On this Day in History ... 17th December

17 Dec is in December.

942 Assassination of William "Longsword"

1290 Eleanor Crosses

1399 Epiphany Rising

1538 Henry VIII Excommunicated

1559 Consecration of Matthew Parker as Archbishop of Canterbury

1664 Comet

1665 Great Plague of London

1688 Glorious Revolution

1903 First Powered Flight

See Births, Marriages and Deaths.

Events on the 17th December

On 17 Dec 942 William "Longsword" Normandy I Duke Normandy (age 49) was assassinated at Picquigny by the followers of Arnulf "Great" I Count Flanders (age 52) with whom he was attending a peace conference. He was buried at Rouen Cathedral, Rouen. His son Richard "Fearless" Normandy I Duke Normandy (age 10) succeeded I Duke Normandy. Gunnora Countess Ponthieu by marriage Countess Ponthieu.

On 17 Dec 1399 the conspirators met at Abbey House Westminster Abbey [Map] including Thomas Blount (age 47), Thomas Despencer 1st Earl Gloucester (age 26), Thomas Holland 1st Duke Surrey (age 25), John Holland 1st Duke Exeter (age 47), Ralph Lumley 1st Baron Lumley (age 39), John Montagu 3rd Earl Salisbury (age 49), Edward York 2nd Duke of York 1st Duke Albemarle (age 26), Bernard Brocas (age 45). They plotted to capture Henry IV King England (age 32) at a Tournament in Windsor [Map] on the Feast of Epiphany hence the Epiphany Rising.

On 17 Dec 1419 William Gascoigne (age 69) died at Gawthorpe Hall [Map]. He was buried at All Saints Church Harewood [Map] with his wife Elizabeth Mowbray. He in judges robes with a gypciere. She wearing an elaborate Crespine Headress.

Elizabeth Mowbray: In 1350 she was born to Alexander Mowbray. Before 1396 William Gascoigne and she were married. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. In 1396 Elizabeth Mowbray died.

On 17 Dec 1538 Henry VIII (age 47) was excommunicated by Pope Paul III (age 70).

Henry Machyn's Diary. 17 Dec 1559. The xvij day of Desember was the nuw byshope of [Canterbury,] doctur Parker (age 55), was mad ther at Lambeth.

On 17 Dec 1559 Archbishop Matthew Parker (age 55) was consecrated Archbishop of Canterbury at Lambeth Palace [Map] by Bishop William Barlow (age 61).

On 17 Dec 1568 Johnathan Trelawny was born to John Trelawny and Anne Reskymer posthumously.

On 17 Dec 1600 Henry IV King France (age 47) and Marie de Medici Queen Consort France (age 25) were married. She by marriage Queen Consort of France. The difference in their ages was 21 years. He the son of Antoine King Navarre and Jeanne Albret III Queen Navarre. They were fourth cousins.

On 17 Dec 1619 Prince Rupert Palatinate Simmern 1st Duke Cumberland was born to Frederick Palatinate Simmern V Elector Palatine Rhine (age 23) and Princess Elizabeth Stewart Queen Bohemia (age 23) at Prague. He a grandson of King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland.

Pepy's Diary. 17 Dec 1664. So home and to my office, where late, and then home to bed. Mighty talke there is of this Comet that is seen a'nights; and the King (age 34) and Queene (age 55) did sit up last night to see it, and did, it seems. And to-night I thought to have done so too; but it is cloudy, and so no stars appear. But I will endeavour it. Mr. Gray did tell me to-night, for certain, that the Dutch, as high as they seem, do begin to buckle; and that one man in this Kingdom did tell the King (age 34) that he is offered £40,000 to make a peace, and others have been offered money also. It seems the taking of their Bourdeaux fleete thus, arose from a printed Gazette of the Dutch's boasting of fighting, and having beaten the English: in confidence whereof (it coming to Bourdeaux), all the fleete comes out, and so falls into our hands.

Pepy's Diary. 17 Dec 1665. After dinner back again and to Deptford, Kent [Map] to Mr. Evelyn's (age 45), who was not within, but I had appointed my cozen Thos. Pepys of Hatcham to meet me there, to discourse about getting his £1000 of my Lord Sandwich (age 40), having now an opportunity of my having above that sum in my hands of his. I found this a dull fellow still in all his discourse, but in this he is ready enough to embrace what I counsel him to, which is, to write importunately to my Lord and me about it and I will look after it. I do again and again declare myself a man unfit to be security for such a sum. He walked with me as far as Deptford, Kent [Map] upper towne, being mighty respectfull to me, and there parted, he telling me that this towne is still very bad of the plague.

On 17 Dec 1679 John "The Younger" Habsburg Spain (age 50) died.

Evelyn's Diary. 17 Dec 1684. Early in the morning I went into St James' Park [Map] to see three Turkish or Asian horses, newly brought over, and now first shewed to his Ma* (age 54). There were foure, but one of them died at sea, being three weekes coming from Hamborow. They were taken from a Bashaw at the siege of Vienna, at the late famous raising that leaguer. I never beheld so delicate a creature as one of them was, of somewhat a bright bay, two white feet, a blaze; such a head, eyes, cares, neck, breast, belly, haunches, legs, pasterns, and feete, in all reguards beautifull and proportion'd to admiration; spirited, proud, nimble, making halt, turning with that swiftnesse, and in so small a compasse, as was admirable. With all this so gentle and tractable as call'd to mind what I remember Busbequius speakes of them, to the reproch of our groomes in Europe, who bring up their horses so churlishly as makes most of them retain their 111 habits. They trotted like does, as if they did not feele the ground. 500 guinnies was demanded for the first; 300 for the second; and 200 for the third, wch was browne. All of them were choicely shap'd, but the two last not altogether so perfect as the first. It was judg'd by the spectators, among whom was the King (age 54), Prince of Denmark (age 31), Duke of Yorke (age 51), and several of the Court, noble persons, skill'd In horses, especialy Mons. Faubert and his sonn, (provost masters of yc Academie, and esteem'd of the best in Europe,) that there were never seene any horses in these parts to be compar'd with them. Add to all this, the furniture, consisting of embroidery on the saddle, houseings, quiver, bow, arrows, scymeter, sword, mace, or battle-axe a la Turcisq; the Bashaw's velvet mantle furr'd with the most perfect Ermine I ever beheld; all which, yron-worke in common furniture, being here of silver, curiously wrought and double gilt, to an incredible icon. Such and so extraordinary was the embrodery, that I never saw any thing approching it. The reins and headstall were of crimson silk, cover'd with chaines of silver gilt. There was also a Turkish royal standard of an horse's taile, together with all sorts of other caparisons belonging to a general's horse, by which one may estimate how gallantly and magnificently those infidels appeare in the field, for nothing could be seene more glorious. The gentleman (a German) who rid the horse was in all this garb. They were shod with yron made round and closed at the heele, with a hole in the middle about as wide as a shilling. The hoofes most intire.

Evelyn's Diary. 17 Dec 1688. That night was a Council; his Majesty (age 38) refuses to assent to all the proposals; goes away again to Rochester, Kent [Map].

On 17 Dec 1792 George Hayter was born to Charles Hayter (age 31).

On 17 Dec 1806 Thomas Beach (age 68) died in Dorchester, Dorset [Map].

Lieutenant-Colonel Hugh Fitzroy: On 14 May 1808 he was born to Henry Fitzroy and Caroline Pigot. On 27 Feb 1828 Lieutenant-Colonel Hugh Fitzroy died. He was buried at St Andrew's Church Hartburn. On 09 Aug 1831 Lieutenant-Colonel Hugh Fitzroy and Lucy Sarah Lethbridge were married. He a great x 4 grandson of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland. On 04 Dec 1856 Lieutenant-Colonel Hugh Fitzroy and Louisa Emily Macdonald were married. He a great x 4 grandson of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland.

On 17 Dec 1825 Thomas Woolner was born in Hadleigh, Suffolk.

On 17 Dec 1887 Hermine Reuss was born.

On 17 Dec 1903 the Wright brothers, Edgar and Orville, completed the first powered flight, piloted by Orville, at Kitty Hawk Dare County North Carolina.

Births on the 17th December

On 17 Dec 1518 Ernest III Duke of Brunswick-Grubenhagen was born to Philip I Duke of Brunswick-Grubenhagen (age 42).

On 17 Dec 1550 Henry Cavendish was born to William Cavendish (age 45) and Bess of Hardwick (age 23).

On 17 Dec 1554 Ernest Wittelsbach was born to Albert V Wittelsbach V Duke Bavaria (age 26) and Anna Habsburg Spain Duchess Bavaria (age 26). Coefficient of inbreeding 1.58%.

On 17 Dec 1568 Johnathan Trelawny was born to John Trelawny and Anne Reskymer posthumously.

On 17 Dec 1616 Roger Strange was born to Hamon Strange (age 33) and Anne Stubbe at Hunstanton, Norfolk.

On 17 Dec 1619 Prince Rupert Palatinate Simmern 1st Duke Cumberland was born to Frederick Palatinate Simmern V Elector Palatine Rhine (age 23) and Princess Elizabeth Stewart Queen Bohemia (age 23) at Prague. He a grandson of King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland.

On 17 Dec 1682 Samuel Gale was born to Thomas Gale (age 47) and Barbara Pepys in the parish of St Faith's under St Paul's [Map].

On 17 Dec 1693 Marie Isabella Bourbon was born to Philippe Bourbon II Duke Orléans (age 19) and Françoise Marie Bourbon Duchess Orléans (age 16). She a great x 3 granddaughter of King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland. Coefficient of inbreeding 7.39%.

On 17 Dec 1725 Catherine Brydges was born to John Brydges (age 22) and Catherine Tollemache.

On 17 Dec 1750 Elizabeth Berkeley Margrave Brandenburg Ansbach was born to Augustus Berkeley 4th Earl Berkeley (age 35) and Elizabeth Drax Countess Berkeley and Nugent (age 30). She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland.

On 06 Nov 1753 George Howland Beaumont 7th Baronet was born to George Beaumont 6th Baronet (age 27) and Rachel Howland (age 35) at Great Dunmow [Map]. He was baptised at St Mary's Church, Great Dunmow on 17 Dec 1753.

On 17 Dec 1756 Evelyn Shirley was born to George Shirley (age 51) and Mary Sturt.

On 17 Dec 1757 Maria Anna Savoy Duchess Chablais was born to Victor Amadeus III King Sardinia (age 31) and Infanta Maria Antonia Spain (age 28). She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland.

On 17 Dec 1772 Francis North 6th Earl Guildford was born to Bishop Brownlow North (age 31) and Henrietta Maria Bannister (age 22).

On 17 Dec 1783 Joseph William Bazalgette was born.

On 17 Dec 1792 George Hayter was born to Charles Hayter (age 31).

On 17 Dec 1800 Bernhard II Duke of Saxe Meiningen was born to Georg I Duke of Saxe Meiningen (age 39).

On 17 Dec 1809 Louisa Catherina Georgiana Herbert was born to William Herbert (age 31).

On 17 Dec 1814 Thomas Chambers was born to Thomas Chambers of Hertford.

On 17 Dec 1821 Archbishop William Connor Magee was born at Cork [Map].

On 17 Dec 1825 Thomas Woolner was born in Hadleigh, Suffolk.

On 17 Dec 1829 John Lawson 2nd Baronet was born to William Wright aka Lawson 1st Baronet (age 33).

On 17 Dec 1839 Ferdinand de Rothschild was born to Anselm Salomon von Rothschild (age 36).

On 17 Dec 1864 Douglas Henry Lane Fox-Pitt was born to Augustus Henry Fox Pitt-Rivers (age 37) and Alice Margaret Stanley (age 36).

On 17 Dec 1871 Ernest Martyn Williams was born to Frederick Martin Williams 2nd Baronet (age 41) and Mary Christian Law Lady Williams.

On 17 Dec 1873 Ford Madox Ford aka Heuffer was born to Francis Heuffer (age 28) and Catherine Emily Brown (age 23)

On 17 Dec 1887 Hermine Reuss was born.

On 17 Dec 1889 Frederick George Glassborow was born.

On 17 Dec 1890 Joachim Hohenzollern was born to Wilhelm Hohenzollern (age 31) and Empress Auguste Viktoria Oldenburg (age 32). He a great grandson of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom.

On 17 Dec 1892 Lieutenant Noel Henry Cragg was born to Captain Wilfred Alfred Cragg (age 33) and Adelaide Alexandra Gilliat (age 28) at Threekingham, Lincolnshire.

Marriages on the 17th December

Before 17 Dec 1468 John Hay 1st Lord Hay of Yester (age 42) and Elizabeth Cunningham of Belton (age 29) were married.

Before 17 Dec 1563 John Lindsay 5th Lord Lindsay of the Byres (age 81) and Helen Stewart were married. She the daughter of John Stewart 2nd Earl Atholl and Janet Campbell Countess Atholl. They were third cousin once removed. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

On 17 Dec 1564 Duke Adolph Oldenburg of Holstein-Gotorp (age 38) and Christine Hesse (age 21) were married. She the daughter of Landgrave Philip I of Hesse (age 60) and Christine of Saxony. He the son of King Frederick I of Denmark and Sophie of Pomerania Queen Consort of Denmark and Sweden (age 66).

On 17 Dec 1600 Henry IV King France (age 47) and Marie de Medici Queen Consort France (age 25) were married. She by marriage Queen Consort of France. The difference in their ages was 21 years. He the son of Antoine King Navarre and Jeanne Albret III Queen Navarre. They were fourth cousins.

On 17 Dec 1600 George Gresley 1st Baronet (age 20) and Susan Ferrers Lady Gresley were married.

On 17 Dec 1628 John Lucas 1st Baron Lucas Shenfield (age 22) and Mary Neville (age 17) were married.

On 17 Dec 1656 Gervase Clifton 1st Baronet (age 69) and Alice Hastings Lady Clifton (age 50) were married at St Andrew Undershaft, Aldgate Ward. She by marriage Lady Clifton of Clifton in Nottinghamshire. She the daughter of Henry Hastings 5th Earl Huntingdon and Elizabeth Stanley Countess Huntingdon. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland.

On 17 Dec 1657 John Campbell 1st Earl Breadalbaine and Holland (age 21) and Mary Rich (age 21) were married. She the daughter of Henry Rich 1st Earl Holland and Isabel Cope Countess Holland.

Before 17 Dec 1661 Charles Coote 1st Earl Mountrath (age 51) and Jane Hannay were married.

On 17 Dec 1668 John Pakington 3rd Baronet (age 19) and Margaret Keyt Lady Pakington were married.

On 17 Dec 1674 Philip "Infamous Earl" Herbert 7th Earl Pembroke 4th Earl Montgomery (age 22) and Henrietta Kéroualle Countess Pembroke and Montgomery were married. She by marriage Countess Pembroke, Countess Montgomery. He the son of Philip Herbert 5th Earl Pembroke 2nd Earl Montgomery and Catherine Villiers Countess Pembroke and Montgomery (age 53).

On 17 Dec 1681 Edward Villiers 1st Earl Jersey (age 25) and Barbara Chiffinch Countess Jersey (age 18) were married.

On 17 Dec 1749 Hugh Clifford 4th Baron Clifford Chudleigh (age 23) and Anne Lee Baroness Clifford Chudleigh (age 18) were married. She by marriage Baroness Clifford of Chudleigh in Devon. She the daughter of George Henry Lee 2nd Earl Lichfield and Frances Hales Countess Lichfield (age 52). She a great granddaughter of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland.

On 17 Dec 1750 John Morgan 4th Baronet (age 40) and Anne Jacobsen Lady Morgan (age 36) were married. She by marriage Lady Morgan of Langattock in Monmouthshire.

On 17 Dec 1889 Henry Arthur Mornington Wellesley 3rd Earl Cowley (age 23) and Violet Neville Countess Cowley (age 23) were married at St George's Church, Hanover Square. She the daughter of William Neville 1st Marquess Abergavenny (age 63) and Caroline Vanden Bempte Johnston Marchioness Abergavenny. He the son of William Henry Wellesley 2nd Earl Cowley (age 55) and Emily Gwendoline Williams Countess Cowley (age 50).

On 17 Dec 1894 Edmund Byng 6th Earl Strafford (age 32) and Mary Elizabeth Colebrooke Countess Strafford (age 31) were married. He the son of Francis Edmund Cecil Byng 5th Earl Strafford (age 59) and Florence Louisa Miles.

On 17 Dec 1902 Edward Paulet Stracey 7th Baronet (age 31) and Mary Elizabeth Brinsley Sheridan Lady Stracey (age 31) were married. She by marriage Lady Stracey of Rackheath in Norfolk.

On 17 Dec 1912 Alfred Browning Stanley Tennyson (age 34) and Margaret Cicely Drummond (age 32) were married at the King Henry VII Chapel, Westminster Abbey [Map].

Deaths on the 17th December

On 17 Dec 942 William "Longsword" Normandy I Duke Normandy (age 49) was assassinated at Picquigny by the followers of Arnulf "Great" I Count Flanders (age 52) with whom he was attending a peace conference. He was buried at Rouen Cathedral, Rouen. His son Richard "Fearless" Normandy I Duke Normandy (age 10) succeeded I Duke Normandy. Gunnora Countess Ponthieu by marriage Countess Ponthieu.

On 17 Dec 1195 Baldwin Flanders V Count Hainault (age 45) died. His son Baldwin IX Count Flanders VI Count Hainault (age 24) succeeded 6th Count Hainault.

On 17 Dec 1219 Conon Béthune (age 59) died.

On 17 Dec 1419 William Gascoigne (age 69) died at Gawthorpe Hall [Map]. He was buried at All Saints Church Harewood [Map] with his wife Elizabeth Mowbray. He in judges robes with a gypciere. She wearing an elaborate Crespine Headress.

Elizabeth Mowbray: In 1350 she was born to Alexander Mowbray. Before 1396 William Gascoigne and she were married. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. In 1396 Elizabeth Mowbray died.

On or after 17 Dec 1441 John Hody died. His will was dated 17 Dec 1441.

On 17 Dec 1466 Richard Grey 3rd Earl Tankerville (age 30) died.

Between 17 Dec 1505 and 20 Feb 1506 Thomas Savile (age 46) died.

On 17 Dec 1565 Ralph Grey of Chillingham (age 55) died at Chillingham [Map]. He was buried at Chillingham [Map].

On 17 Dec 1595 Francis Hastings (age 35) died.

On 17 Dec 1597 Thomas Poyntz (age 28) died.

On 17 Dec 1622 Mary Littleton (age 53) died.

On 17 Dec 1631 Thomas Fanshawe (age 51) died.

On 17 Dec 1634 Henry Slingsby of Scriven (age 74) died.

On 17 Dec 1639 George Vernon (age 61) died.

On 13 Dec 1644 Francis Leigh of Addington (age 54) died. He was buried 17 Dec 1644 at Addington, Surrey.

On 17 Dec 1650 George Seton 3rd Earl Winton (age 66) died. His grandson George Seton 4th Earl Winton (age 9) succeeded 4th Earl Winton.

On 17 Dec 1654 William Spring 1st Baronet (age 41) died. His son William Spring 2nd Baronet (age 12) succeeded 2nd Baronet Spring of Pakenham in Suffolk.

On 15 Dec 1657 Thomas Clifton (age 51) died. He was buried at St Michael's Church, Kirkham [Map] on 17 Dec 1657.

On 17 Dec 1661 Charles Coote 1st Earl Mountrath (age 51) died of smallpox. He was buried in Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, Dublin [Map].

Before 17 Dec 1668 Alexander Abernethy 9th Lord Saltoun (age 57) died unmarried. Lord Saltoun extinct.

On 17 Dec 1679 John "The Younger" Habsburg Spain (age 50) died.

On or before 17 Dec 1680, the date she was buried at St James' Church, Clerkenwell, Elizabeth Hollingworth Lady Cropley died.

On 17 Dec 1681 Devereux Knightley (age 63) died.

On 17 Dec 1694 Eleonore Antoine Hesse-Kassel died.

On 17 Dec 1697 Eleonora Maria Habsburg Spain (age 44) died.

On 17 Dec 1731 George Lockhart (age 58) died.

On 17 Dec 1750 Stephen Poyntz (age 65) died at Midgham.

On 17 Dec 1758 Charles Butler 3rd Duke Ormond (age 87) died without issue at his lodgings at Whitehall Palace [Map]. He was buried at St Margaret's Church, Westminster [Map]. Duke Ormonde, Marquess Ormonde, Earl Arran extinct. His second cousin once removed John Butler 15th Earl Ormonde de jure 16th Earl Ormonde, 8th Earl Ossory although he never used these titles.

On 17 Dec 1758 Mary Waters Lady Tynte died.

On 17 Dec 1806 Thomas Beach (age 68) died in Dorchester, Dorset [Map].

On 17 Dec 1819 Charles Finch (age 67) died.

On 17 Dec 1824 Elizabeth Coke Baroness Sherborne (age 71) died.

On 17 Dec 1831 John Spencer (age 63) died.

On 17 Dec 1832 Henry Blackwood 1st Baronet (age 61) died. His son Henry Blackwood 2nd Baronet (age 31) succeeded 2nd Baronet Blackwood of the Navy.

On 17 Dec 1839 Edward Lascelles (age 43) died.

On 17 Dec 1840 George Hay Dawkins-Pennant (age 76) died.

On 17 Dec 1844 Urania Anabella Wallop (age 75) died. She was buried at All Saints Church, Eggesford.

On 17 Dec 1845 John Chetwode 4th Baronet (age 81) died.

On 17 Dec 1846 Thomas Granville (age 90) died at Piccadilly.

On 17 Dec 1847 Reverend Thomas Egerton (age 38) died.

On 17 Dec 1853 Marianne Caton Marchioness Wellesley (age 65) died.

On 17 Dec 1869 Henry Fitzroy (age 62) died.

On 17 Dec 1873 Captain Eustace John Wilson-Patten (age 37) died.

On 17 Dec 1874 George John Milles 4th Baron Sondes of Lees Court (age 80) died.

On 17 Dec 1874 Charles Williamson aka Winn (age 79) died.

On 17 Dec 1878 Frederick Charles George Fitzclarence (age 52) died.

On 17 Dec 1879 Charles Philip Wilbraham (age 69) died.

On 17 Dec 1896 Edward Crofton 2nd Baron Crofton (age 90) died.

On 17 Dec 1898 Ferdinand de Rothschild (age 59) died.

On 17 Dec 1904 Wilbraham Tollemache 2nd Baron Tollemache (age 72) died.

On 17 Dec 1909 King Leopold II of Belgium (age 74) died.

On 17 Dec 1914 Caroline Gore (age 66) died.

On 17 Dec 1914 Henry Foley Lambert aka Grey 7th Baronet (age 53) died.

On 17 Dec 1925 Adora Frances Olga Wells Lady Musgrave (age 76) died.

On 17 Dec 1927 Georgina Fleetwood Fuller Lady Hobhouse (age 60) died.

On 17 Dec 1927 Gertrude Emily Acheson died.

On 17 Dec 1942 Allen Bathurst (age 47) died.

On 17 Dec 1964 Josceline Reginald Heber-Percy (age 84) died.

On 17 Dec 1969 Richard Lycett Green (age 44) died.

On 17 Dec 1976 Margaret Ida Montagu-Douglas-Scott (age 83) died.

On 17 Dec 1983 John Meynell Alleyne 4th Baronet (age 94) died. His son Reverend John Olpherts Campbell Alleyne 5th Baronet (age 55) succeeded 5th Baronet Alleyne of Four Hills in Barbados.