Life of Robert Fairfax of Steeton, vice-admiral, alderman, and member for York A.D. 1666-1725;

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Life of Robert Fairfax of Sleeton

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ADMIEAL EOBEET FAIEFAX

LIFE

OF

EGBERT FAIRFAX OF STEETON

VICE-ADMIRAL, ALDERMAN, AND MEMBER FOR YORK

A.D. 1666-I725

Compikij from flriginal J^etttrs mxh otIj£r Jotumtivls

CLEMENTS E. MAEKHAM, C.B., F.E.S.

AUTHOR OF ' THE LIFE OF THE GREAT LORD FAIRFAX '

MACMILLAN AND CO.

1885

All rights reserved

LONDON

SPOTTISWOODE AND CO. PRINTERS

NEW-STREET SQUARE

GUY THOMAS FAIRFAX

{of Steeton and Bilbrough)

THIS EECOED

OP THE LIFE AND SBEVIOES OF HIS WORTHY ANCBSTOK

COMPILED FROM HIS FAMILY PAPERS

IS DEDICATED BY

HIS AFFECTIONATE COUSIN AND TRUSTEE

THE AUTHOB

21 EcoLEsroN Square, S.W.
June 1886

PEEFACE.

In the muniment room of the Fairfax family at Newton
Kyme there were several boxes in which had been buried,
for many scores of years, the whole story of the life of
a distinguished naval officer. There were also letters
of his aunt, of his grandfather, and of more remote
ancestors. Sir William Fairfax of Steeton was a valiant
champion of the Parliament, of whose prowess I have
given some account in my life of the great Lord Fair-
fax. Mouldering in the old boxes there were five letters
from Sir William to his wife in London, written during
the Civil War. One was hastily scribbled off on a half
sheet of an old letter, on the battle-field of Marston
Moor. Another was from the leaguer before Liverpool,
within a week of the writer's glorious death, when raising
the siege of Montgomery Castle. There was a bundle
of letters from his daughter Lady Lister to her mother,
written from London during the Protectorate, which
are curious. One of them mentions a ball at the French
Ambassador's, and other gaieties, at a period when the
vulgar belief is that all such frivolities were eschewed.
There was also a bundle of letters from Sir WiUiam's

^111 PREFACE.

son Thomas (wlio was a general in Queen Anne's reign)
to his nephew the sailor.

The great mass of documents preserved in these old
boxes relates to the sailor Eobert Fairfax, afterwards an
Admiral, on the Council of the Admiralty, Alderman,
Lord Mayor, and member for York, and eventually
head of the family and owner of Steeton, Bilbrough,
and Newton Kyme. There are his letters to his mother
from the time of his first going to sea in the merchant
service in 1681, as a boy of fifteen, to his becoming a
lieutenant in the navy and being engaged in the relief
of Londonderry in 1689. There is his journal from
1698 to 1708, which includes the operations under Sir
George Eooke at Copenhagen, the successful cutting-out
expedition at Granville, the Great Storm of November
1703, the operations at Barcelona in 1704, the taking
of Gibraltar, the battle of Malaga, the siege of Barcelona
in 1705, and the expedition of Lord Elvers. There is his
Order Book from 1694 to 1706, with the orders of the
different admirals under whom Captain Fairfax served —
Eooke, Leake, Shovel, Benbow, Byng, Dilkes, Berkeley,
Churchill, Aylmer, Hopson, &c. There is his Letter
Book while commander-in-chief at the Nore and at Spit-
head in 1708. There is a large correspondence with
Mr. Burchett, the Secretary of the Admiralty, with Sir
Cloudesley Shovel, Sir John Leake, and younger ofiicers.
There are the printed instructions for a captain, orders
as to scales of pay, provisions, and clothing, arrange-
ments respecting signals, minutes of courts-martial,
commissions, correspondence, and warrants of various

PREFACE. IX

kinds. These documents supplj^ very complete materials
for the naval career of Robert Fairfax.

When he retired from active employment afloat, he
became an alderman of York and a member for the
city. Among the documents in these old boxes there
are lists of the poll, petitions to Parliament relating the
irregular proceedings at the elections, and numerous
letters from electioneering partisans. The period they
cover is from 1712 to 1717 There are also bundles
of letters relating to the purchase of an estate, manage-
ment of trusts, settlement of boundaries, and other
private affairs.

Here, then, buried in these boxes, and gradually
mouldering away from damp and age, was the hfe story
of a man who had played an active part in his genera-
tion, and had played it well. He had seen much service,
had held honourable positions both afloat and on shore,
and had acquitted himself worthily.

This question arose : Were these materials for a
distinguished ofiicer's life-story to be thrown aside, to
be left for another century in their worm-eaten recep-
tacles, until they finally rotted away with age ? The
question caused me to hesitate and reflect. I remem-
bered the saying of a great writer, ' There has rarely
passed a life of which a faithful narrative would not be
useful.' I thought that there was a great deal in the life
of Admiral Fairfax which would be of general interest,
and much that is curious and worth preserving from a
literary point of view.

The other alternative was to read through the mass

a

X PEEFACE.

of documents, make selections and extracts, and from
them to prepare a biographical narrative. It was this
alternative that I adopted, and the result, such as it is,
will now be submitted to the public.

In the ninth chapter I have inserted an interesting
document by that Brian Fairfax who took the message
to General Monk at Coldstream, which brought about
the Eestoration.^ It is in the form of a letter to his
sons, and contains accounts of his father and mother, of
his wife's family, and of his own career. He was secre-
tary to the Duke of Buckingham, equerry to Charles II.
until his death ,^ and afterwards to William III.

I have to thank Mr. Stephen Martin-Leake of Mar-
shalls for his kindness in allowing me to inspect the
logs and order books of Admiral Sir John Leake, and
to peruse the interesting manuscript autobiography of
his ancestor Captain Martin, Sir John Leake's brother-
in-law and flag captain. The latter document is well
worthy of publication.

CLEMENTS E. MARKHAM.

^ I have the manuscript of the Iter Boreale, hy Brian Fairfax. But it
has aheady been pubhshed in the Fairfax Correspondence.

* The manuscript was sold at Mr. Bruce's sale in May 1870, and
bought by Mr. E. Hailstone of Walton Hall.

CONTENTS.

CHArTEU PAGE

DEDICATION . . . . . .V

PBEPACE

I. STEETON IN THE OLDEN TIME .

II. THE WIDOW AND HEE CHILDEEN .

III. BOYHOOD OP EOBEET FAIEPAX .

IV. A VOLUNTEEE IN THE NAVY OP JAMBS II.

V. THE NAVY OP THE EEVOLUTION

VI. THE EELIBP OF LONDONDBEEY

VII. THE BATTLE OF BEACHY HEAD

VIII. THE BATTLE OF LA HOGUE

IX. AT HOME DUEING THE PEACE .
NAKBATIVE OF BRIAN FAIRFAX

24

37

55

71

90

103

115

127
135

X. THE FIEST YEAE OF QUEEN ANNE'S WAE . .149

XI. THE OPEEATIONS AT GEANVILLE — THE GEEAT STOEM 164

XII. THE TAKING OP GIBEALTAE AND BATTLE OP MALAGA . 171

XIII. THE SIEGE OP BAECELONA . . . .187

Xll CONTENTS.

CHAl'TKlt I'AOK

XIV. COUNCILLOK TO THE LORD HIGH ADMIRAL . . . 198

XV. SETTLED ON SHORE .... 222

XVI. YORK IN THE DAYS OF QUEEN ANNE . .231

XVII. CONTESTED ELECTIONS AT YORK . 242

XVIII. BILBROUGH . . . . . . . 2t;l

XIX. THE END . . . -'71

APPENDIX.

A. INVENTORY AT STEETON HALL IN 1558 287

B. THE FAIRFAX BIBLE . . . 295

C. FAIRFAX PICTURES AT BILBROUGH . . . . 302

INDEX

309

LIFE

OF

ADMIRAL EGBERT FAIRFAX.

CHAPTER I.

STEETON IN THE OLDEN TIME.

On the great north road, between Tadcaster and York,
a glimpse may be had of a distant farmstead, about
half a mile away over the fields. There stands what is
left of one of the oldest mansions in England, for it
was not always a farmhouse. Once it was the cherished
home of an illustrious family which flourished there
for many generations. We may derive a fairly correct
idea of Steeton Hall, as it was in the olden time, from
the vestiges that remain, and with the help of old
records.^

After the battle of Towton,^ which was fought at a
distance of five miles south-west from Steeton, there

1 Steeton is a corruption of Stive-ton, stive meaning a fish-pond. The
list of persons liable to the capitation tax in Yorkshire in the time of
Eichard II. (that same tax which caused the rebeUion of Wat Tyler in
Kent) shows that in those days there was a hamlet at Steeton with about forty
inhabitants. Now there is only a farmhouse. The EoUs of the Collectors
of the PoU Tax in the West Riding in 1379 (2 E. II.) were printed in the
Yorkshire ArchcBological and Topographical Society's Journal in 1881
(Part xxvi.) AH the laity, male and female, over the age of sixteen
were liable.

^ A descendant of Sir Guy Fairfax, Admiral Hawke, was created Baron
Hawke of Towton.

B

2 SIR GUY FAIRFAX OF STEETON.

was a truce to tlie Wars of the Eoses, and men began
to return to peaceful occupations. It was then that
Sir Guy Fairfax built his moated house at Steeton, with
its courtyard, and chapel consecrated by Archbishop
Rotherham in 1477. Gruy was a notable man in his
day, younger son of that family of Fairfax ^ which had
long been seated at Walton near Tliorparch, and was
even then of great antiquity. He had warmly espoused
the popular, which was at the same time the legitimate,
and also the winning side in the Wars of the Eoses.
He was so ardent a Yorkist that he received permission
to bear a white rose on the shoulder of the lion in his
coat-of-arms. Educated at Gray's Inn, he became a
King's Serjeant in 1463, and a judge of the King's
Bench in 1477. He was also Eecorder of York, Chief
Justice of Lancaster, administrator of the wills of nume-
rous friends, a commissioner of array, and altogether an
active and influential personage in his generation. He
was represented, in a picture which was in existence
at York in 1640, as a man with sanguine complexion.
His marriage with Isabella Eyther, who was a grand-
daughter of Chief Justice Gascoigne, probably had
some bearing on his success at the bar. Sir Guy
Fairfax of Steeton died in 1495, leaving behind him
the character of an able lawyer and a conscientious
judge.

While Guy Fairfax was founding the hne of Steeton
and building a home for himself in Yorkshire, his
brother Nicholas was winning distinction in distant

1 Fax or Vex is the Saxon word for hair, and is used ia King Alfred's
edition of Bede, and in the Saxon Bible. Stella crinita (a planet) be-
comes in Saxon feaxeb j-teoppa, which Matthew Paris turns into a ' vexed
star.' ' So,' says Thoresby, 'this famUy had their name of Fairfax from
their beautiful golden hair.' Camden says, 'that ancient and famous
family, from their fan- hair, have the name of Fairfax.'

THE KNIGHT OF RHODES. 3

wars. He was the first sailor of his family, and a
Knight of St. John of Jerusalem — that band of self-
denying warriors which for a time stemmed the
advance of the conquering Turks, standing almost alone
— the vanguard of Europe's chivalry. Nicholas Fairfax
came out to Ehodes in 1484 with Sir John Kendall,
who was the Turcopolier or Chief of the Enghsh ' lan-
guage.'

In 1524 Sultan Solyman laid siege to Ehodes with
an immense army, and the Christian chivalry was mus-
tered for its defence under the Grand Master L'Isle
Adam. The knights were but a handful. They wore
a black surcoat over their armour, and over that a
narrow scarlet dalmatic, with a white cross embroidered
on the breast. The English ' language ' manned the
bastion of St. Nicholas, and were all killed to a man,
after performing prodigies of valour. Era Nicholas
Fairfax was an old man, grown grey in the service of
his order. He had fought manfully with his brethren
until the week before the final assault, when he was
ordered by the Grand Master to cut his way through
the Turkish fleet in a small galley, and bring succour
and provisions from Candia. This appeared impossible,
but men performed apparent impossibihties in those
days. The old knight reached Candia, and brought
back help which enabled Ehodes to hold out a while
longer. At length the little garrison was overwhelmed,
and the remnant under Lisle Adam retired to Candia
in two ships. Both were commanded by Enghshmen.
Sir William Weston had the great karack, and the
' Pearl of the Sea ' was entrusted to Era Nicholas Fair-
fax, ' uomo multo spiritoso e prudente,' as Jacomo
Bosio calls him. But Era Nicholas was now well
stricken in years. One more great service was he

B 2

4 THE GREAT HEIRESS.

destined to perform, defeating six large Turkish galleys in
his ' Pearl of the Sea,' and then he died as he had lived.
He was not destined to survive long enough to see the
revival of the prosperity of his order, but died in 1529
at a good old age. The Island of Malta v^^as granted to
the Knights, and they began to build their beautiful
city of Valetta in March 1530.

All Europe envied the bright fame of having fought
at Ehodes by the side of LTsle Adam. Proud vs^as the
household at Steeton of their hero-sailor. His portrait,
in stained glass, adorned the old chapel and is still
preserved in the family. It is fitting that the deeds of
the seaman Nicholas sliould be recorded in this place,
because the following pages will be mainly devoted to
a narrative of the hfe-story of another sailor of the
same stock.

The grandson of Sir Guy Fairfax married so great
an heiress,^ and acquired such broad acres in other
ways, that, on his death, in 1557, he was able to found
two families. His eldest son, Thomas, received Denton,
in distant Wharfedale, Nunappleton, three miles south-
east of Steeton, and property in York. He was grand-
father and great-grandfather of the two Parliamentary
generals. Lords Fairfax. The younger son, Gabriel,
inherited Steeton and Bilbrough,^ with the lordship of
Bolton Percy. So the wealthy Sir WiUiam Fairfax
made his will, and was carried to his grave, by the
side of his dear wife in St. Nicholas choir of Bolton
Percy Church, by fourteen poor men of the sur-
rounding villages in black gowns, hghted by fourteen
torches.

1 Isabel Thwaites, heiress of Denton and other manors in the AVest
Riding, and of BishophiU in York.

^ Sir William Fairfax had pm-ohased the manor of BUbrough in 1,550.

STEETON IN THE OLDEN TIME. 5

The inventory of the contents of Steeton Hall, which
Avas made after the death of Sir William Fairfax in
1557, gives us precise knowledge of the different
chambers, and of their furniture, with the estimated
value of each article.^ In the hall there were a screen
with arms of Fairfax and eight quarterings painted
upon it, hangings of buckram and say, a buffet, a great
table covered with rich carpeting, another table and
cupboard, high-back chairs, and stained glass in the
windows. The hall opened \ipon an adjoining parlour,
in which the old knight died, and this led to the gallery.
There were four other rooms downstairs, including the
great parlour, and we also learn that the bed-chambers
upstairs had special names, such as the Eyder Chamber,
the St. George Chamber, and the Indermar Chamber.
All these contained splendid four-post beds with rich
hangings. In the gallery there was a bed with hang-
ings of ' dornex,' ^ and a tester of satin and ' burges.'
The south chamber bed had a tester of red and black
velvet, and that in the great parlour was hung with
flowered blue damask, while the room was adorned
with arras. In the high study there was a garnish of
pewter vessels, and the books were in three oaken
chests. Here again the walls were hung with tapestry.
The plate consisted of a silver-gilt bowl weighing thirty
ounces, a great parcel-gilt cup and cover of fifty-eight
ounces, four smaller silver cups and covers, silver-gilt
salt-cellars, chased pieces of gold work, a silver punch
bowl, a great parcel-gilt ale tankard, and silver dishes.
The buttery, brewery, and kitchen were well stored
with napkins, table-cloths, towels, and other hnen, and
utensils of all kinds. The live stock consisted of sixteen
horses and mares, besides foals, ten cows, six bulls,

^ See Appendix A. ^ " Dornick," a kind of linen cloth.

6 STEETON IN THE OLDEN TIME.

twenty-six calves, a herd of oxen, sixty-six wethers,
sixty-seven rams, seventy-two ewes, a hundred lambs,
and fifteen pigs.^

To this fair inheritance Gabriel Fairfax succeeded,
in addition to some 2,000 acres of good land ; no bad
provision for a younger brother. Dying in 1581, he
Avas succeeded by his eldest son, another Sir William
Fairfax, who had been knighted by Queen Elizabeth in
1562. He had married Mabel, a daughter of Sir Henry
Curwen, whose brother gave shelter to Mary Queen of
Scots at Workington, his home on the Solway Firth,
when she fled from Scotland. A fine portrait of this
stately lady was painted, and hung in the hall at
Steeton, which is still preserved by the family. Mabel
Fau'fax is here represented as a lady with a small head
and pale face, in a stifi" rufi", in a sitting posture, with a
richly embroidered glove in her hand.

As soon as Sir William Fairfax succeeded to Steeton
Hall, he undertook extensive additions and repairs
which were in progress from 1594 to 1597, and in the
meanwhile he lived in the house of his cousin. Sir Thomas
Fairfax, at Nunappleton. When completed, the house
formed three sides of a courtyard, with the chapel on
the east front. A handsome gatehouse, with a porter's
lodge, formed the south side of the court. Over the
gateway there was a stone slab with the arms of Fairfax,
having a white rose on the lion's shoulder, quarterly
with the arms of Malbis, a baldrequin, and two angels
as supporters.^ The building was surmounted by a

^ The appraised value of the Hve stock is interesting. Cows were worth
11. a piece, buUs the same ; the value of 26 calves was 6/., of 100 sheep 91.,
a mare and her foal are valued at 21., a piebald horse 18s., a grey horse 21.,
a black horse 21. 6s., 15 pigs 21. lOs., 72 ewes 121. In the laithe there were
80 quarters of wheat and rye, valued at 281.

' Preserved at Bilbrough.

STEETON IN THE OLDEN TIME. 7

stone helmet and the crest of Malbis/ a hind's head
erased, which stood out against the sky. In the chapel
there was a gallery over the west door, a richly carved
Avooden chancel screen, and a very fine perpendicular
east window filled with stained glass, chiefly heraldic.
Here were emblazoned, in bright colours, the arms of
Percy and Lucy, of Beaumont, Neville, Hastings, Scrope,
Eyther, Manners, Aske,Fitzwilham, Hungate, and Fairfax.
Beneath the arms was the figure of Sir Nicholas Fairfax,
the Knight of Ehodes, in complete armour, with a long
black gown descending from his shoulders to the ground,
and embroidered with the cross of his order. He holds
a spear in his right hand, and his left rests on a shield
with the arms of Fairfax.^ The glass was all intact in
1663. In this chapel many members of the Fairfax
family were baptized.

Leaving the chapel on the right, in approaching
from the gatehouse, a visitor found himself in front of
a long stone facade with two storeys of muUioned win-
dows, and a porch in the centre. Sir William Fairfax
completed his improvements by placing a large and
richly carved slab over the haU door. On it was a
shield with the arms of Fairfax and Thwaites quarterly
impaling those of Curwen, his wife's family. On one
side is a scroll with the Fairfax motto ' Fare Faceto,'
and the words 'Anno Ehz., 37;' on the other the
Curwen motto 'Si je n'estoy,' and the year '1595.'^
Sir William also filled several windows with coats of
arms in stained glass : Fairfax impahng Eyther, Manners,

1 Preserved at Bilbrougli. In very early times a Fairfax had married
the heiress of Malbis, and the family had since quartered the Malbis arms,
and often used the Malbis crest.

2 See Appendix A.

2 This stone is now fixed in the wall of Bilbrough Hall, over the hall
door.

8 A FAMILY FEUD.

Gower ; and the arms of Mauleverer, Fitzwilliam, and
others. The family antiquaries, Charles and Brian
Fairfax, made careful note of all these things in 1614
and again in 1663.

There was a moat round the house, and several fish-
ponds well stocked with carp and tench. Flower gar-
dens extended along the moat, with trees and shrubs, and
an avenue of ancient elms led to the York road. The
home farm was a mile to the south-west, a pleasant walk
across the fields. It was called Low Moor, the build-
ings being on the banks of Catterton Drain, a stream
shaded by willows which falls into the Wharfe at Bolton
Percy. Such was the home where Sir William and Lady
Fairfax passed the last years of their honoured lives, and
hither Sir Wilham's body was brought, after his awfully
sudden death in his cousin's house at Finningley, on
July 7, 1603. His wife Mabel survived until 1624.
Their bodies rest together in Bolton Percy Church.

Sir Philip Fairfax of Steeton, the son and heir of this
worthy couple, was a gay courtier and a spendthrift.
He got heavily into debt to his cousin Sir Thomas
Fairfax of Denton, and this led to acrimonious disputes
between the two branches of the family, and to much
unhappiness. It was due to the efforts of Lord Shef-
field,^ who was President of the North from 1602 to
1619, residing in the manor house at York, that these
differences were amicably settled. His lordship's two
daughters, Mary and Frances, were married to the two
cousins, Ferdinando, son of Sir Thomas (afterwards first
lord) Fairfax of Denton, and Sir Phihp Fairfax of
Steeton. These marriages took place in the year 1607,
when Sir Philip gave up to his cousin the lordship of
Bolton Percy and the manor of Bilbrough, receiving in

' Created Earl of Mvilgrave in 1626, died in 1G46.

SIR WILLIAM FAIRFAX OF STEETON. 9

exchange the smaller manor of Newton Kyme, or
' Newton in the Willows,' as it was then more commonly
called.^ Thus the debts were cancelled. But Sir Phihp
did not live long in his wedded state. He died, at the
early age of twenty-seven, in July 1613, and his wife
followed him two years afterwards. They left behind
them two sons, Edmund and William, born respectively
in 1609 and 1610, and a daughter, Ursula, all baptized
in Steeton Chapel.

The orphan children at Steeton were brought up
under the care of their good old grandmother, Mabel,
Lady Fairfax.'-* On reaching man's estate, Edmund re-
mained at home, while Wilham embraced the career of
arms, and must have seen much active service, judging
from the high position he at once attained when the
Parliamentary army was first formed under the Earl
of Essex. There is some reason for thinking that he
served in the abortive expedition to the Isle of Ehe,
under the Duke of Buckingham . William was married
in 1629, when only nineteen, to Frances, the daughter
of Sir Thomas Chaloner of Guisborough, in Cleveland,
who was the same age. These Chaloners had been
distinguished for two generations. The grandfather
of Frances was first Clerk of the Council in the time of
Henry Yin., a poet and statesman. He was ambassador
to Germany, accompanied Charles V. in his expedition
to Algiers, and was knighted by the Protector Somerset

' In the year 1602 the manors and estates of Newton Kyme and
Totdston were conveyed by Lord Burleigh to Sir Thomas Fairfax of Denton.
In the thirteenth century, Newton belonged to the Lincolnshire family of
Kyme, passing through heiresses to the Umfra\dlles, Burdons, and Talboys.
W" i11ia.Tn Talboys suffered attainder in 1461.

^ Sir Ferdinando and Lady ilary Fairfax appear to have been liviag
at Steeton from 1617 to 1619, for their two youngest children were born
there, and baptized in Steeton Chapel. Lady Mary died at Steeton in
June 1619.

10 SIR WILLIAM FAIRFAX OF STEETON.

on the battle-field of Musselborough. Her father was
a poet and naturalist, and was Governor to Henry
Prince of Wales. Ursula Fairfax, the sister of William,
married her brother's wife's brother, James Chaloner, a
member of the Long Parliament, and one of the King's
judges. He was afterwards Commissioner of the Isle of
Man, and wrote a history of the island, but fortunately
died in the year of the Eestoration. The love letters of
Ursula and James Chaloner have been preserved.

As a reward for services, the record of which is
lost, William Fairfax was knighted at some time pre-
vious to 1640.

By the death of his elder brother Edmund in 1636,^
Sir Wilham Fairfax succeeded to Steeton and Newton
Kyme. He was a tall soldier-Hke man, with stern
features disfigured by a large mole at the corner of
one eye, but with a warm, affectionate heart. A man
of high honour and unflinching resolve, brave as a lion,
yet courteous and gentle. His wife was a good and
true woman. Of Sir William there is a large full-length
portrait, and a miniature by Cooper, in possession of the
family, and a half length belonging to Lord Lyttleton at
Hagley. Of his wife no picture has been preserved.

It was not until 1640 that Sir Wilham and Lady
Fairfax came to make their permanent home in the
old house at Steeton, but they had visited Yorkshire
every year since 1630, and had lived for some time in
the small manor house at Toulston, in the parish of
Newton Kyme.^ Their eldest son, Wilham, had been

' Edmund Fairfax had married Sarah, daughter of Sir William Irwin,
and had one child, Mary, who died in infancy.

^ There is a letter from Sic WiUiam Fairfax to Mr. Robert Barwick,
dated at Normanby, in Lincolnshire (the seat of his grandfather, the Earl
of Mulgrave), on December 9, 1640. It appears to be about the sale of
Toulston to Barwick. — American Coll., p. 23.

WILLIAM FAIRFAX OF STEETON. 11

baptized at St. Mary's, Bishophill, in York, on March
10, 1630. Thomas, their second son, was born at
Toulston, and baptized at Newton Kyme on August 22,
1633, by their good cousin the rector, Henry Fairfax.
They also had two daughters, Catharine ^ and Isabella.
To these M-ere added a daughter Mary, born at Steeton
in July 1640, and another named Philadelphia, who died
in infancy.

Sir Wilham at once entered upon the duties of an
active country gentleman. He wrote to his uncle, Fer-
dinando Lord Fairfax,^ from Steeton on July 25, 1641,
saying, ' Since I am resolved to settle myself in this
county, I cannot but think it my duty to do it the
best service I can, and, therefore, if your lordship think
fit to get me put in commission for the West Eiding, I
shall endeavour to perform what I am able.' He also
accepted the command of a company of the Yorkshire
trained bands.

Only for a short ten months was Sir William to
remain in peace with his wife and children at Steeton.
The misguided King was about to plunge the country
into all the miseries of a civil war, and it became every
man's duty to choose sides according to the dictates of
his conscience. The Fairfaxes were true, true as steel,
and with them no sign of hesitation appeared. They
drew their swords, sorrowfully but resolutely, in the
grand old cause which was represented by the Parlia-
ment of England. In their eyes there was no allegiance
due to a King who excited civil dissensions with the
object of destroying the institutions he was sworn to

' Catharine was also bom at Totilston, and baptized at Newton Kyme
on October 16, 1634.

- Lord Fairfax had married his mother's sister, both being daughters
of the Earl of Mulgrave.

12 PREPAEING FOR WAR.

defend and to protect. If Charles would return to his
Parliament and be guided by it, all would be well ; if
not, he was no rightful King.

The formal declaration was made at York on May 9,
1G42. Charles summoned the country gentlemen of
Yorkshire, denounced the Parliament, and called upon
them to raise troops for him. The meeting split into
two parties. The High Sheriff, Mr. Hutton, with Sir
Thomas Pairfax, Sir William Fairfax, and others met
at the Deanery and signed a reply to the King's speech.
They besought His Majesty to trust entirely to his
Parliament. Charles rejected their prayer, plunged the
unhappy country into a devastating war, and paid the
penalty.

Sir "William Pairfax returned to Steeton and sadly
prepared for that struggle which the King had made
inevitable. The happy home was broken up. The wife
and daughters, those loved ones whom he was never to
see again in this life, were sent for safety to London, to
the house of his sister, Mrs. Chaloner, near Charing
Cross. Lady Barwick, a dear friend at Toulston,^ near
Newton Kyme, took charge of the two little boys,
William and Thomas, then aged twelve and nine re-
spectively. Sir William left Steeton in charge of
servants, raised a regiment among his tenantry, and

' Totilston was bought by Lord Fairfax at the same time as Newton
Kyme, from which it is only a mile distant. It was sold to Sir Robert
Barwick, the Recorder of Doncaster, who was knighted by Charles I. in
1641, and died in 1660. His wife. Lady Barwick, was Ursula, daughter
of Walter Strickland, and sister of Sir William Strickland, Bart. Their
son Robert was born in 1633, and was just the same age as the second son
of Sir William Fairfax, who was his playfellow. Robert Barwick suc-
ceeded his father in 1660, but was unfortunately drowned in the Wharfe
on June 16, 1666. He was uumarried. Lady Barwick died on October 4,
1682, aged eighty-one. The eventual heiress of Toulston was her daughter
Frances, who married Henry, the fourth Lord Fairfax.

LETTErxS OF SIR WILLIAM FAIRFAX. 13

marched to join the army of the Parliament, of whicli
the Earl of Essex had received command. He was at
once appointed a colonel of one of the infantry regi-
ments, which was stationed in the left centre at the
battle of Edgehill. Other regiments were connnanded
by his relations, Sir William Constable, Sir Philip
Stapleton, and Sir Henry Cholmley. This bloody, but
indecisive action, was fought on October 23, 1642, and
Sir WiUiam behaved with extraordinary gallantry. He
continued to serve with Essex for tlie next two months,
but when the news came that his uncle. Lord Fairfax,
and his cousin, Sir Thomas, were at length in arms,
he felt that his proper place was at their sides. He
hurried to Selby, and threw in his lot with his countv,
being foremost at the storming of Leeds and in the
attack on Wakefield.

After the crushing defeat at Adwalton the Fairfaxes
retreated into Hull, where they were besieged by the
Marquis of Newcastle. Hull was the Torres Vedras of
the Parliament. When Newcastle raised the siege the
cause was virtually won. Fresh heart was instilled into
the Parliamentary forces, and great efforts were made
to oppose the hitherto successful progress of Newcastle.
AVith this view Sir William Fairfax was despatclied
into Norfolk, to have an interview with the Earl of
Manchester, and urge him to advance into the Midland
counties. Five of the letters which Sir William wrote
to his wife have been preserved. Tattered, and scarcely
legible, they still bear testimony to his affectionate
anxiety for his family, as well as to his resolute persist-
ence in the cause for which he had reluctantly drawn
liis sword. The first was written from Boston, in
Lincolnshire, when he was on his way to the head-
quarters of the Earl of Manchester.

14 LETTERS OP SIR WILLIAM FAIRFAX.

For my dear wife the lady Fairfax att Mr. James Ghalloner's '
Iwuse, in Queen's Street neare the Floiver de luce Tavern —
this :

My dear hartt, — I cannot omitt any occasion to let thee
know where and how I am. I writt to thee last week and the
week before butt I heard he thatt caried the former letters was
slaine att Northamton by Prince Eupert's forces, yett I hope
they came late to your hands, for he left them with the Mare of
thatt towne. I am now at Boston and intend, God willing, to
be at Linn tomorrow with my Lord of Manchester, being sent
from Sir Thomas to desire him to march towards Newcastle's
army which is now att Chesterfield in Darbyshire.^ If we can
draw these forces thither, we make no question butt to roote the
enemy, which God send we may, for Thomas's partt and mine
we rest nether night nor day, nor will willingly till we have
done God some good service against his and our enimyes. Let
not anybody know T writt to thee only lett my lady Shefiield
know, if she will write you will send her letter. You may
direct yours to Major Bland ^ att Lester, and he will send them
to me. I shall be very glad to hear from thee. I left our army
at Melton Mowbray in Lestershire, and intend to return with
all speed to itt. If you let my sister know I writt, remember
my love to her, and to Mall Peefers. Tell my wife Lambert
how she may write to me, so with my blessing to my children I
rest thy dear and loving husband

Will Fairfax.

From Boston the 20th Nov. 1643.

In tlie end of January 1644, Sir Thomas Fairfax,
accompanied by his cousin Sir William, marched from
Manchester to relieve Nantwich. On the 28th a battle
was fought, in vs^hich the Royalist army under Lord
Byron was entirely defeated, the success of the day

' Her brother.

^ The Marquis of Newcastle raised the siege of HuU in the end of
October.

' Michael Bland is in the Army List of 1642, as one of the captains in
Sir WUliam Fairfax's regiment.

LETTERS OF SIR "WILLIAM FAIRFAX. 15

being secured by an opportune and very gallant flanking
charge led by Sir William Fairfax. The siege of Nant-
wich was raised, and the troops returned to Manchester
in February, whence Sir Wilham wrote the following
letter, full of anxious solicitude for his wife's welfare.

To my deare tvife the lady Fairfax att her house hy Ghering
Cross this —

My dear Hartt, — I was never so much troubled in my life
concerning thee as now, for I never heard one word from thee
since Collonel Bright came from London. What the reason is
I know not. God of his mercy send all be well with you. Here
came a man of Sir Thomas Witherington's from London, that
tels me he heard that you were in labor when he came from
London, which trubbles me very much, having not heard one
word of the truth of thy estate. Dear Hart, let me beg one sir John
word or two from thee by this bearer — Major Copley, who will ^^^'^before
return sudenly. God doth daily heap his mercyes upon us, for Newark
since our great victory at Nantwich ' we have forced Cheshire no question
of all the petty garisons that did hinder the country from riseing (."j^g itt_
with us. It is now in such a condition that, if they be active,
they may raise a sufficient strenth to defend themselves from
any enemy. This day we received letters from Collonel Lam-
bertt, (who is now at Bradford with 600 foot and 8 troops of
horse,) that the enemy having gathered all the strength which
the Marquis of Newcastle left behind him in Torkshire, fell upon
Bradford yeasterday being the 20th of this month and were
soundly beaten for their paines, we having taken Sir John
Girlington ^ and divers other officers of quality with above 100
comon solders prisoners. The enemy being 4,000 horse and
foot and comanded by Jack Belases ^ who escaped very narowly.
This God was pleased to add to the rest of his miracles, His

1 On January 28, 1644 (N.S.)

^ Sir John Girlington was drowned in 1644, in a retreat after a sortie
from Newark Castle.

' John BeUasis was a cousin of the Fairfaxes, his grandmother, Ursula,
having heen a sister of the first Lord Fairfax. In January 1644 he was
created Baron Bellasis of Worlaby.

16 ILLNESS OF SIR WILLIAM FAIRFAX.

name be ever praised for it. I believe we shall presently march
into Yorkshire and joyne our forces with my Lord's. I make
no question but you have heard of the defeat my Lord's forces
gave the enemy in the Bast Riding not long since, so with my
prayers to God for thee and the children I rest thy dear and

loving husband

Will Fairfax.

From Mauchester the 23rd of Feb. 1643 (O.S.)

In consequence of news from the besiegers of
Newark, Sir Thomas Fairfax marched from Manchester
into Derbyshire in February 1644, accompanied by his
cousin ; and the following letter relates the cause of
the serious illness with which Sir William Fairfax was
seized at this juncture. We also get a pleasant glimpse
at his ministering angels, young Englishwomen who
were true to their country, and as brave as they were
kind and hospitable. The Booths came of a very
ancient family in Cheshire and Lancashire. Old Sir
George Booth had been created a baronet in 1611, and
survived until 1652. His son William was dead,
leaving two children, George ^ and Catherine ; and the
young ladies whose praises are recorded by Sir Wilham
Fairfax were Sir George's daughters Alice, Susan, and
Elizabeth, and his grandchild Catherine.^

^ George succeeded his grandfather as second Baronet in 1652. The
family had been for the Parhament ; but, like Lord Fairfax, Sir George
Booth saw the necessity for the restoration in 1659. He headed a rising in
Cheshire, was taken prisoner, and committed to the Tower. But on the
arrival of Charles II. he was rewarded with a grant of money by Parhament,
and created Lord Delamere of Dunham Massie. Dying in 1684, his son
Hemy opposed the proceedings of Charles II. and his brother, and espoused
the cause of the Prince of Orange. The second Lord Delamere was
created Earl of Warrmgton in 1690. The title of Lord Delamere became
extmct in 1770.

2 Of these young ladies, Alice married George Vernon, Esq., of Heshnton,
in Cheshire ; Susan to Sir William Brereton, the commander for the Parha-
ment in Cheshire ; Elizabeth to Lord BjTon ; and Catherine to Sir John
Jackson, of Hickleton, in Yorkshire.

ILLNESS OF SIR WILLIAM FAIRFAX. 17

For my deare irife the Lachj Frances Fairfax, at Whitehall,
over against Charing Cross — this

My dear Harfce, — I much feare the news of my sickness will
reach your ears before this letter comes to your hands to certifie
you of my recovery which I thank my good God for. I gather
strength every day I thank God. My disease was a desperate
fever occasioned by a cold taken as folows. There was some
leters came from Newark to Sir Thomas Fairfax to certify him
of their distres. They came in the night, when we were all in
bed, and he sent to me he must ether come to me or I must come
to him. He had that day one of the sorest fits of the stone that
ever I saw. So I got up and putt on a few cloths, thinking he
had a fire in his chamber, but there was none, so sitting advising
so long, I gott cold, butt it did not show itself till we had marcht
two days into Darbyshire. There I fell into a burning fever, I
being far from any phisition, and amongst the enemy. In this
case I was forst to ride 22 miles to Manchester, where I met
with a good phisition who, by God's help, did abate the rage of
the fever, and then I was advised to go for halfe a dozen miles
outt of the towne. I was invited by Sir George Booth who hath
divers sisters,' so religious and every way so good that I must
confess I never mett with so many good women together in all
my life. They all attend me as if I were a prince. When the
Irish were masters of this country they sent away their old father
out of danger, and fortified their house, and kept a garison in it,
and maintained it against all their force. I wonder much that
Mr. White pays not the other 50, but I will right to him a
railing leter. You must excuse me to all my friends, for I have
much adoe to write this to thee. I can, I thank God, walk three
or fower times about my chamber, and then I am very weary.
Butt, I thank God, I gather strength every day, so that I hope
ere long I shall be able to go to my command. I know the
news of the great victory that my Lord Fairfax hath obtained
since the meeting with his sone will be with you before this
letter.^ God did not think me worthy to partake of that great

1 His grandfather was still alive. Three of the ladies were George
Booth's aunts, one was his sister.

^ At Selby on April 11, 1644, when John Bellasis was taken prisoner.

C

18 MAESTON MOOR.

bonor, indeed I was far unworthy of it, so I submit to God's

good pleasure and remain thy dear and loving husband till

death.

Will Fairfax.

From Dunham,' the 16th of April, 1644.

I received yesterday two or three of thy letters. They had
been long a coming.

Sir William's cousin John Sheffield and old Sir
George Booth married sisters, daughters of Chief Jus-
tice Anderson, which made some connection between the
invalid and his host.

Although the illness of Sir William Fairfax kept
him under the care of his fair nurses at Dunham Massie,
and he was, as he puts it, held unworthy to take part
in the victory at Selby, he was sufficiently recovered to
command a brigade at Marston Moor in the following
July. He had indeed joined the besieging army before
York in May, and was appointed one of the commis-
sioners to treat with Newcastle, on the terms of a sur-
render early in June. At the battle of Marston Moor
he commanded an infantry brigade of about 3,000 men,
which was stationed on the right of the Parliamentary
line of battle. When the conflict began, he beat off
the enemy from a hedge in his front, captured three
pieces of their ordnance, and gallantly led his men for-
ward. But on emerging from the lanes they were re-
ceived with a terrific cross fire from Newcastle's white
coats, so that, as Sir Thomas Fairfax bore witness, there
was more slaughter here than on any other part of the
field. The men wavered, and just then a large body of
their own cavalry, routed by Sir William King, galloped
over them in wild disorder. Sir William Fairfax es-
caped unhurt, and saw the fortunes of the day retrieved ;

^ Dunliam Massie, the seat of Sir George Booth, Bart.

LETTER FROM MARSTOX MOOR. 19

but he also saw his kinsmen and friends fall thick
around him. His cousin and namesake, William Fair-
fax, the major of Lambert's regiment, fell covered with
wounds, of which he died at York, leaving all his
worldly goods to his ' much honored and dear father : '
' my temporal estate,' he adds, ' consisteth wholly of
my horse, armes, and apparel, and arrearages of pay.' ^
Young Charles Fairfax, brother of Sir Thomas, also
received a mortal wound.

Sir William's first thought was to relieve the anxiety
of his wife, and he wrote a few hurried lines on the fly-
leaf of an old letter, in time for the messensjer who was
sent oiF to London with news of the great victory, on
the following day. Marston Moor is only six miles
from Steeton, so that he could describe the position of
the battle-field by reference to that of a friend's house,
which was well known to Lady Fairfax. Some others
probably sent off similar hurried scrawls, but this is,
so far as I am aware, the only private letter written on
the battle-field of Marston Moor which has been pre-
served.

For my dear vife the Lady Frances Fairfax at her house near
Oil a ringcross — this

My dear Hart, — I know when you hear of our great battle
with Prince Eupert you will be very fearfull of me ; therefore I
write to satisfie thee that God hath allso, at this time, preserved
me from any hurt atall. We have beaten Prince Rupert to
some tune, and routed all his army and taken his ordnance. We
have killed above a thousand of his men, but whatt prisoners I
know nott yet, but there is very many. The battle was fought
in Marston Fields, not far from Quinton Ludston's house, the
hour at five o'clock in the afternoon. I cannot stay the
messenger, so thatt you must excuse me to all my friends, and

' Win proved by Sir Robert Barwick on November 12, 1645.

c 2

20 LAST LETTER FROM SIR WILLIAM FAIRFAX.

tell them I had not any paper but this, and itt was a piece of
a letter. Sir Thomas Fairfax is wounded in the face, but not
much worse. Collonell Lambert is very well, but most of his
ofScers killed and hurtt. My service to my Lady Sheffield and
my wife Lambertt, and all the rest of my friends. Tom Smith
is slaine, so I rest, thy dear husband,

Will Fairfax.

From Marston the 13th of July, 1644,
the day after the battle.

My cousin Charles Fairfax' is very sore wounded.

Soon after, the battle Sir William Fairfax was
detached, with a body of Yorkshire horse, to join Sir
John Meldrum in the siege of Liverpool ; while Sir
William Brereton invested the Eoyalist garrison at
Chester. The victory of Marston Moor had restored
peace to Yorkshire, and his letter from before Liver-
pool, the last he ever wrote, is full of plans for the
return of his wife and daughters to their old home at
Steeton, and for sending his httle sons to school.

For my dear wife the Lady Fairfax at her house near Char in-
cross — this

My deare Harte, — I was no sooner come to Yorke butt my
Lord dispatched me into this country, where I live at a great
charge. Sir William Constable was dispatched for this service,
but Sir John Meldrum writting my Lord word that the soldyers
would not be commanded by him, therefore he desired I might
be sentt to him. The imployment is honorable for I have the
command of 2,000 horse, and I thank God they have done very
good service since they came hither, and I hope will continue
in doing so. We are now before Liverpool, and by God's as-
sistance we make no doubt butt to be masters of it, in a short
time. As for the enemy we have beaten them out of the field
into their holds. The Prince's army is reduced to a very small

' Brother of General Sir Thomas Fairfax. He died three or four days
afterwards at Marston, aged thirty.

LAST LETTER FROM SIR WILLIAM FAIRFAX. 21

number and whatt strength they have are all beaten into Wales.
The Prince has deserted the north, so that there is hopes we
shall live quietly this winter. I would very gladly have you at
home if you could conveniently come, butt be not too hasty for
there are three servants sick in the house, whereof Francis is
one. But I hope they are all on the mending hand. I dearst
not trust your sonnes at home, for fear of the sickness. They
are as yett at Toulston with my Lady Barwick ' who I know will
have a great care of them. I have given order to Frank to gett
all the money he can posibly and send itt to you. If you come
down I would have you make a visett to Mr. Sergeant Wilde, to
give thanks for his favour, and desire him give order to the
sequestrators to keepe your house for you. Your boyes, I intend,
shall goe to scoole to a place they call Cuckowld,^ where I hear
there is a good Scoole Iilaster. I hear my man Francis is
recovered and the rest of my servants. I hope you may transport
yourself and your goods with safety to Steeton. You may teU
my Lady Peterborow,' though I was commanded away in haste,
yet I put her business into Collonell Lambert's hands, who will
give an account of it and then I will write to her Ladyship, as also
Sir Thomas Wharton's business. I am commanded to march
upon Monday next, to beat the enemy out of Warall, a place in
Cheshire, for Sir William Brereton either will not or cannot, and
though I do itt, I am confident he will have the honor of itt,
yett that shall not discorage me from doing what service I can
for the public. Sir Thomas Fairfax is badly shot through the

' Ursula, daughter of Walter Strickland, and sister of Sir William
Strickland, Bart., married Sir Robert Barwick, Recorder of Doncaster,
who was knighted by Charles I. in 1641. He bought Tonlston, in the
paarish of Newton Kyme, and died there in 1660. They had a son, Robert
Barwick, born in 1633, who was drowned in the ^Tiarfe on June 16, 1666,
and buried at Newton Kyme, a daughter and eventual heiress, Frances,
married to Henry, the foiurth Lord Fairfax, and a daughter Ursula, who
died in. 1655, aged fourteen.

Lady Barwick died on October 4, 1682, aged eighty-one.

There were monuments in Newton Kj-me Church to Sir Robert and
Lady Bar^\•ick, their son Robert, and daughter Ursula, copied by Torre, but
all now destroyed.

^ Coswold ? Here Brian Fairfax was also at school.

' Elizabeth, only daughter and heiress of William, Lord Howard of
Effingham, and wife of John Mordamit, first Earl of Peterborough.

22 DEATH OF SIR WILLIAM FAIRFAX.

shoulder. The wound is nott so dangerous as the fever that
follows itt, yett I hope he will recover itt ; so desiring your
prayers, and my blessing to my daughters I reste thy dear and
loving husband,

Will Fairfax.

From the leager att Liverpool, the 7th of September, 1644.

When this letter was written, Sir William had
already received orders to march southwards. In ten
days more he crowned an honourable and loyal life
with a glorious death. Sir Thomas Middleton, who
was commanding for the Parliament in Shropshire, had
intercepted the whole of the gunpowder which the
Eoyalists were sending from Bristol for the use of the
garrisons in Chester and Liverpool. He deposited it,
with a suitable force, in Montgomery Castle, remaining
outside with his cavalry. This was a serious blow to
the Eoyalists, and Lord Byron, collecting the remains
of Prince Eupert's horse and of the infantry sent over
from Ireland by Lord Ormond, laid siege to Montgomery
Castle, with the determination of recovering the powder.
Middleton appealed for support to the Parliamentary
commanders in Cheshire and Lancashire, and his call
was promptly answered.

Sir John Meldrum and Sir Wilham Fairfax, with
3,000 men, arrived before Montgomery Castle on
September 17, Lord Byron retreating to the slope of a
mountain on one side, with his besieging troops, which
numbered 5,000 men. Next day the Eoyahsts caiue
down into the plain, and attacked the relieving force
with great resolution. Byron's pikemen advanced with
desperate bravery ; but Sir William Fairfax led his men
again and again to the charge. At last, when a third
time they wavered and fell back, he dashed single-
handed into the thick of the enemy's ranks, his good

DEATH OF SIR ^^^LLIAM FAIRFAX. 23

sword flashing right and left, and the plumes of his
beaver waving hke a beacon amidst the hostile pikes
and steel caps. It was a deed worthy of Arthur's fabled
knights, and it won the battle. The sight of their
gallant chief, thus surrounded by his enemies, aroused
the spirit of the Yorkshire yeomen. Again they charged
furiously upon that terrible line of pikes, resolved to
rescue their beloved commander or to die. This final
charge was decisive. The Eoyahsts broke and fled in
all directions, and Montgomery Castle was relieved.
But Sir William Fairfax was literally covered with
wounds,^ more than one of which was mortal.

Sir William Fairfax hngered for sixteen hours, and
died covered with glory. With his last breath he
asked Sir William Brereton to tell the Parliament that
he thought his life well bestowed in its service, and to
desire them to have a care of his wife and children.
Sir William Fairfax wore a gold bracelet and a diamond
ring, which the surgeons wanted to take as perquisites.
This was not allowed. The memorials, with letters of
condolence, were sent to Lady Fairfax by her husband's
companions-in-arms, Su- John Meldrum, Sir Thomas
Middleton, and Sir Wilham Brereton. She rephed that
' She grieved not that he died in the cause, but that he
died so soon that he could do no more for it.'

' The Weelihj Intelligencer says he had twelve or thirteen wounds,
Vicars says fifteen, "^Maitelocke eleven.

24 LADY FAIRFAX AT STEETON.

CHAPTEE II.

THE WIDOW AND HER CHILDREN.

Lady Fairfax and her cliildren received much sympathy
in their bereavement. She could not bear at first to
go to Steeton, as had been arranged by her husband.
The loss was too recent, the memories were too fresh.
She went to Normanby, the seat of her husband's grand-
father, the Earl of Mulgrave, in Lincolnshire. Two
years afterwards she removed to Steeton Hall, that place
having been left to her for her hfe, and she continued
to live there until her death, which took place nearly
fifty years afterwards. Sir Thomas Fairfax advanced
money for her immediate necessities, and the Parha-
ment, mindful of the great services of her husband,
voted her a sum of 1,500^. on January 11, 1647.^
She brought up her daughters at home with much
care and solicitude ; while the two boys, WilUam and
Thomas, were probably sent to the school at Coxwold
which their father mentioned in his last letter. Until
the Eestoration, she had for her neighbours at Bolton
Percy the excellent rector, Henry Fairfax, and his two
sons, Henry and Brian ; while the great General Lord
Fairfax, her husband's companion in arms, rested on his
laurels at Nunappleton. Lady Fairfax was very fond
of her garden, and of the home farm at Low Moor ;

' WhitelocTte'' s Memorials, p. 234.

LADY FAIRFAX AT STEETON. 25

and in the management of her son's estate she was a
notable woman of business. When her two boys grew
up, they both took service in the army of the Lord
Protector. There is a portrait of William, a pale, delicate-
looking young man, in armour. Thomas served in the
expedition to Jamaica in 1655, when he was in his twenty-
third year.

Lady Fairfax's eldest daughter Cathei'ine was the
first to leave Steeton. She was married to Sir Martin
Lister, a son of Sir Wilham Lister of Thornton, by Mary,
daughter of Sir Henry Bellasis, of Newburgh, and
brother-in-law to General Lambert. Lady Lister was
not a very interesting person, but her picture at Hagley
shows that she was pretty. Some of her letters to her
mother have been preserved, which were written from
London during the time of the Protectorate, when she
was from twenty-two to twenty-eight years of age. They
are fuU of family troubles and passing gossip, yet they
are not altogether without interest, for they more than
hint at balls, and even plays, at a time when it is gene-
rally supposed that such things were altogether banished
from the England of Cromwell and the Puritans : —

For The Lady Fairfax at Steeton in TorlsMre to hee left att
Tadcaster. post pd.

Dear Mother, — This post I received tvro of yours, wherein I
find you had not that from my husband and I, and one inclosed
to Sir Walter Vavasour.' I am sorry Gisborough should not
hold right because we were too confident, and therefore sought
for no other place until it was too late. I have been very ill

' Son of Sir Walter Vavasour, of Hazlewood, in Yorkslm-e, who raised a
regiment of horse for Charles I. The son, here mentioned, married Jane,
daughter of Sir Jordan Crossland (the Boyalist governor of Helmsley
Castle, when Sir Thomas Fairfax was badly wounded in 1644), but died
chOdless in February 1713.

26 LETTERS FROM LADY LISTER.

this week of a faintness of my spirits that I have not sometimes
been able to speak. This day I am beginning a course of
physick, for today I was let blood. I fear if I take not care
in time I shall go into a consumption. One sight of you would
recover me. I long for lady day more than any thing in the
world. I hope after that you will have thoughts of coming.
My husband is well and our business has some life in it yet to
be done without a parliament. Pray God send it that I may
have an end of all my troubles. My brother Kit ' is still in
prison, plays least in sight, his wife is still with me and begins
to recover, but may thank him for her illness. My Lady Lister^
never answered my husband's letter, but last Saturday he went
to Wimbledon, where all the entertainment he had was his
mother bobd him, as she calls it, at every word, and scarce
asked for me, but not atall for my poor unhappy sister. Martin
snapt her up that she grew pritty civU, though not kind, before
he came away. But nobody desird him to stay all night though
it raind, but my Lord. So he came home at night, which I was
glad of. He presents his duty to you. We have no news
besides. I am not able to write more than that I am dearest
mother your most obt. child

K. Lister.

Jan. 12th.

My husband's atid my service to my sister Fairfax. Pray
tell Mrs. Skipton that we will send her handkerchief by Mrs.
Jenkison.

Fo7- the Lady Fairfax at Steeton, post payd — Leave this with
the Poastmaster of Tadcaster, Yorkshire.

Dearest Mother, — My last was something short by reason of
my husband's sudden falling ill, which indeed surprised me
mightily. It was on Saturday night last, and yet he continues
ill. But I thank God much better now. He is going into a
course of physick. The Lord send it may do him good. Just

' Christopher Lister, her husband's brother. He married Winifred,
daughter of Sir Richard Fletcher, Knight, of Coekernaouth (widow of two
previous husbands), and had a daughter Anne.

- Widow of Sir William Lister, of Thornton. She was a daughter of Sir
Henry Bellasis, of Newburgh.

LETTEES FEOM LADY LISTER. 27

now I receved one from you with one to Mrs. Harvey, who
yesterday sent me this inclosed to send to you before she had
one from you. My Aunt Haly denies all her rogery, but that
shall not serve her turn. I intend a ftirther bout with her.
Neether he nor she ever came or sent to look after me since you
went. But I am as well pleased as not, to want the love of such
base people. Dear Mother your kind expressions is more to me
than all that others can do, and whether we have this place or
not, we are resolved to live upon what we have in Yorkshire.
I long for the time, for I am sure I shall never be fully content
until then. JMartin presents his duty. As soon as he goes
abroad he will not fail to get you a commission to take guns.
Yesterday the man that plotted burning "Whitehall was con-
demned to be hanged, drawn, and quartered; and the match
with Jack ^Mordant ' and Carey - is concluded. She fasts all
lent on purpose to be a fit match for him. Aft Easter my Lord
Protector's younger daughter is to be married to my Lord
Warwick's grandchild and heir. Savill and his Lady are still
as kind as ever ; but as a secret I tell you the match is likely
to break between Mall Fairfax ^ and her lover. The truth is
neither shee nor father nor mother like him. I shall go to-
morrow to see Sir Thomas Witherington.* There contiaues still
great emulation between our great sister and the other great
courtiers.' 'Tis not possible for two suns to shine in one firma-
ment. The 25th of this month I am for Ham there to stay till
I come to you ; where I shall value one day at the Low Moor ®

^ Second son of the first Earl of Peterborough, who constantly plotted
for the restoration of Charles II. He was created Viscount Mordaunt of
Avalon in 1659, and died in 1675. He was father of the great Earl of
Peterborough.

^ Elizabeth, sole heiress of Thomas Carey, second son of Robert, Earl
of Monmouth. She married John Mordaimt, Viscount Avalon, and bore
Viim five sons and three daughters.

' Only child of Thomas, third Lord Fairfax. She married the Duke
of BucMngham, September 15, 1657.

* Speaker in Cromwell's Parliament. He married Frances, sister of
the third Lord Fairfax, who died in 1649, leaving fovir daughters. Sir
Thomas died in 1664.

' She probably alludes to Mrs. Lambert, her husband's sister, and a
great lady at the Protector's Court.

' The Low Moor was the home-farm at Steeton.

28 LETTERS FROM LADY LISTER.

more than all the balls and fine things here : though to night I am
to goe to one at the French Ambassador's and a play. I may-
be a little vain now, but when once I get from it, hang me when
I return to stay by it. I am extremely sensible of your solitary
life, and in the midst of all my mirth it makes me dull, my dear
Mother. Be as cheerful as you can. I hope your garden will
keep you employed this spring time. I wish you joy of young
Arthur.' As God help me Madam I doubt he will never be soe
good a knight of his hands as Arthur of Britain. My brother
Tom's ^ Colonel is come home soe weak he was not able to stand,
to speak to the Protector.^ He came of such a sudden my brother
had not time to write two words after he knew of his coming away
and here I send it you. You see what he resolves but they say
there will not be a great while any opportunity for him to come.
There goes ships presently if you please to write to him if you
think fit to divert him. My kind love I desire to my sister and
Blackaller and all that love dear Mother your most obedient
daughter,

Kath Lister.

Thursday, Lon : the 20 of Feb. (1656.) ?

For the Lady Fairfax at Steeton in Yorlcshire, to be left at
Tadcaster, post pd.

Dear Mother, — I am too sensible of the happiness I shall
enjoy to be with you, to be trebled at the maner of my jorney.
It is not out of pride that I seemed to be concerned about it, for
with my husband I could come in a wheel barrow to you with
comfort. But I confess the consideration of leaving him here
in a hundred troubles of which I knew not what would become,
and then to have no creature but my ugly man and pitiful

' The fourth child of her brother "William was named Arthur, born
about this time. He died in infancy.

' Thomas Fairfax, born 1633, served in the army of the Protector
in Jamaica and in Ireland. 1694 Colonel on the Irish establishment, 1696
Brigadier-General, Major-General, and Governor of Limerick imder Queen
Anne. Died at Dublin, March 11, 1712.

' Colonel Venables, who came home from Jamaica without leave, on
the ground of sickness, and was sent to the Tower for his pains.

LETTERS FROM LADY LISTER. 29

strangers, would have made me sad. But my Martin tells me
if I can stay a Tveek more for him, than I intended, he would
come with me on horse back, which I beg your pardon that I
condescend to his desires being it wUl be much more con-
venient for me. I cannot speak yet to the Lieutenant. My
uncle Holly says he saw him since and that he says my brother
is very well and willing to stay there now. I know not how to
believe him, therefore I speak with him if possible myself. I
hear nothing what they will do about discoveries. The High
Court of Justice sits on Tuesday. Divers are to be tried, but I
cannot tell in particular none of their faults till they be tried.
Only they say they were in a plot lately and had commissions
from Charles Stuart to raise men. In my last I gave you an
account of Charles Smith. He is well. My Lady Mulgrave '
holds her journey on Monday. We have not the plague atall
in London, but only a new disease which, iu plain EngUsh, is
an old cold, which kills many but it lessens every week 100.
I have not heard anything of Mr. BlackaUer this term. I am
glad of it, for I should not know, upon your account, how to be
civil to him, and upon my own I think I am little obliged to it.
Poor Martha Grace her child is dead, and my old Lord Warwick,
and many others of our slight acquaintance. I writ you a long
letter last post which I wish you have received, for they play
the rogue very much here at the post house and make letters
miscarry. It is a general complaint. The weather begins to
be a little warm which is great comfort to me. I fear I am
inclined to a palsy, or else it is melancholy cold vapours that
comes from the spleen, that sometimes numbs my tongue and
all one side for an hour, and then goes away again. I have all
the diseases of a horse and yet I live, which I desire to do for
no other reason than to expres myself dear Mother your most

obedient daughter,

Kath Lister.

May 21 (1656 ?).
Martin presents his duty to you.

' Lady Eliz. Cranfield, daughter of Lionel, Earl of Middlesex, and wife
of Edmund Sheffield, second Earl of Mulgrave. She was mother of Queen
Anne's Duke of Buckinghamshire.

30 LETTEES FROM LADY LISTER.

For the Lady Fairfax att Steeton in Yorlcshire, to bee left at
Tadcii.-^ter — jjost 'pd.

Dear Motlier, — I have received yours when I am glad to
hear you have received two of mine at once, that you may see

1 neglect not writing, though I am so unhappy not to have them
delivered. I find the expresions of your kindness in every
particular, that you are satisfied with my fondness in desiring
to stay for my husband. Truly I would rather come than stay
if that were not the ocasion, yet I hope to begin my journey
within 10 days or less. I am certain by the next I can say
more, I have another letter from my brother Tom. I find he
is willing enough to stay. I think truly as things are with you
'tis fittest for him ; for he lives as well as any there, and writes
that the general is more his friend than he was that died,' so
that in my mind I see no reason why you should trouble your-
self about him. But he has done a simple and an ill-natured
thing to my husband, which I will not lett him know as long
as I can conceal it, because I know he will take it ill ; which is,
when my brother was in towne he owed 50 pounds or more to
my husband, besides he was ingaged for him for many things,
or he could not have gone out of towne. So my brother left a
letter of atorney with my husband, to receive his pay, and when
he got it to pay himself and the debts for which he stood bound.
My husband could never get yet but 20 pound, which he paid
to the tailor. Now my brother, seeing he had not received it,
has made void the letter of atorney that Martin has, and given

2 others to 2 strangers. Now it may be at last they may get
the money, but my husband will lose his owne, for hee has
nothing to show for it. I am more vexed at what my husband
will think of him than for the loss of the money, though at this
time it is something in our purse. When I see you I will dis-
course more at large of these things. In the mean time I am
very sorry for the troble that is fallen on you concerning the
high ways. It is a sad thing that people will swear themselves
to the Devill for so small a matter. I hope you will find some
redress by my Lord Fairfax, I will tell him of it when I see him.

1 At Jamaica, General Fortesoue died in October 1655, and was suc-
ceeded by General Sedgwick.

LETTERS FROM LADY LISTER. 31

I went the other clay and my Lady Fairfax looks as if shee
would eat me, but 1 take no notice and goe the seldomer. The
Court of Justice has done nothing as yett. We haye no other
news but what I writ in my last : 'tis late that I must end with
saying I am your most obedient daughter,

Kath Lister.

May 29, 1656.

For The Lady Fairfax att 8teeton, in Torhshire, to be left at
Tadcaster — post -pd.

Dear Mother, — I have this day received yours of two sheets
of paper, but without a date, so that I know not how long it has
been coming, but come when it will it is very welcome to me
when it brings me from you so much kindness. No doubt it
would be a great happiness to us to come to you, but my poor
Martin is so weak that though now he is come home, not able
to stir nor speak having been but at Chelsea to take the air, so
that in this condition it fe not possible for him to travel. The
doctors still let him have nothing but milk, and he grows weaker,
but I fancy he coughs less, and though some think it best to
prepare me for the worst, by telling me they think he will not
lire, yett I cannot think he will die. Pray God I flatter not
myself too much, but it cannot enter into my thoughts. For my
Lord Duke' I have often such good words from him, that one
would think it impossible to go back from, in that particular,
though I have no effect from it yett. His wife is gone to
Tunbridge. I writ you word in a letter which it seems has
miscaried that my Lord Mulgrave went every day to Court, and
that the King is veiy kind to him. My Lord Lichfield ^ comes
sometimes, but not very often, to see me. My Lord Eoberts ' is

' Duke of Buckingham, married to Mary, daughter of Lord Fairfax.

^ Charles Stuart, son of George, Lord D'Aubigny, who was slain at
EdgehiU, was created Earl of Lichfield in December 1645. He succeeded
his cousin as Duke of Richmond on August 14, 1668, and died in 1672 at
Elsinore, where he was ambassador.

^ John, second Lord Roberts of Truro, though he fought for the Parha-
ment, was well received by Charles II., and appointed Deputy-Lieutenant
of Ireland. In 1679 he was created Viscount Bodmin and Earl of Radnor.
He died in 1685.

32 LETTERS FROM LADY LISTER.

made Deputy of Ireland, and Charles Smith' is going over witli
him to make himself a fortune. I give you a thousand thanks
for your maid. I hope she will have no reason to complain of
my usage. If she doe it will be more than any servant ever did
yett of me except Duke. I hope I shall never have such a one
as him again. I saw my sister Fairfax ^ today and told her,
her boy was well, and of her husband's kindness to you. I
confes my sister Bell ^ has reson to complain I have not writ to
her, but my ocasions have been something extraordinary, I have
had two letters from her since I came from Steeton, but Betty
Robison has one every week. But I do but say this by the by,
but to my knowledge I have not forgot to remember me to her
in any letter. If I did I was either in troble or haste, and soe
forgot cerimony, but I will not doe it now therefore pray re-
member my kind love to her. I would write but it is late and
Martin very ill tonight, soe I must subscribe mee yr most
obedient child,

Kath Lister.

July 27, 1660.

Lady Lister's husband died very soon after the date
of this last letter, and soon afterwards she was married
to Sir Charles Lyttleton, of Hagley. Her second hus-
band was appointed Deputy-Governor of Jamaica in
1662 ; and he went out to the West Indies, accompanied
by his wife. She died there, with her infant son Henry,
on January 26, 1663. She was buried under a monu-
ment in a church which was entirely destroyed by an
earthquake in 1692.

The next daughter of Lady Fairfax of Steeton was
Isabella, the ' sister Bel ' of Lady Lister's letters. She
was married to Nathaniel Bladen, Esq., of Hemsworth,

' Lord Roberts married Isabella, daughter of Sir John Smith, Knight,
of Kent.

^ Wife of her brother, William Fairfax.

^ Isabella, born in 1637. She married Nathaniel Bladen, of Hemsworth,
and died in 1691. She was the mother of Colonel Martin Bladen, and of
Elizabeth, Mrs. Hawke, mother of Admiral Lord Hawke.

^TLLLIAM AND CATHERINE FAIRFAX. 33

a barrister, and son of Dr. Thomas Bladen, Dean of
Ardfert, by Sarah, daughter of the second Lord Blayney,
Avho was slain in KUG, fighting against O'Neale in
Monaghan. Mrs. Bladen had six children. Her eldest
son William was baptized in Steeton Chapel on March 21,
1672, and afterwards settled in Maryland. The second,
Martin Bladen, was a person of some distinction, of
whom more presently. Of Mrs. Bladen's daughters,
Elizabeth was the wife, first of Colonel Euthven, and
secondly of Edward Hawke, Esq.,^ and mother of Ad-
miral Lord Hawke.^ Isabella married Mr. Hammond,
of Scarthingwell,^ while Catherine remained single and
kept house for her uncle. General Thomas Fairfax, in
his old age.

Wilham Fairfax, the eldest son of Sir WilHam and
Lady Fairfax, was born in March 1630. After serving
for a short time in Cromwell's army, he married
Catherine, daughter of Eobert Stapleton, the heir of
Wighill, in 1652. As his mother had Steeton for her
life, he had to find a home elsewhere, and he naturally
fixed upon the little manor house at Newton Kyme,
which had special attractions both for himself and his
wife. Her home at Wighill was only two miles from
Newton, on the other side of the river Wharfe. Newton
was also but a short mile from Toulston, where William
Fairfax had passed much of his boyhood, and where
Lady Barwick, who had been a second mother to him,
still hved with his playfellow Eobert Barwick. The

^ Son of a London merchant who had been bom in Oomwall. Edward
Hawke retired to Becking, in Norfolk, where he died, aged fifty, in 1718.

= Born in 1705.

' Lord Hawke, in 1738, married the daughter of Walter Brooke. Her
mother was the heiress of the Hammonds of Scarthingwell, Towton, and
Saston. Her mother's brother had married Lord Hawke's aunt, Isabella
Bladen (Captain Burrows, in his Ufe of Hawke, calls her Catherine ilaria
Frances Bladen, p. 119).

D

34 THE STAPLETONS OF WIGHILL.

father of Catherine Fairfax had died at the age of
thirty-three, in 1635, and at the time of her marriage,
her grandmother, Mrs. Mary Stapleton, daughter of Sir
John Foster of Bamborough, hved at Wighill,^ with her
grandson Miles and his wife Mary, the heiress of Sir
Ingram Hopton, of Armley. The young couple had
an only child, Catherine. Mrs. Fairfax had another
brother, Henry, married in 1663 to Anne, daughter of
Sir Arthur Ingram, of Temple JSTewsam. Her mother,
Catherine, the daughter of Viscount Fairfax of Gilliug
Castle, married three husbands after the death of her
father. The second husband was Sir Matthew Boynton,
who died in 1646, the third was the son of a rich old
London merchant. Sir Arthur Ingram, who had built
a magnificent house at Temple Newsam, and the fourth
was WiUiam Wickham, Esq., second son of the Arch-
deacon of York, and young enough to be her son. She
only had one child who grew up, besides her Stapleton
children, namely, Katherine, daughter of Sir A.Ingram.
On her marriage with Sir Matthew Boynton, her Staple-
ton children went to live with their grandmother at
Wighill, a house with four large towers and copper
domes, standing in a deer park.^ Here Catherine was
brought up by the old lady, with her brothers and
sisters. At the time of her marriage, her mother was
Lady Ingram, living in great state at Temple Newsam.
Catherine Fairfax's sisters were Isabel Stapleton, married
to Colonel Matthew Boynton, who was slain at Wigan in
1651; Mary Stapleton, married to Walter Moyle, Esq.,

' She possessed WigHU for her hfe, just as Lady Fairfax had Steeton
for her life.

^ This old house, built by Sir Robert Stapleton in the time of Queen
Elizabeth, was pulled down by General Chetwynd Stapleton in 1790. He
built a new house on a different site, and eventually sold WighiU to Mr.
Fountayne "Wilson.

CHILDKEN OF WILLIAM AND CATHERINE FAIRFAX. 35

of Twyford Abbey, near Hammersmith ; and Catherine
Ingram, the wife of Sir Christopher Xeville, of Auber, in
Lincolnshire.

William and Catherine Fairfax, in a married life of
twenty years, had twelve children, but only five sur-
vived their infancy. The eldest was a daughter named
Frances, who was born at Xewton Kyme on December 5,
1653, and lived to be an old maid of seventy. The
next three died when they were babies, including the
little Arthur mentioned in one of Lady Lister's letters.
Thomas, the sixth child, born in 1G59, Lived to be ten,
and was buried at Bolton Percy on April 27, 1669.
Henry also died a baby, as did Ann and Isabella. The
two sons, William and Robert, and the three daughters,
Frances, Elizabeth, and Alathea, grew up. On June 16,
1673, the father, Wilham Fairfax, died and was buried
at ISTewton Kyme, at the age of forty-three, leaving a
widow and five children.^ The hfe of Eobert Fairfax,

' The following letter from an atmt of Mrs. Fairfax belongs to this
time : —

These for my deare Neece Mrs. Fairfax at Newton.

(Written about 1670.)
Dear Neece, — If I wear capable to serve you or doe you a favour as I
am ready to embrace yours, I should with aU reallyty doe itt, and shall be
glad to have any occasion offered that I may returne my gratitude for the
favour of my nephew Fairfax his galloway, if it be not a treble to him to
desire it for soe long a time, as I doubt it may be near a fortnight before
the return of itt, but being my dear boys must goe which although not
without some conflict to my hart I submit to, it being by my sorme ^ upon
whom they must depend, thought the best way for their future good both
as to their learning and their breeding. Yet my age and weak condition
makes me not likely to see them againe and therefore, deer neece, I cannot
overcome myself as I ought, but hope in God's blessed protection and
providence for their safety. The pertixt is that they must be att London
the . . . of the month. Therefore I intend they begin their journey
upon Saterday next that they may take easy journeys this hot season and
have some rest there, before they go farther. Therefore desire my nephew

1 Charles, fifth Viscount Fairfax of Gilling, who died in 1711.

D 2

36 LETTER FROM VISCOUNTESS FAIRFAX.

who was one of those children, forms the subject of the
following pages.

will send his gaUoway on Thursday or Friday at the farthest. Itt shall
be well fed and oarefiilly brought back and I hope safe dehvered to him
again. The coach . . . cannot . . . makes me trouble you thus, and
hering my niece Stapleton had a gaUoway made me first address to her.
I hope to see you shortly who am

Your affectionate Aunt

A. Fairfax.'
Aug. 7.

1 Apparently Alathea, daughter of Sir Phillip Howard, and widow of the second
Viscount Fairfax of Gilling, uncle of Mrs. Fairfax. She became a widow in 1641, and
died in 1677. She had five sons.

0/

CHAPTER III.

BOYHOOD OF ROBERT FAIRFAX.

EoBERT Fairfax, the younger son of William Fairfax
by Catherine, the sister of Sir Miles Stapleton of
Wighill, and grandson of Sir William Fairfax, who met
a glorious death before Montgomery Castle, was born
at Xewton Kyme, and baptized in Steeton Chapel on
February 23, 1666. His godfather was his father's
old playfellow, Eobert Barwick, of Toulston, who was
drowned while bathing in the river Wharfe a few months
afterwards. The baptismal service was performed by
Dr. Tobias Wickham, then Eector of Bolton Percy and
Dean of York. Robert's elder brother Wilham was a
year his senior. His sister Frances was eleven years
older than Eobert, while Ehzabeth and Alathea Avere a
few years younger. The three sisters were known as
Frank, Betty, and Thea ; the brothers were Will and
Eobin among their relations.

Eobin was only in his sixth year when the funeral
of the great Lord Fairfax, the patriot general, took
place at Bilbrough in ]Srovember 1671. He can scarcely
have remembered it ; and his own father died about
eighteen months afterwards, when he was seven. All
the recollections of his childhood were gathered round
his beloved mother, a gentle, delicate lady, with a pale,
rather melancholy face and dark hair, whose portrait

38 NEWTON KYME.

is now at Bilbrough. Besides his brother and sisters,
there were playfellows at Toulston, the children of
Henry, the fourth Lord Fairfax, and of Frances Bar-
wick, the heiress. Thomas, afterwards fifth Lord Fair-
fax, was eight years older than Eobert, and Henry was
six years older. But the youngest brother, Barwick
Fairfax, was his own age, and there were two little
girls at Toulston, Anne and Mary. Lady Fairfax had
become somewhat severe and imperious in her old age,
and the visits to Steeton were not looked forward to
with so much pleasure, but it was a great treat to spend
the day at Wighill with cousin Dorothy, the young
wife of Eobert Stapleton ^ who succeeded to Wighill in
1673. The Eector of Newton Kyme was the Eev.
Thomas Clapham, and the family chaplain was Mr.
Topham, who also did the duty at Bilbrough.

The parish of Newton consisted of the two manors
of Toulston and Newton Kyme, being 1,370 acres of
rich meadow land, woods, and willow garths, and low
pastures along the river banks called ' Ings.' It is a
few miles below Thorparch, on the right bank of the
river Wharfe, which winds round two sides of it. The
extensive willow garths gave rise to its old name of
' Newton in the Willows.' In Domesday Book Newton
and Toulston are said to belong to Osbert de Arcubus,
whose heiress married Adam de Bruce. In 1260
William de Kyme, and in 1316 Simon de Kyme, were
lords of the manor, which they held of the Bruces.

' Dorothy, the wife of Bobert Stapleton of Wighill, was another
daughter of Henry, the fourth Lord Fairfax. She was mistress of Wighill
from 1673 to 1675. Her second husband was Bennet Sherard, by whom
she was mother of the second Earl of Harborough. She Hved to the age
of ninety, receiving a jointure of 200Z. a year from the Wighill estate. After
Dorothy went away the place was uninhabited, her husband's successor,
Henry Stapleton, always living in London.

XEWTON KYME. 39

An old mass of masonry in the garden is still pointed
out as the ruins of Kyme Castle. From tlie Kymes the
manors passed, by marriages, through the Umfravilles
and Burdons, to Sir Walter de Talboys, who held them
in 1418, and in 1144 his son Walter died possessed of
them. But Walter's son William was a Lancastrian,
and suffered attainder in 1461, after the battle of Tow-
ton. It was in the year 1602 that Lord Burleigh con-
veyed the manor and estate of Newton Kyme to Sir
Thomas Fairfax of Denton (the first lord), and in 1609
Sh' Thomas again conveyed them to Sir Philip Fairfax
of Steeton, whose descendants possessed Newton Kyme
for 275 years. ^

There was originally a small manor house close to
the church at Newton Kyme, with a cheerful view of
the rich meadows and the woods crowning Smaw's Hill
on one side, and of the bright green ' Ings ' stretching
away to the river banks on the other. The little ivy-
covered church, dedicated to St. Andrew, is of Perpen-
dicular architecture with Early English sedilias in the
chancel wall, and some parts possibly of the fourteenth
century. Here there was once a monument to Henry
Talboys, lord of the manor, and others in memory of
members of the Barwick family, all since destroyed.^

Close beside the manor house stood the rectory,
which was inhabited from 1630 to 1641 by the Eev.
Henry Fairfax, younger son of the first Lord, and
afterwards Eector of Bolton Percy. He was married to

1 The Fairfaxes were descended from the Talboys and Kymes, ancient
Lords of Newton Kyme. Sir William Fairfax's mother, Lady Frances
Sheffield, was a daughter of the Earl of Mulgi-ave by Urstda, daughter of
Sir Bobert Tyrwhitt. Su- Robert's grandmother was Maud, daughter of
Sir Robert Talboys of Newton Kyme, and so descended from the Burdons,
Umfravilles, and Kymes.

2 Torre MSS.

40 BOYISH DAYS OF ROBERT FAIRFAX.

Mary, daughter of Sir Richard Cholmley of Eoxby,
and during all the time of the Civil War this worthy
couple made their house at Newton Kyme a refuge
and sanctuary to their friends and relations on both
sides. Their son Brian Fairfax was born there on
October 6, 1630 ; an antiquary, a poet, and a courtier,
of whom more hereafter. After Henry Fairfax left
Newton Kyme, the little rectory was occupied for many
years by the Eev. Thomas Clapham, and afterwards
by the Eev. Nicholas Eymer. One of the young
ladies at Toulston, named Frances, disobhged her
father, the fourth Lord Fairfax,^ by marrying humble
Mr. Eymer against his wishes, and estabhshing herself
in the rectory.

In the quiet but most charming little manor house
at Newton Kyme young Eobert Fairfax passed the first
years of his Ufe. In the summer he made hay with his
brother and sisters, in his mother's rich pasture fields ;
in the winter he found amusement on the frozen floods
of the ' Ings.' Mr. Clapham taught him the first rudi-
ments of learning, and his mother instiUed into him the
principles of rehgion. But he appears to have been of
a roving disposition, and was no doubt fonder of the
boat moored to a stake at the end of the garden than
of his books at the rectory.

For some reason of this kind, backed probably by
an ardent wish on his own part, his mother was induced
to consent that her second son should go to sea. It

^ Lord Fairfax thus wrote to his son Henry at Toulston : — ' I
would have you in my name to command my daughter Frances, as
she ever expects my blessing or to see my face, to forbear conversing
with Mr. Bymer. He talks to me of a contract, I expect she should
renounce it so far as it be one, and never to proceed further to marry him.
In this I expeob as her father to be obeyed, and let me know her answer.
Pray send her answer back by Mr. Banks immediately.' — Fairfax Letters,
published at Albany (New York) by E. D. NeUl, 1868.

THE CHOLMLEYS AND BUSHELLS. 41

was usual, in those days, for a sailor to learn his
profession on board a merchant ship before seeking
employment in the King's service, and this was the
course adopted in the case of young Eobert Fairfax.
He was then a strong healthy lad of fifteen, tall for his
age, and with fair waving hair. His mother had an aunt
who was married to Sir Henry Cholmley, and Dorothy
Cholmley had married Nicholas Bushell of Euswarpe,
near Whitby. It was this connection between the
C'holmleys and the Busliells, who were shipowners and
sea captains, which influenced the selection of Robert's
first ship.

The Cholmley and Bushell connection goes back to
the period of the Civil War. In 1642 Sir Hugh
Cholmley held Scarborough Castle for the Parliament.
But in the end of March 1643 he began to communicate
secretly with the Queen, who had landed at Burhngton,
offering to surrender his trust to the Eoyalists. He
accordingly received a commission to hold Scarborough
for the King, but he remembered that he had some
valuable property in Hull, which would be seized, as he
thought, when his treason became known to Sir John
Hotham, the Parhamentary governor. So he sent his
cousin. Captain Brown Bushell, to Hull in a small ship,
but Hotham, rendered doubly suspicious by his own
intended treason, detained him for some time and then
sent him empty away. Sir Hugh then informed the
garrison of Scarborough that they were holding the
place for the King, and once more set out for York,
bent on some new intrigue. As soon as his back was
turned, his cousins Brown and Henry Bushell again
corrupted the garrison, regained the castle without
bloodshed, and declared for the Parliament. Sir Hugh
was expelled the House and impeached for high treason.

42 CArTAIN BUSPIELL'S SHIP THE 'MARY.'

But notwithstanding all this comphcated treason, tlae
Bushells, once more, dehvered up Scarborough to the
Eoyahsts, and reconciled themselves to Sir Hugh, who
became governor for the King. Brown Bushell again
went over to the Parliament, and commanded a ship
in Admiral Batten's fleet. One change more. Bushel!
mutinied at the Downs in 1648, and handed over his
ship to Charles Stuart. At last his end came. He was
arrested and executed on March 29, 1651. From all
this it appears that the Bushells were guided more by
self-interest than by pohtical principle. In this way
they throve. Eobert Bushell became a considerable
shipowner during the reign of Charles H., and lived in
a good house at Euswarpe, close to Whitby, in an agree-
able situation on the banks of theEsk. His son. Captain
Bushell, commanded a ship called the ' Mary,' trading
from London to the Mediterranean ; and he had cousins
established in business at Limehouse.

It was arranged that young Eobert Fairfax should
be sent to London, be placed under the care of Captain
Bushell, and embark for his first voyage on board the
good ship ' Mary.' He made the journey to town on a
galloway, attended by a lad from Steeton named George
Stead. Mrs. Fairfax had a faithful friend in London,
who had been her maid.

Good Mrs. Marser ^ was now a widow, living with
her daughter over Mrs. Eaper's apothecary shop, the
sign of the ' Pestle and Mortar,' in Tothill Street, West-

' Or Mercer ? Possibly tlie Mrs. Mercer of Pepys' Diary. Christopher
Mercer was the gunner appointed to the ' Foresight ' by Sir John Nar-
borough in 1688. He had been seven years gunner's mate on board the
' James ' galley imder Shovel. He was very kmd and civil to a volunteer
on board the ' Foresight ' named Samuel Jackson, who wrote in his praise
to Pepys. — Pepys' Life and Cor. ii., p. 132. Mr. John Jackson was Pepys'
sister's son, and his heir : probably a brother of this Samuel.

FIRST VOYAGE OF ROBERT FAIRFAX. 48

minster. Thither Eobiu and his servant wended their
waj' ; and there, Avith faithful Mrs. Marser and her
daughter, the young sailor made his headquarters when-
ever he came home from sea. Mrs. Marser got him all
things needful for his outfit, and at the age of fifteen
Robert Fairfax commenced his sea life, in November
1681. Here is the first letter he wrote to his mother : —

November the 15th, 1681.
Yours I reseved, Deare Mother, with ye 2 chests and 10s.
•which you said my Lady Stapleton sent me. Pray give her
many thanks for it. We are now gone down from London, and
soe coming up in ye boat I do get this opportunity to writ to
you. "Wee ly for nothing but a fair wind, soe this will be ye
last you can expect from me this voyage, soe 1 desire you not
to truble yourself for me, and I hope by the blessing of God we
shall meet when we come back again. Pray give my deare love
to my brother and sisters and all yt ever ask for me. Pray
pardon my shortness for I am in great haste, for I rest, dear
Mother, your ever deutyfull son

Ro. Fairfax.

The first voyage to the Mediterranean was performed
without accident, and with a due acquisition of know-
ledge and experience. Of discomforts and hardships,
though the usual share no doubt had to be borne, we
hear nothing. Eobert had become attached to his
captain, and was unwilling to sail without him on the
second voyage, as we learn from the next letter: —

Sept. ye 16, 16B2.
Deare Mother, — I writ to you about ten days since and
never had any answer, which makes me think that you have not
reseved it. I have expected one ever since, and now wee are
just ready to go away ; but I hear that our master is not to goe
with us, but that the mate is to goe master which I am very sorry
for. My master's father hath writ for to hinder him. We go in
great danger of ye Turks, for we have wars with the Tripolese.

44 SECOND VOYAGE OF ROBERT FAIRFAX.

If I goe without my master goe, it will be much against my will.
I desire you to send an answer so soone as you get this, and
I hop we may stay till I get it. Pray give my love to my deare
brother and sisters, soe I rest your ever deutyfull son, dear
Mother,

R. F.
I will take care of your shuger.

The answer came in due time, Captain Bushell did
not leave after all, and the following letter is Eobin's
farewell before sailing on his second voyage : —

Sept. ye 24, 1682.
Deare Mother, — I reseved your letter with my Master's,
which I sent to him. I never see him since, so that I doe not
know what he saith to it. 1 do believe yt my Master will go
with us for wee are now at Gravesend waiting, only upon him.
I never see Mrs. Marser, because wee came, the day after,
downe from Blackwall. When I see him I suppose I shall
Age 16J. Jieare what hee saith and if he say I shall come down. I will
write you word. I should be very glad to be one small time, if
it were never soe little, to enjoy my friends, but it doth most
rejoice me when I heare yt you are all well, soe no more at
present. But soe I rest, wishing you a mery Christmas for
I doe suppose it will be that time before we come home agane.
Your ever deutifull sone

Eg. Fairfax.

The second voyage of Eobert Fairfax was prolonged
for three years, during which time his ship was trading
from port to port in the Mediterranean. He visited the
ports of Italy, Spain, and Barbary, and the service was
not without danger from Algerine and Tripolese pirates.
For many years, indeed ever since the expedition of Sir
Eobert MaunseU, the Barbary States had preyed upon
English commerce, and, when called to account, had
agreed to treaties which they had perfidiously broken
as soon as our men-of-war were out of sight. In the
days of the great Protector, his fleet under Admiral

THE Bx\.EBAIlY COESAIES. 45

Blake had forced a peace on the piratical States, and
had maintained it ; but, on the return of the Stuarts,
their depredations were commenced anew. Between
1667 and 1672 three squadrons were successively sent
to the Mediterranean under Sir J. Allen, Sir John
Kempthorne, and Sir Edward Spragge. Kempthorne,
in the ' Mary Eose,' engaged and disabled seven large
Algerine corsairs. A print of this action was engraved
by Hollar. Spragge burnt as many piratical frigates,
and forced the Dey of Algiers to sign a treaty on
December 9, 1670, but it was broken a few months after
it was made.

In 1673 Captain Narborough, the same gallant
officer who had commanded the expedition to the
Pacific in 1670-71, was sent to the Mediterranean in
command of the ' Fairfax ' (60), and brought home a
large fleet of merchant ships in safety, for which service
he was knighted. In the following year he hoisted his
flag on board the ' Henrietta,' and again proceeded to
the Mediterranean to chastise the piratical outrages of
the Dey of TripoU. Sir John Narborough had on board
his ship a young lad who had a glorious destiny before
him. Cloudesley Shovel's parents were so poor that
they were obhged to apprentice him to a shoemaker,
and he was only ten when he first entered as a cabin-
boy on board one of Narborough's ships. His first act
of heroism was to swim through the line of the enemy's
fire with despatches in his mouth. When Narborough
came before Tripoli in 1674, young Shovel volunteered
to destroy the enemy's ships under the guns of their
forts. He went in command of the boats of the fleet,
and his gallant enterprise was completely successful.
The town of Tripoh was bombarded, and the Dey was
forced, not only to sign a treaty, but to surrender the

46 EGBERT FAIRFAX IN THE MEDITERRANEAN.

culprits who had prej^ed upon British commerce.
Similar success was obtained against the Algerines, and
Sir John Narborough returned home in 1677. Cloudes-
ley Shovel had been rewarded with the command of the
' Sapphire,' and he continued to do good service in pro-
tecting merchant ships, and in assisting at the defence
of Tangiers against the Moors. In 1682 Admiral
Herbert took command of the Mediterranean Station,
and once more forced the Algerines to come to terms.
In the following year Charles II. resolved to abandon
Tangiers ^ as being too expensive, and Lord Dartmouth
was sent out to destroy the fortifications and withdraw
the garrison. Mr. Pepys, who had just been reappointed
to his old place of Secretary to the Admiralty, also came
out in Dartmouth's fleet, and was at Cadiz and Seville
in March and April 1684, while Dartmouth and Herbert
were engaged in the work of demolition at Tangiers.

These incessant operations against the piratical
Barbary States show the real necessity that existed for
protecting Enghsh merchantmen, and the dangers that
surrounded the business of trading in the Mediterranean
in those days. Trading voyages were made possible
through the gallantry of our Narboroughs and Shovels,
but they were not free from peril. The following two
letters were written by young Fairfax, from the Medi-
terranean, during this time.

These for His Honoured Mother Mrs. Katherine Fairfax at
Newton near Tadcaster, to be left with the Post Master of
Tadcaster, Yorkshire.

February ye 27th, 1685.

My Dear Mother, — Wee being now arrived at Gales near ye
Straits mouth, I am glad of this opportunity to let you know

' He had received it in 1662, as part of the dowry of Queen Catherine
of Braganza.

ROBERT FAIRFAX IN THE MEDITERRANEAN. 47

that I am att present in good lielth blessed be C4od, and I hope

and wish with all my heart that these may find you all so. We

heard strange news yesterday, which came in by a Fleming's Charles ii.

ship, that our King was dead, which trubles me much if it be Jess."'''''''*''

so. There will be, it is thought, a great distraction here in ye

Straits as well as with you. When I doe knoe the certainty

of this news I shall knoe whether it will bee convenient for me

to come home or no. I wish I could knoe your minde. You

may get Mrs. Marser to inquire what ships is coming to Lisbon

or Gales, and direct yours for me, on board the ' Mary ' of London,

Capt. Bushall Comr. My time is now short and the ship is for

sailing, soe noe more, but my deare love to all, soe I rest dear

Mother your deutyfnll son,

Eo. Pax.

These to my ever honored Friend Mrs. Marser, at Mrs. Rcqxr's.
An Apothecary's att ye Morter and Pestle in Tattle Street
Westminster, London.

Mediterenian Sea, June ye 5th, 1685.

Honoured Friend Mrs. Marser, — Being now at sea, come from Age 19^.
Algiers, and meeting with a Scotch ship bound for England,
I would not miss this opportunity again to let you know I am at
present in good health thou.gh not satisfied in mind because of
my long absence. I would be very glad to hear from my
Mother, that I might know her mind what she would advise me,
to come home or stay out any longer. I must beg your pardon,
being in great haste and ye ship for departing. Pray when you
write to my Mother send this, which will be something of a
satisfaction, though I could not write to her by reason of the
directions. We are now bound for Gales, having at present a
fair wind. I hope we shall be there in a short time, and there
I do hope we shall get a freight home, for I am tired of this
corn trade, it being hard voyages. I have 2 chests of Florence
wines, 2 barrels of anchovies, which I bought at Leghorn and
have had them a long time. I doe often wish them at home.
I must perforce be shorter than I would be, and doe pray you to
give my duty to my dear Mother and love to all with you and
all I know, so I remain your ever obedient friend,

K. Fax.

Age 19

48 ROBERT'S RETURN HOME.

In December 1685 Eobert Fairfax returned home,
and thus completed his four years' apprenticeship in the
merchant service. He was now anxious to obtain a
commission in tlie navy, having reached liis twentieth
year. But he had been long away from England, and
he intended first to enjoy the pleasures of home, and of
society in London. On his arrival he received the news
that his brother William had married a young lady
named Susanna Coates, of no very exalted hneage, and
had gone to live in Craven, his wife's country. "William
Fairfax was only twenty-one, and his marriage was a dis-
agreeable surprise to the young sailor.

Dec. 16th, 1685.
Dear Mother, — I reseved my sisters with a great deal' of
and satisfaction to my mind, for it is the first I have had from you

"""" *■ this two years, though I have writ near twenty from the several
places I have been at. I writ to you at my first arrival in
England, but 1 hear it did miscarry. I had writ again before
now but that I was in expectation of an answer. I am hartely
glad to hear yoa are all well and spetialy yourself in whom
alone consists my happiness. So soon as ever I got here I went
up to the other end of the town and enquired at every place
where I thought I could knoe how you did : first at Mrs. Crab-
trees, whom I knew to be a correspondent of my sisters and she
gave me ample satisfaction of all, and told me the newes of my
brother's ' marriage which I very much wondered at, because
I left him in a quite contrary mind to any such thing. But
I hear it is by your consent, and therefore I conclude it is well.
Tomorrow I hope our ship will be delivered but how long it
will be before we get our pay I know not yet. I have been as
good a husband as I possibly could, for we have had troublesome
voyages since I see you, that has worn me much clothes, but
blessed be God I have kept myself in whole clothes and clean
during the voyage, and never wanted moneys in my pocket
except it were very rare. I have so much pay due to me as I

' WiUiam Fairfax. He was baptized in Steeton Chapel by the Rev.
Tobias Wickham, on November 21, 1664, being a year older than Robert.
He was twenty-one when he married Miss Susanna Coates.

A LETTER HOME. 49

hope will put me a genteel sewt on my back, and moneys in
my pocket to bring me down something like what I am born.
I return you many thanks for your kind remembrance of me
with the three guineas our Captain's .father ' writ about. But
I did not reseve them of him. Our Captain has told me two or
three times of the forty shillings I had of him for your sugar
at Lisbon when we were imprisoned. You know I lost it all,
but pray let me know whether you have returned it to his father
or no, and if he can demand it I will pay it here. I was with
all my friends the other day who did reseve me very kindly,
and likewise my uncle Fairfax.^ I am sorry you lost so much
of your wine, for it was as good as any we brought out of ye
Straits. I have hear on board a small present of raisins in the
sun for you, with some anchovies andwother small things which
I did desire to send by Friday carrier, but our ship is not yet
cleared at the Custom House and I cannot as yet get it on shore,
but when I send it I will write as to my coming down to you.
As yet I cannot resolve you but you may be sure I will make
it as short as I can, for this is a chargeable place, and besides
I do much long to enjoy your company once more. I find here
since I come strange alterations which I am sorry for, and
especially the late deceased King which I know would be a
great aflSiction to you all ; but God Almighty is still the over-
ruling power if we do but truly trust in him, which to do I
beseech him to assist us by his grace, and to defend us from
the hands of so many bloodthirsty people as are now in the
nation. Pray give my love to my brother and sisters, and tell
him when you see him I wish him much joy, for I suppose he
lives not with you. I hear my sister's name was Coates, before,
which is a name I never knew nor heard of, to be anything of
a suitable family to match with, but I never was I confess a
great searcher of pedigrees. I give my sister many thanks for
her letter which I got yesterday. So I conclude, dear Mother,
begging your blessing and prayers for me, which I doe believe
I have not wanted in my absence, no more, dear Mother, your

ever deutl son,

Ro. Faikfax.
> Eobert Bushell of Euswarpe, near Whitby.

* General Thomas Fairfax, born 1633, died 1712. He was Governor
of Limerick, and lived latterly at Dublin.

E

50 DEATH OF THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.

Eobert Fairfax passed several happy months with
liis mother and sisters at Newton Kyme, visited his
captain's family, the Bushells, at Whitby, and after-
wards saw something of society in London, where he
had many friends and relations. He also took an
official part in the obsequies of his cousin's husband,
George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham. On the death
of his friend Charles II., the Duke had retired to his
Yorkshire estates, and passed the time in fox hunting
and hospitality. A chill, caught in the hunting field,
brought on fever and ague, of which he died, after
three days' illness, in the house of one of his tenants
at Kir by Moorside. He was just about to be removed
to his house at Bishophill, in York, and his friend Mr.
Brian Fairfax had actually gone to prepare the rooms
for him, when the news of his death arrived. It took
place on April 16, 1687. Brian Fairfax said of him :
' His estate was his own. He had often lost it for the
King, and might now be allowed to enjoy it himself.
If he was sui profusus he never was alieni appetens. If
he was extravagant in spending, he was just in paying
his debts, and at his death charged them on his estate,
leaving much more than enough to pay them.' In the
following two letters Eobert Fairfax gives some account
of the Duke's funeral, at which he was one of the pall
bearers.

Wallingford House, June 7th, 1687.

i^ged 20. My Dear Mother, — I am now, blessed be God, got to London.

We got to Hatfield on Saturday nigbt last, and laid there all
night and the next day, and about nine at night we set forward
for London according as order was sent, and got into West-
minster where we carried the corpse to the Parliament House, I
being one that carried, upstairs through the House of Lords into
ye Prince's Chamber where he now lies in State, and is to be
buried today. I came back againe through Tadcaster where

THE DUKE'S FUNERAL. 51

tlie corpse lay all night, so I came and laid at Newton once
more, but could not be merry, wanting the happy enjoyment of
your company.' I hear "Wm. Allen is in town yett, and Sir
Roger Strickland, but have not seen him yett. Pray, dear
Mother, lett me hear all you doe when you reseave this, for it
will be a great satisfaction to me now, being voyd of your com-
pany. It will be long ere you get this, being now in the west, One I have

ee,

but pray if you get it there give my harty service to all, wishing ci-ibti__,
dear love to brother and sisters. After this I will inform you Ith-nkye

„ , . •' wother was

larder, tor i can know nothing yet. The tokens you sent I can to Mrs.
but find one of them. Pray let me know the sum and I will "^^''"
give it my Aunt and Uncle Bladen. My cousins and Bess
Slack, ]\Irs. Marser and her daughter give their services to you,
pray mine to all so I rest, dear Mother, him who is bound ever
to be your deutyfuU son,

Ro. Fairfax.

Tuttle Street, June ye 18th, 1687.

Jly dear Mother, — Just before dinner I reseaved your letter. Aged 20.
being very glad to hear you were got well home to your little
house again, which of all places in England I think the most
pleasant. I thank you, good Mother, for your letter which I
reseaved sooner than I could expect. The Duke laid in greater
state than the late King, and buried with great splendour. I
was one of the mourners that went before the corpse in long
cloaks, and have very good mourning given me : cloth of 18s. a
yard, with sword belt, stockings, gloves, and cravat, with two
white dimity waistcoats, which is better for me than crape.
Allen is here yet, and I do believe I may have my old place
again, but Sir Roger Strickland is gone to sea. Long since my
relations here advised me to remain some small time and en-
deavour with them for better Qrs. I found your token that
was directed to Mrs. Marser the wother to Mrs. Crabtree, which
they both have. The other day I resaved the 10 pound of Mr.
Genter who is gone out of town. Tou may inform little Ann
that I gave her son a letter with great charge to answer it, and

' Mrs. Fairfax and her daughters appear to have been paying a visit
to WiHiara Fairfax, in Craven.

K 2

52 FAMILY GOSSIP.

told him all she bid me. He said he had writ, and would be
sure to answer the last. Not long since I see him and he was
well. I was yesterday morning at cousin T. Fairfax where we
were merry and played for almost an hour at foyls. As to my
sister Frank's letter I do believe my Aunt did resave, for I had
a box of fisik of my Aunt which I carried to Mrs. Crabtree to
send her. I laid at cousin Bennets last night, who do both give
their services to you, and are extraordinary kind to me. They
are now at law with Mr. Henslow who is much rendered to have
been very knavish to them. Sir Thomas Mauleverer ' is not
dead yet, but as I hear today rather better. Dear Mother I
have a small present about to prepare for you, which I do not
knoe whether it will be acceptable or noe. But you shall not
knoe what it is till I direct you where to send for it. Pray my
love to sister Frank with thanks to her for her kind token
which remain in the same paper ; also to the wother three. I
pray remember me to all the naborhood rich and poor. Mrs.
Marser and her daughter give their service to you. I called at
Sir Watkinson Taylor's ^ and delivered your letter, but he did
not present me. I delivered my uncle's letter to Mr. Peapes,
whoe gives me small encouragement, because I have not served
the King before, therefore now I see my Aunt Boynton's error
in her advice, and noe more at present, dear Mother, but remaine
your ever deutifull son,

RoBEET Fairfax.

Pray give my love to my brother and his wife, when next
you write, and all there, with my duty to my grandmother.
Service to Mr. Top ' and wife.

In the autumn of 1687 his relations, especially his
uncle, Tom Fairfax, and his aunts Bladen and Boynton,
were very urgent that Robert should resume active
employment. He was to use all his interest to obtain a
commission in the Eoyal Navy, but if this could not be

' Husband of his cousin, Miss Stapleton.
' His mother's cousin.

* Mr. Topham, chaplain to his mother, and preaching minister of
Bilbrough.

A AVARNING AGAINST GOSSIP. 53

he must return to the merchant service. Uncle Tom
gave him a letter of introduction to Mr. Samuel Pepys,
the Secretary to the Navy, but he received small en-
couragement from that worthy, ' because he had not
served the King before.' Probably the patronage v?as
in the King's own hands, or was only entrusted to
Eoman Catholics on whom he could fully rely. Mr.
Pepys' discouraging answer by no means caused Eobert
Fairfax to despond. He continued his efforts to get
employed, and made all the friends he could. Mean-
while he was troubled by the gossiping propensities of
his sisters, and the following letter is intended to warn
those young ladies not to be so ready in carrying tales
to their old grandmother at Steeton : —

November 6th, 1687.
My dear Mother, — I am very sorry to liear the news I hear Age 21 and
tonight of my uncle Bladen.' He has had a letter from my ^ months,
grandmother, being an account of his being fled from hence and
absconding himself in Appleton House ; wherein she writes that
John Rennison ^ was the first raiser of the report, and brought
it to your house, and that two of my sisters, which of them it
was I do not know, being at Steeton, told my grandmother and
put her into a great fright. Now my uncle is very m.uch dis-
pleased, though I told him my sisters could not possibly be so
ungrateful, much more my sister Betty,' who he hath been so
kind to, and on that he hath spoke so kindly of her. It must
be ignorance in them to relate such a thing, not knowing any
certainty. Of it he saith he must use humanity to all people,
and never expect any civility. Pray let my sisters know they
must be cautious how they say anything at Steeton, for a
hundred to one it is made twice as much of as it is. I love my
sisters so much that I am concerned that they should be so

' Nathanial Bladen, of Hemsworth, barrister-at-law, married Isabella
Fairfax.

* A farmer at Bilbrough.

' Elizabeth Fairfax was baptized at Steeton Chapel, February 21, 1670.
She married Thomas Spencer, Esq., of Bramley Grange.

54 A WARNING AGAINST GOSSIP.

indiscreet as be seen in such a thing as tliis. They must be very-
cautious as times are now, for the world is apt to take ill before
ill meant. Pray tell my sisters not to be apt to relate any idle
story again that they hear, for them that use it never want
truble. But I must say it is a faculty our country is much in-
dowed with. Dear Mother I have receved your letter, but am
afraid you have not receved mine with that locket for sister
Frank.* Please let me know if you have since. Tomorrow
I am going down about my navigation again. We are in hope
some ships will go out .... or otherwise I must do it again
after the old way. Uncle Henslow has been in town this week,
and being ill makes him stay longer than they expected. "We
were discoursing the business about him and my cousin Bennet,
and he urged it as much as he could, that he cannot make him
give pay any more than 7001., to give that interest for ever.
It is not yet agreed upon. Good Mrs. Marser and her daughter
give their service to you. Mrs. Marser has been very ill in her
tisik. Pray my love to my sisters and brother when you see
him, and believe me to be ever, dear Mother, your deutifull son,

Eo. Fairfax.

London.

' Frances Fairfax was bom at Ne-^vton Kyme in December 1653,
buried there July 22, 1723. Her brother put up a marble tablet to her
memory. She was aged seventy.

55

CHAPTEE IV'.

A VOLUNTEER IN THE NAVY OF JAMES II.

While actively seeking for employment, Eobert Fairfax
devoted several months to the study of navigation and
mathematics. Greenwich Observatory, founded in 1676,
had only been in existence for twelve years, and Flam-
steed, the first Astronomer-Eoyal, though hard at work,
had not yet pubhshed his chart of the variation of the
compass. The science of navigation was still in its
infancy, but there was, nevertheless, much for a young
sailor to learn. The best instructor, in those days, was
considered to be Mr. John Colson, who hved in Marsh
Yard, in Wapping, a httle beyond the Hermitage Stairs.
So to Wapping Eobin Fau-fax betook himself, and hired
a lodging to be near his work. Mr. Colson had recently
edited the third edition of the ' Mariner's Magazine
stor'd with the Mathematical Arts,' a portly foho which
had originally been published by Captain Samuel Sturmy
of Bristol, in 1667. This work describes the instruments
then in use, and contains chapters on the method of
calculating by dead reckoning, and by observation of
heavenly bodies, the principles of gunnery, dialling, use
of the globes, seamanship, laws relating to shipping,
and tables of logarithms. A thorough knowledge of
its contents, combined with the verbal instruction of
Mr. Colson, must have made Eobert Fairfax as accom-

56 STUDIES AT WAPPING.

plished a navigator as his service afloat had taught him
to be a practical sailor. He worked steadily at Wapping
for several weeks ; and his copy of Sturmy's ' Mariner's
Magazine ' was afterwards his constant companion at
sea. It is still preserved by his descendants. He also
possessed Hakluyt's ' Voyages,' and Eichard Eden's
' Historie of Travayle,' a very rare old book. So that
his mind was well stored with knowledge of the achieve-
ments of the great seamen of former ages.

But during this period of study the young sailor by
no means denied himself all diversion. For instance,
he went out fox hunting with King James H., and says
that ' he wished many a time when he rode by him that
he might have had the privilege to have uttered his
mind to his Majesty.' It is interesting to find this
anxiety for the poor King, who then only had a few
more months to reign, stirring the heart of this youth-
ful subject, whose relations were staunch Whigs. One
wonders what the lad had it in his mind to say. No
doubt he had heard James's proceedings discussed in
no friendly spirit, and the end of his career predicted.
He would gladly, perhaps, have warned him of what
was in all men's mouths, yet kept from the King
by his Popish courtiers. But this could not be, so he
hunted the fox, drank the royal ale, and held his peace.
The following letter refers to the studies at Wapping,
and describes the day with King James's foxhounds.

Wapping, Deo. 6th, 1687.
Age 21 and My dear Itfotter, — I reseved yours the other day which was
very acceptable to me, but am sorry to hear you have your cold
you speak of, and of my sister Frank being ill, for I am certain
I have so great a respect for you and yours that it would at any
time be a great truble to me to hear that any of you should be
ill. Colds is a thing that few or none iscapes this year, it is
such uncertain weather and unhelthfull. I am sorry for poor

10 months.

FOX-IIUNTING WITH KING JAMES. 57

Thea's ' great loss. I wish it laid in my power to serve any of
them. I am sure my love is so great for them all that I should
not be bactward. My uncle Bladen is for the country now,
against Christmas. I would have my sister Betty ^ to meet him
so soon as she hears of him, for I do assure you he has a kind-
ness for her. He told me that he had ordered my cousin
Jackson,' when he was in the country, to bring a young gentle-
man acquainted with her, if it cost him a great deal of moneys
he would be at the charge of it. He is a gentleman of a pretty
estate, and I do believe he will do what he can in it when he
comes down. I wish they had all as good husbands as I could
wish them, and that they were settled in this trublesum world.
I do not slip any opportunity for my own advantage, but am
daily endeavouring to do what I can in it. But I do assure you
this is a very hard world to get a living in. My uncle Fairfax
wi-it a letter to my Aunt Bladen, most of it signifying how much
he and my Aunt Boynton was concerned that I had got no
employ. I writ to him to give him thanks, and let him under-
stand my condition. I just now come to my lodgings from my
study, which I do think to sit close at this week, and one or
two more. It is a difficult study but very necessary for my
calling. I had the honour, on Thursday last, to hunt with the
King, which was a great diversion to me. The Duchess of
Buckingham's Gentleman of Horse * lent me a horse. I wished
many a time, when I rode by him, that I might but have had
the privilege to have uttered my mind to him. We hunted the
fox, and the King rides very hard as any one almost in the field.
He got two falls, but received no harm. After hunting, the
King and his nobles drink a cup of wine and eat a piece of
bread under any old hedge, and after the King I assure you I
had the honour to do the same out of his gilt cups. After that
we go to the house where the King takes coach, and eat some

^ His youngest sister Alathea, bom in 1672, and then aged fifteen.
She was buried at NeT\-ton Kyme in 1744, aged seventy-two.

' His sister Elizabeth, baptized at Steeton Chapel on February 21, 1670.
Then aged seventeen. She married Thomas Spencer, Esq., of Attercliffe,
near Sheffield, and Braniley Grange, near Botherham, and had a son
William. Her husband died in 1703.

' Eev. Christopher Jackson, rector of St. Crux, at York.

* Mr. Kniveton.

58 FEIENDS AT COURT.

hot soft beef and burnt ale. The place is about 5 or 6 miles
out of town. I am loath to put you to the charge of a shirt or
two, for my staying longer on shore than I did expect hath
worn them pretty near and having so few, ye last you sent me

Young Eobert's persevering attempts to make friends
at Court at last enabled liim to secure a position in the
Eoyal Navy. In January 1688 he rode, with some
friends, as far as Highgate, to meet his kinsman, Lord
Fairfax of Gilhng, and escort him into London. His
object is frankly stated to his mother, ' to make as
many friends as he can.' The great man who most
effectually befriended him was his distant kinsman, the
venerable Lord Bellasis of Worlaby.^ The old warrior
called him cousin, and asked kindly after his mother.
Above all he gave him a letter of introduction to Sir
Eoger Strickland, who commanded the fleet. This Lord
Bellasis was the Jack Bellasis mentioned in one of Sir
William Fairfax's letters to his wife.' He fought steadily
on the Eoyalist side down to the final surrender of
Newark. At the Eestoration he was made Governor of
Tangiers, and Captain of the King's Guard of Gentlemen
Pensioners. On the accession of James II. he became
a Lord of the Treasury, so that he was a person of im-
portance, and well able to befriend a young kinsman.

Sir Eoger Stricldand, to whom Eobert Fairfax was
thus opportunely introduced, was a Eoman Catholic,
and came of the old Sizergh stock. He was a Deputy-
Lieutenant for the North Eiding of Yorkshire in 1688.
Entering the navy at the Eestoration, Strickland served
throughout the Dutch war, and was captain of the

' The rest torn off.

^ Lord Bellasis was a great grandson of Ursula Fairfax.

' See p. 15.

SIR ROGER STRICKLAND. 59

'Plymouth' in the battle of Solebay, retakmg the
' Hervey,' a very gallant piece of work, for which he
was knighted at the peace In 1678, in command of
the ' Mary,' he captured a large Algerine corsair of
forty guns. He was now Eear-Admiral of England,
^J^^g a jack at the mizen, and high in the favour of
James II., Avho had appointed him to command the
fleet. Young Fairfax, armed Avith the letter from Lord
Bellasis, made a favourable impression on the Admiral,
and he was appointed a volunteer on board the flag-
ship, with a good prospect of soon obtaining a commis-
sion. Thus he entered the Eoyal Navy in January
1688.

January 26th, 1688.

My dear ^Mother, — I reseved yours, being mucH to my satis- Age 22.
faction not only to hear of your own health, but also to rejoice
with my Brother and his little female,' which 1 suppose he is
pleased at, though it be somewhat to the contrary of his expecta-
tions. I could wish myself to be with him for one week, to see
the great banquits and congratulations the Craven gentry would
present one withal, at the birth of such a bouncing girl as you
give me an account of Last night my uncle Bladen, and cousin
Charles Fairfax,^ and Mr. Knyveton, Gentleman of Horse to the
late Duke of Buckingham, and myself went out towards Highgate
to meet my Lord Fairfax of Gilling,^ where I also saw Sir
Wattk Taylor.'' TVe attended them as far as the Black Swan
and so parted. I hold it very convenient for me to make all the

^ William Fairfax had three daughters, Frances, Susanna, and Anne,
but they all died young. He died in July 1694.

^ Son of Colonel Charles Fairfax, a younger son of the first Lord
Fairfax. This Charles was born at Menston in 1645, and was a naval
officer. He served in the great battle ■nith the Dutch on June 3, 1665,
under Lawson, and afterwards in the Mediterranean. The third Lord left
him some land at CUfford. He died in 1694, at the house of his sister,
Mrs. Wormley, at EiccaJl.

* Charles, fifth Viscount Fairfax of GiUing, died in 1711. He was a
first cousin to Robert's mother.

■* Sir Watkinson Taylor married Margaret, daughter of the first Viscount
Fairfax.

60 SIR ROGER STRICKLAND.

interest of any friend I can. He took our attendance very kindly,
and told me he hoped to see me when we might have a little
more time. I have several good friends now in order to my
preferment, about the court. I was the other day with my Lord
Bellasis to desire his letter, who is extraordinary kind, and gave
me it to Sir Roger Strickland, and it did me a great favor, he
being a man now in so much request. I am very often with Sir
Roger, and met him the other night in the Queen's drawing
room. He told me I might go on board when I pleased, but he
is every day in expectation of either sailing orders or another
ship, which makes me stay to see what he concludes upon.

Now, dear Mother, I am sorry to be the messenger of this
news to you, but must beg of you not to be afflicted therewith.
My Aunt Boynton' died the 16th of this month and Mrs. Marser
is so ill that she could not write, but when she is better she
desires to give a larger account. This was a thing which could
not but be expected, therefore dear Mother let it not truble you.
I will write to my Lord Fairfax according to your advice. When
I was with Lord Bellasis I had a great deal of discourse with him,
and he calls me cousin and asked kindly of you. I have paid
Mrs. Raper the 4th. I doe desire to present you shortly with
the coco nut. My cousin Henslow do live in the country with
her father. This term comes on the business between cousin
Bennet and him. As it proceeds you shall have a further
account. Pray give my love to sister Frank and the rest, and
to brother when you write, for they are all much loved dear
Mother by your deutyfull son,

Ro. Fairfax.

Good night, dear Mother, I am going to supper with Uncle
Bladen.

If you please you may send me two or three necks of fine
cloth, to come over my shirt collar. About a foot deep they are
used.

' Isabel Stapleton, his mother's sister, married Colonel Matthew
Boynton, a younger son of Sir Matthew Boynton, who had married Isabel's
mother as his second wife. Colonel Boynton was slain at Wigan in 1651.
They had two daughters, Katherine, wife of the Earl of TyrconneU, and
Isabella, wife of the Earl of Eosoommon. The latter died in 1721. There
is a portrait of ' Aunt Boynton ' with her sister-in-law, Miss Boynton,
among the Fairfax family pictures.

SIR ROGER'S FLAGSHIP. 61

Downs, March ye 31st, 1C88.
^ly dear IMotlier, — ^I writ to you not very long since but am Age 22.
not very certain whether you receved it. I have got one from
you which was and ever must be a great rejoicing to me to hear
of your health and all ye rest with you. I hear by my Aunt
Bladen that my sister is come to London. I am sore that she
should be one day there and I should not see her. We lie here
still in a constant expectation of a remove into another ship, but
ye time is very uncertain. If I see we continue here I do desire
to ask Sir Roger leave to goe to London. He is a very worthy
gentleman and very kinde to me, and makes me often dine with
him, so that when we get the other ship 1 hope to be settled in
a very good way. Lieutenant Wickham' is to goe with us in
ye next ship. I thank God I carry myself so amongst all ye
officers that I gain most of their good words. Now, dear JMother,
I can make you no requital for all your charges and so many
kindnesses but give you my real love and duty with a 1000
thanks. I hope you have got your little present I sent you by
something of Mrs. Crabtree's. We have had much wind and
bad weather here this month, which it is commonly attended
with in most parts of the world both by sea and land, but I hope
you will have a fine seasonable spring. I could wish myself
with you in it, with all my heart, for I do think there is no place
in the world so pleasant as your soil in the spring time. I writ
to my Lady to Steeton but know not ^
she got it or not, wherein I returned t
and !Mrs. Topham pray when you have
lett them know it ; I cannot tell you a
being I am so far from London but
had a letter yt Sir Tho Slingsby ^ is

' Henry Wickham was the son of Dr. Tobias "Wickham, the Dean of
York and rector of Bolton Percy, who christened Bobert Fairfax and his
brother William. Henry Wickham was born in 1665, was page to
James II., and became a lieutenant in the navy, but he was dismissed by
William III. and imprisoned for some time. He had property at Heslington,
near York, and died in 1735 ; buried in York Minster. His son Hem-y was
Rector of Guiseley, and his descendants areWm.Wickham of Binsted Wy ck,
in Hampshire, and Wm. W. Wickham, of Chesnut Grove, in Yorkshire.

' The paper torn.

* Son of the iU-fated Sir Henry Slingsby. Sir Thomas, the second
Baronet, of Scriven, near Knaresborough, was M.P. for Scarborough in
1685, and Constable of Scarborough Castle, 1670.

62 ON LEAVE WITH SISTER FEANK.

when yoiT see my brother or write to
Dear Love to him for I do declare I do
all my heart and do wish him all ye
can be in ye world : my love to your
forgetting all ye naburhud
uncle has met ear now she
young ladys yt I have ever since
for them yt I fears
now dr Mother
for in so doing you
ye hart of

In April 1688 the young volunteer got leave of
absence for a short time because his sister Erank had
come to town, and the two passed a few happy days
together in Mrs. Marser's lodgings, over the sign of the
' Pestle and Mortar,' in Tothill Street, Westminster.

Westminster, April 14tli, 1688.

My dear Mother, — I received your letter last night with
the news of my Lord's death,' which is a thing we long have
expected to hear, for I think it strange being so infirm as he was
said to be, could hold out so long. Truly he was a man whose
memory must ever be esteemed by me. I am now with my
sister whose company is very exceptable to me. I was very
uneasy, when I heard she was in town, not to be with her. I
do believe I may stay in town about a fortnight longer or little
more. We do still expect to have the other ship, so that I hope
Sir Roger may come up before I return down. I am glad my
Grandmother got my letter and you yours, for I writ them from
Deal. I am sorry to hear you have so backward a spring. I
now send you your nut, but am vexed yt it is done so badly and

• Henry, fotirtli Lord Fairfax, died in April 1688, aged fifty-seven. He
succeeded his cousin, the great general, in November 1671. The funeral
was on April 16 at Denton. Thoresby, the antiquary, was present and
said, ' There was the greatest appearance of the nobUity and gentry
that ever I had seen. The poor wept abundantly, a good evidence of
his charity. I waited upon the Lord Thomas, his son, and his uncle,
Brian Fairfax, a gentleman of great accomplishments and reading.' —
Diary i., p. 187.

ON LEAVE WITH SISTER FRANK. 63

contrary to my directions, but being out of town I hope you
will except the will for the deed. I give you my harty thanks
for my shirts and the cheese which I hear is come to town. I
am loth to be so chargeable to you, for I know how it is with
you, but God mlling after some time in the King's service I
hope I shall have better preferment. I do suppose my brother
is in concern for his girl's being ill, to satisfy him with them of
that sex I should not care how many of them live, but I do not
atall desire that we should have an heir out of that family. I
have acquainted my sister with that you desire. She gives you
her duty and I hope she will find good by Dr. Lister.' She
tells me Thea is a very good girl, and that she could not have
left you with any satisfaction but that Thea is so careful of you.
I assure you, dear Mother, I am very glad to hear it, and ever
must love her the better for it. I am certain if they consider
it, none of us all can ever requite what you have already done
for us. Pray give my love to my sisters, and many thanks for
their kind letters. Mrs. Betty is so complaisant that I shaU.
never be able to answer it. They neither of them desire an
answer but Mrs. Bett, so I now write to her. Mrs. Marser
and her daughter give their service to you, so Dear Mother I
cannot at present do any more but my love to my brother and
the young Lord ^ when you have opportunity with all that ask
of me, so I remain your ever deiityfuU son,

Eo. Fairfax.

We have had your oysters and drunk all your healths with
my cousin Harys, to whom pray give my humble service. I
take it extreme kind.

' Dr. Martin Lister was a second cousin of Sir Martin Lister, who
married Catherine Fairfax. Born in 1638, he was of St. John's College,
Cambridge. He practised as a physician m York from 1670 to 1683,
when he came to London. M.D. of Oxford 1683. He was physician in
ordinary to Queen Anne and ' Primarius Medicus.' He died in 1712.
Dr. Martin Lister was an eminent naturaHst. By his wife Anne, daughter
of Thomas Parldnson, of Carlton, in Craven, he had several children, but
there are no descendants.

Dr. Lister pubHshed his Journey to Paris, 1698.

^ Thomas, fifth Lord Fairfax, son of Henry, fourth Lord, by Frances,
heiress of Sir R. Barwick of Toulston. He was born at Bolton Percy on
May 7, 1654. Colonel of Horse Guards 1688 ; Brigadier-General 1701 ;
M.P. for Yorkshire 1688 to 1707. Died 1710, aged fifty-six.

64 SISTER FRANK'S LETTER.

Dear Mother, — My brother and self sat talking of j'ou and
the rest at home till between twelve and one last night, after he
got your letter. We were both glad to find you all in so good
health, which I pray God continue. My brother and I have
great satisfaction in being together, and I shall be very glad
if he may not be removed till I leave London, which I fear will
not be till hot weather, for the Doctor would see if it may not
make me worse again. He has just now gone out of the room,
found me writing this to you, and brought with him his only
son who is really a very fine boy. My cousin Bennet's husband
sat a good while with me last night. He seems a good obliging
sort of man. George Stead you will please to tell his mother
was with me last night. I believe he is very well to live in
this town, looks well and has handsome clothes. He was with
me an hour or two. I made him eat and drink something, and
he will write to his mother next week. He tells me he and
she agreed he should write but once a quarter, because letters
are so chargeable. My brother and I both hope you will pull
down those two outhouses that the poor people died out of, then
let you for a stable being just in the high way to your house.
It will be very ugly we think. Mrs. Andrews hath spent best
part of a day with me, and appeared so transported to see me
as I have not seen the like this great while. She looks pretty
well and in good clothes, told me all the story of her life since
we parted. I see my cousin Mary Oldburgh. She is well and
will be with me this Easter week. I think she is like my Lady
Mauleverer.' She tells me she is flourishing. I have sent you
your bill. I shall be glad if you like your things. Black laced
tippets are yet much worn, only very small short ends, to set
like a little hancercher. Plain muslin lining is all they wear
with silk clothes, either coloured or black, so you may wear it
very well with yours, and black and gold knots and fittings be
very fashionable. I have not seen anything but musling with
all the fine colored clothes since I came to Town. I have room
for no more. Your obedient daughter,

Fe. Fairfax.

' Catherine, daughter of Sir Miles Stapleton, and niece of Mrs. Fairfax,
married Sir T. Mauleverer.

ROBERT FAIRFAX TO HIS MOTHER. 65

Thames Mouth, May 31st, 1688.
My dear Mother, — I humbly beg your pardon that I have Age 22.
so long delayed writing to you, but the reason was I did desire
to give you the full account of the proceedings of our voyage.
We have had three several ships defined us, besides this we are
now in, and none of them has taken effect. For now the purpose
of the Queen Dowager's voyage is over for this year, whom we
were to have carried, but yet we do expect to have another ship
ere long, for Sir Roger is sent for to London by the King, so we
do expect shortly to hear the event of it. I am very sorry I
cannot be with my sister, being so near me, and I am afraid she
will be gone before I can get to town, though I do believe it will
not be long first. Dear Mother I should be mighty happy to
have if it were ever so little of your company, but cannot tell
how to expect it before I have been some voyage. However
I still trust to the providence of the good God, who has by his
mercy hitherto preserved me, will so order it that I shall once
more have the happiness of being with you in your little pleasant
seat. I am sure nothing in this world can make me more happy
than to be with so kind a mother as I must ever acknowledge
you have been to me. I am sensible, dear Mother, you have
been always diligent in providing both for my body and soul,
and have discharged your duty in giving me good instruction,
which I pray God give me his grace to follow, and I do not
doubt to be happy both here and in the world to come with you.
I cannot tell what to add more at present, but will write more
at large how affairs goe with me in my next. I hope you will
be pleased to pardon any fault you find in my negligence, and
be so kind as let me know it. Now pray my love to my dear
brother and sisters, not forgetting any that ask of me, so dear
Mother I rest, begging your blessing and prayers for him who
must ever be your dewtyfull son,

RoBT. Fairfax.

My love to my good friend Aunt Stapletou.

The fleet, under the command of Sir Eoger Strick-
land, had been assembled in the Thames on account of
the threatening preparations of the Prince of Orange
in Holland. His intentions were not avowed, but it was

F

66 WATCHING FOR THE DUTCH FLEET.

becoming more and more apparent that he was medi-
tating a descent on the English coast. The instructions
to Sir Eoger Strickland, dated August 22, 1688, which
were signed by the King and countersigned by Mr.
Pepys, show that there was no longer any doubt of
the destination of the Dutch fleet. The Admiral was
directed to keep two ships cruising off Orford-ness, two
others between the Goodwin and Calais, to bring the
earliest news of the course taken by the Dutch, and
some 'Barking smacks' were ordered to be in attend-
ance on the scouting ships that intelligence might be
sent with the greatest possible rapidity. On the receipt
of certain news that the hostile armament was at sea,
the English fleet was to get under weigh and follow
closely, commencing hostilities as soon as any descent
was attempted on the English coast. At that time,
Sir Eoger Strickland's squadron consisted of twenty-six
ships, and thirty-five more were under orders to be
fitted out and to join him with all possible speed.

But Sir Eoger found that the ships were very badly
manned, while the great majority of the officers held
popular opinions, and were loyal to their country rather
than to their King. The complement of men was
partially made up by drafts of soldiers, and a council
of officers advised that the fleet should be anchored at
the Gunfleet. King James at once saw that such a
position was not at all adapted for his object, while in
an easterly wind it would render his fleet useless. He,
therefore, rejected the advice, and, on August 27,
ordered the Admiral to proceed to the Downs, con-
tinuing under sail all day, and anchoring at night. ^

' These orders were determined upon in a consultation held on the
previous day in the King's closet at Windsor Castle ; at which James II.
presided. The following experts, who had been summoned from London,
were his advisers on this occasion — Lord Dartmouth, Mr. Secretary Pepys,

THE FLEET AT THE DOWNS. 67

Sir Eoger Strickland consequently took the fleet to the
Downs, whence Eobert Fairfax wrote the following
letter to his mother from on board the flagship 'Mary,'
a third-rate of 60 guns, with a complement of 365
men.

Downes, August 30th, 1688.'
My dear Mother, — I receved yours ye 26th of this instant, Age 224.
which was a pleasure to me, as it always is, to know how affairs
goes with you all, and I give you many thanks for letting me
know so many particulars. I am glad you have got my sister
home again. I do not question but she, with the rest of them,
will be comfort to you, duly considering all trubles you have
undergone for us all. I am certain I am particularly satisfied
in it. We are now in the Downes, and do expect to sail a
little way today or tomorrow. Now there is discourse of wars
with Holland, but we have no certainty of it yet. I write you
this to let you know beforehand, lest some sudden report might
surprise you. If you do hear that we fight them, pray let me
beg of you not to be too much concerned, for we must expect
these things to afilict us while we are in this troublesome world,
and no doubt but the Almighty Providence will order all things
for the best, for the good of our souls either in life or death.
All that I desire is the peace of my soule with G-od, and I fear
not what the enemy can do unto me. Now, dear Mother, I fear
this may make you sad, but do not think that we are yet going
to war, for be sure so soon as such a thing happens I will take
an opportunity to let you know of it. We have a fine fleet here
and live well, if we have but the virtue of true content. About
a week ago I writ to my Lord of Gilling ^ and desired him to
move it to Sir Roger to get me a commission now that more
ships are fitting out. I have the happiness of hearing from
good Mrs. Marser who is very kind in sending me all your
letters. You tell me of your neighbours wishing me in your

Sir John Berry, tliree Elder Brothers of the Trinity House, namely,
Captains Atkinson, Mudd, and Eutter, and Captain John Clements.

' The King's instructions to Stricldand, signed by Pepys, are dated
August 22, 1688.— Burchett, p. 408.

' Viscount Fairfax of Gilling, his cousin.

68 PROSPECT OF WAR WITH THE DUTCH.

field, and I am certain I could as heartily ■wish myself with you,
for nothing could be more satisfactory to me than that, being so
great an admirer of the country as I am. If I was with you
I should be as forward for the harvest work as ever I was, I so
much delight in it. I am obliged to my brother for his kind-
ness in inquiring of me. I am certain there is no love lost by
me, for I do dearly affect him and all my sisters. I wish I
were to partake of his pleasure he is to have in sitting in your
grounds, but I hope in God to come home one of these days
with a badge of my calling, being a boat, and carry you upon
the water. Now at present I know not what to add more, but
begin your prayers to the Almighty God for me. I remain, wish-
ing you all much health and happiness, dear Mother, your ever
deutifull son,

Egbert Faiefax.

Pray my love to dear brother and sisters, and tell sister
Frank I am glad she got well home, and so will I hope the air
of your place keep her.

The fleet remained at the Downs for about a week,
but when, on September 2, Sir Eoger had news that
the Dutch, with three Admirals' flags and their topsails
loose upon the windward tide, were off"Goree, the King
ordered him to retire to the Nore. The Admiral was
so zealous a Papist that he quite outstripped his master,
and his proceedings, especially in having priests on
board to say mass, threatened to cause a serious mutiny.
Even James was struck by the fatuous imprudence of
such conduct at such a time, and in the beginning of
October Sir Eoger Strickland was superseded. He
followed James into exile, and we hear of him no
more.

Strickland was succeeded, as Admiral of the Fleet,
by Lord Dartmouth,^ who received his instructions on

■ George Legge, first Lord Dartmouth, went to sea at the age of
seventeen, under the care of Sir Edward Spragge. He commanded the

NEUTRALITY OF THE FLEET. 69

October 1, 1688, and hoisted Ms flag on board the
' Eesolution.' He was ordered to destroy and disable
the Dutch ships wherever he should find them, and he
had large discretionary powers. Many of the English
ships were still being fitted out at the various ports.
When all were assembled, the fleet would have con-
sisted of sixty-one vessels, of which thirty-eight were
line-of-battle ships. Lord Dartmouth called a council
of war, and he then found that the great majority of
the captains were in favour of remaining at the ISTore.
Sir "William Jennings and a few others, who were faith-
ful to King James, wanted to go over to the coast of
Holland and meet the enemy's fleet. The majority pre-
vailed, and James's fate was sealed. The success of the
Eevolution was due to the patriotic neutrahty of the
Navy. The Dutch fleet, commanded by the English
Admiral Herbert, with the Prince of Orange on board,
passed the Nore, where the British ships were lying
Avith their topmasts struck and topsail yards on deck.
Wilham landed in Torbay, with 14,352 men, on
November 5, 1688.

The Enghsh fleet then got under weigh, and sighted
the Dutch in Torbay, a few days afterwards. After
giving their future allies an opportunity of seeing what
their strength would have enabled them to do if they
had seen fit to treat the Dutch as enemies, the ships
returned to the Downs, where Sir Wilham Jennings and

' Pembroke ' in 1667, the ' Fairfax ' ia 1671, and the ' Eoyal Catherine ' in
1672. In the Dutch wars he was wonnded. In 1673 he was made
Governor of Portsmouth, ia 1677 Master of the Ordnance, and in 1682
he was created Lord Dartmouth. In that year he was sent out in com-
mand of the Enghsh fleet to demoKsh the fortifications of Tangiers and
withdraw the garrison. James II. made him Constable of the Tower.
William Ill.'deprived him of aU his employments, and he was committed
to the Tower, where he died in 1691, aged forty-three. His son was
created Earl of Dartmouth in 1710.

70 THE FLEET DECLARES FOR WILLIAM III,

other Popish officers were dismissed. The rest drew up
and submitted a loyal address to William and Mary. Soon
afterwards the fleet was dispersed to the various yards,
some of the ships to be laid up, others to be cleaned
and refitted.

71

CHAPTER V.

THE NAVY OF THE REVOLUTION.

The Governments of the Commonwealth and of the
Protector Oliver raised the navy of England to a high
state of efficiency, and their Admirals, Blake, Montagu,
Deane, and Lawson, caused the British flag to be re-
spected in every sea. The men of the school of Blake
sustained the honour of their country even through the
corrupt and degraded period of the restored Stuarts, and
they were seconded by the administrative abihtyof Pepys.
It seems desirable to review the condition of the naval
service in its various branches at the period of the
Eevolution, before we turn our attention to the stirring
events at sea with which Eobert Fairfax was concerned
during the wars of William LEI. and of Queen Anne.

Down to the time of Henry VIH. there was no Eoyal
Navy, but only a sea militia, consisting primarily of the
ships which the Cinque Ports were bound to furnish
at forty days' notice. Henry constituted an Admiralty
and a Navy Board, and founded the Trinity House
on Deptford Strand. He also established dockyards at
Portsmouth, Deptford, Woolwich, and Chatham. The
head of the navy was the Lord High Admiral, with
naval advisers and a secretary. This office was placed
in commission for the first time in 1628, and since then

72 THE ADMIRALTY AND NAVY BOARD.

it has always been performed by Lords Commissioners,
except from 1660 to 1673, when James Duke of York was
Lord High Admiral; from 1684 to 1688, when the office
was personally executed by the Sovereigns; from 1702
to 1708, when Prince George of Denmark was Lord
High Admiral, and afterwards the Earl of Pembroke for
a year; and in 1827, when the experiment was tried for
the last time, and failed, under the Duke of Clarence.
The Admiralty Office was at Whitehall Palace from
1660 to 1674, when Derby House, in Canon Row, was
bought. There it remained until 1684, when the office
was in Mr. Pepys' house in York Buildings, until his
dismissal at the Eevolution. From 1689 to 1695 it was
in a house in Duke Street, when it was moved to
Wallingford House, on the site of the present Admiralty.
The existing building was completed in 1725.

While the Admiralty superintended and controlled
all the different departments, and made all promotions
and appointments, the civil branches were entrusted to
Commissioners known collectively as the Navy Board,
whose offices were originally on Tower Hill, and after-
wards in Crutched Friars, Seething Lane.^ The Board
consisted of a Treasurer, whose duty it was to receive
the sums granted for the navy from the Treasury, and
to pay all naval charges by warrant from the principal
officers. The Comptroller had the duty of controlling
all payments of wages, of knowing the market rates of
stores, and of examining and a,uditing accounts. The
Surveyor had to know the state of all stores, see de-
ficiencies supplied, survey the hulls and rigging of ships,
and estimate the cost of repairs. The duty of the
Clerk of the Acts was to record all contracts, bills,
warrants, and other business transacted in the various

^ In 1780 they moved to Somerset House.

CONDITION OF THE NAVY IN 168i. 73

departments. Two other Commissioners had control
over the accounts of the victuallers and storekeepers,
and two resided at Portsmouth and Chatham, and had
charge of the dockyards. The salary of the Treasurer
was 2,000^., and of the other Commissioners 500Z. a
year, and they held their offices by patent under the
Great Seal.^ There were six dockyards, at Chatham,
Deptford, Woolwich, Portsmouth, Sheerness, and Ply-
mouth, Avhere the ships were laid up, and which were
fitted with docks, wharves, and storehouses for cables,
rigging, blocks, and spars. There was also a small
Government yard at Harwich.

Mr. Pepys assures us that when he ceased to be
Secretary of the Admiralty in 1679, the navy feU into
a most deplorable state of inefficiency, and that this
condition of affairs continued until he was reinstated in
1684. His statement is that in 1678 the navy consisted of
eighty-three ships of all rates, of which seventy-six were
in commission, while the rest were in good repair, and
that thirty ' capital ' ships were being buUt. When he
returned to office in 168-4 there were only twenty four
ships in commission, the cost of repairing the rest was
estimated at 120,000^., and the stores in hand were not
worth 3,000/. The thirty ships that were on the stocks
in 1679 had been allowed to rot, and the rotten places
were so patched with planks and canvas that they
resembled a fleet cominij into harbour after a battle.
The holds were never aired or cleaned, the rain sank
through the seams in the absence of scuppers, the ports
had no tackles and were never opened, and Mr. Pepys
himself gathered toadstools on board the ships, the size
of his fist. When timbers were found to be rotten, they
were merely patched with a bit of plank or canvas

' The total cost of the civil branch of the navy was then 21,550?.

74 PROPOSITION OF MR. PEPYS.

over them. Yet during the whole five years, from 1679
to 1684, the Navy Board had annually received 400,000/.
Charles II. did little or nothing to remedy this state of
affairs, and the decay of the navy was allowed to grow
until his death.

On the accession of James II., who personally as-
sumed the office of Lord High Admiral, Mr. Pepys
submitted a ' proposition.' He reported that, with
economy and good management, 400,000Z. a year would
defray all ordinary charges of the navy, and keep ships
repaired and docked at the rate of one third every
year. He estimated the cost of extraordinary repairs at
220,000/., and promised that all should be completed by
1688. A new Navy Board was appointed by James II.
on April 17,1686, under whose auspices Mr. Pepys' pro-
position was to be carried out. The former Treasurer,
Lord Falkland, retained his very lucrative place. The
other Commissioners were Sir Anthony Deane, Sir John
Berry, Mr. Hewer, Mr. St. Michel, Sir John Narborough,^
and Mr. Phineas Pett, the shipbuilder.

The new Navy Board proceeded to inquire into the
sources of the evil they had to contend with. At first
they hoped to secure the soundness of the ships by the
removal of a few timbers, but worse defects were dis-
covered as the work proceeded. It had long been
necessary to contract for oak timber at Dantzig, Kiga,

' Sir John Narborough, after doing good service on the Navy Board,
hoisted his flag on board the ' Foresight ' in command of a small squadron
cruising in the channel, in the spring of 1688. Weighing anchor one
morning the small bower cable broke. It was blowing hard, and his officers
tried to dissuade him from trying to recover the anchor. But he refused
to leave it behind. He worked to windward aU day, got up to the buoy,
and recovered the anchor at 6 p.m. At 3 a.m. next morning. May 26,
he died, and was buried at sea. His widow married Sir Cloudesley Shovel,
one of his most trusty officers in his Mediterranean service against the
Barbary States ; and his two sons thus found an affectionate stepfather.

THE FLEET IN 1688.

75

and Hamburgh, for the home supply ^yas deficient m
quantity as well as inferior in quality. About one hun-
dred loads of foreign timber were used for every twenty
of English growth. After taking a great deal of evi-
dence, the Commissioners decided that this practice was
unavoidable, and that contracts must be made for tim-
ber of foreign growth. They worked zealously and
efficiently, submitting a report of progress in August
16S7, and a second in August 1688. As many as thirty
ships had to be entirely rebuilt, and in the autumn of
1688 the navy consisted of sixty-seven ships ready for
sea,^ including ten third-rates, twenty-six fourth, two

' There were also some other ships, mcluding a few first and second-
rates, not yet ready for sea. The following ships composed Lord Dart-
mouth's fleet at the Nore in November 1688.

Third-Rates.

Ships

Commanders

Men

SMps

Commanders

Men

Diamond

. Capt. Walters .

230

Eesolution .

. Lord Dartmouth

}450

Dover

. Capt. C. Shovel

230

Capt. Davis . .

Foresight

. Capt. Standley .

230

Elizabeth .

. Sir J. Berry . .

}475

Greenwich

. Capt. Wrenn . .

280

Capt. Neville .

Jersey .

. Capt. Beverley .

230

Cambridge .

. Capt. Tyrwhitt .

420

Mordaunt

. Capt. Tyrrell .

230

Defiance . .

. Capt. Ashby . .

390

Newcastle

. Capt. Churchill .

280

Dreadnought

. Capt. Akerman .

355

Nonsuch

. Capt. Montgomery 180

Henrietta .

. Capt. Trevanion

355

Phoenix .

. Capt. Gifford. .

180

Mary . . .

. Capt. Leyton

355

Portsmouth

. Capt.Aylmer

240

Pendennis .

. Sir. W. Booth .

460

Portland

. Capt. St. Lo . .

220

Plymouth .

. Capt. Carter . .

840

Ruby . .

. Capt. Fround

230

York . . .

. Capt. Delavall .

340

Swallow .

. Capt. M. Aylmer

230

Tiger . .

. Capt. Tennant .

230

Fourth-Bates.

Woolwich

. Capt. Hastings .

280

Advice . .
St. Albans .

Capt. WiUiams .
Capt. Constable

230

280

Sixth-Bates.

Antelope

Capt. Eidley . .

230

Lark . .

. Capt. Grimsditch

85

Bonadventure

Capt. Hopson .

230

Sandados

. Capt. Graydon .

75

Assurance .

Capt. McDonnell

180

'Rn'njh

Bristol . .

Capt. Leighton .

230

XJU/fuU.

Centurion .

Capt.EUiot . .

230

Piredrake

. Capt. J. Leake .

75

Constant War-

Tacht.

wick . ,

Capt. Cornwall .

180

Crown . .

Capt. Bobinaon .

230

Catherine

. Capt. Clements .

30

St. David .

Capt. Botham .

280

19 other fire

-ships, 8 other yachts

and

Deptford

Capt. Eooke . .

280

ketches.

76 ARMAMENTS AND DIMENSIONS OF SHIPS.

sixth-rates, twenty fire-sliips, and nine yachts and
ketclies, manned by 12,303 men. This was the fleet
witli whicli tlie Government of Wilham and Mary began
the long war with Prance.

A first-rate man-of-war in the time of William and
Mary was a ship of 1,700 tons, 146 feet long by 47^
feet extreme beam, and a draught of 22 feet. Such a
ship was the ' Britannia,' built at Chatham by Sir
Phineas Pett, in the year 1682. Her armament con-
sisted of twenty-eight 78-pounders, twenty-six 51-
pounders, twenty-eight 38-pounders, fourteen 9-poun-
ders or sakers, and four 16-pounders, a total of 100
guns, with a complement of 710 men. This was the
largest ship in the navy. The cost of building her was
21,000^., or, including rigging and equipment, 33,390Z.
A second-rate, such as the ' Kent,' was 124 feet by 40
feet, with a draught of 18 feet, and 1,464 tons. She
carried twenty- six 63-pounders, twenty-six 41-pounders,
twenty-six 20-pounders, and ten sakers. The cost of
turning out a second-rate was about 25,000Z. A third-
rate was 120 feet long by 36 feet, and 1,000 tons ;
a fourth-rate 105 feet long by 32 feet, and 532 tons.
A third-rate cost 15,000/., and a fourth-rate 9,000/.
The long boats were 36, pinnaces 33, and skiffs 27 feet
long.

Sails were made of hammacoes, Vittery, Ipswich,
Suffolk noyalls, and Hollands duck. The square sails
consisted of courses, topsails, topgallant sails on each
mast, steering sails on the fore and main, and spritsail
and sprit-topsail on the sprit mast stepped on the bow-
sprit cap. Gibs were not yet invented, but there were
staysails and topmast staysails. Cables were each 100
fathoms long of twenty-one inch hemp, and the anchors
for a first-rate were 430, 150, and 74 lbs., of a second-

COERUPTION UNDER THE STUARTS. 77

rate 315, 110, and 72 lbs., and of a third-rate 173, 96,
and 68 lbs. in -weight.

The officers and sailors who manned these old-
fashioned wooden walls of England upheld the honour
and greatness of their country as well and as faithfully
as in any generation before or since. The men were
more worthy of high praise even than the officers.
The battles of those days were won by sheer hard fight-
ing and pluck, in which the officers generally, but not
always, took the lead. The corruption which had
been bred in our social system by the dissolute Court of
the restored Stuarts had found its way into the navy.
The Montagus, Lawsons, and Spragges, whose deeds
are among the brightest glories of our naval annals,
were bred under the rule of the Commonwealth. But
another generation had now arisen, a generation which
produced worthy successors of Montagu and Blake in
no small number, but which also saw creatures of a
corrupt and vicious Court placed in high commands.
Not a few of the ships were subjected to the command
of hangers-on of great courtiers, some cruel and brutal,
others self-seeking and dishonest. These captains, on
all possible occasions, converted the service of the ships
to their own use, totally neglecting all pubhc ends.
One of the greatest abuses was the habit of taking
bulhon on board for merchants. Pepys himself wrote
— ' This business of money debauches the whole naval
service : it is come to the highest degree of infamy, and
nobody considers it.' The source of this infamy was
not far to seek. Pepys continues — ' What is yet to be
bemoaned. Berry tells us when he came home he told
the King how, only for obedience of orders, he had lost
4,000Z., which Poole had got. The King, instead of
thanking him, answered that he was a fool for not doing

78 IMPROVEMENT AFTER THE REVOLUTION.

as Poole did ! ' In 1686 Pejays tried to check these
practices by increasing the pay of captains, and giving
them allowances for table money. But the evil was
only cured when the Eevolution changed the whole
order of things, and men were no longer told they were
fools by the head of the State because they were
honest. From the time of the expulsion of the Stuarts
a better class of naval officers gradually arose. Glaring
dishonesty and -habitual cruelty were less common.
The black sheep became more and more the excep-
tions. A great number of captains were gentlemen in
the highest sense, humane and considerate to the men,
high principled, and actuated by regard for the pubhc
service. Moreover, there was, in many instances, an
excellent spirit among the officers. Warm and lasting
friendships were formed. This is strikingly exemplified
by two instances of admirals, who died childless, leaving
all they had to their old flag captains : namely. Lord
Torrington and Sir John Leake.

There was still a marked distinction between the
fighting and the sailing branches, although the line
was not so sharply defined as it had been a century
earlier.

The admirals, however, were professional sailors
after the Eevolution, with very rare exceptions, and the
captains invariably so. There was no regular uniform
until 1750, but they wore the stately wigs and three-
cornered hats, laced blue coats, and breastplates when
in action. The pay of a captain of a first-rate, including
table money, was 250/. a year, of a second-rate 200/.,
of a third-rate 166/., of a fourth-rate 124/., and of a fifth-
rate 100/. A captain was despotic on board his own
ship, but he was bound to comply with the instructions
from the Admiralty, which were printed and dehvered

DUTIES OF A CAPTAIN. 79

to liim with his commission. He was enjoined to have
daily prayers on board and to muster the men weekly.
The captain was expected to sleep on board every night,
to superintend the shipment of stores, to inspect the
rigging and cables, and to keep a survey book. He was
always to keep the key of the powder room in his own
cabin, and to see that the gunner's stores were duly
accounted for. He received minute instructions respect-
ing the entry and treatment of the men, and the punish-
ments for various offences were laid down in detail.
The instructions as regards salutes were very minute,
and a captain was strictly enjoined to make sure that
his salute would be returned with the same number of
guns, before firing it in any foreign port. An admiral
commanding in chief was given a salute of eleven guns,
an ambassador the same number, a vice-admiral nine, a
rear-admiral, a knight, or a gentleman of quality, seven
guns. A captain was ordered to be ready to convoy
merchant ships whenever necessary, and he was for-
bidden to receive any gratuity or reward for this service
on any pretence whatsoever, the penalty being forfeiture
of all his wages to the chest at Chatham. He was also
strictly forbidden to carry merchandise, except bullion.
Finally, he was ordered to oblige all foreign men-of-war
to strike their topsails and haul down their flags in
acknowledgment of England's sovereignty of the sea,
when within Her Majesty's seas, ' which for your better
guidance therein, you are to take notice that they
extend to Cape Finisterre.' A captain was enjoined to
write frequently to the Secretary to the Admiraltj-, and
in every letter to mention the number of men on board
his ship, how long the provisions would last, and
' how the wind is with him at the time of his writ-
ing.' He was also ordered to keep a journal according

80

DUTIES OF THE MASTER AND BOATSWAIN.

to the following form, which is given in the instruc-
tions —

s-s

3

^

a

(a

OJ

II

rings fro
dland la
seen

Remarkable

Observations and

Accidents

s

fi

Q

s

4 S

►-1 "

IS

wK

and to deliver it to the Secretary of the Admiralty when
the ship was paid off.

Under the captain there were usually three lieu-
tenants in a first-rate, and two in a second and third,
their pay being 90?. a year. They also had to keep a
journal for eventual transmission to the Admiralty ;
and the senior lieutenant took command in the absence
of the captain.

The master held a very important position. Ex-
amined and selected by the Trinity House, he was
responsible for the navigation of the ship and for her
equipment, providing all stores except ordnance and
provisions. In battle he conned and worked the ship,
placing her in positions desired by the captain. A
master's pay was 160/. a year. He had under his orders
six master's mates in a first-rate, four quartermasters,
and the boatswain and his mates. The boatswain
belonged permanently to the ship, whether at sea or
laid up in harbour. He commanded forward as the
master did abaft the mainmast. He drew stores, looked
after the rigging and sails, saw the cables bent, and
superintended the discipline below, placing the men in
messes, seeing that their meals were properly cooked,
their lights out at proper hours, and the watch duly
set.

Midshipmen were sometimes sons of gentlemen.

PROGRESS IN THE SCIENCE OF NAVIGATION. 81

waiting for their commissions, but frequently they were
young men, with interest or special merit, from before the
mast. There were usually from ten to twenty-four on
board each ship, according to the rate. But they were
not young boys, as was the case in later times. In
Queen Anne's navy no midshipman was to be rated
unless ke had served seven years at sea, and could
navigate the ship.

The science of navigation had made considerable
strides in the last half of the seventeenth century, and
masters of the fleet of William and Mary had the advan-
tage of several new apphances both in observing and
calculating. The Hadley's quadrant had not, however,
been invented, and observations by chronometer were
unknown. But masters of ships used the back staff, or
Davis's quadrant, for taking the sun, which was a great
improvement on the old cross staff ; and the log and
line, for ascertaining the rate of the ship, had been in
use since 1622. The Gunter's scale and Mr, Briggs'
tables of logarithms had also greatly facihtated the
work of keeping a ship's reckoning. The Royal Society,
founded in 1663, held its meetings at Gresham College
until ] 710, and Mr. Pepys, the Secretary of the Admi-
ralty, had been one of its first Presidents. The Society
encouraged all investigations made with a view to im-
provements in nautical astronomy ; and especially those
for the discovery of a means of finding the longitude
at sea. One very important desideratum was a series of
accurate observations for settling the positions of fixed
stars, so as to supply ships with correct predictions of
the motion of the moon among them. Such predictions
are necessary in finding the longitude by lunar observa-
tion. These considerations were strongly represented
by the Eoyal Society, and led to the estabhshment of

82 DUTIES OF THE GUNNER

Greenwich Obsei'vatory in 1676. John Flamsteed, the
first Astronomer-Eoyal, was in cliarge of it until his
deatli in 1719. He pubhshed a theory of the variation
of the magnetic needle in 1683, and a general chart of
the compass variation in 1701. All existing knowledge
was embodied in such works as the ' Mariner's Magazine'
of Captain Sturmy ; and charts were constructed by
Mr. Moll, the geographer, from surveys compiled by
Moxon, Grenville Collins, and other volunteers, for
there was no Admiralty Hydrographer until 1795.
The lead and line was much used to ascertain the ship's
position, and ' Soundings ' was the name habitually given
to the English Channel. The master, besides keeping
the ship's reckoning, also had to enter all observations
and events in a log-book, with tabulated headings for
the date, wind three times a day, course, distance run,
latitude, longitude, bearings of position for which the
ship is working, and remarks. Another such journal
was kept by the captain.

The gunner, receiving his stores from a department
independent of the Admiralty,^ and having responsible
charge of all ordnance and small arms, occupied a very
important position. He had under him a quarter-
gunner for every four guns, gunner's mates, an
armourer and gunsmith, and a yeoman of the powder-
room. His pay Avas 70/. a year, and the part of the
ship called the gunner's room or gun-room w"a,s allotted
to him and his staff. Besides the ordnance, consisting of
pieces throwing shot varying in weight from 78 pounds
on board first-rates to 4 pounds, the gunner had charge

' That of the Master-General of tlae Ordnance at the Tower, with
branches at Woolwich, Chatham, Portsmouth, Upnor Castle, Plymouth,
Hull, and Berwick, Under the Master-General was the master gunner of
England, whose duty it was to instruct and examine in the art of gunnery,
and to certify to the competence of gunners.

YOLUNTEEES-SURGEOX, PURSER, AND COOK. 83

of all small arms — muskets with match and snaphaunces,
musquetoons -svith their bandeliers, blunderbusses,
pistols, pikes of three sizes, halberts, hatchets, swords,
and hangers.

Fire-ships played a very important part in those
days, particularly in the hotly contested battles during
the wars with Holland.

Besides the regular staff of executive officers, every
man-of-war carried volunteers, who were young gentle-
men of family anxious to see active service, or to obtain
commissions as lieutenants. There was a limit as to age,
and they received no pay. Their certificates testified to
their dihgence, sobriety, obedience to orders, and appli-
cation to the study and practice of the art of navigation.
But there were no regular instructors. Volunteers and
midshipmen had to learn from any one who would teach
them. One of Mr. Pepys' proteges wrote to him from
on board the ' Foresight' in the Downs, in July 1688,
to tell him that he was learning navigation from the
yeoman of the powder-room. There was another rather
curious rating of ' midshipman extraordinary,' to which
lieutenants and even post captains were occasionally
appointed, probably to be borne on the books of a ship
in the event of any vacancy occurring in the fleet.

The civil branch afloat consisted of the purser, his
steward, and mates, who were responsible for the vic-
tualling ; the surgeon and his mates, and the cook with
his mates. The purser had 150Z. a year, the surgeon
60^., and the cook 30Z. The medical department was
not very satisfactorily provided for. There was only
one regular physician in each fleet, while many of the
surgeons, and nearly all the surgeon's mates, were not
properly quahfied. The position of the chaplain was
entirely dependent on the captain, and it was generally

G 2

84 SEAMEN OF THE FLEET.

very wretched. Usually extremely poor, and no better
paid^ than the seamen, chaplains on board ship had
no recognised position among the officers, so that it Avas
hard for them to acquire influence with the men.
Many were of bad character. There were supposed to
be daily prayers, and divine service on Sundays, but
all depended on the caprice of the captain. An earnest
appeal was made to Mr. Pepys that the King should be
recommended to allow a great Bible, a surplice, and
several Prayer-books, for each ship, and that the steer-
age be appointed for the place of divine service, and
kept clear for that purpose.

The sailors of the fleet were successors of the men
who fought those desperately contested battles with the
Dutch. They were brave and patriotic, fighting with
indomitable pluck and tenacity for the sake of their
country, and without much expectation of reward for
themselves, for they were indifierently fed, and very
irregularly paid. The ratings among them were : yeo-
man of the sheets, quartermasters and their mates,
boatswain's mates, coxswain and his mate, yeoman of
the boatswain's store-room, swabber, carpenter's crew,
cooper, sailmaker, able seamen, ordinary seamen, grom-
mets,^ and boys. Able seamen received XL 4s. a month,
ordinary seamen 12s. a month, grommets 14s. 3rf., and
boys 9s. &d. An able seaman must have been five years
at sea and have reached his twentieth birthday. A
grommet was a well-grown lad, a first-class boy.

Very cruel and unnecessary hardship was caused
by the shameful irregularity in paying the men, con-
cerning which many captains made strong and well-
grounded complaints. At the beginning of every year

' 19s. a month.

' From ' Griimete,' the Spanish for a cabin boy.

MARINES. 85

a bounty of two months' pay was promised, by procla-
mation, to all seamen who came into the service within
a certain date, and at the same time press warrants
were issued, and pressgangs, under lieutenants, were
sent from port to port in hired vessels. The conduct
of the pressgangs, and the difficulty, when there had
been a change of ship and on various other pretexts, in
getting arrears of wages paid, caused much discontent.
But too often unfortunate wives and widows made long
and weary journeys to receive wages due to their hus-
bands, and were denied justice on some pretext which
could not have borne investigation for a moment. It
was a common practice to put Q (query) to a man's
name, which effectually stopped the payment of what
was due to him until some absurd objection raised by a
clerk had been removed.

During the first war with France, after the Eevolu-
tion, there were several marine regiments divided among
the ships, but they were never put on a proper footing,
and by degrees they dwindled away, and were at last
wholly set aside. The idea was renewed in Queen
Anne's time, as it was considered that soldiers in the
fleet would be very useful on board, as well as service-
able on every occasion of landing on an enemy's coast.
It was also clear that if these men were always ready in
barracks near the dockyards, it would be easier to man
the fleet. Accordingly six regiments were allotted for
sea service in 1702, which was the commencement of
the marines, that gallant, loyal, and most valuable arm
of the service.-^

1 In 1749 the marine regiments were disbanded. In 1755 Lord Anson
caused 130 companies to be raised, consisting of 5,000 men, who were
placed under the Admiralty, with headquarters at Portsmouth, Plymouth,
and Chatham. This was the corps of marines, which was increased to
18,000 men in 1760.

86 SCALE OF I'EOVISIONS.

On board ship the men and boys were divided into
messes, four in each mess. The daily allowance of food
was 1 lb. of bread, 1 gallon of beer, 1 lb. of beef or
pork with pease ; or one side of salt fish with 7 ounces of
butter and 1 4 ounces of cheese on two days in the week
instead of the beef or pork. In 1703 leave was given
to the purser to issue tobacco, to be smoked over tubs
of water on the forecastle and not otherwise. The
allowance was 2 lbs. a month for each man, and the
price was not to exceed 20<i. per pound when cut and
dried. The diet would have been adequate, if care had
been taken to serve out fresh provisions for the men
at proper intervals. But this was not the case, and no
doubt a great deal of disease, and still more discontent,
was caused by bad victualhng, both as regards quality
and quantity. Mr. Burchett, the Secretary of the
Admiralty, confessed that the Dutch sailors, who fed
oftener on fresh provisions, were much healthier than
ours. While the Dutch fleet never carried a hospital
ship during the Avhole war, the English sometimes had
three, four, or more, and too often quite full. When
scurvy broke out, even in the Channel, many men
usually died, and still more were disabled, before any
fresh provisions could be served out. Burchett main-
tained that, when a fleet had been long at sea, a vessel
laden with fresh provisions ought to be sent out to it ;
but this was rarely if ever done.

Yet care was taken of sick and wounded seamen,
and there were special Commissioners for that purpose,
until 1705, at which time Greenwich Hospital had come
into working order. Queen Mary had intended to found
a hospital for disabled seamen, and on her death, in
1695, her husband founded Greenwich. It was her
monument, assuredly the noblest that was ever raised to

GREENWICH HOSPITAL. PUNISHMENTS. 87

any English sovereign. At the Eestoration Charles II.
had pulled down the old palace at Greenwich, and
began a new one, but only completed one wing. Sir
Christopher Wren proposed the appropriation and en-
largement of this building, and the foundations of the
hospital were laid in June ]696. It was opened in
1705, and a noble provision was thus made for the sick
and wounded men who had been disabled in the naval
service of their country. This magnificent edifice, and
the writings of Pepys and Burchett, furnish evidence
that the comforts of seamen were not lost sight of nor
forgotten in those days, and that the wish existed to do
them justice. Most of the evils they sufiered from were
due rather to ignorance and the inefiiciency of well-
intended arrangements, than to neglect or indifierence.
The worst evils arose from the cruelty of bad captains,
who were exceptions, and from the obstructive routine
of stupid Government clerks, who were the rule.

The usual punishments for minor ofiences consisted
in fines. Any person heard to curse or blaspheme was
to forfeit one day's pay ; and there was the same
punishment for drunkenness in the case of men. Ofiicers
guilty of that ofience were dismissed the service. Any
sailor convicted of telling a lie, was hoisted on the
mainstay by the fore braces, having a broom and
shovel tied to his back, where he was kept for half an
hour, every man crying out, 'A liar! A liar!' and for
a week afterwards it was his duty to clean the head
and the ship's side under the orders of the swabber,
' according to the ancient practice of the navy.' A
thief had to make full satisfaction out of his wages,
received such corporal punishment as the captain
thought expedient, and was then towed on shore.
There were fines for l^reaking leave, and for being

88 CLOTHING OF THE SEAMEN.

below during the watch on deck. For neglect or dirty
habits, a man was brought to the capstan, and received
so many lashes on his bare back as the captain thought
fit, not exceeding one dozen, ' according to the practice
of the sea.' On ' Black Monday ' the boys, who required
it, were flogged by the boatswain.-'

Clothing was supplied by a contractor or slop-seller,
at prices fixed by the Admiralty. The purser received
the slops, and sold them to the men ; what remained
over when the ship was paid ofi" being returned to
the slop-seller, who allowed the purser 12d. on every
1/. for issuing, and keeping the accounts. All other
fees were prohibited. The bedding for seamen was
supphed by the Government. Each bed was 5 feet
8 inches long, by 2 feet 2 inches broad, both bed and
pillow being made of good ' Hammel's ' cloth, and
containing 11 lbs. of clean flocks. The coverlet was
to be 6 feet 2 inches long, by 4 feet 9 inches, and
it was to be well wrought. There is no mention of
hammocks.^

The dress of seamen in the days of Mary and Anne
was very different from that of modern sailors. The
slops which were served out in Queen Anne's time
consisted of a grey kersey jacket lined with red cotton,
with eighteen brass buttons and button-holes stitched
with gold- coloured thread ; a waistcoat of Welsh red
also with brass buttons ; and a blue and white check
shirt. The breeches were red, either kersey or shag,
with three leather pockets, and stockings of grey woollen ;
double-soled round-toed shoes, and brass buckles. On

^ Henry Teonge, the chaplain whose interesting diary from 1675 to
1679 was published in 1825, mentions ducking from the yard arm as a
common punishment, but this was not authorised in the Admiralty
instructions.

^ But they are mentioned by Mr. Teonge.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADVANCEMENT. 89

the head was a leather cap faced with red cotton. Grey
woollen mittens were also supphed in winter.

There were opportunities, which do not exist now,
for clever and deserving young seamen to rise to the rank
of officers. It was not at aU an uncommon thing for a
young able seaman to receive the rating of midshipman
or master's mate, as Cloudesley Shovel and Sir David
Mitchell did ; and these possibihties no doubt added to
the efficiency as well as the popularity of the naval
service. A strong motive was supphed for taking
trouble and for doing well.

90

CHAPTEE VI.

THE BELIEF OF LONDONDERRY.

On the accession of William and Mary, Eobert Fairfax,
who was still a volunteer in Lord Dartmouth's fleet, had
strong family claims to a commission in the navy.
Young Lord Fairfax had, with the Earl of Danby, seized
upon York at the head of a hundred horse, and declared
for the Prince of Orange very soon after the landing in
Torbay ; and in January 1689 Lord Fairfax was elected
member for Yorkshire in the Convention Parliament.
Another cousin, Dr. Henry Fairfax, was one of the
Fellows of Magdalen who boldly opposed the tyranny of
James II., for which he was rewarded by King William
with the deanery of Norwich. Yet another cousin,
Brian Fairfax, was equerry to the new King. The
name was, with good reason, held in respect and high
honour by the opponents of despotism ; and very few
weeks had passed, after the accession of the joint
Sovereigns, before young Eobert Fairfax received a
commission as lieutenant in their Majesties' navy. He
was appointed to the ' Bonadventure,' a fourth-rate
of 48 guns, and a complement of 234 men, of which
Thomas Hopson, a brave and experienced ofiicer, was
the captain. Hopson was a native of Bonchurch, in
the Isle of Wight, and was born of very respectable
parents, but he ran away to go to sea, and never re-

TIIE NEW ADMIRA-LTY. 91

turned home until lie was an admiral. He had served
with distinction in the wars with Holland, and was
a captain of several years standing when James H.
appointed liim to the ' Bonadventure ' on May 18,

loss.

After the accession of William and Mary, the conduct
of naval affairs naturally passed into the hands of
Admiral Herbert, who became First Lord of the Admi-
ralty on March 8, 1689. Thomas Herbert was the son
of Sir Edward Herbert, who had been Attorney-General
under Charles I. The son entered the navy in 1666,
and had served with great distinction for upwards of
twenty years, both in wars with Holland and in the
Mediterranean. He lost an eye in a successful action
with an Algerine pirate. James II. dismissed him from
the service for opposing the repeal of the Test Act.
He then went over to the Hague, and conveyed the
invitation from the great nobles of England to the
Prince of Orange. He commanded the Dutch fleet
Avhich conveyed William to Torbay, and was at once
placed at the head of the Admiralty on the accession of
the joint Sovereigns. Sir Eichard Haddock, an ex-
perienced old admiral, was appointed Comptroller,
presiding at the Xavy Board ; Admiral Eussell became
Treasurer, and Sir John Tippetts, who had been surveyor
for many years, was continued in that post. Mr. Pepys
retired from the public service in dudgeon. He was
succeeded, for the present, by Mr. Phineas Bowles,^ and
eventually by Ish: Josiah Burchett, the naval historian.
Mr, Burchett had been a clerk to Mr. Pepys for seven
years, was dismissed, and was for some time in great
poverty. His old master hved to see him fill his own

1 March 1689, Phineas Bowles ; Jamiai-y 1690, J. Southern ; August
169i, W. Bridgeman ; 1695, J. Burchett, for many yeai-s.

92 BATTLE OF BANTEY BAY.

place, and perform the duties with equal diligence and
greater ability. Mr. Burchett was for many years
member for SandAvich.

As soon as the King of France declared war, with
the avowed object of forcing James upon the English
people, in the beginning of 1689, Admiral Herbert was
appointed to command the fleet, which was assembled
at Spithead, and he sailed for Ireland in April. Mean-
while James had been escorted across the channel by a
French fleet of twenty-two sail, and had landed at Kin-
sale in February. On February 13, 1689, William and
Mary had been proclaimed sovereigns of England by
the Convention Parliament. Their first work was to
withstand the French aggression and suppress the Irish
rebelhon.

When Admiral Herbert arrived before Cork on
April 17, he found that James had already landed,
and that the French had returned for another supply of
troops. He, therefore, proceeded oif Brest in pursuit,
and, returning to the Irish coast, he sighted the French
fleet of twenty-eight ships of the line off Kinsale on the
29th, under the command of Chateau-Eenaud. Herbert
had only eighteen ships, and none of great size. They
consisted of eight third and ten fourth-rates, including
the ' Deptford ' frigate of 40 guns under George Eooke,
and the ' Firedrake,' under John Leake, both men who
were destined to win a place in the front rank of
England's naval worthies. The French made sail for
Bantry Bay, followed by the English in greatly inferior
force. When Herbert reached the entrance of the bay,
Chateau-Eenaud got under weigh, stood out, and bore
down upon the English. The action was commenced
by Captain Ashby in the ' Defiance,' and soon the other
ships were engaged. Captain Leake, in the ' Firedrake,'

BATTLE OF BANTRY BAY. 93

set one of the French ships, commanded by the Che-
vaher Coetlogon, on fire. But the French, having the
weather gauge, would not come to close quarters, while
their heavier guns were much more effective at long
range. Herbert made several attempts to work up to
windward, so as to engage closer, and eventually stretched
out to sea, to get his ships in fine and gain the wind if
possible. But the French would not follow, and the
action ceased at about 5 p.Jt. The English ships suffered
very severely in masts and rigging, and above half of
them were temporarily disabled. Captain Aylmer and
90 men were killed, and 270 wounded. The fleet re-
turned to Spithead, and King Wilham was so impressed
with the gallantry of officers and men, in having engaged
and beaten off such a superior force, that he created
Herbert Earl of Torrington, and knighted Captain John
Ashby, of the ' Defiance,' and Cloudesley Shovel, of the
' Edgar.' Captain Leake was promoted to the command
of the ' Dartmouth.'

The battle of Bantry Bay was the first action in
which young Eobert Fairfax served, and immediately
afterwards the ' Bonadventure ' was detached from the
fieet, to form part of a squadron on the north coast of
Ireland.

Captain Eooke was appointed to the command of
this squadron, the main object of which was the relief
of Londonderry. This stronghold of Protestantism is
built on a small navigable river which empties itself
into Lough Foyle about three miles below the tOAvu,
and fifteen from the open sea. The mouth of the river
was defended by a fort called Culmore Castle. The
brave Presbyterians, of Scottish descent, who formed
the bulk of the citizens of Londonderry, defended the
place with great resolution against James and his Popish

94 THE ' BONADVENTUEE ' AT BEAUMARIS.

army in spite of the machinations of a treacherous
governor who tried to betray them. The clergyman
Walker and Major Baker were then elected joint
governors, and when James summoned the town, the
people fired upon him. The French General Eosen
was left to conduct the siege and devastate the sur-
rounding country. The town was reduced to the last
extremity when Eooke's squadron was detached to
raise the siege, with the aid of troops under Colonel
Kirke.

The ' Bonadventure,' under Captain Hopson, had
been off Lough Foyle early in May, but her draught
was too great to enable her to render any assistance to
the besieged town. She proceeded to the coast of
Wales for news, and when Eobert Fairfax wrote the
following letter to his mother, he had not yet heard
that his ship was to join Captain Eooke's squadron.

From on board the ' Bonadventure ' at
Blewmorris in Wales, 6 May, 1689.

My dear Mother, — Being arrived here to-day from Ireland,
I take this opportunity of writing, but I am not at all certain
it will come to your hand, but do hartily wish it may. Now,
my dear Mother, I will give you a true account of our next
proceedings that you may not be fearful nor concerned for me.
There is now a war proclaimed with France, and yesterday we
received orders from Admiral Herbert to make the best of our
way here, and he is gone with several sails more towards the
coast of France, and by the grace of God I hope to meet with
some advantage, if God spares me with life. For we are in a
very good man of war of 48 guns and 234 men. Our desire is
to maintain the Protestant Religion, which I hope in God will
flourish still in these our dominions. I pray God give us grace
to practice what it teacheth us, and so remaine my dear Mother,
in all duty yours whilst breath is in

RoBT. Fairfax.

LETTER TO MRS. MARSER. 95

To Mrs. 2Iarser at A[rs. Rapier's at ye Mortar and Pestle, in
Tuttle Street, Westminster, these

From on board their Majestys' Ship ' Bonadventure '
Captain Hopson eommandin, now at or in Chester
water, May 10th, 1689.

My dear Friend, — I could never since I parted witL. you be Age 23.
so happy as to receive a line from you, being we have had so
perpetual a motion from place to place. I have writ to you
twice or thrice since I left you. I wish you have got any of
them, nevertheless I would not slip this opportunity to acquaint
you of my proceedings. We have been at Ireland, but came
too late to assist the poor Protestants there, but I hope London-
derry wiU stand it out till some relief gets over. We sailed
from thence towards this place, and now have received orders
to sail for the coast of France, to Admiral Herbert, who lays
there expecting to meet with the French Fleet who design for
Ireland. I do expect to sail hence every day, so I heartily
wish you and your daughter all health and happiness, and do
live in hopes to see you aU once more if God permit. Pray my
duty to dear Mother when you write, and let her know I writ
twice since I left town, and pray forget me not, with all affec-
tion, to dear cousin Bennet, and let her know I writ to her like-
wise. Now my love pray to your daughter and ]\Ir. Browne,
not forgetting the rest. So, my Dear, desiring you not to forget
your banns of matrimony that are to be solemnised, by Mr.
All sop, between you and me, remain your affect friend and
servant

ROBT. Faiefax.

Mrs. Marser forwarded this letter to his mother,
Mrs. Fairfax, at Newton. She calls it ' her love letter
that will make you laugh.'

The service in which it now fell to the lot of Eobert
Fairfax to tak^part was one which was well calculated
to stir his enthusiasm. The grandson of the brave
patriot who fell so gloriously before Montgomery Castle

96 RELIEF OF LONDONDERRY.

was not likely to hear, without emotion, of the suffer-
ings and imminent danger of the citizens of London-
derry. He had received the traditions of his family
from his stately grandmother at Steeton, and from his
gallant uncle who, in his youth, had served in the army
of the Protector. At the same time he had imbibed a
kindly feeling for the restored Stuarts. Charles II. had
treated the great Lord Fairfax with respectful consider-
ation, even naming a frigate the ' Fairfax ' in his
honour; and Mr. Brian Fairfax was that King's personal
equerry until the day of his death. The young sailor
even felt sorrow for the impending fall of James 11.,
and yearned to speak his mind to him when out
hunting with him in 1687. But when the Traitor-
King conspired against the liberties and religion of
England, when he landed with a foreign army to de-
vastate his former dominions, then there could be no
hesitation in the mind of any true and loyal Englishman.
That good old cause for which so many noble patriots
had suffered and died in the previous generation was
the cause in which the navy of England was now
engaged.

Commodore Eooke, the commander of the squadron
to which Fairfax's ship was attached, was born in 1650,
the son of Sir WiUiam Eooke, of an old Kentish family.
He had served with distinction in the wars with Hol-
land, and also in the battle of Bantry Bay. Captain
Leake, of the ' Dartmouth,' was an officer of equal
merit. Son of Captain Eichard Leake, the master-
gunner of England, John Leake was born at Eother-
hithe in 1656. He entered the navy as a midshipman
before the close of the last Dutch war, but got employ-
ment in the merchant service during the peace that
followed. Afterwards he accepted a warrant as gunner

RELIEF OF LONDONDERRY. 97

of the 'Neptune,' serving also as one of his father's
mates. His knowledge of gunnery at last secured for
him the command of the fire-ship 'Firedrake,' and his
important services in her, at the battle of Bantry Bay,
led to his promotion into the ' Dartmouth ' in May
1689.

Commodore Eooke ordered his little squadron to
rendezvous off Cantire, where the ships were all as-
sembled on June 8. Eooke's own ship was the ' Dept-
ford,' which, with the ' Bonadventure,' under Captain
Hopson, the ' Portland,' and the ' Antelope,' formed the
division of greatest draught. The ' Dartmouth,' under
Captain Leake, the ' Greyhound,' Captain Gillam, the
' Swallow,' Captain Cornwall, the ' Kingfisher ' ketch,
and ' Henrietta ' yacht, drew less water. There were
also a number of transports, with troops on board under
the command of General Kirke. The commodore
proceeded first to Eathhn Bay, where a hundred head
of cattle were embarked, and on the 1 6th his squadron
was off Lough Foyle, in time, it was earnestly hoped, to
relieve the heroic defenders of Londonderry.

The ' Dartmouth,' ' Greyhound,' ' Swallow,' ' King-
fisher,' ' Henrietta,' and the transports sailed into the
Lough on the same day ; while the commodore, with the
' Deptford,' ' Bonadventure,' ' Portland,' and ' Antelope,'
cruised outside, on the look out for French vessels of war,
a very necessary precaution. Early in July news arrived
that ships flying the French flag had been seen off the
Isle of Mull, and Commodore Eooke at once went in
chase, but did not succeed in overhauhng them. He,
therefore, returned to the mouth of Lough Foyle, keep-
ing guard on the entrance. Meanwhile, young Fairfax
found an opportunity to write off a hurried note to his
mother.

H

i'S RELIEF OF LONDONDERRY.

From on board the ' Bonadventure ' before
Derry river, Ireland, 20 June, 1689.

Dear Mother, — That I may assure you I never slip any
opportunity of writing, by this yacht now bound for Scotland
I send you this in hopes it may get safe to your hands, and
satisfy you that I am, blessed be God, very well, but cannot tell
how long we shall continue on this Station. My dear Mother,
I have writ several letters to you since I left London, but am
very sorry I cannot have an opportunity of hearing from your-
self, being a thing it would add so much satisfaction to me at
all times. I am in great haste now, the Captain of the yacht
being bound to sail, so must conclude with my dear love tc all,
my dear Mother your ever deutll son,

RoBT. Fairfax.

Major-General Kirke, on entering Lough Poyle,
found that Londonderry was closely blockaded by the
besieging army, and that a boom was laid across the river,
consisting of chains floated on balks of timber, having
a redoubt mounted with heavy cannon at either end. A
council of war was summoned, and it was judged im-
practicable to break the boom. But the garrison of
Londonderry was reduced to extremity. The people
were starving, and their savage opponents were exult-
ing over the impending fall of the place. It seemed as
if help had come so close, only to tantalise the brave
defenders and to aggravate the cruelty of their fate.

Captain Leake was resolved that this should not be.
For his gallant spirit there was no such word as ' im-
practicable.' The boom should be broken, and the
town should be relieved. He made his arrangements
Avith the captains of two ships laden with provisions,
the 'Mountjoy' and the 'Phoenix.' His plan was to
engage the forts hotly from the ' Dartmouth ' while the
two merchant ships charged the boom under cover of
his fire ; and a number of boats, with crews provided

liELIEF OF LONDONDERRY. 99

with arms and tools, were to help in clearing away
the obstruction. The day selected was July 28, the
hour seven in the evening. Wind and weather were
against success, but Leake was a man who commanded
success in spite of all Aveather. At the hour appointed
he entered the river in the ' Dartmouth ' and opened
fire upon the forts. But the wind had died away, and
when the provision ships came up to the boom, they
had so httle way on that they failed to break it. The
garrison of Londonderry was watching in an agony of
suspense. The 'Mountjoy' grounded immediately under
the fire of the besieging army. The enemy got boats
ready to board her under cover of their musketry,
and her captain, at that moment, fell dead with a
bullet through his heart. Captain Leake continued to
engage the enemy so hotly that they were beaten ofi
from their boats. Meanwhile he sent on his boats'
crews to cut away the boom. The tide was rising, and
the ' Mountjoy ' got off just as the boat's crews were
breaking up the boom. Both provision ships forced
their way through and, to the intense joy of the citizens,
arrived safely off the town of Londonderry.

The relief of Londonderry freed General Kirke's
troops, which were transported to the Belfast Lough,
convoyed by the squadron under Commodore Eooke.
Here reinforcements arrived under the Duke of Schom-
berg. The ' Bonadventure ' assisted in the subsequent
operations, including the taking of Carrickfergus, which
place surrendered on August 28. The commodore
then put to sea with the ' Deptford,' ' Bonadventure,'
' Portland,' ' Dartmouth,' and several small craft, and
encountered strong southerly gales which forced him
to anchor at the Skerrys, a few miles from Dublin. On
September 16 the squadron stood into Dublin Bay,

H 2

100 RELIEF OF LONDONDERRY.

and on tlie 18th, having run before a northerly gale,
it Avas off Cork. The ships had now been long at sea,
their bottoms were very foul, and they were in want
of all kinds of provisions. Commodore Eooke, there-
fore, determined to return to the Downs. The ships
of the squadron were separated by a gale of wind, and
the ' Bon adventure ' anchored off Deal on October 18.
Young Fairfax then despatched a letter to his old
friend Mrs. Marser by the first boat, and another to
his mother when his ship was going up the river. They
were as follows : — -

To Mrs. Marser at Mrs. Bivpers at ye Pestle and Mortar in
Tattle Street, Westminster — these

Downes," October 18th, 1689.

My dear Friend, — Being arrived here and the boat going on
shore I would not slip this opportunity to let you know that,
blessed be God, I am in health and we are making the best of
our way to Deptford, where we are to be repaird before the ship
goes to sea. I am in great haste at present, so will ad no more
but my love to them all, I remain dear Friend, your affect friend
and servant,

RoBT. Fairfax.

Pray write to me and direct it to be left at Mr. Thomas
Guerdiens, Carpenter, in Flagon Row, Deptford.

Mrs. Marser at once forwarded this letter to Mrs.
Fairfax at Newton.

From on board their Majesties' Ship the ' Bon-
adventure,' at Half Way Tree in the Thames.
October 25th, 1689.

My dear Mother, — Being, blessed be God, arrived safe thus
far! would not slip this opportunity to let you know how affairs
are with me at present. We are, dear Mother, making the best

' Rooke's sriuadron arrived at the Downs on October 13.

RETURN OF THE ' 130NADVENTURE.' 101

of our way to Deptford in order to fit out our ship with all ex-
pedition, and also most of their Majesties' navy, to put an end
to this war as soon as may be. I have not yet seen any of my
relations, my" captain being about to leave me,' so that I have
the charge of the ship till the new captain comes. Mj- dear
Mother I am afraid I shall be frustrated of that great pleasure
of seeing j-ou this winter, which will be a great truble to me,
but m.ust content myself being in this station. I hope ere long
to see them all at London, where I desire your letter, that I may
have the satisfaction to hear of you and the rest of yours. This
ship is now ordered to keep on the coast of England as her
station. I cannot at present tell what to add more but my dear
love to brother and sisters, and service to all our friends and
neighbours and pray believe me dear Mother your ever deutyftill
son,

EoBT. Fairfax.

Friday Morning at 11 o'clock.

This letter was enclosed to Mrs. Marser, who for-
warded it on October 26, mentioning the arrival of Sir
Christopher and Lady Neville in town, and hoping soon
to see Lieutenant Fairfax. She adds that she would have
been glad to take the Nevilles in, but her house was full,
the rooms being let to two Parliament men and others.

Durinsr the winter months the ' Bonadventure ' was
undergoing a thorough refit at Deptford, and young
Fairfax was able to pass a good deal of time in London,
going much into societj^, and falhng in love with Miss
Marser. The following letter was written to his mother
during this spell on shore : —

Fleet Street, November ye 5tli, 1689.

My dear ilother, — I must confess myself extremely to blame Age 23f.
in not writing to you since I came to town, but having so many
of my relations to see I hope you will excuse me. I hope you
received mine that I wrote upon the river. The next morning

■ Captain Hopson was transferred to the 'York,' a larger ship.

102 A SPELL ON SHORE.

after I came up I went to pay my respects to my worthy friend
my Lord Fairfax, who received me with as much affection and
kindness as could be expected from a brother. He is very well,
and this morning his Lordship set me down in his coach at Sir
Christopher Nevill's lodgings, where I went on purpose to wait
on them both. My Lady was gone out, and the well bred
Knight, after I sent my name, was not so kind as see me, but
said if I came afterwards I might, so must defer my visit till
another time. All our friends in town desire their service to
you and sister Frank. Now I must return you my hearty thanks
for your piece of gold and sheet which I find here. I shall write
to my Lady and give her thanks. You are, dear Mother, always
multiplying tokens of your affection to me which I am sure
makes me an extreme happy man. I am just now going into
the city to dinner, therefore must conclude with my dear love
to sisters and brother, and remain, dear Mother, your most
affectte. and deutyfull son till death,

EoBT. Fairfax.
My thanks to Thea for her marmaled.

lOi

CHAPTER YII.

THE BATTLE OF BEACHY HEAD.

The reign of Louis XR". saw the naval poAver of France
reach the zenith of its development. Between the
years 1660 and 1690 the able and far seeing ministers
of the great monarch built up the French navy with
such success that, on the accession of "William III.,
France endeavoured to contest the empire of the sea
against England and Holland combined. The French
fleets were commanded by men of high rank, and no
roturier could hold a royal commission in the navy.
This was the rule, but it was dispensed with when the
King saw fit to reward merit. Jean Bart, the son of a
Dunkirk fisherman, and Duguay Trouin, of St. Malo,
both became captains in the navy, as the fitting reward
for their valour and success. But as a rule the admirals
and captains of France were scions of the noblest
families, and nobly did they sustain the honour of their
race. Louis XTV. was a generous and truly royal
master. He rewarded success, but his treatment of the
unfortunate is in striking contrast with the spiteful
rancour of baser men — such as George II. or Buona-
parte. The gallant Byng was judicially murdered,
Yilleneuve was probably poisoned. The servants of
the Grand Monarque, when defeated — Tallard and

104 THE FRENCH FLEET.

Tourville — received generous letters of condolence.
' J'ai eu plus de joie d'apprendre qu'avec quarante
quatre de mes vaisseaux vous en avez battu cent de
ceux de mes ennemis pendant un jour en tier, que je ne
me sens de chagrin de la perte que j'ai faite.' In the
service of such a master zealous enthusiasm was sure to
be aroused. Certainly the French ships were fought with
greater valour and more success in the days of Louis
XIV. than under the Eepublic or the Empire. In 1690
the naval service of France numbered 40,000 men on
board 115 ships, twelve of which were first-rates,
mounting 120 to 70 guns, and forty-seven were second
and third-rates, mounting 70 to 40 guns.

On June 12, 1690, the French fleet sailed from Brest.
The admiral in command was Anne-Hilarion de Costen-
tin, Comte de Tourville, a Norman nobleman, whose
mother was a Eochefoucauld. Born in 1642, he had
seen much service in the Mediterranean against Bar-
bary corsairs, and took part in the battle of Solebay
in 1672. At the breaking out of the war, the death
of Admiral Duquesne had placed Tourville in the
front rank. His flagship was the ' Soleil Eoyal,' of 100
guns, and his squadron of twenty-six sail formed the
centre of the fleet. His orders were ' de combattre
I'ennemi fort ou faible, et quoi qu'il en fut arriver.'
With a slight figure, and an appearance almost femi-
nine, the courage of the Comte de Tourville amounted
almost to temerity. His van squadron of twenty-six
sail was under the Comte d'Estrees on board ' Le
Grand,' of 86 guns. The rear squadron, led by M.
d'Amfreville in the ' Magnificent,' of 80 guns, con-
sisted of twenty-five sail. The whole French fleet
numbered seventy-eight ships with 4,700 cannon, be-
sides twenty-two fire-ships. This formidable armada

BATTLE OF BEACIIY IIEAU. lOo

steered for tlie English coast, and was off tlie Lizard on
June 24. When fishermen brought the alarming news, it
was quite unexpected, and the alUed fleet was not only-
scattered but only partly ready for sea.

In the same month of June, King Wilham had left
London to open his Lish campaign, and his transports
were convoyed to Carrickfergus by Sir Cloudesley
Shovel, with a squadron of six men-of-war. Shovel
was then dismissed, and ordered to join the rest of the
fleet. Lord Torrington was off St. Helen's with nineteen
sail, and he had not even any scouts out to the west-
Avard when news arrived of the approach of Tourville.
Hasty orders were sent for all available ships to follow
him, including the Dutch contingent, and on midsummer
dav the English admiral got under weigh.

Eobert Fairfax, as first lieutenant of the ' Bonadven-
ture,' had been refitting the ship at Deptford during
the winter and spring. His old captain, Hopson, had
received the command of the 'York,' a larger ship,
and Captain John Hubbard^ was appointed to the
' Bonadventure ' on June 18, 1690. This ofiicer was
the son of a gallant old captain of the same Christian
name, who had been killed in an action with Algerine
pirates in 1668. The son had joined the service in
1688, and was about the same age as Lieutenant Fair-
fax. Both were eager for distinction. The ' Bonad-
venture ' was one of the thirteen ships of the blue
division, under Admiral Delavall, which joined the fleet
of Lord Torj'ington off the back of the Isle of Wight
on June 24. Soon afterwards the Dutch squadron
of twenty-two ships, under Admiral Evertzen, joined
company. Next day the French were in sight ; and

I Or Hobart ?

106 BATTLE OF BEACIIY HEAD.

the two great fleets, the alUes with fifty-four ships and
the French with eighty-two, remained in sight of each
other during the following six days.

Then Queen Mary, in Council, following the advice
of Admiral Eussell, sent express orders to Lord Torring-
ton instantly to engage the enemy, whose fleet then
extended in a long line ofl" Beachy Head. He proceeded
to obey this injunction at once, although it obliged him
to act contrary to his judgment.

At 8 A.M. on June 30, Torrington made the signal
to form line and bear down on the French fleet. The
Dutch under Evertzen were in the van ; next came the
red squadron under Lord Torrington, with Admirals
Ashby and Eooke ; and the blue squadron of thirteen
ships under Admiral Delavall formed the rear. The
leading ship of the blue squadron was the ' Anne,' under
Captain Tyrrel, and next to her came the ' Bonadven-
ture,' with Hubbard and Eobert Fairfax.

The French were hove to with their head sails to
the mast, their line being in a semicircular form, so that
their van and rear squadrons were more advanced — that
is, more to windward than their centre. The Dutch
ships pushed forward, with press of canvas, to engage the
French van, leaving a great interval between them and
the Enghsh red squadron, and they were soon hotly
engaged. The centre, under Lord Torrington, did not
come up until 10 a.m., and finding the French centre so
far to leeward of the rear and van squadrons, he thought
it unadvisable to expose himself to being surrounded,
by running down to engage them. The Dutch ships
were nearly surrounded, and suffered severely, although
they were fought with signal gallantry. At last Tor-
rington came to their rescue, drove with his own
ship and several others between his allies and the

BATTLE OF BEACHY HEAD. 107

enemy, and anchored late in the afternoon. It was then
calm.

Meanwhile Admiral Delavall, in the 'Coronation,'
led his blue squadron into action, hotly engaging the
French rear squadron of twenty vships, under D'Estrees,
with his thirteen. He opened fire at 9.30 a.m., closing
with the enemy within pistol shot. The French edged
away, making all sail, and getting boats out to tow.
There was scarcely any wind. During five long hours
the squadron of Delavall hammered away at the French
ships until they were defeated. The ' Anne ' lost her
masts, and the ' Bonadventure ' suffered severely ; but
both forced the Frenchman with which they were en-
gaged to sheer off. At about 5 p.ii. the English fleet
anchored. The French did not, and were consequently
drifted far to the westward.

At 9 P.M. the English weighed, retiring eastward
with the flood tide. It was resolved, in a council of
war, held in the morning of July 1, to retreat to the
Thames rather than risk the loss of more ships. The
French chased in line, but were soon left far astern.
The only English ship that was lost was the ' Anne,' of
70 guns. Having lost her masts, she drifted on shore
near Winchelsea, where the captain set her on fire to
prevent her from being captured, and she was burnt
to the water's edge. But the Dutch, so long engaged
single-handed with the French van, suffered very
severely. Three of their ships sunk in the action, and
three others, stranded on the Sussex coast, were burnt.
The French fleet continued to be master of the British
Channel during the whole of the month of July, and on
August 5 it was off Earn Head.

The news of the defeat of Lord Torrington off Beachy
Head caused great consternation in London, although

108 BATTLE OF BE ACHY HEAD.

tidings of the battle of the Boyne, fought on the same
day, served to revive the hopes of the nation. The
Queen ordered Lord Torrington to the Tower, bitter
complaints being made against him by the Dutch
admirals. In December he was tried by court-martial
at Sheerness, on board the ' Kent,' Admiral Sir Ealph
Delavall being President. He was honourably acquitted,
but he was never employed again.

The fleet was now placed under the command of
three admirals. Sir Eichard Haddock, Sir John Ashby,
and Admiral KiUigrew. In September they escorted
Marlborough to Cork, where his forces were landed.
Cork and Kinsale capitulated to him, and on October 8,
1690, the fleet returned to the Downs.

The fleet was then divided into several small squad-
rons, to cruise in the channel for the remainder of the
year, and convoy merchant ships. The ' Bonadventure '
was stationed at Plymouth, whence young Fairfax
wrote the following letter to his mother : —

Plymouth, October 28th, 1690.

My dear Motlier, — Yours I received, which gave me great
satisfaction to see your hand after being so long void of the
like pleasure, though it has been writ ever since tlie 16th of
September. Since I writ to you last from hence I was in assured
hopes of seeing London, and was as far as the Downs, and there
ordered hither, where and at sea I do expect to be kept for this
winter, which is a dismal melancholy station, and that which
makes it more unpleasant is that I am deprived of a secret
pleasure I had within myself of seeing you, though it were but
one week. For I was resolved, if possible, to have posted it
down, and now if I were but within a hundred miles of you I
could have the liberty, but being in one of the most remote
places from you in the kingdom must apply th e grace of content-
ment if please God. I never had my brother's answer but am
glad he and my Lady had mine. I wish I could have been so

HOME GOSSIP. 109

liappy as to have been one of your oars, and rowed my dear
Mother in the boat you name in yours. I hope it will be my
turn one of these days. I had a letter about a week since from
Aunt Bladen, who tells me of ilrs. Topham's death. I were a
hypocrite if I should tell you I am sorry for it.

But no more of that for I think we have all had a share large
enough thereof. We have had much bad weather, but blessed be
God we have pretty well escaped it. We are to refit here, so that
I shall be on shore for some time. My diversion will be to walk
into the fields with a gun. I am sure at the same time I shall wish
myself in yours with my brother, who I suppose is a great sports-
man. In your last you told me my dear sister Frank was not come
home, I suppose she is ere now. Pray my dear love to her and the
rest, and let Thea know I much esteem her flower pot, and have
placed it in my cabin. Now, my dear JMother, after hearty thanks
for your obliging history of your domestics, I will return you some-
thing of our foreign chances. Yesterday, being at sea, we spied
a French privateer chasing a Dutch vessel of small force. The
Frenchman, being come up with the Dutchman, boarded him,
and the Dutchmen behaved themselves so bravely that, at the
first assault, they killed wounded and made prisoners 2 1 of the
French ; and we coming into the fray, saved the Dutchman and
forced the French privateer to shift for himself. Had he not
sailed better than us, we had taken him.

I am sorry you had not the company of Lady Neville,' good
woman I am sensible of her favors to me. Pray when you write
my affectionate services to her and Aunt Stapletou. It is strange
to me she should be so much confined to the humour of one
person as to disoblige herself and so many others by making her-
self so great a stranger. I cannot forget your Pastor who un-
doubtedly preaches up peace and it seems is so great a breach
in it himself.

I know not whether you have heard of Mrs. Paper's marriage
with a young man that kept her shop. I think she chose the
discreetest way, he being master of that trade. I believe my
Lord has married his sister^ to his satisfaction. I hope you got

» Half sister of Mrs. Fairfax, by her mother.

' Anne Fairfax, sister of Thomas, fifth Lord Fairfax, was married to
Ealph Carr of Cocken, in Dm-ham, on September 2, 1G90. The marriage
took place in Westminster Abbey.

110 HOME GOSSIP.

my letter writ about 10 days agone from the Downes wherein
I told you something of matrimony on my side, with the rich
widow Mrs. Tomlinson.' I fancy it would make you laugh. I
think I was such an amorous fool when a boy that I shall not
easily now be brought into wedlock. My Aunt Bladen tells me
that young Topham is at Steeton, and very often drunk and
rides with his groom ; but when she comes down she will make
him ride alone. Pray, dear Mother, forget me not to my brother,
and your honest neighbour at Toulston with my thanks for his
kind remembrance of me, and tell him I shall, God willing, wait
on him at the old house one of these days. I wish my uncle
would give me a commission under him to add to this, for I
know not when our Treasurers design to pay. I am glad you
have the company of cousin Bell.^ She is a pretty bred gentle-
woman. My love to her and the rest. So now, my dearest
Mother, whatever faults you find here I hope you will pardon
and be pleased to accept this at present from your ever deutyfull
and affecte son,

EoBT. Fairfax.

If you please to write by the way of my ould friend Mrs.
Marser, you will only make me so much the happier. I am out
of the way and forgot for a commission,' but I trust in God for
contentment. After reading, playing on the fiddle and flute
these long nights, I go to bed in my little house by 10 o'clock.

On November 15, 1690, Eobert Fairfax was pro-
moted to the rank of post-captain, and shortly after-
wards lie was appointed to command a prize named the
' Conception.' In this ship he was stationed, for more
than two years, at Boston, under the orders of Sir
William Phipps, the Governor of New England. His

^ Esther, daughter of E. Bushell, of Euswarpe near Whitby, and widow
of J. Thomliason, of York. She was born in 1655, and was therefore ten
years older than Eobert Fairfax. He married her on November 20, 1694,
and she bore him four children, two of whom survived. She died in 1735,
aged eighty.

* Isabella Bladen, afterwards Mrs. Hammond.

^ He was promoted to the rank of captain seventeen days after the
date of this letter.

SERVICE OX THE AMEMCAN STATION. Ill

duties were to protect commerce from the depredations
of French privateers. The following letter, Avritten at
this period, has been preserved. It indicates the kind
of work on which Captain Fairfax was employed during
his American service : — •

Boston Harbour, ' Conception ' prize,
11 June, 1692.

Lieut*', — Forasmucli as I'm informed that a French privateer, Aged 26.
lately cruizing in and about this bay, hath taken a sloop and
ketch belonging to their Majesties subjects, and their Majesties
ship under my command not being in readiness for sea, but is
to haul ashore to stop her leaks, and Sir William Phipps having
signified to me under his hand that he late impressed a sloop,
and thereby requesting me to send about thirty men on board
her with an officer to command them, to cruize and to defend
the coast from privateers, and that my so doing will be an
acceptable service to their Majesties, I doe, therefore, hereby
direct and require you forthwith, to take under your command
such men as I shall appoint for this service, and to sail with
the said sloop and to cruize for eight days and to return to me,
you from time to time observing such orders as you shall receive
from me, and for your soe doing this shall be your warrant, given
under my hand the day and year above written.

EoBT. Fairfax.

To Lieut'- Saml. S. Mitchell These

Sir William Phipps, under whom Eobert Fairfax
served, and with whom he was very intimately asso-
ciated during this period, was a remarkable man. Born
of mean and obscure parents, he rose, by his own exer-
tions, to great eminence. His father was a gunsmith
at a small village in a remote part of New England, on
the banks of the River Kennebec, who died leaving a
widow with a large family of young children. WiUiam,
one of the youngest, was born on February 2, 1650.
He was employed to watch sheep in the wilderness

112 SIR WILLIAM PIIIPPS.

until he was eighteen, when he was bound apprentice to
a ship's carpenter. As soon as he had served his time,
William Phipps took to the sea as a profession. After
several adventurous voyages, he got intelhgence respect-
ing the position where a Spanish ship had been wrecked
about fifty years before, laden with treasure.-' He went
to London, told his story to several great people, and
at last the Duke of Albemarle, with some others, fitted
out a small vessel for him, in which to prosecute the
search. He proceeded at once to the place, which was
called Puerto de la Plata. His first step was to go into
the woods and build a stout canoe fitted for eight or
ten oars, but drawing little water. With a select crew
and some divers he then began the search, but could
find nothing but reefs of rocks within a few feet of the
surface. The sea was calm. Every eye was employed in
looking down into it, and the divers went down several
times without any result. They were returning to the
ship, weary and dejected, when one of the sailors, look-
ing over the side of the canoe, said he spied Avhat looked
like a feather under water, growing, as he fancied, out
of the side of a rock. One of the divers was ordered
down to fetch it up and look if there was anything of
value near it. He quickly brought up the feather, and
reported he had found several great guns. On his next
dive he brought up a large pig of silver, the sight of
which filled William Phipps and his men with joy.
They were convinced that success had crowned tlieir
efforts. The ship was brought to the place next day,
and the divers soon found the position of the bullion.
In a few days they brought up thirty-two tons of silver,
besides bags of dollars, gold, and precious stones. Phipps

' Mather, lib. ii. p. 40.

SIR WILLIAM PHIPPS. 113

arrived in England with a treasure worth 300,OOOZ.
Of this sum about 16,000Z. came to his own share, while
Charles 11. conferred upon him the honour of knight-
hood. This was in 1683.

Sir William Phipps deservedly acquired great influ-
ence in New England. In 1690 he formed a project of
driving the French out of their settlements in Acadia,
or Nova Scotia. Saihng from Nantucket with a small
flotilla, he took possession of the country in the name
of their Majesties, which was retained until the peace
of Eyswick in 1697. Sir William was appointed com-
mander-in-chief over their Majesties' forces in New
England by sea and land, and in October he undertook
an expedition against Quebec with 2,000 men on board
thirty-two sail of ships. He made two gallant attacks,
but was repulsed by the French garrison under the
Comte de Frontenac, and returned to Boston in Novem-
ber. Phipps then went to England to soHcit succour
for a second Canadian campaign. He was at Whitehall
in December 1691. In conjunction with the Eev. In-
crease Mather, Eector of Harvard College, Sir WiUiam
Phipps obtained a new charter for New England, and
was himself appointed Captain-General and Governor.
He landed at Boston on May 14, 1692, and found there
Captain Fairfax in the ' Conception,' ready to receive
orders from him for the protection of the coasts.

On June 8 the new Governor called a general assem-
bly of the province, which met at Boston to enact laws,
and in the following year he restored peace by signing
a treaty with the Indians. It was called the Peace
of Pemmaquid. Sir WilUam Phipps embarked for
England in November 1694, and died of fever soon
after he landed, aged forty-four, on February 18, 1695.
Phipps was a self-educated man of ordinary abihties.

I

114 SIR WILLIAM PHIPPS.

The secret of his success in life is to be found in his
honest perseverance and determination of purpose. He
■was a warm-Iiearted friend, and a devoted public
servant, striving to do his duty to his country with all
his miglit.

A young officer like Eobert Fairfax, just entering
upon the responsible duties of his profession, could not
have had a finer example before him than was set by
Sir William Phipps, under whom he served for two
years, from 1692 to 1694.

CHAPTEE VIII.

THE BATTLE OP LA HOGUE.

While Eobert Fairfax was protecting the coasts of
Ke^v England from the attacks of French privateers, the
great battle was fought nearer home which saved our
shores from invasion. Although the hero of this narrative
was absent on more distant service, and could take no
personal part in this glorious action, still it seems
necessary, in any story relating to the navy of the time
of WiUiam and Mary, to give some account of the
battle of La Hogue.

Louis XTV. had resolved to make one more great
effort to restore his cousin to the English throne. An
army of 20,000 men was assembled, consisting of 9,000
French troops under Marshal Belfondes, and fourteen
battahons of English and Irish traitors under the Duke
of Berwick. James himself was in the camp, and 300
transports were collected to take the invading force
over to the coast of Sussex. The French fleet, com-
manded by the Comte de Tourville, consisted of sixty-
three ships of the hne, which was to be reinforced by a
squadron from the Mediterranean under the Comte
d'Estrees. It was known that the Enghsh fleet was
scattered, and Tourville had positive orders to engage
Avhenever and wherever he might encounter his enemy.
He was then to hold the Channel while a landing was
effected.

116 BATTLE OF LA HOGUE.

In trutli, the British naval force was separated into
three squadrons, and it was most providential that they
were able to form a junction at the critical moment.
Edward Eussell had received his commission as admiral
on December 3, 1691. A nephew of the first Duke of
Bedford, and first cousin of the patriot Lord Eussell
who was judicially murdered by Charles II. in 1683,
Edward Eussell had entered the navy at an early age.
On the death of his cousin, whose sister, Lady Margaret
Eussell, he had married, Edward warmly espoused the
])atriot cause. He was among the first to join the
Prince of Orange, and in 1689 became an admiral and
Treasurer of the Navy. His jealousy of Admiral
Herbert, and his ungenerous intrigues against a brother
officer, are a stain upon Eussell's character. That he
had intercourse with an emissary of James is probable,^
but he vrould not have betrayed his trust, nor would he
have joined the banished King if he came with a foreign
army. Similar accusations of disaffection were brought
against other naval men. The battle of La Hogue was
their answer.

On May 10, 1692, Admiral Eussell anchored at
St. Helens with his own squadron and the Dutch allies,
and on the 15th a loyal and dutiful address was signed
by every captain in the fleet, and forwarded to Queen
Mary. Her reply was : ' I always had this opinion
of the commanders ; but I am glad this is come, to
satisfy others.' Eussell anxiously awaited tidings of
the absent squadrons. Admiral Delavall was convoy-
ing merchant ships from the Mediterranean ; Admiral

' David Lloyd, a spy, reported to James II. that Eussell had said
that he would try to effect with the fleet for him what Monk had effected
with the army for his brother. If Eussell ever said anything of the sort
to this spy, he was not sincere.

BATTLE OF LA HOGUE. 117

Carter was somewhere off the French coast with
eighteen sail. It was almost providential that the
squadrons of Delavall and Carter met each other in
the Channel on the 7th, and joined Admiral Eussell at
St. Helens on May 11.

The alhed fleet now numbered ninety-nine sail of
the hne. The Dutch, under Admiral Allemonde, Vice-
Admiral Callenberg, and Eear-Admiral Yandergoes,
formed the van squadron of thirty- six ships. Tlie red
squadron, in the centre, of thirty-one ships, was com-
manded by Admiral Eussell, Sir Ealph Delavall, and Sir
Cloudesley Shovel. The rear, or blue division, of thirty-
two ships was under Sir John Ashby, Sir Geoi'ge Eooke,
and Eear-Admiral Carter.

A council of war was held at St. Helens on May 15,
and it was resolved to sail across to the French coast,
between Barfleur and Cape de la Hague, and remain
there four days, cruising for the enemy. On the 1 8th
the fleet got under weigh, and sailed for the French
coast.

At 3 A.M. on the morning of the 19th the scouts to
the westward of the fleet fired several guns, being the
signal that they had sighted the enemy. At 4 a.m. the
French fleet was in sight, standing south on the same tack
as the allies. Eussell made the signal to form hne of
battle. He then ran to leeward, and lay to with his fore-
topsail to the mast to give time for the other ships to take
up their stations according to orders. Cape Barfleur then
bore south-west by south about seven leagues. The
scene of the battle was along that northern coast-line of
the Cotentin peninsula which extends for twenty- four
miles between Cape Barfleur and Cape de la Hague,
with Cherbourg near the centre. To the west of Cape
de la Hague is the dangerous Eace of Alderney, and

118 BATTLE OF LA IIOGUE.

about seven miles south of Cape Barfleur is the road of
La Hogue, where transports were assembled, and in
sight of which the army of invasion was encamped.

At 8 A.M. there was very httle wind, and the sea
was smooth. The Dutch squadron was a long distance
ahead, the blue squadron was as far astern. Admiral
Eussell was in the centre, practically unsupported.
Tourville had most positive orders to engage. Taking
advantage of the separation of the three hostile
squadrons, he bore down with his whole force of sixty-
three ships of the line on Russell's isolated squadron of
tliirty-one ships. Eussell's flag was hoisted on the
' Britannia,' the next ship ahead was a fourth-rate of 50
guns, and then came the 'Eagle,' commanded by Captain
John Leake. Tourville led into action on board the
' Soleil Eoyal ' of 110 guns. At 11 a.m. he brought
her to within half musket shot of the ' Britannia,' and
plied his guns very hotly until 1 p.m. The other ships
were soon as closely engaged. The 50-gun ship imme-
diately ahead of the ' Britannia ' was soon disabled, and
forced to drop out of the line. Captain Leake then
backed the ' Eagle ' astern, closed the line, and the
battle continued until 4 p.m. Avith great fury on both
sides. At 2 p.m. Tourville had been strengthened by
five ships of his blue squadron, which were stationed
three ahead and two astern of the ' Soleil Eoyal'
Eussell, Leake, Aylmer, and George Churchill had all
these ships to deal with. Being at close quarters there
were many killed and wounded, and much damage
done to spars and rigging. The ' Eagle ' lost her mizen-
mast and main-top mast, fore and main stays were shot
away, 17 guns disabled, 70 men killed, and 120
wounded. The ' Britannia ' suffered equally. All this
time the van and rear squadrons of the allied fleet were

BATTLE OF LA HOGUE. 119

idle spectators of this desperate attack on the centre by
a large]}" superior French force, for it had fallen dead
calm.

At last the French shi]3s ceased firing, and were
towed away by their boats. Tourville was favoured in
his retreat by a thick fog. The English ships were
dihgently repaired, and began the pursuit. After
5 P.M. the fog cleared a little, and the French fleet was
seen, being towed northwards. There was a light
easterly breeze, and at 5.30 a signal was made to
chase. Sir Cloudesley Shovel succeeded in getting his
squadron within range towards evening, and fire was
opened on both sides, Captain Hastings of the ' Sand-
wich ' being killed. Then the fog came down again,
and at 8 p.m. part of the allied blue squadron fell in
Avith the enemy and broke their line. There was a
brief but very hot engagement, in the course of which
the gallant Admiral Carter fell dead on his own quarter-
deck. He was one of those oificers who had been
accused of tampering with the emissaries of James.
The manner of his death refuted the calumny. His last
words to his flag captain, W. "Wright, were, ' Fight the
ship as long as she wiU float.'

Then the dense fog came down again, completely
concealing the combatants from each other, and so the
night set in. The morning of May 20 was hazy, but at
8 A.M. the Dutch squadron to the southward made the
sio-nal that the French ships were in sight. About thirty-
four sail were discovered bearing west- south-west at a dis-
tance of two leagues. The wind was east-north-east, and
the allied ships chased under all sail, having the weather
gauge. Xo line was kept, each captain making the best
of his wav. At 11.30 the wind veered to south-west,
and the French crowded away northwards, the alhes

120

BATTLE OF LA HOQUE.

after them. At 4 p.m., the ebb tide being done, both
fleets anchored, the French about two leagues to wind-
ward, Cape Barfleur bearing south-east. The ' Britannia's '
foretopmast, having been hit in the action, went by the
board at midnight. At about the same time the
French got under weigh, and the chase continued
westward until 4 a.m., when the allies anchored, with
Cape de la Hague bearing south by west.

At seven in the morning of May 21 some of the

May Chase

21st. .-t-

, igth-21jit^

-% Action of 19th. May

French were seen driving to the eastward with the flood
tide, having no ground tackle to ride by. Admiral
Eussell, therefore, made the signal to cut and chase,
while Sir John Ashby and the Dutch were ordered to
watch the other French ships at anchor in the Eace of
Alderney. Most of them, however, risking dangerous
navigation, escaped to St. Malo. Tourville's flagship, the
' Soleil Eoyal,' was seen to make several short tacks,
and then run agroimd at Le Brique, about four miles

BATTLE OF LA HOGUE. 121

east of Cherbourg, and her masts were cut away. The
' Admirable ' (102) and 'Conquerant' (80) followed her.
Sir Ealph Delavall's squadron was left to deal with
them, and succeeded in burning all three. Admiral
Russell, with the rest of the squadron, continued the
pursuit of the French ships, which were now making for
Cape Barfleur. Eounding the point they hauled in for
La Hogue, and thirteen of them got safely into the road,
between forts De Lisset and St. Vaast.

On May 22 the English fleet stood close into
La Hogue, where the remaining French ships had
taken refuge in a very strong position. On the hills
above, round St. Yaast, the great army was encamped
ready to invade England. James II. was himseK there,
with the Duke of Berwick and many Jacobite exiles.
The thii'teen ships were hauled close in shore by cables
and hawsers, with broadsides to the enemy. They were
protected by the fire of forts Lisset and St. Yaast.
Shallops filled with infantry were stationed along the
beach.

On Monday, the 23rd, Sir George Eooke was ordered
to go into La Hogue with his squadron, some fire-ships,
and the boats of the fleet, and to destroy the French
ships. He hoisted his flag on board the ' Eagle.' It
was found, however, that the French had hauled so close
in shore that only small frigates could approach them.
Eooke determined to attack with the boats. Then was
seen of what splendid stufi" the Enghsh sailors were
made, and how nobly they fought for their country's
freedom. The banished Bang and his crew of traitors
looked on with mingled feehngs of shame and pride at
the prowess of their countrymen. At 7 p.m. 200 boats
pulled in under a heavy fire which was not returned.
It was not until they got alongside that the steady

122 BATTLE OF LX HOGUE.

pulling ceased. Then they boated their oars, drew their
cutlasses as one man, and boarded the ships. The fight
was short and decisive. The six moored under Fort
Lisset were burnt that night, and next morning the
other seven, protected by the fort of St. Vaast, were
destroyed, besides a number of transports. AU this
was done in sight of the army ready to invade England.
The attempt was given up, and the traitor-King returned
to St. Germains, his schemes of bloodthirsty revenge
frustrated for ever. The sailors had, by their cool
courage and dauntless bravery, saved their country.
Never again, until the end of the war, did the French
appear with a fleet able to cope with ours ; their
operations were confined to privateering and attacking
merchant ships.

The victorious fleet returned to St. Helens on May 26,
and Queen Mary sent down a gratuity of 30,000/. to
be distributed among the sailors, while medals were
struck for the officers.^

In October 1692 a squadron was ordered to be got
ready for service in the West Indies, under the com-
mand of Sir Francis Wheler, who arrived at Barbadoes
on March 1, 1693. It was intended that either Guada-
loupe or Martinique should be attacked, but nothing
was done. There were orders that the ships should not
remain in the AYest Indies after May, and on June 12
the squadron arrived at Boston. Eobert Fairfax was

' Admiral Kussell became first Lord of the Admiralty in 1694, and
hoisted his flag in command of the Mediterranean fleet. In 1697 he was
created Viscount Barfleur and Earl of Orford. He was Fhst Lord again
in 1709-10, and a third time from 1714 to 1717, when he finally retired.
Lord Orford died, childless, at his house in Covent Garden, on November 26,
1727, aged seventy-four.

Admiral Carter was buried at Portsmouth, with great mUitary pomp,
and Captain Hastings was interred, with similar honours, under the pave-
ment of St. James's, Piccadilly.

CAPTURE OF A PRIVATEER. 11^3

Still serving there, on board the ' Conception' prize, but
on June 22, 1693, Sir Francis Wheler, by a death
vacancy, promoted him to the command of the ' Pem-
broke,' a third-rate of 60 guns and 90S tons. Eeturnino-
home m her, he -n-as ordered by the Admiralty to com-
mission the 'Euby,' a ship of 556 tons, with 48 guns
and a complement of 226 men. His commission bore
the date of December 30, 1693.^

The orders of Captain Fairfax -were to cruise in the
L-ish Sea and protect commerce. This he did very
effectually; and in June 1693, after a hard fought
action, he captured the 'Entrepreuant.' a large French
privateer of 46 guns, the 'Euby' carrying 48. His
vigilance, and the efficient protection he gave to fishing
boats and coasting craft, earned for Fairfax the grati-
tude of the Irish people. Among other recognitions, he
was presented with the freedom of the town of Castle
Martyr, near Youghal.

Borough of Ca.fflemarfyr.-

Memorandimi that on the fourth day of October in the year
of our Lord God 1697 the Portrive, Baylies, Bm-gesses and
Comonalty of the Corporation of Castlemartyr aforesaid presented
Capt Eobert Fairfas: with his freedom at large of the said
Corporation, and the said Eobert Fairfax is therefore hereby

' Sii- Francis "Wheler was next sent to the !MediteiTanean -nith
a squadron to protect trade and annoy the enemy, arriving at Cadiz in
January 1694. Meeting with a gale of wind in the Straits of Gibraltar in
February, his ship, the ' Sussex." foundered in the storm, and of 550 men
only two were saved. The Admiiars body was picked up among the
rocks near Algesiras.

- Castle Martyr is in county Cork, between Cork and Youghal, on the
river Womanagh, which falls into Youghal Bay. on the west side, near
Knockadoon Head. It was formerly called Ballymart^T. In 1663 the
Earl of Orrery got the town erected into a borough to send two members
to Parliament, he and his heirs to nominate the Mayor. Recorder, and
other officials. It was the residence of the Boyles, Earls of Shannon. —
Gibson, History of Carl-.

124 OFF USHANT.

published and declared to be a freeman at large of the said corpo-
ration, and is to have, receive, take and enjoy all rights, privi-
ledges, jurisdictions and immunities as any freeman at large of the
said Corporation ever had, received, took, or enjoyed the same.

For his good service in the Irish Sea, Eobert Fairfax
was, on December 24, 1694, promoted to the command
of a fine third-rate, the ' Newark,' of 80 guns and 1,216
tons, on board of which he was employed on much
active service, chiefly connected with convoying mer-
chant ships. Early in 1695 he was under the orders
of Eear-Admiral the Marquis of Carmarthen, who had
shown some signs of capacity at La Hogue. But he
was so unfortunate as to mistake a great fleet of French
merchant ships for men-of-war, and fled from them up
the Irish Channel In his absence a number of West
Indiamen were taken by the French. Consequently
Lord Carmarthen was never employed again.^

The ' Newark ' was next attached to a squadron com-
manded by Sir George Eooke convoying merchant ships
to the Mediterranean, a troublesome duty. The rendez-
vous was Cadiz, and a frequent order was to drop astern
and tow up one of the heaviest sailers in the convoy.
In the year 1696, the 'Newark' was in the fleet com-
manded by Lord Berkeley,''^ off Ushant ; and the orders
issued by this Admiral show to what privations the
men were exposed during their long cruises at sea. On
July 14, 1696, the squadron off Ushant was put on short
allowance of butter and cheese until further orders ; on
the 28th an order was issued that all cheeses were to

1 He succeeded as second Duke of Leeds in 1712, and died in 1729.

* Son of the first Earl Berkeley, who was created in 1679. The son
Charles was created in July 1689, during his father's Hfetime, Baron
Berkeley of Berkeley. He succeeded his father in the earldom in 1698,
and died in 1710. His son, created Lord Dursley in 1704, was also an
admiral. He became third Earl of Berkeley in 1710 and died in 1736.

PEACE OF RYSWICK. 125

be frequently turned and wiped, and the butter to be
kept as cool as possible ; and on August 11 it was all
used. The men were to have pork and pease one day,
and beef the next, and nothing else. They suffered
from scurvy, and in August the squadron was obliged
to return to Spithead, where Lord Berkeley hauled
down his flag. He was succeeded by Admiral Aylmer.^
On September 14, 1696, Captain Fairfax left the
' Xewark,' and was appointed to the ' Cornwall,' also an
80-gain ship, of 1,186 tons. During the next year he
was again cruising off Ushant and in the Channel, in
squadrons commanded by Sir Cloudesley Shovel, Admiral
Mitchell, and Admiral Aylmer. But on September 10,
1697, the peace of Eyswick was signed. It was pro-
claimed in the fleet on October 19, and orders were
issued to forbear from all acts of hostility against the
French. In the end of the month the ' Cornwall ' was
paid off, and Eobert Fairfax was at last able to go on
shore and attend to his private affairs. It was at this
time that a portrait was painted of Eobert Fairfax,
half length, with a ship in the distance.^ He wears
his own hght brown hair, has a broad forehead, large
eyes, a straight nose, and rather full lips. It is the
countenance of a firm, strong-willed young man, with a
pleasant expression. He is also described, on Sep-
tember 26, 1696, on a Eegister Ticket, as a tall, well-

' Matthew Aylmer was the second son of Sir Christopher Aylmer of
Balrath, county Meath. He began life as page to the Duke of Buckingham.
In 1678 he was heutenant of the ' Charles ' galley, and served con-
tinuously untU 1688. He commanded the ' Eoyal Katherine ' at the battle
of Beaohy Head, was at the battle of La Hogue, and became a Rear-
Admiral in 1693. During 1698 he was in the Mediterranean, at Algiers,
Tunis, and TripoU. He retired when Admiral Chiu:chiU went to the
Admiralty, but hoisted his flag again in 1709. In 1718 he was created
Baron Aylmer of Bahrath, and in 1720 became Eear-Admiral of Great
Britain. He died in August 1720.

^ Formerly at Newton Kyme, now at Bilbrough.

126 A REGISTER TICKET.

set man of a fair complexion, aged thirty-one years. ^
He was now to have a short respite at home, between
the wars of WilHam III. and of Anne, after having
served for nearly ten years in the navy.

' Register Ticket No. 407 of Robert Fairfax, in accordance with Act
7 & 8 W. III. cap. XXI., entitled an ' Act for the Increase and Encourage-
ment of Seamen.' Mariners above eighteen and under fifty were, by this
Act, allowed to register themselves in the King's service. If registered
they were allowed, when disabled, to be received at Greenwich Hospital,
and no one, unless registered, was capable of being a Brother of the Trinity
House.

It is difficult to understand why a post captain should have had him-
self registered. Possibly he wished to be quahfied for an appointment as
Elder Brother of the Trinity House.

127

CHAPTER IX.

AT HOME DUEING THE PEACE.

During the years that Eobert Fairfax was actively
employed in the naval service of his country, from the
Eevolution to the peace of Eyswick, several great
changes took place at his home, and there were gaps
in the family circle when he came back to enjoy the
interval of peace. While he was on the American
station he lost his aunt Bladen and his grandmother.
Lady Fairfax, as is stated on her monument in Bolton
Percy Church, ' lived mistress of Steeton over fifty
years.' Surviving her gallant husband for nearly half
a century. Lady Fairfax lived to see the final triumph
of that good old cause for which Sir WUham had given
his life so willingly. Her daughter Catharine, whose
letters to her during the Protectorate have been pre-
served, had long been dead. Isabella, the other more
beloved daughter, was the wife of Mr. Nathaniel Bladen,
and the mother of two sons and three daughters. She
died at Steeton on October 25, 1691, her mother
only surviving her for three months. The aged Lady
Fairfax died in January 1692. Mother and daughter
were buried in the same grave in Bolton Percy Church,
and the same mural monument preserves their memory.
So passed away the last surviving hnk in this family,
connecting the glorious traditions of the triumphant

128 CHANGES AT STEETON.

Struggle for the rights and liberties of England under the
Parliament with the days of William and Mary. A few
of the actors in the great war were spared to see the
expulsion of James and the final triumph of the good
old cause. Lord Wharton and General Ludlow were
among the very few survivors. Lady Fairfax, who was
in her eighty-second year when she died, was another.
She had the happiness to see young grandsons entering
upon life with every prospect of gaining distinction,
and of being not unworthy to bear the name of her
heroic husband. Eobert Fairfax was already com-
manding a ship on active service. Martin Bladen was
entering upon his career in the army. He afterwards
served under Marlborough in Flanders, and under
Stanhope in Spain. He was Comptroller of the Mint,
a Commissioner for Trade and Plantations, Under-Secre-
tary of State, and for many years member for Ports-
mouth. Distinguished alike as a soldier, a politician,
and an administrator, he also gained success as a man
of letters, and his translation of Ceesar's Commentaries
was a work well known in its day.-^ Colonel Bladen's
sisters, Elizabeth and Frances, married respectively Mr.
Edward Hawke and Mr. Hammond of Scarthingwell.
Elizabeth was the mother of Admiral Hawke, who
owed his early training to his uncle Martin Bladen.
The third sister, Catherine Bladen, did not marry,
but was the loving companion of her old uncle. General
Thomas Fairfax, in his declining years.

On the death of old Lady Fairfax, her grandson
William came into possession of Steeton, and went to
live there, with his wife and three little girls. Since
his very youthful marriage he had hved in Craven, his

' He lived at Albury Hatoh, in Essex, where he died on February 15,
1746.

DEATH OF YOUNG WILLIAM FAIRFAX. 129

wife's country, and there his daughters were born. lie
Avas warna hearted and affectionate, fond of field sports,
but in dehcate health. There is a portrait of Wilham
Fairfax by Sir Godfrey Kneller ; a handsome youth,
with a melancholy expression, wearing his own hght
brown hair. He was only destined to enjoy the pos-
session of the old home of his ancestors for two years
and a half. He was taken ill, and, after much suffer-
ing, he died on July 20, 1694. He made his will a
month before his death, desiring to be buried in
Bolton Percy Church. He left 1,000^. to each of his
daughters, Frances, Susanna, and Anne ; but they all
followed their father to the grave within a few years.
Anne died in 1695, Susanna in 1696. He enumerated
the pictures that he wished to be heirlooms — namely,
his great grandmother, Lady Fairfax (Curwen) ; his
grandfather, Sir WiUiam Fairfax ; his uncle. General
Thomas Fairfax ; and his own father, Wilham Fairfax.^
He left the picture of himself to his mother. His
favourite old roan horse was bequeathed to his cousin,
Christopher Jackson,^ and his faithful spaniel Tray to
Mr. Clapham, the Eector of Newton Kyme.

William Fairfax was the last of the family who
lived at Steeton. According to his last wish he was
buried in Bolton Percy Church, and his brother Eobert
erected a monument to his memory.

Eobert Fairfax was in command of the ' Euby,'
chasing privateers in the Irish Sea, when the death of
liis brother made him head of the family, and possessor
of Steeton and Xewton Kyme. When he returned to

■^ They are all still in possession of the family.

' Eector of the church of Saint Crux in Tork from 1671 to 1701, and
Prebendary of York. He died in 1701, aged sixty-three. He gave 200?.
to the Lord jNIayor in his lifetime, the interest to be given to two poor
decayed tradesmen every year. It was kno^vn as ' Jackson's Gift.'

K

130 ROBERT'S MARRIAGE.

England in the autumn of 1694, previous to commis-
siouing the ' Newark,' tlie old project of matrimony,
which he had alluded to in the letter to his mother
from Plymouth in October 1690, was renewed. He
then spoke of the idea of a marriage with ' the rich
widow Mrs. Thomlinson ' as a joke which would make
his mother laugh, but now it had become serious.
Eobert Fairfax first made the acquaintance of Esther
Bushell, his captain's sister, when he was an apprentice
in the merchant service. She was kind to him in
London, and when he visited her family at Whitby, but
there was no idea of love in those days. She was ten
years his senior, and more in the position of an elder
sister. Still she was very kind to him, and he was fond
of her. In due time Esther Bushell was married to
Charles Thomlinson of Whitby, son of John Thomlinson
of York, a citizen of some wealth, whose uncle, Thomas
Thomlinson, was a mercer, at the sign of the ' Ship ' in
Cheapside, in 1603. In a few years Esther became a
widow without children, in possession of a good income,
some plate, and a library of books, which she inherited
from her husband. Eobert Fairfax renewed his acquaint-
ance with his old friend when he came home in the
' Bonadventure ' from the relief of Londonderry. Pro-
bably his attentions to the widow, who was so many
years older than himself, formed the subject of a joke
in which he joined. Still he thought over the matter in
the interval of service in America, and came to the
conclusion that the widow Thomlinson would make
him a suitable wife. Though not handsome, she was a
lady of a fine presence, tall and stately, with an aquiline
nose and regular features. When Fairfax came home
in the " Euby ' he was accepted, and they were married
in London on November 20, 1694. For the first three

DEATPI OF HIS MOTHER. 131

years Mrs. R. Fairfax lived at Euswarpe, her father's
house near "Whitby. Here her first child was born,
a son, named Guy, on August 10, 1695, but he died
the same day and was buried at Whitby. A still-born
daughter followed on February 23, 1697.

Mrs. Fairfax, the beloved and affectionate mother
of Eobert, continued to live at Newton Kyme with her
three daughters. Her sailor son must have enjoyed the
delight of several unrecorded visits to her, and must have
taken his wife to see her at the dear old home, after
the wedding. Bat another great loss was impending.
During the summer of 1695 Mrs. Fairfax went to pay a
visit to her half sister. Lady Neville, at Auber, in
Lincolnshire, and there she died on July 14. She was
buried at Auber, but her son erected a monument to
the memory of his father and mother in the church at
Newton Kyme.-^ His orphan sisters continued to live
there ; and we may judge from the tone of Eobert's
letters how dearly the mother was loved by her chil-
dren, and how deep was their grief at her loss. Leaving
his wife at Whitby, and his sisters at Newton Kyme,
Captain Fairfax joined the ' Newark ' immediately after
his mother's death. His affairs were in some confusion,
so he left a power of attorney with his friend Mr. John
Dyneley of Bramhope to receive rents and otherwise act
in his place during his absence, to defend any actions
broaght against him, and to pay or compound for all
debts owing by his late brother, William Fairfax, at the
time of his death. It is dated July 16, 1695, the wit-
nesses being his two sisters, Frank and Bessy. He was

1 Mrs. Fairfax made her will on July 13, 1695, the daj' before her
death. She left her pictures at Newton Kyme to her son Eobert, and,
except a few legacies, everj-thing else to be di\'ided equally among her
three daughters, who were the executrixes.

132 THE IIOirE IN LONDON.

on shore for a short time m May 1697, but he did not
come home again until after the peace of Eyswick.

Captain Fairfax arranged that his sisters should live
at Newton Kyme, while Steeton remained unoccupied.
Bessy was married soon afterwards to young Mr.
Thomas Spencer of Bramley Grange, near Eotherham."^
Prank and Thea remained unmarried. Captain and
Mrs. Fairfax themselves took up their abode in London
during the two years that the former remained on shore.
They had a house in Searle Street, at the corner of
Cook's Court, and facing what was then called Little
Lincoln's Inn. It is now Lincoln's Inn Square. Here
their son Thomas was born on Friday, October 21, 1698.
He was baptized in the church of St. Clement Danes.

At this period Robert Fairfax renewed his friendship
with his cousin, Lord Fairfax, who, among other gifts,
presented him with Dr. Chamberlayne's new work,
' The Present State of England,' on November 13, 1699.
He also had the advantage of the society of Mr. Brian
Fairfax, the literary uncle of Lord Fairfax, who hved in
a small house in the Eoyal Mews, near Charing Cross,
with his wife and three sons. Brian was the relation to
whom all the members of the family looked for advice
and assistance in their troubles. He has left an account
of himself and his parents in the form of a letter to his
sons, which is sufficiently interesting to deserve insertion
here : —

' This family of Spencers had been seated at Bramley and AttercHffe,
near Sheffield, since 1602. Thomas Spencer, who married Elizabeth
Fairfax, was born in 1670, and died in 1703. Their son, WiUiam Spencer,
married the heiress of Henry Eyre, Esq., of Bramley HaU, in 1726,
and had children. His descendants continued to own Bramley Grange.
His daughter Sarah married Thomas Foljambe, Esq., of Aldwark HaU.

THE NARRATIVE OF BRIAN FAIRFAX. 133

'J/^i/ dear children Brian Fairfax, and Ferdinando Fairfax
and Charles.

I have directed you (my dear cliildren) unto tlie fountaine
of wisdome, the Holy Scriptures, wch are able to make you
wise unto salvation, wherein I desire you may be instructed from
your youth, and to train you up in the way you should go, that
when you are old you may not depart from it.

I know not how long it may please God to let mee live with
you in this world, and therefore I would neglect no occasion of
instructing you, both by my example, and by such divine and
moral precepts as I find in the word of God.

I wish I were as able to leave you a temporal inheritance as
I am to direct you, by God's help, in the paths of wisdome.

I had much rather leave you a picture of my mind than of
my face, that being dead I may still speak to you.

Haveing reason to think you may lose a father before you
come to yeares of discretion to governe yourselves, it shall be
my care that, from children, you may know ye Holy Scriptures,
which are able to make you wise unto Salvation through Faith
in Christ.

The memory of my deare Parents is so pretious to mee that
I hope you will have the same regard to myne. I did honor and
obey them while they lived, and have endeavored to imitate their
good example of Piety, and other graces, who in symplicity and
Godly sincerity had their conversation in this world.

"We have no pictures left of my deare Father and JMother in
our family ; to supply that want I will describe them and give
this short account of their life.

My Father was Mr. Henry Fairfax,^ second son of Sir Tho
Fairfax the first Lord ffairfas of Denton.' Hee was borne at
Denton Ano 1588. His five brethren were all soldiers (Charles a
lawver not excepted, such was the troublesome tj-mes they lived

' Manuscript sold at Sir. Bruce's sale in May 1870. Bought by
Edward Hailstone, Esq., ^Yalton HaU, near Wakefield.

^ Bom at Denton January 14, 1588.

* Denton was liis seat in Yorkshire. He was created Baron Fan-fax
of Cameron. His grandson, the thia-d Lord, was the Parliamentary
General.

lo4 THE NARKATIVE OF BRIAN FAIRFAX.

in). My Father was bred not only a scoller (for yt tliey all
were) but a Divine, and so cbose the better part, he lived and
died a man of peace.

I have heard say that King James bid my Grandfather
make him a Scollar, and hee would make him a Bishop : but the
storme yt fell upon the Church and State made him incapable
of that dignety, liveing quietly like Lot in Zoar, from whence
hee saw Sodome all in flames.

Hee was educated at Trinity Colledge in Cambridg where
hee was Fellow, and lived afterwards at Newton Kyme in York-
shire, a small liveing in his Father's guift.

He married the most vertuous and pious Mrs. Mary Cholmely,
daughter of Sir Richard Cholmeley of Roxby I\t, by the Lady
Katherine (widdow of ye Lord Scroop) eldest da. of Henry Lord
Clifford, the first Earle of Cumberland, by Margaret his first wife,
da. to je Earle of Northumberland.

Sed genus et proavos et quae non
feoimus Ipsi, vix ea nostra vooo.

Shee was a most lovely and comely person, but the vertues
and graces of her mind made her more excellent than her
neighbours : haveing all the lineaments of beauty wch King
Solomon requires in his portrature of a vertuous woman.

Her price was far above rubies (Pro. 30. 10.)

The hart of her husband did safely trust in her.

She did him good and not evil aU ye dayes of her fife.

She opened her mouth with wisdom, and in

her tongue was ye law of kindness.

Her children arise up and call her blessed, her

Husband also and hee praysed her.

Their children were Thomas ' and Ellen who bothe died
young. Henry ^ now Lord Fairfax of Denton 1671, and poore I
Brian borne at Newton.

All the tyme of the civil warrs, from 1642 to 46 their little

' Born at Ashton in 1628, and died April 29, 1€40. He was buried at
Otley, ' he being a gentleman of great hopes for his time,' says the Parish
Register.

' Born at Ashton December 20,-lG31, died 1088.

THE NARRATIVE OF BRIAN FAIRFAX. 135

House was a refuge and sanctuary to all their friends and rela-
tions on both sides : from thence they removed to Bolton Percy,
where shea ended her godly life ano 16-19, ^tat 57.'

My deare Father removed from thence to his own house at
Oglethorp,^ and there spent the remainder of his life in a pious
and contented solitude.

His notes upon the Holy Bible (severall of them being in
the study at Denton) do shew how much hee delighted in yt
sacred Book, and the auntient fathers of the church.

His recreation was the study of antiquities and heraldry.

Thus hee lived to a good old age, his conscience voyd of
offence towards God and man. Hee dyed at Oglethorp Ap 1665 : ^
buried at Bolton Percy nere to his most deare and loving wife
iBtat 77.

It is observed that children do often resemble their Grand-
fathers more than their Fathers. I hope you will do so ; though
(I thank God) I have no deformities or defects of body or mind
to make you ashamed of resembling yr Parents, and I hope you
will stand as far indetted to us for a godly and vertuous education
to correct the vitious inclinations of corrupt nature, as I do to
my parents.

And yet I must confess I have followed my deare Parents
with unequall steps in the paths of piety and vertue ; and it is
no shame to confess that the coppy they set was too exact for
mee to imitate, though I had not been exposed to ye variety of
temptations which a life led in the Tents of Kedar and the Courts
of Princes, compared with the quiet and retired life wch they
led in ye House of God, is subject to.

The greater part of his tyme was spent in reading and
meditating on ye Holy Bible, his delight was in it, and like
David's blessed man hee did meditate therein day and night.

I perfectly remember ye manner of his conversation in this
world. Hee was a man of primitive symplicity, piety, modestj',
meekness, cherfullness, (wch in him was the effect of a good
conscience voyd of offence to God and man). Hee was ever

• She died on January 8, 1650, and was biiried at Bolton Percy.
' In 1662.

' He died on April 6, 1665, and was buried under a flagstone witliiu
the altar rails of Bolton Percy C'luu-ch.

136 THE NAERATIVE OF BRIAN FAIRFAX.

lifting up his eyes and hands to Heaven. Hee was frequent in
pious ejaculations, and loved to bee alone, exjaressing the inward
devotion of his soule in sighs and grones wch cannot bee
uttered.

Hee was naturally a man of courage, but tempered with
so much meekness and modesty and compassion, that it was
impossible for him to have been a soldier or lawyer or anything
but a Divine, a man of peace consecrated to that sacred pro-
fession.

His courage hee made use of in his Profession, boldlj- to
reprove sin and vice, especially swearing and drunkenness, as it
came in his way, and once to the hazzard of his life among the
soldiers at York, when he was carried prisoner from Newton,
upon no other account but because he was Brother to my Lord
ffer ifairfax and uncle to Sir Th. ff Generall and Lieut General!
of the Parity Army in that unhappy war. Ano 16 Ik

Being sent for to York hee was brought before Prince Rupert,
who asked him if hee had taken the Covenant, hee answered no,
nor any other oath but those of allegiance and supremacy :
whereupon the Prince (who a little before had spared Denton
Hall for the sake of my Uncle Willm Fairfax, whose picture
hee saw there, who lost his life at Frankendale in his Father's
quarrel) the Prince sent my Father quietly home with a protec-
tion, wch made his little House at Newton a Sanctuary to his
friends who were engaged in both armies.

His modesty did render his private conversation very accep-
table to his friends who all did love and esteeme him, and the
more for so little esteeming himself.

But this amiable vertue joyned with sincere sanctity did
ill suite with ye boisterous tymes hee lived in_ The pulpit was
then possessed (for the most part) by men of bold and confident
tempers.

My deare Mother was a help meet for him, carefull about
the concernes of her children and house, and yet not neglecting
ve one thing necessary. Shee acted not Martha's part alone,
but ilary's too. Witness those excellent and pious meditations
(in a little book of her own handwriting in my study) upon the
words of our Saviour ]Mat 6. Take no thought for your life &c :
which 1 reconiend to my deare wife and children to read, to

THE NARRATIYE OF BRIAN FAIRFAX. 137

encourage tliein to trust in the Providence of God, and his
righteousness ; and all things else shall be added to us.

Epitaph on my Father a/nd Mother.

Here Moses meekness, Aaron's sanctity,
Abraham's faith, Samuel's integrity,
David's devotion all togeather lie.
Mary's devotion, Martha's prudent care,
In her alone these graces joyned were.

On my grandmother at Oiley, by my uncle Edward Fairfax.

Here lyes fruitfulness, and Rachel's beauty.
Here lyes Eeebecca's faith, here Sarah's duty.

It pleased God in his providence that I should be absent
when both Mother and Father dyed. But this I knovsr, that as
they lived the life, so they dyed the death of the righteous. O
let my latter end be like theirs, and my life also.

My mother dyed of a pleurisy, but the paine did not hinder
her prayres and shee •wn& so sensible as to aske (when the bell
at Bolton told) if it told for her. Her deare husband and
several! friends about her (as the good Lady Barwick) were
witnesses of her faith and hope in Christ Jesus. She desired
them to read the 42 Psalme. As the hart panteth for the water
brooks &c., which Psalme and the 23 — the Lord is my Shepard
&c., were the particular Psalms shee delighted in whilst shee
lived, and wch did comfort her at her death.

[The 42 Psalme w^s the last part of scripture wch my Lord
Th. ffairfax ' read, the morning of ye day hee dyed at Appleton.
He complained his eyes were dim, and so piously gave up the
ghost 167 l.J

My deare Father mourned for her as a loving turtle for his
mate. His passion was so excessive that it deprived him of the
sight of one of his eyes ever after. Whenever hee named her,
it renewed his sorrow and drew from him sighs and teares, and
yet did hee not sorrow as those without hope.

When my deare Father dyed at Oglethorpe, April 1665,

I was at sea with ye Duke of Buckingham abord the ' Prince,'

in the Dutch war. Hee spoke often of mee in his sickness,

saying — Poore Brian where is hee ? is hee at sea ? He was a

' The great General.

138 THE NARRii.TIVE OF BUI AN FAIRFAX.

most passionate tender hearted father to both his children. My
brother lived wth him, but I only visited him once a yeare : so
I could not do as Joseph, who fell upon his dead father's face,
and wept upon him and kissed him.

Hee lived to a good old age, and his grey haires came with
peace to the grave.

The yeares of his life did exceed the cofiion period which
David assignes, of three score yeares and ten, hee lived 7 yeares
beyond it, and yet God blessed him with health, that at those
yeares he was not oppressed wth labour and sorrow, with gout
or stone. Hee dyed of a kind of lethargy, so yt death was no
more to him than falling asleep.

Tour mother is descended of Honorable Parentage but had
the unhappiness to loose her father and mother in her childhood.
Her father was Sir Edmund Gary, descended from the same stock
;is the renowned Queen Elizabeth, vizt. from Mary Bullen,
daughter of Thomas Bullen Earl of Wiltshire, sister to Anne 2d
wife of King Hen. 8 and mother of Queen Elizabeth.

Sir Edmund Gary is descended from Thomas Gary of Ghilton
Foliot Esqr and Margaret, whose mother was Elenor Beaufort
da. of Edmond Beaufort, Duke of Somerset, Regent of France,
slaine at St. Albans 1455, and sister of Edmond, ye last Duke
of yt name of Beaufort, whose naturall son was Gharles Somerset
Earl of Worcester, from whom is descended the Marquis, now
created Duke of Beaufort by King Charles 1682, and Gharles
Gerard, Earl of Macclesfield.

Sir Edmond's father was Sir Ferdinando, a famous soldier
in the low country wars, and a goodly person. His grandfather
was Sir Edmund, 3d son of Henry Lord Hunsdon, cousin german
to Queen Elizabeth.

Sir Edmond Gary, my wife's father, was educated in the
Gourt of the Elector Palatine, to whom hee was Page, and in a
little tyme made a Gaptain in the civil wars in England. He
was an officer in great esteem both for courage and generosity,
extremely beloved in the King's army, but soon lost his life by
wounds wch occasioned sickness, wherof he dyed at Gardiff in
AVales. Bishop Usher was with him at his death, and when his
relations asked how hee did, his answer was hee was fi.tter for
heaven than earth.

THE NARRATIVE OF BRIAN FAIRFAX. 139

He became intimately acquainted with Coll. Charles Gerard
(now Lord Gerard and Earl of Macclesfield) both of them very
young and emulating one another in brave and vertuous actions
as rivals, contending who should be most esteemed and best
beloved in the King's Army, which occasioned a duel between
them, wherein my Lord was wounded in the hand.

At York hee married Anne, sister to my Lord Gerard, by
whom hee had an only child Charlotte Cary,' my deare wife,
borne in York in Alderman Tireman's house in Peter-gate.
Sir Edmund was taken prisoner by ye army under comand of my
uncle Lord Ferdinando Fairfax, and an exchaing made between
him and my uncle Charles ffairfax of ilenston, at Street Houses
near York. I have seen a letter from Sir Edmund to my Lord
ffer. ffairfax about his release.

Those unhappy wars did not permit the husband and wife to
live long together, or enjoy many dayes of quiet. They were
soon separated, hee into Wales where the King's service called
him, shee into Lancashire, where she dyed not long after him,
at Halsey, her brother my Lord Gerard's house. Shee was with
her husband at Cardiff, when he dyed, his da. Charlotte was
there too.

I cannot name this noble Lord Gerard, her brother, without
this character due to him : that the courage and loyalty which
hee showed in the civU war of England, did not more redound
to his fame and honor than his constant profession of the Pro-
testant Religion hath done since, and his bold opposing the
growth of Popery publicly in ye House of Lords in Parliament,
and upon all other occasions in this dissembling age and court
wee live in, makes him deserve a coronet of never fadeing
lawrell, which shall adorn his head when other trophies and
lawrells shaU. fade and wither.

Among all the antient Heros, Greek and Eoman, whose lives
are made immortal by haveing such an historian as Plutarch to
write them, there are none whose noble minds did engage their
bodyes in more personall dangers than Prince Rupert, my Lord
Gerard (now Earl of Macclesfield) and Thomas Lord Fairfax,
nor ever carried such scarrs and marks of honor to their graves.

^ Married to Brian Fairfax on April 22, 1675, in ^Yest^n^nster Abbey.
She died November 14, 1709.

140 THE NARRATIVE OF BRIAN FAIRFAX.

Their personal valour crownd all their personal attempts with
success. Wherever they charged the enemy, they were victorious.

And now, my deare children, I wish I could present you
with a picture of my selfe, such a one as might resemble my
parents and ancestors, and such a one as might represent the
best part of my selfe, and conceale the worst, for your imitation.

My deare father and mother had two sons before me, Thomas
who dyed at Otley schoole 2 or 3 dayes before my grandfather
who dyed at Denton 1641, and Henry now Lord Fairfax 1682.
Also Ellen who died at Ashton in Lancashire.

My grandfather Tho. Ld ffairfax desired that my name
should be Brian : (one reason why I have given my deare son
the same name). I suppose he did it in memory of Brian If.
brother to Sir Guy. He was eminent for his wisdome and
prudence and probity, as appears by severall evidences and
deeds which hee was witness in those dayes, and executor and
supervisor to divers wills.

I rather think ye name Brian was given in memory of him
whom wee call my nemne ' Brian (as his nephew Richard if.
father of Sir Guy, calls him in his will dated 8° Hen. 8). The
uses of his feofment made to his neame Brian of his manor of
Walton &c. 13 Eic. 2, 1394 : whence my father and grandfather
used to call mee Brian ' my neame.' Hee was Parson of Marston,
Prebend of Langtoft, Precentor of York, to whom his uncle
John, Parson of Gilling, bequeathed all his books juris civilis et
communis. From this Brian I suppose the name was derived
to many honorable families, as Stapilton (Sir Miles S. and this
Brian lived both in ye same tyme 1394). Brian Palmes of
Nabume, Serjeant at law 11 Hen 8 ; which two honorable
families have had many Brians.

The name is I suppose of Saxon extraction.^ Wee find Brian
de Lisle. Brian de Lisle was one of the 33 noblemen that were
witnesses to Magna Carta 9 Hen. 3. Brian de Wallingford

' Earn, mine ea/m, 'my uncle,' also generally 'my gossip,' 'my
compere,' 'my friend.' Earn (Teut.), Ohtn (Belg.), Avunculus. 'My
neame,^ my uncle, my gossip, my compere. — See J. Ray's Collecticn of
English Proverbs and Words not generally used (4tli ed.), 1768, 8vo.,
Part II., p. 28.

' A Breton name, meaning strong, brought over by the Bretons in the
army of >\'iIKam the Conqueror.

THE NARRATIVK OF BRIAN FAIRFAX. 141

Lord of ye Castle of Abergevenny, called Fitz C'ouat. Brian
Fitz Allan, Dominus de Askham Brian temp Ed 3 iinde forsan
nomen derivatuv : whose daughter and heir was married to Stapil-
ton, thence came the name of Brian to Stapilton and Fairfax.

There is no reason to think so honorable a name among the
English nobility came out of Ireland, as from Brients Earles
of Toumond, seeing we find it so auntient in England as ilagna
Carta.

I cannot name my grandfather Tho Lord Fairfax without
this character of him : that he was a man of an heroic spirit,
wise and prudent in all his actions in peace and valliant in warr,
of so comely a personage that his pictures do adorne the houses
of most gentlemen in the county of Yorke, resembling Hen. 4
of France, whom he served in the warr in France, and was
knighted at the siege of Roan.

I lived with him at Denton, in my childhood, till his death,
and do gratefully remember his care and kindness to mee there.

Hee most affected a soldier's life, and was a very good scoUer.
He was a courtier a while, being a favorite to King James, but
had too much honor and honesty to thrive in yt trade, wch
his plentifull fortune made him not stand in need of. He
writ several treatises, as of Horsemanship, and a political dis-
course calld the High way to Heidelberg, shewing the means
to abate the grandeur of Spaine &c.

From Denton I went to my parents at Newton, and was
sent at 10 yeares old to Cuckwald' school, thence after 3 or 4
yeares to Cambridge, where I was admitted into Trin. CoUedg
and had the happiness to be acquainted with several vertuous
and good men, as Dr. Isac Barrow (after blaster of the Coll.),
Dr. Mapletofb &c. By the advise of Sir Tho Widdrington (a
kind kinsman and friend of our family), my Parents designed
mee for the study of the comon law, but my inclination at that
time was to'stay longer in the Colledge, assoeiateing with honest
men, given to no vice of debauchery in any kind. Soon after I
went to the Inns of Court, Gray's Inn, where I had been ad-
mitted long before in Sir Tho. Wid. Reading. There I studyed
a yeare or 2, but found that I wanted bouldness to talk as
was necessary for that profession. This was in the tyme of

1 Cox-nold.

142 THE NARr.ATIVE OF BRIAN FAirtFAX.

Cromwell's usurpation, and 1 was willing to make the unsetled
tymes an excuse for my being so in my mind. Then I went
againe to C'ambridg, where I comenced Master of Arts, but still
unresolved what profession to follow, though I believe my father
(who was very indulgent and never forced mee to any) was
desirous to have mee a Divine, but being yong and unwilling to
enter into a profession wch in those days had nether honor
nor preferment to tempt or invite mee to it, I was still unde-
termined in my mind, now and then going to wayte on my Lord
Fairfax, who took a likeing to mee, and desired I would bee in
his house ; where soon after at his request I went into Prance
with the Earl of Kildare in the yeare 1658.

Hmu I came to lee related to the Duke of Buckingham as a servant
and kinsman, and I thank God to none of his vices : my con-
science accuseth me not for haveing served him in his sins, but
rather rej^roved him.

In the yeare 1G57 the Duke of Buckingham married Mary,
the daughter of Tho Lord Fairfax. Sheewas twice asked in the
church at St. Martyn's Westminster, to the Barle of Chesterfield,
and I was sent to forbid the banns the third tyme. The Duke's
person and titles spoke for him to the young lady, and it was
an inducement to her father that he had some of the Duke's
estates at Helmsley and York house, of the Parlt's gift, which
he was willing to restore, as hee did the Earl of Derby's estate
in the Isle of Man, to the Countess and her children, to whom
hee was a just steward.

I was at the marriage at Nun-Appleton and in 2 or 3 dayes
Cromwell heard of it, and fearing what such an alliance might
produce, hee sent down to seize on the Duke, but hee got away
to London, and my Lord ff recoiriended me to his Grace in that
time of his absconding, as one that a jealous man as hee was
might safely trust, and was pleased to say hee would answer
for my courage and honesty. Soon after my Ld ff and his
family, with the Duchess, came to London, and I was stil em-
ployed to bring letters and messages between them, now and
then wayting on the Duke to York house, where Cromwell sent
to seek for him. But the messengers found my Lord ffairfax in
such a passion that they durst not abide it, nor did Cromwell

THE NARRATIVE OF BEIAN FAIEEAX. 143

himself (whom the world feared at that tyme) venture to provoke
mj* Lord if, of whom hee used to say Hee was a man had no
feare iu him, having seen it on many occasions in the warr.

This made Cromwell take another course to get the Duke
into his hands vizt. by consenting that he should be at Yorlv
house, provided hee went not out, but haveing this liberty hee
soon extended it, for hee went to Cobham, his sister ye Duchess
of Richmond's house, and was there taken by Coll. Gibbons who
was one of those that killd his brother my Lord Francis at
Kingston. I am glad I was not with the Duke at Cobham.
Hee was brought to the Tower of London, and probably had
gone to Tower Hill, but that ye death of Cromwell hapend a
fortnight after, in which tyme my Lord if did go to Whithal to
Cromwell to desire his son in law's liberty, but got nothing but
fair words, which at last made him break out in passion (I being
with him at Whitehal) agt Cromwell. All who saw him thought
it no less than open defiance of Cromwell : but a few days after
Cromwell died. Then the Duke was sent prisoner to Windsor
Castle. The Earl of Pembroke and Lord fiaii-fax bound in a
bond of £10,000 to Rich. Cromwell for his appearance, and was
at last set at liberty.

In the vear 1658 I went into France wth the Earl of Kildare
at my Ld Sk request. Wee were no further than Roan, Caen,
and Paris. There I heard that Sir G. Booth was in arms for
the King, and that my Lord fif and the Duke of Buc. was en-
gaged in it : which made me haste to England in an English
frigate, and fought with a Privateer of Ostend by the way, and
forced her ashore off Beachy point in Sussex, and took her. I
shot off the first cannon, wch the Captain let mee do in comple-
ment, the other passengers going under deck. The day I came
to London Sir G. Booth was brought into the Tower by Lambert.

Then my Lord ff made me receive all the rents of Helmsley
&c for the Duke of Buck's use, whereof I gave a just account.

In the year 1659, going into Yorkshire to Appleton, where
was my Ld ff and the Duke, I was sent by my Ld ff into Scot-
land, of which journey I have given a relation which I call
'Iter Boreale,' in another book. In short Genl Monk sent his
brother Clarges to my Lord fi" to desire his help agt Lambert,
an answer was sent but not delivered which made my Lord ff say

144 THE NARRATIVE OF BRIAN FAIRFAX.

at my coming — Here is my cos Brian, I will undertake lie will
go, well I did next morning, and travelled day and night til I
came to Coldstream, but met with a moss trooper by the way
who would have murtliered mee, but it please God I threw him
off his horse, he undertakeing to be my guide, my guide Tho
Shepard's horse falling lame. I came to the Genl at one o'clock
in the night, to Coldstream upon Tweed. Hee was very glad
to hear from my Lord if, and all my message was to tell him on
new year's day my Lord ff would leave his house and appear at
the head of what force he could rayse, agt Lambert's army.
The Genl told mee hee would watch him as a cat watcheth a
mouse. At my return I found Lambert's army was mouldering
away, and it was at the report of my Lord ff being up in York-
shire. For in a few days the Irish Brigade of 1200 horse left
him and came to offer their service to my Lord ff ; and their
general Lambert ran away with 5 or 6 in company, whereby
Monk had a free entrance into England.

My Lord was no enemy to episcopacy if a good choice had
been made of them, not such as placed all religion in the cere-
monial part.

He was bred by his grandfather to the discipline as well as
doctrine of the Church of England, as his uncle Edward declares.

A late great Historian speaking of his religion, says — he
took himself to be a Presbyterian. I will add he was one, but
a moderate one, against the passions of both parties.

After the character given of him, that he was a Christian
indeed, in whom was no guile, no hypocrisy, no dissimulation,
which that age was so guilty of. He drew his sword to defend
the laws and libertys & that the Parlt. might not be conquered
by the sword.

I had the honor to serve his Majesty K. Charles the 2d as
one of his equerries from Jan 21, 1670 to his dying day. The
office was an honorable attendance on his person as a duty when
he was on horseback or in a coach, two of us at a tyme for 3
months in ye yeare as by agreement among ourselves (mine being
with Sir Robert Pye, ye months of April May and June) and as
a voluntary attendance on his Majesty at other tymes, especially
when hee walked into the Park, wch was every morning, as it

THE NARRATIVE OF BRIAX FAIRFAX, 14o

was tlie greatest pleasure imaginable to heare his pleasant dis-
course, being certainly the most facetious and best natured man
in the world. And if hee had not been born to be a King, had
certainly deserved to be one. This gave me leisure when I
pleased to retire to my book, to my little pritty house in the
Mews, as private as a colledg ; whre my deare wife and children
and a book, and sometyme a friend, were my companions.

This quiet I long enjoyed by God's blessing and the King's
favor (Deus nobis hsec otia fecit) for which and all his mercies
God's holy name be praised.

Our first disturbance at Conrt, wch affected both the King
and his honest servants, was the Popish Plot, wch was dis-
covered Sept. 1678 to a Justice of Peace in our parish of St.
Martin's and lest he should be active in prosecuting it hee was
barbarously murdered.

This did rayse such violent passions in all sorts of men, some
to conceale it, other to discover and punish it, that the whole
nation was never after quiet. Several Parlts and the King him-
self by several proclamations, declaring the apprehension they
had of Popish designes wch by Godfrey's murther, and by
Coleman's letters did plainly appeare.

Then began other factions, and ambitious men, to take
advantage of the slowness and coldness in prosecuting the dis-
covery of the Popish Plot, to designe such unwarrantable things
(wch yet were aggravated) as brought great mischiefe upon
many honest and well meaning subjects.

My part was to wish safety to the King's person and pro-
sperity to the Church of England, comprehending all good
Protestants in opposition to Popery, wch in all company as
occasion served I was ready to declare, and my zeale (wch I
hope was according to prudence and knowledge) was taken
notice of by Papists, who I doubt not represented it at St.
James's, where I was never like to be a favorite.

In the year 168^^ Jan, I went to Cambridg at the request
of my Ld Macclesfield, and his da. my Lady Gerard, to renew
» lease from Trin. Coll. where Fellowes of my old acquaintance
kindly entertained me.

Being at supper in the Hall, Dr. Lynet told me the sad newes
of his Majty haveing had a fitt of an apoplexy. The hearing of

146 THE NAERATIVE OF BRIAN FAIRFAX.

it nearly threw me into one. I went post next morning to
London, and found it too true. I reed a letter from my son
Brian when I was at Oambridg to tell me that on Monday mor.
soon after I was gone for Cambridg, the sad newes was cryed
about the Mewes and citty that the King was dead. But it
pleased God he was pritty well recovered out of his fitt.

I went immediately to the bed chamber door at Whit-hall,
and found sorrow in every honest man's face, and small hopes
of his recovery. He dyed on Friday Feb. 6, about 11 at noon,
and with him my office of equerry, and all my hopes at Court.
But I brought away with me faith and a good conscience, and
the honour of having served that mercifull King to his death,
and if I could have served two masters at once, I might have
had one after his death ; but am well content to have none after
him upon earth.

I left Whit-hall when ye Mass came into it, I saw a new
King who would not know mee nor did I desire to wayte on
him, to the House of Rimmon, not but that I know many good
Protestants who continue in his service, but I had been particu-
larly noted in the King my Master's tyme to be a free speaker
in all company against idolatrous Popery, though in other things
I ever behaved myself with all due respect and observance to
the D. as ye King's Brother, and never had to do with those
who were given to change.

If so much as a false witness could have been found to say
any thing agt mee, that I had been in any cabal, or had said
anything agt the King or his Governmt, I doubt not but he
would have been produced against me, but being none I may
justly say that I have been unjustly delt with. But I am
thought unfit to serve a Popish King, and I think the same,
reserving to myself the allegiance due to a lawful successor, as
I think my master's brother is.

This letter was obviously written during the reign
of James II., probably in 1686. Brian Fairfax, with
his young son Brian, aged thirteen, went to the Hague
in 1688 to pay his respects to the Prince and Princess
of Orange. The Princess Mary was godchild to the

THE SONS OF BRIAN FAIKFAX. 147

Duchess of Buckingham, Brian's cousin, and he was
received very kindly. When Wilham III. came to the
throne he made Brian Fairfax one of his equerries. He
held that office for three years, and afterwards acted as
secretary to his old friend Archbishop Tillotson. In
1699 he edited the 'Memorials of the great Lord
Fairfax,' and wrote the ' Iter Boreale.' ' He also wrote
a memoir of the Duke of Buckingham, and translated
the life of Phihp Mornay, Seigneur du Plessis. His wife
died on November 14, 1709, and he followed her to the
grave two years afterwards, on September 23, 1711.
His sons were educated at Westminster School. Brian,
the eldest, got head into college in 1690, and was
elected off to Trinity College, Cambridge. Taking his
degree in 1697, he became a Fellow of Trinity ; after-
wards he was a Commissioner of the Customs. He was
a scholar, and a man of taste, and collected a large
library at his house in Panton Square, which was sold
at his death in 1747.^ The second son, Ferdinand, was
also at Westminster and Cambridge, and Charles, the
third son, after passing through Westminster, was
elected to Christ Church, Oxford, in 1702. He took
orders, became Dean of Down and Connor, and died in
1723.

Eobert Fairfax was much in the society of these
bright intelligent lads, and of their accomplished father,
during his residence in London. But the interval of
peace was of short duration. The close of King

' An account of his journey to Coldstream, with a letter from Lord
Fairfax, calUng upon General Monk to advance into England. It is
printed in the Fairfax Correspondence (Civil War) II., p. 151.

'' Bought by Alderman ChUd, and formed the greater and best part of
the library at Osterley; which was sold in May 1885.

L 2

148 END OF THE PEACE.

William's reign was darkened by the approach of an
inevitable war. The number of commissioned ships
was increased, and on May 2, 1699, Captain Fairfax
hoisted his pendant on board H.M.S ' Severne ' at
Sheerness.

149

CHAPTEE X.

THE FIEST YEAR OP QUEEN ANNE's WAR.

The ' Severne ' was a fourth-rate of 683 tons, with 48
guns and a crew of 230 men. She was expeditiously
fitted out at Sheerness, joining the squadron in the
Downs June 26, 1699. Under the command of Admiral
Hopson, who had been Fairfax's first captain in the
' Bonadventure,' this squadron cruised in the Channel
and to the westward of the Land's End. But in the
following year the ' Severne ' was employed on more
important service.

In the year 1689 a treaty had been signed at Altona,
with the object of composing the differences between
the King of Denmark and the Duke of Holstein
Gottorp, which was guaranteed by England and
Holland. In 1694 the Duke had married a sister of
Charles XII. of Sweden, and had strengthened his
fortresses, and induced his brother-in-law to send him
troops. These proceedings excited the jealousy of
Frederick IV., ^ the young King of Denmark, who
succeeded in 1699, and he invaded the territory of
Holstein Gottorp. Wilham HI. was anxious to oblige
the northern powers to keep the peace, because he an-
ticipated the near approach of a general war arising
from a disputed Spanish succession. England and
Holland had also guaranteed the treaty of Altona. It

' ^>Xll^e^v of Prince George, who married Queen Anne.

15 (J SIR a. ROOKE AT COPENHAGEN.

was, therefore, judged necessary to send a fleet to the
Baltic, to preserve tranquiUity, in conjunction with the
States-GeneraL Sir George Eooke consequently re-
ceived instructions on May 9, 1700, to take command
of a squadron, join the Dutch fleet at the Texel, and
proceed with it to the Sound. He was to inform the
Danes that he had come to restore peace and to
maintain the treaty of Altona, and he was to oblige
the King of Denmark to put a stop to all hostiHties
with the Duke of Holstein Gottorp. Eooke had with
him a squadron of ten ships including the 'Severne,'
with Admiral Hopson as his second in command ; and
the Dutch furnished thirteen ships.

The fleet got under weigh on May 29, and in the
course of the operation the admiral ran on board of
the ' Severne,' carrying away her bowsprit, cathead, a
fluke of her sheet anchor, the stock of her small
bower, and stove her long boat all to pieces. These
damages were rapidly repaired, defects were supplied,
and on June 7 the fleet was off the Skaw. Mr. Hugh
Gregg was the British Minister at Copenhagen. On
June 17 he came on board the admiral's ship with a
hst of the Danish fleet. They had one ship of 110
guns, one of 100, six of 80, four of 70, three of 60,
twelve of 56 to 54, and twenty-four smaller. This force
was posted in a narrow part of the Sound, with booms
and sunken vessels as a protection. Sir George Eooke
anchored off Copenhagen on July 9, and informed the
Danes that, as the presence of the fleet had not pro-
duced peace, he would be obliged to put something in
execution to show the resentment the King of England
and the States-General felt at the neglect his Danish
Majesty had shown of their declarations. In their reply
the Danes seemed to be merely contriving delays.

PEACE WITH DENMARK. 151

On the 10th the Swedish fleet joined, and at noon,
on a signal from the ' Mary' yacht, the bomb vessels
opened fire and continued until 2 p.m. Bombs were
fired from the town in return, but they did not reach
two-thirds of the way. Having thrown 120 shells.
Sir George Eooke judged that enough had been done
to convince the Danes that he was resolved to settle
the matter in the present season. He therefore ceased
firing, and sent a message to the Queen Dowager of
Denmark, hoping that the operations had not disturbed
Her Majesty, and assuring lier that they were only
undertaken to show her that he was in earnest.

On the 15th a letter arrived from Mr. Cressett, the
British Minister at Hamburgh, saying that the Danes
were advancing, and that there was no hope of their
being brought to reason unless something was done
which would sensibly affect them in Zealand. It was
consequently resolved tliat the Swedish army, under the
young King Charles XII., should effect a landing. All
the boats of the fleet were employed on this duty, and
on July 24 the Swedish army was put on shore, about
five miles from Elsinore. There was a Danish force in
the neighbourhood, consisting of 7,000 foot and 900
horse. The landing of the Swedes had the desired
effect. On August 10 the news arrived that the King
of Denmark had signed a treaty of peace at Travendal
with the Duke of Holstein Gottorp. Friendly relations
were restored. On the 12th there were orders to dis-
play all flags, pendants, and ensigns, and to fire salutes of
twenty-one guns as a mark of joy. Much to the disgust
of Charles XII. the Swedes were embarked without fight-
ing, and on the 29 th the Swedish fleet sailed away.
Fresh provisions were supplied to the English and Dutch
ships, and on the 31st Sir George Eooke's squadron

152 DEATH OF KING WILLIAM.

weighed, and stood down the Cattegat under press of
saU. A strong gale of wind was encountered next day,
and on September 7 the ' Severne ' anchored off the
Skaw. There was a hard gale with sudden squalls, and
Fairfax got his foretopmast down on deck, fearing that
his cables would part. He had the forecourse and
mizen furled with rope yarns, ready to loose and shoot
him clear of such ships as lay astern of him. Fortu-
nately the gale moderated, and on the 10th he got up
his foretopmast. The ' Severne ' arrived in the Downs
on the 16th, and anchored at Sheerness on September 21.

Thus ended this brief Baltic campaign. It was a
bold stroke ably delivered, for its success depended on
celerity and determination. The ships were short of
provisions, and if there had been any hesitation or
delay, there must have been failure. The success of
his Copenhagen negotiation added considerably to the
reputation of Sir George Eooke. On his return. Captain
Fairfax left the ' Severne,' and hoisted his pendant
on board the ' Cambridge,' in Portsmouth Harbour, on
April 8, 1701. He was occupied in rigging and fit-
ting her out until the following July, and cruised in her
during the autumn, but on January 22, 1702, he was
transferred to the ' Eestoration,' of 1,058 tons, carrying
70 guns. She was to form part of the squadron of Sir
John Munden.

In March King William III. died at Hampton Court.
The news arrived at Portsmouth on the 10th, and all
the ships in harbour and at Spithead fired minute guns,
with their colours half mast. On April 23, St. George's
day, salutes were fired for the coronation of Queen
Anne. War with France on account of the Spanish
succession had become inevitable before the King's
death. It was declared on May 2, 1702.

ADMIRAL MITCHELL. 153

There was an immediate change at the Admirahy.
The Earl of Pembroke retired. The Queen's husband,
Prince George of Denmark, was appointed Lord High
Admiral, and continued to fill that office until his death
in 1708. He had a professional Council, consisting of
Admiral George Churchill, Sir George Eooke, and Sir
David Mitchell. Churchill, a younger brother of the
Duke of Marlborough, was the leading member, and, to
all intents and purposes, was the Pirst Lord. Eooke
was generally on active service. David Mitchell was a
remarkable man. A Scotchman of respectable family,
he was so poor that at the age of sixteen he was obliged
to ship himself as an apprentice on board a Leith trading
smack. For several years he served as a mate in
merchant vessels. By his own unaided efforts he
became an expert navigator and good mathematician,
as well as a seaman, and he had a polite and pleasing
address. Pressed into the navy when serving in a
Baltic timber ship, his good conduct and abilities soon
led to his receiving a commission, and in 1678 he was
a heutenant on board the ' Defiance.' He was captain
of the 'Euby ' in 1683, but refused to serve under the
tyrant James. At the Eevolution he at once re-
ceived a command, and was Eussell's flag-captain at the
battle of La Hogue. King William had a personal
regard and esteem for this gallant and accomphshed
seaman. He was knighted in 1694, and made a Groom
of the Bedchamber, and afterwards Gentleman Usher of
the Black Eod. ChurchiU, Eooke, and Mitchell formed
a strong Admiralty, and they were ably assisted by the
Secretary, Mr. Josiah Burchett, who was member for
Sandwich. Trained under Samuel Pepys, Mr. Burchett
had experience both afloat and in the conduct of the
civil departments. His pubhshed works, ' Memoirs of

154 NAVAL SIGNALS.

Transactions at Sea during the War with France,' and
the folio 'Naval History' testify to his diligence and
to the deep interest he took in the welfare of the
navy.

The first naval operation of the war had been
planned by Lord Pembroke before he retired, and its
conduct was entrusted to Sir John Munden. This
officer had entered the service in 1677, and he had
particularly distinguished himself during the peace by
the abiUty with which he had commanded a squadron
in the Mediterranean, successfully negotiating a hbera-
tion of Christian slaves with the Emperor of Morocco.
He was selected, on the recommendation of Sir George
Eooke, for his known conduct and courage, as weU as
for his zeal and diligence in the service. On May 9
Admiral Munden hoisted his flag on board the ' Russell,'
at Spithead, with secret orders, which were not to be
communicated to the captains under him until he
reached a certain latitude. His squadron consisted of
eight third-rates, including the ' Eestoration,' com-
manded by Captain Fairfax, one fourth and one fifth-
rate, two fire-ships, and a smack. On May 10 this
little squadron sailed from St. Helens, and two days
afterwards Sir John made a signal for all captains to
come on board.

It will be convenient here to give some particulars
respecting the system of signals in use during Queen
Anne's reign. Formerly the signals had been few and
simple. An ensign in the mizen shrouds was a signal
for a council of war. A red flag hoisted at any mast-
head was for captains to come on board. Queen Anne's
admirals improved upon these very elementary ideas.
Every ship in a large fleet could be indicated by flags
of four colours, hoisted at different yard-arms or mast-

DEFECTIVE CHARTS. 155

heads. Thus, a red flag at the starboard maintopsail
yard-arm was a signal for the captain of the ' Eestora-
tion,' and fifty variations could easily be made for other
ships. Signals to form hne, tack, and for other evolu-
tions, were made in the same way. In 1710 there were
thirteen flags used, which made up 102 signals, by
varying their positions.^

On that Sunday morning the signals went up for
the captains to come on board Sir John Munden's ship,
to be informed respecting the nature of his instructions.
It had been ascertained that the Duke of Albuquerque
was about to sail from Coruiia as Viceroy of Mexico,
and that a French squadron was to convoy his ships.
Munden's instructions were to intercept and capture
this squadron, and then to return to the Channel for
the protection of trade.

The squadron made the best of its way across the
Bay of Biscay, and came in sight of land on May 15.
The two frigates ' Dolphin ' and ' Salisbury ' were then
sent in to try and obtain inteUigence, but without
success. The admiral was in difiiculty about the laud.
He sent to his captains to inquire if they had any one
on board who knew it, and Captain Fairfax sent for a
man who was confident that it was Cape Ortegal. This
uncertainty was produced by doubtful reckoniftg and
indifferent charts. Ships were generally supplied with
a few charts constructed by Moxon or Grenville Colhns,
but their main reliance was on an atlas which was

^ No one ever thought of using more than one flag for one signal imtil
1780. In that year Admiral Kempenfelt arranged a book which aban-
doned the idea of distinguishing by varying the part of the ship where
the flag was displayed, but he used the flags in pairs only. In 1805 Sir
Home Popham's book was adopted, which was the basis of all vocabiUary
signals. In 1815 there was a complete re-arrangement of the naval signal
system, and then there were in all 570 general signals.

156 PROCEEDINGS OF ADMIRAL MU.XDEN.

called the ' waggoner.' ' There was often much per-
plexity about the land fall. Assuming correctly that
he was off Cape Ortegal, Sir John Munden established
a rendezvous between that point and Cape Prior, the
eastern point at the entrance of Coruna. He again
sent the two frigates in for intelhgence. At last, on
the 26th, Captain Soanes, of the 'Dolphin,' sent the
smack with a young lad who had been captured out of
a small vessel from Eochelle. This prisoner said tliat
there were twelve French men-of-war at Eochelle,
under the command of M. Du Casse, ready to sail for
Coruna at the first fair wind, to convoy the Viceroy
and his soldiers to Mexico. In the evening of the 27th
the squadron stood close in to the shore, east of Cape
Prior, standing off at night, and in again at daybreak
of the 28th. It was hazy, but the weather cleared
at 8 A.M., and fourteen sail were sighted close under the
land, bearing south-south-east. This was the long sought-
for French squadron. Every English ship crowded all
possible sail in chase. But the Frenchman would not
show fight, and his ships sailed much better than the
Enghsh. They got safe into Coruna, to the great grief
and trouble of poor Sir John Munden, who had certainly
done his best to intercept and engage them. As an
attempt on Coruna with so small a force would have
been madness, it was resolved to return to the Channel
to carry out the second part of the instructions — the
protection of trade.

The ' Eestoration ' encountered very heavy weather
in crossing the Bay of Biscay. Several of the ships
had parted company, and in the evening of June 9

' From Lucas Wagenaar, a native of Enkhuysen in Holland, who
published the first marine atlas in 1584. Spieghel der Zeevardt, or The
Mariner's Mirror.

TREATMENT OF ADMIRAL MUNDEN. 157

Captain Fairfax saw the long boat of a third-rate, bottom
up, drifting across his cutwater, and disappearing in the
gloom. It was blowing hard with a heavy sea, and he
spht his main course in wearing. On the 17th he
sprung his mainmast, and was no longer able to keep
company. He got down his mainyard and topmast,
fished his mainmast as securely as possible, and shaped
a course for Plymouth under easy sail, but afterwards
bore up for Spithead, where he arrived on the 20th.

At Spithead the news reached Captain Fairfax that
a daughter had been born to him in London on June 7,
1702, and named Catharine.'- He now had a boy and
a girl, who both lived to grow up, marry, and have
children. The boy was destined to continue the ancient
line of Fairfax of Steeton.

Sir John Munden was ordered to be tried by court-
martial for not having captured the French fleet off
Coruna. The court assembled on board the ' Queen,'
at Spithead, on July 13, 1702, and consisted of Sir
Cloudesley Shovel as president, and seventeen captains.
Sir John made an able defence, and he Avas fully and
honourably acquitted, re-hoisting his flag on board the
' Queen ' on the 21st. But a fcAV days afterwards the
Government, cowering before the ignorant clamour of
a mob, dismissed Admiral Munden from the service.
This cowardly and shameful act of injustice is one of
the worst blots on Queen Anne's reign. Sir John
Munden went on shore a broken-hearted man. He
lived in strict retirement, and died on March 13,1718.

The second naval operation of the war was on a
much larger scale, and had been originally conceived
by King WilUam when the great contest became inevi-
table. Its ultimate object was to prevent the French

' Aftenvards Mrs. Pa-^vson.

158 THE ATTACK ON VIGO.

from becoming predominant in the Indies. He intended
to capture Cadiz with a large fleet commanded by the
Earl of Pembroke as Lord High Admiral, and a land
force under the Duke of Ormond, while another fleet was
to have been sent to the West Indies. This great plan
was now prepared on an adequate scale. A fleet of
thirty English and twenty Dutch ships of the line was
assembled, with Sir George Eooke in chief command, on
board the ' Eoyal Sovereign,' and aland force of 13,000
men was embarked under the Duke of Ormond. On
June 1 Prince George of Denmark inspected the fleet,
and dined on board the flagship, and on August 1
the expedition reached Lisbon. The attack on Cadiz
failed ; but it was known that Admiral Chateau -Eenaud
was in Vigo, with a French squadron, and the Spanish
galleons which had lately arrived from the Indies,
laden with treasure. This information was obtained
by Mr. Beauvoir, the chaplain of the ' Pembroke,' in a
conversation he had with the French consul at Lagos,
when his ship was watering there, and he communi-
cated it to the admiral on October 6.

Sir George Eooke determined to attack the enemy
in Vigo Bay. His fleet reached the entrance on
October 11. The entrance was only three-quarters of a
mile wide, and was strongly fortified. There was a
battery of twenty guns on tne north side, and on the
south a stone fort with forty guns, and a breastwork,
with a deep trench, on which ten guns were mounted.
A boom was placed across the entrance, consisting of
ships' yards and topmasts, fastened with three-inch
rope, and moored at each end to a 70-gun ship.
Within the boom five ships of 70 to 60 guns were
ranged with their broadsides facing the passage. Sir
George Eooke, and his second in command. Admiral

THE ATTACK ON VIGO. 159

Hopson, both shifted their flags into smaller ships, the
former into the ' Somerset ' and the latter into the
'Torbay.' The attacking detachment consisted of
fifteen Enghsh and ten Dutch ships, with all the frigates
and fire-ships. The Duke of Ormond landed with
2,500 men on the south side of the river, six miles
from Vigo, while Lord Shannon, with 5,000, landed and
attacked the fort at the entrance. M. Sozel, the com-
mandant, threw open the gates with the magnificent
idea of fighting his way through the midst of the
EngUsh. His manoeuvre had an opposite effect. The
Enghsh Grenadiers rushed in sword in hand, and the
garrison surrendered. As soon as the English flag was
seen flying over the fort, Admiral Hopson made all sail,
ran directly at the boom, and broke it. The ' Kent '
came next, and the rest of the squadron followed,
entering Vigo Bay under a tremendous fire. The
' Torbay ' had her foremast shot away, and a fire-ship
ran foul of her, her foreyard being burnt, her port
shrouds burnt at the dead eyes, and her sails burnt and
scorched. Hopson shifted his flag to the ' Monmouth,'
and the firing continued until all resistance on the
part of French and Spanish ships had ceased ; while
the ' Association ' and ' Barfleur,' both of 90 guns,
battered the forts. The French lost fifteen ships and
two frigates, and seventeen galleons were sunk or taken.
But they had been in harbour over three weeks, and
the treasure was safely landed. It was, however, a
brilliant and important victory.^

The expedition had only been intended for Cadiz, and
a second squadron, under Sir Cloudesley Shovel, was

' Sir George Rooke received the special thanks of Parhament, and
Admiral Hopson was knighted, on his return home, by the Queen, who also
granted him a pension of 5001. a year.

160 FIXE SEAMANSTIIP OF FAIRFAX.

fitted out, with orders to attack the galleons at Vigo.
Meanwhile the 'Restoration' was in Portsmouth Harbour,
where Captain Fairfax got out his mainmast and turned
over his men into the ' Exeter ' hulk. On July 4
he got in his new mast and got the top over, bent
sails on the 9th, went out of harbour to Spithead on
the 13th, got his powder on board, and sailed for
Plymouth Sound, where he arrived on the 19th. In
company with the ' Suffolk ' and ' Eevenge ' he got
under weigh on the 25th, to cruise in the Channel, and
look out for privateers. As the summer advanced the
heat became very great, and in August a malignant
fever broke out on board the ' Eestoration.' Several
men died, and twenty or thirty were in the sick hst.
Then there was a furious gale of wind on September 4,
and Fairfax lay to all night under a main course and a
reefed mizen. As morning dawned the fury of the
tempest increased, and at 6.30 a.m. the new mainmast
went by the board, ' being, as I now see, a wonderful
bad tree,' as the captain observed. The ship was now
labouring in the trough of the sea, so he was obliged to
cut away the foremast and rigging. He made a signal
of distress, but not one of his consorts bore down to him.
During the 8th he scudded under a spritsail, while
using his best endeavours to rig a jurymast. All this
time the ship was in great danger. On the 6th the
weather was more moderate, and he succeeded in
stepping his jurymast, with a double-reefed foretopsail
on it. He could not possibly make the mast any taunter,
as it was only the spare foretopmast, the head of which
had been broken off by the fall of the mainmast. On
the 20th he was safely moored at Spithead, after having
saved his ship, under trying circumstances, by his ad-
mirable presence of mind and excellent seamanship.

FIXE SEAMANSHIP OF FAIRFAX. 161

Sir Cloudesley Shovel was preparing his squadron
destined for Vigo, and the ' Restoration ' was to form
part of it. It was, therefore, urgently necessary to refit
with all possible despatch. On September 14, C-aptain
Fairfax got up sheers on board, in order to get in a new
mainmast at Spithead, and the next day he stepped the
mast. His ship's company worked with a will, and in
ten days he was ready for sea. Sir Cloudesley Sliovel
got under weigh with his squadron on September 29,
1702, and shaped a course for Vigo. But the troubles
of the ' Bestoration ' were not yet over, and she was
certainly a striking example of the disgraceful state of
the timber and other stores in the royal dockyards. In
tlie first gale of wind the squadron encountered, on
October 8, Captain Fairfax had convincing proofs of
the insufficiency of his new mainmast. At midnight
the mast sprung in the part on the gun deck. In a
short time he got fishes upon the defective part, and
lowered the maintopmast and mainyard. He then
wore and brought to on the other tack. Two hours
afterwards the mast sprung again, and went by the
board, being quite rotten at the heart. It was blowing
very hard, with a heavy confused sea, and the ship was
labouring in the trough. By working hard and manfuUj^
the ship's company, under the captain's directions,
rigged a jurymast. The ' Restoration ' could not,
of course, keep up with the rest of the squadron,
and Sir Cloudesley sent Captain Fairfax a ren-
dezvous off Cape Finisterre. On October 14 there
was a very high sea, and the ship laboured so
much, rolhng almost gunwales under, that there was
fear for the foremast. As some of the chain plates
were broken, and three laniards were gone on one side
and two on the other, there were certainly good groundsi

16 '2 FINE SEAMANSHIP OF FAIRFAX.

for alarm. However, the foremast was saved. Fairfax
gallantly continued his course ; on the 18th he met the
fleet under Sir George Eooke and Admiral Hopson
-coming out, and on the 19th the ' Eestoration ' was
safely anchored in Vigo Bay.

Sir Cloudesley Shovel found the work which he
had been sent to do already completed by Sir George
Eooke. The troops were being embarked, and the fleet
was preparing to sail. Sir George left Sir Cloudesley
Shovel to rig the prizes and bring them away, and to
sink those which were unseaworthy. The victorious
fleet then sailed, arriving at Spithead on November 7.

Captain Fairfax was now eager to get a mainmast
out of one of the captured galleons. He had lost three
mainmasts in three months, a series of mishaps which
is probably without a precedent in naval annals.
On the 22nd he got the mast out of a galleon of 44
guns and stepped it on board the ' Eestoration.' The
fleet with the prizes, sixty-four sail in all, left Vigo on
October 25, and shaped a course for the Lizard. Fair-
fax hove on his best bower cable and found it cut.
Being the last ship in port, he was obliged to
leave the anchor (weight forty-two cwt.) and sixty
fathoms of cable behind him. The ' Eestoration ' was
sadly crippled. She carried a foresail, a reefed mizen,
and a sort of jury mainsail. In the morning of the
28th Fairfax set the foretopsail, which was split to
pieces a few hours afterwards. On the 30th it came
on to blow very hard, and there was very bad weather
all the way home, but the Spanish mast proved to be
more sound than its English predecessors, and did not
go by the board. Sir Cloudesley Shovel brought all
his squadron safely back to Spithead on Novem-
ber 11, 1702.

FAIRFAX VOLUNTEERS. . IGo

The ' Eestoration ' was put out of commission in
December, and on January 5, 1703, Captain Fairfax
hoisted liis pendant on board the ' Somerset,' which was
then in dock at Chatham. She fell down to GiUingham
Beach on February 19. It is interesting to find among
the volunteers appointed to the ' Somerset ' the name of
Henry Fairfax, whose nomination is dated February 2,
1703. His father (brother of the fifth Lord) had been
one of Eobert Fairfax's young neighbours at Toulston
during the years of his childhood at Newton Eyme.
The younger Henry was just seventeen when he joined
the ' Somerset,' under the auspices of his cousin, but he
did not remain long in the navy.^ His brother WilHam,
who settled in Virginia, and is the ancestor of all the
American Fairfaxes, also served under his cousin as a
volunteer, but at a later period. The ' Somerset' was
fitted out and joined Sir George Eooke's fleet at the
Downs in April ; but Captain Fairfax did not remain
long on board. On May 1, 1703, he was appointed to
tlie ' Kent,' and took command of her on the same da.j
at Spithead. During the summer he had the satisfac-
tion of distinguishing himself and of performing some
very good service as captain of the ' Kent,' while bear-
ing the flag of Admu'al Dilkes.

' Henry Fairfax lived to be a very eccentric old bachelor, dying in
York in 1759, at the age of seventy-four. He had an old servant who
was known as ' Poor Adam.' They played duets together, Henry Fairfax
on the bagpipes and Adam on the violin. Adam carved two very original
woodcuts, representing them so employed, which are now in the possession
of Mr. Hailstone of Walton Hall.

lU

CHAPTER XI.

THE OPERATIONS AT GRANVILLE. THE GREAT STORM.

Each year of the war saw new projects conceived for
its more effective prosecution, new enterprises under-
taken with the hope of forcing the enemy to submit to
the objects for which it was undertaken. Meanwhile
there seemed little prospect of either side coming to
terms. In 1703 both belligerents were too powerful
and too confident to listen to any proposal involving
submission. In this state of affairs, Eobert Fairfax
hoisted his pendant on board H.M.S. ' Kent,' on May 1,
and joined the fleet commanded by Sir George Eooke,
which proceeded to cruise off Ushant. On the 10th
Fairfax received orders to take command of a small
squadron consisting of the ' Kent,' ' Monk,' ' Medway,'
and ' Dragon,' and to reconnoitre the entrance to Brest.
Parting company with the admiral, he made the land
near Conquet, and passed thence along the coast to the
point of St. Matthew, within a mile of the land. He
found that the coast was fortified with thirty guns
between Conquet and St. Matthew, where the great
abbey church stood out grandly against the sky, on the
edge of its samphire-covered chff. Rounding this point
he ran into the outer road at Brest. From thence
Captain Fairfax got a clear view into the harbour, but
could only make out six ships of war. He, however,
learnt from a fisherman that a squadron under M. de

OFF BREST AND BELLEISLE. 165

Coetlogon had sailed on the previous Sunday. With
this intelhgence he returned to the fleet, and on May 14
Eear-Admiral Dilkes hoisted his flag on board the
> Kent.'

Admiral Dilkes, under whom Fairfax was to serve
during the rest of the year 1703, was an oflicer of dis-
tinction. He was only a lieutenant when the Eevolution
took place, but obtained post rank soon afterwards.
He served under Admiral Neville in the West Indies in
1697, with Eooke at Cadiz and Vigo, and became a
rear-admiral in March 1702. A council of war was
held on board Sir George Eooke's flagship on May 14,
and it was agreed that the fleet should proceed to
Belleisle. During the voyage thither there was a furious
gale of wind, in which the ' Dover ' lost all her masts ;
but the rest of the fleet reached the rendezvous, and
on the 24th there was another council of war on board
Sir George Eooke's ship. It was resolved that the fleet
should go inside Belleisle. Sir George, with the main
body and Admiral Leake, was to go in to the northward,
while Fairfax was to take the 'Kent,' with the flag of
Admiral Dilkes on board, by the southern entrance,
followed by four frigates and two fire-ships. Both
divisions anchored in the roads on the 25th under a fire
from the forts, which, however, did no execution ; but
on the 26th a frigate brought a report that there were
twelve French men-of-war between Brest and Eochefort.
The fleet consequently weighed, and made sail for a
position in which to intercept them. During the first
week of June Captain Fairfax was engaged in chasing
sail after sail in the Bay of Biscay without success,
until his provisions began to be very low, especially
beer, when he bore up for home, anchoring at St.
Helens on the 19th. The rest of the fleet also returned,

IGG OPERATIONS OFF GRAXVILLF.

and Sir George Rooke had leave to go to Bath and
recruit his health. The ' Kent ' went into Portsmoutli
Harbour on the 21st to refit.

Eear-Admiral Dilkes again hoisted his flag on board
the ' Kent, ' having received orders to go in search of a
large convoy said to be in Cancalle Bay, or there-
abouts. The ' Kent ' got under weigh from Spithead, in
company with a small squadron, on July 22, 1702.
Shaping a course for Jersey, the ' Nonsuch ' was sent
ahead to reconnoitre as soon as Alderney was in sight ;
and at 6 p.m. on the 25th the squadron anchored off the
south-west end of the island of Jersey. Here intelhgence
was received that a fleet of about forty sail had been
seen working to windward to get into Granville, and
two experienced pilots were taken on board. The
squadron got under weigh in the night, and at dawn of
the 26th the French ships were sighted at anchor, about
a league to the westward of Granville. On the ap-
proach of the English ships they weighed and stood
in shore, the ' Kent ' and her consorts following as close
as the pilots thought safe. The French were found to
consist of forty-five merchant ships and three men-of-
war.

As soon as the ' Kent ' had only four feet of water
between her keel and the ground, Admiral Dilkes gave
orders for all the boats of the squadron to go away
manned and armed. By noon the boats had captured
fifteen French merchant ships, and burnt or sunk nine
more. The rest stood so far up into the bay between
Avranches and Mont St. Michel that the pilot would
not undertake to bring the English ships within range
of them. Admiral Dilkes, after consulting his captains,
resolved to go into the bay with the ' Hector,' the fire-
ship ' Mermaid,' the ' Spy ' brigantine, a ship of 6 guns

OPEKATIUNS OFF GlIA IN VILLI]. LliT

taken tlie day before from the enemy, a ketch fitted up
as a fire-ship, and all the boats of tlie squadron manned
and ai'raed.

At ten in the forenoon the boats shoved off. The
admiral himself, and Captains Fairfax, Legge, Pipon, and
Lempriere were in the boats, as well as Mr. Paul, the
first lieutenant of the ' Kent.' On pulling up the
estuary the three French men-of-war were discovered.
One corvette of 18 guns was burnt by the enemy.
Lieutenant Paul made a gallant dash at the second
vessel of 14 guns, and set her on fire ; but in per-
forming this service he was shot through the lower jaw,
and had four of his men killed. The third ship of
8 guns was captured and brought away as a prize.
As many as seventeen more merchant ships were de-
stroyed, so that out of the Avhole number only four
escaped, by getting under the guns of the fort at
Granville. A force of 5,000 soldiers was seen to be
assembled on shore, and several large shallops came out
of Granville during the action, but were driven back.
In the evening the boats returned, and the British
squadron anchored off Granville with the prizes. These
merchant ships were laden with wine, brandy, and salt
for the enemy, bound to Calais and Dunkirk. On
August 3 the ' Kent ' anchored in Plymouth Sound.

This service was well and very thoroughly per-
formed. Queen Anne was so pleased vsdth the conduct
of officers and men, that, to preserve the memory of
the action, she caused a gold medal to be struck,
which was distributed among the captains and principal
officers.

During the autumn Captain Fairfax was sent to
cruise off" the south coast of Ireland, occasionally
putting into Cork and Kinsale. On November 7 he

108 THE GEE AT STORM.

returned to Plymoutli Sound, and on the 21st anchored
at Spithead. Here the ' Kent ' rode out the most tre-
mendous storm that ever swept over England, which
has since been known in history as the ' Great Storm.'

On the two previous days, November 24 and 25,
there Avas fine weather, and the 'Kent' loosed her
sails to dry. On the 26th there was much wind with
rain, and in the night the full fury of the storm burst over
Spithead. At four in the morning of the 27th Fairfax
let go his sheet anchor. Three-quarters of an hour
afterwards the cable of the small bower parted in the
hawse, and the long boat was swamped alongside.
The force of the storm increased to a hurricane, with
thick weather and small rain. The reports of guns
from ships in distress could be heard when the roar of
the wind lulled at intervals. It was a terrible night,
but the good ship rode it out. At seven the full fury
of the storm was passed, and when morning broke, thir-
teen ships were seen on shore. On the 28th the ' Kent '
hove up her sheet anchor, and went into Portsmouth
Harbour to refit. Captain Fairfax hauled down his
pendant and put her out of commission on the last day
of the year 1703.

At the Downs the effects of the Great Storm were
most disastrous. Sir Cloudesley Shovel and Admiral
Leake had just arrived from the Mediterranean, the
fleet in good condition, but the ships' companies suffer-
ing terribly from sickness. Upwards of 1,500 men
had died on the voyage. The storm seems to have spent
its utmost fury at the Downs, blowing from the south-
west and commencing at about one in the morning of the
27th. In the evening the Downs presented a forest of
masts, at dawn it was a desert. The ' Prince George,'
with the flag of Admiral Leake, held fast with all

THE GREAT STORM. 169

anclioi-s down until three in the morning, when the
' Eestoration ' was seen to be driving down upon her.
She came so near that the ' Prince George ' had to
brace her yards in hopes of her going clear, but her
anchor caught in the hawse of the ' Prince George,' and
she was brought to ; thus two great ships were riding
by the same cables. It seemed impossible that the
ground tackle could hold, and there was no alternative
but to cut the ' Eestoration ' away. This, however, was
no easy matter, and meanwhile their best bower came
home. When hope was nearly gone, and every
moment seemed likely to see both ships drift away to
destruction, the ' Restoration ' suddenly got clear and
disappeared in the gloom. She was lost, with every soul
on board. At daylight twelve ships were seen on the
Goodwins, which were all broken up by ten, and all hands
perished, except about eighty from the ' Stirling Castle.'
The rest of the ships foundered at their anchors, only
a very few escaping to sea and living out the gale.

The storm did equal damage inland, although its
ravages were confined to the south of England. Un-
like an ordinary winter gale, it was accompanied by
thunder and hghtning. The leads of the London
churches were rolled up like scrolls. London Bridge
was choked by a mass of barges and small craft torn
from their moorings. Queen Anne and her husband,
startled from their bed at St. James's, saw the shocking
havoc in the park, rows of ancient trees being torn up
by the roots. Whole famihes were crushed under
their own roofs, many people were killed and wounded,
and among others the new Bishop of Bath and Wells ^
and his vdfe were killed in their bed by the fall of a stack
of chimneys. The storm continued with unrelenting

' Dr. Kidder, who had superseded the non-jiiror Ken.

170 THE GREAT STORM.

fury until ten in tlie morning. Tlie damage in London
and Westminster was estimated at a million sterling,
and at Bristol at little less than 150,000^.

The loss to the navy amounted to thirteen men-
of-war totally destroyed, and 1,519 seamen drowned.
The ' Vanguard,' a second-rate, sunk in the Medway off
Chatham, but she had neither men nor guns on board.
The ' Eestoration ' was Captain Fairfax's old ship
before he commissioned the ' Kent.' She was lost on
the Goodwin Sands, the captain ^ and all hands (391
souls) perishing.

This great calamity only roused the nation to re-
newed efforts for the forthcoming year. The Archduke
Charles, who was called by the English and their alhes
King Charles III., arrived in January 1704. It was be-
lieved that, although Castille was in favour of the Bour-
bon King PhUip Y., Aragon would espouse the cause
of the Austrian claimant. Charles was to proceed to
the Peninsula under the escort of an English fleet.
Serious operations would then commence, and it was
anticipated that there would be important work for the
navy.

' His name was Eniines.

171

CHAPTER XII.

THE TAKIXG OF GIBKALTAR AND BATfLE OF MALAGA.

Ox January 1, 1704, Captain Fairfax hoisted Lis pen-
dant on board H.M.S. 'Berwick,' in Portsmouth Har-
bour, and on March 31 he sailed out of harbour and
anchored at Spithead. The 'Berwick' was a 70-gun
ship of 1,087 tons, with a crew of about loO men. On
April 9 she left Spithead, and after touching at Plymouth
and engaging in the exciting work of chasing French
merchant ships during the voyage, one of which she
captured, the 'Berwick' arrived at Lisbon on April 20.
Leaving Lisbon on the 2-5tli, in company with the rest
of the fleet, she passed through the Straits of Gibraltar
on May 3.

Sir George Eooke had brought the Archduke
Charles from Holland to Portsmouth, where he was re-
ceived as King of Spain, and paid a visit to Queen Anne
at Windsor. He sailed again in January 1704, but,
owing to bad weather, and having had to put back, he
did not reach Lisbon until March 8, where he landed.
The fleet then sailed for the Mediterranean. Sir George
Rooke had under his command forty ships of the hne.
The Prince of Hesse-Darmstadt embarked with 6,000
troops, as an assurance had been received from Cata-
lonia that the people were ready to proclaim Charles III.
if a sufficient force was sent to protect them.

Passing Gibraltar, the fleet proceeded along the

1"2 CHASE OP FRENCH SHIPS.

coast of Spain with all sail set. It was fine weather,
with a fresh breeze. At two in the afternoon of May 8
six tall ships were sighted, standing away from the
land, apparently French men-of-war. The fleet was
off Cape Palos. Sir George Eooke made a signal for
Sir Andrew Leake ^ to chase in the ' Grafton,' accom-
panied by the ' Somerset,' Captain Price, the ' Berwick,'
Captain Fairfax, the ' Burford,' ' Cambridge,' ' Yar-
mouth,' the 'Tiger,' of 50 guns, and the 'Lark,' 40
guns. The chasing squadron immediately altered course
and set every stitch of canvas. Gradually the ' Berwick,'
with the 'Tiger' and 'Lark,' took the lead. As night
set in the other ships were far astern, so Fairfax took
in some of his small sails, and put a lantern on his
poop to guide his consorts. He kept the chase fairly
in sight during the night. At dawn Sir Andrew Leake
made a signal to the ' Berwick ' to drop astern and com-
municate with him, and soon afterwards he signalled
for the captains of all the ships. He said that the
chase consisted of six French ships of 70 and 80
guns, that they were now only a few leagues from
the coast of Barbary, and that there was no chance
of coming up with them. It was more than three
hours afterwards that the ' Somerset ' and the other
ships that were following came up, and by that time
the chase was out of sight. The squadron, therefore,

' This officer was no relation to the more famoiis Sir John Leake.
He was the son of a Hierchant at Lowestoft, and his mother was a native
of the same seaport. Entering the navy when very young, he became a
post-captain in 1693. During the peace, from 1697 to 1703, he resided at
his native town, and was very active in promoting the erection of a new
church there. In 1700 he commanded a small squadron sent to protect
the Newfoundland fisheries. He commanded the ' Torhay ' at Vigo, with
the flag of Admiral Hopson, and distinguished himself so much that he
was knighted on his retm-n to England. In 1704 he was appointed to the
' Grafton ' (70).

LANDING AT BARCELONA. 173

made the best of its way to Allea Bay, which was the
rendezvous. The captains were subsequently tried
by court-lnartial for abandoning the chase, but were
honourably acquitted. Captain Fairfax gave evidence
that the six French ships spared him almost all their
small sails during the whole time of the chase, while
he was crowding all the canvas he could show.^

On the 18th the fleet anchored off Barcelona, and a
flag of truce was sent on shore, with a letter from the
Prince of Hesse to Don Francisco de Yelasco, the
Viceroy of Catalonia for Philip V., summoning him
to surrender the town to his lawful sovereign King
Charles III. The reply was a defiant refusal, and it
was then resolved to land the marines within a mile of
the town, the Spaniards on board having declared that
as soon as they saw a landing effected, the townspeople
would open the gates. But there was no sign. Cap-
tain Fairfax was appointed to superintend the landing,
which was effected without opposition on May 19.
He continued on shore for two days, with about 1,600
men ; and many priests and country people came to
the camp with apparent cheerfulness. As, however,
there was no active co-operation, and the force was
much too small to attempt a siege without it, it was
determined to re-embark the marines. This was done

^ A court-martial was assembled to try the captains for abandoning
the chase. It took place at Gibraltar, on board the ' Royal Catheriae,' Sir
George Eooke's flagship, on August 24, 1704. Sir Cloudesley Shovel was
president, and the members included Admirals Leake, Byng, Dilkes, and
Wishart, and twenty -five captains. It was unanimously agreed that the
three headmost ships, if they had engaged the enemy, could not have
expected any timely assistance from their consorts ; that the ' Berwick '
ought not to have engaged the enemy -unsupported ; and that the rest of
the ships made all the sail they could, and complied with their duty in
the prosecution of the chase. All the captains were, therefore, honour-
ably acquitted. Sk Andrew Leake had previously died of the wounds
received at the battle of Malaga.

174 ALTEA BAY.

on the 22nd, and the fleet put to sea on the same
evening.

IntelHgence had arrived from Lisbon that the
French fleet from Brest, under the Comte de Toulouse,
had entered the Mediterranean. Fairfax was, there-
fore, directed to put himself under the orders of
Admiral Dilkes with eight other ships, and this small
squadron was sent ahead to gain intelhgence of the
enemy. It was blowing hard. The 'Berwick' split
her fore and main topsails, and lost one of her small
spars in a sudden squall. Next day, being May 28,
she sighted the whole French fleet of forty sail making
the best of its way to Toulon. This important news
Avas brought to Sir George Eooke in Altea Bay,^ where
the fleet was watering without opposition from the
Spaniards, and where the country people brought down
plenty of provisions to sell to the English sailors. Most
friendly intercourse was established there. Leaving
Altea on June 8, the fleet passed through the Straits
in hne of battle, sailing large, and brought to off Cape
Spartel in a tough gale. A fleet was sighted on the
15th, which proved to be Sir Cloudesley Shovel and
Admiral Byng with twenty-three sail, and on the 22nd
the united fleet anchored in Lagos Bay. Thence the
ships went to Tangiers to water, and on July 17
a momentous decision Avas arrived at by a council of
Avar.

The council was held on board the ' Royal
Catherine,' and it was resolved, in pursuance of the
Avishes of Charles III., that the enemy should be
attacked in Andalusia, in order to divert and divide
their forces, and that a sudden assault should be made
on Gibraltar.

' Aljout'twonty-five miles north-east of Alicante.

ATTACK ON GIBRALTAR. 175

This famous fortress was held to be impregnable.
Separated from the main land of Spain by a low
isthmus, the majestic face of the rock rises perpendicu-
larly to a height of 1,200 feet. Thence the promontory
runs south for 2i miles, ending at Europa Point. The
decHvitous hmestone mountain, with its knife-hke
ridge, is 1,401 feet high at the loftiest part, and thence
slopes down to the Windmill and Europa plateaux.
The town, covering about 100 acres, looks over
Gibraltar Bay to the westward, with the old Moorish
castle above it. By the isthmus, at the north end of
the town, was the old mole ; and to the south, towards
Europa Point, Avas the new mole, protected by a fort
and two bastions. The place was held by. a small
Spanish garrison, but there were upwards of a hundred
guns mounted on the bastions.

The plan of attack was matured by Sir George
Eooke, in consultation with the Prince of Hesse-
Darmstadt. The troops were to be landed on the
isthmus, in command of the Prince. A squadron of
selected ships was to cannonade the town, and there
was to be a naval attack on the new mole and the
bastions to the south of the town, under cover of the
fire from the ships.

Sir George Eooke determined that the attacking
squadron should consist of fourteen ships under
the command of Eear-Admiral George Byng. This
distinguished officer, son of John Byng, Esq.,^ of
Wrotham, in Kent, was born in 1663, and went to sea
as a volunteer at the age of fifteen. Afterwards, at the
invitation of General Kirke, the Governor of Tangiers, he
entered the army as an ensign in the Grenadiers of that

' The last possessor of Wrotham. He sold it, hnt his son, the admiral,
«'as born there.

17G

ADMIRAL BYNG.

garrison. But when Lord Dartmouth came out to
demolish the defences of Tangiers in 1684, he induced
young Byng to return to the navy, and gave him a
commission as lieutenant of the ' Oxford.' In 1685
lie served in the East Indies, and was severely wounded
in boarding a piratical vessel off Ceylon. Eeturning
home, he was very active in advocating the cause of
civil and religious liberty among his brother officers,
being a lieutenant in the ' Defiance ' when the Prince of
Orange landed. Byng was introduced to the Prince by
Admiral Eussell at Sherborne, and he conveyed the
loyal message of the fleet to William III. at Windsor.
Promoted to the rank of post-captain in 1689, he dis-
tinguished himself at Beachy Head and at La Hogue,
and Sir George Eooke became warmly attached to him.
In 1703 Byng became a rear-admiral, hoisting his flag
on board the ' Eanelagh ' of 80 guns, in which ship
he weathered the Great Storm of November 26 in the
Channel. He was now selected by his friend Admiral
Eooke to command the attacking squadron at Gibraltar.
It consisted of the following ships : —

Eanelagh, flag of Eear-Admiral Byng, Captain

Cow

Monmouth, Captain Baker .....

Suffolk, „ Kirton

Essex, „ Hubbard ....
Grafton, „ Sir Andrew Leake

Kingston, „ Acton

Nassau, „ Dove

Swiftsure, „ Winn .....

Burford, „ Eoffley

Berwick, „ Fairfax .....
Eagle, „ Lord A. Hamilton
Montagu, „ Clevland ....
Dorsetshire, „ Whittaker ....

Lennox, „ Jumper

Yarmouth, „ Hicks

Tons.

Men.

80
66
63

»

70
60

70
70
70
70
62
80
70
70

1,198

871

1,071

1,096
923

987
1,112
1,087
1,099

836
1,117
1,072
1,058

496
389
293

446
346

408
446
446
446
346
476
446
446

TAKING OF GIBRALTAR. 177

The captains serving with Fairfax on this memo-
rable occasion were all his intimate friends. With
Hubbard he had fought side by side on board the
' Bonadventure ' at the battle of Beachy Head. His
evidence was destined to clear the memory of his
comrade Sir Andrew Leake ^ at the coming court-martial.
John Baker ^ was an officer who had served incessantly
since 1688, even during the peace, and had followed
Hopson across the bar at Vigo in most gallant style, on
board the ' Monmouth,' the same ship he now com-
manded. Few men had done more brilliant service
against privateers than Eobert Kirton,^ of the ' Suffolk.'
Acton* was a brave but unfortunate officer, fated to
haul down the British flag to a superior French force.
Francis Dove^ had served with Fairfax at Vigo and at
Granville. Robert Wynn, of the Welsh Wynns, had
done admirable service against privateers in the Irish
seas. Lord Archibald Hamilton,^ the youngest son of
the Duke of Hamilton, entered the navy when very
young, and became a post-captain in 1694. He was
with Sir George Eooke at Cadiz and Vigo. Keril

' Mortally wounded at the battle of Malaga.

' Baker became an admiral, served many years in the Mediterranean,
and died at Port Mahon in 1716, aged fifty-six. There is a monument
to his memory in Westminster Abbey. He was an oificer of consummate
skill and experience.

^ Kirton was severely wounded at Malaga. He retired in 1707, and
died ia 1718.

* Eobert Acton, outward bound in the ' Grafton ' in 1706, met a French
fleet oif Dungeness under the Comte de Forbin. After a brave resistance
he was compelled to surrender.

' Francis Dove became Commissioner at Plymouth in 1716, until his
death iu 1726.

* Lord Archibald was afterwards Governor of Gibraltar from 1710 to
1714, and a Lord of the Admiralty from 1729 to 1738. He became
Governor of Greenwich Hospital in 1746, and died in 1754. He married
Lady Jane Hamilton, daughter of the Earl of Abercorn. His son was
Sir William Hamilton, thirty-six years ambassador at Kaples, and the
friend of Nelson.

178 TAKING or GIBRALTAR.

Eoffley,^ of the ' Burford,' had distinguished himself as a
lieutenant in the boat work at the battle of La Hogue.
William Clevland,^ of the ' Montagu,' had commanded
ships since 1693, and was specially distinguished for
his very gallant action with the French privateer
' Pontchartrain ' in 1697, and for his engagement with
the squadron of Du Casse in 1703.

The honours of the day, at the taking of Gibraltar,
rested with Captains Hicks, Jumper, Whittaker, and
Fairfax. Jasper Hicks had been in command of ships
since 1689, and had become famous as a successful
hunter down of privateers.^ William Jumper was still
more noted for his gallantry in that kind of service.*
Edward Whittaker was a man of reckless daring, yet a
cool and reliable seaman. He had boarded and captured
a privateer off St. Malo after a desperate fight ; and he

^ EofSey afterwards served in the West Indies, and died in 1716.

^ William Clevland, of the Clelands of Cleland, in Lanarkshire, pur-
chased the estate of Tapely, near Bideford, in Devonshire. He served
until 1718, when he became Comptroller of Navy Accounts, an office
which he held until 1732. He married Anne, daughter of John Davie, of
Orleigh, county Devon. One of his sons was named Arcliibald, after his
father's old friend and brother officer, Lord Archibald Hamilton. He was
drowned in a boat which was capsized on Bideford Bar. Dying in 1735,
Captain Clevland was succeeded at Tapely by his eldest son John Clev-
land, M.P. for Saltash, and Secretary to the Admiralty. He died in 1763.
His eldest son John was M.P. for Barnstaple during seven Parliaments,
and a Commissioner for Greenwich Hospital. He died childless in 1817.
His brother Augustus Clevland was a very distinguished East Indian
civilian, a disciple of Warren Hastings, Collector of Bhaugulpore, and
pacifier of the Sonthal tribes. His picture is at Tapely. The sister,
Hester Clevland, married Captain Wdliam Saltren Wihett, E.N., and their
grandson Augustus succeeded to Tapely and took the name of Clevland.
He was in the InniskiQing Dragoons at Waterloo. He married Margaret
Carohne, daughter of Colonel John Palmer Chichester, of Arlington Court,
and died in 1849.

" Hicks died in 1714.

* Jumper was knighted. He did not serve afloat after 1707, but was
superintendent at Chatham, and in 1714 Commissioner at Pljinonth. He
died in March 1715.

TAKING OF GIBKALTAE. 179

had saved his ship at the Downs, during the Great
Storm, by his consummate seamanship.^

The fourteen English ships were reinforced by four
Dutch men-of-war. On July 20 all the arrangements
were made, but there was little wind, and it took some
time before the ships could be got into position for
cannonading. It was then that Captain Fairfax wrote
a farewell letter to his wife, to be delivered in the event
of his death. He entrusted it to his friend Captain
Whittaker, but fortunately its dehvery was unnecessary.
A second brief note was substituted on the 26th.

H.M.S. ' Berwick,' July 20, 1704.
My most dear Spouse,— Being one of the ships that goes
in to batter the fortifications of Gibraltar to-morrow, if it shall
please our good God to suffer me to be taken ofi", I send this
with the testimony of my true love and blessing to thee and
the dear babys, of whose education I desire thy great care,
and especially as to that of their souls. I have left my will
in Captain "Whittaker 's hands. It has been drawn long since,
so there is much more moqey appertaining to me now than
was then, which I leave to thy prudent disposing of. I will
yet hope in God's mercy to meet thee again in this world, but
above all in that blessed world to come, both of which his
infinite mercy grant unto thine in all affection,

Egbert Fairfax.

To Mrs. Fairfax at the house near Cooke's Court
in little Lincoln's Inn Fields, London.

H.M.S. ' Berwick,' July 26, 1704.
My dear Spouse, — This will acquaint thee that I, with
about twenty sail of ships, commanded by Rear- Admiral Byng,
went against the forts of Gibraltar on Sunday last, and had so

' ^^'hittaker was also knighted. He became a rear-admiral in 1705,
and was at the taking of Minorca. He died in 1735, and was buried at
Carshalton, m Surrey.

X 2

180 TAKING OF GIBRALTAR.

good success in battering tliem that now the town is surren-
dered. I have had great fatigue upon me both on shore and
in my ship.

It was not until daybreak on the 23rd that the ships
got into position, with their broadsides to the town and
forts of Gibraltar ; while 1,800 marines were landed at
the north end of the town, near the old mole, under
the command of the Prince of Hesse Darmstadt and
Colonel Fox. A furious cannonade was kept up until
noon,^ when a signal was made for the boats to go away
manned and armed. The 'Berwick,' 'Yarmouth,'
' Lennox,' and ' Dorsetshire ' were stationed at the south
end of the line, near the new mole, as their captains
were to lead the landing parties.

Captains Hicks and Jumper, with their pinnaces,
took the lead, followed by a few other boats. Landing
at the new mole, they carried the great platform at a
rush, and entered the fort. At that moment the enemy
sprung a mine, and there was a tremendous explosion.
Two lieutenants and forty men were killed, and sixty
were badly wounded. The fortifications on the mole
were shattered. The men were running down to the
water's edge in great co'jsternation when they were
raUied by Captains Wblttaker and Fairfax, who had
just come on shore wich the rest of the landing party.
The possession (:,[ the platform was retained, while
Whittaker led on the men towards the town, and took
another bastion with several guns. A detachment of
about forty cavalry came out of the town, but galloped
back as soon as the guns began to play on them.
Captains Eoffley and Acton, who had also landed with
their men, then captured a bastion mounting eight

> The ' Berwick ' fired 1,340 roiinds, and expended seventy-seven and
a half barrels of powder.

TAKING OF GIBRALTAR. 181

guns within less than half musket shot of the town
wall.

MeanwhUe the ships had resumed their cannonade
when the explosion took place on shore, and continued
it untO. 4 P.M., having fired 15,000 shots in five hours.
The order was then given to cease firing, and Admiral
Byng came on shore. He found his captains assembled
in the conquered bastion, and near the gate of the
town, with the British colours flj'ing and their men
around them. He sent a drummer with a summons to
the Spanish Governor; and in two hours an answer
came that the garrison would surrender next day.

The great fortress of Gibraltar was surrendered at
four o'clock in the afternoon of July 24, 1704, and, by
order of Sir George Eooke, the British flag was hoisted.
The Governor, Don Diego de Salinas, with his small
garrison, marched out with all the honours of war.
He had just been to Madrid, to represent in strong
terms the weak condition of the defences and the in-
sufficiency of the garrison : but fruitlessly.^ Colonel
Fox's regiment marched into the town, and a garrison
consisting of 1,800 marines was left in possession. This
great naval success is among those which have had
most permanent results ; and the captains who were
employed upon a service of such importance, and who
acquitted themselves so well, deserve a distinguished
place in the naval annals of their country. Captains
Whittaker and Jumper received the honour of knight-
hood. Queen Anne presented Captain Fairfax with a
silver cup and cover, bearing a suitable inscription,
which is still preserved by his descendants.

On August 1 the whole fleet stood over to the
Barbary shore, and filled up with water. The ' Berwick '

1 La Fuente. Hist. Gen. de Espana, XVIIL, p. 87.

182 BATTLE OF MALAGA.

also got in three long boat loads of sand for ballast.
On the 9th tlie fleet weighed and made sail for Gibraltar,
and at 8 a.m. the ' Centurion,' one of the scouts, made
the signal that she had sighted the enemy. At that time
Ceuta was bearing west by south about six leagues. Sir
George Eooke sent for half the marines from Gibraltar,
and then began to work to windward in pursuit of the
French fleet. This continued for two days, when at
length they were sighted off Cape Malaga, in the
evening of the 12th. Eooke formed line of battle,
approaching the enemy all night, and at five in the
morning of Sunday, August 13, the French fleet was
sighted about three leagues to leeward. There was
a moderate breeze and rather hazy weather, the wind
being easterly.

The combined Brest and Toulon fleet, fresh from
harbour and fully manned, consisted of fifty line of battle
ships, several frigates and fire-ships, and twenty-four
galleys. It was under the command of Louis Alexandre
de Bourbon, Comte de Toulouse, a son of Louis XIV.
and of Madame de Montespan, who was born in 1678.^
He was now a young man of twenty-six, and person-
ally led the centre, with the Marquis de Eoye in the
second line. The van was commanded by the Marquis
de Villette, and the rear by the Marquis de Lan-
geron.

' The Comte de Toulouse, who was also Due de Penthievre, retired
from active service in 1706, and died in 1736. By Marie de NoaOles he
had a sou Louis Jean de Bourbon, Duo de Penthievre, Governor of
Brittany, who served at Dettingen and Fontenoy. He survived untU
1793. His son, the Prince de Lamballe, a debauched young infidel, died,
at the age of twenty, in 1768, leaving as his widow the beautiful Marie
Therese de Savoie Carignan, Princess of Lamballe, the friend of Marie
Antoinette, who was murdered in the September massacres of 1792.
Louise, the davighter and heiress of the Due de Penthievre, was Duchess
of Orleans, and mother of Louis Philippe.

BATTLE OF MALAGA. 183

The allied line consisted of thirty-nine English and
twelve Dutch ships, besides frigates ; but they were short
handed, short of ammunition, and had been more than
a year away from any port where they could refit. The
van, consisting of fifteen ships, was led by Sir Cloudes-
ley Shovel and Sir John Leake. The leading ship
was the 'Yarmouth,' Captain Hicks, next came the
' Norfolk,' and the third ship was the ' Berwick,' under
Captain Fairfax. Then came Sir John Leake's ship,
the ' Prince George,' with Stephen Martin as flag-captain.
Shovel was in the 'Barfleur.' The centre was commanded
by Sir George Eooke, in the ' Eoyal Catherine ' of 90
guns, with Admirals Byng and Dilkes in the ' Eane-
lagh' and 'Kent.' The rear was composed of the Dutch
squadron.

The French had three three-deckers, with over 100
guns; the largest English ship only carried 90 guns.
The total number of guns in the French fleet was 3,577,
in the alHed fleet 3,614. The opposing forces were very
nearly equal.

In the morning of August 13 the van of the allied
fleet, under Sir John Leake, bore down upon the enemy,
they standing with their heads to the southward. At
9 A.M. his division was within range of the French ships
of their van squadron, which manoeuvred to avoid close
quarters. At ten the engagement began by the ships
of Sir John Leake's division firing their broadsides,
followed almost immediately by the centre under Sir
George Eooke. They continued to engage hotly for
an hour and a half within half gunshot. The ' St.
Philippe,' of 90 guns, flagship of Admiral DTnfreville,
engaged the 'Berwick,' and for some time Leake's
squadron of six ships was engaged with thirteen of the
enemy. Here there was very hot work. Fairfax fought

184 BATTLE OF MALAGA.

his ship with skill and tenacity/ and at 3 p.m. the
French admiral and his squadron bore out of the line,
much disabled. They stood away until they were a
mile to leeward.

Sir John Leake then sent his flag-captain to Sir
Cloudesley Shovel, to propose that their two squadrons
should continue to bear down on the enemy's van, so as
to break the line and separate it from the centre.
But Shovel did not concur, and the action, therefore,
ended in this part of the line. Meanwhile the Dutch
ships maintained the fight with great bravery the whole
day in the rear, and Sir George Eooke fought with
equal valour in the centre. But several ships which had
been engaged in the cannonading of Gibraltar expended
all their shot, and were obliged to haul out of the line.^
It was hot work and warm weather, the struggle being
continued until nightfall. Then the French went away
to leeward, with the help of their galleys. In the night the
wdnd shifted to the northward, so that the French were
to windward, and might have renewed the battle if
they had chosen. But they declined the combat, and
on the 14th the two fleets lay at a distance of about two
leagues from each other, repairing damages. On the
16th the French were out of sight, making the best
of their way to Toulon.

Captain Fairfax, wdien the action ceased in the after-
noon, found that the ' Berwick ' had sulTered a great
deal. Her main, fore, and mizen masts, bowsprit, fore,
main, and mizen yards, were all shattered and torn by

' The ' Berwick ' fired 1,052 rounds.

' The 'Suffolk,' Captain Kirton; 'Grafton,' Sir Andrew Leake, who
was mortally wounded ; ' Montagu,' Captain Clevland ; ' Kingston,' Captain
Acton; ' Nassau,' Captain Dove; ' Eagle,' Lord Archibald Hamilton. The
captains were tried by court-martial for hauhng out of the line, but were
honourably acq\;itted.

BATTLE OF MALAGA. 185

shot. They were no longer serviceable for a full due,
but were fished for temporary use. The hull received
ninety-six shots in the upper works ; between wind and
water thirty-two shots, and several more out of sight
without heeling the ship. She was making four and a
half feet of water in an hour. The rudder was shot
through at the water line, which had split it and shaken
it loose. Her main and mizen topmasts went over the
side. Seven fathoms of her best bower cable were shot
away. The sails and rigging were cut up fearfully. The
master and boatswain and twenty-three men were killed,
and forty-four men were wounded. During the 14th,
Fairfax got up two anchor stocks, and fished his main-
mast, which had been hit in two places. He also got
up the spare topmasts, and fished his foremast and
bowsprit.

No ships were lost in either fleet, but there was a
heavy list of killed and wounded. The allies had 695
killed and 1,663 wounded. Among the former were
Sir Andrew Leake, Captain Cow of the ' Eanelagh,' and
Lieutenant Jennings of the ' St. George.' The wounded
included Captains Baker, Jumper, Kirton, and Mynge,
and fifteen lieutenants. Sir George Eooke, in his
despatch, said that he never observed the true English
spirit so apparent and so prevalent as on this occasion.
The battle of Malaga was not a victory, but it was a
very important success, because it frustrated the inten-
tion of the enemy. The French fleet came to scatter the
allies and retake Gibraltar. It returned to Toulon much
shattered and unsuccessful.

The allied fleet arrived at Gibraltar to refit on
August 20. On the 25th, Sir George Eooke made
sail for England, detaching Sir John Leake to Lisbon
with a squadron to be ready, if necessary, to bring

186 RELIEF OF GIBRALTAR.

assistance to the garrison at Gibraltar. The necessity-
soon arose, and Leake acquitted himself with great
credit, relieving the place twice, and forcing the enemy
to raise the siege. On the departure of Leake's squadron
for Lisbon, Fairfax was attached to that of Sir Cloudesley
Shovel dxiring the voyage home. On September 24
the fleet sighted the Start. The 'Berwick ' was ordered
round to Chatham, and Captain Fairfax paid her off on
February 17, 1705.

187

CHAPTEE XIII.

THE SIEGE OP BARCELONA.

The memorable expedition of the Earl of Peterborough
to Spain was the great event of the year 1705. This
accomplished and very able, though eccentric, nobleman
was admirably fitted for the successful conduct of the
enterprise he was to lead, provided that his plans were
not thwarted. Even in the face of the exasperatino-
obstruction he had to encounter from colleagues, he
achieved wonders. He was endowed with marvellous
energy, was fuU of resource, and carried out his plans
with extraordinary celerity. Charles Mordaunt was a
sailor as well as a soldier. In early life he had served
with distinction in the Mediterranean, under Narborough
and Herbert. He took a leading part in the work of
the Eevolution, had been created Earl of Monmouth in
1689, and succeeded his uncle as Earl of Peterborough
in 1696. He was appointed to command the expedi-
tionary army to Spain in 1705, and was also to be joint
admiral of the fleet with Sir Cloudesley Shovel. The
two signatures are on all the orders and circulars to the
ships of the fleet, that of ' Peterborow ' being first.

Captain Fairfax commissioned the third-rate ship
'Torbay'on February 5,1705. She was 1,202 tons,
mih a complement of 476 men, and carried 80 guns.
She had on board a number of young volunteers,
and among them was WiUiam, third son of Henry

188 FAIRFAX VOLUNTEERS.

Fairfax of Toulston, then only in his thirteenth year.
He was sent to receive the training of an officer under
his cousin ; and he afterwards served under another
cousin, Colonel Martin Bladen, in the army.^ "William
Fairfax is the ancestor of all the Fairfaxes of the
American branch of the family. Another volunteer
was young Tyrwhit Cayley, who proved rather a trouble-
some scapegrace. He was son of an influential citizen
of York, whose surprise he excited by the sums of
money he drew at every port he touched at. Worthy
Mr. Cayley could not imagine how his son could spend
so much money on ship board, for he could not believe
there could be gaming. The captain reproved and put
a stop to this extravagance, while showing great kind-
ness to young Cayley, as to the other lads on board his
ship. Early in May the 'Torbay' came round to Spit-
head, and joined the fleet assembled there, waiting for
the transports. On the 22nd Captain Fairfax received
the envoy of Portugal on board, for a passage to Lisbon ;
and on the following day Lord Peterborough embarked
with Sir Cloudesley Shovel. On the 24th the fleet sailed
for Lisbon, arriving in the Tagus on June 20, 1705.

' Captain Fairfax continued to take an interest in the welfare of young
William, who remained in the navy for some years. There is a letter {in
the American collection) from Captain Fairfax to William's mother at
Toulston, in which he says, ' I expect him in town to-morrow. That he
may lose no time in the service of the fleet, I have been careful to obtahi
the letter,' and I am glad to do him any service because he is a good boy.'

WiUiam Fairfax afterwards settled in the Bahamas, where he was
Judge and Governor. In 1725 he became collector of Customs in Salem,
Massachusetts, and afterwards removed to Virginia, as agent for the
estates of his cousin. Lord Fairfax. He built Belvoir on the Potomac,
was President of the King's Council in Virginia, and died in 1757, aged
sixty-five. His son, the Rev. Brian Fairfax, of Mount Eagle in Virginia,
succeeded as eighth Lord Fairfax. He was the intimate friend and con-
nection of General Washington, and was chief mourner at his fimeral.
The present Lord Fairfax, resident in the United States, is his great
grandson.

THE ARCHDUKE CHARLES. 189

The Archduke Charles had been wearily waiting at
Lisbon for upwards of a year, with the titular rank
of King of Spain. He now came to the resolution of
trying his fortune with Lord Peterborough and Sir
Cloudesley Shovel. The English Earl received his
titular Majesty on board the ' Eanelagh ' with princely
hospitahty, entertaining him and his suite without ex-
pense to the English Government. Leaving Lisbon in
the end of July, the fleet arrived at Gibraltar, where
Charles was received as the lawful sovereign. The
Prince of Hesse Darmstadt had remained there, defend-
ing the place, since it was taken in the previous August.
He now embarked on board the fleet, and used all his
influence to obtain a decision that Catalonia should be
the destination of the expedition, for he had been
Viceroy of Catalonia in the days of Charles H., and
believed that his influence would secure the allegiance
of the people to the Austrian claimant.

Leaving Gibraltar on the 5th, the fleet rounded
Cape de Gat on the 7th, and anchored in Altea Bay
on August ]1. The two historians of this romantic
enterprise. Dr. Freind and Captain Carleton, were
on board ships in the fleet, both eye-witnesses of
the events they recorded. The latter describes Altea
as ' famous for its bay for ships to water at. It stands
on a high hill, and is adorned, not defended, with an
old fort.' The people of Altea, and from all the country
around, crowded to offer their services to the new
King, bringing in all sorts of provisions. A proclama-
tion was circulated by Peterborough, calHng upon all
the Spaniards to throw ofl" the foreign yoke of the
French. The town and castle of Denia were soon
afterwards seized upon by the people in the name of
Charles HI.

190 SIEGE OF BARCELONA.

Several councils of war were held at Altea. The
force consisted of fifteen battalions of infantry, 1,300
horse, and a train of artillery. Peterborough urged
the adoption of a bold measure, which he maintained
to be alike the most prudent and the most safe. He
would have landed the little army, have marched direct
to Madrid, and have established the King of the House
of Austria in the seat of government. He argued that
Charles would at once become the de facto King, and
would cease to be a mere claimant, that the deadweight
of loyalty would gravitate towards him, and that an
immense advantage would at once be gained. But
other counsels prevailed. The Prince of Hesse Darm-
stadt contended that Catalonia was the centre of strength
for an Austrian claimant, and that the first undertaking
should be the siege of Barcelona. Charles decided in
favour of this less enterprising measure, and the fleet
made sail from Altea accordingly. But it was much
delayed by calms, and did not arrive before Barcelona
until August 12.

Sir Cloudesley Shovel was, of course, in a position to
assist the land forces materially ; still the impossibility
of investing so large a place as Barcelona made the
success of the enterprise very doubtful. The attempt
was contrary to the advice of the Earl of Peterborough,
and the difference of opinion created a marked coolness
between his Lordship and the Prince of Hesse Darm-
stadt. Barcelona was strongly fortified with a wall and
bastions. There was a battery on the mole, another
near the seashore, while the Castle of Monjuich, on
its craggy height to the west of the town, was reputed
to be impregnable. The surrounding country is well
cultivated and well watered. The transports took up
positions for landing tlie troops under the direction of

SIEGE OF BAECELONA. 191

Sir Strafford Fairborne, the Vice-Admiral ; wliile the
Spaniards opened fire from t-\vo redoubts, one on the
mole and the other near the shore, to the eastward.
It was evident that the place was well provisioned, and
it was strongly garrisoned by a force of 5,000 men
under the command of Don Prancisco de Velasco, the
Viceroy of Catalonia. The defence of Monjuich was
entrusted to the Prince of Caraccioli, a Neapolitan.
Velasco ordered all straw and forage for horses to
be destroyed for a league round the town, but his com-
mands were very imperfectly executed.

A strong easterly gale was blowing when the opera-
tion of landing began, and there was much difficulty
owing to the high sea, but no opposition from the
enemy. The people of the surrounding villages Avel-
comed the allies with joy. They brought gang boards
for the soldiers to pass dry shod from the boats, and
carried the officers on shore in their arms. The landing
place was about three-quarters of a mile to the east of
the city, and near Badalona. Captain Fairfax was one
of the captains who superintended the operation. On
the 23rd, the fifteen battahons of infantry were put on
shore ; and on the same day a duel was fought on the
beach between two English colonels, Barr and Eodney,
of the Marines. Both were wounded, the latter mor-
tally. Next day the cavalry was landed, and tlie
artillery and heavy baggage on the 27th. A small
naval brigade was also formed to work the guns, and
Captain Fairfaxlandedpart of his gunner's crew, with beef
and bread for three days. An encampment was formed
about & mile from the town, extending from the sea-
shore to a small inlet, and resting, in the rear, on the
river Bassoz. The force was much too small to attempt
a complete investment. The people of the country,

192 SIEGE OF BARCELONA.

however, formed into bands, known locally as Miguelets,
and effectually blockaded the other approaches.

Barcelona is built on the shores of the Mediterranean,
with a beautiful and fruitful country forming an oblong
plain, and bounded by mountains on the land side. The
capital of Catalonia was a place of great importance,
with extensive trade and much wealth. It was nearly
a mile and a half long by a mile broad, surrounded by
a rampart and ditch with flanking bastions, and its in-
habitants were enterprising and industrious. In the
Middle Ages the people of Barcelona were free and war-
like, and they devoted much of their wealth to the
erection of fine buildings, and to the beautifying of their
city. Eight across the town, at right angles with the
sea, runs the beautiful promenade called La Ravbbla,
dividing the old from the new town. The cathedral, of
the fourteenth century, with its octagonal tower rising
over the city, has a pleasant cloister full of orange trees,
flowers, and fountains. Barcelona contains other fine
churches, and some beautiful civil buildings, such as the
Casas Consistorial and De la Deputacion, and the old
' Lonja,' or Exchange — all of the fourteenth century.
The Catalans, whose city was threatened, were on the
side of the besiegers, for they had suffered from the
French partisans, and the Archduke Charles had pro-
mised to respect their rights and hberties. But there
was a strong garrison to keep them down.

The most formidable part of the defences of Barce-
lona consisted in the Castle of Monjuich. About a mile
to the south-westward of the city an isolated ridge of
fossiliferous sandstone rises abruptly from the sea to a
height of 735 feet, and was crowned by a castle with
two bastions facing the sea, two to landward, and a
look-out tower. This central castle or donjon was

SIEGE OF BARCELONA.

idi

surrounded by bastioned outworks and lunettes. The hill
of Monjuich was the i/o?zs Jovis of the Eomans, and the
Mom Judaicus of the Middle Ages, so called from the
Jews' cemetery being at its foot. The hill is scarped and
precipitous on the south and east sides, on the north
rather less so, while to the westward there is a gentle
incline. The view from the summit is magnificent.
The force under Lord Peterborough and the Prince

of Hesse Darmstadt seemed to be quite inadequate for
the reduction of such a place as Barcelona. So thought
most of the generals, though there was much recrimi-
nation and difference of opinion amongst them. Lord
Peterborough and the Prince were not on speaking
terms, the latter having disparaged the work of the
English troops in an offensive and irritating manner.
It was under these depressing circumstances that Lord
Peterborough resolved upon the daring and almost

194 STORMIXG OF MONJUICH.

desperate enterprise which has made his name immortal
in the annals of his country. He determined to take Mon-
juich by storm. Such a success would not only infuse
fresh energy into the troops and lead to a more vigorous
prosecution of the siege, but it would also secure a point
of vantage of the first importance. He was well aware
that it would appear to Charles and his stolid German
advisers to be the scheme of a madman, and that it would
be opposed on the ground that it was contrary to the
received method of conducting sieges. It was, there-
fore, as important to conceal his plans from his allies
as from the enemy. He induced the council of war to
agree to raise the siege, even sent some of the heavy
guns on board again, and there was actually rejoicing
among the threatened garrison at the good news.

All suspicions were completely lulled. Meanwhile
Peterborough had carefully arranged an attack and laid
his plans. He selected 400 Grenadiers under Captain
Southwell, and 600 men as supports, and, starting
at 6 P.M. of Sunday, September 13, he ordered them to
take the road by Samia, towards the interior. The way
led him past the tent of the Prince of Hesse Darm-
stadt. Suddenly Lord Peterborough stood before the
Prince, with whom he had been on bad terms. ' I
have determined,' he said, ' this night to make an
attempt upon the enemy. You may now, if you please,
be a judge of our behaviour.' The Prince was much
astonished, but immediately called for his horse, and
the two rode on, side by side. At ten at night Peter-
borough ordered his men to wheel, and march direct
for Monjuich. At midnight this first detachment was
followed by another thousand men under Brigadier
Stanhope. The night was very dark, the men could
only advance single file, and they did not reach the

STORMING OF MONJUICH. 195

foot of the mountain until the dawn was beginning to
break. Their leader . waited until it was daylight, that
the enemy might see them, and come out to defend the
more advanced works. Southwell was ordered to begin
the attack with the Grenadiers. Advancing under a
tremendous fire, they stormed and carried the outworks,
driving the Spaniards back into the castle. Fortunately
there were some heaps of large stones for repairs, out
of which breastworks were rapidly built, and the guns
in the outer bastions were turned against the principal
work. At this moment the Prince of Hesse Darmstadt
fell, while speaking to Lord Peterborough. A ball had
severed the artery of his thigh, and he bled to death in
a few minutes. Hearing that reinforcements were
coming from the Barcelona garrison, Peterborough went
down the hill to reconnoitre, and call up Stanhope with
the reserves, leaving Lord Charlemont in command.
There was a panic among the troops, and Charlemont
ordered a retreat, which was fast becoming a flight.
All seemed lost, when Captain Carleton, who himself tells
the story, hurried after Lord Peterborough to tell him
what had happened. ' Good God ! is it possible.?' ex-
claimed the Earl, and, putting spurs to his horse, he
galloped back until he met the fugitives. Dismounting
and drawing his sword, he exclaimed, ' I am sure all
brave men will follow me ! ' He continued to advance,
and the troops immediately raUied and regained all the
lost ground. Planting himself at the foot of the castle,
he began to batter it with five guns that had been cap-
tured in the outworks. On the 17th, Captain Southwell,
who commanded that day in the trenches, threw a
bomb which exploded the magazine, and blew up the
Prince of Caraccioli and many others. The garrison at
once surrendered ; and this gallant and most daring

o 2

196 CAPTURE OF BARCELONA.

enterprise was thus crowned with brilliant success.
Captain Southwell, with the approval of the Archduke
Charles, was appointed Governor of Monjuich.

As Lord Peterborough anticipated, this astonishing
feat of arms put fresh vigour into the besieging force.
Stanhope's brigade immediately began to open trenches
between Monjuich and Barcelona, and soon there were
four batteries opened on the west wall of the town. A
naval brigade was formed. Captain Fairfax received
the Monjuich prisoners on board the ' Torbay,' and sent
two of his eighteen pounders, with carriages and gear
and 260 shot, to the castle. They were dragged up by
Fairfax's sailors, while all his marines were in the
trenches. Eequisition after requisition reached him
for sending warlike stores of all kinds on shore. On
September 23 Captain Fairfax received orders from Sir
Strafford Fairborne to take command of the seven bomb
vessels, and to station them for the bombardment of
Barcelona. Between September 25 and October 1 he
sent 876 shells into the town, and the trenches were
rapidly advanced under cover of this tremendous fire.
A large breach was made in the wall. On October 4
the Viceroy Velasco offered to capitulate. Very honour-
able terms were granted to him, and on October 15,
1705, Charles made his solemn entry into Barcelona.

The fleet of Sir Cloudesley Shovel sailed for England
three days previously, very short both of stores and
provisions, for nearly everything had been given to the
troops. At Gibraltar the ' Torbay ' was ordered to
deliver up her long boat for the use of the garrison.

During this memorable siege of Barcelona, Eobert
Ftiirfax had worked excessively hard, and had indeed
overtasked his strength. He broke down, and was seri-
ously ill during the passage home. Reaching Spithead

COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF AT THE NORE. 197

on December 18 he was allowed to land and join his
wife and children in Searle Street, while the first Heu-
tenant took the ship round to Chatham, to be paid off.
He had now been serving as a post-captain for fifteen
j^ears, and he felt that his long and good service ought
to be recognised.

On January 6, 1706, Captain Fairfax addressed a
letter to Mr. Burchett, the Secretary of the Admiralty,
complaining that the ' Eoyal Katherine,' for which ship
he had applied, had been given to Lord Archibald
Hamilton, who was a year junior to him, and represent-
ing to the Lord High Admiral that it was not reasonable
that he should go to sea in a third-rate, when an officer
so much his junior commanded a second-rate. He also
wrote to Sir Cloudesley Shovel, who was then enjoying
a holiday at his house in Soho Square, requesting that,
in case Sir John Norris was otherwise provided for, Sir
Cloudesley would accept him as his first captain. He
received a favourable answer, and in the meanwhile
Prince George of Denmark, the Lord High Admiral,
made him some amends by appointing him to the ' Bar-
fleur,' a second-rate of 1,476 tons, carrying 640 men and
90 guns. He joined her at Chatham on March 7, 1706,
and two days afterwards he received still further proofs
of the value set upon his services by the council of the
Lord High Admiral. On the 9th a commission reached
him from Mr. Burchett, appointing him commander-in-
chief of Her Majesty's ships in the Thames and Medwaj^,
accompanied by a warrant empowering him to call
courts-martial. He discharged these duties during the
two following months, and in May was sent round to
Spithead to form part of the fleet which was ordered
on an important expedition under the command of Sir
Cloudesley Shovel.

198

CHAPTEE XrV.

COUNCILLOR TO THE LORD HIGH ADMIRAL.

QuEEX Anne's Ministers were induced, by the represen-
tations of the notorious Marquis de Guiscard, to fit out
an expedition on a large scale with the object of making
a descent on the coast of France. It was beheved that,
owing to the oppression of the nobles, to the heavy
taxation, and to sufferings caused by religious persecu-
tions, the people were ready to join an insurrection,
while the English troops might assist the Protestants to
regain their liberties forfeited by the revocation of the
edict of Nantes. Guiscard was recommended as a
proper person to contribute to the success of such an
enterprise, and he received a commission from the
Queen. The whole force was to consist of 10,000 men,
the command in chief being given to Lieutenant-General
Earl Rivers,-^ who had seen some service in Flanders.
The major-generals were the Earl of Essex, Lord Mor-
daunt. General Erie, and the Marquis de Guiscard.

' Biciiard Savage, Earl Elvers, and Viscoiant Savage of Eook Savage,
was the third Earl of that family. He was descended of an old Cheshire
family which had produced an Archbishop of York, and a knight, Sir John
Savage, who placed the crown on Henry of Eichm end's head after
Bosworth fight. Lord Eivers had no legitunate children, but he had, by
Lady Macclesfield, a son born m 1698, that Eichard Savage whose sad
story was told by Dr. Johnson. Lord Eivers died in 1712. A cousin,
who was a Eoman Catholic priest, succeeded, and when he died in 1728
the title becarae extinct.

EXPEDITION or LORD RIVERS. 199

The expedition was to be conducted by a fleet under
Sir Cloudesley Shovel, who hoisted his flag on board
the 'Britannia' at Portsmoutli, on July 18, 1706. A
Dutch squadron with a contingent of troops was to join
the English fleet at St. Helens.

Captain Fairfax had orders to receive Lord Eivers
and his suite on board the ' Barfleur,' with a barge and
crew of watermen, while a tender laden with luggage
was to keep company. On July 30 the code of
signals for disembarking troops, and making other
arrangements connected with the expedition, was sent
to the ships of the fleet by Sir John Norris, the flag-
captain, and all was in readiness for departure. But
the Dutch had not yet arrived. Sir Cloudesley Shovel
shifted his flag to the ' Association,' and on the same
day Lord Eivers embarked on board the ' Barfleur '
with his stafl". The captain had exerted himself to
secure the comfort of his guests, and they were very
well satisfied with their treatment.

But this carefully prepared expedition was doomed
to failure. The Dutch never arrived ; and on August 10
the fleet sailed from St. Helens without them. Con-
tinuous westerly gales caused further delay, and forced
the ships to remain in Tor Bay for several weeks. The
design of landing on the French coast was set aside,
and it was determined that the expedition should proceed
to Lisbon. Once more the fleet put to sea early in
October, and again encountered a gale of wind.

The ' Barfleur ' sprung a leak, and was not in a con-
dition to continue the voyage. Lord Eivers went on
board the ' Association ' with some diflSculty, for there
was a heavy sea, and he got a nasty fall in jumping
from the ' Barfleur ' into the yawl alongside. Fairfax
was then ordered to make the best of his way to

200 OLD GENERAL FAIRFAX.

Sjoithead, attended by tlie ' Tartar ' frigate and the
' Sorlings.' Eeaching Portsmouth on October 15, the
general's barge and luggage were transferred to
the ' Tartar,' and she made the best of her way after
the rest of the fleet.

The expedition remained some time in the Tagus,
and then proceeded to Alicante, where the troops were
landed and joined Lord Galway, soon afterwards
sharing in the misfortune which befell the British arms
at Almanza. Lord Elvers returned to England, and
Sir Cloudesley Shovel went, with his fleet, to assist the
Duke of Savoy in his attempt on Toulon.

The ' Barfleur ' proved to be quite unseaworthy, and
it was resolved that she should be laid up in ordinary ;
but the ship's company was ordered to be kept together,
to be turned over to another ship, while Fairfax ob-
tained ten days' leave of absence to visit his family in
London.

At this time he received a letter from his uncle.
General Fairfax, in L'eland, regretting the separation
from Lord Elvers. The general was the family link
which connected the present with the past. Thomas
Fairfax was born in J 633. He is mentioned in the last
letter ^ of his gallant father, Sir William Fairfax, who
intended to send him and his brother to the school at
Coxwold where their cousin Brian was also educated.
He is also mentioned in the letters of his sister. Lady
Lister, to her mother.^ Entering the army of the Lord
Protector when very young, he served in the West
Indian expedition which took the island of Jamaica.
After the revolution he was appointed colonel of the
4th Foot on the Irish establisliment by William III., on
November 6, 1694. He Avas then sixty years old. On

' September 7, 1644. See p. 2L » See pp. 28 and 30.

OLD GENERAL FAIRFAX. 201

June 11, 1696, he was gazetted a brigadier-general, and
Queen Anne promoted him to the rank of major-general,
and made him Governor of Limerick He, however,
lived chiefly at Dublin with his unmarried niece, Kate
Bladen, who had devoted herself to the care of her old
uncle. In 1704 he was seventy-three. There is a
portrait of him at Bilbrough — a half-length in breast-
plate, and a rich lace cravat, with a laughing,
humorous face peeping out of a huge flowing wig.^
The following is his letter on the accident to the
' Barfleur ' : —

Dublin, October 26th, 1706.

Deare Nephew, — I was just going to write to you when the
newes came that you were saild, but since I heare of your mis-
fortune of springing a leak, that you were forct to goe home
again. God be thankt you were safe at Spithead. Lord Rivers
and Major General Erie, I believe, were loath to part with you,
for they told me that they bad received a thousand civilities
from you, and desired I would give their thanks in a very
obligeing way, which I doe with all my harte, for they are
(especially Erie) my very good friends. Pray lett me heare
from you, and give my kind service to my neece and fire side,
and believe me to bee allways D. N. your affect unkle and humble
servant,

T. Fairfax.

My neece Kate gives her humble service to you and neece
Fairfax.

At this time also there were several letters from
Mr. Eeynolds, the prize agent, announcing the payment
of shares of prize money which had been years under
settlement. The unconscionably long delays in paying
prize money was a subject of bitter complaint down to
the time of Nelson. There were grateful letters, too,

' There is another portrait of him at Leeds Castle.

202 COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF AT SPITHEAD.

from Mr. Cayley and other fathers for acts of kindness
to their volunteer sons on board the ' Torbay ' and
' Barileur.'

On December 10, 1706, Captain Fairfax was ap-
pointed to another second-rate, the ' Albemarle,' of
1,376 tons and 90 guns, his ' Barfleur ' ship's company
being turned over to the new ship in Portsmouth
Harbour. By February 1707 she was ready to go to
Spithead, and on March 5 she went out. Captain
Fairfax received a commission, dated June 1707, to act
as commander-in-chief of Her Majesty's ships at Spithead
and Portsmouth. This was an important and respon-
sible post, showing the trust and confidence placed in
him by the Admiralty. His duties were to call and
preside at courts-martial, to bring forward and super-
intend the fitting-out of ships, to arrange many difficult
questions about manning them and seeing them got
ready for sea, and to correspond with the Admiralty.
In those days there was no Port Admiral, and the
resident Commissioner at the dockyard took the place
of the Admiral-Superintendent.

Prisoners coming home from foreign stations were
tried on board the ' Albemarle ' at Spithead. Captain
Fairfax presided at courts-martial on Captain Wilhams,
of the ' Experiment,' with his surgeon and lieutenant,
for plundering a sloop in the West Indies ; on the
master of the ' Gosport ' for breaking his leave ; on
Lieutenant Ward, of the ' Canterbury,' for beating and
abusing the master ; on Captain Temple, of the ' Advice,'
for still more extraordinary irregularities ; and several
more.

Captain Fairfax also had a great deal of corre-
spondence respecting patronage. Members of Parlia-
ment were always pushing the interests of their friends

COMMANDER-IN-CHTEF AT SPITHEAD. 203

at the Admiralty, and Mr. Burchett sent their letters to
be dealt with by the commander-in-chief at Spithead.
Mr. Walsh, M.P., was constantly importuning that one
Benjamin Eaton might be made a midshipman. He
was a young raw lad who had not very long before
been pressed into the 'Barfleur,'a barber by trade, who
was fit only to shave the ship's company. On this
application Captain Fairfax observed : ' I presume if the
gentleman had known this before he would not have
thought it a reasonable request.' Mr. Burchett himself
made a similar request in the case of a lad named Eice
Black. The reply was : ' I shall have regard to him
for your sake, but I have all along been overstocked
with petty officers.' As to another urgent application
in favour of one John Davenport, there was no such
man on the ship's books.

But the most important work was the filling up of
ships with men, and especially the collection of volun-
teers to serve in the West Indies, which was no easy
matter. In April Fairfax succeeded, by dint of perse-
verance, in manning the 'Severne' and 'Portland' with-
out pressing. In May he went on leave for ten days, as
his wife and children were starting for Yorkshire, Lord
Archibald Hamilton doing the work for him in his
absence. Captain Fairfax returned from leave in the
first week in June, and received the following letter
from his uncle in Dubhn : —

For Captain Robert Fairfax at Ms house in Searle Street near
the New Square at Lincoln's Inn in London.

Dublin, June 2d, 1707.

Dear Nephew, — I had the favor of yours by Captain Sanders
and give you my hearty thanks for your kind expressions in it,
and also for your token. At his arrival here we were plagued

204 SIK JOHN LEAKE.

with a Frencli Privateer which he was obliged to goe after and
had the good luck to take, and has brought her in, so that now
we shall find an opportunity to drink your good health and good
fortune, which I doe assure you no man wishes more than
myself. I am glad you left all well at home, and that my neece
is so well as to think of a Yorkshire journey. I am sorry for
our loss in Spain.' I hope we shall be even with them elsewhere.
Indeed the Dunkirkers was a bad business as Thom Nailor used
to call it. I hear Sir John Leake is to cruise in the Channel
so that I believe you are with him. G-od send you both good
luck which shall always be the prayer of my dear Nephew your
most affectionate uncle and humble servant,

T. Fairfax.

My niece ^ Kate gives you her very humble service. You
shall hear from me when I meet Captn Sanders.

Sir John Leake had been selected as the admiral to
succeed Sir Cloudesley Shovel, who was ordered home.
He was to collect a fleet during the autumn, and sail
for the Mediterranean early in 1708. Meanwhile he
took a holiday at his home at Bedington, in Surrey,
whence he wrote to Captain Fairfax on June 16. He
wished to have the ' Albemarle ' for his flagship, and
Fairfax would be glad to be relieved, as the time was
coming very near for him to receive his flag, and he
had much business in Yorkshire, where his affairs
urgently needed attention. Eobert Fairfax had always
been on excellent terms with Sir John Leake ever since
the time when he served with him in the operations
leading to the relief of Londonderry in 1689. The
Admiral urged his old friend to suit his own convenience
in leaving the ' Albemarle ; ' and it was agreed that
Stephen Martin, Sir John Leake's flag-captain, should

> The battle of Ahnanza in April 1707.

' Catherine, daughter of his sister Mrs. Bladen.

LAST SERVICE AFLOAT. 205

relieve Fairfax in August 1707. Admiral Leake came
down and hoisted his flag on September 11.^

The 'Albemarle' was Eobert Fairfax's last ship.
He had served in the navy for nearly twenty years, and
had acquired a high reputation for bravery, ability, and
decision. He was a thorough seaman, a good officer,
and an intelhgent administrator. His correspondence
shows that he set an example of kindness and consider-
ation for the men under his command, and of watchful
interest in the young volunteers who were placed under
his charge.

As soon as he was reheved by Captain Martin, he
joined his family in Searle Street, and a few days after-
wards they all made the journey to York together,
where they passed a month, August — September, 1707.
Steeton had fallen into a state of dilapidation, not having
been inhabited since the death of Wilham Fairfax, and
it was a question whether a new house should be built
at York, or Newton Kyme should be enlarged and re-
paired. Captain Fairfax had almost decided on the
latter alternative, when the melancholy news of the death
of his respected old admiral. Sir Cloudesley Shovel,
caused him to hurry up to London, to attend the
funeral. Before starting, he received the following
letter from his imcle : —

' After a very successful cruise in tlie Mediterranean in 1708, including
Stanhope's taking of Minorca, Sir John Leake returned home. In his
absence he had been elected M.P. for Eochester, and nominated one of the
Coimcil of the Lord High Admiral. But he only returned in October 1708,
a few days before Prince George's death. He went to sea again in command
of a fleet, and continued to serve afloat untU the Qvieen's death. George I.
unjustly deprived him of all his appointments, and he retired to Bedington,
where he died in 1720, aged sixty-four. He left his property to his flag-
captain, Stephen Martin, whose descendants took the name of Martin-
Leake. They had married sisters. Captain Martin's son, Stephen Martin-
Leake, Esq., Clarenceux King of Arms, published an excellent Life of
Sir John Leal;e in 17.50, which is referred to, with praise, by Macaulay.

206 SHIPWRECK OF SIR CLOUDESLEY SHOVEL.

Limerick, September 19th, 1707.

Dear Nephew,— Since my neece is gone to London before
you, I believe that you will not be very mucli behind, but, how-
ever, according to your commands I venture to leave a letter
for you at Tadcaster. Indeed I think you do better to build at
Newton than to meddle with an old rotten house at York. If
Sir John Leake goes in the Albemarle, you may have time to
look about you. Pray when you go to Gilling be pleased to
give my humble thanks to my Lord Fairfax and that I will doe
Mr. Eobinson all the service I can, but I am unfortunately out
of town and can do nothing but write, but I shall be about ten
dayes at Dublin and then I'll use my endeavour to do him all
the service I can, for one word is better than twenty letters,
and I know my Lord Inchiquin will do him all the service in
the world that lies in his power. I am mighty glad my niece
Hamond ' is peacably settled at Scarthingwell. You will have
a good neighbour of her. I hope to see you all in old Yorkshire
before I die. My kind service to my neece your spouse. I am
glad Tom ^ is so hopeful a boy, and so good a scoller and that
his sister' is well with her mother. Pray God bless you all,
and send I may see you once more which is very much desired
by your most aff'ecte unkle and humble servt,

T. Faiefax.

My neece Kate is very much yours.

After assisting in the unsuccessful attack on Toulon
by tlie Duke of Savoy, Sir Cloudesley Shovel was ordered
home with his fleet of twenty sail of vessels. He himself
was onboard the 'Association.' On October 23, 1707, he
came into soundings and brought the fleet to, with afresh
gale at south-south-west, but hazy weather. At 6 p.m. he
made sail again, and stood away under courses, believ-
ing, as it is supposed, that he saw the Lizard light. Soon
afterwards several ships made the signal of danger. The
Admiral struck on the rock called the 'Bishop and Clerks,'

' Daughter of his sister Mrs. Bladen.

^ Thomas Fairfax, born October 21, 1698.

^ Katherine (afterwards Mrs. Pawson), born June 7, 1702.

SHIPWRECK OF SIR CLOUDESLEY SHOVEL. 207

his lights disappeared, and in a few minutes there was
nothingoftheship tobe seen. Two otlier ships, the 'Eagle'
and 'Eomney,' were lost with all onboard, and Sir George
Byng's flagship was saved by that officer's presence of mind,
when the rocks were almost under her main chains.
This melancholy accident created great consternation
in England, for Sir Cloudesley Shovel was universally
respected, and was very popular. It Avas not only his
bravery and success in war, but his kindly nature and
open generous disposition that had won the hearts of
the people.

The Admiral's body was found buried in the sand,
near St. Mary's rocks, and was brought into Plymouth on
October 28, on board the ' Salisbury.' ^ It was conveyed
to London, and lay in state at his house in Soho Square.
The funeral took place in Westminster Abbey on
December 22, and was attended by Captain Fairfax and
many other naval officers. Sir Cloudesley was Eear-
Admiral of Great Britain, one of the Council of the Lord
High Admiral, Elder Brother of the Trinity House, and
Governor of Greenwich Hospital. He was in his fifty-
seventh year.'"^

The death of this great admiral caused vacancies
which entitled Robert Fairfax to flag rank. Sir John
Leake succeeded Sir Cloudesley as Admiral of the
Fleet, and Fairfax was first on the captains' list for pro-
motion. His long and good service was fully recog-
nised at the Admiralty, and Prince George of Denmark

' Commanded by Captain Hozier, afterwards the mifortunate Admiral
Hozier, whose ghost haunts the Spanish Main.

' He married the widow of Sir John Narborough, and became a second
father to his old captain's sons, both of whom were drowned with him.
Sir Cloudesley's own daughter married Lord Eomney, and he is thus the
ancestor of the Marsham family. The tomb of Sir Cloudesley Shovel, in
Westminster Abbey, is said to have been erected at the expense of Queen
Anne. Its bad taste is remarked upon by Addison (Spectator, No. 29).

208 , A PROFLIGATE JOB.

signed his commission as Vice-Admiral of the Blue ^ on
January 20, 1708. The promotion was gazetted, and
appeared in the 'PubUc K"ews Letters.' Fairfax Avas
ordered to attend and receive it on the following Satur-
day.

But it was cancelled by one of the most profligate
jobs on record. The Lord Treasurer ^ wrote to Mr.
Burchett on the Friday night, ordering him to substi-
tute the name of Lord Dursley. This was an outrage
on the Lord High Admiral, and an insult to the
Admiralty, as well as an act of unblushing injustice.

The officer who was thus favoured had no special
merit to recommend him. James Berkeley was born in
1681, and was barely ten years old when Fairfax became
a post-captain. At the age of twenty he was captain
of the ' Sorlings,' and three years afterwards he was
called to tlie Upper House, in his father's lifetime, as
Lord Dursley. He had seen service under Eooke and
Shovel, and had shown courage in action, but had not
distinguished himself in any way beyond his numerous
seniors on the list. When he was thrust into a better
man's place, over the heads of dozens of his seniors, he
was just twenty-seven years of age. Lord Hervey
described him as ' rough, proud, hard, and obstinate,
with good natural parts, but so uncultivated that he was
totally ignorant of every branch of knowledge but his
profession. He was haughty and tyrannical, but gallant
and observant of his word.' It may be added that he
was close-fisted ; ungenerous and litigious in all matters
relating to prize money, although enormously rich him-
self.^

' Robert Fairfax was next in post to Sir John Norris, who was the
Vice-Admiral of the White. ^ Lord Godolphin.

^ Hervey's Memoirs, I., p. 49. Lord Dursley only hoisted his flag
twice as adjniral. In 1710 he succeeded his father as Earl of Berkeley,

REx^R-ADMIRAL FAIRFAX. 209

There ave few instances of such gross jobbmg on
record in the navy as this promotion of Lord Dursley.
Captain Fairfax, of course, indignantly protested, and
even the stolid George of Denmark resented the insult to
his authority in his own very quiet way. He brought the
case of Fairfax before the Queen in Council, and obtained
for him the rank of rear-admiral. In order to mark
the injustice of his supersession. Prince George also
obtained an order for Admiral Fairfax to receive the
half-pay of the rank which Lord Dursley had unjustly
deprived him of, until he should be employed afloat.

Admiral Fairfax felt very indignant at the treatment
he had received ; and, in an audience with Prince
George, he respectfully declined to serve again unless
he was reinstated in the rank to which his seniority
and services entitled him. He then went down to
Yorkshire, and afterwards to Bath, with his invalid
cousin Lord Fairfax. He received the following letter
from his old uncle on the subject :—

Dublin, 3d of February, I7O7 (3),

Dear Nephew, — I was very sorry to have yours of tlie 2.'2d
of January because it gave me the news of your ill usage in the
navy, after having been in the Public News Letter all over
Great Britain and Ireland. I think 3'ou did very discreetly to
wait on the Prince and make your excuse of ri-ot serving any
longer, since you are uot allowed your seniority. I can .say ^o

and in 1714 brought George I. to England. In 1717 he became Pipst Lord
of the Admiralty, and while occupying that office he hoisted his flag on
board the ' Dorsetsliiie ' in 1718, and cruised for a fortnight in the Channel.
He was devoted to George I„ who hated his own son, and Horace Walpole
teUs us that Lord Berkeley proposed a scheme for kidnapping the Prince
of Wales and sending him to the plantations, where he would never be
heard of more. George I. was too humane to Usten to such an atrocious
proposal. On the accession of the Prince, as George II., Queen Carohne
found the proposal in her father-m-law's cabinet. So Lord Berkeley ^^-as
very naturally dismissed m 1727. He died in 1736.

1^10 LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY.

more of this matter — but patience. I hope to see you in the
spring. I thank God I am very well now, only the cold weather
pinches me, but I hope that will be over before I take my
journey. Pray my kind service to all your family. I am with
all my heart your truly affecte unkle and humble servant,

T. Fairfax.
Mr. Daring and I often drink your health.

Prince George of Denmark, as Lord High Admiral,
determined to mark his sense of the value of Admiral
Fairfax's services in the best way that was left to him.
In June 1708 he summoned the Admiral from Bath, and
appointed him a member of his Council. On June 3
Fairfax took the oaths of office before the Prince at
Windsor ; on Sunday, the 4th, he was admitted to an
audience with Queen Anne, and kissed her hand on
being appointed one of the Prince's Council ; and on
the 6th he took his place at the Board of Admiralty.

Eobert Fairfax, after twenty years of naval service,
had thus become a Lord of the Admiralty. The Prince
was in declining health, suffering much from asthma,
and took very little part in the business. The members
of the Council were : —

David, Earl of Wemyss,
Admiral George Churchill,
Richard Hill,
The Honble. Henry Paget,

Sir John Leake,
Sir James Wish art,
Admiral Eobert Fairfax,
Sec. : Josiah Burchett, M.P.

The Earl of Wemyss had been, in consequence of
the Union in 1707, appointed Lord High Admiral of
Scotland by the Queen, and in that capacity he had a
seat at the board. He had been a commissioner for
concluding the Treaty of Union. But Admiral George
Churchill, the Duke of Marlborough's younger brother.

HOME IX SEARLE STREET. 21]

was tlie leading member of the Board. He had served
in the navj^ during the reign of Charles II., and had
distinguished himself at the battle of La Hogue. He
had been member for St. Albans since 1685, and a
Lord of the Admiralty since 1699. Mr. Hill was a
civilian of long experience in naval administration.
Mr. Henry Paget ^ was member for Staffordshire, and
had been on the board since 1702, but was not a naval
man. Sir John Leake was absent in the Mediterranean.
Admirals Wishart and Fairfax were experienced naval
officers who had seen a great deal of service afloat, and,
with Admiral Churchill, were the most active and in-
fluential members.

Since 1695 the Admiralty had been at Walhngford
House. Here the board met, and here was Mr. Burchett's
office.^ The Xavy Board had its office in the city, in a
house in Seething Lane.'

Robert Fairfax's family had lived in a house in
Searle Street since the first year of his marriage, and
there is reason to think that the house had previously
belonged to his wife. Searle Street, leading from the
south-east corner of Lincoln's Inn Fields to Carey Street,
at the back of the new Law Courts, had then been re-
cently built, and consisted of very good houses. The
coffee-house in Searle Street was a well-known resort
of young barristers, mentioned by Addison in the ' Spec-
tator.' Admiral Fairfax's residence was on the west
side, at the corner of Cook's Court.* To the eastward

^ He was the eldest son of Lord Paget, whom he succeeded in 1713 ;
and was created Earl of Uxbridge in 1714 by George I,

^ Walhngford House was pulled down, and the present Admiralty was
built on the same site, between 1722 and 1725, and enlarged in 1785.
The screen with the dolphins was built by Robert Adams (one of the
Adelphi) m 1760.

' The Navy Board removed to Somerset House in 1780.

■* Now disappeared.

r 2

212 HOME I\ SEARLE STREET.

there Avas an open space, which had been, in ancient
times, the tilting ground of the Knights Templars.
Later it was known as Fichett's Croft, Searle's Court,^
and Little Lincoln's Inn Fields. Between 1691 and
1697 two rows of good houses were built round this
place, which was formed into a garden, and called
Lincoln's Inn New Square. The backs of one of these
rows formed the east side of Searle Street. Mr. Henry
Searle had bought all this land from the executors
of Sir John Birkenhead, the editor of the ' Mercurius
Aulicus;' and in 1690 Searle himself died, much in
debt, with all his estates mortgaged. So that the com-
mencement of building the street which bears his name
probably dates from a year or two after 1690.

In 1708 Searle Street was quite a new part of
London, with two large gardens in its near neighbour-
hood. The parish church was St. Clement Danes, in
the Strand, a handsome new church built in 1682 from
a design by Sir Christopher Wren, replacing a very
ancient one. The tower was not finished until 1719.
Here the Admiral's two children, Tom and Kate, were
baptized in 1698 and 1702. Their ages, in 1708, were
ten and six, the one a good scholar for his age, the
other bright and merry, but both rather delicate. A
picture was painted of the two Fairfax children in about
1708, stiiF httle creatures in grown-up clothes, playing
with a dog. The Admiral was also painted by Michael
Dahl, while he was one of the Prince's Council ; a half
length in powdered wig and crimson coat. A miniature
of him was painted at about the same time. He formed
several friendships among his legal neighbours in
Lincoln's Inn, among the most enduring being that

' The arms of Searle {per pale or and sable) axe painted on a shield
over the arehway leading from the square into Carey Street,

FRIENDS AT LINCOLN'S INN.

213

with Mr. John Cooke, the Prothonotary of Common
Pieas. During the summer there was a long visit from
his uncle, General Thomas Fairfax, and his cousin Kate.

The Admiral's daily walk during that summer of
1708 was from Searle Street, down the Strand, to the
Admiralty at Wallingford House. The war still con-
tinued, and the battle of Oudenarde was fought on

21-i WORK AT THE ADMIRALTY.

July 11. After a long siege, the town of Lille sur-
rendered in October, and the Duke of Marlborough,
with Prince Eugene, was fully occupied in the conduct
of their brilliant campaign. The war had to be main-
tained at sea as well as on shore, and the greatest
diligence was used in providing convoys for trading
ships, and in supplying the requirements of the fleet
under Sir John Leake. That gallant seaman, who was
himself a member of the Board at the time, gave lusti-e
to the period during which Admiral Fairfax held office.
Li August he took Cagliari, and reduced the whole
island of Sardinia to obedience to the Archduke
Charles. In the end of September he assisted General
Stanhope in the capture of Minorca. Sir Edward
"Whitaker, the hero of Gibraltar, succeeded Leake in
the Mediterranean command, and continued to maintain
the honour of the navy in that quarter. Li the West
Indies Commodore Wager, in the ' Expedition,' fought
a most gallant action with four Spanish treasure ships,
blew one up, and captured another rich prize, his own
share of which was 100,000Z. From all directions the
warlike operations of the navy brought eclat to the
administration.

Special attention was given by the Board of Admi-
ralty, in 1708, to the increase of cruisers, and to the
greater efficiency and more punctuality in the convoy
service. Since the battle of Malaga the French had not
ventured to send a fleet to sea. Instead of attempting
any important action, they had filled the seas with fast
sailing privateers, and there had been serious losses
among the Enghsh merchant ships. This had led to
loud complaints from the merchants touching the in-
efficient arrangements for convoying, and the want of
cruisers. There was a committee appointed by the

WORK AT THE ADMIRALTY. 215

House of Lords to take evidence in 1707, and an address
to the Queen, strongly condemning the Admiralty. The
defence was that, in spite of all losses, including those
during the Great Storm of 1703, the navy had been
increased by ten ships, that losses when convoys were
attacked by a superior force were unavoidable, that
175 enemy's privateers had been captured since 1702,
and 1,346 of the enemy's merchant ships, and that, in
short, England had inflicted more damage than she had
received. As regards men-of-war, the English had
captured fifty-six and destroyed twenty-four, of which
thirty-five were line-of-battle. The French had taken
thirty-three and destroyed two, only thirteen being line-
of-battle ships. This was the account from 1702 to
]707.

Although the authorities were able to make a toler-
ably good defence, the address of the House of Lords,
with the Queen's reply, certainly did good. In 1708 the
Admiralty made great exertions to increase the number
of cruisers in soundings, and enforced their orders re-
specting the punctual arrival of ships to convoy fleets
of merchant vessels at the appointed rendezvous. The
result was a marked diminution of the losses as compared
with previous years.

Another department needing reform, to which
Admiral Fairfax and his colleagues turned their atten-
tion, was that deahng with the supply of stores and pro-
visions. Here there was much waste and pecidation, the
ships were often ill supplied, and the health of the men
suffered. The evil was too gigantic to be grappled with
and overcome in so short a time. It went on — if not
increasing, certainly not diminishing — until the slumber-
ing ofiicials of a later generation were rudely awakened
by the mutiny at the Nore. The commissioners residing

216 DEATH OF PRINCE GEORGE.

at the dockyards, however, "were reminded of their
duties by strong memoranda, and exhorted to pay close
attention to the proceedings of victualling contractors
and pursers. One of these officials -was Mr. George St.
Lo, whose interesting correspondence while commissioner
at Plymouth is still preserved there. In 1708 he had
been transferred to Chatham, where he remained until
1714. He was a shrewd, energetic, and not over scru-
pulous official, with great experience, acquired not only
in English but also, while a prisoner, in French dock-
yards.

The Board of Admiralty was working with great
energy and usefulness, and was securing really good
results in some departments, when their labours were
checked by the death of Prince George of Denmark.
He had been in declining health for a long time, and
during the autumn he became rapidly worse. Closely
and affectionately waited upon by the Queen, who had
been a loving and attentive wife throughout her married
life of twenty-five years, the Prince breathed his last at
Kensington Palace on October 28, 1708. The funeral
took place at Westminster Abbey on November 13.
The Honourable the Council of His Eoyal Highness as
Lord High Admiral^ including Admiral Fairfax, had an
official place as mourners in the procession.

With the death of the Lord High Admiral the
powers of his Council expired. The Queen, assisted by
Mr. Burchett, carried on the work for about a month,
and in the end of November the Earl of Pembroke
became Lord High Admiral with a new Council.
Admiral Pairfax was not re-appointed, and in 1709 he
left the house in Searle Street, intending to pass the
rest of his hfe principally in Yorkshire.

In December 1709 a breach of faith was committed

CHANGE OF MINISTRY. 217

in depriving him of the rate of half-pay which had been
fixed, at the instance of Prince George, by the Queen in
Council. He made a strong protest against this breach
of faith in April 1710, and after several years he ob-
tained justice, at last receiving the proper rate of half-
pay until his death.

At the change of Ministry in 1710 he made a final
attempt to obtain employment, but without success.
The following letters were received from his old uncle
at Dublin, during the period of two years, from 1708
to 1710, Avhen Eobert Fairfax was still hoping to con-
tinue his naval career : —

DubHn, July 23d, 1709.

Dear Nephew, — I beg your pardon for not Avriting you an
answer of yours, but really I have been so ill since my landing
with, a diziness in my head that I could not write. I thank
God I am now better, but not so well as to go down to Limerick.

We had a reasonable passage over, and about Holyhead we
met a small privateer whom we chased, for my neece and I was
on board the man of war that attended the yacht. But the
rogue was so cunning that he clapt upon a wind and so outsaild
us, tho we made all the sad. we could. Sir William St. Quintin'
told me he had a letter from you. We are in great expectation
of news from Tournay which God send it be good, and so God
keep you and yours which shall alwaj s be the prayer of your
most loving uncle and humble servant,

T. Fairfax.

Dublin, Jan 3d, 1709 (10).

Dear ISTephew, — I had yours of the 13 xber, which was most
welcome to me, but was much troubled that amongst all these

' Grandson of Sir Henry St. Quintin, Bart., of Harpham, county York,
by Mary, daughter of H. Stapleton of "WigliOl ; and son of William St.
Quintin, by Elizabeth, daughter of Sii- William Strickland, Bart., of
Boynton. Sir William succeeded ins grandfather. He was Co mm issioner
of Customs and M.P. for Hull in the reigns of WiUiam III., A n ne, and
George I. ; Yice-Treasurer and Receiver-General of Ireland until his death
in 1723, unmarried, aged sixty-three.

218 LETTERS FROM GENERAL FAIRFAX.

alterations in tiie Admiralty' they should not think of honest
Eobin, who has served the crown so well and faithfully, but it
is not that that makes a man meritorious. I would fain know
if they allow you your half pay as a flag officer, and when you
are like to get it. I am very sorry to hear my neece your spouse
is so ill of her cofF. Pray give her my kind love and service,
and to honest Tom and Kate. I have not been well all this
winter, with a pain in my neck, but I hope when warm weather
comes in I shall be better. Pray let me hear from you as oft
as you can, and tho' there be little news stirring, I shall be
mighty glad to hear from my dear nephew at all times, for I
assure you I am ever D.N. your most affte uncle and humble
servant,

T. Fairfax.

Pray give my service to the honest Prothonitor and all our

friends near you.

Dublin, March 10th, 1709 (10).

Dear Nephew, — You may think it strange I have not
answered your letter all this while, and that I have been negligent
of my neece Spencer's affaire, but you will find by the enclosed
to the contrary. The Gentleman who the Coll . left his will with,
has writt to a friend of mine, who I desired to writt to him about
the matter (for I was not acquainted with him) and his answer was
what you'll find in the enclosed. He is a collector of the King's
Revenue and counted a very honest man. He says he will be in
Dublin the next month and bring all the papers with him, and
I shall give you further light into this matter. Pray when you
write to my niece Spencer,- give her my verj^ kind service, and
that I shall be very diligent in her business. My service to your
spouse and the barnes, I am with all my heart D.N. your most

affecte uncle and humble servant,

T. Fairfax.

I am so ill of the gout in the thumb that I cannot write.

' The new Board of Admiralty, appointed on November 8, 1709, con-
sisted of Admiral Russell, Earl of Orford, Sir John Leake, Sir George
Byng, Bub Dodington, and Paul Methuen.

'' Elizabeth Fairfax, sister of Admiral Robert Fairfax, married William
Spencer, Esq., of Bramlej' Grange, near Rotherham.

LETTERS FROil GENERAL FAIRFAX, 219

DubHn, April 2-2d, 1710.

Dear Nephew, — I had answered yours of the 3d instant con-
cerning my neece Spencer but that the gentleman is not yet
come to town though expected every day, and as soon as he
comes to town you shall hear from me, and I will be sure to
acquaint myself of all the Colld concern, but you have a copy
of the will already. I am sorry poor Thom is ill of an ague ;
for your comfort Dr. Worth tells me agues are this year nothing,
but Hy away immediately. Pray God bless him and his mother
and sister. My crick in my neck, tho' Phoebus begins to be
warm, is not yet gone but I hope it will. But I have got a
gouty thumb that make me write in pain as you may see. I
give you many thanks for your voluminous book but did not
expect it so fine. We have this day received brave news out of
i landers, & I hope we shall see ilonsieur sign the preliminaries.
CTod Almighty prosper our forces. Poor Kate has been very ill
but I hope now better. She gives her hearty service and to all
your family, and I hope you believe me for ever to be your
affectionate uncle and humble servant,

T. Fairfax.

Pray send me word how long you intend to stay in town,
that I may know how to write to you.

To Admiral Eohert Fairfax in Searle Street near the new S(^uare

at Lincoln's Inn in London.

August 6th, 1710.

Dear Nephew, — I had the favour of j-ours of the 6th of July,
but so ill of my right hand that I ^vas not able to write you an
answer as j'ou may see, but now am something better. My
neece would have writ to you for me but I was unwilling to
give that trouble till I was able to doe it myself. And now
(dear Nephew) that the times begin to alter, I hope there may
be some hopes for men to come in play again, in order to which,
if it were possible, I would have you see to get into the Parlia-
ment if you can. I am sure your estate qualifies you for it, and
men who have served the crown so long as you have I am sure
deserved it well, and that will be a good beginning to be doing.
You know how matters go in England and whether there will
be a dissolution, and so I can sav no more in this matter. God

220 LETTERS FROM GENERAL FAIRFAX.

direct you in all your undertakings, a word to the wise is enougli.
I believe we shall hear of Lord Galway ' coming into England,
but whether jMartin ^ comes with him or not I know not, for I
believe he may be with Lord Portmoore,' as he was with Lord
Galway, for no man knows the affairs of that country so well as
he nor the languages so well. I am very glad poor Thorn is so
well recovered as to go to school, but very sorry my neece is so
ill of her old companion. God I hope will send her a recovery.
My neece Kate has her old distemper of headache, but is pretty
well over and rides on horseback very often, and is your humble
servant. I hope this will find you att London that I may soon
hear from you. Pray give my kind service to my neece and her
fireside, and pray beleeve me allwayes D. N. your most affec-
tionate uncle and true humble servant,

T. Fairfax.

Pray my service to the honest Prothonotor Cook, when you
see him.

The change of Ministry in 1710 induced Admiral
Fairfax to try once more to get employment, by using
his uncle's interest with his kinsman, the accomplished
Duke of Buckinghamshire.

October 31st, 1710.
Dear Nephew, — Accoi-ding to your desire I send you the
enclosed to his Grace opend, that you may see what I write so
you may seal it with your own seal and put a cover over it, with
this superscription — For his Grace the Duke of Buckingham,
Lord Steward of the Household. Now if the Admiralty be not
fixt I hope this letter may doe you some good, which I wish
with all my hart, for I am unfeignedly, D. N., your very affect

uncle and humble servt,

T. Faiefax.

My kind love and service to my neece and her fireside ; my
neece gives the same to your spouse and fireside.

1 Henry de Buvigny, a French Protestant, and one of the generals of
William III., but less successful in Queen Anne's time in command of an
army in Spain. Created Earl of Galway 1697, died 1720.

2 Colonel Martin Bladen, his nephew.

' General David Colyear, created Earl of Portmore 1703, died 1730.
He was Governor of Gibraltar in 1706.

APPEAL TO THE DUKE OF BUCKIXGIIAMSIIIRE. 221

(Enclosure)

October 31st, 1710.

ily Lord Duke, — The honor I have of being one of your
Grace's relations, I think it my duty to condole at the great loss
your Grace has had of the Lord Marquis of Normanby. We
must all submit to the will of God who (I hope) will send your
Grace another. I desire my nephew Fairfax to give your Grace
this, and if the Admiralty be not quite fixt,' he will deserve your
Grace's favor in speaking to the Queen for him. He was one
of the Prince's Council, and knows as much of the Admiralty
as any man in England, having been bred at it most of his life.
I need say no more, but begg your Grace's trouble, and to assure
your Grace I am entirely your Grace's most obedient and most
humble servant,

T. Fairfax. 2

This letter was probably never presented. Robert
Fairfax made no further effort to obtain active employ-
ment afloat in that naval service which he had loved
so well, and to which he had devoted so many years of
his life. But he still hoped to be employed in one or
other of the civil departments.

' The Harley j\linistry of October 1710 could only find room for two
naval men in their Admu-alty, Sir John Leake and Sir George Byng. The
Board was made up of such jobbing civilians as Bub Dodington, Jack
Aislabie, Methuen, and Drake.

^ The grandmother of G-eneral T. Fairfax was Lady Frances Sheffield,
whose nephew, Edmund Sheffield, was second Earl of Mulgrave. The
only son of the second Earl (and therefore first cousin, once removed, of
General T. Fan-fax) was John Sheffield, third Earl, created Marquis of
Normanby in 1694, and Duke of Buckinghamshire in 1703. He fought
gallantly as a naval volunteer at the battle of Solebay, and as a soldier at
Tangiers. He was also a poet and a patron of literature. His cousin
quaintly condoles with his Grace at the loss of a Marquis of Normanby,
and hopes he may have some more. He had three, and when he died in
1721, was succeeded by the last, as second and last Duke. This young
Duke, whose mother was a sister of the Duke of Berwick, died childless in
1734, when serving with his uncle.

222

CHAPTER XV

SETTLED ON SHORE.

Admiral Fairfax was no sooner relieved from his ofScial
duties than he became immersed in family anxieties
and in the management of his estates. His sister Bessy-
had lost her husband, Mr. Spencer of Bramley Grange,
and their only child was left fatherless. Young William
Spencer became the ward of his uncle.

The Admiral's cousin and intimate friend Lord
Fairfax, with shattered fortune and broken health, was
another source of anxiety. Thomas Lord Fairfax was
born in 1657, and had succeeded his father in 1688.
Taking a leading part in Yorkshire on the side of the
Prince of Orange, he was made colonel of a regiment of
Horse Guards at the Eevolution, colonel of the King's
Own in 1693, and a brigadier-general in 1701. He was
member for Yorkshire from 1688 to 1707, and lived for
many years at Denton and in York in great splendour,
dispensing hospitality with a lavish hand. His income
was considerably increased by his marriage with Catha-
rine, the heiress of Thomas, Lord Culpepper, who
inherited Leeds Castle in Kent, and the proprietary
right over the Northern Neck in Virginia, together with
an estate of 300,000 acres in the Shenandoah Valley.
As the health of Lord Fairfax failed, so his pecuniary
embarrassments increased. In 1708 he w(?nt, with his
cousin Robert Fairfax as a companion, to drink the

WILL OF LORD FAIRFAX. 223

■waters at Bath, but derived no benefit. He died on
January 6, 1710, having made his will a week before.^
By his will Lord Fairfax left all his estates, and all
his property, both real and personal, to trustees, namely,
Sir John Bucknall, Admiral Eubert Fairfax, Brian
Fairfax the younger, and Euby Lake, of the Middle
Temple. They were empowered to sell the estates in
order to pay the debts, and to hold what remained of
the property, both real and personal, for the use of his
eldest son and his heirs for ever. The Queen had
granted to Lord Fairfax under the Great Seal, by in-
denture dated April 3, 1707, the interest or benefit
from certain wrecks. He left thirty of the shares in
these wrecks to Henry Hawker, in trust for the use of
his younger children, two shares to his sister Mary, two

' The fifth Lord Fairfax, by his wife Catharine Culpepper, had three
sons and four daughters.

(1) Thomas, sixth Lord Fairfax, was born at Denton in 1690. In 1745
he retired to his estates in Virginia, and built Green way Court, in Frederick
County. He died unmarried on March 12, 1782, aged ninety-two.

C2) Henry Culpepper Fairfax, a mathematician of some eminence at
Cambridge. He died at Leeds Castle, October 14, 1734.

(3) Robert, seventh Lord Fairfax, was born in 1707, M.P. for Maidstone
1743, major in the Life Guards. He died childless July 15, 1793.

(1) Margaret married the Rev. Dr. David WiUdns, Prebendary of
Canterbury. She died childless in 1755.

(2) Catharine died unmarried in 1716, aged twenty-one.

(3) Mary died unmarried in 1739, aged thirty-four.

(4) Frances married Deimy Martin, Esq., and had eight children : —
Edward Martin bom 1722, died unmaiTied 1775. John Martin, born
1724, died unmarried at Portsmouth 1746. Denny Martin, in Holy Orders ;
he inherited Leeds Castle in 1793, and took the name of Fairfax, selling
the Vir'nnian estates ; he died unmarried in 1800. Frances Martin, born
1727, died unmarried 1813. Sibylla Martin, born 1729, died unmarried
1816. Philip Martin succeeded his brother. Dr. Fairfax, at Leeds Castle
in 1800 ; general of Artillery ; died 1821, aged eighty-eight, leavmg Leeds
Castle to his only relation on his father's side, Fiennes Wykeham Martin,
who died in 1840, and was succeeded by his son Charles Wykeham Martin,
Esq., M.P. Thomas Brian Martin jomed his uncle in Vu-ginia, and died
there in 1798. Anne Susanna Martin died unmarried in 1817, aged
eightv-one.

224 WILL OF LORD FAIRFAX.

shares to the use of Brian Fairfax, one share to Eobert
Fairfax, and the rest of the shares for the use of his
eldest son and heir Thomas. Sir John Bucknall, Eobert
Fairfax, and Brian Fairfax were appointed executors,
and Eobert and Brian were named guardians of liis
eldest son during his minority.

Thus was another responsibility thrown upon Eobert
Fairfax. The young lord was only in his twentieth
year, and was an undergraduate at Oriel Collece,
Oxford. It was advisable that the necessary steps for
meeting the demands of creditors, and the difficult
questions connected with the sale or retention of the
Yorkshire estates, should be postponed until the young
Lord Fairfax came of age.

The old uncle was also failing fast at Dublin, affec-
tionately watched over to the last by his niece, Kate
Bladen. He died at Dublin on March 11, 1712, in
his eightieth year, and thus the last hnk in this family
with the glorious days of the Commonwealth and the
Protectorate passed away. The following are the last
letters the old warrior wrote to his nephew : —

Dear Nephew, — I have been so long lame of my thumb witli
the gout that I could not hold a pen, but being now something
better, I can tell you I had yours of the 8th of June from the
Bath 1708. Pray when you see my Lord Fairfax, your fellow
traveller, give him my humble service. I am very glad poor
Thorn has got rid of his ague and that my neece is better. I do
not wonder you have been ill-used in your affairs in the navy,
but I hope better things for the future, for matters look now
with a better face than formerly. I hope Lady Fairfax has
bowels enough to do good to her children. Pray let me hear
from you as oft as you can, for your letters are very comfortable
to D. N. your most truly affectionate uncle and humble servant,

T. Fairfax.

Sir Wm. St. Quintin is here, but told me he did not see
von, and also Mr. Strickland.

LETTERS FROM GENERAL FAIRFAX. 22i

Dublin, March 30th, 1711.

Dear Nephew, — I beg you a thousand pardons for not
answering j^ours of the lOfch instant, for what with the gout in
m}' right hand, and the colic in my stomach, I have been very
ill these three weeks. I am sorry your affairs go so slowly, but
you must not be a weary. I hope all things will go well with
you in the end. I assure you of the good wishes of all the
company I keep, and I hope when the Admiralty is once settled,
they will look upon good men that are fit to serve the Queen.
My neece has been very ill these ten days, but now pretty well
recovered and gives you and yours her hearty service. I am
sorry the good Prothonitor ' is said to be dead. Praj- give my
kind love to your good family and beleeve me I am ever D. N.
your most affte uncle and humble servant,

T. Fairfax.

I am not able to write any more.

Dear Cousin, — I am glad of an opportunity to thank you
and your lady for kindly remembering me, as also for the care
of my poor sister Hammond. Pray God deliver her out of her
troubles. I am in continual fear for her. I am glad she had
the pleasure to see your sisters. I beg my humble service to
my cousin and both your young folks and desire you will believB
me sincerely dear cousin your ever aflfte coz and most humble

servant.

Oath. Bladen.

For Admiral Fairfax in Searle Street neare Lincoln's Inn in

London.

Dublin, New Years Day, 5th Jan. 1711 (12).

Dear Nephew, — I have taken my Secretary's place out of
her hands though I assure you it is in much pain. My neece
Kate was glad of it, for she has her old distemper of headache.
Mr. Duncombe and I drank your health last night. He gives
you his kind service and will write to you and give you thanks

Mr. Cook, the Prothonotary of Common Pleas.

*

<i

226 YOUNG LORD FAIRFAX.

for all your kindness to him. I am glad our frost is oyer, for it
goes very hard with an old gentleman, but I hope the spring
will mend me. I am sorry gout and bread and butter do not
suit each other. I am glad your family is well, and that poor
Kate has got rid of her measles. If my affairs would not hinder
me, I should be glad as you to be with my deare nephew, for I
am and ever will be D. N. your most affectte unkle and humble
servant,

T. Faiefax.i

My kind love and respects to my niece and honest Thorn, to
give satisfaction give him my blessing. I have done more than
I thought to have done.

Young Lord Fairfax, the Admiral's -ward, continued
his Oxford education as an undergraduate at Oriel. He
suffered under the disadvantage of having a meddling,
managing mother who alienated him from his best
friends, and wrote to him most improperly of his dead
father : ' Your father hath destroyed all that can be for
you and me both,' is a specimen of the sort of sentences
that occur in her letters. The following letter from
Admiral Fairfax to his young ward has been pre-
served : —

Little Lincoln's Inn Fields, 16tli October, 1712.

My Lord, — I am not only concerned that I was unhappy in
not meeting you at Oxford, when I waited upon you there the
last year, but also when you did me the honour to call lately at
my house here, I being then in Yorkshire, where, I do assure
your Lordship, you have many friends and hearty well-wishers ;
amongst many of which I often drank your good health ; and I
am sure that none that has the honour of being related to your
Lordship has a more sincere affection and willingness to be
serviceable to you, whenever in my power than myself. I have
sometimes conferred with Sir John Bucknall, on matters relating
to the unhappy incumbrances attending your estates in York-

' Major-General Thomas Fairfax died in Dublin on March 11, 1712.

MR. TOPIIAM. 227

shire, and shall still b3 ready to do the same, in order to make
the matter as easy as your circumstances will permit.

My Lord, I was lately with your aunt, ilary Fairfax,' at
Denton, who told me she had writ to your Lordship, in the
behalf of 3Ir. William Topham,- who is now, and has been for
many years, curate and preaching minister at Bilbrough ; so I
need not trouble you with a repeated character of him, only
thus far I dare venture to say, that were my dear friend, your
father, living, he would have readily nominated him on the
death of ]Mr. Stretton, lately deceased who, during his life,
enjoyed half the benefice of BUbrough, and Mv. Topham the
other, the whole being but -tOL per annum, and given by your
great ancestor Lord Thomas the General ; and the presentation
is now descended to you. Wherefore I humbly request your
Lordship will please to appoint the said Mr. Topham, according
to the sum hereunder mentioned, the substance of which he
transmitted to me by last post. He has performed the cure
many years, is an honest man, well respected by your family,
and all his neighbours ; he is aged between 70 and 80 years, so
he cannot, by course of nature, long enjoy it. I shall be very
glad by a line to hear of your Lordship's health and welfare,

^ Youngest daughter of Henry, fourth Lord Fairfax, by Frances,
daughter of Sir Eobert Bai'wick of Toulstou. She was born at Toulston
in 1673, and died, unmarried, at York on September 2-1:, 1716. Admiral
Robert Fairfax and Henry Culpepper Fairfax were her executors. She
left 50L to her brother Barwick Fairfax, 101. to her niece Frances Carr
(Mrs. Pulleine), 501. to her nephew WiUiam Fairfax, who settled in
America, 50Z. to her sister Dorothy (Mrs. Sherard), oOl. to her sister Anne
(Mrs. Carr), 1001. to her sister Frances, who married Mr. Rymer, the
Rector of Xe-nion Kyme, 101. to Brian Fairfax, 101. to Admiral Robert
Fairfax, and 21. 10s. to Bernard Banks and his wife.

^ The great Lord Fairfax, by a codicil to his wUl dated November 11,
1671, left the tithes of Bilbrough to his domestic chaplain, Mr. Richard
Stretton, provided that he supplied the office of a preaching minister there,
or procured one to do it. On Mr. Stretton's death the tithes were left to
Lord Fairfax's heLrs in trust for the use of a preaching min ister to be
nominated by them. Mr. Stretton nominated the Rev. WiUiam Topham
as preaching minister of Bilbrough, who also officiated at Steeton Chapel,
and was chaplain to Mrs, Fairfax of Newton Kyme, the Admiral's mother.
Mr. Stretton died in London on July 3, 1712, aged eighty. Mr. Topham
was then between seventy and eighty. Mr. Topham survived until 1720,
when he must have been in extreme old age.

a 2

228 AVENUE AT NEWTON KY^ME.

which I shall ever wish, because ■ I am always, my Lord, your
Lordship's most faithful and affectionate humble servant,

Robert Fairfax.

If your Lordship please to send the undermentioned signed,
and enclosed to me, I'll take care to transmit the same to the
parson.

Be it known mito all men by these presents that I Thomas Lord
Fairfax, Baron of Cameron, do nominate William Toyham,
Master of Arts, and Curate of Bilhrough, in the Ainsty of the
city of York to be preaching minister there, and to receive
all the tithes given to a preaching minister at the said place.
Given under my hand the day and year above mritten.

My Lord, — Give me leave to acquaint your Lordship that in
your Father's lifetime he was pleased to direct Mr. Bankes, at
Denton, that I should have a quantity of lime trees of his Lord-
ship's sowing there, to set an avenue to my house in Yorkshire ;
but my agent not removing them before your father died, I
would not meddle with them since. As they now stand they
will be quite spoiled, if some be not removed. So if your Lord-
ship please to signify your consent, I'll cause them to be taken
up without damage, but with advantage to the rest.

These lime trees form the very fine old avenue at
Newton Kyme, consisting of two double rows, from
the road, across the park, to the house, for Eobert
Fairfax had now quite decided upon making Newton
Kyme his principal residence. The decision was to be
regretted, for Steeton was the ancient seat of the family,
but it was very natural. All the happiest associations
of his childhood and youth were connected with Newton
Kyme. Here he had hved with his mother, and played
with his brother and sisters. To this place all his
thoughts turned when he was far away during the
first years of his sea life. Here he passed his holidays

DESEKTIOX OF STEETON. 229

during the brief intervals on shore. The place was
hallowed to him by recollections of his mother, whom
lie liad loved so dearly ; for the Uttle house at Newton
was her home for nearly forty years, and she was
very fond of it. On the other hand, Steeton had no
such pleasant associations. During his youth the place
belonged to his grandmother, and there she lived in
great state. His formal visits to Steeton as a boy do
not appear to have been looked forward to with pleasure,
and old Lady Fairfax was regarded with awe rather
than with affection. Afterwards, the deaths of Wilham
Fairfax and of his wife and children at Steeton, in
rapid succession, was another reason for disliking the
place; and now, in 1712, it had been uninhabited for
many years.

Steeton ceased to be the residence of the family.
The wings were pulled down, the old chapel was
abandoned and desecrated,^ and what remained of the
mansion was turned into a farmhouse. The family
pictures ^ were eventually removed to Kewton Kyme,
as well as the fine old tapestry, the oak panelling, and
some of the carved stones, and stained glass from the
chapel windows.

The avenue was planted at Xewton Kyme in 1712,
and is now 173 years old. Originally the drive from
the Tadcaster road was through some very finely
wrought-iron gates, down the avenue to the house.
The little ivy-covered church was a few yards to the

> Finally pulled down in 1873.

^ Lady Fairfax (Alice Curwen) , who lived in the time of Queen EHzabeth ;
Sir WiUiam Fairfax ; his two sons WiUiam Fairfax and General Thomas
Fairfax ; and William's son William, five pictures. They are mentioned
in the wiU of the last William Fairfax as heirlooms, and are now at
Bilbrough, except the large picture of Sh WiUiam Fan-fax, which is at the
York Exhibition.

230 BUILDING OF NEWTON KYME.

east, with the door from the Fairfax pew opening into
tlie garden. The manor honse in wliich the Admiral's
motlier hved is described as having been very small.
A new and larger house was to be buUt, but only by
degrees. It was to be paid for out of income, and was
not to be finished for some years. ^ Meanwhile the
Admiral and his family Hved in the house in Micklegate,
at York. Besides his wife and two children, the family
circle included his two unmarried sisters, Frank and
Thea, and very often his young orphan nephew, William
Spencer, with his mother.

Being deprived of active employment in his pro-
fession, Robert Fairfax turned his attention to local
politics and to the duties of his position. After having
led a life of constant employment and activity for so
many years, he could not remain idle. This, no doubt,
accounts for his preference for a town hfe, where there
was more of that stir and excitement to which he had
been accustomed in the navy. He retained his town
house in Searle Street, and generally hved in Mickle-
gate when he was in Yorkshire. He contemplated
taking his old uncle's advice, and standing for the city
of York at the next general election.

' Eobert Fairfax of Steeton, Esq., hath btiilt a pleasant seat at Newton
near Tadcaster, and given communion plate to the church there. —
Thoresby's Ducat. Lead. App., p. 119.

231

CHAPTER XYI.

YORK IX THE DAYS OF QUEEX AXNE.

Egbert Fairfax came among neighbours to whom his
name was very well known when he fixed his residence
in the city of York. When his ancestor Sir William
Fairfax married Isabella Thwaites, the heiress of the
Lardners, in the sixteenth century, he inherited the
estates of Bishop Hill and Davy Hall within the walls,
and from that time the Lords Fairfax often made their
residence in York. During the siege of 1644 the
authority of Sir Thomas Fairfax prevented any gun
from being pointed at the minster. When St. Mary's
Tower, containing the records, was blown up. Colonel
Charles Fairfax offered rewards to the soldiers who
saved any of the documents, and he himself, after
dUigent search, rescued the rhyming charter of King
Athelstan, granted to St. John of Beverley. Henry
Lord Fairfax restored to the Minster the famous horn
of Ulphus which had been lost during the siege.
The husband of Fiances Fairfax, Sir Thomas Widdring-
ton, who was Eecorder of York, was the author of the
first history of the city. Brian Fairfax had long
resided at Bishop Hill, and made it a place of resort for
local antiquaries and men of letters. For many years
Thomas, the fifth Lord Fairfax, had dispensed lavish
hospitahty in his house at Castle Hill, and the benefac-

232 YORK RACES.

tions of tlie family had been liberal and numerous.
When the Admiral established his home in Micklegate,
his name alone was enough to remind the citizens of
York of all that his family had done for them and
their predecessors during several centuries. He received
a hearty welcome.

In the days of Queen Anne York was, in reality,
the second city of the kingdom. It was the residence
not only of wealthy citizens, but, during part of the
year, of the neighbouring nobility and gentry. Twice
a year the assizes filled the city, and there were also the
recently established annual races on Clifford Ings. These
race gatherings had commenced in 1709, and in 1713 the
race for the King's cup was inaugurated, afterwards
changed to 100 guineas. The Fairfax family had taken
a leaf] in Yorkshire as breeders of horses at Denton
and Nunappleton, and Brian Fairfax was learned in the
pedigrees and capabilities of racers. But it was Sir John
Eamsden of Byrom who won the first cup. The city
derived great benefit from these gatherings, and the
people enjoyed the new amusement thoroughly. A
very comely crowd assembled on Clifford Ings.^ Drake
assures us that in those days as now, ' the people were
very well made and proportioned, the women remark-
ably handsome, it being taken notice of by strangers
that they observe more pretty faces in York than in
any other place.'

The successful trading of industrious citizens led
to the embellishment of several streets with handsome
houses. Mr. Davies ^ refers to the buildings erected by

' The racecourse was removed to Knavesmire, under the auspices of
the Marquis of Rockingham. The Grand Stand was built there by Carr
in 1754.

^ History of the Yorlc Press.

ALDEUMEN OF YORK. 233

Alderman Eedman in Aldwark, at this period, as good
examj)les of domestic street arcliitecture. One of the
most influential families was that of the Thompsons ;
and Alderman Henry Thompson ^ had recently built a
fine house at Castle Hill, and constructed a carriage road
thence to his country seat at Escrick. A still more
powerful family in the constituency and in the city
council was that of the Eobinsons. They had amassed
great wealth, and had bought a country seat at Newby.
The representative of this family was Sir William
Eobinson,^ who had been created a baronet, had served
the office of Lord Mayor, and had been member for
the city since 1697. By marrying the daughter of Mr.
Aislabie, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, of South
Sea scheme notoriety, his descendants acquired the
estate of Studley Eoyal. His town residence at York
was at the upper end of Blake Street, afterwards in-
habited by Dr. Burton, the antiquary, and author of
' Monasticon Eboracense.' Scarcely less influential was
Mr. Benson, whose wealth enabled him to build a man-
sion in Bramham Park,^ and whose ability secured for
him the post of Chancellor of the Exchequer in the re-
actionary government of Harley and Bolingbroke.

The families owing their positions to the trade of
York did not, in those days, forget nor despise their
origin. Their handsome houses in town were as much
frequented by them as their country seats ; and this
continued residence among their neighbours created an
agreeable society, and gave increased life and movement
to the old city. Society received additional importance

•* Ancestor of Lord Wenlock.
' Ancestor of the Marquis of Eipon.

" The predecessor, but not the ancestor, of Mr. G. Lane Fox of Bram-
ham.

234 ARCHBISHOP SHARP.

by the proximity of the residence of the Archbishop,
and by the further infusion of a clerical element from
the Minster Yard.

Dr. John Sharp was Archbishop of York when the
Fairfaxes came to live in Micklegate. The son of a
successful tradesman at Bradford, he was born in 1664,
took his degree at Cambridge, and became a leading
preacher in London. He temperately, but firmly, op-
posed the proceedings of James II., and was rewarded,
on the death of Dr. Lamplugh in 1691, with the See of
York. Dr. Sharp was one of the most excellent of the
Protestant Archbishops. He gave unremitting attention
to his duties ; he only promoted the clergy of his own
diocese, and always for reasons connected with their
fitness, and was alike gentle and fearless. He was a
friend of literature and literary men, and had himself
collected a cabinet of coins. At Bishopthorpe he
planted and laid out the garden, and especially devoted
his care to what he called his ' Temple of Praise.' It
was a grass walk hedged on each side with yews so
thick and high as to completely shade the walk, except
at noon. On one side of it there was a small maze
growing considerably higher. The entrance to it, at
each end, was through arches made in a lime hedge,
the view through the arches being bounded by a hedge
of hornbeam at one end and a fruit wall at the other.
In this retreat, with nothing to be seen but verdure and
the open sky above, the Archbishop spent many happy
hours, especially in the last years of his life. He lived
to the age of seventy, and died at Bath in 1714.

The deanery of York had been occupied, until 1702,
l)y the learned Dr. Gale, whose immense erudition had
been devoted to the work of elucidating the ecclesiastical
history of the city and minster. His large acquaintance

DR. MARTIN LISTER AND HIS CLUB. 235

with literary men, and his high reputation as a scholar
and antiquary, attracted men of similar tastes to the
northern capital, and tended to raise the tone of its
society. Dr. Gale was succeeded at the deanery by
the Hon. and Eev. Henry Finch, son of the Earl of
Nottingham, a liberal-minded and hospitable dignitary.
His brother Edward, the Eector of Wigan, and a Pre-
bendary of York, lived with the dean for a great part
of the year.

Dr. Gale had taken a leading place in the literary
society of York, and he was surrounded by cultivated
and intellectual companions. Ralph Thoresby, of Leeds,
one of' the most accurate and indefatigable among the
antiquaries of those days, often paid visits to York.
From 1670 to 1683 the learned Dr. Martin Lister resided
in the city, writing and publishing some of his earlier
scientific works there. Mr. Davies says that ' he was
induced to settle at York owing to his family connection
with the Fairfaxes, who were highly influential persons
in that city and neighbourhood.' ^ He gathered around
him a club of virtuosi. Among them John Lambert,
the son of Cromwell's general, was an excellent ama-
teur portrait painter. Some of his pictures, displaying
considerable merit, are at Lord Eibblesdale's seat at
Gisburne. Thomas Kirke was an ingenious and careful
student of antiquities. WiUiam Lodge, a relation of
Thoresby, was an engraver and draughtsman as well as
a traveller and hnguist. Francis Place was a designer
and engraver who did numerous etchings of shells and
insects for Dr. Lister's books, and drew some of the
views for the great works of Drake and Thoresby. His
portraits in crayons were admired, and his mezzotints
are considered to possess extraordinary merit. He used

' Yorlcshire Arch, and Top. Journal, II., p. 297.

236 ART A^'D SCIENCE AT YORK.

to make long sketching excursions witli his friend Lodge.
Some of tlie members of Dr. Lister's club survived
until long after he left York. Place, who lived in the
old manor house, v^rhich in those days was divided into
several tenements, died in 1728, at the age of eighty-
one. At one time he set up a manufactory of a superior
kind of earthenware in the manor house. Henry Gyles
was an eminent glass painter at York, whose work was
admired before the art of staining was revived. He died
in 1700, but he is said to have estabhshed a school of
glass painters at York which maintained a reputation
for nearly a century.^ The architectural embellishment
of York was making progress, owing to the increasing
wealth of the citizens, and the leading master builder
was Mr. Etty, a name which again became famous in
our own time.^

The leading physician of York was Dr. Clifton
Wintringhara, who had graduated at Cambridge, and
practised for thirty years, from 1712 to 1742. He
built a handsome house in Lendal, on the site of the
church and churchyard of St. Wilfrid. It stood ahttle
back from the street, with trees planted before it, and
has the mask of ^sculapius over the entrance. It is
now used as a lodging for the judges.

The tone given to York society by Dean Gale and
Dr. Martin Lister left its effect on a succeeding generation
after they had passed away ; a generation of which the
Dean's accomplished sons, Eoger and Samuel Gale, were
ornaments. The hterary tastes of a portion of the
upper classes thus encouraged the establishment of
printers and booksellers.

1 Drake (p. 330) says that his art died with him, but the survival of a
school established by him is attested in Redgrave's Dictionartj of Artists.

^ WOliam Etty, the eminent artist, was born at York in 1787, and
died in 1849.

PEIXTERS AT YORK. 237

John AVhite settled in York in 1680, married the
heiress of his predecessor, and set up his printing office
opposite the Star in Stonegate. He printed the earher
works of Dr. Martin Lister, and he had the courage to
publish the manifesto of the Prince of Orange in
November 1688, when it had been refused by all the
printers in London. For this service AVilliam and Mary-
appointed him their Majesties' printer for York. He
died in 1715, and his widow, Grace White, carried on
the business, bringing out the first newspaper ever
published in the city in 1719, called the ' York
Mercury.' Dying in 1721 she was succeeded by her
husband's grandson, Charles Bourne.

It was in 1714, the year before his death, that old
Mr. "White engaged the services of an Irish assistant,
who had been recommended to him from London.
This was Thomas Gent, then just beginning his career.
The young fellow walked most of the way from London,
and at about noon one day he knocked at Mr. White's
door in Stonegate. It was opened by a very pretty girl.
This was Alice Guy, Mrs. White's head hand-maiden,
with whom the susceptible young Irishman fell despe-
rately in love. She ushered him into a room where
Mrs. AYhite lay ill in bed, and the old printer was at
his dinner by the fireside. He was sitting in a noble
arm-chair, with a good large pie before him, of which
he made the young journeyman partake heartily.
Gent had a guinea in his shoe lining, which he pulled
out to ease his foot ; and Mr. White pleasantly said it
was more than he had ever seen a journeyman earn
before. Pretty Alice Guy was courted both by the
printer's grandson, Charles Bourne, and by his journey-
man. But after a year or two it became known that
Gent had broken his apprenticeship at Dublin. He

238 BOOKSELLERS AT YORK.

was dismissed and returned to London. The coast was
thus clear for young Bourne, and on the death of Mi's.
White he succeeded to the business and married liis
beloved Ahce. They hved happily together for three
years, when Bourne died, leaving all he possessed to his
wife.

Gent was thunderstruck when he heard that his
sweetheart was married to his rival. For a lono- time
he was in despair, but as soon as the news reached him
of Bourne's death, he got into the coach, posted olT to
York, married the widow, and succeeded to the business
in Coffee Yard. ' Here,' he tells us, ' their useful art, to
which the sons of learning are infinitely obliged, is per-
formed after a neat manner.' Gent was a poet and an
author as well as a printer, and he published some very
quaint topographical works of his own.^

The leading bookseller in York was Francis Hild-
yard. His father was a major of Horse in the Royahst
army, and belonged to the Ottringham branch of the
very ancient family of the Holderness Hildyards. He
was in fact a second cousin of that valorous Sir Robert
Hildyard of Winestead who was made a knight banneret
for his prowess on Marston Moor. The son Francis
began business in York, as a bookseller and publisher,
before 1685, for in that year he published his first sale
list. He was an upright and enterprising man, with
literary tastes, and his industry and good judgment
were rewarded with success. His shop was in Stone -
gate, at the sign of the ' Golden Bible,' and there he died
in 1731.2

' Towards the end of his life Gent sunk into poverty. He died, at the
great age of eighty-seven, in 1778.

^ His son John Hildyard carried on the business until his death in
1757. He was succeeded by John Hinxman, at whose death in 1763 the
shop was taken by John Todd and Henry Sotheran. Then* partnership

BUILDINGS AT YORK. 239

The citizens of York lived over their shops comfort-
ably and well, generally dining, like old Mr. White the
printer, at noon. Victuals were cheap in those days,
and comparatively plentiful ; a Scotch bullock 4/. 45.,
a carcass of mutton 1^. 10s., a lamb Is., a hog 21. 10s.,
a fat goose 2s., a fowl lOd., a gallon of ale 2s. The
people were well to do, and had time to amuse them-
selves occasionally, to take an interest in pohtics, and
to become strongly excited at election time.

The main outlines of the city, with its old wall and
bars, all the churches, and the glorious Minster towering
above them, the Guildhall, and the manor house and
ruins of St. Mary's Abbey — all these are the same.
But of course nearly all the houses have been rebuilt,
only a very few surviving from Queen Anne's time. The
Mansion House was not built until 1726, the Assembly
Rooms in Blake Street rather later. The principal
alteration is in the bridge over the Ouse. In the early
part of the last century the old bridge was standing,
with its great central arch 17 yards high by 27 wide, and
the two smaller arches on each side, which were built
in the days of Queen Elizabeth. On this bridge was
erected the chapel of St. Wilham, long disused and
desecrated, and the Council Chamber of the city, where
the Sheriff's Court was also held. Underneath it was
the prison called Kidcote. Beyond the bridge, Mickle-
gate led up to the Bar and the great north road to
London by Tadcaster. It contained several good
houses, besides that of Admiral Fairfax, and the ' Falcon '

continued until 1774, when Todd was left in sole possession. He died in
1811, and was succeeded by his sons John and George Todd. John sur-
vived George and hved until 1837, when Bobert Sunter succeeded him.
AH this information respecting the printers and booksellers of York is
from Mr. Davies' admirable and most interesting History of the Press of
Yorlc.

240 THE MANSION AT BISHOP HILL. ,

inn, where parcels were left for him. The three
principal inns were the ' Black Swan,' the ' George,'
and the ' Three Crowns,' all in Coney Street.

The old mansion of the Fairfaxes in Bisliop Hill, to
the east of Micklegate, extended from the street of
Bishop Hill to Skeldergate, running along the river bank.
The great Lord Fairfax left it to his son-in-law, the
Duke of Buckingham, who enlarged it almost to the
dimensions of a palace, and in the heyday of his ex-
travagance it was often the scene of brilliant festivities.
George Aislaby, whose house was in the Minster Yard,
lost his life in consequence of a quarrel arising at one
of the balls given by the Duke, Thinking that Miss
Mallory was staying too late, he played a trick upon her
by shutting the gates. For this act of disrespect to a
lady he was challenged to fight a duel by Mr. Jennings,
and was killed. The late Mr. Gray remembered the
gates which shut in Miss Mallory ; they were removed
about sixty years ago. In the time of Queen Anne,
the palace of the Duke of Buckingham was fast falling
into ruin. It was the object of a Chancery suit between
branches of the Fairfax family and Lady Betty Windsor,
to whom the Duchess had bequeathed her rights.

The estate of Bishop Hill eventually came to the son
of Admiral Fairfax, who established a good title, and
bought off Lady Betty ^ for 200/. But meanwhile the

' Lady Betty was the daughter of the first Earl of Plymouth, by
Ursula, daughter of Sir Thomas Widdrington and Prances Fairfax. She
was, therefore, a cousin of the great Lord Fairfax's heiress, the Duchess
of Buckingham. She attended the Duchess in her last Olness, who left
her everything. But everything consisted only of disputed titles and
debts. Lady Betty Windsor afterwards raarried Sir Francis Dashwood
(his fourth wife), but died childless. There was a long correspondence,
between the Hon. Dixey Windsor, her brother, and the Admiral's son
Thomas, in 1729 and 1730, respecting Lady Betty's claim to Bishop HiU,
ivhich ended in a compromise. She gave up her claim for 200Z., after long

THE HOUSE IN MICKLEGATE. 241

buildings remained in a ruinous state, and the large
gardens were neglected. At Micklegate the Admiral's
house was conveniently situated, both with regard to
business in the city and to visits to his property at
Steeton and ISTewton Kyme, and here he prepared to
contest the York election for 1713.

holding out for 400Z. Dixey Windsor, born in 1672, was a Fellow of
Trinity College, Cambridge, and for many years member for the University.
He died childless in 1743.

242

CHAPTEE XVII.

CONTESTED ELECTIONS AT TORE.

With the spring of 1713 came the news of the peace of
Utrecht, negotiated by the Tory Government of Queen
Anne, in which Eobert Benson, one of the members for
York, was Chancellor of the Exchequer. The peace had
been made by England at the price of all the objects
of the war, and of a shameful desertion of her allies.
Deepest shame of all, the people of Catalonia had been
abandoned to the vengeance of Philip V. Against this
the Duke of Buckingham, Admiral Fairfax's kinsman,
protested, although he himself held ofSce in the Tory
ministry. The peace was proclaimed on May 4, 1713,
exactly eleven years after the breaking out of war. The
great questions which agitated the country when Parlia-
ment was dissolved in the following August were the
terms of the recent disgraceful peace, the security of the
Protestant succession, and the exclusive predominance
of the Estabhshed Church. The dissolution was imme-
diately followed by the issue of writs for a new Parlia-
ment. In those days a majority was generally secured
by the party in power. The members for York were
Sir William Eobinson and Mr. Eobert Benson, the Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer. The former had a very safe
seat. He had been member for the city since 1697, had

CANDIDATUEE OF sm. JENKYNS. 243

served the office of Lord Mayor in 1700, and he com-
manded the votes of more than half the constituency. In
politics he was a trimmer. Robert Benson had sat in
the two previous Parhaments for York, and had been in
office since June 1711.

Mr. Benson was created a peer, with the title of
Lord Bingley, in July 1713,^ and a vacancy was thus
created in the representation of York. Admiral Fairfax,
at the invitation of a numerous body of friends, headed
by Alderman Redman and Mr. Hildyard the bookseller,
determined to stand. The canvass was an extensive
one, as all freemen of the city had votes, and many lived
at Leeds, and even more distant places. His opponent
was first in the field. He was Mr. Tobias Jenkyns, Lord
Bingley's uncle ; and the new peer was at work, can-
vassing for his relation, within a few days of his own
creation. The following is his letter to Mr. Askham of
Thursday Market, who, however, gave liis vote and
interest, including Lord Bingley's letter, to Admiral
Fairfax.

ilr. Askliam, — As soon as it was publick I was not to offer
my service to the city, I desired Mr. Wickliam to write to you
for to let you know Mr. Jenkyns would be a candidate, the
nearness of my relation makes me very solicitous for his
success, and I should take it kindly if you would let him
have the advantage of your friendship, it was very useful to
me and I hope you are satisfied I did my endeavours to shew I
was sensible of it, and I do assure you I am still your assured
friend, Bingley.

' He died in 1730, leaving Bramham Park (which was his creation),
100,000?., and an estate of 7,0002. a year, to his only ohUd Harriot Benson.
In 1731 she married George Fox Lane, who was created Lord Bingley in
1762, and died in 1772, his only son having died before him childless. He
left Bramham to his nephew, whose grandson, George Lane Fox, Esq., is
the present possessor.

244 CAXVASSIXa AT LEEDS.

The canvassing went on briskly all through August,
and the excitement kept on increasing as the nomina-
tion day approached. Mr. Jenkyns had the support of
the Bensons, Thompsons, Agars, and Mr. Darcy Preston ; ^
but Sir William Eobinson stood aloof from both the other
candidates. The chief supporters of Admiral Fairfax,
in York, were the Dean, Alderman Perrott, Alderman
Eedman, Mr. Lund the Seal-keeper, Mr. Hildyard the
bookseller, Mr. Askliam, and Mr. Hardwick, a leading
solicitor. Towards the end of August the Admiral went
to Leeds to canvass the York freemen there. He had
good friends at Leeds in the loyal Alderman Milner,''^
who had just set up a fine statue of Queen Anne in a
niche of the Town Hall, at his own expense ; in Ealph
Thoresby, the learned antiquary, whose father had
fought under Lord Fairfax ; and in Mr. Cookson, the
Mayor. The Admiral's cousin, Dr. Barwick Fairfax,^
also came down from London to help. Accompanied
by Mr. Thoresby he addressed several of the freemen
of York, and there were hearty promises of support.

' Afterwards Town Clerk. He was son of the organist of York
Minster, by Elizabeth, daughter of Darcy Conyers of Holtby. Mr. Daroy
Preston bought the estate of Askham Bryan near York, and died in 1749.
Hi8 son, the Eev. John Preston, was Eector of Marston and Prebendary of
York, and his grandson was Admiral Daroy Preston.

^ Alderman Milner was the purchaser of Nunappleton in 1711, the old
Fairfax property, sold by creditors of the Duke of Buckingham. He is
aUke the ancestor of Sir Frederick Mibaer, Bart., and of Guy Fairfax,
Esq., of Steeton and Bilbrough, descendant and representative of Admiral
Fairfax, whose mother was Evelyn, daughter of Sir WiUiam Mihier,
Bart.

^ Thoresby writes of Dr. Fairfax, who canvassed for the Admiral at
Leeds, as ' son, brother, and uncle of the lords of that name ; with whom
about the Admiral's election for the city of York.' Dr. Barwick Fairfax
was a younger son of Heiu'y, fourth Lord Fairfax, brother of the fifth,
and micle of the sixth Lord. He was the Admiral's playfellow when
they were children together, being two years his junior. His home, at
Toulston, was a short mUe from Newton Kyme. — Thoresby's Dirrry, II.,
1„ 105.

NOMINATION DAY AT YOrJv. 245

The nomination day at York was on September 7,
1713. Mr. Jenkyns demanded a poll, and tliere was
a most tumultuous polling day. The Jenkyns party
organised a scheme for preventing the other side from
coming to the polling place. The Fairfax partisans
retaliated, and there were a number of free fights,
ending in a general engagement with fists and sticks.
The uproar was deafening, and at every lull in the
storm there were furious accusations of unfairness in
the polling place. Only one person appears to have
been seriously beaten, and that was Mr. Jenkyns' foot
boy. He was described as ' a most violent stickler,
and abusive to the last- degree, even to some of the
bench of aldermen, and his beating was occasioned by
most intolerable insolence.' At last the poll was closed,
and the majority of votes was declared to be for
Eobinson and Fairfax.

Mr. Jenkyns declared that numbers of unauthorised
persons had voted, and demanded a scrutiny, in order
to compare the Lord Mayor's books with the votes. In
accordance with an agreement between the candidates,
the scrutineers met at the George Inn, in Coney Street,
on September 9, at 7 a.m., for early hours were kept
in those days. Alderman Perrott and Mr. Hardwick
represented Admiral Fairfax, Mr. Harrison and Mr.
Darcy Preston were for Mr. Jenkyns. Unfortunately
Mr. Harrison was an exception to the rule of early
rising. He did not put in an appearance imtil eleven
in the forenoon. The scrutineers worked until eight in
the evening, and adjourned until seven next morning.
Again Mr. Harrison was late, so that much time was
lost, as no business could be done in his absence.
The scrutiny was finished in three days, although Mr.
Jenkyns demanded a further delay of a week, in hopes

246 CONGRATULA-TIONS OF ELECTION.

of vitiating the election by some technical flaw. This
was refused, and the Sheriffs declared Sir Wilham
Eobinsou and Admiral Fairfax to be duly elected
members for the city of York. The Admiral had a
majority of 33. The numbers were — for Sir Wilham
Robinson, 1,368 ; for Admiral Fairfax, 835 ; for Mr.
Jenkyns, 802.

After warmly thanking his supporters at York,
Admiral Fairfax went to Leeds on the same grateful
errand, dining with the Mayor on October 7. Sir
Arthur Kaye,^ member for Yorkshire, his brother-in-
law, Sir Bryan Stapleton of Myton, and Thoresby, the
antiquary, were among those who welcomed the new
member on this occasion.^ It was the Mayor's annual
feast, when Thoresby's cousin Cookson was succeeded
by Mr. Eookes.

Among the numerous congratulations received by
Admiral Fairfax, one of the most cordial was from the
lawyer friend he had made in Searle Street, the Protho-
notary of the Common Pleas.

Swifts, September 27, 1713.

Dear Sir, — I congratulate you on your late election at
york. There is not one of all your numerous acquaintance
was more rejoyced and sincerely glad to hear of your being
chose a Member for that city than I was. My Lord Treasurer '

' Sir Arthur Kaye's grandfather was John Kaye of Woodsome, who
was created a baronet by Charles I. in 1641. He was a Royalist colonel,
and died in 1662. His son, Sir John Kaye, was M.P. for Yorkshire, and
married Axme, daughter of Wilham Lister of Thornton, and niece of Sir
Martin Lister who married Admiral Fairfax's aunt Katherine. Sir
Arthur died in 1726, leaving only a daughter, who married Lord Dart-
mouth.

^ Thoresby's Diary, II., p. 196.

' Ahuding to the disgraceful job of the Lord Treasurer (Godolphin) in

INFLUENCE IN THE NAVY. 247

may now see you are belovd, respected, and valued, though lie
has had the misfortune not enough to know you, or else must
have encouragd and justly preferrd soe great merit, which in
the opinion of all unprejudicd men has long since been your
just due. May God bless you and preserve you in health and
wealth, and in such a station you yourself most desire. May
Old England ever flourish under the government of a House
of Commons full of such worthy unbiassable Members ; may
your family flourish in health and in a sense of duty to so
good a husband, father, and master, and may our friendship
still inviolably continue is the hearty and sincere desire of
your most oblidged freind and most humble servant,

John Cooke.

In November Admiral Fairfax went to London with
his family, and established himself in Searle Street, ready
for the opening of Parhament, which was to take place
in February. At this time he had a large correspond-
ence with naval men, and with people seeking naval
appointments for friends. His popularity among his
brother officers gave him considerable influence with
those among them who held commands as admirals ;
especially with his great friends Wish art, Whittaker, and
Baker, the two latter, hke himself, heroes of Gibraltar,
the former his old colleague at the Admiralty. Jobs
were frequently perpetrated to the detriment and often
to the ruin of deserving officers, similar in kind,
though differing in degree, to the greater and most
notorious of all, long remembered as the Dursley job.
Sometimes resolute remonstrances checked these abuses ;
and Fairfax had the pleasure of obtaining redress for
Eichard Eonzier, his old first lieutenant in the ' Torbay.'
Captain Eonzier showed his gratitude by frequent

forcing the Admiralty to promote Lord Dm:sley over the heads of Fairfax
and scores of other deserving officers.

248 INFLUENCE IN THE NAVY.

letters to his old captain, giving him all the naval
nevps.^

He also obtained the desired appointment for the
j^oung officer whose interests are urged upon him in
the following letter from his kinsman, Mr. Grimston of
Grimston Garth.

York, December 23rd, 1713.

Sir,— Since you left us I have disposed of my neice Goche
to Mr. Medley, a Lieutenant of the ' Sterling Castle,' and
thinking itt more for his advantage to be in a flag begs you
will use the interest you have with Sir John Wishart, to make
him a Lieutenant in his ship. His character is very good,
and I believe by this time Sir John is addressed in his behalf
by several. 1 hope your recommendation of him will be
serviceable, for he thinks you will prevail. He is yet with me
but will be in readynesse to leave us upon notice of the first
ffreinds commands. I beg your pardon for this trouble, and
join with my Dame in service to your Lady.

I am, dear Sir, your a£F kinsman and servant,

Tho. Grimston.^

To Robert Fairfax Esq., Member of Parliament
in Cook's Court, Lincoln's Inn.

' Captain Eichard Eonzier was put into the ' Somerset,' on a vacancy
occurring, by Sir Edward "Whittaker, who commanded in the Mediter-
ranean. When Sir Edward was relieved by Sir John Norris, Eonzier
had been confirmed. Yet the new Admiral superseded him for no other
reason than to promote a young friend of his own, who could not get post
rank at once unless Eonzier was removed. It was this piece of injustice
which Admiral Fairfax took up, and he obtained redress for Captain
Eonzier.

^ The mother of Thomas Grimston of Grimston Garth was a first
cousin of the Admiral's mother. Dorothy, Mrs. Grimston, was daughter
of Sir T. Norcliffe, by Dorothy, daughter of Lord Fairfax of GUling, and
sister of Lady Stapleton, Mrs. Fairfax's mother. Thomas Grimston was
born in 1654, and married Dorothy, daughter of Sir J. Legard of Ganton,
in 1670. He died in 1737. His sister Dorothy married Nathaniel Gooch,
Esq., of Hull, in 1684. Mrs. Gooch died m 1700, her husband in 1705,
leaving an orphan daughter to Mr. Grimston's care, who married Lieut.
Medley, E.N. Medley became a captain in 1721, and rose to be Vice-
Admiral, and Commander-in-Chief in the Mediterranean in 1745, where
he died at his post, after long and almost continuous service, in 1747.

THE COMPTKOLLERSIIIP OF THE NAVY. 249

Admiral Fairfax only made one more attempt to
obtain employment for himself. Old Sir Eichard Had-
dock had held the appointment of Comptroller of the
Navy since 1688, and he was now in his eighty-fifth
year. He died in January 1715. In 1714, as the re-
tention of the post by a man so bowed down by years
as to be unable to do the work was detrimental to the
public service, a vacancy was expected Fairfax, there-
fore, submitted his claims to succeed to the Comp-
troUership to Lord Bolingbroke and also to William
Bromley, the other Secretary of State. The Admiral
had an interview with Bolingbroke on January 8, 1714,
and was very civilly received, being promised that his
claims should be submitted to the Queen. There was
some further corresjDondence, and the Admiral again
stated his case to both Secretaries of State on July 6.
But the vacancy did not occur until the next reign.
Admirals Fairfax and Baker both had good chances, but
finally Sir Charles Wager ^ received the appointment
of Comptroller of the Navy, in succession to Sir Eichard
Haddock. The appointment bore date February 17,
1715.

The new Parliament met on February 16, 1714, and
Sir Thomas Hanmer, a Tory in favour of the Hanoverian
succession, was chosen Speaker. The Queen dehvered
the Speech from the Throne on March 2, in which she
congratulated her people on the restoration of peace,

' Charles Wager was an excellent seaman. His great action was the
defeat of the Spanish galleons in the "West Indies and the capture of one
very rich prize in 1707. On this occasion his captains seem to have
behaved rather like those who served under and deserted Benbow. For
this action Wager was knighted, and became a Bear-Admiral in 1708.
He was Comptroller of the Navy from 1715 to 1718, and First Lord of
the Admiralty from 1733 to 1742. He died in 1743, aged seventy-nine ;
and there is a monument to his memory in Westminster Abbey. It was
Six Charles Wager who despatched Anson on his voyage round the world.

250 AN ELECTION PETITION.

and on their deliverance from a consuming war. She
also spoke strongly against seditious publications, and
against those who pretended that the Protestant Suc-
cession was in any danger.

Admiral Fairfax attended to his Parhamentary duties
with great regularity. Thoresby was at the House on
May 13, and mentions in his diary: 'I had Admiral
Fairfax's good company in the lobby of the House.' ^
There were no less than seventy-eight petitions, against
the return of members, to be heard. Among them was
one got up by Mr. Jenkyns against the return of Admiral
Fairfax, signed by forty -four citizens. Its allegations
were that, owing to the partiality of the sheriffs, many
persons who wanted to vote for Mr. Jenkyns were not
allowed to come to the poll ; that sufficient time was
not given for the scrutiny ; that several who had no
right to vote were permitted to poll for Admiral
Fairfax ; that the election was one continued riot for
many hours, and that no endeavour was used by the
sheriffs to suppress it ; that the way into the polling
place was blocked by the sheriffs' agents, who refused
to suffer several persons who would have polled for
Mr. Jenkyns to come in, while they gave free entrance
to all who polled for Fairfax; that Mr. Jenkyns' friends
were grievously beaten and bruised by the Fairfax
agents ; and that by these illegal and corrupt practices
the Admiral had been unduly returned.

The supporters of Admiral Fairfax were very active
in preparing a counter-petition, which received more
than double the number of signatures. The draft
was prepared by Mr. Francis Hildyard, the bookseller,
who brought it up to London in May. It declared that
the petition of Mr. Jenkyns contained many false and

1 Diarij, II., p. 210.

PROCEEDINGS IN PARLIAMENT. 251

scandalous misrepresentations of matter of fact relat-
ing to the election ; that the sheriffs acted with the
greatest impartiahty and candour ; that some of Mr.
Jenkyns' party tried to stop all passages, and prevented
any but their own party from poUing for a long time ;
that this unwarrantable proceeding was the sole cause
of the riot ; that every endeavour was used to prevent
unauthorised persons from polling ; that the poll books
proved that more of such votes were admitted and
taken for Mr. Jenkyns than for Admiral Fairfax ; that
the rudeness and violence of Mr. Jenkyns' party, both
in their language and behaviour, frightened many re-
spectable persons from the poll ; and that there was
ample time allowed for the scrutiny.

The committee had to decide between these two
very opposite statements, the hearing of the York pe-
tition being fixed for June 19, 1714. The finding was
that Mr. Jenkyns' petition should be dismissed with
costs.

During this Parhament there was much discussion of
the question whether the Elector of Hanover should be
invited to come to England during the Queen's lifetime ;
but the session was chiefly remarkable for the passage
of the Schism Act, a measure which showed how unfit
the Tory party was to be entrusted with power. It
was the joint product of Bolingbroke, Sir William
Wyndham, and Dr. Atterbury. Its object was to pre-
vent education by Dissenters, to prohibit Dissenters
from keeping schools even to teach their own children,
and to make all education a monopoly of the Church
of England. The Whigs, of course, opposed it to a
man, Eobert Walpole, Hampden, and Stanhope joining in
the debate. The Dean of York's brother, Lord Notting-
ham, also spoke with horror of this atrocious measure.

252 DUTY ON BUCKRAMS.

Admiral Fairfax voted against it, althougli many of his
supporters were in favour of it. The third reading was
carried in the Commons by a large majority, but the
Lords only passed it by a majority of five. It remained
a dead letter, a barren record of Tory misrule, until
it was repealed in the next reign. Such exhibitions
of intolerance reconciled the people of England to a
German dynasty.

Admiral Fairfax occupied himself in the study of
economic questions, and though his commercial know-
ledge was limited, he invited information from his
constituents, and endeavoured to form correct opinions.
The following letter on the subject of a duty on buck-
rams was addressed to him by Mr. Cookson, late Mayor
of Leeds : —

Leeds, June 28th, 1714.

Worthy Sir, — I see that a duty of 15 per cent, is pro-
posed upon buckrams. I have writ some letters to Sir Arthur
Kaye about an imposition which the Custom House made us
pay for those goods, due as they pretended by a bill past 2
years since, for laying a duty on painted and stained Unnens &c.,
which however the House hath this Session explained, having
been petitioned about it, both from London and this place :
and now, in the end of the Session, some enemy to the woollen
manufacture has put a clause into the last money bill to
charge them with 15 per cent, ad valorem, whereas they
already pay about 20 per cent. Now if you please to
consider the inconveniency that attends so great a duty on
those goods, I hope youll not only oppose it yourself, but
engage all the honest Members who are your countrymen
and acquaintance, and well wishers to our manufactures,
against it.

For this reason I now take the freedom to acquaint you
what buckrams are, and how used. Buckrams are a sort of
strong linen cloth dyed into several colours, most green red
and yellow, in which we wrap up our cloth which we send to

DEATH OF QUEEN ANNE. 253

foreign markets, which preserves it from soiling or dirt, and
so renders a piece of clotli more portable from one market to
another without damage ; and they are used for no other
purpose. Now as the House of Commons are particularly
careful not to burden the woollen manufacture with any taxes,
that we may sell cheaper abroad than any other nation ; I
desire youll observe how much this 15 per cent, will amount to
in the year, for the small quantity of cloth which I myself
export, which I do assure you will be no less than 40L per
annum. Now you must consider what I pay upon the buck-
ram I must charge upon the cloth, so that the duty you lay
upon buckrams is indeed a duty on the woollen manufacture.
I beg your consideration of this matter. I am informed Sir
Arthur, by reason of his indisposition, has been obliged to
come into the country; or else he is so thoroughly informed
of this affair that I needed not have given you this trouble ;
which however I know youll pardon, being so much for the
good of your own county. I have only to present you and
all friends with my humble service and to tell you that I am
Sir, your much obliged Servant,

Wm. Cookson.'

I acquaint you above how much the duty may affect me in
particular, that you may guess from my mite how much it
may affect this town, and by consequence much more the other
trading parts of the nation.

Queen Anne died on August 1, 1714, and her Hano-
verian successor was immediately proclaimed as George I.
At York, owing to the death of Dr. Sharp, a new Arch-
bishop had been enthroned on the 24th of the pre-
vious March. This was Sir William DaAves, an amiable

1 William Cookson's father settled in Leeds in 1652. The son was
bom there in 1669, and was Mayor in 1712, 1725, and 1738. He died in
1743. He married Susanna, daughter of Michael Idle, Mayor of Leeds,
in 1690, whose sister, Euth Idle, was mother of Thoresby the antiquary.
So that Cookson's wife was a first cousin of Thoresby. Mr. Cookson's
grandson, of the same Christian name, was Mayor of Leeds in 1784 and
1802, and died in 1811.

254 PROCLAMATIOX OF GEORGE I.

and moderate divine, and one of the most popular
preachers of the day. He took a leading part in the
proclamation of the new King at York. Lady Mary
Wortley Montagu, who was then living at Middle-
thorpe, near Bishopthorpe, witnessed the ceremony.
She says, ' The Archbishop walked next the Lord
Mayor, and all the county gentry followed, with greater
crowds of people than I believed to be in York, vast
acclamations, and the appearance of a general satisfac-
tion. The Pretender afterwards dragged about the
streets and burned. Einging of bells, bonfires, and
illuminations. This morning all the principal men of
any figure took post for London.'^ Admiral Fairfax,
as member for the city, was in the procession, but he
returned to London immediately, to be present when
George I. arrived in England.

For this reason he was unable to be at York when
he "was elected an Alderman of the city on August 23,
1714. This election gave rise to almost as much ex-
citement as that for members of Parliament, the Admi-
ral's return being violently opposed by the Jenkyns
party. The following letters from trusty supporters
describe their canvassing proceedings. Mr. Hildyard
wrote : —

Honored Sir, — At my coming home out of the country
last Thursday night, I found myself honored with a letter
from you about the next election for Members of Parliament.
The next morning I communicated it to Mr. Thomas Gill who
was well satisfied with the remembrance of him, and since has
not been wanting to your service. Next day I talkt with
the Dean who is heartily in your favour. I told him of
Mr. Greaves, the verger, being a stickler against you. He
said he would speak to him and the rest of the freemen

' Letters, I., p. 214.

MR. HILDYARD CANVASSING. 25-5

belonging to the IMinster, and that daj", after prayers, he spoke
both to jN[r. Greaves and to the rest of 'em, which has had so
good an effect as has stopt ]Mr. Greaves' intermedling, and
doubt not but will deter him from voting against if not oblige
him to vote for you ; altho' Mr. Jenkyns had not one in the
whole city more devoted or more zealous for his service than
him. It also had that effect on old Mr. Langwith that, by
the Dean's order, he went to those belonging to the church to
solicit their votes for you, which he has actually done. This
will no doubt give a lacky turn to a great many that before
voted against you. You are, I assure you Sir, much obliged
to the Dean and his brother, and it well deserves a speedy
letter of thanks. If you think fit you may intimate that I
informed you how much you are obliged to 'em for so kindly
espousing your interest. As to my own particular, I assure you
Sir you need no fresh assurances of my utmost endeavours to
serve you as well in this as in anything else you may command.
I do assure you Sir that next morning after my return home,
hearing that endeavours had been used for Mr. Jenkyns, I lost
no time but went immediately into the city, and I hope I have
not only confirmed my friends to stand by you, but I am sure
have gaind over some that were before opposers, and have
promises of others who were neuters before, now to vote for
you. I do not find that you have lost the least of the interest
you had. In truth, in my judgment you wUl outpoU him a
considerable number beyond what you did before, especially
if we can keep my Lord Mayor ' staunch, as we hope we shall.
Alderman Perrott and myself shall use our utmost to do it :
and I believe we both have an interest in him. But if you
be chosen Alderman this day, as I hope you will, there will
not, I think, be the least room to doubt of the election.
Sheriff Dobson is sneakt off, and gone over to Mr. Jenkyns,
for what reason I know not, but perhaps a kind smoothing
letter from you might bring him back, for I always looked
upon him as a mere shuttlecock. He is the Dean's apothecary
and I intend to put the Dean upon speaking to him. Your
old friends. Sir, are as heartily for you as ever, and you may
be assured that no endeavours that prudence can suggest

1 "William Redman.

256 ELECTION AS ALDERMAN.

shall be wanting in him who is, with the greatest sincerity

and application, your most faithful humble servant to

command, Fkancis Hildyard.
York, August 23a, 1714.

ily son presents you with his humble service and a tender
of whatever he can serve you in.

Honored Sir, — I doubt not but by this post you will have
a large packet of letters, yet I hope you will excuse me if I
add mine to the trouble, for I could not forbear to congratulate
you upon your success last Monday, and to wish you much
joy of the Aldermanship, which doubtless will establish your
interest, and is the greatest mortification imaginable to all the
Jenkins party, and driven them into despair ; that it is ques-
tionable now whether he will attempt any opposition.

Yesterday, Sir William Eobinson, with several of his friends,
went round the city to offer his service, and only begd a single
vote. I hope ere long I shall have the honor to wait upon you,
upon the like occasion, and with as good success.

Not to be farther tedious to you, I beg leave to subscribe my-
self, your most humble servant to command,

Fbancis Hildyaed.
York, Aug. 25th, 1714.

Other letters of congratulation poured in. One from
Messrs. Bell and Scourfield urging him to come down
soon, and declaring that they were the first to drink
his health as Alderman. Mr. Stephenson wrote to say
that it was not without great difficulty that the Admi-
ral's friends got up to the voting place, there being deep
designs to prevent it. His election day was one full of
rejoicing, with ringing of bells and drinking of his good
health, while his enemies were snarling at home, not
able to bite. Alderman Thompson and Alderman
Pawson were, sad to relate, so inveterate against the
Admiral, especially the latter, that the very women of

ELECTION AS ALDERMAN. 257

those names sent for tradesmen and threatened them.
Finally it was Mr. Stephenson's opinion that Su- William
Eobinsonwas making interest for Jenkyns underhand.

Mr. Lund, the Seal-keeper, one of the most uncom-
promising of the Fairfax party, also wrote his con-
gratulations : —

York, August 25th, 1714.
Sir, — This post will bring you several accounts of your being
elected Alderman, on whicii honour I congratulate you. It
was a hard fought battle and all scheems made use of, and
upon my word we were as artfully opposed. The particular
account of the votes I shall refer to other letters sent by
persons then present, but I am told you only had it by a
majority of four. People's countenances are now quite
altered of both sides, and most of the Jenkins party look
like persons buried and dug up again. I was in the thick of
them yesterday and they began to make flutters but were
immediately silenced, and in their very looks you may see
despair. I hope some of them will follow my advice in persuad-
ing their friend Mr. Jenkins to retire, for in my opinion there will
be nothing in the election. My Lord Mayor, I hear, deferred
declaring himself till after the election of Alderman, and, I
am now told, he is heartily in your interest. The Dean too,
so youU now want nothing of an addition except the Arch-
bishop's, which I hope by this time you have procured. Tour
letters came to several of your friends the last thing, and I
can promise you have given great satisfaction, which I can
assure you, if they had been omitted, might have proved the
contrary. For I see resentment daily by some, if they are not
taken notice of, and youll think it a slavish thing (as I am
sure I do) to court people after such a manner, but its what
they expect. I hope for the fiiture youll not meet with so
extravagant an expense. Alderman Thompson, Justice, and
Hutton gave you their votes because you stood in no need,
which you may thank them for accordingly. I shall add
nothing further but that I am your hearty well wisher and
humble servant,

John Lfnd.

258 RETIREMENT FROM PARLIAMENT.

These letters give us some insight into the elec-
tioneering business of Queen Anne's time. Meanwhile
the good Queen had passed away, and George I. landed
on September 18. The coronation was on October 20,
1714, after which Admiral Fairfax went down to
York, to make a personal canvass for the next Parlia-
ment. The dissolution took place on January 17, 1715.
This time, in spite of all the sanguine hopes and
anticipations of his supporters, the Admiral lost his
election. Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, who was then
living at Middlethorpe,^ reported that both Lord Carhsle
and the wealthy family of Thompsons had given their
interest to Jenkyns.^ She tried to persuade her hus-
band to come down and stand for York. ' There are
people,' she wrote, ' who had rather choose Fairfax
than Jenkyns, and others that prefer Jenkyns to Fairfax,
but both parties separately have wished to me that you
would have stood.' ^ The decision, however, rested with
Sir William Eobinson, who told his voters to split for
Jenkyns. The numbers were — for Sir William Eobinson
1,388, for Mr. Jenkyns 1,255, for Admiral Fairfax 844.
The Admiral had lost no adherents, indeed he polled
more than in the previous year, but the intrigue which
secured Kobinson's voters for Jenkyns settled the
question.* In retiring from Parhament, Eobert Fairfax
finally left his town house in Searle Street.

' Lady Mary was married to Edward Wortley Montagu in August
1712. His father was a son of the heroic Admiral, Earl of Sandwich, who
fell so gloriously at Solebay ; his mother was the heiress of the Wortleys.
On the accession of George I. his cousin, Charles Montagu, was created
Earl of Hahfax, and became First Lord of the Treasury. Edward Wort-
ley Montagu was made one of the Lords, and Lady Mary left Yorkshire
and came up to London. Her husband had found another seat. In 1716
he accepted the Embassy at Constantinople.

' Letters, I., p. 225. ^ Ibid. L, p. 223.

* At the next general election, in 1722, Robinson and Jenkyns withdrew.

ELECTED LORD MAYOR OF YORK. 259

During his residence in London the Admiral and
his wife kept a hospitable table, and often received
constituents from Yorkshire, and old naval friends, at
their house. Their son was now seventeen, was soon
going to Oxford, and gave satisfaction to his parents
from being equally attentive to his studies and fond of
field sports and all country pursuits. The little daughter
Katherine was thirteen. A pretty picture had been
painted of her, with wreaths of flowers in her lap ; and
I think it is this young lady to whom Thoresby
refeis when he mentions having visited 'Mr. Fairfax's
ingenious and pious daughter.'-' Brian Fairfax had
died, at a good old age, in 1711 ; but his son Brian
Fairfax, the Commissioner of Customs, had a house in
Panton Square, and was just commencing the collection
of his large and valuable library.^ His agreeable
society added to the pleasure of a residence in London.

Although Admiral Fairfax lost his election as
member of Parliament, he received some recompense
for his services by being elected Lord Mayor of York
for 1715. His ancestor William Fairfax had held a
high city ofiice, that of Bailiff, in 1249, nearly five

The members for York were Sir William Milner, Bart., of Niinappleton,
son-in-law of Sir "William Dawes, the Archbishop of York, and E.
Thompson. Sir W. Milner came in at the head of the poll, 1,421, Thomp-
son 1,399, Tancred Bobinson (son of Sir William), who was misuccessful,
1,076. Admiral Tancred Eobinson's brother William was created Lord
Grantham in 1761, ancestor of the Marquis of Eipon.

' Diary. XL, p. 248.

^ Brian Fairfax (junior) died unmarried on February 12, 1747, at the
age of seventy. His portrait is at Leeds Castle, as well as several family
relics which had belonged to him. A catalogue of his precious hbrary of
2,343 volumes was printed in 1756, as it was to have been sold by auction.
But the whole was bought by Mr. Child and taken to Osterley. The books
were thus kept together for 130 years longer ; but they were inherited by
the Earl of Jersey, and sold by auction in May 1885. Amongst them
there were ten books printed by Caxton, several by Wynkyn de Worde,
the first edition (1536) of the Coverdale Bible, and other priceless treasm-es.

260 ADMIRAL FAIRFAX AS LORD MAYOR.

hundred years before, so long had this most ancient
family been connected with the northern capital. The
Admiral entered upon his ofSce in January, with
Tancred Eobinson and Eichard Denton as sheriffs.
The Aldermen who had proper houses of their own
seldom removed to the Mansion House, and the Ad-
miral continued to reside at Micklegate.

Towards the close of the period of office of Admiral
Fairfax, the disturbances broke out in favour of the
Pretender, in Northumberland and Lancashire. For
some time there was great alarm throughout England,
and the naval Lord Mayor of York made prompt
arrangements for the defence of the city, and the
repulse of the rebels if they should venture to come
in that direction. He was not only indefatigable in
arranging defensive measures, but he preserved many
people in their allegiance by his private influence. On
November 10, 1715, the rebels laid down their arms
at Preston, in a most inglorious manner, and the
scare was at an end. Lord Mayor Fairfax received a
special letter of thanks from Lord Townshend, the
Secretary of State, for his loyal and efficient conduct
on this occasion. The Judges of Assize were also
cctmmanded by the Government to thank him publicly
for his services,

After his term of office was over. Admiral Fairfax
continued to reside at Micklegate, dividing his time
between his magisterial duties in the city, the manage-
ment of his estates, and business connected with the
affairs of those for whom he was guardian or trustee.
His amiable disposition, sound judgment, and steady
business habits secured for him a high position among
his neighbours, and he was one to whom all friends
and relations turned for advice and assistance.

261

CHAPTEE XVIII.

BILBEOUGH.

The complicated affairs of Lord Fairfax, as regards his
estates in Yorkshire and the claims of creditors, had
occupied much of the Admiral's time and attention
since his friend's death. At last the principal creditors
filed a bill in chancery to compel the trustees of the
young Lord to sell the estates for the payment of the
debts, including heavy mortgages. Admiral Fairfax
could not bear that the old property of Bilbrough, with
the tomb of the great Lord, should pass out of the
family, and he, therefore, proposed to be a purchaser.
The sales were decreed. Mr. Ibbetson, a Leeds mer-
chant, was declared to be the best purchaser for Denton,
which thus passed out of the family. Pictures, the old
family Bible, family papers, the dress of the great Lord
Fairfax, and other rehcs were sent to Leeds Castle in
Kent, the seat of the young Lord's mother, which he
was to inherit. Four pictures from Denton were given
to the Admiral.^ Bilbrough was sold to Admiral Fair-
fax for 7,523Z. 175. 8d., possession being decreed on
May 8, 1716. The purchase consisted of the whole
township of Bilbrough, except the lands belonging to
Newark and Hemsworth schools in Sandwith. But he

' Of Thomas, first Lord Fairfax ; of Ferdinando, second Lord Fairfax ;
of Colonel Charles Fairfax of Mansion ; of the Archduchess Mariana, Queen
of Philip IV. They are now at Bilbrough.

262 DESCRIPTION OF BILBROUGH.

admitted five other persons to buy distinct freeholds
under him, his own share being the largest, and in-
cluding the manor, the trust of the tithes, and the
presentation to the living. On July 14 the tithes and
right of nomination at Bilbrough were formally con-
veyed to the Admiral, and on August 26 Mr. Bernard
Bankes, the Denton agent, sent him an old Bible
and two Prayer-Books which were heirlooms in the
family, by direction of his young ward, the sixth Lord
Fairfax.^

Bilbrough is on the left of the road going from Tad-
caster to York, on high ground whence there are beauti-
ful views over the great plain of York, bounded to the
westward by the rocky height of AlmscliiTe and the
Otley Chevin. The parish contains 1,446 acres. The rich
pasture land rises gently from the high road to the tree-
crowned hill called Ainsty Cliff, of which Andrew Marvell
sang. There is a slight depression in the ridge beyond,
where the street of the village is built, and there is another
rise to Ingrish (corrupted from Ingle edge), where the
land is 150 feet above the level of the sea. Ingrish
formed one in the chain of beacons between Lancashire
and the North Sea, where a soldier was stationed in
former times ready to light up the signal. In the
Bilbrough parish register there is an entry of a ' daughter
of George Teasdale, soldier at the beacon.' Bilbrough
is bounded on the south by the old Roman road,
separating it from Steeton in the parish of Bolton Percy ;
on the east by Colton and Askham ; on the west by
Catterton and Healaugh, a tract of moor intervening
between the two townships in those days ; and on the
north by Askham Eichard and Angram.

The ecclesiastical jurisdiction of Bilbrough is pecuhar

' Sec Appendix B.

THE ABBEY OF MARMOUTIER. 263

and curious. The place was originally held in capite
by Ealph Paganell, one of the followers of William the
Conqueror, who also received a grant of the church
dedicated to the Trinity in Micklegate, York. In 1089
he gave this church as a cell to the great Benedictine
Abbey of St. Martin Marmoutier on the Loire, near
Tours, to be perpetually held by that French monas-
tery. The priors of Trinity at York were always
appointed by the Marmoutier abbots, and, among other
provisions for their support, Paganell gave them tithes
described as ' Decima garbarum de Bilbrough, et cer-
torum clausorum infra dominium de Sandwith.' Con-
sequent upon this grant, the services of Bilbrough
Church, from the Conquest to the Eeformation, were pro-
vided for by one of the Benedictine monks from Trinity
Priory at York. The abbot of Marmoutier had the
exclusive patronage of this priory, and its priors were
neither admitted nor confirmed by the Archbishops of
York, so that no regular catalogue of them is preserved.-'
Edward III. confirmed all the privileges and pos-
sessions of the Abbey of Marmoutier, and when other
alien houses were suppressed, this was suffered to re-
main, by consent of one of the Parliaments of Henry VI.
In the time of Edward III. Bilbrough belonged to Eoger
de Bascy, son of Walter de Bascy, who was Mayor
of York in 1290.^ There was a small village called
Sandwith, in the north-western part of Bilbrough
parish ; but when Edward IV. marched to York, after
the bloody battle af Towton in 1460, there was a feeble
rally of Lancastrian fugitives in the houses at Sandwith.
The village was consequently razed to the ground, and
no vestige of it remains save the name applied to some

> Dugdale, Mon. Ang. iv., p. 680 (ed. 1823).

' Eirkby's Inquest (Surtees Society), Drake, p. 391.

264 THE NORTONS OF BILBROUGH.

of the fields. At that time Bilbrough was held by a
family named Norton.

John Norton, in his will dated February 6, 1464,
desired that his body might be interred in the church of
Bilbrough, in a vault between the church and a chapel
then newly built. His other bequests were 13s. id. to
mend the street in Bilbrough village, 65. 7d. to mend the
part of the high road within the parish of Bilbrough,
8s. to mend Sandwith lane, and 6s. 7d. to Bilbrough
Church. He left five marks for the new church tower
when the parishioners should be disposed to build one,
and 20s. for a stone to place over his body. To the
boy whom, for the love of God, he maintained in his
home, he bequeathed 205., and to a girl at Brantingham,
sister of the recently deceased parson, one cloak. He
desired, and with his whole will ordained, that the
chaplain of the chantry of St. Saviour, newly erected
and founded in the parish church of Bilbrough, should
have an annuity of six marks (4^. 6s. 8d.) for ever.
His manor of Bilbrough was left to his wife for her
life, and then to his son and heir William. His execu-
tors were his wife Margaret, his son Wilham, and the
chaplains Gilbert Salesbury and William Dryver. Sir
Wilham Stapleton, in whom he had special confidence,
was named supervisor of the will.^

Margaret, the widow of John Norton, made her
will on April 24, 1506, and it was proved on May 2.
She desired to be buried in the tomb of her late
husband. She left six silver spoons to her grandson
Christopher Norton, and desired that her son William
should find a priest to sing for her, for a year. She
left 12d. to Sir Thomas Oglethorpe, the curate of
Bilbrough, her primer and books of prayer to her

> Test. Ehor. iv. 92.

THE LORDSHIP OF BILBROUGH DISPUTED. 266

daughter Joan Nelson, and os. 4:d. to each of the children
of her son Wilham, to whom she bequeathed the re-
sidue of her property. Finally she left all her bees
towards keeping up a light in the chapel of Bilbrough
Church, as long as it shall please God to preserve
them.

At the dissolution, the revenues of Trinity Priory at
York were reported to be 196Z. 175. 2d. ; ^ and in 1537,
by a deed dated July 5, Henry VHI. granted the
tithes of corn and hay at Bilbrough, as well as the
manor, to Sir Leonard Beckwith, a great speculator in
confiscated church property in those days. In 1554
Edward VI. granted all tithes in Bilbrough, ' lately in
the tenure of Sir Leonard Beckwith, and formerly
belonging to the priory of Trinity in York,' to John
Wright and Thomas Holmes. In 1556 the tithes and
manor were purchased by Sir William Fairfax of Steeton.

Here, in the old manor house at Bilbrough, the
purchaser's grandson Thomas, afterwards first Lord
Fairfax, was born in 1560. This manor house stood in
the high field at the back of the churchyard and of
the present Bilbrough Hall, enjoying a superb view
over Tadcaster and the rich vale of York. The owner-
ship of Bilbrough was afterwards in dispute for a long
time between the two Fairfax branches of Steeton and
Denton. During this period the manor house fell into
ruin, and the stones were allowed to be taken away
for building material in the village. At length,
through the mediation of Lord Mulgrave, President of
the North, the controversy was amicably settled in
1609. The Steeton branch received Newton Kyme,

' The revolting crimes related by Biimet (quoting from two of Henry's
visitors) of the Mortks of Trinity 'not to be believed,' says Dugdale. —
Tanner, Not. Mon., cxxix., 5.

266 THE GREAT LORD FAIRFAX AT BILBROUGH.

and Bilbrough became the property of Lord Fairfax of
the Denton branch. The heads of the two branches
married Lady Frances and Lady Mary Sheffield, daugh-
ters of tlie Earl of Mulgrave.

Ainsty Cliff (or Bilbrough Hill), with its noble clump
of trees, which is said to have been a landmark for ships
coming up the Humber,^ was a favourite resort of the
great Lord Fairfax during his declining years at Nun-
appleton. Hither he would ride several times in the
week from his noble mansion away in the low country
near the banks of the Wharfe, and here he would sit
and meditate in the long summer afternoons. He en-
joyed the wide prospect over that plain of York where
the old warrior had fought and conquered in many
battles, and to which he had restored the blessings of
peace. Andrew Marvell, who hved at Nunappleton for
two years (1650-52) as tutor to the great Lord's daughter
Mary,^ addressed a poem to Lord Fairfax on Bilbrough
Hill, his favourite resort.' He also wrote a Latin poem
comparing the two hills of Bilbrough and Almscliffe.

Wlien Lady Fairfax died on October 16, 1665, the
great General selected the chantry built by John Norton
at Bilbrough as the burial place for himself and his wife.
He himself died on November 12, 1671, and a descrip-
tion of the altar tomb erected to his memory in the
Norton chantry will be found in my life of the great
Lord Fairfax.* By his will, dated November 8, 1667, he
left the manor of Bilbrough to his daughter, the Duchess
of Buckingham, for her life, and then to the heirs male
of his grandfather. The codicil is dated November 11,

^ Drake : also Andrew Marvell in his poem.
° Afterwards Duchess of Buckingham.

' ' Upon the hiU and grave at Billborrow, to Lord Fairfax.' It wiU be
found in Mr. Grosart's collected edition of Marvell's Poems.
* Pp. 396, 397.

THE TITHES OF BILBROUGH. 267

1671. In it he left all the tithes of Bilbrough to his
domestic chaplain, Mr. Eichard Stretton, provided that
he supplied the office of a preaching minister there,
or procured one to do it. Afterwards the tithes were
left to the testator's successor, Henry, fourth Lord Fair-
fax, and his heirs, for the use and behoof of a preaching
minister to be nominated by the said Henry and his
heirs. In those days the tithes of Bilbrough were only
worth 40/. a year, and, in accordance with the provisions
of the codicil, Mr. Stretton nominated the Eev. William
Topham as preaching minister of Bilbrough. Mr. Stret-
ton^ died in 1712, when the whole of the 40/. came to
poor old Mr. Topham, who survived until 1720.

On the death of his old friend Mr. Topham, whom
the Admiral had known since he was a child, the living
of Bilbrough was given to Mr. Sowray, a nephew of Mr.
Hardwick, the lawyer at York, and one of the Admiral's
most active supporters.^ The position of the preaching

^ See the Life of Stretton, by Matthew Henry, the Commentator, and
in Calamy's Nonconformist Memorials.

^ Mr. Sowray died in 1755. He was succeeded from 1755 to 1760 by
Mr. Swaine. In 1760 the Bev. Guy Pan-fax, the Admiral's grandson,
succeeded as preaching minister of Bilbrough. In his time there was a
great question and lawsuit respecting the tithes. In 1777 the sum of 40Z.,
paid since the time of the great Lord Fahfax, was found to be far below
the value of the tithes. The Rev. Guy Fairfax, therefore, demanded either
the tithes in kind or a fresh and more just composition, at the same time
offering to abide by an amicable arbitration. The farmers refused, and an
action was brought against them to oblige them to account for the tithes.
They responded that 40L a year had been payable from time immemorial
in heu of tithes. On June 6, 1782, Chief Baron Skinner decreed that the
farmers must pay the tithes in kind. This decision raised the income from
40Z. to 180?. a year, besides 4J,. 6s. Sd. still paid for Masses for the soul of
old John Norton. The Eev. Guy Fairfax died very suddenly, when per-
forming the service at Newton Kyme, on September 7, 1794. He was suc-
ceeded by the Eev. Thomas Lambe, who, dying in 1821, was succeeded
by the Eev. Benjamin Eamonson. The farmers then raised another point.
Their lawyer contended that the decima garbwruin mentioned in the grant
of Bilbrough tithes to the Priory of Trinity, and to which Lord Fairfax
succeeded, only referred to crops of corn aud did not include grass. Chief

268 THE PREACHING MINISTER OF BILBROUGH.

minister at Bilbrough was quite peculiar. The tithes had
always belonged to a foreign monastery, independent of
the Archbishops of York, down to the time of the Ee-
formation, and then they became the property of laymen.
Lord Fairfax, by his will, left them in trust to his heirs
to maintain a preaching minister or chaplain of their
own, who was under no ecclesiastical jurisdiction. It
would be interesting to know whether the oaths under
the Act of Conformity in 1662 were apphed to Mr.
Topham. There certainly would have been no power
to dispossess him, as it was a private chaplaincy. He
had no spiritual district assigned to him by the or-
dinary, and no cure of souls. There is no glebe, ' except
a small churchyard,' and no parsonage. The income of
the preaching minister consists of the tithes received
under the will of Lord Fairfax, and 4Z. 6s. 8d. for
praying for the soul of John Norton.

When Admiral Fairfax became Lord of the Manor
in 1716, he found the old manor house destroyed, but a
house had been built at the foot of the hill, near the
church, in which Thomas March, the agent, resided. It
had become a freehold, but the Admiral reserved the use
of a room in it for the transaction of business.-' The

Baron Alexander decided against the farmers on November 11, 1830. This
once more raised the income from 180L to 2701. a year. In 1854 Mr.
Eamonson was succeeded, as preaching minister of BUbrongh, by his
nephew, the Eev. Joseph PoweU Metcalfe. Bilbrough became a Rectory
under the District Church Tithes Act of 1865. The church was rebuilt in
1873, the chantry of St. Saviour, containing the tomb of the great Lord
Fairfax, being preserved intact. It was erected previous to 1464. The
rebuilding of the chtirch was done at the sole expense of the late Mr.
Thomas Fairfax of Steeton and Newton Kyme, who also built the school
house.

' This house was enlarged in 1751, and the hne of the road leading
from the village to the moor was altered. William March sold the house
to a lawyer named Agar, who added to it, and it was then called Bilbrough
Hall. He let it to T. L. Fairfax, Esq. of Steeton during his father's life-
time, from 1802 to 1809, and his son, the late Thomas Fairfax, Esq., was bom

DISPUTE BETWEEN BILBEOTJGII AND CATTERTON. 269

March family was allowed to use the Fairfax pew ^ in
the chantry of St. Saviour, where stood the fine altar
tomb of the great General and his wife. The humbler
tomb of John Norton stood under the archway opening
from the nave into the chantry. Care was taken to
preserve old landmarks. The clump on Ainsty Cliff
was not to be touched, and though, in 1717, March was
allowed to fell all the timber round the old spring above
the church, five great ash trees were reserved by the
Admiral's special order.

There was a moor between the townships of Bil-
brough and Catterton, with rights of common, which
were quite undefined and gave rise to frequent disputes.
In 1718 there was a pitched battle on the moor between
the young men of the two places. It was indecisive,
because it degenerated into a series of single combats
all over the moor, which were briskly kept up until
dusk. Mr. Joseph Brooksbank,^ the lord of the manor
of Catterton, requested Admiral Fairfax to induce his
people to keep the peace. The Admiral made a similar
request to Mr. Brooksbank. At last an amicable
meeting of the people of the two townships was arranged
to take place on the moor. This meeting unfortunately
ended in another battle, and many young men came

there. Mr. Agar eventually sold it to the Eev. Robert S. Thompson, who died
in 1862, aged eighty-four. His son. Captain Childers Thompson, again sold
it to Mr. Fairfax, who thus became the owner of the house he was born
in. It is now the residence of his grandson, Guy Fairfax, Esq., of Steeton
and Bilbrough.

' Mr. March, in 1717, reported that the pew was then the same as it
had been in the great General's time, who himself had it enclosed, and
stopped up the door into the chantry at the west end. Smce the General's
death, the occupiers of Mr. March's house had been aUowed to use it.

^ He purchased Healaugh in 1717, and died in 1726. Mr. Joseph
Brooksbank married Mary, daughter of B. Stamp, Esq., of Reading, and is
the ancestor of the present Mr. Edward Brooksbank of Healaugh and
Catterton.

270 BILBEOL'UU PRESERVED TO THE FAIRFAXES.

home with broken heads. It was not until May 1723
that tlie matter was settled through the mediation of
Admiral Fairfax and Mr. Brooksbank. It was agreed
that a deep ditch should be dug down the centre of the
moor, from Thwaites Lane due south to the closes called
Escars, the work being done in equal halves by the
people of Bilbrough and Catterton.

By the purchase of Bilbrough, Admiral Fairfax
added considerably to the extent of his property, and
preserved an estate in the family which had belonged
to the Fairfaxes for nearly two centuries. When the
transfer was completed he received a gratifying letter ^
from the young Lord Fairfax, in which he says, ' I have
executed the conveyance of Bilbrough to you. I hope
you have a good bargain, and heartily wish you and
yours good success with the estate. Your affectionate
kinsman and servant,

' Fairfax.'

' Dated from Somerset House, on July 24, 1716.

271

CHAPTER XIX.

THE END.

In the last years of his life Eobert Fairfax reaped the
reward of a long course of upright conduct, of devotion
to duty, and of habitual regard for others. He was not
forgotten by old friends when he himself was obliged to
retire from the active pursuits of life. The care of
people dependent upon him gave him abundant occu-
pation. He was surrounded by affectionate relations,
and his children had given him no anxiety.

Old naval friends constantly suppUed him with
news of the profession in which all the best years of his
hfe had been spent. Among them his most frequent
correspondent was Captain Eonzier, his old first lieu-
tenant in the ' Torbay.' In 1718, Eonzier sent the
Admiral very fuU details of Sir George Byng's action
with the Spanish fleet off Cape Passaro. Eonzier com-
manded the ' Essex ' (78), and behaved with great
gallantry, capturing the Spanish ship -Juno.' Another
correspondent was Eupert Billingsley, who had been a
lieutenant in the ' Kent,' and had afterwards commanded
the ' Lichfield,' taking many prizes in the German
Ocean ; but he died comparatively young in 1720.

A very pleasant correspondence, too, was that which
Admiral Fairfax kept up from 1715 to the year of his
death with Mr. Jeyes Seawell, of the Pay Office, who

Irl THE WAY TO MAKE MUM.

was also cashier of the Victualluig Department. Mr.
Seawell forwarded the half-pay of 182/. 10s. half yearly,
and on each occasion sent a budget of naval news. In
these letters we get a further insight into the Admiral's
character. We hear of acts of kindness and generosity,
and of anonymous gifts to Greenwich Hospital, unknown
to all save Mr. Seawell, who faithfully kept the secrets
confided to him. Every year a cask of good Yorkshire
ale was sent from York to Mr. and Mrs. Seawell, in a
ship which brought back the empty casks. Occasion-
ally there came, with warm and cordial thanks, a
present of choice snuff for the Admiral, from Mrs.
Seawell.

Among other presents sent to the Admiral, one has
been preserved, from Henry Fairfax, his eccentric
bachelor cousin at Toulston, who had once served as a
volunteer under him in the ' Somerset.' It was a receipt
for making mum.

The v:ay of moMng Mum, as it is recorded in the House of
Brunsivick and was sent from thence to General JSIonTi.

To make a vessel of 63 gallons the water must be first boiled
to the consumption of a third part, let it be brewed with seven
bushels of wheat malt, one bushel of oat malt, and one bushel
of ground beans, and when it is tunn'd, let not the hogshead be
too much fiUed at first ; when it begins to work put to it the
inner rind of the firr three pounds, of the tops of firr and birch
of each one pound, of Carduus Benedictus dried three handfuls,
flowers of Rosa Solis three handfuls, of Burnet, Betony, ^Marjoram,
Avens, Penny-royal, flowers of elder, wild thyme, of each one
handful and a half, seeds of cardamum bruised three ounces, bay
berries bruised 1 ounce, put the seeds into the vessel. When
the liquor hath wrought a while with the herbs, and after they
are added, let the liquor work over the vessel as little as may
be, fill it up at last, and when to be stopt, put into the hogs-
head ten new laid eggs, the shells not crackt or broken, stop all

OLD FRIENDS AT YORK. 2(3

close, and drink it at two years old, if carried by water it is
better.

Dr. Egidius Hoffman added watercresses, brooklime, and
wild parsley, of each six handfuls, with six handfuls of horse-
radish rasped in every hogshead. It was observed that the horse-
radish made the Mum drink more quick than that which had
none.

Mum is mentioned by Sir Walter Scott in tlie
' Antiquary.' Mr. Oldbuck drank it for breakfast in-
stead of tea or coffee, and it is there described as ' a
species of fat ale, brewed from wheat and bitter herbs,
of which the present generation only know the name
by its occurrence in revenue Acts of Parhament,
coupled with cider, perry, and other excisable com-
modities.' ^

The York friends and supporters, as a body, con-
tinued on excellent terms with the Admiral, and there
were mutual exchanges of friendly expressions of regard,
as well as remembrances of a more substantial kind.
There may have been some who took offence at imagi-
nary slights, such men as are alluded to in Mr. Lund's
letter. This is alleged in a spiteful letter from John
Le Neve, which will be given presently. But the letters
that have been preserved, furnish ample proof that
Admiral Fairfax did not forget old friends. His presen-
tation of the hving of Bilbrough to Mr. Hardwick's
nephew is one proof of that. Another is supphed by
the dedication of his ' Antiquities of York City ' to
Admiral Fairfax by his chief supporter, Mr, Francis
Hildyard, the bookseller. Here was a clear proof of the
cordial relations which continued to subsist between
them.

The 'Antiquities of York City ' is httle more than a

' Antiquary, chap. xi.

274 HOME AT NEWTON KY.ME.

list of Lord Mayors and Sheriffs, with a few notes. But
it was the first work of the kind that was ever pubHshed,
and is interesting for that reason. It was printed by-
Mr. White in 1719, and published by Hildyard. The
dedication is addressed to ' Eobert Fairfax, Esq., Alder-
man of the city of York,' and thus begins : — ' To pub-
lish the antiquities of the city of York, without some
acknowledgment how propitious your name and family
have been to this ancient city, would be injurious and
ungrateful to its benefactors.' Mr. Hildyard then refers
to the preservation of York Minster, during the siege,
by Lord Fairfax, and to the Admiral's services to the
city as member, alderman, a.nd lord mayor. ^

The building and alterations at Newton Kyme were
finished in 1720, and from that time the Admiral and
his family lived there for part of the year. During the
last year of his fife he did not leave the home of his
childhood. The pictures from Steeton and Denton, and
those that had belonged to his mother, and the Steeton
tapestry, with other family treasures, were arranged in
the new house. A family Bible was commenced, a
thick quarto with black leather cover, embellished with
silver monograms of Eobert and Esther Fairfax and

' The list of Lord Mayors and Sheriffs was first published at York
anonymously in 1664. The author was Christopher Hildyard, a
barrister and antiquary, brother of Sir Eobert Hildyard of Winestead.
The greater part of Francis HUdyard's book was a reprint of that of his
kinsman Christopher. This is acknowledged on the title-page ; and it
is added that there are notes and observations in the new edition by
James Torre. The celebrated antiquary James Torre had been dead some
years, and his son Nicholas Torre declared that his father had never been
concerned in the work in any way. In reply, Francis Hildyard asserted
that James Torre had borrowed from him the papers of Christopher Hild-
yard, and retm'ned them newly arranged, with notes and observations of
his own, intending that Francis Hildyard should print them. Nicholas
Torre demanded a sight of his father's manuscript, or some part of it. Mr.
Hildyard could not comply with this demand, and so the dispute ended.^
See Bavies's Memoir of the Yorh Press, p. 137.

VOLTXG ME. FAIRFAX. '275

clusps.^ The richly bound Bible and Prayer-Books sent
from Denton were retained as heirlooms.''' The Admi-
ral's books, which had been his companions at sea,
formed the nucleus of a hbrary : Captain Sturmy's
' Mariner's Magazine,' Eden's ' Book of Travayle,' Hak-
luyt's ' Voyages,' and others ; to which were added some
valuable books which had belonged to Mrs. Fairfax's first
husband, Mr. Thomlinson. Newton Kyme was to be the
home prepared for the Admiral's son and his descendants.
Young Thomas Fairfax was now of age, and was a
great comfort to his father. He had taken his degree,
had travelled in France, and was preparing to take his
father's place as a worthy representative of a great
county family. The Denton branch disappeared from
England, the Gilhng branch became extinct, and
Thomas Fairfax eventually became the sole representa-
tive of the name : ' of an illustrious house, a house that
for learning and valour has no peer among the families
of Yorkshire.'^ Young Mr. Fairfax received the
greater part of the half-pay from his father, and often
had a quiet dinner with Mr. Jeyes Seawell, of the Pay
Office, and his wife, when it was paid to him in London.
He was fond of literature, but he was also an ardent
sportsman, and, in after years, he was the author of a
book on field sports which was popular in its day, and
went through two editions.*

^ Entries have been made in it by each succeeding head of the family
ever since. The Bible was printed at Oxford in 1697. The companion
Prayer-Book was printed in 1706, and has a portrait of Queen Amie. On
the flyleaf, 'April 16, 1713, Mrs. Esther Fairfax her book.'

^ See Appendix B.

^ Canon Eaine.

* The Complete S^'ortsman or Country Gentleman's Becreation, by
ilr. T. Fakfax (12mo, 263 pages). There is no date on the title-page of
the first edition. The second appeared in 1795, twenty years after its
author's death.

276 MARRIAGE OF THE ADMIRAL'S DAUGHTER.

A portrait was taken of Catherine, the Admiral's
daughter, when she was about seventeen, a very pretty
girl with light brown hair. She was beloved by young
Henry Pawson, whose father, Alderman Ehas Pawson,
had been one of the Admiral's most strenuous opponents
— ' a great stickler for Jenkyns.' But this young
Montague refused to inherit the hatreds of his family,
and threw himself at the feet of the daughter of Capulet.
There was, however, no tragedy. Old Ehas Pawson
died in 1715, and his son was a free agent. The
Admiral liked the young citizen, and thought only of
his daughter's happiness. The wedding was at Newton
Kyme on August 23,1720, the bride having just reached
her eighteenth year, the bridegroom being twenty-four.
They lived at York, and afterwards at Coxwold.^

The Eector of Newton Kyme was the Eev. Nicholas
Eymer, who had married the Admiral's cousin Prances,
daughter of the fourth Lord Fairfax. This lady had
married in disobedience to her father, and the couple
lived very quietly at Newton Kyme for the rest of their
lives.^ The lady's father did not continue his resent-
ment, for Thoresby mentions that Mr. Eymer preached
at Denton when he visited Lord Fairfax.

The Admiral's growing infirmities warned him that
he was not likely to live to any very great age. His

' There were six children — Henry ; Robert, born in 1721 ; Ehas, born
and died in 1722 ; Martin, born and died in 1724 ; Charles and Catherine
died in 1730, aged three. Henry Pawson died on January 24, 1730, aged
thirty-five, and was buried at St. Mary Bishophill ; Mrs. Pawson died on
March 20, 1767, aged sixty-five. Only Robert and Henry survived her.

' Mr. Rymer died in 1725, and was succeeded by the Rev. Nicholas
Gyrling, who had a valuable library, containing several Elzevirs. He died
in 1767, leaving all his books to Thomas Fairfax, Esq., the Admiral's son.
He had reached the great age of ninety-two. The next Rector was the
Rev. Guy Fairfax, grandson of the Admiral, who built the present rectory
house.

DEATH OF ADMIRAL FAIRFAX. 277

two sisters had continued to live with him, but Frances,
who had reached the age of seventy, died before her
brother. She was buried at Newton Kyme on July 22,
1723, and the Admiral put up a monument to her
memory. Eobert Fairfax had made his will on June 16,
1721. He left all his landed estates to his son Thomas
and his heirs ; but he was anxious that, under any cir-
cumstances, and even in the case of failure of such heirs,
the old name of Fairfax should be continued. In that
case he left the estates to his daughter, Mrs. Pawson,
and her heirs on condition that they took the name of
Fairfax. If they faded, the estates were to go to his
nephew, William Spencer of Bramley Grange, and his
heirs, on the same condition.'- He placed Lord Fairfax
of Leeds Castle next in the entail, and lastly his other
heirs. He left the house in Micklegate to his wife for
her hfe, and also the furniture in the room at Newton
Kyme called the ' Wrought Bedroom,' ^ together with
the plate that had belonged to her before her marriage.
There was also an annuity to his sister Alathea, and a
gift of 50Z. to the poor of Newton Kyme, Bdbrough,
Steeton, and Street Houses. His son was residuary
legatee, and his wife and son were the executors.

Eobert Fairfax lived entirely at Newton Kyme
during the last year of his hfe. He died there on
October 17, 1725, in his sixtieth year, and was buried
in the church under the Fairfax pew. His two sisters,
Bessy (Mrs. Spencer) and Alathea, survived him.^

' In 1726, the year after the Admiral's death, his nephew, WiUiam
Spencer, married Margaret, daughter and hehess of Henry Eyre of Bramley .
He had a son "WiUiam, who succeeded to Bramley and died in 1790, and a
daughter Sarah, married to Thomas Foljambe, Esq., of Aldwark.

^ This room was himg with the tapestry from Steeton.

= Mrs. Spencer (Elizabeth Fairfax) is asserted to have been buried at
Sheffield on Atigust 2, 1708, in Hunter's Hallam shire. But she is referred
to by Admiral Fairfax, in his will, as being ahve in 1721.

278 PORTRAITS AND EPITAl'II.

Alathea died in 1744. Mrs. Fairfax continued to live
in York. She survived to stand as godmother to two
of her grandchildren — Eobert, who succeeded at New-
ton Kyme, and Guy, who became Eector of Newton
Kyme and Bilbrough. She died in the year 1735, at the
age of eighty, and was buried in the church of St. Mary
Bishophill, at York. There are two portraits of the
Admiral's wife, and a miniature painted when she was
very old.

A good portrait was painted of Admiral Fairfax in
the last years of his life, nearly full length ; but the artist
is unknown. The face is that of a handsome elderly
man, with calm, amiable expression. He is in a full
flowing wig, cravat with long hanging ends, blue coat,
with sleeves open at the wrists showing loose shirt
sleeves. The left hand rests on a globe, and in the
right he holds a pair of compasses.^

Thomas Fairfax was twenty-seven years old when he
succeeded his father. His first care was to erect a monu-
ment to his memory, which was placed against the west
wall of the Fairfax pew in Newton Kyme Church. It is
of wliite and grey marble, adorned with urns, a ship
under sail, and the Fairfax arms. The inscription is
long, one or two of the sentences are oddly worded, and
it is not in the best taste. But it was written in the
fulness of the young man's heart, and was well intended.
(See opposite page.)

His son, in saying that ' he conceived it for his
honour under certain circumstances to refuse a higher
rank,' refers to the Admiral's refusal to serve unless
justice was done to him when Lord Dursley was pro-
moted over his head. The sentence is ambiguous, and

' The picture is 49f inches by 40 inches. It was photographed for
Mr. Hailstone's YorJcshire Worthies,

EPITAPH TO ADMIRAL FAIRFAX. 279

'^Inbcxneat^

LYE THE REMAINS OF ROBERT FAIRFAX OF STEETON

IN THE COUNTY OF THE CITY OF YORK, ESQ. ;

FORMERLY A COMMANDER AT SEA. IN ■WHICH SERVICE

HE CONCEIVED IT FOR HIS HONOUR, UNDER CERTAIN

CIRCUMSTANCES, TO REFUSE A HIGHER RANK.

WHEN HE HAT) QUITTED THIS EMPLOYMENT HIS ROYAL

HIGHNESS, THE LORD HIGH ADMIRAL, SUFFERED HIM

NOT LONG TO RETIRE, BUT WELL KNOWING HIS SUFFICIENCY

IN NAVAL AFFAIRS, CALLED HIM TO HIS COUNCIL OF

ADMIRAITY.

IN THE LAST PARLIAMENT OF QUEEN ANNE HE SAT AS A

MEMBER FOR THE NEIGHBOURING CITY, OF WHICH HE

CONTINUED A MAGISTRATE UNTIL HIS DEATH.

THE DUTIES OF THESE STATIONS HE DID CONSTANTLY

DISCHARGE WITH THE UTMOST FIDELITY AND MOST

RELIGIOUS EXACTNESS ; A CONDUCT SUITABLE TO

THOSE QUALITIES, WITH WHICH HE WAS EMINENTLY ENDUED

PIETY, COURAGE, SIMPLICITY.

IN HIS PRIVATE CHARACTER HE DID INDEED EXCELL UNDER ALL

THE RELATIONS OF A SON, A BROTHER, A HUSBAND, A FATHER,

A KINSMAN, AND A FRIEND, STILL PRESERVING THE

SAME ILL-FATED HONOUR AND INTEGRITY, WHICH ALONE DID

OB COULD OBSTRUCT HIS PDBLICK ADVANCEMENT.

HE DIED IN THE COMMUNION OF THE ESTABLISHED

CHURCH OF ENGLAND (iN WHICH HE HAD LIVED A CONSTANT

AND CONSCIEXCIOUS COMMUNICANT) ON THE XVTI DAY OF

OCTOBER IN THE YEAR 1725.

AGED UPWARDS OF 60 YEARS.

TO THE MEMORY OF THIS EXCELLENT FATHER AND

TRULY PIOUS CHRISTIAN, HIS MUCH LAMENTING
SON HATH ERECTED AND INSCRIBED THIS MARBLE.

vr4"E MEMOR QUAM SIS ^VI BREVIS.

280 SPITEFUL LETTER FROM JOHN LE NEVE.

scarcely expresses what was intended. It is also un-
fortunate that Mr. Fairfax should have used such a
curious adjective as ' ill-fated,' as applied to honour and
integrity. What he wanted to convey was that the
Admiral's honour and integrity stood in the way of his
worldly advancement. The rest of the inscription is
not fairly open to hostile criticism, except as regards its
unusual length.

Yet, two years afterwards, Mr. Fairfax received a
letter containing a most spiteful and malignant criticism
of the epitaph. As this letter was written by a man who
was not unknown to the literary world of his day, it
may not be amiss to insert it here. It is as follows : —

To Mr. Thomas Fcdrfctx, to he left ivith John Wood, Esq., at his
Chambers in Lincoln's Inn, London.

Newton, October 20th, 1727.

Most Learned Sir, — It being my province to give an account
of all tlie remarkable monuments, tombs, epitapts, and inscrip-
tions in any of our English churclies : I cannot but admire
(above all that I have yet seen) the superfluity of ingenuity in
one, in an obscure church in the county of the city of York ; and
if you are acquainted with the Author (as I have been told you
are) you may do well to admonish him to amend the following
blunders.

1st. Considering the many Saint-like vii'tues assigned the
deceased, why should not the word remains be read reliques.

2d. A Commander at sea is too extensive a word, but I am
apt to suppose the author was here upon his guard least he
might be cacht leesing.

3d. As to his refusing a higher Rank, my Lord Dursley '
does not believe one word of it.

4th. His sitting in the last Parliament of Queen Ann as a
magistrate till her death, makes him above the Speaker, and
wants explaining.

' He was Earl of Bcrkeloy then, not Lord Durslev.

SPITEFUL LETTER FROM JOHN LE NEVE. 281

5tli. As to the three qualities so much boasted of viz', piety,
courage, and simplicity, the two first are generally denyed, but
as to the last convenit inter omnes.

Gthly. As to his excellence, in relation as a brother he got
quit of them all to make waye for himself, as to a husband I
hear its objected that he made but niggardly allowances to his
•wife, and as to his excellence as a father it is most conspicuous,
(if in anything) in his breeding of a son, which money was (as
most think) thrown away, not remembring the old adige

' Ex quovis ligno non fit Mercurius.'

And as to his excelling as a friend, Lambert, Scourfield,
Buckston, Clapham, Yates, Stephenson &c. are living witnesses,
who having spent much time and money at his election, were
despised and unknown as soon as the Pole was over.

7th. Honour may be sometimes ill timed or undeservedly
conferred, but ill-fated honour is an heteroclite to every gram-
marian that has learnt it for the due joinings, or can but write
a legible hand.

8th. And lastly I cannot but remark the scrap of false latin
with which he concludes.

' Vive memor quam sis brevis sevis.'

Why not ' memor esto brevis sevi.' Please to remind him of
ne sutor ultra creindam when he meddle with Latin, and also
please to let him know without amendments on these eight
heads I cannot give this well designed inscription a place in my
book : however I am, dear Sir, yours at command from the zenith
to the nadir,

Le Neve.

The writer of this garbage was John Le Neve, the
Weever of that period,^ but it does not appear how the
Admiral and his son had excited the rancour of his
small mind. No doubt they were quite unconscious of

' John Weaver's Ancient Funerall Monuments was published in
1631. A folio of 871 pages, sold at the sign of the Golden Lion in Little
Britain.

282 DESCENDANTS OF ADMIRAL FAIRFAX.

the offence, whatever it may have been. The letter
was preserved.^

Thomas Fairfax, owing to the care and good man-
agement of his father, succeeded to a larger property
than had ever been possessed by the head of the Steeton
hne. Besides the three estates of Steeton, Bilbrough,
and Newton Kyme which he inherited, he established
his title to the estate of Bishophill, in York. On May 27,
1730, he was married to EHzabeth, daughter of John
Simpson, Esq., of Babworth. She was, as we are told by
the Hon. Dixie Windsor, a very agreeable and accom-
plished lady. Thomas Fairfax, after having been owner
of Newton Kyme for nearly half a century, died in
London on April 2, 1774. His wife, of whom there is a
portrait, died at York in 1780, aged eighty-one. They
had six children, and the line was continued by their
second son.'''

' John Le Neve was the son of a mercer in London, and was born in
1679. His father died when he was at Eton, and he became the ward of
his distant kinsman, Peter Le Neve, the learned Norroy King of Arms.
He went to Trinity CoUege, Cambridge, in 1694, but never took a degree.
Marrying his cousin Frances Boughton, he had eight children, and he took
orders at the age of forty-three, owing to pecuniary difficulties, for his
books did not pay. In 1707 he published Fasti Ecclesice Angliccmce,
Bishop Kennet being the real author. His Momi/menta Anglicwna are
coUeotions of inscriptions on monuments in various churches. There
were five volumes pubhshed 1717-19. He had collected a vast number
of inscriptions which were never published. Le Neve was Rector of
Thornton-le-Moor in Lincolnshire. He died in 1741, aged sixty-three.

^ Their eldest son Robert, who succeeded, was a most benevolent and
i-ather eccentric old bachelor. He was born at York in 1732, succeeded in
1774, and died in 1803. The second son, John, was in business at
Liverpool, and afterwards settled at Bath, having married Jane Lodington,
a Lincolnshire heiress, by whom he had an only child, Thomas Lodington
Fairfax. He succeeded his brother Robert in 1803, and died in 1811, aged
seventy-seven. The third son was the Rev. Guy Fairfax, Rector of Newton
lijme and Bilbrough, who died in 1794.

Thomas Lodington Fairfax of Steeton was bom at Liverpool on May 30,
1770. In 1799 he married Theophania, daughter of Edward J. Chaloner

CHARACTER OF ADMIRAL FAIRFAX. 283

Tlie life of Eobert Fairfax is one of those wliicli
furnish sufficient incident and material for reflection, to
make it worthy of being recorded. Without any re-
markable talent, or any great advantages, he was en-
dowed with and made use of two faculties which secure
success. He had the gift of being able to take trouble,
and he had the desire to do well. Besides these motives
of action, he also felt strongly the duty involved in the
inheritance of a great name, and that he was bound to
hand it down unspotted, as he had received it, to his
descendants. These incentives influenced him through
life. In the early years of his sea hfe, when he was
strugghng through many difficulties to a position in the
navy, another strong motive for exertion was his earnest
love for his mother, and the desire to please her. These
various faculties and motives of action kept him in the
straight path. He became a good officer and a thoroughly
efficient seaman. In an emergency — and in the days
when main masts went over the side on the smallest pro-
vocation, emergencies were of frequent occurrence — he
was fuU of resource. In action he was brave, prompt,
and perfectly cool. During the last year of his service
afloat he had considerable experience as an adminis-

of Linoolii, by whom he had one son, Thomas Fan-fax, and three daughters.
He died at Newton Kyme in 1840.

Thomas Fairfax of Steeton was born at Bilbrough on November 2,
1804. He was at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford, in 1836 he married
Constantia, daughter of George Eavenscroft, Esq., by whom he had three
sons, Thomas Ferdinand, Reginald Guy, and the Rev. Charles Fairfax,
and three daughters. He died at Newton Kyme on November 24, 1875.

Thomas Ferdinand Fairfax of Steeton was born on October 6^ 1839.
He was a Lieutenant-Colonel in the Grenadier Guards. In 1869 he married
Evelyn, daughter of Sir Willia.m Milner, Bart., of Nunappleton, and had
three children, Guy, Brian, and Evelyn. He died at Newton Kyme on
February 8, 1884.

Guy Fail-fax of Steeton was born at Nunappleton on AprU 13, 1870.

284 CHAKICTER OF ADMIRAL FAIRFAX.

trator, and he acquitted himself welL He brought that
experience to bear, when he took his seat at the Board
of Admiralty, with advantage to the country.

Eetiring from the navy in the prime of life, he took
all his excellent qualities on shore with him. His
retirement was to involve no rest, no idleness. He at
once became a careful manager of his estates, a pains-
taking and generous trustee for his relations and friends.
He was an active magistrate and an eager pohtician.
His hfe at York was one of great activity and great
usefulness. The generous acts of kindness done by
Admiral Fairfax were only known to one man besides
himself, they would have remained a secret for ever
had it not been for the accidental preservation of some
letters. Such a man secured the love and reverence of
his relations, and of numerous friends in all ranks of
life.

He reaped his reward in the return that he received.
The love of some, the gratitude of others, prevented his
last years from being dull or unhappy, and when he
died he must have left a blank which time only could
fill up.

There are many Hves which are more full of stirring
incident, more exciting to read about, more striking
from the contemplation of vast genius and commanding
ability, but there are not many which convey more
nseful lessons to ordinary men. He who would con-
template the earnest and successful exercise of faculties
which we all possess, and the gradual and steady
advance in life of an ordinary man with average
abiUties, but actuated by noble motives, will find
some satisfaction in perusing the life story of Robert
Fairfax.

LORD IIAWKE. 285

The Admiral's cousin, Elizabeth Bladen, wife of
Edward Hawke, was mother of that illustrious naval
commander. Lord Hawke of Towton, hero of the Battle
of Belleisle, and First Lord of the Admiralty. Thus
good service continued to be done in the navy, for
many more years, by another descendant of the valiant
Sir William Fairfax of Steeton.

APPENDIX.

A.

INVENTORY AT STEETON HALL 1558.

(See page 5.)
The Inventorye of Sir William Fairfax, Knyght, laite dysessed.

The Inventorye Tryptyte Indented of all the Goods and

ChateUes whiche laite was Sir William Fairfax of Stetin, in the

Countie of the Citie of Yorke, Knighte, deceased, appraised by

Barnard Pape, Richard Shepley, Conrard Stephenson, Richard

Brackman, and Oswyn Hedwyn, the xvth Day of Novembre, in

the Year of our Lord God A Thousand Five Hundreth Fifty and

Eight.

hi the Hall. £ s. d.

In Primus, One Table with a frame and a Carpettr vi

Item, one Swayre Table and a Cobbert . . iiij

Item, hangyngs of Buckram and Say in the same v

Item, landirons v

Item, one Buffet Stole vi

Sum XX vj

In the Parler where he lay.

In his Purfe in Gould and Money . . . xiij vi viij

Item, one Dublete x

Item, one Paire of Hoyfe v

Item, one Velvet Jerkyn viij

Item, one Paire of Butts with Spurres ... vi

Item, one Sword with a Dager .... v

Item, one Hatt and a Cap vi viij

Item, one Gowne of Caffry fured and Garded with

Velvet XXV viij

Item, vj Shirts xx

Item, one Blake Cloke xiij iiij

Item, one Cloke of Fresada xiij iiij

Sum xix viij

288

STEETON INVENTORY.

In the Gallare.

Item, one Standinge Bed with hangings of Dornex
and the Teaster of Satten and bnrges with
Chanalett, One Matters, a Feather bed, A Tel-
ster, and a Coveringe .....

Item, in the said Chamber ij Hangings of Ares
Warke ....

Item, one coveringe of a bed

Item, ij Chists and a Coberd

Item, ij Charres .

Item, iiij hangings of Buckram

Item, one Plate Oandilsticke

Sum

ly

s. d.

J vuj

"J iiij

J

iiij

ij

V)

\iij iiij

In the South Chamiber.

Item, one Standinge Bed, the Teaster of Eead
Velvet and Blake, One Matres, One Feather-
bed, a bolster, one Fustane Blaukitt, and a
Cotton Blankitt

Item, one duble coveringe belonginge to the said
bed

Item, one hanginge in the said Chamber

Item, iij Chist's and one Coberd ....

Itemi, ij Sandirons

Item, one Whit Cap of Dames flowered with

Gold

Sum

uj

xxxiij mj

1

X

xiij
iiij

mj

vuj

vnj

In the Great Chamber.

Item, one Standinge Bed, a Matres, a Feather bed,
a Bolster, a Pare of fustane Blaukitts, A
Teaster of one Watered Velvett, the hangingt
of Bead and Grene sarsanet .

Item, one duble Coveringe .

Item, hangings in the said Chamber

Item, one table with Tresles and the Carpette and
one Counterpoynte .

Item, one Small Table with a Carpette

Item, ij Coberts and ij Carpetts

Item, iiij Chares .

Item, vj fawromes

Item, iiij Qwysssings .

Item, one Latjme Candilsticke

Sum

"J
iij

vnj

x^-j

iiij

ij

iiij

^j

xij

STEETON INVEXTORY.

289

In the Indermer Chamber.

Item, one Standinge Bed, A ilatres and Feather
bed, A Bolster, A Coverlett, a Teaster of Tap
stere and Curtains of Say, and a Coveringe

Item, iij Hangings of Ares Warke

Item, one Coberd with a Carpett .

Item, one Chaire ....

Sum

uj

iij

vuj

(/.

vj

In the Keiv Chamber.

Item, one Standinge bed, A Matres, A Feather
bed, A Bolster, ij Whit Fustan Blanlcitts, One
Twyle, A Teaster of Blew Damaske and Vel-
vett, with Flowers and Cm-tens of Stuer
Domex

Item, a Coveringe for the Same ....

Item, hangings of Ares "Warke ....

Item, one Velvet Qwyshinge ....

Item, iij Chaires, iij Buffet StoUes and a fawrome

Item, ij Landirons ......

Sum

In the Indermer Chamber.

Item, one Standinge Bed and a Matresse

Item, one hanginge of Save

Sum

In the Ryder Chamber.

Item, one Standinge Bed, a Matress, a Feather
bed, a Bolster, ij fustane Blankitts, ij Cover-
letts. One Coveringe, A Teaster of Saj', and
Curtens of Domex

Item, hangings of Buckram in the fame Chamber
with a piece of Tapestere ....

Item, one Swayre Table, a Chare and a fawrome .

Sum

"J

XXX

uj

X

IJ

VJ

1"J

"J

uij

vij

ix

X

iij

X

XUJ

XXVJ

VUJ

vij

iJ

mj

XXXV]

In St. George Chamber.

Item, one Stocke bed, a Feather bed, ij Pillowes,

one Coverlett, and a Coveringe
Item, one Stocke Bed, a Matress and a Bolster .
Item, hangings of Ares warke . . . •

Sum

iij m

X XUJ mj

U

290

STEETON INVENTORY.

In the Great Parlour.

Item, a Standiage bed, a Matrass, a Feather "bed,
a Teaster, a Blew damaske flowred, a Bolster,
and a Coveringe

Item, one Table, with a Frame and a Carpett

Item, Hangings of Buokrame

Item, one Coherd, with a. Comiterpayne

Item, one Chaire, with two formes

Item, ij Playte Candilstiokes

Sum

In the Lowe and Hye Studye.

d.

iij

Item, V Garnyshe of Pewder Vessels

Item, one Irene Stedye

Item, one Candilsticke of Playte

Item, iij Chists

Item, one hanginge of Ares

Item, one Carpett .

Item, iij Cotes of Playte

Item, ij Chists

Item, ij StoUes

Sum

In the Butre.

Item, uij Pewder Candilstickes, and iij of Latten

Item, one dossen blake Potts

Item, V Stands and ij Tubes .

Item, ij Guges ....

Item, one Dossen Twylt Napldns

Item, one Diaper bord Clothe

Item, four bord Clothes

Item, ij Toweles ....

Item, X paire of Shetts, Lyne and Samon

Item, Codwaires

Sum

Item, one Cheste in the Chapell
Item, one Iron chimley
Item, WoU ....

Siua

In the Brew-house.

Item, one Lead, a Mashe fate, a GUfate, and a

KiUing-tub

Item, ij Bultinge Tubes

Sum

xij

x]

X

vij

V

xl

XX
XX

iJ

XVIJ

XYJ

lllj

xy

vnj

viiij

ij

viij

VUJ

VU]

XUJ

XX

XXllJ

iiij

xij

X

iiij

viij

XJ

VUJ

xij

X VUJ

xl
ij

xlij

STEETON IXVENTOKY.

291

In. the Kitcliine.
Item, iij Brasse potts and a posnett
Item, iiij Brassinge Mortars and ij Pesteles .
Item, viij Spetts .......

Item, V Pairs of Bakes, iij GaUow-bawkes, and
one Iron Chimley ......

Item, one Chawfuidyshe

Item, one great Pott with iij handles .
Item, one Copper Pane, and one Brasse Pott
Item, iiij Brasse Potts, and iij Fryering Panes

Sum

Item, xxij Kyen, the price

Item, xij fate Stotts

Item, ij fate Oxen .

Item, iiij fate Quyes

Item, vj Quyes

Item, X Stotts of iij Yeres old

Item, xxiiij Gwenter Nowt .

Item, xxTJ Calves .

Item, -vj BuUes

Item, Ixvj Wedders

Item, vj Topes

Item, Ixxij Yowes .

Item, a htmdreth Lames

Item, XV Swyne .

Item, 1 Lods of Hay in the Closes

HaU ....
Item, in the Laithe of Wheat

Quarters
Item, in Barl3'e, xxiiij Quarters
Item, in Ottes, x\-j Quarters .
Item, in Beye, iij Quarters .

and

and

Eye

about the

Ixxx

Smn

Tlie Playte.

Item, one gUte Boll, weinge xxx Unces, at vs. iiijd.

the Unce

Item, ij Standige Cuppes with Covers gUte, weinge

xliij Unces, at vs. iiijd. the Unce .
Item, one other gilte BoU with a Cover, weinge

xxxix Unces, at vs. iiijd ....

Item, iij Pottes gilt with Covers, weinge xliij and

a half, at vs. hijd

Item, ij Saltes with a Cover gUte, weinge xxiij

Unces and a half, at vs. iiijd. the Unce .

Smn

xxuij
vj

cciij

XX

xxx
xviij

xj

xij

xl

xlv

XUJ

"IJ

X

vj

viij

xxxij

XXVJ

lllj

V

n

vuj

»J

X

XllJ

VJ

vnj

xvnj

n

'IIJ

xnj

'UJ

XUJ

i"J

XX

siJ

X

Iiij iiij

XV

ij iiij

VUJ

xj

ix

iiij

X

viij

xj

^ij

^i

^■

iiij

xlvij

xiij

viij

292

STEETON INVENTORY.

Item, one greate potte parcel, gilte, weinge Iviij

Unces and a half, at iijs. xd. the Unce .
Item, other pott parceU gilte, ■weinge xxxij Unces,

at uijs. xd. the Unce .....
Item, one Watter pott pcell. gilte, weinge xyj

Unces and a Tuartern, at iiijs. xd. the Unce .
Item, one Ure pcell. gilte, weinge xxv Unces,

at do. ........

Item, one other Ure, weinge xviij Unces, pcell.

gilte, at iiijs. xd. p. Unce ....
Item, one plaine Boll pceU, gilte, with a hyndehed,

weinge xxxiij Unces, at iijs. xd. the Unce
Item, one punched BoU pcell. gUte, weinge xxx

Unces, at uijs. xd. the Unce ....
Item, ij Chaste pecs, weinge xix Unces and a half,

at iiijs. xd. the Unce

Item, one pece of Chyne of Gold, weing xiiij

Unces, at Iviij s. Unce .....

Sum

Item, one goblett Pcell. gUt, weinge xj Unces and
a Quarteron, at iiijs. xd. the Unce

Item, one AyU pott PoeU. gilte, weinge x Unces .

Item, one old Seott Salte, ij Spones, weinge viij
Unces and a Quartron, at iiijs. xd.

Item, one Stone pott, with a cover, and a fote of
Silver, weinge iij Unces, at iiijs. xd. .

Item, other Stone pott, with a cover, gUte, weinge
an Unce

Sum

Item, in Gold and Silver

Item, one Table clothe of Diaper of v yerds Longe
Item, iij Twyit Table clothes of xvj yerds Longe
Item, iiij Diaper ToweUes of xxiiij yerds Longe
Item, ij Table clothes of Lyne, of x yerds Longe
Item, ij ToweUes of Lyne, of vij yerds .
Item, iij Payninge Clothes ....
Item, ij Payninge Clothes ....
Item, iiij Diaper Napkins ....

Sum

Item, a Himdreth Shep abowed the Place .

Item, Score Quartern Barle

Item, in Peys, xvi Quarters

Item, xj Quarters '\\1iite

Sum

£

s.

d.

"iJJ

ij

IX

vij

xiiij

viij

iij

viij

V

xvj

vj

iiij

ix

v

vij

xnj

iiij

xhj

xl

xi

Ixxxxvj

liiij

vnj
mxliiij

mxlvij

ix
xxv
iiij
iiij
xhj

xuj

ij

XV

xvij

XX
X

VJ

xlviij iiij

xuij V]
V iiij

y luj
xij
xij

ij viij

y

vnj
viij

STEETON INVENTORY.

293

Item, ij Mares and iij FoUes in the Place

V

Item, one Mare and her Folles

xl

Item, ij Twenter FyUes

xxxvi

Item, one White Mare and her Folle

xl

Item, one Graye Mare and a, Folle

xxxiij

iiij

Item, one Graye Fille .

xxvj

viij

Item, ij Graye Twenter Staigs

xl

Item, a Bay Stoned Staige .

xxvj

viij

Item, one Graye Staige

iij

Item, one Bald Horse .

xviij

iiij

Item, a Graye Staige .

iij

Item, one Graye Horse

xl

Item, one Bay Staige .

xxxiij

iiij

Item, one Blake Stoned Horse

xlvi

viij

Item, Hustlement about the Hall

and t

he H

iwseE

xl

Smn

xxxj

xvj

Goods at Dijnton.

Imprimis, vij Calves on the Place

Item, Ix Twenter Shep Wethers, Gemers and

Tuepes .....
Item, iij Kyen and Two Quyes
Item, xi Old Towes
Item, ij Yonge Kyen and iij Quyes
Item, one Whit Stott .
Item, vj Twenter Quys and Stotts
Item, ij Stotts, Price
Item, Ixiij Lames, Price
Item, xxiiij Wethers, Price .
Item, one Mare and her Folle
Item, ij Mares, price
Item, one Staige ....
Item, xxvj Lods of Hay
Item, one Feather bed, with Bolster and PUlow
Item, ij Matresses
Item, one Teaster of Dornex
Item, Curtings
Item, one CoTinterpoynt
Item, iij Coverletts, price
Item, iij pair of Shetts .
Item, one Sarmon Bordclothe
Item, viij Napkyns
Item, ij Carpets
Item, ij Silk Quishens .
Item, ij Quishens of Leather .
Item, one Basj-n and Ure

xlij

VIJ

vj

xxuj

v

X

XXX

iiij

xhiij

iiij

X

xvj

xxxiij

iiij

XXX

xxiiij

iiij

■^'ij

'>'ij

vj

viij

iij

viij

ij

iiij

v

X

xvj

ij

iiij

iij

iij

vu.i

394

STEETON INVENTORY.

Item, ij TjTi Gobletts .

Item, ij Salts of Tyn

Item, one Pewder Flagett .

Item, ij Chaxgers .

Item, Pewder Dishes .

Item, vj Sawsers .

Item, xijj Playte Trenchers .

Item, iiij Powdeshares .

Item, vj Stone Potts

Item, one Knej'fe with a Forke

Item, iiij Juges with Covers .

Item, V Candilstiokes .

Item, one other CandUstioke

Item, ij Pillowe Beres .

£

s.

xij

iiij
viij

V

d.

xij
viij
xvj

xvj
xij
xij

xvj

XX

xvj

Ixvj

'■'i

viij

Sum

Debts owinge to the said Sir William Fairfax.
Imprimis, of the Executors of John Good . . xiiij

Item, of John LoveU ...... xxvii

Item, of Mr. Aske xxxvij

Sum of aU the Goods and Debts mvijix
Debts owinge by the said Sir William Fairfax.

Imprimis, to Thomas Harp
Item, to John Kelsay .
Item, to Smith of Bolton
Item, to Hewitt Tailler
Item, to William Allen.
Item, to Thomson of Wetherby
Item, to Vincent Lelame, for making Giiy Fairfax
appel

Sum

vuij

ij

xl

xvuj

vuj

Legacies and Funeralles,
Item, to Henry Fairfax
Item, to Brygate and TJrsele
Item, to EKzabeth Eocklay .
Item, to the Childrene of Eobert Eoklay
Item, to Sawssan .
Item, to William Hawmond.
Item, for Blake Clothe .
Item, to Mr. HaU .
Item, for Torches and Wax .
Item, Money payd at the Buriall
Item, to Humfrey Brereton for his Cott of Arms
and other Necessaries .....

Sum of the Lagaoies, Funeralles and Dett mvlxxxiijs

X1.1

xxvj
xlvij
xxxiij iiij

XX

vj iij

cce

dccc

cc

Marks.

c

Marks.

c

ditto.

X

CVUJ

iij

XVIJ

X

V1.1

VJ

XV)

xi

xiij

iiij

VJ "J

295

NOTE ON STEETON

IN THE

'ANALECTA FAIRFAXIANA.'

Written by Colonel Charles Fairfax of Menston.

These notes were taken by my brother William Fairfax
about 1614.

Steeton was built by Sir Guy Fairfax A°. 14 Ed. IV.

Upon the Gate House att Steeton, cutt in stone, quarterly
1.3 barrs gem over all a lion rampant with a rose on ye shoulder,
2 a chevron betwixt three hynds heads erased, 3 as 2, 4 as 1 :
with a helme, but the crest not visible. Two angels supporters.

In ye chappel.

1. Percy single.

2. Percy quartered with Lucy.

3. Semy de flower de Lizes. Beaumont, but the charge

mistaken.

4. Nevile. Argent on a sal tire gules.

5. Hastings. Argent a maunch sable.

6. Under all (made for Sir Nicholas Fairfax Knight

of Rhodes) one completely armed in antique
forme, in the right hand a speare, on his left arm
ye Cross of St. George.

7. Lord Scroop. Azure a bend or.

8. Or a bend gules.

9. Ryther quartered with Aldburgh.

10. Vaire (or chequy) argent and azure a fess gules,
quartered with azare fretty or chevrony or, a chief
of the second.

i96

B.

THE FAIRFAX BIBLE.

An old Bible and two Prayer-Books were sent to Admiral
Fairfax by the son of his cousin and old friend the fifth Lord
Fairfax, on August 26, 1716.'

The Bible is sixteen inches long by eleven and a half,
bound in crimson velvet richly embroidered with gold. On the
upper side were the arms of England, surrounded by a garter
with motto, lion and unicorn supporters, helmet and crest. On
the under side there was a large shield in the centre, and four
shields, one at each comer. The large shield, on the under side,
is embroidered with the arms of the See of Durham impaling
the arms of Bishop Richard Neile, afterwards Archbishop of
York. The two upper shields have the arms of the Sees of
Lincoln and Lichfield, the two lower those of Rochester and
Westminster.

On the back there are eight divisions, each with quatrefoil
and other embroidery.

On the title-page there is a portrait of Queen Elizabeth.
The book includes the Apocrypha, and is in black letter. At
the end, the colophon is as follows : — ' Imprinted at London in
powles churchyarde by Richard Jugge printer to the Queen's
Majestie,' but no date.

' When I wrote the Life of the Oreat Lord Fairfax I was misinforaied
on the subject of these books. I there stated that the first Lord Fairfax
presented them to his son Ferdinand in 1612 (see page 10 and note).
This of course is impossible, as Neile did not become Bishop of Durham
until 1617, and his arms impaling those of the See of Durham are em-
broidered on the side of the Bible. The statement in the footnote that the
books were given for the use of the Chm-ch at Newton Kyme by the sixth
Lord Fairfax requires explanation, which is gi\en in the present account
of the books.

THE FAIRFAX BIBLE. 297

On the fly-leaf of tlie BiLle there are the following notes : —

Anno Dom. 1612.

Thomas Fairfax son and heir of Sir Ferdinand Fairfax.
7i'as ha}}tized at Denton the 25 of January.

This Bible was given to me by my Lord Fairfax, which I do give to
my son Thomas Fahfax after my decease, dated the 14th of January 1672.

Frances Fairfax.

Below there is a book plate of Lord Fairfax, a Baron's
coronet, no crest, horses for supporters, motto, and arms.

The larger Praver-Book, thirteen inches by eight and a half,
is bound in crimson velvet richly embroidered with gold.
Letters I. R. (James I.) arms of England with supporters,
garter and motto, helmet and crest (of the time of James I.) on
both sides. The embroidery is in better preservation than that
of the Bible. Date 1620. The book is in black letter.

The smaller Prayer-Book eleven and a half inches by seven
and a half, also bound in crimson velvet and gold. On the
upper side are the arms of England of James I., on the under
side the arms of Bishop Neile, and of his different Sees, as
on the Bible. Embroidered back. Date 1617. It is also in
black letter. Both the Prayer-Books have book plates of Lord
Fairfax.

The original owner of the books was Archbishop Neile, son
of a tallow-chandler in King Street, Westminster, who died
when the future Archbishop was a baby. Richard Neile was
born in 1562. He was sent to Westminster School by his
mother at a time when Edward Grant, the most noted Latinist
and Grecian of his time, was Head Master. Dr. Grant advised
his mother to apprentice him to a bookseller in Paternoster Row.
But luckily for the boy he was noticed by Dean Goodman,
who gave him a scholarship at St. John's, Cambridge. He was
described as ' a poor and fatherless child, but of good hope to
be learned.' Taking his degree in 1584, he became chaplain to
Robert Cecil. He was Dean of Westminster in 1605, and Bishop
of Rochester in 1608. He is then described as ' Vir mediocriter
doctus sed predicator mirabilis.' He was made Bishop of
Lichfield in 1610, of Lincoln in 1613, of Durham in 1617, of

298 THE FAIRFAX BIBLE.

Winchester in 1627, and Archbishop of York in 1632. Wood
says 'the number of his translations is unparalleled in the
English Church.'

Bishop NeUe was a very complacent courtier, if the story
told in the life of Waller can be relied upon. He was Clerk of
the Closet to James I., and one day Neile, Bishop of Durham,
and Andrewes of Winchester were in attendance on his Majesty.
The King said, ' May not I take my subjects' money when I
want it, without all this formality in Pariiament ? ' ' God for-
bid. Sire, but you should,' answered Neile, ' you are the breath
of our nostrils ! ' ' Wei], my Lord of Winchester, what say you ?'
asked James. ' Sir, I have no skill to judge Parliament causes,'
replied Andrewes. ' No puts oif, answer me presently,' persisted
the King. ' Then, Sir,' said the Bishop of Winchester, ' I think
it lawful for you to take my brother Neile's money, for he oifers
it.' It is said of Bishop Neile that he was munificent, that he
spent large sums on the repair of episcopal buildings, and that
he made Durham House in the Strand the general resort of men
of learning. He died as Archbishop of York on October 31,
] 640. His son. Sir Paul Neile, was knighted at Bishopthorpe
in 1633, dissipated a large fortune, and died in 1685.

The books were evidently embroidered for Dr. Neile while
he was Bishop of Durham 1617-27; because his arms are
impaled with those of the See of Durham, and at the corners
are the arms of Lichfield, Lincoln, Westminster, Rochester, his
previous preferments.

They became the property of the Fairfax family before the
death of Archbishop Neile ; and were, therefore, probably pre-
sented by him. The reason for this conclusion is that in the
entry of Thomas Fairfax's baptism, his father is designated as
Sir Ferdinand Fairfax. If Sir Ferdinand's father had been dead,
the entry would have been Ferdinand Lord Fairfax. So that the
entry must have been made before the death of Thomas, first Lord
Fairfax, which took place on May 2, 1640. Archbishop Neile
died on October 31, 1640. The Bible was, therefore, given to Sir
Ferdinand Fairfax by Archbishop Neile at some time between
the year 1632, when he was translated to York, and May 1640.'

' On the other hand, it is possible that the entry may have been made
as ' Sir Ferdinand Fairfax,' because that was the father's title at the time

THE FAIRFAX BIBLE. 299

The books continued to find a home at Denton during the
time of Ferdinand second Lord, Thomas third liOrd, and Henry
fourth Lord Fairfax. The fourth Lord, in 1672, made a present
of the books to his wife Frances, the daughter and heiress of
Sir Eobert Barwick of Toulston. On her death in 1684 she
left them to her eldest son Thomas, fifth Lord Fairfax, who died
in 1710. He left all his real and personal property, which was
not sold to pay his debts, in the hands of Trustees. His son
Thomas, sixth Lord Fairfax, only had a life interest.

In 1716 Denton was bought by Mr. Ibbetson of Leeds.
The old Bible and Prayer-Books were then sent to Admiral
Fairfax, one of the Trustees under the will of the fifth Lord.
The following note from old Bernard Bankes, the superannuated
agent at Denton, accompanied the parcel.

For the Honhle. Bohert Fairfax Esq., at his House at Newton.
By the cair of Wm. Lofthouse, carrier.

Honour'd Sir, — This Bible and two Common Prayer Books are ordered
to be sent to you, for the use of the Church at Newton Kyme, as a present
from my Lord Fairfax. Tour most faithful, humble servant,

Ber. Bankes.
Aug. 26, 1716.

The mother of Bernard Bankes had been the maid of Lady
Fairfax, the great Lord's wife. This Ellinor Bankes, by the
will of the great Lord Fairfax, received an annual payment of
Ql. from the farm held by Christopher Wright at Bilbrough.
Her son became agent at Denton, and was a very busy man,
making money by breeding and selling horses. Next he began
lending money to the young Lord, and actually had a mortgage
of 1,000Z. on Bilbrough. In 1716 he was very old.'

when the baptism of Thomas took place, though not necessarily when the
entry was made. In that case the books may have been acquired after the
death of Archbishop NeUe, from his son Sir Paul NeUe, who probably sold
his father's effects at Bishopthorpe.

' Bernard Bankes is mentioned in the Fairfax Correspondence pub-
hshed in 1849. On November 11, 1700, he was one of the witnesses when
Thomas, Lord Fairfax, made entry at Nunappleton as heir male after
the death of the Duke of Buckingham (II. p. 265).

In 1712 (October 16), in a letter to the sixth Lord Fairfax, Admiral
Fairfax mentions that the young Lord's father had given orders to Bankes

300 THE FAIRFAX BIBLE.

Lord Fairfax had no power to present tlie Bible and Prayer-
Books to the church at Newton Kyme, as he only had a life
interest in the personalty left by his father, and they were
heirlooms.

No doubt the statenaent to the effect that he intended to
give them to the church, in Mr. Bankes' note, was due to a
blunder or misunderstanding on the old man's part. The books
were not suited for use in church. Their rich bindings would
have been rotted by the damp in a very short time, and they are
printed in black letter. The gift was not made. The Bible
and Prayer-Books continued to be heirlooms in the Fairfax
family, but the Admiral presented the church with com-
munion plate.

In 1725, the year of the death of Admiral Fairfax, the
Eev. Nicholas Gyrling became Eector of Newton Kyme. Mr.
Gyrling died in 1767, at the great age of ninety-two, and left
all the books at the rectory to Mr. Thomas Fairfax, the Admiral's
son. The will is dated November 4, 1767.

The Admiral's grandson, the Eev. Guy Fairfax, was Eector
of Newton Kyme from 1767 to 1794, and built the present
rectory house. The Bible and Prayer-Books were probably
lent to the rector at that time, and were left in the rectory
through forgetfulness. There they remained during the time
of three rectors and received much injury. As regards the
Bible, the royal arms are entirely gone, the gold threads on the
supporters are loose and frayed, the arms of Lichfield are half
gone, those of Westminster quite pulled out, and only dis-
tinguishable by the impression on the velvet. The silver field
of Eochester is also half gone. The embroidery on the larger
Prayer-Book is all in good preservation, but that of the smaller
Prayer-Book is much frayed and injured. The supporters and
baldrekin of the royal arms are a good deal worn, the arms of

to let him have a number of lime trees from Denton, for an avenue at
Newton Kyme (II. p. 246).

On September 5, 1712 Brian Fairfax wrote to young Lord Fairfax,
urging him to look after his estates, and to get a rental from Mr. Bankes
(II. p. 237).

Bankes also had orders to destroy the deer at Denton.

Mary, the unmarried daughter of the fourth Lord Fairfax, left Bernard
Bankes and his wife 2/. 10s. in her will.

THE FAIRFAX BIBLE. 301

Liclifield and Westminster quite gone, and tliose of Bishop
Neile badly injured.

At last these interesting books were restored to their right-
ful owner, Mr. Thomas Fairfax of Steeton and Newton Kyme,
in 1855. They were at once secured from further injury. A
special table was made for them with a glass case, and they were
kept in the library at Newton Kyme as precious family relics.
Mr. Fairfax died in 1875, and they were inherited by his son
Lieutenant-Colonel T. Ferdinand Fairfax, who possessed them
until his death on February 8, 1884. They were then inherited
by his widow, who took them, in their case, to Bilbrough Hall,
and holds them as heirlooms for her son. They have been the
property of the Fairfax family for upwards of 250 years.

302

C.
FAIRFAX PICTURES AT BILBROUGH.

Thomas, First Lord Fairfax. (Half length, 30 in. x 24 in.)
A fine open face, witli pleasant honest expression, hair brushed
off the forehead, square white beard and moustache. A ruff,
white doublet, and black scarf. Arms and supporters in left
hand corner. The picture came from Denton. Now at Bil-
brough. Replica at Leeds Castle. It has been photographed
by the Arundel Society, and for Mr. Hailstone's ' Yorkshire
Worthies.'

Ferdinando, Second Lord Fairfax. (Life size to below the
knees, 54 in. x 42 in.) Seated ; in a loose magisterial gown,
with armour laid aside. Rays of the sun descend upon the
armour with the words ' Hinc ilia.' It is signed ' Bower ad
fecit, 1646.' From a letter preserved at Leeds Castle, from the
second Lord to his son, dated Bath, June 30, 1646, we learn
that Bower was a pupil of Vandyke. This picture came from
Denton, and is now at Bilbrough. It is said to have been en-
graved by Hollar. Photographed by the Arundel Society, and
for Mr. Hailstone's 'Yorkshire Worthies.'

Thomas, Third Lord Fairfax. (Life size to below the knees,
50 in. X 40 in.) Thick imperial and moustache, thin sallow
face, the wound received at Marston Moor on the left cheek.
Thick dark hair. In armour, with blue sash. Helmet in back-
ground. There is a replica at Althorpe, by Walker. It was
at Denton, and after passing through several hands, became the
property of T. Fairfax, Esq., of Steeton and Newton Kyme, in
February 1849. Now at Bilbrough. It has been photographed
by the Arundel Society, and for Mr. Hailstone's ' Yorkshire
Worthies.'

PICTURES AT BILBROUGir. 303

Thomas, Fifth Lord Fairfax. A miniature set in garnets.
It was left in the will of Miss Elizabeth Fairfax to her brother,
Eobert Fairfax, Esq., of Steeton and Newton Kyme, in 1800.

Chables Fairfax, of Menston, son of the first Lord Fairfax.
(Half length, 29 in. x 24| in.) Short brown hair and moustache,
white turn-down collar over a complete suit of armour. It
came from Denton. Now at Bilbrough. The words ' Thomas,
Lord Fairfax,' now very faint, have been erroneously painted on
the upper part at some subsequent time.

AnCHDUCHESS Mariana (Queen of Spain). (Life size to half
way down, the skirt.) Originally full length, but cut at both
ends to fit a wainscot panel at Denton. Now at Bilbrough.
Eed hair and rosy cheeks, Austrian lip. Ruff and lace collar, red
body embroidered with gold, red skirt with white slashes over a
hoop. Sleeves slashed at the elbow, lace cuffs. One hand rests
on the back of a chair, a fan in the other. Came from Denton.
Now at Bilbrough. This Queen made her voyage from Antwerp
to Spain in 1649, when Lord Fairfax was commander-in-chief
of the English army, and a Councillor of State of the Com-
monwealth. The picture was probably presented to him at that
time.

Mabel (Curwen), wife of Sir William Fairfax of Steeton.
(45 in. X 35^ in.) Life size, seated. This lady died in 1624.
Small pale face, dark hair, black gown and gold lace bodice, lace
cuffs and bracelets, large ruff, in one hand an embroidered glove.
Came from Steeton, and mentioned in the will of William
Fairfax, 1694. Now at Bilbrough. Artist unknown.

Lord Sheffield (Earl of Mulgrave). President of the
North 1602-1610. (23 in. x 18 in. on panel.) Long face, large
aquiline nose, square dark beard, white satin doublet, robes and
collar of the Garter. Down to a little below the shoulders.
Came to Newton Kyme in 1848. Now at Bilbrough.

Lady Frances Sheffield, wife of Sir Philip Fairfax of
Steeton. (21 in. x 16^ in. on panel.) This lady died in 1615.
Lace cap, pale face, starched lace collar, purple and black dress
with pearls. Came to Newton Kyme in 1848. Now at
Bilbrough.

304 PICTURES AT BILBROUGH.

Sir William Faiefax of Steeton, slain before Montgomery-
Castle Sept. 1644. (Life size, full length, 82 in. x 52 in.) Mr.
Scharf remarked, ' A strange picture, well, freely, and clearly-
painted.' Hair dark, moustacke ligkt bro-wn. A mole at tke
corner of tke rigkt eye. Breastplate and steel gauntlets, large
black sash over the shoulder, and tied in a bo-w at the thigh,
yello-w leathern doublet, and -white boots -with three flaps. Armour
on the ground. Battle in the distance. This picture is men-
tioned in the -will of William Fairfax of Steeton, 1694. Lent to
the York Exhibition.

There is also a miniature by Cooper of this Sir William
Fairfax.

General Thomas Fairfax, son of Sir William Fairfax of
Steeton, died 1712. (Half length, 281 in. x 23 in.) Long flowing
brown wig, armour and lace cravat, in an oval. Smiling,
humorous face. A replica at Leeds Castle. Mentioned in the
will of his nephew William Fairfax of Steeton, 1694. Now at
Bilbrough.

William Fairfax, eldest son of Sir William Fairfax of Steeton,
who succeeded. Died 1672. (Half length, 29 in. x 24 in.) Dark
hair, long oval melancholy face, white handkerchief in a knot
round the neck, armour with gold headed nails. Mentioned in
the will of his son William Fairfax of Steeton, 1694. Now at
Bnbrough.

Catherine (Stapleton), wife of William Fairfax of Steeton.
Died 1695. Pale face, with a gentle quiet expression, and dark
hair in the fashion of Lely. White stomacher and black gown.
Left to her son Admiral Fairfax in her will. Now at Bilbrough.

Sir Miles Stapleton of Wighill, brother of the above Mrs.
Fairfax. (Life size to half way down the thigh, 49 in. x 39 in.)
A young man with pale face, in armour having gold nail heads,
holding a baton. White cravat with falling ends. Battle in
the background. Left to her son Admiral Fairfax by Mrs.
(Stapleton) Fairfax. Now at Bilbrough.

Isabella Stapleton, wife of Colonel Boynton, and her
sister-in-law Miss Boynton. Two young ladies seated. School
of Lely. (58 in. x 39 in.) The one in black with fair hair is

PICTURES AT BILBUOUQII. 3 (J 5

Mrs. Boyntou. Her sister-in-law is in yellow. Pinks in Mrs.
Boynton's lap. She died in 1688. Left to Admiral Fairfax by
his mother. Now at Bilbrough.

WiLLLUi Fairfax of Steeton, born 1664, died 1694. (Half
length, 28i in. x23i in.) A sketch by Sir Godfrey Kneller.
Good-looking youth, light brown hair, blue coat with silver lace,
open in front, long white cravat. Left to his mother in his will,
1694. Now at Bilbrough.

Robert Fairfax. I. (Half length, 28^ in. x 24^ in.) Painted
in 1696, at the age of thirty. Brown hair, broad forehead and
large eyes, a straight nose, and closed lips. The countenance of
a firm, strong-willed young man, with a pleasant expression.
Lace cravat, red cloak fastened at the shoulder, and white sleeves.
In an oval. On the left a ship in the distance, with red ensign,
and St. George's cross at the main. At Bilbrough.

II. (Half length, 29 in. x 24^ in.) Painted in 1 708, by Dahl.
Aged forty-two. Powdered wig and red coat. At Bilbrough.

III. Miniature of the same period, at Bilbrough.

IV. (Nearly full length, to the knees, 49| in. X 40 in.) Painted
when an Admiral, towards the end of his life. He died in 1725.
Long flowing wig, falling on the shoulders, cravat with long
falling ends, blue coat open and loose at the wrists. One hand
rests on a globe, a pair of compasses in the other. Photographed
by Mr. Hailstone for his ' Yorkshire Worthies.' At Bilbrough.

Esther Fairfax. I. The Admiral's wife. She died in 1735.
A child on her lap, and dog. Lent to the York Exhibition.
II. Half length in white, dark hair. At Bilbrough.

Thomas axd Catherine Fairfax, with a dog. Children
of Admiral Fairfax. The boy in coat and wig. Lent to the
Exhibition at York.

Catherine Fairfax Qlrs. Paivson), daughter of Admiral
Fairfax. I. Child in pink and white dress, with basket of
flowers. (29 in. x 24 in.) At Bilbrough.

II. Another Picture of j\Irs. PA'i\'SON. Young lady, fair
hair, in a white gown with red scarf. (Half length, 29 in. x
24 in.) At Bilbrough.

306 PICTURES AT BILBROUGir.

Mks. Fairfax (EUxaheth Simjif^on), wife of Thomas Fairfax
of Steeton, son of the Admiral. Married 1730, died 1780, aged
eighty-one. In white, with a dog on her lap. Lent to the
York Exhibition.

Thomas L. Fairfax of Steeton and Newton Kyme, born
1770, died 1840. Miniatures, on one side a boy of twelve, on
the other aged about sixty. At Bilbrough.

Mrs. Fairfax (Chaloner), wife of the above. A miniature.
At Bilbrough.

Mrs. Fairfax (Ravenscroft), wife of Thomas Fairfax, Esq.,
of Steeton and Newton Kyme. A miniature painted in 1838
by Ross. At Bilbrough.

Lieutenant-Colonel T. Ferdinand Fairfax of Steoton
and Newton Kyme, born 1839, died 1884. (Life size, 50-| in. x
39^ in.) In the uniform of the Grenadier Guards. Painted by
Lucas. At Bilbrough.

Countess FiTzwiLLiAM. (ll^in. x 8|in.) In blue, with red
scarf. At Bilbrough.

Lady Betty Fitzwilliam. (Half length, 29 in. x 24 in.)
White, with blue scarf. At Bilbrough.

OTHER PICTURES.

Dirk Maas. Two pictures (11^ in. x 13^ in.). Cavaliers
taking leave of a lady. Horses at a trough.

Hondekoeter. (55:1 in- X 40^ in.) Peacock in centre on a
stone, over it two pigeons, under, two partridges, ducks, king-
fisher, palace and fountain in the distance.

Rachel Ruysch. (17^ in. x 12 in., on panel.) Thistles and
butterflies.

Nine other pictures of the Dutch School, inrlnding a fine
Rembrandtish Head, and a Girl praying.

RELICS AT BILBROUGir. o()7

Sea Fight. (l-H in. x o4a in.) :\Ialtese and Turkish ships.

Battle of Malaga. (43 in. x 2 li in.) Engli.sh and French
line. On panel.

Tall :\LAy-OF-WAR (4-9i in. x 421 in.), bows on, sails loose.

STAIXED GLASS FROM STEETON.
(Xoii' at Bilhrough.)

I. Arms o{ Fit! rf ax.

II. A shield of seven quarterings : 1, Fairfax: 2, Malbi.t ;
S, Ftton ; 4, Mauley; 5, Cnlthorpe ; 6, Arcjliom; 7, Th'waites.

III. Sir Nicholas Fairfax, Knight of Rhodes. Shield of the
Fairfax arms, helmet and crest. Figure in long black cloak,
complete armour, cross embroidered on the shoulder. Spear in
right hand, left resting on the shield.

CARYED STOXES AT BILBROUGH.

I. Large slab, 6 ft. 2 in. x 3 ft. 2 in. Arms of Fairfax and
Thwaites quarterly impaling C'urwen and Brus quarterly. On
the Fairfax side a thistle, and under, ' Fare Faceto A° Fliz. the 37.'
On the Curwen side a thistle, and under, ' Si Je nedoy, 1595.' It
was originally over the porch at Steeton, but on the ground
there for many years, and neglected. Then placed over the
door at Newton Kyme. Now in the wall at Bilbrough, since
October 28, 1884.

II. Crest (hind's head erased) on a helmet. Stone, 2 ft. 10 in.
This was the Malbis crest. The stone stood over the gatehouse
at Steeton. Now at Bilbrough.

III. Slab, 1 ft. 11 in. x 2 ft. 6 in. Helm and baldrekin,
beneath them a shield quite defaced, with angel supporters. In
1614 it was on the gatehouse at Steeton, and described by
William Fairfax in a letter to his brother Charles (see ' Aualecta

308 RELICS AT BILBROUGH.

Fairfaxiana'). The coat of arms was the Fairfax three bars
gemelles, over all a lion rampant with a rose on its shoulder,
quarterly" with the arms of Malbis, a chevron between three hinds'
heads erased. Now at Bilbrough.

IV. A small slab, with a shield containing six quarterings :
1, Fairfax; 2, Malbis; 3, Utton ; 4, Mauley; 5, Galtlwrpe ;
6, Argliom. It was originally at Walton Hall, then put into
the gable of Kyme Lodge. Now let into the north wall at
Bilbrough, since October 1884.

INDEX.

ACT

Acton, Captain, commanding the

'Kingston' at the taking of

Gibraltar, 176, 177 ; services on

shore, 180 ; hauled out of action,

at the battle of Malaga, lS4 (n)
Admirals, Lord High, 72. (See

George, Prince of Denmark, and

Pembroke, Earl of)
Admiralty Oftices, 72, 211, 213
' Advice,' H.M.S., court-martial on

Captain Temple of, 202
Adwalton, defeat of the Fairfaxes

at, 13
Agar, Mr., purchased Bilbrough

Hall, 268 (m)
Agars, of York, supporters of Mr.

Jenkyns, 244
Ainsty Cliff, or Bilbrough Hall,

266
Aislabie, Mr., Chancellor of the

Exchequer, 233
Albemarle, Duke of, enabled Wm.

Phipps to go in search of treasure,

] 12. (See Monk)
' Albemnrle' H.M.S., commissioned

bv R. Fairfax, 202 ; his last ship,

205
Albuquerque, Duke of. Viceroy of

Mexico. At Ooruna, 155
Alderman of York, election of

Admiral Fairfax, 254^67. (See

Pawsori; Peirott, Redman,

Thompson)
Alderney, 166 ; Race of, 117
JLlgerine pirates, services of Sir

Roger Strickland against, 59 ;

of Admiral Herbert, 46, 91 (see

Barbary, Tripoli)
Algiers, expedition against, 45_
Alicante, troops under Lord Rivers

landed at, 200
Allemonde, Dutch Admiral, at La

Hogue, 117

ASH

Allen, Sir J., his expedition against
the Barbary States, 45

Allen, William, 51

Allsop, Mr., joke about his publish-
ing Mrs. Marser's banns, 95

Almanza, battle of, 200

Altea Bay, Sir George Eooke's
fleet at, 173, 174; Lord Peter-
borough at, 189

Altona, treaty of, 149

Amfreville, M. de, commanding a
French squadron, 104

Andrews, Mrs., a friend of Frances
Fairfax, 64

Anne, Queen, coronation, 152; her
injustice to Sir J. Munden, 157 :
orders a gold medal to be struck
for the Granville action, 167 ; at
St. James's, in the Great Storm,
169 ; receives the Archduke
Charles at Windsor, 171 ; presents
a silver cup to Captain Fairfax
for the taking of Gibraltar, 181 ;
promotes T. Fairfax to the rank
of major-general, 201 ; erects a
monument to Sir Cloud esley
Shovel in Westminster Abbey,
207 (n) ; Admiral Fairfax kisses
her hand on appointment to the
Admiralty, 210; executes the
office of Lord High Admiral,
216; statue of, put up at Leeds
by Aldernian Milner, 244; her
last speech from the throne, 24c> ;
death, 253, 258

'^Mnc,' H. M.S., loss of, after the
battle of Beachy Head, 106, 107

' Antelope,' H.M.S , at the relief of
Londonderry, 97

Appleton. (See Nunappleton)

Archbishop of York. (See Dawes,
Neale, Rotherham, Sharp)

Ashby, Admiral Sir John, com-

INDEX.

ASK

niands the 'Defiance' in 1688,

75 (re) ; at battle of Bantry Bay,

>.)-2 ; kniglited, 93; at battle of

Beachy Head, 106 ; in command

of the fleet, 108 ; in the rear

squadron at La Hogue, chasing

Freuch ships, 120
Askhnm, Mr., of York, canvassed

by Lord Bingley, 243, 244
' Association,' H. M.S., at ^'ifro, 159 ;

fiaffship of Sir Cloudesley Shovel,

1W9 ; loss of, with all on board,

206, 207
Atkinson, Captain, in consultation

•with James II., 67 (re)
Atterbury, Dr., author of the

Schism Act, 251
Anter, seat of Sir Christopher

XeTiUe, 35 ; death of Mrs.

Fairfax at, 131
Aoeriue at Newton Kyme, lime

trees from Denton, 228 ; planted,

229
Airanches, destruction of French

ships in the estuary near, 166
Aijlm.P7-, jVdmiral, at La Hogue,

118; in the Channel, 125;

notice of, 125 (re)
Aylmer, Captain, killed at the battle

'of Bantry Bay, 93

'JBddalona, landing of troops near,
191

Baker, Captain, of the ' Monmouth,'
at the ta,king of Gibraltar, 176,
177 ; wounded at the battle of
Malaga, 185 ; friend of Admiral
Fairfax, 247 ; applies for the
comptroUership, 249

Baltic, Sir G. Knoke's expedition
to the, 150, 151

Bunks, Mr. Bernard, agent to Lord
Fair'ax at Denton. Sent to
Toulston to forbid the Rymer
marriage, 40 (n) (see Bytner) ;
legacy to, in the will of Mary
Fairfax, 227 : sends a Bible and
two Prayer-Bnoks from Denton,
to Admiral Fairfax, 262, 209;
account of, 299 (re)

Bantry Bay, battle of, 92, 03 ;
English losses, 93

Barbary pirates, p.xpedilions

BEL

against, 44, 45, 46; services of
the Comte de Tourville against,
104. (See Algiers, Tripoli)

Barcelona, Sir George Rooke's fleet
at, 17."); siege resolved upon,
189 ; landing of the troops, 191 ;
description of, 102 ; siege and
surrender, 196. (See MonjuicK)

Batfeur, Cape, 117, 120

'Barflew;' H.M.S., at Vigo, 159;
flagship of Sir Cloudesley Shovel
at the battle of Malaga, 183 ;
Captain Fairfax appointed to,
197 ; Lord Rivers and his staff
on board, 1 99 ; springs a leak,
1 99, 200 ; ship's company turned
over to the ' Albemarle,' 202

Barr, Colonel, duel with Colonel
Kodney at Barcelona, 191

Barrow, Dr. Isaac, friend of Brian
Fairfax at Cambridge, 141

Bart, Jean, 103

Barwick family, 12 (re), 21 (re) ;
purchase of Toulston by, 10 (n),
12 (re)

Ba7-wic7c,'Ladj, sons of Sir W.Fair-
fax left in charge of, 12, 21, 33;
at the deathbed of Mrs. Henry
Fairfax, 137

Barwick, heiress married to Henry,
fourth Lord Fairfax, 21 (re) ; the
Fairfax Bible given to, 297-209

Barwick, Robert, 33 ; godfather of
Admiral Fairfax, 37 ; drowned in
the ' Wharfe,' 21 (re), 37

Bath and Wells, Bishop of, killed
in his bed in the Great Storm,
169

Beachy Head, battle of, 105-107

Bravvoir, Sir., chaplain of the
' Pembroke,' obtains intelligence
about Vigo, 1 58

IScchdth, Sir Leonard, receives
grant of Bilbrough tithes, 265

Bdnsyse. (See Bellasis)

Belfast Lovyh, Kirke's troops and
HooUe'.s squadron in, 100

Belfondes, Marshal, commanding
the army for the invasion of Eng-
land, 115

Bell and Scourfield, Messrs., con-
gratulations on the election of
Admiral Fairfax as Alderman,
256. (See SamrfieUT)

IXDEX.

311

BEL

Hi-llasis, Loi-d (of ^^'ol■Jaby), as
' Jack ' Bella^is, defeated at
Bradford, 1 5 ; kindness to Eobert
Fairfax, 58, 60, and 60 (»i)

Belle Isle, Sir Geoi-^^e Eooke's fleet
at, ]6o

Bennet, cousin, oi' : love to, 05 ;
lawsuit with uncle Henslow,
54, 61, 64

Benson, Mi-., member for York,
created Lord Bmo:ley, 233, :?4:2

Berkeley, Admii-al the Earl, Fair-
fax sevTiug under, off Usliant,
V2\. (See Dm-slet/,'LoTi)

Berry, Sir John, on the Xavy
Board, 74 ; in consultation vrith
James IL, 67 (n)

Bencich, the Duke of, with the
army for the invasion of England,
115

'Benruk,' H.M.S., commissioned hy
Fairfax, 171 ; chafing- French
ships off Cape Palos, 172; splits
her topsails, 174; at the taking
of Gibraltar, 176, 180; mucb
knocked about at the battle of
Malaga, 183, 184. 185 ; paid off,
186

Bible of the Fairfax family sent
from Denton to Leeds Castle,
201 ; old Bible and two Prayer-
Books at Denton presented to
Admiral Fair'ax, 262 : history
of the Fairfax Bible, 20G-:-!0r;
family Bible begun at Xewton
Kyme, 274, 275 (n)

Bilhrouyh bought by Sir T^'illiam
Fairfax, 4 (») : inherited by
Gabriel Fairfax, 4 ; carved stunes
at, 6, 7, 307 : pictures at, 38,
201, 302-307; appointment of
!Mi-. Topham as preaching min-
ister at, 38. 227, 228 ; bought
by Admiral Fairfax, 261 ; de-
scription, 262 : ecclesiastical juris-
dielioa of, 262, 263. 2. 8 : Xorman
lords of, 263: Xortons of, 264,
265 : grantees after the Re'"or-
mation. 265 : Manor House. 265 :
tithes, 263, 266. 267 (n) ; preacli-
iug minister of, 267 (n), 273 ;
Bilbrough hill, the great Lord
Fairfax foud of, 206 ; poem on,
bv Andrew Marvell, 266 ; law-

BOL

suits, 267 (n) ; owners and occu-
piers of, 268 («) ; dispute as to
boundary with Catterton, 269 ;
congratulatory letter from Loiii
Fairfax to the Admiral on pur-
chase of, 270 ; Admiral Fairfax's
gift to the poor of, 277

Billingsley, Captain Eupert, corre-
spondent of Admiral Fairfax,
271

Bivgley, Lord, 233 ; notice of, 243
(h). (See Benson)

Bis/iop and Cle>-};s, Sir Cloudesley
Shovel wrecked on the, 207

Bis/iop mil at York, 4 (n)
T\'illiam Fairfax baptized at, 11
Duke of Buckingham at, 50, 240
inherited by the Fairfax family,
231 ; ball loUowed bv a duel at,
240

Bkhoptlinrpe, Archbishop Sharp
at, 234

BlacJ;, Eice, interest made for, 203

Blacknller, Mr., 28, 20

Bladen, Catherine, lived with her
uncle General Fairfax, 33, 201 ,
204. 206, 219; with her uncle
when he died. 224, 225

Bladen, Elizabeth (mother of Ad-
miral Lord Ilawke), 33, 128,
285

Bladen, Isabella (Fairfax^, and
Kathaiiiel, 32, 51, 52, o.\ 57, 59,
61 ; uncle Bladen's kindness for
sister Betty, 53. 57 ; gossip
about uncle Bladen, 53 ; aunt
Bladen, 109; death of, 127

Bladen, Isabella. Mrs. Hammond,
33, 110, 128, 200

Bladen, Martin, Colonel, 33, 188,
220; notice of, 128

Bladen, "\^'iUiam, settled in !Mary-
land, 33

Blake, Admiral, 71, 77

Bland, ^Tajor, 14

Boalsicain, duties of, 80

Bolinghroke, Lord, Admiral Fair-
fax applies to. for the comp-
trollership, 240 : introduces the
Schism Bill, 251

Bolton Percy inherited by Gabriel
Fairfax, 4 ; Fairfax burials at, 4,
8. 127. 12;t, 135, 137; Henry
I'airl'ax rector of, 21, 135

312

INDEX.

'Uonadventun',' H.M.S., Captain
Ilnpson, 75 (re), 90, 91; oif
Lough Foyle, 94 ; at Beaumaris,
94 ; ill si(uadrnn of Commodore
lioolie, 97 ; in Belfast Lough, 100 ;
at the battle of Beachy Head,
105, 106 ; at Plymouth, 108. l.SO

Booth, Sir George, and his faiuily,
kindness to Sir W. Fairfax, 16,
16 (re), 17 ; in arms for Charles,
143

Boston, Sir W. Fairfax at, 14 ; (in
America) R. Fairfax stationed
at. 111; Sir W. Phipps at, 113

Jjourue, Charles, printer at York,
237, 238

Bowles, Mr. Phineas, Secretary to
the Admiralty, 91

Boyne, battle of, 108

Boynton, Sir Matthew, second
liusbaud of Catherine Fairfax
(Mrs. Stapleton), 34

Boi/nton, Colonel, married to Isabel
Stapleton, 34 ; her mistaken ad-
vice, 52, 57 ; her death, 60

Bvamham Park, house built by
Lord Bingley, 233 ; Mr. G. Lane
Fox of, 243 (re)

Bramhope, 131

Bramley Granye. (See Spencer of)

Bi-ereton, Sir William, married to
Miss Booth, 10; in Cheshire, 21 ;
at Jlontgomery Castle, 23

Brest, reconnoitred by Captain
Fairfax, 164, 165

Brian, origin of the name, 140, 141

Briti(/s, Mr., his table of logarithms,
81

Briyht, Colonel, 15

'Britannia,' H.M.S., a first-rate,
built by Phineas Pett, armament
and dimensions, 76 ; Russell's
flagship at La Hogue, 118

Bromley, Mr., Secretary of State,
249

Brooksbanh, Mr,, of Healaugh ;
question with, as to Catterton
boundary, 269

Brotvne, Mr., love sent to, 95

Bi-ures, Lords of Thorparch and
Newton Kyme, 38

Bucknall, Sir John, trustee under
the will of the fifth Lord Fairfax ,

BUS

Buckinyhatn, Duke of (Villiers) ;
match with Mall Fairfax said to
be broken off, 27 ; marriage, 31,
] 42 ; death, 50 ; character by
Brian Fairfax, 50; funeral, 51 ;
Brian Fairfax at sea with, l.')7 ;
persecution by Cromwell, 142,
143 ; his house at Bishop Hill,
240

Buckingham, Ducbess, her Master
of Horse, 57 ; leaves all her
property to Lady Betty Windsor,
240 ; godmother to Queen Mary,
147

Buckinghamshire, Duke of (Shef-
field), letter of General T. Fairfax
to, 220, 221 ; notice of, 221 (re) ;
protests against the abandonment
of the Cataloniaus, 242

Burkmms, duty on, letter from
Mr. Cookson on the subject, 252,
253

Buckston, Mr , alleged to be dis-
contented with Admiral Fair-
fax, 281

Buonaparte. (See Villeneuve)

Burchett, Josiah, Secretary to the
Admiralty, notice of, 91, 92;
on serving out fresh provisions,
86, 87; his works, 153, 154;
correspondence, 197 ; patronage,
203; office, 210, 211,216

Burdons, Lords of Newton Kyme,
39

' Burford,' H.M.S Captain Roffley,
at the taking of Gibraltar, 176,
17S

Burleigh, Lord, sold Newton Kyme
to Sir T. Fairfax, 39

Burton, Dr., author of the ' jNIonas-
ticon Eboracense,' his house at
York, 233

Bushell, Nicholas, of Ruswarpe, 41 ;
Brown and Plenry, their treason
an Scarborough, 41 ; Robert,
shipowner, 42

Bushell, Captain, of the ' Mary,'
Robert Fairfax goes to sea with,
42, 43 ; visit of Robert Fairfax
to, 50

Bushell, Esther, wife of Robert
Fairfax, widow of Mr. Thomlin-
soD, 110, 130; notice of, 130;
her house in London, 132 (see

INDEX.

01 c

BYN

Thomlinson) ; messages to, from
General T. Fairfax, 206, 218,
L'20 ; Requests to, in lier husband's
■will, 277 ; letter of her husband
to, before the attack on Clibraltar,
179; pictures, 3C5 ; death, 278

Byng, Admiral Sir George (Lord
Torrington), selected to command
the attack on Gibraltar, 175 ;
notice of, 176; lands at Gibraltar,
181 ; in the centre at the battle
of Malaga, 183 ; defeats the
Spanish fleet off Sicily, 271

Bi/ntf, Admiral, judicial murder of,
'103

Byrom, (See Ramsden)

Bijron, Lord, married to Miss
Booth, 16 (ji) ; at Montgomery
Castle, 22

Cadiz, Young Robert Fairfax at,
46 ; Mr. Pepys at, 46 ; unsuccess-
ful expedition to, 158

CnlUnherg, Dutch Admiral, at
La Hogue, 117

' Cn»j6)-i"rf(7e,'H.M.S., commissioned
by R. Fairfax, 152 ; sent to chase
French ships, 172

Cambridge, Rev. Henry Fairfax,
Fellow of Trinity, 134; Brian
Fairfax at, 141, and his sons, 147

Cancalle Bay, 166

' Canterbury,'' H.M.S., court-mar-
tial on Lieutenant Ward of, 202

Cantire, rendezvous of Commodore
Rooke's squadron, 97

Captains R.N., pay, 78 ; instruc-
tions and duties, 79 ; journalto
be kept by, 80 ; dishonest captains
under the Stuarts, 77 ; im-
provement after the Revolution,
77

Caraccioli, Prince, defender of Fort
Monjuich, 191 ; death, 195

Carleton, Captain, historian of
Peterborough's campaign in
Spain, 189 ; at Monjuich, 195 _

Carmarthen, Admiral the Marquis
of, his unlucky mistake, 1 24

Carrickfergus, surrender of, 100 ;
William III. lands at, 105

Carter, Rear-Admiral, joins Rus-
sell's fleet, 117 ; in rear squadron

CHA

at La Hogue, 117 ; death in
battle, 119 ; funeral, 122 (re)

Carved Stones novsr at Bilbrough, 6
(n), 7 («), 307

Cary, family of, 138 ; Sir Edmund,
138 ; exchange of prisoners at
Street Houses, 139

Cary, Charlotte, wife of Brian
Fairfax, 139

Ca)-y, Lady Elizabeth, married to
' jack ' Mordaunt, 27

Castle Martyr, freedom of the
borough conferred on Robert
Fairfax, 123

Catalonia for the Archduke Charles,
171, 189 ; abandoned to the
vengeance of Philip Y., 242

Catterton drain, 8 ; boundary, 262 ;
dispute as to boundary, 269

CayZey, Tyrwhit, vol unteer on board
the ' Torbay,' 188 ; letters from
his father, 201, 202

' Centurion; H. M. S., sights the
French fleet before the battle of
Malaga, 182

C/iffZowe?-, Frances. (See Lady Fair-
fax)

Ckalonen; James, married to Ursula
Fairfax, 10; Lady Fairfax at
house of, 12

Chaloner, Sir Thomas, of Guis-
borough, account of, 9

Chaloner, Theophania, married to
Thomas L. Fairfax, 282 (re) ;
miniature of, 306

Chamherlayne, Dr., work on the
' Present State of England,' 132

Chaplains in the navy, their posi-
tion, 83, 84

Charlemont, Lord, panic when he
was left in command before Mon-
juich, 195

Charles I. begins the civil war, 11,
12

Charles II. resolves to abandon .
Tangiers, 46 ; corruption under,
77, 78 ; civility to Lord Fair-
fax, 96 ; building a palace at
Greenwich, 87 ; Brian Fairfax
his equerry, 144; account of,
145 ; news of his death, 47, 49 ;
illness and death, 145, 146

Charles XII. of Sweden, 149;
lands in Denmark, 151

314

INDEX.

CHA

Charles, Archduke, arrival in
England, 170 ; at Lisbon, 171 ;
Barcelona summoned in name of,
173, 174 ; embarks for Barce-
lona, 189 ; council of war, 190 ;
enters Barcelona, 196

Charts, supply of, 8'2 ; inaccuracy
of, 155, 156

Chateau-Benaiid commanding' the
French fleet at Bantry Bay, 92 ;
at Vigo, 158

Cheeses, as provisions in the navy,
86, 125

Cherbourg, 117, 121

Chesterfield, Lord, Brian Fairfax
sent to forbid his banns with
Mary Fairfax, 142

Cholmlei), Dorothy, married to
Nicholas Bushell of Ruswarpe,
41

Ckolmley, Mary, wife of Eev.
Henry Fairfax, 40 ; her death
and character, 134, 135

Chohnley, Sir Henry, at Edgehill,
13, 41; treason of Sir Hugh at
Scarborough, 41

Churchill, Admiral George, 75 («);
at La Hogue. 118; at the Ad-
miralty, 153, 210, 211

Cl'ipham, Rev. Thomas, rector of
Newton Kyme, 38, 40 ; instructs
young Robert Fairfax, 40 ; Wil-
liam Fairfax's dog ' Tray ' left
to, 129

Clapham, Mr., a discontented sup-
porter of Admiral Fairfax at
York, 281

Clarge-s, Mr., General Monk's
brother, sent to Lord Fairfax,
143

Clements, Captain John, in consul-
tation with James II., 67 (n)

Clerk of the Acts, duties of, 72

Clevland, Captain, in command of
the ' Montagu,' in attack on Gib-
raltar, 176 ; notice of, 178 (re) ;
hauled out of action at battle of
JIalaga, 184 (ra)

Clifford Ings, near York, races at,
2.32

Coiites, Susanna, wife of young
William Fairfax, 48, 49

Cvhham, seat of the Ducliess of
Richmond, 143

COU

Coethgon, Chevalier de, his ship
burnt in the battle of Bantry
Bay, 93 ; escapes out of Brest,
165

Colepeper, (See Culpepper)

Collins, Greuville, hyirographer, 82,
155

Colson, John, a teacher of naviga-
tion at Wapping, 55

Commander-in-Chief at the Nore,
197 ; at S pithead, 202

Commissioners of the Navy. (See
Bavy Board, Dockyards)

Comptroller of the Navy, 72 ; Sir
R. Haddock appointed, 91 ; re-
tirement, 249 ; application for
post by Admiral Fairfax, 249 ;
Sir C. Wager appointed, 249

' Conception ' prize, Robert Fairfax
in command of, 110 ; at Boston,
111

Constable, Sir W., at Edgehill, 13;
not wanted at Liverpool siege, 20

Convoy service, greater efficiency
needed, complaints, 214, 215

Cooke, John, Prothonotary of Com-
mon Pleas, 213 ; friend of Ad-
miral Fairfax, 213 ; congratu-
lations from, on the Admiral's
election, 247 ; report of his
death, 225

Cookson, William, of Leeds, sup-
porter of Admiral Fairfax, 244,
246 ; his letter respecting the
duty on buckrams, 252, 263 ;
notice of, 253 (m)

Copley, Major, bearer of a letter to
Lady Fairfax, 15

Cork taken by Marlborough, 108 ;
Captain Fairfax at, 167

Cornwall, Captain, in the 'Swal-
low' at the relief of Londonderry,
97

' Cormoall,' H.M.S., Captain Fairfax
in command of, 125

' C&ronation,' H.M.S., flagship of
Sir Ralph Delavall, at the battle
of Beachy Head, 107

Coriina, Spanish fleet in, 155 ;
Sir J. Mundeu sights the French
squadron ofi", 156

Cotentin peuirsula, 117

Ciiuris-marlial on LordTorrington,
108; on Sir John Munden, 157 ;

INDEX.

315

COW

on Sii- Andrew Leake and otLer
captains for abandoning a cbase,
] 73 (re) ; on the captains who
hauled out of action at battle of
Malaga, 184 («) ; presided over
by Captain Fairfax, 202

Cow, Captain, of H.M.S. ' Ranelagh,'
176 ; killed at battle of Malaga,
185

Concold, Fairfax boys at school at,
21, -'i, 141; Pawsons live at,
276

Crabtfee, Mrs., a friend of Mrs.
Fairfax in London, 48, 51, 61

Civssett, Mr., British minister at
Hamburg, 151

Cromwell, Oliver (see Protector),
persecution of the Duke of
Buckingham by, 142, 143 ; defied
by Lord Fairfax, 142, 143

Cromwell, Richard, bond given to,
for appearance of the Duke of
Buckingham, 143

Culpepper; Catherine, heiress of
Leeds Castle, wife of fifth Lord
Fairfax, 223 (»)

Cvrwen, Alice, wife of Sir William
Fairfax, portrait, 6, 303 ; widow
at Steeton, 9 ; arms and motto
carved on a stone over the porch
at Steeton, 7 ; now at Bilbrough,
7 in), 307

Danhy, Earl of, declares for the
Prince of Orange at York, 90

Dartmouth, Lord, sent out to de-
molish fortifications at Tangiers,
46 ; in consultation with James
II., 67 ; in command of James's
fleet, 69, 75 ; notice of, 69 (w) ;
induces George Byng to join the
navy, 176

Davenport, John, application for,
no such person on board, 203

Daiies, Mr. Robert, the antiquarv
of York, referred to, 202, 235,
239 (n)

Davis's back stafl^, use of, 81

Dawe^, Sir William, Bart., Arch-
bishop of York, at the proclama-
tion of George I., 253, 254 ;
father-in-law of Sir William
Milner of Nunappleton, 259 (?»)

Dean of York. (See Finch, Gale)
Deane, Sir Anthony, on the Navy

Board, 74
Deane, Admiral, 71
Delavall, 75 (re) ; Admiral Sir
Ralph, commanding the rear
squadron at the battle of Beachy
Head, 105, 106, 107; president
of the Court at the trial of Lord
Torrington, 108 ; in command of
a squadron, 116 ; joins Admiral
Russell, 117 ; in the centre at
the battle of La Hogue, 117 ;
destroys the French flagship, 121

Denia taken by the allie=!, 189

Denmarh, invasion of Holstein
Gottorp, 149 ; rupture with
England and Holland, 150 ;
peace with, 151 ; Prince George
of (see George, Prince)

Denton inherited by Sir Thomas
Fairfax, 4 ; Henry, fourth Lord,
buried at, 62 (re) ; spared by
Prince Rupert for the sake of
William Fairfax, 136 ; Brian
Fairfax brought up at, 141 ;
bought by Mr. Ibbetson, 261 ;
Mr. Rymer preaches at, 276 ;
Thoresby at, 62 (re) ; trees from,
for the Newton Kvme avenue,
228 ; richly bound Bible and two
Prayer-Books at, sent to Admiral
Fairfax, 262, 275, 299; race-
horses bred at, 232

Denton, Richard, Sheriif of York,
under Admiral Fairfax as Lord
Mayor, 260

Deptford, Robert Fairfax refitting
at, 101, 102, 105; lodgings in
Flagon Row, 101

' Deptford,' H.M.S., commanded
by Sir George Rooke, 75 (re) ;
otf Lough Foyle, 97 ; in Belfast
Lough, 100

Diit. (See Provisions')

Dillies, Admiral, flag on board the
'KeDt,' 163; notice of, 165;
expedition to Granville, 166,
167; sights the French fleet,
1 74 ; in the centre at the battle
of Malaga, 183

D'lnfrenlle, Admiral, engaged
Fairfax's ship at the battle of
:Malaga, 183

316

INDEX.

DIS

Dissenters, Tory injustice to, 251

Dobson, Sheriff, ratber a sneak, 255

Dockyards, 71 ; commissioners, 73,
202, 216; George St. Lo at
Plymouth, notice of, 216

' Dorsetshire^ H.M.S., Captain
Whittaker, at the taking of
Gibraltar, 176, 180

Dove, Captain, in the ' Nassau,' at
the taking of Gibraltar, 176,
177 ; hauled out of action at the
battle of Malaga, no more shot,
184 (m)

Drake's ' History of York ' quoted,
232, 236 in)

Dri/ver, William, of Bilbrough,
executor of John Norton's will,
•JGi

Du Casse, M., French squadron in
command of, chased by Sir J.
Mundeu, 156

Duguay Trouin, 103

Dimcombe, Mr., drinks healths
■with old General Fairfax, 225

Dunham Massie, seat of Sir George
Booth, 18

Duguesne, Admiral, death of, 104

Dursley, Lord, a disgraceful job
perpetrated for, 208 ; notice of,
208, 209 (ra), 247, 278, 280

Dutch wars, services of Sir Roger
Strickland, 59 ; of Lord Dart-
mouth, 69 ; use of fireships in,
83 ; Admiral Herbert in, 91 ;
Sir G. Rooke in, 06; Sir J.
Leake in, 96

Dutch squadron at the battle of
Beachy Head, 105, 106; losses,
107 ; Dutch complaints against
Lord Torrington, 108 ; rescue of
a vessel by Robert Fairfax, 109 ;
seamen better fed and more
healthy than English, 86 ; fleet
under Admiral Russell, 117, 118,
120; at the battle of Malaga,
183, 184; fails to join Lord
Rivers, 199

Dyneley, Robert, of Bramhope,
power of attorney left with, by
Robert Fairfax, 131

' Eaijle^ H.M.S., Sir John Leake's
ship at La Hogue, 118; Lord

FAI

Archibald Hamilton's ship at the
taking of Gibraltar, 176 ; hauled
out of action at battle of Malaga,
no more shot, 184 (n) ; lost with
Sir 0. Shovel, 207

Eamonson, Rev. Benjamin, preach-
ing minister of Bilbrough, 237 (n)

£a<ore,-Benjamin, application for,
to be made a midshipman, 203

Edgehill, battle of. Sir W. Fairfax
at, 13

Election at York, 242-246; peti-
tions, 250, 251; for alderman,
256, 257

' Entreprenant,' French privateer,
captured by Captain Fairfax, 123

Epitaph on Admiral Fairfax,
discussion respecting, 278-281

Erie, General, in Lord Rivers' ex-
pedition, 198 ; friend of General
Fairfax, 201

Escrick, country seat of the Thomp-
sons, 233

Essex, Earl of, major-general in
Lord Rivers' expedition, 198

' Essex,' H.M.S., Captain Hubbard
in command at taking of Gib-
raltar, 176 ; captain Ronzier in,
at the action with Spanish fleet,
271

Estrees, Comte d', commanding a
division of the French fleet, 104,
107 ; coming from the Mediter-
ranean, 115

Etty, Mr., the master builder at
York, 236

Eugene, Prince, 214

Everlzen, Dutch Admiral, at the
battle of Beachy Head, 105, 106

' Experiment,' FI.M.S., court-mar-
tial on the ofiicers of, 202

Fairhorne, Admiral Sir Strafibrd,
superintends landing at Barce-
lona, 191

i^a);/«x, family antiquity, 2; mean-
ing of the name, 2 (n)

Fairfax, Alathea, Viscountess, let-
ter from, to borrow a galloway,
35, 36

Fairfax, Alathea, sister of Admiral
Fairfax, birth, 35, 37 ; her great
loss, 57 ; her care for her mother.

INDEX.

317

PA I

63 ; sends marmalade to her
brother, 102; and a flower-pot,
109 ; unmarried, 132 ; left an
annuity by her brother, 277 ;
death, 278

Fairfax, Aliee,Ladj. (See Ctirwev)

Fairfax; Anne, daughter of the
fourth Lord Fairfax, 38

Fairfax; Anne, daughter of young
AVilliam Fairfax of Steeton, 129

Fairfax; Arthur, infant son of
William Fairfax, 28, 35

Fairfax; Barwick, son of the fourth
Lord Fairfax, 38, 244 (n)

Fairfax; Brian, son of Kev. Henry
Fairfax, 24; birth at Newton
Kyme, 40 ; his estimate of the
Duke of Buckingham, 50 ; equerry
to Charles II., 90, 144 ; narrative
addressed to his sons, 133-46;
his parents, 133-37 ; his wife
and her family, 138 ; at sea with
the Duke of Buckingham, 137 ;
his name of Brian, 140 ; lived
with his godfather at Denton,
141 ; at school and college, 141 ;
in France, 143 ; receives rents at
Helmsley for the Duke of
Buckingham, 143; sent to
General Monk, 143; at Cambridge
when Charles II. was seized with
apoplexy, 145 ; dismissed by
James n., 146 ; at the Hague,
146; equerry to "Wilham III.,
90, 147 ; secretary to Archbishop
Tillotson, 147 ; writings, 147 ;
death, 147

Fairfax, Brian (junior), at West-
minster School and Cambridge,
Commissioner of Customs, 147 ;
his library, 147 (n), 259 (n) ;
trustee and guardian of sixth
Lord Fairfax, 223, 224 ; death,
147

Fairfax, Brian, Rev., of Virginia,
succeeds as eighth Lord Fairfax,
188 (re)

Fairfax; Brian Charles, son of
Lieut.-Colonel T. F. Fairfax,
283 (re)

Fairfax, Catherine, daughter of
iiord Fairfax of Gilling, wife of
Robert Stapleton, 34 ; her hus-
bands, 34

FAX

Fairfax, Catherine (Stapleton),
wife of William Fairfax, and
mother of Admiral Fairfax, 33 ;
family, 34 ; children, 35 ; por-
trait, 37, 131 (re), 304 ; her son's
letters to, 43, 44, 46, 48, 50, 51,
53, 56, 59, 61, 62, 65, 67, 94,
98, 100, 101, 103; her death and
will, 129

Faitfax, Catherine, daughter of
Sir William Fairfax of Steeton,
11 ; married to Sir Martin
Lister, 25 ; letters to her mother,
25-32 ; portrait, 25 ; death, 32

-Fn(>/a.r,Catherine, daughter of Ad-
miral Fairfax, birth, 157 ; bap-
tized, 212, 218, 220; portraits,
259, 276, 305 ; marriage with
H. Pawson, 276 ; death, 276 (re) ;
in the admiral's entail, 277

Fairfax, Charles, of Menston, son
o:f the first Lord Fairfax, anti-
quary, 7, 139 ; exchanged at Street
Houses, 139 ; portrait, 303

Fairfax, Charles, brother of the
great Lord Fairfax, mortally
wounded at Marston Moor, 19

Fairfax, Charles, son of Charles, of
Menston, a naval officer, 59 (re)

Fairfax, Charles, son of Brian, at
"S^'estminster and Oxford, 147

Fairfax, Charles, Rev., son of
Thomas Fairfax, Esq., of Steeton,
283 (re)

Fairfax, Dorothy, daughter of the
fourth Lord Fairfax, wife of R.
Stapleton, 38

Fairfax, Edmund, son of Sir Philip
Fairfax of Steeton, 9, 10 (n)

Fairfax, Elizabeth, sister of Ad-
miral Fairfax, 35, 37 ; kindness
of uncle Bladen for, 53, 57 ;
married to W. Spencer, 53, 132,
218, 219 ; question as to date of
death, 277 (re)

Fairfax, Esther. (See Bushell,
Thomlinson)

Fairfax, Evelyn Constance, daugh-
ter of Lieut.-Colonel T. F. Fair-
fax, 283 (re)

Fairfax, Evelyn (Milner), wife of
Lieut.-Colonel T. F. Fairfax,
244 (re), 283 (re)

Fairfax, Ferdinand, second Lord

318

IXDEX.

Fairfax, marriage with Lady
Mary Sheffield, 8 ; living at
Steeton, 9 (w), 11, 139 ; portrait,
302
Fail-fax, Ferdinand, Lieut.-Colonel,

of Steeton 283 («)
Fairfax, Ferdinand, sou of Brian
Fairfax, at Westminster school
and Cambridge, 147
Fairfax, Frances (Chaloner), wife
of Sir "William Fairfax of Steeton,
marriage, 9 ; letters from Sir
WiUiam to, 14-22 ; a widow at
Steeton, 24, 38 ; letters from her
daughter, Lady Lister, to, 25-32;
gossip carried to, 53 ; death, 127
Fairfax, Frances, sister of Admiral
Fairfax, birth, 35, 37 ; love to,
52, 61 ; locket for, 54 ; unwell,
56 ; in London with her brother,
63, 64; tells her mother the
fashions, 65; back home, 68;
unmarried, 132 ; death, 277
Fairfax, Frances, daughter of young
William Fairfax of Steeton, 129
Fairfax, Frances, daughter of the
fourth Lord Fairfax, married
Mr. Rymer, the rector of New-
ton Kyme, 40 («), 276
Fairfax, Frances, Lady (Sheffield),
wife of Sir Philip Fairfax, 8 ;
portrait, 303
Fairfax, Frances, wife of fourth
Lord Fairfax, 21 (n), 297-299
(see Banvick)
Fairfax, Gabriel, of Steeton, 4, 6
Fairfax,Quj, Sir, buUt Steeton, 1 ;

notice of, 2
Fairfax, Guy, Eev., minister of
Bilbrough and rector of Newton
Kyme, 276 (n) ; lawsuit about
Bilbrough tithes, 267
Fairfax, Guy Thomas, of Steeton
and Bilbrough, dedication to, v ;
son of Lieut.-Oolonel T. F. Fair-
fax, 244 («), 268 («)
Fairfax, Henry, Rev., rector of
Newton Kyme and Bolton Percy,
son of first Lord Fairfax, 24, 39 ;
birth, 133 ; marriage, 134, 135 ;
pursuits and character, 135, 136 ;
died at Oglethorpe, 135
Fairfax, Henry, fourth Lord Fair-
fax, 24, 134 ; wife and children.

FAI

38 ; forbids his daughter to marry
jNlr. Eynier 40 (n) ; but was not
implacable, 270 ; death and
funeral, 62 («)
Fairfax, Henry Fairfax, sou of the
fo'urih Lord, of Tonlston, 38, 188 ;
his son Henry a volunteer in the
navy, 163 (fi)
Fairfax, Henry Culpepper, son of
the fifth Lord Fairfax, 223 {n),
227 (it)
Fairfax, Henry, Dr., Fellow of
Jlngdalen, made Dean of Nor-
wich, 90
Fairfax, Isabella. (See Bladen)
Fairfax, John, of Steeton and

Newton Kyme, 282 («)
Fairfax, Mary. (See Bwkiny-

ham)
Fairfax, Mary, daughter of the
fourth Lord Fairfax, 38, 227 (n)
Fairfax, Nicholas, Sir, Knight of

Rhodes, 3, 4, 7, 307
Fairfax, Philip, Sir, of Steeton, 8,

39
Fairfax, Robert, seventh Lord Fair-
fax, of Leeds Castle, 223 (n)
Fairfax, Robert, Admiral, of
Steeton, Bilbrough, and Newton
Kyme, birth, 35, 36, 37 ; baptism
and early years, 87 ; to go to
sea, 40 ; first ship, 42, 43 ;
letters to his mother and to Mrs.
Marser, 43, 44, 46, 48, 50, 51,
53, 56, 59, 61, 64, 65, 67 ; first
voyage, 43 ; second voyage, 44,
46, 47 ; bringing home things
for his mother, 47, 49 ; remarks
on his brother's marriage, 49 ; at
the funeral of the Duke of Buck-
ingham, 51 ; interview with
Samuel Pepys, 52 ; cautions his
sisters against gossip, 53; takes
lodgings at Wapping to learn
navigation, 55 ; out fox hunting
with King James, 56, 57, 96;
rides to flighgate to meet Vis-
count Fairfax, 58, 60 ; introduced
by Lord Bellasis to Sir Roger
Strickland, 60 ; appointed a vo-
lunteer in Sir Roger's fiagship,
60, 61 ; with his sister Frank in
London, 63 ; affectionate thanks
to his mother, 65, 68; tells his

INDEX.

3] 9

mother of rumoured war with
Holland, C7 ; commission of
lieutenant and appointed to the
' Bonadventui-e," 90 ; at the
battle of Bantry Bay, 93 ; letter
to his mother from Beaumaris,
d-i ; his feeling in worMng for
the relief of Londonderry, 96 ;
note to his mother from off Lough
Foyle, 97, 98 ; letters on return
of ' Bonadventure,' 100, 101 ; re-
fitting at Deptford. 102, 105 ; at
battle of Beachy Head, 105, 106,
107; letter to his mother from
Plymouth, 108, 109 ; made post-
captain, 110 ; in command of the
' Conception ' ou the American
station, 111-14, 123; orders from,
to Lieut. Mitchell at Boston,
111 ; captain of the ' Pembroke,'
1-23 ; of the ' Rul.y,' 123 : his
capture of the French privateer,
' Entreprenant,' 123 ; freedom of
the borough of Castle Martyr
conferred on, 123 ; captain of the
'Xewark,' 124; of the 'Corn-
wall,' 125 ; description of, from
portrait and register ticket, 12G ;
succeeds to Steeton and Newton
Kyme, 129 ; marriage, 130 ;
children bom at Whitby, 131 ;
leaves power of attorney with
Robert Dyneley, 131 ; death of
his mother, 131 ; home in
London, 132 ; birth of his son,
132 ; in the society of Brian
Fairfax and his sons, 132, 147
captain of the 'Severn,' 148
service in the Baltic, 150, 151
captain of the ' Cambridge ' and
' Kestoration,' 152 ; service with
Sir John Munden, 154, 155, 156 ;
loss of the ' Kestoration's ' main-
mast, 157, 160 ; fever on board
his ship, 160 ; loss of second
mainmast, 160 ; his fine sea-
manship, 160, 161 ; refitting,

161 ; gets a new mast at Vigo,

162 ; loses his anchor, 162 ;
captain of the 'Somerset' and
' Kent,' 163 ; sent to reconnoitre
Brest, 164; chasing French ships
in the Bay of Biscay, 165 ; service
in the expedition to Granville,

166, 167; in the Great Storm at
Spithead, 168; captain of the ' Ber-
wick,' 171; chasing French ships
off Cape Palos, 172; superintend-
ing the landing at Barcelona,
173; sights the French fleet, 174;
farewell to his wife before the
attack on Gibraltar, 179; ser-
vices in the attack, 180 ; pre-
sented with a silver cup by
Queen Anne, 181 ; in the van at
the battle of Malaga, 183 ; his
ship much shattered, 184, 185 ;
captain of the ' Torbay,' 187 ;
superintends the second landing
at Barcelona, 191 ; sends his
guus to Blonjuioh, 196; in com-
mand of bomb vessels at siege of
Barcelona, 196 ; on leave in
Searle Street, 197 ; applies for
a second-rate, 197 ; applies to
Sir Cloudesley Shovel to be ap-
pointed his first captain, 197 ;
appointed to the ' Barfleur,' and
made commander-in-chief at the
Nore, 197 ; takes Lord Rivers
onboard, 199; 'Barfleur' springs
a leak, 199, 200 ; turned over to
the ' Albemarle,' 202 ; com-
mander-in-chief at Spithead, 202 ;
promoted to the rank of admiral,
but unjustly superseded by Lord
Dursley, 208 ; made a member
of the council of the Lord High
Admiral, 210 ; work at the Ad-
miralty, 2 14, 2 1 5 ; at the funeral of
Sir Cloudesley Shovel, 207, and
Prince George of Denmark, 216 ;
retires to Yorkshire, 216 ; ques-
tion of his half-pay, 209, 217 ;
residence at Micklegate, in York,
230, 231, 232, 240 ; determines
to stand for York, 243 ; canvass-
ing at Leeds, 244 ; elected
member for Y'ork, 245 ; his Par-
liamentary duties, 250-253 ; ap-
plication for comptroUership,
249 ; befriends young naval
officers, 247, 248 ; votes against
the Schism Act, 252 ; at York
on the proclamation of George
I., 254 ; election as Alderman
of York, 254-57 ; retires from
Parliament, 258 ; hospitality in

320

INDEX.

PAI

London, 259 ; Lord ^Mayor of
York, 259, 260; thankd from
the Government, 260 ; pur-
chases Bilbrough, 261, 268, 270 ;
settles disputed boundary with
CattertoD, 269 ; correspondence
with friends, :i71 ; pleasant cor-
respondence with Mr. Seawell of
the Pay Office, "271 ; his g-enerous
acts done in secret, 272 ; his
friends at York, 273 ; his will,
277 ; death, 277 ; portraits, 278,
305 ; epitaph, 279 ; character as
naval officer, 205 ; character,
283, 28-i

Fairfax, Robert, of Newton Kyme
and Steeton, an old bachelor,
grandson of the Admiral, 282 (?i)

Fairfax, Susanna (see Coates), also
daughter of young William Fair-
fax, 129

Fairfax, Thomas, first Lord Fair-
fax, 8; his father inherits Denton
andNunappleton,4; buysNewton
Kyme, 39 ; character and notice
nf, 241 ; born at Bilbrough, 265 ;
portrait, 302

Fairfax, Thomas, the Great Lord
Fairfax, 4, 12, 14, 17, SO ;
wounded at Marston Moor, 20 ;
wounded in the shoulder at
Helmsley, 21, 22; furious with
Cromwell, 142, 143 ; in arms
against Lambert, 144; his reli-
gion and character, 144 ; his
gallantry in action, 139 ; «. man-
of-war named in honour of, ii6 ;
funeral, 37 ; his bequest of the
tithes of Bilbrough, 227, 267 ;
Bilbrough Hill his favourite re-
sort, 266; tomb at Bilbrough,
261, 266, 268 (ra), 269; his wife
looks as if she would eat Lady
Lister, 31 ; portrait, 302

Fairfax, Thomas, fifth Lord Fair-
fax, 38 ; declares for the Prince of
Orange at York, 90; notice of,
64 (n) ; bis brotherly reception
of Robert Fairfax, 102 ; his
friendship for Kobert Fairfnx,
132; at Bath, 209; his death
and will, 222, 223, 224; wife
and children, 223 («) ; miniature
of, 303

FAI

Fairfax, Thomas, sixth Lord Fair-
fax, at Oxford, 223 («), 224,
226 ; letter from Admiral Fair-
fax to, 226 ; his trustees, 223 ;
sells Bilbrough to Admiral Fair-
fax, 261, 270; cordial letter
from, 270 ; presents a Bible and
two Prayer-Books to Admiral
Fairfax, 262 ; settles in Virginia,
223 {n)

Fairfax, Thomas, son of Sir Wil-
liam Fairfax of Steeton, his
birth at Newton Kyme, 10 ; in
the expedition to Jamaica, 25,
28; conduct to his brother-in-
law Lister, 30 ; kindness to his
nephew Robert, 49 ; his advice,
52, 57; picture of, 129, 304;
notice of, 200 ; letters to his
nephew Robert from Ireland,
201, 203, 206, 209, 217, 218,
219, 220, 224, 225 ; visit to his
nephew in London, 213; letter
to the Duke of Bucks, 221;
death, 224

Fairfax. Thomas, son and heir of
Admiral Fairfax, birth and bap-
tism, 132 ; iU of an ague, 1 29 ;
messages to, from his great-
uncle Thomas, 218, 220, 226;
going to college, 259 ; a hopeful
boy and a good scholar, 206 ;
notice of, 275; his pursuits and
work on field sports, 275 (»i) ;
his epitaph to his fathers memory,
278, 279; married to Elizabeth
Simpson, 282 ; death, 282, de-
scendants, 282 in)

Fairfax, Thomas (' coitsin Thomas'),
son of Colonel Charles Fairfax
of Menston, 52 ; Robert Fairfax
merry with, playing at foils, 52

Fairfax, Thomas, brother of Brian
Fairfax, dies at Otley school, 140

Fairfax, Thomas Lodington, of
Steeton and Newton Kyme, 282
in) ; rented Bilbrough Hall,
268 (m) ; miniatm-es of, 306

Fairfax, Thomas, of Steeton and
Newton Kyme, built the church
and school at Bilbrough, 268 (n),
283 (n); born at Bilbrough,
268 (n)

Fairfax, Ursula, daughter of Sir

INDEX.

n o 1

Philip Fau'fax of Steeton, mar-
ried to James Chaloner, 9 ; Lady
Fairfax at her house near Char-
ing Cross during the civil war, 12

Fah-fax, William, Sir, inventory
of his furniture, &c., at Steeton,
4, 5, 287 ; purehases Bilbrough, 4

-FmV/(M',Willlam, Sir, son of Gabriel
Fairfax of Steeton ; improve-
ments at Steeton, 6 ; marriage
■with Alice Curwen, 6 ; death, 8

Fairfax, William, Sir, of Steeton,
marries Frances Chaloner, 9 ;
inherits Steeton and Newton
Kyme, 10 ; raises a regiment
for the Parliament, 11, 12 ;
services in the war, 13 ; letters
to his wife, 14-22 ; illness at
Dunham JIassie, 17, 18; at
Marston Moor, 19; at the siege
of Liverpool, 20; death before
Montgomery Castle, 22, 23 ;
portraits, 10, 304

Fairfax, WUliam, son of Sir Wil-
liam Fairfax of Steeton, under
care of Lady Berwick, 12, 21, 33 ;
at school at Coxwold, 21, 24;
portrait of, 25, 304 ; in the army
of the Protector, 25, 33 ; marries
Catherine Stapleton, 33 ; home
at Newton Kyme, 33 ; children ;
father of Admiral Fairfax; death.
35; monument in Newton Kyme
church, 131

Fairfax, William, son of the first
Lord Fairfax ; Denton spared by
Prince Rupert for his sake, 136

Fairfax, William, son of William
Fairfax, and brother of Admiral
Bobert Fairfax, 35, 37 ; marriage
to Susanna Coates, 48, 49 ; bap-
tized at Steeton Chapel, 48 (n) ;
birth of daughters, 59 (re) ; suc-
ceeds to Steeton, 128 ; death
and will, 129 ; picture by Sir
Godfrey KneUer, 129, 305

Fairfax, William, major in Colonel
Lambert's regiment ; slain at the
battle of Marston Moor ; his
will, 19

Fairfax, WiUiam, son of Henry
Fairfax of Toulston, served under
Captain Robert Fairfax, and
Colonel Martin Bladen; settled

GAL

in America ; ancestor of all the
American Fairfaxes, 188 («)

Fairfax, Viscount, of Gilling, 34,
58, 60, 68, 206 ; line extinct, 275

'Fairfax; H.M.S., 45, 69 («), 96

Falkland, Lord, Treasurer of the
Na-i-y, 74

Finch, the Hon. and Rev. Henry,
Dean of York, 235 ; supporter
of Admiral Fairfax, 244, 255,
257 ; his brother Edward, 235,
255

'Firedrake; H.M.S. (See iea^e,Sir
John)

Fireships, use of, 83

Flamsteed, Astronomer-Royal, 55,
82

Fleet. (See Xavy^

Fox, George Lane, Esq., of Bram-
ham Park, 233 (n), 243 («)

Fox, Colonel, lands with the marines
at Gibraltar, ] 80 ; marches into
the town, 181

France, intended invasion of, by
an expedition under Lord Rivers,
198 ; na-i^T of, 103, 104

Frank, Sir William Fairfax's ser-
vant at Steeton, 21

Frankendale, siege of, 136

Frederick IV. of Denmark, 149

Freind, Dr., historian of Lord
Peterborough's campaign, in the
fleet, 189

French Ambassador's, ball and
play at, 28

French fleet, 104; at Bantry Bay,
92, 93; at Beachy Head, 104,
105 ; master of the channel,
107 ; at battle oiF La Hogue,
115-122 ; squadron chased off
Ooruiia, 156 ; losses at ^'igo,
159 ; losses at Granville, 166,
167 ; ships chased oiF Cape Palos,
172, 173 ; fleet in the Mediter-
ranean; at the battle of Malaga,
182-84 ; losses in the war, 215

Frontenac, Comte de, repulses Sir
W. Phipps at Quebec, 113

Oale, Dr., Dean of York, his learn-
ing, 234, 235 ; his accomplished
sons, 236

Galleons, Spanish, taken and sunk
at Vigo, 159

322

I^DEX.

GAL

Galioay, Lord, defeated at Almanza,
200, 220 («)

Gascoigne, Chief Justice, grand-
father of the wife of Sir Guy-
Fairfax, 2

Gent, Thomas, printer at York, 237,
238; marries Dr. Bourne's widow,
238

Genter, Mr. ?, a navy anient, 51

George I. proclaimed at York, 254 ;
arrival and coronation, 258

George II., his conduct as regards
the execution of Admiral Byng,
108

George, Prince, of Denmark, Lord
High Admiral, 72, 153 ; his visit
to the fleet of Sir George Rooke,
158 ; appoints Captain Fairfax
to the ' Barfleur,' 197 ; promotes
R. Fairfax to the rank of admi-
ral, 208 ; brings the case of Fair-
fax before the Queen in Council,
209 ; appoints Fairfax a member
of his Council of Admiralty, 210 ;
his death and funeral, 216

Gerard, Lord (Earl of Maccles-
field), 139 ; his character and
gallantry in action, 139

Gibbons, Colonel, arrests the Duke
of Buckingham at Oobham, 143

Gibraltar, resolution to attack, 174,
175; taking of, 176-181; de-
scription of, 175 ; surrender, 181 ;
allied fleet at, 185 ; relief of, 186 ;
Lord Portmore, governor of, 220
(«)

Gill, Mr. T., a York elector, 254

Gillam, Captain, in the 'Grey-
hound ' at the relief of London-
derry, 97

Oirlington, Sir John, taken pri-
soner, 15 (k)

Gisborough, seat of the Ohaloners,
9 ; mentioned by Lady Lister, 25

Gooch, Bliss, married to Lieutenant
Medley, R.N., 248

' Gospori,' H.M.S., court-martial on
the master of, 202

Gossip, Robert Fairfax cautions his
sisters against, 53, 54

Grace, Martha, death of her chUd, 29

' Grafton; H.M.S., Sir Andrew
Leake, 172, 176 ; hauled out of
action at the battle of Malaga,

HAM

no more shot, and captain kUled,
184 (n)

Granville, destruction of French
fleet of merchant ships near, 166,
167 ; reward from Queen Anne
for successful operations near,
167

Greaves, Mr., verger of York Min-
ster, a great stickler for Jenkyns,
254; the Dean brings pressure
on him, 255

Greenwich Hospital founded, 86, 87 ;
donations of Admiral Fairfax to,
272

Greenivich Observatory founded,
55,82

Gregg, Mr. Hugh, British Minister
at Copenhagen, 150

' Greyhound; H.M.S., Captain
Gillan, at the relief of London-
derry, 97

Grimsion, T., of Grimston Garth,
letter to Admiral Fairfax asking
him to use interest for his son-
in-law, 248 ; notice of, 248 (n)

Guiscard, Marquise de, expedition
against France suggested by, 198

Gunner, duties of, 82 ; stores, 83

Guy, Alice, a pretty handmaiden at
York, 237, 238. (See Geyit)

Gyles, Henry, glass painter at York,
2.36

Gyrlings, Rev. Nicholas, rector of
Newton Kyme, 276 (w), 300

Haddock, Admiral Sir Richard,

Comptroller of the Navy, 91 ; in

joint command of the fleet, 108 ;

retirement and death, 249

Hagley, seat of Lord Lyttleton,

Fairfax pictures at, 10, 25
Hague, Cape de la, fleets olF, 117
Haly, ' Aunt.' (See Holly)
Hamilton, Captain Lord Archibald,
in the ' Eagle ' at taking of Gib-
raltar, 176, 177 («) ; hauled out
of action at the battle of Malaga,
no more shot, 184 ; appointed to
the 'Royal Katherine,' 197; in
charge at Spithead during ab-
sence of Captain Fairfax, 203
Hammond of Scarthingwell, 33 (w).
(See Bladen)

INDEX.

o o '■»

HAM

Hampden, Mr., opposed the Schism

Act, 251
Hanmer, Sir Thomas, Speaker of
Queen Anne's last Parliament,
249
Sardwicke, Mr., lawyer at York,
ajid supporter of Admiral Fair-
fax, 244; represents Faii'fax at
the scrutiny, 245; his nephew
Sowi-ay given the living of Bil-
brough, 20", 273
Ifan-isoii, Mr., of York, scrutineer

for Mr. Jenkyns, 245
Harvard CoVege. (See Mather)
Hastings, Captain, killed at the
battle of La Hogue, 119 ; funeral,
122 (m)
Hawke, Admiral Lord, 1 (ra) , 33, 285
Healaugh bought by Mr. Brooks-
bank, 269 (»")
'.H"ecto-,'H.M,S., in the Granville

aflFair, 166
Helmsley, rents of, collected by
Brian Fairfax for the Duke of
Buckingham, 143
' Henrietta ' yacht at relief of Lon-
donderry, 97
Hnshic, ' Uncle,' lawsuit with the

Bennets, 52, 64 ; ' cousin,' 60
Herbert, Admiral {Lord Torring-
ton), sent out to demolish Tan-
giers, 46; forces the Algerines
to come to terms, 46; commands
the Dutch fleet with the Prince
of Orange, 70, 91 ; his friendship
for his flag captain, 78 ; made
First Lord of the Admiralty, 91 ;
notice of, 91 ; Battle of Bantry
Bay, 92, 93; created Earl of
Torrington, 98 ; watching the
French fleet, 94 ; ordered by
Queen Mary to engage the
French, 106 ; Battle of Beachy
Head, 106, 107; tried by court-
martial, 108
Hervei/, Lord, memoii's ; his opinion

of Lord Dursley, 208, 209 («)^
Hesse Darmstadt, Prince of, with
the fleet of Sir George Rooke,
171 ; sends a summons to Barce-
lona, 173 ; in the attack on Gib-
raltar he is to land with troops
on the isthmus, 175, 180 ; left at
Gibraltar. 189 ; in favour of an

HUT

expedition to Catalonia, 189, 190;
coolness between him and Lord
Peterborough, 190, 193 ; accom-
panies Peterborough to Mon-
juich, 194; death, 195
Hewer, Mr., on the Navy Board, 74
Hicks, Captain, in the ' Yarmouth '
at the taking of Gibraltar, 176,
178 ; services ia landing, 180 ;
commands leading ship at the
battle of Malaga, 183
Hildyard, Christopher, author of
the 'Antiquities of Y'ork,' 274 (ra)
Hildyard, Francis, bookseller at
York, of the Ottringham branch
of Hildyards of Winestead, notice
of, 238 : his successors, 238 (h) ;
a supporter of Admiral Fairfax
at York election, 243, 244; draws
up the counter-petition, 250 ;
canvassing-, 255, 256 ; his work,
'Antiquities of York,' dedicated
to Admiral Fairfax, 273 ; con-
troversy with Nicholas Torre,
274 (n)
Hill, Eichard, on the Council of

the Lord High Admiral, 210
Hoffman, Dr. Egidius, his way of

making mum, 273
Hogue. (See La Hogue)
Holly (or Haly ?), uncle and aunt,
mentioned by Lady Lister, 27, 29
Hohfein Oottorp, invaded by the

Danes, 14'^, 150
Hopson, Adjnu-al Sir Thomas,
commands the ' Bonadventure,'
75 (n), 90 ; notice of, 90, 91 ; oft"
Lough Foyie, 94 ; appointed to
the ' York,' 101 (ra), 105 ; in the
Channel, 149; in the Baltic, 150;
breaks the boom at Via:o, in the
' Torbay,' 159
Hospital ships, 86
Hosier, Captain. (See ' Salisbury,'

H.M.S.)
Hubbard, Captain, of the ' Bon-
adventure,' 105, 106 ; at the
battle of Beachy Head, 106,
107 ; at the taking of Gibraltar
in the ' Essex,' 176
Hull, retreat of the Fairfaxes to,
siege raised by Newcastle, 13 ;
Brown Bushell at, 41
Hutton, Alderman, of York, 257

T 2

824

INDEX.

IBB

Ilhetson, Mr., of Leeds, buys

Denton, 261
Inohiquin, Lord, 206
Iiifiram, Sir Arthur, of Temple

Newsam, .34 ; third husband of

Catherine Fairfax, the Admiral's

grandmother, 34
Int/ram, Catherine, wife of Sir

Christopher Neville of Auher,

35, 101, 109
Ini/rish, in Bilbrough ; beacon on,

'262
Inve^itoi-y of furniture, &c., at

Steeton in 1558, 287

Jackson, Rev. Christopher (' Cou-
sin '), 57 ; W. Fairfax leaves his
roan horse to, 129

Jackson, Samuel and John, relations
uf IVIr. Pepys, 42 (n)

James II., Lord High Admiral, 72 ;
Robert Fairfax out hunting with,
56, 57, 96 ; his orders respecting
the fleet, 66, 67 ; the neutrality
of the fleet seals his fate, 69 ;
his persecution of the Fellows of
Magdalen, 90; di.smissed Ad-
miral Herbert, 91 ; lands at
Kinsale, 92 ; before Londonderry,
94 ; feeling against, 96 ; with
the French army for invasion of
England, 115, 122 ; dismisses
Brian Fairfax, 146

Jenkyns, Tobias, uncle of Lord
Bingley, stands for York against
Admiral Fairfax, 243 ; demands
a scrutiny, 245 : his petition
against the return, 250, 251 ; his
party opposes election of Fairfax
as alderman, 254; his party
downcast, 257 ; returned, 258 ;
retires, 258 (n)

Jennings, Sir William, faithful to
James II., 69 ; dismissed from
the navy, 70 ; Mr., Ijills Mr.
Aislabie in a duel about Miss
MaUory, 240; Lieut, of the
' St. George,' killed at the battle
of Malaga, 1 85

Journals, form of, to be kept by
captains, 79, 80; and masters,
82

EIB

Jumper, Captain, in the ' Lennox '
at the attack on Gibraltar, 176,
178 (fl) ; services on shore, 180;
knighted, 181 ; wounded at the
battle of Malaga, 185

Justice, Alderman, of York, 257

Kaye, Sir Arthur, M.P. for York-
shire, 246; notice of, 246 (re),
253

Kempthorne, Sir John, bis expedi-
tion against the Barbary States,
45

Kendall, Sir John, turcopolier of
the Order of St. John, 3

Kennebec, river in New England,
Wm. Phipps born on the banks
of, 112

'Kent,' H.M.S., dimension and ar-
mament, 76 ; Lord Torrington
tried on board, at Sheerness,
108 ; at Vigo, 159 ; Captain
Fairfax in command of; flag of
Admiral Dilkes, 163, 164; off
Granville, 166; rides out Great
Storm at Spithead, 168 ; Rupert
Billingsley, a lieut. in, 271 ;
flag of Admiral Dilkes, at the
battle of Malaga, 183

Kidder, Dr., Bishop of Bath and
Wells, killed in his bed in the
Great Storm, 169

Kildare, Earl of, Brian Fairfax
goes to France with, 143

Killigrew, Admiral, in joint com-
mand of the fleet, 108

' Kingfisher ' ketch at the relief of
Londonderry, 97

' Kingston,' H.M.S., Captain Acton,
at the taking of Gibraltar, 176

Kinsale, James II. lands at, 92 ;
taken by Marlborough, 108;
Captain jPairfax at, 167

Kirhe, General, at Tangiers, 175;
in command of troops for the
relief of Londonderry, 94-97 ;
considered it impracticable to
break the boom, 98; in Belfast
Lough, 100

Kirke, Thomas, an antiquary at
York, 235

Kirton, Captain, H.M.S. ' Suff'olk,'

INDEX.

KNA

at taking of Gibraltar, 176;
hauled out of action at the battle
of Malaga, no more shot, 184 (n)

Knavcsinire, race course at York,
232

Knimton, Mr., Duchess of Bucking-
ham's Gentleman of Horse, 57, 59

Kijme famUy, Lords of Newton
Kyme, 38, 39

Kyme Castle, 39

La Hague, Cape, fleets off, 117

La Hague, battle of, 1 17 ; TourvUle
engages Russell's division, 118;
Fiench retreat in a fog, encoun-
ters with Shovel and Carter, 119 ;
chase to the westward, 120 ;
destruction of ships by Delavall,
121 ; Rooke's attack on ships at
La Hogue, 121, 122

Lake, Ruby, trustee under the will
of the fifth Lord Fairfax, 223

Lambe, Rev. Thomas, preaching
minister of Bilbrough, 267 (m)

Lambert, General, 15, 20, 21, 25;
at Marstou Moor, 19 ; Monk
seeks help of Lord Fairfax
against, 143, 144

Lambert, John, son of the General,
a. portrait painter at York, 235

Lambert, Mr., of Y'ork, alleged to
be discontented with Admiral
Fairfax;, 281

Lambert, Mrs., 14, 20

Langeron, Marquis de, commands
French rear at battle of Malaga,
182

Langwith, Mr., obliged to canvass
for Admiral Fairfax, 255

' Lark,' H.M. sloop, chasing French
ships off Oape Palos, 172

Lawson, Admiral, 71, 77

Leake, Sir Andrew, ordered to
chase French ships, 172 ; notice
of, 172 {n) ; commanding the
' Grafton ' at the taking of Gib-
raltar, 176 ; killed at the battle
of Malaga, 177 (n), 184 (ra)

Leake, Admiral Sir John, notice of,
96, 97 ; friendship for his flag
captain, 78 ; commands the ' Fire-
drake,' 75, 92 ; at the battle of
Bantry Bay, 92, 93 ; commands

LIS

the ' Dartmouth,' 93, 96 ; enters
Lough Foyle, 97 ; reUeves Lon-
donderry, 99; commands the
' Eagle ' at the battle of La
Hogue, 118 ; at Belleisle, 165 ; at
the Downs in the Great Storm,
168 ; danger, 169 ; in the van at
the battle of Malaga, 183 ; hotly
engaged, 183, 184 ; his relief of
Gibraltar, 185, 186 ; to succeed
Sir Cloudesley Shovel; letters
to Captain Fairfax, 204 ; subse-
quent services and death, 2(J5
(«) ; on the Council of the Ad-
miralty, 210 ; reduces Sardinia ;
at the taking of Minorca, 214

Leeds, Sir W. Fairfax at taking of,
13; Admiral Fairfax canvassing
at, 244 ; dinner given to A dmiral
Fairfax at, 246. (See Thoresby,
Milner, Cookscm)

Leeds Castle, inheritance of, 223 (re) ;
Fairfax pictures and relics sent
to, 261

Legge, Captain, at the operations
off Granville, 167

Lempriere, Coptaiu, at the opera-
tions ofi' Granville, 167

Lendal, at Y'ork, house in, built
by Dr. Wintringham, now the
Judges' lodgings, 236

Le Neve, John, his spiteful letter on
the epitaph of Admiral Fairfax,
273, 280, 281 ; notice of, 2S2 (n)

'Lennox,' H.M.S., Captain ^\'hit-
taker, at taking of Gibraltar, 170,
180

Liar, a rating on board a man-of-
war, 87

Lichfield, Lord, 31

'Lichfield; H.M.S., Captain Bil-
lingsley, 271

Lieutenants, R.N., pay and duties,
80

Lille, siege of, 214

Limerick, General Fairfax made
governor of, 201, 217 ; letter
dates from, 206

L'lsle Adam, Grand Master, de-
fence of Rhodes, 3

Lisset, fort, at La Hogue, 122

Lister, Sir Martin, married to
Catherine Fairfax, 25 ; men-
tioned in his wife's letters passim.

326

IN UFA'.

LIS

25-34; illness, 26; death of

Lady Lister, 32, 127
Lister, Dr. ^lartin, 63 (n) ; at York,

his club of virtiiosi, 23.5
Liverpool, Sir W. Fairfax at siege

of, 20
Lodije, William, engraver and

draughtsman at York, 235
Lodington, Jaue, wife of John Fair-
fax of Steeton, 282 (n)
Logs, (See Journals)
Londonderry , siege, 93 ; defence,

94 ; Kooke's squadron sent to

relieve, 96, 97 ; Captain Leake

breaks the boom, 99
Lough Foyle, Rooke's squadron off,

97
Ludston, Quinton, battle-field of

Marston Moor near his house,

19
Limd, Mr., seal-keeper at York,

supporter of Admiral Fairfax,

244 ; letter on the Admiral's

election as alderman, 257, 273
Ly^iet, Dr., at Cambridge; Brian

Fairfax at supper with, when he

heard of the apoplectic seizure of

Charles XL, 145
Lyttleton, Sir Charles, marries Lady

Lister (Catherine Fairfax), 32

Macclesfield, Earl of. (See Oerard,
Lord)

Malaga, battle of, 182-185; com-
parison of forces, 183 ; losses,
185

Malbis family, intermarriage with
Fairfax, 7

Mallory, Miss, the cause of a duel
at York, 240

Malta granted to the Knights of
St. John, 4

Manchester, Earl of, mission of Sir
William Fairfax to, 13, 14

Manchester, Sir WiUiam Fairfax at,
14, 15, 17

March, Mr. Thomas, agent at Bil-
brough, his house, 268 ; his pew
in Bilbrough Church, 269

Marines and marine regiments, 85 ;
fii-st garrison of Gibraltar con-
sisted of, 181, 182

Marlborough, Duke of, Cork and

lIEK

Kinsale taken by, 108 ; at
Oudenarde, 213, 214

Marmoutier, Abbey of, near Tours,
the priory of Holy Trinity at
York granted to, with the tithes
of Bilbrough, 263

Marser, Mrs. (or Mercer ?), Robert
Fairfax lodges with, she gets his
outfit, 42, 43 ; letters to, 47, 95,
101 ; joke about her banns, 95;
has been very ill, 54, 60, 63 ;
kindness in forwarding letters,
68 ; letters sent through, 110

Marser, Miss, Robert Fairfax in
love with, 51, 101

Marston Moor, battle of, 18 ; letter
to Lady Fairfax from the battle-
field, 19, 20 ; near Quinton Lud-
ston's house, 19

Martin family inherit Leeds Castle,
223 (?i)

Martin, Stephen, Sir John Leake's
flag captain, x, 183, 204

Maroell, Andrew, poems on Bil-
brough Hill, 266

Mary, Queen, Greenwich Hospital
her monument, 87 ; proclaimed
joint Sovereign, 92 ; orders Lord
Torrington to engage the French
fleet, 106 ; loyal address of cap-
tains to, 116 ; sends rewards- to
the sailors after La Hogue, 122 ;
Duchess of Buckingham her
godmother, 147

' Mary,' Captain BusheU, first ship
of Robert Fabfax, 42, 47 ; flag-
ship of Sir Roger Strickland, 67

Masters, R.N., pay and duties, 80,
82

Mather, Rev. Increase, of Harvard
College, obtained a charter for
New England, 114

Maulevei'er, Sir J., dying, 52 ; lady,
65

Maunsell, Sir Robert, his expedi-
tion against the Barbary States,
44

Medley, Lieut., son-in-law of Mr.
Grinston, notice of, 248 (m)

Meldrmn, Sir John, 20 ; at Mont-
gomery Castle, 23

Menston, Colonel Charles Fairfax
of, 139

Mercer. (See Marser)

INDEX.

327

MEE

^Mermaid' fireship in the affair off
Granville, 166

Metcalfe, Rev. J. Powell, preachiDg
minister of Bilbrough, 268 (n)

Micklegate (see York), residence of
Admiral Fairfax in, l'3i', 241,
260 ; left to the Admiral's wife
for her life, 277

Middlethorpe, Lady Mary Wortley
Montagu living at, 254, 258

Middleton, Sir Thomas, at Mont-
gomery Castle, 22, 23

Midshipmen, 80 ; their position, 81

Migiielets, local bands in Cata-
lonia, 192

MUner, Alderman, of Leeds, sup-
porter of Admiral Fairfax, 244

Milner, Evelyn S., married to
Lieut.-Colonel T. F. Fairfax, 244
(m), 283 (n)

Milner, Sir Frederick, Bart.,
member for York, 244 (ra)

Milner, Sir "WUliam, Bart., of Nun-
appleton, member for York,
259 (»)

Mitchell, Admiral Sii- D., 89, 125 :
notice of, 153

Mitchell, Lieut., orders to, from
Captain Fairfax, 111, 112

Moll, Mr., cartographer, 82

Monjuich, Oaatle of, 190 ; descrip-
tion, 193 ; attack on, 195 ; cap-
ture, 195, 196

Monk, General (see Albemarle),
message taken by Brian Fairfax
to, 143 ; receipt for making mum
sent to, 272

' Monmouth,' H.M.S., Captain
Baker, at taking of Gibraltar,
176

Montagu, Admiral, Earl of Sand-
wich, 77

Montagu, Lady Mary Wortley,
living at Middlethorpe, her
letters about the proclamation of
George I. at York, 254; and
about the York election, 258

' Montagu,' H.M.S., Captain Clev-
land, at taking of Gibraltar, 176 ;
hauled out of action at the
battle of Malaga, no more shot,
184 (ra)

Mmitespan, Madame de, mother of
the Comte de Toulouse, 182

NAV

Montgomery Castle, death of Sir
WiUiam Fairfax at, 22, 23, 37

M(mt St. Michel, Bay of, 166

Mordaunt, ' Jack ' (Lord Avalon),
marriage, 27

Mordaunt, Lord, major-general in
expedition of Lord Bivers, 198

' Mountjoy' ^roT/ision ship, charged
the boom to relieve Londonderry,
captain killed, 99

Mo.von, Mr., hydi'ographer, 82,
155

Moyle, Walter, married Mary
Stapleton, 34, 35

Mudd, Captain, in consultation
with James II., 67 (n)

Mtdgrave, Earl of {Sheffield), 8 (ra),
265 ; Lady Fairfax at his house
in Lincolnshire, 24 ; went to
Court, 31 ; Lady, 39 (n). (See
Sheffield)^

Mum, receipt for making, as sent
to General Monk, 272; mentioned
by Sir Walter Scott in the ' Anti-
quary,' 273

Munden, Admiral Sir John, 152 ;
his expedition to the coast of
Spain, 154 ; failure to engage
the French fleet, 156 ; trial and
unjusttreatmentby Queen Anne,
157

Mynge, Captain, wounded at the
battle of Malaga, 185

NaUor, Tom, mentioned by old
General Fairfax, 204

Nantwich, battle of, 14, 15

Narbarough, Sir John, attack on
Tripoli, 45 ; appointed to the
Navy Boai-d, 74 ; death, 74 (m) ;
widow married Sir Cloudesley
Shovel, 207 (ra)

' Nassau,' H.M.S., Captain Dove, at
the taking of Gibraltar, 176 ;
hauled out of action at the battle
of Malaga, 184

Nautical Astronomy. (See Naviga-
tion)

Naval officers in the time of Charles
II., 77 ; improvement, 78 ; posi-
tions and duties, 79-83

Navigation, works of Sturmy and

328

INDEX,

NAV

Culson on, 55 ; improTements in,
81 ; instruction on board, 83

JVary, Mr. Pepys on the, 73, 74 ;
list of ships, 75 (m) ; armaments
and dimensions of ships, 76;
sails, cables, anchors, 77 ; convoy
service, 214, 215 ; stores and
provisions, 80, 82, 80, 215;
patronage, 203

Kavy Board, 72 ; duties of Com-
missioners, 72, 73, 74

Neale, Archbishop of York, richly
bound Bible of, 297 ; notice of,
297, 298

Neville, Sir Christopher, of Auber,
35, 101, 102

Neville, Lady, 35, 101, 109; Mrs.
Fairfax died at the house of,
131

' Newark,' H.M.S., Captain Fairfax
in command of, 124, 125

Newhy, country seat of the Robin-
sons, 233

Newcastle, Marquis of, raised the
siege of Hull, 13 ; in treaty for
the surrender of York, 18

Newton Kyme granted to Sir
Philip Fairfax of Steeton, 9 ;
WUliam Fanfax settled at, 33 ;
his widow's home at, 38 ; history
and description of, 38, 39 ; rec-
tors, 38, 40, 276 (m) ; lords of
the manor, 39 ; manor house and
church, 39 ; rectory, a refuge
during the civil war, 40, 136 ;
Robert Fairfax at home with his
mother at, 50, 51 ; Robert sleeps
at, when accompanying the
funeral procession of the Duke
of Buckingham to London, 51 ;
Robert Fairfax succeeds to, 129 ;
puts up monuments to his
parents, 131 ; and to his sister
Frances in- the church, 277 ;
sisters of Robert continue to live
at, 131 ; question of building at,
205, 206 ; trees for the avenue
planted, 228, 229; Admiral
Fairfax resolves to build, 229 ;
building completed, 274 ; pic-
tures from Steeton and Denton
sent to, 274 ; Admiral Fairfax's
gift of communion plate, 2.30
(n), 300 ; and to the poor, 277 ;

OXP

Admiral Fairfax buried in the

church, 278 ; epitaph, 279
' Nonsuch,' H.M.S., in the Granville

affair, 166
' Norfolk; H.M.S., at the battle of

Malaga, 183
Nurmanhy, seat of Lord Mulgrave,

10,24
Norris, Sir John, first captain to

Sir Cloudesley Shovel, 197-99

Captain Fairfax next in post to,

208 (to)
Norton, John, Lord of the Manor

of Bilbrough, 263 ; his will, 264,

267 (ra); his wife's will, 264;

tomb, 269
Norwich, Dean of. (See Fairfax,

Dr. Henry)
Nottingham, Earl of, father of the

Dean of York, 235 ; protests

against the Schism Act, 251
Nova Scotia reduced by Sir W.

Phipps, 113
Nunappleton, 4, 6 ; Lord Fairfax

at, 24 ; Duke of Buckingham at,

142 ; race-horses bred at, 232 ;

Sir William Milner of, 244 (n),

259 {n), 283 (n)

Oglethorpe, house of Rev. H. Fair-
fax, 135, 137

Oldburgh, Mary, cousin to the Fair-
faxes, 64

Orange, Prince of, threatening
armaments, 66 ; lands in Tor-
bay, 70; Earl of Danby and
Lord Fairfax declare for him at
Y^ork, 90 ; Brian Fairfax goes to
pay his respects at the Hague,
146 ; Russell among the first to
join him, 1 16. (See William III.)

Orford, Earl of. (See Russell)

Ormond, Duke of, iu command of
land forces at Vigo, 158, 159

Otley School, Thomas, brother of
Brian Fairfax, died at, 140

Ottringham branch of the Hild-
yards, 238

Oudenarde, battle of, 213

Oxford, Charles Fairfax at Christ-
church, 147 ; Dr. Henry Fairfax,
Fellow of Magdalen, 90

INDEX.

329

PAG

PagcmeU, Ralph, first Normao
Lord of Bilbrough, grants the
tithes to Holy Triuity at York,
262, 263

Paget, the Honourable Henry, on
the council of the Lord High
Admiral, 210, 2U

Palmes, Brian, of Naburn, 140

Palos, t'ape, chase of French ships
olf, 172 _

Patroruige in the navy, 203

Paul, First Lieutenant of the
' Kent/ wounded, 167

Pmvson, Alderman Elias, an oppo-
nent of Admiral Fairfax, 256,
276

Pawson, Henry, man'ied to Cathe-
rine, daughter of Admiral Fair-
fax, 276

Pay of captains in the navy, 78 ;
of lieutenants and masters, 80 ;
of gunners, 82 ; of the civil
branch, 83 ; of seamen, 84 :
hardships arising from irregu-
larity in paying the men, 84, 85 ;
half-pay of Admh-al Fairfax, 209,
218,272 •

Peefers, Mall, 14

'Pembroke,' H.M.S., commanded by
Captain Fairfax, 123. (See Beau-
voir)

Pembroke, Earl of, Lord High
Admiral, 72 ; retires, 153 ; Sir
J. Munden's expedition planned
by, 154 ; re-appointed Lord High
Admiral, 216

Pepys, Samuel, at Cadiz, 46 ; Ro-
bert Fairfax has an interview
with, 52, 53 ; consultation with
James II., 67 (ra) ; adminis-
trative ability, 71 ; his account
of the state of the navy, 73 ; his
proposition, 74 ; house in York
Buddings, 72 ; complains of mis-
conduct of captains, 77 ; his
remedy, 78 ; president of the
Royal" Society, 81 ; ui-ged to
allow Bibles, &c., for divine ser-
vice on board men-of-war, 84 ;
retires from active service, 91

Perrott, Alderman, of York, sup-
porter of Admiral Fairfax, 244,
255 ; represents the Admiral at
the scrutiny, 245

PLY

Peterborough, Charles Mordaunt,
Earl of, expedition to Spain,
some account of, 187 ; receives
the Archduke Charles on board,
189 ; his bold advice at Alten,
190 ; quarrels with the Prince of
Hesse Darmstadt, 190, 193 ; his
project of storming Monjuich,
194; night march to Monjuich,
194, 195 ; raUies the men, and
takes the place, 195, 196

Peterborough, Lady, 21

Pett, Phineas, shipbuilder, on the
Navy Board, 74 ; built the
' Britannia,' 76

Phipps, Sir William, Governor of
New England, 111 ; account of,

112 ; his search for treasure, 112,

113 ; death and character, 114

' Phceni.r,' provision ship for the
relief of Londonderry, 97

Pictures of the members of the
Fairfax family at Steeton, 129 ;
of Sir Nicholas, the Knight of
Rhodes, on glass, 7, 307 ; sent
from Denton to Newton Kyme,
261 (m) ; at Hagley, 10, 25 ; of
Sii- William Fairfax, 10, 120,
804 ; of General T. Fan-fax, 129,
201,304; of WilUam, 25, 129,
304; of Lady Fairfax (Alice
Curwen), 6, 129, 303 ; of young
WiUiam Fairfax by Sir Godfi'ey
KneUer, 129, 305 ; of Catherine,
Mrs. Fairfax, 38, 304; of Ad-
miral Fairfax, 125, 126, 212, 278,
305 ; of Catherine, the Admiral's
daughter, 212, 259, 276, 305;
Mrs. Fairfax leaves her pictures
at Newton Kyme to her son
Robert, 131 (m) ; pictures left as
heirlooms at Steeton by young
William Fairfax, 129 ; pictures
at Steeton removed to Newton
Kyme, 229, 274; pictures at
Bilbrough, 38, 201, 261 (ra), 302-
307 ; of Mrs. Fairfax (Simpson),
282, 306

Pipon, Captain, at the GranviUe
affair, 167

Place, Francis, a designer and en-
graver at York, 235

Plymouth, Robert Fairfax statiuned
at, 109

330

INDEX.

PEI

Price, Captain, II.M.S. ' Somerset,'
chasing French ships, 172

Prices of live stock, 5, 6 (n) ; see
Steeton inventory, 287

'Prince Oeorge,' H.M.S., flagship
of Sir John Leake, in the Great
Storm at the Downs, 169 ; at the
battle of Malaga, 183

Pnnters in York, 237, 238

Protectm; the Lord, Oliver Crom-
well, his daughter married to a
grandson of the Earl of Warwick,
27 ; William and Thomas
Fairfax in the army of, 25, 96 ;
efiiciency of the navy under, 71

Prothonotary of Common Pleas.
(See Cooke, John)

Provisions for seamen, 86 ; im-
provement in supply, 215 ; state
of the cheeses, 125

Punishments of seamen, 87, 88

Parser, duties of, 83 ; perquisites,
88

Pye, Sir Robert, equerry to Charles
n., 144

Quehec, Sir W. Phipps repulsed at,
113

Paces at York, 232

Ram Head, French fleet off, 107

Eamsden, Sir John, of Byrom, won
the cup at York, 232

' Hanelagh,' H.M.S., flagship of Ad-
miral Byng, at the taking of Gib-
raltar, 176, 185 ; at the battle of
Malaga, 183 ; Lord Peterborough
receives the Archduke Charles
on board, 189

Maper, Mrs., at the sign of the
'Mortar and Pestle' in Tothill
Street, 42, 47, 60 ; marriage, 110

liathlin Island, Rooke's squadron
takes in cattle at, 97

Pavenscroft, Constantia, wife of T.
Fairfax, Esq., of Steeton, 283 («)

Hedman, Alderman, his house in
Aldwark, 233 ; supporter of Ad-
miral Fairfax, 243, 244 ; Lord
Mayor, 255

Hennison, John, spreads a false
report about uncle Bladen, 53

EOO

' Restoration,' H.M.S., commanded
by Captain Fairfax in the squad-
ron of Sir J. Munden, 154 ; heavy
weather encountered by, 157 ;
signal for, 155; loss of main-
mast, 157, 160 ; paid ofi; 163 ;
lost in the Great Storm at the
Downs, 169

Reynolds, Mr., the prize agent, cor-
respondence with, 201

Rhodes, Knights of, siege, 3. (See
Fairfax, Sir Nicholas)

Richmond, Duchess of, at Cobham,
visited by the Duke of Bucking-
ham, 143

Rivers, Earl, to command an expe-
dition for the invasion of France,
198 ; notice of, 198 (m) ; on board
Captain Fairfax's ship, ] 99 ;
failure of the expedition, 200;
friend of old General Fairfax, 201

Roberts, Lord, going to Ireland as
Lord Deputy, 31

Robinson, Betty, servant of Lady
Lister, 32

Robinson family at York, 233

Robinson, Mr., recommended to
General Fairfax in Ireland, 206

Robinson, Sir William, member for
the city, 233, 242 ; stands aloof
from other candidates, 244 ; elec-
ted, 245; canvassing,. 256 ; sus-
pected of making interest for
Jenkyns underhand, 257 ; re-
elected and brings in Jenkyns,
258 ; withdrew, 258 (w)

Robinson, Tancred, Sheriff of York,
under Admiral Fairfax as Lord
Mayor, 260

Rodney, Colonel. His duel with
Colonel Barr at Barcelona, 192

Roffley, Captain KerU, command-
ing the ' Burford ' in the attack
on Gibraltar, 176, 178 ; services
on shore, 180

' Romney,' H.M.S., lost with Sir
Cloudesley Shovel, 207

Ronzier, Captain, first lieutenant
of the ' Torbay ' ; friendship
between Admiral Fairfax and,
247 ; notice of, 248 (n) ; sends
news, 271

Rooke, Admiral Sir George, notice
of, 06 ; commands the ' Dept-

IN'DEX.

ooJ

EOT

ford; 75 (h), 02 ; atBantry Bay,
92 ; to command a squadron for
tlie relief of Londonderry, 93;
off Loug-h Foyle, 97 ; returns to
the Downs, 100; at the battle
of Beachy Head, 106; in the
rear squadron at the battle of
La Hogue, 121, 122 ; destroys
the French ships, 121, 122; in
command of a squadron convoy-
ing ships to the Mediterranean,
124; his expedition to the Baltic,
150, 151 ; ia the Admiralty,
153 ; expedition against Vigo,
158 ; victory at Vigo, 158, 159 ;
cruising off Ushant, 164 ; in
command of the Mediterranean
Fleet, 171, 172, 174; appoints
Sir G. Byng to command the
attack on Gibraltar, 175, 181 ;
commands the centre division in
the battle of Malaga, 183 ; his
praise of the conduct of the men,
185

Motheram, Archbishop ; consecra-
tion of Steeton Chapel, 2

' Royal Catlxerinel H.M.S., Sir G.
Rooke's flagship in the Medi-
terranean, 174, 183 ; Lord Ar-
chibald Hamilton appointed to,
197

Moyal Society, encourag;ement of
improvements in navigation by,
81

Roye, Marquis de, admiral in com-
mand of a division at the battle
of Malaga, 182

'Ruby,' H.M.S., commanded by
Captain Fairfax, 123, 129, 130

Rupert, Prince, routed at Marston
Moor, 19; spared Denton for the
sake of William Fairfax, 136 ;
gave a pass to the Rev. H. Fair-
fax, rector of Newton Kyme,
136 ; his bravery, 139

Russell, Admiral Edward (Earl of
Orford), treasurer of the Navy,
91 ; his conduct as regards Lord
Torrington, 106 ; accused of
tampering with emissaries of
James II., 116 (n) ; in command
of the fleet, 116; notice of, 116,
122 (n); at the battle of La
Hogue, 117, 118

SCE

Ruswarpe, near Whitby, the home
of the Bushells, 41, 42, 131

Rutter, Captain, in consultation
with James 11., 67 (n)

Mymer, Eev. Nicholas, rector of
Newton Kyme, married to
Frances Fairfax {whom see), 40,
276 ; legacy to, from Miss Mary
Fail-fax, 227 (w)

Rysvnck, peace of, 113, 125, 127

Ryther, Isabella, wife of Sir Guy
Fairfax, 2 ; chamber at Steeton,
6,7

Sailors. (See Seameii)

St. Clement Danes, children of

Admiral Fairfax baptized at, 132,

212
'St. George,' H.M.S., Lieut.

Jennings of, killed at the battle

of Malaga, 185
St. Lo, George, 75 (re) ; commis-
sioner at Plymouth, 216
St. Philippe, flagship of Admiral

d'Infrevilie, engages the 'Ber-
wick,' Captain Fairfax, at the

battle of Malaga, 183
St. Quintin, Sir WUliam, notice

of, 217 (n)
St. Vaast, army for the invasion of

England at, 122
Salesbury, Gilbert, executor to John

Norton's will, 264
Salinas, Don Diego de. Governor of

Gibraltar, surrenders, 181
' &Zt>fiMri/,'H.M.S.,CaptainHozier,

brings the body of Sir Cloudesley

Shovel into Plymouth, 207
Salutes, regulations as to, 79
Sanders, Captain, 203
Sandwith in Bilbrough, 262, 263
Scarborough Castle, treason of Sir

Hugh Cholmley and the Bushells

at, 41, 42
Scarthingwell, Mrs. Hammond

settled at, 206. (See Hammonds)
Schism Act passed, 251
Scourfield, Mr. (see Bell), said to

be discontented with Admiral

Fan-fax, 281
Scrutiny after the election at York,

245

332

INDEX.

SEA

Seamen in tlie navy, 77 ; their
ratings and pay, 84 ; unj list
treatment as regards pay, 85 ;
diet, 86 ; clotliing, 88 ; care of
sick and wounded, 87 (see Oreen-
wich Hospital) ; punishments,
87, 88 ; opportunities of advance-
ment, 89 ; praise of, from Sir
George Rooke, 185

Searle Street, Lincoln's Inn, house
of Admiral Fairfax in, 132, 197,
205 ; some account of the locality,
211, 212 ; Admiral Fairfax there
with his famUy, 247 ; finally
leaves, 258

Seawell, Mr. Jeyes, of the Pay
Office, pleasant correspondence
with Admiral Fairfax, 271 ;
young Thomas Fairfax dines
with, 275

Seething Lane, office of the Navy
Board in, 71, 211

Selby, battle at, 17, 18

' Severne^ H.M.S., commanded by
Captain Fairfax, 148, 149 ; in
the Baltic, 148, 149; anchored
at the Skaw, 152 ; paid oif, 152 ;
manning of, for the West Indies,
203

Shannon, Lord, with the land force
at Vigo, 159

Sharp, Dr., Archbishop of York,
234 ; death, 253

Sheffield, Lord (Earl of Mulgrave),
daughters married to Fairfaxes, 8

Shovel, Sir Cloudesley, early life
under Sir J. Narborough, 45 ;
at Tripoli, 45 ; captain of the
' Sapphire,' 46 ; in 1688 com-
mands the ' Dover,' 75 (re) ; his
rise from before the mast, 45,
89 ; knighted for gallantry at the
battle of Bantry Bay, 93 ; convoys
William III. to Ireland, 105 ;
in the centre division at the
battle of La Hogue, 117 ; en-
gaged with the French, 119 ; in
command of the Channel, 135 ;
president of court-martial to try
Sir John Munden, 157 ; proceeds
to Vigo, 159, 160, 161, 162 ; in
the Great Storm at the Downs,
168 ; joins the fleet of Sir
George Rooke, 174 ; at the

SPE

battle of Malaga, 183 ; in joint
command with Lord Peter-
borough, 187, 190; his fleet
leaves Barcelona, 196 ; in com-
mand of a fleet with the expedi-
tion of Lord Rivers, 199 ; ship-
wreck, 205, 206 ; funeral, 207

Sick and Wounded. (See Seamen,
Greenwich Hospital)

Signals, system in Queen Anne's
time, 154, 155, 199

Simpson, Elizabeth, wife of Thomas
Fairfax, 282

Slack, Bess, the maid at Mrs.
Marser's, 51

Slingsby, Sir J., mentioned, 62

Smaiv's Hill, 39

Smith, Charles, 29; going to Ire-
land, 32

Smith, Tom , slain at Marston Moor,
20

Snuff, presents of, sent by Mrs.
Seawell to Admiral Fairfax,
272

Soho Square, residence of Sir C.
Shovel, 197 ; funeral starts from,
207

Solebay, battle of, Sir Roger
Strickland at, 59 ; Comte de
Tourville, 104

' Soleil Royal^ French flagship,
104, 118; destroyed, 121

' Somerset,' H.M.S., commissioned
by Admiral Fairfax, 163

' Sorlings; PI.M.S., 200, 208 (re)

Southwell, Captain, at the storming
of Monjuich, 194, 195; made
Governor of, 196

Soioray, Mr., preaching minister at
Bilbrough, 2(i7

Sozel, M., in command of fort at
Vigo, heroic resolution of,
159

Spanish galleons, losses at Vigo,
159

Spencer, William, of Bramley
Grange, married Elizabeth
Fairfax, 53, 132 ; notice of
family, 132 (re) ; affairs of Mrs.
Spencer in Ireland, 218, 219

Spencer, William, nephew and
ward of Admiral Fairfax, 222 ;
in the Admiral's entail, 277 ;
marriage, 277 (n)

INDEX.

333

SPE

Spragge, Sir Edward, expedition

against Bartary States, 45, 77
' Spy,' brigantine, in the Granville

affair, 166

Stanhope, Brigadier, in command of

reserve in attack on Monjuich,

195 ; opposes the Schism BiU, i?51

Stapleton, 'Aunt,' love to, from

Robert Fairfax, 43, 66, 110
Stapleton, Catherine, wife of Wil-
liam Fairfax, 33, 34. (See Fair-
fax, Catherine')
Stapleton, Isabella, wife of Colonel

Boynton, 34
Stapleton, Mary, dowager grand-
mother at "Wighill, 34
Stapleton, Mary, wife of Walter

Moyle, 35
Stapleton, Mrs. (Catherine Fairfax),

34
Stapleton, name of Brian, in the

family, 140
Stapleton, Robert, 33
Stapleton, Sir Brian, of Myton, 246
Stapleton, Sir Miles, of Wighill, 34 ;

Henry, 34
Stapleton, Sii- Philip, atEdgehill, 13
Stapleton, Sir William, supervisor

of John Norton's will, 264
Stead, George, attends Robert Fair-
fax to London, 42; getting on
well, 64
Steeton, 1 ; buUt, and chapel conse-
crated, 2 ; inventory of furniture
at, made in 1558, 5, 287 ; de-
scription, 6, 7; orphans of Sir
Philip Fairfax at, 9 ; Sir William
Fairfaxat, 10, 11 ; regiment raised
among the tenantry, 12; men-
tioned in a letter from Sir W.
Fairfax, 21 ; Lady Fairfax at,
24, 53 ; Robert Fairfax baptized
in chapel, 37; Robert Fairfax
succeeds to, 129 ; young Topham
at, 110 ; abandoned as a resi-
dence of the family, 205, 229;
chapel pulled down, 229 («);
pictures at, 229 (w) ; Admiral
Fairfax's gift to the poor, 277
Stephenson, Mr., of York, congratu-
lations on the election of Admiral
Fairfax as alderman of York,
256, 257 ; alleged to be discon-
tented, 281

Stones. (See Carved Stones)
Storm, the Great ; the ' Kent ' rides
it out at Spithead, 167 ; destruc-
tion at the Downs, 168 ; havoc
inland, 169 ; losses to the navy,
170 ; Captain "SATiittaker saves
his ship in, 179

Street Souses, exchange of prisoners
at, 139 ; Admiral Fairfax's gift
to the poor of, 277

Stretton, Rev. Richard, tithes of
Bilbrough left to, 227 [n), 266, 267

Strickland, Admiral Sir Roger, 51 ;
notice of, 59 ; appoints Robert
Fairfax a volunteer in his flag-
ship, 60, 61, 63 ; his disposition
of the fl.eet, 66, 67 ; superseded
by Lord Dartmouth, 69

StricJdand, Walter; daughter Ur-
sula married to Sir R. Barwick,
21 in)

Studlei/ Jioi/al, inherited by the
Robinsons, 233

Sturmy, Captain Samuel, author of
the ' Mariner's Magazine,' 55, 82,
275

' Suffolk; H.M.S., Captain Kirton,
at the taking of Gibraltar, 176 ;
hauled out of action at the battle
of Malaga, 184 (ri)

Surgeons in the navy, 83

Surveyor of the navy, duties, 72

Swahber, a rating on board a man-
of-war, 84, 87

' Stvallow,' H.M.S., at the relief of
Londonderry, 97

' Swiftsure,' H.M.S., Captain "\\'inn,
at the taking of Gibraltar, 176

Talboys, Lords of the Manor of
Newton Kyme, 39 ; attainder, 39

Tallard, Marshal, generous treat-
ment of, by Louis XIV., 103

Tangier's, orders to demolish the
fortifications, 46, 69 {n) ; fleet
watering at, 174

Tapestry at Steeton, 5 ; removed to
Newton Kvrae, 229, 274, 277 («)

' Tartar; H.M.S,, 200

Taylor, Sir Watkinson, 52, 60

Temple, Captain of H.M.S. ' Advice,'
court-martial on, 202

Temple Newsam, 34

334

INDEX.

THO

Thomlinson Esther (Bushell),
widow ; marriag'e with Robert
Fairfax, 110, 180; death, 278
(see Bushell) ; her first husband's
plate and books at Newton
Kyrae, 275 ; portraits, 305

Thompson family at York, 233 ;
supporters of Mr. Jenkvns, 244,
256, 257, 258; E. Thompson,
member for York, 259 (n)

Thompson, Rev. Robert, and Cap-
tain Childers, at Bilbrough Hall,
268 (n)

Thoreshy, Ralph, the antiquary, at
Leeds, 235 ; canvassing for
Admiral Fairfax, 244, 246 ; sees
Admiral Fairfax in the lobby of
the House, 250 ; at Denton, 276 ;
related to Mr. Cookson, 253 in) ;
often at York, 235

Thwaites, Isabel, heiress of Denton,
4 (n), 231

' Tiger,' H.M.S. , sent to chase French
ships, 173

TUlotson, Archbishop, Brian Fair-
fax secretary to, 137

Timher, foreign contracts for, 75

Tippetts, Sir John, surveyor of the
Navy, 91

Tithes of Bilbrough, 262, 267 («) ;
lawsuits, 267 (ra)

Tobacco served out to seamen, 86

Topham, Rev. Mr., family chaplain
at Bilbrough, 38, 52; death of
his wife, 109 ; nomination to Bil-
brough, 227, 228, 267, 268;
Mrs., 62 ; young Topham drinks,
110

' Torbay! H.M.S., commanded by
Captain Fairfax, 187

Torhay, Prince of Orange lands
in, 70 ; expedition of Lord
Rivers detained in, 199

Tories make the peace of Utrecht,
242 ; pass the Schism Act, 251

Torre, Nicholas, controversy with
Mr, Hildyard, 274 (ra)

Torrington Lord. (See Herhert,
Byng)

Toulouse, Comte de, in command
of the French fleet, 174 ; notice
of, 182 (ra) ; commands French
fleet at the battle of Malaga,
182

VIL

Toulston House, 10; sold to Sir
R. Barwick, 12 (n), 33 ; manor
of, 38 ; message to friends at, 11

Tourville, Comte de, in command
of the French fleet, 103, 104,
105, 115 ; orders to engage
positive, at the battle of La
Hogue, 118

Toioton, battle of, 1, 39, 263

Travendal, peace of, 161

Tray, W. Fairfax's spaniel left to
Mr. Clapham, rector of Newton
Kyme, 129

Treasurer of the Navy, duties, 74

Trinity House, 71 ; masters in the
navy selected by, 80 ; elder
brethren of, in consultation with
James II., 67 («) ; qualification
for brother of, 126 {n)

Trinity Priory at York in receipt
of Bilbrough tithes, 263

Tripoli, expeditions against, 45, 46

Tyrrel, Captain, 75 (») ; loses his
ship, the ' Anne,' after the battle
ofBeachy Head, 106, 107

Umfi'avilles, Lords of the Manor of

Newton Kyme, 39
Ushant, Fairfax in the ' Newark '

ofi; 124, 125, 164
Utrecht, peace of, 242

Valetta founded, 4

Vandergoes, Dutch Admiral, at the

battle of La Hogue, 117
Vavasour, Sir Walter, 25
Velasco, Don Francisco de, Viceroy

of Catalonia, in Barcelona, 173,

191
Verger. (See Greaves)
Vigo, French squadron under

Chateau-Renaud, and Spanish

galleons in, 158 ; defences, 158 ;

victorious attack on, 159; Cap-
tain Fairfax at, 162
Villeneuve, Admiral, treatment by

Buonaparte, 103
Villette, Marquis de, commands

French van at battle of Malaga,

182

INDEX.

VIL

Villiers, Lord Francis, death at

Kingston, 143
Volunteers in the navy, 83 ; in

charge of Captain Fairfax, 163,

188, 202

Wager, Admiral Sir Charles, his
victory in the West Indies, 2U ;
becomes Comptroller of the
Na-iy, 249 ; notice of, 249 («)

Wakefield, Sir W. Fail-fax in,
attaoli: on, 13

Walker, Mr., defender of London-
derry, 04

Wallingford Souse, Admiralty
offices at, 72, 211

Walpole, Robert, opposed the
Schism BUI, 251

Walsh, Mr., M.P., application for
a protege, 203

Walton, seat of the Fairfaxes, 2

Wapping, Robert Fairfax takes
lodgings at, to learn navigation,
55

TTflj-f?, Lieut., of H.M.S. 'Canter-
bury,' court-martial on, 202

Warwick, Earl of, marriage of
grandson to Protector's daughter,
27 ; death, 29

Wemt/ss, Earl of, on the council
of the Lord High Admiral, 210

Westminster Abbey, funeral of the
Duke of Buckingham at, 51 ; of
Sir Cloudesley Shovel, 207 ; of
Prince George of Denmark, 210 ;
Fairfax marriages in, 110 (n),
139 (re)

Westminstei- School, the sons of
Brian Fairfax at, 147 ; Arch-
bishop Neal educated at, 297

Weston, Sir W., Knight of Rhodes,
3

Wharton, Sir Thomas, 21

TTTiitbg, BusheU family at, 41 , 50

White, Jlr., an agent mentioned by
Sir W. Fairfax, 17

Whittaker, Captain Sir E., com-
mands the ' Dorsetshire ' at the
taking of Gibraltar, 176, 177 ;
Captain Fairfax leaves his vriU
with, 179 ; services on shore,
180, 181; knighted, 181; com-

WIN

manding in the Mediterranean,
214, 247, 248 (re)

Wickham, Lieut. Henry, R.N.,
notice of, 61 ; family of, 61 (re)

Wickham, Rev. Tobias, rector
of Bolton Percy and Dean of
York, baptized Fairfaxes at
Steeton Chapel, 37, 48 (re)

Wickh am, '\\^\\\i3.m, fourth husband
of Catherine Fairfax, 34

Wickham, William, canvassing in
Lord Bingley's interest at York,
243

Widdrington, Sir Thomas, 15, 27 ;
advises Brian Fairfax to be a
lawyer, 146; wrote the first
history of York, 231

Wighill, home of tbe Stapletons,
33 ; old house pulled down, 34
(re) ; Dorothy Fairfax (Stapleton)
mistress of, 38

Wilde, Mr. Serjeant, 21

William III. (see Prince of
Orange) ; the fleet declares for,
70 ; Brian Fairfax equerry to,
90, 147 ; founding of Greenwich
Hospital by, 86, 87 ; makes Dr.
Fairfax Dean of Norwich, 90 ;
makes AdmiralHerbert first Lord
of the Admiralty, 91 : and Lord
Torrington, 93 ; Willip.m and
Mary proclaimed joint Sove-
reigns, 92, 1 03 ; lands in Ireland,
105 ; enforces peace between
Denmark and Sweden, 149 ; his
regard for Sir D. Mitchell, 153 ;
expedition to Cadiz planned by,
157; death, 152

Williams, Captain, of the ' Experi-
ment,' court-martial on, 202

Winchelsea, loss of H.M.S. ' Anne '
on the coast near, 107

Windsor, Lady Betty, her claim on
Bishop HOI at York, 240 (re)

Windsor, the Hon. Dixey, 240 («),
241 ; his flattering mention of
jMrs. Fairfax (Simpson), 282

Winestead, HUdyards of, 238

Winn, Captain, of the ' Swiftsure,'
in the attack on Gibraltar, 176,
177

Wintringham, Dr. Clifton, physi-
cian at York, his house in Len-
dal, 236

336

IXDEX.

WIS

Wishart, Admiral Sir Jamea, in

the Admiralty, 210, 211, 247,

248
Workington, seat of the Ourwens, 6
Worth, Dr., of Duhlin, his opinion

as to ague, 219
Wren, Sir Christopher, design for

Greenwich Hospital, 87
Wright, W., flag captain of Admiral

Carter at the battle of La Hogue,

receives the Admiral's last words,

119
Wyndham, Sir William, supports

the Schism BiU, 254

' TarmoMiA,'H.M.S.,CaptainHicks,
ordered to chase French ships,
173 ; at the taking of Gibraltar,
176, 180 ; and battle of Malaga,
183

Yates, Mr., of York, alleged to be
discontented with Admiral Fair-
fax, 281

York, war resolved upon by Charles
I. at, protest of the Fairfaxes, 12 ;
siege, 18 ; Lord Danby and Lord
Fairfax declare for the Prince
of Orange at, 90 ; residence of
Admiral Fairfax at Micklegate,
232, 241, 260 ; connection of the

yoE

family with, 231 ; the minster
saved by Sir Thomas Fairfax at
the siege, 231 ; records saved by
Colonel Charles Fairfax, 231 ;
St. Ulphus's horn restored by
fourth Lord Fairfax, 231 ; first
history written by Sir J. Wid-
drington, 231 ; the races, 232 ;
houses built by rich citizens, 233 ;
wealthy families of, 233 ; Arch-
bishop Sharp, 234 ; deans of,
234, 238; men of science and
artists at, 235, 236 ; printers,
237 ; first newspaper, 237 ; book-
sellers, 238 ; price of provisions,
239 ; public buildings, 239 ; inns,
240 ; mansion at Bishop Hill,
240 ; contested election, 242-
246 ; poll and scrutiny, 245 ;
proclamation of George I. at,
254 ; Admiral Fairfax elected
alderman, 254, 257 ; Lord Mayor,
259, 260 ; Trinity Priory at, 263.
(See At-chbishopa, Aldermen,
Deans, Davies, Drake, Hildyard,
Bishop Hill, Lendal, Micklegate)

York JSouse, Duke of Buckingham
to be confined to, 143

' York,' H.M.S., Captain Hopson's
ship at the battle of Beachy Head,
101 (n), 105

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