A.D. 1066. This year the French conquered England, and their commander,

the Norman Bastard, seated himself on the English throne, which was also

possessed by his descendants for many generations: Lynn of course felt

the effects of this revolution and readily acceded to the new order of

things. _Stigand_, archbishop of Canterbury, and his brother _Ailmar_,

bishop of Elmham, were before the great men that bore sway here; but they

were now ousted, and their power and possessions transferred by the

Conqueror to two of his French adherents, _Odo_ bishop of Baieux, in

Normandy, his half brother, and _Herfast_, one of his own chaplains.

Frenchmen then got possession of almost all the land in the kingdom, and

they were the progenitors of most of our present noble families; so that

our House of Lords is now in a great measure made up of their

descendants.

1100. About this time St. Margaret’s church was built by bishop Herbert,

who granted long indulgences to the people to commit all manner of sin,

by way of encouragement or inducement to contribute towards the

completion of the sacred edifice; as if he thought that to give people

their full swing in all manner of iniquity, was the surest way to make

them pious and liberal.

About the same time was also built the Benedictine Priory, on the south

side of the church.

1144. A Priory at Gaywood was founded in honour of Mary Magdalen, whence

it is still called _St. Mary Magdalen’s Hospital_. The priory has long

disappeared, and has been succeeded by the present Hospital. The

founder’s name was _Petrus Capellanus_, who died in 1174.—see p. 530, &c.

1190. A terrible riot and commotion here, and in many other parts of the

kingdom, excited, it seems, for the purpose of plundering and massacring

the poor _Jews_, who were then settled in great numbers here and in many

of our great towns. Of what then occurred here see vol. I. page 391 of

this work.

1204. This town was constituted a Borough by royal charter, and its

chief magistrate was at the same time, or soon after, denominated

_Mayor_, see page 393. These honours were the royal gifts of king

_John_, who repeatedly visited this town. His last visit was in the

autumn of 1216. He soon after died at Newark, and was interred at

Worcester, where his remains were discovered in 1797 in a state of

remarkable preservation, considering that they had lain in the ground

near 600 years.

1233. King Henry 3. granted his first charter to this town, in

confirmation of that of his father, 28 years before.

1268. The same sovereign granted our corporation a second charter with

more ample privileges, in consideration of _the faithful and laudable

service_, and valiant _assistance_ which our burgesses had rendered him

in the late troubles of his kingdom.

1271. Lynn said to be then a fortified town: but it was probably so ever

since, or very soon after it received its first charter, if not before.

1330. The queen dowager _Isabel_ took up her residence at _Rising

Castle_ by Lynn, where she continued to reside afterwards as long as she

lived, which was 28 years; in the course of which time her son Edw. III.

his queen Philippa, and their son the black prince, repeatedly visited

her there: and there can be no doubt of their having also frequently

visited this town in the mean time.

1340. The king and queen were at Rising for some time, as appears by the

account rolls of Adam de Reffham and John de Newland of Lynn, who sent

his majesty at the same time a present of wine.—Previous to the king’s

arrival the queen dowager sent her precept to the mayor of Lynn, for 8

carpenters to assist in making the necessary preparations.

1344. The king and his court were here for some time, as appears from

certain letters which he sent from hence to the bishop of Norwich, then

at _Avignon_, to be there delivered by him to the pope.

1349. A dreadful plague or pestilence, which had broke out in the north

of Asia, made its destructive way soon into Europe, and now to England.

It is said to have raged so much in some countries that scarcely a tenth

part of the population escaped. It was called _the black death_, and is

said to have swept away in Norfolk alone, 57,374 persons, from January to

July, and 7000 of them in the town of _Yarmouth_. We cannot find how

many perished then at Lynn, but the number was doubtless very great, as

the disorder then raged terribly throughout the whole county. Most of

the clergy seem to have then perished; hence we are told that 850 persons

were, by the bishop of this diocese instituted and collated to benefices

which had now become vacant—50,000 persons were carried off in _London_,

and as many at _Paris_.—see p. 358 of this work, and Andr. 1. 372.

1369. An order was made that no Roadsman should charge more than 3_s._

4_d._ for pylotting in any stranger’s ship from the channel to the town.

1380. The pope granted his license for christening in St. Nicholas’s

chapel; which must of course, in the public estimation, have added

greatly to the sanctity and dignity of the place.

1381. An ordinance made for the inhabitants of this town to

merchandise.—Another account says—it was an order, or ordinance for

settling of merchandise in this town—both seem too ambiguous and

mysterious to make out. But it was in the reign of Richard 2. when many

strange ordinances were made, and many vile measures pursued. Except his

_mother_, and especially his _queen_, whom his subjects used to call _the

good queen Ann_, {1190} there was about his court but little that could

be deemed respectable. His favourite method of raising money was by a

loan: a few instances of the respective sums he demanded of his subjects

as they stand in the _Fædera_, will shew the comparative wealth of Lynn,

and other places at that period.—From _London_ 10,000 marks: from _York_,

_Gloucester_, _Salisbury_, and _Lincoln_, each 200 ditto.—From

_Cambridge_, _Canterbury_, and _Southampton_, each 100 ditto.—From

_Bristol_, 300 ditto.—From _Norwich_, 500 ditto.—From _Lynn_, 400 ditto.

1384. Our _bishop Spencer_ went abroad at the head of a crusade, or

army, of 50,000 foot and 2000 horse, to fight for pope _Urban_, against

pope _Clement_: for there were then two heads of the catholic church,

which made it a perfect monster. In this memorable crusade great numbers

of Norfolk and Lynn people were doubtless enlisted.

1399. _Sir William Sawtre_, (minister of St. Margaret’s,) prosecuted

here for _Lollardism_, (much the same with what we call _protestantism_,)

and forced to recant; but relapsing soon after, he was taken up and burnt

for his reputed heresy. He is called the English proto-matryr.—see more

of him at p. 580, &c.

1403. Two fierce factions sprung up here and disturbed the peace of the

town for 30 years; at their heads were two aldermen of that time,

_Wentworth_ and _Pettipas_.—see p. 364, &c.

1417. Our mayor and aldermen and other merchants obtained from Henry V.

a warrant to elect an alderman for Denmark and Norway: of which see more,

p. 485.

1446. King Henry VI. came to Lynn and ordered the sword to be borne

before the mayor.—Next year the sword was carried before the mayor for

some time, and then before the bishop as formerly, the mayor following

him.

1449. King Henry came to Lynn again, and ordered the sword to be carried

before him. {1191}

1469, or 1470. About this time Edward IV. (put to flight by the great

Earl of Warwick,) came to Lynn out of Lincolnshire; and in crossing the

washes lost his baggage and money, according to some of our MS.

accounts.—One account says that he arrived here on Michaelmas Day, 1470,

and took shipping here for Flanders on the 2nd of October; so that his

stay was only three or four days. At that time we are told that he

_pardoned Robert Gregory_, _Coney_, _and company_, who had probably sided

with the house of Lancaster. The Red Mount is said to be the place at

which he then took up his abode; whose buildings must have been very

extensive and capacious, as he is said to have been attended by a large

retinue. It may also be supposed a place of strength, and the most so of

any at Lynn, or a kind of fortress; for in a place of no other

description would so wary and able a leader choose to trust himself for

so many days and nights together, as he was then circumstanced.

1471. March 9. Edward landed here on his return from Flanders, in his

way to London.

1476. Walter Coney built the roof of the cross aisle of St. Margaret’s

church: also the Trinity chapel there, which has been lately pulled down.

1482. A great law-suit between the town and the bishop about the right

of holding the Court Leet. It does not appear which party gained the

cause.

1493. A great fray between the inhabitants and the under sheriff of the

county. But neither the occasion, not the result or consequence is

mentioned.

1493. King Henry VII. his queen, his mother, and his eldest son Arthur,

with a numerous retinue, visited this town; and were lodged and

entertained at the Austin Convent, which then stood behind Mr. Rishton’s

house, and partly it seems on the same site. It was doubtless a

sumptuous edifice, and the most suitable for the accommodation of the

royal visitors of any place then in this town.—see p. 513, &c.

1501. The town-walls new cast, with mortar, broken glass, and terras.

1502. Thomas Thorisby built the south part of St Margaret’s church, the

college, and the south gates. It was then his third mayoralty. It does

not appear at what time he founded the Grammar School.

1506. The service suspended in St. Margaret’s church, and christenings

performed in the Charnel house—the occasion not specified, or how the

affair terminated.

1510. A suit between this town and Cambridge about the toll of Stirbitch

Fair:—the precise ground of the dispute not stated. Nor is it clear who

gained the cause.

1512. Parishioners of St. James’s rose against the Prior, for certain

wrongs he had done them—such as cutting down the trees in the churchyard.

1515. A woman burnt in the Market-place, for the murder of her husband.

1519. Cardinal Wolsey came to Lynn in great state, and with a princely

retinue of lords, knights, and gentlemen, as was his usual manner of

travelling.

1520. Thomas Miller now became mayor for four years successively. In

the meantime he had a law suit with the bishop for precedence, or the

right of having the sword carried before him; and is said to have got the

cause. A few years after his lordship lost most of his consequence here,

being obliged by his sovereign to resign his temporal jurisdiction at

Lynn to him, in exchange for the abbey of St. Bennet in Holme: at which

time the name of the town was changed from _Bishop’s Lynn_ to _King’s

Lynn_.

1527, (or 1528, according to other accounts) Mary, queen dowager of

France, and sister of Henry VIII, with the duke of Suffolk, her second

husband, came to Lynn, and lodged (as Mackerell says,) _at Mr. Coe’s

place_: but nothing further is said of Coe’s place, or yet of Coe

himself.

1531. A maid servant boiled to death in the market-place, for poisoning

her mistress.

1535. A Dutchman burnt in the market-place for reputed heresy; in other

words, for presuming to think for himself, and acting

conscientiously—which was deemed a crime in former times, and is so

deemed still in some places.

1536. The four great orders of Friars, together with the other religious

orders, were here suppressed, which was followed by the dissolution of

the convents and other religious houses, which diminished in a great

measure the respectable appearance of the town.

1537. William Gisborough, a friar, was hanged here, and his father at

Walsingham, for attempting to relive their order, in opposition to the

royal decree.—Two marts or fairs were also then instituted here, one at

the _assumption_, the other at the _purification_ of the Blessed Virgin.

1540. The town much afflicted with hot burning agues and fluxes, on

which account there was no mart kept.

1541. The East Gates repaired, and the king’s arms set up there.

1546. The Gilds and Chauntries suppressed, and their possessions seized

by the king:—His majesty now also granted his licence for uniting South

Lynn to the borough, it being before unconnected with it, and a separate

jurisdiction. This however seems not to have been brought to full effect

till about ten or eleven years after, in the reign of Philip and Mary.

1549. St. James’s church demolished, (all perhaps but the cross aisle

which still remains; though there is said to be some further demolition

of it in 1623.)—also what is called _Kett’s rebellion_ now occurred: one

body of the insurgents had a camp at _Mousehold heath_, by Norwich, and

another body of them had a camp here on _Rising Chase_. _Lord

Willoughby_ in the meantime was governor of Lynn, which he secured

against all the attempts of the insurgents to obtain possession of it.

1553. _Lord Audley_ came to Lynn, and proclaimed _Lady Jane Grey_ queen

of England, the mayor and corporation concurring with him: but Jane’s

party did not prevail—the voice of the nation being decidedly in favour

of Mary.

1554. Trinity Hall underwent considerable alterations; the council room

being divided from the Stone-hall; &c.—The South-gates then also covered

with lead.

1555. A whale caught near this town—one account calls it a _small_

whale, and another calls it an _enormous_ whale: both describe, it as no

less than 40 feet long.

1556. The pipes taken up, which formerly supplied the Austin Convent

with water from Wootton common. That convent being dissolved it no

longer wanted that supply. But it shews how well provided it was in its

day.

1558. The _plague_ was in the town, and carried off great numbers of the

inhabitants: among them the _mayor and four aldermen_—one account says,

the whole five were mayors successively, in the course of that year; in

which case five mayors must have died here in the course of the year.

1559. Rood-Lofts and Images taken down, the ground at the east end of

the churches levelled with the other parts, and the windows furnished

with _glass_, instead of wooden shutters.

1560. Several persons came to Lynn by order of the privy council, to

take the state of St. James’s Church, but were opposed by the

corporation: of the strict correctness of which some doubt may be

entertained.

1561. Popish relics and mass-books burnt in the Tuesday market place.

1562. Sir Nic. Le Strange entered into a law-suit against Lynn, for the

_house of Corpus Christi_: (the hall, we suppose, belonging to the late

Gild of that name,) but nothing is said of the ground of the action, or

how it terminated.

1564. Marshland inundated, and much stock lost, especially in Tilney and

Terrington.

1566. Chimes first set up in St. Margaret’s, which played a different

tune each day of the week.

1567. St. Margaret’s Spire, with divers little crosses and ornaments on

different parts of the church, shot down by a Dutch ship that lay then in

the harbour. Which seems rather a blind and queer kind of a tale.

1568. Popish vestments and relics brought from St. John’s and Tilney,

and burnt in the market place.

1569. Marshland drowned, to the great loss and damage of the

inhabitants, many of whom were forced to leave their houses, and glad to

save their lives in boats which came to their assistance.

1570. Monday and Tuesday, the 2nd. and 3rd. of October, Marshland and

Wiggenhale overflowed with salt water, so that from Old Lynn to Mawdlin

bridge there were not left ten roods of the bank whole and firm, to the

great damage of the whole country, (see p. 116.)—Quere, _If this flood

and the preceding were not the same_: _some careless writer of memoranda

antedating it under_ 1569?—another account seems to have post-dated it

under 1570.

1574 or 1575. Earthquake and plague in this town. Also in the latter

year _Henry Wodehouse_, vice admiral of Norfolk, seized two fly-boats

here by process, which the mayor refused to serve, and thereby brought

great trouble on himself and several others.—In one MS. the admiral is

called _Sir Thomas Wodehouse_.

1576. Commissioners of Sewers cut off the water from Sechy river, which

worked the town mill, which caused great loss; no less than 1000 marks

having been laid out to bring the water hither.

The Queen about this time coming into Norfolk, was presented by our

corporation with a rich purse, finely wrought and adorned with pearl and

gold, containing 100 old angels of gold: the whole valued at 200_l._

1579. The town-ditches from the South-gate to Kettle-mills scoured, and

the walls also repaired and cast with black mortar.

1581. That part of St. James’s church that had not been demolished

repaired, and fitted up for a workhouse, to employ the poor in the

manufacture of Bays; which not found to answer the cost, was afterwards

given up.—St. Nicholas’ also was then repaired at considerable expense.

1582. Ringing having been here for some time disused, certain young

fellows, attempting to revive it, were opposed by divers of the aldermen,

which occasioned no small disturbance and the spending of a great deal of

money. But it is not said in what way it was spent, or how the affair

ended.

1583. Gaywood river new cast, from the Kettle-mills to the Purfleet

bridge.

1584. Lynn again visited by the Plague; on which account the _mart_ was

_removed from Damgate to the Tuesday market-place_; where it has been

kept ever since.

1585. The stone-bridge (High Bridge) taken down, and two arches of brick

added to it. The drain in Webster’s row, (Broad Street) also vaulted

over with brick.

1586. The manufacture of Bays having failed, divers poor people were now

employed at the Work-house in dressing hemp and making strings and tows

for the fishermen.

The stone bridge, or High Bridge, was now also new built: that is, as we

presume, the houses on each side, which had been pulled down: for the new

arches had been built the year before.

1587. The pinnacle or top part of St. James’s steeple taken down, and

the remaining part made flat and covered with tiles.—_Sir Robert

Southwell_, admiral of Norfolk, with several commissioners and justices

held a court of admiralty at Lynn, at which sixteen _pirates_ were

condemned, most of whom were executed at _Gannock_.

This year also _John Wanker’s wife_ and the _widow Porker_, were both

_carted_ here for _whoredom_, a crime which appears to have been then

greatly discountenanced in this town; so that those found guilty of it

were put in a cart, or fastened to its tail, and driven or dawn, through

the whole town, as spectacles of detestation. The business is now

managed differently.

1588. The memorable _Feast of Reconciliation_, which far excelled all

our other Lynn Feasts, was this year instituted. It was a meeting of the

mayor, some of the aldermen, common council-men, and the clergy, held the

first Monday in the month, to check discord, reconcile differences, and

decide all manner of controversies among the inhabitants. It was well

calculated to do good, and did much good, no doubt, while it was duly

attended to; but is become now as a tale that is told, and seems like

other feasts to be now fast passing towards oblivion.—This year Lynn is

also said to have furnished a pinnace to oppose the dreaded Spanish

Armada.

1589. Five sail of ships from this town formed part of the squadron of

Drake and Norris in their expedition against Spain; and it is said they

returned home safe without any loss.

1590. One _Margaret Read_ burnt here for _Witchcraft_—a reputed crime

deemed in those days as atrocious as murder, if not much more so. The

history of Lynn is sadly stained and disgraced with accounts of these

executions, or rather legal murders committed by the magistrates.—The

same year the foundation of the South-gate was secured from the danger of

being undermined by water.

1594. A violent storm or tempest, which began September the twenty-first

and lasted till the twenty-fourth.

1596. A new wind-mill erected at Gannock—occasioned probably by the

difficulty of obtaining a sufficient supply of water to work the town

water-mill.

1597. The great Mill-dyke from Sayer’s Marsh new cast. But the Mill

afterwards seems to have been in general but ill supplied with water. It

was at last given up, after having been the grist mill of the town time

immemorial. It stood by the Lancastrian school and new bridge. The lane

below took from it the name of _Mill-lane_.—Great sickness and mortality

in the town this year; particularly from March to July, when 320 persons

are said to have been buried in St. James’s church yard.—Other accounts

place this mortality in the following year.

1598. One _Elizabeth Housegoe_ executed for _Witchcraft_.—Another legal,

but most foul murder committed by Lynn magistrates.—One MS. mentions two

men of war, as fitted out this year, at the expense of this town and

Yarmouth.

1602. A severe shock of an Earthquake felt here on Christmas Eve.—also

the Windmill removed from the South gates to Kettle-mills: but not by the

earthquake, we suppose.

1604. A man executed for a rape, on a child under ten years of age.

1605. King James’s Charter was this year obtained, which greatly

augmented the privileges of the corporation; particularly in exempting

them from the jurisdiction of the Lord High Admiral, and investing the

mayor and burgesses with that power within this borough and its

liberties. This Charter is long and its grants most ample.

The town-clerk, _Vallenger_, also this year built the South Lynn

Almshouses, for four poor men. (see p. 1133, 1160, and 1185.) A great

fire broke out in High street, in which a man and his wife and family

perished. The Cistern at Kettle mills was made.

1606. A vessel of one hundred tons overthrown in this haven, in

February, and not recovered till April.

1607. A very high tide, which flowed up quite to the Tuesday

market-cross.

1616. One _Mary Smith_ executed here for _Witchcraft_ on the twelfth of

January:—one account says that she was _burnt_, and another that she was

_hanged_; but all may safely say she was _murdered_. Alexander Roberts,

one of the Lynn clergy, is said to have given an account of her

execution, in a treatise he published that year on Witchcraft.

1617. St. Nicholas’s Library founded by the mayor and burgesses.—One Dr.

Pearse gave 1000_l._ to the corporation, they to pay for it 5 per cent.

interest; but they disclaimed and would not accept it. (see Joseph

Cooper’s book, and Hall books No. 7,)—It is not said how the interest was

to be applied.

1620. Two large fishes cast here on shore, one thirty feet long, and the

other eighteen yards; but Mackerell is loath to believe the latter to be

so large, and thinks it could be only eighteen feet.—The old custom-house

now pulled down and rebuilt.—eight or nine ships driven up to St.

Germans, and several sunk at the Ball, so as not to be seen at low water

or dead neap. (J. Cooper’s MS.)

1621. A man drawn up by the rope of St. Margaret’s great bell and

killed.—The people prohibited going to Gaywood Fair; but the reason not

told.

1623. St. James’s church underwent additional demolition: one account

says, that it was now “_entirety_ pulled down,” which must be a mistake,

as the cross aisle is still standing, and forms a principal part of the

present workhouse.

1626. St. Ann’s Fort erected, and furnished with a number of great guns

from the Tower. The house adjoining, and the piazza, or covered walk,

supposed to have been erected about the same time.

1628. Chimes said to be now _first_ set up in St. Margaret’s: but it

seems to be a mistake, as we had heard of chimes there many years before,

(see under 1566.) Chimes are also said to be now first set up at St.

Nicholas’s.—On the 20th. December this year, the four varlets, or

sergeants at mace being absent from the mayor, his worship caused them to

be cried in different parts of the town:—what success attended this

curious experiment, or whether his worship ever found his lost or strayed

sergeants, does not appear.

1629. The Bedehouse repaired, and a pipe laid to it conveying thither

St. Margaret’s water.—Writing school established in the chamber over the

Butcher’s shambles, in Saturday market.—Those shambles furnished with a

weighing stool to weigh children. But it seems an odd idea, to have

children taken to the butcher’s shambles, to be weighed like hogs or

sheep.

1630. April 29. The White Friars steeple, or tower of the Carmelite

Convent in South Lynn, fell with a tremendous crash.—Draining of Paradise

now took place, which seems to have been before in a hoggish state—The

great muck-hill, at the East-gate, spread over St. Catharine’s ground,

close by.—One Beane, a tailor, indicted for ravishing his maid, but got

off, on paying a fine of 50_l._

1631. A high tide, overflowing the lands about the town, deprived it of

fresh water for a long time.

1633. The Ferry-boat sunk, by which eighteen persons were drowned.

1634. The mayor, Thomas Gurling, buried his wife, and married another

the next week.

1635. Five lads, who were here at school, going to wash in the river,

near the Ball, were there drowned.

1636. The Plague again in this town; on which account sheds or

pest-houses were erected under the town walls for the diseased, where

about 200 persons are said to have died.—Also 4th. November, a terrible

storm here; fourteen sail of ships lost in the harbour, and all hands

perished, according to one account.

1637. An order arrived from the archbishop, for the ground at the East

end of the churches to be raised, railed in, with steps to ascend

thither, and the communion tables, or alters to be there placed. This

was one of _Laud’s_ high-church projects, and one of those that increased

the public discontents, and hastened his and his sovereign’s downfal.—The

town this year assessed 200_l._ towards building a ship of war.—[Three

years before, the town, according to one account, was also assessed

1192_l._ towards building a ship of war, of 800 tons, and 260 men.]

Twelve Grampuses here cast on shore, seventeen, eighteen, and nineteen

feet long.

1638. The town store of gunpowder lodged in the Red Mount. Two weekly

foot-posts appointed for London: to go by turns, and have 30_s._ a year

for their wages.—The water-rent of a Brewhouse and Malthouse fixed at

5_l._ a year, and of a Brew-house only at 3_l._

1639. Thomas Toll, mayor elect, being very ill on Michaelmas day, had

the oaths administered to him in bed, at his own house.

1640. March 13. The sheriff’s precept arrived for the election of two

members for this borough, to serve in the parliament summoned to meet at

Westminster on the 15th of the following month; when Messrs. Doughty and

Gurlyn, the two senior aldermen, were chosen, with an allowance of _five

shilling a day_ while they attended their duty in the senate.—12 October

about 3 weeks before the meeting of the Long Parliament, the mayor,

_William Doughty_, apprised the Hall of two Letters just received from

the _Earl of Arundell_, one to the mayor, aldermen, and burgesses, the

other to the mayor himself, to induce them to return certain persons of

his nominating and recommending to the said parliament. On which it was

unanimously agreed and resolved, not to choose any other burgesses to

serve in parliament but such as are resident and inhabitants within the

corporation or borough. Messrs. _Thomas Toll_ and _John Percivall_, two

of the alderman, were accordingly chosen as representatives of Lynn, in

that memorable parliament: and they were the first ever elected here by

the voice of the _freemen of large_—the _Hall only_, or some part of it,

being till now the only and sole electors of our parliamentary

representatives. [Some, perhaps will be ready to say, that the case is

not much otherwise, even at present.]

1641. A sword-fish of an uncommon size came up to the town and was

taken. The town now also began to be fortified, and seven pieces of

brass ordnance or cannon were sent hither from London. Everything, in

short, both here and throughout the kingdom, was fast advancing towards

the great crisis which the nation soon after experienced. [How much that

period resembled the present, may deserve some consideration.]

1642. The three gates (the East, the South, and Gannock,) furnished with

draw-bridges.—Captain _Sherwood_, of Norwich, with a troop of dragoons

appeared before the town, and came close under St. Catharine’s wall by

the East Gate, demanding entrance, which the mayor and townsmen refused:

the gate being shut; and bridge drawn. The Earl of Manchester soon after

appeared with a strong force, and commenced the siege of the town on the

28th of August, and on the 16th of the following month the town

surrendered to him, with the loss of only _four_ men killed, and a few

wounded. According to the terms of capitulation every foot soldier of

his had 10_s._ paid him, and every foot officer a fortnight’s pay; which,

according to Mackerell, amounted to 3200_l._—We are told that our

principal Lynn commanders or warriors on this occasion were Sir Horace

Townshend, Captain Kirby, Capt. Atkin, Capt. Morse, Capt. Gurling, Capt.

Wharton, Capt. Brady, Capt. Davy, Capt. Marsh, and Lieut. Porter:—all

very loyal and royal, no doubt, but ingloriously conquered by their

jacobinic and democratic assailants. During this memorable siege, in the

afternoon of Sunday, September 3, an eighteen-pounder from a battery on

the west side of the river entered St. Margaret’s church at the west

window in sermon-time, took off a great part of one of the pillars, and

terribly frightened the whole congregation, but no body was materially

hurt—all left the church in the utmost terror and confusion. [_Of these

matters_, _and subsequent proceedings and regulations here_, _see Part_

IV. _Chap._ IV. p. 754, &c.]

October 9. same year (1642) there was an order of the Hall, (or of the

new constituted authorities,) that the _Charters_ should be _read_ by the

Town-Clerk, in _English_, “that those of that body might the _better

understand what then were sworn to maintain_.”—We cannot discover that

any thing of the kind was ever thought of here, but at this time of

republican predominance: at all other times the members of the Hall, as

well as the freemen at large, were called upon to swear to maintain

certain unknown rights—a something they knew not what.—Nineteen out of

twenty, perhaps, of our present freemen have been thus solemnly sworn,

which must render those freemen the most disreputable and contemptible

part of our whole population: for what can degrade any man more than to

submit to swear what he does not understand?

1643. January 2. Parliament ordered that the mayor, aldermen, and

common council of Lynn, should pay and allow their two representatives,

out of the town stock, as large an allowance per diem as they had used to

pay any of their aldermen that had represented that town in

parliament.—The corporation would fain have evaded this expense—partly on

the plea, that the _whole body of freemen_ had a voice in the election of

these two members, and _not the Hall alone_, as usual; and therefore that

this payment should not rest solely on the latter. But their chief plea

was poverty, and having no town stock. It was however not admitted, and

our corporation at last agreed to pay their two representatives 5_s._ a

day during their attendance in parliament.

March 20. _Oliver Cromwell_ (then called _Col. Cromwell_) visited this

town, and was entertained here at the expense of the corporation.

{1200}—The curious painted glass, in the windows of St. Margaret’s

church, taken down this year, and replaced with plain glass.

1644. Ships coming hither from places infected with the plague obliged

to observe quarantine fourteen days, one half in the roads and the other

in White Friar’s Fleet—_Col. Valentine Wauton_ was now governor, and

_Miles Corbet_ recorder of Lynn—both of whom sat afterwards as judges at

the king’s trial, and finally suffered among the condemned regicides.

1645. In February _Sir Thomas Fairfax_ visited Lynn, and was entertained

at the expense of the corporation.—_Dorothy Lee_ and _Grace Wright_ were

also murdered here legally by the magistrates; or, in other words,

_hanged for witchcraft_.—The plague visited the town again this

year.—_Col. Hobart_ became now governor, and _Guybon Goddard_ deputy

recorder of Lynn.

1646. The eleventh of May this year was rendered not a little

conspicuous among our memorable days, by a most curious resolution of the

Hall, expressed as follows in our volume of extracts—“It is this day

ordered that alderman Th. Rivett be requested to send for Mr. _Hopkins_

the _Witch-Discoverer_ to come to Lynn, and his charges and recompense to

be borne by the town.”—This year also the charge of the Town Records was

committed to one _Ticket Browne_, who had been turned out for erasing and

falsifying them, thirteen years before.—The town having suffered much by

means of _Lord Paulet_, parliament ordered reparation to be made out of

his estate.—see p. 761.

1648. A woman was hanged here, for killing her child: Her name supposed

to be _Rose Warne_, of whose penitent death Mr. Horn, then vicar of South

Lynn, published an account.—The ruinous state of the town being now

represented to parliament, they voted “2000 oaks for reparation thereof.”

see p. 761.

1649. Lease of three Ferry-rights granted to John Bird, at 10_l._ per

annum, and a _brace of well-fatted Swans to the mayor_.

1650. An insurrection of royalists now took place in this county, and

the Lynn garrison employed in its suppression.—One _Major Saul_ was then

taken and hanged here in the Tuesday Market-place, see p. 769.—_Dorothy

Floyd_ (or _Lloyd_,) murdered by our magistrates: (that is, _hanged for

witchcraft_:)—one of the blessed effects, we may suppose, of Hopkins the

witchfinder’s late visit.—October 16. Shops ordered to be shut up every

Thursday during Lecture-time, to the end that people and their servants

might attend the hearing the word of God—_This order was issued by the

very people who had sent for the witchfinder_; so that we cannot attach

much merit to it.

1651. Lynn petitioned parliament against the erection of Denver Sluice,

which was probably no injudicious step.

1652. The Lynn garrison dissolved.

1653. One _Say_ hanged here for _killing her husband_—one account says

it was by _poison_.—The South gate was now let to Henry Bloy at 1_l._

5_s._ a year, and the East gate to James Browne at 1_l._ 15_s._ which

shews that the town had then more intercourse with the country by the

_East_ than by the _South gate_.—There being before this year only _six_

corn meters, but they were now increased to _ten_.

1654. The town obtained a very advantageous charter from the Protector,

of which we have not been able to get sight of any copy or transcript.

It was probably destroyed at the restoration.

1655. Lynn now again garrisoned.

1656. The generals Rippon and Desborow elected members for this town,

and their charges (we suppose 5_s._ per diem) ordered to be paid by the

corporation.—St. George’s Hall now converted into an _Exchange_.

1657. Front of the Free-School-Master’s house rebuilt at the charge of

the corporation—Rent of the two gates advanced from 1_l._ 5_s._ and 1_l._

15_s._ to 15_l._ a year, which seems to indicate the thriving state of

the town during the protectorate.—During this and some of the preceding

years, a mighty stir was made here for the suppression of vice, and

especially of _profane swearing_, _excessive drinking_, and _tippling_,

which greatly affected the publicans, or ale-house-keepers, who were then

very heavily fined, which occasioned great discontents and complaints on

their part and that of their customers.—The money thus raised said to be

applied towards paving and improving the town. Of that stir see pp. 773,

&c.—The mayor now agreed to take _forty shillings_ instead of two fatted

swans from the Ferry-man.

1658. St. James’s church yard became the parish being-ground, there

being no longer any room left for burying in St. Margaret’s

churchyard.—One _Dorothy Warden_, alias _Billins_ hanged for killing her

child.—_Oliver_ died, and was succeeded in the Protectorate by his son

_Richard_, to whom an _Address_ was voted by this corporation on the 8th

of October.

1659. Jan. 3. The right of electing burgesses or members of parliament

determined to be in the _Hall_, and _not in the freemen at large_: the

two members, _Toll_ and _Lloyd_ were accordingly now elected by the

Hall.—Jan. 14. Ordered that the chamberlain take of all townsmen who

build Booths at the Mart, 6_d._ and of strangers 10_d._ a foot for their

ground.

1660. April 13. The freemen at large claiming again, rather

clamorously, a voice at the election of burgesses, the Hall thought

proper to give way; _Hare_ and _Walpole_ were accordingly elected by the

freemen at large.—May 29, 300 Young maids, dressed all in white, (200 of

them at the expense of two wealthy individuals,) paraded through the

principal streets, by way of joy and triumph for the king’s restoration,

see p. 797.—Divine service now performed at St. Margaret’s, in summer at

5, and in winter at 6 o’clock in the morning, which had not been the case

for the last ten years.

1661. Alderman Keeling expelled the Hall for _non-residence_.—Rent of

South-gate tolls lowered from 15_l._ to 5_l._ a year.

1662. An impost of 1_s._ per chalder laid on all coals brought by

strangers, and applied to the relief of the Poor, who were here then very

numerous and much distressed, notwithstanding, the blessed restoration.

1663. Several Friends or _Quakers_ were now also imprisoned here for

nonconformity, which shews how friendly the restoration proved to liberty

of conscience.—“Many musters and shews (says Mackerell,) were performed

by the _Trained Bands_, who took the oaths of allegiance and supremacy to

the king with all imaginable chearfulness.”—Tolls of the East gate let

for one year at 11_l._

1664. Price of coals advanced this year from 17_s._ to 30_s._ and

upwards.—Lord _Townshend_ elected _lord high steward_.

1665. The plague again this year visited Lynn and committed great

ravages; on which account the gates were shut and even the mackerell

carts not suffered to enter.

1666. Plague continued and no Mart kept—markets also discontinued, and

all communication with the country suspended.

1667. A woman, named Wharton, hanged for killing her child.

1670. Duke of Richmond and lord Townshend entertained here at the

expense of the Hall—great fear here of a Quo-warranto for issuing

farthing tokens—_Worsted Weavers_ petition parliament to have a Dyer and

Calender settled here.—Proclamation relating to decayed houses: [to be

seized by the corporation unless timely repaired.]

1671. August 11. Sir Robert Steward apprizes the corporation of the

king’s intention to visit Lynn in the course of the following month:

100_l._ is therefore ordered to be paid into the Chamberlain’s hands to

provide for that occasion. Provision was accordingly made, but his said

majesty did not come. Nov. 10. The whole banquet provided for the king,

voted to the mayor for the sum of 10_l._

1672. Address to his majesty acknowledging his grace and favour in

pardoning the corporation for coining farthings.—_Duke of Ormond_, &c.

entertained here at the expense of the Hall.

1673. Giles Alden, common council-man expelled the Hall for

non-residence or frequent absence.

1676. William Pearson hanged here for shop lifting.—Mr. _Helcote_ laid

the foundation of _Broad-street Almshouse_, which was next year completed

by _Framingham_.

1677. One _John Swift_, a shop-breaker, hanged.

1678. Application made by the Hall to Thomas Goddard Esq. son of the

late Recorder, Guybon Goddard, for his father’s MS. Collections relating

to the antiquities of this town—but it is supposed without success:—20

guineas however were offered for them.—The elder _Turner_ began now to

acquire consequence here, being, as Mackerell says, common council-man,

mayor-elect, parliament-man, and captain of the Trained Bands, all in the

space of two years.

1679. The corporation signified their intention, not to have any in

future to represent the town, in parliament, but some two of their own

townsmen.—_Wm. Basset_, _M.D._ resigned his aldermanship; deeming its

duties incompatible with those of his medical profession. [What would he

have thought had he gone _out of town_ to live?]—One _John __Page_, an

old offender, was hanged here this year: one account says, it was for

breaking open several shops.

On the 3rd of July this year, there was a _great fire at Market-Dereham_,

which burnt a great part of that town, and reduced the sufferers to great

distress; which Lynn affected deeply to commiserate, and a collection was

made here for them, amounting in all, if we are not mistaken, to 110_l._

but it ought surely to have been more, considering the state of the case,

and that the aldermen went about to collect through their different

wards:—(which appears from the book of Extracts so often referred to)

1680. Sir Henry Hobart and Sir Taylor returned burgesses for this

town.—A grampus was taken 22 feet long and 7 feet deep.—Mackerell says,

that St James’s church began now to be made a spinning-school for the

collectioner’s children; but we know not what he meant by _Collectioner_.

1681. The mart this year kept in Common Stath yard. Nov. 4. a committee

appointed to report if the said yard was convenient for keeping the mart

there in future—[it probably did not appear to them a convenient place

for that purpose, so that the mart was kept there but one year.]

1682. The mayor, with several aldermen and common council-men met the

king at Newmarket, and there presented an Address to him.—A committee

this year appointed for erecting a public workhouse: accordingly we find

that St. James’s church was now fitted up for that purpose.—Two new

_May-poles_ were also this year set up in the town; one in the Market

place and the other at the Fort.

1683. Lord Mowbray, Earl of Arundell, Lord Lieutenant of the county,

entertained at the public charge.—The governor and guardians of the

workhouse incorporated, under the dignified names of _Master and Brethren

of St. James’s Hospital_.

1684. The Earl of Arundell, Lord Lieutenant of the County, and now Duke

of Norfolk, again entertained here at the public charge.—New altar-piece

set up at the church, which cost near 200_l._—Our Charters were now also

surrendered to the king, who on that occasion conferred on the two

aldermen, _Turner_ and _Taylor_, the honour and dignity of

_knighthood_.—On the 18th. of August this year it was ordered at the

Hall, that every new-elected alderman, in lieu of the customary treat,

should pay 10_l._ and a common-council-man 20 nobles, for the benefit of

the new work-house; which was continued above 40 years.—(see under

1725)—None now admitted to their freedom unless they had taken the

sacrament within the preceding year.

1685. Febr. 10. James the second proclaimed, and an address to him

agreed upon, four days after—Nov. 9. The _may-pole_ in the market place

taken down to be replaced by the _king’s statue_.—The two aldermen

_Turner_ and _Taylor_ elected members for the town.—Petition transmitted

and recommended to them concerning _the decay of the stocking trade_ here

by the introduction of _weaving_, instead of _knitting_. See more about

it under 1690.

1686. April 13. The anniversary of their majesties coronation kept here

with no small pomp and parade; and the king’s statue set up at the same

time with extravagant rejoicings, in the market place, where the may-pole

had formerly stood.

1687. This town presented a very loyal address to his majesty, agreed

upon 19th. September.—In November Lord Cornbury and others visited Lyon

and were entertained at the public charge.

1688. Sunday 29th. of January being appointed a day of Thanksgiving for

the queen’s pregnancy, was kept here with wonderful solemnity: the mayor

and whole corporation, in their formalities, attended at morning and

evening service, _to render thanks to Almighty God for so signal a

blessing_; and after evening service they repaired to the custom-house to

drink the king’s health with a bonefire.

29th. of June another thanksgiving day was kept here, for the queen’s

delivery and birth of the prince.—The king was also now loyally

addressed.—Such was the loyalty and piety of our ancestors in the reign

of James the second.—His majesty after seizing the charters, and removing

several members of the Hall, and replacing them with others whom he

thought better of, had his pious projects, and paternal plans and

purposes suddenly interrupted and frustrated, by the arrival of the

Prince of Orange on the 5th. of November—which brought on the

_Revolution_.

1689. The convention parliament, having met on the 22d. of January,

declared the throne _abdicated_, and offered the same to the prince and

princess of Orange, which they soon agreed to accept; and they were

crowned on the 8th. of April.—On the 27th. of September the Fort guns at

St. Ann’s, which had been removed to Hull, were returned, and placed in

their former situation.

1690. In our extracts from the Hall books, the following passage occurs,

under the date of Jan. 17th.—“On Petition of the Hosiers of this town in

behalf of the poor, against the new invention of _weaving_ worstead hose,

whereby many thousands of poor are destitute of employment. It is this

day ordered and agreed that a Petition from this house (the _Hall_,) to

the honourable House of Commons, representing that grievance, now read,

to be sealed with the common seal of this Burgh.”

Aug. 29. Henry Framingham, now chosen mayor, remitted the usual fee of

100_l._ In other respects he was an unfeeling, intolerant being, as

appears by the shameful persecution that was carried on here during his

mayoralty, and that of his immediate successor, against one of the

dissenting ministers and his congregations—see p. 861, &c.

1691. Dec. 21. Benjamin Holly’s fine of 30_l._ for declining the

mayoralty mitigated to 21_l._

1692. March 13. Fishing in Gaywood river, as far as the double bridge,

declared to be the right of the corporation.

1693. King John’s cop repaired at the expense of 12_l._ 10_s._

1694. Great inconvenience having arisen of late from large ships

occupying Dowshill, Purfleet, Mill, and Whitefriars Fleets, to the

exclusion of Keels, Barges, Boats, Lighters and other open vessels,

whereby many of the latter, left exposed to the violence of the flood and

ebb tides were damaged or lost.—the mayor, aldermen, and common council,

on the 29th. of January this year, ordered that no person thenceforth do

lay, or suffer to be laid, any vessel of the burden of 20 tons or

upwards, in any of those Fleets, otherwise than ancient and accustomed

ship seats, &c. under the penalty of 3_s._ 4_d._ for every tide they did

as offend—the mayor reserving the power of permission on extraordinary

occasions.—4th. June, Meter’s pay fixed at _one penny_ each chalder of

coals of _freemen_, and _two pence_ of _strangers_; and on tonnage goods,

a pence a ton of freemen, and 4 pence of strangers.

1695. March 11. The Hall signed an address to his majesty, in the

feature of an association, to stand by and assist him against all his

enemies.

1696. Outgoings or expences in maintaining the water-works for the last

ten years exceeded the income by 288_l._ 13_s._ 6_d._—The expenditure

being 1427_l._ 7_s._ 8_d._ and income 1338_l._ 14_s._ 2_d._

200 sail of Colliers and coasters, in running for Lynn deeps in a storm,

were all wrecked, and near 1000 persons perished. (Norfolk Remem.)

Scarcity of coals, and price greatly advanced.

1697. The Hall gained a cause in a trial with Leonard Hutton, before

Lord Chief Justice _Holt_.—They also petition parliament for the removal

of the dam and sluice near Salter’s Load, and preserving of

navigation.—The _Bagges_, _Brownes_, and _Scarlets_, now begin to make

some figure here.

1698. Pictures of Edward VI. and James I. presented to the Hall by

alderman Robinson.—Juggard succeeds Haslewood as Lecturer.

1699. _John Cary_ succeeds, _Osborne_ as writing master, and is to teach

6 poor boys gratis, and to instruct all the children in the Church

Catechism.—This is the first prominence of the Carys.—A ship now sent to

Norway for pump-wood, or timber for water-pipes, at the adventure and

charge of the mayor and burgesses.

1709. Another ship freighted to Norway for pump-wood for the

water-works.

1701. The Head Porters and Meters being convicted of bribery and

defrauding the king of his dues, were all discharged; but about a month

after some of them were restored, by giving bond with one security in

20_l._—August 29. the elder Pyle appointed Lecturer.—Nov. 24. Noblemen,

knights, esquires, and clergymen exempted from tolls here.

1702. Dr. Little succeeds Mr. Fysh as minister of St. Margaret’s.

1703. Sept. 24. The Boale, or World’s End, with the houses thereon, and

the rights and duties attached to the same, bought of Robert Elsden, by

the corporation, for 130_l._ and 20_l._ more at the end of five years

from that date, (see p. 873)—Towards the latter end of November this

year, happened that dreadful national calamity commonly distinguished by

the name of _the great storm_, of whose effects here, see p. 874.

1704. The gloom of the former year succeeded and dissipated by the

triumphs of Marlborough at _Blenheim_, which occasioned great rejoicings

throughout the kingdom, of which Lynn largely participated, as appears by

its address to the throne, see p. 874.

1705. The gentlemen of the counties of Bedford and Huntingdon prefer a

serious charge of arbitrary and exorbitant exactions, or extortion

against this corporation, see p. 879.

1708. Lynn harbour said to be now in a most wretched and alarming state,

see 888.—In the course of this year also, according to one of our MS.

accounts, two children were hanged here for felony, one eleven, and the

other only seven years of age.

1714. Dr. Thurlin’s library deposited in St. Margaret’s church, in a

commodious place fitted up for its reception, to which the old church

library was at the same time removed: a faculty being obtained from the

bishop.—The same year the first commemoration sermon for _Framingham_ was

preached at St. Nicholas’s, by Mr. _Pyle_, for which he had 20_s._ and

10_s._ more _for reading the Will_—which, are still continued.

1715. The first rebellion in behalf of the Pretender broke out. See p.

894.

1719. January 26. Ordered that none be admitted into Gaywood Hospital

under 60 years old.

1720. John Cary junior (father of our late alderman of that name)

elected master of the Writing-School—the aldermen Berney and Scarlet

being then Governors and Inspectors of the same.

1721. Our corporation now, apprehensive of losing the navigation of the

Cambridge river, (from the representation of a Mr. Stafford of Denver,)

which they thought proper to communicate to the corporation of

Adventurers. The result not stated.

1723. Two new galleries erected in St. Margaret’s church, on the sides

of the organ loft; with projections for two particular families.—This

year (or during the mayoralty of William Allen, which commenced at

Michaelmas,) _Thomas German_ (says one MS.) was hanged here for burglary,

on the gallows out of the South Gates—Cooper’s MS. calls him _Jarmey_, in

a memorandum which reads thus—“1723: A night watch set up for all the

year, and the _king’s watch_ dropt here, being one Jarmey, who broke into

several houses, and was hanged for the same out of the South Gates.”—The

same MS. referring to the same year, has this passage—“A great fleet of

ships lost on Christmas day; Mr. Vinkerson’s ship right against West Lynn

church, laden with coals.”—Dr. Browne this year gave great offence to the

Hall and especially the mayor—of which see p. 900.

1724. The chapel chimes, which formerly played but one tune, were this

year altered, and made to play several tunes.

1725. Ever since 1682 it was customary for each alderman upon his

election to give 10_l._ and each common-council-man 6_l._ 13_s._ 6_d._

towards the Workhouse: but this year Mr. Thomas Allen, being chosen

alderman, refused to comply with this custom, and thereby occasioned the

cessation of those laudable donations. (Cooper’s MS.)—From the book of

Extracts it seems it was in 1726 Mr. T. A. became an alderman.—The

harbour now in a most wretched state, see p. 901.—And this year 1725 (if

we are not mistaken, for the last figure is not very plain) Cooper’s MS.

mentions a _great tide_, which happened on the 8th. of March, and came

into a Warehouse in Puddin Lane, where was a quantity of unslaked lime,

which being wetted became so hot as to set some deals that lay there on

fire, so as to endanger the firing of the town. He seems indeed to say

that it was a piece of _iron_ heated by the quick lime which set the

deals on fire.

1726. _Henry Southwell_, a freeman, charged by the corporation (unjustly

it seems) with having violated his oath of freedom, and threatened with

disfranchisement.

1727. The mayor, Mr. Thomas Allen issued an order to the _barbers_, to

_prohibit them to shave on Sundays_—of which see p. 910.—February 3rd.

this year the above Henry Southwell was disfranchised.

1728. The decree of disfranchisement against Mr. Southwell was rescinded

On the 29th. of April this year; of which see further at p. 902, and

3.—Of this year’s mayor, _Goodwin_, and his successor _Taylor_, see pages

910 and 11.

1730. April 6. Our corporation made a remonstrance to the corporation

of the Bedford Level against repairing Denver Sluice: which was probably

very right.

1731. Great complaints of the decrease of trade &c. here this year. But

among the occurrences of this period the most deplorable and shocking was

the _murder of Ann Wright_, a publican, by one _George Smith_, who had

been let into the house in the dead of the night by the servant, _Mary

Taylor_, for which she was burnt at a stake in the Tuesday market-place,

and the man was hanged on a gallows, 17 yards distant, on Thursday the

1st. of April, see p. 912 and 914.

1738. Law-suit between the corporation and alderman Thomas Allen, who

was charged with attempting to evade the customary payment of 1_d._ per

quarter for corn sold by him to unfreemen. See p. 918.

1741. On the 9th of September a violent hurricane which blew down the

spires of St. Margaret’s and St. Nicholas’s and did immense damage all

about the country.—St. Margaret’s spire falling on the body of the church

demolished a great part of it—the rebuilding began in 1742, and was

completed in 1747.—see pp. 919, 20, 21.

1742. State of the harbour growing still worse, an application to

parliament on that occasion was made the latter part of this year: see p.

922, &c.

1745. The second rebellion in behalf of the Pretender commenced: of its

effects at Lynn, see p. 926, &c. also pp. 1073, and 4.

1747. A contested Election this year between Turner and Folkes; and the

most violent perhaps ever witnessed in Lynn: for the particulars see p.

947 to 952.—A great many here now made free gratis, see p. 931.

1749. _Charles Holditch_ executed for burglary, see the page last

referred to.

1751. _William Chaplain_, for the murder of _Mary Gafferson_, was hanged

in chains on a gibbet upon South Lynn Common, see p. 932.

1753. The New Walks laid out and the trees planted.—Also the Tuesday

Market-place new paved.—One Jumper condemned for the murder of Jones, was

afterwards reprieved and transported for life.

1754. One Elizabeth Neivel stood in the pillory.—Also one Hannah Clark

_ducked_ for _scolding_.

1755. Certain profitable appointments attached to our Recordership, and

the mayor’s annual salary settled at 100_l._—see 933, and 4.

1759. The West Norfolk militia reviewed on Sayer’s Marsh, by the Earl of

Orford, previous to their being called out on actual service.

1760. Mayor secured from any charges incurred through neglects of gaoler

and serjeants.—October 29. the king died in his 77th. year. In his reign

_Methodism_ sprung up in these kingdoms.—see p. 934, 5, etc.—The present

inglorious era and disastrous reign now commenced.

1761. The tower of All Saints or South Lynn church fell down, to rise no

more. See p. 943.—About the same time a large whale was taken here near

Darsingham, 56 feet 9 inches long, and 34 feet 4 inches in girth, see p.

944.—A man and his wife transported, he for 7, she for 14 years, the

cause not noted.

1763. December 2. A dreadful high wind and tide here, which did great

damage among the shipping, many of which were wrecked on the coast:

cattle and sheep also in vast numbers were drowned in Marshland, and

about Snettisham, &c.

1764. The town served a vile trick by the mayor, which they seem to have

submitted to very tamely, see 945.

1765. A shocking murder committed here by one _Rudderham_.—See 945, and

6.

1766. January 27. Rudderham hanged here for the above murder of Leonard

Wilson, near the Rope Walk.

1768. A great contested election here between _Turner_ and _Molineux_.

See 946.

1769. The corporation had a great law-suit with Mr. Carr, about the

fleet on both sides of Littleport-bridge. Of this affair see p. 952.—Two

men in a boat carried away by the strong current of a land-flood on the

10th of April to sea, and picked up there and brought home on 19th.

1770. Our corporation suddenly became mighty patriots and violent lovers

of liberty.—see 953.—_Pilling_ hanged here for a rape.

1771. _Wilkes_ visited Lynn, to the no small joy of our patriotic

corporation, who entertained him sumptuously and conferred on him the

freedom of this ancient borough. See 954.—Different temper of the town

when _Thelwall_, another great patriot, visited it above 20 years after.

Ibid.

1772. St. Margaret’s church damaged by a thunder storm.

1779. On new-years day there was a strong gale and a very extraordinary

tide, the highest known here in the memory of man; which overflowed and

demolished the sea banks in many places, and did vast damage in and about

this town.—The Lynn armed association was also formed in the course of

this year, under the command of Captain _Thames Day_—and continued

embodied till 1785. See 958.

1782. A woman, named _Howard_, stood here in the pillory—we know not for

what crime.—Towards the close of this year _Beeton_ robbed the mail; and

he was executed the 17th of the following February. See 960.

1783. _Isaac Levi_, a Jew lad, robbed, by one _Robert Fox_, on the road

between Lynn and West Winch, and left apparently dead; for which Fox was

hanged, 7th. of September, on Hardwick common.

1784. Another contested election here, when Mr. _Fountaine_ was one of

the candidates, but was unsuccessful.—See 961.

1785. November 5. the Recorder being ill, the mayor, William Bagge, sat

as sole judge at our sessions, and upon the conviction of John Bradley

and another person, his said worship passed on them the sentence of

transportation:—but with what solemnity, if any, we have not learnt.—So

late at the 24th of November this year, a Mr. Berry brought to town some

young rooks from Mr. Fisher’s Carr at Tilney.

1788. On the 5th of November the centenary of the revolution was here

kept by a select party. The same was then done at _Holkham_ and other

places . . . see 965, and 1083. About nine days after, it was also kept

here at the Hall, by the corporation, with no small parade, and thought

by some to rival if not excel the Holkham Fete.—A strange report of an

extraordinary adventure of one of our Greenland captains this year—see p.

964.—The autumn and winter of this year were distinguished by the _king’s

memorable illness_, which almost broke the hearts of half his subjects,

and overwhelmed the whole nation with grief and dismay. In this

affliction Lynn, without doubt, shared largely:—but it happily proved not

of long duration.

1789. On the 12th of February his majesty was pronounced to be in a

state of progressive amendment; and by the 18th of March he was deemed

fit to resume the royal functions. The joy and exultation of the public

now equalled their former grief and dismay, and they might be said to

have gone from one extreme to the other. On the evening of the day last

mentioned this town was most splendidly illuminated, and exhibited the

most unequivocal tokens of its joy, and demonstrations of its

loyalty.—See p. 969.—The 23rd of April was observed as a day of

thanksgiving for the king’s recovery.—See p. 970.

1791. The law-suit between this corporation and that of London was

determined in favour of the _Dentons_ and other London freemen.—See p.

970.

1792. Effects of the _royal proclamation_ against tumultuous meetings

and seditious writings, and of Reeves’s _Crown and anchor association_

manifested here.—See p. 973.

1794. In consequence of great complaints of the defective and decayed

state of the Fen Drainage, the Eau-brink Cut was proposed and approved of

as a remedy. Our trained bands or armed association again revived—and

the _Lynn Volunteers_, infantry and cavalry, landsmen and marines,

blunt-shooters and sharp-shooters, made their appearance among us. They

consisted of different corps, but the most numerous was commanded by

Colonel Everard, which was about three years after disbanded:—most of the

others still remain, see 977, &c.—A violent thunderstorm happened this

year, when a young girl was killed here by the lightening.

1796. February 23. Eleven persons lost their lives in attempting to

cross the river in the Ferry-Boat—see 978.—The preceding day a Marshland

man, of the name of _Fuller_, going to see the wild beasts, and putting

his hand to a Lion’s mouth, narrowly escaped being torn to pieces by

him.—April 25. The Free-masons, went in procession, from the Maid’s Head

Inn to St. Margaret’s church, where a sermon was preached to them by _Dr.

Lloyd_, the present Hebrew Professor at Cambridge; all this preparatory

or introductory to the instituting and consecrating a _new lodge_ of Lynn

Free Masons: see p. 1120, &c.

1797. A whale, measuring 44 feet, caught in Lynn channel.—An improved

method of cleaning Wheat seed discovered by some of our farmers: see p.

979.—The subscription Library established this year; of which see p.

1176.—In April this year, _prince William_ (now duke) _of Gloucester_

visited Lynn, and, after reviewing the Volunteers and dining with the

mayor, was admitted to the freedom of this borough.

1798. Lynn and Freebridge Yeomanry Cavalry, under Colonel Taylor,

embodied. Divers other such corps in our vicinity sprung up about the

same time—the martial ardour of the time extended even to the

priesthood.—On 29 Dec. this year the Thermometer said to be at 3 below 0:

see p. 981.

1799. The _Lynn and Wisbeach Packet_, and also the inglorious _Income

Tax_ commenced their progress and operations: the former with far less

success than the latter.—A great controversy soon after arose here about

the termination of the century; one party placing it at the close of

this, and the other at the close of the following year: so that the

controversy rested on this curious ground, whether or not 99 was equal to

100.

1800. _St. Catherine’s Gates_, commonly called East Gates, taken down

after having stood above 700 years.—Sept. 3. The dearness of provisions

caused here a considerable commotion among the common people; and _Mr.

Forster_, a flour merchant, was very roughly treated by some of them.—The

attempt of Hadfield upon the king’s life, at the theatre, this summer,

caused no small agitation here and throughout the nation: two very loyal

addresses were now presented to his majesty, by our _corporation_ and the

_inhabitants_.

1801. The old building or tower, called the Black Mount, on the town

walls, fell this year without doing much damage, as the ropers had just

left it, being their dinner time.—816_l._ 9_s._ subscribed here this

year, to furnish the poor with _pease-soup_, which was served out to them

from the Town Hall thrice a week, by reason of the extreme dearness of

provisions.—Also one _Peter Donahue_ executed here for forgery.—The

_Peace of Amiens_ excited no small joy here, and the town was illuminated

on the occasion.

1802. A grand Fete given at Refley Spring, when a whole sheep, roasted

(says one account,) was served up at dinner, as a _peace-offering_ to the

friends of Refley [which _friends of Refley_, we may suppose, were the

gods worshipped there that day.]

1803. The first act for _paving_ and improving the town was now

obtained.—The _new-road_, from the South gate to St. James’s End, was

also made this year.—Also the new Burying ground and Chapel consecrated,

by the then bishop of Norwich, Dec. 14.

1806. In the course of this year there was a very high tide which

demolished the remaining ruins of our Lady’s Chapel on the Bridge.—St.

Nicholas’s Chapel this same year thoroughly repaired and greatly improved

at a considerable expense.

1807. His royal highness the _duke of Clarence_, attended by _Earl

Cholmondeley_ visited Lynn, (13. October,) and they were both presented

with the freedom of this borough.

1808. The names of many of the Streets of the town were this year most

capriciously, childishly, and confoundingly changed; and the rage for

changing names appeared now so predominant, that some began to expect no

less than that the town itself was to receive a new name.

In the summer of this year the _Lancasterian School_ was established

here, of which see page 1145.

1809. In the month of October this year, the memorable _Jubilee_ took

place, which was kept and solemnized here with the greatest hilarity and

exultation, as if the commencement of the present reign had been the

introduction of the very millennium itself. It was a political manœuvre;

and not the first to which the British public have been the dupes.

1810. This year a negotiation took place, and was carried on for some

months, between _Mr. William Corston_ of Ludgate Hill, London, and the

Lynn _Court of Guardians_, in consequence of a proposal from the former,

to furnish employment for the _female_ children of the Lynn poor, in

plaiting of straw and knitting of hats, on certain terms and conditions:

_viz._ To be provided with a proper house for the manufactory, and a

dwelling for the superintendents, together with the loan of a large sum

of money, on proper security, for seven years, without interest.—This

notable treaty was opened in March, and after a number of Letters had

passed between the parties, it was closed by a Letter from the

_Registrar_ to Mr. Corston, dated Sept. 15. of which the following is a

copy—

“Sir, I was duly favoured with your Letter of the 20th. of August,

inclosing answers to my questions respecting your plan for employing

the female poor of this borough, which, with the sketch of the

proposed building, &c. transmitted to Mr. Dixon, I laid before the

Court of Guardians at their meeting, holden on Thursday last; who

after having given the matter their most mature consideration,

instruct me to inform you, that they entirely decline acceding to

your propositions. I therefore return you the several papers,

requesting you will be pleased to accept the thanks of the Court for

the trouble you have had in the business. I am, &c. J. _Smeatham_.”

So the affair ended; happily or otherwise, we take not upon us to say.

1811. St. Margaret’s church thoroughly cleaned, white washed, and

beautified, at considerable expense.—A new place of worship, called

_Salem Chapel_ erected—and premises Purchased, in Tower Street, for the

erection of the splendid Methodist minster.—Those premises cost between 8

and 900_l._ and the subsequent erection will cost between 4 and 5000_l._

more.—In the early part of this year, if we are not mistaken, Mr. Allen,

one of our common—brewers, relinquished his memorable attempt to dig a

well, after having sunk to the vast depth of 560 feet and spent a large

sum of money without success; so that it seems now that though Lynn is

situated in a bog, the ground below is as destitute of water as any spot

in the kingdom can well be. Some praise however seems to be due to Mr.

A. for having so long persevered in this arduous undertaking, attended as

it was with so much expense and discouragement. Some curious fossils,

and even bones; were said to be discovered there at a great depth.

On Saturday evening, Oct. 5, one of the ferry-men in a small boat, which

they use only occasionally, attempting to bring over from West-Lynn too

many passengers, the boat suddenly went down and every soul perished:

They were 9 if not more beside the ferry-man; and the boat was capable of

carrying safely not above half that number. This fatal disaster was

imputed to the perverse temerity of the boatman.

The last month of this year was rendered memorable by the death of the

most singular and excentric character in the whole town, and probably in

the whole county. His name was _Robert Pursglove_: he was descended from

very worthy and reputable parents, who belonged to the respectable

society of Friends or Quakers. With that society he himself was also

generally classed, although for many years past almost every shade of

resemblance between his character and theirs had disappeared. His

parents left him in possession of good property, which he managed most

strangely and in a manner peculiar to himself. He had a _Ship_, which he

might have sold for a good sum of money; but he had it laid up, till it

rotted all to pieces—a number of _hay-stacks_ he also had, which he might

have sold and turned to good account, but he would hear nothing of that,

and they were left, year after year, till they were quite spoilt and good

for nothing.—He had _kine_ and other cattle, which were of course

neglected and mismanaged—he lived in a large house, which he had

purchased, where formerly had resided one of our first families; but he

suffered every thing there to go to decay and utter ruin, till doors,

windows, floors, stair-cases, roofs, and every thing became perfect

pictures of desolation—his dogs, and even his swine and kine occupied

some of its best apartments, all ill-fed and half starved.—In this dreary

mansion of desolation he was himself at last found, in the agonies of

death, resulting from an apoplectic attack, and beyond the possibility of

deriving any relief from medical skill. He is said to have often wanted

food, though he left behind him property to the amount, as it is

reported, of near if not quite 10,000_l._—This sketch might be greatly

enlarged, but this will serve to give the reader some idea of the

eccentricities and peculiarities of this extraordinary person.

1812. This year has been yet distinguished by nothing more than a

miserable stagnation of trade, and a probability of the bread and beer

and other necessaries of life being dearer than ever. Nothing, in short,

appears to be going on here now with vigour or spirit, but the methodist

erection above mentioned and taxgathering; so that were we required to

name whatever is here at present in a very thriving state, or rapidly on

the increase, we should be able to mention scarce any thing besides these

two articles, _taxation_ and _methodism_.—As to the much talked of

_Evening Lecture_ at the Church, it will seemingly be given up at last;

our churchmen not having zeal enough to effect its accomplishment.—As to

the _Dispensary_, its prospect of success is far more flattering, and

there can be little doubt now of its speedy establishment: large sums

have been already subscribed, a house has been purchased, or is about to

be purchased, and every thing fairly promises the sure completion of the

undertaking, and the full application of its benefits to those classes of

the inhabitants for whose behoof or relief the institution is intended.

That it has succeeded better than the proposed _Lecture_, will perhaps be

considered by some people as an indication, that our wealthy churchmen

are more ready to provide for the _corporeal_ than for the _spiritual_

accommodation of their neighbours.—Of the notable plan of _economy_, so

laudably adopted, and so steadily pursued during the present mayoralty,

to save certain expenses usually attached to that important office, some

account has been given at pages 1087, and 1154.—Of the present state of

the _Workhouse_, and the prospect in regard to the future management of

it, and of the _poor-rates_, some further observations, in this latter

part of the work, were intended; but our information is too imperfect to

admit of our resuming these subjects at present: we can therefore only

say, that it is to be feared our sanguine hopes of being greatly

benefited by the new plan, or lately adopted system, will, after all,

terminate in useless regret and vexatious disappointment. Whatever they

may do on the other side, it seems now pretty clear that our managers are

not likely very soon to fall into the sin of being too frugal or

economical in the application of the public money. {1215}—Among the

extraordinary and memorable events of this year, the tragical exit or

assassination of our late premier will be expected, perhaps, to be here

noticed: and much as we do deplore that shocking catastrophe, we would

fain hope it will operate as a warning to all future ministers, not to

trifle with the serious complaints and sufferings of their fellow

subjects. What may be the results of that fatal and melancholy

occurrence, and the subsequent changes, it is impossible yet to say.

They seem to have already produced the _rescinding_ of the vile and

pernicious _orders of council_, which had reduced almost half the nation

to distress and beggary, and proved how easily the Americans can cramp

our manufactories. Should they also produce a redress of the grievances

complained of by the Catholics and other Dissenters, together with a

thorough parliamentary reform, and a general peace, we may still escape

national perdition, and even hope yet to see brighter and happier

days.—The convulsion and expulsion lately experienced at the

_Independent_, or rather _Presbyterian_ chapel, may be also placed among

the remarkable occurrences of this year. That congregation, it is hoped,

(and all our other congregations) will no longer tolerate _priestcraft_,

or submit to be _priest-ridden_. Whatever may be said of their

successors who denominate themselves _Independents_, our _Presbyterian

ministers_, we believe, were never chargeable with priestly domination.

_FINIS_.

ERRATA. {1216}

Page 638, last word of the contents of section III, for _ineffetual_ r.

_ineffectual_.—p. 638, l. 8, _for fovourite_ r. _favourite_—p. 735, l. 9,

after _them_ a _comma_.—p. 773, l. 2, after _conscience_ a

_semicolon_.—p. 782, last line but one, after _absentees_, a _comma_. —p.

794, l. 4, for _rejected_, r. _ejected_—p. 800, l. 5, after _stand_, r.

_by_.—p. 803, l. 21, after _rubbish_, a comma—p. 821, l. 9, for

_Guyborn_, r. _Guybon_.—same page, l. 19, after _even_ r. _the_.—p. 835,

l. 21, for _Assesiation_ r. _Association_—p. 847, Note, l. 19, for

_proceeding_ r. _preceding_.—p. 959, last line but one, for _egregiously_

r. _eggregiously_—p. 1027, note, l. 24, for _pastime_ r. _patience_.—p.

1087, l. 14, for _exegencies_ r. _exigences_.—p. 1106 l. 1, _comma_ after

_here_—p. 1127, note, l. 5, for _townsnen_ r. _townsmen_.—p. 1140, last

l. for 1570 r. 1590—p. 1142, note, l. 8, after _could_ r. _not_. —p.

1147, note, l. 2, after _much_ r. _to his_.

_Whittingham_, _Printer_, _Lynn_.

FOOTNOTES.

{625a} Such as the lawfulness of suppressing reputed error by violence,

or of contending for the faith and extirpating heresy by fire and sword.

{625b} For instance, translating the scriptures into the vulgar tongue,

and putting them into the hands of the common people, that they might

examine and judge for themselves.

{626a} _Bucer_ owns, as will be seen further on, that their converts

considered this doctrine as favourable to their licentious propensities.

{626b} “I say, (says _Calvin_,) that by the ordination and will of God

Adam fell. God would have man fall. Man is blinded by the will and

commandment of God. We refer the causes of hardening to God. The

highest and remote cause of hardening is the will of God. It followeth

that the hidden counsel of God is the cause of hardening.” [See

Barclay’s Apology, Edit. 1703, p. 113, where reference is made to those

places in Calvin’s Works where these expressions are found.] Those who

are acquainted with this reformer’s _Institution_, must know that many

passages to the same purpose, and equally strong, occur there.—Others of

the reformers come not a whit behind Calvin in the boldness of their

language on this topic.—“God (says _Beza_) hath predestinated, not only

unto damnation, but also unto the causes of it, whomsoever he saw meet.

The decree of God cannot be excluded from the causes of corruption.”—“It

is certain (says _Zanchius_) that God is the first cause of obduration.

Reprobates are held so fast under God’s almighty decree, that they cannot

but sin and perish.”—“God (says _Peter Martyr_) doth incline and force

the wills of wicked men into great sins.”—“God, (says _Zuinglius_) moveth

the robber to kill. He Killeth, God forcing him thereunto.” [See

_Barclay_, as before.]

{628a} Luth. Serm. in Postill. Evang. 1. Adv.

{628b} Luth. Serm. Dom. 26, post Trin.

{628c} Luth. in Serm. conviv.

{628d} Bucer de regn. Christ. 1, i. c, 4.

{628e} See Milner’s Letters to Sturges, 3d. Ed. p. 170, 171, &c. a work

that contains a great deal of very curious matter on these subjects, and

on most of the great points at issue between the catholics and their

opponents.

{629a} Calv. 1. vi. de scand. quoted by Milner, as before.

{629b} Erasm. Ep. 1. vi. 4.—It appears by the mode of expression here

used, that notwithstanding all the unfavourable and unchristian-like

effects of their ministry, they actually did, like some modern, labourers

in the same vineyard, boldly arrogate to themselves the exclusive name of

_evangelical_ ministers, or propagators of the genuine and pure _gospel_.

{630} Erasm ad. Frat. Infer. Germ, quoted by Milner, as before, p. 172.

{632} Mosheim, iii, 313.

{634} See Milner, as before: 182.—_Carlostadius_ was Luther’s first

disciple of any considerable note: and he co-operated with, and supported

him with great firmness and ability. But having ventured to alter the

mass, during Luther’s absence in the year 1521, and to deny the real

presence, the latter commenced a furious war against him and his

followers, and condemned them in terms of the utmost rancor and

bitterness. _Melancthon_ too (misnamed the _mild_) now calls him “a

brutal ignorant man, void of piety and humanity, one more a Jew than a

christian.”—a rare specimen of mildness and meekness!

{636a} See Milner as before, 188.—It is not said how Henry brooked all

this; but it was well for Luther that he was not within his reach. The

most curious circumstance is that “Luther, in giving an account of his

book, reproaches himself with having been _too mild_ in it towards the

king, saying that he did so at the request of his friends, in hopes that

his _sweetness_ would gain Henry.”—If such was Luther’s _sweetness_, what

could his _sourness_, or his _bitterness_ be?

{636b} Milner, 181.

{636c} Ibid, 132.—No wonder he should behave as he did to Cariostadius,

whose chief crime seems to be his having acted _without his authority_,

though in conjunction with Bugenhagius, Melanancthon, Jonas, &c. He

continued afterwards to persecute him with unrelenting virulence, and

nothing would satisfy him short of absolute submission to his sovereign

will and pontifical mandates. His banishment ensued. He appears to have

been one of the best men among the reformers. It seems, however, that

Luther was at last convinced of his misconduct in this affair, and

obtained permission for his return from exile. See Mosheim, IV. 30.

{637} See Milner, 123.

{638} See Milner, 185, 186, where the authorities are referred to.

{642} Their blindness generally proceeded from a fallacious kind of

reasoning, which is still very common among their orthodox descendants or

successors, but which, like a two-edged sword, cuts both ways. They

plead that they are the people of God, and are in the right way, so that

their cause is the cause of God and truth, and therefore the papists are

cruel persecutors when they deprive them of their lives or liberties.

When they are reminded of having themselves before now deprived the

papists and other christian sects of their liberties and lives, they

answer, that that was done very justly, as those sufferers were either

seditious persons or heretics, and what they did to them was in the way

of suppressing _sedition_ or restraining _heresy_. When they are told

that the papists excuse and justify their own violent proceedings against

the protestants much in the same way and with equal plausibility, they

will answer, that what the papists assert is not true. When they are

further told that the papists insist upon the truth of their allegations

and the falshood of those of the protestants, they will reply that the

papists belonging to a false church and influenced by a lying spirit, are

not to be credited, but as for them, being the people of God and

followers of the truth, their testimony ought to be received without

hesitation.—Thus their reasoning ends just where it began—We are God’s

people, and therefore our proceedings are not to be impeached! No better

reasoning can be expected in defence of injustice and persecution.

{644} Robinson’s Pref. to 3d. vol. of Saurin, p. xii.

{645} The French protestants, or Gallic Calvinists were no less bigoted

and intolerant than their brethren elsewhere. Their ministers, in 1563,

requested that in order to prevent the propagation of heresy and

monstrous opinions, the king would be pleased to receive into his royal

protection their confession of faith tendered to him in 1561, and the

profession of it; and to provide that atheists, libertines, anabaptists,

and Servetists should be severely punished. See Priestley’s

Ecclesiastical History, 6, 135.

{646} See p. 636.

{649} “He was called up to the cardinal (Wolsey) for heresie, where he

was content to subscribe and graunte unto such articles as they

propounded unto him.” Fox A. and M. p. 1736. This happened in 1529. In

1531 he was cited before the archbishop of Canterbury, Wareham, on fresh

charges of heresy, and forced to sign an abjuration of them—see Fox, p.

4738. The third time he was called upon, with certain others, to give an

account of his opinions, by Henry himself, on which occasion he escaped

by an absolute submission of himself to his supreme head in spiritual

matters. His fourth and last recantation was when he was deprived of his

bishopric, and committed prisoner to the Tower, where he lay till the end

of Henry’s reign, on suspicion of heresy, and for violating the fast and

abstinence of Good Friday.—It has been suggested that imprisonment did

not constitute the whole of his correction or chastisement on this

occasion, as Shaxton bishop of Salisbury was forced to recant his

Lutheran opinions, and carry a faggot at the burning of four other

protestants, in 1546; and it is not likely that Henry would have been

content with less from Shaxton’s fellow prisoner, Latimer, than a solemn

abjuration of his doctrine.—See Milner, as before, page, 196.

{650} See Milner, p. 196.—Latimer’s name is to the sentence of Joan of

Kent, who was burnt in 1549. See Burnet’s Hist. Ref. part ii. b. i. rec.

35. It also appears from Collier and Fox that he was one of the leading

bishops who sat at the trial of Lambert the martyr.—See Milner, as

before.

{651} See his signature to the sentence against Van Parre; in Burnet’s

H. Ref. as before.

{652a} See Milner, 194.

{652b} Fox A. and M.

{652c} Collier vol. ii. rec. 22.

{653a} Heylin Hist. Eliz. p. 89.

{653b} Collier vol. ii. rec. 24.

{653c} Collier, as before.

{653d} Burnet, Collect b. ii. n. 47.

{654a} The royal pair were married by Dr. Rowland Lee, in the presence

of Cranmer, the duke of Norfolk, &c. Nov. 14, 1532. Heylin Hist. Eliz.

p. 89. Stow fixes the marriage two months later, viz. Jan. 25, 1533.

Elizabeth was born September 7. 1583.

{654b} The prevailing notion seems to be, that Henry’s wish for a

divorce arose from his attachment to Ann Boleyn; but from a paper in the

3rd. volume of the Harieian Miscellany it appears to be unfounded. We

learn from that paper that archbishop Warham was from the first averse to

Henry’s marriage with his brother’s widow, but that Fox bishop of

Winchester inclined Henry VII. to be for it, as a dispensation from the

pope would remove all difficulties. It appears further that the king

(Henry VII.) afterwards thought with Warham: and the day the prince came

of age he by his father’s order protested against it as null and void.

His father also with his dying breath persisted in charging him to break

it off. The king continued to have scruples, and at last sent Cardinal

Wolsey to France to negotiate a match between him and the duchess of

Alencon about August 1527. After that Lord Rochford came over from

France with the picture of the duchess. His daughter Ann Boleyn, who was

in the duchess’ service, came over probably at the same time; and then it

was that Henry set his affection upon her.—There can be no truth

therefore in the report that she was the cause of alienating the king’s

affections from Catherine, and his scrupling the marriage. The Cardinal

returned from France September 30, 1527; and it was not till afterwards

that the king expressed to him his attachment to Ann Boleyn. Harl. Misc.

vol. 3. p. 43.

{655a} See letter in Burnet History Ref. b. iii. p. 200.

{655b} Burnet, p. 203.

{655c} The two sentences, the one of attainder for adultery, the other

of a divorce because of precontract, did so contradict one another, that

one if not both must be unjust. Burnet.

{655d} Heylin, Edw. p. 28.

{656a} Collier, vol. p. 218. Burnet.

{656b} See Milner’s 5th Letter to Sturges, whence the above passages or

quotations are taken, mostly verbatim.

{657a} Fuller says: “It cannot be denied that he had a hand in the

execution of Lambert, Frith, and other godly martyrs,” adding that he

would leave him to sink or swim by himself where he is guilty. Ch. Hist.

b. 5. sec. 2. He elsewhere accuses Cranmer of arguing against the

aforesaid Lambert contrary to his own private judgment; and remarks that

“as the latter was burnt for denying the corporal presence, so Cranmer

himself was afterwards condemned and died at Oxford for maintaining the

same opinion,” b. 5. sec. 6.

{657b} She is also called Joan Butcher and Joan of Kent—“When he

(Cranmer) was on the point of passing sentence upon her, . . . she

reproached him for passing the like sentence upon another woman, Ann

Askew, for denying the carnal presence of Christ in the sacrament;

telling him that he had condemned the said Ann Askew not long before for

a piece of bread, and was then ready to condemn her for a piece of

flesh.” Heylin, Edw. vi, p. 89.—As three other protestants, Lassels,

Otterden, and Adams were burnt with Askew for the selfsame cause, there

is every appearance that Cranmer was as instrumental in their punishment

as he was in that of Askew. (Milner, 207.)

{657c} See the process of their condemnation in Burnet’s Collect. of

Rec. part ii, b. 1, n. 35.

{658a} In 1538 a special commission was granted to Cranmer, with two

other bishops and six other persons, to try _summaris el de plano_, even

though they had not been denounced or detected, all Anabaptists, &c. and

to deliver them over to the secular arm. Collier vol. 2. sec. 46.—Within

a month from the date of this commission, viz. Nov. 24. I find two

Anabaptists burnt, and four bearing faggots. Stow.—About a year after

this, by virtue of a special commission, Cranmer with certain other

bishops tried Alexander Seaton for protestant opinions, and condemned him

to bear a faggot and recant at St. Paul’s Cross, which he did

accordingly. Collier, vol. 2 p. 184. The same year three other

Anabaptists were burnt by virtue of the former commission. Stow—In

Edward’s reign certain chiefs (of the Gospellers and Anabaptists) were

condemned April 12, 1549, before the archbishop (Cranmer), the bishop of

Westminster, and Drs. Cox, May, Cole, and Smith. Being convicted, some

of them were dismissed only with an admonition, some sentenced to a

recantation, and others condemned to bear their faggots at St. Paul’s.

Heylin, p. 73. About the same time John Champneys of Stratford was

convented before Cranmer, Latimer, and two other doctors, at which time

he was forced to recant upon oath certain “heretical and damnable

opinions” concerning regeneration, &c. as also to carry a faggot. In

like manner John Ashton, priest, being convented before Cranmer, abjured

his heresies, &c. and took an oath to submit to whatever penance was

enjoined. Ex. Regist. Cranm. Collier part ii. b. i, rec. 35.

{658b} Milnes, as before, p. 208.

{659a} Perhaps she meant no more than that he was born free from that

natural pollution or hereditary depravity implied in the orthodox

doctrine of original sin.

{659b} Burnet, past ii p, 111, 112. Milner, p. 208, 209.

{660a} The two first of these retractions are without date. The third

appears to have been signed Feb. 14. The fourth is dated Feb. 16; and

the last is dated March 13. See Strype’s Mem. Ecc. vol. iii, p. 134.

Cranmer retracted his recantations and was executed March 21.

{660b} Milner, as before, 210.

{661} Stow’s Annals, an. 1546. Milner, p. 173.

{662a} Hist. Ref. part ii. p. 226.

{662b} Heylin’s Hist. Ref. Edward IV, 1550. Milner, 174.

{662c} Strype’s Mem. Eccl. p. 440.

{663a} Strype’s Mem. Eccl. B. 11. c. xxiii.

{663b} Camden, Appar. ad Annal Eliz.—Milner 175.

{664} The unfavourable and ill effects of the reformation on the

manners, and morals of the people, both at home and abroad, must be

chiefly ascribed to some of the great defects of the system—some of its

most prominent features or distinguishing doctrines, as was before

suggested—such as justification by faith without works, predestination to

perdition as well as to salvation, or election and reprobation

representing all human characters and actions (even the most horrid

crimes), as emanating or resulting from the decrees of Heaven, or will of

God—doctrines which certainly cannot be said to be favourable to

practical holiness or virtuous living. Yet they form a main part of what

has been called _evangelical_ religion ever since. As to their

licentious tendency, Luther is known to have gone very far, and expressed

himself very strongly on the above doctrine of _justification_; even so

as to speak very slightly of the _Epistle of James_, calling it “dry,

chaffy, and unworthy the apostolic spirit,” for no other reason than its

manifest opposition to his views of this doctrine. He probably deemed

that Epistle far inferior to his own writings when he called himself the

_second Elias_ and the _Chariot of Israel_, and said in his book against

the king of England, “My ministry and calling are of that excellency that

it is in vain for princes or any persons on earth to expect submission or

forbearance from me.” Be this as it may, it is evident, from _Bucer’s_

testimony, (see p. 628) that the reformed converts made a great handle of

that doctrine, and considered it as excusing and encouraging their

licentiousness: and Bucer was a witness of the effects of the reformation

in England as well as on the continent.—As to those reformed doctrines

relating to the _Divine Decrees_, or predestination to perdition as well

as to salvation, and which are commonly comprehended under the terms

Election and Reprobation, their loose and licentious tendency, must be

obvious to every unbiassed mind, seeing they place good and evil, virtue

and vice, truth and error, right and wrong, as it were upon a level, and

in effect annihilate all the distinctions between them, making the worst

as well as the best of human actions to be agreeable to the will of God

and the offspring of his eternal counsel or purpose. Where such

doctrines prevail it may be expected that moral restraints will be soon

overpowered.

{668} So far they were evidently of use, and their suppression was a

real and public loss, in that view and as things then stood.

{672} In the days of Wickliff, and for a good while after, there was

among the common people a spirit of revolt against papal tyranny and

corruption; but that spirit had been suppressed and extinguished before

Henry had begun his work of reformation. Between his work and that of

Wickliff there was a wide and striking difference—the former originated

with the court, the latter with some thinking men at Oxford; the former

was carried on by royal caprice, orders of council, and acts of

parliament, the latter by the diligent and persevering exertions and

eloquence of private individuals of integrity and learning, who were

convinced of its importance, and who travelled on foot about the country

to instruct and enlighten the people, in order to improve their manners,

their morals and their religious principles.

{673} This might be the reason why so many places of worship besides the

convents, and which had no connection with them, were here laid by and

demolished at that time—such as the church or chapel of St. James, those

of St. John, and of St. Catherine, &c. the demolition of which, except

for the reason now suggested, must appear exceedingly unaccountable.—As

to the church or chapel of _St. Catherine_, of whose site the author

expressed much uncertainty at p. 559, he now begs leave to inform the

reader that he has been since led to conclude, from some old MSS. that it

stood in that small field without the East gate, on the left hand as we

go out of the town, and which is now enclosed from the road by a brick

wall. It appears that it retained the name of _St. Catherine’s ground_

long after the church had disappeared.

{674} Many of them could hardly read; and as to preaching, it was what

few of them were capable of. To supply that deficiency the _Book of

Homilies_ was provided, and the reading of those homilies, for a while,

appears to have supplied the place of preaching. But the plan was ill

calculated to instruct and enlighten the common people, though it might

be of use to their superiors.

{675a} Hist. Ref. 1. 317.

{675b} Hist. Ref. as before.

{676} Burnet Hist. Ref. as before.

{678} Of the prodigious popularity and reputation of the friars, see

above at page 495.

{680} The following is thought a pretty correct statement of the numbers

of worshipers that might be accommodated in each and all our present

places of worship—In _St. Margaret’s_ church; 1322; in _St. Nicholas’_

chapel 1066; in _All Saints_, or South Lynn church, 388: in the

_Methodist chapel_, 500; in the _Independent chapel_ 450; in the _Baptist

chapel_ 500; and in that of the Friends or Quakers 100.—Thus all the

churches might admit 2776; and all the Dissenting chapels about 1500, or

1550—in all 4326. But it is well known that the number of those that do

actually attend falls greatly short of 4326, and we may very safely

venture to affirm that they do not exceed 3000: so that there must be

here between 7 and 8000 people whose minds are strangers to religious

impressions, and whose conduct is very little regulated or affected by

any sound moral principles. Would it not therefore be very desirable to

increase among us the means of religious and moral instruction? Some

more new chapels, under proper direction, might prove of no small benefit

to the town, and help to bring from darkness to light another third part

of its population. This hint deserves consideration.

{682} For an account of the Lynn Gilds, see above, Part iii. ch. v. p.

403.

{684a} Thus in the old ballad of Truth and Ignorance, the latter, who is

represented as a rustic, says,

Che’ll tell thee what, good fellowe,

Before the vriars went hence,

A bushel of the best wheate,

Was zold for vourteen pence:

And vorty egges a penny,

That were both good and newe;

And this, che say, myselfe have seen,

And yet I am no Jewe.

(Andrews, 2. 282.)

These lines were quoted before imperfectly. They are now given correctly

in the original orthography.

{684b} We allude principally to the _poor-rates_ and _paving-tax_, which

are certainly most severely felt, and likely to be still more so. The

former by frugal and wise management might, doubtless, be greatly

reduced, without any material detriment to the poor: and the latter ought

never to have existed till the times proved more favourable. When the

project was brought forward it was firmly opposed by a large body of the

householders: but it was carried against them, very wrongfully. They

were told that the work would be completed at the expence of about

13,000_l._ and it has already far exceeded, if not doubled, that sum: yet

the work is not finished. Thousands have been lavished, merely to suit

the convenience, or gratify the caprice of a few opulent families,

without being of the least use or benefit to the town at large; which

must have been exceedingly disingenuous and dishonourable. So great was

the liberality which the paviers experienced at Lynn, that they are

reported to be satisfied to do their work at Norwich and Yarmouth, 25 per

cent. under what they had here.—In short, the managers, or rather the

mis-managers of this concern, went on lavishly and blunderingly, till

they could go no further. They were aground for sometime this last

autumn, and had probably remained so over the winter, and the summer too,

and thrown the whole town into the utmost confusion, but for the timely

assistance of a certain individual, who on this critical occasion stood

in the place and acted the part of that good man noticed in holy writ,

who by his wisdom _delivered the city_. Eccl. ix. 15.

{687} See Martin’s History of Thetford chap. xiii. p. 170.

{688} The Surrenders seem to have been all much of the same cast and

tenor, and so were probably the _confessions_ which accompanied them, a

copy of one of these is given by Burnet, and is as follows—

“Forasmuch as we _Richard Green_, abbot of our monastery of our

blessed lady St. Mary of Betlesden, and the convent of the said

monastery, do profoundly consider, that the whole manner and trade of

living, which we and our pretensed religion have practised and used

many days, does most principally consist in certain dumb ceremonies,

and other certain constitutions of the bishops of Rome, and other

forinsecal potentates, as the abbot of _Cistins_, and therein only

noseled and not taught in the true knowledge of God’s laws, procuring

always exemptions of the bishops of Rome from our ordinaries and

diocesans: submitting ourselves principally to forinsecal potentates

and powers, which never came here to reform such disorders of living

and abases as now have been found to have reigned amongst us. And

therefore now assuredly knowing, that the most perfect way of living

is most principally and sufficiently declared unto us by our Master

Christ, his Evangelists and Apostles, and that it is most expedient

for us to be governed and ordered by our supreme Head, under God, the

king’s most noble Grace, with our mutual assent and consent, submit

ourselves and every one of us, to the most benign mercy of the king’s

majesty; and by these presents do surrender &c.”

The Surrender follows in common form, Signed by the abbot, subprior, and

nine monks, 15th Sept. 30th year of that reign.—From these samples one

may from an idea of the tenour of the surrenders and confessions which

went from Lyon. See Burnet, vol. I. Col. rec. p. 150.

{689} There were then dissolved 645 monasteries, 90 Colleges, 2374

Chauntrys, and 110 hospitals. The yearly revenue of the whole amounted

then to 161,100_l._ a sum equal perhaps, to 3 or 4 millions of our money,

which must be far less than the present ecclesiastical revenue of England

and Ireland. From a part of the above fund the universities were

indulged with some additional colleges and professorships; and six new

bishoprics were erected. An immense sum too accrued to the king from the

furniture, clocks, bells, lead, &c. of these edifices; and even from

bullion, 5000 marks of which were found in one abbey. See Andrews, 2.

282.

{699} These have long been deemed here among the _chief of sinners_, as

tippling and other vices are supposed to have abounded through their

patronage or connivance.

{702a} Mr. Man was minister of South Lynn till 1646, when he was

succeeded by the worthy and learned _John Horne_, who was not likely to

restrain his parishioners from eating meat in _Lent_, or require the sick

to take out licences on that occasion. Of this memorable person we shall

have occasion to say more hereafter.

{702b} This Thomas Lilly was a respectable ancestor of our present

representative in parliament, Sir Martin Browne Folkes, and original

proprietor, it is supposed, of that gentleman’s valuable possessions in

South Lynn. His daughter and sole heiress married Sir William Hovel of

Hillington, and was grandmother of Martin Folkes Esquire, president of

the Royal Society, and of William Folkes Esquire, the father of Sir

Martin.

{704} Those _Licences and Dispensations_ seem to have been no longer at

the disposal or option of the parish ministers, for there was an _office_

in London opened expressly for that purpose, as we find by an

advertisement which appeared in the said _Mercurius Publicus_ of Feb. 26.

1662, and the two following weeks, and which was expressed as follows—“An

advertisement—The _Faculties Office_ for granting Licenses (by Act of

Parliament) to eat flesh in any part of England, is still kept at

Paul’s-Chain, near St. Paul’s Church-yard.” The present writer cannot

find when this notable office was first opened, or how long it existed,

but thinks it not very likely that it was laid by, or shut up before the

revolution.