On 20 Feb 1377 Marie Chatillon Countess Pembroke (age 74) drew up her will at Braxted Park, Essex.

Annales of England by John Stow. 20 Feb 1523. The 20 of February, the ladie Alice Hungerford (age 38) a knights wiſe, for murdering her husband, was led from the tower of London to Holborn, and there put in a cart with one of her servants and so carried to Tyburn [Map], and both hanged. He was buried in the Greyfriers church at London.

Wriothesley's Chronicle 1538. 20 Feb 1538. Also, the 20th dale of Februarie, their was drawen from Newgate to Tiburne [Map] a priest, sometyme chapleyne to my Lord Beawchamp, called Sir^a John Alane, for treason, and also an Irishman of my Lord Garrattes^b kynnered,^c also for treason, which tow persons were hanged, boyld,^d and quartered, their heades and quarters sett about London.

Note a. Such priests as have the addition of Sir before their Christian name were men not graduated in the Universities, being in orders but not in degrees, whilst others entitled Masters had commenced in arts. Fuller, Church Hist.

Note b. Lord Thomas Fitzgerald, executed in 1537.

Note c. kindred.

Note d. Clerical error for boweled, but omitted in Stow.

Diary of Edward VI. 20 Feb 1551. Sir William Pikring, knight, was dispatched to the French king for answere to mons. de Lansac, to declare that, although I hade right in the foresaid places², yet I was content to forbeare them, under conditions to be agreed on by commissioners on both sides; and for the last article I agreed without condicion.

Note 2. The instructions given on this occasion to sir John Mason and sir William Pickering, "to treat upon a peace propounded by the French king betwixt Scotland and us, whereby Eoxborough, Aymouthe, Ederington, and the fisshinge of the water of Twede, are required to be rendered to the Scottes, and the prisoners to be discharged taken since the last warre," will be found in the MS. Harl. 353, fol. 86.

Diary of Edward VI. 20 Feb 1551. Note this entry in the text is after the entry for 08 Mar 1551; we have moved it into the February 1551 section.

The Frenchmen came with a navie of 160 sailes into Scoteland laden with provision of graine, powder, and ordinaunce, of wich 16 great shippes perished on Irlaund cost, tow laden with artillery and 14 with corne. Also in this month the depute their sett at one certeine of the West lordes that were at variaunce.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 20 Feb 1558. The xx day of Feybruary dyd pryche [at Paul's] crosse [Map] docthur Watsun (age 43) bysshope of Lyncoln, and mad a godly sermon, for ther wer [present ten] bysshopes, be-syd my lord mare and the althermen and juges, and men of the law, and gret [audience] ther was.

Diary of Anne Clifford 1616. 20 Feb 1616. Upon the 20th came my Lord of Russell and my Cousin George. In all this time of my troubles my Coz. Russell (age 23) was exceeding careful and kind to me.

On 20 Feb 1638 James Ogilvy 1st Earl Findlater (age 43) was re-created 1st Earl Findlater with a special remainder to his eldest daughter's husband, Sir Patrick Ogilvy, provided Sir Patrick styled himseld Lord Deskford and Inchmartine..

Pepy's Diary. 20 Feb 1660. Monday. In the morning at my lute. Then to my office, where my partner and I made even our balance. Took him home to dinner with me, where my brother John (age 19) came to dine with me. After dinner I took him to my study at home and at my Lord's, and gave him some books and other things against his going to Cambridge. After he was gone I went forth to Westminster Hall [Map], where I met with Chetwind, Simons, and Gregory. And with them to Marsh's at Whitehall to drink, and staid there a pretty while reading a pamphlet¹ well writ and directed to General Monk (age 51), in praise of the form of monarchy which was settled here before the wars. They told me how the Speaker Lenthall (age 68) do refuse to sign the writs for choice of new members in the place of the excluded; and by that means the writs could not go out to-day. In the evening Simons and I to the Coffee Club, where nothing to do only I heard Mr. Harrington (age 49), and my Lord of Dorset (age 37) and another Lord, talking of getting another place as the Cockpit [Map], and they did believe it would come to something. After a small debate upon the question whether learned or unlearned subjects are the best the Club broke up very poorly, and I do not think they will meet any more. Hence with Vines, &c. to Will's, and after a pot or two home, and so to bed.

Note 1. This pamphlet is among the Thomason Collection of Civil War Tracts (British Museum), and dated in MS. this same day, February 20th- "A Plea for Limited Monarchy as it was established in this Nation before the late War. In an Humble Address to his Excellency General Monck. By a Zealot for the good old Laws of his Country, before any Faction or Caprice, with additions". "An Eccho to the Plea for Limited Monarchy, &c"., was published soon afterwards.

Pepy's Diary. 20 Feb 1662. This morning came Mr. Child to see me, and set me something to my Theorbo, and by and by come letters from Tangier [Map] from my Lord, telling me how, upon a great defete given to the Portuguese there by the Moors, he had put in 300 men into the town, and so he is in possession, of which we are very glad, because now the Spaniard's designs of hindering our getting the place are frustrated. I went with the letter inclosed to my Lord Chancellor (age 53) to the House of Lords, and did give it him in the House.

Pepy's Diary. 20 Feb 1665. Thence to the office, and there found Bagwell's wife, whom I directed to go home, and I would do her business, which was to write a letter to my Lord Sandwich (age 39) for her husband's (age 28) advance into a better ship as there should be occasion. Which I did, and by and by did go down by water to Deptford, Kent [Map], and then down further, and so landed at the lower end of the town, and it being dark 'entrer en la maison de la femme de Bagwell (age 28) [entered into Bagwell's wife's house]', and there had 'sa compagnie [her company]', though with a great deal of difficulty, 'neanmoins en fin j'avais ma volont d'elle [nevertheless in the end I had my way with her]', and being sated therewith, I walked home to Redriffe [Map], it being now near nine o'clock, and there I did drink some strong waters and eat some bread and cheese, and so home. Where at my office my wife comes and tells me that she hath hired a chamber mayde, one of the prettiest maydes that ever she saw in her life, and that she is really jealous of me for her, but hath ventured to hire her from month to month, but I think she means merrily.

Pepy's Diary. 20 Feb 1665. Thence I to the House of Lords and spoke with my Lord Bellasses (age 50), and so to the 'Change [Map], and there did business, and so to the Sun taverne, haling in the morning had some high words with Sir J. Lawson (age 50) about his sending of some bayled goods to Tangier [Map], wherein the truth is I did not favour him, but being conscious that some of my profits may come out by some words that fell from him, and to be quiet, I have accommodated it. Here we dined merry; but my club and the rest come to 7s. 6d., which was too much.

Pepy's Diary. 20 Feb 1665. Up, and with Sir J. Minnes (age 65) to attend the Duke (age 31), and then we back again and rode into the beginning of my Chancellor's (age 56) new house, near St. James's; which common people have already called Dunkirke-house, from their opinion of his having a good bribe for the selling of that towne. And very noble I believe it will be. Near that is my Lord Barkeley (age 63) beginning another on one side, and Sir J. Denham (age 50) on the other.

Pepy's Diary. 20 Feb 1666. Up, and to the office; where, among other businesses, Mr. Evelyn's (age 45) proposition about publique Infirmarys was read and agreed on, he being there: and at noon I took him home to dinner, being desirous of keeping my acquaintance with him; and a most excellent humoured man I still find him, and mighty knowing.

Pepy's Diary. 20 Feb 1666. After dinner I took him by coach to White Hall, and there he and I parted, and I to my Lord Sandwich's (age 40), where coming and bolting into the dining-room, I there found Captain Ferrers going to christen a child of his born yesterday, and I come just pat to be a godfather, along with my Lord Hinchingbrooke (age 18), and Madam Pierce, my Valentine, which for that reason I was pretty well contented with, though a little vexed to see myself so beset with people to spend me money, as she of a Valentine and little Mrs. Tooker, who is come to my house this day from Greenwich, Kent [Map], and will cost me 20s., my wife going out with her this afternoon, and now this christening. Well, by and by the child is brought and christened Katharine, and I this day on this occasion drank a glasse of wine, which I have not professedly done these two years, I think, but a little in the time of the sicknesse. After that done, and gone and kissed the mother in bed, I away to Westminster Hall [Map], and there hear that Mrs. Lane is come to town.

Pepy's Diary. 20 Feb 1667. So home and to the office a while, and then home to supper, where Mrs. Turner (age 44) come to us, and sat and talked. Poor woman, I pity her, but she is very cunning. She concurs with me in the falseness of Sir W. Pen's (age 45) friendship, and she tells pretty storms of my Lord Bruncker (age 47) since he come to our end of the town, of people's applications to Mrs. Williams.

Pepy's Diary. 20 Feb 1667. Then withdrew to his closett, all our business, lack of money and prospect of the effects of it, such as made Sir W. Coventry (age 39) say publickly before us all, that he do heartily wish that his Royal Highness had nothing to do in the Navy, whatever become of him; so much dishonour, he says, is likely to fall under the management of it. The Duke of York (age 33) was angry, as much as he could be, or ever I saw him, with Sir G. Carteret (age 57), for not paying the masters of some ships on Monday last, according to his promise, and I do think Sir G. Carteret (age 57) will make himself unhappy by not taking some course either to borrow more money or wholly lay aside his pretence to the charge of raising money, when he hath nothing to do to trouble himself with.

Pepy's Diary. 20 Feb 1667. Thence with my tallies home, and a little dinner, and then with my wife by coach to Lincoln's Inn Fields, sent her to her brother's (age 27), and I with Lord Bellasses (age 52) to the Chancellor's (age 58). Lord Bellasses (age 52) tells me how the King of France (age 28) hath caused the stop to be made to our proposition of treating in The Hague; that he being greater than they, we may better come and treat at Paris: so that God knows what will become of the peace!

Pepy's Diary. 20 Feb 1667. By and by, come to my Chancellor (age 58), who heard mighty quietly my complaints for lack of money, and spoke mighty kind to me, but little hopes of help therein, only his good word. He do prettily cry upon Povy's (age 53) account with sometimes seeming friendship and pity, and this day quite the contrary. He do confess our streights here and every where else arise from our outspending our revenue. I mean that the King (age 36) do do so.

Pepy's Diary. 20 Feb 1668. Up, and to the office a while, and thence to White Hall by coach with Mr. Batelier with me, whom I took up in the street. I thence by water to Westminster Hall [Map], and there with Lord Brouncker (age 48), Sir T. Harvy (age 42), Sir J. Minnes (age 68), did wait all the morning to speak to members about our business, thinking our business of tickets would come before the House to-day, but we did alter our minds about the petition to the House, sending in the paper to them. But the truth is we were in a great hurry, but it fell out that they were most of the morning upon the business of not prosecuting the first victory; which they have voted one of the greatest miscarriages of the whole war, though they cannot lay the fault anywhere yet, because Harman (age 43) is not come home. This kept them all the morning, which I was glad of. So down to the Hall, where my wife by agreement stayed for me at Mrs. Michell's, and there was Mercer and the girl, and I took them to Wilkinson's the cook's in King Street (where I find the master of the house hath been dead for some time), and there dined, and thence by one o'clock to the King's house: a new play, "The Duke of Lerma", of Sir Robert Howard's (age 42): where the King (age 37) and Court was; and Knepp and Nell (age 18) spoke the prologue most excellently, especially Knepp, who spoke beyond any creature I ever, heard. The play designed to reproach our King with his mistresses, that I was troubled for it, and expected it should be interrupted; but it ended all well, which salved all. The play a well-writ and good play, only its design I did not like of reproaching the King (age 37), but altogether a very good and most serious play.

Evelyn's Diary. 20 Feb 1676. Dr. Gunning (age 62), Bishop of Ely, preached before the King (age 45) from St. John xx. 21, 22, 23, chiefly against an anonymous book, called "Naked Truth", a famous and popular treatise against the corruption in the Clergy, but not sound as to its quotations, supposed to have been the Bishop of Hereford and was answered by Dr. Turner, it endeavoring to prove an equality of order of Bishop and Presbyter.

Roger Whitley's Diary. 20 Feb 1690. Thursday, Parry went away, about 10; Delves came from Shotwick, Cheshire; & retorned; Dobs & Yates (2 Chestermen) came to see me after dinner; I gave them a bottle of ale, & left them.

Calendars. 20 Feb 1693. Whitehall. Passes for John Sprang and his wife to go to Harwich and Holland; for John Jost Klefe, ditto; for David, Solomon, and Jacob Marcussen, ditto [S.P. Dom. Warrant Book 36, p. 497]; for William Dircksz, Albert Willemsz, and Theunis Ariensz, ditto; and for Mary de Montigny, ditto [Ibid., p. 498].

Calendars. 20 Feb 1693. Whitehall. Proceedings upon the petition of John Calvert. Shows that he has invented two sorts of calashes useful for post roads, etc., or in an army where the same calash may be altered into a bedstead, and may also serve to carry provisions. Petitioner prays for letters patent for his invention. Referred to the Solicitor General. [S.P. Dom. Petition Entry Book 1, p. 487.] 20 Feb 1693. Whitehall. Warrant for the reprieve of Richard Cooke, gent., if found guilty of the manslaughter of Hill, at his trial at the Old Bailey. [H.0O. Warrant Book 6, p. 501.]

Calendars. 20 Feb 1693. Whitehall. Commission for Graveron, esq., to be reformed captain of the regiment of foot, commanded by Col. Francis du Cambon, with special direction as to his precedence; for St. Leger de Bacalan, esq., to be reformed captain in the same regiment, with similar clause as to precedence; and for Combette Delandes, esq., to be reformed captain in the same regiment, with similar clause as to precedence. [Ibid., p. 339.]

Calendars. 20 Feb 1693. Whitehall. Viscount Sydney to the Earl of Nottingham. I send you an order of council for a committee on the vote of parliament, together with the report of the judges and the concurrence of the lords on the report; but notwithstanding all this, there are some here that say they will never quit the point, and that they would rather be taxed by Parliament in England. What is to be expected from these gentlemen in the House of Commons may easily be imagined.

Since my last letter to you I am informed that upon the death of the last mayor of Londonderry there has been another chosen in his place "who has never been at church in his life." He was chosen without the approbation of the council, a thing which was never done before, and this was carried on by the "Scotch faction," by which you will see what they will do when they have power in their hands. It is therefore most unadvisable to give them more than they have.

I hear the King intends to raise two regiments in Scotland for the service in Ireland. If he does so the Scotch will have the whole government of it, for already more than half the army are Scotch. Therefore I consider it will be for the King's service to put a stop to the raising of these regiments. The English fear them to such a degree that there will be some difficulty in persuading them to stay in the country if the regiments are raised.

The Lord Chancellor tells me that he will give you an account of some affairs of importance in his province. [S.P. Ireland 355, No. 18.]

Calendars. 20 Feb 1693. Whitehall. The Earl of Nottingham to the Ambassador of Spain. I enclose you the copy of the order which was despatched by the Commissioners of the Admiralty to Vice-admiral Rooke, commander of the squadron of ships that departs for the Mediterranean, touching the two ships of the King of Spain destined to Port Mahon. [H.O. Letter Book (Secretary's) 2, p. 620.]

On 20 Feb 1858 Edward Smith-Stanley 14th Earl of Derby (age 58) was appointed Prime Minister.

The Times. 21 Feb 1930. THE DUKE OF WESTMINSTER AND MISS PONSONBY. The marriage of the Duke of Westminster (age 50) and Miss Loelia Mary Ponsonby (age 28), daughter of Sir Frederick (age 62) and Lady Ponsonby, of Great Tangley Manor Guildford, and St. James's Palace [Map], took place at Prince's-row Register Office yesterday. Among those present were Mr. Winston Churchill (age 55), Lady Serena James (age 28), Mrs Walter Rubens, Colonel (age 65) and Mrs. Guy Wyndham, Captain and Mrs. Cowes, Mrs. Basil Kerr, 2ir. and Mrs. George Drunmaond, and AMr. and Mrs. Richard Guinness. The Duke and Duchess left for their honey- uoon in the Duke's steam yacht the Cutty i Sark, wlhich was moored at Deptford [Map].