Some of his time was occupied in writing his 'Advice to his Son (Algernon) on his Travels,' which was printed from the manuscript at Alnwick in the 'Antiquarian Repertory,' iv. 374.
For some years his second daughter, Lucy, was his companion in the Tower. She formed a strong affection for James Hay (later Earl of Carlisle), and resolved to marry him. Northumberland disliked Hay as a Scotsman and a favourite of King James, and declined to sanction the union. But from 1616 the Somersets were inmates in the Tower, and Northumberland was on social terms with them. Frances promoted the marriage; and Frances outwitted him. Lucy Percy became the Countess of Carlisle in 1617. https://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/…
James Hay, now Earl of Carlisle, to overcome Northumberland's prejudice against him, made every effort to obtain his release. Finally, in 1621 King James was persuaded to celebrate his birthday by setting Northumberland and other political prisoners free.
Northumberland was reluctant to accept a favour from Carlisle. However, on 18 July, he finally left the Tower. He was advised to revive his health at Bath.
Northumberland travelled there in a coach drawn by 8 horses. The story goes that he insisted on this in order to mark his sense of superiority to the king's favorite, Buckingham, who was travelled about the country in a coach-and-6. Carlisle was probably responsible for this demonstration.
Bath worked a speedy cure, and Northumberland retired to his house at Petworth. He took no further part in public affairs, and died there on 5 November 1632, being buried in the local church.
By his wife, Dorothy Devereaux, who died on 3 August, 1619 (and was also buried at Petworth) they were parents of Algernon Percy, the 10th Earl, Henry Percy, lord Percy of Alnwick, and 2 daughters, Dorothy (1598-1677), wife of Robert Sidney, 2nd Earl of Leicester, and Lucy Hay, Countess of Carlisle.
When Northumberland was finally charged it was not with treason, but contempt. And there he languished.
Or did he?
Richard Lomas in "A Power In The Land" (Tuckwell Press, 1999) and other sources on the fate of the Gunpowder Plotters speak of Northumberland's suite in the Martin Tower as having multiple dining rooms, a drawing room, gardens with access to a tennis court, and enough space to accommodate 20 servants. And there was the essential addition of a bowling alley.
His scholarly friends maintained apartments at Syon House so they could tutor Northumberland's children. Servants ran from Syon House to the Martin Tower with the latest imported delicacies.
While Northumberland perfected his games of Ten Pins and read his books, poured fine wine and smoked tobacco with Sir Walter Raleigh, and later dined and gambled with his fellow prisoners, Robert Carr, Earl of Somerset and his murderous countess Lady Frances Howard Devereaux Carr, Jesuit priests were convicted on scant evidence often gleaned from torture and treated to grisly deaths.
Lord Robert Cecil had his scapegoats, the Plotters got their just desserts, and Northumberland devoted time to the pursuit of knowledge and the management of his vast estates. When he needed a distraction, he played tennis.
Northumberland had been raised in his aunt's house as a Protestant but was believed by many to be sympathetic to the Catholic cause. There were also rumors that cousin Thom was more than a cousin, perhaps an illegitimate brother? Thomas Percy, like the other principals in the Gunpowder Plot, was a militant Papist to a degree his powerful cousin either did not admit or did not realize.
The purpose behind the Gunpowder Plot was to replace King James with a sovereign sympathetic to the Catholic cause but palatable enough to English Protestants to avoid a civil war. That pointed to another Stuart. There is no evidence Northumberland was involved in the conspiracy, but there is a theory the plotters had reserved a role for him in their pro-Catholic post-Jacobean government.
The plotters had settled on King James' daughter, the Princess Elisabeth who was 9, as the replacement for her father. The princess lived in the country and would not attend the opening of Parliament. Elisabeth could be made a puppet of the Catholic faction and married off to a Catholic European prince. While she was a Protestant, so young a female would be malleable and easily controlled by an appropriate Regent. Henry Percy, 9th Earl of Northumberland was the logical nominee.
The question perplexing modern scholars is the same that kept him in the Tower instead of being executed on the Tower Green. No one could prove Northumberland was in on it.
What confined Northumberland in the Tower was not what happened on November 5, 1605 but what happened the day before: On November 4, Thomas Percy visited his cousin at Syon House, on business. Whether he was really there to warn his kinsman not to attend the opening of Parliament is open to conjecture, but it is hard to believe he spent the day before the big event reviewing ledgers, but there is no proof to the contrary.
When Percy arrived, Northumberland was entertaining another guest, Thomas Hariot, a noted scholar, mathematician and astronomer who lived at Sion House and enjoyed Northumberland's patronage. The 3 had a late lunch together and then Percy left.
Percy next met with Robert Catesby, the mastermind behind the plot, and rode into the country to kidnap Princess Elisabeth.
That evening Guy Fawkes was discovered with the gunpowder in the cellars of the Houses of Parliament. When news reached Percy, he went running for his life, and he was soon dead of a sniper's shot and unavailable to confirm or deny his cousin's complicity.
Astute Northumberland admitted nothing. Thomas Hariot confirmed his testimony: there had been no talk of explosions, or plots to kill King James at lunch. No one could dispute his planned attendance at the opening of Parliament on the following day.
For 17 years (1605-1622) the Martin Tower in the Tower of London housed an illustrious guest. Henry Percy, 9th Earl of Northumberland (1564-1632) was a handsome gentleman of fashion, with a keen intellect, loyal to his friends and congenial to his hosts. His keepers were not jailers, since they went to considerable lengths to assure his comfort.
There are 21 towers in the Tower of London, and vague records as to which prisoners were housed where. But Northumberland's occupancy of the Martin Tower is well known as his rooms occupied most if not all of it. He entertained often and lavishly, and used it as the center of operations for his widespread business enterprises. Among his frequent guests were his son and heir, his pet fox, and Sir Walter Raleigh.
From Northumberland's arrival at his lodgings on 27 November, 1605, the man his contemporaries called The Wizard Earl made himself at home.
If rumors circulating in 1622 hold any truth, when Northumberland was released, he was loathe to leave: At one point his apartment housed much of his celebrated library -- one of the largest collections in Britain. The books covered a broad range of topics, many related to his interest in alchemy and natural philosophy (what we call science), which earned him the moniker The Wizard Earl.
By his arrest in 1605, Northumberland had adopted an urban lifestyle and made Sion House in Isleworth his principal residence. The mansion was inherited through his wife, Dorothy Devereux, daughter of the 2nd Earl of Essex.
As a young man living in Paris, Northumberland had engaged in young men's traditional fancies -- riding, hunting, gaming and the ladies. By the time he returned to England his only mistress claiming him was Knowledge.
Northumberland was drawn into the Gunpowder Treason investigation by his association with his second cousin, Thomas Percy, indisputably one of the principals in the plot.
1605 was not the first time Northumberland's conduct regarding Cousin Tom got him into trouble. Tom Percy was also involved with Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex in a failed murder plot targeting the warden of the Scottish Middle Marches, the reiver laird Robert Kerr of Cessford, who later became Baron Roxburghe, one of King James' favorites. Kerr was both anti-Catholic and anti-Marian, which put him at odds with Percy and Essex.
Northumberland received criticism, possibly from Lord Robert Cecil, for giving Tom Percy positions for which he should have been vetted, and without requiring him to attest to his religion or sign a Declaration of Faith.
Thus, even before the Gunpowder Plot was uncovered, Northumberland's lenient treatment of Percy placed him at odds with Lord Robert Cecil, an avid anti-papist.
In the final years of Cromwell’s Protectorate, Lucy Percy Hay, Countess of Carlisle became a Royalist agent, joining others who worked to restore Charles II to his father's throne.
A few short months after the Restoration, on November 5, 1660, Lucy Hay, Countess of Carlisle quietly passed away. According to the Journal of Robert Sidney, 2nd Earl Leicester. Kent Archives. U1475/F24 p. 109 after 'dining well' at lunchtime, she fell suddenly sick around 2pm whilst 'cutting a piece of ribbon'. She was dead by 5 or 6pm that same day.
Femme fatale, informant, spy, Lucy Hay was a fascinating character. Alexandre Dumas obviously agreed (she was the model for Lady deWinter in The Three Muskateers).
And how ironic she died on November 5, because her father was Henry Percy, 9th Earl of Northumberland, AKA the Wizard Earl, who spent 18 years in the Tower for the sin of being related to one of the Gunpowder Plotters. https://www.pepysdiary.com/encycl…
Another point-of-view comes in 'Court Lady and Country Wife - Two Noble Sisters in Seventeenth Century England' by Lita-Rose Betcherman. Pub 2006 by Harper Perennial. It describes the lives of lives of the sisters Lucy Percy Hay (Countess of Carlisle) and Dorothy Percy Sidney (Countess of Leicester). https://www.goodreads.com/en/book…
Thanks, Ruslan -- a good example of why Phil asks us not to make current events annotations -- 10 and 20 years later we have to annotate the annotations.
Hi Neville -- Evidently the Controller Slingsby, who had to sign off on having Pepys' door installed in the first place representing the landlord, thought he had every right to walk on the leads.
Agreed, Martin -- plus Penn may have thought the Pepys/Davis affair needed some time and space.
There may have been paperwork that needed Batten's attention; Penn was househunting in the area; the Sir Wills might have been trying to lull the young CofA into going along with their office financial schemes; they might have wanted to have good reports about them given to Sandwich; or all of the above. Penn might have been grooming Pepys. Who knows.
I want to know who owned the horses and where they were kept. If it was a stable at the back of the Navy Office, why doesn't Pepys ride more often?
It's Halloween, so all sorts of bizarre stories are abroad. How about this one:
The Honourable East India Company (EIC), founded in 1600 by Queen Elizabeth, laid the foundation for future global domination by the British. Over its 250 years, the EIC establishing trade monopolies and a reputation of ruthlessness around the world. The company carried out less-than-honorable acts in the process, with torture, extortion, bribery, and manipulation being fundamental to its success. The British government was able to slowly take over the EIC and piggy-back on its efforts as it established the British Empire.
As the English sought to out-explore and out-control other European countries, the EIC used any means necessary to influence, control, and compel the authorities they met to trade with them. '
In the early years of the 17th century, merchants from the EIC apparently offered the Sultan of Achin (Sumatra) an English virgin for his harem. King James I reportedly stepped in and stopped the exchange. [Thank you, James! -- I wonder who the "lucky" girl was.]
The "big three" exploration countries during the early 17th century - England, the Netherlands, and Portugal - competed for land, trade rights, wealth and power. The Portuguese stopped early, which left the English EIC and the Dutch United East Indies Company (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie in Dutch, or VOC) and competition heated up quickly. The EIC and VOC engaged in military skirmishes - which both were mandated to do - but the war of words was also vicious.
In the 1630s, the English, who were falling behind in the spice trade, staged a propaganda campaign which destroyed the reputation of the Dutch in England and throughout Europe. The pamphlets alleged atrocities, described acts of brutality, and contained images aimed at enraging the public.
In 1652, after England passed the Navigation Act meant to give the English the upper hand in sea trade, Cromwell ordered the pamphlet reprinted to justify going to war with the Dutch. The First Anglo-Dutch War, the first of 4 that took place during the 17th and 18th centuries, helped establish the dominance of the EIC in maritime trade and imperial dominance.
FROM: 222. Francesco Giavarina, Venetian Resident in England, to the Doge and Senate.
"The report last week that Prince Roberto [RUPERT] was coming here as ambassador extraordinary for Caesar proves false as he arrived privately in London on Sunday, simply to see and congratulate the king and the royal house.
"Being in the service of the emperor it seems that he only has permission to stay in England until next Christmas. Although he has come in a private capacity people say, and it is possible, that he brings some private compliment in Caesar's name and it is not unlikely that he may also negotiate the marriage between Princess Henrietta and the emperor, as that with the duke of Anjou seems colder than ever.
"I will keep an eye on what the prince does and report to the Senate."
That's Princess Henrietta Anne, AKA Minette. Caesar is Leopold I (1640-1705), Holy Roman Emperor 1658-1705.
See: Citation: BHO Chicago MLA 'Venice: October 1660', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 32, 1659-1661, ed. Allen B Hinds (London, 1931), pp. 199-211. British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/… Oct. 15. 1660 N.S. -- 5 Oct. O.S. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Inghilterra. Venetian Archives.
"At night comes Mr. Moore, and staid late with me to tell me how Sir Hards. Waller (who only pleads guilty), Scott, Coke, Peters, Harrison, &c. were this day arraigned at the bar at the Sessions House, there being upon the bench the Lord Mayor, General Monk, my Lord of Sandwich, &c.; such a bench of noblemen as had not been ever seen in England!"
Pepys FINALLY mentions these momentus events -- Francesco Giavarina, Venetian Resident in England, wrote about them to the Doge and Senate days ago:
"Parliament having condemned the regicides, all those in the hands of justice will receive sentence next week from the ordinary judges, to whom they were committed by parliament so that the fundamental laws might have play and there is no doubt they will receive the punishment their crime merits, as rebels and traitors. "As they have been unable to lay hands on some of them and it is known that after leaving the country they have gone about under false names, contriving disturbances with their partisans, orders have recently been issued to take them, alive or dead, putting considerable sums on their heads and promising other advantages to those who serve the crown well by taking them."
Citation: BHO Chicago MLA 'Venice: October 1660', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 32, 1659-1661, ed. Allen B Hinds (London, 1931), pp. 199-211. British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/…
"What works are taking place to the house next door?"
I found the citation that sort of answers this question:
L&M: "William Brewer's bills ... for 'divers painted workes' at the Navy Office and at several lodgings there including Pepys', ... amount to over £50. Pepys’ house was clear of the painters by Christmas Day.”
"But, Lord! at their going out, how people did most of them look upon them as strange creatures, and few with any kind of love or respect."
This is confirmed by the Catholic Francesco Giavarina, Venetian Resident in England, to the Doge and Senate. Oct. 15. 1660 N.S. -- 5 Oct. O.S. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Inghilterra. Venetian Archives
"The Presbyterians who have always been fatal to this country, as everyone knows, cannot bear to see the episcopal dogmas of the time of Queen Elizabeth set up again, and the doctrine of Calvin lost. They mutter and grumble and if they had greater vigor they would undoubtedly raise their heads to kindle internal fires in this country again; but being much weakened, although powerful in numbers, and without consideration among the people, who remember the disasters they brought on the country, they are well aware that they are in no condition to kick against the existing authority, which is gradually becoming more and more formidable."
See Citation: BHO Chicago MLA 'Venice: October 1660', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 32, 1659-1661, ed. Allen B Hinds (London, 1931), pp. 199-211. British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/…
"The Commissioners are very busy disbanding of the army, which they say do cause great robbing."
Another example of how the payoffs did not go well, and what Charles II did about it, from Citation: BHO Chicago MLA 'Venice: October 1660', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 32, 1659-1661, ed. Allen B Hinds (London, 1931), pp. 199-211. British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/…
222. Francesco Giavarina, Venetian Resident in England, to the Doge and Senate.
"While the first regiments disbanded readily obeyed the royal commands, some others which they wished to dismiss this week in the more remote counties objected and were mutinous, the privileges and blandishments offered to the soldiers not sufficing to restrain their insolence and their immoderate appetites, as they believe they will do better by staying on than disbanded, no matter what trade they take up. To compel obedience and prevent further confusion his Majesty issued orders to all the lords lieutenant to put their several militias on foot at once, and with this done promptly there is no doubt they will serve as a check on those who want to introduce dissension."
The Royal marriage market is in full swing: the Venetian Resident reports:
It seemed the marriage of the Princess Henrietta to the duke of Anjou was well on the way to a conclusion, but since the arrival of the Spanish ambassador it has grown cold and now the king seems to wish her to come to London. [Henrietta Anne AKA Minette]
[Monsieur Philippe, Duke of Orléans (1640 – 1701), was the younger son of Louis XIII of France and his wife, Anne of Austria. His elder brother was Louis XIV. Styled as the Duke of Anjou from birth, Philippe became Duke of Orléans upon the death of his uncle Gaston in Feb. 1660.]
There is talk of negotiations with the emperor, and they say further that Prince Roberto [Rupert] is coming to England as ambassador extraordinary for Caesar with commissions to offer congratulations and to ask for the princess.
[Leopold I (1640-1705), Holy Roman Emperor, 1658-1705.]
Nothing definite can be learned at present as it all passes with great secrecy, but this is certain, if the French want to have her for their own house the Spaniards are equally anxious to see her in the House of Austria, for evident reasons.
It has been mentioned that France was trying to bring about a marriage between this king [CHARLES] and one of the daughters of the late duke of Orleans. This has died away, but another has started that Cardinal Mazzarini is maneuvering to give him one of his nieces, that her portrait has already been sent to England and that the affair is already well advanced.
[Monsieur Gaston, Duke of Orléans (1608 – 2 February 1660), the third son of Henry IV of France and his second wife, Marie de' Medici. Philippe, Duke of Anjou is now the Duke of Orleans, but the Doge and Senate are not used to referring to him by that name.]
Nothing definite is known here and those who could not be unaware of the truth deny such transactions as baseless and indeed they would be very difficult and hard to digest for many reasons.
We shall know more about it on the arrival of the count of Soesson, selected as ambassador extraordinary by the Most Christian, because he has a niece of his Eminence to wife (fn. 2) and will do everything in his power to have the king of England for a brother in law.
2. Olympe Mancini. [Eugene Maurice of Savoy, Count of Soissons (1635-1673) The Most Christian is Louis XIV.]
Besides these offers Portugal and Denmark also produce wives for this king, the first of a sister and the other of a daughter. (fn. 3)
[3. Anna Sophia, the eldest daughter of Frederick of Denmark was only 13 years at this date, and the only Protestant. The other is Catherine of Braganza.]
They say that the Danish ambassador extraordinary has stayed on for this so long after discharging his chief business. Out of so many offers his Majesty should select one, but time alone will show which it will be.
"What works are taking place to the house next door?"
From the Navy accounting entry posted about a while back, it sounded as if all the houses had upgrades and new paint. Perhaps the Davis family was luckier than the Pepys, and had somewhere else to live while this happened. In which case, why would Mrs. Davis be making the fuss now? It's winter, and the weather will keep Pepys indoors for the next 6 months.
Seems a lot of people checked out Charles' closet while he was off to Dover to meet Queen Mothrr Henrietta Maria. This would have been what Pepys saw:
"1st November, 1660. I went with some of my relations to Court, to show them his Majesty's cabinet and closet of rarities; the rare miniatures of Peter Oliver, after Raphael, Titian, and other masters, which I infinitely esteem; also, that large piece of the Duchess of Lennox, done in enamel, by Petitot, and a vast number of agates, onyxes, and intaglios, especially a medallion of Caesar, as broad as my hand; likewise, rare cabinets of pietra-commessa, a landscape of needlework, formerly presented by the Dutch to King Charles I. "Here I saw a vast book of maps, in a volume near four yards large; a curious ship model; and, among the clocks, one that showed the rising and setting of the sun in the zodiac; the sun represented by a face and rays of gold, upon an azure sky, observing the diurnal and annual motion, rising and setting behind a landscape of hills,-- the work of our famous Fromantil, -- and several other rarities."
FROM: The Diary of John Evelyn (Vol 1) http://www.gutenberg.org/files/41… EDITED FROM THE ORIGINAL MSS by WILLIAM BRAY M. WALTER DUNNE, PUBLISHER -- WASHINGTON & LONDON COPYRIGHT, 1901 -- BY M. WALTER DUNNE, PUBLISHER
The Diary of John Evelyn (Vol 1) http://www.gutenberg.org/files/41… EDITED FROM THE ORIGINAL MSS by WILLIAM BRAY M. WALTER DUNNE, PUBLISHER -- WASHINGTON & LONDON COPYRIGHT, 1901 -- BY M. WALTER DUNNE, PUBLISHER
"7th October, 1660. There dined with me a French count, with Sir George Tuke, who came to take leave of me, being sent over to the Queen Mother, to break the marriage of the Duke with the daughter of Chancellor Hyde."
We know Evelyn edited his Diary later, so this note must have been a later addition: "The Queen would fain have undone it; but it seems matters were reconciled, on great offers of the Chancellor's to befriend the Queen, who was much in debt, and was now to have the settlement of her affairs go through his hands."
"This month I conclude with my mind very heavy for the loss of the leads, as also for the greatness of my late expenses, insomuch that I do not think that I have above 150/. clear money in the world, but I have, I believe, got a great deal of good household stuff."
Plus he's been paying for a lot of drinks for his friends! Returning hospitality is important.
But it's true -- Pepys' has depleated his nest egg by about 50/., this month -- one of the few months he loses money during the Diary years. See https://www.pepysdiary.com/encycl…
Sorry -- I misread the Rev. Ralph entry -- it's linked to last Sunday because he says he started feeding the animals on that day. It snowed on November 11, which is the date his Diary entry was made.
Still, London in November is cold, wet and occasionally wild.
Comments
Third Reading
About Henry Percy (9th Earl of Northumberland)
San Diego Sarah • Link
PART 4
Some of his time was occupied in writing his 'Advice to his Son (Algernon) on his Travels,' which was printed from the manuscript at Alnwick in the 'Antiquarian Repertory,' iv. 374.
For some years his second daughter, Lucy, was his companion in the Tower. She formed a strong affection for James Hay (later Earl of Carlisle), and resolved to marry him.
Northumberland disliked Hay as a Scotsman and a favourite of King James, and declined to sanction the union. But from 1616 the Somersets were inmates in the Tower, and Northumberland was on social terms with them. Frances promoted the marriage; and Frances outwitted him. Lucy Percy became the Countess of Carlisle in 1617.
https://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/…
James Hay, now Earl of Carlisle, to overcome Northumberland's prejudice against him, made every effort to obtain his release. Finally, in 1621 King James was persuaded to celebrate his birthday by setting Northumberland and other political prisoners free.
Northumberland was reluctant to accept a favour from Carlisle. However, on 18 July, he finally left the Tower. He was advised to revive his health at Bath.
Northumberland travelled there in a coach drawn by 8 horses. The story goes that he insisted on this in order to mark his sense of superiority to the king's favorite, Buckingham, who was travelled about the country in a coach-and-6.
Carlisle was probably responsible for this demonstration.
Bath worked a speedy cure, and Northumberland retired to his house at Petworth. He took no further part in public affairs, and died there on 5 November 1632, being buried in the local church.
By his wife, Dorothy Devereaux, who died on 3 August, 1619 (and was also buried at Petworth) they were parents of Algernon Percy, the 10th Earl, Henry Percy, lord Percy of Alnwick, and 2 daughters, Dorothy (1598-1677), wife of Robert Sidney, 2nd Earl of Leicester, and Lucy Hay, Countess of Carlisle.
Compiled from
https://www.luminarium.org/encycl…
https://englishhistoryauthors.blo…
https://englishhistoryauthors.blo…
About Henry Percy (9th Earl of Northumberland)
San Diego Sarah • Link
PART 3
When Northumberland was finally charged it was not with treason, but contempt. And there he languished.
Or did he?
Richard Lomas in "A Power In The Land" (Tuckwell Press, 1999) and other sources on the fate of the Gunpowder Plotters speak of Northumberland's suite in the Martin Tower as having multiple dining rooms, a drawing room, gardens with access to a tennis court, and enough space to accommodate 20 servants. And there was the essential addition of a bowling alley.
His scholarly friends maintained apartments at Syon House so they could tutor Northumberland's children. Servants ran from Syon House to the Martin Tower with the latest imported delicacies.
While Northumberland perfected his games of Ten Pins and read his books, poured fine wine and smoked tobacco with Sir Walter Raleigh, and later dined and gambled with his fellow prisoners, Robert Carr, Earl of Somerset and his murderous countess Lady Frances Howard Devereaux Carr, Jesuit priests were convicted on scant evidence often gleaned from torture and treated to grisly deaths.
Lord Robert Cecil had his scapegoats, the Plotters got their just desserts, and Northumberland devoted time to the pursuit of knowledge and the management of his vast estates. When he needed a distraction, he played tennis.
About Henry Percy (9th Earl of Northumberland)
San Diego Sarah • Link
PART 2
Northumberland had been raised in his aunt's house as a Protestant but was believed by many to be sympathetic to the Catholic cause. There were also rumors that cousin Thom was more than a cousin, perhaps an illegitimate brother? Thomas Percy, like the other principals in the Gunpowder Plot, was a militant Papist to a degree his powerful cousin either did not admit or did not realize.
The purpose behind the Gunpowder Plot was to replace King James with a sovereign sympathetic to the Catholic cause but palatable enough to English Protestants to avoid a civil war. That pointed to another Stuart. There is no evidence Northumberland was involved in the conspiracy, but there is a theory the plotters had reserved a role for him in their pro-Catholic post-Jacobean government.
The plotters had settled on King James' daughter, the Princess Elisabeth who was 9, as the replacement for her father. The princess lived in the country and would not attend the opening of Parliament. Elisabeth could be made a puppet of the Catholic faction and married off to a Catholic European prince. While she was a Protestant, so young a female would be malleable and easily controlled by an appropriate Regent. Henry Percy, 9th Earl of Northumberland was the logical nominee.
The question perplexing modern scholars is the same that kept him in the Tower instead of being executed on the Tower Green. No one could prove Northumberland was in on it.
What confined Northumberland in the Tower was not what happened on November 5, 1605 but what happened the day before:
On November 4, Thomas Percy visited his cousin at Syon House, on business. Whether he was really there to warn his kinsman not to attend the opening of Parliament is open to conjecture, but it is hard to believe he spent the day before the big event reviewing ledgers, but there is no proof to the contrary.
When Percy arrived, Northumberland was entertaining another guest, Thomas Hariot, a noted scholar, mathematician and astronomer who lived at Sion House and enjoyed Northumberland's patronage. The 3 had a late lunch together and then Percy left.
Percy next met with Robert Catesby, the mastermind behind the plot, and rode into the country to kidnap Princess Elisabeth.
That evening Guy Fawkes was discovered with the gunpowder in the cellars of the Houses of Parliament. When news reached Percy, he went running for his life, and he was soon dead of a sniper's shot and unavailable to confirm or deny his cousin's complicity.
Astute Northumberland admitted nothing. Thomas Hariot confirmed his testimony: there had been no talk of explosions, or plots to kill King James at lunch. No one could dispute his planned attendance at the opening of Parliament on the following day.
About Henry Percy (9th Earl of Northumberland)
San Diego Sarah • Link
For 17 years (1605-1622) the Martin Tower in the Tower of London housed an illustrious guest. Henry Percy, 9th Earl of Northumberland (1564-1632) was a handsome gentleman of fashion, with a keen intellect, loyal to his friends and congenial to his hosts. His keepers were not jailers, since they went to considerable lengths to assure his comfort.
There are 21 towers in the Tower of London, and vague records as to which prisoners were housed where. But Northumberland's occupancy of the Martin Tower is well known as his rooms occupied most if not all of it. He entertained often and lavishly, and used it as the center of operations for his widespread business enterprises. Among his frequent guests were his son and heir, his pet fox, and Sir Walter Raleigh.
From Northumberland's arrival at his lodgings on 27 November, 1605, the man his contemporaries called The Wizard Earl made himself at home.
If rumors circulating in 1622 hold any truth, when Northumberland was released, he was loathe to leave: At one point his apartment housed much of his celebrated library -- one of the largest collections in Britain. The books covered a broad range of topics, many related to his interest in alchemy and natural philosophy (what we call science), which earned him the moniker The Wizard Earl.
By his arrest in 1605, Northumberland had adopted an urban lifestyle and made Sion House in Isleworth his principal residence. The mansion was inherited through his wife, Dorothy Devereux, daughter of the 2nd Earl of Essex.
As a young man living in Paris, Northumberland had engaged in young men's traditional fancies -- riding, hunting, gaming and the ladies. By the time he returned to England his only mistress claiming him was Knowledge.
Northumberland was drawn into the Gunpowder Treason investigation by his association with his second cousin, Thomas Percy, indisputably one of the principals in the plot.
1605 was not the first time Northumberland's conduct regarding Cousin Tom got him into trouble. Tom Percy was also involved with Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex in a failed murder plot targeting the warden of the Scottish Middle Marches, the reiver laird Robert Kerr of Cessford, who later became Baron Roxburghe, one of King James' favorites. Kerr was both anti-Catholic and anti-Marian, which put him at odds with Percy and Essex.
Northumberland received criticism, possibly from Lord Robert Cecil, for giving Tom Percy positions for which he should have been vetted, and without requiring him to attest to his religion or sign a Declaration of Faith.
Thus, even before the Gunpowder Plot was uncovered, Northumberland's lenient treatment of Percy placed him at odds with Lord Robert Cecil, an avid anti-papist.
About Monday 5 November 1660
San Diego Sarah • Link
In the final years of Cromwell’s Protectorate, Lucy Percy Hay, Countess of Carlisle became a Royalist agent, joining others who worked to restore Charles II to his father's throne.
A few short months after the Restoration, on November 5, 1660, Lucy Hay, Countess of Carlisle quietly passed away.
According to the Journal of Robert Sidney, 2nd Earl Leicester. Kent Archives. U1475/F24 p. 109 after 'dining well' at lunchtime, she fell suddenly sick around 2pm whilst 'cutting a piece of ribbon'. She was dead by 5 or 6pm that same day.
Femme fatale, informant, spy, Lucy Hay was a fascinating character. Alexandre Dumas obviously agreed (she was the model for Lady deWinter in The Three Muskateers).
And how ironic she died on November 5, because her father was Henry Percy, 9th Earl of Northumberland, AKA the Wizard Earl, who spent 18 years in the Tower for the sin of being related to one of the Gunpowder Plotters.
https://www.pepysdiary.com/encycl…
For Lucy Hay, Countess of Carlisle's fascinating career, see
https://englishhistoryauthors.blo…
Another point-of-view comes in 'Court Lady and Country Wife - Two Noble Sisters in Seventeenth Century England' by Lita-Rose Betcherman. Pub 2006 by Harper Perennial. It describes the lives of lives of the sisters Lucy Percy Hay (Countess of Carlisle) and Dorothy Percy Sidney (Countess of Leicester).
https://www.goodreads.com/en/book…
About Saturday 1 November 1662
San Diego Sarah • Link
Thanks, Ruslan -- a good example of why Phil asks us not to make current events annotations -- 10 and 20 years later we have to annotate the annotations.
About Wednesday 31 October 1660
San Diego Sarah • Link
Hi Neville -- Evidently the Controller Slingsby, who had to sign off on having Pepys' door installed in the first place representing the landlord, thought he had every right to walk on the leads.
Pauline gave a good explanation of the word at
https://www.pepysdiary.com/encycl…
About Thursday 1 November 1660
San Diego Sarah • Link
Agreed, Martin -- plus Penn may have thought the Pepys/Davis affair needed some time and space.
There may have been paperwork that needed Batten's attention; Penn was househunting in the area; the Sir Wills might have been trying to lull the young CofA into going along with their office financial schemes; they might have wanted to have good reports about them given to Sandwich; or all of the above. Penn might have been grooming Pepys. Who knows.
I want to know who owned the horses and where they were kept. If it was a stable at the back of the Navy Office, why doesn't Pepys ride more often?
About East India Company (English)
San Diego Sarah • Link
It's Halloween, so all sorts of bizarre stories are abroad. How about this one:
The Honourable East India Company (EIC), founded in 1600 by Queen Elizabeth, laid the foundation for future global domination by the British. Over its 250 years, the EIC establishing trade monopolies and a reputation of ruthlessness around the world.
The company carried out less-than-honorable acts in the process, with torture, extortion, bribery, and manipulation being fundamental to its success.
The British government was able to slowly take over the EIC and piggy-back on its efforts as it established the British Empire.
As the English sought to out-explore and out-control other European countries, the EIC used any means necessary to influence, control, and compel the authorities they met to trade with them. '
In the early years of the 17th century, merchants from the EIC apparently offered the Sultan of Achin (Sumatra) an English virgin for his harem. King James I reportedly stepped in and stopped the exchange.
[Thank you, James! -- I wonder who the "lucky" girl was.]
The "big three" exploration countries during the early 17th century - England, the Netherlands, and Portugal - competed for land, trade rights, wealth and power.
The Portuguese stopped early, which left the English EIC and the Dutch United East Indies Company (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie in Dutch, or VOC) and competition heated up quickly.
The EIC and VOC engaged in military skirmishes - which both were mandated to do - but the war of words was also vicious.
In the 1630s, the English, who were falling behind in the spice trade, staged a propaganda campaign which destroyed the reputation of the Dutch in England and throughout Europe.
The pamphlets alleged atrocities, described acts of brutality, and contained images aimed at enraging the public.
In 1652, after England passed the Navigation Act meant to give the English the upper hand in sea trade, Cromwell ordered the pamphlet reprinted to justify going to war with the Dutch.
The First Anglo-Dutch War, the first of 4 that took place during the 17th and 18th centuries, helped establish the dominance of the EIC in maritime trade and imperial dominance.
About Sunday 30 September 1660
San Diego Sarah • Link
Oh good -- one of my favorites is back in town.
FROM: 222. Francesco Giavarina, Venetian Resident in England, to the Doge and Senate.
"The report last week that Prince Roberto [RUPERT] was coming here as ambassador extraordinary for Caesar proves false as he arrived privately in London on Sunday, simply to see and congratulate the king and the royal house.
"Being in the service of the emperor it seems that he only has permission to stay in England until next Christmas. Although he has come in a private capacity people say, and it is possible, that he brings some private compliment in Caesar's name and it is not unlikely that he may also negotiate the marriage between Princess Henrietta and the emperor, as that with the duke of Anjou seems colder than ever.
"I will keep an eye on what the prince does and report to the Senate."
That's Princess Henrietta Anne, AKA Minette.
Caesar is Leopold I (1640-1705), Holy Roman Emperor 1658-1705.
See: Citation: BHO Chicago MLA
'Venice: October 1660', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 32, 1659-1661, ed. Allen B Hinds (London, 1931), pp. 199-211. British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/…
Oct. 15. 1660 N.S. -- 5 Oct. O.S.
Senato, Secreta.
Dispacci, Inghilterra.
Venetian Archives.
About Wednesday 10 October 1660
San Diego Sarah • Link
"At night comes Mr. Moore, and staid late with me to tell me how Sir Hards. Waller (who only pleads guilty), Scott, Coke, Peters, Harrison, &c. were this day arraigned at the bar at the Sessions House, there being upon the bench the Lord Mayor, General Monk, my Lord of Sandwich, &c.; such a bench of noblemen as had not been ever seen in England!"
Pepys FINALLY mentions these momentus events -- Francesco Giavarina, Venetian Resident in England, wrote about them to the Doge and Senate days ago:
Oct. 15. 1660 N.S. -- 5 Oct. O.S.
Senato, Secreta.
Dispacci, Inghilterra.
Venetian Archives.
"Parliament having condemned the regicides, all those in the hands of justice will receive sentence next week from the ordinary judges, to whom they were committed by parliament so that the fundamental laws might have play and there is no doubt they will receive the punishment their crime merits, as rebels and traitors.
"As they have been unable to lay hands on some of them and it is known that after leaving the country they have gone about under false names, contriving disturbances with their partisans, orders have recently been issued to take them, alive or dead, putting considerable sums on their heads and promising other advantages to those who serve the crown well by taking them."
Citation: BHO Chicago MLA
'Venice: October 1660', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 32, 1659-1661, ed. Allen B Hinds (London, 1931), pp. 199-211. British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/…
About Tuesday 30 October 1660
San Diego Sarah • Link
"What works are taking place to the house next door?"
I found the citation that sort of answers this question:
L&M: "William Brewer's bills ... for 'divers painted workes' at the Navy Office and at several lodgings there including Pepys', ... amount to over £50. Pepys’ house was clear of the painters by Christmas Day.”
About Thursday 4 October 1660
San Diego Sarah • Link
"But, Lord! at their going out, how people did most of them look upon them as strange creatures, and few with any kind of love or respect."
This is confirmed by the Catholic Francesco Giavarina, Venetian Resident in England, to the Doge and Senate.
Oct. 15. 1660 N.S. -- 5 Oct. O.S.
Senato, Secreta.
Dispacci, Inghilterra.
Venetian Archives
"The Presbyterians who have always been fatal to this country, as everyone knows, cannot bear to see the episcopal dogmas of the time of Queen Elizabeth set up again, and the doctrine of Calvin lost. They mutter and grumble and if they had greater vigor they would undoubtedly raise their heads to kindle internal fires in this country again; but being much weakened, although powerful in numbers, and without consideration among the people, who remember the disasters they brought on the country, they are well aware that they are in no condition to kick against the existing authority, which is gradually becoming more and more formidable."
See
Citation: BHO Chicago MLA
'Venice: October 1660', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 32, 1659-1661, ed. Allen B Hinds (London, 1931), pp. 199-211. British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/…
About Monday 1 October 1660
San Diego Sarah • Link
"The Commissioners are very busy disbanding of the army, which they say do cause great robbing."
Another example of how the payoffs did not go well, and what Charles II did about it, from
Citation: BHO Chicago MLA
'Venice: October 1660', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 32, 1659-1661, ed. Allen B Hinds (London, 1931), pp. 199-211. British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/…
Oct. 15. 1660 N.S. -- 5 Oct. O.S.
Senato, Secreta.
Dispacci, Inghilterra.
Venetian Archives.
222. Francesco Giavarina, Venetian Resident in England, to the Doge and Senate.
"While the first regiments disbanded readily obeyed the royal commands, some others which they wished to dismiss this week in the more remote counties objected and were mutinous, the privileges and blandishments offered to the soldiers not sufficing to restrain their insolence and their immoderate appetites, as they believe they will do better by staying on than disbanded, no matter what trade they take up.
To compel obedience and prevent further confusion his Majesty issued orders to all the lords lieutenant to put their several militias on foot at once, and with this done promptly there is no doubt they will serve as a check on those who want to introduce dissension."
About Tuesday 11 September 1660
San Diego Sarah • Link
The Royal marriage market is in full swing: the Venetian Resident reports:
It seemed the marriage of the Princess Henrietta to the duke of Anjou was well on the way to a conclusion, but since the arrival of the Spanish ambassador it has grown cold and now the king seems to wish her to come to London.
[Henrietta Anne AKA Minette]
[Monsieur Philippe, Duke of Orléans (1640 – 1701), was the younger son of Louis XIII of France and his wife, Anne of Austria. His elder brother was Louis XIV. Styled as the Duke of Anjou from birth, Philippe became Duke of Orléans upon the death of his uncle Gaston in Feb. 1660.]
There is talk of negotiations with the emperor, and they say further that Prince Roberto [Rupert] is coming to England as ambassador extraordinary for Caesar with commissions to offer congratulations and to ask for the princess.
[Leopold I (1640-1705), Holy Roman Emperor, 1658-1705.]
Nothing definite can be learned at present as it all passes with great secrecy, but this is certain, if the French want to have her for their own house the Spaniards are equally anxious to see her in the House of Austria, for evident reasons.
It has been mentioned that France was trying to bring about a marriage between this king [CHARLES] and one of the daughters of the late duke of Orleans. This has died away, but another has started that Cardinal Mazzarini is maneuvering to give him one of his nieces, that her portrait has already been sent to England and that the affair is already well advanced.
[Monsieur Gaston, Duke of Orléans (1608 – 2 February 1660), the third son of Henry IV of France and his second wife, Marie de' Medici. Philippe, Duke of Anjou is now the Duke of Orleans, but the Doge and Senate are not used to referring to him by that name.]
Nothing definite is known here and those who could not be unaware of the truth deny such transactions as baseless and indeed they would be very difficult and hard to digest for many reasons.
We shall know more about it on the arrival of the count of Soesson, selected as ambassador extraordinary by the Most Christian, because he has a niece of his Eminence to wife (fn. 2) and will do everything in his power to have the king of England for a brother in law.
2. Olympe Mancini.
[Eugene Maurice of Savoy, Count of Soissons (1635-1673)
The Most Christian is Louis XIV.]
Besides these offers Portugal and Denmark also produce wives for this king, the first of a sister and the other of a daughter. (fn. 3)
[3. Anna Sophia, the eldest daughter of Frederick of Denmark was only 13 years at this date, and the only Protestant.
The other is Catherine of Braganza.]
They say that the Danish ambassador extraordinary has stayed on for this so long after discharging his chief business. Out of so many offers his Majesty should select one, but time alone will show which it will be.
The link is as in the previous annotation
About Tuesday 30 October 1660
San Diego Sarah • Link
"What works are taking place to the house next door?"
From the Navy accounting entry posted about a while back, it sounded as if all the houses had upgrades and new paint. Perhaps the Davis family was luckier than the Pepys, and had somewhere else to live while this happened. In which case, why would Mrs. Davis be making the fuss now? It's winter, and the weather will keep Pepys indoors for the next 6 months.
It's a very odd story.
About Sunday 28 October 1660
San Diego Sarah • Link
Seems a lot of people checked out Charles' closet while he was off to Dover to meet Queen Mothrr Henrietta Maria. This would have been what Pepys saw:
"1st November, 1660. I went with some of my relations to Court, to show them his Majesty's cabinet and closet of rarities; the rare miniatures of Peter Oliver, after Raphael, Titian, and other masters, which I infinitely esteem; also, that large piece of the Duchess of Lennox, done in enamel, by Petitot, and a vast number of agates, onyxes, and intaglios, especially a medallion of Caesar, as broad as my hand; likewise, rare cabinets of pietra-commessa, a landscape of needlework, formerly presented by the Dutch to King Charles I.
"Here I saw a vast book of maps, in a volume near four yards large; a curious ship model; and, among the clocks, one that showed the rising and setting of the sun in the zodiac; the sun represented by a face and rays of gold, upon an azure sky, observing the diurnal and annual motion, rising and setting behind a landscape of hills,-- the work of our famous Fromantil, -- and several other rarities."
FROM:
The Diary of John Evelyn (Vol 1)
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/41…
EDITED FROM THE ORIGINAL MSS by WILLIAM BRAY
M. WALTER DUNNE, PUBLISHER -- WASHINGTON & LONDON
COPYRIGHT, 1901 -- BY M. WALTER DUNNE, PUBLISHER
About Sunday 7 October 1660
San Diego Sarah • Link
The Diary of John Evelyn (Vol 1)
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/41…
EDITED FROM THE ORIGINAL MSS by WILLIAM BRAY
M. WALTER DUNNE, PUBLISHER -- WASHINGTON & LONDON
COPYRIGHT, 1901 -- BY M. WALTER DUNNE, PUBLISHER
"7th October, 1660. There dined with me a French count, with Sir George Tuke, who came to take leave of me, being sent over to the Queen Mother, to break the marriage of the Duke with the daughter of Chancellor Hyde."
We know Evelyn edited his Diary later, so this note must have been a later addition:
"The Queen would fain have undone it; but it seems matters were reconciled, on great offers of the Chancellor's to befriend the Queen, who was much in debt, and was now to have the settlement of her affairs go through his hands."
About Wednesday 31 October 1660
San Diego Sarah • Link
"This month I conclude with my mind very heavy for the loss of the leads, as also for the greatness of my late expenses, insomuch that I do not think that I have above 150/. clear money in the world, but I have, I believe, got a great deal of good household stuff."
Plus he's been paying for a lot of drinks for his friends! Returning hospitality is important.
But it's true -- Pepys' has depleated his nest egg by about 50/., this month -- one of the few months he loses money during the Diary years.
See https://www.pepysdiary.com/encycl…
About Wednesday 31 October 1660
San Diego Sarah • Link
Sorry -- I misread the Rev. Ralph entry -- it's linked to last Sunday because he says he started feeding the animals on that day. It snowed on November 11, which is the date his Diary entry was made.
Still, London in November is cold, wet and occasionally wild.