Political and other events

From Luttrell's Brief Historical Relation, a diary of news and current events (BR). These are all from vol. 2 of the 6 volume printed edition.

July 1690

Letters from Paris of the 3rd say, the French king had received an account that his fleet, being 82 men of war, besides fireships and tenders, were enter'd the English channel to perform his majesties orders of burning the English fleet at anchor at the Isle of Weight, and to land 8,000 men, pursuant to an invitation from diverse of the nobility and gentry of that kingdom, who are to join him in order to restore king James.

Foreign letters say, that 5,000 imperialists are on their march towards Savoy, and the elector of Bavaria sends likewise a regiment, and the duke of Parma sends also 2,000 men. We hear the Vaudois continue to doe the French troops very great damage. BR 2.66

Battle of Beachy Head

An expresse is arrived from our fleet, that the lord Torrington engaged the French fleet on Monday the 1st about 9 in the morning off of Beachy; the French fleet were 82 men of war, and ours not 60. The Dutch ledd the van, and behaved themselves very bravely; the fight lasted till towards evening, when the French bore away and came to an anchor. The officers killed of the Dutch are, rear admiral Jan Dick, rear admiral Braekell and capt. Nordell: and of ours capt. Botham and capt. Pomeroy, and two captains of the marine regiment: the Dutch also lost a ship, which fell into the enemies hands, but they were afterwards forc'd to burn her.

Several suspected houses have been lately searched for disaffected persons. The earl of Yarmouth is brought up out of the country under the custody of a messenger. 2.67

We have but a lame account of the engagement between the fleets; that the stresse of the fight lay upon the Dutch squadron, not above five or 6 of the blew squadron of the English, and one of the red, fighting at all; admiral Torrington lyeing by and not engaging. The Dutch lost one ship and had 8 or 9 disabled: the St. Andrew under capt. Dorrell, and the Ann, with a ship or two more of ours that were in the heat of the fight, were very much shattered: the French (by the best information we can gett) had 7 or 8 disabled, and one or two sunk; and 'tis the opinion of most, that if the rest of our fleet had done their duty, we had hardly been in any further danger from the French fleet, or they been in any condition for some time to have troubled our English channel again.

An expresse is sent to Holland giveing an account of the kate engagement, and to pray a reinforcement of shipping.

The 3rd, the earls of Devonshire and Pembroke were sent down, by order of the queen and council, to the fleet to enquire into the miscarriages thereof, and see how matters stand.

The 4th, the earl of Yarmouth was committed to the Tower for high treason, in adhering to their majesties enemies. 2.68

By several persons come ashore from the fleet we hear, that our fleet had the weather gage of the French for three or 4 hours, and that there was a fresh top sail gale for 2 hours; so that any of our fleet might have come up to engage as well as the others did; admiral Torrington is generally blam'd. The Dutch seamen come ashore (of which there are many) give a scurvy account of the behaviour of the red squadron.

Our fleet are ordered to return home and come into the buoy of the Nore: the French continue ar Dungennesse.2.69

Several of the eminent and noted Roman catholicks are taken up and committed to prison. Lieutenant col. Vaughan is also committed to prison, and sir Lionel Walden, upon account of this new plott.

The French fleet continue on the Sussex coast; they now and then land men to fetch fresh provisions, who carry off sheep sometimes.

An embargo is laid upon all shipping to prevent their falling into the Frenche's hands. Ten East India ships are fitting up for men of warr, and several others of our men of war are equipping with all speed to recruit our fleet. 2.70

A proclamation by their majesties hath been published, requireing all seamen and mariners to render themselves to their majesties service.

Battle of the Boyne

The letters from Ireland bring, that our army upon the 1st instant forced the passages of the river and given the enemy an entire defeat, killing above 3,000 Irish, with little losse on our side, considering the great disadvantage our men had in passing the river, the enemy standing on a hill to receive our men as they came out of the water. The greatest losse was that of duke Schonberg and governour Walker: the 1st was kill'd by a party of the enemies guard du corps, who shott him in the neck, of which he immediately died; the other was killed in passing at one of the fords. King James did not engage at all in this action (as king William did, who was up and down in the hottest of the action, to encourage his men and urge them forward by his own example, not to be afraid to venture where he thought fitt to expose himself), but was on a hill at some distance; and when he saw how it went, he retired to Dublin, and lay there that night, and the next morning early left that sitty and went towards Waterford, declaring he would never trust an Irish army more. As soon as king James was gone, the most considerable papists fled thence also: and within a day or two after, his majestie sent the duke of Ormond with a body of horse towards Dublin to secure that citty. 2.71

They bring also, that soon after the fight his majestie sent five regiments to invest Drogheda, which being summoned, they received the same with great contempt; but being acquainted that if they forced cannon to be brought against it they should have no quarter, whereon they yeilded to march away without their arms, and to leave all the stores and ammunition, and provisions, and deserters behind them; and accordingly surrendred that strong important place.

Various arrests for treason are noted in passing, and rumours of plots against William. I haven't included them all.

Bernard Howard, esq. and col. Butler are both taken up and committed to the Tower. Captain Frogmorton is taken up and committed for high treason. The lord Griffin is also taken up and sent to the Tower for high treason.

Orders are given for marking out a camp at Blackheath, where the regiments that lately came from Flanders will encamp.

Warrants are given out for pressing a great many seamen to mann the ships that are fitting out new. 2.72

The 8th, the earl of Yarmouth came up to the court of kings bench by habeas corpus from the Tower, and upon the return it appeared he was committed by a warrant from the lords of the council, being charged with high treason in abetting and adhering to the kings enemies. He prayed by his councill to be bailed, and they took several exceptions to the warrant of commitment; which the whole court thought not materiall; so he was denied to be bailed and was remanded to the Tower.

The 10th, the lord Torrington came to Whitehal, the council sitting, and after some stay in the secretaries office, a serjeant at arms came to him with a warrant to carry him to the Tower for high misdemeanours.

The lord Rosse, of Scotland, is sent to the Tower for high treason. 2.73

The earls of Pembroke and Macclesfeild, sir Robert Howard, sir Henry Goodrick and sir Thomas Lee, are deputed by the queen and the privy council to goe down as commissioners to the fleet, to examine the whole behaviour of the admiral and every captain, and to inspect the stores, to the end that those who have failed in their duty may be turn'd out and deservedly punished.

Letters from Ireland confirm the scale of victory at the Boyne, with the Irish army scattered, and also the flight of James Stuart:

They confirm king James goeing from Dublin the 2nd, and rode that day 65 miles; and in his passage to Waterford caused several bridges to be broke down to prevent his being followed; that he embarqued the 3rd in a small vessel at Dungannon fort, near Waterford, with few persons in his company. 'Tis said when king James went away, he bid his army to shift for themselves and make the best terms they could. 2.74

.. that his majestie [William] had published a declaration of pardon, taking into his protection all poor labourers, common soldiers, country farmers, ploughmen and colliers whatsoever; as also all citizens, townsmen, tradesmen and artificers who shal by the 1st of August next return to their respective places of abode, and surrender up their arms, promising not only to spare their lives, but also to secure them their goods and personal estate; but as for the great ones and desperate leaders, he would leave them to the event of warr, unlesse they give great demonstrations of their desrving mercy.

We hear that the French fleet continue plying about the Sussex coast, sounding it in several places, as if they had a design to land some men.

Letters from Paris say, that the German army consisted of about 102,000 men: viz. 44,000 commanded by the elector of Bavaria, 30,000 by elector of Brandenburgh, 18,000 by Saxony, and 10,000 by general Souches. 2.75

Several dangerous and disaffected persons have been lately taken up in most of the counties of England, in this time of danger. Sir John Gage, a noted Roman catholick, is taken up and committed to the Tower for high treason.

By a small French vessel taken and brought into Scilly, we have an account that 15 gallies lye at St. Maloes, taking in land men, in order, as thought, to land here.

The letters from Plymouth bring, that viceadmiral Killigrew was safely arrived there with his squadron of men of warr, consisting of 14 sail, and some merchant ships; and has left a convoy of 6 or 8 men of warr to bring home those merchant ships that are yett behind. 2.76

The militia of Middlesex and of Westminster have been out, as also the militia of most of the adjacent counties; and all expresse great readinesse to venture their lives against the French in defence of this government, and they are frequently exercising to bring them into good order.

Pursuant to her majesties order to the lord mayor to gett the auxiliaries ready, his lordship summoned the lieutenancy, who mett the 16th, and appointed these 6 persons to be colonels of the six auxiliary regiments: sir John Parsons, sir Basil Firebrasse, sir Wm. Dodson, Thomas Frederick and James Smith, esqrs., and Mr. Colson, merchant. But these gentlemen having thought fitt to decline the same, the lieutenancy mett again the 17th, and appointed these six others: sir Thomas Rawlinson, Mr. Pilkington, major Hatley, major Cutbert, Mr. Scawen and Mr. Devink.

Sir Clowdesly Shovell, with his squadron of ten men of warr, is gone from Plymouth to the coast of Ireland.

A proclamation by their majesties hath been published here, for the taking and apprehending the earl of Litchfeild, earl of Aylisbury, earl of Montgomery, earl of Castlemain, lord Preston, lord Bellasis, sir Edward Hales, sir Robert Thorold, sir Robert Hamilton, sir Theophilus Oglethorp, col. Sackvill, lieutenant col. Abercromy, lieutenant col. Richardson, major Soaper, capt. Loyd, William Penn, Edmund Elliot, Marmaduke Langdale, esqs. and Edward Rutter, who have absconded themselves; against whom warrants have been issued for high treason. 2.77

All hands are at work upon our fleet, to fitt out those ships that were not yett out, and also to refitt those that were disabled; they are most of them ready, and will make above 70 good stout ships in all; there are two or three English first rate ships, and 8 or 10 second rates, besides the Dutch ships, and 6 or 7 great merchant men, carrying 50 or 60 guns apiece, are fitted out, and want only some men, for which there is very great pressing night and day, and search made for all seamen.

The French fleet continue still on our coast; they are drawn out in three lines, one stretches from Bologne, another towards the Nesse point, and another towards the Goodwin sands; 'tis not yet known whither they will land, some think not, because the conspiracy which was carrying on here is discovered, and most of the eminent Roman catholicks and many other disaffected persons are taken up and secured.

The commissioners are returned from the fleet, having made a thorough examination among the captains. We hear several of them have upon oath accused the lord Torrington with neglect and want of conduct, for not coming up to engage the French whilst the wind favoured him for 4 hours together; that the shott he made was at so great a distance he could not hurt the French, whereas a close fight would have ruin'd them; with many other particulars.

We hear that the lord Torrington hath a new warrant for high treason laid upon him. 2.78

The militia of the outparts of London have orders to be ready at an hours warning, with a months pay; the militia of several of the adjacent counties are up, both horse and foot, and have pay for 14 days; they frequently muster, and are come very dextrous at it.

The camp at Blackheath is open'd, the five regiments that came lately from Flanders are encamped there; with some of the militia of Kent and Surrey. 2.79

We hear that the 12 Swedish men of war are at last arrived, and are gone for Holland. 2.80

Letters from Weymouth bring, that the French fleet had been discovered off of Portland, making to the westward; and now we hear from Exeter that about 12 of their gallies are come to an anchor in Torbay, the rest of the fleet standing more off.

Several persons, we hear, in the present juncture of affairs have offer'd to raise troops of horse: sir Henry Johnson one, the East India company another, and several others.

Letters from Scotland bring, that the parliament there had past several acts: one, for suppressing the vices of swearing, drinking and whoring; another, for rescinding all the penal laws made since 1661; .. 2.81

The letters [from Scotland] also say, that general Mackay had left 1,500 men at Innerlochy, under the command of col. Hill, and is gone with the rest of the forces in search of the rebells; and that some of the heads of the clans are treating for themselves and their tribes to come in and submitt to their majesties government.

Letters out of Gloucestershire say, that several clergy men had been lately taken up, being disaffected to this government, and for promoting king James's interest.

The letters from Torbay in Devonshire say, that 16 French gallies rode at anchor there; that they had landmen on board, but had not yet attempted to land any; that 60 other vessells lay at some distance, but the main body of their fleet stood off further to sea; that the militia of Devonshire were come in in great numbers towards the sea side, to oppose their descent, and all appear very unanimous against the French. 2.82

By letters from Exeter we hear that the French in their gallies came before Tingmouth [Teignmouth], a poor fisher town by Torbay, and playing their cannon forced the inhabitants to quitt it; and then they landed about 100 men, who burnt some few houses in the town, as also two or three boats which lay near it, and then retired to their gallies. Upon news hereof the militia are up, and the gentry are come down in great numbers, shewing great zeal against the French, and resolution to oppose them.

The earl of Aylisbury haveing surrendred himself, is admitted to bail by the council; col. Vaughan and capt. Ryder are also admitted to bail.

We hear from Exeter, that with the militia and the posse of the county which the sherif has raised, there are at least 40,000 horse and foot in arms, very resolute, hearty and unanimous to oppose the French. 2.83

We hear from Torbay that the militia are encampt there at Newton [Abbot], a town not far from Tingemouth, where there is a vast confluence of the gentry and commonalty to oppose the French. 2.84

Letters from Scotland say, that the highlanders were come down in a body from the hills, and had appeared not farr from Sterling.

The letters from Plymouth bring, that they were in continual expectation of the French fleet there, thinking they may have some design upon that place, but all things are in so good order there, that they fear not any attempt they can make upon them: they say also, that a slave made his escape out of one of their gallies and swamm to shore, and given the lord Lansdown a full account of the French fleet, which is sent up to the queen.

The bishop of Exeter, at a late visitation of Exeter colledge in Oxford, of which he is visitor, did suspend 10 of the fellowes for three months who refused to submit to him: Dr. Hern, one of them, having a living at St. Anns in Westminster, the bishop declared it inconsistent with his fellowship; Dr. Berry, rector of the colledge, he expell'd for contumacy in nayling up the colledge gates and denying his power, for corruption in selling the offices of butler, &c., and for heresy, as being author of a pamphlet called the Naked Gospell. 2.85

Wrote from Newcastle, that some papists and other disaffected persons, upon intelligence that the French were landed in the west, gott in a body together and broke open Morpeth goal, and released several disaffected persons that were in prison there.

Letters out of the west say, that the French fleet continue plying near the start point between Plymouth and Dartmouth, the countrey continuing still in arms with all chearfullnesse to oppose them if they make any descent; and 'tis said they have been lately reinforced by some ships come from St. Maloes and Havre de Grace. 2.86

August 1690

Several of the persons proscribed in the late proclamation are, we hear, seized, as major Richardson, the earl of Castlemain, and others.

There continues still great pressing of seamen and other loose idle persons.

We hear the French fleet continues still at Torbay; they have been joined by 30 ships from Havre de Grace: some will have it that the late king James was aboard them; others that these new ships were provision ships. 2.87

Sir Richard Haddock, Henry Killigrew, esq., and sir John Ashby, are made commissioners to act as admirall of England, in the room of the lord Torrington: that 18 of our men of war are fallen down into the Downes, and more will in a day or two; that some of the Dutch men of war are arrived from Holland.

The 4th of this month, in the evening the French fleet sailed from Torbay, next morning were seen off of Plymouth, and about noon were out of sight; and in the afternoon their gallies were seen following them, supposed homewards.

The commission constituting sir Richard Haddock, Henry Killigrew, and sir John Ashby, joint admirals of the English fleet, was sealed but by four of the lords of the admiralty, viz. the earl of Pembroke, sir John Lowther, Mr. Russel, and capt Preistman; but was refused by the other three, sir Thomas Lee, lord Carberry, and sir Richard Onslow. 2. 88

The 9th was a great rendevouze of the militia troops of horse of the adjacent counties, that have been in arms, at Hounslow heath: as, Suffolk, Essex, Hartfordshire, Bucks, and several other inland counties, to the number of 22 troops of horse, commanded by sir Robert Howard, well mounted and equipt: her majestie did them the honour to take a view of them, and thank't them by the lord Marlborough for their readinesse and good affection to her service. 2.89

Letters from Paris say that the French king had caused great triumphs and rejoycings to be, arches to be erected, and medalls, upon his two pretended victories, that over the Dutch aremy near Flerus, and the other over the English and Dutch fleets: upon which last medall is, on one side, his fleet pursuing the English and Dutch fleets, with this devise, Imperium maris assertum Anglis et Batavis una fugatis.

The motto means Claiming the dominion of the sea, the English and the Dutch fled together.

We hear from the Downs, that three of our frigats have lately taken a Suedish man of warr convoying 6 other vessels laden with pitch, tarr, masts, cordage, &c., to France, and have brought them into the Downs. 2.90

The letters from France bring, that the French fleet were arrived at Brest, and had putt ashore 3,000 sick me; that orders are given there already for making preparations for the fleet against the next sumer, and to equipp 20 more ships than they had at sea this summer: and had given orders for the building 30 men of war against spring, and for raising 30,000 more land men. 2.91

Letters from Ireland bring, that the earl of Dover and the lord Thomas Howard had submitted themselves to his majesties mercy; they bring also an account of the arrival of our army before Limerick upon the 9th instant; that a party of our men, under the command of col. Earl, advanced within 2 miles of the town where the Irish had lined the hedges, but our men run on with that bravery that they quickly routed them, and forced them to retire to the town, and took two advantageous posts, called Cromwells fort and the old Chappel; with the losse this whole day not of above 30 men. His majestie hereon sent a summons to the town, who returned with an answer from mounsieur Boiseleau, a French man, the governour, that he would merit the esteem of the prince of Orange by making a vigorous defence; that hereupon the next morning mounsieur Ginkle, with a strong detachment of our men, was ordered to passe the river Shannon, which he did accordingly with 5,000 men, the horse first and the foot after waded up yo the middle; the passage here might have been very difficult had the Irish had the courage to oppose it, but they abandoned their station the night before: the king also past it, with 3 regiments of foot, and some cannon being planted there. They bring also, that the French retired to Galloway [Galway], under count Lauzun, but that it was reported the town would not lett them in.

Foreign letters bring, that the states of the empire assembled at Ratisbon had resolved, that no treaty should be begun on the part of the empire with the crown of France without admitting the ministers of the present duke of Lorrain, and that a peace shall not be concluded without a full restitution of the duchy of Lorrain.

The 17th, the parliament mett again, and were by commission prorogued further to the 8th of next month.

The army encamp'd at Blackheath is broke, and the soldiers that are there and several others will be putt on board the fleet.

Letters from Scotland bring, .. that the Scotch rebells and highlanders, under the command of col. Cannon and col. Buchan, were come down near Aberdeen in a body of 1,500 men; plundering, ravaging, and burning the country as they went along; upon which a considerable body of men is ordered against them. 2.92

There is newly arrived from Holland 10,000 barrells of gunpowder.

A book called the Naked Gospell, writt by Dr. Berry of Exeter colledge, has been lately censured by the university of Oxford, and ordered to be burnt by the common hangman, for some heretical opinions in it.

Her majestie hath received a letter from the king, for several regiments to imbarque on board the fleet out of hand; viz. the 2 marine regiments, col. Hales, Churchills, Marlboroughs, Fitzpatricks, Colliers, Beaumonts, Hastings, and Trelawney's, which make near 10,000 men; to be commanded by the earl of Marlborough, and to have a train of artillery with them; and that the fleet should be victuall'd for 40 dayes: the forces are marching by land to Portsmouth, where they are to imbarque; no one knows the design, neither admiral nor general are to open their orders till they are several leagues at sea. They are paid off their arrears till end of September. 2.93

The letters from Ireland bring, .. that col Sarsfeild (having notice of the coming of our great cannon) had, with 1,000 horse and dragoons, passed the Shannon 9 miles above Limerick, and march'd towards Cullen, a small place, where he surprized 8 peices of our cannon of 18lb ball, which were coming with some waggons and cariages laden with ammunition, &c. from Kilkenny to our camp, under the command of 3 troops of horse commanded by capt. Poultney, most of which, with the women and children, they barbarously cutt to peices, surprizing them in the night; they blew up the powder, burnt several of the cariages, and burst two of the cannon and dismounted the other six; but being in a great hurry did not doe that mischeif they might. Sir Albert Cuningham, with part of the regiment of dragoons, charged a part of the enemy, killed about 20, with a major and a captain; sir John Laneer was sent out after the enemy with a detachment of horse, but the enemy retired another way; this accident will hinder the siege 4 or 5 daies, when the cannon from Waterford will arrive in the camp.

Letters from the Downs say that their majesties fleet is come into the Downs, under the command of sir Richard Haddock and sir John Ashby, on board the royal sovereign.

Letters from Plymouth bring, that admiral Killigrew with the English and Dutch men of war and merchant ships, being in all about 250 sail, sailed thence to the eastward. 2.94

The train of artillery designed for our fleet is gone from the Tower down the river: capt. Brown, engineer, capt. English, firemaster, several bombardeers, and mortars for bombs, capt. Martyn, master gunner, and several others; 10 demiculverins, 12 drakes, and two three punders, besides other necessaries for carrying on a siege. 2.96

A gentleman lately arrived from Ireland brings, that the batteries before Limerick are now finished, and fire continually upon the town; that some of our forces storm'd an outwork of the enemies in which were 80 Irish, who called for quarter, but were answered they should have the same Sarsfeild gave the waggoners, &c., so putt them all to the sword; and that we were preparing for a general assault. 2.97

September 1690

The 11th, the lord mayor and court of aldermen of London attended his majestie this morning at Whitehal, to congratulate his safe arrival from Ireland, and in the afternoon the bishop of London and the clergy of the citty did the like; and last night there were bonefires and fireworks, &c. for the same: in Covent Garden the image of the French king was made and drawn in a chariot, and over his head in capital letters was wrott, Lewis the greatest tyrant of fourteen; and then afterwards they burnt him. 2.103

Our fleet with the land forces on board still continue at Spithead, consisting of above 40 men of warr, waiting for a fair wind.

It hath lately been discovered that much of our new milled money hath been melted down by the Jews and others, and great quantity of it sent beyond sea; which has occasioned a great scarcity of the same. 2.104

Source

• BR = Luttrell, Narcissus. A brief historical relation of state affairs, Sept. 1678 - Apr. 1714 vol. 2 of 6 (OUP 1857, repr. Gregg 1969)