A Brief
Historical Relation
of
State Affairs
from September 1678 to April 1714
by Narcissus Luttrell
1678 - September - October
In which Villainy, Murther and Plott
September: About the latter end of this month was a hellish conspiracy, contrived and carried out by the papists, discovered by one Titus Oates unto sir Edmondbury Godfrey, justice of peace, who took his examination on oath.
The 30th came out a proclamation for proroguing the parliament (that began 8th May, 1661) unto the 21st October next.
October: About the beginning of this month the Dutchesse of York, the lady Anne, the dutchesse of Monmouth, with their attendance, went to Holland, to visitt the princesse of Orange. With the dutchesse of York there went over severall persons, and, as is said, some preists, on the first discovery of the plott, and who ('tis thought) were concerned therein.
On Saturday the 12th of this month was sir Edmondbury Godfrey, a justice of peace of Middlesex, missing, and so continued till Thursday morning following, when he was found murthered on Primrose hill, near Hampsted; his stick and gloves sett up against the hedge, his money and watch in his pockett, and his sword sticking in his body, but not bloody (which is an argument he was run through when dead), and he had a livid circle around his neck, as if he had been strangled.
His death caused variety of talk: but that which is most remarkable are the severall reports that run about whilst he was missing; that he was gone into the country, that he was at a relations house in town, and lay secrett there whilst he was courting of a lady. Others reported that he had really killed himself, which the posture he was found in confuted.
The 30th came out a proclamation for proroguing the parliament (that began 8th May, 1661) unto the 21st October next.
October: About the beginning of this month the Dutchesse of York, the lady Anne, the dutchesse of Monmouth, with their attendance, went to Holland, to visitt the princesse of Orange. With the dutchesse of York there went over severall persons, and, as is said, some preists, on the first discovery of the plott, and who ('tis thought) were concerned therein.
On Saturday the 12th of this month was sir Edmondbury Godfrey, a justice of peace of Middlesex, missing, and so continued till Thursday morning following, when he was found murthered on Primrose hill, near Hampsted; his stick and gloves sett up against the hedge, his money and watch in his pockett, and his sword sticking in his body, but not bloody (which is an argument he was run through when dead), and he had a livid circle around his neck, as if he had been strangled.
His death caused variety of talk: but that which is most remarkable are the severall reports that run about whilst he was missing; that he was gone into the country, that he was at a relations house in town, and lay secrett there whilst he was courting of a lady. Others reported that he had really killed himself, which the posture he was found in confuted.
I am so excited to read this! Fabulous work. Murther in Primrose Hill... goodness! I cannot wait to read on.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you are enjoying it, Lynn. Murther indeed! And Plott and Conspiracy and Intrigue and misbehaving Dutchesses. Game of Thrones has nothing on this. Just wait until the Mad King James comes along with the Bloody Assizes. What larks to come.
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