The position of official mistress had power and money attached to it. Otherwise, it was just a casual affair.
Her husband, the poet and spy Sir John Denham, was mortified, however.
In 1665 Sir John Denham had married a much younger woman, an 18-year-old wealthy heiress named Margaret Brooke, who became mistress to James, Duke of York in 1666.
In 1667 Sir John Denham suffered a bout of madness; the causes have never been clearly determined, although some have suggested that it was brought on by his wife's infidelity.
While Sir John Denham was recovering, his wife died, poisoned, it was said, by a cup of chocolate. Some suspected Anne Hyde, Duchess of York of the crime, but the Comte de Gramont says that the general opinion was that Sir John was guilty. However, no sign of poison was found in Lady Denham's post mortem examination.
Henry Brouncker was in the Colchester garrison in 1648, but next appears in 1656 when he joined the exiled court as a pimp for the Duke of York.
Sir Edward Nicholas inquired about his religion, and was told: ‘As for Mr. Brouncker, he certainly is no Roman Catholic; ... however, as a courtier, he may possibly sometimes go to Mass’. The writer, a respected Catholic, did not say why this was required at an Anglican Court.
Henry Brouncker continued his career at Court after the Restoration, married a widow, Rebecca Rodway Jermyn, with ‘a great jointure and great personal estate’ in 1661, and became a successful gamester.
Obtaining a crown lease of a former monastery at Sheen, Brouncker adapted it to suit his rather different requirements, and secured his wife the post of dresser to Queen Catherine, which required her constant attendance at Court.
In 1665 Brouncker accompanied James, Duke of York to sea, and was responsible for the failure to follow up the English victory off Lowestoft, pretending orders from the Duke to shorten sail.
Four months later Brouncker stood as court candidate at New Romney, defeating Sir Charles Sedley MP on the mayor’s casting vote.
During Henry Brouncker MP’s brief time in the House he acted as teller in six divisions and was named to 17 committees.
But in 1667 Henry Brouncker MP was dismissed from James, Duke of York’s household for his hostility to the Earl of Clarendon, although it may be that the Duke was now aware how Brouncker’s cowardice had compromised his own reputation for courage.
Henry Brouncker MP was appointed to the committee for banishing fallen minister, while being under attack for his actions off Lowestoft. He put responsibility on the flag-captain, saying: ‘If I used my reason to persuade him, and he by executing of it made it his own, he is to blame, not I’.
The attack on Henry Brouncker MP was renewed in the spring of 1668. Brouncker defended himself with more effrontery than skill, denying the Duke of York was in danger, and he was expelled the House.
Articles of impeachment were brought against Brouncker, and he prudently withdrew to France. With the adjournment the affair lapsed.
Henry Brouncker soon returned to England, and received more in boons and offices than had been granted before his disgrace. In 1670 he was given £1,000 and the reversion of his brother’s pension of £1,000 p.a., and in 1673 he virtually took over the office of Charles II's cofferer from the aged William Ashburnham.
James, Duke of York never forgave him, and Brouncker held no office after 1685.
Henry Brouncker MP died at Sheen on 4 Jan. 1688, leaving everything (including an embarrassing collection of Lelys) to his Civil War comrade, Sir Charles Lyttleton. This was about the only action of Brouncker’s life that aroused general approval.
The Loyal London was an 80-gun second-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched on 10 June 1666 at Deptford Dockyard with a burthen of 1,236 tons. She was established with 80 guns comprising: 22 cannon-of-seven, 4 demi-cannon, 26 culverins and 28 demi-culverins;
in July 1666 this was raised to 92 guns, comprising: 7 cannon-of-seven, 19 demi-cannon, 28 culverins, 26 12-pounders and 12 demi-culverins.
She was commissioned on 16 July, 1666.
The Loyal London was destroyed by fire on 14 June 1667, during a Dutch raid on Chatham.
A quantity of her timbers were salvaged on 15 July, and were transported to Deptford for reuse in construction of the 96-gun first rate London.
A poem on the famous ship called the Loyal London. Begun at the charge of the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor, aldermen, and commoners of the city of London, in the year 1665, and launched June 10, 1666, which they presented to His Majesty as a testimony of their loyalty and dutiful affection; and built at Deptford by Captain Taylor. By William Smith, fl. 1660-1686.
The Shortening of Sail After the Battle of Lowestoft, 3 June 1665
After destroying the Dutch flagship during a crushing victory, the English fleet pursued the Dutch, who were in confusion and lacked a command structure. However, during the night the English fleet was mysteriously ordered to shorten sail.
This happened supposedly because Groom of the Bedchamber Henry Brouncker deluded the flag captain, John Harman, and the ship’s master, John Cox, into believing he was relaying the (sleeping) Duke of York’s orders.
It was later suggested by Chancellor Edward Hyde that Brouncker, “a disreputable friend (and alleged pimp) of James’s” had promised Anne Hyde, Duchess of York, that he would bring James home safely -- or that he acted unilaterally to preserve the life of the heir to the throne (and, by implication, his own, as satirists pointed out)[i]. [i] J R Jones, The Anglo-Dutch Wars of the 17th Century, 158.
The matter was investigated by Parliament in Oct. 1667 and April 1668. When suspicion pointed at him, Henry Brouncker fled abroad[ii]. [ii] J D Davies, Gentlemen and Tarpaulins: The Officers and Men of the Restoration Navy, 150, 156.
Brouncker's defense, written from Paris in June 1668, made no mention of Anne Hyde, but accused Capt. Harman, master Cox and witnesses of perjury. Brouncker implied he was passing on James' order not to engage during the night, which was misinterpreted by Harman and Cox as an order to shorten sail. Brouncker also claimed Cox did not put on sail again because the night was so dark it was impossible to distinguish enemy from friendly lights[iii]. [iii] British Library, Additional MS 75,413, piece 9
Regardless of Brouncker’s actions, some English ships could not have made a hot pursuit that night. Sandwich’s Royal Prince had to replace her main topsail, which had been ‘shot to pieces’, while the Bonadventure had to mend her rigging, ‘having every running rope in the ship shot, and most of our main yard and bowsprit and spritsail yard’[iv]. [iv] Sandwich Journal, Navy Record Society, 228; Lincolnshire Archives Office, MS Jarvis 9/1/A/1, log of Christopher Gunman
This was not enough to prevent a general chase being ordered. Failure to do so can be attributed to the flagship's confused chain of command, and to Henry Brouncker; why he gave that message to Harman is irrelevant.
However, Brouncker’s suggestion that York (who must have been exhausted and in shock after his narrow escape) gave ambiguous orders -- and then expected subordinates to second-guess his meaning -- is in keeping with his personality and subsequent track record as an admiral [v] and as king. [v] Journals and Narratives of the Third Dutch War, Navy Records Society, 175
The fleet returned to a ‘running posture’ at about 4 a.m. on 4 June -- too late to prevent the northern remnant of the Dutch fleet getting through the Texel sea-gate[vi]. [vi] National Maritime Museum, WYN/13/6
FINALLY Pepys comments on James, Duke of York's philanderings:
"He tells me further, how the Duke of York is wholly given up to his new mistress, my Lady Denham, going at noon-day with all his gentlemen with him to visit her in Scotland Yard; she declaring she will not be his mistress, as Mrs. Price, to go up and down the Privy-stairs, but will be owned publicly; and so she is. Mr. Bruncker, it seems, was the pimp to bring it about, and my Lady Castlemaine, who designs thereby to fortify herself by the Duke; ..."
This is the first time that I recall Pepys telling on James, possibly because James enjoyed ladies who were not, shall we say, great beauties. And Pepys had an eye for beauty as we all know.
A couple of interesting details about Winchelsea, East Sussex:
"Most of the land directly surrounding Winchelsea is cared for by The National Trust with the support of a tenant farmer. If you follow the 1066 footpath south-westward you will pass the remains of St. John’s Gable, formally a medieval hospital, and arrive at the magnificent Wickham Manor (not open to the public).
"Wickham Manor, a splendid medieval manor house, was once owned by the Penn Family, founders of Pennsylvania.
"Continue on and a glorious view of the Pett Levels and the English Channel opens up, underlining the strategic importance of Winchelsea’s location."
A couple of interesting details about Winchelsea, East Sussex:
"Most of the land directly surrounding Winchelsea is cared for by The National Trust with the support of a tenant farmer. If you follow the 1066 footpath south-westward you will pass the remains of St. John’s Gable, formally a medieval hospital, and arrive at the magnificent Wickham Manor (not open to the public).
"Wickham Manor, a splendid medieval manor house, was once owned by the Penn Family, founders of Pennsylvania.
"Continue on and a glorious view of the Pett Levels and the English Channel opens up, underlining the strategic importance of Winchelsea’s location."
Does anyone have access to Williamson's explanation for his bad intelligence on François de Vendôme, Duc de Beaufort's intentions? Yes, an invasion from Ireland was a constant worry for 1,000 years, but Williamson seems to have totally lost track of the French fleet at a time he should have made that a priority.
"By and by comes Mr. Wayth to me; and discoursing of our ill success, he tells me plainly from Captain Page’s own mouth (who hath lost his arm in the fight), that the Dutch did pursue us two hours before they left us, and then they suffered us to go on homewards, and they retreated towards their coast: which is very sad news."
Curious neither of these biographies include something as significant as his lost arm. Of course, I'm sure he could be a good Captain with only one if someone else holds the compass or spyglass.
The Galloper is a sandbank, around 50 km offshore from the Felixstowe area, around 11.5 km long and less than 1 km wide. The general depth of the area is 30-50 m to the west and 20-30 m to the east. However the depth over the Galloper itself decreases from 20 m to as little as 2 m. The geology is predominantly gravel and sand over the London Clay. The tidal range in the character area is within the range of 3-4 m at Mean Spring Tide (DTI 2004).
As a result of its proximity to the ports of Harwich and Felixstowe the northern half of the area comes within the jurisdiction of the Harwich regulatory system. It is subject to restrictions concerned with high speed craft, submarine cables and traffic separation and is covered by Vessel Traffic Services (VTS). The southern half of the area does not fall under the jurisdiction of Harwich but is subject to restrictions concerned with high speed craft, submarine cables, changing depths and draught restrictions. A submarine network cable runs north-south through the area connecting the United States with the UK, Germany and the Netherlands.
The Galloper sandbank is avoided by shipping. The area has potential to contain submerged prehistoric landscapes, features or artifacts, having been dry land prior to 8000 BP. However, no investigation work is known to have been done in this area.
In 2007 planning consent was given to Greater Gabbard Offshore Winds Ltd for the construction of a windfarm comprising 140 turbines over two sites. The larger site covers much of the Galloper sandbanks, the second site is on the Gabbard sandbanks. Overall the area is expected to produce 500 MW of energy - enough to power 415,000 homes, more than the domestic demands of Suffolk.
An enjoyable history of Colchester, with lots of photos of things from Roman times through Essex witches and the famous siege at the end of the third Civil War. https://www.anglotopia.net/britis…
Anthony Ashley-Cooper was not a religious man. In the late 1660's John Locke became his family doctor and tutor. At this time Lord Ashley was also taking a keen interest in Carolina (a vast stretch of land he shared with 7 other lords). In 1669 Locke wrote a revealing sentence in the Fundamental Constitutions of Carolina that, “Every freeman of Carolina shall have absolute power and authority over his negro slaves.”
I differ with cgs' opinion on 6 Jun 2009 'Answer: from Sam yesterday: '"took post about three this morning, and were here between eleven and twelve" 8 hrs average gallop be 10 mph? 'I be error in previous post sorry"
These men were both exhausted and injured. They may have ridden as fast as they could, but a healthy, rested human with nothing else on his mind could do it faster than 8 hours. Their report was verbal, not written, so there could be no replacements.
I thought homing pigeons had been used for message carrying since Roman times. Okay, not an in-depth report, but "send more gunpowder and canon balls ASAP" would seem reasonable.
In all my reading about the Civil Wars, I do not remember any mention of carrier pigeons.
"Charlemagne made pigeon-raising the exclusive privilege of nobility. The Rothschild fortune is said to have been seriously augmented by a pigeon bearing news of the British victory at Waterloo." There must have been some message carrying in between. https://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/3…
I can find notes about dovecotes being a big deal at country houses, probably for eggs and eating the birds, but nothing about racing or homing pigeons. Curious.
It's well documented that Louis XIV built Versailles with no bathroom facilities. However, I just found out that in the Parisian code of laws, called the “Costume de Paris,” in 1513, it is expressly ordered, that every house should have a privy. More severe punishments for failure to obey were added in 1533. In 1538 the under officers of police were required to inspect houses and to report the names of those who had not complied with the regulation.
I suspect this means that there had to be a room in the house, but if there were no sewers, what good is the room? The chamber pot needs to be emptied, regardless of where it is kept.
Anyone who has had a loved one in battle knows how Pepys, Evelyn, James and Charles -- and the rest of country -- felt. Waiting and not knowing is the pits. My adopted son finishes 20 years in the Navy at the end of this month. There have been entries which I found much too close to today's truth for comfort. He's out in one piece, thank you God, sporting a very elegant tattoo.
I think you're right, Clydewiesner. She must be aware of Pepys' admiration for the likes of 17th century Beyonce or Miley Cyrus. Heady company for his time.
"So you can see the cheerful attitude of the time in their pots and their dress."
That's what survivors do after dreadful wars. They drown their sorrows, numb their emotions, eat and drink too much, make babies, and write clever poetry and books about the meaning of life. The Roaring Twenties. The Swinging Sixties. Woodstock in the middle of the Vietnam War.
In this case, a lot of motherless boys were trying to be men, including their King who had terrible nightmares and told the same stories over and over and over again -- I think it's fair to say Charles II had untreated PTSD.
Pepys doesn't have an excuse, besides wanting to do what everyone else is doing, being one of the boys, and/or keeping up with the Joneses.
Comments
Second Reading
About Sunday 10 June 1666
San Diego Sarah • Link
The position of official mistress had power and money attached to it. Otherwise, it was just a casual affair.
Her husband, the poet and spy Sir John Denham, was mortified, however.
In 1665 Sir John Denham had married a much younger woman, an 18-year-old wealthy heiress named Margaret Brooke, who became mistress to James, Duke of York in 1666.
In 1667 Sir John Denham suffered a bout of madness; the causes have never been clearly determined, although some have suggested that it was brought on by his wife's infidelity.
While Sir John Denham was recovering, his wife died, poisoned, it was said, by a cup of chocolate. Some suspected Anne Hyde, Duchess of York of the crime, but the Comte de Gramont says that the general opinion was that Sir John was guilty. However, no sign of poison was found in Lady Denham's post mortem examination.
About Henry Brouncker
San Diego Sarah • Link
Henry Brouncker was in the Colchester garrison in 1648, but next appears in 1656 when he joined the exiled court as a pimp for the Duke of York.
Sir Edward Nicholas inquired about his religion, and was told: ‘As for Mr. Brouncker, he certainly is no Roman Catholic; ... however, as a courtier, he may possibly sometimes go to Mass’. The writer, a respected Catholic, did not say why this was required at an Anglican Court.
Henry Brouncker continued his career at Court after the Restoration, married a widow, Rebecca Rodway Jermyn, with ‘a great jointure and great personal estate’ in 1661, and became a successful gamester.
Obtaining a crown lease of a former monastery at Sheen, Brouncker adapted it to suit his rather different requirements, and secured his wife the post of dresser to Queen Catherine, which required her constant attendance at Court.
In 1665 Brouncker accompanied James, Duke of York to sea, and was responsible for the failure to follow up the English victory off Lowestoft, pretending orders from the Duke to shorten sail.
Four months later Brouncker stood as court candidate at New Romney, defeating Sir Charles Sedley MP on the mayor’s casting vote.
During Henry Brouncker MP’s brief time in the House he acted as teller in six divisions and was named to 17 committees.
But in 1667 Henry Brouncker MP was dismissed from James, Duke of York’s household for his hostility to the Earl of Clarendon, although it may be that the Duke was now aware how Brouncker’s cowardice had compromised his own reputation for courage.
Henry Brouncker MP was appointed to the committee for banishing fallen minister, while being under attack for his actions off Lowestoft. He put responsibility on the flag-captain, saying: ‘If I used my reason to persuade him, and he by executing of it made it his own, he is to blame, not I’.
The attack on Henry Brouncker MP was renewed in the spring of 1668. Brouncker defended himself with more effrontery than skill, denying the Duke of York was in danger, and he was expelled the House.
Articles of impeachment were brought against Brouncker, and he prudently withdrew to France. With the adjournment the affair lapsed.
Henry Brouncker soon returned to England, and received more in boons and offices than had been granted before his disgrace. In 1670 he was given £1,000 and the reversion of his brother’s pension of £1,000 p.a., and in 1673 he virtually took over the office of Charles II's cofferer from the aged William Ashburnham.
James, Duke of York never forgave him, and Brouncker held no office after 1685.
Henry Brouncker MP died at Sheen on 4 Jan. 1688, leaving everything (including an embarrassing collection of Lelys) to his Civil War comrade, Sir Charles Lyttleton. This was about the only action of Brouncker’s life that aroused general approval.
Highlights from https://www.historyofparliamenton…
About Loyal London
San Diego Sarah • Link
The Loyal London was an 80-gun second-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched on 10 June 1666 at Deptford Dockyard with a burthen of 1,236 tons. She was established with 80 guns comprising: 22 cannon-of-seven, 4 demi-cannon, 26 culverins and 28 demi-culverins;
in July 1666 this was raised to 92 guns, comprising: 7 cannon-of-seven, 19 demi-cannon, 28 culverins, 26 12-pounders and 12 demi-culverins.
She was commissioned on 16 July, 1666.
The Loyal London was destroyed by fire on 14 June 1667, during a Dutch raid on Chatham.
A quantity of her timbers were salvaged on 15 July, and were transported to Deptford for reuse in construction of the 96-gun first rate London.
for citations, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS…
About Loyal London
San Diego Sarah • Link
A poem on the famous ship called the Loyal London.
Begun at the charge of the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor, aldermen, and commoners of the city of London, in the year 1665, and launched June 10, 1666, which they presented to His Majesty as a testimony of their loyalty and dutiful affection; and built at Deptford by Captain Taylor. By William Smith, fl. 1660-1686.
Too many stanzas to be printed here ... see
https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/eebo…
And if you have any question as to the English people's thoughts on the French, one long verse is devoted to that subject.
About Henry Brouncker
San Diego Sarah • Link
The Shortening of Sail After the Battle of Lowestoft, 3 June 1665
After destroying the Dutch flagship during a crushing victory, the English fleet pursued the Dutch, who were in confusion and lacked a command structure. However, during the night the English fleet was mysteriously ordered to shorten sail.
This happened supposedly because Groom of the Bedchamber Henry Brouncker deluded the flag captain, John Harman, and the ship’s master, John Cox, into believing he was relaying the (sleeping) Duke of York’s orders.
It was later suggested by Chancellor Edward Hyde that Brouncker, “a disreputable friend (and alleged pimp) of James’s” had promised Anne Hyde, Duchess of York, that he would bring James home safely -- or that he acted unilaterally to preserve the life of the heir to the throne (and, by implication, his own, as satirists pointed out)[i].
[i] J R Jones, The Anglo-Dutch Wars of the 17th Century, 158.
The matter was investigated by Parliament in Oct. 1667 and April 1668. When suspicion pointed at him, Henry Brouncker fled abroad[ii].
[ii] J D Davies, Gentlemen and Tarpaulins: The Officers and Men of the Restoration Navy, 150, 156.
Brouncker's defense, written from Paris in June 1668, made no mention of Anne Hyde, but accused Capt. Harman, master Cox and witnesses of perjury. Brouncker implied he was passing on James' order not to engage during the night, which was misinterpreted by Harman and Cox as an order to shorten sail. Brouncker also claimed Cox did not put on sail again because the night was so dark it was impossible to distinguish enemy from friendly lights[iii].
[iii] British Library, Additional MS 75,413, piece 9
Regardless of Brouncker’s actions, some English ships could not have made a hot pursuit that night. Sandwich’s Royal Prince had to replace her main topsail, which had been ‘shot to pieces’, while the Bonadventure had to mend her rigging, ‘having every running rope in the ship shot, and most of our main yard and bowsprit and spritsail yard’[iv].
[iv] Sandwich Journal, Navy Record Society, 228; Lincolnshire Archives Office, MS Jarvis 9/1/A/1, log of Christopher Gunman
This was not enough to prevent a general chase being ordered. Failure to do so can be attributed to the flagship's confused chain of command, and to Henry Brouncker; why he gave that message to Harman is irrelevant.
However, Brouncker’s suggestion that York (who must have been exhausted and in shock after his narrow escape) gave ambiguous orders -- and then expected subordinates to second-guess his meaning -- is in keeping with his personality and subsequent track record as an admiral [v] and as king.
[v] Journals and Narratives of the Third Dutch War, Navy Records Society, 175
The fleet returned to a ‘running posture’ at about 4 a.m. on 4 June -- too late to prevent the northern remnant of the Dutch fleet getting through the Texel sea-gate[vi].
[vi] National Maritime Museum, WYN/13/6
About Sunday 10 June 1666
San Diego Sarah • Link
FINALLY Pepys comments on James, Duke of York's philanderings:
"He tells me further, how the Duke of York is wholly given up to his new mistress, my Lady Denham, going at noon-day with all his gentlemen with him to visit her in Scotland Yard; she declaring she will not be his mistress, as Mrs. Price, to go up and down the Privy-stairs, but will be owned publicly; and so she is. Mr. Bruncker, it seems, was the pimp to bring it about, and my Lady Castlemaine, who designs thereby to fortify herself by the Duke; ..."
This is the first time that I recall Pepys telling on James, possibly because James enjoyed ladies who were not, shall we say, great beauties. And Pepys had an eye for beauty as we all know.
About Winchelsea, Sussex
San Diego Sarah • Link
A couple of interesting details about Winchelsea, East Sussex:
"Most of the land directly surrounding Winchelsea is cared for by The National Trust with the support of a tenant farmer. If you follow the 1066 footpath south-westward you will pass the remains of St. John’s Gable, formally a medieval hospital, and arrive at the magnificent Wickham Manor (not open to the public).
"Wickham Manor, a splendid medieval manor house, was once owned by the Penn Family, founders of Pennsylvania.
"Continue on and a glorious view of the Pett Levels and the English Channel opens up, underlining the strategic importance of Winchelsea’s location."
For some beautiful photos and more history about this magnificent now land-locked port: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/…...
About Cinque Ports
San Diego Sarah • Link
A couple of interesting details about Winchelsea, East Sussex:
"Most of the land directly surrounding Winchelsea is cared for by The National Trust with the support of a tenant farmer. If you follow the 1066 footpath south-westward you will pass the remains of St. John’s Gable, formally a medieval hospital, and arrive at the magnificent Wickham Manor (not open to the public).
"Wickham Manor, a splendid medieval manor house, was once owned by the Penn Family, founders of Pennsylvania.
"Continue on and a glorious view of the Pett Levels and the English Channel opens up, underlining the strategic importance of Winchelsea’s location."
For some beautiful photos and more history about this magnificent now land-locked port: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/…
About Friday 8 June 1666
San Diego Sarah • Link
Does anyone have access to Williamson's explanation for his bad intelligence on François de Vendôme, Duc de Beaufort's intentions? Yes, an invasion from Ireland was a constant worry for 1,000 years, but Williamson seems to have totally lost track of the French fleet at a time he should have made that a priority.
About Capt. Thomas Page
San Diego Sarah • Link
"By and by comes Mr. Wayth to me; and discoursing of our ill success, he tells me plainly from Captain Page’s own mouth (who hath lost his arm in the fight), that the Dutch did pursue us two hours before they left us, and then they suffered us to go on homewards, and they retreated towards their coast: which is very sad news."
Curious neither of these biographies include something as significant as his lost arm. Of course, I'm sure he could be a good Captain with only one if someone else holds the compass or spyglass.
https://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/…
About Galloper Sand
San Diego Sarah • Link
The Galloper is a sandbank, around 50 km offshore from the Felixstowe area, around 11.5 km long and less than 1 km wide. The general depth of the area is 30-50 m to the west and 20-30 m to the east. However the depth over the Galloper itself decreases from 20 m to as little as 2 m. The geology is predominantly gravel and sand over the London Clay. The tidal range in the character area is within the range of 3-4 m at Mean Spring Tide (DTI 2004).
As a result of its proximity to the ports of Harwich and Felixstowe the northern half of the area comes within the jurisdiction of the Harwich regulatory system. It is subject to restrictions concerned with high speed craft, submarine cables and traffic separation and is covered by Vessel Traffic Services (VTS). The southern half of the area does not fall under the jurisdiction of Harwich but is subject to restrictions concerned with high speed craft, submarine cables, changing depths and draught restrictions. A submarine network cable runs north-south through the area connecting the United States with the UK, Germany and the Netherlands.
The Galloper sandbank is avoided by shipping. The area has potential to contain submerged prehistoric landscapes, features or artifacts, having been dry land prior to 8000 BP. However, no investigation work is known to have been done in this area.
In 2007 planning consent was given to Greater Gabbard Offshore Winds Ltd for the construction of a windfarm comprising 140 turbines over two sites. The larger site covers much of the Galloper sandbanks, the second site is on the Gabbard sandbanks. Overall the area is expected to produce 500 MW of energy - enough to power 415,000 homes, more than the domestic demands of Suffolk.
For more info, see https://archaeologydataservice.ac…
About Colchester, Essex
San Diego Sarah • Link
An enjoyable history of Colchester, with lots of photos of things from Roman times through Essex witches and the famous siege at the end of the third Civil War.
https://www.anglotopia.net/britis…
About Sir Anthony Ashley Cooper (Baron Ashley, Chancellor of the Exchequer)
San Diego Sarah • Link
Anthony Ashley-Cooper was not a religious man. In the late 1660's John Locke became his family doctor and tutor. At this time Lord Ashley was also taking a keen interest in Carolina (a vast stretch of land he shared with 7 other lords). In 1669 Locke wrote a revealing sentence in the Fundamental Constitutions of Carolina that, “Every freeman of Carolina shall have absolute power and authority over his negro slaves.”
So much for the Father of the Enlightenment.
https://daily.jstor.org/william-b…
About Long Reach
San Diego Sarah • Link
A View of Erith and Long Reach on the river Thames, 1795
http://www.ideal-homes.org.uk/bex…
About Tuesday 5 June 1666
San Diego Sarah • Link
I differ with cgs' opinion on 6 Jun 2009
'Answer: from Sam yesterday:
'"took post about three this morning, and were here between eleven and twelve"
8 hrs average gallop be 10 mph?
'I be error in previous post sorry"
These men were both exhausted and injured. They may have ridden as fast as they could, but a healthy, rested human with nothing else on his mind could do it faster than 8 hours. Their report was verbal, not written, so there could be no replacements.
About Tuesday 5 June 1666
San Diego Sarah • Link
I thought homing pigeons had been used for message carrying since Roman times. Okay, not an in-depth report, but "send more gunpowder and canon balls ASAP" would seem reasonable.
In all my reading about the Civil Wars, I do not remember any mention of carrier pigeons.
"Charlemagne made pigeon-raising the exclusive privilege of nobility. The Rothschild fortune is said to have been seriously augmented by a pigeon bearing news of the British victory at Waterloo." There must have been some message carrying in between.
https://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/3…
I can find notes about dovecotes being a big deal at country houses, probably for eggs and eating the birds, but nothing about racing or homing pigeons. Curious.
About House of office
San Diego Sarah • Link
It's well documented that Louis XIV built Versailles with no bathroom facilities. However, I just found out that in the Parisian code of laws, called the “Costume de Paris,” in 1513, it is expressly ordered, that every house should have a privy. More severe punishments for failure to obey were added in 1533. In 1538 the under officers of police were required to inspect houses and to report the names of those who had not complied with the regulation.
I suspect this means that there had to be a room in the house, but if there were no sewers, what good is the room? The chamber pot needs to be emptied, regardless of where it is kept.
About Tuesday 5 June 1666
San Diego Sarah • Link
Anyone who has had a loved one in battle knows how Pepys, Evelyn, James and Charles -- and the rest of country -- felt. Waiting and not knowing is the pits. My adopted son finishes 20 years in the Navy at the end of this month. There have been entries which I found much too close to today's truth for comfort. He's out in one piece, thank you God, sporting a very elegant tattoo.
About Sunday 3 June 1666
San Diego Sarah • Link
I think you're right, Clydewiesner. She must be aware of Pepys' admiration for the likes of 17th century Beyonce or Miley Cyrus. Heady company for his time.
About Friday 1 June 1666
San Diego Sarah • Link
"So you can see the cheerful attitude of the time in their pots and their dress."
That's what survivors do after dreadful wars. They drown their sorrows, numb their emotions, eat and drink too much, make babies, and write clever poetry and books about the meaning of life. The Roaring Twenties. The Swinging Sixties. Woodstock in the middle of the Vietnam War.
In this case, a lot of motherless boys were trying to be men, including their King who had terrible nightmares and told the same stories over and over and over again -- I think it's fair to say Charles II had untreated PTSD.
Pepys doesn't have an excuse, besides wanting to do what everyone else is doing, being one of the boys, and/or keeping up with the Joneses.