1714-1760 George I and George II

1714-1760 George I and George II is in 18th Century Events.

Death of Queen Anne

Coronation George I

On 20 Oct 1714 King George I of Great Britain and Ireland (age 54) was crowned I King Great Britain and Ireland at Westminster Abbey [Map] by Archbishop Thomas Tenison (age 78).

Charles Fitzroy 2nd Duke Grafton (age 30) was appointed Lord High Steward.

Willam Humphreys 1st Baronet officiated in his capacity of Lord Mayor of London, entertaining the King and his court at Guildhall

1715 General Election

In 1715 John Eden 2nd Baronet (age 37) was elected MP County Durham unopposed at the 1715 General Election.

Between 22 Jan 1715 and 09 Mar 1715 the 1715 General Election was held. The election had been caused by George I's (age 54) succession. The Whig party, which supported George I, won an overwhelming majority.

John Rushout 4th Baronet (age 29) was elected MP Malmesbury.

Leonard Smelt (age 32) was elected MP Northallerton.

Thomas Frankland 3rd Baronet (age 30) was elected MP Thirsk.

George Carpenter 1st Baron Carpenter (age 57) was elected MP Whitchurch.

Battle of Sheriffmuir

On 13 Nov 1715 John Lyon 5th Earl Strathmore and Kinghorne (age 19) was killed at Sheriffmuir during the Battle of Sheriffmuir fighting for the Jacobites. His brother Charles Lyon 6th Earl Strathmore and Kinghorne (age 16) succeeded 6th Earl Strathmore and Kinghorne.

1715 Battle of Preston

The 1715 Battle of Preston was the final action of the 1715 Jacobite Rebellion. It commenced on 09 Nov 1715 when Jacobite cavalry entered Preston, Lancashire [Map]. Royalist troops arrived in number over the next few days surrounding Preston forcing the Jaocbite surrender. 1463 were taken prisoner of which 463 were English. The Scottish prisoners included:

George Seton 5th Earl of Winton (age 38). The only prisoner to plead not guilty, sentenced to death, escaped from the Tower of London [Map] on 04 Aug 1716 around nine in the evening. Travelled to France then to Rome.

On 24 Feb 1716 William Gordon 6th Viscount Kenmure was beheaded on Tower Hill [Map].

On 09 Feb 1716 William Maxwell 5th Earl Nithsale was sentenced to be executed on 24 Feb 1716. The night before his wife (age 36) effected his escape from the Tower of London [Map] by exchanging his clothes with those of her maid. They travelled to Paris then to Rome where the court of James "Old Pretender" Stewart (age 27) was.

James Radclyffe 3rd Earl Derwentwater (age 26) was imprisoned in the Tower of London [Map]. He was examined by the Privy Council on 10 Jan 1716 and impeached on 19 Jan 1716. He pleaded guilty in the expectation of clemency. He was attainted and condemned to death. Attempts were made to procure his pardon. His wife Anna Maria Webb Countess Derwentwater (age 24), her sister Mary Webb Countess Waldegrave (age 21) [Note. Assumed to be her sister Mary], their aunt Anne Brudenell Duchess Richmond (age 45), Barbara Villiers 1st Duchess of Cleveland appealed to King George I of Great Britain and Ireland (age 55) in person without success.

On 24 Feb 1716 James Radclyffe 3rd Earl Derwentwater was beheaded on Tower Hill [Map]. Earl Derwentwater, Baronet Radclyffe of Derwentwater in Cumberland forfeit.

William Murray 2nd Lord Nairne was tried on 09 Feb 1716 for treason, found guilty, attainted, and condemned to death. He survived long enough to benefit from the Indemnity Act of 1717.

General Thomas Forster of Adderstone (age 31) was attainted. He was imprisoned at Newgate Prison, London [Map] but escaped to France.

On 14 May 1716 Henry Oxburgh was hanged, drawn and quartered at Tyburn [Map]. He was buried at Church of St Gile's in the Fields. His head was spiked on Temple Bar.

The trials and sentences were overseen by the Lord High Steward William Cowper 1st Earl Cowper (age 50) for which he subsequently received his Earldom.

1717 Indemnity Act

The 1717 Indemnity Act freed a large number of prisoners including hundreds of Jacobite supporters of which some two hundred had been captured at the 1715 Battle of Preston. The Act didn't under attainders or restore lands. Those released included:

William Murray 2nd Lord Nairne.

Robert Dalzell 5th Earl of Carnwath 1687-1737.

William Widdrington 4th Baron Widdrington.

There were exemptions including:

Matthew Prior Poet 1664-1721.

Robert Harley 1st Earl of Oxford and Earl Mortimer.

Simon Harcourt 1st Viscount Harcourt.

Thomas Harley of Kinsham Court 1667-1738.

All members of the Clan McGregor including Rob Roy MacGregor.

1718 Battle of Cape Passaro

11 Aug 1718. The Battle of Cape Passaro, aka the Battle of Avola and the Battle of Syracuse, was a major naval battle fought on between a fleet of the British Royal Navy under Admiral Sir George Byng (age 55) and a fleet of the Spanish Navy under Rear-Admiral Antonio de Gaztañeta. The British fleet secured a decisive victory.

Calendar of Treasury Warrants 1718 Sep. 02 Sep 1718. Royal sign manual for 1,000l. to Paty Byng, Esq.: without account: as a mark of royal favour in consideration of his service in bringing letters from our Admiral Sir George Byng (age 55) with a particular account of the engagement [1718 Battle of Cape Passaro] with the Spanish Fleet off Cape Passaro the 31st July last. (Money warrant dated Sept. 3 hereon.) (Money order dated Sept. 3 hereon.) (Letter of direction dated Sept. 5 hereon.) King's Warrant Book XXIX, p. 104. Order Book X, p. 157. Disposition Book XXIV, p. 147.

1722 General Election

In 1722 Peter Burrell (age 29) was elected at MP Haslemere.

In 1722 John Crowley (age 32) was elected MP Okehampton during the 1722 General Election.

In 1722 Michael Newton 4th Baronet (age 27) was elected MP Beverley in the 1722 General Election.

In 1722 John Eden 2nd Baronet (age 44) was elected MP County Durham in the 1722 General Election.

In 1722 Thomas Rowney of Dean Farm, Oxfordshire (age 29) was elected MP Oxford succeeding his father in the 1722 General Election.

In 1722 John Rushout 4th Baronet (age 36) was elected MP Malmesbury and MP Evesham in the 1722 General Election. He was unseated on petition at Malmesbury on 13 Dec 1722, and so took his seat at Evesham.

On 19 Mar 1722 Thomas Frankland 3rd Baronet (age 37) was elected MP Thirsk during the 1722 General Election.

On 19 Mar 1722 Leonard Smelt (age 39) was elected MP Northallerton during the 1722 General Election.

Death and Funeral of Isaac Newton

On 20 Mar 1727 Isaac Newton (age 84) died in his sleep; he was unmarried.

On 28 Mar 1727 Isaac Newton (deceased) was buried in Scientist's Corner, Westminster Abbey [Map]; the first scientist to be buried there. The service was performed by the Bishop of Rochester (age 74).

Before the funeral his body lay in state in the Jerusalem Chamber, Cheyneygates, Westminster Abbey [Map]. His coffin was followed by most of the Fellows of the Royal Society.

The Pall Bearers were the Lord Chancellor Peter King 1st Baron King (age 58), James Graham 1st Duke Montrose (age 44), Robert Ker 2nd Duke Roxburghe (age 18), Thomas Herbert 8th Earl Pembroke 5th Earl Montgomery (age 71), Talbot Yelverton 1st Earl of Sussex (age 36) and Thomas Parker 1st Earl Macclesfield (age 60).

The Chief Mourner was Michael Newton 4th Baronet (age 32); his third cousin.

Voltaire observed, "He was buried like a king who had done well by his subjects.".

He was buried at Scientist's Corner, Westminster Abbey [Map]; the first scientist to be buried theren 28 Mar 1727. The inscription on his John Michael Rysbrack (age 32) monument reads "Here is buried Isaac Newton, Knight, who by a strength of mind almost divine, and mathematical principles peculiarly his own, explored the course and figures of the planets, the paths of comets, the tides of the sea, the dissimilarities in rays of light, and, what no other scholar has previously imagined, the properties of the colours thus produced. Diligent, sagacious and faithful, in his expositions of nature, antiquity and the holy Scriptures, he vindicated by his philosophy the majesty of God mighty and good, and expressed the simplicity of the Gospel in his manners. Mortals rejoice that there has existed such and so great an ornament of the human race! He was born on 25th December 1642, and died on 20th March 1726."

Coronation of George II

On 11 Oct 1727 John Hobart 1st Earl Buckinghamshire (age 34) was created 1st Baron Hobart at Westminster Abbey [Map] during the Coronation of George II. Judith Britiffe Lady Hotham by marriage Baroness Hobart.

Exchange of the Princesses

On 19 Jan 1729 a double wedding was conducted between two sets of brothers and sisters ....

Joseph I King Portugal (age 14) and Infante Mariana Victoria of Spain (age 10) were married. He the son of John V King Portugal (age 39).

Ferdinand VI King Spain (age 15) and Barbara Queen Consort Spain (age 17) were married. She the daughter of John V King Portugal. He a great x 2 grandson of King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland.

Excise Crisis

In 1733 Spencer Compton 1st Earl Wilmington (age 60) was appointed 551st Knight of the Garter by King George II of Great Britain and Ireland (age 49). as a reward for not following through with his threat to resign over the Excise Crisis.

1734 General Election

In 1734 Thomas Rowney of Dean Farm, Oxfordshire (age 41) was elected MP Oxford in the 1734 General Election.

On 22 Apr 1734 the 1734 General Election was held ...

Leonard Smelt (age 51) was elected MP Northallerton.

Robert Grosvenor 6th Baronet (age 38) was elected MP Chester.

1735 Great Storm

In Jan 1735 a great storm occurred in London and elsewhere causing significant damage.

From London Prints:

Yesterday Morning the Wind being at W. and W.S.W. it blew hard; and in the Afternoon we had one of the strongest Storms that has been known for many Years, in which several Lighters and Boats in the River were sunk, and others dashed to Pieces; but all the Ships in the River rode out with Safety. On Shore, great Damage was done in the Houses, by ripping off the Tiles, blowing down Stacks of Chimneys, &c. and many People were killed and wounded; particularly, Five Houses were blown down in St. Giles's Parish [Map], and another in Hartshorn Lane in the Strand, by which two Persons lost their Lives. A Stack of Chimneys fell upon a Footman near Gray's-Inn, and killed him. A House in the Broad-Way, Westminster, was blown down, and a Man and Boy killed. And Mr. Lancashire, a Carpenter in Two-Swan-Yard near Bishopsgate, was blown from the Top of a Twelve-Foot Ladder, by which he fractured his Skull, and died on the Spot.

It likewise blew up by the Roots several large Trees in St. James's Park, and did incredible Damage to a great many Houses, in all Parts of the Cities of London and Westminster.

From Tunbridge-Wells [Map] we have an Account that the Land-Floods came down upon them so suddenly, that all the Bridges upon the Brook which runs by the Walks, were carried away by the Torrent, and great Damages done besides, so that the like has not been known before in any one's Memory.

They write from [illegible] Abbey in Yorkshire that [several words illegible] happened such a Storm as had not been known in the Memory of Man; tho' it lasted no longer than three quarters of an Hour, yet four Houses were blown down, and several others damaged, and a great Number of large Trees were either broken or blown up by the Roots.

Moulsey in Surrey, Jan. 9. The River Thames is now rising here, and yet it is already so high, we are forced to live above Stairs; and when the Land Waters come down from the Hills in the West-Country, God knows the Consequence: The Thames rose between 5 and 12 this Morning, very near a Foot in Height.

On the 8th Instant there were near 100 Elm Trees (and other Sorts) blown up by the Roots in this Parish during the violent Storm, all fine tall Sticks, and of a load of Timber in a Stick one with another; which will afford the Navy a fine Opportunity of furnishing the Stores in his Majesty's Dockyard this Year.

Extract of a Letter from Dover, dated Jan. 10. Our Accounts from Deal yesterday bring that 40 Sail were missing, that there is scarce a Ship but has met with Damage, and most people think the Gale of Wind little inferior to the November Storm, and lasted longer.

From several LONDON PRINTS Jan. 11. We have received further Accounts of the Misfortunes occasioned by the terrible Storm on Wednesday last: It was observed to be at the highest at 12 o'Clock, about which Time a Stack of Chimnies fell upon a Coachman near Golden-Square, and fractured his Skull: At Barnet [Map], and the Villages adjacent, they perceived three loud Claps of Thunder, accompanied by Lightning; several Barns were blown down in that Neighbourhood; and in several of the Roads near London, the Trees lie in the Highway in such manner, that it is difficult to pass: The Seat was blow from the Mount in Kensington Gardens. At all Parts of the Town are seen Houses untiled, stript of their Lead, and the Chimnies demolish'd.

The Kitchen Chimney of the Lord Bruce was blown down, which broke thro' the Stables of his Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland, and did very considerable Damage, some of the Servants narrowly escaping with their Lives.

36 Trees were broke down, and tore up by the Roots, in St. James's Park, particularly the large Tree entering the Mall, from St. James's Palace, under which stood a Centry-Box, which was blown down at the same Time, with the Soldier in it, who narrowly escaped with his Life.

About 300 Weight of Lead was blown off the House of Arundel, Esq; in Burlington Gardens, Surveyor of his Majesty's Roads.

About 500 Wt. of Lead was ript off the Parish Church of St. Laurence Jewry, by Guild-Hall.

At the Marquis de Montandre's House in Brook-street, a large Stack of Chimnies was blown down, which demolished an Office in the back Part of the House, dashing in Pieces a Table at which 9 Servants were to dine a quarter of an Hour after.

At Riskins, the seat of the Lord Bathurst (age 50) in Buckinghamshire, above 40 large Trees in his Lordship's Grounds were blown down.

At Fulham [Map] 2 or 3 Houses were blown down, and a Barn belonging to Mr. Gray, a Farmer.

A great many Wallnut-trees in the Park of Tryon, Esq; at Mickleham, Surrey [Map], were destroyed. We hear he has made above 300£. per Annum of the Wallnuts which the said Trees produced.

The same Day, as a Servant of Messieurs Frame and Berkley was going along the North Side of St. Paul's, he was thrown down by the Violence of the Winds, at which time his Letter-Case fell from his Side, and the Wind blew his Notes about; all which he found again, except one of £300. one of £139. 16s one of £40. and one of £25. for which Notes a Reward is offered.

1741 Creation of Garter Knights

In 1741 King George II of Great Britain and Ireland (age 57) created new Garter Knights as follows:

554th Frederick Hesse-Kassel (age 20). Probably as a consequence of his having married the daughter of King George II.

555th Charles Beauclerk 2nd Duke St Albans (age 44),

556th Charles Spencer 3rd Duke of Marlborough (age 34),

557th Evelyn Pierrepont 2nd Duke Kingston upon Hull (age 30),

558th William Bentinck 2nd Duke Portland (age 31),

559th Duke Frederick III of Saxe Coburg Altenburg III (age 41).

1741 General Election

In 1741 Charles Churchill (age 27) was elected MP Stockbridge in the 1741 General Election.

In 1741 Thomas Rowney of Dean Farm, Oxfordshire (age 48) was elected MP Oxford in the 1741 General Election.

Battle of Cartgenas

On 22 Mar 1741 Aubrey Beauclerk was killed in action during the Battle of Cartgenas.

Battle of Dettingen

On 27 Jun 1743 the Battle of Dettingen was fought between an Allied army of England, Hanover and Austria against a French army during the War of the Austrian Succession.

The French army was commanded by Adrien Maurice 3rd Duke de Noailles (age 64).

1745 Annesley vs Lord Anglesey Case

In 1745 James Annesley (age 29) laid claim to his inheritance; the 1745 Annesley vs Lord Anglesey Case.

In 1745 Thomas Marlay (age 65) presided over the 1745 Annesley vs Lord Anglesey Case case in which James Annesley (age 29) sought to claim his inheritance as 6th Earl Anglesey from his uncle Richard Annesley 6th Earl Anglesey (age 52) who had previously had him kidnapped to avoid his receiving his inheritance. The case went in favour of James Annesley but he died before receiving his estates. His uncle died a year later.

Battle of Fontenoy

In 1744 Bluett Wallop (age 17) obtained a commission as a cornet in Honywood's Regiment of Horse. He was with his regiment at the Battle of Fontenoy, and soon thereafter got a captaincy in Lord Sempill's Regiment of Foot.

On 11 May 1745 the allied army commanded by William Augustus Hanover 1st Duke Cumberland (age 24) was defeated by a French army at the Battle of Fontenay.

George Cholmondeley (age 20), George Keppel 3rd Earl Albermarle (age 21), Joseph Yorke 1st Baron Dover (age 20) and John Waldegrave 3rd Earl Waldegrave (age 27) fought.

Henry Ponsonby (age 60), James Dillon and Robert Douglas were killed.

George Sackville aka Germain 1st Viscount Sackville (age 29) led the charge of the Duke of Cumberland's infantry leading his regiment so deep into the French lines that when he was wounded and captured he was taken to the tent of Louis XV.

Louis 6th Duke of Gramont (age 55) was killed. His son Antoine 7th Duke Gramont (age 23) succeeded 7th Duke Gramont.

Battle of Prestonpans

On 21 Sep 1745 the army of Charles Edward "Bonnie Prince Charlie" Stewart (age 24) defeated the only government army in Scotland at the Battle of Prestonpans, led by General Sir John Cope (age 57).

Colonel James Gardiner (age 57) was killed in action. He was mortally wounded by the Highlanders after his dragoons had fled the field and he was attempting to rally some foot soldiers. He received a mortal blow whilst wounded on the ground and was stripped to the waist as his possessions were looted by the Highlanders. After the battle he was carried from the field by a servant to nearby Tranent where he soon died.

Battle of Culloden

On 16 Apr 1746 an English army commanded by William Augustus Hanover 1st Duke Cumberland (age 24) and John Mordaunt (age 37) defeated the Scottish army of Charles Edward "Bonnie Prince Charlie" Stewart (age 25) at the Battle of Culloden bring to an end the Jacobite Rising of 1745.

Bluett Wallop (age 19) fought.

Robert Kerr was killed.

William Boyd 4th Earl Kilmarnock (age 40) was captured.

Alexander Bannerman 3rd Baronet fought and escapted to France where he died a year later.

1747 General Election

In 1747 Charles Churchill (age 33) was elected MP Milborne Port in the 1747 General Election but it was a double return; Churchill was not seated.

In 1747 Thomas Rowney of Dean Farm, Oxfordshire (age 54) was elected MP Oxford unopposed.

Battle of Lauffeld

On 02 Jul 1747 Edward Dillon was killed at Lauffeld during the Battle of Lauffeld.

Attack on Port Louis

On 08 Mar 1748 William Cust (age 28) was killed by a cannon-ball whilst leading the attack on Port Louis on HMS Elizabeth.

Battle of Santiago de Cuba

On 09 Apr 1748 the Battle of Santiago de Cuba was a failed attempt by the British to force the entrance of the port of Santiago de Cuba.

1749 Creation of Garter Knights

1752 Creation of Knights

Marriage of James Duke Hamilton and Elizabeth Gunning

On 14 Feb 1752 James Hamilton 6th Duke Hamilton 3rd Duke Brandon (age 27) and Elizabeth Gunning Duchess Hamilton and Argyll (age 18) met at a Valentine's Ball at Bedford House Covent Garden. He and they were married that night at Keith's Chapel, Mayfair; the location being one where he didn't require a license. This before the Marriage Act of 1753. She by marriage Duchess Hamilton, Duchess Brandon of Suffolk. He the son of James Hamilton 5th Duke Hamilton 2nd Duke Brandon and Anne Cochrane Duchess Hamilton Duchess Brandon.

Letters of Horace Walpole. 27 Feb 1752. I write this as a sort of letter of form on the occasion, for there is nothing worth telling you. The event that has made most noise since my last, is the extempore wedding of the youngest (age 18) of the two Gunnings, who have made so vehement a noise. Lord Coventry (age 29)295, a grave young lord, of the remains of the patriot breed, has long dangled after the eldest (age 19), virtuously with regard to her virtue, not very honourably with regard to his own credit. About six weeks ago Duke Hamilton (age 27)296, the very reverse of the Earl, hot, debauched, extravagant, and equally damaged in his fortune and person, fell in love with the youngest at the masquerade, and determined to marry her in the spring. About a fortnight since, at an immense assembly at my Lord Chesterfield's, made to show the house, which is really magnificent, Duke Hamilton made violent love at one end of the room, while he was playing at pharaoh at the other end; that is, he saw neither the bank nor his own cards, which were of three hundred pounds each: he soon lost a thousand. I own I was so little a professor in love, that I thought all this parade looked ill for the poor girl; and could not conceive, if he was so much engaged with his mistress as to disregard such sums, why he played at all. However, two nights afterwards, being left alone with her while her mother and sister were at Bedford House, he found himself so impatient, that he sent for a parson. The doctor refused to perform the ceremony without license or ring: the Duke swore he would send for the Archbishop-at last they were married with a ring of the bed-curtain, at half an hour after twelve at night, at Mayfair chapel297, The Scotch are enraged; the women mad that so much beauty has had its effect; and what is most silly, my Lord Coventry declares that he now will marry the other.

Poor Lord Lempster has just killed an officer298 in a duel, about a play-debt, and I fear was in the wrong. There is no end of his misfortunes and wrong-headedness!-Where is Mr. Conway!-Adieu!

Note 295. George-William, sixth Earl of Coventry. He died in 1809, at the age of eighty-seven.-E.

Note 296. James, fourth Duke of Hamilton. He died in 1758.-D.

Note 297. On the 14th of February.-E.

Note 298. Captain Gray of the Guards (deceased). The duel was fought, with swords, in Marylebone Fields. Lord Lempster took his trial at the Old Bailey in April, and was found guilty of manslaughter.-E.

1752 Adoption of the Gregorian Calendar

On 02 Sep 1752 Great Britain and Ireland adopted the Gregorian Calendar and corrected the date losing eleven days. Wednesday 02 Sep 1752 was followed by Thursday 14 Sep 1752. The tax year requiring 365 days slipped from commencing on 25 March, Lady Day, to 05 April as a consequence.

1754 General Election

In 1754 Thomas Rowney of Dean Farm, Oxfordshire (age 61) was elected MP Oxford in the 1754 General Election.

In 1754 Charles Churchill (age 40) was elected MP Great Marlow in the 1754 General Election.

In 1754 Robert Grosvenor 6th Baronet (age 58) was elected MP Chester during the 1754 General Election.

1756 Creation of Garter Knights

Execution of Admiral John Byng

14 Mar 1757. Unknown Painter. "The Shooting of Admiral Byng"

On 14 Mar 1757 Admiral John Byng (age 52) was executed by firing squad for having been found guilty of his perceived failure to relieve the garrison at Menorca. The execution caused public outrage among fellow officers and the country at large. He was buried in the Bing Vault, All Saints Church, Southill.

Battle of Carillon

On 06 Jul 1758 George Howe 3rd Viscount Howe (age 33) was killed at Fort Carillon Ticonderoga, Essex County New York State at the Battle of Carillon. His brother Richard Howe 1st Earl Howe (age 32) succeeded 4th Viscount Howe, 4th Baron Glenawley.

Battle of Minden

On 01 Aug 1759 William Middleton 5th Baronet (age 21) was severely injured at the Battle of Minden.

George Sackville aka Germain 1st Viscount Sackville (age 43) was ordered several times to advance the British cavalry to complete the victory but refused to do so since Sackville was estranged from Lord Granby (age 38), the force commander, and withheld permission for Granby to "gain glory" through an attack. For this action, he was cashiered and sent home. Sackville refused to accept responsibility for refusing to obey orders. Back in England, he demanded a court martial, and made it a large enough issue that he obtained his demand in 1760. The court found him guilty, and imposed one of the strangest and strongest verdicts ever rendered against a general officer. The court's verdict not only upheld his discharge, but ruled that he was "...unfit to serve His Majesty in any military Capacity whatever", then ordered that their verdict be read to and entered in the orderly book of every regiment in the army. The king had his name struck from the Privy Council rolls.

Trial and Execution of Earl Ferrers

In Apr 1760 Laurence Shirley 4th Earl Ferrers (age 39) was tried by his peers; Thomas Kirkland (age 39) was a witness. Laurence Shirley 4th Earl Ferrers was found guilty.

On 05 May 1760 Laurence Shirley 4th Earl Ferrers (age 39) was hanged at Tyburn [Map] (the last peer to be hanged) for having shot his old family steward. His estates and titles were forfeit however.

Diary of Caroline Girlie. 06 May 1760. Earl Ferrers (deceased) was carried from the Tower [Map] to Tyburn [Map] executed by a party of Horse and Foot Guards, a Clergyman and the two Sherifs were in the Coach with him he poor unhappy man was drest in his wedding suit, dating as he himself said his whole unhappy conduct from a forced marriage. He observed that the apparatus, and being made a spectacle of to so vast a multitude was greatly worse than death itself the procession was two hours & 3/4 from setting out, the Landau & six in which he was ye Sheriffs each in their Chariots one mourning Coach and a Hearse attended, and return'd thro' Lincoln's Inn Fields about one, I think I never shall forget a procession so moving, to know a man an hour before in perfect health then a Lifeless course, yet a just victim to his Country, for the abuse of of that power his rank in Life had given him a Title too, his rank indeed caused his punishment, as the good Old King, in answer to numerous petitions of his greatly to be pitied Family made this memorable speech, "That for the last years of his Life, he had been beyond his most Sanguine hopes successful, for which he should ever return thanks to God, and on his part he had and always would endeavor to Administer justice as he ought, as Events had shown by the punishment of his most exalted Subjects". This was a noble answer. yet none could help pitying this unhappy Lord, his intellects most probably was rather more in fault than his heart in the murder for which he Suffer'd, and had he been low born his majesty would have shewn more Mercy without such strict Justice.

In Apr 1761 Laurence Shirley 4th Earl Ferrers was tried for murder by his peers at Westminster Hall [Map] with Attorney General Charles Pratt leading for the prosecution, found guilty and executed.

Battle of Warburg

On 31 Jul 1760 John Waldegrave 3rd Earl Waldegrave (age 42) fought at the Battle of Warburg.