Flowers of History. 08 Apr 1071. A general council of the kingdom of England was held, to discuss the question of the primacy of the church of Canterbury, as superior to the church of York, on the eighth of April. And at last it was decreed that the archbishop of Canterbury had the preeminence, and that the archbishop of York was subordinate to him in everything.

Flowers of History 1233. In the same year, on the 8th of April, about the first hour of the day, on the confines of Hereford and Worcester, there appeared four spurious suns round the real sun, of different colours, some of a semicircular form and others round. These suns formed a wonderful spectacle, and svere seen by more than a thousand creditable persons ; and some of them, in commemoration of this extraordinary phenomenon, painted suns and rings of various colour on parchment, that such an unusual phenomenon might not escape from the memory of man.

Flowers of History 1233. This was followed in the same year by a cruel war and terrible bloodshed in those counties, and general disturbances happened throughout England, Wales, and Ireland.

Calendars. 08 Apr 1484. Lincoln. Appointment of John Wode, knight, treasurer of England, Robert Brakenbury, constable of the Tower of London, Master William Lacy, Master William Dawbney and Master Robert Rydon as the king's commissaries general in the office of the Admiralty of England, with full power to do all pertaining to the office, they engaging a notary to write out all that they do, and of the said John Wode and Robert Brakenbury as the king's vice-admirals and John Norbury, knight, as the king's vice-marshal. By K.

Wriothesley's Chronicle 1530-1539. Around 08 Apr 1533. And the Wednesdaie before the good Queene Katherin^f was deposed at Hanthill [Map]^a by the Duke of Norfolke (age 60), the Duke of Suffolke (age 49), and Lord Marques of Exceter (age 37), my Lorde of Oxforde (age 62), Lord Chamberlaine of the Kinges howse, Mr. Treasorer and Mr. Controwler of the Kinges howse. And from that dale after to be called Ladie Catherin, wife of Prince Arthur, dowarie of Englande,^b she to have by yearelie pencion for her dowarie eight thousand poundes sterlinge.

Note f. The general opinion in England was distinctly adverse to the divorce. See Calendar of State Papers preserved in the Archives of Venice, vol. iv. 1532-3.

Note a. Ampthill [Map], in Bedfordshire, to which place Queen Katharine retired while the question of her dirorce was under discussion. This castle had been erected by Lord Fanhope, and reverted with the manor to the Crown in the reign of Edward IV, by whom it was conferred on Lord Grey of Ruthin, Earl of Kent, from whose descendants it passed again to the Crown about 1530, and became a palace of Henry VIII (age 41).

Note b. Princess Dowager of Wales, which designation was displeasing to the ex-queen, who refused to resign herself to the judgment passed. She went so far as to obliterate with her own pen the words "Princess Dowager" whererer they had been written by her Chamberlain, Mountjoy (age 55), in his report to the King (age 41).

Wriothesley's Chronicle 08 Apr 1554. 08 Apr 1544. Sunday the 8 of Aprill was a villanouse fact done in Cheape^b earlie or daye. A dead catt havinge a clothe lyke a vestment of the priest at masse with a crosse on it afore, and another behinde put on it; the crowne of the catt shome, a peece of paper lyke a singinge cake putt bctwene the forefeete of the said catt bownd together, which catt was hanged on the post of the gallowes in Cheape beyond the Crosse in the parishe of St. Mathewe, and a bottle hanged by it; which catt was taken downe at vi of the clock in the mominge and caried to the Bishop of London, and he caussed it to be shewed openlye in the sermon tyme at Paules Crosse in the sight of all the audience there present.

The Lord Mayre, with his bretheren the alldermen of the Cittic of London, caused a proclamation to be made that afternoone that whosoever could utter or shewe the auctor of the sayde fact should haue vi 1. xiii s. iv d. for his paynes, and a better rewarde, with hartie thancks. But at that tyme, after much enquirie and searche made, it could not be knowne, but diverse persons were had to prison for suspicions of it.

Note b. This is mentioned by Stow and several other chroniclers.

Diary of Edward VI. 08 Apr 1550. My lord Warwic (age 46) made general warden of the North², and mr. Herbert (age 49) president of Walis, and the one had graunted to him a 1000 marc lahd, th'other 500, and lord War(wick) 100 horsmen at my (altered to King) charge.

Note 2. Warwick, though glad to accept this important and influential office, was unwilling to encounter the exile from the chief administration of affairs which its personal execution would have involved: see hereafter, under July 18. Sir William Herbert (age 49) also did not proceed to his seat of government for some time: see under June 13.

On 08 Apr 1554 John Brydges 1st Baron Chandos (age 62) was given Sudeley Castle [Map] by Queen Mary I of England and Ireland (age 38).

Henry Machyn's Diary. 08 Apr 1554. The viij day of Aprell wher creatyd lordes sir John of Brygys (age 62) creatyd lord Shandoys; sir John Wyllyams (age 54) baron of Tame, and lord chamburlayne to the prynche of Spayne; and ser Antony Browne (age 25), master of the prynsse of Spayne('s) horsses. And the sam day my lord Wylliam (age 44), admerall, and ys captayns, wherin whyt and gren velvet and saten and taffata and sarsenett, and trumpeters all in gren and whyt, and all the marenars in whyt and gren cloth for shypes. [On the same day somebody unknown hanged a cat on the gallows beside the cross in Cheap, habited in a garment like to that the priest wore that said mass; she had a shaven crown, and in her fore feet held a piece of paper made round, representing the wafer.]

Note. P. 59. Cat hung on the gallows in Cheapside. The same outrage will be found noticed in Stowe's Chronicle, p. 623, where the consecrated wafer is there termed "a singingcake," and in Foxe's Actes and Monuments, vol. iii. p. 99.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 08 Apr 1559. The viij day of Aprell ther was a proclamasion of pesse [peace] betwyne the Quene('s) (age 25) grace and Hare the French kyng (age 40), and Dolphyn the kyng of Skottes (age 15), for ever, boyth by water and land; and ther was vj trumpeters and v haroldes of armes, master Garter and master Clarenshux, proclamyd yt, and Lankoster, Ruge Crosse, and Bluwmantyll, and my lord mayre (age 50) and all the althermen in skarlett; and Bluw-mantyll dyd proclaymyd that no players shuld play no more tyll a serten tyme of no mans players; but the mare or shreyff, balle [bailiff], constabull, or odur offesers take them, lay them in presun, and the quen('s) commondement layd on them.

Note. P. 193. Peace with France. See Hayward's Elizabeth, p. 36; Hayward dates the proclamation the 7th instead of the 8th April. The treaty, which was signed by Elizabeth at Westminster on the 20th Jan. and by Henry at Chateau-Cambray on the 2d April, is printed by Rymer, Fœdera, vol. xv. pp. 505–516.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 08 Apr 1561. The viij day of Aprell dyd pryche at sant Mare spytyll the byshope of Durham master Pylkyngtun (age 41), and ther was gret audyense, and my lord mare (age 52) and my masters the althermen, with the masters of the hospetall.

Diary of Anne Clifford 1617. 08 Apr 1617. Upon the 8th I set by my Lord (age 28) and my Brother Sackville in the Drawing Chamber and heard much talk about my businesses and did perceive that he was entered into a business between my Lady of Exeter and my Lord Roos of which he will not easily quit himself.

Note 1. Capt. Maimdaring and these folk told me for certain was grown so gracious to English folk that he had that the march with Spain to our Prince would go forward. The King of Spain was grown so gracious to English folk that he had written a letter in behalf of Lord Willoughby’s brother to get him out of the Inquisition.

Diary of Anne Clifford 1619. 08 Apr 1619. The 8th there came a letter to my Lord (age 30) to advise him to come to Royston to the King because most of the Lords had been with him at the time of his sickness.

Pepy's Diary. 08 Apr 1663. Thence by water to White Hall, to chappell; where preached Dr Pierce (age 41), the famous man that preached the sermon so much cried up, before the King (age 32) against the Papists. His matter was the Devil tempting our Saviour, being carried into the Wilderness by the spirit. And he hath as much of natural eloquence as most men that ever I heard in my life, mixed with so much learning.

Pepy's Diary. 08 Apr 1663. After sermon I went up and saw the ceremony of the Bishop of Peterborough's (age 72) paying homage upon the knee to the King (age 32), while Sir H. Bennet (age 45), Secretary, read the King's grant of the Bishopric of Lincoln, to which he is translated. His name is Dr. Lany (age 72).

Pepy's Diary. 08 Apr 1663. Here I also saw the Duke of Monmouth (age 13), with his Order of the Garter, the first time I ever saw it. I am told that the University of Cambridge did treat him a little while since with all the honour possible, with a comedy at Trinity College, and banquet; and made him Master of Arts there. All which, they say, the King (age 32) took very well. Dr. Raynbow, Master of Magdalen, being now Vice-Chancellor.

Pepy's Diary. 08 Apr 1665. At noon dined with Mr. Povy (age 51), and then to the getting some business looked over of his, and then I to my Chancellor's (age 56), where to have spoke with the Duke of Albemarle (age 56), but the King (age 34) and Council busy, I could not; then to the Old Exchange [Map] and there of my new pretty seamstress bought four bands, and so home, where I found my house mighty neat and clean. Then to my office late, till past 12, and so home to bed. The French Embassadors¹ are come incognito before their train, which will hereafter be very pompous. It is thought they come to get our King to joyne with the King of France (age 26) in helping him against Flanders, and they to do the like to us against Holland. We have laine a good while with a good fleete at Harwich, Essex [Map]. The Dutch not said yet to be out. We, as high as we make our shew, I am sure, are unable to set out another small fleete, if this should be worsted. Wherefore, God send us peace! I cry.

Note 1. The French ambassadors were Henri de Bourbon, Duc de Verneuil (age 63), natural son of Henry IV. and brother of Henrietta Maria, and M. de Courtin. B.

Before 08 Apr 1666 Attributed to Jacob Huysmans (age 33). Portrait of Thomas Chiffinch Keeper of the King's Closet (age 66).

Pepy's Diary. 08 Apr 1666. Lord's Day. Up, and was in great trouble how to get a passage to White Hall, it raining, and no coach to be had. So I walked to the Old Swan [Map], and there got a scull. To the Duke of Yorke (age 32), where we all met to hear the debate between Sir Thomas Allen (age 33) and Mr. Wayth; the former complaining of the latter's ill usage of him at the late pay of his ship. But a very sorry poor occasion he had for it. The Duke (age 32) did determine it with great judgement, chiding both, but encouraging Wayth to continue to be a check to all captains in any thing to the King's right. And, indeed, I never did see the Duke (age 32) do any thing more in order, nor with more judgement than he did pass the verdict in this business.

Pepy's Diary. 08 Apr 1666. To the Chappell, but could not get in to hear well. But I had the pleasure once in my life to see an Archbishop (age 70) (this was of Yorke) in a pulpit. Then at a loss how to get home to dinner, having promised to carry Mrs. Hunt thither. At last got my Lord Hinchingbroke's (age 18) coach, he staying at Court; and so took her up in Axe-yard [Map], and home and dined. And good discourse of the old matters of the Protector and his family, she having a relation to them. The Protector (age 39)¹ lives in France: spends about £500 per annum. Thence carried her home again and then to Court and walked over to St. James's Chappell, thinking to have heard a Jesuite preach, but come too late. So got a Hackney and home, and there to business. At night had Mercer comb my head and so to supper, sing a psalm, and to bed.

Note 1. Richard Cromwell (age 39) subsequently returned to England, and resided in strict privacy at Cheshunt for some years before his death in 1712.

Pepy's Diary. 08 Apr 1667. Up, and having dressed myself, to the office a little, and out, expecting to have seen the pretty daughter of the Ship [Map] taverne at the hither end of Billiter Lane (whom I never yet have opportunity to speak to). I in there to drink my morning draught of half a pint of Rhenish wine; but a ma doleur elle and their family are going away thence, and a new man come to the house. So I away to the Temple [Map], to my new. bookseller's; and there I did agree for Rycaut's late History of the Turkish Policy, which costs me 55s.; whereas it was sold plain before the late fire for 8s., and bound and coloured as this is for 20s.; for I have bought it finely bound and truly coloured, all the figures, of which there was but six books done so, whereof the King (age 36) and Duke of York (age 33), and Duke of Monmouth (age 17), and Lord Arlington, had four. The fifth was sold, and I have bought the sixth.

Pepy's Diary. 08 Apr 1668. Up, and at my office all the morning, doing business, and then at noon home to dinner all alone. Then to White Hall with Sir J. Minnes (age 69) in his coach to attend the Duke of York (age 34) upon our usual business, which was this day but little, and thence with Lord Brouncker (age 48) to the Duke of York's playhouse, where we saw "The Unfortunate Lovers", no extraordinary play, methinks, and thence I to Drumbleby's, and there did talk a great deal about pipes; and did buy a recorder, which I do intend to learn to play on, the sound of it being, of all sounds in the world, most pleasing to me.

Pepy's Diary. 08 Apr 1669. Up, and to White Hall, to the King's side, to find Sir T. Clifford (age 38), where the Duke of York (age 35) come and found me, which I was sorry for, for fear he should think I was making friends on that side. But I did put it off the best I could, my being there: and so, by and by, had opportunity alone to shew Sir T. Clifford (age 38) the fair account I had drawn up of the Customes, which he liked, and seemed mightily pleased with me; and so away to the Excise-Office, to do a little business there, and so to the Office, where all the morning.

Evelyn's Diary. 08 Apr 1685. Being now somewhat compos'd after my greate affliction, I went to London to hear Dr. Tenison (age 48) (it being on a Wednesday in Lent) at Whitehall [Map]. I observ'd that tho' the King (age 51) was not in his seate above in the chapell, the Doctor made his three congees, which they were not us'd to do when the late King was absent, making then one bowing onely. I ask'd the reason; it was sayd he had a special order so to do. The Princesse of Denmark (age 34) was in the King's Closet, but sat on the left hand of the chaire, the Clearke of the Closet (age 50) standing by His Ma's chaire, as if he had ben present. I met the Queene Dowager (age 46) going now first from Whitehall to dwell at Somerset-house [Map]. This day my brother of Wotton and Mr. Onslow (age 30) were candidates for Surrey against Sr Adam Brown and my cousin Sr Edwd Evelyn, and were circumvented in their election by a trick of the Sheriff's taking advantage of my brother's party going out of the small village of Leatherhead [Map] to seek shelter and lodging, the afternoone being tempestuous, proceeding to the Election when they were gon; they expecting the next morning; whereas before and then they exceeded the other party by many hundreds, as I am assur'd. The Duke of Norfolk (age 30) led Sr Edw. Evelyn's and Sr Adam Brown's party. For this Parliament, very meane and slight persons (some of them gentlemen's servants, clearkes, and persons neither of reputation nor interest) were set up, but the country would choose my brother whether he would or no, and he miss'd it by the trick above mentioned. Sr Adam Brown was so deafe that he could not heare one word. S1 Edw. Evelyn was an honest gent much in favour with his Majesty.

Roger Whitley's Diary. 08 Apr 1690. Tuesday, Morgan went (about 8) to Chester; Thomas & Teale dined with us; retorned at 3; the Sheriffe came about 6; Hardware about 6; went about 5; Glasiers man brought a latter, retorned about 6.

Calendars. 08 Apr 1693. Whitehall. A proclamation by the Lord Lieutenant and General Governor of Ireland as to forfeited estates, &c. Printed. [S.P. Ireland 355, No. 30.]

Calendars. 08 Apr 1693. Whitehall. Passes for Arent Billet, to go to Harwich and Holland; for Roclof Olferts, ditto; for Maxelis Chart, his wife and a child, ditto; and for Huybert van Soelen, ditto. [S.P. Dom. Warrant Book 37, p. 18.]

Calendars. 08 Apr 1693. Whitehall. Warrant addressed to the Commissioners for the Exchange of Prisoners for William Browne, a prisoner of war in the Marshalsea, to be delivered to Major Matthews. [H.O. Warrant Book 6, p. 542.]

Calendars. 08 Apr 1693. Whitehall. The same to the Master of Stair. I have delivered the names of "those soldiers" [the persons named in the foregoing] to Major Matthews (sic) and desire you will send him a note to-morrow morning to whom they are to be delivered in Scotland, and also that you will write to Scotland that these men may be returned to England and sent to the guards when the service on which they are sentis over. [H.O. Letter Book (Secretary's) 2, p. 640.]

Calendars. 08 Apr 1693. Whitehall. Proceedings upon the petition of Cornelius Mason and others, owners of the ship Adventure, Robert Noble, commander. Shows that they have lately bought the said ship, being a Dutch flyboat of 200 tons or thereabouts, for their convenience in carrying on the coal, Virginia and Barbados trades. As the ship is now "whole English property," the petitioners pray for her naturalization. Referred to the Treasury. [Ibid., p. 475.]

Calendars. 08 Apr 1693. Whitehall. The same to the Commissioners of the Admiralty. I desire you will allow the commander of the Centurion to receive on board the following .persons and take them to Scotland, and that this order may be sent to-morrow morning to Major Matthew, major of the first regiment of foot guards. The names of the persons are: Francis Wallace, Gilbert Richemond, Thomas Cranford, Robert Wood, and Richard Robinson, and also Wiliam Browne, if he reach the ship in time. You are to dispose of these men in Scotland in such manner as shall be directed by a note from Sir John Dalrymple. I must observe to you that these are not prisoners, but are sent upon their Majesties' service, and therefore should be victualled and treated accordingly. [Ibid., p. 640.]

Calendars. 08 Apr 1693. Whitehall. Proceedings upon the petition of Sir Joseph Herne, Sir William Scawen, and Francis Gosfright, of London, merchant, owners of the ships James, John Matthews, commander, and the Prince. George, Samuel Skinner, commander. Shows that the ship James, in her homeward voyage from Venice to London, was taken in the Straits by two French men-of-war, and carried to Toulon; and that the ship Prince George, in her outward voyage from London to Italy, was overtaken by a French privateer and carried to St. Malo. As the two said ships, according to advice, may be bought for a very moderate price, and may bring home with them several Iinglish seamen, prisoners, the petitioners pray for a licence to redeem their said ships, and for the usual passes that have been granted to others under the same circumstances. Referred to the Comay of the Treasury. [S.P. Dom. Petition Entry Book 1, p. 467.]

Calendars. 08 Apr 1693. Whitehall. The Earl of Nottingham to the Commissioners of the Treasury. The enclosed papers [not entered] concerning several Irish officers have been laid before the Queen, and she has commanded me to transmit them to you, that you may consider what is fit to be allowed to them to enable them to go out of Hingland, and report your opinion in the matter. [H.O. Letter Book (Secretary's) 2, p. 639.]

Calendars. 08 Apr 1693. Whitehall. The same to the same. The Commissioners of Prizes have represented to the Queen that they are in great want of money, and her Majesty has commanded me to acquaint you of it, that you may give the necessary directions therein. [Ibid.]

On 08 Apr 1697 Grace Fitzroy Countess Darlington was christened St James' Church.

Minutes of the Society of Antiquaries. 08 Apr 1719. Mr President brough an M:S. of the Antiquitys and History of Penfied in Essex which was read over. It was wrote by Mr Holmes [Note. This is noted as ?Holman so may not refer to George Holmes (age 57)] and thanks were ordered to him for it, it being a curious and very particular account of the place.

Ordered eodem die that one print of King Richard be presented to the public library of Oxford also one of the Font.

The Journal of the Reverend John Wesley 1755. 08 Apr 1755. Tues. 8. I had designed to go straight on to Hayfield, Derbyshire [Map]: but one from Ashbourn pressed me much to call there; which accordingly I did at seven in the morning, and preached to a deeply serious congregation. Seventeen or eighteen then desired to join in a Society, to whom I spoke severally, and was well pleased to find that near half of them knew the pardoning love of God. One of the first I spoke to was Miss Berisford, - a sweet, but short-lived flower!

Through much hail, rain, and wind, we got to Mr. B 's, at Hayfield, about five in the afternoon. His favourite daughter died some hours before we came; such a child as is scarce heard of in a century. All the family informed me of many remarkable circumstances, which else would have seemed incredible. She spake exceeding plain, yet very seldom; and then only a few words. She was scarce ever seen to laugh, or heard to utter a light or trifling word: she could not bear any that did, nor any one who behaved in a light or unserious manner. If any such offered to kiss or touch her, she would turn away and say, "I don't like you." If her brother or sisters spoke angrily to each other, or behaved triflingly, she either sharply reproved, (when that seemed needful,) or tenderly entreated them to give over. If she had spoke too sharply to any, she would humble herself to them, and not rest till they had forgiven her. After her health declined, she was particularly pleased with hearing that hymn sung: "Abba, Father;" and would be frequently singing that line herself, "Abba, Father, hear me cry."

The Diary of George Price Boyce 1854. 08 Apr 1854. J. E. Millais (age 24) and Munro called on me at Russell St. The former stayed some time and appeared much interested in my sketches, especially those taken in the neighbourhood of Dinan, and some few near Bettws. He thought I painted a good like old Hunt—wish I had a little of his genius! He wanted to finish his picture of Ruskin (looking on falling water) from some spot nearer than the Highlands. I recommended him the neighbourhood of Capel Curig. He suggested our exchanging sketches. Rossetti (age 25) came in at 3 and stayed till 10, working a greater part of the time on the old drawing I have of his, in which I cut out the head of the dancing boy and inserted a fresh piece of paper at the back. He improved it much in parts, especially the heads, but left it unfinished. He said he thought the most beautiful combination of colour in a picture to be green, blue, and carmine, all inclining to purplish, but the general tone of picture colour to incline to vellow. An opal I showed him elicited this. He gave me 2 pen and ink sketches made some time ago—one of his first idea of the drawing "to caper nimbly in a lady's chamber," and the other a Siren followed by two men in a boat. I am to give him a sketch in return. He lent me F. & G.'s edition of Hugo's "Notre Dame de Paris" with some fine illustrations by Meissonier and Legrand. He told me in conversation that W. H. Hunt (age 27) had a morbid conviction of his own ugliness and desired that all record of him to the present in the way of portraits or letters should be destroyed.

Rowsley. On the 8th of April, I went to Rowsley, to see an ancient burial ground [Rowsley Barrow [Map]], brought to light by the alterations required to convert an old farm-yard into a garden, the situation of which is in an angle of land at the confluence of the Wye and Derwent. The skeletons were found by digging trenches to bury stone from the old buildings, then being pulled down: they lay in tenacious earth, about 3 feet from the surface, with the heads to the north-west, extended at length on the back, with the arms straight by the sides as in modern burial, but without any trace either of wood or nails to indicate that they had been enclosed in coffins. I carefully examined a skeleton that was uncovered, in the presence of several gentlemen, and found its position to agree with that of those previously found, as described by the labourers.

There is a tradition in the neighbourhood that a chapel formerly stood on the spot, and that this was its graveyard; but I am unable to refer to any documentary or recorded confirmation of it, still it is most probably true; and the presence of a sandstone stoup or vessel for consecrated water, which had lain about the place from time immemorial, adds greatly to the credit of the tradition; this object (latterly used for feeding the cats), is something like a mortar, but of globular shape, 6 inches high by 8 diameter, ornamented by four projecting ribs, two of which are enlarged so as to form ears or handles; it may be of the Norman or early English period.