In November 1664, a detachment of “Lord Wentworth's Regiment” AKA “His Majesty's Royal Regiment of Guards” embarked on board the “Royal Catherine” and “Triumph” at Woolwich. These ships returned to Portsmouth for the winter.
In January 1665, in preparation for the Second Anglo-Dutch War (1665 – 1667), 600 men of “His Majesty's Royal Regiment of Guards” were apportioned for service at sea.
After the death of Thomas, Lord Wentworth on 28 February, 1665 “His Majesty's Royal Regiment of Guards” and Col. John Russell’s "King's Regiment of Guards" were amalgamated into a single regiment counting 2 battalions under the command of Col. Russell on 16 March, and later became known as "The First Regiment of Foot Guards".
On 13 June, 1665, part of "The First Regiment of Foot Guards" took part in the naval Battle of Lowestoft.
In July, 1665, when plague broke out in London, 6 companies of the "The First Regiment of Foot Guards" escorted Charles II to Salisbury. In September 1665, they escorted Charles II to Oxford.
In 1666, 10 companies of "The First Regiment of Foot Guards" were assembled at Hampton Court.
By August 1668, "The First Regiment of Foot Guards" counted 12 companies of 80 men each; and 12 companies of 60 men each.
In 1670 and in 1671, detachments of "The First Regiment of Foot Guards" were sent on board men-of-war anticipating the third Anglo-Dutch War.
In 1672, when the Third Anglo-Dutch War (1672 – 1674) finally broke out, detachments of "The First Regiment of Foot Guards" served aboard the fleet, taking part, on June 7, in the naval Battle of Solebay.
In August 1672, the 24 companies of "The First Regiment of Foot Guards" was deployed as follows: at Rochester (6 coys) at Carlisle (1 coy) at Dover Castle (1 coy) at York (2 coys) aboard the fleet (5 coys) in Westminster (9 coys)
In 1673, several detachments of "The First Regiment of Foot Guards" once more served aboard the fleet, taking part in the naval combats near Schooneveld on June 7 and 14.
On 28 July, part of "The First Regiment of Foot Guards" embarked for the planned landing on the coast of the Dutch Republic.
In 1677, grenadiers were introduced in "The First Regiment of Foot Guards".
And so we know them today -- the Grenadier Guards.
By the end of March 1656, Charles II, who was living in Bruges in the Spanish Netherlands, negotiated a treaty with Spain. The King of Spain agreed to assist an invasion of England with 6,000 foot and sufficient ships to transport them to England, whenever the occasion for an invasion presented itself. Charles was required to raise troops, nominally for the service of Spain, to be equipped and paid by the Spaniards. The treaty was signed on 21 July, 1656, and Charles II raised 3 regiments: one of English, one of Irish and one of Scots. The English regiment was placed under the command of Gen. Henry Wilmot, 1st Earl of Rochester. Charles II named the English regiment “His Majesty's Royal Regiment of Guards” and gave its command to Thomas, Lord Wentworth after Rochester’s death. The regiment was also known as the “Lord Wentworth's Regiment”. “Lord Wentworth's Regiment”was then involved in the last years of the Franco-Spanish War (1635–59). By the end of April 1657, the Guards counting 400 men, and was quartered at Leuze-en-Hainaut near Tournai. They moved to the siege of Ardres and the attempted relief of Mardyck. In the Spring of 1658, they were quartered in Dixmude. On 14 June, 1658, “His Majesty's Royal Regiment of Guards” took part in the Battle of the Dunes, after which they were quartered in Nivelles.
In 1660, when Charles II returned to England, “His Majesty's Royal Regiment of Guards” was placed on English establishment although it was left in the Spanish Netherlands. They were successively moved from Nivelles to Namur and then to Dunkirk.
Also in 1660, Charles II raised a second regiment of Foot Guards (12 companies of 100 men each) in England which was designated as the "King's Regiment of Guards" and placed under the command of Col. John Russell.
In 1661, Col. John Russell’s Guards took part in the reduction of Venner's insurrection in London. It was then distributed among several garrisons where it replaced disbanded companies from the former Commonwealth.
The same year, “Lord Wentworth's Regiment” of “His Majesty's Royal Regiment of Guards”, in Dunkirk, was brought back to full strength (12 companies of 100 men each).
In 1662, when Dunkirk was sold to France, “Lord Wentworth's Regiment” of was recalled to England where it was distributed in several garrisons: Windsor, Landguard Fort, Pendennis Castle, Guernsey, Dover, Plymouth, Berwick and Hull. The three companies from “Lord Wentworth's Regiment” initially sent to Guernsey were soon sent to Portsmouth.
In 1660, when Charles II returned to England, “His Majesty's Royal Regiment of Guards” was placed on English establishment although it was left in the Spanish Netherlands. They were successively transferred from Nivelles to Namur and then to Dunkirk.
Also in 1660, Charles II raised a second regiment of Foot Guards (12 companies of 100 men each) in England which was designated as the "King's Regiment of Guards" and placed under the command of Col. John Russell.
In 1661, Col. John Russell’s "King's Regiment of Guards" took part in the reduction of an insurrection in London [Venner's Uprising]. It was then distributed among several garrisons where it replaced disbanded companies from the former Commonwealth.
The same year, “Lord Wentworth's Regiment” of “His Majesty's Royal Regiment of Guards”, still garrisoning Dunkirk, was brought back to full strength (12 companies of 100 men each).
In 1662, when Dunkirk was sold, “Lord Wentworth's Regiment” of “His Majesty's Royal Regiment of Guards” was recalled to England where it was distributed in several garrisons: Windsor, Landguard Fort, Pendennis Castle, Guernsey, Dover, Plymouth, Berwick and Hull.
"They were driven out by a party of guards, but again entered the City, where they were overpowered by the Trained Bands."
Those guards turn out to have been a regiment of what we know today as the Grenadier Guards:
In 1660, when Charles II returned to England, “His Majesty's Royal Regiment of Guards” was placed on English establishment although it was left in the Spanish Netherlands. They were successively transferred from Nivelles to Namur and then to Dunkirk. Also in 1660, Charles II raised a second regiment of Foot Guards (12 companies of 100 men each) in England which was designated as the "King's Regiment of Guards" and placed under the command of Col. John Russell. In 1661, Col. John Russell’s "King's Regiment of Guards" took part in the reduction of an insurrection in London. It was then distributed among several garrisons where it replaced disbanded companies from the former Commonwealth. The same year, “Lord Wentworth's Regiment” of “His Majesty's Royal Regiment of Guards”, still garrisoning Dunkirk, was brought back to full strength (12 companies of 100 men each). In 1662, ... “Lord Wentworth's Regiment” of “His Majesty's Royal Regiment of Guards” was recalled to England where it was distributed in several garrisons: Windsor, Landguard Fort, Pendennis Castle, Guernsey, Dover, Plymouth, Berwick and Hull.
Meanwhile, at the Palace of Whitehall, Charles II breaks with tradition:
"The advantages of a standing army were clear to the new king, not least to the survival of his regime. In 1660-61, Charles raised a force of 5,000 men known as the ‘King’s Guards and Garrisons’.
On 26 January 1661, he issued the warrant creating the English Army.
"Financed by a new Parliament, it included Royalist units from his exile - like the King's Troop of Horse Guards (later The Life Guards) - and old regiments from the New Model Army which were disbanded and then quickly re-mustered - such as Monck’s Regiment (later The Coldstream Guards).
"The Declaration of Breda had stated that New Model Army soldiers would be recommissioned into service under the crown, along with the promise that their pay arrears would be remunerated. This incentive had won the acquiescence of many veteran soldiers to the restoration.
"Although Charles did not employ every former New Model Army soldier, he found it politically expedient to take many on. Thousands more were paid off through new taxes and coin from the royal coffers.
"Charles was also the king of Ireland and Scotland, so their parliaments paid for units as well. By the mid-1660s, the Irish Army numbered around 5,000 infantry and 2,500 cavalry. Its Scottish counterpart had about 3,000 men.
"Initially, these remained separate military establishments from Charles’ English troops. But as time went on, they were unofficially merged.
"Charles’ force gradually increased in size thanks to the demands of foreign wars and the need to garrison new colonies like Tangier and Bombay. These became English possessions in 1661 through the dowry of Charles' new wife, the Portuguese princess Catherine of Braganza."
"The English are promised their pay, which done, they will be transported according to his Majesty's order."
Charles II is taking this opportunity to send some of his left-over Commonwealth troops abroad.
"Charles’ force gradually increased in size thanks to the demands of foreign wars and the need to garrison new colonies like Tangier and Bombay. These became English possessions in 1661 through the dowry of Charles's new wife, the Portuguese princess Catherine of Braganza.
"Charles redeployed thousands of ex-Parliamentary troops to these two locations, but also to Portugal to assist in its fight against Spain. This helped consolidate royal power by removing potential troublemakers.
"Only 800 of the 4,500 veterans sent to Iberia made it home at the end of the war in 1668. Half of these were immediately re-posted to Tangier to fight the Moors.
"Charles was the first British monarch to maintain a standing army in peacetime. When he died in 1685, its permanent establishment was as follows: England - 3 Troops of Life Guards, 1 Regiment of Horse, 1 Regiment of Dragoons, 2 Regiments of Foot Guards and 5 Regiments of Foot. Scotland - 2 Troops of Life Guards, 5 Regiments of Horse, 1 Regiment of Dragoons, 1 Regiment of Foot Guards and 1 Regiment of Foot. Ireland - 1 Troop of Life Guards, 3 Regiments of Horse, 1 Regiment of Foot Guards and 6 Regiments of Foot.
"Not everyone was fully reconciled to the need for a standing army. The New Model Army's political interventions and the Rule of the Major-Generals were still fresh in the memory. People also questioned the cost of maintaining a standing army when the country was not at war.
"Some feared that an army under royal command would allow future monarchs to ignore the wishes of Parliament. And their concerns proved well founded when this issue came to a head during the reign of Charles' successor, James II."
More about the discharge of Parliamentary forces, in England, Scotland and Ireland:
"The advantages of a standing army were clear to the new king, not least to the survival of his regime. In 1660-61, Charles raised a force of 5,000 men known as the ‘King’s Guards and Garrisons’. On 26 January 1661, he issued the warrant creating the English Army.
"Financed by a new Parliament, it included Royalist units from his exile - like the King's Troop of Horse Guards (later The Life Guards) - and old regiments from the New Model Army which were disbanded and then quickly re-mustered - such as Monck’s Regiment (later The Coldstream Guards).
"The Declaration of Breda had stated that New Model Army soldiers would be recommissioned into service under the crown, along with the promise that their pay arrears would be remunerated. This incentive had won the acquiescence of many veteran soldiers to the restoration.
"Although Charles did not employ every former New Model Army soldier, he found it politically expedient to take many on. Thousands more were paid off through new taxes and coin from the royal coffers.
"Charles was also the king of Ireland and Scotland, so their parliaments paid for units as well. By the mid-1660s, the Irish Army numbered around 5,000 infantry and 2,500 cavalry. Its Scottish counterpart had about 3,000 men.
"Initially, these remained separate military establishments from Charles’ English troops. But as time went on, they were unofficially merged.
"Charles’ force gradually increased in size thanks to the demands of foreign wars and the need to garrison new colonies like Tangier and Bombay. These became English possessions in 1661 through the dowry of Charles' new wife, the Portuguese princess Catherine of Braganza.
"Charles redeployed thousands of ex-Parliamentary troops to these two locations, but also to Portugal to assist in its fight against Spain. This helped consolidate royal power by removing potential troublemakers. ...
"Not everyone was fully reconciled to the need for a standing army. The New Model Army's political interventions and the Rule of the Major-Generals were still fresh in the memory. People also questioned the cost of maintaining a standing army when the country was not at war.
"Some feared that an army under royal command would allow future monarchs to ignore the wishes of Parliament. Their concerns proved well founded when this issue came to a head during the reign of Charles's successor, James II."
"... Monk and Fairfax were commanded up to town, ...'
Always opposed to military rule, in 1660 Gen. Thomas, Lord Fairfax raised troops in Yorkshire to support Gen. George Monck. By neutralising Parliamentarian forces in the north, he gave Monck the chance to march south and restore Charles II. https://www.nam.ac.uk/explore/tho…
I love part of his acceptance speach: "We read of the Emperor Adrian, when He lay a dying, he complained that many Physicians had destroyed Him; meaning, that their contrary Conceits and different Directions for His Recovery had hastened His Death.
"So it is with us: We were sick of Reformation; Our Reformers were of all Ages, Sexes, and Degrees; of all Professions and Trades. The very Cobler went beyond his Last. These new Statesmen took upon them to regulate and govern our Governors: This was the Sickness and Plague of the Nation. Their new Laws were all written in bloody Letters; the Cruelty of their Tribunals made the Judgement Seat little differ from a Slaughter House: The Rich Man was made an Offender for a Word; Poor Men were sold for Slaves, as the Turks sell Heads, Twenty for an Asper: Yet for all this Villany there was at Length found a Protector."
But no mention of who this witty fellow was! James, Duke of York mostly filled the role last year. Anyone know? I'm sure he will be revealed in time, but I'd like to know now.
"The first volume of [LORDS] biographies, covering 1660-1715, was published in July 2016. The project staff are currently working on the second set of biographies, covering members of the Lords in the period 1715-90." https://www.historyofparliamenton…
They probably won't be posted on line until the copyright expires. long sfter you and I are gone!
So the haircut and shave, and black silk suit, were all about going to lunch at the Lord Mayor's Mansion.
Apparently this was part of the Beating the Bounds celebrations -- this year the Lord Mayor's calendar reads:
"22 May at 9:30am-12:25pm
"Ride Around the City: The Rt Hon The Lord Mayor of the City of London and Alderman & Sheriff Bronek Masojada are proud to be mounting up and taking part in Ride around the City. Starting at Warwick Square behind the Old Bailey, on Wednesday 22 May, they will be riding through the City of London on horseback, making various stops along the way, to raise awareness and fundraise for The Lord Mayor’s Appeal and the Sheriffs' and Recorders' Fund.
"The ride will start at 9:30am from Warwick Square behind the Old Bailey and ends back at Warwick Square at 12.30pm so please do come and show your support for The Lord Mayor and Sheriff." https://www.thelordmayorsappeal.o…
The Mary has an Encyclopedia page, and since she was eventually sloop-rigged, I suppose Pepys could have described her as a barge. https://www.pepysdiary.com/encycl…
L&M just refers us to the Companion entries for the Mary, the Catherine, and the Anne. Charles could have been sailing any of them.
"Fiery Pickering" evidently did very well financially under Cromwell -- he built a house next door to Wallingford House on Whitehall: https://www.pepysdiary.com/encycl…
His reduced circumstances at the start of the Diary, when he was in danger of being hanged, drawn and quartered as a Regicide, must have been terrifying.
'The "Duchess of Richmond" appears in the ratebooks for 1661 and 1664 next to that of the Duke of Buckingham suggesting she was resident at Walsingham House, and confirmation of this is given by the following item under the date of January, 1664–5: "for paving the yard between the Duchess of Richmond’s and Wallingford House going into ye Park."' https://www.pepysdiary.com/encycl…
Cliveden was acquired by George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham, in 1666, so that's a non-starter.
The only Fairfax House that I know of is in York -- and as George was Lord Lt. of Yorkshire, I think he must have lived in the older version of the Georgian house we see today. Maybe there was also one in London -- you have read the books about him, so I'd welcome any quotes and citations you can give us. My book about Gen. Thomas, Lord Fairfax doesn't mention a London residence. Lady Fairfax must have stayed somewhere.
And your statement that Villiers had some bolt-hole appartments doesn't surprise me. His band of questionable retainers couldn't be housed at Court.
As to what Lord Fairfax thought about Anna Maria Brudnell, that calls for spoilers. Wait until we get there.
From various orders for sequestrations it appears that Mr. Fines was in residence in 1644, and Lady "Cawfield" in 1646.
In 1650 Sir Gilbert Pickering was there. On 13 March, 1650 the Committee for Middlesex and Westminster were asked to certify whether in valuing the 2 houses of Pickering the little passage which he wished to lay to his house had been considered. The Committee on 21 March replied that they were of opinion that he should have the passage as desired.
One of those houses was Walsingham House; the other was Pickering House, which now emerges. It was built by Gilbert Pickering on the east side of Walsingham House, fronting the street.
In 1658 John Embree petitioned Cromwell, stating he had purchased from the trustees for the sale of the late King's lands "a little, old and ruinous house adjoining to Wallingford House." This was presumably Walsingham House. "Forasmuch as some pretence hath been made that the premises are or were formerly reputed part of Whitehall," Embree found it advisable to obtain a more secure title, and asked for a lease for 99 years at a peppercorn rent.
Whether either John Embree or Gilbert Pickering obtained their respective leases has not been ascertained, but on the Restoration both Pickering and Walshingham came under the custody of George Kirke as "housekeeper" of Whitehall.
The "Duchess of Richmond" appears in the ratebooks for 1661 and 1664 next to that of the Duke of Buckingham suggesting she was resident at Walsingham House, and confirmation of this is given by the following item under the date of January, 1664–5: "for paving the yard between the Duchess of Richmond’s and Wallingford House going into ye Park."
About 1670 Joseph Williamson petitioned for a reversionary grant of Walsingham House to take effect on George Kirke's death, but nothing seems to have come of this, and on 10 August, 1675, the 2 houses called Little Wallingford House (the new name for Walsingham House) and Pickering House were granted to Anne, Countess Dowager Marischal, for life.
The "passage into the Park," which the plan of 1670 shows was then still open, had apparently now been closed, for the plan shows it blocked at the western end by "the new parlor."
From a document of 1669 it appears Anne, Countess Dowager Marischal already possessed the property, described as "severall Lodgings being built upon the Wall of Our Park of St. James next to Our Horse Guards, wch at her own Charges She hath fitted & beautified."
The 1686 parish ratebooks show "Lady Marshall" in occupation. About this time Queen Catherine claimed the property, as well as the house built by Sir Robert Holmes, as belonging to the Manor of Westminster which had been assigned to her as part of her dower, and in 1689 went so far as to make a lease of the houses, under the title of "Little Walsingham Houses … now or late in the Severall tenures of the Countess Dowager Marshall and Mr. Blathwaite." ...
At the end of the Commonwealth we know Gen. Charles Fleetwood's residence, Wallingford House, was the site of an Army Plot.
A somewhat confusing account of this property is in 'Admiralty House', in Survey of London: Volume 16, St Martin-in-The-Fields I: Charing Cross, (London, 1935) pp. 28-44. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk… [accessed 22 May 2024].
Note: I’ve modernized the spelling and simplified the Victorian writing.
There's a map showing Pickering House (built by Gilbert Pickering during the Commonwealth), https://www.pepysdiary.com/encycl… Wallingford House and Walshingham House before 1670. Apparently the lands were combined when what we call Old Admiralty House was built.
On 17 April, 1612, King James, in consideration of Lady Walsigham spending "One Thousand Marks & more of currant English money" in building, and "for … the good and acceptable Service to our most entirely beloved wife Queen Anne by … the said Lady Walsingham done," granted to her nominee, Arthur Proger, a lease of the premises for 40 years at a rent of 5 shillings.
From a comparison of the description with that given in 1606, it is evident that Lady Walsingham's building had been extensive. ...
The plan of 1670 shows between the north end of the Horse Guards building and "the Passage into ye Park," a block of property marked R, i.e. "Mrs. Kirke."
The southernmost portion of this property, extending along the eastern end as far as the kink in the frontage, was that part of the Kirke property which was acquired by Sir Robert Holmes. https://www.pepysdiary.com/encycl… The remainder of the R block, together with a small house on the other side of the passage into the Park, was in 1606 held by Audrey, Lady Walsingham.
Two undated plans, made later than the grant to Lady Walsingham, are reproduced. One is obviously earlier than the sale of the adjoining premises to Sir Robert Holmes in 1670; the other subsequent to that transaction, and probably drawn in connection with the lease to Anne, Countess Dowager Marischal in 1675.
The building on the right side of the passage, which in 1606 included Lady Walsingham's kitchen, has apparently become "part of the Duke of Buckingham's kitchen," has been added to Wallingford House after the duke acquired the lease of Walsingham House.
Walsingham House, adjacent to the Tiltyard, afforded an excellent view (no doubt from a gallery at its southern end) of the jousting, and in 1620 arrangements were made for preparing "Sr Thomas Walsingham’s house against the Tilting day for the king of Bohemia his Ambassador, and other Ambassadors."
In the time of the Commonwealth the house was sequestered "as the Duchess of Buckingham's, for the delinquency of the Earl of Antrim, her husband."
... and on the other side it faces onto Horseguards -- you know it from Trooping the Colours. It faces onto Horseguards …
During the 16th century a timber yard for the Whitehall Palace used to be situated on this site. In 1560 the Royal Treasurer purchased this land and built a house here. It passed on to his son, Viscount Wallingford, who named it Wallingford House. In 1622 the Duke of Buckingham, who was the High Admiral, bought this house and started using it for Royal Navy management. When Christopher Wren was redesigning London after the Great Fire, he came up with the idea of a planned building for the Navy. Thus the first Admiralty Building came into being in 1695, but it soon grew short of space. So in 1726, Thomas Ripley designed the present building to meet the growing needs of the Admiralty. It is a beautiful historical building with a Robert Adam Screen wall on its face and grand entry and exit gateways. The likes of Winston Churchill, Ian Fleming and Nelson worked here. ... https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowU…
The present Old Admiralty Building (sorry, it's not Admiralty Arch -- click through to see it) has a couple of plaques which read:
Inscription In the mid 16th century this site was the timber yard for the nearby Whitehall Palace. In 1560 Sir Francis Knollys, Treasurer of the Royal Household, leased the land to "buylde a convenient house", which later passed to his son, Viscount Wallingford, becoming known as Wallingford House.
In 1622 George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, the Lord High Admiral, purchased Wallingford House and so began an association between the site and the direction of the Royal Navy that lasted for some 350 years. Sir Christopher Wren recommended this site for the first planned Admiralty Office, which opened in 1695. The builder, John Evans, became Navy Board Purveyor but his building soon failed to meet the Admiralty's growing needs.
The present building was designed by the Master Carpenter, Thomas Ripley, and completed in 1726 (at an "Expence that hath very much exceeded the Estimate"), becoming known as Ripley Block.
The screen wall facing Whitehall was designed in 1760 by the great Scottish architect, Robert Adam. In 1826 "in" and "out" side entrances were added to allow easier access for the carriage of the Duke of Clarence, later King William IV, but the screen was restored to its original condition in 1923.
The building contains the room where Nelson's body lay overnight 8th/9th January 1806, before his funeral. It also contains the Admiralty Board Room, a survivor from Evans' building of 1695, with its finely carved overmantel, attributed to Grinling Gibbons' workshop, depicting ancient nautical instruments.
The Board Room boasts an imposing table, with a cut out portion to accommodate the Secretary and his papers. The wind dial, controlled by a vane on the roof , and the carving have survived from the 1695 building. The room was expertly repaired after being damaged by a bomb in World War II.
From here the worldwide affairs of the Royal Navy were run for centuries by " the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty" until they were replaced, on the formation of the Ministry of Defence in 1964, by the "Admiralty Board of the Defence Council". The board still occasionally meets in the Old Admiralty Board Room.
Site: Old Admiralty Building (2 memorials) SW1, WHITEHALL, OLD ADMIRALTY BUILDING
The plaques are on the southern end wall of the colonnade. From their position and style, including the rope borders, these two plaques were probably erected together.
"... (and Major Waters the deaf gentleman, ...)" -- Tuesday 21 May 1661
Later you'll find an annotation from Linda Levitan saying:
George Downing grew up in Maidstone, Kent, which had a high incidence of deafness, and must have learned what we now call Old Kentish Sign Language from his neighbors. Other residents of Kent, deaf and hearing, emigrated to Martha's Vineyard and brought their signing with them; this ultimately became a "tributary" of American Sign Language. The "dumb boy" was simply deaf — obviously, a bright lad who could converse with Downing in Kentish Sign. Downing evidently employed a circle of deaf spies, the belief being that wouldn't — couldn't — spill secrets, even under torture.
From the 17th century to the early years of the 20th, the population of Martha's Vineyard manifested an extremely high rate of profound hereditary deafness. In contrast to the experience of most Deaf people in our own society, the Vineyarders who were born Deaf were so thoroughly integrated into the daily life of the community that they were not seen -- and did not see themselves -- as handicapped or as a group apart. Deaf people were included in all aspects of life, such as town politics, jobs, church affairs, and social life. How was this possible?
On the Vineyard, hearing and Deaf islanders alike grew up speaking sign language. This unique sociolinguistic adaptation meant that the usual barriers to communication between the hearing and the Deaf, which so isolate many Deaf people today, did not exist.
@@@
Lip-reading was reportedly the way Downing (a New Englander) caught some Regicides in the Dutch Republic.
Comments
Third Reading
About Col. John Russell
San Diego Sarah • Link
CONCLUSION:
In November 1664, a detachment of “Lord Wentworth's Regiment” AKA “His Majesty's Royal Regiment of Guards” embarked on board the “Royal Catherine” and “Triumph” at Woolwich. These ships returned to Portsmouth for the winter.
In January 1665, in preparation for the Second Anglo-Dutch War (1665 – 1667), 600 men of “His Majesty's Royal Regiment of Guards” were apportioned for service at sea.
After the death of Thomas, Lord Wentworth on 28 February, 1665 “His Majesty's Royal Regiment of Guards” and Col. John Russell’s "King's Regiment of Guards" were amalgamated into a single regiment counting 2 battalions under the command of Col. Russell on 16 March, and later became known as "The First Regiment of Foot Guards".
On 13 June, 1665, part of "The First Regiment of Foot Guards" took part in the naval Battle of Lowestoft.
In July, 1665, when plague broke out in London, 6 companies of the "The First Regiment of Foot Guards" escorted Charles II to Salisbury. In September 1665, they escorted Charles II to Oxford.
In 1666, 10 companies of "The First Regiment of Foot Guards" were assembled at Hampton Court.
By August 1668, "The First Regiment of Foot Guards" counted 12 companies of 80 men each; and 12 companies of 60 men each.
In 1670 and in 1671, detachments of "The First Regiment of Foot Guards" were sent on board men-of-war anticipating the third Anglo-Dutch War.
In 1672, when the Third Anglo-Dutch War (1672 – 1674) finally broke out, detachments of "The First Regiment of Foot Guards" served aboard the fleet, taking part, on June 7, in the naval Battle of Solebay.
In August 1672, the 24 companies of "The First Regiment of Foot Guards" was deployed as follows:
at Rochester (6 coys)
at Carlisle (1 coy)
at Dover Castle (1 coy)
at York (2 coys)
aboard the fleet (5 coys)
in Westminster (9 coys)
In 1673, several detachments of "The First Regiment of Foot Guards" once more served aboard the fleet, taking part in the naval combats near Schooneveld on June 7 and 14.
On 28 July, part of "The First Regiment of Foot Guards" embarked for the planned landing on the coast of the Dutch Republic.
In 1677, grenadiers were introduced in "The First Regiment of Foot Guards".
And so we know them today -- the Grenadier Guards.
Information taken from
https://www.kronoskaf.com/syw/ind…
and https://www.grengds.com/history
THE NAMES OF THE REGIMENTS ARE IN QUOTES AS I’M NOT SURE WHEN THE NAME CHANGES OCCURRED.
About Col. John Russell
San Diego Sarah • Link
By the end of March 1656, Charles II, who was living in Bruges in the Spanish Netherlands, negotiated a treaty with Spain. The King of Spain agreed to assist an invasion of England with 6,000 foot and sufficient ships to transport them to England, whenever the occasion for an invasion presented itself. Charles was required to raise troops, nominally for the service of Spain, to be equipped and paid by the Spaniards.
The treaty was signed on 21 July, 1656, and Charles II raised 3 regiments: one of English, one of Irish and one of Scots. The English regiment was placed under the command of Gen. Henry Wilmot, 1st Earl of Rochester.
Charles II named the English regiment “His Majesty's Royal Regiment of Guards” and gave its command to Thomas, Lord Wentworth after Rochester’s death. The regiment was also known as the “Lord Wentworth's Regiment”.
“Lord Wentworth's Regiment”was then involved in the last years of the Franco-Spanish War (1635–59).
By the end of April 1657, the Guards counting 400 men, and was quartered at Leuze-en-Hainaut near Tournai. They moved to the siege of Ardres and the attempted relief of Mardyck.
In the Spring of 1658, they were quartered in Dixmude.
On 14 June, 1658, “His Majesty's Royal Regiment of Guards” took part in the Battle of the Dunes, after which they were quartered in Nivelles.
In 1660, when Charles II returned to England, “His Majesty's Royal Regiment of Guards” was placed on English establishment although it was left in the Spanish Netherlands. They were successively moved from Nivelles to Namur and then to Dunkirk.
Also in 1660, Charles II raised a second regiment of Foot Guards (12 companies of 100 men each) in England which was designated as the "King's Regiment of Guards" and placed under the command of Col. John Russell.
In 1661, Col. John Russell’s Guards took part in the reduction of Venner's insurrection in London. It was then distributed among several garrisons where it replaced disbanded companies from the former Commonwealth.
The same year, “Lord Wentworth's Regiment” of “His Majesty's Royal Regiment of Guards”, in Dunkirk, was brought back to full strength (12 companies of 100 men each).
In 1662, when Dunkirk was sold to France, “Lord Wentworth's Regiment” of was recalled to England where it was distributed in several garrisons: Windsor, Landguard Fort, Pendennis Castle, Guernsey, Dover, Plymouth, Berwick and Hull. The three companies from “Lord Wentworth's Regiment” initially sent to Guernsey were soon sent to Portsmouth.
About Dunkirk, France
San Diego Sarah • Link
In 1660, when Charles II returned to England, “His Majesty's Royal Regiment of Guards” was placed on English establishment although it was left in the Spanish Netherlands. They were successively transferred from Nivelles to Namur and then to Dunkirk.
Also in 1660, Charles II raised a second regiment of Foot Guards (12 companies of 100 men each) in England which was designated as the "King's Regiment of Guards" and placed under the command of Col. John Russell.
In 1661, Col. John Russell’s "King's Regiment of Guards" took part in the reduction of an insurrection in London [Venner's Uprising]. It was then distributed among several garrisons where it replaced disbanded companies from the former Commonwealth.
The same year, “Lord Wentworth's Regiment” of “His Majesty's Royal Regiment of Guards”, still garrisoning Dunkirk, was brought back to full strength (12 companies of 100 men each).
In 1662, when Dunkirk was sold, “Lord Wentworth's Regiment” of “His Majesty's Royal Regiment of Guards” was recalled to England where it was distributed in several garrisons: Windsor, Landguard Fort, Pendennis Castle, Guernsey, Dover, Plymouth, Berwick and Hull.
Information taken from
https://www.kronoskaf.com/syw/ind…
and https://www.grengds.com/history
THE NAMES OF THE REGIMENTS ARE IN QUOTES AS I’M NOT SURE WHEN THE NAME CHANGES OCCURRED.
We know this regiment as the Grenadier Guards today.
About Monday 7 January 1660/61
San Diego Sarah • Link
"They were driven out by a party of guards, but again entered the City, where they were overpowered by the Trained Bands."
Those guards turn out to have been a regiment of what we know today as the Grenadier Guards:
In 1660, when Charles II returned to England, “His Majesty's Royal Regiment of Guards” was placed on English establishment although it was left in the Spanish Netherlands. They were successively transferred from Nivelles to Namur and then to Dunkirk.
Also in 1660, Charles II raised a second regiment of Foot Guards (12 companies of 100 men each) in England which was designated as the "King's Regiment of Guards" and placed under the command of Col. John Russell.
In 1661, Col. John Russell’s "King's Regiment of Guards" took part in the reduction of an insurrection in London. It was then distributed among several garrisons where it replaced disbanded companies from the former Commonwealth.
The same year, “Lord Wentworth's Regiment” of “His Majesty's Royal Regiment of Guards”, still garrisoning Dunkirk, was brought back to full strength (12 companies of 100 men each).
In 1662, ... “Lord Wentworth's Regiment” of “His Majesty's Royal Regiment of Guards” was recalled to England where it was distributed in several garrisons: Windsor, Landguard Fort, Pendennis Castle, Guernsey, Dover, Plymouth, Berwick and Hull.
Information taken from
https://www.kronoskaf.com/syw/ind…
and https://www.grengds.com/history
THE NAMES OF THE REGIMENTS ARE IN QUOTES AS I’M NOT SURE WHEN THE NAME CHANGES OCCURRED.
About Saturday 26 January 1660/61
San Diego Sarah • Link
Meanwhile, at the Palace of Whitehall, Charles II breaks with tradition:
"The advantages of a standing army were clear to the new king, not least to the survival of his regime. In 1660-61, Charles raised a force of 5,000 men known as the ‘King’s Guards and Garrisons’.
On 26 January 1661, he issued the warrant creating the English Army.
"Financed by a new Parliament, it included Royalist units from his exile - like the King's Troop of Horse Guards (later The Life Guards) - and old regiments from the New Model Army which were disbanded and then quickly re-mustered - such as Monck’s Regiment (later The Coldstream Guards).
"The Declaration of Breda had stated that New Model Army soldiers would be recommissioned into service under the crown, along with the promise that their pay arrears would be remunerated. This incentive had won the acquiescence of many veteran soldiers to the restoration.
"Although Charles did not employ every former New Model Army soldier, he found it politically expedient to take many on. Thousands more were paid off through new taxes and coin from the royal coffers.
"Charles was also the king of Ireland and Scotland, so their parliaments paid for units as well. By the mid-1660s, the Irish Army numbered around 5,000 infantry and 2,500 cavalry. Its Scottish counterpart had about 3,000 men.
"Initially, these remained separate military establishments from Charles’ English troops. But as time went on, they were unofficially merged.
"Charles’ force gradually increased in size thanks to the demands of foreign wars and the need to garrison new colonies like Tangier and Bombay. These became English possessions in 1661 through the dowry of Charles' new wife, the Portuguese princess Catherine of Braganza."
Excerpt from 'The Restoration and the birth of the British Army'
The National Army Museum website
https://www.nam.ac.uk/explore/res…
About Saturday 29 August 1668
San Diego Sarah • Link
"The English are promised their pay, which done, they will be transported according to his Majesty's order."
Charles II is taking this opportunity to send some of his left-over Commonwealth troops abroad.
"Charles’ force gradually increased in size thanks to the demands of foreign wars and the need to garrison new colonies like Tangier and Bombay. These became English possessions in 1661 through the dowry of Charles's new wife, the Portuguese princess Catherine of Braganza.
"Charles redeployed thousands of ex-Parliamentary troops to these two locations, but also to Portugal to assist in its fight against Spain. This helped consolidate royal power by removing potential troublemakers.
"Only 800 of the 4,500 veterans sent to Iberia made it home at the end of the war in 1668. Half of these were immediately re-posted to Tangier to fight the Moors.
"Charles was the first British monarch to maintain a standing army in peacetime. When he died in 1685, its permanent establishment was as follows:
England - 3 Troops of Life Guards, 1 Regiment of Horse, 1 Regiment of Dragoons, 2 Regiments of Foot Guards and 5 Regiments of Foot.
Scotland - 2 Troops of Life Guards, 5 Regiments of Horse, 1 Regiment of Dragoons, 1 Regiment of Foot Guards and 1 Regiment of Foot.
Ireland - 1 Troop of Life Guards, 3 Regiments of Horse, 1 Regiment of Foot Guards and 6 Regiments of Foot.
"Not everyone was fully reconciled to the need for a standing army. The New Model Army's political interventions and the Rule of the Major-Generals were still fresh in the memory. People also questioned the cost of maintaining a standing army when the country was not at war.
"Some feared that an army under royal command would allow future monarchs to ignore the wishes of Parliament. And their concerns proved well founded when this issue came to a head during the reign of Charles' successor, James II."
Excerpt from The Restoration and the birth of the British Army
The National Army Museum website
https://www.nam.ac.uk/explore/res…
About Monday 20 May 1661
San Diego Sarah • Link
More about the discharge of Parliamentary forces, in England, Scotland and Ireland:
"The advantages of a standing army were clear to the new king, not least to the survival of his regime. In 1660-61, Charles raised a force of 5,000 men known as the ‘King’s Guards and Garrisons’. On 26 January 1661, he issued the warrant creating the English Army.
"Financed by a new Parliament, it included Royalist units from his exile - like the King's Troop of Horse Guards (later The Life Guards) - and old regiments from the New Model Army which were disbanded and then quickly re-mustered - such as Monck’s Regiment (later The Coldstream Guards).
"The Declaration of Breda had stated that New Model Army soldiers would be recommissioned into service under the crown, along with the promise that their pay arrears would be remunerated. This incentive had won the acquiescence of many veteran soldiers to the restoration.
"Although Charles did not employ every former New Model Army soldier, he found it politically expedient to take many on. Thousands more were paid off through new taxes and coin from the royal coffers.
"Charles was also the king of Ireland and Scotland, so their parliaments paid for units as well. By the mid-1660s, the Irish Army numbered around 5,000 infantry and 2,500 cavalry. Its Scottish counterpart had about 3,000 men.
"Initially, these remained separate military establishments from Charles’ English troops. But as time went on, they were unofficially merged.
"Charles’ force gradually increased in size thanks to the demands of foreign wars and the need to garrison new colonies like Tangier and Bombay. These became English possessions in 1661 through the dowry of Charles' new wife, the Portuguese princess Catherine of Braganza.
"Charles redeployed thousands of ex-Parliamentary troops to these two locations, but also to Portugal to assist in its fight against Spain. This helped consolidate royal power by removing potential troublemakers. ...
"Not everyone was fully reconciled to the need for a standing army. The New Model Army's political interventions and the Rule of the Major-Generals were still fresh in the memory. People also questioned the cost of maintaining a standing army when the country was not at war.
"Some feared that an army under royal command would allow future monarchs to ignore the wishes of Parliament. Their concerns proved well founded when this issue came to a head during the reign of Charles's successor, James II."
https://www.nam.ac.uk/explore/res…
About Thursday 5 January 1659/60
San Diego Sarah • Link
"... Monk and Fairfax were commanded up to town, ...'
Always opposed to military rule, in 1660 Gen. Thomas, Lord Fairfax raised troops in Yorkshire to support Gen. George Monck. By neutralising Parliamentarian forces in the north, he gave Monck the chance to march south and restore Charles II.
https://www.nam.ac.uk/explore/tho…
About Wallingford House
San Diego Sarah • Link
L&M are definitive. In George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham's Companion bio., they state that he lived in Wallingford House during the 1660's.
About Friday 24 May 1661
San Diego Sarah • Link
The House of Lords elected a new Speaker today:
I love part of his acceptance speach:
"We read of the Emperor Adrian, when He lay a dying, he complained that many Physicians had destroyed Him; meaning, that their contrary Conceits and different Directions for His Recovery had hastened His Death.
"So it is with us: We were sick of Reformation; Our Reformers were of all Ages, Sexes, and Degrees; of all Professions and Trades. The very Cobler went beyond his Last. These new Statesmen took upon them to regulate and govern our Governors: This was the Sickness and Plague of the Nation. Their new Laws were all written in bloody Letters; the Cruelty of their Tribunals made the Judgement Seat little differ from a Slaughter House: The Rich Man was made an Offender for a Word; Poor Men were sold for Slaves, as the Turks sell Heads, Twenty for an Asper: Yet for all this Villany there was at Length found a Protector."
But no mention of who this witty fellow was! James, Duke of York mostly filled the role last year. Anyone know? I'm sure he will be revealed in time, but I'd like to know now.
Sandwich was in his seat today.
So far many interesting 17th century documents can be found at
https://www.british-history.ac.uk…
"The first volume of [LORDS] biographies, covering 1660-1715, was published in July 2016. The project staff are currently working on the second set of biographies, covering members of the Lords in the period 1715-90."
https://www.historyofparliamenton…
They probably won't be posted on line until the copyright expires. long sfter you and I are gone!
About Thursday 23 May 1661
San Diego Sarah • Link
So the haircut and shave, and black silk suit, were all about going to lunch at the Lord Mayor's Mansion.
Apparently this was part of the Beating the Bounds celebrations -- this year the Lord Mayor's calendar reads:
"22 May at 9:30am-12:25pm
"Ride Around the City:
The Rt Hon The Lord Mayor of the City of London and Alderman & Sheriff Bronek Masojada are proud to be mounting up and taking part in Ride around the City. Starting at Warwick Square behind the Old Bailey, on Wednesday 22 May, they will be riding through the City of London on horseback, making various stops along the way, to raise awareness and fundraise for The Lord Mayor’s Appeal and the Sheriffs' and Recorders' Fund.
"The ride will start at 9:30am from Warwick Square behind the Old Bailey and ends back at Warwick Square at 12.30pm so please do come and show your support for The Lord Mayor and Sheriff."
https://www.thelordmayorsappeal.o…
A modern take on an old tradition.
About Tuesday 21 May 1661
San Diego Sarah • Link
The Mary has an Encyclopedia page, and since she was eventually sloop-rigged, I suppose Pepys could have described her as a barge.
https://www.pepysdiary.com/encycl…
L&M just refers us to the Companion entries for the Mary, the Catherine, and the Anne. Charles could have been sailing any of them.
About Sir Gilbert Pickering
San Diego Sarah • Link
"Fiery Pickering" evidently did very well financially under Cromwell -- he built a house next door to Wallingford House on Whitehall:
https://www.pepysdiary.com/encycl…
His reduced circumstances at the start of the Diary, when he was in danger of being hanged, drawn and quartered as a Regicide, must have been terrifying.
About Sunday 19 May 1661
San Diego Sarah • Link
I think you're right about Wallingford House, 徽柔
'The "Duchess of Richmond" appears in the ratebooks for 1661 and 1664 next to that of the Duke of Buckingham suggesting she was resident at Walsingham House, and confirmation of this is given by the following item under the date of January, 1664–5: "for paving the yard between the Duchess of Richmond’s and Wallingford House going into ye Park."'
https://www.pepysdiary.com/encycl…
Cliveden was acquired by George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham, in 1666, so that's a non-starter.
The only Fairfax House that I know of is in York -- and as George was Lord Lt. of Yorkshire, I think he must have lived in the older version of the Georgian house we see today.
Maybe there was also one in London -- you have read the books about him, so I'd welcome any quotes and citations you can give us. My book about Gen. Thomas, Lord Fairfax doesn't mention a London residence. Lady Fairfax must have stayed somewhere.
And your statement that Villiers had some bolt-hole appartments doesn't surprise me. His band of questionable retainers couldn't be housed at Court.
As to what Lord Fairfax thought about Anna Maria Brudnell, that calls for spoilers. Wait until we get there.
About Wallingford House
San Diego Sarah • Link
CONCLUSION:
From various orders for sequestrations it appears that Mr. Fines was in residence in 1644, and Lady "Cawfield" in 1646.
In 1650 Sir Gilbert Pickering was there. On 13 March, 1650 the Committee for Middlesex and Westminster were asked to certify whether in valuing the 2 houses of Pickering the little passage which he wished to lay to his house had been considered. The Committee on 21 March replied that they were of opinion that he should have the passage as desired.
One of those houses was Walsingham House; the other was Pickering House, which now emerges. It was built by Gilbert Pickering on the east side of Walsingham House, fronting the street.
In 1658 John Embree petitioned Cromwell, stating he had purchased from the trustees for the sale of the late King's lands "a little, old and ruinous house adjoining to Wallingford House." This was presumably Walsingham House. "Forasmuch as some pretence hath been made that the premises are or were formerly reputed part of Whitehall," Embree found it advisable to obtain a more secure title, and asked for a lease for 99 years at a peppercorn rent.
Whether either John Embree or Gilbert Pickering obtained their respective leases has not been ascertained, but on the Restoration both Pickering and Walshingham came under the custody of George Kirke as "housekeeper" of Whitehall.
The "Duchess of Richmond" appears in the ratebooks for 1661 and 1664 next to that of the Duke of Buckingham suggesting she was resident at Walsingham House, and confirmation of this is given by the following item under the date of January, 1664–5: "for paving the yard between the Duchess of Richmond’s and Wallingford House going into ye Park."
About 1670 Joseph Williamson petitioned for a reversionary grant of Walsingham House to take effect on George Kirke's death, but nothing seems to have come of this, and on 10 August, 1675, the 2 houses called Little Wallingford House (the new name for Walsingham House) and Pickering House were granted to Anne, Countess Dowager Marischal, for life.
The "passage into the Park," which the plan of 1670 shows was then still open, had apparently now been closed, for the plan shows it blocked at the western end by "the new parlor."
From a document of 1669 it appears Anne, Countess Dowager Marischal already possessed the property, described as "severall Lodgings being built upon the Wall of Our Park of St. James next to Our Horse Guards, wch at her own Charges She hath fitted & beautified."
The 1686 parish ratebooks show "Lady Marshall" in occupation. About this time Queen Catherine claimed the property, as well as the house built by Sir Robert Holmes, as belonging to the Manor of Westminster which had been assigned to her as part of her dower, and in 1689 went so far as to make a lease of the houses, under the title of "Little Walsingham Houses … now or late in the Severall tenures of the Countess Dowager Marshall and Mr. Blathwaite." ...
About Wallingford House
San Diego Sarah • Link
At the end of the Commonwealth we know Gen. Charles Fleetwood's residence, Wallingford House, was the site of an Army Plot.
A somewhat confusing account of this property is in
'Admiralty House', in Survey of London: Volume 16, St Martin-in-The-Fields I: Charing Cross, (London, 1935) pp. 28-44. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk… [accessed 22 May 2024].
Note: I’ve modernized the spelling and simplified the Victorian writing.
There's a map showing Pickering House (built by Gilbert Pickering during the Commonwealth), https://www.pepysdiary.com/encycl…
Wallingford House and Walshingham House before 1670. Apparently the lands were combined when what we call Old Admiralty House was built.
On 17 April, 1612, King James, in consideration of Lady Walsigham spending "One Thousand Marks & more of currant English money" in building, and "for … the good and acceptable Service to our most entirely beloved wife Queen Anne by … the said Lady Walsingham done," granted to her nominee, Arthur Proger, a lease of the premises for 40 years at a rent of 5 shillings.
From a comparison of the description with that given in 1606, it is evident that Lady Walsingham's building had been extensive. ...
The plan of 1670 shows between the north end of the Horse Guards building and "the Passage into ye Park," a block of property marked R, i.e. "Mrs. Kirke."
The southernmost portion of this property, extending along the eastern end as far as the kink in the frontage, was that part of the Kirke property which was acquired by Sir Robert Holmes.
https://www.pepysdiary.com/encycl…
The remainder of the R block, together with a small house on the other side of the passage into the Park, was in 1606 held by Audrey, Lady Walsingham.
Two undated plans, made later than the grant to Lady Walsingham, are reproduced. One is obviously earlier than the sale of the adjoining premises to Sir Robert Holmes in 1670; the other subsequent to that transaction, and probably drawn in connection with the lease to Anne, Countess Dowager Marischal in 1675.
The building on the right side of the passage, which in 1606 included Lady Walsingham's kitchen, has apparently become "part of the Duke of Buckingham's kitchen," has been added to Wallingford House after the duke acquired the lease of Walsingham House.
Walsingham House, adjacent to the Tiltyard, afforded an excellent view (no doubt from a gallery at its southern end) of the jousting, and in 1620 arrangements were made for preparing "Sr Thomas Walsingham’s house against the Tilting day for the king of Bohemia his Ambassador, and other Ambassadors."
In the time of the Commonwealth the house was sequestered "as the Duchess of Buckingham's, for the delinquency of the Earl of Antrim, her husband."
About Wallingford House
San Diego Sarah • Link
... and on the other side it faces onto Horseguards -- you know it from Trooping the Colours. It faces onto Horseguards …
During the 16th century a timber yard for the Whitehall Palace used to be situated on this site. In 1560 the Royal Treasurer purchased this land and built a house here. It passed on to his son, Viscount Wallingford, who named it Wallingford House. In 1622 the Duke of Buckingham, who was the High Admiral, bought this house and started using it for Royal Navy management. When Christopher Wren was redesigning London after the Great Fire, he came up with the idea of a planned building for the Navy. Thus the first Admiralty Building came into being in 1695, but it soon grew short of space. So in 1726, Thomas Ripley designed the present building to meet the growing needs of the Admiralty. It is a beautiful historical building with a Robert Adam Screen wall on its face and grand entry and exit gateways. The likes of Winston Churchill, Ian Fleming and Nelson worked here. ...
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowU…
About Wallingford House
San Diego Sarah • Link
The present Old Admiralty Building (sorry, it's not Admiralty Arch -- click through to see it) has a couple of plaques which read:
Inscription
In the mid 16th century this site was the timber yard for the nearby Whitehall Palace. In 1560 Sir Francis Knollys, Treasurer of the Royal Household, leased the land to "buylde a convenient house", which later passed to his son, Viscount Wallingford, becoming known as Wallingford House.
In 1622 George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, the Lord High Admiral, purchased Wallingford House and so began an association between the site and the direction of the Royal Navy that lasted for some 350 years. Sir Christopher Wren recommended this site for the first planned Admiralty Office, which opened in 1695. The builder, John Evans, became Navy Board Purveyor but his building soon failed to meet the Admiralty's growing needs.
The present building was designed by the Master Carpenter, Thomas Ripley, and completed in 1726 (at an "Expence that hath very much exceeded the Estimate"), becoming known as Ripley Block.
The screen wall facing Whitehall was designed in 1760 by the great Scottish architect, Robert Adam. In 1826 "in" and "out" side entrances were added to allow easier access for the carriage of the Duke of Clarence, later King William IV, but the screen was restored to its original condition in 1923.
The building contains the room where Nelson's body lay overnight 8th/9th January 1806, before his funeral. It also contains the Admiralty Board Room, a survivor from Evans' building of 1695, with its finely carved overmantel, attributed to Grinling Gibbons' workshop, depicting ancient nautical instruments.
The Board Room boasts an imposing table, with a cut out portion to accommodate the Secretary and his papers. The wind dial, controlled by a vane on the roof , and the carving have survived from the 1695 building. The room was expertly repaired after being damaged by a bomb in World War II.
From here the worldwide affairs of the Royal Navy were run for centuries by " the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty" until they were replaced, on the formation of the Ministry of Defence in 1964, by the "Admiralty Board of the Defence Council". The board still occasionally meets in the Old Admiralty Board Room.
Site: Old Admiralty Building (2 memorials)
SW1, WHITEHALL, OLD ADMIRALTY BUILDING
The plaques are on the southern end wall of the colonnade. From their position and style, including the rope borders, these two plaques were probably erected together.
https://www.londonremembers.com/m…
About Susan (a, Pepys' cookmaid)
San Diego Sarah • Link
But, Sasha, we have a Susan (b) who is only distinguished by being a "pretty girl"
https://www.pepysdiary.com/encycl…
About Maj. Waters
San Diego Sarah • Link
"... (and Major Waters the deaf gentleman, ...)" -- Tuesday 21 May 1661
Later you'll find an annotation from Linda Levitan saying:
George Downing grew up in Maidstone, Kent, which had a high incidence of deafness, and must have learned what we now call Old Kentish Sign Language from his neighbors. Other residents of Kent, deaf and hearing, emigrated to Martha's Vineyard and brought their signing with them; this ultimately became a "tributary" of American Sign Language. The "dumb boy" was simply deaf — obviously, a bright lad who could converse with Downing in Kentish Sign. Downing evidently employed a circle of deaf spies, the belief being that wouldn't — couldn't — spill secrets, even under torture.
Everyone here spoke sign language
https://www.goodreads.com/book/sh…
From the 17th century to the early years of the 20th, the population of Martha's Vineyard manifested an extremely high rate of profound hereditary deafness. In contrast to the experience of most Deaf people in our own society, the Vineyarders who were born Deaf were so thoroughly integrated into the daily life of the community that they were not seen -- and did not see themselves -- as handicapped or as a group apart. Deaf people were included in all aspects of life, such as town politics, jobs, church affairs, and social life. How was this possible?
On the Vineyard, hearing and Deaf islanders alike grew up speaking sign language. This unique sociolinguistic adaptation meant that the usual barriers to communication between the hearing and the Deaf, which so isolate many Deaf people today, did not exist.
@@@
Lip-reading was reportedly the way Downing (a New Englander) caught some Regicides in the Dutch Republic.