On this Day in History ... 17th March

17 Mar is in March.

1190 Massacre of the Jews at York

1328 Treaty of Edinburgh Northampton

1328 Roger Mortimer created Earl of March

1623 Charles I's Trip to Spain

1943 Battle of the Mareth Line

See Births, Marriages and Deaths.

Events on the 17th March

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 1040. This year died King Harold (age 24) at Oxford, Oxfordshire [Map], on the sixteenth before the calends of April; and he was buried at Westminster. He governed England four years and sixteen weeks; and in his days tribute was paid to sixteen ships, at the rate of eight marks for each steersman, as was done before in King Knute's days. The same year they sent after Hardacnute (age 22) to Bruges [Map], supposing they did well; and he came hither to Sandwich, Kent [Map] with sixty ships, seven nights before midsummer. He was soon received both by the Angles and Danes, though his advisers afterwards severely paid for it. They ordered a tribute for sixty-two ships, at the rate of eight marks for each steersman. Then were alienated from him all that before desired him; for he framed nothing royal during his whole reign. He ordered the dead Harold (age 24) to be dragged up and thrown into a ditch. This year rose the sester of wheat to fifty-five pence, and even further. This year Archbishop Edsy went to Rome.

Florence of Worcester. 17 Mar 1040. Harold, king of England, died at London, and was buried at Westminster. After his funeral, the nobles of almost the whole of England sent envoys to Hardicanute at Bruges, where he was staying with his mother, and, thinking it was for the best, invited him to come to England and ascend the throne. Thereupon, he fitted out fifty ships, and embarking Danish troops, before midsummer sailed over to England, where he was received with universal joy, and shortly afterwards crowned ; but during his government he did nothing worthy his royal power. For as soon as he began to reign, calling to mind the injuries which both he and his mother had suffered at the hands of his predecessor, and reputed brother, king Harold, he despatched to London, Ælfric, archbishop of York, and earl Godwin, with Stor, the master of his household, Edric, his steward, Thrond, captain of his guards, and other men of high rank, with or ders to dig up the body of Harold and throw it into a sewer; and when it was thrown there, he caused it to be dragged out and cast into the river Thames. Shortly afterwards, it was picked up by a fisherman, and being immediately brought to the Danes, was honourably buried by them in a cemetery they possessed at London.1 After this, he ordered that eight marks should bo paid to every rower in his fleet, and twelve to each steersman, to be levied from the Avliole of England ; a tax so burthensome, that scarcely any one would pay it, and he became thoroughly detested by those who at first were most anxious for his coming. Besides, he was greatly incensed against earl Godwin, and Living, bishop of Worcester, for the death of his brother Alfred, of which they were accused by .^Ifric, archbishop of York, and some others. In consequence, he took the bishopric of Worcester from Living and gave it to ^Ifrie ; but the following year, he ejected -rElfric and graciously restored Living, who had made his peace with him.

Note 1. The cemetery of St. Clement-Danes, where the Northmen had a settlement on the bank of the Thames, outside the walls of London. The Saxon Chron. is silent as to Harold's corpse being thrown into the Thames and fished up, but Henry of Huntingdon gives the same account as our author.

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On 14 Mar 1190 twin boys Robert Capet and Philip Capet were born to King Philip II of France (age 24) and Isabelle Flanders Queen Consort France (age 19). The eldest Robert died the same day, the youngest Philip died three days later. Their mother Isabelle Flanders Queen Consort France (age 19) died from childbirth the day after the birth.

On 17 Mar 1190 at York [Map] the Jewish population sought protection from violence in Clifford's Tower. The tower was besieged by the mob of crusaders preparing to leave on the Third Crusade. The Jewish men killed their wives and children, after which they set fire to the wooden keep. Those who did escape were murdered.

Calendars. 17 Mar 1308 King Edward II of England (age 23). Westminster Palace [Map]. To John Sampson (age 61), constable of the king's castle of Scardeburgh [Map]. Order to permit Henry Percy and his consort and their household to dwell in the houses within the said castle, provided that the castle be safely guarded.

Froissart. 17 Mar 1328. And also they delivered to them again the black cross of Scotland, the which the good king Edward conquered and brought it out of the abbey of Scone [Map], the which was a precious relic; and all rights and interests that every baron had in Scotland was then clean forgiven. And many other things were done at that parliament to the great hurt and prejudice of the realm of England, and in manner against the wills of all the nobles of the realm, save only of Isabel (age 33) the old queen and the bishop of Ely and the lord Mortimer (age 40): they ruled the realm in such wise, that every man was miscontent. So that the earl Henry of Lancaster (age 47) and sir Thomas Brotherton (age 27), earl marshal, and sir Edmund of Woodstock (age 26), the king's uncle, and divers other lords and commons were agreed together to amend these faults, if they might. And in that meantime the queen Isabel (age 33) and sir Roger Mortimer (age 40) caused another parliament to be holden at Salisbury, at the which parliament sir Roger Mortimer (age 40) was made earl of March against all the barons' wills of England, in prejudice of king and his realm, and sir John of Eltham (age 11) the king's brother was made earl of Cornwall. To the which parliament the earl Henry of Lancaster (age 47) would not come, wherefore the king was brought in belief that he would have destroyed his person; for the which they assembled a great host and went toward Bedford, Bedfordshire [Map], whereas the earl Henry (age 47) was with his company.

On 17 Mar 1328 Robert the Bruce (age 53) signed the Treaty of Edinburgh Northampton bringing to an end the First Scottish War of Independence. The English Parliament signed at Northampton [Map] on 03 May 1328. The terms of the Treaty included:

Scotland to pay England £100,000 sterling,

The Kingdom of Scotland as fully independent,

Robert the Bruce (age 53), and his heirs and successors, as the rightful rulers of Scotland, and.

The border between Scotland and England as that recognised under the reign of Alexander III (1249-1286).

The Treaty lasted four years only being regarded by the English nobility as humiliating; the work of Edward's (age 15) mother Isabella of France Queen Consort England (age 33) and Roger Mortimer 1st Earl March (age 40) rather than King Edward (age 15). Two years after King Edward (age 15) commenced his personal reign he commenced the Second War of Scottish Independence in Aug 1332.

Froissart. 17 Mar 1328. Treaty of Edinburgh Northampton. AND when that the Scots were departed by night from the mountain, whereas the king of England (age 15) had besieged them, as ye have heard herebefore, they went twentytwo mile through that savage country without resting, and passed the river of Tyne right near to Carlisle, Cumberland [Map]1; and the next day they went into their own land, and so departed every man to his own mansion. And within a space after there was a peace purchased between the kings of England and Scotland; and as the English chronicle saith,' it was done by the special counsel of the old queen (age 33) and sir Roger Mortimer (age 40); for by their means there was a parliament holden at Northampton [Map], at the which the king (age 15) being within age granted to the Scots to release all the fealties and homages that they ought to have done to the crown of England, by his charter ensealed, and also there was delivered to the Scots an indenture, the which was called the Ragman, wherein was contained all the homages and fealties that the king of Scots and all the prelates, earls and barons of Scotland ought to have done to the crown of England, sealed with all their seals, with all other rights that sundry barons and knights ought to have had in the realm of Scotland.

Note 1. This may be a mistake since the River Tyne doesn't flows near Carlisle. The River Eden flows through Carlisle.

Froissart. 17 Mar 1328. Then the earl marshal (age 27) and the earl of Kent (age 26), the king's uncle, made a peace between the king (age 15) and the earl of Lancaster (age 47), on whose part was sir Henry lord Beaumont (age 49), sir Fulke Fitz-Warin (age 43), sir Thomas Rocelin, sir William Trussel (age 48), sir Thomas Wither and about a hundred knights, who were all expelled out of England by the counsel of queen Isabel and the earl Mortimer: for he was so covetous, that he thought to have the most part of all their lands into his own hands, as it is more plainly shewed in the English chronicle, the which I pass over and follow mine author.

On 17 Mar 1372 Bishop John Gilbert was elected Bishop of Bangor.

Chronicle of Robert Fabyan 1458. 17 Mar 1458. and lastly, that is to say, the. xvii. day of Marche, the King and the Queen, with a great retynewe came unto London, and were lodgyd in the bysshop of Londons palays. And ve shall vnderstande, that with theysc foresaide Lords came great companyes of men, in sornoche that some had. vi.C. [600] some. v. and theleest. iiii.C. [400] Wherfore the mayer, for so longe as the King and the lordys lay thus in the cytie, had dayly in harnesse. v. M. [5000] cytezyns, and rode dayly about the cytie and subburbys of the same, to see that the Kings peace were kepte, and nyghtlye he prouyded for. iii1. M. men in harnesse, to geue attend aunce upon. iii. aldermen : and they to kepe the nyght watche tyll. vii. of the clocke upon the morowe, tyll the day watche were asseniblyd. By reason whereof, good ordre and rule was kepte, and no man so hardy ones to attempte the breaKing of the Kings peace. During this watche, a great counceyll was holden by the King and his lordys; by reason wherof, a dysSirnulyd vnyte and Concorde atwene them was concluded.

Calendars. 17 Mar 1465. Grant to the king's kinsman Ralph, lord of Graystok (age 51), knight, and the, heirs male of his body of the manors and lordships of Storthwayte, Garton and Melburne, co. York, with their members, worth 60/. yearly, and the advowson or patronage of the priory of Kirkeham, co. York, worth nothings and the manor of Ravensthorp, co. York, worth 35/. yearly, the custody of which was granted by letters patent dated 5 November, 1 Edward IV. to Robert Danby and Thomas Wytham (age 45), chancellor of the Exchequer, for 20 years from Michaelmas then last past at a rent of 26/. 13s, 4d. yearly, with a toft and a bovate of land in Boltby, co. York, late of John son of William de la Boure, worth 2^. yearly, and the said 26/. 13^. 4d. and all issues and arrears of the above premises from 3 March before the said 5 November, and pardon to the said Ralph, Robert and Thomas of all accounts for the same. By p.s. Vacated by surrender and cancelled because the king granted the above I to him and the heirs male of his body by other letters patent on 30 November, 8 Edward IV.

Calendars. 17 Mar 1466. General pardon to Robert Stillyngton (age 46), Bishop of Bath and Wells, dean of Westminster, the king's free chapel of St. Martin le Grand, London, and keeper of the privy seal, of all provisions of apostolic letters or bulls and all other offences committed by him before 13 January. By p.s.

Notes and Queries 1852 Volume 5 Number 118. "The punishment of boiling," adds Sir Walter, "seems to have been in use among the English at a very late period, as appears from the following passage in Stowe's Chronicle:—'The 17th March (1542) Margaret Davy, a maid, was boiled at Smithfield for poisoning of three households that she had dwelled in.'"

Holinshed's Chronicle 1542. 17 Mar 1542. The seuenteenth of March one Margaret Dauie a yoong woman, being a servant, was boiled in Smithfield for poisoning of hir mistres with whome she dwelt, and diuerse other persons.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 17 Mar 1552. The xvij day of Marche rod thrugh London unto [St.] James in the feld, the kyng('s) plase [Note. palace], the kynges syster my [lady] Elsabeth (age 18), with a grett compeny of lordes and knyghtes and gentyll men, and after her a grett nombur of lades and gentyllwomen to the nombur of ij C. on horsse-bake, and yomen.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 17 Mar 1554. The xvij day of Marche was deprevyd the bysshope of Harfford and the bysshope of Glosetur (age 59); commyssyonars that dyd depreyffe them my lord chansseler and my lord of Durram, my lord of Londun, my lord of Chechastur, and my lord of sant Asse.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 17 Mar 1557. The xvij day of Marche cam rydyng from kyng Phelype (age 29) from be-yond the see unto the court at Grenwyche [Map], to owre quen (age 41), with letters in post, my lord Robart Dudley (age 24), and after master Kemp of the preve chambur, that the kyng (age 29) wold com to Cales [Map] the xvij day of Marche; and the sam day dyd pryche a-for the quen the nuwe bysshope of Lynckolne doctur Watsun (age 42).

Henry Machyn's Diary. 17 Mar 1560. The sam day at after-non dyd pryche at the cowrt [at] the prychyng plasse master Juell (age 37) the nuw byshope of Salysbere, in ys rochet and chymmer.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 17 Mar 1561. The xvij day dyd pryche at the cowrt the [bishop] of Durram (age 41), that was Mydlent sonday.

On 17 Mar 1608 Maximilian Colt (age 33) was employed on a second monument in Westminster Abbey above the grave of the Princess Sophia, the infant child of King James I (age 41), who was born and died in the preceding June. Colt received 215l for this work.

Diary of Anne Clifford 1619. 17 Mar 1619. The 17th my Lord (age 29) went to Buckhurst to search for armour and provision which should be laid up by the Papists. This day I made an end of my Lady’s Book of Praise of a solitary life.

Autobiography Simon D'Ewes. 17 Feb 1623. There happened on Monday, the 17th day of the month, so strange an accident as after ages will scarce believe it. For Charles Prince of Wales (age 22) began his journey from London into Spain on Monday, the 17th day of February, with the beloved Marquis of Buckingham (age 30), Sir Francis Cottington (age 44), and Mr. Endimion Porter (age 36), only in his campaign; who only, besides the King himself, were the alone men aquainted with the Prince's resolution. Their going was so secretly carried as none, I believe, knew of it in England till they were landed in France, through which kingdom they passed by posthorse into Spain.1 The journey was thought so dangerous, being above 1100 English miles by land, besides the crossing of the seas between Dover and Calais, as all men were generally ensaddened at the ad- venture, often wishing it had been better advised upon; although they knew the Spaniards durst do the Prince no harm, so long as his royal sister and her illustrious oflspring survived. Soon after followed the Lord Hays (age 43), Earl of Carlisle, and passed into France to excuse to that King the Prince's sudden and secret passing through his kingdom without giving him a visit. All men now took it for granted, that the Prince's marriage with the Infanta Maria, the King of Spain's sister, was concluded on, and that he went over only to consummate it; no man imagining that he would take up such a resolution upon uncertainties, especially occasioning so vast and unnecessary expense at a time when the King's wants pressed him much. But God, whose decree binds princes as well as peasants, had otherwise disposed, so as our royal suitor, arriving at Madrid in Spain on Friday the 7th (or 17th) of March, about three weeks later his departure from London, and taking ship for his return to England on the 18th (or 28th) of September, then next ensuing, stayed in Spain about seven months; in all which time he seldom saw or spoke with the Spanish Princess, nor could ever receive a fair or sincere denial from her brother, although her marriage had been absolutely disposed of by her father's last will and testament; he bequeathing her to Ferdinand, son and heir of Ferdinand the Second, Emperor of Germany, who afterwards did accordingly espouse her.

Note 1. "And now behold a, strange adventure and enterprise! The Prince and the Marquis of Buckingham, accompanied with Cottington and Endimion Porter, post in disgiuse to Spain to accelerate the marriage. The 17th of February they went privately from Court, and the next day came to Dover, where they embarked for Boulogne, and from thence rode post to Paris, where they made some atop. The Prince, shadowed under a bushy peruque, beheld the splendour of that court, and had a full view of the Princess Henrietta Maria (age 13), who was afterwards his royal consort. For, besides the great privacy of the journey, they had so laid the English ports, that none should follow or give the least advertisement, until they had got the start of intelligencers, and passed the bounds of France. Howbeit they escaped narrowly, and a swift intelligence sent to the King of Spain from Don Carlos Coloma was even at their heels before they arrived at Madrid. The Prince and Buckingham being in the territories of Spain, to make but little noise, rode post before their company. The 7th of March they arrived at Madrid, the royal residence, and were conveyed with much secrecy into the Earl of Bristol's (age 43) house-Rushworth, i. p. 76. A fuller account of this extraordinary adventure will be found elsewhere.

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Pepy's Diary. 17 Mar 1660. This morning bade adieu in bed to the company of my wife. We rose and I gave my wife some money to serve her for a time, and what papers of consequence I had. Then I left her to get her ready and went to my Lord's with my boy Eliezer to my Lord's lodging at Mr. Crew's (age 62). Here I had much business with my Lord, and papers, great store, given me by my Lord to dispose of as of the rest. After that, with Mr. Moore home to my house and took my wife by coach to the Chequer in Holborn, where, after we had drank, &c., she took coach and so farewell. I staid behind with Tom Alcock and Mr. Anderson, my old chamber fellow at Cambridge his brother, and drank with them there, who were come to me thither about one that would have a place at sea. Thence with Mr. Hawly to dinner at Mr. Crew's (age 62). After dinner to my own house, where all things were put up into the dining-room and locked up, and my wife took the keys along with her.

Pepy's Diary. 17 Mar 1662. Last night the Blackmore pink1 brought the three prisoners, Barkestead, Okey, and Corbet, to the Tower, being taken at Delfe in Holland; where, the Captain tells me, the Dutch were a good while before they could be persuaded to let them go, they being taken prisoners in their land. But Sir G. Downing (age 37) would not be answered so: though all the world takes notice of him for a most ungrateful villain for his pains.

Note 1. A "pink" was a form of vessel now obsolete, and had a very narrow stern. The "Blackmoor" was a sixth-rate of twelve guns, built at Chatham, Kent [Map] by Captain Tayler in 1656.

Pepy's Diary. 17 Mar 1663. So home with my mind at very great ease, over the water to the Tower, and thence, there being nobody at the office, we being absent, and so no office could be kept. Sir W. Batten (age 62) and I to my Lord Mayor's, where we found my Lord with Colonel Strangways and Sir Richard Floyd, Parliament-men, in the cellar drinking, where we sat with them, and then up; and by and by comes in Sir Richard Ford. In our drinking, which was always going, we had many discourses, but from all of them I do find Sir R. Ford (age 49) a very able man of his brains and tongue, and a scholler. But my Lord Mayor (age 48) I find to be a talking, bragging Bufflehead, a fellow that would be thought to have led all the City in the great business of bringing in the King (age 32), and that nobody understood his plots, and the dark lanthorn he walked by; but led them and plowed with them as oxen and asses (his own words) to do what he had a mind when in every discourse I observe him to be as very a coxcomb as I could have thought had been in the City. But he is resolved to do great matters in pulling down the shops quite through the City, as he hath done in many places, and will make a thorough passage quite through the City, through Canning-street, which indeed will be very fine. And then his precept, which he, in vain-glory, said he had drawn up himself, and hath printed it, against coachmen and carrmen affronting of the gentry in the street; it is drawn so like a fool, and some faults were openly found in it, that I believe he will have so much wit as not to proceed upon it though it be printed.

Pepy's Diary. 17 Mar 1664. Up and to my brother's (deceased), where all the morning doing business against to-morrow, and so to my cozen Stradwicke's about the same business, and to the 'Change [Map], and thence home to dinner, where my wife in bed sick still, but not so bad as yesterday. I dined by her, and so to the office, where we sat this afternoon, having changed this day our sittings from morning to afternoons, because of the Parliament which returned yesterday; but was adjourned till Monday next; upon pretence that many of the members were said to be upon the road; and also the King (age 33) had other affairs, and so desired them to adjourn till then. But the truth is, the King (age 33) is offended at my Lord of Bristol (age 51), as they say, whom he hath found to have been all this while (pretending a desire of leave to go into France, and to have all the difference between him and the Chancellor (age 55) made up,) endeavouring to make factions in both Houses to the Chancellor (age 55). So the King (age 33) did this to keep the Houses from meeting; and in the meanwhile sent a guard and a herald last night to have taken him at Wimbleton, where he was in the morning, but could not find him: at which the King (age 33) was and is still mightily concerned, and runs up and down to and from the Chancellor's (age 55) like a boy: and it seems would make Digby's articles against the Chancellor (age 55) to be treasonable reflections against his Majesty. So that the King (age 33) is very high, as they say; and God knows what will follow upon it!

Pepy's Diary. 17 Mar 1665. This night my Lady Wood (age 38) died of the small-pox, and is much lamented among the great persons for a good-natured woman and a good wife, but for all that it was ever believed she was as others are. The Duke (age 31) did give us some commands, and so broke up, not taking leave of him. But the best piece of newes is, that instead of a great many troublesome Lords, the whole business is to be left with the Duke of Albemarle (age 56) to act as Admirall in his stead; which is a thing that do cheer my heart. For the other would have vexed us with attendance, and never done the business.

Pepy's Diary. 17 Mar 1665. Thence to the Committee of Tangier, where the Duke (age 31) a little, and then left us and we staid. A very great Committee, the Lords Albemarle (age 56), Sandwich (age 39), Barkely (age 63), Fitzharding (age 35), Peterborough (age 43), Ashley (age 43), Sir Thos. Ingram (age 50), Sir G. Carteret (age 55) and others. The whole business was the stating of Povy's (age 51) accounts, of whom to say no more, never could man say worse himself nor have worse said of him than was by the company to his face; I mean, as to his folly and very reflecting words to his honesty. Broke up without anything but trouble and shame, only I got my businesses done to the signing of two bills for the Contractors and Captain Taylor, and so come away well pleased, and home, taking up my wife at the 'Change [Map], to dinner.

On 17 Mar 1665 Mary Gardiner (age 38) died of smallpox. On 01 Apr 1665 she was buried at Westminster Abbey [Map].

Pepy's Diary. 17 Mar 1666. At noon home to dinner and presently with my wife out to Hales's (age 66), where I am still infinitely pleased with my wife's picture. I paid him £14 for it, and 25s. for the frame, and I think it is not a whit too deare for so good a picture. It is not yet quite finished and dry, so as to be fit to bring home yet. This day I begun to sit, and he will make me, I think, a very fine picture. He promises it shall be as good as my wife's, and I sit to have it full of shadows, and do almost break my neck looking over my shoulder to make the posture for him to work by.

Pepy's Diary. 17 Mar 1667. Lord's Day. Up betime with my wife, and by coach with Sir W. Pen (age 45) and Sir Thomas Allen (age 34) to White Hall, there my wife and I the first time that ever we went to my Lady Jemimah's chamber at Sir Edward Carteret's (age 47) lodgings. I confess I have been much to blame and much ashamed of our not visiting her sooner, but better now than never. Here we took her before she was up, which I was sorry for, so only saw her, and away to chapel, leaving further visit till after sermon. I put my wife into the pew below, but it was pretty to see, myself being but in a plain band, and every way else ordinary, how the verger took me for her man, I think, and I was fain to tell him she was a kinswoman of my Lord Sandwich's (age 41), he saying that none under knights-baronets' ladies are to go into that pew. So she being there, I to the Duke of York's (age 33) lodging, where in his dressing-chamber he talking of his journey to-morrow or next day to Harwich, Essex [Map], to prepare some fortifications there; so that we are wholly upon the defensive part this year, only we have some expectations that we may by our squadrons annoy them in their trade by the North of Scotland and to the Westward. Here Sir W. Pen (age 45) did show the Duke of York (age 33) a letter of Hogg's about a prize he drove in within the Sound at Plymouth, Devon [Map], where the Vice-Admiral claims her. Sir W. Pen (age 45) would have me speak to the latter, which I did, and I think without any offence, but afterwards I was sorry for it, and Sir W. Pen (age 45) did plainly say that he had no mind to speak to the Duke of York (age 33) about it, so that he put me upon it, but it shall be, the last time that I will do such another thing, though I think no manner of hurt done by it to me at all.

Pepy's Diary. 17 Mar 1667. Then I went back to White Hall, and there up to the closet, and spoke with several people till sermon was ended, which was preached by the Bishop of Hereford (age 64), an old good man, that they say made an excellent sermon. He was by birth a Catholique, and a great gallant, having £1500 per annum, patrimony, and is a Knight Barronet; was turned from his persuasion by the late Archbishop Laud. He and the Bishop of Exeter, Dr. Ward, are the two Bishops that the King (age 36) do say he cannot have bad sermons from. Here I met with Sir H. Cholmly (age 34), who tells me, that undoubtedly my Lord Bellasses (age 52) do go no more to Tangier, and that he do believe he do stand in a likely way to go Governor; though he says, and showed me, a young silly Lord, one Lord Allington (age 27), who hath offered a great sum of money to go, and will put hard for it, he having a fine lady (age 22), and a great man would be glad to have him out of the way.

Pepy's Diary. 17 Mar 1667. After Chapel I down and took out my wife from the pew, where she was talking with a lady whom I knew not till I was gone. It was Mrs. Ashfield of Brampton [Map], who had with much civility been, it seems, at our house to see her. I am sorry I did not show her any more respect. With my wife to Sir G. Carteret's (age 57), where we dined and mightily made of, and most extraordinary people they are to continue friendship with for goodness, virtue, and nobleness and interest.

Pepy's Diary. 17 Mar 1667. Thence away, and got a Hackney coach and carried my wife home, and there only drank, and myself back again to my Lord Treasurer's (age 60), where the King (age 36), Duke of York (age 33), and Sir G. Carteret (age 57) and Lord Arlington (age 49) were and none else, so I staid not, but to White Hall, and there meeting nobody I would speak with, walked into the Park and took two or three turns all alone, and then took coach and home, where I find Mercer, who I was glad to see, but durst [not] shew so, my wife being displeased with her, and indeed I fear she is grown a very gossip. I to my chamber, and there fitted my arguments which I had promised Mr. Gawden in his behalf in some pretences to allowance of the King (age 36), and then to supper, and so to my chamber a little again, and then to bed. Duke of Buckingham (age 39) not heard of yet.

Pepy's Diary. 17 Mar 1667. After dinner he and I alone awhile and did joy ourselves in my Lord Sandwich's (age 41) being out of the way all this time. He concurs that we are in a way of ruin by thus being forced to keep only small squadrons out, but do tell me that it was not choice, but only force, that we could not keep out the whole fleete. He tells me that the King (age 36) is very kind to my Lord Sandwich (age 41), and did himself observe to him (Sir G. Carteret (age 57)), how those very people, meaning the Prince (age 47) and Duke of Albemarle (age 58), are punished in the same kind as they did seek to abuse my Lord Sandwich (age 41).

Pepy's Diary. 17 Mar 1668. Up betimes and to the office, where all the morning busy, and then at noon home to dinner, and so again to the office awhile, and then abroad to the Excize-Office, where I met Mr. Ball, and did receive the paper I went for; and there fell in talk with him, who, being an old cavalier, do swear and curse at the present state of things, that we should be brought to this, that we must be undone and cannot be saved; that the Parliament is sitting now, and will till midnight, to find how to raise this £300,000, and he doubts they will not do it so as to be seasonable for the King (age 37): but do cry out against our great men at Court; how it is a fine thing for a Secretary of State to dance a jigg, and that it was not so heretofore; and, above all, do curse my Lord of Bristol (age 55), saying the worst news that ever he heard in his life, or that the Devil could ever bring us, was this Lord's coming to prayers the other day in the House of Lords, by which he is coming about again from being a Papist, which will undo this nation; and he says he ever did say, at the King's first coming in, that this nation could not be safe while that man was alive. Having done there, I away towards Westminster, but seeing by the coaches the House to be up, I stopped at the 'Change [Map] (where, I met Mrs. Turner (age 45), and did give her a pair of gloves), and there bought several things for my wife, and so to my bookseller's, and there looked for Montaigne's Essays1, which I heard by my Lord Arlington (age 50) and Lord Blaney so much commended, and intend to buy it, but did not now, but home, where at the office did some business, as much as my eyes would give leave, and so home to supper, Mercer with us talking and singing, and so to bed. The House, I hear, have this day concluded upon raising £100,000 of the £300,000 by wine, and the rest by a poll-[tax], and have resolved to excuse the Church, in expectation that they will do the more of themselves at this juncture; and I do hear that Sir W. Coventry (age 40) did make a speech in behalf of the Clergy.

Note 1. This must have been Florio's translation, as Cotton's was not published until 1685.

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Register of St Olaves Church Hart Street London 1563 1700 Burials. 17 Mar 1687. Dame Susanna Ricards, wid., ye relict of Sr Andrew Ricards, deceased: chauncill.

Roger Whitley's Diary. 17 Mar 1690. Monday, went to the Penthouse about 8; then with the Mayor, Sheriffes, Grosvenor, Leeming, G.Mainwaring (age 47) & some Aldermen & many freemen to the Towne Hall; the Sheriffe opened the writ; some few poled there; G;Mainwaring & I protested against: the new freemen; we disowned the practice & if any should give us theire votes we disowned them; Sheriffe Randle Batho also protested against them; I & Mr Booth objected against Hugh Grosvenor's pole as not being a freeman; onely made Alderman by the new Charter; the Sheriffe would take his pole & very insolently told us we disputed the pole; bid us be silent or goe out of Court; then he ajourned the Court to RoodeDee; there we poled in cold & wett till 6 at night; he had a minde to shut up the pole; we opposed it; having severall in the crowde that called out to be poled; the noise & confusion was great; the Sheriffe then ajourned the Court till 9 on Tuesday; Sheriffe Randle Batho declared he ajorned the pole till then; Grosvenor & Leeming went first; G.Mainwaring (age 47) & I after them (all carryed in chaires) went to the Sunne taverne, where we supt; many frinds with us; parted about 10.

Calendars. 17 Mar 1693. Kensington. Commissions for Philip Parsons, esq., to be captain of an independent company of foot, to be forthwith raised and employed in Hudson's Bay for the defence of the same, and to observe and follow ° such orders as shall from time to time be received from the Governor and Company of Hudson's Bay; and for Samuel Adams, gentleman, to be lieutenant of the same company. [H.O. Military Hntry Book 2, p. 342.]

Calendars. 17 Mar 1693. Whitehall. Passes for John Christopher Fabricius to go to Harwich and Holland [S.P. Dom. Warrant Book 36, p. 519]; and for Mons. de Grammar, ditto [bid., p. 520].

Calendars. 17 Mar 1693. Council Chamber, Dublin. The Lord Lieutenant and Council of Ireland to the Earl of Nottingham. We have had frequent applications made to this board from several persons who have taken leases from the Commissioners of their Majesties' revenue of the forfeited lands, for abatement of their rents by reason that some could not get possession or enjoy a ereat part of the lands demised; others were plundered and the stock and substance of their undertenants taken away by the rapparees and sometimes by their Majesties' own forces, so that they could make none, or very little advantage of their farms.

We are also much troubled by those who were indebted to King James to allow them by discount so much as King James was indebted to them; as for instance, one in particular, a brewer, is indebted to King James for excise, and at that time he had to furnish the hospital at Kilmainham with beer, so that there remains due to him a considerable sum for that service. There is also another case which is frequently before us, and that is the case of the protestants whose estates were seized by King James; the Commissioners of the Revenue require from these men the quit-rents and crown rent for 1688. It seems to be very hard that they should be pressed to pay the rent due to that King for the year when he had the greatest part of the profits of the estates from all the tenants who were in arrears. In all these particulars we desire the King's directions, and if he condescends to give relief, which we conceive reasonable, therein we require your lordships to lay it before his Majesty that a commission under the Great Seal either of England or this kingdom may be granted with instructions, for the purpose aforesaid, either to the Lord Lieutenant and Council or to such of the Council as his Majesty shall think fit, and that they be empowered to give such relief in all these and the like cases as shall seem reasonable. The like method that we now offer was used in the time of the Earl of Essex for reducing the quit-rents of such lands as were not altogether "improfitable" but yet charged with too high quit-rents by which means the quit-rent was reduced to the general satisfaction of the kingdom. Seal ofarms. [S.P. Ireland 355, No. 26.]

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Calendars. 17 Mar 1693. Whitehall. Proceedings upon the petition of Dame Anne Paul, wife of Sir John Paul, late resident from King Charles I. atthe court of Denmark, for payment of the debt contracted by her husband whilst at that court. Referred to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury. [S.P. Dom. Petition Entry Book 1, p. 460.] ,

Calendars. 17 Mar 1693. Whitehall. Warrant for a grant of letters patent to Richard Povey, William Dockwra, Thomas Puckle, and Augustin Harris, for their invention "of a peculiar art of making moulds of iron and other metals." [H.O. Warrant Book 6, p. 520.]

Calendars. 17 Mar 1693. Whitehall. The Earl of Nottingham to Sir John Williamson. I desire you will deliver to Mr. Warre the papers mentioned in the enclosed list, there being occasion for them for their Majesties' service in Ireland; they shall be restored to you again in a few days. [H.O. Letter Book (Secretary's) 2, p. 629.]

Calendars. 17 Mar 1693. Dublin. Viscount Sydney to the Earl of Nottingham. The proceedings of the parliament in England have made some of our members here "very insolent," which I ought to let you know, that I may have instructions "how to proceed with these gentlemen." I am afraid if matters stand as they are represented to us out of England we shall have very ill sessions. They say they have gained the point because there is no mention made of the vote of the sole right in the address that was presented to the King. It is too late to give any advice in this matter because I suppose parliament is now at an end; but if the King is resolved that this parliament shall sit in April, it will be necessary for him to give his orders at the opening as to whether any notice shall be taken of the votes of the last sessions, touching their claim of the sole right to have money bills begun in the House of Commons, what is to be done with them if they attack the Lord Chancellor, the Speaker, or any others that have appeared in his Majesty's interest, what bills should be presented to them, how to proceed if they receive them, and what to do if they reject them.

I send you a memorial that was presented to me by the officers of the army, concerning an office that was erected in favour of Capt. Fitz Gerald, who does not deserve it, and as it is a grievance to the soldiers who "deserve very well," I propose that his Majesty will put an end to this office.

I have also sent you a proposal about the government of Sligo and Carrickfergus; concerning Sligo Iam sure what is proposed is for the good of the service, for there is now nobody in the "country." Lord Kingston has given up his commission and it is necessary to have a man of quality in that "country" to suppress the rapparees, and no one is to be found, unless some advantage can be got out of it. [Ibid., No. 27.] Enclosing:—

The King, thinking Sligo a place considerable enough to put a garrison there, the Lord Lieutenant has constituted Lord Blany governor thereof and of the whole county of Sligo; but as Lord Blany cannot reside there, it is necessary to put a deputy governor there, a good officer whose loyalty is well known. The Lord Lieutenant thought of Mons. de la Faucille, who was appointed to be major of Callimot's regiment, but was wounded at the Boyne and rendered incapable of serving; he is known to the King. His Majesty will not allow a double pay of governor, so Lord Blany shall have the allowance of governor and Mons. de la Faucille the pay of town major, and sia shillings besides, which will be added to his pay by the means proposed at the end of this memorial.

Carrickfergus is of no less importance than all the other places of Ireland; not only by reason of its "neigbourhood" to Scotland, but also because it is necessary to have some fit place in that part of Ulster where there may be a garrison and magazines of war. There can be no other reason given why the King did not order that place to be set down upon the establishment as one where there should be a governor, but the avoiding of expense. The King may give the governor's place to Lord Donegal without any allowance, and put Mons. de la Saigne there as deputy governor (the latter commanded at Drogheda, and is now without any employment) and take ten shillings for his pay, and six shillings for Mons. de la Faucille, out of the money designed for the payment of the French officers made incapable of serving. There are six of those places void, amounting to sixteen shillings and threepence a day; therefore the King will keep two very necessary places without any expense, for this money will be still made use of for the end it was designed, which is the maintaining of the French officers not fit for service by reason of their age and wounds, and his Majesty will put two "very honest gentlemen" in away to do him service and to make themselves a name.

The names of those whose pensions are vacant are, Mons. de Goulaine, to whom the King has given a captain's place nm Galway's regiment; Beawean has left his pension; De lV Atmery, married in London, where he has enough to live won; Renold has left his pension; Dangilbaut is dead; Londés has gone into France. [S.P. Ireland 355, No. 271.]

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On 17 Mar 1715 Bishop Gilbert Burnet (age 71) died. Salisbury Cathedral [Map].

Archaeologia Volume 3 Section XXIX. Discoveries in a Barrow [Winster Barrow [Map]] in Derbyshire. Communicated by Mr. Mander, of Bakewell, in the said County. Read at the Society of Antiquaries, March 17, 1768.

Archaeologia Volume 8 Appendix. The Hon. Daines Barrington (age 68) communicated the following observations by him on the Grey Weathers in Berkshire, and the Crypts in Canterbury Cathedral. Read March 17, 17 85.

Thomas Bateman 1846. On the 17th of the same month a very remarkable tumulus was visited, which is situated upon a piece of ground near the village of Monyash, called Ringham Lowe [Map]. The upper portion being removed, it now presents the appearance of an oval elevation of considerable extent and trifling height, bearing in its present state no slight resemblance to the temple at Arbor Lowe, this idea being strengthened by the immense stones of which the kistvaen is composed.

The oval measures about fifty-four yards by thirty-five, and is thickly studded with vaults of the usual construction, many of which radiate from the central part of the barrow, where one of rather superior size is placed. The latter was cleared out on the above-mentioned day, and was found to consist of four large stones; the one employed to form a side of the cell was ascertained to measure four yards in length, from four to five feet in width, and two feet in thickness; within lay the skeleton of a very old man, upon a flooring of flat stones; with him a small piece of gray flint, apparently a part of a knife, and a cow's tooth. These bones retain much of their natural appearance, being hard and sound, excepting at the ends, which are entirely removed by decay. Two other vaults were opened without success, and in no part of this barrow which could be examined were any traces of calcined bone or pottery apparent.

Near one extremity of this oval tumulus is a small barrow, as at Arbor Lowe; it is much flattened by cultivation, and on opening afforded no relics, its contents being merely a disjointed human skeleton amidst a profusion of rats' bones.

On 17 Mar 1891 Archbishop William Connor Magee (age 69) was appointed Archbishop of York. He died seven weeks later.

On 17 Mar 1943 Nicholas Townshend Durham was killed in action at the Battle of the Mareth Line.

On 25 Dec 1962 All Saints' Church, Branston [Map] was damaged by fire. The Church was rehallowed on 17 Mar 1966.

Time Team Series 3 Episode 1: Prehistoric Fogou was filmed between 17 Mar 1995 and 19 Mar 1995. It was originally shown on 07 Jan 1996.

Location: Boleigh, Cornwall [Map].

Births on the 17th March

On or before 17 Mar 1632 Robert Pierrepont was born to Henry Pierrepont 1st Marquess Dorchester (age 26) and Cecilia Bayning (age 18). He was baptised on 17 Mar 1632. He died an infant.

On 17 Mar 1683 Ann Heathcote was born to Gilbert Heathcote 1st Baronet (age 31).

On 17 Mar 1720 John Rawdon 1st Earl Moira was born.

On or before 17 Mar 1722, the date he was baptised, Charles Schuckburgh 5th Baronet was born to Charles Schuckburgh (age 28).

On 17 Mar 1722 William Wentworth 2nd Earl Strafford was born to Thomas Wentworth 1st Earl Strafford (age 49) and Anne Johnson Countess Strafford.

On 17 Mar 1728 John Delaval 1st Baron Delaval was born to Francis Blake Delaval (age 35) and Rhoda Apreece.

On 17 Mar 1753 Charles Stanhope 3rd Earl of Harrington was born to William Stanhope 2nd Earl of Harrington (age 33) and Caroline Fitzroy Countess Harrington (age 30). He a great x 2 grandson of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland.

On 17 Mar 1761 Oswald Mosley was born to John Parker Mosley 1st Baronet (age 29).

On 17 Mar 1794 Edward Cust 1st Baronet was born to Brownlow Cust 1st Baron Brownlow (age 49) and Frances Bankes Baroness Brownlow at Hill Street, Berkeley Square.

On 17 Mar 1809 John Thomas Duckworth aka Buller 2nd Baronet was born to John Thomas Duckworth 1st Baronet (age 62) and Susannah Catherine Buller.

On 17 Mar 1810 George Patrick Evans 7th Baron Carbery was born to Percy Evans (age 36).

On 17 Mar 1811 Thomas Parker 6th Earl Macclesfield was born to Thomas Parker 5th Earl Macclesfield (age 48) and Eliza Wolstenholme Countess Macclesfield (age 30).

On 17 Mar 1839 John Pettie was born.

On 17 Mar 1868 Winifred Selina Sturt was born to Henry Gerard Sturt 1st Baron Alington (age 42) and Augusta Bingham Baroness Alington (age 36). Coefficient of inbreeding 6.25%.

On 17 Mar 1886 Victoria Patricia "Patsy" Windsor was born to Prince Arthur Windsor 1st Duke Connaught and Strathearn (age 35) and Luise Margarete Hohenzollern Duchess Connaught (age 25). She a granddaughter of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom.

Marriages on the 17th March

After 17 Mar 1553 James Fitzgerald 13th Earl Desmond and Evelyn MacCarthy Mor were married. He the son of John Fitzgerald 12th Earl Desmond and Móre O'Brien.

Before 17 Mar 1668 Edward Montagu 2nd Earl Sandwich (age 20) and Mary Anne Boyle (age 23) were married. She the daughter of Richard Boyle 2nd Earl Cork 1st Earl Burlington (age 55) and Elizabeth Clifford Countess Burlington (age 54). He the son of Edward Montagu 1st Earl Sandwich (age 42) and Jemima Crew Countess Sandwich (age 43).

On 17 Mar 1785 Henry Burgh 1st Marquess Clarincade (age 43) and Urania Paulet Marchioness Clanricarde (age 18) were married. The difference in their ages was 24 years. She the daughter of George Paulett 12th Marquess Winchester (age 62) and Martha Ingoldsby Marchioness Winchester. He the son of John Smith Burgh 11th Earl Clanricarde and Hester Amelia Vincent Countess Clanricarde.

On 17 Mar 1823 George Glyn Banker 1st Baron Wolverton (age 25) and Marianne Grenfell Baroness Wolverton (age 21) were married.

On 17 Mar 1823 George Dashwood 5th Baronet (age 33) and Elizabeth Broadhead were married.

On 17 Mar 1891 Wentworth Beaumont 1st Baron Allendale (age 61) and Edith Althea Hamilton Baroness Allendale (age 42) were married at St Paul's Church, Knightsbridge. No issue.

On 17 Mar 1905 George Lane-Fox 1st Baron Bingley (age 34) and Mary Agnes Emily Wood Baroness Bingley (age 27) were married.

On 17 Mar 1915 Evelyn Hugh Boscawen 8th Viscount Falmouth (age 27) and Mary Margaret Desiree Meynell Viscountess Falmouth (age 20) were married.

Deaths on the 17th March

On 17 Mar 1126 Conrad Welf (age 21) died. His brother Henry "Proud" Welf X Duke Bavaria (age 18) succeeded X Duke Bavaria.

On 14 Mar 1190 twin boys Robert Capet and Philip Capet were born to King Philip II of France (age 24) and Isabelle Flanders Queen Consort France (age 19). The eldest Robert died the same day, the youngest Philip died three days later. Their mother Isabelle Flanders Queen Consort France (age 19) died from childbirth the day after the birth.

On 16 or 17 Mar 1377 Marie Chatillon Countess Pembroke (age 74) died.

On 17 Mar 1416 Alice Fitzalan Countess Kent (age 66) died.

On 17 Mar 1454 Elizabeth Cobham Baroness Strange and Mohun (age 35) died.

On 17 Mar 1505 Annabella Dummond Countess Montrose (age 42) died.

On 17 Mar 1536 Katherine Howard Baroness Berners died.

On 17 Mar 1591 Margaret Howard Baroness Scrope Bolton (age 48) died.

On 17 Mar 1602 Patrick Plunkett 7th Baron Dunsany (age 58) died. His son Christopher Plunkett 8th Baron Dunsany succeeded 8th Baron Dunsany.

On 17 Mar 1663 Jerome Weston 2nd Earl of Portland (age 57) died. His son Charles Weston 3rd Earl of Portland (age 23) succeeded 3rd Earl of Portland.

On 17 Mar 1680 William Brereton 3rd Baron Brereton (age 48) died. His son John Brereton 4th Baron Brereton (age 20) succeeded 4th Baron Brereton and inherited Brereton Hall, Cheshire [Map].

Around 17 Mar 1691 Jenico Preston 7th Viscount Gormanston (age 61) died.

On 17 Mar 1715 Bishop Gilbert Burnet (age 71) died. Salisbury Cathedral [Map].

On or before 17 Mar 1735 Elizabeth Henshaw Lady Dering died. She was buried at St Nicholas' Church, Pluckley on 17 Mar 1735.

On 17 Mar 1758 James Hamilton 1st Earl Clanbrassil (age 63) died.

On 17 Mar 1799 Charles Thompson 1st Baronet (age 59) died. His son Norborne Thompson 2nd Baronet (age 14) succeeded 2nd Baronet Virkees.

On 17 Mar 1828 Charles Hamilton 8th Earl Haddington (age 74) died. His son Thomas Haddington 9th Earl Haddington (age 47) succeeded 9th Earl Haddington.

On 17 Mar 1904 Prince George Hanover 2nd Duke Cambridge (age 84) died at Gloucester House without issue. Duke Cambridge extinct.