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.
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On 27th February 1645 [her father] Guillaume de Penancoët Seigneur de Kéroualle [aged 30] and [her mother] Marie de Plœuc [aged 20] were married.
In September 1649 Louise Kéroualle 1st Duchess Portsmouth was born to Guillaume de Penancoët Seigneur de Kéroualle [aged 34] and Marie de Plœuc [aged 24].
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 26th June 1660. My Lord dined at his lodgings all alone to-day. I went to Secretary Nicholas [aged 67]1 to carry him my Lord's resolutions about his title, which he had chosen, and that is Portsmouth2. I met with Mr. Throgmorton, a merchant, who went with me to the old Three Tuns, at Charing Cross, who did give me five pieces of gold for to do him a small piece of service about a convoy to Bilbo, which I did. In the afternoon, one Mr. Watts came to me, a merchant, to offer me £500 if I would desist from the Clerk of the Acts place. I pray God direct me in what I do herein. Went to my house, where I found my father, and carried him and my wife to Whitefriars, and myself to Puddlewharf [Map], to the Wardrobe, to Mr. Townsend, who went with me to Backwell, the goldsmith's, and there we chose £100 worth of plate for my Lord to give Secretary Nicholas. Back and staid at my father's [aged 59], and so home to bed.
Note 1. Sir Edward Nicholas, Secretary of State to Charles I and II. He was dismissed from his office through the intrigues of Lady Castlemaine [aged 19] in 1663. He died 1669, aged seventy-seven.
Note 2. Montagu changed his mind, and ultimately took his title from the town of Sandwich, Kent [Map], leaving that of Portsmouth for the use of a King's [aged 30] mistress [aged 10].
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 27th January 1667. Here we met with Mr. May [aged 45], and he and we to talk of several things, of building, and such like matters; and so walked to White Hall, and there I skewed my cozen Roger [aged 49] the Duchesse of York [aged 29] sitting in state, while her own mother [aged 49] stands by her; he had a desire, and I shewed him my Baroness Castlemayne [aged 26], whom he approves to be very handsome, and wonders that she cannot be as good within as she is fair without. Her little black boy came by him; and, a dog being in his way, the little boy called to the dog: "Pox of this dog!"-"Now", says he, blessing himself, "would I whip this child till the blood come, if it were my child!" and I believe he would. But he do by no means like the liberty of the Court, and did come with expectation of finding them playing at cards to-night, though Sunday; for such stories he is told, but how true I know not1.
Note 1. There is little reason to doubt that it was such as Evelyn describes it at a later time. "I can never forget the inexpressible luxury and prophaneness, gaming, and all dissoluteness, and, as it were, total forgetfulness of God (it being Sunday evening) which this day se'nnight I was witness of; the King [aged 36] sitting and toying with his concubines, Portsmouth [aged 17], Cleveland, Mazarin [aged 20], &c. A French boy singing love songs in that glorious gallery, whilst about twenty of the great courtiers and other dissolute persons were at basset round a large table, a bank of at least £2,000 in gold before them; upon which two gentlemen who were with me made reflexions with astonishment. Six days after was all in the dust". B.
In 1670 Henri Gascar [aged 35]. Portrait of Louise Kéroualle 1st Duchess Portsmouth [aged 20].
John Evelyn's Diary. 4th November 1670. I now also saw that famous beauty, but in my opinion of a childish, simple, and baby face, Mademoiselle Querouaille [aged 21], lately Maid of Honor to Madame [aged 26], and now to be so to the Queen [aged 31].
John Evelyn's Diary. 22nd September 1671. This over, I went that night with Mr. Treasurer [aged 41] to Euston, a palace of Lord Arlington's [aged 53], where we found Monsieur Colbert [aged 46] (the French Ambassador), and the famous new French Maid of Honor, Mademoiselle Querouaille [aged 22], now coming to be in great favour with the King [aged 41]. Here was also the Countess of Sunderland [aged 25], and several lords and ladies, who lodged in the house.
John Evelyn's Diary. 22nd September 1671. During my stay here with Lord Arlington [aged 53], near a fortnight, his Majesty [aged 41] came almost every second day with the Duke [aged 37], who commonly returned to Newmarket, Suffolk, but the King often lay here, during which time I had twice the honor to sit at dinner with him, with all freedom. It was universally reported that the fair lady -- [Note. Probably Louise Kéroualle 1st Duchess Portsmouth [aged 22]], was bedded one of these nights, and the stocking flung, after the manner of a married bride; I acknowledge she was for the most part in her undress all day, and that there was fondness and toying with that young wanton; nay, it was said, I was at the former ceremony; but it is utterly false; I neither saw nor heard of any such thing while I was there, though I had been in her chamber, and all over that apartment late enough, and was myself observing all passages with much curiosity. However, it was with confidence believed she was first made a Miss, as they called these unhappy creatures, with solemnity at this time.
Before 1672 Louise Kéroualle 1st Duchess Portsmouth [aged 22] became a mistress of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland [aged 41].
On 29th July 1672 [her illegitimate son] Charles Lennox 1st Duke Richmond was born illegitimately to King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland [aged 42] and Louise Kéroualle 1st Duchess Portsmouth [aged 22].
In 1673 Henri Gascar [aged 38]. Portrait of Louise Kéroualle 1st Duchess Portsmouth [aged 23].
Anne Boleyn. Her Life as told by Lancelot de Carle's 1536 Letter.
In 1536, two weeks after the execution of Anne Boleyn, her brother George and four others, Lancelot du Carle, wrote an extraordinary letter that described Anne's life, and her trial and execution, to which he was a witness. This book presents a new translation of that letter, with additional material from other contemporary sources such as Letters, Hall's and Wriothesley's Chronicles, the pamphlets of Wynkyn the Worde, the Memorial of George Constantyne, the Portuguese Letter and the Baga de Secrets, all of which are provided in Appendices.
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On 19th August 1673 Louise Kéroualle 1st Duchess Portsmouth [aged 23] was created 1st Duchess Portsmouth, 1st Countess Fareham, 1st Baroness Petersfield by King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland [aged 43] for life for being his mistress and for having given birth to his son [her illegitimate son] Charles Lennox 1st Duke Richmond [aged 1].
Around 1674 Henri Gascar [aged 39] came to England, probably at the request of Louise Kéroualle 1st Duchess Portsmouth [aged 24], mistress of Charles II King Scotland.
On 17th December 1674 [her brother-in-law] Philip "Infamous Earl" Herbert 7th Earl Pembroke 4th Earl Montgomery [aged 22] and [her half-sister] Henrietta Kéroualle Countess Pembroke and Montgomery were married. She by marriage Countess Pembroke, Countess Montgomery. He the son of Philip Herbert 5th Earl Pembroke 2nd Earl Montgomery and Catherine Villiers Countess Pembroke and Montgomery [aged 53].
John Evelyn's Diary. 15th June 1675. This afternoon came [her father] Monsieur Querouaille [aged 60] and his [her mother] lady [aged 50], parents to the famous beauty [aged 25] and ... favorite at Court, to see Sir R. Browne, with whom they were intimately acquainted in Bretagne, at the time Sir Richard was sent to Brest to supervise his Majesty's [aged 45] sea affairs, during the latter part of the King's banishment. This gentleman's house was not a mile from Brest; Sir Richard made an acquaintance there, and, being used very civilly, was obliged to return it here, which we did. He seemed a soldierly person and a good fellow, as the Bretons generally are; his lady had been very handsome, and seemed a shrewd understanding woman. Conversing with him in our garden, I found several words of the Breton language the same with our Welsh. His daughter was now made Duchess of Portsmouth, and in the height of favor; but he never made any use of it.
John Evelyn's Diary. 10th September 1675. I was casually shown the Duchess of Portsmouth's [aged 26] splendid apartment at Whitehall [Map], luxuriously furnished, and with ten times the richness and glory beyond the Queen's [aged 36]; such massy pieces of plate, whole tables, and stands of incredible icon.
Before 7th December 1680 Peter Lely [aged 62]. Portrait of Louise Kéroualle 1st Duchess Portsmouth [aged 31].
1682. Pierre Mignard [aged 69]. Portrait of Louise Kéroualle 1st Duchess Portsmouth [aged 32].
John Evelyn's Diary. 24th January 1682. This evening I was at the entertainment of the Morocco Ambassador at the Duchess of Portsmouth's [aged 32] glorious apartments at Whitehall [Map], where was a great banquet of sweetmeats and music; but at which both the Ambassador and his retinue behaved themselves with extraordinary moderation and modesty, though placed about a long table, a lady between two Moors, and among these were the King's [aged 51] natural children, namely, Lady Lichfield [aged 17] and Sussex [aged 20], the Duchess of Portsmouth, Nelly [aged 31], etc., concubines, and cattle of that sort, as splendid as jewels and excess of bravery could make them; the Moors neither admiring nor seeming to regard anything, furniture or the like, with any earnestness, and but decently tasting of the banquet. They drank a little milk and water, but not a drop of wine; they also drank of a sorbet and jacolatt [Note. This may be chocolate?]; did not look about, or stare on the ladies, or express the least surprise, but with a courtly negligence in pace, countenance, and whole behavior, answering only to such questions as were asked with a great deal of wit and gallantry, and so gravely took leave with this compliment, that God would bless the Duchess of Portsmouth and the [her illegitimate son] Prince [aged 9], her son meaning the little Duke of Richmond. The King came in at the latter end, just as the Ambassador was going away. In this manner was this slave (for he was no more at home) entertained by most of the nobility in town, and went often to Hyde Park [Map] on horseback, where he and his retinue showed their extraordinary activity in horsemanship, and flinging and catching their lances at full speed; they rode very short, and could stand upright at full speed, managing their spears with incredible agility. He went sometimes to the theaters, where, upon any foolish or fantastical action, he could not forbear laughing, but he endeavored to hide it with extraordinary modesty and gravity. In a word, the Russian Ambassador, still at Court behaved himself like a clown compared to this civil heathen.
John Evelyn's Diary. 4th October 1683. Following his Majesty [aged 53] this morning through the gallery, I went with the few who attended him, into the Duchess of Portsmouth's [aged 34] Dressing Room within her bedchamber, where she was in her morning loose garment, her maids combing her, newly out of her bed, his Majesty and the gallants standing about her; but that which engaged my curiosity, was the rich and splendid furniture of this woman's apartment, now twice or thrice pulled down and rebuilt to satisfy her prodigal and expensive pleasures, while her Majesty's does not exceed some gentlemen's ladies in furniture and accommodation. Here I saw the new fabric of French tapestry, for design, tenderness of work, and incomparable imitation of the best paintings, beyond anything I had ever beheld. Some pieces had Versailles, St. Germains, and other palaces of the French King, with huntings, figures, and landscapes, exotic fowls, and all to the life rarely done. Then for Japan cabinets, screens, pendule clocks, great vases of wrought plate, tables, stands, chimney-furniture, sconces, branches, braseras, etc., all of massy silver and out of number, besides some of her Majesty's best paintings.
John Evelyn's Diary. 30th March 1684. Easter day. The Bp. of Rochester [Dr. Turner] [aged 46] preach'd before, the King [aged 53] after which his Ma*, accompanied with three of his natural sonns, the Dukes of Northumberland [aged 18], [her illegitimate son] Richmond [aged 11], and St. Alban's [aged 13] (sons of Cleaveland [aged 43], Portsmouth [aged 34] and Nelly [aged 34] respectively), went up to the Altar; ye three boyes entering before the King within the railes, at the right hand, and three Bishops on the left, viz. London [aged 52] (who officiated), Durham [aged 51], and Rochester, with the Sub-dean Dr. Holder. the King kneeling before the Altar, taking his offering, the Bishop first receiv'd, and then his Ma* after which he retir'd to a canopied seate on the right hand. Note, there was perfume burnt before the Office began. I had receiv'd ye Sacrament at Whitehall early with the Lords and Household, ye Bp. of London officiating. Then went to St. Martin's [Map], where Dr. Tenison [aged 47] preach'd (recover'd from ye small-pox); then went againe to Whitehall as above. In the afternoone went to St. Martin's againe.
John Evelyn's Diary. 4th February 1685. I can never forget the inexpressible luxury and prophanenesse, gaming and all dissoluteness, and as it were total forgetfullnesse of God (it being Sunday evening) which this day se'nnight I was witnesse of, the King [aged 54] sitting and toying with his concubines, Portsmouth [aged 35], Cleaveland [aged 44], and Mazarine [aged 38], &c a French boy singing love songs, in that glorious gallery, whilst about 20 of the greate courtiers and other dissolute persons were at Basset round a large table, a bank of at least 2000 in gold before them, upon which two gentlemen who were with me made reflexions with astonishment. Six days after was all in the dust! It was enjoyn'd that those who put on mourning should wear it as for a father, in ye most solemn manner.
John Evelyn's Diary. 6th February 1685. Prayers were solemnly made in all the Churches, especialy in both ye Court Chapells, where the Chaplaines reliev'd one another every halfe quarter of an houre from the time he began to be in danger till he expir'd, according to the forme prescrib'd in the Church Offices. Those who assisted his Majesty's [aged 54] devotions were, the Abp. of Canterbury [aged 68], the Bishops of London [aged 53], Durham [aged 52], and Ely [aged 47], but more especialy Dr. Ken, the Bp. of Bath and Wells [aged 47] receiving the Holy Sacrament, but his Ma* told them he would consider of it, which he did so long 'till it was too late. Others whisper'd that the Bishops and Lords, except the Earles of Bath [aged 56] and Feversham [aged 44], being order'd to withdraw the night before, Hurlston, the 'Priest, had presumed to administer the Popish Offices. He gave his breeches and keys to ye Duke [aged 51], who was almost continually kneeling by his bed-side, and in teares. He also recommended to him the care of his natural children, all except the Duke of Monmouth [aged 35], now in Holland, and in his displeasure. He intreated the Queene [aged 46] to pardon him (not without cause); who a little before had sent a Bishop to excuse her not more frequently visiting him, in reguard of her excessive griefe, and withall, that his Ma* would forgive it if at any time she had offended him. He spake to ye Duke to be kind to the Dutchesse of Cleaveland [aged 44], and especialy Portsmouth [aged 35], and that Nelly [aged 35] might not starve.
In 1690 [her father] Guillaume de Penancoët Seigneur de Kéroualle [aged 75] died.
John Evelyn's Diary. 10th April 1691. This night, a sudden and terrible fire burned down all the buildings over the stone gallery at Whitehall [Map] to the water side, beginning at the apartment of the late Duchess of Portsmouth [aged 41] [Note. Not clear why 'late' since Louise Kéroualle 1st Duchess Portsmouth died in 1734; possibly relates to her fall from grace following the death of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland] (which had been pulled down and rebuilt no less than three times to please her), and consuming other lodgings of such lewd creatures, who debauched both King Charles II and others, and were his destruction.
The King [aged 40] returned out of Holland just as this accident happened-Proclamation against the Papists, etc.
On 8th January 1692 [her illegitimate son] Charles Lennox 1st Duke Richmond [aged 19] and [her daughter-in-law] Anne Brudenell Duchess Richmond [aged 21] were married. She by marriage Duchess Richmond. He the illegitmate son of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland and Louise Kéroualle 1st Duchess Portsmouth [aged 42].
Before 1st January 1701 Henri Gascar [aged 66]. Portrait of Louise Kéroualle 1st Duchess Portsmouth [aged 51].
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.'
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Before 1st January 1701 Henri Gascar [aged 66]. Portrait of Louise Kéroualle 1st Duchess Portsmouth [aged 51].
In 1709 [her mother] Marie de Plœuc [aged 84] died.
Before 1723 Godfrey Kneller [aged 76]. Portrait of Louise Kéroualle 1st Duchess Portsmouth [aged 73].
On 27th May 1723 [her illegitimate son] Charles Lennox 1st Duke Richmond [aged 50] died. His son [her grandson] Charles [aged 22] succeeded 2nd Duke Richmond, 2nd Earl March, 2nd Baron Settrington. [her granddaughter-in-law] Sarah Cadogan Duchess Richmond [aged 17] by marriage Duchess Richmond.
In December 1728 [her half-sister] Henrietta Kéroualle Countess Pembroke and Montgomery died.
On 14th November 1734 Louise Kéroualle 1st Duchess Portsmouth [aged 85] died in Paris [Map]. Duke Portsmouth, Earl Fareham and Baron Petersfield extinct since the creations were for life only.
Adeline Horsey Recollections. I believe my husband replaced a great deal of the original furniture at Deene [Map] with more modern examples, but many valuable old pieces still remain. The pictures are very beautiful, including a priceless Vandyke representing Queen Henrietta Maria, in the happy days of her early married life, as a regal, gracious figure arrayed in shimmering satin. There is a lovely portrait of Louise de Keroualle and her [her illegitimate son] son, the Duke of Richmond, who married a Brudenell, and there are many examples of Lely, Sir Joshua Reynolds and other eighteenth- and nineteenth-century artists. One painting by Sant represents the Prince Consort and the Royal children listening to the account of the Charge of the Light Brigade by Lord Cardigan, and there are also some interesting pictures of hunting-field incidents, depicting Cardigan and his friends on their favourite mounts.
Letters of Horace Walpole. How infinitely humane you are about Gibberne! shall I amuse you with the truth of that history, which I have discovered? The poor silly woman his mother has pressed his coming for a very private reason - only to make him one of the most considerable men in this country - and by what wonderful means do you think this mighty business is to be effected? only by the beauties of his person! As I remember, he was as little like an Adonis as could be - you must keep this inviolably; but depend upon the truth of it - I mean, that his mother really has this idea. She showed his picture to - why, to the Duchess of Cleveland, to the Duchess of Portsmouth, to Madame Pompadour, in short, to one of them, I don't know which; I only know it was not to my Lady Suffolk, the King's former Mistress - "Mon Dieu! Madame, est-ilfrai quefotrejils est si sholi que ce Bortrait? il faut que je le garte; je feux apsolument I'afoir." The woman protested nothing ever was so handsome as her lad, and that the nasty picture did not do him half justice. In short, she flatters herself that the Countess will do him whole justice - I don't think it impossible but out of charity she may make him groom of the chambers. I don't know indeed how the article of beauty may answer; but if you should lose your Gibberne - it is good to have a friend at court.
Father: Guillaume de Penancoët Seigneur de Kéroualle
Louise Kéroualle 1st Duchess Portsmouth
GrandFather: Sébastien de Plœuc Marquis du Timeur et de Kergolay
Mother: Marie de Plœuc