Florence of Worcester. 04 Dec 1138. Roger, bishop of Salisbury, a great builder of castles and fortified mansions, being worn to death with grief and vexation, died at his episcopal seat on the second of the nones [the 4th] of December, and was buried in that church, leaving in his castles immense sums of money, which fell not into the hands of God, but of king Stephen. There are those who say that more than forty thousand silver marks were found there, and that he had likewise hoarded a vast amount of gold, and a variety of ornaments, and knew not for whom he had gathered them. He enriched the church dedicated to St. Mary, mother of God, with magnificent ornaments.

Note 1. For the character of Roger, bishop of Salisbury, see Stephani," p. 370, and William of Malmesbury, p. 507.

Wriothesley's Chronicle 1510-1519. 04 Dec 1514. This yeare on Monday, the 4th of December, Richarde Hunn, taylor, of London, was hanged in the Lowlardes Tower at Powles [Map]. He was made an heretique for suinge a Præmunire against Dr. Fitz-James, Bishopp of London, and Dr. Horsey, his Chauncellor; and they saide he hanged himselfe, but it was fownde contrarie. His bodie was burnt in Smithfeilde [Map], on the even of St. Thomas th' Apostle next followinge.^g

Note g. Arnold's version is as follows: "This yere, in Octobre, one Richard Hoone, dwellyng in the parysh of Saynt Margaret in Brydge Stret, was appeached of heresy, and put into the Lollar's Tower, at Powles, and therin was founde hangyd in prison, whereupon grete exclamacyon was amonge people, how, by whom, or by what meane, he was hangyd; the dowt was denyd by the temporall lawe, and was sayd that one Kok Charls, a sumner, and the Bell Rynge of Powles, sholde, in a nyght, hang the sayd Hoone; howe be it, aftyr he was hanged, he was jugyd an herctyck by the spirituall lawe, and brnyed in Smythfeld."

On 04 Dec 1522 Thomas Howard 3rd Duke of Norfolk (age 49) was appointed Lord Treasurer.

After 04 Dec 1654. Church of St Peter and St Paul, Easton Maudit [Map]. Monument to Christopher Yelverton 1st Baronet (deceased).

Pepy's Diary. 04 Dec 1660. From thence I to my Lord's, and dined with him and told him what we had done to-day. Sir Tho. Crew (age 36) dined with my Lord to-day, and we were very merry with Mrs. Borfett, who dined there still as she has always done lately. After dinner Sir Tho. (age 36) and my Lady to the Playhouse [Map] to see "The Silent Woman". I home by water, and with Mr. Hater in my chamber all alone he and I did put this morning's design into order, which being done I did carry it to Sir W. Batten (age 59), where I found some gentlemen with him (Sir W. Pen (age 39) among the rest pretty merry with drink) playing at cards, and there I staid looking upon them till one o'clock in the morning, and so Sir W. Pen (age 39) and I went away, and I to bed. This day the Parliament voted that the bodies of Oliver, Ireton, Bradshaw, &c., should be taken up out of their graves in the Abbey, and drawn to the gallows, and there hanged and buried under it: which (methinks) do trouble me that a man of so great courage as he was, should have that dishonour, though otherwise he might deserve it enough.

On 04 Dec 1660 Wadham Wyndham (age 51) was knighted by King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland (age 30).

Pepy's Diary. 04 Dec 1660. To Whitehall to Sir G. Carteret's (age 50) chamber, where all the officers met, and so we went up to the Duke of York (age 27), and he took us into his closet, and we did open to him our project of stopping the growing charge of the fleet by paying them in hand one moyety, and the other four months hence. This he do like, and we returned by his order to Sir G. Carteret's (age 50) chamber, and there we did draw up this design in order to be presented to the Parliament.

Evelyn's Diary. 04 Dec 1661. I had much discourse with the Duke of York (age 28), concerning strange cures he affirmed of a woman who swallowed a whole ear of barley, which worked out at her side. I told him of the KNIFE SWALLOWED and the pins.

On 04 Dec 1661 James Annesley 2nd Earl Anglesey (age 16) was educated at Christ Church College.

Pepy's Diary. 04 Dec 1665. Upon the 'Change [Map] to-day Colvill tells me, from Oxford, that the King (age 35) in person hath justified my Lord Sandwich (age 40) to the highest degree; and is right in his favour to the uttermost.

Pepy's Diary. 04 Dec 1665. So out and by water to London and to the 'Change [Map], and up and down about several businesses, and after the observing (God forgive me!) one or two of my neighbour Jason's women come to towne, which did please me very well, home to my house at the office, where my wife had got a dinner for me: and it was a joyfull thing for us to meet here, for which God be praised! Here was her brother come to see her, and speake with me about business. It seems my recommending of him hath not only obtained his presently being admitted into the Duke of Albemarle's (age 56) guards, and present pay, but also by the Duke's and Sir Philip Howard's (age 34) direction, to be put as a right-hand man, and other marks of special respect, at which I am very glad, partly for him, and partly to see that I am reckoned something in my recommendations, but wish he may carry himself that I may receive no disgrace by him.

Pepy's Diary. 04 Dec 1667. So home, my wife to read to me in Sir R. Cotton's book of warr, which is excellent reading, and particularly I was mightily pleased this night in what we read about the little profit or honour this kingdom ever gained by the greatest of its conquests abroad in France. This evening come Mr. Mills and sat with us a while, who is mighty kind and good company, and so, he gone, I to supper and to bed. My wife an unquiet night. This day Gilsthrop is buried, who hath made all the late discourse of the great discovery of £65,000, of which the King (age 37) bath been wronged.

Pepy's Diary. 04 Dec 1668. By and by comes my uncle, and then to dinner, where a venison pasty and very merry, and after dinner I carried my wife and her to Smithfield [Map], where they sit in the coach, while Mr. Pickering (age 50), who meets me there, and I, and W. Hewer (age 26), and a friend of his, a jockey, did go about to see several pairs of horses, for my coach; but it was late, and we agreed on none, but left it to another time: but here I do see instances of a piece of craft and cunning that I never dreamed of, concerning the buying and choosing of horses. So Mr. Pickering (age 50), to whom I am much beholden for his kindness herein, and I parted; and I with my people home, where I left them, and I to the office, to meet about some business of Sir W. Warren's accounts, where I vexed to see how ill all the Comptroller's business is likely to go on, so long as ever Sir J. Minnes (age 69) lives; and so troubled I was, that I thought it a good occasion for me to give my thoughts of it in writing, and therefore wrote a letter at the Board, by the help of a tube, to Lord Brouncker (age 48), and did give it him, which I kept a copy of, and it may be of use to me hereafter to shew, in this matter. This being done, I home to my aunt, who supped with us, and my uncle also: and a good-humoured woman she is, so that I think we shall keep her acquaintance; but mighty proud she is of her wedding-ring, being lately set with diamonds; cost her about £12: and I did commend it mightily to her, but do not think it very suitable for one of our quality. After supper they home, and we to bed.

Pepy's Diary. 04 Dec 1668. Up, and with W. Hewer (age 26) by water to White Hall, and there did wait as usual upon the Duke of York (age 35), where, upon discoursing something touching the Ticket-Office, which by letter the Board did give the Duke of York (age 35) their advice, to be put upon Lord Brouncker (age 48), Sir J. Minnes (age 69) did foolishly rise up and complain of the Office, and his being made nothing of; and this before Sir Thomas Littleton (age 47), who would be glad of this difference among us, which did trouble me mightily; and therefore I did forbear to say what I otherwise would have thought fit for me to say on this occasion, upon so impertinent a speech as this doting fool made-but, I say, I let it alone, and contented myself that it went as I advised, as to the Duke of York's (age 35) judgment, in the thing disputed. And so thence away, my coach meeting me there and carrying me to several places to do little jobs, which is a mighty convenience, and so home, where by invitation I find my aunt Wight (age 49), who looked over all our house, and is mighty pleased with it, and indeed it is now mighty handsome, and rich in furniture.

Evelyn's Diary. 04 Dec 1676. I saw the great ball danced by all the gallants and ladies at the Duchess of York's (age 18).

Evelyn's Diary. 04 Dec 1679. I dined, together with Lord Ossory (age 45) and the Earl of Chesterfield (age 45), at the Portugal Ambassador's (age 53), now newly come, at Cleveland House, a noble palace, too good for that infamous.... [Note. Probably a reference to Barbara Villiers 1st Duchess of Cleveland (age 39)] The staircase is sumptuous, and the gallery and garden; but, above all, the costly furniture belonging to the Ambassador, especially the rich Japan cabinets, of which I think there were a dozen. There was a billiard table, with as many more hazards as ours commonly have; the game being only to prosecute the ball till hazarded, without passing the port, or touching the pin; if one miss hitting the ball every time, the game is lost, or if hazarded. It is more difficult to hazard a ball, though so many, than in our table, by reason the bound is made so exactly even, and the edges not stuffed; the balls are also bigger, and they for the most part use the sharp and small end of the billiard stick, which is shod with brass, or silver. The entertainment was exceedingly civil; but, besides a good olio, the dishes were trifling, hashed and condited after their way, not at all fit for an English stomach, which is for solid meat. There was yet good fowls, but roasted to coal, nor were the sweetmeats good.

Evelyn's Diary. 04 Dec 1685. Lord Sunderland (age 44) was declar'd President of ye Counsel, and yet to hold his Secretarie's place. The forces dispos'd into severall quarters thro' ye kingdome are very insolent, on wch are greate complaints. Lord Brandon (age 67) tried for the late conspiracy, was condemn'd and pardon'd; so was Lord Grey (age 30), his accuser and witnesse.

On 04 Dec 1706 Robert "Beau Handsome" Fielding (age 56) was found guilty of bigamy. The marriage between him and Barbara Villiers 1st Duchess of Cleveland (age 66) was annulled. He escaped sentence by producing a letter from Queen Anne of England Scotland and Ireland (age 41) suspending his sentences. He lived out his days with Mary Wadsworth.

After 04 Dec 1760. St Mary’s Church, Sprotbrough [Map]. Memorial to William Wrightson of Cusworth (deceased).

Greville Memoirs. 04 Dec 1831. Dined with Talleyrand yesterday. He complained to me of Durham's return, and of 'sa funeste influence sur Lord Grey:' that because he had been at Brussels and at Paris, he fancied nobody but himself knew anything of foreign affairs; he praised Palmerston highly. In the evening to Lady Harrowby (age 59), who told me John Russell had been with her, all moderation and candour, and evidently for the purpose of keeping alive the amicable relations which had been begun by Wharncliffe's (age 55) negotiation. When Lady Harrowby (age 59) said it was over, he replied, 'For the present,' said how glad he should be of a compromise, hinted that Sandon might be instrumental, that he might move an amendment in the House of Commons; abused Macaulay's violent speech—in short, was all mild and doucereux—all which proves that they do wish to compromise if they could manage it conveniently. Lord John Russell (age 39) told her that there was no going on with Durham, that he never left Lord Grey, tormented his heart out, and made him so ill and irritable that he could not sleep. Durham wanted to be Minister for Foreign Affairs.