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On this Day in History ... 20th December

20 Dec is in December.

1135 Coronation of King Stephen

1559 Consecration of new Bishops

1583 Somerville Plot

1665 Great Plague of London

See Births, Marriages and Deaths.

Events on the 20th December

On 20 Dec 910 Alfonso "Great" III King Asturias (age 62) died. His son García I King Leon (age 39) succeeded I King Leon. His son Fruela II King Asturias II King Leon King Galicia (age 35) succeeded II King Asturias. His son Ordoño II King Galicia II King Leon (age 37) succeeded II King Galicia.

Florence of Worcester. 20 Dec 1135. ... and Stephen (age 41), his sister's son, being elected to the kingdom of England, was consecrated king, by William (age 65), archbishop of Canterbury, on the thirteenth of the calends of January [20th December], at London, where he held his court, at Christmas, surrounded by the nobles of England, with great courtesy and royal pomp.

Note 1. Wikipedia states 22 Dec 1135 although doesn't provide a source?

On 20 Dec 1292 King Edward I (age 53) stayed at Horton Castle [Map] for one night when returning from adjudicating the claim to the Scottish throne. The landholder, Sir Guiscard de Charron, had used the occasion of Edwards's visit to ask for the necessary permission to fortify his manor house, that Edward was currently a guest in. The license to crenelate was granted one week later in Newcastle.

Diary of Edward VI. 20 Dec 1550. Ther was apointed a band of horsmen divided amongest the nobles1, an 100 to the duke of Somerset. 50 to my lord marcus. ... to th'erle of Warwic. ... North(ampton). Lord prevy seal. Lord ma(rquess) Dorset (age 33). Mr. Herbert. Erl of Wilt(shire). Mr. treasaurour. Lord Wentworth. (To the lord treasaurier, erased.) Lord admiral. Lord Paget. Mr. Sadelier. Mr. Darcy.

Note 1. On the 5th June following the council issued "a warraunt to (blank) to paie vC. li. to the duke of Somersett, the lord threasorer, the lord great master, the lord privie seale, the the lord great chamberlayn, the lord wardein, and the master of t'horse,for the intertayne- ment of c. men at armes, due for one quarter's waieges at Midsomer next. And cc. li. a piece to th'erle of Huntington, th'erle of Rutlande, the lord admyrall, the lord chamberlayn, the lord Cobham, and the lord Pagett, for their quarter's entertaynement ended at Midsomer next. Whiche amounteth in th'ole to the some of vM1. li." So that the total cost of this "band of horsemen" was 20,000l. per annum.

Chronicle of Greyfriars. 20 Dec 1551. Item the xxth day of December was sorne [sworn] the byshoppe of Ely lorde [chancellor of Engla]nd.

Item that same day was the muster of the dewke of Somersettes servanttes before [the king at] Totylle [Map] also.

Item the same day was comytted unto the tower [Map] the byshopp [of Dur]hame Cudberte Tunstalle (age 77).

Wriothesley's Chronicle 1551. 20 Dec 1551. The 20 of December, beinge Sonday, in the afternone Doctor Dunstall (age 77), Bishop of Durham, which had lyen longe at his place by Coldharber, in Thames Streete, was had to the Tower of London [Map].

Henry Machyn's Diary. 20 Dec 1556. [The xx day of December the Queen (age 40) rode in her chariot through the park from] Santt James unto the galere, and so [took] her barge unto Westmynster, and landyd [at the palace,] and so in-to the abbay, and ther her grace hard [even song], and my lord cardenalle (age 56) and my lord Montyguw (age 28), [and my] lord Darse of Essex (age 59) dyd bere the sword a-for [her grace], and my lade Montyguw (age 18) bare up the quen ['s train].

Henry Machyn's Diary. 20 Dec 1559. The xx day of Desember a-for non, was sant Thomas evyn, my lord of Canturbere (age 55) whent to Bow chyrche and ther wher v nuw byshopes mad.1559 Consecration of new Bishops

Note. P. 220. New bishops made. A tabular list of the new bishops will be found in Strype, Annals, i. 157.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 20 Dec 1561. The xx day of Desember my lade the contes of Bayth (deceased) ded at here plase at Nuwhyngtun, late the wyff of ser Thomas Kyttsun and to ser Recherd Longe and wyff to the yerle of Bayth latt dissessyd, and she had a vj baners-rolles and a gret baner of armes and a x dosen of skochyons and vj of sylke.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 20 Dec 1562. The xx day of Desember was bered my lord Gr[ey of Wilton] (deceased) knyght of the Garter, sum-tyme capten of Gynes, and bered [at] (blank) with a herse garnyssed with velvett and blake and armes, [with four] haroldes of armes, master Garter (age 52) prensepalle, and master Norrey kyng at armes (age 64), [Chest] ur harold (age 27) and Ruge-dragon, and ther was a xx clark [es syng]yng all the way, furst ij porters in blake with blake sta[ffs and] in gownes, and then the standard borne, and then mo .... the grett baner of ys armes, and then the harold [bearing the] helmett and crest, and a-nodur the targett and the sword, and a-nodur [the coat armour;] then master Garter (age 52), and then the corse, with a ryche palle; and .... of ys men bayryng ytt; and iiij grett banar-rolles of m[arriages;] after the cheyffe mornars and after mony mornars, and th[ere did prea]che master (blank); and ther was iij dosen of bokeram skochyons of armes, and viij dosen of penselles to garnys the herse, and ... grett skochyons of pastyd paper, and the chyrche hangyd with blake and armes, and a viij dosen of skochyons of armes; and after a[ll done at] the berehyng all they when(t) bake agayne unto master de[an's] plase to dener, for ther was a nobull dener as [has] bene sene for venesun and wyld fulle.

Note. P. 297. Funeral of William lord Grey of Wilton, K.G. The circumstancial account of this ceremonial, drawn up by one of the attendant heralds, is appended to the "Commentarie of the Services" of this nobleman, in the volume edited for the Camden Society by Sir Philip Grey Egerton, Bart. The church (left blank in p. 298,) was Cheshunt, co. Hertford; the preacher was Michael Reniger; and in line 17, for "master de[an's] plase," read "master De[nny's] plase."

On 20 Dec 1583 Edward Arden (age 50) was hanged, drawn and quartered at Smithfield [Map] for having plotted against Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland (age 50) with his son-in-law John Somerville (deceased) who had implicated him during torture. He was tried by Christopher Wray (age 59).

After 20 Dec 1583 the heads of John Somerville (deceased) and Edward Arden (deceased) were set on London Bridge [Map] next to the head of the Gerald Fitzgerald 14th Earl Desmond (deceased).

Autobiography Simon D'Ewes. 20 Dec 1621. Touching the causes why God, in his wisdom, sent this fire, they were best known to himself, who most wisely and justly ordered this, as he doth all other his chastisements and punishments; which notwithstanding, it is lawful for men under their pressures to search out what particular sins might occasion their present calamities; nay, it is the duty of every [...] observe the causes of God's judgegment, that [...] may be the more hated and abhorred, and [...] like miseries be prevented. Two especial sins there were which the Six Clerks were at this time for the most part guilty of; one, first, was their extreme tenacity and love of the world, daily plotting how to keep short the gains of their under clerks, and to advance their own; which fault, eren after the fire, I heard not that any of them amended. The other was their atheistical profanation of God's own holy day, sitting (except one Mr. Henley, come in but a few years before, that had some religion) in their studies, most part of the Sunday in the afternoon, to take their fees and do their office business, many of their under clerks following their profane examples. And that this latter sin, which concerned not much their profit, might justly occasion this punishment, they all for the most part confessed; and therefore for the future, after their new office was built, they ever caused the doors thereof to be kept shut all the Lord's Day, neither attending themselves, nor sufferinging any of their under clerks to sit and write there as they had formeriy used. Their punishment also was the more remarkable, because the fire, though it were most outrageous and terrible, yet did little other hurt than only setting on fire and burning down some of the adjoining houses on either side.

Autobiography Simon D'Ewes. 20 Dec 1621. My father's departure out of town at this time cost him dear; for Mr. Tothil, another of the Six Clerks, whose lodgings were next his, having, out of a little base niggardliness, neglected to mend the hearth of his chimney, which was crazed, some of the fire, which was raked up at his departure out of town, got through, as was most likely, to the wood-work under the chimney, and so firing that chamber, was the occasion of burning all the Six Clerks' Offices, and some houses that adjoined unto them on either side, upon Thursday, the 20th day of December.

Autobiography Simon D'Ewes. 20 Dec 1621. It began, as I guessed, a little after midnight, for I was roused in the morning out of my chamber in the Middle Temple, before the day dawned; but coming thither, the whole office I found almost consumed. The other five lost not much, two of them being in town, and the other three having little there; except the said Tothil, whose money, being in an iron chest, was so preserved, and taken out entire. But my father residing there most part of the year with his family, had there great store of plate and household staff; all the evidences of the west-country estate, both of my inheritance and leases, with the evidences and leases of his London houses, besides near upon £3,000 in gold, and other particulars of great value, which were all either utterly consumed and burnt in the same fire, or scorched and defaced. For his lodgings, joining next to Mr. Tothil's wall, took fire long before daylight; neither could any person, by reason of the thick doors and strong locks, get in to save anything at all. The commonwealth lost many records in each office, but my father's loss was near four times as much in his private as all his five brethren lost; for, writing onto me the year after, in December, 1622, upon another occasion, his own testimony was expressed in these words following, touching this present loss, as I transcribed them out of the autograph itself: - "It was God's will the last year to take from me, in mercy, (for he might have taken ali, ) about £5,000 by fire, &c., more to the building and furnishing my office, for I was burnt to the ground, £600." By which passages inserted, amongst others, by my father with his own hand in his letters he sent me, it appears that his loss occasioned by this fire amounted unto near £6,000 one way or another. Although the burning of my evidences lost me much afterwards, by reason of some troublesome and costly suits it brought upon me to assert and clear my title, yet I was most grieved at the loss of an ancient testimonial, in Latin, written on parchment, and sealed and signed by the Duke of Cleves' principal herald, which my great-grandfather, Adrian D'Ewes, brought with him out of Gelderiand when he removed thence, during the reign, I gather, of Henry the Eighth, into England. In this were the names inserted of his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, with their several wives, and their coat-armours fairly depicted, with the crests also of his mother and grandmother, whose blood his posterity did at length inherit. All of which I forbear to speak of further here, having before more particularly touched it. Out of the cinders of the same fire, which with the violence thereof had melted some thousands of twenty-shilling pieces of gold, upon the searching and sifting of them were taken out besides some £500 of scorched gold, my own mother's wedding-ring and the seal of arms, being but in silver, which was my said great-grand-father's, brought over also by him, as I have it by tradition, out of the dition of Kessel, in the duchy of Gelderland. Which is the rather to be admired at, because all the silver plate was melted and all the ready money in the same metal, when this little seal, (which being thin and hollow, had been set into a handle of ivory,) was yet preserved entire, and but little scorched, as is plainly to be perceived upon the viewing of it, being now in my custody. My father hath often told me that the said Adrian, his grandfather dying, did bequeath this very seal to remain as an hereditary monument to his posterity, and therefore, awhile after this lamentable fire had happened, he bestowed it upon me. But by reason of that paternal distance he kept with me, never vouchsafed to show me that precious testimomal in parchment which had lain by him for so many years, before it was at this present consumed and burnt, although he had afforded that courtesy on a mere stranger skilful in those notions very fortunately, because, by his help and my father's together, I got the substance of that writing and the descent contained in it to be inserted into parchment and the coats to be exactly depicted after the pattern and form of the same original; which being testified luder both their hands, I do still preserve by me, with the aforesaid seal of silver, very preciously and carefully. This I am the rather induced into because the mean condition of my great-grandfather, being a voluntary exile from his own country, togiether with that of his son, whom divers yet living did know, being accounted the original of my family by such as were ignorant that it was but the interruption, occasioned me many hours of search to vindicate the tmth, which I only aimed at as well in this particular, as in all other my studies, either divine or human.

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Evelyn's Diary. 20 Dec 1661. The Bishop of Gloucester (age 70) preached at the Abbey [Map] at the funeral of the Bishop of Hereford (deceased), brother to the Duke of Albemarle (age 53). It was a decent solemnity. There was a silver miter, with episcopal robes, borne by the herald before the hearse, which was followed by the Duke his brother (age 53), and all the bishops, with divers noblemen.

On 20 Dec 1661 Bishop Nicholas Monck (deceased) was buried at the Chapel of St Edmund, Westminster Abbey [Map].

Pepy's Diary. 20 Dec 1662. So to the office, and thence with Mr. Coventry (age 34) in his coach to St. James's, with great content and pride to see him treat me so friendly; and dined with him, and so to White Hall together; where we met upon the Tangier Commission, and discoursed many things thereon; but little will be done before my Lord Rutherford comes there, as to the fortification or Mole. That done, my Lord Sandwich (age 37) and I walked together a good while in the Matted Gallery, he acquainting me with his late enquiries into the Wardrobe business to his content; and tells me how things stand. And that the first year was worth about £3000 to him, and the next about as much; so that at this day, if he were paid, it will be worth about £7000 to him. But it contents me above all things to see him trust me as his confidant: so I bid him good night, he being to go into the country, to keep his Christmas, on Monday next. So by coach home and to my office, being post night, and then home and to bed.

Evelyn's Diary. 20 Dec 1664. To London, our last sitting, taking order for our personal visiting our several districts. I dined at Captain Cocke's (our treasurer), with that most ingenious gentleman, Matthew Wren (age 35), son to the Bishop of Ely (age 79), and Mr. Joseph Williamson, since Secretary of State.

Pepy's Diary. 20 Dec 1665. After dinner I to the Exchange [Map] to see whether my pretty seamstress be come again or no, and I find she is, so I to her, saluted her over her counter in the open Exchange [Map] above, and mightily joyed to see her, poor pretty woman! I must confess I think her a great beauty. After laying out a little money there for two pair of thread stockings, cost 8s., I to Lombard Street [Map] to see some business to-night there at the goldsmith's, among others paying in £1258 to Viner (age 34) for my Lord Sandwich's (age 40) use upon Cocke's (age 48) account.

Pepy's Diary. 20 Dec 1665. I was called by my Lord Bruncker (age 45) in his coach with his mistresse, and Mr. Cottle the lawyer, our acquaintance at Greenwich, Kent [Map], and so home to Greenwich, Kent [Map], and thence I to Mrs. Penington, and had a supper from the King's Head [Map] for her, and there mighty merry and free as I used to be with her, and at last, late, I did pray her to undress herself into her nightgowne, that I might see how to have her picture drawne carelessly (for she is mighty proud of that conceit), and I would walk without in the streete till she had done. So I did walk forth, and whether I made too many turns or no in the darke cold frosty night between the two walls up to the Parke gate I know not, but she was gone to bed when I come again to the house, upon pretence of leaving some papers there, which I did on purpose by her consent.

Pepy's Diary. 20 Dec 1665. Up, and was trimmed, but not time enough to save my Lord Bruncker's (age 45) coach or Sir J. Minnes's (age 66), and so was fain to walk to Lambeth, Surrey [Map] on foot, but it was a very fine frosty walke, and great pleasure in it, but troublesome getting over the River for ice. I to the Duke of Albemarle (age 57), whither my brethren were all come, but I was not too late. There we sat in discourse upon our Navy business an houre, and thence in my Lord Bruncker's (age 45) coach alone, he walking before (while I staid awhile talking with Sir G. Downing (age 40) about the Act, in which he is horrid troublesome) to the Old Exchange [Map].

Pepy's Diary. 20 Dec 1665. Thence I took Sir Ellis Layton to Captain Cocke's (age 48), where my Lord Bruncker (age 45) and Lady Williams dine, and we all mighty merry; but Sir Ellis Layton one of the best companions at a meale in the world.

Pepy's Diary. 20 Dec 1665. So I away home, and was there sat up for to be spoken with my young Mrs. Daniel, to pray me to speake for her husband to be a Lieutenant. I had the opportunity here of kissing her again and again, and did answer that I would be very willing to do him any kindnesse, and so parted, and I to bed, exceedingly pleased in all my matters of money this month or two, it having pleased God to bless me with several opportunities of good sums, and that I have them in effect all very well paid, or in my power to have. But two things trouble me; one, the sicknesse is increased above 80 this weeke (though in my owne parish not one has died, though six the last weeke); the other, most of all, which is, that I have so complexed an account for these last two months for variety of layings out upon Tangier [Map], occasions and variety of gettings that I have not made even with myself now these 3 or 4 months, which do trouble me mightily, finding that I shall hardly ever come to understand them thoroughly again, as I used to do my accounts when I was at home.

Pepy's Diary. 20 Dec 1666. After dinner out with Balty (age 26), setting him down at the Maypole in the Strand, and then I to my Lord Bellasses (age 52), and there spoke with Mr. Moone about some business, and so away home to my business at the office, and then home to supper and to bed, after having finished the putting of little papers upon my books to be numbered hereafter.

Pepy's Diary. 20 Dec 1667. At noon home to dinner, where my poor wife in bed in mighty pain, her left cheek so swelled as that we feared it would break, and so were fain to send for Mr. Hollier (age 58), who come, and seems doubtful of the defluxions of humours that may spoil her face, if not timely cured. He laid a poultice to it and other directions, and so away, and I to the office, where on the same accounts very late, and did come pretty near a settlement.

Evelyn's Diary. 20 Dec 1668. I dined with my Lord Cornbury, at Clarendon House, now bravely furnished, especially with the pictures of most of our ancient and modern wits, poets, philosophers, famous and learned Englishmen; which collection of the Chancellor's I much commended, and gave his Lordship a catalogue of more to be added.

Evelyn's Diary. 20 Dec 1677. Carried to my Lord Treasurer (age 45) an account of the Earl of Bristol's Library, at Wimbledon, which my Lord (age 45) thought of purchasing, till I acquainted him that it was a very broken collection, consisting much in books of judicial astrology, romances, and trifles.

Evelyn's Diary. 20 Dec 1684. A villainous murder was perpetrated by Mr. St. John (age 32), eldest son to S' Walter St. John (age 62), a worthy gentleman, on a knight of quality [Sir William Estcourt], in a tavern. The offender was sentenc'd and repriev'd. So many horrid murders and duels were committed about this time as were never before heard of in England, which gave much cause of complaint and murmurings.

Note. Following the aquittal of Edward Nosworthy the jury repaired to the Globe tavern in Fleet Street. An altercation broke out between St John and Francis Stonehouse. St. John and Edmund Webb both ran Estcourt through with their swords. Both were found guilty of murder, and condemned to death. St. John's mother [Johanna St John Baroness St John Lydiard Tregoze (age 53)] obtained a pardon for him at the reported price of £16,000. St. John was expected to go abroad for some time, but publicly entered the next parliamentary election at Wootton Bassett a few weeks after the close of his case, and was duly elected to James II’s first Parliament.

Evelyn's Diary. 20 Dec 1685. Dr Turner (age 40), brother to yc Bp. of Ely (age 48), and sometime Tutor to my son, preach'd at Whitehall [Map] on 8 Mark 38, concerning ye submission of Christians to their persecutors, in were some passages indiscreete enough, considering yc time, and the rage of the inhumane French tyrant against the poore Protestants.

Roger Whitley's Diary. 20 Dec 1690. Satorday, dined at home, Tovey came to see me; soe did Wood at night.

Evelyn's Diary. 20 Dec 1690. Dr. Hough (age 39), President of Magdalen College, Oxford, who was displaced with several of the Fellows for not taking the oath imposed by King James, now made a Bishop. Most of this month cold and frost. One Johnson (age 42), a Knight, was executed at Tyburn [Map] for being an accomplice with Campbell (age 30), brother to Lord Argyle (age 32), in stealing a young heiress (age 13).

On 20 Dec 1766 Lionel Copley (age 57) died. He was buried at St Mary’s Church, Sprotbrough [Map].

Lionel Copley: On 05 Nov 1709 he was born to Lionel Copley and Maria Wilson aka Burrill.

On 20 Dec 1813 Phillis Buston (age 22) died in childbirth. The child suvived fifteen days.

After 20 Dec 1820. St Swithun's Church, Leadenham [Map]. Monument to William Reeve of Leadenham (deceased) and Millicent Mary King (age 65).

William Reeve of Leadenham: Around 1751 he was born to William Reeve of Melton Mowbray. Before 28 Jul 1783 he and Millicent Mary King were married. On 20 Dec 1820 he died.

Millicent Mary King: Around 1755 she was born to John King of Ashby in Lincolnshire and Millicent Mary Unknown.. On 23 May 1836 she died.

The London Gazette 22344. Commissions signed by the Lord Lieutenant of the County of Essex.

6th Company of Essex Rifle Volunteers.

Sir Claude William Champion de Crespigny (age 41), Bart., to be Captain. Dated 20th December, 1859.

John Fitzjimmons Bishop, Esq., to be Lieutenant. Dated 29th December, 1859.

Henry Egerton Green, Esq., to be Ensign. Dated 29th December, 1859

The London Gazette 29042. FOOT GUARDS.

Coldstream Guards, Lieutenant Thomas R. Clutterbuck, Reserve Battalion, to be Adjutant, vice Major The Honourable G. A. C. Crichton, M.V.O. Dated 28th December, 1914.

Second Lieutenant Francis Longueville to be Lieutenant. Dated 27th December, 1914.

Scots Guards, The undermentioned Lieutenants to be Captains: —

Dated 20th December, 1914.

Arthur R. Orr.

John Egerton-Warburton (age 31), and to remain supernumerary

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The London Gazette 35020. War Office, 20th December, 1940. The KING has been pleased to approve of the undermentioned awards in recognition of gallant conduct in action with the enemy:-

THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER.

Lieutenant (Temp. Major) PHILIP HARKER NEWMAN, F.R.C.S., Royal Army Medical Corps.

THE MILITARY CROSS.

Captain (Temp. Major) Antony Henry Head (age 34), The Life Guards.

Births on the 20th December

On 20 Dec 1532 John Günther Schwarzburg 1st Count of Schwarzburg Sondershausen was born.

On 20 Dec 1549 John Petre 1st Baron Petre was born to William Petre (age 44) and Anne Browne (age 54).

On 20 Dec 1553 Erasmus Dryden 1st Baronet was born to John Dryden of Canons Ashby (age 28).

On 20 Dec 1572 Edward Russell 3rd Earl Bedford was born to Francis Russell (age 18) and Juliana or Eleanor Unknown.

On or before 20 Dec 1579 John Fletcher was born to Bishop Richard Fletcher (age 34) at Rye [Map]. He was baptised 20 Dec 1579.

On 20 Dec 1652 Bishop Samuel Bradford was born to William Bradford of London in St. Anne's, Blackfriars.

On or before 20 Dec 1683 Edward Ward 8th Baron Dudley 3rd Baron Ward was born to William Ward (age 24). He was baptised 20 Dec 1683.

On 20 Dec 1720. [Note. Wikipedia says 09 Mar 1720]. Philip Yorke 2nd Earl of Hardwicke was born to Philip Yorke 1st Earl of Hardwicke (age 30) and Margaret Cocks Countess Hardwicke.

On 20 Dec 1781 Edward Knatchbull 9th Baronet was born to Edward Knatchbull 8th Baronet (age 21).

On 20 Dec 1792 Trevor Wheler 9th Baronet was born to Trevor Wheler 8th Baronet (age 29) and Harriet Beresford (age 21).

On 20 Dec 1800 Charles Wood 1st Viscount Halifax was born to Francis Lindley Wood 2nd Baronet (age 29) and Anne Buck Lady Wood.

On 20 Dec 1805 John Cæsar Hawkins was born to John Cæsar Hawkins 3rd Baronet (age 23) and Charlotte Cassandra Surtees.

On 20 Dec 1816 John William Hamilton Anson 2nd Baronet was born to William Anson 1st Baronet (age 44) and Louisa Frances Mary Dickenson Lady Anson.

On 20 Dec 1823 Reverend Henry Edward Browne ffolkes was born to William Browne ffolkes 2nd Baronet (age 37) and Charlotte Philippa Browne (age 25).

On 20 Dec 1840 Bishop Adelbert John Robert Anson was born to Thomas William Anson 1st Earl Lichfield (age 45) and Louisa Barbara Catherine Phillips Countess Lichfield (age 40). He was educated at Eton College [Map] and Christ Church College, Oxford University.

On 20 Dec 1853 Richard Francis Sutton 5th Baronet was born to Richard Sutton 4th Baronet (age 32).

On 20 Dec 1859 Edgar Clifford Arundell 14th Baron Arundel was born to Theodore Arundell and Louise Hussey.

On 20 Dec 1886 Margery Spencer Viscountess Greenwood was born to Reverend Walter Spencer of Fownhope Court in Herefordshire.

On 20 Dec 1891 Rupert Carrington 5th Baron Carrington was born to Rupert Carrington 4th Baron Carrington (age 39) and Edith Horsefall.

On 20 Dec 1963 Nicholas Shakerley 7th Baronet was born to Geoffrey Adam Shakerley 6th Baronet (age 31) and Virginia Maskell (age 27).

On 20 Dec 1979 Tamara Katherine Grosvenor was born to Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor 6th Duke Westminster (age 27) and Natalia Phillips Duchess of Westminster (age 20).

Marriages on the 20th December

On 20 Dec 1576 John Carey 3rd Baron Hunsdon (age 26) and Mary Hyde Baroness Hunsdon (age 22) were married.

On 20 Dec 1605 Edward Noel 2nd Viscount Campden (age 23) and Juliana Hicks Viscountess Campden (age 19) were married.

Before 20 Dec 1631 Thomas Mansel 1st Baronet (age 75) and Jane Pole were married.

On 20 Dec 1632 John Freke (age 41) and Jane Shirley Baroness Holles were married.

On 20 Dec 1642 Edward Montagu 2nd Earl Manchester (age 40) and Essex Cheeke Countess Manchester were married. She by marriage Countess Manchester. He the son of Henry Montagu 1st Earl Manchester (deceased) and Catherine Spencer.

On 20 Dec 1782 George Thomas 3rd Baronet (age 42) and Sophia Montagu Lady Thomas were married. She by marriage Lady Thomas of Yapton in Sussex.

On 20 Dec 1831 John Montagu Burgoyne 9th Baronet (age 35) and Mary Harriet Gore-Langton Lady Burgoyne (age 25) were married. She by marriage Lady Burgoyne of Sutton in Bedfordshire. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland.

On 20 Dec 1901 Balthazar Stephen Sargant Foster 2nd Baron Ilkeston (age 34) and Mildred Charlotte Cobb were married.

On 20 Dec 1922 John Lindsay Dashwood 10th Baronet (age 26) and Helen Moira Eaton Lady Dashwood (age 23) were married. She by marriage Lady Dashwood of West Wycombe in Buckinghamshire.

On 20 Dec 1927 Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Grayson 1st Baronet (age 62) and Louise Mary Delany were married.

Deaths on the 20th December

On 20 Dec 910 Alfonso "Great" III King Asturias (age 62) died. His son García I King Leon (age 39) succeeded I King Leon. His son Fruela II King Asturias II King Leon King Galicia (age 35) succeeded II King Asturias. His son Ordoño II King Galicia II King Leon (age 37) succeeded II King Galicia.

On 19 or 20 Dec 1327 Agnes Capet Duchess Burgundy (age 67) died.

On 20 Dec 1340 John I Duke of Bavaria (age 11) died.

On 20 Dec 1389 Isabeau Melun Countess Eu (age 61) died.

On 20 Dec 1558 Bishop John Holyman (age 63) died.

On 20 Dec 1583 Edward Arden (age 50) was hanged, drawn and quartered at Smithfield [Map] for having plotted against Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland (age 50) with his son-in-law John Somerville (deceased) who had implicated him during torture. He was tried by Christopher Wray (age 59).

On 20 Dec 1620 Catherine Knollys Baroness Offaly (age 61) died.

On 20 Dec 1622 Catherine Knyvet Baroness Geneville Beaudasert (age 79) died.

On 20 Dec 1631 Thomas Mansel 1st Baronet (age 75) died. His son Lewis Mansel 2nd Baronet (age 37) succeeded 2nd Baronet Mansel of Margam. Elizabeth Montagu Lady Sebright and Mansel (age 24) by marriage Lady Mansel of Margam.

On 20 Dec 1697 Arthur Gore 1st Baronet (age 68) died. His grandson Arthur Gore 2nd Baronet (age 12) succeeded 2nd Baronet Gore of Newtown in County Mayo.

On 05 Dec 1705 Martha Betteson Lady Bendish died. She was buried at St Mary's Church, Steeple Bumstead on 20 Dec 1705.

On 20 Dec 1730 Elizabeth Bertie Baroness Fitzwalter (age 55) died.

On 20 Dec 1786 Isabella Montagu Duchess Manchester (age 80) died.

On 20 Dec 1802 Elizabeth Sambroke Viscountess Bateman (age 77) died.

On 20 Dec 1812 George Carpenter 3rd Earl Tyrconnel (age 24) died. He had volunteered in the summer of 1812 to serve as an officer under Alexander I of Russia. While opposing the French forces of Napoleon he died of disease "from his zeal and excessive fatigue."

On 20 Dec 1824 Marianne Philpot Lady Harington died.

On 20 Dec 1863 Richard Plumptre Glyn 2nd Baronet (age 76) died unmarried. His nephew Richard George Glyn 3rd Baronet (age 32) succeeded 3rd Baronet Glyn of Gaunts in Dorset.

On 20 Dec 1904 Princess Alexandrine of Baden (age 84) died.

On 20 Dec 1904 Isaac Lowthian Bell 1st Baronet died. His son Thomas Hugh Bell 2nd Baronet (age 60) succeeded 2nd Baronet Bell of Rounton Range and Washington Hall in County Durham. Florence Eveleen Eleanore Olliffe Lady Bell (age 53) by marriage Lady Bell of Rounton Range and Washington Hall in County Durham.

On 20 Dec 1910 Charles Scotter 1st Baronet (age 75) died at his home in Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey [Map]. His son Frederick Charles Scotter 2nd Baronet (age 42) succeeded 2nd Baronet Scotter of Surbiton in Surrey.

From Christchurch Times - Saturday 24 December 1910 ...

His funeral took place at St Margaret's Church, Westminster [Map]. The only flowers placed on the coffin, in addition to those from members of the family, were sent by the children of the L. and S.W. Railway Servants' Orphanage at Woking. A pathetic circumstance in connection with this Orphanage is that Sir Charles, in his last conscious moments, expressed the wish that the Christmas dinner for the children should be provided this year as usual at his expense. Various branches of the railway service desired to send wreaths, but, in deference to the wishes of the family, the money subscribed was devoted instead to the children's orphanage at Woking. After the service the body was cremated at Golder's Green.

On 20 Dec 1910 Valerie Langdon Lady Meux (age 58) died. She left her estate, including Theobalds House, Hertfordshire, to Hedworth Lambton aka Meux (age 54).

On 20 Dec 1939 Ughtred Kay-Shuttleworth 1st Baron Shuttleworth (age 95) died. His grandson Richard Kay-Shuttleworth 2nd Baron Shuttleworth (age 26) succeeded 2nd Baron Shuttleworth of Gawthorpe in Lancashire.