Croyland Chronicle. Before 18 Feb 1478. On the following day, the duke of Clarence (age 28) came to the council-chamber at Westminster, bringing with him a famous Doctor of the order of Minorites, Master William Goddard by name, in order that he might read the confession and declaration of innocence above-mentioned before the lords in the said council assembled; which he accordingly did, and then withdrew. The king (age 35) was then at Windsor, but when he was informed of this circumstance, he was greatly displeased thereat, and recalling to mind the information formerly laid against his brother, and which he had long kept treasured up in his breast, he summoned the duke to appear on a certain day in the royal palace of Westminster: upon which, in presence of the Mayor and aldermen of the city of London, the king began, with his own lips, amongst other matters, to inveigh against the conduct of the before-named duke, as being derogatory to the laws of the realm, and most dangerous to judges and jurors throughout the kingdom. But why enlarge? The duke was placed in custody, and from that day up to the time of his death never was known to have regained his liberty.

Croyland Chronicle. After the perpetration of this deed, many persons left king Edward, fully persuaded that he would be able to lord it over the whole kingdom at his will and pleasure, all those idols being now removed, towards the faces of whom the eyes of the multitude, ever desirous of change, had been in the habit of turning in times past. They regarded as idols of this description, the earl of Warwick, the duke of Clarence (age 28), and any other great person there might then happen to be in the kingdom, who had withdrawn himself from the king's intimacy. The king however, although, as I really believe, he inwardly repented very often of this act, after this period, performed the duties of his office with such a high hand, that he appeared to be dreaded by all his subjects, while he himself stood in fear of no one. For, as he had taken care to distribute the most trustworthy of his servants throughout all parts of the kingdom, as keepers of castles, manors, forests, and parks, no attempt whatever could be made in any part of the kingdom by any person, however shrewd he might be, but what he was immediately charged with the same to his face.

On 18 Feb 1528 Piers "Red" Butler 8th Earl Ormonde 1st Earl Ossory (age 61) resigned their claim to the Ormonde inheritance since King Henry VIII of England and Ireland (age 36) wanted the titles for Thomas Boleyn 1st Earl Wiltshire and Ormonde (age 51) to whom they were subsequently granted.

Letters 1536. 18 Feb 1536. R. O. 317. Dame Anne Skeffyngton to Cromwell.

Is greatly troubled, but is sure it is not by the King's pleasure or hers. Can find no favour, love, or right of indifferency in any one except her cousin Brabezon, the King's treasurer. Lord Leonard refused her her own goods out of Maynooth Castle unless she would let him have such parcels as he had a mind to. He also took away a ship which she hired to convey letters to the King and Cromwell and her other friends, and horses for the King, Queen, and Cromwell. Prepared another ship, and sued out a licence to depart, but lord Leonard had that arrested also. Asks him to send the King's permission for her to send whom she wishes, and that anything sent may be sent to the Lord Chancellor, the King's treasurer, and the chief baron of the Exchequer; for lord Leonard, the Chief Justice and the Master of the Rolls will advance all matters cruelly to her vexation. Dublin, 18 Feb. Signed.

Pp. 2. Add.: Chief Secretary. Endd.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 18 Feb 1557. The xviij day of Feybruary cam from the Towre [Map] unto my lord of Preve-selle a-for serten of the consell, iiij of my lord Sturtun('s) (age 37) servandes, and ther thay where examynyd of the deth of master Argyll and ys sune; and after they wher cared bake a-gayne by iiij of the gard unto the (Tower [Map]).

Annales of England by John Stow. 18 Feb 1593. The 18.of February one named Harington a seminary preist, was drawn from Newgate to Tyborne [Map] and there hanged, cut done al(ue, ſtrugled with fhe hangman, bat twas boweſled andquarter

Diary of Anne Clifford 1616. 18 Feb 1616. Next day was a marvellous day to me through the mercy of Gop, for it was generally thought that I must either have sealed to the argument or else have parted with my Lord (age 26).

Autobiography Simon D'Ewes. 12 Feb 1622. The latter part of this January I spent reasonably well in the study of the common law, which had like to have been interrupted again the ensuing February with the renovation of my old cares, which had hindered it in my former wooing-time; for Mr. Waldegrave (age 56), of Lawford in Essex, between whose younger daughter (age 20) and coheir and myself there had been a treaty of marriage, as is before set down, deceasing on Tuesday, the 12th day of this February, and leaving the Lady Bingham (age 62), his second wife, a widow, on Monday the 18th day of the same month next ensuing my father (age 55) sent for me early in the morning, to give me notice of it, and told me that he should not only be willing that the treaty for myself might again be renewed with the daughter (age 20), but that he should be willing himself also to match with the mother (age 56). This new overture took up my thoughts and time for some few days, but it proving abortive soon afterj I had free liberty again to settle to my studies.

Autobiography Simon D'Ewes. 18 Feb 1623. I was first acquainted with this overture on Tuesday, the 18th day of February, by my father himself, who being naturally marvellously inconstant, and inclining, as I also gathered, to some younger woman for his wife, had broken off this treaty before the Tuesday following, being the 25th day of the same month; whereupon I went the same day to his office, and remonstrated to him the convenience and fitness of this match in all respects, and how much it was desired by myself and sisters. Whereupon he gave me liberty to repair to the lady, and to bring on the former treaty again which had been abortively dissolved, which I did accordingly the same afternoon; and so having set it on foot again the second time, I followed it close with my utmost care and diligence, and by my persuasion with either party, cleared many doubts and obstacles, amounting well near to a new breach.

After 18 Feb 1646. Brass at St Laurence's Church, Ludlow [Map] to Frances, the wife of Henry Mello [?] of Ludlow, who died on 18 Feb 1646 aged twenty-six.

Pepy's Diary. 18 Feb 1660. Saturday. A great while at my vial and voice, learning to sing "Fly boy, fly boy", without book. So to my office, where little to do. In the Hall I met with Mr. Eglin and one Looker, a famous gardener, servant to my Lord Salsbury (age 68), and among other things the gardener told a strange passage in good earnest.... Home to dinner, and then went to my Lord's lodgings to my turret there and took away most of my books, and sent them home by my maid. Thither came Capt. Holland to me who took me to the Half Moon tavern [Map] and Mr. Southorne, Blackburne's clerk. Thence he took me to the Mitre in Fleet Street, where we heard (in a room over the music room) very plainly through the ceiling. Here we parted and I to Mr. Wotton's, and with him to an alehouse and drank while he told me a great many stories of comedies that he had formerly seen acted, and the names of the principal actors, and gave me a very good account of it. Thence to Whitehall, where I met with Luellin and in the clerk's chamber wrote a letter to my Lord. So home and to bed. This day two soldiers were hanged in the Strand [Map] for their late mutiny at Somerset-house [Map].

Pepy's Diary. 18 Feb 1662. Having agreed with Sir Wm. Pen (age 40) and my wife to meet them at the Opera, and finding by my walking in the streets, which were every where full of brick-battes and tyles flung down by the extraordinary wind the last night (such as hath not been in memory before, unless at the death of the late Protector), that it was dangerous to go out of doors; and hearing how several persons had been killed to-day by the fall of things in the streets, and that the pageant in Fleetstreet is most of it blown down, and hath broke down part of several houses, among others Dick Brigden's; and that one Lady Sanderson, a person of quality in Covent Garden [Map], was killed by the fall of the house, in her bed, last night; I sent my boy home to forbid them to go forth. But he bringing me word that they are gone, I went thither and there saw "The Law against Lovers", a good play and well performed, especially the little girl's (whom I never saw act before) dancing and singing; and were it not for her, the loss of Roxalana (age 19) would spoil the house.

Pepy's Diary. 18 Feb 1664. Called up to the office and much against my will I rose, my head aching mightily, and to the office, where I did argue to good purpose for the King (age 33), which I have been fitting myself for the last night against Mr. Wood about his masts, but brought it to no issue. Very full of business till noon, and then with Mr. Coventry (age 36) to the African House, and there fell to my Lord Peterborough's (age 42) accounts, and by and by to dinner, where excellent discourse, Sir G. Carteret (age 54) and others of the African Company with us, and then up to the accounts again, which were by and by done, and then I straight home, my head in great pain, and drowsy, so after doing a little business at the office I wrote to my father about sending him the mastiff was given me yesterday. I home and by daylight to bed about 6 o'clock and fell to sleep, wakened about 12 when my wife came to bed, and then to sleep again and so till morning, and then:

Pepy's Diary. 04 Mar 1664. Up, my eye being pretty well, and then by coach to my Lord Sandwich (age 38), with whom I spoke, walking a good while with him in his garden, which and the house is very fine, talking of my Lord Peterborough's (age 42) accounts, wherein he is concerned both for the foolery as also inconvenience which may happen upon my Lord Peterborough's (age 42) ill-stating of his matters, so as to have his gaine discovered unnecessarily. We did talk long and freely that I hope the worst is past and all will be well. There were several people by trying a new-fashion gun¹ brought my Lord this morning, to shoot off often, one after another, without trouble or danger, very pretty.

Note 1. Many attempts to produce a satisfactory revolver were made in former centuries, but it was not till the present one that Colt's revolver was invented. On February 18th, 1661, Edward, Marquis of Worcester (age 61), obtained Letters Patent for "an invencon to make certeyne guns or pistolls which in the tenth parte of one minute of an houre may, with a flaske contrived to that purpose, be re-charged the fourth part of one turne of the barrell which remaines still fixt, fastening it as forceably and effectually as a dozen thrids of any scrue, which in the ordinary and usual way require as many turnes". On March 3rd, 1664, Abraham Hill obtained Letters Patent for a "gun or pistoll for small shott, carrying seaven or eight charges of the same in the stocke of the gun"..

Pepy's Diary. 18 Feb 1665. Up, and to the office, where sat all the morning; at noon to the 'Change [Map], and thence to the Royall Oake taverne in Lombard Street, where Sir William Petty (age 41) and the owners of the double-bottomed boat (The Experiment) did entertain my Lord Brunkard (age 45), Sir R. Murrey, myself, and others, with marrow bones and a chine of beefe of the victuals they have made for this ship; and excellent company and good discourse: but, above all, I do value Sir William Petty (age 41).

Pepy's Diary. 18 Feb 1665. Thence home; and took my Lord Sandwich's (age 39) draught of the harbour of Portsmouth, Hampshire [Map] down to Ratcliffe, to one Burston, to make a plate for the King (age 34), and another for the Duke (age 31), and another for himself; which will be very neat.

Pepy's Diary. 18 Feb 1665. So home, and till almost one o'clock in the morning at my office, and then home to supper and to bed. My Lord Sandwich (age 39), and his fleete of twenty-five ships in the Downes, returned from cruising, but could not meet with any Dutchmen.

Pepy's Diary. 18 Feb 1666. After dinner they gone, and it being a brave day, I walked to White Hall, where the Queene (age 56) and ladies are all come: I saw some few of them, but not the Queene (age 56), nor any of the great beauties. I endeavoured to have seen my Lord Hinchingbrooke (age 18), who come to town yesterday, but I could not.

Pepy's Diary. 18 Feb 1667. Thence away, and with my wife by coach to the Duke of York's play-house, expecting a new play, and so stayed not no more than other people, but to the King's house, to "The Mayd's Tragedy"; but vexed all the while with two talking ladies and Sir Charles Sedley (age 27); yet pleased to hear their discourse, he being a stranger. And one of the ladies would, and did sit with her mask on, all the play, and, being exceeding witty as ever I heard woman, did talk most pleasantly with him; but was, I believe, a virtuous woman, and of quality. He would fain know who she was, but she would not tell; yet did give him many pleasant hints of her knowledge of him, by that means setting his brains at work to find, out who she was, and did give him leave to use all means to find out who she was, but pulling off her mask. He was mighty witty, and she also making sport with him very inoffensively, that a more pleasant 'rencontre' I never heard. But by that means lost the pleasure of the play wholly, to which now and then Sir Charles Sedley's exceptions against both words and pronouncing were very pretty.

Evelyn's Diary. 18 Feb 1678. My Lord Treasurer (age 45) sent for me to accompany him to Wimbledon, which he had lately purchased of the Earl of Bristol (age 44); so breaking fast with him privately in his chamber, I accompanied him with two of his daughters, my Lord Conway (age 55), and Sir Bernard Gascoyne (age 64); and, having surveyed his gardens and alterations, returned late at night.

On 18 Feb 1679 William Courtenay 5th Earl Devon (age 50) was elected MP Devon.

Roger Whitley's Diary. 18 Feb 1690. Tuesday, I sent Houseman to Chester; to look after goods by the carryer; Mainwaring went towards Denington (in the morning) Traverse dined with me, parted about 2; in the evening came Har: Parry, stayd all night, &c. Mrs Hardware came in the evening stayd an houer, &c. 2 Borlocks & Jordan came in the evening to see me.

Calendars. 18 Feb 1693. Whitehall. The same to Sir Charles Hedges. I wish you to consider the enclosed papers [no entry of these] and give me a report on the state of the case, and also your opinion on the matter. [Ibid., p. 621.]

Calendars. 18 Feb 1693. Whitehall. Passes for le Baron de Berlibchs (sic) with his gentleman and one servant, to go to Falmouth and pass over into Spain; for Mr. Diederic Behrens, to go to Harwich and Holland; for Christian Frohling, ditto [S.P. Dom. Warrant Book 86, p. 496]; for Margaret Reynolds, ditto; and for Jacob Wolcker, ditto [Ibid., p. 497].

Calendars. 18 Feb 1693. Whitehall. Caveat that nothing pass concerning a patent for a lighthouse at the mouth of the river Humber till notice be first given to Mr. Angell at Stockwell, near Lambeth. [S.P. Dom. Entry Book 78, p. 15.]

Calendars. 18 Feb 1693. Whitehall. Warrant for the apprehension of Apolonia Driver, suspected of high treason. [H.O. Warrant Book 6, p. 497.]

Calendars. 18 Feb 1693. Whitehall. The Earl of Nottingham to Mr. Blathwait. I have received this morning the enclosed paper of complaints from the corporation of Daventry. I transmit the same to you, and desire you will cause the matter to be examined and give such order therein as may prevent the like abuses for the future. [H.O. Letter Book (Secretary's) 2, p. 620.]

Minutes of the Society of Antiquaries. 18 Feb 1819. Mr Kirk Patrick brought the seals of all of the Bishops of Norwich curiously drawn by himself from the originals which he designs for the Press.

Mr Vertue was ordered to print off 100 more of Rich: II, and 100 more of the Lamp; and he is desired to add the Inscription according to the Copy delivered to him if Mr Director approves of it.