Text this colour is a link for Members only. Support us by becoming a Member for only £3 a month by joining our 'Buy Me A Coffee page'; Membership gives you access to all content and removes ads.
Text this colour links to Pages. Text this colour links to Family Trees. Place the mouse over images to see a larger image. Click on paintings to see the painter's Biography Page. Mouse over links for a preview. Move the mouse off the painting or link to close the popup.
The London Gazette 0-4999 is in The London Gazette.
Whitehall, September, 8th [1666].
The ordinary course of this paper having been interuppted by a sad and lamentable accident of Fire lately hapned in the City of London: it hath been thought fit for satisfying the minds of so many of his Majesties good Subjects who must needs be concerned for the Issue of so great an accident, to give this short, but true Accompt of it.
2nd September 1666. On the second instant, at one of the clock in the Morning, there hapned to break out, a sad in deplorable Fire in Pudding-lane, neer New Fishstreet, which falling out at that hour of the night, and in a quarter of the Town so close built with wooden pitched houses spread itself so far before day, and with such distraction to the inhabitants and Neighbours, that care was not taken for the timely preventing the further diffusion of it, by pulling down houses, as ought to have been; so that this lamentable Fire in a short time became too big to be mastred by any Engines or worKing neer it, It fell out most unhappily too, That a violent Easterly wind fomented it, and kept it burning all that day, and the night following spreading itself up to Grace-church-street and downwards from Cannon-street to the Water-side, as far as the Three Cranes in the Vintrey [Map].
The people in all parts about it, distracted by the vastness of it, and their particular care to carry away their Goods, many attempts were made to prevent the spreading of it by pulling down Houses, and maKing great Intervals, but all in vain, the fire seizing upon the Timber and Rubbish, and so continuing it set even through those spaces, and raging in a bright flame all Monday and Teusday, not withstanding His Majesties own, and His Royal Highness's indefatigable and personal pains to apply all possible remedies to prevent it, calling upon and helping the people with their Guards; and a great number of Nobility and Gentry unwearidly assisting therein, for which they were requited with a thousand blessings from the poor distressed people. By the favour of God the Wind slackened a little on Teusday night & the Flameswmeeting with brick buildings at the Temple, by little and little it was observed to lose its force on that side, so that on Wednesday morning we began to hope well, and his Royal Highness never despairing or slackening his personal care wrought so well that day, assisted in some paris by the Lords of the Council before and hehind it that a stop was put to it at she Temple Church, neer Holborn-bridge, Pie-corner, Aldersgate, Cripple-gate, neer the lower end of Coleman-street, at the end of Basin-hall-street by the Postern at the upper end of Bishopsgate-strect and Leadenhall street, at the Standard in Cornlill at the church in Fenchurch street, neer Cloth-workers Hall in Mincing-lane at the middle of Mark-lane, and at the Tower-dock.
5th September 1666. On Thursday by the blessing of God it was wholly beat down ahd extinguished. But so as that Evening it unhappily burst out again a fresh at the Zenple, by the falling of some sparks (as is supposed) upon a Pile of Wooden buildings; but his Royal Highness who watched there that vvhole night in Person, by the great labours and diligence weed, and especially by applying Powder to blow wp the Houses about it, belore day most happily mastered it,
Divers Strangers, Dutch and French were, during the fire, apprehended, upon suspicion that they contributed mischievously to it, who are all imprisoned, and Informations prepared to make a severe inquisition here upon by my Lord Chief Justice Keeling, assisted by some of the Lords of the Privy Council; and some principal Mcmbers: of the City, notwithstanding which suspicion, the manner of the burning all along in a Train, and so blowen forwards in all its way by strong Winds, make us conclude the whole was an effect of an unhappy chance, or to speak better, the heavy hand of God upon us for our sins, shewing us the terrour of his Judgement in thus raising the Fire, and immediately after his miraculous and never to be acknowledged Mercy, in putting a stop to it when we were in the last despair, and that all attempts for quenching it however industriously pursued seemed insufficient. His Majesty then set hourly in Councel, and cver since hath continued maKing rounds about the City in all parts of it where the danger and mischief was greatest, till this morning that he bath sent his Grace the Duke of Albermarle, whom he hath called for to assist him in this great occasion, to put his happy and successful hand to the finishing this memorable deliverance.
About the Tower the seasonable orders given for plucKing down the Houses to secure the Magazines of Powder was more especially successful, that part being up the Wind, notwithstanding which it came almost to the very Gates of it. So as by this early provision the general Stores of War lodged in the Tower were entirely saved: And we have further this infinite cause particularly to give God thanks that the fre did not happen in any of those places where his Majesties Naval stores are kept, so as tho it hath pleased God to visit us with his own hand, be hath not, by disfurnishing us with the means of carrying on the War, subjected us to our enemies.
It must be observed, that this fire happened in a part of the Town, where tho the Commodities were not very rich, yet they were so bulky that they could not well be removed, so that the Inhabitants of that part where it first began have sustained very great loss, but by the best enquiry we can make, the other parts of the Town, where the Commodities were of greater value took the Alarm so early, that they saved most of their Goods of value, which possibly may have dminished the loss, tho some think, that if the whele industry of the inhabitants had been applyed to the stopping of the fire; and not to the saving of their particular Goods, the success might have been much better, not only to the publick, but to many of them in their own particulars.
24th February 1668. Deale [Map]. Feb 24. This day sailed for the Thames his Majesties Ship, the Reserve, well laden with Sails. The Fleet which were riding in the Downs during the late storms, consisting of 140 saile, received little or no dammage, but the wind coming now to the South-east, most of the fleet outwards bound have set sail to pursue their intended Voyages.
25th February 1668. Portsmouth, Feb. 25. This last night came into this harbour the Emsworth Fregat from the Downs. This morning passed by this place for the Coasts of France Monsieur de la Roche with his Consort, who off the Horse was met by Sir Thomas Allen with his Squadron, and some Guns given on each side, since which they have for this hour continued together.
25th February 1668. Whitehall, Feb. 25. This day His Majesty (age 37) was pleased to declare at the Board, that whereas, in contemplation of the eminent Services heretofore done to His Majesty by most of those persons who were engaged in the late Duel or Rencounter wherein William Jenkins was killed, He doth Graciously pardon the said Offence: Nevertheless, he is resolved from henceforth, that upon no pretence whatsoever, any pardon shall be hereafter granted to any person whatsoever for killing of any man, in any Duel or Rencounter but that the course of Law shall wholly take place in all such Cases; and His Majesty was pleased to command that this His solemn Declaration should be entred in the Council Book, and that publick notice of it be likewise hereby givern that no persons may for the future pretend ignorance thereof.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 5th February 1668. Thence to other discourse, among others, he mightily commends my Lord Hinchingbroke's (age 20) match and Lady (age 23), though he buys her £10,000 dear, by the jointure and settlement his father (age 42) makes her; and says that the Duke of York (age 34) and Duchess of York (age 30) did come to see them in bed together, on their wedding-night, and how my Lord had fifty pieces of gold taken out of his pocket that night, after he was in bed. He tells me that an Act of Comprehension is likely to pass this Parliament, for admitting of all persuasions in religion to the public observation of their particular worship, but in certain places, and the persons therein concerned to be listed of this, or that Church; which, it is thought, will do them more hurt than good, and make them not own, their persuasion. He tells me that there is a pardon passed to the Duke of Buckingham (age 40), my Lord of Shrewsbury (age 45), and the rest, for the late duell and murder1 which he thinks a worse fault than any ill use my late Chancellor (age 58) ever put the Great Seal to, and will be so thought by the Parliament, for them to be pardoned without bringing them to any trial: and that my Lord Privy-Seal (age 62) therefore would not have it pass his hand, but made it go by immediate warrant; or at least they knew that he would not pass it, and so did direct it to go by immediate warrant, that it might not come to him. He tells me what a character my Lord Sandwich hath sent over of Mr. Godolphin (age 33), as the worthiest man, and such a friend to him as he may be trusted in any thing relating to him in the world; as one whom, he says, he hath infallible assurances that he will remaine his friend which is very high, but indeed they say the gentleman is a fine man.
Note 1. The royal pardon was thus announced in the "Gazette" of February 24th, 1668: "This day his Majesty was pleased to declare at the Board, that whereas, in contemplation of the eminent services heretofore done to his Majesty by most of the persons who were engaged in the late duel, or rencounter, wherein William Jenkins was killed, he Both graciously pardon the said offence: nevertheless, He is resolved from henceforth that on no pretence whatsoever any pardon shall be hereafter granted to any person whatsoever for killing of any man, in any duel or rencounter, but that the course of law shall wholly take place in all such cases". The warrant for a pardon to George, Duke of Buckingham, is dated January 27th, 1668; and on the following day was issued, "Warrant for a grant to Francis, Earl of Shrewsbury, of pardon for killing William Jenkins, and for all duels, assaults, or batteries on George, Duke of Buckingham, Sir John Talbot, Sir Robert Holmes, or any other, whether indicted or not for the same, with restitution of lands, goods, &c". (Calendar of State Papers, 1667-68, pp. 192,193).
Become a Member via our 'Buy Me a Coffee' page to read complete text.
4th April 1668. London. This day several of the persons Who in the Easter Holidayes had assembled themselves in a tumultuous manner, breaKing open several Prisons, and pulling down the Houses of the Inhabitants of this place, were Indicted for High Treason at the Old Bailey, before Sir John Keeling, Lord Chief Justice of his Majesties Court of Kings Bench, Sir Robert Atkins, Sir Christopher Turner, and Sir Richard Raynsford, Baron of His Majesties Court of Exchequer, together with Sir William Wild Recorder of the City of London; where a Jury being impanelled, consisting of several Justices of the Peace and Gentlemen of good Quality of London and Middlesex, Peter Messenger, Richard Beasley, William Greene, Thomas Apltre, Edward Cotton, Thomas Limerick, Edward Bedel, and Richard Latimter, Eight of the principal Offenders were found, guilty of the offences aforesaid, and condemned.
And it is to be observed, to the just vindication of the City, that neither the persons above-named, nor any other that Were apprehended upon the said Tumult Were found to be Apprentices as was given out, but some idle persons, many of them nursed in the late rebellion, too readily embracing any opportunity of maKing theit own advantages to the disturbance of the peace, and injury of others.
9th May 1668. London. This day Thomas Limmerick, Edward Cotton, Peter Messenger and Richard Beasly, four of the persons formerly apprehended in the Tumult during the Easter-holidays, having upon their Trial at Hicks-Hall been found guilty, and since sentenced as Traytors, were accordingly Drawn, Hang'd and Quartered at Tyburn [Map], where they shewed many signs of there Penitence, their Quarters permitted Burial, only Two of their Heads ordered to be fixt upon London-bridge [Map].
21st March 1672. The Hague. 1672 Attack on the Smyrna Fleet. Most of our Smirna Fleet are arrived in Zealand and in the Maes, together with the Mep of war, under whose Convoy they were, though extremely torn and very much disabled five of our Merchant men were taken bythe English-two of which were the richest in the Fleet, laden with Silks and other rich Commodities, and were called the Landtman oi Amsterdam, and the Vrede of Rotterdam, besides one of our men of War, called the Little Holland, mounted with 44 Guns and 150 men J Captain de Hies Admiral of this Fleet was killed in this engagement, with many of our men, and many more wounded, who have been since brought a shore at Rotterdam and other places. The men of War which served for Convoys to the said Fleet were.
Ships, Captains, Guns, Men.
The Ulisstiing, Adrian de Haes, 50, 250.
The Dort, Thomas de Bois, 46, 170.
The Entrecht, Cornelius Everfon, 48, 220.
the Hollandia, Thomas Nes, 44, 150.
The Delf, Pourt, 38, 145.
The Lion, Lenny, 34, 140.
The Centaur, Thomas Anderson, 41, 120.
The Friezland, Jacon Anderson, 30, 110.
The Munnick, a considerable Merchant man mounted with 30 guns was so torn and disabled that with much difficulty they have brought her into port, Captain du Bois Vice-=Admiral of this Fleet hath lost his right arm, and many of his men.
Become a Member via our 'Buy Me a Coffee' page to read complete text.
Rochester, 6th June 1672.
Yesterday was performed the solemn Enterment Monseur Rabiniere tres le boys, Rear-Admiral of the French Squadron who some days since dyed here of the Wounds he received in the late Engagement. The Corps was accomapanied by several persons of quality (his Pall being born up by Sir Johnathan Atkins (age 62), His Majesties Governor here, Colonel Rheyms (age 58), Mr Evelin (age 51), and a person of quality related to the Deceased) together with the Mayor and Alderman of this place in the Formalities, and all other solemnity we are here capable of, to the place of Enterment, which was in the Quire of our Cathedral Church [Map], where was pronounced an excellent Funeral Oration with an Elogy on the Deceased by Dr. God, one of the Prebends; the whole having been concluded by three Volleys of the several Companies of Guard, now here, who likewise assisted at this Solemnity in excellent order.
Whitehall, June 1 [1689].
His Majesty has been graciously pleased to Create the Right Honourable Arthur Herbert (age 41) Esq; Admiral of Their Majesties Fleet, Earl of Torrington, and Baron Herbert of Torbay in the County of Devon. [The Barony of Herbert was possibly created with a special remainder to his brother Charles Herbert who predeceased him.]