On this Day in History ... 16th December

16 Dec is in December.

1332 Battle of Annan Moor

1431 French Coronation of Henry VI

1460 Battle of Worksop

1485 Birth of Catherine of Aragon

1535 Sweating Sickness Outbreak

1559 Consecration of Matthew Parker as Archbishop of Canterbury

1571 Triple Wedding

1653 Cromwell becomes Lord Protector

1773 Boston Tea Party

1775 Birth of Jane Austen

1899 Battle of Colenso

1914 Raid on Scarborough Hartlepool and Whitby

1962 New York Premiere of Lawrence of Arabia

See Births, Marriages and Deaths.

Events on the 16th December

On 16 Dec 999 Adelaide Welf Holy Roman Empress (age 68) died.

On 16 Dec 1246 Archbishop Edmund Rich was beatified as Saint.

On 16 Dec 1263 King Haakon IV of Norway (age 59) died. His son King Magnus VI of Norway (age 25) succeeded King Norway.

On 16 Dec 1332 the Battle of Annan Moor was fought between the supporters of the seven year old King David II of Scotland (age 8), son of King Robert the Bruce I of Scotland, and the supporters of King Edward I of Scotland (age 49), supported by the English. The Bruce army, led by, Archibald Douglas (age 34), supported by John Randolph 3rd Earl of Moray (age 26) and King Robert II of Scotland (age 16) surprised King Edward I of Scotland (age 49) and his supporters at Annan and threw them out of Scotland.

On 16 Dec 1379 John Fitzalan 1st Baron Arundel Baron Maltravers (age 31) drowned. He was buried at Lewes Priory [Map]. The Chronica Majora reports "... that during the panic of the storm, Sir John murdered those of his men who refused to make for shore for fear of being shipwrecked upon the rocks. Subsequently, after safely arriving on an island off the Irish coast, Sir John and his boat captain were swept back into the sea and drowned". His son John Fitzalan Baron Maltravers 2nd Baron Arundel (age 15) succeeded 2nd Baron Arundel.

On 16 Dec 1379 Thomas Banastre (age 45) drowned.

On 16 Dec 1431 Henry VI (age 10) was crowned II King France: Lancaster at Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral [Map] by Cardinal Henry Beaufort (age 56). A somewhat futile exercise; the last gasps of the Hundred Years War. The ceremony had been arranged by John Lancaster 1st Duke Bedford (age 42). His wife Anne Valois Duchess of Bedford (age 27) attended.

Walter Hungerford 1st Baron Hungerford (age 53) was appointed Carver.

Thomas Harrington (age 31), Richard Archer (age 44), Hugh Courtenay 12th Earl Devon and his son Thomas (age 17) attended.

On 16 Dec 1460 a Lancastrian force ambushed the forces of the Richard Plantagenet 3rd Duke of York (age 49) near Worksop, Nottinghamshire. Andrew Trollope fought for the Lancastrians. The only source for the battle is William of Worcester's book Annales rerum Anglicarum: "In December Parliament adjourned. And the Duke of York, with the Earl of Salisbury and many thousand armed men, were going from London to York, in December 1460, when a portion of his men, the van, as is supposed, or perhaps the scouts were cut off by the people of the Duke of Somerset (age 24) at Worsop".

On 16 Dec 1465 Eleanor of Alberquerque Queen Consort Aragon (age 91) died.

On 16 Dec 1485 Catherine of Aragon was born to Ferdinand II King Aragon (age 33) and Isabella Queen Castile (age 34). She was possibly named after her Great Grandmother Catherine of Lancaster Queen Consort Castile daughter of John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster and Constance of Castile Duchess of Lancaster. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Edward III of England. Coefficient of inbreeding 3.23%.

Letters and Papers 1535. 16 Dec 1535. 983. The dearth has increased twofold in England. The preachers publicly say that it is the fault of those who obey the Apostolic See. Rome, 16 Dec. 1535.

Sp., pp. 3, modern copy.

Letters and Papers 1535. 16 Dec 1535. Add. MS. 28,588, f. 87. B. M. 983. Dr. Ortiz to the Empress.

Wrote last on Nov. 22. Is glad to hear the good news that the Turk has been defeated by the Sophi, with a loss of 40,000 horse (de acaballo) and 40 great pieces of artillery, his army having been 70,000.

In the cause of the Queen of England (age 50), the Consistory has ordered of itself a monitory to be issued, fixing a space of two months for the King to turn from his heresy and schism and public adultery, and then he will not be declared deprived of his kingdom.

The Imperial ambassador writes that he has not leave to visit or send any person to see the Queen and Princess. Those with the Queen are guards and spies, not servants, for they have sworn in favor of Anne (age 34), not to call her highness Queen, nor serve her with royal state. So, not to give them cause to sin, the Queen has not left her chamber for two years; and perhaps if she wished to, it would not be allowed, "y que no manda un ducado," nor has she any of her old servants except her confessor, physician, and apothecary. The King always asks those who wish to join him (se quisieren juntar con el) to renounce obedience to the Apostolic See, and he who formerly appealed to a Council now wishes it not to be held.

Chronicle of Greyfriars. 16 Dec 1551. Item the xvj. day was a proclamacion for the new qwyne that no man [should speak ill o]f it, for because that the pepulle sayd dyvers that ther was the ragyd staffea it.

Note a. One of the many intimations of the unpopularity of the duke of Northumberland (age 47), whose badge was the ragged staff.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 16 Dec 1552. The xvj day of Dessember was stallyd at Wy[ndsor] [Map] the erle of Westmerland (age 27) and ser Andrew Dodley (age 45) off the nobull order of the garter.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 16 Dec 1554. The xvj day of Desember dyd pryche at Powlles crosse [Map] doctur Cottes the bysshope of West Chastur, and h[is] sermon of the blessyd sacrement of the auter .... owt dyvers actours [authors] of the sacrement of dyvers ....

Henry Machyn's Diary. 16 Dec 1558. The xvj day of December was cared in a charett from sant Baythelmuw the grett unto Essex to be bered, with baners and banerrolles abowt her, my lade Ryche (age 48), and so to the plasse wher she dwelyd.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 16 Dec 1559. The xvj day of Desember was the sam man bered in sant Don stones in the est, master Cottell, that was slayne with (the) falle, and he had a sarmon, and all ys compene in ther clothyng, and a grett dener, for ther was mad mon [moan] for hym, and a dolle.... Parker (age 55) electyd byshope of Canturbere.

On 16 Dec 1571 a triple wedding was celebrated at Whitehall Palace [Map] ... with Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland (age 38) present ...

Edward Dudley 4th Baron Dudley (age 46) and Mary Howard Baroness Dudley (age 23) were married. She by marriage Baroness Sutton of Dudley. The difference in their ages was 23 years. He a great x 5 grandson of King Edward III of England.

Edward de Vere 17th Earl of Oxford (age 21) and Anne Cecil Countess of Oxford (age 15) were married. She by marriage Countess of Oxford. He the son of John de Vere 16th Earl of Oxford and Margery Golding Countess of Oxford.

Edward Somerset 4th Earl of Worcester (age 21) and Elizabeth Hastings Countess of Worcester (age 25) were married. She by marriage Countess Worcester. She the daughter of Francis Hastings 2nd Earl Huntingdon and Catherine Pole Countess Huntingdon (age 60). He the son of William Somerset 3rd Earl of Worcester (age 45) and Christina North Countess of Worcester. They were third cousin once removed.

09 Jun 1597. On 09 Jun 1597 John Wrey of North Russell was buried at St Peter's Church, Tawstock [Map].

On 16 Dec 1595 Blanch Killigrew (age 60) was buried at St Peter's Church, Tawstock [Map].

Gothic altar tomb monument with three-tiered altarpiece or reredos behind, the lowest tier of which resembles a triptych. It was moved from St Ive Church in Cornwall in 1924 by Philip Bourchier Sherard Wrey 12th Baronet.

The large slate slab on top of the chest tomb is inscribed within a ledger line: Ye body of John Wrey Esquier who was buried ye 9th of June Ano Domini 1597 Heere lieth the body of Blannch Wrey who was buried ye 16 of December 1595

On the left panel of the triptych is inscribed the following verse:

Loe here he lieth though dead yet living still,

His famous name resounding echo saye,

Whereby report of hym the ayre doth fyll

The lastinge fame & name of rightful Wreye,

Good to ye poore bribes never woulde he take,

Voyde of oppression all kind of waye,

He faithful frynds of enemyes did make,

Of quarels greate ceast lawe ech daye by daye.

Death doe they worst this Wreye yet lives & shall,

Thy darte his deeds cannot extyrpe or quayle.

Thousands are they which thou hast causde to fall,

And yet on hym no waye thou canst prevayle.

What resteth then but cease to mourne & moane

For hym whose vertues shine like to the sonne.

Though here he lieth his Sowle to Heave is gone,

Where Angells see hym though his threads be spoone [spun].

John Wrey of North Russell: he was born to Walter Wrey of North Russell and Bridget Shilstone. In 1585 he was appointed High Sheriff of Cornwall. In or before 1595 John Wrey of North Russell and Blanch Killigrew were married. She was heiress to the lordship of the manor of Trebeigh, Cornwall. They had six sons and two daughters. In 1597 John Wrey of North Russell died.

Blanch Killigrew: In 1535 she was born to Henry Killigrew of Woolstone St Ive Cornwall. On 14 Dec 1596 she died.

Atropos: Atropos is one of the Three Fates. She cuts the thread of human life.

On 16 Dec 1653 Oliver Cromwell (age 54) was appointed Lord Protector.

Pepy's Diary. 16 Dec 1660. In the morning to church, and then dined at home. In the afternoon I to White Hall, where I was surprised with the news of a plot against the King's (age 30) person and my Lord Monk's (age 52); and that since last night there are about forty taken up on suspicion; and, amongst others, it was my lot to meet with Simon Beale, the Trumpeter, who took me and Tom Doling into the Guard in Scotland Yard, and showed us Major-General Overton, where I heard him deny that he is guilty of any such things; but that whereas it is said that he is found to have brought many arms to town, he says it is only to sell them, as he will prove by oath. From thence with Tom Doling and Boston and D. Vines (whom we met by the way) to Price's, and there we drank, and in discourse I learnt a pretty trick to try whether a woman be a maid or no, by a string going round her head to meet at the end of her nose, which if she be not will come a great way beyond. Thence to my Lady's and staid with her an hour or two talking of the Duke of York (age 27) and his lady, the Chancellor's daughter, between whom, she tells me, that all is agreed and he will marry her. But I know not how true yet. It rained hard, and my Lady would have had me have the coach, but I would not, but to my father's (age 59), where I met my wife, and there supped, and after supper by link home and to bed.

Pepy's Diary. 16 Dec 1661. Up by five o'clock this morning by candlelight (which I have not done for many a day), being called upon by one Mr. Bollen by appointment, who has business to be done with my Lord Privy Seal (age 55) this morning, and so by coach, calling Mr. Moore at the Wardrobe, to Chelsy, and there did get my Lord to seal it.

Pepy's Diary. 16 Dec 1661. And so back again to Westminster Hall [Map], and thence to my Lord Sandwich's (age 36) lodging, where I met my wife (who had been to see Mrs. Hunt who was brought to bed the other day of a boy), and got a joint of meat thither from the Cook's, and she and I and Sarah dined together, and after dinner to the Opera, where there was a new play ("Cutter of Coleman Street")1, made in the year 1658, with reflections much upon the late times; and it being the first time, the pay was doubled, and so to save money, my wife and I went up into the gallery, and there sat and saw very well; and a very good play it is. It seems of Cowly's (age 43) making. From thence by coach home, and to bed.

Note 1. Cutter, an old word for a rough swaggerer: hence the title of Cowley's (age 43) play. It was originally called "The Guardian", when acted before Prince Charles at Trinity College, Cambridge, on March 12th, 1641.

Pepy's Diary. 16 Dec 1662. So to the office, and hence, having done some business, by coach to White Hall to Secretary Bennet's (age 44), and agreed with Mr. Lee to set upon our new adventure at the Tower to-morrow. Hence to Col. Lovelace (age 41) in Cannon Row about seeing how Sir R. Ford (age 48) did report all the officers of the navy to be rated for the Loyal Sufferers, but finding him at the Rhenish wine-house I could not have any answer, but must take another time.

Pepy's Diary. 16 Dec 1662. Up and to the office, and thither came Mr. Coventry (age 34) and Sir G. Carteret (age 52), and among other business was Strutt's the purser, against Captn. Browne, Sir W. Batten's (age 61) brother-in-law, but, Lord! though I believe the Captain has played the knave, though I seem to have a good opinion of him and to mean him well, what a most troublesome fellow that Strutt is, such as I never did meet with his fellow in my life. His talking and ours to make him hold his peace set my head off akeing all the afternoon with great pain.

Pepy's Diary. 16 Dec 1664. So toward my cozen Scott's, but meeting my Lady Sandwich's (age 39) coach, my wife turned back to follow them, thinking they might, as they did, go to visit her, and I 'light and to Mrs. Harman (age 21), and there staid and talked in her shop with her, and much pleased I am with her. We talked about Anthony Joyce's giving over trade and that he intends to live in lodgings, which is a very mad, foolish thing. She tells me she hears and believes it is because he, being now begun to be called on offices, resolves not to take the new oathe, he having formerly taken the Covenant or Engagement, but I think he do very simply and will endeavour for his wife's sake to advise him therein.

Pepy's Diary. 16 Dec 1665. At noon to dinner, Sir W. Warren with me on boat, and thence I by water, it being a fearfull cold, snowing day to Westminster to White Hall stairs and thence to Sir G. Downing (age 40), to whom I brought the happy newes of my having contracted, as we did this day with Sir W. Warren, for a ship's lading of Norway goods here and another at Harwich, Essex [Map] to the value of above £3,000, which is the first that hath been got upon the New Act, and he is overjoyed with it and tells me he will do me all the right to Court about it in the world, and I am glad I have it to write to Sir W. Coventry (age 37) to-night. He would fain have me come in £200 to lend upon the Act, but I desire to be excused in doing that, it being to little purpose for us that relate to the King (age 35) to do it, for the sum gets the King (age 35) no courtesy nor credit.

Pepy's Diary. 16 Dec 1666. So we parted, and I with Lord Bruncker (age 46) to Sir P. Neale's (age 53) chamber, and there sat and talked awhile, Sir Edward Walker being there, and telling us how he hath lost many fine rowles of antiquity in heraldry by the late fire, but hath saved the most of his papers. Here was also Dr. Wallis (age 50), the famous scholar and mathematician; but he promises little.

Pepy's Diary. 16 Dec 1666. Then after dinner by water to Westminster to see Mrs. Martin, whom I found up in her chamber and ready to go abroad. I sat there with her and her husband and others a pretty while, and then away to White Hall, and there walked up and down to the Queen's (age 28) side, and there saw my dear Baroness Castlemayne (age 26), who continues admirable, methinks, and I do not hear but that the King (age 36) is the same to her still as ever.

Pepy's Diary. 16 Dec 1666. Anon to chapel, by the King's closet, and heard a very good anthemne. Then with Lord Bruncker (age 46) to Sir W. Coventry's (age 38) chamber; and there we sat with him and talked. He is weary of anything to do, he says, in the Navy. He tells us this Committee of Accounts will enquire sharply into our office. And, speaking of Sir J. Minnes (age 67), he says he will not bear any body's faults but his own. He discoursed as bad of Sir W. Batten (age 65) almost, and cries out upon the discipline of the fleete, which is lost, and that there is not in any of the fourth rates and under scarce left one Sea Commander, but all young gentlemen; and what troubles him, he hears that the gentlemen give out that in two or three years a Tarpaulin shall not dare to look after being better than a Boatswain. Which he is troubled at, and with good reason, and at this day Sir Robert Holmes (age 44) is mighty troubled that his brother do not command in chief, but is commanded by Captain Hannum, who, Sir W. Coventry (age 38) says, he believes to be at least of as good blood, is a longer bred seaman, an elder officer, and an elder commander, but such is Sir R. Holmes's (age 44) pride as never to be stopt, he being greatly troubled at my Lord Bruncker's (age 46) late discharging all his men and officers but the standing officers at Chatham, Kent [Map], and so are all other Commanders, and a very great cry hath been to the King (age 36) from them all in my Lord's absence. But Sir W. Coventry (age 38) do undertake to defend it, and my Lord Bruncker (age 46) got ground I believe by it, who is angry at Sir W. Batten's (age 65) and Sir W. Pen's (age 45) bad words concerning it, and I have made it worse by telling him that they refuse to sign to a paper which he and I signed on Saturday to declare the reason of his actions, which Sir W. Coventry (age 38) likes and would have it sent him and he will sign it, which pleases me well.

Pepy's Diary. 16 Dec 1666. Left them, and in the dark and cold home by water, and so to supper and to read and so to bed, my eyes being better to-day, and I cannot impute it to anything but by my being much in the dark to-night, for I plainly find that it is only excess of light that makes my eyes sore. This after noon I walked with Lord Bruncker (age 46) into the Park and there talked of the times, and he do think that the King (age 36) sees that he cannot never have much more money or good from this Parliament, and that therefore he may hereafter dissolve them, that as soon as he has the money settled he believes a peace will be clapped up, and that there are overtures of a peace, which if such as the Chancellor (age 57) can excuse he will take. For it is the Chancellor's (age 57) interest, he says, to bring peace again, for in peace he can do all and command all, but in war he cannot, because he understands not the nature of the war as to the management thereof. He tells me he do not believe the Duke of York (age 33) will go to sea again, though there are a great many about the King (age 36) that would be glad of any occasion to take him out of the world, he standing in their ways; and seemed to mean the Duke of Monmouth (age 17), who spends his time the most viciously and idly of any man, nor will be fit for any thing; yet bespeaks as if it were not impossible but the King (age 36) would own him for his son, and that there was a marriage between his mother and him; which God forbid should be if it be not true, nor will the Duke of York (age 33) easily be gulled in it. But this put to our other distractions makes things appear very sad, and likely to be the occasion of much confusion in a little time, and my Lord Bruncker (age 46) seems to say that nothing can help us but the King's making a peace soon as he hath this money; and thereby putting himself out of debt, and so becoming a good husband, and then he will neither need this nor any other Parliament, till he can have one to his mind: for no Parliament can, as he says, be kept long good, but they will spoil one another, and that therefore it hath been the practice of kings to tell Parliaments what he hath for them to do, and give them so long time to do it in, and no longer. Harry Kembe, one of our messengers, is lately dead.

Pepy's Diary. 16 Dec 1667. Up, and to several places, to pay what I owed. Among others, to my mercer, to pay for my fine camlott cloak, which costs me, the very stuff, almost £6; and also a velvet coat-the outside cost me above £8. And so to Westminster, where I find the House mighty busy upon a petition against my Lord Gerard (age 49), which lays heavy things to his charge, of his abusing the King (age 37) in his Guards; and very hot the House is upon it. I away home to dinner alone with wife and girle, and so to the office, where mighty busy to my great content late, and then home to supper, talk with my wife, and to bed. It was doubtful to-day whether the House should be adjourned to-morrow or no.

Evelyn's Diary. 16 Dec 1685. I accompanied my Lord Lieutenant as far as St. Alban's [Map], there going out of towne with him neere 200 coaches of all the greate officers and nobilitie. The next morning taking leave, I return'd to London.

Evelyn's Diary. 16 Dec 1686. I carried the Countess of Sunderland (age 40) to see the rarities of one Mr. Charlton in the Middle Temple, who showed us such a collection as I had never seen in all my travels abroad either of private gentlemen, or princes. It consisted of miniatures, drawings, shells, insects, medals, natural things, animals (of which divers, I think 100, were kept in glasses of spirits of wine), minerals, precious stones, vessels, curiosities in amber, crystal, agate, etc.; all being very perfect and rare of their kind, especially his books of birds, fish, flowers, and shells, drawn and miniatured to the life. He told us that one book stood him in £300; it was painted by that excellent workman, whom the late Gaston, Duke of Orléans, employed. This gentleman's whole collection, gathered by himself, traveling over most parts of Europe, is estimated at £8,000. He appeared to be a modest and obliging person.

Roger Whitley's Diary. 16 Dec 1690. Tuesday, dined at home; Madame Offley, Lady Gleg,&c. came to visit in the evening. I stayd in all day.

On 16 Dec 1773 the Boston Tea Party was the act by American Patriots defending their rights by destroying a shipment of tea owned by the East India Company by throwing it into Boston Harbour. It forms one of the foundation events of the American Revolution which commenced two years later.

On 16 Dec 1775 Jane Austen was born to George Austen (age 44) and Cassandra Leigh (age 36) in Steventon, Hampshire. She was baptised on 05 Apr 1775 at St Nicholas' Church, Steventon at which her father was rector; the delay being caused by adverse weather.

On 16 Dec 1776 William Tollemache (age 25) drowned when HMS Repulse sank in a hurricane off Bermuda.

Greville Memoirs. 16 Dec 1830. Lamb (age 48) told me afterwards, talking of the Duke and Polignac, that Sébastiani had told him that Hyde de Neuville (who was Minister at the time Polignac went over from here on his first short visit, before he became Minister) said that upon that occasion Polignac took over a letter from the Duke to the King of France, in which he said that the Chambers and the democratical spirit required to be curbed, that he advised him to lose no time in restraining them, and that he referred him to M. de Polignac for his opinion generally, who was in possession of his entire confidence. I think this may be true, never having doubted that these were his real sentiments, whether he expressed them or not.

Greville Memoirs. 16 Dec 1830. At Court yesterday; William Bathurst (age 39) sworn in. All the Ministers were there, and the Duke of Wellington at the levee looking out of sorts. Dined at the Lievens'; Lady Cowper (age 43) told me that in the summer the Duke had not made a direct offer to Melbourne, but what was tantamount to it. He had desired somebody (she did not say who) to speak to Lamb (age 48)6, and said he would call on him himself the next day. Something, however, prevented him, and she did not say whether he did call or not afterwards. He denied ever having made any overture at all. To Palmerston he proposed the choice of four places, and she thinks he would have taken in Huskisson if the latter had lived. He would have done nothing but on compulsion; that is clear. It is very true (what they say Peel said of him) that no man ever had any influence with him, only women, and those always the silliest. But who are Peel's confidants, friends, and parasites? Bonham, a stock-jobbing ex-merchant; Charles Ross, and the refuse of society of the House of Commons.

Note 6. Sir Frederick Lamb (age 48).

Archaeologia Volume 32 Appendix. Account of a Group of Tumuli on Berlchampton Down, Wilts.

Dec. 16th, 1847. John Yonge Akerman (age 41), Esq. F.S.A. communicated to the Society a letter which he had received from Richard Falkner, Esq. dated Devizes, 25th of September, 1847, descriptive of a Group of Tumuli on Berkhampton Down, not hitherto, as Mr. Falkner believed, sufficiently noticed by the antiquary. Referring to the Ordnance Map of Wiltshire, Sheet XIY. he says, "The Barrows I am about to describe will be found in the triangle made by the old road from Bath, approaching the present turnpike road from Devizes to Marlborough; Wansdyke forming the base. They are placed in a line passing from the south-west to the north-east, and surrounded by a fosse of a very unusual shape, 20 feet across and 3 in depth. The ground covered by them is 80 yards in length and 47 yards broad in the widest part. The Tumulus at the south-east end of the inclosure is the largest, the diameter of the base being 63 feet, and its height 10 feet. The one at the other end is not so high, but, as it slopes into the fosse, its base is not many feet less. Between them is a Barrow of much smaller dimensions, and the three are connected together by slight bands of earth, with a fosse on each side, running a short distance up the Barrows." Mr. Falkner's communication to Mr. Akerman was illustrated by a drawn sketch taken from the south, a ground plan, and some sections. The singular arrangement of these mounds, their difference in size, and other circumstances, led Mr. Falkner to the conclusion that this spot was the resting-place of three members of a Celtic family, who perhaps fell together in some hostile attack, or otherwise died about the same time: and it would seem they were persons of distinction, whose place of sepulture was in after times visited with ceremony, there being an approach to the ground 260 yards in length, formed of a vallum and fosse, still quite perfect, commanding a fine view of the Barrows throughout its course. This letter was accompanied by short notices of two other groups of Tumuli: one about a mile to the east of the triple Barrow just described, close to the turnpike road; the other situated in one of the deep hollows of the Chalk Downs, not far from Silbury Hill, and remarkable from the length of the approaches.

A second communication from Mr. Falkner to Mr. Akerman was read, accompanying a drawing of what has been either part of a Torques, or one of the coils of an Armilla, or Armlet, found in the autumn of 1844 on St. Ann's Hill, near Devizes. The sketch was the actual size and shape of the original; the material of which was fine gold, weighing rather more than 2½ ounces troy. In form and character of workmanship it strongly resembled one of the gold bracelets found near Egerton Hall, in Cheshire, in 1831; and which is engraved in the XXVII. Volume of the Archaeologia, p. 401.

The London Gazette 24918. the Court at Windsor, the 16th day of December, 1880. Present, The Queen's (age 61) Most Excellent Majesty in Council.

This day George John Shaw-Lefevre (age 49), Esquire, M.P., was, by Her Majesty's command, sworn of Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, and took his place at the Board accordingly

The London Gazette 27157. From the General Commanding-in-Chief the Forces in South Africa lo the Secretary of State for War. Chieveley Camp, SIB, December 16, 1899.

I have the honour to bring the following cases of Distinguished Service in the Field to your notice.

At [the Battle of] Colenso, on the 15th December, the detachments serving the guns of the 14th and 66th Batteries, Royal Field Artillery, had all been either killed, wounded, or driven from their guns by Infantry fire at close range, and the guns were deserted.

About 500 yards behind the guns was a donga, in which some of the few horses and drivers left alive were sheltered. The intervening space was swept with shell and rifle fire.

Captain Congreve, Rifle Brigade, who was in the donga, assisted to hook a team into a limber, went out and assisted to limber up a gun ; being wounded he took shelter, but seeing Lieutenant Roberts (age 27) fall badly wounded he went out again and brought him in. Some idea of the nature of the fire may be gathered from the fact that Captain Congreve was shot through the leg, through the toe of his boot, grazed on the elbow and the shoulder, and his horse shot in three places. Lieutenant the Honourable F. Roberts (age 27), King's Royal Rifles, assisted Captain Congreve. He was wounded in three places.

Corporal Nurse, Royal Field Artillery, 66th Battery, also assisted. I recommend the above three for the Victoria Cross.

The London Gazette 29007. The undermentioned to be Second Lieutenants (on probation). Dated 16th December, 1914, unless otherwise stated:-

John Armstrong Pratt, 3rd Battalion, Liverpool Regiment.

William Lionel Stevens, 4th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment.

Edmond Arthur Winch, 4th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment.

Thomas Eric Boswell Young, 3rd Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment.

Agborouorh Hugh Townshend, 3rd Battalion, Cheshire Regiment. Dated 11th November, 1914.

Tom Cecil Noel (age 17), 3rd Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers. Dated 12th December, 1914.

John Robson Ashcroft, 4th Battalion, Scottish Rifles.

George Leslie Treleaven, 3rd Battalion, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry.

Sidney Frederick Johnson, 3rd Battalion, Border Regiment.

Philip Coates Walker, 3rd Battalion, Dorset Regiment.

Curwen Vaughan Rawlinson, 3rd Battalion, Dorset Regiment.

On 16 Dec 1914 the German Navy bombarded Scarborough, North Yorkshire [Map], Hartlepool and Whitby. Around 137 were killed, around 600 injured.

On 16 Dec 1962 Lawrence of Arabia received its premiere in New York at the Criterion Cinema New York. Alec Guiness, Peter O'Toole, Omar Sharif, David Lean (Director) and Sam Spiegel (Producer) attended.

Births on the 16th December

On 16 Dec 1485 Catherine of Aragon was born to Ferdinand II King Aragon (age 33) and Isabella Queen Castile (age 34). She was possibly named after her Great Grandmother Catherine of Lancaster Queen Consort Castile daughter of John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster and Constance of Castile Duchess of Lancaster. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Edward III of England. Coefficient of inbreeding 3.23%.

On 16 Dec 1605 Jerome Weston 2nd Earl of Portland was born to Richard Weston 1st Earl of Portland (age 28) and Frances Waldegrave Countess Portland (age 28).

On or before 16 Dec 1622 Thomas Pope 2nd Earl Downe was born to William Pope (age 27) and Elizabeth Watson Lady Penyston (age 22). On 16 Dec 1622 he was baptised at Wroxton, Oxfordshire.

On 16 Dec 1650 Robert Marsham 4th Baronet was born to John Marsham 1st Baronet (age 48) and Elizabeth Hammond Lady Marsham (age 38).

On or before 16 Dec 1717 Robert Palk 1st Baronet was born to Walter Palk (age 31) and Frances Abraham at Lower Headborough Fram, Ashburton. He was baptised on 16 Dec 1717 at the Old Mission House, Ashburton.

On 16 Dec 1721 Frances Lee was born to George Henry Lee 2nd Earl Lichfield (age 31) and Frances Hales Countess Lichfield (age 24). He a great grandson of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland.

On 16 Dec 1724 William Douglas 4th Duke Queensberry was born to William Douglas 2nd Earl March (age 28) and Anne Hamilton 2nd Countess Ruglen (age 28). Coefficient of inbreeding 1.66%.

On 16 Dec 1727 Thomas Woods Knollys 7th Earl Banbury was born to Charles Knollys 5th Earl Banbury (age 24) and Martha Hughes (age 23).

On 16 Dec 1771 Francis Lindley Wood 2nd Baronet was born to Charles Wood (age 40).

On 16 Dec 1774 Caroline Elizabeth Villiers Duchess Argyll was born to George Bussy Villiers 4th Earl Jersey (age 39) and Frances Twysden (age 21).

On 16 Dec 1784 Paul Anthony Irby was born to Frederick Irby 2nd Baron Boston (age 35) and Christian Methuen.

On 16 Dec 1790 King Leopold I of Belgium was born to Francis Saxe Coburg Gotha I Duke Saxe Coburg Gotha (age 40) and Augusta Reuss Duchess Saxe Coburg Gotha (age 33).

On 16 Dec 1799 Richard Sutton 2nd Baronet was born to John Sutton (age 29) and Sophia Frances Chaplin.

On 16 Dec 1806 Henry William Des Voeux 3rd Baronet was born to Charles Des Voeux 2nd Baronet (age 27) and Christina Hird.

On 16 Dec 1819 Charles Edmund Isham 10th Baronet was born to Justinian Isham 8th Baronet (age 46).

On 16 Dec 1821 Frederick William Cadogan was born to George Cadogan 3rd Earl Cadogan (age 38).

On 16 Dec 1822 John Leslie 1st Baronet was born to Charles Powell Leslie (age 53) and Christiana Fosbery.

On 16 Dec 1844 John Willoughby Michael Cole was born to William Willoughby Cole 3rd Earl Enniskillen (age 37) and Jane Casamaijor Countess Enniskillen.

On 16 Dec 1852 Maurice Fitzgerald was born to Charles William Fitzgerald Fitzgerald 4th Duke Leinster (age 33) and Caroline Leveson-Gower Duchess Leinster (age 25) at Carton House, Carton, Kildare, County Kildare.

On 16 Dec 1855 Mabel Fitzgerald was born to Charles William Fitzgerald Fitzgerald 4th Duke Leinster (age 36) and Caroline Leveson-Gower Duchess Leinster (age 28) at Kilkea Castle, Castledermot, County Kildare.

On 16 Dec 1861 Antonio de la Gándara was born.

On 16 Dec 1866 Roger Fry was born to Edward Fry (age 39) and Mariabella Hodgkin (age 33).

On 16 Dec 1871 Alexander Bannerman 11th Baronet was born to George Bannerman 10th Baronet (age 44).

On 16 Dec 1917 Tatiana Mountbatten was born to George Mountbatten 2nd Marquess Milford Haven (age 25) and Nadejda Mikhailovna Torby Marchioness Milford Haven (age 21) at Edinburgh [Map]. She a great x 2 granddaughter of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom.

Marriages on the 16th December

Before 16 Dec 1558 John Cheney (age 45) and Margaret Neville (age 36) were married. He had been a ward of her father George Neville 5th and 3rd Baron Bergavenny. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

On 16 Dec 1571 a triple wedding was celebrated at Whitehall Palace [Map] ... with Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland (age 38) present ...

Edward Dudley 4th Baron Dudley (age 46) and Mary Howard Baroness Dudley (age 23) were married. She by marriage Baroness Sutton of Dudley. The difference in their ages was 23 years. He a great x 5 grandson of King Edward III of England.

Edward de Vere 17th Earl of Oxford (age 21) and Anne Cecil Countess of Oxford (age 15) were married. She by marriage Countess of Oxford. He the son of John de Vere 16th Earl of Oxford and Margery Golding Countess of Oxford.

Edward Somerset 4th Earl of Worcester (age 21) and Elizabeth Hastings Countess of Worcester (age 25) were married. She by marriage Countess Worcester. She the daughter of Francis Hastings 2nd Earl Huntingdon and Catherine Pole Countess Huntingdon (age 60). He the son of William Somerset 3rd Earl of Worcester (age 45) and Christina North Countess of Worcester. They were third cousin once removed.

Before 16 Dec 1650 John Marsham 1st Baronet (age 48) and Elizabeth Hammond Lady Marsham (age 38) were married.

On 16 Dec 1650 Henry Stapylton aka Stapleton 1st Baronet (age 33) and Elizabeth Darcy Lady Stapylton (age 27) were married. She the daughter of Conyers Darcy 1st Earl Holderness (age 51) and Grace Rokeby Countess Holderness (age 50).

On 16 Dec 1667 John Middleton 1st Earl Middleton (age 59) and Martha Carey Countess Middleton (age 32) were married at St Andrew's Church, Holborn [Map]. She by marriage Countess Middleton. The difference in their ages was 27 years. She the daughter of Henry Carey 2nd Earl Monmouth and Martha Cranfield Countess Monmouth (age 66).

On or after 16 Dec 1672 Thomas Allin 2nd Baronet (age 21) and Mary Colwall were married. The license was dated 16 Dec 1672.

On 16 Dec 1712 Peregrine Osborne 3rd Duke Leeds (age 21) and Elizabeth Harley (age 23) were married. She the daughter of Robert Harley 1st Earl of Oxford and Earl Mortimer (age 51) and Elizabeth Foley Countess of Oxford and Mortimer. He the son of Peregrine Osborne 2nd Duke Leeds (age 53) and Bridget Hyde Duchess Leeds (age 50).

On 16 Dec 1731 Robert Rochfort 1st Earl of Belvedere (age 23) and Elizabeth Tenison were married. She died a year later from smallpox.

On 16 Dec 1754 Charles Cockayne 5th Viscount Cullen (age 44) and Sophia Baxter Viscountess Cullen were married.

Deaths on the 16th December

On 16 Dec 956 or 26 Dec 956 Archbishop Wulfstan died at Oundle, Northamptonshire [Map].

On 16 Dec 999 Adelaide Welf Holy Roman Empress (age 68) died.

On 16 Dec 1263 King Haakon IV of Norway (age 59) died. His son King Magnus VI of Norway (age 25) succeeded King Norway.

On 16 Dec 1325 Charles Valois I Count Valois (age 55) died.

On 16 Dec 1379 John Fitzalan 1st Baron Arundel Baron Maltravers (age 31) drowned. He was buried at Lewes Priory [Map]. The Chronica Majora reports "... that during the panic of the storm, Sir John murdered those of his men who refused to make for shore for fear of being shipwrecked upon the rocks. Subsequently, after safely arriving on an island off the Irish coast, Sir John and his boat captain were swept back into the sea and drowned". His son John Fitzalan Baron Maltravers 2nd Baron Arundel (age 15) succeeded 2nd Baron Arundel.

On 16 Dec 1391 Margaret Bohun Countess Devon (age 80) died.

On 16 Dec 1465 Eleanor of Alberquerque Queen Consort Aragon (age 91) died.

On 16 Dec 1558 Elizabeth Jenks Baroness Rich (age 48) died.

On 16 Dec 1627 Gifford Thornhurst 1st Baronet (age 29) died. Baronet Thornhurst of Agnes Court in Kent extinct.

On 16 Dec 1634 George Hay 1st Earl Kinnoull (age 64) died. His son George Hay 2nd Earl Kinnoull (age 38) succeeded 2nd Earl Kinnoull. Anne Douglas Countess Kinnoul by marriage Countess Kinnoull.

On 16 Dec 1672 Isabel Douglas Marchioness Montrose (age 42) died.

On 16 Dec 1699 George Villiers 4th Viscount Grandison (age 82) died. On 16 Dec 1699 His grandson John Fitzgerald Villiers 1st Earl Grandison (age 15) succeeded 5th Viscount Grandison.

On 16 Dec 1774 Francis Willoughby 3rd Baron Middleton (age 48) died. His brother Thomas Willoughby 4th Baron Middleton (age 45) succeeded 4th Baron Middleton, 5th Baronet Willoughby of Wollaton. Georgina Chadwick Baroness Middleton by marriage Baroness Middleton.

On 16 Dec 1783 William James 1st Baronet (age 62) died. His son Edward William James 2nd Baronet (age 9) succeeded 2nd Baronet James of Park Farm Place in Eltham in Kent.

On 16 Dec 1798 Thomas Pennant (age 72) died.

On 16 Dec 1839 Henrietta Leslie Pepys Countess Devon (age 62) died.

On 16 Dec 1850 Félicité Anne Josephe de Wattines Lady Scarsdale (age 85) died. She was buried at Kedleston [Map].

On 16 Dec 1852 Henry Peyto Verney 24th Baron Latimer 16th Baron Willoughby (age 79) died. He was buried at Compton Verney Chapel [Map]. His nephew Robert John Verney 25th Baron Latimer 17th Baron Willoughby de Broke (age 43) succeeded 25th Baron Latimer of Corby, 17th Baron Willoughby Broke. He changed his surname from Barnard to Verney at this time as part of the settlement.

On 16 Dec 1869 Pietro Tenerani (age 80) died.

On 16 Dec 1899 Elizabeth Grosvenor Baroness Wenlock (age 75) died.

On 16 Dec 1912 R Suydam Grant died. He bequeathed his wealth to his nieces Adele Beach Grant Countess Essex (age 46) and Edythe Scott Grant, Vicomtesse de Breteuil of Paris, both of whom received $591,000.

On 16 Dec 1917 Annie Mary Shiffner Lady Graham died.

On 16 Dec 1937 Glyn Philpot (age 53) died.