In 1645 Charles Lucas (age 32) commanded the forces attacking Nottingham, and soon afterwards, on the recommendation of Prince Rupert (age 25), he was made lieutenant-general of the Duke of Newcastle's (age 52) Northern army.

Evelyn's Diary. 15 Aug 1654. We passed next through Sherwood Forest, accounted the most extensive in England. Then, Paplewick, an incomparable vista with the pretty castle near it. Thence, we saw Newstead Abbey [Map], belonging to the Lord Byron (age 48), situated much like Fontainebleau in France, capable of being made a noble seat, accommodated as it is with brave woods and streams; it has yet remaining the front of a glorious abbey church. Next, by Mansfield town; then Welbeck [Map], the house of the Marquis of Newcastle (age 61), seated in a bottom in a park, and environed with woods, a noble yet melancholy seat. The palace is a handsome and stately building. Next to Worksop Abbey [Map], almost demolished; the church has a double flat tower entire, and a pretty gate. The manor belongs to the Earl of Arundel (age 27), and has to it a fair house at the foot of a hill in a park that affords a delicate prospect. Tickel, a town and castle, has a very noble prospect. All these in Nottinghamshire.

Pepy's Diary. 26 Oct 1661. So at the office all the morning, and in the afternoon Sir W. Pen (age 40), my wife and I to the Theatre [Map], and there saw "The Country Captain", the first time it hath been acted this twenty-five years, a play of my Lord Newcastle's (age 68), but so silly a play as in all my life I never saw, and the first that ever I was weary of in my life.

John Reresby's Diary 05 Aug 1665. 05 Aug 1665. The Duchess (age 28) in her return lay at Welbeck [Map], the old Duke of Newcastle (age 72) being alive, where she was splendidly entertained, the Duke of York (age 31) having directed that the same respect should be paid her wherever she passed as if he were present. The Duke of Buckingham (age 37) and my [his son] Lord Ogle (age 35) had a quarrel there.

Evelyn's Diary. 18 Apr 1667. I went to make court to the Duke (age 74) and [his wife] Duchess (age 44) of Newcastle, at their house in Clerkenwell, being newly come out of the north. They received me with great kindness, and I was much pleased with the extraordinary fanciful habit, garb, and discourse of the Duchess (age 44).

Evelyn's Diary. 25 Apr 1667. Visited again the Duke of Newcastle (age 74), with whom I had been acquainted long before in France, where the [his wife] Duchess (age 44) had obligation to my wife's (age 32) mother for her marriage there; she was sister to [his brother-in-law] Lord Lucas (age 60), and maid of honor then to the Queen-Mother (age 57); married in our chapel at Paris. My wife (age 32) being with me, the Duke (age 74) and Duchess (age 44) both would needs bring her to the very Court.

Pepy's Diary. 10 May 1667. Then to my Lord Treasurer's (age 60), but missed Sir Ph. Warwicke (age 57), and so back again, and drove hard towards Clerkenwell¹, thinking to have overtaken my [his wife] Lady Newcastle (age 44), whom I saw before us in her coach, with 100 boys and girls running looking upon her but I could not: and so she got home before I could come up to her. But I will get a time to see her. So to the office and did more business, and then home and sang with pleasure with my wife, and to supper and so to bed.

Note 1. At Newcastle House, Clerkenwell Close, the duke (age 74) and duchess (age 44) lived in great state. The house was divided, and let in tenements in the eighteenth century.

Evelyn's Diary. 11 May 1667. To London; dined with the Duke of Newcastle (age 74), and sat discoursing with her [his wife] Grace (age 44) in her bedchamber after dinner, till my Lord Marquis of Dorchester (age 61), with other company came in, when I went away.