On this Day in History ... 20th December

20 Dec is in December.

1135 Coronation of King Stephen

1559 Consecration of new Bishops

1583 Somerville Plot

1665 Great Plague of London

See Births, Marriages and Deaths.

Events on the 20th December

On 20 Dec 910 Alfonso "Great" III King Asturias (age 62) died. His son García I King Leon (age 39) succeeded I King Leon. His son Fruela II King Asturias II King Leon King Galicia (age 35) succeeded II King Asturias. His son Ordoño II King Galicia II King Leon (age 37) succeeded II King Galicia.

Florence of Worcester Continuation. 20 Dec 1135. ... and Stephen (age 41), his sister's son, being elected to the kingdom of England, was consecrated king, by William (age 65), archbishop of Canterbury, on the thirteenth of the calends of January [20th December], at London, where he held his court, at Christmas, surrounded by the nobles of England, with great courtesy and royal pomp.

Note 1. Wikipedia states 22 Dec 1135 although doesn't provide a source?

On 20 Dec 1292 King Edward I (age 53) stayed at Horton Castle [Map] for one night when returning from adjudicating the claim to the Scottish throne. The landholder, Sir Guiscard de Charron, had used the occasion of Edwards's visit to ask for the necessary permission to fortify his manor house, that Edward was currently a guest in. The license to crenelate was granted one week later in Newcastle.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 20 Dec 1556. [The xx day of December the Queen (age 40) rode in her chariot through the park from] Santt James unto the galere, and so [took] her barge unto Westmynster, and landyd [at the palace,] and so in-to the abbay, and ther her grace hard [even song], and my lord cardenalle (age 56) and my lord Montyguw (age 28), [and my] lord Darse of Essex (age 59) dyd bere the sword a-for [her grace], and my lade Montyguw (age 18) bare up the quen ['s train].

Henry Machyn's Diary. 20 Dec 1559. The xx day of Desember a-for non, was sant Thomas evyn, my lord of Canturbere (age 55) whent to Bow chyrche and ther wher v nuw byshopes mad.1559 Consecration of new Bishops

Note. P. 220. New bishops made. A tabular list of the new bishops will be found in Strype, Annals, i. 157.

On or before 20 Dec 1579 John Fletcher was born to Bishop Richard Fletcher (age 34) at Rye [Map]. He was baptised 20 Dec 1579.

On 20 Dec 1583 Edward Arden (age 50) was hanged, drawn and quartered at Smithfield [Map] for having plotted against Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland (age 50) with his son-in-law John Somerville (deceased) who had implicated him during torture. He was tried by Christopher Wray (age 59).

After 20 Dec 1583 the heads of John Somerville (deceased) and Edward Arden (deceased) were set on London Bridge [Map] next to the head of the Gerald Fitzgerald 14th Earl Desmond (deceased).

Pepy's Diary. 20 Dec 1665. So I away home, and was there sat up for to be spoken with my young Mrs. Daniel, to pray me to speake for her husband to be a Lieutenant. I had the opportunity here of kissing her again and again, and did answer that I would be very willing to do him any kindnesse, and so parted, and I to bed, exceedingly pleased in all my matters of money this month or two, it having pleased God to bless me with several opportunities of good sums, and that I have them in effect all very well paid, or in my power to have. But two things trouble me; one, the sicknesse is increased above 80 this weeke (though in my owne parish not one has died, though six the last weeke); the other, most of all, which is, that I have so complexed an account for these last two months for variety of layings out upon Tangier, occasions and variety of gettings that I have not made even with myself now these 3 or 4 months, which do trouble me mightily, finding that I shall hardly ever come to understand them thoroughly again, as I used to do my accounts when I was at home.

Pepy's Diary. 20 Dec 1667. At noon home to dinner, where my poor wife in bed in mighty pain, her left cheek so swelled as that we feared it would break, and so were fain to send for Mr. Hollier (age 58), who come, and seems doubtful of the defluxions of humours that may spoil her face, if not timely cured. He laid a poultice to it and other directions, and so away, and I to the office, where on the same accounts very late, and did come pretty near a settlement.

On 20 Dec 1766 Lionel Copley (age 57) died. He was buried at St Mary’s Church, Sprotbrough [Map].

Lionel Copley: On 05 Nov 1709 he was born to Lionel Copley and Maria Wilson aka Burrill.

After 20 Dec 1820. St Swithun's Church, Leadenham [Map]. Monument to William Reeve of Leadenham (deceased) and Millicent Mary King (age 65).

William Reeve of Leadenham: Around 1751 he was born to William Reeve of Melton Mowbray. Before 28 Jul 1783 he and Millicent Mary King were married. On 20 Dec 1820 he died.

Millicent Mary King: Around 1755 she was born to John King of Ashby in Lincolnshire and Millicent Mary Unknown.. On 23 May 1836 she died.

On 20 Dec 1863 Margaret Helen Anderson Baroness Grevillee was born illegitimately to William McEwan (age 36). Her parents subsequently married.

Births on the 20th December

On 20 Dec 1532 John Günther Schwarzburg 1st Count of Schwarzburg Sondershausen was born.

On 20 Dec 1537 King John III of Sweden was born to King Gustav I of Sweden (age 41).

On 20 Dec 1549 John Petre 1st Baron Petre was born to William Petre (age 44) and Anne Browne (age 54).

On 20 Dec 1553 Erasmus Dryden 1st Baronet was born to John Dryden of Canons Ashby (age 28).

On 20 Dec 1572 Mary Anne Russell was born to Francis Russell (age 18) and Juliana or Eleanor Unknown.

On 20 Dec 1572 Edward Russell 3rd Earl Bedford was born to Francis Russell (age 18) and Juliana or Eleanor Unknown.

On 20 Dec 1578 Agnes Oldenburg was born to Duke Adolph Oldenburg of Holstein-Gotorp (age 52) and Christine Hesse (age 35).

On or before 20 Dec 1579 John Fletcher was born to Bishop Richard Fletcher (age 34) at Rye [Map]. He was baptised 20 Dec 1579.

On 20 Dec 1586 John Lamplugh was born to Richard Lamplugh (age 56).

On 20 Dec 1595 Elizabeth Babington was born to Thomas Babington (age 20).

Before 20 Dec 1600 Thomas Isham was born to Thomas Isham (age 47) and Ann Borlase (age 44).

On 20 Dec 1600 Ursula Cooper was born to John Cooper.

On 20 Dec 1652 Bishop Samuel Bradford was born to William Bradford of London in St. Anne's, Blackfriars.

On or before 20 Dec 1683 Edward Ward 8th Baron Dudley 3rd Baron Ward was born to William Ward (age 24). He was baptised 20 Dec 1683.

On 20 Dec 1713 Mary Greville was born to Algernon Greville (age 36) and Mary Somerset.

On 20 Dec 1720. [Note. Wikipedia says 09 Mar 1720]. Philip Yorke 2nd Earl of Hardwicke was born to Philip Yorke 1st Earl of Hardwicke (age 30) and Margaret Cocks Countess Hardwicke.

On 20 Dec 1732 Robert Digby was born to Edward Digby (age 39).

On 20 Dec 1781 Edward Knatchbull 9th Baronet was born to Edward Knatchbull 8th Baronet (age 21).

On 20 Dec 1792 Trevor Wheler 9th Baronet was born to Trevor Wheler 8th Baronet (age 29) and Harriet Beresford (age 21).

On 20 Dec 1800 Charles Wood 1st Viscount Halifax was born to Francis Lindley Wood 2nd Baronet (age 29) and Anne Buck Lady Wood.

On 20 Dec 1805 John Cæsar Hawkins was born to John Cæsar Hawkins 3rd Baronet (age 23) and Charlotte Cassandra Surtees.

On 20 Dec 1816 John William Hamilton Anson 2nd Baronet was born to William Anson 1st Baronet (age 44) and Louisa Frances Mary Dickenson Lady Anson.

On 20 Dec 1823 Reverend Henry Edward Browne ffolkes was born to William Browne ffolkes 2nd Baronet (age 37) and Charlotte Philippa Browne (age 25).

On 20 Dec 1830 Ralph Assheton was born to William Assheton (age 42) and Frances Arabella Cockayne (age 35).

On 20 Dec 1840 Bishop Adelbert John Robert Anson was born to Thomas William Anson 1st Earl Lichfield (age 45) and Louisa Barbara Catherine Phillips Countess Lichfield (age 40). He was educated at Eton College [Map] and Christ Church College, Oxford University.

On 20 Dec 1853 Richard Francis Sutton 5th Baronet was born to Richard Sutton 4th Baronet (age 32).

On 20 Dec 1854 Vere Francis John Somerset was born to Poulett George Henry Somerset (age 32) and Barbara Augusta Norah Mytton (age 32).

On 20 Dec 1859 Edgar Clifford Arundell 14th Baron Arundel was born to Theodore Arundell and Louise Hussey.

On 20 Dec 1861 Countess Feodora Gleichen was born to Prince Victor of Hohenlohe Langenburg Count Gleichen (age 28) and Princess Laura Williamina Seymour (age 29).

On 20 Dec 1863 Margaret Helen Anderson Baroness Grevillee was born illegitimately to William McEwan (age 36). Her parents subsequently married.

On 20 Dec 1876 Edward Henry Pelham was born to Henry Francis Pelham (age 30) and Laura Priscilla Buxton.

On 20 Dec 1886 Margery Spencer Viscountess Greenwood was born to Reverend Walter Spencer of Fownhope Court in Herefordshire.

On 20 Dec 1891 Rupert Carrington 5th Baron Carrington was born to Rupert Carrington 4th Baron Carrington (age 39) and Edith Horsefall.

On 20 Dec 1963 Nicholas Shakerley 7th Baronet was born to Geoffrey Adam Shakerley 6th Baronet (age 31) and Virginia Maskell (age 27).

Marriages on the 20th December

Before 20 Dec 1555 Alderman Henry Hudson (age 55) and Barbara Watson (age 51) were married.

After 20 Dec 1555 Richard Champion (age 60) and Barbara Watson (age 51) were married.

On 20 Dec 1576 John Carey 3rd Baron Hunsdon (age 26) and Mary Hyde Baroness Hunsdon (age 22) were married.

Before 20 Dec 1600 Thomas Isham (age 47) and Ann Borlase (age 44) were married.

On 20 Dec 1605 Edward Noel 2nd Viscount Campden (age 23) and Juliana Hicks Viscountess Campden (age 19) were married.

Before 20 Dec 1631 Thomas Mansel 1st Baronet (age 75) and Jane Pole were married.

On 20 Dec 1632 John Freke (age 41) and Jane Shirley Baroness Holles were married.

On 20 Dec 1642 Edward Montagu 2nd Earl Manchester (age 40) and Essex Cheeke Countess Manchester were married. She by marriage Countess Manchester. He the son of Henry Montagu 1st Earl Manchester (deceased) and Catherine Spencer.

On 20 Dec 1683 Samuel Danvers of Swithland (age 20) and Elizabeth Morewood were married.

Before 20 Dec 1713 Algernon Greville (age 36) and Mary Somerset were married.

On 20 Dec 1714 John Ussher (age 32) and Mary St George were married.

On 20 Dec 1782 George Thomas 3rd Baronet (age 42) and Sophia Montagu Lady Thomas were married. She by marriage Lady Thomas of Yapton in Sussex.

On 20 Dec 1803 John Vaughan (age 35) and Augusta St John were married.

Before 20 Dec 1830 William Assheton (age 42) and Frances Arabella Cockayne (age 35) were married.

On 20 Dec 1831 John Montagu Burgoyne 9th Baronet (age 35) and Mary Harriet Gore-Langton Lady Burgoyne (age 25) were married. She by marriage Lady Burgoyne of Sutton in Bedfordshire. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland.

On 20 Dec 1901 Balthazar Stephen Sargant Foster 2nd Baron Ilkeston (age 34) and Mildred Charlotte Cobb were married.

On 20 Dec 1927 Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Grayson 1st Baronet (age 62) and Louise Mary Delany were married.

Deaths on the 20th December

On 20 Dec 910 Alfonso "Great" III King Asturias (age 62) died. His son García I King Leon (age 39) succeeded I King Leon. His son Fruela II King Asturias II King Leon King Galicia (age 35) succeeded II King Asturias. His son Ordoño II King Galicia II King Leon (age 37) succeeded II King Galicia.

On 20 Dec 1287 William Fitzhugh (age 77) died.

On 20 Dec 1287 William Ferrers (age 47) died at Groby, Leicestershire.

On 19 or 20 Dec 1327 Agnes Capet Duchess Burgundy (age 67) died.

On 20 Dec 1340 John I Duke of Bavaria (age 11) died.

On 20 Dec 1389 Isabeau Melun Countess Eu (age 61) died.

On 20 Dec 1464 John Seymour (age 64) died.

After 20 Dec 1503 Princess Margaret Stewart (age 43) died.

On 20 Dec 1541 Richard Fitzwilliam (age 36) died.

On or before 20 Dec 1555 Alderman Henry Hudson (age 55) died. He was buried at St Dunstan's in the East Parish.

On 20 Dec 1557 Thomas Stanley (age 51) died.

On 20 Dec 1558 Bishop John Holyman (age 63) died.

On 20 Dec 1583 Robert Arden (age 33) died.

On 20 Dec 1583 Edward Arden (age 50) was hanged, drawn and quartered at Smithfield [Map] for having plotted against Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland (age 50) with his son-in-law John Somerville (deceased) who had implicated him during torture. He was tried by Christopher Wray (age 59).

On 20 Dec 1590 William Kerr of Ancram (age 42) died.

On 20 Dec 1593 John Monson (age 46) died.

On 20 Dec 1620 Catherine Knollys Baroness Offaly (age 61) died.

On 20 Dec 1621 Dorothy Bacon (age 45) died.

On 20 Dec 1622 Catherine Knyvet Baroness Geneville Beaudasert (age 79) died.

On 20 Dec 1631 Thomas Mansel 1st Baronet (age 75) died. His son Lewis Mansel 2nd Baronet (age 37) succeeded 2nd Baronet Mansel of Margam. Elizabeth Montagu Lady Sebright and Mansel (age 24) by marriage Lady Mansel of Margam.

On 20 Dec 1644 Albert IV Wettin IV Duke Saxe Weimar (age 45) died at Eisenach. His brother Ernest "The Pious" Saxe Gotha I Duke Saxe Gotha (age 42) succeeded I Duke Saxe Gotha.

Before 20 Dec 1650 Thomas Reade (age 75) died.

On 20 Dec 1697 Arthur Gore 1st Baronet (age 68) died. His grandson Arthur Gore 2nd Baronet (age 12) succeeded 2nd Baronet Gore of Newtown in County Mayo.

On 20 Dec 1699 Denny Muschamp (age 62) died.

On 20 Dec 1708 William Howard (age 64) died.

On 20 Dec 1708 Henry Thynne (age 33) died.

On 20 Dec 1716 Francis Compton (age 87) died.

On 20 Dec 1730 Elizabeth Bertie Baroness Fitzwalter (age 55) died.

On 20 Dec 1751 Jane Butler died.

On 20 Dec 1766 Lionel Copley (age 57) died. He was buried at St Mary’s Church, Sprotbrough [Map].

Lionel Copley: On 05 Nov 1709 he was born to Lionel Copley and Maria Wilson aka Burrill.

On 20 Dec 1766 Francis Vincent of Weddington Hall (age 40) died

On 20 Dec 1785 Karl Frederich Hohenzollern Sigmaringen (age 61) died.

On 20 Dec 1786 Isabella Montagu Duchess Manchester (age 80) died.

On 20 Dec 1796 Richard Myddelton (age 32) died unmarried. His sister Charlotte Myddelton (age 26) and her husband Robert Myddelton-Biddulph (age 35) inherited Chirk Castle [Map].

On 20 Dec 1796 Mr Ainslie died. The Gentleman's Magazine for 1796 Part II Page 1062: Mr Ainslie, eldest son of Robert A (age 66). This young gentleman was to have been married to Ms Baldwin, daughter of Mr B. (age 59) M. P. for Malton, on Thursday; but, in consequence of a violent fever, was carried off two days preceding.

On 20 Dec 1802 Elizabeth Sambroke Viscountess Bateman (age 77) died.

On 20 Dec 1812 George Carpenter 3rd Earl Tyrconnel (age 24) died. He had volunteered in the summer of 1812 to serve as an officer under Alexander I of Russia. While opposing the French forces of Napoleon he died of disease "from his zeal and excessive fatigue."

On 20 Dec 1813 Phillis Buston (age 22) died in childbirth. The child suvived fifteen days.

On 20 Dec 1820 William Reeve of Leadenham (age 69) died.

On 20 Dec 1823 John Leigh (age 71) died in Liverpool [Map].

On 20 Dec 1823 Anne Quin died.

On 20 Dec 1824 Marianne Philpot Lady Harington died.

On 20 Dec 1825 Thomas Dashwood (age 75) died.

On 20 Dec 1827 Sophie Wilhelmine Hesse-Kassel died.

On 20 Dec 1829 Charles Fitzroy (age 65) died.

On 20 Dec 1848 Thomas Wentworth Beaumont (age 56) died.

On 20 Dec 1850 George Pitt-Rivers (age 16) died.

On 20 Dec 1855 Thomas Cubitt (age 67) died.

On 20 Dec 1856 Laura Blanche Julia Dutton (age 1) died.

On 20 Dec 1863 Richard Plumptre Glyn 2nd Baronet (age 76) died unmarried. His nephew Richard George Glyn 3rd Baronet (age 32) succeeded 3rd Baronet Glyn of Gaunts in Dorset.

On 20 Dec 1865 Edward Percy Seymour (age 24) died having been mauled by a bear while shooting at Yellapoor.

On 20 Dec 1874 Henry Algernon Langham (age 24) died.

On 20 Dec 1875 Blanche Appollonia Arundell died.

On 16 Dec 1878 Henry Royds of Elm House in Wavertree (age 56) died at Elm House, Wavertree. He was buried in the chuchyard of Holy Trinity Church, Wavertree [Map] on 20 Dec 1878.

On 20 Dec 1894 Charles William Wentworth-Fitzwilliam (age 68) died.

On 20 Dec 1904 Isaac Lowthian Bell 1st Baronet died. His son Thomas Hugh Bell 2nd Baronet (age 60) succeeded 2nd Baronet Bell of Rounton Range and Washington Hall in County Durham. Florence Eveleen Eleanore Olliffe Lady Bell (age 53) by marriage Lady Bell of Rounton Range and Washington Hall in County Durham.

On 20 Dec 1904 Princess Alexandrine of Baden (age 84) died.

On 20 Dec 1910 Valerie Langdon Lady Meux (age 58) died. She left her estate, including Theobalds House, Hertfordshire, to Hedworth Lambton aka Meux (age 54).

On 20 Dec 1910 Charles Scotter 1st Baronet (age 75) died at his home in Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey [Map]. His son Frederick Charles Scotter 2nd Baronet (age 42) succeeded 2nd Baronet Scotter of Surbiton in Surrey.

From Christchurch Times - Saturday 24 December 1910 ...

His funeral took place at St Margaret's Church, Westminster [Map]. The only flowers placed on the coffin, in addition to those from members of the family, were sent by the children of the L. and S.W. Railway Servants' Orphanage at Woking. A pathetic circumstance in connection with this Orphanage is that Sir Charles, in his last conscious moments, expressed the wish that the Christmas dinner for the children should be provided this year as usual at his expense. Various branches of the railway service desired to send wreaths, but, in deference to the wishes of the family, the money subscribed was devoted instead to the children's orphanage at Woking. After the service the body was cremated at Golder's Green.

On 20 Dec 1917 Frederick Charles Strickland-Constable (age 57) died.

On 20 Dec 1922 Louis Raphaël Cahen d'Anvers (age 85) died.

On 20 Dec 1923 George Dawson Templer (age 43) died at Sri Lanka.

On 20 Dec 1939 Ughtred Kay-Shuttleworth 1st Baron Shuttleworth (age 95) died.

On 20 Dec 1969 Michael Temple Canfield (age 43) died of a heart-attack whilst on a flight from New York to London.

On 20 Dec 1989 Richard Charles Percy (age 68) died.

On 20 Dec 2000 Alexander Ramsay (age 80) died at Fraserburgh.