Transcript 350th Anniversary of the Restoration of the Monarchy

Highlights of SPO III
24th March 1603
King James I succeeds Queen
Elizabeth as King of England
and Ireland
Left:
Copy of proclamation by the Lord Mayor of London and Privy
hereditary right of King
James to the Crowns of England,
France, and Ireland
Council, declaring the
March 24 1603, SP 14/187 f.6
5th November 1605
The Gunpowder Plot is revealed
as an attempt to assassinate
the king
Left:
The ANONYMOUS LETTER to Lord Monteagle, by which the
Gunpowder Plot was said to be discovered, warning him not to be
“they shall
receyve a terrible blowe this Parleament,
and yet they shall not seie who hurts
them.” Indorsed by Salisbury, “The Irê Weh was wrytten to ye L
present at the meeting of Parliament, for that
.. Mountegle.
Oct. 26 1605, SP 14/216/1 f.10
The Gunpowder Plot Book
Examination of John Johnson (Guy Faukes) as to the storing of
powder, &c .. in the Parliament cellar,—his connections abroad,—
whether
Mr.
Percy[made
would
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ofthe
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to
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the
Jesuit,
in
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Ambrose
Rokewood,
Coldham
Hall,and
Suffolk,
Westminster.
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ustoall
;” signed
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oath
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21?6 1605,
SPGunpowder
14/216/2
near Enfield. Nov.9 1605, SP 14/216/1 f.90
Nov. 7 1605, SP 14/16 f.32a
6th November 1612
Sudden death of the heir to the
throne: Henry Frederick, Prince
of Wales
Left:
Chamberlain to Carleton. Particulars of the last illness, death, and
Turquet
[Mayerne] much blamed for bad
treatment of him. A cordial was sent him by Sir Walter
post-mortem examination of the late Prince.
Raleigh, who loses by his death his greatest hope of release. His
debts are to be paid and his pensions continued. His revenue of
60,000l. returns to the King, till Prince Charles is older. The Duchy
of Cornwall is said to revert to the Crown, as being entailed only on
the King's first-born, The Prince's early death was prophesied,
because he never cast his first teeth. Distress of the King and Queen,
and of Lady Elizabeth, who went several times in disguise to see him,
but was refused admission, for fear of contagion. He had intended to
conduct her to Germany.
Nov. 12 1612, SP 14/71 f.46
23th August 1628
Assassination of the King’s
favourite: George Villiers,
Duke of Buckingham
Left:
Sir Francis Nethersole to [James Earl of Carlisle ?]. On Saturday last, in
Duke was stabbed, in his
chamber at Portsmouth, by one
Lieutenant Felton, and died presently of that wound, which
the forenoon, the
he received under the left pap. The circumstances are related with much
difference. That which most agree in is, that the Duke, lying that
morning somewhat long abed, was called up by Walter Montagu to hear
some good news of the relief of Rochelle. Mons. de Soubise coming to
him to hear of this news, Felton came into his Grace's chamber. In the
tumult, some imputing the deed to the French, Felton boldly took it on
him, and said be had done it for the good of his King and country. He
had some private discontentment for being put by the company when his
captain was slain in the Isle of Rhe', but he alleges his desire of the
public good for the cause of his fact, and offered not to escape. Various
circumstances antecedent to the fact, which are very considerable; a
sailor killed in a mutiny, and rumours prevalent in London, Cornwall,
and Huntingdonshire. The King took the Duke's death very heavily,
keeping his chamber all that day, as is well to be believed; but tee base
multitude in this town drink healths to Felton, and there are infinitely
more cheerful than sad faces of better degree. The stone of offence
being now removed by the hand of God, it is to be hoped that the King
and his people will come to a perfect unity, and that the Earl will return
to be a principal instrument in that good work.
Aug. 24 1628, SP 16/114 f.8
1629-1640
Eleven Years’ Tyranny. In
March 1629, Charles
dissolves parliament and
rules alone for eleven years
Left:
Sir Francis Nethersole to Elizabeth Queen of Bohemia. Sends the
Declaration set forth by the King of the
causes which moved him to dissolve the
late Parliament, together with another of a like nature made
by the late King. In the late dissolution one thing was extraordinary, to
wit, that the House of Commons (to which their Speaker was forbidden
to come that day) was not sent for up to the Higher House, as the
manner has always been, although there were above 200 persons there
expecting to be called up, which has given much discontent. Some of
the Lords excuse it as having happened by a chance, but it is sure
enough that it was done of purpose, for the King addressed not his
speech to the Lords and Gentlemen, but to the Lords only. Lord Bristol
came to Sir Francis in the Court the other day, and remarked that during
the time of the King's displeasure against him he had thought it
respectful to her Majesty and her husband to forbear to make any
address of his duty to her, but that being again right with his Majesty,
and readmitted to bis Court (where he has been very much of late), he
should doubt it might otherwise be interpreted, and would therefore take
the boldness to do it by his letters. Mr. Simon Digby has also prayed Sir
Francis to intreat the Queen to express her good opinion of him in a
postscript of some letter to Lord Dorchester. Acknowledges her favour
to his wife and himself in remembering them with some relique of him
who is now a saint in heaven .
March 21 1629, SP 16/139 f.43
1st December 1641
Presentation to the king of the
‘Grand Remonstrance’, a list of
complaints about king’s
government
Left:
The petition of the House of Commons which accompanied the
Remonstrance or Declaration on the state
of the kingdom, presented to the King [at Hampton Court] on
occasion of his safe return from Scotland. Congratulates his Majesty on
his safe return, and enumerates grievances for which they pray redress.
Dec. 1 1641, SP 16/486 f.1
4th January 1642
The King enters the House of Commons
demanding that the five members
accused of treason be seized. This
event leads to Charles fleeing London
before engaging in a civil war against
parliament between August 1642-1648
Left:
demanding that
the five members accused of high treason be
delivered up.
The King's speech to the House of Commons,
[Copy with corrections in the King's hand. 1 p.]
Jan. 4 1642, SP 16/488 f.25
30th January 1649
King Charles I is executed on a
scaffold outside of the Palace
of Whitehall
Left:
A Journal of the Proceedings of the High Court of Justice erected by Act
of the Commons of England, entitled “An Act of the Commons of
England assembled in Parliament for erecting of a High Court of Justice
for the trying and judging of Charles Steward [Stuart], King of
England;” as it was reported in the House of Commons and attested
under the hands of Andrew Broughton and John Phelps, Clerks of the
said Court. This MS. gives a fuller narrative, viz.: “Then the Clerk
Charles Stuart King of England,
you are accused, on the behalf of the
people of England, of divers high crimes
and treasons, which charge hath been read unto you. The Court
reads. Clerk. —
now requires you to give Your final and positive answer by way of
confession or denial of the charge. “King.—Sir, I say again, that so I
might give satisfaction to the people of England of the clearness of my
proceedings, not by way of answer, not in this way but to satisfy them
that I have done nothing against the trust that hath been committed to
me, I will do it; but to acknowledge a new Court against their privileges
to alter all the fundamental laws of the kingdom in their behalf, Sir, you
must excuse me…
Jan. 6-30 1648-49, SP 16/517
In the series SP 16 relating
to the reign of Charles I,
State Papers Online
contains a journal (SP
16/517) that documents the
trial of King Charles I
A Journal of the Proceedings of the High Court of Justice erected by Act of the
Commons of England, entitled “An Act of the Commons of England assembled in
Parliament for erecting of a High Court of Justice for the trying and judging of
Charles Steward [Stuart], King of England”
Jan. 6-30 1648-49, SP 16/517
Clerk. — “Charles Stuart King of
England, you are accused, on the behalf
Lord President Bradshaw. —“This
is the third time that you have
publicly disowned this
Court and put an affront upon
it.”
King.— “Sir, I say again, that so I
might give satisfaction to the
people of England of the clearness
of my proceedings, not by way of
answer, not in this way but to
satisfy them that I have done
nothing against the trust that hath
been committed to me, I will do it;
but to acknowledge a
new Court against their
privileges to alter all the
fundamental laws of the kingdom
in their behalf, Sir, you must
excuse me”
of the people of England, of
divers
high crimes and treasons,
which charge hath been read unto you.
The Court now requires you to give Your
final and positive answer by way of
confession or denial of the charge.”
Lord President. — “Sir, you have
heard the pleasure of the Court, and
you are, though you will not
understand it, to
find that
you are before a court
of justice.”
King.— “Well,
Sir, I find I
am before a power; and [then]
went away. These words he spake with
a low voice as he was going away.”
“Ordered, that the scaffold upon which the King is to be executed be covered with black,”
3rd September 1651
The Battle of Worcester, the
final battle of the English Civil
War, takes place between
Scottish and English Royalists led
by Charles II and Cromwell’s
Parliamentarian troops
Left:
—— to ——. I believe you have too soon heard of our misfortunes' at
Worcester, and it is possible there are some amongst you who blame our
proceedings rather than pity us; but if they knew the state of our
master'affairs when he was in Scotland and here, they would say other-
Cromwell would not fight us in our
own country, but with great advantage to
himself, he knowing that our army lying
idle would moulder to nothing, as indeed it had, if
wise.
His Majesty had not brought them away. It consisted of 12.000 fighting
men, absolutely under his command, who being marched into the heart
of the kingdom, and possessed of the city of Worcester, might in all
probability have proved a notable step towards the resettling of this
kingdom, had not God determined it otherwise.
The King omitted nothing that might encourage the country to rise with
him, or at least to be neuter; but on the contrar they rose (which had
they not done, without doubt we had beaten Cromwell'forces, they being
inconsiderable) violently against us, to such numbers as made the
enemy near 40,000, and the least any of their officers' report them was
36,000. With this number they came before us at Worcester. The city
was neither fortified nor victualled, but His Majesty thought he could
not in honour leave them who had so willingly received him, to be
plundered by the enemy. …
… Endorsed by [Sec. Nicholas} : “ Relation of the defeat of the
King'army at Worcester,3/13 September, 1651.
Sept. 17 1651, SP 18/16 f.51
16th December 1653
Oliver Cromwell is proclaimed
Lord Protector of the
Commonwealth. He is reinstalled
as Lord Protector on 26 June 1657
after he refuses the crown
Left:
Proclamation by the Council. Whereas the late Parliament dissolving
themselves, and resigning their powers and authorities, the government
of the commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland, by a Lord
Protector, and successive Parliaments, is now established; and whereas
Oliver Cromwell, Captain General of all
the forces of this commonwealth, is
declared Lord Protector of the said
nations, and has accepted thereof, we have therefore thought it
necessary (as we hereby do) to make publication of the premises, and
strictly to charge and command all and every person of what quality and
condition soever, in any of the said three nations, to take notice hereof,
and to conform and submit themselves to the Government so
established. All sheriffs, mayors, bailiffs, and other public ministers and
officers whom this may concern are required to cause this proclamation
to be published in their respective counties, cities, corporations,
and.market towns, to the end that none have cause to pretend ignorance
in this behalf.
List of the Protector's Council, viz.:—
Mr. Lawrence, President, Sir Gilb. Pickering, Viscount Lisle, Sir Chas.
Wolsley, Major-Gen. Lambert, Sir Anth. Ashley Cooper, Major-Gen.
Desborow, Mr. Rouse, Major-Gen. Skippon, Mr. Strickland, Col. Jones,
Mr. Major, Col. Sydenham.
Dec. 16 1653, SP 18/42 f.98
25th May 1659
After succeeding his father as
Lord Protector in 1658,
Richard Cromwell’s reign is
marked by discontent and he
is forced to resign as Lord
Protector in May 1659.
Left:
Reply of Rich. Cromwell, on an order of-Parliament prefixed of 16
May, referring it to such M.P.'s as are members of the Committee of
Safety, to consider his condition and debts, and how far he acquiesces in
the present Government.
I have caused a true state of my debts to be prepared, showing when and
how they were contracted.
My past carriage shows that I acquiesce in
God's will, and value the peace of the
Commonwealth much above my own
concerns, having learned to submit to God's hand, and not be
unquiet under it. I could not, on account of my late engagements, be
active in making a change, but I freely acquiesce in it, and as I expect
protection from the present Government, so shall I demean myself
peaceably under it, and so influence all in whom I have any interest.
May 25 1659, SP 25/91 f.5
4th April 1660
Charles II signs the Declaration of
Breda in response to General
George Monck’s invitation for
Charles to return from exile as
king.
Left:
The King to Gen. Monk. We would not aggravate, but rather bury the
memory of our being dispossessed by force of our rights, and would
owe our restoration to our subjects at home, rather than to foreign
assistance; therefore tue send to you, who are able to prevent a ivar, to
use the Army in defence of religion, the King, Parliament, liberty, and
law, and vindicate the trust which others have betrayed.
We send a declaration to show that we
desire no effusion of blood.
You know that power, unless supported by justice, cannot make a nation
happy, and we hope you, will bring the blessing of peace and
reconciliation on King and people, and perform your duty to us and your
native country. Breda, 4/14 April 1660.
May 1 1660, SP 18/221 f.10
Volumes of Petitions, addressed to the King
In the series of volumes relating to the reign of Charles II (SP 29), State Papers Online contains
numerous volumes of petitions that relate to the beginning of Charles’s reign dating from May-Dec
1660. Many were from those professing their loyalty to the Royalist cause during the civil war detailing
the hardships they had suffered as a consequence
“John Bathe. For relief and maintenance. Was
attacked, wounded, imprisoned, and deprived of
for resenting
the profanation of His Majesty's
name by ill-affected subjects” Oct. ? 1660, SP
his pension in a foreign country,
“[Sir] Jonathan Wiseman, of Glaston, co. Somerset, and his wife. For relief; details of his
sufferings in the late war; he
was knighted by the late King; was once on the
ladder to be hanged, but his wife got him off, by bringing in a lease and some writings;
29/20 f.1
“Attended the present King at Worcester, and for proclaiming him, was
committed close prisoner, till April 1658, charged
with high
treason, and always expecting death, by which and by
was carried again to death five miles under a horse's belly, but escaped and slipped into a ditch;
his wife's estate, worth 7,000l. a year, was pawned by the late King for nine years for 10,000l.,
and ample recompense promised for it.” Oct. ? 1660, SP 29/20 f.39
plunderings, his fortune is utterly wasted.” Oct. ? 1660, SP 29/20 f.16
“Sir Fulk Greville. For a place as Gentleman
Usher or Cupbearer, in which capacities he
served the two late Kings. He
“For Relief: Dame Elizabeth, relict of Sir Thos. Ryves.
Being violently enforced to take his
most dismal and sorrowful last, long
leave of His Majesty, he was so utterly heart
broken that he languished and died, leaving her in
most distressed condition; the late King owed her
husband many hundred pounds, and gave him many
gracious promises.” Oct. ? 1660, SP 29/20 f.33
“Petition of Thos. Lanier to the King, for the
Receivership for Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, or
some other county. His ancestors have long
been servants to the late Kings, and he and
his father thought it disloyal not to want
conveniences when the Royal possessions
were violated by sacrilegious hands, and
served the cause with the loss of their little
all. …” June 11 1660, SP 29/3 f.138
“To THE KING'S MOST
EXCELLENT
MAJESTY”
and his
sons risked life and estate,
with Major-General Massey, for
recovery of His Majesty's
title.” May? 1660, SP 29/2 f.13
“John Tinkler. For a competency for life. Lost
his eyes
and both arms, serving the late King as cannonier, and
has lived since on the charity of those who compassionated
him as being his late Majesty's servant; but the sun being now
risen again upon these kingdoms, entreats aid.” Oct. ? 1660,
SP 29/20 f.52
“Captain William Croome. For the
place of Groom of the Chamber or
Messenger in Ordinary. Served the
late King till his death, and
attended his present Majesty to
Scotland, where he was wounded and
taken prisoner at Musselburg; has
been much reduced by sickness and
poverty. SP 29/2 f.21, May? 1660
“Petition of Mary Graves to the King, for the place of Victualler of the
Navy for her husband, and an advance of money on account. Sent His
Majesty 12 horses, 10 furnished with men and money, and two
empty, on one of which His Majesty rode at Worcester fight, and on
the other escaped from it.” June 2 1660, SP 29/3 f.15
1665-1666
The Great Plague in
London marks the last
major outbreak of the
plague in England
Left:
the
infection greatly spreads by the present
attempts at concealment, and by not
shutting up a house till some one in it dies,
Proposal of expedients for prevention of the plague, showing that
as many persons may have visited the house and spread the infection in
the interim; but if it were published that every infected person shall have
medical attendance, &c., and payment for loss of time, persons would
not conceal their misfortune, and 40 houses thus provided might prevent
the infection of 10,000. With proposal that a stock may be raised,
physicians appointed, and commissioners accountable to the King
bejoined with the physician for their management.
May ? 1665, SP 29/122 f.185
Bills of Mortality
A search on ‘plague’ in State Papers Online reveals 715 entries with manuscripts
containing a reference to plague. In addition to these references there are also many
bills of mortality detailing the numbers of people who died as a result of the plague
2-5 September 1666
The Great Fire of London
Left:
——to Lord Conway. “Alas, my lord, London—all London, almost,
within the walls, and some part of it which was without the walls—lies
Last Sunday, at 1 a.m., a fire broke
out in Pudding Lane, burned the new houses on the
in ashes.“
bridge, and left the old ones standing; came down Thames Street and
backwards to the Tower, where the buildings were old, and their
contents—pitch, hemp, rosin, and flax—combustible, so that in 6 hours
the stream of tire was a mile long. The season being extremely dry, the
springs were low and no water could be had, and the east wind blew as
though it had a commission from heaven to execute on the city.
The fire went by Fish Street Hill to Canning Street. Gracechurch Street,
Lombard Street, Cornhill and Bartholomew Lane, Lothbury, Austin
Friars and Broad Street; northwards, likewise to Fenchurch Street and
Lime Street, burning down all the churches and the Royal Exchange;
then by Friday Street and Cheapside to Newgate Market, Smithfield,
Holborn Bridge, St. Paul's Churchyard, Ludgate Hill, and the Inner
Temple, a corner of which took fire and was there quenched, as also in
Fleet Street, over against St. Dunstan's, or it might have swept away
Whitehall and Westminster; but these are left standing, also the suburbs,
viz., the Strand, Covent Garden, Queen Street, Lincoln's Inn Fields,
Holborn as far as the bridge, Hatton Garden, Clerkenwell, and St. John's
Street. …
[Sept. 8.] 1666, SP 29/450 f.46
9-14 June 1667
The Battle of the Medway. The
Dutch fleet captures important
English ships during a phase of the
second Anglo-Dutch war
Left:
—— to Viscount Conway. There has been such an alarm that the fear
of a press of horses has emboldened him to send two of his to his
lordship's stables for six or eight days. The Dutch, after easily beating
off Sir Edw. Spragg from Sheerness Fort, which was not in a posture
of defence (for which Sir Edward is much blamed), forced the chain,
which some say was fastened with cable yarn, and came up. Ten
frigates and as many fire-ships burned the Amity and Matthias.
The Royal Charles, having 30 guns
mounted, fired on them, but her
ammunition was soon spent, so the
Dutch took her, and put up their flag.
Meanwhile the general caused the next ships, viz., the Royal James,
Royal Oak, London, and two fire-ships, to be sunk, so the Dutch went
away, carrying the Charles; she stuck, and they could not get her
away that tide, but kept men aboard; they returned with Thursday's
tide, but being unable to pass the sunken ships, stayed till the tide was
half spent, and then burned the upper part of the Oak, James, and
London. They made another attempt yesterday, but the general had so
well provided that they were beaten off, and the same this morning;
so they have left the river, and it is said fired the Charles at last.
… The loss at Chatham was 500 men. Many English are on board the
Dutch ships, and say they have come for money for their tickets.
June 15 1667, SP 29/205 f.91
1672-1678
The introduction of a series
of Test Acts, forbidding
Catholics to hold public
office
Left:
Breviate of the Bill for hindering Papists to sit in Parliament. After a
That no peer or member of
the House of Commons sit or vote in
Parliament or come into the King's
presence or the Court, not having first
taken in open Court at Westminster Hall
the two oaths and declaration in term
time. 2. Provision for their taking the oaths in vacation, but if so
short preamble. 1.
they must take them again in Westminster Hall next term. 3. They
may come into the King's presence in vacation, provided they take
the said oaths and declaration in Westminster Hall next term. 4.
Either House may compel their members to take the oaths and
declaration in their respective houses. 5. Where a Member of the
House of Commons is by this Act disabled, another shall be forthwith
chosen in his place. 6. All offenders are made Popish Recusants
convict, and are to suffer the same disability set down in the last Act
for preventing dangers from Popish Recusants. 7. The sworn servants
of the King, Queen and Duke of York not having taken the said oaths
and declaration shall, by virtue of this Act, take them in term next
after 4 May, or next after his being sworn a servant. 8. A proviso for
licensing such Papists to come to the King for a certain time
notwithstanding this Act. 9. Proviso freeing all offenders so soon as
they shall take the said oaths and make and subscribe the said
declaration.
Feb. [5?] 1674, SP 29/360 f.229
SP 30
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6th July 1685
The Monmouth Rebellion.
The Duke of Monmouth,
Charles II’s illegitimate son,
is defeated at the Battle of
Sedgemoor
Left:
telling him of the
Duke of Monmouth's defeat.
The King to the Prince of Orange,
July 7 1685, SP 8/3 f.289
King William’s Chest
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you intended
to beOnline
going in
three orpapers
four days
Loo.the
'Tis
nowofa very
The Duke King
of York
to
the
Prince
of
Orange.
I
was
so
much
troubled
by the news that
William
III
as well
as
capacity
asthe
Prince
of Orange.
good season
oftothe
year
to be
ininthehiscountry.
Iby
have
not
any other
The Duke
of York
the
Prince
of
Orange.
“I had
lastheard
post
yours
of itthe
13
came
yesterday
from
the
Hague
of
your
having
the
smallpox,
that,
though
gave
The
series
SP
8
contains
William’s
public
and
private
papers,
way
as
yet
of
the
Elector
of
Saxe
designing
to
come
hither,
but
by
yours
tototheir
the
ofIof
Orange,
warning
him
of
Monmouth's
(N.S.)
from
Dieren,
byPrince
which
was
veryand
sorry
to
find
my
daughter's
eyes
were soasill as
TheKing
King
the
Prince
Orange,
notifying
him
of
theasdeath
of
King
anThe
account
of
coming
out
well
of
your
being
in
good
ameeting
condition
with
an
interesting
set
of
documents
detailing
his
and
my
daughter's
letters.
Prince
George
had
heard
nothing
of
it
when
I such
with
fugitive
rebels
in
Holland.
April
28
1685,
SP
8/3
f.259
tocould
oblige
to let blood.
I hope
thathinder
will6 cure
her,
it8/3
being
the best
remedy
for
Charles
II,with
February
1685,
SPfrom
f.239
beher
expected,
yet I could
not
myself
sending
the
bearer, Ashton,
correspondence
his
father-in-law,
King
James
II.
Two
asked
him
about
it.
March
23
1688,
SP
8/4
f.132
kind
defluctions.
am to
now
just how
backyou
from
journey
from
Tunbridge.
I cametillfrom
to of
assure
you
of itIof
and
know
do,my
and
I shall
be inwritten
very great
pain,
I
series
note
are
SP
8/3
and
SP
8/4,
with
letters
by
thence
yesterday,
lay
at
London,
went
this
morning
to
Hampton
Court
to
Council,
from
hear of your being
quiteboth
out of Duke
danger.
March
31 1675, SP 8/3 f.11
James
oftoHolograph.
York
and later
king.
whence I am just come
with hisasMajesty
this place.
Theaspost
is just ready to go, so
that I must end.…” July 11 1684, SP 8/3 f.211
10th June 1688
Controversial birth of the heir to
the throne, Prince James, Prince
of Wales to king James II and his
wife Mary of Modena. There were
rumours that the baby was a
changeling in an attempt to secure
the Catholic succession
Left:
The King to the Prince of Orange. The Queen was, God be
safely delivered of a son on Sunday
thanked,
morning, a little before ten.
June 12 1688, SP 8/4 f.142
30th June 1688
The beginning of the Glorious Revolution.
Following the birth of the Prince of Wales,
the ‘Immortal Seven’ appeal to the Prince
and Princess of Orange to use military
force to remove King James II from the
throne and to make James’s daughter,
Mary Princess of Orange, the heir
Left:
The Earl of Devonshire, Earl of Danby, Earl of Shrewsbury, Lord
Lumley, the Bishop of London, Admiral Russell, and Henry Sidney to
the Prince of Orange. We have great satisfaction to find by 35, and since
by M. Zulestein, that your Highness is so ready and willing to give us
such assistances as they have related to us. We have great reason to
believe that we shall be every day in a worse condition than we are and
less able to defend ourselves, and therefore we do earnestly wish we
might be so happy as to find a remedy before it be too late for us to
contribute to our own deliverance; but although these be our wishes yet
we will by no means put your Highness into any expectations which
may misguide your own counsels in this matter, so that the best advice
we can give is to inform your Highness truly both of the state of things
here at this time and of the difficulties which appear to us.
and we must presume to inform your
Highness that your compliment upon the
birth of the child (which not one in a
thousand here believes to be the Queen's)
hath done you some injury.
…
… We need not say anything about ammunitions, artillery, mortarpieces, spare arms etc., because if you think fit to put anything in
execution you will provide enough of these kinds and will take care to
bring some good engineers with you…
June 30 1688, SP 8/1/2 f.224
1694
The establishment of the
Bank of England
Left:
[Lord Godolphin] to the King. “Yesterday being appointed for the
opening of the books and taking the subscriptions to the Bank, the
Commissioners of the Treasury waited upon the Queen for leave to go
into the city and subscribe ten thousand pounds for your Majesty, being
told the example of it would be a great encouragement to others; this
was accordingly done, and it had such good success that the subscription
yesterday amounted to near 350,000l. I have not heard what has been
seems to leave
little doubt but the Bank will now take
place notwithstanding the difficulty and
obstructions it has met with almost in all
places, and from all persons. I don't know what the consequence of
subscribed to-day, but so good a beginning
it may be hereafter, and whether it will be a prejudice to the public and
deserve to be repeated next sessions of Parliament, as some already
threaten it shall be, but this I know, that without the 1,200,000l. which
we hope for from this Bank and which cannot now be had without it,
there will be no possibility of paying the subsistence farther than this
next month of July; and therefore whatever opinion any others may have
of it as to your service or the good of the public, yet I hope the
Commissioners of the Treasury cannot reasonably be blamed hereafter
for having promoted it…
June 22 1694, SP 8/15 f.79
Jan-Jun 1698
The Earl of Portland is despatched
to as an ambassador to France to
negotiate with Louis XIV to ensure a
smooth Spanish succession
Left:
Secret instructions to the Earl of Portland, going as ambassador
extraordinary to France. He will assure the Most Christian King of my
friendship and of my most earnest wish to live on terms of intimacy
and perfect harmony with him, and that I for my part will do all I can
with that object, hoping that he will do the same.
whether it
might not be possible to find means of
preventing a war, which might result if
the King of Spain died childless.
And to that end the ambassador will try to ascertain
The ambassador will also do his utmost to induce (obliger) the Most
Christian King to make King James and his family quit his dominions,
or at least to send them as far from his Court and the seacoast as
possible.
And the same also above all things as regards the conspirators against
my life. At Kensington, this 8 January, 1698.
Jan. 8 1698 , SP 8/18 f.14
Lord Portland’s correspondence as French ambassador
“
Lord Portland to William III. Yesterday M. de Pomponne and M. de Torcy
called upon me and informed me that they did so by command of the Most
Christian King, to tell me that he desired my services in a matter of the utmost
importance and secrecy; at the same time assuring me of his entire confidence.
After I had made a suitable reply M. de Pomponne said that, as the sentiments
of the King, his master, in regard to the maintenance of the peace, were sincere,
and as he was convinced that those of your Majesty were the same, it
was
necessary to anticipate possible causes of disturbance
with a view to avoiding it. [He said] that the death of the
King of Spain, which might happen at any moment, was
such a possible cause, as the same complications from which we had
just escaped would then again ensue: that the Most Christian King
therefore wished to enter into engagements with your
Majesty to prevent such great calamities: that if Spain
fell into the hands of the Emperor he would be able to
make himself master of all Italy, and be so absolute in
the Empire that we should have every reason to fear his
preponderating power; that his Most Christian Majesty therefore
desired to concert measures with your Majesty respecting that succession, and
wished to know whether you were so inclined, and what conditions and
securities you would require.
I replied that I was surprised at his proposal; that
though I must regard the death of the King of Spain as
an event which would certainly plunge us again into
war, yet it must be regarded as an unavoidable evil, and we could only hope it
I said I was sure that if I wrote to your Majesty, in the general terms in which he
spoke to me, I could not expect any other answer than that you were willing to
listen to proposals; and as I saw finally that I could make no more of it, I gave
him my private views in a conversational way and mentioned whatever I
thought would be contrary to our interest. I won't repeat this to avoid prolixity.
He replied that the question of the Low Countries could
be easily arranged to your Majesty's satisfaction; that as
regards Spain itself sufficient guarantees would be given that it would never fall
under the dominion of the same king as France; but as to the Indies and the
security of the Mediterranean trade, two points upon which I laid great stress,
they made no answer, merely requesting me to inform your Majesty of what he
(sic) had proposed and of what he had said of the views of the King his master,
and to be informed of yours, Sire.
I did not want to say anything to cause it to be thought
that I had any knowledge of your Majesty's intentions,
especially as they revealed little or nothing. I shall therefore
wait to know your pleasure and the line you wish me to take. If however I have
an opportunity, I will speak to M. de Pomponne again in conversation and try to
induce him to be a little more frank.
I beg your Majesty to excuse the mistakes in my letter, which is of such a
character that it cannot be shown to a soul, and I have barely time to read it
over, much less take a copy, because M. le Daufin has sent for me to go hunting
with him immediately, and I did not want to make an excuse and I cannot put it
off. I am just going to get into my carriage to go to Meudon.
The Comte de Tallard leaves to-day. I think they waited so long, before
speaking to me about this, on purpose, in order to be able to make use of him in
this business if they are not satisfied with me; though the inflexibility which I
have shown, in all the difficulties that have been thrown in my way, is approved
would not take place soon; that in my view the interests of England and
by everyone at Court, and all the blame is laid upon the introducers, whom
Holland were so opposed to an arrangement, both as regards sea-power and
Monsieur himself calls ignorant and impertinent. Perhaps they think that I shall
world-trade, that I did not see how your Majesty could give any other than a
State
Papers
contains
important
describing
the five
monthwhere
period
that intelligence shows me that
not let
myself be drawn
into matters,
my small
general answer, unless I were
informed
of the Online
views of the
Most Christian
King documents
I
shall
not
further
your
Majesty's
service
nor
the
interest of the two nations.
as to the details of his intended
proposals.
He
answered
that
he
could
not
enter
William Bentinck, Earl of Portland, spent as ambassador in France. There are over 30 letters
Paris, the 15th March, in the morning. Portland.
into details till your general views were known; and that even then it would be
written by Portland to King William III in the collection describing the negotiations during the
necessary to ascertain from you what you might think proper, in the interest,
Mar. 5–15 1698, SP 8/18 f.158
Warnations.
of the Spanish Succession with instructions to preserve
the peace. The documents can be
and for the safety of the two
”
found in the series SP 8
1701-1714
War of the Spanish
Succession. Britain
declares war on 15th
May 1702
Left:
orders and
proclamations in relation to the war,
stores, fortifications, prizes securing
seamen &c, issued [apparently] by the Privy Council or Queen in
This is a list (in early nineteenth century hand) of
Council. The orders &c. run from 26 March, 1702, to 23 February,
170⅔. The list is endorsed by the writer: “Copy. Council Office
Account [&c. as in heading].”
Note:—This bundle contains copies of such of the letters and orders
mentioned in this list as have been marked by the Lord Chancellor.
Latest date, 23 Feb 1704, SP 34/3 f.159
1707
Union of the Kingdom of
England and the Kingdom
of Scotland to become
the United Kingdom of
Great Britain
Left:
A manuscript pamphlet with pictorial cover, addressed to the
queen, covering many subjects, including: regret at loss of Sir
comments on the union of
Scotland with England, etc [?1707]
Cloudesley Shovel;
For more information about
please visit:
http://gale.cengage.co.uk/state-papers-online-15091714.aspx
Enquiries or questions to the publisher:
[email protected]