowledgments for
INTRODUCTION xiii
your constant Remitting the Quarterly of my In-
telligence. Under the candour of your goodness,
I take the liberty to acquaint you that this now
due is not come to hand as usual, and therefore
presume that there is some mistake, which I do
not send in the least to misdoubt your sincerity,
but truly and earnestly from a desire to occasion
no misunderstanding between S r and [your ?] most
humble Servant, GILT.'
This polite form of sending in a bill must have
received a satisfactory reply, for the letters go on
for some time in Mr. Gilt's cramped handwriting.
The private diary of Sir Richard Newdigate
needs a word of introduction and explanation. It
consists, for the most part, of fragments of torn
sheets of folio paper containing unconnected and
mutilated portions of what must have been a
minutely kept record of daily life extending over
some thirty years. When the manuscript volumes
were doomed to destruction, certain parts were
thought worthy of preservation, mainly because
they rioted matters of estate interest, or were
xiv CAVALIER AND PURITAN
of significance in other ways. Whole sheets were
then rent apart from the diary at irregular inter-
vals, interspersed in order of date with rough -
edged slips of paper torn from the middle of a
page. Some curious entries have been retained
which might not have escaped destruction had
not the folio sheets been closely written upon on
either side. Thus a note on some matter of mere
local importance has safeguarded a more interest-
ing entry of candid self-revelation on the reverse
side of the paper.
In these remnants of a day-by-day record
there is no reference to politics or public life, not
even during the period when Sir Richard was a
representative of his county in Parliament. The
diary is chiefly noteworthy for the naivet and
frankness of the writer, and for the fulness of detail
with which he helps us to realise the private life
of a country gentleman more than two hundred
years ago.
The historical links which have been added, in
order to explain political references in the letters
INTRODUCTION xv
of the newsmen and of Sir Richard's private
correspondents, have been compressed as much
as possible. They have been intended to act
merely as reminders of the history of the past,
whilst avoiding a wearisome repetition of well-
known details.
It will be necessary in the first instance to
give a short sketch of the antecedents of the man
to whom the news-letters are addressed, and with
whose character, habits, and manner of thought we
shall become acquainted, directly and indirectly,
from the extracts which follow.
CAVALIER AND PURITAN
CHAPTER I
A SQUIRE IN THE DAYS OF THE STUARTS
SIR RICHARD NEWDIGATE had his lot cast in
troublous times. He was born in 1644, when
Charles I. still reigned, although his kingdom was
being torn asunder by the civil war then raging
between the Royalists on the one side and the
Parliamentary forces on the other.
The boy Richard had scarcely doffed the
girlish petticoats and close white cap in which
he appears in his earliest portrait at four years
old, when his ill-fated and ill-advised monarch
was hurried to his premature grave. As a lad,
his earliest impressions must have been of
Cromwell's puritanical rule and iron grip of the
rudder of State. With the Lord Protector's
death the inevitable reaction set in. The
2 v,/vv/ii,ic.rc AND PURITAN
Restoration quickly followed, and Charles II. was
set upon the throne of his forbears.
Then all was changed. The second Charles,
gay and debonair, licentious, lax and self-indul-
gent, reigned over his long-suffering subjects
with an autocratic sway and a scandalous extra-
vagance which must have sorely tried their
attachment to the newly restored line. On the
'whole the yoke was borne with outward sub-
mission, though plots and counterplots abounded
towards the end of this reign.
The succession of James, Duke of York, in
apparent quietude testified to the innate loyalty
of the British nation, and for nearly four years
England was governed by a Roman Catholic
King. Then the overstrained allegiance of the
people and their invincible antagonism to the
Church of Rome combined to bring James II.'s
reign to a speedy close, and divert the English
crown from the direct male line of the Stuarts.
King James was quickly and easily replaced
by his daughter Mary and her soldier-husband,
William, Prince of Orange.
Richard Newdigate outlived this reign also,
and it was in Queen Anne's time, under the rule
A SQUIRE IN THE STUART DAYS ?
"V^ J
of the last of the Stuarts who sat on the throne
of England, that he died in 1710. In his sixty-
six years of existence he had passed under the
varied sway of three Stuart Kings and two
Queens, with the further experience of a Lord
Protector and Dutch King Consort as rulers of
his country. It is not surprising that for thirty-
five years of that stirring period he employed
professional newsmen to supply him with letters
from London three or four times a week, retailing
current events and the topics of interest of the
moment.
Young Richard from his earliest years must
have had a lively impression of the critical times
in which he lived, owing to his father's public
position as a judge of some renown in the time of
Cromwell.
The Richard Newdegate 1 of the Common-
wealth was the younger son of Sir John New-
digate and Anne Fitton his wife.- He was born
1 The Judge spelt his name with an e in accordance with the
practice of ancient members of the family. His son Richard, on
the other hand, followed the example of his grandfather Sir John,
and spelt his surname with an /.
8 The history of Anne and Mary Fitton has been told in Gossip
from a Muniment Room. David Nutt, Long Acre.
li 2
4 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
in 1602, received his education at Oxford, and
after being called to the Bar at Gray's Inn he
quickly made a name for himself in the pro-
fession of the law. In 1632 he married Julian,
daughter of Sir Francis Leigh of Newnham
Regis, and sister of the first and last Earl of
Chichester of that name. On the death of his
elder brother John, Richard Newdegate succeeded
to the family estates in Warwickshire, but did not
abandon the profession which was bringing him
fortune and distinction.
After being employed as counsel in one or
two State trials he was raised to the dignity of
Serjeant, and the same year he was further
elevated to the judicial bench with Pepys and
Wyndham. This was after Cromwell became
Lord Protector. At first all three of the newly
made Judges declined the honour, and on being
summoned into the Protector's presence expressed
doubts as to his title, and scruples as to whether
they could execute the law under him. Where-
upon Cromwell is reported to have replied in
anger : ' If you gentlemen of the red robe will
not execute the law, my red coats shall.' From
fear of what might occur to the State or them-
A SQUIRE IN THE STUART DAYS 5
selves they are said to have very wisely ex-
claimed one and all : ' Make us Judges ; we will
with pleasure be Judges.'
Oliver Cromwell, the lately-made Lord Pro-
tector, was a distant connection of Judge Newde-
gate's through the Hampdens, but they never
seem to have been on more than formal terms
of acquaintanceship. There is only one letter
from Cromwell at Arbury, which is addressed to
John Newdigate, the Judge's elder brother. It
is dated from Huntingdon on April i, 1631, and
is of no special interest except as coming from a
man who was afterwards of such fateful import-
ance to his country.
The outside sheet bears the following docket
in the handwriting of the Judge's son Richard :
' Oliver Cromwell, That Wicked, Successfull
Rebell, his letter to my uncle J. N. No Busi-
nesse but about Hawkes, but I keep it to shew
his hand and Stile.'
For the latter reason it is given here :
'Sr.
' I must with all thankfulnesse acknow-
ledge the curtesye you have intended me in
keepinge this hawke soe longe to your noe small
trouble, and although I have noe interest in hir,
6 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
yet if ever it fall in my way, I shalbe ready to
doe you service in the like or any other kinde.
I doe confesse I have neglected you in that I
have received two letters from you without send-
ing you any answer, but I trust you will pass by
it and accept of my true and reasonable excuse.
This poore man the owner of the hawke, whoe,
livinge in the same towne with me, made use of
my vannells, I did daly expect to have sooner
returned from his journey then he did, which was
the cause whie I protracted time and deferred to
send unto you, until I might make him the mes-
singer, whoe was best able to give an account,
as also fittest to fetch hir, I myself being utterly
destitute of a falconer att the present, and not
having any man whom I durst venture to carrie
a hawke of that kinde soe farre. This is all I
can apologise. I beseech you command me and
I shall rest
' Your Servant
' OLIVER CROMWELL.
' My Cosin Cromw T ell of Gray's Inn was the
First what told me of hir.'
Cromwell as a private individual writing a
civil letter to a distant cousin was a very different
person from the Lord Protector using threatening
language to the newly created Justice of the Court
of King's Bench.
Judge Newdegate proved too honest and in-
A SQUIRE IN THE STUART DAYS 7
dependent to retain his office for any length of
time. He was presiding at the York assizes
when the Earls of Bellasis and Dumfries, with
Colonel Halsey and other Royalists, were tried
before him for levying war against the Protector.
Judge Newdegate observed that ' although by
25 Edward III. it was high treason to levy war
against the King, he knew of no statute to extend
this to a Lord Protector,' and accordingly directed
the jury to acquit the prisoners. In consequence
he was deprived of his place on May i, 1655, for
' not observing the Protector's pleasure in all
his commands.' He was nevertheless restored
to the Bench later and advanced to the post
of Chief Justice, but he again ceased to act
when Charles II. made his triumphal entry into
London and the Commonwealth Judges were
considered as suspended.
Thus far we have the bare facts of Judge
Newdegate's career under Cromwell as related
in history. An amplified account is recorded
in a much-thumbed paper amongst the Arbury
manuscripts.
After Charles II. was restored to the throne
of his ancestors, the knowledge that the ci-devant
8 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
Judge had twice taken the oaths and been
elevated to the Bench by the Protector naturally
excited a prejudice against him in high quarters.
The paper mentioned above appears to have been
drawn up to explain away as far as possible the
doubtful position of a Royalist at heart, who had
nevertheless accepted high office under Cromwell.
It is entitled ' Apol. Pat. 1650-1-2,' and runs
as follows :
' Mr. Serjeant Newdegate, being in good
practice in the Chancery, was envied by some of
his Fellow Pleaders, who thinking his Profit a
hindrance to their own, contrived (as is conceived)
his promotion to a Judge's place in Oliver's time,
in order to which he was called Serjeant. But
'twas so ordered that he was (though in Oliver's
time) sworn true to the King : (had it been
examined 'twas resolved on, that the excuse to
Oliver should have been, the Clerk being drunk
mistook, and read the old form.) This done
Oliver proceeded to make him a Judge, which
to avoid he made use of all the interest and
friends he had. But that way failing he being
sent for, excused it to Oliver himself, by saying
he was most unfit, for he had an over nice and
scrupulous conscience, which would make him
check at those things which others possibly would
not boggle at, and therefore he desired to be
excused, and absolutely refused to be a Judge.
A SQUIRE IN THE STUART DAYS 9
Oliver fawningly replied that be had always
fought for liberty of Conscience and therefore
should not deny it to any, though much meaner
than Sergeant Newdegate. Whereupon the
Serjeant entreated further Time of consideration,
which obtained, he advised with his friends of the
Royal suffering Party who persuaded him that
he had now an opportunity of doing his King
more service than (this neglected) he could ever
hope for. For he might countenance the Royal
Party if he durst undergo Oliver's displeasure.
This motive made him do that which all the
Profit in the World should never have persuaded
him to, to be one of the Tyrant's Judges a
thing so hateful, that no Torture could have
forced him to it. Yet this he undertook when his
Ma ties service was concerned, and he did the King
at that time more service than all the Kingdom
besides. As for the other Judges, all of them
except the Lord Chief Justice Hales that now
is, did as Oliver desired ; that is, in their several
Circuits condemned those of the Loyal Party that
came before them. Whereas this Serj 1 , in the
Northern Circuit, in spite of Oliver's direction,
troop of Horse, and Solicitor sent to overawe
him, boldly acquitted those Gallant Gentlemen,
who there had endeavoured to restore his Ma tie ,
when in all parts of England else, the Loyal
Gentlemen concerned in that Rising were put
to death, as the gallant Penruddock etc. And
that all Persons might abhor the Tyrant he
publickly declared that though many Acts of
Parliament made it Treason to Levy arms
io CAVALIER AND PURITAN
against the King, none made it so to Levy
arms against the Protector. When he came
up to Town, (for he resolved he would not
fly for it, having used that caution which the
iniquity of the times required) he was sent for to
Oliver, who stormed at him and told him he was
not fit to be a Judge ; to which he answered with
all meekness (as it concerned him having to do
with a blood-thirsty Tyrant) " I told your High-
ness so before," and so laid his Commission at his
feet. But Oliver flung away from him, and He,
that all the world might see the confidence his
integrity created in him, and how little he valued
the Usurper's anger, the next day pleaded at the
Bar in Westminster Hall. And shortly after
when the unjust sentence passed against Sir
Henry Slingsby and Dr. Huet, advised the then
Sheriff of London not to put it in execution by
any means. Cromwell resolved to be revenged
on him, but carried it cunningly, so put him in
Judge again with a Compliment. But he had
got an Act passed in his Mock Parliament to
make levying war against him Treason. The
Serf, however, resolved to stick to his Loyal
principles, whatever came of it. But it happened
the Tyrant died before he had an opportunity to
work his revenge. So that till the Committee of
Safeties time, after S r George B l business,
the Serjeant had not occasion to show his zeal
to the King's cause. But then many Gentlemen
being committed, the Serjeant freed them by
granting Habeas Corpus at that very time in West-
1 Hole in paper.
A SQUIRE IN THE STUART DAYS n
minster Hall, when that Juncta of Tyrants sat in
Wallingford House, and from thence sent several
officers of the Army with messages to stop his
proceedings. But when any offered to speak he
commanded his Tipstaves to lay them by the
heels for disturbing the Court, for which when
he should have been punished, General Monk
coming up, put an end to their proceedings.
And about 2 or 3 months before the Happy-
coming in of his Sacred Ma tie Glyn was turned
out, and the Serjeant made Chief Justice of
England. After which he laboured with all his
might to withstand Glyn's and S c John's oppo-
sition in the House against the Royal Interest.
And with the close consultation which he had a
nights which occasioned him many a walk in the
street that cold spring, he caught so great a cold
that occasioned his following sickness, which had
like to have sent him with a Nunc Dimittis to
his grave. For he just made shift to see his
King ride in, but had not strength to wait upon
him. 'Twas reported in Westminster Hall that
he was dead, and some made use of that Report.
His House was often the Sanctuary of distressed
Cavaliers, as his Grace of Canterbury and others
well knew.'
A little more information concerning the
curious episode of Judge Newdegate's passing
tenure of the post of Chief Justice is to be
gleaned from a paper in his son's handwriting,
labelled 'Vindication of the ist S r R. N. from
iz CAVALIER AND PURITAN
being one of Oliver's Knights.' After recapitu-
lating much the same story as above, Richard
Newdio-ate sjoes on to state that when his father
o o
' fell into so great Sickness that for 3 months his
life was despaired of, Dr. Sheldon, Elect B p of
London and Clerk oth' Closet, came from White-
hall every day to pray by him, and 'twas reported
in Westminster Hall at his first Sickening that
he was Dead, which report a certain Lord Chan-
cellor [Earl of Clarendon] took advantage of, and
put Foster in his place.'
It was at this time (1660) that the late Judge
was returned M.P. for Tamworth, and although
he was deposed from the Bench, a writ was
issued to confirm him in the degree of the coif.
Henceforward he was known as Mr. Serjeant
Newdegate, and he resumed his former practice
at the Bar.
The same success as before attended him in
his profession, and so absorbing did he find the
claims of his legal calling that, as soon as his
eldest son Richard came of age, he made over to
him his Warwickshire estates in the following-
terms :
' I will settle ' (writes the Serjeant) ' all my
Warwickshire Land in possession on my son for
A SQUIRE IN THE STUART DAYS 13
life for his present maintenance, the better to
enable him to live at Arbury, which amounts to
the yearly sum of I55O/. p. an. and better.
' I will settle for Joynture of the Person with
whom He shall marry, the Manor house, Manor
and Demesne Lands of Astley, to the value of
4OO/. p. an. . . .'
The requisite ' Person ' in the last paragraph
was soon forthcoming. On December 21, 1665,
young Richard was married to Mary, daughter
of Sir Edward Bagot of Blithfield, Staffordshire.
The bride of twenty a year her husband's junior
not only came of good lineage, but was endowed
with sterling qualities of heart and head which
rendered the marriage a happy one.
When the young couple were establishing
themselves at Arbury, an inventory was drawn
up of ' the Household Goods Mr. Serjeant N-
left with his son in March 1666.' The furnishing
of one chamber may be quoted to show how
heavy and elaborate, not to say stuffy, were the
contents of a bedroom in those un-hygienic days.
" In the great Chamber :
1 The chamber hung with five pieces of
Landskipp hangings, a very large Bedstead with
I 4 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
embroidered curtains and valence of broad cloth,
lined with carnation coloured sarcenet and seven
plumes of feathers on the bed tester, two em-
broidered carpets, two armed chairs, four stools
embroidered, suitable to the bed, a Down bed
and bolster with striped ticks, a feather bolster
at the head, and a wool bolster at the foot, a
holland quilt, three down pillows and carnation
coloured quilt, a red rug, three white blankets,
and a yellow blanket under the bed. A looking
glass embroidered with gold, and another looking
glass, six flower pots, two stands and a hanging
shelf all gilt, a pair of brass andirons, a pair of
creepers with brass knobs, brass fire shovel and
tongs, a picture over the chimney, Carpets round
the bed, five sweet bags, snuffers, two branches,
etc.'
It may be added that the sanitary arrange-
ments were deplorable, and even barbarous, in
comparison with the above grandeur.
The young squire of Arbury, third surviving
son in a family of eleven children, had been edu-
cated at Christ Church, Oxford, and was admitted
to Gray's Inn at an early age, but seems never
to have prosecuted his studies in the law. We
must now picture him as a landed proprietor,
settled down to the management of his estates,
barely of age, yet independent, sanguine, and full
A SQUIRE IN THE STUART DAYS 15
of energy. He faces his responsibilities by the
institution of an account-book of formidable
dimensions, bound in vellum. Here he enters
confidential remarks concerning himself and
others, with his various experiences, besides
doubtful attempts at accurately keeping the
figures for which account-books are primarily
intended.
He begins generously by announcing his in-
tention of benefiting his successors, and with this
view he carefully enters the names and extent of
the various holdings on the estate, whilst he con-
gratulates himself more than once on the discovery
that ' Arbury Lordshipp pays neither Great nor
Small Tithe.'
' The Particulars of my Estate ' (he continues)
' being set down, it seems expedient to me as
well tor my own, as for the benefit of Posterity
to set down punctually the Best and Readiest
way to deal with tenants (who often are Backward
in paying their Rent and sometimes very cross).
Therefore since God is so merciful to me as to
spare the life of my Father, which is the greatest
Advantage to me in the world, whatever Advice
I have from his, my own, or any other Experience,
I will here lay down by way of Precept, not
daring to trust my Memory in so material a
Business.
16 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
' i. Never stay with any tenant above six
months whatever pretence he hath to persuade
forbearance, for he who can't pay one Rent, can't
pay two together. But if as sometimes it happens,
there should be an extraordinary occasion, rather
lend a tenant so much without interest, to be paid
three months after upon a penal bond.
' 2. Never take a severe course with any one
before demand, though the agreement may be to
have rent paid without demand ; and if they
promise to pay within a competent time, forbear
so long to see if they keep faith (provided but
one Rent be due) but if once any break promise,
trust them no more.'
For a time the above and other simple rules
seem to have answered, and all went smoothly
under the new landlord. He sums up more than
one early rent-day with the remark : ' All paid
but John King, and I forgive him because very
Poor.' But the general axiom that tenants
can be ' sometimes very cross ' is proved ere long
by one George Newton, who makes noisy and
preposterous claims at a rent audit. ' To avoid
Wrangling and Clamour,' writes the Squire,
( I submit, but shall mark him for a Black
Sheep.'
At the end of a couple of years we come
A SQUIRE IN THE STUART DAYS 17
upon the following warning note inserted in
Latin :
' Soli Deo gloria, sed cum ad hanc paginam
perveneris
' Cave, mi Fili, ne glorieris ; nam tantum
Villicus es, ergo.'
Soon after we find the services of a bailiff are
dispensed with for a time, but the accounts are
not rendered clearer thereby.
' Query ' (writes Richard), ' how comes this
to be but i89/. qs. 7^., when the last was
1 94/. 95-. yd. ? '
' Mem. I find that Mich. Swift imposed upon
me.'
A few pages later he makes an attempt to
balance his debit and credit accounts, with the
result (on paper) of a satisfactory balance in hand.
' Tis false,' writes the amateur bookkeeper. ' I
have not so much by a great deal.'
Even in these early days Richard Newdigate
betrayed a tendency to lavish expenditure which
increased as he grew older. A list has been
kept of all that was consumed in the Christmas
festivities of 1668-9, which shows the liberality of
the housekeeping.
1 8 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
' A Note of what hath been spent in the twelve
days, 1668, Xmas.
By the Cook Dairymaid
2 Beefes 140 pounds of butter
6 Muttons
6 Veales
1 8 Turkeys
50 Geese Beer
1 6 Ducks 17 Hogsheads of Beer
42 Capons 3 Hogsheads of Ale
2 Pullets i Barrel of March Beer
3 Chickin
3 Pigs
i Swan
i pay Bird [Peacock ?]
100 Rabbits
100 strike of wheat
A similar list of almost identical quantities
enumerates the Christmas gifts of the same date.
But these were minor extravagances, though
scarcely wise for a man who had still only a
limited income. Richard Newdigate had gran-
diose ideas in whatever he undertook, and he
early began to embellish and improve his house
and grounds on a scale which must have involved
him in considerable expense.
The Serjeant, labouring ac his profession in
London, writes a note of warning to his son not
to undertake too many improvements at the same
A SQUIRE IN THE STUART DAYS 19
time. 'I hear talk,' he adds reprovingly, ' of image?
on your stable and carvings in your chapel.'
The last indictment was correct. The chapel
(afterwards consecrated by Archbishop Sheldon)
was being profusely decorated on walls and ceiling
with wreaths of flowers and festoons of fruit,
executed by skilled workmen from the designs of
Grinling Gibbons.
The report of ' images ' on the stable was
a libel, unless the large stone coat of arms above
the centre doorway, planned by Sir Christopher
Wren, could have been so miscalled. The stable
itself was a work of art the New Stable as it
was then named. And now, after nearly two
hundred and thirty years, Richard Newdigate's
stable, with its long gabled fa9ade, brown-tiled
roof, leaded windows, mellowed brickwork, and
handsome stone copings, is a joy to all who
appreciate a fine specimen of architecture in the
time of the Renaissance.
It is recorded how the foundation stone was
ceremoniously laid by a Lady Rouse, and as
the walls began to rise up they evidenced the
squire's love of horseflesh in the ample accom-
modation he was providing for his stud.
r ?.
20 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
When we consider how dependent a country
establishment must have been on its stables for
communication with the outside world, we can
understand the liberality of the scale on which the
new building was planned. Young horses bred
and broken on the estate would help to fill it, and
Richard, who prided himself on his skill in horse-
manship, had to take his share in the art of
rough-riding. Then again the ponderous coaches
and heavy unmetalled country roads made great
demands on the number of draught-horses required,
necessitating the services of four stout animals at
a time for even ordinary occasions. The Arbury
coach and team were not unfrequently on loan.
The Duke of Ormond is helped in this way on
his road to Ireland, and the same favour is granted
to country neighbours to take them up to London.
With this sketch of a country gentleman's
duties and interests after the Restoration, we
must leave the son for a time to follow the fortunes
of his father in Chancery Lane. No less busy
was the Serjeant plodding at his profession and
adding yearly to his fortune, little thinking how
short a time it would suffice for the larger needs
of his successor.
21
CHAPTER II
>
A KING'S TARDY RECOGNITION
ONE of the chief objects of Serjeant Newdegate's
persevering labour must have been attained when
at seventy-three years of age he was able to
buy back the old family property of Harefield
in Middlesex, which, with the exception of the
manor of Brackenbury, had been in other hands
for nearly a century. It was in Elizabeth's
reign 1586 that the Serjeant's grandfather,
John Newdegate, exchanged Harefield for Arbury
with Sir Edmond Anderson.
Fifteen years before the repurchase of the
Middlesex manor, its mansion-house had been
burnt to the ground, a catastrophe said to have
been caused by the carelessness of the witty Sir
Charles Sedley, who was amusing himself by read-
ing in bed. In its place Serjeant Newdegate
prepared a modest residence for his occasional use
22 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
and as an eventual dower-house. For the
remainder of his active life he seems to have
preferred to spend the greater part of the year,
when not on circuit, between Chancery Lane
and his house in Holborn known as ' The Leaden
Porch.'
It must be noted to Serjeant Newdegate's
credit that his honourable and successful career
after the Restoration was entirely independent
of Court favour. It was not until 1677 that
we hear of any effort being made to obtain for
him some tangible recognition of the services
he had rendered as a Commonwealth Judge to
certain Royalists and the cause they represented.
A movement was then set on foot by some of
those who had profited by his courage and in-
dependence.
Colonel Halsey, whose life had been spared
with others at the memorable York assizes, took
the initiative in the matter. He was energetically
aided by Sir Nicholas Armorer and Lord Grandi-
son. The two latter, being personal friends of the
Serjeant's, were able to approach his son Richard
in the first instance with a view of ascertaining
what form of recognition would be most accept-
A KING'S TARDY RECOGNITION 23
able to the recipient and his family. The intricate
progress of the negotiations is best described by
contemporary letters, aided by Richard's caustic
comments upon their contents, carefully noted on
each cover. The first action considered indis-
pensable on the part of the candidate for royal
favour was his formal attendance at Court. After
due preparation of the kingly mind, the Serjeant,
escorted by his three friends, was taken to wait
upon Charles II. at Whitehall. Sir Nicholas
Armorer's account of the interview is addressed
to Richard Newdigate, under date June 2, 1677.
' S r Yesterday morning we waited upon your
Father to Whitehall. The King received him in
the Bed Chamber with a Cheerful Countenance, and
gave him thanks for his kindness to his Friends
in the worst of times, and in particular to James
Halsey, who had informed him of it. M r Serjeant
made little reply, I suppose thinking the King
would have said more, which is not his way, unless
something be returned to his first offer to the
matter ; but it will have all the effects you and he
can desire, and had now as you directed me. But
had my advice been followed as I discoursed the
matter with you, I am still of the opinion it had
been better ; your own [objection ?] and seconded
by your Brother stopped all our reasons, neverthe-
less all is as well, for in the first Place, all in the
24 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
Bed Chamber took notice of his being there and
the King's cheerful going to him, and enquired
from my L d Grandison and M r Halsey and myself,
the Reasons of his coming, and since it is gone
about amongst us. My L d Grandison went with
M r Halsey and me to my good Lord of Ormond
and told his Grace what we had been about, who
wished he had been there to have made one. He
knows your family and had a great value for your
father Bagot, 1 and will take a time when my
L d Grandison is by to speak to the King of Both.
' As to the warrant we thought not fit to men-
tion it yesterday, but you need not doubt I think,
but it shall be sent as you direct, and in the best
manner and the kindest that can be proposed, and
by such a person as may be acceptable.
' You owe more to my L d of Ormond' s expres-
sions then I will mention, but that for another time.
Your friend of Ossory knows not a word of all this,
but shall when you please, and I am sure he will
be glad of it. I hope you will see them as they
pass Coventry, if they go that way ; but my L d
Duke talks of going by Derbyshire to see my L d
of Devonshire, but of that you shall know. My
service to my daughter 2 and all your fireside from
' S r Y or faithful humble servant
' NIC. ARMORER.'
The negotiations begun in so promising a
manner were not altogether in accordance with
1 Sir Edward Bagot, father of Richard Newdigate's wife.
- Synonymous with god-daughter in those days.
A KING'S TARDY RECOGNITION 25
Richard Newdigate's desires. He has docketed
the letter with these words :
' S r N. Armorer, that my Father had been with
the King, which letter shows that he intended
otherwise than I did. He offered to make my
Father an Irish Viscount, which I was utterly
against, and desired to have him Chief Justice,
but they put him off by making him a baronet.'
The contents of Sir Nicholas Armorer's letter
having been notified to the Serjeant, he writes in
reply :
' Sonne, I had both y r letters ; by the first we
were glad to hear of your safe coming home, and
the other met me here, the contents whereof, not
to seek for and yet not to refuse the favour if
freely bestowed, suits well with my own fancy ;
but if otherwise, I should be sorry to be censured
and accounted to buy what was discoursed on.
I pray God direct us in all our ways. So with
my best blessing to y r wife and children I am
' Y r very loving father
' Ri. NEWDEGATE.
' 14 June 1677.'
After a week had passed by with no further
sign of action in the matter, the Serjeant writes
again in veiled and bitter terms of his doubts and
disappointment.
26 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
' 21 June 1677
' Sonne, I had y rs i8 th June and hear
nothing at all of what you mentioned formerly.
So that by what you heard mentioned of ingrati-
tude, and by what observation and every day's
experience speaks, its plain that kind words are
made use of to prepare for the advantage of those
that have favour, as incident to their places ; and
if it should be had, none would believe it was had
otherwise than by the common way of purchase,
which, how unfit it is to be done, and how much
he that should gain it would be censured and up-
braided, and ranked amongst others that buy titles
to their families and have none considerable before
from their ancestors, and thereby declare their
pride and ambition, may easily be judged. The
prejudice for acting in ill times can never be taken
notice of nor mentioned but without [also mention-
ing] the refusal to comply in the Country [York]
which caused a displacing. The publick acting
upon the Court for the releasing so many that were
in great danger, which occasioned displeasure,
declares sufficiently loyalty, not without resolution,
which M r H. fully expressed himself. . . .
' If you write to S r N. A. I pray you to give
him many thanks and M r H. for their favour when
I attended, and that you hope thereby any
suspicion of dissatisfaction is cleared, and that you
know was all I desired, being in years ' and thereby
incapable of such service that formerly might have
been done, or what else you think on to that
effect . . . '
1 He was 75 years old.
A KING'S TARDY RECOGNITION 27
The son, as usual, dockets the letter with his
own remarks upon its contents :
' Fearing should be thought Pride, vindicating
his character from the imputation of disaffection,
all he meant in waiting upon the King, which he
mentions in another letter, and says he waited
upon his Ma tie with S r N. A. and Mr. H. and
L d Grandison, and that the King thanked him
for his services and said little more ; that he [the
King] was making himself ready, put on his
wig, and they attended till he went out'
On the 23rd more decisive news came through
Sir Nicholas Armorer to Richard Newdigate. The
former writes from ' Endfield Chase' as follows :
' I came hither this night to take the fresh
air, and repose myself after the trouble and noise
of the Town which I have been in ever since I
see you ; which is as much satisfaction to me,
though a poor man, as to a rich usurer to count
his gold.
' I can now tell you your Father's warrant is
signed by his Mat ie and in such manner as you
will find few I fancy has been done before, as you
will see by the new copy which I send you here
inclosed. Your Father's merit was so repre-
sented to the King yesterday by my L d of
Ormond in the privy garden, many persons of
the best quality being present, that your family
can never thank him enough, his Grace being no
28 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
stranger to the Bagot family, though so to yours ;
yet took our words for the character we gave him
of both Father and the son, who I hope will
never discount him nor us that have undertaken
in your Names. Your other commissions I
shall look after, and because of my being out
of the way many times, Col. Halsey has the
warrant and has paid the Fees, which ordinary
is but 6 " 5 // o yet for the good grace of the
Business there is 10 paid in all in the office of
the secretary. Though they could demand but the
ordinary fees, yet in the office we of the Court
do the same in such cases, to be the welcomer
when we come next, and who knows but you
may upon a better occasion before we die ?
' And now since you and I have ever dealt
like frank Friends, I am desired by Colonel Halsey
to let you know that since the Baronet was a
new proposal, and differing from what was
desired from us when the treaty begun, he thinks
it but reasonable and just that he may expect
the value of a Warrant, as is usual in such cases,
and more now, by that warrants are not granted
of late as they have been . . . '
This barefaced proposal for substantial reward
on the part of Colonel Halsey was not very
creditable, especially if one recalls how he owed
his life to the Serjeant. The pretext made use
of, namely, because a baronetcy had been substi-
tuted for the post of Chief Justice, was little
A KING'S TARDY RECOGNITION 29
likely to please Richard Newdigate. He makes
this clear in his note on the outer sheet of the
letter.
'23 rd June 1677. S r N. Armorer to me,
wherein he owns that making my Father a
Baronet was a New Proposal, as indeed it was,
for I ne'er thought of it, but he fob'd 1 me off with
it, and here sends down a Copy of the Warrant,
and mentions my taking a Commission (he means
as a Deputy Lieutenant, which he indeed spoke
of, which I do not in the least desire . . .). 2
Whereas Col. Halsey who owes his life to
my Father freely offered his Service towards
getting my Father his place as Chief Justice,
which Gen 1 Monk and the Parliament had con-
ferred upon my Father in March before the King
came in, and which the Earl of Clarendon put
Foster into upon report that my Father was
dead, 24 April 1660.'
But it was too late to murmur at an unde-
sired Baronetcy, or at Col. Halsey's unworthy
greed for pelf, when Sir Nicholas Armorer's
letter enclosed a copy of the Warrant already
sanctioned by the King. This paper is worth
transcribing, if only to show how lucrative to
1 You must not think to fob off our disgraces with a tale.
Coriolanus, act i, sc. i.
* The rest of the sentence has been erased.
30 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
Charles II. was the ordinary exercise of the
royal prerogative in the creation of baronets.
' Copy of Warrant.
' Our Will and pleasure is that you prepare
a bill for our Royal signature to pass our great
"eal, containing a grant of the Dignity of a
Baronet of our Kingdom of England to our
trusty and well-beloved Richard Newdegate,
Serjeant at Law (which said dignity we are
pleased to confer upon him in consideration
of several good services by him performed
to us and our faithful subjects in the time of
Usurpation) and to the Heirs Male of his body
lawfully begotten, with all Rights, Priveleges,
Precedencies, and Preheminencies unto the said
Dignity belonging.
' And whereas there are certain services that
ought to be performed, or sums of money that
ought to be paid in our Exchequer by the said
R d N. in respect of the said services, which for
the consideration aforesaid we are graciously
pleased to remit, Our will and pleasure is that
you likewise prepare a discharge from us unto
the said R. N. of and from all services that ought
to be performed, or sums of money that ought
to be paid by him for and in respect of the said
services, in consideration of the said Dignity,
wherein you are to insert such Clauses as may
make the said discharge full and effectual, and a
particular Non-Obstante of our letters of Privy
Seal directing the application of the sum of
A KING'S TARDY RECOGNITION 31
twenty thousand pounds that shall first accrue to
us by the creation of Baronets to the use of our
great Wardrobe. And for so doing, this shall
be your Warrant. Given at our Court at
Whitehall the 22nd day of June 1677 in the
nine and twentieth year of our reign.
By his Ma tie ' s Command
H. COVENTRY.
' To our Attorney or Solicitor General.'
The tidings of the coming warrant had reached
the Serjeant in London. He writes to his son
concerning it on the same date as that of Sir
Nicholas Armorer's letter to Richard Newdigate
enclosing the above copy.
' 23rd June, 1677.
' Sonne, just now my Lord Grandison
told me that at the Duke of Ormond's request
the K. was pleased to give order for a warrant
for that I feared, and that it is in Sir N. A. his
hands. What engagements you have made, I
know not, but its fit to carry on this business
with as much prudence as may be. Therefore
in ordering it I wish you not to do anything more
without my privity for publishing it or otherwise.
When the warrant comes I will take order con-
cerning it. If you have promised, its fit to be
just, but I doubt gain and gratuities are expected,
which you must bring the family that prest it on.
I am in haste and therefore only send you all my
best blessing. . . .'
32 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
The warrant containing the King's directions
in the matter was only the first step towards a
Patent of Baronetcy, and the experienced old
lawyer was well aware of the hindrances that
might arise before it was granted. He waits
another few days, and then, hearing nothing further
concerning that he ' feared ' and yet would have
been grieved to lose, faute de mieux, he writes
again to his son as the go-between, on the 28th
of the same month :
' Sonne, I writ you word on Saturday of what
my L d Grandison told me in reference to what
S r N. A. promoted, that it now proceeded so far
that a warrant was gained, of which I have heard
no more. Only my Lord again told me that he
did believe S r N. had given you notice thereof.
I know there must be much care taken in pro-
ceeding to have it perfected, the name and rank
exprest, and a 2nd grant to be had to discharge
the iooo/. every Bt is to pay, and warrants from
the Lord Treasurer, Privy Seal, from the Attorney
General etc. etc. If things be not effectually
done an after clap may come out of the Exche-
quer. . . .
' I again earnestly desire that nothing may be
done for publishing that favour and gaining the
Patent without my privity and direction. I would
avoid being censured as much as I could, and
public notice will be taken soon enough.
A KING'S TARDY RECOGNITION 33
1 Our Circuit will begin to go towards War-
wickshire this day three weeks. ..."
Yet one more letter before the Serjeant's fears
and doubts were set at rest :
1 30 June 1677,
' Sonne, I had y r letter. . . . For the
other concerning S r N. A. and the K. I hear
nothing at all more than what I writ. Therefore
I apprehend its expected applications should be
made by plausible language before some effectual
progress will be made to gain the warrant, or
some other proceedings to shew the greater kind-
ness or to merit the more thanks ; but its rare to
have such persons lay out money and be at the
trouble of soliciting in so many places without
assurance of being reimbursed with advantage.
Therefore since things are thus, perhaps you may
do well to write to S r N. and to give him thanks,
you having heard it by my Lord G. his report,
how ready he and the K. appeared, and how
graciously and freely the K.'s pleasure was de-
clared, and withal to desire him particularly to
inform you by Letter what is done, and what is
to be done in reference to fees and otherwise
completing, concerning which the directions shall
be given as you hear from him.
"... Send your letter enclosed to me. I will
send H y with it, and he shall wait upon him for
answer. ... If there be any stop you will know
thereby, and so both you and I be upon a cer-
tainty. . . .'
34
The Serjeant's wary suggestions for oiling
and expediting the wheels of action set in motion
on his behalf were doubtless necessary adjuncts
to Court favour in the self-interested and corrupt
days following the Restoration. There were still
some weeks of suspense to be endured before the
patent was officially signed, sealed, and delivered.
On July 24, 1677, the Cromwellian Judge and
ephemeral Chief Justice once again a Serjeant-
at-law in full practice was created Sir Richard
Newdegate, Baronet, with special remission of
the usual fees. The recipient of these tardily
bestowed honours did not long survive his King's
act of recognition. Fifteen months later he died,
on October 14, 1678, in the seventy-seventh year
of his age.
In the next few chapters extracts will be given
from the news-letters received by the second Sir
Richard Newdigate with more or less regularity
from 1675 to tne en d of his life. They have
been selected mainly to illustrate the manners
and morals of the period, amidst which lived a
man of complex character half Cavalier, half
Puritan, wholly Protestant, a scholar, country
gentleman, and county member.
35
CHAPTER III
CHARLES II. AND HIS PARLIAMENT
WHEN the news-letters to Richard Newdigate
begin in 1675, the squire of Arbury was biding
his time until an opportunity should occur to
enable him to come forward as a candidate to
represent his county at Westminster.
No general election had taken place since
May 1 66 1, when Charles II. summoned his first
Parliament after his Restoration. At that time
the loyalty of his subjects was at its height.
After the lapse of some years he had good
reason to doubt whether a longer acquaintance
with himself in his public and private capacity
had not tended to weaken the first warmth of
the nation's feelings towards the restored royal
line.
In such a case an appeal to the country was
D 2
36 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
likely to result in the return of a less amenable
House of Commons than in the first instance.
Hitherto, and for a few more years, Charles was
able to evade the experiment. He continued
to govern in defiance of precedent with the same
representatives of the nation (always excepting
chance vacancies) from 1661 to 1679, keeping
them under discipline by constant and unexpected
prorogations.
When Parliament met after one of these
recesses in April 1675, there was more than
ordinary anxiety to hear the King's opening speech
from the throne. The newsmen give their usual
summary of its delivery, whilst on a separate page
is found what at first sight appears to be the
actual text of its contents. After a careful perusal
it becomes evident that it is a skit or lampoon
on the expected royal speech. Not even Charles,
with all his reckless audacity, could have ventured
to address his two Houses of Parliament in terms
of such mingled ribaldry, sarcasm, and brazen
frankness.
The text of this effusion is here given, with
one or two necessary excisions. It does not
seem to be generally known, although it has been
CHARLES II. AND HIS PARLIAMENT 37
printed by Grosart in his edition of Andrew
Marvell's works. 1
The author of the parody (Andrew Marvell)
issued it anonymously, and when the House met,
copies were found upon the floor. Probably no
one was more amused by its perusal than Charles
himself.
' My Lords and Gentlemen,
' I told you last meeting that the Winter
was the fittest time of business, and in truth I
thought it so till my Lord Treasurer [Earl of
Danby] assured me that the spring is the fittest
time for salads and subsidies. I hope therefore
this April will not prove so unnatural as not to
afford plenty of both. Some of you may perhaps
think it dangerous to make me too rich, but do
not fear it. I promise you faithfully (whatever
you give) I will take care to want, for the truth of
which you may rely on the word of a King.
' My Lords and Gentlemen,
' I can bear my own straits with patience,
but my Lord Treasurer doth protest that the
revenue, as it now stands, is too little for us both ;
one of us must pinch for it, if you do not help us
out. I must speak freely to you. I am under
1 It is also to be found in the 1726 edition of Marvell's works.
The wording is not identical with the version now given, and the
reviser for the press has deprived the text of some of the familiar,
colloquial style of the contemporary MS. There are besides one
or two obvious misprints in proper names.
38 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
incumbrances ... I have a pretty good estate I
must confess, but Ods fish, here is my Lord
Treasurer can tell you that all the monies designed
for the summer's Guards [Ships] must of neces-
sity be applied for the next year's Cradles and
Swaddling Clothes. What then shall we do for
ships ? I only hint that to you. That's your busi-
ness, not mine. I lived ten years abroad without
ships, and was never in better health in my life.
But how well you can live without them, you had
best try. I leave it to yourselves to judge, and
therefore only mention it. I do not intend to
insist upon that.
' There is another thing which I must press
most earnestly, which is this. It seems a good
part of my Revenue will fail in two or three years,
except you will please to continue it. Why did
you give me so much, except you resolve to give
on ? The nation hates you already for giving so
much. I will hate you now if you do not give me
more, so that your Interest obliges you to stick to
me or you will not have a friend left in England.
' On the other side if you continue the revenue
as desired I shall be able to perform those great
things for your religion and liberty which I have
long had in my thoughts, but can not effect it
without this establishment.
'Wherefore look to it. If you do not make
me rich enough to undo you, it shall be at your
door. For my part I can with a clear conscience
say I have done my best and shall leave the rest
to my successors. But that I may gain your
good opinion the best way is to acquaint you
CHARLES II. AND HIS PARLIAMENT 39
what I have done to deserve it out of my Royal
care for your religion and property.
' For the first my late proclamation is the true
picture of my mind. He that cannot (as in a
glass) see my zeal for the Church of England
doth not deserve any other satisfaction, for I
declare him wilful, abominable and not good.
You may perhaps cry, how comes this sudden
change ? To that I reply in a word : I am a
Changeling. 1 That I think a full answer. But to
convince men yet further that I mean as I say,
there are these arguments :
' i st. I tell you so, and you know I never broke
my word.
'2nd. My Lord Treasurer says so, and he
never told a lie in his life.
'3rd. My Lord Lauderdale will undertake
for me, and I should be loth by any act of mine
to forfeit the Credit he has with you.
' If you desire more Instances of my Zeal
I have them for you. For example I have
converted all my natural sons from popery. . . .
It would do your hearts good to hear how prettily
little George 2 can read already in the Psalter.
They are all fine children, God bless them, and so
like me in their understandings.
' But as I was saying, I have to please you
given a pension to the favourite, my Lord
Lauderdale, not so much that I thought he
wanted it as I know you would take it kindly. I
1 Given to change.
2 Son of the Duchess of Cleveland, afterwards created Duke of
Northumberland.
40 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
have made Car well a Duchess, 1 and married her
sister to my Lord Pembroke. I have made
Crew Bishop of Durham. I have at my Brother's
request sent my Lord Inchiquin to settle the
Protestant religion at Tangier ; and at the first
word of my Lady Portsmouth I preferred Bride-
oake " to be Bishop of Chichester. I do not know
what factious men would have, but this I am sure
of, that none of my predecessors did ever anything
like this to gain the good will of their subjects.
So much for religion.
' Now as to your property. My behaviour to
the Bankers and letting of the Customs to my
Lord S l John and partners, take for public
instances, and the proceedings about M rs Hide
and Emerton 3 for a private one ; and such con-
vincing evidences that it will be needless to
mention anything more of it.
' I must now acquaint you that by my Lord
Treasurer's advice I have made a Considerable
retrenchment in my Expenses in Candles and
Charcoal, and do not intend to stick there, but
with your help to look into the like embezzlement
of my kitchen stuff, of which (by the way) on my
conscience neither my Lord Treasurer nor my
Lord Lauderdale are guilty ; but if you should
1 Duchess of Portsmouth.
- This name is given as Bradcock in the MS., and as Prideaux
in the 1726 edition. It must have been Bridecake, who succeeded
Gunning as Bishop of Chichester. Evelyn notes in his Diary on
March 20, 1676 : ' Dr. Brideoak, Bishop of Chichester, preached ;
a mean discourse for a Bishop.'
3 See Chapter XI.
CHARLES II. AND HIS PARLIAMENT 41
find them dabbling in that business, I tell you
plainly I leave them to you, for I would not have
the world think I am a man to be cheated.
' My Lords and Gentlemen,
' I would have you believe of me as you
always found me, and I solemnly profess that
whatever you give me it shall be managed with
the same thrift, trust, conduct, prudence, and
sincerity that I have ever practised since my
happy Restoration.'
The irony of the allusions to ' my Lord
Lauderdale ' in the above document is the more
striking when we recall a vote passed by the
Commons in the previous session. It was to
request the King ' to remove the Duke of
Lauderdale for ever from his person and council
as a dangerous and suspected person.' This vote
was again brought forward and carried in the
present sitting of Parliament.
The reference to 'Carwell,' as the English
people called the French siren, Louise de Que-
rouaille, was equally audacious. We find her
described in contemporary history as ' the
enamouring and intriguing Duchess of Ports-
mouth, object of the King's Affection and the
Nation's Hatred.'
The news-letters of this date retail how she
42 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
had been appointed ' Groom of the Stole to the
Queen.' Poor Queen, what had she not to
endure ! The extravagance of the Duchess and
the state she kept up became more and more
scandalous. After one of her occasional visits to
her native country the newsmen write :
' The Duchess of Portsmouth is in greater
state than ever. She has brought over three
coaches and six horses, and she hath fifty attend-
ants and ten grooms.'
Her sister's marriage to Lord Pembroke is
mentioned in a letter from Lord Desmond ' to
Richard Newdigate in this year. He writes from
London to return thanks for the loan of his neigh-
bour's coach and horses for the journey thither.
The item of gossip is in a postscript. ' The Duchess
of Portsmouth's sister is to be married to my Lord
Pembroke ; the King gives ,8,000 with her.'
The bride-elect had little cause to thank the
King for his promotion of this marriage, Lord
Pembroke being a man of a turbulent and violent
disposition. He was tried before his peers for
manslaughter, and only escaped punishment by
' pleading his peerage and so was discharged.'
1 Better known as Earl of Denbigh.
CHARLES II. AND HIS PARLIAMENT 43
Soon after he is again reported to have killed a
man and two horses, when he fled the country
for a time.
The retrenchments hinted at in one of the
paragraphs of the King's speech had become a
matter of necessity owing to Charles's prodigality.
They were carried out to some extent in the
course of time, but not at the King's expense.
' Yesterday at Council his Mat y was pleased
to approve of the retrenchments which had been
made by the committee of the Lords, viz. : that
all board wages and diet and half of all pensions
and salaries, except those to the Judges, shall be
taken off for fifteen months to come, commencing
from the first of the Instant. The whole re-
trenchment, its said, does amount to .300,000.'
It was after the second short session of Parlia-
ment in the autumn of the year 1675 that Charles
scandalised the nation and the two houses of
Parliament by a prorogation which lasted fifteen
months. On their re-assembling in February
1677, the Duke of Buckingham attempted to
prove that the Parliament had been dissolved
by the last prorogation, in accordance with the
ancient laws of England, which decreed that a
Parliament must be held ' once a year and oftener
44 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
if need be.' He added, with the coarse humour
of the times, that ' Acts of Parliament were not
like women, the worse for being old.' He was
supported in his bold assertion of the dissolution
by the Earls of Salisbury and Shaftesbury and
Lord Wharton.
They were all four sent to the Tower, where
they held out stubbornly for some months. They
were occasionally allowed out on various pre-
tences by royal permission, probably to enhance
their desire for freedom. Lord Salisbury was
granted his liberty during the month of June
because 'his lady was ready to lie down.' At the
end of the month the expected event had not
taken place, and he was granted a further ticket
of leave, but before July was over he had
willingly made his submission, as did Lord
Wharton. The Duke of Buckingham followed
suit before the second week in August, and Lord
Shaftesbury alone remained obdurate for thirteen
months. Then he too gave in, and after making
his submission he had to beg pardon on his knees
at the bar of the House of Lords ' not only for
his fault, but also for his obstinacy in being so
long in acknowledging it.'
CHARLES II. AND HIS PARLIAMENT 45
In the year 1678 Charles made use of an
alarm of a war with France to acquire fresh
subsidies, which were voted with unusual liberality
by his confiding Parliament. The threatened war
came to nought, but the King spent the money in
advance and found difficulty in extorting fresh
funds from the Commons when in the next
Parliament they talked openly of the ' pretended
war ' with France.
The English officers who had been serving in
the French army were recalled, and the country
was put to great expense by the raising of fresh
regiments for the expected war.
' The French King ' (write the newsmen)
' has offered that whatever English officers shall
stay in his service, they shall be advanced ; upon
which some Captains who resolved to stay are
made Colonels. But tis said they will be hanged
in Effigy for their disloyalty.'
Fortunately for Charles, the revelations of
Titus Gates concerning the supposed Popish plot
came in opportunely to revive the affection of the
nation for their King. His life was too valuable
for the Protestant cause to be lightly esteemed,
and his many delinquencies were forgotten in
anxiety for his safety,
46 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
Lord Massareene, 1 Richard Newdigate's first
cousin, writing to him from Antrim Castle in
Ireland, in reply to the announcement of the
Serjeant's death, says in reference to the plot
and its consequences :
' . . . I am among the real mourners for 'my
dear Uncle, and much reckoned upon the satisfac-
tion of seeing him this winter, if the horrid design
(discovered in England and suspected to have its
influence here also) had not made it necessary to
stay at home, as well in relation to the country
where our interest lies as to our numerous family.
I have indeed been much obliged to my friends
in England, who till the tenth of this month
(December 1678) have sent me all passages both
in the Parliament and at Court during this session ;
with the late Act and Test against Popish
members, y e votes & journals of both Houses, as
well as y e preparations for impeachments etc. . . .
So that after your receipt of this I hope you will
once a week allow me what is new, to which you
have these encouragements, viz'. : the speedy
access of yours of the Qth, the dexterity in the use
of your pen, and the hearty welcome your letters
find upon every occasion.'
1 Sir John Skeffington, 2nd Viscount Massareene, was the
eldest son of Sir Richard Skeffington, Kt, and Anne, his wife,
youngest daughter of Sir John Newdigate. Sir John Skeffington
succeeded his father-in-law, Sir John Clotworthy, as 2nd Viscount
Massareene, the peerage having been conferred by Charles II. with
especial remainder to Sir John Skeffington in default of male issue.
CHARLES II. AND HIS PARLIAMENT 47
(To this request Richard replies by a docket on
the letter : ' Desires me to write to him once a
week, which I can't do.') Lord Massareene con-
tinues :
' The last London Gazette is filled, I see, with
news from Dublin, and I need not repeat the
proclamations there recited. But since what is
extant there we have news of a plot against the
life of the D. of Ormond our L d Lieut.,
which was in some sort designed by certain
Priests, who were dealing with a young man in
Dublin to be gotten into the Duke's service for
the better accomplishment of this evil design.
My time is little of late at my own disposal, being
swallowed up in the enquiry after the Romish
Clergy and catechising the Priests of that persua-
sion whether they are of the secular or the
Regular Clergy, our Proclamations for imprison-
ment reaching only the latter sort ; in so much
as all our parish-popish-priests avowedly stay
amongst us, and the Regular remain also in
Masquerade as we suspect, there being few or
none removed beyond sea, altho' our pro-
clamations required them to be gone by or before
the 2Oth of November. The Romanists were
also by another proclamation to give up their
fire-arms by a day prefixt ; which they forebore,
and now upon search very few or none can be
taken. We have our alarms here, as we hear in
England have been in Birmingham, Walsall, and
other country-towns ; so that we are constantly
48 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
upon our watch, and this Castle [of Antrim] is
pretty strong, being never taken in the Rebellion
that was in Ireland in 1641. . . . I write this
so fast that I fear it will scarce be legible, being
interrupted several times since I began it, and
whilst I am making up this I am finishing other
dispatches to my L d L l and Council upon
occasion of late orders from them for revival
and settlement of the Militia in these parts,
which since 1666 hath been almost languishing,
having seldom met and by time rendered un-
serviceable almost ; many officers dead and arms
un-fixt. This is much of my case in this great
county of Antrim, especially since the Earl of
Donegall, the Governor of the County, died about
six weeks agone ; a cousin German of my wife,
and he hath left me a Trustee ; his son is an
infant. I had also, as Governor of the adjoining
County of Londonderry, the charge in my Lord
Essex's government, and since it is renewed by
my Commission under my Lord Duke of
Ormond ; so that my hands are full, and you will
excuse me for this haste. . . .'
The news-letters to Richard Newdigate now
give constant reports of an impending proroga-
tion, which was most unpopular in the country.
''Tis not convenient,' the writers say, 'to express
what the discourses of people are concerning the
prorogation. '
Lord Massareene writes again in February
CHARLES II. AND HIS PARLIAMENT 49
1679, at this critical time both for England and
Ireland :
' I thank you for your news, which I see was
agreeable with divers other narratives ; but in a
few hours after yours was dated, the Councils at
Court were much altered and the Proclamation
emitted the 24th for dissolving our Long Par-
lem 1 , and calling another against March 4th after
it was once resolved otherwise. These things are
supra nos. The scene of the Plot and the persons
most notorious (now proscribed) are late of Staf-
fordshire I see ; and for some months past I
apprehended there was mischief hatching in that
neighbourhood and suspected all the Rumors
there were not smoke without fire. I am much
more sorry for my neighbour at Tixell l than
my L d Stafford, altho' the age of the latter might
have given him better precepts, and the education
of the other (under a most worthy Parent, my old
L d Aston, who always honoured us of our family
with a great respect) might have principled him
otherwise both in his transactions and responsalls
touching this affair ; in which he seems most
Liable to be taxed with a failure in his Prudentialls
as well as his Allegiance, and the truth is, no other
can be said of any man, who fails in the Latter.
But this miscarriage has grossly exposed him, and
seldom any who are versed in Red-letters, but
have their Lesson much better than (it seems) he
had ... .'
1 Lord Aston.
50 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
The sudden decision for the dissolution of
Parliament was duly announced by the newsmen :
' The Clerk of the petty bag ' (they write) ' is
making out writs for new elections and Mes-
sengers are to carry the writs to the several
corporations, which doth a little moderate people's
discourse as to the sudden dissolution of Parlia-
ment.'
The Parliament of 1661 had at last come to
an end, after a protracted existence of nearly
eighteen years. With its departure into the
region of history there came an opportunity for
Sir Richard Newdigate to endeavour to satisfy
his ambition to join the turbulent assemblage at
Westminster. He was not slow in taking advan-
tage of it, and came forward as one of five
candidates who proposed to contest the county
of Warwick.
The sequel is not to be found among Sir
Richard's own papers or letters, but is graphically
described by Sir William Dugdale in his published
correspondence. He writes from Blythe Hall on
February 15, 1679, and relates that:
' We have much ado about our Election of
Knights for this County. From Tuesday last
(which was the County Day) till Thursday night
CHARLES II. AND HIS PARLIAMENT 51
they were polling for it, and have adjourned to sit
in every particular hundred to finish the polling.
One M r Stratford stands against all the Gentlemen
of quality in the County, having the vote of all
the Presbyterian and fanatic party. The others
which stand are Sir Edw d Boughton, Sir R d New-
digate (son of the Serjeant), and M r Burdet, son
to Sir Francis Burdet.'
The result is given by Sir William Dugdale
as follows :
' Sir Edvv d Boughton and Mr. Burdet 2,551 votes
Mr. Stratford . ,'<. . . . 1,344
Mr. Marriot . . . 927
Sir R d Newdigate 300, but allowed . 500 :
We must leave the disappointed candidate at
the bottom of the poll and turn again to the
news-letters for such information respecting
Charles II. and his Court as the writers were
able to obtain from second-hand sources.
52 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
CHAPTER IV
CHRONICLES OF THE COURT
AT this period of the reign of Charles II. the
English Court was at the height of its splendour,
laxity, and extravagance. The King's mercenary
and loveless marriage to Catherine, Infanta of
Portugal, in 1 66 1 , had been no curb on his roving
and volatile attachments. The Queen is described
by Smollett as ' a virtuous princess, but possessing
no personal attractions.' Pepys says, ' Tho' she be
not very charming, yet she hath a good, modest,
and innocent look which is pleasing.' Evelyn is
more flattering in his description : ' Tho' low of
stature, she (the Queen) was prettily shaped, lan-
guishing and excellent eyes, her teeth wronging
her mouth by sticking a little too far out, for the
rest lovely enough.'
The Queen's handsome dowry of three hundred
thousand pounds (in addition to the fortress of
CHRONICLES OF THE COURT 53
Tangier in Africa and Bombay in the East Indies)
had been but a drop in the ocean of Charles's
reckless expenditure. The King's chief difficulty
in life seems to have been how to devise methods
for obtaining funds to satisfy his love of, so-called,
pleasure. It speaks much for Charles II.'s per-
sonal attractiveness that he was able to retain
the attachment and allegiance of those about him
in spite of his selfishness and duplicity.
James, Duke of York, was not so popular.
His second marriage to a Roman Catholic princess
had been strongly opposed by the extreme
Protestant party in Parliament, though in vain.
After Mary of Modena had become Duchess
of York, the suspicions of the nation were con-
firmed, and James openly acknowledged himself
to be a member of the Church of Rome.
James, Duke of Monmouth, Charles's eldest
natural son by Lucy Walters, was as great a
favourite with the nation at large as his uncle was
unpopular. His good looks, easy manners, and
natural bravery combined to attract the populace
and rivet the affections of those about him. ' That
pretty spark ' is how Evelyn describes him when
he made his acquaintance some years before as
54 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
James Crofts. There were many amongst Mon-
mouth's following who would gladly have believed
in the authenticity of the report often revived, that
Charles had been privately married to Lucy
Walters before this son's birth. The King, who
remained loyal to his brother to the end in spite of
the suspicion and dislike he roused amongst the
English people, was obliged at length to issue a
formal proclamation denying that he (Charles) had
ever been married to any but his present Queen.
In October 1677 the news-letters announce
with jubilation the marriage which had just been
arranged between William, Prince of Orange, and
the Duke of York's eldest daughter.
' Oct. 23. This post will perhaps surprise you
with the happy news of the marriage between the
Lady Mary, his Royal Highness's eldest daughter,
and the Prince of Orange, declared yesterday
morning . . . You will believe that the rejoicing
in London by ringing of bells, bonfires etc. was
great, and so I will not pretend to particularize
thereupon . . . After so great a piece of news I
will not entertain you with any of so small im-
portance as is that we receive from abroad at this
time.'
The bridegroom elect had come over nominally
to arrange the terms of a treaty with his royal
CHRONICLES OF THE COURT 55
uncle, whilst the secretly projected marriage was
to be the reward and seal of the compact.
William was too wary to enter into business
matters until he had made acquaintance with the
fifteen-year-old girl who was destined to be his
bride. ' The Lady Mary's ' attractions were such
that he lost no time in completing the double
arrangement, and the marriage took place twelve
days later on the Prince's birthday, November
the 4 th .
' Nov. 8. The happy event of the Lady Marie's
marriage is now completed, for on Sunday, about
9 at night, she was married to the Prince of Orange
privately in her Bedchamber by the Bishop of
London in the presence of the King, their Royal
Highnesses and some Lords and Ladies of the
Chiefest quality. The next morning his Highness
presented her with a Necklace and a very rich
Jewel valued at Between twenty and thirty
thousand pounds Sterling.'
Prince William, having won his bride and
signed the treaty, was in haste to return to his own
country, but the elements combined to hinder his
departure, just as eleven years later they en-
dangered and deferred his memorable landing on
England's shores when summoned to supplant his
father-in-law on the British throne.
56 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
19. On Thursday, being the Queen's
birthday, there was a Ball, and the next morning
early the P. and P ss of Orange parted from hence
in order to their embarking on the yachts which
attended them about Gravesend, whither his
Mat y and his Royal Highness accompanied them,
but the wind is so contrary, that they are not able
to get out of the River.
' Nov. 23. This morning arrived one for fresh
provisions for the P. of Orange, whom he left at
anchor near Sheerness.
'Nov. 24. His Mat y having on Thursday in
the evening sent down a gentleman to invite the P.
of Orange to return hither with the Princess till the
weather is more favourable, he returned hither in
the evening, having left their Highnesses about
12 o'clock that day two miles from Canterbury,
whither they were going, and where they purposed
to continue till the weather could permit them to
pursue their voyage.
'Nov. 29. On Tuesday night the Earl of
Ossory returned hither and gave the King an
account that the day before the Prince of Orange,
being in great Impatience to see himself thus de-
tained by the weather, parted from Canterbury
to Margate, the wind being more favourable than
before ; and there he embarked with the Princess
on the Mountague, commanded by Sir Jo.
Holmes ; and on Monday about four in the after-
noon went to sea. But the wind changing again
the Mountague was forced to return to Margate,
from whence they put to sea again yesterday, the
yachts being come up with them ..."
CHRONICLES OF THE COURT 57
It seems tolerably certain that Richard
Newdigate had some personal experience of Court
life soon after his father's recognition by the King.
It may be remembered how Sir Nicholas Armorer
sought to excuse his over-liberality in the matter
of fees in the Secretary's office on the occasion of
the warrant for a baronetcy, by stating that ' we
of the Court do the same in such cases, to be the
welcomer when we come next.' He goes on to
say : ' And who knows but you may upon a better
occasion before we die ? '
The opportunity came quickly, as we learn
from a document signed by one ' Marmaduke
Darly ' J and dated 2 nd April 1678.
It formally certifies that
' by Virtue of a Warrant Directed unto mee from
the Right Hon ble Henry, Earl of Arlington, Lord
Chamberlain of his Mat ies Most Hon ble Houshould,
dated the first day of Aprill 1678, I have Sworne
and admitted Richard Newdigate Esq re In the
Place and Quallity of One of the Gentlemen of his
Mat ies Most Hon ble Privy [or Bed] Chamber in
Ordinary to Enjoy the Same Place with all the
Rights, Perquisites, Priveledges, and Prehemen-
encies Thereunto belonging, In testimony whereof
1 The signature is in the trembling characters of old age and in
a different hand from that of the rest of the document.
58 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
I have hereunto sett my hand this Second day of
Aprill 1678 and in the 3O th Yeareof the Reigneof
our most Gracious Souvereigne Lord King
Charles the Second. , ^ T ^ ,
' MARMADUKE DARLY.
Before the end of the year we find mention
of an ' adventure ' that has befallen Richard at
Whitehall. He writes an account of it to Lord
Massareene in the same letter which announces
the death of his father, the Serjeant, in the
month of October. It must therefore have taken
place either just before or immediately after
that event, and about six months later than his
appointment. Unfortunately we have not the
chief actor's account of what happened when the
fracas took place. Lord Massareene's comments
upon the news are as follows :
' I heard of your adventure with y e Spaniard l
as well as your Re-encounter at Whitehall upon
the occasion, and I think it was Sir Nich s Armorer
who did me the favour in the Castle of Dublin to
impart what Sir Walter Bagot 2 wrote. . . . My
advice should not have been for Martiall under-
takings in those circumstances. The service due
to one's Prince needs no recompense, because it is
indeed a duty. But it is neither duty nor service,
1 Probably the Spanish ambassador, who is spoken of elsewhere
as ' the Spaniard.' - Richard Newdigate's brother-in-law.
CHRONICLES OF THE COURT 59
I am sure it is not an obligation, if from the
prince it does not gain acceptance.'
In a subsequent letter Lord Massareene again
alludes to the subject and gives his cousin sensible
advice. ' If I were worthy to ad vise you I would
not have you take further notice of, nor in any
way nourish those Resentments with some of the
Court you mentioned in one of yours, because
a man's gain in such a case might not far exceed
what is gotten by going to Law with a . . .' l
It is evident from these quotations that
Richard Newdigate's ' adventure ' had led to
strained relations with the Court, and probably
ended his career once and for all as a disciple
of Polonius. This abrupt termination came as a
blessing in disguise to a man who was far too
irascible, outspoken, and unpliable by nature to
have been fitted for the life of a courtier under
Charles II. The episode is so far interesting
that it sheds light on the ex-courtier's personal
acquaintance with Monmouth, and explains the
prominence given by the newsmen to all matters
concerning that insubordinate member of Charles's
Court.
1 Left blank,
60 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
At this time the rivalry between the Dukes of
York and Monmouth was causing increasing
vexation and inconvenience to the King. The
man who represented the Protestant cause at
Court had a large following in the country and
was the darling of the populace. On the other
hand, the public outcry against James's succession
to the British throne on account of his open
adhesion to the Church of Rome was becoming
too acute to be ignored. Before the new Parlia-
ment met the King deemed it expedient to
request his brother to absent himself from Eng-
land. This he did in the following words :
' Dear Brother, I have already given you my
reasons at large why I would have you absent
yourself for some time beyond the seas. As I am
truly sorry for the occasion, so you may be sure
that I shall never desire it longer than it will
be absolutely necessary both for your good and
my security. In the meantime I think it proper
to give it you under my hand that I expect
this compliance from you, desiring it may be as
soon as conveniently you can. You may easily
believe with what trouble I write this to you,
there being nothing I am more sensible of than
the constant kindness you have had for me, and I
hope you will be so just as to be as well assured
that no absence nor anything else can ever change
me from being truly and kindly Y re C. R.'
CHRONICLES OF THE COURT 61
The Duke obeyed this royal command, and
for some time he and the Duchess, with ' the Lady
Anne' and her half-sister 'the Lady Isabella,'
remained quietly at Brussels.
Meanwhile the newsmen go on chronicling
passing events at Court, such as the return of the
Duchess of Cleveland from the Continent, when
' tis said the occasion of her coming over is about
the marriage of her son the Duke of Grafton with
the Earl of Arlington's daughter. These young
persons being contracted about four years since,
and the Duke being fourteen years old and the
young lady twelve, they must declare their
consent.'
Barbara Villiers, Duchess of Cleveland, was no
longer first favourite with the King. Never-
theless, being of a domineering and masterful
disposition, she could still elicit favours from him.
Three out of the six dukedoms Charles bestowed
on his sons with the bar sinister fell to the share
of her children.
A little later in this year we have minute
accounts of a sharp attack of illness which befell
the King.
' His Mat-' having been a Hawking in Buck-
inghamshire returned to Windsor, and walking
62 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
part of the way in his boots it put him in a great
heat, so that at his coming to Windsor he found
himself afflicted with a pain at his stomach, which
with some cold he had that day taken, took away
his stomach so that he eat not Supper and was
that Night very restless.'
The next day his physicians recommended
bleeding, which the King wisely refused, but
accepted a dose of manna from them and grew
better for a time. Then his fever returned, and
three doctors were sent for from London ' to
attend his Mat y at Windsor.' Again the pre-
scription was bleeding, and this time the King
submitted to his physicians' orders.
'At eight o'clock,' we are told, 'his Mat y
vomited two or three times, but was very cheer-
ful ... There is a great resort of Lords and
great persons, but the Lord Chamberlain is
ordered to admit but few, the King's Bedchamber
being so little that the Company is offensive to
him.'
The royal edict is not surprising, especially when
we remember that the King's favourite dogs,
with their young families, usually shared his
bedroom.
Charles's distemper did not leave him for a
CHRONICLES OF THE COURT 63
few days longer, when, thanks to the 'Jesuit's
powder ' [' quinquina '] and his naturally fine con-
stitution, he recovered. Dr. Michelthwaite, one
of the three physicians sent for from London, was
knighted forthwith.
The immediate result of this sharp attack
of illness was the return of the Duke of York,
who had been summoned to Windsor when the
King's life was judged to be in danger. James's
star being again in the ascendant, we find as a
natural consequence that the Duke of Monmouth
was speedily out of favour.
' Yesterday, very strange and surprising news
came from Windsor, that his Mat y was pleased to
order the Duke of Monmouth to depart the three
kingdoms, the reasons whereof are so variously
reported that we forbear to give account thereof
as yet. The Duke hath already begun to pack
up his goods at Windsor and at the Cockpit,
in order, as it is said, to go to Hamburgh, a yacht
being prepared for that purpose. His Mat y hath
likewise taken away all his commissions. Yet its
hoped before his departure some mitigation may
be found through the intercession of some great
persons, the said Duke being gone this morning
to Windsor, some say by order of his Mat y .
What the issue will be is much expected. The
people are generally troubled at it.'
64 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
And three days later :
' The discourse of the Town hath been these
five days upon the Duke of Monmouth in relation
to the circumstances he lies under at present,
with which the people seem generally concerned,
wishing him all the Happiness that may be ; and
indeed he seems now more popular than
formerly.
' Various are the Reports concerning him.
That which seems to come nearest the Truth
is that his Mat y had information that in his late
sickness, divers persons had conference with that
Duke upon matters (which he seemed to indulge)
much displeasing him.'
This mysterious innuendo probably refers to
the rumoured legitimacy of Monmouth and his
consequent right of succession to the throne.
The reports of his speedy departure were
followed by the announcement of the Duke of
York's talked-of expatriation :
' 'Tis said his R. Highness will soon follow,
but will not go before him [?'.?. Monmouth].
' Upon false news that came from Windsor on
Sunday night that the D. of Monmouth was not
to go beyond sea, the bells of S l Margaret's rung,
and bonfires were made. 'Tis said the D. of
Monmouth's offices will be executed by deputies,
he having little else besides his Duchess's estate
in Scotland to support him.'
CHRONICLES OF THE COURT 65
The Duchess of Monmouth was Lady Anne
Scott, heiress of the Buccleuchs. At the time of
her marriage she was reported to be ' the finest
and richest lady at the Court.' Evelyn goes
deeper and says ' she is one of the wisest and
craftiest of her sex, and has much wit.'
It was finally decided that Monmouth should
go to Utrecht, where a house of Prince Rupert's
was placed at his disposal.
Meanwhile it seems surprising that
' the D. of Monmouth is frequently with his Mat y ,
and there appears countenanced as formerly, by
which 'tis supposed his Mat y is not so much
displeased as he is rendered by some to be, but
rather some reason of state, which to the wisdom
of his Mat y seems convenient to commend his
withdrawing at present ; and on Wednesday next
he goes for Utrecht in Holland, the Place
formerly mentioned being thought not so con-
venient.'
On September 28 we find that
' yesterday the D. of Monmouth paid his willing
obedience to his Mat ys commands in Retiring
beyond Seas. After dinner he took leave of
most persons of honour at Court, viz. : of the
Duke of York and Prince Rupert (between him
and the latter was expressed great Reality of
Love), and was attended with about a hundred
66 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
gentlemen to take leave of his Mat y , who was
then in Arlington Gardens ; and approaching on
his bended knee his Mat y most affectionately
Embraced and Kissed him, demonstrating all
possible Kindness of a Royal Father and the
Duke no less of a princely son. Last of all he
took leave of his Duchess, his Mat y not suffering
her or her Children to accompany him.'
It is also noteworthy that
' Mr. Gates complimented Monmouth at his
departure with the expression that he carried
with him the hearts of above a hundred thousand
of his Mat y>s Protestant subjects, wishing him a
healthful and prosperous voyage and praying a
safe return.'
The Duchess of Monmouth had not submitted
to the King's decree of separation without a scene.
' 'Tis said that on Monday before the D. of
Monmouth's departure the Duchess went to his
Mat y to know of him whether she might go along
with the duke. His Mat y said she should not go.
'the duchess breaking out into a passion said she
would go with him or to her birthright, at which
the King being angry said " You shall not go."
So she went home, and its said she is sick and
keeps her bed on his Mat y ' s displeasure.'
The morning after Monmouth's departure the
Duke of York left Greenwich on board his yacht,
CHRONICLES OF THE COURT 67
his destination being Brussels. He was back
again in less than a fortnight, ostensibly in order
to proceed to Scotland with his family.
Whilst he tarried in London he was invited
to dinner by the Artillery Company, of which he
was president. This produced some outspoken
opposition, and placards were posted on the gates
of Merchant Taylors'" Hall setting forth the
following :
' Whosoever doth accompany the Duke of
York to dinner at Merchant Taylors' Hall shall
be looked upon by all true Protestants as no other
than an Enemy by the King and Kingdom, and
the Betrayers of the Priveleges of the Parliament
of England and the Just Rights and Interests of
this Hon ble City :
' And care shall be taken for procuring a list
of those that dine with him, that the Papists in
Masquerade may be known from true Protestants,
and the nation informed of her private enemies
in public under the abominable name of a Yorkist.'
In spite of this threatening language,
' those of the Artillery Company who met at
Guildhall marched into Bow Street in Cheapside
and there heard a sermon, and from thence were
led by the Lord Ossory, Lord Feversham,
Colonel Legg, S r Robert Holmes, S r Richard
Low, S r Jo : Chapman, Major Home and Captain
Hudson, stewards for this year to the said hall, to
I' 2
68 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
whence came the Duke of York attended by the
Duke of Lauderdale etc.'
The news-writer takes care to add later :
'His R. Highness had not the former Respect
of the people either coming or going.'
Soon afterwards the Duke of York began to
make the long-talked-of start for Scotland.
On his road thither
'its said that his R. Highness being in a Gentle-
man's house perceived in the pane of a Glass
Window these words written with a diamond,
which is affirmed to be done by King Charles
the First
Errors in time may be redrest ;
The shortest Errors are the Best.'
Also
' 'Tis said his Mat y hath sent a severe check to
the Lord Mayor of York for not receiving his
Brother as became him. 1
The Duke of York being once settled in
Edinburgh, and Monmouth far away in Utrecht,
Charles must have felt relieved of much cause for
discomfort. He was now fully restored to health,
to the joy of his loyal subjects, as proved by the
following paragraph :
' His Mat y , blessed be God, is in very good
health, and walked yesterday to Fulham with
CHRONICLES OF THE COURT 69
some few attendants ; thence in the common
ferry-boat crossed over to Putney ; thence to
Ham to the Duke of Lauderdale's house, where
he stayed a very little time ; thence to Hampton
Court to dinner, and thence back again in the
afternoon to Whitehall, where the Council sat.'
After two months' banishment Monmouth
returned to England, a proceeding which, unless
tacitly sanctioned by the King, would seem to
have been a daring measure on his part.
' Last Thursday afternoon the D. of Mon-
mouth arrived, and notwithstanding his intended
secresy it was known early next morning. The
Bellman Belching out his Welcome raised many
people, who immediately made Bonfires and Ring-
ing of Bells etc., the City of London and suburbs
doing the same last night. But the multitude
were very violent and rude, stopping passengers
in coaches and on foot, some of them of great
quality, not suffering them to pass till they had
cried " God save the King and the Duke of
Monmouth," which hath given his Mat y great
offence.'
In the following February the Duke of York
was back again, and his adherents strove to
welcome him in the same public manner.
' Tis said the D. of Lauderdale hath allowed
1 50 for preparing two bonfires to be erected by
the same person that made the late famous ones
70 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
in Leicester fields, and hath ordered four Hogs-
heads of Wine for standers-by.'
This was beforehand. After the Duke's
actual arrival
'there were many Bonfires on Tuesday night
made in and about the City for Joy of his R.
Highness's arrival, one of which was in Essex
Buildings in the Strand at a Frenchman's door,
where some Gentlemen being with him in his
balcony, they with loud acclamations and Hats
flourished cried " God save the D. of York ! "
The young fry about the fire being only boys of
ten or twelve years of age, some of them cried,
" God bless the D. of Monmouth also ! " Where-
upon the Gentlemen came down and drew their
swords and made the Boys fly. But a little after
some lusty fellows came down to the fire, who
broke their swords and beat them soundly and
broke the windows of the house. The Constables
coming to secure the peace seized the first
Abettors for drawing swords and committed
them to prison, from whence they were released
next morning.'
Charles and his Court little heeded the
disturbed state of public feeling, but ran their
usual course of dissipation ; adjourning periodi-
cally to Newmarket as was their wont.
Here we are told that the ci-devant actress
' Madam ' Gwyn is said
CHRONICLES OF THE COURT 71
' to wager very highly at Races and Cockpits,
and one morning in a frolic she clothed herself
in man's apparel with a Horseman's Coat etc.
and meeting the King salutes him, at which his
Mat y and Court were very pleased.'
In the next letter we read that ' Madam
Gwyn hath received much damage from the fall
of a horse.' But she was soon to the fore ap"ain.
o
On another occasion ' M r Henry Wharton is
forbid the Court for having run through one of
Madam Gwyn's horses, who drove too near
him/
It was in August 1679 that Nell Gwyn's
mother came to an untimely end, being ' found
drowned in a ditch near the Noah houses by
Chelsea, and last night was privately buried in
St. Margaret's.'
The madcap Nelly has been described by
Burnet as ' that indiscreetest and wildest creature
that ever was at Court.'
Her extravagance was unbounded. She is
said to have had ,60,000 from the King in
four years. Yet she was popular with the nation
and retained the royal favour to the end, as
evidenced by the ' Do not forget poor Nelly ' of
Charles's dying bed.
72 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
CHAPTER V
ROUGH MANNERS AND BARBAROUS DEEDS
THE deep potations and high living indulged in by
high and low at this era may have been in some
measure answerable for the hot tempers and
frequent feuds which are to be found recorded in
Charles II.'s reign. The practice of duelling
amongst the upper classes became so common, on
the slightest pretext, that at length the King
found it necessary to issue special decrees to
check the loss of life, which was increasing to an
alarming extent.
The following extract may be quoted as an
example of readiness to take offence :
' The Lord Grey, looking on some guns in
a Gunsmith's shop, saw an odd kind of gun
and asked what cockscomb's fancy it was. The
Gunsmith answered the Duke of Albemarle had
bespoke it, and when his Lordship had gone,
went and told the Duke that the Lord Grey
had called him cockscomb. Upon which the
ROUGH MANNERS & BARBAROUS DEEDS 73
Duke sent a challenge to his Lordship, and they
fought yesterday morn at Totnam Court, when
Colonel Godfrey, the Lord's second, disarming
Sir Walter Clergis, the Duke's second, they
parted their principals.'
A few days later the sequel to this affair is
given :
' The King was very angry at the Duel
between the Duke of Albemarle, etc., but being
informed that the Lord Grey did not speak
the words designedly upon the Duke, sent for
'em, and made 'em friends, but said he was sorry
to see those that should be patterns of keeping the
Laws, break 'em under his nose.'
Occasionally measures of a less sanguinary
type were adopted to obtain redress for supposed
grievances. Colonel Howard's method is original
and is recorded at length by the newsmen :
In 1675 'the House being informed of a
difference like to arise between my Lord Caven-
dish, S r Thomas Mores, and Colonel Thomas
Howard, upon a paper or letter found in the Pall
Mall, Col. Howard is ordered to be sent for
to M r Speaker, and such persons as shall own the
paper, to be committed to the Serjeant at Arms.'
Colonel Howard's enumeration of his griev-
ances, intended to be made public by this simple
device of leaving a letter, unaddressed, in a public
74 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
thoroughfare, is given in full with its involved
grammar :
' The late severity against Roman
Catholics having forbidden me the ambition to
any place or pretension at Court, and the severe
usage of the gout making me unfit to appear
in any company but where I am well acquainted,
besides a most sensible loss of my poor Brother
John, killed at the battle of Strasburg, I resolved
not only in person but thought to retire from
all temptations this world will give me, and
to spend the rest of my days in such domestic
and private content, as a man of these principles
and of some seeing hopes, in an honest retreat.
' But it happened by a certain, though unjust
and malicious accident, that I am awakened from
the quiet and repose I hoped for ; and find
myself engaged by the nearest ties of friendship
and honour (and obligations I have always
esteemed dearer than my life) to let some un-
worthy and base people see that I am yet alive.
' Not long since in St. James' Park the Lord
Cavendish and S r Thomas Mores (two bold and
busy members), upon the news of the Frenches
retreat over the Rhine, where many English were
reported to be killed (whose lives amongst all
honest men were much regretted), these incen-
diaries, with a most plausible temper of such
worthy patriots, openly declared that it was but a
just end to such as went against any Vote of
Parliament.
ROUGH MANNERS & BARBAROUS DEEDS 75
' With all respect of that honourable House, this
cankered and malicious saying will neither deserve
the thanks of that House (it being false as to my
brother, who went by his Mat ys command at the
head of his Company before the Vote was in
force) or the approbation of any honest men.
But of it I will not trouble myself or others to let
you see by an exact Character how these two
worthy, unbiassed Senators ought to be credited.
1 Next October l will produce such efforts of
their care and capacity of securing property and
Religion in a Christian, humane way, That I
believe I shall be called to the Bar to answer
these Slanders (as they will call them) ; yet
I doubt they will not, for though an ill orator, I
shall most surely prove what I write. As for any
other way of revenge, I do not apprehend it,
for men that are given to spit blood seldom
draw it.
' S r , I have troubled you too long with my just
resentment, but knowing the show that you have
always taken in my concerns, I must beg of you
that you will in S' James' Park, in the Mall, dis-
pose these papers, it being all the way that
is left to do right to the dead. And I assure you
I will not do you the ill office of dispersing
a libel, for I will sign the copy with all my titles.
' THOMAS HOWARD OF
' RICHMOND AND CARLISLE.
' From Ashtead in Surrey, August 30, 1675.'
1 At the meeting of Parliament,
76 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
This tirade against ' two bold and busy
members ' had its expected effect, and as soon as
the House met Colonel Howard was called to the
Bar, and having attended, was committed to the
Tower for his ' breach of privilege.'
The poor victim of gout and injured feeling
was not long detained. Ten days later ' Colonel
Howard is ordered to be discharged, and to
attend the Speaker with Lord Cavendish and Sir
Thomas Mores, who is desired to reconcile them.'
During the latter years of Charles IL's reign
the news-letters abound with episodes, sometimes
comic but more often tragic, brought about by
the heavy drinking which then prevailed.
' Last Friday Esq re Barney, who murdered
Captain Bedingfield at Norwich, was executed
there. He behaved himself very penitently, and
exhorted all Gentlemen to avoid the profanation
of the Sabbath by immoderate drinking etc., of
which he confessed he had been too Guilty ; that
the Justice of God had overtaken him ; desiring
all that then saw him, or should hear of him, to
take warning and break off such Courses, which
otherwise would end in the destruction both of
soul and body without the Infinite Mercy of God.'
In the same year the newsmen write :
' The Lord Digby Gerrard of Bromley and
ROUGH MANNERS & BARBAROUS DEEDS 77
two other Gentlemen came to the Rose Tavern
in Covent Garden about twelve at night, who
had been hard drinking, and called for a dish of
Buttered Eggs and Mulled Sack, which they eat
and drank and soon fell asleep in several places
in the room. The first awaking missed the Lord
Gerrard, and calling the drawer they looked and
found him dead and fallen under the table. The
Coroner's Inquest found it that he died of suffoca-
tion.'
On one occasion when Charles and his Court
were sojourning at Winchester,
' Sir Roger Dallison of Lincolnshire having in
his Wine dangerously wounded an Innocent
Country fellow, and being carried before the
Mayor of Winchester for the same, gave the
Mayor two boxes on the ear, and was by his
Mat y ' s command committed to the dungeon.
' Scarce a day passes ' (write the newsmen)
but there is killing or wounding in one part of
other of the Town, which 'tis thought will sharpen
the Edge of the Law against present offenders.'
We are told incidentally how
4 a gentleman this evening was brought by a
Coach to the Castle Tavern door in Fleet Street,
who going into the house before he had satisfied
the Coachman, he called on the gentleman for his
money, who instead thereof killed him and is
committed to prison.'
78 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
Again :
' Last night Captain Brampstone and Mr.
Wiseman, two Gentlemen of Essex related, were
at the Lion Tavern in Fetter Lane, and a
difference arising the Latter was killed by one
Mortal Wound of which he immediately died, and
Captain Brampstone went from him in a manner
distracted.'
When the antagonistic parties in the State
invented the names of Whig and Tory, as mutual
terms of opprobrium, the hot bloods on either side
had a ready and plausible pretext for starting a
brawl.
4 On Sunday night the Lord Kingston and
Lord Hunsdon, with Captain Billingsly and about
twelve more, went from Wills' Coffee House to
Peter's in Covent Garden to affront the Whigs,
where they looked about the Room and cried
" D the Whigs for Rogues etc." But
nobody speaking to them, they took hold of one
Party, a Tailor, as he was going and asked him
whether he was a Whig or a Tory, and he crying
" a Whig ! " they burnt his periwig, and Billingsly
kicked him downstairs, of which he threatens to
complain to the Council.'
Before long the King found it necessary to
issue an order to
' all his Mat ye ' s officers of the guard that they
ROUGH MANNERS & BARBAROUS DEEDS 79
upbraid no man with the appellation of Whig or
cause any quarrelling about that affair.'
In these days it seems strange to recall the
chains which were drawn across the streets of
London by night for the better security of foot
passengers.
The lighting made use of only served to
make darkness visible, although we are told that
' a project of Lights (being two Sockets of Glass
in form of a lanthorn) was set up in Cornhill and
is intended to burn very brightly all the night,
which if approved of, two persons will undertake
to furnish the whole city over at a farthing a light.'
No wonder it was hazardous to be out after
dark in the less frequented parts of London. A
Mr. Mowbray, who had come up as one of the
witnesses against Sir Thomas Gascoigne etc., had
a narrow escape.
'He complained,' write the newsmen, 'and
made proof that on Tuesday night, going over the
fields in the Rain to his lodgings, he observed a
person to follow hard after, which he judged to be
to shun the Rain, who, stepping before him, turned
upon him with a dagger in so violent a manner
that he fell down dead as the assassinator might
suppose ; but he, being crooked, wore a pair of
8o CAVALIER AND PURITAN
steel bodies, which defended him from the weapon,
and by a strange providence saved his life.'
In France they employed more subtle methods
when desirous of getting rid of superfluous and
inconvenient lives. The discovery of the whole-
sale poisonings carried on by the notorious
Madame Brinvilliers had not prevented others
from following in her steps. A Madame La
Voisine seems to have been even more diabolic
in her devices than her predecessor.
' The Gazette informs us/ we read, ' that
many of the most considerable persons in France
are Imprisoned about Empoisoning, and its said
the Duke of Luxemburg is also accused for having
made a Contract with the devil that he should be
invulnerable in the War and be always in favour
with his prince and that all the Ladies he touched
should be in Love with him.
' The Chamber of Justice at Paris continues
to make a great enquiry after the Poisoners, and
besides those formerly mentioned, many others
of great quality are seized, and there are warrants
out for eighty more ; and the king declares none
shall be pardoned that are guilty. Of these
poisoners there are most strange and unheard
of things discovered . . . Madame La Voisine
hath confessed, she hath destroyed 2,700 Children,
and baked 400 in Ovens.
ROUGH MANNERS & BARBAROUS DEEDS 81
A month later the Paris letters relate how
' Madame La Voisine was executed according to
her sentence. Before she was brought to the
stake they stripped her to her shift, and made
her do penance at the Church of Notre Dame.
Never did a flagitious person appear so "en-
couraged at her sentence, and she kept her
Resolution till she came within sight of the pile
of wood that was made to burn her. But that
struck her with such terror and amazement that
she not only quitted that Resolution, but laid
fast hold on the Sledge on which she was drawn,
so that five persons could hardly unloose her.
She had her flesh plucked from several parts
of her body and was afterwards burnt. She gave
terrible shrieks. She did not discharge any of
those persons she had accused, but instead thereof
accused her own son and daughter, and one
Madame Priannoy (now in custody) to be more
skilled in that damnable Art ; and there was found
in Madame Priannoy's Chamber eight pounds
of arsenic and sixty phials prepared for several
sorts of poisons, and two large books of Receipts
how to make the Poisonings.
' They write from Paris that the French King is
under great Apprehension of his receiving poison
from some hand or other, the belief whereof hath
very much seized on him, even to a melancholy
disquiet. Some are of opinion that his Treasure
is much exhausted, and that he will fall on the
Republic of Genoa, who are rich in money and
poor in people for defence, so may be willing
to purchase their quiet.'
82 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
Fortunately for England, our ancestors were
not disposed to go in for wholesale murders in so
base and secret a fashion. If they wished to rid
themselves of those who incommoded them, they
were apt to do the deed openly, though often in a
brutal manner.
Human life was lightly esteemed in those
days, not only by those who were ready to risk
their own existence, and cut short the lives of
others, for any paltry innuendo that roused their
wrath, but we also find the death penalty inflicted
by the laws of England for offences that could in
no way justify so terrible a sentence.
' Six men and women were executed this last
week for Clipping, &c.,' write the newsmen again
and again.
The death penalty itself had various forms of
hideousness, which civilisation and mercy have
long since made impossible.
' A woman is to be burnt for killing her
husband, &c.'
This barbarous mode of execution for women
was carried out as late as 1 789, when it was inflicted
upon Christian Murphy for coining. Mercifully
the victim was almost invariably strangled by
ROUGH MANNERS & BARBAROUS DEEDS 83
the executioner before the flames could reach
her.
' A Frenchman indicted for Burglary,' write
the newsmen, ' refusing to plead, was sentenced to
be pressed to death.'
The explanation of this cruel form of torture
is to be found under the name of ' peine forte
et dure' in our English statutes. Any person
who died under its infliction could will his estates
and property as he chose, whilst if he were found
guilty of the crime of which he was accused, they
would be forfeited to the Crown. As a rule the
torture was so great that the prisoner was forced
to plead before death came to his relief. The
' pressing to death ' was carried out by laying
heavy weights on the bare body of the accused,
who was laid on the hard floor with his arms and
legs extended and fastened to the four corners
of the room. It was a prolonged ordeal, the
weights being increased slowly to allow of the
prisoner's submission being forced from him with-
out endangering life too soon. Sometimes as
much as four hundred weight was laid on the
victim before this end was attained.
The numerous public executions were ren-
o 2
8 4
dered more terrible by many attendant horrors
accompanied by the brutality of an ever-present
crowd. Our ancestors were surely constituted ot
tougher fibre than their more highly civilised
descendants. It must have needed nerves of
steel to support the prolonged ordeal preceding
a public execution, with its climax in the in-
evitably expected ' dying speech ' and possible
confession, delivered in presence of the grim
instruments of death, inexorably awaiting its
conclusion.
There was a certain professional thief, John
Wolfe by name, the narration of whose deeds of
skill and daring, related by himself with callous
indifference at the foot of the gallows, evidently
inspired the newsmen with misapplied admiration.
'On Saturday last,' they write, 'John Wolfe,
the notorious pickpocket, was drawn to his
Execution, at which place he made a remarkable
confession, the substance of which we think
not impertinent to insert. He confessed that he
had picked most of the pockets of the Nobility of
this Kingdom, and that he has done it at St.
James's Chapel in the time of receiving the
Sacrament, and at the House of Commons and
Lords. He confessed he picked one of the
Ambassador's pockets in the presence chamber,
ROUGH MANNERS & BARBAROUS DEEDS 85
and also the pockets of all the Bishops of England,
and that he had done the same to the several
Judges, he never missing a circuit these seven
years, which occasioned his getting twelve good
watches at one time. He confessed he used to
take an excursion into Ireland in the Vacation,
and that he picked forty-six pockets at Dublin in
two days, insomuch that he was forced to set
a mark on them, that he might not attempt
the same twice. Lastly he confessed that nothing
troubled him except that he was to die for taking
only 335-. 6d. out of a pocket at Philmarke fair in
Wiltshire, and that the money was returned
again to the owner.'
Another miscreant, who was doomed to suffer
for crimes of a far deeper dye than the above,
nearly turned the tables on the hangman in the
well-known style of the Punch and Judy show.
4 On Wednesday last two execrable villains
convicted last Hertford Assizes for ravishing,
robbing and murdering a mealman's wife of
Barnet, were there hanged in chains, and while
the Executioner was busy in fastening the Rope
on the Gibbet, Bungy, one of the malefactors,
unloosing his hands with his teeth, took off the
rope from his own neck and dexterously put it
over the Executioner's head, got astride on the
Gibbet, thrust away the Ladder, and had certainly
hanged him had not the Rope been somewhat
entangled in one part of his hat, which occasioned
86 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
him to drop through ; and it was well nigh an
hour (he defending himself from their assaults)
before he could be got down and executed.'
In another paragraph the newsmen enlighten
us as to the origin of the term ' blackguard,'
when retailing some acts of dare-devilry on the
part of the ' human boy ' of the period :
' This last week, some idle, dirty boys that lie
about the Horse Guards and Mews and Ride
horses to water (commonly called the black
guard) held a sessions, and there arraigned four
of their Company Representing three Lords in
the Tower. And he out of the Tower was
brought to Trial and condemned to die. So
they took that Boy that represented that Lord
and hanged him up. But a Coachman coming in
and laying about him with his whip, they all Ran
away, forgetting to cut him down. So the boy
was hanged indeed almost to death, but some say
he is recovered.'
One of the ' Lords ' so disastrously represented
by the black-guard troop was Lord Bellasis,
' who is,' say the newsmen,
' still in the Tower and there is like to continue,
there being not yet any warrant to the Lieut, of
the Tower for his delivery, the Lord President
being, as some say, so politick-ally troubled with
the Gout that he could not come to Council last
Thursday, nor sign a warrant elsewhere.'
ROUGH MANNERS & BARBAROUS DEEDS 87
Another prisoner who had to remain for some
years in this aristocratic place of durance was
Lord Danby, the late Lord Treasurer.
There is a mention of him in a letter from
Lord Massareene to his cousin Richard at
Arbury. The Irish Viscount, having left his
castle of Antrim for London in 1679, is able to
send town news to his friends, instead of plead-
ing for the same. The passage is as follows :
' The King returned safe [from Newmarket]
thanks be to God, and the story of several Pistols
found in Lord Danby's lodgings in the Tower is
so various and unintelligible I do not write it,
nor yet a chat about the town for a greater
discovery of the old Popish design. These are
not matured nor formed yet into a narrative fit
for any one's Pen.'
88 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
CHAPTER VI
RELIGIOUS BIGOTRY AND PERSECUTION
IT would be ineffectual to attempt to give a reflec-
tion of the manner of life and bias of thought in
the time of the Restoration without devoting a
few pages to the religious intolerance and cruelty
which then pervaded Christian England. This
was evidenced by the treatment meted out to all
denominations differing in creed or form from the
State religion of our national Church.
Politics were almost inseparably bound up with
the profession of faith. Whatever Charles II.'s
own tenets may have been if he had any he
was a firm supporter of the Church of England
from motives of self-interest alone. Its adherents
represented the royalist cause. For this reason
the test of the Church's most solemn Sacrament
was enforced on those who held public offices, or
served the State, to ensure their being members
RELIGIOUS BIGOTRY & PERSECUTION 89
of the national Church and loyal subjects of the
King.
Some extracts from the news-letters will illus-
trate the bitterness and severity exhibited in
the persecution of the Papists, Non-conformists,
Presbyterians, and Quakers alike :
' His Mat y on Friday last was pleased to order
his Attorney General to draw up a Proclamation
to be suddenly issued for the Banishment of all
Seminary Priests and Jesuits, and all others that
having taken orders from the See of Rome,
are his Mat ys natural born subjects, who are
to depart the Realm by March 10 next under
severe penalties.
1 Receivers are appointed for receiving the
penalties upon Romish Recusants in the several
counties. Upon proclaiming his Mat y>s declara-
tion against Non-conformists at Canterbury, the
Mayor and Justices did Immediately issue out
Warrants to the Constables of the respective
wards to suppress the meetings, which proved so
effectual that none but the Quakers presumed to
disobey.
' His Mat y expressly declared that whatever
Justices of the Peace are wanting in their duties
to execute the laws against Recusants of all kinds,
according to what we told you in our last, he will
give orders that they be forthwith turned out
of their commission.
1678. ' For the Ridding of Papists out of the
fleet the officers and soldiers at the Spithead near
90 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
Portsmouth were all ordered to receive the Sacra-
ment aboard on the 2ist.
' On Sunday last several of the King's mes-
sengers, and 'tis said Sir Wm. Waller was with
them, went to the French ambassador's house, his
Excellency being with his Mat y at Windsor, and
about eleven or twelve noon, demanded of the
porter to go into the Chapel, where they were
then at Mass, to search for some English popish
priests and other English that were at Mass.
But notice being given several of the Ambassador's
servants stood upon their guard with drawn
swords and swore they should not enter neither
the house nor chapel ; if they did be it at their
perils, which was thought not convenient to do,
but to wait some other opportunity.
' In the afternoon S r Wm. Waller, with the
assistance of Watermen and Constables, seized
on several boats with passengers, to the number
of above sixty persons, and made them pay
five shillings apiece for transgressing the Lord's
Day, according to the late Act of Parliament,
which happened well for the poor of Westminster
parish, amongst whom it was distributed.
1679. ' Last Monday another Priest was exe-
cuted at Denbigh, who carried himself with that
obstinacy that being brought to the place of exe-
cution he showed neither Humanity, Christianity
nor Charity. What motions were necessary in
order to his suffering they were constrained to
force him into, he not willingly moving hand or
foot towards it, saying he would not be accessory
to his own death. When the Executioner had
RELIGIOUS BIGOTRY & PERSECUTION 91
put the halter about his neck the Sheriff de-
manded if he had anything to say. " Why,"
saith he, "you will not hang me, sure." The
Sheriff answered, " You must suffer as the law
hath appointed." Upon which he cried out " The
D . . . 1 take you all," which were his last words.'
In Scotland the Presbyterian, or so-called
fanatic, party were quite as severely handled
in their turn. Their practice of holding field
conventicles, in defiance of the laws against this
manner of assembling themselves together, was
regarded as endangering peace and order. When
their meetings increased in numbers they were
put down by force, but not even the severest
penalties were of avail to check this form of their
religious zeal.
' Fourscore Scots ' [we learn] ' came in a ship
from Edinburgh into the river Thames to be sold
for Barbadoes as slaves. Several shipmasters
refused to carry them because they said they went
against their wills, and for no other reason than
for meeting in a field and there praying together.
So one Griffith, who bought them, finding himself
at a loss, happened to say that if he had but part
of his money again he would not meddle with
them. So a purse was made for a Collection and
as much money obtained as Griffith desired to
have. So the Scotch ship that brought them
let them go ashore. Some are gone to friends
92 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
and some to other places to subsist till they can
return to Scotland.'
At length the barbarous murder of Archbishop
Sharpe near St. Andrews brought matters to a
climax. A great field conventicle near Glasgow
was strong enough to defy the authorities. The
troops sent against these misguided fanatics by the
Duke of Lauderdale retired without dispersing
them, alleging that their numbers were too great.
At this crisis the King sent off the Duke of
Monmouth to collect troops on the road and put
down the rebellion. The enemy were found
encamped at Hamilton near Glasgow. The news-
men give a graphic account of the fight which
ensued, known as that of Bothwell Bridge :
' On Saturday last about twelve o'clock the
General gave order to march towards the enemy,
who lay encamped in Hamilton park, which is
twelve miles in circuit, and compassed with a
high stone wall enclosing the Town of Hamilton
and a castle the Residence of that Duke.
' The river Clyde runs within a mile of the
Park, and over it is a bridge called Bothwell,
which bridge was a strong pass guarded by the
Rebels with a wall breast high at either end.
' The Duke came before the bridge about
half an hour after sun-rising, and drew up all his
horses upon the side of a hill that lay opposite
RELIGIOUS BIGOTRY & PERSECUTION 93
to the bridge, and at the Rear of his horse threw
up an entrenchment, where he placed four pieces
of cannon.
' The Rebels sent the Duke a petition, which
he refused to read unless they would lay down
their arms. They replied they would not unless
he would grant them what they desired in their
declaration. But yet the Duke marched towards
them with the White flag, but they answered him
with the Red 'and first began to fire upon the
King's party with two Cannons, one of which
was bigger than any of the King's. But they
wanting skill to mount them, one of them [the
cannon-balls ? ] flew into the Air, and the other
grazed on the ground and only damaged our
Army with the dust.
' But the King's horse drawing off, the King's
cannon played upon them and killed two horse-
men on the bridge. Upon which they began to
fly, disordering their foot, whom they left to the
fury of the enemy, who killed seven hundred of
them upon the place. The rest of them fled into
Hamilton woods, which the King's army encom-
passing, have taken twelve hundred and sixty
prisoners, amongst whom is a Minister, Mr. John
Kid, who was got into a pond up to his Chin,
and desired they would spare his life, for he was
a minister. Upon which they pulled him out by
the hair, finding about him only three shillings
and a bible with his own annotations, which is
sent up to the King.
' The prisoners are all brought to Edinburgh,
having been first stripped by the soldiers.'
94 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
Some weeks later we find that ' eight hundred
of the Rebels ' were pardoned and set free, whilst
' four hundred were to be transported.' Of the
latter, two hundred were lost at sea on their way
to Virginia.
The unfortunate John Kid and another
minister of the name of Lenox were reserved for
a worse fate. They had been ' sorely wounded
in the fight,' and yet
' were both exquisitely tormented with the Boot
to force them to discover something yet unknown,
but they could extort nothing from them. The
first (Kid), having his legs broke with it, hath
contracted a violent fever, and the second is
almost dead.'
The torture of the Boot, still tolerated in
Scotland at that time, was so terrible to witness,
that Burnet says :
' The Council, in whose presence it is done,
almost all offer to run away. . . . The sight is so
dreadful that, without an order restraining such a
number to stay, the board would be forsaken.'
The number of fanatics that lost their lives
at Bothwell Bridge proved to be far greater
than was at first suspected. A couple of months
afterwards it was announced from Scotland that
RELIGIOUS BIGOTRY & PERSECUTION 95
' the people about Hamilton had gotten a
distemper much like the Plague, which is imputed
to the stench of the dead bodies slain thereabouts
in the late Rebellion, when many of the Wounded
crept into the corn, and when it was reaped they
found them lying in a Nauseous manner, and
besides many were not well buried. They add
that the number slain was much more than we
had account of, there being Reckoned seventeen
hundred and forty-five dead bodies.'
The Duke of Monmouth's victory was
effectual in checking these large and dangerous
meetings of the Presbyterian party in Scotland.
Two years later ' Duke Hamilton ' appealed on
their behalf, ' pressing that an Act against the
Papists might be passed by itself, and the Act
against the fanatics might be explained, and not
the Presbyterians compelled, for if they were, it
would greatly weaken the Protestant interest in
the Kingdom.' . . . But the [Scotch] Bishops
urged that they might be compelled . . . alleging
that ' there was less danger from the Roman
Catholics than the Presbyterians, the one being
bad in doctrine, the other worse in practices,
which hath plainly appeared this forty years.'
Of all the sects and denominations called upon
to suffer for conscience' sake in Charles II.'s reign
96 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
the Quakers seem to have been pre-eminent in
the steadfastness and defiance of their resistance,
and suffered accordingly
' We have advice from Bristol of the great
number of dissenters daily committed there, inso-
much that their Newgate is not able to contain
them, there being eighty-six Quakers and fifty-
two Presbyterians committed there, so that they
are necessitated almost to be put one upon
another, there being twenty-six in one Room.
In 1683 'The Quakers are i extreme stubborn.
Their Meeting House in Grace Church Street
being kept shut, they in great numbers resorted
thither in the street, bringing forms, chairs etc., and
one beginning to speak he was taken away either
by the Constables or Soldiers, but immediately his
Room was supplied by another and so succes-
sively, and some were committed.
' From Ireland they tell us, dated July 26th,
of one Gideon Zank, the great Bell Wether of
Wexford, who at the assizes the week before
was found guilty of Subornation and Perjury and
fined 405. This was a great Mortification to the
Party, that so eminent a Leader should be found
in so foul a fault. But the best of Them have
their failings, and this did not hinder, but that on
the 24th he with some fellow-labourers held forth
in Dublin from nine in the morning till four after-
noon, it being kept as a day of humiliation
among them, which usually bodes mischief ; this
Party fasting having, as is well observed, been
RELIGIOUS BIGOTRY & PERSECUTION 97
commonly made use of to whet their appetite to
Rebellion. . . .
4 And of the same Batch are the obstinate
Conventicles. . . . The Hearers indeed are
mostly Women, and therefore not so roughly
handled. But yet they are of great danger.
When Eve was tempted, she gave Adam the
apple. . . . 'Twere better for them and the
whole Kingdom that they would do as about
forty or fifty did on the 4th at Southampton ; set
sail for Pennsylvania. There they may find those
like themselves, and exercise one with another
with the greatest freedom.'
Even Mr. Penn, who was doing so much for
the colonisation and prosperity of his fellow-
countrymen in America, did not escape the
clutches of the law during a passing visit to
England. He had come over to contest Lord
Baltimore's claim to a portion of the ground he
had marked out for building the city of Phila-
delphia, part of which was already constructed
' Mr. Penn the quaker, being proprietor and
Governor of Pennsylvania, is lately come over
about the difference with Lord Baltimore, and
was last Sunday at a Conventicle in Westminster,
where he was seized and carried before a Justice,
and paying the 2O/. as the Speaker, he was
discharged.'
Another well-known name appears in the
H
98 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
news-letters as subject to frequent fines and
imprisonments. It is that of Richard Baxter, the
eminent nonconformist divine. He escaped, at
this date, better than many others, having power-
ful friends ready to ransom his goods when
seized in payment of the heavy fines inflicted
upon him. He did not always, however, escape
imprisonment. On one occasion, when he was
undergoing one of his periodical seizures by the
myrmidons of the law,
'on a warrant from Sir James Butler upon the
Corporation, oath was made by Dr. Cox that it
would endanger his life to keep him in prison,
being extremely sick. His Mat y therefore has
been pleased to recall the said warrant with the
expression that he delighteth not in the death of
his subjects.'
Others were not so fortunate.
1 One Mr. Raphson, a dissenting minister in
Newgate, died last Thursday of a burning
fever, which is very predominate among those
prisoners. '
At times the rabble would interfere on behalf
of their favourite ministers, and cause a riot
which could only be quelled by military force.
' Yesterday, the goods of one Partridge, a
non- conformist preacher in Middlesex, were by
Hilton the Grand Informer seized upon, which
caused such a Rabble that two files of Musque-
teers were forced to be sent for from Whitehall
to preserve quietness.'
' Yesterday one Powell, a Blasphemous Mug-
gletonian l fellow, was sentenced to stand in the
pillory before the palace-gate on Monday next
and to pay 200 Marks to the King and to give
security for his good behaviour for the future.
But as soon as sentence was passed he very
strangely got out of Court and made his Escape
from all the Marshalls.'
A lapse in regular attendance at the parish
church was actionable, and if continued for any
length of time it rendered the absentee liable to
excommunication.
' Yesterday at the King's Bench bar a motion
was made that whereas there were some proceed-
ings in that Court against the Countess of
Anglesey for not going to Church : That she
might have farther time to plead, and the Court
gave till the latter end of this term. . . . '
' The Spiritual Court is busy sending forth
their Citations in order to excommunicate several
persons for not receiving the blessed Sacrament
as before, and for absenting themselves from the
parish Church.'
1 The so-called followers of a tailor named Ludovic Muggleton,
who, with his associate Reeves, asserted that they were the two last
witnesses of God mentioned in the Revelation
H 2
ioo CAVALIER AND PURITAN
Mr. Rosswell, a dissenting minister, was
hardly dealt with towards the end of Charles II.'s
reign. He was accused and condemned, on paltry
and insufficient evidence, of having spoken against
the King in a sermon. When he heard the
verdict ' he lift up his hands and eyes, saying
" God have mercy upon this jury ! " He was
doomed to suffer the extreme penalty of the law
for so-called high treason. 1
But enough has been quoted to show how
narrow were the recognised limits of a loyalist's
creed in those days, and how wide-spread was
the conviction that, to ensure the safety of the
State, all forms of religious faith except that of our
national Church must be doomed to undergo the
fiery ordeal of persecution.
1 The sentence was so obviously unjust that it was not carried
out. HUME.
IOI
CHAPTER VII
THE TERRORS OF THE PILLORY
THE punishment of the pillory was a sentence
much in vogue when the property of the accused
was insufficient for the extortion of a satisfactory
fine. This latter penalty in many cases seems to
have gone to enrich the King, and probably the
alternative of the physical ordeal helped to elicit
the truth as to the prisoner's private means.
The following instance will show what paltry
errors had to be expiated by this often severe
trial of endurance.
When Charles II.'s ' effigy' was about to be
set up at Windsor a foolish attorney, named
Edward Harris, was convicted of having said to
his companions ' Let's go see that Little Comical
Fellow on Horseback.' For this frivolous
remark he was sentenced ' to stand in the pillory
at Windsor, Abingdon, Reading, and Newbury,
102
and fined twenty Nobles, being of a mean
Estate.'
When the trade of an informer was en-
couraged and rendered profitable, a word spoken
in haste or an irresponsible remark proved suffi-
cient to excite suspicion and imperil life as well
as fortune. The case of Mr. Cawdron, steward
to the Earl of Essex, may be cited as an example
of the danger of an incautious observation, if
maliciously reported.
Mr. Cawdron was tried for high misde-
meanour because it was asserted he had said :
' That he should say if the King had not
been a Papist he would have passed the Bill of
Exclusion as also the bill for visiting Protestant
dissenters.
' And another time upon the election of
Papillion and Dubois : l That in Oliver's time
there was no such stir, but every man could sleep
quietly under his own Vine, and that he hoped
ere long to see such times again.
'The former part Mr. Fox, a blacksmith,
witnessed alone, which had been treason if two
witnesses ; the latter part the said Fox and one
Fisher witnessed.
' Mr. Cawdron pleaded they were persons of
1 When the City and the King were in opposition in regard to
the election of sheriffs.
THE TERRORS OF THE PILLORY 103
ill fame and did it out of Malice for not suffering
them to become Tenants of his Lord, and
brought one Salisbury to prove that Fox was
suborned, which he made not good, and the Jury
returned in a quarter of an hour and found him
guilty.
' Then Mr. Attorney moved for judgment
against Mr. Cawdron. . . .
1 Mr. Cawdron told the Court he had a large
and sickly Family and nothing to support them
but his wages. That Mr. Fox had done him a
great deal of wrong and was a very ill man.
Judge Wilkins asked what estate he had.
Mr. Williams [his counsel] answered his estate was
a wife and six or seven children. " Then," said
my Lord, "we must make the fine the less and
the corporal punishment the greater," and ordered
he should come up on Saturday for Judgment.'
Accordingly, on the last day of the term
Mr. Cawdron was brought up to receive his
sentence, but having made an affidavit that ' he
was descended of ancient and loyal family, and
that when he was Mayor of Waterford he refused
the orders sent for proclaiming Oliver Cromwell
Protector,' he was let off with a comparatively
light sentence. In consideration of his ' large
and sickly family ' he was fined only ^100, but was
sentenced to stand twice in the pillory, and find
securities for his good behaviour during life.
104 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
The pillory was so often inflicted for minor
offences that one is apt to overlook the dangerous
ordeal it might become. During the hour-long
exposure in a public thoroughfare, there was
hazard to both life and limb, should the victim
chance to be unpopular with the rabble. The
guard in attendance was often quite insufficient
for the protection of the prisoner from the ill-
usage of the mob, or ' mobile,' as it was then
called. An unfortunate man of the name of
Giles had an especially hard time of it when
undergoing this punishment.
' Yesterday Giles stood in the pillory in
Lincoln's Inn Fields, and was so much mauled
that the blood ran down in several places, but
having one smart blow upon the leg he jumped
off the Pillory before half the hour was out, and
ran away to Newgate, being guarded only by the
crowd, the officers running away for fear of being
hurt by the stones that were thrown at him. He
stands to-morrow at Gray's Inn Gate, and on
Saturday at the Maypole.'
The ill-used Giles was so much injured as to
be rendered unable to appear again for a month.
It seems difficult to understand how he managed
to jump down from the pillory and run away
THE TERRORS OF THE PILLORY 105
unless it was with the connivance of his guards,
in order to ensure their own escape from the
shower of stones and other missiles aimed at their
prisoner. According to Johnson's Dictionary, 1
the pillory was ' a frame erected on a pillar and
made with holes and folding boards through
which the heads and hands of criminals are put.'
When Giles had recovered and was able to
stand at Gray's Inn Gate, arrangements were
made for him to have a guard, ' if possible, strong
enough to secure him from being used as formerly.'
How he fared we are not told, but a week
later he was in a fit condition to stand for the
third time in the pillory at the Maypole, when
' it being the last time, the people were resolved
to take their leave of him by pelting him, but did
him no great harm, he being secured by armour
and his legs wrapt about with straw ; and after
an hour was carried to Newgate in the coach in
which he came, being guarded backwards and
forwards by avast number of watchmen.'
Women were also condemned to undergo
this punishment, and fared quite as badly if they
had been unlucky enough to incur the dislike of
the populace.
1 Folio edition, 1755.
106 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
There was a certain ' Madam Cellier,' de-
scribed by Burnet as ' a Popish midwife who had
a great share of wit and was abandoned to lewd-
ness,' who, in combination with Dangerfield and
others, concocted what was known as the ' Meal
Tub Plot.'
When their forgeries were discovered and the
conspirators brought to trial, Mrs. Cellier was in
the first instance allowed bail. She employed
her liberty in printing an account of the affair
in which she was implicated, and in her
' Narrative ' brought accusations against so many
persons of note that she was again seized and
imprisoned.
In the words of the news-writer :
' Mrs. Cellier got bail, which being tendered to
the Council they accepted, and she told the Council
that she will print her book, let them do what
they can, for she knows the worst on't.'
Whereupon, a fortnight later, it is not surpris-
ing to learn that
4 two Indictments being preferred against Mrs.
Cellier, one for subornation, the other for
publishing her book, the bills were found.
Upon which Sir Phill. Matthews moved that
THE TERRORS OF THE PILLORY 107
she might be taken up privately, and accord-
ingly, by a Constable's diligence, she was seized
yesterday at her own house before she could
have notice that the Bills were found, and she
was immediately brought into the old Bailey,
where she had notice that she was to be tried
to-day, though Judge Dolben was for having it
put it off till next Sessions. But the Lord
Mayor telling Baron Weston that the Coachman
(who Mrs. Cellier saith in her Narrative declared
to her that he was tortured, and afterwards was
offered money to say he took up Sir Edmondbury
Godfrey in Somerset House before Bedloe's
discovery) had been with him, and declared on
oath to the contrary, and that she offered him
money if he would say so ; and that he asking
her why she would put that into her narrative she
answered " because she had a mind to it."
' Upon which Baron Weston said that
publishing her narrative was an indictable act ;
she needed no time, and so ordered her Trial
to come on this day at two o'clock. The Con-
stable is bound to prosecute her, she having given
him two of her books when he seized her/
Two days later, on September 13, Mrs.
Cellier was
' sentenced by the Recorder, who came to town
but that morning. She stands on Wednesday
come sennight at the Maypole, on Thursday at
Charing Cross, and on Saturday at Covent
Garden, her books being to be burnt before
io8 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
her ; and is to stay in Prison till her ^500 fine
is paid.
' Yesterday,' write the newsmen on the i6th,
'six Gentlewomen presented a Petition to his
Mat y to forgive Mrs. Cellier the Punishment of
the Pillory (she having said she would rather be
hanged than endure it), but his Mat y gave no
answer.
' Its said the Earl of Shaftesbury intends to
arrest her upon scandalum magnat: , and that an
Indictment of High Treason is preparing against
next Term, and that she hath a Coat of Armour
making to defend her against the Injury of the
Pillory.
On the 1 8th of September ' Mrs. Cellier,
desiring to have her punishment soon over, stood
this day in the pillory at the Maypole, it being
one o'clock before she came on (the usual time
being twelve) ; where having stood awhile, with
a blow from some of the crowd she fell down out
of policy, thinking that by it she might be per-
mitted to lie upon the pillory her time out ; but
upon the cries of the people she was raised and
stood about half an hour, after which she was
conveyed to Newgate in the coach she came in,
the people throwing at her all the while. Several
were seized for throwing at her, both on the
pillory and by the way, but the multitude rescued
them ; and the under sheriff riding into St.
Clement's Churchyard after some that threw, with
his sword drawn, had like to have spoiled himself
and his horse with the stones that lie for building
the church. She was armed cap-a-pie under her
THE TERRORS OF THE PILLORY 109
clothes, and had a board in her hand made on
purpose to defend her on the pillory.
' When the officers went this morning to fetch
her out of Newgate, she out of dread cried out
she was in labour, but it prevailed not.
' One stone struck her hood off when she was
on the pillory, which discovered her Iron cap
covered with leather, and she had (notwithstand-
ing her pretended weakness) the courage to take
up several stones thrown at her and put them in
her pocket, as also her foot-boy, who stood under
the pillory, by her order did the same, to show
some persons, hoping by that, 'tis thought, that
she may have the two other standings forgiven.
But its believed this will not do, and that she will
stand on Tuesday and Thursday '
Mrs. Cellier's craftiness was of no avail.
Before the next standing came off she tried to
work on the King's feelings by sending him some
of the biggest stones that were thrown at her,
with a petition
desiring his Mat y to forgive her standing any
more in the pillory, since she was in danger of her
life. But it prevailed not, she having stood this
day [Sept. 23] in Covent Garden, where many
stones, turnips etc, were thrown at her. She fell
down once or twice, but being raised again, the
pillory was over-turned, and she and two men
thrown down. But they afterwards setting it up
she stood a quarter of an hour and then was con-
no CAVALIER AND PURITAN
veyed in the coach thro' Holborn to Newgate, an
empty coach going before her to hinder the people
from knowing which coach she was in. Two or
three were taken up for throwing at her, but soon
rescued. She stands again on Monday at Charing
Cross.
Mrs. Cellier's next appeal was to the Lord
Mayor. She pleaded her bruises ' as a reason
against her appearing, and petitioned that she
might not stand on Monday.'
This time she was successful, having obtained
" two able Chirurgeons to make affidavit that her
bruises were so great, that her life was endangered
if she went as yet abroad. Her standing is there-
fore respited until further orders.'
She was not too ill to be able to intrigue for
her release.
' She hath by a friend offered Alderman Ellis
(bailiff of the Duchy of Lancaster), who is to have
her fine, ^300 in gold in composition for her
;i,ooo; but its thought he is so honest a man
that he will not bate a farthing.'
From the above it would seem that Mrs.
Cellier's fine had been doubled since her sentence,
when it was stated to have been ^500. She did
not succeed in corrupting the honest alderman,
and the amount of her fine, which represented a
THE TERRORS OF THE PILLORY in
much larger sum in those days, ensured her con-
tinued imprisonment.
Mrs. Cellier's temper did not improve during
her incarceration. On October 5 it is reported
that ' she fell foul upon a Gentlewoman who came
to see her this week in Newgate, saying she was
not to be made a show of.'
Two days later she was taken before the
Council
' in company with Mr. Lestrange, Mr. Sharkey,
Mr. Tongue, his father, and Dr. Oates, where
several Material things were discovered, and
many hard words passed between Dr. Oates
and Mr. Tongue. Mrs. Cellier feigned herself
sick and fell down and sw r ooned in the Council
Chamber, but was soon discovered, and re-con-
veyed with Mr. Tongue to Newgate. To-morrow
Mrs. Cellier stands in the pillory at Charing Cross.'
The wily Mrs. Cellier did not appear. She still
' pleaded her bruises ' and managed to defer her
last standing until October 22, when she under-
went the final ordeal at Charing Cross. The night
before ' she wrote a letter to the Sheriff to take
care of her, for she heard there were loads of
stone and Brick-bats laid thereabouts to be
thrown at her/
ii2 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
Mrs. Cellier survived the brickbats, and
remained in prison for more than two years.
But when the Duke of York's influence became
all-powerful at Court after the discovery of the
Rye-House Plot, the Roman Catholics profited
accordingly.
In November 1683 Mrs. Cellier was ' admitted
to bail to make out a writ of error upon a Judg-
ment formerly brought against her. ..."
We have seen how dangerous a punishment
the pillory could become when its victims were
objects of disapproval to the mob. On the other
hand, should the culprit or his crime chance to find
favour in the eyes of the populace, their feeling
was shown in an opposite fashion.
A certain Mr. Cuffe had thot aMr. Culliford
in the back, but without killing him, and for
this crime was sentenced to stand in the pillory
near the Custom House. Why the sympathy of
the crowd should have been on behalf of the per-
petrator of this dastardly act remains unexplained.
We learn by the mention of the wounded man's
occupation that he was a Commissioner of the
Revenue, and the crime may have been a bar-
barous method of resisting an impost of the
THE TERRORS OF THE PILLORY 113
Customs, which would be likely to enlist the
sympathy of a lawless rabble.
* This day Cuffe, who shot Mr. Culliford, stood
in the Pillory before the Customs house, having
a good guard over him, but instead of being pelted
with Rotten Oranges etc. the Carmen, porters etc.
from the Wharf thereabouts came and gave him a
great deal of money. Some were taken and carried
before Sir Jo. Ruck worth, who its said made
mittimus-es for their commitment to Bridewell,
but the Rabble grew so numerous that the Sheriffs
were forced to send for more help for fear of a
Rescue.
' Esq re Culliford, being well recovered, designs
to set forward for Ireland on Monday next as one
of the Commissioners of his Mat ys Revenues in
that Kingdom.'
u 4 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
CHAPTER VIII
SIR RICHARD NEWDIGATE's DIARY
FOR the next few pages we turn aside from the
turmoil of public life under Charles II. to follow
the fortunes of Richard Newdigate and some of
his friends. The death of the elder Sir Richard,
his son's mysterious ' adventure ' at Court, and
his subsequent futile attempt to enter Parlia-
ment were events comprised within a period of
three months. Before the next six months were
over, the disappointed candidate must have been
partially consoled for his defeat, when the Parlia-
ment for which he had stood came to a premature
end.
The Commons began by falling out with the
King respecting their choice of a Speaker.
When Charles refused to ratify their election of
Mr. Seymour to the Chair, they expostulated
with a ' Humble Representation ' etc. The only
SIR RICHARD NEWDIGATE'S DIARY 115
reply they received from the King is given as
follows : ' " Return to your house, lose no more
time, do as I have directed you," and so abruptly
broke off.'
Charles's autocratic will triumphed as a matter
of course ; but when the Commons, with con-
scientious but inconvenient zeal, brought in a bill
* to disable the Duke of York from inheriting the
Crown of the Realm,' followed by the impeach-
ment of the Lord Treasurer, the King fell back
upon his last resource and summarily prorogued
the Parliament before the end of May.
' The prorogation of the Parliament,' write the
newsmen, ' wrought as great a consternation in
the most considerable Inhabitants in and about
London as hath been known of a long time. '
The prorogation was followed by a dissolu-
tion in July, and this short-lived Parliament, ever
memorable for having passed the Habeas Corpus
Bill, ceased to exist.
In spite of the ' consternation ' and forebod-
ings of evil caused by the King's action, social
life went on as gaily as before. Marrying and
giving in marriage took place as usual, the active
agents in the compact being, as a rule, the
I 2
n6 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
parents of the young couple who were to be
mated for weal or woe.
Lord Massareene, writing to Sir Richard from
Antrim, tries to enlist his aid in arranging suitable
matches for his unmarried son and daughter in
the following letter :
' I am not out of hopes that I may wait on
you within a short time, and next week probably
begin a journey with my son to Dublin, and so
take shipping to England ; designing to stay
awhile in Cheshire, Lancashire, and Staffordshire,
before I come to Arbury. My relation to Lanca-
shire now, by my eldest Daughter's marriage to
Sir Chas. Hoghton of Hoghton Tower, making
it needful, I call there to see my Son-in-law and
that Estate, wherein my dear Uncle Newdegate's
advice was available in the .Settlement. And as
in this and many more cases he always allowed
me his governing counsel, so I shall miserably
want it and him whenever I pass by Holbourne
and Chancery Lane ; and it is very grievous to
me to reflect on that Loss where my gain was so
visible to the degree of a paternal concern which
cannot be Paralleled. I would be well satisfied if
it might please God that my 2 nd Daughter (now
marriageable) were also disposed in England, and
to that end would give a competent Portion to a
Gent, fitly qualified ; and if my uncle had lived
I am sure he would have assisted me in this ;
And when I come over I shall need all my
friends' help to find out one, as also a fit match for
SIR RICHARD NEWDIGATE'S DIARY 117
my son, now past nineteen. And altho' we hear
of many great fortunes, yet a Person of real
worth is most rare and very valuable in our eyes.
' However, because my Eldest Daughter's
portion was five thousand (p d ),and this I intend
no less than four (it may be more if I meet with
a man and an estate to my mind), It will be
needful as well as prudent to get a good fortune,
as well as a virtuous woman, for my Son ; and
therefore I have mentioned my thoughts to you,
not at all doubting but your concern for your
Relations will be argument sufficient for obtaining
your Advice, as anything may occur of probable
advantage to us from your numerous acquaint-
ance. . . . And some who have competent
Estates will be of your opinion perhaps in valu-
ing a Lady not the worse for being bred far from
Court. And were it not my own, I could say
much as to the expectancy from my 2 nd daughter
if one who values sobriety should be recom-
mended in that Relation.'
The machinations of parents in those days
who strove to forestall Heaven in arranging
matches for their offspring were sometimes
crowned with success. More often they were
failures. Lord Massareene had a fortunate
experience. His only surviving son, Clotworthy
Skeffington, fell genuinely in love with a young
lady who was possessed of every attraction for
both father and son.
n8 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
Lord Massareene writes from Pall Mall in
August 1679 to excuse himself for not having
paid a visit to Arbury :
' but there being a Treaty for my son now begun
with the Parents and friends of a deserving
young Lady, for whom my son has a kindness,
I am bound to wait the issue of it. It is a
daughter of Sir E d . Hungerford's, who we have a
good character of, and her person is lovely, her
fortune large, and the antiquity of the family un-
exceptionable having been Peers from Hen. 2 d .
to the time of Hen. 8 th , when, for loving one of
the King's misses, he was attainted as the Story
is ; and this Sir E d . is Knight of the Bath. Our
difficulty is with the Parents ; and what may arise
from the young lady we are neither willing to
suppose nor judge them insuperable. The
friends are not at all averse as we find, but the
way of our treaty concerning the usual perquisites
has not been furthered by the managers of the
conference. The lady has a right to a fortune of
above fifteen thousand pounds as we are informed ;
has many valuable Jewels, but is herself the
chief. I shall let you know their progress.
This only keeps us here ; and if she go into the
Country to her father's house, which was
designed before this commenced, we are like to
follow the Powerful Attracts of this sweet Lady,
before we visit friends in your parts. We met
her sometimes at friends' houses and at Church
(which began the acquaintance), and now we visit
her daily at her own apartments, and when we
SIR RICHARD NEWDIGATE'S DIARY 119
miss her at home we run to M r . Lilly's, 1 where she
lately was and left her shadow, which at the first
was the better countenanced by my calling there
sometimes to sit as you commanded me. But
now we need not such coverings. We adventure
to view the original and pretend an interest in the
well disposing of the Copy, which M r . Lilly has
done very like.
' The large Canvas you, it seems, were pleased
to direct to be provided might hold our Dread
Sovereign, and nothing Mr. Lilly and I can con-
trive to fill it with but my Parliament Robes,
which in all ages do not alter in their fashion,
nor in the least differ from those the Viscounts
wear here. The fairer sex has so consumed Mr.
Lilly's time of Late, that till Tuesday next I
cannot expect he will have done anything con-
siderable, and indeed, if I had advised, the least
Canvas might have served this purpose. I wish
my dear Uncle had been drawn by a good hand,
that I might have gotten a copy. I hear you
have my Aunt, and I shall get a copy of it by
your allowance.'
This desirable marriage was brought to a
successful issue the following March, when Rachel
Hungerford became Mrs. Skeffington, and in
after years Viscountess Massareene.
The announcement is duly made to Richard
Newdigate :
1 Better known as Sir Peter Lely.
120 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
' I have wanted time or I had not so long
omitted the enquiry after my Lady's health and
y rs . But the marriage of my Son on Thursday
last and a blood-shot eye, and the difficulties of
the Treaty which were previous, as well as our
remove to another house, made me unable to
write till now ; and I hope in God it will prove
a happy Union. I desired Sir E d . Hungerford
that I might have my pretty daughter-in-law
home to me, and he granted it. So, till we go
towards Ireland (I hope in less than a month),
we are to stay here, and we intend to visit you
and my Lady at Arbury on our way towards
Ireland.
' Here is little news but of the apprentices'
design, which has been examined at the Council
and before some Justices of Peace, and I think
Popery is the bottom of the design, divers of the
Boys (which were engaged) being Papists, and
there are other Latent causes and effects which
I fear are not yet discoverable.'
Two months after the date of this letter, in
May 1680, we find the earliest portion of Richard
Newdigate's Diary that has been preserved. It
gives a lively account of certain difficulties which
had arisen in connection with the incumbency of
Harefield, with the result that an unseemly tussle
took place after the squire of Arbury had come
to his Middlesex property to assert his rights as
SIR RICHARD NEWDIGATE'S DIARY 121
patron of a living which carried with it special
powers as ' a peculiar.'
It seems that a certain Mr. Davis considered
himself in lawful possession of the living, and
refused to be ousted in favour of the substitute
appointed by Sir Richard.
The diary commences after the writer's
arrival at the Manor House at Harefield, occupied
by his widowed mother, Julian, Lady Newdegate :
' May 29, Saturday. To 9 o'clock lay abed,
accompanied with good thoughts and many con-
trivances. Dressed. Put my things to rights.
One o'clock, dined. Aguish, and out of order.
Lay down on my bed. Discoursed my mother
and others, of whom Hill the little Tailor of
Harfield was one, from whom (as he told me
himself) Mr. Davis had exacted eleven shillings
for a licence. Prayers, Bed.
'May 30, Sunday. Dressed, prepared for
the Sacrament. Went to Church, having before
desired Mr. Sclater to officiate. But there Mr.
Davis was perkt up into the Desk, who put me
into a great Passion, for when I told him I had
discharged him from that Place, he told me 'twas
his duty to go on till he had a legal Discharge.
4 " Well," said I, " since you are here you may,
to avoid Disturbance ith' Church, read Prayers,
and the Gentleman I have appointed shall preach."
' " Sir," says he, " I intend to pray and preach
122 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
too, and administer the Sacrament according to
my Duty."
' I answered, " 'Twill ill befit you to administer
and consequently to receive the Sacrament after
two such notorious lies as you told. First, that
you would perfectly acquiesce in my Commands,
and that you wished I might find no more Dis-
turbance when I came to turn out the Clerk than
I should from you ; and the other that you never
said you would keep in Curate in spite of me,
which you denied though the Bishop of Gloucester
affirmed it to your face, that you told it him."
' " Very good," replies the Welchman, and read
prayers, and as soon as ever he had done, pulled
off his surplice and prepared to go into the pulpit.
' But I at this instant winked upon Mr.
Sclater and spoke to Mr. Davis before the
Psalm began, which turned his head about, so as
he did not see Mr. Sclater, who just then went
into the Pulpit.
' That which I said to him was : " I thought
to have paid you fully for the time past, but now
get it and take it."
* " Very good, Sir," said he.
' Upon Mr. Sclater's ascent into the pulpit,
Mr. Dobbins, a life-guard's' man (who with this
Davis had contrived to assist Loftus to obtain
Harfield from my father 1 ), went out of the Church
and returned no more.
' I, during the Sermon, ordered my man to
take the Surplice away from before Davis, which
1 This refers to a prolonged lawsuit between the Serjeant and
Mr. Loftus concerning the Harefield estate after its purchase in 1675.
SIR RICHARD NEWDIGATE'S DIARY 123
he did and gave it to the Clerk, who foolishly after
Sermon gave it again to Davis ; upon which I
took it away with my own hands and gave it to
the Clerk again with a frown ; who then gave it to
Mr. Sclater, who put it on and proceeded to ad-
minister ; upon which Davis went out. I also,
being so much discomposed, went out.
' One o'clock, dined. I sent Rob 1 . Johnson and
Abel Speakman to let Mr. Davis know that if he
would come to-morrow at 8 o'clock I would pay
him to that time for officiating, which he refused,
saying he was to go to London.
' Four o'clock. Having ordered the Church
doors to be locked that Davis might not again
get in, I was railed at by Dobbins in these terms,
viz. : " What is the reason that we are locked out
of the Church ? This is a fanatic trick, like Mr.
Baxter, turning out an honest man and putting in
another. 'Tis time to leave the Church i' faith ! "
' To which I replied, " That you did in the
morning, Sir," and so went into the Church, where
Mr. Sclater being got into the Desk, Davis came
and said :
' " Do you officiate for me to-day Sir ? "
' " No," replied Mr. Sclater, " I officiate for
Sir Richard N.," and so went on, and Davis went
to a seat, sweating tho' as pale as death and in a
great agony.'
On the following Tuesday Sir Richard left
Harefield to return to Arbury, where he con-
tinues the daily record of his occupations as a
country squire.
i2 4 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
'June 10. Lay abed, having been much dis-
turbed in the night of Attleborough teams, whom
I desired to fetch Coping stone, and they went
all night. Finished transcribing my Diary, and
with Lely the little roan horse, to whom I gave the
Egg Drink prescribed by Du Gray, which proved
too strong for him and killed him upon taking
it. ...
' June 13, Sunday. Making ready to go to
church. Drove myself and failed exceedingly
with my young horses ; the ways are so very ill.
At Church. Came home well, but by the Coach
house failed for an hour and a half by Dodson's
restiveness. Four o'clock, dined. Five o'clock,
Prayers and homily. Six o'clock shaving and
walked out. Eight o'clock, prayers ; undressed.'
Next day Sir Richard started for London on
his way to Harefield.
'June 14. Slept but ill to eleven o'clock [p.m.].
One o'clock, made ready to go. Mounted before
half-past two and rode to Northampton. Took
Coach and came to Mr. Montague's house at
Horton by seven. Dined late there and detained
till almost four o'clock. Got to Dunstable by ten,
To bed there at Dr. Crawley's, the Crown being
full.
'June 1 5. To eight o'clock slept. By four got
to London. Stayed ith' Three Cups till a lodging
was got. A roving eye. Removed to that lodging,
viz. Mr. Cleaver's, a grocer in old Southampton
buildings. Putting my things in order and sent
out several ways.
SIR RICHARD NEWDIGATE'S DIARY 125
'June 1 6. To eight dressed. Forbore break-
fast, having much to do. Trifling. Went to the
Lord Massareene's, who had invited me to Dinner.
Stayed there three hours before he came in. Had
a perfect cold fit of an Ague at three, o'clock.
His Lordship came in and I drank a good draught
of Sack, which with the help of Clothes that I had
laid upon me, my Cold fit turned to a hot fit, but
I could eat nothing. After some repose I went
to Dr. Lower. He ordered me a Pearl Julep and
some powder to provoke to sweat ; but I came
home by five, got to bed and slept heartily and
sweat before the things came.' . . .
A day or two later Sir Richard continued his
journey to Harefield, where we find him prepared
to renew the Sunday fray.
'June 19. In the Evening I talked to Mr.
Sclater and the Minister of Harfield, Mr. Osbas-
ton. 1 I desired them to pray with me. I re-
ceived News that Dobbins was sworn Church-
warden, and I gave order what should be done
next day to John, my Mother's Coachman.
'June 20, Sunday. Rose at seven. Took a
potion. Directed Tho. Green my Butler to bring
in the books and Surplice, and to stay himself in
or about the Church to obviate Dobbins if he
should offer to break open the Doors as he
threatened he would. The second Peel rung, but
first a Woman and two Girls came (sent, we
believe, by Dobbins) to desire to see the Church,
1 Appointed by Sir Richard in place of Mr. Davis.
126 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
which was denied, and Tho. Green and the Clerk
discreetly answered they should see enough of that
anon.
' At ten o'clock John the Coachman, as I
ordered him, shut himself into the Desk, and Tho.
Green into the Pulpit, each with a wing in his
hand, to make each place clean, and after the
second Peel was done the Doors (as usual) were
set open.
' Dobbins and Davis, seeing nobody in the
Church but old Goodman Wingfield in Bracken-
bury seat, who observed all these Passages, went
in, and Davis in great haste opened the reading
Desk Door, upon which up started John the
Coachman with Wing in hand.
' " What make you here ?" said Davis.
' " What make you here, Sir ? " said John.
' Upon which the Welchman was ready to
fall down, but Dobbins coming to his assistance,
Tho. Green feared they would displace John and
came to help him.
' In the meantime Dobbins got possession of
the pulpit, to Tho. Green's great trouble, who
got on the stairs, as near him as he could.
' But Davis soon after desiring to speak with
him, both went to consult out of the church, and
so Tho. Green got possession again.
' Dobbins presently returned with one Robin-
son his kinsman and two Ploughmen of his, whom
he took by the arms and placed near the Pulpit.
By this time in came the new Minister, Mr.
Osbaston, whom Davis discharged, shewing him
the Bishop of London's licence to him (Davis)
SIR RICHARD NEWDIGATE'S DIARY 127
to preach at Harfield. But my brother Tom
and Mr. Sclater desired him to go on. Upon
which he read Prayers. But as he was going
into the Pulpit Dobbins came out towards him,
till Abel Speakman the Keeper stopped him by
pulling him by the arm, and desired him to make
no Disturbance in the Church. Dobbins here-
upon said he was struck and went out. Davis
stayed to hear a better sermon than ever he him-
self had preached.
1 In the afternoon neither of them was heard of.
' The relation of this, with some reading and
prayer and giving orders, spent all the Day. My
Mother's care and Mrs. Beal's of me has been
very great. The Lord reward them ! '
Here ends the record of the struggle for the
possession of pulpit and reading-desk by one of
the principal actors in the tragi-comic scene.
A few years later, in 1686, Sir Richard does not
seem to have come off successfully when he
again fell out with the incumbent of his parish.
This time we have no diary with the patron's own
account of his action in the matter. Lord
Massareene, writing from far-away Ireland, has
had his curiosity excited by a mention of the
occurrence in the public papers. He promptly
asks for particulars :
' I perceive by our Public news-letters you
128 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
have been troubled by the Minister or curate of
Harefield, for which I was much concerned.
But your letter expressing nothing of this kind
I hope there is not much in the matter, and that
you will easily encounter the malice of such as
may attempt to trouble you, which, as I heard the
Case, did arise from one that did eat of your
Bread, which I had not mentioned, but that I
was curious to know the Truth, when so near a
Relation was spoken of to be cited to the Eccle-
siastical High Court.' 1
The fiery-tempered Sir Richard, so easily
roused and quick to act, lived unfortunately in
an age when irreverenge was both common and
uncensured. Men of higher religious pretensions
than himself had come into collision within the
walls of a sacred edifice.
' The Bishop of Chichester,' write the news-
men, ' having struck his Chancellor in Chichester
Church, they were both summoned before the
Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, where they had
a hearing last Monday, but the business was left
undetermined.'
1 Sir Richard had a final passage of arms with the Ecclesiastical
authorities in 1690-1, when he was victorious. On this occasion
he obtained a verdict ' against the Bishop of London and others
concerning the Peculiar of Harefield, when it hath been proved
upon record for 500 years past that no Ecclesiastical Court hath
any jurisdiction here, but the Lord of this Manor.
129
CHAPTER IX
SIR RICHARD'S FIRST PARLIAMENTARY EXPERIENCE
THE Parliament that was allowed so short a spell
of existence in 1679 had, amongst other difficult
questions brought before it, ' to take into Con-
sideration the Sad Condition of the Kingdom
in relation to the forces that remain unpaid.'
When the King had appealed for aid to enter
upon 'the pretended war with France,' the
Commons had responded with unusual liberality.
They voted large supplies, and additional regi-
ments were raised. The scare of a French war
passed away, but the troops could neither be
paid nor disbanded, as no money was forthcoming
to wipe out the arrears owing to the men. Un-
pleasant inquiries followed as to the expenditure
of the public funds, but no satisfactory ex-
planation could be elicited. The Lord Treasurer
was impeached and sent to the Tower, where he
remained untried for five years.
K
130 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
The provision for the Navy was in no better
plight. Amongst those who had to answer to a
charge of embezzlement was our old friend
Samuel Pepys, the Diarist. He was accused,
with Sir Anthony Deane, of being implicated in
the unaccountable disappearance of the subsidies
voted for the Navy.
Evelyn relates how he dined with Pepys twice
this summer during the latter's imprisonment in
the Tower. On the second occasion the guest,
with commendable forethought, sent his dinner
beforehand in the shape of a piece of venison.
In spite of the grave reflections on the honesty
of the two naval officials, the newsmen tell us
that in July, when the writs for the new Parlia-
ment were out, ' Sir Anthony Deane and Mr.
Pepys make their interest to be chosen again for
Harwich by means of the Head Builder there,
but all Rational men blame them for it.'
Pepys was not wanting in effrontery. A few
weeks later, when released but still under a cloud,
he ventured into the royal presence with the follow-
ing results.
' Mr. Samuel Pepys was at Windsor to kiss his
Mat ys hand, who was told by the Lord Chamber-
FIRST PARLIAMENTARY EXPERIENCE 131
lain he wondered he should presume to come to
Court before he had cleared himself, being charged
with Treason ; who replied that he doubted not
next Term when his Trial comes on to make his
Innocency appear as clear as the Sun at noonday,
and so parted. But by favour of some Courtiers
he was brought into his Mat y s presence, who turned
from him with a frown, showing his great dislike
at his appearing there.'
When the country was again plunged into the
turmoil of a general election, Sir Richard Newdi-
gate deemed it unadvisable to tempt his fate a
second time within the year. Owing to the un-
ruliness of his tongue in the heat of party contest,
he had already started an irreconcilable feud with
his neighbour and former friend,- Lord Denbigh.
Elections were rough and perilous ordeals in
Charles II.'s time, and another stormy encounter
might well be avoided for a time.
The newsmen give a specimen of what was
going on at this juncture in other parts :
' The poll of Essex ended not well yesterday
noon. It was a mighty Election in point of
Numbers, and several Mischiefs had like to have
happened. One Mr. Turner was so rude that he
struck Col. Mildmay [the successful candidate] on
the face and pulled him by the Nose, giving him
very 111 language. . . .'
K 2
132 CAVALIER AN!) PURITAN
But in spite of nose-pulling and other evil deeds
the country returned a new Parliament on much
the same lines as before. For a time the King
staved off inconvenient discussions by constant
prorogations, which caused discontent in the
constituencies, followed by openly expressed indig-
nation. Petitions for the assembling of Parlia-
ment were rapidly signed and sent up to be
delivered to Charles in person.
' Yesterday [Jan y 23, 1680] the Essex petition
was presented by Sir Gower Harrington and six
others all kneeling. The number of subscriptions
was computed to be fifty thousand.
' His Mat y demanded whether it came from the
Grand Jury, and being told the contrary, said it
was not then from the County of Essex.
'They answered it was from the Lords, Knights,
Gentlemen Freeholders and Inhabitants of Essex.
' His Mat y told them he was sorry to see so
many Gentlemen concerned in such a petition, and
told Col. Mildmay it was the old Business of 1641,
and asked him if he had not forgot it. He
answered that he had not, and hoped his Mat y
could not forget the year 1660, when their petition
was the cause of his Restoration. Upon which
his Mat y went away not well pleased.
' In the afternoon was another petition pre-
sented from Berkshire by the Lord Lovelace, and
his Mat ys answer was that when he came to
FIRST PARLIAMENTARY EXPERIENCE 133
Windsor his friends and he would compose the
difference with a pot of ale.'
When at length Parliament was allowed to
meet in October 1680, the Commons started afresh
on the bill of exclusion, but it was thrown out when
taken up to the House of Lords. Charles was
present during the debate, both dining and sup-
ping in the House. 1
Before the end of the year the public and
pathetic trial of old Lord Stafford took place, after
a prolonged imprisonment. He was condemned
for high treason, with the usual barbarous sen-
tence to be hanged, drawn, and quartered, but ' by
the King's favour ' he was allowed to die by ' the
executioner's axe.'
' On Thursday night ' (write the newsmen on
December 24) ' Sheriff Bethell went to the Lord
Stafford to know if he had any directions to give
about his execution, which would be on Wednes-
day next. And his Lordship desired he might
1 When Charles II. made his first unexpected appearance
during a debate in the House of Lords it had a startling effect
upon the assembled Peers. ' It is true,' writes Andrew Marvell in
1670, 'that this has been done long ago, but it is now so old that
it is new, and so disused, that at any other but so bewitched a Time
as this it would have been looked on as a high Usurpation and
Breach of Privilege. . . .' The Lords soon got used to the King's
presence, for Charles ' continued his Session among them saying
it was better than going to a play.'
134 CAVALIER AND 'PURITAN
have a large stage ; that it be hung with black ;
that he might be buried in his clothes ; and that
there might be no hollowing [shouting] at his
Execution. The three first the Sheriff promised
him, and that he would endeavour the last.'
History tells us that Lord Stafford's
' age, submission, and dignity so worked on the
populace who came to witness his execution that
in spite of his being an abhorred Papist they
listened quietly to his speech and cried aloud,
" We believe you, my Lord! God bless you, my
Lord!"' 1
A note in Sir Richard Newdigate's hand-
writing, on the margin of the printed Narrative of
Lord Stafford's Trial and Execution, relates how
' Lord Stafford's last speech was printed before
his Execution, as 'tis thought, thro' the Covetous-
ness of his Lordship's Valet de Chambre, who
got a Copy and sold it to a Stationer, who, that
he might be sure of gain, printed it before the
Execution, so that some of the Copies sold under
the Scaffold while his Lordship suffered.'
A month later, in January 1681, the newsmen
announce that
' The point so long in dispute is at last decided,
the Parliament being dissolved, and a new one to
be called to sit at Oxford, the 2i st of March next.'
1 Smollett.
FIRST PARLIAMENTARY EXPERIENCE 135
They also tell us of the Earl of Salisbury's
strong disapproval of the King's high-handed dis-
missal of his Parliament, and of how
1 he besought his Mat y to grant him the favour of
releasing him from any farther attendance at
Council, to which his Mat y answered '' he never
granted anything more readily in his life."'
The King's intention of summoning his next
Parliament to meet at Oxford roused feelings
of distrust and insecurity throughout the country.
The City of London was naturally opposed to so
conspicuous an evidence of want of confidence in
the capital. Monmouth himself headed those who
presented a petition against this unpopular change
in the seat of government. The expense, more-
over, of such a move would cost the country dear.
All means were tried to shake the King's
determination, and even the hysterical dreams of
a country maiden were deemed worthy of notice :
' There is a discourse of a vision appearing to
Eliz. Freeman of Hatfield, charging her to go to
the King and tell him that the Royal Blood
will be poisoned the 1 5 th of May, and to bid him
not remove the Parliament to Oxford and that
she made affidavit before Sir Jos. Jourdain of
it, which is believed only a sham.'
136 CAVALIER AND' PURITAN
In spite of the disbelief reported by the news-
men, the ' Hatfield maid' was twice summoned
before the King to repeat her story. The second
time the combined wisdom of Charles and his
Council arrived at a decision to give no heed to
the warnings of the would-be prophetess. Accord-
ingly, ' she was advised to go home and repent
her of her Melancholy delusions.'
When it was known that the King was
inflexible in his purpose of holding the new
Parliament at Oxford, no little perturbation was
caused thereby in the ancient seat of learning.
The Common Council began by voting that
' no soldier shall be quartered within the City.'
The King sent timely word that he desired to
have ' Corpus Christi, Christ Church, and Univer-
sity for his appointment,' and that 'he would send
the Lord Chamberlain down to prepare them.'
As a natural consequence, ' all the Students of
Oxford under the degree of Master of Arts are
ordered to retire to their friends to make room for
the Court.'
Meanwhile the electoral fray was going on
throughout the country. Sir Richard Newdigate's
opportunity had come again, and this time he
FIRST PARLIAMENTARY EXPERIENCE 137
took advantage of it. On March 5 the newsmen
notify, amongst other returns, that ' Sir Richard
Newdigate and Esq re Marriot are chosen Knights
of the Shire for the County of Warwick.'
On the same date ' His Grace the Duke of
Monmouth starts for Oxford with several lords. '
On March 15 they announce that
' This day they write from Oxford to his
Mat y at Windsor to acquaint him that the Inn-
keepers of that City are unwilling, and do utterly
deny to Quarter any of his Mat y>s guards either
foot or horse, and humbly pray his Mat y to dispose
of them other ways.'
The fear of tumults was prevalent amongst
the authorities.
' We have advice from Oxford that the Vice-
Chancellor hath issued forth his order or, to give
it you in the University term, Programa prohibit-
ing all Scholars from frequenting Taverns, Ale-
Houses and Coffee-Houses during his Mat ys resi-
dence there, upon penalty of being entered into
the Black book ; which observed, will prevent all
manner of disputes which may accidentally hap-
pen betwixt the Scholars and the members of
Parliament.'
In evidence of the excited state of feeling
at this time, we are told of an accident which
138 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
befell ' a new pile of Stone Buildings near the
Convocation House,' where the Commons were
to sit. The new building, ' intended for a Library
of Chemistry,' was to have had part of it utilised
for a Coffee- House during the sitting of Parliament,
but at this juncture ' it fell flat to the ground, but
did no one any harm. Had it stood a few days
longer,' sagely observe the newsmen, ' it might
have crushed some members of Parliament by its
fall, and it would have been no easy matter to
persuade it was not done by Treachery.'
The stormy atmosphere which preceded the
meeting of the Parliament at Oxford led to
suspicion and precaution on the part of those
newly elected.
' When the members assembled at Oxford/
says Smollett, ' both sides were armed and
attended by their friends and adherents, as if they
expected an immediate rupture.'
Sir Richard Newdigate had come up with the
rest and was lodged in University College. The
special favour of a small chamber having been
assigned him is emphasised by the information
that ' we (the authorities) have had to refuse one
or two knights from Yorkshire to make room.'
FIRST PARLIAMENTARY EXPERIENCE 139
The crush was so great that Sir Richard's servant
had to share an apartment with the attendants
of two other members.
The news-letters are now addressed to Lady
Newdigate, but being still written from London
their intelligence is somewhat belated.
The King and Queen had arrived at Oxford,
attended by the Court, and the Parliament met
for the first time on March 21 to choose their
Speaker.
Three days later the newsmen report that * its
thought the Parliament will sit for some time.
The Commons have done swearing [in], and
by the next post you may expect votes.'
This letter is franked on the outside by Sir
Richard, but in more irregular characters than
those of his ordinary firm clear signature. Some
unkind doubter has written against it : ' This is
neither his hand nor seal.'
Meanwhile, the new House of Commons,
unschooled and undaunted by past experience,
was recklessly hurrying on to its untimely fate.
All the former subjects of contention were
started afresh with renewed zeal. In addition
to the Exclusion Bill and the demand for
CAVALIER AND PURITAN
judgment against Lord Danby, the Commons
found a new bone of contention with the House
of Lords in the impeachment of Fitz- Harris for
having been privy to the Popish plot.
The end came suddenly, and is announced by
the newsmen in the curtest of terms :
' Yesterday [March 28] the King sent for the
House of Commons to the Lords' House and
dissolved the Parliament/
Such promptness and decision were hardly to
be expected from the easy-going King.
' Very suddenly and not very decently,' says
Burnet, ' he, the King, came to the House of
Lords, the Crown being carried between his feet
in a sedan chair. And he put on his robes in
haste, without any previous notice, and called up
the Commons and dissolved the Parliament, and
went with such haste to Windsor that it looked as if
he was afraid of the crowds this meeting had
brought to Oxford.'
The newsmen describe the sensation caused
by this unexpected crisis in the collegiate city :
' Here are various discourses concerning the
dissolution of Parliament, as to the Consternation
of the Inhabitants of Oxford, who had made
provision for three months, and the very hour the
FIRST PARLIAMENTARY EXPERIENCE 141
Parliament was dissolved it was discoursed they
would sit till August.'
Thus ended the week-old Parliament. With
its demise there could be no more franks for Sir
Richard, or opportunities for his undoubtedly
pugnacious character to assert itself, rightly or
wrongly, in the councils of the nation. Perhaps
it was as well for him personally that no longer
time was allowed him for action at the present
juncture. There is sufficient evidence of his
being in communication with Monmouth at this
critical period. A single letter of the Duke's has
been preserved, which speaks for itself. The
date of the month is not given, but the year is
written in the old style, i68, which limits its
possibilities to the period between January i
and March 26 in this year 1681. We know that
Monmouth and Sir Richard were both at Oxford
for the meeting of Parliament. The letter is dated
' Sunday morning ' and has been sent by hand.
The superscription is merely ' For Sir Richard
Newdigate.' It may therefore be safely con-
cluded that it was despatched on Sunday, March
20, the day before the Parliament met at Oxford.
The contents, beautifully written, are as follows :
i 4 2 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
' S r / if you will doe me the favour either to
dine with me, or lett me see you att Three in the
afternoon att my Lodgings, I shall give you your
papers, and the best satisfaction I can as to our
present condition ; tho' the account of that may
be uncertain, nothing is more certain than that
I am, S r ,
' Your most humble and faithful Servant,
' MONMOUTH.
'Sunday morning 168^.'
After reading this note none can doubt that
Sir Richard's sympathies were with Monmouth
and the Protestant cause which he represented,
although he never became one of his open and
active adherents. Still, there is no knowing into
what dangerous courses the ex-member's life might
not have been diverted had he remained for any
length of time under the influence of Monmouth's
attractive personality.
As it was, Sir Richard returned to his home
straightway, whilst the only apparent result of
his two election contests was the feud before
mentioned between his neighbour, Lord Denbigh,
and himself.
Lady Newdigate had tried to throw oil upon
the troubled waters in a letter to Lady Denbigh.
She received the following reply :
FIRST PARLIAMENTARY EXPERIENCE 143
' Madam, You cannot be more troubled than I
have been for the difference between our husbands,
and had it been in my power it should long since
have been at an end, but after Sir Richard at the
election gave my Lord very rough and uncivil
words, he never expressed any remorse for it,
but persisted to oppose my Lord at the election
at Coventry, where he had nothing to do, which
heightened the breach. Had Sir Richard after
the first heat made any application to my Lord,
and owned (as the stoutest gentleman in the
world might have done) that his present passion
forced some expressions from him which he was
sorry for, my Lord would have quickly been
reconciled, for everybody that knows him will
own he is the best-natured man in the world ; but
he is also very high in honour and therefore could
not but resent public affronts, so that as things
now stand, except Sir Richard begins to give
some opportunity for a reconciliation, I know not
how it can be brought to pass, tho' nobody wishes
it more, or would be readier to endeavour it than
' Yr. La: humble Servant,
' M. DENBIGH.'
The breach remained unclosed in spite of the
ladies' efforts, each of whom loyally espoused her
husband's cause. At the election for the Oxford
Parliament ' fresh fuel' was 'added to the flame,'
as we learn from Lady Denbigh's last letter on
the subject :
144 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
'You do me justice, Madam, in believing that
I have been always sorry for the difference that
has happened between my Lord and S r Richard,
and I should be very ready to promote a recon-
ciliation if I knew how, but the way y r Ladyship
directs is not in my power, for my Lord never
went yet to any 'Sizes since I knew him, nor
does he delight in such Meetings, so 'twill be
impossible for me to put him upon it. Time, I
hope, may efface what is past, if no new subject
be given for unkindness. But my Lord was
credibly informed that at the past elections,
S r Richard, to lessen my Lord's interest in the
country [county], publicly bid them remember my
Lord voted "not guilty" in my Lord Stafford's
business, which exasperated my Lord very much ;
for what he did according as his conscience and
honour directed him ought not to be mentioned
with reproach. This I repeat to your Ladyship
only that you may know that there is fresh fuel
added to the flame, else it could not have lasted
so long. But these things force a separation
between you and I, yet I am not the less
' Yr. La: humble servant
' M. DENBIGH.'
Whilst Charles II.'s subjects were having their
private feuds over the excited state of politics in
the country, the King himself was setting all
precedent at defiance. Henceforth he ruled
without a Parliament as an absolute monarch.
H5
CHAPTER X
THE LADY OGLE*S MATRIMONIAL ADVENTURES
SIR RICHARD NEWDIGATE has preserved amongst
his correspondence a packet of letters from his
cousin Elizabeth, Countess of Northumberland.
She was the daughter of Thomas Wriothesley,
Earl of Southampton, by his second wife Eliza-
beth, daughter of Sir Francis Leigh, who became
Earl of Chichester. 1 Rachel, Lady Russell, was
an elder daughter of Lord Southampton's by his
first wife, and in one of her published ' Letters '
she laments the premature death of her half-sister
Elizabeth in 1 690, after she had become Countess
of Montague by her second husband's elevation
to the peerage.
Lady Montague's first husband was Josceline,
eleventh and last Earl of Northumberland, of the
old family of the Percys.
1 Lord Chichester's youngest daughter was Mary, Viscountess
Grandison.
146 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
Pepys, that practised critic of feminine charms,
saw her in 1669, as ' Lady Piercy,' and speaks of
her as ' a beautiful lady indeed.' Evelyn, writing
of her fourteen years later, calls her ' the most
beautiful Countess of Northumberland.'
This fair lady was left a widow early in life
with one little daughter, and soon after married
Ralph, son of Edward Lord Montague, by
whom she had four younger children. She
retained her title of Countess of Northumberland
until her second husband was created Earl of
Montague by William and Mary, whose cause he
had warmly espoused. Later he was advanced
to a dukedom by Queen Anne, which title be-
came extinct on the death of the second Duke
in the next generation.
After Lady Northumberland's second marriage
she resided for a time in Paris, where Mr.
Montague held the post of Minister, and, having
property of her own in Warwickshire, she corre-
sponded with her cousin at Arbury concerning
various matters of business. In June 1676 she
writes to him in regard to the imposition of the
Trophy Tax,' l which she objected to pay :
1 Possibly the ^70,000 voted in 1675 to defray the expenses of
a public funeral for Charles I.'s remains. ' For more Pageantry,
MATRIMONIAL ADVENTURES 147
' I am very sorry to find by yours which I
received the last night that the Gentlemen of the
County, which you write me word did resolve
to refuse paying the tax, have altered their minds,
it being in my opinion a very unreasonable thing
to consent to anything of that nature that is
not raised Legally. But I think it is in vain
to stand out such a thing alone, therefore Mr.
Mountague and I do think it best to do as the
rest of you do, and if you are all resolved to pay it
we will submit and do so too ; for in these general
cases I know no remedy. My service, pray, to
your Lady. Mr. Mountague is an humble servant
to you both, etc.'
Another letter relates to a curious privilege
connected with the Peerage in former days :
' I did some time since receive a letter from
you concerning the Qualifying a Man as my
Chaplain which I did not then know whether
I could do ; but upon enquiry they tell me by the
Statute of 21 of Henry the Eighth, the thirteenth
amongst the provisos, I have liberty as a Countess
that have married under a Baron to make Chap-
writes Marvell in one of his caustic letters, ' the old King's statue
on Horseback, of Brass, was bought and is to be set up at Charing
Cross. . . . The old King's Body was to be taken up to make a
perfect Resurrection of Loyalty, and to be re-interred with great
Magnificence ; but that sleeps.' The statue was set up by Lord
Danby, whilst Charles II., unhindered by filial scruples, appro-
priated the country's vote for his private uses. See also Notes and
Queries, vol. iv. p. 414.
I, 2
148 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
lains the same as if I were a Widow. Therefore
I have here sent you a qualification to put in what
name you please, and am very glad of this or any
other opportunity of serving you.'
At the date of the last letter of the packet,
January 23, 1679, Mr. Montague had got into
trouble with the King and Council. He was
nominally accused of having had unauthorised and
private interviews with the Pope's Nuncio in
Paris :
' I am very sensible,' writes Lady Northumber-
land, ' of the favour and concern you are pleased to
show to me and to Mr. Mountague in this business.
I do not at all doubt that great person being very
much exasperated, and I confess it was from thence
that my apprehensions were so great when I first
heard of his being taken. But I am much more
at ease since it was carried last night, that he
could not be sent in custody without the King had
something more to lay to his charge than has yet
appeared. Upon which his Mat y thought fit to
send an order to the Mayor of Dover to release
him, and to Mr. Mountague to come and appear
before him, and this upon his Allegiance, which I
do not doubt but he will obey, and if there be
nothing unjust or illegal used against him, I am in
no apprehension of his coming off but with honour
to himself and satisfaction to his friends.
' Your desiring to have an account of this
MATRIMONIAL ADVENTURES 149
affair is the only excuse I shall make for troubling
you with this long letter from
' Y r most faithful Cousin and humble Servant,
' E. NORTHUMBERLAND.'
Lord Massareene, writing at this juncture to his
cousin Richard, comments on the state of affairs,
tidings of which had reached him in Ireland :
' Will my old schoolfellow at Westminster,
Mr. Ralph Montague, be elected again at North-
ampton, or elsewhere ? and will his case now (in
the intrigue he managed at his first sitting in the
House) be tolerably guided during the vacancy of
Parliament? It was an ill wind that put him into
the hands of the Mayor of Dover in a time of
such a recess. I am troubled anything should
ruffle the most serene thoughts of that delicate
Lady of his you mention, whom I had the honour to
observe in the late Treasurer Southampton's time,
when such passages as are now extant were not to
be found about that office ; and I conclude Danby
is not more likely to go ambassador into Spain
(altho 1 it be so still reported) than that Mr.
Mountague will go again into France the one
being under the King's displeasure, and the other
under the same, yet I think out of the reach of a
late Impeachment.'
The writer was justified in surmising that Mr.
Montague would not be hardly treated. The
150 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
King had quite as much reason to be anxious
to shield him from trial as in the case of Lord
Danby. Both were too fully cognisant of the
bribes offered by Louis and accepted by Charles
to have been safe subjects for public trial without
the revelation of facts that would have injured the
King's credit with the nation. Mr. Montague
escaped better than did Lord Danby, who was
impeached chiefly on the evidence of two letters
brought forward by his quondam ally in his own
defence. Both weathered the crisis ultimately,
and lived to be created Dukes in a later reign.
Only once does Lady Northumberland in her
letters refer to her sole, surviving child by her
first husband, and then merely in a postscript,
when she was about seven years old. ' My little
daughter ' (she writes), ' I bless God, is very well at
this time.'
Yet this last of the Percys was a personage of
great importance in the eyes of the world. On
her father's death, the child Elizabeth at four
years old became in her own right Baroness Percy,
Poynings, Fitz-Payne, Bryan and Latimer, with
estates to correspond to her titles. She was too
desirable a prize to remain long unmated. At
MATRIMONIAL ADVENTURES 151
thirteen years of age she was married to Henry
Earl of Ogle, the young son of Henry Cavendish,
second Duke of Newcastle. At the time of the
formal ceremony, in November 1679, the boy
bridegroom assumed the name of Percy in right of
this alliance. A year later he died, leaving a
maiden widow aged fourteen.
The newsmen take great interest in the after-
career of ' the Lady Ogle/ probably incited
thereto by Sir Richard's kinsmanship to her
mother and herself. Rumours soon became rife
concerning the young widow's future, and two or
three months after she was free to marry again
reports of fresh wooers began to arise.
Under the date of February i, 1681, we read
this item of news : ' Tis said Prince Hanover
Courts the Lady Ogle.'
Now ' Prince Hanover' (afterwards George I.)
was in England ostensibly as a suitor for the hand
of Princess Anne, and although this projected royal
alliance came to nought, and the rumour of Prince
George's attentions to the young widow was mere
tittle-tattle, it serves to prove the importance
attached to the position of ' the Lady Ogle.'
Another announcement quickly follows the
152 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
above : ' Esq re Thynn is to be married to the
Lady Ogle.'
' Esquire Thynn ' was the son of Sir Thomas
Thynne of Longleat, Wilts. It is said that he
had lately come into ; 10,000 a year by the death
of an uncle, and therefore was not a needy fortune-
hunter. Nevertheless there must have been
blameworthy action on his part, as shown by an
entry in Evelyn's Diary on November 15, 1681.
' I dined ' (he writes) ' with the Earl of Essex,
who after dinner, in his study, where we were alone,
related to me how much he had been scandalised
and injured in the report of his being privy to
the marriage of his Lady's niece, the rich young
widow of the late Lord Ogle, sole daughter of the
Earl of Northumberland, shewing me a letter of
Mr. Thynn's excusing himself for not communi-
cating his marriage to his Lordship. He ac-
quainted me also with the whole story of that
unfortunate lady's being betrayed by her grand-
mother, the Countess of Northumberland, and
Colonel Bret for money ; and that tho' upon the
importunity of the Duke of Monmouth he had
delivered to the grandmother a particular of the
jointure, which Mr. Thynn pretended he would
settle on the lady, yet he wholly discouraged the
proceeding as by no means a competent match for
one that both by birth and fortune might have
pretended to the greatest prince in Xtendom.
That he also proposed the Earl of Kingston or
MATRIMONIAL ADVENTURES 153
the Lord Cranborne, but was by no means for
Mr. Thynn.'
The marriage into which the girl widow had
been betrayed by her own relations had been a
private one. Mr. Thynne, in haste to ensure his
rights to the lady's large fortune, was contented
with the formal ceremony at an early date, and was
not to claim his wife until her year of widowhood
had come to an end. Before this time came round,
in November 1 68 1 , the unfortunate bride was doing
her utmost to free herself from the unwelcome ties
which had been imposed upon her by undue in-
fluence. Fortunately she found friends outside
her own family in Sir William and Lady Temple
the latter so well known to us as Dorothy
Osborne.
The news-letters tell us how she evaded her
impending fate, with Lady Temple's active assist-
ance :
' On Wednesday last the Lady Ogle and Sir
W m Temple's Lady went to the Exchange, and
leaving coach at the fore door went out at the
back door, and by Morn got to the Downs, where
Mr. Sidney put them on board a yacht he had
provided for them, which sailed for Holland. She
went away to avoid Mr. Thynn, whom she some-
154 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
time since married. . . . "Pis said the Marriage
will be made void and that she's designed for the
Duchess of Cleveland's son, who is newly made
Earl of Northumberland. Mr. Thynn is gone to
take possession of her estate.'
The mercenary bridegroom, having lost his
wife, did not intend to abandon his claims upon
her property without a struggle :
' Mr. Thynn hath feed six Councillors in each
Court to settle him in the Lady Ogle's estate.'
Two months later, in January 1682,
' Sir G. Jeffries moved at the King's Bench bar
against Mr. Thynn touching the Lady Ogle, and
the counsel of Mr. Thynn moved a petition
to stop the proceedings of the Delegates, and
answer was returned that that Court was dilatory
enough.'
Lady Ogle's friends were not idle, and, in
accordance with the lax principles of the time, at-
tempts were made to influence in her favour
those Delegates who were to decide on the legal
claims of her marriage. The Bishop of Rochester
told Evelyn that
' he had been treated by Sir W m Temple, fore-
seeing that he might be a delegate in the concern
MATRIMONIAL ADVENTURES 155
of my Lady Ogle, now likely to come in con-
troversy upon her marriage with Mr. Thynn.'
Whilst all this intriguing was going on, the
object of it remained in Holland, where we are
told : ' The Prince of Orange hath several times
visited the Lady Ogle.'
Soon fresh suitors were talked of, although
the Delegates maintained their reputation for
dilatoriness. One of the former was Mr.
Sidney, who had assisted in the lady's escape.
' This day Mr. Sidney embarked for Holland to
bring over the Lady Ogle, and 'tis said he will
venture to marry her.'
We next hear of a far more unscrupulous and
dangerous aspirant to the girl widow and her
wealth.
Count Carl John Konigsmark (or Conings-
mark, as he is called in the news-letters) was a
good-looking adventurer and soldier of fortune,
a Swede by birth, but much in favour at the
Court of France. He has been erroneously con-
fused by Walpole and others with his younger
brother, Count Philip Christopher Konigsmark,
who a few years later was accused of an intrigue
with the Electress Sophia Dorothea, mother of
156 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
George II. Carl John, the elder brother, gained
his notoriety in England by a crime with which he
was charged in connection with his ambition to
replace Mr. Thynne as the lawful possessor of
the young heiress and her estates. He had
already begun to pay his court to her in Holland.
' As Count Coningsmark was going to the
Hague to make pretensions to the Lady Ogle,
he was assaulted by some English, hired, 'tis
supposed, to hinder his going to her, but he killing
two or three on the place, the first fled.'
A fortnight later he arrived in England with
the undoubted intention of getting rid of the
chief obstacle to his ambition, and of freeing the
object of his addresses once and for all from any
previous matrimonial bonds.
4 On Sunday night, Mr. Thynn, coming thro'
the Pall Mall in his coach (out of which the Duke
of Monmouth had not alighted above a quarter
of an hour) was shot, five bullets being lodged in
his belly. The person was on horseback who
shot him, and two more with him, but they rid
for it. Mr. Thynn was carried into a house and
lay till seven next morn ; and before he died he
did make a will and gave his fine horses to the
D. of Monmouth. The King upon hearing of it,
sent by the diligence of the D. of M. to tell him
how much he was concerned.
MATRIMONIAL ADVENTURES 157
' The assassinates were this morn taken, and
being carried before the Council proved to be a
Swedish Captain, a Polander and a German,
all Count Coningsmark's soldiers.'
The names of these hired assassins were
Christopher Vratz, George Boroski, and John
Stern. At their examination
v they owned the fact, and two of them said they
did it by the Count's order, but the Captain
(Vratz) said that he had challenged Mr. Thynn,
and he refusing it, he therefore was resolved to
murder him according to the Custom of his
Country. They were all committed to Newgate.'
The next day ' the Swedish ambassador in-
formed the Council that Count Coningsmark had
been in England three weeks ; that he had supped
with him on Sunday night ; that one of the
Count's gentlemen had asked the Ambassador
"whether, if Mr. Thynn was removed, his master
might not marry the Lady Ogle according to the
law of England."
In consequence of this information orders
were sent to all the ports ' that no suspicious
person shall depart the Kingdom.'
The Count evaded justice until
' a Master of a Swedish vessel sent to inform
the Duke of Monmouth that he had been
offered ^200 to carry over Count Coningsmark
158 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
to his own country, and that he was in hiding at
a Swede's house near Erith.'
On the Sunday following the Swede's house
was visited by the myrmidons of the law, when
the man confessed on pressure
' that the Count was just gone down to Graves-
end in a sculler disguised in a poor habit, in
order to go on board. Upon which they posted
thither, and having stood half an hour on the
bridge, the boat came in and the Count was
without much difficulty seized and brought to
Whitehall.'
At his examination the Count averred his
innocence, even declaring ' that had the Captain
come into Swedeland he would have surrendered
him to justice for so barbarous a fact.'
Nevertheless he was committed to Newgate,
' and being concerned at the place the Lord
Chief Justice told him there was lodging fit for
any Lord in England.'
Incriminating evidence soon began to come in.
' The Master of the vessel that brought the
Polander o'er saith that he received him from
Count Coningsmark's man. A person informs
that being sent with a letter to the Captain from
the Count, he bid him carry the Polander to him
as an answer. The Count came immediately
MATRIMONIAL ADVENTURES 159
from the Lady Ogle hither, and left his page
with her.'
The trial took place without delay, when
1 they all pleaded not guilty. The chief witness
against the Count was his boy, taken the other
day, who said his master and the three aforesaid
were together the Saturday night before the
murder ; that the Polander lay in the house with
the Count ; that on the Sunday morning the
Polander was fitted with boots, Coat and an
Execution sword ; that the Count asked him if it
was usual for men to ride on horseback here on
Sundays ; that the Captain came to the Count
about half an hour after the murder and the boy
was sent out of the way ; and most of the things
in my former letter were proved against him.
' The Count made an excellent defence to the
Court in French.'
The instigator's faithful but misguided tools ad-
hered to the old pretext of a challenge which had
been refused, but they added that 'the Polander,
misunderstanding, had fired the fatal shot.' They
all maintained that the Count knew nothing of it.
' The Lord Chief Justice summed up the
evidence impartially . . . and in a quarter of an
hour the Jury brought the Count in not guilty,
and the rest guilty, who received sentence ; and
the Count gave 2,000 security to answer an
appeal, if brought, and so went to supper, which
i6o CAVALIER AND PURITAN
in the morning he had appointed to be made
ready.'
The three hired assassins were condemned
to the gallows. In less than a month from the
date of the murder, they suffered for their crime on
the spot where it had been committed.
Captain Vratz remained hard and impenitent
to the end. He may have hoped for mercy even
at the last moment. After his sentence we are
told that
' the people about the Captain flatter him that if
the gentlewoman who yesterday petitioned the
King all in white satin for his life, and was
refused, will beg him at the Gallows, he may be
saved, for he lives merrily.'
Evelyn says : ' Vrats told a friend of mine, who
accompanied him to the gallows and gave him
some advice, that he did not value dying of a
rush, and hoped and believed God would deal
with him like a gentleman. ... He went to
execution like an undaunted hero, as one that had
done a friendly office for that base coward
Count Coningsmark, who had hopes to marry
his [Mr. Thynne's] widow, the rich Lady Ogle,
and was acquitted by a corrupt jury, and so got
away.'
The two subordinates, Stern and Boroski,
confessed their crime with penitence. The
former is said to have
MATRIMONIAL ADVENTURES 161
' written a book in high dutch relating how the
Captain hired them both and shewed them a
letter from the Count promising five hundred
crowns reward to whoever should murder
Mr. Thynn.'
Boroski had his orders to obey the Captain in
this matter direct from the Count,
' who told him that he should be paid for his
pains, which was all the inducement he had to
commit the murder, he having never seen
Mr. Thynn.'
The chief criminal had left the country before
the execution took place :
1 Yesterday (March 3 rd .) the Count went with
the Duchess of Portsmouth to Deptford, where
they went on board the Mary yacht for France.'
Only a month later he is reported to have
been at Calais for several days, and
' 'tis said he came over hither on Sunday last
incognito, but will appear splendidly when his
equipage arrives, and make Love to the Lady
Ogle, who hitherto seems averse to having him.'
The Lady Ogle's antipathy was not sur-
prising. Fortunately there was a better fate in
store for the twice- widowed girl.
M
1 62 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
On May 24 the newsmen write : 'Tis said
the Duke of Somerset is to marry the Lady
Ogle.'
A week later the marriage had taken place :
' 'Tis said the Lady Ogle was last night married
to the Duke of Somerset, Count Coningsmark
having quitted his claim and gone to Holland.'
The newsmen were rightly informed. Charles,
Duke of Somerset, had lately succeeded to the
dukedom on the death of his brother, who was
murdered in Italy. He was born on August 12,
1662, and consequently was not yet twenty when
he was married to Elizabeth, Countess of Ogle,
on May 30, 1682. Of the bride it has been justly
remarked that she was three times a wife before
she was seventeen.
Her name still flits through the pages of the
news-letters.
Ten days after her marriage ' S r Thos. Evelyn
nobly treated the Duke and Duchess of Somer-
set.'
In August the poor young bride w r as ' taken
sick with the smallpox ' and was in much danger.
' But we hear she is in a hopeful way of recovery,
tho' reported dead.'
MATRIMONIAL ADVENTURES 163
In the following March the newsmen announce
in grandiloquent terms that
' the late Lady Ogle, now the Duchess of
Somerset, was on Thursday evening last, to the
great joy of that family, delivered of an heir or
Earl of Hertford, which by the Capitulations of
Marriage is to assume the name of Percy instead
of Seymour.'
This welcome infant only survived his birth
six months, but in November 1684 a second son
was born, who lived to succeed to his father's and
mother's titles and estates.
Elizabeth, Duchess of Somerset, became the
mother of thirteen children, but none of her male
descendants survived the second generation.
On her death in 1722 her son Algernon took his
seat in the House of Peers as Lord Percy. 1 After
he succeeded his father as Duke of Somerset,
the titles of Baron Warkworth and Earl of
Northumberland were granted him by George II.
In default of male issue there was a special
1 Charles, Duke of Somerset, married secondly Lady Charlotte
Finch, daughter of the Earl of Winchilsea. We gain an insight
into the domestic relations of the twice-married Duke from the
recorded anecdote illustrating the proud aloofness of his nature.
When his second wife once ventured to attract his attention by
tapping him on the shoulder with her fan, he rebuked her with the
crushing remark : ' My first Duchess, who was a Percy, never took
such a liberty as that ! '
M 2
164 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
remainder to Sir Hugh Smithson, who had
married his daughter Elizabeth. Accordingly, on
the death of his father-in-law, Sir Hugh Smithson
succeeded to these last titles, and took the name
of Percy in right of his wife Elizabeth, grand-
daughter of ' the Lady Ogle.'
Count Coningsmark, who had spread his toils
so boldly to capture the young heiress, and who
had not hesitated to instigate a dastardly murder
in pursuance of his object, apparently escaped
scot-free. In England his reputation was by no
means cleared. When he waited upon the
Duchess of Modena at Calais as she was on her
way to England in June of the same year, we are
told that he was ' coldly received.' Nevertheless,
a few days later, when he returned to Paris, he
had tangible proof of the French king's favour,
for Louis XIV. ' hath given him the Prince of
Furstenberg's regiment, as also a body of horse.'
Carl John, Count Coningsmark, is said to
have died in 1686 of a pleurisy brought on by
exposure in the last of the many warlike enter-
prises to which his life had been devoted.
i6 5
AMBASSADORS at the Court of Charles II. were
troublesome people to deal with. They stood
upon their dignity, were punctilious as to eti-
quette, and would not abate a jot or tittle of the
ceremonial honours they conceived to be their
due.
We learn from the news-letters that when the
Bantam ambassador had been introduced to the
King's presence by a nobleman of the rank of an
Earl, one of the European ambassadors sent a
message to say that he must in consequence be
presented by a peer of higher degree. Charles II.
got out of the difficulty with his usual adroitness,
and sent back word to the complainant that though
he must be introduced by an Earl it should be by
one who had the Garter.
1 66 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
The Russian ambassador was equally sensitive
as to his rights :
' The Muscovia Ambassador last Sunday re-
fused to go to the Greek Church, because he
thought the King's coach which was assigned him
not good enough ; upon which notice being given
to S r Stephen Fox he sent to his Excellency to bear
with it that time and he should have a better on the
Morrow. But never a Coach being assigned for
his Priests (S r Stephen Fox not knowing that
they went with him) his Excellency would not let
them go in a Hackney Coach, so that had not a
Gent, coming up obliged them with his Coach,
their devotion would have been spoiled.'
Evelyn, in his Diary, ranks the ambassadors
from Bantam, Morocco, and Muscovia in the same
category, as more or less barbarians. He calls
them ' exoticks,'and says the Russian ambassador
had the worst manners of the three. He might
have included the ambassador from Sweden in this
low class, if we may judge of him by an anecdote
in the news-letters.
' The Swedish ambassador was lately arrested
for 200 by one Mr. Battersby and Mr. Pierre
the King's surgeon, for cure of a distemper, and
he complaining to the Council, the plaintiffs were
sent for to the Council and by the King ordered
to discharge [the Amb r ] and beg his pardon, which
AMBASSADORS & THEIR ECCENTRICITIES 167
they accordingly did ; but he rung Mr. Battersby's
nose almost off.'
The death of the Bantam ambassador's cook
whilst in England gave some trouble, ' the Church-
wardens refusing permission for his burial at Hide
Park Corner, until Mr. Secretary Jenkin's warrant
had been obtained. The funeral ceremony then
took place after their way.'
Of all the ' exoticks ' who came to England
none excited so much interest as the Envoy from
Morocco. He was sent over to settle a peace
between his Emperor and Charles II., and the pre-
sents he brought with him were lions and ostriches.
The Morocco ambassador and his retinue had their
first audience with the King in January 1682, when
they all appeared in the picturesque attire of
their own country. One member of the suite was
a renegade Englishman of the name of Jonas. He
was so much valued by the Emperor that there
was a special proviso for his safe return to
Morocco.
As they went to their audience the manners of
our own countrymen were not at all creditable,
' a gent, spitting in one of the attendants' faces, for
which he is committed.'
168 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
On arriving at Whitehall Gate the ambassador
was desired to alight, whereupon he was angry,
' but being told that the coaches of none but the
royal family drive in, he was satisfied.'
At the audience which ensued Evelyn says :
' the concourse and tumults of the people were in-
tolerable, so as the officers could keep no order,
which these strangers were astonished at, at first,
there being nothing so regular, exact, and per-
formed with such silence as in all these public
occasions in their country, and indeed over all the
Turkish dominions.'
Under this polish of outward gravity there
lurked the barbarian element which was only con-
cealed, not suppressed.
'This morning (Jan ry 14) the D. of Monmouth
and other persons of quality waited on the Amb r .
A servant having offended him he threatened to
cut off his head, but some English gentlemen
interposing he was reconciled to him, and this
afternoon he went to the King's playhouse.'
' On Saturday a Minister of the Church of
England going to see the Morocco Amb r he seized
him, saying he had been one of his slaves and
escaped from him, and 'tis said he will not let him
go under three hundred dollars ransom.'
These Moors had one accomplishment which
excited much admiration in Court circles. Their
AMBASSADORS & THEIR ECCENTRICITIES 169
skill in horsemanship, whilst throwing and catch-
ing their spears etc., was reported to the King,
' who, being informed of the agility of the Amb 1
and attendants in riding, desired his Excellency
will provide him with a sight of it next week,
which he hath promised.'
Before this exhibition for royalty took place,
the Ambassador and his following
'exercised before the King's horse in Hide Park
and charged and discharged their guns in two or
three minutes, with other extraordinary actions ;
upon report of which the King hath given the
Amb r leave to hunt and kill what deer he
pleases.'
The picturesque Moor was much feted by
' persons of quality.' One night he supped with
the Duchess of Portsmouth, ' the King being
there,' and ' the Amb r much wondered at the
room of glass where he saw himself in a hundred
places. '
When treated by the nobility it is reported
that ' he eats sparingly and drinks nothing but
milk and water.' The ' renegado,' on the other
hand, ' was damnably drunk at Windsor one
night, notwithstanding their law forbids wine.'
As time goes on the ambassador is taken to see
1 70 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
the various sights of the town. One day he is at
the King's Chapel, and ' extremely pleased with
the music.' Another afternoon he goes to see the
play, ' Rollo, Duke of Normandy,' at the King's
playhouse, and the next day he is taken to the
bear garden, where six bears fought on a side.
A month after the Envoy's first audience
with the King the treaty he was sent to arrange
was ratified, and a copy ordered to be sent to the
Emperor of Morocco.
The ambassador's mission having been satis-
factorily fulfilled, he stayed on to enjoy himself,
and the newsmen report that 'he is daily
treated by persons of quality, the particulars too
tedious to mention.'
When the Court adjourned to Newmarket he
went with them, and there ' he and his Company
exercised to Admiration on Newmarket Heath.'
' Since his coming from Newmarket several
persons of great Quality have been to wait on
him, to whom he several times declared that he
could not imagine there could have been half the
pleasure in England, much less the Nobleness
and Generosities as he found at Newmarket ;
adding that he thought his Royal Highness
[D. of York] the completest prince in the universe.
So that he declared that nothing now remained
AMBASSADORS & THEIR ECCENTRICITIES 171
for him but to buy a quantity of English goods
and then to return to his own Country, intending
to blazon the greatness of the English Court
throughout the world.'
It was not until the end of June that the
Morocco Ambassador went to Windsor ' to re-
ceive his audience of leave, the King having
presented him with three hundred firelocks.'
Before his final departure a difficulty arose
between the ' renegado ' and the ambassador.
The former had taken advantage of his stay in
England to marry an English wife and was
anxious to carry her back with him. To this the
ambassador objected, with the following results :
' A quarrel arose between the Amb r and his
Secretary, but the difference being reconciled, the
Secretary is gone on board with most of his
goods, but the Renegado who was the cause of
the aforesaid difference hath recalled his goods,
and on Thursday night went away from the
Ambassador, and on Friday was with Judge
Raymund's warrant taken in Sheer Lane with
his English wife. He, before the Judge, pro-
duced a sheet of paper written on three sides of
motives to induce him to return Christian, sent
him by an unknown hand. He said his senti-
ments were agreeable to them, and that he was
sorry he had lived twenty-two years in Darkness
and was resolved to be a Christian tho' he was
172 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
hanged. The Judge sent him to Secretary
Jenkins, who committed him to the Gate house,
and this day he was examined by the Archbishop
of Canterbury and re-committed till the King
comes to town. The Amb r saith he dares not
return without him for fear his master in a fury
should cut off his head and ruin his family. He
accused him of robbing him of 100 and Jewels,
but the Renegado said the ^100 was his own,
the King having given it him.'
The newsmen pursue the history of this grave
fracas a day or two later :
' Secretary Jenkins having surrendered the
Renegado to the Ambassador, Articles were
drawn up between them whereby the Amb r pro-
mised him pardon and life, but in heat of dis-
course the Renegado threw the Articles at the
Amb r and ran down stairs and got into a hackney
coach. The Amb r following, dragged him there-
out, who swore and stormed that he would not
go, tearing his garments and desiring rather to
be executed here than to be boiled in oil in
Barbary, and used such expressions that the
Amb r drew out his scimetar to cut off his head
in good earnest, but was prevented through the
Interposition of some there present. The reason
of his trying to escape is thought rather to be
his desire to stay here with his wife (whom the
Amb r refused to let go along with him) than for reli-
gion. The Amb r hath since consented that she, her
father and mother shall go to Tangier, and he will
settle them there.'
AMBASSADORS & THEIR ECCENTRICITIES 173
The ambassador, being still afraid of losing
his slippery prey, had him confined in a room
under a file of musketeers,
' and about two of the clock Sunday morning they
all went down the River in order to go on Ship-
board for Morocco . . . The Renegade saith
he expects to be boiled in oil there, notwithstanding
the Amb r ' s fair promises.'
The unfortunate Jonas, carried off against his
will, proved a dangerous passenger. Three
weeks later
' the Admiralty received a letter from on board
the Woolwich frigate, being off at sea, which gives
an account of how the Secretary to the Morocco
Amb r when in London combined with the Rene-
gado to murder the said Amb r while on board.
But just before the design was to be executed
they were discovered and the Captain had clapped
them both into irons and put them in the hold.'
It seems surprising that, with such murderous
feelings on both sides, the ambassador and the
renegade should have arrived alive at their
destination. Yet such was the case, and the
interested newsmen do not fail to give an account
of their reception in Morocco after the tidings
reached England.
174 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
' By a letter from Colonel Kirke, governor of
Tangier, we understand that the Morocco Amb r
who went from hence, upon his arrival at Fez,
found that the Emperor was gone several miles up
the Country at the head of his Army to quell his
Enemies, who made head against him ; his Brother
espousing that Interest. The said Amb r here-
upon sent one of the chiefest of his retinue before
him to give the said Amb rs account of his
Embassy in England ; who stating the matter
before the Emperor and relating the difference
which happened between the Amb r and two of his
servants whilst in England, the Emperor, being
incensed, ordered the Amb 1 and the said servants
to be brought before him in Chains, in which pos-
ture the ambassador gave a particular account of
his whole Embassy, for which the Emperor was
extremely pleased, but gave him a Check as
representing his person and not striking off his
Slaves' heads upon their offending him so far
distant. He then knocked off his fetters and,
embracing him, said that he would inviolably
observe the peace with England, and for the
great service he had done in that affair bid him
ask what he would within his dominions and
it should be granted. To which the ambassa-
dor readily answered that he humbly begged but
one thing, that he would be pleased to pardon
his two Enemies the Secretary of the Embassy
and the Renegado, which the Emperor did
accordingly.'
After this magnanimous request all ought to
AMBASSADORS & THEIR ECCENTRICITIES 175
have ended well, both for England and the rene-
gado. But a month later news came that the
ambassador was not only in dire disgrace with
the Emperor, but
4 had received one hundred blows with a Cudgel ;
together with those Barbarians taking and confis-
cating our ships having agreed only a Cessation
at sea for four months, two of which are already
expired ; which gives his Mat y a great dissatisfac-
tion, insomuch that a Committee for Tangier sits
every day to consider of sending supplies both of
men and money.'
Five months after this announcement better
news came through ' a Bombay merchant who had
arrived from Tangier and gone for Windsor/ He
reports that
' the Emperor will make good the Peace agreed
at Land but not at Sea without a new Treaty, but
has promised that in case our Men of War will
not attack any of theirs, our Merchants shall be
free from Molestation until an Express Carrier
comes from England. That Jonas the Renegado
is in favour, as also the Ambassador, as much as
ever ; that the Report of killing his Wife and
receiving a hundred Blows are altogether ficti-
tious, but Certain that he was tied to a Mule's
Tail to be Dragged to Pieces ; but the Emperor's
displeasure was Chiefly against him for visiting
his Wives.'
176 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
The final fate of the ambassador and the
renegade remains unreported. The King was
becoming thoroughly weary of the endless trouble
and expense caused by the possession of Tangier.
The constant warfare with the Moors had cost
England dear in men and money. ' For some
years past a large number of English prisoners had
been employed as slaves by their captors, until re-
deemed on exorbitant terms. Many were still
awaiting, with the heart-sickness of hope deferred,
the promised means that failed to come and set
them free.
* The Ransom for the Redemption of the
English captives' (write the newsmen in 1680)
' will come to a vast sum, and the poorest Wretch
is valued in Algiers at ^50 sterling and some at
,500 sterling.'
More than a year afterwards they report that
' the wives of the Algiers slaves taken since '78
were yesterday at Council and soliciting to have
their husbands inserted in the list to be redeemed,
but the Stock of Money will not hold out.'
Towards the close of the year 1683 Charles
sent a fleet, commanded by Lord Dartmouth, to
AMBASSADORS & THEIR ECCENTRICITIES 177
bring away the inhabitants and demolish the har-
bour with its fortifications.
In this manner he disembarrassed himself of
so troublesome a portion of his wife's dowry, and
accomplished what the old historians call 'the
Slighting of Tangier.'
N
178 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
CHAPTER XII
SOME DARING WOOERS
IN the lawless days of which we are writing fair
ladies endowed with large fortunes ran many a risk,
were they maids or widows, until safely appro-
priated in the matrimonial market.
' A few days since,' write the newsmen in
February 1680, ' five men and a woman went hence
in a coach and coming to the old Lady Tirrell's
in Buckinghamshire about seven in the evening,
the men pretended they had a warrant from the
Lords of the Council to search the house for a
Priest. The old lady, knowing the house free
from such vermin, suspected them, and demanded
why they came without a constable, and desiring
to see their warrant, they began to exercise the
usual Violence of Robbers. But one of the
servants rung the House bell, which brought in
the Neighbours who seized on them before they
had done much Mischief, and they were all com-
mitted to Aylesbury Gaol.
'March 6. 'Tis said of the persons that made
the Attempt at Lady Tirrell's that it was not to
Rob her as was said, but one of them under-
SOME DARING WOOERS 179
standing that one of the Lady Tirrell's daughters
had a considerable fortune and fearing to accom-
plish his design by ordinary means, did endeavour
to have carried her away under some crafty
pretence, and to have married her. But 'tis
thought they will be severely dealt with at their
Trial at Assizes ; and the rather for so mis-
employing the Chief Justice's Warrant.
'March 18. The Judges are arrived at
Aylesbury, and the fifteen persons that made the
Attempt at the Lady Tirrell's are to be tried,
and the Lady came in attended by above forty
horse to prosecute them.
' March 20. At Aylesbury Assizes were in-
dicted Mr. Roger Langley and twelve others . . .
'Tis said they were indicted for burglary, but the
Grand Jury found the Bill only a Riot. Upon
which they Traversed the Indictment till next
Assizes.'
In the case just quoted the presumed object
of the ' Riot ' failed, but there are other instances
where bold and needy young sparks, undeterred
by the risks entailed, succeeded in carrying off
the well-endowed object of their rejected addresses,
hoping thus to succeed when all legitimate arts
of persuasion had been tried in vain.
There was a ' Madam Synderfin,' 1 the wealthy
widow of a counsellor of the Temple, who went
1 Probably Syderfin or Siderfin.
N 2
i So CAVALIER AND PURITAN
through much tribulation before she escaped from
the clutches of an ardent wooer.
' Captain Clifford having made love to Mrs.
Synderfin (widow of a Counsellor of the Temple
and worth ,100,000) and being refused, the
Captain with Captain Sarsfield, Mr. Lassalls,
Purcell and Makarty and seven more Irish
papists, met her in her Coach with Mrs. Wren
and her daughter, and a maid, on Hounslow
Heath going to Windsor and made the Coach-
man drive two hundred yards out of the way,
where forcing her into a hackney coach, hit her
head against it, which put her into a " swound."
However they carried her to the water side and
carried her down the river in the Lord Mordant's
pinnace. On Sunday Captain Clifford's man
and Mr. Brabson's were taken and committed
to the Marshalsea, tho' Colonel Dungan would
have been their bail ; and 'tis said that Captain
Sarsfield and Purcell are since taken.'
This was a case in which the King was in-
duced to intervene,
'sending to all his Ambassadors in foreign
Countries that if Mrs. Synderfin came thither
they should send her hither, and we hear they
have carried her into Calais.'
Before the unfortunate prisoner had started for
this place her captors had
' sent a woman to persuade her to marry Captain
Clifford ; but she desired the woman to carry
SOME DARING WOOERS 181
her ring to her uncle Gee in Fetter Lane and
tell him how she was used and that she would
never marry the Captain ; that her honour was
safe ; that she expected to be murdered ; and to
desire him to use all means possible to rescue
her. The woman went accordingly ; after which
they put her into the Pinnace and sailed to
Calais, where Landing, some of the Company
enquired for Count Coningsmark, which alarmed
the town, they thinking that somebody was come
to fight the Count.'
It was only a few months after the murder of
Mr. Thynne by the emissaries of the Count, which
explains the stir caused by the enquiry for him.
On this occasion his co-operation was required
to assist Captain Clifford in his illicit enterprise.
The King's order for the lady's release speedily
followed her arrival ; whereupon
' Madam Synderfin gave five pound apiece to the
messengers who brought the letters to the
Governor of Calais to send her over hither.
She is expected next week.'
A day or two after this announcement it is
reported
' that Captain Clifford is incognito in town and
that the relations of Madame Synderfin missed
but three hours of catching him.'
1 82 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
As soon as the rescued lady arrived in England
she went to the Chief Justice
' for a warrant to take up Captain Clifford, not-
withstanding she at Calais contracted herself to
him in the presence of Count Coningsmark and a
public notary, she saying that he forced her to it.'
Captain Clifford was still at large, and able
to strike terror into the widow's heart by giving
out that ' whoever marries Mrs. Synderfin shall
be murdered.' 'A Gent.' had already begun to
court her, and ' he having been challenged, her
friends intend to petition the King for leave to
apprehend any person guilty as aforesaid.'
A month later this disturber of Mrs. Syn-
derfin's peace was discovered, seized, and com-
mitted to the King's Bench, from whence he was
transferred to the Fleet Prison.
The bold lover languished in jail for nearly
two years, when we hear of him again.
' One Captain Clifford who was convicted and
fined .1,000 to the King and 1,500 damages
recovered against him by Madam Synderfin for
forcibly stealing away the said Lady with intent
to constrain her to Marriage, being prisoner in
the Fleet, yesterday divers Gents came under
pretence to see him, who attending them to the
door, they knocked down the Turnkey and con-
SOME DARING WOOERS 183
veyed the prisoner to the Water side, where
taking boat he is not since heard of.'
Another victim of a similar adventure, in the
next year, was Elizabeth, daughter and co-heir
of the sixth Lord Chandos, and widow of Edward,
Lord Herbert of Cherbury.
' Sunday last the Lady Herbert of Cherbury,
widow of the elder Brother of the now Lord of
that Tide, was hurried away in a Coach in like
manner as the Lady Synderfin, and 'tis generally
said by one of the persons, viz. Captain Sarsfield,
who was acting in her concern. The persons
designing this adventure cut the traces, and having
one Sir John Parsons' Coach ready behind, desired
the said Lady since she met with that disaster
to take the benefit thereof; which the Lady
innocently doing, they hurried her away into
the Country, and kept her all night, and would
have obliged her to marriage, which she
resolutely denying, they returned her back to
London and set her down ; who immediately got
the Lord Chief Justice's warrant for Sir John
Parsons, Sarsfield etc. Which the said Captain
Sarsfield understanding, went to her lodging and
either dissembling Love or frenzy took forth a
Penknife and opening his breast slashed his skin,
and then stabbed himself therewith, at which the
Blood gushed out extremely before her presence
and he was carried away, but is not yet dead.
But 'tis thought he will scarce recover, he refusing
to have his wounds dressed.'
184 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
The wily captain had good reason to conceal
the depth of his wounds. They were soon healed,
whilst he escaped the punishment he richly de-
served. Before long he gave tangible proof that
he was alive and well again.
' Saturday last Captain Sarsfield, who was lately
engaged in the attempt upon the Lady Herbert,
assisted therein by one Sir John Parsons, his inti-
mate acquaintance, made a Challenge to Sir John,
tho' upon a very slight occasion of not returning
back a writing which the said Captain Sarsfield,
at the time of his being wounded, gave him for
his Indemnification ; and they fought without
seconds behind Montague House. Sir John had
the advantage in the field, but they were both
carried off so dangerously wounded, being each
run thro' the body, that their lives are both in
danger.'
The newsmen being apt to exaggerate the
tragical results of these adventures, we may hope
that Captain Sarsfield and his quondam friend
survived their injuries and lived to be reconciled.
Lady Herbert of Cherbury, having escaped
from the toils of the snarer, subsequently married
twice. Her second husband was William, Earl of
Inchiquin ; and her third venture in matrimony
was with Charles, Lord Howard of Escrick.
SOME DARING WOOERS 185
There are other instances of the trials of
heiresses, when they failed to be satisfied with
the choice made for them in early youth by their
parents and guardians, especially when others
appeared upon the scene who were more attractive
to their maturer eyes.
It may be recollected that, in Charles II.'s sup-
posititious speech to his Parliament in 1675, he
takes credit to himself for his ' behaviour ' in
regard to the proceedings about ' Mrs. Hide and
Emerton.' In spite of royal interference this case
remained unsettled until 1683.
Mrs. Bridget Hyde was the only daughter and
heir of Sir Thomas Hyde of North Mymms in
the county of Hertford, and appears to have been
married early in life to a Mr. Emerton. The
proceedings mentioned above were started in
order to release her from the ties of a marriage
which she repudiated. The why or wherefore of
this action would seem to have been so entirely
a matter of public knowledge that the newsmen
enter into no particulars to enlighten us.
The case was being tried before a large and
distinguished body of Delegates, and allusion is
often made to their dilatory measures. In the
1 86 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
course of time another name is added to the first
two, and the case develops into that of ' Mrs.
Bridget Hyde, alias Emerton, alias Dunblayne.'
Lord Dunblayne or Dumblaine was the eldest
son of the Earl of Danby, and aspired to replace
Mr. Emerton in the possession of the lady and
her estates. Mrs. Bridget Hyde, tired of waiting
for the tardy decision of the Delegates, and fear-
ing lest it should be given against her emanci-
pation, took the law into her own hands and
bestowed herself upon another husband. This
bold step she concealed from all until her liberty
was jeopardised by the impending judgment of
the Delegates.
1682. 'Yesterday morning (March 12) the
delegates met to give sentence in Emerton's cause,
and about ten o'clock the Lord Dunblayne came
in with Mrs. Hide and she sent in a note to the
Court, who sent for 'em both in, also Mr. Emerton,
when the Lord Dunblayne and she declared they
were married ; upon which they ordered her to
be delivered into the custody of Dr. Dove of S l
Bride's till sentence be given, which is believed will
be on Friday for Mr. Emerton, to which time the
Court adjourned. The Earl of Danby sent a
letter to the Delegates saying that he knew not of
the marriage until this morn. About nine days
after the marriage Mrs. Hide came to the Lord
SOME DARING WOOERS 187
Clarendon and told him that he should have a
kindness for his family for name's sake, and
desired him to be her guardian. My Lord told
her he must speak with the Lord Danby first ;
with whom discoursing after, Lord Danby told
him that he was sensible he had done her cause
much harm and would meddle with it no more.
So his Lordship was willing to be her guardian,
and designing her for his son, he hath followed
the business vigorously.'
Mrs. Hyde had been clever enough to conceal
her marriage from Lord Clarendon as well as from
her father-in-law, or the former would not have
taken up her cause with so much zeal, hoping evi-
dently to be rewarded by obtaining her fortune
for his own son.
The Delegates met again for one of their un-
satisfactory sittings in July, when
' most of them were for giving sentence ('tis
thought in favour of Emerton), but four or five
going away the rest arose and departed with-
out adjournment and the Learned say the com-
mission is at an end, and the former sentence in
his favour must stand.'
The case still dragged on from month to month
until at length a complication arose which puzzled
the lawyers, but finally brought matters to a crisis
and decided the case.
1 88 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
In March 1683
' M rs Bridget Hide, alias Emerton, alias
Dunblayne, who has given so often occasion to
be mentioned by reason of the long depending
cause before the Delegates as yet undetermined,
was on Saturday last brought to bed of a son,
which administers the subject of discourse by
reason it admits of various interpretations as to
the nature of the thing, in case the Judges'
Delegates on the 3O th of next month give
sentence for M r Emerton ; and the learned in
the law say that then M r Emerton, notwith-
standing 'tis apparent to be the Child of the
Lord Dunblayne, must father the same, and will
thereby become Tenant by the Courtesy.'
This was a climax beyond human endurance.
Fortunately for Lord Dunblayne, he found a
golden key by which he was able to unfasten his
rival's claims and retain possession of his wife
and son.
' Am credibly informed ' (writes the newsman)
' that the Earl of Dunblayne, who married
M rs Hyde, alias Emerton, is now upon treaty
with M r Emerton to compromise and agree the
so long depending Cause, which, if fame may be
credited, is to give the said Gent. .20,000 to quit
his pretensions to the Lady and Estate, which
otherwise will come to a Judgment to-morrow.'
SOME DARING WOOERS 189
This proposal was accepted, and Mr. Emerton
undertook
' for ever to acquit his pretensions both to the
Lady and Estate, and in consideration thereof
was to receive the sum of twenty thousand
Guineas together with reasonable charge he has
been at in that Suit, which 'tis said will amount
to five thousand more ; and also be indemnified
from the Devastation and Ravage he has made
by falling Timber upon the Estate. And on
Thursday last he had the twenty thousand
guineas paid him, with security for the rest ; and
the Judges' Delegates, meeting yesterday after a
short stay to subscribe the sentence, entered the
Sentence in the name of M rs Bridget Hyde to
vacate the marriage, taking no cognizance of
Lord Dunblayne as not being before them.'
There were nineteen Delegates present, all of
high degree. Ten signed the sentence, whilst
nine refused to sanction it. This majority of one
brought the long-contested case to an end. Mr.
Emerton's pretensions to the lady and her estates
having become of marketable value, we hear
no more of Mrs. Bridget Hyde and her aliases.
Evelyn mentions having met this somewhat
notorious lady a few months later, when he was
dining with her father-in-law, Lord Danby, then a
prisoner in the Tower :
190
' Here ' (he writes) ' I saluted the Lord Dun-
blaine's wife, who before had been married to
Emerton, and about whom there was that scan-
dalous business before the delegates.'
Lady Dunblayne outlived her husband,
who succeeded his father as Duke of Leeds.
Their second surviving son, Peregrine Hyde, in
due course became the third Duke.
Some years later than the period we have
been discussing, a bold lover invaded the sacred
precincts of Sir Richard Newdigate's own roof-tree
and married clandestinely one of his daughters.
It may not be out of place here to give the
respective parents' version of the romantic
episode, although forestalling the date when it
actually occurred.
It was in 1695 that Sir Richard's third
daughter, Frances, aged eighteen, married secretly
and without her father's consent Sir Charles
Sedley, Knight, the illegitimate son of Sir
Charles Sedley, Bart. It was purely a love-
match, for the bride, far from being an heiress,
was one of seven daughters, and entirely de-
pendent for means on her father's good will. It
cannot be called a runaway match, for the
SOME DARING WOOERS 191
marriage took place on July 8, and ten days later
the bride was still under her father's roof.
The ill-considered action was revealed in the
first instance to the elder Sir Charles Sedley by the
young bridegroom with a view of enlisting his
services as mediator with Sir Richard, whose
easily roused wrath was justly feared. Sir
Charles Sedley, senior, like the astute man of the
world that he was, wisely made use of a mutual
friend as a go-between, with the object of so
far appeasing Sir Richard's indignation, when
apprised of the deception, as to induce him to
take into consideration the future means of sub-
sistence of the impecunious young couple.
The friend to whom this task was entrusted
was Sir Thomas Rowe, and the letter he received
from Sir Charles Sedley was passed on to Sir
Richard and endorsed by him ' 18 July 1695.
Sir C. S. senior to S r Tho. Rowe about his Son's
marrying Frank without his or my Consent.' It
runs as follows :
<S r
' Since I saw you my Lord Chamberlain
came to me and truly surprised me with the news
of my son's being actually married to M rs Frances
192 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
Newdigate. It is a matter that ought to be more
considered of and not thus transacted without the
privity and consent of parents. I was very angry
with my son for his proceeding in that manner
with such precipitation not that I have not all
the value imaginable for the young lady and for
the Character all the world gives S r Richard
Newdigate of a very honorable, worthy and
judicious person. But I think (as perhaps he
may) that the young couple ought not to have
gone so far, bat have waited for our Consent,
upon whom their well-being so much depends.
After his many Submissions I have forgiven my
Son, and shall do all I can to make the young
couple easy. I hope, S r , you will do them both
good offices with S r Richard and make this
discovery to him with all the alleviating circum-
stances so rash an action will admit of. I know
this is too much trouble to impose on you upon so
slender an acquaintance, but necessity must be
my excuse, having not the good fortune to know
any person who is like to see S r Richard suddenly
but yourself.
' Y r most faithful humble servant,
' CHARLES SEDLEV.'
This letter is followed by another from the
same writer, addressed direct to Sir Richard. It
is undated, but from the tone of it we may gather
that Sir Thomas Rowe's embassage had been
fairly successful.
SOME DARING WOOERS 193
' I am sorry your Daughter continues
so ill, having a nearer concern in her now then
I expected so suddenly. Since my last to you
My Lord Chamberlain told me my son and the
young lady were actually married. I confess it
surprised me, and I was very angry that he did
not wait yours as well as my consent in a matter of
such importance to us all. I believe he chose to
break it to me by my Lord rather than tell it to
me himself, concluding the great Value I have
for my Lord could not but much abate my resent-
ment, especially when he became his advocate.
As soon after as possible I writ to Sir Thomas
Rowe to entreat him to represent the whole
matter to you in the best circumstances so rash
an action would admit of. I had not curiosity
enough to enquire into my Son's motives, nor
can I dwell with pleasure on the arguments till I
receive your Judgment and apprehensions of it,
which I hope will be the same with mine : which
are, since it is now past remedy, that we should
transact together for the ease and comfort of the
young couple, and mutually endeavour to satisfy
each other as well as their reasonable expectations.
If the young lady's condition of health will bear
such a Journey, we think here that change of air,
together with the help of our London doctors,
might further her recovery. But you, S r , are the
best and properest Judge.
' Your most faithful and humble Servant,
' CHARLES SEDLEY.
' Give my blessing to my Daughter, and
o
194 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
service to all the rest of your good Family, if
you think fit.'
Meanwhile the chief culprit in the matter had
also been approaching Sir Richard and bespeak-
ing the aid of the same mediator, Sir Thomas
Rowe. From the date of his letter he must have
forestalled his father in opening negotiations for
forgiveness. It is possible that his overtures
were repulsed with the outspokenness and vigour
of speech characteristic of Sir Richard, and it
was then his father's services had to be called
into play.
His letter is docketed ' Sir C. S. junior, his
excuse for marrying Frank without my Consent.'
<S r
1 Had not my illness prevented my
writing I had before presented my humble duty
and thanks for your great kindness to me, and
begged your pardon for my presumption in marry-
ing your daughter without acquainting you with it.
I hope I shall always carry myself with that great
Submission and duty, you will easily pardon a
fault my infinite passion for your daughter made
me Commit. I shall be at Banbury next Friday
night and there S r Thomas Rowe will do me the
favour to meet me, and he will wait on you with
' Y r most dutiful and obedient Son,
1 CHARLES SEDLEY,
'Tuesday i6 th July, 1695.'
SOME DARING WOOERS 195
Possibly the illness of both the wrong-doers
had softened Sir Richard's heart, for the young
couple were soon forgiven ; but when it came to
an arrangement of settlements between the two
fathers much wrangling ensued over the customary
' perquisitts ' etc.
More than a year after the marriage Sir
Richard makes the following entry in his account-
book :
' Nov. 1696. Paid my daughter Sedley's maid
i. Sir Ch. Sedley refuses to pay her upon
pretence that I will not pay my Daughter's
Portion. Whereas the true case is this ; young
Sir Chas. married my daughter Frank without
my consent, as was acknowledged both by his
Father and him (see their letters in Walnut
Scritoire drawer, F. for Frank). Yet I am willing
to pay ,5,000 and assign him a thousand p d Debt,
if he will make a settlement, viz. Stand to his
Word, for he said he would not give sixpence
from his Son. Now I desire to have two-thirds
of his estate settled, viz. ^2,000 per an., but he
will settle but one. The Base usage I have had
makes me resolve not to pay the Portion this
two years ; viz: the Father threatening me, the
Mother and Son slandering me and my Children,
and the Son threatening to put a spoke in Phill's ]
Cart, and accordingly traducing us all.'
1 Sir Richard's eldest daughter, Amphillis.
o 2
i 9 b CAVALIER AND PURITAN
In spite of these angry words peace reigned
between the two families in after years, although
it was some time before Sir Richard satisfied the
elder Sir Charles Sedley in his money arrange-
ments towards the subsistence of the over-hasty
young people who loved ' not wisely, but too well.'
CHAPTER XIII
AFTER Sir Richard had been baulked a second time
in his attempt to enter the arena of public life by
King Charles's abrupt dissolution of the week-
old Parliament at Oxford, he had to concentrate
his energies upon home and country interests.
This he seems to have done with the alertness of
brain and action that characterised him. Where
he failed was in lack of prudence and forethought
in the conduct of his affairs
His family was increasing year by year, finally
reaching the goodly number of fifteen, eight of
whom were sons and seven daughters. In spite
of the self-evident demands upon his means in
the present and future, thrift and good manage-
ment appear to have been wanting. Yet his
account-books and diary abound in economical
axioms and devices.
198 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
Amongst the latter we find that he institutes
an effective system of * Forfeitures ' or fines
in his household, which he imposes arbitrarily
for a diversity of faults of commission and
omission.
The following record-' of domestic peccadilloes,
with the penalties adjudged to the culprits, will
serve as an example of this high-handed mode of
procedure :
' Nan Newton, for breakinga Tea pot in Phill's
Chamber, 2s. 6d.
' Ri. Knight, for Pride and Slighting, 2s. 6d.
1 W m Hetherington, for not being ready to go
to Church three Sundays, i%d.
' Tho. Birdall, for being at Nuneaton from
morning till night, 5$.
' Cook dead drunk, los.
' Betty Air and Sarah Hasledine 2s. 6d. apiece
for going to Coton [Church] when I ordered
them to go to Astley. This Hester shall have
because she obeyed.
And so on.
Sir Richard devotes whole pages in his vellum -
bound account-books to household affairs. Ap-
parently he engages all the servants. He also
pays their wages, and makes confidential entries
concerning them, such as the following :
A FAMILY INTERLUDE 199
' Anne Jennings, Cook-maid, 8 th of Oct. she
came. She ran away the 25 th of Oct., but stole
nothing, only is, and was formerly, distracted.
* George Mutton, a Scribe, 10 per an. Came
Wednesday 3 rd Dec. Went away Dec. u, prov-
ing no Scribe.
' Anne Adams, to be Washmaid at Lady Day.
She went away the 29 th of July for being wanton
and careless. She lost five pair of Sheets and
five pillowbeers, 1 for which my wife made her
pay i.
' Hired Charles Golding, a new Cook, at ^16 a
year. Took fish to try his workmanship.
' Mem. Send to Blithfield for a Brewer and
Dairy Maid, and to Redburn for a good Drudging
Wench.'
On one page is a list of servants' faults noted
down presumably for the infliction of fines when
pay-day comes round. One or two specimens are
here given :
' W m Wheeler, Cook. Good if less given to
drink.
' Tho. Moseley. His faults are innumerable.
1 Obadiah Keys. Crossness on 4 th Nov. At the
Church carelessness.'
The difficult post of butler at Arbury was
sometimes held by a man and sometimes by a
woman servant.
1 Pillow-slips or covers.
200 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
The dowager Lady Newdegate, writing to
' Dear Dicke ' from Harefield, gives him some
advice on this subject :
' I wish you a good one,' she says ; ' you had
need of one that hath experience. But I think
it were far better for a woman to keep the Wine.'
In the same letter she expresses a wish that
he may have ' good markets for his oxen, for beefe
is now at the dearest, but one with another it is
three pence halfepeny a pound.'
The news-letters mention the vast difference
there was at one time in the price of corn etc. in
England and Scotland in 1684 :
' The Middle price of Corn here is Wheat 36^.
per quarter, Rye 255., Barley 2os. , Oats i$s. 6d.,
pease 40.?., and beans 39.?. per quarter.
' They write from Scotland that Corn is very
cheap there ; our English quarter of the best
Wheat is sold for 12^. 6d[, Barley at 85., and
Oats 7^.'
But even though English prices might be high
and tenants prosperous, Sir Richard's account-
books do not convey satisfactory impressions of
the results from his ' many contrivances ' to im-
prove his income.
A FAMILY INTERLUDE 201
Before long he is obliged to confess that
' Whereas I have assigned ^40 a year for
Charitable uses (besides the Poor which I set on
work and the bread I give at the Door), i.e. JIOSL
quarter, which I have set down in this book so
dedicate : Of which I have for want of money been
forced to make use of the greatest part, which
has happened to be set down again when paid,
and therefore, I conceive, has put me out in these
accounts.'
A year later he notes, ' I have a parcel of
debts upon bond, which I fear are desperate.'
In the fragments of Sir Richard's diary we find
the same hints of trouble about money matters :
' 1682, Arbury. With my Wife examining
and writing out three months (of the several sums
paid) out of the Diary of my own great Book, that
I may see which way my Money is gone.'
Other extracts of the same date will tend to
show with what candour and simplicity the diarist
notes down his thoughts and actions :
' May i. Extremely troubled with the tooth-
ache, which upon my prayers went away. Entered
the birth and christening of Betty [his sixth
daughter]. Went with my Wife to Chapel to her
Churching. Backed the five-year-old Grey
Gelding which I call Ophthene, and rode to the
202 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
several grounds and woods upon him. Gave God
thanks for preserving me, tho' I think my method
to be very safe. Prayed and slept soundly, I thank
God.
' October 6. This day I fasted as a revenge
upon myself for sin, and pray'd fervently tho'
little. . . . Troubled with toothache, cured with
sack.
' Sunday i^th. Spent indifferent well. . . .
1 Tuesday i jth. Took the Great Parlor lock
in sunder and with great difficulty set it together
again, having made it clean. . . . With the boys
and M r Wyat [their tutor] who dined here to-day.
Reckoning with M r Wyat. . . .
' Thursday \<^th. Finished my reckoning with
M r Wyat and desired him henceforth to gather
the Fish I give him, in which I will assist him.
Received R. Beighton's rent of J. Parker, who is
as ill a Bayly as he is a Friend. Ordered him to
give my Coton Tenants notice to pay their rents
on the 2 nd of Nov. next, and to come hither
on the I st to borrow, if any of them wanted
money. . . . '
The home education of Sir Richard Newdi-
gate's sons was carried on by the long-suffering
Mr. Wyat aforesaid. 1 As they grew old enough,
three, at least, went on to Winchester, and
1 Mr. Wyat was formerly precentor of Lincoln, which post he
resigned, and retired to Nuneaton. He died under Sir Richard's
roof in 1686, and a tablet has been erected to his memory in the
chancel of Astley Church.
A FAMILY INTERLUDE 203
Walter, John, and Francis were all admitted to
Gray's Inn at or before sixteen years of age.
John alone ultimately made a profession of the
law. Francis, the youngest, went into the army
in the time of Queen Anne, and Walter, poor lad,
died at Winchester in 1686. His brother had to
break the sad tidings to his father, which he does
in a short and pathetic letter, labelled ' Jack's
account of Wat's death at Winton.'
4 Honored Father
' This is to acquaint you with the sad
news of the Death of my Dear Brother, who died
yesterday. He lay in great pain and misery from 8
in the morning till 9 at night, and then very
patiently Departed this life. He called to the
nurse for some cordial, and she took him up in
her arms to give him some cordial, and he fell
away in her arms. Pray present my humble
Duty to my Mother and Grandmother, and love
to my Sisters concludes this from
1 Honored Father,
Your most Dutyfull and obedient Son,
' JOHN NEWDIGATE.
' Winton, 24 th August 1686.'
Walter Newdigate was buried at Winchester,
where his epitaph may be read in the College
Cloisters at this day.
204 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
To return from this digression to earlier
events, we find a letter from Lord Massareene
in the spring of 1682, asking for his cousin's
help in the matter of rescuing two family por-
traits, painted by Sir Peter Lely, from the hands
of his executors.
Sir Peter had died unexpectedly at the end of
1 680, and it would seem rather late in the day for
Lord Massareene to begin to feel anxiety for the
recovery of the portraits which had been left un-
claimed.
He writes from his Irish home, Antrim
Castle, on April 27 1682 :
' . . . And now must desire your favour in looking
after two Pieces of Sir Peter Lilly's Painting
one of my Daughter Skeffington, perfectly
finished, in a fine frame, and fully paid for ;
another of my Son Skeffington, neither quite
finished nor at all paid for ; the third a Copy of
that Picture, 1 for which I am assured you paid
much beyond the value. These being all left
with S r Peter Lilly when we left London, and in
S r Peter's hands when he died, I am quickened
to call for them by what I see in the London
Gazette (a few weeks since), whereby all S r
Peter's Collections are exposed to be sold by the
1 A full-length portrait of Lord Massareene in his peer's robes,
painted for Sir R. Newdigate, and now at Arbury.
A FAMILY INTERLUDE 205
Candle l (which use to be seen in better Lights).
Not that I fear any will either over- value these I
mention or dispute the property, but lest they be
cast into some dirty Corner or behind the Door,
and perhaps fall into hands that may not know
the proprietors. If you please therefore to let
them be put into any place of your appointment
and become security that I will pay what is due
thereupon ; which for the copy at length is as much
as you agreed for, if it be well finished. For my
Son's, if it were quite finished, there was once
,40 (p d ) demanded for that size ; all which I
leave to your care and kindness, and hereby
promise in one month's time after your letter
giving notice that you have received the said
three pictures, I shall pay what you find reason-
able and shall agree with the Executors of S r
Peter Lilly on behalf of, Dear S r ,
' Y r most affec ate kinsman and most grateful
servant,
MASSAREENE.'
Eventually ^60 was paid for the two pictures,
one being the original portrait of Clotworthy
Skeffington, and the other a copy of Lord
Massareene's full-length now at Arbury. The
third portrait, of Rachel Skeffington, had already
been paid for.
Lord Massareene has to write again more
than once to u rge Sir Richard to bestir himself
1 A sale by auction carried out by ' inch of candle.'
206 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
in the matter of the pictures, which did not come
into his possession for two years or more. He
also begs his cousin to take measures to have two
more copies made of the full-length portrait of
himself (which he evidently covets) in order to
give one to each of his married daughters. The
younger one had now also left the parental roof
and become the wife of the eldest son of Sir Oliver
St. George in Ireland.
The delay in the delivery of the pictures in
the first instance seems to have been owing to
Lord Massareene's lack of punctuality in sending
the promised payment, but in his next letters he
is so much taken up with horse-racing near
Dublin that he has no thought to spare for other
matters.
Writing from Dublin on November 8, 1683,
he says :
4 My son Skeffington and I put in two Stone
Horses of our own breed to run for a Plate of ^40
near this town, being a four mile course. Nine
horses did run for it and four of them English
Horses, one of which was my L d Derby's famous
horse Collier, who came in third, my son's second,
and mine first ; which gave great Reputation to
our Breed and carried the plate to Antrim, where
I hope it will abide. I bought Collier the same
A FAMILY INTERLUDE 207
night after the Race was over, and have sent him
into the Country to be kept against Spring, which
time we propose to have a hundred pound plate
run for near this town, and against which time
three or four top- Horses are designed to be
brought from New-market to beat our Horses ;
who now easily gained the Plate that was run
for the 1 8 th of Oct. in the sight of the L d Deputy
and many thousands of spectators, and more
coaches and Ladys than I ever saw at a horse-
match ; from whom our horses had many good
wishes beforehand, and acclamations after we
won the plate, which was a great Bason and
Candlesticks . . . '
Lord Massareene, full of his present success,
and with plans for further victories on the turf,
makes no reference to the troubled state of
English society, where at this time many of its
chief members were objects of suspicion, whilst
other persons of note were undergoing impeach-
ment, trial, and execution for high treason.
The cause and results of this upheaval of
society will be told in the next chapter.
ao8 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
CHAPTER XIV
SEARCH FOR ARMS AT ARBURY
THE Rye- House or Protestant plot, as we all
know, was revealed by informers some three
months after the date when its design was to
have been carried out Charles II.'s premature
return to London from Newmarket, owing to the
conflagration which had broken out in the town,
is supposed to have frustrated the plans of the
conspirators, who were to have lain in wait for him
with murderous intentions on his road homeward.
The fire which baffled the plans of the would-
be assassins was, according to the newsmen,
' kindled by one of the Black Guard,' with the
result that ' half the town was consumed in the
space of an hour, the houses being principally
of thatch.'
Charles remained in happy ignorance of the
danger he had escaped for the moment. When
SEARCH FOR ARMS AT ARBURY 209
the revelation took place the commotion it ex-
cited extended far and wide. The conspiracy
was said to include the names of some of exalted
station. The Duke of Monmouth was naturally
accused of being a principal in this so-called
Protestant plot. A proclamation was issued for
his capture, but he remained in hiding, probably
through royal connivance, whilst some of his
most powerful adherents, less fortunate than he,
were brought to trial and executed.
This was a period of some danger and difficulty
for the newsmen.
' Tuesday ' (writes Sir Richard's scribe on
June 14) 'being the time that Judgment was
given against the Charter of London, I had well
nigh finished my Letters, when an order came
from the Lord Mayor into my house and seized
all the said Letters together, which my Wife and
Servants say 'twas done to divers others besides,
which prevented that Post's transmitting you
the proceedings of yesterday, which you must
excuse, as also this slender information at present.'
The writer was probably unaware that two
days previously one Josiah Keeling, a citizen,
moved as he alleged by feelings of remorse, had
revealed the Rye- House Plot and its ramifications
to the King and Council.
210 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
The trial and execution of Lord Russell
speedily followed. The newsmen fill many pages
with particulars of the accusation, defence, and
judgment of one who inspired universal respect
and sympathy.
On the scaffold the condemned man professed
' in the words of a Dying Man that he knew of no
plot against the King's life or Government.'
'But,' he continued, ' I have now done with this
World and am going to a better. I forgive all
the World heartily, and I thank God I die -in
Chanty with all men, and I wish all sincere
Protestants may love one another and not make
way for Popery by their animosities. I pray God
forgive them and continue the Protestant Religion
amongst them, that it may flourish as long as the
Sun and Moon endure ..."
The executioner bungled his task in a horrible
manner. ' It took three strokes with the axe . . .
and then a knife to make an end of the work . . .
which was a dreadful exit.'
Another of Monmouth's prominent followers,
Lord Grey, was more fortunate. He escaped
justice by liberally entertaining his guard on the
way to the Tower.
1 ' u Last Speech and Behaviour of William, Lord Russell, 1683.''
SEARCH FOR ARMS AT ARBURY 211
' Serjeant Deerham was ordered to guard his
Lordship to the Tower, whom his Lordship pre-
vailing upon to drink they continued doing the
same till next morning early, when Mr. Deerham
called for a hackney coach to drive to the Tower
without any guard but himself. Being there
arrived, Mr. Deerham fast asleep, his lordship
left him in the Coach, took water and escaped,
and is not since heard of. Which his Mat y
having notice of, was so displeased at the
Negligence of the Officer that he caused him to
be committed to the Tower, and, we are told, is
put into the hole, where he may have leisure to
repent his indiscretion.'
The King thought it necessary at this juncture
to pay special attention to the members of his
household.
' It is told that his Mat y intends to make a
Regulation in the officers of his household, some
of them being Whiggishly inclined, and hath
already begun with his Cooks.'
In November another follower of Monmouth's
was condemned to death :
' On the 28 th Mr. Algernon Sidney was
brought to the King's Bench Bar, where he
received the Sentence of a Traitor, to be hanged,
drawn, and quartered. He made many frivolous
exceptions ; none that bore weight. One was
that his Jury were mean men, whereas he him-
p 2
212 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
self had excepted against thirtyfive Knights and
Esquires and called out tradesmen, who yet are
of good estates and expectation and every way
qualified by Law for that affair.
' On the 7 th December Mr. Sidney paid his
debt to the Law. He went sturdily to the
Scaffold and there gave a sealed Paper to the
Sheriff. The Sheriff asked him what he would
have done with it ? He said if he did not like it
he should give it him again. He kneeled so long
as one might fancy he said the Lord's Prayer ;
then arose and pulled off his Coat and disposed
it, and having fixed his Neck to the Block bid
the Sheriff see his office performed. This is the
length of what he said on the Scaffold. The
Executioners took off his head with one stroke,
' December 20. In the present Enquiry of the
Town (since that Mr. Sidney spoke so little on
the scaffold) what he said in his paper, which
whatever others may give out I can find to be no
more than some sentiments he conceives of
hardship in the proceeding against him, but no
word whether Guilty or not guilty, so that to do
the dead no wrong, if he did not come up to the
height of that which some call Christian, to make
a full, satisfactory Confession, he must be said to
have died like a Gentleman, in that he would not
Justify himself in an ill action.'
If we now leave the news-letters, with the
tragic occurrences they have to chronicle as the
result of the revelations of the informers of the
SEARCH FOR ARMS AT ARBURY 213
Rye- House Plot, and return to the first discovery
of the conspiracy in the preceding June, we
shall find how far-reaching was its disturbing
influence.
An outlying ripple reached Warwickshire and
ruffled the surface of Sir Richard Newdigate's
pastoral life at Arbury. Probably the outspoken
baronet was already an object of suspicion to the
Popish party- We have had evidence of his
personal acquaintance with Monmouth and of his
having received ' papers ' from him, whilst his
firm hold on Protestantism must have been well
known amongst his friends and neighbours, for
he was not the man to have repressed in silence
all expression of his principles and sympathies.
For the better understanding of the events which
follow it must not be forgotten that on June 12
Josiah Keeling, the informer, unbosomed himself
of the alleged Protestant plot to the Duke of
Albemarle and Sir Leoline Jenkins. On the i4th
the news-writer reported the invasion of his house
by the myrmidons of the Lord Mayor, and also
informed Sir Richard that such letters as were
lying ready for despatch were seized, including one
for himself.
2i 4 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
Meanwhile the squire of Arbury continues the
chronicle of his usually uneventful life as follows :
1683. 'June 25. Rose, retired to my Study ;
looked out a Window a quarter of an hour at their l
vaulting in the great Hall. Corrected all the
Errata in Dr. Hall's Heaven upon Earth, which
held me aquarter of an hour. Examined part of the
Work Book ; read over and titled twenty letters.
'June 27. Walked about all the afternoon,
overlooking my Husbandry and other Works.
Supped, was pleasant with the Children, but very
weary. . . .
1 June 28. Rose at five. Prayed, dressed,
took horse at six ; went to wait upon the Lord
Leigh at Stoneleigh Bowling Green, but overtook
him before I came to Bedworth, and providen-
tially, to my great satisfaction met with Mr. Smith
in the Lord Leigh's Company, who had desired
me to meet him at Long Itchenton, which I had
consented to, but had sent him word of some
business which prevented me, and afterward I
ne'er thought of it. So it went off on my side,
but now we appointed to meet this day sen-
night at two of the clock at Itchenton. Then I
went with Lord Leigh to Coventry and sent
George for the letters, which I read as I came
back. . . .
'June 29. Was disturbed with my Wife's
pains at three. Lay awake till six. Slept, or
rather slumbered, till nine.
1 Probably his boys with their tutor.
SEARCH FOR ARMS AT ARBURY 215
'July i, Sunday* Rose before nine. Dressed.
Resisted a temptation in thought. Ten o'clock,
went to Chapel. 1
' While the Psalm was singing the Door was
opened, and Johnson, whom I sent to see who was
there, brought word that the Cook saw a party of
horse riding about the yard. Upon which I,
doubtful whether they were Thieves or not, went
out to see, and when I saw one of the King's
Trumpeters and several Soldiers presenting their
Pistols as ready for a Storm, I resolved, thinking
they looked for me, to go into the Chapel again ;
where I was no sooner seated but Johnson brought
me word that 'twas Captain Lucy, our present
High Sheriff, who enquired for me, but hearing I
was at Chapel, said he would stay till I had done.
But I sent Johnson again to invite him in, upon
which he came in, attended by Ensign Knotsford,
Captain Cave, Quartermaster Conisby, and three
others.
' I revolved in my mind what should occasion
their coming. Sometimes I thought they came
to search for arms. But then, thought I, why so
many ? why so armed themselves ? Possibly they
have some order to secure my Person. If so, I
will desire the favors of a good many of my Books
to prison with me.
' While I thought this my old Distemper, a
Dizziness in my head, came upon me, for which I
did privately eat two bits of Orange.
1 1 thought the Sermon long. When Service
was ended, and as soon as Captain Lucy had
4 The chapel at Arbury is in the house.
216 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
saluted my Wife and Daughters, I accosted him
thus :
' " What Commands have you for me, Sir ? "
' To which he answered : "Sir, I must beg
your Pardon that I have not waited upon you
before I come on such an Errand."
' " Sir," said I, " you must obey your Orders."
' " To tell you the truth, Sir," said he, " there
was an Information given that two wagon loads of
arms came down to your house, upon which our
Noble Lord Lieutenant could do no less than issue
out his Orders that your house should be searched,
which is the Occasion of our coming, for I desired
to come myself that it might be done with all
civility imaginable."
' " Sir," said I, " I have an Armory, but 'tis, I
fear, so ill kept that I shall be ashamed Soldiers
should see it."
'Upon which I had them taken up thither and
into several parts of the house, farther than they
would have gone, who desired me only upon my
Word and Honor to give an account what arms I
had, and that I would deliver them up, if the Lord
Lieutenant desired them.
'The arms which I had were nine suits of
Armor and one silk Armor [a suit of steel armour
concealed by a covering of silk], eight old Mus-
quets, one fowling piece, three birding guns, four
old Swords, three Militia swords, five swords left
by the Sheriffs men with their Belts and Javelins,
five old cases of Pistols, three militia cases of
Pistols, two pair for myself, two for my men, and
one pair of pocket pistols. At this time I had
SEARCH FOR ARMS AT ARBURY 217
two pair more ; one Brackenbury l Militia Pistols,
and one that I gave Dicky. Note. I find but
two horses in Warwickshire, and I did find one in
Leicestershire.
4 They told me that they were to search several
other houses, viz: Mr. Stratford's and Mr. Coton's
etc.'
Mr. Stratford, it may be remembered, was the
candidate for Parliament in 1679, who 'stood
against all the Gentlemen of quality in the County,
having the Vote of all the Presbyterian and fanatic
party.' He was unsuccessful, but it is not sur-
prising that his house was liable to suspicion.
Sir Richard continues :
' I invited them to Dinner and gave their
Soldiers some Ale and Victuals, and they com-
mended this Seat, and Captain Lucy invited me
and my Wife to Charlecote, and told me that he
was confident that neither my Person nor anything
else of mine was dangerous to the Government.
1 To which I replied, " Tis not my Interest to
be an Innovator," and so we parted.
4 1 walked out with my Wife and then went to
Chapel. Afterwards I wrote to the Earl of Con-
way. Supped. Was discomposed. Prayers.
Read Holy Dying. Slept ill, for I was vexed to
be taken for a Malcontent, which thou, O God,
knowest that I am far from.
1 A part of the family property at Harefield in Middlesex.
218 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
' July 2. Rose at ten. Wrote to the Earl of
Conway another Copy, disliking that written last
night. Walked with my Wife and the Children. . . .
Kept up till eleven by writing my letter fair to
the Earl of Conway, and till one by my Wife's
illness, who had her pains of Childbed come upon
her ; so I sent for two Mid wives and cleared the
lying-in Chamber of my surveying papers. I
ordered Johnson to go to-morrow morning to the
Earl of Conway with my letter and a list of my
arms and an old list in 1672. Went to bed and
slept till nine of the clock.
'July 3. Got dressed by twelve. Dined ;
Bowled three rubbers ; walked ; was listless and
weary. Wrote a little of this. Discoursed my
Wife. Eat fruit and drank Aqua-mirabilis, about
eight spoonfuls.'
The newsmen, writing on the same date as the
above, report that ' all our discourse now is who
are seized and who are committed.' In this state
of public excitement it was natural that Sir
Richard's appeal to the Lord Lieutenant should
be disregarded, and that he was required to give
up a large portion of his arms.
'July 14. Delivered some of my arms to Mr.
Maund, Captain Lucy's Corporal, who was very
civil and left me five Suits of Armor, cases of
pistols and swords, and gave me a Note for what
he took,
SEARCH FOR ARMS AT ARBURY 219
' I wrote a letter to Captain Lucy, but when I
found that they took my Drum, I wrote another
letter to him for it again. This held me till
dinner with Mr. Wyat. After dinner I delivered
the rest of my Arms to two other Soldiers.
Was vexed to be thus disarmed. Supped. Re-
ceived a News-letter and one from Mr. Clark to
give me notice of a Scandal at Barnet. Received
one from the Bishop of Oxon by Mr. Scot and
read an Oxford News-letter which he brought to
shew me that a wagon load of Musquets,
Blunderbusses and Pistols, were taken from me,
which I heard, by a letter from my Cousin Offley
to my aunt Skrymsher, was got into Cheshire,
and by Mr. Wyat from Mr. Osbaston was got
into Northamptonshire. Received my Drum
again. 1 Played at draughts and won. Prayed
heartily for my Wife who is in labor.'
Sir Richard's seventh daughter, Juliana, was
born the following morning, July 15.
'July 2 1 . Read a Chapter, 3 rd Deut. Reflected
upon Moses' Meekness and Resignation, which I
desire to imitate, and if my own heart do not
much deceive me I am very willing to die. Began
to go on with my Will, but seeing John Keen I
went to him and was contriving for the Chains to
the Bars.
'July 24. Looked about my Business i' th'
Yard. At four came up, put my papers in order ;
those about seizing my Arms into the uppermost
1 The drum is still at Arbury and sounded daily for meals,
220 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
Drawer on the left hand the Hall window. Then
wrote this and slept. To ten o'clock killing a Bat.
Heard that my sister Parker and her daughter-in-
law the Lady Parker were come, yet did not rise.
'J u ty 2 %- Rose half an hour after five.
Dressed. At seven o'clock christened Juliana,
my seventh Daughter. Read the News-letter.
Was extremely out of Humor at the base reports
that are raised of me. Dined with our Company.
Betook myself to my prayers. Then walked in
the Garden with the Ladies and eat fruit.
'July 29. Sunday. Slept till after eight.
Dressed, read a little of Seraphick Love, for I
would fain stir up my Love to God. At Chapel.
Dined with my Wife and all the children. At
Chapel. Eat Melon, then went into the Garden
with my sister and Mr. W T yat. Eat Apricots and
Nutmeg Peaches. Was vextas yesterday. Supped.
Read Lord Russell's speech. Prayed. Read
Government o' th' Tongue. Uncharitable truths.
'July 30. W T aked at five, being disturbed by
the Pewets flying in the Buttery Chamber. Wrote
to my Sister and a resenting letter to the Lord
Conway. Was extremely angry at some disturb-
ance which I met with in the house. Retired to
my prayers. Was better. Read the 8 th of
Deuteronomy. Ordered the coach to be got
ready. Seriously wished myself in another World,
for life is very troublesome.
' Aiigust 4. Wrote an answer about the late
Scandals of my Arms. Then went to John Wal-
dron (the Dull) and directed him about my Stable.
I was violent angry to-day upon a small occasion.
SEARCH FOR ARMS AT ARBURY 221
'August 5, Sunday. Waked at seven.
Read Sermon on Love and Dr. Taylor on Holy
Dying. Lay abed half an hour after eight. Was
in excellent temper. Eat a Crust and drank water.
At Chapel listless and weary. Reached out my
silk Armor (while I think of it) to shew Mr. Wyat.
Dined. Sent Gervase to give thirty of Bedworth
Poor who are not served 3O S . Went into the
Garden and eat (rather) too much fruit with Dick.
Gathered some for my Aunt and Cousin and the
Girls, to whom I gave sparingly. At Chapel,
Drowsy, which I shook off.
' I have these three days abstained from
eating one grain of Salt with my meat, which is
very insipid, especially roast venison, without it.
Merit, I pretend to none ; but, O God, sanctify the
means I use to preserve myself from sin, that I
be made capable of the Atonement wrought by
my blessed Saviour, for whose sake I hope to
become a member (though unworthy) of the
Kingdom of Heaven.
'August 14. Lay abed to eight. Went to
the New Way ; directed Sander Knight how to
mend it. Dined. Went to Sleep awhile. Was
cross with my Dear Wife. Went with her in the
Coach up the New Way. ..."
Here we leave Sir Richard, for a time,
honestly recording each day's aspirations and
struggles to do right with his many failures ;
emblematic of poor human nature from the
beginning until now.
222 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
CHAPTER XV
WIG AND GOWN
THE news-letters being addressed to a man who
had been admitted to Gray's Inn in his youth,
whilst his father had risen to distinction in the
law, they contain many allusions to passing-
events connected with the Inns of Court, and
members of the legal profession.
In 1677 we learn how the Middle Temple
was burnt out in a night, with the exception of
the Hall, ' that is to say Vine Court, Pump
Court, Elm Court, Hare Court, Essex Court,
and part of Fig-tree Court.'
' The Devil Tavern was twice on fire, but
with much labour was preserved ; which if it had
taken fire, would much have endangered all the
Timber Buildings in Fleet Street near the Bar,
considering how the wind blew with a continued
blast without intermission.
' Yet in the Temple the fire burnt both ways,
and came back from Pump Court, where it first
WIG AND GOWN 223
began, as far as the Cloisters near the Temple
Hall and Church, both which were once on fire,
but with great industry were put out again. The
hall was somewhat damnified, but the Church is
not in the least spoiled, and the lane leading
towards it stands well.
' There was a great want of water, by reason
the Thames was frozen and the Ice driven to the
Temple Shore, that no water could be had there,
and though the pipes in Fleet Street were broken
up, yet by reason of the great frost they afforded
little water, so that they were forced to make use
of above a hundred barrels of Beer out of the
Temple cellars and Devil Tavern to supply the
engines.'
Other paragraphs give certain particulars
of the special ceremonies ordained for newly
made Serjeants-at-Law before they were admitted
to the full privileges of their position.
'This day (Jan. 21, 1684) tne sixteen new
Serjeants met in their Inns of Court and as by
Custom had 5 s in a Purse delivered to them with
a Speech.
' Those of Gray's Inn were told that their
happiness was that no Protestant dissenting
Brethren were among them.
Those of the Temple were told that Learning
procured Riches, but only Loyalty Honour.
' After which, having their Coifs and Gowns
put on them at Serjeant's Inn, they marched
224 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
along the streets to Westminster, preceded by
above a hundred persons in party-coloured
coats, and the students of their society.
' When they came to Westminster all the
Judges descended into the Common Pleas Court,
where they heard each Serjeant Count and Plead
in French, and then each delivered the Judges
and other Serjeants a gold Ring with the motto :
A Deo Rex, a Rege Lex.
' After which was a splendid entertainment.'
On one occasion Lord Justice Scroggs is re-
ported to have expressed anxiety lest the newly
created Serjeants-at-Law should fail to live up
to the dignity of their office, by practising undue
thrift or economy.
' Yesterday the eleven new Serjeants at
Law appeared at the Court of Chancery. The
Lord Scroggs told them they must be careful of
their state and not come four in a hackney coach
to Westminster for twelve pence, nor in a sculler
for three pence.'
Lord Scroggs's own sense of dignity does not
seem to have been of a high order. When he
was informed that ' a Barrister at Law had been
observed taking notes at several Trials and after-
wards giving them to be printed, he declared
that if any barrister used such things he would
pull his gown over his head.'
WIG AND GOWN 225
The public would at times openly express
their want of faith in the justice meted out by
courts of law in Charles II.'s reign. Lampoons
were written and even printed on doubtful sen-
tences, though always at considerable personal
risk to both author and publisher.
Sir George Wakeman, the Queen's physician,
was tried in 1680 for being concerned in the
Popish plot revealed by Titus Gates. He was
acquitted on insufficient evidence to convict him,
and the Protestant party maintained that judge
and jury had been corrupted.
A Mr. Henry Cave, ' author of the Weekly
Packet of Advice from Rome,' was tried at
Guildhall and found guilty of having published a
lampoon on the judgment in this case.
4 There is lately found out by an experienced
Physician A wonder working Plaster, truly
Catholick, in operation, somewhat of kin to the
Jesuit's Powder but more effectual. The virtues
of it are strong and various ; it will make Justice
deaf as well as blind ; take out spots of the
deepest treason more cleverly than Castle soap 1
doth common stains. It miraculously exalts and
purifies the Eyesight, and makes people behold
nothing but Innocence in the Blackest Male-
1 Castile soap.
226 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
factor . . . It is a mighty cordial for a declining
cause, and in a word, makes fools wise men, and
wise men fools, and both knaves. The colour of
this precious Balsam is bright and dazzling, and
beingapplied privately to the fist infallibly performs
all the said cures and many others : probatumest?
There was no freedom of the press in the latter
part of Charles I I.'s time, as frequently exemplified
in the news-letters :
' You may remember ' (writes the intelligencer)
' that some months since, one Browne was com-
mitted to the Tower for dispersing scandalous
Papers and Pamphlets, and that he came out
upon a Habeas Corpus. This term he was
brought to his trial and was found guilty of having
dispersed a Libel entitled " the long Parliament
dissolved." And on Tuesday last he received his
sentence, which was that he should be fined 1,000
Marks and continue a Prisoner until the same
was paid ; and that he should be disabled for
seven years from practising in any Court as an
Attorney, which he is by profession.'
Even women were not exempt from punishment
on this score :
' Mrs. Anne Brewster is sent to Newgate for
unlicensed pamphlets till she give security for
her good behaviour for a year.'
As a last example I will quote how 'on the
one Thomas Parkhurst was committed to
WIG AND GOWN 227
the Gate House for printing an unlicensed book
called ' A friendly debate between Satan and
Sherlock.' *
The name of the notorious Lord Jeffreys
often appears in the news-letters. He it was, we
may recall, to whom Charles II. gave a ring off
his own finger soon after the execution of Sir
Thomas Armstrong, one of Monmouth's devoted
servants. After the discovery of the Rye- House
Plot Sir Thomas was outlawed, but eventually
taken at Leyden and brought to London. Here
he was condemned to death by Judge Jeffreys
without being allowed the formality of a trial.
' Last Sunday,' relate the newsmen, ' the
Lord Chief Justice Jeffries being at Windsor his
Mat y told him he was very well satisfied with his
Conduct ; bidding him to continue to preserve
him and the laws, and gave his Lordship a
diamond ring from off his own finger.'
This was the ring afterwards spoken of as ' the
Lord Chief Justice's bloodstone.'
The junior dwellers in the Temple were a
wild and rollicking set, quite in keeping with the
times. At the New Year of 1683 their revels
1 Dr. Sherlock was afterwards Dean of St. Paul's.
Q2
228
passed all bounds, not without some encourage-
ment from the Court, and their final suppression
was effected with difficulty.
4 The Young Students of the Middle Temple
having chosen one Thomas Montgomery for
their Comptroller (the Government of the Society
these Holidays being devolved upon them) they
repaired to Whitehall on New Year's Day in
extraordinary grandeur and state, attended by
forty Halberdiers in new Liverys which they
clothed, being conducted thither in eighteen
Noblemen's Coaches, most with six Horses, and
were very well received, one of them delivering
himself to his Mat y in a speech expressing their
abundant loyalty, wishing his Mat y a happy new
year with the continuance of many others, which
Ceremony being performed together with his R.
Highness, they made an invitation to most of the
great Men to accompany them to dinner, which
the Duke of Ormond, Marquess Halifax with
divers others did them the Honour to accept.'
A week later we read that on
' Saturday last both the Societies of the Temple
having dined together, about six in the evening
summoned their Guards and each party divided
to collect and gather in five shillings of every
neighbouring house, a Custom they pretend for
some hundreds of years ; and by reason the same
had not been performed for some considerable
time the affair was very novel and surprising,
especially upon the executing thereof. For their
WIG AND GOWN 229
Guards, being armed with Halberd and half pike,
marched in a warlike posture, driving all before
them, and at what house soever they had not
immediately the money they demanded, finding
the door shut, they first gave a signal by blowing
their horn and then broke open the said house,
levying their pleasure, and thus they continued
till two o'clock Sunday morning, which by reason
of that early time the people in their beds were
mightily affrightened. Some, not knowing the
occasion, cried out "Arm, arm ! " and Constables
that came to disturb them in this procedure were
by them seized and put into the stocks. And it
looked like the Emblem of a Massacre or the
plundering of a Conquered City, several opposing
them with Spits and other weapons. And "'twas
a great Providence that little hurt was done,
and being loaded with Money and booty they
returned.
' The next evening, the Sunday, they held a
great Mask or ball of dancing, which continued
till Monday morning ; and thus our young
Students revel night and day, tho' many sober
people are extremely against it.'
These wild revellers, anticipating the con-
sequences of their riotous proceedings, summoned
a (so-called) Parliament of their members in the
Middle Temple, when the following Resolution
was passed :
' Whereas several vexatious suits are, or are
intended to be, commenced against the Gentlemen
230 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
of this Society for a pretended Riotous Levying
of Rents which by Ancient Custom, time out of
mind, hath been gathered at twelfth day at night
yearly, when they have kept a public Xmas :
' Resolved by the said Assembly in full Parlia-
ment assembled,
' That whatsoever Councillor at Law, Attorney
or Solicitor, shall or may be concerned in
prosecuting any of the Gentlemen or Servants of
this Society on account of the said pretended
Riot, shall be judged and upon all occasions
treated as an enemy or betrayer of the honour
and privelege of the Inns of Court, and that the
Concurrence of the other Societies of Law be
desired herein.
' (Signed) T. TREVOUR.'
Regardless of the consequences, these mad-
caps renewed their revels on the following Sunday
evening, when
' about the hours of seven and eight was held a
second Ball or Masquerade by the young
Students of the Middle Temple, and had extra-
ordinary Resort of many great personages of
both sexes. But notwithstanding they had before
closed their Gates the Rabble began to get head
upon them and a disturbance ensued ; but notice
being given to Whitehall some of his Mat y>s horse
and foot guards were sent for their Relief, who
prevented any farther disorders.'
Again, a week later, when there was no
WIG AND GOWN 231
longer a pretence for Christmas laxity, they
continued their pranks :
' Saturday last being Essoines Day l before the
Term, which should have concluded the Revelling
of the young Students in the Temple of both
Societies, the Middle Temple youths acquiesced,
but the junior house continued their accustomed
Game-ing. Whereupon the Benchers and the
Grave Seniors of that Inn, accompanied with Mr.
Attorney and Mr. Solicitor General, went to the
Hall and desired them to clear the house, for that
their time was expired, ordering some servants to
obey their commands, which they performing were
prevented by the young men, and Mr. Attorney
General with his followers driven away with a
hollow.
' Whereupon they returned to their Sport and
put all these servants into the Tower, alias the
Stocks, for obeying the Benchers, where they
continued all night, and the next morning being
Sunday they discharged them thereout, burning
them in their hand (which they so call pouring
water into their sleeve till such times as it runs
out of their Shoes), and were resolved to hold a
Ball on Sunday, having provided all necessaries.'
This was rank rebellion, and necessitated the
intervention of a higher authority :
'On Sunday the Lord Chief Justice Pemberton,
having knowledge of the same, came from his
1 The day for granting excuses to those who were unable to
obey summonses by reason of sickness or other cause of absence,
232
dinner with the Benchers and demanded entrance
into the hall or Garrison, which some of the Guard,
mistrusting their cause, gave him Admittance, who
immediately commanded the Comptroller to sur-
render his staff and be disarmed together with his
Guard, and that all the Chairs set ready for a
Ball be turned out and the usual tables set up,
which was done, and the Benchers put into
possession, who sent for their dinner and dined
there.
' And Mr. Attorney, having wrote a letter to
Court of these proceedings, had an answer thereto
from Mr. Secretary Jenkins that his Master gave
no Countenance to the same, having given Orders
that none of the Court do come to their Ball on
Sunday, leaving the matter wholly to the decision
of the Benchers who were at present Governors
of that Society.
' And thus ended their Christmas gambols.'
CHAPTER XVI
THE GREAT FROST OF 1683-4
THE frost which began in December 1683 and
lasted until the following February is graphically
described in the news-letters as day by day it in-
creased in intensity.
Before the end of the year the Thames had
become frozen over to such a degree that attempts
were made ' to foot it over,' though without suc-
cess.
' A Wherry with some passengers upon urgent
occasion, endeavouring to get over, advanced to
the middle, and were there, by the flakes of Ice
that drove one upon another, overwhelmed and
lost.'
Two days later :
' some thousands of people walk in a Beaten path
from near the Bridge to Whitehall, though few
attempt to foot it across, being forewarned by the
loss of divers lads who perished in that under-
taking. Several poor watermen have erected on
234 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
the Ice booths and stalls in nature of a fair, where
the people flock through the vanity to discourse in
future of it.'
On January 5, ' a Coach and six horses drove
over the Thames for a wager.'
On the 8th ' whole streets of Booths are built
on the Thames, and thousands of people are con-
tinually walking thereon.'
As the Thames had now become a thorough-
fare, its lack of lights made it a service of danger
to cross after dark.
' Several persons going over the Ice in the
night from Westminster market were set upon
and robbed near Lambeth, and two Gentlemen,
quarrelling thereon, fought a Duel and one was
dangerously wounded.'
In the middle of January
' a kind, gentle thaw began and lasted two days,
so that all the Booths etc. had to be pulled down
from off the Ice on the Thames, where coaches
had been driving to and fro, and people gave con-
siderably to ride in them.
' On Sunday morning, the Wind returning to
its Cold Corner, we had a hard frost, which ren-
dered the streets extreme slippery, and yesterday
the people returned to their sports on the Thames,
though several paid their Lives for their curiosity,
frequently dropping in.'
THE GREAT FROST OF 1683-4 235
On January 19, it is reported
' that this frost will hold till March, and one hath
undertaken for a wager to build a house two or
three stories high on the Ice, and lie a night in
it, and pull it down again himself before the frost
is gone.
' 'Tis said his Mat y hath ordered a " Landskip "
to be drawn of the Thames as at present frozen
over, with the booths, people, and coaches thereon.
' On Sunday we had an express of the Prince
of Orange's arrival, having escaped great danger
of shipwreck on our Coast, a great Flake of Ice
lying over against Deal seven miles long and one
mile broad. Its uncertain what he comes about,
but must conclude its in Relation to the dismal
condition of the Spanish Netherlands by the
French, and the sharpness of the season, thousands
of them starving, and more would if they were not
clothed by the Dutch.'
On January 23,
' a Bull was baited on the Thames, and on it are
many streets erected with several names, and
many sorts of commodities ; and Coaches ply as
frequently as Boats did before.'
On the 26th,
' one Captain Edwards of the Trained Bands
exercised his Company on the Ice of the Thames,
and conducted them thereon from the Three
Crowns to the Temple Stairs,'
236 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
Amongst other unusual results of so prolonged
a frost it is noted that
' one of Squire Herbert's family in Buckingham-
shire did this frost shoot an Eagle preying upon a
Dove, which is thought rare in England.'
Reports at this time from the Continent show
that the sufferings caused by the severity of the
frost were greater than in England :
' Our last account from foreign parts was by a
gentleman from Hamburg, who says that the
Weather is favourable with us to what it is there,
for that they relieve their sentinels every hour,
and yet found two of their soldiers frozen stiff,
leaning against the fortifications. They tell us
also of a Ship in so much distress in the Ice that
they cast lots which should be first sacrificed to
appease the others' hunger, and its certain that
many ships will be in want, as not being able to
put into port.'
After seven days more had passed,
4 the ship formerly mentioned to be surrounded
among the Ice in the Downs still continues with-
out any succour, and its feared that her men are
perished, none of them for three days being per-
ceived on the deck.'
About the same date it is reported that
' passengers at Dover designed for France, and
those at Harwich for Holland, are all returned
THE GREAT FROST OF 1683-4 237
back, there being no possibility to get over. Yet
a person at Dover, having extraordinary occasions,
has agreed with four Seamen to adventure with
a small open boat by Rowing where they find
water, and then to draw it over the Ice ;. but its
thought a Rash attempt and a hundred to one if
they do not miscarry.'
Sir Richard Newdigate does not seem to have
had implicit faith in the sensational items of news
supplied by the intelligencers, and when writing to
a correspondent in London he asks for confirma-
tion on one or two points. The reply is as
follows :
' As to the business about Coaches upon the
Thames, there is forty of a day, and they carry
people from the Temple Stairs over the water to
the Barge houses, or straight up the Thames as
far as Whitehall or Westminster, Foxhall or
Lambeth, going as frequently between these places
as in Holborn. There is also Sledges with Horses
which go galloping upon the Thames. Also a
kind of Sledge Chair which people, which skate,
drive before them at a great Rate. There is a
perfect Street quite Cross the Thames at Temple
stairs. . . . All the booths have fire in them and
sell Ale and Brandy and Gingerbread and Cakes
in abundance ; also several sorts of Earthenware.
All these I have seen. . . .'
The same correspondent, Thomas Dodd by
238 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
name, writes again three days later to describe
the streets with rows of booths
1 which sell all manner of things, Soldiers,
Bartholomew's fair, and also printing presses.
And there are Music Booths and Wine Booths
which bear ale and brandy, and a much greater
concourse of people than at Bartholomew's fair.
This day (Feb ry 2 nd ) over against Whitehall was
a whole Ox roasted on the Thames, and meat
is roasted at the fire in many of the booths . . .
the like scarce ever known.'
In spite of the continuous merry-making on
the Thames the prolonged frost caused much
suffering amongst the poor.
' Coals ' (say the newsmen) ' are by the bushel
a fourth part the price of meal for bread. But
though the Weather be so extremely rigorous,
Charity, God be praised, is not so cold as to
suffer the more indigent to increase the bills of
mortality. And though the last week's bill had
one in it " starved," it is to be admired that there
were no more in so great and populous a city,
when the like account has been found in a mild
and moderate season.'
There was a rumour that, owing to the diffi-
culty experienced in breaking through the hard-
bound ground, the dead had to be deposited in
charnel-houses, to await burial.
THE GREAT FROST OF 1683-4 239
The newsmen were bidden to make inquiry
on this point, and report that they can only hear
of one or two being brought for burial before the
graves were quite ready.
' They were then set by in such places till they
were digged deeper, which takes up more than
ordinary time, as being wrought a great part with
a Chisel and not without a great deal of Labour
and difficulty.'
The watermen on the Thames found a cause
of complaint in their loss of trade, owing to the
transformation of their liquid right of way into a
solid and public thoroughfare. They tried
' to claim a prerogative above others to Erect
their booths on the Thames ; but many trades-
men take the liberty to build them stalls where
the streets are more crowded than Bartholomew
fair, and the Roads as passable for Carts and
Coaches as on the firm land. But Mr. Water
Bailiff exacts of them Toll and Ice Rent and
forces them to pay. But the Watermen opposed
it as being free of the River, saying though they
could not Row thereon, they might build or Ride
thereon, and its adjudged for them.'
Encouraged, but not satisfied by this favour,
' the Watermen on the Ice presented the Court
of Aldermen with a petition against the plying of
Coaches thereon,'
240
This was on February 5 : ' but ' (write the
newsmen)
' yesterday we had a welcome Thaw which has
forced the Booths to be removed, and put an
end to the aforesaid Controversy.'
' God be praised' (they add on February 7),
' the kind and gentle thaw still continues.'
It would be interesting to know how the
inhabitants of Arbury and its neighbourhood had
stood the Arctic winter, but unfortunately there
are no fragments of Sir Richard's diary of this
date.
The extraordinary and prolonged frost must
have caused anxious moments to Sir Richard,
who had a reputation in the county for his know-
ledge of arboriculture and horticulture, and for the
skill with which he cultivated the fresh specimens
he was constantly adding to his gardens and
plantations.
He has preserved letters from his friends and
neighbours thanking him for his ever-ready
advice and the gifts of seeds and plants which he
seems to have dispensed lavishly far and near.
Sir William Temple writes from Sheen to thank
him for a contribution to his garden, and Lord
THE GREAT FROST OF 1683-4 241
Massareene continually pleads for novelties where-
with to beautify his Irish demesne.
' My health is impaired of late ' (writes the
latter from Antrim), ' and my greatest entertain-
ment is Planting, in which I saw you were curious,
and your nurseries fully stored. I therefore
desire a Paper of seeds of your greens of all your
best and most curious kinds, at least of your
Pines, firs and other sort of trees with which
you are well stocked, and so am I. But because
your kinds are very different from ours, I beg
some more variety from you, with your advice to
sow and raise them, and the best season etc.'
Another time he makes a special request for
' Spanish jasmine,' and makes arrangements for
its transit in pots through his son Clotworthy
Skeffington, who lived at Fisherwick in Stafford-
shire.
The seeds and the advice were duly sent, but
the result proved unsatisfactory. Two years
later Lord Massareene writes to ask for a further
supply on account of his lack of success in raising
the expected plants. He goes on to drag in an
inconsequent allusion to Oxford in order to em-
phasise the fact that other people's gifts of seeds
have not led to disappointment.
242 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
' None of the seeds ' (he writes) ' that you
sent add to our plantations, because they do not
come up. I am glad your son has had Oxford
education, from which place my cousin Will
Bunbury of Brasenose College sends me seeds
which have come up, and I do not despair if you
make another favourable essay.'
Lord Massareene's frankness in casting the
blame upon the seeds that would not come up. and
not upon the difference of soil or mode of treat-
ment, would rather appeal to Sir Richard's love
of candour than be likely to affront him.
When one of his friends, Sir Willoughby
Aston, of Aston in Cheshire, wrote him an extra-
vagant letter of thanks for the hospitality he had
received at Arbury during a short visit, his blunt
outspoken host labelled the well-meant effusion,
' Sir W. A.'s ingenious but most abominable
complementall letter.' l
1 This ' complementall ' gentleman had a family of twenty-one
children by his wife Mary, daughter of John Offley, Esq., of
Madeley Manor, Staffordshire. Eight sons and thirteen daughters
made up the number. Sir Willoughby died in 1702.
243
CHAPTER XVII
SUNDRY ITEMS OF NEWS
IN 1683 there was an attempt to start the Spanish
sport of bull-fighting in England. Fortunately
the experiment ended in a fiasco ; not from any
tender-heartedness in the spectators, but from a
lack of combati veness on the part of the bull . The
newsmen recount the event in their usual quaint
language :
' In the Artillery Yard by Red Lion Fields is
preparing a great number of Scaffolds, in which
place will be performed (scarce ever before in
England) the Spanish way of worrying Bulls
with men on Horseback and foot, which Pastime
they tell us will continue for a fortnight.'
This was written in the beginning of June,
but the long-expected fighting with bulls on
horseback did not come off until July 30, when
' a liberty was granted to the Spanish Cavalier to
shew the dexterity of his Exercise against the
R 3
244 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
Bull. The place for the spectators had been some
time erected, and now, the Horses having been led
about the Streets like Bears to draw in Company,
about three in the afternoon they began the Show.
' The Cavalier appeared well mounted in a care-
less posture with a Cloak about him and a short
spear in his hand, and then the Bull was let loose.
' The Bull (not so fierce as those in Spain, but
yet sufficiently taught) neglected the Don, who
thereupon provoked him several times with his
spear. The Bull did not yet turn to account, and
so the Don with his spear gave little satisfaction.
Out then springs a nimble Portuguese, who on
foot attacks the Bull, vaults upon his back and be-
strides him, and the Bull could no sooner acquit
himself of him than he was up again ; and this
indeed gave some Diversion.
1 But this was not the thing the people looked
for ; they thought to have seen at least an horse
or a man killed outright. But being bereft of
their expectation, as having not mischief enough
for their money, the rabble grew Couraged and
fell upon pulling down the scaffold, and having
destroyed a great part of it, carried away the Bull
and so the Show ended.'
Amongst the current events retailed in the
news-letters we find an interesting mention of the
re-discovery of the medicinal spring afterwards
known as Sadler's Wells.
'July 17, 1684. In the time of popery, on the
South side of the road at the hither end of Islington
2 4 5
was a well which was had in very great esteem
for its medicinal qualities even to Adoration, which
soon after the Reformation was covered and by
success of time wholly forgotten.
' Last year the well was again discovered and
by its curious carving enquired after, and many
eminent physicians have tried the Water by
Rules of Art and say it is as Mgdicinable as any,
and comes the nearest in operation to that of
Tunbridge ; and its now commonly visited by two
hundred in amorning.
' August 9. Six people have contracted with
Mr. Sadler (in whose Garden the much visited
Water at Islington is) for ^600 fine and ^300
per an. during his lease, which is twenty years.'
During this summer an event of interest to the
populace took place in the arrival of a rhinoceros,
apparently the first that had reached the shores of
England alive.
' On board one of the East India ships is come
a Rhinoceros valued at ,2,000 at the Custom
house, and will be sold next week by inch of
Candle.'
Accordingly, on the day fixed, the rhinoceros
was put up to auction in the customary manner
by the burning of a candle measured off inch by
inch, and was purchased for ^2,320 by Mr.
Langley, ' one of those that bought Mr. Sadler's
246 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
Well at Islington, and in a day two will be seen in
Bartholomew Fair.'
The enterprising Mr. Langley (possibly the
same man who created a riot at Lady Tirrell's
with the object of carrying off her daughter 1 )
proved unable to raise so large a sum. He con-
sequently lost the rhinoceros and forfeited the
^500 he had to pay beforehand.
' This evening the Owners procured a Warrant
from Sir James Smith and carried away Mr.
Langley and afterwards put up the beast for sale
again by Inch of Candle for .2,000, but no person
bid a farthing ; so lies upon their hands.'
After a time the interest in the depreciated
animal revived, and it became a source of profit
to its owners.
' The Rhinoceros is much visited at twelve
pence apiece, and two shillings those that ride
him. They get fifteen pound a day.'
The news-letters give us some quaint illustra-
tions of the intensity of political antagonism in the
latter part of Charles II. 's reign.
1 Seep. 178.
SUNDRY ITEMS OF NEWS 247
There was a certain Mr. Samuel Mearne,
Master of the Stationers' Company,
' who departed this life after several days' indis-
position of a violent Fever. He was very loath to
leave at this Season because the Whigs, he said,
would impute it a Judgement as being a Zea ous
persecutor of them.'
He was not far wrong in believing he would
afford his political enemies a mark for their malice.
On another occasion, when Justice Balch Throaster
in Spitalfields died suddenly in his chair, we are
told that 'the Whigs believe it a Judgment upon
him for designing to be sharp upon their meetings.
But,' adds the news-writer, ' he was a fat, corpulent
man, and this disaster may be naturally incident
to him, which God deliver us all from ! '
The Whigs were naturally antagonistic to the
Duke of York and his following, and betrayed this
feeling in dubious ways.
The episode of the loss of the ' Gloucester ' had
not added lustre to the Duke's name. Reflec-
tions were made on the haste with which James
had saved himself by putting off in his pinnace
with some of his suite and his favourite dogs, whilst
248 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
the ship went down with a hundred and fifty
souls on board.
Amongst those who perished was Lord
O'Brien, and the newsmen relate that
' his page, being saved from drowning, offers to
swear that his Lord, being on a chest in the sea,
cried out to some of the watermen that were in
the Barge, if they would save his life he would
give 'em ^500, and some answered, " Let him
alone ; he's not worth 500 pence."
When the Duke arrived in London on his
return journey from Scotland he found a paper
affixed to St. James's Palace on which was written,
' They that are born to be hanged shall never be
drowned.'
The Duchess had accompanied the Duke from
Scotland in order that her expected infant should
be born at St. James's. The Whigs openly pro-
fessed their disbelief in the cause which brought
her to England.
' The Duchess of Modena ' (say the news-
letters) ' is expected here in Whitsun week, and
will stay till her daughter the Duchess of York is
brought to bed ; tho' they talk as if she was not
with child ; of which the Duke being informed
said, " May be their Parsons told 'em so last
Sunday.'" '
SUNDRY ITEMS OF NEWS 249
The hoped-for prince was a princess after
all. ' The Lady Charlotta Maria ' lived but a few
months, like so many of the Duke of York's
children, and was buried privately in Westminster
Abbey.
It was while the Duchess of Modena was
in England for this event that ' Mr. Dryden '
went to wait upon her, ' but she refused seeing
him.'
This poet's name often appears in the news-
letters. On one occasion they report how
' Mr. Jo. Dryden, the poet, was set upon in Covent
Garden by three persons, who have so grievously
maimed him that his life is in much danger. Its
said it was done by some gentlemen whom he had
in verse reflected upon.'
In July 1682,
' a play having been made by Mr. Dryden termed
" The Duke of Guise," it being supposed to Level
at the vilifying the Duke of Monmouth and many
other Protestants, great interest was made for the
acting thereof, but coming to the knowledge of his
Mat y the same was forbid ; for though his Ma 15 "' 5
pleasure is to be dissatisfied and angry with the
Duke of Monmouth, yet he is not willing that
others should abuse him, out of a natural affection
for him.'
250 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
Four months later ' Mr. Dryden ' succeeded in
having his play produced :
'This day (November 18) was acted a play
called " The Duke of Guise," by Mr. Dryden. It
was formerly forbid as reflecting upon the Duke of
Monmouth, but by the application of the author is
now allowed to be acted.'
Possibly the King's feelings towards his
troublesome son had undergone some change in
the interval, for Monmouth was in fresh disgrace.
He had been perambulating the country at the
head of a band of followers, and at some of the chief
country towns his advent had been welcomed
with much stir and excitement. This could not
have been agreeable to the Duke of York or to
the King, and it was deemed necessary to put a
summary stop to these doubtful proceedings.
Monmouth was seized at Lichfield, whilst
dining with the gentlemen of his suite, and brought
to Whitehall to be examined, but afterwards he
was admitted to bail.
Amongst the complaints brought against him
we find one concerning a certain
' Parson Fogg, who preached before the Duke and
is much complained of for inserting in his prayer
SUNDRY ITEMS OF NEWS 251
James D. of Monmouth after the King instead of
James D. of York, and forgetting to pray for the
Queen.'
These and other audacities were condoned for
the time being by the King, and Monmouth
escaped the punishment he deserved. The next
year the discovery of the Rye- House Plot had, as
we know, far more serious consequences for the
Duke and his adherents.
Whilst Monmouth fled the country his followers
suffered for their leader's undisguised ambition,
and even those who were but passive sympathisers
with his cause had, like Sir Richard Newdigate,
to undergo the humiliation of having their homes
invaded to search for, and deprive them of, their
arms.
Whilst Monmouth was in banishment and the
Duke of York's influence in the ascendant at
Court, Lord Churchill's martial instincts helped to
quicken royal interest in the standing army. A
general muster was talked of at Blackheath, which
caused some excitement in September 1684.
' Great preparations are making for the general
muster at Blackheath. The officers and soldiers
are to be in new Habits etc. and its said Lord
252
Churchill's regiment of dragoons will appear in
most excellent order and discipline.
'Sept. 25. Its discoursed that at the Muster
at Blackheath the Prince [George of Denmark] will
be made General ; the D. of Albemarle, the E. of
Oxford, Earl of Craven and Earl of Feversham
Lieut. -Generals ; and the Lord Campbell Major-
General
' Sept. 30. The Ground at Blackheath being
found inconvenient, the Muster to-morrow is ap-
pointed on Putney Heath.
' Oct. 2. Yesterday m s marched into Putney
Heath his Mat y ' s Regiment of foot ; his Royal
Highness's ; the Earl of Craven's and the Earl of
Dumbarton's ; the Life Guards of horse ; two
companies of Grenadiers on horseback ; the Earl
of Oxford's regiment of horse and the Lord
Churchill's of dragoons. They were drawn up
four deep and in one line, which made a front of a
mile and a half ; six thousand men the most that
were in arms. Every Regiment was exercised
before the King, and that by beat of drum, to the
great satisfaction of his Mat y , Royal Highness etc.
' The day proving thick and rainy prevented
much of what was designed. About 2 o'clock his
Mat y withdrew and dined in a Tent, and the Regi-
ments marched to their Respective Quarters. So
the day ended without making General, Lieuts.-
General, or Major-General.'
The newsmen relate an amusing episode con-
cerning the Prince of Orange at this date, illus-
trative of his high-handed dealings with the States
SUNDRY ITEMS OF NEWS 253
if they baulked his military ardour when striving
to combat the designs of the French king :
' October 9, 1 684. They write that the Prince
of Orange is gone from the Hague to Soesike,
and being to go through Amsterdam, the Magis-
trates, having notice of it, gave orders for prepar-
ing a very splendid dinner for him and were got
ready to receive him. But to show his dissatis-
faction to their former proceedings he caused the
Coachman to drive full trot through the City.
But the Burgomasters ran after the Coach and
with much ado the Coach stopped, and one of the
Burgomasters making a speech to the end afore-
said, the Prince slightingly told them he was in
a haste, and so left them.'
The little tiff between William of Orange and
the town of Amsterdam arose from a private
pique caused by the opposition of the civil
authorities to the Prince's desire to enter into a
new war rather than let Luxemburg fall into the
hands of the French.
We can picture to ourselves the chagrin of
the Burgomasters, who, anxious to propitiate
the offended Prince, had started upon their un-
dignified pursuit probably burdened with their
robes of state, but had to return through the pub-
lic streets weary, snubbed, and unforgiven,
254 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
CHAPTER XVIII
THE LAST OF THE STUART KINGS
AT the epoch to which the news-letters have
brought us, Charles II.'s span of life, with its
many errors and lost opportunities, was nearing
its close.
After the Duke of York's final return from
Scotland, his power over the indolent and
pleasure-loving King increased month by month
until it became almost tyrannical. Yet with the
people James's popularity was no greater than
before, except with a certain party. At the same
time it seems probable that the revelations of
the Rye- House Plot had not only the effect of
strengthening the nation's sense of the value of
the King's life, but, owing to this heightened
feeling of loyalty, of indirectly confirming the
Duke of York's position at Court.
No one was better aware of James's unpopu-
THE LAST OF THE STUART KINGS 255
larity than Charles himself, as exemplified in his
well-known retort to his brother's entreaty that
he would pay more attention to his personal
safety : ' Tilly- vally, James ; there be none so silly
as to shoot me to make you King ! '
It was during the summer that was darkened
by the discovery of the Rye- House Plot that an
event of hopeful import to the royal house was
brought to a successful conclusion.
The marriage of Princess Anne to a Protestant
prince excited general approbation, and created a
renewed interest in the Duke of York and his
family as the next successors to the throne.
The preparations for the coming ceremony
helped to distract men's minds from the prosecu-
tions for treason that were going on. Whilst
execution followed execution amongst Mon-
mouth's adherents, marriage bells were ringing,
and the Court and country were holding festivities
in honour of the arrival of Prince George of
Denmark as a consort for the Lady Anne.
As long as the Duchess of York had no son
and the Princess of Orange remained childless,
the Duke of York's only surviving unmarried
daughter was a personage of considerable import-
256 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
ance amongst royal alliances. It seems surprising
that Princess Anne, with such expectations, should
have reached the unusually mature age of eighteen
and be still unmarried. It is true that more than
one foreign prince of the Protestant religion had
been talked of as a suitor for her hand, but the
only one who seems to have been a serious
#
pretender for this honour was Prince George of
Hanover. He, as we know, after some stay in
England, returned home in obedience, it is said,
to his father's summons, in order to marry a
German princess.
Then followed a period when the Lady Anne,
unhampered by the presence of an official wooer,
was free to amuse herself with the attentions of
any one within the Court circle who might be bold
enough to aspire to a princess of so much import-
ance to the royal line.
Such an aspirant actually made his appearance,
as the scandalised news-writers relate in cautious
terms. On November 7, 1682, they write :
' We have had for some days a flying report that
the Earl of Mulgrave was forbid the Court, which
I forbore to speak of till there was a Certainty,
and now I find that his Mat y and Royal Highness
THE LAST OF THE STUART KINGS 257
are much displeased with him relating to a Letter
between his Lordship and Lady Anne, intimating
too near an address to her ; for which, being
privately considered of, the Lord Chamberlain
had orders last night to bid his Lordship provide
other Lodging than in Whitehall ; and some say
all his places are taken from him, but that as yet
being no certainty shall forbear to mention.'
After two days they report further :
1 It is now certainly confirmed that the Earl
of Mulgrave has so mightily incurred his Mat y ' s
and Royal Highness's displeasure that his Lord-
ship is not only banished from Whitehall and
S l . James's, but also displaced from his great
offices and Commands. His Governorship of
Hull is conferred on the Lord Windsor ; his Lord
Lieutenantship of the East Riding of Yorkshire
given to the Marquis Halifax ; his chief command
of one of the King's Regiments of Guards be-
stowed on the Lord Chesterfield, and his Hon ble
Office of one of the Lords of his Mat y ' s Bed-
chamber granted to the Earl of Feversham ; and
'tis thought that he will be in perpetual disfavour.
' Some people talk very harshly of the affair,
reflecting too Censoriously on the Honour of the
Lady Anne ; but I am well assured that the
Princess of her own accord discovered his Lord
ship's intentions by showing a letter which she
received to her father, his Royal Highness.'
Lord Mulgrave's punishment, in the loss of all
his lucrative appointments, with banishment from
258 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
Court, would seem a heavy penalty to pay for a
passing devotion to the King's niece in those days
of rampant and unlawful courtship.
The rash lover did not remain in ' perpetual
disfavour,' as expected by the newsmen. Soon
after James's accession Lord Mulgrave was made
Lord Chamberlain, and in the next reign he was
raised to be Marquis of Normanby. When
Anne came to the throne, she in her turn distin-
guished her old lover by creating him Duke of
Buckingham.
Lord Mulgrave quickly recovered from this
episode of slighted love, and subsequently married
three times. His last choice, being a natural
daughter of James II., 1 gave herself royal airs on
the strength of her parentage, after she became
Duchess of Buckingham.
This touch of romance in Princess Anne's
life probably hastened the royal decision for her
marriage. The country favoured the choice of
Prince George of Denmark as a suitor, not only
because he was a Protestant prince, but also as
one likely to make his home in England. His
1 Her mother was Catherine, the only child of Sir Charles
Sedley, Bart., by his wife Catherine, daughter of John Savage,
First Earl Rivers.
THE LAST OF THE STUART KINGS 259
arrival was awaited with general interest, and the
newsman, writing in May, 1683, takes credit to
himself for early information on this point :
' Although little of certainty has been lately
known of the coming of Prince George from
Denmark, I am very credibly advised that on
Wednesday two Bucks were killed in St. James's
Park, which are potting up with other choice
provisions to be sent aboard of several yachts
which within a day or two sail for Gluckstadt
on the River Elbe, where they take in the Prince
to transport him for England.'
It was not until six weeks more had elapsed
that the bridegroom elect arrived in the month of
July. After his ceremonial visit to the King and
Queen he went to St. James's to make acquaint-
ance with his intended wife. Here, we are told,
' he played at Cards with Lady Anne, discoursing
in the French language.'
The stolid Prince must have been sadly
hampered in his short courtship by his ignorance
of his bride's native tongue. As to his French,
' he spake it but ill,' says Evelyn.
A week later the marriage took place, and
' all that night the Bells etc. loudly proclaimed the
people's Joy, and the next day the whole Court
S 2
260
appeared very splendid, and the Nobility etc.
paid their Compliments of Congratulation.'
Whilst the Duke of York and his family were
profiting by this last turn of Fortune's wheel, the
Duke of Monmouth remained an exile on the
Continent and outwardly in disgrace with the
King. He had taken refuge in Holland, where
he was cordially received by the Prince of
Orange. Indeed, so warm was Monmouth's
reception that ' no man,' say the news-letters, ' is
more respected by him (W m of Orange) than
he, who eats, drinks, hunts, and does everything
but sleep with him.'
We know from subsequent revelations that
the King in reality was gratified by the Prince of
Orange's kindness to Monmouth, and during the
period of his seeming disgrace was secretly in
constant communication with his erring son.
But Charles was such ' a master in the art of
dissimulation ' that he was able effectually to
conceal this private understanding from the Duke
of York and the nation. For this end he went
out of his way to express his displeasure at the
favour shown to Monmouth at the Hague, as we
read under the date of October 14, 1684.
THE LAST OF THE STUART KINGS 261
' Mr. Chudleigh, his Mat ys Envoy, is arrived
at the Hague. He passed by the Prince of
Orange without showing him any Respect,
having such orders, the Prince having disgusted
his Mat y for his Extraordinary Caressing of the
Duke of Monmouth, who is now at the Hague,
and will reside there, the Prince having given him
a house that was his grandmother's, that is fitting
for him.'
In December there was a report that Mon-
mouth had come secretly to England and kissed
the King's hand. Whether true or not it could
be safely denied, as the Duke reappeared in
Holland immediately.
History tells us how, at this time, Charles
was growing weary of his brother's tyrannical
yoke, and had even been heard to say that ' in
order to make himself easy for the rest of his life
he was determined to send away the Duke of
York and recall the Duke of Monmouth.'
The latter, in his private notebook, taken
from his pocket after his capture in the next
reign, fully confirms the impending crisis. One
or two short extracts are here given: l
1685. ' January 5. I received a letter from
L. marked by 29 [the King] in the margin, to
1 Welwood's Memoirs. 1701.
262 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
trust entirely to 10 ; and that in Feb^ I should
certainly have leave to return. That matters
were concerted towards it, and that 39 [Duke of
York] had no suspicion, notwithstanding of my
reception here.
' February 3. A letter from L. that my busi-
ness was almost as well as done, but must be so
sudden as not to leave room for 39*3 party to
counterplot. That it is probable he would choose
Scotland rather than Flanders or this country,
which was all one to 29.'
Thus man proposes. . . . Three days later
all was changed by the King's unexpected death.
The tidings reached Monmouth on February 16 :
' The sad news of his death by L. O CRUEL
FATE!'
It was indeed a cruel fate that deprived poor
Monmouth of his most powerful friend at Court,
and of the only restraining influence that could
have kept him from the rash enterprise which a
few months later cost him his life.
As for the news-letters at this time, there is
an ominous gap in their sequence for more than
thirteen months. The year 1685, with all its
momentous events, remains unrecorded amongst
Sir Richard Newdigate's manuscript papers.
Charles II.'s sudden illness on Monday
THE LAST OF THE STUART KINGS 263
February 2, ending in his death four days later ;
James's accession to the throne ; the subsequent
risings in Scotland and England, headed respect-
ively by the Earl of Argyle and the Duke of
Monmouth ; their speedy suppression ; the cap-
ture of the two leaders, followed by their death
upon the scaffold : all contemporary reference
to these events has disappeared from Arbury.
It was probably due to necessary precaution
that no news-letters were preserved at this period
of overwhelming interest to Protestant England.
Sir Richard Newdigate, with his pronounced
opinions and well-known championship of the
form of faith upheld by Monmouth, could hardly
have escaped being a marked man at the time of
the risings in England and Scotland. Suspicion
was rife on all sides, and Sir Richard, warned by
previous experience, may have had reason to fear
a raid upon his papers after having undergone
the ordeal of a search for arms. Otherwise we
cannot suppose that he voluntarily dispensed with
a source of intelligence which was afterwards
resumed and continued for many years to come.
When James II. had been a year upon the
throne, Lord Massareene makes a passing allusion
264 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
to the vital occurrences of the last few months
in one of his letters.
Writing from Dublin on January 29, 1686, he
says :
' I hope all things now are in great quietness
and tranquility with you after this summer's
trouble ; of which we had a part by Argile's
rebellion in Scotland, that was very near us.
But we had the King's Army quartered in and
about our Estate and did enjoy much Peace,
Blessed be God, as we do at this hour.'
In November of the same year he makes a
similar report, but ends with some words of signi-
ficant and prophetic import :
' We enjoy peace and plenty here ' (he writes),
' having also had many Soldiers Quartered
amongst us and a great Change in the Army
here : and some are full of fears.'
When the news-letters begin again we find
gaps in their order still recurring, and they are
written with too much caution to be as entertaining
as in Charles II. 's time.
V
In 1688 there is an interregnum of some
months. In this last year of James II. 's reign we
are left in ignorance of the newsmen's version of
the crisis that was impending. They give us no
THE LAST OF THE STUART KINGS 265
subtle indications of the slumberous discontent
which was shortly to be roused into action, and
would put an end to the tenure of the British
crown by kings of the House of Stuart.
Nor have we any record of the unwelcomed
advent of a Prince of Wales, followed by the
openly expressed disbelief in the genuineness of
the royal babe.
It was not until October 1688, when William
of Orange had landed with a small following, to be
rapidly increased in his progress towards London,
that the news-letters recommence their regular
course of intelligence.
They give us James's speech to his Parliament
when he was on the eve of starting to join his
army in order to meet the son-in-law whose hostile
arrival imperilled his possession of the throne. It
begins as follows :
' My Lords, I am well assured my kingdoms
are intended to be invaded, and am resolved to go
in person, and knowing that Bullets make no dis-
tinction, I think good to settle the succession,
and assure you, on the word of a King, that the
Prince of Wales is my son. . . .'
It would be only recapitulating ancient history
to transcribe the further progress of events, ending
266 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
in the speedy and, at first, tranquil replacement
of King James by William and Mary.
The Queen and Prince of Wales, with Father
Peters l disguised in woman's clothes, were the first
to flee for refuge to France. Before the end of
the year the King had followed them and met
with a warm welcome at the Court of Louis XIV.
The throne was declared vacant by this action on
the part of King James, and consequently rendered
free for a successor.
'The Prince of Orange' (we read) 'hath in
print desired all such as were members of Parlia-
ment in the time of Charles II. etc., etc., to attend
him to-morrow at St. James's.'
This summons to those who belonged to the
seven days' Oxford Parliament in Charles's reign
was attended by about two hundred members,
among whom we may be sure was Sir Richard
Newdigate if he had chanced to be within reach of
so short a notice. In any case, when the elections
came off in "January 1689, he was again chosen to
represent his county in Parliament, with the pro-
spect of sharing in the councils of the nation amid
more congenial influences than before.
1 Father Petre or Peters, confessor to James II,
THE LAST OF THE STUART KINGS 267
Lord Massareene, writing from Antrim to con-
gratulate his cousin, takes the opportunity to
impress upon him the parlous state of Ireland at
this juncture, and of his own neighbourhood in
particular.
'8 Feb. 1689. Y rs from Westminster I re-
ceived and at the same time saw your name in the
Gazette, one of the representatives for the great
County of Warwick. And I am glad one of mine
was received when yours of the 26th of Jan ry .
was written, which you say gave you a true
Account of Ireland. And so it was, I assure you,
although different representations of our case was
before you. The Rapines, assaults, robberies and
outrages of the Papists committed daily upon the
Protestants increase, from which some of the Pro-
testants defend themselves, among whom your
friends here are interested, as by the Commission
of Array is lawful for their defence. But are called
by the Papists Rebels and Traitors for self-
preservation. And some of them have been
assaulted by the new-raised Irish Army, which is
very numerous. Some prisoners have been taken,
some blood shed, and if succour from England
do not speedily come, these outrages and the
effusion of more blood must come upon us. The
delay raises our enemies' pride to an intolerable
height, with the French King's promises of aid to
the Irish, which they expect before any come
from England ; and two thousand a month ago
from you (when it was first proposed and assured
268 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
we should have relief) had done as much as ten
thousand will now do. I really fear that the next
intelligence from Ireland will be that the Army in
a Body may fall upon the Protestants, who resolve
to defend the Protestant Religion, the Laws and
their lives, and so have associated some weeks
ago ; which is called Treason by the Papists.
' Read and improve this all you may. It is
but a faint character of our sad and miserable case,
from which thousands are by flight delivered.
But your friends stay with their many Protestant
neighbours under God's protection in the north of
Ireland, to which part we are told that few are
designed to come from England in comparison of
those greater numbers designed for other parts of
Ireland.'
Lord Massareene was only too correct in his
gloomy prognostications. Unfortunate Ireland
was destined to be the battle-field on which the
rival claims of Kings James II. and William III.
were to be fought out in a sanguinary warfare,
embittered by the religious element imported into
it, and by the presence of five thousand French
troops, sent by Louis XI V. to assist the last of the
Stuart Kings.
The unfortunate babe who was borne away
with such haste and secrecy from his native shores,
to be received with open arms at the Court of
THE LAST OF THE STUART KINGS 269
France, became the innocent cause of this struggle
by sea and by land, for the throne which his
father was said to have forsaken and abdicated,
when he too sought an asylum with the French
king.
If there had been no Prince of Wales, James
might have acquiesced more easily in the decision
of the nation who had preferred his son-in-law to
himself. In such a case it would have only been
forestalling by a few years the natural succession
of his eldest daughter to the British throne. But
with the claims of a long-desired son to fight for,
the case was different, and His Most Christian
Majesty of France was only too willing to foment
and support any cause of strife with his old enemy
the Prince of Orange.
For a time all went peacefully except in Ire-
land, where storm-clouds were gathering.
1689. ' On the 13 th of Feb ry ' (write the news-
men) ' both Houses came to the banquetting house,
and about eleven the Prince and Princess of
Orange came hand in hand, and an officer read
the proceedings of both Houses, and the Prince in
a short speech signified their acceptance [of the
crown], adding he should endeavour to his utmost
to discharge the trust reposed in him and protect
the Protestant religion and Laws, and was Re-
270 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
solved to pursue no counsels but theirs : at which
was a mighty shout. . . .
' Also at their proclaiming were such shouts
as were scarce ever heard. . . .'
Two days later :
' both Houses being assembled it was expected the
King would come to the House of Lords, so that
the Peers caused their Robes to be brought, but
his Mat y sent them a Message that they would
adjourn till Monday. 'Tis said the Reason was
that the Robes which the King desired were not
found in the Wardrobe, and that new ones must
first be made.'
By February 18, this necessary adjunct for
imparting dignity to the insignificant bodily pre-
sence of the new King was supplied, and William
III., coming to the Lords' House, sent for the
Commons and made his first royal speech to the
combined Houses of Parliament.
271
CHAPTER XIX
THE STRUGGLE FOR THE CROWN
WHEN Lord Massareene last wrote to Sir Richard
Newdigate, he was urging on the newly elected
M. P. the absolute necessity of speedy succour for
Ireland in the shape of troops from England,
before worse things befell them.
He wrote no more from Antrim, and his next
letter to his cousin is written far from the home
he had improved and beautified, and of which it
was his boast some years before that ' this Castle
is pretty strong, being never taken in the Rebel-
lion that was in Ireland in 1641.' The tale of his
misfortunes will be best told by himself in his
letter with the following address.
' For S r Richard Newdigate, Bart., a Member oj
Parliament.
1 To be left at the door of the House of Commons,
Westminster, London.
' Near Durham, 21 April, 1689.
' S r I presume you may have heard from others
How difficult it was forme, my wife and family to
272 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
get out of the merciless hands of Tyrconnell's
Popish Army ; who on Saturday the 1 6 th of March
seized our House at Antrim, our Plate, stock of
furniture, and my whole Estate as I have cause to
fear; and since K g James his coming to Ireland
(which I knew not of when we left Home but the
1 5* of March) we hear of a Proclamation, requiring
all to Return to Ireland or forfeit their Estates,
and Tyrconnell excepted me and my Son before
from all mercy by a Printed Proclamation ; so that
it was time to come away the 1 5 th of March, when
his Army was within 14 miles of us, and came to
our house next day ; in which interval my Steward
and Servants buried the plate, which the Irish
army soon found and said it was forfeited to the
King.
' We came to the city of Derry and thence by
Sea to Greenock in Scotland and to Edinborough
and the Duke of Hamilton and other Nobles were
very civil to us, the rather because I had the first
discovery made me of about fifty letters sent from
K g James at Dublin in Ireland, to raise great
troubles in Scotland and the north of England,
whereof Duke Hamilton sent King William
notice by transmitting the Papers his Grace had
from me on that notable occasion, which thing is
made plain by other circumstances concurring;
besides fifty Letters and instructions, a Declara-
tion, and two letters all in K g James's own Hand
to that effect, some of which I did See and Read.
' And L d Balcarres and Sir John Trevenick
and others are seized upon this discovery ; which
by this time is more perfectly known at White-
THE STRUGGLE FOR THE CROWN 273
hall by what is further transmitted. I met Protes-
tant horse and foot between Berwick, Newcastle,
and Durham, by which places we passed with our
women and five Small Children in two Hackney
Coaches gotten at Edinborough. And we are
going to Hoghton Tower to see my daughter and
children there, before I can go to Arbury, F^isher-
wick, or London ; which journey is very tedious
already and like to be more so, cross Durham,
Yorkshire, and Lancashire, as I have this post
written to S r Charles Hoghton, directed as this is,
that he and you may tell my Son, or write him
word, if you know where he is. For he went from
us in a Man of War, bound for Chester, and since
we have not heard from him, which troubles us ;
and he wants his Health^ as we fear.
' Thus you see how we are scattered and the
Protestant interest of Ireland ruined, all but
Londonderry City as I fear. And I cannot express
the Hardships and Wants to which the Protestants
were reduced before I left Ireland ; some women
since ravished, and men condemned to be
hanged, drawn and quartered, and some so used,
Tyrconnell pretending all were Traitors that did
not join with him, or do join with King William,
or did take Arms to defend themselves against his
Rude Army, and a Rabble of Irish Men, Women
and boys, all Armed with Half Pikes and dag-
gers, going before and following the Irish Army.
Besides all this, his promises by letters to me and
messages just before he sent his Army fully shew
his designs against me and my Son, and to ruin all
the Protestants, even under the pretence of
274 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
securing them from violence, which I can evince
too plainly.
'The present expectation is of an Irish Army
o invade Scotland and disturb England, in order
to which, things were much ripened, I do assure
you, if the late discovery do not prevent it and
the effusion of Blood by the Army of thirty thou-
sand Irish now in Pay, which the said K g James
owns he hath, and I read it in his letters on that
Subject.
' I am etc.
' P.S.S. Duke Gordon held out Edinborough
Castle when I left that town Tuesday last, and I
heard and saw his Cannon Play.
' Tyrconnell is made a Duke by K s James.
' Excuse Hasty Writing in a bad Inn and ill
Paper.'
Lord Massareene's next letter is written from
Fisherwick, the Skeffington property in Stafford-
shire. His Irish estates had been sequestered by
King James, and for the next three years were
alienated from their rightful owner.
'8 May, 1689.
' I wrote to you on my way from Ireland, and
now the Letters which my Friends may send me
may probably find their way ; which before, for
three or four months past, miscarried by the
Lord Tyrconnell's malice at the Protestants and
at me and my family particularly ; for which in
THE STRUGGLE FOR THE CROWN 275
due time He will be considered, when Ireland is
reduced to the Protestant settlement and Crown
of England ; from which many think it is now
forcibly torn and Ravished by an alienation to the
French Crown, and livery and seizen thereof given
upon K g James's late access thither with many
French officers ; which was unexpected. And so
was the failure of aid expected by the Protestants
upon many promises, and more particularly by
the Faithful Assurances thereof, given in King
William and Queen Mary their declaration, date
22 Feb. ff ; which was the cause of my family's
stay so long in Ireland, till with difficulty we
escaped with our children, and had our Lives for a
Prey. But our Plate, Stock, furniture and Lands
are seized by the Popish Army, and our excellent
House, so furnished for forty years past, and with
conveniences of all sorts, made an Irish garrison
the day after we left it. By this means my
sufferings are more than any Protestant in the
King's dominions, And my charge also in remov-
ing our family through Scotland and the north of
England, having left my wife and part of the
family at Hoghton Tower, Lancashire, and part
came here last Saturday, where I stay to refresh
myself, sojourning with my Lady Rouse here.
' I know not when I may come to London, and
I am sorry to see so many delays in the aid for
Ireland, and such fears of Troubles in Scotland
and England, which is too apparent. I hear little
news, and if anything be afforded from my Rela-
tions, directed hither near Lichfield, It will be a
favour to, Dear S r , etc. etc.'
T 2
276 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
When next we hear of Lord Massareene he is
established in London, and is in a position to give
news to his cousin, now at Arbury, instead of
demanding it from him.
'Pallmall, 10 Sept. 1689.
' . . . We have no News but that Duke
Schomberg since he took Carrie k-fergus is going
forwards towards Dublin, whence the Irish Army
is meeting him, as the Letters from his Grace
yesterday imported, which were received when I
was at Hampton Court. We hear to-day that
Mentz is taken by storm, which may make the
French king somewhat lower. The great News
in Town is about a Plot for which thirty or forty
are imprisoned, among which are three or four
Ladies, but I do not find much in it.'
In a letter about this date from Sir Charles
Sedley, Bart., he complains of King William's
partiality for Hampton Court, so that only those
whose places allow them to keep six horses can
wait upon him.
In October 1689 Lord Massareene writes
again from Pall Mall :
' I have not had a line from you of late. The
news to-day is that the King comes to Hampton
Court to-night from New-market, and that the
French fleet are out and have taken one of our
Ships. Things are not right ; there are some mis-
THE STRUGGLE FOR THE CROWN 277
carriages. We know nothing of Action between
the Armys in Ireland, but what the last Gazette
informed you. I stay here and shall observe
what the Parliament does at meeting. Some of
the Lords and other prisoners in the Tower are
like to be released before the Habeas Corpus
Bill expires. . . . '
After the meeting of Parliament Lord Massa-
reene writes to urge Sir Richard to come up
without loss of time.
'24 Oct. 1689. . . . This may perhaps be in
vain if you be come from Arbury, and it is time
you were at Westminster, and all Honest Men.
The Printed Votes I will not repeat, but the
Vote to-day for giving the King a vigorous assist-
ance, and a full one for reducing Ireland and
opposing the French King, did take very well,
and the House was calm and unanimous.
' I fear thousands are sick in Schomberg's
Camp, and all are going into Winter Quarters
without action, which is the best of this French
expedition.
' I believe King James's Army is distempered
also, and decamping. Some letters say they
follow one another.
' The prisoners in the Tower will be some of
them released, and others put upon strict bail,
but that thing is before a Committee with other
matters.
' My L d Griffen is absconded two days ago
278 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
upon a discovery made that a Cook oi his was
sending letters of dangerous Consequence, which
will make a great noise. . . . '
We get no more Irish news from Lord
Massareene. He is obliged to remain in England
until, William III. having subdued his foes and
restored peace and quietness to unfortunate
Ireland, the sequestered property at Antrim is
restored to its lawful owner. This did not take
place until 1692.
In the meanwhile the French and English
fleets, with the Dutch as our allies, were carrying
on the conflict within view of England's southern
shores. An old family friend of Sir Richard's,
Mr. John Scott by name, who lived in the Isle
of Wight, was able to describe the manoeuvres
of the rival fleets by his personal view of their
proceedings immediately preceding the victory
of the French on June 30, 1690. His letter helps
one to realise how entirely dependent the battle-
ships of that day were upon wind and weather for
opportunities of coming into action.
Mr. Scott writes from Norwood near Cowes,
and begins his letter, which retails the events of
several days, on June 28, 1690 :
THE STRUGGLE FOR THE CROWN 279
' S r , I had ere this paid my respects to you,
but that I was unwilling to interrupt your business
without something of news to communicate to
you, and therefore we of the Island being now,
as it were, the centre of news and the subject of
most people's discourse, by reason of the vicinity
of the French fleet, I think this the most proper
time to do it, both to impart to you what we have
seen, and to assure you that we of the Island are
still alive, in good health and cheerful in despite
of Monsieurs.
' On Sunday the 22 nd inst. at four in the after-
noon the French fleet was discovered off our
Western Hills coming with a full gale (the wind
at W.) towards us, upon which our Island was
alarmed and got to arms. I was surprised with
it at 12 o'clock at night. I arose, gave out my
arms, returned to bed, and my wife and I slept
well. An express was immediately sent by Sir
W m Stephens, our Lieut. Governor, to Sir R.
Holmes our Governor, then at London, and
another to Admiral Herbert l riding with our fleet
off St. Helen's point, which latter returned an-
swer, ' That he would weigh speedily, and did not
doubt but to give the French such a welcome as
should make each true Englishman glad.'
' By Monday morning the 23 rd the French
were got up to the back or South part of our
Island, but the wind chopping about to the east-
ward they could make no more way, but cast
anchor about three hours' sail from our Fleet.
That afternoon I had the curiosity to go and
view the French, which from our hills I did
1 Earl of Torrington.
280 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
distinctly, they being within two or three Leagues
of our shore, divided into three Squadrons.
' From the same place and at the same time
I saw our fleet at S' Helen's, who had cleared
their ships of cabins, boxes, and other impediments
to fight ; had weighed and were standing out, but
the wind veering they could not get out that
night.
' Tuesday the 24 th by 8 in the morning, I saw
our fleet under Sail (wind N.E.) and standing
eastwards from the French, who were then within
two hours. This we wondered at, but afterwards
found out the mystery, for about 1 1 we heard
several guns from aboard and in the afternoon
more, the meaning of which was, that at 1 1 they
had descried a squadron of Dutch which at
3 post meridiem joined them to the number of
fifteen capital ships, besides fire-ships, together
with the Lyon, a 3 rd rate of our own. So that
now we consisted of sixty-six capital ships, most
of them I st , 2 nd , or 3 rd rates, stout ships and well
manned, besides fire-ships and tenders. This
day (24 th ) our Governor, Sir R. Holmes, arrived
in the Island post from London, In the evening
the French, having manned out two long Boats,
made towards our shore, but seeing a company of
militia foot ready to salute them, they tacked and
got home. Their intent was, as we imagine, to
borrow some of our sheep. But about 1 1 at
night a boat came ashore with a woman and two
boys, English. They had been taken out of a
boat off Weymouth on Sunday by the French
and had their Liberty granted them on condition
THE STRUGGLE FOR THE CROWN 281
they would carry a Letter from S r W m Jennings
(who hath a flag in the French fleet) to Admiral
Herbert, which they undertook ; but being at
Liberty made our Island and delivered the Letter
to the Governor, who has sent it to the Queen. 1
The contents were " that K. James had found
himself in an error as to his treatment of Adm 1
Herbert ; but if the Admiral would return to his
Allegiance he, the said Sir W m Jennings, had a
pardon ready sealed for him, with an assurance
that K. James would maintain him in his post of
Honour."
' The same offer was made in it to all the
Commanders and Soldiers in our fleet.
' Sir W m Jennings asked the two boys on Sun-
day as to the number of our fleet, who answered
eighty or ninety Sail. Sir W m angrily replied "It
was a lie, for there were but thirty English and
twelve Dutch ships, and that they would be with
them on Monday." And indeed his account was
partly true, for there came no more of Capital
Ships from the Downs, they having been joined by
eight more from Spithe.ad, which he knew not.
4 Wednesday morning, 25 th , it was hazy at sea
so that we could see nothing, but the haze clear-
ing up about 1 1 a clock we found the two fleets
within three hours of each other (Wind W.), the
English in a line, the French without order.
But about one, the Wind springing N.E., our
fleet made all the sail they could to come up
with the French, and the French (who were
1 Queen Mary was reigning alone, her consort having taken
the field in Ireland at the head of his troops.
282 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
drawn up then in a line from W. and by N. to
South, as ours were from N.E. to S.) seemed to
make towards them, insomuch that about 3 the
two points or vanguards were come up within a
league, or half-hour, of each other, and it was
expected that the fight would begin. But the
wind on a sudden slackening, the French took
the advantage and bore away with the tide
Westward, and ours could not fetch them. All
this afternoon we had a distinct view of each fleet,
and I told 1 them twenty times over and could
count no more than 1 10 of the French, whereas
ours were 100.
' On the 26 th , for want of wind to stem the
tide, both fleets were got more Easterly, and
both made what Sail they could to get the Wind,
which was then S. E., and about 5 in the Evening
the Scouts were engaged, but the wind being
eddy, the bodys did not come up.
' On the 27 th (wind E.) there was so much
haze at Sea all day that we could not discover
them, and we suppose they are now over towards
the French coasts, S.E. Doubtless the design
was to have surprised our fleet and burnt them in
harbour before the Dutch came up, and in all
probability they had done it, had not God's
providence protected us by a sudden change of
the wind on Monday morning. We have both
foot and horse coming into the Island to guard us,
and do not doubt but by God's blessing to main-
tain our own. . . .
' Your very humble servant,
' JOHN SCOTT.
1 Counted.
THE STRUGGLE FOR THE CROWN 283
It was two days after the date of this letter,
on June 30, that the hostile fleets which had
remained so long within sight of each other came
into collision, with disastrous results for the
English, but the chief sufferers were our Dutch
allies.
The English fleet was commanded by Lord
Torrington, and his mismanagement was con-
sidered so flagrant that he was in consequence
committed a prisoner to the Tower. He was
ultimately tried by court-martial and acquitted,
but was dismissed the service by King William.
Mr. Scott's next letter refers to this defeat,
and is written from Oxford on July 15. He
begins by explaining how he and his family
deemed it prudent and necessary to leave their
island home after the victory of the French.
' . . . Since my last,' he writes, ' which I
suppose you received at Arbury. we have not
seen the French fleet off the Island, but have
heard of them more than we desired. We lost
the Anne, a 3 rd . rate, in the engagement, but the
Dutch lost eleven, which were all sunk and burnt,
being indeed shamefully deserted by ours, and I
very much wonder that the French did not
pursue the victory farther, they not having lost
(that we are sure of) one ship. There is indeed
284 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
talk that one of their flags was sunk, but I do
not find that there is any certainty of it.
' The day after the fight a Squadron of ours
of eleven men of war were coming from Plymouth
to join our fleet, and were got up as far as the
back of our Island, but the Mary Galley meeting
them and speaking with them, they immediately
tacked and made all the speed they could to the
Westward again, and are now at Plymouth,
whither also is come Sir Cloudesley Shovell with
four more, but how they will join our fleet I know
not, the French lying almost the whole Seas
over from Bullogn Bay to our Coasts. The
French are also increased since the fight, being
joined by fifteen Galleys and six large Capitals,
which passed by our Island the last week.
' Last Friday night D r Clutterbuck's l house
at Southampton was Searched by the Mayor etc.
of Southampton by order from the Queen and
Council. The business was a Letter which was
intercepted, directed from Sir William Jennings
(now in the French fleet) to the D r , mentioning a
Letter which a quarter of a year ago Sir W m
Jennings had writt to the D r acquainting him
with their success over our fleet, and resolutions to
re-establish K g James, persuading him etc. to
return to their [his] duty. The Doctor designs for
London this week to purge himself as to the Latter
Letter ; he urgeth that he knoweth nothing of it,
and as to the former that Sir W m Jennings is
related to him, and it contained only matter of
1 A Doctor of Divinity and an old friend and correspondent of
the Newdigate family.
THE STRUGGLE FOR THE CROWN 285
compliment ; and I do not suspect the D r , but I
pray God preserve us from treachery amongst
our Selves, which is the only means to defeat the
designs of the Enemy.'
Before leaving these contemporary accounts
of the struggle which was going on between King-
James and King William for the British crown,
it may be advisable to transcribe one more of Mr.
Scott's letters, though its date is four years later.
France was still our open foe, and it relates the
defeat of our gallant forces in an attempted land-
ing near Brest, mainly owing to an ill-conceived
plan of attack, and a lack of common prudence
beforehand.
'Norwood, Isle of Wight, June 22, 1694.
' . . . . The forces returned from Brest are all
now ashore and encamped in this Island, and the
Squadron which brought them back now rides at
S l Helen's to the number of thirty sail of Capital
Ships, commanded by my Lord Berkeley.
' The account which the Gazette gave of that
action was a little too favourable, for I have been
in company with Several officers and others who
had a share in it, and they do all confess that we
lost above a thousand men with little or no loss to
the Enemy. The occasion of the ill Success was
doubtless treachery at home, for the Enemy, as
they declare, had intelligence of the design seven
286 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
weeks before ; insomuch that they had particu-
larly fortified that place where our Commission
was to land, and were strongly entrenched about
the bay to the number of 25,000 horse and foot,
and had our whole body landed (as they had done
had not the Enemy been too hasty) they had been
cut off to a man.
' Another prejudice was the Straitness of the
Commission, which was positively to land in that
bay, as the Enemy well knew. And a third was
the inconvenience of the place of landing, it being
a narrow beach under a high Cliff, so that Several
of our men fell by the very Stones thrown down
from the precipice. Nor was the Cliff to be
ascended but by narrow defiles, which being so
strongly guarded made the thing impracticable,
so that in half an hour's time our men were glad
to retreat to their boats, which yet they could not
recover but by Swimming, the Ebb having
carried them off, so that very few who landed
came off.
' The General's hard fate precipitated him, for
as my Lord Cutts our Governor (who now com-
mands the forces here) relates it, it was agreed
in a Council of War, which was held immediately
before, that the L d Cutts with the Grenadiers
should first make the shore to discover the works,
with the posture of the Enemy, and that General
Talmash should follow with the body as he saw
occasion.
' Accordingly my L d Cutts with the Grenadiers
were got into the Well boats and were making
for the shore, when on a sudden General Talmash,
THE STRUGGLE FOR THE CROWN 287
contrary to that result, comes off in his barge,
outwent the Well boats, and was the first man
that landed, sending to my L d Cutts to stop.
' His wound was not thought mortal, being in
the fleshy part of the thigh, without any fracture,
and I saw a Letter from a Gentleman at Plymouth
who was with him half an hour before he died,
and then thought him in no danger. But his
wound, being searched soon after, was found gan-
grened, and he presently died upon the opening
of it, almost in the operation.
1 We do not hear of any further design upon
the French coasts, and it is believed that these
men here with us, which are in all about five
thousand, will, after some refreshment, be sent for
Flanders. . . .'
This letter has been docketed by Sir Richard
with this trenchant remark :
' Mr. Scot's account of the failure of our
Fleet at Brest, and of General Talmash's Death.
' 'Tis easy to impute Rashness to the Dead, to
excuse the Cowardice of the Living.'
It was not until the Peace of Ryswick was con-
cluded in 1697 tnat King James recognised how
hopeless were his claims to the British throne in
his own person, whatever the future might have
in store for the son who arrived so inopportunely.
We must now leave public affairs to follow the
288 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
fortunes of one of King William's faithful subjects
and supporters in the person of Sir Richard
Newdigate, M.P.
His career as a knight of the shire for
Warwickshire was not long-lived. When King
William summoned his second Parliament in
February 1690, Sir Richard and his colleague Sir
John Burgoine met with a vigorous opposition
from rival candidates, Messrs Andrew Archer
and William Bromley. The heat of party contest
was not likely to have languished in Sir Richard's
vicinity. During the polling a free fight took
place between the partisans on either side, in
which the ex-members became involved. Sir
Richard seems to have been the more severely
handled of the two, and was denied the after-
consolation of victory, for both he and his
colleague lost the election.
On April 2, 1690, a petition was presented to
the new Parliament by the freeholders of the
county of Warwick, setting forth :
' That at the last Election for two Knights of
the said County to serve in Parliament, Sir
John Burgoine and Sir Richard Newdigate were
fairly chosen ; but the High Sheriff, to frustrate
THE STRUGGLE FOR THE CROWN 289
such Election, suffered divers Abuses and Irregu-
larities to be committed thereat ; not only in the
beating and wounding several Persons who came
to Poll for Sir John Burgoine and Sir Richard
Newdigate, but serving them so likewise even to
the Hazard of Sir Richard's life : and after such
discouraging Practices used, the said Sheriff hath
returned Andrew Archer and William Bromley,
Esq res , in prejudice to the Petitioners : and praying
the Consideration of the House and Relief in the
Premises : and that Sir John Burgoine and Sir
Richard Newdigate may be restored to their
Places in this House.' 1
This petition was referred to the Committee
of Privileges and Elections, which was apt to
take an unconscionable time in deciding the many
disputed cases brought before it.
Sir Richard's name appears no more on the
Roll of Members. It must therefore be taken for
granted that the High Sheriffs adverse decision
was confirmed. There is no record of his standing
again. Probably domestic cares and an impaired
income combined to render him unwilling to
contest a fifth election. From this date onward
the scope of Sir Richard's energies had to be
limited to the narrower and safer sphere of
private life.
1 Journals of the House of Commons.
U
290 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
CHAPTER XX
AN AUTOCRAT AT HOME
IN 1692 Sir Richard Newdigate had to undergo an
irreparable loss in the death of his wife Mary, who
had been the mother of fifteen children. Deprived
of her beneficial influence, it becomes evident that
the widower's hastiness of temper and tendency
to extravagance increased, though the primary
result seems to have been renewed energy in
starting colossal account-books with virtuous
resolutions for controlling minute details.
' There, is that scattereth, and yet increaseth ;
and there is that withholdeth more than is meet,
but it tendeth to poverty,' quotes Sir Richard
from Proverbs, and begins a new coal ledger with
this text for a heading. But not being endowed
with the wisdom of Solomon, the scattering and
the withholding were so arranged as only to lead
to a diminished income.
AN AUTOCRAT AT HOME 291
Mary, Lady Newdigate, was buried at Hare-
field, where a beautiful monument by Grinling
Gibbons has been erected to her memory.
The sculptor's letter of acknowledgment for
the payment of his work is remarkable for the
eccentricity of its spelling, even in those days of
originality and independence in the art of writing
the English language. The last sentence of his
letter may be quoted as a specimen, though it
makes one doubt whether Gibbons did not em-
ploy an amanuensis for all except the carefully
written signature, which is in his well-known
regular characters :
' I holp all things will pleas You wen You see
it for I indevered it as much as in me lais, but If
you should mislick enny thing, You may be
shoer to Comand
' S r , Your ombell and obegent sarvant
'GRINLING GIBBONS.'
It was after his wife's death that Sir Richard
began to devote a separate page in his general
account-book to the expenses of each of his seven
daughters, headed by their respective names :
Mrs. Amphillis, Mrs. Mary, Mrs. Frances, Mrs.
Anne, Mrs. Jane, Mrs. Elizabeth, and Mrs.
U2
292 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
Juliana ; known in everyday life as Phill, Moll,
Frank, Nan, Jinny, Betty, and July.
The burden of the household management
fell upon the eldest daughter Amphillis, though
strictly under her father's supervision.
' Mem. I now order my Daughter Phill to
receive no money of the rents but of any but
myself, who will pay her duly quarterly. I like-
wise order her to pay duly for whatsoever she
has, without running in debt, upon pain of my
utmost displeasure. I likewise order her to pay
all postage of letters that come to her, and all
carriage of goods, as each of my Children shall,
except it be upon my own business '
In the pages devoted to the younger children
there is a particular account of their clothes, and
the specified outfit (caps and aprons included) of
those among the girls who went to school. It is
satisfactory to note that for many years there was
a ' Nurse Ebburn ' in the wages list who could
look after the motherless young ones. She also
did much knitting of stockings for the family
generally, with wool that had been grown, spun,
and ' coloured ' on the estate.
The master of the house is equally careful in
taking stock of his own wardrobe. Under the
AN AUTOCRAT AT HOME 293
head of ' Socks ' he notes that ' 3^ pair are worn
out and are to be unravelled. One Sock, which is
too little for me, I give to my daughter Jinny.'
Sir Richard was somewhat extravagant in
the matter of ' Periwigs.' He makes out a list
of those he had in stock one year as follows :
' Perruques
' To wear abroad in winter . .2
' To wear in cold weather visiting . i
' For winter at home ith' house . i
' For Summer abroad . .2
' For Summer at home ith' house . i
' For London ..... 3
10
' I find but nine, which are more than enough
at one time.'
We learn the value of the flowing wigs of the
period from an earlier entry :
' At the Warwick Assizes, merely upon the
Sheriffs account, i.e. occasioned by my waiting
upon him, Jo. Perkins lost my Peruke there, which
cost 3O S .'
' A Penny saved is a Penny got, ergo v. infra,'
interpolates Sir Richard in the middle of his
294 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
accounts, and then follows a note of one or more
minor economies such as the following :
* Delivered Moll a pair of Snuffers and a
Saveall for herself, which if lost she is to pay for.'
Sir Richard made his own ink, which proved
an excellent concoction, if we may judge from its
permanence and blackness after two hundred
years :
' Put 8 ounces of Galls to steep for Ink in rain
water ' (he writes) ' which I had sent for with
2 ounces of Copperas to them and 4 ounces of
Gum Arabic, which is the just Proportion ; but
afterwards I found a little above 4 ounces more
of Galls, therefore I send for this Copperas
(i ounce more). The Receipt is to steep the
Galls ten days, stirring them every day ; then put
in the Copperas and stir it for a day or two.
Then put in the Gum, and hang it for some time
in a leather Bottle behind a door that is often
opened ; a week will do, but a fortnight is better.
It needs no boiling.'
The successful maker of ink was much
troubled by his inability to control the large con-
sumption of beer in his household :
'Dec. '93. The Brewer tells me just now that
we spend under a hogshead and a half of small
Beer a week.
AN AUTOCRAT AT HOME 295
'Mem. My Family shall still be lessened,
consequently the expense.'
At this time he was acting upon his mother's
advice, and had given the charge of his wine and
beer to a female butler ; but it appears there was
no diminution in the quantity consumed. As
time goes on, he has recourse to other devices
for discovering to whom the blame should be
imputed.
' To Moll Porter for four months, i6 s . To her
at going off i " o" o", which she ill deserves, having
been very careless ; but according to the Proverb,
' Set a Knave to catch a Knave,' and having a
great desire to know who my Secret Drinkers
are that devour so vast a quantity of Ale, I
have given intimation (tho' I gave no positive
Promise) that I would give forty shillings to
any one that would and could make a Full and
Clear Discovery ; which she has done of some,
with some undeniable circumstances. Therefore
I intend if I live, and I would have my Son, if
I do not, give her 20 shillings more at Candlemas
1696 ; provided she does not (as so many ill
Servants do) rail at the Family after she is gone
away.'
Sir Richard's own daughters had to submit
to fines if they chanced to cross their father's
296 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
pleasure, as exemplified in an episode that oc-
curred at Christmas 1694.
The customary festivities were probably
heightened by the presence of Dick Newdigate
with his newly married wife, Sara, daughter of
Sir Cecil Bisshopp Bart. The eldest son's
choice had been entirely to his father's satis-
faction, but after a short married life of fifteen
months Sara Newdigate was taken away at the
birth of her still-born son.
On this, the first Christmas after their union,
the young couple were joining in the amusements
of that season of good cheer, when an insignificant
action on the part of one of the daughters of the
house ruffled Sir Richard's quick temper and
possibly damped the hilarity of the party :
'To Alice Hoggs i s - out of Frank's annuity,
because Frank was so cross and ill-natured as to
hinder Alice her profit (whom I have put into
the butler's place) by not permitting her to bring
Clean Cards, but requiring foul ones, that Brother
Lambert Bagot, my Son and Daughter N., Phill
and She might play at Brag, whereby they
hindered us from playing at Post and Pair. Upon
this account I now give Alice 2 s - out of Phill's
and Frank's annuity, i Si each.
' Christmas comes but once a year.'
AN AUTOCRAT AT HOME 297
It is difficult to divine how it came to pass that
the thriftiness of Mistress Frances, in choosing to
make use of soiled cards instead of new ones for
the game of Brag, should have interfered with her
father's wish to play at Post and Pair, whatever
that game may be. No doubt this was the real
cause of offence, and the proverbial reference to
Christmas, so dear to prodigal souls, is dragged in
as an excuse for unnecessary extravagance.
If we can judge from stray cards and packs of
cards still at Arbury, the sisters' economy was
commendable. One pack, at least, dates from
the time of Charles II. The kings, queens, and
knaves are represented by the crowned heads and
lesser rulers of foreign States, whilst below may
be read various items of historical and geographi-
cal interest in accordance with the limited know-
ledge of the day. The remaining cards of each
suit are equally instructive, and all have the pips
coloured by hand in red or black at one corner. It
need hardly be mentioned that Charles's strongly
marked features, illuminated by a sardonic smile,
represent the King of Hearts, whilst Tangier is
still numbered amongst England's possessions
abroad.
298 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
In handling these cards of long ago one is
tempted to ask if, perchance, they can be the same
pack the young bride may have shuffled on this,
the last Christmas she was to spend on earth.
And the mutinous Frank, who, before many months
were over, had taken the bit between her teeth
and started off on an independent career with
young Sir Charles Sedley, did she win or lose at
the game of Brag ?
Not even the sons who had attained manhood
and independence were exempted from their
father's autocratic rule. John, now twenty-four
years of age, was a member of the bar, with cham-
bers of his own at Gray's Inn. Sir Richard often
made use of him professionally in dealing with
tenants and others. But here also he would allow
of no tendency to dictation, or any implied
superiority, on the part of one who was after all
but a child in his father's estimation.
A page in one of the account-books is devoted
to the following purpose :
'6 Dec. 1696. I will this day enter my son
John's Faults here, which I tell him of to make
him humble. I pray God assist me to do all the
good I can to him and the rest of my Dear
Children.
AN AUTOCRAT AT HOME 299
' i. In superscribing a Letter to Lady Vis-
countess Massareene he omitted directing it to
Dublin, which letter therefore miscarried.
' 2. Jack forgot to send to Tedingworth to
Mr. Hewet, had not I remembered it.'
The rest of the page is blank. Either Jack
failed to profit by this method of abasing his
pride, or no more lapses of memory could be
brought against him.
The ' Lady Viscountess Massareene ' who
missed her letter through John's carelessness must
have been Rachel, wife of Clotworthy Skeffington,
who had lately succeeded his father as third Vis-
count. It was in 1695 tnat Sir Richard lost his
cousin and constant correspondent, Lord Massa-
reene. He had been failing in health for a year
or two before he was forced to flee from Ireland,
with the loss and ruin of his home at Antrim.
' I frequently want Health,' he writes in one
of his letters, ' yet Hunt sometimes with Slow
Hounds.' The hardships and anxiety of mind he
had had to undergo on his flight through Scotland
and England must have sorely tried an ailing
man. He survived these troubles and had been
reinstated at Antrim for two or three years before
3 oo CAVALIER AND PURITAN
he died. His latest letter to Sir Richard is written
in February 1695. ^ n li he alludes to Dick
Newdigate's marriage, which had been duly an-
nounced to him.
' The last letter I writ was in return to my
Cozen Ri. Newdigate, wishing him joy in his nup-
tials, wherewith he favoured me so far in general
as to acquaint me that your near relation and cor-
dial respect can never be forgotten. But my poor,
solitary condition now renders me unfit for busi
ness or much converse, since the death of my
Excellent, dear wife.
' My state of health, by grief as well as care
and some old distempers, makes me think of my
great change among these Publick and Family
changes I have seen of late. That of the good
Queen's l and good Archbishop of Canterbury's 2
removal were deep strokes so near one another,
and I observe much compliment, and wish a firm,
good understanding between Kensington and
Barkly House ; and her highness the P. Anne a
good hour, who I hear is with child and past her
wonted time of miscarriage. A great Court is (no
doubt) where she is.
' My Son and Daughter S l George removed
with your pretty god-daughter to their own habi-
tation near a hundred Miles distant, when my Wife
was pretty well. So that I am solitary, not knowing
much of my Son's affairs in London ; but hearing
1 Queen Mary died in December 1694.
- Archbishop Tillotson.
AN AUTOCRAT AT HOME 301
the Small Pox is in town and Country and very
Fatal to divers, as it was to our Admirable Queen.
' I enquire after the welfare of you and all your
good Family, whose happiness and prosperity is
so much prayed for and earnestly desired by S r
Your faithful servant and most affec ate kinsman,
' MASSAREENE.'
The allusion in the above letter to a hoped-for
good understanding between Kensington and
Berkeley House refers to the coolness which had
arisen between the royal sisters before Queen
Mary's death. The shock of the unexpected
bereavement brought about a better feeling be-
tween the two establishments of King William
and Princess Anne.
To return to the autocrat in his own home.
It should be noted that occasionally he varied his
system of judgments and punishments with the
more lenient device of rewards as an encourage-
ment to do well.
For instance, ' To my three Daughters because
they came to Prayers, three shillings.'
A still more characteristic example is the
following :
' To Tom Cooper, who worked hard after I
broke his head, 2$. 6d.'
302 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
Money matters were increasingly a source of
trouble to Sir Richard year by year, and we learn
from his diary that his active brain was ever at
work to devise means to lessen his encumbrances.
1697. ' Ftb* 22 - I have chalked out a way this
day for getting ^1,000, and by turning along
Griff Lane southward, and not compassing the
Beristeads North and East, I shall save ^ioc
elsewhere. Note. I have in this Book given very
many hints of vast improvements by floating,
which I could, but dare not, put in practice,
because of the baseness of pur Commissioners,
who seek to raise me in Tax.
' Thursday, 24. Lay long in bed, having slept
ill, but projected to get 4 by making Mr. B. and
Jos. Nut pay ^4 for Spring Kidding this year ;
and to get jg more by making W m Nock pay
^Tio per an., who nows pay but i. Read a
Sermon to-day.
' Thursday, 3 rd March. Lay Long in bed
sweating off a Cold and ruminating upon my
affairs.'
Sir Richard's private worries did not prevent
his taking a keen interest in home politics and
foreign affairs, more especially in regard to
France a country for which he had a special
distrust and dislike.
A M. de Souligne, a French refugee in
England, had lately written and published a work
AN AUTOCRAT AT HOME 303
entitled ' The Devastation of France demon-
strated.' The name alone would have attracted
Sir Richard, but the contents he found so interest-
ing that he took some pains to ascertain the
authenticity of the facts stated in the book.
Communication with the author took place
through John Newdigate at Gray's Inn, and M.
de Souligne was requested to write direct to Sir
Richard to set his doubts at rest. The letter he
sends in answer is remarkable for its excellent
writing and good English. 1 It is too lengthy to
quote, but begins thus :
' S r I had the honour to see the Squire John
Newdigate at Gray's Inn, who told me that your
Honour had been well pleased with my Book, and
since that I received a Letter from him wherein
he tells me that your Honour desires that I should
give him an account how I came by the know-
ledge of what I have printed concerning that
subject. . . .'
M. de Souligne having explained at some
length how intimate was his acquaintance with
people and places in his native land, goes on to say :
'Although I have composed that Book in
English, it was not without great pains, the English
1 Only once does he leave the safe path of dictionary English
when he hopes that ' your Honour will be able to read my gibridge,'
i.e. gibberish.
304 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
tongue being not very familiar to me, and then I
had an ingenious Englishman, who corrected all
the faults, or the most part. . . .'
Sir Richard's desire to prove with his own
eyes that the desolation of France was as great
as M. de Souligne stated, impelled him to embark
upon a journey which in those days was an
arduous undertaking.
His friend Gregory King the Herald, or
' Rouge Dragon ' as he sometimes styles himself,
gives a description of the difficulties of travel on
the Continent a few years previously. He also
lays stress on the inconvenience caused by the
adoption of the Old or New Style in the matter of
dates, which varied as he crossed the frontier
dividing one small principality from another.
Writing from Cologne on December 20, 1692
(Old Style), he begins :
' Hon d Sir,
' Travailing night and day in very uneasy
Wagons and for the last half of the way hither in
open ones, I got well to this place last night,
where I am with my Colleague, S r Will Dunton
Colt, the King's Envoy to the Princes of Bruns-
wick and Lunenburg. The Duke of Zell had
the Order of the Garter sent him to the Hague
last Spring was Twelvemonth, and the Duke of
AN AUTOCRAT AT HOME 305
Hanover, who is his young Brother, is now lately
made an Electoral Prince, having received the
Electoral Cap and Dignity by Proxy at Vienna,
from the Emperor's hands, the 9 th Instant, It being
consented to by four of the seven Voices of the
College of Electors, But not by the other Colleges,
who, as the manner is, have entered their Protest
against it.
4 In a few days we set forward together from
hence towards Dresden by the way of Leipsic, the
famous University, and the greatest Mart in
Germany, in the Territories of the Elector of Saxe,
to whom we carry the Order. 1 We shall have two
Xmas's this year, for I was on Christmas Day,
New Stile, at Bentheim, a free Prince of the
Empire, but Roman Catholick ; and next Sunday
we shall be in the Lunenberg Territories, where
they keep the Old Stile ; Though in the Bishopric
of Osnaburg, which belongs to this New Elector
[of Hanover], they have the New Stile.
1 Religions agree here much better than in
England. The same Church will serve a Roman
Catholick in the morning, and a Lutheran in the
afternoon. And as for Property, it is all AD
LIBITUM PRINCIPIS. But it makes the people
poor.
' Y or Commands have drawn this trouble
upon you from
* Y or most obedient Serv 1 .
' GREGORY KING.'
At the time when Sir Richard was inspired
1 The Garter.
X
306 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
with the desire to investigate the internal con-
dition of France from his own point of view,
his home party was much reduced in numbers.
Four out of his eight sons had died early, and
three out of his seven daughters had left their
father's roof for homes of their own.
Frank's venture as Lady Sedley has already
been reported. Her elder sister Moll had
married William Stephens, of Barton in the Isle
of Wight, and Nan, a younger one, was Mrs.
Venables of Woodcote in Hampshire. As long
as the others remained unmarried they had
always a second home open to them with their
aunt Mrs. Pole, of Radbourne in Derbyshire.
The youngest daughter but one, Betty, aged
seventeen, was selected to accompany her father
and eldest brother Dick on their expedition to
France.
Their suite consisted of two men and a
woman servant, known respectively as Henry or
Harry Haines, Jack Royl, and Frances or Frank
Coles.
Harry Haines had been originally engaged as
footman, but was afterwards promoted to the post
of coachman, in which capacity he was an
AN AUTOCRAT AT HOME 307
important factor on the journey, Sir Richard
providing his own means of conveyance by taking
his coach and three horses.
Jack Royl came to Arbury as ' Brewer and
Baker,' but later became a house servant and
helper in the stables. His name appears fre-
quently in the list of ' Forfeitures ' for carelessness
and forgetfulness.
Frances Coles must have had a post of some
responsibility in the household, though her par-
ticular duties are unspecified. A few months after
the travellers returned from France her master
notes down that he has ' given her warning to go
three months hence, for having only a loin of
small mutton and two dishes of Broth for twenty
three people.'
The justly incensed host probably relented
before the culprit's day of grace came to an end,
provided she sinned no more as a niggardly
housekeeper, which could have ill accorded with
her master's turn for prodigality.
The pages of the diary containing the account
of the expedition to France have been left intact,
this family enterprise being a rare experience in
those stay-at-home days. The writer heads his
X 2
3 o8 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
paper with the ambitious title of ' A Tour in
France,' although his travels only extended to
Paris and back.
The route, with all the necessary arrangements,
was left to the originator of the tour. His design
being to start from the Isle of Wight, a convenient
meeting-place was readily found in the house at
Barton belonging to Mr. Stephens, Sir Richard's
son-in-law. Hence the travellers proposed to
take boat to France, and, once safely landed,
proceed with their own coach and horses by road
to Paris. This was a slow mode of progression.
The party started by sea on July 13 and returned
to England on August 10. During these four
weeks the journey to and fro occupied all but
seven days which were spent in Paris.
Sir Richard notes down his preparations for
the undertaking with his customary minuteness :
1 699. ' Friday, June 30^. Designing, if it
please God, for France very speedily, I will now
enter all my Transactions in this Diary. Did
not sleep well. Rose at eleven. Put up my
things ; got away at six, rode to Greenford, there
took Coach, but Jo. Nash had almost tired my
horses. Came to London by ten. Treated them
with Lobsters and Steaks.
AN AUTOCRAT AT HOME 309
' Saturday, July i. Rose late. Paid Bills that
were left unpaid before, and had my Jewels
valued. Treated with Sir Charles Sedley to
have Harfield Park etc. Jack prepared writings,
which signified nothing.
' Sunday 2nd. Heard two very good Sermons
at Gray's Inn Chapel. Dined privately. Then
with D r Gibbons visited the Sick, i.e. Jack's
Laundress.
' Monday $rd. Trusted M r Stepney with my
nine oval Cornelians to get them set. (Mem.-
M r Gregory King, the Herald, recommended him
and knows where he lives.) Finished with Sir
Charles Sedley. Paid more bills. Was disturbed
till near one by young people in the walks.
Bought a Gelding.'
Whilst in London Sir Richard did not forget
to furnish his servants with new liveries, suitable
and creditable for his equipage in a foreign
land :
'July 3. Newton is to make a Stuff Coat
and Breeches for Jack Royl and Harry Haines,
faced with black and strong black buttons, for
^4 i ex?, od. to come down on Wednesday 1 by
the Uxbridge Coach, else I am not to have
them.
' To Frank Coles ' he gives ' in paid wages
and to buy clothes,
1 The next day but one.
3 io CAVALIER AND PURITAN
As usual with the squire of Arbury, there
was always a difficulty about the ready money
when extra demands were made upon his purse :
' Drew out a Bill ' (he notes in his accounts)
' on J. Hill to pay my son Stephens ^30. John
Hill, like a Villain that he is, refused to pay my
Note. Turn him off/ adds the angry landlord,
'root him out of Harfield. . . .'
It was on Tuesday, July 4, that Sir Richard
left London for Harefield, as told in his diary.
' Tuesday ^tk. Rose not till nine. Discoursed
several. Putting up my things. One Trunk to
go to Southampton, and the rest to Harfield ; all
which I trusted to Laurence Smith to send.
This held me till after eight [P.M.]. Then rode
to Acton. As I went by S l . Giles's the hand
stood at nine. Was cruelly galled.
1 Wednesday $th. Rose a little before eleven.
Counted my Money. Read in D r Taylor, being
out of humor.
' Thursday 6t/i. Rose at four, designing to
look out my things and to do much business, but
played the fool, made myself Drowsy. Gave
orders, continued out of humor. Abstained,
blessed be Almighty God. Read part of the
description of France. Put up my things, rode
out. . . .
'Friday jtk. I put M r Beriond's bill of
Credit for 200 payable at Paris, and Laurence
AN AUTOCRAT AT HOME 311
Smith's note for ^"150 payable to S r Hele Hook,
and ^41 13-s 1 . od. in ore, in the Coach box
wooden seat ; ^58 6s. qd. in the little Trunk,
and left i js. od. in hand with M r King and
M r Fuller.'
The necessary preparations now completed,
Sir Richard was ready to start the next day on
the first stage of the journey which was to lead to
a ' Tour in France.'
312 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
CHAPTER XXI
A TOUR IN FRANCE
SIR RICHARD'S account of his foreign experiences
jotted down at the time give a fresh and lively
description of the impressions made upon his
insular mind by the differences in the manners
and customs of the two nations. His narration
begins when he left Harefield betimes on Satur-
day morning :
'July %th. Rose at five, got out by seven.
Rode to Bagshot. Baited. Took Coach. (Mem.
Jack Royl rode away Tempest against my order.)
Drove to Farnham, ten miles. Then to Alton,
seven miles. Drove to Woodcote, 1 eight miles.
Went forty-four miles to-day. Was very weary
and dry, and drank too much. Went to bed at
twelve.
' Sunday qth. Went to church twice. Walked
in Woodcot Grove.
1 The home of his daughter, Mrs. Venables, who was away in
the Isle of Wight.
A TOUR IN FRANCE 313
'Monday lotk. Rose at six and went to
Winton. Paid for Frank. 1 Spoke to the Warden,
who dined abroad. Dined with Dr. Harris the
Bursar and Mr. Thistlethwaite. Viewed Wat's
monument. Went to Southampton. There found
Parker without, and in the Yard of the Inn my
dear son Dick, my Son Stephens, his brother
Hodges, his Cousin Newland and Mr. Scot, all
waiting for my arrival. Walked, with all but
Parker (whom I sent to the Key) and Captain
Newland, to Dr. Clutterbuck. Found him and
his Wife perfect Cripples. Stayed with them three
quarters of an hour, and at the Key half an hour.
Embarked my Coach in a Hoy and then myself
on the Governor's yacht. West of Calshot Castle
got into the long Boat ; was tost, being rowed by
four hands six mile and a half. Walked from
Cowes, where we landed (having drunk a glass of
Canary at Captain Newland's), half a mile. There
we met the welcome Coach. Found at Barton
four of my dear Daughters ; Moll [Mrs. Stephens],
Nan [Mrs. Venables] that are married, and Betty
and July. Hasted to bed.
' Tuesday ntk. Took four Quarts of Posset
Drink. ... At four afternoon eat boiled loin of
Mutton, then drank burnt Wine, yet continued
unwell. So discoursing several, spent this day.
' Wednesday \ith. Very hot. Rose pretty
early. Agreed with Captain Radzee for his Yacht
and with Thos. Harly and Wm. Cook for their
1 Sir Richard's youngest son, a boy at Winchester. It seems
a confusing family arrangement that a daughter Frances and a son
Francis should both have been known as Frank, but so it was.
3H CAVALIER AND PURITAN
Hoy (which is called the Success of Cowes) to
carry our horses and Coach. Returned to Dinner
and spent the rest of the day with our Company.
' Thursday i$th. Rose at three. Rode to
East Cowes, ferryed over ; went thro' West
Cowes to Radzee's, boarded the yacht, saw how my
goods were stowed, went on board the Successe,
prevented their spoiling the carriage of my
Chariot, which they would have knocked to pieces.
Stowed her aboard the Yacht, Slinged my three
horses on board. Returned to Barton. Gave
my Daughter Mary a Breast Jewel (Diamond)
worth 40, and my Daughter Nan a Diamond
Locket worth 16. Gave little W m Stephens a
half Jacobus, and little Dick Sedley a quarter
Carolus. Yesterday gave the servants half Crowns
apiece. Breakfasted, and embarked first on the
Hoy, to which Cap tn Radzee had returned the
Carriage of the Coach, which I required him to
take aboard his Yacht again. But he said he could
not. Then I went and fetched my goods from
aboard him, and sending back Nan and July, my
son Stephens and M r Scot, who were on board,
we set sail in the Hoy and got against South Sea
Castle that night. Lay rough. All were sick
but Dick and I. Next day were becalmed.
Could not lose sight oth' Island. Lay rough
again. About two ith' morning a North East gale
blew fresh and sent us forward. I wrote to my
Daughter Stephens, and sent my Son Stephens a
Key as follows. . . .'
It is unnecessary to give this ' key,' which was
A TOUR IN FRANCE 315
i
composed of a long list of alternative words for
the proper names and political terms that were
likely to enter into Sir Richard's correspondence,
should he wish to write as fully and frankly as was
his custom. By this means he hoped to baffle the
subtle machinations of the French people, whom
he regarded with a deep-rooted mistrust both
generally and individually.
As a matter of fact he wrote but one letter
home during his tour, which had to do duty for
all his correspondents, and, possibly to his disap-
pointment, he found the precautionary measure
of a ' key ' quite unnecessary.
After two days and nights of much discomfort
on a stormy sea, the little company of six arrived
within reach of Cherbourg on the French coast.
The appearance of the ' hoy ' with its unknown
freight caused no little excitement in the inhabit-
ants of the town. Sir Richard, as usual, is
found equal to all emergencies, and nothing seems
to escape his ' roving ' and observant eye.
' Satiirday, i^thjuly. About 4 ith' afternoon
landed at Chirburgh, being a Port where the "Sun,"
the great French ship, was fired [burnt]. The
Sea shore had hundreds of people upon it, it being
their S l James's Day. When they saw the
316 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
English colors they drew near our boat, and the
third man we met with addressed us in very good
English. He was a Merchant of that place, knew
our swearing Seaman, Abraham, his name John
Baily, but entitled Cobizon, from a Village he
possesses of that Name. He led us to Made-
moiselle du Val's house, the Sun, where there
were Stone Steps as to our Steeples, no boarded
Floors but bricked, two Beds in a Room, no
blankets under, but first a Great Mattress of Straw,
then a small thin Feather-bed, and then a large
Quilt, then a Blanket and Counterpane, round
Bolster, no Pillows.
' Mr. Cobizon advised me to wait upon the
Commissary, who is their only Governor, the Sieur
Menevill. He was very Civil. Then we went
to the Inn, and Mr. Cobizon undertook to finish
all with the Master of the Vessel, Mr. Harly.
But I had a mind to go on board our Ship, where
I found the Custom house Officers and many
people on board, and hundreds on shore to see the
Sight.
' After two hours spent in shewing all our
goods to the Custom house officers, who were
very strict but very civil, we slung our Horses and
Coach ashore and put it together, and four men
carried our Goods in great Handbarrows. The
Coach was accompanied by the multitude into
town, who had (as Mr Cobizon said) ne'er seen
a Coach before, and I was forced to take it off the
Wheels and carry it into a Bachelor Merchant
(Mr. Bousselaer) his Yard, to have it safe.
Otherwise it had been torn in pieces and those
A TOUR IN FRANCE 317
t
kept as Relics by the people. This held me till
near eleven.
' In the meantime I went to bespeak Supper,
but could have no flesh ; they durst not dress it.
'Twas Saturday, a Fish day, and tho' to break
the seventh Comandment is venial, eating Flesh
is a mortal Sin. Nor could we have fish ; Mrs. Du
Vail said 'twas all gone. But I spied Crabs, of
which she bought six for three pence, and we got
Thornback and made a pretty good Supper.
Prayed and went to bed after twelve, I having
read myself half asleep and then went to bed.
After my first sleep I slept heartily, I thank God,
till after eight.'
Sir Richard here, in dating his diary, overleaps
ten days and adopts the New Style. At the end
of his tour, when he regains English ground, he
as suddenly changes back again. It will therefore
be less confusing to adhere to the Old Style as
before.
' Sunday, i btkjuly. Rose at eight, put things
in order, which held us long. Prayed and read in
Dr. Taylor to my Family. Then went to Dinner,
or Supper rather, at four o'clock, soon after which
Mr. Cobizon came, and quickly after him the
Governor, who invited us to his house, offered to
shew us the Town, and walked about with us.
Then we paid for our Horses ^5 sterling in their
money, i.e. each new Lewis D'Or goes for
i 3-y. 4^., which with us is eighteen shillings. So
318 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
vast a difference there is between French and
English money.
' Then I got Mr. Cook, who has two shares
of the Successe, and Abraham our swearing Sea-
man, to help fetch the Chariot from Mr. Bousse-
laer (to whose maid I gave an English shilling)
and got it on Wheels. Then went to bed at
twelve.
'Monday 17 th. Rose at five. Having paid
fifteen Guineas to Mr. W m Cook of Co wes for our
passage (for Harly would not come at me, ex-
pecting the whole that Radzee should have had)
took his acquittance and gave Abraham eight
shillings, Harry Harly two and sixpence, and Mat
Cook, a boy of fifteen, and Tom Harly, a Boy of
nine year old, twelve pence apiece sterling, and
got our things loaded by Gabriel Vischer, who is
to carry them to Paris for three pence a pound
and to shew us the way.
' Mr. Cobizon said we had eighty leagues to
Paris, two hundred and forty miles.
' Having paid Mrs. Du Val, the Hostess at
the Sun in Chirburgh, I walked to the Town end.
We left Chirburgh and went a bare and stony
way up a Mountain, I having got the footboard
well fastened and bought some spare nails. Then
thro' a Vast long Wood in which was a glass house
and multitudes of Bilberry s which we breakfasted
on. At length we came to a Market town, very
old and ruinous and very poor. Here we dined
on Eggs. Found officers oth' Army very civil to
us, who said we must go thro' Grandville and said
we had two hundred miles to Paris.
A TOUR IN FRANCE 319
i
' We overtook a Merchant who said we had
four Leagues to the Sea and two Leagues thro' it,
and that we might pass it if we made haste. So
we travelled together about half a League, and
then he left us, and we, enquiring, heard 'twas
impossible to pass the Sea this night, so travelled
slowly, our horses being weary, resolving to lie at
Burgh S l Mary, short of the Sea.
' But he (the Merchant), overtaking us again,
said we might pass well enough, upon which we
went in, I thinking that if the Sea came upon us I
could gallop the Chariot to land. But it seems
we were to cross the Channel and were forced to
drive six miles in it, half a mile an hour. They
called to me (in the box) to make haste, but I was
forced to give breath or should not have held out,
which one of my horses (Brabant) did to the last
and drew us out and saved our lives, tho' his
fellow would not draw at all. The Sea came into
the Coach.
' Mr. Bretagne, merchant of Bajeux, who led us
into Danger, stuck to us in it and held the
Coach ; and after I had given thanks to God for
this great deliverance, he sent Betty a basket of
good Cherries and fine flowers.
' Tuesday i8//fc. Left Burgh S l Clement about
nine. Baited at la Vret, then passed Bajeux and
drove to Caen with much difficulty. It is a large
and Noble City, and has men in it whereof we have
seen few since we left Chirburgh. We lay at La
Place Royale, in that part of the town which they
call Place Royale.
' Wednesday igt/i. Rested at Caen, and with
320 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
Mr. 1'Abbe. Procurator Regius, saw all that was
remarkable there.
' Thursday 2Otk. Baited at Chriesonvill. Lay
at Lisieux, a Bishop's See.
' Friday 21 st. Left Lisieux at half after eleven
o'Clock. Did not bait. Came to la Riviere
Tiboutelle by half an hour after four. Tis a deep
swift River, and where we lay there is a very
good Inn.
' Saturday 22nci. Left half an hour after ten.
Went to Rue Manderoit de S c Jean. Baited there
and spent two Livres and four sous. 'Tis four
Leagues North West of Evreux in Normandy.
The reckoning was for beans 6d., new gathered
Cherries qd., Cider 3!^., bread 4^d., horses 14
sous ; total 2 livres 4 sous. Went that night to
Evreux. Lay at Lion d'Or.
' Sunday 2$rd. Miserably spent in this Popish
country ; yet prayed and read a Sermon to my
small Family. Then, in compliance to my dear
Children, visited the Churches, viz. a monastery
of the Jacobins and a Nunnery of the Ursulines,
and viewed that City (Evreux), which stands in
a bottom as Lisieux doth ; both upon fine Rivers.
Paid our reckoning.
' Monday 24^. Left Evreux, which the
French pronounce Ivre, at seven o'clock, and
went to Mantes, a Bishop's See also, in the Isle
of France.
' And now we have left Normandy, being out
of it about three miles, I will give some account
of it.
' The Country is mostly Rocky, rich seemingly
A TOUR IN FRANCE 321
and enclosed at Chirburgh, but miserably poor,
depopulated and uninhabited all the way we have
gone, which is a hundred and seventy two and a
half miles. The first three mile is bare rocky
way, then about seven miles through woods full
of Bilberries but no Timber ; all the rest Common
fields, yet with many Apples and Pears. Most of
the way from Valogn is extremely good till we
came south east of Chriesonvill, but very naught
near Lisieux. They take great pains and are at
vast charge in making Causeways and mending
their ways, which seem better than they are, being
great Stones covered with Dust.
' The great towns are very thin of People. The
Corn is generally very good. They plow with
Wheel-plows and fallow by bits and patches, where
I believe it would not bear Corn without. Their
upper rooms are bricked upon boards, but in poor
Inns are floored with earth above Stairs. Pillows,
Basins and, in some places, Warming pans they
are strangers to.
' At Chirburgh, Hay, Oats and Straw were
one shilling a night, but elsewhere 2O d l and 25 d .
Francois. Wine at Chirburgh was i i d a Chopin,
a measure a little bigger than a Quart. At
Valogn 'twas 2o d . In short all things are very
reasonable, did not the Hostesses (for we met
with few men) exact intolerably, as at Lisieux the
Landlady asked thirty-five Sous for a lean Duck,
and I went out and bought of a She Butcher a
good shoulder of Mutton for twelve Sous and a
tolerable Shoulder of Veal for six Sous. But
1 When Sir Richard writes pence he means sons.
3 i2 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
being now come to the Cheval Blanch or White
Horse at Mantes, a pretty Inn, plaister-floored, we
met with a good deal of Company.
' By the Vineyards (of which there are some,
but very few in Normandy) and Cherry trees 'tis
evident we are in another Country. Their
Husbandry is very Indiscreet. They draw with
huge Hames, which stand up like Horns, and
their Geares are sheep or lamb skins with the
Wool on. Their Carriages are drawn double
(which is very well), but their wheels play loose
on the Axle-tree and make very wide Ruts,
Their highways have no ditches, but their
Crosses to shew the way are extremely useful.
They use Mules much, Asses more ; Wooden
shoes much, and Straw hats for Boys, many of
whom lace their hats with a bit of Straw.
' Tuesday i^th. Left Mantes before eight.
Passed over the Seine thro' the Vineyards and
Cherry Orchards (which all lie open) thro' Passy,
Meulan, Poissy and several other Towns to
S l Germains, a fine Town where we baited,
having paid our Carrier Gabriell Vischer three
new Lewis d'Ors, one crown, one half-crown,
and one fifteen penny piece for three hundred
and twenty pounds at 3 d a pound.'
Sir Richard had now safely brought his party
within easy reach of Paris. An average of more
than twenty-eight miles a day as far as Mantes
would seem a creditable performance for a heavily
A TOUR IN FRANCE 323
laden coach drawn by a pair of horses on bad
roads, with only two days' rest out of eight. The
hardest day's journey was yet to come, for owing
to lack of accommodation at St. Germain the
party had to accomplish the distance from Mantes
to Paris in one day.
4 At S l Germains,' continues Sir Richard, ' we
could get no rooms, all being taken up by K.
Lewis's Guards. So after a very great shower
we drove to Paris, having passed some Stage
Coaches all driven by a Coachman sitting on one
horse and driving four sometimes six without
a Postillion. Another sort of Travelling we saw,
which is a Calash drawn by one horse within
Thills, and another which the Coachman rides on
and draws also by a Spring tree. In Paris we
were at a loss for lodging till we met with an
Englishman, newly arrived, but one who spoke
French well. He enquired out an Inn (which
are scarce in Paris) and I gave him sixpence.
But Fortune threw us upon the Hotel Bezier, an
excellent creditable lodging. There we reposed
this night.
' Wednesday 26tk. Rose at six o' Clock. Got
ready by eight. Enquired out another lodging.
Then agreed here, where they first asked a
hundred Crowns, that is three hundred livres a
month, and would set only by the month. But
putting up all my things, I brought them to take
forty-five livres by the week, and told them I
would give it only for one week. Then went to
Y 2
324 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
the Porte of Conference and had all our things
searched, and five pair of Stockings of Betty's,
because never worn, were seized on, and I left an
old Lewis d'Or and got the rest of the things
away. Then went with Betty to the Cours de
la Reine, the Hide Park of France. Came home
to Dinner. Looked o'er my things in the After-
noon, then took a walk to S l Jaques' Street,
where the Booksellers live ; bought a map of
France, which cost forty pence ; a map of Paris
cost as much, and a Book of the fine houses cost
forty livres ; only had a quire of paper thrown in.
Looked o'er half the Book ; prayed and went to
bed at eleven.
' Thursday 2jt/i. Unwell. Rose at nine.
Went upon my accounts, which, with beginning
to make a Table to the French Book of Maps,
held me till near five, with Prayers and Dinner:
And now resolve to write to my Friends in
England whom I have promised.'
Here follows a list of the names of relations
and friends at home, with the addition of one in
France,/ M. 1'Abbe at Caen.'
' To the English I will write thus :
' " S r , According to my promise This is to
acquaint you that I thank God we are landed
safe in France at la Hogue by Chirburgh in
Normandy, where the great French Ship the
Sun was burnt, within a hundred yards of
whose Ruins we landed. Upon seeing English
colors Multitudes came out, and the Slinging my
A TOUR IN FRANCE 325
Horses and Coach ashore (an unusual Sight) was
very pleasing to them. The third man we met,
a French merchant, accosted us in very good
English, and the Commissary or Governor, the
Sieur Menevill, was extreme obliging to us ;
offered us to lie in his house and eat at his Table,
which, with many thanks, I refused. Things
are very cheap, the people look healthy and well
and are numerous, and the merchant aforesaid
affirmed that both the Port and Country are two
thirds richer by reason of the war. I must needs
say, if the rest of France prove like this, all the
Storeys we have heard will prove false. 'Tis far
from Desolate.
' " I am, S r , Yours . . .
' " Chirburgh, -J-f July, new stile.
' " They say we are 240 Mile from Paris."
What hidden purpose Sir Richard may have
had in post-dating his letter from Cherbourg, when
he was writing ten days later from Paris, can only
be surmised. Probably by pre-arrangement with
his correspondents at home he, in this way, hoped
by English cunning to frustrate some imaginary
evil design to be brought about by the French
guilefulness in which he so firmly believed.
Sir Richard economised labour and postage
by sending the above epistle to his man of business
326 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
at Harefield to be copied and despatched to his
expectant friends.
4 This I desire Laurence Smith to get tran-
scribed and to direct them as follows . . . and I
will pay for writing ten letters.
' Went out in a Coach to the Greve ; saw the
Bastille and Town house [Hotel de Ville] and
Place Royale, St. Anthoin and St. Denis Street.
Came back by the Post House over Pont Neuf.
Note. The Seine doth not Ebb and flow like the
Thames at London ; nor is there any going by
Boat upon it. I gave the Coachman two livres
for an hour and a half. Came home, supped, and
went to bed. Let Newton, the new Coach Gelding,
blood.
1 Saturday 28^. Went to Versailles. Saw
that House and Garden and Fountains. Prodi-
gious fine. " At tu Provincia ploras." Were
much obliged to the Marquess and Marchioness
D'Angeau.
' Sunday 2gtk. Rose early. Read to my
Family, "To make Religion one's Business."
Dined at three. Sent my son and Frank Coles
with our Goods to the Cook's Shop by the Inn.
In the meantime took a Hackney Coach and
shewed Betty 1'Eglise de Notre Dame, Hotel
and Jardin de Luxembourg, and 1'Eglise de
St. Eustache ; and then supped at the Kind Cook's
Shop. Had a Dish of Steaks for twenty pence,
and four pigeons for thirty-two pence, very well
dressed. Came home, prayed, and went to bed.
A TOUR IN FRANCE
327
' Monday $otk. Waked before four. Rose
to call Jack Royl and met him on the Stairs.
Wrote this in my bed :
' " To Steal poor Lorraine, one day's time was Given ;
The Cheat of Burgundy required Seven ;
In a Month's Time the Dutch were bought and sold,
Frighted by Armys, Conquered by Gold.
At this Rate what will a whole Year produce
To leave this perjured K. without Excuse ?
A Day of Retribution sure will Come
When all his Wicked Facts will justly have their Doom,"
' Note. Jack Royl said he saw three French-
men led Drunk yesterday.'
Sir Richard's long enforced reticence having
found a vent in the above tirade, it may be observed
how he further consoles himself by noting that
Frenchmen can transgress in the same way as his
own countrymen. He goes on to describe how
he made the most of their last day in Paris :
' Carried our Company to Le Couvent de
Femme Honorable De Val du Grace 1 and to
another Nunnery where we saw their Fopperies
and approached too near. Bought English bottled
Ale at sixteen pence a quart. Dined. Received
twenty one new Lewis d'Ors and two Crowns
and fifteen-pence pieces and threepence of Mr.
Couteuils for 20 sterling, allowing eleven and
1 Femmes Honorables du Val de Grace,
328 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
threepence for the return. Weighed the Gold and
found it all too light, but especially one piece eight
grains, and another eleven grains too light.
Shewed Dick Notre Dame Church, where the
Virgin Mary and our Saviour are in two places
Blackamores. Then went to a Play, the Cheat of
Scapin, and for thirty six pence apiece were in
the uppermost Gallery but one.'
HOMEWARD BOUND 329
CHAPTER XXII
HOMEWARD BOUND
THE week in Paris had come to an end, without
extravagant cost, thanks to Sir Richard's close
bargaining with ' mine host ' of his inn. The
leader of the party began to make the necessary
preparations for departure, and but narrowly
escaped unforeseen delay owing to the illness of
his son, Dick, and the servant, Henry Haines.
In the multitude of small cares which fell to
his lot as guide and manager, combined with the
attempt to fluctuate from the old to the new style
in the matter of dates, Sir Richard ends by losing
a day of the month on the return journey. As,
however, the days of the week continue to follow
each other consecutively, the oversight is of no
real importance, and we pass with the writer
from July 30 to August i :
' Tuesday, \st August. Put up most of my
things last night. Gave Henry, who is very ill, a
330 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
Cordial then, as I am about to do now. Disturbed
by Lodgers o'er head last night till eleven, and
waked about two, and kept awake with excessive
rain, and I o'er slept myself till eight. Then
looked out money, beside the rate for this
week's lodging, which is forty-five livres, equal
to 3 .15.0. It turned out as follows :
Lodging , . 45 livres
Horsemeat . . ' 27 ,,
Diet . . 46 ,, 8 sous
Doctor . . 6 ,, 10 ,,
Servants . . 2 ,, 14 ,,
Gave Mr. Helbieg. 3 ,, 12
' Dick was extremely ill, could not endure of
his bed. Gave him in water twenty drops of
Spirit of Hartshorn and some Aqua Mirabilis
after it. Sent for the Due d'Orleans' Doctor and
gave him half a Crown, which the Master of the
house said was their constant fee, for which he
was very thankful. I gave Dick some Elixir
Salutis ; shewed the Doctor that, which he tasted,
and said 'twas excellent, and that he had had a
great deal of it out of England. He much dis-
suaded Dick from the Journey, saying 'twas very
dangerous, and he would undertake to cure him in
twenty four hours.
' Betty showed him the spots which broke out
on her neck and face, which he said was only heat
of Blood. He advised her to take Syrup of
Violets and Water for her drink, which I approved
on, and he sent a very little (thirty pence price)
and a Cordial for Dick which he said would cure
HOMEWARD BOUND 331
i
him in three hours (forty sous, or pence, price).
'Twas small Cinnamon water a little sweetened,
which Dick carried in his pocket, and the horse
stumbled and broke it. He likewise sent three
Limons (lemons) eighteen pence price. His Son,
a genteel young man, brought them, whom I paid,
and he craved something to drink, so I gave him
sixpence and compliments, and for that he was
very thankful. The Doctor dehorted 1 Soup.
Dick desired it and I advised it, and he eat a
good deal of Soup made with Cabbage, and two
poached eggs.
1 This drove us off till five o'clock, but then
we left Paris and went thro' S' Dennis, and three
or four other large Villages, but thin of people.
Got before eleven to Beaumont, which they pro-
nounce Bomon. Found a good Inn, la Grosse
Tete, and got to bed before one, after hearty and,
I hope, sincere Prayer.
' The way was good to S' Denis, six mile.
Afterwards a broken Causeway for about eight
miles, and then a miserable ill way, the last three
mile a Causeway.
' The Country we came through to-day was
like Normandy, most common field, and about
Paris vast flats of Asparagus and some of Cabbage.
East of S l Denis there are many cherry trees and
Walnuts, and in some places vast numbers of
Cerinth trees, which they call " le Grosell rouge "
(Red gooseberries). We came by a fine house,
Mr. Tourminey's, Treasurer of France. Bomon
1 Dissuaded or advised against. (Johnsorfs Dictionary^
332 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
stands upon the river Oyse, which flows from the
Seine.'
It will be observed that our travellers were
returning by another route in order to complete
their 'tour in France.' This time their point of
re-embarkation was to be Calais, and so to Dover.
' Wednesday, 2nd August. Dick has slept
heartily, I thank God, and he and Harry are much
better, but Harry is not yet cured. Spent some
time, about an hour, studying the French grammar.
Wrote out twenty-five Adverbs, reducing the
English into an Alphabet.
' Left Beaumont about two o'clock. Went to-
night to Beauvais. Got in about nine. This is
a Noble Town, pretty full of people ; has many
Churches and a spacious Market-place, and has a
trade of making Cloath or Stuff. It has several
good Inns. We lay at one of the worst, ' le petit
Cerf,' which is in the Fauxburgh. The Town
stands upon the river Tergin, 1 which comes out of
the Oyse.
' Here my Company left the great Map of
France which cost two livres.'
The energetic leader of the party, having found
time to study the language of the country on his
homeward route, begins to exhibit his acquire-
ments by writing the days of the week in French
as long as he remains on foreign ground.
1 Thdrain.
HOMEWARD BOUND 333
We left Beauvaisabout ten and went
this night to Poix. We had a stormy day and
much ill way, which grievously fatigued our horses.
We were much beholden to two French Gentle-
men who passed by us and slacked their pace and
stayed a good while where two ways parted to
shew us the right way ; for here are no Crosses
to direct the way as in Normandy and 1'Isle de
France. We came in about eleven, being provi-
dentially guided to hit the right way.
' Vendredi 4. This day we dined at Iran, a
small village, where I saw eight good horses carry-
ing to King Lewis, and went to-night to Abbeville.
About a league off it two French gents in one of
their Chariots with two wheels, but a very good
horse, overtook us and strove to drive by, but our
horses out-galloped them. This City of Abbeville
has thirteen parishes and seven hundred and forty
houses, which is but fifty seven houses to a
Parish ; so miserably 'tis lessened from what it
was. The Children of the Villages ran by the
Coach and shouted out the Hymn to the blessed
Virgin and then begged. We lay at le Sieur de
Brabant, an unreasonable dear Inn.
' Samedi 5. Strong work was made to-day in
the Popish Churches, it being the Assumption of
the blessed Virgin. The Priests have their rich
Copes on, the inferior Clergy their Surplices, and
after high Mass the Boys went singing about the
Church, the singing men followed, each with a
Wax Taper lighted in his hand, two and two, and
then one carrying a large Crucifix. After came
seven of the Superior Clergy two and two, and
334 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
one at last. They went down the middle of the
Church singing, and the Women followed.
' The like procession we met with in the street,
four men carrying their Idolatrous Trumpery
under a Canopy. We gave way with our Coach,
and all being bare we were so too. Then we pro-
ceeded on our journey. Dined at Bernay, where
we had Sole and Place and sweetmeats, but a
sorry reckoning. It raining and being four o'clock
I would have stayed all night, but my Son and
Daughter were desirous to go, so we went to
Montreuil and got thither in pretty good time, I
thank God. Lay au Renard, a reasonable Inn.
4 Dimanche 6. Spent in too much altercation.
A very wet day.
' Lundi 7. I would have stayed, but Dick and
Betty desired to go. So we set out at four, it
raining very hard. Harry drove us a League and
then up a hill was staled, and with much ado I
drew the Coach backward to a Village where we
hired a Team to draw us to Front, which they did
with much difficulty. We were all extremely wet,
and Harry relapsed.
' Mardi 8. A young Marquess who came in
his Calash, and his Gent in a Stage Coach alone,
baited at our Inn, and the Marquess ran up in his
embroidered Coat with Silver, and was very
obliging ; and we unloaded the Chariot of the
heavy wooden box and two livery Coats, and then
I undertook to drive our weary horses and dined
nowhere, but got to Boulogne, couchant au le Roy
de Angleterre (the head of Charles the I st .)
' This town [Boulogne] has been very strong.
HOMEWARD BOUND 335
'Tis a Sea port. Betty walking was shut up with
a watery Ditch, to go over which Dick, by my
consent, horsed her on Tempest ; and she would
not ride but aside, and so the horse threw her into
the Ditch. Falling, she modestly secured her
Cloaths, and putting her feet in hot water avoided
Cold. I gave Henry Elixir Salutis, but he is
very ill.
' Mercredi 9. We put sick Harry and Frank
Coles into the Stage Coach, a very uneasy place,
for which I gave ten shillings, and baited at
Marchis, where we had good Beef roasted, but a
very unreasonable reckoning. From hence went
to Calais. We were' stopped at the Port civilly
and asked where we lodged, which we told them,
"au Dragon d'Or," and then we passed.
' And now we are bidding adieu to France, I
will recount what I observed.
' The Countrys I have seen (except part of
Normandy) are very barren and ill husbanded,
tho' in some parts there is excellent Corn, but
few labourers to get it in, so that much must be
shed. The Causeways are generally well kept,
but the roads miserably.
' Normandy, 1'Isle de France and Picardy, all
that I have yet seen of France, are very hilly,
and I yet saw no place where the water was
turned off; but Cascades and Torrents do run
down their Hills, which renders them [the roads]
very uneven. There are very few enclosures ;
most of France is in vast great Fields and little
Meadowing, which makes Hay very dear, six-
pence a bundle ; and for want of Pasture their
336 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
meat is generally lean. Their people are mise-
rable poor, but very proud and lazy and insolent,
but easily curbed and much in awe.
' A loaded Cart gives way to any Coach.
They are miserable silly Carters. They draw
double with Ropes without any Art, have vast
high hames, and, instead of harness, Sheepskins
with their Wool on, and Clothes o'er their Bodys ;
and in Paris and Caen and several other places
both Coach and Saddle Horses have Caparisons
of Net Work. Most of their Coach horses draw
wagons with their harness, the Coachman sitting
in a box, We saw a Wagon loaded with Corn
o'erturned to-day.
' The preventing of Duels and of Robberys ;
the moderate Fees of Lawyers and Physicians ;
the strict discipline among the Soldiers and all
officers ; the repairing the Causeways admirable
well about Paris ; and the shewing the Highways
by posts ; and their horses drawing double ; and
their Great Civility to Strangers, are eight things
very commendable.
' But their Superstition, Nastiness, Supineness,
Swearing, Sabbath-breaking (even Acting Plays,
Carting, Buying and Selling on Sundays) ; Exact-
ing on Strangers ; their hanging up the Dove
which they call le Saint Esprit, and an Old Man
which they call le Providence (God Almighty) ;
their neglect of their Highways, but more of their
Liberty and Property, shews the Proverb to be
true, That the French King is Asinorum Rex.'
This climax reached, Sir Richard returns at
HOMEWARD BOUND 337
once to his diary, taking up the thread of his
relation from where he left it for this digression,
at the Dragon d'Or in Calais :
' We gave in our Names, the Marquess
Spinola, a young Italian, being here at the
Dragon d'Or. I got my things paid for there
(forty-three livres and a penny) ; got Harry to
our Inn, had a Chirurgeon to him, who was against
letting him blood to-night ; paid off his quarters
and Jack Royl's ; gave a shilling to the Coach-
man, eightpence to the Postillion, prayed, and
went to bed.
' Jeudi 10. This morning we looked o'er our
things and treated with Captain Gibson about
our Passage. After Dinner we went with him to
the Dominican Nunnery, where we discoursed
with the Lady Abbess and a Nun. And the
Lady Abbess played upon a base violl and sang
a very good base, and two Nuns sang an excellent
treble. So they entertained us about an hour
and a half.
' M rs Knight (now at London), formerly
Courtesan ... is a great Benefactor to this
Nunnery, and mightily esteemed by them.
' Spent much of this day with Harry, who is in
a burning Fever ; had him let blood twice, once
early ith' morning, again late at night. . . . We
proceeded by D r Renard's advice, a skilful,
learned man, talks latin fluently. I gave him
three fees of two and sixpence, i.e. thirty six
Sous, and he ordered him an infusion of Almonds
338 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
etc., which being taken every two hours procured
Sleep, and wholly got off his Fever.
' We got our goods searched and plombed ;
that is a packthread braided, after they are tied
with it, and stamped with lead ; a very good way,
but chargeable. The Coach and three horses
and goods cost two new Lewis d'Ors and some
Silver. Got the goods stowed on board and the
Coach embarked ; had a hundred people about us
pretending to help. Went back, viewed the
great church built by our Popish Queen Mary,
Henry 8 th s Daughter, and bought Sweetmeats
and Sugar. Supped and went to bed.
' Vendredi n. Waked before two. Could
not sleep, rose at five, got ready, found Harry's
Fever gone. At seven Captain Gibson brought
us the good news that the Wind stood fair.
Ordered my horses aboard. Went to the Bene-
dictine Nunnery, put aside the Curtain and saw
them at prayers. The habit of the Dominican
Nuns is fine white flannel and a black hood or
veil over it, and the habit of the Benedictines is
all black, only white linen about their Necks
under their black Vails.
' Then we put up our things into parcels and
I got three plumbed and two went without plumb-
ing, and I got them passed and went with them
and Harry aboard in a large French boat with
eight oars and a Sail. In the meantime Dick
with great difficulty got the Mayor's pass for our
bodys, wherein the Master of Dragon d'Or basely
failed us.
' When I had left Harry aboard in a Cabin I
HOMEWARD BOUND 339
went back and found Betty in a boat with three
English women and a Priest, into which I went,
and the French Watermen demanded une Pistole,
eighteen shillings sterling, for carrying me and
Harry. The Priest and Captain said I should
have agreed with them beforehand, but I gave
them half a Guinea and one shilling, for which
they were thankful. Paid un Ecu and five sous
for embarking the horses, and gave four shillings,
English, to four that carried the goods, and so
got off, Dick and Frank Coles and Jack Royl
coming with the Italians.
' And so we got, thanks be to God, safe on
board our Packet boat, a pretty Vessel, forty-five
Tun ; can carry ten Guns. Our Company was
the Marquess Spinola and a Knight of Malta and
one Man each, all four Italians ; a German Count
and an ancient man with him, both Alemains ;
one Mr. Wilson that lives at St. Edmondsbury ;
and my six and the four x afore-mentioned.
' Betty and Frank Coles sat in my Chariot
with the Hood against the Main Mast, but were
soon sick and retired into the Captain's Cabin ;
and my being with them while they vomited so
frequently turned my stomach too and made me
vomit, for I had not time to breakfast on Shore.
So, being very hungry, I eat some of the Priest's
Neat's Tongue, which had been kept too long, and
drank three or four glasses of the Captain's wine,
and eat many Sweetmeats, all which came up
again. . . .
' We saw the English white rocks before we
1 The three Englishwomen and the priest.
z 2
340 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
went on board, and in four hours and a half, left
our Vessel, and got into a boat at Dover.
' Calais is a fine Town, nobly fortified both by
land and sea, and thronged with people, taking in
the Soldiery. The Risban, and the other Fort in
the Sea, and the Key are very well contrived to
defend the Ships from Tempests and Enemies.
' Dover Harbor, Town and Castle (miserably
out of repair) are scandalously mean.
' We lay at the Post house, an unreasonable
Inn, and had our goods searched by Mr. Byfield,
a very civil officer. We paid thirty shillings apiece
for Transport of our Coach and Horses, and thirty
three shillings for six passengers, and I presented
the Captain one Guinea, the Seamen five shillings,
and Mr. Smith, the pilot, two and sixpence for the
Cabin Harry lay in ; and borrowed 2 of Frank
Coles, and one Guinea and a Lewis d'Or of
Betty.
' Mem. I had taken a Chamber with two beds
for Dick and me, and the Italians entered it ; so I
readily told them 'twas at their Service. We had
a most unreasonable reckoning, six shillings de-
manded for a " frigacy " of chicken.
' I was overjoyed when we were drawing near
England and was too lightsome and too brisk on
board. Mr. Macqueen, a cunning Scotchman,
the minister of Dover, having heard of me,
addressed to me and walked with me to the Castle,
of which the Earl of Romney is Governor, and Sir
Barill Dixwell Deputy Governor, which last place
is worth ,500 per ann. to him. He keeps thirty
fallow Deer within the walls. We saw the great
HOMEWARD BOUND 341
Gun called Queen Elizabeth's pocket pistol. Tis
twenty four foot long, a curious Gun presented to
her by the States of Holland. I promised Cap-
tain Gibson , Mr. Macqueen, and Mr. Byfield that
I would promote the making a good Harbor, re-
pairing the Castle, and establishing Plumbing as
they do at Calais, as much as I could. Prayed and
went to bed.
' Saturday iztk. Was waked soon after one.
Slept no more. Soon after three they rose. I
hired a horse, and took a place for Frank Coles
and put Harry into the Coach for the. first Stage.
Taught the Marquess and Knight of Malta a little
English. He (the Knight) tells me the Duke of
Berwick is a brother of their order. Took leave
of them. Sent Dick with my goods and to get
my horses cleared, and went to bed again.
' Got out about two, went to Canterbury. Lay
at the Red Lyon, I think, Mr. John Wilson's I am
sure ; an obliging man, where we were very well
used. Shaved. Saw the Flying Coach come in
before eight to-day from London with five Women,
four of whom walked about the Court for an hour,
desiring a fresh Coach to carry them to Deal, but
could get none. They offered to pay extraordi-
nary, said they were promised . . .'
We must hope that the curiosity excited by
these ladies and their eager desire to reach Deal
was satisfied. For us the mystery remains un-
solved. The narrator had reached the bottom of
342 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
a page, his little ' tour in France ' was at an end,
and the destroyer of the diary brings to a summary
close any further inconsequent prattle upon paper
by the writer.
END OF DIARY AND DIARIST 343
CHAPTER XXIII
END OF THE DIARV AND THE DIARIST
THE last decade of Sir Richard's life contrasts
unfavourably with the brightness of its opening
phase. An element of gloom pervades the scanty
records that can be found of the declining years of
an existence which began with such hopeful augu
ries of a happy and honourable career.
Soon after the expedition to France a cloud
began to arise between Sir Richard and his eldest
son, probably caused by the former's reckless ex-
penditure. On a slip of paper dated June 4, 1 70x3,
we read : ' Plagued with a cross-grained letter
of my son Dick's.'
Money troubles were no doubt at the bottom
of the threatened rupture between father and son.
Sir Richard, as usual, attributes wholesale blame
to those who acted for him as his agents, and
sums up his opinion of their individual worth as
men of business in energetic terms :
344 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
' 6 Aug. 1700. Mem. When I was in France
last year my Agents were intolerable Remiss.
They paid off nothing. Mr. Beal now not
employed. . J. Merry, Remiss. But 'Honest' J.
King of Itchenton and Nat. Hayward of Harfield,
arrant Knaves ! '
A new account-book a year later has this sen-
tence on its title-page :
' This begins at Lady Day 1701, which con-
tains the most uncomfortable Part of my Life.'
The clouds thicken as time goes on. In
1 702 Sir Richard is in London on business, as he
tells us in his diary :
' Tuesday, June 9 th . Rose before seven.
Waited for M r . Carter and Sam Sheepy, who
both promised to come at seven of the Clock this
morning, but neither of them came, and M r . Young
promised to come by eight, but came not till after
ten. But one, M r . Newdigate, Son (as he said)
to one M r . Rawleigh Newdigate in Ireland, came,
and I ordered Wall to call for some Ale for him,
and Wall went out to the Alehouse with him and
stayed an hour. I do not intend to begin an
acquaintance with the young man (tho* Genteel
and promising), but my business is so great that,
except upon account of business, I'm resolved
neither to give nor receive visits.'
The next entry, a month later, sheds an
END OF DIARY AND DIARIST 345
ominous light on the engrossing affairs which had
brought Sir Richard to London. It would seem
that measures had been taken by ' my son Dick '
to curtail his father's power of independent action.
It is sad to think of the dissensions which had
arisen between Sir Richard and the ' Dicky ' with
whom he had played bowls and eaten too much
fruit in bygone days ; whilst only three years
before it was still ' my dear Son Dick ' during the
tour in France.
As the days pass on the diarist reveals the
depression of mind these family troubles were
causing him :
'July 6tk. After many attempts found Jack.
Discoursed him. Appointed to meet him at his
Chamber, but attended long at the Attorney-
General's, and at last went with him (M r .
Hutchinson accompanying us) to Lord Keeper,
who declared he believed me to be as right in my
wits as he was, but that the Evidence was so
full against me that he could do no less than he
did, nor can do no more than he has done. Then
M r . Attorney told him he was pressed to confess
or traverse, and desired his Lordship's advice. To
which he replied, " I am not to tell you, M r .
Attorney, what to do in this or any other case.
You know the Law too well to need an Instructor."
1 And so we parted. Then I lost two and a
346 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
half hours in a vain treaty with Jack at M r
Serjeant Selby's, M r Web being by. Weary I
came home and went to bed.
' Tuesday, \\th July. [Arbury.] Lay long in
bed, and in the afternoon put some of my things
in order and enquired after my Coal pits, and eat
too much fruit. Found many things much out of
order.
4 Thursday, \6tk July. Received a Letter
from my Attorney at London, that he had sent
down a Special Bailiff to take my son Dick.
Sent to, but did not see the Fellow, and ordered
him to follow the Directions he received.'
We are left in ignorance as to what happened
at this crisis, but before the end of the year the
father and son were again in personal communica-
tion respecting the sale of part of the family
property. In November Sir Richard had come
to London, partly on this business and partly with
a view to fresh extravagance by planning the
erection of a family mansion at Harefield :
' Monday, 2$rd Nov. Sending for M r Haly
about Long Itchenton Tithe, and discoursing
Mat. Lowndes about the House at Harfield, and
with Dick, my Cousin Palmer, and that Stubborn,
Silly Creature Frank, 1 who went away without
taking leave while we were talking.
'Friday, 2jt/t Nov. Rose at six, went to
1 His youngest son.
END OF DIARY AND DIARIST 347
Fetter Lane. . . . Then discoursed old Cheny,
who will build all Harfield House except Columns
for a Frontispiece and Timber, for 1 500, eighty
six foot long in front, fifty four foot deep, and
forty foot high ; and .1,000 more will furnish it
nobly, barring Pictures.'
In the margin of this last entry the writer's
reproachful successor has added : ' Planning
house at Harefield and .55,000 in debt! '
Meanwhile Sir Richard was at work to rid
himself of this heavy burden at any sacrifice :
' Thursday, ^rd Dec. Treated with M r
Haly about Long Itchenton Tithe. Promised,
because the Writings were not ready, to give him
ten shillings to pay his Coach hire up to-morrow.
Then got the Writings and finished with Jack.
And Whereas I rose this Morning ^55,000
in debt, I shall go to bed without owing more
than .4,000, and towards that I have ,3,000 of
the assignment, which will carry perpetual Interest
three years hence. Blessed be God's holy Name.'
In the buoyancy of spirit conferred by his release
from so heavy a debt, Sir Richard completely
ignores the alienation of family property by which
this peace of mind had been obtained.
In the following year 1703 Dick Newdi-
gate, now thirty-five years of age, was meditating
a second marriage, and the necessary negotiations
348 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
for a settlement led to some confidential entries
on the subject, in his father's discursive style, in
his ledger of that date :
' As to the former settlements I made upon
my Son,' writes Sir Richard, 'that doth not
concern any other Family. . . . However, to
make my Son easy, I would settle upon him a
thousand pounds a year ... he quitting all Rever-
sions ; and let him marry whom he will, so I have
the Portion.
' But since my Death hath been so much
desired I will part with no Reversions. If my
Son returns to his Duty and Filial Affection, I
design him .3,000 per an.
' Since I wrote this my Son R. N. has been
so base to me -that now I will have the Portion.'
About this time the writer appears to have
begun to entertain matrimonial views on his own
account.
With a seeming incongruity of time and place,
he makes use of a new account-book to enter the
following Latin quotation upon the title-page,
with an explanatory heading :
' ON AN OLD MAN, WHO HAVING HAD TWO WIVES
BEFORE, IN HIS OLD AGE MARRIED A THIRD.
' Terna mihi Varijs ducta est setatibus Uxor :
Haec Juveni, Ilia Viro, Tertia Nupta Seni ;
Prima est propter Opus teneris mihi ducta sub annis,
Altera propter Opes, Tertia propter Opem.'
END OF DIARY AND DIARIST 349
Sir Richard attempts a translation, but finds a
difficulty in what he calls the ' clincher,' i.e. the
play upon the words ' Opus, Opes, Opem.'
It was in 1704 that the squire of Arbury, now
on the verge of sixty, forestalled his son in a
second marriage by wedding Henrietta, daughter
of Captain Thomas Wigginton of Ham, co.
Surrey. The ceremony took place on May 2 of
that year. Sir Richard's next entry in his diary
is a curious one for a bridegroom of three days'
standing :
'May $th. Was exceeding melancholy. At
three o'Clock this afternoon am threescore year
old. Went to Serjeant Selby.
' Saturday, 6t/i May. Began to take my Pills
today. Took four. . . .
1 Tuesday, gtk May. Wrote to Sir Walter
Bagot * that I was married. Would give him
account how it came about ere long. And a
How D'You to Son Stephens in answer to his.'
This apparently hasty action on the part of
the older man may have precipitated the younger
Richard's second marriage. On June 27 in the
same year he followed his father's example and
took to wife Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Roger
1 Brother to his first wife.
350 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
Twisden, Bart., with whom he had a happy
married life of twenty three years. 1
Another year elapses before we get fresh
tidings of the elder bridegroom :
' 1705. Saturday, May $th. Now I am sixty
one years old.
'May \6th. Went to Warwick Election,
where Captain Lucy . . . [words illegible] kept
from me all his second votes, upon which I threw
in all my Interest to Sir John Shugborough and
Sir J. Mordaunt.'
It was in this year that Sir Richard lost his son
John, who died unmarried. In August his fifth
daughter, ' Jinny,' left the parental roof and a step-
mother's rule, to marry a Mr. Samuel Boys of
Hawkhurst, Kent.
In an undated letter about a year later she
takes time by the forelock and writes to bespeak
her father's services as godfather to her expected
infant.
The letter is worth transcribing for its out-
spoken frankness, tempered with the respectful
humility demanded by an awe-inspiring parent :
1 Sir Richard, 3rd baronet, died in 1727. Only one of his seven
sons lived to attain his majority. The youngest, afterwards Sir
Roger Newdigate, 5th and last baronet, lived to be eighty-seven,
and died in 1806,
END OF DIARY AND DIARIST 351
' Hawkhurst, March 7.
' Hon d Father,
' I'm extremely concerned to hear of your
great indisposition, which puts me out of hope of
so great a favour as to see you here. I now ex-
pect to be laid in my Bed every hour. I there-
fore humbly ask you the favour of you S r (if you
design us that great favour as to stand) to appoint
your deputy, because it will be greatly to our
inconvenience to put off y e Christening, except we
could have the honour of your Company, for
which we would put ourselves to any strait what
ever. Other ways please to give your order what
you'll allow, and your commands shall be strictly
observed. I've been very ill of the "yallow
janders " this two months and above, and am yet ;
tho' I thank God I'm much better than I have
been and make shift to keep about my house, the
more because of the malicious report the world
has raised of your misfortune in being confined
with the gout, which I take care to tell all I see,
in hope to convince these parts that your illness is
not anything of melancholy, which I am informed
is much reported in London.
' Please S r to excuse this and accept Mr. Boys
and my humble duty, and believe me,
' Your duty full daughter
' JANE BOYS.
' Mr. Boys and I join in humble service to your
lady.'.
The report of Sir Richard's increasing infirmi-
ties was correct, but in the earlier part of 1706
352 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
he was in London with his wife, as we learn from
his accounts :
'Feb. 1706.
At a Play with Henny ... 8.?. 6d.
To Henny to buy things. . 2. 2s. od.
The price of tea at that date is incidentally
revealed to us on-another page :
' Repaid Henny's Mother for 2lb. of Tea
2 4.?. od. y
In November Sir Richard reports badly of
himself, whilst the usually firm handwriting is
changed to trembling characters :
' Sit-nday loth. Very lame, not at Church.
Had Prayers at home. . . .
' Wednesday i^t/i. Discoursed Mr. J. Palmer,
who says my Distemper (whereat I'm much
afflicted) is the Gout. . . .
' Sunday \*jth. Walked and found my Gout,
I thank God, wearing off, tho' I slept ill to-night.
Took the air this fine morning with Henny in the
Coach.
' Tuesday \<$th. Was very ill.
' Wednesday 2otk. Was very ill. . . . Received
a long foolish letter from Mr. Watts. Prepared
for Henny to write to Mrs. Eliz. Way an answer
to her Father's impertinent letter.'
This ends the last scrap of the diary that has
END OF DIARY AND DIARIST 353
been preserved, although, from the docket on the
outside of the miscellaneous bundle of papers, it
appears to have been continued until 1 709.
In 1708 Sir Richard's sixth daughter, Betty
(of the Tour in France), made what the family
evidently thought a mesalliance when she became
Mrs. Abraham Meure, but she survived her
marriage only two years.
In this year we find two opposite pages in Sir
Richard's current account-book, on which he con-
trasts the settlements for ' My Son's Wive's
Jointer ' and ' My dear Henny's Jointer.' That
of the former was the more liberal, probably owing
to the exigencies of an entailed estate.
But even Henny did not always remain in
favour. At some later period a pen-stroke has
been drawn through the tender prefix of 'My
Dear ' on the page which recounts the securities
for her modest jointure.
Sir Richard was not called upon to endure his
physical ills, his melancholy, his family worries
and money troubles much longer. The end came
on January 4, 1710.
It must be admitted with regret that he passed
away unreconciled to his family, as evidenced by
A A
354 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
the terms of his will. At the time of his death
only three of his sons were alive. They were
Richard, his successor ; Gilbert, a chronic invalid,
who lived and died unmarried ; and Francis, the
youngest, from whom the present family is de-
scended.
Sir Richard's will was characteristic of the
man. It is dated September 2, 1708. Renames
as his executors his wife, Henrietta, and his son-
in-law, William Stephens. Both renounced the
executorship, and administration was granted to
his eldest son and successor as the third baronet.
The testator gives directions for his burial at
Astley, near Arbury. This request was not com-
plied with. His remains were taken to Harefield,
to be buried in the family vault near to his first
wife.
The will goes on to give minute directions in
regard to the conduct of his funeral. He is not
to lie in state, nor to be buried in a coffin covered
with velvet ; much less to be embalmed or
wrapped in ' sear cloth.' The hearse is to be hired
from Coventry or Warwick, and to be followed
by his own coach.
No guests are to be invited but any one liking
END OF DIARY AND DIARIST 355
to come is to be made welcome. Burnt claret,
mild sack, and biscuits are to be provided for the
company within ; bread and ale for those without ;
burnt beer for the tenants' wives and ale for
themselves. Four parish officers are to be in
attendance to prevent disturbance, and to put
disorderly people in the stocks.
He then, alas ! emphasises his alienation from
nis family in the following words :
' Whereas my son Richard (whom I have lately
tryed before divers persons of quality) has been
most disobedient and ungrateful, and still con-
tinues my inveterate and implacable enemy,
although I have offered to pardon him, and made
other offers of great advantage to him ; and
whereas my daughters and my son Francis have
all joined with him in his hellish contrivances, I
leave them nothing, but I leave all my real and
personal property to my son-in-law William
Stephens, and my wife Henrietta.'
As the said Henrietta and William Stephens
renounced probate, it may be safe to surmise that
Sir Richard's will was not one that could be
carried out legally.
If we can judge by the favour shown to
4 Henny' in her husband's last testament, she
must have retained her hold upon the affections
A A 2
356 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
of her elderly spouse until the end ; but it would
seem evident that her influence was not exactly
beneficial to her predecessor's children.
Henrietta, Lady Newdigate, is credited with
having added three children to Sir Richard's
already numerous family. They probably died
in infancy, as no trace of them remains. Their
mother married again, with indecorous haste, three
months after she became a widow, and found time
and opportunity for a third husband before she
departed this life in 1739.
Sir Richard Newdigate's immediate successors
may have had just cause to be sorely tried by his
careless aptitude for squandering and mortgaging
the family property. After two hundred years his
later descendants can condone his extravagance
in gratitude to him for the refined and artistic
taste which inspired him to employ a Wren, a
Lely, and a Grinling Gibbons in beautifying his
home for posterity.
His own portrait, admirably painted by Sir
Peter Lely, gives us a presentment of the man in
the flowing curls, steel armour, and lace cravat of
END OF DIARY AND DIARIST 357
Charles II.'s time. His large heavy-lidded eyes,
long aquiline nose, and the refined lines of his
mouth combine to impart a sense of dignity and
attractiveness to his outward personality.
I would crave indulgence for yet a word in
palliation of the seeming inconsistencies in the re-
corded actions of a man who had undoubtedly a
high standard of religious faith.
Much that is blameworthy may be partially
excused by the influences of the era in which he
lived. When drinking, quarrelling, and duelling
were events of daily occurrence among the upper
classes ; when party spirit and prejudice narrowed
the religious point of view ; when irreverence was
but too common in regard to the most sacred
subjects, some extenuation may be pleaded for
Sir Richard's self-indulgence and uncontrollable
temper ; for the bigotry and harsh judgments he
sometimes exhibits ; and for the familiarity with
which he flaunts his gratitude to the Almighty for
the result of deeds which were not always praise-
worthy.
We may at any rate admire his straightforward
honesty and the outspoken candour with which
he confesses his faults and failings. It is more
358 CAVALIER AND PURITAN
than probable that he himself, towards the close
of his life, was the destroyer of the bulk of these
too confidential records in his diary, fearing lest
they should fall under the criticism of unsympa-
thetic and captious successors.
But even those whom he bans so severely in
his last will and testament could hardly have
avoided feeling sympathy with him in his struggles
to overcome temptations and act up to his ideal
of right, or fail to admire his simple and childlike
faith in the efficacy of prayer to his Father in
heaven.
In addition to the diary he has left some
closely written manuscript books of devotional
meditations, which must have cost him much time
and earnest thought. A short prayer in his
handwriting is entitled ' For Patience,' the virtue
he so much needed. In it he prays to have his
' unbridled nature stayed this day and ever from
all discontentedness of mind, and doublings, fears,
murmurings, and furious actions.'
Can these struggles, prayers, and aspirations
have been in vain ? Surely not. We may hope
and believe that 'through the tender mercy of our
God ' light was given him ere the end, as he ' sat
END OF DIARY AND DIARIST 359
in darkness and the shadow of death,' and that he
forgave as he would be forgiven.
Sir Richard Newdigate, we may trust, now
rests in peace, released from the burden of this
mortal coil and freed for ever from the trials and
temptations of the life below, which at times he
found ' very troublesome.'
' Heaven waxeth old, and all the spheres above
Shall one day faint and their swift motion stay,
And Time itself in time shall cease to move ;
Only the Soul survives and lives for aye.'
INDEX
ALBEMARLE, Duke of, 72, 73,
252
Ambassador from Bantam, 165,
1 66, 167
from Morocco, 166-176
from Muscovia, 166
from Sweden, 157, 166
Anderson, Sir Edmond, 21
Anglesea, Countess of, 99
Anne, Princess, 61, 151, 255-
260, 300, 301
Anne, Queen, 2, 293
Archer, Andrew, 288, 289
Argyle, Earl of, 263, 264
Arlington, Earl of, 57, 6 1
Armorer, Sir Nicholas, 22-38,
57,58
Armstrong, Sir Thomas, 227
Aston, Lord, 49
Aston, Sir Willoughby, 242
BAGOT, Sir Edward, 13, 24
Bagot, Lambert, 296
Bagot, Sir Walter, 58, 349
Balcarres, Lord, 272
Baltimore, Lord, 97
Bantam Ambassador, see Am-
bassadors
Barney, Esq., 76
Barrington, Sir Gower, 132
Battersby, Mr., 166, 167
Baxter, Richard, 98, 123
Bedingfield, Captain, 76
Bedloe, 107
Bellasis, Earl of, 7, 86
Berkeley, Lord, 285
Bethell, Sheriff, 133
Billingsly, Captain, 78
Black Guard, 86, 208
Boroski, George, 156-160
Bothwell Bridge, 92-95
Boughton, Sir Edward, 50,
Brampstone, Captain, 78
Bret, Colonel, 152
Brewster, Mrs. Anne, 226
Bridecake, Bishop of Chiches-
ter,4o
Brinvilliers, Madame, 80
Bromley, William, 288, 289
Browne, one, 226
Buckingham, Duke of, 43, 44
Buckingham, Catherine,
Duchess of, see Sedley, Cathe-
rine
Bull-fight, 243, 244
Bunbury, Will, 242
362
CAVALIER AND PURITAN
Bungy, the murderer, 85, 86
Burdet, Mr., 50, 51
Burgoine, Sir John, 288, 289
Butler, Sir James, 98
CALAIS, 337-340
Campbell, Lord, 252
Carwell, see Portsmouth,
Duchess of
Catherine, Queen, 52, 54, 56,
139
Cave, Henry, 225
Cavendish, Lord, 73-76
Cawdron, Mr., 102, 103
Cellier, Mrs., 106-112
Charles I., i, 68, 334
Charles II., 2, 7, 23, 24, 30-34,
35-45, 5 2 -73, 76-78, 88-90,
92, 93, 95, 98, 101, 102, 108,
109, 114, 115, 129-133, 135-
140, 144, I47-H9, 166-172,
176, 177, 185, 211, 225-228,
232, 235, 249-252, 254-263
Charlotta Maria, Princess, 249
Cherbourg, 315-317, 321, 324,
325
Chesterfield, Lord, 257
Chichester, Bishop of, 128, see
also Bridecake
Chichester, Earl of, 4, 145
Chudleigh, Mr., 261
Churchill, Lord, 251, 252
Clarendon, Earl of, 12, 187
Clergis, Sir Walter, 73
Cleveland, Duchess of, 39, 61,
153
Clifford, Captain, 180-183
Clotworthy, Sir John, 46
Clutterbuck, Dr., 285, 315
Coles, Frances or Frank, 306,
307, 309, 335, 339, 34i
Colt, Sir William Dunton, 304
Coningsmark, Count, 155-161,
163, 164, 181, 182
Comvay, Earl of, 217, 218, 220
Cranborne, Earl of, 152
Craven, Earl of, 252
Crewe, Bishop of Durham, 40
Crofts, James, see Monmouth,
Duke of
Cromwell, Oliver, r, 3-12, 102,
103
Cuffe, Esq., 112, 113
Culliford, Esq., 112, 113
Cutts, Lord, 286, 287
DALLISON, Sir Roger, 77
Danby, Earl of, 37, 87, 139, 149,
1 86, 187, 189
Dangerfield, 106
Darly, Marmaduke, 57
Dartmouth, Earl of, 176
Davis, Rev. , 121-123, 126, 127
Deane, Sir Anthony, 130
Deerham, Serjeant, 211
Denbigh, Earl of, 42, 131, 142-
144
Denbigh, Countess of, 142-144
Denmark, Prince George of,
252, 255, 258-260
Derby, Earl of, 206
Desmond, Earl of, see Denbigh
De Souligne", 302-304
Dixwell, Sir Barill, 340
Dobbins the life-guardsman,
122, 123, 125-127
Dolben, Judge, 1-67
Donegall, Earl of, 48
INDEX
363
Dryden, John, 249, 250
Dumbarton, Earl of, 252
Dumblaine, Lord, 186-190
EDWARDS, Captain, 235
Ellis, Alderman, 1 10
Emerton, Mr., 40, 185-189
Essex, Earl of, 48, 102, 152
Evelyn, Sir Thomas, 162
FEVERSHAM, Earl of, 67,. 252,
257
Fitton, Anne, 3
FitzHarris, 140
Fogg, Parson, 250
Foster, Chief Justice, 12, 29
Fox, Sir Stephen, 166
Freeman, Elizabeth, 135
GASCOIGNE, Sir Thomas, 79
George II., 155
Gerrard, Lord Digby, 76, 77
Gibbons, Grinling, 19, 291, 356
Giles, 104, 105
' Gloucester,' the wreck of the,
247, 248
Glyn, Chief Justice, n
Godfrey, Colonel, 73
Godfrey, Sir Edmund Berry, 107
Gordon, Duke of, 274
Grafton, Duke of, 61
Grandison, Lord, 22,24, 27, 31-
33
Grandison, Lady, 145
Grey, Lord, 72,73, 210
Griffen, Lord, 277
Griffith, one, 91
' Guise, Duke of,' Dryden's Play,
249, 250
Gwyn, Nell, 70, 71
HAINES, Henry, 306, 309, 329,
332, 334, 335, 337, 338, 341
Hales, Chief Justice, 9
Halifax, Marquis of, 228, 257
Halsey, Colonel, 7, 22-24, 26-29
Hanover, Duke of, 305
Hanover, Prince George of, 151,
256
Hamilton, Duke of, 92, 95, 272
Harris, Edward, 101
Herbert, Admiral, 279, 281 ; sec
Torrington
Herbert of Cherbury, Lady, 183,
184
Herbert, Squire, 236
Hilton, the informer, 99
Hoghton, Sir Charles, 116, 273
Holmes, Sir Jo., 56
Holmes, Sir Ro., 67, 279, 280
Home, Major, 67
Howard of Escrick, Lord, 184
Howard, Colonel Thomas, 73-
76
Hudson, Captain, 67
Huet, Dr., 9
Hungerford, Sir Edward, 118,
1 20
Hungerford, Rachel, see Skeff-
ington
Hunsdon, Lord, 78
Hyde, Mrs. Bridget, 40, 185-190
INCHIQUIN, Lord, 40, 184
Isabella, the Lady, 61
3 6 4
CAVALIER AND PURITAN
JAMES II., 2, 263-266, 268, 272,
274, 275, 277, 281, 284, 285,
287 ; see also York, Duke of
Jeffreys, Judge, 154, 227
Jenkins, Secretary, 167, 172
Jennings, Sir William, 281, 284
Jesuit's powder, 63, 225
Jonas, the Renegade, 167, 169,
171-176
KEELING, Josiah, 209, 212
Kid, Rev. John, 93, 94
King, Gregory, 304, 305, 309
Kingston, Lord, 78, 154
Kirke, Colonel, 174
Konigsmark, Count Carl John,
see Coningsmark
Konigsmark, Count Philip
Christopher, 155
LANGLEY, Roger, 179, 245, 246
Lauderdale, Duke of, 39-41, 68,
69, 92
La Voisine, Madame, 80, 81
Leeds, Peregrine, Duke of, 190
Legge, Colonel, 67
Leigh, Sir Francis, see Chiches-
ter
Leigh, Lord, 213, 214
Lely, Sir Peter, 119, 204-206,
356
Lenox, Rev. Mr., 94
Lestrange, Mr., in
Loftus, Mr., 122
Louis XIV., 45, 8 1, 149, 164,
266-269, 276, 317, 333, 336
Lovelace, Lord, 132
Low, Sir Richard, 67
Lucy, Captain, 215-217, 219,
35
Luxemburg, Duke of, 80
MARRIOT, Mr., 51, 136
Marvell, Andrew, 37, 133, 147
Mary, the Lady, see Princess of
Orange
Mary, Queen, 281, 300, 301
Mary of Modena, Queen, 266 ;
see also York, Duchess of
Massareene, Lord, 46-49, 87,
116-120, 125, 127, 128, 148,
149, 203-207, 241, 242, 263,
264, 267, 268, 271-278, 299-
301
Matthews, Sir Phill., 106
Mearne, Mr. Samuel, 247
Michelthwaite, Dr., 63
Mildmay, Colonel, 131, 132
Modena, Duchess of, 163, 248,
249
Monk, General, 1 1
Monmouth, Duke of, 53, 54, 59,
63-70, 92, 93, 95, 135, 137,
141, 142, 152, 156, 157, 168,
209-211, 249-251, 260-263
Monmouth, Duchess of, 64, 65,
66
Montague, Countess of, see
Northumberland
Montague, Earl and Duke of,
see Montague, Mr.
Montague, Mr., 124, 145-150
Montgomery, Thomas, 228
Mordaunt, Sir J., 350
Mores, Sir Thomas, 73-76
Morocco Ambassador, see Am-
bassadors
INDEX
3 6 5
Morocco, Emperor of, 170, 174,
175
Mowbray, Mr., 79
Muggleton, Ludovic, 99
Mulgrave, Earl of, 256-258
Murphy, Christian, 82
Muscovia Ambassador, see Am-
bassadors
NEWDEGATE, Julian, Lady, 4,
121, 200
Newdegate, Sir Richard, first
Bart., see Newdegate, Serjeant
Newdegate, Serjeant, 3-14, 18,
21-34, 46, 114, 116
Newdigate, Amphillis or Phill,
195, 292, 296
Anne or Nan, 306, 313, 314
Elizabeth, Lady, 349, 350
Elizabeth or Betty, 201,
3o6, 313, 324, 326, 33,
334, 335, 353
Frances or Frank, 194-196,
296, 297, 298, 306
Francis or Frank, 202, 203,
313, 346, 354
Gilbert, 354
Henrietta, Lady, 349, 352,
353, 354-356
Jane or Jinny, 293, 350, 351
John, 4, 5
John or Jack, 202, 203,
298, 299, 303, 309, 345,
346, 347, 35
Sir John, 3
Juliana or July, 219, 220,
313, 3'4
Mary, Lady, 13, 139, 201,
214, 221, 20X), 291
Mary or Moll, 294, 306, 313
Newdigate (con/.):
Rawleigh, 344
Sir Richard, second Bart.,
1-3, 12-20, 22-34, 35,
45-5', 57-59, 114-128,
131, 134, 136, 138-144,
145-151, 190-207, 213-
221, 237, 240-242, 262,
263, 266, 271-289, 290-
359
Richard or Dick, afterwards
third Bart., 217, 221, 296,
306, 313, 328-332, 334,
335, 338-341, 343, 345
Sir Roger, 350
Sara, 296, 298
Walter or Wat, 202, 203,
313
Northumberland, Dowager
Countess of, 152
Northumberland, Elizabeth,
Countess of, 145-150
Northumberland, George, Duke
of, 39, 153
Northumberland, Josceline,
Earl of, 145, 152
GATES, Titus, 45, 66, in, 225
O'Brien, Lord, 248
Ogle, the Lady, 150-158, 161-
163
Ogle, Earl of, 150, 152
Orange, Prince of, 2, 54-56,
154, 235, 252, 253, 260, 261,
265, 266, 269 ; see a/so
William III.
Orange, Princess of, 2, 54 -56,
255, 266, 269 ; see also Queen
Mary
3 66
CAVALIER AND PURITAN
Ormond, Duke of, 20, 24, 27,
34, 47, 48, 228
Osbaston, Rev. Mr., 218
Ossory, Earl of, 24, 56, 67
Oxford, Earl of, 252
PAPILLION, Mr., 102
Paris, 323-331
Parker, Lady and Mrs., 219
Parkhurst, Thomas, 4
Parsons, Sir John, 183, 184
Partridge, Rev. Mr., 98
Pembroke, Countess of, 39, 42
Pembroke, Earl of, 40, 42
Penn, William, 97
Penruddock, 9
Pepys, Judge, 4
Pepys, Samuel, 52, 130, 131
Petre, Father, 266
Pierre, Mr., 166
Pole, Mrs. (of Radbourne), 306
Portsmouth, Duchess of, 40, 41,
42, 161, 169
Powell, the Muggletonian, 99
Priannoy, Madame, 81
Prince of Wales, 265, 266, 269
QUEROUAILLE, Louise de, see
Portsmouth, Duchess of
RAPHSON, Rev. Mr., 98
Romney, Earl of, 340
Rosswell, Rev. Mr., 100
Rouse, Lady, 19, 275
Rowe, Sir Thomas, 191-194
Royl, Jack, 306, 307, 309, 312,
327
Ruckworth, Sir Joseph, 113
Rupert, Prince, 65
Russell, Lord, 210, 220
Russell, Rachel, Lady, 145
SADLER'S WELLS, 244, 245
St. George, Sir Oliver, 206, 300
St. John, Lord, 40
Salisbury, Earl of, 44, 134
Sarsfield, Captain, 180, 183, 184
Saxe, Elector of, 305
Schomberg, Duke, 276, 277
Sclater, Rev. Mr., 121-123, I2 5>
127
Scott, Mr. John, 218, 278-287,
313, 3M
Scroggs, Lord, 224
Sedley, Catherine, 258
Sedley, Sir Charles, Bart., 21,
190-196, 276, 309
Sedley, Sir Charles, Knight,
190-196
Selby, Serjeant, 346, 349
Shaftesbury, Earl of, 44, 108
Sharkey, Mr., in
Sharpe, Archbishop, 92
Sheldon, Archbishop, 12, 19
Sherlock, Dr., 227
Shovell, Sir Cloudesley, 284
Shugborough, Sir John, 350
Sidney, Algernon, 153, 155, 211,
212
Skeffington, Clotworthy, 117-
II a, 206, 241, 273
Skeffington, Sir John, see Vis-
count Massareene
Skeffington, Rachel, 118-120,
299
Slingsby, Sir Henry, 10
INDEX
3 6 7
Smith, Laurence, 310, 326
Smithson, Sir Hugh, 163
Somerset, Algernon, Duke of,
163
Somerset, Charles, Duke of,
161-163
Somerset, Duchess of, see Lady
Ogle
Sophia Dorothea, 155
Southampton, Earl of, 145, 149
Spinola, Marquess of, 337, 339-
341
Stephens, Sir William, 279
Stephens, William (his son),
306, 308, 310, 313, 314, 349,
354, 355
Stern, Lieutenant John, 156-160
Stratford, Mr., 50, 51, 217
Swedish Ambassador, 157, 1 66
Syderfm, Madam, 179-183
TALMASH, General, 286, 287
Tangier, 40, 53, 175-1 77
Temple, Dorothy, Lady, 153
Temple, Sir William, 153, 154,
240
Throaster, Justice Balch, 247
Thynne, Mr., 152, 157, 160, 181
Tillotson, Archbishop, 300
Tirrell, Lady, 178, 179
Tongue, Mr., in
Torrington, Lord, 283 ; see
Herbert, Admiral
Trevenick, Sir John, 272
Trevour, T., 230
Twisden, Sir Roger, 350
Tyrconnell, Earl of, 272-274
VRATZ, Captain Christopher,
156-160
WAKEMAN, Sir George, 225
Wales, Prince of, 265, 266, 268,
269
Waller, Sir William, 90
Walters, Lucy, 53, 54
Weston, Baron, 107
Wharton, Henry, 71
Wharton, Lord, 44
Wilkins, Judge, 103
William III., 268, 270, 272, 273,
276, 277, 278, 283, 285, 288,
301 ; see also Orange, Prince
of
Windsor, Lord, 257
Wiseman, Mr., 78
Wolfe, John, 84, 85
Wren, Sir Christopher, 19, 356
Wyat, Mr., 202, 219-221
Wyndham, Judge, 4
YORK, Duke of, 53, 59, 60, 63-
70, 112, 170, 247-252, 254,
262 ; see also James II.
York, Duchess of, 53, 248, 255 ;
see also Mary of Modena,
Queen
ZANK, Gideon, 96
Zell, Duke of, 304
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