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All About History Books
The Chronicle of Walter of Guisborough, a canon regular of the Augustinian Guisborough Priory, Yorkshire, formerly known as The Chronicle of Walter of Hemingburgh, describes the period from 1066 to 1346. Before 1274 the Chronicle is based on other works. Thereafter, the Chronicle is original, and a remarkable source for the events of the time. This book provides a translation of the Chronicle from that date. The Latin source for our translation is the 1849 work edited by Hans Claude Hamilton. Hamilton, in his preface, says: "In the present work we behold perhaps one of the finest samples of our early chronicles, both as regards the value of the events recorded, and the correctness with which they are detailed; Nor will the pleasing style of composition be lightly passed over by those capable of seeing reflected from it the tokens of a vigorous and cultivated mind, and a favourable specimen of the learning and taste of the age in which it was framed." Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback.
John Evelyn's Diary 1659 is in John Evelyn's Diary 1650s.
17th January 1659. Our old vicar preached, taking leave of the parish in a pathetical speech, to go to a living in the city.
24th March 1659. I went to London, to speak to the patron, Alderman Cuttler, about presenting a fit pastor for our destitute parish church.
5th April 1659. Came the Earl of Northampton (age 36) and the famous painter, Mr. Wright (age 41), to visit me.
10th April 1659. One Mr. Littler, being now presented to the living of our parish, preached on John vi. 55, a sermon preparatory to the Holy Sacrament.
25th April 1659. A wonderful and sudden change in the face of the public; the new protector, Richard (age 32), slighted; several pretenders and parties strive for the government: all anarchy and confusion; Lord have mercy on us!
5th May 1659. I went to visit my brother (age 41) in London; and next day, to see a new opera, after the Italian way, in recitative music and scenes, much inferior to the Italian composure and magnificence; but it was prodigious that in a time of such public consternation such a vanity should be kept up, or permitted. I, being engaged with company, could not decently resist the going to see it, though my heart smote me for it.
7th May 1659. Came the Ambassador of Holland and his lady to visit me, and stayed the whole afternoon.
12th May 1659. I returned the visit, discoursing much of the revolutions, etc.
19th May 1659. Came to dine with me my Lord Galloway (age 49) and his son, a Scotch Lord and learned: also my brother (age 41) and his lady, Lord Berkeley and his lady, Mrs. Shirley, and the famous singer, Mrs. Knight, and other friends.
23rd May 1659. I went to Rookwood, Surrey, and dined with Sir William Hicks (age 63), where was a great feast and much company. It is a melancholy old house, environed with trees and rooks.
26th May 1659. Came to see me my Lord George Berkeley (age 31), Sir William Ducie, and Sir George Pott's son of Norfolk.
All About History Books
The Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke. Baker was a secular clerk from Swinbroke, now Swinbrook, an Oxfordshire village two miles east of Burford. His Chronicle describes the events of the period 1303-1356: Gaveston, Bannockburn, Boroughbridge, the murder of King Edward II, the Scottish Wars, Sluys, Crécy, the Black Death, Winchelsea and Poitiers. To quote Herbert Bruce 'it possesses a vigorous and characteristic style, and its value for particular events between 1303 and 1356 has been recognised by its editor and by subsequent writers'. The book provides remarkable detail about the events it describes. Baker's text has been augmented with hundreds of notes, including extracts from other contemporary chronicles, such as the Annales Londonienses, Annales Paulini, Murimuth, Lanercost, Avesbury, Guisborough and Froissart to enrich the reader's understanding. The translation takes as its source the 'Chronicon Galfridi le Baker de Swynebroke' published in 1889, edited by Edward Maunde Thompson. Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback.
29th May 1659. The nation was now in extreme confusion and unsettled, between the Armies and the Sectaries, the poor Church of England breathing as it were her last; so sad a face of things had overspread us.
7th June 1659. To London, to take leave of my brother (age 41), and see the foundations now laying for a long street and buildings in Hatton Garden, designed for a little town, lately an ample garden.
1st September 1659. I communicated to Mr. Robert Boyle (age 32), son to the Earl of Cork, my proposal for erecting a philosophic and mathematic college.
15th September 1659. Came to see me Mr. Brereton (age 28), a very learned gentleman, son to my Lord Brereton (age 48), with his wife and divers other ladies. Also, Henry Howard of Norfolk (age 31), since Duke of Norfolk.
30th September 1659. I went to visit Sir William Ducie and Colonel Blount (age 55), where I met Sir Henry Blount (age 57), the famous traveler and water drinker.
10th October 1659. I came with my wife (age 24) and family to London: took lodgings at the Three Feathers [Map], in Russell Street, Covent Garden, for the winter, my son being very unwell.
11th October 1659. Came to visit me Mr. William Coventry (age 31) (since secretary to the Duke), son to the Lord Keeper, a wise and witty gentleman.
11th October 1659. The Army now turned out the Parliament. We had now no government in the nation: all in confusion; no magistrate either owned or pretended; but the soldiers, and they not agreed. God Almighty have mercy on us, and settle us!
17th October 1659. I visited Mr. Howard (age 31), at Arundel House [Map], who gave me a fair onyx set in gold, and showed me his design of a palace there.
21st October 1659. A private fast was kept by the Church of England Protestants in town, to beg of God the removal of his judgments, with devout prayers for his mercy to our calamitous Church.
7th November 1659. Was published my bold "Apology for the King" in this time of danger, when it was capital to speak or write in favour of him. It was twice printed; so universally it took.
9th November 1659. We observed our solemn Fast for the calamity of our Church.
12th November 1659. I went to see the several drugs for the confection of treacle, dioscordium, and other electuaries, which an ingenious apothecary had not only prepared and ranged on a large and very long table, but covered every ingredient with a sheet of paper, on which was very lively painted the thing in miniature, well to the life, were it plant, flower, animal, or other exotic drug.
15th November 1659. Dined with the Dutch Ambassador. He did in a manner acknowledge that his nation mind only their own profit, do nothing out of gratitude, but collaterally as it relates to their gain, or security; and therefore the English were to look for nothing of assistance to the banished King. This was to me no very grateful discourse, though an ingenuous confession.
All About History Books
The Chronicle of Walter of Guisborough, a canon regular of the Augustinian Guisborough Priory, Yorkshire, formerly known as The Chronicle of Walter of Hemingburgh, describes the period from 1066 to 1346. Before 1274 the Chronicle is based on other works. Thereafter, the Chronicle is original, and a remarkable source for the events of the time. This book provides a translation of the Chronicle from that date. The Latin source for our translation is the 1849 work edited by Hans Claude Hamilton. Hamilton, in his preface, says: "In the present work we behold perhaps one of the finest samples of our early chronicles, both as regards the value of the events recorded, and the correctness with which they are detailed; Nor will the pleasing style of composition be lightly passed over by those capable of seeing reflected from it the tokens of a vigorous and cultivated mind, and a favourable specimen of the learning and taste of the age in which it was framed." Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback.
18th November 1659. Mr. Gunning (age 45) celebrated the wonted Fast, and preached on Phil. II 12, 13.
24th November 1659. Sir John Evelyn [of Godstone, Surrey] invited us to the forty-first wedding-day feast, where was much company of friends.
26th November 1659. I was introduced into the acquaintance of divers learned and worthy persons, Sir John Marsham, Mr. Dugdale (age 19), Mr. Stanley, and others.
9th December 1659. I supped with Mr. Gunning (age 45), it being our fast day, Dr. Fearne, Mr. Thrisco, Mr. Chamberlain, Dr. Henchman (age 67), Dr. Wild, and other devout and learned divines, firm confessors, and excellent persons. Note: Most of them since made bishops.
10th December 1659. I treated privately with Colonel Morley (age 43), then Lieutenant of the Tower, and in great trust and power, concerning delivering it to the King (age 29), and the bringing of him in, to the great hazard of my life, but the Colonel had been my schoolfellow, and I knew would not betray me.
12th December 1659. I spent in public concerns for his Majesty (age 29), pursuing the point to bring over Colonel Morley (age 43), and his brother-in-law, Fay, Governor of Portsmouth.
18th December 1659. Preached that famous divine, Dr. Sanderson (age 72) (since Bishop of Lincoln), now eighty years old, on Jer. xxx. 13, concerning the evil of forsaking God.
29th December 1659. Came my Lord Count Arundel, of Wardour (age 51), to visit me. I went also to see my Lord Viscount Montague (age 49).
31st December 1659. Settling my domestic affairs in order, blessed God for his infinite mercies and preservations the past year.
