Biography of Archbishop George Abbott 1562-1633
On 29 Oct 1562 Archbishop George Abbott was born.
In 1611 Archbishop George Abbott (age 48) was elected Archbishop of Canterbury.
On 07 Dec 1612 Henry Frederick Stewart Prince of Wales (deceased) was buried at Westminster Abbey [Map]. His body had lain in state for a month at St James's Palace [Map]. Two thousand mourners attended in the procession and people of all ages lined the streets. Archbishop Abbott (age 50) gave the funeral sermon. A magnificent hearse was erected on which was placed his richly clothed funeral effigy. The robes were those worn by the Prince at his creation as Princes of Wales in 1610. This effigy was made by Richard Norris with the plaster face modelled by Abraham Van der Doort.
Francis Manners 6th Earl of Rutland (age 34) carried the shield.
Henry Zinzan aka Alexander led a horse trapped with black cloth in the funeral procession.
Letters of the Court of James I 1613 Reverend Thomas Lorkin Sir Thomas Puckering Baronet 08 Jul 1613. 08 Jul 1613. London. Reverend Thomas Lorkin to Thomas Puckering 1st Baronet (age 21).
Painters and poets may lie by privilege; but such as undertake to make relation of things that pass, should tell naught but truth. Pardon me, therefore, if I must now revoke what in my last letters I writ for certain, touching the swearing of Sir David Murray and Sir Robert Carr (age 35) in his highness's bedchamber. I received it very confidently from Sir John Harrington's (age 73) mouth. But I have found since, by my inquiry, that they only procured the king's warrant, which met with afterwards that opposition from the lords, as it rests yet doubtful whether and when it shall take effect. The prince's household is not yet settled; yesterday the council sat about it, and the opinion was that the king would then sign the book.
My Lord Stanhope's (age 64)1 son (age 20) is lately fallen lunatic; and the little hope that is conceived of his recovery makes divers of your friends think that it was your hard fortune to be no more forward in embracing those offers which were formerly made you out of that house.
You have heard long since, I suppose, of the great difference between my Lord of Essex (age 22) and his lady (age 23), who hath most earnestly sued for a divorce, pretending the only cause to be of her husband's insufficiency; who confesseth it towards her, though he esteems himself well enough provided for any other. It was expected that a nullity of marriage should have been pronounced by my Lord of Canterbury (age 50) at the end of last term, but the sentence is deferred to the term following; which, if it be given in favour of her, it is generally believed that a match shall be concluded between my Lord of Rochester (age 26) and her: thereby to reconcile him and the house of Howard together, who are now far enough asunder.
The news of the great entertainment at the Palatine's I court is but newly arrived here. It consists chiefly in matter of good cheer, after the fashion of the country. They talk of I know not how many hundred tables which should be every day prepared; but you will easily proportion them out yourself, when you shall hear of the number of mouths, which were no fewer, every meal, than 6000. The same messenger brings tidings that her grace is with child, and that there wants not the concurrence of all sach tokens and probabilities as are usually observed in women in that state and condition.
The Duke of Lennox (age 38)2 arrived in Paris on Saturday last, as we are informed here, having made that the way of his return home from Heidelberg. He pretends the occasion of his stay there to be, the seeking to obtain the command of the company of horse which our Prince Charles had, when he was but Duke of York. But, though made an absolute refusal of it before his coming, he having employed himself in that business by commission from our king, the true cause of his stay is thought to be a treaty of marriage between Prince Charles and Madame Christine, which, having been long time negociated by Sir Thomas Edraondes, is thought shall receive its final conclusion from him.
Sir Thomas Waller (deceased), governor of Dover Castle, is lately dead. His place is already disposed of; but I cannot say certainly how. Sir Thomas Somerset (age 34)3 inquires very kindly after you, and you shall do well to omit no good means of entertaining his good opinion still.
Note 1. John (age 64), created an English baron by the title of Lord Stanhope of Harrington, May 4, 1605. He died March 9, 1621, leaving issue one daughter only. [Note. He left issue Charles Stanhope 2nd Baron Stanhope (age 20), Elizabeth Stanhope Lady Talmash and Catherine Stanhope Countess Leinster]
Note 2. Lodovick Stuart. He was high chamberlain and admiral of Scotland, and in 1601 was Bent by James ambassador to the court of France. In October, 1613, he was created Baron Setrington and Earl of Richmond. He filled the offices of master of the hoasehold, first gentleman of the bedchamber, was invested with the garter, and appointed commissioner to the parliament; and, in 1623, was further advanced to the dignities of the Earl of Newcastle and Duke of Richmond. Though twice married, the Duke of Lennox died without issue, in February. 1624.
Note 3. Third son (age 34) of Edward, Earl of Worcester (age 63). He was afterwards created Viscount Somerset of Cassel (Cashel) in Ireland.
Letters of the Court of James I 1613 Reverend Thomas Lorkin to Sir Thomas Puckering Baronet 29 Aug 1613. 29 Aug 1613. London. Reverend Thomas Lorkin to Thomas Puckering 1st Baronet (age 21).
Yoa may please to remember how, in some of my former letters, I made mention of my Lord of Essex's (age 22) case, which was to rest in dependance till next term. But the king showed himself so affectionate in it, as the commissioners have been forced (to give his majesty satisfaction) to yield a more speedy hearing of it, which was done (though with little effect) upon last Wednesday. But it is believed generally that unless the commission be changed, the nullities which his majesty desireth will never be pronounced. For the Archbishop of Canterbury (age 50) and the Bishop of London (age 54), together with Dr. Bennet, and Dr. Edwards, who are like to have the greatest sway in deciding this controversy, are directly against it; insomuch as my Lord of Canterbury (age 50), being with his majesty at Windsor for some three or four days before the hearing, fell down upon his knees twice or thrice, to entreat his majesty that he might be dispensed with from being on the commission; which he would esteem a greater favour that all that he had received from him in being raised from a private condition, and in so short a space, to the highest dignity ecclesiastical. At the last hearing, my Lord of Rochester (age 26) stayed here in town, as is supposed, to hear the success, and rode presently past unto the king, [to acquaint] his majesty thereof, and showeth himself so passionate in this business only in favour [of the countess (age 23),] with whom a new match would be presently concluded, if the old one were now abolished.
Sir Thomas Overbury (age 32) is like to run a short course, being sick unto death1. The lieutenant of the Tower, and the physicians that were there about him, have subscribed their hands, that they hold him a man past all recovery.
Mr. Albert Morton (age 29), secretary of Sir Henry Wotton, is to be sent presently ambassador to the Duke of Savoy (age 51), and there [remain], which gives occasion of conjecture here that the old treaty of marriage is now [on foot] again; and that that other of France is like to fall to the ground. But in these [conjectures] haply it would be fit to be more sparing.
I received news lately from a gentleman, that heard it from Sir Ralph Winwood's (age 50) own mouth, that the States are resolved to make war upon the King of Denmark, if either our king will join them, or otherwise be [persuaded] to stand by a neuter. Their quarrel is, for that the King of Denmark hath imposed a grievous tax upon all merchandize that pass the Sound, and he hath in effect blocked up that passage: for it is held that of every three ships that pass, one falls by this means to his share, which is a thing intolerable.
The differences between them of the Religion in France are grown so violent as the deputies'-general have petitioned the queen, in the name of all the provinces, for liberty to hold a general assembly for [consideration] and pacification of them. But they find this request to be nothing pleasing, nor without great difficulty to be ob- tained, out of a jealousy the States hath that they may grow to new complaints and demands, after the example of the last assembly.
There hath been lately a proposition of marriage between the daughter of M. D'Ancre, and M. De Villeroy's grand-child, who is the heir of his house; there having been a former intention of matching her with the young Duke D'Elboeuf, which gives occasion of great jealousy and suspicion to M. De Guise and his faction, fearing by this news that M. De Yilleroy will be disjoined from them.
Note 1. He died on the 15th of September following, from poison, which Rochester and his countess had caused to be administered in his food.
Diary of Anne Clifford 1616. 16 Feb 1616. Upon the 16th my Lady Grantham and Mrs Newton came to see me—the next day (she told me) the Archbishop of Canterbury (age 53) would come to me and she persuaded me very earnestly to agree to this business which I took as a great argument of her love. My Coz. Russell (age 23) came to me the same day and chid me and told me of all my faults and errors in this business; he made me weep bitterly ; then I spoke a prayer of Owens and went to see my Lady Wotten at Whitehall where we walked 5 or 6 turns but spoke nothing of this business though her heart and mine were full of it—from hence I went to the Abbey at Westminster where I saw the Queen of Scots, her tomb and all the other tombs, and came home by water where I took an extreme cold.
Diary of Anne Clifford 1616. 17 Feb 1616. Upon the 17th my Lord Archbishop of Canterbury (age 53), my Lord William Howard (age 52)1, my Lord Rous (age 25), my Coz. Russell (age 23), my Brother Sackville (age 25) and a great company of men of [erased in MS.] were all in the Gallery at Dorset House where the Archbishop (age 53) took me aside and talked with me privately one hour and half and persuaded me both by Divine and human means to set my hand to their arguments. But my answer to his Lordship was that I would do nothing till my Lady and I had conferred together. Much persuasion was used by him and all the company, sometimes terrifying me and sometimes flattering me, but at length it was concluded that I should have leave to go to my Mother (age 55) and send an answer by the 22nd of March next, whether I will agree to the business or not, and to this prayer my Lord of Canterbury (age 53) and the rest of the Lords have set their hands.
Note 1. Her husband's uncle.
Autobiography Simon D'Ewes. 06 Jul 1621. Upon Friday the 6th day of July, about eleven of the clock in the forenoon, I departed, with my father and the residue of his family, towards Chelmsford in Essex; where lodging this night, and at Lavenham, Suffolk the next day ensuing, we came to Stow Hall, my father's chief mansion in Suffolk, about eight of the clock in the morning, July the 8th, before divine service began, and so were partakers of two sermons this day in our parochial church. The rest of this month was chiefly spent in recreations, visitations, discourses, and such like: about the latter end whereof George Abbot (age 58), Doctor of Divinity and Archbishop of Canterbury, shooting at a deer in Alton Park1, near London, being the Lord Zouche's, struck one of the keepers into the arm, through the thwart glancing of the arrow, with which diyers of his sinews being cut, he soon alter died.
Note 1. Bramzil Park, according to Rushworth, i. p. 61. The Bishop of Lincoln, in giving judgment on thia matter, said: - "To add affliction to the afflicted will be against his Majesty's nature; yet to leave a man of blood primate and patriarch of all his churches, is a thing that aounda very harsh in the old councils and canons, and the Papiats will not spare to censure it."
On 04 Aug 1633 Archbishop George Abbott (age 70) died.
Evelyn's Diary. 22 Aug 1653. We all went to Guildford, to rejoice at the famous inn, the Red Lion, and to see the hospital, and the monument of Archbishop Abbot, the founder, who lies buried in the chapel of his endowment.
Pepy's Diary. 04 May 1661. Up in the morning and took coach, and so to Gilford, where we lay at the Red Lyon, the best Inn, and lay in the room the King lately lay in, where we had time to see the Hospital, built by Archbishop Abbott, and the free school, and were civilly treated by the Mayster. So to supper, and to bed, being very merry about our discourse with the Drawers concerning the minister of the Town, with a red face and a girdle. So to bed, where we lay and sleep well.
Pepy's Diary. 06 Aug 1668. Waked betimes, and my wife, at an hour's warning, is resolved to go with me, which pleases me, her readiness. But, before ready, comes a letter from Fitzgerald, that he is seized upon last night by an order of the General's by a file of musqueteers, and kept prisoner in his chamber. The Duke of York (age 34) did tell me of it to-day: it is about a quarrel between him and Witham, and they fear a challenge: so I to him, and sent my wife by the coach round to Lambeth. I lost my labour going to his lodgings, and he in bed: and, staying a great while for him, I at last grew impatient, and would stay no longer; but to St. James's to Mr. Wren (age 39), to bid him "God be with you!" and so over the water to Fox Hall; and there my wife and Deb. come and took me up, and we away to Gilford [Map], losing our way for three or four mile, about Cobham. At Gilford [Map] we dined; and, I shewed them the hospitall there of Bishop Abbot's, and his tomb in the church, which, and the rest of the tombs there, are kept mighty clean and neat, with curtains before them.
