17 Feb 1666. 43. William Castell (age 37) to the Navy Comrs. The new ship Defiance is gone to Longreach; desires a warrant for her survey, as to the finishing according to contract, [Adm. Paper.]

Pepy's Diary. 09 Mar 1666. Thence by water down to Deptford, Kent [Map], where I met my Lord Bruncker (age 46) and Sir W. Batten (age 65) by agreement, and to measuring Mr. Castle's (age 37) new third-rate ship, which is to be called the Defyance¹. And here I had my end in saving the King (age 35) some money and getting myself some experience in knowing how they do measure ships.

Note 1. William Castell wrote to the Navy Commissioners on February 17th, 1665-66, to inform them that the "Defiance" had gone to Longreach, and again, on February 22nd, to say that Mr. Grey had no masts large enough for the new ship. Sir William Batten (age 65) on March 29th asked for the consent of the Board to bring the "Defiance" into dock (" Calendar of State Papers", Domestic, 1665-66, pp. 252, 262, 324).

22 Feb 1666. 117. William Castell (age 37) to the Navy Comrs. Mr. Grey has no masts large enough for the new ship Defiance; if two can be supplied from the stores, will agree to return two of the same size in eight months' time, or make two of the same scantlings upon two months' warning. [Adm. Paper.]

Pepy's Diary. 09 Mar 1666. Thence by water down to Deptford, Kent [Map], where I met my Lord Bruncker (age 46) and Sir W. Batten (age 65) by agreement, and to measuring Mr. Castle's (age 37) new third-rate ship, which is to be called the Defyance¹. And here I had my end in saving the King (age 35) some money and getting myself some experience in knowing how they do measure ships.

Note 1. William Castell wrote to the Navy Commissioners on February 17th, 1665-66, to inform them that the "Defiance" had gone to Longreach, and again, on February 22nd, to say that Mr. Grey had no masts large enough for the new ship. Sir William Batten (age 65) on March 29th asked for the consent of the Board to bring the "Defiance" into dock (" Calendar of State Papers", Domestic, 1665-66, pp. 252, 262, 324).

29 Mar 1666. 52. Sir William Batten to the Navy Comrs. Wishes the consent of the Board to bring the Defiance into dock. Cannot get a bolt made for the new ship; she is hung by shores, which is very inconvenient and hazardous. The smith has received no money from Mr. Fenn; it is impossible to carry on business unless these things be remedied. [Adm. Paper.]

Pepy's Diary. 09 Mar 1666. Thence by water down to Deptford, Kent [Map], where I met my Lord Bruncker (age 46) and Sir W. Batten (age 65) by agreement, and to measuring Mr. Castle's (age 37) new third-rate ship, which is to be called the Defyance¹. And here I had my end in saving the King (age 35) some money and getting myself some experience in knowing how they do measure ships.

Note 1. William Castell wrote to the Navy Commissioners on February 17th, 1665-66, to inform them that the "Defiance" had gone to Longreach, and again, on February 22nd, to say that Mr. Grey had no masts large enough for the new ship. Sir William Batten (age 65) on March 29th asked for the consent of the Board to bring the "Defiance" into dock (" Calendar of State Papers", Domestic, 1665-66, pp. 252, 262, 324).

Pepy's Diary. 29 Jul 1666. By and by a letter from Sir W. Coventry (age 38) tells me that we have the victory. Beat them into the Weelings¹ had taken two of their great ships; but by the orders of the Generalls they are burned. This being, methought, but a poor result after the fighting of two so great fleetes, and four days having no tidings of them, I was still impatient; but could know no more.

Note 1. In a letter from Richard Browne to Williamson, dated Yarmouth [Map], July 30th, we read, "The Zealanders were engaged with the Blue squadron Wednesday and most of Thursday, but at length the Zealanders ran; the Dutch fleet escaped to the Weelings and Goree" (Calendar of State Papers, 1665-66, p 591).

05 Aug 1666. 86. Instructions given to Sir Thomas Clifford (age 36), returning to the fleet, to be communicated to Prince Rupert (age 46) and the Duke of Albemarle (age 57), generals, viz.: to assure them of the King's satisfaction with their conduct in the last happy engagement; to acquaint them with the state of supplies, the condition of ships sent in disabled, the state of the fleet bound for Gottenburg; to consult about that for Hamburg which waits a convoy, as do the vessels ready to come thence with naval provisions, &c.; to tell them of the disadvantages that may arise from their remaining on the Holland coast, many ships being presumed to be too much: hurt to bear foul weather or the shcck of another engagement, when the Dutch are strengthened with De Beaufort's (age 50) fleet, and perhaps some ships from "Denmark, especially as unless their East India and merchant ships come in a few days, they will put into harbour, on notice that their fleet is disabled, and ours: waiting them on their coasts; to tell them that the complaint of Sir Jeremy Smith's misbehaviour in the late engagement being so universal, unless he have fully satisfied the generals, he should be brought to trial by court martial, and there purged or condemned, but sentence not executed till further orders; to represent that the fleet will run less risk, more easily refresh and refit itself, sooner join the ships making ready, especially the fire-ships, and receive expected recruits, by returning to the Downs, Sole Bay [Map], or the Isle of Wight, but as, on the other hand, the reputation of the victory will be best maintained by the fleet's continuing on the enemy's coast, the generals are to reflect seriously on these points and decide for themselves whether to stay or return; to recommend them to let His Majesty hear often from them, and especially their resolutions upon these several directions. [3 pages, draft, corrected by Lord Arlington.]

14 Aug 1666. 20 leagues from land. 132. Duke of Albemarle (age 57) to the King. Thanks for his gracious letter. Prince Rupert (age 46) and he think it their greatest honour to serve His Majesty. They are sailing for Solebay [Map] with a fair wind, and hope to find provisions, having sent to Comr. Taylor to forward them. Wishes to clear a gallant man falsely accused, Sir Jeremiah Smith, who had more men killed and hurt, and his ship received more shot than any in the fleet. There is not a more spirited man serves in the fleet. A vessel is taken laden with masts and iron. Endorsed, "Received 16th August." [2 pages.] Encloses, 132. 1. Account of the masts, de., on the above ship.

03 Sep 1666. Golden Lion Posthouse. 61. J. Hickes to [Williamson]. Sir Philip [Frowde] and his lady, fled from the [letter] office at midnight for safety; stayed himself said ay ohne till 1 a.m., till his wife and childrens' patience could stay no longer, fearing lest they should be quite stopped up; the passage was so tedious, they had much ado to get where they are. The Chester and 1 his Irish mails have come in; sends him his letters; knows not how to 7 not dispose of the business. Is sending his wife and children to Barnet.

05 Sep 1666. Whitehall. Proclamation ordering that for supply of the distressed people left, Whitehall. destitute by the late dreadful and dismal fire, the King has ordered great proportions of bread to be brought daily, not only to the former markets, but to those lately ordained; that all churches, chapels, schools, and public buildings are to be open to receive the goods of those who know not how to dispose of them; and that other towns receive the said distressed persons, and permit them to exercise their trades, on promise that they shall afterwards be no burthen to them. [Printed. Proc. Coll., Charles IT., p. 228.]

06 Sep 1666. Whitehall. Proclamation ordering that as the markets are burned down, markets be held at Bishopsgate Street, Tower Hill [Map], Smithfield [Map], and Leadenhall Street [Map], which shall be well protected, and ordering the magistrates in counties whence provisions are sent to London to forward supplies; also forbidding men to disquiet themselves with rumours of tumults, but attend to the business of quenching the fire, troops being provided to keep the peace; also ordering Gresham College, Bishopsgate Street, to be used instead of the Royal Exchange, which is burnt. [Printed. Proc. Coll., Charles IT, p. 229.]

19 Sep 1666. Whitehall. 45. Order in Council for the printing and publishing a declaration of war against Denmark. [Printed.] Annexing: 45. 1. "A true deduction of all transactions between His Majesty of Great Britain and the King of Denmark (age 57), with a declaration of war against the said King, and the motives that obliged His Majesty thereunto." [22 pages, printed.]