Madame De L'Espervanche to Sandwich Written from: [Paris] Date: [December? 1661?] Shelfmark: MS. Carte 223, fol(s). 249-250 Document type: Holograph
Expresses her hope that the Earl's mission to Portugal, on the joyful occasion of the King's marriage, will entrain a visit to Paris. Such a visit is, at all events, an object of desire to his Lordship's friends.
The Queen [Mother], and Madame, testify for him all imaginable esteem. French.
@@@
Madame De L'Espervanche to Sandwich Written from: Paris Date: [December? 1661?] Shelfmark: MS. Carte 223, fol(s). 251-252 Document type: Holograph
A letter of compliment and of family messages. French.
@@@
A small question for Stephane Chenard – I suspect the lady’s name should be spelled Madame De L'Esperanche, but the only person of that name in my US Google library lived in the 1800’s. Was it a noteable family worthy of mention here?
The 2 oldest Montagu boys are now in Paris for schooling, living with Abbe Ralph Montagu. Perhaps Madame De L'Esper(v)anche is his housekeeper / hostess? In which case, no big deal. I also doubt she wrote both letters in December.
Strand. It’s an Old English word for the shore, still occasionally used in some parts of the country.
London’s Strand is an ancient route that followed the Thames, connecting the City of London to the Royal palaces and church at Westminster. Today, you can see the river from only a couple of places where sloping side streets offer an uninterrupted view. Back in medieval times, the water would have lapped much closer. The Strand would have ran like a seaside promenade, following the raised ground above the high-water line. It would have been a literal, and indeed littoral, strand. 1 1 The road is officially called Strand, not The Strand. Check out its street signs. I know from long experience that pedants get all pedantical if you dare to write “the Strand” (although these same people are usually the same ones who are happy to say things like “the Euston Road” or “the King’s Road”). I’m going to call it “the Strand” here, because it sounds better, and that beats technical correctness in my book (including this book, Everything You Know About London Is Wrong, where I look at London pedantry in more detail https://www.amazon.co.uk/Everythi… ).
But London is double-Stranded. There is another road of that name upriver, and much quieter than its central namesake. This is Strand-on-the-Green, a half-mile of tranquility where Chiswick finally runs out into the Thames, and it becomes Kew. Quiet it may be, but it does not lack in history.
We have been told that King Charles I was short; this article about a change in measurements in France makes me wonder if England also changed standards, and just how short Charles really was:
"Despite having a certain complex named after him, Napoleon Bonaparte was of average height for his time. Part of the confusion stems from the nickname “Le Petit Caporal,” which makes him sound “little” but was actually a term of endearment among his troops. "There’s also the fact that inches were measured differently in 19th-century France than they are today. The former was equivalent to 2.71 cms., whereas the current measurement is 2.35 cms., which explains why he was only considered 5 ft. 2 ins. tall when he died. Most estimates put him closer to 5 ft. 6 ins. or 5 ft. 7 ins. — not exactly a towering figure, but average or slightly above average by 18th-century standards." https://historyfacts.com/world-hi…
It sounds as if Pepys was enjoying the light of a full moon.
In the States, the Native American tribes named July's full moon the Buck Moon after the new antlers that emerge from a buck's forehead this time of the year, according to Time and Date. Other traditional names for July's full moon include the Thunder Moon and the Hay Moon.
I presume bucks grow antlers at the same time in Britain, but don't know what Pepys would have called this moon. Do you know?
Red-bottomed shoes today are most often attributed to the contemporary fashion designer Christian Louboutin, yet footwear with red soles and heels dates all the way back to 17th-century France and England.
In the first half of the 17th century, high heeled shoes for men took the form of heeled riding or Cavalier boots as worn by King Charles I. As the wearing of heels filtered into the lower ranks of society, the aristocracy responded by dramatically increasing the height of their shoes. High heels were impractical for undertaking manual labour or walking long distances, and therefore announced the privileged status of the wearer.
By the late 17th century, Paris had become the center of European fashion, influenced by the court of Charles II's cousin, Louis XIV. This included the fashion for high - between 2 and 5 ins. - wooden heels, trimmed with ornate buckles, rosettes and ribbons to fasten and decorate shoes. High-heeled shoes made of silks, brocades and other expensive fabrics further separated the nobility from working men and women and allowed their status to be visible at all times.
Red heels were initially popularised at the French court. Red dye was expensive and carried a military overtone. In time it came to represent royalty due to the price of the dye, and the color came to symbolize power and masculinity.
The fashion for red heels soon spread overseas - Charles II had spent time at the French court during his 14 year exile and was eager to emulate the opulence he had seen there. Despite the fact that Charles II was over 6 ft. (1.8m) tall - Louis XIV was only 5 ft. 4" (1.62m) - the fashion for high red heels was adopted at the Restoration court.
Charles II’s coronation portrait from 1661 shows him wearing red-soled heels, known as the “French style,” which were popular in England at the time.
There is a portrait of Charles II by Simon Verelst, showing the king wearing pale shammy leather shoes with red heels and knots of silver lace and ribbon. Such shoes were part of the sumptuous robes and insignia of the Order of the Garter and were worn by knights of the order on ceremonial occasions from the 17th century until the mid-20th century, long after the fashion for red heels for men had otherwise died out.
Heeled boots were worn as early as the 10th century by Persian soldiers and emissaries when riding, battling, or traveling to faraway lands. These heels weren’t for show. When a soldier wore heeled boots on a horse, he was able to better steady himself and generate more balance both for riding and fighting. Persian soldiers were also able to stand upright in their stirrups, positioning their feet so the space between the heel and the sole was snug in the stirrup, which gave them an advantage in battle.
High heels made their way to Europe in the 16th century; their purpose was akin to how we think of these shoes today. Men in the French, Spanish, German, and Russian courts wore heeled boots and shoes to project height and physical stature in order to intimidate rivals and foreign diplomats in court.
Over the next 200 years, men’s heels got shorter and stockier — making the boots and shoes better for balance and walking, and less of an ornate fashion statement.
By the 18th century, high heeled shoes had faded from fashion for men, who started to favor less flamboyant clothing and accessories.
When women started to wear high heeled shoes indoors, the goal was to hide as much of the foot as possible beneath a long skirt. The peeking toe suggested a small foot, showing daintiness.
Today sneakers are far more popular than heels, but the idea of the “platform sneaker” suggests that the ethos of the high heel shoe is not yet a thing of the past.
An excerpt based on GEORGE VILLIERS, SECOND DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM -- 1628-1687 : A STUDY IN THE HISTORY OF THE RESTORATION By WINIFRED Anne Henrietta Christine Herbert Gardner, LADY BURGHCLERE JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET, W. LONDON 1903 https://archive.org/stream/cu3192…
Elisha, or Ellis, Leighton was the son of Dr. Leighton, notorious as the mutilated victim of Archbishop William Laud's bigotry more than as the author of "Zion's Plea against Prelates."
Ellis Leighton had nothing of his father's fanaticism. He was, according to Pepys, "a mad freaking fellow," and "one of the best companions at a meale in the world." 2 2 Pepys, vol. iv. p. 341, 178.
Clarendon, on the other hand describes Ellis Leighton as a vicious atheist, while Burnet hints that his religion was not the least useful part of his temporal stock-in-trade.
Extremes of character met in the Leighton family: Ellis' brother, Robert Leighton, eventually became the Archbishop of Glasgow, and was arguably the most spiritual personality of his time — "liker a fair idea than a man set in flesh and blood." But great as was the gulf between the prelate and his brother, the dissipated Ellis' intercourse was not without charm even for the gentle ascetic. 3 3 Burnet, vol. i. p. 242.
56 EXILE [chap. hi. This was also the bond between Ellis Leighton and Buckingham, for, unlike many brilliant conversationalists, there was no gift the Duke more appreciated in his companions. No sooner did they meet in Scotland than "his Ready Wit and Promptness of Speech immediately gained much" on George Villiers;1 and the intimacy contracted there survived all the chances and changes of their eventful lives until, in 1682, Sir Ellis was laid to rest beside his saintly brother in the peaceful little Sussex church of Horsted Keynes. 1 Walker's "Historical Discourses," p. 177.
"I hope that old Vicente is still lurking hereabouts." I think we all hope that. Last I heard, about 5 years ago, Terry Foreman was organizing a virtual search team for him. I heard no more ...
By Pepys' time the Standard at Cornhill was frequently used for the London terminus on maps. No, it wasn't an Inn; it was a well at the convergance of 4 major roads leading north, south, east, and west.
London Past and Present (Henry Wheatley, 1891) provides some background detail about the Standard: "A water-standard with 4 spouts made (1582) by Peter Morris, a German, and supplied with water conveyed from the Thames by pipes of lead. it stood at the east end of Cornhill, at its junction with Gracechurch Street, Bishopsgate Street and Leadenhall Street, and with the waste water from its four spouts cleansed the channels of the 4 streets. "The water ceased to run between 1598 and 1603; but the Standard itself remained for a long time after. It was long in use as a point of measurement for distances from the City, and several of our suburban milestones were, but a very few years ago, and some perhaps are still, inscribed with so many miles 'from the Standard in Cornhill'. There was a Standard in Cornhill as early as Henry V."
The plaque says the Standard was removed around 1674, and London Past and Present states that it remained long after water ceased to flow in 1603. Despite the loss of the Standard in the later part of the 17th century, it continued to be used as a point for measuring distances or many years to come.
The Standard, Cornhill was often mentioned on milestones when giving a distance to London. A 1921 article in the Sussex Express mentions the preservation of a milestone in Lewis: "The milestone let in the upper front of 144/5 High Street, which the Council are to preserve when the building is demobilised, bears the interesting inscription, which probably many Lewes residents have not read; 'Fifty miles from the Standard in Cornhill, 49 miles to Westminster Bridge, 8 miles to Brightelmstone."
The Standard, Cornhill is one of the locations that have been used as a point from where distances to and from London have been measured. The most common location seems to be the statue of Charles I to the south of Trafalgar Square, where the Eleanor Cross once stood, so possibly the location of the final cross as part of a 13th century journey to London, still marks where distances are measured from.
Copies of the facsimile of Ogilby's 'Britannia' can be found on the Abebooks website, and if you are interested in John Ogilby, the 'Nine Lives of John Ogilby' by Alan Ereira is a really good account.
Another article about John Ogilby says he was born in 1600 in Scotland, and had many professions including a dancer, teacher, translator, publisher and map maker.
With William Morgan, John Ogilby created a detailed map of London which was published n 1676, although it was probably surveyed before 1666). You can see it at https://www.layersoflondon.org/ma…
Ogilby is probably best known for his atlas, called 'Britannia', of all the major routes in England, which he published in 1675. Routes were shown in a strip map format, and several strips were used to follow a route from source to destination. Along the route, towns and villages were listed, as were geographic features, roads leading off the main route, with their destinations listed, landmarks along the route, distances etc. Each route had a header on each page, with the first map having the title of the overall route, total distances, major towns and cities along the route, with individual distances between them.
If you were planning to go from London to Lands End, Ogilby's route map started with the summary header, stating the route was 303 miles and 3 furlongs, and started at the Standard in Cornhill: https://alondoninheritance.com/lo… The Standard in Cornhill was the starting point for many of the maps with routes starting in London. The first page of the journey to Cornwall runs from London to just before Winchester. Note: when leaving Knightsbridge you still crossed a bridge.
In the 17th century, counties still had "shire" at the end of the names. So from Hampshire you went through Wiltshire, Dorsetshire, Somersetshire, and into Devonshire, passing through Exeter before heading into Cornwall, before finally reaching Lands End, which faces onto "The Western Sea".
Where and what was The Standard, Cornhill? The Standard sounds as if it was one of the large coaching inns serving London. But no, it was an ancient well / water pump / conduit, and was located at the key crossroads in the City where Cornhill, Leadenhall Street, Bishopsgate and Gracechurch Street meet. Today there is a City of London plaque to mark the site.
Gracechurch Street heads south to London Bridge, which was the only bridge across the Thames, and therefore the main route to the south. Leadenhall Street heads to the east, Bishopsgate heads to the north and Cornhill heads to the west, so from this junction, one could travel the major routes, and was why maps such as Obilby's used the Standard as their City of London starting point.
... his disappointment at not having been left anything substantial).
John Snr. (and therefore Sam's mother) is taken care of handsomely. That's a weight off Sam's shoulders. Had the house come to him directly, Sam would probably have installed his parents there anyways, as he continued his career in London.
I don't think Estate Taxes were an issue in those days.
Maybe Sam was worried John Snr. would see his success, and could leave the house to John Jnr. or Tom as they were more needy, despite what this will specified, leading to a sibling legal battle. Given Sam's job, John Jnr. and Tom will probably have more opportunities and time to pay attention to John Snr. and Margaret in their dotage. Sam will have to remain attentive to the parents, even if they are a 9-hour ride away.
Sam may also be worried that his London taylor father won't take easily to being a country landowner thinking about cows in fields, or his mother to growing her own food, and making her own herbals. Elderly town folk are used to buying services. So it's possible the parents will refuse to move, rent out the property to people who don't care for it, and Pepys will inherit a slum with tenants.
A bird in the hand is always better than one in your father's hand.
Message from H. C. with Bills. A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Sir Phillip Warwicke Knight, and others; who brought up several Bills, which have passed that House, wherein their Lordships Concurrence is desired:
1. "An Act against Tumults and Disorders, upon Pretence of preparing or presenting Public Petitions, or other Addresses, to His Majesty or the Parliament," which Bill was sent down to them from their Lordships; wherein the House of Commons have made some Alterations, and desire their Lordships Concurrence therein.
2. "An Act for the declaring, vesting, and settling, of all such Monies, Goods, and other Things, in His Majesty, which were received, levied, or collected, in these late Times, and are remaining in the Hands or Possession of any Treasurers, Receivers, Collectors, or others, not pardoned by the Act of Oblivion."
3. "An Act for the restoring of all such Advowsons, Rectories Impropriate, Glebe Lands, and Tithes, to His Majesty's loyal Subjects, as were taken from them; and making void certain Charges imposed on them upon their Compositions for Delinquency, by the late usurped Powers."
Message from H. C. with Bills; and to expedite Two formerly brought up. A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Edward Seymour Esquire, and others; who brought up several Bills, which have been passed that House, wherein their Lordships Concurrence is desired:
1. "An Act for Explanation of a Clause contained in an Act of Parliament made the 17th Year of the late King Charles, intituled, An Act for Repeal of a Branch of a Statute, Primo Eliz. concerning Commissioners for Causes Ecclesiastical."
2. "An Act for providing necessary Carriages for His Majesty, in His Royal Progress and Removals."
3. "An Act for settling the Manor and Lands of Kemsford in Sir Henry Fredericke Thynn and the Heirs of his Body; and the Manor of Buckland and divers other Manors and Lands in him and the Heirs Males of his Body."
4. To put their Lordships in Mind of the Dispatch of Two Bills lately brought up; videlicet, the Bill for Conformity, and the Bill concerning Corporations.
Bill to prevent Tumults, &c. Next, the Amendments and Alterations in the Bill against Tumults were read Thrice, and Agreed to.
The Lords on July 11 discussed more substantial things:
Bill for regulating the Navy. The Lord Steward reported the Bill for establishing Articles and Orders for the Navy, from the Committee, with some Alterations and Amendments, which are offered to the Consideration of this House.
The said Alterations and Amendments were read Twice, and Agreed; and the Bill ordered to be engrossed, with these Alterations and Amendments.
Anabaptists and Good Christians heard. This Day the House heard the Anabaptists, and those that call themselves Good Christians, what they could offer to this House as their Desires.
And upon Consideration thereof:
It is ORDERED, That on Tuesday next this House will proceed in the Report of the Committee concerning the Penal Laws; and when that Business is determined, then to read the Act of Uniformity, brought from the House of Commons.
Poor Bill for London, &c. ORDERED, That some of His Majesty's Counsel, as also of the Counsel of the City of London, and some of the Justices of the several Precincts mentioned in a Bill, intituled, "An Act for the better Relief and Employment of the Poor, and Punishment of Vagrants and other disorderly Persons, within the Cities of London and Westm. and the Liberties thereof, and the Precincts usually mentioned in the Bills of Mortality," be, and are hereby, appointed to attend the Lords Committees to whom the said Bill stands committed, on Saturday the 13th of July Instant, at 3 of the Clock in the Afternoon, in the Prince's Lodgings, in order to the fitting of the said Bill to be reported to this House.
Yes, there's more, including a Bill for naturalizing Anna Marie Brudnell Talbot, Countess of Shre'sbury and her brother Francis Brudnell. More about her later.
Thursday, July 10, the Lords upheld the Earl of Manchester's rights to be the only person allowed to fish in the river on his property, and turfing out the two men who had been dredging there since 1645.
They took another stab at settling the Oxford claim that he should be the Great Lord Chamberlain of England.
The poor Irish protestants' petition was sent to committee.
And they worked on enclosing land for a new road at Parson's Green.
But Wednesday, July 10 has an interesting discussion:
Bill for regulating the Navy. Hodie 2a vice lecta est Billa, "An Act for the establishing Articles and Orders for the regulating and better Government of His Majesty's Navies, Ships of War, and Forces by Sea, of the Kingdom of England."
ORDERED, That the Consideration of this Bill is referred to these Lords following: His Royal Highness the Duke of Yorke. Ds. Thesaurarius. L. Privy Seal. Duke Albemarle. L. Steward. L. Chamberlain. Comes Dorsett. Comes Bridgwater. Comes Portland. Ds. D'acres. Ds. Craven. Ds. Lovelace. Ds. Berkeley de Stra. Ds. Holles. Ds. Cornwallis. Their Lordships, or any Five; to meet To-morrow Morning at Eight of the Clock, in the Prince's Lodgings.
@@@
I wonder if this has something to do with the recent Carteret -vs- the Sir Williams as to the selection of captains? Or it may be about the Paying off of the fleet?
"I hope you will be ready within few Days to dispatch those other Public Bills which are still depending before you, that I may come hither and pass all together, and then adjourn till Winter, when what remains may be provided for: And I would be very glad that you would be ready by the 20th of this Month, or thereabouts, for the Adjournment; which methinks you might easily be, if you suspended all Private Business till the Recess. The last Parliament, by God's Blessing, laid the Foundation of the Happiness we all enjoy; and therefore I thought it but Justice to the Memory of it, to send you Bills for the Confirmation of what was enacted then; and I cannot doubt but you will dispatch what remains of that Kind with all convenient Speed; and that you will think, that what was then thought necessary or fit for the Public Peace to be enacted, ought not to be shaken now, or any good Man less secure of what he possesses, than he was when you came together. It is to put Myself in Mind as well as you, that I so often (I think as often as I come to you) mention to you My Declaration from Breda: And let Me put you in Mind of another Declaration, published by yourselves about the same Time, and which, I am persuaded, made Mine the more effectual; an honest, generous, and Christian Declaration, signed by the most eminent Persons, who had been the most eminent Sufferers, in which you renounced all former Animosities, all Memory of former Unkindnesses, vowed all imaginable Good-will to, and all Confidence in, each other.
"My Lords and Gentlemen, Let it be in no Man's Power to charge Me or you with Breach of our Word or Promise, which can never be a good Ingredient to our future Security. Let us look forward, and not backward; and never think of what is past, except Men put us in Mind of it, by repeating Faults we had forgot; and then let us remember no more than what concerns those very Persons.
"God hath wrought a wonderful Miracle in settling us as He hath done. I pray let us do all we can to get the Reputation at Home and Abroad of being well settled. We have Enemies and Enviers enough, who labour to have it thought otherwise; and if we would indeed have our Enemies fear us, and our Neighbours love and respect us, and fear us enough to love us, let us take all the Ways we can, that, as the World cannot but take Notice of your extraordinary Affection to Me, and of the Comfort I take in that Affection, so that it may likewise take Notice of your Affection to and Confidence in each other; which will disappoint all Designs against the Public Peace, and fully establish our joint Security."
Bill brought up by him. "Great Sir, To conclude this solemn Service; the Commons of England do, by me their Servant, humbly present You with this Bill, intituled, "An Act for a free and voluntary Present;" and wish it a Success answerable to Your Royal Heart's Desire."
Bills passed. The Clerk of the Parliaments, receiving this Bill from the Hand of the Speaker, brought it to the Table.
Then the Clerk of the Crown read the Titles of these Bills following:
"1. An Act for confirming Public Acts." The Clerk of the Parliaments pronounced the Royal Assent in these Words, "Le Roy le veult."
"2. An Act for a free and voluntary Present to His Majesty." The Royal Assent was pronounced in these Words, "Le Roy, remerciant Ses bons Subjects, accepte leur Benevolence, et ainsi le veult."
The King's Speech. After this, His Majesty was pleased to make a very Gracious Speech, as followeth:
"My Lords and Gentlemen,
"It is a good Time since I heard of your passing this Bill for Money; and I am sure you would have presented it to Me sooner, if you had thought I had desired it: But the Truth is, though I have Need enough of it, I had no Mind to receive it from you, till I might at the same Time give My Assent to this other very good Bill that accompanies it, for which I longed very impatiently. I thank you for both with all My Heart; and though there are other good Bills ready, with which you will easily believe I am very well pleased, and in which I am indeed enough concerned, yet I choose rather to pass these Two Bills together, and to pass them by themselves without any other, that you may all see, and in you the whole Kingdom, that I am at least equally concerned for you and them, as for Myself: And in Truth it will be Want of Judgement in Me, if I ever desire any Thing for Myself, that is not equally good for you and them. I am confident, you all believe that My Well-being is of some Use and Benefit to you; and I am sure your Well-being, and being well pleased, is the greatest Comfort and Blessing I can receive in this World.
Your Majesty's Desires are fully answered by all the Representatives of the People: And their hearty Prayer to GOD is, That all Your Subjects may be truly thankful to You; and that Your Majesty may long live to enjoy the Fruits of this unparalleled Mercy.
"Your Majesty was pleased to intimate to us on Saturday last, "That You so valued the Quiet and Satisfaction of Your People, and the Keeping of Your Royal Word with them, that, although divers other Bills were made ready for You, You would vouchsafe the Honour to this Bill alone, Your Favourite, to come and pass it. Sir, Hereby You have made this a great Holiday; and we shall observe it with Joy and Thanksgiving. Upon such solemn Festivals, there useth to be a Second Service, an Anthem, and a Collect, or at least an Offering. My Anthem shall be, Quid tibi retribuam, Domine ? And my Collect, a short Report of Your Revenue. We know, Great Sir, that Money is both the Sinews of War, and Bond of Peace. We have, therefore, taken Care of Your Majesty's Revenue; and do desire to make it in some good Proportion suitable both to Your Grandeur and Your Merit.
"We do believe, the State of our King is the Honour of our State; and the best Way to preserve our Peace, is to be well provided for War. Our Time hath not permitted us to finish this Work; but, as an Earnest of our good Affections, we desire Your Majesty to accept an Offering from us.
"We cannot enough admire Your Majesty's Patience, Providence, and Frugality Abroad. You did not bring Home a Debt for us to pay, great as a Prince's Ransom. And since Your Return, You have not, with King Edward III after His Wars in France, or Henry IV, Henry VII, or Henry VIII, desired new and great Aids and heavy Subsidies from Your People for Your Supplies.
"No, Sir; You have been so far from asking, that Part of the Money which was given You last Parliament for Your Household Provision, You have issued out towards Payment of our Debts; You have robbed Your own Table (I had almost said given the Meat out of Your own Belly), to feed the hungry Seamen.
"Dear Sir, These Things have a just Influence upon the People; they fill our Hearts with Joy and Affection to Your Majesty.
"I do not pretend much to Physiognomy; but, if I mistake not greatly, the Faces of the People do promise great Frankness and Chearfulness in Your present Supplies.
"What would not Your Majesty's Friends have given, within these 18 Months, to have seen Your Majesty thus happily settled? And what can be too much for those to return, who have received all they enjoy from Your Majesty's Mercy?
Meanwhile the Lords are also sitting. On Monday, July 8 the Main Event was a visit from Charles II:
The King present. His Majesty this Day was present, sitting in His Throne, arrayed with His Royal Robes, the Peers being also in their Robes.
The Commons by His Majesty's Command were sent for; who being come, Sir Edward Turner Knight, their Speaker, made this following Speech:
Speaker of H. C. Speech. "May it please Your most Excellent Majesty,
"The Writ of Summons, whereby Your Majesty was pleased to call together the Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses, of the Commons House of Parliament, gave us to understand, "That Your Majesty had divers weighty and urgent Matters to communicate to us; such as did concern Your Royal Person, Your State and Dignity, the Defence of the Kingdom, and the Church of England;" and in the same Method propounded to us by Your Majesty, we have applied ourselves to offer you our best Counsel and Advice.
"We found Your Majesty miraculously preserved, by the Hand of GOD, from the Hands of Your Enemies; we found You peaceably seated in the Throne of Your Ancestors; we found the hereditary Imperial Crown of these Nations auspiciously set upon Your Royal Head: And all this after a sharp and a bloody Civil War.
"We held it our Duties, in the First Place, to endeavour the Safety and Preservation of Your Majesty's Person and Government; and to that Purpose have prepared a Bill.
"Next to the Safety of Your Majesty, we took into Consideration the State and Power that is necessary for so great a Prince; and do hope are long to settle Your Militia so, that, by the Blessing of GOD, You need not fear Storms from Abroad, or Earthquakes here at Home.
"Your Majesty was pleased, at the Opening of the Parliament, to recommend unto us Two Bills; one, for confirming of Public Acts; another, for the Private Acts that passed the last Parliament. They were so many in Number, and great in Weight, that hitherto we could not consider of them all: But some we have perused; the Act for Confirmation of Judicial Proceedings; for taking away the Court of Wards and Liveries, and Purveyances; and also all those that do relate to Your Majesty's Customs and Excise.
"And, that we might with some Chearfulness see Your Majesty's Face, we have brought our Brother Benjamin with us; I mean, Your Act of Oblivion: I take the Boldness to call it Yours, for so it is by many Titles; Your Majesty first conceived it at Breda; You helped to contrive and form it here in England; and, we must all bear You Witness, You laboured and travailed till it was brought forth: And since it had a Being, some Question being made of its Legitimation, Your Royal Heart is not at Ease until it be confirmed. And now, Sir, give me Leave to say, by the Suffrage of a full, a free, and legal Parliament, it is presented to Your Majesty, to be naturalized.
Comments
Third Reading
About Saturday 7 December 1661
San Diego Sarah • Link
Madame De L'Espervanche to Sandwich
Written from: [Paris]
Date: [December? 1661?]
Shelfmark: MS. Carte 223, fol(s). 249-250
Document type: Holograph
Expresses her hope that the Earl's mission to Portugal, on the joyful occasion of the King's marriage, will entrain a visit to Paris. Such a visit is, at all events, an object of desire to his Lordship's friends.
The Queen [Mother], and Madame, testify for him all imaginable esteem.
French.
@@@
Madame De L'Espervanche to Sandwich
Written from: Paris
Date: [December? 1661?]
Shelfmark: MS. Carte 223, fol(s). 251-252
Document type: Holograph
A letter of compliment and of family messages.
French.
@@@
A small question for Stephane Chenard – I suspect the lady’s name should be spelled Madame De L'Esperanche, but the only person of that name in my US Google library lived in the 1800’s. Was it a noteable family worthy of mention here?
The 2 oldest Montagu boys are now in Paris for schooling, living with Abbe Ralph Montagu. Perhaps Madame De L'Esper(v)anche is his housekeeper / hostess? In which case, no big deal.
I also doubt she wrote both letters in December.
About The Strand
San Diego Sarah • Link
Strand. It’s an Old English word for the shore, still occasionally used in some parts of the country.
London’s Strand is an ancient route that followed the Thames, connecting the City of London to the Royal palaces and church at Westminster. Today, you can see the river from only a couple of places where sloping side streets offer an uninterrupted view.
Back in medieval times, the water would have lapped much closer. The Strand would have ran like a seaside promenade, following the raised ground above the high-water line. It would have been a literal, and indeed littoral, strand. 1
1 The road is officially called Strand, not The Strand. Check out its street signs. I know from long experience that pedants get all pedantical if you dare to write “the Strand” (although these same people are usually the same ones who are happy to say things like “the Euston Road” or “the King’s Road”).
I’m going to call it “the Strand” here, because it sounds better, and that beats technical correctness in my book (including this book, Everything You Know About London Is Wrong, where I look at London pedantry in more detail https://www.amazon.co.uk/Everythi… ).
But London is double-Stranded. There is another road of that name upriver, and much quieter than its central namesake. This is Strand-on-the-Green, a half-mile of tranquility where Chiswick finally runs out into the Thames, and it becomes Kew. Quiet it may be, but it does not lack in history.
For pictures of the Kew Strand-on-the-Green, and rumors of its association with Oliver Cromwell, see
https://londonist.substack.com/p/…
About Charles Stuart (I, King 1600-1649)
San Diego Sarah • Link
We have been told that King Charles I was short; this article about a change in measurements in France makes me wonder if England also changed standards, and just how short Charles really was:
"Despite having a certain complex named after him, Napoleon Bonaparte was of average height for his time. Part of the confusion stems from the nickname “Le Petit Caporal,” which makes him sound “little” but was actually a term of endearment among his troops.
"There’s also the fact that inches were measured differently in 19th-century France than they are today. The former was equivalent to 2.71 cms., whereas the current measurement is 2.35 cms., which explains why he was only considered 5 ft. 2 ins. tall when he died. Most estimates put him closer to 5 ft. 6 ins. or 5 ft. 7 ins. — not exactly a towering figure, but average or slightly above average by 18th-century standards."
https://historyfacts.com/world-hi…
About Wednesday 24 July 1667
San Diego Sarah • Link
It sounds as if Pepys was enjoying the light of a full moon.
In the States, the Native American tribes named July's full moon the Buck Moon after the new antlers that emerge from a buck's forehead this time of the year, according to Time and Date. Other traditional names for July's full moon include the Thunder Moon and the Hay Moon.
I presume bucks grow antlers at the same time in Britain, but don't know what Pepys would have called this moon. Do you know?
About Shoes
San Diego Sarah • Link
Red-bottomed shoes today are most often attributed to the contemporary fashion designer Christian Louboutin, yet footwear with red soles and heels dates all the way back to 17th-century France and England.
In the first half of the 17th century, high heeled shoes for men took the form of heeled riding or Cavalier boots as worn by King Charles I. As the wearing of heels filtered into the lower ranks of society, the aristocracy responded by dramatically increasing the height of their shoes. High heels were impractical for undertaking manual labour or walking long distances, and therefore announced the privileged status of the wearer.
By the late 17th century, Paris had become the center of European fashion, influenced by the court of Charles II's cousin, Louis XIV. This included the fashion for high - between 2 and 5 ins. - wooden heels, trimmed with ornate buckles, rosettes and ribbons to fasten and decorate shoes. High-heeled shoes made of silks, brocades and other expensive fabrics further separated the nobility from working men and women and allowed their status to be visible at all times.
Red heels were initially popularised at the French court. Red dye was expensive and carried a military overtone. In time it came to represent royalty due to the price of the dye, and the color came to symbolize power and masculinity.
The fashion for red heels soon spread overseas - Charles II had spent time at the French court during his 14 year exile and was eager to emulate the opulence he had seen there. Despite the fact that Charles II was over 6 ft. (1.8m) tall - Louis XIV was only 5 ft. 4" (1.62m) - the fashion for high red heels was adopted at the Restoration court.
Charles II’s coronation portrait from 1661 shows him wearing red-soled heels, known as the “French style,” which were popular in England at the time.
There is a portrait of Charles II by Simon Verelst, showing the king wearing pale shammy leather shoes with red heels and knots of silver lace and ribbon. Such shoes were part of the sumptuous robes and insignia of the Order of the Garter and were worn by knights of the order on ceremonial occasions from the 17th century until the mid-20th century, long after the fashion for red heels for men had otherwise died out.
Pictures at
https://www.rct.uk/collection/exh…
About Shoes
San Diego Sarah • Link
Heeled boots were worn as early as the 10th century by Persian soldiers and emissaries when riding, battling, or traveling to faraway lands. These heels weren’t for show. When a soldier wore heeled boots on a horse, he was able to better steady himself and generate more balance both for riding and fighting. Persian soldiers were also able to stand upright in their stirrups, positioning their feet so the space between the heel and the sole was snug in the stirrup, which gave them an advantage in battle.
High heels made their way to Europe in the 16th century; their purpose was akin to how we think of these shoes today. Men in the French, Spanish, German, and Russian courts wore heeled boots and shoes to project height and physical stature in order to intimidate rivals and foreign diplomats in court.
Over the next 200 years, men’s heels got shorter and stockier — making the boots and shoes better for balance and walking, and less of an ornate fashion statement.
By the 18th century, high heeled shoes had faded from fashion for men, who started to favor less flamboyant clothing and accessories.
When women started to wear high heeled shoes indoors, the goal was to hide as much of the foot as possible beneath a long skirt. The peeking toe suggested a small foot, showing daintiness.
Today sneakers are far more popular than heels, but the idea of the “platform sneaker” suggests that the ethos of the high heel shoe is not yet a thing of the past.
Boots are a whole other subject of course.
Some of this information comes from
https://historyfacts.com/arts-cul…
About Sir Ellis Leighton
San Diego Sarah • Link
An excerpt based on GEORGE VILLIERS, SECOND DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM -- 1628-1687 : A STUDY IN THE HISTORY OF THE RESTORATION
By WINIFRED Anne Henrietta Christine Herbert Gardner, LADY BURGHCLERE
JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET, W. LONDON
1903
https://archive.org/stream/cu3192…
Elisha, or Ellis, Leighton was the son of Dr. Leighton, notorious as the mutilated victim of Archbishop William Laud's bigotry more than as the author of "Zion's Plea against Prelates."
Ellis Leighton had nothing of his father's fanaticism. He was, according to Pepys, "a mad freaking fellow," and "one of the best companions at a meale in the world." 2
2 Pepys, vol. iv. p. 341, 178.
Clarendon, on the other hand describes Ellis Leighton as a vicious atheist, while Burnet hints that his religion was not the least useful part of his temporal stock-in-trade.
Extremes of character met in the Leighton family: Ellis' brother, Robert Leighton, eventually became the Archbishop of Glasgow, and was arguably the most spiritual personality of his time — "liker a fair idea than a man set in flesh and blood." But great as was the gulf between the prelate and his brother, the dissipated Ellis' intercourse was not without charm even for the gentle ascetic. 3
3 Burnet, vol. i. p. 242.
56 EXILE [chap. hi.
This was also the bond between Ellis Leighton and Buckingham, for, unlike many brilliant conversationalists, there was no gift the Duke more appreciated in his companions. No sooner did they meet in Scotland than "his Ready Wit and Promptness of Speech immediately gained much" on George Villiers;1 and the intimacy contracted there survived all the chances and changes of their eventful lives until, in 1682, Sir Ellis was laid to rest beside his saintly brother in the peaceful little Sussex church of Horsted Keynes.
1 Walker's "Historical Discourses," p. 177.
About Monday 15 July 1661
San Diego Sarah • Link
"I hope that old Vicente is still lurking hereabouts."
I think we all hope that. Last I heard, about 5 years ago, Terry Foreman was organizing a virtual search team for him. I heard no more ...
About Cornhill
San Diego Sarah • Link
By Pepys' time the Standard at Cornhill was frequently used for the London terminus on maps.
No, it wasn't an Inn; it was a well at the convergance of 4 major roads leading north, south, east, and west.
For more on maps and the Standard, see
https://www.pepysdiary.com/encycl…
About Maps of Britain
San Diego Sarah • Link
CONCLUSION:
London Past and Present (Henry Wheatley, 1891) provides some background detail about the Standard:
"A water-standard with 4 spouts made (1582) by Peter Morris, a German, and supplied with water conveyed from the Thames by pipes of lead. it stood at the east end of Cornhill, at its junction with Gracechurch Street, Bishopsgate Street and Leadenhall Street, and with the waste water from its four spouts cleansed the channels of the 4 streets.
"The water ceased to run between 1598 and 1603; but the Standard itself remained for a long time after. It was long in use as a point of measurement for distances from the City, and several of our suburban milestones were, but a very few years ago, and some perhaps are still, inscribed with so many miles 'from the Standard in Cornhill'. There was a Standard in Cornhill as early as Henry V."
The plaque says the Standard was removed around 1674, and London Past and Present states that it remained long after water ceased to flow in 1603.
Despite the loss of the Standard in the later part of the 17th century, it continued to be used as a point for measuring distances or many years to come.
The Standard, Cornhill was often mentioned on milestones when giving a distance to London.
A 1921 article in the Sussex Express mentions the preservation of a milestone in Lewis:
"The milestone let in the upper front of 144/5 High Street, which the Council are to preserve when the building is demobilised, bears the interesting inscription, which probably many Lewes residents have not read; 'Fifty miles from the Standard in Cornhill, 49 miles to Westminster Bridge, 8 miles to Brightelmstone."
The Standard, Cornhill is one of the locations that have been used as a point from where distances to and from London have been measured.
The most common location seems to be the statue of Charles I to the south of Trafalgar Square, where the Eleanor Cross once stood, so possibly the location of the final cross as part of a 13th century journey to London, still marks where distances are measured from.
Copies of the facsimile of Ogilby's 'Britannia' can be found on the Abebooks website, and if you are interested in John Ogilby, the 'Nine Lives of John Ogilby' by Alan Ereira is a really good account.
You can see maps and pictures and the rest of the article at
https://alondoninheritance.com/lo…
About Maps of Britain
San Diego Sarah • Link
Another article about John Ogilby says he was born in 1600 in Scotland, and had many professions including a dancer, teacher, translator, publisher and map maker.
With William Morgan, John Ogilby created a detailed map of London which was published n 1676, although it was probably surveyed before 1666). You can see it at https://www.layersoflondon.org/ma…
Ogilby is probably best known for his atlas, called 'Britannia', of all the major routes in England, which he published in 1675. Routes were shown in a strip map format, and several strips were used to follow a route from source to destination. Along the route, towns and villages were listed, as were geographic features, roads leading off the main route, with their destinations listed, landmarks along the route, distances etc. Each route had a header on each page, with the first map having the title of the overall route, total distances, major towns and cities along the route, with individual distances between them.
If you were planning to go from London to Lands End, Ogilby's route map started with the summary header, stating the route was 303 miles and 3 furlongs, and started at the Standard in Cornhill:
https://alondoninheritance.com/lo…
The Standard in Cornhill was the starting point for many of the maps with routes starting in London.
The first page of the journey to Cornwall runs from London to just before Winchester. Note: when leaving Knightsbridge you still crossed a bridge.
In the 17th century, counties still had "shire" at the end of the names.
So from Hampshire you went through Wiltshire, Dorsetshire, Somersetshire, and into Devonshire, passing through Exeter before heading into Cornwall, before finally reaching Lands End, which faces onto "The Western Sea".
Where and what was The Standard, Cornhill?
The Standard sounds as if it was one of the large coaching inns serving London. But no, it was an ancient well / water pump / conduit, and was located at the key crossroads in the City where Cornhill, Leadenhall Street, Bishopsgate and Gracechurch Street meet.
Today there is a City of London plaque to mark the site.
Gracechurch Street heads south to London Bridge, which was the only bridge across the Thames, and therefore the main route to the south. Leadenhall Street heads to the east, Bishopsgate heads to the north and Cornhill heads to the west, so from this junction, one could travel the major routes, and was why maps such as Obilby's used the Standard as their City of London starting point.
About Monday 8 July 1661
San Diego Sarah • Link
... his disappointment at not having been left anything substantial).
John Snr. (and therefore Sam's mother) is taken care of handsomely. That's a weight off Sam's shoulders. Had the house come to him directly, Sam would probably have installed his parents there anyways, as he continued his career in London.
I don't think Estate Taxes were an issue in those days.
Maybe Sam was worried John Snr. would see his success, and could leave the house to John Jnr. or Tom as they were more needy, despite what this will specified, leading to a sibling legal battle.
Given Sam's job, John Jnr. and Tom will probably have more opportunities and time to pay attention to John Snr. and Margaret in their dotage. Sam will have to remain attentive to the parents, even if they are a 9-hour ride away.
Sam may also be worried that his London taylor father won't take easily to being a country landowner thinking about cows in fields, or his mother to growing her own food, and making her own herbals. Elderly town folk are used to buying services.
So it's possible the parents will refuse to move, rent out the property to people who don't care for it, and Pepys will inherit a slum with tenants.
A bird in the hand is always better than one in your father's hand.
About Monday 8 July 1661
San Diego Sarah • Link
On Friday, July 12 the Lords was pretty dull.
Things picked up on July 13:
Message from H. C. with Bills.
A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Sir Phillip Warwicke Knight, and others; who brought up several Bills, which have passed that House, wherein their Lordships Concurrence is desired:
1. "An Act against Tumults and Disorders, upon Pretence of preparing or presenting Public Petitions, or other Addresses, to His Majesty or the Parliament," which Bill was sent down to them from their Lordships; wherein the House of Commons have made some Alterations, and desire their Lordships Concurrence therein.
2. "An Act for the declaring, vesting, and settling, of all such Monies, Goods, and other Things, in His Majesty, which were received, levied, or collected, in these late Times, and are remaining in the Hands or Possession of any Treasurers, Receivers, Collectors, or others, not pardoned by the Act of Oblivion."
3. "An Act for the restoring of all such Advowsons, Rectories Impropriate, Glebe Lands, and Tithes, to His Majesty's loyal Subjects, as were taken from them; and making void certain Charges imposed on them upon their Compositions for Delinquency, by the late usurped Powers."
Message from H. C. with Bills; and to expedite Two formerly brought up.
A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Edward Seymour Esquire, and others; who brought up several Bills, which have been passed that House, wherein their Lordships Concurrence is desired:
1. "An Act for Explanation of a Clause contained in an Act of Parliament made the 17th Year of the late King Charles, intituled, An Act for Repeal of a Branch of a Statute, Primo Eliz. concerning Commissioners for Causes Ecclesiastical."
2. "An Act for providing necessary Carriages for His Majesty, in His Royal Progress and Removals."
3. "An Act for settling the Manor and Lands of Kemsford in Sir Henry Fredericke Thynn and the Heirs of his Body; and the Manor of Buckland and divers other Manors and Lands in him and the Heirs Males of his Body."
4. To put their Lordships in Mind of the Dispatch of Two Bills lately brought up; videlicet, the Bill for Conformity, and the Bill concerning Corporations.
Bill to prevent Tumults, &c.
Next, the Amendments and Alterations in the Bill against Tumults were read Thrice, and Agreed to.
Ah-ha -- that's what a "Tunuks" is!
About Monday 8 July 1661
San Diego Sarah • Link
The Lords on July 11 discussed more substantial things:
Bill for regulating the Navy.
The Lord Steward reported the Bill for establishing Articles and Orders for the Navy, from the Committee, with some Alterations and Amendments, which are offered to the Consideration of this House.
The said Alterations and Amendments were read Twice, and Agreed; and the Bill ordered to be engrossed, with these Alterations and Amendments.
Anabaptists and Good Christians heard.
This Day the House heard the Anabaptists, and those that call themselves Good Christians, what they could offer to this House as their Desires.
And upon Consideration thereof:
It is ORDERED, That on Tuesday next this House will proceed in the Report of the Committee concerning the Penal Laws; and when that Business is determined, then to read the Act of Uniformity, brought from the House of Commons.
Poor Bill for London, &c.
ORDERED, That some of His Majesty's Counsel, as also of the Counsel of the City of London, and some of the Justices of the several Precincts mentioned in a Bill, intituled, "An Act for the better Relief and Employment of the Poor, and Punishment of Vagrants and other disorderly Persons, within the Cities of London and Westm. and the Liberties thereof, and the Precincts usually mentioned in the Bills of Mortality," be, and are hereby, appointed to attend the Lords Committees to whom the said Bill stands committed, on Saturday the 13th of July Instant, at 3 of the Clock in the Afternoon, in the Prince's Lodgings, in order to the fitting of the said Bill to be reported to this House.
Yes, there's more, including a Bill for naturalizing Anna Marie Brudnell Talbot, Countess of Shre'sbury and her brother Francis Brudnell. More about her later.
About Monday 8 July 1661
San Diego Sarah • Link
Thursday, July 10, the Lords upheld the Earl of Manchester's rights to be the only person allowed to fish in the river on his property, and turfing out the two men who had been dredging there since 1645.
They took another stab at settling the Oxford claim that he should be the Great Lord Chamberlain of England.
The poor Irish protestants' petition was sent to committee.
And they worked on enclosing land for a new road at Parson's Green.
About Monday 8 July 1661
San Diego Sarah • Link
Tuesday, July 9, the Lords didn't do much.
But Wednesday, July 10 has an interesting discussion:
Bill for regulating the Navy.
Hodie 2a vice lecta est Billa, "An Act for the establishing Articles and Orders for the regulating and better Government of His Majesty's Navies, Ships of War, and Forces by Sea, of the Kingdom of England."
ORDERED, That the Consideration of this Bill is referred to these Lords following:
His Royal Highness the Duke of Yorke.
Ds. Thesaurarius.
L. Privy Seal.
Duke Albemarle.
L. Steward.
L. Chamberlain.
Comes Dorsett.
Comes Bridgwater.
Comes Portland.
Ds. D'acres.
Ds. Craven.
Ds. Lovelace.
Ds. Berkeley de Stra.
Ds. Holles.
Ds. Cornwallis.
Their Lordships, or any Five; to meet To-morrow Morning at Eight of the Clock, in the Prince's Lodgings.
@@@
I wonder if this has something to do with the recent Carteret -vs- the Sir Williams as to the selection of captains? Or it may be about the Paying off of the fleet?
About Monday 8 July 1661
San Diego Sarah • Link
CONCLUSION:
"I hope you will be ready within few Days to dispatch those other Public Bills which are still depending before you, that I may come hither and pass all together, and then adjourn till Winter, when what remains may be provided for: And I would be very glad that you would be ready by the 20th of this Month, or thereabouts, for the Adjournment; which methinks you might easily be, if you suspended all Private Business till the Recess.
The last Parliament, by God's Blessing, laid the Foundation of the Happiness we all enjoy; and therefore I thought it but Justice to the Memory of it, to send you Bills for the Confirmation of what was enacted then; and I cannot doubt but you will dispatch what remains of that Kind with all convenient Speed; and that you will think, that what was then thought necessary or fit for the Public Peace to be enacted, ought not to be shaken now, or any good Man less secure of what he possesses, than he was when you came together.
It is to put Myself in Mind as well as you, that I so often (I think as often as I come to you) mention to you My Declaration from Breda: And let Me put you in Mind of another Declaration, published by yourselves about the same Time, and which, I am persuaded, made Mine the more effectual; an honest, generous, and Christian Declaration, signed by the most eminent Persons, who had been the most eminent Sufferers, in which you renounced all former Animosities, all Memory of former Unkindnesses, vowed all imaginable Good-will to, and all Confidence in, each other.
"My Lords and Gentlemen, Let it be in no Man's Power to charge Me or you with Breach of our Word or Promise, which can never be a good Ingredient to our future Security. Let us look forward, and not backward; and never think of what is past, except Men put us in Mind of it, by repeating Faults we had forgot; and then let us remember no more than what concerns those very Persons.
"God hath wrought a wonderful Miracle in settling us as He hath done. I pray let us do all we can to get the Reputation at Home and Abroad of being well settled. We have Enemies and Enviers enough, who labour to have it thought otherwise; and if we would indeed have our Enemies fear us, and our Neighbours love and respect us, and fear us enough to love us, let us take all the Ways we can, that, as the World cannot but take Notice of your extraordinary Affection to Me, and of the Comfort I take in that Affection, so that it may likewise take Notice of your Affection to and Confidence in each other; which will disappoint all Designs against the Public Peace, and fully establish our joint Security."
After this, His Majesty retired.
About Monday 8 July 1661
San Diego Sarah • Link
PART 3
Bill brought up by him.
"Great Sir, To conclude this solemn Service; the Commons of England do, by me their Servant, humbly present You with this Bill, intituled, "An Act for a free and voluntary Present;" and wish it a Success answerable to Your Royal Heart's Desire."
Bills passed.
The Clerk of the Parliaments, receiving this Bill from the Hand of the Speaker, brought it to the Table.
Then the Clerk of the Crown read the Titles of these Bills following:
"1. An Act for confirming Public Acts."
The Clerk of the Parliaments pronounced the Royal Assent in these Words,
"Le Roy le veult."
"2. An Act for a free and voluntary Present to His Majesty."
The Royal Assent was pronounced in these Words,
"Le Roy, remerciant Ses bons Subjects, accepte leur Benevolence, et ainsi le veult."
The King's Speech.
After this, His Majesty was pleased to make a very Gracious Speech, as followeth:
"My Lords and Gentlemen,
"It is a good Time since I heard of your passing this Bill for Money; and I am sure you would have presented it to Me sooner, if you had thought I had desired it: But the Truth is, though I have Need enough of it, I had no Mind to receive it from you, till I might at the same Time give My Assent to this other very good Bill that accompanies it, for which I longed very impatiently. I thank you for both with all My Heart; and though there are other good Bills ready, with which you will easily believe I am very well pleased, and in which I am indeed enough concerned, yet I choose rather to pass these Two Bills together, and to pass them by themselves without any other, that you may all see, and in you the whole Kingdom, that I am at least equally concerned for you and them, as for Myself: And in Truth it will be Want of Judgement in Me, if I ever desire any Thing for Myself, that is not equally good for you and them. I am confident, you all believe that My Well-being is of some Use and Benefit to you; and I am sure your Well-being, and being well pleased, is the greatest Comfort and Blessing I can receive in this World.
About Monday 8 July 1661
San Diego Sarah • Link
PART 2
Your Majesty's Desires are fully answered by all the Representatives of the People: And their hearty Prayer to GOD is, That all Your Subjects may be truly thankful to You; and that Your Majesty may long live to enjoy the Fruits of this unparalleled Mercy.
"Your Majesty was pleased to intimate to us on Saturday last, "That You so valued the Quiet and Satisfaction of Your People, and the Keeping of Your Royal Word with them, that, although divers other Bills were made ready for You, You would vouchsafe the Honour to this Bill alone, Your Favourite, to come and pass it. Sir, Hereby You have made this a great Holiday; and we shall observe it with Joy and Thanksgiving. Upon such solemn Festivals, there useth to be a Second Service, an Anthem, and a Collect, or at least an Offering. My Anthem shall be, Quid tibi retribuam, Domine ? And my Collect, a short Report of Your Revenue. We know, Great Sir, that Money is both the Sinews of War, and Bond of Peace. We have, therefore, taken Care of Your Majesty's Revenue; and do desire to make it in some good Proportion suitable both to Your Grandeur and Your Merit.
"We do believe, the State of our King is the Honour of our State; and the best Way to preserve our Peace, is to be well provided for War. Our Time hath not permitted us to finish this Work; but, as an Earnest of our good Affections, we desire Your Majesty to accept an Offering from us.
"We cannot enough admire Your Majesty's Patience, Providence, and Frugality Abroad. You did not bring Home a Debt for us to pay, great as a Prince's Ransom. And since Your Return, You have not, with King Edward III after His Wars in France, or Henry IV, Henry VII, or Henry VIII, desired new and great Aids and heavy Subsidies from Your People for Your Supplies.
"No, Sir; You have been so far from asking, that Part of the Money which was given You last Parliament for Your Household Provision, You have issued out towards Payment of our Debts; You have robbed Your own Table (I had almost said given the Meat out of Your own Belly), to feed the hungry Seamen.
"Dear Sir, These Things have a just Influence upon the People; they fill our Hearts with Joy and Affection to Your Majesty.
"I do not pretend much to Physiognomy; but, if I mistake not greatly, the Faces of the People do promise great Frankness and Chearfulness in Your present Supplies.
"What would not Your Majesty's Friends have given, within these 18 Months, to have seen Your Majesty thus happily settled? And what can be too much for those to return, who have received all they enjoy from Your Majesty's Mercy?
About Monday 8 July 1661
San Diego Sarah • Link
Meanwhile the Lords are also sitting. On Monday, July 8 the Main Event was a visit from Charles II:
The King present.
His Majesty this Day was present, sitting in His Throne, arrayed with His Royal Robes, the Peers being also in their Robes.
The Commons by His Majesty's Command were sent for; who being come, Sir Edward Turner Knight, their Speaker, made this following Speech:
Speaker of H. C. Speech.
"May it please Your most Excellent Majesty,
"The Writ of Summons, whereby Your Majesty was pleased to call together the Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses, of the Commons House of Parliament, gave us to understand, "That Your Majesty had divers weighty and urgent Matters to communicate to us; such as did concern Your Royal Person, Your State and Dignity, the Defence of the Kingdom, and the Church of England;" and in the same Method propounded to us by Your Majesty, we have applied ourselves to offer you our best Counsel and Advice.
"We found Your Majesty miraculously preserved, by the Hand of GOD, from the Hands of Your Enemies; we found You peaceably seated in the Throne of Your Ancestors; we found the hereditary Imperial Crown of these Nations auspiciously set upon Your Royal Head: And all this after a sharp and a bloody Civil War.
"We held it our Duties, in the First Place, to endeavour the Safety and Preservation of Your Majesty's Person and Government; and to that Purpose have prepared a Bill.
"Next to the Safety of Your Majesty, we took into Consideration the State and Power that is necessary for so great a Prince; and do hope are long to settle Your Militia so, that, by the Blessing of GOD, You need not fear Storms from Abroad, or Earthquakes here at Home.
"Your Majesty was pleased, at the Opening of the Parliament, to recommend unto us Two Bills; one, for confirming of Public Acts; another, for the Private Acts that passed the last Parliament. They were so many in Number, and great in Weight, that hitherto we could not consider of them all: But some we have perused; the Act for Confirmation of Judicial Proceedings; for taking away the Court of Wards and Liveries, and Purveyances; and also all those that do relate to Your Majesty's Customs and Excise.
"And, that we might with some Chearfulness see Your Majesty's Face, we have brought our Brother Benjamin with us; I mean, Your Act of Oblivion: I take the Boldness to call it Yours, for so it is by many Titles; Your Majesty first conceived it at Breda; You helped to contrive and form it here in England; and, we must all bear You Witness, You laboured and travailed till it was brought forth: And since it had a Being, some Question being made of its Legitimation, Your Royal Heart is not at Ease until it be confirmed. And now, Sir, give me Leave to say, by the Suffrage of a full, a free, and legal Parliament, it is presented to Your Majesty, to be naturalized.