On this Day in History ... 23rd August

23 Aug is in August.

1305 Execution of William Wallace

1554 Creation of Garter Knights

1628 Murder of the Duke of Buckingham

1662 Catherine of Braganza's Arrival in London

See Births, Marriages and Deaths.

Events on the 23rd August

John of Fordun's Chronicle. In the year 1305, William Wallace was craftily and treacherously taken by John of Menteith (age 30), who handed him over to the king of England (age 66); and he was, in London, torn limb from limb, and, as a reproach to the Scots, his limbs were hung on towers in sundry places throughout England and Scotland.

On 23 Aug 1305 William Wallace was hanged at the Elms in Smithfield [Map]. His head being displayed on London Bridge [Map].

On 08 Apr 1956 a plaque was unveiled on the wall of St Bartholomew's Hospital near to the site of his execution the text of which reads ...

To the immortal memory of Sir William Wallace Scottish patriot born at Elderslie Renfrewshire circa 1270 A.D. Who from the year 1296 fought dauntlessly in defence of his country's liberty and independence in the face of fearful odds and great hardship being eventually betrayed and captured brought to London and put to death near this spot on the 23rd August 1305.

His example heroism and devotion inspired those who came after him to win victory from defeat and his memory remains for all time a source of pride, honour and inspiration to his Countrymen.

"Dico tibi verum libertas optima rerum nunquam servili sub nexu vivito fili"

Translation: I tell you the truth, son, freedom is the best condition, never live like a slave

"Bas Agus Buaidh" aka Death and Victory, a traditional Scottish battle cry.

On 23 Aug 1499 Bishop John Blythe (age 39) died. He was buried at Salisbury Cathedral [Map]. Monument bottom middle.

On 23 Aug 1524 Bishop Edmund Tuchet (age 81) died. He was buried in Salisbury Cathedral [Map]. Finely carved monument. Similar in style to Prince Arthur's Chantry in Worcester Cathedral [Map].

Henry Machyn's Diary. 23 Aug 1551. The xxiij day [of] August the Kynges (age 13) grace went from Amton courte [Map] unto Wyndsore [Map], and ther was stallyd the Frenche Kyng (age 32) of the nobull order of the garter, with a grett baner of armes inbrodered with flowrs delusys of gold bosted, the mantylls of tysshuw, and the elmett clene gylt and ys sword; and the goodly gere was.

Note. The French king installed at Windsor. This was of course by deputy. He had been elected of the Garter on the St. George's day preceding, and the marquess of Northampton (age 39) had conveyed the insignia to France. See various documents relating to his election described by Strype, Memorials, 1721, ii. 512.

On 23 Aug 1554 Queen Mary I of England and Ireland (age 38) created her new husband (age 27) and the Earl of Sussex Garter Knights:

331st Philip "The Prudent" II King Spain (age 27).

332nd Henry Radclyffe 2nd Earl of Sussex (age 47).

Henry Machyn's Diary. 23 Aug 1557. The xxiij day of August was the hers of the kyng [of Denmark] at Powlles taken downe by master Garter, and serten of the lord tressorer('s) servandes, and the waxchandlers and carpynters.

After 23 Aug 1575 Robert de Vere 19th Earl of Oxford was born to Hugh Vere and Eleanor Walsh.

On 23 Aug 1628 George Villiers 1st Duke of Buckingham (age 35) was murdered at Greyhound Pub, Portsmouth by a disgruntled soldier John Felton (age 33). He was buried at Westminster Abbey [Map]. His son George Villiers 2nd Duke of Buckingham succeeded 2nd Duke of Buckingham, 2nd Marquess of Buckingham, 2nd Earl Buckingham.

Felton was considered a hero by many who blamed Buckingham for the failures of the 1625 Cádiz Expedition and 1627 Siege of Saint-Martin-de-Ré. Felton was subsequently hanged.

On 23 Aug 1637 Bishop Francis Turner was born to Dean Thomas Turner (age 46) and Margaret Windebank.

Pepy's Diary. 23 Aug 1662. So we parted, and Mr. Creed by appointment being come, he and I went out together, and at an ordinary in Lombard Street [Map] dined together, and so walked down to the Styllyard [Map], and so all along Thames-street, but could not get a boat: I offered eight shillings for a boat to attend me this afternoon, and they would not, it being the day of the Queen's (age 23) coming to town from Hampton Court [Map].

Evelyn's Diary. 23 Aug 1678. Upon Sir Robert Reading's (age 38) importunity, I went to visit the Duke of Norfolk (age 50), at his new palace at Weybridge, where he has laid out in building near £10,000, on a copyhold, and in a miserable, barren, sandy place by the street side; never in my life had I seen such expense to so small purpose. The rooms are wainscotted, and some of them richly pargeted with cedar, yew, cypress, etc. There are some good pictures, especially that incomparable painting of Holbein's, where the Duke of Norfolk, Charles Brandon and Henry VIII., are dancing with the three ladies, with most amorous countenances, and sprightly motion exquisitely expressed. It is a thousand pities (as I told my Lord of Arundel (age 23), his son), that that jewel should be given away.

On 23 Aug 1754 Louis XVI King France was born to Dauphin Louis Bourbon (age 24) and Dauphine Maria Josepha of France (age 22).

On 19 Apr 1827 Charles Robert Siddall was born to Charles Crooke Siddall (age 26) and Elizabeth Eleanor Evans at 7 Charles Street. She was baptised 23 Aug 1830.

Charles Crooke Siddall: Around 1801 he was born.

On 25 Jul 1829 Elizabeth Siddal was born to Charles Crooke Siddall (age 28) and Elizabeth Eleanor Evans at 7 Charles Street. She was baptised 23 Aug 1830.

Diary of a Dean by Merewether. 23 Aug 1849. 21st, — Whilst the men were commencing their work at the large barrows on the preceding day, a shepherd stated that one of the boys had told him that he had "hooked" up out of a little barrow on Bye Down Hill a crock, but he knocked it to bits with the stick. On visiting the spot, about a mile north-east, it appeared to be a very small barrow, without any trench round it, and very little elevated; the turf on this part of the down is much broken. At the top of the barrow were evidently the remains of an urn, of a pottery apparently more compact than those recently discovered; and from the holes in the turf, in different directions, various fragments might be collected (H). Almost at the verge of the barrow was a trackway, having a trench on either side; but it was not easy to trace it for more than two miles, in consequence of the cultivation of the hills; it runs nearly east and west; traversing in the easterly direction from this spot the down called "Temple" Down, on which, near its course, is a hut designated by the grandiloquent title of "Glorian."1

Note 1. "Gloria Tanaris." as suggested by the site, as connected with the worship of Mr Bowes, from the possilble sanctity of that deity.

On 23 Aug 1861 Philip Hamond (age 22) died from sun stroke in India. Memorial in All Saints Church, West Acre [Map].

Philip Hamond: Around 1839 he was born to Anthony Hamond and Mary Anne Musters.

On 23 Aug 1933 Lieutenant-Colonel William Dale Chaytor Trotter (age 33) died. He has a memorial at St Mary's Church, Staindrop [Map].

Lieutenant-Colonel William Dale Chaytor Trotter: On 29 Jul 1900 he was born.

Births on the 23rd August

On 23 Aug 963 Richard "Good" Normandy II Duke Normandy was born to Richard "Fearless" Normandy I Duke Normandy (age 30) and Gunnora Countess Ponthieu.

On 23 Aug 1276 Hugh Neville 1st Baron Neville Essex was born to John Neville (age 36).

On 23 Aug 1498 Miguel Aviz was born to Manuel "Fortunate" I King Portugal (age 29) and Isabella Trastámara Queen Consort Portugal. Coefficient of inbreeding 8.38%.

After 23 Aug 1575 Robert de Vere 19th Earl of Oxford was born to Hugh Vere and Eleanor Walsh.

On 23 Aug 1602 John Marsham 1st Baronet was born.

On 23 Aug 1637 Bishop Francis Turner was born to Dean Thomas Turner (age 46) and Margaret Windebank.

On or before 23 Aug 1652 Colin Lindsay 3rd Earl Balcarres was born to Andrew Lindsay 1st Earl Balcarres (age 34).

On 23 Aug 1676 Catherine Russell Duchess Rutland was born to William Russell (age 36) and Rachel Wriothesley (age 40).

On 23 Aug 1693 George Murray was born to John Murray 1st Duke Atholl (age 33) and Catherine Hamilton Duchess Atholl (age 31).

On 23 Aug 1694 Elizabeth Folkes was born to Martin Folkes (age 53) and Dorothy Hovell.

Before 23 Aug 1707 Rowland Stanley 4th Baronet was born to William Stanley 3rd Baronet (age 28).

On 23 Aug 1712 Sophie Saxe Coburg Altenburg was born to Frederick Saxe Coburg Altenburg II Duke Saxe Gotha Altenburg (age 36) and Magdalena Augusta Anhalt Zerbst Anhaltzerbst Duchess Saxe Gotha Altenburg at Altenburg.

On 23 Aug 1725 James Radclyffe 4th Earl of Newburgh was born to Charles Radclyffe Earl Newburgh (age 31) and Charlotte Livingstone 3rd Countess Newburgh (age 31). He a great grandson of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland.

On 23 Aug 1730 James Hamilton 2nd Earl Clanbrassil was born to James Hamilton 1st Earl Clanbrassil (age 36) and Harriet Bentinck Countess Clanbrassil (age 24).

On 23 Aug 1734 Edward Long was born.

On 23 Aug 1737 Anne Thomas was born to Bishop John Thomas (age 41).

On 23 Aug 1741 James Hope Johnstone 3rd Earl Hopetoun was born to John Hope 2nd Earl Hopetoun (age 36) and Anne Ogilvy Countess Hopetoun (age 31).

On 23 Aug 1751 George Shuckburgh-Evelyn 6th Baronet was born to Richard Schuckburgh (age 28).

On 23 Aug 1754 Louis XVI King France was born to Dauphin Louis Bourbon (age 24) and Dauphine Maria Josepha of France (age 22).

On 23 Aug 1760 Henrietta Cholmley Lady Strickland was born to Nathaniel Cholmley (age 38) and Henrietta-Katharina Croft.

On 23 Aug 1762 Robert Hawgood Crew was born.

On 23 Aug 1768 Astley Paston Cooper 1st Baronet was born to Reverend Samuel Cooper (age 28) and Maria Susanna Bransby (age 31) at Brooke Hall, Norfolk. He was baptised on 09 Sep 1768 at St Peter's Church, Brooke [Map].

On 23 Aug 1770 Edward Moore 2nd Marquess Drogheda was born to Charles Moore 1st Marquess Drogheda (age 40) and Anne Seymour-Conway Marchioness Drogheda (age 26). He a great x 3 grandson of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland.

On 23 Aug 1777 John Stuart was born to John Stuart (age 37).

On 23 Aug 1787 Charles Yorke was born to Philip Yorke 3rd Earl of Hardwicke (age 30) and Elizabeth Lindsay Countess Hardwicke (age 23).

On 23 Aug 1790 Reverend Edward Royds was born to James Royds of Falinge (age 32) and Mary Smith (age 23).

On 23 Aug 1794 Rebecca Alton Lady Alleyne was born to John Alton.

On 23 Aug 1806 Henry Howard 2nd Earl of Effingham was born to Kenneth Alexander Howard 1st Earl of Effingham (age 38) and Charlotte Primrose Countess Effingham (age 30). Coefficient of inbreeding 3.12%.

On 23 Aug 1810 John Thomas Dutton was born to John Dutton 2nd Baron Sherborne (age 31).

On 23 Aug 1815 Henry Wentworth Acland 1st Baronet was born to Thomas Dyke Acland 10th Baronet (age 28) and Elizabeth Hoare (age 28).

On 19 Apr 1827 Charles Robert Siddall was born to Charles Crooke Siddall (age 26) and Elizabeth Eleanor Evans at 7 Charles Street. She was baptised 23 Aug 1830.

Charles Crooke Siddall: Around 1801 he was born.

On 23 Aug 1828 George Russell 4th Baronet was born to Henry Russell 2nd Baronet (age 45).

On 25 Jul 1829 Elizabeth Siddal was born to Charles Crooke Siddall (age 28) and Elizabeth Eleanor Evans at 7 Charles Street. She was baptised 23 Aug 1830.

On 23 Aug 1836 Catherine Vanderbilt was born to Cornelius "Commodore" Vanderbilt (age 42) and Sophia Johnson Coefficient of inbreeding 3.12%.

On 23 Aug 1860 Henry Charles FitzRoy Somerset was born to Poulett George Henry Somerset (age 38) and Barbara Augusta Norah Mytton (age 38).

On 23 Aug 1873 Charles Grey was born to Lieutenant Colonel George Henry Grey (age 38) and Harriet Jane Pearson (age 34) at Fallodon Hall [Map].

On 23 Aug 1904 Gloria aka Maria Mercedes Morgan was born to Harry Hays Morgan Senior. She was an identical twin with her sister Thelma Morgan Viscountess Furness.

On 23 Aug 1904 Thelma Morgan Viscountess Furness was born to Harry Hays Morgan Senior. She was an identical twin with her sister Gloria aka Maria Mercedes Morgan.

Marriages on the 23rd August

Before 23 Aug 1334 Adam Welles 3rd Baron Welles (age 30) and Margaret Bardolf Baroness Welles (age 22) were married. She by marriage Baroness Welles.

On 23 Aug 1587 Thomas Gresham (age 40) and Mary Lennard (age 38) were married.

On 23 Aug 1605 Thomas Fitzwilliam 1st Viscount Fitzwilliam (age 24) and Margaret Plunkett were married.

Before 23 Aug 1637 Dean Thomas Turner (age 46) and Margaret Windebank were married.

On 23 Aug 1662 Patrick Lyon 3rd Earl Strathmore and Kinghorne (age 19) and Helen Middleton Countess Strathmore and Kinghorne (age 17) were married. She by marriage Countess Strathmore and Kinghorne. She the daughter of John Middleton 1st Earl Middleton (age 54) and Grizel Durham Countess Middleton. He the son of John Lyon 2nd Earl Kinghorne and Elizabeth Maule Countess Kinghorne and Linlithgow.

On 23 Aug 1798 Alexander Baring 1st Baron Ashburton (age 23) and Ann Louisa Bingham Baroness Ashburton (age 16) were married.

On 23 Aug 1877 Herbert Perrot Murray Pakington 3rd Baron Hampton (age 29) and Evelyn Nina Frances Baker were married.

Deaths on the 23rd August

On 23 Aug 1106 Magnus Billung Duke Saxony (age 61) died.

On 23 Aug 1261 Fulke Orreby (age 31) died.

On 23 Aug 1305 William Wallace was hanged at the Elms in Smithfield [Map]. His head being displayed on London Bridge [Map].

On 08 Apr 1956 a plaque was unveiled on the wall of St Bartholomew's Hospital near to the site of his execution the text of which reads ...

To the immortal memory of Sir William Wallace Scottish patriot born at Elderslie Renfrewshire circa 1270 A.D. Who from the year 1296 fought dauntlessly in defence of his country's liberty and independence in the face of fearful odds and great hardship being eventually betrayed and captured brought to London and put to death near this spot on the 23rd August 1305.

His example heroism and devotion inspired those who came after him to win victory from defeat and his memory remains for all time a source of pride, honour and inspiration to his Countrymen.

"Dico tibi verum libertas optima rerum nunquam servili sub nexu vivito fili"

Translation: I tell you the truth, son, freedom is the best condition, never live like a slave

"Bas Agus Buaidh" aka Death and Victory, a traditional Scottish battle cry.

On 23 Aug 1415 Wartislaw Griffins 8th Duke Pomerania died. His nephew Wartislaw Griffins 9th Duke Pomerania succeeded 9th Duke Pomerania.

On 23 Aug 1420 Thomas Hoo (age 50) died at Ockley, Surrey [Map].

On 23 Aug 1452 James "White Earl" Butler 4th Earl Ormonde (age 59) died at Dublin [Map]. He was buried at St Mary's Abbey, Dublin. His son James Butler 1st Earl Wiltshire 5th Earl Ormonde (age 31) succeeded 5th Earl Ormonde.

On 23 Aug 1458 John Bohun (age 38) died.

Around 23 Aug 1463 Patrick Gray (age 43) died.

On 23 Aug 1471 Thomas Westcote aka Lyttelton (age 87) died.

On 23 Aug 1481 Judge Thomas aka Lyttleton (age 74) died.

On 23 Aug 1499 Bishop John Blythe (age 39) died. He was buried at Salisbury Cathedral [Map]. Monument bottom middle.

On 23 Aug 1500 Charlotte Valois (age 28) died.

On 23 Aug 1524 Bishop Edmund Tuchet (age 81) died. He was buried in Salisbury Cathedral [Map]. Finely carved monument. Similar in style to Prince Arthur's Chantry in Worcester Cathedral [Map].

On 23 Aug 1536 Anthony Babington (age 60) died at Dethick Manor [Map].

On 23 Aug 1540 William Sandys died.

On 23 Aug 1543 Katherine Sacheverell died.

Around 23 Aug 1557 Mary Fitzalan Duchess Norfolk (age 17) died from childbirth.

On 23 Aug 1568 Thomas Wharton 1st Baron Wharton (age 73) died. His son Thomas Wharton 2nd Baron Wharton (age 48) succeeded 2nd Baron Wharton. Anne Radclyffe Baroness Wharton by marriage Baroness Wharton.

Around 23 Aug 1582 Lawrence Smith (age 67) died.

On 23 Aug 1613 John Harington 1st Baron Harington (age 73) died. His son John Harrington 2nd Baron Harington (age 21) succeeded 2nd Baron Harington of Exton.

On or before 23 Aug 1615, the date she was buried, Isabella Newport died.

On 23 Aug 1620 Martha Knightley (age 20) died.

On 23 Aug 1620 Ellen Aske (age 56) died.

On 23 Aug 1628 George Villiers 1st Duke of Buckingham (age 35) was murdered at Greyhound Pub, Portsmouth by a disgruntled soldier John Felton (age 33). He was buried at Westminster Abbey [Map]. His son George Villiers 2nd Duke of Buckingham succeeded 2nd Duke of Buckingham, 2nd Marquess of Buckingham, 2nd Earl Buckingham.

Felton was considered a hero by many who blamed Buckingham for the failures of the 1625 Cádiz Expedition and 1627 Siege of Saint-Martin-de-Ré. Felton was subsequently hanged.

On 23 Aug 1632 Frances Howard Countess Essex and Somerset (age 42) died.

On 23 Aug 1636 Oswald Tesimond Jesuit (age 73) died.

On 23 Aug 1638 Robert Mordaunt 2nd Baronet died. On 23 Aug 1638 His son Charles Mordaunt 3rd Baronet succeeded 3rd Baronet Mordaunt of Massingham Parva.

On 23 Aug 1641 John Leslie 6th Earl Rothes (age 41) died. His son John Leslie 1st Duke Rothes (age 11) succeeded 7th Earl Rothes.

On 23 Aug 1643 Perceval Willoughby (age 83) died.

Before 23 Aug 1656 Thomas Coke (age 46) died.

After 23 Aug 1661 Mary MacDonnell Viscountess Dillon died.

Before 23 Aug 1666 Fitzwilliam Coningsbury died.

On 23 Aug 1668 Bishop George Hall (age 55) died from a wound inflicted by a knife in his pocket when he chanced to fall in his garden at Wigan.

On 23 Aug 1676 Georg Friedrich Oldenburg (age 64) died.

Before 23 Aug 1680, the date of his burial at St Melanus' Church, St Mellion, John Coryton 1st Baronet (age 59) died. His son John Coryton 2nd Baronet (age 32) succeeded 2nd Baronet Coryton of Newton.

On 23 Aug 1690 Margaret Peake Lady Shaw died. She was buried 29 Aug 1690 at Church of Holy Trinity, Eltham.

On 23 Aug 1733 Janet Carrier Countess Macclesfield (age 72) died at Shirburn Castle [Map].

On 23 Aug 1743 Mary Edwards (age 39) died in Kensington.

Around 20 Aug 1744 John St Aubyn 3rd Baronet (age 47) died at Pencarrow House, Cornwall. He was buried at St Crewenna's Church, Crowan on 23 Aug 1744. His son John St Aubyn 4th Baronet (age 17) succeeded 4th Baronet St Aubyn of Clowance in Cornwall.

On 23 Aug 1749 Gilfrid Lawson 6th Baronet (age 74) died unmarried. His brother Alfred Lawson 7th Baronet (age 73) succeeded 7th Baronet Lawson of Isel Hall in Cumbria.

On 23 Aug 1751 Mary Edwards Lady Wrey died.

On 23 Aug 1764 Henry Bilson Legge (age 56) died.

On 23 Aug 1765 Rowland Winn 4th Baronet (age 59) died. His son Rowland Winn 5th Baronet (age 26) succeeded 5th Baronet Winn of Nostel in Yorkshire.

On 23 Aug 1768 Ralph Pennyman (age 66) died.

On 23 Aug 1778 Charles Sedley 2nd Baronet (age 57) died unmarried. Baronet Sedley of Southfleet in Kent extinct.

On 23 Aug 1794 Marianne Charlotte Saxe Coburg Gotha (age 6) died.

On 23 Aug 1812 John Eden 4th Baronet (age 71) died. His son Robert Johnson Eden 5th Baronet (age 37) succeeded 5th Baronet Eden of West Auckland.

On 23 Aug 1824 Abraham Montefiore of Stamford Hill (age 36) died.

On 23 Aug 1837 William Henry Fellowes (age 68) died.

On 23 Aug 1861 Philip Hamond (age 22) died from sun stroke in India. Memorial in All Saints Church, West Acre [Map].

Philip Hamond: Around 1839 he was born to Anthony Hamond and Mary Anne Musters.

On 23 Aug 1868 Lyulph Richard Grandby William Lumley (age 18) died.

On 23 Aug 1873 Amy Mary Ricardo (age 26) died.

On 23 Aug 1885 John Douglas (age 48) died.

On 23 Aug 1889 Robert Pryor (age 77) died.

On 23 Aug 1890 Cecilia Paulet (age 84) died.

On 23 Aug 1903 Alexandra Orr nee Leighton (age 74) died at 11 Kensington Park Gardens.

On 23 Aug 1904 Ramón Santamarina Valcárcel (age 77) died at Buenos Aires.

On 23 Aug 1906 Alfred Émile-Léopold Stevens (age 83) died.

On 23 Aug 1914 Prince Friedrich of Saxe Meiningen (age 52) was killed in action.

On 23 Aug 1919 Augustus George Vernon-Harcourt (age 84) died.

On 23 Aug 1921 Bishop Francis Jayne (age 76) died at his home The Quarry, Oswestry.

On 23 Aug 1925 Major Loftus Lewis Astley Cooper (age 87) died.

On 23 Aug 1928 Emma Charlotte Smith-Stanley died.

On 23 Aug 1932 Constance Mary Lascelles Baroness Wenlock (age 80) died.

On 23 Aug 1933 Lieutenant-Colonel William Dale Chaytor Trotter (age 33) died. He has a memorial at St Mary's Church, Staindrop [Map].

Lieutenant-Colonel William Dale Chaytor Trotter: On 29 Jul 1900 he was born.

On 23 Aug 1940 Ellen Palmer Morewood Countess Shrewsbury Waterford Talbot (age 84) died.

On 23 Aug 1959 Bertrand Sackville-West (age 86) died.

On 23 Aug 1967 Raymond Alexander Baring (age 55) died.

On 23 Aug 1976 Ruth Seymour (age 95) died.