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.
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.
