1679 / 80 - March

A Brief

Historical Relation

&c.

by Narcissus Luttrell

1679 / 80 - March

In which Rascally Fellows, Hubbub and Tumult

March: The 17th, at the assizes at York, the lady Tempest, Thomas Thwing and Mary Pressick were arraigned on an indictment of high treason for conspireing the death of the king &c.; but they excepting against so many of the jury their tryall could not be proceeded with, but is putt off till next assizes.

On the 21st the vicechanceller and the heads of the colledges came to Newmarket in their formalities, to pay their duty to his majestie, and also waited on the duke and complimented him on his return from Scotland.

The 22nd his royall highnesse came from Newmarket, and the next day the lord mayor and sherifs waited on him; and the next morning the duke returned to Newmarkett.

The 23d, the dutchesse of Modena (mother to her royall highnesse) arrived at St. James.

About this time severall apprentices and rascally fellows had formed a design ( as they pretended) of burning the rump on his majesties birth day, but the real intent was to havemade a hubbub and a tumult, and thereby an insurrection; and one Thomas Alford, who was to have been their captain, being examined by the councill, was by order of the board committed to Newgate for high treason in conspireing to levy war against the king.

1679 / 80 - March

A Brief

Historical Relation

&c.

by Narcissus Luttrell

1679 / 80 - March

In which Kisses, Great Shouts and Acclamations

March: The lady Tempest, daughter to sir Thomas Gascoign, by order of councill was the 3d committed to the Gatehouse, in order to her tryall at next assizes at York, whither she is to goe.

The 4th, the president and assistants of the artillery company were to pay their respects to his royall highnesse, and were admitted to kisse his hands.

The 6th, his majestie and royall highnesse went to Blackwall to see some of the new ships that are building there; and then did (bid?) Mr. Henry Johnson to dine with him, whom his majestie was pleased to knight.

The 5th came out a proclamation promising the reward of 10l. to any man who shall within a year apprehend any robber or highway man.

The 8th, his majestie and royall highnesse supped with the lord mayor at his house in the Old Jury; where they were very handsomely entertained. The lady mayoresse, the sherifs ladies, the lord mayor and severall of the nobility sat at the table with his majestie, the aldermen attending his majestie.
They staid late, and were conducted by the citty guards to the Temple barr; and waited on by the lord mayor &c. to Whitehall, accompanied with great shouts and acclamations, and the bells ringing.

The 10th, their majesties and his royall highnesse went for Newmarket early in the morning.

1679 / 80 - February

A Brief

Historical Relation

&c.

by Narcissus Luttrell

1679 / 80 - February

In which Petitions, Pillory and Injustice

February: There have been of late severall alterations of the privy councill; many that were in at first, who were inclined to the country ineterest are since removed, and others better affected to the court putt in, and their number at present is above 30 more than they should be by his majesties declaration that dissolved the last and called this privy councill.

About this time many libells are thrown about to disaffect the king and his people, and turn all to 41.

The 12th, sir Robert Peyton and lady Powis come into the kings bench court, and were admitted their liberty on very good bail.

The same day Benjamin Harris came up to receive his judgment, and was sentenced to stand in the pillory, to pay 500l. fine to his majestie, and to give good security for his good behaviour for three years: in which he had very hard measure; for he was not the first publisher of it, but one Nathaniell Thompson, who was never prosecuted for the same; but this Harris bore all.

His majestie hath appointed sir Robert Southwell his envoy extraordinary to the elector of Brandenburgh, for which he is preparing.

Sir Francis Pemberton, one of the judges of the kings bench, hath received his quietus: he was too much opposite to the court interest.

On an information against Thomas Dare, for speaking dangerous words, he is sent into custody.

As also one Richard Pepper was the 20th committed by the councill to Newgate for endeavouring to corrupt the kings evidence against Thomas Thwing, preist, and Mary Pressick, now in Newgate.

And one Phillip Bisse was sent to the Gatehouse for dangerous words.

In and about this time many petitions have been presented to his majestie from severall parts of this kingdome, desireing him to call his parliament; but these kind of proceedings are not very gratefull to his majestie.

His majestie hath appointed sir Palmes Fairborne lieutenant governour of Tangier in the room of col. Duncan.

They are now beating up for volunteers to recruit the English regiments in the service of the Dutch.

His majestie lately received a letter from his privy councill of Scotland, expressing the joy they had since their royall highnesses comeing into that kingdome, wishing them all the prosperity imaginable, since his majestie hath sent for them home.

His majestie hath granted a breif  for making charitable collections for the redemption of the captives at Argiers.

The 24th, their royall highnesses arrived in their yachts at Deptford from Scotland, where they took their barges and came up the river to Whitehall, where they were kindly received by his majestie, and were complimented by the nobility and gentry on their safe arrivall.

The 26th, the lord mayor and court of aldermen were to wait on their royall highnesses, and congratulated them on their safe arrivall, and were admitted to kisse their hands.

There have been very great alterations in the commissions of the peace in severall counties; those had been for petitioning, or opposed the duke of Yorks succession or the court interst, are left out, and many clergy men putt in.

The lord Bodmin is goeing his majesties envoy extraordinary to the king of Denmark.
And sir Gabriell Sivius his envoy extraordinary to the dukes of Brunswick and Lunenburgh.

1679 / 80 - February

A Brief

Historical Relation

&c.

by Narcissus Luttrell

1679 / 80 - February

In which Nell Gwynn is Affronted, Swords are Drawn and a Great Hubbub Ensues

February: The 26th, Mrs. Ellen Gwyn being at the dukes playhouse, was affronted by a person who came into the pitt and called her whore; whom Mr. Herbert, the earl of Pembrokes brother vindicating, there were many swords drawn, and a great hubbub in the house.

Mr, Justice Pemberton, since he hath been turned out, hath come to the chancery barr to practise, and clients come in very fast.

The 7th, Francis Smith, bookseller, and Jane Curtis, were tryed at Guildhall for publishing severall scandalous libells; and on their trialls they confest the fact, and begged the mercy of the court.

His majestie hath made sir Charles Littleton governour of Sheerenesse in the room of major Dorrell, deceased.

The 7th, Mr. baron Raymond was sworn one of the judges of the common please in the room of sir Robert Atkins, who yesterday received his quietus; and sir Richard Weston, serjeant at law, was sworn one of the barons of the exchequer in the room of Mr. justice Raymond.

The 10th, Mr. Gadbury came into the kings bench court, and pleaded his majesties pardon on his knees, and it was allowed, and he was discharged.

His majestie hath added the lord Brunkard and sir Thomas Littleton for the commission for executing the place of lord high admirall of England.

The 11th, sir Thomas Gascoigne came to his tryall at the kings bench barr for high treason, in conspireing the death of the king and subversion of the government; and there was pretty positive evidence against him, yet the jury (which was a very mean one), after near two hours out, gave in their verdict not guilty (to the wonder of many people); whereon sir Thomas was discharged.

The same day his majestie in councill, with some reluctance, was pleased to give leave to Henry Coventry esq. to resign his place of secretary of state; but that he should still continue of the privy councill; and that he intended sir Leoline Jenkins should succeed him in that of secretary of state, who was also sworn one of his majesties privy councill.

1679 / 80 - February

A Brief

Historical Relation

&c.

by Narcissus Luttrell

1679 / 80 - February

In which Tryalls, a Pillory and a Prison Break

February: The 3d, Mr. Tasborough and Mrs. Price came to their tryall at the kings bench barr for endeavouring to suborn and make Mr. Dugdale retract his evidence, by proffering him 1000l. and the security of his person, either here or beyond sea, if he would sign a note of recantation. The matter was proved against them very plainly; so that the jury, without stirring from the barr, brought them in guilty.

The 4th, Daniell Finch esq., first commissioner of the admiralty, and Sidney Godolphin esq., one of the commissioners of the treasury, were sworn of his majesties privy councill, and took their places at the board.

The 5th, in the afternoon, at Guild-hall, Benjamin Harris, bookseller, came to his tryall for publishing a scandalous and seditious pamphlet called the Appeal from the Country to the Citty, and was found guilty of the same.

One Charles Ingleby esq., a barister at Graies Inn, was committed to the kings bench prison, for being in the plott, on the testimony of Mr. Boldron.

The 17th broke out a fire in Coney counrt in Graies Inn, in the chamber of one Mr. Addys, about 3 in the morning: it burnt violently for three hours, and then abated. It consumed about fifty or sixty chambers.

The 17th, Benjamin Harris, bookseller, stood for an hour in the pillory over against the old Exchange, according to sentence against him, for printing a seditious libell call'd the Appeal from the Citty to the Country: he and his party hollowed and whooped, and would permit nothing to be thrown at him.

The 23d, severall prisoners in Newgate pickt out the stones of the prison walls, and seven who were committed for burglary and felony made their escape.