On this Day in History ... 14th October

14 Oct is in October.

633 Battle of Hatfield Chase

1066 Battle of Hastings

1537 Death of Jane Seymour

1586 Trial of Mary Queen of Scots

1642 Battle of Edge Hill

1660 Trial and Execution of the Regicides

See Births, Marriages and Deaths.

Events on the 14th October

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 633. This year King Edwin (age 47) was slain by Cadwalla and Penda, on Hatfield moor, on the fourteenth of October [Note. Some sources say 12 Oct 633]. He reigned seventeen years. His son Osfrid was also slain with him. After this Cadwalla and Penda went and ravaged all the land of the Northumbrians; which when Paulinus saw, he took Ethelburga (age 28), the relict of Edwin, and went by ship to Kent. Eadbald and Honorius received him very honourably, and gave him the bishopric of Rochester, where he continued to his death.

Letters. 14 Oct 1274. Note. The year could be 1274-1279. Letter XV. Eleanor of Castile Queen Consort England (age 33) to Robert Burnell Lord Chancellor (age 35).

Eleanora, by God's grace qaeen of England, lady of Ireland, and duchess of Aquitaine to lord Robert Burnell, sends loving greeting.

We require and affectionately entreat you to give counsel and assistance to this affair, that the transgression injuriously committed against the bearer of these presents, the servant of the lady Constance1 our cousin, which Master John Painter Clarell will shew you, may be reasonably redressed. For the confidence which we have in your benevolence is the cause why we so often direct to you our prayers on behalf of our friends. And do you for love of us give such diligence in this affair, that we may henceforth be bound to you by special favour. Given at Guildford [Map], xiiij day of October.

1. There is much discussion among historians as to which Constance is being referred to here. Also which Eleanor wrote the letter: Eleanor of Provence or Eleanor of Castile..

On 14 Oct 1404 Marie Valois Anjou Queen Consort France was born to King Louis of Naples (age 27) and Yolanda Barcelona Queen Consort Naples. Coefficient of inbreeding 4.77%.

On 14 Oct 1499 Claude Valois Orléans Queen Consort France was born to Louis XII King France (age 37) and Anne of Brittany Queen Consort France (age 22). Coefficient of inbreeding 5.00%.

On 14 Oct 1501 Andrew Albret was born to Jean III King Navarre (age 32) and Catherine Grailly I Queen Navarre (age 33).

On 14 Oct 1524 Elizabeth Oldenburg was born to King Frederick I of Denmark (age 53) and Sophie of Pomerania Queen Consort of Denmark and Sweden (age 26).

Hall's Chronicle 1537. 14 Oct 1537. But Lord what lamentation shortly after was made for the death of his noble and gracious mother Queen Jane (age 28), which departed out of this life the fourteenth day of October, next following: and of none in the realm was it more heavier taken than of the King’s Majesty (age 46) himself, whose death caused the King immediately to remove unto Westminster, where he mourned and kept himself close and secret a great while.

Wriothesley's Chronicle 1537. 14 Oct 1537. This yeare, the 14 of October, beinge Weddnesday1, Queene Jane (age 28) departed this lyfe, lyeinge in childe bedd, aboute 2 of the clocke in the morninge, when she had reigned as the Kings wife, beinge never crowned, one yeare and a quarter2.

Note 1. This date has evidently been tampered with by the transcriber to make it correspond with Stow, Hall, Godwin, and others, who assign the Queen's death to the 14th, whereas it took place on the 24th, which was evidently correctly given by the original writer of this Chronicle, as he makes it Wednesday, whereas the 14th would have been Sunday. It is very remarkable that the date of an event of so much interest at the time as the Queen's death should haye been misplaced by no less than ten days by nearly all ancient chroniclers, but the doubt as to the correct date is set at rest by an original letter written by Sir John Russell, from Hampton Court, to Cromwell, and dated the 24th of October, which is still extant in the Public Record Office, and reads as follows: "Sir, the King was determyned this day to have remoyed to Asher, and because the Queene was very sik this night and this day he taried, but to morrowe, God willing, he entendithe to be ther. If she amende, he will go; and if she amende not, he tolde me this day, he coold not fynde in his harte to tary; for I ensuer you she hathe bene in grete dannger yesternight and this day, bnt, thankid be God, she is somwhat amended, and, if she skape this night, the fyshionns be in good hope that she is past all dannger." Also Cecil's Journal is to the same effect.

Note 2. One year and nearly five months.

Diary of Edward VI. Around 14 Oct 1549. Th' erle of Arrundel1 committed to his house for certaine crimes of suspicion agaiast him, as pluking downe of boltes and lokkes at Westmuster, geving of my stuff away, et [?]. and put to fine of 12,000 pound, to be paide a 1,000 pound yerely; of wich he was after releasid1a

Note 1. There is a mystery hitherto unexplained about this disgrace of the earl of Arundel (age 37). The frivolous charges above recorded were fastened upon a presumed mal-administration of his office of chamberlain of the household: but political causes were doubtless at work. I have found no document relative to his "committal to his house;" but his last attendance at a council as lord chamberlain vras on the 11th Jan. 1549-50. On the 21st Feb. "the lord of Arundell (age 37) appearing before the lord treasurer [Wiltshire], lord great chamberlayne [Northampton (age 37)], lord Wentworth, and mr. secretary Wootton, declaring to him that, touching his offences, the Kinges majtie referred to his choyce whether he would stand to the tryall of the law, or submit himselfe to such fine as his Majtie by the advice of the lords would set upon him, the same earle made answer that he would submit himselfe to suche order by fine as his Highness would impose and lay upon him; whereupon it was declared unto him that he should forgoe th' office of the lord chamberlayne and the other office about his Majtie [i.e. as one of the six lords attendant, see p. 242], the stewardship of Petworth, and the master of the games there, and his warrant that he had for the mynt, and pay xij. M' li. fyne, to be paid by M' li. by the year." (Council Book.) The lord Wentworth was his successor as lord chamberlain. On the 8th of July the council directed "a letter to th' erle of Arundell (age 37) to repaire into Sussex, there to remaigne till Mighelmas, and to be in areadiness to serve whensoever he shoulde be called upon by the Kinges matie lievetenaunte or his deputie." There are subsequent entries in the council book showing that the earl for some time stoutly resisted this banishment, and finally came to a compromise upon the point. But we shall find him again in trouble at the time of the duke of Somerset's second prosecution.

It appears that the same suspicions affected several of the Romanist party, including sir Richard Southwell (age 46) and sir Thomas Arundel, the earl's brother-in-law. Bishop Pouet, in his "Short Treatise of Politic Power," published in 1556, thus refers to this crisis: "When Wriothesly, Arundel [i.e. sir Thomas], and Southwel conspired with the ambitious and subtil Alcibiades of England the earl of Warwic, after duke of Northumberland, to pull the good duke of Somerset, King Edward's uncle and Protector, out of his authority, and by forging a great many false letters and lies to make the Protector hated brought to pass Warwic's purpose, who then for a while but they three? Wriothesly that before was banished the court, is lodged, with his wife and son, next the King: every man repaireth to Wriothesly, honoureth Wriothesly, saith unto Wriothesly, as the Assyrians did to Haman, and all things be done by his advice, and who but Wriothesly?

Arundel (age 37) is promised to be next to the King, groom of his stoole, or comptroller of his house, at the least. Southwel, for his whisking and double diligence, must be a great counsellor in any wise. But what was the end? The earl, as crafty as the best, seeing that his desire should not take place if these men might have that they hoped for, so handleth the matter, that Wriothesly is fain in the night to get him out of the court to his own house, where, upon narrow examination, fearing lest he should come to some open .shameful end, he poisoned himself, or pined away for thought. [He was not present at a council after the 18th Oct. 1549. Having been confined to his house, he obtained leave, on the 28th June, being then very sick, to repair to country air in Hampshire, where he died July 31, 1550.] Southwel is committed to the Fleet; where, being examined, he confessed enough to be hanged for, and had gone very near it, had not his examiners, upon hope of his amendment, — breaking out of his eye, but not out of his heart, — obtained the earl's favour. And at th' erle's sute Arundel hathe his head with the axe divided from the shoulders." [Feb. 26, 1551-2.] This last passage, when quoted by Strype (Eccles. Memorials, ii. 307), was inexcusably interpolated, in order to make it apply to the earl of Arundel, who was supposed by that historian to be the person of whom Ponet spoke. Strype has in this respect misled Carte (iii. 247).

Note 1a. See hereafter, under the 6th Jan. 1550-1.

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Henry Machyn's Diary. 14 Oct 1552. The xiiij day of October was depossyd of ys bysshope-pryke the good bysshope of Duram (age 78), and whent unto the Towre agayn, and so remanyth stylle.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 14 Oct 1554. The xiiij day of October dyd pryche in the shruds [shrouds] the good bysshope of Durram, Donstall (age 80), that was Sonday.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 14 Oct 1561. The xiiij day they wher a-for the consell at Westmynster hall [Map] the ij lordes [Note. Anthony Browne 1st Viscount Montagu (age 32) and William West 1st Baron De La Warr (age 35)].

Before 14 Oct 1586 Walter Mildmay (age 65) went to Fotheringay Castle, Northamptonshire [Map] to inform Mary Queen of Scots (age 43) of her forthcoming trial in which he subsequently took part as one of the special commissioners.

On 14 Oct 1608 Robert "The Elder" Peake (age 57) was paid £7 for "pictures made by His Highness' (age 14) command".

On 14 Oct 1610 Anne of Denmark Queen Consort Scotland England and Ireland (age 35) gave Dorothy Bulstrode (age 18) a gown of black satin.

In 1611 Maximilian Colt (age 36) carved 'a crown on the head of the Duke of York's (age 10) barge,' and in the following years he was employed in decorating the king's and queen's private barges. The last payment for this work was made on 14 Oct 1624.

Diary of Anne Clifford 1619. 14 Oct 1619. The 14th came Sir Francis Slingsby and brought his daughter Mary to serve me who came that night and lay in Judith’s chamber so that I mean to keep her continually about me.

On 14 Oct 1630 Sophia Palatinate Simmern was born to Frederick Palatinate Simmern V Elector Palatine Rhine (age 34) and Princess Elizabeth Stewart Queen Bohemia (age 34). She a granddaughter of King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland.

On 14 Oct 1631 Sophie Mecklenburg-Schwerin Queen Consort Denmark (age 74) died.

On 14 Oct 1642 Richard Newport 1st Baron Newport (age 55) was created 1st Baron Newport of High Ercall in Shropshire; by King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland (age 41) in return for having provided £6000 for the purchase of artillery before the Battle of Edge Hill.

Pepy's Diary. 14 Oct 1660. To White Hall chappell, where one Dr. Crofts (age 57) made an indifferent sermon, and after it an anthem, ill sung, which made the King laugh. Here I first did see the Princess Royal since she came into England. Here I also observed, how the Duke of York and Mrs. Palmer (age 19) did talk to one another very wantonly through the hangings that parts the King's (age 30) closet and the closet where the ladies sit. To my Lord's, where I found my wife, and she and I did dine with my Lady (my Lord dining with my Lord Chamberlain (age 58)), who did treat my wife with a good deal of respect. In the evening we went home through the rain by water in a sculler, having borrowed some coats of Mr. Sheply. So home, wet and dirty, and to bed.

Evelyn's Diary. 14 Oct 1660. Axtall (age 38), Carew (age 38), Clement (age 66), Hacker, Hewson [Note. Evelyn possibly wrong here since John Hewson died in 1662], and Peters (age 62), were executed.

Pepy's Diary. 14 Oct 1663. Up and to my office, where all the morning, and part of it Sir J. Minnes (age 64) spent, as he do every thing else, like a fool, reading the Anatomy of the body to me, but so sillily as to the making of me understand any thing that I was weary of him, and so I toward the 'Change [Map] and met with Mr. Grant (age 43), and he and I to the Coffee-house, where I understand by him that Sir W. Petty (age 40) and his vessel are coming, and the King (age 33) intends to go to Portsmouth, Hampshire [Map] to meet it.

Pepy's Diary. 14 Oct 1663. Thence home and after dinner my wife and I, by Mr. Rawlinson's (age 49) conduct, to the Jewish Synagogue: where the men and boys in their vayles, and the women behind a lattice out of sight; and some things stand up, which I believe is their Law, in a press to which all coming in do bow; and at the putting on their vayles do say something, to which others that hear him do cry Amen, and the party do kiss his vayle. Their service all in a singing way, and in Hebrew. And anon their Laws that they take out of the press are carried by several men, four or five several burthens in all, and they do relieve one another; and whether it is that every one desires to have the carrying of it, I cannot tell, thus they carried it round about the room while such a service is singing. And in the end they had a prayer for the King (age 33), which they pronounced his name in Portugall; but the prayer, like the rest, in Hebrew. But, Lord! to see the disorder, laughing, sporting, and no attention, but confusion in all their service, more like brutes than people knowing the true God, would make a man forswear ever seeing them more and indeed I never did see so much, or could have imagined there had been any religion in the whole world so absurdly performed as this. Away thence with my mind strongly disturbed with them, by coach and set down my wife in Westminster Hall [Map], and I to White Hall, and there the Tangier Committee met, but the Duke and the Africa Committee meeting in our room, Sir G. Carteret (age 53); Sir Wm. Compton (age 38), Mr. Coventry (age 35), Sir W. Rider, Cuttance and myself met in another room, with chairs set in form but no table, and there we had very fine discourses of the business of the fitness to keep Sally, and also of the terms of our King's paying the Portugees that deserted their house at Tangier [Map], which did much please me, and so to fetch my wife, and so to the New Exchange about her things, and called at Thomas Pepys the turner's and bought something there, an so home to supper and to bed, after I had been a good while with Sir W. Pen (age 42), railing and speaking freely our minds against Sir W. Batten (age 62) and Sir J. Minnes (age 64), but no more than the folly of one and the knavery of the other do deserve.

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Pepy's Diary. 14 Oct 1665. Up, and to the office, where mighty busy, especially with Mr. Gawden, with whom I shall, I think, have much to do, and by and by comes the Lieutenant of the Tower (age 50) by my invitation yesterday, but I had got nothing for him, it is to discourse about the Cole shipps.

Pepy's Diary. 14 Oct 1665. By and by comes the Lieutenant (age 50) and reproaches me with my not treating him as I ought, but all in jest, he it seemed dined with Mr. Adrian May.

Pepy's Diary. 14 Oct 1665. But my heart and head to-night is full of the Victualling business, being overjoyed and proud at my success in my proposal about it, it being read before the King (age 35), Duke (age 32), and the Caball with complete applause and satisfaction. This Sir G. Carteret (age 55) and Sir W. Coventry (age 37) both writ me, besides Sir W. Coventry's (age 37) letter to the Duke of Albemarle (age 56), which I read yesterday, and I hope to find my profit in it also. So late home to bed.

On 14 Oct 1666 Bishop John Warner (age 85) died. Monument in Rochester Cathedral [Map].

Bishop John Warner: On or before 17 Sep 1581 he was born. He was baptised at St Clement Danes on 17 Sep 1586. On 13 Nov 1637 Bishop John Warner was elected Bishop of Rochester. On 14 Jan 1638 Bishop John Warner was consecrated Bishop of Rochester. Pepy's Diary. 04 Oct 1660. This morning I was busy looking over papers at the office all alone, and being visited by Lieut. Lambert of the Charles (to whom I was formerly much beholden), I took him along with me to a little alehouse hard by our office, whither my cozen Thomas Pepys the turner had sent for me to show me two gentlemen that had a great desire to be known to me, one his name is Pepys, of our family, but one that I never heard of before, and the other a younger son of Sir Tho. Bendishes, and so we all called cozens. After sitting awhile and drinking, my two new cozens, myself, and Lieut. Lambert went by water to Whitehall, and from thence I and Lieut. Lambert to Westminster Abbey, where we saw Dr. Frewen translated to the Archbishoprick of York. Here I saw the Bishops of Winchester, Bangor, Rochester, Bath and Wells, and Salisbury, all in their habits, in King Henry Seventh's chappell. But, Lord! at their going out, how people did most of them look upon them as strange creatures, and few with any kind of love or respect.

Pepy's Diary. 14 Oct 1667. Thence to Westminster Hall [Map], and there walked with Mr. Scowen, who tells me that it is at last carried in the House that the thanks shall be given to the King (age 37)-among other things, particularly for the removal of my Chancellor (age 58); but he tells me it is a strange act, and that which he thinks would never have been, but that the King (age 37) did insist upon it, that, since it come into the House, it might not be let fall.

Pepy's Diary. 14 Oct 1667. Thence to my Lord Crew (age 69), to see him after my coming out of the country, and he seems satisfied with some steps they have made in my absence towards my Lord Sandwich's (age 42) relief for money: and so I have no more to do, nor will trouble myself more about it till they send for me. He tells me also that the King (age 37) will have the thanks of the House go on: and commends my Lord Keeper's speech for all but what he was forced to say, about the reason of the King's sending away the House so soon the last time, when they were met, but this he was forced to do.

Pepy's Diary. 14 Oct 1667. Thence with Sir Thomas Allen (age 34), in a little sorry coach which he hath set up of late, and Sir Jeremy Smith, to White Hall, and there I took water and went to Westminster Hall [Map], and there hear that the House is this day again upon the business of giving the King (age 37) the thanks of the House for his speech, and, among other things, for laying aside of my Chancellor (age 58).

Pepy's Diary. 14 Oct 1667. Thence I to Mrs. Martin's, where by appointment comes to me Mrs. Howlett, which I was afraid was to have told me something of my freedom with her daughter, but it was not so, but only to complain to me of her son-in-law, how he abuses and makes a slave of her, and his mother is one that encourages him in it, so that they are at this time upon very bad terms one with another, and desires that I would take a time to advise him and tell him what it becomes him to do, which office I am very glad of, for some ends of my own also con sa fille, and there drank and parted, I mightily satisfied with this business, and so home by water with Sir W. Warren, who happened to be at Westminster, and there I pretty strange to him, and little discourse, and there at the office Lord Bruncker (age 47), W. Pen, T. Hater and I did some business, and so home to dinner, and thence I out to visit Sir G. Carteret (age 57) and ladies there; and from him do understand that the King (age 37) himself (but this he told me as a great secret) is satisfied that this thanks which he expects from the House, for the laying aside of my Chancellor (age 58), is a thing irregular; but, since it is come into the House, he do think it necessary to carry it on, and will have it, and hath made his mind known to be so, to some of the House. But Sir G. Carteret (age 57) do say he knows nothing of what my Lord Bruncker (age 47) told us to-day, that the King (age 37) was angry with the Duke of York (age 34) yesterday, and advised him not to hinder what he had a mind to have done, touching this business; which is news very bad, if true. Here I visited my Baroness Carteret (age 65), who hath been sick some time, but now pretty well, but laid on her bed.

Pepy's Diary. 14 Oct 1668. Up, and by water, stopping at Michell's, and there saw Betty, but could have no discourse with her, but there drank. To White Hall, and there walked to St. James's, where I find the Court mighty full, it being the Duke of York's (age 35) birthday; and he mighty fine, and all the musick, one after another, to my great content. Here I met with Sir H. Cholmly (age 36); and he and I to walk, and to my Lord Barkeley's (age 66) new house; there to see a new experiment of a cart, which; by having two little wheeles fastened to the axle-tree, is said to make it go with half the ease and more, than another cart but we did not see the trial made.

Evelyn's Diary. 14 Oct 1670. I spent the whole afternoon in private with the Treasurer (age 40) who put into my hands those secret pieces and transactions concerning the Dutch war, and particularly the expedition of Bergen, in which he had himself the chief part, and gave me instructions, till the King (age 40) arriving from Newmarket, we both went up into his bedchamber.

Evelyn's Diary. 14 Oct 1675. Dined at Kensington with my old acquaintance, Mr. Henshaw (age 57), newly returned from Denmark, where he had been left resident after the death of the Duke of Richmond, who died there Ambassador.

Evelyn's Diary. 14 Oct 1688. The King's (age 55) birthday. No guns from the Tower as usual. The sun eclipsed at its rising. This day signal for the victory of William the Conqueror against Harold, near Battel, in Sussex. The wind, which had been hitherto west, was east all this day. Wonderful expectation of the Dutch fleet. Public prayers ordered to be read in the churches against invasion.

Roger Whitley's Diary. 14 Oct 1690. Tuesday, Huson came from the Audit & Tomkinson went to the Audit at Middlewich; my sonne (age 39) & I went to Chester (met Morgan at Tarvyn going to Middlewich) I, sonne (age 39), G.Mainwaring (age 47) Baroby & Crosse dined at Jackson's; we went to the almeshouses; drank some ale at the Widdows with Mr Wright, Streete & some others; went then to Andersons, then to the new Mayor (there were the 2 Leavelookers) we dranck in both places; I went then to G.Mainwaring (age 47) saw his wife & daughter & Mall: Ravenscroft in the Row; went thence (with G.Mainwaring (age 47)) to Jacksons; there was my sonne (age 39), Streete, Wright, Baroby, 2 Kinastons, Mercer, Mainwaring of Wrexam, &c. we parted past 5; Taylor was with me at Jacksons before dinner; stayd not; I called on Bennet in the Forest streete; there was Ely with him; they came to the coach, had a tankerd, went home.

On 14 Oct 1736 Charles Le Gros of Croftwight (age 85) died. On 04 Feb 1758 Elizabeth Turner (age 85) died. They were buried at All Saints Church, Narborough [Map].

Charles Le Gros of Croftwight: Around 1651 he was born. Before 14 Oct 1736 he and Elizabeth Turner were married. The difference in their ages was 22 years.

Elizabeth Turner: Around 1673 she was born to William Turner of North Elmham.

On 14 Oct 1784 Ferdinand VII King Spain was born to Charles IV King Spain (age 35) and Maria Luisa of Parma (age 32). Coefficient of inbreeding 7.66%.

On 14 Oct 1799 Frederica Hohenzollern was born to Frederick William II King Prussia (age 29). She a great x 3 granddaughter of King George I of Great Britain and Ireland.

Greville Memoirs. 14 Oct 1831. The town continues quite quiet; the country nearly so. The press strain every nerve to produce excitement, and the 'Times' has begun an assault on the bishops, whom it has marked out for vengeance and defamation for having voted against the Bill. Althorp and Lord John Russell (age 39) have written grateful letters to Attwood as Chairman of the Birmingham Union, thus indirectly acknowledging that puissant body. There was a desperate strife in the House of Lords between Phillpotts and Lord Grey, in which the former got a most tremendous dressing. Times must be mightily changed when my sympathies go with this bishop, and even now, though full of disgust with the other faction, I have a pleasure in seeing him trounced. The shade of Canning may rejoice at the sight of Grey smiting Phillpotts. Even on such a question Phillpotts was essentially in the right; but he lost his temper, floundered, and got punished. It was most indecent and disgusting to hear Brougham from the Woolsack, in a strain of the bitterest irony and sarcasm, but so broad as to be without the semblance of disguise, attack the bench of bishops. I am of opinion that it would have been far better never to have let them back into the House of Lords, but now that they are there I would not thrust them out, especially at this moment. Lord Grey in this debate gave no handle certainly, for he interposed in their favour, and rebuked Lord Suffield, who attacked them first, and told him he was out of order, and then Phillpotts very foolishly attacked him.

Henry Chaplin A Memoir: 2 Family and Social Life Part II. On his return from Homburg he went north at once and spent some happy weeks with Lady Florence at Dunrobin, and she was persuaded to her lover's views about the date of their wedding, which was fixed to take place at Trentham on November 15.

When Mr. Chaplin left Dunrobin in October, he made an expedition to Coignafearn to consider the possibilities of a site for the lodge in the deer forest which he was proposing to make. He writes on October 14 [1876]:

I have just come in after a soaking wet day, in which however, I have managed to see sufficiently to form an impression of what one side of the ground to the north of the Glen is like. The house at present is too rough for anything, but is situated in a glen with hills rising on either side of it and part of which is very wild and pretty. The ground from the Lodge, all along from the Glen to the Tops as far as one can see is charming, nice green hills with rocks and woods in places near the bottom. But when you get to the Tops, there are miles of flattish soft ground, acres and acres of heather and peat bogs over which at the best of times I hate walking, and I doubt very much whether it would ever be made a really nice place for you. The Findhorn River, which runs all along the Glen, and indeed rises in the hills of the ground, is now full of salmon, but they are rarely to be caught, although you may kill any number of trout. Undoubtedly, 4 or 5 miles of the glen in which the Lodge is situated is exceedingly wild and romantic, which would suit you exactly, but I have made up my mind so far as this, that I shall not be in a hurry about it.

The London Gazette 27208. War Office, July 6, 1900

The Queen (age 81) has been graciously pleased to signify Her intention to confer the decoration of the Victoria Cross on the undermentioned Officers, Non-Commissioned Officer, and Trooper whose claims have been submitted for Her Majesty's approval, for their conspicuous bravery in South Africa, as stated against their name:-

The Gordon Highlanders. Captain Beckwith Ernest Towse

On the 11th December, 1899, at the action of Majesfontein, Captain Towse was brought to notice by his Commanding Officer for his gallantry and devotion in assisting the late Colonel Downman, when mortally wounded, in the retirement, and endeavouring, when close up to the front of the firing line, to carry Colonel Downman on his back; but finding this not possible, Captain Towse supported him till joined by Colour-Sergeant Nelson and Lance-Corporal Hodgson.

On the 30th April, 1900, Captain Towse, with twelve men, took up a position on the top of Mount Thaba, far away from support. A force of about 150 Boers attempted to seize the same plateau, neither party appearing to see the other until they were but 100 yards apart. Some of the Boers then got within 40 yards of Captain Towse and his party, and called on him to surrender. He at once caused his men to open fire and remained firing himself until severely wounded (both eyes shattered), succeeding in driving off the Boers. The gallantry of this Officer in vigorously attacking the enemy (for he not only fired, but charged forward) saved the situation, notwithstanding the numerical superiority of the Boers.

The Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment). Captain Charles FitzClarence (age 35). On the 14th October, 1899, Captain FitzClarence went with his squadron of the Protectorate Regiment,consisting of only partially trained men, who had never been in action, to the assistance of an armoured train which had gone out from Mafeking. The enemy were in greatly superior numbers, and the squadron was for a time surrounded, and it looked as if nothing could save them from being shot down. Captain FitzClarence, however, by his personal coolness and courage inspired the greatest confidence in his men, and, by his bold and efficient handling of them, not only succeeded in relieving the armoured train, but inflicted a heavy defeat on the Boers, who lost 50 killed and a large number wounded, his own losses being 2 killed and 15 wounded. The moral effect of this blow had a very important bearing on subsequent encounters with the Boers.

On the 27th October, 1899, Captain FitzClarence led his squadron from Mafeking across the open, and made a night attack with the bayonet on one of the enemy's trenches. A hand-to-hand fight took place in the trench, while a heavy fire was concentrated on it from the rear. The enemy was driven out with heavy loss. Captain FitzClarence was the first man into the position and accounted-for four of the enemy with his sword. The British lost & killed and 9 wounded. Captain. FitzClarence was himself: slightly wounded. With reference to these two actions, Major General Baden-Powell states that had this Officer not shown an extraordinary spirit and fearlessness the attacks would have been failures, and we should have suffered heavy loss both in men and prestige. On the 26th December, 1899, during the action at Game Tree, near Mafeking, Captain FitzClarence again distinguished himself by his coolness and courage, and was again wounded (severely through both legs).

10th Hussars. Lieutenant (now Captain) Sir John Milbanke, Bart. (age 27). On the 5th January, 1900, during a reconnaissance near Colesberg, Sir John Milbanke, when retiring under fire with a small patrol of the 10th Hussars, notwithstanding the fact that he had just been severely wounded in the thigh, rode back to the assistance of one of the men whose pony was exhausted, and who was under fire from some Boers who had dismounted. Sir John Milbanke took the man up on his own horse under a most galling fire and brought him safely back to camp.

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On 14 Oct 1940 Peter Ross (age 34) was killed in action.

On 14 Oct 1959 Thomas Cospatric Hamilton-Spencer-Smith 6th Baronet (age 41) died. Probably suicide by posioning. His son John Hamilton Spencer-Smith 7th Baronet (age 12) succeeded 7th Baronet Hamilton-Spencer-Smith of Tring Park in Hertfordshire.

Births on the 14th October

On 14 Oct 1404 Marie Valois Anjou Queen Consort France was born to King Louis of Naples (age 27) and Yolanda Barcelona Queen Consort Naples. Coefficient of inbreeding 4.77%.

After 14 Oct 1485 Elizabeth Hay was born to William Hay 3rd Earl Erroll (age 36) and Elizabeth Leslie Countess Errol.

On 14 Oct 1499 Claude Valois Orléans Queen Consort France was born to Louis XII King France (age 37) and Anne of Brittany Queen Consort France (age 22). Coefficient of inbreeding 5.00%.

On 14 Oct 1501 Andrew Albret was born to Jean III King Navarre (age 32) and Catherine Grailly I Queen Navarre (age 33).

On 14 Oct 1524 Elizabeth Oldenburg was born to King Frederick I of Denmark (age 53) and Sophie of Pomerania Queen Consort of Denmark and Sweden (age 26).

Before 14 Oct 1593 Cornelius Johnson was born. On 14 Oct 1593 Cornelius Johnson was baptised at Austin Friars.

On 14 Oct 1609 Ernest Günther Oldenburg I Duke Schleswig Holstein Sonderburg Augustenburg was born to Alexander Oldenburg I Duke Schleswig Holstein Sonderburg (age 36) and Dorothea Schwarzburg Duchess Schleswig Holstein Sonderburg (age 30).

On 14 Oct 1619 John Bright 1st Baronet was born to Stephen Bright and Joan Westby.

On 14 Oct 1630 Sophia Palatinate Simmern was born to Frederick Palatinate Simmern V Elector Palatine Rhine (age 34) and Princess Elizabeth Stewart Queen Bohemia (age 34). She a granddaughter of King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland.

On or before 14 Oct 1651 Henry Hene 3rd Baronet was born to Henry Hene 2nd Baronet (age 19) and Meriel Corbet. He was baptised on 14 Oct 1651.

On 14 Oct 1672 William Legge 1st Earl Dartmouth was born to George Legge 1st Baron Dartmouth (age 25) and Barbara Archbold Baroness Dartmouth (age 22).

On or before 14 Oct 1694, the day he was baptised at St Katharine Cree Church, Jacob Bouverie 1st Viscount Folkestone was born to William des Bouverie 1st Baronet (age 38) and Anne Urry Lady Bouverie (age 29).

Before 14 Oct 1710 Henry Northcote 5th Baronet was born to Henry Northcote 4th Baronet (age 51) and Penelope Lovett Lady Northcote (age 33).

On 14 Oct 1712 George Granville was born to Richard Granville (age 34).

On 14 Oct 1726 Admiral Charles Middleton 1st Baron Barham was born to Robert Middleton of Bo'ness and Helen Dundas.

On 14 Oct 1749 Edmund Bacon 9th and 8th Baronet was born to Castel Bacon of Raveningham (age 36).

On 14 Oct 1757 Charles Abbot 1st Baron Colchester was born.

On 14 Oct 1760 Edward Nightingale 10th Baronet was born to Gamaliel Nightingale (age 29).

On 14 Oct 1776 Robert Farquhar was born to Walter Farquhar 1st Baronet (age 38) and Anne Stevenson.

On 14 Oct 1781 William Beauchamp-Proctor 3rd Baronet was born to Thomas Beauchamp-Proctor 2nd Baronet (age 25) and Mary Palmer Lady Beauchamp-Proctor (age 21).

On 14 Oct 1784 Ferdinand VII King Spain was born to Charles IV King Spain (age 35) and Maria Luisa of Parma (age 32). Coefficient of inbreeding 7.66%.

On 14 Oct 1790 Harriett Bouverie Countess Camden was born to Bartholomew Bouverie (age 36) and Mary Arundell (age 33).

On 14 Oct 1793 Thomas John Kemp 11th Baronet was born to William Robert Kemp 9th Baronet (age 48) and Sarah Adcock Lady Kemp.

On 14 Oct 1799 Frederica Hohenzollern was born to Frederick William II King Prussia (age 29). She a great x 3 granddaughter of King George I of Great Britain and Ireland.

On 14 Oct 1824 Julius Glücksburg was born to Friedrich Wilhelm Glücksburg Duke Schleswig Holstein Sonderburg Glücksburg (age 39) and Louise Caroline Hesse-Kassel Duchess Schleswig Holstein Sonderburg Glücksburg (age 35). He a great x 2 grandson of King George II of Great Britain and Ireland.

On 14 Oct 1835 Joseph John Elliott was born.

On 14 Oct 1836 Randolph Stewart 11th Earl Galloway was born to Randolph Stewart 9th Earl Galloway (age 36) and Harriet Blanche Somerset Countess Galloway (age 25) at Galloway House. Coefficient of inbreeding 1.58%.

On 01 Sep 1843 Walter Grindlay Simpson 2nd Baronet was born to James Young Simpson 1st Baronet (age 32). He was baptised on 14 Oct 1843.

On 14 Oct 1846 Vauncey Harpur-Crewe 10th Baronet was born to John Harpur Crewe 9th Baronet (age 22) and Eliza Lovell Lady Harpur.

On 14 Oct 1851 Sydney Charlotte Montagu Countess Kintore was born to George Montagu 6th Duke Manchester (age 52) and Harriet Sydney Dobbs Duchess Manchester (age 17).

On 14 Oct 1854 Henry Waldegrave 11th Earl Waldegrave was born to William Frederick Waldegrave (deceased) and Frances Bastard (age 26). He was born posthumously.

On 14 Oct 1865 George Keppel was born to William Keppel 7th Earl Albermarle (age 33) and Sophia Mary MacNab of Dundurn Castle (age 33) at East Sheen, Surrey.

On 14 Oct 1879 Thomas John Clapperton was born to John William Clapperton at Galashiels, Roxburghshire.

On 14 Oct 1884 John Shelley 10th Baronet was born to John Shelley 9th Baronet (age 36).

On 14 Oct 1896 Alice Helleu was born to Paul César Helleu (age 36) and Alice Guérin (age 26).

On 14 Oct 1928 Randolph Stewart 13th Earl of Galloway was born to Randolph Stewart 12th Earl Galloway (age 35) and Philippa Fendall Wendell Countess of Galloway (age 23).

On 14 Oct 1950 Edward Lycett Green 6th Baronet was born to Richard Lycett Green (age 25).

Marriages on the 14th October

After 14 Oct 1257 Richard Percy 5th Baron Percy Topcliffe and Agnes Neville (age 36) were married. The difference in their ages was 51 years.

Before 14 Oct 1485 William Hay 3rd Earl Erroll (age 36) and Isabel Gordon Countess Erroll were married. She by marriage Countess Erroll. She the daughter of George Gordon 2nd Earl Huntley (age 30) and Anabella Stewart (age 49). He the son of William Hay 1st Earl Erroll and Beatrice Douglas Countess Erroll. They were third cousin once removed. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

After 14 Oct 1485 William Hay 3rd Earl Erroll (age 36) and Elizabeth Leslie Countess Errol were married. She by marriage Countess Erroll. He the son of William Hay 1st Earl Erroll and Beatrice Douglas Countess Erroll.

On or after 14 Oct 1551 Colin Campbell 6th Earl Argyll (age 7) and Joan Stewart Countess Argyll were married. He the son of Archibald Campbell 4th Earl Argyll (age 44) and Margaret Graham Countess Argyll. They were second cousins. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

On 14 Oct 1616 Conyers Darcy 1st Earl Holderness (age 17) and Grace Rokeby Countess Holderness (age 16) were married.

On 14 Oct 1641 Henry Grey 10th Earl Kent (age 46) and Mary Courtine Countess Kent were married. She by marriage Countess Kent. He the son of Anthony Grey 1453-1490 9th Earl Kent (age 84) and Magdelane Purefoy Countess Kent (age 69).

In or before 14 Oct 1651 Henry Hene 2nd Baronet (age 19) and Meriel Corbet were married.

On 14 Oct 1777 William Fitzherbert 1st Baronet (age 29) and Sarah Perrin were married by which he inherited five Plantations. Four sugar plantations of Blue Mountain, Forest, Grange Hill and Vere and the coffee plantation of Retrieve Mountain.

On 14 Oct 1789 William Dolben 3rd Baronet (age 62) and Charlotte Affleck Lady Dolben were married. She by marriage Lady Dolben of Finedon in Northamptonshire. They were second cousins.

Before 14 Oct 1846 John Harpur Crewe 9th Baronet (age 22) and Eliza Lovell Lady Harpur were married.

On 14 Oct 1868 George Henry Cornewall 5th Baronet (age 35) and Louisa Frances Bayley Lady Cornewall were married. The date appears to be the same date on which his unmarried older brother Velters Cornewall 4th Baronet (age 44) died and George Henry Cornewall 5th Baronet (age 35) inherited the title?

On 14 Oct 1911 William Craven 5th Earl Craven (age 14) and Mary Williamina George Countess Craven were married. He the son of William Craven 4th Earl Craven (age 42) and Cornelia Martin Countess Craven (age 40).

On 14 Oct 1920 Christopher Vane 10th Baron Barnard (age 31) and Sylvia Mary Straker Baroness Barnard were married at St Agatha's Church, Gilling West [Map]. She by marriage Baroness Barnard.

From the Darlington & Stockton Times of October 16, 1920:

"The weather was beautifully fine, with brilliant sunshine showing to advantage the autumn tints of the well wooded countryside," began the lengthy report. "Although difficult to access, Gilling was early a scene of activity with motor coaches, motor cars and other means of conveyance converging on the village in the rapid succession. The lengthy highway through the village was thronged with motor vehicles and the queue of cars was finally over half a mile in length."

...

"The bride was charmingly attired in old parchment duchesse satin, skirt artistically draped, with corsage of softly blended chiffon, embroidered in fine diamanti," said the paper, recording every single sartorial detail. "The Court train was of white and gold brocade, weighted at hem and sides with bands of cloth of gold tissue, held in place by two handsome gold and diamanti ornaments…"

The D&S said how after the reception at the Grange, the couple motored to London and then honeymooned on their Shropshire estate.

"The bride's travelling dress was of Indian red crepe de chine, finely pleated skirt and long travelling coat of Indian red velour cloth trimmed with natural racoon," it said.

It then devoted thousands of words to a list of wedding presents. Suffice to say that the happy couple would never again go short of fish knives and cigar cases, cigar cutters and cigarette holders.

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On 14 Oct 1924 Randolph Stewart 12th Earl Galloway (age 31) and Philippa Fendall Wendell Countess of Galloway (age 19) were married. She by marriage Countess Galloway. He the son of Randolph Stewart 11th Earl Galloway and Amy Mary Pauline Cliffe Countess Galloway.

Deaths on the 14th October

On 14 Oct 962 Gerloc aka Adela Normandy Duchess Aquitaine (age 50) died.

On 14 Oct 1153 Archbishop Henry Murdac died at Beverley [Map]. He was buried at York Minster [Map].

On 14 Oct 1257 John Deincourt 7th Lord Deincourt (age 32) died. His son Edmund Deincourt 1st Baron Deincourt (age 7) succeeded 8th Lord Deincourt.

Around 1322 Robert Fitzpayn 2nd Baron Fitzpayn (age 37) died. Possibly 14 Oct 1322 at the Rout of Byland Abbey. His son Robert Fitzpayn 3rd Baron Fitzpayn (age 22) succeeded 3rd Baron Fitzpayn.

On 14 Oct 1355 John Lisle 2nd Baron Lisle (age 37) died. His son Robert Lisle 3rd Baron Lisle (age 19) succeeded 3rd Baron Lisle of Rougemont.

On 14 Oct 1558 James Fitzgerald 13th Earl Desmond died.

On 14 Oct 1559 John Williams 1st Baron Williams (age 59) died at Ludlow Castle [Map]. He was buried at St Mary the Virgin Church, Thame. Isabel Williams (age 37) inherited Thame, Oxfordshire. His son Francis William 2nd Baron Thame succeeded 2nd Baron Williams of Thame although he died four months later at which time the Barony became extinct. Some sources don't mention Francis William 2nd Baron Thame regarding the Barony as extinct following the death of John Williams 1st Baron Williams (age 59).

On 14 Oct 1593 Arthur Grey 14th Baron Grey of Wilton (age 57) died. He was buried at Whaddon, Buckinghamshire. On 14 Oct 1593 His son Thomas Grey 15th Baron Grey of Wilton (age 17) succeeded 15th Baron Grey of Wilton.

On 14 Oct 1631 Sophie Mecklenburg-Schwerin Queen Consort Denmark (age 74) died.

On 14 Oct 1632 Francis Lorraine II Duke Lorraine (age 60) died. His son Charles Lorraine II Duke Lorraine (age 28) succeeded II Duke Lorraine. Nicole Lorraine Duchess Lorraine (age 24) by marriage Duchess Lorraine.

On 14 Oct 1638 Anne Finch Lady Twysden (age 64) died.

On 14 Oct 1666 Bishop John Warner (age 85) died. Monument in Rochester Cathedral [Map].

Bishop John Warner: On or before 17 Sep 1581 he was born. He was baptised at St Clement Danes on 17 Sep 1586. On 13 Nov 1637 Bishop John Warner was elected Bishop of Rochester. On 14 Jan 1638 Bishop John Warner was consecrated Bishop of Rochester. Pepy's Diary. 04 Oct 1660. This morning I was busy looking over papers at the office all alone, and being visited by Lieut. Lambert of the Charles (to whom I was formerly much beholden), I took him along with me to a little alehouse hard by our office, whither my cozen Thomas Pepys the turner had sent for me to show me two gentlemen that had a great desire to be known to me, one his name is Pepys, of our family, but one that I never heard of before, and the other a younger son of Sir Tho. Bendishes, and so we all called cozens. After sitting awhile and drinking, my two new cozens, myself, and Lieut. Lambert went by water to Whitehall, and from thence I and Lieut. Lambert to Westminster Abbey, where we saw Dr. Frewen translated to the Archbishoprick of York. Here I saw the Bishops of Winchester, Bangor, Rochester, Bath and Wells, and Salisbury, all in their habits, in King Henry Seventh's chappell. But, Lord! at their going out, how people did most of them look upon them as strange creatures, and few with any kind of love or respect.

On 14 Oct 1669 Thomas Barnardiston 1st Baronet (age 51) died. His son Thomas Barnardiston 2nd Baronet (age 23) succeeded 2nd Baronet Barnardiston of Ketton in Suffolk.

On 14 Oct 1675 Jemima Waldegrave Baroness Crew (age 73) died.

On 14 Oct 1690 Richard Power 1st Earl Tyrone (age 60) died in the Tower of London [Map]. His son John Power 2nd Earl Tyrone (age 25) succeeded 2nd Earl Tyrone.

On 14 Oct 1745 David Erskine 9th Earl Buchan (age 73) died. He died intestate and his estate was administered to a creditor on 12 December 1745. His son Henry Erskine 10th Earl of Buchan (age 35) succeeded 10th Earl Buchan.

Around 14 Oct 1756 James Campbell 5th Baronet (age 78) died.

On 14 Oct 1788 William Courtenay 8th Earl Devon (age 45) died. His son William "Kitty" Courtenay 9th Earl Devon (age 20) de jure 9th Earl Devon, 3rd Viscount Courtenay.

On 14 Oct 1805 Rowland Winn 6th Baronet (age 30) died unmarried. His second cousin once removed Edmund Mark Winn 7th Baronet (age 43) succeeded 7th Baronet Winn of Nostel in Yorkshire. Nostell Priory, Wakefield [Map] was inherited by his nephew John Williamson aka Winn (age 12), son of Rowland's sister Esther Winn (age 37). All of Esther's children changed their surname to Winn.

On 14 Oct 1827 Charles Stewart 7th Earl Traquair (age 83) died. His son Charles Stewart 8th Earl Traquair (age 46) succeeded 8th Earl Traquair, 14th Lord Traquair.

On 14 Oct 1868 Velters Cornewall 4th Baronet (age 44) died unmarried. His brother George Henry Cornewall 5th Baronet (age 35) succeeded 5th Baronet Amyand aka Cornewall of Moccas Court in Herefordshire. Louisa Frances Bayley Lady Cornewall by marriage Lady Amyand aka Cornewall of Moccas Court in Herefordshire.

On 14 Oct 1959 Thomas Cospatric Hamilton-Spencer-Smith 6th Baronet (age 41) died. Probably suicide by posioning. His son John Hamilton Spencer-Smith 7th Baronet (age 12) succeeded 7th Baronet Hamilton-Spencer-Smith of Tring Park in Hertfordshire.