On 23 Jun 1631 Stephen Bachiler (age 70) visited at Flushing [Map].

Evelyn's Diary. 21 May 1641. We returned again this evening, and on the 21st embarked in a Dutch frigate, bound for Flushing [Map], convoyed and accompanied by five other stout vessels, whereof one was a man-of-war. The next day, at noon, we landed at Flushing [Map]. Being desirous to overtake the Leagure, which was then before Genep, ere the summer should be too far spent, we went this evening from Flushing to Middleburg, another fine town in this island, to De Vere, whence the most ancient and illustrious Earls of Oxford derive their family, who have spent so much blood in assisting the state during their wars. From De Vere we passed over many towns, houses, and ruins of demolished suburbs, &c., which have formerly been swallowed up by the sea; at what time no less eight of those islands had been irrecoverably lost.

Pepy's Diary. 28 Mar 1660. This morning and the whole day busy, and that the more because Mr. Burr was about his own business all the day at Gravesend, Kent [Map]. At night there was a gentleman very well bred, his name was Banes, going for Flushing [Map], who spoke French and Latin very well, brought by direction from Captain Clerke hither, as a prisoner, because he called out of the vessel that he went in, "Where is your King, we have done our business, Vive le Roi". He confessed himself a Cavalier in his heart, and that he and his whole family had fought for the King; but that he was then drunk, having been all night taking his leave at Gravesend, Kent [Map] the night before, and so could not remember what it was that he said; but in his words and carriage showed much of a gentleman. My Lord had a great kindness for him, but did not think it safe to release him, but commanded him to be used civilly, so he was taken to the Master's Cabin and had supper there. In the meantime I wrote a letter to the Council about him, and an order for the vessel to be sent for back that he was taken out of. But a while after, he sent a letter down to my Lord, which my Lord did like very well, and did advise with me what was best to be done. So I put in something to my Lord and then to the Captain that the gentleman was to be released and the letter stopped, which was done. So I went up and sat and talked with him in Latin and French, and drank a bottle or two with him; and about eleven at night he took boat again, and so God bless him. Thence I to my cabin and to bed. This day we had news of the election at Huntingdon for Bernard and Pedly, at which my Lord was much troubled for his friends' missing of it.

Pepy's Diary. 20 Apr 1660. All the morning I was busy to get my window altered, and to have my table set as I would have it, which after it was done I was infinitely pleased with it, and also to see what a command I have to have every one ready to come and go at my command. This evening came Mr. Boyle on board, for whom I writ an order for a ship to transport him to Flushing [Map]. He supped with my Lord, my Lord using him as a person of honour. This evening too came Mr. John Pickering on board us. This evening my head ached exceedingly, which I impute to my sitting backwards in my cabin, otherwise than I am used to do. To-night Mr. Sheply told me that he heard for certain at Dover that Mr. Edw. Montagu (age 25) did go beyond sea when he was here first the other day, and I am apt to believe that he went to speak with the King. This day one told me how that at the election at Cambridge for knights of the shire, Wendby and Thornton by declaring to stand for the Parliament and a King and the settlement of the Church, did carry it against all expectation against Sir Dudley North (age 77) and Sir Thomas Willis! I supped to-night with Mr. Sheply below at the half-deck table, and after that I saw Mr. Pickering whom my Lord brought down to his cabin, and so to bed.

Pepy's Diary. 27 Apr 1660. This morning Burr was absent again from on board, which I was troubled at, and spoke to Mr. Pierce, Purser, to speak to him of it, and it is my mind. This morning Pim [the tailor] spent in my cabin, putting a great many ribbons to a suit. After dinner in the afternoon came on board Sir Thomas Hatton and Sir R. Maleverer going for Flushing [Map]; but all the world know that they go where the rest of the many gentlemen go that every day flock to the King (age 29) at Breda¹.

Note 1. The King (age 29) arrived at Breda on the 14th April. Sir W. Lower writes ("Voiage and Residence of Charles II in Holland", p. 5): "Many considerations obliged him to depart the territories under the obedience of the King of Spain in this conjuncture of affairs".

Pepy's Diary. 27 Apr 1660. They supped here, and my Lord treated them as he do the rest that go thither, with a great deal of civility. While we were at supper a packet came, wherein much news from several friends. The chief is that, that I had from Mr. Moore, viz. that he fears the Cavaliers in the House will be so high, that the others will be forced to leave the House and fall in with General Monk (age 51), and so offer things to the King so high on the Presbyterian account that he may refuse, and so they will endeavour some more mischief; but when I told my Lord it, he shook his head and told me, that the Presbyterians are deceived, for the General is certainly for the King's interest, and so they will not be able to prevail that way with him. After supper the two knights went on board the Grantham, that is to convey them to Flushing [Map]. I am informed that the Exchequer is now so low, that there is not £20 there, to give the messenger that brought the news of Lambert's (age 40) being taken; which story is very strange that he should lose his reputation of being a man of courage now at one blow, for that he was not able to fight one stroke, but desired of Colonel Ingoldsby several times for God's sake to let him escape. Late reading my letters, my mind being much troubled to think that, after all our hopes, we should have any cause to fear any more disappointments therein. To bed. This day I made even with Captain Sparling, by sending him my bill and he me my money by Burr whom I sent for it.

Pepy's Diary. 31 Jul 1666. The Court being empty, the King (age 36) being gone to Tunbridge [Map], and the Duke of Yorke (age 32) a-hunting. I had some discourse with Povy (age 52), who is mightily discontented, I find, about his disappointments at Court; and says, of all places, if there be hell, it is here. No faith, no truth, no love, nor any agreement between man and wife, nor friends. He would have spoke broader, but I put it off to another time; and so parted. Then with Creed and read over with him the narrative of the late [fight], which he makes a very poor thing of, as it is indeed, and speaks most slightingly of the whole matter. Povy (age 52) discoursed with me about my Lord Peterborough's (age 44) £50 which his man did give me from him, the last year's salary I paid him, which he would have Povy (age 52) pay him again; but I have not taken it to myself yet, and therefore will most heartily return him, and mark him out for a coxcomb. Povy (age 52) went down to Mr. Williamson's (age 33), and brought me up this extract out of the Flanders' letters to-day come: That Admiral Everson, and the Admiral and Vice-Admiral of Freezeland, with many captains and men, are slain; that De Ruyter (age 59) is safe, but lost 250 men out of his own ship; but that he is in great disgrace, and Trump in better favour; that Bankert's ship is burned, himself hardly escaping with a few men on board De Haes; that fifteen captains are to be tried the seventh of August; and that the hangman was sent from Flushing [Map] to assist the Council of Warr. How much of this is true, time will shew.

Pepy's Diary. 04 Aug 1666. This evening, Sir W. Pen (age 45) come into the garden, and walked with me, and told me that he had certain notice that at Flushing [Map] they are in great distraction. De Ruyter (age 59) dares not come on shore for fear of the people; nor any body open their houses or shops for fear of the tumult: which is a every good hearing.

Pepy's Diary. 15 May 1667. At noon to dinner, and then to Sir W. Batten's (age 66), where I hear the news how our Embassadors were but ill received at Flushing [Map], nor at Bredah itself, there being only a house and no furniture provided for them, though it be said that they have as much as the French.