AFFAIRS AFFECTING THE MARQUIS OF WORCESTER’s FAMILY, IN RESPECT
OF WORCESTER HOUSE AND OTHER PROPERTY IN AND NEAR LONDON.
Worcester House, in the Strand, was of course early in possession
of the Parliament, who used it for the state paper and other public
offices. The mansion had gardens to the water-side.[A] In the reign of
Henry VIII. it had belonged to the see of Carlisle; it was afterwards
inhabited by the Earls of Bedford, being then known as Bedford and
Russell House, from whom it came to the Earls of Worcester, when it
assumed their name. It also figured as the temporary residence of the
great Earl of Clarendon,[37] who is represented to have paid for it a
rental of £500[2] per annum, probably taking it furnished.
On the 21st of April, 1643, the House of Commons had[57] ordered,
“That the iron seized in Worcester House, be forthwith sold; and the
proceeds delivered to the collectors in the county of Middlesex,
appointed by the ordinance for seizing the estates of Papists, and
notorious malignants; to the end that they may be accountable to the
Committee for it: And that no Committee, or other person, do grant out
Warrants for seizing the estates of malignants, without the knowledge
of that Committee; in regard there is an ordinance settled to that
purpose, and a Committee armed with power for the execution of the said
Ordinance, in all the points and circumstances hereof.”
In pursuance of an Ordinance of Parliament,[B] passed the 11th of
September, 1646, contracts were concluded by the Government with
various purchasers of houses, stables, sheds and plots of ground, the
joint property of the Marquis of Worcester and his brother, Sir John
Somerset, some situated in the parish of Clements Danes in the Strand,
a part in Drury Lane, and smaller tenements in Fish-Street Hill, Cross
Lane, and Coppings Court, in the City; together with a house, farm and
land in Stepney, “alias Stebunheath;” also the manor of Acton, with its
farm-house, buildings, and 805 acres of land; the whole for the sum of
£12,584. 12_s._--Nearly half this amount arose from the purchases of
“William Pennoyer and Richard Hill of London, merchants,” to whom the
Government was indebted in the sum of £9,402. 5_s._--which was to be
paid out of such sales of this property, and any amount remaining was
to bear “interest after the rate of £8. _per centum_ for a year.” And
they had further the option of claiming any purchases of the property
not paid for within ten days; so that either out of purchases or by
forfeitures they were secured for their balance of £3,199. 13_s._ over
and above their own purchases.[C]
That Worcester House became a depot for the security of treasure seized
by the Parliament, we learn from a Resolution passed by the Commons[57]
on the 10th of January, 1650.
“Resolved, That Colonel Berksted be, and is hereby, required to appoint
four of his soldiers to lodge every night at Worcester House; and four
other of his soldiers to lodge every night at Guildhall; for the better
securing the treasuries there, from time to time, as the Treasurers at
War shall appoint.”
On the 11th of February following, the House,[57] among other business--
“Ordered, That it be referred to the Council of State, to dispose of
Worcester House, and the yards and gardens thereunto belonging, for the
best carrying on of the public service of the Commonwealth.”
The Marchioness of Worcester, being deprived of other sources of
property, petitioned the Parliament in respect to the only likely means
of obtaining pecuniary consideration. A copy of her petition, being
a printed folio fly-leaf, probably as then in use for members of the
House, preserved in the Library of the British Museum, has upon it
the MS. date “October 1654,” but it is more probable that it was not
presented to Parliament before the end of 1656 or early in 1657. It is
as follows:--
“To the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and
Ireland.
“The humble Petition of Margare[t Somerset] Countess of Worcester.
“Sheweth,
“That your Petitioner having been married to Edward, now Earl of
Worcester, in the year 1639, with a considerable portion, to the value
of twenty thousand pounds, and not having received out of the whole
estate but four hundred pounds these nine neares [years], in lieu of
jointure, fifths, or thirds. Notwithstanding her claim and four years’
attendance: and finding now only _Worcester_ House unsold, and in
pursuit to discover some other little thing.
“_Your Petitioner humbly prayeth your Honours, to
grant her the benefit of the said House, and such
other things as may be discovered._
“And your Petitioner shall ever pray, &c.”
Every circumstance connected with this petition acquires interest from
the peculiar position of the times, and of all parties interested.
The Marquis of Worcester had rendered himself highly obnoxious to the
dominant party, he was beyond their power, a recusant and a papist,
and here was his noble Lady petitioning the Cromwellian Parliament
in respect to her rights, a papist demanding her fifths at the hands
of her husband’s bitterest enemies. We need, therefore, offer no
apology for tracing rather more particularly than might otherwise seem
requisite, the course pursued in this simple affair.
On Monday, the 30th of March, 1657, Mr. Burton[22] reports from the
Committee, to whom the Petition of Margaret Countess of Worcester was
referred;
“A Bill for settling the messuage in the Strand, called Worcester
House, on Trustees, for the life of Edward, Earl of Worcester, in
trust, for Margaret, Countess of Worcester, in lieu and satisfaction of
the arrears of her fifths, was this day read the first time; and, upon
the question, ordered to be read the second time, on Thursday morning
next.”
On Saturday, the 2nd of May, 1657.
“The Bill for settling Worcester House upon Margaret Countess of
Worcester, and some discoveries, in lieu of the arrears of her fifths,
was this day read the second time; and, upon the question, committed
to Mr. Nath. Bacon, Mr. Franc. Bacon, Mr. Burton, and 29 other members,
to meet on Tuesday next.”
On Friday, the 16th of June, 1657, “a Bill for settling of Worcester
House upon Christofer Copley, Esquire, and William Hawley, Esquire,
during the life of Edward, Earl of Worcester, and also such monies as
were due to the said Earl or Margaret his Countess, from Barnaby, Earl
of Thomond; in trust for the said Countess, was this day read the third
time.
“The humble petition of Barnaby, Earl of Thomond, was this day read:
“A Proviso was tendered to this Bill, in these words; viz. ‘Provided
that this shall not impeach or invalid the sale of the Gate-house
of the said Worcester House, by the trustees appointed for the sale
thereof.’
“Which was read the first and second time; and, upon the question,
agreed to be part of the Bill.
“And the said Bill, with the Schedule annexed, being put to the
question, passed.
“Ordered, That this Bill be tendered to the Lord Protector, for his
consent.”
After other business, the Speaker, with the whole House, repaired to
the Painted Chamber, to present the Bills to his Highness, who gave his
assent to this, along with other Bills.[57]
After much delay, from unexplained postponements and references, it
was at length, on the 24th of March, 1658–9, resolved, to agree with
the Committee’s recommendation.[22] We, therefore, find on the 14th of
April, 1659,[57] after prayers--
“Mr. Terill reports from the Grand Committee of the House of
Grievances, the state of the case, upon the petition of Margaret,
Countess of Worcester, concerning her interest in Worcester House in
the Strand.
“Resolved, &c. That Margaret, Countess of Worcester, have the actual
possession of Worcester House in the Strand delivered up to her on the
25th day of March next: and that, in the meantime, the rent of £300 be
paid to her for the said house, for this year, commencing from the 25th
day of March last, out of the receipt of the Exchequer, half yearly, by
equal portions, if her interest therein shall so long continue.
“Resolved, &c. That the sum of £400 be paid to Margaret, Countess of
Worcester, or her assignees, out of the receipt of the Exchequer, in
recompense of all demands for the detaining of Worcester House from her
since her title thereto, by virtue of the late act of Parliament, until
the 25th day of March last.
“Sir George Booth, Sir William Wheeler, Mr. Raleigh, Sir William
Doyley, Mr. Annesley, or any three of them, are appointed a Committee
to wait on his Highness, the Lord Protector, from this House, to desire
his Highness to give direction for a Privy-Seal to be issued for the
payment, as well of £400 allowed to the Countess of Worcester, for her
recompense of all demands for detaining of Worcester House from her
since her title thereunto, by the late act of Parliament; as of the
rent of £300 appointed to be paid to her for this present year, for the
said house, to end on the 25th of March next.
“Resolved, &c. That it be referred to a Committee, to consider how
to remove, and where to place, the conveyances, records, and other
writings, now remaining at Worcester House, so as they may be disposed
for their safety, and the service of the Commonwealth.
“A Committee accordingly appointed.”
“Tuesday, the 19th of April, 1659[D]
“Mr. Annesley reports from the Committee appointed to attend his
Highness about the payment of £400 to the Countess of Worcester, in
satisfaction of all demands due to her, for the use of Worcester
House, till the 25th day of March last; and of £300 more for the rent
of the said house for this present year, to end the 25th day of March
next; that the Committee had attended his Highness, and acquainted him
with the Orders of this House in that behalf: that his Highness was
pleased to give the Committee this answer, That he assured himself the
House had considered of her interest; and that himself was therewith
satisfied; and did take notice of the Orders; and would give speedy
direction for her satisfaction accordingly.”
“Saturday, August 20th, 1659.[E]
“Ordered, That the sum of £6 by the week shall be paid unto Margaret,
Countess of Worcester, or her assigns, so long as Worcester House shall
be made use of by the Commonwealth; to be paid to her, or her assigns,
out of the contingencies of the Council of State: and the acquittance
of the said Margaret, Countess of Worcester, testifying the receipt
thereof, shall be a sufficient discharge in that behalf.
“Ordered, That the Commissioners for removing of obstructions,
trustees, contractors, and other officers, at Worcester House, do quit
the said house, as soon as they can conveniently, without prejudice to
the service of the Commonwealth: and that when the said house shall be
quitted, that the same shall be settled upon the Countess of Worcester,
or upon trustees to her use, during the life of Edward, Earl of
Worcester: And it is “Ordered, That it be referred to a Committee, to
set out some rooms in Worcester House, for the use of the said Countess
of Worcester in the meantime: And it is further--
“Ordered, That the said Committee do also examine whether it is
necessary for the Commonwealth to continue to make use of Worcester
House for the service of the Commonwealth; or whether it be best to
take some other course for the accommodation of the said Commissioners,
&c. at Worcester House, &c.”
“Wednesday, 14th March, 1659. Afternoon.[F]
“An act for settling Worcester House in the Strand upon trustees, for
the use of Margaret, Countess of Worcester, during the life of Edward,
Earl of Worcester; and also such monies as are due to the said Earl or
Countess, from Barnaby, Earl of Thomond, was this day read the first
time.
“Ordered, That the pension of six pounds a week formerly ordered to
Margaret, Countess of Worcester, be continued until the Parliament
take further order; and that the same be forthwith paid, with all
arrears thereof, from the time of the granting thereof unto her the
said Margaret, Countess of Worcester, or her assigns, out of the
contingencies of the Council of State: And that the Council of State
be, and are hereby, authorized and required forthwith to pay the same,
accordingly: And that the Council of State be repaid the same money out
of the public revenue of the Exchequer.
“Ordered, That the possession of Worcester House in the Strand, in the
county of Middlesex, be forthwith delivered up to Margaret, Countess of
Worcester: And the Council of State are hereby authorized and required,
to take care, that the possession of the said house be delivered up to
her, or her assigns, accordingly.”
“Wednesday, 14th March, 1659. Afternoon.[G]
“A Bill empowering the trustees for sale of lands forfeited to the
Commonwealth for treason, to convey Worcester House to trustees in
trust for Margaret, Countess of Worcester, was this day read the first
and second time; and, upon the question, passed.”
Thus it occupied above two years to obtain anything approaching an
equitable arrangement of the Countess’ very obvious claim, concluding
at last with a “pension of six pounds a week,”--a pension in arrear in
March, 1659, but to be “continued until the Parliament take further
order.”
Footnotes
[A] See engraved view, page 8.
[37] Evelyn.
[2] Allen’s London.
[57] Jo. H. C. Vol. iii. p. 54.
[B] See “Ordinances of Parliament,” 1641–46, 4to. Brit. Mus.
517, K. 11–36.
[C] See also Miscellaneous MSS Brit. Mus. No. 5501.
[57] Jo. H. C. Vol. vii. pp. 523, 533.
[57] Jo. H. C. Vol. vi. pp. 523, 533.
[22] Burton.
[57] Jo. H. C. Vol. vii. p. 512, 529, 576.
[22] Burton.
[57] Jo. H. C. Vol. vii. p. 512, 529, 576.
[D] Page 642.
[E] Page 763.
[F] Page 875.
[G] Page 876.